“Our children first.”
That’s a pretty straightforward statement, and one that the Herald newsroom has tagged for a yearlong project aimed at improving public awareness of the challenges -– and opportunities -- facing Manatee County's children.
In today’s Sunday Herald, you’ll find the latest chapter on 1A, and it focuses on health insurance. How timely. The clock is running out on federal funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP.
The program has become a political football between an encouragingly unified Congress and President Bush. He reiterated in his weekly address yesterday that he plans to veto pending legislation -- supported by Democrats and many of his fellow Republicans -- that expands SCHIP. The bill would more than double the $25 billion program, adding $35 billion over the next five years. It calls for raising the federal tobacco tax to $1 a pack to finance the expansion.
Herald reporter Tiffany St. Martin reports today that as many as 750,000 children are uninsured in Florida. That number is nearing 9 million throughout the country, the U.S. Census estimates.
On the Herald’s opinion pages (10-11C) today, two of Manatee County's elected representatives -– both Republicans -– joined pens to write in support of expanding SCHIP. U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan voted for the House version of the bill. State Rep. Bill Galvano chairs the Healthy Families Committee in the Florida House and sponsored the KidCare reform legislation this year. The Children’s Health program, they write, “gives kids from low-income families access to the care and medicine they need to live healthy lives.”
As some argue over the danger that this is moving toward "universal" or "socialized" medicine, thousands of our children are living without that guaranteed access to health care.
We hope the Herald's continued coverage will spark at least discussion, if not prompt more calls for action.
We need to hear from you about how we can work together to make “Our Children First” a success. Add your thoughts here in our blog’s comments, or send me an e-mail. And if you are interested in joining a Herald-sponsored focus group for “Our Children First,” raise your hand. We hope to have the first meeting within a few weeks.
Joan
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Singing the Florida blues
Do you think it's time for Florida to adopt a new state song?
For the record, our "official'' song is the 1851 Stephen Foster standard "Swanee River (Old Folks at Home),'' which was adopted in 1935.
Written by a great American musical storyteller and commemorating a river (actually, the Suwannee) that flows across Florida to the Gulf of Mexico, it's a song about yearning for your beloved home. I always assumed that Foster must have known the river and its people to have captured the dreamy sentiment so well.
Apparently Foster never even visited Florida, which shouldn't disqualify "Swanee River'' as the state song. However, folks have complained for years about the southern black dialect Foster used for lyrics. Specifically, the song contains a reference to "darkeys'' which many find racially offensive.
Now a movement is under way — again — to replace "Swanee River'' with a new state song. The Florida Music Educators' Association is leading the search, and more than 100 entries have been received. (Details are available at justsingflorida.com)
And, as education reporter Sylvia Lim wrote in today's Herald, our own Rowlett Elementary boys choir has submitted a version of the song with new lyrics written by music teacher Dave Walters.
There's no harm in having some musical fun. If Foster were alive he might even submit a new song himself for consideration. But no doubt there are much bigger decisions facing Florida's future, so we hope the Legislature doesn't get all hog-tied on this in the next session.
Anybody for Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville''?
Jim
For the record, our "official'' song is the 1851 Stephen Foster standard "Swanee River (Old Folks at Home),'' which was adopted in 1935.
Written by a great American musical storyteller and commemorating a river (actually, the Suwannee) that flows across Florida to the Gulf of Mexico, it's a song about yearning for your beloved home. I always assumed that Foster must have known the river and its people to have captured the dreamy sentiment so well.
Apparently Foster never even visited Florida, which shouldn't disqualify "Swanee River'' as the state song. However, folks have complained for years about the southern black dialect Foster used for lyrics. Specifically, the song contains a reference to "darkeys'' which many find racially offensive.
Now a movement is under way — again — to replace "Swanee River'' with a new state song. The Florida Music Educators' Association is leading the search, and more than 100 entries have been received. (Details are available at justsingflorida.com)
And, as education reporter Sylvia Lim wrote in today's Herald, our own Rowlett Elementary boys choir has submitted a version of the song with new lyrics written by music teacher Dave Walters.
There's no harm in having some musical fun. If Foster were alive he might even submit a new song himself for consideration. But no doubt there are much bigger decisions facing Florida's future, so we hope the Legislature doesn't get all hog-tied on this in the next session.
Anybody for Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville''?
Jim
Thursday, September 27, 2007
This is not a sports blog, but...
OK, this really isn't a blog about football. You don't want me writing about football, trust me! But who can resist when there's so much team spirit in the air? It's fun to embrace USF Bulls fever -- a welcome change of pace. What would you rather read today: another housing scare story, or reporter Jessica Klipa's 1A story on University of South Florida's school spirit running rampant -- on our own campus?
I know my druthers, and I'll bet you're with us on this one. For football fans, it's a no-brainer, and our sports section has been packed with stories. But we can't resist touting the revelry and local pride on the front page this week, either.
As Jessica wrote, the fever has gripped the Manatee-Sarasota campus. The mayor of Tampa may have declared Friday Green and Gold Day, but our students are already packing green in anticipation of Friday night's sold-out game against West Virginia U.
Maybe only a non-football fan like me would hope that this high stays around for a while -- win or, gasp, lose!
Joan
I know my druthers, and I'll bet you're with us on this one. For football fans, it's a no-brainer, and our sports section has been packed with stories. But we can't resist touting the revelry and local pride on the front page this week, either.
As Jessica wrote, the fever has gripped the Manatee-Sarasota campus. The mayor of Tampa may have declared Friday Green and Gold Day, but our students are already packing green in anticipation of Friday night's sold-out game against West Virginia U.
Maybe only a non-football fan like me would hope that this high stays around for a while -- win or, gasp, lose!
Joan
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Are you a pigskin picker?
So who do you like Friday night, West Virginia or South Florida?
Do you really think the Bucs can beat Carolina on the road?
The Herald's weekly Pigskin Picks contest, which appears on Page 6D in Wednesday's paper, is becoming as popular as the USF Bulls. More than 300 people tested their football acumen last week for the chance of winning cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25.
The entry form lists 10 matchups each from the colleges and NFL, and you'd better get in the neighborhood of 16-18 correct if you expect to be in the running for a prize. Believe me, that's not easy. I'm going to play myself this week — just for fun, I'm not allowed to win — to see how I do against some formidable competition.
Now about that USF game ... you gotta coin?
Jim
Do you really think the Bucs can beat Carolina on the road?
The Herald's weekly Pigskin Picks contest, which appears on Page 6D in Wednesday's paper, is becoming as popular as the USF Bulls. More than 300 people tested their football acumen last week for the chance of winning cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25.
The entry form lists 10 matchups each from the colleges and NFL, and you'd better get in the neighborhood of 16-18 correct if you expect to be in the running for a prize. Believe me, that's not easy. I'm going to play myself this week — just for fun, I'm not allowed to win — to see how I do against some formidable competition.
Now about that USF game ... you gotta coin?
Jim
Monday, September 24, 2007
Herald story connects myositis sufferers
Donna Wright, our health/social services reporter, has written countless stories that have reached out to people in need. Her recent story about victims of myositis, a group of autoimmune diseases characterized by profound and extreme muscle weakness, is a good example.
Donna wrote about Marianne Moyer, a 59-year-old Bradenton retiree with an adult form of the disease known as polymyositis. Moyer recently organized the Southwest Florida Myositis Support Group to offer support and find treatment options from others suffering with the incurable diseases.
Since the story ran in the Herald, Moyer has heard from several people in both Manatee and Sarasota who have symptoms and welcomed a place to turn. One of the more gratifying calls she received was from a mom whose 8-year old daughter was diagnosed in July and who is struggling with doctors, prognosis and fears. She now has been looped into the support group.
Says Moyer: “We made a difference in these people's lives! Thank you again. I don't think we've heard the last of people reaching out to us.”
In case you missed the story,here’s a link:
Joan
Donna wrote about Marianne Moyer, a 59-year-old Bradenton retiree with an adult form of the disease known as polymyositis. Moyer recently organized the Southwest Florida Myositis Support Group to offer support and find treatment options from others suffering with the incurable diseases.
Since the story ran in the Herald, Moyer has heard from several people in both Manatee and Sarasota who have symptoms and welcomed a place to turn. One of the more gratifying calls she received was from a mom whose 8-year old daughter was diagnosed in July and who is struggling with doctors, prognosis and fears. She now has been looped into the support group.
Says Moyer: “We made a difference in these people's lives! Thank you again. I don't think we've heard the last of people reaching out to us.”
In case you missed the story,here’s a link:
Joan
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Police blotter adds "Featured Fugitives"
A long-time popular feature in the Bradenton Herald every Sunday has been the “Police Blotter.” Anchored on Page 4 in the Local section, the blotter lists crimes committed during one week in Manatee County -- zone by zone. It’s a labor-intensive feature, because we gather the information from stacks of paper police reports, then input the data into our own computer system. But I know I check out my zone in the paper every Sunday morning to see if there’s any crime trend that should concern my neighborhood.
This month, in a partnership with Manatee County’s Crime Stoppers, we launched a new twist: “Manatee’s Featured Fugitives.” Every Sunday, the Herald will publish information on some of the most-sought suspects in local crimes -– their mugs, basic information and the crimes.
And, the sheriff’s office reports, the word is out and the calls are coming in. In the first four weeks, a half-dozen suspects have been caught. Last week, we noted two suspects -– Billy Thompson and Chauncey McDuffie -– who were apprehended. This Sunday, on Page 4C in the Herald, you’ll find two new suspects along with the others, sent to us by Det. Dan Hutto, Special Investigations Division of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and Crime Stoppers coordinator.
We list the anonymous tips line and how to contact investigators with information, which can lead to rewards up to $1,000. More importantly, it provides a way for citizens to help make our streets safer.
-- Joan
This month, in a partnership with Manatee County’s Crime Stoppers, we launched a new twist: “Manatee’s Featured Fugitives.” Every Sunday, the Herald will publish information on some of the most-sought suspects in local crimes -– their mugs, basic information and the crimes.
And, the sheriff’s office reports, the word is out and the calls are coming in. In the first four weeks, a half-dozen suspects have been caught. Last week, we noted two suspects -– Billy Thompson and Chauncey McDuffie -– who were apprehended. This Sunday, on Page 4C in the Herald, you’ll find two new suspects along with the others, sent to us by Det. Dan Hutto, Special Investigations Division of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and Crime Stoppers coordinator.
We list the anonymous tips line and how to contact investigators with information, which can lead to rewards up to $1,000. More importantly, it provides a way for citizens to help make our streets safer.
-- Joan
Thursday, September 20, 2007
This morning's paper, updated online
Well, our 1A centerpiece in today’s newspaper got hit with a rain delay. But it provides a good example of how Bradenton.com complements the Bradenton Herald.
The story heralds the return of “Get Down Downtown” after the event's hiatus during hot summer months. Reporter Melanie Marquez captured the anticipation of every Old Main Street merchant awaiting the crowds bringing in good business tonight. She updated how the local business owners have taken over the monthly event, working together in a partnership to give residents more reasons to come to downtown Bradenton.
But outdoor events in Florida always have that weather asterisk, and the storm clouds have gathered. So when organizers canceled the event just a little while ago, we didn’t have to wait until tomorrow’s editions to let you know. We posted the cancellation notice online just a few minutes after it was announced at noon.
The good news: The “Get Down Downtown” crew will try again next Thursday evening (Sept. 27). From your comments online, you are ready to get back downtown. Don’t let a little rain stop you!
Joan
The story heralds the return of “Get Down Downtown” after the event's hiatus during hot summer months. Reporter Melanie Marquez captured the anticipation of every Old Main Street merchant awaiting the crowds bringing in good business tonight. She updated how the local business owners have taken over the monthly event, working together in a partnership to give residents more reasons to come to downtown Bradenton.
But outdoor events in Florida always have that weather asterisk, and the storm clouds have gathered. So when organizers canceled the event just a little while ago, we didn’t have to wait until tomorrow’s editions to let you know. We posted the cancellation notice online just a few minutes after it was announced at noon.
The good news: The “Get Down Downtown” crew will try again next Thursday evening (Sept. 27). From your comments online, you are ready to get back downtown. Don’t let a little rain stop you!
Joan
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