Five years after I had my son kidnapped...

My son is 18 years old today (Yes, I feel old).

So, it was five years ago that about 20 guys got together and kidnapped Justin, took him out to a barn about 20 miles away, and put him through a series of tests.

Yes, I helped organize the whole thing (although the end result was so much more than I could have envisioned thanks to the awesome offerings from all the others involved).

Yes, Justin had "asked" for this adventure (though he didn't know exactly what he had asked for at the time) - and he had control during the entire experience - and all went well (I hope to have the full story to post soon)

Five years later...

Justin has embarked on several adventures, he's shown initiative, demonstrated compassion,  and lived loyalty to friends and family - and yes, he's had a few "learning experiences" along the way.

Justin is quite the musician, an impressive performer with a quick mind and ability to work with a crowd.

Justin has spent a considerable amount of time volunteering for a variety of organizations in the area, he has a knack for helping people address real issues - one time he was at the Empowerment Center in Newark and made sure two men got the job applications and interviews they needed - I think he was 15 at the time.

This year, Justin has been spending his Wednesday evenings as a camera operator for a local television show and an exciting venture known as IndiFilmNight.com - cool stuff.

Let me say this - I am both proud and impressed with my son - who he is, how he thinks, and what he does.

Allow me to follow that with this - I am both proud and impressed with the incredible community of friends and family we have who continue to teach, support, encourage, correct, help, and grow with us. I cannot express how much I appreciate all of the men who were part of the kidnapping five years ago - and I cannot tell you how blown away I am by all who make a difference in Justin's life.

Happy Birthday to Justin - I can't wait to see more of your life's adventure!

Questioning God

I want to introduce you to Jon Boulet.

Jon is one of the most thoughtful, intelligent, and insightful individuals I know - He's served numerous tours as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force throughout the Middle East - and he's one of the pastors at the church my family calls "home".

Jon is also a key person in making LOMA Coffee a reality.

So, starting this coming Wednesday evening at 7:00 - Jon is holding a series of conversations called "Questioning God" at LOMA Coffee - yes, there will be free coffee and dessert - but more importantly, I believe there will be thoughtful, intelligent, insightful discussion about that place where our thoughts about God and spirituality meet the reality of life.

Here's Jon to offer the invitation:

If you're up for some really good discussions - I hope you'll come to LOMA Coffee (3rd & Market Streets, Wilmington) any Wednesday evening at 7:00.

Special Election - Thursday, January 13

As most of you know, I've worked in politics and I've worked with probably a couple of hundred campaigns (state, county, municipal, even helped my daughter get elected class representative a few years back).

I can tell you that while almost all I have worked with have been good, decent people - there are only a rare few who rise to the level of "truly inspirational" - Thursday, one of those men will be on the ballot for a special election in New Castle County - that man is Tom Kovach.

Below you will see an e-mail from Andye Daley - I echo and affirm everything she says.

Tom Kovach is that rare individual who knows the issues, can work with all sides, and get the job done.

Tom Kovach has demonstrated real leadership in such areas as the Delaware Film Initiative and the Delaware Social Media Initiative - he is someone who "gets it" when it comes to job creation, transparent government, and service to taxpayers.

I cannot emphasize how important your vote can be Thursday - I expect extremely low turnout for this election - which means YOU can make a difference.

Please, if you live in New Castle County, vote for Tom Kovach.

Please, if you know people who live in New Castle County, ask them to vote for Tom Kovach.

I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Ken

______________

There is an important Special Election tomorrow for NCCo Council President.  It is to take the open seat left when Chris Coons won the Senate Seat in November.  In full disclosure, I have been working on the campaign for Tom Kovach, and obviously, I fully endorse him.  I encourage you all to read up on both candidates and make an informed decision. 

 

I am backing Tom Kovach for many reasons, mainly because he will provide the much needed balance to a very lopsided Council.    He is against High Density housing because of the sever lack of infrastructure and already over crowed schools.  He's against any more tax increases and will work to repeal the damaging Workforce Housing ordinance.  He is a Chemical Engineer and an Attorney working to turn Brownfeilds ( broken down properties once developed and now out of business) to productive properties.  Here are some recent links that have articles on the candidates just writen in the last 2 days:

 

http://www.middletowntranscript.com/county_news/x1314137050/As-vote-nears-council-candidates-ramp-up-rhetoric

 

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20110112/OPINION05/101120306/County-s-doctored-news-releases-only-make-cops-look-dishonest

 

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20110111/OPINION09/101110320/It-s-time-to-stop-county-s-excessive-spending-habit

 

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20110112/NEWS02/101120344/1007/Candidates-debate-status-quo-of-council

 

Please take the time to vote Thursday the 13th at your regular polling location between 7am and 8pm. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at any time.

 

Thank you in advance for voting! 
Andye Daley

photos from the Hockessin show

The Lovely Bride is part of the Early Learning Center's Home-Based Business and Products Holiday Expo - here's some great photos (photos submitted by Barbara Perry):

Proud parent moment

So, my son is 17, my daughter is 16 - they aren't old enough to vote, yet.

But, that did not stop them from working the polls on Election Day.

They went through the training with the Delaware Department of Elections, got up well before the crack of dawn on election day, and helped people vote from 7:00 am until 8:00 pm.

The next day, Rick Jensen talked with them on WDEL (1150 AM) about the experience - here's the interview:

Rainbows all the way - to 1858!

Yes, I'm really loving the whole Double Rainbow thing - from Hungrybear9562's original cries of glee to Schoyoho's autotune to the countless variations (seriously, I've heard the acoustic, metal, rap, and spoken-word versions of this thing - all awesome in their own way).

Of course, we know that it was just a couple of decades ago that Kermit the frog sang about the Rainbow Connection (note, Willie Nelson also does a great version).

Then there's Judy Garland singing about that place Somewhere Over The Rainbow (note: Jeff Beck does an awesome version of this one!)

But, this morning my lovely bride brought this to my attention - she's reading Charlotte Bronte's 1858 novel, "The Professor" - and in chapter 19, the title character, William Crimsworth, says this:

"I had before me the arch of an even rainbow; a perfect rainbow - high, wide, vivid. I looked long; my eye drank in the scene, and I suppose my brain must have absorbed it... the mighty rainbow."

I think there's only one way to describe all of this - it's so - what's the word I'm looking for - oh, yea, Intense!

Music School of Delaware!

It seems like every time I turn around, I discover another incredible gem in Delaware!

I'd like to share with you the beauty that is The Music School of Delaware!

First, here's a look at the Music School of Delaware from WHYY's program FIRST:

Watch the full episode. See more First.

Next, here's some clips put together by the brilliant minds at the Delaware Film Company:


Suzuki Academy from The Music School Of Delaware on Vimeo.


Private Instruction from The Music School Of Delaware on Vimeo.

Finally, here's a chance to get involved in the first 5K run/walk for the Music School of Delaware - and if you want to know more about the school, click here.