Suggestions for September 24 & 25

September 24 has been named National Women's Health & Fitness Day (www.fitnessday.com). There will be thousands of women taking part in more than 700 local events throughout the United States.

Perhaps you and your colleagues at the newspaper can sponsor an already-established event or create an entirely new one for residents in your community. The Web site above lists activities that some local events focus on; perhaps it would be a good resource to begin your search for finding activities and events to play in your own community.

September 25 is the anniversary of the publication of the first American newspaper in 1690, Publick Occurrences Both Foreign and Domestick in Boston. Alas, there was only one edition printed because authorities considered it offensive and ordered it to be suppressed.

I don't really have a revenue-generating idea for this anniversary; more than anything I wanted to let you know that newspapers have been facing battles for 318 years in the United States, and no doubt much longer in other countries. But each time, the industry has adapted and remained vital to its local readers and communities. Be strong, believe in what you do, adapt and try new things. Newspapers and their multimedia reach will stay relevant as long as there are leaders in the industry who make strong choices.