cool [girls] don't look back ...

Nobody was injured in this cement truck accident, so I felt it okay to poke fun at this photo I snapped. If anyone's seen Andy Samberg and Will Ferrell's short video, "Cool Guys Don't Look at Explosions", you'll understand.

1 of 10 left in Overton Park

Overton Park used to be known as the Tech Ghetto. Now there are only 10 original houses in the community as it continues to go through a major face lift. I spent an afternoon with the Johnson Family from Guyana.



In a white house on Mac Davis Lane, Winston Edward Johnson has made his best memories.

He raised his granddaughter here. He can easily conjure images of her racing back and forth from door to door, her spinning to Caribbean music in the living room with the table pushed aside to yield a makeshift dance floor.

It brings a smile to the 59-year-old's face. So much time has passed; she's now 13.

He and others in this once-blighted neighborhood also have plenty of memories they never wished to make.

"It was like a war zone," said Dennis Vasquez, 47. "One night, I saw something glowing," he said, pointing down the block.

A man had set his ex's clothes ablaze.

"Across there," he said, pointing straight ahead, "a guy beat up his wife. He was beating her to a bloody mess."

Today, the discord consists of construction equipment rumbles and hammer strikes... (read more of Marlena Hartz' story: Last Houses Standing)

Rural USA longs for broadband - for USA TODAY

Three weeks ago I did an assignment for the USA Today for their article "Rural USA longs for broadband". I spent the morning with third-generation peanut farmer Jeff Roper of Plains, Texas. I spent the afternoon in neighboring Morton, Texas documenting the town and specifically focusing on the library that offers free wi-fi. Check out the usatoday link and watch the audio slideshow they produced from the photos and audio I collected. Below are some photos from the two locations.

Third-generation peanut farmer Jeff Roper, Plains, TX


Wi-fi in Morton, TX

in the air for airshow preview photos

One of three replica WWII Japanese "Kate" torpedo bombers rehearse their flying routine before Saturday's air show at Slaton Airport. The original bomber was the standard torpedo bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy for much of World War II.
Friday, June 05, 2009(Photo by Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

Paratroopers from the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team mass exit a C47 airplane at 1,000 feet Friday at Slaton Airport. The team will perform during today's air show at Slaton Airport. Friday, June 05, 2009 (Photo by Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)



Billy Parker, center, chats with visitors along side his replica WWII Japanese "Kate" torpedo bomber Friday at Slaton Airport. Parker rehearsed aerial maneuvers Friday in preparation for Saturday's air show at Slaton Airport. Friday, June 05, 2009
(Photo by Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
_ _ _ _ _
Friday afternoon I was a passenger in a 1958 T-34A airplane and a replica Japanese Nakajima B5N "Kate" torpedo bomber (both pictured below). Originally, I was only going to ride in the T-34A airplane but shortly after takeoff the pilot noticed some "engine troubles" and we decided to land and trade planes.
The following are some additional detail shots:

first day swim

Ten-year-old Mercedes Hall, bottom, rushes down the water slide at Mae Simmons Pool Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday was the first day public pools in Lubbock were open. Tuesday, June 02, 2009 (Photo by Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)


Nine-year-old CJ Hawthorne, right, flows down the water slide at Mae Simmons Pool Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday was the first day public pools in Lubbock were open. Tuesday, June 02, 2009 (Photo by Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

Emotional ending for Lockney's Class of 2009

Lockney High graduates Emily Prayor and Lindsie Moerbe, left, embrace outside the charred remains of part of their high school, after their graduation ceremony Friday evening in Lockney. (Photo by Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)


Lockney High graduates throw their caps in the air outside the charred remains of a part of their high school, after their graduation ceremony Friday evening in Lockney. (Photo by Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

There was a mixture of emotions Friday evening after Lockney High's graduation ceremony. When the seniors gathered outside the section of their high school that was burned by arson earlier this year big hugs were shared w/ smiles and tears. It was a tough year for Lockney High; congratulations for coming out stronger.