This Class

I have learned a lot about the news. How things are written well, or written badly. Sadly, I've learned that journalism is not for me. I can never seem to catch my mistakes, or write without infusing my opinion. I have a brand-new respect for people who do this for a living. I think writing for the news is very confining and saps a person of creativity, having to juggle the endless barrage or arbitrary rules, but on the flip side, I see why those rules exist. For me though, not so good.

Intoxilyze 5000 EN

Lucina Mendez
December 07, 2009
Intoxilyze 5000 EN


The Intoxilyze 5000 EN- The breath test equipment used to establish blood alcohol content in Minnesota DWI cases- has been a sore spot for state prosecutors and defendants alike, as they argue about how the results for the test are reached, and who should be allowed to know how it works.
Criminal defense attorneys have been arguing for over three years, that without the source code (the computer programming that shows how the Intoxilyzer takes a breath sample and turns it into a blood alcohol concentration reading), there is no way to determine if the Intoxilyzer breath test results are accurate.
Defense attorneys argue that without access to the results, there is no way to discover whether the test is accurate or not, and therefore sued the state of Minnesota for access to the device's code as they felt without it results should be inadmissible. Throughout the state, many defense attorneys have asked judges to either grant their discovery requests and force the prosecution to hand over the source code so they could test the accuracy of the results, or suppress the results, with varying degrees of success.
The State argued that it didn’t have the source code, and therefore could not provide the source them. CMI refused the state’s request to view the source code, as it claimed it was a trade secret, and therefore protected under federal copyright laws.







Lucina Mendez
Intoxilyze 5000 EN
Page 2

In April 2009 the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in State v. Brunner that the State had 30 days to produce the source code, or the breath test was going to be suppressed. However, in a similar case, State v. Underdahl, the same Supreme Court said the defense had failed to prove that the source code were relevant to the case and therefore that breath test would not be thrown out without the code.
Last March the State of Minnesota- who has about 260 Intoxilyzer machines, sued CMI, claiming that as part of its contract with the company, it owns part or all of the source code and should have access to it. Only the manufacturer knew how the testing of the Intoxilyzer results worked. Not even the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension knew the source codes, nor were they informed when the source codes were changed. Minnesota has about 260 Intoxilyzer machines.
In an ensuing agreement the manufacturer agreed to allow access to the code, those who wanted it could travel to CMI’s main offices in Owensboro, Kentucky and review the software behind the testing process, however, there were restrictions on who could view the code and in what format. On July 16, U.S. District Court Judge Donovan Frank published his opinion approving a settlement between the State of Minnesota and CMI.
Federal judge Donovan Frank, ruled that the agreement would not make “the source code reasonably and readily available to Minnesota litigants,” and subsequently threw out the settlement.

Lucina Mendez
Intoxilyze 5000 EN
Page 3

The Intoxilyzer passes a beam of infrared light over a breath of air from your lungs - and then measuring how much light comes back compared to how much was sent out, the Intoxilyzer analyzes how much energy was absorbed at each wavelength, and therefore the concentration of alcohol in your body. This is because alcohols molecules absorb light consistently at the same rate. The other molecules found in our breath-like water and carbon dioxide-don't do this.
Even if the Intoxilyzer machine is working perfectly when you blow into it, your Intoxilyzer test results STILL might not be accurate! Characteristics like being female or diabetic can artificially raise Intoxilyzer results.
Lung capacity has a lot to do with the results reported by the Intoxilyzer; as it’s measuring how much light comes back through a sample of air from your lungs. However, alcohol enters the lungs through tiny sacs, which are located in the lower end of the lungs. So, the air that comes from the top of your lungs has a lower alcohol concentration than the air at the bottom of your lungs. The bigger your lungs are, the bigger portion of the 1.1 liters of air required to fill the Intoxilyzer is coming from the "top" of your lungs. The smaller your lungs are, the more you have to dip into the bottom of your lungs to give a breath sample of 1.1 liters. This means that women, whose lungs are typically smaller than men's, can end up with higher Intoxilyzer test results.





Lucina Mendez
Intoxilyze 5000 EN
Page 4


Also, body temperature can affect Intoxilyzer results. This means that women, whose body temperatures can fluctuate during menstruation as much as 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit, can raise their breath test results by up to 25 percent.
Diabetics can have a substance known as ketone bodies in their breath, which is known as the condition ketosis. Ketone bodies are naturally occurring molecules in human bodies, but sometimes diabetics have large quantities of these molecules in their bodies, as do individuals with high fat diets or eating disorders. Ketone bodies absorb light in a manner similar to that of alcohol; as a result diabetics can have Intoxilyzer test results that read higher than their breaths actual alcohol content.
“In any case involving a breath test, I will obtain the calibration records, maintenance history, and accuracy checks of the machine that was used to test my client. If there are problems in any of these areas, the results may be excluded. If it is a blood test, I insist upon obtaining a "split" of the blood sample for independent testing. There are certain requirements about how these blood samples are to be taken and preserved. If there is an inadequate level of preservative or anti-coagulant, the blood may actually ferment and produce its own alcohol, rendering the results completely meaningless,” explains Attorney Darren T. Kavinoky, a Criminal Defense Lawyer and legal expert on DUI based out of California.

Lucina Mendez
Intoxilyze 5000 EN
Page 5

In July 2009 Judge Frank approved the latest settlement between the state of Minnesota and the maker of a breathalyzer device, he claims that, "Minnesota litigants will have reasonable and, in fact, unprecedented access to the Source Code for the Intoxilyzer, while CMI's intellectual property rights will be protected."

CMI agreed to make the code available in Minnesota in a printed, hardbound version. The full electronic version of the code will be still be available at their headquarters .The agreement contains a provision requiring good-faith negotiations, and if Minnesota litigants believe they need more access to the code and cannot resolve the dispute, they can seek an order from the court.
The Minnesota Society of Criminal Justice, a group of about 50 defense attorneys, argued the settlement doesn't provide meaningful access to the code because CMI doesn't make the electronic version available in Minnesota, only a paper version. The group feels that the paper copy would be useless for analytical purposes.
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension conducted extensive Intoxilyze instrument validation testing before the machine was approved for use in Minnesota, including tests using simulator solutions having a known alcohol concentration, as well as testing on live subjects. Based on the results of this validation testing, the BCA concluded that the instrument performed properly, yielding accurate and reliable breath-alcohol measurements, and the Commissioner approved it for use in the State of Minnesota.
Lucina Mendez
Intoxilyze 5000 EN
Page 6

On July 18th, the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice-a group of defense attorneys-voted to hire experts to travel to CMI headquarters in Owensboro, Kentucky to analyze the Intoxilyzer 5000 Source Codes. In the meantime, Department of Public Safety is preparing to hire an expert to perform an independent analysis should any issue be identified by the defense experts.
Other issues that exist when using the Intoxilyze 5000, and CMI newest model, the Intoxilyze 8000- is the underlying physical principle of the Intoxilyzer known as "Henry's Law," that states that the concentration of a volatile chemical in vapor above a solution is proportional to the concentration of the chemical in the solution. This is true in the laboratory, but in humans, the proportions can vary by as much as 50 percent.
According to a study conducted by Dr. Stefan Rose and Dr. Kenneth Furton "Henry's Law does not apply in the lungs. In order for Henry's Law to apply, three conditions must be met. One, the solution must be in a closed system, like a sealed bottle. The lungs are open, not closed. Two, the solution must be kept at a known, constant temperature. The lung temperature is never known, and the temperature is always changing. And three, the pressure must be kept constant. The lungs are always changing pressure, decreasing pressure to inhale and increasing pressure to exhale. Without all three conditions present, it is not possible for equilibrium to occur, and Henry's Law does not apply."


Lucina Mendez
Intoxilyze 5000 EN
Page 7

If you hyperventilate three times before you blow into the machine, you will reduce your breath alcohol by as much as 55%, according to Furton and rose. This occurs for two reasons. First the breaths cool off your lungs. When the lung tissues are cooler, less alcohol goes from liquid form into vapor. The result is a lower breath alcohol. Second, the breaths clear out the alcohol from your lungs, filling them with fresh air. Also by holding your breath before taking the test your breath alcohol could be increased.
A DWI in Minnesota is defined as driving with a blood alcohol content- or BAC- of .10 or higher. The most common charge is a fourth degree DWI, meaning that you have no prior DWI license revocations, and you agreed to take the Intoxilyze 5000 tests, and your BAC was below .20. A fourth degree offense is considered a misdemeanor which is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, as well as a license suspension of 90 days.
As of August 2005, all states have DUI laws that deem "per se intoxicated"- any driver with a BAC at or above .08 percent. This means that drivers with a BAC at or above .08 are intoxicated in the eyes of the law, and no additional proof of driving impairment is necessary. Implied consent laws require vehicle drivers to submit to some form of chemical test, such as breath, blood, or urine testing, if suspected of DUI. If a driver refuses to submit to such testing, implied consent laws carry penalties such as mandatory suspension of a driver's license, usually for six months to a year.


Lucina Mendez
Intoxilyze 5000 EN
Page 8


Kari Taylor, who received a DUI in Anoka County in 2007, recalls her experience getting a DUI, “They had me take one test in the squad, and one at the station. I was told to breathe out until I heard this sound. I had one beer on an empty stomach about a half an hour before I was pulled over. I felt fine, thought I was fine. At the end of the experience, after paying the fines and getting my license suspended, I figured it was my own fault. Afterwards though, I wish I had been told how the test worked. If I had an advice to give someone who had a DUI or a DWI, I would tell them, whatever you do, get an attorney.”
XXX

A night at M.I.A with Art Teacher

Lucina Mendez
December 2, 2009
Dickerson Feature



Greg Dickerson met his students near the Children’s theater outside the Minnesota Institute of Arts. He has his cell phone in one hand, to direct students in case they got lost. He knows this area well as he is a teacher at Minneapolis College of Art and Design- A private art and design college where he also earned his masters-is around the coroner from the museum.

Dickerson also teaches for Anoka Ramsey Community college at Elk River High School, and his class is a kaleidoscope of people. The ages of his student’s ranges through four decades, possibly five, but one thing most of them have in common is their instructor, who never fails to confront them with new and innovative artists to consider.

Dickerson set his students loose on the museum, armed with maps, some traveling in groups, others set out to traverse the huge building alone. They were instructed to walk the museum, until it was time to view the opening for Michael Kareken, and his paintings and drawings of bottles and loose mechanical parts.

The M.I.A is a tri-floored behemoth of a museum with a landscaped court yard, and thousands of pieces of art. Founded in 1883 by 25 residents of Minneapolis, the M.I.A has gone through many transformations, and additions. The Target Wing-it’s most recent addition- includes thirty-four galleries, and an additional 4o percent of exhibition space. The expansion also included a new Lecture Hall, Photographs Study Room, Print Study Room, and an Art Research Library


More than half a million people visit the M.I.A each year and its permanent collection houses around eighty thousand objects. The free admission policy makes it possible for people from all walks of life to visit the museum, and see a Van Gough, and currently during it’s Louvre exhibition, a sketch by Leonardo Da Vinci.

Dickerson says he first fell in love with art as a child growing up in Ohio, “My mom dragged me to art shows and bought a lot of art. The first piece I fell in love with was a Jacob Lawrence; can't remember the title of the piece, but it was a series of paintings. I saw it at the Karamu House in Cleveland.”

It was as a student at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania earning his Bachelors in fine arts that Dickerson first decided to teach art, “My goal was to educate myself and have my work grow and create a visual language, and to be able to share my love of art with others. I can't imagine I could teach anything else.”

“I prefer to paint at night,” says Dickerson. “I use a mixed media method of painting. I also use abandoned fabrics I got years ago from my grandmother, and a combination of acrylic and oil paints.” Mixed media refers to using different approaches and materials on one piece of art.

When Dickerson became the father of 6-year-old Ezra, and 2-year-old Dow he had to learn to shift things around to accommodate his new family, “I had to get a studio. I couldn't work in the house anymore. I had to start prioritizing, but it has also allowed me to remember childhood, which has made the work more playful and fun.”

The challenges he faces as an artist are the problems the face most aspiring artists. Finding patrons can be a difficult process, as it requires someone believing in you vision, enough to be willing to finance it. The materials that go into creating art works can often be costly. Another problem facing artists is the need to stay fresh and creative, while knowing what else is going on in the art world.

The next thing Dickerson would like to accomplish is having his own show in New York. When asked if he has ever dreamed of becoming a world renowned artist, he answers, “Not hoped. I'm pretty real about the chances of that happening.”

His favorite artists, Philip Guston, Jean Michael Basquait, Terry Winters, John Chamberlain, Max Beckmann, and Jacob Lawrence are all modern abstract artists that often use vivid colors.

As Dickerson meets his students near the rotunda on the second floor of the M.I.A on that third Thursday of the month, an evening when the museum is brimming with people- eager to see the Louvre exhibition and hear the live music-they are confronted with a wall sized oil painting that looks like real bottles cascading off the canvas. Many students were waiting for Dickerson to walk them through the exhibit, and explain why the art was good or bad, interesting, or uninteresting, but he said he wasn’t interested in telling them what to think about it, only that they take the time to think about it, and come up with their own opinions.

Man goes on rampage in Minn Target

A man at a Winona, Minn Target store had to be subdued with a Taser gun after smashing a T.V with a hammer, after a fellow customer called 911. The officers used pepper spray on him twice, after ordering the vandal to drop the hammer he was wielding, but the man was unaffected by the pepper spray.

Two officers were slightly hurt during the confrontation, where they had to use to Taser gun on the man twice. The man is currently undergoing a behavioral evaluation at a Winona hospital.


The assailant is also being held on various charges, including assault, first-degree damage to property and disorderly conduct.

Dahmer Tapes

Lucina Mendez
November 30, 2009
Dahmer Tapes
(Ex.2 Ch.16)



At 2:00 am on May 27 Glenda Cleveland called 911. Her daughter and niece had found a battered and naked teenage boy standing on 25thand State. Police arrived on the scene, only to return the injured 14-year-old Konerak Sinthasomphone -who had been drugged and was incoherent-to the man he had been trying to escape, Jeffery Dahmer.
Konerak Sinthasomphone was found naked and bruised in the middle of the street, when Glenda Cleveland’s daughter and niece discovered him. Cleveland informed the 911 dispatcher that the youth needed help, and was transferred to the fire department, who reported the call to a street officer.
When police arrived on the scene they took no information from the girls. Cleveland thought further information must be needed. Cleveland was eventually transferred to one of the officers who had arrived at the scene.
Cleveland believed the youth had been molested and raped. She was informed by the officer that that the boy was actually a nineteen-year-old drunk man who was having a fight with his boyfriend. Cleveland asked the officer if he was sure that Sinthasomphone was an adult, and was assured repeatedly by the officer that he was.
The officer explained to Cleveland, “Like I’ve explained to you. It is all taken care of.” And was told that officers found Sinthasomphone’s belonging in Dahmer’s apartment. The officers left the boy at the apartment, and Dahmer then killed him.
The Milwaukee police released a copy of the transcript of the 911 call yesterday. The officers who arrived on the scene were suspended as of a week ago, but their names have not been released.

Are misconceptions about psychology causing people not to get help?

Lucina Mendez
November 24, 2009
Poll Story 2
(How people feel about Psychology)


Twenty-three out of 24 people polled agree that psychology is a science, yet 15 out of 24 people

think medications only help with mental illness some of the time.


Eight out of 24 people polled have seen a psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor in a professional

capacity at one point in their lives, and six of the eight found the process of seeking professional help

in this manner to be a positive experience.


Despite the high number of mental health problems and disorders that develop in early adulthood,

young adults are often reluctant to seek professional help. Young men and minorities are the most

likely to refrain from seeking help, according to the American Medical Association.


Mental disorders are common in the United States and internationally. An estimated one in four

adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, according to the National Institute of

Public Health.

The NIPH also found that mental illness and suicide, accounts for over 15 percent of the burden of

disease in the United States. The Disease burden is the impact of a health problem in an area measured

by financial cost, mortality, as well as other indicators. This finding is more than the disease burden

caused by all cancers. This data was collected by the massive Global Burden of Disease study conducted

by the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and Harvard University.


A recent study conducted in the United States reported that half of all life-long mental

disorders start by 14 years of age, and three-quarters start by 24 years of age according to

the DSM-IV- the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Lucina Mendez
Poll Story 2
Page 2





An article written by Jon M Grohol, PSYD about misconceptions in psychology mentions,

“Depression is often viewed as the common cold of mental disorders, because it is so

prevalent in our lives. The lifetime prevalence of depression suggests that more than 1 in 9

people could be diagnosed with the disorder at one point in their lives. And unlike some other

mental disorders, depression affects virtually every aspect of what you do and how you interact

with others. Every year, it wreaks havoc in millions of Americans’ lives, especially amongst

those who believe it is something you should just get over on your own.”


Seventeen out of the 24 people polled believe that criminals get off too often using the

insanity defense, which is another popular misconception in psychology according to a study

conducted by researchers Eric Silver, Carmen Cirincione and Henry Steadmen. The study also

found that less than one percent of criminals are acquitted on the basis of an insanity verdict.


Nine out of the 24 people polled believe that people suffering from schizophrenia are

dangerous, according to Web M.D this is not always the case. They contend that most people with

schizophrenia are not violent, “More typically, they prefer to withdraw and be left alone. In some

cases, however, people with mental illness who also abuse alcohol or drugs may engage in

dangerous or violent behavior. On the other hand, people with schizophrenia can be a danger to

themselves. Suicide is the number one cause of premature death among people with schizophrenia.”




Lucina Mendez
Poll Story 2
Page 3





There are several different types of drugs available to treat mental illnesses. Some of the most

commonly used are antidepressants, anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic, and stimulant medications. Side

effects can vary, depending on what type of drug you are taking, and may improve once the person

taking the medication becomes accustomed to the drug. However, for many reasons, people may avoid

seeking help for their mental health concerns.

Ways I relieve stress.

I don’t relieve stress. I don’t have the time to, since I spend most of my free time trying unsuccessfully to do well in this class. When I should be sleeping, I am doing my homework for the other classes I have, that I didn’t have time to do.

Hopefully stress will cause me to have a brain aneurism young, so that I can get some rest, after I spend thousands of dollars on an education I won’t be able to get a job for, due to the poor job market, and the fact that about 50 million people will have the same degree as me, and probably from a better school.

I guess you could say writing this tirade is part of my stress relief. Now I have to stop writing this so I can write a 500 word story about a poll that maybe 20 people filled out- if I am lucky.

U.N Emissions talks

President Obama may be going to Copenhaugen Denmark for a U.N conference, where limiting green house admissions will be discussed. However, Paul Bledsoe, a spokesman for the bipartisan National Commission on Energy Policy thinks that the president should be careful not to jeopardize a chance for a climate bill stateside. The President will be deciding in the coming days whether to attend the conference of not.

Is recycling important to Minnesotans?

Lucina Mendez
November 18, 2009
Recycling Minnesota


Is recycling important to Minnesotans?


Seventeen out of 27 Minnesotans surveyed last week say that they recycle every

day, and 10 out of 26 people polled said they believe global warming is a hoax.

According to Buzzle.com, a research based web portal, recycling is important

because it saves energy, by eliminating the need to use energy to extract virgin

materials in the first place. Energy is also saved by eliminating the need for the

energy that is required to deal with the refuse left behind by waste products that

cause pollution.

Some of the fossil fuels used in industry include coal, diesel and gasoline,

which emit harmful gases such as methane, sulfur dioxide, and carbon-dioxide,

according to Buzzle.com. Recycling minimizes the need for fuel usage in new

manufacturing, which reduces the amount of harmful pollutants in the environment.

Twenty out of 27 polled agreed that recycling is important; while seven

answered that they believed it to be sort-of important.

The Recycling Association of Minnesota offers programs to raise awareness

about the need for recycling. The “Away From Home” program sponsored by R.A.M gives

commuters in Minnesota the option to recycle their cans and bottles at area gas

stations. Their website gives more information on recycling programs in and around

the Twin Cities. Ellen Telander, executive director for the R.A.M

describes the website as “An educational website for the public on recycling.”



Lucina Mendez
Recycling Minnesota
Page 2




Twenty-four of the 27 Minnesotans, who were polled, thought that recycling

receptacles should be available at all schools, government buildings and businesses

next to garbage cans.

AmyLynne Hermanek, a Human Services judge who works at the 777 Lafayette

government building in St. Paul, says that recycling bins can be found all around

the building. “I would prefer that most places give you the option to recycle,

because it’s such a high pay off for such a small burden.”


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Mother charged in case of boy who hid in oven

The mother of an 11-year old boy is being charged with endangerment of a child and malicious punishment of a child after she stopped her son from escaping their apartment where he was being assaulted by his father.

The boy’s father, William T. Hurley, was beating him with an extension cord, as well as his fist, and then burned him with an iron after the boy had received a beating with the belt from his mother after being found hiding under his mother’s bed.
The boy ran out of the apartment, so his mother grabbed him and dragged him back in, the complaint said. The boy ran to hide in the oven, and his mother turned on the stove to force him out, when he got out of the oven, Hurley started beating him again.

When officers arrived on the scene they found marks and burns on the boy’s body. The father had to be restrained, after threatening to beat his son again. The boy was taken to the hospital.

A Place I’ve Traveled to (Las Vegas)

A Place I’ve Traveled to (Las Vegas)

I traveled to Las Vegas with a friend this past April, the day after my 28th birthday. I had always wanted to go, as I’ve watched one too many gangster movies, and thought Vegas would be like something out of an Ocean’s eleven movie.
I saved for a long time, so that I could stay at a nicer room at Planet Hollywood, which at the time, was a newer hotel/Casino, right in the center of the strip.
I ended up having a really good time, but nothing like you’d think. I didn’t do anything I couldn’t tell my grandmother about (sadly) and I didn’t go to one night club, or win a lot of money.
What I did do in Vegas was visit Madam Tussad’s Wax Museum, ride a gondola, see a male stripper review, and visit the Eiffel Tower, I also visited over a dozen casino’s on the strip, all of which were beautiful.
I would love to go again, but maybe for a bachelorette party or, with more people, also it would have been nicer to have a little more money to stretch out. As it was I spent 1,500 hundred on the whole thing, which included airfare and 5 nights in the hotel, which is very very reasonable.

Minneapolis woman gets 5 years in prison for fatal DWI crash

Melissa Heus who pleaded guilty in September to killing 37-year-old James Wolter, in a drinking and driving accident which also injured another will serve more than five years in prison on her sentence of 96 months.

Heus had three previous drinking and driving offenses. At the time of the crash which occurred at the intersection of Hwy. 252 and 66th Avenue N , Heus’s alcohol level was .36 percent which is four times the legal limit.

James Wolter burned to death in his Chrysler LeBaron after being stuck by Heus. Daniel Goodrich, a witness at the scene, tried in vain to free Wolter , and still feels guilt over his inability to do so.

Heus also contributed to the death of Beverly Kauth, who was already in fragile health at the time of the accident and had brain surgery as a result of the crash. Kauth died this past June,

Halloween Costumes

Halloween Costumes

I spend an untold fortune this Halloween to be a Vulcan, but my shirt didn’t come, so I was forced to be a pimp instead. Which was okay, but I really wanted to be a Vulcan.
I went to Hell’s Kitchen and 1st ave this Halloween. My favorite thing I saw at dinner at Hell’s kitchen was a guy dressed as Kermit.
At 1st ave the costumes were insane. Many groups of people dressed together as an ensemble. There was the characters from never ending story, two guys in a death star costume, and a guy dressed as a piece of bacon.
I love Halloween but I have worked Halloween night the last two years. I think I won’t work it again. The only time I really want to go out and have a really good time is Halloween and New Years. This is why I hate working my second job at a bar. Those are the nights they want you to work the most.
I am thinking long and hard right now about what I want to be next year.

Three proposals for enterprise story

Three proposals for enterprise story

1. Interview Math teachers about how female students do in their classes. See if they have any back ground, like a list of grades from last years, ask them to cover the names, just mark it male or female, and I can compare with other math teachers and see the results. If they are about even or better I can report this, and dispel myths, if worse, I can see what is being done, or some ideas from faculty and students about what can be done.

Contacts for Interview

Tamara Arnott Educational Services (763) 433-1462

Donald Bakke Math (763) 433-1244

Candace Blazek Math (763) 433-1133

Nina Bohrod Math (763) 433-1344

Bruce BordwellMath (763) 433-1128

Megan Breit-Goodwin Math (763) 433-1624 1307

Barry Brent Math (763) 433-1727 1362

Karen Bridgeman Math (763) 433-1479

Gena Carlson Student Services (763) 433-1836


2. My second and less favorable idea, is interviewing somebody, I am uncertain who, about parking at ARCC. There is not enough of it, and they are building another building of sorts off in a corner. So I can students if they’ve had trouble parking and ask some administrators if there are plans in the works to address the current problem. I t occurs to me this might be a more interesting article, because so many are affected by it.


Contacts for Interview

Tracy Conklin Business Office (763) 433-1369
Gerald Gelle Facilities (763) 433-1837

Darren Hoff Human Resources (763) 433-1159

Dawn Hohmann Human Resources (763) 433-1679

Kate Hostnick-Harper Student Services (763) 433-1255

Mary Jacobson Marketing/Public Relations (763) 433-1315



3. My third idea for a story is there is a square in the middle of the school, I think it’s called a n atrium , it has picnic tables, and etc. People aren’t allowed to smoke there. I could ask why, and ask the student opinion, I would also contact the same people as listed above.

(Audio) Transcript Jennifer Baker-Jones

(Audio) Transcript Jennifer Baker-Jones

Q. How long have you been teaching?
4yrs
Q. Where are you on your educational path?
I have my Masters in psychology and then I have licensure as a psychologist.
Q. Do you work in that field at all?
Yep.
Q. What type of psychologist are you?
Well there are different types, I concentrate on the community side of psychology so general concerns. Right now I work at a clinic that works with people who are dealing with grief and loss in transition. There are clinical psychologists who look more at abnormal behavior but I look more at (unintelligible)
Q. So far what’s been your best teaching experience?
I had a class a couple semesters ago. Umm, it just clicked, I think there was a good mix where I saw them three or four days a week, it helped a lot, to kinda build that relationship, and they were really inquisitive students, they had a lot of good questions, umm I think it was just a really good class.
Q. And what has been your worst teaching experience, and hopefully not in this class.
My Monday night ( laughs) No I think my first day, My first class, going and I had fifty students and they were all staring at me and I think I got through all the material in about a half an hour.
Q. What are some goals you have in relation to teaching? What are your goals behind teaching psychology specifically?
Umm well I guess my personal bias is that I think psychology is really important, so it’s type of two fold, I like teaching psychology even if they’re not going into the field to learn hopefully more about themselves and other people, and I also like teaching because I like the student population that general age group and umm being hopefully a supportive contact along the way.
Q. When and how did you decide that this was for you, you know, that this is what you like, were going to do with your life? I mean, specifically this?
I always knew I’d be helping people I wanted to be a psychologist when I was in 9th grade…Teaching it found me. I think in my other job I started doing some presentations at conferences and I really like it and then my husband is a teacher, so I decided it would be good, and then I found out I loved it.
It kinda found me.

q. Umm if you weren’t doing this or the other thing that you do, what other thing could you find yourelf doing or being good at ?
JBJ- So not Psychology?
Me- Not psychology
Umm I think there’s components of marketing and advertising that I like and umm interior design.
Q. Where did you grow up?
Illinois
Q. So how long have you lived here?
Since 2002
Q. And how long have you been actually teaching?
4yrs
Q. Have you worked for ARCC the whole time, or other places?
This is my first semester here. I started at Pine Tech and I still work there, and I filled in for a women on sabbatical at MCTC .
Q. Are any of your opinions unorthodox in regard to your filed?
Are any of my views unorthodox? I don’t think so, I think my bias is that I think it’s important to study people, so I come out with that right away because I just think that that’s important and I tend to present the female perspective ( unintelligible)
Q. What (janitor interrupts) umm What about psychology, im ena what’s a minor, a smaller subject within it that really gets you get jazzed about.
The effects of stress, you’ll probably figure that out before we’re done here but uh so how to promote positive mental health in a good way versus looking at “oh I have something wrong with me, or Oh I have a label.” So..(unintelligible)
Q Have you do you think going into this field has helped you be more healthy mentally would you say your maybe even more mentally healthy than other people that ..
I try to be I think I’m more conscientious about who I am and why do I feel a certain way and why other people might be acting there way they’re acting a possible pitfall about getting into psychology is that you analyze a lot, so your life analyzing all the time. So it can kind of (unintelligible).
Q. In your experience do you think that that’s like..do you think most people in your field are similar or do you think that, at least in your experience, or do you find that there’s maybe like a basis like “ I know this, so I am this type of thing.” a “I know what’s mentally healthy, therefore I am mentally healthy type of thing.”
I think the problem lies in when you isolate yourself. So one of the ideas behind being a therapist is that you’re always in community with other people doing the same type of work you are and they can help you if (unintelligible) but I think most of the people I come across are pretty aware.

Ok I am plum out of questions thank you very, very, very, very much

(end tape)

Independent experts to study safety data on H1N1 vaccine

In an effort to monitor the US immunization campaign for the H1N1 virus, the National Vaccine Advisory Committee will meet today to review the vaccines safety.

The NVAC will collect data gathered by the government concerning any problems that might arise with people getting the immunization. About 10,352 people have received the injected vaccine and 501 have gotten the FluMist nasal spray.

According to summary notes collected by the NVAC due to the limited size of the database they won’t be able to predict rare adverse effects to the vaccine, and available safety data is limited as studies are still ongoing.

A second summary of data collected by the National Institutes of Health that studied results of the vaccine on pregnant and non-pregnant adults, also discovered some adverse effects, but it wasn’t clear if they can be attributed directly to the vaccine.

Northwest pilots using personal laptops on 188

Northwest pilots were using personal laptops, NTSB says

The pilots on Flight 188 that overflew the Twin Cities airport by more than 100 miles, were using personal laptops, according to the National Transportation saftey board.

Pilots Timothy B. Cheney and Richard I. Cole said they were talking, and weren’t lstening to the air traffic control radio, even though they could hear it. According to the pilots, they were talking about the new crew schedule, Cole who was more familiar with the procedure, was trying to explain it to Cheney when they over shot the airport.

No one was injured in the mishap.

What it takes to be a Psychology Professor

What it takes to be a Psychology Professor

Jennifer Baker-Jones holds a Master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota, and is currently teaching Psychology at Anoka Ramsey Community College for the first time.

Jennifer is a therapist at the Center for Grief, Loss and Transition. She has over ten years working with patients who are dealing with loss, grief, and abuse, trauma, and ambigious loss. She also teaches at Pine Techinical College in Pine City.

Growing up in Illinois, Jennifer always knew someday she’d do something to help people. “I wanted to be a psychologist when I was in 9th grade. Teaching found me, through my other job I started doing some presentations at conferences and I really liked it, and then my husband is a teacher, and so I though teaching on the side might be good, and then I found out I loved it.”

Her Monday evening class at the Blaine Sports Center seems an unlikely location to learn of the working’s of the human mind. She dresses very professionally, although she looks youthful enough to be a student herself. She is very direct and certain in her teaching method, although this has not always been the case, “My first day, my first class, I had 50 students, and they were all staring at me, I think I got through all my material in about half an hour.”

Jennifer feels that psychology is important, especially looking at the effects of stress by promoting positive mental health, in a good way versus thinking something is wrong with you, or thinking you have a label.

Her major goal as a psychologist and teacher is reducing the stigma. “I guess my personal bias is that I think psychology is really important. I like teaching psychology to people even if they’re not going in the field, so they can learn, hopefully, more about themselves and other people”

Author Sandra Benitez visits Anoka Ramsey

Lucina Mendez
Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Author Sandra Benitez visits Anoka Ramsey Community College


The Two Rivers reading series and faculty of Anoka Ramsey Community College sponsored a lecture and Q&A of award winning author, Sandra Benitez on Tuesday.


The event, that took place in the Legacy room at Anoka Ramsey Community College , was split into three segments of an hour each. The 1st and 2nd sessions took place from 10am-11am , and 11am-12pm . At these sessions the author gave a talk about her past and did a reading from her book, The Weight of All Things. The third session was a more in depth Q&A administered by members of the faculty.

At the 1st and 2nd sessions Benitez read a few pages from the beginning of her book. The novel is about war in El Salvador as seen through the eyes of a 9-year-old boy. It takes place in 1980 and is set around actual events, namely the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero.

Benitez began writing at the age of 39. Her first novel, a mystery set on a farm in rural Missouri , was harshly critiqued at a writer’s conference, and never published. After this experience Benitez decided to try to write a book that mattered to her. “My brother-in-law worked at the hospital across the street from The Metropolitan Cathedral, and was one the doctors who pronounced the Archbishop dead. No one wanted to believe it.”

Following these events her brother-in-law was kidnapped and held for ransom. He was eventually returned to his family after what they paid what is equivalent to 2 million dollars today. Benitez who grew up amongst the elite in El Salvador knew many people who were tortured and murdered in the conflict in El Salvador.

Benitez explained that she is not a political writer. “I wrote a story about a boy living through these events.” She went on to explain that a person who wrote a book about living through 9-11 would not be a political author, although the events surrounding that tragedy were politically motivated.

Sandra Benitez was born Sandy Ables in Washington D.C. Her identical twin sister Susana died in infancy. Benitez was the daughter of a Midwestern father and Puerto Rican mother. Her father served as a diplomat in the Foreign Service, and moved the family to Mexico where her sister, Anita, was born.

The family was soon transferred to El Salvador where she lived until the age of fourteen, when she was sent to live in Unionville , Missouri with her paternal grandparents, to become, “Americanized.”

Benitez lives in Eden Prairie with her husband, Jim Kondrick. She is the mother of two sons from a previous marriage. Benitez has lived in the Midwest for over 39 years. She is the recipient of many awards, including the Barnes and Nobel Discover Award, an American Book Award, the National Hispanic Heritage Award for literature, and has been awarded honors through the Loft-McKnight Award, received a nomination for Great Britain ’s Orange Prize, a Bush Foundation fellowship, and has been named a USA Gund Fellow amongst other awards and honors.

“Growing up I never thought of being a writer. I was curious, I was always asking questions, I now see that curious is what a writer needs to be.” Benitez confessed while speaking of her writing process. “I force myself to sit and get through a chapter. I tell myself, okay, no watching Oprah until you finished writing this first chapter, I don’t watch Oprah anymore.”

The writing process is a hard one for Benitez; she gets very involved with them, and claims her stomach hurts worrying about her characters. Her concern for them fuels her story. When writing a book she conducts many interview, and after writing the first draft, makes several revisions that can take years.

Benitez has written four novels, her first A Place Where the Sea Remembers, takes place in Mexico , followed by Bitter Grounds which is a precursor to The Weight of all Things,. Her latest book Night of the Radishes takes place in Minnesota . She also wrote a memoir, A Bag Lady, where she chronicles her history, and fight with Ulcerative Colitis (a type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the large intestine and rectum.)

The author concluded each talk by answering a few questions from the audience, and doing a book signing, which also took place in the Legacy room. The tech department at ARCC recorded the event so that future students can reference her speeches and interviews.

AIDS corruption in D.C

Washington has the highest number of AIDS patients in the Nation. The Health Department has awarded more then 25 million in a four year period to organizations that have misappropriated the funds, and to individuals with criminal pasts who have been awards grants to create organizations to help people with AIDS who have stolen the money, never creating the organization, according to a Washington post investigation. The F.B.I are investigating.

My Obit

Lucina Mendez, a student at Anoka Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids, MN, never realized her dream of running a shelter for abandoned cats. However, in an odd twist of fate, her cat- The Willard DeMarco Mendez, had a sudden heart attack and perished at the news that his master died while bungee-jumping naked off a pyramid in Chichen Itza, Mexico.
The 28-year old Personal Care Attendant worked with the disabled for over ten years, and was much respected by her clients, though by there own admission, often trodden apoun.
Lucina, who was known by her nickname, “Master”, also did security at Williams Pub and Peanut Bar in Minneapolis for three years, and although she never enjoyed it, she liked many of her co-workers who were anguished to hear of her demise, “ We should all just lay down and die right now, just like that cat,” said the most attractive of her male co-workers.
The service which will be held at 2pm, on Saturday, October 17th at The Church of The Spaghetti God and other Celestial Entities, will be attended by few, due to her request to be tucked in a hefty bag and tossed in the river.
She is survived by her mother Cindy Gaasvig, brother Adam Mendez, and sister Ashley Filipelli.

2 Minnesotans finalists for National Book Awards

Two Minnesotans were annonced finalists this morning for The National Book Awards.

T.J. Stiles, born in Foley, Minn., is a finalist for his non-fiction book"The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt."

Adrienne Mayor, raised in Hopkins, is also a finalist for her book, "Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates the Great, Rome's Deadliest Enemy," which is also in the non-fiction category.

Women wins nobel peace prize in Economics

Elinor Ostrom became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in economics, along with fellow American Oliver Williamson for analyzing economic governance, on Monday.

Ostrom, a political scientist at Indiana University, showed how common resources — forests, fisheries, oil fields or grazing lands — can be managed by the people who use them succesfully as opposed to a government agency.

Ostrom was also the fifth woman to win a Nobel award this year. She was also one of the 11 american’s who wom an nobel peace prize this year.

INSIDE THE MUSIC

INSIDE THE MUSIC_ BY LUCINA MENDEZ

Is it fair to say that musicans in the Minnnesota are a dime a dozen?

In Anoka county they have live acoustic acts at Dunn Brothers coffee in Coon Rapids,. Pot Bellies sandwhich shop in Fridley, and the Chili’s in Anoka. From the acoustic guitar player strumming for the weekend lunch rush to the karaoke host at Ham Lake Lane (who sounds like a hybrid of Garth Brooks and Clint Black) Minnesota seems awash in music.

Music is a big deal to a lot of people. It’s what we listen to on our way to work in the morning. It’s what we sing in the shower, and dance to at our weddings, cry to at funerals.

What is it that keeps the dream alive for people like 20 year old keyboardist and singer Lashaya Meyers of the christian band Heart Like a Hero? “I started this hobby because I love music and my husband needed a bass player in his band.” Lashaya explained when asked what inspired her to become involved with music.

Lashaya has been a member of her husband’s band since 1997. According to their Myspace music page statistics, they’ve received 15,524 plays, for three of the songs they have posted on their website www.myspace.com/heartlikeahero. Their next show is at The upper room at First Baptist church On Dec, 18th 2009 in Cokato, MN.

Her favorite thing about being in a band is playing shows and watching people enjoy her music, which they describe as happy-hardcore /screamo/pop. What she doesn’t like is practicing as she says there never seems to be enough time.

Lashya and her band mates, husband Josh Meyers who performs lead guitar and screams, Drummer Kyle Zahorski, Brian Olson who sings and plays guitar, and new member: bass-guitarist Tom, practice three to six hours a week when they don’t have a show, and 9 hours a week when they do.

Minnesota has produced a number of famous performers, such as Bob Dylan and Prince. More recently, the Twin Cities has played a role in the national hip-hop scene with artists such as Doomtree and Atmosphere, and who knows, maybe someday Layshaya Meyers and her bandmates will be synounoumous with Minnesota music greatness too.

When Lashaya was asked if she could see herself doing this hobby for the rest of her life, she says, “We would love to play music for a living; we just have to get famous first.”

Interview of Jenna Mernin

6 Oct 09, 10:18am
1. How old were you when you first started playing the
guitar, and what inspired you to do so?

I was 13 years old when I started playing the guitar. My brother is the one
who inspired me, because he has been playing ever since I can remember. And
you always want to be like your older siblings, right?

2. Please tell me a little about your favorite guitar,

My favorite guitar is actually one of my brother's. He has a really nice
Alvarez Acoustic that has almost perfect sound.

3. When you look into the future, do you imagine music?

A little bit. I love playing, but I'm not sure I would build a career off of
it. I'm looking more into the Media Communications department for college.

4.Have you ever been in a band or other musical
collaboration with others, and did you enjoy the experience?

I have never been in a legitimate band besides the worship band at my church,
but that is probably my favorite thing to do with music; collaborating with
others.


5. Have you written any music of your own, and what inspires
you during this process?

Yes, I have. I actually was able to record a CD in a home studio last spring.
What inspires me to do this process is again, my brother, but also my faith.
My faith is definitely what drives me.

6. Does being a musician affect the kind of student that you
are.

I would say no. It doesn't consume enough of my time to.

7. In the last decade many schools have had to cut music
programs from their curriculum's based on budget cuts, what
is your opinion of this?

I think it's sad. But then again, I was never involved in music in school. My
interest was sparked in my own home. I was never a part of choir, band, or
orchestra. But, I do wish that I had.

8. How important is playing the guitar to you in relation to
other hobbies, or responsibilities? Do you see your guitar
as essential to your happiness or more as an enhancement to
your life?

I think it is very important. I don't think that it is essential to my
happiness, and I could survive without it, but it definitely enhances life
because it is my favorite thing to do. It's also a huge asset to my faith,
because it really is my greatest connection to Jesus, and it's useful when
someone needs a worship leader for random things. But again, if I didn't have
it, I would survive.

9.Do you think that women get less respect as musician,s
have you ever had a negative experience as a woman musician?

Yes. Even in my church, I think that it has happened. One sunday morning they
decided to do something "different" and have an all female worship band with
me as the leader. It just kinda stung a little bit. There's all male worship
teams all the time. But really other than that instance, I think I have
accumulated enough respect as a female musician.


10. What advice would you give to someone who wanted to pick
up playing the guitar?

Be patient. That's all I can really say. It takes so much patience. But once
you get past the chord formations and strumming, you can go really far. But,
it's those first few essential things that can make someone give up, so be
patient.

Plane crash in Eden Prairie

Pilot hurt in small-plane crash in Eden Prairie


A small plane crashed in Eden Prairie about 12:30 p.m. today near the 6000 block of Edgebrook Place, east of Baker Road in a wooded area at Cardinal Creek Conservation Area.

The plane which took off from Anoka County-Blaine Airport had one person on the plane, the pilot. The crash occurred about 3 miles north of Flying Cloud. The pilot who was survived the crash was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center according to authorites.

Joyce Lorenz, spokeswoman for the city of Eden Prairie said it was unclear if the plane was headed for Eden Prairie's Flying Cloud Airport.

Police were waiting for the arrival of Federal Aviation Authority officials at the time of the story.

From Star Tribune Monday

Murder and Robbery at the North Point Inn

Lucina Mendez
Exercise 5 Chapter 11
Jour 2121


Murder and Robbery at the North Point Inn

Unidentified men murdered a cook at The North Point Inn during a robbery on Sunday.

The robbery took place shortly after 9am while Nina Cortez, the restaurants bookkeeper was counting cash and receipts from the safe in her office.

A man wearing a blue plaid button down shirt and blue tennis shoes, with a floral scarf tied cowboy style across the bottom portion of his face, came into the room holding a knife. As she started kicking and screaming, falling off her chair to the floor, the man reached across her desk and grabbed $130 dollars in $5 dollar bills according to Nina.

The bookkeeper then heard someone else say, “Get that money out of there.” But she had already locked the door. Moments later the police had arrived, “I went into the hallway with police and saw blood on a door in the reception area. It was awful. There was blood on the walls and the floor. Kevin was lying on the floor, dead. He had a large knife wound in his chest and another on one hand.”


Police are looking for the two men, who may have been parked in an unidentified vehicle that was seen in the parking lot of the restaurant just before the robbery.

Earliest Memories

Earliest Memories


I have a lot of little memories, from when I was three and four. I think this is because my grandmother died around this time. She was a huge part of my life when I was younger. I was named after her, and she lived right next door. She was my father’s mother, but my mother’s best friend, which I now see for the remarkable circumstance that it was.

She taught at the catholic school that my father, uncle, and aunt had attended in their youth, and that my mother later worked at also, and that my brother and I attended when we were of an age to enter kindergarten.

I remember her there best, in the office collecting papers for this or that nun, and gossiping with the secretary, helping out in the kitchen near the basement. Watching kids play at recess.

I remember her at her kitchen in her apartment. which was up a very tall rickety wooden staircase. The kitchen was very small, and every inch was utilized, without an inch to spare. The walls were stained yellow with the many meals that had been cooked, and the many cigarettes smoked.

One particular memory I have of her there, was walking in with my brother, and she was wrapping apples in tin foil, for what purpose I could never find out. She told me and my brother to play in the living room, but not to eat any Oreos out of the candy dish next to the couch because they were stale. I remember very clearly my brother and I eating them anyway, hiding behind that couch and giggling, because we knew it was her and that she would immediately forgive us for disobeying.

Teen slain in Minneapolis fast-food parking lot

Star Tribune Monday


A 18-year-old Minneapolis man was shot to death and a 15-year-old boy was wounded on West Broadway in Minneapolis at a Burger King the parking lot on Sunday.

Witnesses identified the dead man as Haywood Eaton of Minneapolis The 15-year-old was a bystander who was crossing over to the Burger King From a nearby McDonalds.

A women who was waiting for a bus with her 2-year-old daughter who witnessed the killing, said one group was at the drive-through window when the other group drove by and spotted its rivals.

The women said "They just started fighting and then they just started shooting,"

The killing was the 14th of the year in Minneapolis according to Sgt. Jesse Garcia.

Sheriff accuses Commission President of “Shortchanging” his department.

Sheriff accuses Commission President of “Shortchanging” his department.


County Commissioners voted 5-2 against Sheriff Gus DiCesari request for new cruisers and deputies at a meeting last Thursday afternoon.

DiCesari told the commissioners he needed to purchase eight new police cruisers to replace older vehicles that have more than 150,000 miles on them, “ It’s getting to costly to maintain the older vehicles….This is the first time in my 27 years as sheriff that the county hasn’t allocated money to the sheriff’s department to buy equipment. My deputies can’t keep driving these old vehicles. Something bad is going to happen.”

Commission President Anne Chenn explained the county ran short of funds this year because they had to spend $30 million on a new prison to alleviate overcrowding; in addition to increased costs for health care for employees, and higher fuel costs.

DiCesari accused the county commissioners of “shortchanging” the county sheriff’s department to save money and as a result “…putting the lives of the people of this county in jeopardy.”

Commissioners Anita Shenuski and Raymond Laybourne blamed the shortage of funds on the recent influx of migrant workers in the area. They support the sheriff and said during the meeting that the county should spend more money on law enforcement, and spend less on programs for migrant workers.

Shenuski stated in a heated argument with Chenn that the problems started when the county allowed migrants to come here for work. “They are a problem for our law enforcement, our schools, and our healthcare systems. They take away jobs from decent people and work for next to nothing and if something gets stolen you can bet it is one of them that have taken it. We need to protect our local residents from them”

Chenn denied that the immigrants are the problem “Those [immigrants] who come here to work are decent, hardworking people they are employed at jobs that local people don’t want to do. They add a great deal to the local community and pay taxes.” Chenn then accused Shenuski of being a hypocrite for trying to blame the migrants for everything.

Commission member Jose Gardez said many of the migrant workers become permanent members of the community, opening businesses and eventually earning citizenship. The county commissioners estimate that 5,000 migrant families are working in agricultures, construction, and service industries in the area.

Chenn suggested that the deputies refrain from driving their cruisers home each day as this could make more cruisers available, and also preserve gas mileage. However, the sheriff claims that letting the deputies drive the vehicles home each day and parking them in their neighborhoods is a major deterrent to crime.

First Day At Anoka Ramsey

My first time stepping inside Anoka Ramsey Community College was a bit surreal. Everything looks like some design module for 70s architecture, and reminded me of my High School, except even uglier.
I was attempting to sign up for classes, and getting the run around from office to office, person to person. I was sweaty and nervous, and feeling flushed, unaccustomed to the exertion of running from place to place. The school was bursting with people, everyone getting their books and trying to figure out the same things I was trying to figure out.
I liked the faces I saw in the crowd. Many people looked as lost as me, which was heartening, as no one likes to be the only one feeling like a fool.
I remember stepping outside and seeing a lake behind the building, and really liking that. I imagined myself taking a break after class, getting some fresh air, and collecting my thoughts. Once I imagined myself there I realized that I could IMAGINE myself there, and I knew everything was going to be all right.

King of Diamonds Gentleman's Club in Inver Grove Heights Changes Hands.

King of Diamonds Gentleman's Club in Inver Grove Heights changes hands.

Former owner of King of Diamonds Gentleman's Club, Larry Kladek, is going to federal prison on Tuesday to begin serving a 20-month sentence for tax evasion. He sold his club to his wife, Susan Kladek.. Mayor George Tourville said that, "a lot of people would like it to be gone," as the city forges ahead with a $1.6 million proposal to turn the historic Rock Island Swing Bridge into a new recreational pier, but the mayor said that families could use it as a teaching moment about property rights, business rights and morals

2 dead and 24 Injured in Interstate 790 Pile-up.

At least two are dead and 24 others injured after two tractor-trailers collided at Interstate 790 west of the cities Tuesday morning causing a chain reaction involving a total of 17 vehicles, according to preliminary reports.
The collision which occurred at 6:45 may have set off a chain reaction involving 16 other vehicles. A tanker hauling diesel fuel-which was one of the four tractor trailers involved in the crash-was struck by another vehicle and careened of the road; however the driver was able to stop the vehicle without rolling over, and dumping its flammable contents onto the road. Only the truck part of the tanker was damaged, and the driver was uninjured; according to Sgt. Albert Wei of the police department.
Four of the 24 injured had life threating injuries, according to Fire Chief Tony Sullivan, who arrived at the scene along with all five of the departments ambulances along with ambulances from four nearby citys’ fire departments.
Sullivan described the scene in Interstate 190 as looking like something from a war zone. Bodies lying along the side of the road as emergency workers rushed to the aid of commuters sitting next to their cars covered in blood.
Memorial Hospital’s, “ Life Flight” helicopter hurried to the scene to take two of the most severally injured people to a trauma center in Statesville, which is 50 miles away.
The accident which occurred on the northbound lanes Of Interste 790, closed off the entire highway running north and south. Commuters were forced to reroute to Internate 690 causing a back up for three hours in rush hour traffic. As of press time Interstate 790 was still closed and Wei was uncertain when it would reopen.

New Alcohol Restrictions In Russia

In an attempt to halt Russian citizens alcoholism President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered new restrictions on the sale of beer and some similar beverages.

More than half of the deaths of Russians between the ages of 15 to 54 have been caused by alcohol; according to a study published in June in The Lancet Medical Journal.

My Favorite Coffee Shop

When I first moved to the midwest from the bay area, one of the things I missed the most was the architecture. So when I was first introduced to Uncommon Grounds in Uptown Minneapolis; I was immediatly enchanted with the victorian summer house that had been converted into a high end coffee shop.

I have been frequenting this establishment for a number of years. If I am not at home or work, I am typically to be found there. Over the past decade I've sat in every seat, and gazed out every window, tried every drink.

New baristas are trained in on making my drinks they way I like them, and I have bussed many a table there when it has become busy.

I enjoy it there very much becasue it is a tiny community with in a community. I like the history of the place, over a hundred years old now, it once was a wealthy families summer house, the city has literally grown up around it.

The importance of the lead

The lead is the most important part of a news story; because it is meant to draw the reader in. A good lead is like an advertisement for the rest of the story.

The purpose of the lead is to quickly summaries the event and the result while using interesting verbs, and specific information to communicate what the reporter is about to go into detail about.

In writing a lead the reporter should try to be interesting while writing in a way that everyone can understand. The purpose of this is the reader will be able to know what the story is about without having to read the whole article; as a way of deciding if they want to read the following article.

It is important to avoid stating the obvious or using negative language; while reporting unusual or important developments in the story.

The best leads communicate the most information using the least amount of words; all the while (hopefully) piquing interest in the reader. All this is in an effort to communicate clearly the overall theme of the story.

My three most noteworthy news expierence

1. Less than a year ago a woman, her mother, and her autistic sister were murdered by a man known to them in a house around the coroner from my employers residence. As I do home care, and have worked for my employer over a decade now, her home feels like my own. So when I picked up a Star Tribune that had an article mentioning (almost a year later) that this man is now serving 76 year in prison; I was happy that the article had found me. Knowing that three women laid dead for almost three days in such close proximity to my work was very disturbing.

2. One evening as I stood bored at my other job as a bouncer in Uptown, I started reading an article in the City Pages. The article mention that my favorite author, Augusten Burroughs would be giving a lecture about his newest book at the University of Minnesota. As a result of this article, I got to attend the talk, and actually meet him.

3. About a year ago in the Star Tribune there was an article about these people from Africa, I can't remember the exact country now, but it was a a country that had been in turmoil a decade ago. Many people from that region where able to come here on political asylum. Now that the region has a democratic government of sorts, the people are being told they will have to go back there. Many of these people have started families here, have careers, almost none of them wanted to go back. I was very saddened by this and felt compelled to appreciate my citizenship as an American as I never have before. I couldn't imagine how they could ask these people to leave here after more than a decade.

How newspapers could stay relevant today.

I think there are several ways that newspapers could go about staying relevant in today's culture. To some extent this is being accomplished, by online newspapers sites, such as out own online paper startribune.com. Some ways I can think of, for this process to be expanded is when TV’s and computers cease to be different entities all together. People will be able to select what kind of news they want to hear, and from what region, and select it. Either as a live news feed such as the nightly news, or in printed form. I think it would be interesting to watch the local ten o'clock news at home, and then be able to press a button on my remote and be instantly connected to all the articles written about that subject.

Comcast overhauls customer satisfaction

Comcast overhauls customer satisfaction

By; Lucina L Mendez

Comcast- the Philadelphia phone, cable and Internet provider that currently services more than half a million people living in the twin cities has recently implemented changes in an attempt to lift failing profits and morale amongst it’s customer base.

Facing increasing competition from Qwest, Comcast has started a new “Make it right” campaign that provides techs with new gadgets for getting the job done better ( such as a handheld device that can check the network of an entire home) to telling their call canter employees to smile when dealing with customers.

Comcast has gone so far as to monitor blogged and Twittered customer complaints to amend relations with the discontent, and boost morale amongst its customer base.

Websites such as ComCastMustDie.com have noted the positive changes, as well as the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Comcast rating has risen 9 percent since the last year, however as it still stands second to last among satellite TV and cable companies listed nation wide by this consumer tracking index.

ComCastMustDie.com will be changing in the next few days as it claims victory over the “greedy, blundering, tone-deaf corporate colossus”. Inquiries to ComcastMustDie.com will be redirected to the newly created Customer-Circus.com, which will now address other consumer complaints as well as still addressing issues readers have with Comcast.

Source: 1.The cable giant is looking to improve its customer service reputation with gadgets and more service with a smile.

By SUZANNE ZIEGLER, Star Tribune

Last update: August 25, 2009 - 1:54 AM

2. http://www.comcast.com/Corporate/Customers/HelpSupport.html

3. http://comcastissue.blogspot.com/

Introducing Myself

Hello, my name is Lucina Mendez and I am taking Journalism 2121 online. I am very very confused by this whole process; for sanity sake I will hope I am not alone in my confusion.

A little about me. I am 28 years old and this is the first class I have taken in ten years. I am scared and a little excited about returning to school, but I have always wanted to attend college, and since I am one of those crazy people that firmly believe the world will end on Dec. 21st, 2012 I thought I should get to it before the world as I know it ends. I hope I am wrong, and I figure either way people should at least attempt to accomplish there dreams. This is my attempt.

I work two jobs and will be attempting to go to school full time. In my free time I drink copious amounts of coffee with my friends, and read bad romance novels. I hope this class will assist me in becoming a better writer. I have always enjoyed reading the paper, and have often wondered at the process behind it; my hope is that ( assuming I figure this all out) I will walk away with a better understanding of the journalistic process.

For my local/national newspaper-reading assignment I have chosen the Star-Tribune, and The Washington Post. I look forward to reading the blogs of my fellow students, and reading your comments on my own.

Have a good one,

Lucina L Mendez