MexicoXpatz, Pam Stone's online magazine.

SJMC scholar-in-residence Jim Sheeler to receive Christopher Award “Final Salute,” the work of Jim Sheeler, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and scholar-in-residence at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, will be recognized with the Christopher Award in the Books for Adults category at the 60th annual awards gala on April 16, at McGraw-Hill Building in New York City. “Final Salute” is the story of a Marine officer who must deliver to five families the difficult message that their loved one has died serving his or her country. More than 300 titles were submitted for consideration during the 2008 calendar year. Books are reviewed by a panel of distinguished publishers, writers, editors, subject specialists and Christopher Award staff members. Since 1949, the Christopher Awards have annually saluted media (TV programming, feature films, books for adults and children) that "affirms the highest values of the human spirit" with the goal of encouraging men, women and children to pursue excellence in creative arenas that have the potential to positively influence a mass audience. Christopher Award-winning literary and media icons include Dave Brubeck, Eli Wiesel, Mary Higgins Clark, Carroll O’Connor, Dr. Robert Coles, master puppeteer Caroll “Big Bird” Spinney, dance educator Jacques d’Amboise, and Children’s Television Workshop creator Joan Ganz Cooney, as well as such landmark programming as “Masterpiece Theatre,” “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” “American Masters” and “Face the Nation.”

“In Print” highlights the published works of our faculty, researchers and staff and features current fictional and nonfictional published works, including books, journal and magazine articles.

If you would like to have your work highlighted, please email Inside CU with the title, publication date, name of the written work and a description of the topic, as well as your title, contact information and a short biography. Jpeg photographs of book jackets and/or authors, as well as website links to more information about the publication, are encouraged. Selected works will be chosen to feature in an article, and all submissions will be acknowledged.

Pam Stone is PR director for the Department of Theatre and Dance. She grew up in and around Tlaquepaque, Mexico and is “delighted to share my intoxicating experience” through her online magazine, MexicoXpatz. Stone is an award-winning designer, including the Communication Arts Web Pick in 2008 for the CU Theatre & Dance website, and has over 20 years of experience in marketing & PR.

What inspired you to do the magazine? Who is your target audience?

My inspiration is my love of Mexico. I was raised there, went to middle school and most of high school in and around Tlaquepaque which is in the state of Jalisco. So many of my friends are buying up land all over Mexico and are developing boutique hotels, restaurants, bars and fabulous homes. I looked up the stats and discovered that Mexico has been the number one U.S. international destination since 2005, with over 20 million visitors per year. In addition, there are 76 million baby boomers reaching retirement age over the next 20 years and 25 percent of these are anticipated to retire to Mexico. Why not! The weather, cost of living and healthcare are so much more doable! These folks are my target audience. Anyone who is interested in learning about Mexico – not just the major cities like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, but the smaller villages both coastal and inland in the mountains. The architecture, history, art and culture and food are all so delicious once you venture away from the high-traffic tourist areas. So our tag line is: for “Mexico lovers, Mexico curious and Mexico bound.” That really covers it.

What is it you hope to convey to your readers?

I'd like to show our readers the richness of Mexico, at a depth not covered by any other magazine on the market. Through outstanding editorial and beautiful photos, not to mention a video of the area, I'd like readers to truly get a sense of each area so that they can ascertain whether or not it would be an interesting place to visit or buy a home or retire to. I think many Americans are a bit intimidated by the country – this magazine will certainly help ease that.

Who are your contributors?

The contributors are many fabulous professional writers and Mexico aficionados from everywhere. Bob Shulman, founder of Frontier Airlines, contributes a history column called "Looking Back" and is on our advisory board. Mike McClanahan, former editor of the Frontier in-flight magazine, contributes our "In the Pink" column on healthcare as well as various feature articles, and is also our editor. And Barry Golson, editor of Forbes and the author of several books including "Gringos in Paradise," has contributed a section of his book for our upcoming issue on San Pancho. The list is endless.

What made you decide to do a digital version?

I originally intended to have a print publication. The combination of a dicey economy and Obama's green movement led me to launching the magazine as a digital. Plans are in place to go to print in a year or so with a solid subscriber base. At that time, the quantity of issues printed will be in line with demand rather than adhering to the industry standard of a 70 percent shred rate.

Science Discovery presents a modern face to future scientists

Brakhage Symposium celebrates film as an art form

Traditions come and go, spirit remains strong

Student Perspective: Spring break fusion of service and fun

In Print

People Behind the Scenes

Reaffirming Flagship 2030 in times of change