Thru The Lenz

On Sunday I went to the Park for a snowy walk. Pennypack is quite in the winter, a very peaceful place. I was surprised to find the parking areas and paths next to the creek plowed, made for a very enjoyable walk. Thanks FMPC!            Click on the photo for more pics of the walk.

Went to the Festival on Saturday. I can sum the day up in one word, “FANTASTIC!” The food and live music was unsurpassed. I had a “Peroni” Italian beer and a Cannuli Brothers Hot Roast Pork Sandwich. Ya just can’t beat real Italian food!

Also captured a photo of the myth, the legend, the man..John DeBella from WMGK.

What do you think John was stirring in that extreme bowl?

Today was the last Chinese New Year’s celebration in Philadelphia’s China Town, 10^th and Arch Streets. Mary, Alicia, and I enjoyed the brilliant colors of the Lions. The beat of the drums, and of course the extremely thunderous FIRECRACKERS!!

I’ll be updating this gallery with more photos in the upcoming weeks. I have so many to choose from it will be difficult for me to determine which captures to put online.

Please check in during the upcoming days to view more captures at

http://www.ltmlphoto.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=290

Last Sunday Alicia and I traveled to China Town 10th and Arch Streets in Center City Philadelphia to see the Chinese New Year’s Celebration. We had a fantastic time watching the Lions Dance in front of businesses and restaurants along the street. Then the Lions would set off the fireworks. Not just a pack, but 4 to maybe 25 or 30 foot strings of the red crackers. Awesome!! Drums, symbols, and FIRECRACKERS! Ear deafening!

We are planning to go back today for the third Chinese New Year event.

To view more photo’s go to:

http://www.ltmlphoto.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=290

The Rose. After I arrived home in Philly on Saturday, I looked at the plants on my patio. I was impressed to find the rose bush with a few rose buds on it at this time of year. I felt compelled to photograph the roses to preserve their beauty, and share with you. Since the weather forecast called for freezing rain on Sunday, I cut both rose buds off the bush, took them inside, and placed them in a vase of water.

After Alicia and I visited Officers Cassidy’s memorial we drove south on Board Street to Center City Philadelphia. We didn’t plan to do any site seeing just a drive through town. Took Market Street to head towards I-95 north to return home. We were going up the I-95 on ramp when we noticed many motorcycles parked along Delaware Avenue. So many we became interested to find out what was going on. Took the next exit off I-95 and made my way back the Delaware Avenue. Going south on Delaware Avenue there was block after block of motorcycles. The Philly PD was directing traffic at closed intersections. We found a parking spot next to the war memorial area. Walked down to Delaware Ave, at the corner if you look north and south there were cycles as far as the eye could see. We crossed the avenue and walked north about five blocks. It was the annual Toy’s for Tots bike run. The first time I saw the event in person. It blew me away. Many different type cycles from custom to stock. Drivers and passengers from all the different clubs both local and national. What a great cause. We were there until the ride started. As many cycles passed by I squeezed the shutter and captured great memories of this event. You could feel the rumbling of the cycles go through your body as they passed by.

After the last cycle passed by I looked around and was impressed. Must have been a few thousand bikers. They left behind no trash in the street to clean up.

Last Saturday Alicia and I visited Officer Chuck Cassidy’s memorial site at the Dunkin Donuts in West Oak Lane, where he was killed in an attempted robbery. We paid our silent respects to the fallen Officer and his Family. The memorial was filled with notes, flowers, and stuffed animals. There was also a note from the management of D&D informing the public about Chuck’s funeral services and when the store would reopen. I took several photos of the memorial and also burned candles from the memorial service. The candles were on the ground a few feet from the stores front door. By this time I was emotional, finding it difficult to hold the camera steady. My daughter was in tears.

Looking around the area just off to my left is the Oak Lane Dinner. Above the name of the dinner, and part of the signage is the greeting “Welcome To Philadelphia.” I find it ironic in a way with the tragedy of Officer Cassidy’s being shot so close to the sign and the many others who lost their lives to violence in the city this year to welcome anyone to Philadelphia.