Blog Numero Dos

The outdoors men dream has come true! The National Parks Service has announced that it is enhancing the National Park system as it approaches its 100th year anniversary in 2016. The Secretary of the Interior said that there is a 10 year initiative to give 2 billion dollars to 110 projects that will benefit 76 park units in 38 states and the District of Columbia. 

Some of the projects that are going to occur in the next ten years are; rebuilding populations of endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, restoring ancient Redwood Forests and watersheds, digitally capture park sites before they deteriorate due to time and natural elements, conduct oral history interviews, create podcasts, construct trails and amphitheaters, restore lighthouses, rejuvenate coral reefs, restore disturbed lands, improve wetland habitats, remove exotic vegetation etc.

The original idea was for conservation groups and others to propose projects that emphasized stewardship, environmental leadership, recreational experiences and other "centennial goals." The Park Service received more than 300 proposals for 2008. They also received 216 million in financial commitments to support the 110 projects. 

"The Park Service is dealing with an aging population, more ethnically diverse visitors and children who are more attuned to technology than hiking trails (Lovitt)." There is more of a focus on projects that have more of an immediate impact. This is all in attempt to have new visitors reconnect with the different parks and hopefully support them in the future.

I think that this feature is important on the topic of the convergence of media and stories are covered in a myriad of ways. As I mentioned in article above, they are implementing podcasts of different parks. I even found this story online through Grist, an environmentally conscious news website. I believe the media is handling this influx of information the best way it can... reporting it 24/7. 

This specific event of the National Park Centennial Initiative is just one piece that was posted online with videos, comments and pictures to further the coverage. I believe that having more of an open forum for articles leaves each individual to believe that they are getting more involved with their news locally or otherwise. 

Author: Erica Dee

  

Community... Questionable

The latest City Hall meeting on Tuesday, April 15 proved to be long, boring and most importantly lacked any sense of real community. The nature of this month's meeting was to discuss the bus transportation through neighborhoods, appeals of possible new architecture on Foothill and a rezoning of Fraternity housing. Of course, there were the "public recognition" awards to some of our outstanding citizens. "This is so and so for Victims Rights Week, this is so and so for Arbor Day and this is so and so for Commuter Awareness." Blah blah blah.

Beginning at seven, the organization of the meeting was scheduled, loosely. There was a brief period of time that the city council gave notices of appraise to local citizens followed by a brief period of time for open discussion. It was then at 8:30 pm that the planned agenda and articles were addressed. With 120 people in attendance, not one was truly addressed until 9:30pm.

I believe it goes without saying that the discussions were handled with less than effective procedure. As Officer J. Johnson so beautifully put it, "it sounds like National Geographic in here." The tone and nature of the meeting it was toneless and less than moving.

As a more democratice leadership style is required in these meetings, I do not believe that there was a need for a first hand account of a filibuster. Nor did the council members show any interest in the presentations or information being brought forth to their attention. As well as, they were not up to date with their knowledge of the issues at hand, leading to a very long and unnecessary questionnaire period.

The feeling of exhaustion and fatigue was certainly sentinent. Movement around the room from the audience was queing the board to move forward, but the irritation was overlooked. Mind you it is now roughly 9:30 pm and dialogue is now open to the public...

I believe the level of productivity for this meeting was moderate, at best. The agenda was followed, but from a "planning perspective" the plan of the agenda was followed too loosely. When it came to citizens open forum to speak, minutes were counted and limited. When it came to the articles, time was not regulated, especially when it came to the presentation of the staff members. Much discussion was geared towards traffic regulations and "sidewalk safety."

This took away from the true matter at hand, the new project on Foothill within a residental community. The meeting did start on time, at seven, but was much longer than anticipated. I also, would like to state, that for leaders in our community I appreciate the time they spent listening to the residents, but their appearance or apparent manner was bleak. I would hope that their appearance does not parallel their attitude and work ethic. 

As it was, the residents proved to be well prepared where as the council members lacked attention and freely came and left the meeting. Needless to say this is not how I expected the meeting to go. With my first real examination of leadership in action, it was highly disappointing. The attitude of the council members was poor and their lack of preperation led to a disillusioned night of community politics.

Author: Erica Davis

Date: April 16, 2008

Word Count: 525

 

Your friendly neighbor Erica Dee

Here I am, Erica Dee! Bestowing upon you my current day view of Journalism and media, but for starters let me tell you about myself. I am 20, a college student originally from Orange County (ditch the stereotype now), but I was born in Maryland (not totally OC). 

My parents Lisa and Glenn are very pleased that I am finally out of the house and as such have converted my room into Spa Davi. I believe they are currently taking reservations... Just kidding. They are both 50 and heading towards retirement and I have a younger sister, Allie, that may soon enough find her way out here, but enough about them. 

As I do not have a TV and rarely listen to the radio I find that my daily information intake happens right here, on the Internet. Although, the most relevant story that I read was not from the Internet initially. The latest story that was significant to me was the story that stated that one in four girls have an STI. Yikes! Being a girl I hate thinking that I have a 25% chance of obtaining an STI if I chose to be sexually active. 

I first read this in passing between classes, within the pages of the Mustang Daily. Simultaneously I received a call from my mom giving me a heads up, because she was apparently seeing it on the local news in Orange County. I was given another "safe sex" talk promptly. Lovely. Regardless of the abrupt sex talk in the AG building I found this piece to be significant Journalism. 

This is significant, in my opinion, due to the consequences STI's could have on the masses as well as yourself. This piece effects both men and women and will most likely lead to changes in behavior if not now, but in the long term fot both genders. 

These are the stories that interest me the most; the snippets of things that really have significance in ones daily life. I don't anticipate ever having this kind of effect on the nation as a whole, but who knows what the future has to hold? Until next time... This is your friendly neighbor Erica Dee!

Word Count: 357