A few years back, Dan Gaffney and I started a project with local Rehoboth musician Xavier Alexander. Here’s how it happened… Xavier had been in and out of mental hospitals for the last few years, being involuntarily committed by his family, he began showing up at WGMD radio broadcasts with his guitar and singing songs that has written.

He eventually came on the radio on Dan’s morning show to be interviewed and to tell his story. A year or two later, we decided that I would produce an album for Xavier that included new interview segments, in a way to tell his story.

Though we never finished an entire album, 5 songs were recorded and about 26 minutes of interview audio were captured that spring day at WGMD studios in Rehoboth Beach. Shortly after these sessions were taped, Xavier found himself back in the hospital (after a brief stint of moving some of his possessions including his guitar to the radio station).

Though we haven’t worked with Xavier since, these following recording tell a powerful and haunting, beautiful and scary portrait of a tortured artist at work. I recently unearthed these recordings, and not knowing what to do with them, since the album project is not happening, I’ve decided to post them here and at a few other sites. Although I own these sound recordings, the songs are owned by Xavier and I would not in any way try to make anything from them. I just want you to hear them. Therefore, I’ve uploaded these songs to playlist.com and below you can listen to the complete session the way we envisioned it that day.

Here’s the link to the Playlist.com playlist…

http://www.playlist.com/standalone/34398795

Here’s the direct URLs to the MP3s –

“Backwards Dreams: The Music and Words of Xavier Alexander”
By: Xavier Alexander

Words and Music written by Xavier Alexander
Acoustic Guitar and Vocals by Xavier Alexander
Interview by Dan Gaffney
Recorded and Produced by Jared Morris
Concept: Dan Gaffney/Jared Morris
Recorded at WGMD Studios in Rehoboth Beach, DE 2005

1. Backwards Dream
2. About Backwards Dream
3. About Mother Earth
4. Mother Earth
5. About Cover Your Smiles
6. Cover Your Smiles
7. About Keep Chasing Pretty Face
8. Keep Chasing Pretty Face
9. About On The Right Track
10. On The Right Track
11. About Xavier Alexander

We are four different bloggers (two Republicans and two Democrats) with four distinct points of view. But we have come together because we agree that it’s time for Delaware to say yes to offshore wind power.

Bluewater Wind’s offshore wind farm has been reviewed in hearings, subject to repeated analyses, supported by thousands of letters and e-mails from citizens, selected in a competitive process, survived intense negotiations, and endorsed by a majority of members of Delaware’s House of Representatives.

One hurdle remains: House Concurrent Resolution 38, which enjoys the support of 35 legislators of both parties, has passed the House, and is headed to the Senate. We are calling upon the Senate to take one last decisive step to make Delaware the first state in the U.S. to make offshore wind power a reality.

We offer this joint statement as a prologue to our separate posts on the subject. But together we agree that the time has come to say yes to our energy future.

Dave Burris
Maria Evans
Jason Scott
Tom Noyes

TIME TO INVEST IN DELAWARE FIRST

Tourists will need a few extra quarters so their kids can check out the wind farm from the boardwalk with cool binocular things like they have on the top of the Empire State Building

Let’s face it, I’m not that green. I’m a global warming skeptic. I drive a car that’s less than stellar on gas mileage. I would march a billion rats into a laboratory for testing to ensure I’d have one less wrinkle a decade or two down the road. But I’m in favor of the wind farm proposed to sit off the coast of Rehoboth Beach.     

The wind farm construction, according to Bluewater Wind, will bring in around “400 - 500 construction jobs and 80 – 100 operations and maintenance jobs for the life of the 25 year contract.” Along with that, a regional shipping hub would be established at the Port of Wilmington and there’s a commitment to a teaching and training program for wind farm technicians.

For Sussex County, I can imagine opportunities beyond what Bluewater Wind is offering the state.

Charter boats can take tourists sightseeing or fishing at the wind farm. Souvenir shops will have little windmills to sell next to the light houses. Windmill t-shirts and earrings and snow globes…those cool binocular things on the board walk that you can put a quarter into so your kid can see the wind farm up close…local artists capturing the wind farm in oil and water and on film…other governments coming to our shores to check out the first off shore wind farm in the United States.  

But instead of investing in the state of Delaware, Delmarva Power wants to enter into long term contracts with on shore wind companies in other states. Gary Stockbridge, the President of Delmarva Power called these contracts, “an exciting day for the development of renewable energy in the region,” but I’m not sure why. “The region” will simply be paying for other states to develop and build wind farms. Somehow that’s not “exciting” to me.

It’s time to bring some new life into Delaware.  Call your State Senator today and tell them you want your money invested in Delaware’s future, not shipped off to Illinois or Indiana.

Click HERE find your Senator and their contact information.  

From Tom Noyes at Tommywonk:      

Given that worldwide energy demand will grow at least 50 percent over the next 20 years, it is hard to imagine how energy prices will not continue to climb. Instead of costing us extra, offhsore wind will almost certainly save us money. READ MORE ….  

From Jason at Delaware Liberal:

For Christians, the choice is clear. Disciples of Christ are called to love and to allow concern for justice shape their daily lives. As an extension to that calling christian spiritual leaders agree that, stewardship of the environment is a permanent reality. READ MORE…  

From Dave at Delaware Politics:

A week ago, one prominent Delawarean told me that the project was dead, the deal had been cut, that all of the players, including Senate leadership and the Governor candidates, were involved. It was over. DP&L was one of the good old boys and BWW was not and that was it.

I say that’s bullshit. I have two kids that have to breathe in Eastern Sussex County for the next 80 years, God willing. It’s only dead if YOU let it die…. READ MORE…

I took some time to enjoy the wonderful sunshine and take a lunchtime walk around Milford Delaware.  With my trusty camera in hand I snapped these photo gems:

 This is the back of a local doctors office.  It started first as “SSV”  (South Side Vatos), then the other groups sought to mark the territory with the “18″ and the “crown” plus all the other garbage on top.

ESA appears around town usually near or over top of SSV.  Here is a blurb from Yahoo Answers:

When a gang member calls another gang member an “Esa” or “SA” What does it mean?
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
It is written ESE because it is the sound of the letter S in Spanish. S for sureano meaning southerner! It is often used by gang members(Mexican American/Chicanos) mostly in California to refer to their fellow members or friends. It is not, however, used by Mexicans in Mexico nor is it typically used by Mexicans that move to the US. They will be very offended by the term! The word can also be offensive if you are not Hispanic. (It is like using the N word for a friend and you are not black!) Do not assume all Hispanics are Mexican or that all Mexican use this word so my advice is not to use it!

My husband and both brother in laws HATE this word and they are from Mexico!

Can you translate any of this?

No it’s not the movie from the 80’s called “Goonies”.  More gang stuff.  Not sure if it’s a Crip subset or a Blood subset.  I find different meanings on the net. 

“F Crips” “Goonies” “Blood For Life”  So, maybe these are Bloods, saying “F” the Crips?

This is a large sized spray paint area, maybe 15′ X 20′.  Near the library and behind an arcade.

Large on side of a house.  South Side Vatos

It’s nice to see the city with so much “art on display”. 

Good ol’ East Coast Mafia

I have more…but you get the picture.  I hope Milford gets the picture too, and starts a clean up campaign. 

 

 

 

Every December media outlets recap their favorite and/or biggest stories for the year. In that same tradition, I’ve decided to put up some of my favorite blog pictures of the year and 10 posts I’ve made that I feel changed the course of world history and, of course, saved all of humanity.

My Favorite Pictures of 2007

A beautiful day at Tower Road.

A Civil War Reenactment during Milton’s 200th Anniversary.

Governor Ruth Ann Minner running away from me and out of the Georgia House in Millsboro the night of the 41st District special election.

Even after his resignation from the State House for ethics issues, John Atkins’ supporters launched a failed write in campaign to send him back to Dover. His campaign signs cropped up all over the 41st.

The table where Laura Bush ate breakfast at the Royal Treat on Wilmington Avenue in Rehoboth Beach.

The Cohen brothers, they found the ill fated Rissos dolphin washed up at Tower Road.

The Rissos dolphin dying on the beach at Tower Road.

The SINKING South Side approach of the “new” Indian River Inlet bridge and the road it tried to pull down with it.

John Andretti, I met him. How cool.

The “Dic Dang” sandwich at the Corner Market Bistro in Milton.

Lighting the balloons up like lanterns during Milton’s 200th Anniversary celebration.

Joe Biden talking about Iraq at Browseabout Books on Rehoboth Avenue.

Jared Morris and Dan Gaffney having fun at the Best of Delaware celebration in Dover. (And yes, Dan always has that light shining above him, it’s the most amazing thing…).

The French invade Rehoboth Beach.

Disheveled Barbies from Washington DC spotted loitering on Columbia Avenue after their Dream House furniture was recalled.

Dr Wray and Stell Parker Selby changing seats at the Cape Henlopen School Board meeting in December after Wray resigned the Presidency.

My Favorite Posts of 2007

# Ten: Your Sussex County Council

# Neuf: The French visit Rehoboth

# Eight: The Atkins Scandal

# Seven: The Indian River Inlet Bridge

# Six: Biden at Browseabout Books

# Five: European Football

# Four: Laura Bush visits Rehoboth Beach

# Three: My interview with John Andretti

# Two: Toy Recalls

# One: The Global Warming

Kevin Fleming is a world class photographer, and now a world class First State blogger.  Kevin is working on his latest book, “Wild Delaware”.  Once a day for an entire year, (365 days) Kevin will trudge out into the wilderness of Delaware and capture on camera local wildlife in it’s natural environment.  The photo’s from the days shoot appear daily on his blog, http://www.wilddelaware.com

 

For a real treat scroll back in time on his site and see the insect close-up’s and a great shot of a fox gazing into the morning sun.

This weekend historic Lewes will be the spot to go for art and crafts and even a little knowledge about the beach….

On Saturday, as part of Boast the Coast, the Lewes Craft Show will be held on the grounds of the Lewes Historic Society from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and if you want to get your holiday shopping done early and with some originality, this is the place you need to go. One highlight is the handcrafted jewelry of Anna Biggs of Greenville, she makes it all herself and it’s well made and heirloom quality, I have a pair of her bee earrings, they hang perfectly….

Anna Biggs’ awesome jewelry designs will be at the Lewes Craft Show this Saturday.       

Here’s a terrible picture of my bee earrings. She makes all of this stuff herself.

At the Cape Henlopen State Park and on the Canal in Lewes on Saturday it’s a fun day filled with pirates and boat rides and food and fun, all part of the Boast the Coast activities. The day ends with a lighted boat parade at 7:00 p.m.,…it’s going to be great. The Boast the Coast schedule can be found at the WGMD News site.

Then on Sunday it’s Coast Day at the University of Delaware College of Marine Studies in Lewes. You can take a boat tour, eat some crab cakes and watch your kids make fish print t-shirts. There’s also a tank where you can touch some icky sea creatures. You may even learn something about our ocean and bays. Admission is free but you’ll need $2 to park. You can find out more about Coast Day at the WGMD News site.

A view of historic downtown Milton.

Once again the town of Milton has proved itself the place to be for history, art, music and even a little rum punch.

The Milton Historical Society had it’s second annual Auction and Garden Party on Saturday where you could bid on everything from rides in vintage airplanes to rare books and antiques. The best part was that it was outside on a perfectly clear and cool night, you couldn’t have asked for more…but there was….

Surfers at the Indian River Inlet were the subject of this oil painting by Karen Snoots.

At the Federal Street Gallery it was “A Celebration of the Ocean” featuring oil paintings by Karen Snoots and photography from local Sussex Countians Jim Mott and Gary Cooke, all with portions of the proceeds benefitting local non profit organizations.

You can LISTEN to Mark Carter, Chairperson of the Delaware Surfrider Foundation, one of the evening’s beneficiaries, talk about what Surfrider does in Delaware and nationally, HERE. You can listen to Mark talk about the art show in Milton that runs through September 30th HERE. And HERE Mark talks about what’s coming up for Surfrider the weekend of the 22nd.

And you can LISTEN to Karen Snoots discuss her art and what inspires her HERE.

As for the rum punch…I liked that, too….

Monday at Tower Road.

The self-pay box at the State Park, aka “The Iron Ranger.” People are supposed to get a green envelope from the post on the left, then stick the entrance fee in there, and then tear off the green tab and stick it on your windshield and put the envelope in the slot. The Rangers actually check the parking lots periodically to make sure people are paying.

Some guy ripping it on small but consistent waves Sunday afternoon at Tower Road. When he was done surfing, he picked up his board and jogged north until I lost sight of him. That’s a workout.

Self explanatory.

The surf Monday at Tower Road. The waves were breaking in the shallow water and when I pulled into the parking lot there was a surfer loading his broken board into his car.

Here’s an update from Mark Carter, head of the Delaware Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation:

The Chapter is having a big weekend coming up. I’ve listed the schedule of events below, but to sum it up….FUN, Beach Cleanup, Recycled Jewelry, SURF MOVIE, FUN, surf give-aways, RECYCLING, and FUN.

Friday, Sept. 21
?Re-Use?
A Recycled Jewelry Art Opening at the Heidi Lowe Gallery

National and International artists works crafted from recycled materials on display
(A portion of proceeds from the art opening will go to Surfrider)

5 p.m. ? 8 p.m.
(The Heidi Lowe Gallery is the yellow studio right next to Dogfish Head on the Avenue)

While checking out the art show, join us for a SURFRIDER Happy Hour at the Dogfish Head Brewpub

Saturday, Sept. 22
Kayak Cleanup
Paddle Power + People Power = A Cleaner Beach

Join the DE Chapter as we kayak out to and clean up Beach Plum Island

8:30 AM
Meet at QUEST Fitness in Lewes (Informal BBQ to follow)

SURF MOVIE / SURF MOVIE / SURF MOVIE / SURF MOVIE / SURF MOVIE

?A Brokedown Melody?
A film by Chris and Emmett Malloy

Follows swell through South America, Polynesia, and Jamaica

7 PM (Doors open at 5 PM)
$10 MINIMUM DONATION
At the Historic Milton Theater
Door Prizes, Silent Auction, Information Booth, GOOD TIMES

Sunday, Sept. 23

Join Surfrider at the Dogfish Dash 5K / 10K as we pass out H2O, staff a RECYCLE station, and spread the word about respecting the beach.

Meet at Dogfish Head Brewpub at 7:15 AM

For more information about this weekend:
Email ? delsurfrider@earthlink.net

Stay Stoked,
Mark

“Sometimes in the morning, when it’s a good surf, I go out there, and I don’t feel like it’s a bad world.”

The Federal Street Gallery and Espresso Bar in lovely downtown Milton

Thanks, Mark, and I wanted to note that at the Federal Street Gallery and Espresso Bar, one of my favorite spots on the planet, there will be “A Celebration of the Ocean,” where part of the proceeds will benefit Surfrider, and it will feature photographs from local Milton photographer Gary Cooke as well as photographer Jim Mott, with paintings by Karin Snoots, who does great beach scenes.

And the waves are going to be great this week with a system moving up the coast, so send your surfing pictures to maria@wgmd.com and we’ll get them up on the internet.

 

 
The North fought the South today at Mariner Middle School in historic Milton, Delaware. 

The Town of Milton is having it’s 200th Anniversary celebration this weekend, and so far, it’s been fantastic. I started the day with a Civil War skirmish at Mariner Middle School, it was my first. The South looked like it won this battle, but Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. they will go at it again. But considering the South had the cannons, I can’t imagine the Union soldiers will pull off a big win in a town that never actually saw Civil War action.

You can LISTEN to the man commanding the Union troops in today’s Civil War skirmish in Milton HERE.

 

Union soldiers waiting for battle. They’re dressed in authentic Civil War uniforms made of wool. Not exactly ideal for weather over 90 degrees. 

Many Miltonians other than the Civil War soldiers were dressed for the occasion. Cindy Reed talks about her costume HERE.

After the battle, I checked out downtown Milton. The first stop was, of course, the Federal Street Gallery and Espresso Bar for a nice, iced coffee. Then it was off to see the local art which is always a treat when you have local artists like Abraxas, Chris Kiker and Gary Cooke showing off their latest work.

You can listen to photographer Gary Cooke talk about the celebration HERE. Gary is also my main source for tidbits about Milton’s rich history.

In the park there were miniature train rides, games, food vendors and WGMD’s own Dan Gaffney was there enjoying the festivities. Sheriff Eric Swanson was also in Milton today to join in the party and  THIS is what he had to say about the town’s big day.

 

At sunset in Milton the hot air balloons were lit up like lanterns to celebrate the Towns 200th Anniversary. 

At the end of the day, the event moved to H.O. Brittingham Elementary School where the hot air balloons were lined up and looking beautiful. Milton’s own Dr. Wagner, talks about tonight’s hot air balloon event HERE, from the basket of his blue balloon with a bear on it, a crowd favorite.

 

Fireworks lit up the sky in Milton tonight 

To end a perfect day, the Town set off fireworks that were fitting for a 200th birthday. The celebration in Milton will continue through Sunday and parking is ample and free.