DANCING WITH THE STARS Staten Island Style

From The TV Show DANCING WITH THE STARS, Kirill Skipalskiy 12 and Hanna Sverdlov 11, joined the Staten Island celebrities State Sen. Diane Savino, Betteanne Fox, Thomas Morales, Maria Dorman, Anthony Ferreri, Marco Garcia, Marjorie Hack, Robert Cutrona Sr., Terry Tarangelo and Kelly Gilmore Director of the FRED ASTAIRE DANCE STUDIO who donated his space to teach them all how to cut a rug. The Annual fundraiser for the ALICE AUSTEN HOUSE was a great time for everyone as we all tried out the Rumba, Cha-Cha, Sala, Swing. Merengue and Hustle dances. The event also honored Dr. Billie Seffern-Ludders (an AAH board member ) and James Devine, President of New York Container Terminal and arts advocate. Visit AliceAusten.org for more info.

www.SIFilmFestival.org

To celebrate the success of the Staten Island Film festival, Hollywood Film Producer JULIUS NASSO hosted a party at his estate. It was a beautiful clear night, HARRY BELAFONTE came with his family and grandkids while DANNY AIELLO sang to the guests.
Also on hand was JULES's son FRANKIE NASSO, ARMAND ASSANTE, GIANNI RUSSO, LOU SENATORE & MAGGIE RADY. I especially want to thank the talented TERRY GEERDTS of APrettyPixel.com for helping out with her creativity at this event.

Reflections In The Pond

I love this clump of wood and grass here. There is a wetlands area at the Wildlife Safari and this was taken at one of the ponds in that section. I like how clear the reflections are here.



I'll be headed up to Salem for a meeting tomorrow and won't be home until Wed evening. The meeting doesn't start until Tuesday but I haven't had my coast fix for awhile so I'm taking the long way around and headed up the coast for the day.

Happy Sunday!

Fancy Snail - Camera Critters

My husband kills dozens of these little guys because they get in the garden and eat his plants. They are cute critters though, even if they are destructive. I fancied him up a bit in PhotoShop.



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Delfino Wine-Tasting Room Photos - Photo 5 & 6

These are the last two of the photos displayed at the Delfino Vineyard Tasting Room.

This photo was taken on the Old Coos Bay Wagon Rd near Roseburg, Oregon



This one shows the gorgeous colors of the Delfino vineyards in fall.

Delfino Wine-Tasting Room Photos - Photo 4

This was taken right off I-5 near the town of Grants Pass, Oregon. The fog was amazing in the valley.

Delfino Wine-Tasting Room Photos - Photo 3

This is the only photo in the tasting room that I won't be able to identify where it was taken. Its in the area somewhere but I have been driving around looking and can't find the site so far.

Delfino Wine-Tasting Room Photos - Photo 2

This is an orchard taken in the small community of Melrose near Roseburg, Oregon.

Delfino Wine-Tasting Room Photos

A few months ago I got an email from a local winery Delfino Vineyards. I had taken a photo of their vineyard and it was printed in our local newspaper. For some reason my name didn’t get attached to the photo, but Terri Delfino saw the photo, liked it and set out to find out who took it. She found my blog where I had also posted the photo along with information about their vineyard (use the Delfino link below to see the photo)

Terri asked if I would be interested in having some of my photos for sale in their new tasting room, I agreed and have been busy editing, printing and framing since then. They plan their grand opening for early July. It’s exciting. I have never sold any of my work except for photos donated to raise money for local non-profit agencies, so it will be interesting to see how it goes.

The Delfino’s aren’t charging a commission since they gain by using a local artist to help decorate the tasting room. I gain because if I do happen to sell any photos, I can buy a new lens I’ve wanted for awhile. It’s been a fun experience and when I went out to visit Jim and Terri, I found them to be lovely people.

I thought it would be fun to post some of the photos this week that will be on display in the tasting room. I'll have a card with each one explaining where the shot was taken.

This first one was taken on Nonpareil Road West of Sutherlin, Oregon.

Red Barn w Bonus - Barn 51

Being Different - Camera Critters

"She definately takes after YOUR side of the family"



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Brooklyn Bridge Proposal

Ana and Michael got engaged on the Brooklyn Bridge, ( good thing she said "YES" ) I look forward to documenting their wedding.

Flight - SkyWatch Friday

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Portland's Peculiar People - Take Two

Adding to yesterday's post.. It seems in parts of Portland there are sidewalk cafes on every block. We were sitting at a red light and I snapped a shot of this little restaurant with people eating out on the sidewalk.



As I was clicking away, this man turned and gave me a who-in-the-hell-do-you-think-you-are look. I couldn't resist... I grabbed one more shot as we drove away and I yelled out the window... "ITS OK.. I'M A TOURIST!" I think my friend, Darlene, would have slinked under the seat if she wasn't driving.



When I started editing this last shot, I fell in love with this photo. Two gorgeous people with wonderful expressions. I can't help but think that if they ever did run across this photo they would think they looked pretty good.



One more quick shot and I will leave Portland's Peculiar people in Peace.



So is it wrong to take candid shots of strangers? I don't generally do it. I know its legal to take photos of anyone in a public place but is it right?

Portland's Peculiar People

I'm back from the portland conference. It was a good conference but three days of sitting in meetings and workshops exhausts me.

A friend who lives in Portland picked me up and took me around for some sight seeing. As a small town girl in the big city, I'm always fascinated by the people.

I spotted this guy in a funny hat riding by and grabbed a couple shots. He didn't seem to mind.



I love his smile. I didn't notice the dog in the basket until I edited the photo.

Barn on Dairy Loop Road - 50th barn

Today was perfect picture taking weather, so I went on an Old-Barn Safari this morning. I keep thinking I must already have photos of all the barns in the county but I seem to find more when I go searching. I found this one on Dairy Loop Road near a little community called Lookingglass not far from here. I love the tall grass and the fence.

I'm off to an energy conference in Portland for a few days. I'll be back Wed evening. I'm taking my laptop from work but I don't know if I'll be able to get anything posted.



I just noticed that this is my 50th barn post since my first post to my blog in Dec 2005. Do you think I'm obsessed?

I also noticed how much I've learned through the years by striving to post the best photos I can. Your encouragement has made a huge difference. Thanks!

Art By The Ferry Promo

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Oregon Sunset

Another beautiful Oregon Sunset. I have never seen a sunset with such strange clouds. They were straight and on a slant. It makes the horizon appear to be at a slant too.



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www.ExcelsiorGrand.com

Adrianna had her QUINCEANERA in March. Her special day was at one of the grandest halls in Staten Island, THE EXCELSIOR GRAND! It was a never ending party with non-stop action and fun! I enjoyed myself (as I always do and have the photos to prove it!) Limos were provided by my friend ED Fucini of www.ChirisLimousines.com

Needful Things Too - Horse Collar

I reckon the horse that wore this collar is long gone.



Click on the needful things link below to see more cool old stuff.

EverythingEntertainment.com

Scott Weisberg started out as magician and parlayed it into a whole industry. From one attraction to the complete event. He can set up tents and put a carnival inside-
Just add people who want to have fun!
When I am available, I freelance for my friends- Here I shot a 8th Grade Prom at www.RexManor.com in Brooklyn for him. Setting up lights as if it was a magazine shoot- each kid felt like a STAR!

Great Egret

This turned out strange. It looks like parts of the bushes are smeared but it is the actual bush. I took this at a pond at the Wildlife Safari. I'll have to go back and look at those bushes again.



The Great Egret is a large bird with all-white plumage that can reach one meter in height and weigh up to 950 g. It is thus only slightly smaller than the Great Blue or Grey Heron (A. cinerea). Apart from size, the Great Egret can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet, though the bill may become darker and the lower legs lighter in the breeding season. In breeding plumage, delicate ornamental feathers are borne on the back. Males and females are identical in appearance; juveniles look like non-breeding adults.

Barn off I-5

This is probably the best known barn in our area. Heading to Roseburg from the south on I-5 this barn sits just off the freeway on the right. After all the years I've lived in this area I still notice it and admire it when I drive by. There are actually two barns. A new bridge was recently built on the freeway and now there is absolutely no place to pull off the road to take of photo of this beautiful place.

Needful Things - Rusty Ladle and Leaves

I love this old ladle with the dead leaves but I can't get a good crop on this shot. It doesn't look right as it is. I need to get out and get some more shots from different angles I guess.



To get a look at other wonderful, old, rusty objects taken at the same place, click on the "needful things" link below.