Staff Reporter Nathan Dinsdale is a finalist in the Religion Newswriters Association contest for his profile of Fred Phelps, leader of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church. Dinsdale is one of 10 finalists in the Templeton Story division, which "honors the best single story or serialized story about religion, religious movements or religious figures and their effect on American life," according to the RNA Web site. Winners will be announced Sept. 9 at the RNA's annual conference.

Continue ReadingWriter for Santa Fe Reporter Is Finalist in Religion-Writing Contest

In the Flyer's April 14 issue, Chris Davis tweaked the Main Street Journal, a Memphis-based monthly magazine, for the cover of its April issue. Davis's item reads, in its entirety: "The locally produced Main Street Journal, a magazine devoted to all things conservative, appears to be reaching out to African Americans -- a demo the GOP has traditionally failed to attract. Although the most recent issue has little in the way of Afro-centric content, the cover does feature the image of a black man ... and a truckload of watermelons." The Journal posted a lengthy, literal-minded response on its Web site -- arguing, in part, that its covers were designed to capture "mainstreet America." The Journal also takes a shot at the Flyer, saying that the Memphis community "deserves more than what the Flyer offers: a steady diet of liberal commentary and local insult gossip seasoned with ads for gentlemen’s clubs, phone sex hotlines and casinos."

Continue ReadingTarget of Memphis Flyer’s Jab Lashes Out

Inspired by a colleague who asked what his neighborhood looked like, David Brickman began an ongoing series of photographs taken in Albany's Arbor Hill and West Hill. As described in the Times-Union, Brickman's works emphasize "radiant primary colors and architectural detail" on streets usually dominated by "vacancy, decay and struggle." Brickman is currently on leave from Metroland, and he will open his first solo exhibition in Manhattan in June, the Times-Union reports.

Continue ReadingMetroland Art Critic Creates Albany Streetscape Photos

The Westerly, R.I., town council has agreed to support local citizens in their bid to have the "adult" section of the Phoenix moved behind the reference desk at the Westerly Public Library, where it would be available only to adults who request it, the Westerly Sun reports. The Phoenix has been the subject of past complaints that resulted in its being relocated to a higher shelf behind the checkout desk. At the council meeting last week, "one councilor indicated that should the library refuse to cooperate, councilors could weigh withholding its funding," according to the Sun, but library officials indicated that they would not "act in the place of parents."

Continue ReadingLibrary Is Asked to Restrict Access to Providence Phoenix’s Adult Section