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INDEX Rev. Snyder..........2 Happenings..........4 Quail Meadow......6 Fairfield Village12 V O L U M E 6 N U M B E R 3 7 W E D N E S D A Y D e c e m b e r 1 2 2 0 1 2 Puzzles Page 9 Bridge opensPage 11 PHOTOS BY JIM CLARKRemembering Pearl HarborA ceremony remembering the attack on Pearl Harbor was held on Friday, Dec. 7, at Veterans Memorial Park in Ocala. Above, members of Rolling Thunder Chapter 3 are among those singing the National Anthem. More photos, Page 7. Patrick Kennedy of Evangeline Booth Apartments was there to remembetr his cousin, Atticus Lee Blanton, who didnt make it off the Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941. Francis Marion Military Academy presents the colors. On Nov. 29, eight Ocala Palms Residents traveled to the Florida National Guard Headquarters in St. Augustine. The purpose of the trip was for the Florida Military Family Assistance Fund to present to the Florida National Guard Foundation, a check in the amount of $34,600. This contribution was a result of monies raised from the fourth annual Veterans Day Charity Golf Tournament which was held on Nov. 10. This money goes into an Emergency Relief Fund dedicated for active duty soldiers and their families who are in financial need. The check was presented by John and Pat De Jesus to Major General Emmett Titshaw Jr., Adjutant General FNG, General James D. Tyre, Asst. Adjutant GeneralArmy FNG, and BG (Ret) Richard Capps, Pres. FNG Foundation. In attendance from the Florida Military Family Assistance Fund were: John DeJesus, President, Terry Sutton, Vice President, Pat De Jesus, Secretary/Treasurer and the following committee volunteers: Rene & Tom Hopkins, Peggy and Sam Maragioglio and Bob Ruddick. The support of residents from Ocala Palms was overwhelmingly appreciated by members of the Florida National Guard who were also present. Ocala Palms presents check to Florida National Guard The check presenation in St. Augustine. Motorists traveling on the below-listed roads in northwestern Marion will experience temporary road closures as follows: Dec. 13-14: Intersection of Northwest 14th Avenue and Northwest 68th Place due to the installation of underground stormwater pipe and construction activity associated with the Ocala Highlands Estates Stormwater Retrofit Project. The closures will be in effect during daylight hours only. Through Dec. 21 (continuance of work): Northwest 100th Street between County Road 225A and Northwest 60th Avenue due to construction associated with the Northwest 100th Street at Northwest 60th Avenue Re-alignment Project. Only access to local residences will be maintained. Proper signage, barricades and barriers will guide travelers through and around the work areas. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes when possible. Adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances may affect the work schedule. Local roads face closure Marion County Democrats last week reelected by acclamation their state committee representatives Joyce Blake and Rick Perry as well as local chairman Reginald Landers, Jr.; vice chairman Millie Grissom, and treasurer Michelle Kudrna. Stephanie Miller, one of the many stalwarts of the campaign who will be saluted at a gathering at the Democratic Headquarters on Dec. 15, was elected secretary and Diane Schrier, Angela White and Diana Williams became atlarge precinct captains. Democrats are invited to a holiday potluck party next Monday, Dec.17, during which they are asked to contribute to an angel tree for a Belleview family in Democrats elect local slate of officers Please see DEMOCRATS Page 3
Iwill confess right up front to a certain degree of confusion. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage will corroborate this confession. So many things confuse me; I am not sure where to begin, and once I begin, where in the world will it stop? I have been married for over 41 years but I must confess, not to the same woman. Oh yes, it is the same woman with the same name but it is not the same woman I married 41 years ago. Where is that young woman I married? When first married, I thought I knew everything there was to know about women and wives in particular. I do not know if it is the ensuing years but I am rather confused about this whole matter of being married. I suppose that is the mystery of romance. If you ever figure it out it loses its charm. Romance without charm is just an old man and an old woman who have lived together for 41 years. That is just one area of confusion. I harbor no aspiration of unconfusing my level of confusion in that area. There are other areas I could work on that might be a little more productive in this regard. An area particularly that has me greatly confused is the Christmas season with all the Christmas decorations including the ominous Christmas tree. Oh, how I love that old Christmas tree and decorating it and celebrating the whole Christmas spirit. What has been confusing me for the last several years is this uncertainty about the season. Some people do not want to call it the Christmas season; rather they refer to it as the holiday season. What I want to know is, what holiday are we celebrating in December? I know the holiday we celebrate in November, and the other holidays sprinkled throughout the year. In July, for example, nobody calls it a holiday parade. It is the Fourth of July parade, for Petes sake! In February, nobody calls it a holiday banquet. It is a Valentines banquet. Just so everybody knows, nobody will catch me singing a holiday carol. I suppose with all the holidays in this country throughout the year it would be simpler just to call everything a holiday. That would simplify things and help those who cannot keep up with the calendar. I am all for that. It seems the only squabbling that goes on is during the month of December. Actually, the squabbling begins before our turkey dinner has finished digesting. Maybe some people get too much turkey in their system and it clouds their thinking. All they have to do is squabble about something and so the only thing in front of them is the Christmas season. I get that. What I do not get is the level of anger directed in this direction. It would seem that the Christmas season offers a huge threat to our society. We cannot call our Christmas tree a Christmas tree; it has to be called a holiday tree. Everybody knows, the word Christmas tree is some kind of code inviting disaster on our society. I have never heard anybody define or describe what that disaster would look like. What amazes me is simply that this is a huge issue in some peoples minds. Nothing is more dangerous to society than this. The word Christmas carries with it more danger to our society than the ominous financial cliff we are facing, the threat of terrorism in our own country and Lindsay Lohan at 4 a.m. What is more confusing to me is that these people who are trying to protect our society from anything religious wants to substitute the word holiday for the word Christmas. It just shows the level of education in our country has not kept up with the times. I know it has been a long time since I have been in school, but I do know that certain words have certain definitions. Do the people who object to anything religious understand that the word holiday comes from the phrase holy day? I am not a PhD but I do know that the phrase holy day has religious roots. So, I am really confused along this line. On the one hand, we are not to use the word Christmas because of its religious connotations. At the same time, we are supposed to use the word holiday which in every dictionary in the land means holy day. I could be corrected along this line, but in my thinking the phrase, holy day has some very distinct religious roots. When I hear somebody complaining along this line, and they do it so vehemently, I have a question as to their sanity. It does not make sense to me. Christmas is a holy day but we are not allowed to think of it as a holy day just use the term holiday. Now I am really confused. Is it a holiday or a holy day? Is it sacred or is it secular? What holiday does a holiday tree really celebrate? I like what the apostle Paul wrote, Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days (Colossians 2:16 KJV). I will not allow any mans objections affect my celebration of the Christmasseason. To quote from a great secular classic, God bless us, everyone.Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 1-866552-2543 or e-mail email@example.com. His web site is www.jamessnyderministries.com. 2 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 messengermessenger MESSENGER messengermessengermessengermessengermessengermessenger 0 0 0 D F P 1 Locally Owned IP Resort $159 pp/dbl Beau Rivage $175 pp/dbl SOT #36723 Biloxi Ca$ino Tours 3 Nights January 07-10 01/21, 02/04, 02/18, 03/04 Chance to win $50 CASH ONE FREE TRIP GIVEN AWAY EACH MONTH 352-840-0333 www.LauraKaneTravel.com Includes $55 in freeplay & two breakfast vouchers Ask about the 5 for $50 deal Tour Escort Janet Stefan Deluxe motor coach/3 nts. hotel Games played on the bus Refreshments served on bus 000DGZN F INDING J OY Crossroads Church Christmas Production Free admission 8070 SW 60th Ave., Ocala, Fl, 34476 Phone: 352-291-2080 Crossroadscog.net December 15th and 16th @ 6PM 000DH3H RAY ONSTRUCTION Crayconst.com Crayconst.com SCREEN SCREEN DOOR DOOR 000DEEZ What holiday does a holiday tree celebrate? James Snyder Ocala West Church of the Nazarene lists scheduled for Advent, ChristmasAdvent schedule:Morning Worship Advent Sermon series at 10:30 a.m.: Dec. 16, Recognizing Christ at Christmas Dec. 23, How to Know God is Real.Special Christmas evening events at 6 p.m.Dec. 23 Childrens program and candlelight service. Dec. 24, Christmas Eve Communion Service. We welcome you. Please join us in making this Christmas as special time of worship! Ocala West Church of the Nazarene is at 5884 S.W. 60th Ave., (Airport Road) Ocala. Our webpage is www.ocalawestnaz.org. Please use our e-mail email@example.com 000DI1V
Ocala Health has announced that the Florida Department of Health, Office of Trauma, has approved their application for Provisional Level II Trauma Center designation at Ocala Regional Medical Center. This designation provides Trauma Service Area (TSA) 6, composed of Marion, Hernando, and Citrus counties, with its first and only trauma center. Ocala Regional Medical Center began receiving all patients who meet trauma alert criteria as put forth by the State of Florida, as of 7 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. This designation means we can now provide residents of Marion and surrounding counties with trauma care in their own community and ensure that critically injured patients have access to treatment faster, which could mean the difference between life and death, explains Randy McVay, Chief Executive Officer, Ocala Health. We are proud to be able to meet a true community need for easier access to comprehensive trauma care when minutes matter. The golden hour refers to a time period lasting from a few minutes to several hours following traumatic injury, during which there is the highest likelihood that prompt medical treatment will help to decrease death and disability. Prior to Ocala Regional gaining provisional status, EMS and first responder teams were required to transport patients to facilities outside TSA 6 to centers in Gainesville and Tampa. The development of a trauma program was a natural next step in the evolution of Ocala Regional Medical Center and is a very proud milestone for Ocala Health. More than $6.5 million has already been invested in developing the program, which is part of the USF/HCA Trauma Network. Community hospitals like Ocala Regional are able to meet local needs for trauma services through affiliations with major academic universities and medical schools. Ocala Regional Medical Center joins five other hospitals in the USF/HCA Trauma Network, which was created to complement the States existing trauma system, and to provide better access to those citizens living in currently underserved areas, said James M. Hurst, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery, USF, and USF/HCA Trauma Network Medical Director. We look forward to working with Ocala Health to improve access to trauma care throughout Marion, Hernando and Citrus Counties. Darwin Noel Ang, MD, PhD, FACS, Medical Director of Trauma Services at Ocala Regional Medical Center, is also the Director of the USF/HCA Trauma Research and Analysis Center. This Center combines the resources of Morsani College of Medicine, USFs School of Public Health and the USF/HCA Trauma Network in quality and outcomes research. For the last nine months, Ocala Health leadership and staff have been working on several fronts to prepare to care for the communitys most critically injured patients. Significant efforts included construction of a rooftop helipad and resuscitation rooms in the Emergency Department, critical care training for staff at all levels of patient care, and the addition of more than 40 new staff members and 15 specialists. messengermessenger MESSENGER messengermessengermessengermessengermessengermessenger Wednesday, December 12, 2012 3 000DAVM Boarding Grooming Look for us Look for us $ 99 00 000DEGX J a s m i n e P l a z a 3 5 2 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 Jasmine Plaza 352-401-0001 6 1 6 0 S W S R 2 0 0 U n i t 1 0 4 O c a l a F l o r i d a 3 4 4 7 6 6160 SW SR 200 Unit 104 Ocala, Florida 34476 H O L I D A Y H O U R S : M O N F R I 1 0 5 S A T 1 0 2 HOLIDAY HOURS: MON.-FRI. 10-5 SAT. 10-2 Readers Choice Winner Jewelry Store 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 www.jandjjewelersocala.com All repairs done on premises. B ATTERIES $ 8 00 + tax HOLIDAY SALE 10-40% OFF STOREWIDE 000DFFD Eyecare hours are: M T TH F 8:30 -5:00; W 1:00-6:00 Select Sat. are available United Health Care Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider Heath Brook Commons (next to Publix) 5400 SW College Rd/Highway 200, Suite 106, Ocala, FL 34474 Dr. James A. Muse B o a r d C e r t i f i e d Board Certified O p t o m e t r i c P h y s i c i a n Optometric Physician Our commitment to personalized eyecare... Your eyes are our masterpiece. firstname.lastname@example.com Need a NEW Optometrist? Transfer Prescriptions and or Records Call 352-622-3937 000DF5I MUSEUM EYECARE 000DCON dire need. Tickets for the Inaugural Celebration dinner/dance at the Ocala Hilton are now available.. Only 300 are available at $50 each. Please visit MarionDems.org. for inforDEMOCRATScontinued from Page 1 Read the classifieds ORMC approved as provisional Level 2 trauma center Please use our e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com
4 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 messengermessenger MESSENGER messengermessengermessengermessengermessengermessenger Attend the worship service of your choice... Christ the King The Rev. Donald J. Curran, Rector Rev. Matthew Walter Asst. Rector Services: Rite I 7:30 am Rite II 8:50 & 11:15 am Childrens Church 8:50 am 3801 US N. Hwy 441 in Living Waters Worship Centers South Sanctuary Christ the King Anglican Church Anglican Church 000dbzy 000CKU2 6768 SW 80th Street Ocala 34476 352-861-6182 www.ccomc.org S UNDAY S ERVICES Sunday School . . . . . . . . 9:30 am Worship Service . . . . . . 10:30 am Weekly Activities Wednesday Bible Study . 7:00 pm S ENIOR P ASTOR D AVID B ELLOWS 000D64L Christ Anglican Church 950 N.W. 70th Street (SR 326) Ocala, Florida 34475 352-351-8059 www.cac-ocala.org Service & Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Visitors Are Always Welcom e The Only Church of the True 1928 Book of Common Prayer (Episcopal) 000D9ZT Where JESUS is LORD, and YOU are Loved. Services: Sunday School : 9:30am Morning Worship: 10:30am Thursday: 6:00pm Meeting at: 145 S.W. 78th Court Ocala, Florida 352-690-7596 B I B L I C A L F O U N D A T I O N C H U R C H 0 0 0 D 7 9 5 Charlie Green Pastor 351-1106 1700 NW 60th Ave. Ocala www.newlifeocala.com Sunday 10:30am Wednesday 7:00pm is discovered through worshiping together 711187 000DHP9 Market Street Across From Barnes & Noble 4414 SW College Rd., Ocala Mon.-Sat. 10-7 Sun. 12-5 20% OFF *20% off storewide, excluding previously reduced items Internal Medicine Associates Of OcalaBoard Certifications in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics000DFLX Sharon Marques M.D. Thomas Mohan ARNP K.N. Reddy M.D. Connie L. Hartley ARNP Herma Baker FNP-BCOFFICE LOCATIONS:4840 S U.S. Hwy. 41, Dunnellon(352) 489-5152 1623 SW 1St Ave., Ocala(352) 732-9844 9401 SW Hwy. 200, Bldg. 500 Ste. 501 & 502, Ocala(352) 854-9991Ask About Weight Loss Programs!! High Blood Pressure Diabetes Weight Loss Womens Health All Arthritic Problems Heart Disease Lung Problems Complete PhysicalsCall For An Appt. Today!352-414-5312ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! Free Screenings! ARIES (March 21 to April 19) TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) CANCER (June 21 to July 22) LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) BORN THIS WEEK: W e d n e s d a y D e c 1 2 M a g i c c o m e s t o F r e e d o m P u b l i c L i b r a r y On Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 3:30 p.m., magician Brian LaPalme performs for the enjoyment of patrons of all ages. A professional magician since 1976, LaPalme is a 25-year member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Order of Merlin. Presented by the Friends of Freedom Public Library. S a t u r d a y D e c 1 5 C h u r c h o f f e r s C h r i s t m a s d i n n e r Members of the Pentecostal Trinity Church in Florida Highlands will host a Christmas dinner on Dec. 15. A hayride at 5 p.m. is followed by the dinner at 6 p.m. The church is at 9987 S.W. 155th St., in Florida Highlands. S u n d a y D e c 1 6 C h a n g e d b y a B a b y B o y Join the Worship Choir as they share musically how Read the classifieds Happenings one little baby changed the world in the Christmas Story Changed by a Baby Boy, 10:30 a.m. Christs Church of Marion County, 6768 S.W. 80th St. (off State Road 200), Ocala. Call 352-861-6182 or www.ccomc.org.T u e s d a y D e c 1 8 O c a l a H a r m o n y C h o r u sThe Ocala Harmony Chorus returns to Freedom Public Library at 3:30 on Tuesday, Dec. 18. This group was such a success last year that we brought them back to perform holiday favorites for you. Join us for lively entertainment guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit. Presented by the Friends of Freedom Public Library.W e d n e s d a y D e c 1 9 C h r i s t m a s e v e n t a t C a r m i n e sA special Christmas event is planned at Carmines Cafe in Ocala for Dec. 19. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., soprano Carolyn Eaton will be singing all the Christmas songs you know, and some you dont. Come enjoy outstanding Italian food, and great entertainment. Reservations can be made on-line at Carminesocala.com or by calling 352854-1000.T h u r s d a y D e c 2 0 A i r F o r c e g r o u p t o m e e tThe Red Tail Memorial Chapter 136 of the Air Force Association will hold its next meeting on Thursday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. a the Ocala International Airport Administration Building 750 S.W. 60th Ave., Ocala. This is the planning meeting for 2013. For more information, call Mike Emig at 352-854-8328.Y o u n g a t H e a r t p r o g r a mYoung at Heart, College Road Baptist Church, has a special treat for the December program. Norman Lee joins us to celebrate the Christmas season on the 20th. He always shares a variety of inspirational songs. Come join us, bring a dish to share. The event will be at noon at 5010 S.W. College Road, phone 352-237-5741.F r i d a y D e c 2 1 T h e C i r c l e o f F r e n c h F r i e n d sLe Cercle Des Amis Franais meets on the third Friday of every month from 11 a.m. to noon at the Marion County Sheriffs Office Community Conference Room located at 9048 Highway 200, about 1/4 mile from Wal-Mart. The club promotes all things French; language, culture and fun. You do not have to be a fluent speaker to join the group. Guests are welcome at any meeting. Call Marie McNeil at 352-509-4940 for more information. Our next meeting is Dec. 21.S a t u r d a y J a n 1 2 C h a i r y o g a a t F r e e d o m L i b r a r yChair yoga will take place at the Freedom Public Library from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., and will continue on Jan. 19, Jan. 26 and Feb.2 For information, call Ingrid Crane at 352-854-7950.K n i g h t s o f C o l u m b u s d i n n e r d a n c eThe Knights of Columbus, Council 8510 of Dunnellon, will sponsor a dinner dance on Saturday, Jan. 12 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. The parish hall is just south of the intersection of Highways 40 and 41. Tickets are available from the parish office or by phone order from the Knights of Columbus. Tickets are $15 per person. The dance will feature live music by the Country Sunshine Band, a cash bar, and a country style dinner. To reserve a table (10 to 16 people) or to pre-order tickets, call 352-489-6221. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner served at 6:30. We feature a 50/50 raffle, a basket raffle, and a door prize. Proceeds go to local charities.
messengermessenger MESSENGER messengermessengermessengermessengermessengermessenger Wednesday, December 12, 2012 5 000DHAL Opening in January Call now for an appt. 352-512-0733 Se habla Espaol Proudly announces the opening of a new office for Marion Countys children and adults The Dental Team of Ocala 2609 SW 33rd St. Suite 104 Jessica Fernandez, D.D.S and Julio Sanchez, D.D.S Accepting Medicaid, Healthy Kids and most dental insurances. Drs. Julio Sanchez and Jessica Fernandez D.D.S
6 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 messengermessenger MESSENGER messengermessengermessengermessengermessengermessenger Federal Government Insurance Code #104, #105, Quail Meadow decorates clubhouse for holidays About 25 residents turned out last week to decorate the clubhouse for the holidays. It was unbelievable how quickly the men put the tree together. In past years it has taken much longer to complete this task. After the tree was assembled, the women all joined in to add the ornaments and other decorations. Santa must have come early because there were new decorations that no one knew about. If you havent seen the inside of the clubhouse, make an effort to do so this month. While the music was playing and everyone was enjoying hot chocolate, eggnog, and cookies, Santa arrived! It was like being a child again, sitting with Santa and having a picture taken. Our thanks go to everyone who helped make this a successful night; especially to Santa for visiting, and Marion Gartman for taking the pictures. Have you noticed the lighted sign in front of the clubhouse? We can now see the reminders of upcoming events. This is something that has been discussed for a long time and finally action was taken. We can thank Bobby Dempsey, Bob Tobin, Earle Talley, and Ron Gartman for their expertise in wiring the sign and putting it all together. What better and safer way to spend New Years Eve than with friends and neighbors at the clubhouse. The festivities will begin at 9 p.m. Tickets (for $1 donation) are available from Lil Carie. If you need to get in the Christmas spirit, drive by Earle and Pat Talleys home. Earle has outdone himself this year with the lights and music. Carolyn Slocumb The group that decorated the clubhouse is shown with Santa. Santa telling Frank Christopher to "be a good boy." Maryanne Ellner with the Menorah. Teresa Bachand. Santa with Mrs. Santa (Pat Talley).Ron and Carolyn Mowrey.Theresa and Dave Yoders.
messengermessenger MESSENGER messengermessengermessengermessengermessengermessenger Wednesday, December 12, 2012 7 John M. Boyett, Jr. Financial Advisor Free Investment Reviews 352-237-2008 800-757-3129 8441 SW Hwy. 200, Ste. 119 Ocala Fl 34481 www.edwardjones.com Member SIP C 000DE3M 000DAC7 000DFON EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Holiday Savings! We are extending a special By Invitation Only savings opportunity to you. Come see the savings options available to you on selected apartments. RSVP Today Call 352-671-1700 today to schedule an appointment. All Inclusive Retirement Lifestyle 24/7 Live-In Managers for Peace of Mind Delicious Chef-Prepared Dining Weekly Housekeeping Fun Activities Your Pets Will Love It! And so much moreit really is all inclusive! M A R I O N W O O D S M ARION W OODS I N D E P E N D E N T R E T I R E M E N T L I V I N G I NDEPENDENT R ETIREMENT L IVING 1661 SE 31st Street, Ocala, FL 34471 ~ 352-671-1700 www.marion-woods.net Sign a lease by December 31 SAVE OVER $7,500! Cribs, Swings, Pack-N-Plays, Chairs, Safety Gates and More.Packages from $50/weekWe deliver and email@example.com Best of the Best four years in a row HOURS: Mon. Fri. 10am 5pm Hearing Aid Centers A NAME YOU CAN TRUST WITH OVER 1500 LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE FREE HEARING AIDS FOR ALL FEDERAL WORKERS & RETIREES *No Co-Pay or Exam Fee Inside Walmart Hwy. 200 & Corner 484, Ocala 352-291-1467 000DF1Y Inside Crystal River Mall Across from K-Mart 352-795-1484 Inside Sears Paddock Mall 352-237-1665 F e d e r a l G o v e r n m e n t I n s u r a n c e C o d e # 1 0 4 # 1 0 5 # 1 1 1 o r # 1 1 2 C H E C K Y O U R Q U A L I F I C A T I O N S C A L L 3 5 2 2 9 1 1 4 6 7 BC/BS LIMIT 1 COUPON PER VISIT. LIMIT 2 PACKS PER VISIT. One More Week! BATTERIES PREMIUM ZINC BATTERIES 99 ¢ FREE HEARING TEST FREE REPAIRS (IN OFFICE ONLY) HEARING AID Fits 30 DB Loss Full Shell #ME200 $ 695 .00 More photos from Pearl Harbor ceremony at Veterans Park PHOTOS BY JIM CLARKJohn Earl was dressed for the part as he played his bagpipes during the ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park on Dec. 7. Above, a plaque on the south wall of the park. Below, the memorial wreath. Randy West of Rolling Thunder Chapter 3 delivers the invocation.
8 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 messengermessenger MESSENGER messengermessengermessengermessengermessengermessenger West Marion Messenger 8810 W. State Road 200, suite 104, Ocala, FL 34481; or e-mail email@example.com Opinion Among Friends Flyover (or bridge) has its grand opening Protect your valuables and yourself We dont like to keep harping on anything, but we are constantly hearing about new scams that are meant to separate residents of Marion County from their money. Add to that the danger of theft during the holidays, and it can be an unsafe time for many. So we are going to repeat what should be some common sense rules. 1. Never give out personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call. You never know, despite what the other caller might say, who you are talking to and what is going to be done with your information. Something as innocuous as your date of birth can open the door for all sorts of con artists and identity thieves. 2. Never let a stranger into your home if you didnt initiate the contact. Providing access to some people is like saying, Here, rob me. 3. If you hire someone to do work on the inside of your home, never let them out of your sight. Things can disappear quickly and quietly if youre not careful. Something as simple as letting an outdoor worker in to use the restroom can provide him access to things you might not want him to have. If you do allow this, make sure you watch to see that he doesnt go to any other room in the house. 4. When you are shopping, protect your purse and/or wallet at all times. Sometimes it might be better to carry just your keys, driver license and credit or debit card. 5. When using your debit card, make sure no one is looking when you punch in your PIN. And never leave the register until youre sure the transaction has completely cleared so the person behind you has to start over. 6. If youre shopping in more than one store, dont leave items visible in your car where people can see whats in there. It only takes seconds for a smash and grab. 7. When your car is left outside all night, make sure its locked and you have the keys. And dont leave a key in a secret place on your car. Burglars all know where to look first. So just follow common sense during the next couple of weeks, and youll have a much merrier Christmas than if you dont. Our Message PUBLISHER: GERRY MULLIGAN REGIONALMANAGER: JOHN PROVOST EDITOR: JIM CLARK MessengerWEST MARION Editorial Guest Column Rebuild: Outside in or inside out?BY JIM FLYNN When he was in a mood to expand his empire, Napoleon Bonaparte derogated the British, as a nation of shopkeepers, unfit for a war against France. The Little Corporal, as he was known, did not create the shopkeeper snub. He borrowed it. Napoleon was quoting British economist Adam Smith, who said in his famous book Wealth of Nations that to found a great empire for the sole purpose of raising a nation of customers is a project fit only for a country run by shopkeepers. Smith had borrowed the snarky comment from Samuel Adams, a founding father of the United States. Currently we hear chatter from both sides of the political aisle about encouraging small and medium businesses to produce more jobs, generate more tax revenue, and revitalize the middle class. Sounds good, but how? President Obamas vision is rebuilding the national economy from the middle class out by making more government investments in education, infrastructure, and home grown clean energy. If we lead the world in college graduates by 2020, as the president envisions, will the new middle class be made up of school teachers, construction workers, and renewable energy technicians, all of whom will have college degrees and be indirect employees of the federal government? Mr. Obamas version of Economics 101 is predicated on a theory that the middle class can grow the economy, create jobs into the foreseeable future, and reduce government deficits. As always the middle class would have to contribute considerable tax revenue to finance government investment spending. There is no free ride for workers. When we hear about the presidents ambitious vision, we imagine a nation of shop owners, strip malls, and production of energy in the same way we make maple syrup from indigenous trees. As they say in baseball, thats small ball singles and bunts. Small ball may be all we can expect for the foreseeable future. Small businesses hire few employees. Five or ten hires in every new business across the nation will not create a spending boom. Despite the vagueness of the presidents visions, we make no endorsement of the old ideas offered by Republicans. As economist Robert Samuelson has observed, their economic ideas are broken models. World demand for U.S. exports is unlikely to grow in the current economy. Even once booming China is having economic difficulties. Were in a worldwide recession, and it isnt going away. During the Bush administration, with the help of a few congressional Democrats, the administration played deaf and dumb for eight years, while mortgage banking was turned into a racket and financial markets were creating make-believe paper money products. The whole economic system was a broken model. Business investment spending, which generates the most economic growth, isnt going to happen until they see more customer demand and less government regulation on the horizon. In the meanwhile, Democrats believe government should spend more to stimulate demand, and Republicans insist business would invest if government would get off their backs. Our guess is the White House visionary will have his way. Reader Opinions Invited The opinions expressed in West Marion Messenger editorials are the opinions of the editorial board of the newspaper. Viewpoints depicted in political cartoons, columns or letters do not necessarily represent the opinion of the editorial board. Groups or individuals are invited to express their opinions in letters to the editor and guest columns. Persons wishing to contact the editor should call 854-3986. All letters must be signed and include a phone number and community name, including letters sent via e-mail. Names and communities will be printed; phone numbers will not be published or given out. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, libel, fairness and good taste. Not all contributons are printed. Letters longer than 350 words may be regarded as columns and printed on a space-available basis, and writers will be limited to one contribution per week. The deadline is one week prior to each Wednesdays issue. Send letters to: The West Marion Messenger Editor, 8810 S.W. State Road 200, suite 104, Ocala, FL 34481; or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com. Jim Clark Editor Those who remember Howard Cosell, the brash sports announcer on television years ago, will recall that one of his favorite sayings was Tell it like it is. He pushed using plain language to describe what was going on, not any fancy words that might tend to hide the truth. No one is suggesting anything sinister here, but I will admit I never heard of the word flyover with regards to a bridge until I started covering the news here. Every other place Ive been, its been called a bridge or an overpass. A flyover was something that planes do at veteran ceremonies. But regardless, I felt a real sense of accomplishment as I attended the ribboncutting and opening of the new 42nd Street Flyover last Thursday at the east side of the bridge. I had followed this project since its inception, with the groundbreaking just a little over a year ago, and I marveled at how well the contractor did the job ahead of schedule. But most of all, I was glad to see something that will make travel from west to east in Ocala just a little bit easier. I have to admit, that when the concept was first announced, I didnt think Id still be around when it was finished. But this was the final link connecting State Road 200 with Maricamp Road (also known as State Road 464 in some spots and County Road 464 in others). Im still a little shaky on how traffic will be affected on State Road 200 where the roads intersect. With estimates of 22,000 vehicles a day on the bridge, its reasonable to assume that 11,000 of them will be going west and feeding into the highway. Hows that going to work? Well just wait and see. I walked up to the bridge from my parking spot with Father Patrick Sheedy, pastor of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church and, by extension, Trinity Catholic High School. He pointed out how much easier it would be for the students to come from the west, but he added that they would have to be careful on the road. One of the speakers mentioned that the new road, dubbed Osceola Boulevard, would ease traffic on State Road 200 and the 17th Street corridor. For drivers thats good, but what about the merchants. The stores in the mall, across the road from the mall, and all along 17th Street are going to get thousands fewer cars passing their doors every day. That could really hamper walk-in traffic. The next thing to watch is whats going to happen on 42nd Street just east of the Interstate. Right now, on the south side of the road, theres a whole lot of nothing, and on the north side, once you get west of Hawthorne Village, theres also a lot of vacant land. Presumably, this could become prime commercial sites (theres already a for sale sign on one commercial plot of land), and heres hoping the county and city make sure that there is discipline in permitting the developments (maybe even service roads) as this area grows. For now, though, its a great wide open road, with few traffic lights, side streets and no stop signs. So if you have to go cross-county, use it and enjoy. Just remember, the speed limit is 40, all the way.Jim Clark is the editor of the West Marion Messenger.
messengermessenger MESSENGER messengermessengermessengermessengermessengermessenger Wednesday, December 12, 2012 9 A R I E S ( M a r c h 2 1 t o A p r i l 1 9 ) Make a start on that new workplace challenge. But get more information before you find yourself too deeply involved without knowing in which direction you should go. T A U R U S ( A p r i l 2 0 t o M a y 2 0 ) You might find things becoming tedious as your schedule slows down for the holidays. Use this time to get information about a possible post-New Year job change. G E M I N I ( M a y 2 1 t o J u n e 2 0 ) The creative Twin finds outlets for her or his ideas in the early part of the week. The practical Twin takes it a step further and rallies support to turn the ideas into reality. C A N C E R ( J u n e 21 t o J u l y 2 2 ) Its time to stop being intimidated by someones negative behavior. Start taking positive steps on your own to help strengthen your position down the line. L E O ( J u l y 2 3 t o A u g 2 2 ) Look closely at that socalled golden opportunity. Best to be a cautious Cat who approaches things slowly, than one who pounces without knowing where youll land. V I R G O ( A u g 2 3 t o S e p t 2 2 ) Your apology can resolve that personal situation before it overshadows the holidays. Youll feel better, even if youre only partly to blame for what happened. L I B R A ( S e p t 2 3 t o O c t 2 2 ) Avoid overtaxing yourself, even if your energy levels are high and you feel that you can do it all. Best to pace yourself so you wont run yourself down before the holidays. S CO R P I O ( O c t 2 3 t o N o v 2 1 ) Your sense of humor helps get you through a stressful period. Some of your quick quips can take the edge off any remaining negativity being aimed at you. S A G I T T A R I U S ( N o v 2 2 t o D e c 2 1 ) Your artistic talents not only help you express yourself these days, but they also set up a line of communication between you and someone very special. C A P R I C O R N ( D e c 2 2 t o J a n 1 9 ) Its fine to appreciate the importance of proper form for doing things. But relax a bit in order to allow newcomers on the project to feel less intimidated by you. A Q U A R I U S ( J a n 2 0 t o F e b 1 8 ) Use your boundless reserve of optimism to persuade others to work with you to resolve a difficult workplace problem before it can ruin your holiday fun. P I S C E S ( F e b 1 9 t o M a r c h 2 0 ) You brim over with self-confidence as you begin to tackle a new challenge. And, before you know it, youre not alone: Others have taken the plunge with you. B O R N T H I S W E E K : You have a highly defined sense of commitment to others. You would make a fine social worker. 2012 King Features Synd., Inc. Wednesday, Dec. 12Magic comes to Freedom Public LibrarySaturday, Dec. 15Church offers Christmas dinnerSunday, Dec. 16Changed by a Baby Boy Tuesday, Dec. 18Ocala Harmony ChorusWednesday, Dec. 19Christmas event at CarminesThursday, Dec. 20Air Force group to meet Young at Heart programFriday, Dec. 21The Circle of French FriendsSaturday, Jan. 12Chair yoga at Freedom Library Knights of Columbus dinner dance
10 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 messengermessenger MESSENGER messengermessengermessengermessengermessengermessenger TO PLACE ACLASSIFIED AD, CALLToll Free 1-877-676-1403 MONDAYTHROUGH FRIDAY, 8:00 AM 5:00 PM Friday at 4:00 pm is the deadline for classified reader ads. DEADLINES CANCELLATIONSAll ads require prepayment. We accept: CHARGE IT!! ERRORS Advertisements may be canceled as soon as results are obtained. You will be billed only for the dates the ad actually appears in the paper. Deadlines for cancellations are the same as the deadlines for placing ads, except for specials.Be sure to check your advertisement the first day it appears. We will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion. Adjustments are made only for the portion of the ad that is in error.Beware: Publication of any classified advertisement does not constitute endorsement by the West Marion Messenger. We make every ef fort to screen out advertising that may not be legitimate. However, since we can not guarantee the legitimacy of our advertisers, you are advised to be careful of misleading ads and take caution when giving out personal information. Add Up TheSAVINGSwith aName Address City State Zip Phone 10 Words $5.12 Per Week 44¢ For Each Additional Word Pricing Includes Online All Ads Must Be Prepaid All Credit Card s Accepted1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 10WORDS$5.12+44¢AWORD(IncludesOnline)=TOTAL For your convenience, mail with payments to West Marion Messenger office at 8810 SW SR 200, Unit 104, Ocala, FL 34481 or call... CallTollFree1-877-676-1403 CLASSIFIEDAD WMM_CLASS_AD_FORM_3_9_11 Pets FREE Kittens looking for a good home. 5 adorable 8 weeks old kittens. 2 black & white tuxedo, 2 black males, 1 gray female. (510) 867-5727 Real Estate For Sale PUBLISHERS NOTICE:All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. Citrus County Homes PINE RIDGE-THIS IS THE PROPERTY YOUVE BEEN LOOKING FOR! Bring your boat, horses, in-laws; there is room for everything! 4/3.5 w/7 car garage/workshop & in-law suite on 5.83 acres. Mostly wooded with large back yard. Beautiful & serene. High end finishes; immaculate home in equestrian community. www .centralflest ate.com for pictures/more info. 352.249.9164 Vehicles Wanted BUYING JUNK CARS Running or Not CASH PAID -$300 & UP (352) 771-6191 WE BUY ANYVEHICLEIn Any Condition Tile, No Title, Bank Lien, No Problem, Dont Trade it in. We Will Pay up to $25K Any Make, Any Model. 813-335-3794 813-237-1892 call AJ Trucks CHEVROLET SILVERADO08 CREW CAB Blue Silver, 67K miles, show-room condition FLAWLESS Fully accessorized Guaranteed PERFECT W ell Below Book at $13,750, Firm 352-634-2091 Employment Services RN A V AILABLE Private home carecompanion 813-744-4777 Just call and see how easy it is to make money with the classifieds. ANYITEMPRICEDUNDER $100MAXIMUM 10 WORDS RUNSFOR 2 WEEKSFREE TOLL FREE1-877-676-1403 0 0 0 D A V M Ocalas Only 4-Star Ocalas Only 4-Star Accommodations Accommodations for Your Pet for Your Pet Tour our unique Tour our unique facility and you facility and you be the judge! be the judge! 352-861-4566 352-861-4566 B o a r d i n g G r o o m i n g Boarding Grooming 10411 SW 105th Street Ocala 10411 SW 105th Street Ocala www.palmettokennels.com www.palmettokennels.com 000DCMY Kennel Pet Sitting Kennel Grooming Pet Sitting L o o k f o r u s L o o k f o r u s Look for us o n F a c e b o o k o n F a c e b o o k on Facebook 000DHRS EXPIRES 1/31/13 WMM SMC Must have 4 players. Not valid with any other offer. All inclusive: 18 holes of golf, golf carts & hotdog lunch special. Book Tee Times Online www.pineoaksocala.com 7 DAYS A WEEK FOURSOME SPECIAL $ 9 9 0 0 $ 99 00 + Tax Valid After 9AM Jasmine Plaza Board Certified Optometric Physician This weeks puzzle answers
messengermessenger MESSENGER messengermessengermessengermessengermessengermessenger Wednesday, December 12, 2012 11 TO ADVERTISECall854-3986 ADVERTISING 000DFP1 0 0 0 D H 3 H Saturday, December. 22 & 29 000DAA9 A I R C O N D I T I O N I N G AIR CONDITIONING Wilson Air service 352-208-4641 Locally Owned & Operated License # CAC1816140 WILSON AIR SERVICE Tune Up Special We Service All Brands Repairs Replacement Free Second Opinions 24-HR. Service $ 29 95 GARAGE SCREEN DOORS 000DEZP 465-4629 Call us today for a free estimate! $ 7 9 5 $ 7 9 5 $ 795 CRC058138 Starting at OPTIONAL SCREEN CHOICES. ONSTRUCTION RAY R A Y RAY C C C C C C O N S T R U C T I O N ONSTRUCTION C r a y c o n s t c o m C r a y c o n s t c o m Crayconst.com Trade in y o u r o ld v in yl windows for acrylic or glass 1 6 x 7 S L I D I N G 1 6 x 7 S L I D I N G 16 x 7 SLIDING G A R A G E G A R A G E GARAGE S C R E E N S C R E E N SCREEN D O O R D O O R DOOR 352-237-2796 Family Owned & Operated Since 1972 Licensed & Insured #3803 Dependable A Division of R.C. Cohn Construction 000CE2V CONCRETE WORK REPAIRING OLD INSTALLING NEW We Make Your Concrete Look Good Specializing in Repairing Concrete Driveways Pool Decks Patios Entrance Ways Advantages: Mildew & Oil Resistant Non Skid Protection Easy to Keep Clean Commercial Grade Quality RENEWED SURFACES 000DEFQ LAWN/HOME Roys Lawn & Home Services Tree Trimming Winter Cleanups Pressure Washing House Cleaning F REE E STIMATES Lic/Ins 3 5 2 3 4 2 4 4 4 4 3 5 2 3 4 2 4 4 4 4 352-342-4444 000DEBP CERAMIC TILE Lawson Tile Floors Walls Tub & Shower Remodel Back Splash Reasonable Rates 34 years Experience (352) 229-5548 Licensed & Insured 000CLG8 000CLCO IRRIGATION LLC. SPRINKLERS IRRIGATION 3398 S.W. 74th Ave., Bay 101, Ocala Comp #7085 Call for details 352-237-5731 Serving Marion County Since 1982 Seasonal Special Licensed Fully Insured Certified Irrigation Auditor We will beat any written estimate on irrigation repairs or installation. Member of Florida Irrigation Society WINNER 2012 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 Reset Controller Adjust Sprays & Rotors to Correct Spray Pattern Complete System Inspection $ 39 95 Call for details AC & APPLIANCE REPAIR Air Conditioning & Appliance Repair 24 Hours Service! 352-274-6141 Save Money Call Me First! 000DCYK 10% OFF ANY REPAIR With this ad thru 12/31/12 Not valid with any other offers. Pioneer Repair Services, Inc. Lic. # CAC018927 Doing Business for 35 Years Honest & Dependable 000D43H PLUMBING EPA Lead Certification #NAT-113266-1 OSHA 10 #1216933 Fla. Lic. #CFC1427666 804-9165 Associated Plumbing and Pipe From Bathroom Remodeling to Fixing Leaky Faucets, and installing Bliss Walk-in Tubs Residential and Commercial CARDS AND GIFTS S TORE 352-854-1970 F AX 352-854-6186 8449SWSR200O Best Selection of Greeting Cards in Marion County Always 50% Off Shop for the Holidays Buy stamps or mail a package Mon. Sat. 8:30 am to 5 pm Florida Window Medics, Inc. Screen Rooms Acrylic & Glass Rooms Rescreens Broken Glass Replacement Windows Gutters Foggy Windows Cement Sliding Glass Door Repair Call & speak directly to the owner David Heath Comp. #5524 352 484-5697 WINDOW REPAIRS 000DDFY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: 10% OFF WITH THIS AD! 0 0 0 D E E Z A/C & APPLIANCE REPAIR M ARION C OUNTY 352-307-6722 Heating Preventive-Maintenance Duct Cleaning Blown In Insulation New Installation Service & Repairs 10% OFF SERVICES Expires 12/31/12. Excludes New Installation. M&S A IR C ONDITIONING & A PPLIANCE S ERVICE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, LLC LICENSED & INSURED LIC. #CAC1814193 SPRINKLERS ACCURATE SPRINKLERS (352) 445-1403 Licensed #10719 & Insured C HECK -U P Complete check-up of entire sprinkler system! $ 30 0 0 0 C U M 2 000CUM2 711185 DIALAPRO F o r Y o u r P r o f e s s i o n a l N e e d s For Your Professional Needs W E S T M A R I O N M e s s e n g e r WEST MARION Messenger Making travel easier The new 42nd Street bridge was opened last week with a ribbon cutting, above. At left, a sign designating the road as Osceola Boulevard was unveiled by Nardin Derias, left, a Vanguard Senior who was on the committee to choose the name. Former commissioner Charlie Stone is at right. The Rev. Patrick Sheedy, pastor of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, gave the invocation at the east side of the new 42nd Street flyover. With him is Mounir Bouyounes, county engineer. PHOTOS BY JIM CLARKCounty Commission Chair Kathy Bryant makes a point during her talk at the dedication of the new bridge.
On Thursday, Dec. 6, what was called a town hall meeting was held in the Fairfield Village Clubhouse. Conducted by ALL Regional Manager, Sherry Woodworth along with Rachel Muse, new manager of FFV, the meeting covered a number of pertinent topics of concern to Fairfield Villagers. Before the meeting with neighbors, there was a meeting with the two managers and FFVs HOA. This was reported to be very productive and worthwhile. The supportive rapport between the HOA and the two managers is recognized as being a good sign for continuing good working relationships for the community. Sherry Woodworth began the discussion with an explanation of the Good Neighbor Policy that is an important part of the ALL approach. She told those present that there are many ways that management and residents can benefit each other. She mentioned, in particular, ALLs desire to help when residents might want to update their homes. Other topics discussed included the need for a new outside light at one of the Clubhouse entrances, continuing concerns about those who do not adhere to the posted neighborhood speed limit, a question about why the decorations that were said to have been at the entrances to the community are not there, and why property tax notices did not have information about last year. Ms. Woodworth graciously provided answers to all the questions to the satisfaction of most present. Norma Powers, of the HOA and SAC, commented that the new management group, ALL, is very cooperative and supportive of social activities and that she was in hopes that there would be increased participation in planned activities as people recognize this good relationship and support. Both Ms. Woodworth and Ms. Muse encouraged those present to help to bring in friends and neighbors to activities sponsored by the Social Activities Committee and/or the HOA. Both ladies pointed out that living in a 55+ community can be very stimulating and fun when lots of activities are planned and people become enthusiastic about some favorite interests. Recognizing that our community does have lots of very interesting and active people, Woodworth pointed out that we have the basis for many more worthwhile things to do in the coming weeks and months. Woodworth assured all those at the meeting that Rachel Muse has some good ideas and will be continuing many of the activities initiated by Peggy Sluss. In addition, she will work toward even more events to include the neighbors of FFV a lively place filled with lovely people. VOLUME 6, NUMBER 37 WEDNESDAY, December 12, 2012 12 Wednesday, December 12, 2012 messengermessenger MESSENGER messengermessengermessengermessengermessengermessenger 000DEB7 000DA33 VILLAGES COMPUTER & REPAIR (352) 237-4852 email: firstname.lastname@example.com Next to the neighborhood Storage on SR200 across from the Jasmine Plaza Computer Repair Custom Building Computer Classes Free Diagnostics Data Recovery Networking In Store Service or at Your Location FREE Service Calls to your house or business with this ad 7256 SW 62nd Ave., Suite 5, Ocala, FL 34476 000DC71 7201 SW Hwy. 200 Ocala (352) 629-0900 (4 miles west of I-75, just before Lowes) (4 miles west of I-75, just before Lowes) (352) 629-0900 Other locations throughout the southeast 7201 SW Hwy. 200 Ocala GREAT FINANCING ON EZ-GO CARTS! GOLF CARTS STARTING AT $1,995 WITH HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHT! WHAT BATTERY A RE Y OU L OOKING F OR ??? Automotive Marine Lawn Mower Golf Cart Cordless Phone Riding Toys Computer Back Up Tractor Motorcycle ATV Camcorder Cellular Phone Wheel Chairs Game Feeder Emergency Lights Security Systems Battery Packs Laptop Computers Alkaline Complete Stock Of Batteries For: CUSTOM BATTERY PACKS LAPTOP COMPUTER BATTERIES CAMCORDER BATTERIES WHEELCHAIR BATTERIES SECURITY SYSTEM BATTERIES AUTOMOTIVE BATTERIES FARM TRACTOR BATTERIES JET SKI BATTERIES GAME FEED BATTERIES MARINE BATTERIES CELL PHONE BATTERIES POWER WHEELS BATTERIES WATCH BATTERIES KEY REMOTE BATTERIES TRUCK BATTERIES CORDLESS PHONE BATTERIES EMERGENCY LIGHT BATTERIES ATV BATTERIES MOTORCYCLE BATTERIES LAWNMOWER BATTERIES 732-GOLF (4653)Open to the Public Rate with this coupon and Tee Time ReservationOur Low Current 18 Hole Rate With This Coupon$3200Before 11:00$2700 After 11:00 Just 1 mile west of I-75 on US 27 (Exit 354)Expires 12/31/12Rates subject to change.18 Hole Championship CourseDress Code: Collared Shirt Required NO JeansGOLF OUTINGS WELCOME! 000D2C3 Priscilla Geissal Fairfield Village holds town hall meeting Fairfield Villagers listen and participate actively in the Dec. 6 meeting in the Clubhouse. Sherry Woodworth, right, ALL Regional Manager, uses a visual aid as she and Rachel Muse, FFV manager, conduct the "town hall meeting" in Fairfield Village's Clubhouse. Please use our e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com


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Lord Guan is worshipped by many Chinese especially in southern China, Hong Kong & South East Asia. Guan Yu 关羽 was his real name & he was a general serving warlord Liu Bei 刘备 during 2nd Century, the era of Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of China. He is well known of his loyalty and righteousness. Many Chinese shops & restaurants are having small shrine or statue of Lord Guan.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Statue of Lord Guan
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text:
Originally uploaded by Jagosilver.
It's a tiring life being four days old....
It's a tiring life being four days old....
...from the garden at Lavender Cottage.
Born at home on Wednesday the 26th July at 12.48 in the afternoon, and weighing in at a peachy 7 lb. 12 oz.
We are both absolutely knackered, but very happy, she is a perfect peach.
My latest and greatest (at least in terms of size) project is available for pre-order on Amazon.com.
This 352pg behemoth has taken me since October 05, working 17 hour days and chewing up over 50Gb of hard drive. I have completed over 180 full colour (and most cases, fullspread) illustrations for this book.
It's been good experience working on such a large project but I am looking dorward to starting on something smaller.... and luckily I have 5 picture books and a book cover lined up.....
No rest for the wicked (especially if they're wicked bible illustrators...)
technorati tags:jago, illustration, illustrator, zondervan, zonderkidz, bible, religion, amazon, book
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|Buy it now at Amazon.co.uk
technorati tags:illustration, illustrator, jago, myron, myrons magic cow, marlene, newman, review, Barefoot Boooks
Blogged with Flock
The White Ravens 2006
The »White Ravens« have become a solid tradition over the years. Throughout each year, the language specialists (Lektoren) at the International Youth Library (IYL) select recently published books that they consider especially noteworthy. This »premium label« is given to books of international interest that deserve a wider reception on account of their universal theme and/or their exceptional and often innovative artistic and literary style and design. This year's collection contains 250 titles in 32 languages from 47 countries.
The titles are drawn from the books we received in 2005. The selection makes no claim to being exhaustive. Because the collections of the International Youth Library consist exclusively of books we receive from publishers, institutions, organisations, and other friends of the IYL around the world, only review and donation copies qualify for the selection of the »White Ravens«. To offer a broad range of publications, we attempt to present titles from as many different publishing houses as possible. Unfortunately, not all publishing houses that consistently and generously supply the IYL with their books can be featured here every year. We cordially thank each and every one of them for their shipments of books!
In 1996, the White Ravens catalogue made its first appearance on the Internet. Today, with the presentation of the 11th volume on the IYL homepage, you can find a pool of 2,750 »White Ravens« books at www.ijb.de including the complete bibliographical data and the descriptive annotations. In this selection, some books are given additional labels. First of all, there are »Special Mentions« to which the library's Lektoren wish to draw particular attention. The symbol <> marks those books whose content is found to contribute to an international understanding among cultures and people. In this way we remind ourselves and our readers of the working maxim under which Jella Lepman founded the International Youth Library and which, in these times, is still of utmost concern. The symbol ¤ is assigned to books whose text is judged to be easily understandable, i.e. easy-to-read texts, and yet dealing with topics of interest to older readers. Hence these books are well-suited to foreign-langua-ge readers and for inclusion in foreign language collections of public and school libraries.
We can assure our donors that their books will be catalogued, indexed by subject and included in our depository collection. In this way, they are permanently available for use by the international clientele of specialists who visit our study library, make use of our reference services from afar, or consult our catalogues on the Internet. Over the years, many books also find their way into thematic travelling exhibi-tions, topical bibliographies and lists, activity programs for children, etc.
Last but not least, we renew our request to all publishers: Please continue to send us your new titles! We, for our part, will endeavour to fulfil the expectation that the International Youth Library in Munich is the home of the most comprehensive collection of international literature for children and young people in the world.
Dr. Barbara Scharioth
March 2006
technorati tags:award, White Ravens, illustration, review, Barefoot Books, Myron, Myrons Magic Cow, Marlene Newman, Jago
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Since his two siblings are either too busy or too little to help his mother, it is always Myron who gets sent on errands. On his way to the supermarket, he bumps into a bossy blond girl who grabs his shopping money, pushes a rope in his hands to which a huge cow is tied, and jumps into her car with three bears in it, disappearing »down the street in a cloud of smelly black smoke«, before he can react. What is he to do with a real-life cow in the middle of the city – and a talking, wish-granting cow at that? The amusing, imaginative story with various fairy tale elements is perfectly complemented by large, sometimes comic-book-like illustrations. The pictures with their angular shapes, rendered digitally in a mixed technique, superbly mirror the surreal touch of the story. (4+)
I was rather pleased to note that the winner in the Great Britain category was a Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves illustrated by Richard Holland and published by Mantra Lingua (publisher of three of my own books).
I also noticed that I shared a special mention with (amongst others) Wolves by Emily Gravett, a fantastic book with a brilliant concept and great illustrations....
Illustrious company indeed....
technorati tags:illustration, Myron's Magic Cow, Myron, Mantra Lingua, award, review, White Ravens
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Sent to the store yet again, Myron meets a mysterious curly-haired girl who sells him a cow--a magic cow, no less, that supplies not only the milk his mother needs but also three wishes. Packed with classic fairy-tale references, this story is made even more outlandish by the modern urban setting evoked in Jago's subdued illustrations. Category: Picture Books. 2005, Barefoot, 40pp, 16.99. Ages 4 to 9. Rating: 3: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration.
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Here's Will with his Holyer An Gof award for best Children's book (Brave Tales - Tom and the Giant, Madgy Figgy's Pig, Luety and the Mermaid).
He managed to beat off famous competition in the shape of Helen Dunmore's Ingo....
Congratulations Will!
the latest on the home improvements front, I built some cupboards and re-covered and repainted our speakers. (the speakers are covered with a large Monsoon skirt bought on Ebay to make a cishion cover out of).....
one of the best sculptures in the parade....
More Mazey Day....
This is what the people of Penzance look like :)
Seen in a Mazey Day parade
in attendance at Mazey Day....
Just found out that my book, The Little Red Hen, has been chosen by the Booktrust to be in their Bookstart packs. This means that a potential 2.1 million children could receive a copy from their health visitors.....
I've also illustrated the nursery rhyme sheets for Bookstart's Rhymetimes which are also given out free to children....
Here's our house, dressed up with bunting for the St Mabyn Fete....
Visit the St Mabyn website here: http://www.stmabyncornwall.co.uk/


text:
If there is one thing that separates British banks from their continental peers it is their attitude to asset sales.
While many European lenders have yet to seriously begin what has euphemistically become known as "deleveraging", banks in the UK have become world leaders.
Together, Britain's largest banks have each offloaded hundreds of billions of pounds of assets in the five years since the financial crisis and are continuing to actively hunt for buyers for substantial parts of their operations.
This morning, Lloyds confirmed the sales of its German insurance arm, Heidelberger Leben, to a private equity-led consortium, as well as a £283m leveraged loan portfolio to Goldman Sachs.
The sales will only modestly boost Lloyds' core capital, but are important in what they say about the continuing push by the country's largest banks to cut all exposures deemed "non-core".
This process is far from complete, but the direction of travel is clear and an important factor in the somewhat lower than expected capital raising requirements imposed on lenders by British regulators in June.
There is, of course, no room for complacency here and the challenge facing the industry to convince the government and the general public that it no longer presents an existential threat to the stability of the financial system remains.
However, each sale announcement should be seen as a small step in the long road to the eventual repair of the banks and should be welcomed as such.


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As we ate dinner the other night she paused between each bite to check the tooth to make sure it hadn't fallen out. She was curious and full of questions. "Will it fall out on the floor? How does it fall out? Is it going to hurt? What if I swallow it? What does the Tooth Fairy do with all the teeth she collects?"
Hmmm. Good question.
As I leaned in close to inspect her mouth and admire the loose tooth, it struck me how teeny tiny her little teeth looked inside her mouth. Truly, they were teeth meant for a baby.
And clearly she is a baby no longer. Sigh.
She sat in her bed waaaayyy past bedtime wiggling that little tooth, totally fascinated with the mystery of this whole process of dropping baby teeth and growing new adult teeth. She was so excited to go to school the next day to show her teachers and friends this new attraction inside her mouth.
Lucky for us, we had a garage sale last weekend so we're all stocked up on dollar bills and ready for Tooth Fairy duty. We're prepared with the fancy Tooth pillow that has a tiny little pocket for discarded baby teeth. We've read our Fancy Nancy and the Too-Loose Tooth book about 500 times, so we are all 110% clear on the process of teeth falling out, and the fact that it's perfectly natural and we shouldn't freak out if there is a little gore (that's fancy for blood) during the process.
Now if someone could just explain to me what the heck the Tooth Fairy does with millions of teeth, we'd be all set.
|Bottom right center baby tooth preparing an exit strategy.


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I'm aware that many people have an idea of what constitutes art and that a great many things, portrayed as art, fall outwith the bounds of it. I suspect I may be throwing one of these at you right now. For me, if the artist has applied his mind to think about what he's making and how it appears (or sounds - perhaps even smells or feels) then he or she has produced a piece of art. Sometimes my mind wavers about a bit and I just cannot see what the artist is on about but sometimes I pick up on the thread of thought of the artist - often in a way that's difficult to describe.
So it was with Roger Ackling's latest exhibition at the Ingleby Gallery in Edinburgh (it's on till the 21st of April if you want to pop along and try it out on your mind). Occupying the entirety of their main room, it is a collection of garden shed odds and ends that have been incised with lines made by a magnifying glass and the sun. I don't think The List website were so convinced (read their review here) but I liked it.
Around three walls or the room was a blackened line hanging with incised half clothes pegs at irregular intervals


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Public Discourse has been hosting a debate over the ethics of lying, taking as the central case the activist Lila Rose's deception of Planned Parenthood in the making of her sting video. Christopher Tollefsen wrote the initial essay arguing that lying is wrong in all circumstances, Christopher Kaczor disagreed, and Tollefsen responded. Robert George has weighed in in support of Tollefsen, and the folks at Super Flumina have offered some interesting arguments.
I'm interested in Jody Bottum's piece defending Live Action. Bottum wants to consider Rose's actions under a metaphorical sort of non-war Just War Theory, saying: "Of course, the fight against abortion is also not fought on abstract fields. Its battlegrounds are the political and social worlds, and for those worlds, Lila Rose's ruse seems to me both fitting and clever."
Prof. Tollefsen's response to the war angle is this:
More importantly here, however, it is crucial to point out that the pro-life movement is not, in any but the most distantly metaphorical sense, "at war" with Planned Parenthood. To take such a claim strictly would raise unsolvable problems in terms of just war thought: who, for example, is the legitimate authority that has tasked Lila Rose with this work? And it would justify untenable conclusions, for if anything is justified in war, it is the use of arms. Yet the pro-life movement has, rightly in my view, converged on an understanding that the use of arms to stop abortion is not right: it provides a counter-witness to the value of life; it constitutes an unjustified attack on our nation's overall legal structure; and it is unlikely either to bring peace or to result in a proportionate balance of benefits over harms. The appeal to war is thus a non-starter.
In other words, you should be careful about using military-grade JWT if you don't want military results.
-William Brafford


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We slept most of Saturday! It was lovely sleeping in our own beds :-) Sunday, I caught up on all the laundry and we went to visit some friends for a little celebration.
We celebrated with a bottle of fizz. To Andy, for knowing that he is coming home at the end of August for good! For Simon, who qualified for the International Triathlon Competition in Chicago next year - he will be representing Canada along with his team mates.
And finally but by no means least - to a fabulous lady, Tamsyn, who has completed her breast cancer treatment and got to Ring the Bell, whilst we were away - you beat it :-)
It was so nice to catch up with them and thank them for looking after Jess, our cat. Jess was a little elusive when we got home, but once she realised it was us, she gave us lots of cuddles and purrs. She has also spent the last couple of days not very far from anyone, I think she is making sure that we do not leave her again :-)
I have a few photo's to share with you - so grab a drink and rest your feet awhile.
Andy decided to go up to the top of the Stratosphere - not something I was prepared to do - to high for me!
Here you can see it in the distance.


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This is a rough sketch of my current figure type.
It may or may not be slightly exaggerated to give you the idea.
I'm having a hard time finding clothes that are flattering.
This is a rough sketch of my current figure type.
It may or may not be slightly exaggerated to give you the idea.
I'm having a hard time finding clothes that are flattering.
Jonah has been learning sign language in preschool. Yesterday I figured out that it is a good way for us to communicate during church.
He got mad at me during sacrament meeting when I asked him to please stop asking me questions so I could listen to the speaker.
He went and sat by Savannah in the row in front of me and glared at me over the back of the chair.
I smiled really big and gave him the I love you sign that he recently learned. He had a response ready, and immediately set out to spell it back to me in sign language.
I could make out an I, D and O.
After thinking for a minute he put his scowl back on and hissed "How do you spell I don't love you?"
When we bought this house (and property), our realtor said "You guys must have a real eye for potential!"
And we did. What she saw as a run down, creepy old house and shed, we saw as limitless possibilities.
I have a metaphorical pair of glasses that helps me see things as I want them to be. It's all about what I choose to see.
For example, I choose to see this:
…instead of looking slightly to the left and seeing this:
I choose to see this:
…instead of this:
Oddly enough, these two (following) pictures are the same place, seen from opposite perspectives:
This one can be seen as pile of old junk, or a magical fort. Again… depending on what you want it to be:
Lately I have been thinking that I need to do a better job of wearing my "glasses" when I see my children. Instead of feeling frustrated by the unpleasantries of daily life, I want to focus on the beauty and goodness in my children. I want to see them loving and serving each other.
When I looked at my dark, dreary 1980's kitchen, I had a vision of a cheerful country kitchen instead. And magically, (the magic called Jeff) that is what it became.
I can't help but think that it will be the same with my children. If I see the great potential in them, then that is what they will see, too. And if that is what they see, then that is what they will become.
I just had to post this picture because this sign makes me smile every time I look at it. It was created for one of Caleb's business ventures that never got off the ground. Never even got out the front door, actually. Once he did the math of splitting the money with all of the people he had recruited as helpers, he decided it wasn't worth it. I think the sign adds just the right touch to my dining room!
* * * * * *
In other news… last night, after lights out, I heard Jonah in his bed beatboxing. (Yes, that is a word. I googled it.)
Puh, puh choo, puh, puh, puh choo!
I had heard him earlier, explaining to his preschool buddies that his big brother Caleb told him that if he practices a lot, he can get really good at it. He's well on his way.
* * * * *
I am currently preparing for battle. Last week, after scouts, both of Caleb's den mothers showed up at our front door. They were very kind, wanting to work together with us to help Caleb learn to be respectful.
Since he was disruptive last week during flag ceremony, (this is not the first time we have had these issues) I have prepared some reading material on respect for the flag, and questions for him to answer. Instead of going to scouts with his friends, he will be staying home to learn those principles a different way.
This will not be an easy afternoon for me. I don't anticipate happiness or cooperation.
Wish me luck.
There is a reason that babies need both parents in the home. It is so that when they are throwing up in the night, Mom can care for the upset baby while Dad cleans up the crib and gets it ready for the next round.
Jeff is out of town this week, and Simon has the throw-ups. It looks like I get both duties. Yuck.
When I was little, my Papa would take us to Circle K whenever we visited him. It was a much anticipated part of every trip. We got to wander up and down the isles, as we faced the monumental decision of which candy bar to pick. Any one we wanted!
My dad continues this tradition with his grandkids, and it is equally as magical for them. Every time he sees the familiar logo as we drive by, Jonah yells out "I see Circle K!"
Apparently, though, even Circle K is being affected by these difficult economic times. Yesterday I heard my 7 year old nephew explaining to all of his cousins:
"Ever since President Obama got elected, the prices of candy at Circle K keeps getting higher and higher."
It makes me really nervous when people walk in and say "It smells like the Davis house in here." I mean, I know that every house and family has their own distinctive smell, and it's usually not a bad thing. But I'm pretty sure that the smell of my house is NOT a good one.
The last couple of days I have noticed a worse than usual smell brewing around the kitchen. I followed my nose to the refrigerator… definitely the culprit!
I took out the most likely offenders, sauerkraut, aging chili, and a liquefied cucumber in the deepest corner of the vegetable drawer. And still the mystery smell grows stronger…
Sometimes I forget who I used to be. I forget that before I was a wife or a mother, I was a person. There were things that I hoped and planned and loved. Things that I did just for me.
One of the things that I loved was nature. I loved camping and hiking… just getting far away from civilization. In college I would occasionally take "mountain appreciation" days. I would ditch all my classes and head for the hills.
This weekend was a long-overdue mountain appreciation weekend. Jeff and I went with several members of his family on a backpacking trip to a place called Powers Garden.
On the way there, somehow I ended up driving a four wheeler. I had planned on riding, but I was needed to drive. They told me "If it gets too scary for you, don't worry about it. Just stop, and one of us will get you up (or down) the scary part." Well guess what? I did the whole thing myself! I thought I might die a couple of times, but I did it! I kept repeating in my mind "I CAN DO HARD THINGS!" It's a motto I borrowed from the general relief society president, I think. And it worked! Thus the title of this post.
Here are a few other "hard things" that I found out I can do.
I can hike for 4+ miles with a backpack heavy enough to leave bruises on my hips… along a trail that had been very recently used by a mountain lion!
I can stay in a really cool 100 year old cabin whose regular tenants are, apparently, mice and raccoons.
I can drink water, filtered from the stream, that had a brownish greenish tint to it. (It actually tasted really good!)
I can spend all night with my freezing legs curled up into a ball small enough to keep tucked into my coat. (A little yoga in the morning got them all stretched out again.)
I can listen to hunting stories around the fire that were spoken in an authentic American Redneck dialect. You know, like "I aint never seen nothin' like it!"
And I loved every minute of it! Seriously… I kept turning to Jeff all weekend to say "This is fun!"
Some other highlights include:
Riding a horse.
Splashing through the creek as the trail wound back and forth across it.
Watching the campfire burn green from the aluminum that got tossed in it.
Seeing millions of stars in the sky!
Spreading out a blanket to take a nap on the banks of the creek.
This trip was just what I needed. My body feels challenged, my mind feels rested, and my heart feels rejuvenated by the beauty and stillness of nature.
Today Caleb and Jonah worked out a trade. Jonah really wanted "cool lessons." He learned to spike his hair, wear a necklace and sunglasses, and how to jerk his head in greeting.
In exchange, Jonah helped Caleb gather eggs from the chicken coop.
It was a win-win situation.
You know that saying "If I had a nickel for every time I ______, then I'd be rich!"
If that were the case, then these would be some of my most profitable sayings:
Balls are for outside!
We do NOT hit (or kick) our mommies!
Don't tease, please.
What should you be doing right now?
No picking or licking (reference to Jonah's favorite habit)
If you have something kind or helpful to say, we'd love to hear it.
You may come out when you're ready to be pleasant.
Are you 100%? (Meaning all ready to go?)
Why NOT you? (In response to "why me?")
Yesterday Kami called and asked what I was doing. I was sitting on the couch singing "The Eensie Weensie Spider." She said "sounds like fun."
That's when it hit me.
Singing the same songs, repeating the same phrases, applauding the same sweet little acheivements, and getting my earrings yanked out for 12 years! Wow.
Time flies when you're having fun!
Here is what is going on here today.
Simon has learned that he can stand up. AND he can applaud for himself at the same time!
This morning the whole family was gathered around watching him and cheering for him. No fighting, no teasing, no complaining. For a few minutes it was just everyone smiling, cheering, and being proud of their brother.
Families are a good plan.
This morning in the car Jonah asked me:
"Mom, do scientists sometimes let stuff out of their ears and it smells like toast?"
He really said that.
I cannot figure out why, with a perfectly good hamper sitting right there, one would choose to put one's clothes on the floor?
Especially when you know, based on past experience, that your mother will call you in to put them in the hamper… as soon as she discovers the crime.
I don't get it.


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Thursday, September 11, 2008
Naked Baltimore at Metro Gallery
Come to the Metro Gallery on September 13th for the opening of Naked Baltimore, a photo exhibit that bares all. Photographs taken by Uli Loskot and Jefferson Jackson Steele will be on display. Opening reception from 7 pm to midnight with musical performances by Jason Dove, the Expotentials, the Falsies, and Eureka Birds.
Posted by sara seidman at 5:03 PM
Labels: Metro Gallery, naked people, photography


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Looking for a reference Pic
Looking for cosplay ideas? Have an idea but need better pictures? Try shouting here!
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Looking for a reference Pic
Hey, I'm needing a reference pic for the red and white outfit Knives wears in Trigun. If anyone has, or can find, one, it would be much appreciated.
When you can't beat 'em, suicide run!
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If you have a passion for technology, love serving customers and helping to achieve their goals, ZenIT is the place for you.
At ZenIT, we look for passion and strong work-ethic. We are a dedicated team of technology consultants who love what we do.
Please submit your resume for future consideration. Send to: firstname.lastname@example.com


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All this talk about sexism in RPGs recently has got me thinking, where are the disabled characters? Where is the amputee thief, the blind cleric, the deaf dwarven warrior, the dyslexic assassin? They don't exist.
As a disabled person I wonder if the game represents us? Is our exclusion from the artwork and miniatures enough to deter us from playing the game?
I'm sure most people with disabilities would laugh. In all honesty how the hell is a quadriplegic elf or a white stick wielding fighter with hearing aids going to realistically fare in a mythical dungeon! It's totally ludicrous. Do I therefore want Wizards of the Coast to include disabled people in their artwork? Of course not – it would just be stupid and who wants to be reminded of their problems anyway? It's a game, its escapism and it's something I enjoy for that reason.
Part of the joys of role playing for me is that you can create your own character. Nothing from what I've seen stops women playing the character they want to play. Yes there are some men who play the game who might deter women but they are individuals and to me are more indicative of society than they are of the game. Are we saying that adding characters with downs syndrome will stop someone calling the idiot who bursts into a dungeon without a trap check a retard? Of course not, it'll make naff all difference because it's got nothing to do with the game.
What I find more intimidating than a group of blokes sat around a table is watching supposed "geek" women who are all blonde haired, white and skinny – a stereotype which I do find frustrating. These women are all put on a pedestal and the moment anyone criticises them petitions are launched, those who do the criticising are threatened and anyone who defends them is seen as bad as that person is – even if the defence is purely on an intellectual level. If you criticise these women you are a bigot, end of, no debate, and no discussion. How mature.
In short I don't care about the art work, I don't care about bigoted comments all I care about is people enjoying the game for what it is, a game and most importantly people being allowed to voice an opinion without fear of loosing their jobs or receiving copious threatening messages on twitter.
Adam told me not to write this but I wanted to. He's been so upset lately by all the stupidity and it's taken a lot of the fun out of something he really really enjoys. I'm angry too. I've spoken to a lot of my female DND friends about this issue and we feel more and more alienated from the game by so many so called feminists. I am a feminist, I choose to live my life in the way I do – society not my husband can take that away from me. I choose to wear the clothes I do and I choose to play the characters I want to play. The definition of sexism is to treat one sex with less favourably than the other. Do I feel DND treats women less favourably than men? No I don't. Do I feel that by being forced into having certain opinions because I am a woman is treating me less favourably? Yes I do.


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So, I'm putting together a fresh, new blog that is a little less confusing. The new blog is here: scotta1a.wordpress.com
I will be redirecting this blog address to the new one at some point, but I want to ensure everyone is able to stay connected if you so wish. Granted, blog updates have been inconsistent recently, however the uptick of work at the jobsite have made spare minutes rare.
So the big news in the sports world yesterday was this:
This certainly shifts the balance of power in the AFC (true if Peyton is healthy and back to his old ways). It sure will be bizarre to see him suit up in the orange and blue of the Denver Broncos.
Hey, if you're a fan of Pandora Radio, you can check out ScottA1A Radio. Go to:http://www.pandora.com/#!/stations/play/210591025619250594 and you'll find a great mix of artists such as Train, Bob Marley, Jimmy Buffett, Oasis, Dick Dale, IZ, The Fratellis and many more! I've created a station that quenches the thirsts of folks who like to hear sounds from the South Pacific, the Hawaiian Islands all the way to the Gulf Coast, Hispanola, the Florida Keys and the tropics beyond! You'll hear a good bit of reggae, some British rock, some Americana and solid rock-n-roll!
Allergies are super heavy here in St. Louis, in fact, weathermen are calling it EXTREME! Needless to say the Flonase and Allegra are asked to pull double-duty.
Off to get something done…be looking for the new blog soon (scotta1a.wordpress.com)


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I'd forgotten how dazzling, exciting and soothing daily journal writing can be.
After the holidays had ended, I was feeling such a terrible void, which isn't that unusual, I suppose, at this time of year, but the whole season seemed to have a void to it, despite how busy I was. On the surface, I probably looked happy. My online Etsy shop--filled with all kinds of my art-related goodies--was doing well, and I was commissioned by six clients to do a pet portrait. And my pain level was holding steady, kept in check by a moderate daily morphine dose.
There really didn't seem to be any overt reason for me to feeling such a deep malaise, during the holidays or after, but there it was, grinding away at me day in and day out, and yet I couldn't even cry about it, which was really strange for me, as weeks earlier, it seemed I couldn't turn off the daily waterworks.
Very early in the season, I was so tearful that when an old friend, who I hadn't seen in about 15 years, came over to pick up her pet portrait, the tears came out in an embarrassing flood when she asked me the simple question as to how I was doing. I knew the dreaded words were coming while she was catching me up on her own life (with me laughing and smiling the whole time), and I kept saying to myself, "Please don't ask me how I'm doing. Please don't ask me how I'm doing." She did, of course, and the more I tried to regain my composure as I spoke, the more the explosion built up steam.
It all turned out fine, as she's as much a dear now as she was then, but I was indeed perplexed by my post-holiday numbness, and decided it must be the morphine, which only added to my malaise, as right now, it's just something I can't live without.
I don't know what made me do it, but I decided on New Year's Eve to seek out my journal and just start writing automatically, not to make any discoveries necessarily, but just to break the logjam of my feelings, which had come to a full halt. And what a break I made.
It's amazing what feelings lurk inside us when we just stop for 20 minutes or so, and really let them surface. At first, I wrote that I should go off the morphine at all costs, as I just couldn't stand the blankness of my life anymore, but suddenly, little glimmers of other matters began to appear. The first entry gently percolated with what family gatherings do to my feelings of self-worth, especially when I'm sick and in pain, and I found myself praying on paper for guidance, as I was so at a loss as to what to do next.
I ended with, "I need a miracle," and sure enough, the next day while talking to Glori, my therapist, while telling her that I just can't cry anymore, that the morphine has put me out of touch with any and all feeling, a few sniffles suddenly turned into a flood of tears about how yet another year has passed with me being in pain, and the sorrow I felt about it was overwhelming.
"My dear," she said. "I believe you are in touch with your feelings just fine."
Since then, I've made the effort to write every day, and the results have been unusually soothing, as any good purge of emotion usually is. Unlike my blogging, which is more controlled and meant for others to read, my journal writing is often splashes of sentences that only I can understand, filled with run-on phrases, misspellings, and deeply private feelings meant for my eyes alone.
While I'm as honest as possible in my blog, my journal writing is really honest, where I can vent and reach into the darkest corners of my soul, often with some trepidation, but always rewarded, as even if I don't discover an answer, I do always end with a prayer to the Great Spirit, asking for guidance, courage or whatever else I might feel I'm lacking at the moment, and the hope those words bring is always reassuring.
Perhaps the greatest discovery, which came from my session with Glori that day, was something I've let lapse, and that's been writing here.
At one point, Glori and I were doing an updated treatment plan (I see her at a clinic), and she asked me what I hoped to achieve with our sessions in the coming months. At first, my answers were very self-centered, as I seemed to answer by rote, with the old chestnuts like, "I'd like to be happier," "I'd like to become more social," "I'd like to feel less anxious," etc.
And then she asked me about my writing, which I've always felt has helped not just me, but others as well. When I started this blog well over two years ago, it was at first a way to give meaning to a harrowing experience simply by expressing it. But in time, as certain comments were made, I saw that the sharing of the experience had a reverberating effect that went far deeper than I'd ever anticipated when I started.
I haven't had to offer any answers here, or any deep insights, or even clever writing. I've just had to be honest, even when that honesty reveals that I just spent three days in my pajamas and I feel like crap. It's those entries that sometimes resonate most of all for others suffering similarly, and this has caught me completely by surprise.
When Glori reminded me that thinking of others will come back to me a thousandfold, I knew what I had to do, which is coming back to my blog and continuing the chronicling of this bizarre journey.
And that's what some simple journal writing has led to. In the search to find answers, the answer is simply to be honest and continue the search, and perhaps most important, to share the experience with others, for it's in the sharing of the journey that the healing truly begins.


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You know whether you're a Carrie or a Samantha, a Kramer or a George; wouldn't you like to know if you prefer Pinot over Chardonnay? Think of us as your cool older cousin that bought you your first drink, your personal spirit guide into the exciting world of wine. There is no right or wrong way to enjoy wine but don't you wish someone told you to skip the wine coolers and go straight to Rosé?
We're here to help you make better (wine) decisions, make the best selections for your palette, join other wine-curious and together, let's explore the flavors of different regions. The right wine can speak to the soul, enhance your dish or take Sunday-Funday to the next level. You don't have to play a wine guessing game, our events put the "fun" back into the fundamentals of wine-education.


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I will just jump right into it! A year or so ago, I got a cupcake order to make Sesame Street cupcakes.
I like for people to just give me creative freedom, especially when a lot of people aren't really sure what they want. So all they said was they wanted Sesame Street for their little boy.
So off I went, scouring the internet for pictures of inspiration, looking what other people had done for Sesame Street cakes and cupcakes (This is always my unofficial first step :) )
I really did not see anything that jumped out at me so I just started drawing! This is my second step. I always start with drawing. And also it's just fun :)
So here was my finished drawing on what I envisioned. I know, sometimes I go crazy with the ideas.So this is how I started. I baked my cupcakes, I always use either my own recipe or a Moist Deluxe French Vanilla Cake Mix. I also baked mini cupcakes. I started playing around with the fondant. (I try to use as little as possible because I know not a lot of people like the way it tastes)
To Assemble everything, you turn the mini cupcake upside down on top of the big cupcake. Ice everything to make a nice dome shape. Only The Count's body is covered in fondant, so go ahead and add that now.
Stick the heads on a toothpick and stick them on top of the dome. I finished each cupcake by using buttercream icing to create corrosponding textures.
Here are the finished products! They turned out better than I even hoped! Needless to say, they were a hit!
Thanks for reading today! I will post more tomorrow!


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As U.S. business and government continue to butt heads over medicinal cannabis, some educational institutions are turning to science to help elevate and inform the conversation.
Helping blaze the trail toward cannabis' acceptance in academia is none other than the University of Vermont, which now offers a range of college-level coursework and training on the plant through its Larner College of Medicine (no doubt home to some other 'berners'). Ranging from online modules to the traditional classroom setting, courses are designed to give students and professionals a thorough, evidence-based understanding of the scientific 'why' behind weed–no more, no less.
For the past two years, UVM students have been especially quick to partake of Pharm 200: "Cannabis Past, Present, and Future," the nation's first-ever 'higher learning' course on the science of medicinal cannabis (so close, UC Davis). Pharmacology professor and researcher Karen Lounsbury, Ph.D., who designed the annual class ... read more at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetwburns/2017/07/21/in-vermont-students-and-lawmakers-are-getting-the-facts-on-cannabis/
... read more at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetwburns/2017/07/21/in-vermont-students-and-lawmakers-are-getting-the-facts-on-cannabis/


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Living life in God's will is not a game and should not be approached ignorantly or frivolously. It is being within His will that assures our salvation and not all the legalism one may attach to God's plan.
Many people seem to think that all they have to do is in a moment of emotion and/or reason ascent to recognition of Christ being their savior and their salvation to eternal life is assured. From that point forward it makes no difference that their life is changed and they will live differently. The only thing that has changed is that evil in their lives as displayed outwardly and lived inwardly no longer has an effect on their eternity as their one act of acceptance has made them immune to the actions of their sins at judgment and obligated God to accept them into His presence. Some will go so far as to say that one's sinfulness and evil has nothing to do with the value of their souls before God because even the most evil, sinful soul is covered rather than purified by Christ's atonement. It would appear that these people are saying that Christ's atonement is a method or sinister plan to allow sin in the presence of God draped in a covering of righteousness to conceal the evil within and that salvation is assured regardless of the state of their souls.
The question comes immediately to mind, how one can come to such conclusions considering the context of the body of Scriptures that contradict such a notion. I believe that it all comes down to one verse which is unique in all of Scripture that depicts Christ as a personal savior dependent on one's inner conviction. All other Scriptures depict only salvation through the Church saying that He died for us, meaning the Church. St. Paul certainly taught this as he practiced seeking salvation through Christ's Church.
Here is the Scripture which through the eisegesis of some causes misunderstanding:
(Gal 2:20 DRB) And I live, now not I: but Christ liveth in me. And that I live now in the flesh: I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and delivered himself for me.
Some take this verse to mean that one need only repent and turn to God with the heart of a little child and their salvation is assured.
(Joh 3:3 DRB) Jesus answered and said to him: Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Catholics see salvation quite differently than those who think that covering one's sins is enough to enter the presence of God. We recognize that Christ has redeemed us on the cross and unlocked the gates of heaven and that redemption is not the same as salvation but instead a prelude to salvation. In order for us to receive salvation we must cooperate by being spiritually alive. Our soul cannot be in a natural state when we die to receive salvation and no covering of its sinfulness will be enough to hide what is beneath, a soul without the sanctifying grace cannot enter heaven. If, at death, the soul is sanctified then there is no doubt of heaven even if that soul needs to go to the purification of purgatory. Only souls that are indeed good and pleasing to God by being full of His sanctifying grace will merit heaven. It is the state of the soul at death that merits heaven and this fact emphasizes why we need God's ongoing grace in our lives to persevere to the end.
In Christ
Fr. Joseph


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It's that time of the year when Love is (supposedly) in the air folks!
|That's for you girls!
- I successfully predicted the headlines for the day Michael Jackson died.
- I'm very obvious.And I tend to exaggerate.
- It's raining for the very first time this year as I type this!
- I palm-sweat. A lot.
- I read in the shower.Sometimes.
- Barf-fact: I saw a dead rat with its innards lying on the road today.
- If I could pick a celebrity to turn into it'd be Jennifer Lopez(when I'm on an I'm-FAAAT streak only).
- I can't remember what I look like at times.
- I think I'll make a terrible wife.Or employee.Or anyone who can be called a responsible adult really.
- I'm prone to unexplainable stupidity.
|Oh yes.
|Me at Water Kingdom!
|This guy.He died trying.
The best thing about an imaginary opponent is that he is highly skilled, yet easily defeated.
On a second note,maybe I don't.Not a Prince Charming.
BrownGirlBloggin - ROFL ROFL crazy.Where being brown isn't a bad thing!
icyHighs - A vast vocabulary if well-used(with a shot of that sly humour) can lead to absolute infatuation with his blog! That's what I learnt. And he just released a book.About time I'd say.
Stutee - Repeat from before. Bold. Badass. Bindass!
I think some of you don't do the whole blog-awards thingamajig.If so,you're allowed to answer in the comments.
|That's for you Mark!