Mark Russell takes on editor of Orlando Sentinel

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando Sentinel's new chief editor, Mark Russell, spoke about his career journey to students at Valencia Community College west campuses journalism department this past Tuesday, Dec. 7.  Although feeling under the weather in a snazzy suit and tie and a tissue in his hand, Russell fought through it, touching on a range of topics from the future of the Orlando Sentinel to the different types of reporting seen throughout the newspapers database today.

The rapid advancement of technology is soon to change the future of the Orlando Sentinel within the next 15-20 yrs, Russell says. From just five years ago, their website went from updating information several hours into the day to having relevant content all day long from the get-go.

Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri and graduating from the University of Missouri’s journalism school, Russell continued his dream of becoming an editor by accepting an internship in Wichita, Kansas, followed by jobs in New York City (Wall Street Journal), Cleveland, and Boston (Boston Globe) then eventually making his way down to the Orlando Area.

One of the major focuses of the Orlando Sentinel is looking ahead on how to serve users online he says.  Even an ‘app’ for Iphones is on its way, updating subscribers and users of their news with a touch of a button.


Russell’s biggest inspiration comes from his mother. “Everybody has their start at one point,” he says when asked about difficulties and obstacles he’s encountered throughout the years of his career. “People tell you what you can’t do, listen, and move on. No one can determine your destiny by yourself.”

Most reporters of the Orlando Sentinel do “Watch-dog reporting” and are assigned to stories about theme parks, hospitality, time shares and OCPS. Other parts include “Community Journalism” relating to economic interests and “The Big Story,” referring to information on elections, shootings, natural disasters, the Orlando Magic, and shuttle launches. 

Images are very powerful Russell says.  A newspaper, both online and print, connects with users and readers the most through images.

For more information about Mark Russell or the Orlando Sentinel, please go to www.orlandosentinel.com.

He's got the magic in him

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Richard “The Magic Man” Macintyre demonstrated the tricks up his sleeve this past Sunday Nov. 21 on the corner of Orange and Wall St in downtown Orlando.  Spectators quickly gathered around him with anticipation.

Standing on a two-foot block, Macintyre showed numerous tricks involving cards, coins, and even a cigarette pack, leaving most of the audience with a look of amazement.

“I’ve been doing these tricks for years,” Macintyre said.  “When people walk away looking dumb-founded, I know I’ve done a good job.”

A part of being retired, Macintyre enjoys performing his tricks for tourist along the streets of downtown Orlando and on Monday nights, he does a comedy skit at “The Other Bar” located on Wall St.  “Entertaining others is my passion,” he said.

The sound of applause echoed off the buildings of downtown.

Jon Jones, an observer during the ten-minute performance, said, “this guy sure knows what he’s doing. He had me fooled.”

“My favorite trick was how he made that cigarette disappear,” said onlooker Kelly Burkhart. “That was absolutely mind blowing!”

Macintyre can be found performing throughout the streets of downtown 4-8 everyday of the week. 

TyeDye is the new pink

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Stellar TyeDye revealed its new collection on Sunday, Oct. 17 at the Stardust Lounge located in downtown Orlando.  Rich, bright shades of blues, greens, pinks, purples, yellows and oranges surrounded the room.

From a variety of printed t-shirts with flamingos, peace signs and seahorses to dresses with anchors, stars and even the breast cancer symbol laid exposed waiting to be purchased. The room quickly filled with anticipated buyers.   

This was Katy Segale’s sixth showing of her tyedye creations. She started a year ago and has slowly worked her way up where she now has frequent buyers on a daily basis.

 “It’s more of an art for me,” Segale said. “I just love mixing together colors and seeing what happens." She giggled adding, “You win some, and you lose some.”

Segale later gave a seminar teaching customers how to make prints similar to hers.  

“I’m obsessed with her designs”, fellow shopper Bree Lutzow said. “The shirts she makes are cute but comfy. You can’t go wrong there!”

Stellar TyeDye is also co-owned by Katie Messina, who couldn’t make it to the event.  Messina and Segale design and work on their collection at a studio in College Park.

Kate Fairman, a model for Stellar TyeDye, said “Their collections should definitely be acknowledged more. You don’t see many TyeDye stores these days.”

Go to www.stellartyedye.com for further information on prices, collections, and upcoming events.

Flippers Pizzeria Event is a Great Success

ORLANDO—For a sunny mild day in Florida, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else than a fundraiser golf tournament event.  But this just wasn’t any fundraiser, it was a cause.

            Flippers Pizzeria donated twelve large pizzas at the Shingle Creek Resort Friday located off of Universal Boulevard for their annual fundraiser golf tournament.  The money donated went towards the Give Kids the World foundation.

            Director and heads spokeswoman of Flippers Pizzeria Andrea Rodriquez stated they were “happy to be involved in such a great cause” implying that this wouldn’t be the last time they would attend the event.  

            Not only has Flipper’s been involved with the Give Kids the World foundation, they also have been trying to raise money from communities to help them donate Flippers pizza every day to the Give Kids the World Resort located in Kissimmee.  This would include an all inclusive deal where families who are staying at the resort would be able to have pizza daily for free, along with their paid vacation from the resort itself.

            A volunteer Karen Demer stated she works 25 hours per week at the Give Kids the World Resort and every time she leaves with a smile on her face adding that “Flippers pizza would be an exciting addition to the resort”.

            The Give Kids the World Resort enables children who have been diagnosed with cancer and other critical illnesses the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of attending the Disney World theme parks along with other Orlando attractions including Sea World and Universal Studios.

            Set Carpintero, a supporter at the event, stated that the “Give Kids the World Foundation is a passion” of his and he was glad that he could share that day with people who cared and joined the effort in taking steps forward with the foundation. He said he was “very grateful with the turnout”.  

            For further information on how to get involved with Flippers Pizzeria and their cause with Give Kids the World, please contact Andrea Rodriquez at 407 590 9141.

npaladino@atlas.valenciacc.edu