Story prints morning after comedic night

Last week, I was assigned to write a story for the Tribune about a free online publication for parents of special needs children. In the process, I learned the importance of the community, as well as the family, having an understanding of special needs.

Fortunately, the story ran at the top of Monday’s edition of the local section, the once-a-week Treasure Coast section rather than just St. Lucie County.

Read the article here on TCPalm.com: “Vero Beach woman launches parenting magazine for special needs children.”

I also managed to capture some photos from Joel McHale at the Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce Sunday night despite poor lighting – and cameras not being allowed:

 

Former president visits small hometown

Regardless of political affiliation – or lack thereof – it’s a big deal when a former president comes to town.

It’s an even bigger deal when he comes to a small town like Fort Pierce, and it’s for something other than a natural disaster.

Bill Clinton made a visit to my hometown today. He was here to rally for Barack Obama, but that’s not why I went. I’m an unbiased observer, remember?

I went because I never thought I’d say Bill Clinton made a visit to my hometown today.

It’s a big deal, and I wanted pictures. I drove to my uncle’s house, which is closer to downtown, and rode my bicycle to the waterfront. After an hour of waiting, Clinton came out and spoke for about 25 minutes. That doesn’t include the 10 minutes he spent shaking hands with the crowd after the speech.

Here are some of today’s pictures:

 

Fay floods Florida, Fort Pierce neighborhood

Although Tropical Storm Fay is old news to the nation, it’s still a harsh reality for those dealing with flood waters and damage. The following photographs are the last images I’ll share in regards to the flood, taken at my family’s neighborhood west of Fort Pierce. The creek along the neighborhood spilled over into the yards.

These pictures are important because they show the impact of a tropical storm that most people disregarded before it made landfall. Many in the community agree that Fay was worse than Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne of 2004.

Flooded Fort Pierce neighborhood

Flooded Fort Pierce neighborhood

Flooded Fort Pierce neighborhood

Testing depth of flood

Boy giving rides to flooded neighborhood

Flooded Fort Pierce neighborhood

Flooded Fort Pierce neighborhood

Flooded backyards

Flooded backyards

Palm-tree covered yard

Floods bring wildlife

Flooded Fort Pierce neighborhood

Flood view from inside home

Flood view from back porch

 

Amateur photos capture local flooding

Even though a few days have passed since Tropical Storm Fay began dumping 15 inches of water on St. Lucie County very late Monday night, families – such as my parents – are still flooded in. The streets around my place have been pumped and cleared, but several neighborhoods around me look like lakes.

Here are some photo galleries submitted by locals and photojournalists on TCPalm.com:

Reader-submitted Tropical Fay photos, St. Lucie County #1

Reader-submitted Tropical Fay photos, St. Lucie County #2

Reader-submitted Tropical Fay photos, St. Lucie County #3

Fay’s aftermath in St. Lucie County, 8/20/2008

Fay’s aftermath in St. Lucie County, 8/21/2008

 

The effects of a tropical storm

Tropical Storm Fay made landfall in South Florida late yesterday and has proceeded to pound the entire state with constant rain, as well as strong winds and a few local tornadoes. Here are the pictures I took with my camera phone around my place this afternoon after the worst of it.

I can’t believe Fay strengthened over land today and is still going strong into the night here. And it’s not even a hurricane – yet.

 

Key West vacation photo blog: the island

Blue Heaven Restaurant

Old Town Hall

Bo’s Fish Wagon Restaurant

Sloppy Joe’s Bar

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (haunted)

Hemingway House

Hemingway House

Hemingway House writing studio & typewriter

Hemingway House pool

Hemingway House six-toed cat

Hemingway House view of Key West Lighthouse

Key West Lighthouse

View from Key West Lighthouse

View from Key West Lighthouse

Banyan Tree

Wild roosters

Wild roosters

U.S. Naval Base

The Florida Straits

The Florida Straits

The Conch Republic

Southernmost House

Southernmost Point

I’ll see you next year, Key West.

 

Key West vacation photo blog: the campground

Key West sunrise

Key West sunrise

Key West sunrise

Boyd’s Campground entrance

Boyd’s Campground entrance

Walkway to campground pool

Campground pool

Our campsite

Our campsite

Our campsite

First day of lobster season

First day of lobster season

Look for the second part with photos from around the island in tomorrow’s post.

 

Story prints on return from vacation

I’m back from vacation – and back to blogging.

I obviously didn’t keep a travel photo blog on vacation as planned last week due to lack of Internet access. The campground in Key West did in fact have Internet, but it wasn’t free. Look forward to more about the trip in my next post.

My story I sent last week printed today. Read the article here on TCPalm.com: “Fort Pierce boys’ choir returns from overseas.”

 

Planning for vacation with travel blog

In exactly one week, I’ll be blogging to you via Key West. I’ll be on vacation for six days with family, making up for my lack of senior year spring break. Although we stopped by Key West during our spring break cruise my junior year, I haven’t truly been there since I was a little girl.

I plan to keep you up to date with pictures from every day. It’s almost a way for my friends and family still at home to go with me on vacation. We’re staying at the only campground in Key West, and they have free wireless Internet. Check it out here: “Boyd’s Key West Campground.”

My best friend is currently on vacation with her family as they take their road trip across the country. They are keeping a blog of what they do over the course of the next few weeks. Check it out here: “Road Trip.”

 

Daily story prints after crunch time

Today I covered a daily assignment for The Fort Pierce Tribune. However, I wasn’t aware it was a daily story until a couple hours before the deadline.

It feels good to know I can write a story in the same time I take to report on the story. I guess as with every else in life – the more you do, the better you get.

Read the article here on TCPalm.com: “IRSC is ‘Expanding Horizons’: Program offers students insight to science career opportunities.”

I also suggest you check out the Web site of the Scripps photographer I met today, Alex Boerner. Browse his incredible photos at www.alexboerner.com.