Black Jack tournament at Stratosphere Casino

I shot a Black Jack tournament at the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel and Tower here is Las Vegas. Here are a few photos from that event. It was my first Black Jack tournament. I have shot many Poker and Slot tournaments. The big winner walked away with $15,000.00.

New Camaro's at Henderson Chevrolet

Yesterday morning as when to Henderson Chevrolet to shoot the new Camaro's. They are one of my favorite retro muscle cars. I spend a few hours shooting their Camaro's both inside and out side at the Dealership.

The center Camaro is a Neiman Marcus edition selling for $75,000.00

 

Indy 500 edition

Last Shuttle launch

I watched the final space shuttle launch of the Atlantis yesterday morning with my father and my wife. I cheered as the massive ship lifted off the pad headed to the stars, I scared the cats. I could not help to reflect back 30 years ago to April 12th 1981 sitting in the family room in Ceres California with my father, mother and great aunt Grace (84 years old) watching the count down to the launch of the first Space Shuttle Columbia. That day as well I cheered along with everyone that was watching that day as we watched in excitement as that massive ship moved off of the pad heading to space. I had grown up watch the Apollo Saturn 5 rockets launches but the seemed not to compare with the huge Space Shuttle with fuel tank and booster rockets. My great aunt Grace moved from Wisconsin to Iowa in a covered wagon. She lived to see man on the moon and the Space Shuttle launch.as the Shuttle

I have been a huge NASA fan since Neil Armstrong first stepped on to the moon, I have suffered through the two Space Shuttle disasters taking the lives of 13 astronauts and one civilian and wondering was the price to high for the loss of life for the knowledge that we gained in exchange. I know that in the history of exploration there have been loss of life by those willing to take the voyage with out a second thought and going forward as mankind continues to explore where we have never been, there will be men paying the ultimate price to gain that knowledge.

Part of me is sad with the of the Space Shuttle program but another part is excited what the future will bring as mankind continues to reach for the stars. Next stop Mars.

Wed at car show

On April 23 of this year I was covering the Rat City Rukkas Car and Bike Show help at the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel and Tower when I was informed that later in the afternoon there will be a wedding ceremony taking place. The couple Alexis Alvarez (Bloomington, CA) and Matthew Wimberley (Yucaipa, CA) attend last years car show and liked the show so much they wanted to be married at this years event.

Bride Alexis Alvarez (Bloomington, CA) and Groom Matthew Wimberley (Yucaipa, CA) are about to get hitched by ordained Minister James (Checker Jim) Marquez and car club member.

Bride Alexis Alvarez (Bloomington, CA) and Groom Matthew Wimberley (Yucaipa, CA)  exchange rings during the wedding ceremony 

Newly married Bride Alexis Alvarez (Bloomington, CA) and Groom Matthew Wimberley (Yucaipa, CA)  kiss after ordained Minister James (Checker Jim) Marquez says those famous words “You may kiss the bride".

Dream Car 1957 Chevy Belair

I was driving around Las Vegas and came across this unique car rental shop with rented classic cars including one of my dream cars. A 1957 Chevy Belair. I love this because of the chrome, classic lines and can not forget the fins. This car embraces all what is great about the 1950's.

Manteca Rodeo 1993

A few rodeo photos from my days at the Manteca Bulletin covering The Manteca Rodeo in 1993. I always loved shooting rodeos. I hope in the near future to shoot the NFR here in Las Vegas Nevada.

Las Vegas 51's

I photographed the Las Vegas 51's AAA baseball club vs. Tacoma here in Las Vegas last Sunday their last day at home game. Final score 9 to 4 Tacoma

John Force Racing Headquarters

Last year I attended the bJohn Force Holiday Car Show at his Yorba Linda Shop Headquarters. I did the tour of the shop, below are a few shots from that tour.

Rodney L. Ritter 1939 - 2011

I have been putting this off for a week now. I can not put it off any longer. I need to put my feelings down as words on a page to help verbalize how I felt about my Uncle Rod. I have a million stories and memories of my Uncle. First let me say that Rod was my mothers brother and only sibling. From when I was in high school to now I have felt that Rod was more like a older brother than an uncle. I was living in Ceres California during most of those years we always made trips together when he would come up from LA to visit like San Francisco, Sornora, Stockton destination did not matter since we both loved the road trip. He had allot of influence in my life like Western wear, Pick-Up trucks and county music. He was the best man at my first wedding and he attended my wedding with my present wife. He also attended my high school graduation at Ceres High School.I have always looked up to Rod and I would like to think he helped shape the person that I am today. I am thinking back to the last trip we made which was to Oatman Arizona to see the Burros. It was a great trip. We stopped at a local hotel casino on the way up RailRoad Pass Hotel Casino to have breakfast. There was a waitress that was flirting big time with Rod and Everyone who knows my uncle he was flirting right back. Let me take these final sentences to describe Rod he was a real life Sam Malone (Cheers) spending hours to do his hair and had a 1968 California Special Mustang (no Vet) that was his chick magnet. There was his two favorite songs with he thought summed him up first one Mac Davis - Its hard to be humble and second Jimmy Buffet - Margaritaville. I am listening to both song as I write this, helping turn my tears to a smile. I have more to say about my Favorite uncle, brother, best man, Father, great grandfather. I know he is now united with his sister and both of his parents. Uncle Rod will live in my heart now and forever. Below are a couple of photos from that trip was well as a video.

Uncle Rodney loving Oatman and the Burros

Uncle Rod wanted his picture with the Route 66 sign.

More Las Vegas history gone

I stopped by the Sahara Hotel Casino during their everything must go sale. Maybe to buy a little history for myself and just wonder the property one last time and take a few pictures. I did stop by the Beatles room on the 23rd floor. I did buy about $12.00 worth of memorabilia.

I was on the 23rd floor of one of the towers at the Sahara and saw this yellow post it note.

The Burro's of Oatman Arizona

These photos are from a trip I made last October to a unique town called Oatman with is in Arizona on historical Route 66. The town is home to many wild Burros that are allowed to rome the streets looking for hand outs like carrots and alfalfa squares that you can purchase at one of the many stores located on the main street. Oatman Arizona is a great little town which feels like stepping back in history. There is a twice daily gun fight between several wild cowboys which is very entertaining. I have made several trips back to Oatman since this first one and plan several more. I recommend visiting Oatman if you are traveling near Laughlin, Nevada since Oatman is less than a hour way.

A wild burro takes a hand out.

A wild burro takes a look in to one of the many stores located on the main street.

The burro's also like to stop traffic and they they to get a snack from a driver passing by.

A burro eating a carrot that was given out by one of the many tourist visting Oatman.