By DAVID CARR Published: May 12, 2013

[The New York Times] A year after announcing a plan to reorganize The Times-Picayune of New Orleans into a more digitally focused enterprise that produced a newspaper just three days a week — enraging local residents — its owners have added a new innovation: they will go back to producing a printed product every day.

“We are excited about this opportunity to extend our daily reach in print,” an advertising executive at the newspaper said in the announcement.

You don’t say.

This daily newspaper thing may be catching on. Last week, The Philadelphia Inquirer announced that it would begin selling a Saturday edition on newsstands after a nearly two-year hiatus.

The much ballyhooed unmaking of daily newspapering seems to be unmaking itself, and there’s a reason for that. Most newspapers have hung onto the ancient practice of embedding prose on a page and throwing it in people’s yards because that’s where the money and the customers are for the time being.

The industry tried chasing clicks for a while to win back fleeing advertisers, decided it was a fool’s errand and is now turning to customers for revenue. But in order to charge people for news, you have to prosecute journalism.

The belief that historic monopolies will hold together just on the basis of inertia has proved to be wrong. Newspapers that have cut their operations beyond usefulness or quit delivering a daily print presence have suffered. The audience has to be earned every day.

Newspaper publishing will never return to the 30 percent plus margins it once had, but some people believe there is a business model. Warren E. Buffett thinks that a 10 percent return is reasonable, now that sale prices have sunk.

Clearly, commanding a market to change on a dime because it suits your business plan does not mean readers will obey. Just ask Advance Publications, owned by the Newhouse family, which is back to where it started in New Orleans with The Times-Picayune.

Except that the name Times-Picayune, which had stood for quality and civic constancy for decades, does not mean the same thing anymore. The vaunted Web site that was to be the lifeblood of the new enterprise remains a creaky mess, and the newsroom has been denuded of remarkably talented people.

Several of those people, including the two former managing editors of the newspapers, have gone to work for The Advocate, the Baton Rouge daily that has introduced a New Orleans edition. With a new, rich owner, it has taken aim at the market The Times-Picayune once owned.

Advance made its decisions up against some very dark trends in the business, but they were made with the dead-eyed arrogance of a monopolist in a much-changed world. Columbia Journalism Review described The Times-Picayune’s strategy of the last year as a “rolling disaster.”

It’s been a jaw-dropping blunder to watch. Advance misjudged the marketplace — the whole city and state went ballistic when the changes were announced — and failed to execute a modern digital strategy. Now it is in full retreat with new competition.

The company endlessly complicated what had been a simple proposition that has worked since the newspaper’s founding in 1837: deliver a printed bundle of its best efforts every day for a fixed price. The new distribution plan is hard to explain, but I will do my best.

On Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, a broadsheet called The Times-Picayune will be available for home delivery and on the newsstands for 75 cents. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, a tabloid called TPStreet will be available only on newsstands for 75 cents.

In addition, a special electronic edition of TPStreet will be available to the three-day subscribers of the home-delivered newspaper. On Saturdays, there will be early print editions of the Sunday Times-Picayune with some breaking news and some Sunday content.

There’s more, but you get the idea — or not. It’s an array of products, frequencies and approaches that is difficult to explain, much less market.

The move was clearly defensive, unveiled the day before John Georges, the new owner of The Advocate, announced that it would expand its incursion into New Orleans. Since early fall, The Advocate has been publishing The New Orleans Advocate, with 20,000 subscribers.

Mr. Georges, a successful businessman who had less success running for governor of Louisiana and mayor of New Orleans, held a news conference on May 1 where he was accompanied by the governor, Bobby Jindal, and the mayor of New Orleans, Mitch Landrieu. It was an indication that the home team had chosen sides and the once-beloved Times-Picayune was on the wrong side of the field.

Continuing reading more here: [The New York Times]

With the season finally turning from the harsh frigid temperatures of winter to glorious spring as someone once said “Men’s thoughts turn to fancy”. Spring, what a wonderful time.  The grass begins it’s transition from brown to green.  Trees begin to leave and the juleps’ and spring flowers begin to bloom.  And more importantly you can hear the call of the bird I call the hacker.  ‘FORE’.  Yes it’s almost here duffers, Golf season is ready to commence.

Lets just say I love the game of golf right up front. It’s a game of gentlemen who can play well past their prime.  A game where you can enjoy the early morning dew and fog and the smell of a great cigar all at the same time. I love the smell of a manicured fairway the pines and my old golf shoes in the morning. It really is man and nature bonded in a struggle of mind, physical ability and a club. What could be better?  I begin reading the golf articles a little closer looking for that new technological development that will cut a few strokes off my game without my improving my swing, stand, grip or putting ability. That magic bullet that will finally allow me to consistently break 80. Or what about that new driver. Straighter, longer, more control and what swing speed. And the new balls, mind bending. Why didn’t they think of this last season. A ball that goes further without being hit any better. A ball that sniffs out the fairway first and the cup last.

But the truth is the more things change in the golf equipment aisle the more my game stays the same.  A few years ago I bought the latest and greatest driver on the shelf. And later picked up that magic wedge. Alas my game did not improve one stroke. Do I care? No.  Golf ties back to that caveman instinct of the fun of the hunt. Each game we all hunt that one stroke. The one with the perfect sound when the club strikes the ball.  The perfect arc of the ball soaring into the sky.  The elusive thump as it lands on the fairway or green and of course that perfect putt that makes the popping sound as the ball slowly rolls into the cup. The one stroke that says we are coming back for more.

Golf is actually more mental than physical. So every year my game suffers a little physically but my game improves mentally.  By the time I reach the 19th hole I have had a great day on the course.  By the time I reach home I am thinking I should have turned pro.  On my refrigerator I have two magnets that sum it all up. One says “I golf therefore I swear”. The other says “I Golf therefore I drink”.  Have a great season to you all and see you on the turn.

They say it’s good to step out of your comfort zone. Try new things, see what happens and what you could learn from an experience.

Well, two weeks ago, I stepped out of my comfort zone. Well, I jumped out of it.

I was preparing for a trip – to see family in Ukraine, actually – and thought it was the perfect time for a back wax. Yep, that’s right – a back wax.

Why did I get one? And what did I get out of it? I’ll get to that.

LAYERS OF RICHMOND

Searching for an ideal place for such an undertaking, I discovered Layers Professional Hair Salon, near Regency Square at the corner of the North Parham and Quioccasin roads in Richmond.

Looking at their website, I knew I was in the right place.

Owner Derrick Diggs, a master stylist and licensed hairstylist for 20 years, opened Layers in 2000 envisioning a “happy, productive and successful environment for employees and customers alike.”

Stepping foot inside the salon, I knew this vision had come to fruition.

Not only was the place classy – and truly classy, not just having the appearance of it – it was an enjoyable, relaxing atmosphere for everyone. Reminiscent of a spa of sorts.

Waiting for me at the counter was Janice Knightly, who would be performing … the wax. A petite, spritely soul, Janice joined layers in 2000 and, with over 20 years of experience as a licensed stylist, she specializes in current hairstyles and trends, color, waxing and short haircuts. She also has extensive training in Schwarzkopf color.

And that’s exactly what I’m talking about: everyone there (and I mean every Layers employee) is as experienced as Janice. It’s impressive.

And you know what the best thing about this is? The price for their services is none too steep but, rather, quite affordable.

THE WAX BENEFITS

Just before the wax, I spoke with Janice about the benefits of men getting a wax.

She said, first of all (and I’ve learned most importantly) that the ladies love when their men get their back waxed. Sure, in America, we may see it as kind of feminine or even superfluous in nature. Like only models and Hollywood actors and swimmers get waxes. Well, that’s not the case. She told me that, more often than not, ladies see it as a pretty masculine thing.

It is for them and not the men.

Janice brought it to my attention that even the men feel better after a wax. Not only is having a rug on your back hot in the summer, a lot of back hair is just too distracting – and not in the good way. I know it’s disgusting, an eyesore.

Well … I took care of that.

And I’m glad I did.

Over the course of about 30 minutes, Janice waxed my back. Now, don’t get me wrong, my back doesn’t resemble a gorilla’s. But, still, the hair needed to go. It would be hot, I would be swimming some … and I certainly didn’t want to offend anyone.

It wasn’t painful – well, not too painful. Not real pain. Only sharp pulls that only pained for a few seconds, if that long. Nothing that big, strong men couldn’t handle. Janice told me she feels like most men don’t get back waxes because they are actually (secretly) afraid of the pain.

More men should do this. Maybe it could kind of show their wife or spouse or partner that they’re taking the extra step to seem more attractive, even sexy for them.

I was visiting the city Cherkasy, just a few hours south of the country’s capital city, Kiev – a beautiful, very large city. Just last year, the city hosted all of Europe for the Euro 2012. (It’s soccer for us, football for them.)

In the meantime, you may want to give Layers a call. Tell them you read the blog and would like to know more about their services. You will be surprised at how friendly and helpful and appreciative they are. Here’s the number: 804. 282. 8172. Their website, with info of their services, employees, etc., location at 1565 North Parham Road, and even bios on their all of their staff, can be found at http://layershairsalon.com

RICHMOND – First designed by Thomas Jefferson to resemble a Roman temple, the Virginia State Capitol marked the beginning of the American tradition of modeling government buildings on Roman and Greek temples.

Apparently, it was good enough for Spielberg to shoot Lincoln.

Our State Capitol is among the buildings surveyed in 10 BUILDINGS THAT CHANGED AMERICA, a cross-country journey to 10 influential works of American architecture that changed the way we live, work and play.

It premiering Sun., May 12, 10:00 p.m. on WCVE PBS.

Written and produced by Dan Protess and hosted by Geoffrey Baer, the program was shot on location and features rare archival images, distinctive animation, and interviews with some of the nation’s most insightful historians and architects, including Frank Gehry and Robert Venturi.

Other buildings include the glorious Trinity Church, designed as “an envelope” for the voice of Rector Phillips Brooks (best known today as the writer of “O Little Town of Bethlehem”), and the Highland Park Ford Plant, designed by Jewish architect Albert Kahn, whose partnership with Henry Ford flourished despite Ford’s anti-Semitic writings.

“You may not have heard of all of these ten buildings, but their influence is all around you,” says Baer. “There’s a good chance that these revolutionary works of architecture inspired your local city hall or library, the mall where you shop, the office building or factory where you work, and maybe even your own house,” he added.

10 BUILDINGS THAT CHANGED AMERICA is a cross-country journey that takes viewers inside these groundbreaking works of art and engineering and reveals the shocking, funny, and even sad stories of how these buildings came to be.

About The Community Idea Stations

The Community Idea Stations provides public TV and public radio for Central Virginia, reaching 300,000 people per week of every age, demographic and economic circumstance. By providing the best of PBS and NPR programming and coupling that with a strong set of local, community-based programs and services, the Community Idea Stations makes an important impact in the areas of arts, news, history, science and education.

Contact: Lanny Fields, lfields@ideastations.org, 804-560-8226

If you are a avid reader of my blogs you know I try to give credit where its do and I place blame where it is deserved.  And you know that I also am a very proud parent of three children, the youngest just turned 1 this past week.  So, I would like to talk about something that I believe that a lot of people like me see but never think about.  

 
This week my young daughter went to the Pediatrician for her one year shots.  Which include the Mumps, Measles and Rubella or the MMR shot.  We were never told of risk factors for instance that this shot can cause high fever and even seizures.  So of course, early evening the day of the vaccinations my 1 year old was in a full blow Complex Febrile Seizure. After a mad dash to the local ER we were transported to our Regional Children Hospital Trauma Center at Hershey Pa.  I can honestly say it was the most surreal scary time of my life.  I have faced many things but not the total helplessness of this kind of situation.  I can tell you the staff and Doctors were great and I have learned that although this type of seizure is extremely scary for all it is is mostly harmless to the child.  And I am happy to report that baby is back home resting and Mom and Dad are scheduling their own full blown nervous breakdown.  So a word of advice to all parents and grandparents.  Before your Doctor gives your child or you any injection find out all the risks regardless of how remote. But that is not the real story here.

 
The Hershey Children’s Hospital is a supporter and recipient of the Ronald McDonald House program.  Now I have seen the little boxes at the McDonalds restaurants but I never gave it much thought and I can shamefully say I don’t think I ever threw any money in unless it was a few pennies from the change I received I didn’t want jangling around in my pocket. However that is about to change.

 
During our overnight stay at the Hospital I learned that all our drinks, coffee, soda, water etc was provided my McDonalds.  We were given snacks foods and even brand new toys including a stuffed rainbow teddy bear that my daughter loved right off a rolling cart and a great homemade blueberry muffin for Dad and Mom.  All Free. Never a request for donations or any annoying literature.  If needed there was available a Apartment Building right next to the hospital with a fully furnished apartment with anything needed for long stay while your child is being treated. Again, all free. During my walks around the halls I saw children all under 10 (guessing here) some in long term care, some with cancer playing Nintendo’s , Wii and play stations on really cool roll in carts all provided by the Ronald McDonald Foundation.  Folks and ‘Family Guest Representatives’ were constantly asking for our needs to make us all feel as comfortable as they could.  All in all it really was an eye opening experience.

 
I believe that charity should begin at home.  Both for our Country and our families.  Many times we go through our daily grind and see things like the Ronald McDonald signs asking for donations and most of the time we look the other way and move along our rutted path of life.  Now I am not saying you should give all your money to everyone asking but maybe,as I learned, look around sometimes and see the forest beyond the trees.  Earlier I said I felt ashamed because I only gave a few pennies that would have been a nuisance.  But now I learned that even those few cents make a difference.  I think that is the lesson I have learned.  It doesn’t have to be a great effort even those little ones we hardly think about make a difference to someone somewhere.  So the next time you visit McDonalds and you see a ridiculous looking sign or can asking for your change to support the Ronald McDonald House in your local area.  I can tell you  from experience that even a few pennies makes a difference helping sick kids and their devastated families.

 
And one final note.  If you have kids or grandkids that are due any immunizations, please do a little research before giving your Doctor ‘Carte’ Blanc’.

The Squirrels return to The Diamond Thursday – two days from today – with their second Fireworks display. 

On Friday, the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld will make an appearance at the day’s game, which is also a canned food drive.

Turn back your clocks on Saturday with “50’s Night and Fireworks” presented by HCA Virginia.

Kid’s 14 and under who are a part of our FREE kids club will eat free on Sunday and receive a free Slap Watch.

On Monday, we continue with the deals: every hot dog you enjoy will only cost $1; plus, bring in your McDonald’s receipt and you can buy one ticket, while geting another one free!

Tuesday we go big when we bring Martin Truex, Jr. and Michael Waltrip for a special Richmond International Raceway Night. These two drivers will have a special eat, meet and greet for $35 – which include a two hour all-you-can-eat buffet and a Diamond Club ticket.

We end the home stand on Wednesday with an Education Day game starting at 10:35 AM. This is the great excuse to skip work and enjoy some baseball!

For more information on Squirrels players, the team’s season schedule or up-and-coming games events, visit www.squirrelsbaseball.com. 

The Martin Agency’s Mike Hughes finds grace and humor in his last days

– BY BARBAR FITZGERALD –

Mike Hughes, president of The Martin Agency, Richmond’s advertising powerhouse, was told this past December at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York that he had two weeks to live. As an old newspaperman (for The Richmond News Leader and the Times-Dispatch) and free-lance copywriter, Hughes has been recording his thoughts on life and death in a remarkable and widely read last-days blog: unfinishedthinking.com.

Try a few new things this spring

Say this spring you’re invited to an evening cock-tail party. Would you know what to wear?

No worries – neither would we. That is why we spoke with Kevin Reardon, co-owner of Richmond-based Franco’s Fine Clothier. With a 20-year career in the clothing industry, his specialty is fitting and dressing men.

This time he dressed Ken Wayland, owner of the local business Free Agents Marketing in Richmond. The look: “dressy-casual” attire. 

– COMPILED BY DANIEL JONES – 

– PHOTOGRAPHS BY MATT STANTON – 

Items supplied by Franco’s: Cotton flat-front casual slacks ($145, Hickey Freeman); silk-wool linen blend coat ($1,295, Hickey Freeman); pocket square ($65, Carrot & Gibbs); necktie ($140, Robert Talbott). 

– BY BILL OGLESBY – 

TRIVIA: What movie that opened just last month at Richmond’s Willow Lawn Theater will go on to run for a record 86 weeks (more than a year and a half!) at the theater? (Answer at end of article.)

Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas has interrupted a vacation to speak at the Boys Club of Richmond. Unitas says he thinks Joe Namath could be a rising star in pro football if his knee holds up. Namath is expected to play for the New York Jets this fall after graduating last year from the University of Alabama, where he suffered a serious knee injury.

Movies in Richmond … Sean Connery appearing as Agent 007 James Bond in Goldfinger at the Westover Theater on Forest Hill Avenue. Connery is also starring in Operation Snafu at the National and Capitol theaters. Or there’s Anthony Quinn as Zorba the Greek, winner of three Academy Awards, showing at the Westhampton Theater on Grove Avenue. 

The Early Bird communications satellite recently launched from Cape Kennedy may have even greater potential than many people realized. Rhode Island Sen. John Pastore says the Early Bird may be the first link in what would become a global satellite network as soon as two years from now, in 1967. Pastore says Early Bird may be the most valuable man-made instrument of good will and understanding in the history of the world. 

The Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad is offering a round-trip special to D.C.’s National Theater to see the touring company of How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The train leaves Broad Street Station, and the whole round-trip package costs $12.95. 

TRIVIA ANSWER: The Sound of Music

Bill Oglesby was inspired to create “Where Were You?” for Richmond radio in the 1990s by a Southern California show he had listened to while in graduate school. You can read more of “Where Were You?” on Facebook by joining the group, “Where Were You on B-103.7.”