Deborah Howell, Trail-Blazing Newspaperwoman, Dies in Traffic Accident

Deborah Howell, a prominent and trail-blazing newspaperwoman in both Minnesota and Washington, D.C., has died after being struck by a car in New Zealand while on vacation with her husband. Howell was a top editor in Minneapolis and St. Paul before coming to Washington in 1990 to head the Newhouse Newspapers' Washington bureau. From 2005 to 2008, she was the ombudsman for The Washington Post.
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PD toolbar!Her stepson, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that Howell, an avid hiker, was fulfilling a lifelong dream to visit that picturesque country -- a trip that ended in tragedy Friday when she stepped out of her car and was struck by another vehicle on a two-lane road near the town of Blenheim on the South Island. She was traveling with her husband, C. Peter Magrath, former president of the University of Minnesota. Howell was 68.

News of her death swept through journalism circles Saturday morning, as friends and former colleagues remembered her journalistic vision, indomitable spirit, and the example she provided for other women journalists:
"She was a source of inspiration, having made her way up in this business at a time when the newsroom was hostile territory for women who didn't want to spend their careers writing wedding announcements," Time reporter Karen Tumulty wrote this morning. "Because of her, it was a lot easier for those of us who followed, both in the city rooms of newspapers around the country and here in Washington."

In an email to the staff, Washington Post executive editor Marcus Brauchli and editorial page editor Fred Hiatt recalled Howell as a wry colleague and "fabulous gossip" who "could be as pedantic as a schoolteacher, but swore like a stevedore."



"It's a little hard to get your arms around," said a stunned-sounding Robert Hodierne, who knew Howell for four decades and worked with her both in Minneapolis and Washington. "As slight as she was and as frail as she looked, she also seemed indestructible."

In this day and age, however, nothing is indestructible, not even the news business that Howell loved. And news gathering was literally in Howell's blood. Her father, Henry Howell, was a well-known Texas newspaper reporter, editor, and broadcaster. Her mother, Mary Dell Williams, had been editor of her high school newspaper. Born in San Antonio, Deborah Howell was fond of saying that her path in life was probably determined when her parents met -- in a newsroom.

She earned an undergraduate degree at the University of Texas in Austin and did stints at two Texas dailies before heading north to join the Minneapolis Star in 1965. Robert Hodierne recalled first meeting Howell in 1970 when both were reporters on the old Minneapolis Star, "when she was Debbie and I was Bob." Howell was covering state politics and state government – quite aggressively – before being named city editor and then assistant managing editor at The Star. She was lured across the Mississippi River to the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 1979, where under her tenure the smaller paper won two Pulitzer Prizes, and earned Howell a national reputation.

In 1990, she left the Twin Cities for Washington to head the sprawling Newhouse bureau. Among her first hires was her old friend and colleague Hodierne, who had also done a stint as a Washington correspondent before going into editing himself – and who, like Howell, had taken to using the more formal version of his first name. But there was nothing traditional about the way Howell or her deputy ran their bureau. "She was a helluva journalist, and had a whole different idea of how to cover Washington," Robert Hodierne recalled Saturday. While Newhouse had beat reporters assigned to the White House and the Pentagon (including Politics Daily's incomparable David Wood) Howell also oversaw the creation of beats on gender, race, religion, aging, American history, and – after 9/11 – an evocative beat called "the American identity."

"She was cantankerous, funny, imperious, exacting, tireless and a fierce protector of her reporters," recalls David Wood of his 15 years working in the Newhouse bureau while Howell ran it. "I admired her deeply and we fought almost constantly, about things that mattered...She was ruthless in demanding the last bit of shoe-leather to get a story perfect. For a Korean War 50th Anniversary story I was writing on how little warfare has changed for infantry soldiers, she sent me to Korea, on a 20-mile nighttime march through the mountains with American GIs so I'd get the details right."

Along the way, her bureau earned critical acclaim, along with occasional head-scratching from some of the Newhouse chain's more traditional editors. But Howell's instincts often proved to be ahead of the curve, particularly with regard to providing in-depth coverage of religion; Howell also was instrumental in persuading the Newhouses to buy Religion News Service, and attaching it to her bureau. The irony is that Deborah Howell's vision proved stronger than the newspaper business itself: The Washington bureau she led did not survive the current crisis afflicting American newspapers – it shuttered its doors in 2008 – but Religion News Service lives on.
So, too, does Deborah Howell's memory.

In 1975, she married Nicholas Coleman, a prominent Minnesota Democrat who was the majority leader in the state Senate. Although Nick Coleman died six years later, Howell remained in the life of Coleman's son Chris, now St. Paul's mayor. Upon hearing of her death, Chris Coleman told the Star-Tribune, "She played a very important role in my life after my dad died, right up to editing my speeches." Coleman added that he had spent the day preparing for his Monday inauguration when he got the news about Howell's death. "The last thing I had yet to do was to send her my remarks for her edits," he said.

Among those she inspired to enter her chosen field was his daughter, he added, who plans to major in journalism at the University of Missouri.

Deborah Howell married Peter McGrath in 1988. In retirement, the two were known in their Glen Echo neighborhood for their long joint walks each day down to the towpath along the Potomac. "She and her husband were very close – you could see that just by the way they walked together," said neighbor Carlotta Anderson, who struggled to keep her composure as she recalled her image of the couple. "She was always very bright, and cheerful, and vivacious. No pretense at all."

Howell's writing reflected this down-to-earth quality. In the first column she wrote as The Washington Post ombudsman, Deborah Howell wrote: "My values simply are these: Journalism should be as accurate as human beings can make it and it should be enlightening, fair, honest and as transparent as possible. Mistakes should be acknowledged and quickly corrected. When you finish reading The Post, you should feel more informed than when you began. I truly believe a democracy can't operate without a free press. But I also can't live without 'Doonesbury' or 'Opus' on Sunday."

Source:politicsdaily.com/

MTV's Real World Washington D.C draws in 1.9 million viewers; includes Philadelphia native in cast

On Wednesday, Real World XXIII premiered, landing eight strangers at the nation's capital. According to reports, the first episode drew 1.9 million viewers. Perhaps the fact that the cast is in the same city as President Obama, created more appeal since the last season, Real World Cancun, only drew 1.4 million (the smallest amount ever in Real World history) viewers during its premiere. With the various number of reality shows these days, Real World hasn't enjoyed high numbers (such as 4 million viewers) that it did in the 90s and early 2000s. However there is hope for the twenty-third season as there may be something there to hold viewers' attention.

Of course, the four-story brownstone the roommates will live for a few months is a lush trendy spot as the Real World houses always are, but this one has political spirit and is peppered with political decor. There is a computer room that resembles the oval office complete with a carpet with the eagle emblem in the center and red, white, and blue splattered here and there through the house.

Each of the bedrooms features pop art looking pictures of presidents like Reagan, Lincoln, and JFK. Of course, the first episode was filled with traditional Real World formula; pairs of roommates meet up to get to know one another briefly before they reach their new abode, some of them feel connections with one another already, they jump for joy when they see their house and eagerly choose rooms before others reach the house, and of course they stereotype themselves by jokingly looking for any "token" people. Here's what was learned about the characters from the first show.

Ashley - A self-proclaimed Obama lover. She admits she is deep into politics and embraces liberal ideologies and at the same time shares with other cast member, Mike, her devotion to her religion. During the first show, Ashley finds herself in a bit of a religious quarrel with Ty when he offends both her and Mike. She decides she may not get along with Callie because Callie chooses to room in the "Reagan" room and reveals she is not sure which side of the political spectrum she is on. Ashley says she hopes Callie learns while being in Washington D.C to go left because "left is right".



Mike - Mike is the jock with the piercing green eyes who looks as if he stepped out of the pages of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalog. His religion is very important to him as well, which is why he is offended when Ty, who leans towards being anti-religion, questions him about his faith. The two later make amends realizing that it is too early in the Real World experience to butt heads, but not before Mike, wanting Ty to understand him better reveals that he is bisexual.

Andrew - Andrew is a certified goofball and he loves it. Andrew, who doesn't mind sleeping in bed with a stuffed panda and wears a panda hats, admits that his comic "humor" has gotten him in trouble at his college newspaper, but of course he doesn't care because all we wants to do is laugh and have fun. His playful attitude makes him out to be the roommate less likely to be involved in drama, but that is only if he keeps his "playful" hands to himself as he admits he loves the ladies.



Emily- Emily is the wild child who says because of growing up isolated in a cult-like religion until the age of 13, she has dedicated her life to exploring and cutting loose. She has to restrain herself from showing too early her attraction to Ty as she admits to the cameras he reminds her of her ex-boyfriend. She believes that life is to be lived and the Midwestern native seems like she will be doing a lot of "living" while in Washington D.C; she also reveals that she is bisexual as well.



Callie - Callie is the token small town girl coming to a big city. Her dream is to be a photographer and she describes her town as "having a prison and a college and that's it". We learn that the vegan Texas-raised blond is not liberal, and becomes uneasy when Ty decides to room with her because she has never roomed with a man before. She later upsets Ty when her and Erika decide they would be more comfortable rooming with one another and they decide to move Ty's belongings into Josh's room without Ty's permission.



Ty -If you look too fast, you may mistake Ty for Alton from the Real World Las Vegas season, but he quickly distinguishes himself when he discusses his background The Trinity College graduate who explains that his girlfriend broke up him when she realized he was going on the show, comes from an inner-city area of Baltimore, Maryland. He compares his upbringing to the raw former HBO drama, The Wire, also set in Baltimore. Ty raises a few peoples ruffles when both Mike and Ashley don't take his comments about religion lightly. Though he eventually patches things up with Mike, the same did not ring true for his conversation with Ashley which is disastrous.

Erika - Is the windy city rocker /singer type of girl who adores her boyfriend telling him there is nothing to worry about when she is away doing the show, but she appears to love music even more. The red-haired singer presents herself as open-minded, outgoing and free-spirited. Hopefully she doesn't become "too free", as it seems like there may be chemistry between her and Josh.



Josh - Is our South Philadelphia native who admits he has lived a hard knock life (experienced being locked up, dropped out of school twice), but now he has dedicated his life to change and focused on his music. The singer/songwriter/rapper (as he introduces himself to Erika) shows his confidence early and admits in the first show to having a crush on Erika who is "his type of girl". Unfortunately, Andrew doesn't seem to like Josh's confidence too much as he says he doesn't like how Josh walks in the house like he's "too cool" for everyone, and that although the Philly musician is cool he shouldn't act like he is.

Source:examiner.com/

Monika Jagaciak: "Moon over the land attractive!

24h) - Appeared in Fashion Week Autumn Winter this year, her 15-year-old Monika Jagaciak, model exclusive Gaga Agency, Finland has caused shocks catwalk with professional style, a new beauty perfect age too young when compared to the level she forums ...
Although there is much controversy about the age regulations on the floor for a fashion her early success and perfection as Monika, but one can not deny the impression, of the way and features of the model Teen age is bringing.

New at the age of 13, she had dreams Monika is becoming a model professional and span steps on catwalk. With a height of 1.77 m phu sky measurements of 80-57-86 and was approved for the wings of her dreams come true. Monika to form a non-business call or detected from the street as the other young models. The contrary, the little girl was looking to broker a model entrance exam and become a member of the IMG in Finland.

In the village model, they call the name Monika Zac, but this long-legged young loves the name is personality. Activities in the village for two years but the new model Monika has gained quite a lot of success in his career. Especially the show of the brand's reputation has her name on the list. Monika had many interview on fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle ... and face ads for fashion brands like Chanel, Calvin Klein, Hermes ...









Interesting interview on the Ryder Ponny Monika Jagaciak:

- Jac name any of her gender, but in the form commonly known as Jac or Monika?

The name is my management company IMG model set for Paris, I never had the nick name at all while in school. A few friends often call me Monika so I enjoyed when you have a new name. I always think that modeling is part of my life. Jac and I'm here is part of my life. When at school and at home people still call me Monika but most of my colleagues will not know the name and I love the name Jac ...







Monika Jagaciak supermodel young conductor with fun Christmas

- She started modeling work like?

My story is very interesting and sure to become a model, the first heart I have to love it. One day, my sister told me: "Why do not you try that?" So I did. Then I was her only 13 years old and 1.75 cm high. I find a model management company in the Netherlands and I just try to go when they call a shopping center here. When DSO, I took the step to true enthusiasts. Company IMG has contacted me from the day it started and I are both excursions to other Asian countries again. Parents are encouraged to follow my step this business. They said: "It's a good idea ... if that's the dream. So every time I go to determine what the parents are respectful of my choice.

- Tell us something about some of her town? How school?

I live in a city of fewer than 10,000 people and often go to school with two sets of uniforms to the school. And he may find that is where all people have known each other as a child. It was a surprise to the shocked, not much has changed! Places that still exist when I return. People here also know about my job interview a few of the magazines in Finland.





Age 15 - Young and dresses in designer colors

- What to do after she completed his work at the show season?

Last month, I was home within a week and really surprised that I still retain images of school and still remember his timetable as an example as homework. With this interview, my parents also supported. They always want me to be rest and relaxation they usually mix my drink tea when I return back home.

- Looks like she is a great friendship with Frida Gustavsson after meeting two times?

We work together in Japan from a year ago. Then I met them at a show together and to IMG for the entrance examination. We often spend time together talking about fashion. Every time preparing the catwalk, we smiled and said very happy. She is a close friend of me and bring me much joy. She and all the great peace and a good friend of all people.

- So, Zac restless about her standards of beauty technology, we want to know all about this technology?

It is "beauty from vitamins"! I always find the similarities between the body keeping the external information processing by the vitamin in the nature of the lotion applied. This means that vitamins such as C, E, B2, zinc. Of course I use them daily with your favorite products such as zinc cream and cream of Vichy's anti-dry skin La Roche-Posay.

- Tip of her beauty to do with fans?

My advice would be to supplement the vitamins in the diet.

- Brand name makeup that her favorite?

I like the makeup of the Chanel brand ... But this is quite expensive, it is for the high income. Their fragrance is very good.


Monika Jagaciak super sexy on the beach!

- After the span step fashion in the past season, she can tell us about your feeling with the form of clothing and accessories what is the trend of year?

I often have highly appreciated in the style of the design they bring to market trends of fashion, the design identity of each individual. All the samples that are noted. This season I like Calvin Klein, always fashionable and elegant. Alexander Wang is a young vibrant look, Marni true to the name of it - with the design featuring separate left Balmain is always impressive and stylish.

- Besides modeling, she also has something more interesting please?

Previously, I did not have time to do a certain job besides work and school. If I have free time, I like the sport or fine art drawing.

Source:32.24h.com.vn/

George Michael: The man who was must-see TV

Through word of mouth in the community of people that revolved around and adored George Michael, I'd come to know in recent days that he was sicker than he would ever let on. And anyway, when the phone rang one recent Sunday morning George was in vintage form. He was having a good day and was in full voice, which is to say very loud, jumping from one topic to another. The Redskins stunk, the Wizards stunk, he hated a column I'd written a few days earlier. It was George unplugged, George wanting to know the latest, the same old George who'd just gotten off the phone with The Squire or Abe or Dan, George who hadn't slept because he'd been watching some NBA game on the West Coast until 1:30 in the morning.

After the conversation ended, my wife asked how George was doing, how he really and truly was. And I told her I had no idea. Like typical men, I didn't ask and he didn't tell me. In this case, I didn't have the courage to ask. He was fabulous in those 30 minutes, like it was 10:50 p.m. and he was minutes from a newscast. And if that was going to be the last conversation we'd ever have -- and it was -- then that's the way I wanted to remember George Michael: funny, informed, irreverent, a little profane, always engaged.

I spent Thursdays with George for 13 years, 40 Thursdays a year for nearly a dozen of those years. "Redskins Report" with Sonny and Riggo during football season, "Full Court Press" with Tony Kornheiser and David DuPree during basketball season. My professional life has been greatly influenced by two indomitable men named George. Solomon, who brilliantly ran The Washington Post sports section for a quarter-century and Michael who became the only sportscaster in America to develop a dominant national profile while working a local gig nightly for a quarter-century.

Before cable TV was in millions of homes George Michael brought us the world weekly, with a tiny little band of men and women who worked on Nebraska Avenue and produced an unthinkable volume of award-winning work. Every other sportscaster worked in a confined space; George worked wherever he wanted and did it all: football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, 'rasslin', rodeo, racin', here, there, everywhere. You think there was anybody else who could comfortably engage Wayne Gretzky, Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Cal Ripken, and tell them on-camera they were full of it? There wasn't.

George Michael left us as Wednesday night turned into Thursday morning.

Those closest to him, starting with his saintly wife Pat, were relieved because the suffering had become too great. In the 70 years before that he was an American original. He outworked just about everybody, never conceded stories to newspapers like just about every other TV sportscaster, was at times an insufferable perfectionist and commanded a room no matter who else was in it. Twenty-five years ago, before I began spending Thursdays with George, I walked into a room -- I don't recall the occasion -- and there stood Joe Gibbs, John Thompson and Sonny Jurgensen all being hassled in full voice by George Michael. It took awhile before I realized he could do it not because his personality was so outsized, which it was, but because they found him outside of all the showmanship to be credible. They respected him. Even better, they trusted him.

Just about everybody did.

By will and force of personality as much as anything, George Michael made himself must-see TV in Washington. When the Redskins stunk you wanted to know what George thought. When Abe Pollin decided to build a downtown arena you wanted to know what George was going to say.

Didn't mean he was the sweetest man in the world. God, George had a temper.

Source:washingtonpost.com