Archive for December, 2008
December 12th, 2008
I’ve always known that the Register Star’s long-running Empty Stocking Fund is an admirable holiday charity, giving toys and mittens/gloves to children in need in Winnebago County. I volunteer each year to unload the truck on the morning of the giveaway, handing boxes over bucket-brigade style into Hope Place’s gym.
I’m happy to report that we’ve met and exceeded our $40,000 goal thanks to readers and a thoughtful $5,000 donation from Associated Bank. The bank presented the check last night at its holiday party.
Thank you to everyone who donated, from families to people on bus trips to businesses.
SCOTT MORGAN | rrstar.com
Rockford Register Star General Manager Tom Lasley (from left) receives a donation from Associated Bank Vice President Robert King, Sr. Vice President Jon Schmidt and District Manager Angela Larson for the Register Star’s Empty Stocking Fund Thursday during Associated Bank’s holiday party at the bank on North Main in Rockford.
December 10th, 2008
We’re getting national attention regarding today’s front page, which is different than any other I’ve seen on Newseum’s site. We used a note handwritten by the governor on our 2002 endorsement and made it our lead image.
Here’s an excerpt from the first link above. Alan Mutter, former newspaper editor and blogger, said: “In publishing the autographed editorial, the newspaper not only captured the bitter irony of the governor’s downfall but also owned up to its modest role it putting Blago into office in the first place. This sort of transparency for a newspaper is as refreshing as it is rare. It’s also the sort of thing that lets a paper stand tall in a community, even when it took a position that it wishes it could take back.”
In 2006, we endorsed Rich Whitney, the Green Party candidate.
(Check out our special report for all you want on the Blago story.)
December 9th, 2008
Senior Editor Chuck Sweeny and Editorial Page Editor Wally Haas agreed to do a live chat today at noon on rrstar.com. The duo will answer your questions in real time. We’ll video broadcast the chat, too. It’s our first time trying this with free Web-based software. Come back to us at noon.
Click Here
December 9th, 2008
In this morning’s paper, we gave you a “friendly reminder”:
Our newspaper carriers (and others who deliver) have a tough time of it each winter when home- and business owners forget to shovel and salt. Help keep them safe by removing snow and ice — and by keeping the lights on for those dark morning hours. Thank you.         Â
Personally, I think shoveling is the right thing to do and the polite thing to do. Must be my Wisconsin upbringing. I’m tired of people saying that “my generation” is lazy and doesn’t do it. It’s everyone’s responsibility.
We were inspired to publish the editor’s note because of another note we received from the “wife of a very dedicated carrier.”
MY HUSBAND IS A CARRIER. HE LOVES IT. HOWEVER, HE IS 70 YEARS OLD AND DOES A GREAT JOB, AND HIS DOCTORS ALL THINK A GREAT FORM OF EXERCISE.
Â
LAST YEAR HE TOOK SEVERAL SEVERE FALLS AT CUSTOMER LOCATIONS. ONCE HE PUT OUT HIS BACK BECAUSE HE LANDED ON A LARGE CHUCK OF ICE AT A CUSTOMER’S HOUSE ON HIS SIDEWALK AT THE END OF HIS WALKWAY. HE WAS MISERABLE FOR WEEKS.
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LAST WINTER, HE HAD ABOUT 7 SERIOUS FALLS. I KNOW FOR A FACT HE WAS NOT ALONE.
Please keep carriers and school-bound children in mind when you clear your sidewalks. Thanks!
December 5th, 2008
This is what I wrote to the newsroom staff today:
I’ve been here for 14 years now, and I have to say “outstanding job!” to everyone who handled our annual Excalibur & Excelsior awards.
From our Nov. 30 tab to this week’s previews, from our special section online to our live coverage across all platforms, we’ve done an outstanding job showing the impact of good people and organizations in our community. It also demonstrates our power to do good when we recognize that work with these awards.
Thanks for great hustle and quotes by Corina Curry, Georgette Braun and Melissa Westphal; design work by Eloisa Oceguera; and Web work by Anna Voelker, Andy Brown, Jeniece Smith and the delivery desk.
If you haven’t seen the record-60 photos in our gallery by Scott Morgan and Eddy Montville, check them out.
And the video is coming soon from Chris Soprych.
If I forgot anyone, please forgive me.
Good work!
December 5th, 2008
One of our most frequent requests this time of year is “give me gift ideas that are local.”
Well, we did that once in our RW gift guide, but here are a few offers available through the Register Star and RW.
1. The “Rockford Memories II” hardcover book. This is a followup to last year’s hugely popular pictorial history (we had to do a second printing) from the 1800s through 1939, with photos this time from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s. Cost is $40.04 including tax or $45.77 including tax and shipping. Call 815-987-1400 to order. You also can add $5 to donate to Newspapers in Education. … If you’re out shopping, you can find the book at Walgreens, Borders, Canterbury Books, J.R. Kortman Center for Design and Midway Village. The first book is still available at the RRS and Borders.
2. The Dining Card. For $25, you can get “buy one meal, get one free” at 31 Rock River Valley Restaurants. Get started here. Or watch for ads in the newspaper. The value is over $150.
3. Gift subscription to Rockford Woman. Our glossy magazine by, for and about women can be sent to your friend or loved one for 6 times a year for $15, basically to cover the cost of mailing. Call 815-987-1400.
December 4th, 2008
On Friday and Saturday, Belvidere celebrates its annual Hometown Christmas.
If you’re downtown from 6 to 9 Friday night, stop by the Register Star Boone County Bureau, 521 S. State St., for cookies and the chance to win a basket from Annie’s Gifts and more.
You also can see a collage of photos of “Boone County Life” by freelancer Susan Moran, who does a wonderful job getting hundreds of faces in the Boone County Weekly each Thursday.
For more information overall, call 815-544-4357 or visit www.belviderechamber.com.
December 3rd, 2008
I’ve heard something like this before. Media companies outsourcing work to other countries. In Pasadena, Calif., an online newspaperless operation called Pasadena Now is using people in India to write things like Christmas tree lighting ceremonies in Pasadena. Boy, I just don’t dig that. Here’s what a New York Times columnist wrote about it. And one blogger’s perspective on this which has prompted lots of comments.
December 2nd, 2008
The Rockford Register Star is your daily newspaper, but you get our news, information and advertising from many other sources, including Web sites, magazines and other niche publications.
To recognize our portfolio of products that reach more than 200,000 adults in the Rock River Valley each week, we created Register Star Media as a brand and registerstarmedia.com as a way to learn more about it. Check it out.
December 1st, 2008
You’re used to finding your Wheels section in the Friday newspaper.
Starting today, you can find RockfordWheels.com at rrstar.com. This replaces cars.com, which we used for the last eight years.
If you’re shopping for a car — or just fantasizing about getting a new one — you can search from thousands of new and used vehicles. The site also will allow you to get dealer quotes, build comparisons and watch videos.
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