** This thread discusses the content article: Happy Holidays from Hotbox! **

Regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Saturnalia, Festivus, or are just trying to maintain a sense of sanity through the holiday season, the staff at the Hotbox Network (Hotbox Magazine, Hotbox Radio, Hotbox Collective, Smokkr, Legalize This Decade, 40303 and Hairysquid Communications) wish you merry winter-type festive season; may you keep spirits high and yourself even higher.





While I'm at it, here's what's been going on at Hotbox:

• Hotbox Magazine is in the process of launching our "bureau" system, wherein we give groups of dedicated content contributors the power to start their own local offices for Hotbox. Want to get into all the best shows for free? Want to help create awareness of cannabis legalization in your region, but don't see yourself as much of an activist? Start a bureau! Our staff will help get you started with press passes, media contacts and a free, professionally-designed bureau website (city.hotboxmagazine.com). All ad revenue from local content is reinvested into its respective bureaus, giving talented, every-day people the opportunity to become journalists covering entertainment and drug policy liberalization topics. All we ask is that you have (at minimum) one writer, one photographer and one editor. We are currently seeking content contributors to start bureaus in all major American and Canadian cities, especially Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, Toronto, Los Angeles/San Francisco, Miami and New York City.  For more information, check out bureaus.hotboxmagazine.com!


• As always, we are also looking for new writers, editors, photographers and illustrators here at Hotbox Magazine. Becoming part of our staff is as easy as registering an account and signing up for our editorial mailing lists.


• We are in the process of starting a streaming radio/podcasting service at Hotbox.FM. This is a long-term goal that will take some time to come to fruition, but we think the possibilities presented by such a platform are fantastic. We are currently looking for deejays and announcers willing to do small, low-commitment timeslots once or twice a month. If you can run Winamp, you can deejay on Hotbox Radio. All streamed content will be recorded for distribution in podcast format afterwards. We are also looking for orginal, copyright cleared mixes to stream in absence of live broadcasting. If interested, please contact our Radio Editor.


• As well, we've recently redesigned Smokkr.com — our cannabis and drug culture news aggregator — to be more user-friendly and useful. If you haven't been to Smokkr in awhile, check it out!


• We recently launched hotbox.ws, our foundational site for our parent not-for-profit organization, The Hotbox Collective. Tutorials, guides, HowTos and other useful content for becoming an effective Hotbox Network contributor will be posted to the Collective site over the next few months. The Collective will also be instrumental in compiling extensive research for cannabis-related businesses and organizations as one of its primary functions.
  


• Another recent project of ours is 40303.org, a Calgary, AB-area electronic music events listing and news website. Designed to help promote local dance parties and events, 40303 is a good example of how we plan to use localized websites with a specific intent to expand the network and create free, useful services for people in alternative culture communities. If you are a DJ, promoter or venue in southern Alberta, please contact our 40303 editor to receive publishing privileges on the site.
  


• Still somewhat in development (But too exciting to keep under wraps any longer) is our Legalize This Decade website, designed to help potential activists, organizers, canna-businesses, med-pot dispensiaries and others find the necessary resources to battle cannabis prohibition. Visitors are invited to pledge their support to the ultimate goal of ending cannabis prohibition worldwide within the next decade and are linked to local organizations involved with the cause such as NORML and LEAP. Canna-businesses can receive free advertising on the site in exchange for a documented donation to a pro-legalization group or cause. For more information, check out legalize2020.com!

I have a feeling this is going to be an landmark year for alternative culture in North America and worldwide. The Drug War is being won by the people on drugs — let's keep kicking its ass and finally push it over the edge into the dustbin of failed policy where it belongs.


-j.j.,
Current Affairs Editor, Hotbox Magazine.