Earth Day

Earth Day is this Saturday. Earth Day Omaha has done a lot of work to organize a big ol' party in Elmwood Park featuring speakers and live music (Black Squirrels and Polydypsia!). This is like the first festival of the summer people. And it celebrates Mother Nature. How exciting! I work part-time for The Reader, media sponsor for the event. My job generally involves eating at various restaurants around town and writing about it, among other things. But it's pretty sweet. But a month or so ago, John Heaston asked if I would write a cover story about community gardens. Even more exciting than Earth Day (to me at least)! And on such an interesting subject. I had the best time interviewing folks at City Sprouts, Gifford, Big Garden and Lampe and Rynearson (the last of which didn't make it to the story, sorry, not enough space). These organizations do such a great service ushering in sustainability and providing fresh produce in areas that don't have great access to healthy food. I could gush on and on (now that I'm no longer obligated to be journalistically apathetic). Researching and writing the story took a lot of energy, and I can only hope I presented the information concisely and interestingly (uh, is that a word?). But my story is on the cover of this week's Reader. If you don't find one lying around somewhere or if you aren't from Omaha or Lincoln, you can read the story here. I hope you like it, I hope you're not bored by it and only read the first two paragraphs. If you don't like it, lie to me. Photo Courtesy of The Reader

Is The Reader Crazy?

I'm a bit nervous about announcing this. (I'm sort of afraid I'm jumping the gun, and it won't end up working out.) But The Reader has at the very least offered me a position as the, ahem, contributing editor of the Dish Section, and I have taken it. When I told my mom about the job, she said, "Oh you'll love it because you'll get to be in control." (I confess, I am a typical oldest child).

No worries, I am not quitting my job at Home & Away Magazine. This job is in addition to Home & Awizzle (as coined by the Baker sisters). It turns out a career as a writer isn't as lucritive as J.K. Rowling, James Patterson and Steven King would make you believe. Shocking. I know.

But this means I will (essentially) get to run the restaurant review section of the Omaha-area newsweekly. And I apparently write a column? And another blog? And manage a dining Web site? And send out a weekly newsletter? Oh my god, what was I thinking?!

Just kidding. I'm cool with it, nay, I'm stoked. But yes, a bit nervous that I'll do a good job covering the entire Omaha metro area including Lincoln and CouncilTucky, I mean Council Bluffs. I was driving home from work on Friday and sitting at a stop light, I became a little overwhelmed/veclempt. I mean, as little as two years ago I was just starting out with this whole getting-paid-for-writing thing. It's strange to get to do something that you dream about, and it's definitely not exactly what you think it would be. It's great in a different way.

But I need help. I don't think I need writers. But I do want ideas. So if you have a neighborhood restaurant that you just love and you think would make a good story for The Reader. Or, if you want to join me for a good meal in Omaha, let me know. Thanks to Josh and Jill, I've already got a headstart.