By Betsy Model, President-elect

WORKSHOP/FELLOWSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT:  SUPERFUND RESEARCH AND SCIENCE AND IMPACTS OF TOXIC CHEMICALS

Metcalf Institute and Brown University Superfund Research Program will offer a two-day Science Seminar for Journalists, March 31-April 1, 2010, on the Science and Impacts of Toxic Chemicals. With growing public awareness of toxic exposures in the air, water and ground around us, journalists must bridge the gap between science and public perception. But environmental toxicology information can be difficult to translate accurately, leaving news audiences confused and regulators and scientists frustrated. This seminar will feature leading environmental scientists and journalists, with participants visiting research labs and discussing case studies on the communication of bisphenol-A and air quality impacts. The seminar is tuition-free and includes lodging, but travel costs are not included and space is limited.  Working journalists from all media with at least five years of professional experience who are reporting in the U.S. may apply.

CONTACT: Fellowships Coordinator, Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting, URI Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI 02882; (401) 874-6211; Fax: (401) 874-6486; E-mail: fellowships@metcalfinstitute.org; Web Site: www.metcalfinstitute.org. DEADLINE: Postmarked by Feb. 8, 2010.

Andy Jones at the Rio Rancho Observer is still looking for a staff writer. This is good entry level job to gain experience doing real journalism, covering city hall, police and other local beats. Details are on our Jobs & Gigs page, here.

By Betsy Model, President-elect

Established in 2005 and considered one of the most prestigious awards given for environmental journalism, the Grantham Prize for Excellence in Reporting is celebrating its fifth year and calling for entries.

The Metcalf Institute at the University of Rhode Island is inviting all Society of Professional Journalists, New Mexico Chapter members who have created stories focused on the environment and natural resources and who have printed, broadcast or posted them in 2009 to apply.

The Grantham Prize for Excellence in Reporting on the Environment offers a $75,000 award annually in recognition of exemplary reporting on the environment.  Up to three additional entries will receive $5,000 Awards of Special Merit.  Entries must have been originally published, broadcast, or posted in the United States or Canada between January 1-December 31, 2009.

Entry deadlines: January 11, 2010 for books; February 1, 2010 for all other entries.

For more information go to www.granthamprize.org, or email info@granthamprize.org.

CONTACT: Sunshine Menezes, Prize Admin., Metcalf Institute, URI Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI 02882; (401) 874-6211; Fax: (401) 874-6486; E-mail: info@granthamprize.org; Web site: www.granthamprize.org.

By Betsy Model, President-elect

You know, a funny thing happens when a snappy journalist who’s good with words is asked to write their own bio!  Julie Ann Grimm stepped in and volunteered a month or so ago as our chapter’s interim Treasurer and now it’s official; Julie Ann was elected Treasurer in the recent state-wide election and we’re delighted that she’s decided to come on board – and to the board! – formally.  When asked to describe herself to the chapter, here’s what Julie Ann had to say:

Julie Ann Grimm covers local government for The Santa Fe New Mexican, where she has worked for nearly seven years. The St. Louis native is a 2001 University of Missouri graduate and worked for the Associated Press in Albuquerque for two years before joining the staff at the oldest family-owned newspaper in New Mexico (and run by a woman to boot!). She reached the summit of her first 14,000 foot peak this summer, and has hiked the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail. She is an avid reader, fireside chatter and letter-writer who also sings in her church choir. She shares her home with husband Michael and three no-longer-feral cats. She wears sensible shoes and loves walking on the Santa Fe streets (and their sidewalks).

By Betsy Model, President Elect

Diversity – in people, in media type and in New Mexico locale – is part of what the SPJ New Mexico chapter is striving for and we’re thrilled to not only welcome a new member but one from radio broadcasting.

A well-known voice in the greater Santa Fe market, Mary-Charlotte Domandi is producer and host of the Santa Fe Radio Cafe on NPR affiliate station KSFR 101.1 FM.  Mary-Charlotte’s program consists of in-depth, provocative interviews with leading subjects on politics, the environment, literature, art, science and the local Santa Fe scene, including a monthly segment with Bill Hutchison on animal welfare.  Mary-Charlotte holds degrees from Yale University and St. John’s College and, when not on the air with KSFR, is also a Latin music DJ, has interviewed numerous distinguished Latin musicians and has studied social and folkloric dance in Cuba.  More information about Mary-Charlotte’s programs and the Santa Fe Radio Café can be found online at www.santaferadiocafe.or.

By John Ensslin, Region 9 Director

Dear New Mexico SPJ members,

I’m happy to report that the first election of our newly revived New Mexico chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has been completed. Here are the results.

Betsy Model will be president of the new chapter.

David L. Brown is vice president for communications.

Julie Ann Grimm is treasurer.

Christina Durano is secretary.

All were elected to serve two-year terms.

The following people were elected to serve one-year terms on the board of directors:

Pilar Armstrong
Bill Diven
Gywneth Doland
Alysa Landry
Staci Matlock
Dan Vukelich

In addition, the board is pleased to announce that Joe Kolb, who  served as chair of the interim board, has agreed to accept a vacant seat on the new board. Joe offered to take on the challenge of Programs coordination.

The chapter’s bylaws also were approved.

The new board’s term begins on January 1 and the members will be sworn in by SPJ national President Kevin Smith during a reception on January 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Atrium of the Marriott Pyramid Hotel in Albuquerque.

I hope you will plan to attend this event. It will be your chance to meet the new board as well as members of SPJ’s national executive committee.

I also want to take a moment to thank the folks who served for the last six months on the interim board. They did a lot of work in a short span of time to help create this new chapter.

Thanks also to my Region 9 predecessor Deb Hurley for administering the election.

Here’s to a happy holiday season. I look forward to meeting all of you in person in Albuquerque on January 15.

By David L. Brown

As our new chapter comes to life, we now have an official logo, which was approved at the last board meeting. It was designed by yours truly in QuarkXPress, and is available in three versions: black-on-white, white-on-black, and yellow-on-black. I’m posting the yellow version here because it’s my favorite.

We are now looking into getting coffee cups made with the logo, or possibly ball caps. Let me know if you have any other ideas, or want to have a digital copy to display on your personal or business blog or web site.

Betsy Model has done it again, producing one of her trademark “Fifteen Minutes With…” interview features. This time the subject is Luther Wilson, director of the University of New Mexico Press. To read it, go to the “Features” section on the sidebar where you can browse all the features, or just click here to go straight to the interview with Luther.

The Rio Rancho Observer is looking for a staff writer to cover a range of beats including police, city hall, schools, etc. For details, see the new listing under our Jobs & Gigs section, here.