Feds require roadside vests

According to the NPPA, "A new law goes into effect on November 24, 2008, which will require all workers on federal highways to wear high visibility safety apparel, which apparently also includes photojournalists who are there to cover news."

Although there's no specific Fed fine, the states are likely to make some quickly because their funding could be cut. Although the initial report states federal highways, it's been clarified to mean any roadway even partially financed by the U.S. DOT. This means most roads.

Additionally, the apparel must be ANSI Class II safety gear used in high-speed environments. Class II tends to be high-visibility yellow with more reflective banding.

NPPA suggests a vest offered through the National Newspaper Association with "PRESS" and the NNA logo printed on the back for $15 each. I contacted an NNA rep and they only take orders by phone.

I ordered a vest through Utility Safeguard. They have a secure online order process and offered custom printing. I opted for "PRESS" as well. It costs a few bucks more, but I'll be so stylin'.

Next, we'll be required to wear "Big, tricked-out name tags" like Flo. ;-}

Enough for now,

NTTA changes to no change

Sun shines through an all-Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) gantry on SH 121 in The Colony on Sunday, July 13, 2008. The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) conducted a tollway tour as part of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association's ETC summit.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Soeren Rasmussen with A/S Storebaelt of Copenhagen, Denmark listens during an all-Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) summit in Plano. The summit was organized by the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association.


Guests view traditional toll booths on the Dallas North Tollway during a North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) tour in Dallas.


Rick Herrington, North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) deputy executive director, explains logistics to guests during a tour on the Dallas North Tollway in Dallas.


Guests examine an all-Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) gantry on SH 121 during an on-site tour in The Colony. The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) conducted the tour of Dallas-area tollways, which included the NTTA's new all-ETC gantry.


North Texas Tollway Authority's John Davis (right) explains sign details to Roger Anttila with ADDCO of St. Paul, Minn. (left) during a tour on SH 121 in The Colony.


North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) employees Carlos Negron (from left to right) and John Davis explain sign details to Roger Anttila during a tour on SH 121 in The Colony.


Guests examine an all-Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) gantry on SH 121 during an on-site tour in The Colony. The gantry allows the NTTA to no longer collect cash on any area tollways.


The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) displays new signs as part of a tour of Dallas-area tollways, which included the NTTA's new gantry on SH 121, in The Colony. Instead of cash, TollTags and license plate cameras will charge or bill drivers without slowing traffic.




Please read, "Officials get peek at change in NTTA's electronic collection system" by Joe Simnacher.

Autos in the Park show

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Chrome shines on an antique Cadillac during the 3rd Annual Autos in the Park car show at the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas on Sunday, June 8, 2008. Exhibit fees were donated to the Cooper Institute and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.


Ken Godden of Tyler (left) has a laugh with Bob Bishop of Van Alstyne (right) next to Godden's 1926 Rolls Royce Phantom 1 Estate Car during the car show.


Jeff Ruff dusts his 2005 Ford Mustang during the car show.


Visitors examine fine examples of European engineering during the Autos in the Park car show at the Cooper Aerobics Center.


Sun reflects on the hood ornament of Bill Kimball's 1941 Cadillac Convertible.


Evelyn Godden (left to right), Bob Bishop and Ken Godden have an original tailgate party under the trees next to Godden's 1926 Rolls Royce Phantom 1 Estate Car.


Bill Norris' 1934 Ford rests quietly under a tree during the car show.


Kathryn Cantwell of Flower Mound (right) talks about a new Mercedes SLK 300 with Jed Siddle, parts manager of Park Place Motorcars of Dallas, (left) during the car show.


Joe Fernandez of Garland (right) takes a break with Mars, his 3-year-old Doberman pincher, (left) during the 3rd Annual Autos in the Park car show at the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas.

Hwy 69 public meeting

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Traffic crawls along Highway 69 during a public meeting at the Lumberton Intermediate School in Lumberton on Tuesday, April 26, 2008. TXDOT invited public input as it considers options to widen Highway 69.


Attendees try to understand plans during a public meeting at the Lumberton Intermediate School.


Brandt Mannchen with the Lone Star chapter of the Sierra Club from Houston (center) gets information from Santiago Pons with Parsons Brinckerhoff (right) during a public meeting at the Lumberton Intermediate School. Mannchen was concerned about potential harm to the Big Thicket National Preserve.

Johnson shifts gears video

video by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Jonathan Johnson, former funny car Rookie of the Year, earned his architecture degree from Texas A&M last year and moved to the dirt track with a new outlaw modified race car. He and his crew designed and built the car at his family's garage in Beaumont. Now he races most Fridays at Golden Triangle Speedway Park in China.

Please also see the photo slideshow and short trailer video.

Please read, "Architect mastered straight lines as drag racer; now he's trying curves as dirt track driver" by Fred Davis.

Johnson shifts gears trailer

video by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
This is the short trailer for the Jonathan Johnson story. It's similar to the begining of the long version.

Flamin' Hot Car Show

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Fire Museum of Texas docent James Noble (left) walks toward a 1923 Ford Model-T firetruck during the annual Flamin' Hot Car Show at the museum in Beaumont on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007.


Classic cars of all generations gather near the Fire Museum of Texas during the annual Flamin' Hot Car Show. The brown and tan building behind the museum from this angle is The Beaumont Enterprise.


Jim Pell of Silsbee looks up from his 1960 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe during the annual Flamin' Hot Car Show at the Fire Museum of Texas.


James Eaves of Lumberton closes the hood of his wife's 1957 Thunderbird during the annual Flamin' Hot Car Show at the Fire Museum of Texas in Beaumont.

Racing with Passion

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Eddie Frederick poses for a portrait with the 1971 Camero at Frederick's home in Mauriceville on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007. Frederick and his car have won top points this year in drag racing at a strip in Evadale.

Please read, "Passion for racing, ministry" by Greg Hayes.

Lumberton traffic

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Traffic struggles to move during the evening rush hour on Highway 69 in Lumberton on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007. About 20,000 autos commute through the area. Area growth and urban sprawl are affecting smaller cities in Southeast Texas. To some, this is considered a "good problem."

Please read "U.S. 69 congestion..." by Editorial staff.

Gettin' new Rags

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Manuel Mendez polishes the grill of a Hummer at Rags Car Wash in Beaumont on Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. This is the third car wash in Beaumont opened by the Reed family.

Rainbow Bridge

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Traffic travels over the Rainbow Bridge (left) and Veterans Memorial Bridge (right) over the Neches River near Port Arthur on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007. The collapse of one of Minnesota's busiest bridges in Minneapolis on Wednesday has prompted officials to examine bridges across the nation for safety.

Cruisin' Kirbyville Show

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Auto buffs reflect off the chrome mirrors of a Model T Ford during the Cruisin' Kirbyville Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show at Magnolia Park in Kirbyville on Saturday, July 21, 2007.


Bobby Goynes of Polk County gets a beverage beside a Ford F250 Super Duty truck during the Cruisin' Kirbyville Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show at Magnolia Park.

I got new wheels

© Mark M. Hancock / NewsEagles

Mark's new 2007 Kia Sportage makes a perfect gray card at the former Pig Stand in Beaumont on Friday, March 30, 2007.

UPDATE:   As y'all can tell, I tested my gray card theory on the new Sportage and it made a perfect exposure. I double checked it against a meter and a palm exposure and all exposures matched. So, yes, it's Zone V and a gray card on wheels.


Fayrouz got me the coolest present today. :-)

I got Flash, my previous truck, in 2000. He was the first brand-spankin'-new auto I had ever owned. He replaced my Shutter Bug (a '68 - also a very tough critter).

Flash was honestly the best little truck I've ever owned, but he's had a hard life. He's been in three tornadoes (literally inside one), two hurricanes (again, literally inside one), at least five major floods, some forest fires and a few hunts for escaped prisoners. After more than 181,000 miles, it was time for him to go to pasture.

Good luck little fella, you'll be missed.

The new one doesn't have a name yet, but it keeps suggesting "Storm." It's 18 percent gray (Zone V). So, it should blend into the background if it ever ends up in the background of an image. I think I might even be able to use it as a gray card, but I'll need to test it a few times.

When I was finalizing the paperwork, I asked the dealer if they had a light cherry picker they could attach to it. He looked at me like I was crazy. Then, I think he remembered what I do for a living and said it would be a great idea, and I could make a fortune if I developed one.

However, I don't want to make a fortune. I want a lightweight cherry picker that won't cost a fortune. So, if one of you engineering-type folks out there would create one for under $500 that goes up at least 20 feet, let me know. :-)

Till then, I'm excited about all the places I'll go. It's like a new box of Crayons.

Some of the cool PJ-related features include a dedicated DC power outlet, the passenger seat folds into a laptop table, the back window opens separate from the door (think lightning photos without frying in a puddle), cruise control, CD player with equalizer, and a bunch of other really cool features.

They didn't offer the sun roof option they show on the Web site. Otherwise, I'd be in BIG trouble fast (it's got cruise control and stability control, so I could shoot from the top and drive with one foot).

Texan joke:
What's the last thing a Texan said before he died?
"Y'all watch this!"

The one down side is it doesn't turn as tightly as Flash. I'll adjust.

According to Fay, this is my birthday present since Bluebird (same auto, but blue) was her birthday present. Deal. :-)

Enough for now,

Boomer wheels

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Sales agent John "Pinky" Reynolds poses for a portrait with his personal Scion xB at Kinsel Toyota Superstore in Beaumont on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007. Although the Scion and similar autos were intended for Generation Y drivers, the Baby Boomers are buying them for their lower price, fuel efficiency, larger doors and hauling capacity.

Please read, "Baby Boomers buying up vehicles intended for Generation Y" by Becky Bowman.

Silsbee Cruise

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
Pattie (left) and Vernon Russell of Vidor line up their 1923 T-Bucket for the car parade during the Cruise-N-Silsbee on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2006. The cruise, which features classic and custom cars and trucks, continues on Sunday.
Enough for now,
 

Monsters invade Ford Park

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
"Draco," the world's largest fire-breathing dragon robot, waits for a show at Ford Park in Beaumont Friday, Sept. 8, 2006. The Extreme Monster Truck Nationals continues at Ford Park on Sunday at 2 p.m. The show features monster truck competitions, free-style Motocross and "Draco."


Driver Jim Koehler of Columbus, Mich. poses for a portrait with "Avenger," his Chevy-bodied monster truck, at Ford Park.
 

Evadale drag races

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Tim Hill of Orange gets a clean start during an IHRA time run at Ben Bruce Memorial Airport Raceway Park in Evadale on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006.

 

Texas Style Hot Summer Nites

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
A Ford monster truck passes a Mini Cooper as they line up for the Beaumont Cruise during the Texas Style Hot Summer Nites car show and cruise in Beaumont on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2006. More than 400 antique and custom autos came to Beaumont for the annual car show and cruise.


The Entergy Building reflects off the polished hood of Linda Eaves' 1957 Thunderbird during the Texas Style Hot Summer Nites car show in downtown Beaumont.


Car buffs inspect award-winning autos during the Texas Style Hot Summer Nites car show in the Crockett Street entertainment district.


Patty Fowler prepares her 1936 Ford before the Texas Style Hot Summer Nites cruise.


Bobby Andress' 1927 Tudor with the Mad Greasers auto club is displayed during the Texas Style Hot Summer Nites car show.


Karla and Mike Kelly of Chicago move their 1965 Shelby Cobra into position past the Crockett Street Entertainment District before the Texas Style Hot Summer Nites cruise.


Classic and custom car fans watch the cruise from the parking lot of Checkers restaurant's during the Texas Style Hot Summer Nites cruise on 11th Street.


Classic car buffs gathered at the Pig Stand during the Texas Style Summer Hot Nites cruise.

Check Fayrouz's blog for more photos.
 

Hot Summer Nites Kick-Off

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Walter Boyd's 1931 Model A reflects off the hub cap of Chris Willett's 1934 Ford during a Kick-Off party at the Cowboy Harley Hog House in Beaumont on Friday, Aug. 11, 2006. The annual Texas Style Hot Summer Nites cruise continues throughout the weekend.
 

Hot Summer Nites cruisers

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
Brenda and Larry Musselwhite of Silsbee pose for a portrait with their 1960 Ford Thunderbird at the Pig Stand in Beaumont on Friday, August 4, 2006. Beaumont will host the annual Texas Style Hot Summer Nites cruise on August 11 - 13.