There was no explanation to TheUnion.com readers from The Union’s publisher to justify the rates — or the little keys. Instead there was a “free” column by this same fellow justifying Mark Meckler’s right to carry a gun at LaGuardia Airport — where an unlicensed handgun is against the law. It is titled “When Big Brother Calls the Shots.”

So let me get this straight: The Union is betting its future on a reputation for being labeled “The Tea Party Gazette” editorially — as well as charging $10.50 a month for content that is free elsewhere. This is a strategy for the past — not the future.

Here’s the reality: In our county, voter demographics are “purple.” (Example: We likely will have two politically left-leaning supervisors by year-end — Terry Lamphier in Grass Valley and Richard Anderson in Truckee, as well as a moderate GOPer, Nate Beason, re-elected in District 1). We also are being forced to change our economic development mindset: Industries that all of us, including newspapers, used to rely on (construction, real estate, auto dealers, logging and so on) are in decline.

On top of this, for free news, we have Yubanet, KVMR, KNCO, blogs, Facebook and more. People routinely get their news and information in these places first. Social media is exploding, with Facebook poised for a record IPO in May on a $100 billion valuation. A lot of people don’t want to go back to print newspapers, either; they just pile up in the laundry room.

IMPACT ON MARKETERS AND TOURISM TOO

Marketers who want to attract visitors (and locals) to our area ought to bone up on The Union’s new “paywall” strategy too. One example: I did a Google search for “Montoliva Winery Best of Class in SF.” But I got a message on The Union article: “To continue reading this article, a web site subscription is required.“

Right under that, however — on the same Google search — is an article titled “Foothill wineries fare well in S.F. Chronicle Wine Competition” on SierraCulture.com. I clicked on it, and it offered the same information — plus a real quote from the winemaker and more detail — with no “paywall.” It also ran a week earlier. Nowadays more and more people — locals and visitors alike — search for information just like this — via Google, not portals.

Here’s a rundown of the rates at The Union and elsewhere in the Swift chain.

The Union
$11.95 — “All Access”
$10.50 — “Unlimited Web pass”

“Stay connected with important local news and events – get immediate access to incomparable, award-winning journalism and keep up with happenings in and around Grass Valley with a The Union subscription.”

Roseberg, Ore. NR Today —
$11.95 — “All Access”
$7.95 — “Unlimited Web pass”

Carson City, Nev. Appeal rates:
$11.45 — “All Access”
$6.95 — “Unlimited Web pass”

Greeley, Colo. Tribune
$13.58 – “All Access”
$8.95 – “Unlimited Web pass”

Here is a list of the other Swift publications.

A link to The Union’s “2011 Media Kit” is here.

A link to The Union’s “2012 Media Kit is here: 2012 rate card-6

I found a room at the Sheraton for $99 on Priceline, we brought our dog (a benefit of Starwood Hotels), we watched the end of the NFL football game at DeVere’s Irish Pub and ate at The Porch, which exemplifies the new era of downtown dining (though Frank Fats is still open). Woke up at sunrise on the 17th floor, a change of pace

We walked our dog on the grounds of the Capital and visited with some locals. Young professionals were all around.

Downtown Sacramento is revitalized and enjoyable. Dine Downtown is going on, providing discounted dinners at participating restaurants. We’re going to visit the Crocker Art Museum and Railroad Museum before heading back up the hill.

The Bethel AME Church Choir will return to the Miner’s Foundry, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City for the noon King holiday concert, a KVMR tradition since 1983.



“These gospel concerts have become an important and enduring part of our community, year after year,” says KVMR Program Director Steve Baker. “They bring together diverse elements of our region into pure celebration of the King legacy and African-American musical heritage.”



The concert — with the theme “Serving Community: Honoring The Dream” –will also be broadcast live on KVMR (89.5 FM) and streamed live on the station’s website, kvmr.org, with a rebroadcast at 6 p.m. Monday.

Doors for the 12 p.m. event — free to the public — open at 11:15 a.m.

Station officials say recent concerts have regularly drawn standing room only crowds at the Foundry.






What: KVMR and the Miner’s Foundry present a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Gospel Concert featuring the Bethel AME Church Choir of Marysville



When: Monday, January 16 at 12 p.m. (doors open 11:15 a.m.)



Where: Miner’s Foundry, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City



Cost: Free



Also: Broadcast live on KVMR 89.5 FM & streamed live at kvmr.org, and concert will be rebroadcast

On Tuesday The Union erects a “pay wall” (joining others in its Nevada-based chain) though a special trial login will be offered to provide free access at least until February 15, according to its website — if you sign up for it.

“Beginning January 17, some articles on TheUnion.com will only be available to members. But we want all of our Facebook friends to continue to enjoy everything on the TheUnion.com website, including premium articles. In case any of our Facebook friends don’t have An All Access account of their own, here’s a special trial login for you to use and share.”

A similar promotion is offered on TheUnion.com: “Remember, there’s no cost until the trial ends. You can wait until February 15th to decide whether to continue with your online All Access.”

It will be interesting to see how many of TheUnion.com readers wind up paying for an online subscription to the newspaper. The goal is to get some incremental sales — but more important — retain print subscribers with a “value added” “free” online subscription.

There’s lots of “free” competition for community news now: From YubaNet, KNCO, KVMR, NCTV, Facebook, blogs, the Bee, the Nevada City Advocate, Sac News & Review and so on. Many are professional, paid journalists, just like at The Union. And some are print publications.

MyNevadaCounty.com has a free local crime map. The government websites (Grass Valley, Nevada City and Truckee) provide agendas and packets for free online. The Swift-owned Sierra Sun in Truckee also is going to remain free. In fact, the internet is changing how we commuicate — for free!

Some background and further analysis is here.

(Photo credit: Peter Van Zant on Facebook)

One big reason we support the Wild & Scenic Festival: It provides a real economic boost to our area (AKA “cul de sac”) in January, drawing some 4,000 people from all over, to shop, dine, spend the night — and enjoy the films. Last year, I met couples from Southern California and the Bay Area while volunteering to sell wine-walk tickets with my wife.

Here’s a scoop for this year: Advance ticket sales for the films already are running well ahead of last year. Some events are being held in Grass Valley for the first time.

Last night, I went to a get-together for the festival at Roger Hicks’ home. It was past my bedtime, but he doesn’t live too far away. It was an upbeat crowd. This weekend we’re looking forward to the films — and the children’s Salmon Parade.

One reason for all this joy is a successful signature-gathering campaign to help keep Yuba River State Park open. It is a nonpartisan effort, with leaders including SYRCL and “electeds” such as Hank Weston.

I’m betting the park will remain open, with a modest charge — about $5, for example — to park there. It’s a result of a community-wide effort, including the petitions. Stay tuned for the positive outcome.

Meanwhile, three locals — Shawn Garvey, Mike Mooers and Robert X. Trent — agreed to shave their heads at Bel Capelli in Nevada City to celebrate 8,000 signatures to save Yuba River and Malakoff Diggins State Parks. It was dubbed “S(h) ave our Yuba State Parks.”

Here are some photos from David Louvre, who is photographing the festival. They’re posted all over Facebook. Carolyn Crane’s blog report is here. Robert Bergman also was part of the group — just requiring a trim.

“Representatives of the Association of Bay Area Governments and Metropolitan Transportation Commission held the meeting at Santa Rosa’s Finley Community Center to discuss what the region could look like in 2040 and to get input on transportation, housing and other land uses.

“A vocal group of about 20 tea party activists interrupted the speakers and audience with charges that the government can’t be trusted.

“‘A woman pushed a sign that read ‘protect property rights’ close to Santa Rosa Councilman Gary Wysocky, who was in audience.

‘“Get out of my face,’ Wysocky said.

‘“Get out of my council,’ she said.

The rest of the article is here.