The Westerner for June 6, 2011
Meeting: chair, Mike Ryan; music, Jerome; grace, Don McDermid
Attendance/Guests: 37 including Jamie Ostercamp, aid to Shane Lafond; Steven P. Eleniak, Rotary Club of Edmonton Northeast; Kate Dunseith and Wayne Malouin, guest of Rob Dunseith; Kathy Hauser, guest of Kasey; Steven Sandor, guest speaker
Gift Cards: purchase from Kasey
Change Over Meeting: evening, June 27, bring guests
Finemaster: Mike Ryan fined everyone that attended last week; if not wearing Rotary pin; if not wearing name badge; if not going to Grandview on June 8; directors who did not attend Sherry's first board meeting; anyone not bringing guests to Rotary meetings
Happy Bucks: Laurie lost her long term friend Jake, a Golden Retriever that she called her Rotary puppy since she often took him to Grandview (3-4 times per week). The residents welcomed him and gave him treats. She asked that everyone who has ever lost a pet to donate $2 which would go to PolioPlus.
50/50: Jerome and Steven Eleniak did not match cards
Guest Speaker: Doug Sollows introduced Steve Sandor, recently appointed editor of Avenue Magazine. Doug appreciates this magazine. Steve has experience in editing various media, is currently colour commentator for FC Edmonton (soccer) and was involved in Edmonton Oilers public relations.
Steven's first topic was how media is used and how this has changed over the last 15 years. Media was newspapers or TV. The internet has made a great change - instantaneous news or personal messages.
City Magazines are bucking the trend, in many cities. Why? Newspapers are no longer connected to the local scene, internet shows nothing local for news - there is a need for a local controlled print media to give local news and local events. The magazines also focus on longer range topics that do not go out of favour in a hurry - there is staying power. Internet - very short stories with no context. You do not get both sides of the story. Thus local magazines gain trust through using local writers on local features.
Second topic - as a magazine editor, how has Edmonton changed? Steven was in Toronto for 5 years. On return, he noticed growth in the city, especially to the south plus there is a new Edmonton happening - a massive arts city which means people stay here. The tech sector helps start up companies become established.
Best selling books now are set in Edmonton or Sherwood Park - this leaves a calling card for the city. Edmonton is showing parallel changes to Austin, Texas, which started 20 years ago to become known as a university/arts city. There is a need to balance the traditional scene and the new scene. Edmonton can diversify into an interesteing place to live with new industries. Another change is the focus on looking into a solid centre for the city - Art Gallery of Alberta, new Provincial Museum, great community spirit.
Steve was thanked by Ben Doz.