Playing indoors with Barbies...online?

The New York Times recently wrote an article noting the increase of interactive web sites targeted for children. Instead of playing outside or interacting with other children, kids are staying home and playing in virtual worlds, such as BarbieGirls and Cartoon Doll Emporium.

The article discusses child advocates' concerns over the amount of advertising being displayed on these sites and the amount of time children are spending on these sites.

With the increase usage of interactive web sites, will children participate less in physical activity?

I can see how these sites appeal to children, but I can see a few negative effects. Are there benefits as well? What do you think?

Ultimately, parents have the final decision on how much time their children can spend on these websites. Children and adults a like must find a balance between virtual worlds and the "real world."

On that note, I'm going to go play outside.

I love kids, books and PR work.

Recently, I've had the opportunity to help coordinate Springfield Public School's Gift of Literacy event. Over the last few months, every first grade student was read nine books from the Gift of Literacy collection. They each chose their favorite book, and last week they were presented with that book at a day long event held at Lane Community College. Every student received their favorite book with their name inside, a reusable book bag, and a handful of educational goodies. Local celebrities read out loud to small groups of children and then every child received a free lunch. Nearly 150 volunteers and $40,000 of donations made the day possible.

It was such a rewarding experience. Seeing the children's faces was worth the time at the office and in meetings.

Here's what I learned so far from this experience:

1. Take initiative: When assigned a task, just go for it. Get the information you need from your supervisor, and then just take a stab at it. You may not always know what the supervisor is looking for, but do the work and let him or her make changes and edits.
   
2. Network like crazy: In my case, I worked with a committee of 20 rotary members, teachers and district employees. Take every chance to get to know these people before or after the committee meetings. You might just have something in common with them.
3. Not everyone likes email: Emails are not everyone's preferred method of communication. Sometimes it takes a hard copy sent via snail mail to get your message through.
4. Stay organized: When dealing with a new project, start an organizational system from the very beginning and stick with it. It is time consuming to reorganize paperwork and emails later.
5. Memorize names quickly: It's easier to ask someone for assistance if you know who you are talking to.
   
6. Be passionate: Put heart into your work and hours will fly by.

These are just a few of the things I've learned during this process. I can't wait to start planning for next year's Gift of Literacy and see the kids' excitement when they open book bag with a cool, new book inside. It's amazing.

Check out the local news coverage here and here.

PR in the Garden of Eden

I'm fascinated by the new Creation Museum that opened last week in Ohio. What an interesting idea. The museum reminds me of a Christian version of The Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington.

The Creation Museum "brings the bible to life" and introduces visitors to the concept of creationism, while rejecting evolution. A. Larry Ross Communications, a Christian PR firm, headed up the PR campaign. The campaign will be measured on the number of visitors to the museum. The expect to see 300,000 visitors in the first year.

The commercials are visually appealing and well done. The media campaign has a newsroom with images, press releases and backgrounders, and the museum seems to have great coverage. Even with all the PR bases covered, how will the campaign hold up against critics? Many non-Christians are sneering at the idea.

I'm thinking the controversy behind the Creation Museum will only aid news coverage and increase the number of visitors.

What do you think? Will the news coverage help or hinder the number of people who visit the museum?

It pays off to slow down

It's the end of the school year and life is hectic. The three day weekend for Memorial Day was much needed, and I am ready to face the final weeks of school, begin a new internship, and put on a $40,000 event for Springfield Public Schools.

But if a three day weekend is not a possibility, this great post on Forward Blog reminds us to remember to slow down and enjoy the little things in life.

It's way too easy to get wrapped up in school, work, blogging, social networking and so on.

So, take Forward Blog's advice and remember to take a mental health day, pet your puppy, call home, write a letter and spend time with family.

No, these little things in life won't solve all of your work week problems, but after a relaxing, long weekend, I feel more productive, happier and excited to see what the week brings.

It really does pay to slow down.

Just Jott It!

Here is my quick "evangelical" post for the week--

This week I discovered the coolest new communication tool. It's been fun experimenting with Jott, a mobile note taking and hands free messaging service. I find it fascinating how communication techniques are quickly blending together.

Here's how Jott works:

1. Sign up online. (It's free!)
2. Call the Jott phone number 1-877-568-8486
3. Speak your message
4. Jott then translates your message into writing and sends either an email or a text message

How handy!

My favorite is Jotting myself. I can send reminders to myself and have them waiting in my inbox.

Instead of texting while driving, Jott can translate my messages and send text messages for me. (Washington state just passed a law prohibiting text messaging while driving by the way.)

Also, Jott allows you to send text messages and emails to groups. Record one message and everyone receives your message at one time.

What I love the most is that I don't need my laptop. I can now easily send emails and texts with my cell phone--hands free.

It just makes my life a little easier.

There's too much hugging going on!

I have to admit, the free hugs video on YouTube made me tear up the first few times I saw it. It's a touching and inspirational video, but now it's lost the sentimental value for me. I've seen the video posted on Facebook dozens of times, I've watched it with groups of friends, given free hugs to the guys on campus, seen a crew of free huggers in Portland, and even seen the video played at church on Sunday morning. It's being played over and over, and the sentiment is dying with every viewing. Check out the video below:



The guys who give free hugs on the U of O campus are friends of mine. Of course, I'll stop by and give them a hug. I love supporting them and hope they continue to give hugs. It's not that I don't like hugs.

Just last weekend, I went up to the Saturday Market in Portland and was bombarded with more free hugs signs. Thanks to YouTube, free hugs are everywhere, which is great--until I see those signs everywhere I go.

My concern is that I'm becoming numb to the gesture. It's not original anymore. It's the same feeling I have to an over played song on the radio. Once that song comes on three times in one hour, I never really want to hear it again.

Is YouTube and other online resources killing all sentiment and creativity? We all have access to the same music, the same videos, the same blogs. Will our difficult cultures and communities become all the same because we are virtually connected? Or will they become more diverse?

I suppose only time will tell.

Where's the dialogue?

ChemNutra, the company responsible for the recent contamination of pet food and death of thousands of pets, has started a blog in response to the recent crisis.

Props for this blogger for exposing the flaws in ChemNutra's blog.

ChemNutra's "blog" is merely a collection of press releases and does not allow readers to comment on each post. Check it out.

How cold can ChemNutra be? They are already responsible for the death of thousands of pets. Do they want to anger pet owners further by putting up communication barriers? These pet owners need answers, and they want to express their thoughts. ChemNutra needs to take responsibility for their actions, buck up and let the negative comments come.

I can see where ChemNutra is coming from, in the sense that they wanted to create controlled media; however, blogging requires two way communication with the blogger to the reader. So where's the dialogue?

They've made a mistake, but now is the time to be straightforward, honest and provide the affected parties the information they need.

In my opinion, no blog is better than a pathetic one.