Wed 4/29
The article about college dining halls going trayless felt like they were talking about UNH. Too bad we didn't get a mention....
Specter switching parties...seems more of a desperate act than anything pure and virtuous.
The day after the article saying eating red meat often can kill you, the 2/3 of their dining front page is devoted to eating red meat.
Thursday
Nice article about Ultimate Frisbee. Not exactly sure why it's in the Styles section, but better than what's usually in there I guess. And the week I'm looking at what tent I should buy, the Times previews tents...too bad they're all hundreds more than I'll pay for one, though admittedly they are reviewing four season tents.
Loved the article about Lance Armstrong. I think I'm becoming more of a Lance fan now that I'm following on Twitter.
So much in the Times to read everyday, so little time.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Some Reading Logs
Monday 4/27
Good article in Business about CNN drawing declining ratings. I always felt that they should be getting the highest ratings because they are less biased than Fox/MSNBC, and never considered the fact that their low rating could be because of their lack of bias. I like CNN, and the coverage on the others is just so partisan sometimes it's laughable. But apparently I'm in the minority. At least the dining halls show CNN...
Tuesday 4/28
Favorite article today was about the Louisiana high school sprint star who trains without a track due to the affects of Katrina. Pretty cool stuff.
More later...
Good article in Business about CNN drawing declining ratings. I always felt that they should be getting the highest ratings because they are less biased than Fox/MSNBC, and never considered the fact that their low rating could be because of their lack of bias. I like CNN, and the coverage on the others is just so partisan sometimes it's laughable. But apparently I'm in the minority. At least the dining halls show CNN...
Tuesday 4/28
Favorite article today was about the Louisiana high school sprint star who trains without a track due to the affects of Katrina. Pretty cool stuff.
More later...
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Shark Blamed for Attacks Caught, Beaches Reopen
Amity Police Chief Martin Brody announced early this morning that the shark blamed for two gruesome deaths in the past days has been caught.
According to Brady, the shark was caught be two local fishermen in waters one mile southwest of Amity. The fisherman will receive the $3000 reward advertised by Audrey Kitner, mother of one of the victims.
“They [the fishermen] were trolling with a 25 lb turkey attached to a giant hook and the shark took the bait,” said Brody.
The shark was then inspected by Matt Hooper, a marine biologist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic institute, and one of the world’s foremost experts on sharks. Hooper identified the shark as a nurse shark, considered among the most dangerous of all sharks.
Though the shark’s stomach was not checked for human remains, out of respect for the deceased’s families, Brody is confident that this is the shark confident for the attacks.
“Of course it’s the same one. How could it not be?” said Brody, referencing the shark’s unusually large size.
Brody also took comfort in the analysis by Hooper.
“He’s convinced me that this is indeed the shark,” said Brody. “He’s known around the world as a shark expert, so if he says that this is the shark, than this is the shark.”
The shark was blamed for two deaths at area beaches. The first was the July 1 death of 16-year-old Wendy Watson, whose mangled body was found washed up on an Amity beach. She had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. the night before as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
The second death believed to be caused by the shark was that of 10-year-old Alex Kitner, who was floating on a rubber raft in the water off Village Beach when witnesses at the beach reported seeing him pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight his attacker, but was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Kitner disappeared took on the color of blood. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Beaches were reopened on the announcement of the shark’s capture, after having been closed just hours beforehand, just in time for the popular July 4 weekend. Brody said that there will continue to be shark spotters from various federal and local agencies, but they are just a safety precaution. There is also a toll-free hotline to report shark spotting, 1-800-sharksee.
Despite the precautions, Brody does not think there are other sharks in the area.
“This is a very rare shark for these waters,” he said. “We really doubt it.”
In fact, Brody went so far as to encourage residents to go to the beach.
“I urge all our residents to recreate at the beaches in order to encourage the participation of all our visitors in the wonderful water sports of which we all so happily partake throughout the summer,” he wrote in a press release.
And indeed, the beaches were packed this morning. The same couldn’t be said for the water though- at first.
Hundreds of people seemed to be out to soak up some rays, but not necessarily soak in the water. But when someone did go in- Amity Resident Jim Henderson and his family- they were quickly followed and the water was soon as crowded as the beach once was.
However, the spirit of the shark wasn’t gone completely. Shark spotters roamed on the beach and in boats offshore, watching for anything unusual. And while no sharks appeared, the young boys diving with a shark fin on their backs did create a stir and prompt an evacuation of the water before the hoax was realized.
It’s just another sign, perhaps, that it will take more than a couple hours in the sun for this community to get back to normal following the tragic events of late.
According to Brady, the shark was caught be two local fishermen in waters one mile southwest of Amity. The fisherman will receive the $3000 reward advertised by Audrey Kitner, mother of one of the victims.
“They [the fishermen] were trolling with a 25 lb turkey attached to a giant hook and the shark took the bait,” said Brody.
The shark was then inspected by Matt Hooper, a marine biologist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic institute, and one of the world’s foremost experts on sharks. Hooper identified the shark as a nurse shark, considered among the most dangerous of all sharks.
Though the shark’s stomach was not checked for human remains, out of respect for the deceased’s families, Brody is confident that this is the shark confident for the attacks.
“Of course it’s the same one. How could it not be?” said Brody, referencing the shark’s unusually large size.
Brody also took comfort in the analysis by Hooper.
“He’s convinced me that this is indeed the shark,” said Brody. “He’s known around the world as a shark expert, so if he says that this is the shark, than this is the shark.”
The shark was blamed for two deaths at area beaches. The first was the July 1 death of 16-year-old Wendy Watson, whose mangled body was found washed up on an Amity beach. She had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. the night before as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
The second death believed to be caused by the shark was that of 10-year-old Alex Kitner, who was floating on a rubber raft in the water off Village Beach when witnesses at the beach reported seeing him pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight his attacker, but was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Kitner disappeared took on the color of blood. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Beaches were reopened on the announcement of the shark’s capture, after having been closed just hours beforehand, just in time for the popular July 4 weekend. Brody said that there will continue to be shark spotters from various federal and local agencies, but they are just a safety precaution. There is also a toll-free hotline to report shark spotting, 1-800-sharksee.
Despite the precautions, Brody does not think there are other sharks in the area.
“This is a very rare shark for these waters,” he said. “We really doubt it.”
In fact, Brody went so far as to encourage residents to go to the beach.
“I urge all our residents to recreate at the beaches in order to encourage the participation of all our visitors in the wonderful water sports of which we all so happily partake throughout the summer,” he wrote in a press release.
And indeed, the beaches were packed this morning. The same couldn’t be said for the water though- at first.
Hundreds of people seemed to be out to soak up some rays, but not necessarily soak in the water. But when someone did go in- Amity Resident Jim Henderson and his family- they were quickly followed and the water was soon as crowded as the beach once was.
However, the spirit of the shark wasn’t gone completely. Shark spotters roamed on the beach and in boats offshore, watching for anything unusual. And while no sharks appeared, the young boys diving with a shark fin on their backs did create a stir and prompt an evacuation of the water before the hoax was realized.
It’s just another sign, perhaps, that it will take more than a couple hours in the sun for this community to get back to normal following the tragic events of late.
Shark Blamed for Attacks Caught, says Police Chief
Amity Police Chief Martin Brody announced early this morning that the shark blamed for two gruesome deaths in the past days has been caught.
According to Brady, the shark was caught be two local fishermen in waters one mile southwest of Amity. The fisherman will receive the $3000 reward advertised by Audrey Kitner, mother of one of the victims.
“They [the fishermen] were trolling with a 25 lb turkey attached to a giant hook and the shark took the bait,” said Brody.
The shark was then inspected by Matt Hooper, a marine biologist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic institute, and one of the world’s foremost experts on sharks. Hooper identified the shark as a nurse shark, considered among the most dangerous of all sharks.
Though the shark’s stomach was not checked for human remains, out of respect for the deceased’s families, Brody is confident that this is the shark confident for the attacks.
“Of course it’s the same one. How could it not be?” said Brody, referencing the shark’s unusually large size.
Brody also took comfort in the analysis by Hooper.
“He’s convinced me that this is indeed the shark,” said Brody. “He’s known around the world as a shark expert, so if he says that this is the shark, than this is the shark.”
The shark was blamed for two deaths at area beaches. The first was the July 1 death of 16-year-old Wendy Watson, whose mangled body was found washed up on an Amity beach. She had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. the night before as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
The second death believed to be caused by the shark was that of 10-year-old Alex Kitner, who was floating on a rubber raft in the water off Village Beach when witnesses at the beach reported seeing him pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight his attacker, but was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Kitner disappeared took on the color of blood. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Beaches were reopened on the announcement of the shark’s capture, after having been closed just hours beforehand, just in time for the popular July 4 weekend. Brody said that there will continue to be shark spotters from various federal and local agencies, but they are just a safety precaution. There is also a toll-free hotline to report shark spotting, 1-800-sharksee.
Despite the precautions, Brody does not think there are other sharks in the area.
“This is a very rare shark for these waters,” he said. “We really doubt it.”
In fact, Brody went so far as to encourage residents to go to the beach.
“I urge all our residents to recreate at the beaches in order to encourage the participation of all our visitors in the wonderful water sports of which we all so happily partake throughout the summer,” he wrote in a press release.
According to Brady, the shark was caught be two local fishermen in waters one mile southwest of Amity. The fisherman will receive the $3000 reward advertised by Audrey Kitner, mother of one of the victims.
“They [the fishermen] were trolling with a 25 lb turkey attached to a giant hook and the shark took the bait,” said Brody.
The shark was then inspected by Matt Hooper, a marine biologist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic institute, and one of the world’s foremost experts on sharks. Hooper identified the shark as a nurse shark, considered among the most dangerous of all sharks.
Though the shark’s stomach was not checked for human remains, out of respect for the deceased’s families, Brody is confident that this is the shark confident for the attacks.
“Of course it’s the same one. How could it not be?” said Brody, referencing the shark’s unusually large size.
Brody also took comfort in the analysis by Hooper.
“He’s convinced me that this is indeed the shark,” said Brody. “He’s known around the world as a shark expert, so if he says that this is the shark, than this is the shark.”
The shark was blamed for two deaths at area beaches. The first was the July 1 death of 16-year-old Wendy Watson, whose mangled body was found washed up on an Amity beach. She had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. the night before as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
The second death believed to be caused by the shark was that of 10-year-old Alex Kitner, who was floating on a rubber raft in the water off Village Beach when witnesses at the beach reported seeing him pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight his attacker, but was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Kitner disappeared took on the color of blood. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Beaches were reopened on the announcement of the shark’s capture, after having been closed just hours beforehand, just in time for the popular July 4 weekend. Brody said that there will continue to be shark spotters from various federal and local agencies, but they are just a safety precaution. There is also a toll-free hotline to report shark spotting, 1-800-sharksee.
Despite the precautions, Brody does not think there are other sharks in the area.
“This is a very rare shark for these waters,” he said. “We really doubt it.”
In fact, Brody went so far as to encourage residents to go to the beach.
“I urge all our residents to recreate at the beaches in order to encourage the participation of all our visitors in the wonderful water sports of which we all so happily partake throughout the summer,” he wrote in a press release.
Amity’s Beaches Closed on the 4th Following Alleged Shark Attacks
Amity Police Chief Martin Brody announced that Amity’s beaches would be closed for 24 hours effective immediate, heightening suspicion that recent deaths at area beaches were due to shark attacks.
The announcement came at a meeting yesterday evening, attended by Brody, town officials, and concerned townspeople. Brody also announced that extra summer deputies would be assigned to the beach.
“Yes, we are,” Brody said somberly when asked if the beaches would be closed.
The decision prompted heated debate at the meeting, given the economic toll that the decision will likely have. The July 4 weekend is traditionally one of the most popular weeks of the year for beachgoers.
“24 hours is like three weeks,” one resident was heard to say in the uproar that followed the annoucement.
The decision came just hours after the second suspicious death on area beaches, which officials are investigating as possibly due to shark attacks. 10-year-old Alex Kitner of Amity was floating on a rubber raft in the water off Village Beach when witnesses at the beach reported seeing him pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight his attacker, but was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Kitner disappeared took on the color of blood. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Police are also investigating as to whether the July 1 death of 16-year-old Wendy Watson is also shark related. The mangled body of Watson was found washed up on an Amity beach. She had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. the night before as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
Kitner’s mother, Audrey Kitner, has posted signs advertising a $3000 reward for the shark believed responsible for the attacks. Local Fisherman Ben Quint had an offer of his own at the meeting as well.
“I’ll catch and kill him for ten [thousand dollars],” said Quint. “I’ll catch this bird for you. It’s not going to be easy. It’s a bad fish.”
Quint’s offer is a tempting one, given the area’s reliance on summertime visitors, a fact that he acknowledged in his proposition.
“We have to do it quick,” said Quint. “We have to get all the tourists back.”
The announcement came at a meeting yesterday evening, attended by Brody, town officials, and concerned townspeople. Brody also announced that extra summer deputies would be assigned to the beach.
“Yes, we are,” Brody said somberly when asked if the beaches would be closed.
The decision prompted heated debate at the meeting, given the economic toll that the decision will likely have. The July 4 weekend is traditionally one of the most popular weeks of the year for beachgoers.
“24 hours is like three weeks,” one resident was heard to say in the uproar that followed the annoucement.
The decision came just hours after the second suspicious death on area beaches, which officials are investigating as possibly due to shark attacks. 10-year-old Alex Kitner of Amity was floating on a rubber raft in the water off Village Beach when witnesses at the beach reported seeing him pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight his attacker, but was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Kitner disappeared took on the color of blood. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Police are also investigating as to whether the July 1 death of 16-year-old Wendy Watson is also shark related. The mangled body of Watson was found washed up on an Amity beach. She had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. the night before as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
Kitner’s mother, Audrey Kitner, has posted signs advertising a $3000 reward for the shark believed responsible for the attacks. Local Fisherman Ben Quint had an offer of his own at the meeting as well.
“I’ll catch and kill him for ten [thousand dollars],” said Quint. “I’ll catch this bird for you. It’s not going to be easy. It’s a bad fish.”
Quint’s offer is a tempting one, given the area’s reliance on summertime visitors, a fact that he acknowledged in his proposition.
“We have to do it quick,” said Quint. “We have to get all the tourists back.”
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Reading Log week of 4/20
I need to stop putting my reading logs off until Thursday...
I'm gonna start before Monday, and just say that this article (about sledding down a volcanoe) is awesome, and now I really want to do that.
Monday- I clearly am not a good college student, b/c I didn't even know I was supposed to be smoking weed all day on account of it being 4/20. I will say though, it's been interesting following the increase interest in legalizing marijuana across the country. That and legalizing gay marriage seem like they've been in the news forever, but may actually be making progress for once. I'm not sure exactly what I think about that, but it has been interesting to follow.
A very good article today was the profile on the guy who picks the letters that make it to the president. He said he picks the letters that give you chills when you read them, and the one to Obama telling him to quit smoking on account of his daughters really did give me the chills. So the journalist really picked good letters to excerpt. It's really cool how Obama writes back to some of them too.
Tuesday- Actually, the news that caught my attention in the front section was that Vermont got an IHOP. I'd known for years they were the only state lacking one, and I see they've finally succumbed. I guess it's good they have real Vermont syrup, though it's too bad they charge extra for it.
Boston Marathon Coverage! Solid showing by the US. Go Ryan Hall.
By the way, Times had some printing pages today for the second day. Yesterday some pages were too dark, today too light.
Wednesday- Seriously. Twitter is everyone! Made it to the dining section today. It was an interesting concept though- basically puzzles to solve for foodies.
And Twitter again. Maureen Dowd on page A23 had a pretty neat interview with Twitter's founders. They had a pretty smart-ass answer to everything she asked ('Do you ever think "I don't care that my friend is having a hamburger?'" 'If I said I was eating a hamburger, Evan would be surprised because I'm a vegan.')
Thursday- Suicide of the Freddie Mac exec attracted my attention most out of the articles on the front page. Everybody's got problems.
Pretty fast skim of the paper today, as I was finishing a couple articles for TNH.
Oh, and I forget what day it was in, but there was an article in sports about a competition that featured snowboarding, surfing, and skateboarding and crowned a champ of the three sports. I never realized the connection among the three before, though I guess it's pretty obvious. I love when the times covers the more fringe sports/sporting events. I can't get interested in the mainstream sports anyway.
Okay, that looks good. Posting this to my ugly blogspot blog.
I'm gonna start before Monday, and just say that this article (about sledding down a volcanoe) is awesome, and now I really want to do that.
Monday- I clearly am not a good college student, b/c I didn't even know I was supposed to be smoking weed all day on account of it being 4/20. I will say though, it's been interesting following the increase interest in legalizing marijuana across the country. That and legalizing gay marriage seem like they've been in the news forever, but may actually be making progress for once. I'm not sure exactly what I think about that, but it has been interesting to follow.
A very good article today was the profile on the guy who picks the letters that make it to the president. He said he picks the letters that give you chills when you read them, and the one to Obama telling him to quit smoking on account of his daughters really did give me the chills. So the journalist really picked good letters to excerpt. It's really cool how Obama writes back to some of them too.
Tuesday- Actually, the news that caught my attention in the front section was that Vermont got an IHOP. I'd known for years they were the only state lacking one, and I see they've finally succumbed. I guess it's good they have real Vermont syrup, though it's too bad they charge extra for it.
Boston Marathon Coverage! Solid showing by the US. Go Ryan Hall.
By the way, Times had some printing pages today for the second day. Yesterday some pages were too dark, today too light.
Wednesday- Seriously. Twitter is everyone! Made it to the dining section today. It was an interesting concept though- basically puzzles to solve for foodies.
And Twitter again. Maureen Dowd on page A23 had a pretty neat interview with Twitter's founders. They had a pretty smart-ass answer to everything she asked ('Do you ever think "I don't care that my friend is having a hamburger?'" 'If I said I was eating a hamburger, Evan would be surprised because I'm a vegan.')
Thursday- Suicide of the Freddie Mac exec attracted my attention most out of the articles on the front page. Everybody's got problems.
Pretty fast skim of the paper today, as I was finishing a couple articles for TNH.
Oh, and I forget what day it was in, but there was an article in sports about a competition that featured snowboarding, surfing, and skateboarding and crowned a champ of the three sports. I never realized the connection among the three before, though I guess it's pretty obvious. I love when the times covers the more fringe sports/sporting events. I can't get interested in the mainstream sports anyway.
Okay, that looks good. Posting this to my ugly blogspot blog.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Young Boy Killed in Waters off Village Beach
A 10-year-old boy was killed while playing with friends in the waters off Village Beach, in what the police chief says may have been an unprovoked shark attack.
According to documents released by Amity Police Chief Martin Brody, Alex Ferguson, 10, of Mayfair Court in Amity, was floating on a rubber raft in the water when the alleged attack occurred. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Witnesses at the beach reported seeing Ferguson pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight whatever was responsible for the attack, before he was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Ferguson disappeared took on the color of blood.
This is the second suspicious death in three days on Amity. On July 1, the mangled body of 16-year-old Wendy Watson was found washed up on the beach. Brody says that it officials now believe the Watson death may also have been linked to possible shark activities, but that the investigation is still ongoing.
Brody has requested that Amity’s beaches be closed due to the incidents. The request will be discussed at a meeting at 5 p.m. tonight in the town hall, along with an offer from a local fisherman, Ben Quint, to hunt down the shark though to be responsible for the attacks.
In a press release, Brody wrote: “I join Mayor Bob Farley in expressing the town’s deepest and most sincere condolences to the Ferguson Family.”
Ferguson’s mother, Marian Ferguson, who was on the beach when her son disappeared, is being treated for shock at Amity Hospital, where she is listed as being in fair condition.
According to documents released by Amity Police Chief Martin Brody, Alex Ferguson, 10, of Mayfair Court in Amity, was floating on a rubber raft in the water when the alleged attack occurred. His body has not been recovered, but the raft floated ashore with what appeared to be a bite taken out of it.
Witnesses at the beach reported seeing Ferguson pulled under the water several times in rapid succession, his airs flailing. He appeared to be trying to fight whatever was responsible for the attack, before he was ultimately pulled under. The water immediately surrounding where Ferguson disappeared took on the color of blood.
This is the second suspicious death in three days on Amity. On July 1, the mangled body of 16-year-old Wendy Watson was found washed up on the beach. Brody says that it officials now believe the Watson death may also have been linked to possible shark activities, but that the investigation is still ongoing.
Brody has requested that Amity’s beaches be closed due to the incidents. The request will be discussed at a meeting at 5 p.m. tonight in the town hall, along with an offer from a local fisherman, Ben Quint, to hunt down the shark though to be responsible for the attacks.
In a press release, Brody wrote: “I join Mayor Bob Farley in expressing the town’s deepest and most sincere condolences to the Ferguson Family.”
Ferguson’s mother, Marian Ferguson, who was on the beach when her son disappeared, is being treated for shock at Amity Hospital, where she is listed as being in fair condition.
Mangled Body of Teenager Found on Amity Beach
Early this morning, police officials found the mangled body of a teenager washed up on an Amity Beach.
Wendy W. Watson, 16, of Amity, had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
Watson was reported missing to the police by her companion when she did not return from the water. Witnesses at the party said that both teenagers had been drinking; but that the weather was clear and seas were calm.
The cause of Watson’s death is still unknown, and her body has been transported to the coroner for an autopsy. No charges have been filed in the case, although police are still investigating.
In a report, Amity Police Chief Martin Brody wrote that although a shark attack had not been ruled out, beaches would remain open and officials felt that beach-goers were not in danger.
Wendy W. Watson, 16, of Amity, had been last seen alive yesterday at about 11 p.m. as she was leaving a beach party with a male friend, apparently to go skinny-dipping.
Watson was reported missing to the police by her companion when she did not return from the water. Witnesses at the party said that both teenagers had been drinking; but that the weather was clear and seas were calm.
The cause of Watson’s death is still unknown, and her body has been transported to the coroner for an autopsy. No charges have been filed in the case, although police are still investigating.
In a report, Amity Police Chief Martin Brody wrote that although a shark attack had not been ruled out, beaches would remain open and officials felt that beach-goers were not in danger.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
It's...reading log time!!!
Reading Log
Monday 4/13
Good to see the captain's freed. It's been an interesting story to follow, and I can't imagine going through what Capt. Phillips did. That said, I didn't read the article, having already heard it 50 million times on CNN by the time this article came out (which I guess is one of the problems newspapers face).
That said I did read some of the other things on the front page-
$80,000 for a year off law- Totally would take this opportunity. Then again, I'll never sell my soul enough to be employed at a high profile law firm. But at least a couple of the lawyers have their priorities straight.
Toilet Ratio in Ballparks- It's a good article when I read it all the way to the end. Apparently I'm fascinated with ballpark restroom counts.
Overall, a good paper, especially for a Monday edition (which seem to lag sometimes- writers probably still recovering from cranking out the Sunday edition).
Tuesday 4/14
Ever notice how often the NYTimes mentions Twitter? SO OFTEN!! Anyway, it's on the front of business today. Enjoy reading about it (and today- Thursday I started a Twitter account). Anyway, nice article about bouldering in Sports. But please no more Michael Jackson pictures, please. Even if it is in painting format wearing Rennaissance type clothes. And even when it portrays him when he was still black and had a nose.
Wednesday 4/15
A+ Dining section. Nice job, NYT. Good article about the teen violinist on the front page. The headline made me expect more about music, but I probably enjoyed the real life focus more anyway. And enjoyed the article about the MN senate race. 312 votes. Dang.
And the golfer in sports who used to be an extreme sports junkie? Awesome. I actually look up to a golfer now. Though wouldn't we all be willing to work as a waiter and spend all our time outside if we knew in 10 years time we'd be able to afford a multimillion dollar home.
Thursday 4/16
Nice look into the life about Palin. I usually groan every time I hear her name, but this was actually an informative article, not just something stupid to fill a couple minutes of the news. But please tell me she's not thinking about 2012...
When I saw the article in styles about bike commuters, I expected it to be mentioned on one of the blogs I read regularly, BikeSnobNYC. And it was- http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2009/04/backlash-conspiracy-divide-and-conquer.html (have to scroll down past his mentioning of elizabeth hasselback's twitter.) Not surprising, he planned the bikes, living up to his name.
Another blog I read mentioned the times today. It's actually a very journalistic blog, about a freelance adventure writer who often writes about general journalism topics (including the various problems that plague the industry). http://onthewater.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/nyts-downsizes-and-axes-escapes/
Apparently, NYT is getting rid of Friday's Escapes section. Can't say I've read it, but I think they should get rid of the arts section instead. Or Thursday styles, for that matter.
Okay, I think I've done a decent amount of musing for the week.
Monday 4/13
Good to see the captain's freed. It's been an interesting story to follow, and I can't imagine going through what Capt. Phillips did. That said, I didn't read the article, having already heard it 50 million times on CNN by the time this article came out (which I guess is one of the problems newspapers face).
That said I did read some of the other things on the front page-
$80,000 for a year off law- Totally would take this opportunity. Then again, I'll never sell my soul enough to be employed at a high profile law firm. But at least a couple of the lawyers have their priorities straight.
Toilet Ratio in Ballparks- It's a good article when I read it all the way to the end. Apparently I'm fascinated with ballpark restroom counts.
Overall, a good paper, especially for a Monday edition (which seem to lag sometimes- writers probably still recovering from cranking out the Sunday edition).
Tuesday 4/14
Ever notice how often the NYTimes mentions Twitter? SO OFTEN!! Anyway, it's on the front of business today. Enjoy reading about it (and today- Thursday I started a Twitter account). Anyway, nice article about bouldering in Sports. But please no more Michael Jackson pictures, please. Even if it is in painting format wearing Rennaissance type clothes. And even when it portrays him when he was still black and had a nose.
Wednesday 4/15
A+ Dining section. Nice job, NYT. Good article about the teen violinist on the front page. The headline made me expect more about music, but I probably enjoyed the real life focus more anyway. And enjoyed the article about the MN senate race. 312 votes. Dang.
And the golfer in sports who used to be an extreme sports junkie? Awesome. I actually look up to a golfer now. Though wouldn't we all be willing to work as a waiter and spend all our time outside if we knew in 10 years time we'd be able to afford a multimillion dollar home.
Thursday 4/16
Nice look into the life about Palin. I usually groan every time I hear her name, but this was actually an informative article, not just something stupid to fill a couple minutes of the news. But please tell me she's not thinking about 2012...
When I saw the article in styles about bike commuters, I expected it to be mentioned on one of the blogs I read regularly, BikeSnobNYC. And it was- http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2009/04/backlash-conspiracy-divide-and-conquer.html (have to scroll down past his mentioning of elizabeth hasselback's twitter.) Not surprising, he planned the bikes, living up to his name.
Another blog I read mentioned the times today. It's actually a very journalistic blog, about a freelance adventure writer who often writes about general journalism topics (including the various problems that plague the industry). http://onthewater.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/nyts-downsizes-and-axes-escapes/
Apparently, NYT is getting rid of Friday's Escapes section. Can't say I've read it, but I think they should get rid of the arts section instead. Or Thursday styles, for that matter.
Okay, I think I've done a decent amount of musing for the week.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Reading Logs 4/6-4/9
I feel like I've read less of the paper than I normally would each day this week. I'm not sure whether this was due to time constraints and a million other things to do, or the fact that less articles seemed to reach out and grab me. Probably a mix of both. Anyway, time to get my reading log out there before I start studying microeconomics.
My favorite article Monday was probably the feature story under national about the candy shop that burned down in Washington. Due to not being observant and missing the byline, I thought for half the story that the shop was actually in the Alps, not just called "The Alps" and which the architecture similar to that region. Oh, and I also thought this despite the fact that it was under the "National" section. I'm not sure that kind of thinking boded well for my exams.
Tuesday. Very sparse reading of section A today. Advertising Column was sort of interesting, as I'd noticed the same retro trend (the I can't believe it's not butter commercial is so annoying...). And the frequent flier column was good too. So basically the old standbys were okay, but most things failed to interest me.
Wednesday. The New York Times was kind enough to let me know that UNC won the men's basketball championships, which I hadn't even known were being held the previous day. Found the advertising column very interesting today. I guess I wouldn't be opposed to small front page ads. In the event of the Esquire cover will the pull back mix and match of famous faces, I actually think it's a really cool idea and a creative way to come up with a few extra bucks for the mags. And obviously, I read with interest the debate about charging for online content. Hopefully the industry can work together and figure something out.
Thursday. I liked how the Times had an article on the increased demands on Minnesota's sole senator with the second role still unfilled. It is something that people wouldn't normally think about but is actually really interesting. With most articles just about the court decisions regarding the senate race, it sort of goes behind the headlines a bit (though it's still behind the headlines, considering it's buried on page A18...). I liked the pictures of teh Desert "trash house" in the Home section. In fact, I definitely read more of Home then I normally would. And finally...kosher dog food. Learn something every day.
Wednesday. I liked the piece about tracing lost belongings using the internet. S
My favorite article Monday was probably the feature story under national about the candy shop that burned down in Washington. Due to not being observant and missing the byline, I thought for half the story that the shop was actually in the Alps, not just called "The Alps" and which the architecture similar to that region. Oh, and I also thought this despite the fact that it was under the "National" section. I'm not sure that kind of thinking boded well for my exams.
Tuesday. Very sparse reading of section A today. Advertising Column was sort of interesting, as I'd noticed the same retro trend (the I can't believe it's not butter commercial is so annoying...). And the frequent flier column was good too. So basically the old standbys were okay, but most things failed to interest me.
Wednesday. The New York Times was kind enough to let me know that UNC won the men's basketball championships, which I hadn't even known were being held the previous day. Found the advertising column very interesting today. I guess I wouldn't be opposed to small front page ads. In the event of the Esquire cover will the pull back mix and match of famous faces, I actually think it's a really cool idea and a creative way to come up with a few extra bucks for the mags. And obviously, I read with interest the debate about charging for online content. Hopefully the industry can work together and figure something out.
Thursday. I liked how the Times had an article on the increased demands on Minnesota's sole senator with the second role still unfilled. It is something that people wouldn't normally think about but is actually really interesting. With most articles just about the court decisions regarding the senate race, it sort of goes behind the headlines a bit (though it's still behind the headlines, considering it's buried on page A18...). I liked the pictures of teh Desert "trash house" in the Home section. In fact, I definitely read more of Home then I normally would. And finally...kosher dog food. Learn something every day.
Wednesday. I liked the piece about tracing lost belongings using the internet. S
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Class Assignment 4/8- Issue Story
Citizens Debate Future of Biddeford Airport
A referendum question on the ballot in June’s general election will let Biddeford voters decide on the future of the Biddeford airport.
The question will read: “Shall the city authorize the Airport Authority to close the Biddeford City Airport at a cost of about $3 million, to be taken from general operating funds?”
The main argument against the airport is the cost of maintaining it. The airport currently takes in about $56,000 annually from sales of gas, property taxes, and land leases, according to John Bubier, Biddeford city manager. However, records in Bubier’s office show that the cost of the airport in 2008 was $60,000, spent primarily on maintenance, utilities, and recent improvements. The airport property is worth $1.6 million, according to records in the City Assessor’s office.
Bubier himself, however, doesn’t want to be the one making the decisions on the airport’s future.
“The City Council really hasn’t come down on one side of the issue or the other,” he said. I think they’d prefer to have the voters settle this one.”
And city residents clearly have their opinion on the matter. Paul Archambault, Chairman of Get Ride of Our Little Airport (GROLA), supports closing the airport.
“Once we started looking at the airport, we came to the conclusion that there is no financial benefit at its existing size and capacity,” said Archambault. “It continues to be a tax burden.”
Rolland Pelletier, who has lived next to the airport for 25 years, agrees.
“Times are tough in this economy,” he said. “We can’t afford to support operations that don’t support themselves.”
But Phyllis Landry, a private pilot who keeps a single-engine Cessna Sky Pilot 180 at the airport, feels that there are things other than costs that should be considered when deciding the airport’s fate.
“Maybe it’s expensive to run the airport,” he said. “But it’s a great resource. I know business people who fly in here all the time.”
There are 47 planes based at the airport, about half of which are owned by corporations, according to Tom Bryand, Airport Manager.
This is not the first time the airport has been controversial. For some, the airport lost their support a few years ago when they cut down trees on the border of the property and enforced no-trespassing rules. The changes were federal safety regulations that were undertaken because the airport was at risk of losing Federal Aviation Administration funding.
Pelletier felt the trees were necessary to keep the airport’s neighbors safe.
“NTSB has a report of a pilot, who was also an instructor pilot, who hit the trees at the end of the runway,” he said. “Some residents no longer have trees to protect them- this bothers me.”
But Bryand says the changes have made the airport safer.
“We had pedestrians, motorcycles, four-wheelers (and) ATVs all using it,” said Bryand. “They just used it as a backyard and that’s against regulations.”
Ultimately though, cost is most likely to be what’s on the minds of most when they head to the polls.
“Sure this started out as a fight about trees and public access,” said Archambault. “But it’s not just about that any more. Now it’s about money too.”
A referendum question on the ballot in June’s general election will let Biddeford voters decide on the future of the Biddeford airport.
The question will read: “Shall the city authorize the Airport Authority to close the Biddeford City Airport at a cost of about $3 million, to be taken from general operating funds?”
The main argument against the airport is the cost of maintaining it. The airport currently takes in about $56,000 annually from sales of gas, property taxes, and land leases, according to John Bubier, Biddeford city manager. However, records in Bubier’s office show that the cost of the airport in 2008 was $60,000, spent primarily on maintenance, utilities, and recent improvements. The airport property is worth $1.6 million, according to records in the City Assessor’s office.
Bubier himself, however, doesn’t want to be the one making the decisions on the airport’s future.
“The City Council really hasn’t come down on one side of the issue or the other,” he said. I think they’d prefer to have the voters settle this one.”
And city residents clearly have their opinion on the matter. Paul Archambault, Chairman of Get Ride of Our Little Airport (GROLA), supports closing the airport.
“Once we started looking at the airport, we came to the conclusion that there is no financial benefit at its existing size and capacity,” said Archambault. “It continues to be a tax burden.”
Rolland Pelletier, who has lived next to the airport for 25 years, agrees.
“Times are tough in this economy,” he said. “We can’t afford to support operations that don’t support themselves.”
But Phyllis Landry, a private pilot who keeps a single-engine Cessna Sky Pilot 180 at the airport, feels that there are things other than costs that should be considered when deciding the airport’s fate.
“Maybe it’s expensive to run the airport,” he said. “But it’s a great resource. I know business people who fly in here all the time.”
There are 47 planes based at the airport, about half of which are owned by corporations, according to Tom Bryand, Airport Manager.
This is not the first time the airport has been controversial. For some, the airport lost their support a few years ago when they cut down trees on the border of the property and enforced no-trespassing rules. The changes were federal safety regulations that were undertaken because the airport was at risk of losing Federal Aviation Administration funding.
Pelletier felt the trees were necessary to keep the airport’s neighbors safe.
“NTSB has a report of a pilot, who was also an instructor pilot, who hit the trees at the end of the runway,” he said. “Some residents no longer have trees to protect them- this bothers me.”
But Bryand says the changes have made the airport safer.
“We had pedestrians, motorcycles, four-wheelers (and) ATVs all using it,” said Bryand. “They just used it as a backyard and that’s against regulations.”
Ultimately though, cost is most likely to be what’s on the minds of most when they head to the polls.
“Sure this started out as a fight about trees and public access,” said Archambault. “But it’s not just about that any more. Now it’s about money too.”
Class Assignment 4/8- Story Lead
The proposed shuttering of the Lakes Region Facility prison by early this summer could save the state $1.7 million, but also cost some of the facility’s 90 staffers their jobs.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Reading Logs 3/31-4/2
Tuesday 3/31
My top three articles:
Great article about how those who can pay for college are more likely to get in. I'm surprised as many colleges that did were willing to admit this. I mean, it's mildly obvious, but seems it would remain unspoken.
Southern Korean bullfighting- Awesome article. Didn't have a clue that this sport exists, and its totally different from what we normally think of when we think of bullfighting.
Newspapers in Detroit. Well, we'll (read the past 2 words and realize what a difference an apostrophe makes...) see how this experiment works. Maybe they can figure out a way to make the papers profitable. Certainly interesting, and better than the paper shutting down completely.
Wednesday 4/1
Solid paper. Going to try something different and just comment on a few photos.
A1- Picture of abandoned sailboat. Very well composed photo. Your eye is first drawn to the boat, but then follows the mast to view the rest of the picture. Please the colors seem to blend very well. I really like the layer of brown grass/aquatic plants.
A17- Picture of mother and daughter in room covered with Jonas Brothers posters- I think it's hilarious that the subjects look so sad, especially the mother. It's not that you lost your job, or found out you got cancer- IT'S JUST YOU DIDN'T GET TICKETS TO THE JONAS BROTHERS! This is not the end of the world, guys. The facial expression on the mother feels like it should be part of the injured workers article. Oh, and the room disturbs me.
,
B11- Aron Ralston. Please cut the hair and shave the beard. You looked sooooo much better on the front cover of your book (which I read). And trust me, I'm the kind of guy who romanticizes and idolizes the "mountain man," but having seen you both ways you definitely looked better before.
D1- The biggest picture in the paper is of..................a goat. Ummm, okay. That's cool. I like goats.
Thursday 4/2
Didn't find a ton that interested me in the front section, perhaps because I tend more towards feature-type stories and there seemed to be less than usual. In fact, probably spent less time reading the overall paper than normal. There were a wealth of sections, but not necessarily geared toward the my interests (Thursday Styles and Home were joined by a special section on retirement). Interestingly though, it was the retirement section that I read the most of of those three, as it had articles about the peace corps and travel. I'd definitely consider joining the Peace Corps after college (after hiking the AT of course), so enjoy reading about it. Interesting article about the downfall of professional video game leagues in sports. All in all, an okay paper, nothing I'd rave about though.
My top three articles:
Great article about how those who can pay for college are more likely to get in. I'm surprised as many colleges that did were willing to admit this. I mean, it's mildly obvious, but seems it would remain unspoken.
Southern Korean bullfighting- Awesome article. Didn't have a clue that this sport exists, and its totally different from what we normally think of when we think of bullfighting.
Newspapers in Detroit. Well, we'll (read the past 2 words and realize what a difference an apostrophe makes...) see how this experiment works. Maybe they can figure out a way to make the papers profitable. Certainly interesting, and better than the paper shutting down completely.
Wednesday 4/1
Solid paper. Going to try something different and just comment on a few photos.
A1- Picture of abandoned sailboat. Very well composed photo. Your eye is first drawn to the boat, but then follows the mast to view the rest of the picture. Please the colors seem to blend very well. I really like the layer of brown grass/aquatic plants.
A17- Picture of mother and daughter in room covered with Jonas Brothers posters- I think it's hilarious that the subjects look so sad, especially the mother. It's not that you lost your job, or found out you got cancer- IT'S JUST YOU DIDN'T GET TICKETS TO THE JONAS BROTHERS! This is not the end of the world, guys. The facial expression on the mother feels like it should be part of the injured workers article. Oh, and the room disturbs me.
,
B11- Aron Ralston. Please cut the hair and shave the beard. You looked sooooo much better on the front cover of your book (which I read). And trust me, I'm the kind of guy who romanticizes and idolizes the "mountain man," but having seen you both ways you definitely looked better before.
D1- The biggest picture in the paper is of..................a goat. Ummm, okay. That's cool. I like goats.
Thursday 4/2
Didn't find a ton that interested me in the front section, perhaps because I tend more towards feature-type stories and there seemed to be less than usual. In fact, probably spent less time reading the overall paper than normal. There were a wealth of sections, but not necessarily geared toward the my interests (Thursday Styles and Home were joined by a special section on retirement). Interestingly though, it was the retirement section that I read the most of of those three, as it had articles about the peace corps and travel. I'd definitely consider joining the Peace Corps after college (after hiking the AT of course), so enjoy reading about it. Interesting article about the downfall of professional video game leagues in sports. All in all, an okay paper, nothing I'd rave about though.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Paralympic Dreams
Jon Parker was a successful high school alpine ski racer, one of the top skiers at his school, which is impressive when you consider that the school he went to combined academics with intensive ski training. He’d already been to the junior Olympics, and his name was popping up as a top college recruit as he began his junior year. But Parker was thinking even farther ahead than that. He wanted to go to the Olympics.
Then came the accident.
The fall in a high school race required the amputation of Jon’s leg. Suddenly, skiing wasn’t so easy anymore. But then he heard about one-legged skiing, which pretty much is everything it sounds like. He tried it twice that first winter, then most weekends the next. Now, in his freshman year at UNH, Parker is pursuing the sport seriously. And the dreams he had haven’t changed.
“I want to go to the Paralympics now,” he said.
Parker has his sights set on the 2014 Winter Paralympics, to be held in Sosko, Russia. With any luck, he may have another UNH athlete on his team.
Ted Broderick doesn’t have any accident to trace his disability back to. He’s a congenital amputee, born missing his right forearm. He also is an alpine ski racer for UNH, and also has his sights sight on the 2014 games.
Parker and Broderick can take advantage of something that isn’t offered to most other disabled athletes, even those competing on the college level- they train with their able-bodied counterparts on the UNH ski team.
“We ski the same mountains, we do the same workouts, we do everything with the regular ski team,” said Broderick.
This opportunity is given to them thanks to Northeast Passage, which runs the competitive disabled sports program for students, along with a wide range of other programs offered to both the campus and the outside community.
According to Tom Carr, Director of Northeast Passage, most schools keep their disabled and able-bodied athletes together, even the University of Illinois, which has one of the largest disabled sports programs in the country. UNH is unique in that regard.
Believe it or not, Broderick and Parker aren’t the only ones interested in making it to the Paralympics. In fact, their fellow athletes on the sled hockey team just might make it there a few years earlier.
Josh Moran and Taylor Chace are two dominant members of the UNH sled hockey team and, despite opposing stories, mesh well enough on the ice to make the Wildcats one of the top teams in the league.
Chace was left with a spinal cord injury and paralysis in both legs following an accident in a high school hockey game. Upon realizing the extent of his injuries, he took up sled hockey immediately.
“It was hockey again,” he said. “If it’s hockey, I want to be involved in it.”
And involved he is. In fact, Chace is the only one of the four athletes who can say that he has been to the Paralympics already. Chace was a member of the US National Sled Hockey Team that won a bronze medal at the 2006 games in Torino, Itlay.
Moran hopes to join his teammate in Vancouver next year. Like Broderick, Moran was born with his disability, although they are more extensive. However, he has proved to be an elite athlete on the ice. He has been on the US National Team in the past and been on the winning team at the Disabled Festival, considered the national championship of the sport, for the past five years.
Carr says that all four athletes have a “more than realistic” chance of fulfilling their dreams of making it to the Paralympics.
Then came the accident.
The fall in a high school race required the amputation of Jon’s leg. Suddenly, skiing wasn’t so easy anymore. But then he heard about one-legged skiing, which pretty much is everything it sounds like. He tried it twice that first winter, then most weekends the next. Now, in his freshman year at UNH, Parker is pursuing the sport seriously. And the dreams he had haven’t changed.
“I want to go to the Paralympics now,” he said.
Parker has his sights set on the 2014 Winter Paralympics, to be held in Sosko, Russia. With any luck, he may have another UNH athlete on his team.
Ted Broderick doesn’t have any accident to trace his disability back to. He’s a congenital amputee, born missing his right forearm. He also is an alpine ski racer for UNH, and also has his sights sight on the 2014 games.
Parker and Broderick can take advantage of something that isn’t offered to most other disabled athletes, even those competing on the college level- they train with their able-bodied counterparts on the UNH ski team.
“We ski the same mountains, we do the same workouts, we do everything with the regular ski team,” said Broderick.
This opportunity is given to them thanks to Northeast Passage, which runs the competitive disabled sports program for students, along with a wide range of other programs offered to both the campus and the outside community.
According to Tom Carr, Director of Northeast Passage, most schools keep their disabled and able-bodied athletes together, even the University of Illinois, which has one of the largest disabled sports programs in the country. UNH is unique in that regard.
Believe it or not, Broderick and Parker aren’t the only ones interested in making it to the Paralympics. In fact, their fellow athletes on the sled hockey team just might make it there a few years earlier.
Josh Moran and Taylor Chace are two dominant members of the UNH sled hockey team and, despite opposing stories, mesh well enough on the ice to make the Wildcats one of the top teams in the league.
Chace was left with a spinal cord injury and paralysis in both legs following an accident in a high school hockey game. Upon realizing the extent of his injuries, he took up sled hockey immediately.
“It was hockey again,” he said. “If it’s hockey, I want to be involved in it.”
And involved he is. In fact, Chace is the only one of the four athletes who can say that he has been to the Paralympics already. Chace was a member of the US National Sled Hockey Team that won a bronze medal at the 2006 games in Torino, Itlay.
Moran hopes to join his teammate in Vancouver next year. Like Broderick, Moran was born with his disability, although they are more extensive. However, he has proved to be an elite athlete on the ice. He has been on the US National Team in the past and been on the winning team at the Disabled Festival, considered the national championship of the sport, for the past five years.
Carr says that all four athletes have a “more than realistic” chance of fulfilling their dreams of making it to the Paralympics.
Commitment to Journalism
I definitely plan to continue being involved in journalism, and hopefully transitioning along with it as it adopts new forms for new times. Within the context of education, I hope to take advanced newswriting, feature writing, and advanced creative nonfiction writing.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the NY Times so far this semester, and hope to continue reading a newspaper regularly. It seems that journalism has to continue in some form. When I watch the news on TV, they often reference newspapers in theirs ("The Washington Post reported today..."). Despite the time advantage that TV admittedly has, newspapers are still the best source for solid investigative and in-depth reporting. Newspapers seem to be looking into things long before it ever gets on the radar of CNN, for example.
Ideally, journalism and writing will factor in some way with the career I eventually get. I hope to combine this with my major to give myself a self-designed background in environmental journalism. I'm thinking for my required environmental conservation internship of trying to get a job with a environmental or science related magazine.
Basically, I hope to be playing some part in the future of journalism.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the NY Times so far this semester, and hope to continue reading a newspaper regularly. It seems that journalism has to continue in some form. When I watch the news on TV, they often reference newspapers in theirs ("The Washington Post reported today..."). Despite the time advantage that TV admittedly has, newspapers are still the best source for solid investigative and in-depth reporting. Newspapers seem to be looking into things long before it ever gets on the radar of CNN, for example.
Ideally, journalism and writing will factor in some way with the career I eventually get. I hope to combine this with my major to give myself a self-designed background in environmental journalism. I'm thinking for my required environmental conservation internship of trying to get a job with a environmental or science related magazine.
Basically, I hope to be playing some part in the future of journalism.
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