Midst winter’s stagnant chill, January and February crackle with activity—from national football championships (both college and pro) to Black History Month (in concurrence with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday) to Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day (back to back this year—Feb. 14th and 15th, respectively), to accelerated political campaigning (prelude to a transformative year of politics, culminating in a newly-elected mayor, governor, and president). But it begs a logistical question for our team: How does a 12-page bimonthly community newsletter approach this kind of diversity in topics? Answer: selectively and locally.
With finite space for articles, announcements, and advertisements, the final cut is seldom simple. Based in part on predetermined priorities, in part on strokes of serendipity, and in large part on availability of space, the decision-making process on what to include and not to include in any one issue is both formulaic and organic:
Priorities
- Neighborhood topics that affect and hopefully resonate with B-W residents.
- Local human interest stories (with deference given to reporter preference).
- Profiles on advertisers (starting with businesses within the B-W boundaries).
- Profiles on new businesses (located within or near the B-W boundaries).
- Activities by neighborhood business organizations: Beaumont Business Association (on Fremont) and Our N.E. 42nd Ave.
- Profiles on BWNA at-large Board members and officers (newest ones first).
Strokes of serendipity
- Announcements for the good of the neighborhood submitted by the BWNA Board.
- Event announcements submitted by B-W residents and local organizations.
- 150-word-or-less “Letter to the Board” editorials submitted by B-W residents.
- 300-word-or-less articles by B-W residents or local service organizations.
Triage for available space
Ads, BWNA Board announcements, ongoing features, and everything else, in that order.
Thus, within de facto limits in size and scope, our goal is to provide B-W residents with a potpourri of information and commentary reflective of the unique character of this neighborhood. So settle back, snuggle up, and enjoy the read. Happy 2016!