Lt. Gov. For Sale

A Report from The Palmetto Scoop:

The Christmas season is truly a time for charity. And judging by a website that has recently popped-up, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer may be in need of some serious financial assistance.

In an incredibly odd move, Bauer has launched AndreChristmas.com, which quietly went online sometime in the last 72 hours offering “unique gifts for your Southern gent.”

But, rather than “unique gifts,” it appears to be a bunch of overpriced crap Bauer doesn’t want anymore — such as paintings that range from $975 to $1950 — and “exclusive” items like a $1500 deer/hog hunt for two. Oh, boy.

It’s basically Google meets your grandmother’s garage sale meets South of the Border.

You can see the site here.
The items are "contributions to the Andre Bauer campaign" and "Individual contributions must not exceed $3500 per election cycle."

Arts Council's Christmas Shoppe

Thursday, December 4th will mark the beginning of Black Creek Arts Council's Second Annual Christmas Shoppe. The event, which features local, regional, and national artists, will last until December 6th and will be held at the Black Creek Arts Center on College Avenue.

The Christmas Shoppe kicks off with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, continues from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, and concludes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free on all three days.

While parents shop, kids will also have an avenue for enjoyment. Michelle Morris will be offering a holiday ornament-making class. The class will be offered during the opening reception and will cost $4. Students will be allowed to start as they arrive.

Along with ornament-making, kids will also be able to visit with Santa Claus. Santa will be making a visit from the North Pole to the Arts Center for the opening reception. Santa will be available for photographs.

The artists selling in the Christmas Shoppe are: Suzanne Muldrow (photography), Mike Gann & Laurie Brown (glassware), Mary Lou Bailey (hand-built pottery), Barbara Watson (hand-thrown pottery), Sammy Clark (pottery), Beth Wicker (handmade jewelry, mixed media fiber and silk paintings), Theresa Truett Rogol (handmade jewelry), Patrick Showalter (handmade soap), Dianna Herrera-Keller (handmade jewelry), and Dyana Flax (customized mirrors), John Herth (hand-carved wooden decoys of ducks and fish).

The Black Creek Arts Center is located at 116 W. College Avenue in Hartsville. For more information, contact Bruce Douglas at 843.332.6234.

Antique Saddles and Other Western Gear on Display

A rare treat is in store for visitors to this year’s Jacob Kelley House Guild’s Open House on Sunday, December 7. Goz and Pat Segars will have on display their collection of antique western saddles and other western artifacts. The collection includes 30 saddles dating from 1863 to the present.

The Christmas Open House is scheduled for December 7th from 3 to 5 pm. In addition to the western display, the Kelley House will be decorated for the season, and the Hartsville Chamber Ensemble will perform a cappella selections of favorite Christmas carols. Bill Segars will be on hand with a portion of his extensive collection of historic church photographs.

For more information on these events and others in Darlington County contact: darcotour@bellsouth.net or call 888-427-8720.

Christmas Wars Starting Now

According to Fox News, the Christmas Wars are starting now as the American Humanist Association starts a $40,000 ad campaign on Washington, D.C., buses. The ads proclaim: "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake."

From the story

"We are trying to reach our audience, and sometimes in order to reach an audience, everybody has to hear you," said Fred Edwords, spokesman for the humanist group. "Our reason for doing it during the holidays is there arhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife an awful lot of agnostics, atheists and other types of non-theists who feel a little alone during the holidays because of its association with traditional religion."
...
In the past five years, groups such as the American Family Association and the Catholic League have criticized or threatened boycotts of retailers who use generic "holiday" greetings.
...
In mid-October, the American Family Association started selling buttons that say "It's OK to say Merry Christmas." The humanists' entry into the marketplace of ideas did not impress AFA president Tim Wildmon.

More on the Christmas Wars can be found at the Pew Forum, at Alternet, at MediaMatters and at Christianity Today.

2008 White House Christmas ornament

The 2008 White House Christmas ornament honoring the presidency of Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893), the twenty-third president of the United States was inspired by the Harrison family’s Victorian Christmas tree, the first recorded tree to decorate the White House. The ornament, the 28th in a series started by the White House Historical Association in 1981 presents the White House as a family home.

The cost of the ornament is $16.95 plus packing and delivery and can be ordered from the White House Historical Association, P.O. Box 96586, Washington, D.C. 20090-6586, or you can call toll free 1-800-555-2451, or visit online at www.whitehousehistory.org. Each of the 27 ornaments (from 1981-2007) is also available, along with educational brochures.

The White House Historical Association was established in 1961as a non-profit organization to enhance the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the White House. All proceeds from its trusts and sales of ornaments, publications and other association products are used to fund acquisitions of historic furnishings and art works for the permanent White House collection, assist in the preservation of the public rooms, and further its educational mission.