Fighting back

Instructors Victoria Little, Sam Barksdale and Ryan Hoover, rear, demonstrate martial arts techniques for neutralizing an active shooter on Thursday January 10, 2013 at Ryan Hoover's Extreme Karate in Gastonia. Hoover is now offering classes for educators to prepare for an active shooter situation on campus. 

I'd like to state for the record, this was a fun assignment. 

This local martial arts school is offering classes just for teachers and other school employees to learn how to neutralize an active shooter on campus, which, if you don't mind me sharing my opinion, is a much better idea than arming custodians as one Ohio school board just voted to do. 

I had the time, so I went ahead and set up some studio lights, which was really necessary, since the place was darker than a coal miner's backside. I seem to get good portrait and studio assignments less and less these days, so I always value the opportunity to pull that gear out when I can. 

It didn't hurt that the instructors were perfectly cast for their parts; just look at the face on Sam Barksdale (the bad guy) in the bottom picture! 

Welcoming 2013 with a bang

The Cherryville New Years Shooters conclude their shooting tour of the town at Cherryville's football stadium on Tuesday January 1, 2013.

Mark Britton holds a flashlight on Matt Friedell, from left, Spence Houser and a woman who's name could not be confirmed while another friend takes pictures as the Cherryville New Years Shooters conclude their shooting tour of the town at Cherryville's football stadium on Tuesday January 1, 2013. Houser injuried his trigger finger during the day of musket shooting.

Smoke and flames burst from the barrel of Perry Franklin's musket as the Cherryville New Years Shooters conclude their shooting tour of the town at Cherryville's football stadium on Tuesday January 1, 2013.

Panthers vs Raiders

Carolina cornerback James Dockery, right, breaks up a pass intended for Oakland receiver Rod Streater in the second hald during the NFL game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sunday December 23, 2012. 

Carolina receiver Louis Murphy, right, congratulates Steve Smith after he caught a touchdown pass in the first half. 

Oakland linebacker Miles Burris, left, breaks up, and nearly intercepts, a pass intended for Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams. 

Oakland quarterback Matt Leinart throws a pass to running back Mike Goodson. 

Ink

Photo of local woman Kayla Coley for a story about people with tattoos being discriminated against when applying for jobs. 

Holiday lights

Oliver Lara-Bennett, 1, plays with light-up snowmen and penguin figures in McAdenville on Tuesday December 4, 2012.

Holiday lights decorate Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, above and below, on Thursday December 6, 2012.

East Lincoln, 2A State Champions

Tarboro defensive back Aaron Moore, left, breaks up a pass intended for East Lincoln receiver Jesse Earnhardt in the end zone during the NCHSAA 2A state championship game at Wake Forest University on Saturday December 1, 2012.

East Lincoln receiver Tyler Brock reacts after catching a touchdown pass in the second half during the championship game.

East Lincoln receiver Jesse Earnhardt outruns a host of Tarboro defenders.

East Lincoln receiver Jesse Earnhardt catches a pass as Tarboro defensive back Najee Brown takes a tumble.

Jack Rhodes congratulates his son, East Lincoln linebacker Justin Rhodes, after they defeated Tarboro.

East Lincoln running back Marquis Pharr dives into the endzone past Tarboro defenders Radja Bobbitt, left, and Quentin Roberson.

Football Highlights 2012

Cherryville defenders Darius Harris, left, and Ryar Davis attempt to intercept a pass intended for Bessemer City's Asante Sanders during the game at Bessemer City on Friday September 21, 2012. The pass was incomplete.

South Point fans cheer the Red Raiders during the game at Ashbrook on Friday September 28, 2012. 

Crest defensive back Michael Smith attempts to block an extra point attempt from South Point kicker Aaron Camp, with Diontrea King holding, during the game at South Point on Friday November 9, 2012. The kick was good, but Smith was able to successfully block an extra point attempt later in the game.

Ashbrook students do the wave as Assael Mendoza runs by with an Ashbrook flag during the game against South Point at Ashbrook on Friday September 28, 2012.

South Point fan Drew Sprinkle, 7, does his signature dance move, the 'Sprinkler,' during the game against Crest at South Point on Friday November 9, 2012.

Nothing to do but watch

The driver of a Toyota pickup truck, who declined to be identified, watches the vehicle burn on the side of Southbound U.S. 321 near the Hardin Road exit on Sunday November 25, 2012. The man pulled over and helped his two children and their mother out of the smoking truck before it became engulfed in flames.