The Votes Are In

Record numbers were counted at the polls on Tuesday for the Presidential election. It was a first for my son, Bama, who was of voting age this election. Bama wanted to go with me to talk him through the process. I took Sledge and Smooth with us as well. I think it is important to share the process and explain the privilege that it is to vote. Smooth was very interested in the process, but all things in world history are fascinating to him. We all left with our stickers and pride in wearing them.

While at the polls I saw many of my friends working, very hard, I might add. Marlene checked me in...after "saving" my son at the high school the other day, I had a major thank you to issue out to her. Joy and Larry Childers were making sure that everything flowed smoothly. My friend Judy roamed the room answering any questions. Mr Billy looked great, as he issued ballots. He has come a long way from a stroke a few years ago. It is great to see him still so active. Brian Peters, Jackson Knox and "Major Dundee" were all on hand as well. I always enjoy getting to chat up my pal Brian, as I do not get to see him very often. I love to go and vote and see so many friends involved. It gives me great pride. It also gave me great pride that Bama stepped in to help as well. He pulled ballots and loaded them into boxes and then into the trucks to be counted somewhere else. This was Bama's second election to work and he really enjoyed it. He has Joy Mama to thank for having the opportunity, and I think she enjoys Bama being there as much as he does.

It's all over now. No more negative ads. No more bickering. A new president will soon take office. It is no longer a question of who. Regardless of our party lines, we must all come together as a nation and stand together. That is my plan. To stand strong. Proud. Free.

Commercial

Remember that commercial I "talked" about a couple weeks ago? I called on some local friends to "talk"? Well, here is one of the commercials that is running on local ABC TV station ABC 33/40.
Among the "talkers", it features my mom ("I'm talking"), Helenaite Major Dundee and HPD Officer Rodney Prince (who came up with his own line-as did the guy that was pulled from the Depot wearing an Auburn t-shirt at the end of the commercial) and of course Susan of the Psych Ward (doing the hand gestures).
I am working on obtainging the other commercial spots that feature my son, J Smooth as well as T-Ray of Bama Bargains.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hudxtir-mqs

Buck Creek Festival 2009 and a surprise visit by Bo Bice

With temperatures feeling like early July, there couldn't be a better way to kick off that summer time feel than with a great outdoor concert---or a few! This past weekend my hometown of Helena celebrated the annual Buck Creek Festival in great style. The two day event drew thousands to the banks of Buck Creek to watch the rubber duck race, to shop arts and crafts vendors and play in the fun children's area. But it was the ten bands that were the main draw. The musical choices range from classic rock to bluegrass gospel.

The band Cuttin' Loose kicked off the festival on Friday night with classic favorites across a wide variety of musical genres. They were followed by the band Five-O, which had almost everyone in the crowd on their feet singing and dancing, including this girl, with a mix of classic rock songs with a couple country thrown into the mix.

Saturday brought out eight more bands, including the highly touted (here on my blog) Act of Congress. Such a talented group!! But it was a special surprise by a former American Idol contestant, local celebrity and all around great guy, Bo Bice, that had the crowd up and dancing on Saturday evening. The four piece country band, Deputy Five , was more than happy to welcome Bo onto the stage for a couple tunes. Bo dedicated one of favorite Skynyrd songs, Sweet Home Alabama, to his friend Ean Evans. Ean was the bassist of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Evans, a close friend of Bice, lost his battle to cancer this past week. The heated temperatures and excitement of the crowd came to a peak with the performance of the southern rock anthem.

Speaking of Bo, I had a chance to speak with him for a little while. I can tease that there will be at least a couple fun events that will include Bo and his hometown of Helena. While I am not at liberty to say right now, I can promise that details are soon to come.

I want to give Kudos to a few people for putting on another great festival. There are many fine volunteers that get the festival together each year, so forgive me for leaving people out, I am just naming some folks that I personally know that had a hand in making the magic happen and those folks are Festival Chairman- Jim Wathen, Council Woman -Cris Nelson, my all time favorite weatherman- Brian Peter's, Major Dundee, The Helena Police Department, The 10 Great Bands, Bo and Caroline Bice, Randy Perrin, State Representative and my friend Cam Ward, The great sponsors, area churches for free water, fans, and use of space.

Finally a special thanks to my dear, dear friend Judy Ellington at The Monkey Basket for serving up some great appetizers, great music by the Overall's and some mighty fine mojito's on her patio. If you haven't yet checked out her place, The Monkey Basket, you really should. It is located on the main drag of Old Town Helena, next to the coffee shop. (More on The Monkey Basket to come)

Kudos to blogger, Laura Beth for the fantastic design of this years t shirts. Got mine. Love it!

Proceeds from the Buck Creek Festival benefited some great charitable organizations: The American Cancer Society, Safe House and Helena Kiwanis Club.

It was a great weekend! I saw alot of good friends having good times down there-and that's what it's all about. Fun! I look forward to doing it all again next year!

Finally a teaser, that was thrown my way by Bo Bice. You all know my love of music trivia? Bice had me stumped at some trivia as we chatted at the coffee shop over this question. In the song, Sweet Home Alabama, there is a tag line at the end of song that some think is a cuss word. But it isn't. What is the line? I will just say, I failed and missed out on an opportunity to score and easy $50.00 from Bo. I don't have $50.00 but I challenge anyone to give me the correct answer, just for fun! How about a Happy Hour Drink from Sonic on me? I will mail the first person with the correct answer a gift card for a"Drink on Leigh", just like that old AC/DC song sings about.

Here is a final look at the 2009 Buck Creek Festival. Enjoy!

Saturday on Buck Creek

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I did. It was busy, but fun filled. On Friday night my friend Kym called me to tell me that she had gotten engaged!! I have posted on Kym before, in a song that I wrote. I am really happy for her and glad that she seems to finally been dealt a nice card for a change in Rick. We, by that I mean "the girlfriend gang", are all looking forward to a future wedding and we have all offered to do what we can to see it happen. Flo has offered her home as a wedding location and I told Kym to consider my photography services as a wedding gift. I would be honored to capture those moments. It will give us much to talk about when we head down to the beach for a girls getaway long weekend later this week. It cannot come soon enough. Congratulations Kym and Rick!! On Saturday morning the circus and I headed down to the Buck Creek Festival. I have lived in Helena for 9 years and had yet to attended. Every single year something came up. But this year, I got lucky! What a fabulous day! While the weather was very humid and the rain did hold out until around midnight Sunday morning, long after the festival wrapped-unlike last year, it was enjoyable. As we headed to the entrance of the festival I was stopped by the sweetest lady, Laura Lynn Love, who introduced herself and her mother to me. Laura and her mother run Loading Docks South in Helena. I told Laura that I am going to HAVE to make it down to Loading Dock South to look around. It's one of the many things I think to myself as I drive through old town running errands, "when I have time I am going to go by there". I think that is the mentality of allot of people in Helena. While people don't mean any wrong in it, it is probably one reason why so many businesses in Helena close. We need to support our own! I am definitely going to swing by real soon and am ashamed I haven't yet. Loading Docks South sells home and building closeouts. If you plan to stop by, do check their web site for store hours. Hewy, she did mention the Waffle House rug. I agree that it would've made a good piece of dinner table conversation for guest to your home. I love a surprise element in a room and that certinaly would've been one!

After I said good bye to the sweet "dock" ladies we went on inside the festival. We arrived in time for the kids and Big Daddy to get a bite to eat. I took the opportunity to hunt down Kym to congratulate her in person. She was beaming almost as much as the new diamond on her finger.

Soon enough, the circus found me and we went and copped a squat in front of the stage awaiting Act of Congress. I did get to listen briefly to the band that preceded AOC, they were called Infinite Youth. I was very impressed at these two young boys rocking it up there with no inhibitions. They had a great sound reminiscent of some hair bands of my hey day. They have a new CD out. To hear some of their music, check out their web site.

11:00AM! Time for Act of Congress to take the Stage. I told Chris (the guitarist) that AOC was my main reason for coming. I am always interested in checking out new bands, but as mentioned many times before, I love AOC. I first heard them when I was on a job to write a music review for a local newspaper, I walked away a fan of their music. I love what they do, the unique sound that they have, it just leaves you with a happy outlook on the day. I did get a brief video of them live at the festival that I will post. They also have a new CD coming out in June. Currently they are selling their demo CD for 5 bucks (a bargain!). You can check out their web site as well for song demos and to purchase CD's.

After AOC we decided to muddle around and check out the local vendors at the festival. I must say, I love that part. When I was helping to orchestrate Kid Fest for WHIM, I loved meeting the vendors and checking out what they had brought with them. I loved getting to know different people. It took me back and made me realize, I am an idiot for not being involved in this festival. (actually I did send an email early in the year but didn't get a follow up email on what I could do to help). I am vowing here, that next year I will do my part. As a volunteer, you just get so much out of it and it is really great to give back and to be involved in your community. It's something that I preach constantly to my kids. If we as parents do not live by example then we really have no right to moan when our children become lazy, uninvolved and careless of situations in their world.

The Buck Creek Festival vendor row had something for everyone, from live animals (I am proud to say that I did not come home with a turtle, lizard, dog or the such! Hurray!) to demonstrations to arts and crafts. I finally got to meet the talented Paul Samsom in person. He is the gifted photographer that I mentioned here some months ago. I had emailed Paul regarding a few photos that I was interested in. He was ever so gracious in offering information that some photographers may not be as forthcoming to another photographer about, such a locations, and even suggested who to should talk to about getting my own photography put up in some places etc. Big Daddy bought me a piece from hPaul's collection at the festival, it was my "Mother's Day gift". I will certainly treasure it. It is a picture of Old Town Helena from long ago. I love it because old town Helena today still looks very much the same. If you aren't familiar with Paul and his award winning photography, I recommend stopping by his web site. I already have a wish list for my husband for any future purchases he might decide I am worthy of.

There was much to do at the festival, beside eating, checking out bands (that in itself is enough) but with the many vendors, demonstrations, a kids area with inflatable rides and activities and even a war reenactment that the kids really enjoyed.

I also ran into Tom Lefebvre. If you don't live in Helena, Tom was a recent member of the city council, though he recently announced his intent to keep his position. Tom and I began talking about the city of Helena's history. I mentioned to him something that I have mentioned before to "Major Dundee", that the city really should have a historical society. Tom said that there is a non official one, though I think there needs to be one of an official nature to receive funding to preserve/restore what we do have. For example the coke ovens that sit on the banks of the Cahaba River. I am looking forward to a future walk with Tom and co. to show me the locations. I have known that they were back there, but have been to chicken to go out and explore on my own and of course I wouldn't know the great stories that I anticipate I will hear.

We met up with our friends the Young's (with boyfriends in tow) shortly before we we left the festival. Actually they were coming as we were going. We were in a hurry to leave because they were to come over to our house later that day to grill out-3:30. They did and it capped off a most lovely (humid) day.

See more pictures from Buck Creek and Grilling on my slide show. I already have next years Buck Creek Festival on my calendar. I cannot wait! I must say to all that were a part of putting on this years festival (from someone who knows firsthand the dedication, long hours and hard work it takes to do it) GREAT JOB! Your hard work was evident in how smoothly everything ran. Congratulations to you all and thank you for your efforts. A good time was had by all!