Press Release

Downtown Performing Arts Center

132 Oakridge Dr.

Monticello, MN

                Release Date and Time

Contact: Steven Schenwerk

Phone:  555-567-8903

                                LOVE IN THE PITS

                The Downtown Performing Arts Center is offering something for people looking for something out of the ordinary. Director Lyle Peters brings in his brand new romantic comedy “Love in the Pits”. The center is known for its unique and innovative theater productions and the center hopes that audience finds that “Love in the Pits” is no difference.  The play is family friendly and will be performed at 7 pm on Friday and on Saturday nights at 2 pm. The tickets are $12.50 per person.  The Center hopes that they will receive many new and returning visitors who will enjoy the new play and offer something unique for everyone.

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Story 7

Stephen Peter is a man who has done many different things throughout his life and whether it is teaching various political based classes or the trails of his life, it has shaped his views and has helped mold him into a man who has seen not only local but international acclaim for his work.

Stephen immigrated to the US at the age of 30, a task he felt he would not have been ready for earlier in his life. He still has difficulty classifying himself as American or as his native German. He is as he calls himself a “strange hybrid”.

As one might guess Peter’s family has most of its history in Germany. This has become a subject that he frequently brings up as the long German history has large amounts of untold stories that can reflect almost all kinds of different views and ideology. Stories of the Nazi rise and persecutions of those who disagreed has shaped his political views in way do to his knowledge that connects to him more than the average American due to his family’s roots.

One of the major members of Peter’s family that shaped him was his grandfather. Wilhelm Danz, Peter’s grandfather, was a civil servant caught in the middle the Nazi rise in 1933, a time when not joining the Nazi party would have been seen as treason and a near certain harsh punishment would wait in the future. Still as a World War I survivor who had been held prisoner in near unlivable conditions, Danz continued his current life style after a difficult decision to not embrace the Nazi party. A demotion was thrown on him and letters suggest that he may have been eventually been in line for an execution. Peter believes that if the war had dragged on longer that he would have been.

Peter is a member of the Jewish faith and even has worked as a greeter for his synagogue. Strangely enough he actually lived across from the minorly famous Saarbruecken city synagogue, the first synagogue erected after World War II. The Building actually features some the structure design from Nazi building styles due to the lack of French or Italian design styles available at the time.

Peter Still has a very large connection to Europe. He accounts that he may have crossed the Atlantic 60 times in 23 years from the US. France is one area he always makes sure he visits and while many people see Paris as the end all area for French culture he has not visited the city since moving to the US. Instead the city of Bouzonville has become his “must stop” area for France. Bouzzonville has its own long history including battles form the Franco-Prussian war. The city offers a large view of France with its people, its politics and its history and it is a city that Peter considers one of his homes.

Peter’s hometown in Germany however is a different case from Bouzonville. The city of Billngen was a major bombing area for the US in World War II that also saw large amounts of ground fighting. The city itself has a bizarre element with new buildings built after the war standing next to old prewar structures. While growing up in the town there was almost a silent vow to not discuss what happened in the town during World War II to the point that Peter felt that he had to come to the US to truly learn about his former home.

Peter himself is a major member of the Democratic Socialist party and the author the book “Bridging The Gap”. The book largely is focused on discussing the things that has influenced his views and how he connects his personal beliefs to the Europe’s past to see how it can affect the future. The book has recived praise from some interesting sources including Saul Escobar Toledo, an International Secretary of the Mexican PRD, and Bill Blaike who is the Deputy Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons in Ottawa. Koba Krause who is a holds a chair in the SPD in Luxembourg said, “To look beyond Europe and to begin recognizing the diversity of opinions in the U.S. barely noticeable in Europe, and to enable us to learn from each other, and develop collaboration- these are the major concerns of Stephan Peter’s international work”.

Peter has taken this knowledge and teaches international politics at Anoka Ramsey and in other places. He has not just studied from the views of the US but as the views of Europe that many people from the US may not even be aware of. This has allowed him to take a unique view and has allowed him to share his knowledge with any who he teaches.

Story 6

No one will deny that being a teacher is a hard and very demanding job but only a few people, like Jennifer Friestad, can truly describe what it is like to be a teacher, herself having been one for years.

Not many people have had the same job or even been in the same field for a long amount, especially in today’s world, but Friestad has been has been teaching for a very impressive 25 years. Her drive and love are what keeps her going for a quarter of a century. These years have not left her worn out thought and she claims that she would never consider doing anything else.

Friestad has wanted to be a teacher since her early years. With two parents who were educators it seemed that her whole life was surrounded by the educational experience and lifestyle and those experiences left her with a want to teach. Not everyone is cut out for the job and there are many downsides to what many consider rewarding work. Even with the drive the road was not always clear. After experiencing small town teaching and how the community is so intertwine in each other’s lives she quickly discovered she preferred teaching in larger communities where she could truly devote her life to her students. Friestad also says that budget is her biggest headache for teaching, “If I need something I usually have to buy it with my own money.”

Teaching is not always bad for her though; there are many things she loves about teaching. It has already been said that she loves her students and likes working with them on a closer basis. Her favorite class to teach is Marketing, which is a subject she has a high degree in which allows her to teach with large amount of knowledge on the subject. Like anyone there are a lot there are good things and bad things but for many the upsides are the best. She loves teaching and told anyone who wants to be a teacher to “Go for it! Enjoy the ride!” .

Still one of the most important things is having knowledge of your subject and knowing not only how to teach to but also increasing your personal knowledge of the field. Friestad has known this and has taken steps to improve her teaching. Not only does she have an Associates (AA) in General Studies, a Bachelor’s (BA) in Marketing, and a Master’s (MA) in Marketing. She is also attempting to get her advanced degrees. With any job there are lots and lots of work to do and there is always new knowledge to gain.

Jennifer Friestad loves teaching, no doubt about that and she will most likely keep doing it in the future. The job has many different ups and downs, highpoints and lowpoints but Friestad loves it. With 25 years of experience and more work to come with even more experience to gain. If Friestad has her way she will still be teaching in the future.

Story 5

Diversity and tolerance is a very hot topic in the modern world that attracts all kinds of people with differing views. That could at least been implied from the people in attendance to a showing of the PBS documentary about the Stonewall uprising.

For those who do not know, the Stonewall uprising was a two day long riot in the early 1960’s, where the gay community rioted after a police raid of the Stonewall bar in Greenwich Village, New York. The riot was largely a response to brutal police tactics that had been used up to this point against gays and a showing of anger due to the poor treatment they had received from society at large. In the 1960’s being gay was still seen as a mental illness that someone could as to another and was largely assorted with pedophiles and other heavily disliked groups in society. Police and vandals tended to see gays as easy targets and would attack them for fun knowing that it was unlikely that they would be reported.

The Stonewall itself was a mafia run gay bar. At the time the mafia controlled most of the gay social centers due to cities not giving any type of business license to anyone who was openly gay or wanted to target a gay demographic. Criminals, the mafia especially, on the other hand saw only dollar signs and allowed some their buildings to be converted into bars and clubs for gays to socialize in with high rent and inflated drinks. This criminal connection gave the police even more reason to raid the establishments.

The” uprising” occurred when occurred when the police attempted to raid the Stonewall and rather than accepting their arrest many patrons fought back. This lead to a reverse of the situation that left the police blockaded inside the bar with reporters for protection and the masses rioting and destroying nearby property outside. The situation was somewhat brought down when riot police arrived and scared off or arrested many of the people but the violence continued for a few more days in isolated cases. Many gay rights supports also had an impromptu march to Central Park the day after the riot and were not harassed by police for fear of a second riot.

The documentary showing attracted around 25 people at its height although many showed up late. The crowd was fairly mixed with many different kinds of people. The crowd thinned near the ending of the film leaving only around ten (including the reporter). The crowd also dispersed before any discussion could be had. This largely gave the feeling that most were there for extra credit or as work for a class. This seemed to disappoint the presenters who did seem to want to have some type of organized discussion but the general crowd seemed to have other things to do. Still the documentary provided insight on a less remember moment that some consider one the biggest moment in the race for gay rights and gay acceptance.

Story 4 Jamie Interview

If you want opinions you can always as a sports fan and Jamie Newburg is no exception when he shares his views on his favorite team, why he loves sports and more.

Like many sports fans Jamie had competition streak in him at a young age. “I started playing basketball in middle school and just fell in love with the competitiveness and the team aspect” he said “and over my middle and high school years my love has and interest has continued to grow.” Even watching games has found a way to stimulate Jamie as in athlete as studies players movements to find skills and movements that he can transfer to himself to improve his own fame. While basketball was the game that truly brought out the passion in him it is not his personal game of choice to play. “If I could play any sport professionally I think I would like to be a golfer! It requires tons of practice and dedication, but golfers travel the world see the most beautiful courses in pristine condition and it is an easy sport on your body.”

While golf may be Jamie’s dream sport to play he is still a basketball fan at heart. Like many fans, Jamie has found love in college level basketball with his favorite team being the MN Men’s Gopher basketball team, a team where he personally knows some of the players. When it comes to players Jamie favors the pros with his favorite player being Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors who won the NBA All-Rookie Team award in 2010. Jamie would even love mix both college and pro together through his dream match between the MN Timberwolves and any Eastern Conference representative in the NBA finals which he sees as the ultimate MN fan experience.

Wither it’s the great team work, the pure athleticism or the beauty of a good strategy gone right you can guarantee that Jamie will stay a sports fan in the future.

Interview transcript

Jamie Newburg interview transcript

(I conversed before the interview asked for his interests so I knew that he enjoyed sports)



1.What is your favorite sport?
Basketball is my favorite sport to play!

2.Why is it your favorite?
Basketball is my favorite because I love the idea of being part of a team. And in the sport of basketball more than any other sport I believe you can see a team's chemistry most clearly. Whether it's one unit working hard on defense all playing help side defense or if it’s a finely tuned offense with ball movement .If a basketball team is working together and smoothly it can be a beautiful thing to watch. I also believe basketball requires more than any other sport a well-rounded athlete to succeed.

3. Who is your favorite team (if it has teams)?
MN gophers mens basketball is my favorite team.

4. Why is it your favorite?
For me mostly because I know and have played with many of the guys on the roster. They play a very up tempo style which is a very fun brand of basketball to watch.

5. Who is your favorite player?
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

6. Why are they your favorite?
He is a magnificent shooter. He is also the smoothest player I have seen and he plays so poised which is huge in basketball.

7. What is your “dream match” of your favorite sport?
My dream matchup would be the MN Timberwolves vs. any Eastern Conference representative in the NBA finals. It would be huge for the state of MN for the wolves to contend for an NBA title and I can’t think of a better event for a fan like me to be at.

8. When did you get interested in sports and why?
I have just always been extremely competitive. As I was really young my desire to compete and want to win just intensified. I started playing basketball in middle school and just fell in love with the competitiveness and the team aspect and over my middle and high school years my love has and interest has continued to grow.

9. If you could play any of them professionally would you?
If so which one? If I could play any sport professionally I think I would like to be a golfer! It requires tons of practice and dedication, but golfers travel the world see the most beautiful courses in pristine condition and it is an easy sport on your body.
10. Do you go to games and if so what is the best part?
I regularly attend all kinds of events, I simply enjoy watching people who are great at what they do, I love taking things I see from professionals and trying to somehow incorporate their skills and hard work to make myself a better athlete.

Story 3

Today at 4 pm a robbery was committed at in a convenience store parking lot but the tables were turned on the robber thanks to the action of the victim, Michele Schipper.

Schipper had just pulled into a parking space on the side of a convenience store on Bonneville Drive and had turned around to reach into her car to get her purse when a man leaped out from behind a dumpster and demanded her purse. Schipper faked compliance and when the man approached turned around kicked the mugger in the groin as well as, in her own words, “gave him a roundhouse to the nose”. As Schipper heard crunching and saw blood spurting, a likely sign that she had broken his nose, she quickly reentered her car and drove a motel down the street to call the police.

“I was very, really indignant” Schipper said while recalling her reactions. “Why, you know, just because he wanted my purse, why should he have it?” Schipper stated that there was only $10 in her purse and that she probably wouldn’t do the same thing if she was put in the situation again. Schipper also claimed that her parents would be “very angry she fought back.” She accounted her strength to working with her father who is involved with weight lifting, boxing and other physical activities.

Schipper described the man as being six feet tall and not being armed form what she could tell. She says that the clerks did not see the robbery and that no one else were parked around her and the robbery only lasted a second. When speaking to the police, Schipper said the last time she saw the robber he was “On the ground”. The police have yet to find the robber.

Obituaries

Steven Schenewerk, who is best known for his stunning portrayal as Macbeth in the Shakespearean classic of the same name, tragically died on September 28 in a terrible auto accident. He died at age 20.

Steven was college student who was still working on his general classes when his life was cut short. While his focus was still undecided at the time of his death it was largely though that he would have attempted to get make a career in sales. Steven’s accomplishments were rather limited to his relaxed attitude regarding his future. He was known to just relax and live day to day with little regrets.

Steven was described as clever, witty and always having a remark on any topic.

Steven has survived by his parents, Jeana and Brain Callis, and his brother, Joshua. While the date for the wake has not been set yet his family asks that you do not send flowers as Steven has stated in the past that he did not want a “grand funeral” and his family wants to respect his wishes.

Story #2

               Recent budget concerns have led to a dispute at a Wright county meeting, on Thursday afternoon, between Sheriff Gus DiCesari who feels that the police department is being “shortchanged” by the county commissioners and not providing them with the funds they need for new cars and personal and Commission President Anne Chen who feels that DiCesari is wrong.
 
             
                A 5-2 vote has left the police department without the funds that Sheriff DiCesari claims they desperately need for eight new police cruisers and five new police deputies. The new cruisers are to replace older cruisers that have more than 150,000 miles on them and require constant upkeep and repairs to stay functional.  DiCesari went as far as saying “You’re putting the lives of the people of this county in jeopardy”.  The sheriff claims that this the first time in 27 years that the county has not given money to the police department to allow they buy new equipment. DiCesari’s views are supported by Commissioners Anita Shenuski and Raymond Laybourne who want the money that is spent on the county’s migrate workers to be shifted to the police department.

                On the other side of the debate is Commission President Anne Chen along with Commission members Valerie Dawkins, Faith Ellis, Jose Gardoz and Roland Grauman. They’re arguments have largely been defending migrate workers who DiCesari’s supporters say are a burden to law enforcement, school and healthcare.  Chen said that the workers are “decent, hardworking people being employed at jobs that local residents won’t do”, that they contribute greatly to the local economy and many stay and live productive lives in the county.  The commissioners estimate that there around 5,000 migrate families working in agricultural, construction and service jobs around the county.

                The $127 million budget is largely being spent on rising health and gas prices which has left less and less for the county to spend on other services. The country also recently built a new $30 million prison to handle overflow. Chenn has told DiCesari that there is just not enough left to give an additional $580,000 to the police. Chen suggested some ways for the police to save money such as officers not driving police vehicles home to them available and to keep mileage down to which DiCesari argued that officers driving home in their cars was a determent to crime.

News Story 1

A crash between two tractor-trailers, at 6:45 a.m. this morning, led to a massive chain of car wrecks on the northbound lanes of Interstate 790 that has left two dead and 20 injured.

The survivors of the massive wreck, some of which had to be removed from their cars wrecked cars by the fire department, were taken to the hospital including two people who were in serious condition. The two most serious injured people were transported by “Life Flight” from the local Memorial Hospital helicopters from the to Statesvillie’s trauma center.

Sgt. Albert Wei of the local police department stated that wreck involved a total of four different tractor-trailers, including one carrying diesel fuel that, luckily, did not explode, and fourteen different cars. The police are still looking into the matter on what drivers were involved in the initial truck crash that started the chain due to difficulty in figuring out which drivers were in which vehicle.

Fire Chief Tony Sullivan says that this is the worst crash he has ever seen in his 18 and half years with the department. He said the wreck site looked like a “warzone” with bodies lying on the road and people covered in blood sitting next to the wreckage of their former vehicles. Sullivan also said that the four seriously hurt drivers had life-threatening level injuries.

The accident at the northbound lanes has led to further problems as the highway was still completely closed at 10 a.m. with no sign of reopening. This has caused problems as most of its usual traffic has shifted to Interstate 690 which, due to massive amount of new traffic, has been backed up for three hours.

Post 1: Introduction

Hello everyone, my name is Steven but you already knew that. I am 20 years old (21 at the end of October) and I live at home with my parents. In enjoy watching movies and TV and using the internet. I am largely taking this class because I feel it will help me with my current career plan of marketing and because I am surgery one my legs that will keep my down for at least ten weeks which kind of prevents my from going to class. I have taken online classes before and I enjoy the connivence. If anyone wants to talk movies or games sometime, just give me a message.