Monday, February 27, 2006

Review on Washington Post Bloggers

Reporting for Duty

http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/reportingforduty/

“Reporting for Duty” by Bert Stover intrigued me a lot. This newly transplanted military man is blogging from the Iraqi desert. So far he hasn’t seen any action other than having to walk 20 minutes between posts and the wind stirring up the sand. While I think it’s good to have a solder blogging, if he’s not going to see action any time soon, The Post should get a solder from the Green Zone to finish up.



Achenblog

http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/achenblog/

Joel Achenbach “Achenblog” appears to be well written and put together. I especially liked his entry titled, “Conversation With Old Dude in Basement” where he talks to a guy who says he is 274 years old. I guess you can say “Achenblog” is a bit quirky. He uses at least one of the elements we discussed in class—links. He even links to graphics, although I don’t understand why the graphic couldn’t be in the blog.

I’m a bit confused about whether he or any of the bloggers is on staff at The Post or just someone writing blogs. It’s not very clear on the site the way it is on some of the other newspaper sites I’ve visited.


Your Post

http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/yourpost/

Lindsay Howerton compiles comments from Washington Post.com users into this one place called “Your Post.” Here you can find comments and reviews on various subjects and stories. I think this is a great idea. It’s not quite a blog but a person could write comments on the comments of another user. Good for The Post.com for being transparent.


Think Tank Town

http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/thinktanktown/

Ron Nessen “Think Tank Town” is interesting. I see that in his entries he discusses issues that a lot of people are not even conscious of. A few of them being what some think tank organizations think about the deal to let an Arab company operate a number of ports and why the poor is getting poorer. It’s a blog that for lack of a better word has some brainpower behind it. Nessen constantly quotes the Heritage Foundation and the CATO Institute on topics in his blogs.

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Blog on the Blogs

President’s Day story

For the President’s Day story, I went down to the FDR memorial. Because the sun was setting I decided to take pictures of the memorial first before searching out a poor soul to interview.

I came across the Alexanders. Charles was taking pictures of the engravings in the stones and Patricia was sitting on a rock watching her husband. I approached her first then talked to Charles.

The Hicks family walked by just as I was finishing up with the Alexanders and I asked if I could talk to them about President’s Day. They agreed, although at first Marico didn’t want to give me his name. So his wife did most of the talking until I asked, “What would you do if you were president?” He jumped in, but I reminded him I couldn’t really use him since he didn’t want to give his name. He changed his mind.

Black History story

The lecture was interesting to cover. I didn’t really know who was in the audience until I heard the chair of the public history program thank the deputy superintendent of the National Capitol Parks East for attending that I realize I had to get a quote from him.

So when the lecture was over I rushed over before he left. When I told him I was with the press he was reluctant to talk officially. But after reassuring him I wasn’t trying to nail him on something, he obliged. Otherwise it was mostly listening and writing.

Cloud Dining story

Interviewing Cloud Dining Lounge manager John Andreas was awkward. He wasn’t very open or forthcoming. I would think a reporter doing a story on my business, which could possibly bring in more business, would make me more enthusiastic. He wasn’t.

We talked for about 20 minutes. At which point he said, “Are we just about done?” “Yes,” I said. During the interview, we sat at the bar. He ate. I wrote. He offered food or beverage. I said, “Just water.”

Safeway story thoughts

The Safeway story speaks for itself as far as my thoughts behind the story. I will say I didn’t decide to blog on the story until the last minute. I called Gregory TenEyck at Safeway and he gave me a few quotes.

Once I got off work, I stood outside the store in the cold temperatures and talked with shoppers as they left the premises. From past experience I knew as long as I was on the public sidewalk, security couldn’t bother me.

Presidents’ Day at the FDR Memorial

When people think of Presidents’ Day, most think of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two of America’s great leaders. But according to some tourists taking in our town’s grand memorials, the day has evolved into a celebration of all presidents, both old and new.

One of them being President Franklin Roosevelt, who served from 1933-1945. His legacy includes the “New Deal” which among other things helped to jump-start the economy and created Social Security.

At his memorial near the National Mall, Patricia Alexander, who says Roosevelt was her favorite, said she celebrates Presidents’ Day every year. “It’s an honor to be a president. They sacrifice so much for us. It’s the least we can do,” said the visitor from Washington State. “Roosevelt was in a wheel chair and no one even knew it,” she said.

But her husband Charles Alexander says, “It’s a shame that they combined both holidays together.” It’s not a celebration of their contributions; it’s more of a holiday, he said.

With three children in tow, Marico and Lee Hicks of Augusta Ga. wanted their children to see history up close. “I think it’s a wonderful day to honor the presidents and reflect on what they have and haven’t done,” Lee Hicks said.

Meanwhile her husband Marico, an Army man, who recently returned from a tour of duty in the Middle East says, “If I “were president I would push American men and women to protect this great nation of ours,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the Alexanders sat through a President’s Day parade in Alexandria Va. “I loved it. A lot of flag waving. It was very patriotic,” Patricia Alexander said adding, “If I were president I would bring everybody home from Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Photo by: Troy Donte' Prestwood
Caption: A statue of FD
R looks out over visitors at the memorial in his honor.


I Still Shop at Safeway

I want to share my personal thoughts on the story I did titled, "News Program Crowns Local Grocer No. 1 in Health Inspection Violations."

This story continues to have a hold on me because it was both compelling and enlightening. Compelling enough to keep digging for more information on the store. Enlightening after uncovering patterns of health inspection violations I had no idea existed.

But like so many people who watched the “Dateline” story, I was shocked and disgusted at the violations the stores racked up. To top it off, I recognize the Capitol Hill store they took the hidden camera into immediately because I would often shop there. That footage showed wires dangling from the ceiling, dirty floors and a deli clerk serving hot food below the safe temperature threshold.

“That issue was resolved immediately,” said Gregory TenEyck, director of public affairs for Safeway eastern division. “The remodeling project is scheduled to be complete and a re-grand opening event planned for April 1,” he said.

But store shopper Autumn Craig, 40, says, “ I’m not surprise” about the violations. “I don’t frequent the salad bar. I don’t buy pre-made food,” she said.

I wish I could say the same, but I’m a busy guy and don’t always have time to cut up tomatoes and shred lettuce for a salad. I trust the food preparers to do their jobs with safety in mind. I mean after all, the store is called “Safeway.”

“I will say that the "Dateline" piece certainly prompted management at every level of the company to redouble efforts to be sure that food safety remains a top priority. There has been increased emphasis and awareness,” TenEyck said.

My hope is that the renovations at the store will address the issues that led to critical violations in the first place. Safety has to be paramount when food is involved. Otherwise Safeway and grocers like it will continue to be the target of news programs and folks like me.

File photo by: Troy Donte' Prestwood
Caption: This Safeway store at 14th and Kentucky Ave., in SE Washington was the target of a hidden camera investigation by the "Dateline" news program.


Black History in the National Parks

The preservation of 19 historic sites that tell the history of the African American struggle is a key component of the national park service’s mission, said its former director and current Howard University professor.

Throughout the national parks are homes of presidents and civil war battlefields “but yes my friends in your national parks, there are areas set aside by Congress to commemorate the history of African Americans,” said Robert Stanton at a Black history open lecture Wednesday at the Northwest campus.

Stanton worked for the park service for nearly 30 years before serving as its director from 1997 to 2001. Some of the historic sites that Stanton listed in his lecture include the homes of Frederick Douglass and Mary McLeod Bethune as well as several sites along the Underground Railroad.

Surrounded by books and standing before a large fireplace in the library, Stanton told the packed room that included students and former colleagues at the Park Service that young people have to be engaged and get involved with the national parks. We need “Parks in the Classroom, youth employment programs and the Youth Conservation Association so that one day young people can say, I’m a Frederick Douglass, I’m a Mary McLeod Bethune, I’m a Martin Luther King, Jr,” he said.

He took a moment during his lecture to remind the audience about the importance of voting. “We must be diligent and not allow any attempt to erode the most precious right given to us in this land. That is the right to vote,” he said.

But he said there has been some attempts to erode the preservation of black and other minority cultures in the national parks.


“It takes a commitment from current, prior and future presidents and individual heads of agencies” to help preserve America’s history, he said. It was my hope that those programs would continue. “I need not say more,” he said referring to lack of support by the current administration.

“It was incredible,” said National Park Service deputy superintendent Alex Romero, who oversees the National Capitol Parks East. “I’ve always admired his speeches, his passion and delivery” on historical issues in our national parks, he said.

The public history program sponsored the event in Founders library. Before the lecture, a reception was held in the Howard University Museum.

Photo by: Troy Donte' Prestwood Caption: Howard Prof. Robert Stanton lectures on "The African American Experience Preserved in Our National Parks System."


Cloud Dining Lounge Continues to Seek New Horizons

To step inside Cloud is to step into what the owners hope will be an oasis from the storm. The high-end dining lounge believes “going the extra mile” to entice customers will lead to a sunny future.

“Business is good but frustrating at times,” said manager John Andreas. “The hospitality industry has to deal with everyone’s request; and do it with a smile,” he said conceding if they don’t, patrons simply “will go somewhere else.”

Inside the Dupont Circle establishment, the walls are painted white with white curtains in the windows. There are several flat screen TV’s along with mirrors that help open up the somewhat closed in feel that’s hard to avoid. Otherwise, it’s your basic restaurant set-up—tables, chairs and a bar.

There is a VIP area called “Cloud 9.” There you will find lounge chairs and beds complete with white leather seating and faux fur. At night patrons inside and outside of Cloud are treated to a colorful light show that bounces off the white curtains in the windows and bathes the sidewalk with a vibrant glow. It’s the Aurora of Dupont.

Before becoming Cloud a year ago, it was Savino’s. The café, which opened in Sept. 2002, served Italian food and just as Cloud does today, offered a list of specialty martinis and cocktails. But “it wasn’t profiting the money necessary” to stay in business, Andreas said.

Therefore the décor and food menu underwent a makeover to attract a different clientele. Instead of Italian, an international menu of Tapas, small appetizer-like dishes, which has origins in Spain, is offered up to hungry patrons.

“It has been successful in other parts of D.C. like Adams Morgan, but Dupont Circle didn’t have a restaurant serving Tapas,” Andreas said while eating two of his menu items: Caesar salad and Keftedes, a type of Greek meatball for lunch. We think it “will work here in Dupont and continue to grow our clientele,” adding that for the past year, the new concept and rebranding has proven to be successful.

The lunch crowd usually consists of business people while dinner draws mostly locals and guests at nearby hotels. On Friday and Saturdays, the place is bustling with people who come to hear the deejay spin hip-hop and Top 40.

Andreas is looking forward to warmer weather in the months ahead to expand the business. “We will have our springtime patio open and hope to “enlighten the neighborhood and venue with our food menu and specialty cocktails.” Until then it’s “one day at a time,” he said.

Check out these reviews on Cloud Dining Lounge:

DCist
Washington Post

Photo by: Troy Donte' Prestwood
Caption: A passerby walks by the Cloud Dining Lounge in Dupont Circle.



Friday, February 17, 2006

Web Reviews

Houston Chronicle
www.chron.com


Out of all newspaper Web sites I've visited, Chron.com is the first to have a section for blogs located in the main navigation bar.

There's a lot of interesting blogging happening here. There is one on the latest medical developments as well as one that helps readers with their computer problems.

Perhaps as a gesture to the large Mexican population in the Houston area, there is a space titled "Soccer Y Futból." It bills itself as a bilingual soccer blog. There's even a blog on the Enron trial--a huge story in the Houston area.

Chron.com showcases blogs from its readers in what it calls "Chron.Commons." It's their version of citizen journalism that allow readers an outlet for their thoughts and opinions. But you have to first get through the gatekeeper by submitting a proposal and waiting for approval in order to start a blog on the site. I think it makes their citizen journalism a bit picky and exclusive.

The blog page has photos of the authors and a bit of information on what each blog is about. But once you click on the link, it goes all text from beginning to end. I think it's important to have photos or links to photos or audio/visuals. This appears to be common weak link among blogs on newspaper Web sites--not many visuals.

I think Houston Chronicle believes blogging is an important new enhancement to it's news coverage since a blog link is in the main navigation bar. But there is room for further refinement in terms of more pictures, graphics and by making citizen journalism more accessible to the general public.



Atlanta Journal-Constitution
www.ajc.com

It seems like Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporters and columnists really like to share. Share their thoughts on the local schools. Share their thoughts about crime and of course share thoughts about their favorite sports teams. There is a lot of hot air coming from this site.

I would say AJC.com has more blog activity than other newspaper Web sites I've visited so far because of the wide array of topics from which to choose.

There isn't a link in the navigation bar to the blogs but "AJC blogs" appears under "Editor's Pick" which is pretty high up on the page. One click takes you to an endless canvas of opinions on just about any issue you could think of, including women issues, podcasting and shopping.

I first came across the blogging nature of AJC when I stopped by to get superb coverage of the death of Coretta Scott King. I found a page called "Breaking News." It was dedicated to live coverage of the funeral.

There were reporters stationed at the church, a local parking lot, along the highways and at the King Center. The format had a blog feel to it. The reporters' entries were conversational, relayed what they saw and heard at the scene and even gave advice for people who were trying to get to the funeral.

The blogs are very text heavy though. It could use a bit more pictures and graphics. Even a photo of the person blogging would help break the monotony that easily sets in. Another helpful tip would be to have a link in the opinion section to the blogs since blogging is mainly known for opinion writing.



NBC4 (WRC-TV Channel 4)
www.nbc4.com



After reviewing blogging on two newspaper Web sites, I thought I'd check out a local television station efforts.

I visit NBC4.com often enough to know the site just started blogging about a month ago, just around the same time it reengineered its homepage. Yes, there were instances when a reporter's thoughts about a big story would end up on the site, but it didn't remotely resemble what we call blogging.

But there is still much to be desired if one expects to come to this site and get compelling blogs from the NBC affiliate. Although the station appears to be the only one in the D.C. area blogging, there really isn't much to brag about.

Unlike most newspapers that showcase blogging on their sites, it appears that NBC4.com wants visitors to search for it. There is no link in the main navigation bar or the one a bit lower on the page. Unless you know what you are looking for, you will not find it here.

One glimmer of hope came under a bar that read "NBC4 Specialists." There I found the blog of their sports reporter/anchor who is blogging from the Olympics in Torino, Italy. In her most recent entry, she reveals she might have a thing for their Italian driver who wore a sweatshirt with the words "Fairfax" on it. "I don't know what Italy's Fairfax is like, but if Nick Bello lives there, it might be a good place to visit," she wrote. Her blog is full of pictures with text, something the newspaper sites can learn to do.

Since NBC4 just starting blogging on its new Web site, it should get better with time. As with most TV news Web sites, video/images continues to be its main focus. But it would be great to see reporters like D.C. political reporter Tom Sherwood and crime reporter Pat Collins blog about what viewers don't get to see in 1:20.



MSNBC
www.msnbc.com

Where the local NBC station is lacking in blogging, it's much larger, big sister Web site MSNBC.com more than makes up the for the shortfall.

The site is the main domain for everything NBC News, including "Dateline," "Nightly News," "The Today Show" and the cable news outlet by the same name.

It's no wonder blogging is big on this site since blogging has fueled the rise of opinion shows on cable news networks like this one.

With video a big part of TV news sites, it's no surprise that there is a video blog from the Olympics that is prominently placed near the top of the site.

MSNBC.com has a section called "Blog, Etc." It is listed in the navigation bar as well as at the bottom of the page with sub-headlines from featured bloggers. Most of the blogging on MSNBC is done by show hosts like Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews and Dan Abrams. They have cute blog names like "Bloggerman," "Hardblogger" and "Sidebar." Their blogs give them an outlet to respond to bloggers in the blogosphere who have written something about them or their shows as well as to vent on show guests or news events.

But not all the blogging here is an outlet for their talent. Some of the offerings include the most popular bloggers on the Internet as well as a really cool citizen journalism section that lets anyone write and post pictures about events in their lives.

Highlighted in the citizen journalism section is Hurricane Katrina evacuee Mindy Nunez. She recently went back to see her devastated home in Aribi Louisiana. "I am a 25-year old single female and I am now staying with my parents, whose home was also destroyed, in a trailer on the Westbank of New Orleans," she wrote.

What gets a lot of attention here is the blog of "Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams. It's linked on the Web site and is often promoted on the news program by the Williams.

The Web sites of MSNBC has definitely embraced blogging as another way to communicate with viewers. Hopefully some of that tenacity will rub off on its smaller affiliates as well.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

CPAC Conference Complete

Today our team of reporters--Susan Beach, Glenn Luther and producer Troy Donte' Prestwood blogged the CPAC conference at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Please take a look at our work and feel free to comment on anything you've read.
_________________________________________________________


Newt Gingrich Closes Conference With Stirring Address


By: Susan Beach

Young Republicans crowd around former U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich, snapping photos and posing for pictures with him long after finishing his address to the attendees at CPAC.


A fast moving snowstorm and a late 5 p.m. start for Gingrich didn't appear to deter his well-dressed fans. They cheered and gave him standing ovations many times when he discussed saving for retirement rather than depending on social security and parents being able to chose the schools their children attend.


On terrorism, Gingrich said every decision made by President George Bush has been "profoundly correct." The two security problems facing the country are the dictatorship in Iran and the militant group Hamas, he said.

Gingrich said too much power is concentrated in Washington and not enough is given to citizens. Congress should replace the failed government with an efficient, intelligent system, which he explains in his new book "Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America."

Earlier in the afternoon Gingrich autographed copies of his book for hundreds of twenty-somethings who waited in a line that stretched down a long hallway in the hotel.


Photos: Glenn Luther
Photo 1 Caption: Newt Gingrich speaks to a huge crowd of mostly young conservatives at the CPAC conference. Gingrich said every decision made by President George Bush has been "profoundly correct."

Photo 2 Caption: A photo composite of the young well-dressed crowd as they listen attentively to Gingrich discuss the conservative agenda at CPAC.

Photo 3 Caption: Matthew FarrFloridalordia State University, smiles as Newt Gingrich signs his book, titled "Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America."


________________________________________


Go From Gay to Straight at CPAC


By: Glenn Luther

For 14 years Gregory Quinian of the Pro-Family Network said he has lived a straight life. He has a message for gay Americans--quit! "I am ex-gay," said the married father." There is no future in homosexuality. The lifestyle as a whole is shallow, lust-filled and emotionally immature," he said.

Quinian is part of a growing number of people and organizations that say gays can change their orientation.

Pamphlets decorate a table at the conference. One reads "Ex-gays prove that homosexuals CAN and DO change to a heterosexual orientation." The display is part of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays, a non-profit organization that claims to support the rights of homosexuals who choose to change.

"This organization is like a support group for people who have struggling family members," said Jackie Rice, a volunteer with the group, who says she has a brother who is gay.
Rice said the key to helping them is to get gays to understand her point of view. "We let them know they are really not born that way...they can change. It's been very successful. I've been at a few weddings," Rice said smiling as she recalled her dealings with homosexuals. "They say to me, 'you mean to tell me I can do this, I can have kids?'" she said.

Photos: Glenn Luther

Photo 1 Caption: "We let them know they are really not born that way," said Jackie Rice, exhibitor for Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays. "We've seen people come back out," she said.

Photo 2 Caption: "There is no future in homosexuality," said Gregory Quinian, who claims to be "ex-gay." The lifestyle as a whole is shallow, lust-filled and emotionally immature," he said.

Photo 3 Caption: T-shirts hang nearby at the Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays booth. Store owner Stacie Stire said he is able to communicate hard messages effectively through humor. "We get lots of hate mail from tolerant liberals," she said.


________________________________



Very Few Black Conservatives Attend Conference


By: Glenn Luther

A magazine highlighting famous African American conservatives were handed out to the overwhelmingly white attendees at CPAC.

Mark Zak, executive director of the Freedom Foundation along with volunteers from the National Black Republican Association hand out copies of the Black Republican magazine with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice starring from the cover.

Inside the magazine the key story is Rice for president in 2008. "Republicans would benefit tremendously if they knew more about the history of their party," Zak said. "The Republican Party has always been the party of civil rights and individual freedom," he said.

The magazine, they said was picked up mostly by black college students. Yet it appears that few, if any actually showed up to the conference. When asked why no black Republicans were handing it out they said, "they all left 10 minutes ago."

Photos: Glenn Luther

Photo 1 Caption: A volunteer talks with a passerby about the "real" history of the civil rights movement that involved more Republican support than history books report.

Photo 2 Caption: A free issue of the Black Republican lays next to political buttons on a display table that highlights contributions of the Republican party to the civil rights movement. Condolezza Rice's photo appears to have been altered to the point she appears white.


________________________________________



Young Conservatives Urged to Stop Liberal Judges


By: Susan Beach

A southern judge and an Arizona Congressman tell young conservatives to protect the Constitution and stop liberal judges from changing it.

"The American people don't want judges making law. They want to reserve that right for themselves," said Judge Charles Pickering, a U.S. district judge from Mississippi. Any changes should be made through the amendment process, he said.

The young audience hollered and applauded when Pickering closed his short talk urging them to "restore the rule of law" and preserve the Constitution.

Pickering joined his fellow panelists Rep . Trent Franks, R-Ariz.; Sandy Froman, president of the National Rifle Association; and Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch; in condemning judicial activism. Don't let liberal judges change or add to the Constitution, they said.

"Judicial activism is akin to thievery," said Fitton, who monitors the judiciary. It robs citizens of their liberty and takes away the respect of the courts system, he said. Froman agreed saying "it shakes the very foundation of our Federal liberty."

Photo 1: Glenn Luther
Photo Caption: Judge Charles Pickering wags his finger at the audience while talking about the bad decisions being made in America by polititions.
Photo 2: Susan Beach

Photo Caption: Tom Fitton condemns judicial activism by judges saying conservatives must be vigilant.


________________________________________________



Conservatives Call for Killing Murderers on Death Row Quicker



By: Glenn Luther

More than 200 CPAC attendees clapped in step with passionate rhetoric in support of the death penalty late this morning in the Regency Ballroom at the Omni Hotel.

"This to me is not a tough call, If you kill in this country, we want you to die before you die of natural causes," said Ben Ferguson, one of the conservatives chosen to debate the conservative view of the death penalty.

The debate between conservative speakers focused on the need to change current laws, as a way to invest in curbing crime. It is a good investment to "kill" murderers quickly rather than letting them live for years going through the legal red tape, Ferguson said. A streamlined system would help to reduce crime.

"It takes 30 years to kill them," he said pausing for a moment to let his speech build momentum. "We give them cable, feed them, and extend their lives," he said.

Photo: Glenn Luther

Photo Caption: Hundreds of people gathered at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. to see key political and social figures define the agenda and talking points for upcoming elections.


___________________________________________________



Conservatives Say There is Not an Oil Shortage

By: Susan Beach

The oil supply isn't going to run out for decades, energy experts told conservatives gathered at CPAC.

There's a lot of exaggerated talk about energy shortages, said Rob Bradley from the Institute for Energy Research. He said there is no need for energy taxes and that consumers have to come first. Bradley wants to promote capitalism in countries with oil so that private businesses can start producing it to make sure the supply is plentiful.

Max Schulz of the Manhattan Institute said the U.S. has to open up areas in the country that are currently off limits to oil mining. The country also should seek oil from Mexico and Russia. ?Conservatives tend to shudder at the word diversity? but they need to diversify when it comes to oil supply, Schulz said

Another possible oil source could come from developing countries, said Roy Spencer, a research scientist at the University of Alabama and a leader at the Interfaith Stewardship Alliance. He said be believes poor countries need to build wealth by jumping into oil production.

On the topic of global warming Spencer questioned the cause. He said he doubted that global warning can be blamed entirely on CO2 emissions. How much of it is natural, he said.

Photos: Susan Beach

Photo 1: Rob Bradley

Photo 1 Caption: Rob Bradley is president of the Institute for Energy Research, a non-profit organization that evaluates energy policies. He told the crowd at CPAC that energy taxes are unnecessary.

Photo 2: Max Schulz

Photo 2 Caption: Max Schulz, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, talked about drilling for oil in areas of the country that are currently off limits.

Photo 3: Roy Spencer

Photo 3 Caption: Roy Spencer, a research scientist at the University of Alabama and a leader in the Interfaith Stewardship Alliance, said climate systems are complex and questioned whether global warming is man made or a natural occurrence.



_________________________________________________



Bloggers At CPAC Make The News In Japan


By: Susan Beach

As I type my first story into my laptop to report on the morning speeches Saturday at CPAC, a Japanese television photographer zooms in on me. He is kneeling on the carpet two feet from me in the bustling exhibit room of the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

In broken English he says I will be on NHK, a Japanese television network two days from now on Monday. The three-member news crew from Japan then moved down the long table turning the big camera light on other journalists.

Five writers tap away on laptops on the Bloggers' Corner table sponsored by TCSDaily.com. The row of four long tables in front of red, white and blue curtains is in the heart of the many booths in the exhibit hall.

The booth facing bloggers' row has a huge jar of chocolate kisses on the table and rubber pigs with the slogan "Stop the Pork." Reporters occasionally grab a handful of chocolates.

Photo: Susan Beach

Photo Caption: A Japanese camera crew records bloggers at the CPAC conference. A crew member said the footage will air in Japan on Monday.

_________________________________________________



Indiana Congressman tells Republicans to quit acting like Democrats at CPAC


By: Susan Beach

Rep . Mike Pence, R-Ind., called on Republicans in Congress to stop acting like Democrats and get back to conservative ideals in time for the congressional elections in November.

"Many of the things we have done look more like the work of a Democrat majority," he said this morning to a room full of conservatives at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C.

Pence described himself as a Christian, conservative and a Republican "in that order." He urged for fiscal and ethical reform in his party and said Republican leaders have to get back on course in order to be re-elected.

Scandals have eroded public confidence in politicians and have hurt the nation, he said from a podium backed by 18 American flags. The real scandal in Washington, D.C. is runaway Federal spending, he said.


Photo: Susan Beach

Photo Caption: Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana speaks to a packed ballroom of conservative activists. He said its time for Congress to return to conservative ideals in order to be victorious in the November elections


_________________________________________________________________

Welcome To Our CPAC Blog


Welcome to GST Online. GST stands for Glenn, Susan and Troy. We are blogging live from the CPAC Conference at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. CPAC is part of American Conservative Union, a political organization dedicated to advancing the conservative agenda for the country.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Washington Post Dot Com Tour

The Washington Post.com tour took us on a journey into vast open spaces and corridors complete with empty desks and chairs in its Arlington County, Va office.

The website’s news desk is the center of news operations here. Produces monitor and update news around the clock. At their desks are monitors that automatically stroll through competitor’s Web sites to ensure they aren’t missing breaking news somewhere. A designer is always on duty to troubleshoot problems as well as make changes to the homepage if needed.

Ed O’Keefe, who is a breaking news producer for the Web site, walked the class through his typical day at the office. The 2005 American alum says he arrives at the office around six in the morning to read through the paper. At 7 A.M. he heads to morning meetings and then work at the news desk until about noon. “After that point I’m usually working on special projects” before calling it a day around 3:00 or 3:30, O’Keefe said.

The Web site actually has two homepages. One for the local audience and another with a national focus. The main newsroom is divided into two parts: local, which focuses on the stories in the D.C. metro area such and crime, traffic and sports and non-local, which handles such areas as business, world, technology and national politics. The newsroom is subdivided further into sections like multimedia, entertainment and production.

Conference rooms are named after familiar places in the area like Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle, Great Falls and Annapolis.

Overall, the tour helped us to see how newsrooms tend to be operated and organized around a single goal—to get the news out.

Media Credit: Troy Donte' Prestwood

Photo Caption 1: Washington Post.com editor and class professor Chet Rhodes discusses different operations of the newsroom with the digital storytelling class.

Photo Caption 2: A TV bank tuned to broadcast news outlets such as MSNBC, FOX NEWS and CNN hang from the ceiling in the main newsroom.They allow staff to monitor news events around the clock.



Friday, January 27, 2006

Las Vegas Excursion Helps Recharge Batteries

Stressed and exhausted from juggling work and graduate studies, I had to get far away from D.C. as possible. A change of pace and scenery would be a welcome antidote. So a week before school resumed for the spring, I decided to pack up and fly to Sin City—Las Vegas Nevada. Better known for its themed hotel casinos and scantly clad showgirls, Vegas as it’s often called, surprisingly has a less-risqué side to show tourists looking to get away

One sure way to know you’re in Vegas is the row of slot machines that great you as soon as you step off the plane. But I had plans to head to top of the Stratosphere—hotel and casino that is. It sits perished at 1,149 ft. making it the tallest observation tower east of the Mississippi river. It’s a bit isolated on the north end of the Vegas strip, but what it lacks in convenience to other spots, it makes up with affordable rooms, thrill rides that dangle you over city streets and Vegas shows.

Speaking of shows, there seem to be one playing everywhere at every second of the day, so I couldn’t help to see a couple of them during my stay. One in particular is “American Superstars,” which features performers imitating celebrities such as Christina Aguilera, Britany Spears and Tim McGraw. Of course no celebrity imitator show would be complete without a surprisingly good Michael Jackson, complete with pale white skin and an altered noise along with the perennial Elvis look-a-like. impersonator. It plays at the Stratosphere.

Located in a basin surrounded by mountains in the Mojove Desert where temperatures in the summer can top 130 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade, I apparently picked the perfect time to visit Vegas during the month of January with manageable highs averaging around 55 – 60 degrees.

If I were up for the drive, about five hours to the west would have taken me to Los Angeles while five hours to the east would take me to Grand Canyon. I didn’t have the patience to wait in traffic so I hung out at two themed resorts, the Venetian and New York-New York.

The Venetian Hotel is a high-end resort and casino with a quarter-mile long canal complete with gondola rides and singing operators. And the New York, New York hotel and casino makes a good effort at recreating the skyline of the nation's largest city. It has mid-size sky scrapers, a scaled down Brooklyn bridge and a 150-foot Statue of Liberty. On my next trip I think I will stay here.

I enjoyed this trip. Yes, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But in my case, everything Vegas had to offer was just what the doctor ordered.

To learn more about visiting Las Vegas, including travel packages as well as shows and attractions check out these links below.

The official Las Vegas Website
Stratosphere Hotel and Casino
The
Venetian
New York-New York


Community Meeting Connects Residents with Services

The opening of a new credit union and techniques for resolving disputes with utility companies, were among the topics on the agenda at a Ward 7 community organization meeting Thursday night in Southeast D.C.

About two-dozen residents and community activists came out to the East River Family Strengthening Collaborative on Minnesota Avenue for the nearly two hour-long information session. Speakers from the U.S. Attorney General Office, HEW Federal Credit Union and the D.C. office of Corporation counsel spoke about the services they offer to residents of Ward 7 and throughout the city.

Donnie James, vice-president of HEW, which will open a new branch in the neighborhood this spring, says expanding to Ward 7 was a natural fit. “Most of the members live east of the Anacostia. When we looked into where we wanted to go we knew Ward 7,” James said.

James says he hopes his credit union will steer residents away from places that charge absorbent fees for basic services like cashing checks. He says the only requirement to join is to be a D.C. resident and make a deposit of five dollars to get started. “We are different from commercial banks and way different from checking cashing places,” he said.

A person facing disconnection or in a billing dispute with a utility company learned about a D.C. government agency that could mediate on their behalf. Phillip Harmon of the D.C. office of the Corporation Counsel talked at length about the rights of customers in the District.















“If you are a utility consumer of PEPCO, Washington Gas or Verizon, and can’t work out bill disagreements, we can work it out on your behalf,” Harmon said, adding that he has helped several customers receive thousands of dollars in refunds due to billing errors along with customers who were days away from their service being disconnected. “Years ago you could flip the switch and you didn’t have to worry. Now the companies look at you as a cash cow.” Harmon said.

One of the poorest Wards in the city, the East River Family Strengthening Collaborative mission is to prevent neglect and maltreatment of children in Ward 7. It provides hands-on programs like fatherhood classes, youth intervention services, financial literacy and housing assistance. Liz Whitlow, community engagement coordinator for the family organization says it’s main goal is to “help strengthen families and communities here where we live,” she said.

All Photos by: Troy Donte' Prestwood

Links:

East River Family Strengthening Collaborative
HEW Federal Credit Union
D.C. Corporation Counsel
U.S. Attorney General's Office

News Program Crowns Local Grocer No. 1 in health inspection violations

Safeway grocery stores are redoubling their efforts to ensure that company policies and procedures for food safety are in place, said a company spokesperson in the wake of a television news magazine report last week on supermarket cleanliness.

Safeway topped NBC Universal’s “Dateline” list of grocery store chains with critical violations, where according to the news program, the chain had the highest number violations with 25 for every 10 stores. A critical violation is classified as something that could make a person sick such as improper food temperatures, rodent infestation or unclean food contact surface, according to several health inspectors interviewed for the report.


“We were very disappointed to see the results of the ‘Dateline’ survey,” said Greg TenEyck, director of publicaffairs for Safeway Eastern Division. “They took a small sample of stores and drew what we think is an inaccurate conclusion about our company overall.” TenEyck says Safeway has a great safely record and works with local inspectors to ensure stores exceed safety standards. “When a critical violation is cited, we take immediate action to correct it and determine what procedural, training or policy actions are required to prevent a recurrence,” TenEyck said.

The supermarket survey compiled data from health departments in all states and the District. It used violations from 2004 because it is the most recent year data is complete, according to “Dateline.” Producers used hidden-cameras to document store violations and appearances. For the Safeway segment, the producers took a hidden-camera to a store on Capitol Hill in Southeast where it recorded missing light fixtures, wires hanging from the ceiling in sections of the store, water on the floor and missing or dirty floor tiles. The reporter said the store appeared to be in disarray and said the deli clerk sold producers fried chicken that was below the proper hot food holding temperatures.

In fact, District health inspection reports for the Capitol Hill store as recent as five days after the “Dateline” story aired and dating back to February 2004, reveal a pattern critical violations, including rodent infestation, unsafe food temperatures and even an expired business license. There were also a number of spot inspections generated by numerous complaints from shoppers who said they became ill after consuming food brought at the store.

Safeway officials say “Dateline” wasn’t completely honest in their story about the conditions at that store. “The store is clearly undergoing a multimillion dollar renovation, which should be completed by April,” TenEyck said. There are signs that say pardon our construction. The people who live in the area understand what is happening with the store,” TenEyck said.










“Dateline” spokesperson Jenny Tartikoff acknowledged work was being done on the store, but “the violations that ‘Dateline’ reported were not a result of that construction. The store had food and grime splashed on the floors and walls of the salad bar area and a dirty floor by the soup area,” Tartikoff said. She also said producers visited the D.C. store twice “and on neither occasion did we see any signs announcing that the store was under renovation,” Tartikoff said.

The remaining top five supermarket chains in the “Dateline” story with the highest number of critical violations were Albertsons, Publix, Kroger and Winn-Dixie. None have stores in the Washington area.

Media Credit: Troy Donte' Prestwood

Links for Story:

Dateline Full Report
D.C. Department of Health
Safeway
Alberston's
Publix
Kroger
Winn-Dixie


“Glory Road” is paved With Good Intentions

Disney’s “Glory Road” takes moviegoers back in time to a not so friendly place to show how a men’s college basketball team overcame significant hurdles to become history makers.


The film is based on a true story out of Texas Western College in El Paso Texas. It follows the journey of an integrated Division-1 team overcoming all odds to end up in the NCAA championship tournament in 1966. But the road wasn’t easy as deep racial divides that existed in the country during that era almost derailed the team’s chances at victory.

The film starts with Coach Don Haskins, who is white along with his assistants doing serious convincing to school administrators and basketball boosters that having an integrated team would help them win games. The coaches had an equally hard time selling the southern school to black recruits who were concerned about the racial climate in the south. In fact, during the movie, we see how players were often subjected to racial slurs and acts of violence and vandalism because of its black players. Even the coach wasn’t immune as he and his wife constantly received death threats.

In the end, the coach’s controversial decision have a mix team and to start all black players in the big tournament was vindicated when the team beat all-white No. 1-ranked Kentucky Wildcats 72-65 and became national champions and heroes.

“Glory Road” is a fascinating story about adversity and triumphs that will leave moviegoers wanting to see and learn more about the players and coaches who rose to the challenge and helped change college sports forever. It is rated PG for racial issues, including racial epithets and mild language.

Media Credit: Photo by Frank Connor © 2005 Courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Links for Story:

The Official Movie Webpage
Texas Western College's page on the team


Saturday, January 21, 2006

Lockheed Martin to Sponsor Disney Film

Bethesda Md. based Lockheed Martin says it will team up with the Walt Disney Company and become the sole sponsor of Disney's latest film "Roving Mars" said a press release from the technology and space company.

We are pleased to work with a company that believes as we do that space exploration “speaks to the fundamental human desire to understand the nature of our universe," said G. Thomas Marsh, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin in the press release.


The film chronicles the building and launching of two robotic explorers, Spirit and Opportunity, and the tons of images, video and information gathered over the last two years from the red planet. The film also follows lead scientist Steve Squyres and the team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory setbacks and ultimate success in getting the rovers to the Martian surface.

”Roving Mars” was produced in IMAX technology, which includes high-resolution images and digital sound projected on screens up to five-stories high. It will premiere in Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum's Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater in the District on Jan. 26 before debuting a day later on IMAX theatres nationwide.

Photo Credit Courtesy of NASA JPL.

For more information on the Mars Rovers and movie, check out these links.

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/rovingmars/

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/solarsystem/mer_main.html

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/images.html