Posted via Pixelpipe.

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Of course, no summer break could start without swim lessons. Hey Dad!

Summer is here, and the pool is open! Yee Hawl!

Here are the "undefeated' Blueclaws, of Ridgeland just prior to their second win of the season. Head Coach Jerrod Blalock, back row, center. GO BLUECLAWS!

One fast Ridgeland High Schooler getting a "3-peet" in the State track meet recently held.

Bianca Knight is a Ridgeland star athlete, who gets a "tip of the hat" from the Weblog. She has run better times in Mississippi and elsewhere than she turned in at Friday's Class 4A state track and field meet.

Still, the nationally ranked Ridgeland sophomore clearly was the day's star, tripling in the 100, 200 and 400 meters for a third consecutive year.

Knight was timed in 11.70 seconds in the 100, clocked 24.13 in the 200 and ran 55.77 in the 400. While all three times were slower than Knight's state meet performances as a freshman, she came up with a good reason for Friday's mediocre showing.
"I'm really not in shape yet," said Knight, who is nationally ranked among the top five in the 200 and 400 by dyestat.com. "As usual, I run my fastest times in the summer. I was just trying to win today."

Ridgeland's lack of a track has hampered Knight's progress this season, she said, but that will change in July with the scheduled completion of the school's brand-new facility. Congrats, Bianca, and we hope your new track will be finished soon!

Thanks to all, and the Campground is shut down. It was a hard fought race, but over. Whew!

Toler keeping the banner's waving and getting the full experience of working for the vote! Great job, Toler!

Dawn, election day, and Camp "Vote for Chuck" is just getting set up. Here is Joel learing to master the "splincter washer" ribbon tying method.....

Wait! the party was not a total loss, I found an enviromental biologist and his wife. He likes the idea, but lives in another part of the Metro Area. Oh well....

So no one at this party was interested in my plan for a tree ordinance. I suppose since I was the only one not drinking, my pleas to save canopy, stop erosion, and help our fair city fell on deaf ears. Notice closely the two women hiding so that I could not see them snickering at me!

The "Green Party" candidate comes out of the closet!

I have been told everything from "Howdy Ralph Nader" to "You'll need to run in the general election, as the Green Party does not have an Executive Committee, Chuck". Well, I can assure you that I am indeed a Republican, and this issue is supported by more Republicans than I can count. In fact, I can't wait to make sure a certain neighbor who asked me about tree protection nearly 4 years ago, has an opponent's sign up, and had a John Kerry sign up in the general election thinks about this.... Well, any way The Madison County Herald's article pretty much sums up the tree ordinance proposed. However, the main thing I want to see is (1) some tree mitigation on new developments, and (2) An effort to use existing desirable trees in developer's plans, and (3) No more stripping or clear cutting of lots just because you want to let people know you have a parcel of land for sale. Tell me what you think, but we will have a public hearing on June 16th, and be publishing a copy soon for the public to discuss, criticize, or show support.

$$Half Billion Dollar Investment May Improve Saint Andrews' Facility

H.C. Bailey's Development on the Highland Colony Parkway(Old Agency Square) has recently made an offer to the Saint Andrew's Board Directors to help comply with DEQ Stormwater rention/mitigation plans. The way I understand it, they have two options- Improve drainage culverts considerably at a tremendous cost, or use some land elsewhere in the immediate area to retain water that will be flowing off the future development. It appears that they have made a great offer to SA that will help the private school, but it is not a decision for me to make. Here is a link to the Northside Sun Article that gives more details... What do you think?

"Sir, if you try to kiss my baby, I'll shove you in the pool" Actually, this is a shot of some friends who joined us at The Parkerhouse Restaurant for an evening of fun and fundraising.

It is sometimes amazing what you will find while out knocking on doors. This anononymous Wendover resident thought I was from the SPCA, or some other animal rights group, when I knocked on her door. She had a squirrel infestation, and took advantage of some small animal traps to catch a couple of unwanted and uninvited guests...

Donna Yowell, Executive Director of the Mississippi Urban Forrestry Council

Today is Earthday

Well, as you might notice from the times of the postings, I have to catch up sometimes quite early, when the children are sleeping, and I am not... Anyway, here's a great link from Yahoo,of things you can do to celebrate Earthday, which is today, Friday, April 22nd, and if you are in the mood to help plant a few trees, as well as entertain your senses, then go to "Releaf and Rhythms". Here is a link from the Madison County Herald, who helped promote the event, and Here is some text from Donna Yowell I was sent to help promote the event as well:


Releaf and Rhythms will be held again this year in celebration of the 35thEarth Day, on April 22 2005 (6 PM-12 PM).
The celebration will include a concert using local musicians, approximately 15 musicians- all jamming together; at Phillips on the reservoir. Artist and writers exhibiting their work. Food and drinks will be provided byPhillips, with $10 cover charge.The proceeds will be used to plant trees at schools throughout the metroarea. Last year as a result of the event and with your help we planted(with the Farish district kids) 13 trees in the Farish street district and 6 at other needy locations in honor of local musicians. A dedication ceremony iscoming in May with Sam Myers and BB and others- will keep you posted.
We will plant trees in the artists/writers honor this time.
We need sponsors the help pay for the band and the trees. We also need partners willing to donate time and energy with a number of promotional aspects of the event. Thank you for your consideration and if you have questions please call.


Donna V. Yowell
Executive Director of the Mississippi Urban Forest Council
National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC)
164 Trace Cove Drive
Madison, Mississippi 39110
Phone: 601.856.1660 Cell Phone: 601.672.0755
MUFC Web Info:
http://www.mfc.state.ms.us
NUCFAC Web Site:
http://www.treelink.org
No Adverse Impact Web Site:
http://www.floods.org

With a game winning runner at bat, and one poised to run home, the Ridgland Titans won their home opener. Okay, I'm a little late on posting this photo, but it was a favorite I am just now getting on the Blog. Congrats Titans on the inaugural home gave win!

Here's a shot I took during one of the "free" afternoons of the Dixie National Rodeo. If you look close you can see a grin on the face of the cowboy who was about to drop on this steer. The Trademart seems like it is full of trailers almost every weekend, and most of the events are free to the public. I haven't found an informative site to find out which events are coming up, but here is a link that has some local Jackson area links to events that looks pretty good. Usually we just explore what is there when the kids shout out "the horse trailers are there! Anyway, they love most all the events, and if it is free, all the better!

Primos Cafe' coming to Ridgeland

At the most recent Mayor and Board Meeting, the Board voted 5-2 to approve the reccommendations of the ARB committee to allow Primos Cafe' to build on the South side of Lake Harbour Drive, next to "The Club", and near the entrance to the "Villages of Charmant". Ward 2 welcomes Don Primos and staff to the Ridgeland area. This was a rendering handed out at the Board meeting. I'll admit that this was one business I am certainly jealous that Lakeland Drive has. Among other items, we voted to approve the site plan for the Bank Plus that will locate on the corner of Jackson Street and Hwy. 51, as well. Here is a link to the April 19th, Board meeting agenda, but minutes will not be posted usually, till signed by the Mayor, and approved by the Board at the next meeting.

Here is a headline I don't mind sharing.... It is from the Northside Sun's April 14, 2005 edition. One error in it, I would like to point out, is that the Subdivision mentioned named "Bridgewater" is actually in Ridgeland. Wendover and Shadowood were hightlighted as well! Must be good things going on in the Northern part of the Northsider's area! See the complete article at www.northsidesun.com. Is the part about "the average listing price of homes in the Madison-Ridgeland area was $370,880 and in Northeast Jackson, the average listing price is $270,162"???!!

Happy Birthday Janice! Okay, so it isn't a recent picture, but every birthday girl should have a photo to remind her of more carefree days! I hope this one does- anyway happy __?! sissy!

Here's a great couple of Ward 2's home security officers who had the drop on me while canvassing in the Beaver Creek Subdivision. Howdee Pardners! Is your Mom or Dad here on the ranch??!!

Here is a shot of President Gerald Ford, circa, 1970? while passing through Gautier, MS on Highway 90 in front of my ancestral home. Yes, campaigning was a lot safer back then, than that of today! I am not sure the date, but he was the U.S President at the time. Wasn't it a much safer time to go on the campaign trail back then?

Here's one of my best friends from college with his newborn/adopted daughter - Hope Cecil. Jim just got back from a month long journey to China to bring Hope to her new home in Huntsville, AL. Jim is an engineer with NASA, and is married to Holly, also an engineer, who he met while stationed at KSC in Cape Canaveral. Congrats on the new addition, Jim and Holly!

Here's a shot of "Inky the Clown with two great looking kids, who were at the Easter Egg hunt, and will be making a command performance for the "Circus Days in Ridgeland" to be held April 23-24 at Freedom Ridge Park

Sandra, Robin, and Wendy, some of our great City of Ridgeland Employees who helped put on the Easter Egg Hunt.  

Here is a shot two fine young boys, braving the cold temperatures along with Titus, The Ridgeland High School Titan's mascot, at the Ridgeland Easter Egg Hunt. A little cold, but a great day for the brave egg hunters. Kudos to City employees for showing their flexibility and determination to hold the event, despite weather conditions. They made a last day decision to move the "egg huntin' activities" to the parking lots, avoiding wet conditions on the parks many soccer fields..

Here are a few Ridgeland children hangin' out under the "Climbing Wall" at Freedom Ridge Park - March 05

Here is a familiar looking young girl enjoying the "springee elephant" at Freedom Ridge Park, March ,05'

Picnick'n Sunday in the Park - March 05' 

A fine young man flying his "Dragon Kite" at Old Trace Park - March of 05'

T-Ball Practice in full Swing!

To say I was excited, was the understatement of the year. With T-ball equipment in hand, I trudged out to the "Breakers Park" to locate our practice area, and as luck would have it, we found our pod of 4 year olds on the other side of the field, anxious to start their first practice. I knew I'd have to leave early for our City Board meeting that started at 6:30, but wasn't leaving till I got to see my little guy take a swat at the ball. It was a moment I've been waiting for since he was born 4 years ago. I was also excited to meet someone that uses a digital camera identical to mine, who agreed to give me some shots of the event. I hope to post a few shots soon.

Hurry dad! the Camera is going to go off!

Easter Morning on our way to church, using the "set and forget it!" timer on the camera. If you ting this is bad, you should see the others....