suburban life magazine – KC Digital Marketing

Erring on the side of creativity

Chicago, Diary, Intern, Internship, Journalism, News Reporting, Uncategorized

Long time no see bloggers! I’m trying to get back into the habit of blogging because it’s been a while. And because of this, I have a lot of catching up to do.

PTM: Last week I finished my sports article and my music groups story. I also finished my parade piece that made me reminisce about my high school and college band days. I am finishing up a story about New Jersey’s Southern Shore. What I learned besides the information and attractions to go to is that I really want to pay a visit! With that story almost done, I have some time to think about that article being my second piece published in a magazine. I love those glossy pages and seeing my work in them is the cherry on top of a job well done.

The sports story was about Chicago Southland. photo from insite.sportsdirectory.org

Suburban Life: My band story was published two weeks ago as well as others. I started working on stories for Brookfield Suburban Life and the Addison Press. My two stories were more artistic than the typical news story and that’s why I enjoyed them. They were fun to do because I got to know these people not only because of their accomplishments but also the passion behind their successes.

I talked to a woman who just opened a store in Riverside called Flur that is a gluten-free bakery. She was very nice and told me about her gluten-free journey and how it led to Riverside. She was trying to find a building to call her home for her bakery when she was driving through Riverside as a short cut. She found 1 Riverside Road’s for rent sign and pulled over at the side of the road and called the number!

Flur_Prod_Cupcake_v1 — Cupcake Flavored Macaroon! Image from Flurflavorfirst.com

My second story was about the Choreographer of the Year nominated by Dance Chicago. Kate Jablonski has two companies, a youth group and a professional group. She seemed like a fun, energetic person but very hard working. Her style errs on the side of contemporary and reminds me of a spring board instead of the typical ballet “puppet on strings.”

NYK: I attended Tech Week Chicago and wrote an article about what I witnessed there. I learned about some software and networking as well as phone apps. It was also a lot of fun with different zainy things to drink or run into, *ahem* robots. I also went to the Chicago Artists Coaltion’s event where I took pictures for an article. It was a fusion of art, food and cheerleaders, believe it or not.

Orville Kline, Chicago DJ, and I. Image from nowyouknowevents.com

I also started editing people’s events last week and I’m really getting the hang of WordPress. I understand SEO more and am learning about a variety of events in the city!

I reference many of my stories in this article, let me know what you think in the comments! Also, if you want an easier way to navigate my stories I have a tab for each publication that showcases most of my work.

−Becky

Getting Into a Groove

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

A lot of things happened last week. It’s getting harder for me to do daily blog posts so I’m going to try to do once a week posts or a few times a week. I will always post when I have a new story published, but otherwise it’s hard to spend a day at work then blog afterwards.

At PTM, I finished my sports story about Chicago Southland. I am working on my story about national parades and Wildwoods New Jersey. All this research on destinations is making me want to vacation! Wildwoods seems like a fun, inviting place because of the fun on the boardwalks, the beaches and the attractions. The parade story is helping me reminisce of all the parades I performed in. The last parade I was in was for the last football game in 2012 at Mizzou. I’m including the Disney parade in the article and that reminded me of my experience with the Disney parade and workshops in high school. I went my freshman and junior years and each trip was different. One trip we visited Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry, the other year we went to the Islands of Adventure in Universal Studios.

At Suburban Life, I just finished my story about teenage popular hair trends for Suburban Life Magazine. I learned a lot about different styles and had my hair done last week coincidentally. Other stories were in the works but this week we are supposed to be swamped because we are down an editor.

For Now You Know, I covered a Birdhouse Auction last Thursday. It was very cool because I felt like I was at a swanky cocktail party. I’m also supposed to start editing this week more so than writing and I’m excited about that because that is what I am aspiring to do. This weekend I am covering Tech Week Conference so it’s going to be a busy weekend!

One of the birdhouses at the auction inspired by Tinkerbell. Image from Nowyouknowevents.com

So things are getting into a groove at my internships and I’m getting the hang of things. I’m learning a lot and and enjoying it. As much as I want to go back to school to see my friends, I like working. So it’s conducive for me to have these experiences because I am learning skills for the future and get a glimpse of the real world.

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.

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.

Efficiency: Suburban Life Media Day 3

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

Last Friday I was cranking out stories a mile a minute. The other Mizzou intern and I were talking about how it’s easier to write stories when you’re not in a hurry running to and from class or worrying about a test or after school activity to run to. I was able to finish three news briefs and have two published to the website. The information wasn’t anything new for me in regards to the procedure in how to get information. I would call a source and they would give me some quick tidbits of information to include in the story. I liked being able to focus for hours at a time without having to worry about anything else other than my deadline. I know I’m only an intern so I have less responsibilities, but it was satisfying to be able to go home from a long day’s work and not have a million things to still work on at home. This makes me excited to start working in the real world. To be able to have a sense of accomplishment everyday and not have to worry about a grade, but to just be accountable for your work during the day. I start the orientation for my third internship next week and that’s when things might get hectic. Hectic but in a good way because I’m doing what I love: Journalism!

Unpleasant Day, New Opportunity: Suburban Life Media Intern Day 1

Intern, Internship, Journalism, Mizzou, News Reporting

I started my internship at Suburban Life Media on Wednesday and the day did not get off to a good start. I woke up at 6 a.m. in order to arrive in Crystal Lake for orientation at 9. It was an hour and 20 minute drive with traffic and it started to pour. I was rushed to the facility but the experience was rewarding. I filled out some forms and we were able to get a look inside the headquarters of the parent company, Shaw Media. We were able to talk with advertising, marketing, accounting, photography, newspaper editors and a magazine editor. It was interesting because I was able to see the inner-workings of the brand instead of just the newsroom. Shaw Media also has a coupon and event information website called PlanIt with sites for northern areas near Crystal Lake as well as a PlanIt Life for the area near our office in Downers Grove. The site has coupons for restaurants and events as well as articles about what events to attend in your area. The website seems like a unique place that combines couponing and journalism that caters to different areas in the Chicago suburbs.

Speaking with the editor of Kane County and McHenry County magazines, I was able to get an insight on how local magazines work. Because they are county magazines, the magazine is able to cover different areas that may carry over to be content for other regional magazines. Each magazine has a theme each month and they coordinate sources to talk to based on that. The May issue was the Women’s Issue while June will be the Father’s Issue.

I also spoke to the editor of the new Suburban Life magazine, which covers towns such as Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale and Lagrange. The first issue just launched for May and she said I might be able to come to photo shoots and write features.

So far, my experience at Suburban Life Media seems potentially exciting with many opportunities The newspapers are organized well with content throughout DuPage, Cook County etc. And I might have the chance to work with the new magazine.