Squalls out on the gulfstream
big storm comin' soon...
Here comes Tropical Storm Noel, just as we were thinking we might actually make it through a storm season unscathed.
Noel's current track poses no real threat to us on the west coast of Florida, but our wary eyes will watch until -- hopefully -- it makes a projected right turn up the Atlantic.
Scarred by the terrifying hurricane season of 2004 that saw four major storms rip through the state, we've learned not to take these weather systems lightly. And that's where Bradenton.com comes in. Click on the Tropical Storm Update to get updates throughout the day, including stories, the weather service tracking map and a photo gallery.
We also provide the best coverage possible in our print edition, updating the storm coordinates at 11 p.m. each night before the Herald goes to press and publishing weather guru Martin Merzer's informative and entertaining stories.
Here's hoping we can hum a few bars of Jimmy Buffett's "Trying to Reason With the Hurricane Season'' without having to contend with a serious storm this year.
Jim
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
About Tiffany and her Military Mom's blog
Tiffany Tompkins-Condie has a way of bounding into my office and putting the exclamation point in front of her first sentence. But she often has good cause –- and that certainly was the case when she came in to propose a new blog.
Tiffany is an aggressive photographer, a dedicated journalist who wants to capture everything in images. And she’s a mom. On this day, she had both hats on as she outlined her plan.
She wanted to make sure it was OK to “embed” herself with her son’s squadron. And I admit I did have a moment of hesitation. Photographers, more than anyone in a newsroom, lose their trepidation in dangerous situations. Something about that lens, between them and the scene unfolding in front of them, gives them a strange sense of protection. But there really wasn’t any danger in this, just strict oversight from her son’s superiors.
I remember the day Tiffany told me Daniel had joined the Marines. We both had tears in our eyes –- hers of pride, mine probably a mix of respect and fear. Now, he’s ready to take on his first overseas assignment. Tiffany has captured the moments in this awe-inspiring gallery: Here's a link:
And she has launched that blog: Manatee’s Military Moms
Just as Tiffany’s lens brings us the images of dedication and patriotism, her blog will offer a way for family and friends to connect. And it offers the rest of us a link to that world, regardless of our beliefs.
Joan
Tiffany is an aggressive photographer, a dedicated journalist who wants to capture everything in images. And she’s a mom. On this day, she had both hats on as she outlined her plan.
She wanted to make sure it was OK to “embed” herself with her son’s squadron. And I admit I did have a moment of hesitation. Photographers, more than anyone in a newsroom, lose their trepidation in dangerous situations. Something about that lens, between them and the scene unfolding in front of them, gives them a strange sense of protection. But there really wasn’t any danger in this, just strict oversight from her son’s superiors.
I remember the day Tiffany told me Daniel had joined the Marines. We both had tears in our eyes –- hers of pride, mine probably a mix of respect and fear. Now, he’s ready to take on his first overseas assignment. Tiffany has captured the moments in this awe-inspiring gallery: Here's a link:
And she has launched that blog: Manatee’s Military Moms
Just as Tiffany’s lens brings us the images of dedication and patriotism, her blog will offer a way for family and friends to connect. And it offers the rest of us a link to that world, regardless of our beliefs.
Joan
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The magic of space and my Dad
As the seven astronauts blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center today, I had a huge lump in my throat. My dad worked on some of the earliest space missions for McDonnell Corp. in St. Louis.
The words “Cape Canaveral” were magical as I was growing up in the ‘60s, and we dreamed of traveling in space. It could happen -– my dad had models of the Mercury and Gemini at home! We kids were in awe of the possibilities, and Dad was proof that it was within our humble reach.
Now, in another century and with decades of triumph and tragedy behind it, space travel has lost much of that luster. With the world at our Internet-addicted fingertips, kids have far more to capture their fancy.
Or, maybe, just maybe…
Herald reporters Jessica Klipa and Carl Nudi went to school today, joining fourth- and fifth-graders at Kinnan and Abel where the magic was back. They are traveling in space, with their names signed on a banner that is on that shuttle headed to the International Space Station.
The kids sat watching and cheering as Discovery blasted off safely from the Kennedy Space Center. "It's pretty cool," 9-year-old Peyton Jones told Carl. "It's like a part of you is in space."
You can read their stories, and Marty Merzer’s shuttle coverage, in Wednesday’s Herald, and get updates throughout the 14-day mission here on Bradenton.com. But enough for now of blogging and the Internet and all that stuff.
At least for a little bit today, I was back with Dad, a kid who believes in that magic. And believing -– no, knowing -– that Dad’s out there watching with me. Because he never stopped believing in me or in magic and all things possible.
Joan
The words “Cape Canaveral” were magical as I was growing up in the ‘60s, and we dreamed of traveling in space. It could happen -– my dad had models of the Mercury and Gemini at home! We kids were in awe of the possibilities, and Dad was proof that it was within our humble reach.
Now, in another century and with decades of triumph and tragedy behind it, space travel has lost much of that luster. With the world at our Internet-addicted fingertips, kids have far more to capture their fancy.
Or, maybe, just maybe…
Herald reporters Jessica Klipa and Carl Nudi went to school today, joining fourth- and fifth-graders at Kinnan and Abel where the magic was back. They are traveling in space, with their names signed on a banner that is on that shuttle headed to the International Space Station.
The kids sat watching and cheering as Discovery blasted off safely from the Kennedy Space Center. "It's pretty cool," 9-year-old Peyton Jones told Carl. "It's like a part of you is in space."
You can read their stories, and Marty Merzer’s shuttle coverage, in Wednesday’s Herald, and get updates throughout the 14-day mission here on Bradenton.com. But enough for now of blogging and the Internet and all that stuff.
At least for a little bit today, I was back with Dad, a kid who believes in that magic. And believing -– no, knowing -– that Dad’s out there watching with me. Because he never stopped believing in me or in magic and all things possible.
Joan
Monday, October 22, 2007
Reader is right on Kerr
A reader made a valid point over the weekend, criticizing our placement of two feature celebrity obituaries in Friday's Herald. The notice of actress Deborah Kerr's death appeared as a brief on 2A, while the notice for comedian Joey Bishop received a full story on 3A.
Poor news judgment on Kerr? I agree with the caller. Kerr was a remarkable actress, with numerous Academy Award nominations for some very memorable roles. Her beach scene with Burt Lancaster in "From Here to Eternity'' is one of the classic scenes in cinematic history. My personal favorite was her performance opposite Cary Grant in the tear-jerking "An Affair to Remember.''
We treated Kerr and Bishop equally in 1A teasers acknowledging their passing, then dropped the ball inside. Kerr deserved a full-length obit — which she receives belatedly here
on Bradenton.com:
No excuses. We need to do better on these judgment calls in our print editions.
Jim
Poor news judgment on Kerr? I agree with the caller. Kerr was a remarkable actress, with numerous Academy Award nominations for some very memorable roles. Her beach scene with Burt Lancaster in "From Here to Eternity'' is one of the classic scenes in cinematic history. My personal favorite was her performance opposite Cary Grant in the tear-jerking "An Affair to Remember.''
We treated Kerr and Bishop equally in 1A teasers acknowledging their passing, then dropped the ball inside. Kerr deserved a full-length obit — which she receives belatedly here
on Bradenton.com:
No excuses. We need to do better on these judgment calls in our print editions.
Jim
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Why the Herald endorses
Today, the Bradenton Herald's editorial board makes its endorsement on Sunday's opinion pages for the mayor’s race in Bradenton. (In keeping with the spirit of this blog entry –- which is not about who is endorsed, but why –- you'll need to find out who in Sunday's Herald.)
Why do newspapers endorse in elections? That question has sparked endless debate, inconclusive research and soap-box soul-searching for decades.
Political endorsements were once universally accepted –- whether respected or reviled -- as the role of the Fourth Estate. Then newspapers began trying to dispel the reputation of being an “ivory tower” of know-it-alls. Today, some endorse, some don’t…
This blog would go on way too long to weigh all those issues –- and I won’t in this space. But the Bradenton Herald believes we must weigh in on the leadership of our community, especially in local elections. We intend to ignite community conversation.
We need to care. That’s probably where I intended to start this blog. For the Bradenton Herald, our leadership role is most important in local issues, where you rely on us for coverage you can’t find elsewhere. You don’t have time to research all the issues –- that’s what our reporters and editors tackle.
It’s also important for you, our readers, to know that our news reporters are totally independent of that opinion process. Their reporting and discoveries help the editorial board form its platform, but that platform doesn’t dictate coverage.
Our editorial board uses that coverage, as well as interviews and candidate debates, to endorse the strongest candidate. Today's editorial presents the Herald’s choice so readers can compare with their own views.
Our No. 1 goal: to compel Bradenton residents to vote. That’s the foundation of this country.
Joan
Here's a link:
Why do newspapers endorse in elections? That question has sparked endless debate, inconclusive research and soap-box soul-searching for decades.
Political endorsements were once universally accepted –- whether respected or reviled -- as the role of the Fourth Estate. Then newspapers began trying to dispel the reputation of being an “ivory tower” of know-it-alls. Today, some endorse, some don’t…
This blog would go on way too long to weigh all those issues –- and I won’t in this space. But the Bradenton Herald believes we must weigh in on the leadership of our community, especially in local elections. We intend to ignite community conversation.
We need to care. That’s probably where I intended to start this blog. For the Bradenton Herald, our leadership role is most important in local issues, where you rely on us for coverage you can’t find elsewhere. You don’t have time to research all the issues –- that’s what our reporters and editors tackle.
It’s also important for you, our readers, to know that our news reporters are totally independent of that opinion process. Their reporting and discoveries help the editorial board form its platform, but that platform doesn’t dictate coverage.
Our editorial board uses that coverage, as well as interviews and candidate debates, to endorse the strongest candidate. Today's editorial presents the Herald’s choice so readers can compare with their own views.
Our No. 1 goal: to compel Bradenton residents to vote. That’s the foundation of this country.
Joan
Here's a link:
Friday, October 19, 2007
Warning! Coming Sunday: fright flicks
We're not above having a bit of fun here at the Herald, even if it gives us the shivers...
With Halloween approaching and horror movies everywhere on TV, we asked our newsroom staff to reveal the scariest flicks they've ever seen. The result is a frighteningly good centerpiece in Sunday's A&E.
I'm probably aging myself to note that one of my personal favorites is nowhere to be found on the staff's list. And that would be ... ''Village of the Damned,'' a 1960 English science fiction film. It only ranks No. 92 on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments, but don't tell that to my older sisters. Their screams can still be heard at night in the old Pix Theatre building.
Zombie mutant children — yikes!
Check out Sunday's A&E to see if your scariest movies made the list.
Jim
With Halloween approaching and horror movies everywhere on TV, we asked our newsroom staff to reveal the scariest flicks they've ever seen. The result is a frighteningly good centerpiece in Sunday's A&E.
I'm probably aging myself to note that one of my personal favorites is nowhere to be found on the staff's list. And that would be ... ''Village of the Damned,'' a 1960 English science fiction film. It only ranks No. 92 on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments, but don't tell that to my older sisters. Their screams can still be heard at night in the old Pix Theatre building.
Zombie mutant children — yikes!
Check out Sunday's A&E to see if your scariest movies made the list.
Jim
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The bridge hand we've been dealt
Breaking news:
THE bridge to Anna Maria Island -- the destination that's the real reason our community is on the map -- is getting shut down for more than two months. Shut down! And everyone's stunned by the incredible news.
We bannered the story in Tuesday's editions with reactions from residents and local officials. And we came back today with reaction from those entrusted with our safety -- fire and police -- as well as publishing the Herald's editorial stance.
My question: How can our local officials be surprised by this? Where's the communication, the planning, the long-term vision? The island's economy is under enough of a strain without businesses having to now build this into their 2008 expectations. And living on the island has plenty of challenges, magnified moreso there than most of Manatee County by soaring insurance rates. Now the state government is telling them that their main access is going to be severed for 10 weeks.
Why aren't those we elect and pay to "get 'er done" working together? It's only October -- so start talking now.
We plan to keep asking and keep tabs on this work.
Joan
THE bridge to Anna Maria Island -- the destination that's the real reason our community is on the map -- is getting shut down for more than two months. Shut down! And everyone's stunned by the incredible news.
We bannered the story in Tuesday's editions with reactions from residents and local officials. And we came back today with reaction from those entrusted with our safety -- fire and police -- as well as publishing the Herald's editorial stance.
My question: How can our local officials be surprised by this? Where's the communication, the planning, the long-term vision? The island's economy is under enough of a strain without businesses having to now build this into their 2008 expectations. And living on the island has plenty of challenges, magnified moreso there than most of Manatee County by soaring insurance rates. Now the state government is telling them that their main access is going to be severed for 10 weeks.
Why aren't those we elect and pay to "get 'er done" working together? It's only October -- so start talking now.
We plan to keep asking and keep tabs on this work.
Joan
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