The Vancouver Voice

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The Vancouver Voice

August 2007 cover, with a caricature of Vancouver mayor Royce Pollard
Type Alternative monthly
Format Tabloid
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
Website: www.vanvoice.com

The Vancouver Voice is the sole alternative newspaper 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. 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 Vanguard columnist and Willamette Week Screen Editor James 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.

In the summer of 2007, the publication became embroiled in some of the controversy surrounding the Camas, Washington mayoral race after publishing a vitriolic letter from one of its readers which attacked the character of candidate and former city councilwoman Liz Pike. Pike responded by sending a letter of complaint from her attorney to the paper and the writer of the letter (who is unaffiliated with the paper's staff).[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 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 local or national news and personal or classified advertising. "Straight" news is more the target of the daily newspaper The Columbian. Other key 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. The larger community of nearby Portland, Oregon is labeled as "Elsewhere".

Green Spaces

An outdoor activities and gardening column with a lean towards green practices written by Camas local Darla Rosser. Past topics have included composting, snowshoeing, the Christmas tree industry, and local volunteering opportunities.

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 fictitious 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 traditional 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

  1. ^ a b c "Alternative voice wants to be heard", The Oregonian, Monday, December 4 2006. 
  2. ^ Baker, Dean. "Hopefuls sling mud and money in spicy Camas mayoral race", The Columbian, Sunday, August 05, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-06. "Pike's former co-chair of the Camas Wine Art Music Festival, Amy Parent, also complained that Pike improperly took over management of the event. Parent wrote a scathing letter to The Vancouver Voice newspaper in Vancouver, criticizing Pike, calling her names and provoking a complaint from Pike's attorney." 

[edit] External links

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