Seattle, WA – September 5, 2002 – Knute “Skip” Berger, Editor-in-Chief of Seattle Weekly, today announced the appointment of Tim Appelo as Senior Arts Writer.

In this newly created position, Appelo, a former senior writer for Entertainment Weekly, will be joining the paper on September 30. His focus will be on local and national arts and culture. Appelo will be reporting to Culture Editor Mark D. Fefer, who will continue to be responsible for overseeing the Weekly’s arts coverage.

Appelo comes to the paper from Amazon.com, where he was editor for Bestsellers, Entertainment, Biography, History, and Art. His work has also appeared in The Nation, Los Angeles Times, Slate, TV Guide, New York Times, Washington Post, The Village Voice, People, Premiere, Rolling Stone, Details, Salon, and many other national publications and websites. From 1995-7, he was film critic of The (Portland) Oregonian. Appelo actually began his writing career at the Weekly where he was a staff writer from 1978-1985.

“I’m extremely pleased Tim is coming to the Weekly. He’s going to bolster our arts coverage and be a major voice, both here and nationally. I think teaming him with an editor of Mark Fefer’s caliber is a coup for the paper,” said Berger.

Says Appelo: “As the oldest surviving Amazon.com editor, I feel my work in the cybermart is done. I return to my first love, Seattle Weekly, with mixed emotions: exultation and jubilation.”

Appelo holds a degree in English and History from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. He currently resides in Seattle.

Fefer, a Harvard graduate, joined the Weekly in 1995. Previously he was a staff writer for Spy, Savvy, and Fortune. In Seattle, he’s covered everything from the Seattle Art Museum’s “Nazi” Matisse controversy to the cult of Kenny G. He lives in Seattle.

CONTACT: Knute “Skip” Berger (206)467-4395