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Your pet’s photo could be on AAA’s Petbook AND win prizes

: Monet was one of many cherished pets in our home. She didn't do well in a car so she never went on vacation with us.

Do you love your pet so much that you take him on vacation? If you answered “yes,” do you have some really cool or crazy photos of him taking in the sights?

Even if you don't have pet photos from past vacations, there's still time to squeeze in a trip and grab some cute photos of Fido or Tabby to enter in AAA's PetBook Photo Contest. Entry deadline is November 30, 2011.

Two winning pet photos, chosen in January 2012, will be featured on the cover and spine of the AAA PetBook, published in May 2012.

The first place winner, featured on the back cover, will receive $300, a $150 Best Western Travel Card (valid at any Best Western Worldwide), pet treats and five copies of the book. The second place winner, featured on the book's spine, will receive $150, pet treats and two copies of the book.

Check out the Photo Gallery to see who the winners and runners-up were for 2010. For information on how to submit your photo, visit AAA's PetBook Photo Contest page.

Entries are judged on such artistic qualities as photographic composition and ability to convey the joy of safely traveling with a pet. Candid compositions are preferred over posed, and studio photographs or those determined to be significantly altered will be disqualified.

What kind of pet would you enter? Do you have something unusual like a snake or frog? Please leave your comments on this post.

Good luck and let us know how you do!

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The Avengers: East 9th Street a disaster area after explosions

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The Avengers movie wreckage on East Ninth Street in Cleveland, Ohio

There was carnage all over East Ninth Street this week after several explosions rocked downtown Cleveland – rattling office windows and the nerves of the workers within. But fear not, Captain America was on the scene to restore calm.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock the past few weeks, you've heard how the filming of the latest Marvel Studios production – The Avengers – has transformed parts of Cleveland into New York City. Unfortunately, it has unintentionally brought some of New York’s traffic gridlock to the area with the closing of East Ninth Street between Prospect and Euclid Avenues. Local authorities expect that portion of the street to be closed for about a month of filming.

More "The Avengers" movie wreckage on East Ninth Street in Cleveland, Ohio — More “The Avengers” movie wreckage on East Ninth Street in Cleveland, Ohio

Nevertheless, many Cleveland area Marvel comic book fans are in “seventh heaven” as they get to see a real live action film being made in their hometown.

The Avengers is scheduled to be released in the U.S. on May 4, 2012 – about 10 days after it’s world premier in France.

Have you seen The Avengers filming in the Cleveland area? Did you snap any photos or make a video? Did you get stuck in traffic because of street closures around town? Please leave your comments on this post.

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How to make your own amazing photo book

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Ever since I wrote about publishing my Picturesque Olmsted Falls coffee table book, I've been getting TONS of e-mails asking where I had it printed. Seems like every one wants to have a gorgeous keepsake of their vacations, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries – even the adventures of family pets – including a guinea pig!

After months of online research, checking forums and talking to other photographers; I found a company – blurb.com – that makes high quality books at a very reasonable price! You can download their FREE book design software from their web site right now and begin designing your masterpiece in minutes.

Prices start at just $4.95 for a 5×8 book. They have several intermediate sizes with the largest books at 12×12 and 13×11. These books are far superior in quality to other company's that are comparably priced.

So what are you waiting for? Download your free software and create your amazing book of memories today! BONUS: Save 20% with code BLURB20 through August 31, 2011.

What would your book be about? A family vacation? A special holiday? Your son or daughter's wedding? Please share your comments here.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: https://SpectraLight.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See more photos and videos highlighting what is great about CLEveland and Northeast Ohio on our HOTonCLE website: http://HOTonCLE.com

Please subscribe to our HOTonCLE YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: http://HOTonCLE.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See the gear and software we use to create our videos and photos: http://SpectraLight.com/Gear

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Sneak peak: “Picturesque Olmsted Falls” book now at the printer

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For years, people have asked when I would publish a collection of my artistic renderings of the many notable scenes of Olmsted Falls. The wait is finally over!

Check out the book with 47 total scenes of the city. They have all been enhanced in Photoshop to look like actual paintings. It is more obvious in the printed book than what you'll see online.

What a great Christmas or birthday gift for current or former natives of Olmsted Falls.

What do you think of this book? Please leave a comment here and share this page on Facebook, Twitter and your other social media networks.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: https://SpectraLight.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See more photos and videos highlighting what is great about CLEveland and Northeast Ohio on our HOTonCLE website: http://HOTonCLE.com

Please subscribe to our HOTonCLE YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: http://HOTonCLE.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See the gear and software we use to create our videos and photos: http://SpectraLight.com/Gear

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Your “One Day” photo could land you a trip to Paris

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My "One Day" moment - my daughter's birth

From the movie – One Day…

After one day together, Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess) begin a friendship that will last a lifetime.

What’s your One Day? Your college graduation? Your first kiss? Your wedding day? A visit with your mother? Share the memorable moments of your life with a snapshot.

Enter the One Day Kodak Photo Contest for the chance to win a trip to Paris planned by STA Travel. Get details and enter now.

My One Day moment was when my daughter, Jacqui, was born. Like most first-time parents, I was in awe of the responsibility that this beautiful little baby brought. As she cried while the nurses cleaned her up, I trembled at the thought of how my wife and I could raise her to be the best Jacqui she could be. Moments later, the nurse handed this amazing, red-faced, wailing newborn to hold. As I took her into my arms, I asked God for the strength to handle my newest role – that of a father. Almost instantly, a calm came over her… and then over me as I gazed into her tiny, angelic face.

What a wonderful sign my heavenly Father gave to me in the peacefulness of that moment.

What One Day moment would you enter in this contest? Please leave a comment on this post.

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Boo! Boo who? Not a riddle – just the cutest darn dog you ever did see!

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Boo, perhaps the World’s Cutest Dog, has over 1 million Facbook Fans — Boo, perhaps the World’s Cutest Dog, has over one million Facebook Fans!

Is this the “World’s Cutest Dog” or what?

Boo, an adorable Pomeranian, has really hit the “big time.” He has several videos on YouTube and was even raved about on Khloe Kardashian's personal blog! Parade Magazine just did a story on him and he has a rapidly expanding following on his own Facebook page with well over 1 million fans.

The little guy will soon be featured in his own book by Chronicle Books. It features exclusive new photographs of Boo doing all his favorite things: lounging around, playing with friends, exploring the whole wide world, and making those famous puppy-dog eyes. To know Boo is to love him, and this book is for anyone who loves the cutest dog ever.

What a great gift for someone you love. Oh, heck, just get it for yourself!

Do you have a pet as cute as this? Send me a photo and it just might get posted in a future article! Please leave a comment about this article here.

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This dad and sextuplet photo will warm your heart

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dad and sextuplets — Even dad fell asleep during the creation of this photo

As a professional photographer, I really love seeing what other pros are doing with our craft. Brian and Janine Killian of Peters Photography in London, Ohio really hit a home run – no – a grand slam, with an amazing photo they created for Mia and Rozonno McGhee of their adorable sextuplets.

The photo went viral after being posted on Facebook prompting ABC's “Good Morning America” to call for permission to use it the next morning! Next thing you know, Oprah Winfrey jumps on the band wagon followed by a cover shot for Professional Photographers of America member magazine.

One of the keys to a successful photo of six newborns is a toasty-warm studio. The photo session lasted nearly five hours (due partly to a power outage during the shoot) and required seven people who passed around babies – feeding, burping and diapering throughout the process. Dad and camera were “locked down” to avoid any movement while the individual babies were brought in and photographed, one-at-a-time. In other words, this photo required six different shots that were later combined in Photoshop!

The process of creating this photo is a great illustration of why one should enlist a professional photographer for a truly memorable photograph that will be cherished for generations. Anyone can take a snapshot with a digital camera; but only a highly trained professional can create a work-of-art.

Read more about this amazing session on the Peter's Photography blog.

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Creative photos by someone who is just a touch wired

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bent objects — Here's just one of many creative photos from the "bent" mind of Terry Border

Some might think Terry Border has a little too much time on his hands. After looking at many of his amazing creations, it is clear that he invests plenty of time conceptualizing and photographing just about anything but the kitchen sink (and I'm betting he'll come up with something for that as well) with a humorous “bent.”

Terry uses everyday items such as peanuts, eggs, Oreos, fingernail clippers along with wire hands and feet to make any object come to life.

If you're having a “bad day,” click on over to his blog and have a chuckle: http://bentobjects.blogspot.com

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Dick Goddard summons 80th birthday snow storm

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A new conspiracy theory spreading throughout Northeast Ohio is that Cleveland's legendary meteorologist Dick Goddard used his “mystical powers” to summon the huge snow storm that has buried the area.

Thursday marked Goddard's 80th birthday so rumor has it that he wanted it to be remembered for the blizzard that hit the area late last night and extending through this morning.

Happy birthday Dick – and thank you for all you do for the animals!

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The photo of Dick Goddard in the snow was created by placing his portrait (bottom left) over the photo of the snow gnome (bottom right). I then erased part of his portrait so that it just covered the snow gnome’s face. All this was done in Adobe Photoshop but can be achieved in many other less expensive photo editing programs.

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Beyond the shadow-of-a-doubt – unforgettable Groundhog Day memories

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I grew up 30 just minutes from Punxsy but never experienced the fun and festivities of Punxsutawney Phil and Groundhog Day.

In 2003, I decided to document all the crazy activities surrounding this world renown occasion. This video captures the residence of Phil (the Punxsy library), the members of the Inner Circle with their top hats and tuxedos and photos of the news media from around the world. Even Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell got it on the action!

You'll also witness Phil's wedding chapel where couples actually get married to coincide with Groundhog Day, Phil-themed games for the kiddies, vendors selling groundhog mementos, ice sculpture and wood carving contests and even a 5K race.

The last photo in the video is a three story groundhog located next to a burger joint on the edge of town!

Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney is a “must-see” event that will warm your heart.

Have you ever been to Punxsutawney to see whether Phil would see his shadow? If not, do you think you'll ever make the trip? Please share your thoughts with a comment here.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: https://SpectraLight.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See more photos and videos highlighting what is great about CLEveland and Northeast Ohio on our HOTonCLE website: http://HOTonCLE.com

Please subscribe to our HOTonCLE YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: http://HOTonCLE.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See the gear and software we use to create our videos and photos: http://SpectraLight.com/Gear

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