It's the End of 2011 (And the Politicos Know It)

One of the themes for my New Year's resolutions for 2012 concerns focus. One of the things I resolve to focus more on is posting more Linkfests. To the end, here is a last linkfest of 2011 for you, focusing on... The Republican Primary Contest The Iowa Caucus System Explained The Iowa caucuses on Tuesday begin the process in that state that will result in 25 delegates being selected for the national convention. At the caucuses, voters will...

2011: A Year in the Smokies

This is a short video by the Great Smoky Mountain Association highlighting the events and scenes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the year of 2011.  Despite having been born in, and living most of my life, in the mountains of far western North Carolina, I've not been to this national park under my own power. The last time I was there was when my grandparents took me in the 1970s. Maybe I'll make it there this year...

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Mitt Romney Town Hall in Charleston, SC

This video was recorded at a town hall with Congressman Tim Scott in Charleston, SC. The Governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley, also spoke for a short time in favor of Mitt Romney's bid to become the nominee of the Republican Party in the 2012 Presidential Race. (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; var s...

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Participatory Concert of Handel's Messiah

Since 1995 the Obra Social "la Caixa" promotes participatory Messiah concert. This is a unique opportunity that brings together professional musicians and singers prestigious amateur choral music with a simple goal: to perform Handel's Messiah. Participatory concerts Obra Social "la Caixa" offer people choral music fans the opportunity to participate in an emotional celebration of the music collective, alongside professional musicians and performers...

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The Christmas Story "Festival of Carols"

“And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen,...

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Ron Paul Town Hall Meeting In Manchester, NH

I've been neglecting to cover the national political scene on this blog for the past little bit, and here is a down payment on correcting that oversight... Ron Paul Town Hall Meeting In Manchester New Hampshire December 19, 2011 Aired on C-SPAN Video capture courtesy MOX News (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; ...

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The Final Republican Debate in Iowa

Here is a playlist of the final debate in Iowa before the Republican Primary in January 2012. (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })(); ...

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Macon County Board of Commissioners Agenda for 12-13-2011 Meeting Updated with Video

**update** Here is the video of the meeting: MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DECEMBER 13, 2011 AGENDA Call to order and welcome by Vice-Chairman Kuppers Invocation Pledge of Allegiance Adjustments to and approval of the agenda Acknowledge the recommendation of the Macon County Republican Party Executive Committee regarding the District I Representative on the Board of Commissioners – Vice-Chairman...

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The Enduring Legacy of Pearl Harbor

The U.S. Navy through its last episode of "All Hands TV" commemorates the 70th Anniversary of Japan's attack of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The six memorable segments involve... 1) Seaman Anna Wagner talks about life as a USS Arizona Memorial boat driver. 2) The events in Europe that would draw Japan and the U.S. into the war. 3) Tensions between Japan and the U.S. worsen when a trade embargo forces Japan to declare war. 4)...

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Pearl Harbor Attacked 70 Years Ago Today

NEVER FORGET!!! The USS Shaw exploding on December 7, 1941. KGU in Honolulu calls NBC to report Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor while it is in progress. An NBC Radio report on the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor. "December 7th," directed by John Ford, begins with the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, nicknamed "the Navy's hundred million dollar fist." Authentic footage of the invasion is mixed with...

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Franklin Alderman 12-05-2011 Jimmy Tate Selected as County Commissioner

**9.40pm** My camera quit recording before the meeting started (while I was covering the selection of a new county commissioner across town), so there will be no video of this meeting. Download MP3 The Executive Committee of the Macon County Republican Party selected Jimmy Tate to fill the vacancy on the Macon County Board of Commissioners as the District I (Highlands area) representative.  Jimmy Tate of Highlands is Macon County's newest...

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Music Monday: Franz Lachner Symphony No. 5 in C Minor "Preis Symphony" Op. 52

Franz Lachner is one of the composers of the Romantic Period of classical music that should have more exposure. The 5th symphony that I have chosen to introduce you to him is a giant one, lasting an hour. It takes its time to develop, in a Schubertian manner. I consider him a transitional period between Beethoven/Schubert and Bruckner/Brahms and hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Franz Lachner - Symphony No. 5 in C Minor "Preis...

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MCNC and Advantage West Host Broadband Briefing

MCNC and Advantage West hosted an information session in Franklin, NC to update local leaders on the progress of the funding and construction of a fiber optic "middle mile" in the far western counties in North Carolina with the goal of fostering economic development in the region. Several people, including Joe Freddoso, Ken Maxwell and Cecil Groves spoke about the ongoing efforts to establish a fiber optic "middle mile in North Carolina, with...

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Macon Commissioners Accept Resignation of Chairman Macon County Republican Party to Select Replacement

The Macon County Commissioners met last night in a special meeting to accept the resignation of chairman Brian McClellan and to notify the Executive Committee of the Macon County Republican Party that it has 30 days to select a replacement for County Commission District I on the Board of County Commissioners. Chris murray, chairman of the Macon County Republican party, was present to receive the formal notification from the County Commissioners....

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Photos and Video of the 2011 Franklin Christmas Parade

Here are the photos and video I took of the 2011 Franklin Christmas Parade. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed taking them. Oh, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR. And for those who don't have time to watch the whole parade, here it is in two minutes... (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; ...

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Notice of Special Meeting of the Macon County Commissioners

BEGIN PRESS RELEASE Notice of 12.01.11 Special Meeting (function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })(); END PRESS RELEASE The chairman of the Macon County Commissioners, Brian McClellan was arrested for DWI in...

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Watch Mars Science Lab/Curiosity Rover Launch Live

**update** Here is video of the launch: Come August of next year, there will be seven minutes of terror when the vehicle reaches Mars. I hope to be able to provide you with live coverage of that event as well. The Mars Scie3nce Lab is scheduled to launch between 10.02 and 11.45am Eastern Time today. I have embedded video players for you to watch the launch live. JPL animation of the journey and landing of the Mars Science Lab. The Mars...

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Washington, D.C. October 3, 1863 By the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation. The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even...

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Republican Candidates Debate Foreign Policy

The candidates in the Republican Party 2012 Presidential nomination race participated in a forum at Washington, D.C.’s, Constitution Hall last night, an event that was billed as the "Presidential Debate on Foreign Policy." It was sponsored by CNN and the Heritage Foundation. (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; ...

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A Town Hall with NC Senator Jim Davis

Here is a Town Hall that was held by NC Senator Jim Davis last night in the Community Facilities Building in Franklin, NC. It is one of a series of town halls he is holding across the district to update people on this past legislative session in the North Carolina General Assembly. I also took some photos and here they are: Previous coverage of Jim Davis: NC Governor Vetoes State Budget NC Senator Jim Davis Discusses State...

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Franklin Aldermen November 21, 2011 Meeting

**2.30am** Here is the video of this meeting: Here is a copy of the presenation by Andrea Leslie. Use it to follow along with the presentation while the video plays: NC DENR Watershed Presentation to The Franklin Town Board of Aldermen (function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];...

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