August 2008 Archives

Here are some pictures from the last day of the DNC.

The day started slow. My first assignment was to take pictures of the crews dismantling the set the Democrats used at the Pepsi Center, home of the Nuggets and Avalanche. The entire show moved to Invesco Field (formally Mile High Stadium) for Barack Obama's acceptance speech.

Wednesday started slow, but like every day during the DNC, it didn't stay that way. At 7:45 I met up with Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster during the breakfast for the California Delegation. After that I photographed Madeline Albright at the 2008 Rocky Mountain Roudtable. Then it was on to the protester of the day, a women who helps organize Code Pink. Next up was the RFK fundraiser with Ethel Kennedy and a bunch of other Kennedys.

When I was done shooting the Kennedys I headed to Invesico Field (formerly Mile High Stadium). Someone heard a rumor that Barack Obama would be checking out the stage for his big night. I and other photographers waited for him to show. After a few hours the other shooters left and I waited, and waited, and waited - by myself. Technicians were roaming the stadium checking lights, running cable and setting chairs. Five hours later he made his appearance. I finished working around 11 pm. Another long day in Denver - but worth it.

Just goofing around on the stage at Invesco Field where Barack Hussein Obama will accept his party's nomination tomorrow in Denver.

Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster chats with California Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi during the California Democratic Party's delegation breakfast in Downtown Denver.

Here are photos from downtown Denver on day 2 of the Democratic Convention.

Actress Charlize Theron discusses her new movie, Battle in Seattle, at Zengo in Denver, Colo.

Here are photos from downtown Denver on day 1 of the Democratic Convention.

Valerie Jackson, the widow of Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, shares a moment with Danny Glover in the VIP room before the start of the Civil Rights Sensational Live Concert at the Buell Theater in Denver, Colo.,

Protesters took to the 16th. Street Mall in Denver Sunday afternoon. Lots of screaming and shouting, not much else.

The photo department at the Denver Post, headquarters for MediaNewsGroup, has a great view of Downtown.

I'm heading to Denver for a week to cover the Democratic National Convention.

The company that owns the Press-Telegram, this blog, and me, (MediaNewsGroup) also owns the Denver Post. In fact, its the company's flagship paper and Denver is the company's headquarters so they are going all out to cover the DNC. I will be in Denver to help with coverage for our entire company - 54 daily newspapers in 11 states, a CBS affiliate in Anchorage, AK and radio stations in Texas.

I'm not sure where my work will be published, posted or broadcasted but I'll be updating this blog through out the week.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PARK - Stella Davis, left, and Alice Robinson celebrate their fifth anniversary of feeding people at Martin Luther King, jr. Park in Long Beach, Calif. on August 20, 2008. The pair have been preparing free hot meals once a month at King Park for the homeless, the needy and anyone who wants to eat. The two women, who are both on fixed incomes, pay for the food and cook the meals with no assistance from the city. See more pictures>>

U.S. Presidential hopefuls John Sidney McCain and Barack Hussein Obama were both in Long Beach, not for an event or to visit the International City, but instead to use the city as their parking lot. Both candidates parked their Boeing aircraft on the tarmac at Long Beach airport before driving almost 40 miles to attend a faith forum at Orange County's Saddleback Church.

LONG BEACH AIRPORT - FedEx team leader Al Johnson helps pull a Boeing 727 on the tarmac at Long Beach airport August 16, 2008. The 2nd Annual Plane Pull, pits teams of 20 people against each other as they pull a 153-foot, 158,000-pound FedEx plane 25 feet. The event benefits Special Olympics Southern California. See more photos/buy reprints>>

I had to go to the beach to take pictures for a story on a sewage spill that closed shore from Alamitos to 72nd Place. After shooting pictures I was sitting in my car making a few calls and the meter expired. As I prepared to back out of the spot a meter maid parked behind me blocking me in. Apparently you can't sit in your car with the motor running at an expired meter or you will get a ticket. Any help Tony?

A sign on the beach near Cherry Ave. warns swimmers of a sewage spill that closed the beach on August 13, 2008. The spill was caused by a broken sewer line near Watts that flowed down the Los Angeles River from Compton Creek.

Another in my series of Then and Now photos. The top image was shot by Tom Shaw in 1953 looking west toward the Breakers Building, right, and Jergens Trust building, center, with Civic Auditorium on the left. The bottom photo was taken August 13, 2008, looking in the same direction.

Players compete during the first Alamitos Bay Beach Water Polo Tournament in Belmont Shore. The ocean game is similar to water polo in a pool except the field is half the size of the pool game and there are four players instead of seven. See more photos/buy reprints>>

Olympic fever hits the sand castle contest in Belmont Shore as Max Nishimoto, of Crew 4, blows sand from the top of a panda he is working on during 75th. Annual Great Sand Sculpture Contest. see more pictures/buy reprints>>

Installer Guillermo Arroyo from the Michan Sign Company install a new sign on the Art Theatre in Long Beach, Calif. on August 8, 2008. When the Art Theatrd opened, the 636 seat theatre showed silent films and contained an orchestra pit and a pipe organ. Originally called "The Carter Theatre" when in 1924, it later became "The Lee" in 1935 and then "The Art" in the 1940's.See more photos/buy reprints>>

It's a sad day when $3.99 a gallon is considered cheap, but here we are corner of Del Amo Blvd. and Cherry Ave and the Arco, the Exxon and the Shell (not pictured) are all in the 3s. Too bad the average price a year ago was $2.94.