What's Going on in Sleepy La Puente?

Frank Sanchez (left) and Jeff Lewis

As a child I grew up in sleepy La Puente, which at the time had more orange trees than people, somewhat like a farm town where everyone driving by or upon horseback would wave hello. Occasionally I get feelings of nostalgia and if I’m in the vicinity I’ll drive by our old house on Maple Grove and Valinda, which always gives me good feelings of my childhood.

With the population explosion every vacate field and orange grove is now covered with homes or businesses, and the country feel has vanished to be replaced by suburban living.

Last week I met with three business owners and residents of La Puente, as I pondered how they knew I had a soft spot for their city, to discuss improprieties committed by their elected and appointed city officials.

Many cities in Los Angeles County are strapped for cash, and La Puente is no exception as the mayor and city council struggle to find ways to increase cash flow and stay afloat.

One way to the city discovered was permitting the opening of marijuana dispensers, which the city now hosts twelve, that gained the needed permits in record time, one month. Another method has been the earthquake retrofit of existing buildings, which has put several businesses on the street, as they were unable to comply with the hefty costs associated with such demands.

Many business owners are fearful to say a word publicly for fear the building inspector will appear at their business and cite them for the smallest infractions or call for an earthquake retrofit, that they cannot afford at this time.

Craig French one of the leaders of the coalition called the Voice of La Puente read the following letter below at last weeks city council meeting:


Craig French at the right

To go over comments that were made at the last meeting about the downtown area.

It was said that the town after 6 pm is dead and there are no businesses to go to. Well a couple of us did a survey of that to see if that was true. We counted 84 businesses between Main Street and along both sides of 1^st Street and on Old Valley behind Main Street. Out of 84 businesses there were 44 businesses opened at 6:30 pm and 7 business unoccupied or up for rent.

We then proceeded to the busiest intersection in our City at Amar and Hacienda Blvd. We started at the Plaza behind the empty Hollywood Video Bldg and proceeded around the Mobil Gas Station and down Hacienda Blvd. all the way to Maple grove where the Church is. We found that at 84 possible vacancies that only 27 businesses where open compared to the 44 businesses in the downtown. They’re where also 9 unoccupied businesses compared to 7 in the Downtown.

If you wish to develop anywhere in La Puente, I feel you should start here since there is more traffic on Hacienda blvd than on Main Street. I would like to know the stats for traffic in both places.

It was also mention that this was a blithe area. I do not think so. A lot of money has been invested into these buildings. Tic Tac restaurant for example have invested a huge amount of money in their restaurant, so has Mancillas Printing, I myself have invested in my 2 story building by installing 29 windows plus new doors and countless other things. Everyone has done something to improve his or her buildings. The past city councils have invested through their hard working staff acquiring grants for the trees with electrical outlets installed, street furniture, lights, awnings, refacing and painting all the buildings and more. I’m sorry I do not see it that way.

The city is not liable if an earthquake happens and the city has fulfilled their duties in abiding by the state laws. The statements by Mayor Pro Tem that the city is breaking the law is unfounded.

If those of you who are intent of destroying the downtown are only looking one way and not for the good of the community, you are not fulfilling your duties to the citizens and businesses of this community. Last but not least I would like to ask the City Attorney a question. Is it proper for a Mayor Pro Tem who is the Founder of JDL Mortgage at 15835 East Main Street in the Center of downtown and who is the Chief Financial Officer of this Corporation allowed to vote on the retrofitting in the downtown area. He should recluse himself from voting. Simply for the fact of conflict of interest. I’m I not right. Can you answer this for me please?

Finally, what you are trying to pass here tonight with more code enforcement at any time and any building without prior notice is an outrage and is a violation of our civil rights, you better be careful because of possible litigation that may arise from this.

Contact information:

Jeff Lewis 626.993.5942

Francisco Sanchez 626.961.6000

Craig French 626.968.8875

Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa has released a statement

At approximately 12:30 a.m., the LAPD began enforcing the closure of City Hall Park after giving those in the park a final opportunity to leave without facing arrest.

We have taken a measured approach to enforcing the park closure because we have wanted to give people every opportunity to leave peacefully. I ask that anyone who remains in the park to please leave voluntarily.

Our approach also recognized the human need in the encampment. Since the park closure was announced on Friday, outreach workers with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority have walked through the park, assessing needs and connecting interested individuals in need with an alternative place to spend the night.

During the park closure, a First Amendment area will remain open on the Spring Street City Hall steps.

Once the park is cleared, it will be repaired and returned to all Angelenos to exercise their First Amendment rights.

SOURCE: Zach Behrens @KCET

Occupy L.A.: Live stream

Live video cam of the Occupy L.A. encampment on the south lawn of Los Angeles City Hall. Camera is shooting from the Los Angeles Times building at 1st and South Spring Street. Video is black and white with no audio, yet worth a look.

Occupy L.A.: Live stream

CBS News Live Video - Occupy LA

Watch live streaming video from cbsnews at livestream.com

Occupied LA Times Publishes First Issue

By Matthew Fleischer on November 29, 2011

You can download a PDF of LA’s paper here. Or, view the paper online at the Occupy Los Angeles website.

Click on the link below for full story
Occupied LA Times Publishes First Issue

Labor Unions Helping the Homeless

L.A. Labor's Team Homeless
Heroes Raises $10,000 to Help
End Homelessness for Veterans
200 L.A. union members, family and vets walk 5K

Thank you to all of the unions, volunteers, walkers and veterans who participated in United Way's annual HomeWalk to end homelessness in Los Angeles!

This year, the L.A. County Federation of Labor and Labor Community Services, AFL-CIO sponsored the Homeless Heroes Team. We walked specifically for our homeless veterans.

L.A. Labor raised $10,000 and more than 200 union members, family members and veterans walked to help raise awareness to end homelessness for the men and women who have served our country.

On any given day in Los Angeles, there are between 7,000-10,000 homeless veterans on our streets. L.A. Labor and Labor Community Services will continue to sponsor a Homeless Heroes Team until every homeless veteran in Los Angeles has permanent housing.

Check out the photo slideshow of our 2011 Homeless Heroes Team!

2,000 Unemployed Union Families
Provided Thanksgiving Dinner
More than 50 volunteers assemble meals

DREAM Act students volunteer with L.A. Labor to help unemployed workers.

L.A. Labor and Labor Community Services, AFL-CIO provided Thanksgiving dinners for 2,000 unemployed union families this holiday season.

Our boardroom became a bustling assemblyline of more than 50 volunteers filling up 2,000 grocery bags with food and turkey certificates in order to make sure our entire L.A. Labor family was taken care of this Thanksgiving.

Thanks to everyone who gave your time and spirit!

Check out the photo slideshow here of the assemblyline.

Los Angeles Times Pressmen Reunion

The employees at the Los Angeles Times are not like your usual type as they have worked together for three and four decades, so naturally close bonds are formed over the years. On November 17th, 2011 twenty-nine former and current employees gathered in Diamond Bar to reminisce over breakfast. Emmett Jaime took the photos.

Don Reese Update

I had a great visit with Don Reese yesterday and even though Don can no longer speak, he had me on the floor laughing my ass off, as he used his note pad to write down his thoughts.

For my colleagues that have transferred from the shuttered Chatsworth and Orange County Production Facilities, Don Reese has been a pressman at the Los Angeles Plants for over twenty-seven years.

What moved me the most was John Walker, he has sent cards to Don wishing him well, this act of kindness really touched Don’s heart deeply.

Don asked that I share his phone number and address with anyone that asks, he cannot answer the phone, but he can hear your messages, which would mean a lot to him.

The prognosis for Don is not a good one, with two months to go according to his doctor, Don is using morphine to ease the constant pain he’s experiencing, and smoking medical marijuana to help with the side effects of his treatments and medications.

Before I departed Don wrote down a message to share with his colleagues in the pressroom,
“I ain’t dead yet”.

Monday Night in the Blogosphere

The Blogging Pressman meets the LAT's Assistant Editor Henry Fuhrmann

• Manroland Files for Insolvency - Bloomberg
• RDU introduces newspaper racks - News Observer
• News of the World Readers Too Illiterate to Read - Gawker
• Brant’s SP Newsprint Files for Bankruptcy - New York Times
• Newspapers Speak No Evil - American Journalism Review
• Newspapers Told to Shift Gears or Be Stuck in the Mud - Huff Post
• Can Sluggish Newspapers Survive The Digital Age? - Seeking Alpha
• Corporations See End Times in NLRB Poster - The Frying Pan News
• Defendants include employees of the Los Angeles Times - The Republic
• Economist's chief executive is relaxed about losing print sales - Guardian
  

Feeding the People on Skid Row Los Angeles

I’ll be on skid row at 4:30 PM with Sammy Maloof and friends to feed the homeless and hungry and welcome YOU to join us. Will setup in front of Lamp Village which is located at 527 Crocker Street, with 5^th Street as the cross street. If you can, drive by and say hello or better yet, drop off a case of water or soda, it would be appreciated.

Condolences to our Brothers

Bill Conover at left

Condolences to our Brothers

On Friday night Brother Bill Conover was called home after learning his father had passed away in Florida.

Last night Brother Ed Brunner received a similar call that his father had passed away in Kansas and went home to be with his family.




Marcos Rodriquez and Ed Brunner on the right

Electronic Village: 509 Taser-Related Deaths in the United States Sinc...

Today we added 61-year old Roger Anthony ( Scotland Neck, NC ) as the 158th taser-related death in America since 2009.

Electronic Village: 509 Taser-Related Deaths in the United States Sinc...:

Tom Petruno Leaving the Los Angeles Times

Long time journalist Tom Petruno has announced, through his column in today’s newspaper, that he will be departing the newspaper on December 2, 2011. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Petruno; nonetheless I dislike seeing him leave the newspaper and wonder what impact his vacancy will be on circulation, which has been faltering daily.

On November 2nd our editor Russ Stanton announced to his staff in private meetings the newspaper would shed an additional ten to twenty employees, which Mr. Petruno appears to be the first of many victims.

When I finally caught up feeding newsprint to the printing press I picked up the A Section to read my favorite columnist Sandy Banks, and noted concern in her article. Appears even our star writer feels uncertainty regarding her future employment at the Los Angeles Times. Maybe I’m reading too much into her column and misunderstanding what she had to say? Ms. Banks column can be read by clicking here, to see for yourself what I’m saying.

Here at the production plant we’re scheduled to throw eighteen colleagues under the bus at the end of the year, so naturally there’s stress in the air at the Olympic Facility. Rumors of three additional products to be produced at the production facility would save fifteen jobs in the pressroom and cannot arrive soon enough, as anticipation for a ray of good news would be welcomed with open arms by the entire staff in Operations.

Tribune bankruptcy case may set precedents on leveraged buyouts

Tribune bankruptcy case may set precedents on leveraged buyouts

Message of Love

"When the Power of Love Overcomes the Love of Power the World Will Know Peace". Jimi Hendrix...

Hungry people will be thankful you gave

By David Lazarus

November 25, 2011

As you survey the remains of your Thanksgiving meal, you might want to give a thought to those who are having trouble putting food on the table because of the lousy economy and high unemployment rate.

You can make a difference. From food drives to volunteering to help at a food pantry, this is a great time of year to think about giving along with all the seasonal consuming.

Continue reading by clicking on the link below
Hungry people will be thankful you gave


Feeding the homeless on skid row L.A.


David Lazarus grabbed my attention last night as I scanned the newspapers that quickly flowed from the printing press, with his article on feeding the homeless.

As many of you are aware I became involved myself with feeding the hungry on skid row in Los Angeles through the Sammy Maloof Racing Team. I’m certain there are many groups such as the Maloof Team doing their part to feed the thousands living on the mean streets of Los Angeles.

After pulling the winning ticket for the car raffle several Saturday’s ago I wondered where and when the money would be spent to feed the hungry? To my surprise the team was going to spend the next day on skid row with the proceeds, and I was invited to join them.

The location is but blocks from the production facility where I work, so I agreed to meet the team several hours before beginning my shift, and was I ever shocked to see the masses of people seeking a bite to eat, with the line stretching down the street.

With space in the truck limited, tickets are handed out to those in line, when the tickets are exhausted the next to arrive are informed the food is about to end.

What I assumed was a one-time event occurs every Sunday at 5:00 PM at 5th and Crocker Streets, by the Sammy Maloof Racing Team.

Instead of wasting your time and money on useless gifts, donate to a great cause by feeding hungry Americans with donations of food, cash, or your time.

Call 626.286.1083 and ask how you can help?

Thank you Operations Management

With any business that runs twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week, such as the newspaper business, many employees are away from family and friends during the holidays while working.

Yesterday the employees at the Los Angeles Times Olympic Production Facility were treated to a Thanksgiving feast, paid for by Operations Management, which includes Russ Newton, Greg Malcolm, and Johnny Walker.

Just in case you didn’t know, I seldom have anything positive to say regarding the Tribune Company management team at Olympic, so it’s with great pleasure to say thank you to the three men for the kind gesture of free food yesterday.

The pressmen had planned to hold a potluck on Thanksgiving Day, as we had no clue until Wednesday, that we would receive a Thanksgiving meal while at work. The potluck was rescheduled to this afternoon on D-Press, bring something in and enjoy the food with your colleagues that you spend so much time with on a daily basis.

White Friday

by visually via

Happy Thanksgiving

As you sit down with family and friends least we not forget the millions around the globe who have nothing to eat today as we celebrate Thanksgiving in America today. Say a prayer of thanks for all the abundance you and I enjoy on a daily basis.

The photograph won a Pulitzer Prize in 1994 for feature photography by Kevin Carter, to learn more about the photographer’s short life click here.

Kindle Fire: Reading books, magazines, newspapers

This is a quick overview of the apps for reading eBooks, magazines, and newspapers on the Amazon Kindle Fire.

L.A. Times Media Group makes exec changes to focus on new media

By a Times Staff Writer

November 23, 2011

The Los Angeles Times Media Group announced a series of executive changes to accelerate efforts to boost advertising and other revenue from digital and emerging media.

Andrea Nunn takes on the new position of vice president of media and business development, assuming sales responsibility for broadcasting and publishing. She joined the Times from HBO, where she was vice president of domestic network distribution.


Jennifer Collins, formerly general manager of Variety.com, has been named vice president of digital revenue products. Collins will be focused on developing new products and partnerships to bolster revenue. She will also oversee the publishing of special sections.

David Burns was promoted to vice president of promotional revenue, sports and events. He was most recently The Times' managing regional sales director for the Westside, where he worked to build sponsorship and product placement revenue in the wine, spirits and beer categories.

Mike Kechichian was promoted to vice president of advertiser marketing. He was previously director of marketing, planning and development for Los Angeles Times Media Group, a job he has had since 2006.

"The competitive landscape is evolving faster every day, and our ability to remain at the forefront demands ongoing change," John O'Loughlin, Times chief revenue officer and executive vice president of advertising sales, said in announcing the new vice presidents.

L.A. Times Media Group makes exec changes to focus on new media

Tribune Co. to pay former CEO Randy Michaels $675K in settlement

By Michael Oneal Tribune reporter

5:12 p.m. CST, November 22, 2011

Tribune Co. agreed to pay former chief executive Randy Michaels $675,000 in a settlement stemming from his abrupt resignation from the company on Oct. 22, 2010.


Tribune Co. to pay former CEO Randy Michaels $675K in settlement

Tuesday Afternoon in the Blogosphere

• Booth issues 500 layoff notices - News & Tech
• Observer newspaper stops printing - News-Journal
• Campus newspaper ends print edition - Mail Tribune
• Why Can't Newspapers Make Money Online? - ClickZ
• Expert gives Qatar newspapers 12 years - The Peninsula
• 'Couponer' found with 19 Sunday newspapers - Jackson Sun
• Union claims WP is trying to push people out - Jim Romenesko
• Pilot Media cuts over 50 jobs amid tough economy - Pilot Online
• Chicago Tribune doubling, tripling subscription rates - Chicago Business
• Tribune Co. to pay former CEO Randy Michaels $675,000 - Michael Oneal
  

Proposed Contract Rejected by LA Times Pressmen

On Monday November 21st, 2011 the Union members from Local 140-N GCC/IBT gathered at the Commerce Casino to ratify or reject the proposed contract that was negotiated between our local union at the Los Angeles Times and the Tribune Company.

The contract was soundly rejected by the membership due to the language in the contract being extremely vague in many areas. The negotiating team has been requested to clarify the language of the proposed contract so nothing is left to chance or misinterpretation.

Stay tuned for additional updates.

20,000 female garment workers are on strike - 1909

20,000 female garment workers are on strike in New York; Judge tells arrested pickets: “You are on strike against God” - 1909

The district president of the American Federation of Labor and two other white men are shot and killed in Bogalusa, Ala. as they attempt to assist an African-American organizer working to unionize African-American workers at the Great Southern Lumber Co. - 1919

UC president vows to review police procedures at campuses

By Larry Gordon and Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times

November 20, 2011, 6:29 p.m.

Two UC Davis campus police officers have been placed on paid administrative leave over their controversial use of pepper spray on student protesters, university officials announced Sunday as the UC system president said he was "appalled" by the incident and promised a review of police procedures at all 10 UC campuses.

Mark G. Yudof, the UC system president, said he would be talking to the 10 campus chancellors, as well as experts and other campus groups, "to conduct a thorough, far-reaching and urgent assessment of campus police procedures involving use of force, including post-incident review processes."

Read more at the Los Angeles Times
UC president vows to review police procedures at campuses

Tribune Code of Business Conduct

From: Tribune Communications
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 8:35 AM
Subject: Message from Eddy Hartenstein/Tribune Code of Business Conduct


At Tribune, integrity has always been at the core of the fundamental values which govern our individual and professional responsibilities. Tribune’s Code of Business Conduct is rooted in integrity and it is a statement of our firm commitment to honesty, credibility and trustworthiness in all our business dealings. The Code has been around for several years and is designed to help you understand some of the rules that apply to your conduct and our company, as well as provide guidance for how to behave and react when you encounter a difficult ethical situation.

A copy of the current Code of Business Conduct is attached to this message. We are all expected to understand and follow the Code, so please read it carefully and think about how it applies to your own job and situation. Since it’s impossible to spell out every possible situation that you might face, you should be guided by the spirit of the Code and use good judgment to steer your behavior and decisions.

The Code is available for your review anytime in the Corporate Governance section of TribLink. If you have any questions or become aware of a possible violation of the Code, please notify your supervisor or a Human Resource representative right away.

Tribune also has a toll-free Confidential Ethics Line (800/216-1772) that provides an additional, straightforward and confidential method to report suspected illegal or unethical behavior within the company. The Ethics Line is administered by Global Compliance Services (GCS), an independent third party provider of corporate compliance services, and is available 24 hours, seven days a week. A trained representative from GCS will answer your call, document your concerns and forward a written report to a Tribune Company compliance team for further investigation.

Each one of us should take this opportunity to reflect on the values that guide our business. Ultimately, these values are not only the foundation for our success, they are what make our success satisfying.

Thanks for your continued commitment to Tribune.


eddy

Third Amended Bankruptcy Plan Filed by Tribune

From: Tribune Communications
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2011 7:56 PM
Subject: Message from Don Liebentritt/Third Amended Plan Filed Today


Late today we filed with the Delaware Bankruptcy Court a Third Amended Plan of Reorganization that we believe addresses the court’s concerns as expressed in its opinion last month and will allow the company to emerge from Chapter 11. The company’s amended plan continues to have the support of the Unsecured Creditors Committee, Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., Angelo Gordon & Co., L.P., and JPMorgan Chase as co-proponents. The company is requesting a confirmation hearing in February 2012. If confirmation is granted, regulatory approval will be sought soon thereafter.

In its October opinion, the court approved the $534 million settlement of certain claims arising from the company’s 2007 leveraged buyout. The amended plan continues to implement that settlement. The amended plan includes modifications that comply with the rulings and findings made by the court. The amended plan also includes an Allocation Dispute Protocol that would allow the court to address potential inter-creditor disputes regarding amounts that will be paid to various groups of creditors without interfering with or slowing down the company’s efforts to emerge from bankruptcy.

At the court-ordered status conference scheduled for Tuesday, November 22nd, the company will ask for a hearing in December, at which it will seek court approval of an accelerated timetable for approval of a Supplemental Disclosure Statement and a re-solicitation of votes limited to certain affected creditor classes.

We also filed with the court a Status Conference Report that provides some detail on the modifications in the Third Amended Plan and how we hope to seek its confirmation. That report is attached for your review, and it will be posted next week on the left-hand rail of Triblink.

An issue of concern to many employees was the Judge’s ruling against the protections in our plan for certain current employees whose Tribune stock was cashed out in the 2007 leveraged buyout transactions. You’ll recall that our creditors filed lawsuits seeking to “claw back” the cash that was paid to all Tribune shareholders in the 2007 transactions. Our plan sought to exempt from the Creditors Committee’s lawsuit (1) payments made on account of stock held in the 401(k) plans and, (2) for most current employees, up to $100,000 with respect to other shares. The Judge found our efforts laudatory, but not legally supportable, despite the record that was made at the confirmation hearing.

The amended plan filed today does not provide for these protections. We have been pressing this issue throughout the plan process, and have not abandoned these efforts. We are presently working with counsel for the Creditors Committee to establish a threshold below which recoveries will not be sought against current employees with respect to their stock proceeds. The Committee had previously supported a plan where the threshold was $100,000. Whether we can again get support for that, or some other number, or get support with respect to excluding proceeds from employee stock in 401(k) accounts, remains to be seen and we can make no promises.

If, and to the extent, we are successful, the protections would be brought to the court for approval by a motion filed by the Committee independent of the confirmation process for our amended plan of reorganization. In addition, and unfortunately, I must point out that any protection gained would apply only to the lawsuit filed by the Creditors Committee, and not to lawsuits filed by creditors themselves.

This means that issues relating to these claims seeking to claw back stock proceeds, like many others, may not be resolved prior to the company’s emergence from bankruptcy. While unfortunate, we believe this approach is consistent with the Judge’s clear direction in his opinion.

The text below is taken from an email sent to all employees in June. (There is additional information about these lawsuits on the left-hand rail of Triblink under the heading “Litigation Q&A.”)

“In December, 2010, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in our Chapter 11 proceedings filed a lawsuit seeking to have all prior shareholders of Tribune Company repay the money they received on account of the stock that was purchased or cashed out in the LBO-Related Transactions. This lawsuit alleges that the payment of money to shareholders in conjunction with the LBO-Related Transactions was part of an “intentional fraudulent transfer” that harmed existing creditors of Tribune Company and should not have been made. The Creditors Committee’s lawsuit also sought 35 other types of relief against numerous other parties involved in the LBO-Related Transactions, along with a separate lawsuit against all the lenders involved in these transactions and subsequent parties holding the debt that was issued in these transactions. The Creditors Committee filed these lawsuits because the applicable two-year statute of limitations was about to expire.

Recently, additional lawsuits against prior shareholders of Tribune Company have been filed in numerous federal district courts and some state courts across the country. These lawsuits, which were filed by various creditors of Tribune Company, also seek to have certain prior shareholders of Tribune Company repay the money they received on account of the stock that was purchased or cashed out in the LBO-Related Transactions. These lawsuits allege that the payments to these shareholders were part of a “constructive fraudulent transfer” that rendered Tribune Company insolvent, undercapitalized and/or unable to pay its debts as they came due. We are informed that the lawsuits name (i) approximately 1,700 specific individuals and institutions as defendants and (ii) identify a class of defendants who are comprised of the remaining shareholders whose shares were purchased in conjunction with the LBO-Related Transactions. The individual creditors filed these lawsuits because the applicable four-year statute of limitations was about to expire.

Although the Bankruptcy Court has issued orders permitting these lawsuits to be filed (in order to preserve the causes of action because statutes of limitations were about to expire), the Court has also ordered that none of these lawsuits can be pursued by the plaintiffs at this time.

There are legal requirements that must be met for any of these lawsuits to be successful, and there are defenses that can be asserted to defeat these lawsuits. The parties that will ultimately be pursuing some or all of these lawsuits (including the lawsuits filed last year by the Creditors Committee), and the parties that will take the lead in defending these lawsuits, will depend on judicial decisions that have not yet been made about (i) which plan of reorganization will be confirmed in these Chapter 11 proceedings and (ii) which court(s) should end up adjudicating these lawsuits.”

The stay of these lawsuits is still in effect. We cannot give you legal advice about any of this, but will, from time to time, keep you apprised of further developments.


Don Liebentritt
Chief Restructuring Officer

How I ended up leaving Poynter

Jim Romenesko has launched his own blog with an explanation of his departure from Poynter Online after a twelve year run.

“How did this go off the rails?” Poynter’s attorney asked me during a Nov. 12 phone conversation about my threat to file a cease and desist order against the institute for using my name on their website after being taken off the payroll.

That’s a long story, but let’s start on July 6, with this email from Director of Poynter Online Julie Moos:

The link below will redirect you to the full story
How I ended up leaving Poynter

Newspaper Press in Action

A Goss single-width newspaper press prints a section.

Saturday Morning in the Blogosphere

Union Man John placing a few of the 2,000 completed food bags onto the tables to be distributed to unemployed Union members and their families for Thanksgiving.

• Creating our own ‘buzz’ - Monroe News
• Newspaper carrier's car hit by train - CT Post
• GR Press, Kzoo Gazette to lay off 223 - Wood TV
• Wilton High newspaper goes online - Wilton Villager
• Those anonymous online posters - Gloucester Times
• Read All About It: The Boston Occupier - BostInnovation
• Tribune files new plan in its bankruptcy case - Los Angeles Times
• Editor sneaks a column into print that bashes newspaper - Gannett Blog
• NLRB Says 11 Albany Times-Union Employees Owed $600k - Media Jobs
• Police pepper-spray seated, non-violent students at UC Davis - BoingBoing
  

Save Our Trade: Ratification Meeting

FROM: GCC/IBT Local 140-N President Ronnie Pineda

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

A meeting has been scheduled on Monday November 21, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Commerce Casino Hotel beginning at 1:00pm in the Diamond room on floor 1M.

All members should have received a hand delivered copy of the new contract and should take the opportunity to compare the changes.

International Representative, Mike Huggins will detail what those tentatively agreements are and answer questions along with negotiating committee members Keith Denson, Mike Brierley and myself.

Bring your copy of the contract to the meeting. Contact Executive Vice President, Keith Denson or myself if you have not received yours.

The address once again is 6121 Telegraph Blvd. Commerce, Ca.
Travel safely, see you all Monday.

In Solidarity,
GCC/IBT Local 140-N
President,
Ronnie Pineda

Save Our Trade: Ratification Meeting

New U-T Boss: 'You Change Now or You Die' - voiceofsandiego.org: In The Muck

John Lynch, the former local radio executive who will become the newspaper's new president and CEO, offered a preview Thursday night of that future. Some parts of the paper may stay the same. Lynch and Manchester want its publisher, Ed Moss, and its editor, Jeff Light, to stay. Lynch said he doesn't foresee the print product disappearing for at least a decade.

Access complete article by clicking below
New U-T Boss: 'You Change Now or You Die' - voiceofsandiego.org: In The Muck

Feeding Unemployed Union Workers and their Families

I will be volunteering tomorrow to prepare food bags for unemployed union workers and their families from noon till 3PM and urge all my Brothers and Sisters to do likewise. This means you will sacrifice a little sleep and your time helping others with the payoff of feeling good aiding your fellow union members in need. The address and phone number for the volunteer work can be viewed in the post below.

I hope I see a few of you there tomorrow.

Volunteers needed TODAY and TOMORROW

Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

URGENT—We Need Volunteers TODAY and TOMORROW to Assemble 2,000 Bags of Food for Thanksgiving for Unemployed Union Members and their Families!

Thursday, November 17, 2011 from right now until 9:00PM tonight
Friday, November 18, 2011 from 12:00PM-6:00PM

Location: L.A. County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
2130 James M. Wood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90006

If you can volunteer or send union members, contact Ryan Smith,
Labor Community Services, 213-808-6564 or RSmith@unitedwayla.org.

New Book Details Life of First Female Chief Editor

Thursday Morning in the Blogosphere

One of my union brothers left a message for the senior vice-president of Operations on Sunday night, unfortunately this word is not in Tribune managements vocabulary when it comes to how they treat employees of the Los Angeles Times

• Local journalism teacher honored - Acorn
• Is It Any Wonder Newspapers are Dying? - OEN
• Read the memo: Don't feed the squirrels - Kevin Roderick
• National Newspapers may be Doomed - Michael Kozlowski
• Small can be beautiful in today's newspaper business - Vindicator
• LAT Media Group Circulars Wind Up in USPS Trash - Richard Horgan
• Radical plan to stem losses at the Guardian newspaper - BI Journalism
• More Layoffs May Be Coming To MediaNews Newspapers - MediaBistro
• Minnesota Independent staffer says news site is shutting down - MinnPost
• Douglas Manchester to Buy the San Diego Union-Tribune - Matthew Fleischer
  

John Walker Heading to Chicago?

Fred Kirby on the left with Johnny Walker.

As you're aware I attempt to help others whenever possible, so with this I'm trying to help my former pressroom manager find employment.
As I scanned Triblink I discovered something John Walker would be perfect for. We'll miss you Johnny.

Project Manager

Job ID: 2011-19658 Location: US-IL-Chicago Experience (Years): .. Hiring Manager: Emi Nakamura Posted Date: 11/10/2011 Recruiter: Christi Latz Category: Digital Publishing

More information about this job:

Overview:

435 Digital is seeking an enthuastic and detailed Project Manager who is eager to learn and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done! 435 Digital is the consulting division of Tribune Company that specializes in SEO, social media strategy and monitoring, web design and development, and customized seminars for businesses. Whether you own a small local business or a large national company, we will develop a solution that meets your needs.

Responsibilities:

Communicate directly with clients to define and implement websites, while communicating project expectations to team members. Manage developers and outside resources in the development of approved site or application requirements from project initiation through post launch. Create timelines, track progress, and provide project estimates of multiple projects ensuring they are on time and within budget. Develop and deliver progress reports, proposals, requirements documentation, and presentations to clients and management. Build, develop, and grow any business relationships vital to the ongoing success of the project. Proactively manage changes in project scope, identify potential crises, and devise contingency plans. Identify successful and unsuccessful project elements, post launch, and create a recommendations report. Program wireframes of website for customer approval. Track project milestones and deliverables. Desirable but not required is an understanding of Paid Search, Social Media Development, and SEO for additional project management duties.

NOTE: Donations of snow gloves, long johns, tire chains, etc. most welcome. Send all donations to the Olympic Production Facility in care of Johnny Walker, thank you.

Sammy Maloof - Feeding the Homeless on Skid Row

Last Saturday night I witnessed a charity event at Maloof Racing, with the proceeds used to feed the homeless of skid row Los Angeles, every city in America has a skid row. I was pleased to learn the donations would be used the following day, and assumed this was a one time event until Sammy shared they do this food give away every Sunday in front of Lamp Village, located at 526 Crocker Street.

I have heard there are over 50,000 homeless living on the streets of Los Angeles, if you would like to help these fellow Americans call 626.286.1083 and ask Maloof Racing what they need, cash, food, or your time.

Click here for an idea of the need through my photographs on Flickr.

Los Angeles Times Pressmen's Breakfast

Photograph of the Los Angeles Times Pressmen 1935, note the width of the newsprint

As you probably know by now the pressmen enjoy getting together with former colleagues and current one’s as well. Tomorrow we will gather at Carrow’s Restaurant in Walnut at 9:30 AM to say hello to one another.

If you’re in the area feel free to stop in and have a cup of coffee and have your picture taken.

Date: Thursday, November 17th, 2011

Time: 9:30am

Place: Carrows Restaurant

Address: 21130 E.Golden Springs

Walnut, CA 91789-3923

Phone: 909-594-6499

RSVP: Emmett Jaime

Hal Benveniste Passes Away

From Matthew Holmberg;

Hello Retired L.A. Times Production Employees,


It deeply saddens me to tell you that my Grandpa Hal passed away earlier this week. In an effort to help Fran, we are passing along this information and please pass along this information as well. The services will be held this Monday, November 14, at 2pm at Memory Garden Memorial Park and Mortuary in Brea, California. The address for Memory Gardens is 455 W. Central Ave. Brea, CA 92821. Memory Gardens phone number is (714) 529-3961. In lieu of flowers, Hal requested that donations be given to the Kiwanis Club of La Habra. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 552, La Habra, Ca 90633. Hal did a lot of charity work with this club over the last 20+ years. From giving scholarships to taking underprivileged children back to school shopping, putting on a recognition B.U.G. (bringing up grades) program triannualy which includes a magic show and spaghetti dinner for students and family who raised their grades from F's to C's or D's to C's or C's to B's etc..., and so much more! The Kiwanis Club was one of Hal's many passions.

Hal passed away peacefully with his family by his side. In his final week, Hal was adamant about producing the final Ol' Timers Publication. Hal finished the publication and it will arrive later this week. He was really fond of his days at the L.A. Times and he had an enormous respect for all of you. He really looked forward to the yearly luncheons and seeing all of his old friends. The Ol' Timers Publication was another one of Hal's passions.












Hal 2010 Saint Patricks Day


If you would like to send any cards or would like to reach Fran, you can do so at (714) xxx-xxxx, 15413 Talbot Drive, La Mirada, CA 90638. You can also contact Hal's daughter, Kathy Arata, with any questions or anything else at (626) xxx-xxxx.

In the blog that my sister and I have, I wrote a fitting tribute to Hal, the most loving and selfless man I know. Here is a link to Hal's tribute if you would like to read it http://holmbergsmileysiblings.blogspot.com/2011/11/hal-giant-of-man.html

Sincerely,
Matthew Holmberg
mholmber@uci.edu


NOTE: Send a message if you would like their phone numbers

Group beats panhandling ban by starting 'homeless newspaper'

Group beats panhandling ban by starting 'homeless newspaper': MyFoxTAMPABAY.com

Q. & A. With a Newspaperman Who Thinks Print Is Overrated

By DAVID CARR

NYT: When you look over the hill in the newspaper industry, what do you see?

Paton: I think you’re going to see a couple things. I think you’re going to see a steady, for the next five years, a steady 5 to 7 percent decline in print advertising. After that, you’re going to see probably a flattening out and down less, about 1 or 2 percent a year, because things are happening that are making that a better proposition than the past: There’s print subscriptions now and there’s digital subscriptions, whether it’s an e-edition or iPad, so that is new revenue and could grow to be meaningful.

Click on the link below for the complete article

Q. & A. With a Newspaperman Who Thinks Print Is Overrated