A few weeks ago I attended a prayer meeting of local pastors where, as I was conversing with them after their prayers, I learned of a faithful man who stands on the corner of University and 66th, six days a week, holding the sign "JESUSAVESOULS". I spent a week with him and was amazed at the number of lives he touches while standing on the corner 6 days a week from 6 am to 6 pm. Thinking it would be a great end of the year story I spent the week trying to document how he touches people's lives. Unfortunately, timeliness isn't very important in the eyes of some of our editors so this story won't be running until mid-January, but here is one of the photos from the story.
Check back in a few weeks to see the finished product - I was able to capture some pretty amazing moments recording audio and still photos.
Santa Claus Dennis Hargrove of Lubbock walks on a rooftop of a Lubbock home Monday evening. With his real white beard and years of experience of working with children as a school principal, Hargrove spends several weeks during the holiday season donning a red suit and black boots in his portrayal of St. Nick. (Photo by Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) Dennis Hargrove of Lubbock describes how children often act when they meet him for the first time. When asked if he is really Santa Clause, Hargrove tells them to pull on his beard. (Photo by Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) - - - Children often ask Dennis Hargrove if he is the real Santa Claus, and with a snow-white beard and jolly disposition, it could be difficult to tell.
"It could be me dressed up as Santa Claus or Santa Claus dressed up as me, so you better behave yourself," Hargrove tells the children.
The former Lubbock Independent School District principal spends about five weeks every year in the boots and red-and-white fur-trimmed suit, reading stories to children and handing out candy canes from Thanksgiving until the day after Christmas...(Continue reading the related article: With his natural Santa look, former educator portrays jolly elf every year)
(First photo in above slideshow) Frenship senior Buddy Mull (55) yells in frustration as Denton Guyer celebrates their last second victory Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock. (Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
- - - All season, Frenship had found a way to win by gaining that one extra yard, getting that all-important touchdown or making that extra big play on defense.
In the Class 4A Division I Region I Final at Jones AT&T Stadium Saturday afternoon, it was Denton Guyer that took that ability and put an end to the sixth-ranked Tigers’ perfect season. Sam Alspach’s 24-yard field goal as time expired brought the Wildcats all the way back from a 21-point first-quarter deficit for a 37-35 victory.
“I think the thing that happened mostly from the second quarter on and into the second half was we were having a hard time blocking their defensive front,” Frenship coach Brad Davis said. “Big plays kept us in the game, but we never got consistent where I get into a rhythm calling plays and getting a drive going, at least after the first quarter we didn’t. The first quarter was all ours and then we had to hang on, and we hung on until about two seconds to go in the game.”... (Continue reading End of the Line) View more game photos HERE. - - - Here is my Missed Photo of the Game: Down 21-7 with 7:14 left in the third quarter, Denton Guyer's Antonio Burton blocked a Frenship punt and recovered it for a touchdown. To me, this was the turning point of the game... and I missed it. Granted, I got some nice frames of Burton scooping up the football, crossing the endline, and celebrating his touchdown, but I wanted this blocked punt. To me, this punt was unique because most blocked punts are made when the player dives on the punter's foot - this one was made high in the air. Also, this play scared Frenship into giving up a safety instead of punting with 3:06 remaining in the 4th quarter. (A decision that likely cost Frenship the game). Missed moments and mistakes are life's best lessons.
What could I have done differently? I've been thinking about that off and on for the past couple days. I suppose the easiest thing would have been to let go of the focus button when I initially knew I had the punter in focus (I use the thumb focus button on my Nikon D2HS so I can leave the focus alone and keep firing off frames if needs be). In this instance I must have kept my thumb on the focus button which is why as the play continued and my framing adjusted the camera focused on the brick background. A second option could have been to change my focus metering from the center point to the diamond. Third, I could have shot with a wider lens (70-200). This is the second 'missed' blocked punt this football season and both were when I was debating between using my 300mm or switching to the 70-200mm.
Below is the uncropped series of photos on the play.
Mark Graham of Lubbock enjoys a "Kinkycristo" cigar in the lounge of Heroes and Legacies Thursday evening. Former Texas Governor candidate Kinky Friedman was on hand to launch his cigar line and sign autographs. "The Governor" cigar is the most expensive of the line of Kinky Friedman cigars on display at Heroes and Legacies Thursday evening.
Thursday, December 04, 2008 (Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) - - - Cigar smoke and politics hung heavy in the air Thursday night at Heroes and Legacies in South Lubbock, where former gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman was out promoting his new line of cigars.
Oh, and there were a few jokes, too.
But the famous singer, novelist, politician and humorist couldn't escape the flood of fans who seemingly had one question on their minds: Would Friedman run for governor again?
"I sure wouldn't do it again as an independent and I can't afford to do it as a Republican, so I'd have to run as a Democrat," he said. "One thing's for sure. When I die, I want to be cremated and have my ashes thrown in Rick Perry's hair."...(Continue reading the related article: Friedman promotes his new cigars, doesn't rule out run)
