We identified the track numbers; they are clearly marked in huge letters above the trains stop area. I can read them with little trouble. We walked the length of the platform and located the A-Section and B-Section steps that lead to the main level of the station and all the shops above.

We went to the second level and looked around, again a very large open area, with shops and steps on the outside. Some areas of the station in this level are poorly lit. This is unsettling to me, because it’s even harder for me to see. Using the stations electronic signage is useless to me because of the way the LED’s are setup. By the time I get close enough to read a sign, the LED’s are no longer at a suitable viewing angle and they disappear. So much for using the schedule board.

We located the restrooms, newsstands, and small flower shop. These are good landmarks. We also noticed the entrance to The Gallery, an area of the station that opens to the major shopping sore area above; a major attraction of the station.

Elaine explained how the station covered three city blocks underground from 10th Street to 12th Street. And we located the steps to venture up to street level. We did walk around some of the building at street level. The noise of traffic and the volume of people was a bit overwhelming. However, a street level lesson would come later. So we headed back into the station.

Elaine sent me around to locate different areas and the landmarks we saw. We also took the time to talk to customer service and see when the next train would be back to return home and Norristown Transportation Center. That being the 2:17, Track 1, Section A.

This concluded our lesson for the day. So I found the section I was to wait in and Elaine snuck off to blend in with the crowd and observe. Obviously she had to ride the train home with me but by blending in and observing it allows me to make my own decisions.

As I waited for the train, a large group of older ladies descended down the steps and milled around in front of me. I thought I was about to get swept up with a group of church ladies or something. One of them called my name! Very perplexed and wondering who the hell could it be… I knew the voice, but drew a blank on the face, as I often do… I come to find that it was Mrs. Landis, one of my former Pottstown Middle School teachers. Of all the people you’d never expect to meet, never in my life would I have thought about meeting her in the middle of Philly – at a train platform. She was in town with about 30 other retired Pottstown teachers (the large group) for an art tour and was heading home. Like me, to Norristown Transportation Center, then driving.

I explained to her what I was up to, and she was impressed, and proud that I’m getting out and about… The train pulled in, and we where off… I grabbed a seat near the front; the car was kind of full so Mrs. Landis took the seat next to me. At least now I’d have some one to talk to on the way home; and we did!

The rest of the trip was uneventful. As the train pulled into NTC, I said goodbye to Mrs. Landis and I left in a hurry with Elaine to help guide me to the bus, the connection time was less then 8 minutes! If I’d miss the bus, I’d be stuck at NTC for another hour!

She rushed me to the bus and I headed home. Still baffled of all things to see a former teacher of mine on the train!

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Rob puts it best from his blog Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords – “Read for yourself the horrifying vision this man has for the future. Whatever you do, however, don’t let your kids read it. Or any persons with sensitive constitutions, particularly pregnant women. Obama will turn your fetuses into Socialists, too.“

ENJOY!

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At least that’s what the fuss is about now. As if there is not enough floating around already. Incase you have been living under a rock, you probably already know that on September 8th, President Obama is to address the nations school children…

The White House has provided schools with information and a “lesson plan” of sorts to guide them and the nations children during and after the speech. Suggested causes of action after the speech are essays and questions like “How can you help the president…” You can read the suggestions here…

My understanding of the speech is that of a pep talk of sorts. About education and to get children excited to learn, and take pride in their education. – But since it is The President some brainless adults seem to think there is some sort of “political brainwashing” going on here. That this speech will be used to push an agenda. – Did I miss something, isn’t he already in office? That kind of means we are stuck with him for the next 3.5 years at least. And unless I was seeing things on election day, he won, by a frik’n landslide.

So what’s the problem? Many presidents have given speeches to the nations school in the past including President Ronald Reagan and others. Most schools to my knowledge also televised the inauguration; and as an example our own Pottstown School District HOSTED former president Bill Clinton when he was – formally campaigning for his wife! – DURING SCHOOL HOURS! – Allowing high school and middle school students to attend! – So what makes this speech so different? Maybe it was the money the district received from Clinton for the use of the gym…!

I for one don’t see a problem in this. The simple solution is… if you don’t like it, and you don’t want your child to listen to it… don’t send them to school that day… it’s a very simple concept. Many parents do not permit their children to take part in the mandatory Sex Education talk provided in most 5th grades; they can voluntarily opt-out. I see no one complaining.

Many schools no longer say the Pledge of Allegiance, or allow students that choose to remain seated… Come on people, we have better and bigger things to worry about here then the presidents speech – to encourage their education, so they are not part of the “dumbest” education system on the global scale – you should be HAPPY the president is taking an interest in today’s young people. After all, THEY are the future leaders of the world.

And by the way… if you didn’t vote… SHUT THE FUCK UP! … and if you voted for ‘the other guy‘ and lost… quit being a sore looser…

Isn’t free speech grand? People DIED for this right you know. Or perhaps you didn’t learn that in history class, because your too busy discussing Sex Education for 3rd graders like California.

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“But your disabled, you know what it’s like, you understand…”

Yes, this is true, I am disabled. The fact is I am visually disabled… I am sorry if even I a self-proclaimed advocate for disabled children do not understand what it is like.

I do not understand what it is like not to be able to hear, I do not understand what it is like not being able to see, being totally blind (remember I can see fairly well as legally blind people go).

I understand what it is like to not be able to see across the street, but not what it must be like to sit in a wheelchair and worry about steps and ramps. I don’t know what it’s like not to be able to hold a pencil to write my name, or be the child that understands every thing that is going on around them, but not be able to speak. I don’t know what it is like to need some one to help me get dressed or use the bathroom.

However there are things I do know. I DO know what it’s like to be stared at, even if I can’t see who is doing the staring, trust me, I can feel you. I DO know what it’s like to be laughed at or pointed at… asked questions, how, when, why… can it be fixed… I DO know what it’s like in school, to be left out or left behind and the last one picked… and needing some one else to take you where you need to go.

I don’t know what it’s like to have a child or be the child that has already spent half their life in a hospital, or making countless trips to therapy sessions… or be the child that has their life scheduled around therapy rather then a Little League game.

So, please… forgive me if I am the one doing the staring or asking the questions… I’m only human… You probably have some questions of your own for me, so be polite, ask… we’ll talk … and then get on being friends.

How is therapy going?
Can I have a ride in your wheelchair?
Yes, you can check out my white cane, just don’t use it like a sword!

I understand what it’s like to be disabled like me… not what it’s like to be disabled like you…

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Little League baseball season is over (for me any way) with the conclusion of the Little League PA Section 8 Championships my season is over! Now we just need to catch up on some editing, and filling print orders.

What have I been up to? Baseball of course! I shot ALL 7 GAMES of the PA Section 8 boys championship… with the final game ending in a double-header. Over four days of games and one rain delay, I managed to shoot over 6000 photos. (Unedited count). I also shot the first round of the girl’s softball Section 8 championships.

I had a great time shooting the kids. Some great action and great plays with multiple home runs, some grand slams, and multiple double-plays (which for Little Leaguers are almost impossible because of the 60-foot bases). The kids played with such heart!

Media, PA won Section 8 and advanced to State pool play where they beat all opposition till finally East PA (Media) vs West PA (Moon Township) faced off in the PA Little League State Final… Sadly, it was not to be, Moon Township beat Media, 2 games to 0 in a best of 3 series.

Moon Township Little League now advances to the Little League Baseball Eastern Regional Tournament in Bristol, Connecticut. They will play August 6th to 17th. The Eastern Regional Championship game will be televised on August, 17th, ESPN2 at 8PM EST. Winners of this advance to the Little League World Series!

I have many more updates to tell you all about! Including my Orientation and Mobility progress. So, do check back. Posting will still be a little slow as I now process orders for parents, but more updates to come!

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Championship Day is over here… All 5 games where played… And all 5 games where shot.

The day starts early for me, around 9AM arriving at the field about one hour before game time to set up my small display of photos, and rig my remote camera at home plate, and get a few practice shot in myself. The first game started at 10AM under bright a HOT summer sun.

Yes, we actually use a Shop-Vac to suck puddles off the field after a rain delay! Kevin, the League President, demonstrates proper puddle sucking technique.

My day consisted of:

• 12-hours of non-stop photography
• 5 Games, 2 Coach Pitch (Minor American), 1 1st Year Kid Pitch (Minor National), and 2 Majors (11-12yo Baseball)
• 1 Rain Delay
• 2 Cameras, 1 Remote behind home plate, 1 in-hand
• 2900+ Photos Shot (unedited count)
• 1 game called do to lightning
• 3 hot dogs for the photographer, and countless soda’s and PowerAid’s
• 200+ fans cheering!
• A weeks worth of editing 2900+ photos…

The last game in question was the Boys Majors League Championship Game. A slugfest for sure. With the score changing every inning one-up’ing… plays and steals abound, action at every at bat… All for not, this game was called in the bottom half of the 5th inning 2 outs, runner on 3rd, with a score of 13-13, do to lightning. The umps did there best to try and let them play, but for the safety of the players the field was cleared… only moments later buckests of rain let loose.

So, who won? The rules of course… A very unpopular choice at best… So here is the explanation.

A “Complete Game” (in-the-books) is a game that has at least 4-innings of play. If a game is called do to weather or injury and the inning of play has not finished… the score will revert to the last full played inning… Don’t get it, read it again, slowly…

This means, though our game ended in a tie score of 13-13, because the 5th inning was only half over… the score reverts to the last complete inning (in this case the 4th)… Because 4-innings is considered a “Complete Game“, the game is considered FINAL, and can not be postponed, and finished the next day. That SUCKS!

I give nothing but respect to the boys that played in this game, it was spectacular. And in my view it was a tie, with no winner or looser. But them’s the rules, and sometimes they suck. IF they would have gotten that LAST out, and the score would have remained tied… THEN they could have finished the game the next day!!! But because the Knights of Columbus where ahead by 2 runs in the 4th, they are the “Official” winners.

Still one of the best games I have ever seen!

Championship Day may be over, but my days at the field are not. Little League Baseball and Softball tournaments continue well into July and August. Ending with the Little League World Series, August, 21-30, 2009 in Williamsport, PA!

PLAY BALL!

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Well, I’ve been busy photographing Little League! I’ve shot 25 games (as of this post) and a library of about 5000+ photos, from all levels from Tee Ball to Little League, to Senior League Softball… Playoffs are this week, and Sunday will be a marathon shoot from 10AM ending around 10PM, covering all the league finals, and closing ceremonies! But this is not the end, because tournaments are next ending with the grand stage of the Little League World Series!

So, this may be one of the few posts you see from me for a while again… In any case, photos speak louder then words, so… Here is some of my best shots from 2009… I have hundreds, but here are ten of my favorites…

Though this represents a lot of my portrait type work, I do have many good action shots as well. I may post some of them later… I enjoy the portrait aspect of sports as well as the grit of the play… Capture the people, not just the play…

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You can read how this journey began. And one of the original stories we read at Pottstown Judo, and so nominated Cole for the June 2007 KarateAngles.com Kid of the Year. (I was awarded Sensei of the Month June 2007, and Pottstown Judo as Club of the Month, for promoting visually disabled judo).

Cole practices the Tenshin-Ryu style of Karate.

* Please note, I’m not Cole’s instructor, simply a friend…

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In the meanwhile, heres the artwork photo I did of my dad. It was printed 16×20 and used at his memorial service.

A combination of Photoshop filters, blending, masks, and layers where used to create the image. Under close inspection of an actual print, it looks more like a colored pencil drawing then a photo.

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Contribution may be made in his memory to:
The Gatehouse Hospice
1100 Grampion Blvd.
Williamsport, PA 17701

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Who Started The War on Photography?, by Scott Bourne

Several photojournalists were injured or killed documenting the horror of Nine ­ Eleven. Many others risked their lives and their liberty to record the important story of that fateful day. It is the latter that particularly bothers me.

Several freelancers as well as some credentialed photojournalists were jailed for days without charge or trial in the days immediately after September 11… … Read More on Scott’s website…

This war extends to more then just news photographers. It extends to every one wanting to take photos in public. This war on photographers has spilled to schools and almost all major public buildings or events. It has helped mark any one with a camera as a terrorist or a pedophile.

Attorney, Bert Krages, “The Photographer’s Right“:

The right to take photographs in the United States is being challenged more than ever. People are being stopped, harassed, and even intimidated into handing over their personal property simply because they were taking photographs of subjects that made other people uncomfortable. Recent examples have included photographing industrial plants, bridges, buildings, trains, and bus stations. For the most part, attempts to restrict photography are based on misguided fears about the supposed dangers that unrestricted photography presents to society.

You can download Bret’s, The Photographer’s Right Pocket Guide.

As noted in the guide, despite  misconceptions to the contrary, the following subjects can almost always be photographed lawfully from public places:

• Accident and Fire Scenes
• Children
• Celebrities
• Bridges and Other Infrastructure
• Residential and Commercial Buildings
• Industrial Facilities and Public Utilities
• Transportation Facilities (e.g., Airports, Train Stations)
• Criminal Activities
• Law Enforcement Officers
• No one can ask for your film, memory card or equipment
• Law enforcement officers may have the authority to seize film, memory card or equipment, when making an arrest  but otherwise must obtain a court order.
• You are under no obligation to explain the purpose of your photography unless requested by a law enforcement officer.

Know your rights as a photographer!

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So, if you did watch the show over the years, who was your favorite ER doctor?

Over the years I still liked Dr. Green the best…

Who’s yours?

The first episode of ER was September 19th, 1994 and ended April 2nd, 2009 after 331 shows.

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I do have a lot to talk about though. An update on orientation and mobility should be coming soon. A post about my new camera bags from ThinkTank Photo, and a post about my shiny new very kick ass 17-inch MacBook Pro laptop. – Yes folks thats right, I dropped the wad, and got the MacBook Pro!

But I have so many things going on right now. As you see from my last post, with dad being sick, I’m just not feeling myself. I also need to get things ready for the 2009 Little League season to start shooting again… AND… this weekend is the Liberty Bell Judo Classic, a huge event for my guys. – Weigh ins are tomorrow night. (Matt says pizza in his room, after weigh ins).

So yes, I have a lot to say, but no time to write it. But hang in there ya’ll.

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My dad is an amazing person, at least for the times I can remember we did things together. He was an iron worker, and worked for several years at Keystone Foundry, located actually right behind my house. (Not any more.) He set molds and poured cast-iron to make all things imaginable. I still have many of his cast-iron eagles, dogs and cats around the house.

He worked with cars doing bodywork, painting, and repair running a garage out back. Along with other members of the family, cars and racing where a weekly thing. I never picked up this love of auto-mechanics, welding and bodywork, or really auto racing for that matter.

He’s an outdoorsman. Always hunting or fishing. – This past hunting season he bagged an 8-point buck, the sucker was 175lbs dressed! – Dad did take me fishing, and I can recall the time I actually managed to catch more fish then him; he was a bit irritated, it seemed before he could get his own line set, I was yelling “Got another one…“, and sure enough I did.

Dad even taught me how to shoot. With a 30-30, and a 3 to 9 scope, I was not too bad a shot, considering at the time I didn’t even wear glasses. Kind of, like how I do my photography now, with magnification, I can see fairly well.

Even amazing people have their flaws.

Mom and dad got divorced when I was about 9 or so, and though he took me hunting and fishing, he was not always there. He was not always there for different events like band concerts, school awards or one of my first judo matches. He didn’t pay for my trumpet, didn’t buy my judo uniforms, or help pay for my classes. But I still love him, he’s my dad.

Now how ever, he’s fighting a battle even I can’t help him win.

On October 31st, 2008, my dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 terminal lung cancer. – To be continued…

This post was inspired by Ellen, from “To The Max“, and her birth story of little Max.

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I had went to visit him this past weekend, and while I was there I gave him a photo of my friend Dr. Andre Watson, and myself, a photo that was taken at the Pennsylvania State Judo Championships… But, I had forgotten to write the information on the back of the photo for dad. So he had called tonight to tell me he was home, and ask for the information.

After telling him about Andre, he mentioned how nice it is that I know such people, and how he wishes he could meet Andre some day. I really thought nothing of it till now, but I really do know some amazing people.

You see, my friend Dr. Andre Watson, is a black belt in judo, and a member of the US Paralympic Blind Judo Team. He fought in the 2008 Paralympic Summer Games, and Parapan American Games, visited many countries including Brazil, China, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, and many states in the USA. He’s received his master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from Widener University. – He’s blind…

I think that qualifies as amazing. Don’t you?

I can think of a few other people I happen to know. Because of Andre, I also know Marc Vink, Paralympic Judo Team Leader, and Heidi Moore, Director of Judo Development for the US Association of Blind Athletes.

I can also think of some people who truly inspire me. Elaine, my Orientation and Mobility instructor; she has dedicated her life to helping people like me, who cannot see well to get around safe.

My first judo instructor Dr. Frank Heifer, who just happened to be the superintendent of our school, back when I first started judo, and many other teachers in the school system that happened to also be judo black belts, that until I started judo, I did not know where black belts.

Other friends such as Cole Massie and Skilled Companion Ilia, and their family who inspire me to keep working hard no matter what. Who shared the most private parts of their lives as a family and a child with a disability on national television. Whose service dog won the 2008 ASPCA Dog of the Year, and as a family won the 2009 Honda Helpful Award. He’s helped inspire the writing of this blog, and me to seek orientation and mobility training to become an independent traveler.

Yea, I do know some amazing people!

So, who do you know? A teacher, doctor, son, service person? Who are the people who inspire you, and are the amazing people you call friends… Blog it! And share your story…

Hell, I’m a legally blind photographer, and a black belt in judo myself. Do I inspire any one? Let me know!

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Ok, so it’s not black and white, but… I could not resist the two hams…

All images shot with the Nikon D3 DSLR, and Nikon 70-200 2.8 AF-S VR lens. 1/640 @ f/2.8, ISO 3200. Image processing in Adobe Lightroom 2.3.

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I had three matches myself that day in Mens Open category at 145lbs (66kg)… My first match the guy just muscled me. I went in for a dropping shoulder throw and I missed! He got in behind me, and… choked me out… The good thing is you don’t remember much…

My second match I did much better… This time again with the dropping shoulder throw I got under the guy and planted him in the center of the matt with a perfect throw – Ippon! The match was over in less then 20-seconds. Nice crowed reaction too. Every one complimented me on the nice throw!

My third match I just screwed up. It was a skinny brown-belt guy, likely on the light side of 145lbs. I had control of him; or so I thought… At one point I actually moved his whole body with a foot-sweep, but… didn’t follow threw… He scored two, 1/2-point techniques on me, and the match was over… That one upset me more then being choked-out!

My students did well:

• Nick took 1st!
• Matt took 1st!
• Brandon took 2nd!
• Jason, Attended… He was my youngest student, sadly he did not place. But I’m very proud of him. It was his very first judo tournament.
• Paul took 2nd!
• Justin took 3rd!
• Sensei Andy took 3rd in Mens Masters Over 30.
• Friend, Dr. Andre Watson took 1st in Mens Masters and 2nd in Mens Open 90kg.

Here are a few of my photos of my friend Dr. Andre Watson (blue), member of the US Paralympic Blind Judo Team (90kg).

Today, Dr. Andre Watson won 1st Place in Mens Masters and 2nd Place in Mens Open categories at the 2009 Pennsylvania State Judo Championships. Late in 2008 Dr. Watson was promoted to Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Kodokan Judo. – I’m telling you guys, don’t pick a fight with blind people! Some of us know judo!

If you want to learn more about visually disabled judo locally, please contact the Pottstown Judo Club and speak to (me) Sensei Rich, we’d be happy to help!

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To be honest, it’s not the fighting that worries me. I’m not afraid I’ll get hurt, after all I have been doing judo for 15-years now. It’s not the fact I’m in a black belt division, I can hold my own. – As a teacher, I am more worried about my students then myself… But what really bothers me is simply the travel of getting there and the new location.

I will be traveling with one of my students, as I often do, and I have traveled with them before. They know the drill, about not walking off and telling me where they will be. It seems silly, I’m an adult, I should not care about this kind of thing, should I?

Once we’re at the event, and I get oriented to the location, find bathrooms, locker rooms and mat locations. Chat with the guys I always see at these events… I’m fine… It’s the initial jump that often freezes me up and it’s so damn annoying!

As often is the case, I hide this fear very well. After all, students do not need to see me freaking out; hell, they are looking to me to calm them down! Until things get moving to occupy my mind, I’m in a state of “get me the hell out of here“… but when the task is at hand, be it photographing an event, or coaching my students, the fear switch clicks off, and I’m fine.

Elaine brought this up at our last lesson; when she was a bit surprised to my answer when she had asked, “How comfortable did you feel navigating the mall? – 1 to 5“… I told her a 3 out of 5… She says, “you hide it very well… You didn’t look nervous to me.” I don’t know what to say to that? I guess it’s all my years of teaching kids and having to show an assertive, confidante role.

I spend all my time building the confidence of others; only to realize I have little confidence in myself… Crap, did I just physco-analyze myself?

Thankfully though, thanks to some Ambien at least now days I can get some sleep before such events. That really helps, because I use to lay awake and dwell on the fear. (Relax folks, I only take the Ambien a few times a month, as needed only.) But you still need to wake up, and the fear is back, nervous, fidgety, not wanting to eat, force myself to eat breakfast, sweaty palms, upset stomach. It really sucks. – Normally about half way to the event, I manage to start feeling better.

But again it’s that initial jump! I’m really working to overcome this. That’s why I posted about it. So, do share your thoughts, please.

See you in the morning!

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My main objective of course was to visit the Apple Store, and check out the new MacBook Pro 17-inch matte screen laptops, and if they had gotten in any of the new Mac Pro towers yet. The trip down was uneventful, and traffic was not too bad.

We entered the mall, and I was more then shocked that it was very crowded. But we made our way to the restrooms first, with me leading the way. As always the cane comes in handy some times, most nice folks move aside when they see me coming. I still find this some what amusing – in a good way.

After our small rest stop, we headed to the Apple Store, I entered and looked around. To my surprised they did in fact have both a MacBook Pro 17-inch matte screen system, and glossy screen system side by side to look at. The matte screen is likely the one I will get; I did find the matte screen much easier to read. I set the resolution down from it’s native 1920 by 1200 to 1152 by 720, I think it was, and every thing seemed OK to read. Of coruse if I use it at my desk at home I will hook it up to my 23-inch Apple HD Display. I will have to order the system on-line to get the hardware I need installed, and request the matte screen option. – Not that I mind, I would get a nice 18% discount because of my membership to NAPP, (The National Association of Photoshop Professionals).

Yes I’m still kicking MacBook Pro vs Mac Pro tower around in my head! But MacBook Pro still seems to be winning!

Our, (my), main objective complete we had nothing better to do then roam around the mall, no rush, nothing to do on a Sunday afternoon. Kathy grabbed a mall map, and we headed to the food-court to grab something to eat. We got some stuff from Taco Bell… Leisurely ate our food and chatted. I was explaining to Kathy about my Orientation and Mobility training, and how some day Elaine wanted me travel here, to the mall, on the bus, alone… Kathy jokingly suggested that her and my mom leave, and I could ride the bus home now. All in jest, and we laughed, but I really don’t like that. It is a big fear of mine. – Why is it so hard for some to understand a fear? It’s so simple of a task for some, but yet for folks like me, travel is some what of a mini-triumph when accomplished.

We finished eating, and roamed some more. Kathy stopped in some small shops looking for a small gift to give to her son, for his birthday this week. Nothing was found, cheap any way. Did I mention King of Prussia Mall is really kind of high dollar to us simple town folk? It’s not easy to find something cheap at KOP.

We continued walking and visited a few other stores. One sold luggage, nice bags and all, but again, not cheap. Mom seen a bag she liked, but it was $79, others I looked at that would hold laptops and such where around $180… We walked on… We seen another store that sold tea, (Teavana) and partook in some free samples, very tasty! This is one I will have to remember, I do like hot teas. As I recall the average price was around $15 for 4oz tea dried tea.

We then made our way out and to another whole building of the mall complex. Kathy then spotted The Cheesecake Factory, and we popped in to visit. She got a slice of Cheesecake ($8 – Slice!), to take home for her son and her to share. I thought the place neat, but did not care for the way it was lit, and it’s dark bar like atmosphere. I don’t like dark crowded stores. But I survived.

We then made our way to Borders Books. I was awe struck. It looked like a damn library; you could have fit five plus of our local Borders in this place. (Can you tell I don’t get out much?) Kathy headed off to look for some books for her son, and I headed to the photography section. WOW they actually had a selection of books! Amazing! A few of the books I had actually wanted for years about portrait photography and lighting. Sadly I really don’t need them now, I really do very little studio portrait lighting any more, every thing is sports or on-location. But it was nice to look.

With the mall almost ready to close now just before 7PM on Sunday, Kathy found some books for her son and we headed out to go home. The trip was fun, and by far was the longest, and most we had ever roamed around in the King of Prussia Mall. If my travels and skills come about, I could see myself going almost weekly to simply walk around.

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From visiting this site, and a message I sent him, about having some local sports images on file, he asked if he could use one of my Pottsgrove Wrestling Club photos to promote my sports photography work.

Joseph Zlomek, is the Managing Editor of the Sanatoga Post… Check out this nice post about my photography work he put up for me! Thanks Joe!

Check out the post here…

If you use Twitter and you wish to follow me you can @Sensei_Rich, if you’d like to follow Joe you can @jzlomek. Thanks to Joe, this is my first professional “By Line”, in a local news publication website.

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The article was also featured on USA Judo, Paralympic Judo, and Pennsylvania Judo websites news sections. Thanks for the ping guys!

A few days after the article was published I received some nice congratulation letters from past teachers, and school district administration. I also received a nice congratulation letter and laminated front page clipping from Pennsylvania House Representative, Thomas Quigley, for making front page and a contribution to our community!

Fame, is a good thing.. 

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Photo by Kevin Hoffman, The Mercury

Judo brings equality for Pottstown man…
Brandie Kessler, Reporter, Pottstown Mercury:

One Pottstown man who often sat out during extracurricular activities as a boy because of his blindness is now leading dozens of local youngsters as they learn the ropes with the Pottstown Judo Club.

“Many people who are legally blind can see fairly well,” said Richard Favinger Jr., the youth instructor with the Pottstown Judo Club. “I’m one of them.”

As a child, Favinger often found himself alienated by other children who knew he was different and were cruel to him, but he was also alienated by the extracurricular programs for children such as baseball or football, or most of the other activities his classmates and peers were participating in. …

Read the rest of this article at the Pottstown Mercury website…

The article as written by local staff reporter Brandie Kessler, who several months ago did an equally inspiring article about a local boy who is both deaf and blind, and attends one of our local elementary schools.

Several months ago I had contacted her expressing my dismay as to the state of programs and sports available to local blind or disabled children. Simply put, there are few athletic programs offered or available to such kids. Many parents don’t even know such programs exist or know there are people, such as myself willing to help…

It’s also a fact I lived threw myself… that many parents, and there disabled children are simply scared, scared of rejection, scared they may get hurt, scared others will make fun of them, scared there children can not succeed because of there disability or because they are different. My aim was to disprove that…

We also wanted to make a point that, even though you have a disability, LET NO ONE TELL YOU, YOU CAN’T DO SOMETHING! You have so little to loose, and so much to gain, just give it a shot! There is ALWAYS a way… And with the right people to guide you, any one can learn, have a little fun, and kick a little ass!

Pottstown Judo will GLADLY accept ALL students who wish to learn the art of judo, including blind and visually disabled, or other disabilities, such as Cerebral Palsy. No parent should ever have to hear “We don’t accept disabled children“.

Friends, Cole and Matt both have CP… Cole participates in karate, and Matt participates in judo. You can read there blogs! Cole was also recognized on KarateAngles.com – Kids Hall of Fame (June 2007). (I wonder who nominated him?  )  and good friend Dr. Andre Watson who is blind, and a member of the 2008 USA Paralympic Blind Judo Team… are just some examples of our good friends.

So, won’t you come join us too? We’ll see you on the mat!

Please feel free to link or ping this article and post, and PLEASE pass it along to all your friends. If you want more information, just contact me, I’d be happy to help… And as always leave your comments!

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Schools Debate gets Personal

After 14 months of debate, and almost as many proposals for the future of elementary education considered, it’s understandable that the nerves of Pottstown School Board members might be a bit frayed.

School Board Behaves like Children, but Fails to Lead on their Behalf

The motives of Pottstown parents, community advocates and the school board are said to be “for the children,” but this town’s behavior, though childish, has little to do with what’s best for kids.

In what can only be described as a three-ring circus, the Pottstown School Board on Thursday reversed course for the third time, rescinding with a 5-4 vote its November decision to consolidate elementary education into three buildings and return to the concept of keeping all five elementary schools.

Articles as published in the Pottstown Mercury. See story links for full details…

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Evan Brandt, The Pottstown Mercury:
February, 20th 2009

After four hours of debate, accusations and passionate advocacy on both sides of the thorny issue of configuring elementary education in Pottstown, the decision was made to do nothing…

The decision came after nearly three hours of public comment from 41 of the more than 200 people who packed the middle school auditorium.

An unofficial Mercury tally of those comments put the ratio of those opposed to the plan that featured converting Edgewood Elementary School into an early learning center at two against to every single speaker in favor.

The Pottstown School Board capped the public comment with a muddled debate of their own — a debate that even included references to what God would want and that also  required frequent intervention by the board solicitor to ensure that everyone knew what they were voting on.

And once the voting began, with a 5-4 vote — a vote accompanied by the applause of parents of Edgewood students who had turned out in force (and in red t-shirts) — the board abandoned all current school consolidation and renovation plans.

Specifically, the board rescinded its November action to close Rupert and Barth elementary schools, convert Edgewood into an early learning center and educate grades 1 through 5 in renovated and expanded Franklin and Lincoln schools.

That vote was followed by another, this one inexplicably unanimous, to keep all five neighborhood elementary schools and for them tho maintain the traditional grade configuration.

Can we finally call it quits, unlikely…

But I think the 3+ hours of public comment and over 200 people that showed up to the meeting tell you something. I think it’s so clear a deaf person could hear it, but just incase you misunderstood the comments, allow me to translate.

TAKE YOUR $52-MILLION DOLLAR MEGA SCHOOL AND CONSOLIDATION PLAN AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR ASS SIDEWAYS!

There, I feel much better now!!!

For my further distaste of this issue see my post I need my edumacation…

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