To This Blogger, It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This Post!

Do you want to know what you get the guy who has everything for Christmas?

"Hey Joe,

Wanted to let you know that our adoptions are going through the roof! We have 21 empty kennels (as of right this minute) and we have 10 dogs who are adopted and will be going home in the coming week. Plus, we have 10 cats going home too! All of the dogs you have posted are adopted. We took photos to send you today but all of them got adopted before we could send them! So could you post that right now, we don't have dogs to post but we do have some that will come available this week and we will send photos then. In the meantime, isn't it GREAT!?!

Linda"

THANK YOU!

Everyone knows the kind of animal lovers Jennifer and I are and to think they could put down wonderful pets simply because families are going broke, they're losing their homes and relocating to rental properties where they can't take their dog or cat with them.

A very close friend called me just before I got this message telling me they planned on heading out to the Humane Society to look at their inventory and they wanted to know if I could give them the heads up on any new pictures. I told them that I hadn't seen any recently but I'd keep them posted. The next thing you know, this message came in.

Linda, I'm so pleased for ALL of you as well. Our goal is to create a No Kill Shelter there and that's exactly where we're headed if this keeps up. If people continue to adopt animals there the Humane Society won't need to put animals down. This is great news and I'm glad your troubles there are the best kind of troubles a facility like yours could have.

Remember Folks, they get in new animals every day and many of them come from a distressed situation mainly, (recently) based around people losing their homes. I would think many of these animals are pure bred and they're getting dropped off at the Humane Society as much as the mixed breed, (designer dogs).

As always, we will provide updated photos as they come in. What a great Christmas this has become and it's all because of YOU. Oh, I should end with this. I was at Sam's the other day ringing the bell when all of a sudden this wonderful young lady came up to me with this look in her eye. You know, that look of joy, pride and happiness. She was one of the new owners of one of the puppies recently Posted, proudly sporting pictures and all! Talk about rewarding! ;-)

Mayor Barrie Tilghman Finally QUITS!

Barrie Tilghman calls it quits and will NOT run again. There is a God. The Daily Times finally printed the Court Date in which the Mayor is suing me for saying that there are FOB's out there. TWO of her neighbors are ready to testify in Court proving there are. Several of them recently witnessed the street sweeper and Public Works cleaning up leaves on her road and throughout her neighborhood.

First Dunn quit, then Cathcart, now Tilghman. THE BLOGS HAVE WON! Remember how Barrie said she would wait till after the Holidays to announce her decision? Last week at the Red Cross Luncheon, that sealed the deal. She saw how well I was received at that event while NO ONE would have anything to do with her. She stood there like a lost puppy and eventually stormed out of there. Her support is GONE. Barrie Tilghman, I cannot wait until our Court Date so we can finish you for good. Here's some of what was said in the Daily Times.

"Her tenure also was marked by high profile disputes with residents who lampooned her with racy photos or negative performance reviews in Internet blogs -- part of a group she deemed "The Dirty Dozen" in 2006. Tilghman sued one of them, Delmar blogger Joe Albero, on charges of defamation of character. A trial is scheduled for Jan. 21 in the District Court for Wicomico County.

Despite the lawsuit and Tilghman's public press conference decrying the "negativity" on the blogs, she said the issue isn't necessarily one that requires fixing.

"The citizenry has always shown great resilience," she said. "The citizens of Salisbury will take care of Salisbury. This group of people (who spread negativity) are without alternatives. The goal of this group is to be negative."

Bennett Middle Band

As a parent, I some-what understand the decision of the middle school band directors to withdraw from the Salisbury Christmas Parade due to the extreme weather, but did anyone realize that these students practiced for over an hour 2 days per week for a month leading up to the parade, many days in extreme cold and wind? What is the difference in practicing in the cold and participating in the parade in the cold?

Bennett Middle School band students were required to rent uniforms and purchase specific shoes for this event that are pointless. Yes, they wore them to an hour-long concert in December, but unfortunately as a mother of a 7th grade percussionist, I only witnessed one song my son actually was able to participate in. Purchase of special marching shoes that will not fit next year is unfair in this economy.

To top off my disappointment and anger, I just saw the results of the Pocomoke city parade and found that the Salisbury Middle band participated in that parade. Shouldn't Bennett Middle School band students have been given the same opportunity? I waited for over 2 years, since my son was in 5th grade band, to see my son participate in a parade. So far this year, I have seen him play 1 song. Does that seem fair?

A Thing Of Beauty

Ringing The Bell For The Salvation Army Has Its Rewards

The other day I was standing in front of the North WalMart ringing the bell and handing out Candy Canes to all the young children.

All of a sudden I leaned over to hand one of the children a Candy Cane and the child said, I have something for you Sir. He then proceeded to thank me for what I was doing and handed me the package above. On one side was a small Snickers Bar taped to a small piece of paper. When I turned it over I got the added bonus of a message thanking ME for serving.

I'm telling you Folks, there aren't that many slots left open and you should jump on board and take one of the most rewarding hours, couple of hours, whatever you like. If you'd like to help out cal the Salvation Army at 410-749-7771 ext. 100 or me at 410-430-5349. You can also e-mail me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com and let me know which open slot you'd like to take and I'll take it from there.

To the young man who gave me this Snickers Bar, God Bless You. The memory will last me a lifetime.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing Update

Sams Club
North Walmart Retail Entrance
North Walmart Grocery Entrance

Here we are 10 days away from Christmas and very few time slots to fill. THANK YOU to all who have given of your time. If you have an hour to spare and would like to volunteer please contact the Salvation Army at 410-749-7771 ext 100 or contact Joe at 410-430-5349 or alberobutzo@wmconnect.com.

Thanks again to everyone who has committed their time to a very worth cause.