The Bulletin -- Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008 (#963)
Program:
Luke Cyphers on Reporting for ESPN The Magazine
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Luke Cyphers |
Beijing Olympics What was it like? According to Luke Cyphers it was a huge party! There is so much interest because the world really does come together for the Olympics. There is usually a temporary feel to the Olympics, but this year it was different due to the historic nature of the games being held in China.
Overall, this year’s event was fantastic. The venue was so immense and at times difficult to take in. Anyone who watched the opening ceremonies got a glimpse of this.
The Beijing Airport is the nicest Luke has ever visited. “It’s like something from a Star Trek episode,” he said. You could eat off the floors—very clean, modern and an all-around wonderful experience. The Beijing pollution, however, was palpable.
People ask what the food was like. Luke had stir-fry every morning with wonderfully prepared vegetables. The water, much of which is not potable, caused problems if you didn’t drink it bottled.
Luke’s job as a reporter is to write. ESPN, being a “non-rights” holder (NBC held the rights), had a difficult time getting interviews. He was able to write one lengthy article on a “slice of life” as well as some stories on track and field events and other local stories.
Government Did you feel the “heavy hand” of the Chinese government? Not really. Not any more than other Olympic venues. The Chinese government was very organized, and safety measures they took felt less intrusive. They used face recognition technology, which was a little unsettling to Luke, but all in all, it was very safe. As Luke was covering the murder of the Volleyball Coach’s father, he found himself in the outskirts of the area where the murder took place. He went to the police station and was shocked to learn that they had no information about even general statistics for crime in that area. He didn’t get a lot from the local police for his article.
Were the Olympics Successful? The games created a festive atmosphere and a sense of “arriving” for China as a nation. They showed they are not necessarily a nation to be feared. There were thousands of volunteers, all 21 years old, who spoke flawless English. They were so well trained and helpful and worked hard to represent their country well.
Where is China Going? Some think the high-tech security technology used for the Olympics was an excuse to create the equipment for later use on their people. The government is very restrictive in terms of internet content and puts a lot of pressure on the people to avoid speaking negatively about the country.
Q: Did the Press Pass allow you access to all venues?
A: The pass had the infinity symbol signifying access to all events. He could pretty much go anywhere.
Q: Is it true that they destroyed acres of villages to build the venues?
A: Much of Beijing has definitely been converted to high rise buildings and towers. Some Houtongs (traditional villages) were saved—at least enough of them for tourists to get an impression of what life was like before the Olympics. The main Olympic plaza looks a lot like the Vegas strip. Very flashy.
Q: Were the Nationalist Chinese allowed to participate?
A: Yes, and they received a huge ovation. Most things have cooled down among the people in terms of cultural differences.
Q: Could you sense cultural tension due to the mixing of customs and nationalities?
A: I wasn’t in the athletes’ village. A lot of the press people got on each other’s nerves. On the whole it was very harmonious.
Q: How many journalists were there all together?
A: He believed it was 7,000, but this included support staff as well.
Q: When watching the games on TV, the pictures were the same - were there limited cameras?
A: All the feeds were owned by NBC so the angles of the cameras were similar.
Q: Were there symphonies or operas associated with the games?
A: There were a lot of cultural events surrounding the Olympics. He didn’t attend any, but they were plentiful.
Q: What about the female gymnastics team?
A: Of course they were found to be perfectly of age.
Q: Was there any discussion about the pressure put on the British because of the next games in London?
A: A lot of the funny British journalists said, “Ah, the London Olympics are going to be crap…”
This Week:
- This weekend is the District Conference in Cornwall, Canada. The group will share information gleaned when they return.
- President Steve handed out the list of club committees. Please take a look and try to sign up for at least two each.
- Anyone who hasn’t received their copy of “Flying High” please sign one out as you leave.
Food Shelf Report — Elle Berger:
In these economic hard times, every bit makes a difference. Thanks for your weekly contributions.
Aug. Total Collections:-- $236
- Salvation Army -- $118
- Food Shelf -- $118
Sept. Total Collections -- $209
- Salvation Army -- $105
- Food Shelf -- $104
New Members:
Kristen Shrives, sponsored by Bob Parks; Brian Tuthill, sponsored by Stan Ransom.
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Kristen Shrives |
Brian Tuthill |
Guests: Scott Hayden (Bob Parks)
Visiting Rotarians: Past President Tony Searing
Auction Item: None
Fines:
- Rose Anderson was fined three dollars.
- Bruce Delvanthal spun for three dollars for a photo/article on the NCAA Hockey Tournament to be held in Lake Placid in 2009.
Happy Thoughts:
- Rod Giltz had a happy dollar for Gil Zahn for all the work on the groundbreaking for the Rotary Centennial Park.
- John Seiden thanked WCFE and Alice Recore for their great show on the Economic Crisis.
- Kevin Killeen had a dollar for the undefeated Moriah Vikings.
- Bill McBride is unable to attend the District Conference because he will be in Florida.
- Jody Carpenter had a dollar for her daughter who helped win the last game.
- Tony Searing had a dollar to say hi and a dollar for being late to the meeting today.
- President Steve had a dollar for Don Anderson whose family was a rowdy cheerleading squad at a recent soccer game.
- Rose Anderson announced Homecoming this weekend. Please join the athletic games and activities.
50/50: The pot today was $1,470, and Peter Cadieux drew the 4 of Spades.
Make-ups: Online: Tammy Bell (8/6, 8/10); Paul Connelly and Tracy Clark (10/1)
Another candle burning for:
- Bob Smith (10/18)
- Hope Coryer (10/21)
- Jody Carpenter (10/22)
Upcoming Programs
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2009
- Program/Speaker -- Effects of Wage Issues & More—Adore Kurtz
- Greeters -- Cathy Forget &
Rod Giltz
- Hospitality -- Phil Greene
- Blessing -- Bonnie Black
- Introductions -- Kevin Kehoe
- Program Intro. -- Rod Giltz
- Thank Speaker -- Anne Hansen
- New Mem. Talk --
- Seasoned Mem. --
- Food Shelf --
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Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2009
- Program/Speaker -- TV Campaign Coverage -- Wallace Westfeldt
- Greeters -- Don Ireland & Ewa Jankowska
- Hospitality -- James Judkins
- Blessing -- MaryAnne Bukolt Ryder
- Introductions -- Jay Kerley
- Program Intro. --Bob Parks
- Thank Speaker -- Kevin Killeen
- New Mem. Talk --
- Seasoned Mem. -- Joann Rushford-Gowett
- Food Shelf -- Heidi Clute & Kevin Kehoe
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Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2009
- Program/Speaker -- Ideas in Public Housing -- Alan Hipps
- Greeters -- Timothy Kononan & Angelo LaMariana
- Hospitality -- Sonia Long
- Blessing -- Peter Cadieux
- Introductions -- Lois Lynch
- Program Intro. --Howard Lowe
- Thank Speaker -- Ronald Malseptic
- New Mem. Talk --
- Seasoned Mem. -- Cornelia Forrence
- Food Shelf --
