The Pelican Press — 
— the weekly Sarasota newspaper that gave me my local start in column writing when the editors there began running my Reality Chick column back in 2006 — picked up four press association awards recently in statewide writing and editorial contests.
County reporter and all-round news hound Stan Zimmerman nabbed first place for an editorial he wrote in January 2009 criticizing Sarasota City commissioners for their decision to create a managed mooring field in Sarasota Bay — and we all know how well that decision went.
One of the judge’s raved about Zimmerman’s writing, describing it as “Hard-hitting editorial that takes on just about every power in town. Sure to make enemies but pulls no punches and urges specific action.”
I LOVE that! Sheesh. That’s high praise, and Zimmerman deserves it. He’s collected lots of awards prior to this, and has long been a favorite of mine.
JR Riley — the paper’s cartoonist — also won an award, as well as photographer Ric Miracle, and I think the paper won in an editorial content category, as well.
I MISS that paper! I loved writing for it — loved the readers (well, maybe not the ones who sent snail mail pictures of KKK activities or called my house to call me names). It was a great place to call home.
Kudos out to Stan Z., and the rest of the Pelican crew. Well done!
John W. Perkins
June 29, 2010 at 7:54 pmI agree that the award should go to Stan. He’s a friend of sailing. Ergo, a friend of mine.
To be honest, I have not read the Pelican Press since you were thrown to the wolves (read that, self-righteous demigods of antiquated morals and sophmoric conservative correctness that used their advertising dollars to dictate the Pelican’s policies in regards to column content).
Another thing, Obama is a major loser and I dare you to write in the old feisty style of your Realitychick column on that.
I, of course, will respond.
Daniel
June 29, 2010 at 8:05 pmMary, we need you back.
Believe me, your stories are far too valuable to keep tucked away in a blog.
Mary, with major corporations buying out every aspect of the media and can control the very content we rely on for information, where are we to go?
BP recently purchased every search item on the seond, most powerful search engine in the world – Google, and with newspapers folding left and right, where are we to go for our source? Mary, we need you and now!
You are the only journalsit I truly trust, because unlike the owners of Google, you cannot be bought!
Daniel
Daniel
June 29, 2010 at 9:04 pmSay John, tell ya what; the first Independant candidate which has an ounce of inteligence, has my vote. I am so sick of Republican this, or Democrat that….John, it’s either to vote for a third party member, or we have a revolution and completely thrown out this moronic Government and start anew. We’bve gone so far off course, it’s not the bit amusing anymore.
John W. Perkins
June 30, 2010 at 6:50 amDaniel, you’re spot on, mate.
Daniel
June 30, 2010 at 7:48 am*Sorry about the spelling errors, just really begining to get ticked off. And now, the campaign lies and regular mud-slinging has already begun….
John third party candidates my friend…all the way!
*Or, I say let’s start a revolution!
MC
June 30, 2010 at 12:13 pmJW — thanks for your post about Obama — okay, I’m going to try to rise to the challenge. Need to wrap my head around some things…..
Daniel — I’m going to delve into what you brought up about BP and media. Thanks.
Being held hostage in a Blue State
July 1, 2010 at 6:12 pmI too await your unvarnished opinion regarding the president