Three's the charm

(Spread featuring an article I wrote about parents going out)

The second spread in the section.

This week I designed the spreads for the special section in our paper on parenting. I also wrote one of the stories. Check out the website for my story on activities for local parents to do.

You're only one voice in 8 million...

As my internship at The Riverdale Press draws to a close (as well as my class on international media systems), I've been thinking about the impact of communicators. Amidst discussion of globalization, I had a conversation with a new friend, Kristina, who is majoring in public relations and recently visited Glen Beck's show. (While I am not a fan of Glen Beck, I did find Kristina's comments to be very intriguing.)

A song popped up on my iPhone while I was riding the subway to work this morning and it expressed the essence (via pop music) of my thoughts after these discussions.
"Build me up or cut me down to size ... I'm only one voice in a million but you ain't taking that from me."

I'm only one voice in 8 million in NYC ... but that is still powerful. One voice can change or influence something. The world needs good communicators. Willing. Honest. Dedicated. Knowledgeable communicators. The world of journalism may be declining into a sink hole in which we cannot be pulled out of, but in a time of globalization and international conflict, priorities and the important news can get lost. Journalists and regular citizens must be willing to communicate and share those priorities. Forget the entertainment and tabloid gossip (This past week's headlines have been dominated by Sarah Palin's silly bus and New York Rep. Wiener's scandal. While people are obsessing over his "sexting," massive political conflict and news is happening in the Middle East.)

This is my plead today for everyone: read a little less junk and a little more substance.
You may believe events across the ocean are of no importance to you. They do not affect your daily life at home or school or in your cubicle. But you are wrong. You many not care, but this will be a regret one day. There are events and problems in other countries, states and cities that you need to know about for your own life, your children, your job, as an American or as part of your faith. Ignorance was never bliss.

To journalists: Sometimes it can be easy to feel the everyday monotony of reporting and covering news is emotional and physically tiring, draining and difficult. Some assignments may seem trivial or redundant, but I think it is important to remember why you chose this career and what your passion is. Perhaps you need to remind yourself of that, which is important in any career or line of work. Why are you passionate about _______?

Just some food for thought.

New Faces

This week I stayed busy at The Press with an article about local women who (in my opinion) dominated at a Strongman Competition. They lift large amounts of weight via unusual objects (atlas stone, log, etc). Check out the link to read about it. I got a byline and it was on 2nd front.

This week designing the feature page was a little more challenging, but interesting nonetheless. A local photographer is putting together a project of 1,000 local people's faces. So here it is. We initially thought of doing a grid, but with a smaller number of photos available this is what the final product was.

I had to leave work early on Tuesday in order to visit the UN. (Tuesday is our busiest day of the week, so I felt bad leaving with so much still to be done.) There were so many people from different countries walking around and working. We were briefed by several people in the UN's strategic communications division. It was interesting to hear their perception of social media and what they are doing with it. I was surprised that they had only about 75,000 "likes" on their Facebook page and 356,000 followers on Twitter. (While the Twitter number is more impressive, I was wondering why their numbers were still so low?) Barack Obama has more than 8 million followers on Twitter. Lady Gaga has 10 million followers.

So my point is: if this assembly is supposed to be helping regular people across the world, how are they reaching them, if even western countries (and developed countries) who use social media to get so much of their information, are not even paying attention to the UN? 

The Mystery of Mission Statements

Mission statements. It's a set of standards(?) made up at the start of a company or endeavor. I have heard some companies require employees to memorize and know the mission statement. Does this affect daily work output or increase the quality of a product or service? Just curious. I haven't done any research on it. Who made the first mission statement? (I tried googling it without success.) It was a little difficult to dig this one up, because The Press began nearly 60 years go. I love that there is a tiny glimpse of hope for small newspapers. Hyper-local coverage is what differentiates them from all other news sources.

Here is a organizational chart outlining The Riverdale Press. It was required for my internship class. This is my attempt to apply creativity to the assignment. New goal: apply creativity to everything! School work, job work, life, callings, chores, whatever you can think of. (And now I'm off to find inspiration!)

Living a longer, healthier life

I whipped out an article this week for The Press' yearly section: 50+. It's geared towards older adults and the elderly. We got some local doctors and experts to talk us. I love deadlines. I actually really liked writing this once I had content. There's a little opportunity for voice and it's a magazine-ish article.

Check out the article on the website. It's on the third cue under top stories. The Riverdale Press has some great stories and content.

The Jazzy Life

This week The Riverdale Press' Focus On page (feature page of our weekly newspaper) was on a young jazz musician who performs in jazz hotspots though he hasn't graduated from high school yet. I like this design, but I love my first one on Bronx Week. It was fun to design something musical.

My concept was to spell "jazz" with music notes. I wanted the design to be more simple, and while it is,  it might be a tad cluttered. What do you think? Does it look professional enough? That is my goal.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy. Check out another post tomorrow with a link to my article in The Press' special 50+ Section this week. (It's all about health for adults 50 years and older.) To read any of my articles from my internship, just visit www.riverdalepress.com and search for Jordan Carroll.

Design by Jordan Carroll, article by Adam Wisnieski

Bronx Week: Designing a feature page for real newspaper

This is a draft of the page that ran. A few tweaks were made after this.

So, I have many things to update and not enough time. First things first: I designed the feature page for my internship at The Riverdale Press. and it ran. And everyone loved it. So...drumroll....I will be designing the feature page (called Focus On) for the remainder of my internship. (I expect yelps of joy from everyone as you read this.)

I also had my second byline run in this week's paper. Check out the link here.
Basically several groups in the area received awards for community service. I love writing about Boy Scouts. Probably just remind me of my brothers.

And nurses rallies. Can't forget about those. I interviewed a bunch of union workers from a local hospital. You can see that article at riverdalepress.com.

I've decided I love writing obituaries and in a greater effort to improve my writing, will attempt to make them more colorful, interesting and creative.

Bylines & Broadway

Marry Poppins on Broadway.

I got a byline. Well, a shared one at least. This week's paper included a "Focus On" done by yours truly. We highlighted a woman/artist, Lanny Lasky, who recently died and has some of her work currently displayed in a gallery. She was a retired director at the Museum of Modern Art, among many other things.
Check out my article later this week on riverdalepress.com. You can find it under obituaries.


I feel like I haven't posted in eons. Well, I've been working on updating the web, copy editing, writing a few briefs.


Last weekend, I saw my first broadway ever. Mary Poppins. I felt like I was 8 years old again. I thought it was brilliant. Definitely a great show for kids and families visiting New York. The effects and sets themselves made it wonderful. The house transformed from the first floor, to the attic where the children slept. There was a park. The roofs and chimney's. And the best part: I paid $32 for my ticket. Went to the box office when it opened and got some of the last, cheap tickets. It was great.


This week I will see Wonderland (which is apparently ending its run this weekend? Correct me if I'm wrong.) and possibly Phantom of the Opera. My family is visiting and they have a 9 year old daughter they want to take to a show. The obstacle is finding a show appropriate for children that you dont have to pay $200 per ticket. We've debated Wicked, Phantom, Lion King, Mary Poppins. What would you see?

What am I doing?

That's a wonderful question to ask. (I often wonder.)


The past week and a half, I've been working as an intern at The Riverdale Press in Riverdale/Bronx, NY. As I mentioned in earlier posts, it's a weekly community newspaper. Here are some things I contributed to this past week's issue: 


Bin Laden's death leads to thoughts of lives lost (My contribution is at the end of the story.)


I've also had the chance to write two obituaries. 
Beloved Horace Mann teacher dies at 85

Thomas P. Reilly, who worked at Horace Mann for 44 years, died at St. Joseph’s Medical Center on April 27. He was 85.
Mr. Reilly retired from Horace Mann in 1996. He served as chair of the upper division foreign languages department for 32 years and worked as a foreign language teacher there for 44 years.
“Tom was not only a dedicated, skillful teacher of foreign languages, a fastidious scholar — he spoke 11 languages — but he was also … a compassionate advisor to generations of students,” Bernice Hauser, Horace Mann’s director of intercampus activities, wrote in an e-mail. 
Born in Waterbury, Conn. on July 7, 1925, Mr. Reilly attended the University of Connecticut, Middlebury College, University of Grenoble-France, Laval University, University of Mexico, Columbia University, New York University and Naugatuck High School. He served in the army during World War II. 
Mr. Reilly was an avid traveler who liked to tell stories. During his lifetime, he visited more than 150 countries and every continent. One of Mr. Reilly’s hobbies involved traveling on each of his milestone birthdays. On his 40th birthday, he traveled to Timbuktu, his 50th was celebrated on the shores of the Amazon, his 60th in Russia and his 70th birthday in Turkey. Mr. Reilly also enjoyed diverse foods, lighthouses and bridges, his nephew, Jack Rutigliano, said.
Mr. Reilly served as president of the Kingsbridge Historical Society for 13 years and was a member of the National Rail Society and Canal Society. 
Mr. Reilly is survived by his sister, Ann Rutigliano, and her husband, Frank, of Watertown, Conn., his brother, Eugene J. Reilly, of Prospect, Conn. and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Reilly was predeceased by his sister, Mary Mukosey.
Mr. Reilly’s wake was held at Buckmiller Funeral Home in Prospect, Conn. on May 2. His funeral took place at St. Mary’s Church in Naugatuck, Conn. on May 3. He was buried at St. James Cemetery in Naugatuck. 
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.


Scoutmaster Jack Tobin touched many lives
Jack Tobin, a past Riverdale resident and scoutmaster, died at home from cancer on April 19. He was 69.
Mr. Tobin was a Boy Scout scoutmaster for Troop 240 during the 1960s, according to friend Arthur J. Pann.
“We have lost a friend, a larger then life individual. Someone who had an impact on so many lives and that impact most of the time we didn’t even realize until much later in our lives,” Mr. Pann wrote in an e-mail. “He was so important to many of you in helping to make each of you what you are today. He helped me in so many ways. Jack was everything to me. He was my dear friend, he was like an older brother and I guess a father figure as well. Whatever it was, I loved him and always will.”
Serving more than 10 years as the troop’s scoutmaster, Mr. Tobin impacted many lives, young and old.
 “Jack’s presence inspired and helped me carry out the task put in front of me,” Avi Rubinsztejn, one of Tobin’s acquaintances, wrote in an e-mail. “Leadership is not always the spoken word, but the supportive feeling of encouragement.”
Born in New York on Sept. 14, 1941, Mr. Tobin attended DeWitt Clinton High School and New York University.
He moved to Margate, Fla. in 1970. He was heavily involved in local politics and the Florida House of Representatives for 16 years.
Mr. Tobin is survived by his wife and childhood sweetheart of 49 years, Lesley, and children, David Tobin, of Boca Raton, Fla. and Lauren Adam of, Margate, Fla. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Mollie Adam, Shaina Tobin, Ben Tobin and Mitchell Tobin.
Mr. Tobin’s funeral was held at Temple Beth-Am in Margate on April 22 and more than 600 people attended, according to Mr. Pann. His burial followed at the Star of David Cemetery in south Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Scout Troop 240 is planning to honor Mr. Tobin in the near feature.
“The impact he had on hundreds of boys that grew up in Riverdale is still going on,” Mr. Pann said. 


I also wrote a small brief about a boy in the area who was collecting books for his Eagle Scout project.
Boyle collects books for needy
John Boyle, a local teen and Boy Scout, is involved in nearly every sport his high school has to offer but still manages to find time to help the local community.

For his Eagle Scout project, John organized a children’s book drive that amassed more than 1,600 books for children, young adults and adults. On May 1, John and his troop met at the Church of the Visitation to sort and pack the books so they could be sent to hospitals, homeless shelters, community centers, correctional facilities and other organizations. 
To collect the books, John distributed flyers asking for donations throughout the community, his apartment building and fellow troop members’ buildings. Although John’s original goal was to gather 400 books, he quickly surpassed that number. 
“He realized there was an interest. The people and children couldn’t believe [the books] were free,” John’s mother, Peggy Boyle, said. “He wanted to launch a bigger project for his Eagle Scout project and expanded the drive to other agencies and organizations in the Bronx.”
“He’s a very reserved and humbled kid with a good heart, and he takes his community service serious,” she added. 
More than 10 agencies and organizations, including Fordham Bedford Children’s Center, Refuge House, Montefiore Children’s Hospital, Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, Westchester Medical Center Children’s Hospital and Bedford Correctional Facility Children’s Center, will receive books.
Bedford Correctional Facility Children’s Center will give the books to incarcerated mothers, who will tape themselves reading and give the tape to their children to bring home on Mother’s Day.




At this point, I'm sure you're marveling at my masterpieces. Please take into consideration that this is my first week on the job. As a lowly intern. 

Front page of BYU's Daily Universe: Wave of emotion

My article on the celebrations at Ground Zero Sunday night was published in BYU's student paper The Daily Universe today.


Check out this link to read my full article featured in The Daily Universe today or visit universe.byu.edu or newsnet.byu.edu/pdf.

Mentioned in the SL Trib

So apparently a blogger for the Salt Lake Tribune referenced my blog today in regards to my coverage of Osama bin Laden's death and the celebrations happening in NYC.

Here's the link. Check it out.

Osama got Jimmered?

This sits above University Pkwy in Provo, Ut, "Osama Got Jimmered" referring to BYU's star basketball athlete Jimmer Fredette. Photo courtesy of Ryan Hill.

So apparently this is how Provo, UT is celebrating the news of Osama bin Laden's death. 

VIDEO: Singing at Ground Zero Sunday night

Sorry for the poor quality. Used my iphone4 in the moving crowd.

Ground zero the center of NYC celebrations

People crowded in the streets near ground zero in the early morning hours after President Obama confirmed the death of terrorist Osama bin Laden.

After a long and busy weekend, the news of Osama bin Laden's death swarmed around NYC as we all tuned in to hear the words of President Obama. The press conference did not occur until midnight approached. 


More than nine years later, the United States has brought bin Laden to justice for his heinous crimes against the thousands of Americans who were innocently slaughtered in the attacks of 9/11. 


My trip to ground zero last night was a long and memorable one. Arriving after 12:30 a.m. the streets surrounding the memorial were swelling with people, flags and news agencies. The crowds chanted "U.S.A.," "Osama, hey hey hey, goodbye" and lines from the "Star Spangled Banner." 


Men climbed up the traffic light poles and anything that could give them a view of the patriotic scene. President Obama spoke of another uniting of the American people and this congregation after his announcement was just that: a uniting of New Yorkers supporting the truths and principles this nation was founded upon: justice and freedom, and remembering their friends and family who had fallen. 


While the scene seemed to be unruly at times and barring on disrespectful (chants of "F#$% Osama") it was overall a grand gesture of America's feelings: joy, pride, relief and some fear.
American flags are selling out all over the city. 


Today, the NYPD has upped their security in every part of the city: Grand Central, Times Square, ground zero, the subway system and airports. The thought did cross our minds as we rushed to ground zero last night: will there be rogue retaliation for bin Laden's death? Will we be able to prevent it? 


Every news agency is covering this frantically. Fox New's big bumble last night was comical. (Their website banner completely misspelled Osama bin Laden's name and every other word in their headline.) The New York Daily News did not let this opportunity pass them by (they never do). Their headline is being called the most flashy/forward in the world. Check out this link to see the cover.


I was surprised at the small number of interns who decided to go to out and see the news. 


I am a journalist. To me, that means going where the news is. Being a part of historical moments and communicating what happened. I have such unique opportunities here and must take advantage of them. Otherwise, why leave Utah and the BYU bubble?


I encourage everyone to reflect and remember 9/11 today and how it has changed us and our country. 


(This post is not a criticism nor intended to be a comment on other's weaknesses. It is an observation of the events which is followed by my definition or purpose of my career choice.)

The Royal Wedding: Don't you love online streaming?

New media allows us to watch news online where ever we are. Ex: The Royal Wedding.

The day has come. (The news will have to find another countdown now.)


Prince William married Kate Middleton this morning. I felt I could not not mention the royal wedding. Even in NYC, celebrations have been happening since 5 a.m. this morning.


Many of my friends and fellow interns went off to cover the wedding events for the Brooklyn Paper and the New York Daily News at 4:30 a.m. this morning. I was still in bed.


I HAD to watch the last of the procession when I woke up around 7 a.m. Unfortunately, I missed "the kiss" because I was on the subway. But thanks to online media, you don't need to watch things on the tv anymore. I just used my trusty macbook pro.


This is one technological advancement I love. love. love. Forget the hassle of tv commercials or even owning a tv. In NYC, where space is limited and money too, we can just use our computers and that is amazing. Just take a moment to think about that. Four or five years ago, we were just getting tv show episodes online and then they were barely able to play all the way through their 43 minutes of video without buffering every two minutes (today its just every 10).


While technology can be frustrating and often force you to wonder whether throwing your computer, etc out your 6th floor window might be easier, today remember what it does for you.


It helps me get my job done. It allows me to stay connected with family, friends and readers. It keeps me from getting lost on the subway system. And it helps me find restaurants when I'm on the go. I can watch all my tv shows weeks after they air. And I can watch news live.

Walking through the Rain: Day 4

(PICTURES of Central Park to be uploaded tonight)

Yesterday was pretty uneventful. I went to work. I typed up a calendar all day. Went for a donut run (Dunkin Donuts, of course) and got caught in the rain. and sat drying.

I finished my work a little early, and since the other interns wouldn't be home for several hours, i went and explored on my own.

I am beginning to feel like a natural and New Yorker. I put on my khaki raincoat and set our for Central Park. I got off at 72 St. and walked a couple blocks over to the park. How can anyone not love spring? (Yes, it rains and it gets muddy, though the city could use a good wash) But the flowers everywhere are so lovely! All colors of tulips fill the flowerbeds around the city. The same goes for Central Park. I almost felt like I was outdoors, out of the city. And then you hear the sirens and it brings you back. It was refreshing. If I lived closer, I would walk or sit in the park every day. I eventually made my way by Trump Tower and Columbia Circle. At this point I got a hankering for some dinner. (I don't really eat lunch here.)



Olympic Pita. Courtesy of Serious Eats.

I've been craving a real falafel since I left Jerusalem, so that's what I searched for. Luckily, I found a website that ranked the top 10 falafel sandwiches in the city! I didn't go to the top restaurant. I wasn't looking for anything fancy. So, I hopped down to 58 West 38th St to Olympic Pita.

It was one of the most authentic ones I have eaten since returning to the U.S. The falafel itself was a little dry (Which the review said) but they included fries! and the hot sauce gave it a similar spice to my favorite 7 shekel stand in Jerusalem. I also ordered some baklava, which was very tasty.

After getting my food to go, I headed back to 125 St and ran into Maria on the way home. Tiffany and I are hoping to plan some relaxing yet exciting things to do this weekend. I cannot wait to see what we end up doing.

Here are some activities I plan on checking off my list before I leave:

• Broadways: Wicked, How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Mary Poppins, Phantom of the Opera
• Museums: Natural History, Guggenheim, Madame Tussaud's, Museum of Art, MoMA
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Ground Zero
• Concert/play in the Park
• Watch a movie in a park/barge
• Apollo Theater Amateur night
• Go to the NYC LDS temple
• Statue of Liberty
• Be on a subway when a random group performs

Gotta catch em all...the subway

REAR WINDOW: The view of the park and river from my room in NYC,  500 Riverside Dr.

Grand Central Station

Divine Comedy's Matt Meese and Jason perform their
popular Shoulder Angel skit at the People Improv's
Theatre Tuesday.

DAY 2


All the places Tiffany and I visited: 

• The Bronx via the 1 Train.
• Riverdale Press
• Target
• I-House
• Union Square
• Pizza Joint
• Flower stand
• Grand Central Station
• Meredith Corp
• Times Square (briefly)
• People's Improv Theatre (24th St)

One of my favorite parts of the day was being able to go support BYU's Divine Comedy group at the People's Improv Theatre while they were performing with the Harvard Sailing Team in NYC. While I had already seen all the skits they performed (and know them by heart. Yes, I am their No. 3 fan!), it was such a cool experience for some hilarious, clean comedy. And yes, I still love Matt Meese...

Tales of Working in the Bronx:First Day Jitters

The Riverdale Press is located off Broadway in the west side of the Bronx.

DAY 3: 


I have successfully made my way through NYC for three days now. I began my internship at the Riverdale Press this morning at a bright and early 11:45 a.m. They are a weekly paper, and it is printed on Wednesdays (hence the late arrivals). 


There is a small in-house staff of 15 people or less. Ther are ... drum roll ... four reporters. It amazes me. They crank out around four stories each week to fill the paper along with columns, briefs, etc. I think that's amazing. 


Luckily, they found a desk for me to work in. I am currently working on putting together next week's "What's up," which is essentially a calendar of local events. 


The Riverdale Press is a small, community newspaper. Yes, I know it seems odd that I would travel all the way to New York to work at a small paper when I have job opportunities at larger newspapers in Utah. BUT New York news is different. The police beat doesn't cover fake cougar sightings, water balloon attacks or other pranking. ( I love BYU's police beat, truly.) And while working at a huge, upscale national magazine would be awesome (and I would love to do that) this experience is just that: experience in the real world. 


I miss designing already. I can't wait to design for The Press.


Designing is my passion now. I hope I can perhaps do some things with my internship before I leave at the end of the term. 


Tonight I'm off to enjoy takeout with Maria and Institute at the Lincoln Center Building. 


And I continue to search for a fan...or air source of some sort. I need a hardware store. I'm open to suggestions.


CONTINUED...

The Shake Shack is a popular ice cream & burger joint.

Tonight I attended institute in the Lincoln Center Building which also houses the LDS temple in NYC. It was wonderful to be able to sit and discuss the scriptures after working all day. The teacher was enthusiastic and funny. I was so glad Maria encouraged me to go. I was able to get some other girls from the program to attend as well. Afterwards, we went out for dessert at the Shake Shack off 77th with Jim, a guy we met at institute.


A perfect ending to an odd day.

I am lost: Day 1

Day 1 proved to be more overwhelming than I could possibly have imagined. New York is huge. And the subways are an awful maze. I hope I can learn the system in the next couple weeks. Luckily, a longtime best friend, Maria Alexia, was able to guide me and Tiffany (my travel buddy in the same program) around the city with our enormous suitcases. While I really do need the contents of these suitcases, I do not think I will return with both. Perhaps I will just ... ship them. 

After arriving into JFK early, we sat on the tarmac for a good 30 minutes while the airport sought a way to get us to the actual terminal without being docked at a gate. Then we had to walk one terminal over to find our luggage. And maneuver the air train to the subway station. Holy moly. 


The I-House (Columbia's International House) off 125th Street is really lovely. I had heard that it could be dirty and not that great. But I have no idea what those people were talking about. Yes, my room is quite warm. (Why do they think they don't need air conditioning?) I'll post pictures later of the I-House and my quaint room.

As soon as we dropped off our bags at our new home, we hurried to the Harlem Church building for FHE. (Maria is a co-chair.) We passed the Apollo on the way to the building. I can't wait to go to an amateur night. Tiffany and I stopped at Sylvia's Soul Food for dinner since we both had only eaten breakfast (and it was 8 p.m.) 

Sylvia's is a popular restaurant in Harlem serving their famous chicken and waffles. It was delicious. Because we stopped for food, we missed most of fhe, but we did get the chance to meet several people in the ward. 

Well Toto, we're not in Utah anymore. New York couldn't be more different. I hope I will love it here. And the Bronx.

Day 0: I'm leaving in t-minus 9 hours

 


I take off to NYC tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. Yes, I love early flights. Because I'm most definitely a morning person. Love them.


With the encouragement of a certain mother I made four lists of things to pack in my two suitcases, ranging from my portable fan to bedding to an umbrella.


Today I celebrated Easter with the Dwyer family in South Jordan, Utah. Shout out to my favorite little kids Sarah, Daniel, Ashley and Ryan!