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Is Brooklyn in da house?
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Why, yes, it is. And so is Ed. Meet him in Park Slope, Bklyn tonight for a happy hour from 7 to 9 p.m. at Loki Lounge. Beers start at $3 and well drinks at $5. Loki Lounge is at 304 Fifth Ave (at the corner of 2nd street) in Brooklyn. Take the F to 4ave/9th street or the M or R trains to Union. Or get subway directions at hopstop.com. Still have questions? Email events@ed2010.com.

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News
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1. The Independent
Desmond to slash price of 'OK!' in effort to revive US sales
By Katherine Griffiths
1/10/06
http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article337572.ece

Richard Desmond will slash the price of his celebrity magazine OK! in the US and change its format, only three months after launching an American version to faltering sales. The price of the magazine will come down to $1.99 (??1.10) from $3.49 on 16 February. Mr Desmond is also rethinking OK!'s approach in an attempt to bolster sales. The magazine, which is famous for its anodyne celebrity-friendly coverage, will have a newsier approach, more like the tabloid newspapers in the UK.

Reflecting the change of emphasis, the American OK! has poached David Thompson, a young British star who was previously at the downmarket tabloid The Globe, to a senior role overseeing its news content on the west coast of the US. The changes come after critics have said OK!'s sales have been soft since the launch in October, despite $10m being spent on a television and trade magazine advertising campaign. Sources who monitor OK!'s operations believe that weekly sales have fallen to less than 200,000 on some occasions.

A spokeswoman for the US version of OK! denied this, saying weekly circulation was "well ahead" of the 350,000 weekly sales it has guaranteed to its advertisers. She added that the price cut was part of a promotional drive which is intended to end in May and said that while OK! would have a newsier feel, "its core values of sympathetic coverage and direct relationships with stars remain unchanged". MORE ONLINE

2. Christian Science Monitor
Backstory: Getting lost in 'FOUND' magazine
By Cristian Lupsa
1/10/06
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0110/p20s01-ussc.html

Rebecca Hughes has locked away her bike and started walking more. And seeing more. When she leaves her home for her desk job in a government building, Ms. Hughes turns off her thoughts (they'll be there later) and lets the street overwhelm her: political graffiti on the walls, losing lottery tickets scattered about the pavement, or broken umbrellas peering out of trash cans. But what she's really scanning - and hoping - for is a crumpled note that may divulge a secret about somebody's life.

The first thing she picks up could be a deposit slip, or maybe gum wrapped in paper. But eventually she'll find it - a note, scribbled in a hurry: "Inconsiderate must come to the minds of all that think of you." Or "Paul and Olivia - our doorbell is NOT a toy, stop ringing it or I'll have to call your parents." Or "The madness will consume you."

These snapshots of people's lives are worth the sticky fingers, she says. And there's a growing number of "finders" like her enamored with the raw randomness of what litter can offer up about life.

MORE ONLINE

3. WWD Memo Pad
Memo Pad: Culinary Cutthroats ... The Wonder Years
By Sara James and Jeff Bercovici
1/10/06
http://www.wwd.com/issue/article/103595

CULINARY CUTTHROATS: How many cooks is too many in a kitchen? Bravo is looking to find out. Twelve unknown chefs will compete for $100,000 and a feature in Food & Wine in a new Bravo reality series called "Top Chef," premiering on March 8. The format is similar to Bravo's "Project Runway" ??” the two shows share executive producers. The host, Katie Lee Joel, doesn't quite share the fame of Heidi Klum, though. (Joel writes a column called "East End Girl" for Hamptons magazine.) Gramercy Tavern's Tom Colicchio and Food & Wine's Gail Simmons serve as permanent judges, with guest experts appearing on each episode to help critique.

Simmons said of the contestants, "A lot about being a chef is being a leader, so we looked for the most dynamic personalities, who could come in and take control....There's a broad range of talents, all with some professional experience, several line cooks, a cooking school instructor, some caterers, private chefs to celebrities, a sommelier, a woman who is a stay-at-home mom but also runs a small cooking school out of her home, and a culinary student just starting out. We looked at how long they can last on the line at a four-star restaurant, and gave them blindfold taste tests of diverse ingredients."

THE WONDER YEARS: In the world of corporate politics, when your bosses and peers secretly gather in a room to talk about you, it's usually a bad sign. Not for Richard Beckman, however. Cond?© Nast president Chuck Townsend hosted a surprise party Monday night at the Four Seasons for Beckman, a former publisher of Vogue and GQ and current chief marketing officer and media group president. The occasion was the 20th anniversary of Beckman's hiring as an advertising manager at The New Yorker. (The magazine had been acquired the previous year by Advance Publications Inc., but had not yet been folded into Cond?© Nast Publications, which is also the parent of WWD.) A spokeswoman said about 100 people had been invited to the event, where Townsend planned to present Beckman with a piece of Steuben glass engraved with the message "It's always about being the best."

MORE ONLINE

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WhisperJobs
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Ed hears. . .
. . .that Chattanooga Style Magazine, a new 4/C oversized fashion/beauty/style magazine (similar to "W"), is seeking freelance magazine writers in the Chattanooga or general TN area. Must have previous freelance consumer magazine writing experience - no newbies. Pay is per word. Please e-mail letter of interest and qualifications/samples to Ria Romano at editor12@adelphia.net (OK to mention Ed)

. . .that Country Living Magazine is looking for a decorating editor to conceptualize, produce, and style decorating and lifestyle stories. Must have a love for interior design and 4 years experience. Send resume and salary requirements to Nicole Polly, Decorating and Lifestyle Director at nesposito@hearst.com. OK to mention Ed.

. . .that The Jewish Advocate, a weekly newspaper in Boston, is looking for a new editor beginning March 15. Email charlesg@totallyplc.com. (Best not to mention Ed)
Internships
. . .that American Baby magazine is looking for an intern to assist its editorial department for one day each week... The internship is PAID ($14/hr). Ideal candidate is a young person looking to gain introductory edit experience. Requirements: strong organizational skills, flexibility and general understanding of the Web. This internship will be solely administrative but will include such tasks as assisting the style, art and editorial assistants, doing research/fact-checking for stories, calling in and returning products, etc. If interested please e-mail a cover letter and resume to sarah.burns@americanbaby.com. (OK to mention Ed)

. . .that CosmoGIRL! is looking for an intern for their west coast entertainment office for the spring semester. This internship is especially perfect for students in the L.A. area who are in love with entertainment and the world of PR. Intern will gain exposure to how it all works in the world of booking celebs for magazine covers and stories. Responsibilities could include keeping celeb files, mailing information out to publicists, and sometimes fielding phone calls, etc. Looking for interns who are able to work independently and learn quickly. Intern MUST be able to receive academic credit and be able to ideally work at least 3 days a week, or 14-21 hours. Office is located in Santa Monica. Applicants can send their cover letters and resumes ASAP to Lori Segal at lsegal@hearst.com, and put "Ed2010 West Coast office" in the subject line. (OK to mention Ed)

. . .that www.julib.com is currently seeking an editorial intern to work closely with our editorial manager and assist in the daily operations of the website. Responsibilities include: updating submissions database, fact-checking, editing, general office support, administrative duties, generate advertising leads. This is the ideal job for someone who is interested in learning the ins and outs of working for a small publication, and someone who wants to get involved on all levels. the ideal candidate will be able to work 2 to 3 days a week, have knowledge of NY, LA, or London, and be extremely organized. This internship is unpaid, but there are fun perks. www.julib.com is a lifestyle and luxury e-column with issues in new york, los angeles, london, and hamptons markets, as well as a soon-to-launch travel edition. Please e-mail your resume and a brief description of why you are the right candidate to meredith@julib.com. No phone calls please. (OK to mention Ed)