Walking In LA

Nobody walks in LA...well maybe a few do. These few are the minority in the city of Los Angeles. If you want to know more look here:

WALKING IN LA?

USC Coliseum Slideshow

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The Coliseum Mystique: Unique In American Sports

The gladiators that once inhabited the Roman Colosseum are not all that different than the Men of Troy who now inhabit the Los Angeles Coliseum. Gladiators would enter the Colosseum and fight against each other as well as animals and condemned criminals. At times they would battle to the death in order to entertain the masses. Trojans fight bears, ducks and even sun devils to keep their record. They may not battle to the death but they play to entertain. The gladiators each had a specific fighting style to match their physique and talents. They used different weapons to overcome their enemies and help the Roman Empire sustain its power. The Men of Troy each have a specific position, which match their body type. They use the strength of each player to come together as a team and maintain the Trojan dynasty.

As a Los Angeles landmark, historic destination, home of the Trojans and host of two Olympic Games, the Coliseum is arguably one of the greatest sports arena settings in the world. The heritage that backs the stone façade along with the Olympic cauldron that still burns make this venue unforgettable for fans, magical for the home team and intimidating for the visitors.

Heroes, Champions, Legends

Heroes and champions have made the Coliseum what it is today. From the 1959 World Series with 92,706 people packed into a makeshift baseball stadium, to the first Super Bowl in 1967, the Coliseum has witnessed epic performances, produced indelible memories and has defined the “big” event.

Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale pitched at the Coliseum. O.J. Simpson and Marcus Allen struck the Heisman pose. The Fearsome Foursome ransacked NFL quarterbacks. Zola Budd ran – barefoot; Mary Decker fell. The other “babe” Babe Didrikson became a female athlete for the ages. Carl Lewis struck Olympic gold four times. Bruce Springsteen took fans down to The River, and the Stones got Satisfaction here. Pope John Paul II said mass on the Coliseum turf. The Coliseum has set the standard for stadiums around the world and many times the setting itself has been as much of the story as what has taken place on the legendary Coliseum floor.

Constructed For Greatness

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was finished in May of 1923 just 16 months after construction began. The Coliseum was originally designed as a memorial to veterans of World War I. When it opened, it was the largest stadium in Los Angeles. It can now hold up to 93,607 people.

The Coliseum is made up of the press box and the peristyle, which has special seating and on USC game day, the retired jerseys of USC’s Heisman trophy winners. It has one red and one yellow stripe that wraps around the entire stadium. In front of the Coliseum are two gold statues of both a male and female’s bodies. It also has the cauldron, which stands at the north side of the Coliseum and burns bright during the fourth quarter of football games. The mighty Coliseum stands out in the bustling city of Los Angeles and has become one of L.A.’s longest standing monuments.

Truly Historic

In a word, the Coliseum is historic. The people and players who have entered the Coliseum include a long line of famous and iconic individuals. One of the most impressive tenants of the Coliseum were the Olympians.

The Coliseum was one of the many venues that was used during the Los Angeles 1932 and 1984 Olympics. Field hockey, gymnastics, track and field and more were all held at this site. The opening and closing ceremonies were also put on at this location. Hosting these two different Olympic Games makes the Coliseum the only stadium in the world to host two games.

“The Coliseum is different from so many other places because of the history that is involved with the stadium and the city of Los Angeles as a whole,” said Jeff Palmer, Oregon long snapper. “So many historical sporting events have taken place there throughout the years, so the history is impossible to ignore. “

On July 27, 1984, the day before the opening ceremony for the 1984 Summer Olympics, the Coliseum was declared a National Historic Landmark. The Coliseum is history; it has been around for a very long time and has shown the evolution of Los Angeles. Its location in the heart of L.A. makes it one of the most iconic places in California.

Not only has the Coliseum been the host of two Olympic Games, but it is the only Olympic stadium to host both a Super Bowl and a World Series. Los Angeles may not have an NFL team at this point, but the Coliseum has a rich professional football history. The Los Angeles Rams played their home games at the Coliseum for nearly 50 years, from 1946 to 1979. And before there was Dodger Stadium with its large “think blue” sign, the Brooklyn Dodgers played at the Coliseum. The Los Angeles Dodgers began their time in L.A. at the Coliseum in 1958 and played there until the current Dodger Stadium was completed in 1962.

“The biggest difference is that the stadium was used for the Olympics and NFL thus it is massive and holds 90,000, which you can’t find that anywhere else in the Pac 10,” said Ross Cumming, USC linebacker.

The Men of Troy

The Coliseum has been used to host the Olympics, multiple concerts, MLB games and NFL games over the years. The longest standing tradition however is its contract with USC, giving rise to the mighty Trojan football tradition of playing in the home of champions.

The history and appearance of the Coliseum lends itself to being an intimidating place to play. The idea of the Men of Troy coming to beat you in a game of football, one of the most strenuous and forceful games in college, is terrifying all on its own. The Coliseum adds to that sense of terror that is needed to beat one’s opponent.

“It’s so historic it’s unlike any other stadium in college football. There’s nothing like the Coliseum,” said Chris Pousson, USC long snapper.

Although both USC and UCLA have played in the Coliseum, USC has managed to rule the Coliseum and make it their own. USC has been the primary tenant of the Coliseum for 87 years. The Trojans played their first football game at the Coliseum on October 6, 1923 where they were victorious over Pomona College. Since then, USC has had a tradition of winning at home and strong fan base.

“There is something to be said about the Trojan family there are a lot of lifetime fans. We do have a lot of school spirit,” said Pousson.

USC is one of the strongest teams in the Pac 10, even when they are not winning; teams always want to beat the Trojans. No matter how good the team is every year, competition is high when anyone enters the Coliseum. Because of the intense atmosphere that surrounds the stadium and its design, the Coliseum has become one of the hardest places to play in college football.

“The worst part of playing in the Coliseum is probably the proximity of the locker rooms in the tunnel. We have to walk past the USC locker room to get to the field, and I remember there was always someone standing by the locker room talking smack during pregame and halftime,” said Palmer.

Once one enters the Coliseum they are struck with an overwhelming sense of history and greatness. The Coliseum makes game day come to life from the moment fans and players walk up to the stadium. No one forgets the first time they see a game at the Coliseum because it is an event like no other. The crowd, the monuments, the championships and the massive structure that make up the Coliseum enhance everyone’s football experience.

“My first thought upon entering the coliseum was during a fall 2008 team scrimmage and I recall feeling the grass and how perfect it was. At that moment Coach Carroll came over and said, ‘isn't this place amazing?’ said Cumming. “The first time I played in a game came two months later and I recall looking up and seeing all the fans and I couldn’t believe I was finally playing for the Trojans.”

Trojan football is one of the many things that the University of Southern California prides itself on. The tradition behind football makes the fall semester a student favorite. Saturdays mean it is game day and with game day comes crazy rituals and must-do traditions. Everyone has a tradition that they follow and the Coliseum keeps the traditions alive.

Simply Unmatched

“We have a legacy of not only winning but competing. We always have great players coming out of USC,” said Mika Lewis, USC marketing intern. “It’s almost a professional level compared to other college teams. The fans have a lot to do with it; the campus comes alive on game day from young kids to old alumni.”

The Coliseum stands alone, it does not need anything to be redone or changed in order to make it better. No other stadium can compete with the mystic that surrounds this stadium. The history of greatness that engulfs the Coliseum will live on for many years to come. The Olympics, the Stones, the Dodgers, the Rams, the SC Trojans … Unmatched star power gives the Coliseum an unbeatable legacy.

Sources:

Ross Cumming

University of Southern California- Linebacker

Mika Lewis

USC Athletic Marketing Intern

(408) 839-6552

mikalewi@usc.edu

Jeff Palmer

University of Oregon- Long snapper

(949) 338-6814

jeffreyp@uoregon.edu

Chris Pousson

University of Southern California- Long snapper

(619) 261-1461

cpousson@usc.edu

University of Southern California

http://www.usc.edu/about/coliseum/

Standard Examiner

“Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is America’s Most Historic Sporting Venue”

http://www.standard.net/topics/sports/2010/09/13/los-angeles-memorial-coliseum-americas-most-historic-sporting-venue

Social Media as a Tool

This week I also used social media networks to try and get some feedback for my upcoming story. My story is about the Coliseum so I decided to pose a question on Facebook and see if anyone responded. I also tweeted about it. I am new to Twitter so I think if I play around a little more with it and figure out what works best it really could be beneficial to me as a journalist. I haven't received any responses that I know of yet, but I think it is due to the fact that I need to use words that stand out more and catch peoples attention.
My tweet: @johnnimacke: why is the #usc coliseum better than other football stadiums?
@johnnimacke: why do you love the #USC Coliseum???

For Facebook I decided to change my status into a question about the Coliseum. I got a couple of responses, but I think if I asked it over and over for a couple of days it would get a higher read and more people would respond. I also employed the notes section on Facebook. I just learned about this tool, so I think if I were to inform others about it, I would get a stronger response in the future.
Facebook Status:

Johnni Macke Why is the Coliseum the best venue in college football?!

Alexa Hess likes this.

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    Leslie Lewis because we play there?

    about an hour ago ·
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    Katie Driscoll the rich history of victoryyyy! (good enough, johnni?)

    about an hour ago ·
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    Katie Driscoll also, EDC!

    about an hour ago · · 1 personLoading...
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    Mika Lewis cuz it has swag...and walking distance from campus

    about an hour ago ·

Facebook Note:

USC Coliseum

by Johnni Macke on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 1:18pm

 What makes the USC Coliseum better than any other college football venue? Trojans are die hard football fans and the Coliseum is a large part of that. What is your greatest memory at the Coliseum? Why do you keep coming back? What is it about USC Football that makes it stand out? What do you think about the Coliseum? Love it? Hate it? Let me know!!

I am interested in exploring the potential of social networks as a source for journalism in the future!

Social Media

This week I followed a couple of different news sources on Facebook and Twitter. After taking a close look at Los Angeles Times, KTLA-5 and Patch I have a better understanding of what works and what doesn't on social networks. On Facebook I think the Los Angeles Times was the most successful. They had at least six new story feeds every day. I think this is the right amount of stories to have. If it gets to be more than 10 posts within a day it becomes overwhelming. I think this is the problem with KTLA-5 on Facebook. They had so many news stories that it began to annoy me and get in the way of reading stories that were the best. I liked the Los Angeles Times page too because it has a variety of topics that they cover and it is not focused to one specific thing. I could find a story every day that was interesting to me. Patch on the other hand did not have enough news being filtered out through Facebook.  Once you search for their page, you are given a lot to look at and it is really engaging. But based on my news feed, I rarely saw Patch stories pop up, which I think could be worked on.

In regards to Twitter I think KTLA-5 had the most success. KTLA-5 always had something pop up on my page and each time it made me stop because their logo on Twitter is very bold and noticeable. Also, I felt like the stories they linked out to had intense or sensational style titles, which hooked me in. The Los Angeles Times also did a good job of catching my eye with its logo and story titles. Stories that I think would actually pop up on their homepage were popping up all week and making me want to read more. Patch I think could use some more work. I think because it is so focused on a certain demographic it fails to attract more people. I think their content is very interesting but it is not being advertised as well as it could be.

Overall I think social media is an amazing resource and I think from this point on I will pay more attention to the news that comes on my news feed daily.

Weekender 2010

Trojans have more fun... especially during the Weekender. Despite the sad result, USC played a great game and we had so much fun, even on the 5 freeway.

So this week I am going to share a couple of videos with you that show the road to and from the Weekender. So take a look!!

Interview with Cami Groeniger:

Five Shots/ Different Angles:

The Weekender Roadtrip(complete video):

It's back to school now and reality... only four more days until the next game day. Go Trojans! Beat the Bears!!

Thats all for now Enjoy the Juice.

Daddy's Little Girl

So here's the juice:

Maddie Lay and I had an amazing interview a couple of weeks ago about her dad, Ron. Now we have pictures courtesy of the Lay family and myself to go along with the interview. Daddy's Little Girl is Maddie's voice mixed with pictures, which bring the story to life. Enjoy!

xoxoxo Juicy

Oktoberfest: Where Grown-Ups Have Fun in October

            Bobbing for apples, trick-or-treating, scary costumes and an overwhelming amount of candy are all things that are associated with the month of October. Children love October because it means Halloween, but adults have something to rejoice about as well. Childhood memories aside, there is a grown-up playground where adults can dress up and have fun during the month of October. Oktoberfest is the adult version of Halloween, but it isn’t just one day.

            Oktoberfest is a German tradition that is celebrated every year in Munich, Bavaria and Germany. The original Oktoberfest was held in 1810 in order to honor the marriage between Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese in Munich. The next year they began to add booths for beer and different carnival style games. By the 19^th century, beer booths became halls, breweries were added and official staff became part of the event. Oktoberfest is now the largest people’s fair in the world with its 200^th anniversary taking place this October.

            Luckily for adults in Southern California, there is a smaller version of Oktoberfest tucked away at the Old World Village in Huntington Beach. Old World is a German village located within the larger beach community of Huntington, which has been around since 1978. The traditional garb and food make one feel as if they are in Germany. Beer gardens and the smells of German bread and butter are just the beginnings of what makes this community famous.

            “My favorite part of Old World is the atmosphere. It is interesting to walk around and see true, German culture. It really is a great experience” said Lindsay Benac, hostess at the E.C. Market and Restaurant.

            The moment you pull up to the Old World, you know you are in a place unlike any other. The large illuminated globe with the words, “The Old World” painted in red ignites feelings of excitement, which are matched throughout the entire experience. Tourists and locals alike cannot help but smile when they are greeted by the employees who make you feel right at home.

            “It’s a great place, everyone is friendly and it feels good being here” said Dane Kasko, son of the owners of the E.C. Market and Restaurant.

           The Old World was created by a German man named Josef Bischof, in order to preserve his heritage and homeland that he had to leave behind. Along with his family, he created the village comprised of 50 homes and 50 shops. This thriving village is an accurate replica of Germany and Bavarian style. The cobblestone pathways, imported lanterns and murals that grace the walls create a paradise filled with European culture. Bischof built a church, a garden gazebo and a hall in addition to the popular restaurant, bar and market.

         This village is full of nooks and crannies that transport visitors to another place in time. The E.C. Market and Restaurant embodies the old world of Germany and makes you want to stay forever. The decorations, costumes the waitresses wear and the authentic German food transform Huntington into a hub for Germans and want-to-bee’s from all over to come and bond while enjoying all the fun the Old World has to offer.

            “My favorite part of the experience was dinner at the German restaurant, where the waiters were all so kind and passionate about their jobs,” said Hilary Wright, a tourist. “Everyone at the restaurant seemed to be having a great time, which was echoed by the intricate detail for intriguing decorations that made you feel like you were actually in Germany! Plus, the baby-back ribs were to die for!”

            On the other side of the restaurant lies a market stocked with German delicacies and gifts to take back and share with one’s entire family. The bakery makes exquisite cakes that go perfectly with the bread and sausage that are located in the deli section. The market is filled with German wines and stereotypical beer maiden costumes and collectables.

            Once you exit the market and restaurant, your senses are hit with an amazingly, overwhelming aroma of baked goods. The candy store, located across the small road is run by an elderly woman, who bakes all of the treats fresh. At her side are her friends who come into chat before heading home and her son, who grabs a fresh chocolate croissant before taking seat next to the women. The feeling of home couldn’t be any stronger.

            “I had an interesting trip through the market, and a fabulous stop at the candy store, where we encountered the sweetest family and were welcomed by the delicious smells of croissants and the peaceful ticking of the oven” said Wright.

            Despite the peaceful and humble façade of the Old World, there is one event that attracts tourists from all over. Oktoberfest is the Old World’s biggest event that takes place beginning in late September and ending on October 31. The beer garden and the Rathskeller are two of the greatest pulls during the festival. The month long event also includes entertainment, beer maiden contests and Weiner dog races.

            “The best part about Oktoberfest is the entertainment. There is a live band every night, a great MC that keeps the party going and even a contortionist” said Benac. “There is a giant crowd every night with a long line of people waiting to get in” she added.

            No Oktoberfest is complete without beer and a traditional bar to hang out in. The Rathskellar is an authentic German bar located below street level. The dark, dank atmosphere makes one feel more like a local than a tourist. It is a true depiction of a small-scale bar in Germany. The Rathskellar is full of old-timers who have numerous stories to share about the old days intermixed with the latest sports scores and the occasional talks about world politics.

            “It’s partying, drinking, meeting new people and live German music, what more could you want?” said Kasko.

Oktoberfest is one giant celebration based on German heritage that has continued to entertain Germans and Americans alike. The Old World Village is a timeless place full of tradition. The classic bar, beer garden, contests and authentic feel that fills the village during Oktoberfest is what continues to attract people from all around and keeps them coming back year after year. Oktoberfest is the epitome of German culture condensed into a month that leaves you longing for the next October. Oktoberfest really is the adult version of Halloween; subtract trick-or-treating, add beer and replace Disney costumes with beer maiden skirts and you have a grown up version of Halloween, a better version of Halloween, you have, Oktoberfest.

 

Sources:

Lindsay Benac:

Hostess at the E.C. Market and Restaurant

ljbenac@gmail.com

Hilary Wright:

Tourist- from San Diego

hmwright@usc.edu

Dane Kasko:

Busboy at E.C. Market and Restaurant

Son of the owners of the restaurant

The Old World Village:

http://www.oldworld.ws

It's totally Tuesday and I am in class yet again. The premiere of the second season of Glee starts tonight... in like five minutes....so excited! This is a bit of a tester post for me so sorry that it is boring and doesn't make very much sense. If you are really bored and want to take a look at some pictures you should definitely keep looking. I cannot believe that there are even voice tracks that you can hear if you want to know anything about Maddie Lay...a super cute British girl who loves her dad!

It's not really juice but it'll do for now.

My Road Trip!!

If you want to take a look at my little road trip home this weekend click here:

http://www-scf.usc.edu/~macke/jour309/myroadtrip.html


Enjoy Juice Heads!!!

Interviews: Cut and Uncut

I have a treat for you....
This week I have two interviews for your listening pleasure. I did an interview with my friend Maddie Lay. Maddie is a sophomore at USC, she is in ROTC and she is from London. Enjoy her uncut and edited interview about her favorite person: Her Dad!

Uncut (Dirty Juice):
http://www-scf.usc.edu/~macke/jour309/originalinterview.mp3

Cut (Censored Juice):
http://www-scf.usc.edu/~macke/jour309/maddielay.mp3

That's all the juice for today!
xoxo Johnni's Juice

This Is Me

My name is Johnni Macke, I am a Junior at the University of Southern California. I am a Print and Digital Journalism major with a minor in Photography. I don't have very much online experience, but I do use Facebook often. I also worked for a gossip website this summer called the Dailyfill.com, so I guess you could say I have a little bit of online experience. I am a PC all the way, I owned a Mac once when I was about 10 years old and I hated it. My technical level would be minimal, I can follow directions, but that is really all I can do. Technology seams to want to challenge me at every turn. My three-year plan is still being created. Ideally I would love to be working for a magazine as a writer or in the photography department. After graduation would really like to work the Summer Olympics in London and travel. I am not very fascinating, but I do have a very unique name. I would say that being named Johnni Z(Z is my middle name) would be a fun fact. My dad named me Johnni because he liked the name and he is super creative. My middle name comes from my mom's maiden name which is Zupo, so it represents my grandfather, but Z, just the letter is my middle name.
My news sites:
Traditional:
-Print: Los Angeles Times
-Broadcast: KTLA5
Non-Traditional:
-Patch.com

This Is Me. I Am Johnni Macke.

Welcome to my Life

Day 1:

This is the first blog I have ever written, so don't freak out when it doesn't make sense. I am Johnni Z... yes that is my name... and yes I am a girl.

I can't believe we are back in school already. Where has the time gone? Day 2 of junior year, this is insane. This summer was relaxing, I didn't do too much. Highlight of my summer: seeing Ringo Starr in concert at the Greek!!! AHH!! I am a huge Beatles fan...what about you???

That's all the juice I have for now see you soon.