Success!

Thanks to everyone who attended the ACES workshop Oct. 21! We probably had about 40 people over the course of the day, and our speakers presented some fantastic sessions. I'll be putting together a quick survey to get some feedback from those who participated.

The question now: What's next? We had a great workshop here in Austin, but it would be great to see these events move around the state. Please let me know if you're interested in becoming more involved. The team here would be happy to help. The chapter could also do smaller events around the state so folks don't have to travel so far. These could be simple one-speaker events that last maybe a couple of hours. The goal is to get everyone a bit more training and a chance to connect with other copy editors.

Again, thanks, everyone! Now that we've gotten this chapter going, let's keep it rolling. Please drop me a line if you'd like to step up and help out.

- Blythe

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

We're getting close, everyone! Please contact me with questions or concerns.

If you're headed to the meet-and-greet at Scholz, just ask for my name or for ACES. They said we'll probably be out back on the lovely patio. Be there at 8 p.m. or after -- it will last as long as we do.

As for Sunday, feel free to come a bit early, mingle and grab some coffee and snacks. Things should be set by 9:30 or so. We'll also have a little prize giveaway at the end of the day. Stick around if you have some time; it won't go past 6 p.m.

Can't wait to see you all!

Blythe

Flier

Click to enlarge.

Odds and ends

Parking in the Brazos Garage is $9 if you stay all day Oct. 21.

I'm trying to figure out how to put the ACES flier on the blog, but I'm having a bit of trouble. I'll try to get it up here soon. There are a couple of changes. The overall schedule remains the same, but our first Web session will be about politics, the community and the Web rather than copy editing for the Web. The speakers that would have focused on copy editing were unavailable. But the speaker we do have lined up will certainly have some interesting things to say.

I think our design presenter will be doing a session on using controversial photos. He's done it before and says it's always a hit.

Look forward to seeing everyone in a few weeks!

- Blythe

More parking info

According to UT, the Brazos Garage is the only one open on Sundays. There is a fee, and I'm investigating. Looks like it might be $9 to park all day. Most of the surface spaces in lots are open, UT folks say, but we should read the signs carefully because some require a permit at all times.

The Brazos Garage is at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Brazos Street (marked BRG on the pdf map in the post below). It's a bit of a hike from there to the communications building, but it's certainly doable. The communications building is at Guadalupe Street and Dean Keeton Street. I recommend looking around for street parking. If you head west of Guadalupe and campus, there will probably be spots on San Antonio or Nueces on that Sunday morning.

Parking

A parking map for UT can be found here. The closest garage to the workshop is on San Antonio Street; it's marked with SAG on the map. There will probably be street parking available in the surrounding area. Most meters don't have to be paid on Sundays. I'm still looking into the situation. I've been told that there is surface parking around the College of Communications but that we can't use it without a permit (and will be ticketed if we do). I'll let you all know what I find out.

Meet-and-greet

It's confirmed: We've got a spot for the meet-and-greet the night before the workshop. There are tables reserved for 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. The manager tells me that there's a show up the road at the Erwin Center on UT's campus and that the restaurant should be clearing out by the time we get there.

It claims to be the oldest restaurant in Texas and has both food and drinks. It might be a little crazy on a football Saturday, but it's a distinctly Austin joint.

Come and say hello!

Hotel suggestions

Coming the night before the workshop? Staying the night of? Here are just a few hotels that are pretty close to the University of Texas.

- Clarion Inn and Suites at 2200 S. I-35, (512) 444-0561

- Days Inn at 3105 N. I-35, (512) 478-1631

- The Sheraton at 1809 Lavaca St., toll-free number is (888) 625-5144

If you check out Google Maps and search for hotels near the university, plenty more will pop up.

ACES workshop update

Paula LaRocque and Hank Glamann have confirmed for our Oct. 21 workshop. I've tweaked the schedule, and it's going to look something like this:

10-10:15 a.m.: opening
10:15-11:45 a.m.: plenary session with Paula LaRocque
noon-1 p.m.: two sessions, one on design (Austin American-Statesman design gurus) and one on the Web (possibly a UT professor)
1-2:30 p.m.: lunch on your own
2:30-3:30 p.m.: two sessions, one on Texas politics (Ross Ramsey of Texas Weekly) and one on multimedia for the Web (Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon of the Austin American-Statesman)
3:40-5:10: plenary session with Hank Glamann on headlines
5:10: closing

There might be a few adjustments as we go. Please contact me if you have questions about hotels and other logistics. The workshop is free, and students are welcome. We'll post a flier up here soon with more details and a map. Because it's a Sunday, parking at the University of Texas shouldn't be a problem. We'll probably also arrange a social activity for the night before. It might just be that we'll let you know where to gather. Nothing formal.

The opening session will be in an auditorium in the College of Communication at Dean Keeton Street and Whitis Avenue, Room CMA 2.320. http://www.utexas.edu/maps/main/buildings/cma.html

All are welcome -- not just Texas copy editors. Come join us!

Blythe Terrell
bterrell@statesman.com

Workshop update

We're just about set for the Oct. 21 workshop, though we're still hammering out a few details. The University of Texas says it has some rooms we can use, and we've almost got all of our speakers set. The workshop will start at 10 a.m.

Tentative schedule:
10-11:30 -- first session, which will be a large opening session for everyone
11:40-12:40 -- two smaller sessions
12:40-2 -- lunch on your own
2-3 -- two smaller sessions
3:10-4:40 -- the ending session, another large one for everyone

We have confirmed sessions on Texas politics, new media, design and headlines.

As of now, the workshop will be free for all participants. We're working on getting a block of hotel rooms for out-of-towners.

Texas ACES speakers

We've already got at least two heavy hitters signed up to lead presentations at the October conference.

Hank Glamann, former copy desk chief inHouston and Cleveland and now a consultant, will give his famous Hank on Heds presentation. It's fun and educational.

Paula LaRocque, of the Dallas Morning News and author of several books on newspapering, will talk about general editing.

Blythe Terrell has promised some design gurus with the Austin American Statesman.

The short of it, the Austin conference will be a good place to learn while you meet fellow copy editors.

Anyone out there reading this have any ideas about what else they'd like to see at the conference, let me know. shendricks@vicad.com

Welcome!

Texas ACES has officially entered the blogosphere! How savvy are we?

Check here for updates on events that are relevant to the lives of copy editors in the Lone Star State.

The first daylong workshop is tentatively planned for Sunday, Oct. 21. It will be in Austin. Stay tuned for details.

Have a question/comment/concern?
E-mail Texas ACES at TxACES@gmail.com.