http://www.horrycountynow.com Mon, 6 Feb 2012 21:23:58 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/460/23/the-april-verch-trio-will-play-the-turnage-theater.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/460/23/the-april-verch-trio-will-play-the-turnage-theater.html For Immediate Release

April's recent main stage performance in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver confirms her status as one of Canada's virtuoso fiddlers, and the Turnage Theater is proud to bring her to their stage on Friday, January 14th at 8pm.

When you see April Verch perform, the first thing that strikes you is the pure energy that infuses her fiddle playing and step dancing. When you listen to her though, what draws you in are more subtle things--her ... Read More]]> Wed, 5 Jan 2011 15:36:37 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/459/23/jazz-holiday-more-than-just-a-concert.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/459/23/jazz-holiday-more-than-just-a-concert.html IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 15, 2011 at the Turnage Theater

East Coast Jazz Revue will ring in the new year with "A Jazz Holiday" - a concert and music workshop at Washington's historic Turnage Theater on Main Street on Saturday, January 15, 2011. Opening at the Turnage during the Martin Luther King (MLK) Holiday offers the entire community - jazz aficionados, students, area residents and the curious - a celebration through music. The impact of jazz is captured on the Turnage Theater's website:... Read More]]> Wed, 5 Jan 2011 15:36:30 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/458/55/every-picture-tells-a-story-don-t-it-a-christmas-snow-part-ii.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/458/55/every-picture-tells-a-story-don-t-it-a-christmas-snow-part-ii.html On December 26, 2010 Eastern North Carolina was treated to a rare Christmas Storm that was quite beautiful, and well worth the time to record in images. This story in pictures, here below is my second batch of this unusual; but most seasonal affair.

I begin with a continuation from the heavy, blowing snow of the previous day, December 26, 2010, as I made these images along the Pamlico River waterfront in Washington, NC. The snow encrusted John Havens Moss Mill: Above. The railway between th... Read More]]> Mon, 3 Jan 2011 17:15:49 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/457/69/does-daily-news-deserve-the-public-s-trust-or-that-of-special-interest.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/457/69/does-daily-news-deserve-the-public-s-trust-or-that-of-special-interest.html It's settled. The Washington Daily News editorial team is better equipped for politics than a democratic election.

One month and 17 days after three incumbent commissioners overwhelmingly defeated three contenders for their seats on the Beaufort County board, and one incumbent commissioner gave an N.C. Senator a run for his money, the Daily News published an article with the questioning title "Has board lost public's trust," regarding the board's role in determining the future of the financi... Read More]]> Mon, 3 Jan 2011 17:15:44 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/456/68/darwin-awards-top-10-least-evolved-humans-of-2010.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/456/68/darwin-awards-top-10-least-evolved-humans-of-2010.html It's that magical time of year again when the Darwin Awards are bestowed, honoring the least evolved among us. Here is the glorious winner for 2010:

1. When his 38 caliber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a hold-up in Long Beach, California, would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked.

And now, the honorable mentions:

2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger ... Read More]]> Mon, 3 Jan 2011 17:15:39 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/455/19/where-will-the-best-health-care-come-from.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/455/19/where-will-the-best-health-care-come-from.html Publisher's Note: We do very much appreciate this fine article on the BRHS debacle from our friends of the Beaufort Observer.

Beaufort County Medical Center

As we enter the short rows in the Hospital debate, one of the things we've been asked about and keep hearing some people talk about is how much better the quality of health care will be with one provider than another. In the interest of informed community debate we have done some research on the question of how the quality of medical ca... Read More]]> Mon, 3 Jan 2011 17:15:33 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/454/55/every-picture-tells-a-story-don-t-it-a-christmas-snow-part-i.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/454/55/every-picture-tells-a-story-don-t-it-a-christmas-snow-part-i.html This Christmas season, a rare snowstorm provided one last parting gift to the children and adults alike, who still possess a sense of constant wander, and it was gloriously beautiful. The fine powder was some of the most beautiful frozen precipitation I have ever witnessed in the measure of about 6 inches. The way it stuck to the branches of the trees in my little world was simply breathtaking. I could be part of the reason why I took so many pictures.

Included in this photo montage is the ... Read More]]> Mon, 3 Jan 2011 17:15:28 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/453/16/every-picture-tells-a-story-don-t-it-the-southern-north-carolina-coast-part-iv.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/453/16/every-picture-tells-a-story-don-t-it-the-southern-north-carolina-coast-part-iv.html The many birds, some Gulls and Pelicans, that inhabit these sandy islands just east of the ferry route: Above and below.

Along the waterfront in Southport, one sees a plethora of activity: the even longer Bald Head Island Ferry - above - the laughter of a small child feeding the Sea Gulls -below.

Along the waterfront streets of Southport, North Carolina, one can find a these public places on the water - this one with a dock: Above. Many beautiful homes stand upon the edge of these wat... Read More]]> Mon, 3 Jan 2011 17:15:22 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/452/16/every-picture-tells-a-story-don-t-it-the-southern-north-carolina-coast-part-iii.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/452/16/every-picture-tells-a-story-don-t-it-the-southern-north-carolina-coast-part-iii.html These berms are actually the northern wall of the former earthen fort, known as Shepherd's Battery, that have been ravaged by time and erosion: Above. The rear of this redoubt allowed entry to the interior of the earthen mound and the battery that rest on the zenith of the battlement: Below.

Looking northwest along the boardwalk toward the savanna of salt marsh that edges the Cape Fear River: Above. It's home below the mounds of spoils separating young confederate defenders of the Cape Fear... Read More]]> Mon, 3 Jan 2011 17:06:04 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/451/16/every-picture-tells-a-story-don-t-it-the-southern-north-carolina-coast-part-ii.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/451/16/every-picture-tells-a-story-don-t-it-the-southern-north-carolina-coast-part-ii.html This pictorial is a continuation of the one we didon November 8, 2010 entitled "Every Picture Tells a Story ... Don't it:" The Southern North Carolina Coast: Part I. As I mentioned earlier in the previous article, this was one of the hottest days of the year, and would have been unbearable if I had not been in such a beautiful location.

As the days turn shorter and much colder, I love to hearken back to the long days of summer, when i dressed light, and wrung every bit of life I could out of... Read More]]> Mon, 3 Jan 2011 16:59:54 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/450/17/artificial-intelligence.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/450/17/artificial-intelligence.html "David is 11 years old. He weighs 60 pounds. He is 4 feet, 6 inches tall. He has brown hair. His love is real. But he is not."

Artificial Intelligence is possibly the most misunderstood, underappreciated movie of all time. The late-Stanley Kubrick/Steven Spielberg hybrid feels whole, where their other independent cinematic creations are lacking. The collaboration of these iconic directors resulted in a complete conversation on human existence, where science and faith, depravity and innocenc... Read More]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:37:33 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/449/17/the-fountain.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/449/17/the-fountain.html "Therefore, the Lord God banished Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden and placed a flaming sword to protect the tree of life. - Genesis 3:24"

The Fountain is a movie for people who are willing to consider the profound. I would hope that all of us struck with the human condition were interested in the topics of romantic love, universal spirituality and the concepts of time and death; but that is just not so. Since its release in 2006, The Fountain has only amassed $15,978,422 worldwide. Man... Read More]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:37:26 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/448/22/obama-to-sign-bill-repealing-don-t-ask-don-t-tell.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/448/22/obama-to-sign-bill-repealing-don-t-ask-don-t-tell.html For the first time in American history, gay, lesbian and bisexual service members can justifiably look forward to being able to openly serve in the United States Military, as soon as President Barack Obama signs today's successful bill repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," more formally known as Defense Directive 1304.26. This is a huge victory for Obama, who campaigned on the promise of repeal, as well as the LGBT community, putting them one step closer to equal rights.

Earlier this afternoon, th... Read More]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:37:17 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/447/62/abortion-where-conscience-meets-the-womb.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/447/62/abortion-where-conscience-meets-the-womb.html Back in October, I received an email from Patriot Update which listed the 11 enemies of "Life" in the U.S. Congress - those who voted for, or supported - the largest expansion of taxpayer-funded abortion in American history. They wanted to use our hard-earned tax dollars to pay for insurance coverage for abortions, a procedure that too many find offensive to their conscience. The 11 representatives listed in the email were: Baron Hill (IN-9), John Boccieri (OH-16), Chris Carney (PA-10), Paul Ka... Read More]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:37:07 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/446/25/political-cycle-of-shame.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/446/25/political-cycle-of-shame.html Politics in Beaufort County have always been like the step-child of dysfunctional parenting. Election after election is analogous to the generational cycle of the domestic violence in bad families. Ultimately, one can only break the cycle of this sorry state of affairs when they leave the family, and never turn back.

In my 14 years of serving as a Beaufort County Commissioner, I have seen, first hand, these step-children born as the sorry products of each election, and it just never chan... Read More]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:37:01 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/445/68/got-to-laugh.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/445/68/got-to-laugh.html Publisher's Note: In this latest submission of funny stuff from Diane Rufino, we take a humorous look at who have become the stupidest people on the face of the Earth - Islamic Jihadists. These quirky folks are the world's slowest, most accessible targets for a variety of reasons, not least of which, they are: racist, sexist, cruel beyond all present day norms, fabulous liars, murderous xenophobes, and, beyond all the aforementioned, and I mention it once again, egregiously stupid.

Suicide ... Read More]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:36:56 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/444/42/french-fries-and-freedom-fries-enjoy-guilt-free-romance.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/444/42/french-fries-and-freedom-fries-enjoy-guilt-free-romance.html With each meal, I am more and more convinced that happy eating is healthy eating. The stress produced by keeping to a strict, joyless diet is more damaging to your body, from my experience, than eating, say, fats or carbs every once in a while. A burger and fries may sound like an invitation to obesity or a heart attack; but not eating a burger and fries is a definite summons to every illness for which stress is listed as a causing factor.

Perhaps the thought of ingesting calories, however, str... Read More]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:36:51 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/443/23/another-big-band-christmas-at-the-turnage-theater.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/443/23/another-big-band-christmas-at-the-turnage-theater.html For Immediate Release:

After a tremendous 2009 Washington debut, The Tar River Swing Band will be returning for its second performance of "It's a Big Band Christmas" at the recently revitalized Turnage Theater in Downtown Washington on Friday, Dec. 17th at 8:00 PM.

At the helm of the Tar River Swing Band will be Big Band veteran John Wacker who recently took over as director. Dr. Wacker, an associate professor of percussion at East Carolina University School of Music, brings years of big ban... Read More]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:36:45 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/442/71/the-smell-of-coffee-is-in-the-air-and-it-s-not-even-monday-morning.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/442/71/the-smell-of-coffee-is-in-the-air-and-it-s-not-even-monday-morning.html Actually the smell of coffee has been in the air most of this Sunday, and not because I normally drink coffee all day. Today the smell of coffee is in the air because I have brewed many pots of Eight O'clock Columbian Dark Roast. Why you might ask, when I am long past studying for college exams?

The answer to your potential query is that I am making a liqueur - a coffee liqueur.

Each year for the past three, I have made at least one batch, often two batches, of my coffee liqueur each wi... Read More]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:36:39 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/441/63/a-dickens-of-a-time.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/441/63/a-dickens-of-a-time.html In just about 60 minutes at the Turnage Theater, Friday night, December 3, 2010, we got a glimpse of who Charles Dickens was, and what possessed him to create his Christmas opus, "A Christmas Carol." I sat transfixed in my seat in the balcony of the renovated former theater, mesmerized by the palpable presentation of the one act, one man play "A Night Before Christmas Carol."

"A Night Before Christmas Carol" is the brainchild of Elliot Engel, Charles Dickens scholar, who is published extensiv... Read More]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:36:32 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/440/70/free-constitutional-seminar.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/440/70/free-constitutional-seminar.html Press Release:

Washington, NC: The Beaufort County Committee for Constitutional Studies will hold a Free Seminar on Saturday, January 8th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Harvest Church in Washington. If you would like to learn about the Constitution and those who wrote it please register for this special seminar. Join the Beaufort County Committee for Constitutional Studies at Harvest Church located at 2021 W. 15th Street in Washington, NC.

There is a $10 donation for the study guide (make checks pay... Read More]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:36:27 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/439/18/winter-s-bone.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/439/18/winter-s-bone.html A Splash of Hope Painted Upon a Bleak Landscape

This is a story that, at first, one may question whether it should even be told. At the end of the film, one realizes that it had to be told, if only to give hope that there can be an unlikely hero in most all circumstances. Her family depended on it, whether they realized it or not, and Ree Dolly aimed to deliver come Hell or high water.

Nineteen year old actress Jennifer Lawrence played 17 year old Ree Dolly as if she knew exactly who the ... Read More]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:36:21 EST http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/438/49/all-good-things.html http://www.horrycountynow.com/post/438/49/all-good-things.html When the Father Spawns a Bad Seed

We all pay. In this instance it was those that were brought into the family of David Marks. Matrimonial bliss ... not hardly.

The film opens with the strikingly masculine figure of a woman in a bad blond wig struggling with heavy packages enveloped in an assortment of containers on an old county road bridge in the deep of a very dark night: Foreboding of evil tidings, foreshowing events that symbolize depravity that is the psyche of the bad seed of an ... Read More]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:36:12 EST