It's not a pledge break, but Jean Cherni's sending check to PBS

As you are all probably aware, there are fewer and fewer independently owned newspapers. Rupert Murdock, whose staff in England used bribery and spying to get “scoops,” is about to embark on a determined drive to add additional newspapers to his media empire.

While other countries have several independent TV news channels, America has only one, and that is PBS.

Unfortunately, the outstanding “PBS NewsHour” is forced to plan a significant round of layoffs, its first in nearly two decades.

MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, the show’s producer, must close the offices it has outside of Washington — in Denver and San Francisco — as well as lay off most of the employees it has there. Facing a shortfall of more than $7 million, the producers have no choice. As viewers, we have fewer and fewer sources of independent, on-the-spot news coverage delivered by impartial reporters who are also students of history.

What is particularly upsetting is that popular late-night and early-morning “news show” hosts, command salaries several times that shortfall amount. Sarah Palin, who has already proved herself to be neither an eloquent speaker or history buff, is about to sign a fat contract as a Fox news analyst.

In a world in which what happens in Istanbul affects us here in New York, America, if it is to remain a leader among freedom-loving nations, must have an informed and engaged citizenry. That is not possible without access to unbiased, in-depth reporting.

The closing of Denver and San Francisco offices is the final chapter for the “NewsHour,” which formerly had offices in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Although Linda Winslow, executive producer of the “NewsHour,” said, “Under no circumstances do we intend to abandon the minidocumentary reports that have become so critical to our broadcasts, and we remain committed to delivering the same kind of in-depth reporting our viewers expect.”

I, for one, am sending in an extra contribution to public television as well as writing to its corporate sponsors to encourage them to give more generously. Impartial and knowledgeable reporting, both written and spoken, are too important to see diminished without putting up a fight.

“Without debate, without criticism, no administration and no country can succeed, and no republic can survive. And that is why our press was protected by the First Amendment — the only business in America specifically protected by the Constitution — not primarily to amuse and entertain, not to emphasize the trivial and sentimental, but to inform and arouse, to indicate our crises and choices, to lead, mold and educate. This means greater coverage and analysis of international news — for it is no longer far away and foreign, but close at hand.” — Excerpts from John F. Kennedy’s address before the American Newspaper Publishers Association. April 27, 1961.

Contact Jean Cherni, certified senior adviser for Senior Living Solutions and Pearce Plus, a helpful, full-service program for seniors contemplating a move, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 49 Rose St. Apt. 510, Branford, 06405.

I'm reading: It's not a pledge break, but Jean Cherni's sending check to PBS

Well, here we are at the apartment; please don t mind the boxes

Many years ago, when department stores were not part of an enormous chain, but were individually owned, Dorothy Shaver, in 1945, became the first women to be head of a major department store. As the president of Lord & Taylor, she ruled that all department heads had to spend several weeks a year as salespeople in the departments they ran.

Having just made a major downsizing move myself, I think it would be a good rule to apply to all “organizing and moving experts.” Even though I helped to design the Let’s Get Moving program for Pearce Plus and this was my 14th move, I still learned a great deal.

I am more convinced than ever that our program, which offers a helpful coordinator and vetted resources to aid individually with each move, is a lifesaver for any senior planning to make a move. I thought I had said “good riddance” to a lot, having had an estate sale followed by an auction house pick-up of the remainder and donations to Charlie’s Closet, Helping Hands and Goodwill, but I am still surrounded by a bewildering number of boxes most of which must remain unopened until the present antiquated kitchen is demolished and replaced ... in an estimated three weeks. Meanwhile, friends have graciously invited me to dinner, and I am also discovering many inexpensive but good places to eat within walking distance of the apartment. The apartment itself, on a high floor, is cheerful and sunny with two bathrooms and two bedrooms; one of which serves as my home office. The remainder consists of a small living-dinning area, open to the kitchen.

Actually, plenty of space for one individual except that like most apartments, there is very little storage space; no entry closet, utility closet or pantry.

My right hand, super organizer and cleaning lady, Roberta Williams, is the persistent, “get-rid-of-it” voice whenever I waver. Although, this is sometimes my role in helping seniors move, I found I also needed a strong, uncompromising, outside voice.

While I may miss some things at first, I can already feel how having much less will simplify and streamline my life. I have also told my San Francisco daughter, that this also serves as a big favor to her, which she will fully appreciate at some future time. My new Honda CRV, which I purchased just two months ago, has been a blessing. Although my main reason for going from a sedan to a CRV was the ease of entry, I am finding the large cargo space, indispensable, as I make regular forays between the town dump and my temporary storage rental locker.

Both cats, Ginger and Chibi Chan, have found loving, new homes, and although I miss them, I know this upheaval and the next phase of noise and dirt would have been unbearable for them.

Friends have pitched in and been an invaluable help as well as a morale booster, and we have also had some good laughs together over the unavoidable mishaps that are part of any move. I feel so fortunate to have found a new home in the same town where Val and I lived for the past 20 years.

Branford is special to me, and I am glad to still be a part of it all.

Contact Jean Cherni, certified senior adviser for Senior Living Solutions and Pearce Plus, a helpful, full-service program for seniors contemplating a move, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net.

I'm reading: Well, here we are at the apartment; please don t mind the boxes