Cigars and Mason Jars - Did They put Crack in a Cigar?

So says this guy as he talks about the Padilla 1932. This was a cigar I received from the cigar of the month club. It will run about $10 to $13 a stick. Padilla is legend hand rolling sticks in little Havana, Florida. The specifics:

Brand: Padilla
Line: Series 1932
Vitola: 5 x 50 Robusto
Origin: Nicaragua (Puro)
Wrapper: 5 year aged Cuban-seed Corojo.
Binder: Cuban-seed
Filler: Cuban-seed long fillers
Body: Full

5 yr old wrapper and you know I'm sold. This cigar is awesome. I enjoyed it with Jim Beam and ice. The draw scored a 9. The flavor and body hits a 9 also. Earthy tones with a creamy licorice flavor dominate my taste buds. A cedar presence is abundant during the predraw(below) and first inch. That soon faded to the full flavor earthy tones that the wrapper suggests. I noticed a coffee taste midway...but definitely creamy licorice would be my take on this cigar. It finished strong and steady with the cedar returning. This cigar rocks!. Others are raving too!

CA gave it a 92. many say it is a 95. My math gives it a 93. I have smoked $20 cigars that don't compare. It is rare for me to give a Robusto a 90 rating. I enjoy them because there are a great smoke when I don't have time for my favorite torpedo or churchill. If you like them strong and full, this cigar is a winner.

Technorati Tags: Cigars

Where are the Tree Huggers? - Trash to Fuel plant in Wise County

Jerry has taken noticed of my Trash to Fuel posts. (Videos are here) I encourage you to watch these videos. I would think the tree huggers would be all over this. Watch this awesome green technology.

Technorati Tags: Wise County Virginia, Ethanol Plant

Band of Brothers Shifty Powers on the 2nd Amendment

From the Dickenson County Star -

“In later years, Dad really enjoyed talking to the younger kids and members of the military,” Wayne Powers said following his father’s death.
Wayne recalled a story his father told him about a village in England where Easy Company did practice drills. People in the village didn’t own firearms, and only had hoes, pitchforks and sticks to defend themselves. Powers said a small group of Nazi soldiers could easily have destroyed the village and everyone in it.
“Dad thought our country should never get in a position where the people couldn’t defend themselves,” Wayne noted. “That memory always stayed with him. He was always a big supporter of our right to bear arms.”
Although Powers’ has passed away, his many contributions to local students and the community, as well as his dedicated service to his country, will remain.

Indeed.

Technorati Tags: Band of Brothers, WW2, 2nd Amendment

Spark it Up Movie Review - Gran Torino

Best movie I've watched in a while. Clint is at his finest and the movie hits hard. Prejudice, family, the horrors of war. Things a man carries with him in life. This one is a winner. Check it out! This movie gets the top award - Five Sparkies out of five.

Technorati Tags: Movies, Clint Eastwood

Lowell Feld - Clairvoyant or Dumb Ass?

I vote for the latter.

Technorati Tags: Lowell Feld, Dumb Ass

Why I dont ride...

I used to love it, but I love life more.

Motorcycle fatalities jump 87 percent in Virginia

The commonwealth experienced an 87 percent jump in motorcycle fatalities in 2007, according to the most recent figures from the VSP.

Four wheels for me my friends.

Technorati Tags: Virginia

Cops Shoot Dog - What say You?

Y' all know I support law enforcement, but this just stinks. Underlined by me.

A Kingsport man claims police shot his pit bull for no reason, but police say it appears the officer’s actions were justified.

Richie Hammonds, 1005 Derwood Court, No. 4, says a Kingsport police officer came onto his property Sunday afternoon and shot his pit bull without provocation.

“The law came up here, and they said they were after two black guys in the neighborhood behind the apartments. One walked up and put a foot across the fence. My dog was walking toward him, and he got back across the fence. Then he drew his weapon and shot him,” Hammonds said.

Hammonds said his dog had never displayed any signs of aggression. He did not say whether any other dogs were there in addition to the one that was shot and killed.
He claimed the officer said after the shooting that he “just didn’t like pit bulls.”(Click to read it all)

So the cops are looking for two black dudes that "looked suspicious". They go on this innocent man's property and shoot his dog. They don't catch the black dudes.....Black dudes that looked suspicious...Not thieves, not rapists, just suspicious. Result - dead dog. Damn that sucks. Am I wrong?

Technorati Tags: Police, Dogs, Pit Bulls

Duncan Hunter - Eye on 2010

My man Duncan is getting some press for what he thinks is a winner for the GOP in 2010.

Ex-Rep. Hunter Touts Iraq War Vets To Revive GOP

Duncan Hunter, a retired Republican who once chaired the Armed Services Committee, has decided that Iraq War veterans are the perfect candidates to revive the Republican Party in 2010.

Hunter -- a Vietnam War vet who briefly sought the 2008 Republican presidential nomination -- is already backing two such candidates as they launch challenges to two of the more junior members of the House Democratic majority: Jesse Kelly, who wants to take on two-term incumbent Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona's 8th District, and Vaughn Ward, whose target in Idaho's 1st District is freshman Democrat Walt Minnick. Read it all.

Sounds like a plan to me.

Technorati Tags: Duncan Hunter, GOP, 2010 Elections

Our Absent Gov Kaine makes Drudge

Drudge links to Editorial: Where did Gov. Kaine go?

I don't know where he went, but I know where he can go..LoL

Technorati Tags: Virginia, Virginia Politics, Tim Kaine, Dumb Asses

UVa-Wise - groundbreaking for Convocation Center

Much Needed!

WISE — A much-anticipated venue with the potential for economic returns for Wise County and the surrounding area is about to rise on the campus of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

The college has announced a 1 p.m. groundbreaking ceremony on July 1 to celebrate the start of construction for a $30 million Convocation Center, the largest single capital project in the college’s history.

Ceremonies are to take place next to the Humphreys-Thomas Field House at Carl Smith Stadium. State lawmakers, local leaders and regional officials will join UVa-Wise to celebrate the landmark event.

When built, the UVa-Wise Convocation Center will seat 3,000 for sporting events and 4,000 for concerts or convention-type activities. There is no other such facility in the region, and it is the sort of venue economic developers have said is needed to boost economic growth and development. The college plans to open the Convocation Center by autumn of 2011.

The Virginia General Assembly approved funding for the facility in a $1.5 billion bond package targeting construction projects at state colleges. Inclusion of the Convocation Center has been hailed as a major economic building block for Wise County and the region, not to mention a major addition for UVa-Wise.

Dignitaries expected to attend the July 1 groundbreaking include members of the Southwest Virginia delegation to Richmond, state Sens. William Wampler Jr., R-Bristol, and Phillip Puckett, D-Lebanon, and state Delegates Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City, and Bud Phillips, D-Clintwood. Link to KTN

That's a lot of money. We will see if "concerts" become a reality. I am hopeful but doubtful also.

Technorati Tags: Wise County Virginia, UVA-Wise

Shifty Powers - Another Eagle Has Soared...Video

Currahee - We Stand Alone Together.

The mountains of my home has produced many a great man. Besides the thousands of coal miners that powered a nation we have politicians, writers, and actors. Lesser known is the many soldiers that came from the coalfields to protect our country. Men that ask nothing in return. Men that served in hell and returned to be husbands, fathers, and neighbors. The dark hollers have produced many a fine man...Shifty Powers was one of them.

Shifty passed away this week. Another eagle has soared. I can proudly say that I shook this great man's hand and thanked him for everything I have in life. A tribute video is here. Have you thanked a veteran this week? Have you thanked one ever?

Technorati Tags: Shifty Powers, WW2, band of Brothers, Virginia

Dealing Cocaine in Wise County - .30 of a gram gets you 40 years

This shows the citizens of Wise County are fed up.

Wise: On October 23, 2008, a Wise County, Va jury convicted Willie Hamler, Jr., of Big Stone Gap,
Va., of distribution of cocaine. The trial lasted two days, and was prosecuted by Deputy Commonwealth’s
Attorney Suzanne Kerney-Quillen. After deliberating for approximately an hour and a half, the jury sentenced
Hamler, 49, to 40 years in prison.
The case stemmed from a June 22, 2005, undercover drug buy from Hamler conducted by agents of the
Southwest Regional Narcotics Task Force. On that date, Hamler sold 0.30 grams of cocaine to a police
informant working with agents of the Task Force. During the two-day trial, agents from the Task Force and the
confidential informant testified about the transaction, as well as the thorough, extensive procedures utilized by
the Task Force to catch drug dealers. LINK

Wow. The folks are fed up with dope dealers and stiff sentences are coming down. 40 years for a third of a gram of blow....a fifty dollar deal got this man hammered. Welcome to Wise!

Technorati Tags: Wise County Virginia, Dope, Dope Dealers, Dumb Asses

Shifty Powers

Darrell "Shifty" Powers

Darrell "Shifty" Powers, 86, of Shifty Lane, Clinchco, Va., passed away Wednesday June 17, 2009 at Wellmont Regional Hospital, Bristol, Tenn., after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was a charter member of Clinchco Missionary Baptist Church. Shifty was a veteran of World War II, having served in the 101st Airborne, 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was a member of the famed Easy Company whose exploits received worldwide recognition in "Band of Brothers," a book by historian Stephen Ambrose, and miniseries produced by Tom Hanks and Stephen Spielberg. Shifty dropped behind enemy lines in Normanday on D-Day. He also participated in all of Easy Company's battles including Operation Market Garden, Battle of the Bulge, and the capture of Hitler's Eagles Nest.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents Barnum and Audrey Colley Powers; brothers, James, Barnum and Frank Powers; and a great-grandson Gavin Johnson.
Survivors include his loving wife of sixty years, Dorothy; son, Wayne (Sandy) Powers of Clinchco, Va., daughter, Margo (Seldon) Johnson of Bristol, Va., sister, Gaynell (Clair) Sykes of Roanoke,Va.; sisters-in-law, Ann Powers of Clintwood Va., Betty Powers of Greenville, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Clay (Kayla) Powers, Dove Powers, Jake (Dawnyale) Johnson and Luke (Amanda) Johnson; two great-grandchildren, Caden Powers and Cooper Powers; several nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and nephews; and special family friends the Robinettes, Carol, David and Tammy and Suzanne Axtell.
Pallbearers will be Jake Johnson, Luke Johnson, Clay Powers, David Robinette, Johnny Sykes, Mike Strouth and John Wesley Hawkins. Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Sutherland, Claire Sykes, Tim Thomas, Wayne "Pappy" McCowan, Shang-Hi Nichols and Mickey Taylor.
The family will receive friends on Friday June 19, 2009, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., followed with a song service at 7:30 in the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel, Clintwood Va. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday June 20, 2009 at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Randy Moore officiating. Graveside services with Military Honors will be conducted by Francis Marion VFW post 4667 at Temple Hill Cemetery.
Online email condolences may be made at mullinsfuneralhome1@verizon.net.
Mullins Funeral Home and staff are serving the Powers Family.

I am blessed to have met this man. Shaking his hand and sharing some time is something I will never forget. The Band of Brothers grows smaller. Honor them.

Technorati Tags: Shifty Powers, Band of Brothers, WW2

Yes....I've Joined the Club

The Cigar of the Month Club that is. My readers know I use all the internets to buy cigars. Cigar.com is my favorite dealer. After three years I finally joined the club. The first reason is it gives me a chance to try new cigars and review them with other club members. The next is the 10% discount on all purchases. The club costs me $33.90 a month.

The Cigars
Our philosophy is simple. Offer 5 great cigars every month - the perfect way to sample a smoke before you buy - all at a great price. We build the 5 cigars every month in the club based on a particular theme - cigars that may come from the same factory, the same type of wrapper, the same country or share the same size. We base the theme on 1 Feature cigar - a world-class cigar like the Ashton VSG Illusion or the Macanudo Vintage '88. We then include 2 Recommended cigars on that Feature cigar - cigars that you might not have known or otherwise have tried - cigars that share the same quality caliber as the Feature cigar, but perhaps not as exclusive or expensive. Finally, we include 2 Every Day Smokes - cigars that are affordable, dependable and great to enjoy every day of the week.

$100.00+ Worth of Cigars For Your First Shipment!
That's right, your eyes are not deceiving you. With any of our membership options your first months sampler will be 5 super premium cigars with a combined value of over $100.00. We are so confident you will love our Cigar of The Month Club, that we will give you an amazing bonus like this just for signing up!

10% Discount!
All members of our Cigar of the Month Club will also receive a 10% discount on all products sold on Cigar.com during the life of your membership (except for specially marked items and sale items).

Shipping
A monthly shipping fee of $3.95 will be calculated into the membership price upon adding it to your cart. We ship our club during the last week of every month. For example, our July club will ship during the last week in June - to ensure that your cigars are at your doorstep at the beginning of July. The cutoff date is the 27th day of the previous month.

Newsletter
When you receive your cigars each month, we'll provide you with a newsletter on why these particular cigars were chosen - what to expect from each cigar. We'll include: additional background on the brand of cigar, information on the particulars of a cigar, and even detailed tasting notes so you can follow along with the aficionados at Cigar.com.

I love the newsletter! I love the prices! Here are a couple pictures of my first shipment. a Sol Cubano Artisan, a Gurkha Centurian, a Gurkha Titan II, Graycliff 1666, and a Padilla 1932. What a package. Look for my reviews coming soon.

I am starting up a Cigar Blog and I am looking for contributors. If you love cigars and want to join in let me know. Yes my Democrat cigar loving friends are welcome also. I encourage you to join the club also and review the cigars with me. I have a couple people on board and they joined the club also. One is a retiree that has been smoking cigars for 40 years. The other is a 25 year old that has been smoking less than a year. So jump on board and take a break from politics. Not saying posts about the taxes on cigars wont get front page status. I believe the Cigar blog will be fun and popular. Beat the rush and join me now! Happy Smoking! ~ CK

Technorati Tags: Cigars

A Sad Day - RIP Darrell "Shifty" Powers (1923 - June 17, 2009)

I was saddened to hear last night the Shifty Powers has passed away. Jerry has a post. My last post of many on the Band of Brothers is here. I plan on attending the service. More later.

JUST A COMMON SOLDIER
(A Soldier Died Today)
by A. Lawrence Vaincourt

.

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

.

And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

Technorati Tags: Band of Brothers, Shifty Powers, WW2

More About that Wise County trash-to-ethanol plant

The technology for the trash to ethanol plant is provided by GeneSyst. Is turning this trash to fuel safe and environmentally friendly?

The GeneSyst system is lean.

* It requires only a small footprint, about 10-20 acres of land.
* It requires relatively little water for steady flow.
* It has no moving parts.
* It is self-sustaining.

The GeneSyst system is clean.

* There are no groundwater contaminants to threaten the land.
* There are no toxic emissions to escape into the air.
* There is no process of combustion.
* All processed materials are sterile.
* The system is odorless.

* The patented GPV technology used in our system harnesses the natural geologic forces of the earth, pressure and heat, to regenerate biomass from waste to ethanol energy and other useful products.
* 95% of the collected waste can be used beneficially: glass and metals can be recycled, most plastics can be recycled or used to create the denaturant additive needed for the final ethanol product.

Check out the videos of the plant here. This seems like a great idea. What do the tree huggers and smelly hippies think? Well is this good enough?

GeneSyst..."has a much more environmentally friendly, more reliable water based process that can handle all of [the] County's residential garbage in a small plant with no waste processing emissions....What's left gets processed in an energy efficient, underground pressure cooker loop into sugars, which yeast turn into ethanol. This is the greener deal, healthier for residents with less greenhouse gases and pollution."

Sandy O'Brien, Conservation Chair, Dunelands Sierra Club
- June 2008

Check out Alton's energy post and you can see why this plant is great news for all localities.

Technorati Tags: Wise County Virginia, Power Plants, Ethanol Plant

Coming to Wise County - $200M trash-to-ethanol plant?

Very interesting news.

WISE — The head of a Bristol-based company trying to build plants that turn trash into ethanol recently told Wise County supervisors he wants to build one here.
If supervisors agree to let them build the plant, which would be privately run and cost up to $200 million, it could be the first of its kind in the country, company representatives said.
“We are using a common feed stock to make a product being used by everyone in this room if you buy gas for your car,” said Ted Cox of Reclaimed Resources Inc. Common household trash contains material that could be converted to ethanol, which is added to most gasoline, without producing any pollution, he told county officials.
The federal government has mandated an increase in the production of ethanol to combat the country’s dependence on foreign oil, and will place a subsidy on ethanol produced using something other than corn, Cox noted.
The plant he’s pitching would require 45 acres of property, with access to utilities and rail service, and would take 18 to 24 months to build, according to Cox.
To keep running, the completed plant would need about 500 tons of fresh trash per day. Wise County produces only about 100 tons, but Cox says he’s found that, on any given day, about 1,500 tons of trash from neighboring localities and businesses already pass through Wise County on their way to other landfills.
“My friend, that is no longer garbage. It’s a commodity you can be proud to have in your community, to use as tax revenue and to create jobs for your citizens,” Cox told supervisors.
Cox noted that county ordinances that prohibit trash from outside the county from being imported are outdated and were written during an era when huge cities wanted to use places like Wise County to landfill their trash. This plant wouldn’t use waste from big cities because it wouldn’t be fresh enough by the time it was shipped here, Cox said.
Cox claims the plant would create about 100 permanent jobs when it’s finished, and could employ up to 350 construction workers while it’s being built. (LINK)

Sounds good to me. They make us use ethanol so turning trash to fuel makes sense. I am sure the smelly anti coal hippies will throw a fit and chain themselves to something in protest. A little on this process works:

HOW IT WORKS
According to Cox, the plant would use technology patented by a company called Genesyst International Inc.
Anything that contains cellulose, from paper to cardboard to food waste, can be turned into ethanol, Cox says. And that doesn’t just include trash — animal waste, sewage sludge, wood and yard trimmings also would work.
In the plant, trash would be run through a series of washing systems that would separate out plastics, metals, glass and other materials that can’t be turned into ethanol while the material that can be used is ground up and broken down into a pulp that’s pushed into a pipe.
The pipe would go very deep into the earth — about 2,000 feet or so — and would harness the powers of gravity, pressure and friction to generate high temperatures, which break down the trash pulp into sugars and nutrients, which can then be fermented into ethanol.
Any impurities that make it into the pipe are turned into inert, harmless material that can be used as daily cover at the landfill, Cox claimed.
Metals, glass and plastics collected during the washing process would be recycled, he noted. Construction and demolition waste would still have to be landfilled.
J.H. Rivers of District Three pointed out that if built, the plant would eliminate the need for a $1 million recycling center the county has considered building.
WORK STILL TO DO
County Administrator Shannon Scott told supervisors that Wise County Industrial Development Authority Projects Coordinator Carl Snodgrass is working with Cox to pitch the proposal to state officials.
Cox noted that Snodgrass has already shown him a prospective site for the plant somewhere in Wise County.
In addition, Cox claims his plant would help Wise County extend public sewer service quickly and cheaply. Instead of installing lines to carry sewage to treatment plants, the county could install closed systems that emptied into holding tanks. From there, the waste could be brought to the ethanol plant for treatment.
If the county agrees to let Cox develop a plant here, Reclaimed Resources would first set up a lab on the site to test the local waste stream. The makeup of what would power the plant will factor into how it’s designed and how the chemical processes within it will work, he explained. Testing and training of employees would take about a year.
The plant can also generate clean water, according to Cox.
Scott said county officials will accompany Cox to Richmond this week to pitch the plan to state officials. County Finance Officer David Cox will be in charge of overseeing the project locally.

My fingers are crossed! Good green jobs that actually make sense. Hell every county needs one!

Technorati Tags: Wise County Virginia, Power Plants, Ethanol

Cigars with a Friend is Great, but a Cigar alone is pretty damn fine also

Ready to Spark it Up! Alton with a Rocky Patel Decade and me with a Gurkha Titan. Alton is suppose to write about one the hottest cigars so far this year in that hard to find RP Decade. We both enjoyed the smoke and conversation that night. A night that had me wandering the halls at 4am calling Wise Girl because I could.

Tonight I enjoyed another Titan.

These dark wrappers are becoming a passion for me! The Titan is only released in 1000 box allotments per year. Cigar.com tells us -

The Gurkha Titan is a magnificent concoction that only a company like Gurkha is capable of making.

Well known for producing some of the most prestigious and rare super premiums in the world, the secret to Gurkha’s success is their uncompromising commitment to quality and their use of the finest vintage tobacco’s the world has to offer. The Titan debuted at the 2005 Retail Tobacco Dealers tradeshow, and with only 1,000 boxes made, it was only available to a small number of suppliers.

The Titan owes its popularity to the unique mix of vintage tobaccos in its complex fuller bodied blend. The cigar begins with a combination of 5 year old Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Columbian fillers that are secured in a 5 year Nicaraguan binder. It is then finished with a dark 1996 Vintage Costa Rican wrapper, adding the perfect balance to this extra aged cigar. The Titan is a must for those who seek out only the best. Even more attractive then the blend, is the packaging the cigars come in. Each multi-compartment box is constructed from brushed airplane aluminum.

Mmmmm...13 year old wrapper!

The Titan and the Titan II are primo smokes that I personally would put up against any brand. The problem? $$.¢¢ big time. The 1000 box a year deal and the high demand has the price as of this writing at $30 buying a single stick. A box of 16 at $433($27.06 per stick) for the metal box and $400($26.66 per stick) for the 15 stick wood box. Worth it? To me yes they are, but I shop endlessly for samplers and freebies that make these top shelf smokes reasonable and I can enjoy a couple a week. I stand by my CAO and RP history, Gurkha is just another breed. I watched a good friend enjoy his first dark wrapped beauty while at the RPV convention. This friend is someone I have shared many a good cigar with because his local shop sucks. When we started sharing cigars he was a mild bodied Connecticut wrapper type of a fellow. Now he enjoys full flavored sticks like the CAO America and Brazilia. Seeing him enjoy that Gurkha was priceless. After every couple draws he would say "dang Kilo, that is nice." That made me think of my first Gurkha and how nothing has compared to them since. Fuente, Ashton, Monti Cristo are all great, but the Gurkhas top my list. Here is a deal I found for me and I hope it works for you also. It is called the Gurkha Clash of the Titans Sampler from Cigar.com.

This sampler puts the Gurkha Heavyweight and Lightweight samplers together for massive savings. Includes one each of the following: Gurkha Titan II, Gurkha Beast, Gurkha Signature Maduro, Gurkha Triple Ligero, Gurkha Legend, Gurkha Beauty, Gurkha Centurian, Gurkha Signature, and Gurkha Regent. A $180.00 value!

You get 10 Gurkhas for 69.95. After you include shipping you are gonna pay less than $8 a stick and get two sweet travel cases. The choice is clear to me - Pay $30 for a single Titan or grab this promo-sampler that includes the Titan, and a Centurian($20 per stick) and 8 more cigars of all shapes and wrappers. That's how this working man does it and it enables me to smoke first class at coach prices.

BTW - My Cigar Blog will be Sparking it Up soon. I am looking for contributors to post thoughts and reviews on any Cigar related topic from taste to taxes! Spanky? James Young? Alton? Am I the ONLY CIGAR SMOKER IN THE VIRGINIA BLOG WORLD?

Technorati Tags: Cigars, Blog

SWVA Blogger's a Buzzin about Brian Patton

My friends Jerry and Alton have discovered Candidate Brian Patton. Actually, Jerry, Alton, and myself have known Brian was a up and coming Democrat to be reckoned with here in the coalfields long before we all met up at the first Blogs United at Martinsville. I poked a little fun at Brian a while back and he replied so check that out. Now straight from candidate Patton's campaign page we bring ya a picture of him in true democratic fashion...Coming at you with both his hands out and a big ole southern grin! Brian needs a bailout! LMAO! Good luck Brian but I endorse your opponent - If anyone  stands up to run against you.

Technorati Tags: Virginia Politics, Democrats, Democrats in Charge, Brian Patton

Garden Mud Pictures-It's not looking good

Click pictures to embiggen

Rain everyday, excuse the weeds...My maters are short but hearty.

A couple weeks of dry 80+ degree weather would do the trick. This years crop consists of 10 Mister Stripeys (my all time favorite mater!), 2 Rutgers (all time canning mater), 4 Golden Jubilee (this is the first time I've grown these-I hear they're awesome)

This is a large golden-orange round beefsteak tomato, Jubilee is an AAS winner from 1943. Indeterminate with 2.25 to 2.75 by 2.5 to 3.5 inch fruits, 6 to 7 ounces in weight. Heavy yields. The plant is tall bushy habit growing to 1.5 metres. The fruit have a mild, non-acid flavor. They are large, globular and smooth with a meaty thick-walled interior. Link

and 2 German Queen plants (I've heard of these giant heirlooms my whole life but this is the first time I found plants!).

...large, pink, beefsteak-type tomato that has an average weight of about a pound. It is a gorgeous tomato with beautiful pink skin and deep red flesh. The flavor is a perfect blend of sugars and acids that produce the rich old-fashioned tomato flavor that we all crave. The large plants are productive over a long period. link

That two pounder may just happen this year! I am growing these girls in a five gallon bucket and they will receive daily attention. I have named her Susie a full round two pound mater is the goal. My green onions are strong and tuff due to the wet cool weather. The half runners are stunted and the corn and peas will have to be replanted if it ever dries up enough. It could be worse..I am blessed to have the garden and be able to work in it. I tell ya, very few things bring me the enjoyment of gardening with a good cigar. If I have to explain it, you wont understand.

Technorati Tags: Gardening, Wise County Virginia, Tomatos, Pictures

The Old Dominion Blog Alliance Welcomes Another New Member

The ODBA welcomes Liz Smith and her blog Cavalcade of Conflictedness.

We are the ODBA!

Technorati Tags: Old Dominion Blog Alliance, Blogging, Virginia

Why do I Love Racing?

Need I say more?

 

Technorati Tags: Buckcherry,NASCAR,TNT

Saturday Night Video - A Little SWAC Flavor

Here is my favorite band as of now -Daily & Vincent singing with the Statler Brother's Jimmy Fortune in his kitchen....PRICELESS

Technorati Tags: Daily & Vincent, Jimmy Fortune, Bluegrass

Dinner Pictures from Spark it Up HQ

Mom is here and so is her homemade veggie soup...Beef, deer, chicken, and every leftover veggie from the past month!

Many people like crackers....I eat my soup over corn bread. Moms corn bread is legend around here.

Y'all Come!

Technorati Tags: Food, Mom

The Old Dominion Blog Alliance Welcomes Red Nova

I want to welcome Red Nova to the ODBA. The blogs mission statement-

Red NoVA – Mission Statement:

1.) Spread the conservative message of common-sense, practical solutions to voters throughout Northern Virginia.

2.) Engage a new generation of voters that relies on the Internet for news and information.

3.) Provide an additional mechanism to organize activists and spur action on behalf of like-minded candidates and key issues.

Our blog seeks to serve as one of the flagship grassroots websites in Northern Virginia and will include information about candidates, grassroots activities, and other topics of interest.  From time to time, we may invite candidates to write posts here and interact with our readers.  We have gathered a broad coalition of local activists and community leaders and look forward to interacting with the voters of Northern Virginia!

We are the ODBA!

Technorati Tags: Old Dominion Blog Alliance, Virginia Politics, Virginia GOP, Blogging

My Family at D-Day

To my uncles Howard, WJ, Andrew and my papaw Charlie. All volunteers that stormed the beaches and lived to come home to tell about it. All of them with bronze stars. Two with silver stars and two with purple hearts. Here is an old news reel that I liked. Honor them!

Technorati Tags: Normandy, D-Day, WW2

Alton - A open letter to Ken Cuccinelli

Alton has a great post up - Convention's Over. Thoughts, Part Two. Or An Open Letter To Ken!

Alton explains the up hill battle facing Ken in the ninth. Ken lost that district and he cant afford to lose it in Nov. Alton makes some points and I have a post in progress on the same subject I will publish Monday morning.

Technorati Tags: Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia Politics, Virginia GOP

Thoughts on the RPV Convention - Pt. Six - It Was Bill Bolling's convention

I read others saying it was Cooch's, but looking at the votes it clearly belonged to Bill Bolling. Bolling withstood the constant attacks from his opponent. Those attacks turned off voters as I wrote here. In the end Bolling was the top vote getter among delegates.

I am a long time Bill Bolling fan. He is in my opinion a stellar Republican and the best speaker our party has here in the Old Dominion. Bill was born here in the coalfields and he understands the people and our problems. And buddy if you have not lived here you will never understand. Make no mistake my friends...This was Bill Bolling's convention. To say otherwise is absurd.

Bill is our strongest candidate and I fully support him. I don't think  the democrats can field a candidate to touch him if we work hard. The delegates have spoken, now we must turn that into a popular statewide vote. With Bill Bolling's record and vision for Virginia it wont be hard to do.

Next up - Cooch

Technorati Tags: Virginia Politics, Virginia GOP, Bill Bolling

Daily and Vincent Live Tonight!

WMMT has the group live tonight at 7:30. Click here to tune in live. Enjoy the best bluegrass has to offer and tellum Kilo sent ya!

Technorati Tags: Bluegrass Gospel

Girl from Wise Advances to VHCL Group A state tennis semifinals

No not my Wise Girl...the JJ Kelly senior is Andi Kilgore.

The formula for success in prep tennis often includes private lessons, years of experience, and expensive equipment.

J.J. Kelly senior Andi Kilgore followed a different route. The do-it-yourself path carried Kilgore to the Region D championship and a berth in today’s Virginia High School League Group A state semifinals at Radford University.

Before her sophomore year, Kilgore attended a party at the home of Kelly tennis coach and long-time tennis enthusiast, Phyllis Wood. Kilgore had been searching for a new sport to play in the spring, and the party sparked her interest.(LINK to the whole story)

The young lady has only been playing a couple years. That makes her story very unusual in the tennis scene. It's a very good story so check it out. A quick note about girls tennis here in Wise -

J.J. Kelly has won eight Group A titles in girls tennis, including seven straight from 1991-1997.
Dera Leigh Stalnaker, daughter of the current Kelly tennis coach, claimed two Group A state doubles titles and advanced to the singles semifinals in the late 1990s. No Kelly girl had advanced to the state semifinals until Kilgore.

Win or loose this lady should be proud. There has always been something special about these Wise Girls! Did I mention this class act was also awarded most valuable player honors in the Lonesome Pine District basketball tournament? A Special young lady indeed.

Technorati Tags: Wise Virginia, JJ Kelly, Wise County Virginia

Governor Kaine to Visit Mountain Rose Vineyard in Wise - Not possible without Mountain Top Removal

Our part time governor will visit my local winery Friday. As he tours the beautiful and productive site he will see the end result of surface mining. Land that was mined and provided jobs and tax revenue many years ago that now is still providing jobs and revenue paired with beauty.

Technorati Tags: Wise County Virginia, Coal, Coal Mining, Wine

Statement of RPV Chairman Pat Mullins on the Democrat Gubernatorial Forum

I like this guy! Take it to them Chairman Mullins. From the email:

“The Democratic candidates for governor showed once again tonight that they are three partisan peas in a pod. They all are pandering to their left-wing base with the same old ideas that put government before people and special interests before jobs. They oppose economic and educational reforms that will create new jobs and opportunities in Virginia. Instead, they support excessive regulation that would destroy jobs and extravagant spending programs that would require higher taxes on Virginia families. There’s not a dime’s worth of difference between these guys. On issue after issue, they simply don’t offer Democrat primary voters a real choice next week. But fortunately, all Virginians will have a true choice this November because Bob McDonnell is offering a positive agenda that will foster new businesses, new jobs and new opportunities throughout Virginia. Bob McDonnell will be a jobs governor and the strong bipartisan leader we need to guide our state out of these difficult times.”

I voted for the other guy not because I disliked Mullins, but I really thought a message needed to be sent to the SCC and the party elites that the grassroots would not be bullied. When he was inserted as chairman by the SCC I noticed the email updates the chairman started issuing were top shelf. His speech at the RPV convention was very good and the vote showed the voters wanted him to lead. He is the man for the job and he has my support. On to victory in November!

Technorati Tags: Virginia Politics, Virginia GOP, Pat Mullins

Thoughts on the RPV Convention - Pt. Five - My Hero and UCV

I got to chat with my dear Flora! She is the blogmom of that rowdy bunch over at United Conservatives of Virginia. We had time for a great chat during smoke breaks and the two hours for the vote count. I love this lady and Wise Girl will tell you I will never pass up an opportunity to see Flora. I did not get a picture but here is a old one of me and my hero. Lady you ROCK!

Stand the Storm she says. I say hurry up and get back to blogging. Wise Girl and I miss you!

Technorati Tags: Virginia GOP, Virginia Politics

Hell Yeah! Audit the Federal Reserve

Ron Paul has HR1207 and the bill now has 182 cosponsors.

Congressman from Virginia cosponsoring the bill so far include : Rep Goodlatte, Bob [VA-6], Rep Forbes, J. Randy [VA-4], Rep Perriello, Thomas S.P. [VA-5], Rep Wittman, Robert J. [VA-1]

Call your congressman and support the The Federal Reserve Transparency Act. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

Technorati Tags: Politics, Virginia Politics

Alton and Kilo - Barbarians at the Gate?

You be the judge.

And about Alton's yard that takes 18 hours to mow.

Technorati Tags: Alton, Kilo, Blogging

About that Abortion Doctors murder

Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword

Technorati Tags: Abortion, Murder

Thoughts on the RPV Convention - Pt. Four - The Frederick Supporters

After all the pissing and moaning over the State Central Committee's removal of Chairman Frederick what did the grassroots do....They Supported and Elected the man the SCC placed in Frederick's chair. That's right! After all the months of bullshit they patted the SCC on the back and said "you were right all along"  or was I right all along when I posted Frederick did not have the support the blogs portrayed him as having? Take your pick while I fight off the gag reflex....

Technorati Tags: Virginia GOP, Virginia Politics, Jeff Frederick

Palin Bingo?

ODBA blogger Rob Schilling has a scoop - Sarah Palin mocked, “globalist” indoctrination promoted in Albemarle County middle school classroom. He starts off with:

Over the years, we have received numerous complaints about liberal Charlottesville City and Albemarle County teachers indoctrinating captive government school students in violation of the respective divisions’ policies.

However, as students and their parents with minority political viewpoints are fearful of classroom and administrative retribution for reporting such infractions, hard evidence has been hard to come by.

But now, The Schilling Show brings you these exclusive and potentially incriminating pictures of Margie Shepherd’s Henley Middle School classroom number 47. Read it all.

Rob has the pictures and he breaks it down for you. No ten commandments, no Christmas, but Palin Bingo is acceptable? Sickening.

Technorati Tags: Sarah Palin, Virginia, Virginia Politics, Charlottesville City and Albemarle County Dumb Asses

Thoughts on the RPV Convention - Pt.Three - How do you feel?

I asked a man I admire very much how he felt about the convention. He replied:

"I am fighting a gag reflex"

That made me smile at first. Then after some thought I realized I was also fighting the gag reflex. I used my friend's statement while talking with several people and they were also suffering with the gag reflex....I swear it was going around.

Technorati Tags: Virginia GOP, Virginia Politics

Thoughts on the RPV Convention - Pt.Two - The Worst....

The absolute worst thing about the RPV Convention 2009 was Patrick Muldoon. His speech was in bad taste and in my opinion he lost any hope for a statewide office in the future. Except for the 20% that supported him he turned off delegates faster than light switch with his 10 min speech. So long Patrick. I for one hope I never hear from him again. Yes it was that bad.

Technorati Tags: Virginia GOP, Virginia Politics

Thoughts on the RPV Convention - Pt.One

I was there as a delegate for Wise County first, blogger second. Wise County had nose bleed seats as I expected. I sat behind my fellow ODBA member Adam Tolbert and his group from Smyth County. They were above the group from Scott Co. so Terry Kilgore was around often visiting his mom. We had three SWVA counties sitting right together and that made for a good time. As Alton said here the biggest complaints were stairs and getting good directions from coliseum staff. Not to mention the price gouging venders on a captive audience. I saw people purchase food outside only to be told they could not take the food inside. There were a few hot people over that. Me, I carried my drinks in and out all day and no one said a word. No joke, I walked around people being denied access with their food and drink! I guess those little press pass thingies do open doors!

Bloggers row was TOP NOTCH! Thank You SWAC GIRL. Thank you RPV. Bloggers had great seats and other than a few power losses, etc. it was the best seat in the house with a great blogging set up. Front row for Hannity and the best damn speaker at the convention - Adnan Barqawi. He made the day for me.(more on bloggers later)

I think the convention as a whole was carried off well. It was a large scale production so common sense tells you some people were disappointed. If you were one of those people, I suggest you volunteer your time next go around.

Go Bob, Bill, and Ken !!!

I have a lot to say so there will be many posts coming. Some are long, others will be a line or two. the next couple will be about bloggers and some things said at the event that made me smile.

Technorati Tags: Virginia GOP, Virginia Politics