SPJ Fall 2007 Series: How to Survive and Thrive in the Age of the Internet

The Western Washington Pro Chapter of SPJ is reprising its successful continuing education series from last fall teaching journalists new skills in producing content for the web and using the web to aid in reporting.

Classes will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Monday from Oct. 15 through Dec. 10 (excluding Nov. 19 - Thanksgiving week). The first four classes will be held at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The final four classes will be held at The Seattle Times.

Classes are free for SPJ members, $10 for non-members, or free if you sign up for a discounted SPJ membership ($50 instead of $72 for the first year) the night of the class you attend. This is for new memberships only, not renewals. If you take advantage of the reduced new member rate, you will be asked to fill out an application and pay that night. So, please bring a checkbook or $50 cash. All checks payable to SPJ. Free pizza will be provided at each class. New members also will get a free gift.* If you are a member of SPJ, it would be helpful if you brought your SPJ member card or SPJ member number with you.

RSVPs are required. Please RSVP for each class you would like to attend as soon as possible to SPJ board member Kirsten Kendrick at kirsten_kendrick@hotmail.com. RSVPS will stop being accepted at noon on the day of each class. Also, classes that don't have at least 10 participants by the Friday before the scheduled Monday date will be cancelled, as a courtesy to our instructors who are graciously giving their time. If classes are cancelled, those who registered will be notified and the information will be posted on our Web site.

**To set reminders for the classes, check out SPJ's Google Calendar at SPJWash.**

SPJ Fall 2007 Series Schedule

Seattle P-I Third Floor Conference Room:

Oct. 15: Taking digital photos for the web
Instructor: Marcus Donner, photojournalist and former photo editor, King County Journal

Oct. 22: Photoshop for beginners (How to crop, size photos)
**Attendees asked to bring laptop preloaded with Photoshop. A trial version can be downloaded from www.Adobe.com.**
Instructor: Joseph de Leon, freelance graphic artist and journalist

Oct. 29: Tips and strategies for recording audio for the web
CHANGE OF LOCATION NOTE: The Mountaineers, Tahoma Room - 1st Floor, 300 Third Ave West, Seattle, WA 98119
Instructors: Kirsten Kendrick, Morning Edition host and reporter, KPLU Public Radio
Brian Calvert, news director and reporter, KOMO 1000 News Radio

Nov. 5: How to edit audio and create Soundslides (photo galleries with audio)
Instructor: Casey McNerthney, reporter, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The Seattle Times auditorium:

Nov. 12: How to shoot and edit video for the web
Instructor: Cory Tolbert Haik, senior producer, interactivity and projects, seattletimes.com

Nov. 19: THANKSGIVING WEEK. NO CLASS.

Nov. 26: Making the Web work for you: Web sites every reporter should know
**Attendees asked to bring laptop**
Instructors: Gene Balk, news researcher, Seattle Times
Alex Johnson, senior producer, MSNBC.com

Dec. 3: e-Investigations: Using the web to break news and find public records
Instructor: Cheryl Phillips, deputy investigative editor, Seattle Times

Despite the bad weather, tonight's Western Washington SPJ class will go on as scheduled.

We ask that if you have do have to cancel due to bad weather or other circumstances, please do so before noon today, if possible.

Pizza and bottled water will be provided for the class. It's free to SPJ members, $10 for non-members (exact change please), and free to those who wish to join SPJ Monday night for a reduced new member rate of $50 for the first year (usual rate is $72). You must bring a check for $50 made out to SPJ on Monday night and fill out the application form on site. This reduced rate is available to NEW members only. If you have been an SPJ member in the past, you're not eligible for the reduced rate, as per national SPJ rules .

Dec. 10: Blogging 101: How to start a blog/lessons learned by local bloggers
Instructors: Geoff Baker, sports blogger, Seattle Times
David Postman, chief political reporter/blogger, Seattle Times
Possible other bloggers TBD

*Every new member who signs up during the eight-week series will get a complimentary copy of the new book "Journalism 2.0: How to Survive and Thrive - A digital literacy guide for the information age." It is written by Mark Briggs, assistant managing editor for interactive at The News Tribune of Tacoma, who has graciously donated copies of his book for the series. If you are interested in purchasing additional copies of the book, contact Mark at Mark.Briggs@thenewstribune.com or (253) 597-8567.

Parking and Directions for Seattle Times Auditorium:
Street address:
1120 John Street
Seattle, WA 98109
206-464-2111

Enter at the main lobby at 1120 John Street. There is evening parking in the lot across from the main entrance and also limited street parking. When you enter the building, let the security guards know you're attending the SPJ training session. The auditorium entrance is just to the left of the security desk.

Traveling North:
Take Interstate 5 North to the Mercer Avenue exit (left-hand side of freeway) At end of exit ramp, turn left onto Fairview Avenue Turn right onto John Street (building is on right) Park in the visitor parking lot, on the left across from the main building entrance. There is also limited street parking.

Traveling South:
Take Interstate 5 South to the Mercer Avenue exit (right-hand side of freeway) At end of exit ramp, turn left onto Fairview Avenue Turn right onto John Street (building is on right) Park in the visitor parking lot, on the left across from the main building entrance. There is also limited street parking.

If you have any questions, please e-mail SPJ board member Kirsten Kendrick at kirsten_kendrick@hotmail.com.