tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71487780221731689892024-03-04T20:04:21.357-08:00Les Simpson's BlogAGN Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16374895974120599010noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-46407073408359399272010-04-05T18:34:00.000-07:002010-04-05T19:03:00.307-07:00Tiger's PR machine: Pure genius<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMYjQ3wEOSZOMIzHn1IsXtMGGo2s-XFWvwpU51iWiDpMgxAr2UA5d9SsS-_dX_E-a6fTMJJgtADpnReJKyGL6d1Wc3DmYtbKPICLjaLmmkCvi62imVyhD0fNH3I_28QSToYSV08GNM74/s1600/Tiger+Woods.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456832594800952754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMYjQ3wEOSZOMIzHn1IsXtMGGo2s-XFWvwpU51iWiDpMgxAr2UA5d9SsS-_dX_E-a6fTMJJgtADpnReJKyGL6d1Wc3DmYtbKPICLjaLmmkCvi62imVyhD0fNH3I_28QSToYSV08GNM74/s320/Tiger+Woods.jpg" border="0" /></a>Those handling Tiger Woods image are really doing a good job.<br /><br />The key to rehabilitating an image - or creating it - is to control the media environment. You can't let the media take control, you must control them.<br /><br />Tiger has done it perfectly. <a href="http://www.augusta.com/stories/2010/04/05/mas_572507.shtml">Today's interview</a> was the logical next step in a two-month process.<br /><br />First he started out with a statement in the PGA Headquarters in February. No questions. Just a prepared statement that had probably been at least a few weeks in the works.<br /><br />Later, he lets two television networks - ESPN and the Golf Channel - have five minute interviews. Both were interviews were conducted standing up and the ESPN reporter was asking questions off the top of his head - not from notes. Tiger gave up a little control by allowing someone to ask questions. But the length and format of the interview kept things in check for Tiger.<br /><br />Today, he gave his first press conference in front of more than 200 reporters at the Masters Tournament. This is probably the best move of all.<br /><br />The officials at Augusta National maintain a tight grip on the media and how it conducts itself. Augusta National controls the situation on and off the course when it comes to information and the media room and format of today's interview was a safe first outing for Tiger.<br /><br />While I like sports reporters, they are not as aggressive as ...oh, say... a TMZ vulture. There were some good questions today - including one from our own sports editor Lance Lahnert - but questions like "How's your knee" and "Will you play in the Ryder Cup" were useless and no one cared.<br /><br />The story was about Tiger and his life since Thanksgiving, not about his golf game.<br /><br />But I think his handlers knew out of a 30 minute interview, 15 minutes of it would be softball questions.<br /><br />There were a few pointed questions, but Tiger was well coached to handle these situations.<br /><br />He gave very short answers to the questions he really didn't want to answer (the problem most people run into with the media is when they talk TOO much, not when the don't talk enough) and he just didn't answer some of the questions.<br /><br />When asked if he should return to golf while still trying to repair his relationship with his wife, he answered: "Well, I'm excited to play this week."<br /><br />Tiger has controlled this situation from start to today. The media will tire of this story after a while and he will go back to being a golf star first and People Magazine cover second.<br /><br />That will happen sooner if he's in the running on Sunday.<br /><br />Like it or not, the public is very forgiving, especially to someone who admits he screwed up.Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-26892481850274177852010-01-12T13:22:00.000-08:002010-01-12T14:22:29.066-08:00Johnny Carson would be proud<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mqMtQdL_XS7PnuSVwyukQ5YuZLlhpldgitBO80ym2MjWxi4euU90SfZB1pLhwHAz7fEiFylZ_CE4mEPhyRCIbyvZlDvg0NYL1eioj8k3gVQil1hDOzOEKQLTiwO3E-_SjeHCn2OTnys/s1600-h/blogSpan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425967526626992594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mqMtQdL_XS7PnuSVwyukQ5YuZLlhpldgitBO80ym2MjWxi4euU90SfZB1pLhwHAz7fEiFylZ_CE4mEPhyRCIbyvZlDvg0NYL1eioj8k3gVQil1hDOzOEKQLTiwO3E-_SjeHCn2OTnys/s320/blogSpan.jpg" border="0" /></a> Unlike our friend Mike Leach, former coach of Texas Tech, Conan O'Brien knows how to handle a dispute with his bosses.<br /><br />Earlier this afternoon, Conan issued a <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=xprnw.20100112.LA36584&show_article=1">statement</a> announcing that he would not be part of <a href="http://www.tonightshowwithconanobrien.com/">The Tonight Show</a> if it was forced to move to 12:05 a.m. Eastern time.<br /><br />In his address to the "People of Earth," he stated the change would be damaging to the more than 50-year-old franchise .<br /><br />"But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction," the statement said. "Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn't matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more."<br /><br />And the statement ended with a dash of humor: "Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it's always been that way.<br />Yours,<br />Conan"<br /><br />Not only is Conan correct, but it's also showing the challenge the all media face. Once able to dominate television, networks and their local affiliates are facing many challenges. More media niches mean more choices for all consumers.<br /><br />But Conan is right for trying to preserve an American television icon. Only time will tell if he's successful.Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-40200821405256712312010-01-11T07:15:00.000-08:002010-01-11T09:43:07.358-08:00Media Monday: Will you pay for online content?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9Vuy0-ytJdTDt_mO8smKk5ineFDu1Mx2F-b2voeDvtIfmi4jjK06eplUW-we_d8pmn79np6FIafZClQzlVci3TZfiwWJi4o5sLlp7lfQiCpvBcEqfNa8AOC8ezzF27LqkWRMPSVcias/s1600-h/Onlein+paywall"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425501495738591154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9Vuy0-ytJdTDt_mO8smKk5ineFDu1Mx2F-b2voeDvtIfmi4jjK06eplUW-we_d8pmn79np6FIafZClQzlVci3TZfiwWJi4o5sLlp7lfQiCpvBcEqfNa8AOC8ezzF27LqkWRMPSVcias/s320/Onlein+paywall" border="0" /></a>Perhaps the biggest question being debated in the newspaper industry today is would people be willing to pay for content online.<br /><br />The model for print newspapers has been that about 20 percent of the revenue comes from charging for the newspaper and 80 percent comes from advertising.<br /><br />But the online model now depends nearly 100 percent on advertising revenue.<br /><br />A recent study about the issue by an organization called ITZ/Belden Interactive indicates that paywalls are not a panacea.<br /><br />Of the few newspapers who are charging for content, they have only 2.4% of the number of their print subscribers paying for online content.<br /><br />And when you do the math, the revenue generated falls far short of the revenue made by advertising or even the print subscriptions generate by these newspapers, I imagine.<br /><br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/home-page">The Wall Street Journal </a>does charge for some online content, but I wouldn't consider them the "normal" newspaper. Although they are expanding their coverage to compete more with <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/">USA Today</a> and the national edition of the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/">New York Times</a>, I imagine most people are paying for access to financial information that only the Journal provides.<br /><br />Unfortunately for those advocating charging for online content, the "genie," as they say has already been let out of the bottle.<br /><br />This survey shows and the future will show that people are not willing to pay for online content.Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-17289618379163720422010-01-08T13:50:00.000-08:002010-01-08T14:00:36.164-08:00Going out with a (sponsored) bang<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANJ0Y1mqCl9OQh4lmmOXjq0Ql9Xr1XDVrN-lsrDAZh9-FOQ4PMg4-wdlCQO8uJS0r1470osSWSoH2OdCZb_asGGjAbwbqAmxDjLZxPPtzAgk0BO431cUOfmO6lVXh-rauAfOfy0Pogk0/s1600-h/texas08955main.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424490288110849666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANJ0Y1mqCl9OQh4lmmOXjq0Ql9Xr1XDVrN-lsrDAZh9-FOQ4PMg4-wdlCQO8uJS0r1470osSWSoH2OdCZb_asGGjAbwbqAmxDjLZxPPtzAgk0BO431cUOfmO6lVXh-rauAfOfy0Pogk0/s320/texas08955main.jpg" border="0" /></a> When Texas Stadium is demolished, there will be a sponsor for the event.<br /><br />For a mere $150,000 Kraft Foods gets to call it a "Cheddar Explosion."<br /><br />Half the money goes to charities selected by Kraft and the other half to charities selected by the city of Irving.<br /><br />According to the contract for the sponsorship, the demolition must occur between March 14 and April 18.<br /><br /> Kraft claims it will offer the city of Irving the equivalent in $1 million in publicity (including this blog).<br /><br />No word on whether there will be vast amount of macaroni and cheese planted inside the stadium for a real cheddar explosion.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaMjoedRyt021pp053GpAF3qxEayLOL_pur1d_F2qP0dIUtAmOXAKMpqEtt8Koj0A53Ox3bpyFUxjwZrl_cjbV3LPD3br6KIAg7NV_35lBFCQ2_qIngjZIVM7Ta4pbxeki0QojF3hE5Q/s1600-h/24e54100.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div></div>Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-83736166687553864792010-01-08T07:46:00.000-08:002010-01-08T07:53:33.304-08:00Mayor, newspaper publisher get in fist fight!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqxsppAh1_5nbT0ZezyM-ZV3HrV0qfO2qbqDomkkDZ-HRC-4ijJWRZRl1W6RBi0Txvz7TXfkL2yuJQARv1G5WHihPcklGkWix7zLDI0XC7DlwteV7tMxYrpBUDWGMSz31ywyDiZWiNGM/s1600-h/Mayor+publisher+fist+fight.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424396392445960082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqxsppAh1_5nbT0ZezyM-ZV3HrV0qfO2qbqDomkkDZ-HRC-4ijJWRZRl1W6RBi0Txvz7TXfkL2yuJQARv1G5WHihPcklGkWix7zLDI0XC7DlwteV7tMxYrpBUDWGMSz31ywyDiZWiNGM/s320/Mayor+publisher+fist+fight.jpg" border="0" /></a> No, it's not myself and Mayor Debra McCartt. It's the mayor of Gallup, N.M., and the publisher of the Gallup newspaper. (Click <a href="http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/politics/mayor-and-publisher-get-into-fistfight">here </a>for story from a New Mexico television station.)<br /><br />Seems they were both leaving a local bank when they started having words and part of the dust up is on video.<br /><br />There appears to be a longstanding feud between the newspaper and the mayor, who the publisher calls "a thug."<br /><br />I don't think it would come to that here. Mayor McCartt and I get along and if we didn't, I think we'd battle over tiddlywinks or Scrabble, not duke it out in the parking lot of Amarillo National Bank.Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-56514715403220003672010-01-08T07:25:00.000-08:002010-01-08T07:33:08.942-08:00Only 238 days to kickoff<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXc9VQTUfofgo_0HXqyCKK4BpecCXBlNCcohnTR0-Vussvo_rIo77xrujwSymmiODEpwJNtvGLjanc58jVJJikLeTTHw-1E83x8YOVlNfMYumhVV_TEdwie90s7LDho996gxBnjxytV4/s1600-h/Colt+McCoy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424390681204907890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXc9VQTUfofgo_0HXqyCKK4BpecCXBlNCcohnTR0-Vussvo_rIo77xrujwSymmiODEpwJNtvGLjanc58jVJJikLeTTHw-1E83x8YOVlNfMYumhVV_TEdwie90s7LDho996gxBnjxytV4/s320/Colt+McCoy.jpg" border="0" /></a>Last night's <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/110317/saturday-night-live-china-cold-open">BCS National Championship </a>was an absolute letdown to what had been an above-average bowl season and a below-average regular system.<br /><br />There weren't many highlights for either team in last night's contest.<br /><br />Colt McCoy went out on the fifth snap of the game and the backup quarterback just couldn't get it going, despite a pretty good second half.<br /><br />But the most disappointing part of the game is when Alabama chose to run up the score with less than two minutes left. That was a classless, "Leech-esque" kind of move.<br /><br />And my goodness, did someone tell Nick Saban his team WON the game? He looks like it would kill him to smile.<br /><br />College football is the best sport, period. No other sport brings the passion and excitement of college football. Too bad last night's game didn't show this.<br /><br />But the good new: only 238 days until the 2010 season begins. Let the countdown begin!Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-64615450692152973352010-01-07T07:02:00.000-08:002010-01-08T07:33:58.734-08:00And the winner is .....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcFPBvR9K9gE2PEusKn8qA3fbvchCKBKD0Y1XDBL6hKrB5eMcjU9xAGYCy2lSP4PnyzYqVPcOP8vSnnBa4wriWzZXO7MDvwya_HRrrSNnEzFq_OWbheeZVxfeRwO2My-GXYDl5uh665g/s1600-h/Alabama+football.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424013966469722946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcFPBvR9K9gE2PEusKn8qA3fbvchCKBKD0Y1XDBL6hKrB5eMcjU9xAGYCy2lSP4PnyzYqVPcOP8vSnnBa4wriWzZXO7MDvwya_HRrrSNnEzFq_OWbheeZVxfeRwO2My-GXYDl5uh665g/s320/Alabama+football.jpg" border="0" /></a>One of the most asked questions I've gotten since moving to Amarillo seven years ago is: "Do you miss Georgia (which is where I moved to Amarillo from)?<br /><br />My response: "Only during football season."<br /><br />While I certainly embrace almost everything about the Texas life, it's been hardest to switch alliances to new teams and to a new conference.<br /><br />In the South, SEC football is (almost) a religion. The truth is people will show up in the worst weather on Saturday for a game, but if the weather isn't perfect on Sunday, the church pews will be half full.<br /><br />My favorite football book is about the University of Alabama: <a href="http://www.gohastings.com/product/BOOK/Rammer-Jammer-Yellow-Hammer-A-Road-Trip-into-the-Heart-of-Fan-Mania/sku/172777773.uts">Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer : A Road Trip into the Heart of Fan Mania</a> by Warren St. John.<br /><br />St. John is from Alabama but attended Columbia University in New York. He grew up an Alabama fan and met the legendary coach, Paul "Bear" Bryant shortly before his death, thanks to a friend of his father who worked for a sponsor of Bryant's weekly television show.<br /><br />Bryant is a legend in the South and Alabama, but when St. John put a picture of him in his room at Columbia, his friends asked: "Who's that, your grandfather?"<br /><br />What prompted St. John to write the book - chronicling a season with RV tailgaters who attend every Alabama football game - was a short television news segment interviewing a couple who had one of these RVs.<br /><br />They had attended many games in a row and the interviewer asked if they had ever come close to missing one.<br /><br />"Yes," they said. "Our daugther scheduled her wedding on a game day in the fall. We told her not to, but she did any way."<br /><br />"It worked out," they said. "We were able to make the reception."<br /><br />Deep South football addiction is intense. Alabama football addiction is insane.<br /><br />Which brings me to tonight's game.<br /><br />If both teams play their best, Alabama wins. The team with the fewest turnovers will win. I think it will come down to the kicking game.<br /><br />If Alabama wins, it's the fourth straight BCS championship for an SEC team. And it would put the SEC at 6 of the 12 BCS championships since the inception of this system.<br /><br />If Texas wins, it's the Longhorn's second championship in five years and it would put the Big 12 at second place in BCS championships with three (ACC , Big East, Pac 10 and Big 10 have one each.)<br /><br />My pick: Alabama 27, Texas 24.Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-55220009416430323362010-01-07T06:29:00.000-08:002010-01-07T06:58:54.482-08:00Thursday's Best Bet: Area Museums<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNU9geCpMF8_nV4OBneGu7c-W3NpTsiPi0MFbgxRijl8_g90CYEC-n8rqAKJMlQhqAL9wzyxNaHGQa6KNugGDOpPaKGQBqmOlveena9g7Jr8zutwFhYoKkcZ7fyPLe77xi3yyCNsebhg/s1600-h/AQHA+Museum.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424006192860701970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNU9geCpMF8_nV4OBneGu7c-W3NpTsiPi0MFbgxRijl8_g90CYEC-n8rqAKJMlQhqAL9wzyxNaHGQa6KNugGDOpPaKGQBqmOlveena9g7Jr8zutwFhYoKkcZ7fyPLe77xi3yyCNsebhg/s320/AQHA+Museum.jpg" border="0" /></a> Ok, I'm back on line with Thursday's Best Bets.<br /><br />Again, the reason I started doing this is to show that there really is a lot of quality entertainment and attractions in Amarillo.<br /><br />So if I make a suggestion and you attend and don't like it, I'll give you your money back - in the form of a newspaper subscription credit!<br /><br />There aren't a lot of events in the upcoming week, so I thought I would remind you that we have some tremendous museums in the area.<br /><br />Many people are aware of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.panhandleplains.org">Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum</a>. It's the largest museum in the state devoted to Texas history. And it's first class. A friend of mine from Washington, D.C., recently visited and commented on the quality of the museum - and in case you didn't know, Washington has some pretty good museums as well.<br /><br />Perhaps a lesser-known, but equally fun museum is the <a href="http://www.aqha.com/foundation/museum">American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum.</a> The recent renovations include some great interactive exhibits for the children and the upstairs exhibit on the Hall of Fame members gives an excellent background not only on the quarter horse, but American history as well.<br /><br />And although I haven't visited the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.thecitadelle.org">Citadelle Art Foundation</a> in Canadian, I hear that is worth the trip as well.<br /><br />Here's a list of other museums in the area that comes from our weekly Get Out entertainment section published on Friday's and online.<br /><br /><strong>Amarillo College Natural History Museum</strong> Ordway Hall, Room 116, 22nd Avenue and Washington Street. 9am-5pm Mon.-Thu. or by appointment. 806-371-5081.<br /><br /><strong>Amarillo Museum of Art</strong> 2200 S. Van Buren St. 10am-5pm Tue.-Wed. and Fri., 10am-9pm Thu., 1-5pm Sat.-Sun. Free. 806-371-5050, 806-371-5392 weekends, <a href="http://www.amarilloart.org/" target="_blank">www.amarilloart.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum</strong> 2601 E. Interstate 40. 9am-5pm Mon.-Sat. Admission fee, AQHA members free. 806-376-5181, <a href="http://www.aqha.com/" target="_blank">www.aqha.com</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Amarillo Railroad Museum</strong> 13000 E. U.S. Highway 60, past the airport before Highland Park, First Thu. of month, 7:30pm, second and fourth Sat., 10am-3pm Appointments are available. 806-335-3333. <a href="http://www.amarillorailroadmuseum.com/" target="_blank">www.amarillorailroadmuseum.com</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Buttel Railroad Museum</strong> One mile south of Amarillo city limits. Rail cars include a caboose, box car and ice box reefer. Call for an appointment. 806-670-1314.<br /><br /><strong>Harrington House</strong> 1600 S. Polk St. Tours 10am-12:30pm Tue. and Thu., June-Dec. Free; reservations required. 806-374-5490.<br /><br /><strong>Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian and Performance Center</strong> 9151 E. Interstate 40. Noon-5pm Thu.-Sat., 1-5pm Sun., open until 10pm show nights. $3 adults, $1.50 children. 806-335-3175. <a href="http://www.kwahadi.com/" target="_blank">www.kwahadi.com</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Texas Pharmacy Museum</strong> 1300 S. Coulter St., inside Texas Tech University School of Pharmacy. Guided tours 1-4pm Mon.-Fri., or by appointment. Free. 806-356-4000, ext. 268.<br /><br /><strong>Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum</strong> 2503 Fourth Ave., Canyon. 9am-5pm Mon.-Sat., 1-6pm Sun. $10 adults, $9 seniors, $5 children ages 4-12. 806-651-2244, <a href="http://www.panhandleplains.org/" target="_blank">www.panhandleplains.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Armstrong County Museum</strong> 120 N. Trice St., Claude. Noon-4pm Tue.-Sat. Free. 806-226-2187. Art gallery features works by local and area artists. <a href="http://www.armstrongcountymuseum.org/" target="_blank">www.armstrongcountymuseum.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Carson County Square House Museum</strong> Texas Highway 207 and Fifth Avenue, Panhandle. 9am-5pm Mon.-Sat., 1-5pm Sun. Free, donations accepted. 806-537-3524. <a href="http://www.squarehousemuseum.org/" target="_blank">www.squarehousemuseum.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>The Citadelle Art Foundation</strong> 520 Nelson, Canadian. 11am-4pm Thurs.-Sat., 1-4pm Sun. $10 for adults, $5 for ages 65 and older, free for younger than 18. 806-323-8899. <a href="http://www.thecitadelle.org/" target="_blank">www.thecitadelle.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Collingsworth County Museum Art Center</strong> 824 East Ave., Wellington. 9am-5pm Mon.-Fri., or by appointment. 806-447-5327.<br /><br /><strong>Coronado Museum</strong> 567 Cedar, Liberal, Kan. 9am-5pm Tue.-Sat., 1-5pm Sun. 620-624-7624.<br />Deaf Smith County HistoricalMuseum 400 Sampson St., Hereford. 10am-noon, 1-5pm Mon.-Sat. Free; donations accepted. 806-363-7070.<br /><br /><strong>Devil’s Rope Museum</strong> 100 Kingsley St., McLean. 9am-5 p.m Mon.-Fri., 10am-4pm Sat. Closed Sun. Free; donations accepted. 806-779-2225, <a href="mailto:barbwiremuseum@centramedia.net">barbwiremuseum@centramedia.net</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Eastern New Mexico University Museums Blackwater Draw Museum, Roosevelt County Historical Museum, Natural History Museum, Miles Mineral Museum, Miles Anthropological Museum.</strong> Hours vary. ENMU campus in Portales, N.M. 575-562-2202, 575-562-2592, 575-562-2174, 575-562-2103, <a href="http://www.enmu.edu/" target="_blank">www.enmu.edu</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Floyd County Historical Museum</strong> 105 E. Missouri St., Floydada. 10am-5pm Mon.-Fri., or by appointment. Free. 806-983-2415.<br /><br /><strong>Freedom Museum USA</strong> 600 N. Hobart St., Pampa. Noon-4pm Tue.-Sat. Free; donations accepted. 806-669-6066.<br /><br /><strong>Herzstein Memorial Museum</strong> South Second and Walnut streets, Clayton, N.M. 10am-5pm Tue.-Sat. Free; donations accepted. 575-374-2977, 575-374-9639, <a href="http://www.herzsteinmuseum.org/" target="_blank">www.herzsteinmuseum.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Hutchinson County Museum</strong> 618 N. Main St., Borger. 9am-5pm Mon.-Fri., 11am-4:30pm Sat. Free; donations accepted. 806-273-0130.<br /><br /><strong>J.B. Buchanan Windmill Park</strong> Texas Highway 207, south of Spearman. Free. <a href="http://www.spearman.org/windmillhistory.html" target="_blank">www.spearman.org/windmillhistory.html</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Julian Bivins Museum</strong> Old Tascosa Courthouse, Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch. 9am-5pm daily. Free. 806-534-2211.<br /><br /><strong>Lake Meredith Aquatic & Wildlife Museum</strong> 104 N. Robey Ave., Fritch. Noon-5pm Mon.-Fri., 10am-5pm Sat., or by appointment. 806-857-2458.<br /><br /><strong>McLean/Alanreed Area Museum</strong> 116 N. Main. 10am-noon, 1-4pm Tue.-Fri. Free; donations accepted. 806-779-2731.<br /><br /><strong>Mesalands Dinosaur Museum</strong> 211 E. Laughlin St., Tucumcari, N.M. 10am-5pm Tue.-Sat. Admission fee. 575-461-3466, <a href="http://www.mesalands.edu/" target="_blank">www.mesalands.edu</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Muleshoe Heritage Center</strong> West American Boulevard, Muleshoe. Mon.-Fri. Free guided tours. 806-272-5873, <a href="http://www.muleshoeheritagefoundation.org/" target="_blank">www.muleshoeheritagefoundation.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Museum of the Plains</strong> 1200 N. Main St., Perryton. 9am-5pm Mon.-Fri., 10am-5pm Sat., 1-5pm Sun. Free; donations accepted. 806-435-6400, <a href="http://www.museumoftheplains.com/" target="_blank">www.museumoftheplains.com</a>.<br /><br /><strong>No Man’s Land Museum</strong> 207 W. Sewell St., Goodwell, Okla. 10am-4pm Tues.-Sat. Free. 806-580-349-2670, <a href="http://www.nmlhs.org/" target="_blank">www.nmlhs.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Old Jailhouse Museum</strong> 415 Main St., Silverton. 9am-5pm Mon.-Fri. Free. 806-823-2123.<br />Old Mobeetie Jail Museum Courthouse Square, Mobeetie. 1-5pm daily, except Wed. Free; donations accepted. 806-845-2028, <a href="http://www.mobeetie.com/" target="_blank">www.mobeetie.com</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Pioneer West Museum</strong> 204 N. Madden, Shamrock. 1-5pm Tue.-Sat., Sun. by appointment. Free; donations accepted. 806-256-2416.<br /><br /><strong>River Valley Pioneer Museum</strong> 118 N. Second St., Canadian. 9am-noon and 1-4pm Tue.-Fri; 1-3pm Sat. 806-323-6548, <a href="http://www.rivervalleymuseum.org/" target="_blank">www.rivervalleymuseum.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Roberts County Museum</strong> 120 E. Commercial St., Miami. 10am-noon, 1-5pm Tue-Fri. Sat.-Mon. by appointment at 806-868-5811. Free; donations accepted. 806-868-3291.<br /><br /><strong>Saints’ Roost Museum</strong> 610 E. Harrington St., Clarendon. 1-5pm Wed.-Sun. Free; donations accepted. 806-874-2546, <a href="http://www.saintsroost.org/" target="_blank">www.saintsroost.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Santa Fe Steam Locomotive No. 5000, The Madame Queen</strong> available for viewing at Southeast Second Avenue and Lincoln Street. Guided tours are available from the Railroad Artifact Preservation Society. A $25 donation is suggested. Call 806-674-0472.<br /><br /><strong>Stationmaster’s House Museum</strong> 30 S. Townsend St., Spearman. 1-5pm Tue.-Sat., or by appointment. Free, donations accepted. 806-659-3008.<br /><br /><strong>Swisher County Archives and Museum</strong> 127 S.W. Second St., Tulia. 10am-noon, 1-4pm Tue.-Sat. Free; donations accepted. 806-995-2819.<br /><br /><strong>Tucumcari Historical Museum</strong> 416 S. Adams St., Tucumcari, N.M. 8am-5pm Mon.-Sat. Admission fee. 575-461-4201, <a href="mailto:museum@cityoftucumcari.com">museum@cityoftucumcari.com</a>.<br /><br /><strong>White Deer Land Museum</strong> 112 S. Cuyler St., Pampa. 1-4pm Tue.-Sat. New annex building open to public, featuring the Red River War & Settlement collection. BRA TALK exhibit through Oct. 15. Free; donations accepted. 806-669-8041, <a href="mailto:wdlmuseum@graycch.com">wdlmuseum@graycch.com</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Window on the Plains Museum</strong> 1820 S. Dumas Ave., Dumas. 10am-5pm Mon.-Sat. Free; donations accepted. 806-935-3113, <a href="http://www.dumasmuseumandartcenter.org/" target="_blank">www.dumasmuseumandartcenter.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Woody Guthrie Folk Museum Center of Pampa</strong> Jam sessions weekly 6:30-9:30pm Fri. 320 S. Cuyler St., Pampa. 1-4pm Thu.-Sat., or by appointment. Free, donations accepted. 806-669-3241, 806-665-1180, 806-206-2860, <a href="http://www.woodyguthrie-pampatx.org/" target="_blank">www.woodyguthrie-pampatx.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Wolf Creek Heritage Museum</strong> Texas Highway 305 and Main Street, Lipscomb. 10am-4pm Mon.-Fri., 2-4pm Sun. Free; donations accepted. 806-852-2123, <a href="http://www.wolfcreekheritagemuseum.com/" target="_blank">www.wolfcreekheritagemuseum.com</a>.<br /><br /><strong>XIT Museum</strong> 108 E. Fifth St., Dalhart. 9am-5pm Tue.-Sat. Free; donations accepted. 806-244-5390, <a href="http://www.xitmuseum.com/" target="_blank">www.xitmuseum.com</a>.Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-4524529532342587362010-01-06T06:07:00.000-08:002010-01-06T09:16:41.720-08:00It's not all bad news!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcpNlrHh_6OgyO-x_Ur8RKAesu6Bz4NnYre5MBXN4kHg8PiWrJNkhhsZIUaYa6PP1Vm6oQLWDsRamrahRQFXhqIOV4aDMk1RTYoH7GMd3Fwk2CJ3oYMoLucI3bgl51GdzREX12f2gSDE/s1600-h/Saxophone+player.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423628505803456082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcpNlrHh_6OgyO-x_Ur8RKAesu6Bz4NnYre5MBXN4kHg8PiWrJNkhhsZIUaYa6PP1Vm6oQLWDsRamrahRQFXhqIOV4aDMk1RTYoH7GMd3Fwk2CJ3oYMoLucI3bgl51GdzREX12f2gSDE/s320/Saxophone+player.jpg" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 247px;" /></a> If there's one common pet peeve that most people seem to have about the "media," it's that there are never any positive stories.<br />
<br />
When I speak to civic clubs or other groups about the newspaper business, the question usually comes up: "Why do you print so much negative news? I never see anything positive in the paper."<br />
<br />
Before I go to these speaking engagements, I always look at the last week's paper to make note of some "positive" stories that we have published. When I start listing these, people usually say: "Oh yeah, I remember that story."<br />
<br />
The truth is, we do publish a lot of positive news. In fact, I would say most stories in the paper are either postive or nuetral.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/010610/new_news3.shtml">Today's front page story</a> about Ryan Yett, a Randall High School band member who is receiving a national honor, points this out.<br />
<br />
It's a very positive story about an outstanding achievement. A great local story about an outstanding student. I think the Amarillo Globe-News does a better than average job of covering the achievements in the community by all types of individuals.<br />
<br />
We have a weekly section called <a href="http://www.amarillo.com/ourtown/">Our Town </a>that is dedicated to nothing but postive news.<br />
<br />
So why do people have the impression that the media is so negative. I have two theories:<br />
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1. Negative news is what we remember. It's what stays with us. When we have a traumatic event in our life, we often remember that far longer than a positive event. When I was a copy editor, I certainly remember more of the mistakes I made in writing headlines than those award-winning headlines (if there were any).<br />
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2. Readers actually want negative news in the paper and read it, but don't admit it. If you look at the <a href="http://www.amarillo.com/popular/">top 5 stories</a> each day on our web site, you'll see that many are "negative."<br />
<br />
This came home to me even more when Dawn Dressler, executive editor of the Amarillo Globe-News, sent me the top 10 stories of the year on our web site:<br />
<br />
Top news stories for the Year <br />
1. <a href="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/110509/new_news1.shtml" title="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/110509/new_news1.shtml">Natural gas explosion rocks Bushland 11/05/09</a> <br />
2. <a href="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/110609/web_homicidesp.shtml" title="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/110609/web_homicidesp.shtml">English visitor shot and killed in Amarillo 11/06/09</a> <br />
3. <a href="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/010109/new_12176977.shtml" title="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/010109/new_12176977.shtml">Swingers' party protested 01/01/09</a> <br />
4. <a href="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/121209/new_news2.shtml" title="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/121209/new_news2.shtml">Wiccan to sit out two Christmas songs 12/12/09</a> <br />
5. <a href="http://amarillo.com/stories/020209/web_electricrate.shtml" title="http://amarillo.com/stories/020209/web_electricrate.shtml">Judge rules electric rate can increase 02/02/09</a> <br />
6. <a href="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/042109/new_news1.shtml" title="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/042109/new_news1.shtml">Mother of two knew abuse 04/21/09</a> <br />
7. <a href="javascript:void(0);" title="javascript:void(0);">State: Sterquell death a suicide 05/19/09</a> <br />
8. <a href="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/080709/new_news7.shtml" title="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/080709/new_news7.shtml">Trinity pastor resigns 08/07/09</a> <br />
9. <a href="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/110709/new_news1.shtml" title="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/110709/new_news1.shtml">Tourist killed at bar 11/07/09</a> <br />
10. <a href="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/102108/opi_opin3.shtml" title="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/102108/opi_opin3.shtml">Column - Norma White: You want change? Try these ideas 10/21/08</a> <br />
<br />
Guess what? I wouldn't say there is a positive one in the bunch.Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-60206489920856031322010-01-05T08:26:00.000-08:002010-01-05T08:30:19.050-08:00Historical book almost gone<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2xPWOE_dsZRz9Hzby90zPuTFmyGFm0YmKyJ61V0kpRNfNek8JZaafFpHIctITDQD6urXCqggjkNed18bMsomnW7wN2S33o2TrMiWuh63HzDuHfKkUiLZSeJWFU-6F8STl4DR0rV1y88/s1600-h/Amarillo+book.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423293211637900258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2xPWOE_dsZRz9Hzby90zPuTFmyGFm0YmKyJ61V0kpRNfNek8JZaafFpHIctITDQD6urXCqggjkNed18bMsomnW7wN2S33o2TrMiWuh63HzDuHfKkUiLZSeJWFU-6F8STl4DR0rV1y88/s320/Amarillo+book.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p>If you haven't order the book the Amarillo Globe-News published for our 100th anniversary, you might want to hurry.</p><p>We have less than 300 books and they've been going fast. </p><p>We're not sure if we'll order a reprint or not, so time is of the essence.</p><p>The book has been a tremendous success with more than 3,000 sold. The books are still available at Hastings, Barnes and Noble and can be picked up at our offices: 900 S. Harrison St.</p><p>We've received tremendous compliments about this book and, who knows, maybe a sequel is in the works.</p>Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-71512942746611666482010-01-05T06:22:00.000-08:002010-01-05T06:27:54.540-08:00Picture perfect in Amarillo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN214ErGSuRQXanVqRodVur00y9hDnBkLctfvM9H79iCSE2HyV5y6nc0oFqvTta5zrsVoXnuEbdhfTAfqqi582169I79oXxgNz5z771b3jdLY6QFcEpE8cWxbhkLUDngPyGcdHTCYVle4/s1600-h/sunrise.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423261209556793682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN214ErGSuRQXanVqRodVur00y9hDnBkLctfvM9H79iCSE2HyV5y6nc0oFqvTta5zrsVoXnuEbdhfTAfqqi582169I79oXxgNz5z771b3jdLY6QFcEpE8cWxbhkLUDngPyGcdHTCYVle4/s320/sunrise.jpg" border="0" /></a> You know those postcards or greeting cards that have the perfect sunrise or sunset and some nice saying.<br /><br />I find it wonderful that we can see the real thing almost every morning and every evening.<br /><br />This morning's sunrise was another great one and most afternoons we're treated to an equally great view.<br /><br />It seems to me that we've had more than our fair share of these in the last month or two.<br /><br />You don't see this in a lot of places. Too many trees get in the way of the horizon.Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-33847594767300676962010-01-04T06:14:00.000-08:002010-01-04T07:18:00.916-08:00Where is Shakespeare when you need him?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKl2gMB0-Sl7XJ-WDHkTzuvxnzXYnnRC1VVx9SJbAReBbWb11MvOgXvwACbCzxKhtjODrN70w9M3qiUyyuXGXw3YvZCaVglln_O5m7Vg4EEDjnRnfnTynt7DyUTLJfsoeeCLG3B8FgBA/s1600-h/Mike+Leach.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422888326571556450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 220px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKl2gMB0-Sl7XJ-WDHkTzuvxnzXYnnRC1VVx9SJbAReBbWb11MvOgXvwACbCzxKhtjODrN70w9M3qiUyyuXGXw3YvZCaVglln_O5m7Vg4EEDjnRnfnTynt7DyUTLJfsoeeCLG3B8FgBA/s320/Mike+Leach.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In years of watching the sports world both on and off the field, I don't think I've seen anything more tragic than last week's Mike Leach debacle.<br /><br />Why so tragic? Let me count the ways.<br /><br /><strong>Leach forgot who is boss:</strong> From all accounts, the administration at Texas Tech, from the athletic director to the chancellor, made some attempt to resolve the dispute between the James family and Leach.<br /><br />And Leach is now trying to burn everyone who has ever crossed him.<br /><br />But Leach made the fatal mistake of too many coaches. He thought that because he was winner on the field, he could do whatever he wanted to off the field.<br /><br />When I was editor of the newspaper in Athens, Ga., home of the University of Georgia, I'll never forget a conversation I had with University President Michael Adams about then-UGA football coach Jim Donnan.<br /><br />While a winner on the field, Donnan couldn't handle the public relations aspect of his job off the field. He'd snap at critical callers on his weekly radio show. He wouldn't do enough with alumni on the rubber chicken circuit. And he was always cross ways with the media (Ironically, he later went to work with ESPN).<br /><br />During the conversation with President Adams, he said: "What Coach Donnan has to remember is that what you do off the field is just as important - if not more important - than what you do on the field."<br /><br />Jim Donnan was fired at the end of that season, despite a winning record.<br /><br />Don't cross college presidents and chancellors. They will win every time.<br /><br /><strong>James family fallout:</strong> What's so tragic about the James family is they underestimated the fallout over this whole thing.<br /><br />Daddy James was on ESPN several days after all this went public stating that their family didn't want all this (i.e. the attention) to happen.<br /><br />For someone who is so immersed in college football, it's pretty naive to think this was just going to blow over.<br /><br /><strong>Texas Tech fans:</strong> What's perhaps most tragic of all is the "win-at-all-cost" mentality displayed by many Tech fans, especially in the new online world of anonymous commenting.<br /><br />Posting of the home addresses of the James family members was tasteless.<br /><br />And blind allegiance toward anyone is never healthy.<br /><br /><strong>Tech administration:</strong> I support the final decision of the Tech administration to fire Leach. They had no choice. Not because of what Leach did to James, but because of his response to it.<br /><br />But they should have done a better job of getting ahead of the story. Their silence left fans and pundits too much time to make up stories about what was going on and reasons for the discipline and firing.<br /><br />And when they did talk, they needed to make more clear that the real reason for the firing was not the "shed" incident, but because Leach would not cooperate with the university to resolve the situation.<br /><br /><strong>Rece Davis:</strong> The interview by the ESPN personality was perhaps the most "softball" interview I've ever seen. "Why do you think they fired you, Mike?" "What is your description of Adam James as a player?" In the online interview, Davis let Leach going on uninterrupted for minutes at a time, like many lawyers and coaches like to do.<br /><br />The 30-plus minute online interview is slightly better and more aggressive than what was shown on the network, but it was still "light."<br /><br />I would have hoped Rece Davis would have been smarter than this.<br /><br /><strong>ESPN:</strong> For those of you who watch ESPN's College Gameday, you'll notice that they never let Kirk Herbstriet, one of three people on the show, pick a game he is going to be the announcer on for ABC. Makes sense because you don't want viewers thinking an announcer is "biased."<br /><br />But they were going to have Craig James call the Alamo Bowl when his son was going to be playing? Doesn't make sense to me.<br /><br /><strong>The winners out of all this:</strong> More viewers on television and online traffic at websites like espn.com and at our sister newspaper in Lubbock: <a href="http://www.lubbockonline.com/">www.lubbockonline.com</a>. At the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, the home page of their website had to be redesigned to allow for quicker loading to handle the additional traffic.<br /><br />All around, this is a very sad situation and the quicker everyone puts it behind them, the better off everyone will be.Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-64405210473481614992009-11-23T12:31:00.000-08:002010-01-12T14:21:55.146-08:00Media Monday: Oprah's departure highlights broadcast challenges<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmgEIjXwBGSZMTk5FLbSyqXJQPhDUQlRWzsrrv2k0hgKuDzsFeoo6P_7rKvy_eUzMpYuKoSpzIhK7UT7jDlKX9IsNLj3gfkXDsRIbLr_4_Ep06xkwwgAoa4Sa0eAJF5dADGHbkPuxzYM/s1600/1209_oprah_winfrey_200_00.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407400261287735922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmgEIjXwBGSZMTk5FLbSyqXJQPhDUQlRWzsrrv2k0hgKuDzsFeoo6P_7rKvy_eUzMpYuKoSpzIhK7UT7jDlKX9IsNLj3gfkXDsRIbLr_4_Ep06xkwwgAoa4Sa0eAJF5dADGHbkPuxzYM/s320/1209_oprah_winfrey_200_00.jpg" border="0" /></a>Lost in last week's announcement of the end of <a href="http://www.oprah.com/media/20091120-tows-oprah-announcement">Oprah Winfrey's </a>show in 2011 was the impact that her departure will have on broadcast television channels.<br /><br />It's going to be big, I'm afraid.<br /><br />Just like newspapers have been facing challenges from new competition, so have our broadcast brethren in television and radio.<br /><br />The advent of satellite radio and television is changing the landscape of broadcast just as Internet is impacting the newspaper industry.<br /><br />But the announcement of the end of Oprah's ratings juggernaut is going to shake up local television, especially those stations that schedule her before the local news.<br /><br />This includes mainly ABC network stations, including KVII.<br /><br />A <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/21/business/media/21network.html?_r=3&emc=eta1">story in the New York Times</a> really sums up the issues facing broadcast fairly well.<br /><br />The mass audiences that used to flock to network television - remember just a few decades ago when there were just three or four stations - are now being fragmented.<br /><br />It doesn't mean that we won't have local television stations - just like the issues facing newspapers will not put us out of business.<br /><br />But the more important issue is that we need to continue to hope that all local sources of information continue to do well in this changing landscape.<br /><br />First, competition makes us all better. And second, we need to have many sources for local information, not just a few. Let's just hope the economy can continue to fund all news gathering operations.<br /><br />Local television stations have been merging their newsrooms together in cities large and small. Locally, the NBC affiliate and FOX affiliate share the same news resources.<br /><br />The current economic issues along with the fragmenting of audiences is posing some challenges for all media outlets.Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-91762410820112080882009-11-09T19:39:00.000-08:002009-11-09T20:16:20.698-08:00Final visit from Ukrainian newspaper staff<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yU5sh-RzT4zvpt_KJgXM4cyL8r1uMjynQUJMGIzTojSiPIo-72XypeKFQ-hDRtf52evOpcSx_38Up-VQvvQcviIIGU8I89qLS0pziKlP9Qnh3SWFMenbpKFaFlnK16vi_7taBKkOQno/s1600-h/IMG_0283.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402322621252472050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yU5sh-RzT4zvpt_KJgXM4cyL8r1uMjynQUJMGIzTojSiPIo-72XypeKFQ-hDRtf52evOpcSx_38Up-VQvvQcviIIGU8I89qLS0pziKlP9Qnh3SWFMenbpKFaFlnK16vi_7taBKkOQno/s320/IMG_0283.JPG" border="0" /></a>Five staff members from the Panorama newspaper along with two translators are in Amarillo this week for a visit to our city and to work with the Amarillo Globe-News.<br /><div></div><br /><div>The Globe-News has been participating in an exchange program with the newspaper from Sumy, Urkaine, this year. Earlier, myself and another newspaper staff member visited Sumy and four staff members from Panorama were here in July.</div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div>Now, the publisher of the paper along with four other staff members - one from advertising and three from the newsroom - are here this week as a final visit for the program, which is coordinated by <a style="COLOR: #00a0c6; TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.irex.org/">the International Research and Exchanges Board </a>in Washington, D.C.</div><br /><div></div><div>Like the other visits, most of the week will be spent at the newspaper exchanging and discussing ideas.</div><br /><div></div><div>But this time, the publisher of the newspaper, Yehven Polozhiy, will be speaking to communication, government and history students at Amarillo College, West Texas A&M University, Texas Tech, Tascosa High School and Amarillo High School.</div><br /><div></div><div>It's a chance to learn about the differences in newspapers and other media as well as past and current political issues in the country of Ukraine and their importance to the region and the world.</div><br /><div></div><div>They arrived Saturday evening after a journey of more than 24 hours. On Sunday, they visited most Amarillo landmarks for the Cadillac Ranch to the Palo Duro Canyon.</div><div></div><br /><div>Sunday night ended with a meal at - you guessed it - the Big Texan. However, no movie stars this time around. (In July, <a href="http://agn-publisher.blogspot.com/2009/07/celebrity-spotting-at-big-texan.html">the group saw David Duchovny</a>, the star of X-Files whose family is originally from Ukraine).</div><div></div><br /><div>Monday, they began work at the newspaper and visited with Mayor Debra McCartt.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-63864871918777051492009-11-06T14:41:00.000-08:002009-11-06T14:43:23.077-08:00For your weekend entertainment<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bepuZPjp07hENIupDhFBXUAtUWDfhNloyCSNpB__UFyWTgfHRgIKjZEl_tCXKr17SqDXwUbIpv4VlK3LkshUEvlm23jPpuOB3iSloSBftL-Npu12za7ZhhmYQVxzi3C2Mbw7YP3cE5k/s1600-h/PeopleofWalmart_logo.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401124715313323954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 121px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 144px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bepuZPjp07hENIupDhFBXUAtUWDfhNloyCSNpB__UFyWTgfHRgIKjZEl_tCXKr17SqDXwUbIpv4VlK3LkshUEvlm23jPpuOB3iSloSBftL-Npu12za7ZhhmYQVxzi3C2Mbw7YP3cE5k/s320/PeopleofWalmart_logo.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p><a href="http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/">www.peopleofwalmart.com</a></p><p> </p>Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-52912256724078135852009-11-06T11:48:00.000-08:002009-11-06T11:59:10.192-08:00Washington Post story about the Panhandle: Is it good or bad?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPOHdUdG9X_-kCFcHVC4D08yjeFrYr15sIGykq9tNjc_KQlQYvhnxabQqtzTEQw-SKL-hPY6isclEtagYJcXi0MmfE_WNWJaZQ1BXr3MtY3AyGvIG3gqSjrfVNw8XjhcDH4UYOsVKng4/s1600-h/DC_WP.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401082321106476914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPOHdUdG9X_-kCFcHVC4D08yjeFrYr15sIGykq9tNjc_KQlQYvhnxabQqtzTEQw-SKL-hPY6isclEtagYJcXi0MmfE_WNWJaZQ1BXr3MtY3AyGvIG3gqSjrfVNw8XjhcDH4UYOsVKng4/s320/DC_WP.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>When I worked at The Augusta Chronicle, the best time of the year was during the week of the Masters Tournament. It seemed like the entire world descended on the town, including a mass of media outlets.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>One thing you could always count on - besides seeing a lot of green - is that one of the out of town writers would always do a story on what a crappy place Augusta was. My favorite one was from well-known writer Mitch Albom, who was a writer from a crappy town in its own right: Detroit.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>He whined that there were more Waffle Houses than people in the town and there was nothing but wig shops and tattoo joints and so on ....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It seems that on regular occasions, writers come to the Panhandle and some of them do the same.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here's a <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/30/AR2009103001787.html">link</a> to a recent travel story published in The Washington Post. I can't tell if it's positive or negative. Maybe you can help me.</div>Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-88643452812074097812009-11-05T06:18:00.000-08:002009-11-05T06:38:48.728-08:00Thursday's Best Bet: WRCA World Championship Rodeo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBehjBm2l4hMY-sCbwlwJzIl6MYsOAISjzR7F4qiLUchPRbqh624ZRgBIcjUG8GBVLtdVdzSHOJaqUjf_UBWCYRS1X9PbW6QrjS48QyefnXyq9GM2Kkzq3IUpwzWFJWyaa_aS0LWWimqA/s1600-h/WRCA.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400626194971186866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBehjBm2l4hMY-sCbwlwJzIl6MYsOAISjzR7F4qiLUchPRbqh624ZRgBIcjUG8GBVLtdVdzSHOJaqUjf_UBWCYRS1X9PbW6QrjS48QyefnXyq9GM2Kkzq3IUpwzWFJWyaa_aS0LWWimqA/s320/WRCA.jpg" border="0" /></a>There are quite a few horse events around the area, but one of the best starts next week.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.wrca.org/">Working Ranch Cowboys Association </a> will present their 14th annual World Championship Ranch Rodeo at the Amarillo Civic Center Thursday Nov. 12 through Sunday Nov. 15.<br /><br />This is an event held for the working cowboys and cowgirls from ranches all around the country.<br /><br />The WRCA has signed a contract to have the event in Amarillo until 2012.<br /><br />The festivities start Wednesday as the WRCA brings to town Baxter Black, a cowboy humorist who also writes a column for the Amarillo Globe-News.<br /><br />Tickets are available through <a href="http://www.panhandletickets.com/">Panhandle Tickets</a>. Tickets range from $14 to $26 depending on which day you go.Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-1267335333395807962009-10-29T07:39:00.000-07:002009-10-29T07:51:30.158-07:00Thursday's Best Bet: Pirates of the Canyon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-tcknCtum4jMikkyLVIDt6Lap3X6zvBg-U4EWULr9RJq-rvIDxPBYVmt9EBMYo1Sj4sQZcjVxhLZYWt_G-ik7tJAFLoc-D2k_yfA6Uj8w20j52OTnPN_NoxpRXb7AbfKPyYKyns2o9Q/s1600-h/Pirates+of+the+canyon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398032176615459586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 172px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-tcknCtum4jMikkyLVIDt6Lap3X6zvBg-U4EWULr9RJq-rvIDxPBYVmt9EBMYo1Sj4sQZcjVxhLZYWt_G-ik7tJAFLoc-D2k_yfA6Uj8w20j52OTnPN_NoxpRXb7AbfKPyYKyns2o9Q/s320/Pirates+of+the+canyon.jpg" border="0" /></a>The 2009 edition of the <a href="http://www.piratesofthecanyon.com/index.shtml">Pirates of the Canyon </a>hot air balloon event will run three days this year beginning Friday night.<br /><br />And the good news is this year, the event will be held both at Palo Duro Canyon and at John Stiff Park in Amarillo. If you haven't been able to make it to the canyon the last three years of the event, you won't have an excuse this year.<br /><br />According to the event's web site, more than 30 ballons will be participating and include the regular shaped balloons, but also ones shaped like a Pepsi can and another like the space shuttle.<br /><br />There are events all three mornings, including a balloon "chase" at John Stiff Park on Saturday morning and a festival on Saturday afternoon.<br /><br />It's a spectacular event and it's closer than ever this year.Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-69065088349198914182009-10-26T07:00:00.000-07:002009-10-26T07:29:07.646-07:00Media Monday: Don't overreact to circulation report<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDpgJbTPaJLQWvrjmBkGB7gzw-x1nTLK_yojwTrKGL6Ig39yyCS_VmpKhubiWwu1syILERv-FFUIcujCRwmKZoHnPfooCunOIZ3_YxCMRGPGSUzf1qupbSgDFfacHwOaxQHMqIORMQlc/s1600-h/paperboy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396915244088686386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 264px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDpgJbTPaJLQWvrjmBkGB7gzw-x1nTLK_yojwTrKGL6Ig39yyCS_VmpKhubiWwu1syILERv-FFUIcujCRwmKZoHnPfooCunOIZ3_YxCMRGPGSUzf1qupbSgDFfacHwOaxQHMqIORMQlc/s320/paperboy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The <a href="http://www.accessabc.com/">Audit Bureau of Circulation</a> is releasing it's report on the latest circulation figures for the nation's newspapers and, at first glance, it may look like the numbers are falling off a cliff.</div><div></div><br /><div>Today, you will see our brethren in the broadcast industry jump all over this story and talk about the demise of newspapers.</div><div></div><br /><div>As I have said before: Not so fast my friend.</div><div></div><br /><div>There are many reasons for this other than just some dramatic decline in readership.</div><div></div><br /><div>First, many newspapers, including the Amarillo Globe-News, have increased the subscription prices. Others have increased their single copy prices.</div><div></div><br /><div>Also, many newspapers are pulling back their circulation from outlying areas because of increased distribution costs. We've done the same.</div><div></div><br /><div>Other newspapers are decreasing the amount of newspapers that allow a company to purchase and then send to customers who may not be receiving the newspaper. This is called a "third-party" transaction and newspapers have been decreasing this over the years.</div><div></div><br /><div>Some newspapers are decreasing the amount of newspapers they sell through their Newspaper in Education program because of the cost of doing the program. Some now do it electronically, as we do here at the Globe-News.</div><div></div><br /><div>Our most recent reports show our Sunday circulation at 49,084 and our daily circulation at 38,179. While both are down slightly, our figures are much better than the industry averages. </div><div></div><br /><div>If you figure the average copy is read by at least two people, we reach almost 100,000 every Sunday and more than 70,000 daily.</div><div></div><br /><div>Our montly reach on our web site, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.amarillo.com">amarillo.com,</a> is aboout 360,000 unique visitors, with about 80 percent of those not subscribing to the newspaper.</div><div></div><br /><div>So in any given month, the combination of our web site and Sunday newspaper reaches an unduplicated audience of about 388,000. </div><div></div><br /><div>Newspapers have more readers than ever before (but you won't here that today on the broadcast news).</div><div></div><br /><div>What the national broadcast news reports won't show today is that audiences for their shows have been plummeting for years, often with decreases larger than the ones the newspapers are showing.</div><div></div><br /><div>I'm sure Bill O'Reilly will blame the New York Time's decrease on their liberal bias, which has very little to do with how many people subscribe to the newspaper. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-43390948713850914432009-10-22T11:25:00.000-07:002009-10-22T12:00:44.417-07:00Thursday's Best Best: Texas Panhandle Volleyball<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-Id3VlYa_JxBFsiIr2nA6HOvFxpML3t99EiVD-dTSHfrTM4BF-ipMTfT1lJmKu9iVoNwWdRGVW4q_C7owtgDkW-uB_eTs1l4vxMmgB_kSpicWl0DADhfYg5SvWHrRYYZZ86rkooKZYc/s1600-h/Lady+Buff+Volleball.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395495616179040418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-Id3VlYa_JxBFsiIr2nA6HOvFxpML3t99EiVD-dTSHfrTM4BF-ipMTfT1lJmKu9iVoNwWdRGVW4q_C7owtgDkW-uB_eTs1l4vxMmgB_kSpicWl0DADhfYg5SvWHrRYYZZ86rkooKZYc/s320/Lady+Buff+Volleball.jpg" border="0" /></a>If you're looking for an area that the Texas Panhandle excels, you've got to look at women's volleyball.<br /><p>From club to high school to home school and college, there's probably not too many areas in the country that rival the Panhandle.</p><p>So for this week's best bet, I suggest you take in a volleyball game this week. You can start with <a href="http://www.gobuffsgo.com/sports/w-volley/sched/wtam-w-volley-sched.html">WTAMU's Lady Buffs</a>, who play tonight at 7 at the WT Fieldhouse.</p><p>You can also catch Amarillo High vs. Odessa Permian Saturday at 2 p.m. at the AHS Activity Center or Tascosa vs. San Angelo Central at the THS Activity Center at 3 p.m.</p><p>And the area also has three defending state champions for the 2008 season: Bushland, Hereford and three-time defending state champion Amarillo High.</p><p>Both Randall and Dalhart are having great seasons as well.</p><p>So even if you're not a big sports fan, I think you'll still be impressed with the quality and effort of many of the local women's volleyball teams.</p>Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-21838387401229508092009-10-16T13:26:00.000-07:002009-10-16T13:44:41.278-07:00"Miracle" author to visit Amarillo on Tuesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47ff89WlI2D9tT1LQ5f1lyLvUEk7k3tgxKssJpWiFb93D1rmzutA4mWiM5aCjYoQMvadc6bTsk7t-OcEVVDhnZsQgSBJnXn2AtsXuZikx6xPRJ-52pR6d1Db5yDqy_zNnltagxqMoQjM/s1600-h/Miracle%2520in%2520the%2520Andes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393301005252537570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47ff89WlI2D9tT1LQ5f1lyLvUEk7k3tgxKssJpWiFb93D1rmzutA4mWiM5aCjYoQMvadc6bTsk7t-OcEVVDhnZsQgSBJnXn2AtsXuZikx6xPRJ-52pR6d1Db5yDqy_zNnltagxqMoQjM/s320/Miracle%2520in%2520the%2520Andes.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>As part of <a href="http://www.actx.edu/commonreader/index.php">Amarillo College's Common Reader program</a>, Nando Parrado, author of <a href="http://www.gohastings.com/catalog/search_books.cmd?form_state=siteSearchForm&query=Miracle+in+the+Andes&productType=2456&department=BOOK&departmentName=BOOK&title=Miracle+in+the+Andes&search=true&source=global&condition=0&search-button.x=28&search-button.y=11">Miracle in the Andes</a>, will be visiting Amarillo and discussing his experiences at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.</div><div><br /> </div><div>The book is Parrado's account of the crash in the Andes Mountains of a plane carrying rugby players from Uruguay. Those who weren't killed by the crash survived by eating the remains of the dead.<br /></div><br /><div>After about two months on the mountain in frigid temperatures, Parrado and another team member made a descent down the mountain that led to a rescue of the survivors after 72 days.<br /></div><br /><div>The book was an excellent selection for the Common Reader program because it involves a number of controversial topics including the eating of human flesh, the differing roles of faith among the survivors and the teamwork it took for many to survive.</div><div></div><br /><div>The event is free and the book is a quick read that you could get done before next week's presentation. It's an extremely interesting book from the perspective of one of a handful of people who survived a harrowing event.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div>Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-54856774049772781242009-10-15T07:32:00.000-07:002009-10-15T07:46:59.326-07:00Thursday's Best Best: Lone Star Ballet's TimeSteps<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TyHcowAveZdjHozOx77OPWOWtypivBHOq4YSo3IsIcY0UNiiJhw0jReBmfpmO42v7id4w8G1E8qfSOjvVUV9DdqfMGKFuWK0Fc3jiXSP5AetRdjDyzl8553u0V-H6LzZhZD0TBCEM3g/s1600-h/TimeSteps6.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392836939544795298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 195px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TyHcowAveZdjHozOx77OPWOWtypivBHOq4YSo3IsIcY0UNiiJhw0jReBmfpmO42v7id4w8G1E8qfSOjvVUV9DdqfMGKFuWK0Fc3jiXSP5AetRdjDyzl8553u0V-H6LzZhZD0TBCEM3g/s320/TimeSteps6.bmp" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.lonestarballet.org">Lone Star Ballet</a> of Amarillo is bringing back a favorite from last season and if you don't go see it this weekend, shame on you.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">TimeSteps</span> is a lesson on our country's history through the eyes of music with the ballet providing spectacular choreography to help tell the story.<br /><br />As the saying goes: "This ain't your grandmother's ballet."<br /><br />The performance features music from the 50s to the 80s, from Buddy Holly to Michael Jackson. I've got to tell you, it's the type of show that I think would be a hit anywhere.<br /><br />It's also a tribute to <a href="http://www.amarillo.com/stories/042209/new_news3.shtml">David Simpson</a>, one of the creative minds that helped develop the show. He died less than a month after last year's staging of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">TimeSteps</span>.<br /><br />Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at the <a href="http://www.amarillo.com/globenewscenter/">Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts.<br /></a><br />Tickets to the weekend productions range in price from $13 to $48, depending on seating. For tickets, call 806-378-3096 or visit <a href="http://www.panhandletickets.com/">http://www.panhandletickets.com/</a>. Buy a ticket, go see it. And I’m so confident you’ll enjoy it, I’ll give you your money back if you give me a good reason why you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">didn</span>’t like it (or at least a newspaper subscription of equal value).<br /><br />ANOTHER BEST BET: The Amarillo Globe-News and Amarillo.com 2009 <a href="http://shopper.amarillo.com/ads.php?aid=32658">Best of Amarillo Party</a> is tonight at Sunset Center, Plains and Western streets, from 5 to 8 p.m.<br /><br />There will be 53 businesses at the event that you voted the best of Amarillo, including 26 restaurants serving samples. Tickets are $15 at the door.<br /><br /><div></div>Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-9664146886263814782009-10-14T06:33:00.000-07:002009-10-14T06:53:04.324-07:00You think newspapers have it bad? Try magazines<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWGEYw_Yn48lrtk9YsqmdRKzFQVn5d8vK3WFWlwLsRjha1gcWOKGqkCdjFtkXBlBIjLFHaK9tHGNlwZeqfPxpNp55Pvyz2EW3AdSams45b-BB9IyzPgciof8IxROblfe7_p_88417eSE/s1600-h/modern%2520bride%2520cover_sml.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392448577387298370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 246px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWGEYw_Yn48lrtk9YsqmdRKzFQVn5d8vK3WFWlwLsRjha1gcWOKGqkCdjFtkXBlBIjLFHaK9tHGNlwZeqfPxpNp55Pvyz2EW3AdSams45b-BB9IyzPgciof8IxROblfe7_p_88417eSE/s320/modern%2520bride%2520cover_sml.jpg" border="0" /></a> If you keep up with the media landscape, you would think that newspapers are the only media group with problems these days.<br /><br />As ESPN's college football personality Lee Corso would say: "Not so fast, my friend."<br /><br />The economy has affected all media companies - from television stations to networks to radio stations and, in some cases, even companies with strong Internet revenue.<br /><br />Especially hard hit are magazine titles. In the last two years, more than 1,200 magazine titles have ceased publication. That's equivalent to the number of American daily newspapers.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.foliomag.com/2009/magazine-foldings-track-match-last-year-s-totals">According to recent reports</a>, the good news is only 383 have shut down this year, including several publications from Conde Nast such as Modern Bride.<br /><br />While a few newspapers have gone out of business, the larger names - Rocky Mountain News and Seattle Post-Intelligencer - were in markets with two newspapers. For decades, it's been obvious that even large markets can't support two newspapers.<br /><br />But no U.S. city of any size is without a newspaper nor will it be.<br /><br />Media depend almost exclusively on advertising for revenue and the current economic recession is the driving force behind lagging revenue. And as the economy recovers, so will advertising.<br /><br />In the meantime, don't believe everything you hear in the media about newspapers. It usually needs a little perspective.Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-68128225656835933322009-10-13T11:31:00.000-07:002009-10-13T11:33:31.442-07:00Tickets are gone! Thanks for responding.Rana Klein, Leslie Cruger, Toni Rice and Justin Gable are the winners. Enjoy!Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148778022173168989.post-19146326073040058222009-10-13T06:52:00.000-07:002009-10-13T07:12:25.980-07:00Reward for blog readers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgEqMVlT4svzSkjFVEgmf7F-SCtOeigq7jvVUFGPW0J22KSwUbIyCrXcnvqXPDdxhtMpmm8L_mALq0gnlX_jhqaq43tdXcFhaQXC14s_Fo8IHYzN5nEV1OgsSrgq82T1gFptSFjK9SOk/s1600-h/main_mamamia.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392083003043396466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgEqMVlT4svzSkjFVEgmf7F-SCtOeigq7jvVUFGPW0J22KSwUbIyCrXcnvqXPDdxhtMpmm8L_mALq0gnlX_jhqaq43tdXcFhaQXC14s_Fo8IHYzN5nEV1OgsSrgq82T1gFptSFjK9SOk/s320/main_mamamia.jpg" border="0" /></a>When you write a blog, you're never sure exactly how many people are reading it.<br /><br />Statistics from Google tell me that a lot of people view the blogs that we publish through amarillo.com. And it looks like at least a few of my relatives are reading mine occasionally.<br /><br />But today, I will boldly put this to the test.<br /><br />I have 8 tickets for tonight's performance of <a href="http://getout.amarillo.com/content/actout/20091009_mammamia.shtml">Momma Mia </a>at the Amarillo Civic Center. The Amarillo Globe-News and amarillo.com are the sponsor of the show.<br /><br />The first four people who send me an e-mail at <a href="mailto:les.simpson@amarillo.com">les.simpson@amarillo.com</a> telling me they've read this blog entry will win a pair of tickets to tonight's performance at 7:30 p.m. (If you can't go tonight, there are two more performances this week on Wednesday and Thursday. Go to <a href="http://www.panhandletickets.com/">http://www.panhandletickets.com/</a> for more information).<br /><br />Amarillo Globe-News employees are not eligible (although you could earn immense amount of brownie points by telling me you do read this), you'll have a chance to get tickets another way.<br /><br />If I haven't given all the tickets away by noon (I hope this doesn't happen), we'll be promoting this giveaway on Twitter and Facebook. So act quickly!<br /><br />So if I can't get you to read this blog with my great prose, I'll bribe you with tickets. You never know when you might win .... so keep reading!Les Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11675103352740956102noreply@blogger.com0