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At an event last week, in a large shaded patio, I found myself briefly sitting next to a new face in town, belonging to one David Morrison. He asked about my "place" in San Miguel. Between bites I responded, "I've been here 12 years. I publish Lokkal." At this David lit up.
Familiar with Lokkal, he introduced himself as a former ad man, and we started talking shop. Right away he endeared himself to me by observing that publishing Lokkal was a lot of work. "Herculean," I affirmed. Having arrived after Atención's demise, he went on to note that a number of his friends in town (I knew three of the four that he mentioned) really miss the paper.
Photographing is more than just taking pictures. Writing is more than just putting words on a page. Interviewing is more than just asking questions. David's well-launched, open-ended queries revealed his professionalism.
To his "How is it going?" I responded, "I'm carrying bags of gold, and they're too heavy for me," pointing out that before the pandemic Atención was printing $7000 US dollars every week, and that Lokkal is the heir apparent. When he asked why Atención failed, I lamented that its last owner wasn't really a publisher, "Like being a rabbi or a performer, publishing has to be in your blood."
David had more questions. He wanted to know what would be most helpful to Lokkal at this point. He wanted to better understand our community and Lokkal's place in it. He wanted to talk more. But, as there was also somewhere else that he needed to be, I took his contact, and we said goodbye.
We exchanged a few emails, and met a few days later. It went very well. Expert in many regards (www.morrisonminute.com), he has taken Lokkal under his wing. He advised me to issue a Call to Action, to enlist the talents, the expertise of the community. Here goes:
What we liked best about Atención is what we appreciate most about San Miguel, that is, community. We loved Atención because it reflected our community, quite literally, represented us in its pages.
Since Atención's demise, Lokkal has stepped forward, upping the number of articles we publish each week and the number of posts on our Community Wall. That, along with maintaining our event calendar, has had me working day and night, often on the verge of being overwhelmed, for the last half year; every day and every night, except for the mandatory "day of rest," the Sabbath. (What a great, lifesaving concept it is.)
It's taken me this half year to order my work process, to get my systems in place, and to align my emotional being with this new reality. Now, recently, I'm in a very good space. The efficiency of my routine, and allowing myself to relax into it, has lightened the workload. I've gotten the hang of this publishing thing.
Lokkal is like pushing a car. When we get up enough speed I'll pop the clutch, and then we'll all get to ride. Lately, now that Lokkal is the only game in town, more people are heeding its promise and putting their shoulder to it. We're rolling along, gathering momentum. People like a winner.
Just like Atención was a local publishing project that donated its profits to the community (through the Biblioteca), Lokkal is a local publishing project that donates its profits to the community (through Lokkal Foundation).
Just like Atención depended on community support (individuals contributing their talents, and businesses buying advertising) Lokkal will only achieve its full potential when it is adopted by the community as its own.
As Atención was the voice of our community, now Lokkal is "San Miguel's Voice." I'm nostalgic along with the best of them, but it's time to look forward. We need to preserve and project authentic San Miguel.
So please, contact me about the many, creative, fulfilling ways there are to help. Lokkal wants to publish your passion or give you something to be passionate about. Money is one measure of richness. Another, much better for your health, is belonging. In the latter regard, anyway, my cup runneth over, and yours can, too.
Working so hard so long to get Lokkal up to speed, has left me somewhat winded. But I'm catching my breath. And, with a few more of the right people aboard, we'll have the momentum we need to pop the clutch. It's going to be a great ride.
Sitting with David Morrison at our meeting yesterday, I remarked that such ambition in two white-bearded men might be thought unseemly. And indeed, it would be easier, personally at least, to just quietly retire. But we've been bitten by the community bug, and we hope it bites you, too.
Mission
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Dr. David presents Lokkal, the social network, the prettiest, most-efficient way to see San Miguel online. Our Wall shows it all. Join and add your point of view.
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Please contribute to Lokkal,
SMA's online collective:
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Discover Lokkal:
Watch the two-minute video below.
Then, just below that, scroll down SMA's Community Wall.
Mission
Visit SMA's Social Network
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