luojo250

[luojo250]

MarsMedia Productions Game Show hosts Auditions

MarsMedia Productions held their second round of host auditions for their upcoming variety game show “When Mars Hits Earth,” Sunday, April 30th, at 660 Washington Street. 

“We hope to find hosts who are not only witty and funny, but a group of people who have chemistry and can work well together” says Tiff Wong, the CEO of MarsMedia Productions.

Just a month ago, the first round of auditions for hosts were made open to the public. Out of a pool of fifty people, five potential hosts were selected for the second round of auditions.

The game show, “When Mars Hits Earth,” would be a shorter spin-off version of popular Asian variety game shows such as “Running Man,” “Infinity Challenge,” and “2 days 1 night,” while mixing in relevant talk-show topics that would appeal to their target audience of international students studying in the United States, according to Wong.

“The point of the show would be to entertain, but also educate and start conversations within the international students studying abroad in the U.S,” says Roy Wong, the producer of the viral variety game show. “A lot of international students studying abroad are often homesick and the cultural differences make it hard for them to understand and fit in with the American culture. We hope the show can be something they can watch with their friends, relate to, and learn lifehacks that are relevant to them.”

“We aren’t just look for funny people,” says Tiff Wong, “we need five different people to basically fit into different roles. You need that one really funny guy that’s not afraid of looking like a fool, but you also need someone who has a strong enough presence to bring conversations back on-topic. Every single host needs to have their own unique highlight that makes them stand out, and most importantly, the group needs to have chemistry so that they can actually generate humor from the audience.”

 The five potential hosts entered the second round of interviews and proceeded to do a mock episode of the show, the entirety of the audition being recorded so the producers could see the hosts on-screen chemistry.

While the list of hosts will not be released until a later date, one contestant said, “I wasn’t really sure what to expect, I just thought it would be fun since I often watch shows like Running Man myself,” when asked why she auditioned for the role. In order to appeal to the student audience, many of those that came out were international students attending College in the greater Boston area.

The show will be 10 – 15 minutes long and separated into two main segments. The first being a talk-show portion in which the five hosts would simply converse about current topics or a certain theme such as “New Years,” or “The weirdest gift I received,” over a food or a game of Chinese dominos. The second portion of the show would consist of hosts finishing tasks, challenges, and working together in teams to win the ‘game show.’

Just as most Asian Variety shows, “When Mars Hits Earth,” would be an unscripted but follow a general guideline and theme. In American terms, it would follow something similar to that of a live-sitcom or stand-up comedy, allowing for hosts to improvise and add their own flair to the show.

[luojo250]

Frances Stark Obituary Lead

Frances Stark, a contemporary writer, and artist that created thought-provoking pieces with transparency and fragile vulnerability died yesterday at her studio in Los Angelo’s Chinatown from an unexpected heart attack at the age of 70. 

Her son reported her death to the police when Stark did not return home for dinner.  

[luojo250]

Always Ask Why: Profile on Beth Daley

Beth Daley, Director of Strategic Development at Inside Climate News, had started out as an environmental reporter at the Boston Globe, but her curiosity and desire for the truth led her onto the path of an investigative journalist.

Sitting in her homey living room filled with an eclectic collection of furniture pieces, ranging from middle-eastern rugs on the floor to a filled bookshelf in the corner, Daley reclines comfortably in one of her sofa chairs. The living room is separated into an area of couches with a wooden desk near the window with books and notebooks scattered on top. 

“I began asking why. I began questioning, it’s kind of empowering to know that you can ask questions, make an impact, and change the world for the better,” said Daley when asked about how she got involved with investigative journalism.

After working for 25 years at the Boston Globe, Daley began to question whether or not what she was reporting on was true. As a reporter, Daley’s job was to simply report the facts – not question the validity behind statements that politicians or those in power made. Yet, once she began to question the validity behind the comments she was recounting, Daley found herself on the path towards investigative journalism.

What interested Daley the most was that investigative journalism made society aware of things they would otherwise not notice, or be aware of.

 Her two-year investigation on mislabeled fish in the Boston area which won her three awards from the Society of Business Editors and Writers along with additional awards from the National Press Club, the Society for Features Journalism and the National Headliner competition started with just a phone call. 

“I got a tip about a guy who said he’d eaten fake fish, and I was like, what do you mean fake fish. It turns out that somebody he knew had gone to the restaurant, eaten the fish, and gotten sick. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but if you start asking questions and peel back the layers, you ask, does that happen a lot?...we realized it was a big problem. One that involved millions of dollars,” said Daley.

After realizing it was a problem, Daley then went on to investigate the restaurants and realized that many restaurants were serving fake fish. After writing a story about what they found, Daley then went on to ask another question: Are restaurants so corrupt they would serve fake fish on purpose?

This question ultimately led Daley to find the root of the problem in the supply chain. 

“As an investigative reporter, you always need to ask why…you need to ask the hard questions.” Daley said.

When asked about her reporting process, Daley says that because investigative reporters can go for years investigating a case without writing anything, it is very important to have a methodical reporting method, 

“what I do is I write myself a question, the big question such as are companies cheating people by selling them inferior fish. But every day when I got to work I would ask myself a smaller question that I can pursue, otherwise, months can go by and you don’t find anything,” Daley says.

It is not only important to identify a problem, and then write a story, but that the article is able to tangibly lead to a purpose.

“It should be able to fix something,” Daley says.

 Daley’s curiosity, and willingness to constantly ask why led her on the path of an investigative journalist.

[luojo250]

BU students dissatisfied with the BUS system

There has been rising dissatisfaction among Boston University (BU) Students with the BU Shuttle (BUS) system, a free shuttle service for BU students, faculty, and staff, that provides transportation between the Charles River campus and the Medical Campus. 

The BUS is a private service that provides Boston University Students, faculty, and staff with free transportation between the Charles River Campus and the Medical Campus; however, most students have described the BUS as being both inefficient and unreliable.

“I was stressed, STRESSEDT,” Zachary Rodriguez, 20, a sophomore in the College of Engineering said about his first experience taking the BUS. Not only was the BUS packed when he attempted to take it at 9’o’clock in the morning to get to his class, but because he was unable to get on, he was late to his class. “I had to resort to speed-walking” from bay state to CGS, “but I was still late,” Rodriguez says. 

“I don’t take it. The BU bus, it’s just a waste of time, waiting for it.” Said Keri Yang, 20, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences.

These attitudes were not uncommon, in the 15 undergraduate students interviewed, almost everyone expressed dissatisfaction of some sort; however, regular commuters who rely on the BUS to get them from west to east or vice versa have found ways to combat the inefficient system.

“People trash on it a lot, but the shuttle is pretty good. Especially if you live in West, it keeps you alive,” says Peter Ammondson, 18, a freshman in the Questrom School of Business. While Peter says that the shuttle is often inefficient and that the buses often go out of service with no notice in advance, he recommends using the live map feature in the BU mobile app to track the BUS with a more accurate timing.

Maysa Whyte, 20, a sophomore in the Questrom School of Business also developed a strategy to make sure she can get to class on time using the BUS. 

“If I want to take the bus during rush hours, I will walk to a stop that is earlier, so that way I know I will get a seat on the bus and don’t have to play the subway surfing game,” said Whyte.

Many students said that the reason the BUS seems to be inefficient is that it never truly follows the schedule or plan. Furthermore, BUS’s will go out of service with no notice in advance, BUS routes will change without notice, and BUS’s will arrive two at a time instead of within five or ten-minute intervals causing the wait periods to be elongated. Students have also complained that rather than using the bigger buses during known ‘rush hours,’ smaller buses will be doing the runs.

[luojo250]

Plane Crash avoided as Pilot successfully lands plane in the Hudson River.

Miracles don't just happen in movies.

Thursday, January, 15, after departing from New York City's LaGuardia airport at 3:26 P.M. for Charlotte, South Carolina, US Airways Flight 1549 lost power in both engines due to two bird strikes, according to the official's report.  

The pilot Chesley Sullenberger III, 57, made the decision to land the plane in the Hudson River knowing that he would not be able to far fly enough to land at Tarboro, NJ. At 3:30 PM, he successfully landed the plane in the Hudson River with no passengers severely injured.

After the plane landed, exit doors were open and the 5 person crew evacuated the plane as the plane began to sink. 3 commuter ferries went out to rescue the people, followed by police and fire boats, tug boats, coast guard rescue boat, and a helicopter. Passengers were taken to hospitals in New York and New Jersey, but no one was severely injured.

Aviation experts said that landing a plane in a river is very difficult. Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York said the pilot did a "masterful job."

The Pilot and Passengers gave this account of the incident.

‘It was a mricale,” one passender said. 

After taking off at 3:26 PM from New York City's LaGaurdia airport, two bird strikes flew into the jet engines as Flight 1549, an airbus 320, flew north crossing the east river and the Bronx. Sullenberger III immediately called air traffic control to report the loss of power in the two engines, asking permission to land at a small airport in Tarboro, NJ.

However, Sullenberger realized that he could not fly that fire with no power in either engine, so he decided to land on the waters of the Hudson River. Just before landing, Sullenberger warned the passengers to prepare for a hard landing and to put their heads down.

"Brace for impact," Sullenberger said over the speakers. According to Elizabeth Hugh, 64, flight attendants shouted for passengers to put their feet on the floor and to cover their heads.

"I prayed and prayed and prayed. Believe me, I prayed," Elizabeth said. “As soon as we hit, we all jolted forwards and sideways, then the water started coming in around my feet."

Elizabeth was then evacuated via an inflated slide that led to a line raft. The pilot walked up and down the length of the plane two times to make sure everyone was evacuated.

“It made this huge gigantic splash. I actually thought it was a boat crash at first. It didn’t occur to me that it was a plane in the water.”  Said Fulmer Duckworth, 41, who had been in a meeting in a building on 42nd street with a window that faced the river, and witness the plane crash.

According to Neil Lasher, 62, as soon as the plane hit the water NY waterway ferries and those in the jersey side were heading towards the plane within minutes.

Aviation experts say that it is very hard to land a plane in the water as the angle of descent can break off the wings and send it to the bottom of the river. The pilot's approach to the river was very gentle, with a very shallow landing angle, according to witnesses on the river.

Governor David Paterson held a press conference in Manhattan, “this is a potential tragedy that may have become one of the most magnificent days in the history of New York City.”

[luojo250]

[luojo250]

Lincoln Assassinated, Andrew Johnson sworn in as the President of the United States of America.

Who knew "Our American Cousin," would be the last performance President Lincoln would ever see.

President Lincoln was shot in the head by an unidentified man, according to District Columbian Police, Friday, April 14, 1865, at Fords theater, during the showing of "Our American Cousin."

The President and the first lady had been enjoying the play from the presidential box before a loud crack was heard. Soon after, an unidentified knife-wielding man jumped onto the stage shouting “Sic Temper Tyrannis” before disappearing behind the curtain. A man from the audience chased the armed individual out the back door.

Mrs. Lincoln sobbed as the President slumped over in his box. Screams and cries erupted from the crowd while soldiers carried the President from the president’s box with Mrs. Lincoln following.

At 7:22 a.m. the surgeon general declared the President dead at 7:22 a.m. At noon, Vice President Andrew Johnson was sworn in as the New President by Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Police gave this account of the assassination.

The assailant, John Wilkes booth, gained entrance to the President's Private box at the theater by presenting a personal card and asking for an interview. At 10:30 PM, a loud crack similar to the sound of a pistol shot reverberates through the air. Confusion arises in the theater as a booth jumps from the President's box onto the stage, holding a dagger before disappearing behind the curtains.

The President was shot in the head before his body slouched into his velvet cushioned rocking chair. Mrs. Lincoln is seen sobbing as soldiers come into the Presidential box to transport the President back home. The president's two sons join their mother at the President's bedside along with members of the cabinet.

In the early hours of the morning, the general surgeon reported that the president was unconscious and would not be expected to recover from his wound. The surgeon announces after midnight that the bullet is still lodged in the president's head and he still remains unconscious. He does not believe that the president will live.

As the president lies unconscious, breathing slowly in bed, with the bullet still lodged in his skull, the army has posted guards at all outgoing highways and streets of Washington. No one is allowed to leave the house, and there is an intensive search for the assailant: John Wilkes Booth, a famous actor who has played at Ford's theater and recovered the single shot pistol.

At 7:22 a.m. the president was declared dead, and his body was removed from the house in a coffin wrapped in an American flag and taken to the White House at 9:30 a.m. The coffin was carried in a hearse accompanied by a small guard of cavalry with General Christopher Augur, a battlefield commander during the recently ended war. Other officers followed on foot.

Before noon, Vice President Andrew Johnson was sworn in as the President of the United States. President Johnson then met with the cabinet at the Treasury building and appointed William Hunter as acting secretary of state, as an attempt was also made on the former Secretary of State Stewart at the same time as Lincoln's assassination.  

At the same time, an army officer says: "a man who was posing as a carrier showed up at Secretary of State Stewart's home with medicine and slit his throat, Steward was injured but not killed." While Stewart was not killed, the assailant is still unknown.

[luojo250]

President Lincoln Assassinated at Ford Theater

Helen Luo, 15 February 2017

President Lincoln was shot in the head by an unidentified man, according to District Columbian Police, Friday, April 14, 1865, at Fords theater, during a showing of “Our American Cousin.” 

The President and the first lady had been enjoying the play from the presidential box before a loud crack was heard. Soon after, an unidentified knife-wielding man jumped from the president’s box onto the stage shouting “Sic Temper Tyrannis” before disappearing behind the curtain. A man from the audience chased the armed individual out the back door.

Mrs. Lincoln sobbed as the President slumped over in his box. Screams and cries erupted from the crowd while soldiers carried the President from the president’s box with Mrs. Lincoln following suit.

[luojo250]

Tweets

President Lincoln and his wife are seated at Ford’s theater, about to watch “our american cousin,” Washington D.C.

An unidentified man with a dagger jumps onto the stage from the President’s box shouting, “Sic Temper Tyrannis” after a loud crack is heard.

The president is slumped over in his box as screams erupt from the crowd. A man jumps from the audience onto the stage in pursuit of the knife-wielding man who disappeared behind the curtain only moments ago.

President Lincoln was shot in the head at Ford’s theater, Friday night, According to district columbian police.  Soldiers removed the president from the presidential box, with Mrs. Lincoln following suit, sobbing.

[luojo250]

Derailed Freight Cars Cause Fire Engulfing Lacmègantic in Flames

14 February 2017

Seventy-three freight cars, many containing crude oil, became detached from a Montreal, Maine, and Atlantic railway locomotive, Last night, before derailing into downtown Lacmègantic, Quebec, causing an explosion destroying much of downtown Lacmègantic.

The town has been evacuated, but the fire has yet to be put out, according to the Quebec Provisional Police. Several townspeople are reported missing and the number of causalities are still unclear, said the Police. The cause of the derailment is still unclear.

[luojo250]

News Leads

A MCHM chemical leak occurred earlier today from a coal-cleaning facility located along the Elk River near Charleston, tainting the tap water and causing more than a hundred thousand people to be without safe tap water today and for several days, said the Spokesman for the West Virginia department of Environmental protection.

Seventy three freight cars, many of which were carrying crude oil, became detached from a Montreal,Maine,and Atlantic railway locomotive, last night, before derailing into downtown Lacmegantic, Quebec, and causing an explosion continuing engulf and fire destroying much of the towns downtown.

[luojo250]

Fire in Allston Injures Two Firefighters and Two Bystanders (edited)

February 7, 2017

Five firefighters and two bystanders were injured in a nine alarm fire that broke out at Harvard Terrance Apartments on Thursday, January 26, at 5:30 PM, according to the fire chief at the Boston Fire Department.

Sixty people have been displaced as a consequence of the fire with the damages totaling roughly two million dollars, according to the fire chief.

��While we are still not sure of the cause, we believe the fire started on the rear porch of the third story of the building and quickly moved to the front of the building,” said the fire chief. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, the fire chief said.

By 7:30 p.m. the fire department had sounded nine alarms, and a two block radius at the intersection of Brighton Avenue and Harvard Street were cordoned off so that the fire engines could access the scene.

Eight Boston University graduate students resided at Harvard Terrance, and according to the dean of students at Boston University, alternate living arrangements are being made. A shelter administered by the Red Cross has been set up at the Jackson Man School in Allston for all those affected by the fire.

At 9:28 p.m. the fire department has secured the scene and removed all fire equipment.

[luojo250]

Fire in Allston Injures Two Firefighters and Two Bystanders

February 7, 2017

Five firefighters and two bystanders were injured in a nine alarm fire that broke out at Harvard Terrance Apartments on Thursday, January 26, at 5:30 PM, according to the fire chief at the Boston Fire Department.

Sixty people have been displaced as a consequence of the fire with the damages totaling roughly two million dollars, according to the fire chief’s reports.

“While we are still not sure of the cause, we believe the fire started on the rear porch of the third story of the building and quickly moved to the front of the building,” said the Fire chief. The current cause of the fire is still under investigation.

By 7:30 PM the fire sounded nine alarms, and a two block radius at the intersection of Brighton Avenue and Harvard street were cordoned off so that the fire engines could access the scene.

8 Boston University graduate students resided at Harvard Terrance, and according to the Dean of Students at Boston University, alternate living arrangements are currently being made. Furthermore, a shelter administered by the red cross has been set up at the Jackson Man School in Allston for all those affected by the fire.

At 9:28 PM the fire department has secured the scene and removed all fire equipment.

[luojo250]

News Story #1

Helen Luo, 26 January 2017

On Monday, January 23, a Boston University research assistant was stabbed, robbed, and punched on the corner of pleasant and grounds street in Brookline at 8:32 PM.

           The police described the two suspects as male, roughly six-feet-tall, wearing beat knit caps over their faces, black fleece pullovers, and jeans. The two assailants are also believed to have been involved in an armed robbery in the neighborhood. Subsequently, an iPad was also stolen.

           The victim, a 30-year-old post-doctoral fellow, is being treated at the Beth Israel medical center for stab wounds. According to the police, the research assistant said that he was just out for a walk when he was assaulted.

           The BU police, Brookline police, and State police are still conducting an investigation. Meanwhile, the BU police department has sent out an emergency alert warning to all students to avoid the area around Pleasant and Grounds street in Brookline on the west end of campus.

Questions to ask:

1.     Are the suspects still at large?

2.     Where was the armed robbery specifically? What was stolen? Any shots fired?

3.     Interview people who might have been in the surrounding area and witness the event (perhaps store owners)