Ashes to ashes, Dust to Dust

In preparation for Ash Wednesday, members of Holy Family Catholic Church burn last year's palms, turning them into ashes to be used Wednesday. "Fire can destroy, but it can also bring about new growth," said Father John Tapp (not pictured) as he leads the congregation in prayer, while Mackenzie Tymon, 5, steps forward to throw a palm frond onto the fire.

father-daughter dance

The father-daughter dance was so sweet. Community journalism warms my heart.

O'Neill's Marina

O'Neill's Marina has been a St. Petersburg institution for 55 years and counting. The city may take it over in the future. "This place has probably kept me alive because it gives me something to do," said eighty-one year old Norris Bryan, right, who has worked at O'Neill's for 35 years. Bryan serves up bait on the weekends, but is known to hang out at the marina on his days off, with his wife Joyce.

MDA poster child

Allison Kerns, 3, has become the state poster child for muscular dystrophy. While her parents and Muscular Dystrophy Association district director Jennifer Bell are busy at the podium in the background, Kerns older cousin Skyler Hoog-White, 10, steps in to get a closer look at a plaque naming her the 2009 MDA Florida State Goodwill Ambassador. Afterwards, Kerns was the center of attention in City Hall Thursday as city council members come up to say hello after she was recognized as the 2009 MDA Florida State Goodwill Ambassador Thursday.

Interview: BEN LOWY

I just posted a nice, little interview with Ben Lowy over at the APhotoADay blog. Go check it out.

Super Greek Fest

Nick Galos left, holds the hand of Taraneh Izadi, 6, while Parastou Izadi, right, holds the hand of her son Tyler Izadi, 4, as the children are helped up behind the plywood cutouts of painted Greek characters during the St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church's annual Super Greek Festival.



Anastasios Halverson, 9, jumps off of a chair and onto a plastic cup during the Pentozali, the trademark folk dance of the island of Crete, which was originally a war dance used to test men's agility, during the Kefi Dancers' performance at St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church's annual Super Greek Festival.

Chillin' in the Morning

Jim Rutter, braves the cold in nothing but a T-shirt while Sheila Anderson and Todd Gray try to stay warm under a blanket outside the Salvation Army Friday morning. "I left Mississippi to come down here because I thought it'd be warm," said Anderson. "Boy was I wrong." Gray, a third-generation Floridian, bundled up with 2 hats, 6 different shirts and sweatshirts, 2 pair of pants, 2 pair of socks and gloves. "And I'm still cold," he said.