Daily Freeman Life Editor Ivan Lajara talks about journalism, living in the Hudson Valley, language, the Web, cats and even politics. But he shouldn't.
Friday, July 29, 2011
The Freeman sessions are here
"The Freeman Sessions with Stella May" will launch on Aug. 9 with a live streaming event sponsored by Stella May Productions and the Freeman, with a Kingston Cares benefit featuring Rebecca Martin and Larry Grenadier. Event details are on the poster above.
The event will be streamed live and will be available for viewing at http://www.dailyfreeman.com. More details about this undertaking will be revealed soon.
The event will also feature a telethon-type livestream with local representative and candidates manning the phones. But you don't have to wait to donate to Kingston Cares.
DO IT NOW!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
JRC Chat on data journalism
Good morning! Members of the Journal Register Company's Idealab - and anyone who wants to - are going to be taking part on the weekly Twitter chat at noon.
Today we are talking about data journalism, how awesome it is, how we don't have time to do it, and how to do it when you don't have time.
The live feed is posted below. But you can also follow the chat here or here or also here. And you can also check out past chats over here.
If you want to chime in, just post a tweet with the hashtag "#jrcchat" so it can automatically appear below, or post a comment in the field at the bottom of the chat box.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Data journalism
So I'm playing a bit with Crime Reports in an attempt to visualize the data, if possible, other than the most excellent map form provided at the site. Here's some data.
After a bit of playing, I realized I didn't need to do anything, because everything is already done by the service. Seriously. Check it out.
Here's some visualization for the last six months:
MOAR:
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
King's Inn debate rages on
Let me know if I missed anything and I'll add it to the feed.
Here's some background and related content as it relates to the current debate about the fate of the site of the former King's Inn.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Where to keep cool in Ulster County
Particularly interesting right now is "Swimming." So click on it and bring your bathing suit.
View the map in a larger window.
JRC Chat on our future and the future of journalism
Good morning! Let's rock the boat!
Because it's Wednesday! And that means that members of the Journal Register Company's Idealab - and anyone who wants to - are going to be taking part on the weekly Twitter chat at noon.
As you might have heard, our parent company, Journal Register Company, was bought by Alden Global Capital. Freak out time!
So what does this mean to our Digital First mission, and to journalism itself?
The industry has been paying attention to this, so I figure what better way to let it know what we journalist are up to, warts and all. So you better bring your projects and your concerns.
Because that's how we roll at JRC.
The live feed is posted below. But you can also follow the chat here or here or also here. And you can also check out past chats over here.
If you want to chime in, just post a tweet with the hashtag "#jrcchat" so it can automatically appear below, or post a comment in the field at the bottom of the chat box.
As always, you are welcome to participate at anytime you want.
And yes, trolls are welcome.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Kingston Pike Plan's, uh, plan for the week
Follow the Pike Plan as the work progresses...City website, then links...click on Pike Plan..less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyTom Hoffay
tomhoffay
The thing is, if you do just that, you won't find the link. So I gave Hoffay some Twitter grief and he coughed up the link, where the schedule for renovations will be (hopefully) updated. Points to the city for doing this, no points for making it impossible to find on the city's website.
So, as a favor, here's the schedule:
Work Period: 7/18 to 7/122
- Weather permitting, primer and patch bare wood surfaces throughout project site
- Finalization of bluestone replacement area on North Front Street
- Continued header repairs, where necessary
- Roof framing between locations 17 and 28 (301 to 335 Wall Street); time permitting move roof framing work toward location 35 (58 North Front Street)
- Continued installation of standing seam metal roofs between locations 17 and 28 (301 to 335 Wall Street)
- Continued installation of electrical components between locations 1 and 16 (334 to 300 Wall Street)
- Installation of bluestone curb along North Front Street between locations 17 and 35
- Continued demolition of existing ceiling and placement of new beadboard ceiling under the canopy between locations 1 and 16 (334 to 300 Wall Street)
- Skylights shipped from factory on 7/18
- Asbestos abatement with full-time air monitoring and inspection resumed on 7/18 between 335 Wall Street and 59 North Front Street (locations 28 to 35)
Monday, July 18, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
On the radio
I was on WKNY this morning, on "Speak Out!" with Jody McTague. She had mentioned that she doesn't read the Freeman online. So I brought some toys to make her a convert.
I livestreamed some of the show to showcase some of the capabilities of the devices.
I also forced her to use an iPad and told a caller that I would post a photo of her using technology.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Forum for Engagement live at 6 p.m. Thursday
A small group of area activists, politicians and journalists (and yours truly, for some reason) will gather in Kingston on July 14 with the goal of creating a vibrant community through "A Forum for Engagement," an event which aims to focus on turning vision into action.
I'll be representing THE EVIL MAINSTREAM MEDIA OF DOOM AND DESPAIR AND DECADENCE and will try, with the rest of the group, to find a way for you to easily participate with matters that, uh, matter to you. In short, my role will be, with your help, to figure out ways for us at the Freeman to collaborate and improve our coverage of issues that are important to you. I'll also be adding some needed DOOM AND DESPAIR AND DECADENCE, because that's how I roll.
The forum takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 14 at Stella May Gallery Theatre, 5 Sterling Street, Kingston.
JRC Chat on Social Media Wire - and Google+!
So we are going to be talking about the Social Media Wire.
What is it? I still don't know!
So we'll talk about its meaning, how to do it and how to use it in journalism.
BONUS! GOOGLE+ BABY!
The live feed is posted below. But you can also follow the chat here or here or also here. And you can also check out past chats over here.
If you want to chime in, just post a tweet with the hashtag "#jrcchat" so it can automatically appear below, or post a comment in the field at the bottom of the chat box.
As always, you are welcome to participate at anytime you want.
OH BOY! I forgot to share the Google+ Cheat Sheet during #JRCChat - http://on.mash.to/nvFQGYless than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyIvan Lajara
ivanlajara
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Stay away from Nyan Cat
Have you heard of Nyan Cat?
He can do many things.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Hudson Valley asks Obama Twitter questions
*: Caveat: The feed will only include area Twitter users who have identified their location.
JRC Chat on Social Media Wire
We are going to be talking about the Social Media Wire.
What is it? I don't know!
So we'll talk about its meaning, how to do it and how to use it in journalism.
But seriously, what is it?
BONUS! We'll throw in a question about 3-D technology and how to apply it to journalism (or if it's worth it).
The live feed is posted below. But you can also follow the chat here or here or also here. And you can also check out past chats over here.
If you want to chime in, just post a tweet with the hashtag "#jrcchat" so it can automatically appear below, or post a comment in the field at the bottom of the chat box.
As always, you are welcome to participate at anytime you want.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Playing with 3-D
Because we can, that's why. You can too.
Here's my first test. I'm trying to figure out ways this could be implemented in the field of journalism. Your suggestions are welcome.
Area activists, politicians and journalists set to act on civic issues
I'll be representing THE EVIL MAINSTREAM MEDIA OF DOOM AND DESPAIR AND DECADENCE and will try, with the rest of the group, to find a way for you to easily participate with matters that, uh, matter to you. In short, my role will be, with your help, to figure out ways for us at the Freeman to collaborate and improve our coverage of issues that are important to you. I'll also be adding some needed DOOM AND DESPAIR AND DECADENCE, because that's how I roll.
The forum takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 14 at Stella May Gallery Theatre, 5 Sterling Street, Kingston.
Scott Tillitt, who organized the forum, explains:
Engaging with the audience, the group will use an organized creative thinking process to explore the issues that matter most and, more importantly, act on them. Following a discussion moderated by Brian Mahoney, editor of Chronogram, the group will break to organize the discussion into major themes. Then they’ll reconvene with the audience to focus on the most important issues, break them down further into actionable projects, and form teams to work on them.
Audience members are encouraged to engage with the group in the discussion and the action-focused process. But even if you go to just listen, your presence is participation enough, the organizers stress.
To bring more folks into the process, organizers will stream the event live online and monitor chat and Twitter during the discussion. Audience members and those who can't make it can submit comments and questions before the event and follow the action live on Twitter using the hashtag #civickingstonny.
The group is schedule to include: Kevin Cahill, NY State Assemblyman and person I like to make fun of; Michael D’Arcy, Kingston Neighborhood Watch; Elizabeth Hare, ReadyCollective; Tom Hoffay, Kingston Alderman and person I like to make fun of; Brian Mahoney, Chronogram; Rebecca Martin, Kingston Land Trust; Tillitt of BEAHIVE and me, of THE EVIL MAINSTREAM MEDIA OF DOOM AND DESPAIR AND DECADENCE.
The event is produced by BEAHIVE, sponsored by Chronogram and Freeman, and hosted by Stella May Gallery Theater.
Space is limited. Refreshments will be provided. Event details and RSVP are at http://on.fb.me/civickingstonny7-14.
You can also join the Civic Kingston NY Facebook group (http://on.fb.me/civickingstonny)