Marty Keegan on Union Movement Part 1 This will be my last post for 2006 and I hope all of you have a safe holiday. I have interviewed Marty Keegan to give some equal time to the union drive at the Los Angeles Times. If you have an opposing view, feel free to contact me and we can get together tomorrow or Tuesday and film your point of view. This was my first attempt at Video Blogging, so it's a bit flawed.

Labels: GCC, IBT, Marty Keegan, Union, Video Blogger

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 9:58 PM 2 Comments Links to this post

  Marty Keegan on Pensions Part 2 The sound does not match the video.

Labels: GCC, IBT, Marty Keegan, Organizer, Union

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 9:44 PM 2 Comments Links to this post

  How I'm Spending My Day Off What I'm doing today.
1. Reading paper (done)
2. Internet (Now)
3. Pruning roses.
3a. Laundry
4. Walking dogs.
5. Going to see a movie (haven't decided which one).
5a. Laundry
6. Putting linseed oil on some window sashes.(yuck)
7. Priming 3 new windows (yuck).
8. Trying to get my teenage son to do anything other than sleep.
8a. Laundry
9. Yoga at 4p.m.
10. First night Fullerton for NYE.

How I would like to spend my day:
1. Have someone else do the laundry.
2. Hobnob with the beautiful people.
3. Have someone say, "Yes, ma'am."
4. Have someone else do numbers 3a, 5a,6, 7,8, and 8a.
5. Robert Redford.
6. Go meet Deb Padgett for drinks while laughing over the motorcycle cops.
7. Will Smith.
8. Get someone to enter all my financials into Quicken.
9. Find a million dollars in my account.
10. Spa... with Deb Padgett, Ed can drive and then go finish our laundry. 

posted by Kanani | ¶ 9:31 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Those that left us in 2006 - December DECEMBER:

Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, 80. U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during the Reagan administration; the first woman in the post. Dec. 7.

Moses Hardy, 113. Believed to be the second-oldest man in the world, last black U.S. veteran of World War I. Dec. 7.

Johnnie Bryan Hunt Sr., 79. Founded one of the nation's largest trucking companies, J.B. Hunt Transport Services. Dec. 7.

Georgia Gibbs, 87. Hitmaking 1950s singer ("Kiss of Fire,""Dance With Me, Henry.") Dec. 9.

Martin Nodell, 91. Created the comic book superhero Green Lantern. Dec. 9.

Gen. Augusto Pinochet, 91. Chilean leader who terrorized opponents; took power in bloody coup. Dec. 10.

Ellis Rubin, 81. Florida attorney famed for "TV intoxication" defense. Dec. 12.

Peter Boyle, 71. The curmudgeonly father on "Everybody Loves Raymond." Dec. 12.

Lamar Hunt, 74. Owner of football's Kansas City Chiefs; coined term "Super Bowl." Dec. 13.

Richard Carlson, 45. Advocated positive thinking in books like "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff." Dec. 13. Cardiac arrest.

Catherine Pollard, 88. Boy Scouts of America's first female scoutmaster. Dec. 13.

Ahmet Ertegun, 83. Founder of Atlantic Records; popularized Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin. Dec. 14.

Larry Sherry, 71. Dodgers reliever; 1959 World Series' most valuable player. Dec. 17.

Joe Barbera, 95. With Bill Hanna, created Yogi Bear, Tom and Jerry, other beloved cartoons. Dec. 18.

Saparmurat Niyazov, 66. Turkmenistan's eccentric and iron-fisted president. Dec. 21.

Robert Stafford, 93. Three-term Vermont senator who championed the environment and education; the federal guaranteed student loan program is named for him. Dec. 23.

Ralph Stebbins, 43. Winner of a $208 million lottery jackpot. Dec. 23. Heart attack.

Uri Dan, 71. Veteran Israeli journalist, confidant of Ariel Sharon. Dec. 24.

Frank Stanton, 98. Longtime CBS president; helped turn its TV operation into the "Tiffany network." Dec. 24.

James Brown, 73. The pompadoured dynamo of music for a half-century whose classic singles included "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)." Dec. 25.

Gerald Ford, 93. The nation's 38th president, a former Michigan congressman who did much to restore national confidence after Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace in 1974. Dec. 26.

Chris Brown, 45. An All-Star third baseman who played six seasons in the majors in the 1980s. Dec. 26. Burned in fire; autopsy pending.

Saddam Hussein, 69. Deposed Iraqi dictator hanged for the killing of 148 people after an attempt to assassinate him in 1982. Dec. 30.

Labels: 2006, Deaths, December

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 2:14 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Those that left us in 2006 - November NOVEMBER:

William Styron, 81. Pulitzer-winning novelist ("The Confessions of Nat Turner." Nov. 1.

Frank W. Dunham Jr., 64. Attorney for Zacarias Moussaoui and in other high-profile terrorism cases. Nov. 3.

William Lee Brent, 75. A Black Panther who hijacked a jet to Cuba in 1969, spent 37 years in exile. Nov. 4.

Samuel H. Bowers, 82. Former Ku Klux Klan leader, convicted of ordering death of civil rights leader Vernon Dahmer Sr. Nov. 5, in prison.

Bulent Ecevit, 81. Former Turkish Prime Minister, a political force for almost half a century. Nov. 5.

Ed Bradley, 65. TV journalist who created a distinctive, powerful body of work on "60 Minutes." Nov. 9.

Markus Wolf, 83. The "man without a face" who outwitted the West as East Germany's long-serving spymaster. Nov. 9.

Jack Palance, 87. Hollywood heavy ("Shane") who turned successfully to comedy, winning Oscar for "City Slickers." Nov. 10.

Gerald Levert, 40. Fiery R&B singer of passionate love songs ("Casanova.") Nov. 10.

Joseph Ungaro, 76. Journalist whose question to President Nixon elicited his "I'm not a crook" reply. Nov. 12.

Milton Friedman, 94. Nobel-winning economist who advocated an unfettered free market. Nov. 16.

Bo Schembechler, 77. One of college football's great coaches, compiling a 194-48-5 record at Michigan. Nov. 17.

Robert Altman, 81. Caustic Hollywood director ("Nashville.") Nov. 20.

Pierre Gemayel, 34. A rising star in one of Lebanon's most prominent political families. Nov. 21. Assassinated.

Gerald M. Boyd, 56. First black managing editor of The New York Times. Nov. 23. Lung cancer.

Betty Comden, 89. Her collaboration with Adolph Green produced "On the Town,""Singin' in the Rain." Nov. 23.

Anita O'Day, 87. One of the most respected jazz vocalists of the 1940s. Nov. 23.

Willie Pep, 84. Hall-of-fame boxer. Nov. 23.

Alexander Litvinenko, 43. Former Russian spy who criticized his homeland's government. Nov. 23. Poisoned.

Perry Henzell, 70. Filmmaker whose "The Harder They Come" introduced Jamaican pop culture to global audience. Nov. 30.

Labels: 2006, Deaths, November

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 2:07 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Those that left us in 2006 - October OCTOBER:

Helen Chenoweth-Hage, 68. Three-term Idaho congresswoman; outspoken archconservative. Oct. 2.

R.W. Apple Jr., 71. Colorful New York Times correspondent; wrote about politics, food, travel. Oct. 4.

Gary C. Comer, 78. Founded Lands' End clothing company. Oct. 4.

Friedrich Karl Flick, 79. Billionaire Austrian industrialist. Oct. 5.

Buck O'Neil, 94. Negro Leagues batting ace; a star of PBS'"Baseball." Oct. 6.

Ray Noorda, 82. Founded software maker Novell Inc., was known as the father of network computing. Oct. 9.

Gillo Pontecorvo, 86. Italian filmmaker who directed "The Battle of Algiers," epic on Algerian uprising against the French. Oct. 12.

Dr. Mason Andrews, 87. Delivered nation's first test-tube baby in 1981. Oct. 13.

Freddy Fender, 69. Texas'"Bebop Kid"; sang the smash country ballad "Before the Next Teardrop Falls." Oct. 14.

Gerry Studds, 69. First openly gay member of Congress; homosexuality exposed during page scandal. Oct. 14.

Valentin Paniagua, 69. Former interim president of Peru, shepherded his country back to democracy. Oct. 16.

Marc Hodler, 87. International Olympic Committee member who blew the whistle on the Salt Lake City bidding. Oct. 18.

Jane Wyatt, 96. Lovely actress who for six years on "Father Knows Best" was one of TV's favorite moms. Oct. 20.

Benjamin Meed, 88. Escaped the Warsaw Ghetto; later helped establish a national Holocaust registry. Oct. 24.

Enolia P. McMillan, 102. First female NAACP president. Oct. 24.

Sally Lilienthal, 87. Nuclear weapons opponent, founded influential Ploughshares Fund. Oct. 24.

Trevor Berbick, about 51. Former heavyweight champion. Oct. 28. Fatal beating.

Red Auerbach, 89. Basketball Hall of Famer, guided the Boston Celtics to 16 championships. Oct. 28.

Robert Anderson, 85. As CEO of Rockwell International, oversaw building of space shuttle, B-1B bomber. Oct. 28.

Muhammadu Maccido, 58. Spiritual leader to millions of Nigerian Muslims. Oct. 29. Plane crash.

P.W. Botha, 90. Apartheid-era South African president. Oct. 31.

Labels: 2006, Deaths, October

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 2:00 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Those that left us in 2006 - September SEPTEMBER:

Warren Mitofsky, 71. Longtime CBS News polling chief; pioneered use of exit polls. Sept. 1.

Nellie Connally, 87. Former Texas first lady; was in President Kennedy's limousine when he was assassinated. Sept. 1.

Gyorgy Faludy, 95. Poet and translator considered one of Hungary's greatest literary figures. Sept. 1.

Bob Mathias, 75. Two-time Olympic decathlon champion; four-term California congressman. Sept. 2.

Steve Irwin, 44. Television's irrepressible "Crocodile Hunter." Sept 4. Sting ray attack.

James DeAnda, 81. Co-founder of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund; federal judge. Sept. 7.

William Ziff, 76. Built a media empire with special interest magazines (Popular Photography.) Sept. 9.

Daniel Smith, 20. Anna Nicole Smith's son; sudden passing made headlines worldwide. Sept 10. Drug combination.

Patty Berg, 88. Golfer; won 15 major LPGA titles. Sept. 10.

Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, 88. Longtime king of the Pacific Island nation of Tonga. Sept. 11.

Ann Richards, 73. Former Texas governor, a witty and flamboyant Democrat. Sept. 13.

Oriana Fallaci, 76. Italian journalist noted for probing interviews with powerful people. Sept. 15.

Silviu Brucan, 90. A top communist official in postwar Romania, a strong opponent of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Sept. 14.

Patricia Kennedy Lawford, 84. Her marriage to Peter Lawford lent Hollywood glamour to the Kennedy dynasty. Sept. 17.

Dean Everett Wooldridge, 93. Co-founded aerospace giant TRW Inc. Sept. 20.

Pham Xuan An, 79. Led a perilous double life as a communist spy and a respected reporter during the Vietnam War. Sept. 20.

Henri Jayer, 84. Acclaimed French winemaker. Sept. 20.

Sven Nykvist, 83. Oscar-winning Swedish cinematographer; worked with Ingmar Bergman, Woody Allen. Sept. 20.

Joel T. Broyhill, 86. Eleven-term Virginia congressman. Sept. 24.

Iva Toguri D'Aquino, 90. Convicted of treason as alleged propagandist Tokyo Rose; later pardoned. Sept. 26.

Byron Nelson, 94. Golfer; his 11 straight tournament victories in 1945 stand as one of sports' most enduring records. Sept. 26.

Labels: 2006, Deaths, September

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 1:52 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Those that left us in 2006 - August AUGUST:

Bob Thaves, 81. Created quirky comic strip "Frank & Ernest." Aug. 1.

Johannes Willebrands, 96. Dutch cardinal, a key figure in Roman Catholics' efforts to improve relations with other Christians, Jews. Aug. 1.

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, 90. Soprano who won global acclaim. Aug. 3.

Susan Butcher, 51. Four-time Iditarod sled dog race winner. Aug. 5. Leukemia.

James A. Van Allen, 91. Physicist; discovered radiation belts surrounding the Earth. Aug. 9.

Mike Douglas, 81. Affable TV talk show host and singer. Aug. 11.

Bruno Kirby, 57. Character actor ("When Harry Met Sally.") Aug. 14.

Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, 75. Queen of New Zealand's Maori population. Aug. 15.

Alfredo Stroessner, 93. He ruled Paraguay for decades with a blend of guile and force before his ouster in 1989. Aug. 16.

Joe Rosenthal, 94. Associated Press photojournalist who took picture of flag-raising on Iwo Jima. Aug. 20.

William Norris, 95. Co-founder of 1960s computer giant Control Data Corp. Aug. 21.

Maynard Ferguson, 78. Jazz trumpeter. Aug. 23.

Rocco Petrone, 80. Director of launch operations at Kennedy Space Center in the 1960s. Aug. 24.

Maria Esther de Capovilla, 116. Believed to be world's oldest person. Aug. 27; her successor in that category, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bolden, died Dec. 11, also at 116.

Robert F. McDermott, 86. An Air Force Academy dean, chairman of the insurance giant USAA. Aug. 28.

William F. Quinn, 87. Hawaii's first governor after it became a state in 1959. Aug. 28.

Naguib Mahfouz, 94. First Arab writer to win Nobel in literature; symbol of liberalism in the face of Islamic extremism. Aug. 30.

Glenn Ford, 90. Actor who played strong, thoughtful protagonists ("The Blackboard Jungle.") Aug. 30.

Labels: 2006, August, Deaths

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 1:44 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Those that left us in 2006 - July JULY:

Ryutaro Hashimoto, 68. Former Japanese prime minister who helped ease tensions over U.S. military bases in Japan. July 1.

Jan Murray, 89. Comic who tickled fans of the 1950s game show "Treasure Hunt." July 2.

Kenneth Lay, 64. Enron founder who tumbled into disgrace. July 5.

Ralph Ginzburg, 76. Magazine publisher at the center of two First Amendment battles. July 6.

Frank Zeidler, 93. Milwaukee's socialist mayor, 1948-60. July 7.

Syd Barrett, 60. Co-founder of Pink Floyd ("The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.") July 7.

June Allyson, 88. Hollywood movies'"perfect wife." July 8.

Shamil Basayev, 41. Chechnya warlord, claimed responsibility for deadly Russian school siege. Announced July 10. Allegedly killed by Russian forces.

Barnard Hughes, 90. Actor; won Tony for portrayal of curmudgeonly title character in "Da." July 11.

Red Buttons, 87. Actor-comedian; won Oscar for a dramatic turn in "Sayonara." July 13.

Robert Brooks, 69. Chairman of Hooters of America, restaurant chain famed for scantily clad waitresses. July 16.

Mickey Spillane, 88. Macho mystery writer who wowed millions of readers. July 17.

Robert Mardian, 82. Attorney for Nixon re-election committee; conviction in Watergate scandal was overturned. July 17.

Jack Warden, 85. Emmy-winning, Oscar-nominated actor. ("Heaven Can Wait.") July 19.

Ta Mok, about 80. Known as "The Butcher" for his brutality with Cambodia's communist Khmer Rouge. July 21.

James E. West, 55. Former Spokane, Wash., mayor; ousted after an Internet sex scandal. July 22. Cancer.

Frederick Mosteller, 89. Statistician who influenced public policy. July 23.

Thurl Metzger, 90. Leader of Heifer International, which provides livestock to the poor. July 26.

Labels: 2006, Deaths, July

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 1:37 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Those that left us in 2006 - June JUNE:

Perry Richardson Bass, 91. Texan billionaire, one of last links to colorful era of oil wildcatters. June 1.

Frank Spencer, 87. FBI agent who helped investigate 1963 Birmingham church bombing. June 2.

Billy Preston, 59. Exuberant keyboardist and singer ("Nothing From Nothing"); played with the Beatles. June 6. Heart infection; kidney failure.

Arnold Newman, 88. Photographer who revealed the souls of artists, politicians. June 6.

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, 39. Leader of al-Qaida in Iraq; masterminding suicide bombings, beheadings. June 7. U.S. air strike.

James Cameron, 92. Survived an attempted lynching, founded America's Black Holocaust Museum. June 11.

Kenneth Thomson, 82. Canada's richest man. June 12.

Charles Haughey, 80. Four-term Irish prime minister; career haunted by ethical questions. June 13.

Vincent Sherman, 99. Hollywood filmmaker ("The Adventures of Don Juan.") June 18.

Evelyn Dubrow, 95. Longtime advocate for labor, women's rights garment workers union lobbyist. June 20.

Aaron Spelling, 83. TV impresario whose stylish shows ("Beverly Hills 90210") were wildly popular. June 23.

Patsy Ramsey, 49. Was thrust into spotlight by unsolved slaying of her daughter JonBenet. June 24. Cancer.

Labels: 2006, Deaths, June

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 1:30 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Those that left us in 2006 - May MAY:

Louis Rukeyser 73. Public TV host known for commonsense commentary on business. May 2.

Earl Woods, 74. The loving force behind son Tiger Woods' career. May 3.

Lillian Asplund, 99. Last Titanic survivor with memories of sinking. May 6.

A.M. Rosenthal, 84. Editor who lifted The New York Times from economic doldrums. May 10.

Floyd Patterson, 71. Boxing great who regained heavyweight title in 1960. May 11.

"Sonny" Montgomery, 85. Fifteen-term Mississippi congressman who pushed through modernized GI Bill. May 12.

Jaroslav Pelikan, 82. Leading scholar on Christian history. May 13.

Bruce Merrifield, 84. Won 1984 Nobel for chemistry for work that assisted in the development of medications. May 14.

Stanley Kunitz, 100. Former U.S. poet laureate and Pulitzer winner. May 14.

Chic Hecht, 77. Former Nevada senator; won underdog bid to oust powerful Democratic Sen. Howard Cannon. May 15.

Martin F. Dardis, 83. Florida investigator who linked Watergate burglars to Nixon. May 16.

Cy Feuer, 95. Co-producer of Broadway smashes ("Guys and Dolls.") May 17.

Katherine Dunham, 96. Choreographer who brought African influence to U.S. dance. May 21.

Lloyd Bentsen, 85. Former Treasury secretary, Texas senator who famously put down Dan Quayle. May 23.

Romeo Lucas Garcia, 81. Former Guatemalan president; rule was marked by a bloody 1980 raid on protesters. May 27.

Hugh B. Patterson Jr., 91. Publisher of Arkansas Gazette when it won Pulitzer for coverage of Central High desegregation. May 29.

Edward Dahlgren, 90. Received Medal of Honor for spearheading rescue of fellow soldiers. May 31.

Raymond Davis Jr., 91. Shared 2002 Nobel in physics for detecting particles produced by nuclear reactions in the sun. May 31.

Labels: 2006, Deaths, May

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 1:22 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Those that left us in 2006 - April APRIL:

Michael Novosel, 83. Won Medal of Honor for heroism as medevac pilot in Vietnam. April 2.

Barry Bingham Jr., 72. Guided The Courier-Journal and Louisville (Ky.) Times before family disagreements led to their sale. April 3.

Gene Pitney, 66. Singer with a string of hits ("Town Without Pity.") April 5.

J.B. Fuqua, 87. Tycoon who built multibillion-dollar conglomerate Fuqua Industries. April 5.

Maggie Dixon, 28. U.S. Military Academy women's basketball coach. April 6.

Irregular heartbeat.June Pointer, 52. Youngest of the hitmaking Pointer Sisters ("I'm So Excited.") April 11. Cancer.

The Rev. William Sloane Coffin, 81. Former Yale chaplain known for Vietnam-era peace activism. April 12.

Dame Muriel Spark, 88. British novelist ("The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.") April 13.

Elford Albin Cederberg, 88. Thirteen-term Michigan congressman. April 17.

Scott Crossfield, 84. First man to fly twice the speed of sound. April 19.

Elaine Young, 71. Real estate agent to Hollywood stars. April 20.

Ed Davis, 89. Tough-talking former Los Angeles police chief. April 22.

Alida Valli, 84. Italian actress; co-starred in "The Third Man." April 22.

George Lenchner, 88. Founded Math Olympiads tournaments for schoolchildren. April 23.

Rabbi Moses Teitelbaum, 91. Spiritual leader of Satmar Hassidim, ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect. April 24.

Jane Jacobs, 89. Author who greatly influenced urban planning. April 25.

Alexander B. Trowbridge, 76. Former commerce secretary. April 27.

John Kenneth Galbraith, 97. Economist whose influence stretched from White House to Main Street. April 29.Helene Critler, 104. Survivor of 1906 San Francisco earthquake. April 29.

Labels: 2006, April, Deaths

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 1:16 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Those that left us in 2006 - March MARCH:

Harry Browne, 72. Twice ran for president as the Libertarian Party candidate. March 1.

Richard Kuklinski, 70. Notorious Mafia hitman known as "The Iceman." March 5.

Dana Reeve, 44. Actress-singer, devoted herself to husband Christopher Reeve after he was paralyzed. March 6. Lung cancer.

Kirby Puckett, 45. Baseball Hall of Famer; carried Minnesota Twins to two World Series titles. March 6. Stroke.

Gordon Parks, 93. Life photographer; Hollywood's first major black director ("Shaft.") March 7.

John Profumo, 91. Former British Cabinet minister whose affair with a call girl also involved with a Soviet spy caused huge scandal in 1963. March 9.

Slobodan Milosevic, 64. Former Yugoslav leader; accused of orchestrating conflict that killed 250,000. March 11.

Maureen Stapleton, 80. Oscar-winning actress; excelled on stage, screen, television. March 13.

Robert C. Baker, 84. Food science professor behind such innovations as chicken nuggets. March 13.

Lennart Meri, 76. Former Estonian president; helped Baltic nation break from Soviet Union in 1991. March 14.

Ray Meyer, 92. Longtime DePaul basketball coach; twice took team to NCAA Final Four. March 17.

G. William Miller, 81. Former Federal Reserve chairman; treasury secretary during Carter administration. March 17.

Oleg Cassini, 92. His designs helped make Jacqueline Kennedy the most glamorous first lady. March 17.

Desmond T. Doss Sr., 87. A conscientious objector who, though a non-combatant, earned a Medal of Honor. March 23.

Sarah Caldwell, 82. Hailed as first lady of opera for her productions with Opera Company of Boston. March 23.

J. Glenn Beall Jr., 78. Former Maryland senator. March 24.

Buck Owens, 76. The flashy rhinestone cowboy who shaped country music with hits like "Act Naturally." March 25.

Lyn Nofziger, 81. Ronald Reagan's political adviser, known for his unorthodox style. March 27.

Paul Dana, 30. Up-and-coming race car driver. March 26. Crash.

Rudolf Vrba, 81. Described death camp horrors after escaping Auschwitz, saving thousands. March 27.

Bernard Siegan, 81. Conservative legal scholar. March 27.

Caspar W. Weinberger, 88. Consummate Cold Warrior; President Reagan's defense secretary. March 28.

Labels: 2006, Deaths, March

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 1:06 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Those that left us in 2006 - February FEBRUARY:

Al Lewis, 82. Grandpa on "The Munsters." Feb. 3.

Betty Friedan, 85. Her "The Feminine Mystique" helped shatter the cozy suburban ideal in postwar America. Feb. 4.

George T. Davis, 98. Storied San Francisco lawyer; involved in Nuremberg trials. Feb. 4.Reuven Frank, 85. Former NBC News president. Feb. 5.

Sir Freddie Laker, 83. British entrepreneur; changed air travel with low-cost Skytrain service. Feb. 9.

Dr. Norman Shumway, 83. Performed first successful heart transplant in U.S. Feb. 10.

Curt Gowdy, 86. Sportscaster; called 13 World Series and 16 All-Star games, first Super Bowl. Feb. 20.

Archbishop Paul C. Marcinkus, 84. Top official at Vatican's bank before scandal ended his tenure. Feb. 20.

Donald Herbert, 44. A brain-injured firefighter who suddenly spoke after nearly a decade of silence. Feb. 21. Suspected heart attack.

Dennis Weaver, 81. Chester on "Gunsmoke" and the cowboy cop hero in "McCloud." Feb. 24.

Don Knotts, 81. Won five Emmys for playing the bumbling Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show." Feb. 24.

Darren McGavin, 83. Tough-talking actor; was grouchy dad in "A Christmas Story." Feb. 25.

Henry M. Morris, 87. Influential advocate of the creationist theory ("The Genesis Flood.") Feb. 25.

Otis Chandler, 78. Turned family-owned Los Angeles Times into one of the nation's most distinguished newspapers. Feb. 27.

Retired Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott, 97. World War II ace, wrote "God Is My Co-Pilot." Feb. 27.

Owen Chamberlain, 85. Shared 1959 Nobel in physics as co-discoverer of the antiproton. Feb. 28.

Labels: 2006, Deaths, February

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 12:59 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Those that left us in 2006 - January JANUARY:

Urbano Lazzaro, 81. Italian resistance fighter credited with arresting Mussolini. Jan. 3.

Sheik Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 62. Emir of Dubai; prominent thoroughbred breeder. Jan. 4.

Lou Rawls, 72. Velvet-voiced singer of such hits as "Love Is a Hurtin' Thing." Jan. 6.

Jack Mabley, 90. Chicago newspaperman; wrote an estimated 12,190 columns. Jan. 7.

Shelley Winters, 85. Outspoken, Oscar-winning star ("The Diary of Anne Frank.") Jan. 14.

William "Bud" Post III, 66. His $16.2 million lottery jackpot led to squabbles, business failures. Jan. 15.

Thomas A. Murphy, 90. General Motors CEO as it shifted to more fuel-efficient cars in 1970s. Jan. 18.

Wilson Pickett, 64. Fiery soul music pioneer ("Mustang Sally.") Jan. 19.

Anthony Franciosa, 77. Hollywood actor ("A Face in the Crowd.") Jan. 19.

Ibrahim Rugova, 61. Kosovo president; epitomized its long struggle for independence from Serbia. Jan. 21.

Virginia Smith, 94. Eight-term Nebraska congresswoman. Jan. 23.

Fayard Nicholas, 91. With brother Harold, he wowed the tap dancing world. Jan. 24.

Morris Silverman, 93. Businessman and philanthropist; established nation's richest prize for medical research. Jan. 26.

Johannes Rau, 75. Former German president; promoted deeper ties with Israel. Jan. 27.

Rabbi Yitzhak Kadouri, around 106. Influential leader of Kabbalah school of Jewish mystical thought. Jan. 28.

Nam June Paik, 74. Avant-garde artist credited with inventing video art. Jan. 29.

Wendy Wasserstein, 55. Playwright who celebrated women's lives ("The Heidi Chronicles.") Jan. 30. Lymphoma.

Coretta Scott King, 78. Civil rights leader; carried on work started by her martyred husband. Jan. 30.

Moira Shearer, 80. British ballerina and actress whose debut film, "The Red Shoes," created a sensation. Jan. 31.

Labels: 2006, Deaths, January

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 12:50 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Blabbermouth Remember when we'd get home and someone would jot down a note. "So-and-so called, please phone when you can."

It was understood that the information that needed to be imparted could wait. There was no way of getting ahold of us when we were in our cars, at work, in the market or going into a movie.
Think of that again....
Information can wait!,

I think a lot of what's imparted over cell phones doesn't really matter whether or not you receive it now or later. With the exception of a few things, like needing to know where friends or family members are, or talking to clients, most things can wait until later. And that's not mañana-speak, that's only stating the obvious.

When I'm at a store, I don't need to know a person's entire dysfunctional family circus. I don't want to hear it. No way. They should keep their little dirty family secrets about Aunt Tiffany wearing men's boxers while Uncle Hank wears her bras and thongs. Really, I know how messed up the world is, I don't need it reaffirmed everytime I'm at the ATM/grocers/DMV/school/elevator/restaurant/biker bar.

Biker bar? Well, yes. The saddest sight you'll ever see is a big motley biker strolling through a bar with a teeny little electronic gizmo strapped to his ear saying, "Uh huh, uh huh, okay, see ya." Such monosyllabic mutters cost, and besides that little blue tooth is like a teeny tiny electronic leash, so best leave it at the door.

But the worst example of airwave pollution was a psychologist who went through her entire day's patient list while getting her car fixed. We had to listen to the psychologist break every privacy and ethical rule in the book as she led detailed discussions of her patient's problems in public. If I could have, I'd of given her a ticket for poor taste and unprofessional conduct.

And it could have waited.

So yes, bring out that safety fine for blabbermouths who go 45 mph on the Santa Monica freeway because their yabbering over the phone. Information can wait. The world will still be here if they let their phone ring. 

posted by Kanani | ¶ 2:43 PM 3 Comments Links to this post

  Thanks for your patience and understanding

Labels: Presses Down, Seattle Times

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 12:18 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  California's New Laws for 2007 Cell Phones—Operative July 1, 2008

Requires the use of hands-free wireless phones as of July 1, 2008, with limited exceptions. Two Way Cells are exempt. The fine will be $70 for the first offense, $175 for subsequent ones.

"Trunking"

AB 1850 makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly drive a motor vehicle while another person is riding in the trunk; riding in the trunk is also illegal. The driver receives a fine and one point on his or her driving record; the person riding in the trunk receives a fine. The law is a response to some teen drivers' attempts to evade the passenger restriction in California's graduated driver licensing law by hiding teens in the trunk. Since 2000, there have been 153 collisions involving trunking, resulting in nine deaths and 140 injuries.

Commercial Driver License

Ensures immediate administrative driver licensing sanctions are imposed when any driver is operating a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .04% or greater.

Requires California to report convictions of commercial driver traffic violations to the home state of the commercial driver for sanctioning purposes.

Establishes the following:

• A first conviction for driving any vehicle under the influence of drugs is cause for the disqualification of the commercial driving privilege for one year.
• A commercial driver who is convicted of leaving the scene of an accident, regardless of whether the violation occurred in a commercial vehicle or the driver’s personal vehicle, is subject to the disqualification of the commercial driving privilege for one year.
• A first conviction of gross vehicular manslaughter or vehicular manslaughter is cause for the disqualification of the commercial driving privilege for one year.
  

Eliminates the authority for the issuance of a restricted commercial driver’s license when the driving privilege is suspended or because the driver or driver’s family has a serious health problem (does not prohibit the issuance of a restricted Class C or M license; thereby allowing the commercial driver to operate a non-commercial vehicle).

Organ Donation

Removes the minimum age requirement for persons to consent to participate in the organ and tissue donor program.

Driver License Suspension For DUI

Increases the mandatory driver’s license suspension period to ten months for persons convicted of a first offense of Driving Under the Influence of alcohol if the individual’s blood alcohol concentration level was .20% or greater, and the court orders an enhanced alcohol treatment program.

Also.... Anyone under 21 who has a measurable blood alcohol level of 0.01%, in addition to license suspension of a year, it is now a CRIMINAL OFFENSE with a minimum fine of $350 (not including penalty assesments).

Driving Infraction

Creates a new infraction for driving a motor vehicle while knowingly permitting a person to ride in the trunk. A passenger found guilty of riding in the trunk of a vehicle would be guilty of an infraction. Both the driver and passenger would be subject to fines pursuant to a specified schedule. A driver convicted of knowingly permitting passengers to ride in/on the trunk of a vehicle would receive one negligent operator point on his or her driving record.

Emergency Vehicles

Requires drivers to take specific precautionary actions on a highway when passing a stopped emergency vehicle when the emergency lights are activated. When facing any emergency vehicle with a siren or flashing lights, you have to move at least two lanes away for their safety. This law makes it an infraction for failure to comply with those requirements.

Equipment of Vehicles

Clarifies existing statute regarding the use of headlamps during darkness and/or inclement weather. YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON IF IT IS RAINING!!!!!

Graffiti and Vandalism

Allows courts to impose increased driver license sanctions for graffiti and vandalism. Courts may now suspend a driver license for a period of up to two years, or delay issuing a license for a period of one to three years.

Ignition Interlock Device

Prohibits a manufacturer of an ignition interlock device (IID) from furnishing information to any individual or entity that would allow modifications to be made that would allow it to be used in a manner that is contrary to its intended purpose.

Prohibits the tampering of an IID by a service center or technician and prohibits reinstatement of the driving privilege until the DMV receives proof that the device has actually been installed. Requires DMV to verify installations on court ordered IID.

Mature Driver Improvement Course

Revises the Mature Driver Improvement Program by increasing the maximum allowable course fee and by providing for a renewal course with reduced instructional time. (4 HOURS)

Addresses comments of course participants who do not believe the full 400-minute course is necessary every three years for renewal purposes.

Allows course providers to charge a fee of up to $30 for either the initial or renewal course and providers indicate this fee increase is needed because costs have risen since the inception of the program in 1986.

Requires DMV to establish standards and develop criteria and review each provider’s renewal course lesson plan to ensure it meets the Mature Driver Improvement Course requirements.

Reckless Driving/Racing

Increases penalties for first conviction of reckless driving or engaging in a speed contest resulting in specified injuries to a person other than the driver.

First-offenders would be subject to BEING CHARGED WITH A FELONY...confinement in state prison or county jail for not less than 30 days nor more than 6 months, or by a fine of not less than $220 (reckless driving) or $500 (speed contest) nor more than $1000. The specified injuries which would incur these sentences are; loss of consciousness, concussion, bone fracture, protracted loss or impairment of function of a bodily member or organ, wound requiring extensive suturing, serious disfigurement, brain injury, and/or paralysis.

Vehicle Impoundment

Under AB 2253, a court can impound a vehicle used in the illegal dumping of waste matter for up to six months if the person driving the vehicle has a prior conviction for the offense. Waste matter does not include beverage containers or food wrappers, but it does include oil and other petroleum products, paints, garbage, furniture, dirt, gravel, and body parts.

School Bus Certificate

Authorizes the California Highway Patrol to conduct a preliminary criminal and driver history check to determine the eligibility of an individual prior to issuing a special certificate authorizing the operation of a schoolbus, school pupil activity bus, youth bus, or a general public paratransit vehicle.

Exempts school bus mechanics and driver trainees from having to obtain a school bus endorsement for the operation of the vehicle provided they are not engaged in the transportation of children.

Three-Tier Driver Assessment Project

Requires the department to conduct a study of a Three-Tier Driver Assessment System, contingent upon receipt of grant money, and determine the effectiveness of the program in identifying functional impairments, reducing crashes, and prolonging safe driving years of all drivers regardless of age.

Autoette

Establishes a definition of an “autoette” in the Vehicle Code and requires the department to issue regular license plates and registration to an autoette operated exclusively in the City of Avalon on Santa Catalina Island.

Requires the owner to surrender the license plates to the department when the vehicle is removed from the island and brought to the mainland.

Hybrid Vehicles HOV (Carpool) Lanes

Extends the sunset date for the clean air vehicle program to January 1, 2011. Allows an additional 10,000 hybrid stickers to be issued.

Recreational Vehicles: Contaminated Methamphetamine Property

Requires the DMV to provide a form to be used by local health officials to:

• request vehicle license stops
• issue informational memoranda, and
• place a stop (upon request) on a vehicle record in order to preclude a transfer of ownership on a recreational vehicle previously found to have been used as a Methamphetamine lab.

The vehicle registration stop would remain in place until the local health officer provides a release to DMV.

Records Access

Prohibits computer vendors, vehicle manufacturers and other specified entities from accessing information from a motor vehicle dealer’s computer system regarding the dealer’s customers. This is designed to prevent “data mining” from a dealer’s database without the dealer’s consent.

Allows requesters to have access to DUI conviction information for violations that occurred within the past ten (10) years. Currently, only law enforcement and the courts are able to access this information for a ten-year period.

Car Key Replacement:

the law requires an automaker to provide, at any time, the codes necessary for a registered locksmith to make a replacement key for vehicles sold or leased in California. (Manufacturers that currently permit no one but themselves to duplicate a key, such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, have until 2013 to comply with the law.) The law also requires the automaker to verify the locksmith's identification and registration, and it requires the locksmith to verify the vehicle owner's identification and registration.

What the legislation doesn't do

It doesn't apply to automakers that sell fewer than 2,500 vehicles in California. And it doesn't directly address how much replacement keys will cost. However, if a locksmith doesn't have to partially dismantle a car to make a replacement key, locksmith fees are likely to decline. And if independent locksmiths are able to make duplicate keys that now can be obtained only through an automaker and its dealers, the cost of replacement keys is also likely to decline.

For additional information:

Department of Motor Vehicles

California Highway Patrol

Labels: 2007, California, CHP, DMV, Laws

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 7:33 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Saddam Executed at Dawn

Labels: Executed, Hussein, Iraq, Saddam

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 6:58 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Tribune Company to Voluntarily Delist from NYSE Arca Tribune Company to Voluntarily Delist from NYSE Arca, Formerly Known as the Pacific Exchange

Retains New York Stock Exchange Listing

CHICAGO, Dec 29, 2006 -- Tribune Company (TRB) announced that it will voluntarily withdraw the listing of its common stock from NYSE Arca, Inc., formerly the Pacific Stock Exchange, Inc. The decision to withdraw the listing from NYSE Arca will eliminate costs and duplicative administrative requirements. Tribune's common stock will continue to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange. NYSE Arca will continue trading Tribune common stock on an unlisted trading privilege basis.

TRIBUNE (TRB) is one of the country's top media companies, operating businesses in publishing, interactive and broadcasting. It reaches more than 80 percent of U.S. households and is the only media organization with newspapers, television stations and websites in the nation's top three markets. In publishing, Tribune's leading daily newspapers include the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Newsday (Long Island, N.Y.), The Sun (Baltimore), South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel and Hartford Courant. The company's broadcasting group operates 23 television stations, Superstation WGN on national cable, Chicago's WGN-AM and the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Popular news and information websites complement Tribune's print and broadcast properties and extend the company's nationwide audience.

SOURCE Tribune Company

Labels: Delist, NYSE, Trading, Tribune Company

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 10:40 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  A Life Of Joy

"If we are true to the steps we take, the travel makes sense and the journey confirms itself."

Some days there is news that just makes your mind reel.
No, I'm not talking about Saddam, I'm talking about my accountant's niece.
Her niece and her fiancee were driving on Thursday, up I-5 near San Diego. A truck lost its trailer hitch. The six pound piece of metal flew through the air, striking their SUV. Her fiancee was killed instantly, and the niece grabbed for the wheel. They finally came to a stop after hitting two cars, and swerving into a median. The niece is uninjured, however, she suffers the loss of her fiancee. And here's the kicker. Sean O'Shea was a really great guy who lived his life exuding enthusiasm and love.

We were talking about the randomness of it all. The trailer hitch sailing in the sky, hitting the man who engaged in all of life's challenges and left a ribbon of love in his wake. We were all just so sad today. Unbearably so, as we helped our accountant find more information. As the day wore on, we realized something beyond any philosophical dickerings of fate vs. randomness. Even though he was young, he lived his life in such a way that at any moment if he were taken off this earth he'd be assured that the strongest thing left behind was love. Now I'm not saying he deliberately did this, nor that he knew he'd have an early departure. But he lived his life so beautifully that his emotional legacy will be a comforting one. His strength wasn't in his poses or the frequency in which he practiced yoga. It was in the way he conducted his life, and there was nothing random about it.

"Nirvana isn't a place, but a liberated way of experiencing this one." 

posted by Kanani | ¶ 10:28 PM 3 Comments Links to this post

  Statement by President Bush From Los Angeles Times

Today, Saddam Hussein was executed after receiving a fair trial -- the kind of justice he denied the victims of his brutal regime.

Fair trials were unimaginable under Saddam Hussein's tyrannical rule. It is a testament to the Iraqi people's resolve to move forward after decades of oppression that, despite his terrible crimes against his own people, Saddam Hussein received a fair trial. This would not have been possible without the Iraqi people's determination to create a society governed by the rule of law.

Saddam Hussein's execution comes at the end of a difficult year for the Iraqi people and for our troops. Bringing Saddam Hussein to justice will not end the violence in Iraq, but it is an important milestone on Iraq's course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain, and defend itself, and be an ally in the War on Terror.

We are reminded today of how far the Iraqi people have come since the end of Saddam Hussein's rule - and that the progress they have made would not have been possible without the continued service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.

Many difficult choices and further sacrifices lie ahead. Yet the safety and security of the American people require that we not relent in ensuring that Iraq's young democracy continues to progress.

Labels: Bush, Los Angeles Times, President, Saddam

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 10:00 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Union Representatives GCC/IBT

In case your wondering whom Marty Keegan might be, he's pictured at the right. Marty is the union organizer for the GCC/IBT and has a very positive attitude when it comes to the upcoming election.

Labels: GCC, IBT, Marty Keegan, Newsday, Pressmen, Ron Pineda

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 9:27 PM 5 Comments Links to this post

  Saddam has been executed

Fox News reporting that al Arabiya has announced that Saddam has been executed.

Still and video cameras were in the chamber at the time of the execution. How long before it's on YouTube?

Stay tuned for video

Labels: Executed, Iraq, Saddam, War

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 7:42 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Message From David Hiller to Pressroom Employees

Dear Ed:

I want to take just a few minutes of your time this holiday week to talk to you about an important issue. Next week you must make a decision that will affect you and your family's future: whether to vote for or against the Union.

You know that The Times strongly opposes the Union because we believe that having a
union would simply make things more difficult for all of us. But we respect that this
decision is yours and yours alone to make

Throughout this campaign we have attempted to provide you the facts so you can make
an informed decision. Consistent with this approach we are enclosing a DVD with
some facts about the Union and what it could mean for you. (If you don't have a DVD
player, we can provide you with a VHS tape - just ask any pressroom supervisor or
manager.)

Some of the things on the DVD you may have heard before, things like the Union's
record in elections and at the bargaining table across the country and, importantly, here in California. But we also talk about the possible sale of the newspaper and what having the Union could mean.

We hope that after considering the facts you will once again (for a sixth time) reject the Union. But regardless of how you feel, we urge everyone to vote. This is too important an issue to leave up to others and we hope that if you are on vacation or otherwise off work during the election you will make the extra effort to come in and vote. I have enclosed a reminder of the voting schedule and locations in both plants. You can find all the election information at The Times' website www.unionfree.com/latimes
I want to conclude by wishing you and your family a healthy and happy New Year.

Sincerely,

David

Labels: David Hiller, Los Angeles Times, union free

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 6:45 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Your Vote Counts Next Week Next Thursday and Friday the Pressroom employees of the Los Angeles Times will decide one way or the other if they would like to be represented by the Graphic Communications Conference/ International Brotherhood of Teamsters Union.

No matter how you decide to vote, it is important that you cast your vote at either the Olympic Plant or the Orange County Plant at the times listed below.

Olympic Roller Room:
9:00AM – 11:00AM
2:00PM – 4:00PM
8:30PM – 10:30PM

Orange County Roller Room:
6:00AM – 7:30AM
1:00PM – 3:00PM
8:30PM – 11:00PM

Every attempt has been made to allow both sides to give the employees of the newspaper their opinions, and your opinions are always welcome here.

When the stress of the upcoming election is behind us, all Tribune Company employees will still be wondering what will become of the company and their jobs next year?
.
Union Site Save Our Trade
Company Site Union Free

Labels: Los Angeles Times, Teamsters, Tribune, Union, union free

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 9:21 AM 1 Comments Links to this post

  Message from James Hoffa to Pressroom Employees
JAMES P. HOFFA
General President
25 Louisiana Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001

Dear Los Angeles Times Pressroom Employee:


You know that the Tribune Company is in trouble and looking for a buyer. Here at the Times that turmoil resulted in the firing of the paper's publisher and editor. They refused to follow orders from Chicago when told to lay off more staff. The new Tribune replacements are here to carry out any orders dictated to them. These circumstances clearly demonstrate why you need a strong voice to protect your jobs and future - presently you have none.

This union campaign is not about hurting the Times. We do not want to do that. In fact, we want the paper to be successful and prosper. However, we do believe that employees - whose outstanding performance makes the company profitable - should have a voice in decisions affecting their welfare and the workplace. No one knows the pressroom better then you. No one but you knows what is best for your family.

Without union representation, you have no legal rights or voice in these matters. All decisions are made by a plant manager or a Tribune executive in Chicago. Sometimes the company acts responsibly. Often, it does not. In either case you are denied any real input that union representation provides. It's that simple.

As newspaper craft persons, you exercise intelligence and initiative on the job every day. Union membership affords the opportunity to do the same in matters essential to your livelihood. Other than that, the boss solely makes all the decisions. In order to keep their power, they want you to vote no. assuring their absolute control.

In these uncertain times, with Tribune trying to sell all or part of its news operation, it is important that you take steps to protect your interests. Whether or not Tribune remains intact, you should make union representation — certified by the National Labor Relations Board - a top priority so that you have legal remedies if the company seeks to make significant changes.

Tribune already has stated that more cuts are needed to boost profits for shareholders. If the company is sold, new owners will likely do the same. Do not allow yourself to he put at a disadvantage by executives who care primarily about the bottom line - and their own paychecks.

Times management is trying to intimidate you by claiming unionization would lead to a strike. They cite strikes that happened_decades ago but do not mention the GCC/IBT's record of settling disputes without resorting to such action. Recently, at Newsday, the company feared there might be a strike. We never threatened such action and none took place. We settled that contract - receiving $13 million in union signing bonuses.

For any of you who are still undecided about union membership, we want you to know that we are sincere in our pledge to create a strong independent local union that represents Times workers. The 1.4 million members of the Teamsters will assist you in obtaining a fair and equitable pressroom contract. As you know. the drivers who distribute the Los Angeles Times are Teamster members. They are eager to welcome you into IBT ranks and enthusiastically support your efforts to organize.

We are with you all the way. Stay strong and united in order to protect your jobs and families. Vote YES and become part of the Teamster family and benefit by the strength and solidarity of Teamster power.


JAMES P. HOFFA, General President, IBT President. GCC/IBT
GEORGE TEDESCHI, President, Graphic Communications Conference
1900 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036 • phone (202) 462-1400 fax (202) 721-0600

Labels: GCC, Hoffa, IBT, Los Angeles Times, Pressroom, Union

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 8:11 AM 6 Comments Links to this post

  Friday Morning Linkage McClatchy's profit-and-loss statement: They profit, we lose
Mercifully, Mr. McClatchy passed away in May and did not live to see the Sacramento-based company that bore his name disgrace his legacy by dumping its largest newspaper -- the most important one between Chicago and the West Coast, the one that serves 5 million Minnesotans and that can be a conscience, a scold, a cheerleader and an interpreter of life on the tundra.

Twin Cities will lose Star Tribune Foundation
The sale of the Star Tribune does not include the assets of its charitable foundation, which makes annual grants to community organizations. The McClatchy Co. will honor previous commitments, then transfer the assets of the Star Tribune Foundation to California.

Private equity firms buying newspapers
Sacramento, Calif.-based McClatchy Co. said Tuesday it would sell the Minneapolis-based Star Tribune to the New York private equity fund Avista Capital Partners for $530 million.
While private equity firms have invested billions in media companies, the Star Tribune is their first major daily-newspaper deal. How Avista manages the Star Tribune will be closely watched far beyond the newspaper's circulation area.

Extra! Extra! The skinny on David Geffen and the L.A. Times
Those who have dealt with Geffen while covering this business should find that obvious. Geffen is famously vindictive. One reporter now at the Times once called me in tears after an encounter with him on the phone (one truly has to be on the receiving end of his verbal savagery to appreciate it). And does anyone think he'll tolerate articles that annoy him or his friends? And he has lots of friends—from Hollywood to Washington, from Steven Spielberg to Hillary Clinton.

Advertising's future on the Internet
Marketers and ad agencies, long accustomed to interrupting a television show or preceding a movie with their message, are now trying to learn the new language of video advertising on the Internet.

More Companies Will Start Hiring Bloggers
As one of the few paid bloggers, Romenesko believes that more organizations and companies will start hiring people to blog. “I think it would be smart for firms to experiment with blogs on their intranets—offer relevant links to employees and the opportunity to comment on them.”

Labels: Blogs, Los Angeles Times, Newspapers, Tribune

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 7:11 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  STRIKES The following Message is directed to the men and women of the Los Angeles Times Pressrooms from management.

During the past week, the issue of strikes was raised a few times.
Regarding the first point above, it is important that everyone understand that strikes and other labor actions are stark realities in a collective bargaining world. If the union is elected to represent pressroom employees on January 4th and 5th, it is certain that the company would have no choice but to take necessary and prudent steps to ensure that the newspaper will publish in the face of potential strikes or any other labor actions.

Regarding point number two above, while union supporters may well believe that they would not vote to strike today, it is a reality that no one knows what would happen during good faith bargaining. Why would the union give up its strongest bargaining chip? Would that not weaken its position in collective bargaining?

The third point is most interesting and enlightening. Union organizers claim that there is no need to worry about a potential strike if the union is elected. Yet, a prominent supporter is already talking about perceived results of a strike.

The Company certainly hopes there is never a strike. As we have stated time and again, it would bargain in good faith. But as the three points above illustrate, there are no certainties. The Company would have no alternative but to prepare contingency plans to respond to possible labor actions, including a strike, just as we have contingencies to respond to earthquakes and other potential business interruptions.

Labels: Los Angeles Times, Marty Keegan, Radio, Union, union free

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 9:24 AM 8 Comments Links to this post

  Newspaper News Can The Washington Times Survive?
The Washington Times gets picked up every day on C-SPAN, and by other major news organizations when it scores a big hit. But for a paper that only has a daily circulation of just 90,000 with inflated numbers, can that marvelous respectability continue?

I don't need to read 11 million Blogs
But while I hook up my laptop just about anywhere, IM my buddies and continually check my buzzing BlackBerry, one thing is missing: what I call Ed Sullivan moments.

Sun-Times to end TV Prevue in '07
The Chicago Sun-Times will cease publishing TV Prevue in the new year.
The decision comes as information on TV programming is becoming much more readily available in the daily newspaper, on the Internet and on the TV screen itself.

Private group buys Star Tribune
The McClatchy Co. capped a year of dramatic changes in the newspaper industry Tuesday by announcing the surprise sale of the Star Tribune, its largest newspaper, to a private investment group.

Google Set To Expand Newspaper Ad Program
For some of the nation's newspapers, Google's offer was too good to pass up. This fall, the search-engine company proposed to show how it could help newspapers sell print advertising to the hundreds of thousands of small merchants who buy Internet ads from Google. Advertisers would go online and bid on the excess ad inventory of daily newspapers, giving them a much-needed revenue boost.

Rick Wartzman leaving Times
The editor of West magazine told his staff today that he has given notice to become a senior fellow at New America Foundation. But he will continue to write for the LAT on a contract basis as a once-a-week business columnist.

Labels: Blogs, Newspapers, Readers, Survive, TV Guide

 

posted by Ed Padgett | ¶ 8:01 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Gerald Rudolph Ford Gerald Rudolph Ford (July 14, 1913 – December 26, 2006) was the 38th President (1974–1977) and 40th Vice President (1973–1974) of the United States. He was the first person appointed to the vice presidency, under the terms of the 25th Amendment, and upon succession to the presidency, became the only person to hold that office without having been elected either president or vice president. Prior to becoming vice president, he served for over eight years as the Republican Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. Ford was the longest-lived president, dying at the age of 93 years, 5 months, and 13 days, slightly longer than Ronald Reagan who lived 93 years, 3 months, and 12 days.
The Ford administration saw the withdrawal of American forces from the <