I’ve been working with Rob Ashe to start a newspaper–The Paper. Our first publication will come out in January, 2011. Click on Rob’s picture to watch a video about our mission–or read our letter below.
Rob Ashe, Founder and Publisher of The Paper
We are a different newspaper. In a positive way. Not a fluffy positive way, but a meaningful, real way. There are a lot of great people and things happening in Menlo Park, Woodside, Portola Valley, and Atherton that we think deserve attention. We want to be a voice that highlights the good, significant, and meaningful parts of our community.
We don’t want to print yesterday’s news. Our articles and photos are timeless; meaningful stories that will be relevant for a long time.
Our stories are inspiring, but sometimes they might be challenging. We will highlight the role models in our community–the people that we want to be more like. We don’t want to fill your heads with gossip or depressing news; there is enough of that. Much of the current news features the worst events that happen in our community. Of course it gets our attention, but through fear.
We’ve found that what’s most meaningful in our lives is when we stop thinking of ourselves. Focusing on others and what’s right with the world feels more significant and purposeful. We forget this easily though, and need a constant reminder. The Paper is that reminder–that righteous kick in the ass, or if you prefer the less vulgar; the angel on your shoulder.
Maybe you’re happy with where you are, and how things are going. That’s wonderful. But we know a lot of people that want more. We believe in our community, but think that we can be even better. We have the privilege of being one of the most innovative, trendy, and wealthy communities in the world. At The Paper, we want to encourage the use of our influence for the betterment of our own community, and those that look up to us.
We don’t have the answers, but know we can come up with them together, as a community. Let’s talk about critical issues and ask the questions that need to be asked. Let’s inspire the world, starting with ourselves.
