Best Blogger Alive

photo from http://jamespaulsarte.com/gallery/


Since I've been told that there are other "bloggers" out there using something called their "myspace" friends to coordinate a massive write in campaign to dethrone me and this (humble defenseless) blog I've decided to give out my own awards. Bookmark this page. And one day, possibly today, I'll link up wit dem in my links that haven't been touched since ricotta was on blogspot. Lets call them the Tony's, no wait thats taken, how about the Bloggies? Too obvious and probably also taken.

Distinguished Blog Awards as edicted down from the MAN.

Works for me, on with the show.



Most Likely to Stir it up:

The Flog -
Finally one of the heroin chic at Folio got an ethernet card and started getting their blog on. You wouldn't have know that they knew what the internets were before this blog came on the scene. It is relentless with its coverage of the obscene (no shortage of material in Duval, St Johns, Clay, Nassau, all of Florida etc.) like the print version only without the boobs, cigarettes, booze, and smoke pot, get paid ads. For now anyway. There are some good and bad debates in the comments section. And some hilarity as well. Pretty much a good start, kudos to Blowen Homes (Owen's landscaping handle - thanks realist).



Best Blog to Find out whats UP:

Jaxopolitan-
She is one sexy blog broad. Sorry the Entertaining U (say it slow, EEEE UUUU) got me all sexed up. Her writing is sexy anyways. I am married. She had me at "11E always has shitty whine". My mom shows her work at 11E and one time I picked out the wine that her proxy was going to serve and my mom almost kicked my ass because it was good wine. I digress. Jaxo features little snips of news and commentary that will make you smile on your daily read. This blog is also one of my favorites, if not THE favorite because it has handy info, like where all the good parties are and what art walk venues give out the free stuff. ON POLITAN!



Best Blog to Create Change:

MetroJacksonville-
Careful how you put this on in your, ahem, browser, as your firewall may, umm, heat up. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Nevermind, just click it. This blog has already changed the parking meter calculus (for the better I think, and I can't wait for the new meters) and has had a great checks and balances effect on our local government. There are big sections of relevant studies and interviews and diagrams, all or most pointing to the new urban revolution we are now slowly enjoying.

Got a problem with an apethetic city employee? Is your neighborhood getting hosed by some jerk developer? Call the met jaxers. The forums are good for learning about the latest in local news as well.



Best Popular Culture Blog with local flavor and well its good:

Ricotta Park-
Mr. Lunch is a dynamo at posting cool videos. Disturbing videos. Honesty. Thats what I'm trying to say. Who else admits on his blog that he did lines with Obama. I think it says that or something. Just click it.



Best Blog about books:

Biblioklept-
Ok so "reading" may not be your cup of tea. But you can almost not read books and just check out this site daily and speak conversationally on the topic of "reading" well. Obviously it does nothing for my writing. Did you see Capote yet?



Best Blogger:

Joey Marchy-
Joey, baby, don't get, crazy. A little breeders for you guys. Anyway, Urban Jacksonville is so good I think it may have initially caused a blog slowdown in that people see Joey crush every day and then they feel like, damn, I can't do that. But I got, I mean the general public got over it. Because blogging is FUN. Back to the story, Joey is constantly breaking news about cool stuff happening in the urban core. No matter what side of the river you stay at, Joey brings the noise on important topics like parks, transportation, workforce housing, art shows, and graffiti culture. Plus a lot more. His comments tend to come from a lot of Springfieldians and thats a good thing because thats as diverse a group of opinions as you are ever gonna find. Support the urbanization nation ya'll.



Best Specialty Blog:

Tomorrowland-
I'm not sure what the specialty is, perhaps debunking religions, incredible art introductions, disturbing 80s videos, news of the wired/weird? Its a damn good site and its cool as hell its from JAX or dooval or whatever the kids are calling it. Tomorrowland makes me happy on my daily read and I think it might have the same effect on you. Strap on your jet pack, lace up your kangaroos, doublecheck the drawstring on your parachute pants and lift off into a World of Tomorrowland.



Best Name of Blog:

The Bold New City of the South-
Sure. Some call it paragelicious, and it is, but the BNCS is an editorial cut above in the blogosphere. Like Nicky, Parag deals strictly in honesty. It aint always pretty but its always poingnant. Can I get a spellcheck? Anyway, Parag rocks the house every so often and sometimes he breaks news, like the Band of Horses show (got tix!). If you have ever been to burrito late and heard me dj something on volume 11, that would be BoH. Thanks Parag, keep up the good worx.



Best Biter name of a Blog:

SuburbanJacksonville-
Anyone who knows Joey knows he probably exploded into a rage of FURY when he found out there was a Suburban Jacksonville blog. I'm just kidding as you know. These girls have good takes on subject matter in their daily life and then they mix it up with some deep thoughts and some reviews (This is how I found my favorite coffee place- EMPIRE COFFEE- get the dito) and such. Check it out.



Best Designed Blog:

UrbanArtWarfare-
This one was tough. See a lot of the above bloggers are designers. And all of them are good. But this one has CHOPS yo! When I go to like Milwaukee or Charlotte or someplace I always flip through the local mags and check out what the design level of talent is and with a few exceptions we kick most large city's ass. You know its true San Antonio! Anyway, for all you Streetsy streetsy boys getting live on the block, heres a big frosty PBR toast!



Best Important Blog:


River Keeper-
Keep up with the Mighty Mighty St Johns! Our most important asset!


Don't forget to check everyblogs links too!

There are probably some really good blogs I've forgotten, please send them to me theurbancore -at- aol.com

Love your show. Hope you win next year.

go with it

Bllllaaaahhhhhhhg

I fear that my busy schedule of departmental shuffleboard and meetings with meaning cuts into my award winning cut and pasting of emails I get. Sometimes it catches up to me. Sometimes people I don't even know, say dude, when are you going to post again? So I'm putting together a list of bloggers that will vie for the title of best blogger alive next year. This will take me a little while but its coming and its already worth it.

May 12, Historic Springfield

The Oracle at Delphi by Ken Vallario

All the Kings Men

The Club by bunnywax

My friend Byron King is motivated.

He put together a four artist gallery group currently showing at the Burrito Gallery.

He is also working on an amazing group show at 9th and Liberty (yes, Mom, that's also my new office). Watch this space.

BURRITO NOW OPEN TUESDAY NIGHTS

Tuesday NIGHTs start tonight!

With the exception of some holidays when we closed and hip hop shows when we opened, the burrito has been consistant.

We've had the same hours of operation since the day we opened February 4th, 2005.

THAT'S ALL CHANGED NOW DUDE! Well, slightly. We are now open until 10pm on Tuesday nights instead of 3pm.

So here you have it:

Burrito Gallery
Tuesday through Saturday 11am to 10pm
Friday open to MIDNIGHT!
Closed Sunday.
Monday 11am to 3pm.

Burrito Gallery website here.

We suggest taking it to the streets TONIGHT. Start us up. Ask your barkeep for the "best blogger alive" special. See if I don't hook you up. Also, walk from here to Mark's for the OM Release Party!

Points of clarification:
Yes we know the daily record said we open at 1.

Yes we have emailed them.

No we don't know why they reprinted it in the Downtown this Week.

"best blogger alive" is a joke. That title belongs with Jaxopolitan. More on that later.

Yes we know the Burrito Gallery site is not updated with the new hours. Give me a minute.

Enjoy

One week of art
Uploaded by gabma

Art and the Mighty Mighty St. Johns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FOR MORE INFORMATION:
January 4, 2007 Leigh Fogle: 800-298-4828
Jimmy Orth: 904-256-7591
Fogle Fine Art & Accessories and St. Johns Riverkeeper
Present
Reflections of the St. Johns

January 25th-February 17th

JACKSONVILLE, FL: Fogle Fine Art & Accessories and St. Johns Riverkeeper are pleased to announce an exciting exhibition of art inspired by the St. Johns River. Geographically beginning with watercolorist Ken Austin of Orlando, the exhibit meanders along the path of the backward waterway all the way to Amelia Island and Molly Mabe’s paintings of the river’s end. Each artist shows a different representation of the inherent beauty of the liquid muse. In addition to works by artists Austin and Mabe, additional selected artists that will showcase their representational work of the St. Johns River are Hope Barton, Jim Draper, Jensen Hande, Gene Roberds, Rick Wagner and Allison Watson. The opening for this spectacular event will take place on January 25, 2007 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm, and will be held at The Gallery of Fogle Fine Art located at 3312 Beach Boulevard. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served.

Steve Williams

Inside the Vacuum Chain illustrates Williams’ deep appreciation for life’s ironies.

He describes the collection of mixed media paintings and sculpture as representations of the meaningful moments in his life through non-sensical and oxymoronic images that, on the one hand, make no sense and, on the other, mean everything. “My artwork is like a paradox that stops you in your tracks because it makes no sense, but engages you, so in a way it does make sense to you. It’s like painting a picture of the tree outside your house, but it’s a picture of that tree inside out,” Williams said. “You recognize it, but you never quite looked at it that way. Why would you? It’s inside out, yet it makes no sense,” he said.



“I’m not concerned with whether or not people like my work,” said Williams. “I want them to walk away asking, ‘What was that?’. I’d rather people hate my work and have some real emotional feeling about it. Then, we can talk about rather than walking away untouched.”

Friday January 19th. 6-9pm. Stellers Gallery Annex at Neptune Beach

This one is TOMORROW! Get your tickets today.

from Ritz Chamber Players

The Ritz Chamber Players, the nation’s first chamber music ensemble series comprised solely of accomplished musicians spanning the African diaspora, brings a fresh, new energy to the classical music genre. The Ritz Chamber Players include some of the world's most accomplished musicians. They have performed with the most prestigious musical organizations such as the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Pittsburg Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra and London Symphony. The Ritz Chamber Players made their triumphant sold-out Carnegie Hall Debut in 2004, their international radio debut with the BBC in 2005, and national television debut as performers on the 37th Annual NAACP Image Awards in 2006.

Founded in 2002 by Artistic Director and Clarinetist Terrance Patterson, the Ritz Chamber Players performs a subscription series at the Times-Union Center for the Performance Arts in Jacksonville, Florida. The Ritz Chamber Players performs chamber works from the standard classical repertoire in many combinations, as well as highlighting the works of contemporary African-American composers. The Ritz Chamber Players have recently performed to large audiences in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Baltimore, Raleigh, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Miami, and participated in the Madison and Amelia Island Chamber Music Festivals. The Ritz Chamber Players seek to increase the visibility of African-American classical composers and heighten public awareness of the African-American musician contributions within the classical music genre.

Check your Membership card!

For Immediate Release

Friday, January 26
MOCA Jacksonville will have an opening reception for 4 exhibitions from 6-9pm.

Free for Members/ Non-Members $25 Here are the shows:

Second Skins: Sculptural Soundsuits and Tondos by Nick Cave "A confluence of art and fashion, his sculpted constructions explore cross-cultural, political, fashion-conscious, social and historical themes while embracing complexity, indeterminacy, and ambiguity."

Other Worlds: The Landscape in Contemporary Art "Other Worlds is a thematic exhibition that explores and examines different perspectives and approaches towards the questions of landscape in contemporary art."

Anderson and Low: Athlete/ Warrior
"In Athlete/ Warrior international acclaimed fine art photographers Anderson & Low present powerful photographs of young men and women who are training for both the sports field and the battlefield."

First Coast Portfolio
This exhibit will showcase 10 local artists, who are art educators, in a juried exhibition.

**The above image is from The First Coast Portfolio exhibit.
Artist: Brittni Wood

American Badass

I heard the Mason's/Moutaintop speech yesterday on NPR on the way to a soccer match yesterday and while we still did not win it inspired me to go all out. Thankfully we had a lot of subs. I digress.

This is one of my favorite holidays because its about someone who fought for all of us and continues to fight and win. We need more MLKs in America. Get up stand up.

Speaking of America, my friend and teammate just got back from Fallujah and brought the burrito (also our club's sponsor) an American Flag that he flew in the face of the enemy in Iraq. I originally thought it might go well behind the bar but was warned that a political statement in the bar might not be a good idea. I didn't think the flag in this case was a political statement (though it does come with a certificate that it was flown in the face of the enemy). Plus its a little too big, so I fly it in the office. My point is that I will always fly our flag and I will do it for our country and our freedom. I don't personally like how we started nor how we are ending (hopefully it will end) this war, I will always support all our men and women over seas everywhere and hope we can do a better job of supporting them when they come home than we have in wars past.

But what they are fighting for will always, in my mind, be this:

[AUTHENTICITY CERTIFIED: Text version below transcribed directly from audio]

Thank you very kindly, my friends. As I listened to Ralph Abernathy and his eloquent and generous introduction and then thought about myself, I wondered who he was talking about. It's always good to have your closest friend and associate to say something good about you. And Ralph Abernathy is the best friend that I have in the world. I'm delighted to see each of you here tonight in spite of a storm warning. You reveal that you are determined to go on anyhow.

Something is happening in Memphis; something is happening in our world. And you know, if I were standing at the beginning of time, with the possibility of taking a kind of general and panoramic view of the whole of human history up to now, and the Almighty said to me, "Martin Luther King, which age would you like to live in?" I would take my mental flight by Egypt and I would watch God's children in their magnificent trek from the dark dungeons of Egypt through, or rather across the Red Sea, through the wilderness on toward the promised land. And in spite of its magnificence, I wouldn't stop there.
I would move on by Greece and take my mind to Mount Olympus. And I would see Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Euripides and Aristophanes assembled around the Parthenon. And I would watch them around the Parthenon as they discussed the great and eternal issues of reality. But I wouldn't stop there.

I would go on, even to the great heyday of the Roman Empire. And I would see developments around there, through various emperors and leaders. But I wouldn't stop there.
I would even come up to the day of the Renaissance, and get a quick picture of all that the Renaissance did for the cultural and aesthetic life of man. But I wouldn't stop there.
I would even go by the way that the man for whom I am named had his habitat. And I would watch Martin Luther as he tacked his ninety-five theses on the door at the church of Wittenberg. But I wouldn't stop there.
I would come on up even to 1863, and watch a vacillating President by the name of Abraham Lincoln finally come to the conclusion that he had to sign the Emancipation Proclamation. But I wouldn't stop there.

I would even come up to the early thirties, and see a man grappling with the problems of the bankruptcy of his nation. And come with an eloquent cry that we have nothing to fear but "fear itself." But I wouldn't stop there.
Strangely enough, I would turn to the Almighty, and say, "If you allow me to live just a few years in the second half of the 20th century, I will be happy."
Now that's a strange statement to make, because the world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around. That's a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. And I see God working in this period of the twentieth century in a way that men, in some strange way, are responding.
Something is happening in our world. The masses of people are rising up. And wherever they are assembled today, whether they are in Johannesburg, South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya; Accra, Ghana; New York City; Atlanta, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi; or Memphis, Tennessee -- the cry is always the same: "We want to be free."
And another reason that I'm happy to live in this period is that we have been forced to a point where we are going to have to grapple with the problems that men have been trying to grapple with through history, but the demands didn't force them to do it. Survival demands that we grapple with them. Men, for years now, have been talking about war and peace. But now, no longer can they just talk about it. It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence in this world; it's nonviolence or nonexistence. That is where we are today.

And also in the human rights revolution, if something isn't done, and done in a hurry, to bring the colored peoples of the world out of their long years of poverty, their long years of hurt and neglect, the whole world is doomed. Now, I'm just happy that God has allowed me to live in this period to see what is unfolding. And I'm happy that He's allowed me to be in Memphis.

I can remember -- I can remember when Negroes were just going around as Ralph has said, so often, scratching where they didn't itch, and laughing when they were not tickled. But that day is all over. We mean business now, and we are determined to gain our rightful place in God's world.

And that's all this whole thing is about. We aren't engaged in any negative protest and in any negative arguments with anybody. We are saying that we are determined to be men. We are determined to be people. We are saying -- We are saying that we are God's children. And that we are God's children, we don't have to live like we are forced to live.

Now, what does all of this mean in this great period of history? It means that we've got to stay together. We've got to stay together and maintain unity. You know, whenever Pharaoh wanted to prolong the period of slavery in Egypt, he had a favorite, favorite formula for doing it. What was that? He kept the slaves fighting among themselves. But whenever the slaves get together, something happens in Pharaoh's court, and he cannot hold the slaves in slavery. When the slaves get together, that's the beginning of getting out of slavery. Now let us maintain unity.

Secondly, let us keep the issues where they are. The issue is injustice. The issue is the refusal of Memphis to be fair and honest in its dealings with its public servants, who happen to be sanitation workers. Now, we've got to keep attention on that. That's always the problem with a little violence. You know what happened the other day, and the press dealt only with the window-breaking. I read the articles. They very seldom got around to mentioning the fact that one thousand, three hundred sanitation workers are on strike, and that Memphis is not being fair to them, and that Mayor Loeb is in dire need of a doctor. They didn't get around to that.

Now we're going to march again, and we've got to march again, in order to put the issue where it is supposed to be -- and force everybody to see that there are thirteen hundred of God's children here suffering, sometimes going hungry, going through dark and dreary nights wondering how this thing is going to come out. That's the issue. And we've got to say to the nation: We know how it's coming out. For when people get caught up with that which is right and they are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no stopping point short of victory.
>We aren't going to let any mace stop us. We are masters in our nonviolent movement in disarming police forces; they don't know what to do. I've seen them so often. I remember in Birmingham, Alabama, when we were in that majestic struggle there, we would move out of the 16th Street Baptist Church day after day; by the hundreds we would move out. And Bull Connor would tell them to send the dogs forth, and they did come; but we just went before the dogs singing, "Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around."
Bull Connor next would say, "Turn the fire hoses on." And as I said to you the other night, Bull Connor didn't know history. He knew a kind of physics that somehow didn't relate to the transphysics that we knew about. And that was the fact that there was a certain kind of fire that no water could put out. And we went before the fire hoses; we had known water. If we were Baptist or some other denominations, we had been immersed. If we were Methodist, and some others, we had been sprinkled, but we knew water. That couldn't stop us.
And we just went on before the dogs and we would look at them; and we'd go on before the water hoses and we would look at it, and we'd just go on singing "Over my head I see freedom in the air." And then we would be thrown in the paddy wagons, and sometimes we were stacked in there like sardines in a can. And they would throw us in, and old Bull would say, "Take 'em off," and they did; and we would just go in the paddy wagon singing, "We Shall Overcome." And every now and then we'd get in jail, and we'd see the jailers looking through the windows being moved by our prayers, and being moved by our words and our songs. And there was a power there which Bull Connor couldn't adjust to; and so we ended up transforming Bull into a steer, and we won our struggle in Birmingham.
Now we've got to go on in Memphis just like that. I call upon you to be with us when we go out Monday.
Now about injunctions: We have an injunction and we're going into court tomorrow morning to fight this illegal, unconstitutional injunction. All we say to America is, "Be true to what you said on paper." If I lived in China or even Russia, or any totalitarian country, maybe I could understand some of these illegal injunctions. Maybe I could understand the denial of certain basic First Amendment privileges, because they hadn't committed themselves to that over there. But somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freedom of press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right. And so just as I say, we aren't going to let dogs or water hoses turn us around, we aren't going to let any injunction turn us around. We are going on.

We need all of you. And you know what's beautiful to me is to see all of these ministers of the Gospel. It's a marvelous picture. Who is it that is supposed to articulate the longings and aspirations of the people more than the preacher? Somehow the preacher must have a kind of fire shut up in his bones. And whenever injustice is around he tell it. Somehow the preacher must be an Amos, and saith, "When God speaks who can but prophesy?" Again with Amos, "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." Somehow the preacher must say with Jesus, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me," and he's anointed me to deal with the problems of the poor."
And I want to commend the preachers, under the leadership of these noble men: James Lawson, one who has been in this struggle for many years; he's been to jail for struggling; he's been kicked out of Vanderbilt University for this struggle, but he's still going on, fighting for the rights of his people. Reverend Ralph Jackson, Billy Kiles; I could just go right on down the list, but time will not permit. But I want to thank all of them. And I want you to thank them, because so often, preachers aren't concerned about anything but themselves. And I'm always happy to see a relevant ministry.

It's all right to talk about "long white robes over yonder," in all of its symbolism. But ultimately people want some suits and dresses and shoes to wear down here! It's all right to talk about "streets flowing with milk and honey," but God has commanded us to be concerned about the slums down here, and his children who can't eat three square meals a day. It's all right to talk about the new Jerusalem, but one day, God's preacher must talk about the new New York, the new Atlanta, the new Philadelphia, the new Los Angeles, the new Memphis, Tennessee. This is what we have to do.

Now the other thing we'll have to do is this: Always anchor our external direct action with the power of economic withdrawal. Now, we are poor people. Individually, we are poor when you compare us with white society in America. We are poor. Never stop and forget that collectively -- that means all of us together -- collectively we are richer than all the nations in the world, with the exception of nine. Did you ever think about that? After you leave the United States, Soviet Russia, Great Britain, West Germany, France, and I could name the others, the American Negro collectively is richer than most nations of the world. We have an annual income of more than thirty billion dollars a year, which is more than all of the exports of the United States, and more than the national budget of Canada. Did you know that? That's power right there, if we know how to pool it.

We don't have to argue with anybody. We don't have to curse and go around acting bad with our words. We don't need any bricks and bottles. We don't need any Molotov cocktails. We just need to go around to these stores, and to these massive industries in our country, and say, "God sent us by here, to say to you that you're not treating his children right. And we've come by here to ask you to make the first item on your agenda fair treatment, where God's children are concerned. Now, if you are not prepared to do that, we do have an agenda that we must follow. And our agenda calls for withdrawing economic support from you."

And so, as a result of this, we are asking you tonight, to go out and tell your neighbors not to buy Coca-Cola in Memphis. Go by and tell them not to buy Sealtest milk. Tell them not to buy -- what is the other bread? -- Wonder Bread. And what is the other bread company, Jesse? Tell them not to buy Hart's bread. As Jesse Jackson has said, up to now, only the garbage men have been feeling pain; now we must kind of redistribute the pain. We are choosing these companies because they haven't been fair in their hiring policies; and we are choosing them because they can begin the process of saying they are going to support the needs and the rights of these men who are on strike. And then they can move on town -- downtown and tell Mayor Loeb to do what is right.

But not only that, we've got to strengthen black institutions. I call upon you to take your money out of the banks downtown and deposit your money in Tri-State Bank. We want a "bank-in" movement in Memphis. Go by the savings and loan association. I'm not asking you something that we don't do ourselves at SCLC. Judge Hooks and others will tell you that we have an account here in the savings and loan association from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. We are telling you to follow what we are doing. Put your money there. You have six or seven black insurance companies here in the city of Memphis. Take out your insurance there. We want to have an "insurance-in."

Now these are some practical things that we can do. We begin the process of building a greater economic base. And at the same time, we are putting pressure where it really hurts. I ask you to follow through here.

Now, let me say as I move to my conclusion that we've got to give ourselves to this struggle until the end. Nothing would be more tragic than to stop at this point in Memphis. We've got to see it through. And when we have our march, you need to be there. If it means leaving work, if it means leaving school -- be there. Be concerned about your brother. You may not be on strike. But either we go up together, or we go down together.

Let us develop a kind of dangerous unselfishness. One day a man came to Jesus, and he wanted to raise some questions about some vital matters of life. At points he wanted to trick Jesus, and show him that he knew a little more than Jesus knew and throw him off base....
Now that question could have easily ended up in a philosophical and theological debate. But Jesus immediately pulled that question from mid-air, and placed it on a dangerous curve between Jerusalem and Jericho. And he talked about a certain man, who fell among thieves. You remember that a Levite and a priest passed by on the other side. They didn't stop to help him. And finally a man of another race came by. He got down from his beast, decided not to be compassionate by proxy. But he got down with him, administered first aid, and helped the man in need. Jesus ended up saying, this was the good man, this was the great man, because he had the capacity to project the "I" into the "thou," and to be concerned about his brother.
Now you know, we use our imagination a great deal to try to determine why the priest and the Levite didn't stop. At times we say they were busy going to a church meeting, an ecclesiastical gathering, and they had to get on down to Jerusalem so they wouldn't be late for their meeting. At other times we would speculate that there was a religious law that "One who was engaged in religious ceremonials was not to touch a human body twenty-four hours before the ceremony." And every now and then we begin to wonder whether maybe they were not going down to Jerusalem -- or down to Jericho, rather to organize a "Jericho Road Improvement Association." That's a possibility. Maybe they felt that it was better to deal with the problem from the causal root, rather than to get bogged down with an individual effect.
But I'm going to tell you what my imagination tells me. It's possible that those men were afraid. You see, the Jericho road is a dangerous road. I remember when Mrs. King and I were first in Jerusalem. We rented a car and drove from Jerusalem down to Jericho. And as soon as we got on that road, I said to my wife, "I can see why Jesus used this as the setting for his parable." It's a winding, meandering road. It's really conducive for ambushing. You start out in Jerusalem, which is about 1200 miles -- or rather 1200 feet above sea level. And by the time you get down to Jericho, fifteen or twenty minutes later, you're about 2200 feet below sea level. That's a dangerous road. In the days of Jesus it came to be known as the "Bloody Pass." And you know, it's possible that the priest and the Levite looked over that man on the ground and wondered if the robbers were still around. Or it's possible that they felt that the man on the ground was merely faking. And he was acting like he had been robbed and hurt, in order to seize them over there, lure them there for quick and easy seizure. And so the first question that the priest asked -- the first question that the Levite asked was, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But then the Good Samaritan came by. And he reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"

That's the question before you tonight. Not, "If I stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to my job. Not, "If I stop to help the sanitation workers what will happen to all of the hours that I usually spend in my office every day and every week as a pastor?" The question is not, "If I stop to help this man in need, what will happen to me?" The question is, "If I do not stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to them?" That's the question.

Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation. And I want to thank God, once more, for allowing me to be here with you.
You know, several years ago, I was in New York City autographing the first book that I had written. And while sitting there autographing books, a demented black woman came up. The only question I heard from her was, "Are you Martin Luther King?" And I was looking down writing, and I said, "Yes." And the next minute I felt something beating on my chest. Before I knew it I had been stabbed by this demented woman. I was rushed to Harlem Hospital. It was a dark Saturday afternoon. And that blade had gone through, and the X-rays revealed that the tip of the blade was on the edge of my aorta, the main artery. And once that's punctured, your drowned in your own blood -- that's the end of you.

It came out in the New York Times the next morning, that if I had merely sneezed, I would have died. Well, about four days later, they allowed me, after the operation, after my chest had been opened, and the blade had been taken out, to move around in the wheel chair in the hospital. They allowed me to read some of the mail that came in, and from all over the states and the world, kind letters came in. I read a few, but one of them I will never forget. I had received one from the President and the Vice-President. I've forgotten what those telegrams said. I'd received a visit and a letter from the Governor of New York, but I've forgotten what that letter said. But there was another letter that came from a little girl, a young girl who was a student at the White Plains High School. And I looked at that letter, and I'll never forget it. It said simply,
Dear Dr. King,
I am a ninth-grade student at the White Plains High School."
And she said,
While it should not matter, I would like to mention that I'm a white girl. I read in the paper of your misfortune, and of your suffering. And I read that if you had sneezed, you would have died. And I'm simply writing you to say that I'm so happy that you didn't sneeze.
And I want to say tonight -- I want to say tonight that I too am happy that I didn't sneeze. Because if I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been around here in 1960, when students all over the South started sitting-in at lunch counters. And I knew that as they were sitting in, they were really standing up for the best in the American dream, and taking the whole nation back to those great wells of democracy which were dug deep by the Founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been around here in 1961, when we decided to take a ride for freedom and ended segregation in inter-state travel.
If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been around here in 1962, when Negroes in Albany, Georgia, decided to straighten their backs up. And whenever men and women straighten their backs up, they are going somewhere, because a man can't ride your back unless it is bent.
If I had sneezed -- If I had sneezed I wouldn't have been here in 1963, when the black people of Birmingham, Alabama, aroused the conscience of this nation, and brought into being the Civil Rights Bill.
If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have had a chance later that year, in August, to try to tell America about a dream that I had had.
If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been down in Selma, Alabama, to see the great Movement there.
If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been in Memphis to see a community rally around those brothers and sisters who are suffering.
I'm so happy that I didn't sneeze.
And they were telling me --. Now, it doesn't matter, now. It really doesn't matter what happens now. I left Atlanta this morning, and as we got started on the plane, there were six of us. The pilot said over the public address system, "We are sorry for the delay, but we have Dr. Martin Luther King on the plane. And to be sure that all of the bags were checked, and to be sure that nothing would be wrong with on the plane, we had to check out everything carefully. And we've had the plane protected and guarded all night."

And then I got into Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop.
And I don't mind.
Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!
And so I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man! Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!!<

February 8, save the date

Great cause and another great reason to get out downtown. From Bob White:

Benefit concert for Charlotte Mabrey (JSO principal percussionist) and her life partner, Melissa Humber:

Last may Melissa was seriousy injured in a motorcycle accident and months of hospitalization and rehab have resulted in over $200,000 in medical bills (over and above what insurance has paid).
The musicians, music director Fabio Mechetti, staff and crew of the JSO have donated their time to perform a concert in Jacoby Symphony Hall on Feb. 8 at 7:30 for Charlotte and Melissa.
The first half of the concert will be Charlotte, Bob White and the UNF percussion ensemble, much like Charlotte's annual percussion extravaganza at UNF! The JSO will perform Beethoven's Fifth Symphony on the second half. Tickets are $35, adult, $15 student. Call the JSO box office: 354-5547. Additional donations (tax-deductible) may be sent to: 416 Lower 36th Ave. S., Jacksonville Beach, Fl. 32250
Please make checks payable to: SISTERS OF THE SEA FOR MELISSA HUMBER.

I know the annual UNF show sells out so get that call in and buy tickets. Buy some to give away. It'll make you feel fine.

Release Party

The Release party will be Tuesday, January 23, 2007@ Mark's
Mark's
315 East Bay Street, Suite 101
Downtown Jacksonville, Florida 32202
(904)-355-5099
Featured performances by The Crystal Stafford Project, PC Synergy, & David Luckin

Riverkeeper es muy importante, no?

Not really sure why I titled in Spanish but go with it. The Riverkeeper is one of the most important non-profits in the city because its only concern is the reason we're all here in the first place. Yes it is. Don't sass me.

Speaking of sass my daughter's homework was to bring in a photo of a "community helper" and she chose the picture of Neil from the first Residents Newspaper. I am betting she is not the only one.

In addition to all these great events the Riverkeeper has started a blog. Which reminds me I have a great deal of linking to do upcoming but until then..

Read on, riverfriends...

I. Reflections of the St. Johns

St. Johns Riverkeeper and Fogle Fine Art & Accessories are partnering to offer an exciting exhibition of art inspired by the St. Johns River.

The exhibit will feature artists from a variety of disciplines including fine art, music, and spoken word.

When: January 25 - February 8, 2007

Where: Fogle Fine Art & Accessories | 3312 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville

Thursday, January 25 – Opening Night 5 - 8 PM

• The Opening Night will feature musical entertainment by Tammerlin and delicious hors d’oeuvres provided by Sheff’s Everyday Gourmet.


Saturday, January 27 – Lunch and Learn with Artist Allison Watson 11:30 AM - 1 PM

• Enjoy a wonderful lunch provided by Camille’s Sidewalk Café as you learn from one of our region’s finest landscape artists. You can view some of Allison’s outstanding work by visiting the Fogle website.


Thursday, February 1 – Writers Night 6 – 8 PM

• This event will feature the author and documentary filmmaker Bill Belleville and poet, actor, and playwright Al Letson. Bill will read from his book River of Lakes and discuss his latest project, a documentary entitled “In Marjorie’s Wake” about Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings journey upon the St. Johns River. Al Letson has been nationally recognized for his multidisciplinary work and will perform an original spoken word piece about the river.


Saturday, February 3 – Lunch and Learn with Photographer Will Dickey 11:30 AM - 1 PM

• Enjoy a delicious lunch provided by Camille’s Sidewalk Café as Will discusses his beautiful work and provides insights into the art of outdoor photography.


Thursday, February 8 – Artifacts of the St. Johns 6 - 8 PM

• A lecture and presentation will be provided about the rich history and artifacts of the St. Johns River.


• Thursday evening events (Opening Night, Writers Night, Artifacts of the St. Johns) - FREE to Riverkeeper members, suggested $15 donation for non-members


• “Lunch and Learn” events - $20 donation


Visit the Calendar page on the Riverkeeper's website to RSVP.Fill out the Reservation Form and fax, e-mail, or mail to Riverkeeper by January 23.


To view the exhibition, visit the Fogle Fine Art website


II. Riverkeeper News


He may have been reluctant and somewhat resistant to jump into the weblog world, but Neil Armingeon, the Riverkeeper, now has his very own blog. Some of you may be asking yourself, “What in the world is a blog? or “What, Neil is blogging?” Well, a blog (short for “weblog”) is “a web site that consists of a series of entries arranged in reverse chronological order, often updated frequently with new information about particular topics.”


Our blog will allow us to update you in a timely manner on issues, events, and news regarding the St. Johns River and Riverkeeper. You will be able to post your comments and thoughts, as well. This will provide us with one more way to efficiently and effectively provide important information to the community and to interact with the public.


You can access the Riverkeeper Blog by visiting the St. Johns Riverkeeper website or by going directly to http://stjohnsriverkeeper.blogspot.com.


Riverkeeper even also has a brand new MySpace page. You can visit our page at http://www.myspace.com/stjohnsriverkeeper and become a Riverkeeper Friend.


Finally, we have given our website a complete overhaul. Our New and Improved website has a lot of great information about the St. Johns River and Riverkeeper.


Visit the River page and learn about the history, ecology, and issues impacting the health of the St. Johns River.


Our Access and Recreation page has information about overnight accommodations and restaurants along the river, fishing, kayaking and canoeing, boat ramps, and so much more.


Click on How You Can Help and find out how to report suspected violations, how to join Riverkeeper and our Boat Patrol, and how to create a River Friendly Yard.


Please, let us know if you have any suggestions for improvements or additions/changes to the website. Our goal is for this website to become the central location for all river-related news and information.



Happy New Year!

Happy New Year indeed!

Opening Tonight at the Burrito Gallery

Brave Cover Story, Dan May

6-9Pm Tonight! Where Brooklyn at?

Byron King & Family, Dan May, Sean Mahan

Art Walk Tonight

mactruQue - tonight at the Burrito Gallery

Art Walk is tonight. Number 38! Wow.

I was thinking about all that mac does for the arts and how prolific he is. His art is accessible, attainable, and brings light to many (if not all) of my projects. Its also all over my house. It increases in value but the value of seeing it daily at home reminds me that I would never sell it. Only collect more.

I know mac has a big show coming at 9th and Main soon, so I will have to catch that too.

If you haven't seen his large collection of work at the BG, tonights the last night as it makes way for the May, Mahan, and King show tomorrow.

Buy some art tonight and I'll buy you a BG gift card for lunch on me. Just email me and let me know that you got a piece and I'll confirm and leave a card for you at the register or bar, your pick.

Its the art of resolution. My was not to blog more. Is that bad?

Here is the art walk list from Downtown Vision:

JANUARY 3 | Self-Guided Tour | 5-9 p.m. | Rain or Shine

THE ART OF THE RESOLUTION



Click here to view the First Wednesday Art Walk January passport.





Highlights




5-9 p.m.

Start your New Year off on the right foot, achieve that resolution to become more involved in your community, look for Jacksonville non-profit organizations featured at Art Walk locations.

Gold’s Gym gets you geared up to tackle those New Year Resolutions. Bring your punched passport to register to win an Ultimate Gym Bag. Also enjoy a massage chair, food and refreshments.



6-8 p.m.

Gold’s Gym’s Aerobics Challenge



9 p.m.
The official Art Walk after party at the Twisted Martini is sponsored by Bonterra wine. Must be 21 and over with proper ID and attire.


5-9 p.m.

Start your New Year off on the right foot; achieve that resolution to become more involved in your community. Look for Jacksonville non-profit organizations featured at Art Walk locations.



Gold’s Gym gets you geared up to tackle those New Year Resolutions. Bring your punched passport to register to win an Ultimate Gym Bag. Also enjoy a massage chair, food and refreshments.



Turn in your passport to the Twisted Martini door host for a complimentary premium cocktail, bottle or draft beer, glass of house wine or the martini of the day.



6-8 p.m.

Gold’s Gym’s Aerobics Challenge



9 p.m.

The official Art Walk After Party at the Twisted Martini, sponsored by Bonterra wine. Must be 21 and over with proper ID and attire.


The First Wednesday Art Walk is a free self-guided tour of Downtown galleries, museums as well as cultural and educational venues on the first Wednesday of every month, rain or shine. The event will feature original work from local, regional, national and international artists at 31 Downtown venues. Plus, enjoy live music performances at more than nine venues.



HEADQUARTERS
1. Headquarters – Curated by Steller’s Gallery of Ponte Vedra. Music by DJ Catharsis and PC Synergy. Hospitality provided by Lifestyles Realtors.



GALLERIES & MUSEUMS
2. Bryan Building Loft Gallery – Curated by Hemming Plaza Jewelers, view the works of over 20 artists. Medias include painting, photography, mixed media and jewelry. Live music and refreshments.
3. Gallery 11E – Works of noted local artists.
4. JMOMA – Take the kids to the fifth floor Art Explorium and tour the current exhibit.
5. Karpeles Manuscript Museum – Artist Suzanne Pickett, member of the Jacksonville Consortium of African-American Artists, will present her work along with information about JCAAA.
6. Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum – Exhibit of works by Faith Ringgold.
7. The Atrium Gallery – The photography of Matt Uhrig.
8. The Art Center at the Carling – Featured artist, Suzette Solano will present her paintings with Jacksonville’s newest crop of artists. Music, beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
9. WA Knight Building – Thieves in the Knight, a grassroots gallery experience (subject to change).



CULTURAL & EDUCATIONAL VENUES
10. Florida Theatre – Visual art will be presented by Anthony Hodge, David Bialos and Jennifer Bothast. Complimentary culinary art will be provided by Raglands and Fuel Coffeehouse. Volunteer and event information from Jacksonville Film Events, JCCI and JCCI Forward. Complimentary wine.
11. Hemming Plaza – Sample the eclectic “arts” from local artists, Farmer’s Market vendors, drum circle performers, belly dancers and Renaissance performers.
12. Main Library – “Clothesline Project” on display in the Teen Department, is an art exhibit by domestic violence survivors to raise awareness of domestic violence issues in Florida. Jewish Community and Family Services will be on hand to provide information about public and private adoption opportunities. In the 3rd Floor Gallery, the Society for Creative Anachronism will present “Ye Old Arts”, modern re-creations of medieval calligraphy, illumination and general arts.



MUSIC/NIGHTLIFE VENUES
13. Boomtown – 8 p.m. is the Mad Cowford Comedy Improv Troupe and join the YouTube music video contest as part of the Boomsong Sing-a-Long from 8:30 – 10 p.m.
14. Burrito Gallery – Art work by Mac Truque.
15. Jacksonville Landing – Enjoy the works of over 10 artists in the corridor. Over 15 area non-profit groups will be on hand to share their information. Live music.

16. London Bridge Eatery & Pub
17. Twisted Martini – The official Art Walk After Party sponsored by Gala Rouge wine, featuring music, art and martinis.



CULINARY ARTS
18. Casa Dora Italian Café – Original artwork with plates and silverware by Walden.
19. Chew –Live music from The Carlisle Group.
20. Koja Sushi – Famous Formula-One race car artists, Don Packwood from New Zealand displays his original works and enjoy the harmonies of Sweet Adelines. First sake free for those 21 and over.
21. Zodiac Grill – View Lyzz Starratt’s monochromatic drawings.



DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES
22. BB&T
23. BellSouth Tower – Featuring the art of Dr. Ruben Sandoval, Reba Craig and Peg Munsey.
24. Berkman Plaza II – 500 E. Bay St. on Riverwalk behind The Plaza Condominium – Original works of art curtsey of R. Robert’s Gallery.
25. Central Fire Station – Sponsored by Prudential Network Realty, Hope Haven will be available with information about their programs.
26. Ga’ La-Car Beauty & Style – Trunk show
27. Gold’s Gym – Paintings by Gold’s Gym member Shea Slemmer. Bring your punched passport to register for a chance to win an Ultimate Gym Bag, which includes two 3-month passes to Gold’s Gym in Downtown Jacksonville, an iPod, tanning and smoothie certificates, a t-shirt and water bottle. Also enjoy a massage chair, food and refreshments.
28. Hemming Plaza Jewelers – View the works of Michael Baum.
29. Inside Golf – New art work from Desiree Kantrim along with works from Yale, Eric Hintoe, Princess Rashid, Vin Dolan, Annelies M. Dykgraaf and Elaine Emery Bedell.
30. Jacob’s Jewelers – Portrait artists MaeJean Burch.
31. LRK Architects – Fogle Fine Art showcases Georgia artist Lori Keith Robinson’s paintings of the Georgia Low Country in the first floor lobby. The Downtown YMCA presents their Johnny Ford K-8 outreach mentor and tutor program along student art work. Wine and refreshments available.
32. The Metropolitan Loft Apartments – Features artist Shirley Anna. Beverages and refreshments available.
33. Natasha’s Professional Tailoring & Alterations – Artists Alex Gritsiyan.
34. Needless Things – Hand painted items including glass and ceramics. Custom orders available.
35. Shugar Shack Chocolatier – Complimentary wine and samples of ChocoPop.
36. Tiara Shoes – Featuring unique handmade jewelry by local and national designers and the Chance Foundation, creators of Camp G.L.A.M. (Giving Life a Makeover).
37. TTV Architects – Lutheran Social Services exhibits and offers for sale their “Empty Bowls”, designed by school children aged K-12, college students and local artists. All proceeds benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank.
38. Zona Architects




The First Wednesday Art Walk is sponsored by Downtown Vision, Inc., City of Jacksonville, WJCT, Folio Weekly, JMOMA, 102.9 The Point, the Twisted Martini, Bonterra wine, Art Institute of Jacksonville and Clearwire. For more information email circe@downtownjacksonville.org or call 904.634.0303, ext. 230.