Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Fish Out of Water

Korean Café in the King Library
Only two students sat in the reserved study room for the “Korean Café” on Wednesday. They had been at previous sessions, and their understanding and grasp of the Korean tongue was evident.

I tensed a bit realizing I was out of my depth but I was down for an hour-long challenge.  My insight on Korean culture was short:  kimchi, the division between North and South Koreas and former NBA Star Denise Rodman’s weird connection with the North Korean 'nuclear-threaten' dictator Kim Jong-Un.

My shoulders soften as the teacher Celine Lee welcomed me and cordially invited me to mimic her in saying a few phrases in the phonetic language. It was a different mouth feel and required your ears, eyes and verbal dexterity. Lee shared that there are 14 constants and 10 vowels in her native language. She explained that the written symbols captured the spirit of the visual world: the sky, people and the land.

The written system reminded me of playing hangman –my mind drifted a bit as Lee piled study sheets before each of us.  I refocused as she wrote out my name in the symbols. Then shared with us how to use the Hangeul, Korean alphabet, as we sound out words.

“How have you been – Jal/ji/nae/sheo/sseo/yo?” Janice said in Korean. She was a Japanese student who wanted to learn Korean as her third language. Lee congratulated her and shared how we are to use different expressions to greet friends verses strangers.

Then we jumped to numbers. First we focused on saying 0-19 and then reviewing how you multiple and add to the to larger digits. Then Lee shared about how to order popular Korean dishes in restaurants. She give us sheets with flavors in beef dishes  Bulgogi and Galbi.  

The class had only a few more sessions before summer and she started preparing her ongoing students for their next lesson. It was a light and generous learning space. But I am not sure when I will use Korean and it got me out of my comfort zone.

  
















What Makes News?

What Makes It News?
San Jose Mercury News writers tackled “Gov. Jerry Brown unveils ‘good news’ budget revision” this week.  Part of the coverage revealed that Gov. Brown negotiated with both sides of the alley before he recut the state’s January budget. But this time, Democrats were angered that their efforts to strengthen certain educational programs landed on the threshing floor.  

Governor Brown plans for education included leaving pre-K programs at same levels; and advancing the state’s contribution to the retirement system for teachers and also demand that the educators funding increases to 35 percent of their payroll. It would be interesting to focus on the teacher’s retirement system, mostly after California large cities Stockton and Vallejo de-funded retirement plans after filling bankruptcy.  


News value
Impact: The news impacts the entire region: families with kids, the recruitment of future teachers and the level of education taught in public schools; plus employers seeking educated local applicants  will decide if staying in the region is good for there future growth.

Conflict: Teachers salaries in Santa Clara County travels the scale from the top in the state at $103, 000 in Mountain View-Los Altos to San Jose Unified at $67,100.  This shift will determine how much a threat that a 35 percent bite out of their paychecks for the state’s retirement program will change their lifestyles or  their desire to remain in the county. ( source: Sacramento Bee)

Local Angle: A report might reach out to local teachers to discuss how they will manage a change in their take-home pay and  how they think it might impact hiring new educators in the future.  Education News shows California sitting at a grade C and it might be interesting to review how this cut and other educational shifts might impact that grade.


Sources:










Copy Edit the World


I am a big movie fan and loved this hilarious comedy. But moviegoers might have expected more virgins  with the error in the poster: "The 40-Year-Old Virgin". 

The 40-Year-Old Virgin


























This classic Quentin Tarantino film had a bit of a theft problem before it hit the big screen, someone stole its grammar checklist: "Reservoir Dogs: Let's Go To Work."
Reservoir Dogs: Let's Got to Work


























This cute romantic comedy fudged a bit with the poster grammar: "Two Week's Notice". 
Two Week's Notice

























TJ's (Trader Joe's) is my favorite spot for veggie meats and delicious frozen treats. But drivers might get a bit loopy with this busted Entrance Only sign.


Entrance Only


















This International Youth Fellowship flyer for an English camp "Deliver Hope to Haiti" is a worthy cause, yet there was a typo: Volunteer Opportunities


Volunteer Opportunities


























Californians rush to little ice cream and gelato spots when heat waves hit. Eager to welcome in new customers, this ice creamery went a bit bananas.
Bananas















An over zealous  NCAA promotion copy editor tossed this banner out like a fast ball, but speed caused the typo to hit primetime at the College World Series.  
College World Series

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion

Are we fighting to end sex trafficking? 

The year started out grim as the FBI revealed that the Bay Area was among the 13 national hot spots for child sex trafficking.

Predators trolled train stations, bus routes and schoolyards for girls to turnout on prostitution strolls like South First Street in San Jose. Some have bought girls from different parts of the state, country or globe.  Some have tapped into the high-tech sex market and taken their trade online. Sex trafficking is apart of the criminal world’s top three earning enterprises: drug trafficking is number one, followed by illegal gun trade.

How has the community responded to this uptick in sex traffic? Relatively quiet. After Proposition 35 passed in California a general outcry was heard but later the buzz sizzled out. Some offenders received light sentences and as traffickers face no major penalties, the incentive to stop paled.

The fear is that California is not doing enough. From 2011 to 2013 a review of the state’s record on sex trafficking of minors by Protected Innocence Challenges has received an F. The failing grades for three years straight seems to show a devaluing of the young girls and a lack of resources or will to fight. The reports found the state had forged no major legal remedy for child porn cases and has overlooked the need for greater penalties for predators who received financial gain from sex trafficking. Other areas detailed were the need for more victim protection and a call for the use technology to investigate criminals accused of sex trafficking.

When a lighter touch in enforcement, sentencing and penalties prevail – as it has in other parts of the globe and nation - the machine around sex trafficking will continue to churn out new and younger victims.  Then police may also become de-sensitized to younger victims and treat them as equals with sex workers who can earn $500 an hour in their chosen field, sexually servicing Silicon Valley high-earners.

South Bay Sex Trafficking Task force is actively trying to transform both the public and law enforcement’s response to younger girls on 'the  track'. Sergeant Kyle Oki has worked with civic leaders to combat the bureaucracy and judicial ideas that can cloud the issues of sex trafficking.  Most of the trafficked victims police and social services are trying to save are (98 percent) are girls ages 10-18. Srgt. Oki and the San Jose Police Departments ongoing efforts included a recent sting. They joined a nationwide FBI raid last summer – Operation Cross County – to take down sex traffickers; in Bay Area alone they arrested 17 predators and rescued 12 young American girls.

Large FBI raids and small local efforts to save victims fuel excitement that this virus can be removed from our culture.

Sources: 
http://sharedhope.org/PICframe3/reportcards/PIC_RC_2013_CA.pdf
http://www.caseact.org/learn/law/
http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/29/justice/child-prostitution-arrests/
http://www.heat-watch.org/blog/2013/aug/operation_cross_country


Source News Report: 
http://abc7news.com/archive/9389453/



Monday, May 12, 2014

Fly on the wall

Long windows lined a small café seated on the edge of the South Bay Area.  It’s a quiet tan  modern space  between the jammed Highway 17 and the hectic Good Samaritan Hospital.

Regulars grazed on light American fare and glared at loud newcomers during the lunch rush. A soccer family pitched the door open for their crew in team jerseys and cleats to come in for hot lunch. Moments later a parade of princesses dances to a small table. The tiara crowned pre-tweenies bursts into simultaneous high-pitched laughter as they made gurgling sounds in their juices and noshed on pastries. Their boundless joy at their girls-only party sparkled in the dining room.

The  happy girls  were in stark contrast with the weary professional warriors who mobbed the café for a quick lunch.  A storm of RNs in colorful smocks  gabbed about their day and pushed to the counter to grab salads and ice teas  - to go. The aroma of baking cookies drift to the waiting line of slacks and ties – sales executives for medical facilities –  who were scouting out their new territory.

 Black ponytails bounced behind the cafe girls as they kept the space inviting: they served food and cleaned as customers came and went. Coffee cups filled. Tables scrubbed. Meals reached tables in minutes as prep cooks produced sandwiches, pastas, soups and salads freshly per order. 

“Next guest in line,” said the insistent counter girls, “ If you are ready please come up.”