PJ

oops

2008-03-08T16:32:00.000-08:00

Dear Alison,
When I said "I swear to God I'll update my blog this weekend, I really mean it this time," I meant to say "I swear to God I'll update my blog next weekend, I really mean it this time."

Here are some left-overs from the end of my internship last May/June in Chattanooga. I worked on this "Best of Preps" project, and the winners wrote about their first sports memory. So the idea was to have the athletes shot holding a picture of themselves playing their sport as a kid.

This kid actually plays for Clemson now, and is doing pretty well for himself.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Shamefully, I don't have a whole lot to post since that time. Oh, here's a video of a boxer that I worked on and enjoyed quite a bit (I don't think I ever posted it on da blog): CLICK HERE

Tennessee number three

2007-03-09T18:04:00.000-08:00

Update number three from Tennesseeeeee!

It's getting a little warmer here, which means more fun and more enjoyable weather features.

Karlie Smith gets ready to record her testimonial as part of a fund-raising video for a mission trip to Uganda. Smith and five other students her age decided to spend this year's summer vacation in Uganda to help out orphanages from families with AIDS.

Joel Prince stands in a residence at 675 1st Street in Cleveland that has been condemned and will likely be taken down within two weeks. Mr. Prince is a city code enforcement officer, and also works with a new program called the Codes Krew which aims to inform kids about codes enforcement.

Sequatchi County's #20 Malorie Tucker, bottom, celebrates with #14 Katherine Baker after they won the District 6-AA basketball championships over Grundy at Hixson High School on February 19.

Eight-year-old Cody Nease stands on his mom's minivan to catch a glimpse of Air Force One with his disposable camera on Wednesday afternoon. Dozens of spectators came out to Honest Road to take photos of the parked 747 aircraft while President Bush was across town.

Second-grader Hunter Dodd roams the hallways of Cloud Springs Elementary School at Dr. Seuss Night. Hats from "Cat in the Hat" were sold as a fund-raiser and students got to wear them all week long in preparation for the night of festivities on March 1.

Jerry Gerber holds the book used in Celebrate Recovery, a twelve-step program that has been in Georgia prisons for two years. Mr. Gerber facilitates the outreach ministry program, which includes 60 inmates between two area prisons. Mr. Gerber said of the program, "We hurt by ourselves, but we heal together."

Firefighter DeAngelo Newson works to extinguish the smoking roof from flames that erupted at the Villas at Oak Creek on Tuesday morning, causing "Heavy fire damage" to eight units, Chattanooga Fire Department spokesman Bruce Garner said. No injuries were reported from the fire, and the cause is currently unknown.

Tennessee number two

2007-02-17T19:21:00.000-08:00

Here are some more pictures from work:

I've been doing a lot of prep sports lately, namely basketball and wrestling. I don't really have access to a dynalight set or anything, so I've been going super high ISO or occasionally bouncing my 580 off the ceiling.

We had our first (and so far only) snow of the season at the beginning of this month. It was pretty neat and I kinda wanted to be sledding down the hill with those college kids. But it was really fun to shoot it, too.

We have a skate park here in town. I did a little video project on that... it isn't too pretty though. Here is something slightly related.

Covenant Presbyterian has a new sanctuary.. this didn't run but I liked the graphics of it.

This beautiful man is from North Korea. You can read the article about him here: http://timesfreepress.com/absolutenm/templates/content_no_ads.aspx?articleid=10875&zoneid=39

Here is how it ran in the paper:

Definitely learned my lesson on taking a photo of a photo... should've done something interesting or at least had him hold it.

I made this for the best girlfriend in the world (aww):

That's about it for now. I'm doing some video at work now too... and I have no idea what I'm doing. I'll post some stuff when I have a slightly better grasp on that. I'm doing it a couple times a week now, so hopefully that'll be soon.

Go Heels!

Update from the big Tenn

2007-01-26T21:29:00.000-08:00

Oh, hi. Didn't see you there, internet.
I'm in Tennessee now until the beginning of July working at an internship. It's been a little while, so here's a picture from Peru:

I will post the story with audio soon.

So I now live in Chattanooga -- it's really pretty here and I can see a lake outside of my window. I finally got my camera fixed after breaking it last October in Peru, and I got a fancy new flash, and my wide-angle fixed as well.
Anyway, here's some stuff I've worked on. I spent a few days with this awesome kid Brett working on a cheerleading deal, so a lot of the following pictures are from those events.

And some regular daily assignments...

Watch the Brett story HERE. Ash White did the audio and production on that.

That's it for now. I don't think I'm going to do the every-assignment-update like I did last summer... I'm trying to find my love for photojournalism again, and I'm just going to post the pictures I take for me on here.

Eddie Adams Overview

2006-10-17T17:35:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was the Eddie Adams Workshop; it was really really incredible. I met some amazing people, learned way too much, and heard a large number of fantastic photographers talk about their work. The list of people there was really mind-blowing, but it is indeed the "ultimate photo workshop experience." I made some kickass friends on top of it all, too. I'll post some photos from my story later on, but here's a few pictures of cool people.

Team Gray

Bonfire on the next to last night

Everyone from UNC

Off to Peru tomorrow! I'll be back the 29th. Peace!

Wrestler

2006-10-01T19:05:00.000-07:00

part of a larger project:

I like how the color balancing came out, but the photos are lacking that something extra, I think.

DTH Multimedia

2006-09-11T06:42:00.000-07:00

Below are a couple multimedia projects I've been working on for the DTH. The first is on the Bynum General Store music series (I did photo and audio). The second one is for 9/11 (I did audio, Ray Jones did photo). Ray shot it on his Hasselblad, and it looks really awesome.

Bynum:
http://apps.dailytarheel.com/multimedia/country_store/

9/11:
http://apps.dailytarheel.com/multimedia/9_11/

Week 11 + 12

2006-08-23T18:28:00.000-07:00

Little late on this one.
I don't quite remember what day was what, but here are the last couple weeks of my internship.

Week 11: Not Mexican + Morton Salt girl
This was for an article on cultural foods that commonly get confused as being Mexican. Some of the ones featured here are Brazil, Chile, Columbia, and Cuba. The final design was a 3x3 grid of square shots (food or tight portraits).

Illustration for too much salt in our diets.

Week 12: Buildings, Immigrants, School Board, X-Files, Water-ski, HDTV

8/7/2006 - Amanda McClenny, University Gardens resident for 14 years, spoke on Monday about the problems plaguing her home. McClenny, who is currently relocating to another residence inside the complex, said that the water damage and mold in her bathroom had been there for years, and more recently the tiles started falling out. The west Charlotte-based apartments have experienced numerous problems in recent years, with even more troubles after the recent flooding. The city is currently deciding whether or not to demolish the complex.

8/8/2006 - Trent Merchant, an executive search consultant and former teacher, was inducted as the new Board of Education member after Kit Cramer vacated her position. Merchant was the only person nominated at Tuesday's meeting, and received a decisive 8-0 vote.

This was for Doug Smith's column on his "S-Files"... we were going for an X-Files vibe.

8/10/2006 - Derek Estridge and his dad Jim smile after Derek's brief ski ride. Every Thursday afternoon at the Lake Norman YMCA, volunteers teach water-skiing to people with disabilities from across the Charlotte region, in the Y's swimming area on Lake Norman. The Adaptive Sports and Adventures Program has partnered with the YMCA to provide the program to people of all ages. The program has been going on for about 10 years, and helps out participants with many benefits; trunk stability, balance, a sense of independence and confidence. For some participants, it is the highlight of their week and one of the few times where they are constantly smiling. Adaptive Sports and Adventures Program Coordinator Jennifer Moore said, "Just to be out of their chair and to be active, it's huge."

8/10/2006 - Adaptive Sports and Adventures volunteer Kina Atkin works with Daniel Moody to adjust his ski after a fall. Although Moody had been water skiing before, it was the first time he used this particular setup.

8/10/2006 - Some of the volunteers comfort a nervous Derek as they fit him into his ski. Typically, it takes 8 volunteers to assist one skier, who rides for around 15 minutes.

8/10/2006 - Right, second-year volunteer Kina Atkin helps Adam Dunaway (29) out of the water following his ride. Dunaway said the "water feels great," and that with skiing, it "feels like I'm more competitive."

8/10/2006 - 9-year-old Samantha Shout rides with Tomi Swift during her second time volunteering.

I worked on that one with Luke, who is a design badass.

That's it for now!

Week 10

2006-08-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

2 more weeks of this!

Monday: Food CP
The other portraits along with the one I shot the prior Friday. It's for the MoneyWise CP on the explosion of businesses around town that help you assemble a month's worth of dinners.

Tuesday: Larn!
For the tax-free weekend.

Wednesday: Cops on Bikes

7/26/2006 - C.L. Vollman and C.M. Eubank patrol Tryon Street uptown on Wednesday afternoon. Charlotte's bicycle cops are a relatively new phenomenon, and their experience is much different than on car-patrol. C.M. Eubank, C.L. Vollman, and D.L. Moorefield spoke on Wednesday regarding the officers and the bike patrol program. To combat the heat, they all agreed that staying hydrated was the most important thing. "If it's not breezy and the sun's out, be prepared to sweat. You have to stay hydrated," said Eubank. D.L. Moorefield echoed his sentiments and added, "When I stop, that's when the sweat starts going."

Thursday: House Fire

7/27/06 - Charlotte firefighters battle a blaze in the 1000 block of Vanizer St. Thursday afternoon. There was one resident who escaped the fire unharmed and two firefighters suffered minor injuries, according to fire department spokesman Rob Brisley. The firefighters were sent to Presbyterian Hospital and an outpatient clinic. Brisley said the blaze, which firefighters had under control in 30 minutes, caused $30,000 in damages.

Friday: Art Space

7/28/2006 - Tom Schulz, owner of Empathinc, rents his studio space on 36th Street near the Neighborhood Theatre, but will be moving at the end of September because the gentrification of the neighborhood is pricing him out. Schulz said that one of the things he has enjoyed about the space is interacting with other people as they passed through for shows and productions.

Late Friday / Saturday: 24 Hours of Booty
WATCH this multimedia.

Here are some (not very tightly edited) selects from that:

Another multimedia - the Ferrari car guy from last week

Week 9

2006-07-28T01:43:00.000-07:00

Monday: Motorbike/ATV Park, Gramps Hockey

7/17/2006 - From Right, Carolina Adventure World President Don Wilburn and co-owner Jim Floyd stand in front of a valley to be transformed into a championship motocross course as part of their larger recreation park. Wilburn and Floyd are creating a 2,593-acre action park that will include activities focused around ATVs, motorbikes, golf carts and more. Construction is in the first phase right now, and is set to complete around December of this year.

7/17/2006 - Lee Kyle, 66, of Cornelius shares a laugh with his teammates following their 13-6 victory over the Superior Supermen at the Eastland Mall ice rink. Most of Kyle's teammates are half his age, and they all refer to him as "Gramps." Kyle is a loss prevention consultant for Accident Fund, and his teammates have equally varied backgrounds, from a pilot to a pro golfer. "It's just one hockey game but you have a lot of personalities there," he said. Kyle plays with his team, Beck Imports, every Monday night, and has been doing so since 1995.

Tuesday: Out of the Red

7/18/2006 - 25-year-old Matt Walters is currently in the market for a new home, and Gateway Village is one of his prospects. Walters, an employee of Wachovia, said of the buying process, "I'm trying to make it as nonchalant as possible."

Wednesday: Golf Kid & Mountain Bikes

7/19/2006 - 9-year-old Matthew Kowalewski has recently qualified for the World Junior Golf Championship in Pinehurst on July 27-29. Although it's his first big tournament, Kowaleski says he isn't nervous. And at 5'3" and 120 pounds, he plays a pretty big game, too. Kowalewski's mom, Joanne, said that "ever since he was walking, he had a golf club and a hockey stick in his hand."

7/19/2006 - Eric Meddaugh carves through a trail while competing at Renaissance Park during the Charlotte Mountain Bike Series. Neal Boyd, creator of the summer series, has been doing the program for six years now. Boyd said that "everything was with all the big events," and that he "saw the need for grassroots-level mountain biking." The event hosts a wide variety of experience, serving as a gateway for new-comers and a training ground for others. The Charlotte Mountain Bike Series has 16 races over the entire summer, and the last four will be at North Mecklenburg Park, beginning next week.

7/19/2006 - Bobby Lindsay fixes one of his tires prior to racing in the Charlotte Mountain Bike Series at Renaissance Park on Wednesday. Although Lindsay ended up winning his class, he did so with another tire problem; on the final stretch out of the woods he got a flat.

7/19/2006 - Shawn Ulikowski (133) blazes around a turn at Renaissance Park as part of the Charlotte Mountain Bike Series.

7/19/2006 - Left, Tom Ashton, bronze-medal winner of the beginner 35+ class, chats with other bikers following a competition at Renaissance Park as part of the Charlotte Mountain Bike Series. After the race, participants cooled down with cups of water and slices of watermelon.

Thursday: Malachi

7/20/2006 - Malachi Johnson (7) plays a card game with his mother Tonja Cannon at their home in Kannapolis. Johnson had a rare, cancerous Wilms tumor removed from his stomach in February that was the size of a basketball. On Sunday, Malachi will travel to California as part of the free Dream Street camp for ill children in Los Angeles. Dr. Mark Mogul, a pediatric oncologist who practices at Presbyterian and NorthEast, is taking 17 Charlotte-area children to the camp Sunday. "It's just a life-changing experience, just to see these kids be kids away from the hospital," Mogul said. "And for them to see other kids who know what they're going through."

Friday / Saturday: DinnerCP & Youth Church
Part of a 4-picture series for the food centerpiece sometime in the next week (other 3 were taken this week).

I actually found this story, sup wit dat?

7/21/2006 - Jada Moon (4) tosses a bean-bag at a panel of holes as part of a street festival on Saturday afternoon. St. Paul Baptist hosted the event as part of a weekend festival geared towards youth and giving them a positive direction to follow. Youth Minister James Burney put together the program, which is an annual event as part of the larger effort to cut down on young people's idle time, which can lead to trouble. During Saturday's events, Burney said "we've got all kinds of games and things going on," and that "it seems like everyone is having a good time; looks like everything is well organized."

7/21/2006 - Sabrina Keyocean (10) joins her friends in cooling down with a water-slide during a street festival on Saturday afternoon.

7/21/2006 - From Right, T.J. Thompson (15) and Quantin Henderson (14) survey the scene at a street festival on Saturday afternoon.

7/21/2006 - Kevin Stratford (7) takes his spin at one of the ride offerings during a street festival on Saturday. Youth Minister James Burney said, "we've got games that are unbelievable, and it looks like everyone is having a real good time." St. Paul Baptist hosted the event as part of a weekend festival geared towards youth and giving them a positive direction to follow.

7/21/2006 - During the Youth Explosion performances, a small group of eager dancers wait their chance to take the stage.

7/21/2006 - Willie Reese (9) takes his best shot at a basketball machine during the St. Paul Baptist street festival on Saturday. Reese continuously played the two-player game with others, as is indicated by his numerous victory arm bands.

7/21/2006 - Perry Bostic (13) pulls back to launch another rocket at the pool-dunking game outside of St. Paul Baptist Church. Each of the kids took their turn at hitting the target, and sometimes made wagers of getting soaked if they missed.

7/21/2006 - The Youth Explosion was only part of a larger St. Paul Baptist event geared towards youth and giving them a positive direction to follow.

7/21/2006 - Following the Youth Explosion, young males helped to stack chairs and clear the way for a basketball tournament.

7/21/2006 - Eric Deese was so excited by variety entertainer Mark Lippard that he couldn't even stay in his seat. Lippard wowed the young crowd with fire juggling, comedy, and unicycling on Friday night, and closed with a brief and interactive sermon geared towards the young audience.

7/21/2006 - Kendall Choice (14) recites a piece of poetry during the Spoken Word Cafe on Friday evening.

Week 8

2006-07-15T10:20:00.000-07:00

Monday: Liam McGee

7/10/2006 - Liam McGee is president of Bank of America's largest division, Global Consumer & Small Business Banking. McGee spoke on Monday regarding the business and it's strategy as it moves forward.

Tuesday: Construction

7/11/2006 - The light rail bridge over 277 was initially slated as a $1.6 million project to be completed by February 2007. Because of specialized steel required to hold the proposed sidewalks, the bridge would cost $2.5 million and take until July to finish, said Ron Tober, CEO of the Charlotte Area Transit System.

Wednesday: Wine & Baseball
I'm aware of the glass, that's what the food person wanted.

7/12/2006 - 2005 Moscato D'Asti (in glass) and Neblina, a Portuguese Vinho Verde for for Catherine Rabb's wine column, inside Food. The column is on light summer wines.

7/12/2006 - Max Fulginiti (18), an outfielder for the Pineville Post 337 American Legion baseball team, broke a 20-year Area IV record with a .696 batting average in the regular season (he was 39-of-56). During the high school season, he set a Charlotte Christian record with 62 hits in the season. Next year he will play at High Point University, citing Coach Bando as a prime reason for choosing the up-and-coming university. One of his teammates, Matt Gantner, will also be joining him on the squad.

Thursday: Ferrari + Aston Martin
I'll have a video next week of me driving around in the F430

7/13/2006 - Tom Pollan (46) is owner of Privatus, a high-end car club where members can pay $65,000 for two years' access to an exotic selection of automobiles for 100 days out of the year. The club pays insurance, maintenance, cleaning, delivers and picks up the vehicles. After the first two years, members pay $7,500 a year to continue the service. Recent acquisitions include the Aston Martin DB9 (pictured), Ferrari 575 Maranello F1 and Ferrari F430. Pollan hopes to expand the club into other cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and West Palm Beach in the near future.

Friday: French Independence Day

7/14/2006 - Jef the Mime peers over the shoulder of Luke Giduz, who was juggling with his father Bill as part of a Bastille Day celebration. People gathered on Friday at the Wachovia Plaza to celebrate Bastille Day, the French Independence Day. The festival contained a variety of family-oriented entertainment such as French food, wine, music, and culture. Proceeds for the event benefited the FACCNC, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting business relationships between France and North Carolina.

7/14/2006 - John Parker of Weddington orders a glass of wine at the Bastille Day celebration uptown on Friday.

7/14/2006 - Center, Bill Giduz wows a young crowd with his juggling at an uptown celebration for Bastille Day on Friday.

7/14/2006 - From Left, John Parker, David Osmolski, Susan Osmolski, and Bernie Parker toast at an uptown celebration for Bastille Day on Friday.

7/14/2006 - A large selection of French wines was one of the many cultural offerings at an uptown celebration of Bastille Day on Friday.

Week 7

2006-07-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

Monday: Adam Morrison 1st Practice

7/3/2006 - Adam Morrison practices his shot during his first practice with the Bobcats on Monday afternoon at the Bobcats Arena. Morrison had the highest points per game last year with Gonzaga at 28.4 and many hope that his offensive game will help out the Bobcats, especially in the fourth quarter.

Tuesday: 4th of July Melee

7/4/2006 - Men take cover during a series of violent outbreaks that included fights and fireworks being thrown into crowds and toward police. The incidents occurred between 7th and 8th streets on S. Tryon. near the Fox and Hound restaurant.

My television appearance: Watch it

Wednesday: Skating

7/05/2006 - Kenny Hunter (15) and John Brantley (13) lace up in preparation for their practice session Wednesday afternoon at Kate's Skating Rink. The Rock Hill-based team of 8 roller skaters will be traveling to Nebraska for the national speed skating championships this month. Only two of the members have been to the nationals before; John Brantley and Bailey Parrish (12). In preparation for the competition, the team practices four times a week for two hours.

7/05/2006 - Aaron Kisiah (12) speeds around Kate's Skating Rink during a team practice on Wednesday afternoon.

7/05/2006 - From Left, J.R. Taylor, John Brantley, and Kenny Hunter make their rounds during a team practice session.

7/05/2006 - John Brantley (13) leads the team of roller skaters who will be traveling to Nebraska for the national speed skating championships this month

- And I finally finished adding that graduation content to the Hayes boot camp story. It is here: http://www.brandonsmithphoto.com/hayes/ (cheesy ending and all!).

Week 6

2006-07-06T00:23:00.000-07:00

Monday: True West play rehearsal

6/26/2006 - Hugh Loomis (Saul the movie producer) practices his lines prior to going on stage for a dress rehearsal at Theatre Charlotte. "True West", written by Sam Shepard and Directed by Jim Yost, deals with the sibling rivalry between Hollywood screenwriter Austin and his small-time criminal brother Lee who thinks he has a great idea for a hit movie. True West opens July 6 and is part of a summer production by BareBones Theatre Group.

6/26/2006 - Left, Lee (Tom Ollis) argues with his brother Austin (George Cole) during a rehearsal for "True West" at Theatre Charlotte.

Tuesday: Workampers
Watch this, I spent a long time putting it together
Click here

Wednesday: Mobile Dentist
Can't show patients' faces!

6/28/2006 - Dental Assistant Wendy Rainey grabs an instrument for Dr. Robert Selden at the Ada Jenkins Center mobile dental unit. The Ada Jenkins Center at Huntersville Baptist Church got the new unit for its free clinic in April. The clinic has been in operation since July 2002 and operates with the help of volunteer groups, such as nearby churches. Program Coordinator Julie Melchor said that the mobile unit currently visits every other week, but it will start coming on Fridays in the near future. In addition, other groups will be able to lease the mobile unit for their own use.

Thursday: Portraits x 2

6/29/2006 - Amy Abramowitz, a rising senior at Myers Park High, is conducting a half-day science camp to get younger girls interested in science. Abramowitz, who has been involved with teaching kids after school since her sophomore year, said that most of the students signed up so far are from the schools she's tutored at. The camp is open to 3rd through rising 6th graders and will be taking place at Smith Elementary from July 24-28.

6/29/2006 - Gina Obery lives in the Quellin development, which has residents complaining about an odor problem because of a nearby wastewater treatment plant. Obery said that the smell, described as putrid, began last summer. As of the last few months however, it has become more frequent and stronger, and she said that if they knew of the smell prior to buying the house, "there is no way [they] would have moved in." Currently, there is a new development called Cureton being built across the street from the treatment plant featuring many homes and a shopping village.

Friday: Portrait in an office
I really need to work that portraiture...

6/29/2006 - Jack Smith holds a photograph of his uncle John Brem Smith, who died sixty-two years ago in a training flight crash during World War II in Anthon, Iowa. Last Saturday, the town of Anthon, population 649, held a dedication for a memorial plaque they put up to honor the 10 men who died on board. Smith, a Charlotte lawyer and his uncle's namesake, and seven members of his family from Charlotte, Mooresville and Kannapolis were at the ceremony.

Week 5

2006-06-27T21:37:00.000-07:00

Monday: Train Victim

6/19/2006 - Police say a woman called 911 at 4:12 p.m., claiming there was a body of a man on the railroad tracks near 12th and Graham streets, a short distance north of Charlotte's uptown.
Police say a train passed through the area three minutes earlier (4:09 p.m.) and that they believe the man was hit by the train, although they sent Homicide detectives to investigate the scene.

Tuesday: Construction!

6/21/2006 - Sealand Construction workers pave East Blvd. near the Scott Rd. intersection on Tuesday afternoon. The construction company began paving on Monday, although the entire project started May 1st. With the addition of pedestrian islands, the road is narrowing from four lanes to three; some people are not happy with the city project because they fear it will cause long delays.

Wednesday: Superintendent Goodbye

6/22/2006 - CMS Superintendent Frances Haithcock hugs her friend and former board member Louise Woods at a farewell party held Thursday evening at the Mint Museum of Art. During her six years in CMS, Haithcock made an impression through her progress and dedication to students. Chairman of the Board of Education Joe White said "I'm a great fan of Dr. Frances Haithcock," and that "if you look up class lady in the dictionary, you will find her picture." White went on to comment how most people anticipate a stand-still in an interim, but Haithcock has been moving forward in the right direction since she began.

Thursday: EOG Results and Ginny

6/23/2006 - Vance High School Principal Katherine Rea answers questions following a press conference regarding end-of-course test results that were released Friday morning. Vance, along with East Mecklenburg and Independence, showed the most significant improvement in overall scores. Scores also improved in nine out of the ten priority high schools.

6/23/2006 - Ginny Tracy prepares a series of monkey headdresses in the costume shop at Halton Theatre on Friday. Although her peers were putting the final touches on "Parade," Tracy had already begun work for "The Jungle Book," which begins July 5 at CPCC as part of a summer theatre series. Tracy has been working on several shows for CPCC and aspires to a life in the theater.

Sunday: WWE Vengeance
This was published as an online package, so here are more pictures than normal.

6/25/2006 - Thousands of WWE fans wrapped around the Bobcats Arena prior to the show's opening on Sunday night. Fans waited outside since before 4:00 p.m. in the rain.

6/25/2006 - Chance Mullins gets his ticket checked with his dad Michael shortly after doors opened to the public.

6/25/2006 - Randy Orton puts a choke hold on Kurt Angle in his victory during a dark-match on Sunday evening.

6/25/2006 - Umaga unleashes a fiery scream as he pummels Eugene at WWE Vengeance on Sunday. Despite the help of his friends Hacksaw Jim Duggan*, Oink the Clown, and Kamala, Eugene wasn't able to hold off Umaga and lost the match.

6/25/2006 - Charlotte native "Nature Boy" Ric Flair soaks in applause from his hometown at the WWE Vengeance Pay-Per-View event held at the Bobcats Arena on Sunday. Flair faced wrestling veteran Mick Foley in a best-of-three fall match, and won in bloody fashion.

6/25/2006 - Late in the match, Foley pulled out a barbed-wire wrapped baseball bat and hit Flair, causing blood to cover his face. Flair was escorted away from the ring after his victory.

6/25/2006 - Triple H motions to the crowd following his victory with fellow D-Generation X member Shawn Michaels over the Spirit Squad.

Week 4

2006-06-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

Monday: Father's Day 1

Mike Cipicchio is both father and coach to his daughter Patricia (Trish), who plays on the Charlotte Queenz softball team. Cipicchio said that since his job requires so much travel, coaching Trish has afforded him more time with her. Trish echoed his sentiments, saying that the two get to spend hours in the car together when playing in tournaments.

Mike Cipicchio looks through past pictures of his daughter Patricia (Trish) playing softball throughout the years.

Mike Cipicchio has been both father and coach to his three daughters, including Patricia (Trish), who plays on the Charlotte Queenz softball team.

Tuesday: Voting, Valedictorian

Poll Manager Betty Fitzgerald works with other officials to confirm who has and hasn't voted at the Tega Cay City Offices on Tuesday. As of around 2:00pm, only 103 county votes out of 1833 registered voters had turned out. Fitzgerald's husband Edward (also a poll manager) said that the peak is usually from 4:30-6:00, and he expected voter numbers to increase during that time. The ballot is for the South Carolina primary and two seats on Tega Cay's City Council.

Poll Manager Edward Fitzgerald (left) thanks Max Adamski for casting his vote at the Tega Cay City Offices on Tuesday.

South Mecklenburg High School valedictorian Karen Teng delivers her class address on Tuesday evening at the Bobcat's Arena. Teng was the first student in South Mecklenburg High School history to take all advanced placement classes in one year, which worked out to a total of seven classes. Teng's final GPA was a weighted value of 5.033, and she will attend UCLA next fall.

Wednesday: Father's Day 2, AAU Softball Practice

Hedgie Bartol sits with his daughter Chandler outside their home in Charlotte on Wednesday afternoon. Bartol is coach for their Providence Baptist soccer team, which Chandler has been playing with for a few years. He said that he likes having a structured schedule of games and tournaments because he can spend more time with his daughter.

Hedgie Bartol practices with his daughter Chandler outside their home in Charlotte on Wednesday afternoon.

Casey Sweet, daughter of assistant coach Chris Sweet, walks onto the field for practice in the Rocky River Elementary School Park on Wednesday. Sweet is a member of the Diamond Crushers, a 12-and-under AAU softball team. The team started practicing in February, and have competed in several tournaments, winning the Summer State Championships the prior weekend (June 9-11). Team Mom Lorri Roughton said that the team has a very active support, citing a "wonderful meshing of girls and parents."

(From left) Dallas Ladd, Beth Roughton, Kalie LePage, Alyssa Cochran, and Casey Sweet play a game that involves rolling a marble through slotted wood across the infield to a cup at their softball practice in the Rocky River Elementary School Park. Head Coach John Ladd integrated the drill into his practice on Wednesday to emphasize teamwork on the Diamond Crushers AAU 12-and-under softball team.

Members of the Diamond Crushers play a game and exercise drill for catching softballs in the Rocky River Elementary School Park on Wednesday. One player must bounce the softball behind the middle line and the opposing side has to catch it before it crosses their line.

Beth Roughton takes the first base position during a practice drill session at the Rocky River Elementary School Park on Wednesday.

Head Coach John Ladd's bag contains a mix of his tools; softballs, practice Wiffle Balls, bats, and a sketch board. Ladd coaches the Diamond Crushers, a 12-and-under AAU softball team.

Desiree Gray takes her best shot at the ball during a batting exercise at the Diamond Crushers practice on Wednesday Night at the Rocky River Elementary School Park on Wednesday.

Casey Sweet, daughter of assistant coach Chris Sweet, takes part in batting practice at the Rocky River Elementary School Park on Wednesday.

Diamond Crushers Head Coach John Ladd talks to his team about their recent tournament victory at the conclusion of their practice on Wednesday evening at the Rocky River Elementary School Park.

Kalie LePage talks with her dad Ray following their practice session on Wednesday night.

Friday: Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy Graduation
This is a continuation of the story I worked on all spring semester. Once I add this content into the existing parts, it will be published online.

Week 3 (part 2)

2006-06-11T12:51:00.000-07:00

All concert photos taken at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

Friday

Left, Jeffrey Salazar (21) shows his frustration as Costa Rica falls to Germany, 2-4, in the World Cup which kicked off on Friday. Costa Rica fans gathered at Mickey's Pub on 400 North Polk Street, with friends and family taking part. Less than a mile up the road, Germany fans gathered at Waldhorn Restaurant to watch the game there.

Edwardo Oconitrillo grimaces moments before Germany scores one of their four goals to win over Costa Rica 4-2.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Saturday
Bauhaus

TV on the Radio

Nine Inch Nails

Week 3 (part 1)

2006-06-11T12:47:00.000-07:00

Monday

Southside Homes Site Manager Vivian Stafford stands in front of one of the homes that will eventually be renovated with the help of city bonds. The development is currently undergoing $22 million in renovations, $7 million of which are raised from city bond issues. Stafford said that the renovations have been in progress for over a year, with two of the five phases completed.

Tuesday

7-year-old Austin Smith gets his chance to toss the football back at his friends in the Highland Creek Sports Club swimming pool. Although Smith and his friends had been taking turns throwing, he snagged the ball when it came loose.

16-year-old Justin Matis careens down the water slide at the Highland Creek Sports Club swimming pool on Tuesday Afternoon. Terri Montgomery of the Sports Club Information Center said that crowds have been large since opening two weekends prior to Memorial Day. Montgomery, a nine-year-resident of Highland Creek, said that "the community has grown so much with close to 3800 homes," and the pool acts as a hub for these families.

10-month-old Sydney Sanders leads her mom Kara by the water at the Highland Creek Sports Club swimming pool on Tuesday afternoon. Sanders said of the Sports Club in relation to the three other Highland Creek pools, "we only ever come to this one because of the baby pool."

Wednesday

20-year-old Zack Ewing of Charlotte plunges down one of the ramps at the Methodist Home Park and Recreation Center skate park on the corner of Shamrock Drive and Eastway Drive Wednesday afternoon. Ewing said that he usually goes skating every day, but he comes to the Methodist Home Park sometimes because it's so empty. "All the people go to the new one," he said. Ewing said a benefit of skating here is that you "don't even have to watch out for people."

Thursday

President of Waypoint Solutions Group, Dan Wilson, in his home office in south Charlotte. Wilson's company monitors Dubai Ports World's I.T. systems in Hong Kong, the Dominican Republic and elsewhere from his home. He said that to operate out of home, one must have the ability to multitask and that "you can't do it without your family's support." Four employees in Charlotte, Jacksonville, FL and Englishtown, N.J. assist him. Over the past two years, Waypoint Solutions Group has doubled its revenue.

Part of a series of 10 photos for a food centerpiece next week on eating ribs.

(Lane 6) Brooke Bennett begins her Women 800 LC Meter Freestyle competition at the 22nd Charlotte Ultraswim on Thursday. Thursday was the first day of the 22nd Charlotte UltraSwim, which will feature 14 Olympians from 2004 and 22 U.S. National team members.

Mason Brunnick of the Mecklenburg Aquatic Club competes in the Men's 1500 LC Meter Freestyle competition at the 22nd Charlotte Ultraswim on Thursday.

Left, Laurabeth Guenthner and Caroline Burckle of Gainesville, FL chat while waiting for their heat to begin at the 22nd Charlotte Ultraswim on Thursday. Both Guenthner and Burckle raced in the Women 800 LC Meter Freestyle competition.

Week 2

2006-06-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

Monday: Memorial Day

5/29/2006 - Left, LaRae Campbell looks at Vietnam section under the Honor Roll of the Gaston Country War Dead Memorial. Campbell had many friends and family serve in Vietnam, including her husband and brother-in-law.

5/29/2006 - Craig Green of Michigan visits his good friend Carl Laffin in Gaston Memorial Park on Monday.

Tuesday: Kids in a water park

5/30/2006 - From left, Cameron Ruppe (9) helps his older brother Christian (11) out of the water with the aid of his younger brother Caleb (8) at the Fort Mill YMCA. The three brothers created a system to get out of the pool whereby the first two stand on the older brother's shoulders, and then once out, they pull on Christian's arms.

5/30/2006 - Emma Salerno of Baxter plunges into the water inside the Fort Mill YMCA water park, which opened late last year in August.

5/30/2006 - Kids line up to have their run at the tallest slides inside the Fort Mill YMCA water park, which opened late last year in August. Although it was only open briefly before last year's season concluded, it has seen a steady flow of visitors since reopening last Saturday. Branch Director Christie Ross said that they probably get more than 500 people a day, with Memorial Day being the largest this year.

5/30/2006 - Alexander Brice fights his way through some water jets at the Fort Mill YMCA.

Wednesday: Yearbook Signing 1

5/31/2006 - Rising senior Bryson Russell shares a laugh with Blair Bowman at the yearbook signing for Providence Day School on Wednesday evening. Following the handout in the Thomas L. Ridenhour Athletic Center, peers exchanged yearbooks while student bands provided music on stage.

5/31/2006 - Providence Day ninth-graders line up at their corner of the Thomas L. Ridenhour Athletic Center to receive yearbooks.

5/31/2006 - Senior Cameron Zarrabzadeh signs one of many yearbooks Wednesday evening at Providence Day School. Yearbook Editor in Chief Brittney Leeolou commented on the different covers for seniors, saying that to have the split design was more interesting and the senior class picture on the front represents the bond they all share.

5/31/2006 - Left, seniors Brook Miller and Katie Hussmann look at each other's yearbooks while leaning against the stage inside the Thomas L. Ridenhour Athletic Center.

5/31/2006 - First year Yearbook Advisor Richard Dewey said that the year-long experience of putting together the "Liberty" has been great. Although Dewey was in the newspaper business prior to teaching, he said the idea of deadlines is a whole different beast with yearbooks. Since there is only one product, Dewey said it was important for the students to "keep the eye on the prize the entire year."

5/31/2006 - Providence Day junior Briana Wozniak finishes up signing yearbooks as students empty out of the Thomas L. Ridenhour Athletic Center.

Thursday: Find a feature because I'm bored

6/01/2006 - Anwar Gordon helps assemble one of many tents in preparation for the Taste of Charlotte festival, starting Friday and going until Sunday. The event, which is owned and managed by Centurion Entertainment, features approximately 35 restaurants and 70 other vendors, said President Chris DuBois.

Friday: Yearbook Signing 2 + Taste of Charlotte

6/2/2006 - North Mecklenburg High School senior Phillip Miller leans on junior Ashley Hall's shoulder as he signs a yearbook at lunch on Friday. This year, the yearbook staff decided to change the theme from the traditional blue cover with a viking to a "Welcome to the Jungle" theme. The new theme reflects the large number of students, currently the state's biggest high school, said yearbook Editor in Chief Alison Weeks.

6/2/2006 - North Mecklenburg High School junior Ben Edmond calls back to his friends after signing yearbooks during their lunch period.

6/2/2006 - A display of sharpies and signed yearbooks were the common scene at North Mecklenburg High School lunch periods on Friday.

6/2/2006 - North Mecklenburg High School senior Monica Norris signs a yearbook in Amanda Soesbee's classroom, instructor for the yearbook staff. Soesbee normally has two classes devoted to the production of yearbooks, but this year she has four.

6/2/2006 - Dennis Carrigan munches on one of the many food offerings at the Taste of Charlotte festival on Friday. Although there were some showers later on, crowds were still strong throughout the afternoon.

6/2/2006 - Kate Starensier watches on during a magic performance by Kozmo at the Taste of Charlotte festival. Kozmo, a 4-year veteran of the festival, said, "I do plenty of festivals all over the world and this is as good as it gets."

6/2/2006 - Cousin's Kettle Corn was one of the many food vendors at the Taste of Charlotte festival on Friday. Co-owner Beth Volk said that the business had been so great, "we haven't had any kettle corn left over."

6/2/2006 - Four-year-old Tony Waters jumps down at the end of an inflatable obstacle course at Taste of Charlotte on Friday. The festival runs through the weekend and is open 11:00am-11:00pm Saturday and 11:00am-6:00pm Sunday.