ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 6, 1997 TAG: 9703060023
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
Some changes to Thursdays only; others will be in all seven days
Changes enable readers to scan and get information more quickly and to be in closer touch with their community.
After more than two years of research and reader input, we've made some significant changes. We asked thousands of you what you like about The Roanoke Times - and what you don't.
We listened. And we learned a lot.
Many of you lead such busy lives that you have little time to read the newspaper. But somewhere in those busy days, you still need all the news and information that touches your lives.
Mainly, you asked for three things.
``Can you make the news faster to read?''
``Can you make it easier to find things in the paper?''
``Can you keep me in closer touch with my community?''
Yes, yes and yes.
Some of these changes you'll see every day. Others will appear on Thursdays only - because you also told us you'd like to plan your weekends earlier. Thursday items will fill you in on movies, shopping, events, special offers, family activities and much more.
It's a wrap: That unusual wrapper you see on your paper today has more to it than meets the eye. It's a special Thursday section that can be removed and saved for reference.
The outside flap shows you to where to find stories of special interest in today's issue.
The Digest of Today's News, on the inside flap, gives you a summary of the day's main stories.
Things To Do, Places To Go, on the inside back page, is a treasure-trove of ideas for the coming week. It features special events, tips for home and garden, movie openings, a new cartoon and much more. It covers a whole week.
A new look, by design: Probably the first thing you noticed today was our new look. We've made several changes to improve readability.
For example, you'll notice we now write three headlines instead of one. Why? Many of you said you'd like a way to skim stories as you go through the paper. These multiple headlines are to help you when you can't read an article fully - or when you plan to come back to it later.
We're also using more summaries and indexes. And a new, larger type style, which is easier on the eyes. The new look was designed principally by Associate Editor Roger Holtman, who grew up in Salem and has been with The Roanoke Times since 1971.
We want your opinions: You'll see some changes in our editorial pages, too. On Thursdays there'll be shorter editorials and more of them, a conversation-starter on the Commentary page and a new, interactive way to respond to editorials easily.
So what's the Big To Do? You'll find great deals on activities for you and your family. Each Thursday's special item for our readers is on page A2. And we think it's such a Big To Do that we actually call it that.
Classified ads that work for you: From now on, you'll see many classified ads highlighted with a First Daysymbol. This helps you see which ads are new, every day. It's a sure way to save time and effort.
So, here you have it: An easier way to connect with the people, places, events and news that affect you directly.
We've put your ideas on paper. And we thank all of you who participated.
We hope you'll agree that the new Roanoke Times will make a difference in your life, no matter what your days are like.
Please call our customer service department at (540)981-3211 or (800)346-1234, Ext. 211, and let us know what you think.
LENGTH: Medium: 68 linesby CNB