We are always looking for articles or topics you would like to submit for print in the Urban Times.
The Urban Times is a great place for Cottage Home Neighborhood to promote events, thank sponsors, and inform the neighboring communities about our association and neighborhood. If you have a topic and some information but do not have the time to write up an article, email us the info and we will put it together. If you are not sure the topic is relevant, ask us. You can use the handy form below.
The Google calendar lists the monthly deadline dates but we prefer to receive it the week before.
News and writing guidelines for URBAN TIMES (UT):
When writing articles, please follow the guidelines below from the editor at the Urban Times.
All news reports that appear in Urban Times will be re-written to conform to “standard journalistic standards.”
1. Stories are written in the third person. The proper technique is to write “Neighbors are invited to….” or “Everyone is invited to….”
2. All qualitative statements must be attributed to someone except bylined stories, where the source of the statement is already attributed to the author.
3. We require first AND last names of all people listed in stories – and shown in photographs.
4. Recommend house addresses not be used if it is not essential to the story.
5. People in photographs identified (front to back, left to right).
6. Articles not falling within the scope of usual neighborhood news may be placed elsewhere.
7. Articles must not violate any conflict-of-interest standards.
8. will not publish event info occurring before the issue prints.
9. News items occurring 2+ months before publication will be reviewed, and may be rejected as too old.
10 No stories and photos about houses for sale will be allowed unless in a home tour but the sale will not be mentioned.
11. Due to space allocation being a constant, the UT reserves the right to reject recycled stories if not enough time has elapsed since the previous publication.
President’s Message
1. Qualitative statements should be the main emphasis of the features. This is the neighborhood soapbox.
2. Restricted to one subject – two at the most. Lead with the one that captures interest.
3. Should not be a full recap of all previous month’s events.
News about local business
A line exists between “news” and “advertising.” All business news must fit the criteria listed below, and all business news will be positioned in the business news section, not on neighborhood pages. Neighborhood liaisons to UT who have information about business news should forward that information to the editor, for appropriate follow-up. The final decision rests with the editor. Because of the importance of the relationship with businesses, we strongly prefer that business stories be written by the editor.
2 exceptions to the business news directive:
1. Urban Times will allow “business profile” pieces as long as they are about organizations that do not do business on a direct-consumer basis. This would include manufacturing and other light-industrial operations. No “profiles,” however, will be accepted if they involve such consumer-related businesses as restaurants and bars, retail shops, salons, attorney firms, architectural firms or other such businesses.
2. We will accept features about “heritage businesses” – those which are at least 25 years old. The story must focus on the firm’s position within and its importance to the neighborhood. It must not, however, include any rhetoric which encourages people to patronize the business. That remains an advertising function.
3. Otherwise, UT will not publish any “feature stories” about businesses or their operators. One instance in which we will publish features on business owners is if the story is NOT about the business, but about the individual. For example, the owner of a local restaurant is a world traveler just back from Hindustan with an interesting story to tell. His connection to the business can be mentioned in the story – but the story itself must be about the travels, not the business.
4. UT publishes stories about new businesses, and significant changes in the operation of existing businesses, including expansions or significant remodeling, services, and hours -positioned in the business section.
5. FARMERS MARKETS, though unique business enterprises, are for-profit businesses and the same rules apply. UT publishes two notices for each seasonal cycle – announcing dates the market begins and ends, and a second one with highlights, including perhaps the list of vendors. Any news items beyond those will be judged on a case-by-case basis. As a general rule, however, these fall under paid advertising.
6. UT DOES NOT publish news about sales or prices of any product. We also do not publish product lines.
7. Does allow listings thanking businesses for donations or support of neighborhood activities, as well as mentioning them as locations for community events. Does NOT allow rhetoric urging neighbors to shop or support a specific business (even in the President’s Messages).
