Astrid Pizarro

12/7/11

Patrick May

Orlando, FLA. - Patrick May, 60, is a writer for the San Jose Mercury News and a man with a passion for writing with a lot of interesting stories behind his stories. His love for traveling is what actually led him to writing.

“I have traveled to 67 countries,” expressed May to a journalism class on Tuesday afternoon. May has traveled the world including Greece, South Arabia, Morocco and Egypt.

Patrick May dropped out of college to travel the world that got him to find an interest in journalism. At 30 years old, he headed to San Francisco State University to earn his journalism degree.

He got hired by the Jacksonville Times Union in which he covered tragedies from plane crashes to homicides. Not too long ago after that, he started working for the Miami Herald for 15 years.

May has written stories including the Gulf War, Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 as well as other strategies. “The whole city smelled like death,” said May about the September ninth incident in World Trade Center.

Aside from experiencing tragedies, Patrick May has also met a few celebrities through his career. “It’s kind of a funny story, I met Bill Clinton in the men’s restroom,” stated May. He has also met Barbara Walters, Oprah Winfrey and Julio Iglesias.

May’s favorite piece was about a homeless man that died in Florida. He spent time putting his life together in order to write the story. He wrote a great story, however, it was never published because of the alcohol references.

Currently, May covers news for Apple Inc. for the San Jose Mercury News. It is not always easy as Apple does not mention much about their products as they like to keep it private. “With Steve Jobs’ death, they have opened a little,” expressed May.

Patrick May is a man that found his passion for writing and it has been accompanied by many experiences from tragedies to memorable situations.

Shooting

Astrid Pizarro
December 1, 2011
Shooting 

CENTERVILLE  - A shooting was reported last night in Grungeville at the Fandango Bar & Grill on Wilson Street. There was an argument between two men in the bar when they began to shove each other and the bartender thew them out.

      Witnesses at the bar said they heard them arguing on the street outside then they heard the sound of a shot being fired. A few patrons rushed outside and one of the men involved in the argument was laying on the ground in a pool of blood.

     The victim had been shot in the forehead and he appeared to be in his mid 30s and dressed in an expensive suit and tie. The shooter was not found and the shooting occurred around 10:45 p.m.

     Lt. Jane Ortlieb of the Centerville Police Department said, "The man was rushed to St. Mary's Hospital but was DOA. The homicide detectives are on the scene interviewing bar patrons about what happened but so far, no one seems to know much.

    However, Ortlieb is not surprised about the shooting since the Fandango Bar & Grill is a place that drug dealers and users go to hangout. "Detectives don't yet have a motive for the shooting, but my speculation is that the two might have been arguing over a drug deal," expressed Ortlieb.

    Lt. Ortlieb then received a cause of the death from the hospital, a .38-caliber bullet wound to the head. She added, "We have an ID on the victim. He's Peter Wickham, a press secretary of the mayor. Age 35." Centerville's mayor is named Fred Wiley.

They Pretty Boy of Salsa

Astrid Pizarro

Nov. 16, 2011

Group 1

            Ismael Miranda is known as the Pretty Boy of Salsa however he is an example of how dreams do come true. He was born in Aguada, Puerto Rico and as a child he always wanted to be a musician.

His interest in music led him to form two groups, “The 4J’s and Little Junior” and “The Class Mates.”  “My career started when I was thirteen years old with different musical groups,” Miranda said.

            At the age of seventeen, he made his first recording with a song called, “Let’s Ball” with Joey Pastrana. For Miranda, it is an accomplishment, “My first recording at the age of seventeen because it is not common in the genre.” He left a good impression on the band’s leader, Larry Harlow that he was recruited as his lead singer.

“At nineteen being part of the most influential and important musical organizations of salsa music ‘La Fania,’” is what Miranda considers a big step in his musical career. Fania All Stars toured in Europe, Asia and Latin America as well.

His wife Janice Battle stated, “I admire that he maintains his voice intact and gives it his all in each concert as if it was his first.” Battle mentioned that she was a fan before she even got married to Ismael.

Miranda has traveled in different parts of the worlds like Japan, Africa, and even Germany. When it came to visiting these amazing places with his music, Ismael felt “Their acceptance was amazing, not only did it surprise me that they liked my music but that they were singing along and knew the lyrics.”

Ismael has had a wonderful career including eighty seven productions. He believes the key behind his success has been learning how to respect and love the audience. “This helps me prepare to give them the best,” Miranda said.

“He’s wonderful to work with and he is a very humble person,” said Joydi Michelle who has worked and interviewed Ismael Miranda. His humility is one of the things that makes him stand out.

Ismael Miranda is truly an example of how dreams come true and expand further than we can imagine. He always wanted to be a musician and accomplished it with tremendous success.

Higher Education means Higher Salary
Astrid Pizarro
Nov. 8, 2011
Group 1


     To show the relationship between higher education and higher salaries, the U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau has a report with a new study that shows that adults over 18 years old with a Bachelor's Degree earn an average of $45,687 a year. However, those that only have a high school diploma earn an average of $24,572.

     The Educational Attainment in the United States: P20-153 includes:

• 84 percent of adults over 25 years old complete high school but only 26 percent had a Bachelor's Degree or higher. 
• The rate for young adults from 25-29 years old that completed high school was 88 percent with only 28 percent of them earning a college degree.
• The rate of college completion for young women was higher than for young men at 30 and 28 percent.

     "Given the very large differences in education between younger and older age groups, the attainment level of the total population will continue to rise for some time, as younger, more educated age groups replace older, less educated ones," said Eric Newburger, co-author of the report.

     The report shows those that with a higher education earn a higher salary. However, there is a higher percentage of high school completion compared to the percentage of those with a Bachelor's Degree and higher. It also brings out the importance of having a higher education rather than just a high school diploma.

     Francesca Fey, a Valencia College student expressed, "I need to seek a higher education for my major, Broadcast Media, because it keeps my mind active and challenged and in the end college graduates tend to earn more money."

The Right Care For You
Astrid Pizarro

     Orlando, Fla.- Do you have any questions about MediCare or its coverage? If so, Preferred Marketing Consultants is here to help you. Carlos Pizarro, a consultant for the organization, mentioned on Oct. 31 about the company and its services.

"Preferred Marketing Consultants helps you clear up any questions you might have about MediCare coverage and health insurance in order for you to decide which plan is the best for you," expressed Pizarro about the service they provide.

The atmosphere of the event was very informative as Carlos Pizarro mentions that many people don't have the right kind of insurance for them. Juan Rivera, 66, "After today, I realized that the insurance I have is not the right one for me and I'll be using their services in order to see which plans fits best for me."

Pizarro also stated that he does home visitations for those that do not have transportation to the appointments. "Most appointments take about one to two hours in order to talk about benefits, the company and any questions."

Norma Santos, 68, "I am glad I attended the event, now I am more informed thanks to Mr. Pizarro and I will get an appointment to talk with a consultant."

Carlos Pizarro talked about Family Physicians Group, how they offer transportation to doctor appointments as well as the pick-up of prescriptions for those that do not have a way to get those.

The event and the services that Preffered Marketing Consultants are helpful to those that have MediCare insurance or those that do not have insurance and are looking for one that fits their situation.

Aside from consultations and house calls, Pizarro is also in a morning program in the Spanish Radio Station "La Estacion de la Familia" (The Family Station) in which he talks more about the service the company has as well as questions that the public may have about their medical insurance.

Starting a business it’s easier than you thought

Starting a Business it’s Easier Than You Thought

The Hispanic Business Initiative Fund West Coast, Inc. was established in Tampa, Florida. They began in order to assist Hispanic entrepreneurs in the area. HBIF expanded to the Orlando area in 1995 with the help of former Orange Country Chairman Linda Chapin, Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood, Orange County Commissioner Mary Johnson and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Orlando. Together, they form HBIF Florida, Inc., which increases the opportunity for Hispanics and their businesses by providing tools to construct them.

HBIF offers seminars and workshops on many topics based on business. For example, “How to Certify Your Business as a Minority” to “How to Write a Business Plan.” The purpose of these events is to help those that want to start a business or instruct those that have one about anything to improve their business to government funding available to them. The events help teach accounting, costs for the company and any type of information that is helpful for small businesses.

Another type of assistance that the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund begins with is the company’s registration to knowing how other businesses like theirs are doing on the area. Margarita Mercado, who attended the how to start a business event, felt that “the information was helpful and was surprised at how many services they offer.”

Syndy Ruhman, who also attended the event, expressed “the information was helpful and I will be using it for my business.” “Knowing how many businesses like mine are in the area and how well they do financially is good information to know because I can make a better decision toward my business,” said Margarita.

 Some of their seminars are “How to Start a Business,” “Introduction to Quickbooks” and “Business Taxes.” The events are accessible in Spanish and English in Kissimee, Tampa and Orlando. Aside from their events, they also offer classes and one- on-one assistance to those who need it for their business.

The workshops are completely free, open to the public, offered several times a month and only last one hour and thirty minutes. Registration for their events is online and located in three different locations in Florida. Also, there are different types of seminars but they are all focused on helping small and new businesses.

The environment is very informative in which you can bring any doubts to the table and you can be assisted by an expert on the matter. They welcome any kind of business except non-profit. Aside from helping those who have a business already, anyone with an idea can be helped by HBIF in order to develop it.

Their website includes their mission, vision and services that they offer. It also contains the free seminars they have, the topics, and locations. Included in the website, you can find contact information and even stories about those who attended their events and used the information to help their business.