Wyoming

Aaron Turpen: I Jawed At High Schoolers About My… | Cowboy State Daily

Published

1 week ago

June 17, 2024

Aaron Turpen: I Jawed At High Schoolers About My… | Cowboy State Daily

Recently, I went to East High to talk to an AVID class about what I do for a living.

Being a class full of teenagers, none of them were particularly interested when I, a middle-aged guy with a “get off my lawn” beard and “I don’t like haircuts” style got up on the little stage-like platform in Mrs. Martin’s class.

Such is the way of teenagers, no matter the generation.

Most schools in Laramie District 1 have an Advancement Via Individual Determination class to teach kids things like time management, what’s required to get into secondary schools (colleges, universities, etc), and to broaden horizons a bit.

The East High AVID class, for example, volunteers at the animal shelter making toys for the dogs and tours area universities and colleges to get a feel for campus life.

So standing on the stage and introducing myself, I told this group of ninth graders about myself. I drive brand new cars, supplied by manufacturers, and then write about those cars.

I take photos of questionable quality and sometimes do videos that are often ranked as “worst car reviews on YouTube” by commentators.

I mentioned that, in order to give other YouTubers a chance, I have to cover my glamorous magazine-ready face with hair to tone down my appeal some.

Given my drip, the kids probably thought this was pretty sus.

But they soon began to perk up, learning that I’m not just some guy with some job they’d consider boring. Which was a pretty proud moment for me, as I’m pretty sure my ninth grader son would consider professional skydiving or an X-Games pro to be lame.

Once things warmed up, and Mrs. Martin gave the ultimatum for the class to start asking questions, my presentation got more interesting. I was asked how I got into writing.

My answer was that I’ve never NOT been writing. It’s just taken on different forms.

I just so happened, about a decade ago (or so) to have found a way to parlay that into driving vehicles. It was a natural evolution from being a truck driver, in my mind.

I talked about how my college degree isn’t a match for what I do as a job. I use computers, sure, but a Computer Science degree doesn’t really teach journalism or writing skills.

I know automotive journalists who have journalism backgrounds. They are very good at writing up things that read like they should be in print. I’m better at writing things that are more colloquial, as it were.

That’s my fancy way of saying I like to use first person and try to insert funny bits so I look smarter.

The questions kept coming. These kids seemed genuinely interested in how I got started, what kind of things I do every day, how a freewheeling freelance gig person does it, and so on. Many of them were pretty good.

“Do the car makers pay you?” Nope. Publications that print my stuff pay me. The automakers give me vehicles in hopes that I can get them published to a large audience. Plus I don’t wreck up their vehicles, so they trust me not to be “that guy.”

“How long do you have a car for?” Press loans vary in length, but are usually about a week.

Sometimes a little longer, sometimes shorter. I generally put between 100 and 200 miles on a vehicle while I have it. Mostly doing everyday things, but also including fuel economy testing and sometimes special uses like off-road, towing, etc.

“How many cars have you driven?” Hard one to answer. I settled on 1,000-1,500 since I average about 100 vehicles per year and also go to events and unveilings where I might get to drive more.

“What is the coolest car you’ve ever driven?” Also a hard one.

Vehicles are designed for different purposes, so I can’t say just one was the coolest.

Favorites that I’ve driven include a McLaren, a BMW i8, an Alfa Romeo 4C, a specially outfitted Jeep Gladiator from RMT Overland, several side-by-side UTVs, and things with “SRT” and “Hellcat” in their names.

I judge vehicles based on what they’re used for and have a particular bias towards off-road-ready setups and speedy roadsters.

And especially for those that range into the ridiculous category, like a family-sized SUV with over 600 horsepower or a luxury car with a price tag equal to my house. Or, in the case of the first three on my list, cars that are pure adrenaline pumpers that are made way too small for someone of my size.

“What did you want to do for a job when you were in high school?” This question was a great one. I wanted to be a writer.

At the time, I thought I would write science fiction and fantasy. Isaac Asimov and JRR Tolkien were my literary heroes. What I learned with time was that I’m far better at writing opinions than I am at writing fiction.

Fiction, for me, takes a lot of work. Writing about things I love, like cars, is pretty easy by comparison. It took many years of frustration and working a myriad of non-writing jobs to learn that.

The overall experience was a good one. And the resulting thank you cards sent to me were a nice bonus.

One ninth grader wrote “Thank you for coming and talking about your job. I didn’t care very much about cars before now. I do a little bit more.” Nice! Mission accomplished so far as I’m concerned.

Another wrote “That was a lot of fun to listen about your job. The only problem I have is English, but I’m gonna try hard to get better at writing to get a job.” To which, I would say, being able to write well is not necessarily a prerequisite to journalism. I’ve been an editor before.

“I would enjoy having a new car every week because I could not be able to decide what car to buy.” Fair enough. I think I know some automotive writers who would fall into that category. They own extremely impractical vehicles as a rule.

“I would like to try to do car racing for a bit and I like hearing about cars.” Girl after my own heart there. She should try rally. The last bit of real auto racing left.

“Thank you for not trying to use slang during your presentation.” He’s correct. I didn’t use any of the slang words in the title of this article while talking to this AVID class. That would’ve been cringe.

It was special to have the chance to show these kids that imagination can reach beyond the standard list of professional careers or stretch an existing one into something more.

Back when I was their age, there were no presentations to show me that one could think beyond the established.

Thankfully, we’re getting past telling kids that working with their hands is bad, that thinking for themselves is bad, and that college is the only option for them.

The world is more open and accessible than ever. And they have unprecedented opportunities thanks to that.

I think more of us adults should participate in opportunities like this to show kids what’s out there. The world needs writers, plumbers, engineers, teachers, cooks, and small business owners.

We should be showing these kids, who are so close to being thrown out into the adult world, that it’s not all unfamiliar and scary. That they can get somewhere based on their own dreams and ideas and that perseverance pays off.

Bucking hay can turn into bagging groceries which becomes carpentry that turns into truck driving and becomes automotive journalism. Every path is unique and no job is exactly like another.

So long as it’s not a career in politics, I think kids should be encouraged to work hard and run with their dreams. Because the world needs more workaday dreamers.

Aaron Turpen can be reached at: TurpenAaron@gmail.com

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Wyoming

Arrest made nearly 10 years after 2 murdered during Cheyenne Frontier Days at The Coin Shop

Published

36 mins ago

June 26, 2024

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Arrest made nearly 10 years after 2 murdered during Cheyenne Frontier Days at The Coin Shop

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (KKTV) – Nearly a decade after two people were killed in Cheyenne, an arrest has been made.

The Cheyenne Police Department shared details on the arrest with the public on Tuesday in a news release posted to social media. Police are reporting 68-year-old Douglas Smith was arrested in California, suspected of first-degree murder.

Investigators believe Smith killed 76-year-old George Manley and 67-year-old Dwight Brockman at The Coin Shop in Cheyenne while Cheyenne Frontier Days was in full swing. The violent crime was carried out on July 20, 2015.

“Three years ago, when I was hired as Chief of Police, I became aware of the homicide at The Coin Shop and decided to make this a priority,” said Cheyenne Police Chief Mark Francisco. “Cases like this can be very challenging with many layers of evidence. Our detectives have been diligently working for almost a decade, and, through detailed analysis, have been able to thoughtfully re-examine the evidence in ways that bring those responsible to justice.”

Police are reporting that since 2023, more than 1,500 hours were spent working on the case.

“As a result of their investigation, detectives believe that Douglas Smith, the initial 9-1-1 caller, killed Manley and Brockman on July 20,” police added in the news release. “The case has now been turned over to the Laramie County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.”

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Wyoming

Don Day Wyoming Weather Forecast: Wednesday,… | Cowboy State Daily

Published

8 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

Don Day Wyoming Weather Forecast: Wednesday,… | Cowboy State Daily

Chance of rain in much of Wyoming on Wednesday, otherwise mostly sunny. Severe storms possible in the eastern plains and southeast. Highs generally in the 80s and lows in the 50s or low 60s.

Central:

Casper: Chance of rain mainly after 4 p.m. today and a slight chance tonight before 9 p.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny today with a high near 87 and partly cloudy overnight with a low near 65.

Riverton: Mostly sunny today with a high near 87 and partly cloudy overnight with a low near 59.

Glenrock: Chance of rain mainly after 3 p.m. today and a slight chance before 9 p.m. tonight. Otherwise, mostly sunny today with a high near 87 and partly cloudy overnight with a low near 60.

Southwest:

Evanston: Chance of rain today and a slight chance overnight. Otherwise, partly sunny today with a high near 84 and mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 54.

Green River: Chance of rain mainly after 3 p.m. today and a slight chance overnight. Otherwise, partly sunny today with a high near 83 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph. Mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 59 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph.

Lyman: Sunny today with a high near 85 and wind gusts as high as 21 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a low near 54.

Western Wyoming:

Pinedale: Chance of rain today and a slight chance overnight. Otherwise, partly sunny today with a high near 84 and mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 57.

Alpine: Chance of rain mainly after 5 p.m. today and tonight mainly before 9 p.m. Otherwise, partly sunny today with a high near 83 and partly cloudy overnight with a low near 54.

Big Piney: Slight chance of rain today and overnight. Otherwise, partly sunny today with a high near 80 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph. Mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 50 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph.

Northwest:

Dubois: Chance of rain mainly after 1 p.m. today and tonight mainly before midnight. Otherwise, partly sunny today with a high near 77 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a low near 54 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph.

Jackson: Slight chance of rain today and overnight. Otherwise, partly sunny today with a high near 82 and partly cloudy overnight with a low near 50.

Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park: Chance of rain today and tonight mainly before 9 p.m. Otherwise, partly sunny today with a high near 73 and partly cloudy overnight with a low near 46.

Bighorn Basin:

Thermopolis: Mostly sunny today with a high near 87 and partly cloudy overnight with a low near 61.

Cody: Slight chance of rain after 1 p.m. today and before midnight tonight. Otherwise, partly sunny today with a high near 85 and partly cloudy overnight with a low near 61.

Powell: Slight chance of rain after 3 p.m. today and before 9 p.m. tonight. Otherwise, increasing clouds today with a high near 88 and partly cloudy overnight with a low near 61.

North Central:

Buffalo: Mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 84 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a slight chance of rain before midnight and a low near 63.

Sheridan: Increasing clouds and hot today with a high near 90 and partly cloudy overnight with a slight chance of rain before midnight and a low near 59.

Dayton: Becoming sunny in the afternoon today with a high near 85 and partly cloudy overnight with a slight chance of rain before midnight and a low near 60.

Northeast:

Gillette: Slight chance of rain after 3 p.m. today and before midnight tonight. Otherwise, increasing clouds today with a high near 86 and wind gusts as high as 21 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a low near 60 and wind gusts as high as 24 mph.Sundance: Chance of rain after noon today and overnight. Otherwise, mostly sunny today with a high near 80 and wind gusts as high as 16 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a low near 60 and wind gusts as high as 18 mph.

Upton: Chance of rain after 3 p.m. today and mainly before midnight tonight. Otherwise, mostly sunny today with a high near 85 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a low near 61 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph.

Eastern Plains:

Torrington: Chance of rain mainly after 3 p.m. today and before midnight tonight. Some storms could be severe. Otherwise, mostly sunny and hot today with a high near 90 and mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 61.

Douglas: Chance of rain mainly after 3 p.m. today and before 9 p.m. tonight. Some storms could be severe. Otherwise, mostly sunny today with a high near 86 and mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 59.

Midwest: Slight chance of rain after 4 p.m. today and before 9 p.m. tonight. Otherwise, mostly sunny today with a high near 86 and partly cloudy overnight with a low near 62.

Southeast:

Cheyenne: Chance of rain after noon today and overnight. Some of the storms could be severe. Otherwise, mostly sunny today with a high near 87 and mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 60.

Laramie: Chance of rain after noon today and a slight chance overnight. Some of the storms could be severe. Otherwise, mostly sunny today with a high near 83 and mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 57.

Medicine Bow: Chance of rain after noon today and tonight before 9 p.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny today with a high near 87 and mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 56.

South Central:

Rawlins: Chance of rain after noon today and a slight chance tonight before 9 p.m. Otherwise, increasing clouds today with a high near 87 and mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 59.

Encampment: Chance of rain mainly after 3 p.m. today and tonight mainly before midnight. Otherwise, mostly sunny today with a high near 84 and mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 56.

Baggs: Slight chance of rain after noon today and a chance of rain tonight mainly before midnight. Otherwise, increasing clouds and hot today with a high near 90 and mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 54.

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Wyoming

New mobile app for pest identification available for Wyoming pests – Platte County Record-Times

Published

15 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

New mobile app for pest identification available for Wyoming pests – Platte County Record-Times

Laramie – The University of Wyoming Extension recently released a new software application that can be used to identify Wyoming plant diseases and pests.
The mobile app, called Wyoming Crop Pests, is available for both Android and Apple devices and can be found in app stores by searching “Wyoming Crop Pests”. Scott Schell, UW Extension entomologist, developed the tool to help amateur home gardeners and producers identify plant diseases and pests.
The Wyoming Crop Pests app contains information about common pests of vegetables grown in Wyoming. Users select a crop and types of damage based on both pictures and short descriptions. Once users have used the interactive key to narrow down the kinds of pests that may be causing the damage they’re seeing, they can explore links explaining the best ways to manage those pests.

To develop the app, Schell tapped into resources from other land-grant universities to share links to current, well-researched information about each pest. The app also contains links to the “Wyoming Vegetable and Fruit Growing Guide,” a free publication from UW Extension that provides comprehensive information about how to garden successfully in Wyoming conditions. While the app currently focuses on vegetable pests, Schell may eventually add information about fruit pests as well.

Schell emphasizes that if a user isn’t sure whether what they’re seeing on their plants matches what they’re seeing in the app, they should contact their local extension office.

“This is a tool that give people some independence, but I also want them to know where they can reach out for more info and help on pest issues,” says Schell. “I’m always happy to look at pictures of bugs!”

He sees the new tool as an opportunity to reach younger audiences who may not know about extension services.

Schell also aimed to make the app accessible to users who may be less comfortable with technology. “I find it kind of ironic that a guy like me was involved in making an app,” says Schell. “There’s probably a lot more verbiage explaining how to use it than most apps. For a lot of people my age, these apps aren’t intuitive.”

For more information about the app or Wyoming crop pests, contact Schell at sschell@uwyo.edu or (307) 766-2508.

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