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In case you don't have microscopic vision, here is the written pieces from my sample work. I will have more to come once I pull more items together. Enjoy!
Magazine Articles
A Day at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute
lOn a bitter, Thursday afternoon in December, I found myself at the Portland waterfront to attend a “lunch & learn” at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. They hold these informative luncheons on the 1st and 4th Thursday of each month to raise awareness for their organization. What I thought was going to be an afternoon filled with boring lectures, turned out to be both highly informative and fun. In fact, it made me wish that I had become a marine biologist instead of a journalist, if only for a brief moment.
lFrom the outside, the building blends easily into the surroundings. It is one of the huge but plain buildings that envelop Portland’s waterfront. Stepping into the lobby that was a great mixture of comfort and modern design, my notions of what to expect quickly “flew out” the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the water. This was just one small part of the $16.5 million facility that officially opened its doors in 2005.
lOriginally a small aquarium, the GMRI is now on its way to becoming a world renowned marine science infrastructure, second only to Taiwan. The essence of the GMRI is based on its three-part mission of education, convening the public and research. The building itself reflects this multidisciplinary approach as it hosts a variety of market needs, including a state-of-the art educational facility and two different research centers. One of those centers, subleased by University of Southern Maine and University of Maine, studies the growing field of marine biotechnology. It is believed that sponges may produce chemicals with anti-cancer qualities and the field of marine biotechnology studies the possible applications, as well as many other worth while endeavors.
lThe other research center associated with the GMRI is for fishery ecosystem research. They consider themselves equal partners with the fishing community and assist with aquatic conflicts. This is part of the convening process where the GMRI acts as a neutral party, lending itself to everyone involved and bringing all parties together. According to President Don Perkins Jr., it makes sense that commercial fisherman should be an integral part of any research because the first step in the scientific process is observation. Who better to give in depth observations than the people who are out there everyday? Of course, the GMRI also includes the other people concerned, from the government agencies to the environmental groups. One such conflict that was resolved in conjunction with the fishing community, involved improving fishing gear to protect the cod supply while still catching valuable haddock.
lOne of the most impressive features of the GMRI is the educational center. It is geared towards fifth and sixth graders because that is when most lose interest in science. The educational program isn’t like anything you or I had in school. It engages and involves the students by having them create the lesson. They even get a personalized c.d. of their scientific discoveries.
lIt starts out with a unique presentation using 2006 aerial images from NASA that shows the connection between their town in Maine with the world, as well as their personal impact. The children then create the rest of the lesson using interactive, touch-screen stations. They go through the whole scientific process of identifying a mystery fish themselves, making it more meaningful. The teachers can also attend workshops to extend the learning process.
lOther GMRI educational programs utilize social networks such as Facebook, where children learn about invasive species like the Asian shore crabs. Then, their findings are actually used by scientists. The best part of all is that the GMRI has made the education programs free to all students. Even the transportation for the field trips are covered.
lWhere does all the money come from? Historically, marine science has not been top of the list for government funding and usually falls to the jurisdiction of the Navy. Using a variety of funding sources, including individual and business donations, the GMRI is able to take a neutral stance and include everyone on the issues that affect them. In fact, they were recently given a $1.1 grant from private company outside New England. This also enables them to objectively address future concerns for the region.
lMany people are unaware that one of the most productive marine environments in the world is located right here in Maine. The GMRI is attempting to improve the way that underwater region is studied. The Gulf of Maine, that stretches from Cape Cod, in Massachusetts to Cape Sable, in Nova Scotia, encompasses the entire coastline of Maine. It serves a vital role to all in the area, supporting life both in the sea and on land. About 30,000 commercial fishermen in Maine depend on this rich ecosystem for their livelihoods.
lThe GMRI is responsible for research regarding the future of our rich ecosystem and prevention of possible problems. Let’s face it, global warming is no longer a product of some crazy person’s imagination. Sadly, it is quickly becoming a reality. While discussing the future endeavors of the GMRI with Mr. Perkins, we talked about expansion of the building, possibly an aquarium and the fact that they are already seeing evidence of a warming trend. There have been new fish that have taken root in this area and there is some concern about the future of cold water fish, such as cod and Atlantic salmon. Still think global warming isn’t real? It may not happen for a few hundred years but if we aren’t careful, the ocean could tip to mildly acidic from all of the pollution, affecting the life in the ocean. This, in turn, affects us.
lSo, you don’t have to be a marine biologist to care about the work of the GMRI but I recommend at least checking it out, even if you only want to go for the fun.
Holiday Fun at Freeport's Sparkle Weekend
Santa, a talking Christmas tree and strolling carolers…I am not describing a scene from some old Christmas movie. I am actually describing some of the sights at Sparkle Weekend, a holiday festival in Freeport.
The town of Freeport puts on a Christmas celebration to beat all celebrations. They even have complimentary hot cocoa and horse-drawn carriage rides. Yet, this is “just one component of a spectacular celebration that lasts all season long,” according to the Sparkle Weekend Web site.
For children, and those young at heart, Sparkle Weekend has the “magic parade of lights.” This is a light parade down Main Street. There is also a tuba concert and a jingle bell run/walk for the arthritis foundation. Don’t forget the more than 170 shops in the area that offer a wide variety of products. The shops may be open all year round but most offer a discount during the festivities.
Sparkle Weekend has everything you can imagine for the perfect Holiday celebration. This year, Sparkle Weekend will run from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 but there will be activities for a whole month. This will include the L.L. Bean Winter Sports Expo and Northern Lights, where there will be expert demonstrations, lights shows and ice carvings. Of course, there will also be a Holiday lighting and decorating competition to start off the season.
So, after you’ve run yourself ragged with Holiday planning, take a trip to Freeport and remember what the season is supposed to be like. Stroll down the street with a cup of hot cocoa in your hand while you listen to the carolers and just relax, if just for a day.
Newspaper Article
lFocus Sentence: The issue involving Plum Creek and the Moosehead Lake region seemingly quiet but may be “calm before the storm.”
l Plum Creek Timber Co. struggles to gain approval for development of the Moosehead Lake region despite intense opposition and harassment. The company sought to gain support and shed its “Darth Vadar” image, while residents and environmental groups expressed concern at a recent Greenville town meeting (“Fen Attempts.” 1999).
l The issue involving Plum Creek and the Moosehead Lake region began on Dec. 14, 2004 when the company announced their intentions of building the largest residential and commercial development in Maine. In response, residents petitioned the Land Use Regulatory Commission (LURC) for a moratorium on major developments within the 41 unorganized townships on March 18, 2005. Plum Creek submitted a proposal to the LURC on April 5, 2005 for the rezoning of 426,000 acres of timberland around Moosehead Lake. This would allow the company to build 2 resorts, several campgrounds and nearly 1,000 houses. In May, the moratorium was denied but the LURC agreed to hold “scoping” sessions and review the proposal. The LURC sent a letter on July 29, 2005 to the company noting “preliminary identifications of application deficiencies” then continued with their sessions.
l Concerned citizens were joined by environmental groups in several town meetings, hearings and conferences to show their opposition to Plum Creek’s proposal. The largest press conference criticizing Plum Creek was held on July 26, 2005 and included many environmental groups such as Forest Ecology Network, RESTORE: The North Woods, American Lands Alliance, Friends of the Earth (“Save Moosehead.” 2005). Environmentalists say Plum Creek has clear-cutting policies which result in massive forest destruction. They have even been called the “Darth Vadar” of the timber industry by U.S. Representative Rod Chandler in the 1980s (“Fen Attempts.” 1999). Plum Creek has worked hard to prove this statement wrong and focus on the possible economic benefits to the region.
l Greenville held several meetings that were continued into the beginning of 2006. The citizens had trouble weighing the possible economic benefits to the region against environmental damage and lifestyle changes, such as loss of snowmobile trails and pristine views (“Greenville Residents.” 2006). There have also been several hearings held by the LURC. Unlike the town meetings, these hearings assessed the benefits and addressed the legality. The LURC has not come to an official decision and Plum Creek’s original proposal is still under review, though the company mentioned revisions.
l Plum Creek plans their next move, while local citizens and environmental groups anxiously wait. So far, this year has seen relative quiet compared to last year when opponents resorted to vandalism.
l Last Halloween, it was reported in The Boston Globe that anti-Plum Creek activists painted slogans with paint, feces and animal guts on the homes and workplaces of employees and others affiliated with Plum Creek. Among those targeted were Severin Beliveau, an attorney, Jim Lehner, a regional general manager and Luke Muzzy, a Greenville project manager. Lehner was also hit with small rocks and buckets of paint and had 4 windows broken.
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Bibliography
Associated Press. “Investigation into Vandalism Spree Widens.” Boston Globe. Nov. 2005. 29 Jan 2006. http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2005/11/03/investigation_into_vandalism_spree_widens/
“Fen Attempts to Educate the Governor.” Forest Ecology News. Fall 1999. 29 Jan 2006. http://www.wtvl.net/fen/tmwfall99_14.html
“Greenville Residents Discuss Plum Creek Plan.” Bangor Daily News. Jan. 2006. 30 Jan 2006. http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=126890.
Maine.gov “LURC.” State of Maine. August, 2005. 29 Jan 2006. http://www.state.me.us/doc/lurc/index.shtml
“Save Moosehead-Plum Creek Watch.” Restore: the North Woods. Nov. 2005. 29 Jan 2006. http://www.restore.org/Maine/plumcreek_watch.html
