Date: Monday, March 22, 2010
NEW EARLIER TIME: 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Gather at 6:00 to meet fellow members; refreshments provided.)
Place: Mechanics' Institute, 57 Post Street, 4th Floor, San Francisco (directions and map)
Forum organizer: Jim Norrena

Helpful Editorial Resources: An Evening of Show-and-Tell

As freelancers we often get our best leads by word-of-mouth sharing; we listen to our peers’ recommendations about practical, timesaving, and often FREE resources. Yet with Web-based resources popping up every day, staying abreast of all the copious websites, blogs, enewsletters, and other online tools is practically a full-time job in itself. So why not do what we as resourceful editors already do best: share our personal collections of useful, professional resources—particularly the little-known ones—during an evening of editorial Show-and-Tell?

Sure, most of us know Merriam-Webster’s is available online for free, and that we can subscribe to the online edition of Chicago Manual of Style, but what other, lesser-known editorial resources do we have tucked away in our bookmarks? Think of the enormous discovery potential an evening of sharing online resources with fellow BAEF members represents. Even if you walk away with just one or two new editorial gems to add to your bag of editing tools, consider the value in terms of saved time and greater efficiency.

Please email your recommended URLs to BAEF Program Coordinator Jim Norrena at jim@typosuction.com. For each submission,* briefly explain its appeal. The more submissions we receive in advance, the greater the range of categories we can cover; however, your on-the-spot contributions are equally welcome. (Note: While attendees are welcome to show and tell their resources on the laptop we’ll be using, Jim will be available to present on your behalf, if you prefer—just indicate your preference in your email.)

Here are just a few category examples to start us off:

geology/maps

style (off-beat and traditional)

usage (foreign and domestic)

quotations

recommended books, magazines, journals

science tools

technology terminology

medical resources

reliable blogs

As an icebreaker for this lively and entertaining forum, you’re invited to share a rant or rave about something you’d like to get off your chest (no names of actual persons or companies, of course!) for communal amusement or collective support.

* For each resource you submit, you’ll be entered in the evening’s Show-and-Tell raffle. So if you submit five website recommendations, you’ll have five times the chance of winning! (Note: Participants do not have to be present to win, but it would be great to see your smile if you do win.)

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Date: April 2010 - date to be confirmed
NEW EARLIER TIME: 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Gather at 6:00 to meet fellow members; refreshments provided.)
Place: Mechanics' Institute, 57 Post Street, 4th Floor, San Francisco (directions and map)
Forum organizer: Jim Norrena

Topic planning in progress

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General Notes:

• Our forums are free to members—as well as to non-members who may want to check us out.
• No San Francisco forums are held in July, August or December.

Date: Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Time: 6:45-8:30 p.m.
Place: Campbell Library, 77 Harrison Ave., Campbell, CA 95008 (map)
Forum organizer: David Couzens

Members' Showcase in 3D!

Join us for our new-and-improved, first-ever South Bay Members' Showcase! Inclement weather had most of us working on our arks in January, so this show-and-tell opportunity has been rescheduled. Keep in mind that this will be a low-key, relaxed affair. We want to provide a nonjudgmental venue for sharing our recent work with our peers, to see what fellow members have been working on and what we might learn from each other.

All media are welcome: print, online, video, and audio (BYOC—bring your own computer). Bring completed projects you are proud of, projects in progress, or gnarly new projects to which the collective wisdom of the membership can bring enlightenment. See you there!

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General Notes:

• Our forums are free to members—as well as to non-members who may want to check us out.
• South Bay forums are held quarterly rather than monthly.

Time: In San Francisco, we gather at 6:00 pm for networking and socializing. Presentations are from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Location: The Mechanics' Institute is at 57 Post Street, San Francisco 94104. We meet in the fourth floor meeting room and café, seen upon exiting the elevator.

Directions: Just a short distance from the Montgomery Street BART station. Walk one-quarter of a block (left) up Post Street, away from Market Street bus lines. By car, from Geary or Market or 3rd Street, go north onto Kearny and turn right on Post. From O'Farrell, go north on Grant and right on Post.

Parking: On-street parking on Post and neighboring streets is free after 6 pm. Garage parking is available three blocks away in the Sutter-Stockton Garage, 330 Sutter Street at the corner of Sutter and Stockton.

About the Mechanics' Institute: Located in downtown San Francisco, the Institute houses the oldest library on the West Coast and one of the nation's oldest chess clubs. Organized in 1854 when San Francisco was a remote frontier community, it began as a center for adult technical education. The private Institute, housed in the historic 1910 building at 57 Post Street, maintains a large circulation and reference library.