Beaumont Boat Show

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Skeeter Boats representative David Brown, left, talks with Gerald Wilburn of Orange, right, during the 2007 Beaumont Boat Show at Parkdale Mall in Beaumont on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007.


Boats are on display in Parkdale Mall as part of the boat show sponsored by The Beaumont Enterprise. The show continues through Jan. 15 and on-the-spot financing is available.


(Left) Matt Parr with Dawson Marine, left, talks to a potential customer during the boat show.

(Below) Boats are on display in Parkdale Mall as part of the boat show.





(Right) Chanda Gilliam of Beaumont, right, helps her son Gage Gilliam, 3, fish in a Kidfish pool during Beaumont Boat Show at Parkdale Mall.

(Below) Children fish in a Kidfish pool during the 2007 Beaumont Boat Show.




J.P. Brazeal with Kidfish, left, lets Brandon Wheeler, 5, of Fannett feel the whiskers of the catfish he caught.

I already planned to get a kayak this summer. It's not as cool as some of these boats, but closer to my budget ... and the gators.
 

Cash cow

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Calves graze near the Southeast Texas Regional Airport in Nederland on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007. According to an auditor, the airport financially broke even last year and saved tax dollars for area residents.
 

Coastal cold

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Randall "D.A." Allen, right, and Don Boatner, left, wait in the cold for a bus at the Beaumont Transit Center in Beaumont on Monday, Jan. 15, 2007. A cold front has started to come into Southeast Texas with freezing rain expected tonight.

Like I've said before, cold is relative here. However, it was enough to kill more mosquitoes. :-)
 

Ground attack

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Ozen's Fred Merchant (No. 15, right) and Central's Jaaron Edwards (No. 5, left) scramble for a loose ball during a high school basketball game in Beaumont on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007.
 

Soldier and scholars

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Sgt. Mario Rodriguez, top, snarls with Victoria Herpin, bottom, as he visits students at St. Catherine of Siena School in Port Arthur on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007.


A display for Sgt. Mario Rodriguez was created by students at St. Catherine of Siena School. The school has adopted Sgt. Rodriguez, who is with E Company of the 1/149th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion in Iraq, as one of the school's heros.



Sgt. Mario Rodriguez, right, visits with Jonathan Buhler, a student whose father is in the same company as Rodriguez, at St. Catherine of Siena School.


Sgt. Mario Rodriguez, right, and his wife Veronica Rodriguez, left, laugh during a 8th-grade class play as they visit with students at St. Catherine of Siena School in Port Arthur.
 

Teen keeps bullet in head

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Joshua Bush, 18, points to the bullet that remains in his skull at his home in Port Arthur on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007. Police officials want to have the bullet removed while Bush wants control over how and when it's removed. Police claim the slug is evidence of criminal activity. Bush claims another person shot him with a different calibre handgun than the police seek.


Joshua Bush, left, talks about the bullet that remains in his skull, as his sister Lakisha Bush, right, listens at the Bush home in Port Arthur. Bush plans to have the bullet removed after an upcoming trial and said the bullet slug will exonerate him.

Please read, "Teen says bullet in his head will exonerate him" by Ryan Myers.

UPDATE 13 May 2008: Please also read "Groves teen with bullet in head pleads guilty" by Ryan Myers.
 

Ozen blocks

Ozen's Jacoby Joseph (No. 24, right) tries to block the shot of Central's De'Mond Chambers (No. 22, left) during a high school basketball game in Beaumont on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
 

MLK March prayer

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Ruby Richard (from left to right), Velenta Mathews-Hunter, Cody Florence, the Rev. Raymond Young and Ronald Davis pray on the steps of the Orange County Court House after the Martin Luther King Jr. March in Orange on Monday, Jan. 15, 2007. The NAACP-sponsored march concluded with a program inside the Orange County Court House.

 

Beaumont Community Players

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Randle Patrick McMurphy (played by Isaiah Good, center) pours alcoholic drinks from an enema bag during a dress rehearsal for "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" at the Beaumont Community Players Playhouse in Beaumont on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007.


Nurse Ratched (played by Roxane Gray, center) pulls Candy (played by Shay Logan, lower right) from Billy Bibitt (played by Bradley Neel, left) as Randle Patrick McMurphy (played by Isaiah Good, right) catches during a dress rehearsal at the playhouse.


Randle Patrick McMurphy (played by Isaiah Good, right) chokes Nurse Ratched (played by Roxane Gray, left) during a dress rehearsal for "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" at the Beaumont Community Players Playhouse. The play opens on Friday, Jan. 12 and runs through Jan. 27.

What the Duck?

Aaron Johnson of What the Duck? fame sent me a note about his "Citizen photojournalism" comic (WTD 130). I told him I like "Money Talks" (WTD 126) better.

I should have brought up the comic long before now. I'm a fan. So, I've added his site to the sidebar under "Blogs of interest" and included his Photo Contest #2 in the contest calendar (the deadline falls between the Pulitzer Prize and Best of Photojournalism).

If you've never seen it, What the Duck? is about the trials and tribulations of a pro photographer, who happens to be a duck. Since Aaron is a pro shooter himself, there's an authenticity to the comic strips.

BTW, he does take suggestions. However, he prefers the concept to be complete and adapted to his three-panel format. So, if you need a break from contest season, or you simply needed another contest to make your life complete, What the Duck? could help.

Enough for now,
 

Gettin' 8

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


(Above) Chris McClure of Mt. Vernon, Texas rides Beach Baby during the Professional Bull Riders Beaumont Invitational at Ford Park Arena on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007.

(Left) Casey Bowman of Lamesa, Texas rides Little John during the Professional Bull Riders Beaumont Invitational.

 

Longleaf pine reintroduction

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Ricardo Guerero, left, and Juan Guerero, right, with Valencia Forestry of Silsbee return for additional longleaf pine seedings (Pinus palustris) in newly acquired land of The Big Thicket National Park in Kountze on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007. The project intends to re-introduce native species of plants to the protected forest.


Workers with Valencia Forestry of Silsbee plant longleaf pine seedlings in newly acquired land of The Big Thicket National Park.


A freshly-planted longleaf pine seedling tries to take root in The Big Thicket National Park.


The Big Thicket's fire ecologist Deanna Boensch, from left to right, fuel specialist D.W. Ivans and lead fire effects monitor Iola Hallock oversee the planting of longleaf pine seedlings at The Big Thicket National Park.


Ricardo Guerero with Valencia Forestry of Silsbee plants longleaf pine seedlings at The Big Thicket National Park.

Please read, "Big Thicket stems from one tree at a time" by Jennifer Avilla.
 

Outpatienct clinic construction

Construction has started for a $10 million clinic at the corner of Broadway and 11th streets in Beaumont on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007. When complete, the two-story, 11,000 square-feet Altus Beaumont Surgery Center will cater to elective-surgery patients and employ more than 40 specialists and other personnel.
Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Please read "Beaumont ready to welcome $10 million outpatient clinic" by Mike D. Smith.
 

Loose ball levitation

Lamar's Darren Hopkins (No. 21) dives for a loose ball during the first regular season Southland Conference college basketball game against SFA at Lamar University in Beaumont on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

 

Scampering

© Mark M. Hancock / The Houston Chronicle

Westfield High School's Dwayne Stewart (No. 26, center) steps past several West Brook High School tackle attempts during a football game at Durley Stadium in Beaumont on Friday, Sept. 15, 2006.
 

Wildcatters torched by Inferno

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Texas Wildcatters' Mike Madill (No. 7, right) continues toward the goal after passing the puck to himself between the legs of Columbia Inferno's Jeff Miles (No. 9, left) during an ECHL hockey game at Ford Park in Beaumont on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007.


Texas Wildcatters' Jonathan Paiement (No. 94, right) jumps away from a check attempt by Columbia Inferno's Steve McJannet (No. 18, left) during a ECHL hockey game at Ford Park. Columbia won the game, however the Wildcatters remain the top team in the league.




Texas Wildcatters' Keith McWilliams (No. 2, left) and Columbia Inferno's Tyson Marsh (No. 22, right) exchange punches during a ECHL hockey game at Ford Park.


Columbia Inferno's Anthony Battaglia (No. 26, left) pursues Texas Wildcatters' Mike Madill (No. 7, right) during a ECHL hockey game at Ford Park.


Texas Wildcatters' goalie Matt Yeats (No. 1, center) dives for a lose puck during a ECHL hockey game against the Columbia Inferno at Ford Park.
 

Hoops match

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Memorial's Treasure Eddie (No. 24, right) tries to find a way around Channel View's Jessica Curry (No. 5, left) during a high school basketball game at Memorial in Port Arthur on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2006.
 

Podcast on ICM

I met with Bryan Murley of Innovations in College Media at a local coffee shop. He's originally from Beaumont (welcome to our compressed world) and was visiting his family over the holidays.

He asked me about PJ work and its future for his podcast interview. It's a long 20-minute interview, and I sound like I'm on cough syrup. However, it may be helpful to some folks.

Since I'm interrupting the flow today, I'll also point y'all toward the new link at the top of the sidebar. I've started organizing the labels on this site. When you click on the label under any post, it brings up the last 20 posts with the same label on this site. The "All labels" entry now lets readers browse photos and PJ-related entries by label.

Meanwhile, I'm still adding labels to older posts. It'll be at least two more months before I'm happy with it, but it's enough to keep y'all busy today. Eventually, new PJs should be able to get some quick ideas about what works visually and what doesn't by seeing my failures before a new-to-them assignment.

Enough for now,
 

Pretty pix part II

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

A window of the Tyrrell Historical Library reflects in a puddle on a monument at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas during a rain shower in Beaumont on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2006. Friday is expected to be sunny and warm.

This is one of the "pretty pictures" from the other day.
 

Fire Quint stolen and wrecked by teen

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
Snap-on tool vendor John Allardyce inspects damage on the Beaumont Fire Department's Quint No. 9 at the department's service center in Beaumont on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2006. The truck was stolen and damaged while firefighters responded to a call.


Phillip Sims, 17, was arrested for the theft. He told police he took the truck because he was "cold" and "tired of walking." Beaumont Fire Department's $650,000 Quint No. 9 remains damaged beyond use at the department's service center.


Although the photos are boring, the story is too good to miss. The teen will be tried as an adult. There's also a "Welcome to Texas" angle to this story,

The person who apparently fled from the overturned vehicle was found in a resident's garage, and is accused of lunging at an officer who then struck the suspect several times, according to the police report. He was taken by EMS to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital.

Please read "Teen steals, wrecks $650K fire truck," "Stolen, wrecked firetruck was Beaumont FD's most expensive machine" and "Fire truck joyride leaves city with choice: Fix $650K wreck or buy new truck" by Jennifer Avilla.

Do we run pretty pictures?

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


It rained yesterday, and we needed something for the Region page. So, I went tromping out to get some weather features and test a new camera rain pouch (it's a Pelican collapsible rain pouch and soft-sided blimp - two thumbs up). I checked the high-water points around town, but nothing was flooding yet (the rivers and bayous should crest later today).

When I went downtown, the only person wandering around in the rain was a scary-looking dude with a black hat, leather jacket and some large, black thing attached to his hand. Hmmm, maybe this could explain the lack of pedestrians wherever I went.

Nonetheless, I decided to make some "pretty pictures." It was cool to simply make nice images for the sake of aesthetics. No story, just fluffy little views around town.

I went to turn them out before going to a school bond committee function. Finally, the question popped into my head. I asked Jennifer, "Do we run pretty pictures?" It hadn't come up before. I got an immediate (and expected) smarty-pants answer, but then she said she thought we did. Neither of us really knew for certain.

So, I asked Pete. He said we do. Whew. So, I put them in the system, and they didn't run because they weren't needed.

Now, I'm perplexed by the same question. Do we run pretty pictures? I'm still not certain.

I've always found some news angle for cool images. If I shoot a butterfly, we could call an entomologist and verify the genus and species and learn enough about migration patterns to make a filler story and the entomologist gets a scrapbook clip (if bugs don't eat it).

Y'all get the point. Almost anything can be a news story if we ask the right questions.

However, what happens when we want to enjoy the act of arranging colors and patterns into a pleasing composition? The image has no people, no verb, no reason whatsoever other than aesthetics.

At the core of this question is the basic difference between photographers and photojournalists. I made some images, but they're basically meaningless because they answer no legitimate question. They are nouns. IMO pretty nouns, but they aren't PJ work other than the fact I'm a PJ and I was "working" (always debatable). I even knew this while I made them. I was merely burning pixels until someone walked by with a colorful umbrella (which didn't happen).

So, what good are these images other than blog filler? I honestly don't know. Feel free to debate it in the comments section or your blogs. I deliberately posted the image without a cutline to see if it bothered anyone else.

Enough for now,
 

Fair thee well Jennifer

Jennifer Reynolds poses for a portrait for the book "Rita Captured" in the studio of The Beaumont Enterprise. Since the rest of us had beards, she felt isolated. So, a few minutes later, I had her looking like "one of the guys."
Photo illustration by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise



Today is the final day I shall have the honor of working with my esteemed colleague Jennifer Reynolds. Her next duty is photo editor at The Galveston County News.

It'll be a hardship for us until she's replaced (if anyone can replace the scent of a gardenia in the spring), but I know her sorrow must be bottomless. I'll guess she's moving to be closer to her parents. Yes, the increased pay and choice of new equipment may be a fleeting salve to ease the throes of leaving, but we can see her obvious pain.

Whatever the true motivation, I'm certain it's serious. I can tell by her laughs of hysteria. All this week, she has moped around saying nothing but, "I don't care. I don't care. I don't care." Sure, she's keeping a brave face by skipping across the photo department while singing those hopeless words, but we know the truth. Inside, our hearts break for her.

We'll truly miss her work ethic. On New Year's Eve we had a going away party for her. Although it was her day off, she selflessly worked past midnight covering a private going-away party at the most exclusive club in town for - ironically - another person named Jennifer Reynolds.

I had the flu and left the huddled mass in the smoke-filled garage around midnight, but I understand she didn't finish her hard work until after the echoes of Auld Lang Syne faltered away from the group in the ode-to-fishing room. I never saw her images, but I'm confident they were up to her normal standards.

Out of obligation, we tried to coax her into avoiding this terminal mistake. I personally purchased her a gift of the finest, newest automatic camera I could locate before the mini-marts closed after twilight. It was a lovely shade of olive green. It was even pre-loaded with some fine 800iso film from a manufacturer so exclusive that I've never heard of their fine products before.

My wife even contributed to our last-minute attempt to free Jennifer from the errors of her judgment. Fayrouz donated a container of her country-of-citizenship's most beloved libation - Foster's beer. Surely that would sway Jennifer's decision (at least the hangover might). Yet, alas, she continues with her reckless endeavor.

So it comes to pass that we must wish her well on her journey of despair. After all, how long can one bear the burden of photographing scantily-clad, young vacationers frolicking in the warm sands of a city as old as Galveston? The torture of palm trees cluttering the skyline? The unadulterated cruelty of hors d'oeuvres and La Dolce Vita (whatever those are)?

The madness. The shame. Woe upon woe.

Nevertheless, the boundaries of our circulation and coverage areas overlap in (mostly swampy) places. We'll still encounter each other on occasion. I can already imagine how she'll look after they brutally leave her in the sun for hours without end. Yet, I'll feel pity for her and gallantly invite her to return to her true home here.

However, I'm certain her ignominy will require her to rebuff my kind-hearted attempts to guide her toward her true habitat. Then, I'll kick her in the shin and run away.

Enough for now,
 

Prostitution sting

A woman is processed by the Beaumont Police Department after being arrested for prostitution during a sting operation in Beaumont on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2006. The police department is cracking down on prostitution and solicitation throughout the city.

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise



A woman is processed by the Beaumont Police Department after being arrested in a sting operation for prostitution.


A woman waits to be placed in a prison transport van by the Beaumont Police Department after she was arrested for prostitution during a sting operation.


A woman waits to be placed in a prison transport van after being arrested for prostitution by the Beaumont Police Department during a sting operation.

This was one of those marginal situations. It's not as contrived as a check passing, but its a serious effort to control the message. The police want to show they're doing something about crime. So, they invited all the media in town to observe the results of their sting operation.

According to the story (below), "Six women were arrested after telling undercover officers they would perform sexual acts for a price. Two other women haggled with the officers over prices, so they were arrested for soliciting for the purpose of prostitution, Holmes said."

After dark, another sting operation took down the "Johns," men who purchase sex for money. Undercover, female police officers arrested the men who finance and perpetuate prostitution. This netted an additional seven arrests for soliciting prostitution. The story indicates none were local residents.

Before anyone asks, yes, it's perfectly legal to show the faces of people under arrest. However, our paper prefers to not to "convict before trial" by showing faces of people caught in orchestrated stings of Class B misdemeanor crimes. Capital crime arrestees are an entirely different situation.

Since none of the ladies' colorful statements to the media included their names, no names were available. However, everyone got a good laugh when the first female arrived at the command post and told the assembled media that she didn't give us permission to photograph her (standing on a public street in handcuffs).

I think the interesting part of this story is that eight women were arrested within a few hours on a rainy, cold, Wednesday afternoon for prostitution. What's it like on a pleasant Friday or Saturday night?

Please read "Sting operation on 11th Street in Beaumont nets 15 sex offense arrests" by Rolando Garcia.
 

Chaisson practice

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Joe Chaisson passes a football during practice at West Brook High School in Beaumont on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006.
 

Hollywood reopens

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
Hollywood Theaters reopens for business after reconstruction at Parkdale Mall in Beaumont on Friday, December 22, 2006. The cinema was destroyed during Hurricane Rita on Sept. 24, 2005.


Patrons move through the lobby of Hollywood Theaters during its reopening day at Parkdale Mall. The entire front of the theater was destroyed and had to be replaced.


Patrons line up for concessions at Hollywood Theaters as it reopens for business after reconstruction. The upgrades include everything from accessability to allowing patrons to add their own butter to popcorn.


Patrons move to one of Hollywood Theaters' 12 theaters as the cinema reopens for business after reconstruction. All carpet has been replaced and new high-back rocking seats were added. The larger theaters in the multiplex feature some digital screens.

Please see "Screens light up again at Hollywood Theaters" by Robert Lopez.
 

Photo mosaic viewing

Southeast Texas readers may want to check out Metropolitan Beaumont magazine (it's not online). They have a story about my photo mosaics. There's also a viewing of the three largest pieces from the group show in the meeting room at Sertino's Café located on 5657 Eastex Hwy. at Dowlen Rd. in Beaumont from Jan. 2 - 31, 2007. Sertino's Café is open 24 hours each day.

It's strange how this viewing happened. The magazine was doing a story about these pieces. The editor asked if they could be viewed locally. Instead of saying "No," I tried to find a place. Oh, BTW, I had to come up with a venue within 48 hours to make deadline.

I called the museum for suggestions. There aren't galleries in Beaumont. So, the museum suggested some restaurants that also hang work (there's only two).

The first had installed images for January and the other didn't answer the phone. Since I had shot Sertino's commercially, I know Cliff and hoped he could help me out. It's a really cool place with free Wi-Fi, quality light, good food, etc.

I explained that I only needed some space to hang an image or two during January. Although they have high-end permanent art, he knows my work and was cool with the idea. So, he gave me enough space for all three of the big ones. Since Sertino's is now open 24-hours each day, it's super convenient for insomniac "artsy" types (most of us).

The end result is a win-win-win. I have a place to hang the images. Cliff gets some free PR and hopefully some more traffic. The magazine will be available at Sertino's (while supplies last) to help folks understand these weird images. So, all three of us get a little exposure from this deal while nobody "loses" anything.

I didn't plan to write all this backroom stuff, but I think some other PJs/artists might benefit by knowing how easy it can be to work this arrangement.

The additional benefit is that if enough people go by Sertino's Cafe to see the photo mosaics, Cliff might allow more locally-produced art to show. I think he's testing the water with my images. Since there are only two other local alternative venues, it would be cool for artists to gain a really nice venue for future shows. Go have an espresso, frozen yogurt or sandwich to support the local art scene.

Enough for now,
 

New Year's resolution solutions

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Helon Land (left) and her daughter Mackenzie Land, 5, (right) work on a cheer for Bridge City High School before a football playoff against Jasper High School at Tiger Stadium in Silsbee on Friday, Nov. 18, 2005. The temperatures had dipped down in recent days.
 

Each New Year is often accompanied with retrospectives and resolutions. If anyone is interested, here's what I think are my best shots of the year. I've also got a few solutions to many resolutions, so I'll point y'all to some applicable older posts.

If some folks enjoyed the holidays too much (like me) then here's a post to help y'all lose weight - Fat-O-Journalists.

If cash is tight, but last year's expenses were high, then it's appropriate to prepare taxes early to get a tax refund - PJ accounting tips.

If cash flow is a series of feasts and famines, then it's important to learn long-term money management - Budget for three months.

If images disappear or get misplaced, it's important to get organized - Create a personal digital workflow.

To get noticed in this profession, it's important to have your work recognized by your peers. The best way is to enter contests to see how your work stacks up against other pros. For competative folks, collect your best shots from 2006 into one folder. Then, use the images from the folder to enter different contests. Once prepared, go against some of the best in the world - PJ contest calendar.

If you just got a degree or freelance work isn't as much fun as it originally looked, get a full-time PJ job - Get a job.

This should get most folks off to a good start. Let's all expect "the best" and be ready for it this year.

Enough for now,