PAT RICE: Cup of Joe? Join us for "Coffee with The News-Journal"
Consider this your personal invitation to have a cup of coffee and talk news with members of The News-Journal newsroom.
More about the "what" and the "why" in a couple paragraphs. But first, some particulars.
• First, the coffee is on us. Or, if you prefer, we'll also spring for tea or soda.
• The date and time are August 27, from 7:30-to-9 a.m. — or longer if readers want to keep discussing news.
• The place is Steve's Famous Diner, located at 2011 N. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach.
• I will be there, and so will Daytona Beach reporter Eileen Zafirro-Kean and business editor Clayton Park.
• Anyone who has the time to join us is invited. The only thing readers need to bring is conversation in the form of opinions about current local news, tips about possible stories, or suggestions for The News-Journal.
• Finally, this will be our first — but not only — "Coffee with The News-Journal." We plan to do this monthly for the next year, at different times and restaurants throughout cities in Volusia and Flagler counties.
The News-Journal newsroom works hard to be accessible to our readers, and we also look for opportunities to get readers involved in critical issues facing Volusia and Flagler counties.
During election years, we host and moderate debates between candidates for offices of high interest to the public. In 2018, we moderated six debates between candidates. More than a thousand people attended.
This past spring, The News-Journal also hosted six community meetings focused on the proposed half-cent sales tax that was eventually defeated. Nearly a thousand people came to those meetings.
We also have a standing invitation to readers to participate in our daily weekday morning news meetings. The meetings are at 10 a.m. Monday through Friday. My only request is that readers call in advance to let us know they're coming. If you want to attend one of our news meetings, just call me at 386-681-8628.
Our newsroom also maintains a standing open line of communication with any readers who have a story idea for us, or a comment about coverage. You can find a full list of reporters' phone numbers at newsjournalonline.com. And readers can always leave a story tip at tips@news-jrnl.com — and dozens of people a month do just that.
All that helps us to produce a more informed daily news product for our readers online and in print. Now, our hope is that adding a traveling monthly get together will provide both The News-Journal and readers a friendly way to sustain a regular conversation. As an added personal bonus, I like coffee.
Some years back, we initiated a "reader panel" that we intended to have meet regularly to discuss news coverage and get story ideas. The 15-member panel was excellent, and included school activist Kim Schwab Short and former Holly Hill Police Chief Mark Barker, who now pens a weekly blog on social media. The trouble was, it was difficult to find a date when everyone could make a meeting. We discontinued the reader panel after a year or so.
My hunch is that monthly moving coffee klatches will be more easy to sustain. Certainly, holding them at restaurants in cities across our two-county area will give our staff a better sense of more issues. Hopefully, it will also give readers an easier way to connect with us.
We're beginning these monthly meetings in Daytona Beach for two reasons.
First, a lot is going on in Daytona Beach these days. From growth on the outskirts, to downtown development, to the homeless shelter, to questions about that big hotel taking shape on the beach, the city does not lack for issues and controversy. It should make for good conversation over coffee.
Additionally, I can't think of a better place to kick off a morning meeting with coffee than Steve's Famous Diner, known for exceptional food, hospitality and coffee — which are three reasons it's famous.
Remember, our first "Coffee with The News-Journal" is on Tuesday, Aug. 27 from 7:30-to-9 a.m. Come have a cup of Joe, and tell us what's on your mind.
