Thursday, November 29, 2007
Vote for Lumina News’ Person of the Year
The news staff is brainstorming, trying to select Lumina News’ Person of the Year at Wrightsville Beach, and we need your input. So who's your pick?
Skateboarding and fear of the unknown
My Ocean View
By Jennifer Roush
Being a newcomer to this area can be a good thing because, in a way, I bring a new perspective. I have seen some of the same situations arise and how they are responded to a few states away and I can apply it here.
One topic I’ve covered quite a bit for Lumina News is the idea of building a Wrightsville Beach skate park. Skate parks and skateboarding are something I’ve long been familiar with. When I was a child, my friends loved Tony Hawk, Powell Peralta, and there was even a half pipe in my neighborhood. One of my closest friends rode his skateboard often until it was in shreds.
As I grew up, I still loved to watch people skate, even though I could never manage to do it very well myself. So from 6 years old through college, I had many friends who were skateboarders. And one problem remains the same.
The problem being there are always those who want to skate — because it’s fun, challenging, interesting — and there are so few places to do it. There was not a skate park in Morgantown, W.Va., when I was in college nor in the small town I grew up in. In Morgantown, I saw people skate at night in places where they weren’t supposed to because there was nowhere to go. Like in Wrightsville Beach, when youth skate in parking lots and could tear up property.
Is skateboarding a sport for deviants? No. There are those who ruin it for everyone everywhere. Young people with wrong intentions can make a basketball court a bad place to go or a playground. Should we not build basketball courts or playgrounds?
Some ask: Can children get hurt? They can. But I know a young man who had his knee completely taken out playing football. I can’t tell you all the ripped ACLs I’ve seen people endure playing basketball. People get hurt at playgrounds. Let’s just look at the issue that is at the heart of all this. Difference.
When people look or act differently, it can scare people. We need to accept that young people are constantly trying to find themselves and some may find their creativity and energy best expressed through skateboarding. Is it right to discriminate? What if someone told me I couldn’t pick up a pen and write? Good thing I only need a pen and paper. These kids need a skate park.
By Jennifer Roush
Being a newcomer to this area can be a good thing because, in a way, I bring a new perspective. I have seen some of the same situations arise and how they are responded to a few states away and I can apply it here.
One topic I’ve covered quite a bit for Lumina News is the idea of building a Wrightsville Beach skate park. Skate parks and skateboarding are something I’ve long been familiar with. When I was a child, my friends loved Tony Hawk, Powell Peralta, and there was even a half pipe in my neighborhood. One of my closest friends rode his skateboard often until it was in shreds.
As I grew up, I still loved to watch people skate, even though I could never manage to do it very well myself. So from 6 years old through college, I had many friends who were skateboarders. And one problem remains the same.
The problem being there are always those who want to skate — because it’s fun, challenging, interesting — and there are so few places to do it. There was not a skate park in Morgantown, W.Va., when I was in college nor in the small town I grew up in. In Morgantown, I saw people skate at night in places where they weren’t supposed to because there was nowhere to go. Like in Wrightsville Beach, when youth skate in parking lots and could tear up property.
Is skateboarding a sport for deviants? No. There are those who ruin it for everyone everywhere. Young people with wrong intentions can make a basketball court a bad place to go or a playground. Should we not build basketball courts or playgrounds?
Some ask: Can children get hurt? They can. But I know a young man who had his knee completely taken out playing football. I can’t tell you all the ripped ACLs I’ve seen people endure playing basketball. People get hurt at playgrounds. Let’s just look at the issue that is at the heart of all this. Difference.
When people look or act differently, it can scare people. We need to accept that young people are constantly trying to find themselves and some may find their creativity and energy best expressed through skateboarding. Is it right to discriminate? What if someone told me I couldn’t pick up a pen and write? Good thing I only need a pen and paper. These kids need a skate park.
Friday, November 02, 2007
The Untold Story
My Ocean View
By Jennifer Roush
In this week’s Lumina News editorial, we talked about the freedom of the press. I’d like to spin off that article to discuss why many of us become journalists.
Starting out, I knew I cared about people’s stories. I observed the things around me, and I didn’t want to feel impotent to do anything about them, so I went into journalism. Granted, the news page is not a forum for my thoughts, but it is a place where I can reflect things that are observed and to be the observer for others.
Being a journalist is a title some do not respect. However, it is a role you need the most honorable people to fill.
We are the proponents of truth, the community advocates, and the ones who will put themselves on the line to tell the story that needs to be told. The ones who learn a subject enough to become a mini-expert in order to inform a community.
I can say, personally, I want to be like an unbiased mirror of the things I report. I believe in justice and that means not compromising your integrity, being fair, doing the research and caring enough to tell the truth even when it’s hard – even when you may receive backlash for it. Many of us who are in the profession don’t want to run over people to get a story, we want to find and tell the truth, so it reaches the light of day. We want to tell the untold story.
By Jennifer Roush
In this week’s Lumina News editorial, we talked about the freedom of the press. I’d like to spin off that article to discuss why many of us become journalists.
Starting out, I knew I cared about people’s stories. I observed the things around me, and I didn’t want to feel impotent to do anything about them, so I went into journalism. Granted, the news page is not a forum for my thoughts, but it is a place where I can reflect things that are observed and to be the observer for others.
Being a journalist is a title some do not respect. However, it is a role you need the most honorable people to fill.
We are the proponents of truth, the community advocates, and the ones who will put themselves on the line to tell the story that needs to be told. The ones who learn a subject enough to become a mini-expert in order to inform a community.
I can say, personally, I want to be like an unbiased mirror of the things I report. I believe in justice and that means not compromising your integrity, being fair, doing the research and caring enough to tell the truth even when it’s hard – even when you may receive backlash for it. Many of us who are in the profession don’t want to run over people to get a story, we want to find and tell the truth, so it reaches the light of day. We want to tell the untold story.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Rain, we miss you.
My Ocean View
By Jennifer Roush
One thing I immediately noticed after I moved down here from Morgantown, W.Va., is the difference in the amount of rainfall. In Morgantown, I almost expected it to rain more often than not. It was gray and rainy much of the time. The city itself received 41.2 inches of rain a year.
Since moving down here, I often think, where is the rain? And I don’t think I’m the only one asking that question.
In the statistics I have come across, I found the average annual rainfall for Wrightsville Beach to be around 50.85 inches. To put this into perspective, the annual rainfall in Seattle is 36 inches.
Therefore, as we enjoy the sunny days, we cannot help but notice the lack of rain. And as day after day goes by with little to no rainfall, we see our need for water conservancy go up.
The town issued a water conservation proclamation on Sept. 13 requesting voluntary action. Who took that to heart? Are people turning their sprinklers off and taking shorter showers?
This is a problem all over the state. I believe it’s time to stop waiting, thinking the rain situation is going to turn around, and that it’s imperative to take water conservation seriously.
Below are measures listed in the town’s proclamation:
* Limit lawn watering to that which is necessary for plants to survive.
* Water shrubbery the minimum amount required, reusing household water when possible.
* Limit vehicle washing to the minimum.
* Refrain from washing down outside areas such as sidewalks, patios and the like.
* Use showers for bathing rather than bathtubs, and limit showers to no more than four minutes.
* Refrain from leaving faucets running while shaving or rinsing dishes.
* Limit use of clothes washers and dishwashers and when used, operate fully loaded.
* Install water-flow restrictive devices in showerheads.
* Use disposable and biodegradable dishes.
* Install water-saving devices such as bricks, plastics, bottles or commercial units in toilet tanks.
By Jennifer Roush
One thing I immediately noticed after I moved down here from Morgantown, W.Va., is the difference in the amount of rainfall. In Morgantown, I almost expected it to rain more often than not. It was gray and rainy much of the time. The city itself received 41.2 inches of rain a year.
Since moving down here, I often think, where is the rain? And I don’t think I’m the only one asking that question.
In the statistics I have come across, I found the average annual rainfall for Wrightsville Beach to be around 50.85 inches. To put this into perspective, the annual rainfall in Seattle is 36 inches.
Therefore, as we enjoy the sunny days, we cannot help but notice the lack of rain. And as day after day goes by with little to no rainfall, we see our need for water conservancy go up.
The town issued a water conservation proclamation on Sept. 13 requesting voluntary action. Who took that to heart? Are people turning their sprinklers off and taking shorter showers?
This is a problem all over the state. I believe it’s time to stop waiting, thinking the rain situation is going to turn around, and that it’s imperative to take water conservation seriously.
Below are measures listed in the town’s proclamation:
* Limit lawn watering to that which is necessary for plants to survive.
* Water shrubbery the minimum amount required, reusing household water when possible.
* Limit vehicle washing to the minimum.
* Refrain from washing down outside areas such as sidewalks, patios and the like.
* Use showers for bathing rather than bathtubs, and limit showers to no more than four minutes.
* Refrain from leaving faucets running while shaving or rinsing dishes.
* Limit use of clothes washers and dishwashers and when used, operate fully loaded.
* Install water-flow restrictive devices in showerheads.
* Use disposable and biodegradable dishes.
* Install water-saving devices such as bricks, plastics, bottles or commercial units in toilet tanks.
Monday, October 01, 2007
My Ocean View by Jennifer Roush
This is my first "Ocean View." A new one will be posted weekly.
As many of you know, I recently took over the position of managing editor of the town’s Lumina News, but for most of you that likely is the extent of it. My story of change began a month ago, which ended up with me making the long journey from the mountains to the shore.
I grew up in the small suburb of Cross Lanes, W. Va. This community is a few miles from Charleston, and, to the rest of the state, that is “the city.” Staying in the area, I kept some of the same friends from grade school to my college years.
After one year attending Clemson University right out of high school, I transferred to West Virginia University, where I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism. In school, I did such things as write for the school newspaper, was managing editor of a quarterly newspaper, co-authored a book, had internships and took about every opportunity I could.
After school, I stayed at WVU teaching journalism as an adjunct instructor. I also worked as a community reporter and city reporter, eventually working my way up to features editor of a local daily newspaper.
I had found myself at the home of the Mountaineers, Morgantown, for several years, but something in me knew I wouldn’t be there forever.
I had visited the Wilmington area every year on vacation and absolutely loved it. It became my favorite place to go. It was also quality time with my mother, who lives in Raleigh. One summer she asked if I perchance wanted to go to Outer Banks instead, but I still just wanted to come back here.
Something about this area’s beauty makes me want to smile, cry and try to wake up at the same time. Even though I can also bask in the beauty of the mountains, this place, in addition to beauty, has an air of endless possibilities. The saying is “the grass is always greener on the other side.” Well, the grass may be greenest here.
When I saw the job posting for this position, I felt it was the perfect job for me. And it is. I love writing, editing, people and stories. I am ever curious and intrigued by people’s stories and issues, which is one of the main reasons I am drawn to this profession.
My goal as managing editor is to not only continue the legacy of success established by Lumina News, but to also forge ahead. I have a lot of hopes for what I can do for this publication and for the community. I plan to do all I can to make sure Lumina News meets and exceeds your expectations weekly.
We are a people who strive for excellence and that comes with a lot of work, but, in the end, it’s worth it for the service we provide to Wrightsville Beach.
As many of you know, I recently took over the position of managing editor of the town’s Lumina News, but for most of you that likely is the extent of it. My story of change began a month ago, which ended up with me making the long journey from the mountains to the shore.
I grew up in the small suburb of Cross Lanes, W. Va. This community is a few miles from Charleston, and, to the rest of the state, that is “the city.” Staying in the area, I kept some of the same friends from grade school to my college years.
After one year attending Clemson University right out of high school, I transferred to West Virginia University, where I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism. In school, I did such things as write for the school newspaper, was managing editor of a quarterly newspaper, co-authored a book, had internships and took about every opportunity I could.
After school, I stayed at WVU teaching journalism as an adjunct instructor. I also worked as a community reporter and city reporter, eventually working my way up to features editor of a local daily newspaper.
I had found myself at the home of the Mountaineers, Morgantown, for several years, but something in me knew I wouldn’t be there forever.
I had visited the Wilmington area every year on vacation and absolutely loved it. It became my favorite place to go. It was also quality time with my mother, who lives in Raleigh. One summer she asked if I perchance wanted to go to Outer Banks instead, but I still just wanted to come back here.
Something about this area’s beauty makes me want to smile, cry and try to wake up at the same time. Even though I can also bask in the beauty of the mountains, this place, in addition to beauty, has an air of endless possibilities. The saying is “the grass is always greener on the other side.” Well, the grass may be greenest here.
When I saw the job posting for this position, I felt it was the perfect job for me. And it is. I love writing, editing, people and stories. I am ever curious and intrigued by people’s stories and issues, which is one of the main reasons I am drawn to this profession.
My goal as managing editor is to not only continue the legacy of success established by Lumina News, but to also forge ahead. I have a lot of hopes for what I can do for this publication and for the community. I plan to do all I can to make sure Lumina News meets and exceeds your expectations weekly.
We are a people who strive for excellence and that comes with a lot of work, but, in the end, it’s worth it for the service we provide to Wrightsville Beach.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Ask the candidates
The Wrightsville Beach Merchants Association will hold a question-and-answer session with board of aldermen candidates on Oct. 8. What question would you like to ask the candidates?
Friday, July 20, 2007
Bus Service
WAVE has proposed bus service to Wrightsville Beach. What do you think about that? Is it a good idea?
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Click It or Ticket
A Click-it or Ticket checkpoint was held last week at the foot of the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge and 87 citations were given in two hours.
Were you stopped? What was your experience?
Were you stopped? What was your experience?
Friday, May 18, 2007
Downtown WB
The summer season is about to kick off, and many residents have begun to complain about noise and bad behavior in the downtown area. Wrightsville Beach police are increasing their patrols.
Do you think this is a problem?
Do you think this is a problem?
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Public Trust
Former Alderman Trey Jordan pled guilty to soliciting a bribe on Thursday. How much faith do you have in your public officials?
Monday, March 26, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Revaluation
Wrightsville Beach properties are expected to increase 180.6 perecent with the new assessment.
Have you recieved your new real estate assessment yet? Were you surprised at your home's appreciation?
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Sewer Responsibilites
What responsibility does Wrightsville Beach have for failing city-owned sewer lines?
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Trees on Wrightsville Beach
Do you think the town should have a tree ordinance? Why or why not? If so, how restrictive should it be?
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Surf Zones
The Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen heard a proposal last week to revamp the surf zones. The new setup would allow swimming in all areas of the beach and would allow surfing in all areas outside of a 200 yard buffer zone around lifeguard stands.
What do you think of this proposal? Do you think it would work on Wrightsville Beach?
What do you think of this proposal? Do you think it would work on Wrightsville Beach?
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Mixed-use development
Do you think mixed-use development will work on Wrightsville Beach?
What type of stores would you like to see by Johnnie Mercer's Pier?
What type of stores would you like to see by Johnnie Mercer's Pier?
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
New Year's Resolution
What are some New Year's resolutions that the town of Wrightsville Beach should have?
Fishing License
Beginning Jan. 1, a Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL) will be required for recreational fishing in North Carolina’s coastal waters.
The license is required for everyone over the age of 16 fishing in the state’s sounds, coastal rivers and tributaries, out to three miles offshore. It is similar to a license currently required for recreational fishing in the state’s inland waters.
What do you think about these regulations?
The license is required for everyone over the age of 16 fishing in the state’s sounds, coastal rivers and tributaries, out to three miles offshore. It is similar to a license currently required for recreational fishing in the state’s inland waters.
What do you think about these regulations?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)