Next Saturday

There is still time to sign up for the inaugural WisPolitics/WisOpinion Blog Summit.

Besides hearing the perspectives of the panelists, it should prove to be a good opportunity to network with fellow bloggers and political observers.

I wouldn't be surprised if a political candidate or two stopped by as well. It is, after all, one-stop shopping for those who wish to communicate with the cheddarsphere.

It will be interesting to listen to Jay and Owen give their perspective regarding the growth of blogging in general and their sites in particular.

I'd also expect John McAdams and Charlie Sykes may offer a take or two heretofore not examined by many of us.

This tightwad would be willing to pay to attend an afternoon forum like this one. But, hey, it's free! Sign up today. Spread the news.

I'll see you there.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

**12:55 p.m. Short introduction by Jeff Mayers, president of WisPolitics.com

**1 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. State of Blogging keynote by Ann Althouse

**1:25 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. The Legalities of Blogging by Jennifer L. Peterson, attorney, LaFollette Godfrey & Kahn. Short speech and question-and-answer period.

**1:45 p.m. to 2:10 p.m. ``Why blog? Defining the phenomenon from a citizen bloggers' perspective'' Owen Robinson of Boots & Sabers and Jay Bullock of folkbum's rambles and rants lead a discussion with other citizen bloggers.

**2:15 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. Moderated panel discussion: How will history view early blogging? An academic view. Jessica McBride, journalism instructor, radio talk show host and blogger, UW-Milwaukee; John McAdams, blogger and Marquette professor of political science; and Ken Mayer, UW-Madison political scientist.

**2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Moderated panel discussion: Impact of blogging on election 2006. Participants: Ed Garvey of FightingBob.com, Charlie Sykes of WTMJ-AM, state Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, and Brian Fraley, GOP strategist and blogger.

**3:15 p.m. Presentation of the WisPolitics staff choice for 2005 Wisconsin political blogger of the year. TO BE ANNOUNCED.