America’s Last Newspaper ends print run on May 1, 2024
The Anderson Valley Advertiser has been part of my life for a very long time. I started subscribing when I lived in Portland for a few years, to keep a toe in the weird world behind the Redwood Curtain, where I spent the formative years of my life.
I loved so much about it, but mostly it was how fierce Bruce and The Major would get fighting the good fight - seemingly never tiring of pointing out the faults of the bureaucratic incompetence of authority with caustic wit and sparse but true praise when someone was doing right by the community.
Bruce McEwen is the best court reporter I’ve ever read, with not only excellent descriptions of what goes on in court, but his bonus tales of hitchhiking around Mendo while he was on the Court Beat (he still shows up occasionally). It was a joy to find Larry Bensky in the pages at the end of his long and inspiring life. Quotes that were in the margins were usually of interest, and I appreciated the letter-to-the-editor writers who wrote so regularly that I thought of them as columnists.
It kept me grounded in a better world, where critique and discussion was part of a regular dialogue of neighbors. It reflected weekly that to strive and struggle was actually the fun part, that actions and inaction both have consequences, that a newspaper should have no friends.
you can still read it at theava.com, sure, but I’ll miss what people were calling “the paper-paper”. Here’ s their Manifesto:
Intents and Purposes (AVA, January 4, 1984 Vol. 32, Issue #1)
This newspaper stands against wealth, privilege and all branches of local, state and federal government. These positions are subject to change should the management of the Advertiser become either wealthy or privileged. Since there isn't any wealth to speak of around here, and less privilege, government, especially local government, will be the focus of much attention.
We will print the stories that go untold in Mendocino County because of the timidity and allegiances of the existing press.
We are neither liberal nor conservative, believing that ideology is for idiots and dictators. We are enemies of dogma and rigidity for which we will roll out the big guns.
We will attempt to publish articles and features of interest to all segments of our diverse community, something for everyone.
We will present lengthy features on such subjects as the likely impact of the Roederer Corporation on Anderson Valley; what it is like to be an illegal Mexican worker in Mendocino County; items of historical interest; the economics and problems of: sheep ranching; licensed children’s homes; the Mendocino County Schools operations in Anderson Valley; the local schools: interviews with local movers and shakers; and lots of gossip, the life's blood of the small community.
lf there are stories you'd like to see, let us know: If we become shrill, boring or humorless, let us know. When we’re dumb or dishonest, let us know. Better yet, sue us.
But make no mistake about it, we fully intend to do as we please, mollifying no one, least of all our advertisers and subscribers.
Bruce Anderson, Editor
