Editorial: Best Citizen Journalism, August 2005

Jaffa Institute provides safe haven

Danielle Max

The best citizen journalist stories:

• Deal with local subjects
• Are written compellingly
• Are about something remarkable
• Are well researched and accurate pieces of journalism
• Contain original quotes that can only be gleaned from a one-on-one interview
• Cover events likely to be overlooked by other news organizations
• Are uplifting and inspirational

Danielle Max is a freelance writer living in Tel Aviv, Israel. The first of two articles we have received from Danielle, this story captures the heart of citizen journalism and takes us into an institute enabling Jewish, Muslim & Christian children in the nearby city of Jaffa to enjoy a productive and meaningful life despite being surround by poverty and political tensions. At the stressful time when Israelis would soon pull out of the Gaza strip, Danielle found a positive and uplifting story in her backyard. She brought it to the world with style, grace and respect for all parties involved and portrayed a full and compelling picture of people working to make the world a better place for those around them. With original research and quotation, as well as some great original photography, HappyNews is pleased to award this article first place.

We chose Danielle's story not only because it was one of the best but also because it serves as a great example of what we look for in Citizen Journalism pieces.

Danielle Max will also receive an extra US$50 for her work.

Read more of Danielle's Stories:

• 3000 Engage peace and harmony in Israel

Charleston's new bridge: Connecting cities, connecting lives

Amy Meade

This submission was the first of many stories that Amy has written for HappyNews. In this story Amy shares a special moment from her Honeymoon with readers as she recounts the touching and exciting experience of stumbling upon the opening of Charleston's new expansion bridge - an event of national historical importance. An excerpt from the story exemplifies the talent Amy has for using narrative storytelling to connect with her readers and to deliver vivid yet factual detail to her story. In this quote Amy expertly allows the quote to tell the facts and paint the picture: "Yep," Jim continued, "the Cooper River Bridge is the largest bridge of its kind in North America and second largest in the world. There's gonna be fireworks tonight, the biggest and best fireworks South Carolina has ever seen." This is a moving article that weaves the people and place together and captures the moment so well, that I forgot for a moment that I was not standing on the bridge right along with her.

Amy is a freelance writer who is awaiting publication of her first novel, 'Million Dollar Baby' (no affiliation with the film) in April 2006 by Llewellyn Worldwide's new mystery imprint, Midnight Ink.

Read more of Amy's Stories:

• Life, longevity and a slice of cheesecake
• TIFF celebrates 30th Anniversary
• Santa Rosa's 'Peanuts' Celebration
• The Teenage Psyche II
• The Technology of Cleaning
• "The Ex" Opens in Ontario for 127th Year
• Rock, paper scissors; Going once? twice?
• Back to school and the teen psyche

Personal Growth at the Gas Pump. Can the oil squeeze be a catalyst for self-improvement or is it just a drain on your wallet?

Timothy Hooker

We applaud Tim Hooker for his opinion piece that brings us a positive perspective on a key issue few can bring themselves to smile about. Tim reminds us "you can get past the American tendency to spend-first-and-ask-questions-later and consider how the oil squeeze can be a catalyst for self-improvement." Wow, what a concept! Then Tim backs it up with some pretty good ideas for self improvement like doing fewer things but doing them better. What can I say, this story made me smile and put life into perspective and that is really all we hope each of our HappyNews articles will do for our readers.

Tim Hooker is a citizen journalist, creative writer, and teacher in Cleveland, Tennessee. For more info, visit www.timhooker.com.

Read more of Tim's Stories:

• Labor Day is almost here, and that's a good thing
• Thank God for Lawyers
• Understanding Rugby
• Surviving Freshman Composition

Ypsilanti laughs with Vegan Meat Locker

Courtney Philip

No story is too small when told correctly and this is one of those stories. The title Ypsilanti laughs with Vegan Meat Locker is worthy of a double take alone. Ypsilanti? Vegan Meat? What? As Courtney Philip tells it, Ypsilanti is the poor man's Ann Arbor. Before I read this article I had never heard of Ypsilanti (a town in Michigan) or Vegan Meat Locker (a comedy troupe that is bringing improvisational comedy to the town). Nor did I know that a wave of improvisational comedy had hit Ann Arbor, Michigan. And that is exactly why this story is deserving of an honorable mention. It does what Citizen Journalism should do, it tells an interesting story that just might not catch the attention of mainstream media, it gives insight into this writer's community, and it opens her unique world to the reader. Furthermore I learned how to spell Ypsilanti and how improv is performed. Courtney's writing is crisp, engaging and informative and well deserves an honorable mention.

Read more of Courtney's Stories:

• Same Story, Different Day: 21st Century Heroines
• Wisdom from a Dove
• Eastern Michigan University preserves wildlife in urban area