The Vancouver Voice
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Vancouver Voice | |
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 March 2007 issue cover |
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| Type | Alternative monthly |
| Format | Tabloid |
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| Owner | James Walling |
| Publisher | Eagle Web Press |
| Editor | James Walling, Melissa Wolf |
| Founded | October 2006 |
| Language | English |
| Price | free |
| Headquarters | Vancouver, Washington |
| Circulation | 5,000 |
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| Website: www.vanvoice.com | |
The Vancouver Voice is a free monthly alternative newspaper in operation since October 2006 and serving Clark County and Southwest Washington in general, though with a focus on the area's largest city, Vancouver, Washington.
Contents |
[edit] History
In early 2006, The Vanguard, a previous two-year old alternative publication for Vancouver, folded[1]. Several of the staff and writers involved with The Vanguard then came together soon after its demise to continue the nascent tradition of an alternative periodical for the rapidly expanding population of Clark County[1]. Former television columnist and Willamette Week Screen Editor James Walling and Vanguard freelancer Steven Walling joined with soon-to-be director of advertising and distribution Eric Johnson and production manager Melissa Wolf to found The Vancouver Voice[1]. The Vancouver Voice was incorporated in Washington state and put out its first issue on October 3, 2006[2].
[edit] Content and Focus
The Voice features content in the vein of most traditional alternative weekly periodicals. Past cover stories have included conflicting development models in the the area (high density mixed use versus urban sprawl), the tenth anniversary of Vancouver School of Arts and Academics[1], local efforts surrounding the U.S. Conference of Mayors agreement to comply with the Kyoto Protocol, and the struggle of local independent bookstores to stay afloat in the face of big box store competition.
Notable distinctions in content and objective include a general lack of investigative stories, local or national news, and political reporting. "Straight" news is more the target of the daily newspaper The Columbian. There is also an absence of personal and classified advertising (which reflects the objection some residents of the generally more conservative community of voters have with ads for call girls found in other papers, see Clark County). Other regular features include...
- The Neighborhood Beats
A monthly breakdown of activities of interest in Clark County categorized by neighborhood e.g. Downtown, East, Northeast etc. This section serves a vital function to the paper, as one of its stated goals is to be a resource for SW Washington-specific information[2]. The larger community of nearby Portland, Oregon is humorously labeled as "Elsewhere".
- Green Spaces
An outdoor activities and gardening column with a lean towards green practices[2] written by Camas local Darla Rosser. Past topics have included composting, snowshoeing, the Christmas tree industry, and local volunteering opportunities.
- Ask Joe
An advice column for automotive/mechanical queries written by local automotive specialist Joe Bovee.
- Performance
A listing of local theatre and live music events by Steven Walling, as well as a review. Past reviews have featured Hot 'N Throbbing by Paula Vogel, The Seagull by Anton Chekhov, Eugene O'Neill and the area's Classical and Americana music offerings.
- TV
A television review column by Matt Lynch.
- Words
A literary review or interview with such notable authors as Jason Roberts (who is nominated for the National Book Award) and Mark Lynas. Past column contributors have included Jack V. Booch and Steffen Silvis (the Arts Editor for the Prague Post). Recently written by Kate Lebo.
- Film
A detailed listing of all available films in the area, as well as a significant film review. Written by D. K. Holm. For April fool's day 2007 Mr. Holm profiled the retirement of a fictitous iconic film director, "Thomas Bermudas" to Ridgefield, Washington.
- Visual Arts
A detailed gallery and show listing for all visual art resources in SW Washington.
- Other sections
There are also at least two traditonal op-eds in each issue, usually by Editor-in-Chief James Walling and former director of the Portland Civic Theatre Jack V. Booch. The paper also devotes sections to a dining guide, nightlife and letters to the editor. Syndicated in the Vancouver Voice are the comic Toothpaste for Dinner and Free Will Astrology by Rob Brezsny.
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Alternative voice wants to be heard", The Oregonian, Monday, December 4 2006.
- ^ a b c Vancouver Voice Myspace. Retrieved on April 8, 2007.
