Meeting Draft!

Working on my meeting story I learned that gathering information and conducting interviews was easier than organizing a story into something comprehensive. At first I thought I knew what I was doing when I compiled all my notes and background information. I wrote up what I had and then checked for grammatical errors. My story had what it needed a news lead, sub lead, nut graph, and my sources were fully attributed. However, I wasn’t satisfied with the way my news lead and nut graph were written. I felt that my news lead could be a little shorter and I just wasn’t sure how to reword it without loosing its content. As for my nut graph I had no idea whether or not I did it correctly, since I haven’t written very many of them.

Before attending my reporting class, I decided to pay Professor Daley a visit during office hours. We went over my article together to see what was wrong with it. She told me I was a good reporter and I a lot of work went into my story. The problem was my sentences weren’t direct enough (or convoluted) and I had too many unnecessary words, which would probably lead most readers astray. I felt a little relieved when to hear that most of my classmates had the same problems with their stories.

I was glad to see Professor Daley had marked up and left comments on my paper like she did before, it would give me something to refer back to the next time I write an article. During class I had made some side notes on some changes I should make for my article so that I don’t forget what to edit. Having the right sources and accurate information isn’t enough was another thing I learned working on my meeting story. If the readers can’t understand what is going on in the story than all my sources and background information would become irrelevant to them. I will try to soak in my reporting professor’s comments and hopefully get a better grade on my final draft.

How to Write a Meeting Story on a Meeting you Don't Understand

The assignment to write a story about on a meeting sounded simple enough. Although I found it hard to find a meeting in my neighborhood...bummer. Then I found a meeting that I could do for the assignment.

The Board of Supervisor's Budget and Finance meeting was last Wednesday and I would be covering it with a few of my class mates. Doesn't this meeting sound like fun? Yeah right, maybe if you lived for political jargon and feeling completely lost when the item numbers come up. Yep that was my situation but as a journalist there are things that you will have to report on and you'll have to do your best to get the interviews and understand what reserve funds and add-backs are.

Overall the meeting was only an hour, thank goodness. Luckily I had a partner in crime when it came to writing this story; his name is Nick Moone. Nick knew ever item number, all the jargon and what add-ons meant. This blew my mind. He tried to walk me through everything and although still confused we managed to do everything we could to get this story out.

With a few corrections from Professor Daley we realized the legal jargon was confusing the reader. We set up a game plan in class and will begin to rewrite the paper on Thursday. Yay for rewrites and Nick's background in student government. Lets see how round two will go when we write this paper.

Numb to the human factor: Tasers in San Francisco

Last week the Police Commission debated whether or not to implement tasers into the SFPDs weapon arsenal. The meeting was full with strong evidence in support of taser adoption. Throughout the six hour meeting there were a plethora of factual evidence and statistics shown about the issue.

However, at one point in the testimonies there were stories of people who had died or were seriously injured from tasers. Commissioner R. James Slaughter said, "As a commission we need to understand the facts and not the anecdotes."

Percentages, ratios and numbers seem to be outweighing the human factor of this issue. Tasers when used as they are intended can kill some people. They especially have adverse effects of the elderly, the mentally and physically ill. How will police be able to tell if someone is physically ill? How will they be able to tell that they are diabetic or have heart problems?

The fact is that most of the times they can't.

If someone who is mentally ill did not comply with police would the taser be used? This is especially troubling in places like the Tenderloin where the ill have few resources to get better in the first place. If you really want to talk about number maybe we should keep in mind the cost of tasers. At the meeting there was talk that a taser and a defibrillator together can cost about $2000. There are roughly 2000 officers currently sworn in under the SFPD. If even a third of officers get to carry a taser and a defibrillator that would be over $1,200,000 in spending for non-lethal weapons. This is a program San Franciscans cannot afford.

This money could be better spent in programs for those in most need of help.

What will the homeless and mentally ill do when they cannot comply with the sit/lay law? Will they be tased?

The folks of the Tenderloin need compassion not tasers.

By Nelson Estrada

Taser meeting in pictures

San Francisco Police Commission met to discuss the implementation of tasers into the SFPDs arsenal.

A skit re-enacting a situation where tasers might be used.

Interim Police Chief Jeff Godown observes actors playing a situation where a teser might save a suspects life. 

Dr.Chuck Wexler, an expert at taser use and advocate of taser adoption, observes testimonies during the Police Commissions Meeting. 

Sgt.Joe McCloskey urges the Police Commission to adopt tasers as "another tool".

About 100 people were packed into the room. Both civilians and police officers were at the meeting.

Officer Dan Laval presented non-lethal munitions. The weapon he is showing is currently used by the San Francisco SWAT team. He says that this weapon is not ideal for close quarter situation. 

Officer Dan Laval shows the encasing that the weapon uses. He says it may cause blunt trauma while the taser will not. 

Church of Mysterioso.

HERE IT IS!!!!

Sex is the goofy smile of the Spirit
Art is the sweet spasm of the Soul
Difference is the cool gift of the gods
Magick is the unwilling victim of Science
Death is the Great Reminder
Fear is only the Boo! of Change
Guilt is a prison for the Innocent
Greed is the small Suicide
Religion is doing what you are doing right now
Enlightenment is the old switcheroo
God is your secret name
Paying attention is your only bill
Belief is Mind Death
Enough is enough
No is always the wrong answer
Yes, you already have permission
There is no right way
Happiness is already yours
Anything not on this list is a lie

- Rev. Mel Ash
Church of the Mysterioso

 

Last week I went to an event at the Beat Museum entitled, "Dharma Bums: An Evening of Beat Zen with Mel Ash." I just finished reading "Dharma Bums," by Jack Kerouac, so naturally the event captured my spiritual curiosity. Rev. Mel Ash, from the Church of Mysterioso, led the meditation class and taught us how to live in the now. The three-hour class focused on the problems of thinking, sitting/walking meditation and the Beats. Everyone in the class was very friendly and best of all it was a free event. The owner of the Beat Museum, Jerry Cimino, read an expert from the once-controversial poem "Howl," by Allen Ginsberg.

These lines stuck to me, "Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy!
Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy!
The world is holy! The soul is holy! The skin is holy!
The nose is holy! The tongue and cock and hand
and asshole holy!
Everything is holy! everybody's holy! everywhere is
holy! everyday is in eternity! Everyman's an
angel!" (Footnote to "Howl," by Allen Ginsberg)

After a 10-minute meditation, hearing the words 'Holy', with such passion and intensity really opened me up. I felt not only spiritually aware, but connected to everyone and everything. It was a beautiful thing. I also made more contacts and found potential feature story ideas. North Beach is filled with amazing souls and everyone has a story.

Fred the firefighter

So, this was my first time really walking down Ocean Avenue. And although I'm pretty sure it's not the one from the popular punk pop song by Yellowcard, it was still an experience.

The air was crisp. Rain had fallen two days in a row now and people were poking their heads out to take a peek around, reminiscent of a famous rodent on Groundhog Day. I was coming up to the intersection of Plymouth and Ocean, somewhat struck by the finery of the vacant lot to my left. And thats when it hit me. Well, he hit me. It was Fred.

Fred was a gentleman I'd run into before (no pun intended) walking the neighborhood, but not someone I'd ever really had the chance to get to know as well as I'd like. Stumbling to pick up his books (he often carries enough to look a though he's just knocked over a Barnes and Noble) Fred gave me his best grin. The remaining two teeth in Fred's mouth stood out a bit, but something about his smile made me believe it was something he shared with a few select people.

I asked Fred if he'd eaten yet today and he told me he hadn't, so we went over to the nearby cafe and grabbed a coffee and some breakfast. He spoke of his books, his friends passed on, and his former life as a volunteer firefighter in southern Indiana. I wasn't after a story with Fred. Nor am I particularly interested in developing him as a source...but I did learn a lot from this man.

The main thing that stuck with me after our two hours together was this: "If you're going to love anyone in your life, make sure you spend time every day you have them in your life, letting them know exactly that. Make sure you love them more each day you have them. Thats the secret to staying young."

Not sure how valid the rantings of a 63 year old homeless gentleman are, but there was wisdom behind that toothless grin. I chuckled when he told me about his wife.

"Marrying her was the smartest thing I ever did. Dumbest thing she ever did, but man am I thankful she did it. And did she do it well..."

I hope I run into you again Fred. Perhaps we can share another breakfast, but please don't use all the creamer next time...

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Big 21, Big Plus in South Beach

Although being sick on my 21st birthday was a disappointment, I now have a serious upper hand in my neighborhood.

The scene of South Beach by day is oh so different than the scene of South Beach by night. I have finally found the resident of this area...at the bars!
The DNA Lounge on 11th Street is full of an eclectic group of South Beach residents. Even better, most of these patrons are not the typical middle class working suits, but rather the new upcoming trendy crowd filtering in to South Beach.

I found these last few trips that people are easier to talk to in a social setting...especially a few drinks in. I talked to a few residents who merely wanted to joke around, yet a few complied to my questions and talked to me about neighborhood concerns. One such fellow, Brad Jordan, talked to me about his concerns regarding parking and a nearby school for his daughter, who is now two. I wondered why a funky father and his family moved to South Beach of all the San Francisco neighborhoods. Then Jordan told me he's a sailor...which makes perfect sense. South Beach is crawling with sailors.

I'm finally finding it easier to determine which people to talk to, or rather, which people will talk to me. Some tips...avoid groups, closed off people with their friends are less likely to make room for you at their table. Talk to couples, especially those 35+. When you talk to couples, no one gets intimidated and your more likely to get a well-rounded answer. Avoid very drunk people. Look for people in suits as this might mean they live or work in the area. Avoid specific parties, celebrating people do not want to talk community problems.

Other bars include 83 Proof, Gordon Biersch Brewery, and the Grove (my favorite).

Still looking for more tips and more ways to meet residents. If my only chance is going to the bar, I will be a very broke woman in a very short time.