Last night, I spent my evening sitting in Benson, at the Barley Street Tavern, surrounded by friends and regulars, finishing assembly on the newest issue of Found in Benson. I realized that I'd neglected to mention it here at the Parlor.
Found in Benson is a weekly zine that is released exclusively in Benson (in the bars, music venues, and some other businesses in the area). Each issue is different. The zine is cut and paste style. The cover is up for grabs to whoever submits an idea. The non-profit zine is published every Thursday. Content and number of copies printed relies solely upon donations and volume of submissions. To donate or submit content to be included in future issues, contact any of the staff or look for coffee cans around Benson. The staff includes Jeff Spiehs, Brad Hoshaw, Kyle Harvey, and MarQ Manner.
Here's the editor's note from the first issue:
I find myself sitting alone, after completing the first issue of the new and improved Found in Benson. Despite all of the hard work that was required, I consider myself privileged to have spent the day with good friends, sipping on coffee and discussing the many strengths of our community. The Foundry's motto of local, honest, collaborative, rings true with everyone on staff and has inspired many to support us before ever seeing the first issue.
For example, the map was acquired by actual 'foot on pavement' effort, traveling down every stretch of cement (even the scary ones) in order to piece together a comprehensive map of the downtown Benson Business district. The calendar was a result of scouring countless websites and publications to ensure that we wouldn't leave out any possibilities of being entertained. And then you have the creative elements, which often times demand the most grueling work. Poetry, cartoons, essays, music reviews, photography and more...are all contributions from friends and neighbors of the Benson community. Anyone that has spent much time in the neighborhood knows that Benson consists of some truly original thinkers and we believe that they all deserve to be celebrated and explored.
Every aspect of this publication is tailored to give the ownership to YOU. As you may have noticed we have left this week's cover blank so that YOUR hand can provide the face of Found in Benson for weeks to come. If you turn in your designs to the staff or drop them off at The Foundry, it may be featured as the cover of next week's issue.
I look forward to the next time I walk into the bar and see the regulars with a tall boy in one hand and a FIB in the other. Their eyes dancing across the pages in search of their contribution then moving on to discover the hidden talents of their friends and possibly a revolutionary idea that will change the course of their day.
We would love to hear your suggestions on how this humble 'cut and paste' underground zine can better serve the Benson community. In the coming issues we hope you will be inspired to contribute your very own voice to these pages, and submit regularly.
Best wishes,
Brad Hoshaw
So that's it. I have to say, I am really excited about the new issue. The Valentine's Day issue is new and improved - with all of the kinks from the first issue worked out - AND it's printed on pink paper! There's a new mix tape (with streaming audio on the Facebook page), drawings, poems, short stories, an advice column. It's got something for everyone (including a flash fiction piece by me). I feel like I've been waiting for something like Found in Benson to find ME for some time now. I feel privileged to be a part (albeit a small one) of this publication. So many good things are starting to happen in Benson and I look forward to so many more great things to come. Please, look for the newest FIB the next time you're in Benson and donate if you'd like to support (what I believe) is a great publication.
I think community projects are rad. And I think this Found In Benson is an interesting idea, I just think it is limiting when you consider the sprawl of Omaha. One thing I've tried to do on the Parlor is show the breath of culture all throughout the Omaha area. There are some creative Chefs in this city, and most of them are not in Benson. Along with a lot of other going ons.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should submit things that are Found Out of Benson...
Well, at this point, it's more of a community-based rather than a city-wide effort. When you're trying to get anything done, trying to make a big change, trying to do some good for a large amount of people, it's sometimes best to start on a smaller scale, and this is what the essence of FIB really is. The idea is to start small, get people involved, get them interested in the Benson community, show them everything there is to do there, everything the community has to offer in terms of arts and entertainment, and use that as a jumping-off point. By creating a list of events EVERYWHERE in Benson, you get people out and supporting the arts, getting actively involved with their community, and putting money back into the local businesses. They're planning on interviewing local business owners in the area, and there are also going to be pieces on shows and events coming through. I'll be doing a piece on the Barley Street Writer's Workshop soon (hopefully) to get more people involved there, and that will in turn, help generate more submissions for the zine. The guys from FIB put together the first issue with money from their own pockets, and they're working strictly on donations from this point on (from what I understand). Non-profit (at least starting out) HAS to be smaller scale, unless you're an established organization with regular donors. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love Omaha (all of it, even if I don't get out west much). I REALLY love Benson. If I've ever identified with or felt more welcomed in another area in this town, I'd be talking about it instead of Benson. The fact of the matter is, these guys are trying to do good for an area of Omaha they (and so many other people) really love. I think it's really great and I am happy that it's happening.
ReplyDeleteSidenote: You SHOULD submit something if you want to. The articles they're looking for (as in, non-fiction) are supposed to be Benson-related, but you never know. You could do a local music or show review, submit a photo, a doodle, whatever you want. This week had a doodle someone drew on a napkin. :) They're really trying to include everything they can, here. ALL that Benson (not just the people who reside there, but people who enjoy it as well) has to offer.
ReplyDeleteWhat I mean with kind of the short sided thing is distribution. I live far away enough from Benson that it is a trip to get there. I go there for a specific reason, not to just get out. I can understand why they couldn't get it in every place in Omaha, but maybe go to business outside of Benson that are supportive of the same ideals. With the only places being in Benson that you can pick one up, it seems kind of masturbatory, the same people that are there every night are the same ones submitting it and the same ones picking it up. What is the plan to get someone like me, who doesn't feel that connection to Benson to want to read this? How do they plan on getting that community feel towards people outside the Benson Area?
ReplyDeleteI see what you did there. Well, the first run was 100 issues, the second was 200, I only assume it'll grow from there. Maybe, once there are more printings being done, they can put something out in some more venues. I mean, I assume Homer's would get behind it (especially since it's a free zine) and probably the Antiquarium as well. They did say they wanted suggestions for how to make it better. You can always send them a message on the FIB Facebook page. Just saying. :)
ReplyDelete