The Times-Dispatch’s losses have been our gains

Paper Cuts

This is Boomer Life’s largest issue ever, 12 pages more than we’ve ever published before. A growing publication may seem an oddity during a recession — and unique in the Richmond area, where others have steadily lost size or even their existence.

So why us?

You can better say than I why you’re reading this magazine. I do think we have good stories, beautifully laid out. Second, we intentionally appeal to a demographic (baby boomers are 44 to 63 years old at the moment) that appeals to advertisers. And third — call me Mr. Obvious — we have a price that is very appealing, particularly in hard economic times. [Free is always a good price]

But let me add what may be equally obvious: We have the best-known (and, I think, best) group of writers around. You know them and like them — and have for a while.

Many came from the incredible shrinking Richmond Times-Dispatch, whether by retiring, being laid off or just having to get out of that place. At the beginning of summer, the Times-Dispatch’s executive editor, Glenn Proctor, announced that the newspaper was (finally!) adding back one columnist. 

The editor alluded to the public perception: “All of our columnists have not retired, left the paper or ended up working on television or writing for the local mature American magazine,” he wrote. That last description seemed a shot at us, likening Boomer Life to a seniors magazine, rather than one for boomers. [Or it could just be what passes for T-D humor these days]

Featured Columnists
He proceeded to list the paper’s four remaining featured columnists — Michael Paul Williams, Paul Woody, Melissa Ruggieri and Jeff Schapiro — plus some freelancers who write occasionally. All four are good — very good — but four is a feeble number. Here at Boomer Life, we have seven former featured columnists from the paper: Betty Booker, Steve Clark, Randy Fitzgerald, Jann Malone, Bill Millsaps, Dan Neman and me. (Technically, Randy was a freelancer before Proctor let him go, but Randy has a huge following, maybe the largest of the group, so I’m counting him.) Throw in radio man Bill Bevins, former TV anchor Lisa Schaffner and beauty consultant Susie Galvez — and we have 10 featured writers. That’s not even counting the three cartoonists, plus multiple writers, editors and artists from the paper.

We believe columnists are bridges to the community, all taking different approaches, and not hired guns to do the work of an editor. Proctor wrote of Michael Paul Williams: “His job is to grate on your nerves.” Let’s offer a counter view: Mike’s job — every columnist’s job — should be to write the very best column he or she can each time out, to converse with the readers, to share experiences, point out idiocies, exalt worthy projects or people, push an agenda, debunk an agenda, be a friend, even occasionally — OK, yes — grate on your nerves.

Listen to Readers
“We have listened to readers — again — and we are expanding our group of columnists,” Proctor wrote. [Sounds as if this listening-to-readers thing is getting to be a real pain] Of course, readers had been asking for that for years, as one columnist after another left. But changes are coming, Proctor wrote before practically begging. “So, I ask our devoted subscribers: Don’t give up on us.”

I, too, ask that readers not give up on the paper. As I’ve written before (“The Dying Dailies,” February/March), we need newspapers. Who else will keep government and big business even somewhat in line? No one else has the resources, or the will, to do the work papers traditionally have done. There are still talented and perceptive people at the Times-Dispatch. We need that newspaper.

In the meantime, we here appreciate the support you already are giving us. The magazine’s — and now our Internet site’s — boom [Whoa! … When did THAT happen??] come not by magic. They've come becuase of our publisher's clear vision and the hard work of a number of talented writers (many of whom are NOT from the paper), artists and salespeople.

But mostly because of you.

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You and Boomer Life [in case we were too serious above...]

True, in a technical sense, I suppose Boomer Life is probably not as important to your life as your spouse or your religion, perhaps not even as important as your children. [What????]

Still, it's not for nothing, you know, that this magazine is considered one of the five essential elements of life; food, water, clothing, shelter and Boomer Life.

So here are tips to strenghten your personal relationship with Boomer Life:

~ Got a letter? Email it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Got a note or a story idea? Email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Got a product pitch you're only pretending is a story idea? Email sales director, Craig Ross instead at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

~ Make sure you get a copy. Boomer Life is free. But to ensure you get one, subscribe. The form ison page 108 in the magazine or click here to order a subscription online. The magazine always runs out on the racks - and subscribing is dirt cheap. [Not literally. We're not going to take dirt. But it is inexpensive.]

~ Have a look around our website www.BoomerLifeMagazine.com and see the expanded version of the online magazine. Lots of cool stuff, including auiod, Dan Neman's movie reviews and terrific videos by Charles Fishburne [yes, the former TV anchor]. One accompanies Randy Fitzgerald's wonderful column on E. Bruce Heilman, another, the football roundtable (coming September 3).

~ Starting August 28 we launched Boomer Fridays - new topics, local happenings and great information every week delivered right to your email inbox. Just register for the site (see top right-hand column) and you'll be a part of Boomer Fridays!

You know, I'm beginning to suspect the Internet may be around for a while. I thought it was just a passing fad. But it's already outlasted the Pet Rock.

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In this issue
Former Times-Dispatch editorial cartoonist Gary Brookins joins Boomer Life, teaming up with Bob Gorrell, another former T-D editorial cartoonist, and with local cartoonist Brian Martin to launch a Boomer Life cartoon feature this issue: The Funny Page. We’re excited about their cartoons. This is going to be a great page.

We’re excited, too, about offering the first inside look at Richmond’s new performing arts center, CenterStage. Perhaps no one is better qualified to write about the once-troubled-and-now-anticipated center than Lorna Wyckoff, founder of two local arts-related publications, Style Weekly and 64. Another large venue is opening at the same time: the State Fair of Virginia, which is moving its tents to Caroline County. Read about the old days and the new in a story by our editorial assistant, Briana Easter.

Lorna also has a great Q&A with the hairdresser Garren, who talks about his days with the late Farrah Fawcett. Bill Bevins has a Q&A with local rocker Li’l Ronnie. And Bill Millsaps shares the story of football star Howard Stevens.

Dan Neman explains why movies of the 1970s really were better than today’s. David Menzies tells the story of Chevrolet’s new retro Camaro, which is the hope of post-bankruptcy General Motors — and star of the summer movie hit Transformers 2. Terri Jones has a very useful piece on how this may be the year you can negotiate one of those super Parade of Homes models for yourself. If not, Randy Hallman explains how you can take advantage of new home-related tax breaks.

And that’s not even close to all that’s in this issue.

But I do need to include the showcasing of the 1st Boomer Life Football Roundtable, which featured Bill Millsaps, Jim Ducibella and “Big Al” Coleman. Highlights and audio here at www.BoomerLifeMagazine.com. (Check back for the video when the contest starts September 3.).

Oh, and make sure you check out all our experts’ football predictions, too. We may have set the sport back 100 years.