Saving Doe Mountain - Scrapbook

Late this spring, the Sierra Club's Watauga Group?celebrated a big victory when 8,600 acres of Doe Mountain, in the state's northeastern corner, was officially saved from clear-cutting and exclusive private development.

"This is a huge win, and it protects a significant portion of our Watauga Watershed," says Gloria Griffith, right, chair of the Watauga Group.

Among the top priorities of the Watauga Group (the Tennessee Sierra Club's newest group) has been protecting water quality in Doe Creek, a spring-fed creek that runs around Doe Mountain.?Doe Creek supports an exceptional wild rainbow trout population and some of the largest fish sampled in Tennessee streams in recent years.

The creek flows then into Watauga Lake, a Tennesee Valley Authority?reservoir that sits 1,959 feet above sea level and is known for its exceptionally clean water. TVA?describes?the lake as being located "...in some of the most beautiful country in the Tennessee River watershed."

Thanks to the heads-up work of Watauga Group activists, notably Gabby Lynch and Dennis Shekinah, Doe Mountain will remain forested and open to the public. That's?Shekinah at left, below;?Lynch at right.

Let's let Dennis tell the story (which appeared in the June/July issue of the Tennessee Chapter's newsletter, the Tenne-Sierran):

Doe Mountain encompasses 8,600 acres of wilderness known best by hunters on foot and Tennessee Wildlife Research Agency officers in 4-wheel-drive vehicles. It is home to black bear, white tail, fox, coyote, turkey, king squirrel, bobcat and, some say, cougar.

Left alone for generations, this slice of heaven is about to change. Soon, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), horses, mountain bikes, and hikers from all corners will be drawn to Doe, altering its timeless and peaceful character forever. Let me explain why this is a good thing...

My log cabin (below), built in the 1920s, sits in the shade of Doe Mountain in Neva Valley. In fields where the Cherokee once lived, I have hosted countless bluegrass gatherings, raised children, and planted seeds in the fertile soil. In all the years I explored the Doe's trails, I can only recall coming across two other people. They were both hunters and as nice as they could be. Doe Mountain was a well-kept secret, hidden smack dab in the middle of Johnson County, Tennessee.

Then one morning the sound of chain saws broke the peaceful melody of the East Fork Fall Brach. The dogs kept up as I literally ran into the sanctuary. I found a group of men clearing the jeep trail and setting a metal gate across its path. They seemed nice, but busy. I left them to their job and returned to my cabin and started working the phone. A developer had purchased Doe Mountain to build a gated community. Gates on all access points were a statement to his strict 'no trespassing' policy. No more hunting. No more quiet walks with my camera on Doe.

It turned out the deed for the mountain changed hands several times when the state didn't opt to renew the Wilderness Management Area lease from the original owners. A logging company owned it for less than a month before the developer laid enough easy money on the table to get them to sell. A gated community can yield millions of dollars in profit; indeed, he had done it many times before.

After resigning myself to the inevitable march of progress, I said a prayer for the black bear and all the critters who would eventually be displaced by manicured lawns and electrified fences. Then two things changed everything: the housing bubble burst and the developer died from a massive coronary. The Doe Mountain gated community project, named "Daniel's Trace," went into bankruptcy. No one seemed to know who owned the mountain or what its fate would be.

Months passed without any news, save rumor and speculation. Then one morning the phone rang and Larry Potter (below), our county mayor, asked, "Dennis, do you know anyone with eight million dollars?" Larry owns a small eatery in Doe Valley, and he had overheard a logger proclaim that he was going to clear-cut Doe Mountain. Yes, like a shark sensing blood in the water, the logging company was putting a bid on the deed and had already done an assessment of the lumber's worth.

Larry was desperate. Not only is he a fly-fisherman (and thus a clean-water advocate by default), he is passionate about Johnson County's economic development. An 8,600-acre scar in the middle of our county wasn't going to bring in the tourists.

Our closest neighbor to the north, Damascus, Virginia, had already saved itself from potential ruin by developing a bicycle-friendly trail system. Johnson County could do it one better, Larry thought. We have Watauga Lake, the Appalachian Trail, and a network of great B&Bs and small family-owned restaurants. We just needed a hook to pull in outdoor enthusiasts. That was Doe Mountain, Larry rightfully reasoned.

But the sharks were circling. "I'll make some calls," I told Larry. I immediately got ahold of my friend Gabby Lynch (below), a Watauga Group activist who works for The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

[Click on image below to watch a video of Lynch talking about the campaign to save Doe Mountain.]

True to form, Gabby was already on the Doe Mountain situation. In short order, an environmental assessment was done and she applied for a loan from TNC international headquarters. Larry worked his network of state representatives (most notably Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey). Gabby asked that we send letters of thanks and encouragement for Ramsey's efforts to secure funding for saving Doe Mountain. Still, months passed without any news?

At our monthly Watauga Group meetings, Gabby would place her finger over her lips and shake her head: "Don't say a word." We had no reason to feel overly hopeful in this age of budgetary austerity. The Nature Conservancy had many worthy projects that needed funding, and newly-elected Governor Bill Haslam was slashing budgets. Somehow, Larry got the governor in an ATV and took him, along with the lieutenant governor, along the trails of the Doe.

Soon thereafter, Gabby announced that The Nature Conservancy had approved the loan to save Doe Mountain, and the great state of Tennessee arranged to immediately buy Doe from TNC. A "multi-use" provision would be attached as a condition, assuring that the mountain would be developed to offer all citizens a chance to know a little of the peace that comes from nature even if they were looking out from the top of a horse, a wheelchair, a bicycle or a caravan of ATVs.

We may never know all the players who made this deal possible, but as I look out my window at beautiful Doe Mountain, I give thanks?a heartfelt prayer of thanks raised up join those of all the wildlife and trees that depend on good people doing the right thing.

Source: http://sierraclub.typepad.com/scrapbook/2012/08/saving-doe-mountain.html

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How to Start a Mobile Computer-Repair Business | GoPayment Blog

Few things cause more professional panic than a crashed hard drive or a system-disabling virus, which means savvy computer repair technicians have ample opportunity to create thriving mobile businesses.

The GoPayment Blog recently talked with engineer Matt Karls of Karls Technology?Computer Repair (which operates under other DBAs as well) in Arizona to get his tips for starting a mobile computer-repair business. Here?s what he told us.

1. Decide who you?ll serve. Computer techs often specialize in certain services or decide to work exclusively on either residential or commercial accounts. For instance, Karls says that he focuses on virus removal, data recovery from dead or damaged hard drives, and server management for businesses.

2. Get the right tools. According to Karls, very little hardware or software is required to run a mobile computer-repair business. You will need ?a computer with some data-recovery software, a good ICSA certified anti-virus program, and a SATA-to-USB adapter.? Although a wireless WAN or air card is helpful, Karls says he has successfully operated without one in the past. Beyond that, he adds, you only need a vehicle and a phone to open your business.

3. Be prepared to work hard. When asked how many hours a week he works, Karls said that he?s been working 18 to 20 hours a day, six days a week. That?s a lot of hours (and not something we?d recommend), but according to him, he could get back to his ?normal? hours of 12 to 14 hours six days a week if he refused more work or hired another computer systems engineer, something he?s currently looking for. The point is that, in this type of business, it?s important to be available to your customers. Karls says that working Saturdays is crucial because while most businesses are open Monday through Friday, residential customers are typically only available after 5 p.m. or on weekends.

4. Get some training. You don?t need a specific license (other than the standard business license) or certification to operate a mobile computer-repair business, but Karls recommends a minimum of a CompTIA A+ and Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert certification. This will give you some added credibility with clients and ensure that you have the skills to do the job, he notes.

5. Advertise smartly. Karls says that he?s found it difficult to market his mobile computer-repair service. In fact, he?s tried all types of advertising except television, and the only thing that has worked in his 13 years of business is word of mouth.

6. Understand your potential. Karls makes an average of $200 per invoice, but his jobs can range from $40 to $1,000. The takeaway, he says, is that ?you can earn a lot of money in computer repair if you work hard and long hours.? After a few years of this, he says, you should have enough referrals and clients that it would be ?impossible to go out of business.?

7. Enlist help. Karls advises hiring a personal assistant to answer the phones and get back to people right away, while you?re in the field. That move alone has resulted in about 50 percent more work for him, he says, because clients want to be able to talk to someone and feel that they?re important.

Suzanne has been a full-time freelance writer for 20 years. She?s written for numerous business and financial publications, such as Entrepreneur, Reason, and Home Business Magazine. She blogs regularly for Money Crashers and Feefighers, and ghost blogs for a few well known CEOs. Her goal is to eventually work from a remote island equipped with Wi-Fi.

Source: http://blog.gopayment.com/money-trends/how-to-start-a-mobile-computer-repair-business/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-start-a-mobile-computer-repair-business

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Former GOP Nomination Hopefuls Sluggish in Support of Mitt Romney

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/former-gop-nomination-hopefuls-sluggish-support-mitt-romney-211900324.html

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Online Business, Internet Marketing - Scrabble Blog With General ...

Whenever you?ve a business sector, and would like to be succesful, you require to be a imaginative mind and believe away of the box.? The online is the complete place for little businesses to demonstrate their marketing campaign.? Practicing the online for ad is highly efficient because it is so important and pointed towards the people you prefer to get to.? Online marketing appropriates you to compete with the contest and amount out ahead.

These article? will appearance you what you demand to act to turn your internet site into a resource that your buyers may believe.? You will also determine however to catch a lot of buyers to chat your site.? The important goal of these article? is to teach you which internet marketing formulas are the best for your business.

Approximately of the things that you will determine include:

??? ?However to plan your site to that you attract the buyers you desire.
??? ?How to get to your buyers through e-mail marketing.
??? ?Why co-branding is important.
??? ?How to prefer internet partners that are right for you.
??? ?How to produce customized articles for you site and then that your buyers chat oftentimes.
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This article? will apply you the newest data in marketing trends and then that you bring in the almost of your marketing budget.

This entry was posted in Internet Marketing, Online Business and tagged Internet Marketing, Online Business by Ruth Preston Sok. Bookmark the permalink.

Source: http://scrabble-blog.com/21/

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Jet Set Radio skating onto Android 'this summer'

Here's a blast from the past for everyone. Sega has been pretty good at bringing us some of our favorite games from yesteryear to play on our Android devices, and this summer we get to play another one. It's been announced today that the HD remake of Jet Set Radio, due to land on consoles, will also be coming to Android. 

Anyone who owned a Sega Dreamcast will quite possibly remember, fondly, Jet Set Radio from the first time around. In my case, I've still got a copy. The mobile version will have some mobile-centric features too, one of which is Openfeint integration. Apparently, players will also be able to use pictures taken on their device as the in-game graffiti. Now that's a nice touch. Just don't do anything rude with it, OK, kids. 

We're really looking forward to this one, and despite no more accurate date than "this summer," we're sure it's going to be worth waiting for. Check out the full press release after the break. 

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/jlcVXYhoot8/story01.htm

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Australia - Radio Watch

Last month the Victorian Regional and Rural Development Minister Peter Ryan released a state Regional Communication Policy, and the commercial radio industry has now written to all other State Premiers and Chief Ministers urging them to consider a similar policy. While Communications is a federal policy area, states control the way they spend money with regional media and how they communicate their messages to regional populations, and this is the area the Victorian policy covers.

The Victorian policy document says ?regional media is important in reaching into the community and should be explicitly considered when targeting regional audiences.? It requires a minimum of 15% of total annual campaign expenditure to be spend with regional and rural media. Read the Victorian policy here.?

CRA Chief executive Joan Warner says the recently announced Victorian Regional Communication Policy is ?a good step? in more actively engaging with regional media outlets to communicate critical information to local communities.

?Regional media plays an important role in the lives of many Australians. Regional commercial radio stations, in particular, have a unique relationship with the nearly 80% of Australians who listen to commercial radio.?

Around 6.9 million Australians listen to commercial radio in regional Australia each week and one in five are heavy listeners of radio.

(Source : radioinfo.com)

Source: http://sw-radio.blogspot.com/2012/07/australia-victorian-regional.html

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The Real Reason to Build A Targeted Email List | Scarsongs

Building an email list happens to be one of the most important steps of your online business. People who visit your website, who can be your potential customers, could be missed if you have no means to get back to them. Plainly speaking, you?re looking at possibly thousands of lost opportunities for extra money and business growth if you don?t have a list. If you can keep communicating with your site visitors, then you?re assured of making more sales in the future. Besides this, research has already proven that people usually do not buy on their first visit. So if you fail to get contact info, more than likely you?ll lost that customer. All successful online marketers point to the value of list building because the greatest profits can be found in the backend. It does not matter what kind of online business you have, if you neglect to build your ist, then you?re just leaving cash on the table. You can really build-up your business reputation by having a list. The more people know you as an expert, the easier it will be for you to sell to them. In this article we will be discussing a few list building tactics that show you how to build your list the right way.

One of the easiest tactics that many people don?t use is to create their own brand. People who sign up for mailing lists want to see you as being a trusted source of information that matters to their interests. Those subscribers aren?t interested in receiving emails that contain the same rehashed information that every one else is sending. They?d much rather see that you?re a real person, with a real personality. So, when you?re creating your emails to send out to your list, include some of your own style and uniqueness in the writing tone.

Don?t make the error of pretending to be something you?re not and don?t try copying what someone else is doing. This is your brand and it only works when it?s all about being uniquely you. And the only way to do that is by being yourself. Keep reminding yourself of this at all times. After a while, your subscribers will recognize you from your competition by your personality. As you begin to brand yourself, people?s trust in you grows and they feel more comfortable buying from someone they trust.

Your offer to get people to opt-in to your list needs to be a good quality offer. The most important consideration about your free offer is that it has value and seems different. You need to determine why it?s different and tell people about it. People are being bribed every day on the Internet, but the best way to win the game is to give something of value. Ecourses no longer bring much response as they once did, and that?s because they are not viewed as being valuable.

Several powerful ways to stir interest is with videos and audios such as expert interviews. There are numerous ways to make a great free offer. Just be sure you stay with what works when you find one that works for you.

If you?re an online marketer who yet to create a list, then you?ve been ignoring the facts. If you?re serious and want a long-term, profitable business, then get going with building a quality list of targeted subscribers.

Source: http://scarsongs.net/2012/07/17/the-real-reason-to-build-a-targeted-email-list/

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