Tonight Karen and I took the kids through The Living Christmas Story at Union United Methodist Church.

We’ve done this the past few years, but tonight we went by after picking up our tree from Helping Hands Nursery on Broad River Road (Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Chandler for always having a great selection every year!).

When I came home to write about the event, I was impressed with how much work goes on behind the scenes. One quick “google search” and I uncovered photos after photos. Obviously, it’s a big production and I really am impressed with how you feel like you’re in the town of Bethlehem with all the scenes, period clothes, soldiers, animals, and of course, a live baby for Jesus.

If you haven’t been – hurry. Tomorrow is the last performance.

Union United Methodist Church in Irmo will present its 15th annual “The Living Christmas Story” nativity Thursday, December 4, through Sunday, December 7. The free event will be presented each night from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the church, located at 7582 Woodrow Street in Irmo.

A drive-through Christmas nativity, “The Living Christmas Story” offers a dramatic sight and sound re-creation of Bethlehem and other Biblical scenes associated with the birth of Jesus. Visitors drive through 20 scenes that culminate with a live nativity. Live animals, handmade costumes, beautiful scenery, and more than 200 cast members make this a Christmas experience to remember for the entire family.

Again this year, preschool and elementary school groups are invited to walk through the nativity during a special “Children’s Living Christmas Story” program on Friday, December 5 at 9:00 a.m. Reservations are required and spaces are limited. Children’s groups interested in scheduling a walk-through should call Michelle Woods at 354-2401.

There is no admission charge to the event, which is a gift to the community from the church. Visitors in cars should enter on North Woodrow Street from U.S. 76. Church vans and institutional vehicles are given priority in line and should park in the lot on St. Andrews Road across from the church. Because attendance is typically higher on Saturday and Sunday nights, visitors may wish to consider attending on Thursday or Friday night when lines are shorter.

For more information, contact the church office at (803) 781-3013 or visit the church’s Web site at www.thelivingchristmasstory.com for a map.

You gotta stand for something….

Much has been written about the House Reorganizational Session this week.

Whether it’s been state mainstream media writers Brad Warthen , Jim Davenport , Yvonne Wenger , John O’Connor, or state bloggers Will Folks , Adam Fogle and Earl Capps , what’s been written has been transparent. Transparent because there’s a name attached to what was written and those individuals are accountable for what they wrote (unlike anonymous blog comments that appear on several blogs in our state).

Anonymous or not, this is America so everyone has a right to speak, don’t they? Some do it openly and other’s don’t. That’s their choice. While everyone has a right to anonymity, I prefer and respect those that say what they mean, mean what they say, and have the courage to be honest and straightforward instead of spinning and covering their tracks. Too many times you see “off the record” information from anonymous sources or folks who dance around what they really want to say or what they really did or what they really mean. Often times, they’re just giving excuses and spin.

I don’t spin it. I try to give you a look inside what really goes on in politics. Similar to my friend in the Senate, Kevin Bryant . Senator Bryant joins me and another House Member (newly elected Ag Chairman, congratulations) Jeff Duncan as officials who keep our constituents informed through our website/blog. While I’m at it, there’s also Representative Thad Viers and the original Representative blogger Keith Kelly , too.

This week though, I’ve heard that some of my colleagues in the House don’t like what I write about. They say I write too often, and write too much. Hey, I’m glad they take the time to actually visit my little site but I didn’t start this over a year ago for them, I started it for you. My constituents and the state’s voters.

Many House Members tell me they visit the site often, others act like they don’t (but they do). Again, that’s fine if you don’t want to admit it and instead would rather do it in secret. Regardless, it’s no secret – anymore – that a handful of colleagues wish I’d just go away and shut my mouth. [Read more...]