Courtesy, The Soxaholix.

You know that dude is going to be totally stalking the rolling rally today, whispering crazy talk out loud about how “They have the Precious but the Precious is Mines. Yankees betrays us. Wicked, tricksey, false. Where is it? Where is it? They stole it from us. My Precious.”

“That dude” is Alex Rodriguez, also known as The Most Expensive Baseball Player EVER.

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Technorati Tags: Alex Rodriguez , Gollom , World Series , Baseball , Precious , The Soxaholix

Timmi Toler (of blogging and reporting fame) wrote a feature on the OOPS for this Sunday’s Neighbors section of the Jacksonville Daily News. Read the bit, it’s a nice article on the OOPS group and en plen aire painting. There’s also a video interview of Bernie Rosage, Jr. Check it out!

Ms. Toler also got a blurb about the photographers’ group I’d like to start. The blurb has lead to a few good leads. Thanks, Timmi!

Speaking of the photography group: I spoke to Ms. Connie Wenner (Executive Director of the Jacksonville Council for the Arts) today about a potential showing of photographs by the group. She’s got 2008 all booked up, but has available months in 2009. Before you think that is a long way away, remember that it may take many months to collect the photographs that we feel suitable for showing, so don’t feel discouraged.

If you’re interested in meeting with area photographers, please let me know. The sooner we have more people, the more we can learn.

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NBC Nightly News thinks so…

I wonder what Mr. McHenry will think of that?

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The Jacksonville Daily News has coverage.

Aragona, Jr (Chairman of the Onslow County Board of Commissioners) fired first:

“The $13 million in cash and the $52 million in assets the prior board of commissioners turned over to ONWASA — without that $65 million in cash and assets, ONWASA doesn’t exist,”

“That’s the same board (of commissioners) this board of directors refused to have a meeting with, and I think it was a big insult to the board of commissioners and the citizens of Onslow County.”

He followed up with a list of other offenses by ONWASA:

– Not having ONWASA board meetings videotaped for G-10 television, so people can watch three hour meetings at their leisure.
– Having public comments at the end rather than the beginning of meetings, the latter of which would allow comments on issues before a vote is taken.
– ONWASA’s raising of rates.
– A proposed $43 million bond issue for Piney Green Road service extension, land acquisition in other areas and other projects.
– School system water rate increases of about 107 percent.
– What he saw as unfair water rates for Swansboro, Hubert, Sneads Ferry and Holly Ridge.
– ONWASA board members’ taking too many trips at the utility’s expense.

Ms. Slagle (Mayor of Jacksonville) had a response for Aragona, Jr.’s accusations:

“I had previously said I wished this meeting were televised. Now I’m glad that this meeting is not being televised, because Mr. Aragona has decided that ONWASA is going to be the hot-button issue that gets him elected to whatever office he plans to pursue next,”

She added:

“And I’m sick and tired of your political grandstanding and taking the people on the board who give up our time and our evenings at home to work hard for all the people of Onslow County. It sickens me,”

“It just sickens me and it makes me sad that politics in Onslow County has sunk to this pathetic level under your guidance.”

ONWASA is indeed a “hot-button issue,” but if so, only because of the egregiousness of their activities. They’re making customers pay their debt and an “availability” fee…You’ve got to pay for the privilege of purchasing their water…They take trips to Myrtle Beach, SC for planning sessions (because Emerald Isle, Wilmington, or New Bern aren’t as nice, I suppose).

I’m no Aragona, Jr. supporter. He’s of the same back-door political maneuvering ilk as Delma Collins and Joe McLaughlin. In this issue, though, he’s right. ONWASA is wrong and corrupt and Martin Aragona, Jr. seems to be the only one interested in the citizens’ best interests.

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Bernie Rosage, Jr. has the finished paintings from the Onslow Outdoor Painters Society’s first paint-out and they’re beautiful.

Go check them out.

You can also check out the OOPS folks at their November paint out in Swansboro. I’ll be there, camera in hand. If any other photographers would like to meet, please let me know. Downtown Swansboro is a target-rich environment and the OOPS folks make great models!

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I’m working on organizing a group of photographers in Onslow County (though, if you’re nearby and interested, you’re welcome to participate!).

The premise is simple: A monthly get-together of photographers to discuss our art and go on shoots together. It’ll be a great way for beginning photographers (like me) to learn from the more experienced photographers in our community. My ultimate idea would be to have monthly “assignments”, discuss ways to fulfill the assignment, and critique each others’ work at the next meeting.

There’s no formality, no fees, no membership. Just a group of like-minded people with a common activity meeting, talking, and learning together.

If we can build a good body of work, the Jacksonville-Onslow Council for the Arts may be able to provide gallery space for a show during 2008.

There’s already a few folks interested, but we need more, so if you, or someone you know, is interested, please contact me.

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Technorati Tags: Onslow County , Jacksonville , Photography , Onslow Photography Group , Jacksonville-Onslow Council for the Arts , Arts

I mean, seriously…The floor is corrugated metal and there seems to some sort of edges throughout the bridge.

I hope the Jacksonville City Council has some sort of plan for this…’Cuz I will not be happy if this is the final bridge over 24 for the Rails-to-Trails.

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I’ve purchase, by way of eBay, the first real pieces of art I’ve ever owned.

Long Leaf ~ Bright Leaf and Greenfield Lake (both Plein Air works, both done in Eastern NC by Mr. Bernie Rosage, Jr.) will go on the walls of my brand new cubicle in my brand new office in the brand new (well, for a 60-year old building) Russell Marine and Family Services Center. I expect that I’ll be explaining the works to my many visitors and, I’m sure, Bernie won’t mind.

He’s an award-winning artist here in Jacksonville and I’m honored to have two of his pieces and I’m looking forward to his future pieces, so that I can add to my collection. You’ll be reading more about Bernie here, soon. But, I can’t say more than that, at the moment.

It’s more than halfway through October and there’s still been no election coverage by the Jacksonville Daily News. Time has become short, so some folks are taking matters into their own hands.

The Neighbors group of citizens hosted a candidates forum tonight at the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Center. I wanted to attend, but, unfortunately, I couldn’t.

I emailed the challenging candidates that have email addresses registered with the Onslow County Board of Elections.

Follow the jump for the details.

Read The Full Story…

My first post at TechTalk4U is live. It’s on blogging platforms for your WordPress blog.

Please check it out and leave some love.

kthxbuhbye.

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