Orlando Sentinel Editor-In-Chief Speaks to Valencia Students

Mark Russell Explains the Value of Images in Printed Media

By Jonathan Romero

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The saying "one picture is worth a thousand words" demonstrates the importance of pictures and the information that they can convey.  But capturing the perfect image is a harder task that one might think.

Orlando Sentinel editor-in-chief Mark Russell spoke to a room of students on Valencia Community College’s West Campus about the importance of images in printed media, on Dec 7.

Russell assumed the top position at the Sentinel on Oct. 19, succeeding Charlotte Hall, after working for the Sentinel for only six years.  He spoke of using images as a powerful tool to convey a message and instill a perception that written word could not.

“Images are very powerful.  You may not remember every word of the story, but I bet you remember that photo, taken by the photographer.” Said Russell.

The process of capturing the perfect shot though, is more complicated than probably most people assume.  It takes precise timing, accuracy and luck to capture a shot worthy of publishing.

“You would not believe how much work it takes to get that shot, it’s amazing.  It’s like a production, and I’ve been there to see it before,” said Russell.  “Everything has to work to get it. If the strobe light doesn’t work, they don’t get that shot.  It just doesn’t look the same. “

The window of opportunity for a perfect shot can vanish in a split second, so photographers must work quickly and diligently.  Some in the audience could relate to the pressures felt, when getting all parts of the equation to work together in sync.

“Sometimes it’ll take three hours to set up a shot.  So it truly is a special feeling when you capture the moment and get it right.  All the time, energy, physical strife, it makes it worth it.” Said Russ Griner, an amateur photographer in the audience

Others in the audience were surprised at the complexity of the process. “I had no idea all that mathematical work went into getting such a simple picture,” said Adrian Valdez.  “I thought it was just a matter of taking enough pictures till you got the one you needed.”

Russell explained that in the end, an editor must make the choices that other’s wouldn’t necessarily think about to achieve the best possible shot.  “Sometimes an editor just has to be an ordinary citizen and say ‘okay, I like what you all are doing, but I want to do something different’”

Lauded Times Magazine Cover Author Speaks To Stetson Students

DELAND, Fla. – American author Jonathan Franzen gave a lecture at the Athens Theater on Monday Nov. 22 in DeLand to an audience of mostly college students from nearby Stetson University.  His topics ranged from his new book Freedom, run-ins with Oprah, as well as his favorite authors and writing techniques.

“Good writing accretes almost literally in the form of bad pages,” said Franzen of the process.  “Starting with 20 or 30 ideas and trying to fail for long enough that patterns in the failures start to emerge.”

Franzen appeared on the cover of Time Magazine in August 2010, the first American novelist to appear on the cover since Stephen King in 2000.

 “It’s so insightful and humbling to have such a prolific author speaking here to students,” said Sarah Gray, a Stetson sophomore. “Sharing his experiences and knowledge with us is so invaluable.”

The author of the 2001 National Book Award for Fiction, The Corrections, Franzen also writes for The New Yorker, The New York Times and The Guardian.

Choosing and developing a specific writing style begins in one’s youth explained Franzen.  “It all kind of depends on what you happen to read when you’re 19 or 20 and your eyes are open to literature.  For me it was Shakespeare and Kafka.” 

Although the audience was populated by mainly college students, the open-to-the-public event was also peppered with avid readers and fans, who understood the merit of his lecture to students.

“Having Jonathan Franzen speak to these kids at this age is so beneficial to their learning process,” said local fan and follower Harry Jacobs.  “He brings experience from the outside world, so it acclimates them at just the right time in their lives before they head out there.

Freedom comes nine years since after his last novel, The Corrections, which was named as one of the “100 Best Books of the Decade” by The Times.  “The nine year thing is a little misleading, because I did publish a complete and original memoir in that period.” 

Freedom was named as an Oprah book club selection earlier this year and hailed by US President Barack Obama as “terrific.”  It can be purchased along with his other works on his publisher’s website at http://us.macmillan.com/author/jonathanfranzen.

Democrats Remain Upbeat, Despite Expected Defeat

Republicans To Be Held Accountable.

By Jonathan Romero

ORLANDO, Fla. – Democrats came together Tuesday night in downtown Orlando, for an election night watch party hosted by the Orange County Democratic Party at Ember nightclub. 

As the predictions started trickling in and Democrats realized their inevitable defeat, the mood changed from desperate optimism to acceptance. “We’re highly disappointed,” said Orange County Democratic Party Chairman Jeremiah Jaspon, “but it’s something we anticipated.”

The reactions, albeit overwhelmingly disappointing, were still hopeful of the few positives that could be derived from the results.  Communications Director Bryan Mills saw it as an opportunity for Democrats going into the 2012 presidential election.  “Republicans can’t just stand around and say Democrats aren’t doing anything.” said Mills, “They’re the ones making the law and they’re going to have to do it with consensus.”

Jaspon reiterated this sentiment.  “Republicans can’t just stand on the sidelines and be the party of ‘No’ anymore.  They’re going to have their feet held to the fire like Democrats.”

The word going around was accountability.  With their majority in the House of Representatives, the Republicans now have a say in the discussion and will need to work with Democrats directly to pass legislation.  With the rhetoric now gone, the spotlight is now on both parties, as voters look for answers to what they believe Democrats could not do alone.

Some think that the answer isn’t an idealistic one, and one that Republican policy will be able to fix alone.  “The stuff they’ve been griping about is outside of anyone’s control, like the economy.” said Bryan Valentine, a local Democrat.  “And if in two years, we’re still sitting here having the same conversation with people out of work and unemployment still up, they’re going to be out on their butts too.”

Democrats pointed the finger at themselves for the poor result, as a lack of motivation and mobilization from the Democratic Party failed to energize their own base.  “The spirit should have been there in the beginning.” said Jose Fernandez, President of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida.  “They can’t just have a surge in the last two weeks and expect to win.”

  

The turnout for Hispanic voters was lower than expected and Fernandez believes it was the party’s fault for not having the resources to give people the information they needed.  “If they would have taken us into consideration more and not just at the end, we would have had everything.”

With politics being cyclical, some Democrats are hopeful that come 2012, the power will shift back into their hands.  In 1994, Bill Clinton lost control of both the House and the Senate, but was re-elected in 1996. “This could not have happened at a better time.  If democrats are going to lose, this is the time to lose.” said Valentine.

History tends to repeat itself, and some realize that the momentum will inevitably shift back into democratic hands in two years, when republican policies will be questioned and scrutinized.  “Two years ago we were celebrating on this night.  Tonight we’re not celebrating and in two years, I expect we’ll be celebrating again.” said Jaspon after the event.

Others were more confident of the eventual transfer of power.  “If we lose the senate and the house, Obama is going to have a second term.” said Mills. 

Whether they are hopeful or not, Democrats will have to be aware of their shortcomings and put their words into actions.  “We’ve got to wake up.  Let’s all stop being negative and all work together to get something done.” said Fernandez.  “We learned today and if we pick up for the next two years, we’ll be able to retain Obama, but we have to learn those lessons.”

Flutist Brings Solace to Winter Park Castle

By Jonathan Romero

WINTER PARK, Fla. -- As the claps resonated against the 19^th century old bricks in the living room at the Casa Feliz, the appreciative locals marveled at the beauty of the music being played in the historic venue.  The angelic sounds that warranted all the clapping was emanating out of Kelli Boquet’s flute, as she entertained a room filled with people of all ages.

Playing three 45-minute sets in the beautifully restored Spanish Farmhouse designed by acclaimed architect James Gamble Rogers II last Sunday, Boquet tried to elegantly imitate her own childhood hero Sir James Galway, an Irish-born virtuoso flutist whom she still admires to this day.

“I love his tone, and the emotion that he brings out in his music “ said Boquet, “I try to emulate that.”

Born in Miami, Boquet has lived in Orlando since 1987 and has played flute for over 30 years.  She attended the University of Central Florida where she majored in psychology and received a minor in music.  When she’s not playing at events, she spends her time working as a full-time paralegal. 

It was at a young age that she realized that the flute was her calling and she knew early on that it would be her profession as an adult. “When I was ten, I picked up the flute and I could play it right away” said Boquet, “it came real natural to me.”

Boquet’s music sets have a wide range of genres that she plays to entertain people of all different ages.  From classical to jazz and pop, she smoothly transitions between Vivaldi and Bach, to Antonio Carlos Jobim and Jason Mraz.

But she doesn’t just limit herself to adults, as in-between performing Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” masterpiece, she threw in some Disney songs such as "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" from Cinderella.  “My mom used to sing this to me every night before I went to sleep” said 11-year old Ashley Cohn with tears in her eyes.

Although she normally plays locally, Boquet has travelled as far as Sarasota and Vero Beach for weddings and events.  She plays in hotels, wedding receptions, art events, as well as being a part of the Orlando Flute Choir which features at Disney and SeaWorld.

“Kelli is amazing,” said Francois Mignon, “and this is a great place to showcase her ability and her music.”

In the near future she will be playing at the Orlando Museum of Art on Thursday, Oct. 28, as well as a the Morse Museum of American Art as part of her flute trio.  For more information visit her website at www.beautifulmusic.cc.

Former University of Central Florida Hero Returns Home To Defeat Florida Tuskers

Daunte Culpepper shines on his return to the stadium that launched his NFL career a decade ago.

By Jonathan Romero

ORLANDO, Fla. - Marking his 12 year return to the Citrus Bowl, former UCF quarterback Daunte Culpepper of the Sacramento Mountain Lions, rallied his team in the 4th quarter to beat the Florida Tuskers 21-17 in front of 10,066 fans.

Culpepper led Sacramento 71-yards down the field, before scoring himself from a 10-yard quarterback draw with two minutes remaining on the clock.  It was the second time this season that the Mountain Lions have come from behind to beat the Tuskers in the final quarter of the game. 

The 11-year NFL veteran, who called the Citrus Bowl home from 1995-1998 played a starring role in UCF's transformation into a respected Division 1 program, with a record-setting college career that included 12,459 total yards and 108 total touchdowns.  "I have a piece of the history and piece of the hard work we put into it," said Culpepper earlier this week.

But it was Sacramento's defense that kept them in the game, holding the Tuskers to just 179 total offensive yards.  After a botched fake punt, two fumbles, an interception and a safety, Tuskers head coach Jay Gruden reflected on his team's inability to maintain the lead against a seemingly weaker opponent.

"Offensively, we're just not getting it done" said Gruden after the game.  "It seems we are playing real tight right now."

Florida started the game in convincing fashion, after kicker Nick Novak completed a 48-yard field on their first possession.  The defense shut down the Sacramento offense the entire 1st quarter and went into the 2nd with a 10-0 advantage after running back Dominic Rhodes scored a 3-yard touchdown from an eight play drive.

The Mountain Lions put some points on the board two minutes before halftime after a 97 yard drive that culminated in a six-yard touchdown pass to former Tuskers receiver Marcus Maxwell.  The Florida Tusker's inability to score in the final two minutes of the half was a telling foreshadow of their offensive shortcomings and would prove divisive later in the game.

Both teams struggled offensively at the start of the second half, but it was the Mountain Lions who capitalized the most after an eight yard sack deep in Florida's territory led to a Tusker's safety, bringing the score to an almost even 10-9 going in to the final quarter.

After a botched fake punt in the 4th quarter, Sacramento found themselves on the Florida 20-yard line, but had to settle for a 27-yard field goal to take their first lead of the game (10-12).  On their following possession, facing a 4th and five, Culpepper threw an interception to Tuskers linebacker Tony Taylor, who returned it for 32 yards to the Mountain Lion 5-yard line.  On the following play, Rhodes took an inside handoff up the middle for the touchdown to give the Tuskers the lead back at 17-12 with 8 minutes remaining on the clock. 

Culpepper led his trailing team on a six minute, 14-play, 71-yard touchdown run, to give his team the final score of 17-21.  Florida had two minutes remaining to salvage the win, but came up short just as they had before the half and walked away with a familiar bitter taste in their mouths.

The loss drops the Tuskers to 2-3 on the season, trailing both Omaha and Las Vegas (3-1), but coach Gruden isn't relinquishing any hope of a successful season.  "The main thing is that I told our guys that this season is not over by a long shot, I still believe 5-3 will get a team in to a championship game." 

The Tuskers play host to Omaha in two weeks time at the Citrus Bowl on November 5th, and Gruden believes the time off will be beneficial for his players to compose themselves, come back and make an imperative sweep of their final three games.  "I told our guys that they just need to come back, relax and start having some fun.

Local Musician Brings Together People of All Ages

By Jonathan Romero

ORLANDO, Fla. — Stomp, Clap, Stomp, Clap... The enthusiasm around the room was palpable as the entire audience rallied together in unison.  Stomp, Clap, Stomp, Clap...  The tension intensified and the walls rattled as they became resoundingly emphatic.  STOMP, CLAP, STOMP, CLAP... The inevitable war cry anticipated by the audience, from whom they focused their attention and energy toward, was all that was seemingly needed before the entire foundation of the building would begin to crumble.  STOMP, CLAP, STOMP, CLAP... Here it was, the moment at last: STOMP, CLAP... CHOO-CHOO?

There were smiles abound as the audience, as wide an age group as one could find, listened excitedly to Richard Peoples sing about the 'Railroad Blues'.   To his avid fans, parents and children alike, he was simply known as 'Mr. Richard', but here in a small children's book section in Barnes and Noble, he was a rock star.  A crowd of 70-80, some wearing 'Mr. Richard' t-shirts, were packed into the small nook which normally only accommodated maybe a fourth of its current capacity.

He was living his dream and enjoying the moment.  "I tell kids, 'Musicians and football players don't work, we play.'  I always tell them it's a good career choice because you never have to go to work," said Peoples, who has been playing music since the age of 14.  “I don't like anything that seems like work." In between songs, he sympathized with an audience member trying to calm her distraught infant by quoting English playwright and poet, William Congreve, advising her, "Music soothes the savage beast."

From his early beginnings in Shreveport, Louisiana to his service as a 'Story-Teller' for the Orange County Library System in Orlando 11 years ago, Peoples realized that he didn't really fit into the corporate world.   Consequently, he has spent the last six years working on his solo sing-a-long music career that sees him perform in front of children of all ages, almost 400 times a year, all around the city.  

As a result, he's garnered support from a wide variety of unlikely followers.  "It was a lot of fun! I think the adults got into it a little bit more than the kids did," said Tonya Brewer, an Orlando native and first-time audience member.  It's the versatility of his music that’s a testament to his writing and composing abilities.  "[In] any of my tunes, I could change the lyrics to a grown-up theme or topic and it could still work," said Peoples.

Peoples, who doesn't have any kids of his own, wanted to tap into a market that is almost entirely dominated by Disney and acclaimed groups such as "The Wiggles", and become part of this under-the-radar network of people who want to entertain children.  He has successfully achieved this, particularly on the local level, with the release of his three CDs: "Might As Well Sing", "Tummy Talk", and "Polka Dot Puzzle". 

"My family has all of his CDs and even my mom has all three," said Becca Braddock, a long-time follower of Peoples, who regularly travels around Orlando following him to his events with her two-year-old and seven-month-old in tow.  Even her youngest has an appreciation for his music.  "She loves it and jumps and kicks her feet,” said Braddock.  "That's all I ever hear in my house, is 'Mr. Richard'."

He's featured in the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina.  His albums have also received some acclaim, earning recognition in Parenting Magazine and winning a Children's Music Web Award for Best Recording for Children ages 5-8.

Peoples also appears regularly with his trio group, The Pound Hounds, and has another adult band, Tribulation People, with friends.  However, his real passion remains with the children he entertains and educates every day.  He introduces kids to instruments they might not have previously known of, such as the mandolin or the ukulele, to compliment his mainstay of guitar, bass and harmonica.

As for the reception he received for his show, Peoples is just grateful for the turnout and thankful to his loyal fan base.  "A lot of times, Saturdays can be sketchy because older siblings have ball games and school functions.  Normally, dads don't want to do anything on Saturday ‘cause of ball games. So, I think it went really well, especially considering the circumstances." For more information on Richard Peoples and his upcoming events, visit his website at www.mrrichard.net and become a part of his burgeoning accumulation of followers.

UCF Women's Soccer Team Maintains No. 23 Rank With Wins Over Conference Rivals East Carolina and Marshall

Second half comeback shows Knight's determination and fighting spirit

By Jonathan Romero

Valencia Voice

ORLANDO, Fla  -- In their second Conference USA match of the year, following a monumental battle in monsoon-like conditions in Friday night's 5-3 win against East Carolina, the UCF women's soccer team improved their record to 7-2-1 Sunday, with a well-fought comeback victory over Marshall to win the game 2-1.  Having conceded early, it took the Knights just three minutes in the second half to take the lead for the eventual win. 

Their Conference USA record now stands at 2-0-0 after the eventful weekend, but their opponents’ drive and vitality isn't something that is escaping the notice of Head Coach Amanda Cromwell.  "This is the kind of game we can expect in the Conference USA.  We have a target on our back and our kids can't just show up," said Cromwell after the game.  "I give a lot of credit to Marshall in the first half.  They came out and defended well, had a game plan, and really pressured our kids.  They deserved to be up in the first half."

After a dismal first half where the Knights looked flat and lethargic, the girls came out of the locker room after half time with a new mentality.  "At halftime we said to them, 'All you are right now is talented, but you're not good.  You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don't work, it doesn't matter.'  That was something we tried to slam into their heads," said Cromwell.

That message seemed to resonate with the team and motivated them to fight for each other and put in the work they lacked in the first half.  "After the halftime speech, we really wanted to work hard.  We wanted to grind it out and win.  That's something our team says a lot," said Marissa Diggs, whose game-winning goal in the 66^th minute put the team in front.

Marshall (3-4-2) opened up the scoring in the 14^th minute on a Megan Tabler goal from 20 yards out.  After a combination of passes between midfielders, Erika Duncan and Meghan Wetzel, Tabler collected a through-ball pass in the box and finished it into the left side of the net.  The Knights, who held an advantage in shots (20-7), only managed to put three on target before half-time, as Marshall keeper, Lexa Hughes, made the easy saves each time.

Coming into the second half, the Black and Gold looked sharper and started connecting with each other.  With 30 minutes left on the clock, they earned a free kick near the center circle of the field.  Defender Christina Petrucco delivered the ball into the box and found fellow Senior, Amanda Martorana, who timed her header perfectly and helped UCF pull even at 1-1 with her second goal of the season in the 62^nd minute.

Less than four minutes later, the Knights would get their game-winning goal after earning themselves another set-piece with a corner from Katie Jackson, one of UCF's top scorers this season.  Jackson delivered the ball into the 18, and amid the confusion of the Marshall defenders, it took an awkward deflection and somehow inexplicably found the foot of Diggs who tapped in the easy goal from a few yards out.  It was the defender's first-collegiate goal and one that put the Knights in the lead and in the driver's seat for the win.  From then on, UCF played a game of containment and maintained the lead for the remaining 20 minutes until the final whistle.

Looking ahead, UCF faces Conference USA teams from now until the end of the season.  Their next game on October 1^st is against reigning Conference Tournament Champions, Memphis.  As Regular Season Champions, UCF sees the game against Memphis as the game of the season.  "Memphis is the team to beat.  To win the Conference, we need to beat them," said Martorana.  Coach Cromwell reiterated that and emphasized the importance of winning against their biggest Conference rivals.  "We're both ranked and vying for the top spot in the league, so Friday we gotta go out and win; it's a statement game."