Upstate NY organizations

The Corporate Blogging Book by Debbie Weil, to be published August 3rd, 2006 by Penguin Portfolio

2006-07-24T07:24:00.000-07:00

The Corporate Blogging Book by Debbie Weil, to be published August 3rd, 2006 by Penguin Portfolio

Here is a link to Debbie Weil's book on Corporate Blogging that mentions Indium Corporation and Dr. Lasky's blog in particular. This book focuses on tips to overcome the fears of starting to blog; the link provides more details including ordering information.

What is interesting is that I received the book by FEDEX Friday morning, started to read the book in the DMV line later that morning, finished my initial skim/rapid read Friday afternoon, and have already loaned it out. I did find the book valuable.

- My reading style is to skim/rapid read a book, get a few great ideas, and then read it again to distill even more information.

Dr. Lasky�s Blog

2006-07-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

Dr. Lasky�s Blog

Earlier today I received a Fedex package with Debbie Weil's book, " The Corporate Blogging Book- Absolutely Everything you Need to Know to Get It Right."

As I was reading the book, on page 18-19, she discusses Fortune 500 companies that do corporate blogging. On page 20, she mentions small to medium size companies that do corporate blogging well mentioning Dr Lasky's blog on the Indium website. Indium has two local plants in Utica and Clinton, New York.

Indium corporation manufactures indium products such as indium tin oxide ( for aerospace applications) and lead free solder products. Lead free solder is important due to RoHs restrictions on using lead solder paste.

- Through Dr. Lasky's blog, he discusses the ramifications of the transition to lead free solder.

PS. As an aside, I have Debbie Weil's website on my.yahoo.com RSS feed. What is nice is that when http://www.blogwriteforceos.com/blogwrite/ is updated, my.yahoo.com automatically shows the head and a quick summary. On her blog page, she has Rick Short's Indium blog as a link.

Hiking in Upstate NY

2006-06-09T14:29:00.000-07:00

Hiking in Upstate NY
Excuse Me Sir, Your Socks Are On Fire
Book ISBN 1-59531-000-2

Last March I bought this book written by a great friend, Larry Weill, on my birthday. Though Larry lives in Rochester, the book is distributed by North Country Books out of the old Charlestown Mall at 311 Turner St in Utica.

This book is a great read particularly if you have a love of the Adirondack Park. Larry was a forest ranger for three years so he details the people he met, the places he visited, and the practical jokes he experienced. Larry has a superb sense of humor and it comes through in every story.

I am already thinking of the many people who would enjoy this book!

PS. If you are looking for books on the Adirondacks or Upstate NY, this is a fantastic source.

Garnet Mines at Gore Mountain

2006-06-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

Garnet Mine Tours has the World's largest garnet deposit! Located in North River, New York the heart of the Adirondack Mountain

Just came across this web site featuring a Gore Mountain Mine, a tourist attraction located in the Adirondack Park about 2.5 hours from Utica, NY.

Here is some information I found on the Gore Mountain website:

The hardest garnet in the world is only found on Gore Mountain, making the garnet extremely rare. The Barton garnet has an unusual and beautiful ruby red color that flashes in the sun. In 1969, the Governor of New York, Nelson Rockefeller, made the Barton garnet the New York State Gem Stone. We are one of the world's largest garnet deposits, and have the largest garnet crystals in the world.

The name of the attaction is Garnet Mine Tour - the website includes pictures of the mine.

Why did I blog this? I thought it was fascinating that we had this unique tour so close to Utica.

uticaBoilermaker.com :: The starting place on the Web for Upstate N.Y. runners

2006-05-03T10:04:00.000-07:00

uticaBoilermaker.com :: The starting place on the Web for Upstate N.Y. runners

One of the premier events in the Utica area is the annual 15K road race held in July. It is amazing how the whole community supports this weekend from the Observer Dispatch newspaper to Saranac Brewery to Utica Boilers. Events are planned

In the past, I ran this race that is the largest 15k race in the country. There is particularly torturous hill at the three mile mark that was my nemesis. Now as a spectator, I enjoy the weeklong activities that surround the event including the huge party at Saranac Brewery at the end of the race.

In the Observer Dispatch today, they mentioned the blog of a reporter who is training for his first Boilermaker. In the May 2, 2006 entry, he talks about the side splits he suffered around the three mile mark. Though I am confident that he will do well at the race, hearing the struggles and triumphs over time is fascinating.

For more information on the Boilermaker, visit their website at www.uticaboilermaker.com.

SHORTBREAD COOKIES SHORT BREAD COOKIES HOMEMADE GOURMET COOKIES COOPERSTOWN COOKIE COMPANY COOPERSTOWN NEW YORK NY

2006-02-11T01:12:00.000-08:00

SHORTBREAD COOKIES SHORT BREAD COOKIES HOMEMADE GOURMET COOKIES COOPERSTOWN COOKIE COMPANY COOPERSTOWN NEW YORK NY

One of the joys of living in Utica, NY is the close proximity of Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

I have also had the pleasure of eating the Classic Baseball Shortbread, a souvenir cookie made at Pathfinder village near Cooperstown. It is a fascinating story about Pati Drumm Grady and her family recipe that does not use artificial flavoring baked at a residential community supporting children and adults with Down Syndrome. See the "About Us" here.

Not only are the cookies great but they are well packaged in a special tin!

McChronicles: January 2006

2006-02-08T12:55:00.000-08:00

McChronicles: January 2006

Our friend Rick was kind enough to exhibit our wedding day McDonald's experience on his McChronicles blog. No, it was not my reception but a quick stop for a bite to eat between the three hour period between the end of the wedding and the start of the reception.

The junior bridesmaid in question is my cousin's daughter- her brother Eddie was my assistant on the day of the wedding so it was nice to get them both involved.

Friday- back to Central NY organizations with our initial focus on a local premier cookie company.

McChronicles: January 2006

2006-02-08T12:39:00.000-08:00

McChronicles: January 2006

Check out the famous McChronicles blog that highlights a McDonald's visit on my wedding. According the to the author, one person commented they did the exact same thing- stop by McDonald's due to long time between the end of the wedding and the start of the reception.

McChronicles is a fascinating look from the consumer's viewpoint at McDonalds. I use this as a benchmark for blogging due to the frequency of updates as well as unique perspective of the fast food experience.

2006-02-03T14:41:00.000-08:00

Five hours before my wedding, a group of friends including my brothers played tennis.

Snow was flying as well as the tennis balls.

Voice in the background was mine asking for advice. Notice ND music in the background

Elizabeth Bowers and Gregory Karl Wedding

2005-10-12T02:41:00.000-07:00

This is not an "Upstate NY organization" but financially supports local businesses as we pay for our wedding!

This website provides details about the December 3, 2005 wedding of Greg Karl and Beth Bowers. Not just a vanity website but the goal is to communicate details about the upcoming wedding to guests and other friends. For example, we have a page that shows the three different dinner selections- a picture is worth a thousand words. We also have links to local attractions, hotels, and a map to the church. We are using this website as a dynamic tool to provide information to people across the country as we frequently update the website.

It is a great metaphor for business websites as well.