Lakeland Local
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Goodbye Ledger Online, Hello
Posted: 29 May 2008 06:25 AM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/300474771/goodbye-ledger-online-hello.html
TheLedger.com is getting a new design today according to Managing Editor/Digital Barry Friedman.
Yes, it was just a mere 8 months and 25 days ago that TheLedger.com 3.0 debuted. Friedman received 77 reader comments on that redesign. I'm betting he gets fewer this time. Readers are getting used to design changes affecting their daily news perusal.
What will the new design look like? I'm glad you asked. If you've read the News Chief online lately you've already seen the Ledger's new design. You can also see it at the Gainesville, Ocala, Wilmington (NC), Santa Rosa (CA), Houma (LA), and Thibadoux (LA) online sites.
Yes, the Ledger's parent company, the New York Times, wants to have similar online sites for all the papers it owns. Well, except for the New York Times. With their teaser paragraph heavy front page, the New York Times readers must expect something more than a lot of lonely headlines.
However, headlines are what you're going to get with the new Ledger site. The page is bursting with headlines. Headlines for local news, features, sports, and AP news. Headlines for forum posts, columns, reporter blog posts, and national news.
One or two important stories rate teaser paragraphs. The rest of the page is chock-full of headlines the Ledger hopes will lure readers inside.
Why?
According to a Standford-Poynter project, it's because you multi-task:
In contrast, online readers are catching up with their news between answering e-mail, conversing with colleagues, or answering phone calls. The need for quicker access to information is much more prevalent online.
In addition to headlines, video will literally be the centerpiece of the new site. For good reason: younger readers want it.
“We’re talking about a generation that doesn’t just like seeing the video in addition to the story — they expect it,” said Danny Shea, 23, the associate media editor for The Huffington Post (huffingtonpost.com). “And they’ll find it elsewhere if you don’t give it to them, and then that’s the link that’s going to be passed around over e-mail and instant message.” -- New York Times
Why cater to younger readers? Advertising. We old folks aren't buying enough dead tree editions of the paper, nor is anyone placing enough classified advertisements. So, The Ledger, and other newspapers, are tweaking online until they can re-capture their audience. Well, at least a piece of it.
I admit I'm one of those old folks, and I'm also leaving behind the paper version of the Ledger. Every morning before breakfast I buy a copy of the Ledger at a paper box. Soon I'll join the young crowd and go all digital. Coincidently, I just purchased a huge monitor that lets me see the entire Ledger front page in one glance. I'm sure that's how I'll probably read it -- with a glance over the headlines and a click or five to read some stories within.
I think the Ledger's headline writers are going to become the paper's new stars.
Update 09:20 - Speaking of headline writers, there was an "oops" on the front of this morning's paper edition of the Ledger. "Ledger.Com Unveils New Format Today" was the headline on the top right pug, but unfortunately "ledger.com" is the URL for the Patriot Ledger in Quincy, MA. I prefer lakelandledger.com for our hometown paper.
Lakeland Local
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USF's Polytechnic Campus Announces Major Gift
Posted: 28 May 2008 04:51 PM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/300107923/usfs-polytechnic-campus-announ.html
(Standard disclaimer: My wife works at USF. She likes the USF Polytechnic idea. I'd rather it was a Liberal Arts college. However, I believe strongly that this area can support a locally managed university in the USF network. See today's editorial in the Ledger. The following is a press release from Thomas Hagerty at USF.)
Lakeland Local
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A Conspiracy of Stupidity
Posted: 25 May 2008 10:27 PM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/298082008/a-conspiracy-of-stupidity.html
Sometime in the last couple of days someone placed a couch on the shore at Lake Morton. Actually, it had to be more than one person. That couch is too big for one to carry.
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Terrace Hotel
Posted: 25 May 2008 08:50 AM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/297737246/terrace-hotel.html
It's hard to believe that for two decades the hotel sat crumbling and neglected, a symbol of Lakeland's dying downtown. Today the Terrace is proof of city leaders' success in bringing back this quaint downtown.
That's a quote from a short article in today's Miami Herald. It seems a spur-of-the-moment trip to the Terrace turned out well.
Yep, that's right. A hotel in little ol' Lakeland turned out to be a surprisingly luxurious weekend getaway.
Lakeland Local
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Housekeeping
Posted: 24 May 2008 07:44 AM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/297185277/housekeeping-1.html
For a couple of reasons, it has been a very light week at Lakeland Local. That trend will continue through the holiday weekend.
I thought this was a good opportunity to remind readers there are ways to get Lakeland Local other than reading it here.
Get daily updates in your email
Get new articles as they appear in your feed reader
Scan this site on your phone
If you use Twitter, you can get periodic updates
I was informed that the City fixed their filter and Lakeland Local is no longer blocked. On the off chance you work for an organization that blocks news sites, you can try reading this site at Vox.
Lakeland Local
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Lakeland Crime Map
Posted: 22 May 2008 11:23 PM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/296290321/lakeland-crime-map.html
It's Friday and time for crime. Catch the small map at Lakeland Crime or
Full Size LakelandLocal.com Crime Map 05/12 to 05/18 2008
47 This week's stats:
06 Business Burglary
00 Business Robbery
01 Gang Grafitti
01 Personal Robbery
19 Residential Burglary
00 Residential Robbery
00 Attempted Stolen Vehicle
03 Recovered Stolen Vehicle
05 Stolen Vehicle
12 Vehicle Burglary
Lakeland Local
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Lakeland Flying Tigers
Posted: 20 May 2008 10:41 PM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/294734584/lakeland-flying-tigers-1.html
I have a nice camera, but that doesn't make me a photographer. On the other hand, I bet Thomas Hagerty could take interesting photographs even with a pinhole camera. I don't know what he used to take his photos of the Lakeland Flying Tigers, but I can tell you they're good. You can find the best here.
Lakeland Local
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Journalistic Bias
Posted: 19 May 2008 05:45 AM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/293379736/journalistic-bias.html
opinion
I believe all reporters have a bias on the stories they cover. The same is true for the newspaper where they work. It's a little more difficult to discern bias in a good newspaper, but it is there if you pay attention.
There was an article in yesterday's Ledger. At first blush, it would appear to be news since it covered the CSX Project. It was actually the Ledger creating the news by polling some of those who had worked in the issue.
The "some" is more important than the fact the Ledger created news with the poll. Of course, the Ledger will claim they wanted to poll only the most vocal critics and proponents. That choice makes evident a bias. There were others in the process who were behind-the-scenes, but helped sway the project both pro and con. The Ledger wouldn't have had trouble identifying those important but more moderate players.
Newspapers often take these kind of polls to gauge reactions among players or the public. However, reporters make lousy pollsters. Evidently, as lousy as some reporters believe do politicians.
I'm not sure who created the poll questions, Rousos, his Editor, or some combination of staff, but what greater bias could they have announced than with with the twelfth question:
Q. Lakeland, fearing its downtown would be divided in two by freight trains, screamed murder at the commuter-rail plan. Did that win the city any friends?
Seriously, "screamed murder?" I failed to note any person in Lakeland ever quoted as "screaming murder" in regard to the project. A few seconds, and a lack of an agenda, could rewrite the question:
Q. Lakeland residents mounted the only resident coordinated campaign against the project. How has that colored your opinion of the city or the group, if at all?
I don't have the time this morning to respond to the poll, to ask why others against the project weren't polled, or to call the questions further into question. I am sure we all could suggest additional questions -- with and without bias -- the Ledger could have asked. That might be a good project for later this week. What would you have asked those players?
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10 Cent Coffee
Posted: 19 May 2008 05:39 AM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/293379737/10-cent-coffee.html
If you missed last week's profile of Mitchell Harvey, you don't know that today you can get special 10 cent cups of coffee at either Mitchell's Coffee House location. Or both. They're that close together on Kentucky Avenue. All day there will be additional special desserts and activities to celebrate Mitchell's tenth anniversary.
Lakeland Local
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Lakeland Crime Week of May 11, 2008
Posted: 16 May 2008 06:21 PM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/291937549/lakeland-crime-may-11-08.html
It's crime time again. Below are the complete crime stats for May 5 to May 11. You have a choice between the small crime map and the Full Size Crime Map 05/05 to 05/11 2008
51 This week's stats:
08 Business Burglary
02 Business Robbery
03 Gang Grafitti
01 Personal Robbery
17 Residential Burglary
00 Residential Robbery
00 Attempted Stolen Vehicle
01 Recovered Stolen Vehicle
00 Stolen Vehicle
09 Vehicle Burglary
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Lake Hollingsworth Drive - Do You Stop?
Posted: 16 May 2008 10:11 AM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/291661461/lake-hollingsworth-drive-crossing.html
When traffic control signals are not in place or in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. FS 316.130 (7 - partial)
The law is Florida Statute 316.130 Pedestrian obedience to traffic control devices and traffic regulations.. The crossing is one of many on Lake Hollingsworth Drive. Do you stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk? For that matter, do you obey the 30mph speed limit?
I'll accept anonymous comments for this post.
Lakeland Local
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Senator Dockery Writes FDCA Secretary Pelham
Posted: 15 May 2008 05:33 PM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/291221160/senator-dockery-writes-pelham.html
Today, Senator Paula Dockery wrote Florida Department of Community Affairs Thomas Pelham to urge the DCA to "conduct an exhaustive evaluation of the potential impacts of the project, without being subjected to pressure from those trying to hurry the process along."
I've included the full text of the letter below. I left in the DCA address in case you want to write your own letter.
Lakeland Local
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Bobby Allison & The Lake Mirror Classic
Posted: 14 May 2008 07:29 PM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/290528946/bobby-allison-lake-mirror-auto.html
Bobby Allison will be the 2008 Honorary Chairman of the Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival according to the festival organizers (pdf).
The event is October 17-19, 2008 and includes the traditional car show, an outdoor concert, and a banquet honoring Allison. Over 500 cars and more than 35,000 are expected at the festival this year.
For more information see the Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival Web site.
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Mitchell's Coffee House 10th Anniversary
Posted: 13 May 2008 04:28 PM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/289698954/mitchells-coffee-house.html
You don't operate a successful coffee shop for 10 years without being a people person. That doesn't mean glad-handing customers as they come in the door. It means being genuinely happy to see the people who frequent your shop.
That's Mitchell "Mitch" Harvey.
“Genuine” is also the best descriptor of the co-proprietor of Mitchell's Coffee House. Spend a few minutes asking Harvey questions and you'll have a good idea of what he believes. He won't strike you as someone who concerns himself with projecting an image, pushing talking points, or impressing others.
This morning I sat down with Harvey to talk about the 10th anniversary of his downtown Lakeland business. The overwhelming thought I had at the end of the talk was that Mitchell's is a family. Not because Harvey and his wife Michelle own and operate the shop, or that some employees have been there for years. Harvey clearly looks at his customers as part of his extended family. As he discussed the trials and tribulations of owning an independent coffee house in a corporate and franchise world, Harvey never seemed as upbeat as when he discussed his customers.
“It's fun watching our youngest customers grow up. Now they're coming in with their kids, “ Harvey said. “The biggest reward is being involved with the customers.”
Harvey laughs when those who aren't familiar with him ask for the manager. He said their usual response is they thought he'd be much older. Turning 41 and looking years younger, Harvey started the business to have a place where he could work with his wife and raise a family. They now have two young sons and customers often ask how the boys are doing.
Harvey relates that some believe the retail coffee business is just brew and pour. He'll casually mention some 14-15 hour days, but is far more animated when talking about the days he can be home by 3 pm or have the opportunity to chaperon his son's field trips.
In addition to the freedom he and his wife enjoy by not being tied to the 9-5 world, Harvey said he enjoys the variety of the job, “Every day is full of unexpected things. No day is the same. Rarely do days blend in to the next.”
Not that Harvey knew what to expect 10 years ago, “I started a business with no knowledge in that field.” He spoke of a year of learning and planning before opening the shop. He remembered working with the Small Business Administration, finding a bookkeeper to set up the financial records, developing the drink and food menu, and consulting with a friend who knew the retail coffee field. Even with all that preparation, “The first day you open the door, you're shaking.” Harvey remembered.
While the vast majority of businesses fail in their first year, Mitchell's moved from their first 15-seat location to their large shop after a mere two years. At their four-year mark they opened another successful location -- on the same street less than a mile away.
Harvey talked about the steady growth the shop has achieved. He doesn't try to give the impression it was always smooth. They tried breakfast three times before it caught on. Then there was a flavored coffee machine that sold drinks like gangbusters for two weeks before upkeep overcame benefit. Or the time he tried adding ice cream. He mentioned that might have been the innovation that worked least, but he wouldn't rule out trying it again. “The market changes all the time.”
Opening day jitters aside, Harvey obviously now knows the local market and the coffee business. He's clearly proud they make all their own desserts and food. He does business with the philosophy of staying as local and as personal as possible when dealing with suppliers. He'll stays close to home to deal with suppliers from Lakeland, Orlando, or Tampa. He's had the same coffee roaster for eight years. He also prefers businesses where he can deal with individuals face to face rather than those who answer to a large corporate hierarchy. He succinctly stated, “I like business the small town way.”
Stand in Mitchell's for a few minutes and watch the easy interaction customers have with staff and each other. It definitely looks like small town is the best way to operate.
Mitchell's Coffee House is celebrating their 10th anniversary on Monday May 19th. Both locations will sell special cups of regular coffee at 10 cents per cup. That is until hyped up downtown workers run the coffee shops dry.
Photos above of Marcy, Mitch, and Amanda above by Chuck Welch.
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Mayfaire 2008: A Video Report
Posted: 12 May 2008 06:44 AM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/288605640/mayfaire-2008-a-video-report.html
Darby, of DarbySea fame, took a stroll around Mayfaire and filed this video report.
