UPDATE: :) It's official. espiBlog.org 2009 EMMY Award Recipient - Advance Media Awards, Lone Star Emmys for our coverage of huricane IKE evacuess in San antonio, Texas produced by Patricio Espinoza & Bernessa Jakle.--------------------------Back in the 90's when my wife and I started this blog... didn't know much about that back then, but as times changed and our traditional media opportunities, coverage and jobs seem to shrink, one thing has remained constant... the ability for us all to use the internet to pretty much do what you want to do... WE chose to tell stories in the public's interest, and kept my craft and journalism work alive regardless of the times and economic challenges.  Today I'm happy to share that espiBlog.org "My Reporter's NotePad" has received a 2009 LoneStar EMMY Nomination for Advance Media Awards, in the category of Breaking News "Hurricane IKE" - Winners to be announced May 21: http://tinyurl.com/ojsosl The entry is in competition with traditional broadcaster's new media work in 19 Texas markets including top stations in Houston, Dallas, Austin & San Antonio. The stories were only intended for my blog, and were produced by my wife Bernessa Jakle and myself, but eventually found it's way to other outlets including ABC.com, CNN and CNN iReport, CurrentTV and PBS Docubloggers.  And viral sites like YouTube where some gather over 50,000 page views.  These particular set of stories aired with CNN and CNN International via iReport. But this nomination goes far beyond this reporter's humble blog.  It is in fact, I believe, a testament to what ONE Journalist can do with today's ready available digital tools.  It is a sign of the times we live in, and I'm just happy to be part of it.It is worth noting that this Journalist is, too, one of many in our country today between lay-offs and cutbacks.   My blog and work of the heart wouldn't be possible if it wasn't because of many who have supported this effort.  Among them Typepad, where this blog is hosted. Last year, they began a program for Journalists in transition, and waived all their hosting fees for many of us, including this blogger. Muchas gracias a mi queridos padres, my wife Bernessa, who has held my camera often times when I could only hold on to 5 things with one hand, and my brother Pablo for his constant support and advice. Thank you friends and colleagues,

Patricio & Bernessa espiBlog.org  | sa4mayor.com "Backpack" Digital Journalists @ Large twitter: twitter.com/espiblog

facebook: http://tinyurl.com/ojsosl CNN iReport: http://www.ireport.com/people/espiBlog YouTube: http://youtube.com/espiblog ABC.com: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3140418 DocuBloggers: http://tinyurl.com/pyb2gp