SOKY Happenings One Whole Year

My idea to create a publication that is a positive reflection of the community is about to release its 12^th monthly issue. More than just ticking the volume number up from 1 to 2, it represents a full year of being in print. I am very proud of what we have become and also how we have gotten to where we are.

The twelfth issue is 60 pages, up from our first issue at 36 pages. We have tripled our sponsor base and have many new feature writers and sections. From “The Wine Snob” to “The Garden Hoe;” and from “The City of Bowling Green” to “The Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau;” we have some interesting, informative and entertaining regular columns.

Making a difference in my community was a key motivating factor! We receive comments and letters every month from the organizations that we feature in the magazine telling us that we helped them achieve greater turn out and greater contributions. Most recently, the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center held a “Teddy Bear Run” to raise awareness of abused and neglected children in our region. They wrote us yesterday and told us they had their best year resulting in more than 900 teddy bears and $30,000 in contributions. They said that our efforts to get the news out were instrumental in the success of the event this year. I thanked them for the accolades and the letter, but also for working year round on behalf of neglected and abused children who might otherwise be forgotten.

It took a great amount of faith and a lot of hard work to get where we are. I can count the days I’ve had off over the past 14 months on one hand. I cannot count the number of nights I slept in the office nor the number of nights I didn’t sleep at all because of looming deadlines and the need to get this on the streets on or before the 1^st of each month.

I’ve had to learn or relearn many skills. From changing from the PC to the Mac, to unlearning web layout and learning print layout, offset printing, DPI’s and Adobe software. I have a whole new skill set that I must admit has evolved almost miraculously. I can do and create things now that I could not before and it just feels good, especially at the ripe OLD age of 43.

We have come to a place in the business that I can finally start considering hiring people! There is a good deal of preparation for this because I am going to have to consider office space, telephone systems, computer hardware and software as well as payroll, benefits and ways to keep the staff happy and motivated. I want to create a “team environment,” without losing control or authority in the process. I want good creative people who are eager to make the magazine better each month. I have a need for at least three talented people and I hope to be able to hire them in the next 90 days.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want “out” of the business at all. I would simply like to hire a few people I can trust and count on who will help bring this magazine to press each month. People who would allow me to take some time off; or dare I dream? To travel once in a while. Yes, I have a few other business ideas I would like bring to this market and others, but I have to have my wagons in a circle on the home front first.

I would like to write about my future plans but have learned to keep those to myself. I’m just getting started and it feels great! I’ve been able to build a little business without sacrificing my integrity nor giving into the temptation to be over competitive. I did not sit down and decide to hurt others in business, I set out to help my community and I feel as though I have without the need to lash out or attempt to destroy others. It feels good, even if it has been a challenge.

The first whole year of SOKY Happenings magazine has been a challenge. I’m sure the next year will be too. I intend to stay the course and continue my efforts to not only create a useful resource that enhances my community, but to grow and expand as we continue to help our area become a better place to live. I will face many more challenges and decisions next year, but with the first difficult year under my belt, I feel better prepared and equipped to make the next steps in business.

This is going to be great!

Thank you for reading. Let me know what you think!

Taste of Bowling Green

This is kind of a follow up on a story we ran in the April issue of SOKY Happenings (pg 31) about an annual event that is very popular. “The Taste of Bowling Green” or as it’s simply referred to, “the Taste.” (www.tasteofbowlinggreen.com)

This is an annual event hosted by the South Central Chapter of the Kentucky Restaurant Association (www.kyra.org). The event was well attended and at $35 per ticket, the Dream Factory of Bowling Green likely raised a lot of money. Reportedly, they sold 700 tickets last year and raised about $15,000 to grant dreams to local children.

The Dream Factory according to their website:

The Dream Factory operates using a network of volunteers who raise funds in their communities to grant dreams to local children. We receive no government funding but rely on the generosity of members of our communities. Donors are assured that their funds remain in their communities and volunteers can see the direct results of their efforts by serving local children. (www.dreamfactorybg.org)

I feel we are very fortunate to have such a wonderful organization in our area, especially after reading; “Unfortunately, we have no means to grant dreams where we have no chapters.” on their website. You can also read about them on page 31 of SOKY Happenings April 2008.

The Taste is a huge collection of restaurants, liquor stores, beverage vendors and food suppliers who set up small booths in a trade show fashion. Most of these displays offer samples of the companies featured goods. From Makers Mark Bourbon to Cosmos Tomato Cheesecake there are a variety of flavors represented.

There is a competitive spirit among the vendors to make a great presentation. I’m not sure what the criteria is exactly, but organizers arrange a kind of contest among the participating companies and award a best in show and honorable mention platter to the best booth. WhaBah Steel Horse Saloon (www.whabah.com) captured the top prize (for the second time in a row) and Bowling Green Technical College (www.bowlinggreen.kctcs.edu) was honorably mentioned.

Carrie and I enjoyed samples from many of the booths but there were two that really caught our attention.

Four Roses Distillery (www.fourroses.us) offered sample of two of their bourbons. The Four Roses Single Batch and the Four Roses Small Batch. I tried both straight up and have to say they both were quite pleasant. I’m not a bourbon drinker, but these were very rich and smooth. Of the two, I preferred the Single Batch.

Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese was another stand out of the night. Not only did they offer some great  samples, but we learned that they are right here in South Central KY. We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. (Kenny) & Mrs. Mattingly and they explained that they have been dairy farmers in Barren County KY for many years and Cheese producers since 1998.

The cheese: I have to say that I have never tried a more unique and tasteful cheese as I did that night. They offered several of their handmade cheeses, but I could not stop eating the horseradish cheddar. According to their website (www.kennyscountrycheese.com), they produced 34,000 pounds of cheese in varieties that include Cheddar, Colby, Jack, Asiago, Swiss and Havarti, as well as some outstanding blue cheeses last year.  Also according to the website; “Two extra touches that he believes make his cheese more special for his customers are coagulating the cheese with vegetable-based rennet, to make it more acceptable to vegetarians and hand cutting/packaging each block or round of cheese.”

Oh, and then there is the band! That’s right folks, a great night of food and drink is not complete without a great band and the Taste did not disappoint. The popular group, “Skip Bond and the Fugitives” were the band for the evening and they did a great job. Admittedly, I am partial to this group because the drummer (Jim DeCesare) is a good friend; the trombone playing singer (Dave Gottfried) is the Father-in-Law of my son (does that make him like a brother-in-law? Not sure); and this band was featured in the April 2008 issue of SOKY Happenings.

It was a very enjoyable evening all around. We saw many friends, tried some great food and spirits, and came away thankful to live in such a great community. We are looking forward to next year’s event and plan to publicize it more completely in ’09.

A big shout out to Vicki Weaver who helped us get the article and information together for the magazine. She is a hard working nurse and is also the President of the Dream Factory of Bowling Green. THANKS VICKI!!!

More pictures http://sokyhappenings.com/gallery/2008_04_10TasteofBG4web/

April 2008 – My Journey Continues

For the friends and family who keep up with this web page, and others who read for whatever reason, it may come as no surprise that I am taking on a new hobby. Yeah, like I needed another hobby eh?

But first; let me bring you up to date:

My skills with the MAC computer and Adobe software continue to improve, develop and grow. I’ve been able to cut down the time per page on the magazine greatly! I still only use it during press week because I remain comfortable with the PC for general purpose computing and website development.

April 2008 Click for table of contents

SOKY Happenings: This is going great! We picked up The City of Bowling Green as a sponsor as well as several others. I have been asked to consider another significant sponsor which if we can work things out, will be something we will be very proud of. We will likely be taking the magazine up to 60 or 68 pages in May and adding a number of new sections. We are also looking at expanding a few current sections that seem to be popular. April has another winning cover and three new sections. Pick one up when you’re out and about.

Family: David III and Jenn have moved to TX and finally received their belongings. David is doing well in school and they are getting settled in. I think there is a little home-sickness but nothing that can’t be overcome. Jesse is settling into his new digs as well. Carrie and I still work all of the time but will be taking a little “micro-vacation” this weekend. We rented a cabin at Barren River State Resort Park and we plan to do a lot of nothing! Ahhhhhh.

Fitness and Martial Arts: Haven’t been going! This is really frustrating because I have no excuse! I simply need to get up and go, but I don’t. Oh sure, I have dozens of “reasons” not to go because of the work load, but the bottom line is I am not going. I have plans to start running at a local park to try to get myself back in the habit. But plans are far from action and I must be about the doing, not the planning.

Okay, the new hobby!

PowerShot SD200

Actually, it’s not new per se, but I am going to spend some more time on it. Photography! I am investing in another, more capable camera. I am driven by the need for better photos for the magazine as well as a desire for higher quality images. The Canon PowerShot S3 IS I purchased last year was a great step up from the Canon PowerShot SD200, but it still lacks some quality and control I desire.

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

My biggest issue with the S3 is it seems a little moody! I want to get more creative and use ambient light and when I do, images come out blurry and grainy. I really want a camera that I can use in a public setting without a flash and get high quality images for publishing and printing.

My last blog on the subject was way back in November of 2006 (http://blog.davidfrancis.org/2006/11/dave-shutterbug.asp). I’ve read it again and I guess it is safe to say that I am going to be making the transition from “Shutterbug” to amateur photographer. I am looking forward to a better camera, but will also consider an affordable class if I can find one.

The camera I have my sights on is the Canon EOS Rebel XSi. This is a brand new (yet to be released) camera from Canon with so many advanced features I don’t understand them all. The main thing to me is the quality of photo as well as the image stabilizing features. Also, the large 12.2 megapixel images will be easy to “crop zoom” with software which is something I do to hide my inability as a photographer. (grin)

I've wanted an EOS Rebel way back when digital was a glimmer in the eye of pro photographers and I used to carry around dozens of rolls of film when on assignment in public affairs. When the digital versions came out, they were thousands of dollars and way out of reach for me. They are still expensive, but this new one is less than $1000 and has many of the features of Canon cameras costing 5 times as much.

Canon EOS Rebel XSi

Here is What Canon Says: For stunning photography with point-and-shoot ease, look no further than Canon's EOS Rebel XSi. The EOS Rebel XSi brings staggering technological innovation to the masses. It features Canon's EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Live View Function, a powerful DIGIC III Image Processor, plus a new 12.2-megapixel CMOS Sensor and is available in a kit with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens with Optical Image Stabilizer. The EOS Rebel XSi's refined, ergonomic design includes a new 3.0-inch LCD monitor, compatibility with SD and SDHC Memory cards and new accessories that enhance every aspect of the photographic experience. Source: www.usa.canon.com

The major drawback to this camera is the fact it isn't being released until April 27th. This is frustrating because I need it before then for a special section of the magazine as well as a very special event we've been invited to that will require great photo's for the May issue of the magazine. I will limp along with my S3 and be patient for this great camera.

I also plan to talk with the fine folks at Shutterbug as well as Kenny Coots our photographer for the magazine. I may even join his amateur photo club to be able to learn and network with them.

The cost? From what I can tell, I'll be spending about $800 for the camera and lens. I will likely buy another lens once I learn about them a little as well as a strobe and good photo bag that will hold the stuff plus my other cameras. I'm excited about this! As much as I enjoy taking snapshots, I'm looking forward to taking real photographs.