Erasing History

I read in today’s newpaper that yet another glorious Gold Coast mansion was falling victim to the wrecking ball. This disturbs me on so many levels. I am an admirer of classic architecture and a champion of maintaining history.

The Lands End estate in Sands Point was thought to be the inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”. This magnificent 25 room Colonial Revivial mansion hosted the likes of Winston Churchill, the Marx Brothers and Fitzgerald himself in the ‘20’s and 30’s. Rooms featured marble parquet and hand-painted wall paper. Historian’s say hundreds of such mansions have been lost over the past 50 years as increasing taxes and high maintenance costs took their toll.

Today Lands End has broken windows, the front door is off it’s hinges, and the beautiful wide-planked wood floors ripped up and sold for scrap. In January Sands Point Village approved plans to raze the house and divide the site into lots for five custom homes starting at $10 million each.

It breaks my heart to lose such a treasure. Many of our local mansions have been turned into other uses: Oheka Castle is now a catering hall/hotel. Some became museums or schools. The stories inside the walls of these grandiose homes are wonderful and full of dreams come true for America’s 1920 elite. We can walk the halls, fantasizing how wonderful a grand party would be there. Many of our country’s magnates of commerce made their fortunes to build these great estates. Sadly many are too far dilapidated to renovate and too costly to maintain. Some only live on in picture books.

On a smaller scale, I was devastated to see a beautiful old Victorian home in my town torn down recently. It sat as an empty lot for a while; no buyers were interested. The city has now paved it over via eminent domain to create parking. Heart breaking.

Adapt or Die by Lisa Ritchie

As an “old school” broadcaster I’ve been hesitant to embrace the new technology. I can remember cutting reel-to-reel tape with a razor blade and cuing up “carts”. I had all my demos on cassette! My recent experience at the 2010 Intercollegiate Broadcasting Conference, however, has me facing a new reality: adapt or die.

The annual conference is designed for college broadcasting students to mix, mingle and pick the brains of industry professionals. Frankly I find that I walk away with just as much new knowledge as I’m sure they do. This year’s sessions seemed to focus primarily on podcasting, internet radio, digital technology, simulcasting and of course, how to market yourself. I found it fascinating that many of the students have web pages with their resumes, samples of their work, photos and more that serve as virtual resumes. Being old fashioned as I am, I’m not quite sure how that would fly with a busy Program Director – instead of sending him your resume and demo (generally emailed today along with an mP3 file) you tell him to go to your webpage. Debbie Mazella, Assistant PD/Music Director/Midday Host at WMGQ Magic 98.3 in New Jersey says, “I prefer an emailed resume and mP3. It's more personal that way. If I haven't had contact and just stumbled across the applicant’s name and I wanted to get a sample of their work, I'd check the site, but if they are applying for a gig and we've spoken, I'd prefer straight email with resume and mP3.”

With today’s job marketing shrinking rapidly from cookie-cutter programming, voice-tracking and simulcasting, an old fashioned “dinosaur” like myself has to question, “What is my next move?” I didn’t want to admit it, but I now believe that traditional AM/FM terrestrial radio MUST adapt in order to survive in today’s techno savvy world. If it doesn’t, where does that leave us?

I spoke with Denis McNamara, reknowned radio and music executive, and New Media Advisor specializing in Internet Radio for vTuner, the largest station aggregator of Internet Radio in the world. Their clients include Denon, Yamaha, Mercedes Benz, Tivoli and Frontier Silicon. He said the change from terrestrial to internet radio will be felt the most when internet radio is finally available in automobiles, especially in the U.S. With the proliferation of internet radio stations, there is also a great need for listeners to be able to identify which stations offer real quality or unique entertainment. Denis continued, “I believe terrestrial radio is already adapting by moving to streaming their on-air signals online. I am not a big believer that HD will be the great saviour of the medium. However, I do believe radio must re-examine how it actually offers advertising. Large blocks of commercials will not work.”

Denis went on to say the future for internet broadcasting looks bright, “We at vTuner have been working with Mercedes Benz and other auto companies for awhile. At the 2010 auto show in NYC the first prototypes are on display. It is real and coming fast. Internet radio has huge potential but its successful future calls for incredible programming, major marketing campaigning by all manufacturers involved and sociological dynamics that make its usage vital and "cool"!

Alan Levy, CEO and Founder of BlogTalkRadio agrees, “There is tremendous future growth potential in the internet radio space, in both music and talk, as the boundaries to publishing and consuming media have been drastically reduced. More people are contributing to the conversation today than ever before. Platforms like BlogTalkRadio are enabling this new breed of citizen broadcasters to reach audiences everywhere; on the phone, online in their social communities, in their cars, and with today’s smart phones and ipods virtually anywhere! Online broadcasters can create economic opportunities with their content and communities via digital and audio advertising, sponsorships, in show endorsements and more. BlogTalkRadio features a revenue-sharing model with it hosts”.

Mr. Levy went on to quantify the success of internet broadcasting, “In 2009, our host community grew by 60% with more than 15,000 active hosts on the platform. In 2009, we generated more than 57 million listens, which was a 43% increase over 2008. We are already at more than 26 million listens for 2010, and our web traffic has grown dramatically over the last 6 months to 4 million unique visitors per month. (comScore extended web March 2010)".

It seems the pride and “inner circle” of being a professional broadcaster is dying – ANYONE can record and upload a podcast regardless of training or experience. How do we keep the quality of a finely honed profession on the web? By adapting ourselves and letting go of our preconceived notions of what “radio” and “broadcasting” are. As seasoned pros, we must begin to utilize these forms of new media, perhaps at first working in both mediums. The faster you can assimilate yourself and your talents into the new delivery systems, the more employable you will be. As commercial broadcasting begins to transform, the search for qualified professional talent will intensify.

A native Long Islander, Lisa had the good fortune to start and maintain her broadcasting career in her own backyard. She's served as morning show producer, "side-kick" and News Director for WBLI-fm, WKJY-fm, and WDRE/WLIR-fm. Lisa has also been a DJ for WMJC-fm, and WALK-fm. She’s done morning show/news anchoring duties at WBAB-fm, WALK-fm, and WBZO-fm. In addition, Lisa was afternoon-drive Traffic Reporter via Shadow Traffic for WINS-am, WCBS-am, WBBR-am, WBAB-fm, WKXW-fm, WPAT-fm, WEVD-am, WALK-fm, and News Anchor for Metro NYC area stations including WNEW-fm, WQCD-fm, WALK-fm, WBAB-fm, WVNJ-fm, and WKXW-fm. She’s also worked as an on-camera Field Reporter for News 12 and TV 55. Lisa is currently employed full-time with Cablevision's News 12 Traffic & Weather as a Traffic Reporter and does commercial voice-overs.

A Dozen Observations

Why does it only rain when I have 13 packages to lug in from my car?

Why do people from high school insist on trying to be my friend on facebook? If I wanted to be friends these past 30 years I would have.

In the same vein, you wouldn’t give me the time of day 30 years ago and NOW you want to be my friend?

Henry Ford put signals on the car for a reason.

Fast food restaurants pop up like cockroaches, but a healthy eatery goes out of business in 3 months.

Why does every application and form ask my marital status?

I’m sick of everything being “green”.. I hereby declare this the Year of Brown!

How would today’s generation would ever survive without cell phones? Funny, when I was a kid, we all played outside, people had babies, business was conducted and we knew who our neighbors were.

Don’t EVER text me. If you have something to say, call or tell me in person.

Why do people hang up when they get voicemail? I can’t call you back if you don’t tell me who you are.

How the hell do you keep ear buds in?

Thirty years ago you never heard of “bipolar disease” or ADHD. In my day it was called “eating too much sugar.”

Venting on the Housing situation

I’ll say it right up front: I’m a renter. I can afford a mortgage, but I can’t buy anything as I have little savings to put down or pay for closing costs.

I was recently apartment hunting. After scouring the internet and multiple listing service ads I realized that anything decent on Long Island will cost between $1300-$1500 a month. I finally found a lovely 1 bedroom in a nice building on the boardwalk in Long Beach, managed by Samson Management. I put in an application, with my 774 credit rating and my 50K+ salary.

They turned me down and said I need a “guarantee-or” or cosigner if I wanted this apartment. EXCUSE me? Is that income discrimination? I have no debt, no other bills but my rent, gas, food and utilities. Every former loan on my credit report is paid in full in good standing. So, 50K and a 774 credit score doesn’t cut a $1400/month apartment these days? What do they expect for a single person? Where is a person supposed to live? Is our economy so bad that they’re afraid a person with those credentials, plus a steady job (8 years now) at a stable company will renege on the rent? Isn’t that what a security deposit is for?

Reading the newspaper, I can only assume many people are unemployed, on the verge of losing their jobs and/or in foreclosure. Yet, here I am, earning a steady income, paying my bills and I get turned down for a rental!!! Frankly I hope the apartment sits vacant for years.

"Urban Amish"

I came across this expression the other day, and the more I thought about it, the more I think I am one! Urban Amish is someone who is anti-technology; doesn’t watch TV, use the internet or a cellphone, doesn’t “text” or instant message.

While I am not a true Urban Amish, I am a believer. I don’t text, my cell phone doesn’t have a camera or the internet, and I JUST started this – my first blog – last week. I probably watch about 2 hours of television a week. I don’t have an ipod nor a blackberry. I have no idea how to podcast.

I have often felt that technology has been the downfall of our society. No one can spell anymore, since “spellcheck” does it for us! Can you name who your neighbors are and what they do for a living? For all of our communication devices… no one communicates any more!

In “the ol’ days’ people would sit out on their front stoops (porches) and talk. To each other. Face to face! You didn’t worry much about your children playing in the neighborhood because everyone knew each other and you all looked out for each other. We didn’t have “play dates” in my day. Children didn’t carry beepers or cell phones or Nextels. Your mother fed you breakfast, opened the back door, watched you and your friends get on your bikes, and she said, “dinner’s at 6!”. That was it.

If I want to talk to someone, or ask them a question, I call them on the phone. I get an immediate answer. Or even better - I walk over to their desk. I don’t take the time to type out a message using tiny little buttons with two fingers, only to wait for a reply back. I don’t ignore my tablemates with my head down furiously texting. How rude! I am 100 percent in the present.

When I constantly see people on their cell phones; driving, walking, working, in meetings, at airports, in the grocery store, at the gym, on the beach…. I think, “Oh my.. what on earth did we do before cell phones existed? Remarkable how business got done, babies were born, investments were made, children played outdoors, and we all survived!” Who knows what kind of physiological damage is being done by cell phone transmissions? Are we so self-absorbed? How did we become so obsessed and dependent upon them?

Before you pick up your cell phone next time, stop and ask yourself, is this conversation absolutely necessary RIGHT THIS SECOND? Can it wait? Is it that important?

CYCLING SAFETY

Now that spring has just about sprung, we’ll be seeing more bicyclists on our area roadways. Basic bicycling law states that you should ride with the flow of traffic and as far to the right as possible, without riding on the sidewalk. In addition, headlights are required on bikes at night, and if you're riding at night, you absolutely should use a flashing red rear light. Helmets and reflectors are required, and it’s a good idea to get a horn on your bike.

I agree with all of these guidelines, but sometimes it behooves you NOT to ride as far to the right as possible. Someone exiting a parked car could open their door right in front of you, you'll be less visible to motorists pulling out of driveways and parking lots, and motorists coming from behind may pass you way too closely in the same lane because you didn't make them change lanes. In each of these cases you could have been following the law, but could still have been hit.

You should also always ride with the flow of traffic. Why? Wouldn’t you rather SEE the traffic coming at you? WRONG! If you are riding against the flow of traffic, a motorist pulling out of a side street will likely look only at the oncoming traffic before pulling out in front of you. Don’t ride on the sidewalk, unless the flow of traffic is so close you risk life and limb. When you come off the sidewalk to cross a street, you are invisible to motorists. Make yourself as visible as possible; wear bright clothing, put reflectors and lights on your bike, and recumbent bikes should have a high flag attached to them.

At intersections, stop BEHIND a car, instead of to the right of it in the blind spot. This makes you very visible to traffic on all sides. The car behind can see you since you’re right in front of it, and you don’t have to worry about the car in front of you making a right turn, cutting you off.
Obey traffic rules. Bicycles are vehicles too. Stop at stop signs and red lights. Look both ways before flying through an intersection. When passing other cyclists in either direction, always announce your intentions so they don’t make any sudden moves, for example, “On your right!”.

Never move left without looking behind you first. Some motorists like to pass cyclists within mere inches, so moving even a tiny bit to the left unexpectedly could put you in the path of a car. Practice holding a straight line while looking over your shoulder until you can do it perfectly. There are also mirrors that fit on your handlebars, helmet, or glasses. You should always physically look back over your shoulder before moving left, but having a mirror still helps you monitor traffic without constantly having to look behind you.

Don't swerve in and out of the parking lane if it contains any parked cars. You might be tempted to ride in the parking lane where there are no parked cars, dipping back into the traffic lane when you encounter a parked car. This puts you at risk for getting nailed from behind. Instead, ride a steady, straight line in the traffic lane.

My other “casual cyclist” pet peeves; do not wear headphones or be texting or talking on your cellphone while riding. I’ve also seen people wearing flipflops while riding. Can you say “accident waiting to happen”?

RULES FOR MOTORISTS:
Accept that bicycles are vehicles too. Give them the right of way, and when possible, move to the left to allow a cyclist “breathing room”. There is nothing more unnerving than a fast moving car (or worse, truck/bus) zooming by a cyclist with inches to spare!

Make it a habit to look BOTH ways when pulling out of side streets. Glance in your rearview mirror and side mirrors when making turns. It takes a second and could save a life. Use your turning signals! Sure, there may not be any other motorists around to see you but there could be a cyclist who’d love to know what you’re planning.

Try not to park in undesignated parking areas, for example, roadway shoulders. I know, you just want to “run in for a second” but parking on the shoulder means the cyclist has to ride into traffic. Park in a spot.

This article was written with excerpts from BicycleSafe.com. Lisa Ritchie is an ACE certified Personal Trainer since 1993 with a Specialty Recognition in Nutrition and a graduate of the East Coast Instructor Training School. She has presented at the Bermuda Diabetes Association “Youth 2 Youth” Conference and has been featured in “Shape” magazine, “Newsday”, “The Long Beach Herald”, “The Bermuda Gazette” and has received the Long Beach, NY Chamber of Commerce Civic Achievement Award. She is the former Editor of “The ECA News for Fitness Professionals”, a trade magazine for fitness professionals. Lisa is also a radio/TV personality in the NY-metro area.

economic woes

Part I - Went to the mall today to get my watch repaired (rather than buy a new one - we're such a disposable society!). Got the timepiece fixed and had some time to kill so I strolled about. I am truly amazed that retailers think people will buy a $185.00 vinyl and canvas tote simply because it has a designer's name on it! It's no wonder the economy is faltering. Every store I browsed in had outrageously overpriced merchandise.

Part II - I can understand homeowners in foreclosure who've suddenly lost their jobs or have fallen ill, but honestly, how can I feel bad for someone who purchased a $500,000 home and makes $30K a year? I sit down each month and go over my household budget in an Excel spreadsheet. I KNOW what my monthly expenses and income are, I do the math and I realize I cannot afford a half-million dollar mortgage! Also - who told you to get an adjustable rate mortgage with no money down? C'mon.. do the research. Caveat emptor!