Mark Russell at Valencia Community College

ORLANDO, Fla -- Mark Russell gives a press conference at Valencia Community College to discuss his career in journalism.

Having graduated from the University of Missouri, Russell is now Chief Editor at the Sun Sentinel Orlando. As the head editor, he has numerous responsibilities to ensure that there is a quality paper printed everyday. Keeping up with all the current news throughout the city of Orlando is just a few of his everyday tasks.

“Political Science is one of the main things you should study when becoming a journalist,” said Russell.

Throughout his career, Russell discusses the competition he had to endure to get to where he is today. Russell began his career in New York City as an intern for the Wall Street Journal.

“Be the kind of person that doesn’t like to hear the word no,” said Russell as he discussed how he got the job.

As he continued to discuss the process, he said that nobody could control his destiny but him. People would tell him what he should or should not do, but he trusted his gut, and did what he felt was best for his future.

“Everyone has to start doing something at some point,” said Russell as he discussed the critical people whose opinions might get the best of a young journalist.

As the press conference came to an end, Russell answered a question about the economy affecting jobs in the journalism field. He went on to say that the Sentinel Orlando had just hired a number of people, and that the struggling economy did not affect their work force as of yet.

To find out more about the Orlando Sentinel, go to www.Orlandosentinel.com

The Benefits of a Vacation Home

KISSIMMEE, Fla.— Nov. 15, Cheryl Fredricks gives a speech on the benefits of owning a vacation home. The lecture was given to anyone interested in renting they’re home while not in use.

This is Fredrick’s sixth year working for All Star Vacation Homes. Tourism is her expertise and finding local candidates to join the company is her job.

The company’s focus is to turn your home into a five star hotel accommodation for tourists visiting the Walt Disney World area. The homeowner signs they’re house to All star for the times that they will not be using it throughout the year.

“Think about not having to worry about lights, water, mold or any kind of up keep. Owning a home is enough maintenance and dealing with it while your away is even more difficult,” said Fredricks

The company makes money by giving a set amount from every stay to the homeowner while keeping the remainder. All Star appeals itself to clients that are willing to spend large amounts for up scale accommodations.

“My house has been maintained better than it was when I had control of it,” said Kaity Moore.

As Fredricks kept sharing information about the company, the crowd seemed to be getting eager with questions. The thought of making extra money without having to rent out on a lease seemed to become more appealing.

“At first I was skeptical about doing this, but now I am more confident about letting All Star Vacation watch my house,” said Jana Zito.

All Star Vacation Homes is the leading company in their industry. The informational session had a good turn out and it is evident that Cheryl Fredricks has been highly trained in her field.

For more information on joining the All Star family or to stay as a guest go to www.allstarvacationhomes.com

Microsoft Office Seminar

            ORLANDO, Fla. Crispin Lee gives a free seminar at the Celebration Club house on Microsoft office. The seminar was given for anyone interested in learning the basics of everyday Microsoft applications.

            This is Crispin Lee’s second year working as a computer specialist for elementary schools around the county. He is a University of Central Florida graduate, and enjoys teaching computer skills to anybody willing to learn.

            “In today’s society, the world runs on technology. It is essential that we know how to work our way through these programs to be an asset in the work force,” says Lee.

            Lee spends the time focusing on three programs, Microsoft Office, PowerPoint and Excel. The room is filled with an abundance of questions from eager patrons wanting to master these basic programs.

            “I’ve been working for thirty years and have never needed to know how to use a computer. With the state of the economy, I had to learn these things so I could get by,” says Lilliana Valdez.

            Lee went on to explain the programs in an understandable way that everyone seemed to comprehend. From saving a simple document to creating a PowerPoint presentation, Lee covered it all with technological precision.

            “Creating a PowerPoint presentation has always been a struggle for me. I’ve never understood the effects and how to make the presentations anything worth actually presenting until today,” said Cynthia Trohanowsky.

            Overall, Crispin Lee held an educational Microsoft Office event. The smiles and positive chatter at the end signified a successful seminar. Many guests approached Lee and thanked him for being so patient and informative.

            Crispin Lee holds Microsoft Office seminars on the fifteenth of every month. For more information contact the Celebration club house.

           

Ghost Hunting Florida (Dave Lapham Book signing)

Downtown Orlando, Florida. Dave Lapham held a book discussion and signing at Barnes and Noble booksellers for his latest effort entitled “Ghost Hunting Florida”. 

This is the author’s third book written on Florida’s many haunted locations. Lapham has always had an interest in the paranormal, and shares his love for ghosts by traveling all over Florida to different locations and interviewing people to get all the ghostly encounters people have experienced to compile in all three of his books. 

“I’ve had things happen to me that I just could not explain”, says Lapham. 

Lapham states that he has psychics that come with him to the locations because even though he has a great interest in the paranormal, he does not know much about dealing with the disturbances. His own personal experiences have boggled his mind and left him wanting to explore and write about other people’s stories. 

According to Peg Tabor, a fan who attended Lapham’s book signing said: “I have been interested in this subject since I was a little kid”.

This was a fan that had read all of Lapham’s books, and liked to learn about the ghostly encounters of others. At the signing, Lapham had a lot of friends which insinuates the friendliness of his personality and the fans that keep up with his events and writings; it was as if Lapham had his own cult following in a sense.  

According to Betsie Mark, a personal friend of Lapham’s said: “I would love to have one of these experiences that he talks about, I’m still waiting.”

There were many people who attended that stated they had never had a ghost encounter but Lapham’s stories were so interesting that it left them wondering how they could experience one of these encounters themselves. 

There were also many people there who have had many encounters, and that are part of ghost hunting organizations all over Orlando and Florida. Two members of Lapham’s audience were a psychic and a medium that came from Tampa, Florida. 

David Lapham had a successful book signing event. The turnout was great and Lapham seems to be a celebrity in the ghost hunting community. His book “Ghost Hunting Florida” is out now. Pick up a copy at your local bookstore.