To all AP members,

Welcome to 2010. So far, it’s been a year of freezing temperatures for most of us – perhaps because the Cowboys won a playoff game.

But fear not – winter will give away to another beautiful spring, just in time for the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors annual convention March 26-28 in College Station. We’re set to have fun, learn from one another and recognize our best and brightest in Texas journalism.

Below are details about the contest (deadline clock is ticking) and the convention:

Get your contest entries in by Jan. 22:

You should have received the contest rules by e-mail in early December. Here’s more information:

• The Web site for submitting 2010 Texas Associated Press Managing Editors contest entries now is available through www.tapmecontest.org
• We suggest you designate one user per paper. If you have multiple users uploading to the contest site, the users will only be able to see and/or modify the entries they submitted.
• The only way to view your paper’s entire entry is if you use one login.
• Please correctly fill in the registration information so we can quickly contact you in case judges have questions about your entry or have an issue with one of your entries.
• Contact contest coordinator Shane Fitzgerald at fitzgeralds@caller.com or at 361-886-3688 if you have questions or encounter problems with the site.
• The entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Jan. 22.
• Award winners will be announced at the March convention in College Station.

Sign up now for the 2010 Texas APME Annual Convention

• Scheduled for March 26-28 at the Hilton Conference Center in College Station.
• Go to www.txapme.com and register. Mail payments to Pam Collins, The Associated Press, 4851 LBJ Freeway, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75244. Make checks payable to Texas APME.
• Registration cost is $205 for members and $150 for spouse/extra guest; $20 additional cost for children attending Jack Douglas Dinner on Saturday, March 27.
• If you want to only attend the Jack Douglas Dinner at the Bush Presidential Library on Saturday, March 27, cost is $75.
• Book your room ASAP at the Hilton in College Station by calling 1-800-HILTONS. Specify the code – APM – so you can qualify for the convention rate, which is $129, plus tax.
• Friday, March 26: Informal activities kick off
  • 3: 30 p.m. at the Hilton. Anyone interested in mentoring students, please sign up with board member Dino Chiecchi at DChiecchi@conexionsa.com. This involves reviewing resumes and answering questions from students attending colleges across Texas.
  • 6 p.m. At Lucky B Bison Ranch in Bryan. Buffalo chili and drinks provided courtesy of Bryan-College Station Eagle Editor Donnis Baggett, along with the newspaper. RSVP to kelly.brown@theeagle.com.
• Saturday, March 27 & Sunday, March 28: Seminars & Awards
  • Officially starts at 9 a.m. Seminars in the morning, lunch will follow. Afternoon on your own (details about possibilities will follow, including going through some drills at Disaster City.) Dinner that night at the Bush Presidential Library (with free access to museum prior). Seminars end late Sunday morning. Award announcements sprinkled throughout Saturday and Sunday. Stay tuned for more details.

Auction items needed

The Buster Haas auction – which raises funds for a minority internship program and is set for Saturday, March 27 – needs you. We’re hoping every newspaper coming to the convention brings something. Suggestions:

• Ask your photographers to pick out a few favorites (popular item; doesn’t have to be from the past year) and have them matted (frames not required)
• Hit your boss up for a three-day stay at her/his ranch/cabin/chalet
• Ask your marketing/advertising department for tickets to sporting events (college/professional)
• See if a touristy spot in your town will donate a weekend stay and/or free tickets to their attraction
• Books and CDs are welcome
• Dig around the features desk for nicknacks sent to the paper, toys included
• Rare finds that have surfaced at other auctions: A vacuum cleaner, fine jewelry and a lamp…

Don’t wait to the last minute: E-mail questions to Sue Smith at kgsmith41@msn.com.

If you don’t want to haul the loot here, mail to Kelly Brown, The Eagle, 1729 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan, Texas 77802.

Looking forward to seeing you in a few months.

Best regards,
Kelly Brown
TAPME president (2009-10)
Managing Editor
Bryan-College Station Eagle
1729 Briarcrest Drive
Bryan, Texas 77802