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COMINGS & GOINGS
Exits ... at the S-T: Diario La Estrella entertainment and culture editor Adriana Barrera, a six-year veteran of the publication, to the Fort Worth school district as a bilingual teacher
Promotions ... at the S-T: Lucía González, only on board since October, to editor of culture and entertainment at Diario La Estrella
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RESOURCES
The National Weather Service offers a wealth of hydrologic information at www.srh.noaa.gov/ahps. A veritable flood.
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PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Pamela Smith, Greater Fort Worth PRSA
Congratulations to Mary Dulle, now known as Mary Dulle, APR, Fellow PRSA. Note all those initials behind her name -- in the public relations world, they are among the most distinguished titles. APR acknowledges accreditation and is a mark of distinction reflecting commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice. Recipients are selected based on broad knowledge, strategic perspective and sound professional judgment. The accreditation procedure was recently overhauled, and Mary was one of the first to be approved under the new process.
Then in August, she was honored as a lifetime Fellow PRSA. Fellows must have their APR and at least 20 years in the industry. They are identified as mentors and role models, exceptional individuals who have advanced the PR business through their professional performance and leadership and continuing contributions to their chapter. Fewer than 2 percent of PRSA members have received this designation. Other Greater Fort Worth members in the College of Fellows are Carolyn Bobo at Cook Children's Medical Center and Doug Newsom at TCU.
Mary exemplifies the consummate College of Fellows member. I know she was surprised to receive this honor, but it was no surprise to our board -- we expected nothing less. We know how great Mary is, and we're ecstatic that public relations practitioners from around the world agree. Her induction into the College of Fellows will take place at a black-tie reception Oct. 23 at the PRSA International Conference in New York City.
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PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
Tim Tune, IABC/Fort Worth
I had one of those out-of-the-blue thoughts the other day. Actually, it was an "out-of-the-blues" thought because it occurred as I was reflecting on a Boz Scaggs song, "Runnin' Blues." I decided that of all the senses, hearing is the most precious to me. Even more important than sight. The mind can imagine what the eye cannot see; I'm not sure you can say the same about what the ear cannot hear. I simply cannot imagine life without being able to hear.
Hearing has other important uses, of course, such as listening to people. And as we all know, this sometimes isn't as enjoyable, or as easy, as listening to music. That's why I'm so glad that Weslynn Martin, who knows how to listen to others and has made a career out of sharing her skills with corporate America, will join us this month. Communications is said to be a two-way process, and most of our work focuses on the sending part. Here's a chance to explore the other side.
Also at the meeting Sept. 7, we will host a group of South Hills High School students involved in the TEAM Fort Worth Stay-in-School Initiative. The students will join us for lunch and the program. You can participate by talking with the students at your table about the workplace and life after high school.
Hope to see you there.
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OVER & OUT
John Dycus, Fort Worth SPJ
I hear that TCU's Dr. Adam Schiffer is articulate and knowledgable, and I know firsthand that David House and Bill Low are witty, insightful and wry (wasn't that from "West Side Story"?), so there you are: Fort Worth SPJ's professional development sessions are back, and with vigor. Thursday, Sept. 23, we'll explore just how biased is the media when nut jobs on all the fringes swear that it favors the other guy. We do the program first, then eat, so if Mexican food (Joe T.'s) makes you sleepy, you can go straight home. Members still pay $13, which is less than the chapter's cost, and students pay eight bucks under that. Click back to p. 1 and RSVP. Do it now. ...
A coalition of j-organizations has drafted a petition on behalf of the journalists under contempt orders for refusing to disclose sources in the prominent Wen Ho Lee, Valerie Plame and Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci cases. The goal is to circulate the statement electronically and get journalists nationwide to sign it, then to publish the statement and names in full-page ads as a show of support. It's worth your consideration. ...
Another perq of Star-Telegram employment, behind the occasional free meal and ahead of seeing the funnies before your neighbors do, is the in-house Onotes written by this month's program panel wrangler, David House. Here's why: The lady in Denton was trying hard to remember why she'd phoned. "Had something to do with an advertisement," she said. "I stood right here and forgot why I was callin'." While she thought, a creature shrieked in the background. "Wul now what was it?" she said. Shriek. "I know it was something." Shriek. "Lemme see." Shriek. "Ma'am," I asked (shriek), "what is that that keeps on shrieking?" "Oh," she said, "that's my cockatiel, Katie. She's wantin' out of her cage. She can sang 'put your little foot.' " The lady called out shrilly to her pet: "Katie! Sang for the paper: 'Put your little foot, put your little foot.' Hell, she ain't gonna sang." Shriek. "I've got three of 'em. One I just brought (shriek) home, and he'll bite the hell out of you. I reckon he's not over the trip home (shriek) in a shoebox, but he'll come around. I'll call you back when I remember my question."
Closing words: "I got a young man named George W. Bush into the Texas National Guard when I was lieutenant governor [1969-73], and I'm not necessarily proud of that. But I did it. I got a lot of other people in the National Guard because I thought that was what people should do when you're in office, and you help a lot of rich people. And I walked to the Vietnam Memorial the other day, and I looked at the names of the people that died in Vietnam, and I became more ashamed of myself than I have ever been, because it was the worst thing I ever did, was help a lot of wealthy supporters and a lot of people who had family names of importance get into the National Guard. And I'm very sorry about that, and I'm very ashamed, and I apologize to you as voters of Texas." -- Ben Barnes in a May interview ... "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." -- President Bush to a roomful of top Pentagon brass ... "I think the ad [criticizing John Kerry's war record] is dishonest and dishonorable. ... It was the same kind of deal that was pulled on me [in the bitter 2000 Republican primary fight]. ... It reopens all the old wounds of the Vietnam War, which I spent the last 35 years trying to heal." -- Republican Sen. John McCain, who nevertheless was later kissed on the forehead by President Bush at an election rally and continues to be rumored as the GOP running mate ... "Why don't they get new jobs if they're unhappy -- or go on Prozac?" -- GOP campaign worker Susan Sheybani, apparently talking to a colleague who was transferring a call from a reporter asking about job quality; when told her comment had been overheard, Sheybani said, "Oh, I was just kidding." ... "Leadership is a couple of things: being able to step up to the plate when it's your turn and stepping down when it's time." -- Nowell Donovan, TCU provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs ... "One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words." -- the founder of German literature, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832
Closing words II, conjoined quotes division: "The image of the Iraqi soccer team playing in this Olympics, it's fantastic, isn't it? It wouldn't have been free if the United States had not acted." -- President Bush, in a TV ad that ran during the Olympics ... "Iraq as a team does not want Mr. Bush to use us for the presidential campaign. He can find another way to advertise himself." -- Iraqi midfielder Salih Sadir to SI.com ... "How will he meet his god, having slaughtered so many men and women? He has committed so many crimes." -- Ahmed Manajid, also a midfielder on the team
