Blogging – KC Digital Marketing

Finalizing and quick reporting: Suburban Life Media Day 6

Blogging, Chicago, Intern, Internship, Journalism, Mizzou, News Reporting

Today I drove over to the Dunkin’ Donuts on 63rd street to check out “Cop on Top” an event that raised money for Special Olympics Illinois. It was the first time I had to go on the scene to report and it turned out fine. I met Westmont’s Police Chief Thomas Mulhearn as he stepped down from the roof on a ladder.

Westmont’s Police force has been participating in the event for a few years and it raises money for the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run. Officers throughout the state participate in a run to start off the games for the Special Olympics this summer.

I also spoke with a few volunteers from the event and they were all happy I was there. I talked with the Chief about how my brother is special needs and I appreciate his efforts in helping Special Olympics.

Chief Mulhearn with some of the volunteers and a Dunkin’ Donuts employee. Image credit: Becky Neems

I could tell it pulled at his heart strings to help with the cause and that’s what makes a difference.

Later in the day, I was continuing my patio story and getting some finite examples of what I wanted to say. Taking a look at Pier 1 Import’s outdoor guide, I saw some beautiful patio sets and wished my family would invest in some trendy items.

I’m hoping to finish the story early next week. It will be exciting because it will be my first ever feature story in a magazine. I wrote an article for Vox magazine’s website, which was a lot of fun, but being able to see my name in glossy print will be worth it.

In a few hours, I will be reporting for Maifest Chicago 2013, getting all the German food, beer and music I can to get a feel for the German culture. I will reporting there all weekend, so I will have a final story at the beginning of next week, so stay posted.

Patio Design and Quilting: Suburban Life Media Day 5

Blogging, Chicago, Diary, Intern, Internship, Journalism, Mizzou, News Reporting, Suburban Life Media

Today I had a hectic morning but an easy afternoon. I went to a new quilt store called Quilter’s Quest in Woodridge to talk with the owner. I learned about all the fun fabrics, big machines and what processes to make the quilt.

The owner told me that in order to make a quilt, there are three layers, like a sandwich. There’s the quilt top, comprised of different patterns, patches and shapes, which the customer makes. Then there’s the batting, which is the polyester stuffing in the middle. The backing is, you guessed it, the back fabric of the quilt. The machine they use to sew it all together is called a Longarm that sews all three layers together. The machine can sew it in a line pattern, but also can do any shape or pattern you suggest, like musical notes or butterflies. Quilter’s Quest said it’s going to be a modern shop with bright colors and patterns and batik fabric. Batik is a fabric made in Indonesia that usually is floral with vibrant coloring.

purple_orange_cherry blossoms — Batik is a bright-colored fabric made in Indonesia.

Peaking into the world of quilting makes me appreciate that artform and how difficult it can be to make a colorful blanket.

Another story I’m working on is for Suburban Life Magazine on how to improve your patio. The Great Escape representative told me that people are shifting more towards furniture that looks like it would fit in your living room but has weatherproof fabric. Pier 1 Imports has their well-known Swingasan-their wicker swings, while Room and Board has portable fire places that use eco-friendly fuel. I didn’t know much about what makes a patio beforehand, considering at my house we just got ours redone from our original patio from when our house was built 40 years ago. The main gist, just like the Quilting store, is that people can use bright colors with accessories if they want to keep with neutral colors for furniture.

People are leaning more towards outdoor furniture that looks like it could be in the living room but with weather-proof fabric. Pier 1 Imports catalogue example.

Bitchin’ Purge, No really that’s what it’s called! Now You Know Events Event 1

Blogging, Chicago, Diary, Intern, Internship, Journalism, Mizzou, News Reporting

On Sunday during the lovely Memorial Day weekend I was able to report on my first story for nowyouknowevents.com. The website is a blog that is dedicated to events that are happening in the city of Chicago. It’s a blog that consists of a calendar as well as brief descriptions before the events and an event recap.

My event was called Bitchin’ Purge 3: Battle of the Sexes Tournament featuring comedian Megan Gailey of the podcast Naked Sports Live and the TBS pilot “Sick Day.” It took place in Wicker Park on Division at Jerry’s Sandwiches. Coincidentally enough, my second cousins own the restaurant. They always have live jazz, comedians, standup and other live entertainment in their stage room.

The event was a lot of fun and had a relaxed atmosphere. Everyone was bashing bad customers they’ve had while drinking a pint.

I also looked into the Naked Sports Live podcast and Megan is super funny! I don’t have a keen interest in sports but she definitely maintained my interest!

Steve Shields and Emily Drews Westfall hosting the show

Steve Shields, the guy who thought of the Bitchin’ Purge has dealt with many a unpleasant customers. He said 95 percent of customers are great, though five percent not so much…

He started making a documentary three years ago about the service industry and ironically enough, no one wanted to be on camera! I guess not everyone is like me. I’d pounce on an opportunity to be on camera.

Anyway, he decided to have a story-telling comedy slam to let the servers’ voices be heard. The event was hilarious yet disturbing at times. Steve’s brother talked about the terrible old days at RainForest Cafe while a woman Lindsay talked about how she had a stalker at one of the bars where she works.

Having Never been a part of the service industry, I learned a lot and it was eyeopening to hear what these people had to say. Moral of the story: Tip more!!

Field reporting and fun story topics: Suburban Life Media Day 4

Blogging, Chicago, Diary, Intern, Internship, Journalism, Mizzou, News Reporting, Suburban Life Media

Today, I was able to get out of the office to report a quick story! Even though it doesn’t seem like a big deal, my tush thanks me from all the long hours sitting in a chair. Our newspapers have sections called Street Talk where we talk with members of the community about a fun topic and we put their picture and answer in the paper. It’s a fun little section that personalizes our publications. I was working on the section for the Westmont Progress where I had to go to the beautiful Grocery Store called Standard Market on Ogden Ave. in Westmont. I talked with four different people about their plans for the summer. Most were excited to be in the paper, even for a fun, little section.

I also am working on stories with fun topics. I am writing a story for Suburban Life Magazine about fun ways to spice up your patio. I’ve spoken with The Great Escape and will talk to two other places about what fun things to use or how to furnish your patio. Another artistic story I’m working on is about Quilt Quest, a new quilt shop opening in Woodridge. The owner has had a passion for quilting for a while and she decided to open up the store with her husband to offer patterns, kits and machines to help the local quilter with his or her creativity. I’m stopping by the store tomorrow morning to get a look at some of the quilts and patterns, and I think it will be a fun story. Being able to cover artistic topics is a good change of pace for me than writing news briefs. Because I want to go into the magazine world, it is helpful for me to emerge into the local community in a creative way.