“I dare anyone to throw a dart at the map of America, then to go that place, and not find a story worth telling. It would be near impossible.” – Dan Webster

Dan Webster is the mastermind behind a new magazine coming out called Local: A Quarterly of People and Places. Recently, we had a chat about his upcoming endeavor as Editor-In-Chief and their first issue on Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. I have to say, I have faith in him. A concept of this scale took a massive amount of thought, planning, and participation by knowledgeable colleagues that he has pulled together to work with him.

Each issue will feature a small town, city, or community that has been generally overlooked or neglected. Local is a team of enthusiastic adventurers who are eager to tell the real story that America has to offer. They aim to create a collaborative work through talking to people, having meaningful conversations and experiences, seeking their heritage, creating images, and reversing your interest in the generalized hype of mass media just for a moment to preserve culture on a smaller scale.

I’m enthralled with every facet of the magazine. But for me as a photographer, the mere concept of photographing people sans forced agenda, with no purpose other than to portray their story and who they are is inspiring. I’m inspired by people almost everyday in little ol’ Harrisburg and I can only imagine the inspiration I would find elsewhere.

This is simple. America is more than just its large cities. It’s not just about the state you live in. It’s not just about what makes the news, pop culture, or the internet. America is about people. Local is about their story.

http://localmag.org/

Help them out during their Kickstarter this month!
Local’s Kickstarter

“Love is the only rational act.”

How do you begin to cope when you lose your brother, a son, a best friend, a mentor, a good man?  If you’re this young lady (with the help of all the people who loved him) you carry out his wishes to establish a foundation that will help children of abuse.

Kara McCaffrey is the resilient younger sister of Gary Houck Jr., who committed suicide in June of 2005.  The Kids Trust is a foundation created by her brother before he died.  It was his goal to “to help young children of abuse grow up in a safe, happy, and exciting environment.”  Every year, she helps to organize The Kids Trust Run on the Roof fundraiser at Madden Physical Therapy on Old Jonestown Road in Harrisburg.  People take turns running for 24 hours on the roof to raise money that will be donated to specific organizations dedicated to helping abused children.

This year’s Run on the Roof has already started!  Among the first runners was Jordan Hill, senior defensive tackle for Penn State football.  Jordan and his girlfriend, Kristen Mohn, along with Kara, her husband Kyle, and many others set the pace this evening for the 24 hour run.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Run on the Roof tomorrow and cheer on the runners who have donated their time and stamina to helping the foundation achieve their goals!  They have also organized food and free games for tomorrow from 10am to 1pm, so don’t be shy to bring wee people!

For more information on The Kids Trust, visit http://thekidstrust.org/

I never heard a sad song that I didn’t like.

Simon Felice was an intimate and soft spoken show at ABC.  His songs are sad, heartfelt tunes written to unburden his soul of the things he’s seen.  He seemed grateful for the audience of attentive listeners.  I was fascinated with his quiet disposition.  It commands attention in an amicable way.