In yesterday’s Gannett NJ “Blog Buzz” email, I mentioned how a number of blogs in the state have begun using event calendars in their sidebar. As I put it:

These are very simple to administer from the blog’s backend, and have the added benefit of allowing the blogger to add an event as both a calendar item and a regular blog post — essentially doing double-duty with each addition.

On “Veteran Voices,” Kristy Davies is letting readers know about upcoming ceremonies, holidays, and dedications for Veterans.

Lavinia DeCasto has used her events calendar on “Cinema-Scoop” to let people know about casting calls and tryouts in the Philadelphia region.

But as Mike Symons pointed out in an email to me, “I don’t see any instructions/widget about installing it.” To that end, here’s how to set up an event calendar on your blog:

1. Inside the blog, go to PLUGINS, and then scroll down. Activate “Events Calendar.”



2. Next, go to DESIGN –> WIDGETS, and add the Events Calendar widget to your sidebar. Remember to give the calendar a name (click “Edit” on the widget) and then click “Save Changes” at the bottom of the Current Widgets column.
   
3. Finally, start populating the calendar. You should now see EVENTS CALENDAR inbetween COMMENTS and REPORTS in the blog menu. Select it, and scroll down below the calendar to add an event. Make sure to check off “Create Post for Event” if you also want the event to turn into a regular blog post on your site, too. Select “Add Event” when you’re finished inputting it.