20 Questions for...

Vielka R. Brown

Dave Spinelli

Age: 43 Years working in NL: 5 Birthplace: Rainbow City, Canal Zone, Panama

1. Number of siblings: 4: 2 brothers, 2 sisters, I'm the baby.

2. Number children: 2: son, 20 yrs old, and daughter, 14 yrs old.

3. Parents' occupations: My mother was a homemaker. My father was a master carpenter.

4. Coffee: No, herbal tea. Any kind of fruit.

5. First impression of NL: Where the hell am I? And, how do I get around? [coming from New York]

6. Love about NL: The small-town charm and scenic views.

7. Worst day in NL: Every holiday when there's no public transportation.

8. Personal motto: If you can't be honest, and can't be kind, then shut up.

9. Favorite vice: None. That's one thing I pride myself in. I don't have none.

10. What are the things you can't live without? Hot water and freedom to speak my mind.

11. Who's your hero? My parents, because of the values they instilled in me.

12. Most influential person in your life? My mom, because of her inner strength.

She would always say, "Just keep movin'".

13. At 4PM on Saturdays, what are you usually doing? I'm already at work.

14. What's your morning routine? Get up, turn on the TV, eat my oats mixed with trail mix and milk, and force myself to do what I have to do for that day.

15. If you won the lottery today, what's the first thing you'd do? Travel to Africa.

16. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be? Nancy Wilson, jazz singer.

17. Your key to your success? I don't crab-walk. No backwards. No sideways. I only go forward, baby. Only forward.

18. What was the best Christmas present you got this year? Spring bulbs [to plant in my garden].

19. What was the best Christmas present you ever got? My bike, when I was about 7, red and yellow with tassels from the handlebars. That and the cotton candy machine and popcorn machine.

20. Personal goal for 2008? Stay afloat. Financially just stay afloat, baby.