Waxahachie vs. Texarkana football playoff

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Texarkana Texas quarterback Nathan Sorenson (8) pushes past Waxahachie's Oshae Cofer (5) during an area playoff football game at Royse City ISD Stadium in Royse City on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.


Waxahachie's Allen Hogan (73) tries to find a handle on Texarkana Texas' Kody Sutton (33) as Devin Chandler (22) approaches during a playoff game at Royse City ISD Stadium.


Waxahachie's Sam Gagliano (4) sprints away from Texarkana Texas' Levi Saxby (16) during a football game in Royse City.


Waxahachie's LaJordan Easley (33) looks for an opening in Texarkana Texas' defense during an area playoff game.


Waxahachie quarterback Venique Benton (3) hands the ball to Jamison Sterns (23) as James Mann (50) blocks Texarkana Texas' Marlon Cooks (55) during a playoff game in Royse City. Benton was injured shortly afterward.


Waxahachie's Sam Gagliano (4) takes a snap as quarterback as Aaron Ernst (68) blocks during a playoff game against Texarkana Texas.




Waxahachie's Jamison Sterns (23) trudges over the goal line for a touchdown as Texarkana Texas' Levi Saxby (16) approaches during an area playoff football game at Royse City ISD Stadium.

Chris Brown concert

Chris Brown performs a concert of the Fan Appreciation Tour at The Palladium Ballroom in Dallas on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Chris Brown performs a concert of the small-venue "Fan Appreciation Tour" at The Palladium Ballroom. Brown is known for both his singing and dancing abilities. A year ago, he topped the charts and filled arenas.




Chris Brown performs "I Can Transform Ya," from his forthcoming album Graffiti during a concert in Dallas. After a violent incident in February against then-girlfriend Rihanna, Brown pleaded guilty in June to felony assault. He was sentenced to probation and community service.




Chris Brown performs a concert of the "Fan Appreciation Tour." Some ticket sales proceeds will go to the Best Buddies International and The Jenesse Center charities.




Chris Brown performs a concert of the "Fan Appreciation Tour" at The Palladium Ballroom in Dallas. There were plenty of screaming women at the concert to support Brown and start his career's recovery.



Please read, "Concert review: Chris Brown still draws fans" by Hunter Hauk / Quick

Wish 100 Bike Rally

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Travis Armayor of Dallas talks with friends before the inaugural Wish 100 Bike Rally at the Frito-Lay corporate headquarters in Plano on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. The rally was organized to raise funds and grant 100 wishes to North Texas children with life-threatening medical conditions through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.


Tommy Thompson of Plano adds air to his tires before the Wish 100 Bike Rally at the Frito-Lay corporate headquarters.



Bikers roll past traffic waiting to get to the Wish 100 Bike Rally in Plano.


Gracie, a 9-year-old long-haired Chihuahua owned by Gene and Annie Carleton of Wylie, watches activities atop a table before the Wish 100 Bike Rally.


Camille Smouse of Keller basks in a brief ray of sunlight before the Wish 100 Bike Rally in Plano.



Mechelle Armstrong of Dallas waits for the start of the Wish 100 Bike Rally at the Frito-Lay corporate headquarters.


Riders organize before the Wish 100 Bike Rally in Plano.


Members of the Frito-Lay "Cheesy Riders" assemble in the second start position before the Wish 100 Bike Rally at the Frito-Lay corporate headquarters.


Riders leave the start line during the inaugural Wish 100 Bike Rally in Plano.


A long line of riders wrap through the city during the inaugural Wish 100 Bike Rally at the Frito-Lay corporate headquarters in Plano.

State Fair of Texas

© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

The Texas Star dominates Fair Park during the State Fair of Texas in Dallas on Saturday, September 26, 2009. The wheel first spun through the Texas sky in 1985.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Fayrouz, my sister and I went to the State Fair of Texas. We didn't stay long, but it was a nice day, and we had fun.

This weekend is the final weekend for the fair as well as Texas/OU weekend. If y'all haven't gone and gotten some fried butter or a corny dog, it'll be crowded, but it's your last chance.

Please also see the "Women & Spirit exhibition" slideshow before you go.

Dallas World Aquarium

A red howler monkey stretches against a tree at The Dallas World Aquarium in Downtown Dallas' West End on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009.


photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

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Fayrouz and I went toured the world without leaving the city at The Dallas World Aquarium. I have a field guide for the animals and will identify most of the animals soon. Please also see Fayrouz's take.

Named in this slideshow are: TK.
.

Selling the farm

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Carol King (left) talks with family as Bob King (right) listens before an auction at the King family farm in Celina on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009.


Carol King (right) tries to cheer up Bob King (left) before an auction at the King family farm in Celina. The King family auctioned all their farm equipment now that Bob King's sight has declined.


Bob King (left) talks with his niece Mary Wade (right) as her grandsons Grant Creach, 2, (center) and Wade Creach, 5, (lower, right) listen before an auction at the King family farm.


Carol King (right) tries to cheer up Bob King (left) before an auction at the family farm in Celina.


Bob King (left) watches as pieces of his farm are auctioned in the rain at the family farm.


Auctioneer Jim Stafford (top) with Bob Mitchell Auctioneers barks out bids during an auction at the King family farm in Celina.


Farm equipment withstands the rain and settles into the mud before an auction at the King family farm.


Plants continue to grow during an auction at the King family farm in Celina.

Please read, "Farming family in Celina forced to let it all go" by Sam Hodges / The Dallas Morning News

Unleashed Indoor Dog Parks

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Titus, a 4-year-old harlequin great dane owned by Larry Aparicio of Richardson, investigates the environment at Unleashed Indoor Dog Parks in Dallas on Saturday, July 18, 2009.


Dogs play at Unleashed Indoor Dog Parks in Dallas. The nation's only private indoor dog park will soon be featured on the CBS Evening News.


Henri, a 10-month-old French Bulldog owned by Clay Likover of Dallas, (bottom) tries to outrun Dakota, a 6-year-old English Labrador retriever owned by James Stapleton of Garland, (top) at Unleashed Indoor Dog Parks.


Dogs play in the two runways at Unleashed Indoor Dog Parks in Dallas. Larger and more energetic dogs run in the big "Bodyslammer Park" on the left while smaller and gentler dogs visit in "Powderpuff Park" on the right.


Owners watch as their dogs play at Unleashed Indoor Dog Parks.


Harley, a year-old Australian Shepherd, jumps for a ball thrown by her owner and Unleashed Indoor Dog Parks employee Emilie Williams at the park.



Romeo, a 3-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel owned by Liz McElroy of Dallas, (bottom) stands to sniff the foot of another dog at Unleashed Indoor Dog Parks.



Trapper, a 10-year-old pomeranian, rests after a romp at Unleashed Indoor Dog Parks in Dallas. Trapper is now owned by Peggy Sinclair of Dallas, but was previously owned by a Manhattan resident killed during the 9/11 attacks.



Please read, "Dogs and owners find shelter from the swelter at nation's first indoor park" by Steve Blow / The Dallas Morning News

Plano Independence Day Parade

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

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Participants and fans attend an Independence Day Parade on Independence Parkway in Plano on Saturday, July 4, 2009. The parade was sponsored by the Plano Early Lions Club.

Named in this slideshow are: Mike Lambert, Gene Fruth, J.D. Lawless, Shenna Lawless, Dale Lockhart, Debbie Beachum, Dan Reed, Bill Neisel, Morris McCann, Tye Phelps, Devin McDaniel, Karen Robertson, Donna Rowe, Kristen Tsu, Reilly Geary, Genevieve Paugh, Joy Sharp, Ellie Scowden, Emberlea Rhea and Michelle Rhea.

The assignment desk wanted us to include the capture time in the cutline for each image so the newspaper could make a region-wide timeline. Because it shows the quality of light at various intervals, I've included the time in each caption of this slideshow.

US Youth Soccer Championships

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

CASL Spartan's Stephanie Bronson (No. 10, left) kicks the ball past Sting 92's Molly Richey (No. 14, right) during the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco on Saturday, June 20, 2009.


Sting 92's Emily Reid (No. 2, right) knocks the kick of CASL Spartan's Taylor Travis (No. 41, left) out of bounds during the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships at Pizza Hut Park.



CASL Spartan's Jennifer McGorty (No. 31, left) and Sting 92's Sydney Miller (No. 10, right) head the ball as CASL Spartan's Stephanie Bronson (No. 10, bottom) puts on the brakes during the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships in Frisco.



CASL Spartan goalie Madison Winter (No. 21, bottom) and Sting 92's Lauren Byers (No. 18, middle) both fall down during a collision as CASL Spartan's Morgan Tilley (No. 19, top) leaps away during the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships.


Sting 92's Danielle Nottingham (No. 6, left) pushes CASL Spartan's Kelsey Gauger (No. 11, right) away from the ball during the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships.



CASL Spartan's Jessica Crowder (No. 13, left) slides into a ball controlled by Sting 92's Danielle Nottingham (No. 6, right) during the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco. The game ended with a 1-1 tie.


Please read, "Sting domina torneo juvenil" (translated) by Daniel Sanchez / Al Dia

Latino Festival Concert

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Alondra de la Parra guest conducts the Dallas Symphony Orchestra as part of the DSO's Latino Festival Concert at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas on Saturday, June 13, 2009.



Alondra de la Parra guest conducts the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. De la Parra is the founder and artistic director of the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, which promotes young composers and soloists from the Americas.




Alondra de la Parra guest conducts the Dallas Symphony Orchestra as part of the DSO's Latino Festival Concert at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.




Alondra de la Parra guest conducts as part of the DSO's Latino Festival Concert.




Alondra de la Parra guest conducts the Dallas Symphony Orchestra as part of the DSO's Latino Festival Concert at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.



Please read, "Classical music review: Mexican conductor succeeds in Dallas Symphony Orchestra's Latino Festival Concert" by Scott Cantrell / The Dallas Morning News