WHITNEY J. FOX PHOTOGRAPHY

* Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

2011-12-23T12:16:00.004-05:00

I hope everyone enjoys their holiday celebrations and rings in the new year with a bang. Take the time to look back on this last year of your life. Think about all that you've achieved and what you've learned. Be grateful and thankful, love your family and friends. You're happy, healthy, and alive. Breathe and smile. Just think how amazing this next year 2012 will be.... !

Snow dusted buoys and chairs at my little house on Peaks Island, Maine.

If you look hard enough, you can actually see how delicately designed each snowflake is.

Half moon peaking over the top of a building along the waterfront in Portland, Maine's Old Port.

Casco Bay pilings and a little sea smoke on a crisp, sunny morning towards the East End of Portland, Maine.

A worker and wharf cat at Harbor Fish Market seek the sun on a chilly winter morning in Portland, Maine.

A bench buried in snow along the tree-lined Eastern Prom in Portland, Maine.

* Reid State Park in Georgetown, Maine

2011-12-22T13:30:00.011-05:00

Happy Official First Day of Winter!!! I know I just posted snowy goodness on Morse Mountain, and I still wish for the white stuff to dump, but I can't help but still equally love summer in Maine. Reid State Park in Georgetown, Maine so gorgeous that I had to keep this many photos in my edit! The waves and undertow are strong; lifeguards were on duty. There is plenty of beach to relax on and hot sand to sink your toes into (I nearly burned the skin off mine this day!). I love how the dunes rise above your head and the rocks fall right into the ocean. If you need a place to stay, the Pryor House bed & breakfast is in nearby Bath, Maine. It is absolutely adorable and serves up a delicious family-style breakfast in the morning. Bath has a nostalgic feel to me with a plethora of antique shops to peruse. So add Reid State Park and the Pryor House to your To Do List for next summer -- you won't regret it.

The Pryor House bed and breakfast in Bath, Maine.

A little pool on the opposite side of the dunes where the kiddos can safely wade in the water.

Lifeguards keeping a watchful eye over the busy beach.

My new beachfront property!

On a brief break from frantically digging holes in the sand like a honey badger. This kid was on a mission.

My friend Kevin: Old Guys Rule.

A view from the front...

... a view from the back. Both are gorgeous.

Bring your lunch to enjoy the seaside picnic table area with amazing views of Sheepscot Bay.

* Pinhole Press: Holiday Gifts

2011-12-20T12:26:00.007-05:00

I just received my second shipment of holiday gifts from Pinhole Press, and I have to say I do love these notepads. They are fun, affordable, customizable (just enough), and have that nice clean feel I love. The weight of the paper, the size of the pad -- love 'em. They look better in all their tangible glory than on this post! Taking the lead that lovely NC-based photographer Lucy Parker did, I sent some out as little holiday gifts to the folks I worked with this year. Lucy attended the very cool Roots Workshop with me last July, for another amazing, hardcore week of documentary storytelling.

For access to some additional premium photo products, feel free to access Pinhole Press through my professional link here.

* Morse Mountain in Phippsburg, Maine

2011-12-19T00:00:00.008-05:00

Can you believe it is December, only days away from Christmas?! I am craving snow and winter hiking like this during a storm at Morse Mountain in Phippsburg, Maine. The trail ends at the beautiful Seawall Beach, though breeds some killer horse flies! At low tide you can attempt to wade across the river to Popham Beach State Park, just to the northeast. "

"The Bates-Morse Mountain Conservation Area is a nature preserve managed by Bates College for environmental research and education. The 500+ acre conservation area fronts over a mile of stunningly beautiful beach and dunes."

* Eastern Mediterranean: Taormina, Sicily

2011-10-31T00:00:00.000-04:00

The next leg of the trip was Sicily. Our private driver -- sporting a comfy, snazzy Benz -- drove us to the quaint town of Taormina on the northeast coast of the island. My father's grandparents emigrated from Palermo, Sicily through Ellis Island, so naturally his "Sicilian" accent joined us for part of this stop (I think he's actually more Irish than Sicilian). The island is so much larger than we realized and we hope to make another trip back someday just to explore Sicily.

Docking in Sicily.

Our private driver to the town of Taormina was a treat. It was pouring, pouring rain, but it was making the lush greenery seem even more vibrant.

The view from a scenic outlook. The torrential downpours made these shots a little fuzzy, but I had to share -- the coast still looked inviting in all its Mediterranean glory.

Rain, rain go away. Please come back some other day.

Tasty-looking shop window.

The pouring rain actually stopped as if on cue when we parked the car and took to walking the cute pedestrian-friendly streets. This pasticceria shop owner bravely emptied his awning. He stayed dry though, then noticed me snapping a photo and flashed a big smile with a belly laugh. I returned the smile -- a commiserative gesture for we knew what could have happened!

A nod to "The Godfather" and inviting, narrow alleys off the main pedestrian street through Taormina's center.

I have a thing for patterns, geometry, and reflections.

Breathtaking views from a plaza overlooking the sea.

This little car, particularly the color, caught my eye amongst the monochromatic stone. And "Carpe Diem!" is how I frequently live my life -- slow down, enjoy the moment, be present.

Creepy potting planter up on a balcony caught my eye.

Sorry for the repetition. I had trouble again deciding which shot I liked better. Color or black and white; man on left or man in center.

We stumbled upon a delicious, affordable restaurant down an alley and enjoyed pizza and appetizers (like the ham, cheese, and tomato one pictured above) while sitting on their outdoor patio looking down at the turquoise sea. Little did we know, La Cisterna del Moro has a presence in travel books and great reviews online. Lucky find for us!

Mailboxes.

A cafe in a plaza in Taormina. I think the restaurant meant to say "Sicilian Food NON-STOP." Made me chuckle.

My brother loves gelato.

These young boys and the kids at the window were messing with the pooch in the store front that was barking furiously at their banging on the glass. The four-legged fellow couldn't keep his traction on the slippery tile he was skating on. The scene was comical like a silent movie, since we could barely hear the dog's barking through the thick window.

Another mouth-watering shop window. Reminds me of the bakeries in Spain.

I wonder how many years these stylish ladies have been walking arm in arm through downtown Taormina.

Dad and I enjoyed a couple bottles of Sicilian red wine. I wish I could remember the names!

Couple enjoying an ice cream next to church doors.

The entrance to the harbor where were docked in Sicily.

Flag pride.

My father and our driver having a chat along a row of cool trees pruned high.

On our drive back to the ship, we saw a funnel cloud off in the distance. The storm that had brought torrential downpours to us upon our arrival was still lingering close by.

Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas ship dwarfs the buildings along the Sicilian seacoast. These ships are absolutely remarkable modern marvels. I will post photos from a special behind-the-scenes tour of the ship that my brother and I went on -- so cool.

* Eastern Mediterranean: Rome, Italy

2011-10-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

Enjoyed a family trip to the Eastern Mediterrean in early November. We hit Rome, Italy; Taormina, Sicily; Kusadasi, Turkey; Athens, Greece; and Chania, Crete. I will be posting each separately. Here are some sights from our night in Rome...

My brother in the airport in Germany. I couldn't decide which one to post, so I put both. Sorry, I just love the graphic nature of the shots and the reflections.

My brother and father in the airport in Germany.

The very nice Empire Palace Hotel in Rome, Italy where we enjoyed a night.

The cool courtyard restaurant in the hotel that my room overlooked.

Exterior of the restaurant La Locanda di Bacco, where we had the most delicious Italian food. Mushrooms were in season when we went, so I ordered the pasta dish pappardelle with mushrooms. The best I've had in my life.

On a walk the next morning, a vehicle-lined side-street near our hotel and a more major-street lined with orange trees (that appeared to have seen better days!).

An art sculpture in the center of a round-about in downtown Rome (Pietro Consagra, Giano Nel Cuore Di Roma, 4-10-1997).

Old and new: Roman architectural sculptures and motorbikes.

Rihanna and Armani were everywhere in Rome.

Rome's habor pilot boat speeding along the ship.

* Married: Ali + Marc

2011-09-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to my dear friends, Marc and Ali, who were married at a small, sweet, late September wedding just outside Washington, D.C. I took a few photos of these two pre-ceremony, but I was so happy to be able to enjoy their celebration as a guest!

* Wolfe's Neck Farm in Freeport, Maine

2011-09-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

My friend Jen and I visited the wonderful Wolfe's Neck Farm in Freeport, Maine this September. It is just a quick 20 minute or so drive north of Portland and feels like you're miles up the coast. Aside from the farm, weddings are held here and there is camping and hiking trails along the ocean's edge. A great local escape, if you're in need of one.

* Maternity: Paula, my first session

2011-08-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

My friend Paula asked me to take photos of her while she was still pregnant with little Quinlan. Paula's first born Ava was even able to join her little bro in a photo. Peaks Island, Maine right in front of my house turned out to be the perfect location on a hot August afternoon. This was my firsts maternity session and so happy it was with a beautiful friend. Congratulations to Paula and husband Ben! Photos of Quin himself will be coming soon.

* emerge Photography Contest Winner

2010-06-23T12:00:00.003-04:00

I am excited -- and shocked -- to learn that I have placed second in the Favorite Wedding category for the national photography competition called emerge, sponsored by liveBooks and Rangefinder Publishing, as well as theknot, Sony, Pictage, ShootQ, Think Tank, and a host of other companies all providing generous, valuable prizes. And most importantly, exposure.

Thank you, thank you! And thank you to emilie inc. photography!

The emerge Photo Competition was nationwide and judged by leading wedding industry professionals, including Rebecca Crumley, Weddings Photo Director at The Knot, and world-renowned wedding photographer Joe Buissink.

To view my contest entries in all five categories, please click here. The menu for the five Portfolios is on the bottom left of the page.

To view all images from the winning wedding, please click here to visit the emilie inc. blog post.

* Kennebunk splendor

2010-06-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

Despite the inclement weather, it was a wonderful weekend in Kennebunk, Maine full of birthday celebrations for two friends.

Photos of the festivities to come....

* Cherries + Polaroids

2010-06-02T12:00:00.003-04:00

Hope your Memorial Day Weekend was enjoyable.
Mine was just like a bowl of cherries...

... And fun with old Polaroid film I found. My last pack!

* Birds In Flight Gallery

2010-04-13T12:00:00.002-04:00

Hugh Verrier is a 78-year old dimensional watercolor painter and sculptor who owns the B irds In Flight Gallery in Eustis, Maine. He sculpts watercolor paper into birds, his primary subjects, and paints them with vibrant color and exacting detail. These pieces hang artfully on walls and, as far as Verrier knows, he is the only person using this process. Verrier has a true creative spirit and is always experimenting with different techniques and materials. However, no matter the medium, all of Verrier's work exhibits dimension, texture, and the beauty of the natural world.

Visit Hugh Verrier and the Birds In Flight Gallery on Route 27 at 991 Arnold Trail in Eustis, Maine or online at www.birds-in-flight.com.

View more photos here from my visit with Hugh.

* Check out the NEW emilieinc.com website!

2010-04-06T12:00:00.003-04:00

I am an Associate Photographer for the wonderful and talented Emilie Sommer, owner of emilie inc. photography. Check out the makeover that she and designer Christina Wnek gave emilieinc.com, another great looking liveBooks site. Fantastic job!

View the website here.

View the blog post here.

* Two of my favorite places in Maine

2010-04-02T12:00:00.004-04:00

Two favorite places I have come to call home for the winter and summer...

Stratton, Maine -- March 24, 2010:
A frozen Flagstaff Lake as seen at The Long Corner on Rt. 27, just up the road from my place.

Casco Bay, Peaks Island, Maine -- April 9, 2009:
A sunset view of Portland as seen from my place on the shore of Peaks Island.

* Family reunion in the Catskills

2009-08-01T12:00:00.003-04:00

A wonderful Fox Family reunion in East Durham, New York at the beautiful Circling Hawks Lodge seated right in the Catskills. Rural, peaceful, lush green, and magnificent mountain views from the modern yet rustic lodge. Amazing home-cooked food, hand-shaken margaritas, and brilliant company. Truly sublime.

More photos at www.foxreunion2009.whitneyjfox.com.

* emilie inc.: Elizabeth Wilson + Derrick Dicoi

2009-06-13T00:00:00.006-04:00

Elizabeth Wilson and Derrick Dicoi celebrated their wedding at Spruce Point Inn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine on Saturday, June 13th. Again, the rain gave way to a gorgeous day with wispy clouds in a soft blue sky. A few raindrops fell later in the evening, but only after everyone was safely inside the Pemaquid ballroom dancing away to the music provided by Jim Casey. The Romanian Orthodox ceremony was held at St. Columba's Episcopal Church just down the street from the Inn. Elizabeth and Derrick had beautifully tender moments throughout the day and were an absolute pleasure to photograph. They left for their honeymoon to Greece two days after their wedding!

Please click here to visit emilie inc.'s blog to view the slideshow, album design, and addtional photos.

* Greendrinks: Gorham Bike and Ski + Portland Trails

2009-06-09T00:00:00.033-04:00

At their new Congress Street location, Gorham Bike and Ski hosts the June Greendrinks event with great success. Portland Trails is also a sponsor, along with Local Sprouts, Maine Mead Works, Grandy Oats, and the always present and palatable Sebago Brewing Company. Bike valet is offered and Greendrinkers enjoy the Maine Mead Works tasting tent outside with some refreshing rain air.

The summer solstice is almost here (June 21st), so get your wheels tuned at Gorham Bike + Ski and get riding!

For more photos from this event, please click here.

* emilie inc.: Elizabeth Kelsey + Jason Nevitt

2009-05-30T00:00:00.010-04:00

On Saturday, May 30th, Elizabeth Kelsey and Jason Nevitt married at Spruce Point Inn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The couple live in Washington D.C., but returned to Maine, Elizabeth's home state, for the wedding. The rain gave way to a beautiful day.

The Tony Boffa Band provided killer music for the night. Elizabeth used to be in a band that Tony Boffa managed, and fittingly Elizabeth belted out a couple tunes with them. Later in the evening, Jason surprised everyone, though mostly Elizabeth, and even took to the mic himself!

emilie inc. Associate J helped me shoot this wedding and spent some time with Jason pre-ceremony, while I hung with Elizabeth as she prepared.

Please click here to visit emilie inc.'s blog to view the slideshow, album design, and additional images.

* emilie inc.: Tina Sweeney + Chris Lamarre

2009-05-24T00:00:00.002-04:00

Tina Sweeney and Chris Lamarre wed at the Church on the Cape in Cape Porpoise, Maine on Sunday, May 24th. The rain stopped on our limo drive to the church and the sun shined perfectly. The day of intimate festivities centered around the house on Goose Rocks Beach that Tina and Chris rent every year when they visit from the Berkshires in western Massachusetts where they live. After cocktails at the house, guests enjoyed a dynamite dinner at the White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport. Both Tina and Chris shed some tears! This was such a beautifully emotional day that I felt honored to witness.

Please click here to visit emilie inc.'s blog to view the slideshow, album design, and additional photos.

* Published in Boston Then And Now Book

2009-05-15T00:00:00.006-04:00

I shot a contract job for an image of Kenmore Square that appears in the second edition of the book Boston Then and Now (Thunder Bay Press/Anova Books). Author Patrick L. Kennedy was kind enough to keep me in mind for his book after he had published some images of mine in COMtalk, the Boston University alumni magazine. I shot the image while I was covering the Boston Marathon in April of 2008. The book is now on the shelves at Barnes and Noble and other major retailers and can also be purchased online through numerous sites, including Amazon. Thanks again to Patrick, and congratulations on your book!

This past April I flew to NYC to shoot another contract job for Thunder Bay Press/Anova Books for the book Brooklyn Then and Now. About six images will be published and the book should be out within a year. More to come on this.

Click here to view an audio slide show about the book by author Patrick L. Kennedy.

The Kemore Square image appears on page 99 of the book.

* Greendrinks: SPACE Gallery + Goodwill... MORE PHOTOS COMING SOON!!!

2009-05-14T00:00:00.001-04:00

MORE PHOTOS COMING SOON!!!

My apologies, folks, for the delay in processing and posting the rest of these images. They will be up by the next event... the July Greendrinks. Please check back then! I have been busy busy the last few months, so I appreciate your patience.

I have, however, completed and posted the June Greendrinks photos (go figure!), so please enjoy those in the meantime. Despite the wet weather, it was another HUGE turn out!

Many thanks!
WHiT fOX

* Greendrinks: SPACE Gallery + Goodwill

2009-05-13T00:00:00.003-04:00

People shopped as they walked the Greendrinks talk during another successful event on May 12, 2009 held at SPACE Gallery on Congress Street in Portland, Maine. There was a big turn out for primary sponsor Goodwill who rolled in racks of hand-picked clothing and other treasures especially for Greendrinkers with the help of benefit event planning company Rose Street. Raffle items were provided by the shops Ferdinand, The Sunrise Guide, and Washboard Eco-Laundry -- all green and all local. You were lucky if you scored a sweet SPACE pint glass. Peak Organic Brewing and Sebago Brewing provided the always-delicious liquids.

Here are just a few photos... more to come in another post, so check back before next month's Greendrinks!

* Published in Seacoastonline.com

2009-04-18T00:00:00.005-04:00

Did an impromtu photo shoot for the two Epic Men who kayaked from Peaks Island to Portland, ME, biked through Portsmouth, NH to Hopkinton, MA, and ran the Boston Marathon -- all within 24 hours. Read the article here.

* Greendrinks: O'Naturals + Planned Parenthood

2009-04-14T00:00:00.003-04:00

April Greendrinks at O'Naturals green eatery on Exchange Street in Portland, Maine's Old Port. Another great turnout of locals with drinking vessels in hand filled with Peak Organic Brew, Sebago Brew, or Cold River Vodka. Planned Parenthood provided the condoms and Good Chemistry, while Cycle Mania provided a tandem bike and other eco-friendly wheels to take for a spin. Spring is in the air.

For more images from this event, please click here.

* Greendrinks: Habitat for Humanity ReStore

2009-02-10T00:00:00.010-05:00

Greendrinks' second event of 2009 held at Habitat For Humanity of Greater Portland's ReStore on February 10th. A huge turnout of locals saw firsthand the plethora of building supplies available for sale to the general public. Think of it as a mini-Home Depot, but better, since all the money made supports Habitat's home building program. You can find everything from doorknobs to windows, lamps to refrigerators, sinks to cabinets, and toilets to paint. As explained on their website, "The ReStore supplies overstocked, discontinued, new and used building materials donated by manufacturers, stores, contractors and individuals. These donated items are sold to the public or used in construction of Habitat homes. All revenue from sales support our building program."

Other sponsors at the Portland Greendrinks event included Peak Organic Brewing, Sebago Brewing, and Maine Mead Works.

For more photos from this event, please click here.

* Greendrinks: CIEE + Nomads

2009-01-13T00:00:00.018-05:00

On Tuesday, January 13, the first Greendrinks event of 2009 kicks off with a great turn-out of people at the offices of CIEE on Fore Street in Portland, ME and is co-sponsored by Nomads, the niche clothing boutique for adventure-seekers located on Commercial Street. Greendrinkers get to know each other playing a travel and environmentally-related game of Bingo and watch a slideshow illustrating the ecological and environmental programs offered at CIEE. While munching on some organic Grandy Oats, people enjoyed beer courtesy of Peak Organic Brewing and Sebago Brewing Company -- all local Maine businesses.

For more images from this event, please click here.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T12:00:00.003-05:00

A few photos from the Fox Family Thanksgiving in upstate New York at Linda and Rob's. Delicious food and good times as usual!

More photos at www.thanksgiving2008.whitneyjfox.com

* Greendrinks: Maine Rock Gym + WCYY

2008-11-11T00:00:00.007-05:00

Portland Greendrinks held at the Maine Rock Gym on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 and sponsored by WCYY radio station, New England Sustainability Exchange, Peak Organic Brewing, Sebago Brewing, and Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill.

For more images from this event, please click here.

* Nate's Birthday Surprise

2008-11-08T00:00:00.001-05:00

Nathan Mills' surprise 30th birthday party in South Portland, Maine with friends and family. Filled with Nate and Matt's army attire, Nixon's mullet, Caity being exiled to the pop-up tent because of the cat, Willows wing eating contest, Nate swinging on the arbor, Element tailgating, Mikey dancing, political talk, the homecoming of the dog, and many other fun-filled moments.

For more photos from this event, please click here.

* Bob's Birthday Bash

2008-11-07T00:00:00.001-05:00

Bob Smyth's killer birthday party held at his Anderson Street studio. Smyth shares the space with other artists who create "live art" during the party while DJ's spin "live beats." This creativitiy coupled with vibrant attendees and guests, generates a positive vibe and overall unforgettable night.

For more photos from this event, please click here.

* U.S. Election Day 2008

2008-11-04T23:59:00.001-05:00

Delicious election day cookies of donkeys and elephants... no lines at the Peaks Island, Maine voting polls held at the local community center... and the other view out the window of my shed while watching the televised U.S. election coverage. What a day.

* Greendrinks: Salt + Switch

2008-10-14T00:00:00.003-04:00

More than two hundred people attended the Portland Greendrinks event held at the new Congress Street location of the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies on Tuesday evening, October 14, 2008. MaineToday.com, which recently merged with the publication Switch, announced the launch of its new website. Among the many other local sponsors were Peak Organic Brewing, Green Elephant Restaurant, and Hansel's Orchard. Salt also announced the launch of its revamped website that now includes information on their digital photography track, transitioning from their previous film and wet darkroom curriculum.

For more images from this event, please click here.

* Olympic Hopeful: Matt Chisam

2008-04-22T12:00:00.004-04:00

On the Breaking Point :: Olympic Hopeful Matt Chisam

* Olympic Hopeful: Zara Northover

2008-04-18T12:00:00.006-04:00

Moving in Faith :: Olympic Hopeful Zara Northover

* Free Tibet: A Vigil for the Voiceless

2008-04-02T12:00:00.005-04:00

(April 2, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) FREE TIBET: A VIGIL FOR THE VOICELESS / On a windy Wednesday in Harvard Square, people gather at sun down for a candlelight vigil in honor of hundreds of Tibetans killed by Chinese military during peaceful protests disapproving China's rule over Tibet. People held signs objecting China hosting the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Two Tibetan monks chanted during the otherwise voiceless vigil for the voiceless. (Photos by Whitney J. Fox)

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* Peter Donatelli

2008-03-31T00:00:00.001-04:00

THE PASTOR, LAUNDERER, HUSBAND + FATHER
Father Peter Donatelli manages and works at his family business, Liliana's Laundromat, located on Congress Street on Munjoy Hill. When he is not there, Donatelli spends much of his remaining time managing his church that is based in Brunswick, just north of Portland, called The Church of Christ Jesus Victor.

Locals say Donatelli is a vocal fixture on The Hill. As good as he is at pushing his customers' buttons for a spirited debate or to listen and laugh at his latest joke, he is a smart, honest person living life to its fullest.

God, community, service, family, laughter, and clean clothes make this man's world go 'round.

For more images from this project, please click here.
Multimedia movie coming soon.

* How to Shave a Cat: Part I

2008-03-30T12:00:00.002-04:00

(March 30, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) Vinny being shaved by Lorna Reed, owner of Dewberry Dogs in South Boston, with the help of her partner Bill and daughter Michelle. This is Vinny's first time being shaved. And possibly his last. (Photos by Whitney J. Fox)

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* Boston Common & Faneuil Hall

2008-03-24T12:00:00.014-04:00

(March 24, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) HOOFING AND WOOFING AROUND BOSTON / PJ, a one-and-a-half-year old minature dachshund, motivates his owners, Jon Littler (left) and Patrick Chee (right) to get walking during Monday's sunny, mild-weathered lunch hour at Boston Common. England natives who now reside in New York City, the three are visiting Boston for the first time, but only for a night. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(March 23, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) BIRTHDAY BALLOONS / While leaving Faneuil Hall, Julia Milner, a student from Long Island, NY enrolled at Mount Ida College in Newton, dons a balloon hat she received at Dick's Last Resort where she and three friends celebrated her 20th on Easter Sunday night. The hat's hand-written birthday wishes read, "Bang me like a drum - it's my 20th birthday." (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(March 24, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) HURLING ABOUT / Bernard O'Brien fields a ball (or sliothar) with his hurl (or stick) from mates in the outfield, Martin Murphy (left) and Shane Cody (right) during a relaxed game of the traditional Irish sport called hurling on Monday's sunny, mild-weathered lunch hour at Boston Common. The three men, along with two other friends, are on their first holiday to Boston from Ireland, spending a week in Beantown. O'Brien and Murphy live in Kilkenny and Cody lives in Wexford. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(March 24, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE / Couples of people walk the park and sit on benches while a couple of pigeons court eachother during Monday's sunny, mild-weathered lunch hour at Boston Common. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(March 23, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) QUINCY MARKET / A quiet, empty Quincy Market on Easter Sunday night. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(March 23, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) FOUR WHEELS, FOR LEGS / As four-wheeled vehicles speed by, four-legged Jody, a Percheron horse, patiently waits for passengers to board her carriage at Faneuil Hall Marketplace on Easter Sunday night. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(March 24, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) TWO LEGS, TWO CHORDS / Independent singer and songwriter, John Gerard, patiently plays for passengers waiting to board the MBTA Green Line at the Park Street stop during Monday's lunch hour. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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* Green Line Motion: John Gerard at the Park St. Station

2008-03-24T12:00:00.013-04:00

(March 24, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) GREEN LINE MOTION / Independent singer and songwriter, John Gerard, patiently plays for passengers waiting to board the MBTA Green Line at the busy Park Street stop during Monday's lunch hour. His critics and fans say he plays music with e-motion - Gerard does just that as commuters in-motion whirl by. (Photos by Whitney J. Fox)

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* Casco Bay's Winds of Change: Captain Bill Rolls On

2008-03-24T12:00:00.012-04:00

* Diary of a Barber: Floyd's 99 Barbershop

2008-03-20T11:59:00.002-04:00

* Rising Gas Prices: A Community Issue in Portland, Maine

2008-03-10T12:00:00.003-04:00

Considering America's current economic state - a recession, some experts say - the rising gas prices are a daily reminder for many citizens that only compound this status. Five members of the Portland, Maine community tell their story of how rising gas prices are affecting their livelihoods.

(March 10, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) TAXI CAB CONFESSIONS - Walter Davenport, owner of Elite Taxi, says the increase in gas prices greatly affects his transportation company. / Walter Davenport, owner of Elite Taxi, says the increase in gas prices greatly affects his transportation company. “Gas has gone up over a dollar since last year. That’s a 33 percent increase, so we need all the help we can get, yes.” Davenport says a proposal in the city of Portland, which will be put before city council in a few weeks, to increase the initial drop charge from $1.90 to $2.20 is a step in the right direction. “That means that we’re getting and extra 30 cents with every trip, not 30 cents on every mile, so I’m not too sure. It’s a very good start, because it’s a difficult situation.” However, he fears losing his frequent riders with any price increase. “All kinds of people take cabs, you know, very poor people and people that don’t have cars, all of that. They’re our frequent riders, so starting to push everything off on them is very difficult. It’s just a shame to be part of the fact that everybody has to go up in price when we know what that is which is causing inflation and that hurts everybody. So I guess that’s just the reality.” ABC affiliate WMTW reported today the state average for the price of a gallon of gas is $3.24, which is 15 cents higher than last month's average and two cents higher than the current national average. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(March 10, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) CRAB APPLES - Andi Flagg, clerk at the Big Apple Food Store and Gulf gas station on Congress Street, says customers are quick to point out the increasing gas prices when they come into the store to pay. / Andi Flagg, clerk at the Big Apple Food Store and Gulf gas station on Congress Street, says customers are quick to point out the increasing gas prices when they come into the store to pay. “Customers are cranky everybody’s crabbing. Seems like we’re doing a price change on the pumps every other day – up, down, up down. It varies, depends on what the other gas stations are doing. Like I said the customers get cranky. They never know what to expect, whether it’s going to be something that technically isn’t reasonable and want to know why it’s cheaper in Ohio and cheaper in other states than it is here. I think we need to put a crying towel out there. There’s several customers that would like to see one there. I don’t think the head office would appreciate it, but oh well.” Flagg reminds customers that the price affects everyone. “It affects all, I mean everybody. Even we have to travel to get to work and it bothers us too. We’ve got to pay way too much for way too little.” ABC affiliate WMTW reported today the state average for the price of a gallon of gas is $3.24, which is 15 cents higher than last month's average and two cents higher than the current national average. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

* * *

(March 10, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) CARPENTRY CALLS - Kevin Kane, a local carpenter, stops into the Big Apple and Gulf gas station on Congress Street to purchase a snack, not gas, and says the increasing fuel prices affect the bids he calculates for his jobs. / Kevin Kane, a local carpenter, stops into the Big Apple and Gulf gas station on Congress Street to purchase a snack, not gas, and says the increasing fuel prices affect the bids he calculates for his jobs. “I try not to drive as much as possible. If I’m going to make a trip I make sure I make it an efficient trip. I go to a certain place where I know whether gas is going to be cheap and there would be a lumber store nearby, and normally I wouldn’t if it was like $1.99, but you pretty much worry about the gas prices because it affects everything. Kane explains, “If you bid a project, for instance you don’t think about putting all that gas in there until it hits up to that and then you actually have to factor in the gas prices into your bid. I’ll factor in how many trips am I going to be making to the lumber store. And normally you wouldn’t really worry about it too much, but when you’re hauling lumber and all that you pretty much have to just because it’s so expensive.” ABC affiliate WMTW reported today the state average for the price of a gallon of gas is $3.24, which is 15 cents higher than last month's average and two cents higher than the current national average. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(March 10, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) SMALL MONEY BAGS FOR STUDENTS - Emily Godan, a student at University of Southern Maine, realizes gas prices will be cutting deeper into her pocket when she moves out of town. / Emily Godan, a student at University of Southern Maine, realizes gas prices will be cutting deeper into her pocket when she moves out of town. “I live right here in Portland, so it’s kind of helpful, but soon I’m going to be moving to Old Orchard, so I’ll have to be commuting 20 miles each way and I’ve lived there in the past so it definitely hits you hard in your money bags.” For now, Godan walks and carpools where possible, but says being a full-time student poses the challenge of keeping a steady income. “I walk to work when it’s not too freezing or when I don’t have too much to carry. I’ll probably walk to school when it’s not so cold out also. I ride to work with my roommate, who works with me, whenever possible. It’s hard though ‘cause I can’t be working a lot, because I’m going to school full time, so I don’t have a lot of money to spare. The rising gas prices is definitely not good. Even a couple weeks ago it was getting down around three dollars and that was kind of hopeful, but it’s taken a quick turn in the other direction.” ABC affiliate WMTW reported today the state average for the price of a gallon of gas is $3.24, which is 15 cents higher than last month's average and two cents higher than the current national average. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(March 10, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) THOSE WERE THE DAYS - After filling her car up with gas, Kim Floyd, owner of Spirited Gourmet, leaves the Big Apple Food Store and Gulf gas station on Congress Street. / Kim Floyd, owner of the local restaurant Spirited Gourmet, says although she drives a company car, she still understands the impact of increasing gas prices. “Gas prices affect me. I’ve actually moved to town in the last year. I was living outside of town and I spent probably an extra $100 a week on gas, and I think it’s outrageous. Gas, oil, diesel, everything – it’s definitely affecting our economy. For my day to day, I use a company car, so company pays for the gas.” Floyd longs for the old days when gas was considerably cheaper. “I’m not very happy with it. It could definitely be better. I liked when it was 99 cents a gallon, not almost four, “ she says laughing. “Those were the days.” ABC affiliate WMTW reported today the state average for the price of a gallon of gas is $3.24, which is 15 cents higher than last month's average and two cents higher than the current national average. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

* * *

* Portland Express Water Taxi

2008-03-03T12:00:00.002-05:00

(March 2, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) LINE DANCING - Captain Dave Laliberte unties the bow line of the Portland Express Water Taxi from the dock. / Captain Dave Laliberte, 26, unties the bow line of the Portland Express Water Taxi from the dock at Dimillo's Old Port East Marina. The company services passengers to approximately eight islands in Casco Bay. Laliberte, from Portland, who has worked on the water for years most recently as a lobsterman, started running the water taxi three months ago. He says, "I just love being on the water and any excuse to be out there is a good one, so I might as well do this one since I can pull together a few dollars at the same time." (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(March 3, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) FIRST RUN - The Portland Express Water Taxi heads out into Casco Bay. / The Portland Express Water Taxi, which docks the company's two taxis at Dimillo's Old Port East Marina, heads out into Casco Bay where it provides transportation to approximately eight islands. Passengers schedule the taxi at their convenience and are picked up from the city's public dock near the Maine State Pier. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(March 2, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) WATER WORSHIP - Captain Dave Laliberte navigates the Portland Express Water Taxi through Casco Bay. / As the sun begins to set, Captain Dave Laliberte, 26, navigates the Portland Express Water Taxi through Casco Bay. The company's two taxis dock at Dimillo's Old Port East Marina and service passengers to approximately eight islands in Casco Bay. Laliberte, from Portland, who has worked on the water for years most recently as a lobsterman, started running the water taxi three months ago. He says, "I just love being on the water and any excuse to be out there is a good one, so I might as well do this one since I can pull together a few dollars at the same time." (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(March 2, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) - BECKONED BOAT - The Portland Express Water Taxi provides transportation to approximately eight islands in Casco Bay. / The Portland Express Water Taxi, which docks the company's two taxis at Dimillo's Old Port East Marina, provides transportation to approximately eight islands in Casco Bay. Passengers schedule the taxi at their convenience and are picked up from the city's public dock near the Maine State Pier. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(March 2, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) A HARD DAY'S NIGHT - Captain Dave Laliberte ends his 12-hour shift working the Portland Express Water Taxi. / Captain Dave Laliberte, 26, finishes up paperwork at the end of his 12-hour shift running the Portland Express Water Taxi in Casco Bay. The company's two taxis dock at Dimillo's Old Port East Marina and service passengers to approximately eight islands in Casco Bay. Laliberte, from Portland, who has worked on the water for years most recently as a lobsterman, started running the water taxi three months ago. He says, "I just love being on the water and any excuse to be out there is a good one, so I might as well do this one since I can pull together a few dollars at the same time." (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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* The 100 Carry Project

2008-03-01T00:00:00.006-05:00

TO CARRY OR NOT TO CARRY
"Carrying - what does it mean?" Armen Moradians asks himself. "It means to take somebody’s weight and there are two parts of it. There is the person who surrenders their weight and there is the person who agrees to take on the weight." He explains, "So there’s responsibility. There is a relationship, and it’s sacred because you have trust. You have surrender. You have strength. You have submission." All these elements, he says, create a powerful study of human connection.

Here, Armen carries Nan Cumming a.k.a. Carry #9. Nan learned about The 100 Carry Project through, Open HeART Space, a movement group Armen teaches classes at. After reading the website, Nan says she decided, "Since I’m sort of short and small I thought, well, I’d probably be easier to carry than some, so I will offer myself up. I was just intrigued. I didn’t know Armen. I didn’t know anything about it, but I was just intrigued. I’m not an artist myself, but I’m always interested in other people’s creativity, and I wanted to learn what possessed him to do this, and if I can help, I’m always happy to."

The two only spoke briefly about a month or so prior to the carry, and on the morning of the journey Nan says, "I’m more intrigued. I like the idea of him hoping to learn something over a period of time and trying to put it together. I’m very curious to see what he will put together at the end of the whole project."

For more images from this project, please click here.
Multimedia movie coming soon.

* Big Kids Dodgeball

2008-02-28T12:00:00.002-05:00

(February 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) EYE ON THE PRIZE / Paul Naddaff, founder of Big Kids Dodgeball, challenges the 10 teams competing at the February tournament held at Basketball City to play hard to win the three-foot trophy prize. After being inspired by the Hollywood film "Dodgeball" to start BKD four years ago, Naddaff's recreational fun has since grown into a database of almost 500 teams of 10 people with monthly tournaments in Boston and newly established Syracuse, NY, and sponsors that include PUMA, Vitamin Water, and WBCN radio. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(February 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) LET THE GAMES BEGIN / Paul Naddaff, founder of Big Kids Dodgeball, calls out the first round of matches for the 10 teams competing at the February tournament held at Basketball City. After being inspired by the Hollywood film "Dodgeball" to start BKD four years ago, Naddaff's recreational fun has since grown into a database of almost 500 teams of 10 people with monthly tournaments in Boston and newly established Syracuse, NY, and sponsors that include PUMA, Vitamin Water, and WBCN radio. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(February 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) HIPPO HYPE / Scott Whiting, Jon Whiting, and Sara Sakamoto (from left), members of team Hippopotami, get ready to fight for balls at center court during their first round game at the Big Kids Dodgeball February tournament held at Basketball City. During the winter, 10 teams of seven players compete for a three-foot trophy, amongst other prizes, while during the summer, 22 teams of 10 players compete for bragging rights. BKD began four years ago by Paul Naddaff after being inspired by the Hollywood film "Dodgeball" and has since grown into a database of almost 500 teams of 10 people with monthly tournaments in Boston and newly established Syracuse, NY, and sponsors that include PUMA, Vitamin Water, and WBCN radio. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(February 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) BATTLE FOR BOSTON / Paul Naddaff, founder of Big Kids Dodgeball, watches over one of the final games of the 10 teams competing at the February tournament held at Basketball City. After being inspired by the Hollywood film "Dodgeball" to start BKD four years ago, Naddaff's recreational fun has since grown into a database of almost 500 teams of 10 people with monthly tournaments in Boston and newly established Syracuse, NY, and sponsors that include PUMA, Vitamin Water, and WBCN radio. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(February 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) BATTLE FOR THE BALLS / Two teams fight for balls at center court during their first round game at the Big Kids Dodgeball February tournament held at Basketball City. During the winter, 10 teams of seven players compete for a three-foot trophy, amongst other prizes, while during the summer, 22 teams of 10 players compete for bragging rights. BKD began four years ago by Paul Naddaff after being inspired by the Hollywood film "Dodgeball" and has since grown into a database of almost 500 teams of 10 people with monthly tournaments in Boston and newly established Syracuse, NY, and sponsors that include PUMA, Vitamin Water, and WBCN radio. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(February 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) FAITHFUL FANS / Tori Siciliano, Ashli Mooney, and Jaymie Medugno (from left), high schoolers from Billerica, watch their boyfriends and members of the Supa Dupa Fun Brigade warm up during the Big Kids Dodgeball February tournament held at Basketball City. During the winter, 10 teams of seven players compete for a three-foot trophy, amongst other prizes, while during the summer, 22 teams of 10 players compete for bragging rights. BKD began four years ago by Paul Naddaff after being inspired by the Hollywood film "Dodgeball" and has since grown into a database of almost 500 teams of 10 people with monthly tournaments in Boston and newly established Syracuse, NY, and sponsors that include PUMA, Vitamin Water, and WBCN radio. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(February 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) SERIOUS SPECTATORS / High schoolers from Billerica intently watch their friends on Team Flow compete during the Big Kids Dodgeball February tournament held at Basketball City. Team Flow, the defending champions of the January tournament lost their title to BANF, from Wilmington. During the winter, 10 teams of seven players compete for a three-foot trophy, amongst other prizes, while during the summer, 22 teams of 10 players compete for bragging rights. BKD began four years ago by Paul Naddaff after being inspired by the Hollywood film "Dodgeball" and has since grown into a database of almost 500 teams of 10 people with monthly tournaments in Boston and newly established Syracuse, NY, and sponsors that include PUMA, Vitamin Water, and WBCN radio. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(February 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) Referees Chris Landault (foreground) and Tim Choate (background) are challenged by team Hood on a call during a game at the Big Kids Dodgeball February tournament held at Basketball City. During the winter, 10 teams of seven players compete for a three-foot trophy, amongst other prizes, while during the summer, 22 teams of 10 players compete for bragging rights. BKD began four years ago by Paul Naddaff after being inspired by the Hollywood film "Dodgeball" and has since grown into a database of almost 500 teams of 10 people with monthly tournaments in Boston and newly established Syracuse, NY, and sponsors that include PUMA, Vitamin Water, and WBCN radio. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(February 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) THREE'S COMPANY / Jared Waite (right), captain of BANF from Wilmington, hides behind two teammates in a stacking strategy used during a game at the Big Kids Dodgeball February tournament held at Basketball City. BANF went on to take the title from defending champions Team Flow, from Billerica. During the winter, 10 teams of seven players compete for a three-foot trophy, amongst other prizes, while during the summer, 22 teams of 10 players compete for bragging rights. BKD began four years ago by Paul Naddaff after being inspired by the Hollywood film "Dodgeball" and has since grown into a database of almost 500 teams of 10 people with monthly tournaments in Boston and newly established Syracuse, NY, and sponsors that include PUMA, Vitamin Water, and WBCN radio. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(February 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) HUSTLE AND FLOW / As a fellow player jumps on his back, Team Flow member Wayne Bolz, from Billerica, celebrates a victory during a round at the Big Kids Dodgeball February tournament held at Basketball City. Team Flow, the defending champions of the January tournament lost their title to BANF, from Wilmington. During the winter, 10 teams of seven players compete for a three-foot trophy, amongst other prizes, while during the summer, 22 teams of 10 players compete for bragging rights. BKD began four years ago by Paul Naddaff after being inspired by the Hollywood film "Dodgeball" and has since grown into a database of almost 500 teams of 10 people with monthly tournaments in Boston and newly established Syracuse, NY, and sponsors that include PUMA, Vitamin Water, and WBCN radio. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(February 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) ROCKET READY / Two players fire rockets at their opponents during a round at the Big Kids Dodgeball February tournament held at Basketball City. During the winter, 10 teams of seven players compete for a three-foot trophy, amongst other prizes, while during the summer, 22 teams of 10 players compete for bragging rights. BKD began four years ago by Paul Naddaff after being inspired by the Hollywood film "Dodgeball" and has since grown into a database of almost 500 teams of 10 people with monthly tournaments in Boston and newly established Syracuse, NY, and sponsors that include PUMA, Vitamin Water, and WBCN radio. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(February 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) Joe Kasirye, official tournament scorekeeper, takes a photo during a round at the Big Kids Dodgeball February tournament held at Basketball City. During the winter, 10 teams of seven players compete for a three-foot trophy, amongst other prizes, while during the summer, 22 teams of 10 players compete for bragging rights. BKD began four years ago by Paul Naddaff after being inspired by the Hollywood film "Dodgeball" and has since grown into a database of almost 500 teams of 10 people with monthly tournaments in Boston and newly established Syracuse, NY, and sponsors that include PUMA, Vitamin Water, and WBCN radio. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(February 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) FEBRUARY MAKES FIVE / Jared Waite (center), captain of BANF from Wilmington, celebrates his fifth tournament win with his teammates during the Big Kids Dodgeball February tournament held at Basketball City. BANF took the title from defending champions Team Flow, from Billerica. During the winter, 10 teams of seven players compete for a three-foot trophy, amongst other prizes, while during the summer, 22 teams of 10 players compete for bragging rights. BKD began four years ago by Paul Naddaff after being inspired by the Hollywood film "Dodgeball" and has since grown into a database of almost 500 teams of 10 people with monthly tournaments in Boston and newly established Syracuse, NY, and sponsors that include PUMA, Vitamin Water, and WBCN radio. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

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(February 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) TROPHY TRIUMPH / Team BANF, from Wilmington, celebrates their fifth tournament win of the three-foot trophy during the Big Kids Dodgeball February tournament held at Basketball City. BANF took the title from defending champions Team Flow, from Billerica. During the winter, 10 teams of seven players compete for a three-foot trophy, amongst other prizes, while during the summer, 22 teams of 10 players compete for bragging rights. BKD began four years ago by Paul Naddaff after being inspired by the Hollywood film "Dodgeball" and has since grown into a database of almost 500 teams of 10 people with monthly tournaments in Boston and newly established Syracuse, NY, and sponsors that include PUMA, Vitamin Water, and WBCN radio. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)

* * *

* the PERFECT JUMP

2008-02-21T12:00:00.002-05:00

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View from GoogleVideo:

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View from YouTube:

* Josh Holbrook, Bike Messenger

2008-02-08T12:00:00.005-05:00

(February 8, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) MESSENGER MISSION - Josh Holbrook found his calling as a bike messenger in Boston. / After making a delivery to 84 State Street, Josh Holbrook, a bike messenger for Marathon Courier, puts on his head phones to listen to music while riding to his next job during a cold, wet-snowy, Friday morning. Holbrook, 20, moved to Boston from Orlando two years ago with the intent on being a bike messenger and he loves it, although he admits his first winter here wasn't easy. He now shares an apartment in Roxbury with a fellow bike messenger from his company.

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(February 8, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) SUIT SWINGING - Bike messenger Josh Holbrook stops at 1 State Street to hand-off a delivery to a co-worker. / On a cold, wet-snowy, Friday morning in Boston, Josh Holbrook, 20, a bike messenger for Marathon Courier, sees a co-worker while swinging his next delivery, a men's suit. He smiles as he sees his co-worker arriving to meet him at 1 State Street. Holbrook moved to Boston from Orlando two years ago with the intent on being a bike messenger and he loves it, although he admits his first winter here wasn't easy. He now shares an apartment in Roxbury with a fellow bike messenger from his company.

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(February 8, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) THE HAND-OFF - Josh Holbrook hands off a delivery for fellow bike messenger Eric Perkins on State Street in Boston. / Josh Holbrook (left), 20, a bike messenger for Marathon Courier, hands off a letter for co-worker Eric Perkins (right), 25, to deliver during a cold, wet-snowy, Friday morning. Holbrook moved to Boston from Orlando two years ago with the intent on being a bike messenger and he loves it, although he admits his first winter here wasn't easy. Perkins, who hails from York, Maine and is now in his fourth winter with Marathon, says being a bike messenger fulfills him on a daily basis. The two co-workers share an apartment together in Roxbury.

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(February 8, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) MESSENGER MOMENT - Bike messenger Josh Holbrook chats with a co-worker at 1 State Street. / On a cold, wet-snowy, Friday morning in Boston, Josh Holbrook (left), 20, a bike messenger for Marathon Courier, chats with co-worker Eric Perkins (right), 25, at 1 State Street. Holbrook moved to Boston from Orlando two years ago with the intent on being a bike messenger and he loves it, although he admits his first winter here wasn't easy. Perkins, who hails from York, Maine and is now in his fourth winter with Marathon, says being a bike messenger fulfills him on a daily basis. The two co-workers share an apartment together in Roxbury.

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(February 8, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) RIDING RADIO WAVES - Bike messenger Josh Holbrook rides down Milk Street to his next delivery. / Josh Holbrook, 20, a bike messenger for Marathon Courier, listens to music on hi head phones as he rides down Milk Street to his next delivery on a cold, wet-snowy, Friday morning. Holbrook moved to Boston from Orlando two years ago with the intent on being a bike messenger and he loves it, although he admits his first winter here wasn't easy. He now shares an apartment in Roxbury with a fellow bike messenger from his company.

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* Eric Perkins, Bike Messenger

2008-02-08T12:00:00.004-05:00

(February 8, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) JOTTING JOBS - Bike messenger Eric Perkins jots down his next jobs. / Eric Perkins, 25, a bike messenger for Marathon Courier, jots down his next jobs to deliver on a cold, wet-snowy, Friday morning in downtown Boston. Perkins, who hails from York, Maine and is now in his fourth winter with Marathon, says being a bike messenger fulfills him on a daily basis. He now shares an apartment in Roxbury with a fellow bike messenger from his company.

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(February 8, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) WEATHER WOES - Bike messenger Eric Perkins peers up at the sky that is dropping cold, wet snow. / Eric Perkins, 25, a bike messenger for Marathon Courier, peers up at the cloudy sky that is dropping cold, wet snow while he works on Friday morning in Boston. Perkins, who hails from York, Maine and is now in his fourth winter with Marathon, says being a bike messenger fulfills him on a daily basis. He now shares an apartment in Roxbury with a fellow bike messenger from his company.

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(February 8, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) PEDAL PUSHER - Bike messenger Eric Perkins hops off his ride at 1 State Street. / Eric Perkins, 25, a bike messenger for Marathon Courier, hops off his ride at 1 State Street on a cold, wet-snowy, Friday morning in Boston. He is meeting a co-worker to pick up the package for his next delivery. Perkins, who hails from York, Maine and is now in his fourth winter with Marathon, says being a bike messenger fulfills him on a daily basis. He now shares an apartment in Roxbury with a fellow bike messenger from his company.

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(February 8, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) LOFTY LAUGHS - Bike messenger Eric Perkins stops at 1 State Street to finish paper work for his next delivery. / On a cold, wet-snowy, Friday morning in Boston, Eric Perkins, 25, a bike messenger for Marathon Courier, rests his ride at 1 State Street to finish paper work for his next delivery. He laughs at comments being made over the two-way radios that each of his co-workers carry while riding. Perkins, who hails from York, Maine and is now in his fourth winter with Marathon, says being a bike messenger fulfills him on a daily basis. He now shares an apartment in Roxbury with a fellow bike messenger from his company.

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(February 8, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) THE BEST JOB - Bike messenger Eric Perkins pedals to his next delivery. / On a cold, wet-snowy, Friday morning in Boston, Eric Perkins, 25, a bike messenger for Marathon Courier, pedals down the sidewalk after just dropping off a delivery to an office building on State Street. He and other bike messengers typically ride on the street, only occasionally pedaling on the sidewalk. Perkins, who hails from York, Maine and is now in his fourth winter with Marathon, says being a bike messenger fulfills him on a daily basis. He now shares an apartment in Roxbury with a fellow bike messenger from his company.

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* Black Library Booksellers

2008-02-02T12:00:00.002-05:00

(January 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) GHETTO NATION - A book titled "Ghetto Nation" waits to be stocked on the shelves of The Black Library Booksellers push cart located at Downtown Crossing. The Black Library is black-owned and only sells black literature. Owner Lloyd E. Hart, Jr. says, "We're the only black booksellers in Boston and it's been that way for the past 10 or 15 years." Hart hopes to use his library to "perpetuate the love of reading" in African Americans.

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(January 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) BOOKS AMASS - Lloyd E. Hart, Jr. takes inventory of the hundreds of books on his push cart that amass to form The Black Library Booksellers located at Downtown Crossing. The Black Library is black-owned and only sells black literature. Hart says, "We're the only black booksellers in Boston and it's been that way for the past 10 or 15 years." He hopes to use his library to "perpetuate the love of reading" in African Americans.

* * *

(January 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) PATRON LOYALTY - Lloyd E. Hart, Jr. (right), owner of The Black Library Booksellers push cart located at Downtown Crossing, helps Christine Brown (left), a patron for almost five years, as she browses the books. The Black Library is black-owned and only sells black literature. Quite often Hart orders books for customers if he does not have it in stock. He says, "We're the only black booksellers in Boston and it's been that way for the past 10 or 15 years." Hart hopes to use his library to "perpetuate the love of reading" in African Americans.

* * *

(January 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) COEXISTENCE - African American fiction and non-fiction books coexist on display at The Black Library Booksellers push cart located at Downtown Crossing. The Black Library is black-owned and only sells black literature. Owner Lloyd E. Hart, Jr. says, "We're the only black booksellers in Boston and it's been that way for the past 10 or 15 years." Hart hopes to use his library to "perpetuate the love of reading" in African Americans.

* * *

(January 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) BOOKS BIDE THEIR TIME - The book shelves of The Black Library Booksellers push cart overlook a group of African American teenage boys on Washington Street at Downtown Crossing. The Black Library is black-owned and only sells black literature. Owner Lloyd E. Hart, Jr. says, "We're the only black booksellers in Boston and it's been that way for the past 10 or 15 years." Hart hopes to use his library to "perpetuate the love of reading" in African Americans.

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(January 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) A REAL BOOKSTORE - Leane Villafane (left) and Nahjah Prescott (right), both juniors at the Engineering School in Hyde Park, browse the books at The Black Library Booksellers push cart located at Downtown Crossing. Prescott, who has been a patron since ninth grade, says, "This is a real bookstore." The Black Library is black-owned and only sells black literature. Owner Lloyd E. Hart, Jr. says, "We're the only black booksellers in Boston and it's been that way for the past 10 or 15 years." Hart hopes to use his library to "perpetuate the love of reading" in African Americans.

* * *

(January 28, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) TEEN HEED - Leane Villafane, a junior at the Engineering School in Hyde Park, browses books at The Black Library Booksellers push cart located at Downtown Crossing. The Black Library is black-owned and only sells black literature. Owner Lloyd E. Hart, Jr. says, "We're the only black booksellers in Boston and it's been that way for the past 10 or 15 years." Hart hopes to use his library to "perpetuate the love of reading" in African Americans.

* * *

(February 2, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) FAMILY TIES - George Smith (left) and his sister Frances Murray (right), from Wellesley, who were shopping with their mother, browse books at The Black Library Booksellers push cart located at Downtown Crossing. Smith, who ended up purchasing a book on Martin Luther King, Jr., is a biracial African American Jew whose family strives to read literature about his heritage. The Black Library is black-owned and only sells black literature. Owner Lloyd E. Hart, Jr. says, "We're the only black booksellers in Boston and it's been that way for the past 10 or 15 years." Hart hopes to use his library to "perpetuate the love of reading" in African Americans.

* * *

(February 2, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) BEVY OF BOOKS - African American non-fiction books on display at The Black Library Booksellers push cart located at Downtown Crossing. The Black Library is black-owned and only sells black literature. Owner Lloyd E. Hart, Jr. says, "We're the only black booksellers in Boston and it's been that way for the past 10 or 15 years." Hart hopes to use his library to "perpetuate the love of reading" in African Americans.

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(February 2, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) AT YOUR SERVICE - Marquse Mathis, employee of The Black Library Booksellers push cart located at Downtown Crossing, writes his phone number on the back of a business card for a patron who is placing an order for a book. The Black Library, which is black-owned and only sells black literature, quite often orders books for customers if they do not have it in stock. Mathis, who enjoys interacting with customers, declares, "Books - they bring people together." Owner Lloyd E. Hart, Jr. says, "We're the only black booksellers in Boston and it's been that way for the past 10 or 15 years." Hart hopes to use his library to "perpetuate the love of reading" in African Americans.

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(February 2, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) HOMETOWN HOLLER - Massiel Nunez browses books at The Black Library Booksellers push cart located at Downtown Crossing. Nunez, who says she used to have to go to New York City to find the books she enjoys reading, now shops in her own city of Boston. The Black Library is black-owned and only sells black literature. Owner Lloyd E. Hart, Jr. says, "We're the only black booksellers in Boston and it's been that way for the past 10 or 15 years." Hart hopes to use his library to "perpetuate the love of reading" in African Americans.

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(February 2, 2008 - BOSTON, MA) BOOKS AMASS - Lloyd E. Hart, Jr. takes inventory of the hundreds of books on his push cart that amass to form The Black Library Booksellers located at Downtown Crossing. The Black Library is black-owned and only sells black literature. Hart says, "We're the only black booksellers in Boston and it's been that way for the past 10 or 15 years." He hopes to use his library to "perpetuate the love of reading" in African Americans.

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* Death of a Lobster

2007-11-22T12:00:00.002-05:00

Gloucester, MA (more details to follow on the death of this clawed crustacean)

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* Pine Ridge Cemetery: "It's a pet cemetery. It's a people business."

2007-11-21T12:00:00.002-05:00

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November 21, 2007 - Started in 1907, Pine Ridge Cemetery in Dedham claims to be “the oldest operating pet cemetery in the country that is owned and operated by an animal welfare agency.” The cemetery is a service provided by the Animal Rescue League of Boston and has hundreds of pets buried in it. Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 21, 2007 - At the Pine Ridge Pet Cemetery in Dedham, Linda Crist (left) carefully rests the lifeless head of her black Labrador, Spencer (center), while caretaker Mike Thomas (right) gently squeezes his front paws to fully fit Spencer in the burial box. Spencer, that died suddenly from an undetected tumor in his heart, will remain buried at Pine Ridge, along with two cats, Lolly and Meredith, and another dog, Brandy, in the same grave. “In this one,” Crist says looking down at the plot, “We had a multiple burial only because we had multiple deaths this year and they all came around the same time, so he [Thomas] was kind enough to do it all at once.” She explains, “If you cremate them you can fit tons of them in there,” but warns, “Every time you open the plot up you have to pay an opening fee and you have to pay a casket fee, so it’s nice today that I was able to do it all at once. If it had happened over the [Thanksgiving] holiday, it’s very hard to keep a large animal like Spencer [frozen].” In the colder months of the year, Crist says, “Sometimes what I have to do if the ground is truly frozen - it’s all ice and everything, -I bring the animal up here, he [Thomas] puts it into a casket and they have a storage area in the garage that stays very cold, and then I come back in the spring and they dig the grave and he calls me and sets up an appointment.” Thomas is sensitive to Crist’s needs. “He allows me to view the animal in the casket, ‘cause I need that for closure,” she says with a laugh. “Then he does the burial just as he did the burial today.” Pine Ridge, in which hundreds of pets have been buried in since it began in 1907, claims to be “the oldest operating pet cemetery in the country that is owned and operated by an animal welfare agency.” Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 21, 2007 - Caretaker Mike Thomas hoists and lowers the $50, 35-inch long and 17-inch wide pine and plywood burial box containing Spencer, a black Labrador that died suddenly from an undetected tumor in his heart, who will remain buried at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Dedham, along with two cats, Lolly and Meredith, and another dog, Brandy, in the same grave. Thomas, who began working at Pine Ridge in 1970, buries people’s pets every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday morning, reaching as many as 300 annual burials. “Next month we’ll be doing it five days a week. What we do is just before the ground freezes is we take several rows of graves that are side by side and behind each other and we put a big cover on them. Then we put a foot of hay on top of the cover and then another tarp on top of that - that keeps it from freezing all year long, all winter long. If you need a grave, we have a grave. If you have a grave and it’s frozen, we have to hold your pet until the spring. It eliminates probably two-thirds of the burials that we would have to hold over the [winter]. If you bought one just to have one, we’d give you the option “do you want to swap that one there for the one over there?”…You can wait until the spring and use that grave or we can schedule it for you in two days. Pine Ridge, in which hundreds of pets have been buried in since it began in 1907, claims to be “the oldest operating pet cemetery in the country that is owned and operated by an animal welfare agency.” Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 21, 2007 - At Pine Ridge Cemetery in Dedham, Linda Crist, from Millis, watches tearfully as caretaker Mike Thomas shovels soil back over the grave of her dog, Brandy, two cats, Lolly and Meredith, and black Labrador, Spencer, that died suddenly from an undetected tumor in his heart. “I feel this is the last step, this is my closure that I can at least do this for them. To put them in a protected area where it’s beautiful, where they’ll be surrounded by the souls of the other animals and that I can come and I can visit. If I sell my house, it’s never going to be disturbed. They’re here just as humans are as long as this cemetery is in existence, well taken care of, and their last resting place will be well taken care of.” Crist says cremation is not her. “I feel that I need to be here when they’re buried, just participate in the burial and I feel that a cremation doesn’t give you the closure, because you hand the body over to someone else and you don’t see them again until they’re ashes, so I need to see them go into the ground.” Pine Ridge, in which hundreds of pets have been buried in since it began in 1907, claims to be “the oldest operating pet cemetery in the country that is owned and operated by an animal welfare agency.” Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 21, 2007 - At the Pine Ridge Pet Cemetery in Dedham, a small, identifying plate “B838” marks the new mass grave where Linda Crist, from Millis, just laid to rest in pine and plywood burial boxes, her dog, Brandy, two cats, Lolly and Meredith, and black Labrador, Spencer, that died suddenly from an undetected tumor in his heart. Crist believes a cemetery provides closure for her compared to cremation. She feels a cemetery also allows her pets to be at peace. “Yes and for their souls to rest and for them to play at night. When the moon comes out and the clouds come out, they can go visit other friends and be together with them,” her voice quivers as she fights back tears. Crist manages a laugh and smile through the tears admitting, “I know it sounds silly but…” Pine Ridge, in which hundreds of pets have been buried in since it began in 1907, claims to be “the oldest operating pet cemetery in the country that is owned and operated by an animal welfare agency.” Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 21, 2007 - At the Pine Ridge Pet Cemetery in Dedham, Linda Crist, from Millis, sheds a single tear as she looks down upon the new mass grave where she just laid to rest in pine and plywood burial boxes, her dog, Brandy, two cats, Lolly and Meredith, and black Labrador, Spencer, that died suddenly from an undetected tumor in his heart. Crist started Paradise Pet Shelter, Inc. in 1985 and has used Pine Ridge as the final resting place for all her animals - a minimum of 40 burial plots. “We built an addition onto our home and the veterinarians in the area contact us and let us know if there are animals that don’t really need to be put to sleep, they just need extra special care or if someone is going into a nursing home, we’re contacted, but we’re a private shelter, and we don’t accept donations. We do everything out of our own pocket and then that way we can do things the way we want to do it and we don’t have to answer to anyone…It’s a private community of veterinarians who know about us and alert us and social workers who work with the elderly and the disabled, and we just never adopt them out. We did the beginning and I found I couldn’t deal with it. I’d miss them. I’d worry about them. I was always checking up on them, driving the adoptive parents crazy,” she says with a smile. “So I decided it’s just best I keep them. That’s my passion in life, and I didn’t know it. When I was younger I had no clue.” Crist has help from her boyfriend, friends, and volunteers, but says, “I’m the one driving force through this whole thing. I just stay, and I’m home 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I haven’t had a vacation in 30 years,” she says while laughing. “Wouldn’t leave my babies with anyone. I just really love what I’m doing and that’s the key in life is to do what you’re absolutely passionate about, that you would do for free, like I do for free.” Crist’s passion will hopefully live on for she is terminally ill with cancer. She thinks she may have found a suitable animal devotee to take over Paradise Pet Shelter, but says the woman, “Doesn’t know I’m going to put her in my will, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they come up with something to treat me ‘cause I’ve gone through the chemo and I’m on medications and I’m on injections and I’m hoping to be here for a long time. It started out as breast cancer and just spread and then as a result of all the treatments I’ve gone through I’ve developed rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, and they said that the chemo sometimes, you know, some kind of trauma to your body will bring on those kinds of diseases.” Crist’s amazingly strong spirit prevails even in the face of death. “But I’m like this, girl, I’m an optimist. Nobody’s going to outlive me,” she says laughing. Pine Ridge, in which hundreds of pets have been buried in since it began in 1907, claims to be “the oldest operating pet cemetery in the country that is owned and operated by an animal welfare agency.” Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 21, 2007 - Pine Ridge Cemetery in Dedham, in which hundreds of pets have been buried in since it began in 1907, claims to be “the oldest operating pet cemetery in the country that is owned and operated by an animal welfare agency.” It is a service managed by the Animal Rescue League of Boston. Many “famous” pets are buried there, including Lizzy Bordon’s three dogs. Caretaker at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Dedham, Mike Thomas, has worked at Pine Ridge since 1970 and says he needs to speak to customers directly, asserting, “This is not an e-mail business. They have to hear your voice.” He says of the most special part of his job, “It’s the people. I’m gonna tell you the same thing I tell everybody. It’s a pet cemetery. It’s a people business. There’s nothing I do for your pets when I get them, except treat them the way I hope you’d treat mine should we swap places. That’s as good as it gets. I can’t make them come back, you know, I can’t make your 18-year-old cat 12 or 8.” Thomas says pet cemetery burial is a need, not a want, for people. “People aren’t up here having to give their pet up. They’re cause they need to be, not cause they want to be. It’s because they need to be. They need to bring their pet to the cemetery…They want to see me, but they need to be here…’I need to get my pet to the cemetery, whether it’s cremated or buried.’ They need to do it, and then you know from there it goes to want and comfortable and a ‘I have to get this done.’ It’s closure.” Thomas says, “We have people that come back and visit almost every day still, you know, years later. Then we have people come back once a month, once every other couple of months, twice a year, once a year, never.” Regardless, the cemetery is a necessary means to an end for many people. Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 21, 2007 - In his office, caretaker at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Dedham, Mike Thomas, counts a minimum of 40 burial plots for customer Linda Crist, from Millis, who runs the privately-owned Paradise Pet Shelter, Inc. Thomas has worked at Pine Ridge since 1970 and says he needs to speak to customers directly, asserting, “This is not an e-mail business. They have to hear your voice.” He says of the most special part of his job, “It’s the people. I’m gonna tell you the same thing I tell everybody. It’s a pet cemetery. It’s a people business. There’s nothing I do for your pets when I get them, except treat them the way I hope you’d treat mine should we swap places. That’s as good as it gets. I can’t make them come back, you know, I can’t make your 18-year-old cat 12 or 8.” Thomas says pet cemetery burial is a need, not a want, for people. “People aren’t up here having to give their pet up. They’re cause they need to be, not cause they want to be. It’s because they need to be. They need to bring their pet to the cemetery…They want to see me, but they need to be here…’I need to get my pet to the cemetery, whether it’s cremated or buried.’ They need to do it, and then you know from there it goes to want and comfortable and a ‘I have to get this done.’ It’s closure.” Thomas says, “We have people that come back and visit almost every day still, you know, years later. Then we have people come back once a month, once every other couple of months, twice a year, once a year, never.” Regardless, the cemetery is a necessary means to an end for many people. Pine Ridge, in which hundreds of pets have been buried in since it began in 1907, claims to be “the oldest operating pet cemetery in the country that is owned and operated by an animal welfare agency.” Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 21, 2007 - Caretaker at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Dedham, Mike Thomas, has worked at Pine Ridge since 1970 and says he needs to speak to customers directly, asserting, “This is not an e-mail business. They have to hear your voice.” He says of the most special part of his job, “It’s the people. I’m gonna tell you the same thing I tell everybody. It’s a pet cemetery. It’s a people business. There’s nothing I do for your pets when I get them, except treat them the way I hope you’d treat mine should we swap places. That’s as good as it gets. I can’t make them come back, you know, I can’t make your 18-year-old cat 12 or 8.” Thomas says pet cemetery burial is a need, not a want, for people. “People aren’t up here having to give their pet up. They’re cause they need to be, not cause they want to be. It’s because they need to be. They need to bring their pet to the cemetery…They want to see me, but they need to be here…’I need to get my pet to the cemetery, whether it’s cremated or buried.’ They need to do it, and then you know from there it goes to want and comfortable and a ‘I have to get this done.’ It’s closure.” Thomas says, “We have people that come back and visit almost every day still, you know, years later. Then we have people come back once a month, once every other couple of months, twice a year, once a year, never.” Regardless, the cemetery is a necessary means to an end for many people. Pine Ridge, in which hundreds of pets have been buried in since it began in 1907, claims to be “the oldest operating pet cemetery in the country that is owned and operated by an animal welfare agency.” Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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* Libby's Day at Doggie Day

2007-11-06T12:00:00.002-05:00

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November 6, 2007 - Libby Oates, a cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle), getting a bath at Doggie Day’s s’Poochies Spa in Boston’s South End on Tuesday. Photography by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 6, 2007 - Rover Ref Shelly Finnegan of Medford at Doggie Day’s Playcenter in Boston’s South End teases Libby Oates (center), a cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle), with a red and pink toy while (from left) Bella, a puggle (pug and beagle mix), Bonnie Bell, a wire-haired pointer, and Digger, a dachshund look on. “She’s got hair like me. She’s got the curly hair,” Finnegan says with a smile. “I think that’s the sweetest thing.” Photography by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 6, 2007 - Libby Oates (right), a cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle), watches comfortably from a chair as her playmates greet Snickers, a beagle, to Doggie Day’s Playcenter in Boston’s South End on Tuesday. Rover Ref Shelly Finnegan (center) of Medford, who ushers Snickers in, says “She’s very sweet. She’s very pleasant and she gets along with every dog in the room. Any room you ever put her in, she’s never aggressive. She’s very, very sweet. Her temperament is very mild and she’s probably a perfect dog if anyone wants a lap dog. She doesn’t bark that much.” Finnegan jokes, “What’s funny about her is when she sits in certain positions on the couch. She looks like she’s posing for a picture.” Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 6, 2007 - Libby Oates (right), a cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle), sneaks a kiss on Bella (left), a German shepherd mix, at Doggie Day’s Playcenter in Boston’s South End on Tuesday. Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 6, 2007 - Libby Oates, a cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle), tastes the soapy water during her bathing at Doggie Day’s s’Poochies Spa in Boston’s South End on Tuesday. Spa Manager Leigha Scoudan of Winchester used an Ultra Clean cleanser for this part of the shower and then an Evening Primrose Moisturizing and Conditioning cleanser for both the skin and hair. Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 6, 2007 - Libby Oates (right), a cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle), is blow dried with a high-power hand dryer after her bathing at Doggie Day’s s’Poochies Spa in Boston’s South End on Tuesday by Spa Manager Leigha Scoudan (left) of Winchester. This is appeared to be Libby’s least favorite part of the day. Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 6, 2007 - Libby Oates (left), a cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle), and Tiger (right), a boxer, sit in the dryer after their bathing at Doggie Day’s s’Poochies Spa in Boston’s South End on Tuesday by Spa Manager Leigha Scoudan of Winchester. Libby’s drying took about 45 minutes and appeared to be her least favorite part of the day. Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 6, 2007 - Libby Oates, a cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle), watches the pouring rain with Rover Ref Shelly Finnegan of Medford during her walk from Doggie Day’s Playcenter in Boston’s South End on Tuesday. The rain put a damper on Libby’s usual walk around the neighborhood. “It’s funny when she’s wicked happy. She’s got a little nubby tail and it goes fifty million miles per hour and it just wags,” Finnegan says. “She’s very sweet… If I could take her home I would.” Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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November 6, 2007 - Libby Oates, a cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle) shakes off the rain after a short walk with Rover Ref Shelly Finnegan of Medford from Doggie Day in Boston’s South End on Tuesday. Rob Galeski, the owner of Doggie Day, says, “She’s just a cute, cute dog and gets along well with everybody. She’s very sweet. She’s very well behaved. Her mom took time in training her, which some owners don’t do. She’s just very well trained and just a sweet dog in general.” Photograph by Whitney J. Fox.

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* A Sound Portrait

2007-10-28T12:00:00.008-04:00

October 28, 2007 - At Cambridge’s Lizard Lounge on Sunday, sound mixer Stewart Adam of Plymouth prepares a camera for recording sound during a shoot of the independent film collaboration, “12”, that includes twelve ten-minute shorts directed by Boston-area filmmakers. A sound mixer for 29 years, Adam started his career in the music industry and has worked with numerous artists for almost three decades, including B.B. King, Hank Jones Trio, and Aerosmith, but became interested in the film industry in 1980, getting his start with Fedco Audio. Adam is founder of Creative Audio Works based in Plymouth, which specializes in the restoration and archive of audio material. Photograph © 2007 Whitney J. Fox.

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October 28, 2007 - At Cambridge’s Lizard Lounge on Sunday, sound mixer Stewart Adam of Plymouth concentrates and listens carefully during a sound check of the band acting in the independent film collaboration, “12”, that includes twelve ten-minute shorts directed by Boston-area filmmakers. He says the simple set-up he uses in this bag is about $15,000 worth of sound equipment and weighs between 15 and 20 pounds. Of working in the film industry he says, “At times there is a bit of a rush, like when the sun is going down and you only have a very short time to get the shot. A lot of times you only get 1 or 2 take’s and you have to get it right each time. When we recorded the band that day I could have used a few more mic’s and another 10 minutes to get a better sound but considering what I got, I thought it came out pretty good. In film sound you don’t get the privilege of doing it many times over.” A sound mixer for 29 years, Adam started his career in the music industry and has worked with numerous artists for almost three decades, including B.B. King, Hank Jones Trio, and Aerosmith, but became interested in the film industry in 1980, getting his start with Fedco Audio. Adam is founder of Creative Audio Works based in Plymouth, which specializes in the restoration and archive of audio material. Photograph © 2007 Whitney J. Fox.

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October 28, 2007 - At Cambridge’s Lizard Lounge on Sunday, sound mixer Stewart Adam of Plymouth prepares his equipment for the next scene shoot of the independent film collaboration, “12”, that includes twelve ten-minute shorts directed by Boston-area filmmakers. Adam almost pursued working for the BBC in England when he was younger and writes in an email, “I thought about it when I first started. I think I was young and insecure about moving to another country. Now I am middle age and pretty secure in my ways. The BBC has always been on the cutting edge of technology. It would have been nice to spend some time in another country.” A sound mixer for 29 years, Adam started his career in the music industry and has worked with numerous artists for almost three decades, including B.B. King, Hank Jones Trio, and Aerosmith, but became interested in the film industry in 1980, getting his start with Fedco Audio. Adam is founder of Creative Audio Works based in Plymouth, which specializes in the restoration and archive of audio material. Photograph © 2007 Whitney J. Fox.

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October 28, 2007 - At Cambridge’s Lizard Lounge on Sunday, sound mixer Stewart Adam of Plymouth prepares his equipment for the next scene shoot of the independent film collaboration, “12”, that includes twelve ten-minute shorts directed by Boston-area filmmakers. Of working in the film industry he says, “At times there is a bit of a rush, like when the sun is going down and you only have a very short time to get the shot. A lot of times you only get 1 or 2 take’s and you have to get it right each time.” He points out, “In film sound you don’t get the privilege of doing it many times over.” A sound mixer for 29 years, Adam started his career in the music industry and has worked with numerous artists for almost three decades, including B.B. King, Hank Jones Trio, and Aerosmith, but became interested in the film industry in 1980, getting his start with Fedco Audio. Adam is founder of Creative Audio Works based in Plymouth, which specializes in the restoration and archive of audio material. Photograph © 2007 Whitney J. Fox.

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October 28, 2007 - At Cambridge’s Lizard Lounge on Sunday, sound mixer Stewart Adam of Plymouth breaks between a scene shoot of the independent film collaboration, “12”, that includes twelve ten-minute shorts directed by Boston-area filmmakers. Adam is amidst building his own sound studio. “I have been acquiring equipment for the past year or two. I have about half of what I need, and you always need more because the technology changes all the time. The biggest single expense is construction, air conditioning and electricity. Hopefully by the end of 2008 I should start working on it, maybe sooner. I want to have a studio so I can diversify and get more into post production mixing, audio restoration and do more music mixing.” A sound mixer for 29 years, Adam started his career in the music industry and has worked with numerous artists for almost three decades, including B.B. King, Hank Jones Trio, and Aerosmith, but became interested in the film industry in 1980, getting his start with Fedco Audio. Adam is founder of Creative Audio Works based in Plymouth, which specializes in the restoration and archive of audio material. Photograph © 2007 Whitney J. Fox.

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October 28, 2007 - At Cambridge’s Lizard Lounge on Sunday, sound mixer Stewart Adam of Plymouth prepares his equipment for the next scene shoot of the independent film collaboration, “12”, that includes twelve ten-minute shorts directed by Boston-area filmmakers. Of working in the film industry he says, “At times there is a bit of a rush, like when the sun is going down and you only have a very short time to get the shot. A lot of times you only get 1 or 2 take’s and you have to get it right each time.” He points out, “In film sound you don’t get the privilege of doing it many times over.” A sound mixer for 29 years, Adam started his career in the music industry and has worked with numerous artists for almost three decades, including B.B. King, Hank Jones Trio, and Aerosmith, but became interested in the film industry in 1980, getting his start with Fedco Audio. Adam is founder of Creative Audio Works based in Plymouth, which specializes in the restoration and archive of audio material. Photograph © 2007 Whitney J. Fox.

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