In Sight

TOP: The road into Cummings Beach is flooded over as heavy rain continues to fall in Stamford, Conn. on Tuesday March, 30, 2010.  ABOVE: Rhett Anderson walks her dogs along Revonah Avenue during the storm.

Kathleen O’Rourke/The Advocate

Kindergarten students at Bi-Cultural Day School crowded the stage on Friday dressed as Moses, King Pharaoh, shepherds and an assortment of other costumes in celebration of Passover.  When not on stage the children were seated at a large seder table to take part in a traditional Passover Seder meal as a crowd of proud parents snapped photos. The event included a song filled musical re-telling the story of Moses, the 10 Plaques and the Exodus from Egypt.  Passover, the holy day and festival commemorating the Hebrews’ escape from enslavement in Egypt, will begin on Tuesday, the 30th of March and will continue for 7 days until Monday, the 5th of April.

Kathleen O’Rourke/The Advocate

Today’s Passover Seder was one of few I’ve witnessed being raised in an Irish-Catholic family.  I enjoyed capturing the devotion and pride in the students, staff and parents as they celebrated this holy day.  And watching four dozen kindergarten students eat parsley was an image I’ll never forget.  Check out more photos at stamfordadvocate.com.

Students tryout for the baseball team at Stamford High School on Wednesday, March 24, 2010.

Kathleen O’Rourke/The Advocate

The old saying “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb” is never more evident than in the life of a photojournalist covering high school sports.   As recent as two weeks ago I found myself squatting under basketball hoops and bundled up in ice rinks covering winter indoor sports.  And today I was enjoying the beautiful sunshine on the baseball field at Stamford High School.  After a long, cold, snowy winter, I was more than happy to capture a few double plays and diving catches.  Play ball!

Joe Lupinacci laughs as he practices his clarinet in their living room with his sister Amanda, 10, in Stamford, Conn. on Friday, March 19, 2010.   With funding eliminated for the city’s Project Music program,  Joe, who has Down Syndrome and is a seventh grader at Rippowam Middle School, will no longer be able to take clarinet lessons.  Advocate reporter Devon Lash’s story takes a closer look at programs that will lose funding due to the recent budget cuts.  Check it out in the print edition of this Sunday’s Advocate.

Kathleen O’Rourke/The Advocate

ABOVE: Aaron Maiolo, 16, was on the couch in his family’s living room when a tree tore through the roof. Aaron, a baby grand piano and the china cabinet escaped uninjured, however, the couch and his brother’s guitar didn’t fare so well.

–CP

ABOVE: Big Frank, a tree guy from the city. Acutally his name isn’t Frank.

3/15/2010

I was running around Stamford yesterday covering the aftermath of Saturday’s big storm. As you all know by now, it was a mess and getting around town was problematic.

CHECK OUT: A slideshow of the damage here.

–CP

TOP: Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians  prepare to march in the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Stamford, Conn. on Saturday, March 13, 2010.

ABOVE: Pete Valane, of the Tyrone Pipe Band of New York, practices outside Barcelona Restaurant & Winebar as he prepares to march in the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Stamford, Conn. on Saturday, March 13, 2010.

Kathleen O’Rourke/The Advocate

Despite torrential rain and wind, spirits were high for Stamford’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  I arrived on Summer Street, at the start of the parade, to a host of pipers and Irish step dancers.  They ascended on Bedford Street with spectators gathered under awnings, inside pubs and cramped under the bus stop shelters.  A good effort was made by all.  Look for Martin Cassidy’s story in Sunday’s Advocate and additional photos online at www.stamfordadvocate.com

Guests arrive on the red carpet as the Avon Theatre Film Center presents “Oscar Night, Live at the Avon” in Stamford Sunday.

Kathleen O’Rourke/The Advocate

I never work on a Sunday and of all nights Chris picked Oscar night to cash in a favor.  I owed him a day so I found myself camped outside the Avon Theatre, like a typical paparazzo, covering this event.  At least the weather cooperated, it felt more like Hollywood than Stamford and the vibe was upbeat and fun.