Blogging about Blogging

Blogging, whether viewed as a legitimate source of news and information or not, has become an extremely popular medium for expressing personal views of basically any topic. It is important for anyone interested in pursing a career in journalism to become familiar with the world of blogging. For this reason, students taking an upper level journalism course should become well versed bloggers by the end of the semester. Topics for blogs can be so diverse that the possibilities are endless. Some of the most popular blogs include topics about lifestyle: fashion, food, travel, etc. The main issue with these blogs is that the main appeal for them is the high quality photos they post rather than the content of the writing. While it is important to recognize that photo-blogging/journalism are important skills to have, we must also focus on key components of journalism/blogging: conveying news and ideas through writing.

Marriage Equality Momentum

The past two weeks have been monumental in the fight for marriage equality in the United States. To date, 29 states have been approved same sex marriage. Just recently, Idaho, North Carolina, Nevada, Alaska, West Virginia, and Virginia passed legislation for same sex marriage. This will mean much more weddings across the country, boosting the economy.

Just recently the Catholic Church shifted in it's views on same sex relationships praising committed gay and lesbian partnerships. These are all huge leaps forward in the fight for equality among LGBT Americans. Currently, Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Florida, Louisiana, and Michigan have ruled their bans on same sex marriage as unconstitutional, but the legislation has not changed. The progress made this month shows a promising future for equality, and we can only hope to see more states extend the rights to their LGBT citizens.

Big iPhone?!

Another fall, another new iPhone. Every year Apple's cult following of iPhone users anxiously await the highly anticipated new iPhone. This year users were pleasantly surprised by two iPhone models o choose from: the 6 or the 6 plus. In competing with their ever bitter competitors Samsung Galaxy and the Galaxy Note, Apple released the iPhone 6 plus which boasts a flashy 6.22 inch display. In response to the iPhone 6 plus' release, Samsung released a commercial poking fun at the large screened iPhone saying that the phone had been released already... the Galaxy Note. In trying win an impossible fight, Samsung's lame attempt at snatching up iPhone loyal customers will always fall short. Maybe next time, Samsung. Maybe next time. 

Broadway Marquee Dims Lights for Joan Rivers

To honor the lives of those largely affiliated with Broadway, the Broadway League decides whether or not to dim Broadway's marquees in their honor. This summer, Broadway legend Elaine Stritch passed away and the Broadway League rightfully made the decision to dim marquees for one minute.

Rivers performing in Sally Marr...and her escorts in 1994

Following the death of the beloved Joan Rivers, the Broadway league decided not to dim their marquees. They justified their decision saying that, "Under our criteria people need to have been very active recently in the theater, or else be synonymous with Broadway – people who made their careers here, or kept it up." Although Joan has always been an avid supporter of Broadway, attending countless opening nights and benefits, she had not acted on Broadway in over 20 years according to Broadway League Executive Director Charlotte St. Martin.

Immediately after they released their decision, the theatre community made their voices heard through a social media campaign using the Twitter hashtag #Dim4Joan. Just one day later the Broadway League decided to reverse their decision. The Broadway marquees were dimmed September 9th for one minute at 6:45 p.m.

Stratford Shakespeare Festival

Every year the Theatre and English Departments take students to Stratford, Ontario to partake in the largest classical theatre festival in North America.

Ranging from works of Shakespeare to early 20th century plays and musicals, the Stratford Festival is a landmark event for theatergoers. 

This year students saw performances of A Midsummer Nights Dream, Mother Courage and Her Childen, Alice Through the Looking Glass, King John, Crazy for You, and Hay Fever. The diverse selection of works gave students breadth of knowledge from various classical playwrights of different eras. 

Downtown Stratford, Ontario

This particular production of A Midsummer Nights Dream was very popular among the students because it featured modern themes including same sex relationships between principal characters and sporadic singing of modern songs like Grenade by Bruno Mars.

Celebrating Canadian culture even further, the theatre festival predominantly features Canadian actors. Albeit, many festival goers come from all over the world, many from America. Being such arts and culture hub, Stratford attracts many young artists, making it a popular destination
for any english or theatre student. The Wittenberg students look forward to attending the event each year. 

CVS Health: PR Genius

CVS Pharmacy has officially changed their name to CVS Health in order to reflect on their new commitment to improving the health of others. Their logo has also changed as they have added a red heart to their name.

In doing so, CVS no longer sells tobacco products. But does CVS actually care about people purchasing tobacco products or are they just PR/Marketing geniuses? Regardless of their intentions, the store's new branding will generate an internet buzz about the chain store, which can only help their image, and undoubtedly sales.

CVS banning tobacco products will not stop anyone from purchasing cigarettes or chewing tobacco, so why should they make such a big deal about their shift in inventory? One could argue that any large chain store would take advantage of this new image in order to gain publicity. But who's to point fingers at CVS Health? They have a fantastic PR department. And don't feel bad for them, their lack of sales in tobacco products will be surpassed by their jump in sales from publicity.

Gentrification in NYC: Good or bad?

Throughout the years, the demographics of New York City neighborhoods continue to change.
Defined as the shift in urban areas catering to wealthier residents, gentrification has stirred up controversy among New Yorkers.

The double edged sword, gentrification, is praised for developing economy and lowering crime rates while it is criticized for driving the lower class out the communities they call home.

Many areas of Brooklyn including Green Pointe and Williamsburg, have already undergone extreme gentrification as the cost of living is credited as being higher than most areas of Manhattan.

Harlem, which used to be known for it's high crime rates, is seeing a shift catering more towards young professionals. In 5 years will Harlem be the new Hell's Kitchen? Will Williamsburg be the new West Village?

While gentrification is famed for its economic eviction of the lower class, it also presents many economic opportunities for real estate investors, young professionals, restaurateurs and much more. But is it worth driving prices up and ultimately people out of their homes?