CarolKeller's blog

The following poem was written by Sandy Hartman, a retired Jacksonville educator and poet.  Sandy's timely poetry speaks to the  U.S. state of affairs.  Please share!

Carnival  of Fools
Oh, it's Monday morn at last
And revelers swagger past
All the Saints Go Marching In
With their leverage, pork and show
And proposals shrewd and bold 
They'll whirl and twirl and dance
To  jazz, pizzazz, and razz matazz 

The beaches community is home to many artists of all shapes and sizes representing various artistic mediums. Many times a gifted artist is stifled by the inability to showcase their work either by lack of opportunity, cost to exhibit or truthfully -- the lack of know how to find the proper venues. Their business is the art of creating -- not the marketing side of managing their artwork.

My personal quest has only just begun on the marketing side -- I too struggle here. I have found two local venues that fully support local art and artists each in their own way. My photographic artwork is on display at both venues -- a solo exhibit at the Ponte Vedra library on display until February 29, 2008 and a black and white piece as part of a mixed media group exhibition at The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach ending February 23, 2008.

The beaches community played host to over 8,000 Marathon runners from all over the world this past Sunday. The 2008 Breast Cancer Marathon (26.2 with Donna) was the inaugural marathon in support of breast cancer research at the Mayo clinic and women living with breast cancer.

The community showed the world what is was made of as volunteers and supporters of all ages littered every mile of the course encouraging the runners each step of the way. As one of the photographers for Jacksonville.com, I was proud and privileged to witness such hospitality and genuine support from the community in which I also reside. The 20 mile mark was supported by young girls and teenagers standing side by side with older volunteers cheering, encouraging, handing out water and Powerade but also providing support and laughter to each and every runner that past.