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INTERVIEW (11:55)
Michele Fife of Seva Yoga and Nikki Outhier join us on air to alert animal lovers to a fundraiser for the Humane Society of West Michigan. All day on Saturday, Aug. 6, the All4One festival (free!) invites the community to the East Grand Rapids High School track (2211 Lake Dr SE)to enjoy music by African-inspired drum corps, aerial performances that will all benefit the 14 programs areas of the Humane Society.
Music this week comes from Breathe Owl Breathe with "Sabertooth Tiger."
ANALYSIS (0:00)
Monetizing opportunity for news outlets in the form of ebooks
News organizations that are trying to monetize their content have a new way to do it in the form of ebooks. The Poynter Institute suggested that since many media outlets have troves of historical information, to curate ebooks around a specific topic filled in with recent and past articles. Technology news outlet Ars Technica had a similar idea and recently released an ebook version of an in-depth software review. Although they offered the same version for free on the Internet, they found that many people were willing to pay the $5 fee to have their own copy or as a sign of appreciation.
[More: Poynter, Nieman Lab]
Pulitzer prize winner comes out as undocumented immigrant
Since his announcement a month ago, Jose Vargas has been making the media rounds sharing his experience as an undocumented immigrant. Vargas found out at age 16 that he was not a citizen although he had lived with his grandparents in the states from a young age.
[More: New York Times, The Atlantic]
Scandal refocuses debate on media consolidation in US
The security and privacy crimes alleged to have been committed by Rupert Murdock’s media mega-company News Corp is providing opportunity for critical examination of media consolidation, according to a NYT piece by Brian Stelter. News Corp is the second largest media conglomerate behind the Walt Disney Company, and third largest as an entertainment outlet, based on 2011 and 2009 revenue figures, respectively. “For those of us who’ve been warning about the dangers of too much media power concentrated in too few corporate hands, this scandal is a godsend,” said Jeff Cohen, the founding director of the Park Center for Independent Media at Ithaca College. Representative Bobby Rush, a Democrat of Illinois and a past critic of Mr. Murdoch, questioned in an interview whether the media mogul had been allowed to amass too much media power. “We can’t forget the fundamental tenet of media ownership in the United States. It’s not a right, it’s a privilege. And it’s a privilege based on trust and responsibility,” he said.
CALENDAR (27:14)
Critical Mass in Grand Rapids
5 p.m. on Friday, July 29 at Rosa Parks Circle
Critical Mass is a bikers rights awareness ride that takes place on the last Friday of every month in cities all over the world. July's ride is dedicated to Larry Martin, an area resident and cyclist who recently died after being struck by a car. Participants should meet at 5 p.m. at Rosa Parks Circle.
[More]
Public night at Veen Observatory
9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 30 at Veen Observatory (3308 Kissing Rock Ave, Lowell)
Star gazers can head to Lowell for a look at the night sky. Veen Observatory is opening its doors for public night. The observatory has several high-powered telescopes, and members of the GR Amateur Astronomical Association will also be sharing their own telescopes.
[More]
Love Michigan Blood Drive
8 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Michigan Blood (1036 Fuller NE)
WYCE and Michigan Blood are hosting the LOVE MICHIGAN Blood Drive to help replenish the 140 pints of blood needed each day in West Michigan. Stop by Michigan Blood from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2. Blood donors will also be rewarded with a Michigan made product including items from TheMittenState.com, Hudsonville Ice Cream, Better Made Chips and Meijer.
[More]
Grand Rapids Latch On festival for mothers
10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6 at Rosa Parks Circle
The Grand Rapids Latch On is set for Saturday, Aug. 6 at 10 a.m., where nursing mothers will be making the point that breastfeeding in public is a natural and essential act. There will be many performers and speakers sharing about the importance of breastfeeding and its history and place in society.
[More]
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