Good news, everyone! The Advocate has made some staff changes that we think will create a more balanced and exciting paper.
First up, staff writer Hunter Styles has been promoted to arts editor. Styles will be drawing on his background in theater and his deep love of the Valley’s creative scene to cull a bigger, better calendar, and dig deep into the people, places, and work that make the area an artist haven. On a practical note, if you want to let the Advocate know about your upcoming performance, exhibit, or basement poetry slam, drop Styles a line at hstyles@valleyadvocate.com. If you want to make sure your event gets into the Advocate calendar, submit it at valleyadvocate.com/events/submit-event
Next: Welcome Peter Vancini to the crew! Vancini joins the Advocate editorial team as a staff writer with an interest in environmental issues. I’ll let Vancini take it from here:
“A little bit about me: After working in the environmental sector for several years, I’m returning to journalism, my first love. I’m a dedicated conservationist, so you can expect to see that reflected in my reporting.
“For a while now, I’ve thought of myself as a geography nerd with a journalism habit. Both fields are essentially about exploration and that’s why they appeal to me. I’m driven by a love of finding things out and telling compelling stories in original ways. I love seeking out new perspectives on the world, getting to talk with interesting people, and reporting on issues that affect the community. As a staff writer, I’ll endeavor to bring you the same kind of thorough reporting on off-beat stories that you’ve come to expect from the Advocate. Get in touch at pvancini@valleyadvocate.com.”
Lastly, a bit of bittersweet news: after a year and a half with the Advocate, staff writer Amanda Drane has taken a reporter position over at the Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton. Drane won’t completely disappear from the paper, however. She will still write the Third-Eye Roaming yoga column for the Advocate. We’re sad for us — Drane is an award-winning journalist who also kept a stash of chocolate at her desk — but happy for her to have this new opportunity to point out the emperor wears no clothes on a daily, rather than weekly, basis.
That’s all for now. Keep in touch, won’t you? Send your questions, comments, concerns, and news tips to Advocate editor Kristin Palpini at editor@valleyadvocate.com.
