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Washtenaw Community College Press Release - 2005-02-18 19:11:24 The Courier story: (available in print only): [Headline:] WCC is site of Science Olympiad Local middle and high school students compete in regional science games [no period] How can an egg survive a six-foor free fall? What is the best design to keep a bottle rocket aloft? These are some of the science problems that will be solved by student teams from area middle and high schools at the Region 9 Science Olympiad, Saturday, March 19 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at Washtenaw Community College. Winners of the day�s events will be announced at the 4 p.m. closing ceremony in the Towsley Auditorium. Students from Washtenaw, Lenawee, Livingston, and Monroe Counties will converge on campus to test their science skills in team competition. WCC and Eastern Michigan University work together to hold the event, with Washtenaw providing the facilities and logistic suppor and EMU coordinating the events, which are developed and run by EMU teacher education students. These events test student skills in biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, and technology. The Olympiad takes place in science labs and classrooms throughout the WCC campus. There are five new events for this year�s contest: --Awesome Aquifer challenges students to design and build a model aquifer [no period] --Chemical ID puts students to the test to identify mystery solids based on their reaction to certain elements, and each other [no period] --Computer This requires teams to solve a problem using data from the Internet and presenting their conclusions in a professional format using data graphs [no period] --Fermi Questions rewards the fastest team to plot out a rough estimate of quantity using powers of ten [no period] --Forensics pits future crime scene investigators against one another to identify polymers, solids, fibers and other materials found at a crime scene [no period] Categories returning this year include: cell biology, astronomy, the science of fitness and health, experimental design, science knowledge, rocks and fossils, remote sensing, designer genes, bridge building and much, much more. The Science Olympiad is an international, nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science, and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. To find out more about the 2005 Region 9 Science Olympiad, contact Cathie Dries at 734-973-3630. * * * * * * * * * * * * The Band Mound's Press Release - 2005-02-18 19:19:24 Contact: David Binkowski Tel: (586) 822-1466 E-mail: [email protected] Radiohead Finally Returns to Metro Detroit Ypsilanti, Mich. (February 24, 2004) Concert goers in the metro Detroit area will hear something that they haven't since 1997 - Radiohead. No, the band isn't returning to Detroit since their mosh-filled concert at the State Theater, but Detroit rockers Mound are giving fans of the Brit sensation the next best thing. Tonight is the second installment of the Tribute Night series at the Elbow Room in Ypsilanti, where Detroit and Ann Arbor bands will play Radiohead songs. "Last month's Tribute to Nirvana and Foo Fighters drew a packed house," says Dave Binkowski, organizer of the 2005 Tribute Night schedule and singer/bass player for Mound, "We may end up with a line outside the door tonight." Tribute Night also offers fans of the local bands the opportunity to hear their favorite artists in a whole new way. "It's the classic struggle for bands to keep the audience engaged," explains Jud Branam of the alt-country band Corndaddy, and founder of Tribute Night. "This way the fans get a chance to hear music they're familiar with and for the bands to gain a few fans." This year's schedule includes Tributes to [the] energetic genres punk rock and rockabilly as well as popular acts including Radiohead, U2 and Smashing Pumpkins. Tonight's Tribute Night is to Radiohead and starts at 9:00 PM. Cover for the event is $3, ages 21 and over are welcome. More information is available by visiting http://www.tributenight.com. About Tribute Night Started in 2004 by Jud Branam of Corndaddy, Tribute Night features Detroit and Ann Arbor musicians performing covers and interpretations of popular musical acts. About The Elbow Room "Keeping Ypsi Evil since 1865", The Elbow Room features live music, cheap drinks and pool at 6 South Washington in downtown Ypsilanti. More information can be found at http://www.ypsirocks.com/elbowroom.html or by calling (734) 483-6374. * * * * * * * * * * * * The Courier Story (Charlie Kondek) - 2005-02-18 19:23:08 [also available here]. [Headline:] Group has packed the house with its tributes to different bands By Charlie Kondek, Special Writer PUBLISHED: February 17, 2005 The Elbow Room continues a tradition of bringing great music to the Ypsi scene by sponsoring Tribute Night, which features local bands covering great artists. It happens once a month, and the Feb. 24 tribute is to beloved English alt-rockers, Radiohead. "Last month's tribute to Nirvana and Foo Fighters drew a packed house," said Dave Binkowski, singer and bass player of the group Mound and Tribute Night's organizer. "We may end up with a line outside the door." What started out last summer as an ongoing jam session called Roots Rock Heroes, in which area bands would cover songs by major landmarks on the rock n' roll highway, has become Tribute Night, a chance to focus on more contemporary artists. Many of the same bands are involved, said Binkowski, but the focus has changed, and bands are coming from places like Detroit and Ann Arbor as well as Ypsi to participate. Binkowski inherited the organizer's reins from Jud Branam of local "y'all-ternative" sensation Corndaddy, who helped create Roots Rock Heroes and still participates in Tribute Night. "It's the classic struggle for bands to keep the audience engaged," Branam said. "This way the fans get a chance to hear music they're familiar with and for the bands to gain a few fans." Binkowski said it hasn't been a struggle to find bands wanting to participate, and there's room for more. "The band turnout has been great, especially those in the Ypsilanti area. "I've approached a few Detroit bands to come out to this area so they can take advantage of the great crowds," he said. Past tributes have included The Rolling Stones and Willie Nelson. Future tributes will include U2 and Smashing Pumpkins. Cover charge for the event is just $3, and drinks at The Elbow Room, which has been "Keeping Ypsi Evil Since 1865," are cheap. For more information, call the bar at (734) 483-6374 or visit TributeNight.com, which has the complete schedule for the event.* * * * * * * * * * * * gar - 2005-02-18 19:32:16 SO??????* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2005-02-18 19:40:48 The first contribution from what I expect will be several new commentors. But I expected better ripostes than that. * * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2005-02-18 20:02:15 I will note for the record that, as always, this post is not aimed at the remaining Courier staff downtown, but at the people who made the decisions to print these items as news stories.* * * * * * * * * * * * addiann - 2005-02-18 20:21:59 my initial reaction was that the leads in the PR releases were so much better "grabbers" and the stories as a whole so much better written that it was plain foolish for the paper to have reworded them.* * * * * * * * * * * * addiann - 2005-02-18 20:26:28 your issues probably have more to do with content, but if the writing's boring, I'm not one to stay with it very long.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2005-02-18 20:36:49 Addiann: I agree. Using the bland, nondescriptive "great" twice in one sentence doesn't make for compelling writing, in my opinion: "The Elbow Room continues a tradition of bringing great music to the Ypsi scene by sponsoring Tribute Night, which features local bands covering great artists."* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2005-02-18 20:43:37 Addiann: You are correct. My issues have to do with content. When one sees what appears to be a news story in a paper, one assumes one of the paper's reporters is presenting, in a factual way, his or her report of an item of interest. That is very different from a paper reprinting press releases from event organizers promoting their event. Ypsilanti deserves a good paper full of interesting, researched, well-reported stories about the many things going on. * * * * * * * * * * * * The Listener - 2005-02-18 21:17:31 The Listener This is a seious matter, as it involves misrepresentation. A press release is a statement issued by the group or organization holding a concert or event. They have a vested interest in how the event is covered in the media, as they want to put the event in the best light possible. There is nothing wrong with a press release, but it should be carried by the media as a press release. Instead, we have here what appears to be a news story, when, in fact, it is a form of advertisement. Readers of the paper should be able to tell a news story from a press release. In the past, the Courier would give a press release as by-line: Special to the Courier. In this case, someone has placed the name of a reporter on the press release giving it the wrong appearnce. This is wrong.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2005-02-18 21:25:20 I know who The Listener is, and I am flattered that this eminent local person stopped by. Thank you. Your explanation is right on the money. You are correct. * * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2005-02-18 21:30:14 (phew, the blog's traffic is through the roof, I see, from my "statistics" section. I'm glad this story is getting out there).* * * * * * * * * * * * lynne - 2005-02-19 07:00:07 I have to say that I agree totally with "The Listener" Printing press releases as is makes sense if the paper doesnt want to spend the resources to research the story but it should be marked as such. * * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2005-02-19 10:33:40 I also agree with "The Listener." And you'll note that in the WCC Courier story, the bulleted list of new activities lacks periods, just as the original does. This suggests the PR copy was just copied-and-pasted into the paper, in a slapdash, careless fashion. Proofreading? Nope.* * * * * * * * * * * * lynne - 2005-02-19 15:15:22 I didn't notice the grammar errors but then I am terrible about such things myself. * * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2005-02-20 12:13:35 Senders of press releases are usually frustrated by being completely ignored or at best misconstrued by the recipients. The senders of these mentioned releases are probably elated at having them printed in the Courier and here on the internet. It's difficult and expensive to publicize events, and many of us might lose only a few dollars an hour doing it.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2005-02-20 12:50:01 Binkowski wrote a good press release, as press releases go. It's descriptive and is made lively by the inclusion of quotes from two different people involved in the event. He clearly put some thought and care into writing it. Had I written a release of that quality, I am not sure if I'd be elated to see my work altered only slightly and presented as the original work of a different person, who then received money for the item.* * * * * * * * * * * * Eric - 2005-02-20 16:33:53 What I learned from journalism instructors (who had gone through the revolving door that separates journalism from public relations) is that press releases should be used as a *starting point* for a story. They should spark more research to determine whether the release is actually newsworthy or pure self-promotion. From the P.R. perspective, it's good anytime you get the press to bite on your line. Hook, line and sinker--as it appears to be with the Courier--is as good as it gets.* * * * * * * * * * * * Eric - 2005-02-20 16:41:20 Another example of lack of editorial control is visible in Tom VerWys's piece on the Pittsfield Township industrial zone. Count the number of times he uses the phrase "tax relief." An experienced journalist, which Mr. V is not, would have thumbed through the style guide and found the phrase "tax abatement," which is the proper term. "Tax relief" is a conservative/libertarian construct that frames the issue toward those who would cut taxes. He could have spun it the other way, as in "relief from the responsibility of supporting the township," were he of a moderate/liberal slant. But "abatement" is what he really should have said. :-)* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2005-02-20 18:44:33 I spent Saturday going through old microfilm copies of the Ypsi Press, and looking at that fine, small paper made me realize what we've lost. The Press maintained a whole stable of writers. Just look at the depth with which they reported on the Hardesty story. They were all over it. But do you remember reading a Courier story about the tenants' rent strike at Highland Apartments, or the recent breakup of the drug ring, or that recent homicide? Nope. As you say, press releases may be used as a starting point for an independently researched story ( different matter from the Courier stories above), but I view that as a last resort. A paper should have a stable of news-hungry reporters who have gossipy friends in high places and who have their ears on the ground to pick up on stories that aren't being broadcasted, and actively pursue them. Just in my humble opinion. Your point on the terminology misuse is perceptive and well-taken.* * * * * * * * * * * * Charlie Kondek - 2005-02-21 16:59:16 Hi. I'm the guy that wrote the Tribute Night story. Or, if you prefer, the guy who "plagiarized" Binkowski's press release. First off, it's common newspaper practice, especially among smaller community newspapers, to print press releases as is. Yes, sometimes they get a "special to" byline, sometimes not. Courier practice for some time has been not. And the problem with cutting and pasting a press-release is...? Especially if it is something helpful or celebratory to the community...? I see, no periods were added. Sorry that disturbs your sense of journalistic integrity. I think you have mischaracterized the use of press releases in this case. You'll note the releases are for community-based events. The paper certainly didn't cut and paste statements endorsing particular products or politicians or something. And I'm sorry to hear not enough research, follow up and fact-finding investigation was done to satisfy your interest in the WCC science fair and Tribute Night at the elbow room. Next time I'll itemize all the beer I drink researching the story and carefully record what's written on the wall of the men's room. I'm also sorry to hear you find my leads "bland." The other common practice of using press releases is to rewrite them in a format more suitable for the paper, add information as possible and if necessary - bottom line is a community paper is, or can be, a partner to the community it seeks to serve, and publishing such documents is an expression of that partnership. You'll note, I hope, that the Tribute Night press release had two great quotes, which I used, and that the rewritten story has a bit more information, and an additional quote from the source. You'll also note that it references the way Tribute Night got started, as Roots Rock Heroes, the summer previous. Hmmm, where have I heard that before? Oh, yeah, I wrote about the ongoing event when it first started, last summer. No other paper or arts rag, to my knowledge, did. You may also recall another story I wrote last summer. It was about the fact that bloggers take an active interest in what's happening in Ypsilanti. Didn't see that one elsewhere, either. Frankly, I'm a little miffed at being criticized like this, both on my own behalf as an individual stringer or freelancer for the Courier, and on behalf of the Courier - a small paper that has always struggled to produce the best content it can with the meager resources available, meager resources that including working with freelancers who don't know the best way to utilize the term, apparently highly politicized, "tax abatement" (looked it up in the AP, by the way, and couldn't find it). Should a paper have "a stable of news-hungry reporters who have gossipy friends in high places" & cetera? Sure, it should. Do such things cost money? You bet they do. By the way, did you buy the paper, or read the online version for free? Which leads me to another thought: why are you "picking on" the Courier? Is it a "small town mindest" or something that you find so offensive, like the religion column? I don't represent the Courier except in my capacity as a reporter: this is a personal message from me. But frankly, I feel you are doing a small, hardworker, local paper a great disservice by taking these shots at them. And I also feel you're mischaracterizing the entire issue. Further, I can assure you that the musicians involved in Tribute Night liked the story. How do I know? How do you think I know?* * * * * * * * * * * * Charlie Kondek - 2005-02-21 17:05:42 Hm. The above had paragraph breaks when I wrote it. Also, as angry as I am now, I'm sure I'll get over it. You said you weren't directing your comments at "the remaining Courier staff downtown" but that's exactly where they are aimed. Who do you think is making the editorial decisions now, Ted Turner?* * * * * * * * * * * * Dave Binkowski - 2005-02-21 22:54:10 Wow, where to start? First, I want to thank both Laura and Charlie for helping me get the word out on Tribute Night. The release was sent to several places with the intent of generating interest in the local music scene via the Tributes. Regardless of what has happened, I'm glad to see the online Ypsi community is so involved with their papers, venues, etc. and takes an interest in what goes on in the community (including the community paper). We're doing Tribute Night at the Elbow Room for a number of reasons: 1. To help local bands gain exposure 2. Generate business for the venue 3. Help the bar stay busy 4. I've always wanted to play a lot of the artists and genres that we're doing, and being in a band that only plays originals doesn't lend itself well to playing songs by your favorite artists. Regardless of the differences, we can all agree that it's a good cause and a hell of a lot of fun; and if the above 4 reasons aren't enough to bring the two of you together, I'd like to offer the following: I'd like to invite both of you out to the Radiohead Tribute this Thursday for a PBR on me. Let's let bygones be bygones and appreciate the city we enjoy and care about. * * * * * * * * * * * * Dave Binkowski - 2005-02-21 22:56:52 And damnit, #2 and #3 are the same thing. I meant to say 2. Generate exposure for the sponsors (WCBN, Fast Eddie's Music and Ann Arbor Paper). My apologies. * * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2005-02-21 23:13:06Ypsidixit is a strict teetotaler and a humorless, shriveled-up old spinster who will be working on her tatting that evening, but she appreciates your kind invitation Mr. B.* * * * * * * * * * * * add your comment: |