Join the Newspaper Professionals Team at Kiva

Submitted by Robert Ivan AKA Meta Printer

The holidays are coming up so...

I want to recruit you to my lending team, Newspaper Professionals, on Kiva, a non-profit website that allows you to lend as little as $25 to a specific low-income entrepreneur in the developing world. You choose who to lend to - whether a baker in Afghanistan, a goat herder in Uganda, a farmer in Peru, a restaurateur in Cambodia, or a tailor in Iraq - and as they repay the loan, you get your money back.

If you join my lending team, we can work together to alleviate poverty. Once you're a part of the team, you can choose to have a future loan on Kiva "count" towards our team's impact. The loan is still yours, and repayments still come to you - but you can also choose to have the loan show up in our team's collective portfolio, so our team's overall impact will grow!

Check out the Newspaper Professionals lending team, and learn more about lending teams on Kiva in general, by clicking here: CLICK HERE.

Thanks,
Robert Ivan

Producer of Superman Returns and Batman A Child Molester?

I was sent this information regarding my friend Brian Quintana which I thought might be of interest to some of you. The actual press release will be published sometime tomorrow in the mainstream media.




Hollywood producer Jon Peters is being sued by his Superman:Man of Steel co-producer, and top executive, Brian Quintana for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, retaliation, defamation, and other causes of action.

The complaint filed in California Superior Court last Wednesday alleges that Quintana was terminated on November 4, 2008 when he refused to perjure himself in Peters' criminal matter. LAPD filed a report against Peters the same day for threatening and intimidating a witness. Additionally, The Ventura County District Attorney is investigating charges Peters failed to complete an alcohol-education program, report to his probation officer,and complete community service. Peters is due in court on January 16, 2009 to answer these charges.

The suit describes a super abusive Peters and goes on to allege that:

Peters demanded Plaintiff cover up accusations of sexual molestation of minor males by Peters, including a request by Peters to have one such minor male murdered;

Peters demanded Plaintiff cover up allegations that Peters engaged in sexually inappropriate acts in front of children;

Peters made multiple comments and had conversations about the genetalia and anatomy of adult males, adult females, minor males, minor females, and horses;

Peters demanded Plaintiff cover up the statutory rape of Peters’ daughter, including the destruction of evidence of this rape;

Peters made multiple comments and had conversations about homosexuality, his personal sexual habits, as well as sex acts he had engaged in and with whom, which also included showing pictures of the anatomy of some of these sexual partners to Plaintiff;

Peters demanded Plaintiff drive male individuals onto the set for the purposes of granting sexual favors for members of the cast and crew;

and, Peters demanded Plaintiff retrieve illegal prescription drugs;

Though the latest in a string of lawsuits against Peters, this one must have Hollywood's A-list panicking that their most intimate secrets will be aired. Peters, along with Quintana, have been linked to such private stars as Barbra Streisand, Will Smith, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Cruise, and Oprah Winfrey. The four-times-divorced producer also faces sexual-harassment suits filed by two female former employees, and Santa Barbara County children's services is investigating why Peters' minor children have not been in school for the past two years. The National Bestseller, Hit & Run: How Jon Peters and Peter Guber Took Sony for A Ride In Hollywood by Nancy Griffin and Kim Masters describes Peters as one of Hollywood's most repugnant figures and chronicles the ultimate Hollywood con job.

Peters may have finally met his match in Quintana. The East LA native-turned-ivy leaguer has dealt with his share of billionaires, politicos, and Hollywood heavies. His widely publicized restraining order against Paris Hilton was considered the beginning of her demise. Quintana is represented by California labor law specialists Douglas N. Silverstein and Alexandrand M. Steinberg. "This case will be tried in the Courtroom, not the media," stated Silverstein. Peters' lawyer Stephen Kolodny did not return calls.

Jon Peters Legal Woes FYI

Producer Jon Peters: 'Do You Want To See How Boys Go Pee?' - Radar Online

Assistants to Jon Peters: Sue You! - TMZ

TWO SEX SUITS HIT FILM MOGUL - New York Post

Jon Peters Hit With Multiple Maid-Fluffing Lawsuits - Defamer

Profile of Roger Birnbaum - Luke Ford

End of the Week News

39 Year Veteran Los Angeles Times Writer Doug Smith

• When witnesses take over the news - Jeff Jarvis
• Newspaper Thesis Part 3 of Many - Meta Printer
• Newspaper Layoff and buyout rumors - Erica Smith
• Am I Not Human? Child Soldiers - Electronic Village
• Broken Windows Pieced Back Together - Advice Goddess
• Daily Post group editorial is restructured - Liverpool Daily Post
• Threatening remarks, the F.B.I. - and your privacy - Gannett Blog
• Violence Against Journalists Grows in Mexico - Washington Post
• L.A. Firefighters Begin 'Spark of Love' Toy Drive - Brian Humphrey
• Surging shoppers kill NY Wal-Mart employee - Sagacious Rambling

Ratification Flyer for LAT Pressrooms

How to carve a Thanksgiving turkey

Los Angeles Times food editor Russ Parsons demonstrates how to carve a Thanksgiving turkey.

Wednesday Night Links

The Blogging Pressman meets M.K. Asante

• Paper or pixels? - Latimes.com
• The Newspaperless Town - Forbes
• The Web Guru - The New York Observer
• All-Out Blogger Warfare In Hollywood - Fishbowl LA
• O.C. Register settles lawsuit with carriers - OC Register
• Newsday union spars with Cablevision over pension - LIBN
• Date change will trip up the L.A. Marathon - Los Angeles Times
• Subscribing to a Bailout Plan for Newspapers - Auburn Reporter
• Zell's Unflattering View of Journalists and Newspapers - Mark Lacter
• Lee Abrams: Tribune Should Study USA Today's Success - Daily Pulp

Congratulations Andrew Nystrom

Congratulations are in order for Andrew Nystrom with his promotion to Senior Producer, Social Media for the Los Angeles Times. On one of my many visits to Latimes.com, Andrew broke away from his computer, and gave me a guided tour, which was appreciated seeing how busy he was at the moment. Andrew also introduced me to his boss, Meredith Artley, which really made my visit a memorial one indeed. I’m certain our paths will cross many more times as Latimes.com evolves.

Here’s the announcement from Meredith Artley:

"Andrew will be moving from his post as the Senior Producer of Travel into this new role. We are using “social media” to describe sites and services outside of latimes.com we can use to engage new readers, spread the word about some of our best work, and do a better job of listening to the larger conversation on the Web. Think about Digg, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, You Tube and other sites that provide opportunities for us to share what we do and better connect with readers. Andrew is going to take the lead in getting us out there. He’ll work all over the newsroom to share best practices, spreading easy and effective first steps. He will also identify ways to use participation on those sites to attract readers to our stories, photos, video, database projects, etc. He’s a natural for this position – he’s already done great work in this space with Travel’s Twitter feed, he’s been working closely with colleagues at the Chicago Tribune who have been leading in some smart social media practices, and he’s a general go-to guy for some of the cutting edge practices on the Web. Andrew will report to Dan Gaines".

To see what is meant by outside latimes.com, visit the new Los Angeles Times Flickr page or the Los Angeles Times YouTube page.

Way to go Andrew

Contract to be Posted ASAP

With many in the pressrooms at the Los Angeles Times agitated over the lack of a hard copy of the fresh contract, your fears are groundless. Everyone will have access to the contract very soon, from this blog and Save Our Trade Blog.

This is the reason the ratification election has been postponed one week, which will allow everyone time to read and digest the information.

Save Our Trade: Ratification Meeting Information

By Ronnie Pineda

The Ratification Meeting has been scheduled for Monday, December 8, 2008 at 9:00 am in Room Salon 1 at the Crown Plaza Commerce Casino Hotel located in the City of Commerce. (interactive map).

Parking is free in the rear of the hotel by taking Tubeway Ave. on the west side of the hotel/casino.

I am diligently working on getting copies for review in advance of the meeting and hope to have an on-line version available here for download.

Save Our Trade: Ratification Meeting Information

You Are One in A Million

Join the Teamsters in the fight to restore the American Dream for every American worker.

The surest way to accomplish that mission is to bring back the force that created the American middle class--good union jobs that protect workers.

That's why we need the Employee Free Choice Act--critical legislation that would give more workers a way to form unions and negotiate for better wages, health care, and working conditions.

Sign the petition to show your support for the Employee Free Choice Act.

The Teamsters, in partnership with Change to Win, are teaming up with hundreds of unions and progressive groups to launch a massive campaign: One Million Strong for the Employee Free Choice Act.

In 2009, President-Elect Barack Obama and the new Congress will be sworn into office. Our goal is to show them that there are one million people across the country who want to give hardworking families a chance to get ahead.

Why is the Employee Free Choice Act so important? Record numbers of workers feel that the American Dream has slipped out of reach.

Today's workplaces are tilted in favor of lavishly-paid CEOs, who get golden parachutes while middle-class families struggle to get by. The Employee Free Choice Act can restore the balance, giving more workers a chance to join together in unions and get better health care, job security, and benefits--and an opportunity to pursue their American Dream.

Big Business knows what the Employee Free Choice Act would mean. That's why they are fighting against it with everything they've got. They're pulling out all the stops to protect the status quo--a rigged system which allows employers to intimidate, harass, and even fire workers who try to form a union. We're not talking about isolated incidents: 30 percent of employers fire pro-union workers during union organizing drives, according to a recent report by the Center for Urban Economic Development.[1]

It's time our economy worked for everyone again. It's time for Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act.

Sign your name to the petition and add your voice to this growing movement. Help us meet our goal of one million signatures!

Sign the petition to show your support for the Employee Free Choice Act today.

Together, we can win a chance for every American worker to reach their own American Dream.

P.S. Want to learn more? Visit the American Rights at Work website to get the facts about the Employee Free Choice Act.

[1] Chirag Mehta and Nik Theodore, Undermining the Right to Organize: Employer Behavior During Union Representation Campaigns, Center for Urban Economic Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, Dec. 2005.

Monday Morning News

Pressmen Dennis Rios and John Miner

• The Key To The Con - Advice Goddess
• Newspaper Thesis Part 2 Of Many - Meta Printer
• 150 to be cut at Tennessean: paper - The City Paper
• Lessons on digitizing the LAT newsroom - Kevin Roderick
• 2008 total: 13,748+ newspaper jobs lost - Graphic Designr
• Gawker.com Launches 'Layoff Daily' - Writing for the Media
• Journalists warned of two years of carnage ahead - Australian
• Local News Organization Inevitably will be Smaller - Jeff Jarvis
• More Layoffs Coming to The Baltimore Sun - News of the Sun
• Well at Least the LA Times Hasn’t Gone THAT Far - Celeste Fremon

Understanding the automaker bailout

Los Angeles Times automotive writer Ken Bensinger explains what the automaker bailout could mean for the country.

Save Our Trade: Almost There! Negotiations Complete

By Ronnie Pineda

Negotiations have concluded and an over all Tentative Agreement was reached. We are scheduling a Ratification Meeting (DATE AND TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED) in Commerce at the Commerce Casino Crown Plaza Hotel where negotiations have been held. Meeting room and meeting time information will be made available and posted in the shops and here within the next couple of days.

{{{Complete Story}}}

Thursday Afternoon Links

Los Angeles Times Mailer Alvaro Garza, AKA J.R.

• DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY - Witness LA
• The death of newspapers? - Livingston Daily
• Bailout for journalists underway - Graphic Designr
• Associated Press Staff To Shrink 10% - CNN Money
• Times rakes it in on Obama merchandise - Kevin Roderick
• 12/10/08: National Call-in "Gay" Day - Sagacious Rambling
• Too bad Sam Zell never met Otis Chandler - Huffington Post
• The Kitchen Dispatch: A Military Wife At Home - Kanani Fong
• Story Behind the Sun-Times' Election Front Page - JOUR MO2
• Chicago Cubs sale faces Dec. 1 deadline - United Press International

Eddy Hartenstein Stops the Presses

This morning we did something unusual, we heard the cry “STOP THE PRESSES” at 9:50 a.m., and this was not to update the pages of the Sunday Calendar Section we were producing at the time. The mighty presses at the Los Angeles Times had been stopped so Operations Employees could see and hear what our publisher, Eddy Hartenstein, had to share at the town hall meeting broadcast from Times Mirror Square.

As a direct result of this unusual event many in the audience at the Olympic Facility pondered what might be the outcome of the meeting, shuttering of the Orange County Facility, more layoffs, or additional newspapers to produce?

It was actually none of the above, Eddy shared the challenges facing every newspaper across the country, especially with the downturn in the economy, and where the Los Angeles Times stands compared to past years. The information shared, was something employees have become accustomed too, but it was given in such a manner of fact method, no one left the room with their heads hanging low.

The director of circulation, Jack Klunder, had the most positive news regarding the distribution of other newspapers with the Los Angeles Times, which generates a hefty profit for the company.

I would like to thank Eddy Hartenstein for allowing the employees of Operations to view the telecast, and not leave us in the dark as is the usual case at the newspaper. As Eddy closed the meeting he shared his email address at the newspaper, eddy at latimes.com.

Faces of Sunset Boulevard, A Portrait of Los Angeles

As many of you know I’ve been working hard to finish my photo-documentary book, Faces of Sunset Boulevard, A Portrait of Los Angeles in time for the holidays. I’m excited to say the book (published by Santa Monica Press) just hit the shelves of Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and other bookstores yesterday!

Furthermore, Faces of Sunset Boulevard has been awarded the Top Photo Book of 2008 by Shutterbug magazine, beating out offerings from some of the most respected photographers in the world.

To coincide with the book release there is an exhibition from November 26 to January 8 at the ArcLight cinemas on Sunset Boulevard. This exhibit will focus on the outlandish and outrageous inhabitants of West Hollywood along the Sunset Strip at night. I’m particularly proud of the night-work in the West Hollywood section because after ten weeks of extensive testing, and 2 dozen trips to home depot (where we built our lights from raw materials), we perfected the look we set out to achieve. If you see the attached shots you’ll discover that this is going to be an interesting show.*


Also, on December 6th there will be a book signing at the Book Soup bookstore on Sunset Boulevard at 7pm. Feel free to drop by. It’ll be fun.


One last thing: the website has also been updated with a lot of new photos so please be sure to check out www.facesofsunset.com and spread the word to anyone else that you think might be interested, as I’d like to generate as much awareness and enthusiasm as possible.


Thanks so much for your support!

Patrick Ecclesine



* (NIGHT_WORK_SUNSET.jpg features: Krys Fox – DJ/Go-Go Boy, Laree Baker - Pageant queen, Vanessa & Brittney –Bartenders at Cabo Cantina, Glen Hansen & Lenora Claire -Artists, Marjorie Hamlin -Teacher).

Wednesday Night Links

Rick Terry Checking the Quality for Advertisers

• Execs Admit There’s a Problem - Paul Gillin
• PC Mag Moves to All-Digital - Advertising Age
• Beggars Can't Be Coach Flyers - Advice Goddess
• Star-Ledger Reassigns Two Journos To Mailroom - E&P
• TypePad Offers Blog Bailout to Laid-off Journalists - Wired
• Pot dealers encroaching on Starbucks territory - David Markland
• Are You Humiliating Your Newspaper Employees? - Meta Printer
• Comedy Walk To Solve Middle East Problems - Brady Westwater
• Weekly Vail paper folds after 40-plus years of publication - Enterprise
• Writers Invited to Work as Valets at Publishers Xmas Party - Westword

The Future of News with Lee Abrams

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of meeting Sandy Banks, Gary Scott, Ron Kaye, Ezra Palmer, Bill Boyarsky, and Lee Abrams, in other words it will be a week I will not soon forget.

I departed San Dimas ninety minutes before the forum was scheduled to begin anticipating traffic delays on my way to Hollywood, but the traffic was light and I arrived in record time. So I decided to kill a little time by catching up on missed phone calls, as I was on the phone two men, casually dressed but neat in their Levi’s, walked into the press club and looking like the friendly types I waved to them. And they did not hesitate to return the greeting by waving back. As I completed my phone call the two mid aged gentlemen stepped outside and lit up cigarettes, so I joined them. And to my surprise one of the men was Ron Kaye (former editor of the Los Angeles Daily News) himself.

I was able to spend a few minutes with Ron and his friend Doug, as he shared several stories of his well traveled life, and also told me he’s sixty-seven years old, he does not look or act his age, very interesting man indeed.

My next mission was to meet Lee Abrams, and maybe even grab a picture with him, but the crowd was all over Lee and it was looking like I would fail at my mission. But as fate has it, Lee walked my way and I was able to chat with him for a few moments. Lee Abrams is a jolly fellow that is quick with a smile, can’t help but like him in his Levi’s and zip up sweatshirt. I asked Lee if he had visited Venice Beach, which he answered no, and offered to take him there on Friday, but he had to return to the cold climate of Chicago at six the following morning. So maybe next time he’s on the West Coast he’ll be able to take the trip with me, we would look like two old hippies and blend right in with the crowd at the beach.

Edward Headington had the entire forum video taped, here’s part one of five below.

The remainder of the video’s can be viewed here.

CIM staffers warned about discussing layoffs

Memo to Center for Independent Media employess

Hi, everyone. I know the last 24 hours have been a lot to think about. We also understand that one of the the assets of online media is that everyone knows lots of reporters, and has established very close relationships with their media, both local and national. I need to ask you all to please not respond to media questions about the CIM and our restructuring process. If you receive any calls or emails, please forward that information on to me so I can direct inquiries to the proper channel. It is imperative that you do not talk to the media yourself about this issue. Any violation of this will be grounds for immediate dismissal.

Thank you for your assistance in this, and one again, thank you all for continuing on with us. If you have any questions, please do hesitate to contact me.

Robin Marty
Deputy Program Director
Center for Independent Media

SOURCE: Jim Romenesko

Tuesday Night News

Retired Pressmen Harold Rios, Dan McQuitty, and Owen Brennen

• Just like starting over - Gary Scott
• Strib memo: 'Painful' cuts coming - MinnPost
• Jeff Jarvis on Reverse Syndication - Newsgator
• Times-News to offer staff (GREAT) buyout - Erie Times
• 3 Steps to Safe Wildfire Evacuation - Brian Humphrey
• Tribune names new advertising chief - Chicago Tribune
• If you’re happy and you know it, read the paper - Erica Smith
• The L.A. Times Comics Calvacade Continues - Franklin Ave.
• Andy Rooney Gives a Shout Out to Newspapers - Tina Dupuy
• Can Newspapers Make Money From the Funnies? - Paid Content

Los Angeles Times Pressman Loses Home to Fire

Last weekend was a trying time for many in the Sylmar and Corona areas with fires raging on all sides, and many losing homes to the wild fires. Los Angeles Times pressman Bill Conover and his wife Joann were two of the fortunate ones that found their home intact, when allowed back into their neighborhood late Sunday night.

But pressman Glen Marcione and his family were not so fortunate as their mobile home was lost to the fire that took out five hundred of the six hundred units in their park. Glen was at the Times producing the Saturday edition when he was called to return home. I do not have many details at this time regarding this terrible event, but Glen and his family are staying with fellow pressman Jeff Forbes, until a suitable residence is located.

If you would like to help the Marcione Family out, send donations to:

Los Angeles Times Olympic Facility.
2000 East 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90021

Checks payable to Glen Marcione

Thank you

Fire destroys Oakridge mobile home park in Sylmar

Monday Morning News

Lee Abrams Meets The Blogging Pressman

• Abrams and the Times - Gary Scott
• Extra! Extra! (Lots of extras...) - Joseph Mailander
• Newspaper Layoff and buyout rumors - Erica Smith
• In defense of newspaper endorsements - Dunn Reporter
• Thanksgiving at Union Station of Pasadena - Darleene Powells
• One Paper Thrives on Financial Chaos - Newspaper Death Watch
• Union-Tribune, Co-Winner of Worst Person in the World - Tina Dupuy
• Innovation chief Abrams not too impressed with Times - Bill Boyarsky
• Newspapers, All Advertising Reliant Businesses Are Hurting - Meta Printer
• Lee Abrams: Still not impressed with the LA Times - Veronique de Turenne

Anaheim Hills Fire - Channel 4 Live Report

The Anaheim Hills evacuation area is bounded by the 91 freeway on the north, the 241 toll road on the east, and either Weir Canyon Road or Serrano Avenue on the west. All homes north of Marblehead Way, accessed from Serrano Avenue, are included in the mandatory evacuation.

The fire ripped through a 250-unit apartment complex on Santa Ana Canyon Road. The complex burned for about two hours before it was extinguished at about 4 p.m.

In addition to at least 50 units in the apartment complex, at least 42 homes burned in Riverside and Orange counties. There were no reports of injuries.

Anaheim Fire Department officials are directing evacuees from the Corona or Brea fires to the Anaheim Community Center, 250 E. Center Street, Anaheim.

Fires as Seen From San Dimas

Snapped a few photos of the Corona fire as seen from San Dimas, we are about 15 miles from the fire and this should give the viewer an idea of the immense size of this growing fire storm.

Fires Rage in Southern California

As my colleague Jim Hathaway and I headed to work down the 210 Freeway early this morning KFI Radio was updating information regarding the Sylmar Fire. We wondered what was left to burn as a fire ran through this portion of Southern California just a month ago?

All morning as we produced the Sunday Los Angeles Times the lighting system within the quiet room flickered as if someone was playing with the power source. In the pressroom losing power means experiencing a homerun, in baseball homeruns are a good thing if your team scores one, but in a pressroom a homeroom has an entirely different meaning, all the webs running in the press are lost.

Just before completing our shift my colleague Bill Conover received a call that a fire was burning towards his home. His smile that was upon his face as his weekend was about to begin disappeared from his face as he headed to the locker room to remove his uniform and head home.

KFI Radio reported that hundreds are being evacuated from Yorba Linda, this is where Bill and Joann Conover live, so I quickly phoned Bill and sure enough they were gathering their most important documents and belongings as they prepared to vacate and head to a hotel in Costa Mesa. Lets pray for our colleague and his family.

Bill and Joann live South of the 91 Freeway at Weir Canyon Road in the foothills of Yorba Linda.

Excellent fire coverage at the Los Angeles Times

Photo Credit Kanani Fong

Liberal Pranksters Hand Out Times Spoof

In an elaborate hoax, pranksters distributed thousands of free copies of a spoof edition of The New York Times on Wednesday morning at busy subway stations around the city, including Grand Central Terminal, Washington and Union Squares, the 14th and 23rd Street stations along Eighth Avenue, and Pacific Street in Brooklyn, among others.

Complete article at the New York Times

New York Times Special Edition Video News Release - Nov. 12, 2008 from H Schweppes on Vimeo.

H/T JOUR M02 Writing and Reporting for the Media

Downsizing Continues at the Los Angeles Times

Unfortunately the downsizing at all Tribune newspapers is still currently underway, with mass layoffs making the news. When one or two employees are let go it is not considered news worthy, unless you happen to know the employee personally.

Last night while at the Los Angeles Press Club I ran into a familiar face, Eric Ulken, Editor of Interactive Technology. Eric shared with me he has left the Los Angeles Times as of last Friday, but had no regrets and left the company to travel before seeking employment elsewhere.

Sandy Banks shared that she often ponders if her company I.D. will allow her into the parking structure, which everyone in the Operations Department wonders on a daily basis. The fear of job loss runs across all levels of the company, especially with the news of the company losing $121,000,000 in the third quarter.

At last count the Times editorial department had a staff of 660, and according to rumors in the Blogosphere the goal is to trim this number down to 450 employees.

The next few weeks will be filled with the unknown for all employees currently working at the newspaper, not knowing if they will remain employed today or tomorrow?

Jess Rogers R.I.P.

It’s with great sadness I report the loss of yet another former Los Angeles Times Pressman, Jess Rogers, and member of the Pressmen’s Twenty Year Club. Jess had missed the last three dinners and without his phone number I was unable to contact him except by mail. The U.S. Postal Service notified me of his passing with the return of the invitation to our last dinner, it read: RETURN TO SENDER DECEASED.

We’ll miss you Jess.

End of the Week News

Los Angeles is Changing - 2nd and Spring

• LA Times' DC bureau turns -30- - LAObserved
• FBLA Checks in with Erica Smith - Fishbowl LA
• Rick Schmitt Think Piece - Veronique de Turenne
• A Bailout Plan For U.S. Newspapers - Business Week
• Tribune plans more cuts at Baltimore Sun - Romenesko
• LAT Spurs Brain Drain, Sacks Terry McDermott - Tina Dupuy
• 50 Newspaper Editors Screwing (in a Lightbulb) - Witness LA
• Is Jeff Jarvis gloating too much about the death of print? - Slate
• Why We Should Feel Bullish For the Future of Journalism - DigiDave
• Tribune Co. Redesigns Fail to Move the Needle - Newspaper Death Watch

Project Valour I.T.

Project Valour I.T. was started by a nonprofit organization in Altadena, California called Soldier's Angels. Funds raised by Project Valour I.t. supply voice-controlled laptops and other technology that supports the physical and psychological recovery of wounded veterans.

"Voice-controlled Laptops - Operated by speaking into a microphone or using other adaptive technologies, they allow the wounded to maintain connections with the rest of the world during recovery.Wii Video Game Systems - Whole-body game systems increase motivation and speed recovery when used under the guidance of physical therapists in therapy sessions.Personal GPS - Handheld GPS devices build self-confidence and independence by compensating for short-term memory loss and organizational challenges related to TBI and severe PTSD."

Please give to the project by clicking on the logo above. Right now, Project Valour I.T. is out of cash. The Department of Defense has decided to send voice activated software to injured soldiers, however, unless they have a laptop, they will be unable to use it. Project Valour I.T. is trying to raise $250k by Thanksgiving in order to make their use of the software possible.

"Due to the great hearts (sponsors, donors, volunteers and others too numerous to mention) within Soldiers Angels I have become more mobile in my rehabilitation and the laptop is absolutely one of the tools that I have in my recovery toolbox. I use it to keep current on my schedule and have several applications that assist with recovery."

Kanani Fong

Little Blogging Due Too....

I'm off to the Los Angeles Press Club in a few moments to hear the rock and roller Lee Abrams speak, so there will be little time for blogging tonight.

Never Know Whom You Might Meet?

What a fantastic day this has turned out to be so far, which I assumed would be rather similar to any other Thursday with only a different date.

Our press run of the Sunday Calendar section went extremely well with all four crews having flawless runs and completing our 780,000 copies in record time, which keeps our managers happy and away from the presses.

After work I drove over to Times Mirror Square to purchase the Obama printing plates for friends and family, and was shocked to see the price had doubled to $10.00 for employees and $20.00 for the general public. Let’s hope the Times marketing Department is prepared for the rush after the inauguration, I’m certain there will be a repeat of what we experienced after the election.

As I walked into the Times Company Store I caught sight of Sandy Banks, and not wanting to ogle her too much, I asked a young lady next to me if this was indeed Ms. Banks, to insure she was the veteran Times writer? And apparently I was asking the wrong person as she replied “Who’s Sandy Banks?” One of the young ladies working in the store overheard my question, and came to my aid with “Yes, that’s Sandy, I checked her employee badge before she made her purchase”.

Not knowing how Ms. Banks would react to a common pressman and a stranger, I said hello Sandy, I’m a big fan of your column. And after fifteen minutes of chatting she agreed to a few photographs with the Blogging Pressman. So if you happen to cross paths with Sandy Banks say hello as she is very friendly. Really made my day that much brighter.

Thank you Sandy

You can read Sandy Banks column here.

Tribune Employees Benefits Enrollment

The following hard copy message was left for me with much of the text absent this morning, which prompted me to insert adlibbed text.

From: Tribune Communications
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 8:43 AM
Subject: Message from Mike Bourgon/Benefits Enrollment Nov. 10 – 21

As a reminder, open enrollment for 2009 benefits is being held Nov. 10 – 21. This year we’re conducting an open enrollment. That means if you don’t make elections, we’ll make every effort to default you into the plans that match what you have currently.

Beginning Jan. 1, all of Tribune’s health and wellness benefits will be offered exclusively through UnitedHealthCare, to learn more about UHC and locate your physician in the network by visiting www.myuhc.com/groups/tribune or at 800/243-0656.

As in previous years, everyone will enroll on eBenefits via www.tribuneathome.com or TribLink (you’ll need your username and password to log on). Be sure to select the Sign Out icon when you have completed your enrollment and print your elections from eBenefits – you won’t receive a confirmation statement at your home.

Additional information about the changes for 2009 is available on eBenefits. If you have any questions about enrolling contact Tribune Benefits Service Center at 800/877-2222.

Mike Bourgon
VP/Human Resources

Wednesday Night Links

Cafe Oly Chef Mohini with Press Operator Amalia Martinez

Photo credit Charlie Packard

• Fake New York Times - Gary Scott
• Change of plans at LAT - Kevin Roderick
• The last thing newspapers need - Jeff Jarvis
• 11 Weekly Newspapers Could Be Closed - Courant
• 2008 total: 13,048+ newspaper jobs lost - Paper Cuts
• Missing LA Times Clock Just Very Worn Out - Curbed LA
• “Any Idiot Can Do This” - Michael Rosenblum - Meta Printer
• Repeal 8 efforts continue in advance of 11/15 Rally - Frazgo
• Minnesota Independent makes post-election cuts - MinnPost
• Two Visions of the Future of Media - Newspaper Death Watch
• Tribune's Rating Cut by S&P on Concern Over Cubs Sale - Bloomberg

Mitch Mitchell Rest in Peace

The widely acclaimed drummer for the Jimi Hendrix Experience of the 1960's and last surviving member of the famous group, Mitch Mitchell passed away at 61 today.

The legendary Mitch Mitchell pioneered a style of drumming, which would later become known as fusion. This is a "lead" style of playing distinguished by interplay with lead instruments such as guitar or keyboards, and the melding of jazz and rock drumming styles.Alongside Hendrix's revolutionary guitar work and songwriting, Mitchell's playing helped redefine rock music drumming.

Mitch Mitchell playing style is like one big solo and sounds far more impressive when its not intended to be.

He does everything he needs within the songs.

Mitch Mitchell, the best, the intuitive,the creator of the fusion, the inovator and versatile drummer ever.


Jimi Hendrix Experience - Purple Haze - Live - Atlanta 07.04.70

Los Angeles Times Summer Internship

Company: Los Angeles Times
Industry: Newspapers/Wires
Experience: Not Specified
Location: California
Salary: Paid
Ad Expires: December 10, 2008
Job ID: 994062

Los Angeles Times Summer Internship Program

Interested in working with some of the best reporters and editors around? We offer 10 weeks of intensive, hands-on experience in a region where big stories are the norm. We place interns throughout the paper – Metro, Sports, Business, Features, latimes.com, and Page Design. (Photographers, please note there is a separate application process.) These paid internships run from mid-June to late August.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be actively working toward a college degree in the U.S. Graduates may be eligible if you’ve finished school within six months of the start of the internship. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and access to a car in good working condition. Little training is offered, so previous internship experience is preferred.

TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter, resume, a one-page personal essay, up to 12 work samples and a list of three references.

DEADLINE: Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 1, 2009.

SEND TO: Randy Hagihara, Senior Editor for Recruitment, 202 W. 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

For further information, contact Hagihara at 1-800-LATIMES, Ext. 77992 or at randy.hagihara @ latimes.com.

Contact e-mail: randy.hagihara @ latimes.com

How Californians Voted

Have you wondered how your city voted on proposition 8 or the many other propositions? Well the Los Angeles Times has a county-by-county breakdown of every county in California, and how they voted on this controversial proposition and the other important measures. Once a county is selected the statistics are further broke down city-by-city. My city, San Dimas, was not very hard to predict regarding prop 8, with so many signs upon the lawns of my town. Check your county here.

Veterans Day News

• Veterans Day 2008 - Ace of Spades
• Veteran’s Day - Altadena Above it All
• Veteran's Day: Thank You - Easy-Writer
• History of Veterans Day - Electronic Village
• Veterans Day Photo Gallery - Los Angeles Times
• Veterans Day and the Semper Fi Fund - Hugh Hewitt
• Bush Honors Vets Aboard USS Intrepid In NYC - CBS2
• History of Veterans Day - Department of Veteran Affairs
• Happy Veterans' Day? Thank You Veterans Day - Tina Dupuy
• Councilwoman Jan Perry to honor skid row veterans - Don Garza

A True Veterans Day

To honor Veteran's Day correspondent Seth Doane is in Las Vegas, where one of the richest men in the world is on a mission to make our troops a priority again.

Lee Abrams at the LA Press Club

Controversial Tribune innovations chief Lee Abrams and former Daily News editor Ron Kaye, who now runs the RonKayeLA news site, will discuss "The Future of News" at the Los Angeles Press Club at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 13. Everyone is welcome.

The Chicago-based Abrams, in his first L.A. appearance, is sure to talk about the changes he recently advocated for the Los Angeles Times and how he would change Tribune's other big property, KTLA-TV. The panel will be moderated Ezra Palmer, former managing editor of Yahoo News and a Wall Street Journal veteran. Please come!

The event will be held in the Press Club's headquarters in the Center for Inquiry West/Steve Allen Theater, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., two blocks west of Vermont, in Los Feliz. Plenty of free parking. Metro: Red Line (Sunset/Vermont Station). Free to press club members (rsvp@lapressclub.org) -- others $10 prepaid or $20 at the door. Students $3 prepaid or $5 at the door. Click here to purchase tickets online.

Tribune Press Release

Tribune Reports 2008 Third Quarter Results

CHICAGO, November 10, 2008 -- Tribune Company today reported a third quarter 2008 loss from continuing operations of $124 million compared with income from continuing operations of $84 million in the third quarter of 2007.

Tribune also reported income from discontinued operations of $3 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared with income from discontinued operations of $69 million in the third quarter of 2007.

“We are operating in an exceptionally difficult financial and economic environment,” commented Sam Zell, Tribune chairman and CEO. “The newspaper industry continues to see extraordinary declines in ad revenues, and Tribune is no exception. But, we continue to aggressively pursue our operating strategy, and to tightly manage the factors that are within our control. Internally, we have established momentum on developing new initiatives and our culture now reflects that focus and mindset."

THIRD QUARTER 2008 RESULTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS1
(Compared to Third Quarter 2007)

Complete report can be viewed here.

LATimes.com Sets New Record

From: Artley, Meredith (pictured)
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008
To: zzTrbAllHandsLAT
Subject: Big Web Picture

Colleagues: Our online readership is growing all the time. We broke some more records, with 139 million page views for October and 24 million unique users. But let’s not bury the lede, as they say.

On election day we had 8.36 million page views, breaking the previous daily traffic record of 8.2 million set during the October ’07 fires. So we have a new daily record, right? Not so fast. The following day, Nov. 5, we drew in even more readers with our coverage of Prop. 8, reaching more than 10.2 million page views. All of these numbers serve to illustrate that what so many of you are doing is resonating in very significant ways, at a time when readers have more choices than ever.

Highlights of our election coverage included our interactive, real-time “How California voted” map that was second only to the homepage on Nov. 4 and 5 (thanks, Fishbowl LA, for the compliment). There was also a real-time results map for the nation, plus wonderful photos and video and up-to-the minute, expertly edited articles and blog posts. Dozens and dozens of our talented colleagues from every key department worked together and created a unique site and service. The planning and execution were uncannily smooth for such a big event.

We had other great successes way back in October, including great coverage of the fires with a Google map that had live updates on traffic, evacuations and school closures. Pop & Hiss launched, our new music blog with our best and brightest voices. Don Bartletti and John Vandewege produced a stunning video with Marjorie Miller’s Harris fire stories. Even if the Dodgers let us down, great coverage of the series and accompanying multimedia did not disappoint. A strong presentation for the Gangster series, the launch of a central page for all data projects and fun Halloween coverage in The Guide rounded out a strong month. On to the lists….

Top Blogs for October

Blog readership also hit a high in October, and eight blogs marked individual records – look for the asterisks. Guess who’s at the top of the ticket list…

1. The Ticket: 4,292,969 *
2. Dish Rag: 1,967,750
3. Show Tracker: 1,033,794
4. Countdown to Crawford *
5. Fabulous Forum (first full month)
6. Hero Complex *
7. L.A. Now
8. L.A. Land
9. Web Scout
10. Money & Co. *
11. Lakers
12. All the Rage *
13. Tech Blog
14. Daily Travel & Deal Blog
15. Big Picture
16. Entertainment News & Buzz *
17. Homicide Report
18. Booster Shots
19. Up to Speed *
20. Gold Derby

Most-viewed articles

1. Father kills family and himself, despondent over financial losses (Richard Winton, Evelyn Larrubia and Kimi Yoshino)

2. Schwarzenegger to U.S.: State may need $7-billion loan (Marc Lifsher and Evan Halper)

3. Effigy of Sarah Palin hanging by a noose creates uproar in West Hollywood (Victoria Kim)

4. McCain campaign accuses L.A. Times of 'suppressing' Obama video (staff)

5. Mishaps mark John McCain's record as naval aviator (Ralph Vartabedian and Richard A. Serrano)

6. Allies of Palestinians see a friend in Barack Obama (Peter Wallsten) (April story in news)

7. Frank talk of Obama and race in Virginia (Peter Wallsten)

8. Steve Schmidt: The driving force behind John McCain (Dan Morain and Bob Drogin)

9. Sarah Palin's husband, Todd, was a fixture at governor's office (Kim Murphy)

10. Voters say they were duped into registering as Republicans (Evan Halper and Michael Rothfeld)

Top photo galleries

1. The men (and women) of Madonna
2. Celebrities by The Times
3. Celebrity ink
4. Late night politics: A crazy week in review
5. The Guide: Mobile and Manufactured Communities in Malibu
6. Marek and Sesnon fires
7. Comparing airlines Airbus A380s
8. Hollywood splits: telltale signs
9. Mongols motorcycle gang sweep
10. Celebrity Halloween costumes

Top 10 videos for October

1. Tissue thin ‘buckypaper’ stronger than steel - AP
2. Halloween effigy of Sarah Palin causes controversy - KTLA
3. OJ Simpson found guilty - AP
4. Deputy charged with sexual torture in attack on wife and lover - KTLA
5. Controversial Obama cartoon called racist - KTLA
6. Southland biker gang target of ‘sweep’ - KTLA
7. O.J. Simpson could serve life after being found guilty on all charges - AP
8. Morning Update: Man punches girl at local McDonalds - KTLA
9. Barack Obama makes 'Daily Show' appearance - AP
10. Leo Nordine, zen master foreclosure king – LAT (video by Sachi Cunningham)

Special bonus list: The top 20 pages on our site on Nov. 5 (our highest-trafficked day ever)

1. Homepage -- 2,292,075 PVs -- 22.65% of total site traffic
2. Interactive Map: How California Voted California Map -- 811,809 -- 8.02%
3. Photo Gallery (ent): Best and worst of ’08 campaign -- 534,298 -- 5.28%
4. Photo Gallery (autos): Presidential cars then and now
5. Article: California voters approve Proposition 8
6. Article: Gay marriage ban leading
7. Blog: Top of the Ticket
8. Article: Voters approve Proposition 8
9. Main section: California
10. Blog: L.A. Now
11. Search
12. Subsection: Local Politics
13. Article: Gay-rights advocates to challenge Proposition 8
14. Interactive Map: U.S. state-by-state results
15. Article: California propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot
16. Photo Gallery: Obama’s victory: Newspaper covers from around the world
17. Games site
18. Photo Gallery: Proposition 8: Waiting on results
19. Article: Gay rights backers file 3 lawsuits challenging Prop 8
20. Main section: Sports

That’s it. Thanks and congratulations to all of you – so many – who keep contributing to our digital efforts.

Meredith Artley

Executive Editor, LATimes.com

SOURCE: LAObserved

Monday Morning News

Los Angeles Times Machinist' Chris, Roy, and Chuck

• Layoff and buyout rumors - Paper Cuts
• Great Los Angeles Walk 2008 FAQs - Franklin Ave.
• 'Chicago Tribune' Likely to Print 'Wall Street Journal' - E&P
• Looks Like a Newspaper, Smells Like a Newspaper - Paul Gillin
• This is 'Urgent Care Awareness Week' - Brian Humphrey LAFD
• Out of the Bars, Into the Streets to Protest Prop 8 - Boi from Troy
• Governor expresses hope that Prop 8 would be overturned - LA Times
• Washington Daily News to undergo changes - Washington Daily News
• What is Japan doing right and what is the U.S. doing wrong? - Reporter G
• Newspapers do not need to get into the memorabilia business - Meta Printer

Lost Dog in West Hollywood

A friend in our community lost her family dog in the West Hollywood, CA area at Sunset Blvd. and Poinsettia Place less than 48 hours ago.

Please copy and paste this link to your Facebook / MySpace / social media friends in the West Hollywood, CA area and ask them if they have any information on friendly “Oscar”.

Please email me if you have any leads or information.

Let us prove once again that Social Media works on many levels!

Digital Television Conversion For Dummies

Are old people ready for the digital conversion? Doesn't look like it! :D

POLL: 64% of the nations seniors would rather kill themselves with pill overdose than try to understand the upcoming switch to high-definition TV. - The Onion :D

h/t Billy Widner

Harvey Tallmon Rest in Peace

Former pressman at the Los Angeles Times, Harvey Tallmon, has passed away. Harvey was a regular at every pressmen's dinner, but was missed at our last dinner, and now we know why.

From Harvey's daughter Sue:

Friends, On Tuesday morning November 4 at 7:30 am beloved husband, father, and grandfather died peacefully at Veterans Hospital in Long Beach California. Memorial Service will take place on Monday November 10, at Westminster Memorial Park Chapel on Beach Blvd at 230 pm/ A memorial meal will be served at The Garden Grove Moose Lodge on Bixby Ave following the service. Internment will be held at The National Cemetery in Riverside Ca at 11:00am Section 5.

Please send memorial donations to The Marine Corps Museum in Quantico Virginia. Harvey enjoyed keeping in touch with each of you via e-mail, and would often spend hours on the web maintaining the deep and precious friendships celebrated so warmly by him all of his life. Thank you warmly, Sue Jeanette Tallmon

Westminster Memorial Park
14851 Beach Blvd
Westminster, CA 92683 Map
(714) 893-4552

Courage Campaign Repeal Prop 8

Hello Friends,

I just signed a pledge to repeal Prop 8 and I thought you might be interested in joining me and over 100,000 Courage Campaign members across California.

We have to come together right now to say that we refuse to accept a California where discrimination is enshrined in our state constitution.

Please sign the "Repeal Prop 8" pledge now and forward this to your friends as soon as possible:
http://www.couragecampaign.org/RepealProp8

Thanks Edward

Electronic Village: Mississippi Officials Tell Kids Not To Say 'Obama'

Did you see where school officials down in Mississippi threatened children with expulsion from busses and classrooms if they uttered the word, "Obama"?

I imagine that there are still some folks who will have difficult time dealing with a Black president. I imagine it will hurt some of the officials and judges that run federal buildings and federal courtrooms when they have to place a portrait photo of the incoming president on the walls.

I share this Obama collage in an effort to help these hard-headed folks in Mississippi and elsewhere get used to the idea of a new POTUS. As the youngsters in Mississippi school busses and junior high school classrooms are saying, "Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama and Obama!"

Electronic Village: Mississippi Officials Tell Kids Not To Say 'Obama'

Tribune Press Release

Cissy Baker to Lead Tribune Washington News Bureau

Veteran Journalist Will Oversee All Newsgathering Operations in Washington, D.C.

CHICAGO, IL, November 7, 2008 -- Cissy Baker today was named vice president of the Washington News Bureau for Tribune Company, overseeing all newsgathering operations in the nation’s capital for the company’s publishing, broadcasting and interactive divisions. She will also be responsible for coordinating news coverage and facilitating content sharing among the company’s media businesses.

"Cissy is talented, resourceful, experienced and relentless," said Bob Gremillion, executive vice president/Tribune Publishing. "She knows news, she knows Washington, and she knows what will resonate with the audiences in the local markets served by our newspapers, television stations and web sites."

Baker has served as vice president/news operations for Tribune Broadcasting since 2003, and Washington bureau chief for the division since 1994.

"This bureau has a great team of experienced print and electronic journalists who understand power and politics and know how to work together to deliver the best, most comprehensive news coverage for our readers and viewers," said Baker. "It is a privilege to lead this talented group, especially as we prepare to cover a new administration."

Baker helped launch CNN in 1980. In 1982 Baker left CNN to pursue a career in politics. At the age of 25 she ran for Congress in Tennessee’s Fourth Congressional District, where her family home was located. While she won the primary, she lost the general election. Singed by that experience, she decided to go back into television and exact her revenge inside the Beltway.

In 1983 she became a Washington correspondent for CNN covering Capitol Hill, The White House and the Supreme Court. She became national editor of CNN in 1985 and vice president and managing editor of CNN in 1988. Feeling the need to get some "fair and balanced" experience, Baker left CNN in 1990 and took a job as vice president and managing editor of the FOX News Service in Washington, coordinating national news feeds and breaking news for Fox affiliates nationwide.

Baker began her career in television news at WTTG-TV, Washington, D.C., and later moved to WTVF-TV, Nashville, Tenn.