The G20 Summit begins today!  Everyone here at Channel 4 Action News is working hard to bring you complete coverage of the historical event!  Everyday our morning show starts at 4:30am.  We also have a special every night at 7:00 and our 11:00 coverage last for an hour!  All of this extra coverage means no Links N’@ this week.  It’ll be back on Monday. 

If I were to produce Links N’@ today, you would be seeing this story.  The blog Puck Daddy interviewed Evgeni Malkin at the Penguins’ star’s home.

Courtesy: Puck Daddy

Here are some of my favorite excerpts from the interview:

Puck Daddy: Are you friends with any of the Steelers? Maybe Big Ben?

Malkin: No, I have never met him nor been introduced to him. I only know… What do you call them? They guys who kick the ball? Kickers? I went out to dinner with them a couple of times, hanged out with them.

Puck Daddy: What are you driving these days?

Malkin: Right now it’s a Range Rover. But I am going to change it because it is four years old. A week ago I ordered a Porsche Cayenne, and I will drive that. I also have a small Porsche that I “race” as you were told. When you’re young you want to have a sporty car and look for such cars every year, like a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. I keep thinking about buying one. Maybe I will.

Puck Daddy: What is your adult beverage of choice?

Malkin: Lately I really like Sangria. Just white or red Sangria, sometimes mixed, with lots of fruits. You can drink it after games in good quantities, unlike beer. You have to watch your weight.

I love Sangria too, Geno!  I love dogs as well.  Puck Daddy reports that right now, Malkin is working on getting the paperwork to bring back his dog from Russia.  Malkin tells Puck Daddy it’s a Dogue de Bordeaux, which is a HUGE dog.  Good thing he has a big house and big yard for the pup!

An example of the dog Malkin owns that I found on dogbreedinfo.com

Wedding season is slowly coming to an end.  I was lucky enough to be invited to two beautiful ceremonies in the month of August.  Zach and Julie Hughes got married on August 1st in Erie.  A few weeks later, Nick and Lauren D’Alessandro got married on August 29th in Pittsburgh.  Here are some pictures!

What a good looking wedding party!

Adam, Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Smith & Me

My best friends (Hayley & Emily Hughes)

Me, Lauren, Nick & Adam

Me & Lindsay (sister of the groom)

The groomsmen hoisted the father of the bride (Mr. Keyes) into the air!

First of all, I want to let you know that Links N’@ will be back soon!  Look for an all new episode this Friday!

Second, it’s time to conclude my ice cream poll.  I asked you which ice cream treat is better, strawberry shortcake or chips galore?  As of Wednesday (9/9) at noon, these are the results:

Strawberry Shortcake 51%

Chips Galore 46%

Other 2%

I’m very disappointed in these results.  I am a HUGE chips galore fan.  Now I must follow up on my bet with co-worker Joe and eat a strawberry shortcake bar.  I’m sure he will be taking PLENTY of pictures and they will be posted on this blog soon.

Forget Steeler Nation.  You can now call it Steeler World.  My friend Matt Ignacic just got back from Europe and look what he found!  A Steelers bar in Rome, Italy!  Steeler fans really are everywhere!

Steelers Bar in Rome

P.S.  The ice cream poll is still up and running!  And the debate in the newsroom is getting really heated.  Strawberry shortcake or Chips Galore, which really is the best ice cream treat?  Vote below!  Results coming soon…

Some of us in the newsroom have an ongoing debate and I need your help settling the dispute. If you were to pick out a FREE ice cream treat, would you choose a Strawberry Shortcake or a Chips Galore? Please take our survey!

These pictures are from my 50 Finest Fundraiser last week.  I’m raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  Here’s the link if you want to donate and help me out http://www.cff.org/LWC/BeckyEmmers

Helen, Sally & Paul

Adam & me

Joe, Josh & Leah

One of my dentist friends is practically giving away teeth whitening services right now.  Paul Kraisinger, DMD is offering “Smiles for Life” professional cosmetic teeth whitening for $99.  ALL of the proceeds go directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation!  You can call 724.836.DENT (3368) to make an appointment or to get more information

 A huge thank you to all who attended my 50 Finest fundraiser at Finn McCool’s Wednesday night. We made a good amount of money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Reporter Marcie Cipriani, Anchor Sally Wiggin & Assignment Editor Dennis Atkinson

Me, Mark, Kate, Lindsey & Lauren

Courtney, Tracy, Rachel & Lauren

Adam, Me, Dave, Reilly & Schaefer

Chad, Jeff & Jordan

I’ve never planned a wedding myself, but if I did, I would definitely use theknot.com.  It’s a one, stop shop with everything you need to plan out your special day.  I love checking out the dress and hair ideas.  The site is especially helpful during these times when money is tight.  For example, check out the DIY (do it yourself) section.  It has a lot of cool, money-saving options.  For more about this site, check out my plugged in story.

The 17th Street Cafe in the South Side is giving away free cups of Red Borscht Soup tonight, for Pens fans who show up to watch the  game. Borscht is the kind of soup that Natalia Malkin makes for her superstar son, Evgeni Malkin. Here is the recipe that the restaurant sent out in a mass email. Yummy! Let’s Go Pens!   

1 pound any kind of meat, cubed (approximately 1 1/2-inches)
3 medium baking potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 medium head cabbage, cored and shredded
8-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 medium beets, peeled and shredded
3 carrots, peeled and shredded
1 teaspoon white sugar, or to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced
6-ounce can tomato paste
3/4 cup water
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup sour cream, for topping
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Fill a large pot halfway with water (about 2 quarts), add the meat and bring to a boil, reduce the heat and cover the pot. Add the potatoes and bring to a boil. Add the cabbage and the can of diced tomatoes and cook until tender, about 15 minutes.

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the beets, and cook until tender. Add the carrots, the white sugar and the raw garlic. Stir in the tomato paste and water until well blended. Add skillet contents to the soup and bring to a boil, cover and turn off the heat. Let stand for 15 to 20 minutes. Taste, and season with salt, pepper and additional sugar, if desired.

Ladle into serving bowls, and garnish with sour cream and fresh parsley.