Plano vs. Plano West hoops

Plano West's Jimmie Jones (No. 3, left) shoots over the top of Plano's Zach Robles (No. 5, right) while Ryan McDuff (No. 13, left) watches during a high school basketball game at Plano West Senior High School in Plano on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Plano's Rex Burkhead (No. 20, right) escapes Plano West's defense during a high school basketball game at Plano West Senior High School.



Plano West's Bakari Turner (No. 21, center) captures a rebound as Geoffrey Bates (No. 22, left) posts during a high school basketball game in Plano.



Plano's Tommy Davies (No. 32, right) blocks the shot of Plano West's Jackson Jeffcoat (No. 32, left) as David Thompson (No. 33, center) defends during a high school basketball game.



Plano's Clayton Parlin (No. 10, bottom) drives around the defense of Plano West's Jimmie Jones (No. 3, top) during a basketball game.



Plano West's Jimmie Jones (No. 3) lays a ball into the hoop during a high school basketball game against Plano Senior High School at Plano West Senior High School in Plano.


Plano West won the game 79-60. West eventually became district champions and are still in the hunt for the state championship.

Neil deGrasse Tyson lectures

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson greets about 2,000 fans before presenting "The Cosmic Perspective" as part of the University of Texas at Arlington Maverick Speakers Series at UTA in Arlington on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009.


© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, presents "The Cosmic Perspective" at UTA in Arlington. Tyson also hosts "NOVA scienceNOW" on PBS and has been the most frequent guest on “The Colbert Report.”



Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson drops two differently-weighted items to demonstrate Newton's law of universal gravitation at UTA in Arlington. Tyson said Isaac Newton was the smartest human in the planet's history.



Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson presents "The Cosmic Perspective" as part of the University of Texas at Arlington Maverick Speakers Series at UTA in Arlington. Tyson's new book "The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet" addresses the debate surrounding his 2006 decision to exhibit Pluto as a Dwarf Planet in the Kuiper Belt.



Please see Neil deGrasse Tyson's Web site to learn more about the man and science.

"A Skull in Connemara"

Mick Dowd (John S. Davies, bottom) digs in his late wife's grave as Mairtin Hanlon (Drew Wall, left) and Thomas Hanlon (Ian Sinclair, right) question the gravedigger during a rehearsal of "A Skull In Connemara" in the Studio Theatre at the Addison Theatre Centre on Friday, Jan. 2, 2009.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Mick Dowd (John S. Davies, right) talks with Mairtin Hanlon (Drew Wall, left) in the graveyard during a rehearsal of "A Skull In Connemara" in the Studio Theatre. Second Thought Theatre presented the play by Martin McDonagh.


Mick Dowd (John S. Davies, right) talks with Mairtin Hanlon (Drew Wall, left) in the graveyard during a rehearsal of "A Skull In Connemara" in the Studio Theatre at the Addison Theatre Centre in Addison.

Please read, "Strong acting, dark laughs in 'A Skull in Connemara'" by Lawson Taitte / The Dallas Morning News.

Holiday hoops tournament

Mesquite's Cory Remekun (No. 32, center) jumps to the hoop as Jesuit's Josh Bauer (No. 30, left) and Chris Udofia (No. 50, right) defend during the championship game of the State Farm Insurance Plano Wildcat Holiday Classic at Plano Senior High School in Plano on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Jesuit's Mike Bedford (No. 21, right) tries to find an opening around Mesquite's Jay Payne (No. 3, left) during the championship game.



Mesquite's Chase Hallam (No. 4, center) loses the ball as Jesuit's Chris Udofia (No. 50, left) and Josh Bauer (No. 30, right) defend at Plano Senior High School.



Jesuit's Josh Bauer (No. 30, right) makes a jump shot as Mesquite's Vertrail Vaughns (No. 1, left) watches during the championship game.



Mesquite's Jay Payne (No. 3, left) looks to pass as Jesuit's E.J. McWoods (No. 51, right) defends during the State Farm Insurance Plano Wildcat Holiday Classic tournament.



Mesquite's Chase Hallam (No. 4, right) looks to pass as he's surrounded by Jesuit's E.J. McWoods (No. 51, left) and Josh Bauer (No. 30, center) during the championship game of the tournament at Plano Senior High School in Plano. Jesuit won the game and tournament championship 78-67.

True Romance matched

Greg and Emily Allbright pose for a portrait at their home in Dallas on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008. The couple initially met after work colleagues enrolled Emily on match.com.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Greg and Emily Allbright pose for a portrait at their home in Dallas. Neither was looking for a serious relationship when they met.


Greg and Emily Allbright pose for a portrait at their home in Dallas. The couple married on May 24, 2008 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.



Please read, "True Romance: Couple met while mixing business and pleasure" by Kathleen Green.
 

"Quick Tips" presentation in Dallas

I'll give a modified version of the "Quick Tips" presentation to the Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) at The Magnolia Theater located at the corner of McKinney and Lemmon in Dallas' West Village at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009.

Doors and bar open at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is free and open to new visitors. I'll answer photojournalism-related questions after the presentation.

Enough for now,

John Paul II High School needs students

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

John Paul II High School remains open in Plano on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008. The first Catholic high school north of Dallas opened in 2004.


Students walk to classes at John Paul II High School in Plano. The school has increased enrollment, but economic conditions concern officials about the school's future growth.


Sophomore Richard Joubert studies in class at John Paul II High School.


Athletes' lockers are decorated at John Paul II High School. The 17 area parishes in Collin Counties have helped keep the school afloat.


Students eat lunch in the cafeteria at John Paul II High School. The school was formerly an Alcatel corporate campus before the telecom bubble burst.


Students walk to classes at John Paul II High School in Plano. The school's goal is at least 900 students. It can accomodate 1,200, but current enrollment is 637.

Please read, "Plano Catholic high school struggles meeting enrollment goals" by Matthew Haag.

JFK and Dallas

It's believed Lee Harvey Oswald fired a bolt-action rifle from a sixth floor window in the corner of the former Texas School Book Depository and killed President John F. Kennedy as his motorcade moved west on Elm Street in Dallas at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 22, 1963. How many shots were actually fired and from which locations continues to be debated.


photos © Mark M. Hancock / for The National

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza visitors center features iconic images of President Kennedy in Dallas on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009.


The "Sniper's Nest" (left) remains preserved in the corner window at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas. The nest is preserved inside a glassed case at the museum. The area where President Kennedy was assassinated reflects on the glass (right).


While looking from the window next to the "Sniper's Nest" at at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, a truck rolls down Elm Street past the marker for second location JFK was shot in Dallas. Reunion tower reflects the setting sun and a newer version of Dallas in the upper window.


An "X" marks the location of the first bullet to hit President Kennedy on Elm Street at Dealey Plaza in Dallas.


A sport utility vehicle rolls past John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza in Dallas. The plaza was dedicated on on June 24, 1970 to the memory of the beloved President. The monument is a cenotaph, an open tomb, designed to symbolize Kennedy's spirit of freedom.

To learn more about the JFK and the museum, please visit JFK.org

Crawford, Texas

photos © Mark M. Hancock / for The National

Former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush returned to the "brown, brown grass of home" in Crawford, Texas yesterday after President Obama took office. They're staying at their ranch outside Crawford until their home in Dallas is ready.

The small town of Crawford, population 705, has been dubbed "The Western White House." It has prospered and seen its share of visitors, media and protesters during the last eight years.

Please also read "A rambling ride through the Lone Star State" by Tim Lott and see the entire audio slideshow at The National (Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.).

Coca-Cola Basketball Tourney champs

Garland's Marquis Sims (No. 32, right) rips the ball away from Plano West's Michael Groselle (No. 33, left) during the championship game of the 2008 Boys Garland Coca-Cola Tournament at the Garland Special Events Center in Garland on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Plano West's Tyler Melville (No. 1, center) rebounds as Michael Groselle (No. 33, left) backs away and Garland's Finis Craddock (No. 5, right) moves in during the championship game.



Garland's Marcus Thompson (No. 23, left) puts on the brakes as Plano West's Geoffrey Bates (No. 22, right) defends during the tournament championship game.



Plano West's Jackson Jeffcoat (No. 32, left) tries to find an opening past Garland defender Josh Otway (No. 42, right) during the high school tournament championship game.



Garland's Marquis Sims (No. 32, right) rips the ball away from Plano West's Michael Groselle (No. 33, left) at the Garland Special Events Center.



Garland's Marcus Thompson (No. 23, right) drives around Plano West's Tyler Melville (No. 1, left) during the basketball game.



Plano West's Bakari Turner (No. 21, top) slams the ball as Garland's Marquis Sims (No. 32, bottom) watches during the championship game of the 2008 Boys Garland Coca-Cola Tournament at the Garland Special Events Center in Garland. Plano West won the tournament 57-54.

Bakugan Battle Brawlers

Erik Berglund , 7, (top) and family friend Weston Conaway, 6, (bottom) watch as Elizabeth Berglund, 9, (right) attacks during a Bakugan Battle Brawlers game at the family's home in Plano on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Erik Berglund , 7, (left) battles his sister Elizabeth, 9, (right) during a Bakugan Battle Brawlers game as family friend Weston Conaway, 6, (center) watches at the family's home in Plano. The game launched in Japan in 2007.


Erik Berglund , 7, rolls a combatant during a Bakugan Battle Brawlers game against his sister Elizabeth, 9, at the family's home. The toys will start United States distribution in January 2009.


Erik Berglund , 7, attacks during a Bakugan Battle Brawlers game against his sister Elizabeth, 9, at the family's home. The mechanical, warrior toys open when they roll over magnetic playing cards.


Bakugan Battle Brawlers are displayed at the Berglund home in Plano. A Cartoon Network show, tournaments and other marketing efforts have been planned for months.



Please read, "New toy and then some: Bakugan Battle Brawlers" by Nancy Churnin / The Dallas Morning News.

Babies get wired

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Roy, Katrina and Janelle Adams, 8 months, pose for a portrait with a laptop display from TotSpot.com at their home in Frisco on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008. Katrina Adams made an account on the social networking site to meet and interact with other parents.


Katrina Adams' laptop displays the TotSpot home page at her home in Frisco.

Please read, "Social networking sites cater to moms and babies" by Mallary Jean Tenore / The Dallas Morning News

Guadalupe pilgrimage inspires faithful

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Alfonso Bustamante of Santa Clara Catholic Church in Dallas blows a conch shell at the beginning of a pilgrimage from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish to San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.


Leslie Cruz (left) dances with other members from the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denton before the pilgrimage. The 15th annual pilgrimage was coordinated by Pastoral Juvenil Hispana for Hispanic and Latin-American immigrants.


Luis Jimenez of Saint Ann Catholic Church in Coppell prays the rosary during a pilgrimage from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish to San Juan Diego Parish.



Member of Santa Clara Catholic Church in Dallas participate in the Marian Pilgrimage in Dallas. The dancing troupes are known as Matachines.


Celebrants wear ornate, hand-made costumes during the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage is in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of the Americas.


Celebrants walk past the Love Field airport during the pilgrimage in Dallas. About 1,000 faithful participated in the pilgrimage.


Teresa Jordan (right) and Robert Duron (left) of Our Lady of the Pilar Catholic Church participate during the pilgrimage. Four trucks were decorated to represent the different times the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego.


Osito Del Valle (right) of the Indio Apache Tribu (Nativos de San Miguel) drums during a pilgrimage from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish to San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas.



Celebrants pass Crown Hill Memorial Park on Webb Chapel Road during the pilgrimage in Dallas.


Celebrants costumes match the turning leaves as they pass Crown Hill Memorial Park during the annual pilgrimage.


Yvonne Martinez (center) of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church rests momentarily during the eight-mile-long pilgrimage from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish to San Juan Diego Parish.


Celebrants dance on Monroe Drive in Dallas as they near the end of the pilgrimage.


Alejandro Sanchez, 13, of Dallas carries a statue of Juan Diego during the pilgrimage.


Deacon Abel Cortes (left) and Father Alberto Frausto (right) await the arrival of pilgrims near San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas.


Vicky Cueto sings during an outdoor mass at San Juan Diego Parish.



Monsignor John F. Meyers looks up after kissing the alter during an outdoor mass at San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas.


Father Alberto Frausto speaks to celebrants during an outdoor mass at San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas.


Father Alberto Frausto prepares for communion during an outdoor mass at San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas.


Celebrants pray during an outdoor mass at San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas.

In 1531, many native Mexicans were persecuted during the Spanish conquest.

On Dec. 12, 1531, an Aztec peasant was walking near present-day Mexico City. A brightly-clothed woman appeared and spoke to Juan Diego in his language. She said she was the Virgin Mary and wanted a church built on the site. Juan Diego took this information to the Spanish bishop.

The bishop demanded proof. She appeared again. Although it was winter, Spanish roses appeared for Juan Diego. She instructed him to collect roses in his cloak as proof.

When Diego went to the bishop, he opened his cloak and the roses fell to the ground to reveal an icon of the Virgin Mary on his apron (Tilma).

The church was built by 1536, and Catholic conversion took hold across Mexico.

Today, about 20 million people visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City each year to see the original miraculous apron. It hangs on display behind bullet-proof glass.

Please read, "Young Hispanics gather to strengthen Catholic identity" by María del Carmen Uceda and Jesús Gras for Texas Catholic.

Please read more about the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.