GUEST BLOG: 'Party in the U.S.A.'

Everyone meet Donavan and Kyle. She is one of my beautiful and talented best friends and Kyle is her amazing husband! 

Donavan started her blog, A Marathon Runner's Wife, in July of this year to document Kyle's (and her own) journey as he prepared for his first marathon (which he KILLED the last weekend in October.) Now that the marathon is over, Donavan is still using her blog and I loved her post today.

For those of you who are looking for a fun read on this Election Tuesday, check this post out:

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Tunes Tuesday, Volume 12

Posted on November 6, 2012

Happy Tuesday – and Happy Election Day! I don’t like to talk about politics (for many reasons!) but I do think that it’s incredibly important to get out and vote. People die every day for the right to democracy so I think that voting is something every American should do every time the opportunity is presented. And now I’m off my soapbox. 

Although elections can be terribly polarizing, they also have a way of making me feel incredibly patriotic. Go figure. So, in honor of the good old U-S-A, I am dedicating this Tunes Tuesday to a real American song. A song that makes red, white and blue pump through your veins. A song that makes us all proud to be citizens of the greatest country in the world. A song by … MILEY CYRUS?

You think I’m kidding? I’m not. Today’s song is none other than “Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus. You may be thinking, “She just called the election polarizing? What’s more polarizing than Miley Cyrus?” Well, save your opinions, friends – because we live in a democracy and I can like any song that I want. It’s my right!

For the full post click here 

Election 2012: @LansReporter building content from voters

A helping hand to pick up after Sandy

Since Monday, my coworkers and I have been listening to the community talk about the struggle they are facing as Sandy swept through our region - taking out homes, power lines, trees and affecting the lives of millions.

Post after post on The Reporter’s Facebook page we here “I’m out of power,” “I can’t get my medicine,” and “I lost all of my food!”

Some of my closest friends (both here in PA and NJ) and my coworkers were sitting in the dark and cold for DAYS, complaining about how awful it is and my heart ached with every conversation.

While I sat at my desk the other day, something inside me said ‘I need to do something to help the community, I need to lend a hand in any way I can.’

But how?

Then the light bulb went on. Here was my Facebook post at 3:20 p.m. on Wednesday: 

Readers – after talking with so many of you and hearing your struggles of power loss, The Reporter is opening its doors to our Community Media Lab tomorrow and Friday, Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. 

The Community Media lab is not fully renovated at this time (it will be having a complete transformation at the beginning of next year) but with a crisis like this, we know having access is much more important than not having it at all.

We have several laptops for your use to check emails, pay bills, etc. There are plenty of power cords to use to charge cell phones, laptops and other devices. If you are a group or organization that would like to hold a monthly meeting or gathering, please feel free to contact Community Engagement Editor, Amanda Piccirilli, at apiccirilli@thereporteronline.com to set up a time to use the space. 

If you would like to warm up for a while, please stop by The Community Media Lab which will be open on Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please share with your friends.

With our Community Media Lab not fully updated AT ALL, I knew having this place open is better than not having any space available at all. We have plenty of plugs and plenty of resources.

So here I sit on Thursday in our Media Lab…

We did not have one person come in today and I am unsure about the result for tomorrow, but I hope the community knows both myself, and The Reporter, are there for them.

We are just like you all – just a normal person who lives in the community wanting to give aid - and this is the best way I can reach my hand out to support others (with plugs, computers and internet haha.) Just knowing people saw the gesture (which I can tell nearly 30 people did by “LIKES” on Facebook and whomever read it in print) really warms my heart.