Words from Webster - Cat out of the bag 

We will redefine how small newspapers across the country look at delivering their news in the future.

That's right, a live streaming broadcast from Main Street in Etna every week as we bring you our weekly edition of our newspaper - complete with the cast of characters we call the Pioneer Press.

And, yes, that cast, includes you.

Because if Washington, Sacramento and Salem want to have an inside look into what the locals think where The Dams are coming out, they can tune in to hear you. Because, of course, there is a live Expressions section every week from Main Street in Etna.

That's why we will be presenting this before a live audience.

Leave the details to how we're going to do it to those much more knowledgeable than I, just know that we, as a community, are going to have blast presenting this every week.

The advertisements on this broadcast will be coming from my personal invitation. There will be approximately 10 spots.

Those 10 debuting advertisers will also have a presence in our print edition and our new Siskiyou Monthly Real Estate and Local Insight Magazine.

On the live broadcast we will be heavily promoting the Magazine and encouraging people to send us a text message or email with and name and address to send them a complimentary copy of this month's edition.

Now, I've got your attention.

Imagine this week's edition of the Pioneer Press presented to you live.

First and most patently obvious is naming Roy Hall Jr. as the 2009 Pioneer Press Person of the year. You will have read it in Tuesday's local mail.

And that evening, you can meet him live and hear him tell stories as you get to know him. Indeed, I must tell you, it is a treat.

News Editor Phil Hayworth will present to you this week's news.

And if, lo and behold, included in the news are pictures of the dudes who got the bear, then for crying out loud, Phil will have the dudes bring in their bear pictures, tell us about the hunt and, of course, bring the dogs to introduce them as well.

We will have special guests and occasionally offer exceptional music.

There will be moments when we will have to record in tears for history's sake as we chronicle our week. Other weeks will find our community bursting with absolute joy.

I grew up falling out of my seat laughing as I watched Kathy Hurlimann perform live. She is, to this day, as brilliantly funny as she was then, maybe more so as she's experienced more of the world's ups and downs.

We'll scan the audience at the start of the show and see who's there that night, and invite our columnists to come up and visit. We will go to the sheriff - and hopefully his schedule permitting he will come to us - to get a report each week. And I would guess now and then the good Etna Top Cop himself, Chief Josh Short, will poke his head in the theater and give us a lo down on the criminal happenings in Etna.

Our schools will have the opportunity to send our way seven elementary children per week to be introduced and what they were honored for at school, and give the up-to-the -minute weather report for the upcoming week.

As I said, yes, an Expressions section.

If you want to publicly thank someone, share a thought or make sure that your voice is heard on an issue, the camera is yours.

And the Avery Theater is an incredible place for this all to come together. So many warm memories of our community have been experienced inside these walls.

I would imagine, A Man from Snowy River, was the greatest success that building ever saw.
The Scott Valley Theater Company has looked after our theater and given her back her glory. It will be a thrill and honor to show her off every week.