ePortfolio

Some students have expressed questions about the ePortfolio. It's a department requirement that you make a portfolio on this site and post your final stories in certain required classes, Reporting being one of them. I'm so sorry I didn't talk to you about it as I too was unaware of this requirement. I was under the impression that Reporting students no longer had to file on ePortfolio. If you have not created your folio site or if you have and want to post your story, you do it at http://login.efolioworld.com.

If you have any problems, I suggest you ask at the Journalism office next week.

I'm correcting your exams and finals now in the green lap of Vermont in the rain. It's quite enjoyable. Thank you again students for your hard work this semester.

Yvonne

Goodbye...for now...

This semester has been an adventure for me since day one. I can’t believe we are done with reporting, it was just yesterday our professor had us pick our neighborhood beat. At first I wanted to get the Mission because I speak Spanish fluently and my mother has lived in the neighborhood when she emigrated from Nicaragua. Although the Castro was also on my list I never expected our professor to pick it for me and to be honest I’m glad she did. As some of you already know I grew up in a very tight-knit Catholic family, which made the Castro appear more like a foreign country to me. After spending every week in the Castro I honestly wouldn’t mind living there (if I had the money), almost everyone had been extremely friendly, the restaurants were amazing, and I loved the old Victorian houses.

Since this is my final post for the class website I would like to get a couple things off my chest. First off, before transferring to SF State I had no idea what I wanted to major in. I took one journalism class from Contra Costa College and I was hooked. As strange as that sounds it was actually that simple, but I didn’t truly understand journalism until taking the reporting class. Lastly, I was so intimidated by my classmates because it seemed as though they were ahead of the game in terms of writing and reporting I almost lost sight of why I was there in the first place, to improve my skills. After the last couple articles I felt more comfortable with my writing and reporting ability.

I was told by someone that after you finish reporting class, the rest becomes easier. No offense to that person, but I think that’s a little white lie someone from the journalism department made up to ease other journalism students’ anxiety. There are going to be other classes that will probably drive us to tears, but in the end that “swift kick in the ass” will bring us success in the long run (at least that’s what my news writing professor told me).

Alright, enough of that long heart felt speech. I say we throw out our books and papers, go to a bar and drink to our hearts content. I’m not talking about beer either, I’m talking whiskey, rum, or tequila because god knows we deserve it after all the hard work we put in this semester (I know I do).

I’ll see you guys next semester, have a fun summer.

Last Post!

I'm finally done writing my final feature which compares North Beach during the day and North Beach during the night. I learned a lot about the neighborhood as well as some valuable reporting skills.

When I first started reporting I was really shy and paranoid. Now I feel very comfortable talking to people and striking up a conversation. Everyone has something to say, even if it's just "f*** off." I've also developed thick skin which I know will come in useful when I'm on assignment in Mexico.

North Beach has been kind to me. I made a lot of good contacts and even a few friends. So in keeping to the Italian spirit I will end this post by saying ciao fellow classmates and good luck with finals!

Getting to Know Noe Valley

This semester has been absolutely uh-mazing! I have made life long journalism friends and have written about things that I actually enjoyed, who would have thought?

This semester in particular has been one of growth. I have learned how to go out and find a story, been pressured by deadlines and have gotten over my fear of going up to strangers and asking them questions. I have learned a lot in JOUR 300 and will continue using all the techniques that Yvonne has taught us.

I remember when I decided to pick Noe Valley for my beat. I had never heard of it before. From what I read, it is a district where friendly people were always around in cafes or walking their dogs.

I have learned about the people, the businesses and the changes that will eventually come out of this district. It was a refreshing experience spending time in a place where I knew no one and coming up with stories.

Our last day of class is today and I am really going to be sad. Everyone in this class has so much talent and I can't wait to have class with you guys in the future! As for Yvonne, I have learned so much. Your experiences and stories are truly inspiring. I have never been more excited and anxious to get into the field of journalism.

I know I'm being super sentamental and corny but hey, that's just my personality. I like to gush from time to time!

A sigh of relief

Finally, the final story of the semester is done. I mean, I finished it last night and everything, but still. It was such a great weight lifted off my shoulders. Although, I do have two more papers to write for other classes. I just want this semester to be over so I can enjoy summer, hopefully land an internship, and save money.

The process of writing this final feature was a little difficult at first - I didn't know what lead I should use and how to format it. After I figured it out, the words came together and formed, what I think, is a great article about the Japan earthquake and tsunami and how San Francisco organizations are helping out.

I was able to get interviews with representatives from two big organizations donating funds, which was great.

---

Looking back on this semester in this class, it was by far the most difficult journalism class I have ever been in. The amount of work in this class should really make this class a 10 unit course. I'd graduate faster that way, too. The best thing I got out of this class, though, was meeting the people I did. We have such a great class and I'm thankful for being in it. Who knows... maybe we'll all be working with each other out in the "real world" and use our connections that we have made to our advantage.

Thank you, everyone, for a great semester! =)

Last day on assignment in North Beach!

Today I decided to spend all day in North Beach. I'm spent half of the day at Cavalli Cafe, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., and ate a delicious cannoli and drank a cappuccino.

It's now 9 p.m. and I'm still in North Beach hanging out with the regulars at Cafe Greco's. I went bar hopping mid-day with a friend and saw a couple of familiar faces. I got some good sources and I am almost ready to finish my final feature. I feel like tonight will be a hectic night, but it will all be worth it soon enough. I want to write a bit on what I learned from reporting on North Beach.

First of all, North Beach is a diverse neighborhood that is loved by both residents and out-of-towners. It is filled with amazing cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs. It is the type of place where you can relax OR get "fucked up" on alcohol or various drugs, specifically cocaine, according to sellers and police.

I've been hanging around North Beach for too long. I'm honestly getting sick of the place. Not because it's such a terrible place to be, but because I've been coming here every week.

It is also the type of place where a girl can easily get a boyfriend. I've been hit on by most of my sources, from bouncers to cops to bartenders to residents and employees. It's interesting because they open up to me and are willing to talk, at the same time it can get frustrating. I suppose it's like that for most women reporters, although I tend to keep my distance.

The strip clubs are merely entertainment and for most girls it's a great job. They get paid well and enjoy doing the work that they do. I don't judge them because I personally feel that they're nice people with a life of their own and they enjoy making money while giving customers shows of lust... it's a business.

All-in-all North Beach has been kind to me. I've made friends and have gotten to know some amazing people that have interesting stories of their own. The connections that I have made here are priceless. I'm even thinking of spending some extra money of you guys and buying delicious cannolis for everyone.

Turning Haight into Love (or at least, Less Hate)

Wow. It’s really over. We survived reporting. It kinda flew by, honestly, and it really wasn’t that hard. I mean, there were a couple of things I struggled with (obviously the whole talking to people part), but on the whole it really wasn’t all that bad.

The practical application of it all was actually really helpful, far better than newswriting. I think it would have been better to do more of this kind of thing – the crime story, scoping out a neighborhood, meeting story – all in newswriting so that we could get a better feel for it.

I feel like I learned a lot in this class. I didn’t exactly know how to just dive in and start discovering things about a neighborhood, or even how to find a story. Nothing seemed particularly newsworthy to me one week, and then everything did the next week.

At first, it was all ridiculously intimidating. I (almost) had breakdowns trying to talk to people on the street about what was going on in the neighborhood. It was absolutely terrifying. I hated it. After my first two stories, I was positive that I would have to find a way to get the hell out of journalism and get myself a new major.

Then we did the meeting stories, a ridiculously long haul for me, but hands down the easiest thing I’ve ever had to write. The redo wasn’t that bad, either. Once I got past the first interview in my profile, even that was easy. I somehow managed to hit my stride after the hardcore struggling to figure out what was going on in the Haight. The crime story was a piece of cake.

Now: the final story. Not my original idea, but it totally serves its purpose and fit the changes in the neighborhood that I’ve seen over the semester. All in all, not a bad story to write, even though the Whole Foods managers apparently aren’t allowed to give statements to anyone for any purpose whatsoever, or their names, for that matter. (Seriously: I went from press to project to paper to my teacher’s going to kill me if I don’t get something, and still absolutely nothing. Not one single manager would talk.)

Anyway, the Whole Foods story doesn’t apply everything I’ve learned over the semester, but I’m sure that’s not the point. I think it’s more to show off our skills, a shining example of how great we are now compared to how crappy we were in the beginning. I think I understand how to write a feature now far better than I did at this time last semester, and that’s probably the point.

I don’t want to change my major anymore, but I do plan on spending much more time writing about the things that interest me. Sorry, Haight, but that’s definitely not you, or HAIA, or the homeless, or Sit/Lie, or any of the issues that plague that little zone in the center of the city that I’ve haunted all semester. I think y’all know what I want to write about by now. Look forward to it in the future.

That’s the best thing I’ve gained from this class, I think: An absolute assurance of my interests, and the knowledge that I can write about anything under the sun, should I need to.

So here’s to our semester, growing up and all that jazz. I think we’ve earned the summer.

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

As I was in SoMa yesterday looking for story ideas (with little success), I walked by Yerba Buena Gardens to find the park full of people and live music.  A stage was set up in front of the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial and Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca, an Afro-Cuban fusion act, were performing.  It was a beautiful, sunny day Saturday (though a bit windy) and seeing people gathered in the park dancing to the music it made it more beautiful.  More than a hundred people were congregated at the park, with a large number of them actually dancing while others were laying out on the lawn soaking up the sun.

Turns out the performance is one of a series of free events held at the park for the summer, from May to October.  There are theater, poetry, and spoken word performances scheduled as well as a series of children and Latin Jazz acts.  Events are not limited to only weekends.  They have things scheduled for the week and even have lunchtime concerts on Thursdays.

This is a great characteristic of San Francisco: having many free events that encourage civic participation and builds community.  Many of these events take place in SoMa, which contributes to it's appeal.  For anyone staying in the city over the summer and looking for things to do (for free!), I suggest checking one of the scheduled events out.  You can check out the calendar here.

Final Project

I am officially drowning. Aside from all the work that has accumulated from my other glasses, I'm afraid of not getting a new perspective on this whole America's Cup final paper.
I know...you are all tired of hearing about this subject and believe me, I feel like I've beaten it dead. But there just isn't a lot going on in my neighborhood, and I have looked.

Now the problem is getting a new angle on this story. I tried making one of those web charts...you know where the main subject is in the middle and you attach sub-subjects. A sort of brain storming thing. I have interviewed officials (firemen and police), residents, merchants, tourists, a contestant, and of course the yachting community. Currently trying to interview my supervisor, Jane Kim, but failing. I'm hoping to talk to her about the finances of the whole event, because as of now, the only information on that is at least a year old.

I have now written two stories for this subject and I'm afraid I can't find a new angle and I'm nervous it's too late to change the topic. I'm hoping for a big change in direction, if not in the topic at least on this subject. Please, please let the next person I interview say something too opinionated and original.

late night sitting place?

Does anyone know where that late-night sitting place is? I've walked up and down.

ugh ugh ugh

My final feature progress...is going. I've contacted a few people on the Merchants Association, the Noe Valley Farmer's Market and PROSAC.

My final feature is dealing with the conversion of a parking lot that is used for various district activities like the Farmer's Market and for music performances to a Town Square. Blue prints have been drawn up of grass and plants adorning the space. It will look completely different.

I'm excited to write this story because I feel like its a big issue in Noe Valley that the city has not really recognized yet. I know a lot of residents, especially those who have been living in Noe Valley for a while have a lot to say about the issue. Parking is a huge issue and converting a space that will definitely affect the

Anyways I need to get back to stressing over finals, essays and various other projects that need to be completed this week.

K. Bye.

My Yachting Experience

I'm sure you all know by now I have been working on this story about the America's Cup coming to SF and South Beach next year. Yesterday after class I went and met with my buddy Leon who is a part of the South Beach Yacht Club. He took me out on his boat and I got to meet his wife and daughter. It was a great experience. Leon joked that his boat certainly wasn't the nicest but having never been on one so big I was pretty stoked. I learned a lot about the functioning of the boat (named "Rosely" after his sister) and about the rules of the race from Leon (even his daughter could work her way around the boat). They took me under the Bay Bridge near Alcatraz. The view of the city from the water was really beautiful and we sailed back into the bay just at dusk.

It was great day to go out, and I was really appreciative. I just wanted to take this opportunity to point out what amazing people we can meet with this whole journalism thing. I'm thankful to have met this warm and inviting family.

My Experience at KPIX News Studio

I parked my car on Broadway, put $2.00 worth of quarters in the meter and headed to 855 Battery Street in Downtown. I opened the door and walked up to the security desk and said, "I'm here to see Craig Franklin of CBS News." The security person at the desk said, "Your name is?" I replied with my name. She dialed Mr. Franklin's extension and said "Mr. Franklin, Leigh Walker is here to see you."

I took a seat in the lobby, waiting anxiously for Mr. Franklin to come down the elevator. After a 10 minute wait, Craig Franklin, senior television producer and cameraman of CBSsf News officially introduced himself to me and we proceeded up to the newsroom floor and began the tour of the news station.
----
Prior to this meeting, Professor Jim Toland (here at SFSU) nominated me for a mentorship with a producer at CBS News. I e-mailed Craig Franklin and discussed a time when we could meet. We picked today at noon. Due to not wanting to be late, I left my house at 10:30 this morning and got to the news station 5 minutes after 11. I was early... What else is new?
----
The tour consisted of learning how meteorologists deal make sure the weather is accurate and how the process of showing it on the green-screen works. I was introduced to the website team, including the main blogger for the site. Mr. Franklin then introduced me to the production team and how the production of a newscast actually works. There is so much detail that goes into a 30 minute newscast. Everything is scripted and planned down to a tee.
----
At a little before noon, Mr. Franklin walked me up a flight of stairs and into the newsroom. It was bigger than I thought! It looks so much smaller on TV. I was even able to sit in the anchor's chair! The teleprompters and cameras move automatically and there are two teams of productions. In the backroom, there are a team of four people running the newscast and communicating with the two production assistants running the teleprompters out in the newsroom.
---
Overall, it was an interesting experience and I can't wait to go back and continue this mentorship through the summer and fall.

How Weird May Day

San Francisco residents congregated in the streets of SoMa to launch the city's street festival season with the 12th annual How Weird Street Faire.  Thousands of people took advantage of the warm weather Sunday exploring the "mythical realms" on Howard Street, dressed up in wacky outfits, dancing in the closed off streets, and simply enjoying the community's presence.  Nine stages with DJs spinning different styles of electronic music filled nine blocks, and the event really lived up to its name; the festival just kept on getting weirder and weirder.

The eclectic crowd didn't fail to amaze (or confuse).  There were capoeira dancers/fighters, numerous fairies, men and women wearing tutus, a pink devil, a queen with her entourage, and possibly everything else imaginable.  This year also featured an Art Alley showcasing local artists and live art, a May Pole ceremony and dance "calling forth the world of our dreams," and even an official flying saucer landing zone for intergalactic guests attending to participate in "universal peace."  (I don't know if any showed up.)

I first heard of the event through a friend and wasn't planning on attending because of an immense school load, but was convinced after seeing numerous wacky people heading to the festival.  Although I stayed only for a while, until I fulfilled my journalistic duty, the brief moment I was there really reinforced my appreciation for this city.  The civic participation is very impressive, especially in celebrations.  What, perhaps, is the best is that it is a free, all-ages event.  Yes, they ask for a $10 donation, which in turn gets you a Magic Sticker that is good for discounts with the many vendors.  You do see families, couples, and singles, and the party continues for those 21 and over at the nearby nightclubs after the street fair ends at 8pm.  It is ironic, though, that a city that takes pride in it's progressiveness and activism decides to celebrate International Workers' Day in such a manner.  How weird.

The Eagle's wake

Friday night a buddy of mine invited me to what he said was the last night of The Eagle Tavern as we know it. Apparently the iconic gay bar in SoMa is closing after 30 years because the landlord has other plans for the location. Many articles and blogs have been written about the abrupt closure (even city supervisors have shown concern) and all are begging the same question: what's going to happen next?

Well, Friday night no one knew the answer, but a few gathered to say a final goodbye. It very much felt like a wake, even the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were there. Memories were written on the floor in chalk, one of them read, "I am going to miss waking up in the trough." I am unsure whether this meant an actual trough in the in bar, or the trough-like urinals in the restrooms; either one would make sense. Some talked sadly about the closure, others, like my buddy, just tried to get as much fun of the last night.

It is sad this bar is closing since it was more than a just a bar. It was a community gathering spot, where anyone was accepted whether they were gay, straight, male, female, into leather or not, and, yes, even the queens from the Castro. On Thursdays the bar would host live acts for its Thursday Night Live. Sundays was Beer Bust, where people would congregate for unlimited beer for $10 and proceeds would go to charity and organizations. It really is a pity that it's closing, but it is evidence of the changing forces and demographics of SoMA.

Appreciate the things and time we have, people, especially in a diverse and constantly changing city like San Francisco. The few times I have been here I had a real great time. I wish I would have spent more time here. I know that's how a lot of people feel at a wake, but hopefully this is not the last we hear about The Eagle. SFist, who first reported the closure, is now reporting that the bar might not close until later. We'll see how this will all turn out.

THIS JUST IN...

.... OSAMA BIN LADEN IS DEAD!

Vanguard Poems

In one of my older post I mentioned I had gone to the Vanguard's magazine launch party, well I was going through my file cabinet and I found a booklet of some of Vanguard's oldest pieces. Some of them are extremely graphic, but still thought provoking and I think you guys might enjoy them.

The following poem was written by transvestite prostitute from the 1960s:

"The Hustler"

I sell my love for dollars,
If you can spare the time,
A Hug is but a nickle
A kiss is but a dime.

I'll go to bed for twenty,
All night for just ten more.
Now don't get the idea
That I am just a whore.

For if I didn't sell my love,
Where else would it go?
I have no one to give it to;
No one who'd care to know.

So open up your wallet
and show me what you've got,
And whether I should love you
A little or a lot.

If you guys want me to post a couple more, let me know?

An interesting experience in Japantown

So, today I decided to run around San Francisco today, mainly because it was gorgeous, and decided to get a head start on my final feature story for this class. I have decided to take on the article about what people, organizations and stores are doing to continuously provide relief aid to those victims of the Japan tsunami and earthquake.

I was disappointed that in the center of Japantown no organization was out asking for donations or anything like that. It was only when I walked into stores or right before I was seated at Oksaya Koji restaurant that I saw my first sign of aid.

"Half of all proceeds made on Mon-Fri will go to tsunami relief." - Posted at Beni Hanna

"All proceeds of purchasing this wristband will go to tsunami and earthquake relief in Japna" - in front of Oksaya Koji.

Truly interesting. I'm determined to find out how and when those proceeds actually get to Japan.