What I learned

I think that this class has definitely taught me that alot more goes on when journalist writes a story. I also learned that there are many different types of stories that journalist write. It all depends on what type of story you are trying to give the audience. I also learned that there are many different things you can or cannot say while writing stories, and details are everything!

Homeless Teenagers

In Minnesota, the number of 18- to 21-year-olds in shelters has doubled in the past couple years. It seems that more and more twin city teens are living from house to house or under bridges or anywhere they can. Most are from families who get evicted and don't have enough money to support their 18-21 year old son or daughter so they leave them to fen for themselves. Its hard to picture a 17 year old out on the streets but its very common nowadays. Families just dont have the funds to support the older children so they give them an option of getting a job or getting out of the house.

http://www.startribune.com/local/north/91566694.html?elr=KArksUUUycaEacyU

Working students

          
     I did a  poll with students attending Anoka- Ramsey Community College regarding working and attending school.  I am sure the poll would have been much different if I were doing it at a university, seeing as how most people who do go to community college work. I found that 20 out of the 50 people I surveyed had a job. 10 % of those people had full time jobs. Most of the students that I surveyed said that having a job while attending college has made keeping up with there classes and grades much harder. I also found out that those who have to have a full time job while attending ARCC end up attending college much longer than those who don’t. It takes them twice as long because they don’t have as much time to figure in there schedule as someone without a job or just a part - time job.                   
    I also found that college students with a job are twice as more stressed out than students  without jobs. I am one of the students that has to work a full time job and attend school. I can say for myself that working a full time job and making time to do my school work is very hard. I chose internet classes because it makes working and attending school a little easier than having to attend class because my work schedule is very different from week to week. I could say that if I didn’t have to have a full time job I would probably be doing very well in all my classes and I would have enough time to do classes on campus rather than internet classes.
    I also found in this poll that most students must have a job in order to actually pay for their schooling. Those who aren’t able to get financial aid, must hold a part- time or full-time job just to receive their education. That makes it a lot harder knowing you are paying for something that you cannot put full time into. I found that  77% of the people that took the poll who are working while attending school are working to either pay for their classes or to pay off student loans they took out for their classes.  Those who are not working either have financial aid paying for their classes or their parents have helped pay for their classes.
    I learned that I am not the only one that has to work a full time job and still try and find time to get my schooling in. Most students that attended ARCC are just like me. I also realized that not everyone is working to pay their own bills, but to get their education in as well. This poll helped me realize that students that attend ARCC do have a lot more to accomplish because they are working and attending school, which can be a very difficult task to do. I also did not realize that a lot of the students who are not working don’t have student loans to pay or  bills to pay.    

School bus Shot

A school bus was hit by a stray bullet on Monday Afternoon. The school bus was carrying three children at the time it was hit. Two males fired at each other at a south Minneapolis intersection. Luckily, nobody was killed in the bus, the bullet went through the bus drivers jacket that was hanging over the back of her seat, and glass from the windshield scratched a 9 year-old boys arm.


http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/90700814.html?elr=KArks:DCiUnP::DE8c7PiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

Press Release

 

 

 

 Lil Wayne Scores Big With #1 Most Added New Single 'Tha Carter'

" Tha Carter IIII "

Coming Soon!

Minnesota, April 10 / -- Cash Money  rapper Lil Wayne's new single "Tha Carter," (featuring Cash Money co-founder/signature artist Baby) has scored the #1 position on the charts The new single is the debut effort from Lil Wayne's much-anticipated 8th album, Tha Carter IIII.

Source: Cash Money Records

CONTACT\: Samantha Williams 763-763-9876, Samanthawilliamst@yahool.net; or
Matthew Jackson 763-763-0098 Matthewjackson@aol.net
e

Mans Body Found

A mans body was found dead near the Mall of America parking ramp on Monday. The police say that the injuries look as if the man had fallen to his death. The police are not identifying the body just yet until they can get ahold of the mans relatives. Just a week earlier a man jumped from the seventh level parking ramp at the Mall of America while running from police.


http://www.startribune.com/local/south/87109337.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUX

Story 4- Shazad Juman

While going through all of middle school and half of high school with braces, Shazad Juman, knew then that he wanted perfect teeth and he wanted to help people get perfect teeth. Going to school to be a Dentist is not his only passion, but his other true passion is music. Not only does Shazad have dental school at the University of Minnesota in the fall to keep him busy, he also is the lead singer of a band that goes by the name of Ehsaas, which means desire in Hindi. Shazad and his band came up with this name just by brainstorming with the band members and the name just stuck. The band is very unique because of the simple fact that the band sings Indian songs that are in Hindi. This is the type of music that inspires Shazad and his band mates so that is the type of music they perform.  “Our audience is usually comprised of international people that appreciate the culture and language.” Shazad says about his audience. I was very intrigued that with such high goal for a career as a dental student, Shazad has the time to still share his love of music with fans, and also has time to work a part –time job at Wells Fargo as well. Shazad listens to mostly Indian singers for musical influence, but also uses American artists like Ne-Yo and Jay Sean for some inspiration. “I met Jay Sean a few years ago. He actually was in Medical School then decided to pursue a musical career. His courage inspires me not just in music.”

 Watch Them!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt78-G8PCIg

Rule Changes

The NFL is looking into changing the rules that take place during "overtime".  They considering on changing the rules that you can win on kicking a field goal instead of trying to get a touchdown. If the rule was changed it would be called "sudden death" The point of it is to prevent a team from winning on a long field goal without giving the other team a possession. The rule change would have to be changed it would have to be approved by at like 24 of the 32 team owners.


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/sports/football/28nfl.html?ref=football

Interview

Interview By Samantha Williams

Responses By Shazad Juman

How old are you?

21

How long have you been a dental student?

Well I am in my third year at AR finishing up my generals for the pre-dental program.

How many times a day do you brush your teeth? (being a dental student) ;-)

I actually brush my teeth before and after meals. It’s more so because I hate having a taste in my mouth so I’d have to say around four to six times.

When did you decide that you wanted to become a dental student?

When I was in high school I had decided. I had braces from middle school all the way until 11^th grade. I was just fascinated by teeth and had a strong passion to make mine look their best with braces and brushing. I want everyone to have nice teeth since that is the first thing I notice when I meet someone.

Do you plan on transferring to any other schools after AR?

Yes. I plan on going to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in fall.

What is your favorite instrument?

I love playing the alto saxophone and acoustic guitar

What is your bands name?

My band’s name is called Ehsaas which is loosely translated as a strong feeling or desire in Hindi

How long have you and your band been together?

We’ve been together for a little over a year

Have you taken any singing classes or lessons?

I have never had singing lessons. In fact, the language we sing in is one that I don’t even know. I have always listening to the music since I was younger. When I hear a song that is new, it just comes to me after a few listens.

What kind of topics do you write about in your songs?

We typically do covers of other songs that deal with love and relationships. Our upcoming show next week includes three songs. The first of which is about heartbreak, the second about finding a new love, and the third about celebrating life with people you enjoy.

What’s your inspiration for your music?

Past, present, and the hope of future relationships are all my influences. I like music that explains life to me.

What are some of your favorite bands or singers?

I like mostly Indian singers. The person that I most resemble is Atif Aslam. As far as Western singers, I like Usher, Ne-Yo, and Jay Sean.

Do they inspire your music?

Yeah I am heavily influence by all their personalities. I met Jay Sean a few years ago. He actually was in Medical School then decided to pursue a musical career. His courage inspires me not just in music.

Have you played at any big venues?

Well our first show was for a cultural event. The event itself had around a thousand people at the Great Hall in Coffman Student Union. We are opening for a pretty popular band in a couple of weeks that will be at the convention center.

What do you plan on doing with your band for the future?

Well music is just a hobby. I personally don’t play for money or fame. I like singing and will do it where ever people ask me to.

How long have you worked at the bank?

Close to 3 years

What bank do you work at?

Wells Fargo in Brooklyn Park

Story 3

Yesterday around 9 am, Nina Cortez, a bookkeeper at the North Point Inn was robbed. A man carrying a knife entered the room Nina was in and took 130.00 dollars  that Nina had just taken out of the safe. She was unable to do much but scream since she was knocked to the floor from falling in her chair. Once the man left she quickly locked the door behind him and waited for police. One man by the name of Kevin Blohm was stabbed in the hallway by the robbers. Nina has said that the robber was wearing blue jeans and a blue plaid button up shirt and blue tennis shoes. She also has said that she does not think this robber acted alone. She was unable to identify him by his face due to the floral scarf he had tied over his head.

Last Canadian war veteran

 John Babcock was  known as the last known veteran of World War I. He died Thursday at his home in Spokane, Washington. He was 109 years old. The Canadian prime minister announced his death, and called him " the last living link to the war".



http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/24/world/americas/24babcock.html?ref=americas

Obituary

Samantha Williams of Anoka ,Mn died early this morning due to a heart attack. Samantha was a student at Anoka Ramsey Community College and was very close to finishing her degree. She was an employee at Italian Tan and in her free time helped out at the Mercy hospital. Samantha was a loving daughter and a sister of just one. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at the Fridley Funeral Home at 2 p.m.

King Tut

Researchers have found the exact reason for King Tut's Dealth. Researchers have found that severe amount of malaria combined with a degenerative bone condition has killed the great king. Researchers said “this is the oldest genetic proof of malaria in precisely dated mummies.” This has been a 2 year examination and is a historic breakthrough.


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/science/17tut.html?ref=science

Toyota recall crisis

By Tuesday, Toyota will have 437,000 of the 2010 Prius Hybrid models due to a glitch in the breaking system.Toyota is also recalling 270 of the  plug-in Priuses, 28,000 Lexus's, and 11,000 Sai hybrids. It was said that on slippery or frozen roads the breaks lock up for a split second. Toyota is guessing it will take about 40 minutes to fix each car and have alot of confidence that after this recall there should be no more break problems. "When we discover a defect, make defects, or receive advice from customers, we work hard to fix them and improve,We do not allow cover-ups.” says President, Mr.Toyoda.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/business/global/10recall.html?hp

First day at ARCC

I was very excited for my first day of college. I left my house an hour early to make sure I knew where all my classes were and to make sure I got to my classes on time. As I pulled into the Anoka Ramsey Community College parking lot, it was crazy! There was absolutley no parking anywhere! Cars were waiting in lines just to get a parking spot. I drove around for 25 minutes before I found a parking spot that was all the way in the back. It was a warm, sunny August morning so I didn't mind. As I approached the doors, I was very nervous. Once I got into the school my nerves got alot better. I saw alot of people I had already knew from highschool lingering around the school. I had quite a hard time finding all my classes, but once I did the school was very easy to get around. I didn't like how small and tight all my classrooms felt, but that's what you get at a Community College. Overall my very first day ended up going alot smoother than I had pictured in my mind. As I walked the halls of the campus, it was very quiet and students were just trying to get from one class to another. It helped that I knew alot of people that attended the school but I cannot wait until I get to a University.

Food for Survivors

   

After weeks of starving, the Haitian's now have a new food distribution program from the United Nations that involves paper coupons that are good for 55 pounds of rice. The coupons have quickly become more valuable than money and diamonds. The food is scarce and Haitian's are scared to go hungry. Before the coupon program, food distribution was nothing but confusion and chaos. Aids are hoping this helps organize life after the earthquake easier.


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/03/world/americas/03haiti.html

U of M shooting

The University of Minnesota police still have no arrests over the shooting that occured in front of the dorms at the University of Minnesota. They have been searching through the 1,800 security camera tapes looking for images of two suspects that shot a  19-year-old student was shot in the chest "without provocation" on Monday. The student is feeling well and had to go under surgery, but is alive and well and hoping the police catch the men who shot him. There has been a small-caliber bullet casing was recovered from the shooting scene, and some witnesses. Police are still investigating this case.


http://www.startribune.com/local/82670292.html?page=1&c=y

Do's and Don't "leads"

Leads are the most important part of writing a story. Having a good lead will attract the reader to keep reading! When writing a lead, it is very important that is is objective and not your opinion. In order to have a good lead it must be specific, nice and clear, and not too long. You must also have an attention grabber in order to keep the reader interested.

U.S. Troops Patrol Haiti, Filling a Void

 More American Troops have landed in Haiti and have helped with the Earthquake. Haitian's are feeling a little out of control with all of the U.S. Military controlling what is going on around the country. They are appreciative of the help, but hope the U.S. Military to only be temporary controlling their country until their government rebuilds itself.

 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/world/americas/20haiti.html?ref=americas

Introduction

Hello Everyone! My name is Samantha Williams! I am a student at Anoka Ramsey Community College with hopes to do big things with myself! I currently work at a Tanning salon and i love it. I have a boyfriend named Matt and I love him very much :) I am a HUGE animal person and hope to do something to help out all homeless pets out there! I love watching tv and I am addicted to all the dumb reality shows out there. I am hooked! I cant help it! I enjoy reading magazines and love to read books, I just can never find the time to sit and finish a good book! I have a few I have started and I am determined to finish them all this year!I have alot of friends but a few close ones. Two of my best friends are in the military and I am so proud of them!  I have big goals and HUGE dreams for myself and I am still trying to figure out just what my calling is. I grew up in Orange County, California and hope to someday have a house out there by the ocean. I love swimming and being in water. I enjoy snowboarding, wakeboarding, dancing, and music.I have a cat named Romo and he is my little man. :) I am a very good writer and have a huge imagination. I look forward to this class! :)