President Plans To Continue Healthcare Discussion With Public

President Barack Obama will be making a visit to Raleigh on Wednesday to continue discussions on the latest healthcare reform efforts.  Only days after addressing Congress before the nation on prime time TV, Obama hopes to keep the pressure on lawmakers to come to an agreement on healthcare by the end of the year – which would help to put proposed programs and benefits into effect.

Obama’s most general goal for U.S. healthcare is to create legislation that would require all American’s to be insured.  This program would serve to compete with private insurers’ rates, as well as create a system of checks and balances to prevent instances of industry corruption such as barring policy holders when they fall ill and eliminating individuals for pre-existing conditions – both of which have proven to be increasingly problematic nationwide.  With over 50 million people going uninsured in the U.S., those pushing for Obama’s success in the reform hope to see lowered costs and increased coverage in benefits.

Having been criticized for making Wednesday’s prime time address too confusing in language and not directed enough at the public, Obama will use his discussions tour as an aid in understanding his healthcare proposals.  The format of the talk will be a town hall meeting held in the Broughton High School gymnasium.  Tickets to the event were awarded through a lottery system ending Sunday afternoon.

One particular aspect of Obama’s presidency that his opponents seem to harp on is his perceived “celebrity” in the country.  There is no doubt, as some have already voiced on news comment boards, that people will label this appearance as another use of the PR-savvy President’s established likability.  Perhaps this week will show us whether or not North Carolina is still the same shade of blue it was in November.

N.C State Students Design Plan To Turn Dorthea Dix Into Park

By: Stephanie Johnson

This past spring 13 NCSU graphic design students were given the assignment of drawing up detailed design plans for the Dorthea Dix Hospital campus.

The instructions given were straightforward: preserve the hospital, which is 153 years old, along with all other buildings and turn the campus’ 300 acres of open land into an environmentally friendly park.  Plans ranged from bike trails, to a large dog park and an idea also arose to create a stage for nighttime concerts, movies and plays.

According to an article in the News and Observer, when it came to maintaining Dix’s open land the students fell into a debate that had taken place several years ago over what would be done with the prime real estate once the hospital is completely shut down.  The Department of Health and Human Services decided to keep the hospital open until 2012 as an overflow for Central Regional Hospital but local developers are eager to get the large property with overlooks of downtown Raleigh while others such as the 13 students working on the plans along with Mayor Charles Meeker are hoping to turn Dix into a local version of New York’s Central Park.

State officials say that converting the campus into a park would not be a small project and could be expensive.  Those in support of the park, such as some citizen groups, argue that turning the Dix into an urban park would give Raleigh a landmark attraction.  Mayor Meeker has said that discussions about the future of the campus will be revived once the state’s budget battles are over.

I believe the campus should be converted into a park.  The students after all are the future of the city of Raleigh and it seems they know what they would like to see in their community.  The park would not only be an attractive addition to the city but would also be a great support of the environment.   We will keep our eye on this story and on public sentiment when the issue is readdressed.

Harry Potter Mania Enters The Triangle, PR Savvy Fan Group Brings A Message

By Kathleen Mongero

After living through 7 Harry Potter books and the 5 subsequent film   adaptations thus far, the Triangle is more than familiar with release propaganda in the form of late night costume parties at Barnes & Noble, Harry Potter look-a-like contests and the infamous midnight movie screenings where teens have the opportunity to dress as their favorite wizard as they sit in a dark theatre for 3 hours of the ever-blossoming Daniel Radcliffe and friends.

But do not be so quick as to dismiss these fans as a frivolous kiddy-cult with the wave of your homemade, bedazzled cardboard wand.  A group known as the Triangle Chapter of the Harry Potter Alliance, a nonprofit organization that according to their Web site is “dedicated to bringing the themes of Potter into the real world,” has been using outlets such as social and news media to carry out their What Would Dumbledore Do Campaign.  The premise of the campaign is to unite Potter fans from all over the country in spreading inspirational messages from the book, which in turn, speaks to the organization’s mission to mobilize younger generations around social justice issues and promote change.

Using Twitter and Facebook contests as part of their promotion strategy, on the eve of the midnight showing of Harry Potter 6: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, members of the alliance showed up at local movie theaters such as the Regal Crossroads 20 in Cary sporting nametags in homage to Hogwarts headmaster and wizard extraordinaire Albus Dumbledore, each of which spelling out what they learned from his character throughout the series.

While the organization was founded by an adult, what is perhaps most impressive is how it has resonated with younger generations on both the local and global scale.  Not only are Triangle kids learning how to utilize social media in a mature and responsible way, but they are acquiring valuable networking skills on a level greater than telling everyone what they had for lunch via Facebook.  I think Dumbledore would approve, how about you?

By Natalie Fioto

On the night of May 31, North Carolina State University student Joseph Carnevale chopped up three stolen orange and white traffic barrels from a construction site to create a massive sculpture of a roadside monster thumbing a ride on Hillsborough Street.  Carnevale thought of it as art, but police just saw immature vandalism.  They dismantled the 10-foot “barrel monster” and arrested Carnevale on June 10.

Carnevale is in danger of facing serious legal ramifications for his choice of materials and will be charged for larceny and destruction of property.  With a previous theft of a motorboat charge two and a half years ago, he was in violation of his probation and is facing six months in jail.

But not everyone is on favor of Carnevale’s arrest.  “We’ve had a fair amount of vandalism, but never anyone turn it into art,” president of Hamlett Associates (the barrel owner) Steven Hussey said.  “I actually though it was pretty neat.”  Facebook groups such as “Save the Barrel Monster!!!” and “Don’t charge Joseph Carnevale” have attracted more than 12,000 members worldwide trying to persuade Wake County Prosecutor C. Colon Willouby, Jr. to drop the charges.

Carnevale’s “barrel monster” has in fact created huge amounts of media exposure for Hamlett Associates, although their name was falsely identified in initial reports.  News stories have appeared on msnbc.com, news.aol.comand many other publications throughout the nation.  “It’s been positive publicity for us.  If we’d known he’d do that good of work, we’d have given him the barrels,” Hussey said.  The value of publicity for his company is well above the $365 cost of the barrels Carnevale used.  Hamlett Associates does not want to press charges, and even wants a replica of the figure to display in the company’s offices.

It is not surprising that much of the public is pro-barrel monster.  The sculpture played on the irritation and frustration we all feel as we try driving through 5 o’clock traffic with construction barrels lining the two-lane street.  A construction company that can make light of the stressful situation while offering a little humor could provide the city with a new souvenir and publicity.

The City Of Raleigh Pays Tribute To Michael Jackson At Convention Center

Local fans of Michael Jackson gathered at the Raleigh Convention Center on July 7 to pay their respects to the King of Pop. The service included musical performances, a video tribute and about 400 of MJ’s most dedicated local fans.

Despite the 5,000 seats that remained empty throughout the service, the fans that did attend appeared grateful for an opportunity to honor the pop star. Amongst the crowd of children and adults of all ages, there were several red leather jackets and single gloves worn in remembrance.

That is the unique thing about Michael Jackson- he has the ability to unite people of all ages and cultures. Most likely, you listened to his music, your parents listened to his music, your neighbors listened to his music and your teachers listened to his music. Quite frankly, it was near impossible to escape Michael Jackson, whether it be through the radio or the constant media attention he received. He was the center of public attention (and sometimes controversy), and there was no way you were going to miss him.

The Raleigh Convention Center did their part to show local support and remembrance of the King and his many accomplishments, but his death has created a media frenzy all across the nation. The internet skyrocketed following Jackson’s death, with tweets and Facebook posts coming from every direction. The media has covered each angle of the story and is still working on the case.

With all of the national attention, I am sure that fans across the state of North Carolina were glad when Raleigh decided to hold a service for local residents to pay their respects. Though much smaller than some of the national ceremonies, the service in Raleigh allowed family and neighbors to pay tribute together, just miles from their homes.

Krispy Kreme Opening In Knightdale

By Stephanie Johnson

Knightdale residents will soon have a new location to satisfy their sweet tooth.  A Krispy Kreme Doughuts will be opening in The Shoppes at Midway Plantation on U.S. 64 in early August.  However, this Krispy Kreme will be a little different.  The famous neon sign will not read “Hot Doughnuts Now” as this location will not contain a bakery to make the doughnuts on site.  They will be receiving a shipment daily from the triangles only other Krispy Kreme, located on North Person Street.

Earlier in the year plans were discussed to open another store along with this one which would be located at the Fifth Avenue shopping center in Forest Hills in Garner– however Krispy Kreme pulled out during lease negotiations.  Looking at revenue reports it seems as though one store may be enough to take on for now.  In early June, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. reported a net income of $1.9 million for the first quarter of its fiscal 2010.  This is down from $4 million in the first quarter of 2009.  However, Jim Morgan the CEO of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. said that the operating income was up from $5.6 million to $5.8 million despite lease termination and other costs.

The company is hoping that opening smaller stores, which cost less to operate, such as the new location in Knightdale will get them on the right track and turn progress around.  Talks are in the works to open two more stores one in Louisville, Ky, and one in Columbia, S.C.

Krispy Kreme is a favorite to millions and seems to be a good company to take a chance on.  We can all cross our fingers that this new location will succeed and that this will be a small step towards a tasty new business in the area.

State Passes Anti-Bullying Legislation & Students Speak Up

After a long battle, advocates for anti-bullying legislation saw victory recently when the bill narrowly passed through the N.C. House by a vote of 58-57.  The bill, which now awaits the expected signature of Governor Bev Perdue, aims to protect students in public school who are harassed for reasons related to race, religion, disabilities and perceived sexual orientation.   According to the News & Observer, the anti-bullying bill has taken years to catch on with lawmakers, seemingly due to its inclusion of sexual orientation.

Despite the fact that various administrations have pointed out that all state districts are already required to have anti-bullying policies in place, supporters of the bill claim they are frequently ignored and rarely implemented.   The differences in perspectives proved to be even more dramatic when local students were asked about their reaction to the possibility of the new laws.  Many agreed that the legislation was necessary and cited specific examples of instances where they had personally witnessed the emotional or physical harassment of a fellow student.  In many cases, the culprits were said to be athletes and the incident occurred in front of an authority figure, such as a teacher, without ramifications.

Supporters of the bill are hopeful that its passage will encourage victims of bullying to report incidents as well as contribute to preventing school violence, an issue that has become a main focus for education systems across the nation.  If signed into law, the bill will make consequences for bullies more severe and create a better system of checks to make sure schools are following through on their anti-bullying policies.