Sunday, August 17, 2008

Mad Mad World Comics: Big Mix Up























(Click to enlarge)
by: The All-Knowing Head

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Random Lancaster Video: Noah and the Rubix Cube

Random YouTube video from Lancaster, SC:
A boy solves a Rubix Cube in less than a minute.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Damsel In Distress: 29seven20's First Life Saved!

On a recent visit to Goodale State Park (in Camden, SC), we were heading back on the canoe trail when we heard someone yelling "Help!"... "I'm in the water!!"....

Considering the fact that whoever was screaming for assistance was also sharing the water with 100+ alligators, we quickly Marco-Poloed our way to the damsel in distress... she had rowed over something and flipped out of her canoe (she'd been rowing solo and said the water was so deep that she never touched bottom when she fell out of the boat). Luckily she was able to find an underwater tree stump to stand on; she stood on one foot, mid-thigh in swampy water with her oar wedged between two birdhouses to keep her balance.

After a quick assessment of the situation, we determined: a) none of us were eagle scouts... and b) 5 people overboard would be 5x worse than 1 person overboard.

Rather than join her in the murky water, my crew decided it would be best to rush back to shore to alert the park ranger. We careened through the hairpin turns, impressed with our canoe-navigating ability... once the canoe slid onto shore, we jumped out, ran to the car, drove to the park ranger's house, banged on the door and let him know what was going on.

Within minutes, a police officer was on the scene. We filled him in... he called for backup over his walkie talkie:

*static* "Get down to Goodale- we're going out in a boat"
pause *static* "WHAT?"
*static* "Down here at Goodale State Park... we're goin' in the water"

Two more officers arrived – along with the park ranger, who had determined a plan of action: they would take two Jon Boats, pull the lady out of the water, and the ranger would recover the canoe. We sat on the shore, watching the mouth of the canoe trail... and about an hour later they appeared. The pictures tell the rest.
______________________________________

Author's Note: Bizarre. But true. Main photo courtesy of Marie Mills.

Robbed Of History: Courthouse Burns

Early on the morning of August 4, 2008, flames engulfed the Lancaster County Courthouse. Over 50% of the building was destroyed, including the original judge's bench.

The Lancaster County Courthouse was constructed in 1828 and was designed by Robert Mills, the same architect who designed the Washington Monument. The building was of the Classic Revival period, a common architectural style of the day.


Arson is suspected and officials remain careful of the details released about the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Arson Hotline at 1-800-92-ARSON.

National Register of Historic Places (Courthouse Photos)
  • The last known witchcraft trial in the United States is reported to have taken place on the site in 1813.
  • In 1865, General William Sherman's Union troops burned probate records in the courthouse.
  • The first Confederate monument in the South was erected on the courthouse grounds in 1909.
  • Registered with the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Recipe: Dark Chocolate Mousse

Treat yourself to something truly rich. This dark, velvety dessert is a decadent way to end any meal. Makes 5 servings.

Thanks to Melanie for submitting this recipe!

[-INGREDIENTS-]


-1 (12.3-oz) package silken tofu, drained
-3 ounces high quality bittersweet chocolate chips
-1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
(preferably Dutch-processed)

-1/4 cup water
-1 tablespoon brandy
-1/2 cup sugar
-Non-dairy whipped cream for topping
-fresh strawberries (optional)



[-DIRECTIONS-]
  • In a blender or food processor, puree the tofu until it is smooth.
  • Put the chocolate chips, cocoa powder, 1/4 cup water and brandy in a saucepan or heat-proof bowl fitted over a pot containing 1-inch barely simmering water. Stir frequently, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Mix in 1/2 cup of sugar, a little at a time, until smooth.
  • Add the chocolate mixture to the tofu and puree until smooth and well blended. Spoon the mousse into serving dishes, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream and a strawberry and serve.
NOTE: Photo courtesy of Melanie Knight. Recipe from Ellie Krieger www.foodnetwork.com

Carolina Bistro & Billiards

9789 Charlotte Hwy. (Hwy. 521)
Suite 1100
Fort Mill, SC 29707
803-802-3915
Mon-Fri: 11am-2am
Saturday: 11am-12am


Offering a unique blend of delightful dining, special libations, and wine combined with six vintage pool tables. Located in northernmost tip of Indian Land (just south of Southern Spirits, behind Bojangles).

Visit Website For More Info



Monday, August 4, 2008

Notable Folk: Shawn Crawford

Shawn Crawford (a native of Van Wyck, SC) is currently competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Shawn won Olympic Gold as a sprinter at the Athens Games in 2004.

Crawford maintains a light-hearted approach to competition; on 'Man vs. Beast' he raced a giraffe and won. The zebra, however, left Shawn in its dust. "It was painful," says Crawford- but he believes he can beat the zebra in a rematch.

Shawn is a graduate of Indian Land High School and Clemson University. When not competing, he resides in Los Angeles, CA.

2008 Bejing Athlete
USA Track & Field
Clemson Photos 1 2
Buy A Framed Print
Wikipedia

  • Gold / 2004 Athens Olympics / 200 m
  • Silver / 2004 Athens Olympics / 4x100 m relay
  • Bronze / 2001 Edmonton World / 200 m
  • The infamous 'Mask Race': In 2002, Crawford came across a "Phantom of the Opera" mask. He decided he liked the look and wanted to wear one while competing. So he planned to wear a mask for the 200-meter dash at an IAAF meet in Milan. Unfortunately, on the way to the finish line, the mask dislodged. Crawford couldn't see. He veered out of his lane and got disqualified. Crawford still doesn't understand what happened, explaining that he even stuck his head out of his car window on the way to the airport as a precaution. Courtesy ESPN
  • Shawn Crawford will compete in the men's 200 meter on August 19, 2008. Click here for the 2008 Olympic Event Schedule.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Mad Mad World Comics: Save The Planet























(Click to enlarge)
by: The All-Knowing Head

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Shiloh SONshine Preschool

346 Shiloh Unity Rd.
Lancaster, SC 29720
803-416-8434
Mon-Fri: 8:30am-11:20am

One of Lancaster's leading preschools. Offering a loving, patient, Christian environment for children 2-4.


Visit Website For More Info

Canoe: N.R. Goodale State Park

At the other end of a 40-minute drive from Lancaster awaits one of the area's best-kept secrets: N.R. Goodale State Park. The 763-acre park, located in Camden, is home to tall cypress trees, pitcher plants, blue herons, white egrets, and over 100 alligators. Yes– ALLIGATORS... one of which is 12 feet long and named "Elvis."




We didn't see Elvis on this trip and I won't pretend to be disappointed. When all that's between you and nature is, well– nothing, you tend to want to steer clear of things that could possibly eat you... although I do secretly crave any excuse to scream "Crikey!!"

The park really ups the ante on your odds of being eaten by offering canoe rentals. When we asked the ranger if it was mating season, he told us we had missed it, but were right on time for 'hungry season.' I don't think he was joking, either. There were lots of white feathers floating on the surface of the pond... were these from an egret? a flock of seagulls? or Elvis's jumpsuit?

We followed the maze-like trail through the swamp, our eyes peeled for the next trail marker. Navigating past the bumpy cypress knees, it was easy to convince ourselves that every floating log was an alligator lying in wait. Luckily, we had no close encounters on this outing and tried our best to not slam our canoes into any of the wasp, bee and hornet nests that bordered the trail at every turn (note to self: pack Benadryl next time, just in case).

After arriving back at shore in one piece, we explored several of the trails that border the pond. A waterfall spilled pond water into a small creek... the man-made pond was originally created for a grist mill in the Civil War-era (one of the grinding stones is next to the boat rental office). Many people fished on the bank, encouraged by bass who surfaced to perform lazy belly-flops in the blazing sun. Further down the path was a rock dam surrounded by cat tails. We sat on the rocks, basking in the sun much like gators do– until a small panic ensued– a member of our party thought he'd found a leach on his foot, which turned out to be just a soggy, dead dragonfly.

Don't miss out on this park! Take a posse and pack a big lunch. Seriously consider leaving the fried chicken at home– it may be one culinary appreciation you and the gators have in common.

N.R. Goodale State Park
Palmetto Paddlers
Weather Outlook
Wildernet.com / SCwildlife.com
Goodale one of America's Top 25 Canoeing Spots!
______________________________________

Directions from Lancaster:
Take Hwy 521 through Kershaw and continue toward Camden. Upon entering downtown Camden, turn right onto DeKalb St/Hwy 1 and drive 3 mi. Turn right onto Stagecoach Rd. and drive 2.4 miles. Turn left onto Park Rd. and look for park signs. Park entrance is .2 miles on the right.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Mad Mad World Comics: World's First Tour Bus























(Click to enlarge)

by: The All-Knowing Head

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Who Needs Quarters?

Now Playing on Youtube: a little girl crawls inside a vending machine at The Catawba Fish Camp...

(this video also appeared on Inside Edition, truTV, and David Letterman)

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Notable Folk: Darrell Shropshire

Darrell Shropshire is a defensive tackle who plays in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons (2005-2006). His uniform number is 71.

Shropshire grew up in Kershaw, South Carolina and attended Andrew Jackson High School, where he starred for the football team, playing defensive end, running back and tight end. Shropshire also starred on the basketball team, playing center

After high school, Darrell Shropshire attended Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, KS for two years before returning to his home state and transferring to the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC for the 2003 season.

ESPN Stats
Atlanta Falcons
Wikipedia

  • As a Gamecock, Shropshire started all 12 games as a junior at defensive tackle racking up 35 total tackles (17 solo), with four tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries, and four pass break ups. As a senior, Shropshire had 28 total tackles (19 solo), 4.5 tackles for a loss, and one quarterback hurry.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Mad Mad World Comics: Evolutionary Misconception























(Click to enlarge)

by: The All-Knowing Head

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Mad Mad World Comics: Degree of Certainty























(Click to enlarge)

by: The All-Knowing Head
 

blog maintained by nu | a creative service co. any questions or suggestions please contact 29seven20blog@gmail.com