One of my favorite songs, from my favorite play - "Phantom of the Opera" - done as I haven't seen it done before.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Help me on the comments
1.) No comments will be posted here on personal issues related to family leaves or employee's children. That is out of bounds. So please refrain from leaving any more of those.
2.) When you leave a comment on a post that is more than 4-5 days old, please put a note in the comment about what post you are commenting on. Today someone posted about the Flint Journal pulling Doonesbury back in 1995 or 1996. They wanted to know the reason. I posted the comment, but it had to be from a post two or three weeks or more old because I couldn't find it.
I remember some controversy back in the 1990s over Doonesbury's rather tough treatment of Bob Dole and his war record during the 96 campaign and also the use of a sexually explicit term in relation to a situation about then President Bill Clinton. If the cartoon was pulled in 95 or 96 it could not have been related to Bill Clinton's situation.
If anyone remembers why the Flint Journal pulled Doonesbury, please feel free to respond.
2.) When you leave a comment on a post that is more than 4-5 days old, please put a note in the comment about what post you are commenting on. Today someone posted about the Flint Journal pulling Doonesbury back in 1995 or 1996. They wanted to know the reason. I posted the comment, but it had to be from a post two or three weeks or more old because I couldn't find it.
I remember some controversy back in the 1990s over Doonesbury's rather tough treatment of Bob Dole and his war record during the 96 campaign and also the use of a sexually explicit term in relation to a situation about then President Bill Clinton. If the cartoon was pulled in 95 or 96 it could not have been related to Bill Clinton's situation.
If anyone remembers why the Flint Journal pulled Doonesbury, please feel free to respond.
Friday, June 5, 2009
A couple more new hires at AnnArbor.com
One of the new hires at AnnArbor.com can't be all bad, she's a graduate of Michigan State University.
Not quite sure what they will be doing, but it looks like part-time blogging, plus more.
Not quite sure what they will be doing, but it looks like part-time blogging, plus more.
One more acorn video
Offline I received a link to this because someone thought they saw something that resembled the new AnnArbor.com logo.
Some Flint Journal notes
Came home from the gym this morning (I ride a bike for 40 minutes and do some light weight work) and there was my Flint Journal in the box. Again, a decent design effort, but it is really light on breaking news. Nothing from the overnight cop or fire beat and nothing from the day before either.
Some good local court coverage, but my wife was complaining last night (she's the Journal dead tree reader in the house) about the lack of any "new" news. The deadlines must be horrendously early not to allow for some overnight (or at least late night sports and cops news).
No Red Wings game news either, which in this case was a welcome thing. (They lost 4-2).
In another unrelated item, a former Flint Journal advertising employee will now work for the new chain of weekly newspapers in the Thumb and Genesee County. I believe Tom, a nice person, may have taken the same buyout that I did, but I could be wrong about that.
His connections in Genesee County will not bode well for the "new" Flint Journal and its competition with the View newspapers in Genesee County.
I wrote about the View purchase of The County Press in Lapeer and other Thumb newspapers on Wednesday.
Some good local court coverage, but my wife was complaining last night (she's the Journal dead tree reader in the house) about the lack of any "new" news. The deadlines must be horrendously early not to allow for some overnight (or at least late night sports and cops news).
No Red Wings game news either, which in this case was a welcome thing. (They lost 4-2).
In another unrelated item, a former Flint Journal advertising employee will now work for the new chain of weekly newspapers in the Thumb and Genesee County. I believe Tom, a nice person, may have taken the same buyout that I did, but I could be wrong about that.
His connections in Genesee County will not bode well for the "new" Flint Journal and its competition with the View newspapers in Genesee County.
I wrote about the View purchase of The County Press in Lapeer and other Thumb newspapers on Wednesday.
A new defense tactic: The spray tan did it
A man in Florida is pleading his innocence by claiming that his wife died from an overdose of "spray tan" and not by asphyxiation.
Thanks to my sister, Pam, the newest, biggest Free From Editors fan. Not all are fans, however, a former editor (a really good one, by the way) has decided she is going to start a blog called: Freefromthatd***JimSmith.com. blog.
Here's some local news coverage on the case. He seems to be eyeing the television camera and maybe even blowing the reporter a kiss.
Thanks to my sister, Pam, the newest, biggest Free From Editors fan. Not all are fans, however, a former editor (a really good one, by the way) has decided she is going to start a blog called: Freefromthatd***JimSmith.com. blog.
Here's some local news coverage on the case. He seems to be eyeing the television camera and maybe even blowing the reporter a kiss.
Leopard versus rat: A peaceful coexistence
My stepdaughter sent me an article that has some incredible pictures with it. In the Bible there is the story of the lion being friends with the lamb. Here's a leopard that, at least for a time, is living in peace with a rat.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
This one is going to leave a mark
Someone named William Fagan is not happy that his company was evicted from their downtown office space by AnnArbor.com. Here is the comment he left on the following AnnArbor.com post.
William Fagan in June 4, 2009 8:17 PM
Hi Stephanie,
I have 7 "local professionals" who would be interested in being on the advisory panel that you mentioned. All seven are staff members of my company- Fuji Arts. We're being displaced by AnnArbor.com's take over of our downtown office. We were told that AA.com refused to share the floor and made an "all or nothing deal" that forced us out. So, my first bit of advice would be- if you want to be a part of the "community" don't start by forcing successful companies out of their spaces.
William Fagan
Fuji Arts Inc.
301 E. Liberty Suite 725
William Fagan in June 4, 2009 8:17 PM
Hi Stephanie,
I have 7 "local professionals" who would be interested in being on the advisory panel that you mentioned. All seven are staff members of my company- Fuji Arts. We're being displaced by AnnArbor.com's take over of our downtown office. We were told that AA.com refused to share the floor and made an "all or nothing deal" that forced us out. So, my first bit of advice would be- if you want to be a part of the "community" don't start by forcing successful companies out of their spaces.
William Fagan
Fuji Arts Inc.
301 E. Liberty Suite 725
Not that I like acorns, but here's my idea
If you are going to use an acorn as a logo why not incorporate it into your name, like this.
Acorn logos that are better than AnnArbor.com's
Just a quick check of companies and businesses with cooler Acorn logos than AnnArbor.com.
Acorn Landscaping.
Acorn Recycling.
Vanderbilt coffee mug logo. (Click on picture for larger version)
Acorn Partnership.
Acorn Award.
Acorn Interactive.
Acorn Electron Computer. (This looks like an upside down AnnArbor.com acorn)
MWS League Logo (acorn).
Acorn Media.
Acorn CS.
Acorn Alternative Strategies.
Stone Acorn Logo.
Squirrely's Nuthouse.
Acorns Children's Hospital.
Acorn CRO.
Acorn Landscaping.
Acorn Recycling.
Vanderbilt coffee mug logo. (Click on picture for larger version)
Acorn Partnership.
Acorn Award.
Acorn Interactive.
Acorn Electron Computer. (This looks like an upside down AnnArbor.com acorn)
MWS League Logo (acorn).
Acorn Media.
Acorn CS.
Acorn Alternative Strategies.
Stone Acorn Logo.
Squirrely's Nuthouse.
Acorns Children's Hospital.
Acorn CRO.
Acorn vs. Buckeye, a logo too far
Someone pointed out offline that an acorn is not much different than an Ohio buckeye, which may explain why the new logo may not be getting rave reviews on 
the AnnArbor.com site. Not much love for the old Buckeye in Ann Arbor.
the AnnArbor.com site. Not much love for the old Buckeye in Ann Arbor.Top photo: Buckeye, Bottom photo, acorn (squirrel at left)
Flint Journal arrives early, an improvement
OK, I was critical last week of the new Flint Journal design and some obvious copy editing problems and spelling errors, but I have to give them a little credit for today's paper.
Not as many problems, and although I still don't like the font styles, the paper looked a lot better today than the first attempts last weekend.
No breaking news to speak of, but some decent features in the front section of the paper. Still, I don't understand why Midland, Bay City and Saginaw news are included in my Flint area paper, but it must be a function of a central copy desk.
The Sports section continues to carry the motto: "MORE THAN JUST THE SCORE AND WE MEAN IT." As one of the posters here said, it is sophomoric. If you must have a motto, how about "More than just the scores." Says the same thing without the snarky add on. Or maybe they had the same design company that came up with the Acorn logo for AnnArbor.com come up with the motto.
It will be interesting to see if people arranging funerals delay the services until days when the paper is publishing. I only saw a couple of instances in the obituaries where people who died last weekend or Monday had funerals that had already occurred. It might be that people will delay services a day or two to make sure people see the notices in the paper. I could very well be wrong, but we'll watch it.
Not as many problems, and although I still don't like the font styles, the paper looked a lot better today than the first attempts last weekend.
No breaking news to speak of, but some decent features in the front section of the paper. Still, I don't understand why Midland, Bay City and Saginaw news are included in my Flint area paper, but it must be a function of a central copy desk.
The Sports section continues to carry the motto: "MORE THAN JUST THE SCORE AND WE MEAN IT." As one of the posters here said, it is sophomoric. If you must have a motto, how about "More than just the scores." Says the same thing without the snarky add on. Or maybe they had the same design company that came up with the Acorn logo for AnnArbor.com come up with the motto.
It will be interesting to see if people arranging funerals delay the services until days when the paper is publishing. I only saw a couple of instances in the obituaries where people who died last weekend or Monday had funerals that had already occurred. It might be that people will delay services a day or two to make sure people see the notices in the paper. I could very well be wrong, but we'll watch it.
Some times you feel like a nut, sometimes you pick it for your logo
I don't know whether to laugh or cry with the selection of an acorn as the new logo for the new AnnArbor.com.
Most of the people responding - and this has by far been the most commented on post yet - are flabbergasted that the new company ("by and for the residents of Ann Arbor") picked a New York firm to come up with a logo so colorless and uninteresting as to be a joke.
Once again, the poor quality, the inside-the-box thinking, does not bode well for the future of this enterprise. This is so bad you have to believe it is a joke meant to garner a lot of comments and then create a change.
Can I get a witness?
Most of the people responding - and this has by far been the most commented on post yet - are flabbergasted that the new company ("by and for the residents of Ann Arbor") picked a New York firm to come up with a logo so colorless and uninteresting as to be a joke.
Once again, the poor quality, the inside-the-box thinking, does not bode well for the future of this enterprise. This is so bad you have to believe it is a joke meant to garner a lot of comments and then create a change.
Can I get a witness?
Where have all the magazines gone?
At the time I left the FJ there was much excitement and talk about a new era of "niche" publications that would help rescue Booth/Advance.
In recent weeks it appears that the new era is over. After spending a lot of money to remodel and furnish a new office in the Journal building for the magazine operations, I'm told that the experiment has ended.
I only saw a couple copies of the slick magazine called YOUR Magazine and it looked good, but obviously must not have fed the Advance coffers enough to continue its publication although the website is still up.
The fare in the magazine was light, and much of it written by former colleagues which was very good for them. Sorry that another venue for colleagues to keep writing for money has ended.
In recent weeks it appears that the new era is over. After spending a lot of money to remodel and furnish a new office in the Journal building for the magazine operations, I'm told that the experiment has ended.
I only saw a couple copies of the slick magazine called YOUR Magazine and it looked good, but obviously must not have fed the Advance coffers enough to continue its publication although the website is still up.
The fare in the magazine was light, and much of it written by former colleagues which was very good for them. Sorry that another venue for colleagues to keep writing for money has ended.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
This is who I wanted to be when I was in high school
For some reason Ricky Nelson popped into my head today. When I was in high school in the early 1960s more than anything else I wanted to be like Ricky Nelson. All the girls I knew loved his "dreamy" eyes and I just knew if I could just be like him, I might have a chance to get a date. Of course, he died way too young in 1985 in a plane crash. One of my favorite songs of all time is "Garden Party" because it so perfectly expresses what I believe that "you've got to please yourself." Which means to me you do what is right no matter what others think about you or expect.
The embedded song is probably half the reason I ended up joining the Navy. You can figure it out.
The embedded song is probably half the reason I ended up joining the Navy. You can figure it out.
JRC sells off my hometown weekly and several others
Not everyone has given up on newspapers. A relative newcomer to the newspaper business in Lapeer County has purchased the venerable longtime Lapeer weekly - The Lapeer County Press.
Bob Myers, whose family owned and operated The County Press for 60 years, sold the paper to Capital Cities/ABC in 1990 (which also owned my former employer The Oakland Press). Bob and I became friends during my time as a beat reporter for The Flint Journal here in Lapeer.
Bob once told me the biggest mistake he ever made was selling the love of his life, The County Press, to Capital Cities. I think Bob would be somewhat happy that the newspaper was back in the hands of local folks and not some corporate entity.
The View Newspapers group, which began just a few years ago, has swallowed up more than a dozen of the Thumb area newspapers owned by Journal Register Co., which is currently in bankruptcy.
The purchase was announced tonight on the View website.
This will be huge news here tomorrow when the LA View comes out. Looks like the sale won't officially occur until July and it's hard to say what the new publishing schedule will be.
I'm sure the View Newspapers got a good price for the papers, considering that JRC is holding a fire sale for many of its assets.
I'd love to see this work and prove all the naysayers wrong who say newspapers no longer work.
Bob Myers, whose family owned and operated The County Press for 60 years, sold the paper to Capital Cities/ABC in 1990 (which also owned my former employer The Oakland Press). Bob and I became friends during my time as a beat reporter for The Flint Journal here in Lapeer.
Bob once told me the biggest mistake he ever made was selling the love of his life, The County Press, to Capital Cities. I think Bob would be somewhat happy that the newspaper was back in the hands of local folks and not some corporate entity.
The View Newspapers group, which began just a few years ago, has swallowed up more than a dozen of the Thumb area newspapers owned by Journal Register Co., which is currently in bankruptcy.
The purchase was announced tonight on the View website.
This will be huge news here tomorrow when the LA View comes out. Looks like the sale won't officially occur until July and it's hard to say what the new publishing schedule will be.
I'm sure the View Newspapers got a good price for the papers, considering that JRC is holding a fire sale for many of its assets.
I'd love to see this work and prove all the naysayers wrong who say newspapers no longer work.
Apocalypse hits MLive site, unknown origin
Some of us thought that maybe MLive was running a test of a new site when it posted a strange message a little before noon today.
When you logged onto MLive there was a message "Apocalypse begins. Four Horsemen spotted in Otsego."
Don't know what happened after that, but obviously the gurus of the site got it fixed. If anyone knows what happened (the site doesn't acknowledge the message) drop a note here (anonymous, if you want).
When you logged onto MLive there was a message "Apocalypse begins. Four Horsemen spotted in Otsego."
Don't know what happened after that, but obviously the gurus of the site got it fixed. If anyone knows what happened (the site doesn't acknowledge the message) drop a note here (anonymous, if you want).
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Detroit Free Press reporter tries to buy octupus in Pittsburgh
I don't usually like gimmicky news stories, but this video on the Detroit Free Press site was kind of cool. For those not familiar with the Detroit hockey tradition, fans throw octupus on the ice before (during and after, sometimes) playoff hockey games. The story is that the eight tentacles of an octupus signified the eight games it used to take to win the Stanley Cup. Now it takes 16 wins, but haven't seen anyone throw two octupi yet. Red Wings play the Penguins tonight at 8 p.m.
I'm taking this video down because it launches automatically and that is annoying many folks.
I'm taking this video down because it launches automatically and that is annoying many folks.
Conan hits it out of the park with this one
Gotta love this funny compilation from the new Tonight Show.
One more newspaper article for today
This from Fading to Black about newspapers which are still making money.
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