Welcome to the my Web site, v. XII. The blog is typically published Monday - Saturday. My primary topics tend to be the Nats, Penn State (esp. football), BeltwayLand, transportation, media, photos and more. The rest of the site gets updated as warranted and is noted on the blog.
New Nats reporter for Post announced - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, May 05, 2008
New Nats reporter for Post announced
Prepare to welcome a new beat writer - Nationals Journal, washingtonpost.com Chico Harlan, previously the Penn State football reporter for the Post-Gazette, will be succeeding Barry Svrluga on The Post's Nats beat. Those are very big shoes to fill. Hopefully, Svrluga's departure from the beat means he is on the fast-track to columnist status.
Newseum opens today - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, April 11, 2008
Newseum opens today
The Newseum is now open. Admission is free today, but starting tomorrow, $20. The price seems steep, especially with the Smithsonian's free admission, but it is worth it
I thought I would round up some articles about the museum, some pro, some con. I reviewed it last week after attending a preview.
Final Don & Mike Show today - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Final Don & Mike Show today
Don Geronimo makes his return to the Don & Mike Show for one final show today at 3 p.m. on WJFK and dozens of radio stations nationwide. He is retiring (early) after over 20 years on the show with Mike O'Meara. I expect him to name names and overall be very, very bitter and selfish, but occasionally grateful.
If Mike ever wants to kill off the Charly character, now would be a great time. I hope he doesn't though.
UPDATE: Don skipped the bitterness. He explained that he couldn't do the show anymore because it was keeping him from moving on from the death of his wife Freida. He talked about his new life and shared war stories with each member of the cast, ending with Mike. Now he's taking some time to say a few other things before he goes out.
There are few stories in particular that I'll comment on when they published:
Local Reporting, Breaking News Virginia Tech Shootings -- washingtonpost.com was behind everybody on the story for the better part of the morning, something I documented. I suppose the lesson is being first to break the news is not as important as covering it very thoroughly.
Feature Writing Pearls before Breakfast -- Gene Weingarten finds fascinating characters and stories and makes them come to life with his writing. While this wasn't my favorite Weingarten article, I commented at the time that he had "done it again." Of course, he jokes he had "nothing to do with it" but that he "would gladly accept the award." ALSO: His first post-Pulitzerchat.
I saw Heston speak at Penn State. His topics included acting, his role as a civil rights activist, which he is was both proud and smug about, and firearms. If I recall correctly, he was presented a rifle at the end. I went, half expecting to see protesters or, even better, people in ape masks, but neither happened.
The New Newseum - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, April 04, 2008
The New Newseum
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Since I am a "special friend" of the Newseum, I was able to get free preview tickets to the new museum. Erica, Fritz, dl004d (another media stuides major -- I'm not alone!) and Grand Marnier came along as well. Back when the Newseum was in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington, Va., I went to original Newseum, which closed in late 2001/early 2002, several times over the years. In fact, when I worked in Rosslyn I parked in a garage at the old Newseum.
The beginning starts of our visit was a little awkward.. Newseum guides recommended we start on the lower level, past the Berlin Wall and into the "holding center" to wait for the next showing of the 4D movie. Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as it sounds. Several panels of the wall and a death tower are on display. The wall is not much more than a giant Jersey barrier with graffiti on one side, the barbed wire is all missing.
After moving on into the holding center, 4D glasses (stylish!) are given out and a video about "getting it right" is played. The 4D movie about the power of the media in America is quite good, both for the technology and the message. It is also unintentionally funny in the beginning.
From there, we took the elevator to the sixth floor. They have an outdoor observation area that details the history of Pennsylvania Ave. and provides excellent views. The view of the Capitol building would be absolutely perfect, but for the fact there are maple leaf flags all over the adjacent building, an embassy, across the corner. It is a harsh reminder of Canadian domination on American life. The sixth floor also includes digital versions of today's newspapers.
Moving down to the fifth floor we checked out the history gallery. Newspapers in clear display drawers are heavily featured as well as other artifacts from news gathering. This area is significantly bigger than the previous Newseum -- you could spend all day right there. One disappointment though - the FORD TO CITY: DROP DEAD Daily News was not featured. How can you skip that if you are having a gallery of famous newspaper fronts? I skipped the books gallery - next time I'll check it out. I recall there being an exhibit about Edward R. Murrow on that floor as well.
The fourth floor features a 9/11 exhibit with a TV antenna from the World Trade Center, a time line of events and newspaper front pages. Photography is prohibited, which was fine with me. Having felt my office building shake when the Pentagon was attacked, I don't need to have reminders of that day. Also on the fourth floor was an exhibit on the First Amendment, which was quite interesting. We were reminded that burping is not covered by the First Amendment.
The third floor featured the Journalists Memorial and (if I recall correctly) the bombed out remains of Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles Datsun. He was killed in the 1970s while investigating mafia. World news is also explored on this floor. I found the color-coded Press Freedom map of most interest.
Since being "On TV" was not of any interest to me, the third floor was skipped. You can do a newscast there with assorted backdrops. It did not seem very well organized.
The second floor is the Hall of News with a large screen featuring still photographs of major news events and a ticker that uses mixed-case letters instead of all capitals, which pleased dl004d. A satellite and news helicopter hang at this level.
Interactivity is a big part of the Newseum experience. There are touchscreen monitors all over the place. There is a downside to this though, the touch screens provide many opportunities to see bad news like the Challenger explosion or several different assassinations. It gets to be a bit much.
Despite spending over four hours in the Newseum, we really just skimmed it. It would probably take several days to see everything there. Also, we stopped by "The Food Section" a cafeteria with Wolfgang Puck food. The prices were high, but the quality was fairly good. On that level there is the first satellite news truck as well as a small exhibit on comics.
Overall, all were quite pleased with the new Newseum. I am sure I will go back sometime, but at $20 admission, it will probably be a while. Even at that price though, the Newseum is a good value if you can devote a day to spending in it.
"Harsh reminder of Canada's domination on American life?" Surely you jest.
# posted by CP :
Thursday, April 17, 2008 12:41:00 PM
I'm as serious as a 5 on 3 powerplay. Watch this video and see what I'm talking about.
# posted by WFY :
Thursday, April 17, 2008 2:40:00 PM
Post a CommentWho hasn't admired the integrity of the Berlin Wall? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Who hasn't admired the integrity of the Berlin Wall?
WASHINGTON D.C -- I should have the Newseum write-up done tomorrow. In the meantime, ponder this message: ""In order to maintain the integrity of the Berlin Wall, please do not touch."
Only one more Don & Mike Show - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Only one more Don & Mike Show
UPDATED 04.03.2008: Also, Mike pub, O'Meara's in Manassas, has closed is only open on weekends. I never did get around to visiting it because, well, it was in Manassas. I guess I still could visit. DCRTV had incorrectly said it was closed. The economic slowdown was sighted as the reason.
DCRTV.com is reporting that Don Geronimo has "accelerated his retirement" and will only appear on the Don & Mike Show one more time, on April 11. Following that, The Mike O'Meara Show will debut on April 14 with the rest of the cast, plus former producer Beth Ann McBride.
I've listened to them on and off for the duration of the show. I'm curious what the next incarnation will be with only "one idiot." Had I not been listening them since I was a wee lad, I don't know if I would have found them at all entertaining, but with all the "history" I still tune them in.
BTW, I hope Don calls his autobiography "Honk for Cash."
Will new "Paterno" COMM class be obsolete soon? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, March 21, 2008
Will new "Paterno" COMM class be obsolete soon?
Fall COMM schedule includes JoePa class - The Collegian My college is offering a special class called COMM 497G Joe Paterno, Communications & the Media. "The class, which will explore how Paterno's relationship with the media has changed over the years, will be offered in fall 2008 and will be available to juniors and seniors"
I am sure the demand for this class will be quite high. I would want to take it. Hopefully, a student in the class will blog about it. Failing that, getting semester long subscription to Nittany Notes (with shipping included) seems the way to go.
Paterno has been invited to speak to it, but the invitation has not yet been accepted.
Of course, the big question is how long will such a class be timely? There was another article (Post-Gazette) quoting anonymous trustees about Paterno's contract status. Nothing has changed and no real information is available yet.
I think the best case scenario would be a three-year contract extension with Paterno retiring after one or two years. That may not happen though.
Big11Ten Network progress in Pennsylvania - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Big11Ten Network progress in Pennsylvania
David Jones of the Patriot-Newsreports on his blog that things are looking up for Pennsylvania cable subscribers who want to see Big11Ten Network. A deal is close for that will allow many Comcast subscribers will get it on expanded basic tier, except for the Philadelphia area which will have to pay extra.
This doesn't help me, but I know Penn Staters in the Keystone State will be pleased.
Will there be a Terrible Towel on his coffin? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Will there be a Terrible Towel on his coffin?
Legendary broadcaster Myron Cope dies at 79 - Post-Gazette The Maryland Bureau Chief tipped me off that Cope who was "so bad, he's good" as a long-time Steelers broadcaster died today at age 79. He was credited with inventing the Terrible Towel.
I remember on Thanksgiving Sunday we were driving back from seeing family friends in Michigan and we found a Steelers game. We agreed the broadcasters were awful. Later, through the magic of NFL Films, I became more familiar with his work and became a fan of him. Not a Steelers fan though (except for Super Bowl XL).
Barry Svrluga, Chico Harlan, Washington Post, Washington Nationals, Nats
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