Topping the Bradenton Herald today is our Washington bureau's thorough coverage of the health-care debate, on the eve of the House vote -- deemed historic, yet almost anticlimatic after the endless politicking.
But it is historic change, and we plan to post news at Bradenton.com quickly after the votes this afternoon. The House plans to convene at 1 p.m. and proceed with two hours of debate on the so-called reconciliation bill, changing the terms of the bill the Senate passed Christmas Eve.
Our Washington editors noted that they plan to move a complete story by reporters David Lightman, William Douglas and others immediately after the vote this afternoon. And they noted this story will be of greatest value to you, our Web readers. We will update as needed, but observers expect that House Democratic leaders want this process completed before 6 p.m. without the contentious "middle of the night vote."
Washington reporter Lesley Clark, along with Metro Editor Marc Masferrer here at home, will be tracking the roles of our local House members today, including Reps. Vern Buchanan and Kathy Castor.
Here's to our health.
-- Joan
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tasty tidbit for St. Paddy's Day
If you haven't signed up for our Taste newsletter yet, here's what you missed today.
Every Wednesday morning, you'll get an email blast filled with scrumptious recipes, Diann Greene's Down Home Cooking column, Jim Rawe's wine column, Andrea Yeager's Cook's Exchange and much more. Just sign in as a member of Bradenton.com and go to the Member Center.
Today (with a good-luck last name of Greene, of course), Diann's writing about all things Irish.
Happy St. Paddy's Day!
Every Wednesday morning, you'll get an email blast filled with scrumptious recipes, Diann Greene's Down Home Cooking column, Jim Rawe's wine column, Andrea Yeager's Cook's Exchange and much more. Just sign in as a member of Bradenton.com and go to the Member Center.
Today (with a good-luck last name of Greene, of course), Diann's writing about all things Irish.
Happy St. Paddy's Day!
Monday, March 15, 2010
New Florida golf blog debuts on Bradenton.com
New sports writer Jason Dill has just lanched his blog:
"The Golf Coast"
As Jason notes on his blog introduction, Florida is the golf capital of America -- so he'll have plenty to write about. His blog will be instructional, insightful and, at times, a bit gossipy with local and national buzz. He also plans to add a poll in the near future.
I checked in with Jason this morning for the latest, and he was on his way to cover the seventh annual Laurel Oak Cup (benefiting the Special Olympics) in Sarasota. The event is a chapter event for the North Florida PGA's Southwest Chapter, so there will be about 10-15 club professionals from Manatee County playing, he reports.
And he had this tidbit to share:
So with Jason's beefed-up golf coverage, our golfing report in print and here on Bradenton.com/golf is about to get a lot more interesting.
Ideas? We'd love to hear from you.
-- Joan
"The Golf Coast"
As Jason notes on his blog introduction, Florida is the golf capital of America -- so he'll have plenty to write about. His blog will be instructional, insightful and, at times, a bit gossipy with local and national buzz. He also plans to add a poll in the near future.
I checked in with Jason this morning for the latest, and he was on his way to cover the seventh annual Laurel Oak Cup (benefiting the Special Olympics) in Sarasota. The event is a chapter event for the North Florida PGA's Southwest Chapter, so there will be about 10-15 club professionals from Manatee County playing, he reports.
And he had this tidbit to share:
Locally, reigning U.S. Amateur champion, Byeong-Hun An, was invited to play in the Masters (arguably the biggest pro event around) as well as the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando in a couple weeks. Depending what happens with Tiger Woods, An might be teeing it up in Tiger's return to golf tournament.
So with Jason's beefed-up golf coverage, our golfing report in print and here on Bradenton.com/golf is about to get a lot more interesting.
Ideas? We'd love to hear from you.
-- Joan
Friday, March 12, 2010
Now this is interactive journalism!
If you missed Vin Mannix's business centerpiece today, you should check it out on our homepage. It's a nice bright piece about two brothers, Matt and Dom Schole, who have moved their pastry cafe from Anna Maria Island into town.
Now their bakery, Matt & Dom’s, is open right next to the Shake Pit in Bradenton, and business is already brisk after just a week.
What Vin didn't reveal in his story is bared in Paul Videla's video. Vin Mannix, decorating a cake -- with Paul's deft help. Yep, I wouldn't lie to you. What's more, we gobbled it up back in the newsroom in no time. And lived to tell about it.
True, newsroom junkies are known to eat anything. But it was yummy. And fun.
Here's the video, for giggles.
-- Joan
Now their bakery, Matt & Dom’s, is open right next to the Shake Pit in Bradenton, and business is already brisk after just a week.
What Vin didn't reveal in his story is bared in Paul Videla's video. Vin Mannix, decorating a cake -- with Paul's deft help. Yep, I wouldn't lie to you. What's more, we gobbled it up back in the newsroom in no time. And lived to tell about it.
True, newsroom junkies are known to eat anything. But it was yummy. And fun.
Here's the video, for giggles.
-- Joan
Monday, March 8, 2010
Big city, big journalism, big challenges
What a whirlwind week: Eight days in New York City, which truly never sleeps.
I had the honor of joining 76 other editors, publishers, writers and educators in Columbia University's School of Journalism (in the Joseph Pulitzer World Room!) to judge Pulitzer Prize entries in 14 journalism categories. Each of us took an oath of confidentiality, but suffice it to say that hundreds of journalists are producing damn good journalism -- both online and in print. The quality of what we read over just a few days was exhilarating, challenging and motivating.
And the setting? Columbia's sprawling campus is classic, filled with the spirits of thousands of gifted scholars, writers and thinkers who have walked those halls. One of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the country, the university's roots predate the American Revolution.
And as you walk out of the gates, a subway station on Broadway beckons to whisk you off to the best in music, theater, dining... and history. So much of our national scrapbook is created in that town. Words are defined by the streets and parks and venues stretched from the Upper East Side through SoHo and on to Brooklyn. This also was my first visit to Ground Zero -- an experience even more moving and humbling than we could have imagined.
Today, most of us are back at our real jobs, writing or reporting or editing across the country. My biggest reality check: More than 2,000 emails to be sorted, even with the out-of-office gizmo turned on! My biggest challenge: to hold onto that New York adrenaline and inspiration -- and not let the little town blues take hold.
-- Joan
I had the honor of joining 76 other editors, publishers, writers and educators in Columbia University's School of Journalism (in the Joseph Pulitzer World Room!) to judge Pulitzer Prize entries in 14 journalism categories. Each of us took an oath of confidentiality, but suffice it to say that hundreds of journalists are producing damn good journalism -- both online and in print. The quality of what we read over just a few days was exhilarating, challenging and motivating.
And the setting? Columbia's sprawling campus is classic, filled with the spirits of thousands of gifted scholars, writers and thinkers who have walked those halls. One of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the country, the university's roots predate the American Revolution.
And as you walk out of the gates, a subway station on Broadway beckons to whisk you off to the best in music, theater, dining... and history. So much of our national scrapbook is created in that town. Words are defined by the streets and parks and venues stretched from the Upper East Side through SoHo and on to Brooklyn. This also was my first visit to Ground Zero -- an experience even more moving and humbling than we could have imagined.
Today, most of us are back at our real jobs, writing or reporting or editing across the country. My biggest reality check: More than 2,000 emails to be sorted, even with the out-of-office gizmo turned on! My biggest challenge: to hold onto that New York adrenaline and inspiration -- and not let the little town blues take hold.
-- Joan
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Daily Herald: 50 cents. Puppy photo? Priceless
A quick bright note worth sharing from one of our readers: Jack Parker emailed our metro editor, Marc Masferrer, with high words of praise indeed. Our weekly "Gallery" feature, published every Monday on the Local cover, made his day.
That would be Herald photographer/videographer Paul Videla. Here's a link to his prose and photo, and a glimpse here of that fun shot:
James, a 5-year-old golden retriever
--Joan
I am not sure who deserves credit for the photo and essay in Section B but the " Gallery" photo and essay was worth the price of the paper for a month! Jack Parker
That would be Herald photographer/videographer Paul Videla. Here's a link to his prose and photo, and a glimpse here of that fun shot:
--Joan
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Foreclosure crisis knows no borders
When law enforcement reporter Robert Napper stopped by a recent sheriff's luncheon, he was just making the rounds. But he couldn't shake one discussion. A Manatee homeowner, Harry Traylor, was pleading for help from law enforcement and county officials. He didn't feel safe in his Northwest Bradenton home anymore, because of the abandoned home in foreclosure nearby.
The house is trashed, inside and out. Drug paraphernalia, beer cans and scattered bedding are evidence that intruders and homeless come through here.
Sheriff Brad Steube was bluntly honest in his assessment to Napper: "Basically we can come in and tell them they need to get out of there, and most often they do. But really, we are just calling their bluff.”
Foreclosures have thrown a suffocating noose around Manatee County, and it's going to take a rally like none we have ever seen to find a cure. As Napper reports in
today's 1A takeout, there are no borders for the crisis.
“They are everywhere,” Manatee County Housing Director John Barnott said. “It is a problem in the best neighborhoods, and the worst. I have people walking away from million-dollar homes because they have lost everything.”
This community is up for the challenge, as long as we're compassionate and united. Please, send your ideas on how to help.
-- Joan
Herald videographer Paul Videla's look through video:
The house is trashed, inside and out. Drug paraphernalia, beer cans and scattered bedding are evidence that intruders and homeless come through here.
Sheriff Brad Steube was bluntly honest in his assessment to Napper: "Basically we can come in and tell them they need to get out of there, and most often they do. But really, we are just calling their bluff.”
Foreclosures have thrown a suffocating noose around Manatee County, and it's going to take a rally like none we have ever seen to find a cure. As Napper reports in
today's 1A takeout, there are no borders for the crisis.
“They are everywhere,” Manatee County Housing Director John Barnott said. “It is a problem in the best neighborhoods, and the worst. I have people walking away from million-dollar homes because they have lost everything.”
This community is up for the challenge, as long as we're compassionate and united. Please, send your ideas on how to help.
-- Joan
Herald videographer Paul Videla's look through video:
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