End of the Week Election News

I wonder if Pressman Tony Jackson is Making a Statement?

• Defeat Prop 4! - Ruth666
• Prop 8 tied in new internal poll - Metblogs LA
• Measure R Goes to the Voters - Claremont Insider
• Sam Zell has given $40,000 to McCain - Kevin Roderick
• Arnold, Reagan Featured in Latest Ad Against 8 - Boi from Troy
• Los Angeles Times endorsements for Nov. 4 - Los Angeles Times
• Joe's EZ California Propositions: 1 2 3 5 7 YES - Joseph Mailander
• Can a Muslim American Become President of the United States? - EV
• Gay marriage ban, parental notification proposition losing - David Markland
• How to get turned away from the polls on election day - Sagacious Rambling

Happy Halloween

Save Our Trade: Rumor Control and Negotiation Update

By Ronnie Pineda

It was no shock to me that we lost some of our supervisors this past week. It is always terrible for anyone to lose their job, its worse just before the holidays. We have witnessed the exodus of our friends and co-workers for years now and it is always heart wrenching for most of us. As salary employees, there is no obligation for management to honor supervisors seniority in their respective position. Why the supervisors that were relieved of their post were chosen, can only be answered by those who made the decision as to who they considered expendable. Some will be missed by some, and some will be missed by all. Either way, they will be missed. I will personally miss Misty Griffin for the fact that she was always honest, fair and treated everyone with respect.

Click link below to continue reading

Save Our Trade: Rumor Control and Negotiation Update

Message from Michelle Obama

I know this campaign has asked a lot of you.

But in the next 5 days, Barack will need you more than ever before.

Together, we can make sure all voters head to the polls and make their voices heard in this election. And we can get Barack's message of change out to millions and millions of Americans in these final hours.

That's why I'm asking you to dig deep and make one final donation to help get us across the finish line.

Take a minute to remember why you joined this movement, then please make a donation of $5 or more today.

I've been blessed over the last 21 months to have been invited into your communities and to hear so many of your personal stories.

Supporters like you have told me about loved ones who can't afford health care, and relatives who've been laid off from jobs they've had for decades. About family members fighting bravely in Iraq, and worries about affording college in a struggling economy.

But what I've heard more than anything else is hope. A shared hope that if we work together, we can change politics and make this country better for all Americans.

I know that we can make it happen -- and we are so very close.

Make a donation of $5 or more and stand with Barack these last few days:

https://donate.barackobama.com/forbarack

The strength of this campaign has always come from the individual stories and hard work of millions of supporters like you.

Thank you for being part of this movement,

Michelle

L.A. Times Protest - Obama/Rashid Khalidi tape

Protesters marched outside the offices of the Los Angeles Times in downtown Los Angeles Thursday morning to voice their concern with the organization's withholding the release of a controversial videotape which is reported to show presidential hopeful Barack Obama at an event honoring Palestinian Liberation Organization spokesman Rashid Khalidi.

Los Angeles Times Blogger Peter Viles -30

Just last Wednesday I had the pleasure of meeting with Pete at the Redwood Bar and Grill for Tony Pierce’s birthday bash, and the following day at the Los Angeles Times ONA event, where Pete was a guest speaker. Always quick with a smile and a handshake Pete makes others feel at home, no matter where they might be. I’m very saddened to hear of Pete’s departure from the Los Angeles Times. Here’s a farewell shot from Pete found on LAObserved.




No, this is not a sign that the housing market has reached a bottom in Los Angeles.

Seriously, it's hard to leave. I like doing this. I've enjoyed writing this blog, hearing from so many of you and helping to build a kind of community together. It has been one of the best assignments I've had in 21 years as a journalist. Thanks for reading, commenting and helping to shape the blog....As much as I love newsrooms and newspapers, life is short, and change is good.

Good news: The higher-ups here have been big fans of L.A. Land, and they intend to continue it. One high-ranking editor once told me the comments are the best reading on the blog. After I got over my initial hurt (journalists are thin-skinned), I agreed. The comments rock, and I hope you will continue to support the blog.

Thursday Afternoon News

The Pressman Blogger Meets the Real Blogger, Andrew Malcolm

• LAT Staffers Respond to Palin's Jab - Tina Dupuy
• Obama Effigy Lynched in Indiana - Electronic Village
• Newspaper For Below-The-Liners In Peril - Nikki Finke
• Thursday Miscellany, 10/30/08 - Newspaper Death Watch
• Is The ‘Old Media’ Against Barack Obama? - Choose The Hero
• Reports of Newspaper Death Greatly Exaggerated - Live Science
• Flexible Display Tech Will Not Generate Print Revenues - Meta Printer
• LA Times, Press Ethics, and the Desperation of John McCain - Witness LA
• Bill Sammon has come to the LA Times's defense over video - The Phoenix
• LAT Suppressing Information About McCain's Link To Khalidi? - Mayrav Saar

Wednesday Afternoon Linkage

Former Los Angeles Times Mailer Mike Howard taking a self guided tour with a guest today

• Now you see it, now you don't - David Rensin
• Mourning Old Media’s Decline - New York Times
• O.C. Register to lay off 110 workers - OC Register
• 'De-coloring' of the Los Angeles Times - Kevin Roderick
• The paperless newspaper now a reality - Chicago Tribune
• Gannett, Time Plan Massive Cuts - Newspaper Death Watch
• Roll call III: Say goodbye to more of your friends - Gannett Blog
• Word From Another LAT Casualty: Swati Pandey - Mayrav Saar
• Newspapers Should Scrap their Hardcopy for Online - Mark Potts
• Obama Effigy Lynched at University of Kentucky - Electronic Village

Outsourcing of Security at the Los Angeles Times

Four or five years ago the Los Angeles Times tested out a new security force at the Olympic Facility instead of guards employed by the newspaper, which is located in a very nice part of downtown Los Angeles at 8th and Alameda, the test was a complete disaster and Times security guards were brought back onto the property.

Three days ago Los Angeles Times security was outsourced once again, to the dismay of Times Employees, with another outside concern taking control or really lacking control of the property.

Apparently we didn’t learn our lesson the last time around and are repeating the same mistake by outsourcing security at the newspaper. I’m told the new security force will take control of Times Mirror Square after the first of the year, saving the company a bundle in wages and benefits.

This morning as I pulled up to the security shack I was shocked to see the security guard asleep at the helm, never even moved as the gate opened to allow me onto the property. The men that pulled in thirty minutes behind me reported the same situation, the security guard sound asleep.

In my thirty-six years at the Los Angeles Times I have never witnessed a Times security guard asleep at their station, so this was a new experience, one I don’t care for. Why not save the money on the outside firm and install a moveable metal gate that employees can activate as they near the entrance, would make the property much safer from outsiders then it currently is.

As they say, you get what you pay for.

YES on 4!!!!

To All parents.

As a parent, I find it appalling, that my child can go to a hospital, and have surgery performed on them, and I the parent will never be notified!!!!! Who are these, scum of the earth who would even suggest that I do not have the RIGHT to know when my child has had a surgical procedure performed on them. How dare they IMPOSE their arrogance and, think for one second, that I would allow one of my children, have surgery performed on them, and not at LEAST be by THEIR SIDE when they are performing the surgical procedure. I mean, is every thing ok? Is the hospital at least clean??? Come-on, give me a break, I’ve been to hospitals that would scare the sick away, because they are so dirty. Who is assuring that my child is getting the best care? Who is making this decision for them? If my child got sick as a result of the surgery, how would I know what caused it? I would also hope that their standards for the Dr’s that will perform the procedure, are up to MY standards, and have sufficient knowledge of the process. I implore every parent, to support our children in EVERY decision that they make. Vote Yes on 4.

http://www.yeson4.net/

New Obama Widget

Will the LA Times Release Obama Video?

On Monday in my usual style I supplied a link to bloggers that are targeting advertisers in the Los Angeles Times. No this is not the Teamsters or readers upset with the cutbacks at the newspaper, they are a group of bloggers that are pressuring the Los Angeles Times to post the video of Barack Obama praising a Palestinian activist in 2003. This story is certain to grow just days before the general election.

From the Los Angeles Times:

McCain campaign accuses L.A. Times of 'suppressing' Obama video
By a Times staff writer 6:01 PM PDT

The Times says its promise to a source prevents the paper from posting the video, which shows Barack Obama praising Palestinian activist Rashid Khalidi at a 2003 banquet. The story first appeared in April.

- Allies of Palestinians see a friend in Barack Obama

Los Angeles Times Love Ride 2008

The men and women of the Los Angeles Times were treated to free passes to the Love Ride 2008, which is a charity event the Los Angeles Times supports. The riders had the option of meeting at Harley Davidson of Glendale to ride with 20,000 other motorcyclists or just riding to the Pomona Fairplex on their own. Many of the Times riders opted to meet at the Olympic Plant and ride together from this point instead of with the mass of riders following Jay Leno.

What began as a chilly Sunday morning soon turned into a scorching heat wave that drove many to flee on their motorcycles to cooler locations. With shade at a premium, a few from our group took refuge next to the first aid tent. Luckily for the overflowing crowd a cool breeze kicked in just about the time The Tubes ended their set.

I captured seventy-two photographs, which can be viewed on my Flickr page, so feel free to copy or have the pictures you enjoy printed through Flickr.

....................................Pete Mastin with Tom Denton

Many in the group wondered if this will be the last Love Ride for Times Employees as Debbie Ream of Promotions at the Times was let go last Tuesday?

Someone Heard Me....

Last week I shared how my colleagues and I gather information from our new publisher at the Los Angeles Times, and someone heard me. Eddy Hartenstein’s message I shared from Kevin Roderick’s LAObserved last night was actually posted in four different locations at the Los Angeles Times Olympic Production Facility. So I now know I have at least one reader of my humble blog. Whoever the anonymous poster might be, thank you for communicating with the Operations Employees.

Tuesday Afternoon News

Los Angeles Times Pressroom Supervisor Gene Brame (right) - We'll Miss You

• Roundup of L.A. Times reactions - Kevin Roderick
• 2008 total: 12,314+ newspaper jobs lost - Paper Cuts
• The Monitor Ends Daily Print Edition - New York Times
• Included In The LAT Lay-Offs List: Annie Wells - Mayrav Saar
• ABC News Cancels Its Newspaper Subscription - Meta Printer
• LA Times lays off 10% of its editorial staff - Los Angeles Times
• Corporate Leveraged Loans Face Shaky Future - New York Post
• A revived grocery union aims at Fresh & Easy - Los Angeles Times
• Who Will Be Left to Write the Los Angeles Times' Obit? - Franklin Ave.
• Publishers Cut Circ to Advertiser Applause - Newspaper Death Watch

Message from Eddy Hartenstein Publisher LAT

From: Hartenstein, Eddy
Sent: Mon 10/27/2008 5:24 PM
To: zzTrbAllHandsLAT
Subject:

The last couple of weeks have been tough and we've had to say goodbye to some talented colleagues and friends. It was not how I wanted to start the fourth quarter, but the deteriorating business climate is something that cannot be ignored. The good news, however, is that we are continuing to reinvent this fine company so it will be around long into the future.

Tomorrow, the Senior Team will be holding an offsite meeting to finalize our strategic plan for 2009 and beyond. I'm confident that we've determined a plan for the next year and created the long-term vision we need to succeed. We will share that plan with all employees before Thanksgiving and get a Town Hall on the calendar within the next couple of weeks.

In the meantime, I wanted to share with you some of our most recent accomplishments:

· Our new Chief Revenue Officer Scott McKibben is making some long overdue changes to our Advertising departments; fewer layers, better incentives, and prioritizing a client-focused approach to sales. If there are ad dollars out there, there's no reason we can't get them. · Zetabid, our joint real estate venture under the leadership of Bob Bellack, had its first auction a few weeks ago. It was a great success and we believe we'll have more jam-packed auctions in the coming months. · Our launch of LA magazine, led by Annie Gilbar and its new publisher Penn Jones, has been very well received by readers and advertisers alike and furthers our outstanding brand presence in Southern California. · Under the guidance of Michael Whitley and the rest of his design team, we launched our redesigned newspaper last week. This is obviously a multi-step process and from this point forward we will make continuous improvements to enhance the reader experience. · The Times made its first endorsement in a presidential election since 1972, backing Senator Barack Obama for President and creating media discussion internationally. · Our website, latimes.com increased its audience 102% over the past year, reaching 10 million unique visitors during September, according to Nielsen NetRatings (September 2008 v. 2007). This was the largest increase among the top 5 newspaper websites during that period. · And, just around the corner, The Envelope Screening Series kicks off next week and features LA Times talent such as Pete Hammond, John Horn, and Tom O'Neil. This was an extremely popular event last year and this year promises to be even better.

These are just a few examples of the great work that is being done to re-think how we do business. The Los Angeles Times is still one of the most trusted brands in the country. Your leadership team is working together like never before and 2009 will be a defining year for our company. We do great things here everyday and will continue to do so. However, we must push through the conventional barriers that have limited us in so many ways. Now is the time to redefine our future-to be the leader and show our competitors how a "newspaper" can successfully change itself into a world-class, news and information source that spans all mediums.

I'll be in touch again soon

eddy

SOURCE: LAObserved

Monday Afternoon News

Los Angeles Times Pressroom Supervisor Ruben Montellano - We'll Miss You

• Newspaper endorsements compared - Erica Smith
• Bloggers Target LA Times Advertisers - Web Loggin
• Orange County Register takes big hit - Kevin Roderick
• Another Ousted LAT Staffer: Maria Russo - Mayrav Saar
• The Star-Ledger of Newark Plans 40% Cut - New York Times
• Most Major Papers Continue Circ Decline - Editor & Publisher
• Among The Ousted At The LAT: Carina Chocano - Mayrav Saar
• Also On the LAT Ousted List: Veronique de Turenne - Mayrav Saar
• Some Newspapers Shed Unprofitable Readers - Wall Street Journal
• Newspaper Crash of 2009 - And How You Can Help - Winds of Change

Ten Percent of Staff Let Go at the Los Angeles Times

From: Stanton, Russ
To: yyeditall
Sent: Mon Oct 27 08:31:50 2008
Subject: Newsroom job cuts

Colleagues,

The growing economic downturn is forcing us to undergo another round of job reductions and cost cuts. I deeply regret to report that today, 75 of our friends, colleagues and capable staff members in Editorial will be told that they are losing their jobs. This is about 10% of our total staff and these cuts are comparable in scale to those made on the business side of The Times last week.

The severance terms being offered to our colleagues are similar to those offered in the other reductions we've faced this year.

I appreciate your patience, understanding and cooperation during this difficult period. Your department heads and the senior editing team, including John, Davan, Meredith and I, are available to hear your concerns and answer any questions.

Russ Stanton
Editor
Los Angeles Times

SOURCE: LAObserved

Get Lost With Easy-Writer: No On Prop 8

By Kanani Fong

My 83 year old uncle died with his companion of 40 years at his side. They were devoted to one another and had expressed their love through consideration, compassion, kindness and patience. They were gay. They lived together in a small midwestern city when it was dangerous to come out. Perhaps people thought of them as "gentlemen bachelors," "best buddies," or "men who've been burnt one too many times by women." They built a good life, had successful careers, guided my uncle's daughter (by his one and only marriage) into adulthood and had a house filled with cherubs.

I know a lesbian, who with her life partner adopted a girl with known and profound disabilities. They fought for special education, they took parenting classes, tracked down specialists --and they did this out of love.

Continue reading by clicking on link below

Get Lost With Easy-Writer: No On Prop 8

Rocket Launch in a Few Minutes

My prolific investigative blogger friend Zach Behrens reports of a rocket launch in a few minutes, get your cameras ready and enjoy the spectacular light show.

Here’s what Zach said:

A tipster sends this over about what you might see and hear tonight: "There's a Vandenberg Air Force Base missile launch tonight at 7:28 PM. With south trajectory, should be very visible in and around Los Angeles." The base, located south of San Luis Obispo, is delivering an Italian satellite into space. If you see it, the vapor trails should be good for some photo fodder (hint, hint, join our LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr!)

#UPDATE: Apparently the launch was delayed as my grandson David and I waited almost an hour before retreating back indoors.

Friday Night Links

Los Angeles Times Security Guard Jody Aliff - We'll Miss You

• The internet as a right - Jeff Jarvis
• Apple fighting Prop 8 - Mark Lacter
• Don't count out the newspaper - Herald Tribune
• Tribune's D.C. Bureau Looks to Chicago - Politico
• AH Belo alters debt terms, freezes salaries - Reuters
• NAACP rallies against KKK demonstration - WALB News
• LA Times Considering Comic Strip About Domestic Violence - F.A.
• One less newspaper in Scott County; Leader folds tent - Gah Briefing
• Seattle Times union ratifies contract that includes 6% raises - Crosscut
• Examiner Wants to Become A Bastion Of Citizen Journalism - Tech Crunch

FAQ Love Ride 2008

Love Ride 2007
A few questions regarding this Sunday’s Love Ride have arisen, and I have done my best to gather the answers for you.

Question: I have heard the Hell’s Angel’s and Mongol’s will be attending the Love Ride this year, which I find worrisome?

Answer: I cannot confirm nor deny the presence of either bike club at the Love Ride this year , and the rumor of a shootout between the two clubs inside Fairplex is just that, a rumor.

Question: Will the Los Angeles Times host the riders arriving at the Olympic Facility?

Answer: Unfortunately the usual arrangement by the Times has been scrapped due to financial reasons; the publisher will not be on hand nor free coffee and donuts for the bikers and guests.

Question: I’m a former Times mechanic, will I be allowed onto the Times property?

Answer: I called Sergeant Akbar at the Times Olympic Facility, and he stated tomorrow will be the last day the grounds are secured by guards that work for the Los Angeles Times, a new firm takes control of Olympic on Sunday morning, and he was unable to answer this question. Sgt. Akbar referred my question to the Plant Manager Greg Malcolm. I’m pleased to say Mr. Malcolm answered my question within five minutes, and stated anyone not employed by the newspaper should contact himself or Mike Chavez for authorization to enter the Times property. Click on either of their names to activate your email program to gain authorization.

25th Annual Love Ride

Motorcyclists, start your engines. The silver anniversary edition of the Love Ride on Sunday, presided over by Jay Leno, is expected to bring out more than 25,000 bikers. They'll begin in Glendale, then head to the Fairplex at Pomona, where at noon a concert featuring ZZ Top and Foo Fighters will get underway, along with a motorcycle marketplace, stunts, barbecue and more. Organizers say all the event's earnings will be donated to local charities. Ride leaves from Harley-Davidson of Glendale, 3717 San Fernando Road, Glendale; 9 a.m. Sun. Concert at Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona; noon Sun. Ride, $70 minimum donation; concert, $50. www.loveride.org.

Many Times motorcyclists plan to meet at the Los Angeles Times Olympic Facility Sunday morning, 2000 E. 8th Street at 7:30 am. With the departure time to be determined before departing for Brackett Airport in La Verne for breakfast. With gates opening at 10:00 am the group of Times riders will avoid the throng of motorcyclists that will block all streets leading into the Pomona Fairplex for at least ninety minutes or longer.

Thursday Afternoon News

Los Angeles Times Pressroom Supervisor Owen Brennen - We'll Miss You

• Voting Registrations Break Records - LAist
• Thursday Miscellany - Newspaper Death Watch
• Nation mourns for Morning Briefing - LAObserved
• On Reaching 60 Years Of Age - Brady Westwater
• Los Angeles Times In 90 Seconds - Fishbowl L.A.
• I'm An Advice Columnist, Not A Physicist - Advice Goddess
• Will The NYT Go The Way Of The Dinosaurs? - Paid Content
• LAT uncorks redesigned redesign - NOT the Los Angeles Times
• Tribune is entertaining whether it could buy Copley Press - Guardian
• Controlling Media Holders Face New Scrutiny As Econ Weakens - DJN

Tina Kim Seeking a Roommate

Hi guys,

I need to find a roommate to move in with me Nov 1st, 2008.

So if you can forward my email to any of your friends who know of someone looking or needs a place, please send them my email!

$875.00 LARGE 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom and parking space (Toluca lake, Universal, North Hollywood)

Beautiful two bedroom, two bathroom, HUGE, plenty of space and your own parking space underground. It is NOT tandum. It is near Riverside near Cahuenga Blvd in a safe clean neighborhood. There is also guest parking for your friends.

The apartment has a pool, a fitness center, and laundry unit in the basement. It has new carpets, new appliances, and just painted. You will have the LARGE master bedroom with its own connected bathroom. There are TWO closets in your room with a mirror on the doors. I have a picture of one of the closets below. The rent will $875.00 utilities included water, electricity, DSL. Sorry but I don't have cable. I don't watch tv much, but your room has a cable so you can have a tv with cable in there or in the living room you can decide.

I am a single female professional NO DRUGS, NO SMOKING, NO PARTIES but having a friend or friends come over is fine with me.

Editor's note: If this arrangement interests you, send an email to me which I will forward to Tina.

Can You Hear me Now Eddy Hartenstein?

On October 10th, 2008 I attempted to contact our publisher, Eddy Hartenstein, without success. Most users at the Los Angeles Times use their first and last name in their email address, this does not seem to be the case with Eddy or maybe he’s just to new to the newspaper and doesn't have an address yet? Here’s how my email program responded after I sent my message to Eddy:

-----------------------------------------------------
Hi. This is the qmail-send program at yahoo.com.
I'm afraid I wasn't able to deliver your message to the following addresses.
This is a permanent error; I've given up. Sorry it didn't work out.

:
144.142.3.130 does not like recipient.
Remote host said: 550 #5.1.0 Address rejected eddy.hartenstein@latimes.com
Giving up on 144.142.3.130.
-----------------------------------------------------

My message to Eddy was to explain why my colleagues and I find it so important to find internal Los Angeles Times memos posted at LAObserved, we have no access to messages that affect us directly. The majority of employees at the Olympic and Orange County Facilities are unable to see memos from Sam Zell, Lee Abrams, Randy Michaels, and Eddy our publisher.

Russ Newton, senior vice-president of production, made an attempt to allow all employees at the satellite plants to stay informed of important information with memo's posted on a bulletin board. But with the exodus of so many from Human Resources, this vehicle of communication has slowed to a crawl.

Anyone within Tribune can run a search of my name, Edward Padgett, and see for yourself I have no email address listed whatsoever. So when I locate Tribune or Los Angeles Times memo's I post the information online for my colleagues and myself.

My hat's off to my colleagues that share internal memo's with Kevin Roderick and Jim Romenesko, otherwise many of us would have no clue as to the happenings at our company, aren't we the owners?

I find it rather odd we must learn of events occuring at our company from men that do not even work for the newspaper. Our last publisher, David Hiller, was unable or willing to allow communications for everyone, will our new publisher Eddy make the change that is needed and desired to keep ALL employees informed?

Message from Tribune COO Randy Michaels

Tribune COO Randy Michaels' memo to employees

Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 4:17 PM
Subject: Message from Randy Michaels/Making Progress

Today marks an important milestone at Tribune. This morning The Los
Angeles Times unveiled its redesign, the latest step in our efforts to
reinvent our newspapers for readers and advertisers. During the last
six months, all eight of our newspapers have changed the way they look
and they way they operate. This is a beginning, not an end-there is
still a lot to be done. But this was a massive undertaking and it is a
remarkable accomplishment to have come so far in such a short period of time. We've put together a gallery of pages from the newly redesigned papers on TribLink which you can see here. [Intranet links]

We're making a lot of progress in a lot of other areas, too.

Our newspapers are finding new ways of leveraging their production
operations to bring in additional revenue. Earlier today, the Sun
Sentinel announced it would expand its existing partnership with the
Palm Beach Post. Under an agreement that will be phased in between now and the end of the year, we'll print, package and provide transportation services for all of the Palm Beach Post's publications. At The Baltimore Sun we're printing and distributing the Washington Times in select areas around Baltimore. In Chicago, the Chicago Tribune has been distributing the Chicago Sun-Times since late last year.

Innovation on the editorial side is also helping create some unique new
ways of reaching advertisers. The Daily Press, for example, recently
carried a special insert on the port industry in Virginia and generated
more than $70,000 in revenue by bringing in new advertisers, including a
tugboat company.

And we're doing more with our newspaper websites. Taxonomy is enabling us to categorize information better and offer users more specialized content than ever before, organized in a more efficient fashion. We're getting more video on our sites, too, and figuring out new ways of using video to generate revenue. The Baltimore Sun just announced a partnership with the local CBS station, WJZ-TV, which will provide local news video to the newspaper's website. Under the arrangement, WJZ will sell advertising inventory within the video content-and the newspaper will get a cut of the revenue.

In broadcasting, our stations continue out-performing the industry.
Local direct new business revenue has increased every month and is up
318% year over year. Our television sales people are doing an outstanding job, and we're doing more local direct business than ever
before.

WGN America is also having a very good year. Innovative packaging and
one-of-a-kind promotion are giving the cable network a boost and driving new revenue. Up next, a Halloween marathon of "The Munsters" hosted by Alice Cooper. Now that's television. You laugh...but the marathon has generated $600,000 in advertising and sponsorship revenue. And we're using the WGN America website to promote an online "Munsters" game conceived and built by Tribune Interactive's new Adver-gaming Team. You can see the Alice Cooper promo and find out more about the game by clicking here .

We're operating in a very tough environment, and while there is a lot of
negative news out there-about the economy and the media industry-we are making progress across the company. I know you are working harder than ever. People are stepping up with new ideas, taking the initiative, and providing leadership that gets things done.

As we move further into the fourth quarter, we're building momentum.
There is a lot left to do, and a lot of work underway, but I wanted to
take a moment to point out some of the positive things going on around
the company.

Thanks for your energy, passion and positive attitude.

Randy

SOURCE: Romenesko

Wednesday Afternoon Linkage

Los Angeles Times Pressroom Supervisor Misty Griffin - We'll Miss You

• Pilot editor is laid off - Daily Pilot
• Buy American (copy editors) - Gary Scott
• Waterloo paper cuts 52 jobs - Iowa Independent
• McClatchy 3Q Revenues Down 16.4% - Media Post
• 2008 total: 12,154 + newspaper jobs lost - Paper Cuts
• HT Media July-Sept net hit by high newsprint costs - Reuters
• Zell wants to buy Orange County Register? - Kevin Roderick
• Has Tribune Been Freed from McCormick? - Sentinel Watch
• Tribune Co. announces plans to market mobile content - Editors Weblog
• Can GateHouse stop the shrinkage of community newspapers - Mass Inc

"If I Can Help a Reporter Out..."

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Los Angeles Times Layoffs Continue

To: Circulation Department
From: Jack D. Klunder
Date: 10/21/08
Re: Moving Forward

Yesterday was a tough day . . . toughest on those who lost their jobs.

31 of our co-workers are no longer part of the circulation team. We were hoping to avoid another round of downsizing, but the advertising climate remains very soft. As a result, all departments went through what we experienced yesterday.

We lost some very talented individuals. Under normal circumstances all of these people would still be here, but we just have to adjust to the business conditions and sometimes do things we prefer not to do.

Now we have to move forward. We still need to sell, distribute, serve, collect, manufacture, analyze, and do all of the other little things required to run a great newspaper like the Los Angeles Times. And, we must do so with fewer people.

So, I am asking all of you to put this episode behind us and let’s continue to fight the good fight. Everyone will be challenged to figure out more efficient ways to produce the work and to do so at the highest levels of quality and integrity. Many areas will be restructured in some ways. We will be consolidating responsibilities - changing who does what. Be flexible and help us figure it out.

Thanks for hanging in there. It’s difficult, but somehow we need to continue to adjust and to get through these tough times. This will turn around - we just don’t know when.

Thanks.

Jack

SOURCE: Kevin Roderick

Tuesday Afternoon News

Los Angeles Times Pressroom Supervisor Woody Johnson - We'll Miss You

• Redesign reactions - Editors Desk
• Outsourcing the Daily News - Witness LA
• Redundancies at Freesheet Metro - Guardian UK
• Campus newspapers thrive - Burlington Free Press
• PBNI papers to be printed in Broward - Palm Beach Post
• NetRoots Raise $100,000 Against Prop 8 - Boi from Troy
• Go West, young man... much, much farther West - Gary Scott
• Dollar Bill On Floor Sends Wall Street Into Frenzy - The Onion
• Los Angeles Times redesign: nothing to see - Kevin Roderick
• Will Scripps Follow Tribune In Dropping AP? - Editor & Publisher

I'm a Little Confused

This is well worth watching!

Lay Offs at the Los Angeles Times

The lack of changes at the Los Angeles Times was short lived as my cell phone took many calls and incoming text messages regarding the many layoffs around the newspaper last night as I slept. Unverified reports of over 100 employees being laid off yesterday through the remainder of the week are circulating around the company.

The pressroom lost five crew supervisors at the Olympic and Orange County production facilities, three district managers from circulation, twelve security guards, and one Orange County shipping clerk.

Due to the employees not being informed of their lay offs sixty days in advance the WARN ACT comes into play.

These are some very sad days around the newspaper.

No Changes at the Los Angeles Times

The dreaded consolidation of sections at the Los Angeles Times did not occur I’m happy to report. There was much concern the second shift would be eliminated and their products moved into the third shift’s newspaper, which would mean many fewer workers would be needed.

Many colleagues had voiced their concerns over the unknown changes, that did not materialize this afternoon, which will allow everyone to take a deep breath for the moment.

Save Our Trade: our right to labor

By Keith Denson

We have been in a long struggle with management and a few of our own to get a fair shake in this increasingly tough business.We have all got to stand strong and together we are getting close to the goal we set out to achieve, a fair contract to help secure our future. Bear this in mind brothers and sisters we need to work a full shift and that is the only way we can assure that the goals we have gone after in this contract last.A bust out is great but if there is not enough work we will bust out at home with out a job.Labor has been the foundation of this country from its beginning.

Quote of the day "All that serves labor serves the Nation. All that harms labor is treason to America. No line can be drawn between these two".

"If a man tells you he loves America , yet hates labor he is a liar".

"If a man tells you he trusts America, yet fears labor he is a fool".

"There is no America without labor, and to fleece the one is to rob the other." by Abraham Lincoln

Stay strong , brothers and sisters united for what is right and fair.

Always union strong Keith Denson

Save Our Trade: our right to labor

Monday Afternoon News

LAT Electro-Techs David, Mike, and Ron

• Sam Zell's Insane Radio Henchmen - Gawker
• Tribune boosts cash position - Chicago Tribune
• AP Schism Worsens - Newspaper Death Watch
• Newspaper Layoff and buyout rumors - Paper Cuts
• Newton on LAT's Obama endorsement - Kevin Roderick
• Traditional media has five years growth left - Press Gazette
• Papers in Financial Trouble Are Leaving the A.P. - New York Times
• Radio Listings Turn to Static at the Los Angeles Times - Franklin Ave.
• GOP voter registration fraud and ACORN alive and well - David Markland
• 'Boston Globe' Will Drop Two Sections, Add New Tab - Editor & Publisher

Layoffs at the Los Angeles Times

Just received a farewell letter from Margit Rubins, which may be the first of many Los Angeles Times Employees to be let go with the redesign of the Times. Here’s her farewell message to her colleagues:

Greetings all

Today is my last day at the Los Angeles Times. I am not sure of my plans at the moment, but hope to start a business keeping you all informed.

As soon as I know my game plan, I will contact you.

My personal email is mrubins50@yahoo.com. Please feel free to contact me.

Best to you in what should continue to be an exciting year.

Margit Rubins

Margit published a newsletter which focused on the media, with a very large following, she will be missed on a daily basis by all at the newspaper.

Color of Change Org

By Vanessa Brox

Hello my fellow Americans,

Democrats, Republicans, and Independents,

John McCain and Sarah Palin have stopped talking about the issues, and have instead launched a strategy relying on fear-mongering, racial divisions, and hate. The result is McCain/Palin supporters saying "kill him!" "terrorist!" "traitor," and more, at rallies, with the McCain campaign playing dumb in response.It's outrageous and it muststop.

Together, we can show that Americans of all races won't stand for this. I've signed onto ColorofChange's open-letter calling out McCain and Palin. ColorOfChange.org will publish it this week, and as they've shown in the past, when enough of us stand together, we can force the mainstream media to amplify our message. Will you join us?

http://www.colorofchange.org/united/?id=2211-413049

McCain-Palin rallies have started to look more like mob scenes than political events. The candidates keep asking "who is the real Barack Obama?" (a question that also kicks off almost every McCain television ad). In response, supporters have yelled "terrorist!" and "traitor!" And the venom goes beyond Obama--one McCain/Palin supporter shouted a racial epithet at a Black member of a news crew, saying "sit down, boy." McCain and Palin are going down a dangerous path. Watching some of their supporters being interviewed shows the kind of fear their campaign is stoking and exploiting. McCain and Palin are clearly in the driver's seat. They've personally made it a point to use "terrorist"and "Obama" in the same sentence; they have surrogates repeatedly refer to him by his middle-name; and they keep pushing the discredited guilt-by-association smears that have long been debunked.

All of it plays on the much more sinister rumors in anonymous smear emails which claim Obama is Muslim (a myth designed to tap into anti-Muslim bigotry), anti-American, and is somehow connected with terrorists. This strategy is powerful because Obama is Black, and it's designed to make Obama's race a disadvantage without appearing overtly racist.

As Americans of all stripes, we've seen how Barack Obama's historic candidacy has moved our friends and family to have a more honest conversation about race in this country. It's inspired a lot of people to step out of their comfort zone and confront racism in their own communities, with their friends, neighbors and families. In the final days of this campaign, we can't let a desperate John McCain and Sarah Palin drag us down. If enough of us act, we can create a powerful story in the media about Black people and our allies of all races standing together against race-baiting and fear-mongering coming from the McCain/Palin campaign. But it will take a lot of us speaking in unison.

Will you sign an open letter to McCain and Palin, telling them who you are and why you won't let them move our country backward?

ColorofChange.org will publish the letter and make sure John McCain is forced to respond.

http://www.colorofchange.org/united/?id=2211-413049

Thanks,

Vanessa Brox

Los Angeles Times Redesign Update

The redesign of the Los Angeles Times will debut tomorrow as the employees from all departments of the newspaper wonder how many additional colleagues will be leaving the newspaper once the trimmed down LA Times project is complete.

The other Tribune newspapers that have gone through the transition of redesign have consolidated sections and cut down the length of articles to conserve newsprint, will the Los Angeles Times follow suit we all wonder out loud.

The exact impact on employees will be revealed sometime after 1:00 pm this afternoon, so stay tuned.

Los Angeles Times Elections Commercial

A TV spot created to promote the Los Angeles Times coverage of the Elections. Written by Graham McCann and designed in After Effects.

Weekend News Wrap

Darrell Kunitomi leading a group of Vietnamese tourists on a tour of the pressroom.

• Barack Obama for president - Los Angeles Times
• Los Angeles Times Hosts Blogger Party - Luke Ford
• Amy Alkon and Time-Warner Hell - Advice Goddess
• We came, we saw, we trivia-ized - Darleene Powells
• France looks to save its newspapers - Herald Tribune
• Confusion At the Orange County Register - Mayrav Saar
• Fired copy editor sues LAT for age bias - Kevin Roderick
• Death Watch functions as a nonprofit - Newspaper Death Watch
• California voter registration deadline is Monday - David Markland
• Dispatch gives notice of cancellation to AP - Columbus Dispatch
• Troubleshooting & Resolving Newspaper Web Wrinkles - Meta Printer

Sam Thompson Former Pressman at Los Angeles Times

Sam Thompson (pictured at the left) Harrison Sparks, and T Gordon Brown.

Just received word that former 1st color Sam Thompson has passed away, Sam was one of the many colorful characters in the rich history of the Los Angeles Times Pressroom.

Message from the Thompson Family:




Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:48:40 -0700
From: panamasurfcamp at gmail.com
To: ejaime3 at msn.com
Subject: Samuel Thompson former pressman from 1949 to 1985

Dear Mr. Emmit Jaime,

We called the pressroom and talked to Ms. Hayes. She gave us your email because you are concerned about the news of your former co-workers in the pressroom.

Samuel M Thompson passed away on October 15th, 2008 at the Garfield Medical Center in Monterey Park, California. Samuel worked in the pressroom from October 1949 to January 1985.

Dad enjoyed his years working in the pressroom because of his association with his fellow pressmen. The pressroom provided for our family which included his wife and 7 children.

Dad had been in relatively good health since he retired, so his sudden death was unexpected.

Dad's funeral services will be at Rose Hills Mortuary in Whittier, California on Friday, October 24th at 3 p.m. in the Rainbow Chapel. We wanted you to know because Dad had many friends in the pressroom. Please pass this information on to any other of his former co-workers who may be interested in knowing. Please forward this information to the employee newsletter "Among Ourselves" (do they still have this newsletter?).

We appreciate you doing this,

Sincerely,

The Thompson Family

Information and directions for Sam Thompson services at Rose Hills.

Hat Tip to Gatha Hayes and Emmett Jaime III

Violet Kolm R.I.P.

Our sympathy and prayers are extended to Presswomen Denise Kolm on the passing of her mother Violet Kolm last Monday. Denise and family laid her mother to rest yesterday in Bullhead City, Arizona. Denise works at the Los Angeles Times Olympic Facility.

Messages can be sent to:
Denise Kolm
1550 Rory Lane #147
Simi Valley, CA. 93063

Preview of Articles

Will Campbell, Ed, and Mack Reed

With an extremely busy day ahead of me I'm out the door in just a moment, but will be blogging about the following subjects within the next forty-eight hours.

The redesign at the Los Angeles Times and the possible impact to employees.

The AAJA funraiser event last night.

Internal communications or lack of at the Los Angeles Times.

Los Angeles Times Blogger Event

ONA local blogging meetup @ the L.A. Times


Host: Online News Association
Type: Meetings - Club/Group Meeting
Network: Global

Join other online newsies, bloggers and digital lurkers as we explore "hyper-local blogging," "citizen journalism," and most importantly, the semi-mythical concept of "monetizing your online content." (Apparently, some people really are.) It all happens Oct. 23, 2008, at the downtown offices of the Los Angeles Times. And yes, there will be food.



Time and Place
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2008
Time: 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Location: Los Angeles Times
Street: 202 W. 1st St.
City/Town: Los Angeles, CA

Speakers:- Luke Ford, LukeFord.net- Andrew Malcolm, Top of the Ticket, L.A. Times- David Markland, Metroblogging L.A.- Rafael Ramos, Marcador, La Opinion- Eric Richardson, blogdowntown- Peter Viles, L.A. Land, L.A. Times

RSVP here: http://www.latimes.com/onaevent

More about the Online News Association: http://www.journalists.org/

Trivia Bowl XIV

October 20, 2006, over 500 journalists--media groups, corporate sponsors, students, community leaders and partners gathered for AAJA-LA's trademark "funraising" event, Trivia Bowl XII. This year's event celebrated the 25th anniversary of AAJA and honored the founders.

This years AAJA-LA Trivia Bowl XIV begins at 6:00 pm today, and will mark the first time a team of bloggers will compete against the media, wish us the best.

Final Metblogs LA team roster:

1) Frazgo (Frank Zgonc)*
2) Matt Mason
3) David Markland
4) Lucinda Michele Knapp*
5) Will Campbell
6) Susan Campbell
7) Dianne Patrizzi
8) Ruth Waytz Cooper
9) Jay Bushman
10) Seth Dowling
11) Ed Padgett
12) Mack Reed
13) jozjozjoz (head cheerleader from afar!)
*co-team captains!

Thursday Night News

Retired Pressmen Robert Woolson and Emmett Jaime III

• Tribune Company In Trouble? - CNBC
• U.S. newspaper stocks dive - Reuters
• THE WAITING IS THE WORST - Lance Farrar
• Napa Valley Register Ticks Off Readers - Tina Dupuy
• New York Times Planning 20% Cuts In Newsroom - Gawker
• Shocker: Tribune Co. Gives Notice To Drop AP - Editor & Publisher
• Free Downtown Comedy Walk + Downtown Mixer - Brady Westwater
• Press-Enterprise Has an Exclusive on a National Story! - Fishbowl LA
• CA GOP experiencing deja vu with ACORN controversy - David Markland
• Tribune’s curious invitation to its readers to get involved - Chicago Reader

Can we trust him?

Obama's communist ties are undeniable. Would you want him as President anyway?It's amazing to me that this has been kept underwraps for so long. "Barack Obama had extensive ties with extreme anti-American elements, including agents of the Moscow-controlled Communist Party USA, in Hawaii and Chicago, according to two new reports released yesterday in Washington, D.C., by two experienced internal security investigators. Investigative journalist Cliff Kincaid and Herbert Romerstein, a former investigator with the U.S. House Committee on Un-American Activities, presented evidence Obama was mentored, while attending high school in Hawaii, by Frank Marshall Davis, an African-American poet and journalist who was also a CPUSA member. The authors, in a separate report, document Obama's ties to radicals in Chicago who helped launch his career." Where is the mainstream media on this? I checked, and even a search on CNN's website revealed these links. THAT should tell you something! I, for one, do not like the thought of tearing down in one presidential race what it took 232 years to build! See for yourself! www.aim.org/aim-column/obamas-communist-mentor
www.isrepundit.com/2008/?p=1115
www.renewamerica.us/columns/vernon/080526
www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=65066


Contributed by Soda Head.

Wednesday Night Links

Los Angeles Times Pressman Marcus Lewis

• Tribune may alter Cubs deal - Chicago Tribune
• New Ads Say 'No on Prop 8' More Effectively - LAist
• Abrams shrugs off newspaper cuts - Kevin Roderick
• Mapping newspaper endorsements - Graphic Designr
• I’ve got to blog about Joe the Plummer! - William Lobdell
• Interview: Tribune’s Abrams On Redesign: - Paid Content
• 'Sesnon' Wildfire Situation Update - Brian Humphrey LAFD
• Good Media Website Examples - Newspapers - Meta Printer
• Can Newspapers Reinvent for the Internet Age? - Media Scotland
• Obama supporters protest McCain endorsement - Napa Valley Register

Save Our Trade: Dick Lipsett needs our help!

Dear Friends and Family:

As you may or may not know my family is having some difficulties. Eric, my son and his wife Yolanda attempted to do the right thing in obtaining permanent residence status for Yolanda. They went to the American Embassy in Juarez, Mexico on September 10, 2008, where their request was denied and Yolanda was ordered not to re-enter the United States. Since then, Eric and his family have had to live separately, Eric and their son, James (6), living in their home in Lawndale, CA so that James can continue to attend school, while Yolanda and their daughter, Analy (3) live in an apartment in Mexico about 30 miles south of the border (approximately a 3 hour drive (one way) for Eric on a good day). This separation could last for 12-18 months.

I and some other family members immediately wrote to our Senate and Congress representatives. This didn’t really accomplish much as not all are representatives even got back to us and those that did basically said they couldn’t do anything that Eric had to contact his own representatives. Unfortunately, this process took some time and the only thing it really showed me was that I have a very small voice in this government of ours.

The more I learn, the worse it gets. I like most of you would just a soon every illegal in this country was rounded up and shipped back to where they belong. Actually that's not my true feelings because I know that would be an impossible task, plus some of these people are truly outstanding assets to their communities. What I would like to see is some sort of amnesty for the ones that have been living a good clean life, paying taxes and not committing crimes. But we really can't even do that, not until we can secure our borders so that no other illegal can get into this country. What I'm learning now and I also believe Eric is learning now although he may have known this but didn't think it was such a big deal, is that Yolanda was here illegally some time within the time she's been here. It seems that she came here legally on a student visa but let it laps in between the time she was here legally on a work visa. That laps time is the problem, she was here illegally. I doubt Eric knew all the ramifications of that when he feel in love and married Yolanda, I sure didn't. I just learned today that if someone is here illegally and is caught or admits to being here illegally, they have to leave the country and are not allowed to even try to obtain a visa for ten years. Now to me, that seems like a good law, I agree with it. My objection is when a situation like Eric's happens, he a US citizen marries an illegal (knowingly or unknowingly), and there should be exceptions. And I guess there is, they are called waivers. The problem with the waivers, they take 12-18 months or more to be approved. I guess we should all know this, I guess he should have really known this; ignorance to the law is not bliss. He and his family, I and my family are definitely not blissful. Long story short, in order to have these waivers approved in an expedited manner you have to prove an extreme hardship. The American Embassy and US Government definition of extreme is that the US citizen has to be bedridden, show a health problem where the illegal spouse was taking care of the family as well as the US citizen and that without that spouse, the US citizen would then have an extreme hardship (this I obtained by talking directly with the office of my Congressman). All the rest is just a hardship, loss of the illegal spouse’s income to the family, family separation, child care, loss of monies having to support the illegal spouse in a foreign country, loss of savings for the children's education fund, loss of the US citizens 401K, possible loss of their family home, possible loss of job because Eric arrives late to work and leaves early to get his son to school, not to mention all the other added expense and inconvenience in the US citizen and his family visiting the illegal spouse on weekends and whenever they can. These are just minor hardships and won't qualify the family for a speedy approval of a waiver; the approval will probably take 12 to 18 months. So I don't hold much hope in Eric and his family getting back together before these 12-18 months are over. To me it's just ludicrous. I know a wrong was done, I know a law was broken, I know penalties should be levied, I just feel this penalty of separating a family for such an extended period of time is unjust and to extreme for a US citizen and the family to have to bear. These are just my thoughts.

We do have a petition & declaration form that Eric’s lawyer has asked him to get to all his friends, supporters and family for signature, it could help. I'm assuming that the more signatures he gets and the more declarations, it might just move him up the line and they may not have to wait the 12-18 months.

This is where I’m asking for your support. I know you all have busy lives and your opinions on this subject may differ. If you would, I’d like you to print out the attached forms. On the petition form, print your name, address, whether you’re a US citizen or permanent resident and sign above your name. I know these lines are small but please try to stay within the lines. Also, anyone can sign the petition; they don’t have to know Eric or Yolanda. They just have to want to support the petition. So please have all your family members, friends, neighbors or people from groups you may belong to sign the petition. Now you don’t have to go to all this extra work, I’ll be happy with just your signature.

You have to know Eric to write or type the DECLARATION OF YOLANDA CAMACHO-RODRIQUEZ. The attached is just a sample and Camacho is misspelled with an extra “a”. The first few sentences have to be part of the declaration, ending with I have know Eric since. The rest is in your own words. Now many of you have not seen or talked to Eric in many years but you know him and if you know him you can submit the declaration. If you feel you can write this declaration, it would be much appreciated.

Please mail the petition and any declarations to Eric by November 16, 2008 as he will need them for the interview on December 3 at the American Embassy in Juarez. Eric’s address:

Eric Lipsett
4208 W. 171st Street
Lawndale, CA 90260

Thanks for taking the time to read this; I hope you will help us.

Sincerely,

Dick Lipsett

To download and Sign the Petition and Declaration Click here and then forward to Eric at the address above. Good Luck to Eric and Yolanda!

Ronnie

Save Our Trade: Dick Lipsett needs our help!