November 24, 2008 News

Just read this on Cision, although it's a few days old: "Matthew Jaffe has left Sunset Magazine, where he served as a senior writer… No replacement has been named."


Lucy Pollak passes on the news that new-ish Where Los Angeles editor Kristin Viola has left. Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Epstein confirms that pitches should now go to Katie McCarthy, associate editor. @WhereLA.com is her address (Katie.McCarthy)


Thanks to Cary Baker and Rachel Reynolds for the press release about Jason Bentley replacing Nic Harcourt as KCRW Music Director and host of Morning Becomes Eclectic, effective December 1. It's been pretty widely reported, but you can still see the press release here. And LAIst says that "DJ Garth Trinidad will be back weeknights on the station in the 8-10 p.m. time-slot."


Thanks again to Lucy Pollak for letting us know that Glenn Esterly is no longer with the Culver City News and interim editor (at yahoo.com) is Gary Kohatsu (gkscriptman).


Restaurant publicists should note this from Peter Dills, who is celebrating the second season of "The Chef Knows" on KJLA TV:

The show airs every Sunday night on cable KJLA TV and Satellite Channel LA TV 57. We take a look at neighborhood and larger eateries and often are looking for the "Best"... the Best taco, margarita or mojito, for example. Often we select a city and spotlight reasons to visit that city. This week we visit the Westin Hotel and the chef is going to make his cranberry stuffing.

Reach him @yahoo.com. (thechefknows)


LA Observed has details of the Fairchild Publications decision…

…effective Monday, Nov. 24, we will begin the integration of men’s wear coverage into WWD. DNR will cease publication with that day’s edition. Some of DNR’s staffers will be reassigned to WWD, reflecting their various areas of expertise.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

November 17, 2008 News

Hot off the press, so to speak, from Veronique de Turenne (filling in for Kevin at LA Observed):

1. LA Times Real Estate Editor Lauren Beale's layoff was rescinded, and she remains in that position;

2. At the LA office of Entertainment Weekly, Chris Willman and Shirley Halperin, who covered music, were laid off.


The LA Times' staff list is back up on the web site – but NOT updated, and it contains numerous names of folks axed in the last few weeks. Sigh.

But news still trickles out…

Mary MacVean, formerly on the news assignment desk, is now "is moving to the Features staff as a writer who will specialize in issues relating to food. We anticipate her reports will appear in all of the weekly feature sections, in addition to news," according to the Times' Readers Rep blog.

According to the Times' Readers Rep blog, Millie Quan, who was to become a features senior editor with a mission to bring more features stories to Page One, instead was named senior editor/enterprise, effective immediately. According to the statement, "The recent round of staff cuts prompted us to reconsider" the earlier plan.

More from the announcement:

In her new role, Millie will edit Column Ones, helping fill the void created when Roger Smith became national editor. She also will edit narratives, projects and other enterprise. Millie will continue to work with the national editor and several reporters whose stories she edited on the national desk.

From the LA Watts Times:

Aisha Mori Coleman is no longer with the L.A. Watts Times, our new Managing Editor is Samuel Richard, please send your messages to (lawattstimes.com) him at sam@.

Courtesy of LA Observed, Rebecca Schoenkopf has resigned as editor of LA City Beat. Take the link for details.

November 10, 2008 News

Thanks to Cary Baker for this info from the music industry tipsheet FMQB:

Harcourt Steps Down

KCRW/Santa Monica MD Nic Harcourt has resigned his posts as MD and Morning Becomes Eclectic host, effective November 30 Harcourt will pursue independent projects and continue to host a three-hour show on Sundays from 6-9 PM.

“I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to come to work every day and be surrounded by creative and passionate people and I want to keep the connection alive on my Sunday show,” says Harcourt. “Since I arrived here, I’ve fulfilled many of my dreams as a music lover, meeting and interviewing legends like Neil Young, Paul McCartney,Willie Nelson and Cat Stevens (Yusuf). I’ve also been able to set the stage for future stars, introducing artists like Coldplay, Damien Rice, Dido and Norah Jones on KCRW’s airwaves. I’m equally proud to have played many unsigned and independent artists and to be a champion for Latin Alternative music.

“As a parent of two young children, I believe it’s time for me to explore new career opportunities and expand upon my other activities in movie, television, voice over work, advertising and the Internet. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude go to KCRW, the staff and volunteers who have supported my work through the years, but most of all to the listeners. I’ve always said that I couldn’t do what I do without them and I hope they will join me on Sunday nights,” said Harcourt.

“Nic has enhanced KCRW’s reputation for introducing new artists to listeners in Southern California and beyond on radio and the Internet,” comments KCRW GM Ruth Seymour. His singular gifts as a radio deejay and his ability to spot new talent attracted major media attention from both national and international press. He made performing on MBE an opportunity to be heard by top entertainment executives. In quite a number of instances it led to record contracts, television appearances and club dates.”

Harcourt has served in his posts for 10-years, becoming synonymous with both KCRW and MBE, leaving big shoes to fill.

“Nic is a hard act to follow”, adds Seymour. “We are now in the process of choosing a new Music Director. We have been looking at potential candidates with an eye toward announcing a choice in the new few weeks.”

November 3, 2008 News

NOTHING BUT BAD NEWS

I've been on vacation for most of October, so this is a recap of (heartbreaking) news you've likely already heard. Best wishes and good thoughts go out to all who've lost their jobs, among them colleagues and friends we've all known for years.

LA TIMES LAYOFFS

This is from LA Observed, which is keeping an ongoing list of the 75 editorial staffers laid off last week. Names are below, titles/descriptions can be found by taking the link.

(AND MEANWHILE, THE EDITORIAL STAFF DIRECTORY PAGE AT LATIMES.COM IS MIA -- FILE NOT FOUND, AT LEAST WHEN I LAST CHECKED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.)

Carina Chocano
Maria Russo
Scott Timberg
Stephen Braun
Annie Wells
Veronique de Turenne
Mary Rourke
Lauren Beale
John Mitchell
Diane Wedner
Lynell George
Agustin Gurza
Valli Herman
Swati Pandey
Susan LaTempa
Mindy Farabee
Lonnie White
Lynn Smith
Francisco Vara-Orta
Erin Weinger
Thomas Bonk
Emili Vesilind
Karen Tapia-Anderson
Barbara Morrow
David Ng
Susan Brink
Denise Gellene
H.G. (Gil) Reza
Lea Lion
Con Keyes
Steve Springer


DAILY NEWS DEPARTURES

Again, check this link from LA Observed for details; here are the names of those laid off or otherwise gone (buyouts) at the Daily News:

Evan Henerson
Timothy Haddock
Barbara Correa
Mark Kellam


LA WEEKLY DEPARTURES

Thanks once more to LA Observed for this info; get details by clicking the link.

Marc Cooper
Sharan Street
David Caplan
Matthew Fleischer
Laura Steele
Pandora Young


CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR CEASES DAILY EDITIONS

Read this article for more, but basically, and I quote from the subhead:

In 2009, the Monitor will become the first nationally circulated newspaper to replace its daily print edition with its website; the 100 year-old news organization will also offer subscribers weekly print and daily e-mail editions.

MEANWHILE….

While all this was going on, some of these same publications announced some musical chairs moves.

From Cision:

The Daily News in Woodland Hills, Calif. has made some recent staff changes. John Miller has been named city editor. He previously oversaw night city coverage. Barbara Jones, former content editor, is now the special projects editor. Jason Kandel, previously a police and crime staff writer, is now news editor for the Web site. City hall reporter Kerry Cavanaugh, will become an editorial page writer at the end of October.

Nicholas Goldberg, is the new deputy editorial page editor overseeing the Opinion page for the Los Angeles Times while Sue Horton, has returned to her former role as the Sunday opinion editor. Goldberg previously served as the opinion editor and joined the paper in 2002. Horton most recently served as a deputy California editor for enterprise. Prior to that, she was the Sunday opinion editor for roughly three years.

The Los Angeles Times has promoted Alice Short to the title of assistant managing editor for features overseeing the health, food, home, travel and image section. She replaces Leo Wolinsky. Short previously served as the news features editor, beginning in March 2006. Before that, she was a calendar editor for the paper. She also served as an editor of the now defunct Los Angeles Times Magazine from 1997 to 2002.

Liane Roth has been upped to features editor of the Valley Life section at the Antelope Valley Press… She was previously a features reporter, but was named editor when Kim Rawley stepped back to take a teaching position. Rawley is now a features and lifestyle reporter and columnist for the daily.

October 13, 2008 News

POSITIVE NEWS ABOUT LA TIMES OCTOBER MAGAZINE

I really enjoyed David Steinberg's hilarious interview with Jon Stewart!

NEGATIVE NEWS ABOUT LAYOFFS AT KNX AND KFWB

This is from the Orange County Register:

CBS Radio delivered layoffs news to KFWB/980 AM and KNX/1070 AM, pink-slipping three anchors, several reporters and KFWB is also closing both its Orange County and Long Beach news bureaus.

Although CBS did not officially release the names of those who were laid off, other CBS sources confirmed the list included bureau chief Lori Kelman and Jennifer Bauman in the Orange County bureau and Sharon Katchen in the Long Beach bureau.

Bauman, reached at KOCE/50 in Huntington Beach where she freelances for "Real Orange," said, "I’m disappointed for me, but I am even more disappointed for the three million people who live in Orange County who lose our coverage." Kelman, reached at home Friday night, confirmed her exit and said "it's a sad day for everyone."

Katchen has been with KFWB since 1986 and worked in the Orange County bureau for several years before moving over to run the Long Beach bureau. "Everybody needs good luck right now," Katchen said, confirming that the Long Beach bureau is closing.

Others reportedly dismissed Friday at KFWB included anchors Larry Carroll and John Darin, reporters Lonnie Lardner, Dirk Morgan, Chris Sedens, Michael Forest, and Christine Villacorte.

Carroll, a prominent local TV news anchor on KABC/7 and KCBS/2, joined KFWB in 2001. Lardner was critically praised for her recent series on influential power players called "Head Shots."

A KNX spokesperson said Gerry Mulvaney, who works in creative services and did voiceovers for the station, was laid off, but he could not provide any other names. Other CBS sources not wanting to be identified listed Michael Linder, Vicky Cox and Laura Ornest among those laid off.

Cox, Katchen, Kelman and Bauman are all Orange County residents.

IN OTHER NEWS…

From writer Brenda Rees:

I'm leaving the fast-paced and hectic world of full-time freelancing to take on the position of public relations manager at Descanso Gardens. I'm excited to combine my writing and photography skills at such a great institution that's close to home. I may be able to squeeze in some freelancing on the side, so keep me on your lists!

September 29, 2008 News

NEW LA TIMES AM ASSIGNMENT EDITOR

Nita Lelyveld replaces Megan Garvey, who takes on a different job, as LA Times morning assignment editor. More details here.


RIP

Elmer Dills, veteran restaurant critic, died September 15 at age 82. According to the LA Times:

A public memorial service for Elmer Dills, the longtime restaurant and travel critic for KABC-TV and KABC-AM radio, will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 3 at All Saints Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena.

Chris Rubin, another food writer, died August 15 (way too young) at 49. This is from the Los Feliz Ledger.

Chris Rubin, Wine and Spirits columnist for the Los Feliz Ledger and writer for many local and national publications, died Aug. 15th in Los Angeles of complications of cancer. He was 49. Rubin had received a liver transplant in June 2006 after a diagnosis of a rare vascular cancer, epitheliod hemangioendothelioma. He wrote movingly of his close brush with death, his subsequent marriage, and his heightened appreciation of life in articles for the Ledger and the Los Angeles Times’ Opinion section. Rubin, a longtime Silver Lake resident, had written for magazines and newspapers including the Los Angeles Times, Daily Variety and Travel & Leisure. Born in Los Angeles, Rubin attended UC Berkeley, UCLA and UC Santa Cruz. He combined his passions for music, food, wine and travel in his articles, which also appeared in Rolling Stone and the L.A. Weekly. Most recently he served as Los Angeles editor for Gayot publications. He is survived by his wife, film writer-producer Deborah Calla; father Stanley; mother Kathleen; sister Angie and brothers John and Michael.

CHANGES AT PRESS ENTERPRISE

According to Cision's Navigator:

Patricia Mays recently accepted a buyout from The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, Calif. and left her post as the sports editor. Assistant managing editor David Ammenheuser is now the best contact for sports-related inquiries.

September 24, 2008 News

The LA Daily News has moved! New address:
21860 Burbank Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367


Congratulations to New Yorker Classical Music Critic Alex Ross for being honored with a MacArthur Genius Award! Read more about it here.


On the other side of the coin... check out this excellent column by the Baltimore Sun's Tim Smith on the Cleveland Plain Dealer's spineless decision to "cave into pressure from a faction representing the [Cleveland] orchestra" by prohibiting its veteran music critic Don Rosenberg from covering the symphony any more in favor of a different critic who, presumably, won't be as, well, critical.


Steve Harvey, another highly missed former LA Times writer, starts a blog.