Writing has always been a scary thing to me; with all of the rules and different styles to follow, it’s a cloud that has hung over my head from the moment I chose Communications as my major. Being a scatterbrained person such as myself, it’s always a challenge to write a complete sentence without sounding all over the place. Taking this class was something I was definitely not looking forward to, but as the class progressed, I feel that I have as well.

 

      I felt discouraged after the first grade or two I received, but after practicing, like anything, it felt like the words came easier and it flowed more smoothly. The fears I had, became excitement. I was excited because I finally felt as if I could do this. I had always feared writing would keep me from getting the job I dream of, doing PR for Hollywood clients.

 

      This class has been wonderful, and I have grown to love sharing my thoughts on paper, or the web. Although I don’t plan on writing for a living, I know writing and speaking eloquently is vital in this day and age. As for my dream, I now feel like it is within my reach.

THE INFAMOUS ANHEUSER-BUSCH CLYDESDALES ARE VISITNG CEDAR POINT AMUSEMENT PARK AND RESORT FOR PARADE IN SANDUSKY OHIO.

Anheuser-Busch

One Busch Place. St. Louis, MO 63118

Contact: Karin Price

June 8, 2009

 

 

FOR RELEASE AFTER 10 A.M. EASTERN STANDARD TIME THURSDAY JUNE 8, 2009

THE INFAMOUS ANHEUSER-BUSCH CLYDESDALES ARE VISITNG CEDAR POINT AMUSEMENT PARK AND RESORT FOR PARADE IN SANDUSKY OHIO.

 

The stars of the Anheuser-Busch Company are making an anticipated appearance in a parade that the Cedar Point amusement park is hosting. These majestic and docile animals will be pulling a turn of the century restored beer wagon for all to see. The parade will begin at two in the afternoon on Friday June 12.

 

Anheuser-Busch has a colorful history, which includes the Clydesdales and a long-standing family owned business. Originally August Busch junior gifted six horses to his father August Busch senior, to celebrate the end of Prohibition in 1933, but over the years they have become one of the most recognizable faces of the company. Millions upon millions have seen the unique team of extremely tall standing horses since their first appearance, and have made appearances in big events such as, the Super Bowl, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as numerous other sporting events.

 

 

America is curious about the face of one of the most well-known beer companies around the world. The Clydesdales have been apart of the “Americana” persona since the end of Prohibition and help to make the company stand apart from the competition. These horses stand to be 6 feet tall at the shoulder and weight between 1800-2300 lbs. These horses consume daily, over 20 quarts of feed, 50 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water. The Clydesdales will be on display between the “Wicked Twister” rollercoaster, from 1:30-2:00 P.M. and 2:30-3:00 P.M. You don’t want to miss the opportunity to be apart of the Anheuser-Busch history as they parade through Cedar Point.

 

           

 

           

 

 

BROADCAST STORY

TWO MEN WITH A GUN HOLD UP A JEWELRY STORE ON MAIN STREET. THE TWO MEN WENT INTO THE VILLAGE PAWN SHOP GUNS IN HAND AND HAD THE EMPLOYEES STUFF A DUFFLE BAG FULL WITH MONEY AND JEWELRY. ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES SAW AND IDENTIFIED THE GETAWAY CAR AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED AUTHORITIES. POLICE FOUND THE STOLEN CAR PARKED IN AN ALLEY NEAR A HOUSE ON 684 WILLOW STREET. AFTER ENTERING THE HOUSE POLICE FOUND 34-YEAR-OLD MILES STANDISH AND 28-YEAR-OLD JOHN ALDEN WITH THE STOLEN LOOT. THE TWO MEN WILL FACE AN ARRAY OF CHARGES. 

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BANK BUY OUT

HERON BANK IS BUYING OUT THE MIDDLEVILLE SAVINGS BANK FOR EIGHT POINT FOUR MILLION DOLLARS. HERON BANK PRESIDENT MARY GONZALES SAYS THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING THE MIDDLEVILLE COMMUNITY. FEDERAL OFFICIALS STILL NEED TO APPROVE THE DEAL. 

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Crumbling bridge receives make-over

 

SALT CREEK BRIDGE IS RECEIVING 200-THOUSAND TO STABILIZE THE

CRUMBLING BRIDGE. THE HISTORIC BRIDGE ON OLD ROUTE 9, THAT'S MADE 

OF SANDSTONE HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE 2005. COUNTY ENGINEER SQUIRE 

WHIPPLE SAYS IT WILL COST NEARLY 2-MILLION FOR PERMANENT 

RESTORATION.   

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Sexting, may not lead to criminal charges

After a Florida teen was faced with serious criminal charges, Vermont legislation is trying to pass a bill decriminalizing sexting by minors. According to a College News story:

* Sexting has become the latest teen fad. After a polling, 1 in 5 teens have admitted to participating in the criminal act.

* The Vermont lawmakers are proposing that the law be modified for minors between the ages of 13 and 18-years-old.

* All eyes are on Vermont to see if the proposed change will help find a punishment that fits the crime.

Kulture Hookah Lounge

                   

From the finest flavored tobacco, freshest smoothies, the moist and delicious chocolate cake, and the best pita and hummus in town, Kulture has something to offer everyone. From live music to belly dancers, that’s what hookah life is all about. “Hooked on hookah?” asks Owner Riad aka “Ray” Adieh, on his clever employee tee shirts, and he’s hoping you will in this economic crisis. With live music on Friday and Saturday nights and a disk jockey on Wednesday nights, it’s always a party at Kulture, to get you out of your economic depression.

  Ray previously resided in Jacksonville, Fla., before moving to this tourist attraction. I asked Ray, “Why St. Augustine?” he chuckled and said, “Because there ain’t shit to do in this town.” Being a freshman at Flagler College last semester, I know how right he is, but Kulture was a place for those of us, who aren’t that golden age of 21 yet, to have a fun and relaxed place to go hang out, and catch up on the new, up and coming hip culture.

  Adieh started his business just shy of a year ago, in St. Augustine Fla., where as he says, “Nothings open past nine in this town”. He wanted to have the Kulture Hookah Lounge as a place for people to go after nine, particularly Flagler students. I asked Ray where he got his inspiration for owning a hookah lounge, and he said, “My back yard. When people come to Kulture I want them to feel at home and relaxed.” As relaxed and funny as Ray is, owning any kind of business takes a lot of hard work and extra effort to get off the ground, especially in this economic state, and it hasn’t been an easy task for Ray.

           

Construction of the building and following every code the city has in place, has been quite an undertaking for the owner. The city, being a big tourist attraction and vacation spot has a lot of rules and regulations that must be followed. For instance, hanging of decorations or cloth must be less than 20 percent of the total wall, as well as a hefty non-refundable cost of $400 per seat in the lounge and with 36 total seats, thats quite the cost. Along with these tedious policies, another obstacle Adieh faces, is getting his business recognition in the community. With construction still going on a year later, Ray is having a hard time coming up with any extra cash for advertisement.

 

In a small city like St. Augustine, word travels fast, which is helpful for smaller businesses like Ray's, where owners are simply trying to break even. Before owning Kulture, Adieh has had many other business ventures, which have helped him recognize the in’s and out’s of what it means to run a successful business. Taking on the restaurant business has helped him learn an important lesson,  “I like taking bits and pieces of what others do, so I avoid losing money, by learning from their mistakes”. In doing so, Ray hasn’t forgotten about who his customers are, and what they like. Katie Garcia a Flagler student said, “ I love going to see my husband! Just kidding, but Ray already has my pita and hummus ready as I’m pulling my car into the parking lot, it really feels like a little hookah family, and Rays a big reason why.”           

 

What does the future look like for Ray’s little slice of back yard, turned hookah heaven? Ray’s hopeful that the past year of up’s and down’s, regulars and incoming students, that business will pick up. Ray hopes to open up another hookah lounge in Jacksonville Beach, once the economy has risen above water. I am sure Jacksonville Beach will be just as happy to have him, as we are here. Besides once you go to Kulture, you will be “Hooked on hookah”, just as I have become a regular in Ray’s Kulture hookah lounge and plan to keep going back to my little hookah family.

           

            

Legalization

“Legalize it”, most residents of the sunshine state are saying. After hearing of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger pleas to lawmakers in California, to make the recreational use of marijuana legal. The governor plans to have lawmakers’ study the effects legalization has had on the other countries that have done so.

  The governors plan to legalize and tax marijuana for recreational use, would help out California’s ever expanding deficit. This taxation would revenue over 1.3 billion a year, reported from USA Today. There are plenty of pros and cons to consider, but as most reactions I’ve encountered, people are ready to outweigh the bad.

“I think legalization would be good, for revenue and sales taxes, maybe used for schools. Also control importation of pot, and tax, tax, tax, just like alcohol and cigarettes.” Says an unnamed 48 yr old woman and interior designer, from Port St Lucie, FLA.  The legalization of marijuana in Florida would help generate tax dollars that could be spent where its most needed; the school systems. "There are some school districts in Florida that are on the verge of serious, serious financial breakdown. And it's not because of mismanagement — it's simply because of the economic crisis." says Bill Montford, CEO of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, found from USA Today.

Many argue that the effects of marijuana are far too harmful to consider. One Florida resident disagrees. “No one has ever died from over dosing on Marijuana, it acts as a natural pain reliever and muscle relaxer, as opposed to the several medications that are basically narcotics. I believe it should be regulated, but I also strongly believe it should be legal. It’s a plant for God's sake! If dandelion's could get you high, would they be illegal?” Chris Insidioso 29, Drummer from Orlando FLA.

Even some former law enforcement, are second-guessing their efforts, against the long battle on the streets with marijuana. “I was a cop for 30 years before this job, and have watched us loose the war on drugs. If you wanted to go buy dope, you could go to west king street and buy some right now, nothing to stop you. People that are going to use drugs are going to use them, those who don’t, aren’t going to. I say we legalize it all.” Unnamed Security Guard at Flagler College.

There was only one who had a slightly different opinion on the topic. “It will never fly. There is a national law that's against drugs and national government always overpowers the states. Although if Marijuana was legalized it would bring crime levels down significantly.”- George Betcha 19, and a student from Port St Lucie, Fla.

We’ve all seen the commercials where it suggests you become a different person when you smoke marijuana, or you loose your identity, but what we may be loosing out on, is a plethora of opportunities. The legalization of marijuana may be years down the road, but when government officials are talking, we may be headed in the right direction. The people have spoken, and it’s about time someone has heard them.  

Eleven car smash-up and 300 chickens scattered across McFarland blvd.

A large truck carrying 300 chickens, turned over causing an 11 car pile up, injuring more than 25 people and 300 chickens on McFarland Blvd. After the chicken truck made an illegal left turn, car after car plowed into the truck, killing 30 of the 300 chickens and 40 still remain missing. Police sergeant John Jones reported that the accident happened Wednesday. Jones said “ It was the biggest pile up I’ve ever seen, lots and lots of smashed bumpers, but the worst part was the screams of the chickens, those things sure do make alotta noise ya know.”

 

Clarence DiMotta, a spokesperson from the DCH hospital, spoke on the conditions of all parties involved. DiMotta said that there were no serious injuries, although Sarah Bernell, a retired kindergarten teacher had a slight concussion, and Jeff Johnson, the driver of the chicken truck received bruises and a possible broken ankle. There were no other’s omitted to the hospital.

 

The president of the Alabama Poultry Inc. Carlton Fitzsimmions, is going to compensate Mr. Johnson and his family. The company had losses of $700 and filed the insurance claim for each of the 300 chickens. Fitzsimmions asks if any of the remaining chickens are found to call the police and have them returned. 

Britney Spears Bitten by an Alligator while visiting Flagler College, in St Augustine FL

Chief of police, Bubba O' Conner held a press conference in St Augustine, Fl this morning after receiving a frantic 911 call. Britney Spears, while visiting a male friend at the college was found by Hector Gonzalez a security guard on duty. Spears was found laying on the ground in front of the "Lewis House" male dorms, bleeding. Spears was shouting " Oh my  god, oh my god a alligator bit me!" Immediately after her shrieks Gonzalez saw the reptile's tail trailing off into the bushes, he commented on saying that the alligator appeared to be 9 feet in length. 

Gonzalez made the 911 call at 5:10 am , the paramedics arrived shortly after around 5:30 a.m, treating the wounded stars right foot. Once Spears was patched up and released, Animal Control was called to try and relieve the campus of the menus. In their attempts they were unable to find the wandering alligator. O' Conner ended the conference by stating that the loose alligator was thought to be lost from his home at "The Alligator Farm" located a few miles from the campus. Spears is fine and no major damage was caused to the stars right foot. St Augustine has certainly and permanently made an impression on Spears.

Reflection

 Writing for Mass Media is important for me to develop my skills as a writer, mainly because of the field in Communications that I want to pursue. In Public Relations being a strong writer is important, and it is hard to get the job if your writing skills aren't well developed. My strengths as a writer I think are that, I can see things from all sides of an argument or topic, but still have a strong stand point one way or the other. My weaknesses are not knowing the fundamentals of basic writing format and style. I know in taking this class, I will build my skills further and learn proper format and style which will help me to become the writer I need to be in this growing profession.