Visible in America

Set to air this Sunday (25th) on NBC at 7 PM EST, Ann Curry will serve as host of the America Now: Friends & Neighbors which focuses on impoverished Americans in Southeast Ohio.

"America Now: Friends & Neighbors" was produced from nine months of original reporting in the region, documenting those who have been hardest hit by the recession. The special includes a woman who opened a food pantry, a young mother who slept in a van with her children, a laid-off father unable to heat his home, and an extended family of 14 crowded into a 4-bedroom house to survive. It also features the Ohioans' clever appeal to President Obama: making pleas for jobs and food written on thousands of paper plates.

Father's Day "Round up"

 
I missed this piece of news that took place in Worcester on Father's Day, no less. 

Worcester County Sheriff Guy Glodis recently announced what he called “the largest one- day roundup of deadbeat dads in Worcester County history” as his deputies marked Father’s Day by arresting 16 offenders who they claim owe over half a million dollars in outstanding child support.

Who knew that Sheriff Glodis would pull the okey-doke on a number of unsuspecting father's and round up not just a handful, but a record 16 hombres?

Politics: New vs. Old

I have to tip my hat to Luke Russert for 'going there' with Congressman Charlie Rangel.

Russert posed a very good question, and in true old-school fashion, Congressman Rangel, who appears to have looked at the baby-faced Russert and immediately thought, "How dare this youngin' ask me such a question?", feels that the question he'd been asked is a dumb question.

The Millennials aren't going anywhere like P. Diddy said.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Governor Patrick's Statewide Youth Council

Help youth of Massachusetts , and the Governor with issues you care about. Be a voice in government and in your community. Boost your leadership and team-building skills.  Become an advocate in shaping your community.

Participants would attend monthly meetings and conference calls, advocate for youth, and incorporate youth ideas into advising and policy making.

JOIN THE GOVERNOR’S STATEWIDE YOUTH COUNCIL

APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 30, 2010

For more information, please visit: www.mass.gov/governor/youthcouncil

Or contact Anny Jean Jacques at the Governor’s Office of Community Affairs at 617-725-4020

Health Insurance Enrollment Events

UMassMemorial

July 26 - 30, 2010

Health Insurance Enrollment Events

Need Insurance? UMass Memorial health insurance counselors can help:

• Explain the insurance programs and answer your questions
• See if you qualify for insurance coverage
• Help you fill out paperwork and file applications
• Apply for food stamps (SNAP) & WIC too!

You or someone you know may qualify for free or low cost state health coverage, even if you work!
 

Monday, July 26 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm        
Epworth United Methodist Church Free Medical Clinic
64 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA     

Wednesday, July 28      9:30 am - 3:00 pm        
YMCA Central Branch with Ronald McDonald Care Mobile
766 Main Street ( Murray Ave. side), Worcester , MA     

Shirley Sherrod: Me, a racist?

When the story about Shirley Sherrod, the now-former USDA Director of Rural Development in Georgia, hit CNN, I said, "Here we go, again."  This time though, I knew a little more about the story because of reports from relatives who had first-hand knowledge of the NAACP meeting, where Ms. Sherrod spoke.

I was surprised that CNN didn't do a good job of "vetting" the entire video.  Because anyone who were able to hear, would be able to tell that Ms. Sherrod was sharing a story about her own prejudices and how she had to overcome those.

Well, the story hit Fox News and was subsequently picked up by CNN and we know that Ms. Sherrod was forced to resign and the NAACP was quick to label her a "racist".

Thomas Vilsack, United States Secretary of Agriculture, called for Ms. Sherrod to resign and to do so immediately.  Well, now he looks like an ass.



Now, the NAACP is saying that they've been "duped" by the Tea Party Movement and that the issue is really about the fighting taking place between the NAACP and the Tea Party.  Well, now NAACP President, Benjamin Jealous, looks like an ass.

So, who does that leave laughing from the sidelines?  Yep, you guessed it.........the Tea Party Movement!




Update: Vilsack apologizes to Shirley Sherrod.

You can't make this stuff up

Steven Ortiz, a 17-year-old from California, traded his way up from a cellphone to a Porsche. 

It's amazing what you can do with the Internet?

Going Mobile

I don't know how long the function has been available, but I just noticed today that the Worcester Telegram & Gazette has a "mobile" version of their website found at MobileTG.com.

So, now when I want to read the T&G from my iPhone, I don't have to worry about all the "fluff", I can just get the good stuff.  Thank you!

Sports: The Celtics' Paul Pierce got Married

The Boston Celtics captain, Paul Pierce, and long-time girlfriend, Julie Landrum. got married on Saturday (17th) in Newport Coast, CA.

The wedding was said to be intimate with about 80 guests, which included teammates Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen along with head coach Doc Rivers.

Writer's Cramp: Journalism Burnout

There are people that would argue that the Internet has been nothing but a blessing for the world that we live in. Ask any newspaper or magazine editor and they'd probably smack you upside the head with either palm of their hand or a copy of Webster's Dictionary.

Journalists are finding it harder and harder to practice their craft, especially these days when newspapers that have websites are more concerned with the number of clicks an article receives.

There's no other way to say that it sucks to be a journalist. With access to information 24-hours a day and 7-days a week, anyone, albeit a good one, can be a reporter. Throw in smartphones with their 5-megapixel cameras, a FLIP pocket camcorder and what we have is guerrilla reporting or "Hybrid Journalism" at it's best.

Let's talk about the basic principles: journalism is the art and science of telling stories.  Video production is a form of journalism.  Hybrid Journalism combines these crafts- videography, producing, directing, lighting, talent and editing- and delivers a product that conveys information.


Today, the Internet is fostering a high burnout among some journalists due to the fact that some media outlets are tying pay to the number of clicks on a story. Wow!

Health Insurance Enrollment Events

UMassMemorial

July 19 - 23, 2010

Health Insurance Enrollment Events

Need Insurance? UMass Memorial health insurance counselors can help:

• Explain the insurance programs and answer your questions
• See if you qualify for insurance coverage
• Help you fill out paperwork and file applications
• Apply for food stamps (SNAP) & WIC too!

You or someone you know may qualify for free or low cost state health coverage, even if you work!

Monday, July 19 11:30 am - 3:00 pm

Plumley Valley with the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile
34 Laurel Street , Worcester , MA

Wednesday, July 21      8:30 am - 12:00 pm 

Worcester Public Court House - Worcester Probate
225 Main Street, 2nd floor, Worcester, MA    
   

Thursday, July 22       6:00 pm - 8:00 pm        
Akwaaba African Clinic Intern ational Gospel Church
52 Harlem Street, Worcester, MA        





For more information, please contact UMASS:

Via Telephone: 508-334-9300
Via Email: needinsurance@ummhc.org

Contact in person:
University Campus 508-334-7829  First floor, near the Prescription Center
Memorial Campus 508-334-5877  First floor, near the cashier
Hahnemann Campus 508-334-1277  Near the main lobby