The N.O.A.H. Project

“The N.O.A.H. Project is a collaborative effort between Central United Methodist Church and Family Service, Inc., non-profit organizations believing the needs of the community, and the families who compose the community, can best be met through the cooperative efforts of those with diverse experiences, skills, and talents. The N.O.A.H. Project provides a nutritional bag lunch on Mondays and Thursdays between 10:30- 12 each week. N.O.A.H. also provides hygiene kits, clothing, referrals, spiritual support, regular workshops on a variety of issues, as well as creative arts programs on Mondays. Staff include a Project Coordinator/Social Worker, Parish Nurse, Bag Lunch/ Creative Arts Coordinator, and a Donations Coordinator.” This quote is from the web site - http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org25310.jsp

I believe that one should volunteer both in their own community as well as the region that one lives in. I have the opportunity to use my photographic skills to help the N.O.A.H. Project . The idea will be to capture the faces of clients of this project and use these images in some meaningful way.

Below are some general shots taken the first day of my involvement.

Both a bag lunch as well as take a ways such as bread, potatoes, and fruit are provided to the clients

The meeting hall provides space for eating lunch and socializing.

Volunteers provide help to the permanent staff.

These Detroit landmarks (Fox Theater, and Comerica Park) are neighbors to the N.O.A.H. Project .

Look around your community and find a place to volunteer.

Dequindre Cut - Detroit

If the day is sunny, where do you go for a walk? You could take a stroll along the newly finished “Dequindre Cut”.

As noted on the web site - http://www.modeldmedia.com/features/dequindre.aspx

“When finished, the Dequindre Cut will be a non-motorized “people mover” linking the Detroit River, the River Walk, Tri-Centennial State Park — still in the planning and development stages — with Eastern Market.”

I used the non-motorized “people mover” and captured the new look and feel that the old abandoned rail bed now has.

I walked about half the distance and returned to my car. I hope the walk way will be become a popular destination for both local and suburban folks.

I have photographed the ‘cut’ before the face lift.

Photos taken with my Canon G10 and processed in LIghtroom. 

Gray Day Photos

This Saturday (5-16-09) was a gray rainy day. On my way to visit a friend, I made two stops to capture some ‘flat light’ photos.

Reroute I captured a church spire against the GM headquarters in the distance.

The first stop was near Greektown in Detroit. The new Greektown Hotel gives a new and interesting feature to the downtown skyline.

My next slight detour was to Belle Isle to look at the the old Casino (now used as a meeting place and senior citizens center).

AS I admired the front of the Casino, I heard the sound of a trumpet coming from the back of the building. What I discovered was a lone trumpeter playing in a covered porch. I could understand why he would play at this spot. The sound quality was great from the hard surfaces and the echoes.  Here he is:

Finally before leaving I caught two more shots.

  Captured with a Canon G10 and processed in Lightroom 2.3.

Michigan Nature Association

MNA - http://www.michigannature.org/

This is a truly worthwhile organization that is protecting our natural woods, natural habitats, extraordinary and endangered plants and animals. Consider visiting their site at the link above.

Another blog that supports the organization is:

http://michigannature.wordpress.com/

I had the opportunity of attending their annual meeting which was held in Dowagiac. A short distance from the meeting at a township hall is one of their great sanctuary call Dowagiac Woods. Before the meeting began, I took a hike along one of the beautiful well groomed trails. Below are some of the photos taken during that hike.

I did enjoy the hike and more of the photos can be found on my Event web site: http://www.drysteam.smugmug.com/Events/472813

I have photographed several of their events and photos can also be found there.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the fruits of my passion.