| April 14, 2006 Editor’s Desk by Aaron Selbig, insurgent49 It’s been an award-winning week here at Insurgent Headquarters.  Last Friday night,
the Alaska Press Club
held its annual awards banquet at the 4th Avenue Theatre. At a table
way, way in the back of the
room, I sat with Deirdre Helfferich, publisher of the Ester Republic, and her
husband, Hans. The sole representatives of the truly alternative press in Alaska,
we felt a bit like disobedient children, relegated to the kiddie table
while the ‘adults’ basked in the glow of their
accomplishments.And then a funny thing happened. Insurgent49 won three awards. Our Art Director, Heywood Wilkinson, took first place for ‘Best Illustration’ (for his December newspaper cover of an angry Ted Stevens in a Santa suit). I got the ‘bronze’ (third place) for ‘Best Editorial Writing’. And the best was saved for last when “Red Alert” columnist Soren Wuerth took the Suzan Nightingale McKay first place award for ‘Best Columnist’. Not bad for an organization that’s barely a year old, eh? It’s a little like Sri Lanka winning two Gold medals and a Bronze in the Winter Olympics. And, to complete the coup, the Ester Republic won an award for ‘Best Editorial Cartoon’. It was quite a night for independent media in Alaska. Needless to say, we immediately began celebrating. The next night, Insurgent49 got to play host to some of the best news people in the state when the Press Club weekend wrapped up with an “after party” at Insurgent Headquarters downtown. Pulitzer Prize winner Nigel Jaquis of the Willamette Week in Portland, the keynote speaker at the awards banquet, was here. Katie Pesznecker of the Anchorage Daily News, who put the whole weekend together, partied with us and was among the last to leave. The editors of the Homer Tribune and the Bristol Bay Times hung out with us. Even Robert Meyerowitz of the Anchorage Press, who called me a “jackass” in an email a few months ago, showed up at the party, olive branch extended (I think). And we all drank some beer and had a real good time. On Monday morning, however, I couldn’t help but think that all of those folks were returning to their comfortable, salaried positions in their bustling newsrooms. For Deirdre Helfferich and the ragtag band of insurgents who make i49 happen, however, it was back to the endless struggle that is running an independent newspaper. Long hours, low (or no) pay and working several different jobs at the same time (publisher, editor, writer, ad rep, web guru, etc.) was what we had to look forward to. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. At least we don’t have the McClatchy Corporation breathing down our necks. Before we get back to work, though, I’d like to take one more moment to recognize the accomplishments of Heywood Wilkinson and Soren Wuerth. Here’s what the judges said about them: Nicole Brodeur, a columnist with the Seattle Times, says that Soren possesses a “very strong voice”. She goes on: “Informative columns, smartly written with passion and with confidence. The words and thoughts move quickly, engaging the reader and taking him/her to a soft, smarter landing”. The judge who gave Heywood a first place award for ‘Best Illustration’ was Rick Nease, a graphic artist at the Detroit Free Press. He said, “A good alternative publication should entertain while it makes its point and this illustration does that. Nicely drawn with more than a bit of attitude, this piece makes for an eye-grabbing presentation”. Well done, fellas. You done us proud. Oh yeah, one more thing, in case you’re wondering what the judges said about my editorial writing: “Stretches the definition of an editorial almost to breaking”. Heyyyyy!! |
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April 7, 2006 March 31, 2006 March 24, 2006 March 17, 2006 March 3, 2006 February 24, 2006 February 17, 2006 February 10, 2006 February 3, 2006 January 27, 2006 January 20, 2006 January 13, 2006 January 6, 2006 December 30, 2005 December 23, 2005 December 16, 2005 December 10, 2005 December 2, 2005 November 25, 2005 November 18, 2005 November 11, 2005 November 4, 2005 October 28, 2005 October 21, 2005 October 14, 2005 October 7, 2005 September 30, 2005 September 23, 2005 September 16, 2005 September 9, 2005 September 2, 2005 August 26, 2005 August 19, 2005 August 12, 2005 August 5, 2005 July 29, 2005 July 22, 2005 July 15, 2005 July 8, 2005 July 1, 2005 June 24, 2005 June 17, 2005 June 10, 2005 June 3, 2005 May 27, 2005 May 20, 2005 May 13, 2005 May 6, 2005 April 28, 2005 April 21, 2005 April 14, 2005 April 7, 2005 April 1, 2005 |
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| Copyright 2005
Insurgent Media.
All rights reserved. in-sur-gent (in sur'jent), n. 1. a member of a group which revolts against the policies of its leadership. |
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