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Event Photography: Health Care Reform in Vermont

I just returned from visiting family in northern Vermont. While there, I attended U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ health care reform town hall in the tiny (pop. 600) town of Peacham, VT. The event attracted around 600 people to the Peacham Congregational Church… Since there have been disruptions at similar events held elsewhere, the security presence…

Bicycle Photography: Twilight Wheel Shadow

On the lighting front, we’re getting to an interesting part of the year. Tucson’s days are getting shorter, but we’re not seeing the weak twilight of the winter months. In the hour before sunset, the sun’s still showing strong light while casting long shadows. Here’s a bicycling example…

Architectural Photography: Marist College

The Marist College building used to house a Catholic boys school. After 1968, the Diocese of Tucson used it for office space. These days? Well, let’s just say that it’s just sitting there. What’s worse, the Marist College building is in danger of collapse. There is exterior bracing, not shown in this photo, but no one…

Construction Photography: Solar Exterior Lighting

Although I’m a big fan of renewable energy, I’m not thrilled with the price tag. Take solar power, for example. The equipment and installation costs of a household photovoltaic system can run well into the five figures. Or higher. Yes, I know that there are rebates and tax credits, but you still have to front…

Nature Photography: Prickly Pear and Mesquite

When I bought this property in November 2004, it had no landscaping. There was crushed rock in the front yard and a formidable infestation of Bermuda grass in the back yard. I’ve done most of the landscaping work myself. This includes the landscape design, planting, weeding, and other maintenance tasks. To learn how to do…

Event Photography: Graffiti Removal Workshop

This past Saturday morning, representatives from 10 Tucson neighborhood associations rolled out of bed at dawn and converged on the Ward 3 City Council Office. The Ward Office hosted a free breakfast and workshop on a very timely topic: graffiti removal. Sorry to say, but Tucson is under heavy attack by taggers. And, with city…

Nature Photography: Greening Up for Summer

Tucson’s summer monsoon season is in full swing. This is rendering swamp coolers ineffective and that’s bad news for some of us. (I have a swamp cooler.) However, the plants are welcoming the rain the only way they know how. They’re getting very green. And the cactii are plump again. Here’s how the plant life…

Event Photography: Another Monday Evening Walkabout

Since mid-April, I’ve been blogging about Tucson’s weekly Meet Me at Maynards Social Run and Walk. And here I go, I’m doing it again. This past Monday marked the 14th running (or walking) of MMM. And, once again, I went walkabout with my camera. I’m not going to be one of those Downtown Tucson cheerleaders…

Event Photography: Health Care Reform Rally

This past Saturday was Tucson’s hottest day of the year — so far. The temperature topped out at 107 degrees. But the sultry weather didn’t stop more than 500 people from attending a health care reform rally at the Tucson Convention Center. The event was hosted by Congressman Raul Grijalva’s office. It drew young and…

Nature Photography: Monsoon Storm

Tucson’s summer monsoon is in full swing, and that means thunderstorms. Big ones. They form quickly, and they can really pack a wallop. Yesterday afternoon, a real thumper rolled into town. Dumped .58″ of rain at my house, and that made my plants very happy. It also made for some interesting photographic opportunities. The festivities…

Event Photography: Of Tortoises and Music

Since mid-April, a group of walkers and runners has been exploring Downtown Tucson. The weekly Meet Me at Maynards Social Run/Walk has proven to be a big hit. Even during this summer weather. Last week, the festivities were cut short when a giant windstorm came roaring into town. The wind was blowing so hard it…

Event Photography: Tucson’s 2009 July 4th Celebration

 This past Saturday was our nation’s 233rd birthday. This All-American event was celebrated with parades, speeches, picnics, and fireworks. Here in Tucson, it was a great day to take Old Glory for a bicycle ride. And that’s just what I did. Taped a small flag to my tire pump, then stowed the pump and flag…

Animal Photography: Keep Them Close

This three-day weekend includes Independence Day. It’s a day for picnics, parades, cookouts, concerts, and fireworks. The last item is what I’m going to elaborate on here. While fireworks are fun to watch and listen to, your dog probably has a different opinion of them. Many dogs find the sound of fireworks terrifying. Some of…

Travel Photography: Roadside Oddity

From the “I’m not making this up” department comes this road sign from western Pima County in Arizona. You can find it along state highway 86, and, yes, both towns do exist…

Website Redesign: Applied Biosciences PSM Degree Program

September 2015 update: This site was redesigned by the university. Earlier this year, I was asked to redesign the website of the University of Arizona Professional Science Master’s Degree in Applied Biosciences. The site serves as a student recruiting tool, and it combines UA campus scenes with information on degree requirements, career opportunities, and application…

Travel Photography: Tucson Train Station

For a long time, the Amtrak station was a Downtown Tucson afterthought. There wasn’t much reason for going there unless you had to catch a train or you were meeting someone arriving by rail. And did I mention that rail service to Tucson is not a daily thing? The station was renovated not too long…

Travel Photography: Discovering Where You Live

My preferred mode of travel is the bicycle. As wonderful as it is, the bicycle isn’t ideal. Especially for really, truly getting to know a place. For that, you need to get off your bike and walk around. This Downtown Tucson photo is a classic example. Had I been bicycling along Cushing Street, I would…

Website Redesign: Math and Science Education Consultant

February 2022 update: After the July 2021 death of the client, this website went offline. Longtime client Sheila Tobias has made an art and a science of being an outsider to science and mathematics. Hers is a household name for books like Overcoming Math Anxiety, which is still in print more than 30 years after…

Event Photography: Habitat Tucson House Dedication

This past Friday, Habitat for Humanity Tucson had a four-house dedication ceremony at its Corazon del Pueblo project. Like many other Habitat events, the media were included… Habitat Tucson’s executive director, Michael McDonald, checked last-minute details with the clergymen who blessed the houses… The crowd joined in a prayer for the houses and families…

Event Photography: Burgers for a Buck

In addition to being the coolest station in Tucson, KXCI-FM 91.3 has some marvelous community events. This past Saturday, KXCI deejay Cathy Rivers played the tunes while Sunflower Market served burgers for a buck… Burgers for a Buck proceeds benefitted KXCI.

Bike-tography 111: Used Bicycle Parts Gate

In Tucson’s Armory Park neighborhood, I came upon this gate sculpture. Obviously done by a bicyclist wishing to find another use for all of those old bike parts… March 2019 update: Oops! Looks like that photo went bye-bye when I had this blog redesigned. But, never fear, here’s a bit of bike part art.  

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