Last night, I along with my awesome and beautiful wife attended the 16th Annual Gibbs Ruritan Community Dinner. It was held at Ramsey's Restaurant on Central Avenue Pike. The food as always was excellent, Mike and the crew did a great job.
The room was packed with probably as many as 600 people. It was a fun evening. As the evening started, the introductions of elected officials and politicians were announced. The introduction of County Commissioner and candidate for Property Assessor "Phil Babley" was announced. Of course County Commissioner and candidate for Property Assessor Phil Ballard explained it's Ballard. Everyone laughed. Then it came time for School Board Member-Elect Bill Phillips, Phillips is now Phipps. Everyone laughed. Also Chancellor Mike Moyers became Millis Moyers. Everyone laughed. It was all in fun.
Other notables present were Register of Deeds Sherry Witt, County Commissioner Dave Wright, former Commissioners Mike McMillian and Jack Huddleston and former School Board Member Steve Hunley.
We sat at the table of School Board Member-Elect Bill along his wonderful and beautiful wife, Karen Phillips. Also, at our table were Commissioner Babley (I mean Ballard), Witt, Hunley and Huddleston. It was an interesting crew.
At the beginning of the evening, a comment was made from the emcee about an article that appeared in the Shopper. The emcee asked how "many of you read that paper, it's a good one." Less than 15% of the room raised their hands and no one clapped.
It's amazing what happens when a paper has competition. Since the Fountain City Focus became the Knoxville Focus, (with countywide circualtion) the Shopper has been a slippery slope. They have already cut one of their editions, the one out far east.
Again, it was a great evening, I plan to attend the 17th Annual Community Dinner of the Gibbs Ruritan Club.
I have previously posted about writer Vince Flynn. I have recently completed his second book, Transfer of Power. It is an excellent political thriller.
What happens when a terrorist and his group of people take over the White House. How does the United States military respond? Especially since there are hostages and the President is tucked away in the underground bunker.
How will the Vice President respond, when the transfer of power is given to the Vice President because all communication is cut off from the President in the bunker? Will the Vice President give into all the demands of the terrorist? Is the President safe in the bunker?
Vince Flynn has written and published 9 books. I am reading them in the order that they were published.
If you grew up in the rural south. You will remember the old tent camp meetings. In my youth, even living in East Knox County a few tents would pop up from time to time. I have found memories of the gospel music tent at the TVA&I fair. The tent was hosted by Knoxville christian radio station WKXV AM 900. Every night, multiple Southern Gospel groups would take the stage and all night worship would ensue.
I remember meeting Frank Treece of Cedar Ridge and Wes Waggoner there. Cedar Ridge was a special group anchored by Frank's wife Violet. Violet has gone on to her heavenly reward, her impact has been felt for many years to come.
This song by the Gaither Vocal Band and in particular Russ Taff, brought back some fond memories.
UPDATE and Apology: A friend of mine pointed out that Jean Ash does not contain an e. I checked and he was correct. My apologies to Jean Ash. I guess with the lovefest for McElroy, I had a vision of the ring leader of the Knox Charter Petition, Victor Ashe. For those people that thought that Jean and Victor were brother and sister. It just ain't true.
According to Jean Ash, this years Front Page Follies will portray Jack McElroy as good guy and the others as bad guys. This is not real surprising since the Front Page Follies is just an opportunity for the Chamber crowd to get together, have a few drinks, laugh at the "little"people that are having to pay for $3.75 a gallon gas at the local Pilot. While they all stand around afterwards, slapping one another on the back, feeling good about themselves. While the rest of us spend time with our kids, raising productive families.
Here is the preview written by Jean Ash for all to see the arrogance on parade.
The 2008 Front Page Follies will laud “The Sunshine Boys,” News Sentinel editor Jack McElroy and First Amendment attorney Richard Hollow, for their pursuit of justice after Knox County Commission plunged our area into darkness with backroom deals on January 31, 2007, dubbed “Black Wednesday.”
Maybe not as funny as George Burns and Walter Matthau in the acclaimed 1975 movie or earlier Neil Simon play, McElroy and Hollow made an even bigger impact on the lives of area citizens, who have a more open government as a result of the decision upholding the Sunshine Law.
What will be hilarious, however, are the performances of the Follies cast, led by director Carol Zinavage. Some examples of song parodies now being rehearsed are: “Sunshine in our meetings --makes us nervous….” (to the tune ‘Sunshine on My Shoulders’); City Council members singing “Thank God We’re Not County Boys” (to the tune of “Thank God I’m a Country Boy”); “The Ballad of Pat Head Summitt,” with apologies to Davy Crockett: “… learned how to stare when she was only three….;” and “Bubba Shot the Red Light….”
This year the Follies will also honor the Nine Citizens who joined the legal action, represented by Herb Moncier.
I have for the past three summers and will this year participate in the Farragut High School's mandatory summer reading program. This year, all students are required to read "The Man Who Planted Trees". It is located here. In addition, all students are required to select one of the four books.
1. Persepolis – The Story of a Childhood *– by Majani Satrapi
ISBN: 037571457X 2. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time **– by Mark Haddon ISBN: 1400032717 3. Marley and Me *– by John Grogan ISBN: 0060817097 4. The Glass Castle *– by Jeanette Walls ISBN: 074324754X
I have just purchased the last of the four books. I will spend my summer reading all four books. My son will select one of the four to read, I have also offered to share my FHS summer library with a friend's student.
A great addition to this summer reading program is that each and every student will turn in a "report" in August after returning to school. Here is the link to the Farragut High School summer reading program. This link includes the "report form" along with the parent/guardian verification statement. This is a great improvement as it includes parent acknowledgement and accountability.
As in the past, Brian's Blog will post reviews of the book(s) as I complete them throughout the summer.
I have completed The Man Who Planted Trees, this is an excellent quick 10 minute read. The message is simple in that all good deeds, gone unnoticed proves a life well lived.
The picture below is from last year. It was at an event during the playing of the National Anthem. Barack Obama did NOT place his hand over his heart, while the others did. Here in Knox County we had a similar incident recently, however it is a tad bit different.
One of our Brian's Blog correspondent attended this years Fulton High School graduation. Everyone on stage did NOT place their hand over their heart with the exception of one elected official. On the stage mimicking the Barack Obama gesture were the members of the administration of Fulton High School, Assistant Superintendent Donna Wright and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam.
The one official that appropriately saluted the National Anthem was Knox County School Board Vice-Chair Indya Kincannon.
Ms. Kincannon, this is a great way to lead by example. Your respect for our country and its National Anthem has NOT gone unnoticed. Good Job!
Dottie Rambo left our world on Mothers Day. She immediately entered her heavenly reward. Our world is richer for her life, her legacy and her ministry work.
Dottie was part Cherokee Indian. At her death she held the copyright to more than 2500 gospel songs. In an interview during a recent illness, Dottie talked about sitting down at the stream and talking with Frannie Crosby about the songs that Frannie wrote.
Dottie died in route to meet Lulu Roman and Naomi Sego for a Golden Girls of Gospel concert in North Richland Hills, Tex., at the Fountain of Life church. God took Dottie to heaven on Mother's Day and the music in heaven is a little more sweeter this week than before Mother's Day.
Knox County Commissioner Mike Hammond has shown his hand. He said that at the appropriate time, he will make a motion to accept the P-Card Audit, accept the Law Director's opinion and take no other action.
He either should make a motion to clear the Mayor and the administration or make a motion to take some other action. To do neither, asks the question what agenda is he married to?
Is his agenda a Hammond for Mayor campaign in 2010. By doing nothing, he doesn't make anyone mad and helps his future campaign endeavors.
County Commissioners To Have $6000 Placed In Their Personal Checking Accounts?
Knox County Finance Director John Troyer has mentioned at the P-Card Audit meeting of the County Commission that the Commission could decide to take their discretionary funds and place $6,000 in each Commissioners personal checking account and then each Commissioner could write checks out of their own checking accounts to non-profits, etc.
Is this something any of us would want? I hope not.
William Daniels, appointed caretaker County Commissioner for the fourth district arrived at the Knox County Mayor's State of the Community Address last Wednesday May 14, 2008 at Hardin Valley Academy High School. Daniels arrived about 10 minutes late. He arrived after County Commission Chairman Tank Strickland had introduced all elected officials and after the County Mayor had started his address.
I noticed that Daniels was speaking to a Sheriff's Deputy, Daniels then approached me and said "this isn't right, my notice said 8:30 and there is no seats for officials." I said, "I don't know and I don't work for the county. Dwight Van de Vate is right there." I was pointing to the County Mayor's PR guy, Dwight Van de Vate.
Daniels approached Van de Vate and they had words, with Van de Vate clearly saying that the address was scheduled and advertised to begin at 8:15 not 8:30. Daniels went back to Van de Vate at least twice more during the address. Daniels also approached appointed County Commissioner Mark Campen of the Second district. Campen shrugged his shoulders and said something to the effect it's o.k., I don't care.
At the conclusion of the Mayor's remarks, Daniels made sure that the County Mayor was aware of Daniels failure to be early for the State of the Community address.
"Always give your best, never get discouraged, never be petty;
always remember, others may hate you, but those who hate you
don't win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself."
- Richard Nixon - August 9, 1974
If you let other people do it for you, they will do it to you. - Robert Anthony
Thanks And Appreciation
My Thanks and appreciation to the many Prayer Warriors that continue to lift me up to the Father
Rules Of Engagement, Explanation & Requirements Of This Blog
No obscene, racist or sexually explicit language comments will be published.
No personal attack comments will be published.
No Comment that is abusive, hateful, defame or insult will not be published.
No Comment that is off-topic or not in English will be published.
No commenting for the sake of attention will be published.
No Commenting that might be construed as threats, harassment and stalking will be published. The comment will be made available to the proper law enforcement officials.
Any duplication of a comment more than once will result in the original comment being deleted.
You take personal responsibility for the comments that you provide and you participate at your own risk.
Brian's Blog takes no responsibility for your comments or actions. When comments are not published, it is because they violate one or more of the rules.
Any Anonymous post will be carefully reviewed by the Brian's Blog team. It will be rare that an anonymous comment is published as Brian Hornback puts his name
on the posts found on his blog and he believes that you should put your name on any comment that you provide. You should never be allowed to hide behind a shield of cowardice.
Brian's Blog began as Brian Hornback's personal blog in August of 2004 for the purpose of providing information and thoughts on a multitude of issues and any news of the day for the
benefit of family, friends and supporters. Brian and the Brian’s Blog team realize that of the hundreds and thousands of people that read Brian's Blog, many of you do not fall in any of
the three categories. That is Ok, your welcome to partake of the Brian's Blog thoughts and beliefs.
Any reuse or rebroadcast of the contents on Brian's Blog outside the blogging community is granted by PERMISSION ONLY. Request
must be submitted to the email address on the profile. When permission is obtained the Brian's Blog address must be credited in the rebroadcast
or reuse. This requirement does not apply to the blogging community.
