Season for Caring campaign

 

Bob Herrera at his burned trailer home near Lake Travis. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Bob Herrera is among the 12 families featured in the Austin American-Statesman’s 10th annual  Season For Caring charity campaign.  Herrera, 76, had two heart attacks and his trailer home burned down in 2008.  He is in need of financial assistance for a new trailer home and furnishings.  Herrera once was a professional musician who played with many of country music’s greats in the 70s.  It was such a pleasure meeting Mr. Herrera and hearing his stories about Merle Haggard, Buck Owens and Freddy Fender.  That’s one of the little joys of being a photojournalist and why I love what I do.

Austin Toros vs. Utah Flash

  Marcus Williams, center, of the Austin Toros fights for a loose ball against Utah’s Bill Walker, left, and Dontell Jefferson at the Austin Convention Center on Friday Nov. 28, 2008.  Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The NBA Development League’s Austin Toros lost to the Utah Flash 93-91 in overtime in their season-opener on Saturday.

Toros' head coach Quin Snyder pauses during a timeout against Utah at the Austin Convention Center on Friday Nov. 28, 2008. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

‘Tis the season

 

 

Volunteer Kent Ochel sets up the Sertoma Club Christmas tree lot on the southeast corner of I-35 and 620 in Round Rock on Friday Nov. 28, 2008. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

On my first day back to work after Thanksgiving I shot a couple of Christmas holiday-related features.  Just the beginning, I’m sure.      

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Stefanie Smith tries to keep her four-year-old son Ashton Smith on his feet as they skate at the ice rink at Whole Foods on Friday Nov. 28, 2008. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Austin American-Statesman TV commercials

The Austin American-Statesman is doing an advertising campaign that I think is pretty entertaining and effective. It makes a humorous comparison between print journalism and TV news.  If you look closely and don’t blink you can see me for about a second near the end of the commercial (above).  Apparently that one second is long enough to be recognized because I’ve had a lot of friends tell me they saw me.  The 30-second spot has been running for a few weeks and is apparently quite popular.  So now they’ve created a few more 15-second “bookend” commercials, and one of them (below) features me.  I’m ready for my 15 minutes – um, 15 seconds of fame!

Texas State wins Southland Conference title

  

 

 

Texas State quarterback Bradley George (#9) celebrates with teammates, left to right, Garrett Hood, Alvin Canady and Kevin Odelusi with the Southland Conference Trophy after beating Sam Houston State in Huntsville on Saturday Nov. 22, 2008.

 

I drove 350 miles round-trip to Huntsville to shoot the Texas State-Sam Houston State football game. Texas State won 48-45 in overtime and clinched the Southland Conference title.  I rarely shoot Division 1-AA football.   One might think it’s not as exciting as shooting a big University of Texas game, but it was a lot of fun.  Access was great.  The sidelines weren’t crowded at all.  And it was a great overtime game with lots of good action and jubilation.  Now Texas State goes into a 16-team playoff to determine a national champion.  So maybe I’ll see more of them before the season ends.  You can see more photos here.

Texas State's John Gilley is tackled by Sam Houston State's Frank Simon, Randy Stewart and Luke McCall in the first quarter in Huntsville on Saturday Nov. 22, 2008.

Alpha and Omega Gallery

 Grand opening of the Alpha & Omega Gallery in Austin on Thursday Nov. 20, 2008.  Photo by Jay Janner

The Alpha & Omega Fine Art-Photo Gallery in downtown Austin had its grand opening last night.  The first exhibit features the amazing photographs of gallery owner Kevin Vandivier.  I’m looking forward to seeing more photography exhibits there in the future.  

Alpha & Omega Gallery owner Kevin Vandivier at the grand opening on Thursday Nov. 20, 2008. Photo by Jay Janner

Q-Tip and The Cool Kids

 

Q-Tip performs at Stubb's on Thursday Nov. 20, 2008. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

 

The Cool Kids perform at Stubb's on Thursday Nov. 20, 2008. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas vs. Nebraska volleyball

 Texas’ Destinee Hooker and Juliann Faucette celebrate after beating Nebraska at Gregory Gym on Wednesday Nov. 19, 2008.  Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

No. 4 Texas beat No. 3 Nebraska in front of a record crowd of 4,324 at Gregory Gym on Wednesday.

Texas' Destinee Hooker, right, spikes the ball over Nebraska's Amanda Gates, left, and Lindsey Licht in the first set at Gregory Gym on Wednesday Nov. 19, 2008. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Muschamp will be next Texas head coach

 

Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp celebrates after the Texas defense stopped Missouri at Royal-Memorial Stadium on Saturday Oct. 18, 2008. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp was named the Longhorns’ head coach-designate.  He will replace current head coach Mack Brown upon Brown’s retirement at some undetermined future date.

Texas head coach Mack Brown and defensive coordinator Will Muschamp coach during the 45-35 win over Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Saturday Oct. 11, 2008. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas vs. Tulane

 

Texas' Gary Johnson is fouled as he goes up for a shot against Tulane's David Booker, Kendall Timmons and John Andersen at the Frank Erwin Center on Tuesday Nov. 18, 2008. No. 7 Texas beat Tulane 76-51.Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman