Week 5: 2-25-11

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/25/us-justinbieber-idUSTRE71L05D20110225

Bidding is hot in Justin Bieber hair auction

 

AP – In this publicity image released by Warner Bros., host Ellen DeGeneres, right, listens to Canadian singer …

– Thu Feb 24, 9:15 pm ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A single lock of Justin Bieber's newly-shorn hair is being auctioned off for charity and bids had reached $6,700 on eBay early on Thursday.
The 16 year-old Canadian pop idol cut his trademark floppy hair earlier this week, and presented one of the locks to TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
"I'm giving pieces of it to different people," Bieber told DeGeneres. "We're doing something special. We want you to donate it to whatever charity you want."
DeGeneres put the hair, placed in a plexiglass box signed by Bieber, up for auction on Wednesday with all the proceeds to benefit the California animal rescue organization The Gentle Barn.
Bidding started at $10 and quickly reached $6,700. The auction will end on March 2.
Bieber's hair stylist told People magazine that the "Baby" singer had been talking for months about cutting his hair and adopting a more mature look.
"Cutting your hair is just part of the evolution and growing process for anyone, and I think he was just ready," stylist Vanessa Price told the magazine. "We've been talking about it over the last 6 months or so -- more or less, it's definitely been in the works for a while."
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)


First of all...WHO CARES?!?!?!?!?!?! I for one, could care less if Justin Bieber cuts his hair.  What's even more ridiculous?  The fact that people would actually pay $6,700 and probably more for a lock of his hair.  Also, that they put it in a plexiglass box.  Seriously???  He said he's giving it different people and they're doing something special.  IT IS A PIECE OF HAIR.  I cut my hair the other day and I probably couldn't get anyone to give me a quarter for it. 

Now that I have that out of my system...I think the writer did a good job in presenting the information and it was very easy to read (even though I wanted to scream the whole time)

Week 4: 2-18-11

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20466534,00.html

60 Minutes Reporter Lara Logan Sexually Assaulted in Egypt

By Charlotte Triggs

Tuesday February 15, 2011 05:10 PM EST

Lara Logan

AP

On the same day Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak stepped down from power, a female 60 Minutes correspondent was brutally sexually assaulted in Egypt, her network revealed Tuesday.

"CBS correspondent Lara Logan was covering the jubilation in Tahrir Square for a 60 Minutes story when she and her team and their security were surrounded by a dangerous element amidst the celebration," says a statement released by CBS. "It was a mob of more than 200 people whipped into frenzy."

During the event, which happened Feb. 11, Logan "was separated from her crew. She was surrounded and suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating before being saved by a group of women and an estimated 20 Egyptian soldiers," the statement continues.

Logan, who had been detained by Egyptian authorities in Cairo a week earlier, finally "reconnected with the CBS team, returned to her hotel and returned to the United States on the first flight the next morning."

She is currently recovering in the hospital.

I think this is a very good story, in that it is short and to the point.  The writer told us exactly what we would want to know, such as the where she was, how it happened, how she was saved, and most importantly how is she now.  For me personally, I like that they didn't really go into specific detail and just saying that it was brutal, because I think that anymore information would have been inappropriate.  I like the picture that they used because it gives us a glimpse into what the area looked like on that day during all of the chaos.  One thing that I wished had been included, is what happened to the ones that assaulted her. 

Week 3: 2-10-11

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20465087,00.html

In His Own Words: Tampa Father Remembers Slain Children

By Steve Helling

Thursday February 10, 2011 07:00 PM EST

Parker Schenecker

Since the gunshot slayings of Tampa teens Calyx and Beau Schenecker last month, allegedly at the hand of their mother, their father has spoken publicly only at their memorial services.

Here, in an essay written exclusively for PEOPLE, he remembers his two children, and talks about where he goes from here.

"My children Calyx and Beau were typical kids who lived exceptional lives. They were bright and happy, admired by all who came in contact with them. Like most kids their age, they loved their friends, school and sports – two all-American children in every aspect. However, through growing up in many different parts of the world, they developed many special qualities.

"Calyx excelled in her advanced classes and sports, especially track and cross country. She was a huge fan of Harry Potter; she even started a club at school. She was also friendly and outgoing, having been the 'new kid' in numerous schools. Calyx challenged everyone around her to think about others. She worked tirelessly to help her school raise money for the American Cancer Society, and she often spoke of her intense desire to 'do something that would change the world.' It's my goal that Calyx still will.

"Beau was all boy. He was proud to have just made the soccer team for his school. While his love was soccer, his friends were his passion. He and his buddies were silly, fun loving and friends for life. Beau had an incredible gift of empathy for others, even seeking out new kids and bringing them into his group. What I will remember most about Beau is his infectious smile and innate sense of humor.

"I forever will miss my two beautiful, loving kids. To help cope with my loss and have their incredible spirits live on, I am dedicating the rest of my life to honoring my children. I will remain involved in the activities that were important to them and support causes in which they believed. Friends of mine already have helped me begin my journey by establishing a memorial fund in their honor. The entire proceeds of the fund will be used to improve the lives of others, a standard by which my kids lived.

"I encourage others, especially those who join me in mourning Calyx and Beau, to help keep the essence of their spirits alive by being kind to others, by working and playing hard, and by living their lives with purpose."

Aanyone wishing to honor Calyx and Beau Schenecker can contact the Calyx and Beau Schenecker Memorial Fund within The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay at 550 N. Reo St., Suite 301, Tampa, FL 33609-1037.

This is the same family that was in the story I chose last week.  I feel like the writer of this story chose wisely in not adding any of his own commentary and letting the fathers words tell the story.  I also feel that the picture that was chosen, accurately shows the emotion and sadness that a story with this kind of message deserves.

Week 2: 2/3/11

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20462069,00.html

Julie Schenecker Says She Shot Son, Daughter for Being 'Mouthy'

By Suzanne Zuckerman

Saturday January 29, 2011 02:30 PM EST

Julie Powers Schenecker

St. Petersburg Times/Zuma

Tragedy struck Tampa Thursday night. Julie Powers Schenecker, 50-year-old wife of a U.S. Army colonel, has admitted to killing her teen son and daughter, say police.

She first shot son Beau, 13, twice in the head with a .38 caliber pistol for "talking back" as she was driving him to soccer practice in suburban Tampa, according to the arrest affidavit.

The police report says she then drove to her $448,000 family home and shot her daughter Calyx, 16 – a high school cross-country running star – in the face as she sat studying at the computer.

The explanation she gave police was that the teens were being "mouthy." "She described the crimes in detail," Police spokeswoman Laura McElroy says, adding, "That was the only reason she provided to our detectives."

An anxious call from Schenecker's mother in Texas (who had received an e-mail from her daughter stating that she was depressed and having trouble with the kids) led police to the home on Friday morning. There they found Schenecker covered in blood on the back porch. She was taken, reports the Associated Press, wild-eyed and shaking uncontrollably, to a Tampa hospital.   

She will not appear in court Saturday – charged with two counts of murder – because she's being treated at a hospital for an unknown condition.

Her husband, Col. Parker Schenecker, who is attached to the U.S. Central Command in Tampa, was reportedly in the Middle East at the time of the murders.

Saturday afternoon, Parker Schenecker's Facebook page showed a photo of Calyx, smiling and surrounded by running teammates. A comment posted by Julie Schenecker on Oct. 20 reads: "that's my baby! doin' something i could never do-3.2 miles!!"

I think that the writer of this story did a very good job in handling this story and could really tell that they did their research.  They provided all of the information that they possibly could and stated if something was unknown.  I personally think that the mother in this story is insane and the picture that was provided with the story does a good job of showing that.