The Real Estate Wonk: Off topic, just because I can - Baltimore homes, apartments, real estate: Buying, selling, renting and housing news from reporter Jamie Smith Hopkins

November 17, 2009

Be a news source on all subjects Black Friday

Once a month, The Baltimore Sun invites everyone -- yes, you too -- to share experiences that will help us better understand how folks are dealing with day-to-day economic realities. The newest topic: Black Friday, that frenzy of post-Thanksgiving shopping.

Will you partake? Have your plans changed from previous years thanks to the downturn?

You can find the Black Friday questions here. Or go to baltimoresun.com/lightsource, our main page for our "be a news source" effort.

Why are we doing this? Because economic news coverage is better and more relevant when it's not just the pundits talking.

Grateful thanks to all who participate and -- better yet -- spread the word.

Posted by Jamie Smith Hopkins at 4:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Light Source, Off topic, just because I can, Your name in lights (well, newsprint)

November 15, 2009

Happy anniversary to me

I've been a staff reporter at The Baltimore Sun for 10 years. Amazing how quickly a decade can fly by.

Here's hoping for another 10 years at least, assuming the newspaper industry still exists at that point.

On that note: Thanks to everyone who subscribes to a newspaper, whichever one it may be. Newspapers' online offerings -- including blogs -- would not be possible without you.

Posted by Jamie Smith Hopkins at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Off topic, just because I can

October 12, 2009

Light Source: What d'you know?

This isn't housing-related, but I thought you might be interested regardless. The newest questions for Light Source, the Sun's share-your-experiences opportunity, just went online today.

I told you about Light Source last month. Here's the lowdown: Economic news coverage is better for everyone when journalists hear from regular folks affected by economic issues, not just economists and policy makers. Light Source is your chance to make mass communication a two-way street.

This month's topic: health care. (Seemed timely.)

The direct link to the Light Source main page is baltimoresun.com/lightsource, if you'd like to spread the word, and I hope you will.

And now back to your regularly scheduled real estate blog.

Posted by Jamie Smith Hopkins at 5:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Light Source, Off topic, just because I can

September 9, 2009

Oh, the beautiful numbers

This instant -- nine seconds after 9:09 on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year -- it is 09/09/09 09:09:09.

Just thought you'd like to know, if you're a numbers wonk, too.

Posted by Jamie Smith Hopkins at 9:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Off topic, just because I can