John Dilbeck And Friends

• @martyweil Unlike you and @RichOwings, I’m deleting all links to Amazon. What they did to NC affiliates is reprehensible. #ncaffilatestax #
• @martyweil Unlike you and @RichOwings, I’m deleting all links to Amazon. What they did to NC affiliates is reprehensible. #ncaffilatetax #

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• I finally started on a much-needed and long-overdue overhaul of JohnDilbeck.com. It’s a mess, but it’s getting better! Whew! #
• The chat feature has been enabled on Murphy Connections. #MurphyNC http://MurphyConnections.com #
• @catrightsell Good morning, Cat. I’d enjoy chatting with you there. I don’t keep regular hours, but I’m up early most days. #
• Museum 2.0 blog post: How to develop a (small scale) social media plan. Applicable to more than museums. http://bit.ly/JycX #
• Three new events added to Murphy Connections. #MurphyNC http://www.murphyconnections.com/events #
• After a hot afternoon yesterday, I’m enjoying the peace of a cool morning in the mountains today. Listening to birds singing. #MurphyNC #
• I was invited to write a new “Marketing Your Business” column in the Tri-State (Plus!) Shoppers Guide. Article 1: http://bit.ly/JD-TSSG #
• @Mitch_M Thanks for your congratulations, Mitch. I’m looking forward to writing more articles for print publication. #
• @Mitch_M Thanks, Mitch. I appreciate your encouragement. #

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On Saturday, September 5, 2009, Heritage Partners of Cherokee County will host the Ninth Annual Heritage Walk and Festival in Konehete Part, Murphy, NC.

Local area artists and crafters are invited to visit the Heritage Walk and Festival website and download an application form in PDF format. (See the left column right next to “Arts & Crafts Show” for the link.)

Original artwork, hand-made items only. No imports or commercial goods will be approved.

No electrical service will be provided.

$25 application fee.

Your completed application form and check must be received by the August 8, 2009 deadline.

• RT @LoriMoreno A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams…John Barrymore #lorimoreno #quote #
• @Moonvine Good evening Joan. Did you get that email I sent to you and your sisters a few days ago? #
• @Moonvine Sounds good, Joan. I know how easy it is to lose track of email when you’re so busy, especially when you’re not feeling well. #
• RT @davewiner Everyone should start a hyperlocal site. It’ll give you fresh eyes for: 1. Blogging and 2. Where you live. http://tr.im/oeAJ #
• Coming soon! Facebook usernames. See their blog: http://bit.ly/172uUT #
• I just claimed my username at Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/johndilbeck #
• @Zut_Radio Thanks for the invitation to play, but I have a lot of work that has to be done, first. You know how it goes! #
• Goodbye TV. No digital signals here and no cable available = more time to get things done. #

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I originally sent this as an email to the President of WRCB TV in Chattanooga, TN. He sent a nice reply, and I thank him for that.

These were some of my thoughts on the morning of the transition from analog to digital TV.

This morning, at midnight, while watching Conan O’Brien, the end of an era arrived and now it’s time to say goodbye to all my friends at Channel 3.

For almost 25 years, I’ve started and ended my day with your broadcasts.

Jed, Latrice, and David started my day with news and weather and the Tonight show ended my day with humor. During the day, the Today show provided information and news. I enjoyed watching Ellen and some of your afternoon game shows. Your evening news gave a recap to what was going on during the day.

I moved to Murphy in 1984, about the same time as Bill Markham and Paul Barys [moved to Chattanooga], I think. Even though I’ve never met them, it feels like I’m listening to friends when they come on TV.

Channel 3 has been my main source for news and weather, but now all I can do is visit your web site, which is very slow because I have only a slow dial-up connection to the Internet.

I live in an area north of Murphy where there is no broadband Internet nor cable TV available - and probably won’t be any time soon. Still, I would not exchange the peace, quiet, and beauty of where I live for better connections to the rest of the world.

When I first attached my new digital converter a few months ago, all I got was “no signal.” This was not unexpected. Reception here, where I am surrounded by mountains, has never been good, even with a signal booster.

I rescanned this morning and still, no signal.

So, goodbye TV. Goodbye Channel 3.

It was fun while it lasted.

All the best,

JD

As I said, above the quote, he sent a nice reply and suggested that I look into satellite services.

I’ve already thought of that and decided that what they offer isn’t worth the cost, as far as I’m concerned.

It sounds like I watch(ed) a lot of TV, but that’s not really true.

I have a TV in my office and have it on with the volume turned down low much of the time, but I rarely give it my full attention. There were some exceptions, however.

I enjoyed watching the first half-hour of the Today show to get a daily summary of the news. I was a big fan of Meet The Press when Tim Russert was the host, but not so much now that David Gregory has succeeded him. I liked watching the evening news and weather and usually stopped what I was doing to watch the monologue on the Tonight show.

Otherwise, it was on in case there was breaking news and as a background so that barking dogs and passing vehicles didn’t distract me as much as they may have otherwise.

I might be interested in cable TV, if I could also get broadband, but I’m not interested in satellite TV and don’t want their Internet service either.

So, after about 30 hours with no TV, I don’t miss it as much as I thought I might.

Act on your dream!

JD

• 52nd Annual Wagon Train, Andrews, NC. http://bit.ly/gijxZ #
• Fourth of July Celebration, Andrews, NC. http://bit.ly/nW5bY #
• Fourth of July Celebration, Murphy, NC. #MurphyNC http://bit.ly/dK2r3 #
• 17th Annual Christian Harmony Shape-Note Singing, Brasstown, NC. http://bit.ly/18AEJo #
• I spent a great afternoon with my daughter, her sister-in-law, and my grandkids. There’s nothing like spending time with family. #
• I just updated my Squidoo page: Images By Courtnie - Murphy, NC / http://tinyurl.com/c2vd4k #
• I just updated my Squidoo page: Murphy, NC is a growing community with small town charm / http://tinyurl.com/8tltlk #
• Today is SpringFest in downtown Murphy, NC from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. Maybe I’ll see you there. #MurphyNC #
• Listening to Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood on NC Public TV: http://www.unctv.org/ #
• It was a gorgeous day for Murphy SpringFest 2009. #MurphyNC http://bit.ly/FGmCj #

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• Why are local businesses important? #MurphyNC http://bit.ly/mCBh3 #
• My vision for Murphy NC social networking. #MurphyNC http://bit.ly/rFm2c #
• Squidoo lensmasters and marketers are helping each other at Squidoo Marketing. Come join us… http://squidoomarketing.ning.com/ #
• Which furniture store do you recommend in Murphy, NC? #MurphyNC http://bit.ly/8p8jI #
• Which antiques shop do you recommend in Murphy, NC? #MurphyNC http://bit.ly/Kd4z4 #
• Which consignment shop do you recommend in Murphy, NC? #MurphyNC http://bit.ly/zEPpo #
• Murphy NC networking community now has its own domain. #MurphyNC http://MurphyConnections.com #
• @Moonvine Hi Joan. I’m happy to hear you’re feeling better, too. #
• @Moonvine Hi Joan, I’m working on websites, again. Went outside a while to listen to all the birds. #
• @Mitch_M Hi Mitch. I’ve been on Facebook several times today with no problems. I’m using Firefox on a Mac. #
• @Mitch_M Yep, sounds like a “some-timey” problem. Your Mom is probably right. #
• Murphy SpringFest #MurphyNC http://localtweeps.com/svUtzk #
• LocalTweeps offers new tool for tweeting about local events. http://localtweeps.com/Create/Event/ #
• @AnnetteTush Hi Annette. I was quite sick for several weeks, but I’m feeling much better now. Thanks for noticing. How are you? #
• @AnnetteTush That’s very nice of you. Thank you. I try to be real and helpful. #
• Senior Center Potluck Dinner - June 5, 2009. Age 55 or older. #MurphyNC http://bit.ly/XkuLL #
• @johndilbeck got a grade of 99.0/100 on @grader. Check it out: http://twitter.grader.com/johndilbeck #

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Today, I have spent some time pondering this question:

Is buying local a form of protectionism or is it something that is truly good for our community?

I can argue for both sides of the question, but I’m coming to believe more strongly that buying local is truly good for our communities.

I was reading several blogs on the topic this morning and was going to write a post with my thoughts on the topic on this blog, but decided it would be more suitable as the start of a discussion on the Murphy NC 28906 social networking forum.

So, instead of writing it here, I’ve created the new forum topic: Why are local businesses important?

I’m specifically wanting to discuss this with people interested in our Murphy, NC community, but others who have constructive thoughts on the topic are welcome to join our discussion either there or by commenting here.

More and more, as time passes, I’m becoming concerned with the economic health of our towns and cities and feel drawn to do whatever I can to help local business owners learn to use the new tools that are coming available to help them promote themselves and their businesses.

In doing so, we’ll also be promoting our towns, local organizations, and people who are working hard to make a difference.

What do you think?

Act on your dream!

JD

• This is the first day I’ve felt good in about a month. Maybe my allergies are subsiding, finally. Now, back to work. #
• @JuliaChicken Thank you! I’m enjoying feeling better. #
• @Mitch_M Hi Mitch. Thank you. I’m happy to be back! #
• You are invited to the Murphy, NC SpringFest on June 6, 2009. #MurphyNC More details: http://tinyurl.com/pbctay #
• @ExtremeEzine Hi Brian. I also think that family time gets more important as we get older. At least, it has for me. #

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The following paragraph is excerpted from the press release on PRWeb:
Announcing the Launch of the Most Comprehensive Online Guide and Marketplace for American Arts and Crafts

The new venture, AmericaCreates.com,
AmericaCreates.com, offers electronic storefronts for independent artists while also inviting consumers to explore the artist experience and learn about upcoming creative events and associations in their communities. In addition to selling excellent quality American artwork and fine crafts, America Creates includes easy-to-search databases making it possible for visitors to simply find local exhibitions, classes, artist cooperatives, art schools, guilds and gallery openings, and learn more about specific art techniques.

Later in the press-release, it says, “U.S.-based artists and fine craftspeople - along with guilds, co-ops, art schools, community art centers, museums and galleries- are invited to join the community at no charge.”

Sharon Sinclair, one of the founders, says, “We understand the difficulty many artists experience in marketing their own merchandise. The energy it takes to do this well often leaves little time for their craft. Many have little budget or time to create a Web presence, yet consumers are in search of one-of-a-kind objects with a personal story. America Creates was designed to bring people together and help creativity flourish.”