Los Angeles Times Pressmens 20 Year Club
Thursday, May 31, 2007
So Many Words Left
Here is Al Martinez's final column.
June 1, 2007
I don't know how to say goodbye.
The need to do so has been thrust upon me suddenly, like the quick strike of summer lightning from a nonthreatening sky. I wasn't prepared.
The editor of the section of which my column is a small and barely visible part telephoned on an otherwise uneventful afternoon to say that my column, in its present form, is ending and that I am being given a buyout.
No one asked if I wanted it. I would have said no. I would have said I'm not ready yet. My prose is strong and my mind is clear. I'm still climbing upward. There is still a summit I haven't reached, a sunrise I haven't seen.
But they didn't ask.
And so I sit in our gazebo on this gentle twilight and struggle to write a final column that says what I don't want to say, on a day that I don't want to end.
Cinelli walks up the pathway. "Are you writing the goodbye column?" she asks.
"Right."
"It makes you sad."
"Yeah. I guess."
I am suddenly adrift. Not that an uncertain future cowers me. Other possibilities with this newspaper are under discussion and, either way, I've never been afraid of a blank page. What bothers me most is the manner in which I was told to leave. It could have been better, gentler.
But then, I say to myself, watching the last rays of the sun set our garden aglow, newspaper owners have never been known for their compassion, or newspapers for their permanence.
"You have to say goodbye to so many," Cinelli says.
"I know," I say. "That's the problem."
Goodbye, teachers. Goodbye, bus drivers. Goodbye, housewives. Goodbye, cleaning ladies. Goodbye, restaurant owners. Goodbye, fellow writers. Goodbye valets and waiters and actors and dog walkers and mimes.
Goodbye, old men and little children. Goodbye, dancers and poets and lawyers and weed-pullers. Goodbye, right fielders and tree trimmers. Goodbye, cops and firemen. Goodbye to the frightened. Goodbye to the brave.
You meet a lot of people in 35 years. You watch lives begin and the young grow old. You watch old women die and losers win. You answer God only knows how many letters and respond to more telephone calls than you could ever remember. Questions, answers, comments, shouts, whispers.
And then there's e-mail.
Never have readers been able to react so quickly to a journalist's point of view. Praise comes flying out of cyberspace like the blast of a bugle, and rage like the thunder of drums. Critics rarely back off. Fans rarely abandon you.
I answer one by one, patient with most, respectful to all, in my way.
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.
"Well," Cinelli says, "at least you'll have more time to, well — "
"To what? Pump iron? Crochet? Bird-watch? I write. That's what I do."
She nods and says, "Yes. I know." Then, suddenly, "Can I fix you a martini?"
I look at her like she has suddenly gone mad. She has never before asked to fix me a martini. She has said, "Do you have to have a martini?" and "Please don't have a martini" and "Damned martinis," but never, "Would you like me to fix you a martini?"
I am a little stunned, the way I was when told that my career was over. "No," I say. "I think I'll skip the martini. For now." I hedge my bet in case I decide later that a martini would not be half bad when I finish this column. I rarely drink and write. When I do, I come off like an odd fusion of Dylan Thomas and James Joyce.
I'm running out of space.
Cinelli kisses me and goes back into the house. There are some trails one must walk alone. Although I do so today, I am aware that others occupy the same forest — those, who like me, are bidding newspapering farewell; some happy to do so, others facing a void in their lives they will never be able to fill.
How do I say goodbye?
Dusk reaches out in a warm embrace. Only vague shards of sunlight remain among the trees and bushes in Cinelli's garden, like Malibu lights emerging to greet the coming night.
It's time to go. I've decided that the best way to say goodbye is to say thank you for the pleasure of your company all these years. I never took you for granted. I never gave you less than my abilities allowed.
The day is over. I close my laptop. I walk to the house. It's too dark to write anymore. Maybe it's better that way.
Goodbyes are just too damned hard.
Here is Al Martinez's final column.
Goodbyes are just too damned hard
Al MartinezJune 1, 2007
I don't know how to say goodbye.
The need to do so has been thrust upon me suddenly, like the quick strike of summer lightning from a nonthreatening sky. I wasn't prepared.
The editor of the section of which my column is a small and barely visible part telephoned on an otherwise uneventful afternoon to say that my column, in its present form, is ending and that I am being given a buyout.
No one asked if I wanted it. I would have said no. I would have said I'm not ready yet. My prose is strong and my mind is clear. I'm still climbing upward. There is still a summit I haven't reached, a sunrise I haven't seen.
But they didn't ask.
And so I sit in our gazebo on this gentle twilight and struggle to write a final column that says what I don't want to say, on a day that I don't want to end.
Cinelli walks up the pathway. "Are you writing the goodbye column?" she asks.
"Right."
"It makes you sad."
"Yeah. I guess."
I am suddenly adrift. Not that an uncertain future cowers me. Other possibilities with this newspaper are under discussion and, either way, I've never been afraid of a blank page. What bothers me most is the manner in which I was told to leave. It could have been better, gentler.
But then, I say to myself, watching the last rays of the sun set our garden aglow, newspaper owners have never been known for their compassion, or newspapers for their permanence.
"You have to say goodbye to so many," Cinelli says.
"I know," I say. "That's the problem."
Goodbye, teachers. Goodbye, bus drivers. Goodbye, housewives. Goodbye, cleaning ladies. Goodbye, restaurant owners. Goodbye, fellow writers. Goodbye valets and waiters and actors and dog walkers and mimes.
Goodbye, old men and little children. Goodbye, dancers and poets and lawyers and weed-pullers. Goodbye, right fielders and tree trimmers. Goodbye, cops and firemen. Goodbye to the frightened. Goodbye to the brave.
You meet a lot of people in 35 years. You watch lives begin and the young grow old. You watch old women die and losers win. You answer God only knows how many letters and respond to more telephone calls than you could ever remember. Questions, answers, comments, shouts, whispers.
And then there's e-mail.
Never have readers been able to react so quickly to a journalist's point of view. Praise comes flying out of cyberspace like the blast of a bugle, and rage like the thunder of drums. Critics rarely back off. Fans rarely abandon you.
I answer one by one, patient with most, respectful to all, in my way.
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.
"Well," Cinelli says, "at least you'll have more time to, well — "
"To what? Pump iron? Crochet? Bird-watch? I write. That's what I do."
She nods and says, "Yes. I know." Then, suddenly, "Can I fix you a martini?"
I look at her like she has suddenly gone mad. She has never before asked to fix me a martini. She has said, "Do you have to have a martini?" and "Please don't have a martini" and "Damned martinis," but never, "Would you like me to fix you a martini?"
I am a little stunned, the way I was when told that my career was over. "No," I say. "I think I'll skip the martini. For now." I hedge my bet in case I decide later that a martini would not be half bad when I finish this column. I rarely drink and write. When I do, I come off like an odd fusion of Dylan Thomas and James Joyce.
I'm running out of space.
Cinelli kisses me and goes back into the house. There are some trails one must walk alone. Although I do so today, I am aware that others occupy the same forest — those, who like me, are bidding newspapering farewell; some happy to do so, others facing a void in their lives they will never be able to fill.
How do I say goodbye?
Dusk reaches out in a warm embrace. Only vague shards of sunlight remain among the trees and bushes in Cinelli's garden, like Malibu lights emerging to greet the coming night.
It's time to go. I've decided that the best way to say goodbye is to say thank you for the pleasure of your company all these years. I never took you for granted. I never gave you less than my abilities allowed.
The day is over. I close my laptop. I walk to the house. It's too dark to write anymore. Maybe it's better that way.
Goodbyes are just too damned hard.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:55 PM 1 Comments
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Tribune Announces Final Results of Tender Offer
TRIBUNE COMPANY PRESS RELEASE
May 31, 2007
Tribune Announces Final Results of Tender Offer
CHICAGO, May 31, 2007 –- Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) today announced the final results of its tender offer which expired at 5:00 p.m., NewYork time, on Thursday, May 24, 2007. Tribune has accepted for payment 126,000,000 of the 218,132,108 shares tendered in the tender offer, at a price of $34.00 per share. The shares tendered represent approximately 90 percent of shares outstanding, and the shares that Tribune will repurchase represent approximately 52 percent of shares outstanding. Following the repurchase, Tribune will have approximately 117,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding.
Because more than 126,000,000 shares were tendered in the tenderoffer, proration of tendered shares, except for “odd lots” (lots heldby owners of less than 100 shares), was required. Based on the number of shares tendered, the company will apply a proration factor of0.5771140650. The proration factor is based on the ratio of126,000,000 shares (the total number of shares to be repurchased) to the total number of shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn by all shareholders, other than “odd lot” holders.
The company will commence payment for shares purchased in the tenderoffer promptly and in any event no later than June 5, 2007. Payment for shares purchased will be made in cash, without interest. The company will promptly return shares that it does not purchase to the tendering stockholders at the company’s expense.
“We are pleased with the results of the tender offer and its successful conclusion,” said Dennis FitzSimons, Tribune chairman, president and chief executive officer. “The first stage of our transaction that will result in Tribune Company going private is now complete. We look forward to obtaining the necessary approvals for the next stage of the transaction and to completing the transition to a private company.”
Merrill Lynch & Co., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. MorganSecurities Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC served as Co-Dealer Managers for the tender offer. Innisfree M&A Incorporated served as Information Agent and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. served as the Depositary. Any questions about the tender offer may be directed to Innisfree M&A at 501 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, telephone(877) 825-8621 (banker and brokerage firms call collect (212)750-5833).
To view the full press release on the Internet, go to: Tribune Online
May 31, 2007
Tribune Announces Final Results of Tender Offer
CHICAGO, May 31, 2007 –- Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) today announced the final results of its tender offer which expired at 5:00 p.m., NewYork time, on Thursday, May 24, 2007. Tribune has accepted for payment 126,000,000 of the 218,132,108 shares tendered in the tender offer, at a price of $34.00 per share. The shares tendered represent approximately 90 percent of shares outstanding, and the shares that Tribune will repurchase represent approximately 52 percent of shares outstanding. Following the repurchase, Tribune will have approximately 117,000,000 shares of common stock outstanding.
Because more than 126,000,000 shares were tendered in the tenderoffer, proration of tendered shares, except for “odd lots” (lots heldby owners of less than 100 shares), was required. Based on the number of shares tendered, the company will apply a proration factor of0.5771140650. The proration factor is based on the ratio of126,000,000 shares (the total number of shares to be repurchased) to the total number of shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn by all shareholders, other than “odd lot” holders.
The company will commence payment for shares purchased in the tenderoffer promptly and in any event no later than June 5, 2007. Payment for shares purchased will be made in cash, without interest. The company will promptly return shares that it does not purchase to the tendering stockholders at the company’s expense.
“We are pleased with the results of the tender offer and its successful conclusion,” said Dennis FitzSimons, Tribune chairman, president and chief executive officer. “The first stage of our transaction that will result in Tribune Company going private is now complete. We look forward to obtaining the necessary approvals for the next stage of the transaction and to completing the transition to a private company.”
Merrill Lynch & Co., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. MorganSecurities Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC served as Co-Dealer Managers for the tender offer. Innisfree M&A Incorporated served as Information Agent and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. served as the Depositary. Any questions about the tender offer may be directed to Innisfree M&A at 501 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, telephone(877) 825-8621 (banker and brokerage firms call collect (212)750-5833).
To view the full press release on the Internet, go to: Tribune Online
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:32 PM 0 Comments
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Tribune Employees Talk: Sad days in LA
Sad days in LA
In his memo today to LAT staff, publisher David Hiller wrote "We eliminated approximately 170 positions, mostly through the voluntary buyouts; we are planning to hire back approximately 50 positions in the core paper to strengthen talent in multi-media, local coverage, marketing and sales. In addition, we will be adding likely more than 30 additional staff in interactive before the end of the year."
Wait. Fifty-seven hard-working, content-providing journalists are out of a job! Were any of the folks (we've heard were) "encouraged" to leave the paper offered opportunities under the new LAT plan? A plan outlined in the April 23 buyout announcement and described again in more detail in today's memo, that surely was in the can early on.
It won't be lost on many readers and observers (example here) that the changes LAT upper management hopes now to achieve will have been at the expense of staff who have dedicated years of talent and service to the paper, their community and the journalism industry. Neither will it be lost on most that it is their contributions which have produced the profits now lining the pockets of upper Tribune management types.
Hiller writes that everyone has to be involved in how change happens and should be "invested with a sense of urgency", but how much involvement will the remaining journalists really have in the forward direction of the paper and it's web site? The staff is invited to "think about what you can do; talk to your manager and colleagues about it" and "Let me hear from you if you have ideas you want to share", but will workers' concerns about corporate profits being put before public interests also be considered?
"We are a living, changing organization and this [is] all part of how we adapt", wrote Hiller at the end of his memo.
A living, changing organization adapts best when it's workers — the ones making the biggest and most valuable contribution to the success of the changed organization — are truly included in the process. Regrettably, that can only happen when workers speak with one voice.
In his memo today to LAT staff, publisher David Hiller wrote "We eliminated approximately 170 positions, mostly through the voluntary buyouts; we are planning to hire back approximately 50 positions in the core paper to strengthen talent in multi-media, local coverage, marketing and sales. In addition, we will be adding likely more than 30 additional staff in interactive before the end of the year."
Wait. Fifty-seven hard-working, content-providing journalists are out of a job! Were any of the folks (we've heard were) "encouraged" to leave the paper offered opportunities under the new LAT plan? A plan outlined in the April 23 buyout announcement and described again in more detail in today's memo, that surely was in the can early on.
It won't be lost on many readers and observers (example here) that the changes LAT upper management hopes now to achieve will have been at the expense of staff who have dedicated years of talent and service to the paper, their community and the journalism industry. Neither will it be lost on most that it is their contributions which have produced the profits now lining the pockets of upper Tribune management types.
Hiller writes that everyone has to be involved in how change happens and should be "invested with a sense of urgency", but how much involvement will the remaining journalists really have in the forward direction of the paper and it's web site? The staff is invited to "think about what you can do; talk to your manager and colleagues about it" and "Let me hear from you if you have ideas you want to share", but will workers' concerns about corporate profits being put before public interests also be considered?
"We are a living, changing organization and this [is] all part of how we adapt", wrote Hiller at the end of his memo.
A living, changing organization adapts best when it's workers — the ones making the biggest and most valuable contribution to the success of the changed organization — are truly included in the process. Regrettably, that can only happen when workers speak with one voice.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 6:21 PM 2 Comments
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Message from David Hiller - Publisher LAT
From: Hiller, David
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 9:17 AM
Subject: Times Change - What's Next
Folks –
I want to bring you up to date on change underway at The Times, what to look for next, and what you can do.
First, evidence mounts every day of the big, pressing need to change our business. The old model is broken, and it’s showing in our financial performance. Revenue in April was down nearly 9%, and May will be down about the same. Cash flow is down even more, with April 34% below last year – leaving us with a cash flow margin in the low teens. We are not alone, and are doing better than some – there are large metro papers that are losing money and some not much better than breaking even. The urgency of our situation is heightened by the Zell/ESOP transaction. The future value of the company - and the ESOP - depends upon our cash flow results to pay down the debt and invest for growth. If anybody has any doubt about the need to change our business to stay successful, please let me know.
So, how are we going to change? We are mobilizing on multiple fronts:
We are adding technology and online product development resources. A little later today, we are announcing that Scott Sullivan has joined latimes.com as chief technology officer and will be building the teams to speed our development and rollout of new interactive products in the second half of 2007 and 2008. High on the priority list will be new local entertainment and listings products, building off the current calendarlive.com offering. We’ve also made initial investments in the camera and editing equipment necessary for our developing video strategy and continue to address our multimedia editorial training and staffing needs.
Project Reinvent is well underway with its mission of re-conceiving the core print paper “from scratch”, true to our journalistic mission and focused sharply on what readers need and want from a print newspaper today. This cross-company team is looking at everything, including how we organize ourselves and the paper, local coverage, story selection, length, presentation, you name it. We’re getting their full report in the next 30 days and will take action right away.
Speaking of local, we are actively working ways of increasing local revenue, including options for better zoning both ads and editorial content, and expanding the reach of Times Community Newspapers.
Hoy is showing strong growth in the Spanish-speaking part of our community, and looking at expanding its Fin de Semana weekend product.
There is also lot of value if we can put more papers through our plants and distribution systems and we are looking at ways to innovate in operations and distribution - likely in collaboration with other newspapers in SoCal.
The recent EVSP program was a difficult but important part of how we are changing – reducing expenses in the core and investing for growth. As part of this, we are both eliminating some positions and adding back some positions. We eliminated approximately 170 positions, mostly through the voluntary buyouts; we are planning to hire back approximately 50 positions in the core paper to strengthen talent in multi-media, local coverage, marketing and sales. In addition, we will be adding likely more than 30 additional staff in interactive before the end of the year. We are a living, changing organization and this all part of how we adapt.
In summation, here are the headlines and I hope they are familiar:
Re-tool everything to be fully multimedia
Grow online faster - integrate with print
Re-invent the core newspaper to better serve our local audience and reflect how readers live, and use print today
Offer more products for more audience segments, like Hoy for the Spanish-speaking SoCal community
Invest and re-allocate resources for growth
Get all at The Times engaged and fired-up about where we are going
With all of these change initiatives underway, being really good at execution is more important than ever. To help us with that, we are naming Elisa Nye to a newly created position of Director/Project Management to help us make sure our actions are well aligned with our priorities and being effectively accomplished.
You also saw Dennis FitzSimons’ organization announcement Tuesday, designed to make our whole Tribune organization more focused, with Scott Smith spending more of his time on the Chicago Tribune, and me and several others reporting directly to Dennis. Dennis is coming out here today to talk about our change initiatives and also discuss similar efforts under way all across Tribune. John O’Loughlin and Russ Stanton are representing us on the Tribune-wide team helping lead these efforts.
Every one of us has to be involved in how we change for the future and invested with a sense of urgency. Many of you already are, but all of us have to be. Every idea for new revenue, every way to do our jobs more effectively, every time we serve a customer better, it all adds up. Think about what you can do; talk to your manager and colleagues about it. Let me hear from you if you have ideas you want to share.
We – and all of our readers, users and advertisers – are in this together.
David
SOURCE: LAObserved
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 9:17 AM
Subject: Times Change - What's Next
Folks –
I want to bring you up to date on change underway at The Times, what to look for next, and what you can do.
First, evidence mounts every day of the big, pressing need to change our business. The old model is broken, and it’s showing in our financial performance. Revenue in April was down nearly 9%, and May will be down about the same. Cash flow is down even more, with April 34% below last year – leaving us with a cash flow margin in the low teens. We are not alone, and are doing better than some – there are large metro papers that are losing money and some not much better than breaking even. The urgency of our situation is heightened by the Zell/ESOP transaction. The future value of the company - and the ESOP - depends upon our cash flow results to pay down the debt and invest for growth. If anybody has any doubt about the need to change our business to stay successful, please let me know.
So, how are we going to change? We are mobilizing on multiple fronts:
We are adding technology and online product development resources. A little later today, we are announcing that Scott Sullivan has joined latimes.com as chief technology officer and will be building the teams to speed our development and rollout of new interactive products in the second half of 2007 and 2008. High on the priority list will be new local entertainment and listings products, building off the current calendarlive.com offering. We’ve also made initial investments in the camera and editing equipment necessary for our developing video strategy and continue to address our multimedia editorial training and staffing needs.
Project Reinvent is well underway with its mission of re-conceiving the core print paper “from scratch”, true to our journalistic mission and focused sharply on what readers need and want from a print newspaper today. This cross-company team is looking at everything, including how we organize ourselves and the paper, local coverage, story selection, length, presentation, you name it. We’re getting their full report in the next 30 days and will take action right away.
Speaking of local, we are actively working ways of increasing local revenue, including options for better zoning both ads and editorial content, and expanding the reach of Times Community Newspapers.
Hoy is showing strong growth in the Spanish-speaking part of our community, and looking at expanding its Fin de Semana weekend product.
There is also lot of value if we can put more papers through our plants and distribution systems and we are looking at ways to innovate in operations and distribution - likely in collaboration with other newspapers in SoCal.
The recent EVSP program was a difficult but important part of how we are changing – reducing expenses in the core and investing for growth. As part of this, we are both eliminating some positions and adding back some positions. We eliminated approximately 170 positions, mostly through the voluntary buyouts; we are planning to hire back approximately 50 positions in the core paper to strengthen talent in multi-media, local coverage, marketing and sales. In addition, we will be adding likely more than 30 additional staff in interactive before the end of the year. We are a living, changing organization and this all part of how we adapt.
In summation, here are the headlines and I hope they are familiar:
Re-tool everything to be fully multimedia
Grow online faster - integrate with print
Re-invent the core newspaper to better serve our local audience and reflect how readers live, and use print today
Offer more products for more audience segments, like Hoy for the Spanish-speaking SoCal community
Invest and re-allocate resources for growth
Get all at The Times engaged and fired-up about where we are going
With all of these change initiatives underway, being really good at execution is more important than ever. To help us with that, we are naming Elisa Nye to a newly created position of Director/Project Management to help us make sure our actions are well aligned with our priorities and being effectively accomplished.
You also saw Dennis FitzSimons’ organization announcement Tuesday, designed to make our whole Tribune organization more focused, with Scott Smith spending more of his time on the Chicago Tribune, and me and several others reporting directly to Dennis. Dennis is coming out here today to talk about our change initiatives and also discuss similar efforts under way all across Tribune. John O’Loughlin and Russ Stanton are representing us on the Tribune-wide team helping lead these efforts.
Every one of us has to be involved in how we change for the future and invested with a sense of urgency. Many of you already are, but all of us have to be. Every idea for new revenue, every way to do our jobs more effectively, every time we serve a customer better, it all adds up. Think about what you can do; talk to your manager and colleagues about it. Let me hear from you if you have ideas you want to share.
We – and all of our readers, users and advertisers – are in this together.
David
SOURCE: LAObserved
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:36 AM 0 Comments
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Save Our Trade: Farewell to a couple of friends
Farewell to a couple of friends
By Al Albanes
"The time that all of us dreamed of it is finally here for two of the best pressmen I've known. John Garay with 35 years of service and Mark Crawford with 31.These are times that we realize how fast time goes by, times when we realize that over the years we spent and shared moments that made us laughed, got together for family picnics, shared a beer or two. We may not agreed about everything at work, but it was fun and those memories will be with us forever...Congratulations guys, best of luck. You earned it."
By Al Albanes
"The time that all of us dreamed of it is finally here for two of the best pressmen I've known. John Garay with 35 years of service and Mark Crawford with 31.These are times that we realize how fast time goes by, times when we realize that over the years we spent and shared moments that made us laughed, got together for family picnics, shared a beer or two. We may not agreed about everything at work, but it was fun and those memories will be with us forever...Congratulations guys, best of luck. You earned it."
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:29 AM 0 Comments
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Blood Letting Continues at Los Angeles Times
At last night’s festival, in honor of John Garay, our human resources representatives were absent, after emailing they would be at the event. I have received word that Alma Perez was the latest victim of downsizing at the Los Angeles Times, and was let go yesterday.
Let’s hope this is but a bad rumor at Olympic, and not the truth.
Many Los Angeles Times employees are concerned that today will be their last day at the newspaper. If familiar faces are missing in the workplace tomorrow, we will assume the worst, they have left the company.
Events like this drags employee moral to new lows, which also makes the workers remaining at the newspaper wonder how much longer before they come after me?
UPDATE: Alma Perez is still with the newspaper, she attended a get together for two other human resources employees that have left the company last night.
Let’s hope this is but a bad rumor at Olympic, and not the truth.
Many Los Angeles Times employees are concerned that today will be their last day at the newspaper. If familiar faces are missing in the workplace tomorrow, we will assume the worst, they have left the company.
Events like this drags employee moral to new lows, which also makes the workers remaining at the newspaper wonder how much longer before they come after me?
UPDATE: Alma Perez is still with the newspaper, she attended a get together for two other human resources employees that have left the company last night.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:30 AM 0 Comments
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Tribune Employees Talk: What's really behind the failed sale of The Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time?
What's really behind the failed sale of The Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time?
First, we want to congratulate the UAW local for fighting for its members at The Stamford Advocate.
Second, we don't for a minute think the union is to blame for the failure of Tribune to close the sale of the those 2 papers.
Maybe the deal started to unravel when Gannett demanded that Stamford Advocate newsroom staff reapply for their jobs in violation of the union contract.
Then after a judge upheld an arbitrator's decision requiring the employees' collective bargaining agreement be included in the Tribune/Gannett deal, Gannett sought to revise language of the sale agreement that would "compensate for the union contract", according to a Gannett spokesperson.
Could an agreement covering 34 newsroom staff derail the deal? We doubt it. "We have a very modest contract, nothing that Gannett couldn't handle," Maida Rosenstein, UAW Local 2110 told Greenwich Time.
So here's the thing: Like Tribune, Gannett is a union employer. It has bought Guild-covered properties in the past, like the Indianapolis Star-News and The Sheboygan Press (Wisconsin) and assumed the union contracts.
So what really happened to the deal in Connecticut? Why did Gannett go to such an extreme to haggle out a deal that would "compensate" it for a union's representation at one of the papers?
Blaming the union would be just too convenient. Could it be that the deal fell through because the amount Gannett agreed to pay didn't look so good months after they originally made the $73M deal?
First, we want to congratulate the UAW local for fighting for its members at The Stamford Advocate.
Second, we don't for a minute think the union is to blame for the failure of Tribune to close the sale of the those 2 papers.
Maybe the deal started to unravel when Gannett demanded that Stamford Advocate newsroom staff reapply for their jobs in violation of the union contract.
Then after a judge upheld an arbitrator's decision requiring the employees' collective bargaining agreement be included in the Tribune/Gannett deal, Gannett sought to revise language of the sale agreement that would "compensate for the union contract", according to a Gannett spokesperson.
Could an agreement covering 34 newsroom staff derail the deal? We doubt it. "We have a very modest contract, nothing that Gannett couldn't handle," Maida Rosenstein, UAW Local 2110 told Greenwich Time.
So here's the thing: Like Tribune, Gannett is a union employer. It has bought Guild-covered properties in the past, like the Indianapolis Star-News and The Sheboygan Press (Wisconsin) and assumed the union contracts.
So what really happened to the deal in Connecticut? Why did Gannett go to such an extreme to haggle out a deal that would "compensate" it for a union's representation at one of the papers?
Blaming the union would be just too convenient. Could it be that the deal fell through because the amount Gannett agreed to pay didn't look so good months after they originally made the $73M deal?
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 3:02 AM 1 Comments
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Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Al on KPCC
Scuttlebutt has it that Al
Martinez will be on KPCC sometime this Friday to discuss his unceremonious ending at the LA Times. Not sure what time, but check their website that day.
Scuttlebutt has it that Al
Martinez will be on KPCC sometime this Friday to discuss his unceremonious ending at the LA Times. Not sure what time, but check their website that day.
posted by Kanani |
¶ 6:18 PM 0 Comments
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And Then They Swam Back To The Sea
The whales returned to the Ocean today.
It was a very long journey for them, and at times none of us thought they'd make it.
Scientists said they've had no sightings of the whales today, and believe the two have gone under the Golden Gate Bridge and are on their way back north.
God Speed, Mama and Baby Whale.
The whales returned to the Ocean today.
It was a very long journey for them, and at times none of us thought they'd make it.
Scientists said they've had no sightings of the whales today, and believe the two have gone under the Golden Gate Bridge and are on their way back north.
God Speed, Mama and Baby Whale.
posted by Kanani |
¶ 5:33 PM 1 Comments
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Tuesday, May 29, 2007
LAT Employees Taking the Buyout
We hear a lot of noise about editorial employees of the newspaper leaving, and almost nothing about the other workers leaving the newspaper through the buyouts. Here's the list of non-editorial employees leaving the Los Angeles Times this Thursday, with several hundred years of service.
- Glenn Bocatija
- Colette Chaffee
- Russ Christensen
- Carlotta Clementin
- Alicia Collins
- Leslie Cox
- Mark Crawford
- Frank Cruz
- Paula Ferrini
- John Garay
- Ken Graupmann
- Leonora Gutierrez
- Michael Harnish
- Lin Lam
- Sean McCartan
- Finch McGee
- Ronald Morgan
- David Puopolo
- Steven Rodriquez
- Fred Schabowski
We wish them well and they will be missed by all of us.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:50 PM 0 Comments
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Media News
Worker Killed In 'Chicago Tribune' Plant Accident - Editor & Publisher
Canned Responses on Al Martinez - LAObserved
Why I'm Leaving The L.A. Times - Huffington Post
Tribune Co. redraws newspaper management chart - Chicago Business
Vote Means Lockout Will End at Toledo 'Blade' - Editor & Publisher
Kenneth Eng Former SF AsianWeek columnist arrested - P. Press Club
Tribune debt may force asset sales - Los Angeles Times
Gremillion Named Exec VP of Tribune Publishing - Editor & Publisher
Online Journalism Goes to the Dogs - New York Observer
The Times is "increasingly anti-union in its editorial policy - Take Back the Times
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 8:58 PM 0 Comments
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Take Back the Times: O'Shea Fails To Promise No More Buyouts
O'Shea Fails To Promise No More Buyouts
One significant omission in L.A. Times "editor" James O'Shea's latest memo to the Times staff, as a friend noted to me today, was any promise that the latest destructive buyout will be the last.
Already, there are rumors of another buyout in December.
One significant omission in L.A. Times "editor" James O'Shea's latest memo to the Times staff, as a friend noted to me today, was any promise that the latest destructive buyout will be the last.
Already, there are rumors of another buyout in December.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 2:33 PM 0 Comments
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Tribune Employees Talk: Tendered shares will be paid by June 5
Tendered shares will be paid by June 5
Tribune announced last Friday that around 92% of of shares outstanding were tendered by the May 24 expiration of the tender offer.
The offer was for 126,000,000 shares but because 224,000,000 were tendered by shareholders, the shares will be purchased on a pro rata basis.
Tribune announced last Friday that around 92% of of shares outstanding were tendered by the May 24 expiration of the tender offer.
The offer was for 126,000,000 shares but because 224,000,000 were tendered by shareholders, the shares will be purchased on a pro rata basis.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 2:28 PM 0 Comments
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Easy-Writer: Kanani: Over on The Writerly Pause
An interview with writer Annie Proulx by Charlie Rose
as well as the result of our Fantasy Island Writer's Happy Hour.
Watch the interview by going here, scrolling down our side bar and clicking on the videobar.
An interview with writer Annie Proulx by Charlie Rose
as well as the result of our Fantasy Island Writer's Happy Hour.
Watch the interview by going here, scrolling down our side bar and clicking on the videobar.
posted by Kanani |
¶ 2:11 PM 0 Comments
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Sunday, May 27, 2007
Great Weather for a Picnic
I'm leaving for Elyian Park in a few minutes, the weather is just perfect for a day outside. Regular posting will resume Monday night, until then have a great holiday everyone.
The picnic is open for anyone that would like to attend, just jump over to BlogDowntown for details and a map of where we are, starts at 2:00 p.m.
The picnic is open for anyone that would like to attend, just jump over to BlogDowntown for details and a map of where we are, starts at 2:00 p.m.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 12:35 PM 0 Comments
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Good To Be Home
It's been quite a week, and I'm happy to be home. It's tough living out of a suitcase.
However, I would recommend a visit to New Orleans for anyone who enjoy good music, carriage rides, luscious drinks and Cajun food! I enjoyed it so much that I missed my flight out this afternoon! Luckily, I was able to get on a later flight and returned home several hours later than anticipated. But at least I was able to return home on the same day and not have to sleep at the airport in Houston until tomorrow. WHEW!
Now, I'm tired but have two days to rest before work on Tuesday.
Here's wishing everyone a Happy and Safe Memorial Day.
STAY POSITIVE FOLKS!
However, I would recommend a visit to New Orleans for anyone who enjoy good music, carriage rides, luscious drinks and Cajun food! I enjoyed it so much that I missed my flight out this afternoon! Luckily, I was able to get on a later flight and returned home several hours later than anticipated. But at least I was able to return home on the same day and not have to sleep at the airport in Houston until tomorrow. WHEW!
Now, I'm tired but have two days to rest before work on Tuesday.
Here's wishing everyone a Happy and Safe Memorial Day.
STAY POSITIVE FOLKS!
posted by Nubia |
¶ 12:07 AM 0 Comments
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Saturday, May 26, 2007
Happy Memorial Day Weekend
I hope everyone is having a good Memorial Day weekend. This year finds us at home for the most part. I say that because my youngest daughter, Nikki, plays softball and made the All Star team this year. This means that for the next few weeks, we'll be watching softball tournaments in various locations. This weekend's tournament is in Norco. I've never been to Norco before and was quite surprised to find out that the park the girls are playing in is directly across the street from a prison. Somehow, I couldn't stop looking at the buildings and barbed-wire fence and wondering about what goes on there.
The other event this weekend was my Aunt Avelina's 80th birthday party. There were originally 4 children in my mother's family. Now only my mother and her sister are left. It was wonderful being with all my relatives again. My Aunt Silvia remarked to me that she was so glad to see everyone at a birthday party instead of a funeral. Sadly, it is true that we seem to gather only after someone has died.
Whatever you do, please have a safe weekend. Don't drink and drive, and remember to say a prayer for our troops currently serving in various parts of the world. God bless everyone and stay safe.
The other event this weekend was my Aunt Avelina's 80th birthday party. There were originally 4 children in my mother's family. Now only my mother and her sister are left. It was wonderful being with all my relatives again. My Aunt Silvia remarked to me that she was so glad to see everyone at a birthday party instead of a funeral. Sadly, it is true that we seem to gather only after someone has died.
Whatever you do, please have a safe weekend. Don't drink and drive, and remember to say a prayer for our troops currently serving in various parts of the world. God bless everyone and stay safe.
posted by Jade |
¶ 10:13 PM 0 Comments
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Friday, May 25, 2007
Rumor Central: Ya heard it here first...
"Our editors concluded it was time for a change of direction in our lineup of columnists." -The Management
The Pressmen are proud to introduce the NEWEST columnist at the LA TIMES. Popular with that certain non-reading demographic, multicultural appeal, cross-generational, and tremendous "X" factor!
The Pressmen are proud to introduce the NEWEST columnist at the LA TIMES. Popular with that certain non-reading demographic, multicultural appeal, cross-generational, and tremendous "X" factor!
posted by Kanani |
¶ 10:07 PM 0 Comments
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For The Weekend
Only because it's so much better than reading all the memos.
Here's more Lemonette , the sane alternative to the Tribune.
Note: Ed will start automoblogging next weekend. However, the camera will be on the passenger. If he offers you a ride, just make sure your shirt isn't on inside out.
"There's the mirror, there's the camera, there's the fuzzy dice, there's Ed".
And here's my favorite Crab Dip --I found it on Cooks.com after a losing the original one clipped from a newspaper twenty years ago! I'm having a party this weekend. This is high in calories and cholesterol. You will need to work out prior to and after.
CRAB, CLAM OR SHRIMP MOLDED DIP
2 cans crab, drained and flaked
1 sm. pkg. Knox gelatin, unflavored
1/4 c. cold water
1 can undiluted cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery
1 c. mayonnaise
1 lg. pkg. cream cheese
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. onion juice
1/4 to 1/2 c. finely chopped celery
1/4 c finely diced red onion
1 tsp. dried or fresh dill
Juice of 1 sm. lemon
Dissolve gelatin in cold water. Heat undiluted soup to boiling; add gelatin and chill until thick. While waiting mix all other ingredients together except seafood. Add to gelatin soup mixture, then add seafood. Chill in mold until firm. Turn out mold on lettuce or surround with sprigs of parsley. Serve with potato chips and/or crackers as a spread or dip. Make this a day before. Keeps well.
Here's more Lemonette , the sane alternative to the Tribune.
Note: Ed will start automoblogging next weekend. However, the camera will be on the passenger. If he offers you a ride, just make sure your shirt isn't on inside out.
"There's the mirror, there's the camera, there's the fuzzy dice, there's Ed".
And here's my favorite Crab Dip --I found it on Cooks.com after a losing the original one clipped from a newspaper twenty years ago! I'm having a party this weekend. This is high in calories and cholesterol. You will need to work out prior to and after.
CRAB, CLAM OR SHRIMP MOLDED DIP
2 cans crab, drained and flaked
1 sm. pkg. Knox gelatin, unflavored
1/4 c. cold water
1 can undiluted cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery
1 c. mayonnaise
1 lg. pkg. cream cheese
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. onion juice
1/4 to 1/2 c. finely chopped celery
1/4 c finely diced red onion
1 tsp. dried or fresh dill
Juice of 1 sm. lemon
Dissolve gelatin in cold water. Heat undiluted soup to boiling; add gelatin and chill until thick. While waiting mix all other ingredients together except seafood. Add to gelatin soup mixture, then add seafood. Chill in mold until firm. Turn out mold on lettuce or surround with sprigs of parsley. Serve with potato chips and/or crackers as a spread or dip. Make this a day before. Keeps well.
posted by Kanani |
¶ 2:16 PM 2 Comments
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Sick of the "official line"
So here is the line from "Someone At The Times" in regards to Al's departure.
"My understanding is he volunteered for it. A pretty good payday, I heard, especially for a 77-year-old who would have been put out to pasture a long time ago in most other professions."
(well, except for this profession, which has traditionally valued the skills and opinions of people like.... Walter Cronkite, David Halberstam, Jack Smith, Jim Murray, Pauline Kael, Journos Emeritus, if you please.)
Quite frankly, I think "volunteering" is a long stretch.
It's sort of like me telling my kid, "clean your room or they'll be no TV tonite." He'll do it, but he didn't want to.
From what we've heard straight from the lion's mouth is that he really didn't want to quit, had no intention of ever stopping his biweekly column. And in our meeting with him last month, he intended to finish out his career here.
I think Bill Boyarski has the best point of view in his article, "Dumping Al."
"My understanding is he volunteered for it. A pretty good payday, I heard, especially for a 77-year-old who would have been put out to pasture a long time ago in most other professions."
(well, except for this profession, which has traditionally valued the skills and opinions of people like.... Walter Cronkite, David Halberstam, Jack Smith, Jim Murray, Pauline Kael, Journos Emeritus, if you please.)
Quite frankly, I think "volunteering" is a long stretch.
It's sort of like me telling my kid, "clean your room or they'll be no TV tonite." He'll do it, but he didn't want to.
From what we've heard straight from the lion's mouth is that he really didn't want to quit, had no intention of ever stopping his biweekly column. And in our meeting with him last month, he intended to finish out his career here.
I think Bill Boyarski has the best point of view in his article, "Dumping Al."
posted by Kanani |
¶ 12:08 PM 4 Comments
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Message from Jay W. Scott - HR Sr. Manager
From: Scott, Jay
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 10:38 AM
To: zzAll LATimes Employees
Subject: Food Services Update - Operating Schedule
Colleagues,
As you are aware, we are making some changes to our food service operation. We are excited to welcome our new vendor, CulinArt, effective June 4, 2007.
Please refer to my email of May 3, 2007 for more information but here is some important information in regard to the operating schedule for the next week and some information on this weekend’s Spring Street Café operating schedule.
Gallery
Closes on Friday, May 25, with catering continuing through Thursday, May 31
Spring Street Café
Memorial Day Weekend operating hours: 12 noon to 6pm, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Closed from Thursday, May 31 at 2pm through the weekend
Reopens Monday, June 4 at 7am
Olympic and Orange County Cafés
Closed from 2pm Wednesday, May 30 through the weekend
Reopening Monday, June 4 at 7am
Catering trucks will be available during certain times, additional information to follow
Vending machines
Changing them out starting next week
New machines in and available Monday, June 4
Since the cafés will be closed and vending machines limited for a long weekend in order to transition to CulinArt, please make other arrangements for your dining needs during this time. We apologize for any inconvenience. We are eagerly anticipating the re-opening of the cafés on Monday, June 4, so please come and check them out.
Thanks,
Jay W. Scott
Sr. Human Resources Manager
Compensation/HRIS/Employee Services
Los Angeles Times
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 10:38 AM
To: zzAll LATimes Employees
Subject: Food Services Update - Operating Schedule
Colleagues,
As you are aware, we are making some changes to our food service operation. We are excited to welcome our new vendor, CulinArt, effective June 4, 2007.
Please refer to my email of May 3, 2007 for more information but here is some important information in regard to the operating schedule for the next week and some information on this weekend’s Spring Street Café operating schedule.
Gallery
Closes on Friday, May 25, with catering continuing through Thursday, May 31
Spring Street Café
Memorial Day Weekend operating hours: 12 noon to 6pm, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Closed from Thursday, May 31 at 2pm through the weekend
Reopens Monday, June 4 at 7am
Olympic and Orange County Cafés
Closed from 2pm Wednesday, May 30 through the weekend
Reopening Monday, June 4 at 7am
Catering trucks will be available during certain times, additional information to follow
Vending machines
Changing them out starting next week
New machines in and available Monday, June 4
Since the cafés will be closed and vending machines limited for a long weekend in order to transition to CulinArt, please make other arrangements for your dining needs during this time. We apologize for any inconvenience. We are eagerly anticipating the re-opening of the cafés on Monday, June 4, so please come and check them out.
Thanks,
Jay W. Scott
Sr. Human Resources Manager
Compensation/HRIS/Employee Services
Los Angeles Times
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:42 AM 0 Comments
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Message from Dennis FitzSimons - CEO Tribune
From: Dennis FitzSimons
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 9:09 AM
Subject:
Dear Fellow Employee:
It’s been a busy few weeks. Sandwiched around our annual shareholders’ meeting, I met with employees at Newsday, Chicago Tribune, WGN Radio and TV, the Los Angeles Times and KTLA, and with all of our TV general managers at the CW fall preview meeting for advertisers last week in New York. Scott Smith held meetings at our newspapers in Florida and at Newsday. In addition, John Reardon and John Vitanovic have so far visited 11 of our television stations.
At each meeting we discussed the ESOP/Zell transaction and fielded questions from employees. It was quite apparent that some misperceptions are still out there, so I want to take this opportunity to clarify a couple of issues more broadly.
If you have additional questions on this or other topics, I again encourage you to visit the employee information website. If your question is not addressed there, use the “Ask a Question” feature on the website and you’ll receive a prompt response.
Later this year you will receive additional communication about our new benefit plans, including the ESOP. Please remember that the first allocation to employees from both the cash balance plan and the ESOP will be made in January 2009 for the 2008 calendar year.
Today we announced the preliminary results of our stock tender offer that closed yesterday. Our press release with full details is available on TribLink and www.tribune.com, and we’ll issue another release with final results next week. The tender was clearly successful, and we’re now very close to completing the first stage of our going-private transaction.
As you know, regulatory approval will be one of the final steps in the process. On that front we received some good news last Friday when a bipartisan group of 14 members of Illinois’ congressional delegation wrote to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, urging him to act quickly on issues related to our transaction.
In the meantime, it’s important that we focus on business. Right now the revenue situation at both our newspapers and television stations is difficult. Interactive growth is good but not enough to make up for the decline in print. We expect trends to improve in the second half of the year, especially in the television group. Having seen recent presentations for the CW network’s fall line-up last week, we are optimistic. Along with the debut of “Family Guy” and “Two-and-a-Half Men” on many of our stations, the fall TV season looks promising.
Finally, a quick word about the “legal language” included below – it is a necessary inclusion at this time due to the upcoming shareholder meeting on the ESOP/Zell transaction.
Thanks for all you’re doing as we look forward to an important new chapter in Tribune’s history.
Sincerely,
Dennis
Important Additional Information Regarding the Merger and the Tender Offer will be filed with the SEC
In connection with the proposed merger transaction, Tribune Company will file a proxy statement and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPOSED MERGER TRANSACTION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement (when available) and other documents filed by Tribune with the SEC at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents may also be obtained free of charge on Tribune’s website at www.tribune.com or by directing a request to Tribune Company, 435 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, Attention: Investor Relations.
You may also read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by Tribune with the SEC at the SEC public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Room 1200, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or visit the SEC’s website for further information on its public reference room.
Tribune Company and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Tribune in connection with the proposed merger transaction. Information about Tribune and its directors and executive officers and their ownership of Tribune common stock is set forth in the accompanying proxy statement for Tribune’s 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Shareholders and investors may obtain additional information regarding the interests of Tribune Company and its directors and executive officers in the merger transaction, which may be different than those of Tribune’s shareholders generally, by reading the proxy statement and other relevant documents regarding the merger transaction, which will be filed with the SEC.
This document is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of Tribune’s common stock. The solicitation of offers to buy Tribune’s common stock is being made pursuant to the offer to purchase and related materials that the company has sent to its shareholders. Shareholders should read those materials carefully because they contain important information, including the various terms and conditions of the offer. Shareholders can obtain copies of the offer to purchase and related materials filed by Tribune Company as part of the statement on Schedule TO with the SEC on April 25, 2007, as amended, through the SEC’s internet address at http://www.sec.gov without charge. Shareholders can also obtain copies of the offer to purchase and related materials, filed with the SEC (excluding exhibits), without charge from the company or by written or oral request directed to Innisfree M&A Incorporated, 501 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022, telephone number 1 (877) 825-8621 (banks and brokerage firms call collect (212) 750-5833).
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains certain comments or forward-looking statements that are based largely on the company’s current expectations and are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties. You can identify these and other forward looking statements by the use of such words as “will,” “expect,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “intend,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements also include the assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing statements. Actual results could differ materially from the expectations expressed in these statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include risks related to the transactions being consummated; the risk that required regulatory approvals or financing might not be obtained in a timely manner, without conditions, or at all; the impact of the substantial indebtedness incurred to finance the consummation of the tender offer and the merger; the ability to satisfy all closing conditions in the definitive agreements; difficulties in retaining employees as a result of the merger agreement; risks of unforeseen material adverse changes to our business or operations; risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans, operations, and business growth initiatives; the risk associated with the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Tribune and others following announcement of the merger agreement; and other factors described in Tribune’s publicly available reports filed with the SEC, including the most current annual 10-K report and quarterly 10-Q report, which contain a discussion of various factors that may affect Tribune’s business or financial results. These factors, including also the ability to complete the tender offer or the merger, could cause actual future performance to differ materially from current expectations. Tribune is not responsible for updating the information contained in this document beyond the published date, or for changes made to this document by wire services or Internet service providers. Tribune’s next quarterly 10-Q report to be filed with the SEC may contain updates to the information included in this document.
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 9:09 AM
Subject:
Dear Fellow Employee:
It’s been a busy few weeks. Sandwiched around our annual shareholders’ meeting, I met with employees at Newsday, Chicago Tribune, WGN Radio and TV, the Los Angeles Times and KTLA, and with all of our TV general managers at the CW fall preview meeting for advertisers last week in New York. Scott Smith held meetings at our newspapers in Florida and at Newsday. In addition, John Reardon and John Vitanovic have so far visited 11 of our television stations.
At each meeting we discussed the ESOP/Zell transaction and fielded questions from employees. It was quite apparent that some misperceptions are still out there, so I want to take this opportunity to clarify a couple of issues more broadly.
· Sam Zell is acquiring Tribune Company.
- Many people seem to think that Sam Zell has already acquired or will acquire Tribune Company later this year—that is not accurate. What is accurate is that Sam will sponsor, through his investment in Tribune, a going-private transaction. When the transaction closes, expected in the fourth quarter of 2007, Tribune will be owned entirely by an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The ESOP will own 56.5 million shares of Tribune stock, which will be 100 percent of the outstanding shares at that time.
Last month, Sam made an initial investment of $250 million in Tribune. Upon closing, his investment will increase to $315 million and he’ll become chairman of Tribune’s board of directors. I will remain as CEO and as a director. Following the close, Sam also will hold a warrant to acquire 40 percent of Tribune’s common stock at any time within the next 15 years.- Full details about Tribune’s ownership structure are posted on the employee information website, available through TribLink and http://tribuneathome.com.
· The role of the ESOP Trustee.
During every stage of the transaction announced on April 2, employees were represented in the negotiations by GreatBanc Trust Company, one of the most experienced ESOP trustees in the country. GreatBanc acts as the ESOP Trustee for major U.S. corporations, including ABN/AMRO/LaSalle, Citigroup, Hartmarx, Rite Aid, Sherwin-Williams, Provident Bank and Wells Fargo & Company.
On behalf of the new Tribune ESOP and its participants, GreatBanc negotiated for and acquired its shares of Tribune stock at $28, which compares favorably to the $34 price paid by Sam Zell to purchase his shares.
As the ESOP trustee, GreatBanc will vote all Tribune shares owned by the ESOP on all matters submitted to a shareholder vote, such as the annual election of directors and ratification of the company’s auditor. GreatBanc will not sit on the board, which is consistent with the role of trustees at other ESOP-owned corporations.
In the event of a future merger or sale of all or substantially all of the company’s assets, employees will direct the ESOP trustee on how to vote the shares which have been allocated to their ESOP accounts.
If you have additional questions on this or other topics, I again encourage you to visit the employee information website. If your question is not addressed there, use the “Ask a Question” feature on the website and you’ll receive a prompt response.
Later this year you will receive additional communication about our new benefit plans, including the ESOP. Please remember that the first allocation to employees from both the cash balance plan and the ESOP will be made in January 2009 for the 2008 calendar year.
Today we announced the preliminary results of our stock tender offer that closed yesterday. Our press release with full details is available on TribLink and www.tribune.com, and we’ll issue another release with final results next week. The tender was clearly successful, and we’re now very close to completing the first stage of our going-private transaction.
As you know, regulatory approval will be one of the final steps in the process. On that front we received some good news last Friday when a bipartisan group of 14 members of Illinois’ congressional delegation wrote to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, urging him to act quickly on issues related to our transaction.
In the meantime, it’s important that we focus on business. Right now the revenue situation at both our newspapers and television stations is difficult. Interactive growth is good but not enough to make up for the decline in print. We expect trends to improve in the second half of the year, especially in the television group. Having seen recent presentations for the CW network’s fall line-up last week, we are optimistic. Along with the debut of “Family Guy” and “Two-and-a-Half Men” on many of our stations, the fall TV season looks promising.
Finally, a quick word about the “legal language” included below – it is a necessary inclusion at this time due to the upcoming shareholder meeting on the ESOP/Zell transaction.
Thanks for all you’re doing as we look forward to an important new chapter in Tribune’s history.
Sincerely,
Dennis
Important Additional Information Regarding the Merger and the Tender Offer will be filed with the SEC
In connection with the proposed merger transaction, Tribune Company will file a proxy statement and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPOSED MERGER TRANSACTION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement (when available) and other documents filed by Tribune with the SEC at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents may also be obtained free of charge on Tribune’s website at www.tribune.com or by directing a request to Tribune Company, 435 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, Attention: Investor Relations.
You may also read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by Tribune with the SEC at the SEC public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Room 1200, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or visit the SEC’s website for further information on its public reference room.
Tribune Company and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Tribune in connection with the proposed merger transaction. Information about Tribune and its directors and executive officers and their ownership of Tribune common stock is set forth in the accompanying proxy statement for Tribune’s 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Shareholders and investors may obtain additional information regarding the interests of Tribune Company and its directors and executive officers in the merger transaction, which may be different than those of Tribune’s shareholders generally, by reading the proxy statement and other relevant documents regarding the merger transaction, which will be filed with the SEC.
This document is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of Tribune’s common stock. The solicitation of offers to buy Tribune’s common stock is being made pursuant to the offer to purchase and related materials that the company has sent to its shareholders. Shareholders should read those materials carefully because they contain important information, including the various terms and conditions of the offer. Shareholders can obtain copies of the offer to purchase and related materials filed by Tribune Company as part of the statement on Schedule TO with the SEC on April 25, 2007, as amended, through the SEC’s internet address at http://www.sec.gov without charge. Shareholders can also obtain copies of the offer to purchase and related materials, filed with the SEC (excluding exhibits), without charge from the company or by written or oral request directed to Innisfree M&A Incorporated, 501 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022, telephone number 1 (877) 825-8621 (banks and brokerage firms call collect (212) 750-5833).
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains certain comments or forward-looking statements that are based largely on the company’s current expectations and are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties. You can identify these and other forward looking statements by the use of such words as “will,” “expect,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “intend,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements also include the assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing statements. Actual results could differ materially from the expectations expressed in these statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include risks related to the transactions being consummated; the risk that required regulatory approvals or financing might not be obtained in a timely manner, without conditions, or at all; the impact of the substantial indebtedness incurred to finance the consummation of the tender offer and the merger; the ability to satisfy all closing conditions in the definitive agreements; difficulties in retaining employees as a result of the merger agreement; risks of unforeseen material adverse changes to our business or operations; risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans, operations, and business growth initiatives; the risk associated with the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Tribune and others following announcement of the merger agreement; and other factors described in Tribune’s publicly available reports filed with the SEC, including the most current annual 10-K report and quarterly 10-Q report, which contain a discussion of various factors that may affect Tribune’s business or financial results. These factors, including also the ability to complete the tender offer or the merger, could cause actual future performance to differ materially from current expectations. Tribune is not responsible for updating the information contained in this document beyond the published date, or for changes made to this document by wire services or Internet service providers. Tribune’s next quarterly 10-Q report to be filed with the SEC may contain updates to the information included in this document.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:57 AM 1 Comments
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Save Our Trade: Project: Newsletter
Project: Newsletter
By Al Albanes
"For the longest time has bothered me the spread of rumors and how stories change from mouth to mouth, then it occurred to me volunteer to redesign and existing site that is meant to help clear some of the rumors and talk about facts and find ways to make our job easier and enjoyable."
[snip]
"Remember is not about taking sides anymore, is about working together and helping each other."
By Al Albanes
"For the longest time has bothered me the spread of rumors and how stories change from mouth to mouth, then it occurred to me volunteer to redesign and existing site that is meant to help clear some of the rumors and talk about facts and find ways to make our job easier and enjoyable."
[snip]
"Remember is not about taking sides anymore, is about working together and helping each other."
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:24 AM 1 Comments
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Easy-Writer: Kanani: Callous Treatment of a Fifty Year Journalist
Callous Treatment of a Fifty Year Journalist
It's the same with Al Martinez. He has a fan base too. He represents the Times when it was a great paper. Whether you want to think of it as a point of civic pride or just nostalgia, people like me keep our subscription even though it's painful to see this paper being treated as though it were an entrant in a demolition derby.
Frankly I can't believe that getting rid of a biweekly columnist like Al is going to make a huge dent in their bottom line. No, he got swept in with some quota that said, "X number of jobs must go." And so I think with moves like this, it becomes apparent that the paper is entrenched in the same track as the rest of society: more information, but far less critical thinking.
It's the same with Al Martinez. He has a fan base too. He represents the Times when it was a great paper. Whether you want to think of it as a point of civic pride or just nostalgia, people like me keep our subscription even though it's painful to see this paper being treated as though it were an entrant in a demolition derby.
Frankly I can't believe that getting rid of a biweekly columnist like Al is going to make a huge dent in their bottom line. No, he got swept in with some quota that said, "X number of jobs must go." And so I think with moves like this, it becomes apparent that the paper is entrenched in the same track as the rest of society: more information, but far less critical thinking.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:19 AM 1 Comments
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TRIBUNE COMPANY PRESS RELEASE
TRIBUNE COMPANY PRESS RELEASE
May 25, 2007
Tribune Announces Preliminary Results of Tender Offer
CHICAGO, May 25, 2007 –- Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) today announced the preliminary results of its stock tender offer which expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Thursday, May 24, 2007. Based on the preliminary count by the depositary for the tender offer, approximately 224 million shares were tendered by shareholders, representing approximately 92 percent of the shares outstanding.
The tender offer to repurchase up to 126,000,000 shares of the company’s common stock for $34.00 per share was made pursuant to the previously disclosed merger agreement among Tribune, the Tribune Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), the ESOP’s merger subsidiary and an affiliate of Sam Zell.
Because more than 126,000,000 shares were tendered, the company will purchase shares on a pro rata basis. “Odd lots”—stock holdings of less than 100 shares—will not be prorated. The proration of shares will be based on the ratio of the number of shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn by a shareholder to the total number of shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn by all shareholders, other than “odd lot” holders.
The number of shares tendered is preliminary and subject to verification by the depositary. The Company will commence payment for shares purchased in the tender offer promptly upon determination of the final proration factor and in any event no later than June 5, 2007. Payment for shares purchased will be made in cash, without interest.
Merrill Lynch & Co., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. MorganSecurities Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC served as Co-Dealer Managers for the tender offer. Innisfree M&A Incorporated served as Information Agent and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. served as the Depositary. Any questions about the tender offer may be directed to Innisfree M&A at 501 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, telephone 877/825-8621 (banker and brokerage firms call collect 212/750-5833).
Full report can be viewed online here.
May 25, 2007
Tribune Announces Preliminary Results of Tender Offer
CHICAGO, May 25, 2007 –- Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) today announced the preliminary results of its stock tender offer which expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Thursday, May 24, 2007. Based on the preliminary count by the depositary for the tender offer, approximately 224 million shares were tendered by shareholders, representing approximately 92 percent of the shares outstanding.
The tender offer to repurchase up to 126,000,000 shares of the company’s common stock for $34.00 per share was made pursuant to the previously disclosed merger agreement among Tribune, the Tribune Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), the ESOP’s merger subsidiary and an affiliate of Sam Zell.
Because more than 126,000,000 shares were tendered, the company will purchase shares on a pro rata basis. “Odd lots”—stock holdings of less than 100 shares—will not be prorated. The proration of shares will be based on the ratio of the number of shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn by a shareholder to the total number of shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn by all shareholders, other than “odd lot” holders.
The number of shares tendered is preliminary and subject to verification by the depositary. The Company will commence payment for shares purchased in the tender offer promptly upon determination of the final proration factor and in any event no later than June 5, 2007. Payment for shares purchased will be made in cash, without interest.
Merrill Lynch & Co., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. MorganSecurities Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC served as Co-Dealer Managers for the tender offer. Innisfree M&A Incorporated served as Information Agent and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. served as the Depositary. Any questions about the tender offer may be directed to Innisfree M&A at 501 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, telephone 877/825-8621 (banker and brokerage firms call collect 212/750-5833).
Full report can be viewed online here.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 8:11 AM 0 Comments
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Tribune Employees Talk: LAT newsroom will LOSE 57, but ...
LAT newsroom will LOSE 57, but ...
According to editor Jim O'Shea in a memo to the staff today "some highly talented people are leaving the staff and I hate to see them go. No one enjoys going through something like this, least of all me. This is a time of wrenching change at our paper ..."
In the same memo: "In the editorial department, 57 members of the staff will be leaving the paper ... We will replace a significant number of people, though, to offset the decline."
Those who left under their own volition might look at the severance package as a gift. It is not.
It is money earned over the years for contributing to the greatness of the Los Angeles Times. For those who were pushed out — or whose jobs were eliminated: it's a shame no effort was made to keep those hard-working and talented employees.
At the end of the day, the LAT severance package falls far short of how loyal employees should be treated. Indeed, it remains to be seen if the new replacements will be hired because they are highly talented or just another poorly disguised corporate move to pay lower salaries.
Wrenching time of change indeed. For the 57.
According to editor Jim O'Shea in a memo to the staff today "some highly talented people are leaving the staff and I hate to see them go. No one enjoys going through something like this, least of all me. This is a time of wrenching change at our paper ..."
In the same memo: "In the editorial department, 57 members of the staff will be leaving the paper ... We will replace a significant number of people, though, to offset the decline."
Those who left under their own volition might look at the severance package as a gift. It is not.
It is money earned over the years for contributing to the greatness of the Los Angeles Times. For those who were pushed out — or whose jobs were eliminated: it's a shame no effort was made to keep those hard-working and talented employees.
At the end of the day, the LAT severance package falls far short of how loyal employees should be treated. Indeed, it remains to be seen if the new replacements will be hired because they are highly talented or just another poorly disguised corporate move to pay lower salaries.
Wrenching time of change indeed. For the 57.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 8:01 AM 0 Comments
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Thursday, May 24, 2007
Valuable Offer from our Client -- Just Tires
From: Caryl, Jeffrey
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2007 1:39 PM
To: zzAll LATimes Employees
Subject: FW: Valuable Offer from our Client -- Just Tires
Here's a great deal from one of our clients - Just Tires. they're offering LAT employees their "employee discount" on all new tire purchases through Monday, May 28th. Although no coupon is necessary, it would be nice to print this out and let them know that you're from the Los Angeles Times.
Our mutual client, Just Tires, is offering Employee Pricing to the public this weekend, and they have asked that we help spread the message with good, old fashioned "word-of-mouth!" This is a great deal to share with your co-workers, friends and family members. Also if you have the ability to share this with your station's "loyal listeners" or your papers "opt-in" readers, please do because it is a great offer! No coupon is necessary, just go to one of the Just Tires locations in the area 5/24-5/28 and you will receive Employee Pricing!
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2007 1:39 PM
To: zzAll LATimes Employees
Subject: FW: Valuable Offer from our Client -- Just Tires
Here's a great deal from one of our clients - Just Tires. they're offering LAT employees their "employee discount" on all new tire purchases through Monday, May 28th. Although no coupon is necessary, it would be nice to print this out and let them know that you're from the Los Angeles Times.
Our mutual client, Just Tires, is offering Employee Pricing to the public this weekend, and they have asked that we help spread the message with good, old fashioned "word-of-mouth!" This is a great deal to share with your co-workers, friends and family members. Also if you have the ability to share this with your station's "loyal listeners" or your papers "opt-in" readers, please do because it is a great offer! No coupon is necessary, just go to one of the Just Tires locations in the area 5/24-5/28 and you will receive Employee Pricing!
If you, your family or friends are looking to buy tires, this is the weekend to shop at Just Tires. All through Memorial Day weekend, Thursday, May 24 through Monday, May 28, you can get employee prices at Just Tires locations. That means you get the employee discount on all Goodyear and Dunlop tires. There are also some great mail-in rebate offers on both Goodyear and Dunlop tires this weekend. Details and locations are available at www.justtires.com.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:21 PM 0 Comments
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Prayer Request for Former Pressman John Bragg
The following email arrived from Richard L Renchard today.
"Emmitt Jamie, Gus Carrion, Mark Agnew, And myself visited John Bragg at Kaiser Hospital in Anaheim yesterday the 23rd. For your information John has been diagnosed with Acute Leukemia. He is very seriously ill. I would like for you to send everone on your list this info. John needs our prayers for his complete recovery. It is my hope that everyone who knows John will pray for him."
I will post updates with the address of the hospital as soon as I have further information.
"Emmitt Jamie, Gus Carrion, Mark Agnew, And myself visited John Bragg at Kaiser Hospital in Anaheim yesterday the 23rd. For your information John has been diagnosed with Acute Leukemia. He is very seriously ill. I would like for you to send everone on your list this info. John needs our prayers for his complete recovery. It is my hope that everyone who knows John will pray for him."
I will post updates with the address of the hospital as soon as I have further information.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:07 PM 0 Comments
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Message From Jim O"Shea - Editor LAT
From: OShea, James
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2007 4:14 PM
Subject:
To the staff:
Today the Los Angeles Times completed a voluntary and involuntary employee separation program. The vast majority of people leaving the newspaper will depart voluntarily over the next few weeks. The total also included a very small number of involuntary departures. Everyone who will be leaving has been notified. All will receive a generous separation package that includes salary continuation and outplacement assistance.
In the editorial department, 57 members of the staff will be leaving the paper, not including a few editorial assistants whose positions are being converted to part time jobs in reorganization. We will replace a significant number of people, though, to offset the decline. We are also examining our polling operation to determine if reorganization could increase revenues while achieving further savings. We expect to complete this examination in the next couple of months.
Some highly talented people are leaving the staff and I hate to see them go. No one enjoys going through something like this, least of all me. This is a time of wrenching change at our paper and in our industry. I wish those leaving all the best. I pledge to do anything I can to help them with their futures.
Now it is time to move forward and meet the huge challenges ahead. Even after this reduction, we have a strong, large and talented staff eager to tackle the industry-wide problems that have made staff adjustments an unfortunate reality in nearly every paper in the nation.
We must move on and convert our staff into a vibrant multi-media organization that breaks news on the web and explains and analyzes it in our newspaper. These moves are well underway and will bring us success. I refuse to believe the headlines that the future of news organizations is bleak. We face a dim future only if we refuse to change and do something about it. Hundreds of committed, excellent journalists remain on our staff, producing stellar news and cultural coverage. The Los Angeles Times will remain a full-service newspaper providing the best and most sophisticated coverage of the city, the region, the state, the nation and the world.
I will be meeting with individual departments over the coming weeks to answer questions and solicit ideas about how we can make the Los Angeles Times and latimes.com an even better operation. We must show the world that, as our circulation stabilizes, we are growing rapidly on-line and our overall readership is rising, despite the industry's problems. I truly believe the news and headlines will get better in the coming weeks and months.
Creativity, flexibility, innovation, great storytelling and smart editing will mark the road to our future. We are journalists and we must sustain and grow our ability to explain Southern California and the world beyond to the people living in this dynamic and vast region. Great journalism in print and on-line will continue to be our legacy. We must seize the future; it is within our grasp.
I look forward to working with all of you to secure a great future.
Thank you,
Jim
Source LAObserved
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2007 4:14 PM
Subject:
To the staff:
Today the Los Angeles Times completed a voluntary and involuntary employee separation program. The vast majority of people leaving the newspaper will depart voluntarily over the next few weeks. The total also included a very small number of involuntary departures. Everyone who will be leaving has been notified. All will receive a generous separation package that includes salary continuation and outplacement assistance.
In the editorial department, 57 members of the staff will be leaving the paper, not including a few editorial assistants whose positions are being converted to part time jobs in reorganization. We will replace a significant number of people, though, to offset the decline. We are also examining our polling operation to determine if reorganization could increase revenues while achieving further savings. We expect to complete this examination in the next couple of months.
Some highly talented people are leaving the staff and I hate to see them go. No one enjoys going through something like this, least of all me. This is a time of wrenching change at our paper and in our industry. I wish those leaving all the best. I pledge to do anything I can to help them with their futures.
Now it is time to move forward and meet the huge challenges ahead. Even after this reduction, we have a strong, large and talented staff eager to tackle the industry-wide problems that have made staff adjustments an unfortunate reality in nearly every paper in the nation.
We must move on and convert our staff into a vibrant multi-media organization that breaks news on the web and explains and analyzes it in our newspaper. These moves are well underway and will bring us success. I refuse to believe the headlines that the future of news organizations is bleak. We face a dim future only if we refuse to change and do something about it. Hundreds of committed, excellent journalists remain on our staff, producing stellar news and cultural coverage. The Los Angeles Times will remain a full-service newspaper providing the best and most sophisticated coverage of the city, the region, the state, the nation and the world.
I will be meeting with individual departments over the coming weeks to answer questions and solicit ideas about how we can make the Los Angeles Times and latimes.com an even better operation. We must show the world that, as our circulation stabilizes, we are growing rapidly on-line and our overall readership is rising, despite the industry's problems. I truly believe the news and headlines will get better in the coming weeks and months.
Creativity, flexibility, innovation, great storytelling and smart editing will mark the road to our future. We are journalists and we must sustain and grow our ability to explain Southern California and the world beyond to the people living in this dynamic and vast region. Great journalism in print and on-line will continue to be our legacy. We must seize the future; it is within our grasp.
I look forward to working with all of you to secure a great future.
Thank you,
Jim
Source LAObserved
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 6:56 PM 1 Comments
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Callous Treatment
The Writerly Pause at Al's last month.
When we were at Al's he said, "I write whatever I want to write about."
And of course, he could be trusted to do this. His career has spanned over fifty years, starting at the Oakland Tribune with an editor named Al Reck. He's worked every desk --from local news, national and international affairs. He garnered a Pulitzer along the way, helped multitudes of readers understand the intricacies of what was going on around them, and he helped at least one kid from the farmlands and rivers of the delta love good writing.
So he had the chops, this was a reporter who could be trusted with a biweekly column to "write about whatever he wanted."
It seems that with all the cutbacks, hard lines are being taken. If they can get it off the wire, then go ahead, cut that reporter. The weirdest example is the reporter outsourcing of city council and school board meetings to India by a Pasadena paper. Now school principals will be known as Headmasters, and for sure, children will be taken to school in putt-putts and pedi-cabs. We also know that if there's not an apparent tie-in with the selling of advertisements, such as fluff interviews with celebrities in the Calendar, then it can be cut too.
This is in contrast to the late Jack Smith in his final years. It was a long hard slog to read about his health problems. But each day he'd get up and pound out words. If you don't know, I will tell you now: stringing words together is what keeps a writer alive. Though the Times could've booted him out, they didn't. They kept Jack on staff, after all he was a part of the institution.
They also knew this: Jack Smith had fans. People who subscribed to the paper out of loyalty, not only for him, but because the LA Times stood as a point of civic pride. There were people who got the paper and the first thing they did was look for Jack's column.
It's the same with Al Martinez. He has a fan base too. He represents the Times when it was a great paper. Whether you want to think of it as a point of civic pride or just nostalgia, people
like me keep our subscription even though it's painful to see this paper being treated as though it were an entrant in a demolition derby.
Frankly I can't believe that getting rid of a biweekly columnist like Al is going to make a huge dent in their bottom line. No, he got swept in with some quota that said, "X number of jobs must go." And so I think with moves like this, it becomes apparent that the paper is entrenched in the same track as the rest of society: more information, but far less critical thinking.
So who is next? Dana Parsons? Steve Lopez? Chris Erskine? Maybe they're too much to pay as
well. Maybe they're going to make the trek up to the Flathead Beacon and do fishing reports, snow tire comparisons, nature stories and yeah --hard news. At least they'd know the bottom line are two wealthy off-beat journalists named Maury and Connie. As opposed to Sam Zell, who is simply wealthy.
Now that I know I'll never be selected to be designated to take over Al's column (and I'd of done a good job), maybe I'll start learning about fish.
The Writerly Pause at Al's last month.And of course, he could be trusted to do this. His career has spanned over fifty years, starting at the Oakland Tribune with an editor named Al Reck. He's worked every desk --from local news, national and international affairs. He garnered a Pulitzer along the way, helped multitudes of readers understand the intricacies of what was going on around them, and he helped at least one kid from the farmlands and rivers of the delta love good writing.
So he had the chops, this was a reporter who could be trusted with a biweekly column to "write about whatever he wanted."It seems that with all the cutbacks, hard lines are being taken. If they can get it off the wire, then go ahead, cut that reporter. The weirdest example is the reporter outsourcing of city council and school board meetings to India by a Pasadena paper. Now school principals will be known as Headmasters, and for sure, children will be taken to school in putt-putts and pedi-cabs. We also know that if there's not an apparent tie-in with the selling of advertisements, such as fluff interviews with celebrities in the Calendar, then it can be cut too.
This is in contrast to the late Jack Smith in his final years. It was a long hard slog to read about his health problems. But each day he'd get up and pound out words. If you don't know, I will tell you now: stringing words together is what keeps a writer alive. Though the Times could've booted him out, they didn't. They kept Jack on staff, after all he was a part of the institution.They also knew this: Jack Smith had fans. People who subscribed to the paper out of loyalty, not only for him, but because the LA Times stood as a point of civic pride. There were people who got the paper and the first thing they did was look for Jack's column.
It's the same with Al Martinez. He has a fan base too. He represents the Times when it was a great paper. Whether you want to think of it as a point of civic pride or just nostalgia, people
like me keep our subscription even though it's painful to see this paper being treated as though it were an entrant in a demolition derby.Frankly I can't believe that getting rid of a biweekly columnist like Al is going to make a huge dent in their bottom line. No, he got swept in with some quota that said, "X number of jobs must go." And so I think with moves like this, it becomes apparent that the paper is entrenched in the same track as the rest of society: more information, but far less critical thinking.
So who is next? Dana Parsons? Steve Lopez? Chris Erskine? Maybe they're too much to pay as
well. Maybe they're going to make the trek up to the Flathead Beacon and do fishing reports, snow tire comparisons, nature stories and yeah --hard news. At least they'd know the bottom line are two wealthy off-beat journalists named Maury and Connie. As opposed to Sam Zell, who is simply wealthy.
Now that I know I'll never be selected to be designated to take over Al's column (and I'd of done a good job), maybe I'll start learning about fish.posted by Kanani |
¶ 1:17 PM 3 Comments
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Tribune Employees Talk: No one will get pushed out the door at SF Chronicle
No one will get pushed out the door at SF Chronicle
Buyouts are layoffs with money thrown in to make the exit out the door a little less painful. Where the staff is represented by the Guild, both are subject to negotiations with the union to ensure the reduction in force is carried out fairly if layoff alternatives can't be achieved.
Following a lengthy negotiating session yesterday at the San Francisco Chronicle over the terms of buyouts there, union negotiators obtained assurances that no one will be coerced or forced into accepting a buyout.
But at The Los Angeles Times, a respected long-term columnist without union representation is being forced out the door.
Where's the fairness there?
Buyouts are layoffs with money thrown in to make the exit out the door a little less painful. Where the staff is represented by the Guild, both are subject to negotiations with the union to ensure the reduction in force is carried out fairly if layoff alternatives can't be achieved.
Following a lengthy negotiating session yesterday at the San Francisco Chronicle over the terms of buyouts there, union negotiators obtained assurances that no one will be coerced or forced into accepting a buyout.
But at The Los Angeles Times, a respected long-term columnist without union representation is being forced out the door.
Where's the fairness there?
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:48 AM 0 Comments
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Take Back the Times: Al Martinez Forced To Retire By Jackass Tribune Co.
Al Martinez Forced To Retire By Jackass Tribune Co.
Martinez, in the newspaper business since 1952, will have his last column in the Times June 1.
He has long been one of the most popular Times columnists. In his 70s, he continues to have legions of admirers. He will certainly be missed.
A vile plot continues to be mounted at the Chicago headquarters of the Tribune Co. to denigrate the Times as a newspaper, to slam California and to treat Los Angeles as it is were a smaller city than Chicago. For shame! These cursed sons-of-bitches can't hold a candle to the quality of the career of Al Martinez or so many other Times men and women forced into the buyout.
Martinez, in the newspaper business since 1952, will have his last column in the Times June 1.
He has long been one of the most popular Times columnists. In his 70s, he continues to have legions of admirers. He will certainly be missed.
A vile plot continues to be mounted at the Chicago headquarters of the Tribune Co. to denigrate the Times as a newspaper, to slam California and to treat Los Angeles as it is were a smaller city than Chicago. For shame! These cursed sons-of-bitches can't hold a candle to the quality of the career of Al Martinez or so many other Times men and women forced into the buyout.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:45 AM 0 Comments
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Easy-Writer: Kanani: From the close up to the wide shot
Easy-Writer: From the close up to the wide shot
No hero-ending for this story.
From the whales, to Arnold, Jerry, the EPA and back again.
Easy-Writer: From the close up to the wide shot
No hero-ending for this story.
From the whales, to Arnold, Jerry, the EPA and back again.
posted by Kanani |
¶ 10:04 AM 0 Comments
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Thursday Morning News
David Hiller publisher of the Los Angeles Times with Robert Bagwell, who plans to celebrate sixty years at the Times on August 4th, 2007. Bob had a change of heart and decided not to take the buyout this year. Mr. Bagwell started his Times career in the pressroom in 1947 and now works in Edition Planning. 
Mort Zuckerman is swinging the ax again - New York Post
Sentinel Kills Local Film Reviews - The Daily Pulp
Dow Jones OppositionTo Murdoch Bid - Wall Street Journal
Maury Povich launches Daily Online Paper - New West
More Gas Price Hike Fallout: The Good News - Curbed LA
Trib's troubles: 54 newsroom staffers want buyout - Chicago Sun
Newsstands: a dying breed - Chicago Business
Mort Zuckerman is swinging the ax again - New York Post
Sentinel Kills Local Film Reviews - The Daily Pulp
Dow Jones OppositionTo Murdoch Bid - Wall Street Journal
Maury Povich launches Daily Online Paper - New West
More Gas Price Hike Fallout: The Good News - Curbed LA
Trib's troubles: 54 newsroom staffers want buyout - Chicago Sun
Newsstands: a dying breed - Chicago Business
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:15 AM 1 Comments
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LOS ANGELES CITY NERD: Zell to sell the Times?
Zell to sell the Times?
Rumor has is that the Zell interests are looking at the Tribune properties in Los Angeles to assess their potential value. So, when we mean sell the times, we actually mean the property on which it currently sits. With the recent sale of the Valley's Times facility, a sale of Tribune-owned property would not be too much of a shock to the City, but it would show a lack of commitment to Los Angeles after over a century of growing with and shaping Los Angeles.
Rumor has is that the Zell interests are looking at the Tribune properties in Los Angeles to assess their potential value. So, when we mean sell the times, we actually mean the property on which it currently sits. With the recent sale of the Valley's Times facility, a sale of Tribune-owned property would not be too much of a shock to the City, but it would show a lack of commitment to Los Angeles after over a century of growing with and shaping Los Angeles.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 8:59 AM 0 Comments
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Wednesday, May 23, 2007
3.9 Earthquake Near Devore
Did you feel the two earthquakes a few minutes ago? Click here for the details on the first earthquake (3.8) and here for the 3.9 aftershock. Located two miles southeast of Devore.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:18 PM 0 Comments
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Al Martinez Forced Out at Los Angeles Times
I read with much sadness on LAObserved that Al Martinez was opting for the buyout at the Los Angeles Times, after working for the newspaper almost thirty-five years. He will be sorely missed by Times staffers as well as the readers of his column, let’s hope he starts his own blog down the road.
Several of my colleagues’ complained that the writers at the Times never spoke up as our department was reduced by downsizing over the past fifteen years, which only showed they did not read Al’s columns. Al wrote many articles on the life of blue-collar workers, and how downsizing throughout the United States was shrinking the middle class.
Kanani Fong and her group of writers met Al just a few weeks back, and they all loved him. I have to admit, he’s one of the few writers at the Los Angeles Times that respond to emails, and that sure makes me feel special about him.
Here’s Al Martinez’ farewell email from LAObserved:
From: Martinez, Al
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 5:19 PM
To: yyeditallSubject: buyout
To all : I dislike rumors and so I take these means to tell you all that I am a victim of the buyout/layoff frenzy. My final column for a newspaper I have worked for since 1972, in a business I have been a part of since 1952, winning more awards and honors than would ever fit on my wall, will be Friday, June 1st. I always thought that I would be the one to decide when it was time to walk away, when my prose faltered and my thinking blurred. But that's not the way it works anymore with the owners we have in the climate that exists. Too bad. I think I deserved a better way of ending such a long and honorable career.
Several of my colleagues’ complained that the writers at the Times never spoke up as our department was reduced by downsizing over the past fifteen years, which only showed they did not read Al’s columns. Al wrote many articles on the life of blue-collar workers, and how downsizing throughout the United States was shrinking the middle class.
Kanani Fong and her group of writers met Al just a few weeks back, and they all loved him. I have to admit, he’s one of the few writers at the Los Angeles Times that respond to emails, and that sure makes me feel special about him.
Here’s Al Martinez’ farewell email from LAObserved:
From: Martinez, Al
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 5:19 PM
To: yyeditallSubject: buyout
To all : I dislike rumors and so I take these means to tell you all that I am a victim of the buyout/layoff frenzy. My final column for a newspaper I have worked for since 1972, in a business I have been a part of since 1952, winning more awards and honors than would ever fit on my wall, will be Friday, June 1st. I always thought that I would be the one to decide when it was time to walk away, when my prose faltered and my thinking blurred. But that's not the way it works anymore with the owners we have in the climate that exists. Too bad. I think I deserved a better way of ending such a long and honorable career.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:14 PM 0 Comments
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Showing Ill Effects of Fresh Water
Easy-Writer: Whales Showing Ill Effects of Fresh Water
(note this is the region where yours truly grew up)
"The pair continued today to exhibit tail slapping that started Tuesday. Although biologists commonly consider such action a sign a stress, Cordaro said it is difficult to assess exactly why the pair is doing that." From the Los Angeles Times
Both images are from the Sacramento Bee. The first one shows the tail slapping behavior. This is all very sad. I hope for a good outcome. But I do wonder --the whales moved on there own Sunday night when there was no noise. I can only wonder if that floatilla quit banging pipes if the whales might find their orientation and start again. I just don't know. No one does. I'm sure they've thought of it, too.
Easy-Writer: Whales Showing Ill Effects of Fresh Water
(note this is the region where yours truly grew up)
"The pair continued today to exhibit tail slapping that started Tuesday. Although biologists commonly consider such action a sign a stress, Cordaro said it is difficult to assess exactly why the pair is doing that." From the Los Angeles Times
Both images are from the Sacramento Bee. The first one shows the tail slapping behavior. This is all very sad. I hope for a good outcome. But I do wonder --the whales moved on there own Sunday night when there was no noise. I can only wonder if that floatilla quit banging pipes if the whales might find their orientation and start again. I just don't know. No one does. I'm sure they've thought of it, too.
posted by Kanani |
¶ 2:27 PM 0 Comments
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Blogdowntown Picnic this Sunday
Eric Richardson of Blogdowntown is hosting a picnic this Sunday (May 27th,2007) at Elysian Fields picnic area, in Elysian Park. The event is co-hosted by David Bullock and Ed Fuentes, and should prove to be fun, I'll be there, will you?
For additional information and directions visit Blogdowntown.
For additional information and directions visit Blogdowntown.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 2:25 PM 0 Comments
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Lauren Padgett on 93.1 Jack FM Radio
My daughter Lauren is famous today, she's an ordinary listener of Jack FM 93.1, and was broadcast on the morning show. Way to go Lauren. XOXOXO Dad
My daughter Lauren is famous today, she's an ordinary listener of Jack FM 93.1, and was broadcast on the morning show. Way to go Lauren. XOXOXO Dadposted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:53 AM 2 Comments
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Buyouts at a Newspaper Near You
Just sixteen months ago the Los Angeles Times closed the Chatsworth Production Facility, and here we are again today, announcing which employees will be granted the latest buyout package. Historically, everyone that submitted the paperwork with the intention of leaving the newspaper was allowed to leave. And this round of buyouts will no likely be similar; everyone will be allowed to leave.
As circulation and advertising at the newspaper continue the downward trend, it’s only a matter of time before the Los Angeles Times Orange County Facility is closed. The employees at the Olympic Facility are constantly reminded that we cannot produce the entire newspaper without the aid of the Orange County Facility, yet no one believes much of this chatter.
Two different vendors have mentioned the closing of the Orange County Facility, within the next eight to twenty months, and unfortunately, I believe them. Let’s hope this isn’t true, but just incase, I have cancelled my membership to LA Fitness, dropped my cell phone to the lowest possible service plan, and have not visited a comedy club in over a month.
The next round of downsizing may come knocking at my door, so I must be prepared.
As circulation and advertising at the newspaper continue the downward trend, it’s only a matter of time before the Los Angeles Times Orange County Facility is closed. The employees at the Olympic Facility are constantly reminded that we cannot produce the entire newspaper without the aid of the Orange County Facility, yet no one believes much of this chatter.
Two different vendors have mentioned the closing of the Orange County Facility, within the next eight to twenty months, and unfortunately, I believe them. Let’s hope this isn’t true, but just incase, I have cancelled my membership to LA Fitness, dropped my cell phone to the lowest possible service plan, and have not visited a comedy club in over a month.
The next round of downsizing may come knocking at my door, so I must be prepared.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 8:51 AM 3 Comments
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Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Easy-Writer: Kanani: Mama and Baby Head Back To Salt Water
Easy-Writer: Mama and Baby Head Back To Salt Water
posted by Kanani |
¶ 11:54 PM 0 Comments
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Newspaper News
Lawmakers Push for FCC Action on Tribune - Chicago Tribune
Newspapers' Slips Still Showing - Motley Fool
Buyback Binge - Forbes
Newpapers Going the Way of Milk and Ice Delivery - Seeking Alpha
Media Layoffs: How To Survive And Thrive - Media Bistro
Editors Explore Redesigns at Major Web Sites - Editor & Publisher
Ethiopia Detains Times Journalists for Five Days - New York Times
Handful of Half-Wit Overlords Killing Print - Advertising Age
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:17 PM 0 Comments
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Services in memory of Frances C Hathaway
Pressman, Jimmy Hathaway and his Sister Dorie Garcia (pictured), have lost their mother Frances Hathaway. The Pressroom extends it's heartfelt sympathy at this time of their loss.
Services in memory of Frances C Hathaway
Viewing
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Rose Hills Mortuary
Enter Park through Gate 1
Service
Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 1:00 PM
(Please plan to arrive a few minutes early.)
Service: Funeral Service
Location: Rose Hills Memorial Park
Hillside Chapel - Enter Park through Gate 17
3888 Workman Mill Rd Driving Directions (courtesy of MapQuest)
Whittier, CA, 90601
Concludes: Concludes At Interment Site
Interment : Daybreak Terrace - Enter Park through Gate 1
Lot : 2816
Grave: 4
Pressman, Jimmy Hathaway and his Sister Dorie Garcia (pictured), have lost their mother Frances Hathaway. The Pressroom extends it's heartfelt sympathy at this time of their loss.Services in memory of Frances C Hathaway
Viewing
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Rose Hills Mortuary
Enter Park through Gate 1
Service
Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 1:00 PM
(Please plan to arrive a few minutes early.)
Service: Funeral Service
Location: Rose Hills Memorial Park
Hillside Chapel - Enter Park through Gate 17
3888 Workman Mill Rd Driving Directions (courtesy of MapQuest)
Whittier, CA, 90601
Concludes: Concludes At Interment Site
Interment : Daybreak Terrace - Enter Park through Gate 1
Lot : 2816
Grave: 4
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:09 AM 5 Comments
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Just use cash --waitress steals debit card numbers
Waitress steals debit/credit card numbers
Lately, I've been using my debit card more and more.
I suppose it's okay for places like the grocery store, where it never leaves my hand (or maybe not). But in restaurants there's that missing fifteen minutes --you don't know how many hands that card passes through.
A waitress at HAMBURGER HAMLET was offered $10 per card number. Someone gave her a card reader to record the numbers. She'd give the customers the bill, they'd hand over the card. She'd take the card into the bathroom and collect the number. So far the total is up to $16k.
So here's the deal. I guess we all just have to go to the bank once a week, withdraw cash, and use it. It's not so bad. Cash flow will be contained, and there's no downloading weird bits of info from vendors onto your Quicken.
Many years ago, in the days of those paper credit card slips, a medical biller at a doctor's office used my card to pay for her dentistry. She was arrested and charged. But the kicker is.... SHE WASN'T FIRED. And that's why I quit going to that doctor. I thought that was so lame and insulting, even though I was the one who alerted them as to this issue.
Waitress steals debit/credit card numbers
Lately, I've been using my debit card more and more.
I suppose it's okay for places like the grocery store, where it never leaves my hand (or maybe not). But in restaurants there's that missing fifteen minutes --you don't know how many hands that card passes through.
A waitress at HAMBURGER HAMLET was offered $10 per card number. Someone gave her a card reader to record the numbers. She'd give the customers the bill, they'd hand over the card. She'd take the card into the bathroom and collect the number. So far the total is up to $16k.
So here's the deal. I guess we all just have to go to the bank once a week, withdraw cash, and use it. It's not so bad. Cash flow will be contained, and there's no downloading weird bits of info from vendors onto your Quicken.
Many years ago, in the days of those paper credit card slips, a medical biller at a doctor's office used my card to pay for her dentistry. She was arrested and charged. But the kicker is.... SHE WASN'T FIRED. And that's why I quit going to that doctor. I thought that was so lame and insulting, even though I was the one who alerted them as to this issue.
posted by Kanani |
¶ 8:18 AM 0 Comments
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Monday, May 21, 2007
Greetings from New Orleans
It's been about 8-10 years since my last visit here. A colleague and I just took off and spent a week down here for the heck of it and it was worth it. Now we're both here on business this time. She hasn't arrived yet, but I expect her to show up at any moment. We'll hit some of the spots we hit back in the day. But for now, I'll be headed across the street for the casino.
Oops! Phone...it's Cynthia. She just arrived, got my message, is in her room now and wants to go have a cocktail.
STAY POSITIVE FOLKS!
It's been about 8-10 years since my last visit here. A colleague and I just took off and spent a week down here for the heck of it and it was worth it. Now we're both here on business this time. She hasn't arrived yet, but I expect her to show up at any moment. We'll hit some of the spots we hit back in the day. But for now, I'll be headed across the street for the casino.
Oops! Phone...it's Cynthia. She just arrived, got my message, is in her room now and wants to go have a cocktail.
STAY POSITIVE FOLKS!
posted by Nubia |
¶ 4:13 PM 2 Comments
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Sunday, May 20, 2007
Official Disclaimer
Easy-Writer: Reader Beware
posted by Kanani |
¶ 12:17 PM 0 Comments
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Media in the Blogosphere
Chronicle losing $165,563 every day - Peninsula Press Club
San Francisco paper cutting staff by 25% - Los Angeles Times
Electronic Newspaper in Seattle - Crosscut
Macy’s Warns Publishers - Follow the Media
Newspaper Editorials Waste Newsprint - PR News
How to Save Newspapers - Doc Searls
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 12:02 PM 0 Comments
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Saturday, May 19, 2007
Love is Bliss
This 80 year old woman was arrested for shop lifting.
When she went before the judge in Cincinnati he asked her, "What did you steal?" She replied, "A can of peaches."
The judge then asked her why she had stolen the can of peaches and she replied that she was hungry.
The judge then asked her how many peaches were in the can. She replied 6.
The judge then said, "I will then give you 6 days in jail."
Before the judge could actually pronounce the punishment, the woman's husband spoke up and asked the judge if he could say something.
The judge said, "What is it?"The husband said, "She also stole a can of peas."
.
Submitted by Gayle Mitchell
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 6:08 PM 1 Comments
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Save Our Trade: Fools Rush In
Fools Rush In
By Dave Rascon
"We have a long road ahead of us and it’s important that we have patience. It is equally important that we explore every possible way to reach a contract that’s good for the employees and good for our newspaper. This process is going to take time. There is still a small group of employees who wish to campaign against the union, and I say its time wasted. Since Jan. 6th. 2007 we have moved on and can’t keep on addressing things that do not matter at this point. Rumors are just unverified reports and mis-information that cloud the facts."
[snip]
"It’s has also been brought to my attention that our pressroom manager has made some demands of press operators, press crews, and reel room coordinators, and not to mention our service shops, whereas in making these demands he continually uses poor judgment in the way he speaks with employees. Please do not be insubordinate and just do what he asks, we will deal with these issues at an appropriate time. After all John Walker is just being himself. His career has been plagued with big mistakes not only at the Times but at other newspapers."
David's complete letter can be accessed by clicking on the title of this post or clicking on the blue underlined link.
By Dave Rascon
"We have a long road ahead of us and it’s important that we have patience. It is equally important that we explore every possible way to reach a contract that’s good for the employees and good for our newspaper. This process is going to take time. There is still a small group of employees who wish to campaign against the union, and I say its time wasted. Since Jan. 6th. 2007 we have moved on and can’t keep on addressing things that do not matter at this point. Rumors are just unverified reports and mis-information that cloud the facts."
[snip]
"It’s has also been brought to my attention that our pressroom manager has made some demands of press operators, press crews, and reel room coordinators, and not to mention our service shops, whereas in making these demands he continually uses poor judgment in the way he speaks with employees. Please do not be insubordinate and just do what he asks, we will deal with these issues at an appropriate time. After all John Walker is just being himself. His career has been plagued with big mistakes not only at the Times but at other newspapers."
David's complete letter can be accessed by clicking on the title of this post or clicking on the blue underlined link.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 3:31 PM 0 Comments
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The Passing of Another Pressman
Richard Meinhardt was a very easy going person, and was a pleasure to work for, never got too excited over the little things, and will be missed by all he touched. The following email from Richard's daughter is what I received.
From: M J Lull [mailto:mjlull@verizon.net]
Sent: Thu 5/17/2007 3:17 PM
To: rob.barrett@latimes.com
Subject: Retired Employee
Mr. Barrett
My name is Maureen Lull, my step dad, Richard Meinhardt, worked in the press room for the LA Times for 35+ years – retiring several years back. He recently passed away and we have been trying to find out if there is any type of notification appropriate to be made to the Times for the benefit of keeping in touch with retired employees….. The answering system and barely audible hoarse voice that answers at the 5000 number has been ineffective in answering our questions.
If there is such an association – could you please let us know how they can be contacted – it too late at this point to notify them of the services but it might be possible just to notify of the death.
Thank you
MJLull
Richard & Moreen Meinhardt
5515 Chia Ave.
Twentynine Palms,Ca.92277
UPDATE: FYI the 29 Palms address is no longer valid. Condolences may be sent to: 14 Westport , Manhattan Beach , CA 90266
Yesterday an email arrived with information on retired pressroom supervisor Richard Meinhardt’s passing. The message arrived in a roundabout way; it went through Rob Barrett and Mark Banuelos from the Square before arriving in my in-box. I really appreciate the two men not just ignoring the message, but taking the steps to locate someone in the pressroom, thank you both.
Richard Meinhardt was a very easy going person, and was a pleasure to work for, never got too excited over the little things, and will be missed by all he touched. The following email from Richard's daughter is what I received.
From: M J Lull [mailto:mjlull@verizon.net]
Sent: Thu 5/17/2007 3:17 PM
To: rob.barrett@latimes.com
Subject: Retired Employee
Mr. Barrett
My name is Maureen Lull, my step dad, Richard Meinhardt, worked in the press room for the LA Times for 35+ years – retiring several years back. He recently passed away and we have been trying to find out if there is any type of notification appropriate to be made to the Times for the benefit of keeping in touch with retired employees….. The answering system and barely audible hoarse voice that answers at the 5000 number has been ineffective in answering our questions.
If there is such an association – could you please let us know how they can be contacted – it too late at this point to notify them of the services but it might be possible just to notify of the death.
Thank you
MJLull
Richard & Moreen Meinhardt
5515 Chia Ave.
Twentynine Palms,Ca.92277
UPDATE: FYI the 29 Palms address is no longer valid. Condolences may be sent to: 14 Westport , Manhattan Beach , CA 90266
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 1:08 PM 2 Comments
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Save Our Trade: No Pressroom Buy-Outs Update
No Pressroom Buy-Outs Update
By Ronnie Pineda
"I telephoned GCC/IBT International President George Tedeschi this morning (Fri) to seek his assistance in informing Tribune of pressroom members who expressed an interest in participating in the current buy-outs, and to also inquire as to the possibility of allowing our brothers and/or sisters to apply for consideration in the current buy-outs.
President Tedeschi agreed to make inquiries and inform me of his findings."
Click on the title or the blue underlined link for President Tedeschi's statement.
By Ronnie Pineda
"I telephoned GCC/IBT International President George Tedeschi this morning (Fri) to seek his assistance in informing Tribune of pressroom members who expressed an interest in participating in the current buy-outs, and to also inquire as to the possibility of allowing our brothers and/or sisters to apply for consideration in the current buy-outs.
President Tedeschi agreed to make inquiries and inform me of his findings."
Click on the title or the blue underlined link for President Tedeschi's statement.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 4:48 AM 7 Comments
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Tribune Employees Talk: Guild at The Baltimore Sun launches SaveYourSun.org
Guild at The Baltimore Sun launches SaveYourSun.org
The site – parts of which are still being developed — will be a resource for gathering and disseminating information concerning all aspects of Tribune operations for members and the public:
With the Guild and Tribune Co. management working together, things can change. What we must do in order to remedy the effects of the Tribune Co.’s most recent dramatic and unnecessary changes:
• Focus on quality
• Stop cutting and invest in the people and the paper
• Build a better Web site with Guild reporters and photographers
• Attract and retain the best talent
• Invest in circulation
The site – parts of which are still being developed — will be a resource for gathering and disseminating information concerning all aspects of Tribune operations for members and the public:
With the Guild and Tribune Co. management working together, things can change. What we must do in order to remedy the effects of the Tribune Co.’s most recent dramatic and unnecessary changes:
• Focus on quality
• Stop cutting and invest in the people and the paper
• Build a better Web site with Guild reporters and photographers
• Attract and retain the best talent
• Invest in circulation
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 4:47 AM 0 Comments
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Friday, May 18, 2007
Here's one for Ed
Lemonette explains Automoblogging
(I love Lemonette. She's a 52 year old grandma from the south who videoblogs on You Tube)
(I love Lemonette. She's a 52 year old grandma from the south who videoblogs on You Tube)
posted by Kanani |
¶ 7:31 PM 3 Comments
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Media News
In India, newspapers are likely to be a long story - Los Angeles Times
Old media have suffered self-inflicted wounds - Market Watch
I don’t think you can cut your way to excellence - Minnesota Monitor
How can newspapers recover their mojo? - New Republic
Crowding at the Exit: LA Times Buyout - Fishbowl LA
So who's taking the Los Angeles Times buyout? - Nikki Finke
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:41 AM 0 Comments
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Pressman Injuried in Accident
Jose Gomez, Orange County Pressroom Supervisor, was rear ended while riding his motorcycle home from work the other night, both of his ankles were broken and he was skinned-up pretty good but luckily no major injuries. He's at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, room 412 (714-953-3500), I spoke to him on the phone and he's in good spirit and said he's in no pain. - Bob Lampher
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:54 AM 0 Comments
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Take Back the Times: L.A. Times Has Grown Uneven; Buyouts Are Hurting
L.A. Times Has Grown Uneven; Buyouts Are Hurting
The buyouts, the cost cutbacks at the Los Angeles Times are having their effect. The paper can put together great stories, but some bad spots are creeping in. And when you take a look at those planning to take the latest buyout, you shudder. Put them together with several eminent writers and editors who have taken other jobs, and the effect is definitely bad.
The buyouts, the cost cutbacks at the Los Angeles Times are having their effect. The paper can put together great stories, but some bad spots are creeping in. And when you take a look at those planning to take the latest buyout, you shudder. Put them together with several eminent writers and editors who have taken other jobs, and the effect is definitely bad.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:15 AM 0 Comments
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Tribune Employees Talk: San Francisco Guild offers plan to soften blow of proposed job cuts
San Francisco Guild offers plan to soften blow of proposed job cuts
The San Francisco Chronicle told the Guild Thursday that it intends to cut 80 newsroom Guild-covered jobs and 20 management positions. The union reports it "has proposed a plan to achieve the target number of job reductions through voluntary buyouts and retirement incentatives."
The San Francisco Chronicle told the Guild Thursday that it intends to cut 80 newsroom Guild-covered jobs and 20 management positions. The union reports it "has proposed a plan to achieve the target number of job reductions through voluntary buyouts and retirement incentatives."
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:10 AM 0 Comments
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Easy-Writer: Kanani: Hammered
Easy-Writer: Hammered
This is about really stupid people who don't recognize the lasting impact on their own legacy when they say mean things.
A pox on them!
This is about really stupid people who don't recognize the lasting impact on their own legacy when they say mean things.
A pox on them!
posted by Kanani |
¶ 12:40 AM 0 Comments
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Thursday, May 17, 2007
The Foothill Cities Blog and Free Speech
As I read my San Gabriel Valley Tribune tonight I was pleasantly surprised to read about a local blog that has gained national attention, The Foothill Cities Blog. This blog writes about politics, restaurants, and events from Pasadena to Claremont by two anonymous bloggers, Publius and Centinel.
Seems Foothill Cities attracted the attention of Pomona City Hall regarding the departure of City Manager Doug Dunlap, and anonymous comments. Pomona City Attorney Arnold Alvarez-Glasman sent the blog an email, using city stationary, to cease and desist further false information regarding the City of Pomona.
And the Blogosphere has reacted in a positive way concerning free speech.
Seems Foothill Cities attracted the attention of Pomona City Hall regarding the departure of City Manager Doug Dunlap, and anonymous comments. Pomona City Attorney Arnold Alvarez-Glasman sent the blog an email, using city stationary, to cease and desist further false information regarding the City of Pomona.
And the Blogosphere has reacted in a positive way concerning free speech.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:31 PM 0 Comments
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What Are The Objections?
After winning the union election at the Los Angeles Times the company filed five objections with the NLRB, and a ruling in favor of the employees was handed down on March 16th, 2007. The company filed an appeal with the Washington D.C. NLRB in March, 2007 and everyone awaits the outcome. Below are the objections to the election, and to view the complete report click on the title of this post.
Objection No. 1
During scheduled voting time and in the polling area, a Union Observer engaged in objectionable conduct by campaigning on behalf of the Union, contrary to Board rules and regulations, and contrary to the explicit instructions of the Board Agent conducting the election. Such conduct interfered with, coerced, and restrained employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights, and interfered with their ability to make a free and reasoned choice in the election.
Objection No. 2
During scheduled voting time, a Union Observer engaged in objectionable conduct by communicating with eligible voters while he was assigned by the Board Agent to walk through the workplace with a sign that informed voters that the polls were open and that they were free to vote, and by continuing to communicate with eligible voters in the immediate vicinity of the polling place at a time after he was supposed to return to the polling place to perform his responsibilities as an Observer. Such conduct violated the explicit instructions of the Board Agent who was conducting the election, it conveyed the impression that the Union Observers were not subject to the rules that otherwise applied to the Employer Observers and it created the impression that, during the voting, the Union Observer was giving to Union supporters information about the employees who voted and the events occurring in the polling area that the Union Observer had no right to convey, thereby interfering with, coercing, and restraining employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights, and interfering with their ability to make a free and reasoned choice in the election.
Objections Nos. 1 and 2 will be considered together, inasmuch as they involve like or related conduct.
Objection No. 3
On or about December 27, 2006, two self-identified Union supporters and agents threatened a bargaining unit employee who was wearing a hat that contained the words, "Vote No." Among other things, one or both of these Union supporters, on behalf of the Union, said that the bargaining unit employee was "sending mixed messages" by wearing the hat, and said that "In L.A., sending mixed messages can be dangerous." These statements made the employee think of reports he had heard that in previous campaigns by the Union and its predecessors, the cars of bargaining unit employees who supported the "Vote No" option at the Employer's Olympic (or "LA") pressroom had been vandalized. The bargaining unit employee therefore understood the statements to constitute threats that his new vehicle would be vandalized if he continued to wear the "Vote No" hat, or if he otherwise sent "mixed messages" that he supported the "Vote No" option in the election. Such conduct interfered with, coerced, and restrained employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights, and interfered with their ability to exercise a free and reasoned choice in the election.
Objection No. 4
On January 25, 2007, the Employer, with the Regional Director’s approval, withdrew Objection
No. 4.
Objection No. 5
The Union and its predecessors have filed a series of Representation Cases in which they have attempted to represent the Employer's pressroom employees, but the employees historically have rejected the Union's attempts, in most cases by wide margins. During this campaign, Union agents on more than one occasion told bargaining unit employees that, "We know we are going to lose again, but you should vote for the Union just to make the results close and to send a message to the [Employer]." Such conduct interfered with, coerced, and restrained employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights, and interfered with their ability to exercise a free and reasoned choice in the election. As a result, a number of bargaining unit employees have expressed a strong desire that the Board hold another election that is free of such coercive, misleading statements and conduct as alleged herein, and in which all employees can vote their true preferences without such interference.
Conclusion
Having made the above findings and conclusions, viewing the alleged conduct individually and cumulatively, and upon the record as a whole, I recommend that Employer’s Objections Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5 be overruled in their entirety. Based upon my recommendation that Objections Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5 be overruled, I further recommend that the Petitioner should be certified as the
collective-bargaining representative of the unit employees.
DATED at Los Angeles, California, this 16th day of March, 2007.
Jessica A. Toton
Hearing Officer
NLRB, Region 21
Objection No. 1
During scheduled voting time and in the polling area, a Union Observer engaged in objectionable conduct by campaigning on behalf of the Union, contrary to Board rules and regulations, and contrary to the explicit instructions of the Board Agent conducting the election. Such conduct interfered with, coerced, and restrained employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights, and interfered with their ability to make a free and reasoned choice in the election.
Objection No. 2
During scheduled voting time, a Union Observer engaged in objectionable conduct by communicating with eligible voters while he was assigned by the Board Agent to walk through the workplace with a sign that informed voters that the polls were open and that they were free to vote, and by continuing to communicate with eligible voters in the immediate vicinity of the polling place at a time after he was supposed to return to the polling place to perform his responsibilities as an Observer. Such conduct violated the explicit instructions of the Board Agent who was conducting the election, it conveyed the impression that the Union Observers were not subject to the rules that otherwise applied to the Employer Observers and it created the impression that, during the voting, the Union Observer was giving to Union supporters information about the employees who voted and the events occurring in the polling area that the Union Observer had no right to convey, thereby interfering with, coercing, and restraining employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights, and interfering with their ability to make a free and reasoned choice in the election.
Objections Nos. 1 and 2 will be considered together, inasmuch as they involve like or related conduct.
Objection No. 3
On or about December 27, 2006, two self-identified Union supporters and agents threatened a bargaining unit employee who was wearing a hat that contained the words, "Vote No." Among other things, one or both of these Union supporters, on behalf of the Union, said that the bargaining unit employee was "sending mixed messages" by wearing the hat, and said that "In L.A., sending mixed messages can be dangerous." These statements made the employee think of reports he had heard that in previous campaigns by the Union and its predecessors, the cars of bargaining unit employees who supported the "Vote No" option at the Employer's Olympic (or "LA") pressroom had been vandalized. The bargaining unit employee therefore understood the statements to constitute threats that his new vehicle would be vandalized if he continued to wear the "Vote No" hat, or if he otherwise sent "mixed messages" that he supported the "Vote No" option in the election. Such conduct interfered with, coerced, and restrained employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights, and interfered with their ability to exercise a free and reasoned choice in the election.
Objection No. 4
On January 25, 2007, the Employer, with the Regional Director’s approval, withdrew Objection
No. 4.
Objection No. 5
The Union and its predecessors have filed a series of Representation Cases in which they have attempted to represent the Employer's pressroom employees, but the employees historically have rejected the Union's attempts, in most cases by wide margins. During this campaign, Union agents on more than one occasion told bargaining unit employees that, "We know we are going to lose again, but you should vote for the Union just to make the results close and to send a message to the [Employer]." Such conduct interfered with, coerced, and restrained employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights, and interfered with their ability to exercise a free and reasoned choice in the election. As a result, a number of bargaining unit employees have expressed a strong desire that the Board hold another election that is free of such coercive, misleading statements and conduct as alleged herein, and in which all employees can vote their true preferences without such interference.
Conclusion
Having made the above findings and conclusions, viewing the alleged conduct individually and cumulatively, and upon the record as a whole, I recommend that Employer’s Objections Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5 be overruled in their entirety. Based upon my recommendation that Objections Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5 be overruled, I further recommend that the Petitioner should be certified as the
collective-bargaining representative of the unit employees.
DATED at Los Angeles, California, this 16th day of March, 2007.
Jessica A. Toton
Hearing Officer
NLRB, Region 21
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:21 PM 0 Comments
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NLRB Correction LAT vs Teamsters - RC-20939
Last Thursday I announced the appeal by the Los Angeles Times Communications LLC to th Washington D.C. National Labor Relation Board would conclude regarding the January 6th, 2007 election among the two pressrooms. I was wrong assuming it would be a thirty day process, it's a bit more like seven to fifteen weeks before a ruling is handed down. After reading many pages of the NLRB's information I was able to locate what I was seeking, how long the appeal process can be expected to take. Below is what I discovered last night.
When an unfair labor practice charge is filed, the appropriate field office conducts an investigation to determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe the Act has been violated. If the Regional Director determines that the charge lacks merit, it will be dismissed unless the charging party decides to withdraw the charge. A dismissal may be appealed to the General Counsel's office in Washington, D.C.
If the Regional Director finds reasonable cause to believe a violation of the law has been committed, the region seeks a voluntary settlement to remedy the alleged violations. If these settlement efforts fail, a formal complaint is issued and the case goes to hearing before an NLRB Administrative Law Judge. The judge issues a written decision that may be appealed to the five-Member Board in Washington for a final agency determination. The Board's decision is subject to review in a U.S. Court of Appeals. Depending upon the nature of the case, the General Counsel's goal is to complete investigations and, where further proceedings are warranted, issue complaints if settlement is not reached within 7 to 15 weeks from the filing of the charge. Of the total charges filed each year [about 35,000], approximately one-third are found to have merit of which over 90% are settled.
A ruling could be announced tomorrow, or in July, no one is certain how long this may take at this time.
When an unfair labor practice charge is filed, the appropriate field office conducts an investigation to determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe the Act has been violated. If the Regional Director determines that the charge lacks merit, it will be dismissed unless the charging party decides to withdraw the charge. A dismissal may be appealed to the General Counsel's office in Washington, D.C.
If the Regional Director finds reasonable cause to believe a violation of the law has been committed, the region seeks a voluntary settlement to remedy the alleged violations. If these settlement efforts fail, a formal complaint is issued and the case goes to hearing before an NLRB Administrative Law Judge. The judge issues a written decision that may be appealed to the five-Member Board in Washington for a final agency determination. The Board's decision is subject to review in a U.S. Court of Appeals. Depending upon the nature of the case, the General Counsel's goal is to complete investigations and, where further proceedings are warranted, issue complaints if settlement is not reached within 7 to 15 weeks from the filing of the charge. Of the total charges filed each year [about 35,000], approximately one-third are found to have merit of which over 90% are settled.
A ruling could be announced tomorrow, or in July, no one is certain how long this may take at this time.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:45 PM 1 Comments
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Sacramento Bee
Easy-Writer: Whales in the delta links
The Sacramento Bee has done a great job covering this story. Not to be missed is their slide show. Links are on my blog.
Both of the whales have wounds
Easy-Writer: Whales in the delta links
The Sacramento Bee has done a great job covering this story. Not to be missed is their slide show. Links are on my blog.
Both of the whales have wounds
posted by Kanani |
¶ 1:39 PM 1 Comments
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Whale of a story writing contest
going on now, live at the Sacramento Bee moderated by Assistant Features Editor Bob Ehlert.
Nice job, Bob!
going on now, live at the Sacramento Bee moderated by Assistant Features Editor Bob Ehlert.
Nice job, Bob!
posted by Kanani |
¶ 11:47 AM 0 Comments
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Peninsula Press Club: A fond farewell to the Tribune Tower
A fond farewell to the Tribune Tower
"If these walls could talk" is the headline on a retrospective of the Oakland Tribune Tower that staff writer Angela Hill has written. The Tribune is moving on May 20 from its historic downtown location to an office building MediaNews has leased on Oakport Street across the freeway from the Oracle Arena.
"If these walls could talk" is the headline on a retrospective of the Oakland Tribune Tower that staff writer Angela Hill has written. The Tribune is moving on May 20 from its historic downtown location to an office building MediaNews has leased on Oakport Street across the freeway from the Oracle Arena.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:36 AM 2 Comments
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Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Easy-Writer: Kanani Fong: How Niner Saved The Whales
Easy-Writer: How Niner Saved The Whales
posted by Kanani |
¶ 11:29 PM 0 Comments
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Easy-Writer: Kanani Fong: An uh wun an uh two....
Over on Easy-Writer: An uh wun an uh two....
Thanks to Mary, who brought out her secret heritage yesterday. I'd like to share this snippet of her past, which should explain perfectly to all who love her why she is the way she is today.
Thanks to Mary, who brought out her secret heritage yesterday. I'd like to share this snippet of her past, which should explain perfectly to all who love her why she is the way she is today.
posted by Kanani |
¶ 9:58 AM 2 Comments
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Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Tuesday Night Links
Thomson to buy Reuters for $17 billion - Media Channel
Tribune Publishing Revenues Down 10.3 - Free Press
Tribune Completes Sale of Hoy New York - Tribune Company
Auctioning Journalistic Integrity - Ralph Nader
Newspapers Wait To See If Gannett Will Walk - Hartford Courant
Exporting—and Reimporting—the News - Newsweek
Santa Barbara's news mess - Los Angeles Times
Buyout chatter at Los Angeles Times - LAObserved
News of Claremont from India - Claremont Insider
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:52 PM 0 Comments
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Peninsula Press Club: Pruitt, Keller address Stanford audience
Pruitt, Keller address Stanford audience
NY Times editor Bill Keller, former LA Times exec Harry Chandler, Google VP Marissa Mayer and McClatchy CEO Gary Pruitt, on a panel at Stanford last night, gave their views on whether newspapers will survive "in the new world of journalism?" The following quotes come from the Stanford Daily's report of the discussion.
• Bill Keller: “We just need to be adaptable,” he said, citing Charles Darwin, “and we’ve clearly done that throughout history ... We face a wrenching transition.”
• Harry Chandler, heir to the family that owned the LA Times for decades and now a major Tribune Co. shareholder: “The newspaper business model is pretty out of whack, and I don’t even know what a whack is. I think we’re five to 10 years away from finding where the stasis is, and there will be a lot of pain before we get there.” He said media titans should consider taking their companies private, outsourcing reporting jobs to India and holding editors to business benchmarks. “Television has done this for years,” he said. “It’s called ratings, and people live by them.”
• Marissa Mayer suggested that the future of journalism may lie in the hands of MySpace and Facebook reporters, who would write first-hand reports that could be edited and aggregated by citizen journalists. The futuristic idea, which she attributed to Google CEO Eric Schmidt, drew some incredulous laughs from a mostly older audience, according to Stanford Daily reporter Emma Trotter.
• Gary Pruitt, whose company bought the Knight Ridder chain last year and then sold off local KR papers to Dean Singleton's MediaNews Group, said: “There’s a big print audience still in existence here ... That’s not the profile of a dying industry.” Pruitt reminded the audience that newspapers have survived the popularity of the telegraph, radio and television, even though analysts once warned each would harm the traditional print newspaper.
NY Times editor Bill Keller, former LA Times exec Harry Chandler, Google VP Marissa Mayer and McClatchy CEO Gary Pruitt, on a panel at Stanford last night, gave their views on whether newspapers will survive "in the new world of journalism?" The following quotes come from the Stanford Daily's report of the discussion.
• Bill Keller: “We just need to be adaptable,” he said, citing Charles Darwin, “and we’ve clearly done that throughout history ... We face a wrenching transition.”
• Harry Chandler, heir to the family that owned the LA Times for decades and now a major Tribune Co. shareholder: “The newspaper business model is pretty out of whack, and I don’t even know what a whack is. I think we’re five to 10 years away from finding where the stasis is, and there will be a lot of pain before we get there.” He said media titans should consider taking their companies private, outsourcing reporting jobs to India and holding editors to business benchmarks. “Television has done this for years,” he said. “It’s called ratings, and people live by them.”
• Marissa Mayer suggested that the future of journalism may lie in the hands of MySpace and Facebook reporters, who would write first-hand reports that could be edited and aggregated by citizen journalists. The futuristic idea, which she attributed to Google CEO Eric Schmidt, drew some incredulous laughs from a mostly older audience, according to Stanford Daily reporter Emma Trotter.
• Gary Pruitt, whose company bought the Knight Ridder chain last year and then sold off local KR papers to Dean Singleton's MediaNews Group, said: “There’s a big print audience still in existence here ... That’s not the profile of a dying industry.” Pruitt reminded the audience that newspapers have survived the popularity of the telegraph, radio and television, even though analysts once warned each would harm the traditional print newspaper.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 2:32 PM 0 Comments
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Take Back the Times: Kevin Sack Rejoins The New York Times
Kevin Sack Rejoins The New York Times
"These are sad times at the L.A. Times, although the paper continues to be good in many areas. Still, the dibs and drabs, the losses mount up and the paper gradually sinks. Kevin Sack is merely the latest loss. There will certainly be others."
"These are sad times at the L.A. Times, although the paper continues to be good in many areas. Still, the dibs and drabs, the losses mount up and the paper gradually sinks. Kevin Sack is merely the latest loss. There will certainly be others."
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 1:17 PM 0 Comments
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Monday, May 14, 2007
So Left, He's Wrong
In today's Times on page B-1, there's an article on the proposed plan to revamp MediCAL. In it, Jordan Rau used a very stupid quote from an equally insipid doctor who accuses any doctors not seeing the poor as being elitist, as having the ability to pay 10k to join some exclusive club. Boy, was that dumb.
I take exception to the gross stereotype that Hector Flores MD makes about physicians who are wary about the Governor's proposed health plan to help the poor. His accusation isn't true. Flores, who works in a 22-doctor group practice that more than likely has its share of administrative costs, probably doesn't even know the rent on his own very large, multi-doctor practice. I'm sure he's also completely unaware of the business challenges for solo practitioners, who by the way are just that: small business owners.
The truth is that all physicians want to see something done, however, the lack of true facts surrounding the proposal are many. For instance, in a recent radio interview with Larry Mantle, the Governor claimed doctors are getting 40 cents on the dollar from Medical reimbursements. This isn't true. They're getting anywhere from 10% - 20%, and most times they end up losing money because of the time consuming TAR process for authorizations that staff must devote.
The other truth is that physicians like Flores, who has 21 other doctors to act as support with their phalanx of medical assistants, PA's, administrators and receptionists have more resources to work with the MediCAL bureaucracy than solo practitioners. We have 2 full time employees and 2 part time. And here's more: we pay a living wage. So if it's the choice for me to take patients who pay more so that I can pay my employees something beyond minimum wage, then I do. And as a business owner, I make no apologies for this. But the truth is that large practices like Flores's can better handle the masses.
So how is the system going to be streamlined? Is MediCAL going to be able to raise its rates to the 98% that Schwarzenegger promises? (And yes, it's 98% because he's asking the doctors to contribute 2% of their gross --not their net, mind you, their gross, which in itself is crazy because what we bill is not what we get. This amount is predetermined by who else? Insurers).
Does this mean that Schwarzenegger is going to get rid of the middle man --that is the IPA's whose bureaucracies take off a huge amount for salaries? This is what we need to know. In the meantime, this office that I run continues to serve the poor in hospitals, often devoting many hours of the week to emergencies, follow up care, consulatations and referrals.
We will not be slammed by people like Dr. Hector Flores.
I take exception to the gross stereotype that Hector Flores MD makes about physicians who are wary about the Governor's proposed health plan to help the poor. His accusation isn't true. Flores, who works in a 22-doctor group practice that more than likely has its share of administrative costs, probably doesn't even know the rent on his own very large, multi-doctor practice. I'm sure he's also completely unaware of the business challenges for solo practitioners, who by the way are just that: small business owners.
The truth is that all physicians want to see something done, however, the lack of true facts surrounding the proposal are many. For instance, in a recent radio interview with Larry Mantle, the Governor claimed doctors are getting 40 cents on the dollar from Medical reimbursements. This isn't true. They're getting anywhere from 10% - 20%, and most times they end up losing money because of the time consuming TAR process for authorizations that staff must devote.
The other truth is that physicians like Flores, who has 21 other doctors to act as support with their phalanx of medical assistants, PA's, administrators and receptionists have more resources to work with the MediCAL bureaucracy than solo practitioners. We have 2 full time employees and 2 part time. And here's more: we pay a living wage. So if it's the choice for me to take patients who pay more so that I can pay my employees something beyond minimum wage, then I do. And as a business owner, I make no apologies for this. But the truth is that large practices like Flores's can better handle the masses.
So how is the system going to be streamlined? Is MediCAL going to be able to raise its rates to the 98% that Schwarzenegger promises? (And yes, it's 98% because he's asking the doctors to contribute 2% of their gross --not their net, mind you, their gross, which in itself is crazy because what we bill is not what we get. This amount is predetermined by who else? Insurers).
Does this mean that Schwarzenegger is going to get rid of the middle man --that is the IPA's whose bureaucracies take off a huge amount for salaries? This is what we need to know. In the meantime, this office that I run continues to serve the poor in hospitals, often devoting many hours of the week to emergencies, follow up care, consulatations and referrals.
We will not be slammed by people like Dr. Hector Flores.
posted by Kanani |
¶ 11:44 AM 0 Comments
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Easy-Writer: Kanani Fong: Music, music and more music
Music, music and more music
posted by Kanani |
¶ 9:15 AM 0 Comments
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Sunday, May 13, 2007
Be Joel Stein
Joel Stein has asked LA Times readers to submit columns to see if anyone can take his place. Mr Stein asked:
Do you have what it takes to write a column nobody will pay you for?
Okay, first off. Let me say that he's a day late and ten dollars short.
I've been writing for the Pressmen for year and haven't received a dime.
So where has Joel been?
Oh, I know. As a beleaguered columnist for a flagging newspaper, he simply has to take second or third jobs. Pool boy for Brangelina? Call Joel. Phone repair for Naomi Campbell? Call Joel. Social Secretary for Ed Padgett? Call Joel.
Yes, he's a busy man. It hasn't dawned on him to drag his hurried little tush over here, where we've been carrying on since Ed nabbed me in an email: "Have blog, need help, will pay via dinner." As you can imagine, this puzzled me. I had no idea what to do.
I considered trashing the email, however, this wasn't your typical scam email from Nairobi or an offer for penis extensions. No, this was a request from something called the Pressmen's blog. So I did what any other clear thinking Southern Californian would do: I grabbed my Ouija board and asked the question and here's what the spirits replied: DWEPA.
Now, mind you, I don't have time for acronyms. I am not that type of person.
So I asked again and the Ouija board buckled and a gust of wind blew open the window and the computer mysteriously went on... and there on my screen was this amazing face:
And I am thinking ....dweeb? And this time the cat ran into the room, followed by a raven which said, "Do what Ed Padgett Asks."
And so of course, I had to. Didn't want that Raven coming back, and the Ouija board jumped off the table and flew after it.
Now in the matter of Joel Stein, quite frankly I don't want to be Joel Stein. This might involve having to double as the person who picks up George Clooney's dry cleaning. It means I would have to wash not only Ed's car, but also do Jess's grocery shopping. And compared to Joel, given the variety of odd jobs he has with these big shots, I'm pretty much unskilled labor to these folks. No, there can only be one Joel Stein, and he ain't me. He's him. I'm me. Oh, let's call the whole thing off.
Do you have what it takes to write a column nobody will pay you for?
Okay, first off. Let me say that he's a day late and ten dollars short.
I've been writing for the Pressmen for year and haven't received a dime.
So where has Joel been?
Oh, I know. As a beleaguered columnist for a flagging newspaper, he simply has to take second or third jobs. Pool boy for Brangelina? Call Joel. Phone repair for Naomi Campbell? Call Joel. Social Secretary for Ed Padgett? Call Joel.
Yes, he's a busy man. It hasn't dawned on him to drag his hurried little tush over here, where we've been carrying on since Ed nabbed me in an email: "Have blog, need help, will pay via dinner." As you can imagine, this puzzled me. I had no idea what to do.
I considered trashing the email, however, this wasn't your typical scam email from Nairobi or an offer for penis extensions. No, this was a request from something called the Pressmen's blog. So I did what any other clear thinking Southern Californian would do: I grabbed my Ouija board and asked the question and here's what the spirits replied: DWEPA.
Now, mind you, I don't have time for acronyms. I am not that type of person.
So I asked again and the Ouija board buckled and a gust of wind blew open the window and the computer mysteriously went on... and there on my screen was this amazing face:
And I am thinking ....dweeb? And this time the cat ran into the room, followed by a raven which said, "Do what Ed Padgett Asks."
And so of course, I had to. Didn't want that Raven coming back, and the Ouija board jumped off the table and flew after it.
Now in the matter of Joel Stein, quite frankly I don't want to be Joel Stein. This might involve having to double as the person who picks up George Clooney's dry cleaning. It means I would have to wash not only Ed's car, but also do Jess's grocery shopping. And compared to Joel, given the variety of odd jobs he has with these big shots, I'm pretty much unskilled labor to these folks. No, there can only be one Joel Stein, and he ain't me. He's him. I'm me. Oh, let's call the whole thing off.
posted by Kanani |
¶ 10:19 PM 0 Comments
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HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY
Best wishes and blessings for a lovely and Happy Mothers' Day to Mothers far and near!
posted by Nubia |
¶ 6:05 AM 3 Comments
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Saturday, May 12, 2007
Los Angeles Times Blogosphere
It was announced on February 2nd, 2007 that the Los Angeles Times would hold a moratorium on the creation of any further blogs, I have lost track, but I estimate the Times has added at least ten new blogs since the moratorium began. Additional blogs will be added as the year passes, may I suggest adding blogs for regions of Los Angeles, such as The Westside, Inland Empire, Southbay, San Gabriel Valley, and Downtown Los Angeles.
Thank you, THS GSA! - Woman in Progress
For sale on EBay - The Daily Mirror
HBO's "Manhunt" for John Wilkes Booth - Styles & Scenes
NBC and the return of the "Bionic Woman" - Show Tracker
School's out and so are we - School Me
'He trudged slowly, thoughtfully, silently' - Political Muscle
Witness uprising - Phil Spector Trial
Hey buddy, know any good contractors? - Pardon Our Dust
Microscopes - Overtime
Are websters second-class citizens? - Opinion LA
Anniversary of Hard Rock sale - Moveable Buffet
Documentary lauds Fujimori's role in 1997 rescue - LA Plaza
When One Neighbor Undercuts Another - L.A. Land
Report Card/Exit Interview: Kobe Bryant - Lakers Blog
Arnold and "T4," Ewan and Chiwetel, Eli and Trailer Trash - KinseyGram
The compassionate conservative - Jacket Copy
Exchange of Gunfire, Deputy Shoots Man - Homicide Report
How to buy tickets to the Tony Awards - Gold Derby
A small change - Evolution of a Website
Florida: Whisk her away to Miami - Daily Deal Travel
The sun sets on Clipper Nation - Clipomaniac
Emmylou Harris: simply timeless - Buzz Bands
The search for a cause - Breaking News
Photoblocker blocked - Bottleneck Blog
In today's pages - Immigration
Rudy Seanez will rock you! - Blue Notes Dodgers
MySpace's DMCA enhancement - Bit Player
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:07 PM 1 Comments
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Are High Gasoline Prices Hurting the Economy
American retailers suffered a setback in April as unseasonable temperatures, an early Easter holiday, and rising gasoline prices took a big bite out of monthly sales. Wal-Mart warned it may not meet quarterly forecasts as a result, blaming higher gasoline prices, but some New York City shoppers said their spending habits had not changed.
When questioned regarding higher gasoline prices and spending habits, Ms. Wade claims verbally that gasoline prices do not have any impact on her spending, yet, her body language tells the truth with head nods in the positive. Watch the short video and read her body language yourself.
Featured Speakers: Mark Vitner, senior economist, Wachovia Jeannine Wade, consumer, New York City Scott Albert, consumer, New York City.
Conway G. Gittens reports from New York.
When questioned regarding higher gasoline prices and spending habits, Ms. Wade claims verbally that gasoline prices do not have any impact on her spending, yet, her body language tells the truth with head nods in the positive. Watch the short video and read her body language yourself.
Featured Speakers: Mark Vitner, senior economist, Wachovia Jeannine Wade, consumer, New York City Scott Albert, consumer, New York City.
Conway G. Gittens reports from New York.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 8:44 PM 2 Comments
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Foothill Cities - More on Pasadena - India Connection
More on Pasadena - India Connection
We've gotten a huge response to the news that Pasadena Now is outsourcing its news coverage to India, and we've tallied up the latest on the web (and in the comments).
The LAT Business section wrote up the case, noting of the two reporters that "one lives in Mumbai and will be paid $12,000 a year. The other will work in Bangalore for $7,200." More importantly, Macpherson isn't content with just two: "Macpherson plans to hire half a dozen more Indian reporters." Half a dozen? He's hiring a veritable army.
TIP: To continue reading click on the blue underlined first line, or the title of this post. The tips are added for users that are unfamiliar navigating within a blog, and using hyperlinks to other sites.
We've gotten a huge response to the news that Pasadena Now is outsourcing its news coverage to India, and we've tallied up the latest on the web (and in the comments).
The LAT Business section wrote up the case, noting of the two reporters that "one lives in Mumbai and will be paid $12,000 a year. The other will work in Bangalore for $7,200." More importantly, Macpherson isn't content with just two: "Macpherson plans to hire half a dozen more Indian reporters." Half a dozen? He's hiring a veritable army.
TIP: To continue reading click on the blue underlined first line, or the title of this post. The tips are added for users that are unfamiliar navigating within a blog, and using hyperlinks to other sites.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 3:10 PM 2 Comments
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Peninsula Press Club: Reporting jobs outsourced to India
Reporting jobs outsourced to India
The Mercury News and Contra Costa Times are outsourcing ad production to India, so what's next? Maybe reporting. The AP reports that a Web site in Pasadena that covers local news has outsourced the job of covering government meetings to reporters in India, who can watch the meetings online. "I think it could be a significant way to increase the quality of journalism on the local level without the expense that is a major problem for local publications," said James Macpherson, editor and publisher of the two-year-old Web site Pasadenanow.com, who is shown here. "Whether you're at a desk in Pasadena or a desk in Mumbai, you're still just a phone call or e-mail away from the interview."
What's next, outsourced readership?
The Mercury News and Contra Costa Times are outsourcing ad production to India, so what's next? Maybe reporting. The AP reports that a Web site in Pasadena that covers local news has outsourced the job of covering government meetings to reporters in India, who can watch the meetings online. "I think it could be a significant way to increase the quality of journalism on the local level without the expense that is a major problem for local publications," said James Macpherson, editor and publisher of the two-year-old Web site Pasadenanow.com, who is shown here. "Whether you're at a desk in Pasadena or a desk in Mumbai, you're still just a phone call or e-mail away from the interview."
What's next, outsourced readership?
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 2:53 PM 0 Comments
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Tribune Employees Talk: Los Angeles Times seeks labor relations manager
Los Angeles Times seeks labor relations manager
It appears the company is anticipating the need for a labor/management expert in it's immediate future:
The Labor Relations Manager proactively establishes and maintains satisfactory labor management relations, administers the organization’s labor relations policy and represents management in labor and employee relations. Represents the organization in dealings with union officials. Advises organization of potential labor issues based on new/proposed programs, policies and initiatives.
Editors note: I have been straightened out on the need for the Labor Relations Manager by one of my three Tribune boss' at the Times Olympic Facility, since we have so many union elections at the Los Angeles Times the company found the need to implement this position to help the employees at the newspaper.
It appears the company is anticipating the need for a labor/management expert in it's immediate future:
The Labor Relations Manager proactively establishes and maintains satisfactory labor management relations, administers the organization’s labor relations policy and represents management in labor and employee relations. Represents the organization in dealings with union officials. Advises organization of potential labor issues based on new/proposed programs, policies and initiatives.
Editors note: I have been straightened out on the need for the Labor Relations Manager by one of my three Tribune boss' at the Times Olympic Facility, since we have so many union elections at the Los Angeles Times the company found the need to implement this position to help the employees at the newspaper.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 12:06 PM 0 Comments
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Take Back the Times: Macy's Ads May Be Affecting LAT News Coverage
Macy's Ads May Be Affecting LAT News Coverage
A question of journalistic integrity arose at the L.A. Times Friday in its failure to report explicitly on declines of Macy's revenues from April sales. The omission in a Business section story by Leslie Earnest and Ronald D. White took place in the same week that Macy's has been allowed to annoy Times readers by its wrap-around ads in the metro (California), sports and home sections.
Click on title to continue reading Take Back the Times
A question of journalistic integrity arose at the L.A. Times Friday in its failure to report explicitly on declines of Macy's revenues from April sales. The omission in a Business section story by Leslie Earnest and Ronald D. White took place in the same week that Macy's has been allowed to annoy Times readers by its wrap-around ads in the metro (California), sports and home sections.
Click on title to continue reading Take Back the Times
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:55 AM 0 Comments
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Friday, May 11, 2007
Misnomer
Is it not crazy that we have something called fire "season?" Season being the natural occurrence of weather change due to the orbit of the earth around the sun.
Okay, so I really think the word "season" is being misused, especially when it comes to fires being started by arsonists. In other words, the media is telling us this:
"This undefinable season with neither a start or end date makes loonies circle around dry brush, fall asleep with cigarettes in hand in scrub lands, or intentionally seek dry areas just to fulfill a fascination with flames. It's just a thing that happens to these people, it's an organic mental function that makes them behave this way. So we'll still call it a season even though it has as much to do with the position of the earth to the sun, as werewolves do to the appearance of a full moon."
Na, there is no fire season. There are only very sick people who start them.
But it does make me wonder whether or not arsonists turn into werewolves in the winter.
If so, watch for werewolf "season" on FOX-11.
Is it not crazy that we have something called fire "season?" Season being the natural occurrence of weather change due to the orbit of the earth around the sun.Okay, so I really think the word "season" is being misused, especially when it comes to fires being started by arsonists. In other words, the media is telling us this:
"This undefinable season with neither a start or end date makes loonies circle around dry brush, fall asleep with cigarettes in hand in scrub lands, or intentionally seek dry areas just to fulfill a fascination with flames. It's just a thing that happens to these people, it's an organic mental function that makes them behave this way. So we'll still call it a season even though it has as much to do with the position of the earth to the sun, as werewolves do to the appearance of a full moon."
Na, there is no fire season. There are only very sick people who start them.
But it does make me wonder whether or not arsonists turn into werewolves in the winter.
If so, watch for werewolf "season" on FOX-11.
posted by Kanani |
¶ 10:49 PM 0 Comments
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Live Webcam from Avalon
Catalina Island: Avalon - Casino Webcam
I discovered a live webcam on the Matt Welch Blog, with several cameras from around the island that are still running a live feed. Click on the link above for different views of the fire.
I discovered a live webcam on the Matt Welch Blog, with several cameras from around the island that are still running a live feed. Click on the link above for different views of the fire.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:11 AM 0 Comments
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L.A. Firefighters Say: This Week Buy Food and Film
L.A. Firefighters Say: This Week Buy Food and Film
www.helpstampouthunger.com
Please remember, on Saturday morning - the FOOD goes by your mailbox and YOU come to the Fire Station!
Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
www.helpstampouthunger.com
Please remember, on Saturday morning - the FOOD goes by your mailbox and YOU come to the Fire Station!
Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:08 AM 0 Comments
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Over On Easy-Writer: As Catalina burned
and the fire swept closer to the casino, I thought of the people who'd passed through in the past. Including this fine man. I'll leave you with Fred Astaire this weekend with more commentary over on Easy-Writer.
posted by Kanani |
¶ 6:57 AM 0 Comments
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Friday Morning Links
Pasadena Outsourcing Local News Reporting - Foothill Cities
Local news reporting outsourced to India - Los Angeles Times
Roderick "It's going to be a raucous, interesting future" - LA Weekly
Daily Press offers buyouts - Daily Press
Comedy writers move to unionize - Los Angeles Times
Pasadena Outsourcing Local News Reporting - Foothill Cities
Local news reporting outsourced to India - Los Angeles Times
Roderick "It's going to be a raucous, interesting future" - LA Weekly
Daily Press offers buyouts - Daily Press
Comedy writers move to unionize - Los Angeles Times
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 6:44 AM 0 Comments
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Thursday, May 10, 2007
Catalina Island fire from the Times staff
The Los Angeles Times Blog "Breaking News" is at it again, this time they are covering a massive fire on Catalina Island, which is located some twenty-three miles from the coast of California.
Here's the lastest post at 10:18 p.m.
Homes lost; "0% contained"
He said the operaton included five water-dropping helicopters and eight fixed-wing aircraft. Late Thursday night two hovercraft arrived from Camp Pendleton, each carrying five engines.
Hoefs said the helicopters would begin flying again about 6 a.m. He said approximately 300 to 400 residents havd been evacuated from this island "but the majority of the populaton of about 3,600 is still here." He said many of them are in the harbor area staying in businesses and homes.
-Louis Sahagun in Avalon
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:26 PM 0 Comments
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Over on Easy-Writer: Change
I was taking the newspapers to the recycling bin, and the story that was on top of the stack was that of a tragedy. As Mother's Day approaches this weekend, I am trying to comprehend the tragedy last week, when Lori and Chris Coble, a couple in their thirties, lost their entire brood of children in an instant.
Continued on Easy Writer
Continued on Easy Writer
posted by Kanani |
¶ 6:41 PM 0 Comments
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New Los Angeles Times Blogs
For all you book lovers the Los Angeles Times had added a new blog titled Jacket Copy, as of yesterday, I'm sure this will grab Kanani's attention. The new Times blog is written by David Ulin and should prove to be another fine blog.
I'm unsure if this will be a regular blog the Times publishes, but the first entry, by Meredith Artley, Executive Editor, LATimes.com explains the changes taking place at the Times online edition. Comments are currently open regarding the changes at Evolution of a Website.
Kathy Price-Robinson has written about remodeling for 17 years, focusing both on the process of home improvement, as well as the product. She writes for both consumer and contractor magazines, and her award-winning series, Pardon Our Dust, has appeared in the Real Estate section of The Times since 1997. She lives in a house with good bones and a lot of potential, and shares her life with one husband, one dog, two horses and three quite exceptional stepdaughters.
For all you book lovers the Los Angeles Times had added a new blog titled Jacket Copy, as of yesterday, I'm sure this will grab Kanani's attention. The new Times blog is written by David Ulin and should prove to be another fine blog.
I'm unsure if this will be a regular blog the Times publishes, but the first entry, by Meredith Artley, Executive Editor, LATimes.com explains the changes taking place at the Times online edition. Comments are currently open regarding the changes at Evolution of a Website.
Kathy Price-Robinson has written about remodeling for 17 years, focusing both on the process of home improvement, as well as the product. She writes for both consumer and contractor magazines, and her award-winning series, Pardon Our Dust, has appeared in the Real Estate section of The Times since 1997. She lives in a house with good bones and a lot of potential, and shares her life with one husband, one dog, two horses and three quite exceptional stepdaughters.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:58 AM 0 Comments
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I'm Better Than You Joel Stein
Infamous Los Angeles Times writer Joel Stein has given notice to bloggers to submit articles, with the best three stories to be published and rated by users, vaguely in his style of 700-800 words.
Can you handle the challenge bloggers?
Joel states: “The difference between me and your average blogger is that I get paid. How long I can continue to get paid for something so many people do for free is a question that concerns both me and many of the people who send me hate mail.”
Submit your stories to Joel Stein, with the subject “I’m Better Than You.”
Joel Stein - On Interviewing Leonardo DiCaprio
Can you handle the challenge bloggers?
Joel states: “The difference between me and your average blogger is that I get paid. How long I can continue to get paid for something so many people do for free is a question that concerns both me and many of the people who send me hate mail.”
Submit your stories to Joel Stein, with the subject “I’m Better Than You.”
Joel Stein - On Interviewing Leonardo DiCaprio
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:44 AM 0 Comments
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Teamster's GCC to be Certified at Los Angeles Times
The Tribune Company appealed the ruling by the Los Angeles National Labor Relations Board on April 30th, 2007, and the appeal to Washington D.C. NLRB was expected to take thirty days. Tomorrow marks thirty working days (Monday through Friday) since the appeal was filed, and the outcome will be announced either tomorrow or Monday May 14th.
If the advertisement for a labor relation’s manager at the Los Angeles Times is any indication of the NLRB ruling, we can expect the Teamsters/GCC Union to be certified next week for the pressrooms at the newspaper.
If the advertisement for a labor relation’s manager at the Los Angeles Times is any indication of the NLRB ruling, we can expect the Teamsters/GCC Union to be certified next week for the pressrooms at the newspaper.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 8:01 AM 0 Comments
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Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Wednesday Night News Links
Teamsters Oppose Zell's ESOP Takeover - Editor & Publisher
Tribune CEO peppered with questions on Zell deal - Chicago Business
Anti-Union Meetings In other L.A.Times Departments - Save Our Trade
Tribune's last annual meeting? - LA Biz Observed
Outsourcing a way to success - Opinion LA
Bill Gates: Reading to go 'completely online' - Seattle PI
Microsoft takes on CareerBuilder stake - Chicago Tribune
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:51 PM 0 Comments
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Tribune Annual Meeting
TRIBUNE ANNUAL MEETING HELD IN CHICAGO
Shareholders Re-elect Three Directors; Sam Zell Joins Board
Tribune Management and Values Awards Presented
CHICAGO, May 9, 2007—Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB) held its annual meeting in Chicago today. Shareholders re-elected Tribune board members Jeffrey Chandler, William Osborn and Miles White to three-year terms and ratified the choice of PricewaterhouseCoopers as the company’s independent accountants for 2007.
A shareholder proposal recommending the annual election of board members received a majority of the shares voted; the proposal was advisory and will now be considered by the board.
Tribune’s independent directors were recognized for their contributions during the last six months when they served on the special committee that evaluated strategic alternatives for the company. “Our independent directors did an outstanding job,” said Dennis FitzSimons, Tribune chairman, president and chief executive officer. “The committee’s work was rigorous, thorough and enormously time-consuming. We offer these directors special thanks for their efforts.”
The review process concluded April 2 when Tribune announced a transaction that will take the company private through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and an investment in Tribune by Sam Zell, who was elected to the Tribune board at its regular meeting held earlier today.
The first stage of the ESOP/Zell transaction includes the stock tender offer launched April 25 to purchase up to 126 million common shares for $34 per share in cash. The tender offer expires on May 24, unless extended.
“The outcome for Tribune shareholders—$34 per share in cash—is a significant premium over where the stock was trading in mid-March, just prior to the announcement,” FitzSimons said. Shareholders will vote on the ESOP/Zell transaction during the third quarter, and it is expected to close in the fourth quarter, following regulatory approval.
As always, a portion of the annual meeting was devoted to outstanding employee performances. Tribune’s 2007 Pulitzer Prize winners from the Los Angeles Times and Newsday were recognized, followed by the presentation of the annual Tribune Management and Values Awards, the company’s highest honors.
• The Tribune Management Award went to Larry Delia, vice president/general manager of WGNO/WNOL-TV in New Orleans, for his extraordinary leadership following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.
• The Tribune Values Award went to the Chicago magazine team of Dick Babcock, editor; Randy Hano, publisher; and Rich Gamble, director of finance and operations, for creating a nationwide leader in the city/regional magazine category through sales innovation, editorial excellence and financial discipline.
Finally, in other business conducted by the board, Jack Rodden was elected assistant treasurer. Rodden joined Tribune in 2000 and most recently served as director/treasury and risk management. In that role, he was responsible for Tribune’s day-to-day cash operations, debt issuance, and all cash, debt and interest forecasting.
A replay of today’s annual meeting webcast will be available at www.tribune.com.
Media Contact: Gary Weitman
312/222-3394 (Office) 312/222-1573 (Fax)
gweitman@tribune.com
Investor Contact:Ruthellyn Musil
312/222-3787 (Office)
312/222-1573 (Fax)
rmusil@tribune.com
TRIBUNE ANNUAL MEETING HELD IN CHICAGO
Shareholders Re-elect Three Directors; Sam Zell Joins Board
Tribune Management and Values Awards Presented
CHICAGO, May 9, 2007—Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB) held its annual meeting in Chicago today. Shareholders re-elected Tribune board members Jeffrey Chandler, William Osborn and Miles White to three-year terms and ratified the choice of PricewaterhouseCoopers as the company’s independent accountants for 2007.
A shareholder proposal recommending the annual election of board members received a majority of the shares voted; the proposal was advisory and will now be considered by the board.
Tribune’s independent directors were recognized for their contributions during the last six months when they served on the special committee that evaluated strategic alternatives for the company. “Our independent directors did an outstanding job,” said Dennis FitzSimons, Tribune chairman, president and chief executive officer. “The committee’s work was rigorous, thorough and enormously time-consuming. We offer these directors special thanks for their efforts.”
The review process concluded April 2 when Tribune announced a transaction that will take the company private through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and an investment in Tribune by Sam Zell, who was elected to the Tribune board at its regular meeting held earlier today.
The first stage of the ESOP/Zell transaction includes the stock tender offer launched April 25 to purchase up to 126 million common shares for $34 per share in cash. The tender offer expires on May 24, unless extended.
“The outcome for Tribune shareholders—$34 per share in cash—is a significant premium over where the stock was trading in mid-March, just prior to the announcement,” FitzSimons said. Shareholders will vote on the ESOP/Zell transaction during the third quarter, and it is expected to close in the fourth quarter, following regulatory approval.
As always, a portion of the annual meeting was devoted to outstanding employee performances. Tribune’s 2007 Pulitzer Prize winners from the Los Angeles Times and Newsday were recognized, followed by the presentation of the annual Tribune Management and Values Awards, the company’s highest honors.
• The Tribune Management Award went to Larry Delia, vice president/general manager of WGNO/WNOL-TV in New Orleans, for his extraordinary leadership following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.
• The Tribune Values Award went to the Chicago magazine team of Dick Babcock, editor; Randy Hano, publisher; and Rich Gamble, director of finance and operations, for creating a nationwide leader in the city/regional magazine category through sales innovation, editorial excellence and financial discipline.
Finally, in other business conducted by the board, Jack Rodden was elected assistant treasurer. Rodden joined Tribune in 2000 and most recently served as director/treasury and risk management. In that role, he was responsible for Tribune’s day-to-day cash operations, debt issuance, and all cash, debt and interest forecasting.
A replay of today’s annual meeting webcast will be available at www.tribune.com.
###
TRIBUNE (NYSE: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.Media Contact: Gary Weitman
312/222-3394 (Office) 312/222-1573 (Fax)
gweitman@tribune.com
Investor Contact:Ruthellyn Musil
312/222-3787 (Office)
312/222-1573 (Fax)
rmusil@tribune.com
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 3:25 PM 0 Comments
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Tribune Employees Talk: Tribune shareholders meeting today
Tribune shareholders meeting today
At the shareholders annual meeting today, International Brotherhood of Teamsters president James Hoffa protested the ESOP structure that is key to the sale. "This structure makes the employees shareholders in name only," said Hoffa in a prepared statement.
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Complete article can be accessed by clicking on title.
At the shareholders annual meeting today, International Brotherhood of Teamsters president James Hoffa protested the ESOP structure that is key to the sale. "This structure makes the employees shareholders in name only," said Hoffa in a prepared statement.
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Complete article can be accessed by clicking on title.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 1:07 PM 1 Comments
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Day 2 Griffith Park Fire
This is some footage of the fire in Griffith Park Los Angeles that burned more than 600 acres. At the end theres a wicked fire tornado that KNBC bought from me when they got on the scene.
Griffith Park Fire May 8th 2007
Additional information on the the Griffith Park Fire can be found on the following blogs:
Los Angeles Times Breaking News Blog
Los Angeles Fire Department Blog
Darleeneisms
Blogging Los Angeles
Los Angeles City Nerd
Los Angeles Observed
CBS2.com
LAist
Curbed Los Angeles
Los Angeles Voice
Matt Welch
Los Anjealous
Griffith Park Fire May 8th 2007
Additional information on the the Griffith Park Fire can be found on the following blogs:
Los Angeles Times Breaking News Blog
Los Angeles Fire Department Blog
Darleeneisms
Blogging Los Angeles
Los Angeles City Nerd
Los Angeles Observed
CBS2.com
LAist
Curbed Los Angeles
Los Angeles Voice
Matt Welch
Los Anjealous
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:01 AM 0 Comments
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Take Back the Times: CBS Web Should Screen, Not Kill, Obama E-Mails
CBS Web Should Screen, Not Kill, Obama E-Mails
The New York Times reported yesterday that the CBS News Web Site, alarmed at the number of bigoted comments it has been getting on presidential candidate Barack Obama, has decided to block all comments coming from its e-mailers on the Illinois senator.
[snip]
CBS News and other Web sites have an obligation, it seems to me, to screen out all clearly bigoted or improper comments on any subject for Web sites. The New York Times routinely does this. Anyone can submit a comment, but ones that are clearly inappropriate or overly vitriolic do not appear. The New York Times has hired a number of screeners for this purpose.
Freedom of speech does not give one the right to yell fire in a crowded theatre, and Obama and other candidates have a right not to be subjected to bigoted remarks. A distinction must be drawn with partisan remarks, which are fine in a free society.
The New York Times reported yesterday that the CBS News Web Site, alarmed at the number of bigoted comments it has been getting on presidential candidate Barack Obama, has decided to block all comments coming from its e-mailers on the Illinois senator.
[snip]
CBS News and other Web sites have an obligation, it seems to me, to screen out all clearly bigoted or improper comments on any subject for Web sites. The New York Times routinely does this. Anyone can submit a comment, but ones that are clearly inappropriate or overly vitriolic do not appear. The New York Times has hired a number of screeners for this purpose.
Freedom of speech does not give one the right to yell fire in a crowded theatre, and Obama and other candidates have a right not to be subjected to bigoted remarks. A distinction must be drawn with partisan remarks, which are fine in a free society.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 8:46 AM 0 Comments
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Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Griffith Park Fire Videos
SHARON TAY-GRIFFITH PARK FIRE
Griffith Park Fire
Griffith Park Fire
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:34 PM 1 Comments
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Griffith Park fire: The Latest
The Los Angeles Times Blog "Breaking News" has the latest news on the Griffith Park fire, updated every ten to twenty minutes.
From my vantage point at 8th and Alameda the fire appeared to be out just before sunset, but when I ventured outside for a break at 7:30 p.m. the fire was roaring once again.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:56 PM 0 Comments
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Tribune Employees Talk: Zell: My goal is to preserve everything we have and make it a lot better
My goal is to preserve everything we have and make it a lot better
In a May 2 interview with Financial Times US, Sam Zell was asked about newspapers in the internet age and their responsibility to the community, the relationship rift between Chicago and Los Angeles and the complex ESOP structure he created to buy Tribune:
FT: Are you at all worried that, because of the fairly complex ESOP structure which you created to buy the company, there is a risk for employees that the pensions that they’re accruing going forward could be lost if things don’t work out?
MR ZELL: The employees’ contribution represents that which the company previously matched their IRA contributions. So it isn’t like they’re taking their pension funds; it isn’t like they’re taking anything that they have.
FT: It’s not the existing? It’s what will be accumulated going forward?
MR ZELL: And it’s only the match part of it going forward that’s relevant. And I guess, when it’s all said and done, I’m putting up $315m. If the employees don’t make any money, then I’m likely to lose my $315m, and despite comments to the contrary, I still think $315m is one hell of a lot of money. And I assure you I’m going to do everything I can to make that profitable, and as a result, benefit the employees.
FT: So you feel like the risk to you is comparable with the risk to them?
MR ZELL: Oh, absolutely. And the interests are totally aligned.
In a May 2 interview with Financial Times US, Sam Zell was asked about newspapers in the internet age and their responsibility to the community, the relationship rift between Chicago and Los Angeles and the complex ESOP structure he created to buy Tribune:
FT: Are you at all worried that, because of the fairly complex ESOP structure which you created to buy the company, there is a risk for employees that the pensions that they’re accruing going forward could be lost if things don’t work out?
MR ZELL: The employees’ contribution represents that which the company previously matched their IRA contributions. So it isn’t like they’re taking their pension funds; it isn’t like they’re taking anything that they have.
FT: It’s not the existing? It’s what will be accumulated going forward?
MR ZELL: And it’s only the match part of it going forward that’s relevant. And I guess, when it’s all said and done, I’m putting up $315m. If the employees don’t make any money, then I’m likely to lose my $315m, and despite comments to the contrary, I still think $315m is one hell of a lot of money. And I assure you I’m going to do everything I can to make that profitable, and as a result, benefit the employees.
FT: So you feel like the risk to you is comparable with the risk to them?
MR ZELL: Oh, absolutely. And the interests are totally aligned.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:15 AM 0 Comments
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Google Blogs Alerts
Many online users ask how to stay abreast of news in a timely manner, but simply do not have the time or patience to search the web for the information they are seeking.
My solution, Google alerts. A Google alert will direct the user to the links you have entered in your query, click on the Google icon and enter your search query, with quote marks. Example: “Tribune Company”. You will receive an email every time Tribune Company is mentioned in an article, but if you omit the quote marks, you will fill your in-box with messages every time company is mentioned or when Tribune is mentioned.
After clicking on search you are given the results, on this page you will locate the blog alerts at the left hand side of the page, it has an email icon of a letter. Click on this icon and Google will send a message to you, which you must reply to by clicking on the link; this verifies you have requested to add this alert.
To opt out of an alert, follow the instructions within every alert that arrives.
Many online users ask how to stay abreast of news in a timely manner, but simply do not have the time or patience to search the web for the information they are seeking.
My solution, Google alerts. A Google alert will direct the user to the links you have entered in your query, click on the Google icon and enter your search query, with quote marks. Example: “Tribune Company”. You will receive an email every time Tribune Company is mentioned in an article, but if you omit the quote marks, you will fill your in-box with messages every time company is mentioned or when Tribune is mentioned.
After clicking on search you are given the results, on this page you will locate the blog alerts at the left hand side of the page, it has an email icon of a letter. Click on this icon and Google will send a message to you, which you must reply to by clicking on the link; this verifies you have requested to add this alert.
To opt out of an alert, follow the instructions within every alert that arrives.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:13 AM 0 Comments
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Final Press Run - The Daily Collegian
The staff of the Daily Collegian watches at the final papers of the semester are printed at The Sentinel in Lewistown, PA
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 8:14 AM 0 Comments
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People That Run Printing Presses Doomed
People Who Run Printing Presses 'Screwed' - Editor & Publisher
Ex-Dow Jones ExecutivesOppose Murdoch's Bid - Wall Street Journal
Star Tribune to cut staff by 145 - Star Tribune
Fresno journalist in battle at L.A. Times - Fresno Bee
Online Venom or Vibrant Speech? - Washington Post
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 6:43 AM 0 Comments
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LAFD Announces Annual Open House
LAFD Announces Annual Open House
On Saturday, May 12, 2007 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Neighborhood Fire Stations throughout the City of Los Angeles will be expecting your visit.
The second Saturday of May is designated "Fire Service Recognition Day" in Los Angeles. On this day, members of the Los Angeles Fire Department host an Open House to warmly welcome visitors of all ages to their Neighborhood Fire Station.
On Saturday, May 12, 2007 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Neighborhood Fire Stations throughout the City of Los Angeles will be expecting your visit.
The second Saturday of May is designated "Fire Service Recognition Day" in Los Angeles. On this day, members of the Los Angeles Fire Department host an Open House to warmly welcome visitors of all ages to their Neighborhood Fire Station.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 6:34 AM 0 Comments
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Save Our Trade: What's going on?
What's going on?
Everyone is wondering, "what's going on"
Well, we are still waiting for Washington to hand down their decision and once they do we will have our certification and then we will seek our charter from The International. There is no reason to interpret this decision and the time it is taking as something to be concerned about. The N.L.R.B. will do what they have to do in the time they are required and all we can do is be patient.
We have already seen that our victory has not brought upon the things we were being told. We all received a 2% wage increase just like everyone else. The cut's are here and as we can see, it currently does not affect our shops. As I said before, Buy-outs could be offered to our members if the company was willing to "negotiate" the buy-outs.
Everyone is wondering, "what's going on"
Well, we are still waiting for Washington to hand down their decision and once they do we will have our certification and then we will seek our charter from The International. There is no reason to interpret this decision and the time it is taking as something to be concerned about. The N.L.R.B. will do what they have to do in the time they are required and all we can do is be patient.
We have already seen that our victory has not brought upon the things we were being told. We all received a 2% wage increase just like everyone else. The cut's are here and as we can see, it currently does not affect our shops. As I said before, Buy-outs could be offered to our members if the company was willing to "negotiate" the buy-outs.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 6:29 AM 2 Comments
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Take Back the Times: Baquet Ban On Attending Press Dinner Excessive
Baquet Ban On Attending Press Dinner Excessive
There is no secret, I am an admirer of Dean Baquet. After he defied the squalid Tribune Co. cost cutters last year and was ousted for his stand as editor of the Los Angeles Times, I picked him as my "journalist of the year."
But in trying to cut off social exchanges between his personnel and the Washington scene, in boycotting the White House Correspondents dinner, Baquet is making a mistake. He is cutting off his nose to spite his face, and it is necessary for more than one friend to tell him so.
There is no secret, I am an admirer of Dean Baquet. After he defied the squalid Tribune Co. cost cutters last year and was ousted for his stand as editor of the Los Angeles Times, I picked him as my "journalist of the year."
But in trying to cut off social exchanges between his personnel and the Washington scene, in boycotting the White House Correspondents dinner, Baquet is making a mistake. He is cutting off his nose to spite his face, and it is necessary for more than one friend to tell him so.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 6:26 AM 0 Comments
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Monday, May 07, 2007
Newspapers struggle online
Online advertising growth falters for traditional print publications transitioning to the web.As US newspaper publishers continue to expand online, an advertising slump puts a damper on their survival strategy.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:44 PM 1 Comments
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Aramark vs CulinArt
CulinArt made a visit to the Square today, taking job applications from the Aramark employees, and they will visit Olympic tomorrow for the same process. From what I have been told, many of the cafeteria staff will be staying after Aramark leaves the Los Angeles Times on May 31st of this year.
My tipster at the Square tells me Aramark employees have not received a raise in two years, with CulinArt they will be given a one dollar per hour salary increase once they transfer to the new food service company. The employees at Aramark (at least at the Los Angeles Times) have not had sick days, so if they called in sick it was without pay, CulinArt will give the employees sick days.
One major issue among the food service workers was the possibility of no health care; CulinArt offers the same health care the workers currently have with Aramark. Add to this a bonus system CulinArt will give employees, that earn it, and it sounds like the new company will be good for the employees of Aramark.
I have to hand it to our cafeteria staff; they certainly do a great job, with only five people to staff our plant seven days per week.
My tipster at the Square tells me Aramark employees have not received a raise in two years, with CulinArt they will be given a one dollar per hour salary increase once they transfer to the new food service company. The employees at Aramark (at least at the Los Angeles Times) have not had sick days, so if they called in sick it was without pay, CulinArt will give the employees sick days.
One major issue among the food service workers was the possibility of no health care; CulinArt offers the same health care the workers currently have with Aramark. Add to this a bonus system CulinArt will give employees, that earn it, and it sounds like the new company will be good for the employees of Aramark.
I have to hand it to our cafeteria staff; they certainly do a great job, with only five people to staff our plant seven days per week.
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Labels: Aramark, CulinArt, food service
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 8:35 PM 0 Comments
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Tribune Employees Talk: Update: Stamford Advocate sale terms must include newsroom's collective bargaining agreement
Stamford Advocate sale terms must include newsroom's collective bargaining agreement
A U.S District Court judge issued an injunction March 28 temporarily blocking the sale pending the outcome of the arbitration. The arbitrator ruled April 9 that Tribune was obligated to include the union contract in the purchase and sale agreement.
A U.S District Court judge issued an injunction March 28 temporarily blocking the sale pending the outcome of the arbitration. The arbitrator ruled April 9 that Tribune was obligated to include the union contract in the purchase and sale agreement.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:30 AM 0 Comments
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Mixed Media News
Return of the Evening Newspaper Edition - Chicago Tribune
Sex [R] or Money [D]? Opinion LA
CBS News Turns Off Comments From Users - CBS News
Media needs to keep their focus on the LAPD - Los Angeles Times
Newspaper Web Users Above Average - Editor & Publisher
LA Times Website Assaults Viewers! - LA Cowboy
The 225K Affordability Argument, A New Heatmap - LA Land
Corporate Vs. Family Media - Media Curmudgeon
Return of the Evening Newspaper Edition - Chicago Tribune
Sex [R] or Money [D]? Opinion LA
CBS News Turns Off Comments From Users - CBS News
Media needs to keep their focus on the LAPD - Los Angeles Times
Newspaper Web Users Above Average - Editor & Publisher
LA Times Website Assaults Viewers! - LA Cowboy
The 225K Affordability Argument, A New Heatmap - LA Land
Corporate Vs. Family Media - Media Curmudgeon
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:10 AM 0 Comments
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Sunday, May 06, 2007
We're Back
Last Friday afternoon my web hosting service made some upgrades, which is fine with me, but they failed to mention I needed to change the path to my server. The past sixteen months I have used ftp-dom.earthlink.net, and after testing some different paths I found ftp.edpadgett.com now connects to my server.
Would have been nice if an email would have arrived, making note of the change.
Always looking for the bright side of every situation, not being able to upload to the blog, gave me some much needed time for home repairs.
Would have been nice if an email would have arrived, making note of the change.
Always looking for the bright side of every situation, not being able to upload to the blog, gave me some much needed time for home repairs.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 9:05 PM 0 Comments
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Saturday, May 05, 2007
The Writerly Pause: WP Meets Pulitzer Winner Al Martinez
The Writerly Pause: Pulitzer Winner Al Martinez
Our interview with Al Martinez is finally up!
Our interview with Al Martinez is finally up!
posted by Kanani |
¶ 8:22 AM 0 Comments
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Friday, May 04, 2007
For The Weekend, We Leave You With
The Free Hug Campaign
posted by Kanani |
¶ 8:20 PM 2 Comments
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Los Angeles Times Celebrates Biggest Festival of Books
LOS ANGELES, May 4, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times announced today that in its 12th straight year the Festival of Books drew between 130,000 and 140,000 people and featured the largest number of writers, panel discussions, exhibitors, and activities in its history. Held on the beautiful UCLA campus on Saturday, April 28th and Sunday, April 29th, the event drew higher than expected attendance and drove record book sales for sponsors.
“It was inspiring, moving and exhilarating to celebrate reading and writing with over 130,000 of our friends and neighbors at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books,” said Publisher David D. Hiller.
The Festival brought together its largest and most eclectic gathering of literary stars thus far, including Dr. Phil McGraw, Tim Gunn, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julie Andrews Edwards, Walter Mosley, Arianna Huffington, Ellen Burstyn, T.C. Boyle, Mary Higgins Clark, Gore Vidal, and Ray Bradbury. 463 authors participated in book readings and signings and made appearances on one of the 100 discussion panels. latimes.com was also an integral online participant in the 2007 event, hosting web chats with several celebrity authors who took live questions from the public throughout the weekend.
“Target understands how important it is to begin fostering the love of reading in children at a very early age, which is why we were thrilled to be a part of the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books for a 12th year,” said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target. “It was exciting to see the number of families who continue to come out year after year celebrate the joy of books in a fun and recreational way.”
"We were thrilled with our participation in the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books this year. The weather was gorgeous, people drove from miles away to attend the Festival, and our stage, signing tents and sales booth were packed both Saturday and Sunday,” said Jan Lindstrom Valerio, Barnes & Noble Regional Community Relations Manager. “In addition to selling books for authors appearing on our stage, we featured Barnes & Noble and L.A. Times bestsellers, favorite local authors and regional titles and nominees and winners of the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes. Many customers commented on how much they loved the Festival this year."
A total of 481 sponsor and exhibitor booths representing 313 companies lined the central grounds at UCLA, the largest layout of publishers and booksellers to date. Sponsors included Target, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Borders Bookstores, Ticketmaster, Ghirardelli, Time Warner Cable, HBO Films, C-SPAN, Travel Alberta, Chronicle Books, Geffen Playhouse, Jiffy Lube and Toyota’s "Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience." In addition, six stages presented a wide variety of entertainment options, including musical performances, poetry readings and cooking demonstrations from star chefs. Appearances by popular children’s characters ensured the event would create lasting memories for the entire family.
“As booksellers, Borders feels it is an honor and privilege to ‘bring writers to readers’ and nowhere was this more effective than at the Festival where we hosted 64 incredible and diversely appealing authors connecting them with readers in a meaningful and purposeful way during the two-day event,” said Beryl Needham, Director of National Events and Field Marketing. “As big as the Festival is, it truly is about community. Our customers and authors are ‘Friends of Borders’ and the idea of connecting them together made this a real celebration of books and reading."
”It was an honor for Toyota to be part of an event aimed at inspiring and opening minds,” said Cindy Knight, Marketing Communications for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “Sharing that goal, Toyota’s interactive mobile museum, dedicated to educating people on hybrid technology and how they can make a difference in the environment, was a perfect addition to the weekend’s activities.”
# # #
About the Los Angeles Times
The Pulitzer Prize-winning Los Angeles Times is the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country, with a daily readership of nearly 2.2 million and about 3.3 million on Sunday. The Los Angeles Times and its media businesses and affiliates - including latimes.com, TheEnvelope.com, Times Community Newspapers, Recycler Classifieds, Hoy, and California Community News - are read by approximately 8.1 million or 62% of all adults in the Southern California marketplace every week.
The Los Angeles Times, has been covering Southern California for over 125 years and is part of Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB), one of the country's leading media companies with businesses in publishing, the Internet and broadcasting. Additional information about the Los Angeles Times is available at www.latimes.com/mediacenter.
Contact: Nancy Sullivan
Los Angeles Times
.
Los Angeles Times Celebrates Biggest Festival of Books in 12 Year History
Nation’s Largest Literary Festival Breaks Book Sales Records
And Welcomes New Categories of Sponsors
And Welcomes New Categories of Sponsors
LOS ANGELES, May 4, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times announced today that in its 12th straight year the Festival of Books drew between 130,000 and 140,000 people and featured the largest number of writers, panel discussions, exhibitors, and activities in its history. Held on the beautiful UCLA campus on Saturday, April 28th and Sunday, April 29th, the event drew higher than expected attendance and drove record book sales for sponsors.
“It was inspiring, moving and exhilarating to celebrate reading and writing with over 130,000 of our friends and neighbors at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books,” said Publisher David D. Hiller.
The Festival brought together its largest and most eclectic gathering of literary stars thus far, including Dr. Phil McGraw, Tim Gunn, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julie Andrews Edwards, Walter Mosley, Arianna Huffington, Ellen Burstyn, T.C. Boyle, Mary Higgins Clark, Gore Vidal, and Ray Bradbury. 463 authors participated in book readings and signings and made appearances on one of the 100 discussion panels. latimes.com was also an integral online participant in the 2007 event, hosting web chats with several celebrity authors who took live questions from the public throughout the weekend.
“Target understands how important it is to begin fostering the love of reading in children at a very early age, which is why we were thrilled to be a part of the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books for a 12th year,” said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target. “It was exciting to see the number of families who continue to come out year after year celebrate the joy of books in a fun and recreational way.”
"We were thrilled with our participation in the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books this year. The weather was gorgeous, people drove from miles away to attend the Festival, and our stage, signing tents and sales booth were packed both Saturday and Sunday,” said Jan Lindstrom Valerio, Barnes & Noble Regional Community Relations Manager. “In addition to selling books for authors appearing on our stage, we featured Barnes & Noble and L.A. Times bestsellers, favorite local authors and regional titles and nominees and winners of the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes. Many customers commented on how much they loved the Festival this year."
A total of 481 sponsor and exhibitor booths representing 313 companies lined the central grounds at UCLA, the largest layout of publishers and booksellers to date. Sponsors included Target, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Borders Bookstores, Ticketmaster, Ghirardelli, Time Warner Cable, HBO Films, C-SPAN, Travel Alberta, Chronicle Books, Geffen Playhouse, Jiffy Lube and Toyota’s "Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience." In addition, six stages presented a wide variety of entertainment options, including musical performances, poetry readings and cooking demonstrations from star chefs. Appearances by popular children’s characters ensured the event would create lasting memories for the entire family.
“As booksellers, Borders feels it is an honor and privilege to ‘bring writers to readers’ and nowhere was this more effective than at the Festival where we hosted 64 incredible and diversely appealing authors connecting them with readers in a meaningful and purposeful way during the two-day event,” said Beryl Needham, Director of National Events and Field Marketing. “As big as the Festival is, it truly is about community. Our customers and authors are ‘Friends of Borders’ and the idea of connecting them together made this a real celebration of books and reading."
”It was an honor for Toyota to be part of an event aimed at inspiring and opening minds,” said Cindy Knight, Marketing Communications for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “Sharing that goal, Toyota’s interactive mobile museum, dedicated to educating people on hybrid technology and how they can make a difference in the environment, was a perfect addition to the weekend’s activities.”
# # #
About the Los Angeles Times
The Pulitzer Prize-winning Los Angeles Times is the largest metropolitan daily newspaper in the country, with a daily readership of nearly 2.2 million and about 3.3 million on Sunday. The Los Angeles Times and its media businesses and affiliates - including latimes.com, TheEnvelope.com, Times Community Newspapers, Recycler Classifieds, Hoy, and California Community News - are read by approximately 8.1 million or 62% of all adults in the Southern California marketplace every week.
The Los Angeles Times, has been covering Southern California for over 125 years and is part of Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB), one of the country's leading media companies with businesses in publishing, the Internet and broadcasting. Additional information about the Los Angeles Times is available at www.latimes.com/mediacenter.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 6:17 PM 0 Comments
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Easy-Writer: Kanani Fong: Those Hats
Easy-Writer: Those Hats
posted by Kanani |
¶ 3:15 PM 0 Comments
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Top Ten Blogs at the Los Angeles Times
While reading LAObserved yesterday, I read with interest, a memo from Meredith Artley on the new features at LATimes.com. If Ms. Artley is an unknown name for you, click on her name and see whom she is and her job function at the Los Angeles Times.
In my department at the Times we like to point fingers when mistakes occur, they call it accountability, so I will take the responsibility for pushing traffic to the Times blogs.
1. Lakers - Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky
2. Show Tracker - Seven Times Staffers
3. Homicide Report - Jill Leovy
4. Styles & Scenes - Elizabeth Snead
5. Gold Derby - Tom O'Neil
6. Bottleneck - Shelby Grad
7. Political Muscle - Robert Salladay
8. Movable Buffet - Richard Abowitz
9. LA Land - Peter Viles
10. Dodgers Blog - Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky
.
.
Source: LAObserved
In my department at the Times we like to point fingers when mistakes occur, they call it accountability, so I will take the responsibility for pushing traffic to the Times blogs.
1. Lakers - Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky
2. Show Tracker - Seven Times Staffers
3. Homicide Report - Jill Leovy
4. Styles & Scenes - Elizabeth Snead
5. Gold Derby - Tom O'Neil
6. Bottleneck - Shelby Grad
7. Political Muscle - Robert Salladay
8. Movable Buffet - Richard Abowitz
9. LA Land - Peter Viles
10. Dodgers Blog - Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky
.
.
Source: LAObserved
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 8:58 AM 0 Comments
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Four Dead in Ohio - CSNY
Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young preform tribute song Four Dead in Ohio in memory of the student deaths at Kent State thirty-seven years ago.
Labels: CSNY, Four Dead in Ohio, Kent State
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 8:24 AM 0 Comments
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Kent State May 4th, 1970
Click here, or on the title to jump to the page.
I was sixteen years old when this picture was taken at Kent State, and I still recall my anger at the establishment for killing four unarmed students and wounding of five by the gunfire from the Ohio National Guard, the picture was seen on the front pages of most major newspapers and magazines around the world.
If you’re unfamiliar with what was taking place at Kent State on May 4th, 1970, the students held a protest against the invasion of Cambodia by United States forces on the 25th of April of that year.
The reaction of the Los Angeles Police Department just three days ago at MacArthur Park, against the protesters and the media, sure brings back old memories of Kent State. Seems some things never really change.
An anonymous user sent a link that will keep you occupied for many hours, so be sure and add to your favorites list.
If you’re unfamiliar with what was taking place at Kent State on May 4th, 1970, the students held a protest against the invasion of Cambodia by United States forces on the 25th of April of that year.
The reaction of the Los Angeles Police Department just three days ago at MacArthur Park, against the protesters and the media, sure brings back old memories of Kent State. Seems some things never really change.
An anonymous user sent a link that will keep you occupied for many hours, so be sure and add to your favorites list.
Click here, or on the title to jump to the page.
TIP: Click on picture to enlarge image.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 12:01 AM 1 Comments
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Thursday, May 03, 2007
LA Times Refuses to Hyperlink from Articles
Dave Bullock from MetroBlogging Los Angeles wonders why the Los Angeles Times does not hyperlink articles, with ten comments and counting. Sounds like a great way to increase traffic to the Times online edition.
By Dave Bullock AKA eecue
It seems ludicrous to me that in this day and age of technology, a major media outlet like the LAT doesn't know how, or simply refuses, to link to websites they mention in their articles. I am guessing this has something to do with their outdated cumbersome publishing platform, because they do link on their various blogs. The reason I am posting this, is because Eric Richardson has been covering the whole APT debacle for the last 6 months on Blogdowntown, and although he gets two lines of coverage in the article LAT finally wrote about the APTs, they didn't hyperlink to his article or website. Seriously though, what are you guys thinking?
By Dave Bullock AKA eecue
It seems ludicrous to me that in this day and age of technology, a major media outlet like the LAT doesn't know how, or simply refuses, to link to websites they mention in their articles. I am guessing this has something to do with their outdated cumbersome publishing platform, because they do link on their various blogs. The reason I am posting this, is because Eric Richardson has been covering the whole APT debacle for the last 6 months on Blogdowntown, and although he gets two lines of coverage in the article LAT finally wrote about the APTs, they didn't hyperlink to his article or website. Seriously though, what are you guys thinking?
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:57 PM 0 Comments
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Letters to the Editor
From the Orange County Register, “Letters to the Editor”
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Congratulations, Register, for your recent journalistic accolades, but let's be factually correct in our reporting: Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented immigrant" is like calling a drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist."
- Karen Swenson of Rossmoor
Hat Tip Pops
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Congratulations, Register, for your recent journalistic accolades, but let's be factually correct in our reporting: Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented immigrant" is like calling a drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist."
- Karen Swenson of Rossmoor
Hat Tip Pops
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:06 PM 0 Comments
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Message from Jay Scott - H.R. Manager
All,
As part of our looking across the company at all aspects of how we can operate more effectively, we have done an extensive review of our food service operations. We undertook a competitive review by looking at a number of food service providers. We requested submissions that would cover menu selection, food quality, customer service, cost and efficiency of operations. In regards to costs, we pay our current food service operator a subsidy of over $500,000 per year to operate the Gallery, Spring Street Café and the OC and Olympic food facilities. Based on this competitive review that included visitations by a number of employees to see their current operations, taste their food, and see their commitment to quality and service, we have selected CulinArt as our new food service operator.
We were impressed by CulinArt’s management team led by chefs that focus on high quality food products and serving it at the lowest possible prices while engaging each guest with their superior service. They are the area’s largest privately owned regional contract dining service company with over 150 accounts. CulinArt will introduce signature café concepts such as Chef’s Choice (hot entrees and sides), Oregionalities Cuisine exhibition station (items such as Japanese Noodle Bar and Sizzlin’Steak Fajitas), New York Deli (slice-to-order), City Grill (grilled-to-order menu options), Souper Soups, chef-prepared fresh sushi, gourmet brick oven pizza using daily fresh-baked dough and more.
It is clear that CulinArt’s objective is to offer an innovative, contemporary on-site dining service program (including café, catering and vending services) for the Spring Street, Orange County and Olympic facilities. CulinArt is thrilled to be able to offer their services to the Los Angeles Times and we are confident they will do an outstanding job for us.
In connection with this change of vendor, we have made the difficult decision to close down the Gallery. We looked at a number of options with our current and potential vendors but given the modest usage, we would still run at a loss of over $175,000 annually. In this current environment with tough choices, we determined that we shouldn’t continue operating the Gallery.
Timing:
The Gallery will close on Friday, May 25, 2007 but will continue supplying catering through Thursday, May 31, 2007.
The Spring Street Café, Olympic and Orange County dining facilities will transition to CulinArt effective June 4, 2007.
Please refer to the attached Q&A for additional details.
Regards,
Jay W. Scott
Sr. Human Resources Manager
Los Angeles Times
As part of our looking across the company at all aspects of how we can operate more effectively, we have done an extensive review of our food service operations. We undertook a competitive review by looking at a number of food service providers. We requested submissions that would cover menu selection, food quality, customer service, cost and efficiency of operations. In regards to costs, we pay our current food service operator a subsidy of over $500,000 per year to operate the Gallery, Spring Street Café and the OC and Olympic food facilities. Based on this competitive review that included visitations by a number of employees to see their current operations, taste their food, and see their commitment to quality and service, we have selected CulinArt as our new food service operator.
We were impressed by CulinArt’s management team led by chefs that focus on high quality food products and serving it at the lowest possible prices while engaging each guest with their superior service. They are the area’s largest privately owned regional contract dining service company with over 150 accounts. CulinArt will introduce signature café concepts such as Chef’s Choice (hot entrees and sides), Oregionalities Cuisine exhibition station (items such as Japanese Noodle Bar and Sizzlin’Steak Fajitas), New York Deli (slice-to-order), City Grill (grilled-to-order menu options), Souper Soups, chef-prepared fresh sushi, gourmet brick oven pizza using daily fresh-baked dough and more.
It is clear that CulinArt’s objective is to offer an innovative, contemporary on-site dining service program (including café, catering and vending services) for the Spring Street, Orange County and Olympic facilities. CulinArt is thrilled to be able to offer their services to the Los Angeles Times and we are confident they will do an outstanding job for us.
In connection with this change of vendor, we have made the difficult decision to close down the Gallery. We looked at a number of options with our current and potential vendors but given the modest usage, we would still run at a loss of over $175,000 annually. In this current environment with tough choices, we determined that we shouldn’t continue operating the Gallery.
Timing:
The Gallery will close on Friday, May 25, 2007 but will continue supplying catering through Thursday, May 31, 2007.
The Spring Street Café, Olympic and Orange County dining facilities will transition to CulinArt effective June 4, 2007.
Please refer to the attached Q&A for additional details.
Regards,
Jay W. Scott
Sr. Human Resources Manager
Los Angeles Times
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 1:17 PM 1 Comments
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Employee Q&A on Food Vendor Change
Food Services Vendor Change & Gallery Closure
Question & Answers
May 2, 2007
Why has the Los Angeles Times made the decision to change food services vendors?
Answer: The Company is looking at all aspects of how we can operate more effectively including food services. Based on a variety of factors, we determined that a new vendor, CulinArt, is the right decision. We believe they will be able to offer Los Angeles Times employees an excellent food service experience.
What does this mean for the Aramark employees? Will they be employed by the new vendor or stay with Aramark at another facility?
Answer: Food service employees are employed by Aramark, not the Los Angeles Times. Therefore, Aramark will make the personnel decisions regarding their employees. CulinArt will consider current food service employees that express an interest in working for CulinArt; however, the final decision to hire those interested is up to CulinArt.
Why is the Gallery being closed altogether?
Answer: The Gallery’s usage over the past few years continued to decrease. Only a small number of employees use the facility and as such, it is heavily subsidized by the Company. Although this was a difficult decision, we hope the impact will be minimal with our ability to maintain/enhance other food services with the new vendor. The Gallery will close on Friday, May 25, 2007.
Can I use my Gallery vouchers up until the facility closes?
Answer: Yes, and you will be able to purchase vouchers from the Company Store up until the closure date.
Is there a plan to close other food service facilities or services?
Answer: Not at this time. We plan to work closely with CulinArt over the next few months to monitor the operation and to make enhancements where possible.
Will the dining facilities be closed during the transition?
Answer: The transition calls for the closure of the three dining facilities over a long weekend, June 1, 2 and 3. The facilities will reopen on Monday, June 4, 2007. We will determine what type of food items we can offer during this weekend. More details to follow. Leading up to the transition, you may find less variety in the food service facilities due to inventories being reduced. Please be understanding during this time.
What will CulinArt offer that Aramark didn’t?
Answer: CulinArt’s operational practices combine the advantage of personal attention with a solid infrastructure, the perfect blend for a partnership with the Los Angeles Times. Their primary focus is on driving a quality food first program that strives to buy the highest quality product and serve it at the lowest possible price while engaging each guest. They are the area’s largest privately owned regional contract dining service company with an excellent track record and a unique approach to contract dining services.
Will the prices change?
Answer: CulinArt will strive to keep prices consistent with what is currently offered. However, some items may be less, some more. CulinArt will introduce new items over time. We, in conjunction with CulinArt, will be soliciting feedback regarding employee interests and suggestions to provide the best value for your food services menus. You may not know that the Times subsidize the costs in order to keep prices at a reasonable level.
What will happen to Java City?
Answer: CulinArt intends to transform this coffee spot into a Seattle’s Best kiosk however this is still in the discussion stage.
What about catering?
Answer: CulinArt will offer a comprehensive, quality catering services program.
Will the hours of operation change?
Answer: There are no plans to change the operating hours. In the future we will work closely with CulinArt to evaluate the overall operation and change hours if appropriate.
I used to have lunch meetings in the Gallery, where can I have them where it is more private than the Spring Street Café?
Answer: We are considering the potential option of using the meeting room in the Spring Street Café (behind the TV) as a more private seating area. This will be determined in the future. In the meantime, you can use CulinArt’s catering service and order food to be brought to any meeting rooms such as the Atrium, etc. as you may have done in the past.
Question & Answers
May 2, 2007
Why has the Los Angeles Times made the decision to change food services vendors?
Answer: The Company is looking at all aspects of how we can operate more effectively including food services. Based on a variety of factors, we determined that a new vendor, CulinArt, is the right decision. We believe they will be able to offer Los Angeles Times employees an excellent food service experience.
What does this mean for the Aramark employees? Will they be employed by the new vendor or stay with Aramark at another facility?
Answer: Food service employees are employed by Aramark, not the Los Angeles Times. Therefore, Aramark will make the personnel decisions regarding their employees. CulinArt will consider current food service employees that express an interest in working for CulinArt; however, the final decision to hire those interested is up to CulinArt.
Why is the Gallery being closed altogether?
Answer: The Gallery’s usage over the past few years continued to decrease. Only a small number of employees use the facility and as such, it is heavily subsidized by the Company. Although this was a difficult decision, we hope the impact will be minimal with our ability to maintain/enhance other food services with the new vendor. The Gallery will close on Friday, May 25, 2007.
Can I use my Gallery vouchers up until the facility closes?
Answer: Yes, and you will be able to purchase vouchers from the Company Store up until the closure date.
Is there a plan to close other food service facilities or services?
Answer: Not at this time. We plan to work closely with CulinArt over the next few months to monitor the operation and to make enhancements where possible.
Will the dining facilities be closed during the transition?
Answer: The transition calls for the closure of the three dining facilities over a long weekend, June 1, 2 and 3. The facilities will reopen on Monday, June 4, 2007. We will determine what type of food items we can offer during this weekend. More details to follow. Leading up to the transition, you may find less variety in the food service facilities due to inventories being reduced. Please be understanding during this time.
What will CulinArt offer that Aramark didn’t?
Answer: CulinArt’s operational practices combine the advantage of personal attention with a solid infrastructure, the perfect blend for a partnership with the Los Angeles Times. Their primary focus is on driving a quality food first program that strives to buy the highest quality product and serve it at the lowest possible price while engaging each guest. They are the area’s largest privately owned regional contract dining service company with an excellent track record and a unique approach to contract dining services.
Will the prices change?
Answer: CulinArt will strive to keep prices consistent with what is currently offered. However, some items may be less, some more. CulinArt will introduce new items over time. We, in conjunction with CulinArt, will be soliciting feedback regarding employee interests and suggestions to provide the best value for your food services menus. You may not know that the Times subsidize the costs in order to keep prices at a reasonable level.
What will happen to Java City?
Answer: CulinArt intends to transform this coffee spot into a Seattle’s Best kiosk however this is still in the discussion stage.
What about catering?
Answer: CulinArt will offer a comprehensive, quality catering services program.
Will the hours of operation change?
Answer: There are no plans to change the operating hours. In the future we will work closely with CulinArt to evaluate the overall operation and change hours if appropriate.
I used to have lunch meetings in the Gallery, where can I have them where it is more private than the Spring Street Café?
Answer: We are considering the potential option of using the meeting room in the Spring Street Café (behind the TV) as a more private seating area. This will be determined in the future. In the meantime, you can use CulinArt’s catering service and order food to be brought to any meeting rooms such as the Atrium, etc. as you may have done in the past.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 1:15 PM 0 Comments
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Tribune Employees Talk: Tribune petitions FCC for Ownership Waivers
Tribune petitions FCC for Ownership Waivers
Requests were filed this week to waive restrictions that would prevent it from owning newspapers and TV stations in the same city, pending FCC adoption of new ownership rules. Zell's Deal needs the waivers. Read The Chicago Tribune here and (a little more info) here.
Requests were filed this week to waive restrictions that would prevent it from owning newspapers and TV stations in the same city, pending FCC adoption of new ownership rules. Zell's Deal needs the waivers. Read The Chicago Tribune here and (a little more info) here.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:50 AM 1 Comments
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Motorcycle Riders Wanted
My brother Mike sent this over for all the motorcycle riders at the Los Angeles Times. For additional details click on the poster to be redirected.
My brother Mike sent this over for all the motorcycle riders at the Los Angeles Times. For additional details click on the poster to be redirected.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 10:24 AM 0 Comments
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Thursday Morning News
'Blade' Of Toledo Cuts 20 Guild Workers - Editor & Publisher
Murdoch Cut Costs To Avoid Printers Union - Wall Street Journal
Murdoch's Audacious $5-Billion Buyout Offer - Los Angeles Times
The Herald cuts workforce by 5 percent - Monterey Herald
News Corp. a Newspaper Bellwether? - Newspaper Printing & New Media
Dow Jones to take no action on Murdoch bid - Marketwatch
Army Squeezes Soldier Blogs - Wired
Blogs and Newspapers - Living the Grand Life
More LAT retrenchment - LAObserved
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 6:37 AM 0 Comments
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Four Free Dodgers Tickets
Culver City based Jack Radio 93.1 will be giving away free Dodger tickets to the first 1,000 cars to show up at Dodger Stadium this Saturday. The catch, you have to allow a bumper sticker to be attached to your car, and if your one of the first thousand to drive through lot 13 you will be served nacho's as well.
For more information click here.
Culver City based Jack Radio 93.1 will be giving away free Dodger tickets to the first 1,000 cars to show up at Dodger Stadium this Saturday. The catch, you have to allow a bumper sticker to be attached to your car, and if your one of the first thousand to drive through lot 13 you will be served nacho's as well.For more information click here.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 6:00 AM 0 Comments
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LAFD Proudly Supports 'RSS Appreciation Day'
LAFD Proudly Supports 'RSS Appreciation Day'
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman and blogger, Brian Humphrey, has a post that is a gem for new blog users on using RSS. With links to several sources and a video tutorial, the average user can understand how and why experienced bloggers use feeds to save time with notifications that their favorite blogs have posted updates.
Why care about RSS?
As I'm often quoted: "With RSS, you don't visit your favorite web pages, they visit you!" ©
RSS will save you time! It brings the popular LAFD 'Blog Feed' and other timely content directly to your browser, a personal web 'start' page or special 'news reader' of your choosing.
In fact, you can give it a try right now!
TIP: When the title of a post is underlined it is linked to the complete article or original source, just click on the title to be redirected.
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman and blogger, Brian Humphrey, has a post that is a gem for new blog users on using RSS. With links to several sources and a video tutorial, the average user can understand how and why experienced bloggers use feeds to save time with notifications that their favorite blogs have posted updates.
Why care about RSS?
As I'm often quoted: "With RSS, you don't visit your favorite web pages, they visit you!" ©
RSS will save you time! It brings the popular LAFD 'Blog Feed' and other timely content directly to your browser, a personal web 'start' page or special 'news reader' of your choosing.
In fact, you can give it a try right now!
TIP: When the title of a post is underlined it is linked to the complete article or original source, just click on the title to be redirected.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 5:40 AM 0 Comments
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Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Aramark Taking Buyout at Los Angeles Times
Aramark employees have been notified today that as of the end of May the company will no longer operate the cafeteria's at Olympic, Orange County, or the two restaurants at the Square.
Aramark employees have been notified today that as of the end of May the company will no longer operate the cafeteria's at Olympic, Orange County, or the two restaurants at the Square.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 5:38 PM 0 Comments
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Tribune Employees Talk: Orlando Sentinel reorganization plan will eliminate about 24 jobs
Orlando Sentinel reorganization plan will eliminate 24 jobs
Voluntary separation packages will be offered to FT employees with at least 10 years of service as part of the plan to reduce the staff over the next 4-6 weeks. Jobs may also go in the pressroom and packaging dept.
The restructuring plan "divides the newsroom into news-gathering and production teams, moving away from the news desk system that assigns groups of reporters and editors to produce specific sections of the paper."
Story in today's Sentinel and editor's memo to the staff.
Voluntary separation packages will be offered to FT employees with at least 10 years of service as part of the plan to reduce the staff over the next 4-6 weeks. Jobs may also go in the pressroom and packaging dept.
The restructuring plan "divides the newsroom into news-gathering and production teams, moving away from the news desk system that assigns groups of reporters and editors to produce specific sections of the paper."
Story in today's Sentinel and editor's memo to the staff.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:52 AM 0 Comments
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Take Back the Times: LAT Paid Circulation Stabilizes, But New Cutbacks
LAT Paid Circulation Stabilizes, But New Cutbacks
There is a discord between the L.A. Times circulation stories at the end of last October, and now, with emphasis being placed in Jim Rainey's story yesterday on a 4.2% decline in all daily circulation, to 815,723. But that figure reflected the distribution of unpaid promotional copies and was not commensurate with the story last October, which listed only the paid figure. So, I'm not sure Rainey was completely fair to his own newspaper. Although he mentions the paid figure of 779,256, he doesn't make clear that the basis for the released circulation figures has apparently changed.
There is a discord between the L.A. Times circulation stories at the end of last October, and now, with emphasis being placed in Jim Rainey's story yesterday on a 4.2% decline in all daily circulation, to 815,723. But that figure reflected the distribution of unpaid promotional copies and was not commensurate with the story last October, which listed only the paid figure. So, I'm not sure Rainey was completely fair to his own newspaper. Although he mentions the paid figure of 779,256, he doesn't make clear that the basis for the released circulation figures has apparently changed.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:49 AM 0 Comments
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Finding Time that is Lost
Due too an unexpected double shift last night and dental appointments for the children this morning there was not enough time to post anything. Now to figure out when I can find time to sleep?
Regular posting will resume tonight.
Regular posting will resume tonight.
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 11:38 AM 0 Comments
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Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Newspaper News
Dennis FitzSimons with Edward
Circulation drops as US papers trim subscribers - Reuters
Times to cut 12 workers from staff - Cape Cod Times
Santa Barbara News-Press Drops 9.5% - Los Angeles Times
Booth offers Lansing bureau buyouts - Lansing State Journal
Arax drops a bomb - LAObserved
Anderson of 'OC Register' Is Publisher Of The Year - E&P
The Latest Meltdown At The Lost Angeles Times - Hugh Hewitt
The Future of Newspapers My Prediction - Toner Mishap
Why can’t newspapers get linking right? - Online Journalism
Editor O'Shea Peeved at Bloggers - Fishbowl LA
Dennis FitzSimons with EdwardCirculation drops as US papers trim subscribers - Reuters
Times to cut 12 workers from staff - Cape Cod Times
Santa Barbara News-Press Drops 9.5% - Los Angeles Times
Booth offers Lansing bureau buyouts - Lansing State Journal
Arax drops a bomb - LAObserved
Anderson of 'OC Register' Is Publisher Of The Year - E&P
The Latest Meltdown At The Lost Angeles Times - Hugh Hewitt
The Future of Newspapers My Prediction - Toner Mishap
Why can’t newspapers get linking right? - Online Journalism
Editor O'Shea Peeved at Bloggers - Fishbowl LA
Tribune expected to seek FCC waivers - Chicago Business
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 7:25 AM 1 Comments
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Edward and His Boss
The comic Bizarro was posted with permission from Dan Piraro, please show your appreciation by following the link below. Thank you Dan.
The comic Bizarro was posted with permission from Dan Piraro, please show your appreciation by following the link below. Thank you Dan.A new retrospective of my career from Abrams Books, "Bizarro and Other Strange Manifestations of the Art of Dan Piraro," is out now!
Labels: Bizarro, Dan Piraro
posted by Ed Padgett |
¶ 7:10 AM 6 Comments
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