The Piano Man

So we’re doing this story on Steve Jade, a local musician who takes popular songs from the radio and turns them into pieces of music fit for fine dining. He plays at a local restaurant called Luna’s. Sometimes when things get a bit slow at the restaurant, Steve whips out a handmade “Name That Tune” board that patrons spin to select a topic like TV music or Big Eighties hits. He made this great face and stuck his tongue out at me while he was playing a rendition of Sara Bareilles’ “Love Song”. Classy.

 

 

Car Giveaway

With the state of the failing economy, many stores are coming up with gimmicks and boasting their prices to be the lowest in the hopes of attracting business. One J & J Foods got together with Milton Martin Honda to host a “Price Is Right” type show. The prize was a Honda Element.

Jackie Phillips, of Gainesville, rushes to the front of the crowd as her name is called to be considered as a last minute contestant in the “Price Is Right” J & J Foods game Saturday.

Contestants hold up their guesses for the judges to review during a free car giveaway, sponsored by J & J Foods and Milton Martin Honda dealership at J & J Foods Saturday. 11 people were given the chance to play a version of “Price Is Right” in the hopes of winning a Honda Element.

Some of the items used in the free car giveaway, sponsored by J & J Foods and Milton Martin Honda dealership at J & J Foods Saturday.

Jackie Phillips, of Gainesville, reacts after hearing she has won the free car during a giveaway sponsored by J & J Foods and Milton Martin Honda dealership at J & J Foods Saturday. Phillips, who is on disability and has twin daughters, says this vehicle will help her a lot.

Donna J. Phillips smiles as she greets her daughter, Jackie Phillips after hearing she has won a free car at J & J Foods Saturday.

Fourth of July at Laurel Park

This was my first Fourth of July as a working photojournalist. I was excited, yet perturbed by the fact that I had never photographed fireworks. I had been reading up on tips and technique for a few days before the assignment, but everyone knows that theory and action are two very different worlds. After scrambling to get the video camera and the D300 in just the right place, this is what I came up with. Let me know what you think!

Post Office Dedication in Lula

This morning, I soon learned that I would be driving to the city of Lula to shoot a dedication ceremony. The post office in Lula was being renamed in honor of Pfc. Johnathon Millican, who was killed in Iraq last year. In no less than 15 minutes, I found myself at the assignment. The ceremony was held on the rather large front lawn in front of the post office. A huge tent housed over 50 people, including Millican’s family. In addition to the dedication, the Army awarded the family with a Silver Star, the third highest military decoration given for valor.

Christopher “Books” Dove, a member of the Patriot Guard Riders salutes the Color Guard as they pass through during the dedication of the post office in Lula, Ga., in honor of Pfc. Johnathon Millican who was killed last year in Iraq. The post office now bears Millican’s name.

Sylina Buehne, right, Pfc. Johnathon Millicanís aunt wipes a tear away as Millican’s eldest sister Amber Millican, left, shares a moment with husband Steven Martin Thursday in Lula.

Pfc. Johnathon Millican’s mother, Mary Lykins kisses her son’s dog tags during the dedication of the post office in Lula, Ga., in honor of Pfc. Johnathon Millican, who was killed last year in Iraq. The Army also presented the family with a Silver Star, which is awarded to a person who is cited for gallantry in action

Sylina Buehne, Pfc. Johnathon Millican’s aunt, speaks on behalf of her sister and Millican’s mother, Mary Lykins, in front of a crowd that came out to celebrate the dedication of the Lula post office in honor of Pfc. Johnathon Millican Thursday.

Pfc. Johnathon Millican’s mother, Mary Lykins hugs her sister, Sylina Buehne after Buehne spoke for Lykins. They wore matching royal blue outfits.

Pfc. Johnathon Millican’s mother, Mary Lykins, dons the Silver Star that the Army awarded to her for her son’s valiant actions.

Check out the story here.