Spring

A lunchtime walker makes her way across the Capitol Plaza Park located between the State House Annex and the State Library in Trenton, New Jersey where flowers have begun to bloom. It is Springtime and a polarizing filter and a little fill-flash help bring the scene all into balance.

From Haiti with Love

Maria Rose Michaud, 19, in her new home in the Yardville section of Hamilton Township,where she lives with her adoptive parents Rev. Jean Michaud & Marie Michaud. The Michauds first heard of Marie Rose from a family friend who cared for her when her mother died. After nine years of bureaucracy and red tape, the Michauds, with help from Congressman Chris Smith were finally able to adopt Marie Rose and bring her to the US. The final complication was that on the day her adoption became legal, the devastating earthquake hit Haiti.

From left, Rev. Jean Michaud speaks to media in his home, watched by Congressman Chris Smith, Michaud's wife Marie & their adopted daughter Marie Rose Michaud. Michael Mancuso/The Times

Happy (belated) St. Patrick's Day!

I know St. Patrick's Day has come and gone, but I am half-Irish wanted to share this. The three judges sip a contestant's offerings in the Jameson’s Irish Coffee Contest at Buddy’s Shamrock Pub in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. From left, Curt Yeske, Jack Rafferty (former longtime mayor of Hamilton Twonship, New Jersey) and Keith Hamilton, Mercer County Freeholder. Michael Mancuso/The Times

It Happens Every Spring

Well, I guess lots of things happen every Spring, including a young kid pitching to his dad. I just wish Spring (minus the torrential rain) would get here already! BTW, his name is Eli Morales, in case he makes the majors one day, you saw it here first.

Back from Iraq

Is four months a long time? That's how long member of the 6th Airlift Squadron were deployed in Iraq, separated from family and friends back home. But today, they returned and met those family and friends on the tarmac at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Thank you for your service!

It's a black thing.

It's a black thing. You wouldn't understand...or would you? At the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton, New Jersey, reenactors did their best to help visitors understand something about three centuries of black soldiers in America, from colonial times to modern day ROTC at a living history program on the last day of Black History month.

B-West

Here's a brief photo tribute to running back, kick returner, receiver, blocker Brian Westbrook, who was let go by the Philadelphia Eagles today.

Couldn't leave out 10/19/03, East Rutherford, NJ where Westbrook saved the Eagles' season stepping over the last Giants defender Marcellus Rivers en route to his 84-yd punt return with under two minutes remaining which gave the Eagles the lead and win.