Jackson Free Press

Todd and I got back yesterday from the AAN national convention in Philly (Pa., not my Mississippi hometown). It's good to be home—where it's actually cooler than it was in the Northeast, believe it or not. As usual, we worked hard (Todd gave a presentation; I coordinated one; and I did board meetings and the like), and met lots of folks. One thing that is cool is how accepted and welcomed Mississippi is in the alternative-newspaper world after only five years of membership. People really admire what we're doing with diversity and online (blogging way back in 2002, oh my), and are impressed with the native talent that we are blessed to have working for the paper. The best moment for the JFP were the awards we won—including two first places. The big one was the community service award we won for our team's investigative work (and blogging) over the last three years that helped put James Ford Seale in jail. That meant a lot—and felt a whole lot like Mississippi standing up to publicly face and confront our past. It's very different from having "outsiders" assume we haven't changed; it's great to give them award-winning evidence that we are actively evolving.

We also drank a bit at various shindigs; the Philadelphia City Paper (host alt) had almost too much free booze donated (not a bad problem to have, or maybe it was), and they planned all sorts of great events for us. We missed the special 7:30 a.m. viewing of the Liberty Bell because we were out bowling until 2 a.m. with the Charleston City Paper folks. Y'all would love them: a couple and their friend who had a crazy idea to do an alt in the South—sound familiar!?—but they bought an existing paper, though, and turned it into something amazing and award-winning. They're a decade old now and doing very well. I took fun pictures on my Treo (and some video) and will post it over on Lounge List when I get a minute.

But, it's good to be home. We always come back from AAN convention with renewed energy and ideas, and y'all will be seeing some of those very soon. Oh, and folks were very impressed with the LoungeList. We might be the first alt to have our own social network. It's so good to be first, instead of last, eh?

OK, back to the grindstone and my recent investigative series. Cheers.

Previous Comments

ID

130743

Comment

Sounds like you had a great time!

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-06-11T16:44:08-06:00

ID

130745

Comment

I did. Worked hard, though, and learned a lot from my alt peers as always.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-06-11T16:48:33-06:00

ID

130751

Comment

It's so good to be first, instead of last, eh? -Amen, sistah! I know Mississippi & the JFP have more of those coming

Author

Izzy

Date

2008-06-12T09:01:25-06:00

ID

130797

Comment

To read more about the convention, see this a piece in the Philly City Paper (our excellent hosts). I must say, I'm rather stunned at my name on that list of, er, "heavy-hitters." Maybe Mr. Howard wants a favor?! ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-06-13T13:22:29-06:00

ID

130811

Comment

You are a 'heavy hitter', Donna, unless--in the words of the Iron Lady (Margaret Thatcher) to Bush 41--you're "going wobbly on us" now! Relax and accept the kudos. You deserve every one of 'em!

Author

Kacy

Date

2008-06-13T17:31:32-06:00

ID

130812

Comment

Wobbly!?! Nevvv-vvver. Thanks, Kacy. I'm feelin' the love. There is no place like home, and that's the truth, sho-nuff.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-06-13T17:48:31-06:00

ID

130825

Comment

I'm glad you had a great time up here in Philly! I'd love to hear more about another Neshoba County native's impressions of the place. I imagine Philadelphians were shocked to hear that Jackson has a mayor worse than John Street! I read Philadelphia's City Paper (as well as their competitor Philadelphia Weekly) and I'm pleased to say that JFP is every bit their equal, and deserves the mention they got How much of the city did you get to see? There are lots of cool neighborhoods outside of Center City. I'm partial to my own University City, a geek paradise. The people here are the same kinds of folks who would read JFP if they lived in Jackson. I hope you'll please spread the word around Mississippi what a fun place Philly is, so that more of my MS friends will want to come up and visit! By the way, the link to the City Paper story isn't working. Here's the URL:AANtastic!

Author

Mark Michalovic

Date

2008-06-15T06:28:13-06:00