A Time for Choosing - Ronald Reagan

Such great words from a great man.

Webbspun Ideas quote of the day - May 15

"Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em `certainly I can!` and get busy and find out how to do it.
~Theodore Roosevelt

President Obama goes back on his word about "earmarks"

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Why is Barack Obama having such an expensive inaugural when we are in such dire times?

As the recession continues to wreak havoc on the U.S. economy and inauguration celebrations ramp up, a lot of people are asking: "How much will this shindig cost?"

The short answer? More than $150 million — and yep, that's the most expensive ever. (By comparison, George W. Bush's 2005 inauguration cost $42.3 million. Bill Clinton managed with $33 million in 1993.)



For the first time, President Bush has declared an emergency in Washington, D.C. to supplement the $15 million Congress has already allotted for security measures. It's no surprise that security costs are sky-high — Barack Obama received Secret Service protection very early in his presidential run and record crowds (likely anywhere from 1.5 to 3 million people) are expected for the record number of events. In fact, the Secret Service will be in charge of security not just for inauguration day, but for four days, starting Saturday with Obama's train ride from Philadelphia. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told the AP:

"It will be the most security, as far as I'm aware, that any inauguration's had."

Obama's much-discussed (and very cool-looking) custom Cadillac limo certainly couldn't come cheap, though we'll never really know how much it cost. Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell said the car's exact specifications are a big secret, including the safety features and production cost.

But Forbes reports it's not all flak jackets and armored cars:

To manage an event of this scale, the District of Columbia will spend a mammoth $47 million. It is not enough.... Much of the $45 million will go toward creating a dynamic Inauguration experience for the everyday visitor, not just funding exclusive events. "We don't even consider these events to be extravagant," says Linda Douglas, a spokeswoman from the Presidential Inauguration Committee. "With crowds of this size, most of our attention is being devoted to opening up as many events to the public."

Read the entire story HERE

The Arts Company Presents “Obama Inauguration Art Party and Exhibit”

"Obama on Blue" by Robert Grossman

Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009
11:00 am – 2:00 pm at The Arts Company

The Arts Company is presenting a special “Obama Inauguration Art Party and Exhibit” on Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20, 2009, from 11-2pm in the gallery in downtown Nashville at 215 Fifth Avenue of the Arts, North.

This special event will feature big screen live coverage of inauguration activities and present an exhibit of commemorative portraits of Obama by four artists—Jorge Arrieta, Bob Grossman, Brother Mel, and Jeff Hand. The original artwork by these artists will be accompanied by limited-edition prints of each portrait, signed and numbered by each artist to commemorate this historic occasion.

The Obama bust by Robert Grossman, a NY-based illustrator, has been featured on the cover of the New York Observer. Jorge Arrieta has had one of his current political poster series selected to be included in the Manifest Hope: DC Gallery, an exhibit curated by Shepard Fairy and others, scheduled in Washington, D.C. as a special inaugural art event. Brother Mel created a painted metal portrait of Obama “after 4 years in the White House,” and Jeff Hand has created one of his signature portraits in felt.

The original pieces and the limited-edition prints will be in the gallery exhibit through January 30, available for purchase during regular gallery hours, 10-5pm, Tuesday-Saturday. To preview the portraits, please visit The Arts Company website.

The Arts Company
215 Fifth Avenue, North
http://www.theartscompany.com/
615.254.2040

Chef Roland Mesnier is Coming to Nashville

The Viking Store
The Factory at Franklin
230 Franklin Road, Building 13
Franklin, TN 37064
615.599.9617
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Thursday
November 8, 2007
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
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$79.99 per person



One of the most renowned pastry chefs of this century, Roland Mesnier has created thousands of elegant and dazzling desserts for American presidents, their families and the world’s foremost dignitaries for more than 25 years. A brilliant and witty speaker and teacher, the White House former executive pastry chef shares his stories based on his latest book, All The President’s Pastries in a 2.5 hour presentation that reflects on his years in the White House serving under presidents from Jimmy Carter to George W. Bush and includes a photo essay of his most stunning desserts, a dessert demonstration and an audience favorite: a Q&A where attendees ask about life in the White House from the chef’s perspective.