wMelissa's AP stories Here are my stories whose links are no longer available. Only the ones with bylines are included here, for the non-bylined ones that I found more interesting, go to melswar.blogspot.com. Thanks! Let me know what you think! wArchives: -- HOME --

wFriday, December 27, 2002 Hello. Here are a bunch of stories I have done over the past six months. Now that I have this site, articles will be up as soon as stories are released. Hope you enjoy! (Half Moon from 9/11, Girls Exhibit from 10/15, Conference Funding from 10/17, Halloween Book from 10/31, Troy Bikes from 11/11, Venison Donation from 11/17 and Free Smokes from 12/26.) posted by Melissa at 3:45 PM w December 25, 2002 Bar patrons receive free cigarettes from tobacco companies By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Tobacco companies say they're just out pitching their products, handing out free packs of cigarettes to smokers in clubs and pubs around New York, trying to get them to switch brands. Anti-smoking advocates, though, call the free smokes a way to get the casual smoker to puff regularly. Though these giveaway programs started in primarily larger cities such as New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, now patrons in smaller cities including Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Huntington can find free packs of smokes in trendier bars. "Selling something that is killing people is bad enough, but to give it away is kind of unbelievable," said Andria Bentley, a 19-year-old political science major at the University at Albany student who has seen the sampling at local bars. At Lark Tavern, Camel representatives often appear on weekends or during live music sets, looking for smokers. They ask those with cigarettes if they would like two free packs, take their IDs to scan and return with the Camels most similar to their regular brand. Called the Camel Club, first launched in 1994, the program has been in Albany since the spring of 2001. "We are trying to get these adult smokers to switch to our brands," said David Howard, spokesman for R.J. Reynolds. Marcy Wamp, director of the New York State College Alliance Against Tobacco, disagreed. "Their purpose is to get social, 'once in a while' smokers to become regular customers," she said. The alliance is on many campuses statewide, including Cornell University, Hartwick College, Niagara University and the State University of New York at Brockport. Wamp compared the free samples to those given out by cookie companies, except cookies are not "highly addictive substances." "If someone does not want to participate, they don't have to," countered Howard. The representatives go to smoker-friendly places with age restrictions and only communicate with those who are already smokers, he said. David Adelman, tobacco analyst for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, agrees that the free samples encourages brand switching. "If you aren't a smoker, I don't think it's going to affect you at all," he said. "Everybody likes free stuff," said Lark Tavern owner G.E. Maugere. The nonsmoker did not contact the company to do promotions and doesn't believe the giveaways increase foot traffic because representatives show up when the bar is already busy. "The Camel fairies are wonderful," said smoker Conner Bambrick, 24, who works for a nonprofit group. He has seen them in many settings, including concerts. He said he has often thought of quitting smoking, treating a pack of cigarettes as though it were his last, but then the "fairies" appear. Bambrick has never chosen one bar over another for the chance of getting free cigarettes, though Howard said the program helps foot traffic in venues. Venues that sign up for the program receive ashtrays, napkins and other promotional merchandise, as well as money toward events such as bands. Howard said the company does not sell the information scanned off the IDs or give it to any third parties but adds the names and addresses to product mailing lists. Since the Master Settlement Agreement in 1998, which banned tobacco companies from targeting youth in advertising, other programs, like these giveaways, have sprung up around the country. "College students are becoming increasingly aware of how they are targeted by the tobacco industry's advertising tactics," said Toni Gauthier, substance abuse specialist at Nazareth College in Rochester, where club promotions have also been taking place. Gauthier is an adviser for the college's Peer Heath Educators program. "Peer educators like ours at Nazareth College are speaking up, speaking out and taking action," she said. ___ On the Web: www.nyscaat.org New York State College Alliance Against Tobacco www.rjrt.com R.J. Reynolds tobacco company posted by Melissa at 3:40 PM w November 27, 2002 Hunters donate deer meat to food programs By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer LATHAM, N.Y. (AP) _ Hunters around the state are killing more deer than they need for a good cause _ feeding the hungry. Processed deer meat has appeared on plates in soup kitchens for many years, but statewide coordination efforts began for the first time this hunting season. "We have worked with venison before, but never like this year," Joanne Dwyer, associated director of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York in Latham. In conjunction with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Resource, Conservation and Development Council, the regional food bank will add venison to the supply list distributed to over 900 agencies in 23 counties. From that list, shelters, food pantries and soup kitchens place their orders and pay 16 cents per pound of food, regardless of what makes up the pound. "Protein items traditionally have been very hard to come-by," said Paul Larche, a director of Community Action Agency of Franklin County, which supplies food to 74 food pantries in 10 upstate counties. The group received a 45-pound shipment from the Latham food bank. "We were very fortunate to hear about the venison coalition," he said. The only problem Dwyer sees the project facing is finding enough volunteers to process the meat donated by hunters. Hunters in Dutchess County organize the processing of meat themselves. "If hunters are lucky enough to get a second deer, they bring it over," said Bill Emslie, a Wappingers Falls resident who helps coordinate a venison donation program. The group of volunteers then cuts the meat into either stew or ground meat, freezes it and delivers it to one of nine local groups. Since 1993, Emslie and the Federation of Dutchess County Fish and Game Clubs have collected deer meat throughout the hunting season and helped get it to those who are hungry. That first year they collected about 100 pounds of deer meat from local hunters. Last year the organization gave over 2,800 pounds of prepared meat. "When I was delivering once, they said 'how did you know we ran out of meat?'" Emslie recalled. Hunters used to quit for the season after taking their buck or doe "because they didn't want to waste the deer," Emslie said. The donations depend on the success of the hunters, who can either donate a few pounds or a whole deer. Butchers also donate their time to help the hungry get venison. Richard Dedie, of Rich's Custom Meat Shop in Greenville, takes the dead deer, processes the meat and distributes the packages among different food pantries. "Pantries don't have much of a source of meat because of federal regulations," Dedie said. "Someone can't just donate a cow, but New York state passed laws making it possible for hunters to donate venison." So far this year he has collected 15 deer, which passes his record of 12 in a season. "I expect to do a lot more as the season progresses," he added. ___ On the Web: www.venisondonation.com www.regionalfoodbank.net posted by Melissa at 3:38 PM w Novermber 11, 2002 Volunteers recycle bikes for community use By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer TROY, N.Y. (AP) _ Andrew Lynn couldn't resist the bicycles discarded in the trash bin behind the city's Department of Public Works. So, he hauled them out and stashed them in the bushes until he could come back. The piles grew and the idea for the Troy Bike Rescue came to him based on a simple philosophy. "We put them into the public transportation system, where we think they belong," said the 25-year-old. Lynn and a handful of volunteers fix broken bikes and place them throughout the city for everyone to use. Though most of the original fleet of 14 dispersed in September disappeared, Lynn does not consider them stolen since "no one really owns the bikes." Lynn said, "Most are assumed to have been personally adopted." Despite the disappearances of the rescued two-wheelers, volunteers across the country continue to fix broken bicycles and get them back out in the public arena instead of the dump. From Storrs, Conn., to Portland, Ore., bike-recycling groups have had different degrees of success, as well as different levels of bike freedom. After many bikes were trashed or stolen in Decatur, Ga., the yellow bikes are now lent out indefinitely for a refundable deposit. Though the original Decatur Yellow Bikes has evolved from its original free-bikes, Ken Rosskopf considers it a success. "It got unwanted, unused bikes back into service," he said. The program also encouraged others to dust off and use their own bikes. Since so many of these programs have had difficulties with theft, Rosskopf said, "I think you would find success only in a well-funded, state-sponsored system." At Williams College, in Williamstown, Mass., students who wish to use the community bikes sign up for the program and get a key that opens all the locks. "People are just a bit upset that we don't have more bikes out yet," said William Sacks, who helped start the program. Besides being placed in public areas, the bikes are brought directly to those who need them. The Recycle-A-Bicycle program in Buffalo teaches kids how to fix bikes. The bikes are then donated to local community groups, such as a house for people living with AIDS. Funeral director Jan Maloff, from Jamesville, collects bikes from garages sales and donations, fixes them, and gives them to children in need just before Christmas. He gave out 1,000 bikes last year, he said. Maloff, who began his program seven years ago, vowed as a child that he would help the less fortunate when he rode his bike past an orphanage each day. The Troy Bike Rescue started an "Earn-A-Bike" program where kids volunteer for a given number of hours repairing bikes to get their own to keep. In Ithaca, a group called Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles, or RIB, also allows volunteers to accumulate hours to get a bike. RIB collects bicycles through donations from the community, and then fixes them, while teaching young people and adults how to repair them. Since the program started in 1990, RIB reconditioned more than 2,000 donated bikes. Like Lynn, those who work with RIB believe, as stated on their Web site, "Every bike brought down is one less usable bike buried in a landfill." AnnMarie Graves learned about bikes in Ithaca, and now works with Lynn to rebuild bikes, teach others how to do-it-themselves, and to help organize community events. Lynn and a handful of volunteers have met in apartment complexes and church parking lots to hold workshops on bike repair, where members of the community have pooled their resources of broken bikes and tools. After repairs, the recovered two-wheelers are painted green and put out on the streets of the college and industry town along the Hudson River. As the weather turns cold, Lynn, Graves and other volunteers will keep a lookout for any bikes they come across and store them for winter. They hope to put out a bigger fleet of green bikes next year, hoping that will make them public property longer. "I never thought of Troy as a place where a free-bikes program could work and maybe it's not. But now one exists here by the fact that we are committed to trying," Lynn said about the city of about 50,000 residents. "I think there is a possibility that it will work." ___ On the Net: www.breathingplanet.net/tbr www.people.clarityconnect.com/webpages2/RIBs posted by Melissa at 3:36 PM w October 30, 2002 Haunting photos show Halloween's past By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Red Riding Hood is frozen in mock terror. It's a bear this time that's after the girl. Instead of running for her life, the girl stood stone still in her 1940s Halloween costume as Phyllis Galembo snapped her picture. The photo, and 122 others, are part of Galembo's new book, "Dressed for Thrills: 100 Years of Halloween Costumes & Masquerade," published by Harry N. Abrams Inc. ($24.95, 126 pages). The book chronicles the evolution of Halloween costumes in America. From homemade items, such as an Uncle Sam costume from 1860, to mass-produced get-ups that reflect the times, like the early 1960s NASA astronaut, Galembo uses unique lighting and backdrops to bring Halloween's past back to life. "By using this subtle method of photographing, the items appeared to come alive _ as though the soul of the last person who wore this item was appearing," Galembo said. "Skeleton Mask With Ears" appears in a red light that almost washes out the mask itself, as though it were merely an apparition. Galembo, a professor of art at the University at Albany, has photographed holiday or festival costumes since the 1970s. She began collecting Halloween costumes while she traveled, because of her interest in how people use costumes to assume different identities. In the preface, she writes about a costume she wore to celebrate the Jewish holiday Purim. "I imagine this is where my lifelong obsession with costumes began." After she accumulated close to 500 pieces, Galembo thought about creating a history of Halloween in America by preserving her treasures on film. The book is sprinkled with children in costume _ a "Midnight Princess" pouts in her 1920s star-print dress, holding onto a glowing golden moon; a little girl with flowers braided into her hair hulas in a 1940 crepe-paper skirt before a tropical paradise; a boy stands on papier-mache rocks before a cloud-laced sky in a red Indian costume with a felt and feathers headdress from the early 1950s. Most of the children look grim. But it's not because they are in character. They had to stand still for many minutes, because Galembo used a large-format camera and three- to five-minute exposures needed for each photo. The models are children of friends and relatives, as well as neighbors. Galembo saw twins playing hopscotch, explained the project to their mother, and had them model "Tweedledee and Tweedledum," from the 1960s. After a child would pose, Galembo would take family portraits to make the experience special for everyone. Some of the photos are reminiscent of past stereotypes. "Mammy" sits on gray wooden boards as she washes clothing in a small tub. She wears a jumpsuit, slip, apron and red bandanna, as well as a charcoal black mask with large red lips. Mark Alice Durant, who wrote two pieces for the book's introduction, called "Topsy," another black mask, "a painful reminder of how black children were mocked in the trick-down racism of America scarred by the legacy of slavery." Durant also wrote about the stereotypes acceptable to mock throughout the years. He referred to the Halloween staple of the witch. "The witch is itself a derogatory representation of women," he wrote. Galembo is unsure about what her next project will be. She has produced other books, which have also shown her fascination with ritual clothing around the world. Some of the photographs are exhibited at the Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and at the airport in San Francisco. Proceeds from books sold at Departure, the Albany International Airport shop, will be donated to more than 70 regional museums. ___ On the Net: www.galembo.com posted by Melissa at 3:34 PM w October 16, 2002 Controversial topic prompts denial of funding for annual conference By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer NEW PALTZ, N.Y. (AP) _ For the first time in 15 years, an upstate university has denied funding for a popular women's studies conference, deeming it too unbalanced in its portrayal of the Middle East. Some students and professors at the State University of New York at New Paltz have criticized the decision, saying the program should not be overlooked because of a controversial topic. The women's studies department requested $4,000 for Saturday's conference titled "Women and War, Peace and Revolution." The keynote panel would receive $1,500 and an evening performance by a comedian would receive $2,500 in state funding. Gerald Benjamin, dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, recommended to Provost David Lavallee, who officially decides who receives funding, that the conference be denied because it was not balanced enough. A speaker will be talking about human rights abuses of Palestinians, while no one is speaking on behalf of Israel. Conference critics fear the conference will lead to Israel-bashing. "I think that there is a lot of tension right now about the Middle East," said Amy Kesselman, a women's studies professor who helped plan the conference. "But it's possible we're being more scrutinized since 1997." In 1997, the women's studies conference, "Revolting Behavior: The Challenges of Women's Sexual Freedom," included workshops that discussed sadomasochism and sex toys, which brought then-President Roger Bowen under heavy criticism by some SUNY top officials. "At a time when war seems so imminent, descending opinions should not be quieted, especially at an academic institution," said Nicole Brodie, a political science major who will attend the conference, and is disappointed it did not get funding. The opening panel includes Ruchama Marton, an Israeli psychiatrist who will present a feminist perspective on peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel. She will be speaking about human rights abuses of Palestinians. The other speakers are: Amy Goodman, from Pacifica Radio, who will discuss effects of war on women worldwide, and Nadia Hijab, a Jordanian/British author, who will talk about human rights and international law in regard to the Middle East. In Benjamin's recommendation to Lavallee, he wrote that the panel was not the best use of funds nor "in the best interest of the University." Emily Cowen, president of Hillel, a Jewish campus group, agreed and said, "People won't be aware of the fact that they aren't getting both sides," unless both sides are actually present. "It's unfortunate that (the request) was denied, but it may have been for the better." "There was no effort to keep it from being held," Benjamin told The Associated Press, adding that it was just not financially supported. "They are not preventing us, but they don't think it's a good academic conference," Kesselman said. Benjamin, Lavallee and the university's Interim President Steven Poskanzer met with Kesselman and other planners to discuss the denial of funding. Shelly Wright, New Paltz spokeswoman, pointed out that there was limited funding for programs. Fifteen event proposals were funded and five denied. Wright also said the evening performance by a New York City comedian called "Reno," who deals with Sept. 11 through humor, was denied because the foundation does not usually fund entertainment. "The administration had the power and resources to support the upcoming conference, but instead chose to undermine it," said Harold Jacobs, head of the sociology department. He wrote a letter on behalf of the department requesting that the administration reconsider its decision. "We seek to prevent the administration from using the fallacious argument of 'balance' as a reason to withhold funding for future campus events." The women's studies department has raised enough money to continue their conference as planned, through the help of community members and alumnae. posted by Melissa at 3:33 PM w October 14, 2002 State museum exhibit focuses on girls' history By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ The girl in the 1960s Polaroid beams, a pink corsage with 16 little sugar-cubes pinned to her shirt. Then there is the black graduation-cap and its faded white tassel. Nearby, there's a confirmation gown, neatly folded in a box, preserved for generations. These are not just treasures found in one woman's attic, but part of "New York State Girls," a new exhibit opening Tuesday at the New York State Museum focusing on girls' lives in state history and culture. Other symbols of the rites of passage into womanhood include souvenirs from a bat mitzvah, well-worn cotillion gloves and a dress for La Quinceanera _ a Latina celebration on a girl's 15th birthday that welcomes adulthood. Beside the rites of passage, the exhibit focuses on education, both formal and play, recreation and work, in the past through now. "For girls, just to have an exhibit in a major museum is empowering," said Tana Fileccia-Flagg of the state Division for Women, who brought the idea to the museum. She hopes the pieces have an effect not only on girls, but on all visitors. Hanging in a frame behind a 1900 iron and wood desk is a "sampler." Girls would often cross-stitch a series of letters and numbers to show their proficiency in embroidery. A 12-year-old girl in 1825 made the multicolored piece. Before the Civil War, girls did not receive a formal education, but rather instruction in the "graces," such as painting, embroidery, and music, which were important for well-to-do girls to learn in order to make them desirable wives and mothers, according to the exhibit. China tea sets and Native American clay pots show how girls "learn by watching and copying their mothers," said Ruthanne Brod, who worked with museum staffers Jeanine Grinage, Pat Jordan and designer Gene MacKay to develop the exhibit. The creators not only tried to show the diversity of girls in New York, but also how girls have changed. On display is a Girl Scout uniform from the early 1900s, next to one from today. Framed nearby is the "Bill of Rights for Girls" from 1945 issued by Girls Inc. It states, "An American girl has the right to the pursuit of happiness," "to know the great outdoors," and "to training for her future all-important job of homemaking and motherhood." Mounted close to show the contrast, today's bill of rights includes "to be themselves and to resist gender stereotypes" and "to prepare for interesting work and economic independence." "Any exhibit cannot tell the whole story," Grinage said. The museum has created a series of programs to complement the exhibit. In late October the museum will sponsor a mother-daughter workshop, and early next year they will teach the public how to preserve memories for future generations and how to make scrapbooks. "New York State Girls" will be open through June 2003. posted by Melissa at 3:31 PM w September 11, 2002 Students replicate original Henry Hudson voyage By MELISSA MANSFIELD Associated Press Writer RENSSELAER, N.Y. (AP) _ Robbie McDonald had never been on a boat before, but he wasn't scared about the idea of living on the Half Moon for six days, mirroring part of Henry Hudson's original journey. "I'm looking forward to steering the ship," the 12-year-old Rensselaer student said, two days before the trip began. The seventh grader joined 11 other Albany-area students Sept. 7 to re-create the historic 1609 voyage from New York harbor to Albany aboard a replica of the original vessel, the Half Moon. On Sept. 13, students will disembark in Verplank, the halfway point, to allow eight of their classmates the opportunity to sail the final part of the journey to Albany, due to arrive Sept. 19. "It's a life-changing event," said Steve Linehan, a social studies teacher at Phillip Livingston Magnet Academy who works with the program. "The ship gets in their blood." Students learn how to run a ship in the 1609 tradition, while also following a full academic program. The Half Moon replica, a sailing museum of early Dutch culture, was completed in 1989, and hosts many educational programs throughout the year. The September journeys started five years ago when William "Chip" Reynolds began sailing on the ship, and thought that someone should follow the original journey up the Hudson. Virginia Farrell, a teacher who coordinates the program at Rensselaer Middle School, said the students have a lot of responsibilities on the boat and a lot of activities, from history and science lessons to the tasks of being a crew member. Farrell chose this year's participants from her school based on essays and interviews. "This is not an academic contest," she said. "What the students have is enthusiasm." Farrell looked for a "spark" from the students during their interviews, or an unusual approach to the essays for consideration. Eighth grader Sean Lowell's essay compared being chosen for the program to a lottery where skill, logic and luck are important. "I'm excited to go," Allyssa Schrimsher, 12, said before departing. "I want to get on (the ship) to see what it's like." Schrimsher was looking forward to cooking on the ship, as well as night watch duty. "We are up for a full hour," watching for other ships at night, she said. The students will be keeping two journals for the duration of the trip: one personal for reflections and the other a detailed log of their experiments and observations. They will each write "as though they are the only person on the boat taking notes for the captain," Farrell said. The students will also be answering questions and tracking their journey through the Half Moon's Web site. "We have many alumni that continue to participate," Reynolds said. Many siblings of past participants have also joined the crew for trips, such as Virginia Hilstro, whose brother participated. Ann Cosgrove, a junior at Albany High School, went on the first re-creation four years ago, and her sister Julia boarded the ship for last fall's journey. The family still volunteers with the ship whenever it is in the Albany area. Ann, 16, has gone down to Verplank to do repair work on several occasions with her mother. "I'm probably not going to be a sailor when I grow up," she said, but she would like to pursue other opportunities on ships in college. ___ On the Net: http://www.halfmoon.mus.ny.us posted by Melissa at 3:30 PM