One of the casualties of a round of job cuts at Journal Broadcast Group in October, Ken Carr, former program director of Mega 106.3-FM - the station has since been redubbed "The Groove" - has resurfaced as a producer at KMSB-Channel 11.
After fewer than three weeks in the realm of the unemployed, Carr latched on at the station due to contacts he'd made at social media sites including Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.
A friend he made through Twitter said she was moving away and gave Carr the account @whatsuptucson, that tracks Tucson-related news stories, as a parting gift.
Carr took it over, expanded its ranks of followers, including KMSB president and general manager Bob Simone. When Carr tweeted about losing his job, Simone messaged him to set up a phone call that led to an interview.
"Why did I get the call?" Carr blogged. "He had been reading what I tweet and thought I'd make a good candidate for being a news producer based on my media background, that I know and love Tucson, and the tweets I had posted over recent months and years."
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Clear Channel lays off Patyk
After three layoffs last week, Clear Channel has sent another highly visible employee packing. The broadcast company parted ways with Chris Patyk, program director for KNST 790-AM and KWFM 1450-AM.
Patyk was best known publicly for co-hosting the morning show on KWMT 92.9-FM, along with Jennie Grabel, who was laid off last week.
Patyk had been with the company since January 2010. He declined to comment earlier this week, but via his Twitter account, he posted "Hello friends, here to tell you I'm a free agent looking for the next great opportunity! All the best to my previous employers. Onwards & up!"
Tucsonans make splashes in books
A pair of Tucsonans have popped up in recent high-profile books. Giant George, the 43-inch tall Great Dane named named World's Tallest Dog and Tallest Dog Ever by Guinness World Records in 2010, shows up in an entry in "Ripley's Believe it or Not: Strikingly True."
George's own book - "Giant George: Life with the World's Biggest Dog" - penned by owner Dave Nasser, along with Lynne Barrett-Lee, is due out in April.
Also, local writer Jan Henrickson has contributed a story to the newly released "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Answered Prayers: 101 Stories of Hope, Miracles, Faith, Divine Intervention, and the Power of Prayer."
Henrickson previously penned a story for "Chicken Soup for the Dieter's Soul" in 2006.
Arizona Public Media Fundraiser on Monday
Personal finance expert Ed Slott, who has written several books and filmed three PBS specials, is headlining an Arizona Public Media fundraiser at 5 p.m. Monday. His speech is titled "Lower Your Taxes Now and Forever."
"I will show Tucson how to keep more for themselves by paying less in taxes," Slott said via email.
The event takes place at the Westin La Paloma, 3800 E. Sunrise Drive. Tickets are $150. If you're interested, call 261-7822.
Contact reporter Phil Villarreal at 573-4130 or pvillarreal@azstarnet.com
New Tucson lounge to embrace dark and cozy
