I attended the Alaska Press Club's 2008 Journalism Week Conference last weekend. I initially planned on going to watch a couple of the events, but had decided to check on whether they'd let me in the club, as a web-based journalist.Rhonda McBride registered me as a member, and welcomed me very warmly. Things went mostly uphill from there. I can't thank the people I met enough, who were so welcoming. I was also gratified by the compliments and criticism I received there about Progressive Alaska.
I was even nominated to and voted onto the club's board. I've got to admit that, on the one hand - I'm proud. But, on the other hand, when I told friends there who have been longtime club members this, they gave me that "You just bought a timeshare in Sadr City?" look.
What impressed me the most about the participants was the raw enthusiasm shown by the youngest reporters and by college students attending. A special bonus was being able to spend time with my close friends Ruth Sheridan, Alaska's most distinguished peace advocate, and with Celeste Benson, the Anchorage Senior Center's Chief Administrator.
I learned a lot! Here are a few of the things...
Ten Things I Learned at J-Week 2008:
1. The press is finally getting it about violence toward Alaska Native Women
2. The press is not getting it about the local perniciousness of Islamophobia.
3. There were more than enough fine presentations.
4. Everyone knows who Michele Linehan is.
5. Nobody knows who Sibel Edmonds is.
6. Leonard Pitts, Jr. loves Stan Lee comic books.
7. Aliza Sherman Rizdahl is one hellaciously amazing multi-tasker.
8. Young reporters see the web as their future. Older ones sometimes wish it would go away.
9. Reporters drink more than classical musicians. Way more.
10. Never take your girlfriend to Cordova. Thanks, Bob Martinson, for reminding me.
top image - Steve Heimel, Shannyn Moore, Jeff Cohen
bottom image - Rick Rydell, Dan Fagan