My First Memory

Although I have a few vague memories that may or may not be the first, one memory always comes to mind when I answer this question. When I was about four, I was at Frank's Nursery with my mom and she had ran into a friend of hers as we were on our way out. They began talking for a while and I had apparently had enough and wanted to leave. To get my mom to wrap up her conversation I began tugging at her leg. I kept tugging and tugging and wasn't getting a reaction until I heard my moms voice asking me what I was doing. The problem was that the voice was coming from behind me. Then I realized that I had spent that past several minutes tugging on the women's leg who my mom was talking to. For some reason, I remember being completely mortified and reacted by running back into the store and hiding. I can't remeber much else of the story but my mom tells me a store employee ended up finding me inside of a big flower pot.

Wreckage from 1955 jet crash found in Pacific Ocean near Los Angeles, volunteer searchers say

startribune.com

According to an amateur historian, remains of an Air Force jet that was lost at sea 54 years ago were found off the coast of southern California. The remains they found matched the serial number of a jet that departed from Los Angeles International Airport with two crewmen aboard on October 15, 1955.

The board has spoken; boys, girls and sports don't mix

On Tuesday night, the school board sat down to make a decision regarding high school athletic programs. The board decided unanimously to ban boys from participating in girls’ sports.

The issue stemmed from an instance where four boys participated in the schools’ girls’ field hockey program last year. The boys played on the team last fall and helped the team reach the state playoffs. The policy suggests that the boys’ increased size, speed and power presents an unfair advantage, as well as a physical safety hazard for the girls.

As one may assume, this has caused some controversy among people who are for and against the ban. Jacob Stevens is a senior at the high school and was a member of the field hockey team last year. He spoke at the board meeting: “I don’t think it is fair. There are countries in the world where men’s field hockey is a recognized sport. Not every guy wants to play football, basketball or baseball. Field hockey is a fast and exciting sport that requires a lot of skill.” Jacob continued and stressed the fact that there are not enough interested boys to create their own field hockey team. “If we can’t play with the girls, we wouldn’t be able to play.”

Sandra Adler, mother of a girl member of the field hockey team last year and former high school field hockey participant, is married to Stuart Adler, minister of the Church of Christ. Mr. Adler said: “I just don’t think it is healthy mentally or physically to have the boys and girls playing on the same team. There are probably girls who want to play on the boys’ football and baseball teams, but they are not allowed. So I don’t think the boys should be allowed to take over the girls’ team sports. Just because there are not enough boys interested in the sport to field their own team is not justification for their being allowed to join the girls’ team.”

Hugh Baker, the school athletic director, suggests the policy now puts them at a disadvantage. Since several other schools don’t have a ban, it now puts the girls on these teams in danger. “If safety is the issue of concern for the board, then our girls’ teams would have to forfeit games if there are boys on the opposing teams. Our girls’ field hockey team would have had to forfeit at least ten of their 18 games last season because we played other schools with boys on their teams.”

On the contrary, school board member Jane Tribitt supports the policy that she proposed after receiving complaints from parents in both the home and away districts. She suggests that other schools will now adopt similar policies. She thinks once this happens, “the question of forfeiting games will then become a moot point.”

Regardless of the conflicting view points, the policy has been approved and is effective immediately. Despite several arguments, boys are now banned from playing on the girls’ field hockey, volleyball and softball teams.

My first day at ARCC

As I woke up for my first day of college, several different scenarios of how it would play out were racing through my head. One second I'd be excited, the next intimidated, the next bitter that the summer was coming to an end. I don't remember the day as much as I remember the anticipation of the day. However, I do remember having a conversation with a few friends after my classes were over. I was no longer nervous or excited. I was just content of where I was and the position I was in to take the next step in my life. Ever since, I have just viewed it as what it is. School.

Lakeville school loses quarter of students to 'flu-like sickness'

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/60048302.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl

Eastview Elementary reported 175 absences on Monday, over one-fourth of their student body. With the countries swine flu concerns growing, many parents and faculty members are suggesting closing the school until the illnesses are contained. Despite five of the illnesses being confirmed as the swine flu, no official decision has been made regarding closing the school.

Fatal Multi-Vehicle Accident On Interstate 790

Two drivers were killed and 20 more hospitalized in a big accident this morning on Interstate 790. Although the police department has not finished investigating the accident, they have a general idea of what they believe happened. At 6:45 a.m., two tractor-trailers crashed into one another causing a chain reaction involving a total of 4 tractor-trailers and 14 other cars in the accident just a couple miles outside of town.

As morbid as the result of this accident has been, Sgt. Albert Wei of the Police Department acknowledged that it could have been a lot worse. One of the tractor-trailers involved was apparently a tanker hauling diesel fuel. Had the tanker leaked any fuel or caught fire, the result could have been far more catastrophic.

Despite any relief of the accident being worse, Fire Chief Tony Sullivan said the scene was unlike anything he had seen in his many years with the Fire Department. All five of the fire department’s ambulances were on seen, along with ambulances from four surrounding cities. Memorial Hospital’s “Life Flight” helicopter also came to air-lift two of the worst injured casualties to the trauma center in Statesville. Sullivan went as far as saying the scene looked as if it were a war zone.

As of 10 a.m., Interstate 790 has been closed indefinitely. Sgt. Wei has no indication of when they will be able to open it back up to the public. Those who use Interstate 790 had to use Interstate 690 this morning, causing a three hour delay on 690.
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Much more than No. 4 for the Vikings

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/premium/59186897.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl

By Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune

The much anticipated season opener for the Vikings resulted in a convincing win. To no surprise, Adrian Peterson carried the offense with 180 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Also, Brett Favre enjoyed a solid debut with 110 yards passing and a touchdown connection with rookie wideout Percy Harvin in a 34-20 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Recently Visited Restaurant

This past Saturday, I went to a restaurant in St. Anthony that I had never been to before. It was an establishment named Smash Burger. My friend who lives a few blocks from there insisted I tried it and claimed that they may, in fact, make the best burger he has ever had the pleasure of eating. When we got there it was absoloutly packed. I also learned that it's called Smash Burger because they take big balls of raw meat and smash them onto the grill, giving them a burger shape. Needless to say, it was a very unique resaurant experience and I'd recommend any readers to try it.

What I've learned about leads

There were numerous insightful things I learned about writing leads in Chapter seven. However, there were a few in particular that I'm sure will end up helping significantly because they were mistakes that I could definitely see myself making. For example, I often times try too hard when I'm writing which often times leads to long and complicated sentences which is a definite "don't" when writing a lead. Another aspect I feel I'll need to keep in mind is keeping any personal opinions I have out of my lead or any part of a news story for that matter. One thing I think I'll enjoy while writing leads will be the search for the stories most unusual and interesting developments. I think writing news stories will be very engaging if I'm building the story around a central idea that I'm interested in.