Today we bury Martha Ann

Today Martha Ann, who was murdered in a drive-by shooting almost a year ago will be laid to rest next to her grandfather due to the generosity of The Detroit News readers. Since her cremation, Martha's remains have been tucked in her grandmother's linen closet due to the fact her grandmother couldn't afford to bury her.

Here's her story, which was produced last month:

At McD's with the Coon Man.

Often people ask me, both in and out of the office, what it's like to work with Charlie, one of our more enterprising reporters. It's been a mix bag, but usually ends with amazing stories and opportunities. Our last piece was on raccoon hunting with the Coon Man of Detroit. Between hunting for his lost gun and for the actual raccoon's we stopped at McD's. I was testing out a borrowed Nikon D3s and recorded this lil bit unbeknownst to the subjects.

Click here for the published story

For chair-ity

For a benefit for homeless veterans by Mercy Street, a friend/co-worker decorated a chair in a bunch of pennies (get it? "make the change"). Here's the link to the Dec. 5 event: http://www.mercy-street.com/services

Here's a photo (for those who may doubt Detroit gets magic hour):

sorry its been a while...

not just in posting, but Chicago too, found a lot of ghosts, mostly inside myself.

Untitled from Elizabeth Conley on Vimeo.

Love, faith and a piece of gum...

Before taking off for WWII and the Korean War, John would tell Annie he was just going around the block to buy some gum.

A phrase that gave her, (and maybe him too); hope, faith and peace of mind that despite being shot at and almost taken down time and again, he would return to his grade-school sweetheart. He always came home.

In February 1962, John surprised Annie with a pack of gum, for her and the kids as he left out the door to orbit the Earth. The family wasn't allowed on NASA grounds and were discouraged from watching the launch. Complications upon re-entry resulted in a NASA representative telling Annie that this time, he might not make it home.

John Glenn returned home. To this day, Annie keeps the gum wrapper in her wallet....and John at her side.

Family at the foot pedal

a very tightly edited show from the foot pedal...still think soundslide is best for this...

A quick escape...

I had a friend who would always complain about how many bags I would carry, and then how heavy just one bag would be. I would love to have the luxury of traveling light, but it is seeming less possible to do these days with video cameras, audio recorders, microphones...and nothing you want to just leave in you car. So here I am, trying to leave a hotel room 7am in one take. Had a little trouble width wise getting through the door...