Fatal Fire in Ottawa County

Coopersville High School students react after learning their friend and his family died in a house fire in Ottawa County.I don't post these pictures because they are graphic or fun in any way. I post them for discussion and as a demonstration of the power of capturing emotion.

The GRAM

Parking Day

The city of Grand Rapids did this weird parking day thing last week where local organizations were encouraged to rent out their own metered parking spots downtown and fill it with green things, (enviornmental, not the color). Some put out cute potted plants and others literally brought in sod and grilled burgers on their make-shift "lawns." I'm not sure how that was so green...my favorite was this little spot with a rainbow umbrella. The organization had their intern sitting out in it all day...oh how I can sympathize...

Mmm, Indian Food

Every assignment that I shot today was food. We love food here at The Grand Rapids Press. These were taken at Bombay Cuisine, a yummy Indian food place in Eastown.

Tree on Car...

A large tree sits on top of Rev. Jeffery Cumming's 2004 Grand Prix at Pinery Park Apartments as a remnant of Sunday's heavy rain and winds. Cummings, who lives in Wyoming, was visiting his mother, Mary Cummings, Sunday afternoon on his birthday when the tree fell. "It could have been my head in there," Cummings marvels, "I just thank God I'm alive."

Nowhere to Sleep...

The Wyoming Senior Center's Fall Fling

Due to the rainy weather, only a small handfull of seniors made it out to the annual "Fall Fling," at the Wyoming Senior Center. Things I enjoyed about this assignment- Polka, wrinkled smiles, phrases like "when are we gunna do the damn hussle!?" from elderly women with spunk, and a chocolate chip cookie or two :)Wished I could have stuck around longer.

Mural...

Anneshia Freeman...

Anneshia is this woman I am currently doing a project on. A recovering drug addict herself, Anneshia works with troubled youth and young adults in drug court. Today was my first day with her and I am curious to see where it will go, and what kind of access I will be able to gain.

Olivia's Surprise

Olivia Helms, 6, of Grandville clutches a shiny new purse outside her locker at Zion Christian Elementary on Friday before class. Olivia was surprised with the purse when an anonymous giver left it for her at the counter at Marshall's on Tuesday, September 2. Oivia's mom, Kristen explains the woman asked Olivia to help her pick out a purse for her granddaughter, then left it at the counter for Olivia. "It makes us now think, what can we do for someone else?" Kristen said. Olivia says this is her favorite new purse, and even carries some fairy dust in it.

Back to School Blues