(Providence, Rhode Island)

Happy 69th birthday to Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci, Jr. The former Mayor of Providence was the toast of the town Wednesday night at Waterplace Bar & Restaurant, where we celebrated the "30th anniversary of his 39th birthday!"

The event was a fundraiser for the scholarship fund that bears Buddy's name. The fund, by Buddy's account, has sent a couple of hundred local kids who needed some help to college over the years.

Speaking of college, that is one thing Buddy and I have in common. He is a 1966 graduate of the Marquette University Law School, and I am a 1981 graduate of the Marquette University College of Speech (now the College of Communication). Hopefully, the alumni magazine will publish our photo from above!

Many of you outside of Rhode Island (especially my kids) will recognize his name from the fictitious "Buddy Cianci Junior High School," which Chris Griffin attends on the FOX TV show "Family Guy!"

Buddy and I now work together at WLNE-TV ABC-6 in Providence. He is our Chief Political Analyst, and I am the Weekend Anchor and Chief Political Reporter.

Check us out on-air, or online at www.ABC6.com.

Cheers!