In studio: Rhododendron Crafts

In studio this week is Jessica Ennis of Bethany Christian Services who is a steward for Rhododendron Crafts. Rhododendron Crafts is an artist collective of refugees who make art in the tradition of their countries and cultures. Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars is this week's featured artist with the song "Muloma (Let us be united)" from the disc "Rise and Shine."

MEDIA ANALYSIS

News outlet puts up unusual paywall
In an unheard-of move, The Sun Chronicle in Attleboro, Mass. put up a commenting paywall to disuade trolls and anonymous commenting.
[Read more: Columbia Journalism Review]

WOODTV to change commenting on site
Local outlet WOODTV has also changed its commenting policy so readers can only chime in by logging in via Facebook.
[Read more: WOODTV]

Google encouraging users to build their own mobile apps
For more than a year, Google has been developing software for their Android smartphone platform to enable phone users with zero programming experience to create personalized mobile apps.
[Read more: Poynter, The New York Times]

FCC must firm up fleeting explitive policy
Last week, a federal court ruled that the FCC must come up with clearer policy around what broadcasters can let slide on air. The current policy is so vague that it leaves broadcasters guessing, only to find out they've crossed that line after the FCC fines them.
[Read more: Time]

2010 Knight News Challenge winner: City Seed
City Seed works very much like any other geolocation social network. In this case, users make a conscious decision to check into a site when they feel like that site can be improved somehow or there is an unmet need in the area. When there are other users in that area, a little notice will pop up that informs users someone has spotted a need, and everyone can debate it or pitch in more ideas.
[Read more: Knight Foundation, City Seed, Nieman Lab]

CALENDAR

[FILM] Queeries: But I'm a Cheerleader
Friday, July 23 at 8 p.m. at the Wealthy Theatre, 1130 S Wealthy St.
The GVSU LGBT Resource Centers' Queeries film series pick presents the story of all-American girl. She's a cheerleader and she has a boyfriend but her lifestyle has some concluding that she must be gay and she is sent off to sexual redirection school where the story progresses. Tickets are $6 or $3 for members. For more information, visit the Community Media Center calendar.

[FUNDRAISING] Sunday Soup #5: Sunday Sundaes
Sunday, July 25 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the DAAC, 115 S.Division
Sunday Soup is a mini-grant program of The Division Avenue Arts Collective. On the last Sunday of each month, attendees fork over $5 for a meal and listen to grassroots project proposals as they eat. The money is then pooled as a prize for attendees' favorite proposal. This Sunday's event will feature ice cream sudaes to beat the heat. For more information, visit G-Rad.org.

[POLITICS] Politics and Pints
Monday, July 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Meanwhile Bar, 1005 Wealthy St. SE
Citizens are invited to attend this informal mix and mingle event, hosted by the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce's nonpartisan Political Action Committee, the Friends of West Michigan Business PAC, Politics and Pints provides citizens a chance to network with elected officials and learn about how to get more engaged in the political process in the community and state. To RSVP call Abby Albers at (616) 771-0336 or e-mail [email protected]. Visit the Facebook event page for more information,

[EDUCATION] Rapidian ice cream social/Citizen journalism discussion
Noon on Wednesday, July 28 at Grand Central Market, 57 Monroe Center NW
Colorado State University Ph. D. candidate Ian Storey will be facilitating a discussion and possible topics include: What falls under the citizen journalism umbrella? How does citizen journalism fit into the context of professional journalism? How has the parameters of business affected journalism, and what would happen if citizen journalism were fit into a business model? Get here early to grab food. For more information, visit The Rapidian's calendar.