September 6

I was sick but now I’m back and angrier than ever.
Also Friday’s coverage was all about school test scores. While the stories are needed they bore me. Although credit to Shirin Parsavand for her look at a school that had a huge increase in scores but still couldn’t make the cut.

The Cal
Here is a lesson I have heard from writing experts and noticed over the years. Try not to start off a story then two paragraphs in put the word “but”. It’s like taking a reader along for a ride then abruptly doing a 180. As a passenger you say “Well why did I just go along in the first place”.
Prime example:
They won't be there to see the smiles. They probably won't see the drawings or stories produced with the school supplies that they carefully packed into the colorful backpacks.But parishioners at the Shepherd of Life Lutheran Church in Lake Elsinore said they know their work will be greatly appreciated.

Rani Gupta had an interested story about school districts having more students than they expected. Nice read for the community.

The PE
Mr. Aaron Burgin is on a rampage – taking down Lake Elsinore City Council members right and left. This is a story about how Thomas Buckley spent campaign money on renting a car. I think Mr. Buckley got caught so used the old tried and true excuse: I lost my receipts.

I see Mr. Jeff Horseman did not read my scathing critique of Mr. Burgin’s pan handle ordinance. The No. 1 rule of an ordinance story is you lead off with the people affected. Don’t start off with the phrase “under the ordinance” or police and city officials said. Who cares what they say. Tell me how it affects my massage parlor.

Sean Nealon has a nice trend story about the decline of pianos. Rather than solely focus on the decline in sales he talks about the decline of status symbol for pianos. Great quotes involved and it makes me glad I ditched the piano for the harpsichord.
Here is the quote of the day
"Do I prefer Beethoven to rock? Absolutely," he said. "But it doesn't matter what I think. In a capitalist society, it's what people want. They want Bono and U2. Roll over, Beethoven."

Alicia Robinson did a story about two dogs who must be adopted together. Why? I read the entire thing looking for one reason that belonged on my newspaper. If it ran shouldn’t it belong smack dab on the middle of Local Plus. Where is the news value in this story?

The UT
Great story on how once beautiful trees are now looked at as fire traps.
The lede drew me in and I stayed with the story.
Eucalyptuses are nothing more than multistory matchsticks ready to burst into flames when Santa Ana winds strike.
The neighbor's pine? Pretty. Pretty dangerous, that is. And that sycamore sucks up a zillion gallons of costly water.
In fire-and drought-ravaged San Diego County, such half-truths and myths have put formerly revered trees in a new light.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080906-9999-1n6trees.html

Go by a home in SD now!!! Interesting story showing that SD homes are too undervalued. I agree. It’s a beautiful city with a strong economy. So go buy now.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20080905-9999-1b5housing.html?imw=Y&lid=mostpopular