Snow pictures? Snow problem!

I've been with The Times for over a quarter century and every time it snows, I know my job is to get snow pictures. After the latest deposit in the snow bank from Mother Nature, I managed to find two things I'd never photographed before. I went to Waterfront Park to see how things looked at the baseball stadium where NY Yankees Double-A affiliate Trenton Thunder play. While the receptionist, Susanna, was trying to reach public relations director Bill Cook on the phone, he came walking out, camera in hand to make some snow pictures of his own for the Thunder's facebook page. That made my day because it's always nice to have a person in a weather picture. Bill went to work and so did I.

After that, I spotted a really big crew working on clearing the snow around Trenton's War Memorial, home of Patriots Theatre. I never photographed that many people shoveling at once before.

Sad Day in Bordentown

Saturday, January 22, 2011 was the day of the funeral for Army Pfc. Benjamin Moore, who grew up in Bordentown City and graduated Bordentown Regional High School. The young soldier, who was also a volunteer firefighter and certified EMT at Hope Hose Humane Co. #1 in Bordentown, was killed in combat in Ghanzi Province on Jan. 12, in an IED attack. Funeral services were held at Trinity Methodist Church.

Bordentown's Mayor James Lynch greets mourners following services. Benjamin Moore was posthumously named chief of Hope Hose Fire Co. and according to Lynch, he will be officially named honorary mayor of the city at the next meeting of the city commission.

The End of the Road (to vic-to-ry).

This is a picture of air. Two men jumping in the air and the air going out of the Eagles' sails. The momentum was building. The comeback was set. After a game of Packer domination, the Eagles had the ball, a little time and momentum. Riley Cooper was supposed to catch this ball in the end zone and give the over-achieving Eagles the first-round playoff win, but the interception blew all that and left the crowd gasping for air.

Before the game started, the crowd wanted to be happy.

Michael Vick was sacked early and too often.

The Eagles did do some flying.

Or apparent levitation, at least.

I had a feeling Asante Samuel was going to make an interception on this play, so I was ready. He wasn't quite.

At the end, Jeremy Maclin walks off while Packers celebrate.

The Replacements

The Philadelphia Eagles played their last regular season game on Sunday, January 2, 2011 and they could neither hurt nor help their playoff standings. They were already guaranteed a home game the following Sunday, so many of the starters were rested and their replacements got a chance to play.

Eagles wdie receiver Chad Hall was thrilled to catch a TD pass.

So thrilled, he did the "Lambeau Leap" into the stands ...

... and struck a pose after coming back down to earth.

Running back Jerome Harrison picks up 36 yards on a run in the 3rd quarter.

Safety Jamal Adams, who was only promoted from the practrice squad on December 31st, breaks up a pass intended for Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.

Both quarterbacks took turns getting sacked. Kevin Kolb backs up Michael Vick.

The Cowboys weren't resting their regulars, but QB Stephen McGee is a backup to an injured Tony Romo. Next up for the Eagles in the first playoff game are the Green Bay Packers, who beat the Eagles in the season opener, but in that game by knocking Kevin Kolb, who was then the starter, out of the game, they unleashed Michael Vick, who was then the backup, into his starting and starring role.

Xmas Time

If you're Christian, don't be offended. The "X" is an ancient Greek symbol for Christ. Anyway, the Princeton Tour Company hosted a "Party Like A Rockefeller Caroling Fest" involving a tour, pre-show party and a performance of "A Christmas Carol" at McCarter Theatre, in Princeton, New Jersey. They stopped to sing carols at the rectory of Trinity (Episcopal) Church where the pastor's two sons peered out the window to see what heavenly sounds were emanating from outside their residence.

A Caring Christmas

Sunday night, December 17, 2010, you have the opportunity to do good, feel good and hear some great music at The 11th Annual Ernie White Band And Friends Christmas Benefit Concert at the beautifully restored Patriots Theater at the Trenton War Memorial. (Personal note: If you're now thinking "Oh, I don't want to go into Trenton" then wake up. The place is right off the highway, Rt 29. You don't have to walk the streets.) This year's beneficiary is The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. I've got to stop. This is starting to sound like a press release. Here's the deal. Ernie's an acquaintance. We both went to St. Anthony's high school at the same time. I can recall him playing with a rock band of his on stage at a school assembly. It was quite a cool and radical departure from the usual school assemblies we were used to at a catholic high school in the seventies. Fast forward to now and when I show up for the photo shoot for the Good Times cover, here he is with the same guitar I specifically remember him playing back on that stage in high school! (I'm a guitar player, too, so I notice these things.) For eleven years now, Ernie has been using his musical ability and influence to raise awareness and funds for local charities. That makes me proud of him.

Football Fun

I've missed photographing the last two Philadelphia Eagles NFL football games :( but I did find these two brothers in the beautiful Mill Hill section of Trenton turning the street and sidewalk into their playing field. It was so cold, normal people were covering their mouths to not directly inhale the icy air, but kids aren't normal people. I used to do that!