Christmas Tree Time (11/23)

It's a little early but I went ahead and picked up a Christmas tree yesterday. No fear of it dying before Dec. 25 - it's fake. But it gets the job done.

I don't have an angel and / or star for the top yet. Until I do, the spot is being occupied by a 15-year-old WWF Undertaker action figure. Adds a little personality to the tree (if the panda didn't already do that). : )

At the george jones concert in sc thats not george though a conway twitty tribute show came first complete with a loretta lynn good stuff but way too many people thought it was really him

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Christmas deco already up at victoria stephen

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Shelby fire station

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Polling Site videos

Videos from earlier in the day:

Interview with Debra Blanton, board of elections director

Interview with Debbie Clary's brother, David

Interview with a Davy Lowman volunteer

Palin Fun

It's stressful in the newsroom, as it is every Election Night. So let's take some time out for a little AK Fun.

AK as in Alaska, not Arkansas.

Heading back to the office

Heading back to the office check back later for three videos

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One man just drove up

One man just drove up hoping to vote but could not because hes not a resident of this community

Very little movement here

Very little movement here

One voter who declined to

One voter who declined to give his name said the mudslinging this year turned him off from voting for certain people

Final Stop: Kingstown

My last stop of the day takes me to Palmer Grove Baptist Church in Kingstown. I've got about a 20 minute drive ahead of me.

Casar turnout

I'm running a little short on time so I won't be able to stay in Casar long. However, I've seen a steady flow of voters just since I pulled up.

Why vote Lowman / Melton?

Spencer, whose brother works closely with the Lowman campaign, said he was drawn to Lowman because of his "good working class plan." Padgett said he was drawn to Melton's campaign because he said he would be the best pick to work with what he predicts to be a Democratic majority in the Senate.

James Spencer campaigning for Davy Lowman and Steve Padgett for Keith Melton

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On my way to Casar

On my way to Casar

Clary said he was in

Clary said he was in line to vote in Rippy at 6:10. "They were lined up to the road." He said he was the 40 or 50th person

David Clary is the sole campaign volunteer on hand, helping his sister Debbie. Look for a video interview with him later

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Owen helps John Swofford with cubside voting

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Owen also said there was

Owen also said there was a half hour wait to get through the line when polls opened

Election volunteer Paul Owen said

Election volunteer Paul Owen said the curbside voters have been especially excited this morning

Volunteers say they've had one voter a minute since 6:30

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Parking lot is packed

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You Say You Want a Revolution...

Polkville is a little bit of a drive so I thought I'd provide some in-flight entertainment to keep you occupied until I arrive.

Some music with political undertones:

Next stop: Polkville

Next stop: Polkville

Voters are showing up in

Voters are showing up in spirts at the last two stops.

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Jo Costner said there was

Jo Costner said there was a small line when he showed up. "I hope my man wins."

No volunteers here. A wife

No volunteers here. A wife just walked out and told her husband she voted straight ticket

Belwood community building

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Check back later for video

Check back later for video comments from Blanton

Debra Blanton, county board of

Debra Blanton, county board of elections director, stopped by briefly. She said she is sticking by her turnout prediction.

Steven James Dehaan said he

Steven James Dehaan said he was bothered by the high number of uncontested races. How did he vote? "I hope the right way."

Very little to no line

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For the second stop in a row Davy Lowman is the only one represented by a volunteer. Margie Christopher said shd arrived at 6:10.

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Ashleigh Allenbaugh celebrated her 18th birthday by voting in her first election today. "This one seemed really important to me."

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James Hill said he hopes Obama wins. "Needing a change in the world."

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Next stop: Lawndale

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Those leaving the polls are saying there is a 10-15 min wait to get through the line.

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Gil Pickard is the sole campaign volunteer on hand. When asked why he supports Davy Lowman, he said "jobs, jobs, jobs." Lowman said he was "very optimistic" on Lowman's bid and how the day would go for the Democratic Party.

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The line is now out the door

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Phyllis Haynes of Lawndale is one of many on hand to vote early. She said the presidential race drew her to the polls. "Just the different religious, political views."

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Parking at the Fallston fire department voting site

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First stop: Fallston

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Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Heard this Bowie classic on the iPod on the way into work. Found this FANTASTIC clip on YouTube which sums up the day.

And so the day begins

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Halloween Costume

Since I brought it up earlier in the month here on the blog, I thought I would share how the Halloween costume came out:


If it's not super obvious, it's Malcolm McDowell in "A Clockwork Orange."

Here's the original, for comparison's sake:



If you would like to share your own Halloween costume shots, and perhaps get them printed in the paper, shoot them to shelbystar@shelbystar.com. Be sure to include your name and contact info.

Tuesday, 6 a.m.: Live Election Coverage

Tomorrow's the big day and just about everyone here at The Star is going to be busting their butt to provide as much live election coverage as possible.

Our plan, as it stands right now, is to hit every single voting precinct in the county (there are close to 30) and then provide election results as they come in after 7 p.m.

I'm up first. Beginning at 6 a.m., I'll be stopping by Casar, Fallston, Kingstown, Lawndale, Mulls, and Polkville in The Star Car. I hope to speak with voters who got up early as well as people working the polls and campaign volunteers.

Come back to the blog around 6 for live coverage. I'll be taking plenty of photos that will be instantly uploaded here to the blog.