Jamie Libenstein's slow descent into hell began midway through her kindergarten year. That's when the little girl suffered her first epileptic seizure--which, sadly, was only a taste of the horror to come. Jamie's since been diagnosed as having one of the worst cases of epilepsy ever seen by medical science. She's endured "starvation diets," narcotic comas that have put her near death, and seemingly medieval surgical procedures. She's watched as her case has led to bitter arguments between some of the world's most gifted surgeons--and hastened the breakup of her parents' marriage. Still, she and her family have persevered, pushing past personal hardship to keep fighting for a cure. In the medical mystery "Jamie's World," former New Times Los Angeles staff writer Susan Goldsmith tells the story of a truly remarkable eleven-year-old girl.
Some alternative weekly publishers tell AJR they have cut back on ads from adult advertisers because raunchy ads scare away traditional advertisers. Others, like the Memphis Flyer, insist on tops for their advertisers' topless dancers. Alison Draper, publisher of the Dallas Observer, says she just wants to "clean up the book" to attract higher-end advertisers. Others are taking the same steps, breaking with a traditionally significant sector of alt-weekly advertising.
Douglas Havard was salutatorian, senior class president and co-captain of the football team at his high school. Only later did authorities discover he was also the criminal mastermind behind a slew of scams being pulled off by the rich kids of Dallas -- and a young man for whom thug-life role playing suddenly turned deadly serious. "Crazy White Mother" by Dallas Observer's Glenna Whitley looks at the now-fugitive Havard, who provided guns, drugs, fake IDs -- veritable "one-stop shopping for Dallas' spoiled rich kids."
In the conclusion of his year-end review of media events and trends, John Powers notes that "it's striking that two comparatively small chains should face the scrutiny of the same DOJ that notoriously gave Microsoft a cushy deal in its antitrust settlement, takes no steps against America's broadband monopolies, and does nothing to limit huge 'synergistic' empires like Fox, AOL Time Warner and Disney.
Inspired by Portland police who searched the garbage of a fellow officer for evidence of drug use, Willamette Week reporters Chris Lydgate and Nick Budnick dig through the smelly trash of Portland's top brass and report what they find. Their stunt didn't bother DA Mike Schrunk much, but Police Chief Mark Kroeker and Mayor Vera Katz go apoplectic and issue press releases denouncing the paper.
San Francisco Bay Guardian asks the question after reading L.A. Times coverage of the New Times-Village Voice antitrust investigation and speaking with former LA Weekly political columnist Marc Haefele. Haefele claims "the LA Weekly to a large extent is being edited under New York oversight" and now reports on "new dresses and rock bands" instead of "things like Governor Gray Davis and City Hall." LA Weekly Editor Laurie Ochoa insists that VVM corporate headquarters has maintained a hands-off approach to the paper's editorial content and has put "more resources into news coverage." Los Angeles Magazine's Kit Rachlis agrees there should be an investigation but says "I don't think it's too paranoid to say that (the Justice Dept. is) looking into the alternative press for political reasons."
The former AAN-member paper was acquired by eXit Capital Group, the for-profit subsidiary of an educational foundation that promotes career training in the hospitality and service industries. Roy Allen, executive director of Endeavor Foundation, tells the Portland Press Herald that when it reopens on Jan. 15, Casco Bay Weekly will be a community newspaper that focuses on "good news" and features contributions from writers representing area schools, businesses and nonprofit groups.
