Wormtown Taxi Passing Lane

Jeff Barnard 12/08/1948 to 11/28/2010

My blogging friend Jeff Barnard passed away on Sunday. Jeff was fighting the good fight with melanoma cancer and true to form he blogged about his daily routine as best he could and when he could on his Worcester blog, Wormtown Taxi. His last post was so much true to his form and spirit and it was to his wife Kathy. It was just a simple thought from him to let his wife know that he loved her very much, she was his angel.

Jeff was a good friend to me when it came to my blog writing and many a time he would email me to point out where I needed to tone things down a bit when it came to my thoughts on the local level or just outright delete and idiotic post with a well worded explanation as to why.

He was a good man and a good friend too many, the world will be a little less reported on with Jeff’s Taxi signing off of his last shift. For all of the bloggers in Worcester and around the nation that knew him, raise a glass of beer to him and always tell a story. It will make Jeff very happy.

Rest in peace my friend. May the good lord keep you in the hollow of his hand or put you on the writing desk at St. Peters Gate. God bless ya Jeff.

Papamoka

O'Connor Brothers is handling arrangements

I'm asking all of my readers to say a special prayer or keep my friend Jeff Barnard of Wormtown Taxi in your thoughts. Jeff is having a hard time with his cancer treatment and any help from above or just receiving some great vibes can't hurt.

Jeff runs a great blog on the local level for the people that live in and around Worcester, MA. His quirky thoughts on the local news coverage and undying support for the local police is always a must read for me every single day.

Get well my friend and please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

Always your friend,
Papamoka

Blog Roll Up

From time to time I like to suggest must read blogs or just a blog with a different view than most rants you see on the internet. Real thinkers and real people with a real opinion. People that care about their community and their nation. This time around I was snagged by a friend with an award so I have to participate in the award and pay it forward. Check out the blogs I love and become addicted…

Gun Toting Liberal has an Independent view that comes from being raised in Alaska and moved to Alabama. He in fact went to school with Sarah Palin and her husband and is not taking any questions on that subject. So don’t even think of asking questions! Believe it or not he is also in fact a card carrying member of the ACLU and the NRA. If that isn’t a moderate voter then I don’t know what one is! When he covers a topic he is not afraid to show the skeletons in anybodies closets. Love him or hate him, he makes you think! That is the magic that keeps people reading the GTL over and over again. I thank him for reading here as well daily. My brotha from anotha motha!

Bring It On is a great collection of liberal leaning writers and I love the friendship of each and everyone of the friends I have been able to write with over there. You have to check out the many posters that SteveO puts up. It cracks me up because they are so true. Jet, Cranky, Dusty and the rest of the writers are great and Dan Delrito’s pieces have been picked up by Crooks and Liars a couple of times. You don't get that kind of attention if you don't have legitimate points that make sense.

Worm Town Taxi is the premier site for Worcester, Mass news and information on the goings on. I’ve been following his pieces on the wind turbine going up at Holy Name in the city and the coverage he has on it is top notch. Then again, anything Jeff is covering is breaking news in the local community.

Atlantic Review just added this site to their blog roll and all I know about them is that they are huge in Europe and like what they read here at Papamoka.

Our Rants and Raves is a new blog and the writer has his heart in the right place. Talking about the issues and putting his opinion out there to read. Liberal in content but strong in his values and topics that he covers. You can feel the passion in his writing and I like his style.

I’m From Worcester, my sister from another mother covers everything local and sometimes covers national politics when she feels the winds of politics need her voice. Which reminds me that Ms. Crystal joined us as a contributing writer and she has a clear understanding of the issues facing America too! Two woman, great writers both.

Paper May. I saved the best for last, my good friend from Minnesota that helped me out more than she even knows. She helped me out with my pet project as a friend and since then has started her own voice on life in politics called Paper May. If you want to talk to someone with a firm grasp on life then talk to Chell and read her site. I’m addicted.

Now it seems that all of you must award seven other people this great honor from your heart as a fellow blogger. I don’t usually do this but my sista from another motha put me up to it! I’m ignoring the click your heals three times and say there is no place like home requirement. Not going there Chell!

Papamoka