1) Sanford to lay out priorities
2) Battle of Cowpens 227th anniversary
3) R.I.P. Sgt. Shawn F Hill KIA in Khowst province of Afghanistan
4) FF's Winter Solstice Ride and Asheville Brews Cruise
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1) Sanford to lay out priorities
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http://www.thestate.com/politics/story/286135.html
FF Note: The state of the state was a real hoot as was the rebuttal by my dear friend Senator Knotts. I'll let you be the judge of what was said but I certainly invite your comments. That inclused ezine members that serve in the general assembly and just my average biker friends too.
Sanford to lay out priorities
By TIM FLACH and SAMMY FRETWELL
tflach@thestate.com sfretwell@thestate.com
Gov. Mark Sanford promotes his legislative agenda tonight amid an economic slump requiring belt-tightening in state spending.
At least $160 million needs to be trimmed for the year starting July 1, partly because of a sluggish economy, experts say.
It’s the first time in five years the Republican-controlled General Assembly deals with a revenue slowdown. It comes after tax cuts and increased reliance on the sales tax.
The slump will be short-lived, chief state economist Bill Gillespie told the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.
For now, the picture is causing some legislators to demand Sanford, a Republican, improve efforts to bring in well-paying jobs.
“I don’t think the governor is selling the state of South Carolina,” said Sen. John Land, D-Clarendon. “We’re coming up short.”
That assessment came despite a report by officials with the Commerce Department — an agency Sanford controls — that almost 16,000 jobs were created last year. Critics “are ignoring success,” Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said.
But that’s not enough to help households with the rising price of gasoline, groceries and medical care, some lawmakers say. And the state unemployment rate remains above the national average.
Sanford again is calling for less spending and taxes, more savings and greater control of state agencies.
As in the past, he is expected to encourage a better relationship with lawmakers. Much of his agenda has been thwarted by bickering.
It’s a call easier said than done.
“His definition of working together is people doing things his way,” said House Ways and Means Committee chairman Dan Cooper, R-Anderson. “He’s the schoolyard bully of South Carolina.”
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2) Battle of Cowpens 227th anniversary
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Battle of Cowpens 227th anniversary
FF note: What better way to show our troops you care about liberty on this three day weekend! This battle sealed the fate of the British Army to lose the revolution following the other stunning defeat at Kings Mountain on October 8th.
http://www.nps.gov/cowp/planyourvisit/things2do.htm
January 19-20, 2008 227th anniversary celebration of the Battle of Cowpens
The following tentative program is subject to change.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Off-site activity: Flower -laying ceremony at the Daniel Morgan statue in Spartanburg, SC at 11:00 a.m.
9:15 a.m. Guided battlefield walk
10:45 a.m. 18th Century weapons firing demonstration at Morgan’s Camp
11:00 a.m. 3rd Continental Light Dragoons (cavalry) demonstration.
11:15 a.m. 18th Century weapons firing demonstration
11:30 a.m. Signora Bella, eighteenth century traveling performer
11:45 a.m. Guided battlefield walk
12:00 p.m. Dramatic presentation: “A Scary Day for Kate Barry”, by Sheila Ingle, author of Courageous Kate, Program tent, followed by book signing, VisitorCenter
12:15 p.m. 18th Century weapons firing demonstration
12:30 p.m. Signora Bella
12:45 p.m. Guided battlefield walk
1:00 p.m. Keynote lecture, “100 Days That Shook the World” by John Ferling, author of Almost a Miracle, Program tent, followed by book-signing, Visitor Center
1:30 p.m. 18th Century weapons firing demonstration
1:45 p.m. 3rd Continental Light Dragoons
2:00 p.m. Wreath -laying by CAR, DAR, and SAR chapters at 1932 US Monument (in front of VisitorCenter); welcome by the NPS Southeast Regional Director
2:45 p.m. 3rd Continental Light Dragoons
3:00 p.m. Signora Bella
3:30 p.m. 18th Century weapons firing demonstration
4:30 p.m. 18th Century weapons firing demonstration
5:00 p.m. Signora Bella
6:15 p.m. Guided Lantern Walks. Walks will depart the VisitorCenter every 15 minutes. Last walk will leave 7:15 or before.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
9:45 a.m. Guided battlefield walk
10:15 a.m. Minute of Silence and reading of names of the men who died in the battle and aboard the USS Cowpens, CVL-25
10:30 a.m. Weapons firing demonstration
10:45 a.m. Signora Bella, eighteenth century traveling performer
11:00 a.m. 3rd Continental Light Dragoon (cavalry) demonstration
11:15 a.m. Weapons firing demonstration
11:30 a.m. Guided battlefield walk
11:45 a.m. Signora Bella
12:00 p.m. Dramatic presentation: A Scary Day for Kate Barry, by Sheila Ingle, author of Courageous Kate, Program tent, followed by book signing, VisitorCenter
12:15 p.m. Weapons firing demonstration
12:45 p.m. 3rd Continental Light Dragoons
1:00 p.m. Keynote lecture, “100 Days That Shook the World” by John Ferling, author of Almost a Miracle, Program tent, followed by book-signing, Visitor Center
1:30 p.m. Signora Bella
1:45 p.m. Weapons firing demonstration
2:15 p.m. Guided battlefield walk (Cowpens commanders, Morgan and Tarleton may make an appearance.)
2:30 p.m. Weapons firing demonstration
2:45 p.m. 3rd Continental Light Dragoons
3:00 p.m. Arrival of Morgan’s March participants
5:00 p.m. Park and VisitorCenter close
Both Days
On the hour New Park Video: Cowpens: A Battle Remembered
10:00 – 3:00 Sachet Making and children’s clothes at the Scruggs House
Kids’ Connection
On the hour 10:00 – 3:00 Tin punching
On the quarter hour 10:15 – 3:15 Quill writing
On the half hour 10:30 – 3:30 Cartridge Rolling
On the three quarter hour 10:45 – 2:45 Weapons Drill
Please note that there will NOT be food available for purchase in the park. A roadside market is located outside the park’s main gate, and numerous restaurants are located in both Chesnee and Gaffney. For your safety and that of the horses, park regulations prohibit visitors from getting within 6 feet of the horses.
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3) R.I.P. Sgt.Shawn F Hill KIA in Khowst province of Afghanistan
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R.I.P. Sgt.Shawn F Hill KIA in Khowst province of Afghanistan
A fine member of the Upstate of SC gave his life in serve of his country and for his fellow brothers in arms.
See photos of his brothers in arms honoring his memory at his forward operating base (FOB)
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?
fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=13268605&albumID=1336826
or
http://tinyurl.com/3cw9sv
We still have many member of the SC National Guard serving in harms way; please keep them in you hearts and prayers.
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4) Winter Solstice Ride and Asheville Brews Cruise
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Winter Solstice Ride and Asheville Brews Cruise
Photos and article by FastFred Ruddock
Winter solstice 2007 marked the first Asheville Brews Cruise to Pisgah Brewing. I was lucky enough to meet up with Mark and Trish as I was making my way back to the cove; they invited me to come along and take a few photos at the Pisgah Brewery. This was at least my fourth Brews Cruise but who's counting. Mark and Trish pulled out all the stops on this cruise taking us to Highland Brewing, Pisgah Brewing, French Broad Brewing, Bruisin' Ales, and Asheville Pizza and Brewing. The highlight of the trip was my first visit to Pisgah Brewing. I enjoyed every sample and the tour of the facility; I look forward to returning on a Thursday night to buy some beer. French Broad Brewing is among my favorite places to enjoy a good beer. Bruisin' Ales is also a must stop for scoring great beer in Western North Carolina and beyond.
View photos at http://fastfreds.com/trips/solstice2007/
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