Any blog about infrastructure in Washington state should include news and information about Avista Utilities. The most recent news about Avista, at least from the Spokesman-Review, is that the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission and the attorney general’s Public Counsel Section both oppose Avista's proposed rate increases for electricity and natural gas. See the full story here.
There is a lot of back story to Avista is the area as well. This link, also to Spokesman-Review, will take you to a list of all their stories tagged Avista Utilities. It's a great resource for getting background on the company and its interaction with people and government within the state.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Infrastructure improvements everywhere
There seems to be a never-ending number of infrastructure improvement projects on campus and in Pullman. The majority of these tend to be construction projects, but the past several years has also seen a lot of attention addressed to technological improvements as well. Just to get an idea of the number of projects, during the first week of school, The Daily Evergreen had four infrastructure-related stories.
One-way street to ease traffic -This has been a project at the university that began last year. The area in front of the Old Bookie has been redone and now includes a much nicer bus station and new one-way streets. The change is supposed to increase the safety of the area, according to Capital Planning and Development.
Pullman Transit revamps routes and buys new buses - A story about how Pullman transit is adjusting to better meet demand on some of its routes.
Pullman feels impact of stimulus money - The city of Pullman also saw some infrastructure improvements this summer. Stimulus funds from the federal government allowed the city to repave some of its roads. Also funded was technology improvements for the transit system.
City council debates water usage - The sewage and water infrastructure in Pullman has been discussed regularly in the past year by the city council. The council last week discussed ways to pay for the increased cost of this infrastructure within the city. The current proposal is a a sewer and water utility rate increase for each of the next five years
One-way street to ease traffic -This has been a project at the university that began last year. The area in front of the Old Bookie has been redone and now includes a much nicer bus station and new one-way streets. The change is supposed to increase the safety of the area, according to Capital Planning and Development.
Pullman Transit revamps routes and buys new buses - A story about how Pullman transit is adjusting to better meet demand on some of its routes.
Pullman feels impact of stimulus money - The city of Pullman also saw some infrastructure improvements this summer. Stimulus funds from the federal government allowed the city to repave some of its roads. Also funded was technology improvements for the transit system.
City council debates water usage - The sewage and water infrastructure in Pullman has been discussed regularly in the past year by the city council. The council last week discussed ways to pay for the increased cost of this infrastructure within the city. The current proposal is a a sewer and water utility rate increase for each of the next five years
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
J 425 Beat ideas
Cops and courts - This beat would be interesting because it can be addressed at a variety of levels. Stories could talk about issues at WSU, in Pullman and the county. I want something that will give me some reporting opportunities outside of WSU, while also being a topic that can be covered locally.
City council/Pullman - I have previous experience covering the university, but have not done very much reporting on the city of Pullman. Covering the city council would give me some new reporting experiences.
Infrastructure - This beat could have a lot of applications and include covering construction and transportation projects. It would have local stories, but also county and possibly state stories as well. Especially because Whitman county is a rural county, improving infrastructure is of ongoing concern.
Science - Always another possibility as there is a ton of research being done at WSU that has impact far beyond the university.
City council/Pullman - I have previous experience covering the university, but have not done very much reporting on the city of Pullman. Covering the city council would give me some new reporting experiences.
Infrastructure - This beat could have a lot of applications and include covering construction and transportation projects. It would have local stories, but also county and possibly state stories as well. Especially because Whitman county is a rural county, improving infrastructure is of ongoing concern.
Science - Always another possibility as there is a ton of research being done at WSU that has impact far beyond the university.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Second Life unveils Showcase
A new 3-D guide is being added to Second Life to further enhance the virtual world, Linden Lab announced at a press conference Nov. 19.
Second Life Showcase will be a place to highlight the best of the virtual world's user-created regions and "(make) it easier for people in Second Life to find cool and exciting content," Second Life Editor Brett Atwood said.
Second Life is a 3-D online world developed by Linden Lab where users from more than 100 countries across the globe can create, build and personalize a virtual life and space.
In addition to highlighting user-created builds, the new Showcase program will feature daily "hot spots" for Second Life users to visit. The new guide is accessible from the Second Life Web site and also within the Second Life program.
"Showcase is the go-to destination for enhancing virtual world exploration," Atwood said. "We think that it will be something that will benefit people who have an interest in virtual environments."
Before the launch of Showcase, some areas in Second Life have been hidden, Atwood said. Since the launch, the program has had a "huge impact" in driving traffic to the showcased builds.
The featured areas will be refreshed about two times a week, he said. The fashion and music categories of Showcase are two of the big current hot spots. However, Showcase also features hot spots from other categories including education and nonprofit.
The best of user-created videos in the emerging Machinima format will also be highlighted. Machinima enables users to create and record their own movies within programs such as Second Life. Avator-based performances can be recorded and then edited into a digital production that can be shared on the Internet.
The 3-D environment is continuing to grow. Atwood said one study found that the amount of physical virtual space within the Second Life Grid platform has actually become larger than some countries. This means there are a lot of areas to explore and Showcase allows users to “surf round” the virtual world, the same way one uses a T.V. channel guide, Atwood said.
"Showcase is meant to be a place that only sponsors the best," Atwood said.
The program has been in development for almost a year in various levels, he said. Throughout that time, categories were revised and functionality was improved.
Showcase was created as part of Linden Lab's "ongoing drive toward creating a richer, more immersive virtual environment," according to a press release.
Second Life had a high of 78,000 concurrent users in the week before the launch of Showcase, Atwood said. The program is also closing in on approximately 20 million downloads.
Second Life Showcase will be a place to highlight the best of the virtual world's user-created regions and "(make) it easier for people in Second Life to find cool and exciting content," Second Life Editor Brett Atwood said.
Second Life is a 3-D online world developed by Linden Lab where users from more than 100 countries across the globe can create, build and personalize a virtual life and space.
In addition to highlighting user-created builds, the new Showcase program will feature daily "hot spots" for Second Life users to visit. The new guide is accessible from the Second Life Web site and also within the Second Life program.
"Showcase is the go-to destination for enhancing virtual world exploration," Atwood said. "We think that it will be something that will benefit people who have an interest in virtual environments."
Before the launch of Showcase, some areas in Second Life have been hidden, Atwood said. Since the launch, the program has had a "huge impact" in driving traffic to the showcased builds.
The featured areas will be refreshed about two times a week, he said. The fashion and music categories of Showcase are two of the big current hot spots. However, Showcase also features hot spots from other categories including education and nonprofit.
The best of user-created videos in the emerging Machinima format will also be highlighted. Machinima enables users to create and record their own movies within programs such as Second Life. Avator-based performances can be recorded and then edited into a digital production that can be shared on the Internet.
The 3-D environment is continuing to grow. Atwood said one study found that the amount of physical virtual space within the Second Life Grid platform has actually become larger than some countries. This means there are a lot of areas to explore and Showcase allows users to “surf round” the virtual world, the same way one uses a T.V. channel guide, Atwood said.
"Showcase is meant to be a place that only sponsors the best," Atwood said.
The program has been in development for almost a year in various levels, he said. Throughout that time, categories were revised and functionality was improved.
Showcase was created as part of Linden Lab's "ongoing drive toward creating a richer, more immersive virtual environment," according to a press release.
Second Life had a high of 78,000 concurrent users in the week before the launch of Showcase, Atwood said. The program is also closing in on approximately 20 million downloads.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Ferdinand's Ice Cream Shoppe a WSU tradition
Once upon a time in Spain, there was a little bull and his name was Ferdinand.
This little bull, who liked to sit beneath a cork tree and smell flowers, is the namesake of the Washington State University ice cream shop.
With eight flavors of cheese and more than 20 flavors of ice cream, Ferdinand's has been a staple on the WSU campus since the 1940s. Part of the larger WSU creamery organization, the shop’s name comes from the 1938 Disney short cartoon, “Ferdinand the Bull,” according to the creamery’s Web site. The full story is displayed through illustrated frames on the shop's walls.
"I think the products make the creamery special," Ferdinand’s supervisor Eric L. Needham said. "Canned cheese is rare. The flavor of the cheese is excellent and the ice cream is excellent. All the products are very good."
The creamery's most famous product is Cougar Gold, a sharp white cheddar cheese aged for a year and sold in 30 ounce cans. The cheese was a product of research sponsored during the forties by the United States government and the American Can Company. The goal was to develop a canned cheese that could be shipped overseas to troops without producing gas. Dr. N.S. Golding eventually helped create the now famous cheese, hence the name.
Since its invention, the recipe and bacteria used to make the cheese has been cultured for 60 years, Needham said.
"Cougar Gold is a tradition," he said. "A lot of alumni come back and visit the creamery for the cheese and the ice cream."
In addition to Cougar Gold and other cheeses, Ferdinand’s also sells ice cream products, such as milkshakes and ice cream sodas, and Cougar brand sausages.
"Ferdinand's is a great place to have on campus," Ferdinand's employee Chris W. Westerman said. "It's a fun place for students to come and grab an ice cream cone between classes. Customers can also watch the cheese and ice cream being made in the observation room."
Though his favorite cheese is Hot Pepper and his favorite ice cream is Tin Lizzy, Westerman said, there are so many options, customers come in and need a few minutes just to take everything in. One wall is covered with possible milkshake flavors, there's a cheese case full of different flavors, and of course, the ice cream cabinet.
Originally housed in Troy Hall, the creamery moved to its current location near the Food Science & Human Nutrition building in May 1992. Beginning in the late seventies, cheese was made at the creamery year-round and the revenue from the cheese and ice cream sales was enough to support the creamery and its research.
"I love working at Ferdinand's," Westerman said. "Years from now, I’ll be able to say I was part of a great WSU tradition."
The story of Ferdinand the Bull ends with him being taken back to his home pasture after he refused to fight at the bull fights in Spain.
Now he just sits and smells the flowers. He is very happy.
This little bull, who liked to sit beneath a cork tree and smell flowers, is the namesake of the Washington State University ice cream shop.
With eight flavors of cheese and more than 20 flavors of ice cream, Ferdinand's has been a staple on the WSU campus since the 1940s. Part of the larger WSU creamery organization, the shop’s name comes from the 1938 Disney short cartoon, “Ferdinand the Bull,” according to the creamery’s Web site. The full story is displayed through illustrated frames on the shop's walls.
"I think the products make the creamery special," Ferdinand’s supervisor Eric L. Needham said. "Canned cheese is rare. The flavor of the cheese is excellent and the ice cream is excellent. All the products are very good."
The creamery's most famous product is Cougar Gold, a sharp white cheddar cheese aged for a year and sold in 30 ounce cans. The cheese was a product of research sponsored during the forties by the United States government and the American Can Company. The goal was to develop a canned cheese that could be shipped overseas to troops without producing gas. Dr. N.S. Golding eventually helped create the now famous cheese, hence the name.
Since its invention, the recipe and bacteria used to make the cheese has been cultured for 60 years, Needham said.
"Cougar Gold is a tradition," he said. "A lot of alumni come back and visit the creamery for the cheese and the ice cream."
In addition to Cougar Gold and other cheeses, Ferdinand’s also sells ice cream products, such as milkshakes and ice cream sodas, and Cougar brand sausages.
"Ferdinand's is a great place to have on campus," Ferdinand's employee Chris W. Westerman said. "It's a fun place for students to come and grab an ice cream cone between classes. Customers can also watch the cheese and ice cream being made in the observation room."
Though his favorite cheese is Hot Pepper and his favorite ice cream is Tin Lizzy, Westerman said, there are so many options, customers come in and need a few minutes just to take everything in. One wall is covered with possible milkshake flavors, there's a cheese case full of different flavors, and of course, the ice cream cabinet.
On home football game weekends, Ferdinand's is open for four hours before kickoff and the line always stretches out the door, Westerman said.
Originally housed in Troy Hall, the creamery moved to its current location near the Food Science & Human Nutrition building in May 1992. Beginning in the late seventies, cheese was made at the creamery year-round and the revenue from the cheese and ice cream sales was enough to support the creamery and its research.
Needham's favorite part about working at Ferdinand's is serving the customers.
"The ice cream and cheese really make them happy," he said. "It's fun selling quality products."
The creamery produces approximately 250,000 cans of cheese each year, 82 percent of which is Cougar Gold, Needham said. The creamery used to employ about 30 part-time students, but the number has grown to about 50.
"I love working at Ferdinand's," Westerman said. "Years from now, I’ll be able to say I was part of a great WSU tradition."
The story of Ferdinand the Bull ends with him being taken back to his home pasture after he refused to fight at the bull fights in Spain.
Now he just sits and smells the flowers. He is very happy.
Monday, November 10, 2008
What's Happening to the News?
Within the first few minutes of the opening segment, it is said that the practice of applying the same standards to entertainment as news, is one of the greatest tragedies in journalism. This is one of the things that struck me most from the Frontline documentary. Standards for news have shifted, especially online when it's all about trying to get click-throughs and catch attention. The internet has certainly been good for journalism is some ways as well. There can now be instant updates and stories constantly develop through the day. But being a fan of traditional print journalism, the online trend leaves me concerned.
The President of ABC said he thinks news is what matters to people, and that's why so many broadcast stations have entertainment type stories. However, I would argue that in addition to what matters to people, journalists should take into account what should matter to people and also report on those issues.
I also find it interesting that most of the news content from online and broadcast stories still depends on the reporting done by print journalists. It's a weird relationship because while online coverage depends on newspapers, it is also threatening them. What will happen when newspapers become irrelevant and fold when they can't make a profit. Where will the reporting come from then?
One of the positive things about the internet is that the unlimited space allows for the expanded range of coverage. However, one of the biggest negatives I see is the fact that there are also no limits to the internet. Anyone can put forth something they call news and it can spread rapidly, but the accuracy and relevance of such stories is questionable. The creator of Rocketboom said he has never even thought about journalism and what that means. Without standards, there is nothing to prevent news from being corrupted. News should be trustworthy, but the internet with its openness to anyone and everyone can't offer this. Print journalism can, but it's a dying field.
The President of ABC said he thinks news is what matters to people, and that's why so many broadcast stations have entertainment type stories. However, I would argue that in addition to what matters to people, journalists should take into account what should matter to people and also report on those issues.
I also find it interesting that most of the news content from online and broadcast stories still depends on the reporting done by print journalists. It's a weird relationship because while online coverage depends on newspapers, it is also threatening them. What will happen when newspapers become irrelevant and fold when they can't make a profit. Where will the reporting come from then?
One of the positive things about the internet is that the unlimited space allows for the expanded range of coverage. However, one of the biggest negatives I see is the fact that there are also no limits to the internet. Anyone can put forth something they call news and it can spread rapidly, but the accuracy and relevance of such stories is questionable. The creator of Rocketboom said he has never even thought about journalism and what that means. Without standards, there is nothing to prevent news from being corrupted. News should be trustworthy, but the internet with its openness to anyone and everyone can't offer this. Print journalism can, but it's a dying field.
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