09 December 2009

Got Fear?

" FEAR NOT!!"

December 10, 2009- January 6, 2010


Wet Paint Syndrome is presenting “Fear Not!”: New Guardian Paintings by Kristofer Neely. Kris's guardian angels have been installed in church sanctuaries, college campuses, public parks, homeless shelters, cemeteries, and refuges for people who have been abused or neglected. They will make excellent holiday gifts. The "Fear Not!" show features a series of work that Neely completed on found wood at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Peek behind the curtain to view Kris's studio and the growing collection of his work lining the walls.

December Events:

Dec. 10 - Opening Event of “Fear Not!”: New Guardian Paintings (6- 9 PM)
with featured reading and book signing by Dr. Kirk H. Neely (7 PM)

Dec. 17 - Art Walk Open Studio (5- 9 PM)

Dr. Kirk Neely will again be signing books. We are pleased to announce that Wet Paint Syndrome will be an official trolley stop for the Art Walk! Park at Hillcrest and ride the shuttle into downtown!

Wet Paint Syndrome, LLC
Hillcrest Specialty Row (on the flip side)
1040 Fernwood-Glendale Rd. , Suite 34
Spartanburg , SC 29307

email: wetpaintsyndrome@gmail.com
web: http://www.wetpaintsyndrome.com/



Call for an appointment: 864.579.9604

02 December 2009

Yesoday : 2 Turkey Recipes and some wet paint

I apologise for not continuing Leftover Turkey Week yesterday....was under the weather...so here is Yesterday and Todays Recipes....in an event called : Yesoday

LEFTOVER THANKSGIVING TURKEY ENCHILADAS

Leftover cooked turkey (white or dark meat pieces)

1 or 2 cans cream of celery soup or cream of chicken, cream of mushroom (whichever suits your taste)

1 can diced green chilies

1 reg. size pkg. plain tortilla chips, crumbled

1 (8 oz.) pkg. Cheddar cheese, grated

1 (8 oz.) pkg. Monterey Jack cheese, grated

1 sm. onion, chopped

1 jar jalapenos (optional)

Saute onions in butter in medium skillet until golden brown. Add green chilies, soup, and 1 soup can of water. Stir and simmer until heated. Crush tortilla chips, using 1/2 of package. Spread a layer in bottom of baking dish. Evenly place a layer of cooked turkey on top of chips. Spoon a layer of 1/2 of soup mixture over chips. Add jalapenos, if desired. Sprinkle with 1/3 of both grated cheeses. Repeat chips, turkey, and soup mixture; top with grated cheese. Quantity is determined by the amount of turkey available. For larger amounts, simply continue to layer ingredients.

Conventional Oven: Bake in oven at 350 degrees until thoroughly heated and cheese is bubbly.

Microwave Oven: Heat at medium high power until thoroughly heated and cheese is bubbly.

Note: This dish is great during holidays after everyone is tired of turkey and dressing. Cooked chicken also works great. This recipe reheats well and tastes even better as a leftover!

from: http://www.cooks.com/

And Now for Todays Recipe for your Leftover Turkey

QUICK TURKEY CHILI


1 lb ground turkey

1 cup chopped onions

1 can diced green chilies

1 can diced tomatoes

2 tabelspoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic

4 tablespoons chili powder (to your taste)

salt & pepper

hot sauce if desired

Brown ground turkey in olive oil until brown, add onions and cook until soft. Add garlic, salt, pepper and chilie powder, mix well, add chopped chilies, diced tomatoes and simmer for about an hour on low. Serve with sour cream and grated cheese. Add hot sauce if desired.

Submitted by: K**** C***** ( privacy is a thing with me )

from : http://www.cooks.com/



Also don't Miss Decembers Pop Up Gallery tomorrow night from 6:30 - 9 Pm @ Wet Paint Syndrome

If you are an Artist and would like to show your work Entry Fee is : $ 15 and limit it to 2 works...FCFS ( First Come, First Served )

                       www.wetpaintsyndrome.com

                                          or contact Kris Neely at : wetpaintsyndrome@gmail.com

30 November 2009

Leftover Turkey Week - Day 1

TURKEY LOAF


2 eggs, slightly beaten

4 tablespoons melted butter

1 package Pepperidge Farm herb stuffing

1 1/2 cups turkey or chicken broth

2 cups cooked turkey or chicken, cut up

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced

2 tablespoons onion, minced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. black pepper

2 tablespoons minced green pepper


Sauce:

1 10.5 oz. can cream of celery soup

3/4 cup milk

This is a good way to use leftover turkey or chicken.

If you have any leftover gravy, up to 1/2 cup may be added to the broth (to equal the 1 1/2 cups called for).

In the Cooks.com test kitchen, we have also added whole cranberries and fresh mushrooms as a variation.

Combine all ingredients (except those for sauce) in the order listed. For extra flavor, the onion and garlic may be sautéed in butter before being added, but this is optional.

Grease a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Press mixture into pan and bake at 375°F for 30-40 minutes or until top is firm.

To make the sauce, combine celery soup with milk in a saucepan; simmer for 3 minutes. Pour half over the top of the loaf. Serve remaining sauce in a gravy bowl or ladled over the top of individual slices.

Serve with cranberry sauce on the side.

26 November 2009

Gobble, Gobble , Gobble....


                                                                                       
                                                                                                                  From your friendly neighborhood Blogger

13 November 2009

2 Friday the 13th's in the same year? " Holy Superstition, Batman "

Why Is Friday the 13th Bad Luck?


If you're one of those people who avoid traveling, going to work, eating in a restaurant or signing important documents on Friday the 13th, you have paraskevidekatriaphobia. There is no need to call the doctor. It means a fear of Friday the 13th. Friday the 13th is unlucky in North America, Western Europe and Australia and has its roots in both pagan culture and Christian beliefs. In the United States, it is the most widespread superstition. The British Medical Journal reported in 1993 that on Friday the 13th, the number of hospital admissions that are due to vehicular accidents is significantly higher--by as much as 52 percent--than on "normal" Fridays.

Ever since Christ was crucified on a Friday, many Christians believe the sixth day of the week to be unlucky, reports InfoPlease.com. In addition, 13 brings bad luck because that is the number who attended the Last Supper. But such superstitions go back even further than some 2,000 years ago. Norse mythology also reviled the No. 13. Loki, the most loathed of all the Norse gods crashed a dinner party for 12. As the 13th guest, he was said to cause the death of Balder, the god of light, joy and reconciliation.

Here are some superstitions about Friday:

--Never change your bed on a Friday as it will give you bad dreams.


--If you start a trip on a Friday, you'll have misfortune.


--Cut your nails on a Friday, and you cut them for sorrow.


--If a ship sets sail on a Friday, it will bring bad luck.


--Friday is the witches' Sabbath.

Here are some superstitions about the number 13:

--13 is the Devil's Dozen.


--Should 13 people eat dinner together, all will die within the year.


--Just as many buildings don't have a 13th floor, instead skipping it and going from 12 to 14, many cities don't have a 13th Street or 13th Avenue.


--If you have 13 letters in your name, you will have the devil's luck. Don't believe it? Count the letters in these infamous names: Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy and Albert De Salvo.


--There are 13 witches in a coven.

So why is Friday the 13th unlucky? The best-selling novel "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown describes a popular theory that claims it is due to a single historical event that happened 700 years ago: the decimation of the Knights Templar. This legendary order of warrior monks, first formed during the Christian Crusades to battle Islam, was so powerful by the 1300s that it was seen as a political threat to kings and the pope, reports About.com. \

Katharine Kurtz writes in "Tales of the Knights Templar": "On October 13, 1307, a day so infamous that Friday the 13th would become a synonym for ill fortune, officers of King Philip IV of France carried out mass arrests in a well-coordinated dawn raid that left several thousand Templars--knights, sergeants, priests and serving brethren--in chains, charged with heresy, blasphemy, various obscenities and homosexual practices. None of these charges was ever proven, even in France--and the Order was found innocent elsewhere--but in the seven years following the arrests, hundreds of Templars suffered excruciating tortures intended to force 'confessions,' and more than a hundred died under torture or were executed by burning at the stake."

                       - http://www.aolnews.com/

29 October 2009

Move Over H1N1...Wet Paint Syndrome is Here

New Art Studio in the Hub City a.k.a. Spartanburg its called Wet Paint Syndrome

Info below from Local Artist Kris Neely...


We have a community event called the Pop-up Gallery the first Thursday of every month starting in Nov.



Artists are invited to present up to two works to show in the space for one night.


They pay $15 dollars, and there is no commission if they make a sale.


It runs from 6:30 to 9pm and is free and open to the public. Artists arrive at 6pm to hang work on a first come first serve basis.


They need to stay with their work and manage their sales or conversations about it.


We hope this new approach will foster more critique, artistic discourse, and encourage a stronger community for local artists.


We hope established artists will bring work that is very new, or even in process, and pushing the edges of an artist’s practice.


We also want to offer opportunities to artists who are still emerging to show work in the community.


Hopefully we will have a crowd of folks who want to come out to see the raw edge of new art in the Upstate.


Self-taught artists, mixed media experiments, and non-traditional work is also strongly encouraged.


We are trying to make it as affordable as possible for both the artist and the buyer by charging a low flat fee.


The goal is to reduce the uncertainty for the artists, the buyers, and people who are seeking a new form of expression to step into the spotlight in our community.


I have no idea who might show up to share, so that will be the most fun!


Thanks for your help!

and..Yes...if you'll look to the left..the Link to the site is There....

15 October 2009

Art and an Author

Sorry I am late, Here is what's happening tonight DT Spartanburg

Now in its second year, ART WALK SPARTANBURG returns Tonight from 5 to 9. Be a part of this great downtown event, and walk the streets of Spartanburg! Maps will be available at the galleries to help you plot your course.


MYST, 154 West Main Street, is hosting an opening reception for Suzanne Zoole from 6:30 to 9:00. This well-known local artist calls her work "abstracted realism." Zoole's work encompasses interiors, landscapes and figures.

CAROLINA GALLERY is showing a collection of landscapes, figure and still life paintings, as well as sculpture and jewelry by the artists they represent. In the street level exhibition space there are one or two paintings by several artists whose work can be seen in greater depth on the second and third floors.

SPECTRUM, at 151 West Main Street, is able to offer gift buyers another opportunity to purchase items from the former shop at the Spartanburg Art Museum. Creative cards by Cindy P. Canty will also be available. In addition there is a wide selection of truly affordable framed prints. There really is something for everyone, and you might want to think "Christmas."

HUB-BUB, 149 S. Daniel Morgan Avenue, will present a free movie in their "Green Screen" film series, "Addicted to Plastic," a documentary that reveals the history and worldwide scope of plastics pollution. The film begins at 7:30. On exhibit in THE SHOWROOM: Paintings by Kris Inman and Robert Urban.

THE ARTISTS AMONG US PROJECT features a growing collection of photographic portraits of important local artists at 121 West Main Street. This Stephen Stinson and Ed Emory collaboration is only open on the night of the Art Walk, so don't miss out! Come on by to see how many artists you recognize.

At the Chapman Cultural Center, THE SPARTANBURG ART MUSEUM continues the exhibit "From Decoration to Passion, Selections from the Heavrin Collection featuring works by Henry Gasser, Alice Ravenel Huger Smith and Elizabeth O'Neill Verner, among others. THE ARTISTS' GUILD GALLERY exhibit is titled "Imagineering" by Jim Taylor.

At 172 East Main Street, THE CRESCENT GALLERY is showing a varied collection of works by their represented artists.

GALLERY 155, 155 East Broad Street, features rotating exhibitions.

ART WALK SPARTANBURG is your chance to stroll with friends or meet new ones, while enjoying what this great art city has downtown. Make your plans to check us out every third thursday of the month. And as always, the Art Walk is free and open to the public


** Bloggers Note ** Also Check out this Authors Website : Jen Burdette @ www.lulu.com/jburdette09 She has written a book of poetry and she is also an Artist And Yes, Her book is FOR SALE

06 October 2009

Busy Week @ The Showroom

Tonight

A Good Mule is Hard to Find book release -
10/6/09 - Tuesday
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm


Book release for Kirk Neely's "A Good Mule is Hard to Find."

Wednesday

Exhibit opening : Robert Urban and Kris Inman -
 10/7/09 
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm


Robert Urban and Kris Inman
Exhibit Shows through Oct. 30

Thursday

The Waybacks & The Belleville Outfit - 10/8/09 -
Thursday
7:30 pm - 10:30 pm


HUB-BUB and Little River Roasting present

The Waybacks and The Belleville Outfit

Where:David Reid Theatre at The Chapman Cultural Center

When:Thursday, October 8th 7:30pm

Ticket Prices: $20 advance

Two Americana super-groups with ties to Spartanburg take the stage in their first-ever joint bill.


The Waybacks of San Francisco feature fiddler Warren Hood, son of Spartanburg’s Champ Hood and The Belleville Outfit from Austin, TX includes three homegrown Hub City musicians.


The Waybacks, darlings of the annual Merlefest festival, have been called “one of the most exciting, inventive and fun acoustic bands on the planet.” The Belleville Outfit, now touring the country with their new album Time to Stand, have been recently nominated as “Best New and Emerging Artist” by the Americana Music Association.

Saturday

Hub City Empty Bowls


10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Plaza at Chapman Cultural Center.

3 - 7 p.m. at The Showroom.

Open to the public

Eat Soup… Keep the Bowl… Feed the Hungry

Help feed local hungry citizens by purchasing a bowl of soup served in a handmade bowl for a $15. All of the bowls are made by volunteers in the community. The soup is donated by local restaurants. All proceeds go to a local charity that feeds the hungry. Keep the souvenir bowl as a reminder of helping others.

Hub City Empty Bowls is being headed by Jim Cullen, a local potter and pottery instructor at the Spartanburg Art Museum (SAM) Art School. HUB-BUB is partnering with Carolina Clay Artists, SAM’s Art School and Chapman Cultural Center in this project.

The goal of Empty Bowls is to raise money to help organizations fight hunger, to raise awareness about the issues of hunger and food security and to help bring about an attitude that will not allow hunger to exist.

For more information about Hub City Empty Bowls, please email HubCityEmptyBowls@gmail.com or call Jim Cullen at 320-5358.

The Empty Bowls Project, a grassroots movement to help end hunger, started in North Carolina. From its humble beginnings as a meal for the staff of one high school, Empty Bowls has spread across the United States and beyond and has raised tens of millions of dollars for anti-hunger organizations.

Sunday

Figure Drawing Session -
10/11/09 - Sunday
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm


Please join HUB-BUB for figure drawing sessions led by artist-in-residence, Greg Bae. Each session is $10 and can be paid at the door. HUB-BUB has limited easels and participants are responsibile for their own supplies.

Contact Alix at HUB-BUB for more details: alix@hub-bub.com

02 October 2009

Art Mart Saturday

 This weekend is going to be great!

There are about 30 local/regional artists signed up to sell their wares during HUB-BUB's annual fall Art Mart. Come check out the photography, jewelry, paintings, clothing, pottery, and more.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase from the Brasserie Ecosse, Little River Roasting, and Cakehead Bakery.

The Hub City Co-Op will be out here too! Bring your friends and family out for this fun event in downtown Spartanburg that supports the local arts community.

See you Saturday, 10-3pm,

149 S. Daniel Morgan Ave in the parking lot beside HUB-BUB.





Upcoming Events @ The Showroom


October 3 - Art Mart

October 4 - Figure Drawing

October 7 - Exhibit Opening - Robert Urban and Kris Inman

October 8 - The Belleville Outfit & The Wabacks at the Cultural Center

October 10 - Hub City Empty Bowls

October 11 - Figure Drawing

October 15 - Green Screen - Addicted to Plastic

October 16 - Seth Walker

October 17 - DanSynergy at the Cultural Center

October 18 - Figure Drawing

October 22 - Green Screen-The Garden

October 23 - Mad Tea Party

25 September 2009

Blog 252 or How to have a 19 lb baby

Found this on several News Sites aolnews had it as well as Google

19-Pound Baby Is Born


A woman in Indonesia has given birth to a baby boy who weighed in at a staggering 19.2 pounds and 24.4 inches long. The child, Muhammad Akbar Risuddin (Akbar means "big"), was born by caesarean section on September 21 at a public hospital in North Sumatra province.


"This heavy baby made the surgery really tough, especially the process of taking him out of his mum's womb. His legs were so big," Dr. Binsar Sitanggang told Agence France Presse. The child is healthy, although he did initially receive oxygen for breathing problems. "He's got strong appetite, every minute, it's almost non-stop feeding," Sitanggang added. "This baby boy is extraordinary, the way he's crying is not like a usual baby. It's really loud."


Sitanggang thinks the boy grew so large because his mother, who is 41, had diabetes, a dangerous condition since the pregnant woman's high glucose level means the fetus can receive too much glucose and grow abnormally large.

Figure Drawing Session - 9/27/09
- Sunday
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm


Please join HUB-BUB for figure drawing sesshions led by artist-in-residence, Greg Bae. Each session is $10 and can be paid at the door. HUB-BUB has limited easels and participants are responsibile for their own supplies.

Contact Alix at HUB-BUB for more details: alix@hub-bub.com

24 September 2009

251....wait! what now?

Don't Forget!!

Green Screen - Fresh -
TONIGHT
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

@ The Showroom


7:30pm (doors open at 7)


Admission is FREE

Yesterday I failed to realize it was Blog 250 ...oops.....


The Following Posting Was sent to Me.Views Expressed do not reflect the writer of this Blog

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE PHILOSOPHY OF AMBIGUITY, AS WELL AS THE IDIOSYNCRASIES OF ENGLISH:


~ DON'T SWEAT THE PETTY THINGS AND DON'T PET THE SWEATY THINGS.


~ ONE TEQUILA, TWO TEQUILA, THREE TEQUILA, FLOOR.


~ ATHEISM IS A NON-PROPHET ORGANIZATION.


~ IF MAN EVOLVED FROM MONKEYS AND APES, WHY DO WE STILL HAVE MONKEYS AND APES?

~ I WENT TO A BOOKSTORE AND ASKED THE SALESWOMAN, "WHERE'S THE SELF- HELP SECTION?" SHE SAID IF SHE TOLD ME, IT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE.


~ WHAT IF THERE WERE NO HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS?


~ IF A DEAF CHILD SIGNS SWEAR WORDS, DOES HIS MOTHER WASH HIS HANDS WITH SOAP?

~ IS THERE ANOTHER WORD FOR SYNONYM?

~ WHERE DO FOREST RANGERS GO TO "GET AWAY FROM IT ALL?"


~ WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE AN ENDANGERED ANIMAL EATING AN ENDANGERED PLANT?


~ IF A PARSLEY FARMER IS SUED, CAN THEY GARNISH HIS WAGES?


~ WOULD A FLY WITHOUT WINGS BE CALLED A WALK?


~ WHY DO THEY LOCK GAS STATION BATHROOMS? ARE THEY AFRAID SOMEONE WILL CLEAN THEM?

~ IF A TURTLE DOESN'T HAVE A SHELL, IS HE HOMELESS OR NAKED?


~ CAN VEGETARIANS EAT ANIMAL CRACKERS?

~ IF THE POLICE ARREST A MIME, DO THEY TELL HIM HE HAS THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT?


~ HOW DO THEY GET DEER TO CROSS THE ROAD ONLY AT THOSE YELLOW ROAD SIGNS?


~ WHAT WAS THE BEST THING BEFORE SLICED BREAD?


~ ONE NICE THING ABOUT EGOTISTS: THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE.


~ HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR?


~ IF ONE SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER DROWNS, DO THE REST DROWN TOO?


~ IF YOU ATE BOTH PASTA AND ANTEPASTO, WOULD YOU STILL BE HUNGRY?


~ IF YOU TRY TO FAIL, AND SUCCEED, WHICH HAVE YOU DONE?


~ WHOSE CRUEL IDEA WAS IT FOR THE WORD 'LISP' TO HAVE 'S' IN IT?


~ WHY IS IT CALLED TOURIST SEASON IF WE CAN'T SHOOT AT THEM?


~ WHY IS THERE AN EXPIRATION DATE ON SOUR CREAM?

~ CAN AN ATHEIST GET INSURANCE AGAINST ACTS OF GOD?

~ WHY DO YOU PARK ON A DRIVEWAY AND DRIVE ON A PARKWAY?

23 September 2009

Goin' Green in the Hub City

Green Screen - Fresh - 9/24/09 -
Thursday 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

@The Showroom

7:30pm (doors open at 7)

Admission is FREE

Fresh - A film that celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system

The Green Screen Film Series returns! Sponsored by HUB-BUB, the Hub City Farmers Market , Partners for Active Living and Upstate Forever , this series runs from Sept. 24 to Nov. 12. These films, all "green" documentaries, were a huge hit in the past and are back by popular demand. Each event features a panel discussion and offers audience participation.


Also...I want to Welcome the Newest organization on rhe link list : HUB CITY Co-op

Stay tuned for an interesting turn of events coming very soon ...

18 September 2009

Cadillacs in the Sky and Drawing on Sunday

Before I get to the Weekend Happenings I want to welcome 3 new additions to the Link List

Welcome to :

Blues Boulevard Jazz - Downtown Spartanburg
Kate McAninch - Pottery, Jewelry and Specialty Items
Stacey Rene Hettes - Burnt Earth Pottery

Welcome to you all....check their sites out....

and Now

Cadillac Sky @ The Showroom
Friday, September 18th
9pm
Tickets: $15 advance/door

"Original", "innovative", "fearless", "ambitious", "propulsive", "a marvel of emotion and razor sharp focus"....these are the words of those that have had a chance to hear the sound that for the past several years has been reverberating out of Texas from one of American music's most compelling bands, Cadillac Sky.

Their music has been coined everything from "experimental acoustic music" to "psychobilly bluegrass" but they themselves, simply hope they just make "good" music. With an admitted dose of naivety, they simply choose to believe that there should be only two categories in which music should be placed: good and bad. "We try to make music we believe in and would like to listen to".Belying their bluegrass instrumentation that imitates that of the original "Bluegrass Boys", their music looks as much to Radiohead and the Beatles for inspiration as it does to Bill Monroe.

The 14 original songs, all written by the band, on their stellar sophomore release for Skaggs Family Records, "Gravity's Our Enemy", embody this ideal. Take for example a song like “My Precious Waltz/I Hate How Happy She Is.” It begins with long mournful notes from the emotional violin of Ross Holmes accompanied by the eery whistle of a musical saw, sounding almost like Andrew Bird or gypsy-punkers DeVotchKa, before the virtuositic banjo-picking of Matt Menefee suddenly kicks in and the passionate wail of lead singer Bryan Simpson begins heaping scorn on an ex-lover as the merciless groove supplied by Andy "The Panda" Moritz's upright bass leads everyone around. But somehow even though they draw inspiration from many far-reaching corners of creativity they manage to create a sound that is completely Cadillac Sky.

A sound that rejects the straitjacket of labeling and instead looks to make transcendent music and ultimately to paint its masterpiece.But that being said, the boys ever-increasing following solemnly attests to the fact that the ferocity and grace that are the staples of Cadillac Sky are best understood when witnessed first hand. Folkwax wrote about a recent live performance " they completely blew me away, they were jogging around on the top of their strings, sniffing out new territory with rampant curiosity." Obviously, the relationship between artist and audience can change from night to night. But it does not take even the most lethargic of audiences long to be propelled to their feet with enthusiasm once they start to feel the transfer of honest energy that occurs everytime Cadillac Sky takes the stage. "We try to have every show be it's own entity. We want every show to be live, literally.

We want the audience to see the show breathing in front of their eyes. So although we use a lot of detailed arrangements, we leave plenty of room in our songs for improvisation. I think early on in each show the audience recognizes their witnessing something that may never happen again, and that's pretty cool." And with recent addition, David Mayfield, whose guitar playing and vocals have shared the stage with such musical luminaries as The Avett Brothers and The Black Keys, and whose stage persona is perhaps quantified best as a poetic-demolition derby, the band has pushed past the boiling point.

The five sincere young men that make up Cadillac Sky, Bryan, Matt, Ross, Panda, and David, realize that people remember moments...when they look back on their life, they will not remember the days, but the moments in their life. Cadillac Sky is a musical unit that strives with every note recorded, every show performed, to create moments that will be remembered and music that will last.

Visit their site


Figure Drawing Session -
9/20/09 - Sunday
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Please join HUB-BUB for figure drawing sessions led by artist-in-residence, Greg Bae. Each session is $10 and can be paid at the door. HUB-BUB has limited easels and participants are responsibile for their own supplies.

Contact Alix at HUB-BUB for more details: alix@hub-bub.com

17 September 2009

Happy Anniversary Art Walk

I realize this is a Little Late in the Day..but....( also..see below for another event )

Art Walk ( 1 Yr Anniversary )
September 17, 5 to 9 p.m.

Kicking off a whole new season, Art Walk Spartanburg, returns on Thursday, September 17, from 5 to 9. Please join us as we celebrate our first year of Art Walk, and walk the streets of Spartanburg! Maps will be available at the galleries to help you plot your course.

MYST, 154 West Main Street, is hosting an opening reception for Page J. Davis from 6:30 to 9:00. Her improvisational, abstract paintings combine disparate images gleaned from memories and voiced through color, form and line.

Carolina Gallery is showing a collection of landscapes, figure and still life paintings, as well as sculpture and jewelry by the artists they represent. In the street level exhibition space there are one or two paintings by several artists, whose work can be see in greater depth on the second and third floors.

Spectrum, at 151 West Main Street, is able to offer gift buyers another opportunity to purchase items from the former shop at the Spartanburg Art Museum. In addition there is a wide selection of truly affordable framed prints. There really is something for everyone, and you might want to think "Christmas."

HUB-BUB, 149 S. Daniel Morgan Avenue, will present Art Talk at Art Walk at the Showroom @ 7 p.m. with some of the artists from the current show "Drawn Together." The exhibit features the work of three couples, Ashley Holt & Melissa Earley, Annie Koelle & Chris Koelle and JJ Ohlinger & Darlene Fuhst. Drawn Together consists of watercolors, paintings, drawings, beadwork and digital images.

The "Artists Among Us" project is featuring additional photographs at its new, expanded location at 121 West Main Street. This exhibit is only open on the night of the Art Walk, so don't miss out! Come on by to see how many artists you recognize.

At the Chapman Cultural Center on East St. John Street, The Spartanburg Art Museum is hosting "The 36th Annual Artists' Guild of Spartanburg Juried Exhibition." There are sixty-five select pieces of art from across the region. In addition, the exhibit "From Decoration to Passion, Selections from the Heavrin Collection" will feature works by Henry Gasser, Alice Ravenel Huger Smith and Elizabeth O'Neill Verner, among others. The Artists' Guild Gallery exhibit is titled "Portraits in Wax: Incaustic Paintings" by Teresa Prater.

At 172 East Main Street, The Crescent Gallery is hosting an opening reception for Richard Oversmith in "Southlands and Still Lives."

A brand new location, 201 Broad Street at the Broadwalk Shoppes, photographer John Byrum will be showing "American Natural Wonders."

Gallery 155, at 155 East Broad Street features rotating exhibitions. If you haven't visited this one, make sure you drop by.

Art Walk Spartanburg is your chance to stroll with friends or meet new ones, while enjoying what this great art city has downtown. Make your plans to check us out every third Thursday of the month.

and after Art Walk

Dancing, Friends & Fun

"The downtown dance party"

D.J. Timmay takes request all night!
$3 vodka & bourbon drinks
18 years old & up are welcome!

Bar menu until 11.30pm

Time:10:00PM
Thursday, September 17th
Location:Brasserie Ecosse
( same building as Hub-Bub)

11 September 2009

9/11/09

On September 11th, 2001 America was Attacked.

Today is the Anniversary of the attacks. I ask all who read this pause for several Moments of Silence. and during that time Please Pray for America. Pray for Firefighters, All First Responders , the Fallen Heroes of that Tragedy and your Friends and your Family. And Above all that God Continues to Bless America.

*Below I have Posted the words to Irvin Berlins " God Bless America " read the words and reflect on what they really mean to you.

God Bless America
by Irving Berlin

God bless America
Land that I love.

Stand beside her,
and guide her

Through the night
with a light from above.

From the mountains,
To the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam.

God bless America,
My home, sweet home.

God bless America
My home, sweet home.

10 September 2009

No Weekend Plans? Try These Ideas

Floating Action - 9/11/09 - Friday
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm



$8 advance/$10 door



Seth Kauffman’s 2006 debut and 2007 follow-up left critics drawing comparisons as diverse as Motown to the Carribean, Kauffman returns as Floating Action. This April, Park The Van Records released Floating Action’s self-titled debut, and Kauffman’s most accomplished work to date. Once again Kauffman has performed and recorded virtually every note himself at his home studio, and – in an age where obsessive computer editing and auto-tuning are taking the humanity out of even most home recordings – once again his refreshingly organic approach to making music is receiving rave reviews: “.. invokes those classic, soul staples of deep and penetrating bass lines, simple but ideal and perfect lyrics about the troubles of love and jingling guitars. He gives you the jitters and the absolute sway is all his." -Daytrotter


Visit the Floating Action myspace



SPACE's birthday on the Cottonwood Trail - 9/12/09 - Saturday
11:00 am - 1:00 pm


The Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE) is celebrating their 20th anniversary on Saturday at the Edwin Griffin Nature Preserve on the Cottonwood Trail. The event starts at 11am and will include kayaking, frisbee golf, nature walks, children's cativities, and a hot dog lunch (but with vegetarian options too!).


HUB-BUB artists-in-residence Claudia Dishon and Gregory Bae will be out there during the celebration. Come check out their installation. Bring your canvas and paint brushes and join Gregory for some plein air painting. Hope to see you Saturday.

Visit SPACE's website for more info
or
Contact them at: 864.948.0000



Figure Drawing Session - 9/13/09 - Sunday
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Please join HUB-BUB for figure drawing sessions led by artist-in-residence, Greg Bae. Each session is $10 and can be paid at the door. HUB-BUB has limited easels and participants are responsibile for their own supplies.

Contact Alix at HUB-BUB for more details: alix@hub-bub.com


09 September 2009

09-09-09

Yes the Day Brings Strange Things...Like...Me back posting Blogs...SUPRISE!!! I found this on the net...Its Interesting....

Why Is the Date 09-09-09 So Special?

September 9, 2009, or 09-09-09, is the last set of repeating, single-digit dates you're likely to see in your lifetime. The next one is on January 1, 2101 or January 1, 3001 for the real purists. And while there really isn't anything all that special about the symmetrical date, historians and numerologists say it has a powerful significance.

LiveScience.com collected the following fun facts to know and tell:--Numerologists say the number nine is associated with forgiveness, compassion and success, as well as arrogance and self-righteousness.--Sept. 9 is the 252nd day of the year. What happens when you add those numbers? 2+5+2=9 (Spooky, huh?)--In China, nine is lucky where it is associated with long life. Nine is prominently featured in architecture and royal dress, typically in the form of nine fearsome dragons. The palace complex at Beijing's Forbidden City is rumored to have been built with 9,999 rooms.--The opposite is true in Japan, where nine is a homophone for suffering. It is considered a very unlucky number, second only to the number four, which sounds like death. Many Japanese will not stay in hotel rooms or hospital rooms with the number nine.

Greek mathematician Pythagoras noted the number nine's special properties:--The sum of the two-digits resulting from nine multiplied by any other single-digit number will equal nine. So 9x3=27, and 2+7=9.--Multiply nine by any two, three or four-digit number and the sums of those will break down to nine. For example: 9x62 = 558; 5+5+8=18; 1+8=9.

12 June 2009

Cheesecake Week : Day 5 ( Yes, We're Done )

Yes, This is the LAST Day of Cheesecake Week. Hope everyone enjoyed the Recipes. Please give me some Feedback on this what you thought and the likes at abstraktrt@gmail.com

Ultimate Cheesecake

Crust:

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 slightly beaten egg yolk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Filling:

5 8-ounce packages cream cheese (40 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 3/4 cups sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 or 5 eggs (1 cup)2 egg yolks
1/4 cup whipping cream

Topping and glaze (recipe follows)

Preheat Oven 400F.

Crust:

Combine flour, sugar and lemon peel. Cut in butter till mixture is crumbly. Add egg yolk and vanilla. Blend thoroughly. Pat 1/3 of dough on bottom of 9-inch spring-form pan (sides removed). Bake in hot oven (400F) about 8 minutes or till golden; cool. Attach sides to bottom, butter, and pat remaining dough on sides to height of 1 3/4 inches.

Filling:

Let cream cheese stand at room temperature to soften (1 to 1 1/2 hours). Beat until creamy. Add vanilla and lemon peel. Mix sugar, flour and salt , gradually blend into cheese. Add eggs and egg yolks one at a time, beating after each just to blend. Gently stir in whipping cream.

Turn into crust-lined pan. Bake at 450F for 12 minutes; reduce heat to 300F and continue baking 55 minutes.

Remove from oven; cool. Loosen sides with spatula after 1/2 hour. Remove sides at end of 1 hour. Allow to cool 2 hours longer. Decorate with pineapple slices cut in half and and strawberries. Pour strawberry glaze over top and chill about 2 hours before serving.

Serves 12.

Strawberry Glaze and Topping:

3 cups fresh strawberries
1 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 cup sugar
small can of pineaple slices (cut in half)

Crush 1 cup of the strawberries; add the water, and cook 2 minutes; sieve. Mix corn-starch with sugar stir into hot berry mixture. Bring to boiling, stirring constantly. Cook and stir till thick and clear. Cool to room temperature. Place pineapple halves in pinwheel fashion, place remaining strawberries atop cake .

Pour glaze over top and chill for 2 hours before serving.

11 June 2009

Cheesecake Week : Day 4 ( Isn't it over yet? )

Chocolate Cheesecake Supreme

Crust:

1 cup Graham cracker crumbs
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp melted butter

Combine crumbs, sugar and butter, press onto the bottom of a 9" springform pan. Bake in a preheated 325F oven for 10 minutes.

Set aside.

Filling:

4 ( 8 oz.) pkgs cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp all purpose flour
4 eggs
4 oz. Semi-sweet chocolate melted.
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
21 oz cherry pie filling

Combine the cream cheese, sugar and flour. Mix at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in the sour cream and vanilla.

Divide the batter in two bowls and blend the chocolate in one half. Pour the white batter over crust, then pour the chocolate batter on top and swirl with a fork.

Bake at 450F for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 250F continue baking for 1 hour.

Cool, chill before removing rim of pan.

Top with pie filling just before serving.

10 June 2009

Cheesecake Week : Day 3 ( Feeling Fat Yet? )

Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie

1 1/2 tbsp soft butter
2 cups fresh blueberries - divided
1/2 cup granulated sugar - divided
1 envelope unflavoured gelatin
2/3 cup whipping cream - divided
1 egg
24 oz. (3 8 oz. pkgs)cream cheese at room temperature
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Generously butter a 9" pie plate.

Press about 1 1/2 cups blueberries into the butter to line the pie plate. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp granulated sugar.

Sprinkle the gelatin into 1/3 cup of cream in a medium sauce pan to soften. Stir in the egg and the remaining granulated sugar. Place over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens slightly and comes to a boil.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add the gelatin mixture, beating until well blended. Beat the remaining 1/3 cup whipping cream until stiff. Fold into cream cheese mixture. Pour mixture into blueberry shell and chill 3-4 hours.

At serving time sprinkle with remaining blueberries and sifted powdered sugar.

09 June 2009

Cheesecake Week : Day 2

Butter Pecan Cheesecake

1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup (5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon) butter, melted
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring
1 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted (see Note, below)

Preheat oven to 475°F.

Combine the cracker crumbs, sugar, butter and pecans, mixing well. Reserve 1/3 cup of the mixture. Firmly press the remaining mixture on bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

At medium speed of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually add 1-1/2 cups sugar, mixing well. Then add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the sour cream, vanilla and butter flavoring, mixing well. Stir in the 1 cup of toasted pecans.

Pour batter into prepared springform pan. Sprinkle top evenly with reserved crumb mixture.

Bake at 475°F for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 300°F, and bake an additional 50 minutes. Cool on a wire rack, and then chill.

Note : Place chopped pecans in a single layer on a cookie sheet and toast in a 350°F oven for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until you begin to smell them. Allow them to cool.

08 June 2009

Cheesecake Week: Day 1

Yes, You Read that Title Right. In the Tradition of " Shark Week " , " Construction Week " , and all those other Weeks they have on Television I AM PROUD TO INTRODUCE " CHEESECAKE WEEK" ( pause for Fan Fare )

* It seems Due to the Current Economic Downturn we here at this blog couldnt afford a brass band " No wait...what ...ok...we found enough in the budget for a Kazoo ( Pause for kazoo fan fare ). NOW ONTO CHEESECAKE WEEK !!!

Baileys Irish Cream Cheesecake

12 to 15 Oreo cookies
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2-1/4 cups sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
3-2/3 cups cream cheese, at room temperature
3 large eggs
1/2 cup half-and-half
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup Baileys Irish Cream
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Butter bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

Make a hot water bath by setting the springform pan in a larger pan. Holding down the springform pan so it doesn't float, fill the larger pan with enough hot water to come one inch up the side of the smaller pan. Then remove the springform pan and set aside the larger pan of water while you prepare and bake the crumb crust. (The water will cool somewhat, but that's okay.)

Pulverize the Oreos in a food processor or with any handy blunt object to make 1-1/2 cups of crumbs. (Don't overdo it; you want Oreo crumbs -- not Oreo dust.) Add the melted butter to the crumbs, mix to incorporate, and press mixture into the bottom of the springform pan. Bake for 9 minutes, then remove and cool while mixing the cheesecake.

Stir together the sugar and cornstarch in the bowl of an electric mixer until combined. Add the cream cheese and blend, at medium speed, until smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add the half-and-half in a thin stream.

Melt the chocolate chips for a few seconds in the microwave, and then stir in the vanilla extract and the Baileys until mixture is smooth. Add the mixture to the cheese mixture and blend well, scraping down the sides of the mixer bowl as needed.Pour batter into the cooled Oreo crust, and place the pan into the prepared water bath.

Place pan in the middle of the oven and immediately reduce the oven temperature to 250°F. Bake for 90 minutes. Remove from oven and allow cheesecake to cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, then "spring" the pan and remove your masterpiece.

Keep refrigerated until serving time

05 June 2009

Saturday, Saturday Saturday....

The Showroom is PROUD to Present:

The Watts and The Shane Pruitt Band

When? 8:30pm (doors at 8) Saturday June 6th 2009
How Much? $10 @ the door

THE WATTS are a rock 'n' roll band in both the most basic, and conversely, most eclectic senses of the connotation. A solid dual-guitar driven lineup fueled with pulsing bass guitar and drums, THE WATTS have a style and sound to delight classic-rock purists, and the group has drawn comparisons to The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead and Santana.THE WATTS is by no means a recycler of rock's yesteryear, however.

Comprised of four members who cut their musical teeth in the 1980s, and performed and wrote music throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, THE WATTS have a modern appeal to audiences and have also drawn comparisons to Sugar Ray, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime and 311.As diverse in their influences as they are in their individual personalities, THE WATTS contain elements of New Orleans-style funk, Chicago-style rhythm and blues and Detroit soul, as well as inflections of Jamaican-style reggae and flourishes of the Southern rock flavor indigenous to the band's Upstate South Carolina home base.

Visit The Watts' site for more.

Spartanburg has named Shane Pruitt its instrumentalist of the year for the past seven years running. Living and breathing the blues and gospel, The Shane Pruitt Band embodies a regional tradition while bringing its original tone and flare to every performance. Always experimenting with musical traditions such as Delta Blues, Gospel, and Southern Rock, The Shane Pruitt Band embraces the Jam Band traditions of improvisation and an ever-evolving musical experience. Picking up momentum with every performance, the group is driving towards uncharted waters while wowing critics everywhere they play. Coming off of their self-titled release "The Shane Pruitt Band", the band has made friends and colleagues across the board with their soulful sound. Having shared the stage with such greats as Johnny Winter, Junior Brown, Chuck Raney, Victor Wooten, Papa Mali, the Neville Brothers and many, many more, Shane Pruitt is a name well known among the insiders of the southern music scene.

Check out their site for more info.

The Showroom is Located at:

149 S.Daniel Morgan Ave
Suite 2
Spartanburg SC 29306

04 June 2009

Shhh..It's a Secret....well...Not really....or is it???

Sauce's Secret Summer Cinema Series -
6/4/09 - Thursday

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Beginning the first week of June through the second week of August, on select Thursdays, Andrew Molinaro (a.k.a. "Sauce") will be presenting a selection of his favorite indie, foreign and documentary films from the last 15-20 years.

Join us for the following dates for an evening of cinema. Escape the heat, grab a drink and enjoy the show, it's FREE!

* June 4th
* June 11th
* July 9th
* August 6th
* August 13th

Doors open at 7pm and the films will be revealed at 7:30pm.

The Showroom is Located at:

149 S.Daniel Morgan Ave
Suite 2
Spartanburg SC 29306

03 June 2009

SAINTS ALIVE!!! not really....

And No...I don't want Angry Emails b/c of this...I just found this Interesting that there are Little Known Patron Saints in the Catholic Church:

June 15: Saint Germain Cousin, Patron Saint of Abused Children

This poor victim of child abuse never had the love of her father or step-mother. They made her tend the sheep and she was made to sleep in the stable under a stairway. She attended daily Mass, leaving her flock in the care of God. She shared her dry bread as alms to others. Finally she was found one morning, dead on her vine twig mattress.

We do not know what happened to her parents, but we can surmise that they went to hell if they did not mend their ways.

PRAYER: Saint Germain, many children are abused today most horribly by their parents. Help these poor victims to rise above abuse and use it to sanctify their lives and thus obtain their true home in heaven, since they have no home here on earth. Amen

August 25: Saints Genesius, Patron Saint of Actors

Likewise at Rome, of Saint Genesius the Martyr, who while he remained a heathen was an actor. When he was mocking the Christian mysteries in the theatre in the presence of the Emperor Diocletian, being inspired by God, he was suddenly converted to the faith and baptised.

Forthwith by the Emperor's command he was cruelly scourged with rods, then stretched upon the rack, and tormented by the long-continued tearing of his flesh with hooks, and also burnt with torches. But he continued in the faith of Christ, saying: There is no King but Christ, and though I be slain a thousand times for Him, yet ye cannot take Him from my heart or my mouth; and thus he merited the palm of martyrdom by beheading. Although the Martyrology does not relate that he was never baptized, events make this presumption reasonable. Here we have another actor converted in the midst of his blasphemy. May God inspire the many actors today engaged in promoting all manner of sin to leave their sinful life.

At Arles in France, of another blessed Genesius, who undertook the office of copyist. When he refused to transcribe the impious edicts whereby the Christians were ordered to be punished, and, casting away his books, in public proclaimed himself a Christian, he was taken and beheaded, and received the glory of martyrdom, being baptised in his own blood.

PRAYER: Saint Genesius, lead all actors to perform only those things which are right and good and to avoid the many evils which they are given over to today. Amen

November 9: Saint Mathurin ( Patron Saint of Epilepsy and the Insane )

Here is a saint,that must have always enjoyed a good joke, for he is the patron saint of jokers and those who are employed to amuse the public.

His father was employed in the persecution and martyring of Christians. Despite this Polycarp baptized him secretly at age twelve. From that day he observed his duty in piety, by praying for the conversion of his mother and father. His prayer was rewarded by the eventual conversion of both. Let us learn that we have a duty to pray for our parents, especially when they do not live the Catholic way of life.

He was notable for driving out demons and calming the possessed. For this reason he is also invoked in cases of insanity, epilepsy and fer, because many time all three are a result of the influence of Satan. Many of the mental problems we see today are due to satanic influence!

PRAYER: Saint Mathurin help all to become free from the influence of the devil, which is driving them crazy. Amen.

May 4: Saint Monica Patroness of Alcoholics and Fraternal Correction

The story of Saint Monica should be familiar to mothers. She spent years praying for her son, Saint Augustine's, conversion. She was rewarded and soon went to her heavenly reward.

She was also married to a belligerent man, who treated her poorly and yet she did not complain at all. She was beaten and she did not complain to friends, who knew that she was treated far worse than any other woman in town. We should all learn to pray to God to have the offender change and then take whatever comes to us from our families, good or bad, without complaint: For a man's enemies are of his own household. (Matthew 10:36)

Further as a teenager she was commissioned by her parents to draw wine for dinner. As she drew it she began each day to take a little more, until she was taking a cup a day. A servant fraternally corrected her and from that day she no longer stayed on the course to drunkenness and alcoholism.

PRAYER: Saint Monica, you were corrected when on the course of sin and humbly accepted; help us who are sinners to accept the rebukes we so richly deserve and need in order to save our souls. Amen

August 27: Saint Joseph Calasanctius, Patron of Schools

Joseph Calasanctius - from his earliest years gave signs of his future love for children and their education. For, when still a little child, he would gather other children around him and would teach them the mysteries of the faith and holy prayer.

He was deeply learned in sacred and profane (i.e. secular) letters, What better way to grow up than by not only learning about the faith and prayer but teaching others. Indeed here is a man, whose life should be imitated by all. Further on the Breviary recounts: Although he was the superior of the whole Order, he devoted himself with all his might to the salvation of souls, but he never ceased teaching children, especially the poorer classes, and would sweep out their school-rooms, and was accustomed to escort them from their homes.

As we prepare to enter another school year, let us pray to this patron of schools to guide us in this most important task of educating children. Fathers, especially should pray, because it is their job to teach their children, especially through good example.


PRAYER: Saint Joseph, bless us as we enter another school year, that we may learn and increase in virtue.Amen.

If you dont believe these are true check this site out.... www.saints.catholicresearch.org

27 May 2009

Cool...Free House.....

House Free for the Taking! Just One Catch


This is the ultimate in an affordable house. It's FREE.



That's right. Free. A house in the college town of Manhattan, Kansas is being given away free. There is a catch, though. The new owner has to pick it up and move it.


The Associated Press reports that the large, two-story house, which is currently owned by and located on the property of the First Presbyterian Church, was built in 1890. Along with 3,200 square feet of living space, it has six bedrooms, a garage and a patio.

Why is the church giving it away to anyone who will pay the hefty fees to have it moved? In recent years, the house was used as an emergency shelter for the town of Manhattan, but it's been vacant since last fall. Now the church wants to use the area for green space.




The house has not been appraised because it is affiliated with a tax-exempt religious organization.



On the Internet: www.ap.org

Also...I would like to welcome TWO new Additions to the Awesome Link List . I welcome Miss Destructo and The Augusta Street Trading Company which are both in Greenville

WELCOME GUYS!!!

26 May 2009

This is Why you should'nt go on Ebay.....( with kids in the room )

Toddler buys earthmover in online auction

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - A New Zealand mom made some online bids on toys before napping. Then her 3-year-old daughter took over and bought a bigger plaything than expected - a huge earth-moving digger for a cool $12,300.

Pipi Quinlan made the winning 20,000 New Zealand dollar ($12,300) bid on the Kobelco digger with a few mouse clicks at the auction site TradeMe while her parents slept, the Rodney Times newspaper reported in northern New Zealand.

``The first I knew about it was when I came down and opened up the computer,'' said Pipi's mother, Sarah Quinlan.

``I saw an e-mail from TradeMe saying I had won an auction and another e-mail from the seller saying something like `I think you'll love this digger,''' she was quoted as saying in the paper.

Quinlan said she had made auction bids on several toy sets and assumed she had bought a toy digger.
``It wasn't until I went back and reread the e-mails that I saw $20,000 - and got the shock of my life.''


She immediately called the auction site and the seller to explain what happened.

TradeMe reimbursed the seller's costs for the auction and the digger was relisted.

On the 'Net: www.trademe.co.nz

On The Internet: www.ap.org

21 May 2009

Summer Vacation? DONT GO HERE!!!

This U.S. City Has One Kidnapping a Day

It's a shocking fact: Phoenix, the fifth-largest U.S. city, has, on average, one kidnapping every day. And those are just the kidnappings the police know about. They think there are many more that go unreported. What is going on in Phoenix?

America's Most Wanted calls Phoenix, "Ground Zero for the nation's kidnappers." Criminals are kidnapping other criminals and torturing them while holding out for ransom money that typically ranges from $30,000 to $1 million. The victims are hardcore drug dealers, smugglers and leaders of coyote organizations who are being kidnapped and extorted for money by their underworld rivals. Most of the suspects and victims have ties to Mexico. And it's happening at the rate of about one day. Phoenix cops are investigating 368 kidnappings in 2008 and 357 in 2007. Although dozens of arrests have been made, there were 101 reported kidnappings as of March 31, 2009. If this trend continues, Phoenix will have a record increase in kidnappings--for the fourth consecutive year. What is worse is police suspect the reported kidnappings represent about one-third or less of the real number. Since the victims tend to be smugglers, drug dealers or illegal immigrants, they don't want to call the police.

Victims are mercilessly tortured until the ransom money is received. They are cut, beaten, burned, pistol-whipped, shot, sodomized with sharp objects and electrocuted, as well as deprived of food and water. In Mexico, kidnapping victims are usually killed, often by beheading, but in Phoenix only two have died from the torture. "It gets close sometimes," Lt. Lauri Burgett, who heads the Home Invasion and Kidnapping Enforcement squad, told CNN about how far the torture can go toward death. "It's all about the money. And there's so much money to be made in this that you can't stop it, but you can try to reveal it, and then you can try to do something about it," Burgett explained to CNN.

www.CNN.com

**Dont forget about Art Walk tonight Downtown Spartanburg**

20 May 2009

Oops..I almost Forgot...

ART WALK

Art Walk Spartanburg returns on Thursday, May 21 from 5 to 9 p.m. Posters and maps are available at all the art venues, and the trolley will be circulating between the exhibitions.

Brookgreen Gardens presents 20 works from its world-renowned collection. Explore the art of sculpture on exhibit at Chapman Cultural Center, Converse College and Wofford College. One night only, all three locations will be on the trolley stops for the Art Walk.

Carolina Gallery, at 145 West Main Street, continues "His and Hers, Recent Works by Trey Finney and Christine Lawrence."


MYST, at 154 West Main Street, exhibits the abstract, surreal and expressive work of over twenty artists.

Spectrum, will be open at 151 West Main Street, with a selection of framed, affordable prints.

The Artists Gallery at 172 East Main Street will display several additional photographs this month. Open only on the night of each Art Walk, this gallery exhibits Stephen Stinson's photographic portraits of artists, reproduced as giclees on canvas by Ed Emory of Carolina Gallery.

Gallery 155, at 155 East Broad Street, features rotating exhibitions with works from the Johnson Collection.

The Showroom, at HUB-BUB, 149 S. Daniel Morgan Avenue, continues their "Hit the Deck: Art on Skateboards" show.


The Spartanburg Art Museum is hosting "Blossom: Art of Flowers," an exhibit selected from 1,742 entries by 970 artists from 14 countries, and "Betty Bramlett: Past and Present," a reflection of life and experience. The Artists Guild Gallery continues "Town and Country: Urban Scenes", by Isabel Forbes, and "Beyond City Limits," by Garry Turpin.

The Crescent Gallery will hold an opening reception for "The Lady and the Lay of the Land," work by Rebecca N. King.

Several local retail merchants are participating by extending their hours for the evening.

Art Walk Spartanburg returns every third Thursday of the month with all venues open to the public.

15 May 2009

Wouldn't It Be Funny If.....

Read the Story First..you'll get the rest of the title then....

2 Yellowstone workers fired after watering geyser
By BOB MOEN

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Two seasonal Yellowstone National Parkconcession workers have been fired after a live webcam caught them urinating into the Old Faithful geyser.

Park spokesman Al Nash says a 23-year-old man on Tuesday was fined $750 and placed on three years of unsupervised probation for urinating, being off trail in a restricted area and taking items from the area. The man also was banned from Yellowstone for two years.

The second employee's case is pending.

The park's dispatch center was called after someone watching a webcam on the geyser saw six employees leaving the trail and walking on Old Faithful on May 4.

The geyser was not erupting at the time.

Xanterra Parks & Resorts general manager Jim McCaleb says the former concession workers were hired at the Old Faithful Inn and that such incidents were rare.

** Can anyone say 2nd-3rd Degree Burns?

14 May 2009

Back...By Popular Demand?

Yes, I am back...Have you all Missed me? I know you have...I have been away doing artsy things and it has finally setttled down ( for now ) . I missed you all....Thanks for your Patience.

"Now, For something you'll really enjoy "

The Following Story is Interesting....

Dog does what rain or snow can't: Halt mail

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (AP) - Cozmo the Jack Russell terrier has donewhat neither rain, sleet nor the gloom of night has been able to do - keep postal carriers in Clarksburg from their appointed rounds. Postal Service spokeswoman Cathy Yarosky said mail delivery to seven homes on Milford Street was halted because of the 20-pound terrier.

She said a carrier was injured after falling while trying to run away from Cozmo.

Cozmo's owners Jimmy and Justine Marino, said the dog has never bitten anyone. But they acknowledged he has gotten out of the yard a few times.

The Marinos have been told mail delivery won't resume until they get rid of the dog. Jimmy Marino said efforts to find a new home for Cozmo have been unsuccessful.

The Information is from: The Exponent Telegram, www.cpubco.com

** Now wouldn't that make you Barking Mad?

20 April 2009

10 Years Ago....

Ten Years ago a Terrible Tragedy Occured in Colorado.

On the morning of April 20, 1999, two Columbine seniors unleashed an attack with guns and pipe bombs killing 12 students and a teacher. A bigger bomb, which they hoped would destroy the crowded cafeteria, failed to go off.

The gunmen, Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, committed suicide

Please Observe a Moment of Silence and Reflect this day with Prayer and Ask God to Protect our Schools and Teachers.

14 April 2009

Why do i get the feeling....

They Should have left what they found , BURIED!!

Look What They Dug Up in an Oasis!

They number in the dozens, these brightly painted mummies that are as much as 4,000 years old. Archaeologists working in an Egyptian oasis uncovered an ancient Egypt burial chamber containing 53 rock-hewn tombs that date to the Middle Kingdom, from 2061 to 1786 B.C.

"Four of the mummies date back to the 22nd Dynasty (931 to 725 BC) and are considered some of the most beautiful mummies found," Zahi Hawass, Egypt's antiquities chief, told Agence France Presse. The mummies, all of which were wrapped in linen, were brightly painted in the traditional ancient Egyptian colors of turquoise, terracotta and gold.

Discovered near the Ilahun pyramid in Fayoum oasis south of Cairo, the necropolis also contained 15 painted masks, a Middle Kingdom funerary chapel with an offering table, amulets and clay pots.


I really have a bad feeling about this Discovery!!!

13 April 2009

Found this online....

Faith-Inspiring Biblical Discovery

When police raided suspected antiquity smugglers in Cyprus, they hit gold. Reuters reports that they found what authorities believe is an ancient version of the Bible written in Syriac, a dialect of the native language of Jesus Christ. The manuscript, which has excerpts of the Bible written in gold lettering on vellum, is about 2,000 years old. The pages are loosely strung together. On one of the pages is a drawing of a tree and eight lines of Syriac script. Jesus spoke Aramaic, and Syriac is a dialect of that. Once widely spoken across much of the Middle East and Central Asia, Syriac is still used in the Syrian Orthodox Church in India, while Aramaic is still used in religious rituals of Maronite Christians in Cyprus.

However there are two big questions: From where did the manuscript come? And is it an original? The answers to those questions mean it could be a priceless religious relic--or a complete fake. Experts said the use of gold lettering on the manuscript is one way to date it. "I'd suspect that it is most likely to be less than 1,000 years old," leading expert Peter Williams, warden of Tyndale House at the University of Cambridge, told Reuters.

In addition, J.F. Coakley, a manuscripts specialist at the University of Cambridge library and fellow of Wolfson College, told Reuters, "The Syriac writing seems to be in the East Syriac script with vowel points, and you do not find such manuscripts before about the 15th century. On the basis of the one photo...if I'm not mistaken some words at least seem to be in modern Syriac, a language that was not written down until the mid-19th century."

So where did the manuscript come from? Charlotte Roueche, a professor of Byzantine studies at King's College London, told Reuters, "One very likely source could be the Tur-Abdin area of Turkey, where there is still a Syriac speaking community." Also found along with the manuscript was a prayer statue and a stone carving of Jesus that is thought to be from a church in northern Cyprus, as well as dynamite. The police have charged the detainees with smuggling antiquities, illegal excavations and the possession of explosives.


www.reuters.org

10 April 2009

2 Fer or I realize I didn't Post Yesterday

Peter Cooper & Eric Brace

When:Friday, April 10 8:30pm
tickets: $10

Spartanburg natives Peter Cooper and Brian Ashley Jones return for a special double bill. Former Spartan Peter Cooper's new duo album with Eric Brace, You Don't Have To Like Them Both, has already topped the folk charts, and now it's climbing into the Top 10 of the Americana chart. Songwriting luminary Rodney Crowell said that the pair has "made a new record called You Don't Have To Like Them Both. Well, guess what? I like them both. Think of what you liked best about Gordon Lightfoot, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Gram Parsons and Roy Acuff, and then thank God these lads like each other well enough to offer up such a smoking good batch of songs." The Washington Post concluded, Eric Brace and Peter Cooper are in tune.

"Released last year, Cooper's Mission Door album earned praise from Kris Kristofferson, Tom T. Hall and others, and the album wound up on numerous year-end Top 10 lists. Brace is the leader of acclaimed Americana collective Last Train Home. This will be Brace's first time in Spartanburg, though he has heard practically every one of the Ashley Fly stories. Find out more about Peter and the new CD at Peter's site.

Brian Ashley Jones is a soulful singer, accomplished lead guitarist, and versatile songwriter. Described as "Blues Grass", Jones' music is heavily influenced by the guitar driven blues, bluegrass, folk, country, and rock that he absorbed growing up here in Spartanburg.

Now based in Nashville, Jones maintains an active touring schedule and performs about 150 live shows per year at festivals, concert series, radio shows, and songwriter venues as well as leading workshops around the country as part of Nashville Songwriters Association International's Pros On The Road program.

Mural Workshop with Ian Thomas

Please Join HUB-BUB and the Pine Street YMCA For a Mural Workshop with Ian Thomas

When? Saturday May1st and Sunday May 2nd.

10-5pm with a 1 hour lunch break

Where? The Pine Street YMCA

Cost? $100 (includes instruction and brush)

Ian F. Thomas spent his formative years in the foothills of Western Pennsylvania on family farm ground. He earned his BFA in Ceramic and Painting studies at Slippery Rock University and an MFA in Ceramics at Texas Tech University where he further explored his interest in sculpture, printmaking and paint while incorporating all of these mediums into his current portfolio. During his time at Slippery Rock, Ian had the opportunity to study abroad at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava Slovakia. Ian had the opportunity to refine his work while studying at The Pottery Workshop Residency in Jindezhen, China for six weeks in the summer of 2007. Most recently The Museum of Fine Art in Las Cruses New Mexico has purchased his work for their permanent collection. This past summer he was a Spout Fund Muralist completing a 40x90ft mural in the Strip District, Pittsburgh, PA.

During the May 1st and 2nd workshop, Ian will be showing three mural techniques: Projection, Grid, and Rasterized Images. We’ll be painting in the racquetball court which is currently being used for afterschool programming.


Registration is limited to the first 20 people to sign up.

Contact Alix at HUB-BUB to sign up and with questions. alix@hub-bub.com or 864.582.0056

08 April 2009

Life Lesson...Two Choices

Two Choices

What would you do? You make the choice.

Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.
Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?


Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.


As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over... The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!

Run to first!' Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball. The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.


He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay' Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!

Shay, run to third!' As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!' Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team 'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

AND NOW A LITTLE FOOT NOTE TO THIS STORY:

We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people hesitate. The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.

If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you're probably sorting out the people in your address book who aren't the 'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference.

We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.'

So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice:

Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.


You now have two choices:

1. Copy & paste

2. Forward

May your day, be a Shay Day.


Thanks to a Loyal Reader for sending me this Story...THANK YOU!!!

07 April 2009

Fun Facts about the Human Body

Did you know.....

- It takes your food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach...

- One human hair can support 3 kg (6.6 lb).

- Human thighbones are stronger than concrete.

- A woman's heart beats faster than a man's.

- There are about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet..

- Women blink twice as often as men.

- The average person's skin weighs twice as much as the brain.

- Your body uses 300 muscles to balance itself when you are standing still.

- If saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it.

06 April 2009

Less than O'tay.....

After a week off I have Returned....and The Following Information Seems to be that Our Gang didnt have the perfect life...Read On....

The Little Rascals: Whatever happened to those people?

In case you forgot who is who.

Well, here it is...


The Our Gang Curse

Alfalfa -- Carl Switzer was shot to death at age 31.

Chubby -- 300-pound Norman Chaney died at age 22 following an operation.

Buckwheat -- William Thomas died at age 49 of a heart attack.

Darla Hood -- The Our Gang leading lady contracted hepatitis and died at age 47.

Brisbane -- Kendall McCormas, known as Breezy Brisbane, committed suicide at age 64.

Froggy-- William Robert Laughline was killed in a motor scooter accident at age 16.

Mickey Daniels -- Robert Blake was accused of murdering his wife.
Did you know that was Robert Blake?

Stymie -- Mathew Bear led a life of crime and drugs. He died of a stroke at age 56.

Scotty Beckett -- He died at age 38 following a brutal beating.

Weezer -- Robert Hutchins was killed in an airplane accident at age 19.

Pete the Pup -- He was poisoned by an unknown assailant.

Butch -- Currently lives in California

And

Spanky...Died of Liver Disease at age 55

A Big Thank you to a Loyal Reader for sending me this.....THANK YOU!!!

30 March 2009

Spring Break...

( This Blog Writer is taking a Few Days off...May Return near the End of the Week )

Music On Main is Thursday

The Schedule for the Month of April..

2009 Music on Main Schedule

City of Spartanburg- Special Events Office: 864.596.3105

Date Band Genre
April 2 Special Edition Beach
April 9 South85 Country/Southern Rock
April 16 Back 9 Variety
April 23
The Enforcers Variety
April 30
Coconut Groove Band Island Music

Stephanies ID will be Rockin' The House Friday Night at the Showroom

Tickets : $ 8

Show is 9 Pm.... BE THERE!!!

27 March 2009

"Pickin and Grinnin' "..and tastin'

Carriage House Wines

Open House Tasting

Friday March 27th, 2009
6:00-7:30pm
Cost: $5 per person (NO reservation needed)

These events are very popular.

We have 20 wines to sample (10 red, 10 white).

More Info... www.carriagehousewines.com

And..The Showroom

Hub City Pickers Revue @ 8 Pm

more info .... www.hub-bub.com

26 March 2009

Not To Be Confused with " You Might Be a Redneck If... "

You Know You're Living in 2009 when...

1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )

12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to Copy and forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.

AND NOW U R LAUGHING at yourself.

Tomorrow Night at The Showroom....

The Hub City Pickers Revue @ 8 Pm

for More Info.... www.hub-bub.com

25 March 2009

Mmm....Fudge......


Fudge Cake

2-1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening
1-1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup sour milk
1/2 cup cocoa
1/3 cup hot water

Sift flour once, then measure and mix with baking soda, baking powder and salt. Sift again.Cream shortening; add sugar gradually, beating thoroughly after each addition.Add vanilla then well beaten eggs. Beat until fluffy.Beat in flour mixture alternately with sour milk.Mix cocoa and hot water to form a smooth paste. Beat into batter.Pour into 3 small (8") or 2 large (9") prepared layer pans. Bake in moderate oven (350) for 30-35 minutes.

Cool and spread with any chocolate icing.

Thursday Night....( see below )

Socrates Cafe Meets Tomorrow at 6:30 - 8 :30 Pm

Spartanburg Public Library ( Main Branch, Downtown Spartanburg )

in the Hochest Celanese Conference Room.