Blog
Hitting the streets
A little jittery after leaving the World of Coke, I spent a few hours wandering the streets of Atlanta.
Centennial Olympic Park
Marietta Street
Woodruff Park chess players
Marta Station
Centennial Olympic Park
Marietta Street
Woodruff Park chess players
Marta Station
BGKY
Watching the sun rise from the busiest airport in the country.
Waiting for a connecting flight to Nashville in Charlotte, NC
Back in the bluegrass for a little R&R. Just in time to catch the ending of a let down of a Bears game and to shoot some hoops from the deck.
Waiting for a connecting flight to Nashville in Charlotte, NC
Back in the bluegrass for a little R&R. Just in time to catch the ending of a let down of a Bears game and to shoot some hoops from the deck.
Heaven in Atlanta
Yes, Heaven is in Atlanta and is also known as the World of Coke.
I spent last weekend in Atlanta shooting a friends wedding on Saturday. I had some time on my hands in the morning so I figured I'd check out the museum dedicated to the best soft drink ever.
Walking back to the car I saw this sign next too what would have been an amazing skate spot. Sad Day.
I spent last weekend in Atlanta shooting a friends wedding on Saturday. I had some time on my hands in the morning so I figured I'd check out the museum dedicated to the best soft drink ever.
Walking back to the car I saw this sign next too what would have been an amazing skate spot. Sad Day.
St. Paul's church was on the move last week out in Sandwich, Ill.
Despite it being mid-morning, I am pretty sure the whole town was out to watch the church cross a street, wiggle between two buildings and mosey on down Main street to its new location next to the parish office.
Parishioners held a small service out front of their church before the move began to bless its journey.
Thankfully the building made it unscathed and without incident.
Here's to another 150 years for St. Paul's Church.
Despite it being mid-morning, I am pretty sure the whole town was out to watch the church cross a street, wiggle between two buildings and mosey on down Main street to its new location next to the parish office.
Parishioners held a small service out front of their church before the move began to bless its journey.
Thankfully the building made it unscathed and without incident.
Here's to another 150 years for St. Paul's Church.
Governor comes to town
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn came to Aurora earlier this week to announce a grant that will be used to liven up the banks of the Fox River.
Security was tight...ish. I guess I was expecting a bit more, but these guys didn't bother me so I wasn't complaining.
Security was tight...ish. I guess I was expecting a bit more, but these guys didn't bother me so I wasn't complaining.
Raising the Robinson's
I've spent some time over the past few weeks with the Robinson family in Aurora. Iola Robinson was 47 and a foster parent when she adopted two brothers and sister. When she found out about another brother and a newborn baby brother she took them in too.
"I was taught if you have no husband, you have no children. But I ended up with five." Said Iola.
Twenty years later, Iola is 67 with kids ranging from 20 to 11. All have had their issues with school and life but have been on the right track thanks to their mother, their teachers and their mentors, Zach and Jacki Montroy who have gone from school counselors to a second family to the kids. "They are the kids guardian angels." Iola said.
For more photos and the whole story check out the Beacon's new pretty website HERE!
"I was taught if you have no husband, you have no children. But I ended up with five." Said Iola.
Twenty years later, Iola is 67 with kids ranging from 20 to 11. All have had their issues with school and life but have been on the right track thanks to their mother, their teachers and their mentors, Zach and Jacki Montroy who have gone from school counselors to a second family to the kids. "They are the kids guardian angels." Iola said.
For more photos and the whole story check out the Beacon's new pretty website HERE!
Mike and Lindsay
Had a great engagement session tonight Downtown Naperville with Mike and Lindsay.
Turns out we actually went to high school together, so it was fun to walk around some old stomping grounds for their photos.
Here is a little teaser... more to come but there are burgers on the grill that are calling my name.
Congrats guys, looking forward to the big day!
Turns out we actually went to high school together, so it was fun to walk around some old stomping grounds for their photos.
Here is a little teaser... more to come but there are burgers on the grill that are calling my name.
Congrats guys, looking forward to the big day!
Season of Love
A few from tonight's football battlefield...
Plane crash
Just before I got into the office yesterday I got a call from my editor telling me a airplane had just crashed into the X Sport Fitness Center.
Of course I was on the other side of town, but I was in the truck driving as soon as I heard her say, "Plane crash."
By the time I battled my way through the lunchtime traffic a few other photogs from our news group were there focusing on the accident itself, so I turned my attention on the crowd that just kept growing.
Turns out there is a small subdivision with an airstrip maybe 500 yards or so away from the building and this plane was taking off and didn't get the altitude it needed...obviously.
Staff at the fitness center say that planes buzz a little close for comfort all the time, but this is the first one that has hit it.
Luckily the plane flew into what was a empty basketball court and early reports said all injuries were non-life threatening.
Of course I was on the other side of town, but I was in the truck driving as soon as I heard her say, "Plane crash."
By the time I battled my way through the lunchtime traffic a few other photogs from our news group were there focusing on the accident itself, so I turned my attention on the crowd that just kept growing.
Turns out there is a small subdivision with an airstrip maybe 500 yards or so away from the building and this plane was taking off and didn't get the altitude it needed...obviously.
Staff at the fitness center say that planes buzz a little close for comfort all the time, but this is the first one that has hit it.
Luckily the plane flew into what was a empty basketball court and early reports said all injuries were non-life threatening.
If Bob Ross took pictures...
... it might look a little like this.
Move in Day
Back from the beginning of the school year... move in day at Aurora University.
Caution: Wet Paint.
Homecoming March
East Aurora held their Homecoming parade last week and these kids caught my eye from the very beginning. I had tried to work something early on in the march and it just wasn't coming together, but those red hats and guns were to much to resist.
This was actually after the parade had made its last turn back into the schools parking lot. I had worked my way ahead of them and figured I'd give it one last go....
This was actually after the parade had made its last turn back into the schools parking lot. I had worked my way ahead of them and figured I'd give it one last go....
Parenthood Planning
The Pro-Life Action league staged a 24 hour prayer vigil on the 3rd anniversary of Planned Parenthood opening up in Aurora.
I stopped by before and after my football game on Friday to check it out....
I stopped by before and after my football game on Friday to check it out....
Vigil
A week or so ago a young man was shot and killed on Aurora's east side. This is only the second killing that has happened so far this year. In the late 1990's gang violence was so bad in Aurora around 30 people were killed on the streets.
Today a vigil was held at the corner he was killed on by friends and family.
Today a vigil was held at the corner he was killed on by friends and family.
Kailani
Kailani is 14. She has Cerebral Palsy, but her family has been pursuing stem cell research as a form of treatment. After just one treatment done in Mexico, Kailani or Kai as she is called, has had significant improvements. "She has come farther in 6 months than she has in 14 years." Said her mother.
Animal Control
I spent some time at the Kendall County Animal Control this morning. They have been overrun with people dropping off unwanted pets this last month and have nearly reached capacity forcing them to consider possibly euthanizing some of the animals.
20 dogs that have been in their cage overnight.... it's a smell I will not soon forget.
20 dogs that have been in their cage overnight.... it's a smell I will not soon forget.
Kids these days....
Man of the House
To the man who made me who I am today... Happy Birthday Dad.
