This will be a regular series blog posting of a “Did U Know” message to help us all be a little more knowledgeable about the environment and sustainability in our communities.
Sustainability Quiz
What is the fastest-growing source of electricity in the USA?
A: Solar energy
B: Coal
C: Natural gas
D: Wind energy
scroll down for the answer
Did you know that -
The answer to the Sustainability quiz:
Answer:D - At 5-8 cents per kilowatt hour, wind energy is the most cost-effective
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Creative Communities and the New Economy
Today’s economy getting worse and the future is looking grim. Compared to what once was - where the US was the global economic leader, companies and manufacturing were thriving, and the wage earning potential was strong.
Today, a far different tale is being heard from the economic leaders and analysts. Manufacturing is down and the economy is struggling. What will the future hold? West Virginia is not waiting to find out. We are building on a new emerging economy and spurring creative growth. One example is the Create WV Conference chaired by Jeff James, Creative Communities Team, A Vision Shared.
More than 250 West Virginians responded to a vision and attended the first Create WV Conference in 2007. Since then, the creative spark has led to new energy and activity in communities across the state, from Huntington to Hinton, from Wheeling to Welch.
This year at the second annual Create WV Conference, communities that have developed their own creative vision and are acting on it will be celebrated. These communities of creative thinkers are taking matters into their own hands and forming plans for their own creative communities.
Many people share this vision. Creative communities can be described as those communities that take ownership over their own future. It is a group of people who come together to creatively solve problems and identify unique opportunities. These people are action oriented, entrepreneurial and take risks for a better future. They embrace new economy principles to succeed in today’s globally connected marketplace.
This West Virginia initiative is part of a larger global debate on the role of creative communities, or the creative class, and its relation to growth in the new economy.
The concept of the creative class was popularized by the research and writings of Richard Florida, Ph.D., who as a professor at Carnegie Mellon University published The Rise of the Creative Class and The Flight of the Creative Class. The book A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink, has championed the belief that we are already moving into the Conceptual Age, in contrasts to the prior Information and Industrial Ages. One of reasons the creative economy/society is different from the industrial and agricultural economies is that it relies on a resource (creativity), that every single human being has.
What do you think is possible for WV? When you think of the state’s future - and your future - what do you see?
Today, a far different tale is being heard from the economic leaders and analysts. Manufacturing is down and the economy is struggling. What will the future hold? West Virginia is not waiting to find out. We are building on a new emerging economy and spurring creative growth. One example is the Create WV Conference chaired by Jeff James, Creative Communities Team, A Vision Shared.
More than 250 West Virginians responded to a vision and attended the first Create WV Conference in 2007. Since then, the creative spark has led to new energy and activity in communities across the state, from Huntington to Hinton, from Wheeling to Welch.
This year at the second annual Create WV Conference, communities that have developed their own creative vision and are acting on it will be celebrated. These communities of creative thinkers are taking matters into their own hands and forming plans for their own creative communities.
Many people share this vision. Creative communities can be described as those communities that take ownership over their own future. It is a group of people who come together to creatively solve problems and identify unique opportunities. These people are action oriented, entrepreneurial and take risks for a better future. They embrace new economy principles to succeed in today’s globally connected marketplace.
This West Virginia initiative is part of a larger global debate on the role of creative communities, or the creative class, and its relation to growth in the new economy.
The concept of the creative class was popularized by the research and writings of Richard Florida, Ph.D., who as a professor at Carnegie Mellon University published The Rise of the Creative Class and The Flight of the Creative Class. The book A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink, has championed the belief that we are already moving into the Conceptual Age, in contrasts to the prior Information and Industrial Ages. One of reasons the creative economy/society is different from the industrial and agricultural economies is that it relies on a resource (creativity), that every single human being has.
What do you think is possible for WV? When you think of the state’s future - and your future - what do you see?
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Tips for starting your social media platform
Things to consider when implementing your social media platform. Be it an account on Twitter or a blog. Here are ideas for starting out, things to support your efforts with, writing ideas, and next steps.
•If you’re blogging, make that a home base for all your other social media efforts.
•Pick three social networks to join based on where your target audience might be (blogging, facebook, twitter, etc.). Three might sound like too few, but it probably will be too many.
•It is important to think about your posting schedule and subject matter. Try to regularly post at least once or twice a week.
•Subscribe to 10 or more blogs similar to yours, including similar content blogs, and any industry blogs.
•In writing of your posts, be human, and write a human-sounding profile. Use a human-seeming profile picture.
•After you’ve written your first blog post, take time to comment on some of those 10 blogs, but NOT about your first post.
•Make sure it’s easy for people to subscribe to your blog, via a reader, RSS feed, or via email. This will alert them of new content postings and keep them coming back for more.
•For whatever reason, graphics in posts improve audience.
•Consider a nice clean theme for your blog’s design. There are many free themes for different blogs, and some inexpensive ones.
•Seek out opportunities to guest post on popular blogs in your area of interest. Don’t be spammy and over-link to your own site/posts. Add value to their topic.
•On social networks, look for ways to contribute, even when it’s not directly related to your interests or expertise.
•Build relationships outside of having a specific need. Social media is all about making and sustaining connections.
•To create consistent content, read daily, and not just in your area of interest. Skim, synthesize, and post.
•Riff off other blog posts you like, and add some value beyond linking back to those original posts (and always link back to those posts).
•To help with content development, ask your audience what they need, what they’re struggling with.
•Invite your audience to guest post and give feedback where appropriate.
•Remember to comment on other people’s blogs frequently, and show your participation in the communities where you have presence.
www.chrisbrogan.com, http://www.4hoteliers.com/4hots_fshw.php?mwi=3222, Chris Brogan.
•If you’re blogging, make that a home base for all your other social media efforts.
•Pick three social networks to join based on where your target audience might be (blogging, facebook, twitter, etc.). Three might sound like too few, but it probably will be too many.
•It is important to think about your posting schedule and subject matter. Try to regularly post at least once or twice a week.
•Subscribe to 10 or more blogs similar to yours, including similar content blogs, and any industry blogs.
•In writing of your posts, be human, and write a human-sounding profile. Use a human-seeming profile picture.
•After you’ve written your first blog post, take time to comment on some of those 10 blogs, but NOT about your first post.
•Make sure it’s easy for people to subscribe to your blog, via a reader, RSS feed, or via email. This will alert them of new content postings and keep them coming back for more.
•For whatever reason, graphics in posts improve audience.
•Consider a nice clean theme for your blog’s design. There are many free themes for different blogs, and some inexpensive ones.
•Seek out opportunities to guest post on popular blogs in your area of interest. Don’t be spammy and over-link to your own site/posts. Add value to their topic.
•On social networks, look for ways to contribute, even when it’s not directly related to your interests or expertise.
•Build relationships outside of having a specific need. Social media is all about making and sustaining connections.
•To create consistent content, read daily, and not just in your area of interest. Skim, synthesize, and post.
•Riff off other blog posts you like, and add some value beyond linking back to those original posts (and always link back to those posts).
•To help with content development, ask your audience what they need, what they’re struggling with.
•Invite your audience to guest post and give feedback where appropriate.
•Remember to comment on other people’s blogs frequently, and show your participation in the communities where you have presence.
www.chrisbrogan.com, http://www.4hoteliers.com/4hots_fshw.php?mwi=3222, Chris Brogan.
Monday, September 15, 2008
World's Strongest Man Crowned
If anyone was able to go to Appalachian Power Park on Sunday evening to watch the finals of the world's strongest man competition - you were not dissapointed! The crowd of over 4,000 was electric. The competitors fed off of that energy and put on an amazing show right up until the last second.
Mariusz Pudzianowski of Poland took home a historic fifth World's Strongest Man title. He bested American Derek Poundstone in the final heat in none other than the Atlas Stones event. All ten finalists successfully lifted the five Atlas Stones in five dual heats.
Pudzianowski, looked up after lifting the last stone, to see Poundstone still struggling to get his stone onto the tower. The Pole then fell to his knees in front of the competition stage after winning the title. Poundstone, a police officer from Connecticut, took second place overall.
What an awesome two week event for WV, for Charleston, for the fans, and the international competitors who were overheard many times praising Charleston's hospitality and supportiveness.
Be sure to tune in to ESPN in late December to catch the broadcast of the 2008 Met-RX World's Strongest Man Competition.
Mariusz Pudzianowski of Poland took home a historic fifth World's Strongest Man title. He bested American Derek Poundstone in the final heat in none other than the Atlas Stones event. All ten finalists successfully lifted the five Atlas Stones in five dual heats.
Pudzianowski, looked up after lifting the last stone, to see Poundstone still struggling to get his stone onto the tower. The Pole then fell to his knees in front of the competition stage after winning the title. Poundstone, a police officer from Connecticut, took second place overall.
What an awesome two week event for WV, for Charleston, for the fans, and the international competitors who were overheard many times praising Charleston's hospitality and supportiveness.
Be sure to tune in to ESPN in late December to catch the broadcast of the 2008 Met-RX World's Strongest Man Competition.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Being Social in Today's Media
There has been a great increase in the popularity of social media websites in the past few years. Social media networking has taken off throughout the world. It helps people to share ideas, take a stand on a subject, or just get something off of their chest.
What is Social Media?
The first thing you need to know is a definition of what social media actually is. A very basic definition of social media is “a group of tools and sites that let you easily create and share content online.” The key word in this definition is share. Too often, people will focus on publishing or distributing something new, and miss the whole point in the sharing of social media. Social media is about conversations. Which conversation you want to take part in is up to you. But no matter what - join the conversation.
By nature we are a social communicating society. From the time of cavemen drawing on walls to communicate, up to today. Using social media can frame you as an expert in your field of interest. People can ask you questions, you can answer them and hopefully teach them something new. Nearly every social media site makes it possible to connect with other people (that’s why they call it social media). If you are not connecting to people, then no one is finding you. Social media is also about making and sustaining connections. The only way you can grow your influence is long term. If you do not like the fact that it takes time, don’t do it at all.
People use social media sites to share useful content. If you go into social media hoping to roll out something new, something that isn’t useful and interesting to people visiting your site, you are not tapping into what social media was created to do. Publishing and distributing involve one-way channels - pushing things out to the public. Social media was not designed to push things out to users, but to make it easier for them to communicate and share things. Whenever you use social media for something it was not intended to do, you not only miss the boat, you also take the chance of “angering the natives.” People do not like when they feel pushed into something, and that is exactly what you are doing when you start trying to push something using social media.
The best way to use social media is to give more than you receive. If you provide something that is both useful and informative to a social media site, those who use it will praise it. This is how you make friends and expand your reach in social media. When users find something they like, they share it with others. The more they share the useful thing that you have provided, the more people that you bring to your site (www.websiteoffice.com, Blackburn).
In today’s highly connected and Internet wired world, people that ignore social media do so at their peril. "Five of the top 10 web sites are social media. You need to go where the people are," said Rob Key, CEO of Converseon, a social media marketing agency (www.converseon.com).
Take Baby Steps
People should start out small in social media. Be patient with your progress. This is an emerging media. Put your energies into one area rather than spread yourself too thin among many web sites. "Unless you are a social media specialist that spends eight hours tweeting and blogging for your job, then social media is not something you are going to do as one of 10 things for the day," said Todd Beane, Marketing Specialist and Douglass Institute resident social media guru. "But you need to be involved. If you don't have that much time, pick one online social community that entertains you and makes you happy in the process of participating."
A good way to start out in the social media world is to start a personal blog about your interests. Once the blog is operational, you will learn first hand what it feels like to develop content, manage comments, and seek promotion. Branch out your social media reach by starting a community group on Facebook, MySpace, or LinkedIn around the topics where your target audience will congregate. Remember that the people on social networks are all people, have likely been there a while, might know each other, and know that you’re new. Tread gently into new territories. Don’t NOT go. Just go gently. Don’t be afraid to fail. Be ready to apologize. Admit when you’ve made a mistake (www.chrisbrogan.com, Brogan).
For some FREE expert advice, find a bunch of bloggers and podcasters whose work you admire, and ask them for opinions on your social media projects. Just remember people power social media. Believe in the value of people. They are real human beings or had to start in social media sometime too.
What is Social Media?
The first thing you need to know is a definition of what social media actually is. A very basic definition of social media is “a group of tools and sites that let you easily create and share content online.” The key word in this definition is share. Too often, people will focus on publishing or distributing something new, and miss the whole point in the sharing of social media. Social media is about conversations. Which conversation you want to take part in is up to you. But no matter what - join the conversation.
By nature we are a social communicating society. From the time of cavemen drawing on walls to communicate, up to today. Using social media can frame you as an expert in your field of interest. People can ask you questions, you can answer them and hopefully teach them something new. Nearly every social media site makes it possible to connect with other people (that’s why they call it social media). If you are not connecting to people, then no one is finding you. Social media is also about making and sustaining connections. The only way you can grow your influence is long term. If you do not like the fact that it takes time, don’t do it at all.
People use social media sites to share useful content. If you go into social media hoping to roll out something new, something that isn’t useful and interesting to people visiting your site, you are not tapping into what social media was created to do. Publishing and distributing involve one-way channels - pushing things out to the public. Social media was not designed to push things out to users, but to make it easier for them to communicate and share things. Whenever you use social media for something it was not intended to do, you not only miss the boat, you also take the chance of “angering the natives.” People do not like when they feel pushed into something, and that is exactly what you are doing when you start trying to push something using social media.
The best way to use social media is to give more than you receive. If you provide something that is both useful and informative to a social media site, those who use it will praise it. This is how you make friends and expand your reach in social media. When users find something they like, they share it with others. The more they share the useful thing that you have provided, the more people that you bring to your site (www.websiteoffice.com, Blackburn).
In today’s highly connected and Internet wired world, people that ignore social media do so at their peril. "Five of the top 10 web sites are social media. You need to go where the people are," said Rob Key, CEO of Converseon, a social media marketing agency (www.converseon.com).
Take Baby Steps
People should start out small in social media. Be patient with your progress. This is an emerging media. Put your energies into one area rather than spread yourself too thin among many web sites. "Unless you are a social media specialist that spends eight hours tweeting and blogging for your job, then social media is not something you are going to do as one of 10 things for the day," said Todd Beane, Marketing Specialist and Douglass Institute resident social media guru. "But you need to be involved. If you don't have that much time, pick one online social community that entertains you and makes you happy in the process of participating."
A good way to start out in the social media world is to start a personal blog about your interests. Once the blog is operational, you will learn first hand what it feels like to develop content, manage comments, and seek promotion. Branch out your social media reach by starting a community group on Facebook, MySpace, or LinkedIn around the topics where your target audience will congregate. Remember that the people on social networks are all people, have likely been there a while, might know each other, and know that you’re new. Tread gently into new territories. Don’t NOT go. Just go gently. Don’t be afraid to fail. Be ready to apologize. Admit when you’ve made a mistake (www.chrisbrogan.com, Brogan).
For some FREE expert advice, find a bunch of bloggers and podcasters whose work you admire, and ask them for opinions on your social media projects. Just remember people power social media. Believe in the value of people. They are real human beings or had to start in social media sometime too.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Strongman 2008 Success
If you haven't had the chance to witness one of the strongman competitions in Charleston last weekend, there is one more chance to get in on the action. The finals will be held this weekend Sept 12-14 in and around Charleston.
The success of this world-wide competition is overwhelming. Charleston, and WV as a whole, were lucky to have had this opportunity. I think we have made the best of it. While at the competitions and in the local newspapers, the film crew, competitors, and fans have nothing but the best to say of the host city and our great state!
Let's go Big Phil!
The success of this world-wide competition is overwhelming. Charleston, and WV as a whole, were lucky to have had this opportunity. I think we have made the best of it. While at the competitions and in the local newspapers, the film crew, competitors, and fans have nothing but the best to say of the host city and our great state!
Let's go Big Phil!
Friday, September 05, 2008
Brazil in the Hills or maybe Morocco in the Mountains
If you haven’t heard, or have been living under a rock for the past several months, the biggest thing in years is coming to Charleston, WV. When I say biggest, I do mean “BIG.” It’s the 2008 World’s Strongest Man Competition and these guys are huge!.
This competition has worldwide recognition for taking place in exotic locales and tropical islands across the globe. Now with the persistence of the city of Charleston employees and our own 2006 World’s Strongest Man Phil Pfister, it is coming to Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. This will give the city and our state unbelievable recognition everywhere. If you have ever been lying awake in the middle of the night or home in the middle of the afternoon and turned on the television, you’ve probably seen past shows covering the Strongest Man bouts. ESPN and ESPN Classic will air episodes over and over and over. Charleston and West Virginia has struck gold in this competition already with the coverage by worldwide markets.
You don’t want to miss this - it might be a once in a lifetime thing. Here is a schedule of events taking place over the next two weeks at various locations throughout Charleston. Come and cheer on Charleston’s own Mr. Pfister as he competes to reclaim the World’s Strongest title!
Preliminary Competition, Saturday Sept. 6 through Sept. 9:
Saturday, Magic Island, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Loading race, keg toss.
Sunday, Haddad Riverfront Park, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Fingal fingers, truck pull.
Monday, Capitol Complex, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Squat lift, dead lift, giant log lift.
Sept. 9, University of Charleston, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Overhead lift, atlas stones.
The Finals will be held, Sept. 12-14:
Sept. 12, Haddad Riverfront Park/Kanawha Boulevard, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.: Power stairs, fingal fingers, car walk.
(The Sept. 12 events will be followed by a Live on the Levee concert featuring the Davisson Brothers Band at 6 p.m.)
Sept 13, Coonskin Park, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Car dead lift, overhead lift.
Sept. 14, Yeager Airport, 11 a.m.: Plane pull.
Sept. 14, Appalachian Power Park, 7:30 p.m.: Atlas stones.
This competition has worldwide recognition for taking place in exotic locales and tropical islands across the globe. Now with the persistence of the city of Charleston employees and our own 2006 World’s Strongest Man Phil Pfister, it is coming to Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. This will give the city and our state unbelievable recognition everywhere. If you have ever been lying awake in the middle of the night or home in the middle of the afternoon and turned on the television, you’ve probably seen past shows covering the Strongest Man bouts. ESPN and ESPN Classic will air episodes over and over and over. Charleston and West Virginia has struck gold in this competition already with the coverage by worldwide markets.
You don’t want to miss this - it might be a once in a lifetime thing. Here is a schedule of events taking place over the next two weeks at various locations throughout Charleston. Come and cheer on Charleston’s own Mr. Pfister as he competes to reclaim the World’s Strongest title!
Preliminary Competition, Saturday Sept. 6 through Sept. 9:
Saturday, Magic Island, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Loading race, keg toss.
Sunday, Haddad Riverfront Park, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Fingal fingers, truck pull.
Monday, Capitol Complex, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Squat lift, dead lift, giant log lift.
Sept. 9, University of Charleston, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Overhead lift, atlas stones.
The Finals will be held, Sept. 12-14:
Sept. 12, Haddad Riverfront Park/Kanawha Boulevard, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.: Power stairs, fingal fingers, car walk.
(The Sept. 12 events will be followed by a Live on the Levee concert featuring the Davisson Brothers Band at 6 p.m.)
Sept 13, Coonskin Park, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Car dead lift, overhead lift.
Sept. 14, Yeager Airport, 11 a.m.: Plane pull.
Sept. 14, Appalachian Power Park, 7:30 p.m.: Atlas stones.
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