Colorado Rockies 20th Anniversary Opening Day

Rockies fans of all ages piled into Coors Field on Friday, April 5, 2013, to celebrate opening day of the Colorado Rockies 20^th season. Purple shirts, purple ball caps, and even purple mohawks were seen amongst the crowd on Blake St as thousands of fans awaited the opening game against the San Diego Padres. The Hazel Miller Band entertained a crowd, while baseball throwing booths lined the street. The original line-up of the 1993 Rockies players even made an appearance to celebrate 20 years of success.

The Rockies are a very young team compared to most baseball teams in America. They have had to overcome devastating losses but also have been able to celebrate outstanding wins in only two decades. On April 5, they beat the Padres 5-2, with a sea of purple cheering them on, a sea that will never cease to support their team, the Colorado Rockies.

To view more of my work visit my website www.ash-photographs.com or for more information contact ashley.hattle@gmail.com 

Estrella Del Norte Vineyard in Santa Fe, New Mexico

A few miles north of Santa Fe lies Estrella Del Norte Vineyard, a quaint winery with a rich taste.  Richard and Eileen Reinders opened Estrella Del Norte in 2007 and have enjoyed the "fruits of their labor" ever since. A few months ago Valynne Bernetich of Portland, Oregan joined their team.  On Friday April 12, 2013, as part of my social documentary class, I was lucky enough to meet Richard, Eileen and Valynne.  My fellow photojournalists, Jennifer Sasser and Angela Johnson, and I also got to taste the plethora of wines they offer! 

PHOTOS NOT FOR SALE.

To view more of my photos please visit my website www.ash-photographs.com or email ashley.hattle@gmail.com for more information.

The 1980 Riot at Old Main State Penitentiary in Santa Fe, New Mexico

I have been lucky enough to be in Santa Fe, New Mexico this week for a Social Documentary class.  On Thursday I accompanied the journalist Angela Jackson to Old Main State Penitentiary where 33 people were slain during a riot in 1980. It was a great experience...and a little creepy too!

A chain hangs loose on the main corridor gates of Old Main State Penitentiary in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The corridor stands empty but in 1980 1,156 inmates shuffled through these halls.

The control room of Old Main State Penitentiary stands disheveled and dusty after being vacant for 15 years. During the 1980 prison riot it took a mere 15 minutes for prisoners to take over this control room after escaping from the medical infirmary.

This original cell block sits untouched after the 1980 riots. This block was built to hold 50 inmates, at the time of the riot it housed 200. 

Old Main was overflowing in 1980 and this cell block housed murders with those convicted with check fraud. During the riot cell block five was closed creating more close quarters for some of the worst criminals in New Mexico.

Lt. Vincent V. Vigil stands in front of cell block two. Vigil has worked in corrections for 18 years and hopes to help Old Main become a museum. The proceeds would help the penitentiary and community.

Fence lines the balcony of cell block 3 to prevent officers from falling or being pushed by inmates through their cell bars. This fence was added after the 1980 riots when several bodies were hung from the balcony.

 

Lt. Vigil points to a burn mark on the floor of cell block three where paint has been applied multiple times only to have the burned figure re-appear. Many employees and visitors claim to have experienced supernatural phenomena in this part of the prison. 

Old Main closed its doors to prisoners in 1998 but quickly opened them for movies like The Longest Yard and All The Pretty Horses. The whispers of hauntings have brought film crews from paranormal shows also. 

Many visitors see a figure in this door. What do you see?

To view more of my work visit my website www.ash-photographs.com or for more information email me at ashley.hattle@gmail.com 

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