Crowdsourcing - GabeSemenza's Blog - Victoria Advocate

Crowdsourcing - GabeSemenza's Blog - Victoria Advocate http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza Readers and journalists working together to uncover, research, verify and publish stories for the greater public's digestion. Readers and journalists working together to uncover, research, verify and publish stories for the greater public's digestion. en-us Are you facing wedding woes? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9915 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9915 <p>Is the weak economy throwing a monkey wrench into your nuptials? Are you ditching big wedding plans for a scaled-back version?</p> <p>Advocate reporter Aprill Brandon wants to know. </p> <p>"<font size="2">I'm looking for couples who are planning a wedding but have had to cut back due to the economic downturn," Aprill said.</font></p> <p><font size="2">To share your story with Aprill, contact her at <a href="mailto:abrandon@vicad.com">abrandon@vicad.com</a>, 361-580-6514 or post your story in here.</font></p> <p><font size="2">Here's to hoping your wedding is memorable. Thanks for your help,</font></p> <p><font size="2"><em>Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor</em></font></p> What Fatal Funnel stories do you want to read? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9904 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9904 <p>As we wrap up the ninth installment of the <a href="http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/fatalfunnel/">Fatal Funnel</a>, set to publish later this month, we outlined the next six installments -- from an in-depth interview with the man who defended Tyrone Williams, the only person sentenced to life in prison after the May 2003 tragedy, to a trip into Mexico to visit families of those who died.</p> <p>While we head down the home stretch portion of this project, we want to know: What Fatal Funnel stories would you like to read? Is there an angle about the tragedy that you'd like to learn more about?</p> <p>So far, we've interviewed and featured stories about first responders -- stories about what it's like to have coped with the realities witnessed inside that tractor-trailer.</p> <p>We've interviewed the store clerk who is haunted by that fateful night, and Victoria County Sheriff T. Michael O'Connor, who canvassed for survivors just north of the road named after his mother -- and on the land in which he picnicked as a child.</p> <p>We've visited Harlingen, launching point of the deadly trip, and Brownsville and toured refugee camps and churches that offer sanctuary.</p> <p>We've been to Mission and McAllen and stood on a line with the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, and driven along Falfurrias ranches to meet with Texas Border Volunteers who spot illegal immigrants and drug traffickers almost daily.</p> <p>Most recently, we toured Nuevo Laredo and Laredo and documented the lingering drug cartel violence, which many say is creeping our way.</p> <p>With about seven installments to go, we want to make sure we don't miss an angle -- a story you'd like to read. Please offer your suggestions.</p> <p>Thanks for your help,</p> <p><em>Gabe Semenza / Advocate public service editor</em></p> Did you get to see 'Drug Wars' the movie? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9873 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9873 <p>Are you one of the 800 or so who watched "Drug Wars: Silver or Lead" in the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday night?</p> <p>Did you purchase the DVD and go home and watch the movie?</p> <p>If so, I'd like to know what you thought about the film.</p> <p>Obviously, the Welder Center was a packed house Tuesday night -- so much so that we showed the film twice to accommodate those who weren't able to find a seat for the first showing.</p> <p>If you'd like to share your thoughts about how we could have managed these showings better, <a href="http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/ChrisCobler/9872">Editor Chris Cobler's blog is for you.</a></p> <p>If you'd like to discuss your reaction to "Drug Wars," please post your thoughts in here or reach me at <a href="mailto:gsemenza@vicad.com">gsemenza@vicad.com</a> or 361-580-6519.</p> <p>Thanks for your help and I hope you enjoyed the film,</p> <p><em>Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor</em></p> Is Mexican drug war violence headed to Victoria? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9801 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9801 <font size="2"> <p><strong>CAUTION: This film trailer contains violent images and video.</strong></p> <p>When I first watched "Drug Wars: Silver or Lead," I was blown away. How can this level of violence, documented in the movie, erupt just three hours away?</p> <p>That question is at the heart of this documentary and our eighth installment of the <a href="http://www.VictoriaAdvocate.com/FatalFunnel">Fatal Funnel</a>, which is set to publish Sunday, Dec. 28. We toured the Laredo corridor, and Nuevo Laredo, for signs of this violence.</p> <p>"Drug Wars," produced by Dallas-area filmmaker Rusty Fleming, offers an inside look at the Gulf Cartel, the Mexican drug war and the effects of violent spillover into Texas.</p> <p>For our next Fatal Funnel installment, we took that thesis one step further: Is the violence headed to Victoria? I think our findings will surprise you.</p> <p><strong>As for the movie, the Victoria Advocate and VictoriaAdvocate.com are presenting it to you for free.</strong> On Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 7 p.m., we'll air the film at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Victoria.</p> <p>Following the film, several experts will answer your questions. The experts include Fleming; Victoria County Sheriff T. Michael O'Connor; Fred Burton, a former U.S. State Department counterterrorism, special agent; Webb County Sheriff Rick Flores; and William Slemaker, whose daughter is one of 40 Laredoans kidnapped by the cartels and still missing.</p> <p>This event will be unlike any I've been apart of. I hope you'll join us. Please remember, seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.</p> <p>You might notice online ads, set to publish today, promoting the event. We'll also begin publishing print ads this weekend. Look, too, for upcoming stories detailing this important film premiere.</p> <p><strong>So, please, mark your calendars:</strong> Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 7 p.m. You won't regret watching this film.</p> <p>After the film and expert roundtable discussion - an interactive talk we plan to broadcast on our Web site - Fleming will sign his books and DVDs, and other experts will be on-hand to field additional questions.</p> <p>To learn more about this special event, you can also <a href="http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/static/fatalfunnel/screening/drugWarsScreening.html">click here</a>.</p> <p>Thanks for your interest and let me know if you have questions. Best wishes,</p> <p><em>Gabe Semenza / Advocate public service editor</em></p> <p><strong>On a side note:</strong> I am set to launch a new column and blog, dubbed Watchdog, on Wednesday. The column and blog, as the name implies, will features stories that lookout for you. The column will serve as a government, consumer and other watchdog vehicle; the blog will keep you updated as to progress on these stories, as well as solicit your input and help. We're creating a logo for both. Be sure to keep an eye out next Wednesday for this project's launch -- and in the future for Watchdog stories and blogs. If you have any Watchdog related stories, please send your ideas to <a href="mailto:watchdog@vicad.com">watchdog@vicad.com</a>. Thanks -- Gabe</p> </font>

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Credit: Renovatio Productions

Title: DrugWars_Poster.jpg
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Credit: Renovatio Productions

DrugWars_Poster.jpg Renovatio Productions Do you celebrate Hanukkah? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9787 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9787 <p>What are your Hanukkah traditions? How is this year's celebration shaping up?</p> <p>If you celebrate Hanukkah, we want to visit with you. Please share your stories in here, or contact me at 361-580-6519 or <a href="mailto:gsemenza@vicad.com">gsemenza@vicad.com</a>.</p> <p>We plan to publish a story about your tradition in coming days. </p> <p>Thanks for your help and have a Happy Hanukkah,</p> <p><em>Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor</em></p> Were you laid off? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9783 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9783 <p>So far, a few hundred workers at Dow, Alcoa and Zachary Industrial have been laid off. Contract workers at Invista and Formosa were also laid off.</p> <p>Have you, or has someone you know, lost a job?</p> <p>Advocate business reporter Allison Miles wants to visit with you about the layoffs. How has the slugglish economy and its negative local effects altered your life?</p> <p>You can reach Allison at 361-580-6511 or <a href="mailto:amiles@vicad.com">amiles@vicad.com</a>. You can also post your thoughts in here.</p> <p>I'm also curious to know if there will be a negative domino effect. How will these layoffs effect other local industries?</p> <p>Thanks for your help,</p> <p><em>Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor</em></p> <p> </p> Is it OK to open Christmas presents early? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9759 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9759 <p><font size="2">Growing up, my family opened the bulk of our presents on Christmas Eve. Santa brought a few more that night for us to open Christmas morning.</font></p> <p><font size="2">What is your family tradition? Do you open presents on Christmas Eve, Christmas Morning or some other time?</font></p> <p><font size="2">If you're like me, I harass my wife into letting me open Christmas presents in mid December :)</font></p> <p><font size="2">In any case, Advocate reporter Leslie Wilber is working on a Pro / Con story about those who wait, and those who can't wait, to open presents during the holidays.</font></p> <p><font size="2">To share your tradition or thoughts, contact Leslie at </font><span class="382520118-15122008"><font face="Arial" size="2"><a title="mailto:lwilber@vicad.com" href="mailto:lwilber@vicad.com">lwilber@vicad.com</a> or </font></span><span class="382520118-15122008"><font face="Arial" size="2">361-580-6521. You can also post your thoughts in here.</font></span></p> <p><span class="382520118-15122008"><font size="2">Here's to hoping that, no matter when you open presents, you don't find a lump of coal.</font></span></p> <p><span class="382520118-15122008"><font size="2"><em>Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor</em></font></span></p> Did you witness the strip club stabbing? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9729 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9729 <div><span class="851115615-11122008"><font face="Arial" size="2"><a href="http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/793/story/373316.html">As the Advocate reported today</a>, three men were sent to local hospitals last night after an argument inside a strip club turned near-deadly.</font></span></div> <div><span class="851115615-11122008"><font size="2"></font></span></div> <div><span class="851115615-11122008"><font size="2">Three men were stabbed at Maximus after other guests became jealous of the attention exotic dancers gave them, according to initial police reports.</font></span></div> <div><span class="851115615-11122008"><font size="2"></font></span></div> <div><span class="851115615-11122008"><font size="2">Did you see this fight? Do you work at Maximus?</font></span></div> <div><span class="851115615-11122008"><font size="2"></font></span></div> <div><span class="851115615-11122008"><font size="2">Advocate reporter Leslie Wilber wants to talk to you. You can comment by posting in here, or by contacting Leslie at 361-580-6521 or <a href="mailto:lwilber@vicad.com">lwilber@vicad.com</a>.</font></span></div> <div><span class="851115615-11122008"><font size="2"></font></span></div> <div><span class="851115615-11122008"><font size="2">If you have information that can help Victoria police, please also contact officers at 361-572-2727.</font></span></div> <div><span class="851115615-11122008"><font size="2"></font></span></div> <div><span class="851115615-11122008"><font size="2">Thanks for your help,</font></span></div> <div><span class="851115615-11122008"><font size="2"></font></span></div> <div><span class="851115615-11122008"><font size="2"><em>Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor</em></font></span></div> Where were you during the 2004 snow? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9724 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9724 <span lang="EN"> <p>Being from Montana and accustomed to snowy Christmases, you'd figure I would have been busting out snow angels left and right in 2004, the last year flakes fell atop Victoria.</p> <p>Unfortunately, I drove north toward San Antonio, accidentally speeding underneath my last chance in four years to see snow again.</p> <p>What were you doing? Advocate reporter Allison Miles wants to know.</p> <p>"I'm working on a story about the snow of 2004 - people's memories of the event, to be exact. I'm looking for some good stories," Allison says. "Maybe it was their first time seeing snow or maybe waking up to see a heavy coat of the white stuff was just a big shock. Whatever the case, we're just looking for a few people to talk to. Thanks!"</p> <p>To share your stories and photos, contact Allison at <a href="mailto:amiles@vicad.com">amiles@vicad.com</a> or 361.580.6511. </p> <p>I, too, look forward to hearing your stories and seeing your photos. Just don't rub it in :)</p> <p>Thanks for your help,</p> <p><em>Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor</em></p> </span> Will Seadrift Dow plant closure affect you? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9709 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9709 <span lang="EN"> <p>While the number of potential local Dow layoffs is uncertain, one thing is: The company is closing a local plant.</p> <p>Advocate business reporter Allison Miles <a href="http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/847/story/371865.html">reported today</a> the Midland, Mich.-based Dow Chemical will eliminate 5,000 full-time jobs. </p> <p>This afternoon, Allison learned one plant of the Seadrift Dow Chemical's 12 plants will close as part of the parent company's scale-back.</p> <p>The plant slated to close produces NORDEL MG hydrocarbon rubber, a rubber used in the automotive industry.</p> <p>Dow spokespeople declined to say just how many people will be affected. The Seadrift plant employs 700.</p> <p>"We're looking for people who will be affected by the layoff - or who believe they will be," Allison said. "The company hasn't decided exactly who will lose their job and who will be moved to another area."</p> <p>After a busy day, Allison is headed home for the night. If you'd like to share your story about the impact of a Dow plant closure, comment in here or contact Advocate reporter Madeline Lewis at <a href="mailto:mlewis@vicad.com">mlewis@vicad.com</a> or 361-580-6535.</p> <p>Thanks for your help. Here's to hoping your job is secure,</p> <p><em>Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor</em></p> </span>

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Credit: http://www.russiablog.org/DowLargeLogo.jpg

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