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Magazine Project: Inauguration of a Lifetime

2009-05-16T17:55:00.001-07:00

MAGAZINE FEATURE:

“Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

It was 4 a.m. Obama fever had hit. Thousands of people, bundled up in layers of clothing and blankets, filled the Metro station headed for D.C. The line was wrapped around the building. Oh my God, I thought to myself. People were not kidding about how many people would be at this event.

My heart was pounding. The excitement and joy in the air had become contagious. When I set my two feet onto that first train, relief overcame my restless body.

I could not afford to miss this day. I had traveled across the nation for it. I had come too far.

In the past three days leading up to the Inauguration of our 44th President, I had observed the people around me in Washington, D.C. There was something amazing about the African Americans I met on this trip. Their spirits were so high. In the midst of a gruesome war overseas, a deteriorating economy, and a hopeless population, their spirits were high. Every single one had a smile on their face. In fact, unhappiness on this day was foreign here, maybe even extinct.

Many expressed what this day meant for their children. America had just opened up to a whole new meaning of freedom and democracy. A race that had been held down in this country for years was experiencing a glorious moment today. Freedom was ringing.

We were not only about to watch history unfold, but make it.

One woman shouted on the noisy train, “Hallelujah sister, we made it. We made it all the way from New York. Hallelujah!” My heart began to race again. Like I said, excitement here was contagious.

Running down the streets of Washington D.C. in the early dawn, was an exhilarating moment. There was no shoving or pushing, just running and screaming for excitement. Police patrol cars and fire trucks were on every corner. Every other street was blocked off. There was only one way to go, so we ran in that direction. We ran far and with no sense of exhaustion.

The next few hours were unexpected torture. It was twenty degrees of cold, five hours of shoulder-to-shoulder interaction with strangers, and thoughts of giving up because our line kept merging and seemed to be pushing us back rather than forward. People grew impatient, but not hopeless. I kept reminding myself, do not give up. It will be worth it. Just suck it up. You came this far.

At 10 a.m., my frostbite was gone. I stood under the sunny, lit up sky. Even in the cold, the sky reflected a bright ball of sunshine. I was now staring at the side of the capital, on the lawn. We were so close. A jumbo screen was up ahead. When I looked at it, and saw the coverage of how many people were all over D.C., I was shocked. I could not believe how many of us had made it here, and how smoothly it was going.

When the time came for the new president, his first lady, and their two daughters to hit the stage, reality started to sink in. I had been right earlier when I said it would be worth the cold hours of waiting. I had been so right.

Nothing will ever compare to hearing Obama’s words echo through the microphone. I felt joy, hope, and victory. Our country which had suffered so long under the reign of an untrustworthy presidency, had found new hope in a new man. I looked around me at the family of African Americans. They were crying. But, these were happy tears they shed. My heart began to fill with love, and tears began to run down my cheeks as well.

This was a moment bringing an entire nation together. Together, this crowd of millions felt hope again. For the first time in a long time, I could happily wave that beautiful flag which stood for prosperity, hope and freedom. America, the beautiful was alive again.

BROADCAST:

BROADCAST SCRIPT:

MILLIONS OF EXCITED AMERICANS SWARMED THE STREETS OF WASHINGTON D.C. ON TUESDAY JAN. 20TH 2009 TO WITNESS HISTORY.

BARACK OBAMA'S SWEARING IN CEREMONY HAD THE LARGEST TURN OUT IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
FROM THE METRO STATION TO THE STREETS OF D.C., CROWDS MADE THEIR WAY TO THE CAPITAL LAWN. MANY PEOPLE WAITED 5 TO 6 HOURS IN THE FREEZING 20 DEGREE TEMPERATURE TO GET TO THEIR SPOT ON THE LAWN.

OBAMA MEMORIBILA WAS BEING SOLD ON EVERY CORNER FROM T-SHIRTS, HATS TO POSTERS AND PINS. IT WAS EVIDENT D.C. HAD BECOME OBAMA CENTRAL THE PAST FEW DAYS.

ONE WOMAN SAID SHE ALMOST GAVE UP WHEN HER LINE BECAME SO DISORGANIZED. BUT HEARING THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH REMINDED HER IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT, THE COLD, AND THE JOURNEY THERE. OBAMA CAPTURED HERATS ALL OVER THE NATION WITH HIS POWERFUL SPEECH.
TEARS OF JOY AND CHEERS OF GLORY SPREAD ALL OVER THE NATION’S CAPITAL.

AMERICA’S FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT, BARACK OBAMA WAS NO LONGER A DREAM. REALITY HAD SUNK IN AND FOR THOSE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE THERE, IT WAS THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.

INFO BOX/PICTURES:

Capital Lawn: We made it after enduring 5 hours of the coldest weather of our lives!

Obama's most adorable supporters!

This is the biggest crowd I've ever been a part of.

On the streets of D.C., before the crack of dawn.

Revised News Story 5: Runaway Truck

2009-04-28T19:36:00.000-07:00

Several people were injured today when the driver of a runaway 10-wheel hauler asphalt truck smashed into the side of a single-story house in El Cerrito, snapping a power pole and destroying other vehicles on Moeser Lane before setting fire to the area.

Residents were also affected by the crash when power was knocked out in El Cerrito, Richmond and Berkeley.

El Cerrito Police Detective Sgt. Shawn Maples was one of the first rescue workers to arrive at the scene.

After hearing cries coming from the burning truck and house, he spotted the driver lodged between the wheels of the truck. With the driver’s legs mangled and unable to move, Maples pulled the driver to safety with the help of Police Chief Scott Kirkland.

"We dragged him out in a heartbeat while the truck went up in flames. I just wanted to get him out of there", Maples said.

Three other vehicles on the scene were also destroyed.

The driver of a Honda sedan was pulled to safety after his car was found crumpled. Rescue workers had to peel the roof of the car off to get to the driver.

Another sport utility vehicle holding a man and boy inside was stuck in the shrubbery next to the burning house. The force of the truck’s collision was so strong that it knocked over a third vehicle from Moeser Lane to the next street, Richmond.

Residents were also affected by the crash when power was knocked out in El Cerrito, Richmond and Berkeley.

One witness who lives across the street from the single-story home that was destroyed in the fire, was on his way to work around 1:30 p.m. when he heard the booming noise.

“First, I thought it was a major earthquake. This is unbelievable”.

His front yard was littered with bricks, broken glass, car parts, splintered wood and palm fronds.

The San Jose man identified as the driver of the asphalt truck broke both legs in the crash and is listed in serious but stable condition at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.

Profile

2009-04-28T18:52:00.001-07:00

The word “police” might make you cringe. Immediately, you think: power-hungry, donut-loving jerks. Ouch. This might seem harsh but the history of police corruption along with negative personal encounters can lead some people to perceive law enforcement officers as the enemy. For those of you still thinking this way, meet Officer Wahed Magee of the Mountain View Police Department. You just might have a change of heart.

Dressed in light blue jeans and a fitted black t-shirt, Wahed Magee takes a sip of his iced white mocha. He looks around the cafe, observing the people around him. I ask him if his profession as a cop has anything to do with him scoping the scene. He smiles coyly, “I’m not necessarily looking for someone to bust, it’s probably just a habit I picked up from the job.”

Wahed’s smile is refreshing. He has what some people call a baby face. His youth is apparent. Although he has one of the most stressful jobs in America, he bares no wrinkles; just two deeply embedded dimples. At 28 years old, he is one of the youngest officers on his SWAT team. Often referred to as the golden child, he is looked up to by his peers. Of course, there is envy too. “Sometimes, the other officers give me a hard time because I’m on SWAT, and it takes a lot to get to that level. They think I get everything I want, but it’s not favoritism. I worked hard for it and I know that. So, I don’t let it to get to me." He shrugs his soldiers. Magee is confident in his position. It shows in his laid back tone of voice and optimistic attitude.

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Magee spent his college years away from home. During his senior year at Washington State University, the unthinkable happened. Magee was at his fraternity’s rush event when a gang of young Asian boys tried to crash their party. After his fraternity brothers denied them entrance, the boys became enraged and started vandalizing their cars. Magee, seeing his friend’s car get ripped apart ran after the gang. “It was funny because I ran out there by myself, and all of the guys started running away from me.” Standing at average height and weight, one would question why an angry gang would run away from one out-numbered fraternity member. “I chased them all the way down the street until we hit the culdesac, and that’s when one of the guys turned around. He pulled a gun out of his back pocket, and that’s when it happened." Magee fell onto the pavement and curled up in the fetal position after the bullet pierced through his stomach. Asked to describe the feeling of being shot, he becomes animated. He motions being punched in the stomach, “Have you ever been hit so hard that it felt like the wind was knocked out of you? Well imagine that, and a burning knife stabbing into you. It’s intense, only someone who has been shot knows what I mean.”

Magee spent the next three weeks in a coma. The experience did not make him bitter or pitiful. Instead, Magee returned to school and graduated with a degree in Sociology. He also decided to go back for one more degree, this time in Criminal Justice. “After I was shot, the detectives who handled my case really lifted my spirits. Just the fact that they wanted to help me find the guy who almost took my life meant a lot. It made me want to do the same for someone else. Now, I can.”

Magee recently helped a rape victim overcome her struggle by finding the man who attacked her. “When you handle these cases, you spend a lot of time with the victims. They put their trust and emotions in you, and it’s the most gratifying feeling when you can help them find closure.”

Wahed Magee is more than an officer who hands out tickets. He is a man of great courage and integrity. He is a man whose own struggle led him to help others. “I know that feeling of helplessness after you have been attacked, and I don’t ever want someone to feel like that. It’s my job and desire to help those people.”

And donuts? Magee chuckles, “Not for me.”

Law & Ethics

2009-04-28T18:16:00.000-07:00

ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING EXERCISE:

Scenario 1: I would never read or take the documents on her desk. Instead, when she returned, I would tell her that I couldn't help but notice the documents on her desk. Based on her comfort level, we could discuss it from that point on. Reading or taking documents that do not belong to me and are not public records is definitely unethical.

Scenario 2: Getting a job at the nursing home to reveal inside information does not sound ethical, especially if I applied and lied about not being a reporter. This goes back to the Food Lion article; if I lied on the application, I would be trespassing like the producers of ABC. I would not do it, for that reason.

Scenario 3: In any writing where you use quotes that are not yours, you should always cite the source. If it were from a person, I would cite that person. If it were from a website, I would cite the website. Otherwise, this would be an act of plagiarism.

LIBEL EXERCISE:

In the case of running the story about the student who accused the professor of sexual harassment, there are definitely a couple of things I would omit: the name of the professor and his threat against the newspaper. Because the student has not filed a police report or even talked to the university, it is unfair to print the professor's name. This would defame his character and accuse him of something we are not sure is true. I cannot rely solely on the student's word because she could be lying. I would run the story without his name. That way, the news is out there, but the conclusion is yet to be determined. Once further details surface, then a more specific story can be run. I would also refrain from printing the part about the professor threatening the newspaper for libel; that doesn't make the newspaper or him look any better. I would also make it clear in my article that the truth is yet to be determined.

Extra Credit: I got GRAMMAR MASTER!

2009-04-26T22:27:00.000-07:00

http://apps.facebook.com/theultimategrammarqu/quiz/results

Real news story

2009-03-19T11:14:00.001-07:00

The San Jose Redevelopment Agency held a public meeting on March 11th at City Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to notify the public about the Autumn/Montgomery Demolition Project. Project Manager Bill Ekern waited alongside his project coordinator, for the residents of San Jose to show up.

After ten minutes of waiting, the meeting began. With only two residents in the audience, and one council member, Bill Ekern joked, “Good thing the two of you showed up, or we’d have no one to talk to.”

The two young women in the audience were dressed in casual attire, jeans and a sweatshirt. One had a backpack next to her feet, and a notebook on her lap. She told the two men that they had come to the meeting as part of a project for one of their political science classes. The two meeting leaders and the students engaged in a quick conversation about the purpose of the redevelopment agencies and how they worked with the city on different projects.

A display board with a large photograph of the Autumn/Montgomery area was turned toward the audience. The purpose of the project was to knock down a few old buildings over by the Amtrak station. The buildings had been unoccupied for years, and some had become home to harmful chemicals. The agency wanted to use the land for a possible parking lot and buildings that would house businesses. They went over the benefits of the project with the audience. The first benefit was the employment opportunities new business buildings would bring. Also, there was unconfirmed talk about the Oakland A’s baseball team moving to San Jose. The parking lot would help accommodate visitors in the future.

The mentioning of the Oakland A’s coming to San Jose excited the two girls. The conversation quickly turned to the debacle over which city was going to host the team. The city of Fremont had initially planned on housing the team until the project was cancelled by the team. The two locations chosen for the ballpark interfered with traffic and resident approval, which was the reason San Jose was next in line. The conversation came to an end soon after discussing the possibility of a ballpark in San Jose. As the girls gathered their belongings and shook hands with Bill Ekern and his project coordinator, I approached them for their feedback on the meeting.

“Even though I came here for an assignment, the meeting was way more interesting than I thought it would be”, said 21-year old Monica Colagio.

“I am just surprised that we were the only ones who showed up. This definitely shows we need to be more involved, especially when people complain about not knowing what’s going on around them,” added Maria Chavez, 23.

Even with the lack of public turnout, the meeting went on. Both interesting and informative, it certainly captured the attention of the young students who attended.

Revised Leads 5:

2009-03-01T22:38:00.000-08:00

Delayed ID Lead:

A Springfield pipe fitter suffered third-degree burns yesterday afternoon at the Springfield Municipal Power Plant after accidentally touching a power line with a piece of angle iron.

Immediate ID Lead:

Duane La Chance, 55, suffered third-degree burns yesterday afternoon at the Springfield Municipal Power Plant when he accidentally touched a power line with a piece of angle iron.

Delayed ID Lead:

One Springfield man was hospitalized today after a vehicle struck his Ford Focus on U.S. 63, one-tenth of a mile north of Blue Ridge Road.

Immediate ID Lead:

James Cunning, 20, was hospitalized today after a vehicle struck his Ford Focus on U.S. 63, one-tenth of a mile north of Blue Ridge Road.

AP Style Ex: M-R

2009-03-01T21:58:00.001-08:00

1) He hopes to make a billion dollars by the time he's 40. Already he figures his net worth is between $2 million and $3 million, depending on current stock prices. (3)
2) Lt. Col. John Carpenter was a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the 7th Fleet. (4 pts. - this one's tricky, so give it some thought)
3) Twenty-one winners were named two days after the 3rd annual Procrastination Awards Ceremony. (3)
4) It was a one-sided game, and he was a poor loser. After losing the playoff when his ball went out of bounds, he made an off-color remark that could be heard in the stands. (4)
5) Hundreds of people attended Sunday's race to watch 75 top bicyclists pedal across the finish line. (3)
6) Every winter, the Joneses and the Kinneys pore over travel brochures, planning their summer trip together. This year they’re hoping to go to Panama City, Fla. (3)

News Story 5: Runaway Truck

2009-03-01T20:29:00.000-08:00

Several people were injured today after the driver of a runaway truck smashed into the side of a single-story house in El Cerrito.

The 10-wheel hauler asphalt truck snapped a power pole and destroyed other vehicles on Moeser Lane before setting fire to the area.

El Cerrito Police Detective Sgt. Shawn Maples was one of the first rescue workers to arrive at the scene. After hearing cries coming from the burning truck and house, he dug quickly through the debris and spotted the driver lodged between the wheels of the truck. With the driver’s legs mangled and unable to move, Maples pulled the driver to safety with the help of Police Chief Scott Kirkland. "We dragged him out in a heartbeat while the truck went up in flames. I just wanted to get him out of there", Maples said.

Three other vehicles on the scene were also destroyed. The driver of a Honda sedan was pulled to safety after his car was found crumpled. Rescue workers had to peel the roof of the car off to get to the driver. Another sport utility vehicle holding a man and boy inside was stuck in the shrubbery next to the burning house. The force of the truck’s collision was so strong that it knocked over a third vehicle from Moeser Lane to the next street, Richmond.

Residents were also affected by the crash when power was knocked out in El Cerrito, Richmond and Berkeley.

One witness who lives across the street from the single-story home that was destroyed in the fire, was on his way to work around 1:30 p.m. when he heard the booming noise, “First, I thought it was a major earthquake. This is unbelievable”. His front yard was littered with bricks, broken glass, car parts, splintered wood and palm fronds.

The San Jose man identified as the driver of the asphalt truck broke both legs in the crash and is listed in serious but stable condition at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.

REVISED AP STYLE EX (A-D):

2009-02-13T01:17:00.000-08:00

3) Convinced of the bill’s importance, members of the Democratic and Republican Parties came together on Capitol Hill to support anti-terrorism legislation, despite their differences on other issues.
4) ROME – All around the world today, Roman Catholics listened as the pope delivered his homily.

AP Style Ex: A-D

2009-02-07T14:58:00.000-08:00

1) Mayor Richard Wrigley expressed confidence that the gubernatorial debate, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will have a positive effect on his candidacy. He added, "Governor Red Davidson is a master of dirty politics, but I won’t take any of his baloney." (4)

2) For her birthday, the 9-year-old girl invited five good friends over for ice cream and cake. The chocolate cake was so delicious that any one of the children could have eaten it all, but they carefully divided it among themselves. (4)

3) Persuaded of the Bill’s importance, members of the Democratic and Republican Party came together on Capitol Hill to support anti-terrorism legislation, despite their differences on other issues. (4)

4) ROME, Italy – All-around the world today, Roman Catholics listened as the Pope delivered his homily. (3)

Leads 5

2009-02-07T14:07:00.001-08:00

Pipe Fitter Lead

Delayed ID lead:

A Springfield pipe fitter suffered third-degree burns yesterday at 3 p.m. Duane La Chance, 55, was listed in serious condition Wednesday night in the intensive care unit at Springfield Hospital. According to Henry Rosen, the project manager at Gross Engineers, La Chance was installing new pipes on the roof of the power plant when he accidentally touched a power line carrying 15,000 volts, with a piece of angle iron. The accident took place at Springfield Municipal Power Plant on 222 Power Drive.

Immediate ID lead:

Duane La Chance, 55, suffered third-degree burns yesterday at 3 p.m. The accident took place at the Springfield Municipal Power Plant located at 222 Power Drive. According to Henry Rosen, the project manager at Gross Engineers, La Chance was installing new pipes on the roof of the power plant when he accidentally touched a power line carrying 15,000 volts, with a piece of angle iron. La Chance, who is also employed by the company, was listed in serious condition Wednesday night, in the intensive care unit at Springfield Hospital.

Car Accident Lead

Delayed ID lead:

Two Springfield men were involved in a car accident today at 11:45 a.m. James W. Cunning, 20, and Wayne Clay, 19, collided on U.S. 63, one-tenth of a mile north of Blue Ridge Road. According to a Lincoln County Sheriff's Department officer, Cunning was driving south on U.S. 63 in a 2005 Ford Focus when Clay apparently crossed the center line and struck the Cunning vehicle. Cunning is in satisfactory condition at Springfield Hospital.

Immediate ID lead:

James Cunning, 20, and Wayne Clay, 19, were involved in a car accident today at 11:45 a.m. According to an officer in the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, Cunning was driving south on U.S. 63 in a 2005 Ford Focus when Clay apparently crossed the center line and struck the Cunning vehicle. Cunning is in satisfactory condition at Springfield Hospital.

Extra Credit: Sex, Drugs, & Rock n' Roll

2008-12-19T23:45:00.000-08:00

Chris Jackson entered the room in a ripped pair of jeans and a leather jacket over his t-shirt. He was casual and laid back, and it showed. His hair was a cool rock n' roll shag. I was expecting a long lecture about the three ideas, but instead Professors Dona Nichols and Cynthia McCune led the discussion in the style of an interview. They had the audience members write down questions for Chris that they would ask him for us. There were no restrictions on what questions we could ask. In fact, some were as humorous as what he preferred most: sex, drugs, or rock n' roll? Like a true rockstar, he said all.

Chris told stories about his adolescent days, and how he was almost never home on the weekends. He was in a band for a good amount of time, and then got into the radio profession. The coolest fact about Chris was where he went to school: none other than San Jose State. With that said, I jumped at the opportunity of asking him for advice on how to get a job in the broadcast field. He gave me great advice to walk away with, telling me that I should go in with a demo tape and ask for the head guy in charge to critique it. He advised never to go in asking for a job opportunity.

It was a lively discussion full of laughter and awe, from stories about growing up a "bad boy", to meeting famous singers. Chris Jackson has managed to keep his cool in an industry where many are jaded. He never came off as a know-it-all, even though he is a famous and respected radio personality.

My favorite story of his was definitely the one where he worked for two different radio stations at the same time, on the same day. He created two different personalities and they never found out. Talk about a talented individual with a great sense of humor.

Real News Story-LATE

2008-12-19T23:35:00.000-08:00

Cisco held its annual conference on immigration on Wednesday, October 29. I was lucky enough to attend. In my mind, immigration is a huge issue for our country. Some are against it, some are for it, and others don’t understand it. My take has always been that we were all immigrants seeking a better opportunity at one point, so we should give people the right to come into this country for betterment of their education and careers. The sad fact is that not everyone feels this way and attending this conference opened my eyes up to the type of people who are struggling to become citizens of America.

Located in San Jose, Cisco is a large corporation that specializes in computer software. The buildings are numerous and I got lost looking for the right one. When I arrived to the right spot, I was let in by a Cisco worker who had an entrance key. I walked into the conference room which was smaller than I expected. Still, there was a good amount of people listening to the speaker. I snuck in quietly and gave my name to the door monitor, who then took 10 dollars from me for the admission price.

The speaker was Immigration Attorney David Zaritzky Brown. He specializes in immigration cases, primarily dealing with people who are working in the United States on a Visa or are seeking to. He had an easy-to-follow power-point presentation set up. I looked around the room. I noticed that there were people of many different backgrounds. I figured most of the audience members worked at Cisco, but came to find out that most of them were actually part of a virtual community of Canadians working in the Bay Area, called Digital Moose Lounge.

The major topics Brown discussed were pointers on how to deal with changes in immigration law. Due to the high number of people trying to obtain Visas versus the actual supply, waitlists have been extended and the chance of obtaining one is lower than it has been in the past. Members in the audience asked questions pertaining to their specific situations. It was almost like getting legal advice for free. Because he could not answer all of them, he set up a sign-up list in the back of the room for those who had more questions. Through his email, people could set up appointments or ask general questions.

Brown’s presentation was engaging and there was never a dull moment. I was probably the youngest person in this group. Most were between the ages of 30 and 45. Still, he was upbeat and informative. As the discussion came to a close, I looked around the room for people to talk to. My first response of what people thought of the conference was from a woman named Sharon Oswitz, who appeared to be in her early thirties. At first, she seemed hesitant to answer any questions about where she worked. She refused to give me the company’s name that she worked for, but did give me feedback. “I came to this last year too. It’s very helpful, especially because I am here on a Visa.” Sharon was from Canada, and part of Digital Moose Lounge. She knew about the meeting because of the website. Another guest, Pratik Singh, said, “I found out a lot more than I expected. His advice was very helpful because it is very hard to get approved for a Visa these days.” Singh is not a member of DigitalMooseLounge.com, but heard about the conference from a friend of his who works for Cisco.

What I noticed about many of these audience members was their high education levels and the impressive jobs they held. I thought to myself, these people are here being productive and helping our economy. It is truly unfortunate that they have to worry about losing their residency. Attorney Brown said change from the government has been slow, and not much has been done to fix the issue of having more applicants than Visas. Attending this conference was more than a learning experience on a topic I knew little about; it has made me so much more grateful for being a citizen of this country.

Profile-LATE

2008-12-19T20:55:00.000-08:00

Wine experts have a stereotype of being uptight and uninviting. What is the big deal about wine anyway? Is it really that serious that there are such things as wine experts who study it? Apparently, you don’t know Brian Nicholas.

Brian Nicholas is dressed in a sharp black suit and a bright satin pink tie when he walks over to greet me. His height is average: not too tall, not too short. A smile breaks across his face, and I realize he is much younger than I expected. When I heard his title was a wine sommelier, in other words a wine expert, I expected a boring, uptight businessman. Not the case. His attire is a bit intimidating for a casual interview, but then again, it is taking place at his job. “Hey, I’m Brian. Great to meet you!” Already, I feel like a jerk for judging his profession. He seems like a nice guy. He grabs a seat next to me and sets down two empty glasses. I should have known, free wine!

Brian has worked for Village Restaurant on Santana Row for over a year now. Thanks to his professionalism and personable character, he was offered a job at the Village as a wine sommelier. At his previous job, A.P. Stumps, he worked very closely with their wine sommelier and picked up much of what he knows about wine today. Brian wasn’t afraid of change; “I knew I was young when I was offered the sommelier position. I had just finished my Radio/TV degree at San Jose State, but I fell in love with the hospitality field, more so the interaction I had with customers. I needed autonomy, and this job was going to give me that”. Any regrets? Don’t count on it. Brian is a Level 2 sommelier, which means he passed the wine exam required to become a Level 1 sommelier. He spent two days at a wine seminar in Monterey, and did a 70-question exam, followed by a blind taste in which he had to identify different characteristics of wine. He recently passed his second exam bumping him up to a Level 2 sommelier. This is quite an accomplishment for the 26-year old who dreams of opening up his own restaurant.

A server dressed in all black brings over a bottle of wine to our table. Brian explains what he loves most about his job, teaching others about wine. After demonstrating proper wine etiquette, we take a sip. I notice Brian has a way of making people feel comfortable about trying wine. From his careful and poised manner of opening the bottle to his perfect pour in which the label on the bottle is facing me the entire time, Brian is definitely deserving of his title. Although there was certainly not enough time to discuss all of his wine knowledge, he did bring me up to speed on what to look for in this bottle of wine, as far as characteristics. I was blown away. The taste of wine is affected by so many different factors. Wine knowledge was almost like an art. It made more sense after speaking with Brian.

What next for this young self-starter? Brian plans to build his knowledge by moving up to the highest level of sommelier expertise, and eventually opening up his own fine dining restaurant. I don’t know much about Brian, except that he is made for this industry. Every guest who walked in, Brian caught in the corner of his eye. He even excused himself once after hearing a guest ask for seating that could not be accommodated. “I’m very sorry for interrupting our interview, I just had to make sure we could help those guests.“ He is sincere in his apology. I know he is just doing his job, and a job he loves. As we approach the end of our interview, Brian makes sure to let me know I can come back anytime for questions about wine or even to dine at the Village. Before I leave, I ask him what really made him turn to wine. He thought for a quick 10 seconds and responded, “Everyday, I awake with a new passion and a new reason for going into work. But the one thing that can never be topped is my first memory of being a young kid and going into wineries, and just smelling the damp oak and dry wine.” His eyes lit up as he reminisced and I thought, this man is the perfect person for this job.

Top News 5-LATE

2008-12-19T00:09:00.000-08:00

President Bush is not leaving the office so easily. According to CNN's online website, Bush had to dodge a man who threw not one, but two shoes past his head. The footage shows the president quickly dodging the shoes, and acting quite calm about the situation. He was in Baghdad on an unannounced visit as part of his farewell visit. The Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki put his hand up to protect the president as well. Immediately, the attention was turned onto the protester who threw the shoe. He was identified as Muntadhar al-Zaidi, a journalist who worked for an Egyptian-based television network. Many were shocked and the man was immediately tackled down by security. He yelled at Bush in Arabic, saying Bush had killed the Iraqi people. Although President Bush did not seem to be phased by the incident, shaking off what had happened when reporters later asked him about it, it's not the best way to say goodbye. The question is, did he deserve it? No one deserves a shoe thrown at them but this has been quite a term for a president who is mocked left and right by his own country as well as other nations. Bush expressed that the Iraqi people were apologetic and that he did not care what one protester did to him. Maybe he is just used to it by now. Let's hope President Obama will have a warmer welcoming than Bush's surprise farewell.

News Values:

Recency-reported almost immediately after the incident

Prominence-involves the president of a country

Impact-what other countries think of our leader

Online Writing Exercise-LATE

2008-12-18T23:47:00.000-08:00

OPTION 1:

News Web Site: CNN.com

a) The news items do reflect immediacy. Most were published hours after an incident occurred or the same day.

b) The site does help readers save time by offering links to specific topics and offering to search keywords that reflect a story. This way you can go directly to your topic.

c) It is very quick and easy to get information because there is a Google search engine on the page as well as different headings to look under for the genre of your story (ex: Politics, Entertainment, etc.).

d) The website does offer both visual and verbal information. The visuals are photographs that accompany a story, and the verbal information is the news article itself.

e) The stories do not really use bullets or lists, however they are organized well and written clearly. Many of the stories are to-the-point, and the headlines break the story to you.

f) The stories are broken into chunks, starting off with what happened to whom, and then it goes into details and finally, analysis of the story. Most are set up this way.

g) Stories do provide hyperlinks to additional information. Those words are in blue colored font and when clicked, will send you to the page with the additional information.

h) There is no place to comment on the page of the actual article. However, there is a link for a blog which features commentary.

i) The site does use multimedia to enhance understanding and add appeal. Many stories have a video to go along with the news story.

Magazine Project: Review

2008-12-18T22:46:00.000-08:00

IF YOU MAKE IT TO SANTANA ROW THIS WINTER SEASON, MAKE SURE TO POP INTO THE VILLAGE WINE BAR. WITH ITS BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED INTERIOR AND SPECTACULAR FRONT PATIO VIEWS, VILLAGE IS DEFINITELY WORTH THE WAITLIST.
LOCATED BETWEEN OLEN AND OLSEN STREET, THE VILLAGE CAFÉ OFFERS ORIGINAL COCKTAILS, A VAST SELECTION OF ONLY THE BEST WINE, AND FOOD SO FRESH YOU WONT FEEL BAD FOR STUFFING YOUR FACE...AND PRICE? NO WORRIES. ALTHOUGH SOME PLATES LIKE THE RIB EYE CAN COST YOU OVER 20 DOLLARS, THERE IS MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM, INCLUDING A FILLING AND REASONABLY PRICED APPETIZER LIST. THE FAMILY OWNED RESTAURANT STRIVES TO USE ONLY ORGANIC INGREDIENTS, WHICH IS WHY THEIR FOOD TASTES SO FRESH . EXECUTIVE CHEF DAVID STARR AND WINE SOMMELIER BRIAN NICHOLAS BRING TOGETHER MOUTH WATERING DISHES AND PERFECT WINE PAIRING...SEE FOR YOURSELF. THE NEXT TIME YOU WANT TO BE WINED AND DINED WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK, TAKE A CHANCE AND EXPERIENCE VILLAGE CALIFORNIA BISTRO AND WINE BAR.

Info Box

2008-12-18T22:43:00.000-08:00

INFO BOX:

Average Entree: $14-25.

Cocktail Must: Village Infusions (Fruit Infused Vodka).

Wine Help: Meet their in-house Sommelier, Brian Nicholas.

Dessert to Die For: Walnut Carrot Cake.

Tight Wallets: Happy Hour everyday from 3-6pm.

Best Seat in the House: Front patio-take in the sights of beautiful Santana Row.

Magazine Project: Broadcast Video

2008-12-18T22:34:00.000-08:00

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GAujgcq2Sb8

Topical Blog Post: "Check, Please!"

2008-11-15T17:46:00.001-08:00

I smile and wave goodbye, walk over to the table and open up the check. What? How can this be? Do they not know how this works, or did I take too long with their drinks? This is the conversation I have almost every weekend at work. You guessed it, I’m a server. Almost every server I’ve met has had the same thing happen. They give great service and open up the check to see no tip. I did some research of my own, asking friends and family how they usually tip. Some guess. Others double the tax. Then there are those who hate tipping, like my roommate. For some reason, she thinks tips are unnecessary. Most servers I know tip well because they know what it’s like being on the other side of the table. The fifteen percent tip that you think is over the top is standard. Twenty is the new fifteen. It may sound a bit greedy servers have their own understanding of tipping. In fact, the restaurant industry has its own understanding. You pay for the food and tip for the service. If you are going to be a picky patron, it’s only fair you tip properly. The same goes for bad service. If you get the server who shoots you a dirty look because you asked for ketchup with your fries, you can bet her tip will not be so generous. It’s not easy waiting on people hand and foot, especially when those people are screaming kids knocking over water. So the next time you go out and have a great dinner with exceptional service, think twice before you scribble down any number. What do we really deserve?

My Favorite Magazine

2008-11-15T14:15:00.000-08:00

We all know tabloids are junk and celebrity magazines are a waste of brain cells, but I have to say I am a "sucker" for celebrity gossip and news. I definitely understand why people would think that is a waste of time, but for me it's pure entertainment. Just like some of us prefer to watch sports, I prefer to read Us Weekly. Us Weekly is a celebrity magazine that I rely on for the latest fashion news, the best actors and actresses, and breaking stories about the rich and famous. Although some celebrities don't deserve their title because they are fake reality t.v. stars or known only for a sex tape, we can't forget about those actors who actually have talent and whose movies and songs we love. I can depend on Us Weekly for accurate information about these stars. Many tabloid magazines fabricate stories and it is unfair to both the reader and the subject. Us Weekly conducts actual sit-down interviews with these people and sometimes even gets access to their real lives at home. This gives celebrities the chance to prove they are in fact, just like"Us". The magazine targets young women the most, but overall aims at female readers between ages 20 and 40. Almost every issue has a section about what the best products and trends are that season, and it is broken down into three age groups: 20s, 30s, and 40s. The magazine's writing style is very casual. When it comes to breaking news, I almost always find myself engaged throughout the entire two to three page article. The writers manage to do exactly what our text teaches us to do by balancing important facts about a story and the opinion of the magazine. For the most part, the magazine stays neutral. There are times when I'll read about a star being deemed the worst dressed person of the year, but wearing a feather headdress or a bikini for a dress can do that to anyone. What I like most about the magazine is the truth factor. Granted there have been stories where no one knows for sure what the truth is because it is too early to tell or publicists will not confirm anything, but Us Weekly rarely jumps to conclusions. I can definitely respect honesty. Overall, the magazine is engaging. From its entertaining news stories to the latest photographs of celebrities, it's got me hooked.

Link to the magazine online: http://usmagazine.com

Fog Index

2008-11-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

Sample writing (excerpt form previous post):
This year’s election was probably the most interesting one I have ever been a part of. I had the opportunity to vote for the first time in the John Kerry and George Bush election, and I was disappointed my candidate did not win. I did learn however, how important the electoral college votes were. This year, I knew exactly what states to look out for. Of course, I was rooting for Obama all the way. I gave McCain a chance in the beginning because I did not want to be biased but something about Obama’s poise and character captured my attention. I made a connection to him more than McCain, especially because Obama was a minority like me.

Average words per sentence: 16
Total hard words: 17
Sum: 33
Fog index calculation: 33 x 0.4=13.2
Fog index=13

I've discovered that when I have less restrictions on word counts and my topic deals with something personal, I tend to use more words and longer sentences. I know that with certain types of writing, like a hard news story, I have to be "to the point" and "zap out" unnecessary words. It is a challenge when you are used to writing freely using emotion and imagination, but the more you can adapt to these changes and control your writing, the better writer you can become.

Got What it Takes to be a Reporter?

2008-11-05T17:17:00.000-08:00

I scored 28 points! I've always been passionate about writing. I always felt like an artist growing up. I loved drawing and writing my own poetry. It was a way of expressing myself with freedom and creativity. As I read every question on this test, I could tell what my outcome would be. I know I have what it takes to be a reporter. After years of soul-searching and trying to find a career that I would love forever, I found my answer in what I've always loved to do. The only thing I was scared of was not having the freedom to write the way I wanted to. However, after taking this class and having to write about different topics in different styles, I'm confidant I can do this. When you are driven by something you love, anything is possible. I've always been an optimist and dreamer. When something great is given to you, I believe in sharing it with the rest of the world. When I read great writing, it moves me. It stays with me. As I grow older each year, I become more involved in what is going on in the world. I feel more aware and one step closer to helping give back. If I can do that through writing and becoming a reporter, I will have accomplished one of my greatest goals.

Election NIght Blog

2008-11-05T16:33:00.000-08:00

Had Obama not won this year’s election, I would have had the worst week of my life. I remember throwing my absentee ballot away because I told my family I want to be a part of history and actually go into the polls this year to get the full experience. Little did I know that two nights before the election I would be involved in a car accident. I’m definitely thankful to be alive because that accident could have been much worse. The unfortunate part was that I was in a different county with a totaled car, and no way of getting to the polls in time. I thought maybe they would just let me vote since I used to live in Sacramento. I remember frantically calling the voter hotline and being denied that option. I was miserable, but I had a great feeling California would sway his way anyway, and I kept my eye on CNN’s Election Night coverage. I depended on CNN for the coverage because they had by the minute updates and projections. I also liked the way they covered the election, with different anchors in Arizona and Chicago. You could see the excitement in the crowd’s faces as the electoral vote count for Obama began to rise. It made me feel like I was there with the mass of people. I watched for the electoral states, and was in awe to see Obama leading in states like Pennsylvania and Florida. Instead of beating myself up for not making it to the polls, I took in the news coverage with so much excitement. We were really going to make history tonight, and even though my vote was not cast, my choice for president had my support all along.

This year’s election was probably the most interesting one I have ever been a part of. I had the opportunity to vote for the first time in the John Kerry and George Bush election, and I was disappointed my candidate did not win. I did learn however, how important the electoral college votes were. This year, I knew exactly what states to look out for. Of course, I was rooting for Obama all the way. I gave McCain a chance in the beginning because I did not want to be biased but something about Obama’s poise and character captured my attention. I made a connection to him more than McCain, especially because Obama was a minority like me. As a minority, I’ve grown up in America struggling with the idea that this is the white man’s land. I never believed that, but after September 11th, my race had become the new target for jokes and fear, and I felt even more left out. I felt like no one believed me when I came out with an American flag showing my support, when in reality I loved this country and the ideals it was based on. The night of November 4th changed my life. For once, I felt like I was included. I was not proud of our government for the past 8 years like many Americans. I felt detached from our country because of all the damage the Bush administration had done. Other countries hated us. Americans were more divided than ever. There was so much hate going on, I wondered why the government stopped caring about its people? Then came Obama. He was the voice of hope and the idea of “Yes We Can”.

I have to say I’m very happy with the the media coverage during this election. I felt it kept everyone engaged and aware, especially the youth of America who were often criticized for not voting. Seeking a career in media has always been something I wanted to do, and I examined the coverage very carefully this year. Finally on my way back to the bay area, I listened to the AM radio station in my friend’s car. I thought how ironic for me to go from watching the news coverage on cable TV in high definition to one of the early inventions of our time. I was on the road when I received about eight text messages saying “YES WE CAN!!!!!” and “OMG Obama won!!!”; it was a kind of happiness and shock that you will remember for the rest of your life. I was part of history. The effect of hearing his live speech on the radio gave it an even more historical feel. I was full of joy and everything I learned in class about the radio giving audiences a sense of imagination was experienced first hand. Although I am part of the younger generation, I got the chance to experience history the old way, and it was extraordinary.

Broadcast Project Link-(ACTIVE)

2008-11-01T16:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS9oe3TUrrk

Broadcast Project Script

2008-11-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

(ANCHOR ON CAM)

IT'S STRESSFUL ENOUGH WORRYING ABOUT KEEPING YOUR JOB IN TODAY'S ECONOMY BUT WHAT IF YOU HAD TO WORRY ABOUT KEEPING YOUR RESIDENCY IN THE UNITED STATES TOO...AS SCARY AS IT SOUNDS, MANY WORKERS HERE ON A VISA HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE EVERY YEAR.

LUCKILY, AN INFORMATIONAL CONFERENCE ON IMMIGRATION WAS HELD BY LAW ATTORNEY DAVID ZARIT-SKEE BROWN AT THE CISCO BUILDING IN SAN JOSE ON OCTOBER 29. ONLY ONE GUEST WAS FROM CISCO, THE REST FROM VARIOUS COMPANIES THROUGHOUT THE BAY AREA. MOST WERE MEMBERS OF A VIRTUAL NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR CANADIANS WORKING IN THE BAY AREA. ONE MEMBER, HEATHER LAWLER, SAID THAT SHE ATTENDS THE CONFERENCE EVERY YEAR AND FINDS IT VERY HELPFUL.

ATTORNEY BROWN ADDRESSED VARIOUS TOPICS ABOUT THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS AND GAVE SPECIFIC TIPS AND STRATEGIES TO GETTING AROUND THE ISSUES. OVERALL, GUESTS FOUND THE CONFERENCE INFORMATIONAL AND HELPFUL...FOR THOSE OF YOU AT HOME INTERESTED IN ATTENDING NEXT YEAR OR RECEIVING MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN VISIT DIGITAL MOOSE LOUNGE DOT COM OR EMAIL ATTORNEY BROWN AT DEE BROWN AT BROWN IMMIGRATION LAW DOT COM.

Broadcast News Story

2008-10-25T03:41:00.000-07:00

DID YOU KNOW THAT HAVING THE FASTEST TIME IN A MARATHON DOESN’T MAKE YOU THE WINNER? AS STRANGE AS IT SOUNDS, ONE WOMAN WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS AFTER RUNNING IN THE NIKE WOMEN’S MARATHON, SUNDAY IN SAN FRANCISCO.

24-YEAR-OLD ARIEN O’CONNEL (O-CON-ULL) BEAT HER OWN RECORD TIME AS WELL AS EVERYONE ELSE’S BUT DIDN’T HEAR HER NAME ANNOUNCED AT THE TROPHY CEREMONY. RACE OFFICIALS TOLD HER THAT HER TIME DIDN’T COUNT BECAUSE SHE HADN’T CLASSIFIED HERSELF AS AN ELITE RUNNER. THE ELITE GROUP HAD A 20-MINUTE HEAD START SO TECHNICALLY SHE WASN’T IN THE SAME RACE AS THEM. THE FIFTH GRADE TEACHER HAD THE BEST TIME BUT MADE THE INNOCENT MISTAKE OF NOT RUNNING WITH THE RIGHT GROUP. SHE MODESTLY ADMITTED: "I'm a good, solid runner. I never considered myself elite."

Real News Story Broadcast

2008-10-25T02:56:00.001-07:00

A 95 YEAR OLD WOMAN MADE HISTORY TODAY AND SURPRISINGLY, IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH HER AGE. MABEL MCCULLOUGH (MA-COO-LOW) CELEBRATED HER BIRTHDAY WITH A CAKE THAT HELD ALL 95 CANDLES. FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE JUST MINUTES AFTER FRIENDS HELPED HER BLOW OUT THE CANDLES.

FIVE FIRE ENGINES AND 24 FIREFIGHTERS RUSHED TO FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AFTER SMOKE FROM THE CANDLES SET OFF THE CHURCH’S FIRE ALARMS. THE WOMEN NEVER HEARD THE ALARMS GO OFF AND WERE SURPRISED TO SEE THE FIREFIGHTERS IN THE DOORWAY.

FIRE CHIEF LONNIE LAMB SAID: "In my 25 years on the job, I've seen a lot of things set off a fire alarm, but I don't think I ever heard of one going off because of a birthday cake."

AND NO NEED FOR GOODIE BAGS, MABEL AND HER FRIENDS GOT TO TAKE PHOTOS WITH THE FIREFIGHTERS INSTEAD.

Broadcast Style Exercise

2008-10-25T01:18:00.000-07:00

NORTHWEST AIRLINES ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT IS CUTTING ITS DOMESTIC FARES BY UP TO 40 PERCENT FOR HOLIDAY TRAVELERS. THE C-E-O OF NORTHWEST AIRLINES, FRANK DEWITT (DOO-WIT), SAID: "We like to think of it as a holiday gift to our customers." TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BY FRIDAY FOR TRAVEL BETWEEN NOVEMBER 12 AND JANUARY 14 IN THE LOWER 48 STATES, ALASKA, AND CANADA. DISCOUNTS VARY DEPENDING ON TRAVEL DATES AND ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON CERTAIN POPULAR DAYS INCLUDING NOVEMBER 23, NOVEMBER 26, DECEMBER 23, AND DECEMBER 26. WITH THE DISCOUNTED NON REFUNDABLE FARES, A PASSENGER COULD TRAVEL ROUND TRIP BETWEEN BOSTON AND SAN FRANCISCO FOR 500 DOLLARS ON CERTAIN DAYS.

Reporting with Numbers

2008-10-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

1) $120 million budget

In order from most to least:

66%- State

28%- Fees, grants, gifts

5%- Student tuition

Over half of the budget comes from the state. Fees, grants and gifts contribute half as much as the state, and very little comes from student tuition.

2) Prison terms

Average: 22 months prison, 22 months probation
Median: 12 months prison, 12 months probation

The median is the most accurate description of prison terms because it would throw off the average when most of the numbers are close in range, and one is completely off. For example, most of the prison sentences were 12 months, and there was one that stood out because it was 84 years. That one prison sentence will throw off the average, increasing it when majority of the prison sentences were 12 months. It is best to go with majority in this case, and the median will help you do that by sorting numbers from highest to lowest, and selecting the number in the middle. It will definitely cut out the number that is too high or too low.

3) State legislature tax

State slaes tax: 8.25%

People who spend $5 per week on food end up paying $260 a year, without tax (multiply $5 x 52 weeks). With tax:

$5 x .0825 = .4125, so about 41 cents is added to $5 for tax. Grand total $5.41 x 52 weeks = $281.32.

Subtract 281-260.

The person would save about $20 per year if the taxes were eexempt.

People who spend $20 per week would save: (using the same strategy as above, but plugging in $20 instead of $5)

$85 (saved).

AP Exercises (S-Z)

2008-10-11T16:40:00.000-07:00

1) When he heard the building plan for the new high school had been rejected, Bill pulled out his stationery to write a letter of protest.(2)

2) Ben really knows his Scriptures, but he knows little about the Talmud or the Shariah. (3)

3) Her home in upstate New York is surprisingly ultramodern for its middle-class neighborhood. (4)

4) To celebrate Veterans Day, the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, troops of former soldiers will march down Main Street carrying U.S. flags. (3)

5) Word-of-mouth has it that Ellen will wind up with the only “A” in the class. (2)

6) When Sara spotted the Louis L’Amour paperback, she asked whose book it was. She couldn’t believe it was John's; after all, nobody reads Westerns anymore. She had no idea he was such a weirdo. (3)

BONUS:• The man was arrested for brandishing a 12-gauge shot-gun outside his home. (1)

Mccain and Obama Make Nice

2008-10-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

Put the boxing gloves away. Presidential candidates McCain and Obama are actually showing the American people how to be good sports in a grueling game of politics. Yes, it is actually possible.

In a Yahoo News article this weekend(http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081011/ap_on_el_pr/obama), Barack Obama and John McCain defended one another to fellow supporters. When one McCain supporter called Obama an Arab, McCain respectively replied, "No, ma'am. He's a decent family man and citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign's all about." Obama made sure to tell his crowd of supporters in Philadelphia that he was appreciative of McCain's notion of being able to disagree without disrespecting one another. Obama who is finding confidence among his Philadelphian supporters and currently leading the polls, was not phased by the TV ads the McCain campaign has aired. Although the ads are spurring some McCain supporters to view him as a terrorist, Obama confidently responded, "I can take it for four more weeks." He carried on optimistically with his weekend of rallying.

I feel that this story comes at the right time. As we near Election Day, our emotions are all over the place. As a country, we are facing an economic crisis, a need for better health care, and a devastating war. What we need is to come together as a country and focus on the matters that are affecting us most. Our next president will need to lead with dignity and by both candidates straying away from personal attacks on one another, we are moving in the right direction.

Prominence-Our presidential candidates
Impact-American population
Recency-Weekend coverage

Copy & Edit the World

2008-09-27T17:52:00.001-07:00

I had some trouble finding errors for our first assignment. I' am not sure if this counts, but I found an article that talks about a misspelled sign in San Mateo, on the 101 freeway. I thought it was pretty interesting. Hillsdale is misspelled. The sign displays it as "Hillsidale", with an extra "i".''

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sanmateodailynews.com/pics/padn/400xN/smdn/2007-4-13-04-13-07-sm-hillsidale&imgrefurl=http://www.sanmateodailynews.com/article/2007-4-13-04-13-07-sm-hillsidale&h=551&w=399&sz=32&hl=en&start=4&um=1&usg=__Yd5iyb1BMxZvnmqbrwOw-GqS3qo=&tbnid=4in-MTSAqMKBWM:&tbnh=133&tbnw=96&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhillsdale%2Bmisspelled%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den

AP Exercises I-L

2008-09-27T17:51:00.004-07:00

Please identify and correct the AP and other style errors in the following sentences.

1) There's been no letup all day. After class, I plan to soak in my Jacuzzi, then lie down for a short nap. (3)

2) They called Sen. Fred Fried a left-winger because he voted against the Patriot Act. (3)

3) As they unfurled her white sails, the sailboat caught the breeze and began to slice steadily through the waves. Their dream cruise of the Pacific islands had begun. (2)

4) After two days of hard rain and rising waters, the river flooded its banks, leaving the road
partly impassable. (2)

Feature Leads

2008-09-27T17:51:00.003-07:00

Bring out the Candles, Bring in the Firefighters.

By: Sadia Mohammadi
Tulsa, Okla.

What started off as a 95th birthday bash ended in smoke, literally.

The only thing more impressive than 95-year-old Mabel McCullough of Tulsa Okla., was her carrot cake, which held all 95 candles.

McCullough, who turns 95 on Sept. 27, enjoyed her birthday party which was thrown by the women's group at First United Methodist Church. One guest, Eddi Carlin, described the candles on the cake, "There wasn't an inch to spare. By the time we had them all lit it looked like a torch." With some help, McCullough blew out all of the candles.

Little did they know the smoke had set off a fire alarm, sending a total of 5 engines, 2 ladder companies, and 24 firefighters to the scene. Talk about getting a party started.

"We had just sat down to eat when we saw them in the doorway", Carlin said of the firefighters.

This event was even surprising to Fire Chief Lonnie Lamb, who said, "In my 25 years on the job, I've seen a lot of things set off a fire alarm, but I don't think I ever heard of one going off because of a birthday cake." And although the firefighters did not stick around to eat the carrot cake, they were nice enough to take some pictures with the women.

After 95 years, McCullough proves she is still one smokin' hot lady.

News Story 4

2008-09-27T17:51:00.001-07:00

A 21-year-old man was arrested after carjacking a newly married couple in a Taco Bell parking lot.

Alan Ticas-Soto is being held on bail of $100,00 in San Mateo County Jail, after an incident which occurred Saturday night. He is facing felony carjacking charges and misdemeanor drug charges. Tocas-Soto, who pleaded not guilty in San Mateo Superior Court on Monday, does not have a criminal record.

The newly married couple, whose names were not released, were on their way to a nearby Embassy Suites, when they stopped by Taco Bell for a late night snack. The bride stayed in the car while the groom went inside. It was at that moment when the suspect jumped into the driver seat and attempted to drive off in the 2003 Nissan Altima. The screaming bride was pulled out of the car by her groom, who ran out to the car after seeing what was going on. The suspect then drove the car into a parking lot sign, after struggling with the gears. He jumped out of the car and took off on foot. The victims were not injured.

Officer Brenden Boyle, of the San Mateo Police Dept., noticed the suspect after witnesses called in his description. Patrol cars raced to the scene and arrested Ticas-Soto right away. The suspect told police he had been taking methamphtamines for three days straight.

Deputy District Attorney Sheryl Wolcott, of San Mateo, said that an attorney has not yet been assigned to Ticas-Soto's case. She also stated that if found guilty, Ticas-Soto could face up to 9 years in state prison. According to Wolcott, a preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for May 10.

News Story 3

2008-09-27T17:49:00.000-07:00

A ruptured gas pipe threatened residents and business owners of San Francisco, yesterday afternoon.

Police cordoned off areas surrounding Folsom and 11th St., shutting down a 4-block area, after a private construction crew severed the gas pipe with a backhoe. A PG&E worker said the crew was trying to repair sewer lines when the two-inch underground pipe was punctured, a little before 12:30 p.m.

The incident brought traffic to a halt, and an irate crowd of people stood around the edge of the areas observing. Their frustration was justified, seeing as though at least 100 people were forced to evauate the area. Aside form residents, many were business owners and their customers.

Carlann Lauria, who manages Crocker's Lockers, a self-storage company on Folsom near 10th St. said, "Ask my cutomers. They were pretty irate." The shut down, however did not completely halt business; employess kept busy by collecting payment checks from customers outside police perimeters.

Manager Samantha Feldman, of Wa-Ha-Ka restaurant, was also affected by the gas pipe rupture. She saids her retsaurant lost about 500 dollars in business when employees and patrons were asked to evacuate.

According to PG&E, the gas was turned back on at 5:09 p.m. the same day.

Top News Story 4: A Date with the Debate

2008-09-27T17:38:00.000-07:00

The 2008 presidential debate set the record. Over 80 million viewers tuned in Friday night, to watch Barack Obama and John McCain battle it out. According to and article on MSNBC.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26906002/), Robert Thompson of the Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University said the fact that McCain wanted to postpone the debate to handle the economic issues the country was facing, helped the numbers jump. He also overheard people at the grocery store, talking about what time the debate was going to be on. It is pretty evident that this campaign has the nation's attention, whether you are part of a political party or not.

The topic was foreign affairs, but personality flaws were also a topic of their own. McCain called Obama inexperienced and naive, while Obama quickly jumped in to defend himself. It wasBaracl clear we had two very different people standing before us. One, an old and respected veteran. The other, an intelligent young man with charisma. Both men, as different as they are, have managed to capture the attention and hearts of the American people.

From the very beginning of this campaign, America has followed the news and updates pertaining to the two candidates. It is even more refreshing to see the youth of the nation become more involved in today's politics. More debates await us, and I'm sure more of us will be tuning in.

News Values:
Timeliness
Currency
Proximity

Prominence

Top News Story 3: The Billion Dollar Question

2008-09-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

America's economy needs help. Will a $700 billion bailout do the trick?

According to an article posted today, on the Yahoo News website, (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080920/ap_on_bi_ge/financial_meltdown) the Bush administration asked Congress for the power to buy out assets from the financial institutions who were part of the mortgage meltdown. The plan would help the economy get back on its feet over the next couple of years, but some Americans are not so trusting of the new plan.

Sen. Barack Obama said the plan must be beneficial to the people of our country who are currently struggling with the cost of food and gas. He does not want to continue supporting the corporations who got us into this mess. Then there are the homeowners, who need rescuing of their own. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the bailout is necessary in helping rebuild America's economy, but not worth it if it will not help homeowners keep their properties.

While the decision is pending, Americans are paying the price. Gas prices are almost unbearable, and the rising cost of food is only making matters worse. How much longer before our country is out of this slump? This is the $700 billion dollar question.

News Values:
Currency
Timeliness
Impact

AP Exercises (E-H)

2008-09-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

1) To insure the accuracy of the news story, Sarah Jones checked with her source. For Jones this is an every day practice, not the exception.

2) As the two boys argued over who should get the last piece of pizza, both seemed equally as hungry. Clearly they had forgotten their earlier decision to forgo having seconds.

3) He suspected his neighbor was selling drugs, so he called the FBI. His neighbor, however, cried foul at the accusation.

4) She grew up on the Great Plains near Alliance, N.E., where the winters are long and harsh, and the living is hand-to-mouth.

5) Her car was side swiped by a hit-and-run driver on Route 1-A this morning. She was not really injured, but the impact sent the contents of her purse helter-skelter. (4)

News Story 2

2008-09-20T13:47:00.000-07:00

Two tourists were robbed at gunpoint, yesterday in the parking lot of Saint Mary's Cathedral.

Sgt. Lawrence Price of the San Francisco Police Department identified the victims as WeiMing Chen, 28, and his wife Li Lu, 30.

The couple told police they had left their tour group around 10 a.m. and made their way to the lower lot of the parking lot to take pictures when the thief approached them, waving his pistol and demanding their money. Chen gave him about one-hundred dollars in cash, but the thief did not take off running until Chen handed over his Visa card, the couple's passports, camera, and airline tickets.

The couple's entire tour group of 30 were scheduled to board their flight back to Taipei at 1 p.m. No one knows if the couple was able to make it.

The suspect was wearing a black jacket and cap at the time of the assault, and appeared to be 18 years of age. Police are looking for the suspect.

News Story 1

2008-09-20T13:08:00.000-07:00

Firefighters rescued a man from his burning home in San Jose, yesterday afternoon.

Robert Kent, retired and described to be in his 50s, laid unconscious on his kitchen floor, in his single-story home on Annapolis Way while flames surrounded him and smoke engulfed the home. Suffering 2nd and 3rd degree burns on 50 percent percent of his body, Kent was listed in grave condition, according to a nursing supervisor at Valley Medical Center in San Jose.

The fire was reported around 3 p.m., and started in the kitchen moving up to the attic, according to San Jose Fire Captain, Rob Piper. Piper said there was no smoke detector, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Revised Leads 1

2008-09-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

A local couple who sued for injuries suffered during a traffic accident in March, was awarded $150,000 yesterday, by the Butte County Court.

Forecasters are expecting another snowstorm to hit the Sierras today. The storm is part of a series of snowstorms.

Three firefighters were injured today while evacuating 41 families from a burning six-story building at 204 Union Ave., according to police.

Revised Leads 4

2008-09-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

Forty passengers were evacuated from Northwest Airlines flight 428 at the Municipal Airport in LaCrosse, Wisc., following a flight from Minneapolis, when a landing tower employee spotted smoke near the wheels.

A 7-year-old missing boy was found in Brick Township, N.J., when a neighbor called police after seeing his picture on the movie, "Adam: The Song Continues".
The boy's mother, Ellen Lynn Conner, 27, was arrested and now faces charges of kidnapping and interference with a custody warrant.

Leads 4

2008-09-13T17:59:00.000-07:00

Forty passengers were evacuated from a Northwest Airlines jet today.

Flight 428 at the Municipal Airport in LaCrosse, Wisc., was following a flight from Minneapolis when a landing tower employee spotted smoke near the wheels.

A 7-year-old missing boy was found in Brick Township, N.J.

The boy who had been missing for three years, was found Monday night after a neighbor called police after seeing his picture on the movie, "Adam: The Song Continues". The boy's mother, Ellen Lynn Conner, 27, was arrested and now faces charges of kidnapping and interference with a custody warrant.

Top News 1

2008-09-06T04:21:00.002-07:00

Who is Sarah Palin, anyway? This topic, thanks to media coverage and John McCain’s choice for a running mate, receives my vote for the top news story of the week. Before she became McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin was simply the governor of a small town in Alaska. Today, her personal life and political position is under the microscope of the public. In fact, the minute she was chosen as McCain’s running mate, media reports surfaced about her unwed pregnant daughter, and lack of experience as a candidate.

After watching coverage of the National Republican Convention on MSNBC, I began to understand why Obama supporters fear her. She stepped onto the stage with poise and confidence. Welcomed by never ending cheers and signs labeled, “Palin Power” and “I Love Hockey Moms”, it was clear that Palin had already won over the massive crowd surrounding her. Then came her speech. She introduced her family, ridiculed Barack Obama, and praised McCain. This woman went from the target of tabloids to a political heroine overnight. Since her speech, she has been spotted on magazine covers and all over the headlines. In fact, an article on MSNBC.com reported that “more than 40 million Americans tuned in Wednesday to see for themselves what they thought of
her” (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26548482/#storyContinued).

This presidential election is not only historical, but crucial to Americans who are dealing with an endless war, devastating economy, and the need for a change. Palin’s story is captivating whether you love or hate her. She did not crumble under the media’s scrutiny of her personal life. Many people lose their careers and reputations over what is reported about them. Fortunately for Sarah Palin, she used the negative press to her advantage. Forty million viewers is exactly what a campaign could use.

News Values:
Impact (The election itself-important to citizens)
Proximity (Nationally affects Americans)
Prominence (Known politicians)
Timeliness (Current news)

Leads 2

2008-09-06T04:21:00.001-07:00

One hundred and thirty-one passengers aboard a US Air flight died in the worst air crash to occur in the past three years. The plane departing from Chicago, struck down just outside of Pittsburgh yesterday, as it prepared to land.

Leads 1

2008-09-06T04:19:00.000-07:00

A local couple who sued for injuries suffered during a traffic accident in March, were awarded $150,000 yesterday, by the Butte County Court.

Forecasters are expecting another snowstorm to hit the Sierras today. The storm is part of a series of snowstorms.

According to police, three firefighters were injured while 41 families evacuated a six-story building that caught fire today. The building was located at 204 Union Ave.

First Assignment: Introducing...ME!

2008-08-22T01:12:00.000-07:00

My name is Sadia, and I am a transfer student from Sac State. This is my first semester at San Jose State, and I'm really looking forward to it. I completed my General Education in Sacramento, and decided on finally entering the world of Journalism. I researched different programs in the California State University system, and was very impressed with San Jose's, not to mention I grew up just twenty minutes away from here (Fremont). I must say it's nice to be back in the bay area.

I changed my major about three times before I was absolutely sure of what I wanted to do. I've always been a writer and artist. I love to express my thoughts through words. For me, it's the ultimate form of meditation. Not only that, but words can truly move people. Any art form will do that, but for me, it has always been about the words. I've learned that college never was and never will be for money. People often ask me what I'm studying and immediately, they are waiting to hear what profession I have chosen. They never quite understand that the path is more important to me than where my income will be coming from. College prepares you for more than just getting a job. I'm glad I chose this route for the right reasons.

As far as media goes, I'm interested in all sects. Of course, I am drawn to entertainment. I know just about everything there is to know about celebrities, it's actually pretty embarrassing. Because of this however, I want to study more about what is taking place all over the world, from what is going on in our communities to how people are living in different countries. What I really want out of this field is as much knowledge as I can get about the world we live in. I feel like I don't know enough about what is going on, and that I'm enclosed in this small space we call normalcy. I'd really love to travel and document what I come across. Life is too short and too amazing not to see what else is out there, and I have always been fascinated by documentaries. I'm new to the world of media, but I feel like I'm ready for the journey I am about to embark on. Wish me luck!