Los Angeles Times Pressmens 20 Year Club

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2010-03-21T20:43:00.001-07:00

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MIJO!

2010-03-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Happy 40 + 1, Miguel!

Thought For Today 3-21-2010

2010-03-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

Everyone should carefully observe which way his heart draws him, and then choose that way with all his strength.

Hasidic Saying

Thought For Today 3-20-2010

2010-03-20T09:11:00.001-07:00

One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.

Chinese Proverb

Tribune Company Privatization Suit

2010-03-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

The lawsuit challenging the legality of the Tribune “going private” transaction began yesterday. Hartford Courant Alumni Association and Refugee Camp have posted the entire document here.

Thought For Today 3-19-2010

2010-03-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

It is always easier to believe than to deny. Our minds are naturally affirmative.

John Burroughs

A Little Pink in a World of Camo: I Will Always Be a Marine Wife

2010-03-18T14:15:00.000-07:00

There are incredible posts written by military spouses everyday. Here is one by a 23 year old wife and mother, who just lost her husband this week. -Kanani

"I did not ever imagine I'd be watching an honor guard escort a metal box draped in an American flag off a jet. Never did I imagine that on Friday I would be heading to Florida to make funeral arrangements. This is not how it was supposed to happen."

Read the rest at: I Will Always Be a Marine Wife

Chicago Tribune Guide to Newspaper Reporting (circa 1955)

2010-03-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

The Pfaffinger Foundation Aids LA Times Staff

2010-03-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

The Pfaffinger Foundation has come to the rescue of former Los Angeles Times employee, Aurora Liggons:

"Surgery went great!!! I was able to go to my granddaughter's concert! I looked like a pirate though. Roland you're right! I'm walking around looking at colors for the first time! I can't wait to get the other eye done. I was able with the help of The Pfaffinger Foundation to get the special implant lens! It cost $975!..."

The foundation was created in 1936 by Francis X. Pfaffinger, then Times Mirror's chief financial officer, apparently out of personal assets. By last year, when it paid assistance grants to 673 recipients, its asset base had grown to nearly $90 million--a relatively modest size among California charities.

Among the ways Pfaffinger is assisting employees and former employees:

1. Paying some or all of COBRA payments if the individual is unable to do so.

2. Making a limited number of rent or mortgage payments while the family restructures its finances.

3. Arranging for financial counseling at no cost.

4. Assisting with medical bills not covered by insurance (and sometimes we are able to negotiate a reduction with the provider as well). We can also assist with a variety of other bills (e.g. utilities).

The way to access Pfaffinger services is to call us at (213) 680-7460. We do not have a website because our first step with an inquiry is to determine eligibility, and we do this on a case-by-case basis in conversation with the applicant. We are also happy to mail out a brochure.

Every applicant works with a professional case manager and is guided through the application process. Client information is totally confidential. Of course, approval is not automatic and we are not a “benefit.” In fact, we are totally independent of The Times and Tribune.

I hope this information is of interest to you and I would like to discuss with you how it might be shared with your members.

Please feel free to e-mail or call (213) 680-7467.

Stephen C. Meier
Chairman and CEO
Pfaffinger Foundation
316 W. 2nd St., Suite PH-C
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tel: (213) 680-7467
Fax: (213) 680-7474
e-mail: smeier@pfoundation.org

Thursday Morning in the Blogosphere

2010-03-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Times Pressmen Larry Washington with Dan Melendez

Greg Mitchell Joins The Nation - The Nation
Newspapers still relevant in online age - Financial Times
Getting Greg Boyle’s “Tattoos”….to the Page - Celeste Fremon
LAT: Laid Off Journos Will Be Running the Marathon - Tina Dupuy
Seattle P-I Website Soon to Be Profitable, Says Hearst - Media Buyer
Alt-paper, The District Weekly, to shutter doors - The Stress-Telegram
L.A.Times, Writers to Court Over Retirement Fund Meltdown - The Wrap
New KVOA GM brings National Experience to Tuscon - Tuscon Weekly
Why do we let Greedy Capitalists own our Livelihoods? - Wealthy Review
MagCloud Deserves Attention of Pro Publishers - Newspaper Death Watch

Save Our Trade: Benefit Concert for Haiti

2010-03-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

By Ronnie Pineda

Come out and help the people of Haiti and listen to some music. There continues to be tragedies occuring around the globe from earthquakes to flooding. We musn't forget the people of Haiti still need assistance. The proceeds of this concert will go to Partners In Health that provide a variety of medical aid to victims in need.

Thee Invention is comprised of my cousins Eddie, Anthony and Michael Valdivia. Michael plays drums for Thee Invention and is also Guitarist in his other band Graveyard Institution so he will be performing double duty on this day.
The Tribal Cafe is a Vegan Cafe and there is no alcohol served.

Save Our Trade: Benefit Concert for Haiti

Thought For Today 3-18-2010

2010-03-18T08:23:00.001-07:00

There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.

George Washington

Arcadia to run DUI Checkpoints in honor of St Patty

2010-03-17T20:40:00.001-07:00

Arcadia to run DUI Checkpoints in honor of St Patty’s

Posted using ShareThis

Tribune reminds employees: we're loose!

2010-03-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

From: Tribune Communications
Sent: Wed 3/17/2010 12:xx PM
Subject: Message from Randy and Gerry/Our Culture

A little more than two years ago, we blew-up the old Tribune Employee Handbook and replaced it with a new, streamlined version designed to reflect the culture we're trying to build across the company. The new handbook is written in plain English and is less than 15 pages long.

It's also pretty basic. Rule #1 is "Use your best judgment." Rule #2 is "See Rule #1."

The point is...we don't have a lot of rules around here.

But, not everyone has gotten the message. We've heard from employees who say their business unit still has a strict dress code (we don't). Others have told us they can't hire someone because he or she might fail the new employee drug test (we don't drug test unless it's required by law or the person being hired is operating machinery, driving a truck, or handling a lot of cash). Some say they are afraid to speak up or present a wacky idea for fear of retaliation (nothing will squash creativity and innovation faster).

Rather than rules, our culture is defined by a few important principles:

· Focus on the important stuff
· Question authority
· Work together
· Take intelligent risk
· Reward performance
· Do the right thing

A copy of the employee handbook we distributed in the spring of 2008 is attached. It's also posted on TribLink (http://triblink.trb/). Our culture is evolving and you play an important role in helping shape it. We need your energy, your ideas, and your solutions-speak up! We've got to accelerate the pace of change and remove the barriers impeding it...and we can't afford to let up.

Randy and Gerry

SOURCE: Kevin Roderick

Editor's note: Dear Randy Michaels, since the Tribune Company is run so loosely, why do your employees at the Los Angeles Times Operations Departments have to rely on LAObserved to read your messages?

Bay Area Black Comedy Competition 2010 Finalists Sneak Peak

2010-03-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

Take a sneak peak preview of the record-setting 9 hilarious Finalists of the 24th Anniversary Edition of The Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival. The comedians will compete for over $15,000 in cash and prizes-including $5,000 for the winner, on Saturday, April 17th, 2010 at Oakland's Paramount Theatre. They are: Key Lewis, Sacramento, CA Rion Evans, Inglewood, CA Willie Lynch, Jr., E. St. Louis, IL Kirk McHenry, Oakland, CA BT Kingsley, Sacramento, CA Henry Coleman, Memphis, TN Marcus Combs, Chicago, IL Nate Jackson, Seattle, WA Marc Howard, Washington, DC

Tim Russell has left the Los Angeles Times

2010-03-17T12:29:00.000-07:00

Last Friday the staff of the plate making department at the Los Angeles Times Olympic Facility threw a farewell party for Tim Russell.

Tim is similar to many of us with his father Robert Russell working in the press room for almost three decades, nepotism was once the only way to get into the LA Times.

Tim will be missed by his colleagues and friends at the newspaper.

Erica Smith of Paper Cuts fame is interested in knowing the exact number of employees let go at the Los Angeles Times this year. If you happen to have this knowledge contact Erica here.

Sammy Maloof at Eagle Rock Plaza this Sat.

2010-03-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

Condolences to Jimmy Coats and Family

2010-03-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

Condolences to Los Angeles Times Pressman Jimmy Coats and Family on the loss of his 33 year old son.

Funeral services are pending

Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody.....

2010-03-17T11:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, It Was a Bad Year for Ad Spending, But It Got Less Worse in the Fourth Quarter - Media Decoder Blog - NYTimes.com

2010-03-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

Print media are "doing better than they were as recently as October," he added, and have a chance to finish the first quarter with a gain compared with the same period last year. "And if it's a minus sign," Mr. Swallen said of the print ad category in the first quarter, "it would be a much smaller minus than in the last two or three years."

Yes, It Was a Bad Year for Ad Spending, But It Got Less Worse in the Fourth Quarter - Media Decoder Blog - NYTimes.com

h/t Mark Lacter

Thought For Today 3-17-2010

2010-03-17T09:52:00.000-07:00

People are never more insecure than when they become obsessed with their fears at the expense of their dreams.

Norman Cousins

Hollywood Producer To Challenge Senator Barbara Boxer

2010-03-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

Hollywood producer Brian Quintana is set to challenge United States Senator Barbara Boxer in the June 8, 2010 Democratic primary. The Co-Producer of Superman: Man of Steel filed a Declaration of Candidacy, his nomination papers and enough valid signatures to qualify him for the statewide ballot. California's fling deadline was Friday, March 12, 2010, and Quintana was the only certified challenger to Boxer at the close of business.

Quintana first ran for public office in 1992, when his supporters included Hollywood billionaire David Geffen, producer Steve Tisch, movie studio executive Sherry Lansing, Martin Sheen, Anjelica Huston, and entertainment mogul Barry Diller. In January 2009, USA Today mentioned him as a prospective candidate to succeed Congressman Xavier Becerra who at the time was considering the post of President Barack Obama's Commerce Secretary. Quintana, a former servant of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, believes that he would again be supported by many of his famous friends in Tinseltown.

The businessman is running on a platform of creating jobs, cutting spending and improving our public schools. "The Tsunami of discontent for politics as usual is sweeping pur country from Florida to Massachusetts and from Virginia to Nevada. As a good Democratic I will not concede this seat to Barbara Boxer and allow Califonia to be washed up come November," stated Quintana about his decision to run. "Further, no one from Los Angeles County or no person of color has served California in the United States Senate in over 100 years. Our time has come."

He plans to capitalize on the anti-incumbent wave that has ousted countless national leaders from office, and endangered Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. Quintana is Boxer's first serious primary challenge since 1992. Former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, former Congressman Tom Campbell and conservative Assemblyman Chuck DeVore are engaged in a spirited Republican primary. The winner will meet the Democratic nominee on June 8, 2010.

For more information please visit www.bqforsenate.com

Brian Quintana At A Glance

Writer-Producer of Living

Co-Producer of Superman:Man of Steel

Special Thanks on President Barack Obama's Inauguration

Co-Producer of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Inauguration

Secured Underwriting for Governor Schwarzenegger's Inauguration

Chief fundraiser to Sheriff Lee Baca's Youth Foundation in 2007 and 2008

Celebrity/VIP Facilitator

President, Non-Profit Organization

Advance Man to President Bill Clinton

Hollywood's Candidate for State Assembly in 1992 (6,500 votes) Entered 1994 contest but withdrew to back Antonio Villaraigosa

Graduate, University of California, Berkeley

Scholar of Oprah Winfrey's A Better Chance

Attended local public schools

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California

Over 1 million Google Hits

The British Way of Love for the Sunday Times

2010-03-17T09:16:00.000-07:00

This is a commercial directed for the Sunday Times, in the great days of Harold Evans, who has rightly been called Britain's greatest post-war editor. No newspaper, before or since, has achieved such greatness, but with his eye firmly on what mattered, with regard to incisively honest reporting and investigative journalism, Mr Evans, now Sir Harold, was not averse to approving commercials which showed a definite lighter side to his stewardship. This one was chosen for inclusion in an exhibition called Ten Years of Great British Advertising, put on at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, London. It also won a string of British and international awards.

Shedding Employees at the Los Angeles Times

2010-03-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

March 15th was another sad day at the Los Angeles Times as thirty-nine pressmen and women were given pink slips. A few of the brave souls gathered at Weiland's Brewery to mark this day with drinks and laughter among friends and colleagues.

The total body count for Operation Employees is somewhere near eighty employees being let go in this round of layoffs at the newspaper.

Several Press Room Supervisors, electro-techs, and Machinist were requested to stay on an additional two months, till May15th, 2010. The employees were informed that if they did not stay the extra two months they would lose their severance pay, rather easy to convince them to stay, with a gun at their heads.

The Press Room Employees had no harsh words for Tribune Co. Management, but did want to say good bye in their special way as seen at the right.

Wednesday Morning in the Blogosphere

2010-03-17T01:44:00.000-07:00

Press operator Matt Turnbow with Dan Koval at his rear

A Bigger Earthquake to Come? - LAist
Garfield on Media Chaos - Newspaper Death Watch
A new Pew study on the economics of news - Jeff Jarvis
Sam Rubin to be honored by Press Club - Kevin Roderick
Does Media Ownership Matter Anymore? - Stop Big Media
Forecast for the media continues to look bleak - Denver Post
Tribune CO bankruptcy producing juicy legal storylines - AM Law Daily
"Cities are optional"--or, Robert Greene on acid - Griffith Park Wayist
Charles Manson Wants His LA Times Subscription Back - Franklin Ave
Customer Service Is Becoming An Issue Everywhere - Advice Goddess