Hadas Parush

New Location

2012-01-12T08:03:00.000-05:00

I have moved on to a new place and a new blog!

Come find me here: http://hadasparush.tumblr.com/

Thirteen Strings Orchestra

2011-11-25T13:42:00.003-05:00

Kevin Mallon, new director of Ottawa's Thirteen Strings Orchestra, pictured in the St. Andrews Church in downtown Ottawa, October 24, 2011. (Photo by Hadas Parush / Ottawa Citizen)

Manuela Milani, violinist with Ottawa's Thirteen Strings Orchestra, in St. Andrews Church in downtown Ottawa, October 24, 2011. (Photo by Hadas Parush / Ottawa Citizen)

Ontario Elections

2011-10-16T21:07:00.002-04:00

So I have been back in Ottawa for three weeks now, and doing some freelance work with the Ottawa Citizen and Metroland community newspapers in the city.
I got the opportunity to shoot the celebrations at Dalton McGuinty's headquarters at the Chateau Laurier on elections night.

Dalton Mcguinty takes the stage at the Chateau Laurier to address a room full of media and supporters, after winning another Liberal government as Premier of Ontario, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011. Photo by Hadas Parush / Metroland Media

Ottawa Fire Fighters for McGuinty clap and cheer watching the screens as the Libral numbers rise while waiting for the Premier's victory speech at the Chateau Laurier, Thursday night. Dalton McGuinty won a historic third Liberal government in Ontario on Thursday's provincial elections. Photo by Hadas Parush / Metroland Media

Chief of the Somali Community, Abdillahi Abdi, (left) watches the screens for the rising numbers of Liberal candidates while waiting for the Premier's victory speech at the Chateau Laurier, Thursday night. Photo by Hadas Parush / Metroland Media

Volunteer in the Ottawa South Liberal Premier's riding, Andrew Romain, sits in the hallway outside the event room at the Chateau Laurier while waiting for the Premier's victory speech at the Chateau Laurier, Thursday. Photo by Hadas Parush / Metroland Media

My Winnipeg

2011-09-24T00:19:00.000-04:00

Last bits as an intern: Jets and Elections

2011-09-18T12:43:00.001-04:00

August 31, 2011 - From left, Jean and Gerry Roch, their daughter, Olivia, and her boyfriend, Patrick Piche, couldn't get their hands on season tickets for the Winnipeg Jets. Instead, they prepared for the season with a new 60-inch plasma TV in the basement of the Roch family home. (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

September 2, 2011 - Manitoba Liberal Party leader, Jon Gerrard, met with media on Friday at the FoodFare grocery store, on the corner of Corydon and Lilac, to make an announcement pledging to allow retail operators to set their own hours, as part of his campaign for the provincial elections on October 3. (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Val Wagner

2011-09-16T23:46:00.000-04:00

August 30, 2011

A collection of records and old radios surround Val Wagner, who was born without sight. Wagner, who has been a musician since he was a young boy, had his piano tuning tools stolen from him while paying at the cash of a Tim Horton's on Thursday.

(HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Swollen Lake

2011-09-08T00:44:00.000-04:00

A day out on the boat with Bartley Kives, who is not only a fantastic reporter, but also very good at digging boats out of very deep and muddy swamps.
There is a lot of water here that just doesn't seem to go away, and I am so glad I was smart enough to buy those rubber boots on my epic drive over to Manitoba.
To the Netley-Libau wetland we went to hear the story of brothers Dennis and Jim Anderson.

Jim Anderson points to a location on a map of the Netley-Libau wetlands where he and his brother, Dennis grew up, before going out on their boat to explore the changes to the marsh and the beaches due to rising water levels of Lake Winnipeg. August 22, 2011. (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Jim Anderson looks at the marsh where he grew up in Libau, Manitoba. The marsh has been flooded over the last few months by water flowing in from Lake Winnipeg.

Dennis Anderson trudges through deep mud in the Netley-Libau wetlands

Brothers Dennis (left) and Jim Anderson tour the forests and what's left of the disappearing beaches they grew up on near the Netley-Libau wetlands.

Dennis Anderson is seen on his boat overlooking driftwood that has piled up on a shore along Lake Winnipeg from overflowing and rising water levels.

Read the story here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/swollen-lake-slowly-killing-wetland-128738958.html

Winnipeg Sports

2011-09-02T00:20:00.000-04:00

Bombers quarterback, Buck Pierce, in the home game against the Edmonton Eskimos on Friday, August 5, 2011(HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Albin Choi dropped his club in frustration at hole 14 during the Canadian Mens Golf tournament at Niakwa Country Club, Saturday. August 13, 2011. (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

St. Paul Saints' Adam jumps over Goldeyes' Louis Ott in a failed attempt to stop Ott from making second base, Tuesday night at Shaw Park. August 16, 2011. (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Goldeyes' Brian Myrow hit a strike in the homegame against St. Paul Saints, Tuesday night. August 16, 2011. (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Bombers Head Coach Paul La Police speaks to his team after practice on Sunday. August 21, 2011. (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Miss Elvis Lee

2011-08-26T15:25:00.000-04:00

On August 13, 2011, towards the end of a long Saturday shift in the city, I decided to take my chances and check out the Elvis Festival in Gimli, Manitoba, about an hour and a half drive outside of Winnipeg. I ended up extending my shift by several hours when I found the opportunity to follow Marnie Lee Gudz, the only female Elvis impersonator in the Elvis Festival of Manitoba.

You can view the online photo essay here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/multimedia/pov/Miss-Elvis-Lee-127717343.html

And here is the page I got the next day, complete with the story I wrote for it:

Canadian Wheat Board Rally

2011-08-26T15:03:00.000-04:00

Bill Acheson, of Somerset, Manitoba, takes part in a rally outside the Canadian Wheat Board Forum which was having a directors meeting in Oak Bluff, Wednesday, August 10, 2011, to discuss the wheat board's future. (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

All smiles

2011-08-19T12:25:00.001-04:00

Goal keeper, Mackenzie Neufeld (left), and captains Enrique Garcea (center) and Justin Sarides during their soccer training for the Western Canada Summer Games in Kamloops starting this week. August 2, 2011. (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

To start off the first week of August after the long weekend, Saul Henteleff (right) and Fadi Ennab cool off in a neighbourhood watergun fight, Tuesday evening. August 2, 2011. (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Viking Fest

2011-08-19T11:12:00.000-04:00

Leo Speary-Bedard, 11, of Winnipeg, eats traditional viking food during the Gimli Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, Friday, July 29, 2011 (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Get your cowboy hats.

2011-08-14T22:14:00.000-04:00

It's the Manitoba Stampede.

4-year-old George (left) and 6-year-old Jacob Friesen sport matching outfits for the Manitoba Stampede in Morris, Saturday, July 23, 2011. (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Hadas Parush / Winnipeg Free Press

Hitting the ground running

2011-08-14T21:47:00.000-04:00

July 21, 2011

In addition to having her neck broken several years ago riding in the U.S.A., Jocelyn Kenny had her horse flipped over backwards just before entering the starting gate at Assiniboia Downs, and landed right on top of her. A tough woman, Kenny returned to the sport with a vengeance, overcoming any scares or injuries. (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Cirque du Soleil

2011-08-14T21:40:00.001-04:00

July 20, 2011

Cirque du Soleil Dralion show at the MTS Centre, Winnipeg

Hadas Parush / Winnipeg Free Press

Teenage Dreams

2011-08-09T13:11:00.000-04:00

Katy Perry in concert at the MTS center in Winnipeg, Thursday, July 14, 2011. (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Laser Tech

2011-08-07T15:20:00.001-04:00

July 13, 2011

Monteris Medical Inc. CEO, Jim Duncan, demonstrates the AutoLITT system, a technology of zapping deep-seated brain tumours with a laser. The Winnipeg company has raised $9 million for marketing the new tumour-treating system. (Hadas Parush / Winnipeg Free Press)

Winnipeg Folk Fest

2011-08-04T21:08:00.001-04:00

July 9, 2011

Dan Mangan

kd Lang

Page spread:

July 9, 2011

Asked by organizers not to run, people skip and hop their way over the grass to set down their tarps by the main stage of the Folk Fest on Saturday before the evening shows. July 9, 2011 (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Erin Vosters is one of the volunteers running the Red Tent at the Folk Festival's camp grounds. This is the first year the Red Tent was set up in an effort to offer support and guidance to women and to raise awareness of the risks to women staying at the campgrounds. July 9, 2011(HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Page spread:

Makeover

2011-08-04T20:55:00.000-04:00

Oh no, Im so white.

Model Chelsey Anseeuw looks at her pale skin in the mirror before getting a makeover at the Vixin salon to get her ready and confident to enjoy the summer on the beach.

July 7, 2011 (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Love the variety I get here. A one-day makeover, above.

Hip

2011-08-04T20:47:00.000-04:00

Gordon Downie performs during the Tragically Hip concert at Shaw Park, Thursday, July 7, 2011 (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Red hot

2011-07-24T18:55:00.001-04:00

A woman waiting at a bus stop on Isabel Street tries to shield herself from the strong sun on an especially hot afternoon, Wednesday, June 29, 2011. (HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

When in doubt, make them run

2011-07-24T18:51:00.000-04:00

This was a slow (news conferences) and unimpressive day on my part. But I managed to redeem myself with a fun standup:

Maples Collegiate students excitedly run through the streets in the Exchange District on their way to their highschool graduation dance on Monday, June 27, 2011. HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

And another cute moment here:

Jennifer Barnabe, left, and her daughter, Samantha with their new puppy, Chance, at their Dufresne home. Chance is a 9 week old Shepherd cross that was saved from a reserve where German Shpherd Rescue had found him in a taped cardboard box near a fire at the reserve's dump. HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, JUNE 27, 2011.

Familiar community faces

2011-07-24T18:41:00.002-04:00

This was one of those days when things just seemed to work out simply and beautifully. It was one of the first times that I managed to find my way around the city without getting lost, despite a broken GPS and very little time from one assignment to the next. But the nature of the subjects I had that day were so positive, that I had to ride along and smile with them. Here are two happy faces from that day:

Adult Education Centre teacher, Joe Davis surprised his students by getting his own high school diploma, 38 years after dropping out, in their graduation ceremony on Friday, June 24, 2011.

HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, JUNE 24, 2011.

This made me so happy to see on City Front.

Othello Wesee (right) plays soccer with Kennaissa and Gamda (behind) in Central Park on Friday, June 24, 2011.Wesee is a refugee from Liberia who organized activities for kids in the refugee camps he was stuck in, and continues to do similar work in the Central Park community, helping making the city a safer place for poor kids. HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, JUNE 24, 2011

Hydro and Bombers

2011-07-24T18:22:00.003-04:00

This is a month old. But life is so busy and exciting and fun, that my blogging has fallen behind to a minor priority. I hope to get on top of photo blogging once again. Perhaps at the end of this glorious summer?

June 23, 2011: a 7am start, small 2-hour plane over to Thompson, then 1.5-hour drive on a dirt road to Wuskwatim, where I spent the day with reporter, Bruce Owen, getting a tour of the Wuskwatim Hydro Project construction site.

Construction Manager, Terry Armstrong looks at the spillway structure at the Wuskwatim hydro generation project site.

HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, JUNE 23, 2011.

The page spread for the Wuskwatim tour.

It was a 12-hour day that I decided to finish off with the Bombers first home exhibition game:

Perfect summer evening, full house at the stadium

A Manitoba farming disaster

2011-06-28T00:03:00.000-04:00

Drove to Souris, Manitoba, near Brandon last Tuesday. It was a great experience to go with a reporter and see with my own eyes some of the flood devastation in Manitoba. It was a great story, and unfortunately there are many many more stories like this one here.

Walter Finlay, councillor in the Municipality of Glenwood, and a grain farmer in Souris, Manitoba, surveys the flood damage to his farmland on Tuesday, June 21, 2011. Finley has not been able to seed his land this year since it has been covered with floodwater. HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Governor General Visits Winnipeg

2011-06-27T23:46:00.005-04:00

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston (center) with President and CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Stuart Murray, on the left, and Consecutive Manager of the museum, Todd Craigen, on the right, take the Governor General on a tour of the construction of the new museum on Friday, June 17, 2011. HADAS PARUSH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS.

Goldeyes

2011-06-26T21:38:00.000-04:00

Winnipeg Goldeyes host the Sioux Falls Pheasants on June 15, 2011. Photos by Hadas Parush / Winnipeg Free Press

Fans quickly cleared their seats to avoid the heavy rain which suddenly came down forcing a break in the Goldeyes game against the Sioux Falls Pheasants.

Cats

2011-06-26T21:28:00.000-04:00

Arts front :)

Week 1 at the Free Press

2011-06-16T00:15:00.001-04:00

Here is a bit of the play I got in my first week at the Winnipeg Free Press -

First Assignment: Blue Bomber practice!

I discovered very early on that everyone at the Free Press has a great sense of humour, and so they appreciated mine:

Competing twins:

Emotional return of NHL in Winnipeg / press conference:

Closing remarks:
Awesome first week.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

2011-06-06T19:01:00.002-04:00

A woman sweeps the floor in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem before the Friday afternoon prayers on May 20, 2011. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash 90.

Outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, James Joseph, also known as The Jesus Guy, is a Jesus lookalike missionary. He recently moved to Jerusalem's Old City after travelling around the United States. He is currently working with Indian immigrants in Jerusalem. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash 90.

Motke

2011-06-01T15:37:00.002-04:00

Motke Blum brings in his canvas with easel from outside his studio on the Artists' Lane (Hutsot HaYotser) outside the Old City of Jerusalem on May 17, 2011, before locking up his studio for the day.

This is the story I worked on while spending time in Jerusalem, interning at Flash 90 photo agency.
Motke Blum is an 86-year-old painter and Holocaust survivor. He lives in Jerusalem and works out of his studio on the heritage site of the Artists' Lane, just outside the Jaffa Gate to the Old City of Jerusalem. He is of the founding artists of the Lane.  Much of Blum's paintings deal with the horrors of the Holocaust. Blum sometimes paints simple white paintings in order to take a break from the dark Holocaust paintings.  Many other paintings and mixed media pieces entertain the imagination and can appeal to many different tastes.  He will make a joke every time someone walks into his studio, which is small and cluttered with artworks everywhere and in no particular order, saying he's got little people in the back who do all the work for him.  This is one story of one artist from the Artists' Lane.

2011-05-30T23:42:00.002-04:00

A blog flash from the Ben Gurion Airport.
It's been almost 7 weeks that I have been running around my homeland of Israel. I spent a lot of quality time with family and friends, soaked up a lot of sun, and took a lot of pictures.
I interned at an Israeli press photographers' agency called Flash 90, where I learned a lot about the kind of photos an Israeli agency can use and sell, heard a lot of arguments about what makes a photo important, and saw many out-takes of those photos commonly played in North American media when reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It's been an interesting and rewarding experience.
Though I had big plans for all the photo stories I would do in my short time here, I quickly realized it was unrealistic, but I am pleased with the one project I did complete (see my next blog post).
I am off now, back to Canada. Two days of resting and packing in Ottawa, then a three-day drive to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where I will spend three months shooting for the Winnipeg Free Press.
I have never left a visit to Israel as happy and excited as I am leaving it now, looking forward to what's next.

a family is a family is a family

2011-05-30T18:38:00.000-04:00

I had the rare experience, and surprising pleasure, of meeting for maybe the second time in my life my very very distant family.

It was a Bar Mitzvah party in the old, orthodox, world of Jerusalem. To my relief, it was the celebration after the ceremony that I had been invited to attend.

I met a lot of distant cousins (I guess I can call them cousins...) and I was the only young female in the room who wasn't married + three small children (going on four).

My ticket to a connection with people, whom I am somewhat related to yet worlds apart, was my camera.

Next thing I know, I was completely surrounded.

By the book

2011-05-29T03:01:00.000-04:00

May 18, 2011

Joshua Levi peeks through the curtains to show inside the Synagogue of the Karaite Judaism on Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Levi is currently the rabbi of the synagogue, which the oldest synagogue in the Old City of Jerusalem. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash90.
Karaite Judaism is a practice of the religion that strictly follows what is written in the Torah, without adding to it. As a result, Karaite Jewish practices often contrast with the more common Rabbinical Jewish practices, which are based more on later interpretations of Rabbis.

Hanging on the string is a Tzitzit, specially knotted ritual fringes worn by observant Jews, attached to prayer shawls. Karaite Jews wear Tzitziot with blue thread in them according to the words in the Torah which say they should have the colour. Rabbinical Judaism interprets the scripture as asking for specific blue which they do not have access to, and so most Jews wear only white Tzitziot.

Joshua Levi on the roof of the Synagogue of Karaite Judaism in the Old City.

Old City

2011-05-28T10:42:00.000-04:00

I spent a whole day in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem looking for features for Flash 90, a Jerusalem-based press photographers' agency I have been interning at.
Here are some of the photos currently on their website.

May 18, 2011. Photos by Hadas Parush/Flash 90

Women of the Wall

2011-05-18T17:44:00.003-04:00

Jerusalem, May 5, 2011-- The Women of the Wall is a movement that has been praying at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, on the beginning of every Hebrew month for over 25 years. Their stated mission is to achieve the social and legal recognition of their right, as women, to wear prayer shawls, pray and read from the Torah collectively and out loud in the women's section at the Western Wall. Photos by Hadas Parush for Flash 90.

A young woman lays Tefilin, a tradition in Orthodox Judaism reserved for men.

Anat Hoffman leads prayers at Robinson's Arch, outside the Western Wall.

Jewish Orthodox young girls take a rest outside the entrance to the Western Wall.

Tel Aviv Port Fishermen

2011-05-18T13:45:00.001-04:00

May 1, 2011

Tel Aviv, Israel

Photos by Hadas Parush/Flash 90

Big Fish

2011-05-05T10:37:00.001-04:00

TEL AVIV, Israel (May 1, 2011)-- Amos Kachlon, posing under the dock of the Tel Aviv sea port, has been fishing at this port since around 1952. Kachlon has lost his two legs after years of smoking caused him blocked arteries. He is the most senior fisherman at the Tel Aviv port and is known by all the other fishermen there. Today he pursues fishing as a hobby and says he can recognize the exact kind of fish underwater based on what it eats as bate. The biggest fish he caught, Kachlon said, was a 180 kg shark.

Holocaust Remembrance Day

2011-05-03T17:44:00.002-04:00

May 2, 2011
At the major intersection of Shenkin and HaCarmel streets in Tel Aviv, people stop in their tracks at the sound of the siren, heard throughout Israel every year at 10 a.m. on the National Holocaust Remembrance Day. The siren lasts about two minutes, during which Israelis all over the country stop whatever they are doing and stand still for the moment of silence in memory of the victims and heroes of the Holocaust.

And to my amazement, even this dog respected the moment of silence. It stood still from the beginning of the siren and only moved once there were no more echoes to be heard.

Acre (Akko)

2011-05-01T09:39:00.001-04:00

April 30, 2011

Acre, in the Western Galilee region in northern Israel

Photos by Hadas Parush/Flash 90

Carmel fires

2011-04-30T16:47:00.002-04:00

April 27, 2011
Burnt trees left from the December 2010 forest fires on Mount Carmel near the city of Haifa.
Photos by Hadas Parush/Flash 90

Change

2011-04-25T11:08:00.002-04:00

TEL AVIV, Israel (April 24, 2011)-- Haim Dashkovski is seen here in an Internet Cafe on Dizengof Street, Tel Aviv, where he has been working for the last five years. The cafe also offers money exchange, lottery tickets, printing and photocopying services.

TEL AVIV, Israel (April 24, 2011)-- Arik Yefet is an architect and artist, and sells his work, including masks, in an alleyway off Dizengof Street, Tel Aviv.

Park Ra'anana

2011-04-25T04:02:00.000-04:00

This is where I grew up.

In nature

2011-04-24T09:02:00.003-04:00

RA'ANANA, Israel (April 20, 2011)-- Amnon Yosting has been taking care of a 150-year-old bonsai tree for the last 25 years. Yosting usually meditates in front of his trees until he connects with the spirit of the tree. He says that every tree has a personality and energy, which he strives to connect to. "You sit and the vision emerges," he said.

Yosting is seen here during the Flower and Garden Design Exhibition in Ra'anana, the first of its kind in Israel.

Between flights

2011-04-22T16:40:00.002-04:00

Paris-- April 16, 2011

Had a few hours to walk around in Paris on my way to Israel.

School is done, and I finished my three-week internship with the Ottawa Citizen. I am spending the next few weeks in Israel before returning to Canada for a formal graduation from Loyalist College, a dear friend's much anticipated wedding, and whatever other opportunities arise.
Life is exciting.
Photos from Israel will be added soon!

Pink

2011-04-15T13:31:00.000-04:00

OTTAWA, ONT., APRIL 13, 2011-- Mayor Jim Watson is swarmed by young fans at the Cedarview Middle School after students and staff took part in a flash mob dance in the school's gymnasium to speak up against bullying, racism, and homophobia on the International Day of Pink.

(HADAS PARUSH - OTTAWA CITIZEN)

Sand Point Flood

2011-04-14T01:50:00.001-04:00

ARNPRIOR, ONT., APRIL 11, 2011-- Sand Point resident, Steve Anderson, explains how the rainstorm which hit the Ottawa Region Monday morning has turned the normally quiet stream by his house into a heavier flowing stream causing more corrosion to the ground beneath an unused railway which lies between the main road and his house on the river. Anderson is concerned that the flooding will become worse and for the second time since a rainstorm hit the area in July 2009, he will have to evacuate his home in order to make repairs for further possible infrastructure damages.

(HADAS PARUSH - OTTAWA CITIZEN)

Watch video HERE

Food and the Environment

2011-04-12T00:57:00.003-04:00

OTTAWA, ONT., APRIL 8, 2011-- Chef Kyle Christofferson with his competition fiddlehead dish in Luxe Bistro in the ByWard Market. (Hadas Parush - Ottawa Citizen)

OTTAWA, ONT., APRIL 8, 2011-- Angela Griffiths is surrounded by green-labeled household cleaners. Griffiths works for TerraChoice, a company that manages the EgoLogo Program, which certifies certain products as environmentally friendly. (Hadas Parush - Ottawa Citizen)

National Theatre School of Canada's 50th

2011-04-09T00:36:00.005-04:00

OTTAWA, ONT., APRIL 6, 2011-- Ishan Dave, graduating from the English acting class in the National Theatre School of Canada, performs in an event celebrating the school's 50th anniversary with His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston at Rideau Hall, Wednesday, April 6, 2011.

(HADAS PARUSH - OTTAWA CITIZEN)

OTTAWA, ONT., APRIL 6, 2011-- Hugh Portman, right, entertains the Governor General, David Johnston, left, who hosted a reception to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Theatre School of Canada. Students gave a performance in both French and English at Rideau Hall, Wednesday, April 6, 2011.

(HADAS PARUSH - OTTAWA CITIZEN)

Video on ottawacitizen.com

A1

2011-04-07T09:09:00.001-04:00

OTTAWA, ONT., APRIL 05, 2011-- Ottawa residents were invited to an open house meeting at City Hall and at the Manotick Arena to examine the new proposal for a bi-weekly garbage pickup. There were around thirty residents in attendance in either location that came to view the changes and ask questions of present city officials. (HADAS PARUSH - OTTAWA CITIZEN)

Fenix 1

2011-04-04T15:32:00.000-04:00

OTTAWA, ONT., MARCH 30, 2011-- His Excellency Roberto Ibarra Garcia, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to Canada, stands in front of the Fenix 1 capsule used in the rescue of thirty-three miners at the San Jose Mine in Copiapo, Chile, in Oct. 2010, during the inauguration of its display in the Canada Science and Technology Museum.

(HADAS PARUSH-- OTTAWA CITIZEN)

Kerri and Abby

2011-04-04T15:28:00.000-04:00

OTTAWA, ONT., MARCH 30, 2011-- Kerri Young is being sued by the Ottawa Humane Society for animal neglect after she and her husband Ian brought Abby, their Black Lab following an accident the pet had on the ice. Young said she had no way of knowing the severity of her dog's condition and is being accused of waiting too long before bringing her in for treatment.

(HADAS PARUSH-- OTTAWA CITIZEN)

Hello City Front,

Carleton University Student Protest

2011-03-31T09:34:00.000-04:00

OTTAWA, ONT., MARCH 29, 2011-- Hundreds of students at Carleton University protest in the campus Robertson Hall building in response to being locked out of a meeting of the Board of Governors. Students were protesting the Board's refusal of a student motion on divesting from weapons manufacturers as well as the Board's vote to raise tuition fees. The Board meeting was cancelled due to the demonstration.

(HADAS PARUSH-- OTTAWA CITIZEN)

Court

2011-03-31T09:25:00.001-04:00

OTTAWA, ONT., MARCH 25, 2011-- Doug Macklem speaks to media outside the Ottawa Courthouse after callgirl Darquise Johnson was sentenced to 4 years in prison for defrauding the disabled Ottawa man of $850,000 on Friday, March 25, 2011. Macklem said he was relieved to reach the end of the case and believes that justice has been served.

(HADAS PARUSH-- OTTAWA CITIZEN)

Shadowing

2011-03-31T09:15:00.000-04:00

Shooting with Ottawa Citizen staff photographer, Bruno Schlumberger, has reminded me what photography is all about: light.

Opera Lyra Ottawa - Lucia di Lammermoor

2011-03-28T09:48:00.004-04:00

OTTAWA, ONT., MARCH 24, 2011 -- Lyubov Petrova, as Lucia in the opera, Lucia di Lammermoor. The Russian soprano will make her first Canadian performance in the opera by Gaetano Donizetti. The Opera Lyra Ottawa had a full dress rehearsal at the National Arts Center on Thursday, March 24, 2011.
(HADAS PARUSH-- OTTAWA CITIZEN)

More photos and review of the opera HERE on the Ottawa Citizen website.

Grete Hale

2011-03-12T15:17:00.001-05:00

OTTAWA, Ont. (01/03/11)-- Grete Hale, 81, stands in the drawing room of the 183-year-old house, which she grew up in. The Bayne-Morrison house that is Hale's home is the oldest inhabited house in Ottawa, just one of the things that make her a notable figure in Canadian society. Hale is chairman of her father's company Morrison Lamothe Foods Inc., is most famed for her volunteer work, and is a board member of about 20 charitable organizations. She also welcomes hundreds of groups in her home for their fundraising events. Her most recent contribution, a book she wrote in her 80th year about her life experiences and encounters, Baker's Daughter: The Story of a long, rich, and very Canadian life, the proceeds of which all go to the Ottawa-based foundation CANHAVE Children's Centre, helping educate youth in Uganda. “The last thing my wonderful 89-year-old father has said when he was dying upstairs on his deathbed, he said to my sisters and I, ‘all I ask of you is that you be contributors.’ Isn’t that a wonderful thing for a father to say to his children?” Hale said in an interview on Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Photo by Hadas Parush.

International Women's Day

2011-03-08T18:33:00.002-05:00

Staff class photo for International Women's Day. I had to photograph a teenage young adult female.

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (08/03/11)-- Stephanie Reid, 16, of Waterloo, Ontario, is in her first year at the Quinte Ballet School of Canada, but has been a ballet dancer since she was 3 years old. She said she is very much a typical teenager, likes to hang out with friends and be energetic. Besides dancing, Stephanie is into sports such as soccer and is a big hockey fan.

And there was a march.

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (08/03/11)-- Elissa Robertson, 17, of Belleville, Ontario, marches among other women with signs on Pinnacle Street in downtown Belleville for the 100th International Women's Day, Tuesday, March 8, 2011. Robertson came to the march with her mother who works at the Three Oaks Foundation women’s shelter in Belleville. "I think it's tough for everyone at this age, but women have different pressures put on them, and I don't think that's fair," she said. Robertson hopes to go into police foundation studies when she graduates high school.

Rick Ball

2011-03-06T23:11:00.002-05:00

February 27, 2011

Rick Ball, of Orillia, Ontario, is the world's fastest single-leg amputee marathon runner.

Rick lost his left leg in a motorcycle accident in 1986. He began long distance running in 2007.

He is currently training to compete as a sprint runner at the 2012 Paralympic Games.

Bulls 1,000th Home Game

2011-03-01T18:43:00.001-05:00

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (16/02/11)-- Johnny Wilson is locally known as the Cymbal Man. Wilson was voted as the best fan of the year last year. He comes to almost every Bulls game and plays his marching band cymbals at every goal. “Win or lose, I’m behind them,” Wilson said during the Bulls’ 1000th home game Wednesday night against the Ottawa 67’s.

Candle light vigil

2011-03-01T18:34:00.002-05:00

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (11/02/11)-- Brett Cartmill is among the hundreds who gathered Friday night, Feb. 11, 2011, in memory of Alex Brooks, whose body was found Feb. 5, beside the Via train station, in Belleville. Cartmill has known Brooks for a few years, he said. "He's a really good friend, he's loved by everybody."

Highway 62

2011-02-21T20:58:00.002-05:00

is Mennonite country

January 28, 2011
Somewhere between Belleville and Madoc

Crazzy Dave

2011-02-19T13:46:00.002-05:00

OTTAWA, Ont. (06/02/11)-- Dave Dessler, locally known as Crazzy Dave, in his apartment at the La Fayette in the Byward Market. Dessler spent three years living on the streets of the Market area, and supported himself by selling poetry, which he wrote on pieces of cardboard paper. Ontario Works helped Dessler get off the streets and get this apartment in which he has been living for over a year now. He recently acquired a computer and is now taking courses in Algonquin College for computer software, along with digitizing his creative writing. Dessler will have his own art show this summer at La Petite Mort Gallery in Ottawa.

Hopes for Egypt

2011-02-16T16:32:00.002-05:00

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (01/02/11)-- Muhammad Saleh in his convenient store, on Bridge street West. Saleh was kicked out of Egypt shortly after he completed his university studies in Cairo. After being kicked out of Egypt and jailed for days in Jordan for reasons he still does not understand, he moved to Edmonton, Alta., before settling down in Belleville. Saleh said the people of Egypt have woken up and he hopes Mubarak will step down so that freedom and democracy can finally take his place.

My full story on our college newspaper, the Pioneer

Joys of Winter

2011-02-16T15:58:00.003-05:00

Small Pond Arts

2011-02-13T14:22:00.004-05:00

PICTON, Ont. (29/01/11)-- Mile Murtanovski and Krista Dalby moved to Picton last year to create an artists' playground. Their home, Small Pond Arts, is now a gallery, studio, and artists' residence. On their property, they host the Festival of the Stick, a music festival, shadow puppetry show, and other events around spring and summer time. "Moving here was the best long term decision we made," Mile said. Krista said "one of my dreams of coming here was creating our own universe and inviting people to come play with us in our universe."

One Man Marathon

2011-02-06T17:14:00.001-05:00

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (28/01/11)-- Gordon Smith stretches before going on a run along highway 62 from Belleville to Madoc on Friday, January 28, 2011. Smith took on the 43 km marathon distance run, to raise awareness and promote the idea that fitness goals can be accomplished without the blanket of an organization, but through a community initiative.

Small Business Owner

2011-02-05T15:02:00.000-05:00

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (11/01/11)-- Jane Nicol owns The Village Shoppe and Bridal Salon on 286 Front Street, Belleville, Ontario. Nicol has owned the business since 1987 when she took it off her mother's hands. Nicol said she had wanted to take over the business but did not want it that early, but her mother's sickness made it necessary. Despite having to work many hours, the perks about having your own business, Nicol says, is that you have wonderful customers and make a lot of really great friendships.

Almost there

2011-02-04T16:14:00.003-05:00

With less than two months left in this crazy little town, here's a quick tour.

A Sunday morning, downtown Belleville from my window.

Saturday Farmers' Market

Regent Theatre, Picton

Bridge St. East

Backs of downtown buildings along the Moira River path

City Hall

NYC + Snow

2011-01-17T21:31:00.000-05:00

South Street Sea Port, Lower Manhattan

5Pointz, Brooklyn

Central Park

New York Scenes

2011-01-16T17:39:00.001-05:00

Embrace More Colours

2011-01-16T16:39:00.001-05:00

Maayan Tzuriel
New York City, December 2010.

Ground Zero

2011-01-13T21:23:00.002-05:00

MANHATTAN, NY (26/12/10)-- Visitors look down at Ground Zero from the lobby of the American Express headquarters at the World Financial Center across the street from the World Trade Center site. A new memorial ground is being built on the site of each of the twin towers as well as a museum commemmorating the attack on the World Trade Center buildings.

New York Kiss

2011-01-12T20:58:00.000-05:00

A recreation of the famous New York Kiss photograph in Times Square
Dec. 25, 2010.

For a bus full of tourists.

Bell Capital Cup

2011-01-01T22:22:00.000-05:00

Im slow on the edit of New York photos but I have a good reason for that: why, it's the Bell Capital Cup!
Thousands of 9-10 year old boys and girls from around the world convene in several rinks all over Ottawa for the good old hockey game.
For me, it means some freelance work with the Ottawa Sun and a 5-day hockey shooting marathon. Today was day #3. The coaches already lost their voices. Only two more days to go!

Back from NYC

2010-12-29T23:36:00.001-05:00

It's been a while since I have updated my dear old blog. After the end of semester crunch, I took the very next train to New York City and had the best possible vacation I could ask for. The city was fantastic and beautiful, with everyone in good holiday spirits. Can't blame them. It was Christmas time and spending money can be fun after all. I tried to avoid the retail crowds while still enjoying everything the City and it's surroundings had to offer.

Here is a taste, always more to come.

December 21, 2010-- Coney Island in the winter.

Mr. Bridge

2010-11-30T12:40:00.001-05:00

Nov. 13, 2010 - Belleville, Ontario

More from my story about Mr. Alan Bridge.

Alan Bridge pauses to determine what the object is that he is holding while searching for something lost in the piles of objects that clutter his house on Moira Street West, Belleville, Ontario. Bridge has been collecting and accumulating objects for sale since his wife passed away in 1989. Although he admits it was a misguided business attempt, Bridge resists throwing anything out and still hopes, at the age of 84, that by Spring time he will have his yard sale again.

Stuff

2010-11-29T14:11:00.000-05:00

Nov. 2010 - Belleville, Ont.

Story in progress, things around Alan Bridge's house.

Belleville vs Sarnia

2010-11-26T16:46:00.001-05:00

Bjorn Krupp and Brett Mackie of the Belleville Bulls and Tyler Peters of Sarnia Sting struggle over the puck on Saturday, November 13, 2010. Belleville lost to Sarnia in a home game with a score of 3-2.

Bulls right wing player, Luke Judson, falls on his back as Sarnia Sting player, Daniel Broussard moved the puck while Brandon Hope guards the net. The Bulls lost to Sting in a home game with a score of 3-2 on Saturday, Novermber 13, 2010.

Then & Now

2010-11-18T20:58:00.002-05:00

Rideau Canal Locks, Ottawa

"Interprovincial Bridge showing Post Office & Locks [on the Rideau Canal]." 1901. From National Library and Archives collection.

OTTAWA, Ont. (28/10/10)-- Rideau Canal Locks with bridge to Quebec over the Ottawa River. The locks are opened more often this time of year, as the boats are taken off the water and the canal water levels are adjusted to accomodate winter skating.

The Weather

2010-11-16T23:08:00.001-05:00

TORONTO, Ont. (09/10/10)-- Steve Polanski, from Toronto, comes to the Beaches to fly his kite anytime there is a good wind. Today, he says, is an unexpectedly wonderful day. "Here we are in October, and I'm wearing a t-shirt and shorts." Polanski calls the Beaches his playground, where he has been flying his kite for about 18 years.

OTTAWA, Ont. (10/10/10)-- Dan [no last name], from Ottawa, stretches after a swim in the Ottawa River, at Britannia Beach, on Sunday, October 10, 2010. The water is very cold, he says, but once you get used to it then it's fine. Dan swims at the beach from mid May to mid October, and the water usually gets really cold around mid September, when tempratures drop to zero over night.

OTTAWA, Ont. (28/10/10)-- Despite the cold and strong wind, Robert Page went out to do his work out on Major's Hill Park, on Thursday, October 28, 2010.

Great Glebe Pumpkin Patch

2010-11-15T00:23:00.002-05:00

OTTAWA, Ont. (30/10/10)-- Emily Abbott gets her face painted at the Great Glebe Pumpkin Patch, a Halloween party in the Glebe community center on Saturday, October 30, 2010. Photo by Hadas Parush/Metroland Media-Ottawa Region.

OTTAWA, Ont. (30/10/10)-- Lev Zucharov-Gluck, 4, takes part in the cookie decoration table, just one of the many activities for kids during the Great Glebe Pumpkin Patch. Photo by Hadas Parush/Metroland Media-Ottawa

OTTAWA, Ont. (30/10/10)-- Ronan Chassin waits to get her face painted during the Great Glebe Pumpkin Patch. Photo by Hadas Parush/Metroland Media-Ottawa

Mayor Elect

2010-11-14T23:58:00.000-05:00

OTTAWA, Ont. (28/10/10)-- Mayor Elect, Jim Watson, speaks during the one-year anniversary celebration of the Royalton Retirement Residence in Kanata on Thursday, October 28, 2010. This was his first publc appearance as Mayor Elect of the City of Ottawa. Photo by Hadas Parush/Metroland Media-Ottawa Region.

Ottawa Elections

2010-11-14T23:54:00.000-05:00

OTTAWA, Ont. (25/10/10)-- Doug Thompson hugs his step daughter, Angela, in his home after being assured by the radio announcement of his reelection to council with over 60 percent of votes in the City of Ottawa elections on Monday, October 25, 2010. Photo by Hadas Parush/Metroland Media - Ottawa Region.

Camera, lights, sports action!

2010-10-31T22:54:00.001-04:00

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (02/10/10)-- Loyalist's Nancy Castillo tries to stop Alora Griffiths from the Humber team. Loyalist lost to Humber in a home game with a score of 10-0 on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010.

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (03/10/10)-- Goal tender, Lisa Hill, is prepared to block the ball while team member tackles another player from La Cite. Loyalist lost the game in a score of 3-0 on Sunday, October 3, 2010.

Breaking News

2010-10-29T22:45:00.000-04:00

Belleville, Ontario
Monday, October 18, 2010
Former airbase commander, Russell Williams, pleads guilty to all charges.
This was a regular scene all week on Pinnacle street.

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (18/10/10)-- Reporters, photographers, and videographers stand outside the Belleville courthouse during Russell Williams' court hearing where he pleaded guilty on all charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of sexual assault and forcible confinement and a string of 82 break-ins.

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (18/10/10)-- Andrew Lloyd answers questions about the court hearing in which Russell Williams pleaded guilty to all charges including the first degree murder of Lloyd's sister, Jessica. Photo by Hadas Parush.

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (18/10/10)-- Belleville chief of police, Cory McMullan, steps out of the courthouse on Pinnacle Street, Belleville, while the Russell Williams court hearing takes a break after Williams pleaded guilty on all counts on Monday, October 18, 2010. Photo by Hadas Parush.

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (18/10/10)-- A lady walking by on Pinnacle Street, Belleville, stops to take a picture of the overwhelming number of media representatives outside the Belleville courthouse on Monday, October 18, 2010, during Russell Williams hearing where he pleaded guilty on all charges. Photo by Hadas Parush.

An Update, or In Search for Enlightened Words

2010-10-16T20:23:00.001-04:00

October 16, 2010-- Belleville, Ontario

In order to "give a meaning" to the world, one has to feel oneself involved in what one frames through the viewfinder.

-- Henri Cartier-Bresson.

I have great assignments. The particular one I wish to address here is exactly what I am doing right now: a blog entry, for my web design and portfolio class.
I am required to make an entry that somehow defines me as a photographer or journalist.

While I would love to make some inspiring and enlightened statements about what makes me "tick" as a photojournalist, I'm not sure I am quite there yet. This is but one of many many blog entries of my continual growth as a photojournalist.

I came a long way from my first post on this blog. My purpose in creating it was so that I would continue to shoot on a regular basis with the need to update my blog serving as a continuous drive to keep shooting and bettering myself every time.
Im happy to say that I think I have been pretty successful in fulfilling that goal. I managed to remind myself why I do what I do, and it made me re-fall in love with my greatest passion. And, somewhere along the way, I gained greater confidence as well as a sense of professionalism as a photographer and photojournalist.

So, having somewhat recovered from the initial rush of back-to-school, here is some self-reflection.

We are social creatures, but I think we build so many walls around us that we tend stop ourselves from engaging, when we could potentially be discovering entire worlds we never dared to learn about. Photography serves as my connection to these worlds; to people and their stories.

If there is one thing that truly drives me as a photojournalist, it is the potential of opportunity behind every moment. "Tick."

Sense of Belonging

2010-10-12T12:40:00.005-04:00

Sense of Belonging is the first project we had this semester for Documentary Photography class. The assignment was to find and photograph 5 people who belong to one group in some way.
I did mine on men with long hair.

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (06/10/10)-- After 18 years working in the fire deprtment in Toronto, Glenn Mifsud decided to follow his own story and create his own, different narrative. He built a bed and breakfast in Prince Edward County and it became a still point yoga retreat. Two years ago Glenn opened up the Tenth Ox yoga studio on Front Street, Belleville, and has now been teaching yoga for 18 years.

He has had his hair long before he served in the fire department and let it grow again after he left it.

"Then, as a sign of freedom, I didnt shave or cut my hair when I was building the bed and breakfast, as kind of symbolic of a new beginning. It was just the way we expressed our freedom, although I could argue it's another form of conformity with the 60's. That's the way it was when I was a child."

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (05/10/10)-- Peter Paylor is a wood carver and sells his pieces in the Belleville Farmers' Market.

"I had long hair since I was a teenager in the 70's. I stopped when I got married. I don't pay much attention to my hair so if someone is not there to tell me to cut it then I don't. It just feels more natural to me, it just feels like me."

"January 2, 2009, was the last time I got a haircut, and I remember that because that was the day before my father's funeral and I got my hair cut for the funeral. I just remember they were closed January 1st."

"One of my professors from university always used to say he was 19 years old when his identity was formed and the person that was inside him is still 19. So I think it has something to do with that. I had long hair as a teenager, the last time I had identified myself for myself as opposed to identifying myself for the world and letting a job, family, and my responsibilities identify me."

Sia

2010-10-10T20:53:00.000-04:00

Sept. 27, 2010-- Belleville, Ontario

Sia is a jewelry maker and artist, and sells her work in the Belleville Farmers' Market. She makes her jewelry out of material she finds and reuses, such as old tires and wires. Sia has always recycled and always made things for herself. She let go of her house and her car and hopes to find a house which she would share with a group of friends who share her philosophy of communal living.

Drag

2010-10-06T18:18:00.003-04:00

Sept. 26, 2010-- Ottawa

Jade London, Drag Show performer

Zelda Marshall, The Lookout Bar Drag Show, back stage.

This October will be Zelda Marshall's ninth anniversary of her first debut as a drag queen. Besides getting in touch with her feminine side, Zelda always had an interest in theatre and dance, so drag offered her a synthesis of all her interests. She enjoys performing in drag shows and gets to learn a lot about female fashion and beauty where she finds drag queens are able to make themselves just as beautiful as other girls with simple cosmetic skills. This shows, Zelda says, what a false and superficial nature of beauty the cosmetic industry is trying to sell us.

Orchards

2010-10-04T19:40:00.001-04:00

It's good to get away from assignments once in a while.

Sept. 23, 2010-- Carrying Place, Ontario
Campbell's Orchards

Demo Derby Close Up

2010-09-28T22:06:00.000-04:00

A possible future story, but for now just some images from a few hours I spent following this driver around in the Kingston Fall Fair Demolition Derby.

KINGSTON, Ont. (19/09/10)-- Josh Lambert, of Tamworth, Ontario, gets help from his friends fixing up his car in between rounds in the Kingston Fall Fair Demolition Derby on Sunday. Lambert has been competing as a Demo Derby driver for about 9 years since he was 15 years old. He and his friends got into demo derby driving since a young age out of the boredom of living in a small town, and because "where else can you legally run into someone?" says Lambert jokingly.

Feature Hunting

2010-09-22T21:04:00.000-04:00

The first assignment - to find a Feature photo - made for a very fun shooting weekend in and around Belleville, and definitely a good way to start what is already shaping up to be an intensive and busy semester!

Port Hope, Ontario - September 17, 2010
Port Hope Fair

Sherry Spragge, professional truck driver, ran the Candy World vendor at the fair.

Justin Holdaway, flag boy for the tractor pull contest at the Port Hope Fair.

Loyalist College, Belleville - September 18, 2010

Loyalist vs. Fleming Rugby

Bay Bridge, Belleville - September 18, 2010

Zwicks Park East, Belleville - September 19, 2010

Early Morning

Kingston Fall Fair - September 19, 2010

The Kingston Fall Fair Demolition Derby

Jeff Ackerman got his car on fire during his third ever demo derby and his first year competing

Car on fire = excitement and jubilation

Welcome back to Belleville

2010-09-13T16:34:00.000-04:00

Back for second year Photojournalism at Loyalist College.

September 12, 2010-- Belleville, ON

My apartment, so far:

Kiwanis Idol

2010-09-11T23:23:00.006-04:00

September 5, 2010-- Ottawa, Ontario
Annual Kiwanis Idol competition in Place D'Orleans Mall.
Freelancing for the Ottawa Region Media Group / Metroland.

Front Page :)

Carleton Ravens vs Cincinnati Bearcats

2010-09-09T12:27:00.001-04:00

September 4, 2010-- Ottawa, Ontario
Some recent freelance work I did for the Ottawa Sun.
The Carleton University Ravens were "mauled" by the University of Cincinnati Bearcats in an 87-70 loss on Saturday, Sept. 4, in Scotiabank Place, Ottawa.

In the Sunday, Sept. 5 paper:

Some other shots from the game,

Super Ex 2010

2010-09-06T03:29:00.000-04:00

August 29, 2010-- Ottawa
The annual Super Ex at Lansdowne Park, last in that location.

The Ex also featured a Demolition Derby this year:

Capital Pride

2010-08-31T20:30:00.000-04:00

August 29, 2010-- Ottawa, Ontario
Pride Week in Ottawa comes to an end with a parade from Parliament to City Hall.

Notable

2010-08-31T20:23:00.000-04:00

Ed Broadbent, former NDP leader, longtime MP, and former head of the International Center for Human Rights and Democratic Development.
"How is life out of politics?"
- "It's great!"
August 27, 2010-- Ottawa, Ontario

Flag Football

2010-08-15T16:05:00.000-04:00

August 14, 2010-- Carleton University and the RA Center, Ottawa
Flag Football World Championships, held in Ottawa, August 11-15.