FACES OF 2008: Features

Our experts

SMITHFIELD

WHY YOU KNOW HIM: The 11 1/2-year-old porker has an unusual ability with his snout and a paintbrush, which has scored him appearances on "Live With Regis and Kelly" and this past summer, "America's Got Talent."

The Vietnamese pot-belly, who five years ago survived a bout of snout cancer, couldn't win over the judging trio of Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff during the New York taping, thus nixing his chance to compete for the grand prize in Las Vegas.

WHAT'S NEW: Smithfield received his own art gallery at Chesterfield County's Rockwood Park, inside the Nature Center, where he occasionally makes live appearances.

His owner, Fran Martin, said that editors at a Japanese magazine for children contacted her to use Smithfied's photo in its publication. Also, a picture of one of the Picasso porker's paintings graces the Christmas cards sent from the North Carolina State veterinary hospital, where he has received his cancer treatment.

A $15 calendar is available at Smithfield's Web site, http://www.paintingpig.com.

JASON MRAZ

WHY YOU KNOW HIM: Mraz just scored the biggest hit of his six-year career, the sauntering "I'm Yours." The song has lingered on the charts since March -- and is still there. Along the way, it has reached No. 1 on the Top 40 Airplay, Hot Adult Contemporary and Adult Album Alternative charts.

Mraz charted with his first hit, 2003's "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)," plus "Geek in the Pink" and "You and I Both."

WHAT'S NEW: Mraz was just nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for "I'm Yours." The awards will be announced live from Los Angeles on Feb. 8.

CHRIS BROWN

R&B singer/dancer/actorwho is a native of Tappahannock,and currently lives in Montpelier

WHY YOU KNOW HIM: His smooth voice and elastic dance moves have led many to compare him to a young Michael Jackson.

WHAT'S NEW: Brown has just been crowned Artist of the Year by Billboard magazine. The prestigious title was bestowed on Brown after tallying album sales, digital downloads, radio airplay and Internet streams.

The 19-year-old triple threat had a trio of songs hit the top five on the Billboard charts this year -- "With You," "Forever" and "No Air," his duet with "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks that is also nominated for a Grammy Award.

His current album, "Exclusive," has sold almost 2 million copies since its October 2007 release.

TIM BILLUPS

Boy Scout leader of Troop 500, which meets at Chamberlayne Heights United Methodist Church in Henrico County

WHY YOU KNOW HIM: Billups donated a kidney to fellow Scout leader Mel Northington, whose kidneys failed.

WHAT'S NEW: A year after the December 2007 transplant, Billups continues to do fine with one kidney, and Northington is feeling stronger every day. The Hanover County men and their families remain strong friends, so much so that Northington calls Billups' mother, Lucyann Billups, if only half-jokingly, "Mom."

"All in all, I just feel blessed," said Northington, who has returned full-time to his job as an account manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. "That feeling will never go away."

A smiling Northington said a clear sign he's healthier than when the original article was published on March 3 in The Times-Dispatch is that "I can laugh now without having to grab my side."

This month, Billups was honored -- and surprised -- to receive the Boy Scouts' Medal of Merit, a national award given to a Scout or Scout leader who has "performed some outstanding act of service of a rare or exceptional character that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others."

Billups said he was humbled by the award and taken aback by the kind words of people who have praised his gift to Northington. But he feels a bit sheepish accepting everything that's come his way.

"I feel more comfortable giving than receiving," he said.

WILLIE ALCORN WELLS

West End resident, avid reader
WHY YOU KNOW HER: We've been writing about Wells and her twin, Nannie Alcorn Wright, since 2002 when they turned 99.

WHAT'S NEW: Wells will turn 106 on Jan. 5. Nannie, who was her roommate, soul mate and best friend, died in 2004 after a fall. Then last June, niece Nancy Baker -- who was Wells' companion, chauffeur and caregiver -- died.

Despite the upheaval in her life, Wells soldiers on and remains in relatively good health and good humor. She still lives in her home in Richmond's West End -- which she and her sister, both childless, shared for more than 25 years after their husbands died -- with round-the-clock caregivers, coordinated by Jayne Christian (above), who has been her part-time caregiver for almost five years.

"A lot of changes," said Christian. "But things are going good."

Wells sleeps a little later in the mornings now, except on Thursdays, when she makes her weekly trip to the hair salon. She also attends meetings of her woman's club and the Red Hat Society. In the past year, she also attended the wedding of Christian's daughter and even danced at the reception.

"I enjoyed it very much," Wells said.

She's content to sit in her recliner with her nose in the newspaper, which she reads from front to back -- sometimes several times -- every day.

"I enjoy reading," she said. "I think it's a good education."

She plans to celebrate her birthday at a favorite restaurant: Red Lobster.

"Isn't that something to live this long?" Wells asked. "I feel good."

LINDSAY ARONSON ESS

Ess, 25, had her arms and legs amputated in 2007 after a severe,post-surgical infection

WHY YOU KNOW HER: A long feature story in The Times-Dispatch last May chronicled her road to recovery, including learning to use artificial limbs, and her battle to reclaim a normal life.

WHAT'S NEW: Ess underwent surgery in November to repair a skin graft on her right leg that never healed properly. While in the hospital, surgeons also closed her tracheotomy and fixed a hernia. Her leg hasn't fully healed, which means she is unable to wear her artificial legs, which is frustrating her in terms of getting around and regaining her muscle strength.

She continues to move on with her life. She is moving into an apartment in January near Virginia Commonwealth University, where she earned a degree in fashion merchandising and where she will teach in the fashion department next semester. (Her mom, Judith Aronson, who quit her job in fall 2007 to care for Ess, hopes to find a new job after Jan. 1.)

She hopes to acquire a Segway for transportation, using some of the money raised on her behalf in the past year by groups such as the Glen Allen Ruritan Club.

Short-term, Ess also plans to become a mentor for middle school girls. Long-term, she wants to marry and have children and run. She is learning not only to have big dreams, but to have patience. Things aren't moving along nearly as fast as she would like. She knows moving into the apartment represents not only a major challenge, but also a major milestone.

"I'm excited about it," Ess said during an interview at her home earlier this month. "It's a huge step to becoming more independent."