MOUNTAIN BRIEFS

We invite non-profit organizations to submit brief reports on upcoming public events, such as pancake feeds, concerts, barbecues. Also included in this category is information about upcoming meetings and other special events that are open to the public.

Information must include date, time, location, cost to attend and one telephone number to call for further information.

MOUNTAIN BRIEFS items run in both editions of the SIERRA STAR and the SIERRA HOME ADVERTISER until the publication prior to the event, but a maximum of six weeks. Information must be submitted on an 8 1/2 x 11-inch sheet of paper. Smaller sheets tend to get lost.

We also require the name and phone number of the person submitting the information.

DEADLINE: Monday, 5p.m. for the Friday edition, Thursday, 5p.m. for the Wednesday edition.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

There are many, many activities planned in the Mountain Area that the organizers hope will be well attended by the public. A summary of most of those events can be included in MOUNTAIN BRIEFS, but often it is also important that there be lengthy, detailed stories about what is planned, why, etc.

We will gladly accept such information - and we emphasize that the earlier we receive the information, the more time we have to process it and plan for more prominent display of the story space. Generally, plan a week to 10 days in advance of the edition when you hope the story will run.

Please do not ask us to "make an exception." These guidelines and related dates are based on our schedules and when we know we must complete our work in order to meet printing and other deadlines.

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CHURCH NEWS

Churches are encouraged to submit information on the pastor's topic for the service that follows the Friday of publication, in which MOUNTAIN CHURCHES appears. News about other special, public events may also be submitted.

Other information, such as regular public events may be included in "Other activities." Refer to the MOUNTAIN CHURCHES page for examples of the format used on this page.

We will not accept routine weekly activity lists for the news columns. That information can be included in the Church Directory- contact the Display Advertising Department for information.

DEADLINE: Monday, 5 p.m.

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LETTERS

We encourage readers to submit letters for publication in PUBLIC FORUM, a section of our weekly Commentary Page. Letters must be signed by the author and must include a daytime telephone number so we can contact the author for verification. Letters may not exceed 300 words, should discuss local issues and cannot be "open letters" to anyone. We do not accept letters submitted to other newspapers, we encourage you to also write to other papers, but expect a differently-worded letter for PUBLIC FORUM.

We also have a HATS OFF! column for brief notes praising the community contributions of individuals and organizations. Notes offering praise to businesses need to be included in paid display advertising.

The Commentary Page also includes guest columns and we welcome contributions of up to 500 words, also discussing local issues.

DEADLINE: Friday noon for PUBLIC FORUM. Wednesday, 5 P.M. for HATS OFF! and for guest columns.

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OBITUARIES

Families are encouraged to submit detailed information about the life of relatives who have died. A special form is available for this purpose or, when possible, discuss the life with a reporter. Of special interest is information concerning the activities, hobbies and personal achievements. Information must include the date and city of death, and of birth.

Generally, your funeral director prepares an obituary form that includes basic information but usually does not include as much detail as we prefer. Please note that we have a general format for such stories and we cannot always exactly follow text that is submitted. (There is no charge for an obituary, but paid advertising can be used to assure exact language preferred by the family.)

A face photograph can be used; the photo will be returned as soon as we have processed it for use in the paper. (Processing does not harm the original picture.)

DEADLINE: Monday 3:30 pm for the Wednesday Edition; Wednesday 3:30 pm for the Friday edition. It helps to alert the as early as possible that obituary information is coming, and it is sometimes possible to submit portions of information past deadline.

Downloadable PDF Form - Obituaries
107KB PDF

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ANNIVERSARIES, ENGAGEMENTS,
WEDDINGS, BIRTHS & BIRTHDAYS

We are glad to help you submit news about events such as wedding anniversaries (25th, 50th and longer), engagements and weddings. Forms are available for engagements and weddings (at least one party must be a Mountain Area resident or recent former resident).

For anniversaries, consult a reporter so that we get information we need.

Information about a wedding must be submitted within 30 days following the ceremony so that it has news value.

Downloadable PDF Form - Wedding Announcements
111KB PDF

BIRTHDAYS We will consider stories about special birthday events, where unusual circumstances are involved in the celebration. "Unusual" is a judgment of the reporter.

BIRTHS We accept information about births, but the information must reach us within 10 days following the birth. We have a form; we use limited information according to our format.

Downloadable PDF Form - Birth Information
28KB PDF

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PHOTOGRAPHS

We welcome photographs for use with stories about upcoming events such as fund-raisers; or photographs relating to a community improvement project, etc.

Color 35-millimeter negatives are preferred. We can use prints, color or black and white. Polaroid shots are seldom usable because they do not reproduce well. Pictures should not include more than five people, and the people must be "in action." Do not have people standing and looking directly at the camera lens. We will NOT publish "Grip and Grin" pictures of one person presenting a check, an award, etc. There are ways to "set up" pictures involving donations, awards, etc. Contact the for advice before taking such pictures.

We will gladly work with you in arranging for a team photographer to take a photograph. Allow a couple of weeks to schedule the picture AND we cannot schedule a picture on Sunday, Monday or Wednesday and, usually, not after 5 p.m.

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