Hurry! Sign up now: Only 11 seats left! A free workshop for journalists providing an overview of the Google tools journalists can use in newsgathering, 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. SPJ Trainer Mike Reilley comes to Phoenix for this training thanks to a grant from the Google News Initiative. The grant enables SPJ to pay the travel expense for the trainer. Sign up today — seating is limited to 40 participants. Mike will cover:
–5 p.m. to 5:55 p.m.: Google basics, Google Trends, Google Reverse Image Search and verification tools, Google Scholar. Fun with Google AutoDraw.com and what else is coming in AI with Google Lens.
–6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.: Deep Dive Google MyMaps. Data scraping with Google Sheets, scraping .PDFs with Tabula. Google Public Data Explorer.
–7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. (optional): Google Earth Pro, Earth Engine Timelapse tool, Google Street View.
Click here for more info and to register.
AAJA-Arizona’s Spelling Bee for Adults, Oct. 23
(From the Asian-American Journalists Association of Arizona:)
So you think you can spell? AAJA-Arizona invites you to compete for the honor of supreme speller in the 2018 Spelling Bee for Adults, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at Changing Hands Bookstore, 300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Entry for spellers is $10. Shoot an email to aajaaz@gmail.com to sign up.
Non-competitors are welcome to come and watch all the letter-reciting action. Happy hour-priced drinks will be available at the store’s First Draft Book Bar. AAJA is also selling raffle tickets ($5 a pop) for prizes including gift cards to Fox Restaurant Concepts, Snoh Ice Shavery, Genuine Concepts, Great Wall Cuisine, and the grand prize: a one-night stay at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale.
Admission is a suggested donation of $10. Proceeds benefit scholarships for the Asian American Journalists Association of Arizona. Details, RSVP here.
An Evening with Norah O’Donnell of “CBS This Morning,” Oct. 23
(From Barrett, the Honors College, at Arizona State University):
Barrett, the Honors College, at Arizona State University is hosting a signature event, the Flinn Foundation Centennial Lecture, on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Norah O’Donnell, CBS This Morning anchor/co-host, is the featured speaker. The event is free and open to the public. You are welcome to attend and bring guests. Please share this invitation with your colleagues and anyone else who may be interested.
Information is below and here is a link to the ticket registration page: https://centennial2018.eventbrite.com
The Academics and Economics of School Choice: A Parent-Led Discussion, Oct. 18
(From the Huffington Post and Arizona Republic):
“The Academics and Economics of School Choice: A Parent-Led Discussion
“Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Add to Calendar
“Tempe Center for the Arts, Lakeside Room, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85281 View Map
RSVP on Eventbrite here. Admission is free.
“Please join HuffPost and The Arizona Republic for a conversation about school choice. The event will take place at the Tempe Center for the Arts in the Lakeside Room. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the event will begin at 7 p.m. It will last approximately 90 minutes, including an audience Q&A. This conversation will be hosted by two Phoenix parents, Claudia Lopez and Angelina Dominguez, and will feature the following panelists: Lawrence Robinson, president of the Arizona School Boards Association; state Rep. Paul Boyer, charter school teacher and chairman of the House Education Committee; and Sharon Kirsch, co-chair of Save Our Schools Arizona.
“The event is part of HuffPost’s “Listen to America” RV tour — a two-week journey through five Western states to talk about issues affecting communities in California, Nevada, Idaho, Arizona and Colorado. Learn more about the tour and what’s happening on the route.”
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Free training: Covering and Protecting Your Elections, Oct. 11
Get the tools to detect misinformation, protect yourself and your data online, and connect with voters and help them get the full story — from training provided free by SPJ and the Google News Initiative!
WHEN: 1 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11
WHERE: Room 544, Beus Center for Law and Society, Arizona State University Downtown Campus, 111 E. Taylor St., Phoenix
WHO: Trainers are Mike Reilley, visiting professor in data journalism and digital journalism at the University of Illinois-Chicago (and former faculty member at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication) and consults with national media organizations on digital innovation. Dan Petty is director of audience development for Digital First Media. He develops and implements strategies to help grow the company’s digital audience across web, mobile, social and other third-party platforms. Robert Leger was president of SPJ’s Sigma Delta Chi Foundation from 2012 to 2018, and a member of the board since 2000. He was president of SPJ in 2002-03 and received the Wells Memorial Key, the Society’s highest honor, in 2012.
He was a newspaper guy for 37 years, the final 22 years writing and editing for the editorial pages of the Arizona Republic and Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader. He now writes, edits and provides messaging advice through Leger Strategies, LLC.
BASICS: During election season, misleading news reports can sway opinions. Digital attacks can take important websites offline, silencing information when voters need it most. Journalists need access to accurate information, and a clear understanding of how to break down complicated topics with data. These are areas where Google tools and workflows can provide real value.
The SPJ Training Program, in association with the Google News Initiative, is offering free training on a wide range of Google tools and workflows that can help you engage your audience, research and report information around the elections, and use data visualizations in powerful new ways. Get more information here. Register here.
Improving Disability Communications workshop at Cronkite School, Sept. 21
SPJ is pleased to let you know of the following opportunity to learn how to:
- Identify relevant and important topics featuring Arizonans with disabilities,
- Present original content across platforms in accessible ways,
- Make decisions about language choices. and
- Build bridges with the disability community at a free disability communications workshop.
- When: Sept. 21, 2018
- Time: 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m.
- Where: Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, 555 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
- Registration link: Improving Disability Communications Registration Form
This FREE workshop is designed for Arizona public relations specialists, local journalists, and public information officers. We have 60 spots available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Workshop hosted by:
- National Center on Disability and Journalism at the Cronkite School
- Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
- Ability360
Workshop details:
- Lunch, snacks and beverages will be provided.
- Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop.
Parking directions:
Parking will be available in the ASU visitor lot located on the southeast corner of Central and Fillmore. You’ll receive parking validation during the registration process.
Contact nicole.koester@asu.edu to arrange accommodations, such as ASL interpretation, large-print materials, or a seat near the projector screen.
Vigil for Annapolis shooting victims 8 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at Steele Indian School Park
Journalists and the public are invited to a vigil in honor of the victims of Thursday’s shooting at The Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland. The vigil will be at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at the jo
urnalists’ memorial at Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Tim Eigo, president of the Valley of the Sun chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, will give brief remarks. The chapter is organizing the vigil. The memorial is located in the park’s southwest area. Please spread the word. For more information on the vigil, please visit www.phoenixspj.org.
Enjoy a cold one at SPJ’s annual Summer Solstice Soiree and 5 minutes of elections, June 21
No need to despair the Phoenix heat on the longest day of the year — because it provides a great reason to enjoy an ice cold brew! Once again our Summer Solstice Soiree (aptly named for a chapter called Valley of the Sun) expresses our thanks to our members and all Valley journalists. It’s 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 21, 
in the cool Brewer’s Den at SunUp Brewing (once again, aptly named for a chapter called Valley of the Sun) at 322 E. Camelback Road, a short walk from the Central Avenue/Camelback Road light rail station in uptown Phoenix.
All Valley media people are invited and admission is free. Appetizers are on us; the beers (or non-alcoholic beverages) are on you.
At this event the chapter will also take about five minutes to hold its annual elections for chapter officers for a one-year term from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019. Chapter members on hand will vote.
Details and RSVP are on our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/445265395933630/
Questions? Email phoenixspj@cox.net.
SPJ members invited to AAJA’s ice cream fundraiser at Sweet Republic, June 6
Our chapter members have been invited by the Arizona chapter of the AAJA (Asian American Journalists Association) for a cool, refreshing fundraiser: 
with ice cream! It’s a fundraiser for the organization’s journalism programs and scholarships, including J-Camp training for high school students and sending college students to the organization’s annual convention.
Thirty percent of all ice cream sales at Sweet Republic Ice Cream, 6054 N. 16th St. (at Bethany Home Road) from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, go to the cause. Details, RSVP here.
So put a smile on your face by joining fellow Valley media people in enjoying the sweet treats and helping out a dedicated media professionals’ organization.
Bommersbach to discuss latest novel
Jana Bommersbach, a well-respected Arizona journalist and author, discusses her latest novel, “thedeadgirlinthevacantlot,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 16 at Changing Hands–Phoenix, 300 W. Camelback Road.
This is Bommersbach’s second book based on the character Joya Bonner, a Phoenix investigative reporter. Bonner knew nothing about the world of sex-trafficking—or the ugly status her city held in this filthy underground. And then it smacked her in the face, just as the Super Bowl was coming to town in 2008. Scared, repulsed, frantic, but determined, she risks her life trying to save girls forced into sex slavery.
Bommersbach will speak about her research and agony in writing this novel at this, the official launch of “thedeadgirlinthevacantlot.” The event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase ($20.00 plus tax).
Bommersbach has been the state’s “Journalist of the Year” and has been honored with two lifetime achievement awards as an “inspiration to the state’s media community.” Her inaugural book, The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd, was lauded as one of the nation’s best non-fiction books. Her historical novel, Cattle Kate, won a similar accolade.
