Mark Russell

ORLANDO, Fla. – Mark Russell knows interest. “People wonder about other people,” said the Orlando Sentinel editor in a presentation geared towards Valencia journalism students Dec 7.

The press conference-style event was hosted by journalism professor Ken Carpenter and centered on Russell’s career and his aspirations in digitally expanding the paper.

With 20% of the Sentinel’s readers going online once a week to receive their local news content, Russell was adamant that free social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter will allow the paper to attain greater readership in the future.

“We try to reflect the community as we see it,” said Russell who has prompted his reporting staff to engage with readers through Facebook and Twitter.

Russell’s six years at the Orlando Sentinel has broadened his view of aggressive watchdog journalism both in print and online. “I ask, ‘what do we have right now?’” said Russell of quickly exporting news online before print. “There’s cross-pollination between the two outlets,” he said.

The Orlando Sentinel in addition to expanding online has seen a broad scope of Latino readership through their Spanish-only publication, El Sentinel. “It’s a strong advertising vehicle for us. We’re trying to monetize that market, capture that market,” Russell said optimistically.

Russell in addition addressed the news of the Orlando Sentinel hiring reporters, despite nationwide cutbacks in the field. The Sentinel plans to expand in health care reporting, as well as Orange County Schools, Russell says.

“We are first and foremost a local paper. We cover stories with content that covers the region,” said Russell of the paper’s confidence with remaining a central Floridian entity.

For more information, visit orlandosentinel.com.

Ouch!...My Makeup

OCOEE, Fla. – In front of a group of ogling spectators, Emily Gronlund modeled her fresh black eye. “I thought it would be a cool thing to have,” said the teen. “It looks really creepy.”

The shiner was created by makeup artist Cody Cleek in a demonstration entitled “Halloween FX” held Oct. 16 for visitors of the West Oaks Library Branch.

Cleek is a seven year special effects makeup artist who began creating latex boils and blisters in college while studying theatrical design.

Between applying pus-filled cuts to children in attendance, Cleek demonstrated how to safely create prosthetic burn marks and open wounds for the Halloween season using liquid latex and toilet tissue.

 “I do these shows every Halloween, two this Halloween, two last Halloween,” said Cleek, who works as a librarian at the branch year round.

The two and a half hour demonstration allowed for willing audience members to have applied to them any gruesome protrusion on request and ask Cleek questions about his technique.

“She’s actually going to use the black eye at a party tonight,” said Gronlund’s mother, Lorie Robertson, of her daughter’s fake bruising.

Cleek is now branching into the art of creating latex horror masks, and encourages those interested in special effects makeup to explore online. “Youtube has a tremendous amount of videos on how to do makeup. It’s great for people starting out.”

For more information on upcoming events, visit ocls.info/programs. 

Orlando Travel Writer Inspires Library Crowd

ORLANDO, Fla. –  A flip-flop adorned travel blogger-turned-life coach shared with patrons of the Orlando Public Library his anecdotes and lessons acquired from around the globe last Monday.

“Everything that I do, I want to inspire people to get a passport and a stamp in that passport,” said Orlando-based explorer Ben Reed after his first speaking event aptly entitled “9 ½ Ways to Ignite Adventure in Your Life!” held Sept. 20.

 The travel how-to presentation was attended by a modest audience, among them, Barbara Lackovic who said Reed’s words motivated her to “take a risk and don’t be afraid to go it alone.”

His calling card suggests that Reed has partaken in lion walking, insect eating, and pillow fighting as a guest in more than 15 countries. Reed’s offbeat tales reinforced to his audience his philosophy of “doing the thing that you said you would never do” when traveling.

“He’s a great motivational speaker,” said Judy Zarevich, whom learned from Reed to “just do it and take the ‘buts’ away” from her future travel planning.

An advocate and friend of the downtown Orlando library branch, Reed anchored his PowerPoint presentation with guide book suggestions, championing travel within one’s neighborhood library first. “I hope people will have a new perspective on Central Florida,” Reed said.

The travel writer’s self-promotion has garnered him a sizable following in the blogosphere. His blog, "Adventures With Ben", launched in June of 2009 after Reed decided to escape Orlando’s tourism environment in search of exploration.

“I’m not going to hold myself back,” said Reed, attempting to inspire within the audience members in front of him a similar sense of liberation.

Trekking enthusiasts can access Reed’s 9 ½ steps to becoming a better traveler along with stories, advice, and information on upcoming events at adventureswithben.com, updated every weekday.