I hate using my blog for self promotion and for asking you to do something for me. But I'm part of two exciting projects that I need your help with.

The first deals directly with sports media. I'm a part of a proposed panel for the 2015 South by Southwest Sports conference. Adam Earnheardt, Lauren Reichart Smith, Jimmy Sanderson and I want to do a panel where we talk about the impact of social media on the traditional fan-team-journalist model.

A big part of the selection criteria — 30% — is based on how well we do in this open voting period, which runs into September. You can vote here, or by clicking the button below. You need to register to do so, but it's free and easy to do so. Adam, Lauren, Jimmy and I thank you for your support!

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The second is about food.

Jared Paventi, the author of the must-read Al Dente blog and one of my closest friends, is raising money for his Walk to End Alzheimer's team. And he's issued a challenge - if he raises $1,500, he will go out to dinner with me at a national chain of my choice. So you can raise money for a good cause, and you can make a localvore food snob squirm by sending him to eat at a chain restaurant.

Read more about the challenge here, and if you have the means, please consider donating here.