Rural Calendar
An eclectic compilation of upcoming events of interest to rural journalists and others interested in rural issues

June 21: Fourth of five SPJ narrative writing seminars for 2008

The Society of Professional Journalists will host Narrative Writing Workshops at the University of Houston on June 21 and the University of Richmond (Va.) on July 26. 

Designed to encourage the transformation from inverted-pyramid writing to the art of storytelling, the workshops will be led by prize-winning journalist Tom Hallman Jr. of The Oregonian. “During the workshop, participants will learn ideas for narrative reporting, the daily get, long-form narrative storytelling and strategies to take back to the newsroom,” Hallman said. “Narrative writing is a true gift and I look forward to teaching my craft with future narrative writers.” Hallman has received every major writing award in journalism and in 2001 won the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing.

Programs will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and cost $40 for SPJ members and $60 for non-members.  Lunch is included.  Late fees will apply for registrations received within two weeks of each workshop. For details or to register, visit www.spj.org/nww.asp or call SPJ Programs Coordinator Heather Porter at (317) 927-8000, ext. 204.

June 24: What Comes Next in Gas Price Crisis tele-seminar

What is fueling the gasoline price crisis, and what comes next? To help journalists report the story, the Foundation for American Communications and the Society of Professional Journalists will present a "tele-seminar" with Boston University Professor Robert K. Kaufmann, an expert on gas prices and world oil supply. "Pain at the Pump: What Comes Next in the Gas Price Crisis” is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, at 2 p.m. Eastern time.

This seminar is aimed at journalists who cover business, energy and consumer issues. Among the issues this program will explore: What’s really driving the current price spikes, and what’s next? Is the world running out of oil? Can the United States insulate itself from world oil shocks? Is there a reasonable policy response to oil prices? What are the economic consequences of high gas prices? Are environmental regulations responsible for refinery shortages? Would a change in environmental policy help solve the problem? We can't think of a more urgent set of questions.

Kaufmann has participated in almost a dozen FACS seminars on energy and climate change. "Hhis presentations consistently draw high marks from attendees for their clarity, timeliness and accessibility," FACS said in a news release. FACS is an independent, nonprofit educational institution providing seminars for journalists on complex issues.

The seminar is free for working journalists, but advance registration is required. For further details or to register, go to www.FACSnet.org. To register on FACSnet, click on “Seminars,” and then select “Registration” on the dropdown menu. Registrants will receive an e-mail with more information and instructions.

Aug. 14-15: Biomass-to-biofuels short course at Kentucky

A short course from the University of Kentucky will provide a broad introduction to the area of biomass-derived fuels, emphasizing technological aspects of their production, as well as new feedstock opportunities for farmers. Sessions will be taught by lecturers from UK's Center for Applied Energy Research and College of Agriculture.

Participants will examine current and emerging technologies, including bioethanol production from corn starch and cellulosic biomass, and the production of biodiesel and so-called "green" or "renewable" diesel. Other topics include the development of new feedstocks such as algae and sweet sorghum, and the economics of biomass utilization.

Alison Davis, assistant extension professor of agricultural economics, will conduct a session on the economics of biomass utilization, covering such topics as production, harvest, storage and transportation costs, tax credits and incentives for solar, photovoltaics, ethanol and biodiesel. Mike Montross, associate professor of agricultural engineering, and Samuel Morton of Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., will discuss new feedstock opportunities, including starch, cellulosic and oil sources. Montross and Czarena Crofcheck, associate professor in agricultural engineering, will teach an introductory session on bioethanol basics, and Crofcheck will co-teach a session with CAER’s Andrews and Jim Neathery on biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass. Other sessions will include the biorefinery concept and pyrolysis oil utilization and upgrading.

Cost of the course, to be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lexington, is $250. Nine engineering professional-development hours are offered. Deadline for registration is Aug. 1. For more information and registration visit click here or contact Teresa Epperson at 859-257-0200 or register@caer.uky.edu.