Event

The Word in Print • Brenda Knowles ‘Inside Journalism Series’

April 8, 2014/in Workshops & Classes /by Elaine Simmons

Tuesday, April 8, 2014, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

“The Word in Print,” Panel Conversation, is the first in the Brenda Knowles ‘Inside Journalism Series.’ The panel is made up of distinguished guest columnists Ernest Hooper and Daniel Ruth, Tampa Bay Times, and Steve Otto, Tampa Tribune. Q & A will follow the panel discussion.

Ernest Hooper is the East Hillsborough Bureau chief and columnist at the Tampa Bay Times. Hooper joined the Times in 1992 and has worked as a prep sports writer and editor, TV/radio sports columnist, NFL writer, news columnist and unofficial ambassador, representing the Times as an emcee, judge or keynote speaker at hundreds of nonprofit events and civic functions. Hooper added the role of East Hillsborough Bureau chief in 2012. He oversees news content for the Times‘ regional edition east of Tampa, the SouthShore & Brandon Times, and writes two columns a week. His commentaries about family, community issues and political perspectives have helped Hooper connect with readers over the years, but he’s probably best known for his signature tagline: “That’s all I’m saying.”

Daniel Ruth has been scribbling away for four decades as a reporter, film critic, television critic and columnist for the Tampa Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times and the Tampa Bay Times. He also has worked as a radio talk show host as well as an adjunct professor for the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa and Columbia College in Chicago. Daniel is a ‘Peter Lisagor Award’ recipient for his columns in Chicago and has been honored by the Pinellas County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union with the Irene Miller ‘Vigilance In Journalism Award.’ In 2013, Times editor of editorials Tim Nickens and columnist Daniel Ruth won the Pulitzer Prize award for a series of editorials that encouraged Pinellas County to resume adding fluoride to the drinking water, earning the Tampa Bay Times its ninth Pulitzer Prize.

Steve Otto is a columnist at The Tampa Tribune. For almost four decades, Steve Otto has been the voice of Tampa Bay with his often hilarious and sometimes poignant view of life. Otto is a child of the islands (he was born at Tampa General). He grew up in a military family and lived around the world from Japan to Germany and exotic locales such as Nebraska and South Dakota. In October, he started his 39th year with The Tampa Tribune. He has been a sportswriter; food, movie and television critic, political writer, editor and columnist. The Tribune has shipped him to Super Bowls, political conventions and aircraft carriers. He has traveled the Oregon Trail, crisscrossed the country re-discovering America, headed an expedition to find the Skunk Ape, played tennis with Chris Evert, shared beignets with Sean Connery, wrestled with the Great Malenko, judged the world championship of chili and searched for UFOs in Nevada. Steve’s own annual chili contest raises thousands for a different charity each year. He annually coaches his all-star Beep ball team to a loss against the Lighthouse for the Blind and he plays Santa for the Kiwanis Christmas show for children. His second book, “Spirit of the Bay,” is a history of the Tampa Bay region and a copy is in the city’s time capsule downtown. He is the winner of numerous awards in journalism but is proudest of his community awards.

The FCC Brenda Knowles ‘Inside Journalism Series’

This series is comprised of 5 panel discussions focused on all forms of journalism, from print, broadcast, and photo-journalism to on-line media, followed annually by 2 workshop programs related to each panel conversation.

The Brenda Knowles ‘Inside Journalism’ Series has been established to honor the impact Knowles made as the Publisher and Editor of South Hillsborough County’s award-winning community newspaper, The Observer. Brenda worked for The Observer from 1988 until her death in January, 2014. She enjoyed her work immensely and had a never-ending passion for creating a newspaper that was relevant to the community and a “relentless focus on sharing good news.” On her editorial side, Brenda was dedicated to the proper use of the English language.