Despite odds, Calif. city becomes 2 newspaper town

LONG BEACH, Calif. — The latest experiment in American journalism is a throwback: a new daily newspaper to compete against an established one in a big city.

With Monday's debut of the Long Beach Register, the ambitious owners of the Orange County Register are expanding their bet that consumers will reward an investment in news inked on paper and delivered to their doorsteps.

The competition is the Long Beach Press-Telegram, which was founded more than a century ago and maintains an average weekday circulation of about 55,000.

As a result of the budding newspaper battle, this city of 468,000 is joining the likes of Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston as what has become a rarity in 21st century America — the two newspaper town. Never mind shrinking circulations and online news migration.

"We believe that a city with the size and vibrancy of Long Beach should be happy to support a great newspaper of the variety we want to provide," said Aaron Kushner, who since buying the Orange County Register a year ago with a partner has surprised industry watchers by expanding reporting staff and page counts. "If it is, we'll make healthy money. If it's not, that'll be unfortunate for everyone. But we believe we'll be successful."

By launching the Long Beach Register, Kushner, publisher of the Register and CEO of Freedom Communications, is taking his contrarian instincts outside of Orange County.

Media business analyst Rick Edmonds said the last time he can recall a major U.S. city adding a new daily paper was around World War II, when Chicago got the Sun-Times and New York got Newsday. There have been scattered other instances in smaller cities, but since newspapers entered their recent troubles, the creation of a new rivalry is itself news. A brewing newspaper war in New Orleans between that city's Times-Picayune and a challenger based about 80 miles away in Baton Rouge, La., is the closest to what's unfolding in Long Beach.

"How will it play out?" asked Edmonds, of the Poynter Institute, a journalism foundation in St. Petersburg, Fla. "Don't really know until it happens."

Long Beach is a diverse city better known for its sprawling container ship port — one of the world's largest — than its beaches.

While its oceanfront drive features a large aquarium and the historic Queen Mary ocean liner, it also has big city problems including gangs. Bordering Orange County's urbanized north, it is in Los Angeles County, about 20 miles south of downtown LA.

In their small, sunlight-flooded newsroom, reporters for the new Register were greeted Thursday by two boxes of doughnuts and the kinds of issues that bedevil startups: who sits where, how come this outlet has no power, and how to get an Internet connection?

After a round of introductions, editor Paul Eakins told his staff that with at least 16 pages to fill each day, the paper would both cover "hyperlocal" news and welcome contributions from readers. In all, the paper has about 20 editorial employees.

Write about a boy becoming an Eagle Scout? Yes. Opening of the new dog park? You bet.

"I don't think they quite know what's coming," Eakins said of readers.

The plan Monday is to distribute 10,000 copies, publisher Ian Lamont said. It will be wrapped around the Orange County Register, so readers will get coverage of Long Beach's schools, sports, courts, happenings and City Hall — plus news from around the region and world. There will be no separate Long Beach paper on weekends.

Several reporters at the Long Beach Register are Press-Telegram alums, and though Eakins downplayed any rivalry, at the staff meeting there were gentle jabs about besting an old employer.

For their part, the Press-Telegram's bosses are giving no ground.

"We're not going to let a competitor come into our city and take it," said Michael A. Anastasi, vice president of news and executive editor of the Los Angeles News Group, which owns the Press-Telegram and eight other daily papers in the area.

The competition's certain winners, Anastasi said, will be local residents.

___

Follow Justin Pritchard at https://twitter.com/lalanewsman

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Medical marijuana pot deadline near

People who want to open medical marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts have until Thursday to hand-deliver their initial application to the state Department of Public Health.

"The Department has created a solid regulatory framework for this new industry, and now we are ready to move forward with the competitive application process," DPH Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett said in a press release.

"We are committed to a fully transparent process that respects patient needs, while ensuring safe communities."

The law, approved by voters last November, allows for up to 35 dispensaries in the state.

The dispensaries will provide marijuana for people with certified medical conditions such as cancer, Parkinson's disease and AIDS.

The state has enacted a two-step application procedure to select dispensary operators.

In the first phase, regulators will review each applicant's financial viability and conduct background checks.

Applicants must report if any member of their organization has been subject to a felony drug conviction.

Those who clear the initial screening can move on to a second phase where a selection committee will review final applications.

Prospective marijuana dispensaries must pay a $1,500 fee as part of the Phase 1 application. If they qualify for Phase 2, they will have to pay an additional $30,000. Both sets of fees are non-refundable.

Dispensaries that are selected must pay another $50,000 annual fee for a state-approved Certificate of Registration.

"The application and patient registration fees that DPH has put into place are in line with other states and will be affordable to patients," Bartlett said in a statement. "Dispensaries will be required to pay their fair share to support this program, so we do not rely on taxpayer resources."

DPH will use the fees to meet the program's operational needs, including hiring staff and training inspectors to monitor the industry.

DPH also will develop an online system for registering and auditing for participant eligibility.

The law is required to be revenue-neutral, and fees are expected to cover all estimated operating costs.

Herald wire services contributed to this story.

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A look at smartest back-to-school gadgets

From handy personal assistants to laptops with double the speed of a year ago, the hottest new digital tools can take the sting out of going back to school.

If you're a college student looking for a laptop: Remember Haswell. It's the code name for Intel's latest line of processors, the fourth generation Intel Core series. This processor not only makes the computer ultra-fast, but also extends the battery life with no tradeoff in performance.

Waiting a few weeks will give you more choices, because these machines are just starting to come out. But if you need something now, try the Acer Aspire S7 touchscreen, which comes with Office 365 University edition. The $1,259 price at the Microsoft Store is discounted for students.

Apple fans, have no fear, because the 2013 MacBook Air also includes Haswell. Ranging from just south of $1,000 for the 11-inch version to $1,249 for the 13-inch, the MacBook Air comes with a $100 App Store credit for students.

This is the first year since Apple's trailblazing tablet exploded onto the scene in 2010 that I can't recommend it as a note-taking and textbook-reading companion. Any iPad you buy now will take a quick nosedive in value, with a new generation due to be announced this fall. Also, the experience — and the price — of attaching a keyboard accessory to the iPad is simply not worth it.

If bringing a laptop to class is a hassle, invest in a Microsoft Surface with a keyboard cover. In fact, if you aren't a gamer or graphic designer, consider the Surface RT as a budget-friendly replacement for a laptop and tablet. At 1.5 pounds, buy the Surface RT with the so-called Type Cover for a total of $479.

The iPad is a fine textbook reader, but here's a secret: The Kindle Paperwhite, for a fraction of the price at $139, is the best pure e-reader on the market and will give your eyes a rest with its front-lit, glare-free screen — and with a whopping 8 weeks of battery life.

Now that you're ready for class, the only hurdle is getting there. For that, I direct iPhone users to the new iOS personal assistant app, Donna. Though geared toward busy professionals, it works as well for those pesky 8 a.m. classes. Simply input your schedule to the calendar, and good ol' Donna will tell you when to leave and how to get there — depending on whether you bike, walk or drive.

Smartphone shoppers should look no further than the Nokia Lumia 1020 from AT&T, now at $199 with a two-year contract. Take professional-quality photos of all those exciting new experiences. And please, send them to your parents. They did, after all, drop a ton of cash on your spoiled, digitally decked-out self.

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California city becomes rarity: a 2 newspaper town

LONG BEACH, Calif. — The latest experiment in American journalism is a throwback: a new daily newspaper to compete against an established one in a big city.

The front page of Monday's debut edition of the Long Beach Register featured stories under the headlines "Welcome to your new local paper" and "A glimpse into Long Beach's future."

With the newspaper, the ambitious owners of the Orange County Register are expanding their bet that consumers will reward an investment in news inked on paper and delivered to their doorsteps — that their newspaper will be a big part of Long Beach's future.

The competition is the Long Beach Press-Telegram, founded more than a century ago.

As a result of the budding newspaper battle, this city of 468,000 is joining the likes of Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston as what has become a rarity in 21st century America — the two newspaper town. Never mind shrinking circulations and online news migration.

"We believe that a city with the size and vibrancy of Long Beach should be happy to support a great newspaper of the variety we want to provide," said Aaron Kushner, who since buying the Orange County Register a year ago with a partner has surprised industry watchers by expanding reporting staff and page counts. "If it is, we'll make healthy money. If it's not, that'll be unfortunate for everyone. But we believe we'll be successful."

By launching the Long Beach Register, Kushner, publisher of the Register and CEO of Freedom Communications, is taking his contrarian instincts outside Orange County.

Media business analyst Rick Edmonds said the last time he can recall a major U.S. city adding a new daily paper was around World War II, when Chicago got the Sun-Times and New York got Newsday. There have been scattered other instances in smaller cities, but since newspapers entered their recent troubles, the creation of a new rivalry is itself news. A brewing newspaper war in New Orleans between that city's Times-Picayune and a challenger based about 80 miles away in Baton Rouge, La., is the closest to what's unfolding in Long Beach.

"How will it play out?" asked Edmonds, of the Poynter Institute, a journalism foundation in St. Petersburg, Fla. "Don't really know until it happens."

Long Beach is a diverse city better known for its sprawling container ship port — one of the world's largest — than its beaches.

While its oceanfront drive features a large aquarium and the historic Queen Mary ocean liner, it also has big city problems including gangs. Bordering Orange County's urbanized north, it is in Los Angeles County, about 20 miles south of downtown LA.

In their small, sunlight-flooded newsroom, reporters for the new Register were greeted Thursday by two boxes of doughnuts and the kinds of issues that bedevil startups: who sits where, how come this outlet has no power, and how to get an Internet connection?

After a round of introductions, editor Paul Eakins told his staff that with at least 16 pages to fill each day, the paper would both cover "hyperlocal" news and welcome contributions from readers. In all, the paper has about 20 editorial employees.

Write about a boy becoming an Eagle Scout? Yes. Opening of the new dog park? You bet.

"I don't think they quite know what's coming," Eakins said of readers.

On Monday, 10,000 copies are being distributed, publisher Ian Lamont said. The paper will be wrapped around the Orange County Register, so readers will get coverage of Long Beach's schools, sports, courts, happenings and City Hall — plus news from around the region and world. There will be no separate Long Beach paper on weekends.

By contrast, the Press-Telegram maintains an average weekday circulation of about 55,000.

Several reporters at the Long Beach Register are Press-Telegram alums, and though Eakins downplayed any rivalry, at the staff meeting there were gentle jabs about besting an old employer.

For their part, the Press-Telegram's bosses are giving no ground.

"We're not going to let a competitor come into our city and take it," said Michael A. Anastasi, vice president of news and executive editor of the Los Angeles News Group, which owns the Press-Telegram and eight other daily papers in the area.

The competition's certain winners, Anastasi said, will be local residents.

___

Follow Justin Pritchard at https://twitter.com/lalanewsman

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GOP's technical knockout

After a high-profile technology failure during last year's presidential campaign, Republicans are looking to Boston for help climbing out of the digital abyss and onto the same level as Democrats, top party officials and experts said.

During its summer meeting in Boston last week, the Republican National Committee played up a push to boost the technology arm of the GOP. Republicans lagged behind Barack Obama's 2012 presidential campaign in reaching voters through technology and social media, top party officials admitted.

"Republicans need to significantly beef up their technology in order to catch up with Democrats," said Darrell M. West, vice president and director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit public policy organization in Washington, D.C.

Andy Barkett, the first chief technology officer in the Republican National Committee's history, managed a team of engineers at Facebook and once worked at Google. He was recently hired "to build things, technology things" and fill in "the hard-core technology gap" the party's suffered from, Barkett said.

"They need to improve their talent level," West said.

To help address that lack of talent, party officials will look carefully at the Boston startup community, Barkett said.

"There's a thriving startup community here," he said. "I'm very excited to go out and look for a few of those people who might say, 'I want to do a startup. Wait, here's something that's even better. I want to do a startup that's going to fix the whole country.' "

According to West, one of the key areas Republicans need to improve is database use, something Barkett thinks is especially suited to Boston and Cambridge.

"There are certainly people with really, really good data-analysis skills, big data skills at MIT and Harvard," he said.

The RNC will focus its talent search in Boston, as well as Silicon Valley, New York City and Austin, Texas, Barkett said.

Local technology groups were not exactly shocked at the news.

"With the largest number of different technology clusters of any state, it's not surprising that the national political parties are looking to Massachusetts as they continue their embrace of technology," said Felix Browne, vice president for policy and communications for the Massachusetts High Technology Council.

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Recycled oil should be fine — just not for this driver

What is your take on 50 percent recycled oil? Stores are offering more of this oil. Is it just as good as new oil? Or should I stay with 100 percent new oil?

As an oil "consumer" — meaning I buy and change my own oil — here's my take on recycled oil. I'm absolutely sure it's as good as 100 percent new oil, meets all of the Society of Automotive Engineers and American Petroleum Institute service ratings and standards, and provides equal protection and performance. But — and here's where personal "baggage" comes into play — I'll stick with new oil. The vehicles and engines I own are mine, I'm responsible for their maintenance and longevity, so I'll continue to buy and use synthetic oil — the best oil available.

For the relatively small difference in price, I'm simply more comfortable sticking with what's worked for me for decades. At least until the price of recycled oil becomes so attractive that the Scrooge in me can't resist.

L L L

In August 2011 we purchased a 2012 Ford Fusion SEL to tow behind our motor home. We specifically asked the dealer what Ford products could be flat-towed as we did not want to deal with a tow dolly. We were told a Fusion would meet our needs. Six months later, an Owners Guide Supplement dated February 2012 came out saying that "Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles cannot be flat-towed (all wheels on the ground) as vehicle or transmission damage may occur. The front wheels must be placed on a two-wheel tow dolly."

After finding out about this, we were told by the Ford dealer that we could continue to flat tow the vehicle and our 36-month warranty would cover any issues. We have already experienced a major tow-related problem with the transmission, which was repaired under warranty in March.

Since we invested a substantial sum to outfit the car to be flat-towed, we feel that the change in Ford's position in the Owners Guide Supplement about this vehicle has substantially impaired the intended use of the vehicle. We also believe that the market value of the vehicle has been impacted if we decide we should sell it. Lastly, we feel that the safety of the vehicle has been severely compromised since we could have a major problem if the transmission should malfunction while we are towing it. Any advice?

Space limitations forced me to leave out your comments on the "impaired use and loss of value" issues, which are valid concerns. But to the heart of the matter: Depending on the build date of your Fusion, Ford Technical Service Bulletin 12-11-5, dated November 2012, identifies which Fusion models with the 6F35 automatic transmissions can be flat-towed with all four wheels on the pavement. The short version is these vehicles can be flat-towed for no more than six hours at speeds of 65 miles per hour or less, if the transmission fluid level is set correctly, and if the engine is run every six hours to cool the transmission fluid.

The issue is transmission fluid overheating and inadequate lubrication due to the fact that the transmission oil pump is not being driven by the running engine. This is always a concern when flat-towing a vehicle with an automatic transmission and is why I've always recommended a tow dolly or trailer. Besides, the difference in wheelbase between the tow vehicle and towed vehicle can make sharp maneuvers difficult.

In my opinion you have three choices: Use a tow dolly (my choice), buy or persuade Ford to extend the warranty long enough to cover your intended ownership, or trade the vehicle. The problem with trading is that you may well face the same situation unless the vehicle is fitted with a manual transmission or you can unlock the driven wheels from the drivetrain for towing.

Paul Brand is an automotive troubleshooter, driving instructor and former race-car driver. Readers may write to him at Star Tribune, 425 Portland Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn., 55488 or via email at paulbrand@startribune.com. Please explain the problem in detail and include a daytime phone number. Because of the volume of mail, we cannot provide personal replies.

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Mariwear counting on comfort to matter

Before her startup, Mariwear, was chosen as a finalist in May from a field of 1,200 companies in the accelerator and competition MassChallenge, Melanie Berger had to stand before a panel of judges and pitch her new line of sleepwear and lounge wear.

"The panel was all men, so I had four men staring at me," Berger, 51, remembers, "and I was wearing the garment, so there was that awkward moment when they all realized I was bra-less."

Not that she looked it. The genius of Mariwear is its "bra-less bra," as Berger calls it, a lining attached to the inside of the garment to offer shape and support without any of the wires or fasteners legions of women have come to loathe in traditional bras.

After 10 minutes of questions and answers, she knew she had a chance when one of the judges said, "I wonder why no one else has done this yet."

A former advertising executive who lives in Sudbury, Berger founded Mariwear in August 2011 after looking in vain for sleepwear and lounge wear that was as fashionable as it was comfortable.

"Women should be able to get out of their bras at the end of the day and feel comfortable and still feel confident about the way they look," she said.

To make her collection of tops, bottoms and nighties, she started with a fabric that's a combination of Siro Micro Modal and spandex, and had the cups of the tops' interiors designed by a bra expert.

Susan DeSantis, one of Berger's neighbors, attended the products' launch last September and went away with a small cache of clothes.

"I originally went to support a neighbor," said DeSantis, 53, "and I left as a customer."

Last spring, after she broke her foot, she wore the clothes all the time around the house, she said. And later, when her sister was burned in a car crash, she too became a convert because the fabric didn't irritate her skin.

Kim Nottonson, 45, of Natick had had four back surgeries in 21⁄2 years when her helper spotted some Mariwear at a shop in Wayland earlier this year.

"I started using them for yoga," Nottonson said. "I realized why don't I use them around the house for other things. They're so comfy and easy to wash. I even wore them in the hospital."

Berger didn't have women recovering from surgeries specifically in mind when she started Mariwear, she said, but she's thrilled women are discovering other uses for her clothes.

To date, more than 500 women have bought her clothes at select boutiques and spas, as well as on her website, Mariwear.com.

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Marketers grapple with roadblocking Gmail feature

A new Gmail inbox makes it harder for retailers and other email marketers to get out their messages.

Recognizing the volume of emails can be overwhelming, the Google-owned email service has been rolling out an inbox that lets users organize their messages in up to five folders, including "Promotions."

Now, instead of Sports Authority or Groupon emails with offers and other marketing messages landing in the regular inbox, they can be redirected to the "Promotions" folder. The "Primary" inbox is reserved for personal conversations and other emails that "you really, really want," according to Google.

Since the rollout began, email open rates — the percentage of emails that are opened by recipients — have been declining across the email marketing industry, according to Ginny Soskey of Cambridge's HubSpot, an inbound marketing 
software company.

"It does certainly up the ante for marketers," Soskey said. "We have to work a little harder to be seen by our email subscribers."

Some companies, afraid their messages will get lost in the shuffle, have been alerting Gmail-using customers about how they can redirect those emails into their "Primary" inboxes.

That's an option, according to Soskey, who suggests marketers take a step back instead of "freaking out."

"We can then really focus on creating content that people love, instead of just simply spamming out emails, because that's not going to get noticed in the 'Promotions' tab," she said. "There are many channels you can use to reach potential customers: social media, blogs, doing targeted (public relations) outreach."

Email marketers can take heart in the results of a recent Forrester Research survey. The survey found that 44 percent of consumers said they deleted most advertising email in 2012 — down from 59 percent in 2010.

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Nissan 370Z is 100% sports car

The 2013 Nissan 370Z Roadster Touring boasts outstanding sports car performance that is priced well under the German and Italian competition — an entry level 370Z is yours for under $45,000.

Our gorgeous test Z was dressed in a midnight blue metallic paint and capped with a black cloth droptop. Conspicuous red-painted brake calipers glared out from 19-inch Rays alloy wheels, which were part of a sport package that pushed the price of our tester up to $50,000.

While the price tag says entry level, the Z is 100 percent sports car. The Nissan's 3.7 liter V-6 engine produces 332 horsepower. The Z, which weighs in at 3,488 pounds, does 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. A 6-speed manual transmission was a blast to rip through, especially with the top down.

Driving the Z was all about performance. Our tester's firm suspension, bigger wheels and low ground clearance provided sharp handling. The Z felt fast even at low speeds as it was hard to hold back in stop and go situations. The Z's sport tuning was great for highway straightaways and twisty roads, but gave the coupe a harsh feel on bad pavement and bridge expansion joints. The Z also suffered from permeating road noise with the top up, which was a great excuse to keep it down.

Despite being only a two seater, I found plenty of leg room with the roadster's power adjustable seats. The leather and mesh cloth buckets were both heated and air conditioned, features that kept the convertible top down on cool nights and in hot weather. The coupe's interior featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel and stick shift. Aluminum-trimmed pedals also stood out. Storage space was limited, but I did find some space behind the seats for a bag or two of groceries.

Trunk space was sparse, barely enough room to fit a couple of overnight bags, but it does offer a diagram on how to fit a bag of golf clubs into the tight space.

The Z has an engaging dashboard with red dials and digital readouts constantly changing on six gauges.

While overwhelming at first, I found the additional controls on the steering wheel, combined with a compact media center and a full array of radio dials, simple to operate.

The Z is expensive when compared to the Subaru Scion coupe offerings, which are clearly out-muscled on the straightaways by the Nissan, but all match in handling. On the higher end, the Z's agility, muscle and abundance of modern technology really gives the $90,000 Porsche Boxter S a run for the money. 

Clearly the Z is not a long road tripper and it would be hard to justify as a daily driver, but who wouldn't love to haveone sitting in his garage for a midsummer night dinner reservation for two or for a fall foliage run.

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The Ticker

Dow has worst week

Stocks fell yesterday, closing out what was the worst week of the year for the Dow Jones industrial average.

The market was dragged lower by a weak performance from retailers and companies sensitive to higher interest rates. Homebuilders and banking stocks were among the best performers.

Stocks had a decent start to the week, but investors were hit hard the past three days. The Dow retreated 2.2 percent for the week, its worst in 2013. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 index lost 2.1 percent for the week, its second-worst performance of the year.

The possibility of a cutback in the Federal Reserve's bond-buying program in September has roiled the bond market, which has spilled over into stocks. The yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.83 percent, its highest level since July 2011.

Judge hurts Icahn bid for Dell

A Delaware judge yesterday dealt a blow to activist investor Carl Icahn's effort to stop CEO and founder Michael Dell's $24.8 billion buyout offer for the struggling computer maker.

He refused to fast-track proceedings on Icahn's claims that Dell Inc. directors have betrayed their duties to shareholders in trying to win support for Michael Dell's bid.

After three delays, Dell's board has scheduled a special shareholder vote on Sept. 12 for Michael Dell's offer of $13.75 per share, plus a 13-cent dividend. That's to be followed by an overdue annual meeting on Oct. 17.

Icahn, who is seeking to oust Michael Dell as CEO, wanted the vote and annual meeting to be held on the same day. That would give shareholders a chance to vote on a rival board he is offering as part of his proposal, a complex alternative plan that he says would be worth at least $15.50 per share.

Egypt violence sends oil higher

The price of oil rose for the sixth consecutive day yesterday on continuing violence in Egypt and supply disruptions elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa.

U.S. benchmark crude edged up 13 cents to $107.46. It rose 1.4 percent for the week. Brent crude, which is used to price imported crude used by many U.S. refineries, rose 80 cents to $110.40 per barrel for October delivery.

The average retail price for a gallon of gasoline rose less than a penny to $3.54 per gallon. It is down 9 cents per gallon in August, however, and it is 17 cents lower than it was last year.

THE SHUFFLE

• Acella Construction Corp., a construction services company, announced that Dennis Tellier, left, has joined the firm as a project superintendent. Tellier will coordinate site construction activities and supervise field personnel to complete projects on time and within budget.
• Eastern Insurance Group LLC announced that Timothy J. Lodge has joined the agency as a senior vice president in its commercial lines division. Lodge will work out of Eastern Insurance's Providence, R.I., office as a sales executive focusing on the real estate, manufacturing and technology industries.

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