Erie Starbucks will remain open
Erie Starbucks patrons can relax. Grande Sugar Free Vanilla Lattes can still be in your future.
No Erie Starbucks locations will be closing. The complete list of store closings has been released.
Time flies…
The past six months have been very busy for me. I moved back to Pennsylvania from Missouri. The intensity of wedding planning has increased immensely. We’ve been meeting with and booking vendors to ensure our New Year’s Eve wedding is the party of the year (for both 2008 and 2009!). On the professional front, my job assignment has been keeping me super busy. I have been working with advertising and animation agencies to produce some really fun deliverables (and much more).
It’s only going to get more intense… I would like to announce that I’m starting my own print, stationery and promotional business. I look forward to documenting my start up efforts and growing the business. I’ll do this all as I finalize the wedding planning, work a full time job, meet my blogging commitments and settle into my new home (some may call me crazy– but I call it inspired!).
In the next six months, I’ll get married, graduate from my leadership program, and start the next journey of my life. This is exciting stuff!
Northwest cuttings jobs– Will Erie suffer?
Northwest Airlines is going to cut 2,500 jobs– what does this mean for the Erie International Airport? Are we going to loose another airline? Is the service we receive going to get worse? It’s hard enough to get into Erie on Northwest without your flight getting canceled– this probably isn’t good for consumers. As prices also raise, I’m sure the service will also suffer. It’s too bad we don’t have a better mass transit infrastructure in Erie.
Northwest cutting jobs, raising fees
Airline blames rising fuel costs for additional charges on luggage, frequent-flier tickets and flight changes
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Northwest Airlines said Wednesday it will be cutting its frontline and management work force by 2,500 people, or a little more than 7% of its total employees, blaming capacity cuts stemming from rising oil prices.
The airline also said it will begin charging $15 for a passenger’s first checked bag and service fees for frequent-flier tickets. It also will boost fees for ticket changes.
Northwest’s rivals have also started cutting jobs and charging extra fees to offset skyrocketing fuel prices. Read More…
What are your thoughts?
TV Turmoil article highlights Erie TV pay
Visit GoErie.com to read a new article which gives insight into the exodus of many Erie TV personalities for new markets and new industries. Leaving a market the size of Erie is a norm for motivated TV personalities. Will the loss of many solid TV personalities lead to a bumpy, rough road for stations looking for talent? Will station management take risks and reinvigorate stagnant news casts and traditional formats and segments? Or will the revolving door keep turning and never slowing down to gain momentum and make progress?
TV Turmoil
Revolving door in small news markets part of the biz
In Jennifer Taylor’s broadcast journalism game plan, Erie was always considered a steppingstone — not a destination.
Taylor, 28, recently left her reporter/anchor job at Erie’s WSEE-TV for a new reporting job at WNWO-TV in Toledo, Ohio. In doing so, Taylor joined a growing list of anchors and reporters who have left Erie’s local television news scene since January.
Karla Mullenax.
Pat Van Zandt.
Dan Wells.
Sarah Arbogast.
On-air talent turnover is a frequent fact of life in Erie — the 142nd largest television market in the U.S. out of 210 such markets nationwide. Read More…
A lot of TV people work hard and put in extra effort because they love making news. The pay scale does not reflect their hard work. Often the people working the hardest are making the least (producers, control room, videographers, assignment editors, etc). However, without their support and dedication– news casts would not be as successful. Off air workers deserve major kudos– and a bump in pay– but they seem to be ignored in the Flower’s article (and maybe in the newroom?). I have to question how much NABET really gets done for union members around town. Do members ”sit down and take it” more than going to head-to-head and filing grievances, when appropriate? (Perhaps not, but I felt obligated to ask the question)
The happiness and success of people in the TV industry is impacted by management’s attitudes and initiatives. Some people feel chased away because of the lack of support they feel in lean news rooms. There are a lot of opportunities for increased efficiency in TV. Newer talent should embrace these ideas and push for them. A little imagination and courage could go a long way– and could be a major game changer for local TV ratings.
Fireworks
I did not get any “great” shots of the fireworks this year. I need to get a new tripod so all of the photos were taken without one. I do like the neat effect that occurs with slight movement– it makes the lights from the fireworks look electric. Sometimes, my favorite shots are not the ones that are perfect.
Podcasting
What is podcasting? A podcast is an audio or digital media file published by an author or authors, available for download on the Internet. Podcasts can be played back online or to synced with audio players such as mp3 players, iPods, and more. The subject of podcasts varies and can be about countless topics.
My podcast from eBizITPA has finally been published! A few months ago, I was invited to talk with Erie’s Center of eBusiness and Advanced IT about my experiences with blogging. Visit eBizITPA’s site to hear me talk about www.newlycorporate.com and blogging for millennials. I also talk about creating www.thejenson.com to execute my personal brand.
The site also features podcasts from Erica DeWolf on blogging, Bill Shore on Cybercrime Prevention, and former Erie Blogger Dennis. Some of the commentary is very interesting 
More Podcasts
- http://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/
- http://www.cnn.com/services/podcasting/
Personal Update: Moving, Wedding & Health
Reducing my Carbon Footprint & Commuting Costs
The past couple of weeks have been very busy for me. We just moved across town and are in the process of unpacking. One of the benefits to moving is that I have really reduced my commuting costs from $622.00 per month to $447 (20 mile round trip to ~2 mile round trip). That calculation incorporates car payments, depreciation, car insurance, the price of gas, and more into the mix. If we look at the cost reduction just in fuel to get to and from work (not including any extra stops or other trips), I save about $170/mo in fuel!
Wedding Planning continues…
My finance has been working 7 days a week at two jobs so that’s added a bit of difficulty into the mix as far as moving and wedding planning goes. I’m looking forward to things settling down a bit. We have a place in mind for our stag and drag and hope to make an announcement soon about the time, date, and location! My fiance’s dad is preparing to leave for the military– he goes for training very soon and early next year will get deployed to Iraq.
Health Issues
I was recently diagnosed with a few medical conditions which include severe iron deficiency, B12 deficiency, and an abnormal thyroid. My iron levels were so low they were a “1.” That means I had very little oxygen in my blood. I knew there was a problem when I tried to give blood a couple of weeks ago and was rejected for low iron. They usually test your iron by pricking your finger and dropping it into a vile. My blood wouldn’t sink– it just floated on the top.
I’m now on high doses of iron. Hopefully, my iron will be restored to “normal” so I don’t have to get iron via IV. I hate taking medicine but the doctor told me I need to be on this the rest of my life. An interesting dimension to all of the problems is that they all cause fatigue and tiredness. I had adjusted to the feeling of being tired so I didn’t notice. Once I was aware that there was a problem, I noticed just how tired and run down I felt. It’s like when you have a cut and don’t know it so it doesn’t hurt. Once you know it’s there, it’s painful. This analogy is very similar to how I felt when I found out. I’m expected to regain energy gradually but I hope to be diligent with my medication so this occurs. I got a B12 shot while I was at the doctors– I’ll have to get those every month instead of when I notice I’m light-headed. I go to the endocrinologist in September to dig into the thyroid issue. That’s kind of far away!
Random things…
I wanted to visit my family in North Carolina for the 4th of July but many factors contributed to me not going. It’s been almost a year since I’ve seen my little brother (who turned 8 today!) or my mother… I hope to make a trip down soon.
One of my friends just got engaged!!!! I’m not sure how many people know about it yet so I won’t say who it is yet– but I’m so happy!
Cyberbullying Outlawed In Missouri
Cyberbullying has been outlawed in Missouri- inspired by the story of a 13-year old girl who committed suicide after receiving harassing messages through Myspace, according to CNN.com. The family of the girl was instrumental in passing legislation, which was signed by Governor Matt Blunt on Monday, July 1. Before the new law passed, Missouri legislation dictated that harassment was limited to communications in writing or over the telephone. The updated law now means those who use computers, text messages, or other electronic communication devices to intimidate and harass may be subject to legal action. This case may be bench marked by other states looking to adopt similar regulations.
“Social networking sites and technology have opened a new door for criminals and bullies to prey on their victims, especially children,” Blunt said. “This new law will ensure that we have the protections and penalties needed to safeguard Missourians from Internet harassment.”
Tires to Energy Plant for Erie
I’m inspired by creative ideas to produce alternate energy. But is the proposed tires-to-energy plant in Erie worth the risks? Will our recently celebrated, cleaner Presque Isle Bay become the ultimate victim? Is the Coke plant doing worse things to Erie? Could we use industrial businesses in Erie to stimulate our economy? Is manufacturing dying in Erie? Would business owners really leave Erie if the idea comes to fruition?
From GoErie: “Five years after this community reeled from the loss of IP’s paper mill and its hundreds of jobs, Koehle wonders whether we would welcome that mill and those jobs back to the site.”
The shrinking of Erie’s manufacturing muscle is widely mourned and has produced an identity crisis of sorts focused on the town this used to be. That town was built around factories and smokestacks surrounded by housing.”
Read More
Proposed Tire To Energy Plant Heats Debate in Erie
Erie Bloggers:
- Inmate
I would love to hear your thoughts!
Photography by Jennifer K. Robinson at Walnut Creek in Fairview, PA.
I’ll pay with my Clever Card
If you’re a Capital One credit card holder, you can now create your own custom image using a Flickr Account. How clever! It’s a Clever Card. I’m playing with their tool and it’s fun… so far it gets the Jenson seal of approval! I learned about this from a TV add– great marketing concept.
In the commercial, a couple’s TV breaks and the woman allows the man to go buy a new TV. He sits in a theatre chair, awed over the digital delights, and he texts Capital one to get the balance on his credit card. I’ll take that, too! That’s not available on my card– what a bummer. It’s Chase’s.
Personal note: I just moved across town! I’ll be in Erie for the 4th & would love to spend some time with friends!
Random thoughts:
Go stock prices, go!
Someone told me I inspired them to want to blog. I will be delighted if that happened!
Probably want have Internet for less than two weeks. I hate utility companies. They are the worst for customer service and offer no customer satisfaction.
Looking for friends who want to take a roadtrip down to Asheville, NC this summer.
Camping, anyone?
I’m so glad all the boxes are moved. I wish I took some time off work to unpack the boxes. Or to see my family. It’s been a while.
I can’t wait to feel better…
Wedding plans are in full swing. The reception and ceremony are both at the same location, as are hotel rooms. We’re getting married on New Year’s Eve and because the holiday is a busy night for hotel rooms, people should make their reservations now. We’ll be making decisions about the bridesmaids and grooms mens attire and then picking music. We are in the process of finalizing our vendors. I found my dress and I love it– It felt great to find the one! Our colors are black & ivory with blue accents. We’re going to ring in the new year having so much fun!
Thank Yous
Thank you to the in-laws for the great help this weekend (and always). We are blessed to have you in our lives. Many thanks also go to Andy and Ellen who were also great help.
