Sunday, September 26, 2010

Big Talbot Island State Park


Big Talbot Island State Park is another favorite spot for me to go in Jacksonville, in fact some of my paintings are from views I have seen on the diverse State Park grounds. This park features a breathtaking coastal habitat covered with oak, holly and magnolia, along with sea-oat covered dunes overlooking the ocean. Hiking is a favorite activity on the scenic nature trails and fishing, canoeing or swimming on the Nassau Sound shoreline is tough to beat. Rumor has it that the island is haunted, particularly in the spooky Houston cemetery and Tamaquan Burial Grounds just outside the entrance.



SOME OF OUR MARSH LANDS AROUND THE PARK AND IN IT

Come out and enjoy the pristine Big Talbot Island shoreline from the overlook at the Bluffs. From this comfortable vantage visitors can enjoy the weather and view the water sculpted trees that line the shore. A quick 10-minute walk along the trail will give you access to the shoreline where you can walk among these once mighty oaks and pines that have fallen victim to nature's storms and erosion.




SOME OF THE ROCK FORMATIONS ALONG SOME OF THE BEACH AREAS AT THE PARK



BLACK SKIMMER WORKING ON GETTING SOME LUNCH!

There are tons of things to do at this park from just laying back and watching beautiful sunsets, sleeping the night there and waking up to awesome sunrises to boating,fishing, swimming, hiking trails and much more.. I enjoy finding sharks teeth there and a few pretty shells you can find on occasion. I love walking among those fallen trees although their fate hasn't been the best for the environment, it brings an interesting scene to part of the beaches of this park.


WHEN THE TIDE GOES OUT CREATES SMALLER PLACES TO GO OUT ...BRAVE PEOPLE LOL

Cummer museum of Fine Arts



Click here to see the Cummer Museum and Gardens

Hi everyone, this time of year when the weather begins to cool...... well slightly cooler lol, I love getting out more and doing a few things. One of my favorite places in Jacksonville to go to is the Cummer Museum. It was built in 1959, long before I discovered and it is the largest museum of fine art in Northeast Florida, housing about 5,000 pieces of work. It not only houses these fine pieces and several other forms of art, its landscapes are to die for. You can go outside to the lovely gardens that runs along the St Johns river, where many a wedding has been performed, or as I do just sit after a long walk through the museum to have some lunch.

The museum also has a learning center, which young and old can enjoy. So.... will send you a link letting you know where I have last been in Jacksonville, and if your ever in the neighborhood you might just know where to find me!! I hope to be back soon writing as usual lately real life has called me again... tc and enjoy



Click here, Take a ride on the Annabelle Lee River Boat

After a long day at the Cummer Museum, take a ride on the Annabelle Lee River Boat its wonderful to travel on the tour trips, you can also reserve for Weddings, Reunions, or just to party! I took my sons long ago on a sightseeing ride on the Annabelle and on that trip was a magic show... they loved it. Now a days I take trips on it just to feel the fresh breeze and the lovely lands along the St Johns River.

Finally if you cannot get on the Annabelle for any reason we do have many water taxi's and for a small amount of money he/she will take you all around the river! Nice ride fun place to meet people also!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

In Remembrance 9 11

9/11, September 11 Comments and Graphics for MySpace, Tagged, Facebook
Comments and Graphics - Layouts - Photobucket



On September 11, 2001 many firefighters, police officers and other officials and civilians lost their lives due to the ignorance and hate of others. Our heros didn't concern themselves with their own comfort but unselfishly were more concerned about others - even to the point of losing their lives. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."


CLICK HERE WE SHALL NEVER FORGET

Those involved in the clean-up worked sometimes in very unhealthy conditions breathing dust and smoke all day long. They went through the emotional turmoil of finding body parts, but also found wedding rings to give as a small memorial to the families of the deceased.



Retired FDNY Lt. George R. Kreuscher recalls the morning of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in his book; his son responded for FDNY

Click here to hear the Song "A Hero"
Here are the words to the song;
A Hero
A charity song for children who lost
a firefighter/police parent in the 911 attack.

The morning froze in silence
as the terror filled our hearts
we stared in disbelief at what we saw.
Through the dust we felt so helpless,
wishing that we could have known.
We hold our families close, as we watched them fall.

Some people didn't waiver, they had a job to do.
There was nothing that could keep them away...

Oh, it's a special kind of hero
who would sacrifice themselves - so I could spend another day with you.
And for all the fallen heroes who saved a life that day
your courage unites a nation, and we'll remember you.

So many people crying, walking in a daze
holding pictures of their loved ones
through an empty haze.
Our Heroes didn't falter, they held out a helping hand
remembering their own children, as they rushed inside again.

They didn't waiver, they had a job to do
and some never made it home that day.

Oooh well remember you. We honor you, salute,
respect and cherish you.
Not many people can do the duty that
you knew on that cold September day.

Lyrics by Amy Matthew ASCAP 2008,
music by Karen Mack from KAR Records.

The initial numbers are indelible: 8:46 a.m. and 9:02 a.m. Time the burning towers stood: 56 minutes and 102 minutes. Time they took to fall: 12 seconds. From there, they ripple out.

* Total number killed in attacks (official figure as of 9/5/02): 2,819

* Number of firefighters and paramedics killed: 343

* Number of NYPD officers: 23

* Number of Port Authority police officers: 37

* Number of WTC companies that lost people: 60

* Number of employees who died in Tower One: 1,402

* Number of employees who died in Tower Two: 614

* Number of employees lost at Cantor Fitzgerald: 658

* Number of U.S. troops killed in Operation Enduring Freedom: 22

* Number of nations whose citizens were killed in attacks: 115

* Ratio of men to women who died: 3:1

* Age of the greatest number who died: between 35 and 39

* Bodies found "intact": 289

* Body parts found: 19,858

* Number of families who got no remains: 1,717

* Estimated units of blood donated to the New York Blood Center: 36,000

* Total units of donated blood actually used: 258

* Number of people who lost a spouse or partner in the attacks: 1,609

* Estimated number of children who lost a parent: 3,051

* Percentage of Americans who knew someone hurt or killed in the attacks: 20

* FDNY retirements, January–July 2001: 274

* FDNY retirements, January–July 2002: 661

* Number of firefighters on leave for respiratory problems by January 2002: 300

* Number of funerals attended by Rudy Giuliani in 2001: 200

* Number of FDNY vehicles destroyed: 98

* Tons of debris removed from site: 1,506,124

* Days fires continued to burn after the attack: 99

* Jobs lost in New York owing to the attacks: 146,100

* Days the New York Stock Exchange was closed: 6

* Point drop in the Dow Jones industrial average when the NYSE reopened: 684.81

* Days after 9/11 that the U.S. began bombing Afghanistan: 26

* Total number of hate crimes reported to the Council on American-Islamic Relations nationwide since 9/11: 1,714

* Economic loss to New York in month following the attacks: $105 billion

* Estimated cost of cleanup: $600 million

* Total FEMA money spent on the emergency: $970 million

* Estimated amount donated to 9/11 charities: $1.4 billion

* Estimated amount of insurance paid worldwide related to 9/11: $40.2 billion

* Estimated amount of money needed to overhaul lower-Manhattan subways: $7.5 billion

* Amount of money recently granted by U.S. government to overhaul lower-Manhattan subways: $4.55 billion

* Estimated amount of money raised for funds dedicated to NYPD and FDNY families: $500 million

* Percentage of total charity money raised going to FDNY and NYPD families: 25

* Average benefit already received by each FDNY and NYPD widow: $1 million

* Percentage increase in law-school applications from 2001 to 2002: 17.9

* Percentage increase in Peace Corps applications from 2001 to 2002: 40

* Percentage increase in CIA applications from 2001 to 2002: 50

* Number of songs Clear Channel Radio considered "inappropriate" to play after 9/11: 150

* Number of mentions of 9/11 at the Oscars: 26

* Apartments in lower Manhattan eligible for asbestos cleanup: 30,000

* Number of apartments whose residents have requested cleanup and testing: 4,110

* Number of Americans who changed their 2001 holiday-travel plans from plane to train or car: 1.4 million

* Estimated number of New Yorkers suffering from post-traumatic-stress disorder as a result of 9/11: 422,000

Out of the Rubble We Stand Tall Read About the 9-11 Flag and its Journey across the USA
Firefighters 'pay it forward' by helping rebuild Arkansas town destroyed by tornado
Escorting 9/11 memorial has a special meaning for Jacksonville fire supervisor


MORE TRIBUTES AND MEMORIALS CLICK HERE


GOD BLESS ALL OUR HERO'S AND FAMILIES THAT HAVE FALLEN, AND TO THOSE THAT STILL LIVE ON!

Person of the Week: The Babies of 9/11 in Their Own Words, 9 Years Later
Diane Sawyer talks to the childrne nine years later click here to see
Home site of children of September 11

THE CHILDREN OF 911 ART;



Fire Fighters
"It's not something you do, It's something you are"!!!!!!!
From this most horrible event that American soil had ever seen, came faith and courage and strength among the American people, to never give up in our beliefs, or our people and for the things we hold near and dear. To strive from that day to bring a new beginning as the New York Firefighters say its not about what happen on Sept 11, 2001 but its now about Sept 12th and there after. Its all about making change to help our fellow man, and for giving thanks we are a strong Nation, united, and out of the rubble to bring forth the ability to Pay It Forward. We shall never forget!!!!


This is dedicated to all firefighters and to the man I love, to say Thank You!!!
Click here to listen and Thank You

CLICK HERE THE PAY IT FORWARD MOVEMENT

PLEASE VIEW THIS WHEN YOU CAN


Friday, September 10, 2010

ACREDITAR Project in Sl for Rl Children/Families


I get invitations to go to many events in Second Life, and sometimes I might be working on something else and just skip over something, not being mean but just so into a project I just click notes and LM's away without thinking...today a good friend of mine Cesare Drucker, Imed me with a landmark about a charity, I asked him what it was about because I had never really heard the word Acreditar before. He told me it was for children with cancer and DJ's from all around SL were engaging in concert type marathon events for this charity. I am all for helping people who are ill and dying and especially children.


Cesare gave me name of a lady to contact for event schedules and such, Luna Baran who I told I was interested in doing a story on my blog for this charity. She seemed to be delighted and gave me tons of information which I will gladly pass on to you all and with great pleasure. So PLEASE read , and help if you can!

"Acreditar (Believe) is a private charitable institution RL that aims to help children and their families to better overcome the various problems that arise from the time childhood cancer is diagnosed throughout its subsequent journey and at all times helping to foster hope.
There are indeed reasons to support this hope: today, approximately 70% of childhood cancers can be cured completely and every day there is progress in the fight against disease.

The struggle is to believe that each moment has Hope!
... "It is our aim that children with cancer have the same opportunities, not only survival but also to gain the psychological health and physical growth and to lead them into adulthood."

One of the ways that the charity works is by running a number of houses around Portugal. The idea of creating houses the for these children and their families came from the need to ensure a point close to hospital for the children, accompanied by their families, during periods of outpatient treatment to stay.
In fact, many of these children do not live in urban areas. Some of them are from distant regions, not only in Portugal but also Madeira, the Azores and Portuguese-speaking African countries. The treatment often required periods of forced confinement, so the centerss are essential for families in poor areas with no facilities to adapt . The answer found was to create, from scratch, houses they could, during this time, be home to all who need them. Giving them stability together as a family and support from Acreditar.


Acreditar survives mainly by the support of its members and friends, the work of volunteers and a small body of staff which ensures its management. It is funded in the main by donations and they all help however big or small.

We the Acreditar SL team are proud to be working with this charity and hope that you will enjoy a range of events that we will be bringing to you so that you can touch the lives of those that need it RL.

DOUBLE CLICK SCREEN TO GET A BETTER VIEW!!!!!

✪ We believe ✪ We believe ✪ We believe ✪

__________________________________________________________________________________
The ACREDITAR Association invites you to join our:

MARATHON CHARITY EVENT – 8 Days, 16 Clubs!!!

From 5th to 12th of September around 85 DJs (most of them are RL DJs/Producers too) gonna spin the best of Music to give you some great parties! With that they all support Acreditar - they do it with pleasure and hope, you´ll enjoy their tunes and this fantastic event!
So come over and show your love for the music and for the kids, which need your support! Even in an imaginary world like Second Life we can do real things.
Together we can save lives and give a new hope to children and their families by contributing to

Acreditar. They believe - and so do we!

Acreditar (Believe) is a private charitable institution in RL (Portugal), that aims to help children and their families to better overcome the various problems that arise from the time childhood cancer is diagnosed throughout its subsequent journey and at all times helping to foster hope.
The Acreditar Project in SL supports the RL Institution. All donations and sellings are for this cause and will be spend only for charity fund!
We, the Acreditar SL team, are proud to work with this charity and hope that you will enjoy a range of events that we will be bring to you - like this now! - so that you can touch the lives of those that need it in RL.

Acreditar Marathon Charity Event

DJ Schedules and Club Info:
MNML BEACH
Minimal / Minitech / Tech House / Progressive House
this event is over

SOL
Deep / Soulful / Vocal & Jackin House
this event is over

EXPERIENCE
Trance
this event is over

ZAZA
Deep House / Funky
this event is over

HELIO GARDEN
Minimal / Minitech / Tech House / Progressive House
this event is over

(2nd Club canceled :-S)

TECHNASIA
Techno
this event is over

RADIANT BLISS - MAGIC GARDEN
Electro / Electro House
this event is over

THE BEACH LOUNGE
Electro & Progressive House
this event is over
Unfortunately I didn't know these events were going on till today so there are three days left to go to one of the events or send a donation to help this cause. Luna has given a listing below of the DJ's locations where you see event over I placed that there because it was from prior days, I will send slurl's to the ones that are left.
ACREDITAR
Minimal / Minitech / Tech House / Techno
this event is over but the store is there to pick up a bracelet or pillow, tee shirt etc to show your support
Acreditar project charity store found here!!!!!!



Friday the 10th events


CODE 415
Minimal / Minitech / Techhouse
Code 415 charity event location

S.G.B.
Vocal / Funky / Soulful / Deep House
S.G.B. charity event location

SHMOOZELOUNGE
Jazz / Funky / Jackin / Soulful House
Charity event location

Events for Sept 11th

CONTRAST
Techno / Hardtechno / Acid
Charity event location

WOODS
Electro / Electro House / Club H. / Club Dance / Nu Disco
Charity event location

Events for Sept 12th

ARTISTIC REBELLION
Minimal / Minitech /Tech House / Progressive House
Charity event location

TERRA LOUNGE
House Styles mixed
Charity event location

Thank you to all the wonderful DJ's that have given their time to support this cause, and to all the venues which support them!!!!!!
Come out and give this great organization support to help children who have cancer and which also helps their parents to be able to stay with them during rough time. God Bless the good work and God Bless the little children!!!!!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Bad news comes in bunches


I have a ton of stories to do here however early this morning learned another one of my relatives passed away he was only 51, had a brain tumor leaving behind his wife, 10 yr old son and 20 yr old daughter. God Bless you Gary you will be greatly missed :(

Will resume posting tomorrow sorry to all :(

Reno Segall A Great Singer/Song Writer


I have known Reno for sometime now, been to some of his events, and have always wanted to do a story on this fantastic singer! There are singers and then there are SINGERS, and Reno will capture any audience's attention that comes to see him. He loves to please his fans by taking requests during his shows, so come with your favorite song in mind he sings Classic Rock/Country/80s/Blues/Ballads & Oldies.


I had the pleasure seeing him again at Tantalus an awesome venue for live performances, in speaking with the manager/hostess of Tantalus, Jadyn Andel she gave some more information about this great venue;

Yeah, I know, another club, blah blah blah, but you have to see this one, at least once!
Tantalus originally opened in December 2006, we will celebrate 4 years in 2010.
This is not your typical dark, dank, dungeon. It's called Tantalus.
The theme is set as a Greecian ruin, surrounded by water, it is big and spacious.
The ruins are open to the magnificent sunsets over open water. Poseidon would love this place!
One of his concerts at Tantalus;

Live Music every Monday 9am-12pm and every Tuesday 4pm-6pm. With the likes of Reno Segall,Lou Mannock and Yahshvah Shinja taking the stage regular.
Free L$ in the Zyngo,ball sploder,skill sploder and contests with themed events are ongoing weekly.
So, come visit Tantalus!
Owners: Bubbles Lurra and Pleasurekitty Sorbet.
Host/Mgr: Jadyn Andel

Meet Jadyn Andel Hostess and manager of Tantalus
Fusion Worlds, Tantalus outdoor stage come see click here! Catch Reno playing here every Monday at 9 am




He has been singing for over 20 years in real life being the lead singer and musician in different bands, having the opportunity to do so around the USA. Reno was born to sl 4/11/2008, and traveling SL in much the same way has he has in real life, with the ability to put his own originality into each and every song he sings. Reno has an up beat personality which really makes for an exciting time at whatever venue he plays.

Reno has several songs on cd for your listening pleasure in SL;
follow this slurl to find them !!!!
Reno's cd's found here


1. Love Songs From The Heart - Love is in the air
Home, Amazed, Don't Close your Eyes
2. 70 's Classic - Chevy Van, Born On The Bayou,
Born On The Bayou, Born On The Bayou, Gimme Three Steps, Sister Golden hair 3. Rockin To The Oldies - Dream Lover, Great Balls Of Fire, Lost in The Fifties Crocodile Rock, Poison Ivy
4. Return To Memphis - Little Sister, Burnin Love, Heartbreak Hotel
5. Country Fried - Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On, Honky Tonk Woman, Whiskey Girls, Real Good Man
6. The One - Reno Segall Original
7. Slow Groove - Nobody, Freak Me, You Can Leave Your Hat On, Fever
Price - ** 500 L each or all 7 for 3000 L **
Also here at Whiskey Island you will find the stage
come here to dance and hear the great music


While I found Chicken world Whiskey Island, kind of the home base you might say for Reno ran into co-owner Baby Pacer also Reno's asst manager, and sadly didn't get to meet Delisicous Sorbet also co-owner and manager, however Baby Pacer was able to provide me with some schedules that Reno plays here,
Baby Pacer: "yes he sings twice a week, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9 am here and every other Thursday he does a Elvis show here with his elvis av" ....and above slurl you will find that stage:)
Meet Baby Pacer Reno's asst manager and co-owner of Chicken World Whiskey Island



Anita's Sl Concert where Reno played
You can view Reno's entire Sept Schedule right here.....


RENO THANK YOU AGAIN, LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOU PLAY FOR YEARS TO COME!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Breaking news oh my ( if its true) :(


Today Sandy Clymer creator of "pillow talk" creations in SL passed away, she has had health issues for the past couple years. God Bless her if this is so!:( Wonderful SL creator!!!!!!!!!!! Many of her friends and customers have admired her work in SL and I am sure will miss her greatly.
Prayers are with her family and all who have had the privilege to have known her.

(This news was given to me by a reliable source)

Those amazing Snails !!!


I have traveled in Second life these past years and have seen many interesting and curious and fun things. One thing I came upon about 3 years ago was something called the Great Snail Races, and at that time had seen a couple few of these amazing and fun races. Every time I would go to one they seemed to draw a great crowd of people, and I always found the events fun and exciting. As we all known times can get busy between real life and our second life and or one or the other and I some how lost track of these races. Luckily some group that I belong to sent out a slurl, and low and behold it was about these Great Snail Races!! At the time I was at a sandbox building and packed up my gear and off to the races I went. This time while I reminisced I was also going to get some information (curious me...smiles) of the origin of these events, or hoped to. Many of my blog readers may have seen this or some of this information in the past years from other sources but if not its very interesting how things can evolve! Enjoy


At the Race I grab a seat among a crowd that had already began to form, I imed one of the commentators which were broadcasting live from Treet Tv and asked when they had time to pass me some history on the races. This is what was written by RacerX Gullwing the creator of the very first Snail, and how it came to be what it is today.
This quoted paragraph information I received from Racer, and I am sure it was originally written a couple years ago or so due to the Great Snail Races had their 5th annual Anniversary Nov 28th 2009. You can see that event CLICK HERE There are lots of videos at Treet about different events the Snail races have been involved in as well, that one I gave will give you a good starting point!
RacerX Gullwing: hi
RacerX Gullwing: I been hosting the Giant snail races almost 6 years now
RacerX Gullwing: I made the base snail and they eventually became modable
RacerX Gullwing: now everyone does there own style

He then passes me a notecard and says, RacerX Gullwing: "that's the actual history a few typos in there i think." I told him thank you! Here is what he said,

"about the snail race history,
It all started with a contest called Giant Avatar contest I saw was coming up in a few days back when events were only a few a day and finding them was easy. I went to the sandbox where you could usually work for about 30 minutes at a time between sim crashes
and started attaching prims to my feet but that didn't make you any taller just made prims that went into the ground. So I thought about it and figured the way I'd have to do this is be in the foot. I didn't have a clue how to script legs to move and back then movement scripts didn't work in avatars anyway . Narrowed it down a bit to a one footed animal . The shell was maxed out at 30 meters or maybe I just remember it that big. Thing is I didn't have a clue how to see out of that so had to stop a lot and cam outside the shell to see where I was.
It was hilairious I got to the contest about 20 minutes early and the guy holding it told me to please park off to the side somewhere I thought he was stearing me over there because I had obviously won and he didn't want to discourage the other avatars. Ends up I was the only one that took it him literally and made a giant avatar. Well I didn't win.

I was in a group called Montmartre Artists and we were trying to get on the most popular places list before camping chairs were invented and were each asked to come up with an event Mae Best had not another Quiz every other night it seemed like and that alone got us up to about 30th or so but not the top 20 anyway I was trying to come up with an event and talking to my good scripting friend and neighbor in fujin Catfart and he suggested giant snail racing.
That's where it all started that's when I put together a better cuter av with blinky eyes that everyone loves and they haven't changed much since. We did get into the top 20 a couple times.
It started on the ground using stone paths that circled montmartre I made all the
arrows and things needed for the racers to rez from a single prim and go find their spot in the sim just for the race then I'd go around after the race and shout the race is over and all of the signs of the race track would vanish just leaving the stone path built by May Best. They also went down the city streets of Chase Rutherford's Manhattan in the Hawthorne sim an Aimee Weber build, at 8 pm on tuesday nights. The thing that brought them to an end was mostly due to
the physics in sl where if you can find something to trip over you can fall a lot faster than anyone can run. Also once you get into that falling state you can close chat bar and hold the space bar down and get yourself to glide a long ways.
So I moved the race up into the sky onto a perfectly flat surface where there is nothing you can trip over. Same time Seifert Surface was experimenting with a transportation system that would use push and throw you across the map. He had set this set of flingers up at the future sim just one Sim south of Montmartre and owned by Chase Rutherford.
In fact I Used his experiments as the track, I just built the course around them. The race stayed in the future sim as it changed hands to Gus Plisskin, who said It was welcome to stay as long as I wanted to have it there. but the sim slowly filled to capacity and had a lot of scripts going and the flingers stopped working consistently and the sport became more of a luck thing but eventually become an endurance race. I got Seifert Surface to give me a copy of his experiments and carefully packed it all into a prim and moved it all back to where it started from Montmatre. Also if you go to http://www.sluniverse.com/pics/ and look search using the tag snail race you can see 99 percent of that history there. the snail race is only a few months older than snapzilla. Snail races will be three years old at the end of november and have been held every Saturday but canceled 2 or 3 about a year ago when I was very sick."


This is the actual Race I saw the other night, was the big final race of season 5


Supporting great events like this is all part of what keeps Second life creativity alive, and keeps the good and wholesome fun going on!