We had our cake and ate it too!

I was glad to be a part of the planning for Art's Richmond's 2012 fundraiser event themed Fire & Ice.  In addition to dinner,dancing and a silent auction, we decided to add a cake baking contest to the evenings events.  We out together some guidelines and invited local bakers, or cake artists as we like to call them, to participate.

In the guidelines the cakes had to represent the theme and offer a bite-sized sample for approximately 150 people.  Guest were encouraged to vote for Best in Theme and Best in Taste.  We opened the contest and encouraged people to vote at a $1.00 per vote.   The area around the cakes quickly became busy with guests taking a look and sampling the artwork.  We also provided a prize for Best Overall based on the total of the guests votes for Best in Theme and Best in Taste combined with sponsorship money that each cake artist collected on their own.  We had six cake artists participate and his proved to be a very large part of our fundraiser.

Special thanks to the cake artists:  Bambi Provensano, Wanda Bullard, Tracy McNair, Melissa Newton, Micheille Coggins and Jackie McAuley for their hard work.

Winners:

Best in Taste:  Michelle Coggins
Best in Theme: Tracie McNair

Best Overall: Tracie McNair


This could possibly be an event on it's own.  Planning for the Second Annual Cake Showcase will begin soon.

Pinball Wizard?

During my trip to Charlotte this week I decided to stop and have lunch at Pinky’s Westside Grill at W Morehead St.  When I entered the building the first thing that I saw was a KISS pinball machine.  I had not seen one of these in a long time.  I have been a KISS fan since the late '70's. I've played their music and seen them in concert.  I considered playing a game, but my stomach forced me to continue with lunch as planned.   After my meal, I took a look around the restaurant and heading to my car.  As I reached for the door, I realized that the pinball machine was still there and I should play one game.  Two quarters later I was flipping the flippers and bumping the machine as the balls bounced off of the bumpers.  It was a very brief game considering my pinball skills are not as good as they were many years ago.

This machine is in great condition.  Upon research I found out some history and just about any part needed for a machine refurb can be foun on Ebay.  The original price of the machine in 1978 was $199.00.  Most recently the machines have sold for almost $4000.00

Kiss April 25, 1978
4 Players
Manufacturer: Bally Manufacturing Corporation
Date Of Manufacture: June, 1979
Model Number: 1152-E
MPU: Bally MPU AS-2518-35
Type: Solid State Electronic (SS)
Production: 17,000 units (confirmed)
Theme: Celebrities - Licensed
Specialty: Conversion Kit
Notable Features: Flippers (2), Pop bumpers(4), 4-bank drop targets (1), Rollunder spinners (2).
Used a different power supply than the other 3rd generation tables.
Design by: Jim Patla
Art by: Kevin O'Connor
Notes: A 'Kiss' prototype was built which used speech.

I love to be in my car and going places.  Going places means that the car is moving.  Sitting still surrounded by cars should take place in a parking lot, not on Interstate 485 south of Charlotte, N.C.  I have to ride this road a couple of times each month and try to avoid certain times.  Today I chose the wrong time.

Biltmore Estate

During our Summer trip to Asheville we had not planned to visit Biltmore Estate, but I wish that we did.   Since we didnt get to go in June, I decided that September would be a nice time of year to visit.  The temps should be cooler and maybe the crowds wold not be as large.  It was worth the wait.  We had a beautiful weekend to tour the house and surrounding area.

FACT:  Biltmore House is a Châteauesque-styled mansion in Asheville, North Carolina, built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895. It is the largest privately-owned home in the United States, at 135,000 square feet.

The large home and surrounding land is the vision of the bachelor, Vanderbilt.  This was by far an ultimate bachelor pad designed to host various parties and other events.  In addition to the house, there are stables, winery, lodging facilities and several areas for outdoor activities.

When I purchased admission tickets, I took advantage of additional offers for the winery and reservations at Biltmore Deerpark Restaurant.  When we arrived to pickup tickets, the lines were already very long.  It appeared that my attempt to miss large crowds didn't work and I was concerned about parking.  Visiting the home and gardens with enough time to make it back to the van and to deerpark in time for our reservations was going to be a challenge.  Fortunately, the CSR at the ticket counter offered valet parking.   I can happily say that this was the best $15 spent all day.   We parked in front of the house, took our time visiting an shooting pics (when allowed) and the van was returned to the home for us to arrive at Deerpark in time for our reservation.. 

  Copyright - Jimmy McDonald Photography

2011 Belk Bridal Show

I was glad to accept the invitation when I was called to be a vendor during the local Belk Bridal Show.  this provides an opportunity to show off recent work and meat new friends.  The evening was a success for me and I am happy to have added more dates to my work calendar.

This shouldn't happen!!!  That's all I have to say about that.

Farm for sale.

I have passed by this location several times while visiting in Huntersville, N.C.   When I pass by older buildings, I sometimes wonder what they are being used for or what purpose they served in the past.  This day was dreary and the rain was slowly moving away.   As the clouds thinned the sky brightened just in time to allow me to catch a shot of the farm. At the time this farm was for sale.  Hopefully the land will not be purchased for "other' development.