Right now, I am counting down the days for my trip to D.C. for the inauguration and all the things that go along with traveling - and by bus no less. Can you believe in just a little under two weeks we will have a new president? While I am excited to actually SEE this event, I am also looking forward to the many events surrounding the inauguration of a new president. I would love to be able to check out the Smithsonian or the Newseum, which will have extended hours that weekend. As I mentioned, I am going by bus so there will be a need for individual entertainment (books, iPod, movies, GRE word list), snacks (fresh fruit or packaged ones) and pillow choices until we actually get to D.C. There is also the need for new luggage. During my last trip to Trinidad my suitcase didn't fare so well. So much to do so little time.
While perusing websites I came across a neat idea being done by the Root.com. For those of you coming to D.C. with no itinerary short of seeing the inauguration of President-Elect Obama, there are tons of things you can get into. You could do the normal D.C. sight seeing, you could possibly visit one of the sights I mentioned or you may want to have a day with purpose to add to your trip. You may want to consider spending the day before the inauguration, Martin Luther King Day, volunteering. Officials over at the Root.com see it as a day to revive public service. If you want more information, check out the article written by Natalie Hopkinson here or if you are totally into social media check out their Facebook page here. If you don't need any more information that what I have provided, email them at therootdayofservice@gmail.com and hit my comments and let me know how the day went. Kudos to the Root.com for trying to make an EVERYDAY difference.
And a bit of sad news- many of you may have heard that several programs have been cut from National Public Radio's lineup. One of those programs is News and Notes and it featured news and issues from an African American perspective. It is based in Culver City, California and has been hosted by Ed Gordon of BET News fame. It is currently hosted by Farai Chideya. Well News and Notes will be going off the air in March- March 20th to be exact and like most people, I thought sure this type of show would be front and center for the inauguration mainly reporting on the cultural significance but also on this being the news factor of the year.
Well that will not be the case. Citing budgetary issues, executives at NPR decided that any reporting done on the election would have to be done from California. So upset by this, Ms. Chideya decided to leave the show the Friday before the election. See the article written about it here at the Maynard Institute's Richard Prince's journal-isms. What do you think? Personally, I am offended by the statement, "... program not attracting sufficient levels of audience". Albeit I listened from the web, I think that should've counted for something. I also think that their presence at inaugural events would have closed the show on a high note and made the time spent working with the show that much more memorable. At the very least, I think they should've considered ending the show let's say a month earlier and reallocating those funds to the inaugural show that Tuesday. Surely there is space in the D.C. studios for Ms. Chideya and Tony Cox to air ONE hour! Tsk tsk NPR.
I would like to wish Ms. Chideya well in her endeavors. The article mentioned she has a book entitled, Kiss the Sky coming out so I guess we can look for her on tour.
Lastly, I'd like to introduce people who read my blog to check out other sites/blogs. I view it as an opportunity to visit a site you may have never heard of or may not have thought to visit. Today that site will be Chookooloonks.com. If you have a moment head over there. Every Thursday is love Thursday and I am sure she will have something wonderful to share tomorrow. Your comments are always welcome. Let me know what you think.....
Mel
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