FASHION IN REAL TIME

Covering news in real time couldn’t have been better tested than during Fashion Week in New York City. Filling the rows along side esteemed fashion journalists, editors and buyers were bloggers.  And, using pen and paper to editorialize the latest garments to hit the runway –that will eventually hit retail stores globally– was one-upped by camera phone photos with direct uploading capability to the Web.

With hundreds of fashion blogs craving content on what’s to come, bloggers and journos alike were transmitting looks as they came down the runway. As a hired gun for  the Style File Group, I shot full-on packages with a Flipcam. Quick time videos replaced tapes and P2 cards used in traditional over-the-shoulder cameras. With a light weight tripod (that fit in my everyday, oversized-handbag) and the palm-sized camera I could sit front row with an up-close view, far from the anthill of camera people.

The video I shot could be uploaded using any laptop or computer, which I later accessed when time to edit. As we’ve all become part of the Youtube generation, we are much more forgiving of video and sound that doesn’t look studio shot.

It’s my contention that as goes fashion coverage so to will go hard news. What do you think?

Fashion, is it need or necessity? Many would say it’s a bit of both. And, the degree to which we use clothes for coverage versus artistic statement is entirely individual. Some are slaves to trends, others are tied to tried and true classics. What’s it mean to you? You decide.

Could this generation of Haitian students hold the answers to rebuilding Haiti? Mainstream media coverage of Haiti’s disaster, and what should be done in rebuilding, has focused on the usual suspects of talking heads: western academic experts with books on Haiti; government officials past and present; aid organizations with a presence on the island. But, one group missing from the prevailing conversation are the very people who will likely play a large part in the reconstruction of the island nation: Haitian students, both American and those who call Haiti home.

The collective analysis from experts continues to concentrate on the malfeasance of Haiti’s leaders from the past three decades, and the mistakes made by those even further back. But, reexamining Haiti’s past is only part of the equation in moving Haiti forward. As heads of state continue to discuss best practices for aid distribution, these Haitian students –with a first hand perspective– have much to offer in what they feel are key issues in providing better leadership, the role the international community can play post-recovery and in the reconstruction process, and perhaps most importantly what policies can best prevent abuse, corruption and can actually bolster Haiti’s economy, so that it can once again be a player on the global marketplace.

For more in-depth analysis from a variety of experts, please check out:

bit.ly/bcUzsZ

http://bit.ly/cJyZHT

http://bit.ly/arPa0J

Many feel a call to volunteer as the images of catastrophe continue to make their way off the island. Here is what one experienced emergency paramedic lived in the week of the aftermath.

This photo is courtesy of the Associated Press of Doctors Without Borders.

Nearly 45,000 Americans lived in Haiti, until the catastrophic earthquake two weeks ago. And, Haitian-Americans are still being flown home, however, not always by choice. The U.S. State Dept. implemented an evacuation of all U.S. passport holders. The many who are relieved to end their ordeal, coming home, first means being repatriated. These are some first thoughts when they touched down stateside, 11 days after the earthquake.

You never know who in your city, town or neck-of-the-woods lives and breathes extraordinary talent. That’s what I discovered as a reporter in Gainesville, Florida.

Sent out to get :30 seconds of video on the 90^th birthday of a dancer and choreographer at the then Santa Fe Community College, I soon realized a living legend working and teaching in our midst. Even with a modest appreciation of ballet, –never mind having once been a little girl taking ballet, in awe of prima ballerinas— a small scratch beneath the surface, it was clear that Alberto Alonso’s contribution to the art of dance merits more than a quick birthday announcement on local t.v. news.

His is a story of courage, passion and inspiration.

When I met the ballet master, it was the eve of his 90^th birthday, he was instructing a master class, along with his wife Sonia Calero. His physique and energy rivaled any man more than half his age.

The ballet master was born in Havana, Cuba in 1917. If you have ever seen the formidable American Ballet Theater dance company perform at Lincoln Center in NYC, you have experienced the influence of Alonso. With his brother Fernando and sister-in-law Alicia, Alberto created the Cuban style of classic ballet, that endures today.

Defecting from Cuba, Alberto graced premiere stages around the world from Monte Carlo to the Bolshoi in Russia. The themes of his pieces illuminated his desire and need for freedom. His illustrious career even graced the silver screen, alongside the venerable Fred Astaire.

In 1993, he was granted political asylum in the United States. Though in his 70’s he became Artist-in-Residence at what is now Santa Fe College, where he taught master classes in classic ballet. Alberto died on December 31, 2007 in Gainesville.

His life, love and struggle for freedom are documented, with amazing archive footage, in the film, “Dance of My Heart: The Life and Career of Alberto Alonso.”

This piece, that aired on WCJB, is the 1^st place winner of a Society of Professional Journalists award for Feature Reporting.

To learn more visit:

http://www.danzaballet.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1715

http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Cuban_Ballet_Choreographer_Alberto_Alonso_Dies_at_90_12494.html

http://www.cubatravelusa.com/ballet_cuba.htm

This is the first part of a series of reports following the trials of a homeless family with four children and their parents. It is a portrait of what it looks like to be without home, hearth and the simple conveniences that one enjoys with a permanent roof over one’s head.

It is a 360-degree look at homelessness, from what led the Castellio family into their predicament, as they navigate the social services systems and housing issues, to what it took them to resolve their problems as the lives and well-being of their children and their marriage hung in the balance.

Like many families who find themselves losing their homes, the Castellio’s faced the foreclosure of the home they were renting. In hopes of making a better life in a different state they were lured by the promise of a job in Texas, only to find it did not exist. Returning to Gainesville they had run through their savings and were starting over.

Living paycheck-to-paycheck is the reality for most Americans. National statistics show that the average American is two paychecks away from becoming homeless.

How easy is it for you to find yourself homeless?

Nearly everyone has one in their home, a computer with internet access. But, even behind locked doors your privacy may be invaded.

The internet lets you view the world, but did you know someone could be looking back, even without you knowing?

Many new computers come with webcams already installed. And while you use it for personal purposes unless you turn your computer off, you are more vulnerable to outsiders trying to peek in.

That’s what happened to one young woman when she was visiting friends here in Gainesville. Thinking her computer was safely being repaired, a spy hacking software was installed without her knowledge. And she became the victim of an online peeping-Tom. If everything you do is on your computer: your banking, letters, diaries, personal photographs, you’re not alone.

Here’s what you should know to keep yourself and the children in your family safe while online.

From Kiwi Commons:

During times of financial crisis, you can always rely on scammers to make life that much harder.  A nation in distress is a fraudster’s happy hunting ground, where holiday bargains and cheap credit have greater appeal as more and more people tighten their belts in a grim economy.

Web users are being warned that 2009 will see an onslaught of internet scams from any which way. Scammers are lurking everywhere, whether you are emailing, using social networks or casually online surfing even without clicking on any links.

To spot a scam, ask yourself a simple question:  Is it too good to be true? If you answer “yes”, chances are, it isn’t true.

Click on the link for the Top 10 Internet Scams for 2009, as predicted by E-Victims:

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http://kiwicommons.com/2009/05/top-10-internet-scams/

http://www.internetfamilyfun.com/internetsafety/webcamsandkids.htm

The wheels were already in motion to start cutting money from education, with Alachua County being one of the worst hit, so educators, students and union reps took to lobbying legislators at the state capitol to reverse what was already in motion.

Recently the president of the Florida Education Association, Andy Ford, asked, “Are we sacrificing a generation of students on an altar of fiscal responsibility?” In the last 15 months, Ford says, “… the [Florida] Legislature has cut more than $3 billion from the education budgets of our public schools.”

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http://feaweb.org/

Watch: Rally In Tally – Part 1

In 2008, “Budget Cuts Don’t Heal!” the protest cry of teachers, students and administrators as school districts across the state were faced with unprecedented cuts in their budgets.

When I heard the president of the Teacher’s Union and the Superintendent of schools were joining forces –often they are at odds over policy and teacher salaries— something big was brewing.

According to the PEW Center on the States, under President George W. Bush , federal spending on education dropped by tens of billions of dollars, while America’s students fell further behind other developed countries in math, sciences and overall academics in general.

While stimulus money offered by the new administration helped shore up school budgets nationally, the picture continues to look bleak for all across the  country, especially Florida as property values continue to plunge.

According to Marc Caputo of the Miami Herald, “Florida’s real-estate market is crumbling so badly that the taxable property value for schools statewide will tumble 9.5 percent next year, state economists…”

When I followed the caravan of school buses up to Tallahassee, Kevin Watson of the Florida Education Association had this to share, “The budget is on the desk the budget is terrible.. What is the best thing we can do on the budget? What is the best approach? You just need to let them know what the real story will be.”

Are you making your voice heard to your local lawmakers on the state of your children’s public school education?

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http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=86486

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/1362894.html

Watch: Rally In Tally – Part 2

360-Degrees of Homelessness – Homelessness Through the Eyes of a Child (Part 2)

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, “At least 1.35 million children are homeless during the year; 200,000 are homeless on any given day.”

In the second part of the series the Castellio’s eldest daughter shares what it is like for her –why she feels it necessary to hide her family’s circumstances from her friends and kids at school.

She is bright and articulate and shows no visible signs of being without a home, often living with her 2 brothers and little sister in the family van.

“What homeless children need most of all is a home.  While they are experiencing homelessness, however, it is essential that children remain in school.  School is one of the few stable, secure places in the lives of homeless children and youth — a place where they can acquire the skills needed to help them escape poverty.” (National Coalition for the Homeless)

Still the Castellio daughter manages to make all A’s and B’s during the many months that her family is homeless.

“Families with children are by most accounts among the fastest growing segments of the homeless population. In the United States an estimated 1.35 million from 600 thousand families will experience homelessness today, while 3.8 million more will live in “precarious housing situations.” [1] Put another way, of every 200 children in America, 3 will be homeless today and more than double that number will be at risk for homelessness. [2]

Homelessness has a devastating impact on children and youths’ educational opportunities. Residency requirements, guardianship requirements, delays in transfer of school records, lack of transportation, and lack of immunization records often prevent homeless children from enrolling in school. Homeless children and youth who are able to enroll in school still face barriers to regular attendance: while 87% of homeless youth are enrolled in school, only 77% attend school regularly. [3]

According to recent federal data, during the 2007-2008 school year 794,617 homeless children and youth were enrolled in public schools. This number, however, is an underestimate, as not all school districts report data to the U.S. Department of Education, and because the data collected represents only those children identified and enrolled in school. Furthermore, the number does not include all preschool-age children, or any infants and toddlers.

Living arrangements for homeless children can be highly improvisational. These situations are often precarious, unstable, and, at times, dangerous. Of children who schools identified as homeless during the 2007-2008 school year, 22% lived in shelters, 65% lived with other family members or friends, 7% lived in motels, and 6% lived without shelter. [4]

In addition to enrollment problems, the high mobility associated with homelessness has severe educational consequences. Homeless families move frequently due to limits to length of shelter stays, search for safe and affordable housing or employment, or to escape abusive family members. Too often, homeless children have to change schools because shelters or other temporary accommodations are not located within their school district. Homeless children and youth frequently transfer schools multiple times in a single year because of these conditions.

Every time a child has to change schools, his or her education is disrupted. According to the Institute for Children and Poverty, homeless children are nine times more likely to repeat a grade, four times more likely to drop out of school, and three times more likely to be placed in special education programs than their housed peers.” [5]

SOURCES:

Institute for Children and Poverty. (2008). “National Data on Family Homelessness.” Retrieved September 21, 2009 from http://www.icpny.org/index.asp?CID=7.

Data compiled using Data from the Institute for Children and Poverty. (2008). “National Data on Family Homelessness.” Retrieved September 21, 2009 from http://www.icpny.org/index.asp?CID=7. and from the U.S. Census Bureau (2009). Retrieved September 21, 2009 from http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-qr_name=ACS_2007_3YR_G00_DP3YR2&-ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-_sse=on

U.S. Department of Education. “Education OF Homeless Youth Program: Learning to Succeed.” Retrieved September 21, 2009 from http://www.ed.gov/offices/OUS/PES/esed/learnsucceed/exec_sum.html

The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY). “Facts About the Education of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness.” Retrieved September 21, 2009 from http://naehcy.org/facts.html#why.

Institute for Children and Poverty. (2008). “National Data on Family Homelessness.” Retrieved September 21, 2009 from http://www.icpny.org/PDF/reports/AccesstoSuccess.pdf?Submit1=Free+Download.

“Growing numbers of Americans who have lost houses to foreclosure are landing in homeless shelters, according to social service groups and a recent report by a coalition of housing advocates.

Only three years ago, foreclosure was rarely a factor in how people became homeless. But among the homeless people that social service agencies have helped over the last year, an average of 10 percent lost homes to foreclosure, according to “Foreclosure to Homelessness 2009,” a survey produced by the National Coalition for the Homeless and six other advocacy groups.

In the Midwest, foreclosure played a role for 15 percent of newly homeless people, according to the survey, reflecting soaring rates of unemployment — Ohio’s reached 10.8 percent in August — and aggressive lending to people with damaged credit.

Most people who become homeless because of foreclosure had been low-income renters whose landlords stopped making their mortgage payments, leaving them scrambling for new housing with little notice and scant savings, according to the survey and interviews with shelters.” (NYT, Published: October 18, 2009)

In Part 3, the Castellio’s live through the challenges of navigating the social services system to get subsidized housing, while seeking work and tending to the basic needs of their children. The Catch-22’s are apparent. They can’t qualify for housing unless they have employment, but can’t get  jobs if they don’t have an address. But, far more challenging is the scarcity of affordable housing in general.

Christopher Castellio says he, “doesn’t want a hand out, but a leg up.”

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LINKS:

Foreclosures Force Ex-Homeowners to Turn to Shelters http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/business/economy/19foreclosed.html?_r=2