Podnah’s, Rodney Muirhead’s barbecue at 14th and Prescot is finally going to open November 10th. Rodney is an expat of the original, much loved LOW BBQ, which was sold months ago. I’ve gotten lots of emails asking when the new joint was going to open. I’m glad he’s finally made it. One question looms large: will he be able to live up to the LOW reputation? time will tell. He’ll be open Tues-Sun 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Willamette Week set off a firestorm when they announced they are starting a new online feature, that’s not a blog (though they’ll be using the same blogging software that creates the content you are reading now), by which any would be writers out there can now submit stories directly into their website. For free. As in, we won’t pay you anything, but we’ll sell advertising!
But it ain’t a blog, dammit. It’s breaking news, cultural commentary, multimedia and other stuff done daily with the same attention to detail and rigor that you’re used to in the print WW. (Finally!)
And we’re inviting a handful of choice freelancers to have the option of posting on wweek.com too.
As it stands, it’s a no fee operation, it’s more a chance to have a larger audience view your writing and reporting on a more frequent basis. It’s also our way of covering topics that get short shrift in the print edition of WW. If the website starts attracting more ads and traffic then we may reevaluate the compensation question in the upcoming months.
As a person whose voice we already love and respect, we’d be excited to have you be part of our new daily WW. There’s no minimum time commitment or word length or anything. Just the promise that when WW gets you free tix to an amazing arts event, you consider posting a short live review later that night or the next morning.
It’s one thing to ask people to write for a blog… err site, that not for profit (such as PortlandFoodandDrink), but another thing entirely when you are a for profit corporation. The sad thing is, folks will take them up on it, WW will make money, and ‘try out’ new writers at no risk to their bottom line. Lynn over at Oregon Media Insiders broke the story, and the comments have been.. interesting. Now the Portland Mercury not-a-blog has picked it up further, and in Mercury blog tradition, the comments have been all over the place, including a tirade by Matthew Stadler – you may remember him as Gotham’s in-house writer. Good reading.
Kristi says
I remember that the second incarnation of Yaws was less than a success so I hope this one does better. Mmmm, fries with gravy, I can’t wait!
-s says
In regards to the WW “blog,” I think it’s a great opportunity to use it solely for self promotion. Every entry can be “I just posted about ____ on my blog.” If you want to have even more fun, use it as a forum to trash WW at every opportunity. If you’re not going to get paid at least have fun!
extramsg says
It will probably be moderated. I don’t think it’s any different than any multi-blog out there, like this one, if FD was to make some real cash off the site, or Slashfood, or a forum like Chowhound or eGullet, both of which make some money from their site. In college I worked for several publications I never got paid for. Hell, every paper out there has a letters to the editor section which is essentially free opinion writing. I don’t see why anyone would get their panties in a bind over it. No one has to submit for it.
Oooo, good thing Ken doesn’t read this site or I’d have to put up with a hissy fit tomorrow while preparing comida para dia de los muertos. LOW BBQ is NOT closed. It was purchased by Ken Gordon and is open every Tuesday night at Ken’s Place.
eb says
Are you sure about Tommy? I recently heard that he will rep for Mt Hood.
Mostly Running. says
Tommy working for Mt. Hood would be Like Jordan playing for a White Sox AAA affiliate.
foodrebel says
&0 seats restaurant in need of a redo:
My Guess is Gracie’s…or Three Degrees…
The compensation package sounds corporate enough to be attributed to a hotel.
Tommy Habetz:
Finally that someone got smart!
Eqipmentdude says
I can confirm that Mr. Habetz is indeed the new chef at Meriwhether’s. It came as sad news to me, although glad to see he has landed somewhere, the owners had no prior foodservice background and bought the old L’ baurge (sp) location after winning the lottery or something. They have gone through front of the house managers like water and Tommy is their 4th or 5th chef they have hired since opening (not counting the one they hired and fired before opening). I wish him well and maybe eating some of his wonderful food will wash the taste out of my mouth left after they opened.