Our website, BusinessClarksville.com, continues to grow. As I write this, the last thirty days have seen more than 23,000 pages viewed. If you haven’t browsed lately, chances are that you’ve missed quite a lot.

We’re excited to introduce the new name change to Business & Heritage Clarksville. What’s more, it’s the same great content you’ve come to expect, only now you’ll see it monthly. Every issue, and every month, will cover business, arts, and heritage from throughout the area, with an eye to the future.

When I use phrases like “growing pains,” small businesses aren’t the only ones who relate. Every home, every job, and every family is touched by them at one one time or another. Sometimes it’s related to a mountain of bills, a family emergency, tragedy, and disaster.

We’ve certainly had our fair share of disaster recently. The recent flooding that’s impacted our community washed away livelihoods, hopes, dreams, and yes, even lives. We’ve seen homes wrecked, boats smashed against bridges, and roads washed out. Suddenly, our measly “growing pains” don’t amount to a hill of beans.

I’ll never forget how Clarksville came together after the Tornado eleven years ago. When we saw hundreds of soldiers converge on Riverside Drive as they did heavy lifting in a few hours that would have taken business owners weeks to do, I was reminded of just how special my home town really is.

What was once a topic of “if” or “when” has changed to one of “now.” The historic river district redevelopment is now mandated. New wallboard, fresh paint, new flooring, and a full remodeling are now tapped for many local businesses and homes.

These kinds of disasters are a different kind of challenge for publishers — who are compelled to cover them, but to do so with a heart of compassion, but not exploiting them. There are stories to be told, to be sure. These stories are as unique as they are incredible.

You’ll read of people who were among those who were hit the hardest, and of those who press forward — in sheer defiance to the raging floodwaters, with every last effort to save their neighborhoods or even their roads. These are the stories that define the best of us, which is exactly what we’ve been about these last several months.

Even now, we’re forced to realize that we can only break the surface of the sheer number of stories that have arisen out of this disaster. Our hopes that we capture the spirit of these events, and truly acknowledge the struggle and challenges that lay ahead.

This is our time to shine — as a city, as a region, and as neighbors. As we forge ahead, we at Business & Heritage Clarksville invite you to join us as we tell these stories of your friends and neighbors, favorite businesses and restaurants, artists and musicians, parks and nature, and so much more.

Finally, be sure to support your local business people — especially those who have been impacted by the Great Flood of 2010. In all truth, that’s about everyone. As we all support each other, we’ll grow stronger than ever before.

And that will be a sight worth seeing.

Such visits would often require time spent with Mrs. Blair herself, and then the requisite task to “draw something on the board” for the class. Truth be told, I had already discovered a fondness of speaking before a group, and “drawing something” on demand wasn’t difficult either. Usually, it would be a comic book character. While drawing, I asked the class a question. “How many of you have parents that absolutely hate their jobs?” As expected, most of them raised their hands.

“Want to know a secret?” I inquired. Little heads nodded throughout the room. “You don’t have to hate your jobs when you grow up.” I know, it was a little subversive. But then, isn’t that kind of the point? Even in our enlightened 21st-century America, we often find that we absolutely loathe our jobs. The class looked at me as if I had a second nose all of the sudden. This was obviously nothing they had heard before.

“It’s simple, really,” I said. “You want to love your job. You want to be happy in your career. It’s a three-step process.” Seemed easy enough, I guess. They weren’t passing notes or anything (these days, if they were uninterested, they’d start texting each other, I suppose).

“Step one: Find out what you like to do more than ANYTHING else in the world.” Their faces scrunched up a little bit. Some of them knew exactly what they liked. I asked around the room what they really liked to do. Of course, there were the singers, basketball players, dancers, budding artists, and the like. One boy was smiling ear-to-ear by the time I got to him. His favorite? “I like to argue.” I grinned.

One guy wasn’t sure. “Well, what’s the first thing that you think of doing every morning when you wake up?”

“Take a shower,” he replied. Factory work was destined for him, I suppose.

After we got all of the career choices, I got to step two: “Become the best you can be at that one thing.” Once again the group nodded. “If you dance, dance every moment you can. If you sing, sing everywhere you can… outside of the shower. And if you love to argue, your favorite words should be, ‘how do YOU know?’” I pressed the point.

“Then you can learn how to argue in school. Join a debate team. Then go to college to learn how people argue successfully. Most of us call that law school.” He grinned even more than he was earlier, this time as if he were a boy with a mission.

“If you draw, draw every chance you can. I did.” Mrs. Blair nodded quite forcefully from the back corner of the room. “Just not while in class,” I added.

“Step three is the best of all,” I said. “Find someone to pay you to do it.” When I think about it, it’s a little subversive. But then, isn’t that the point? When you truly enjoy your job, there’s never a work day in your life. It’s an absolute pleasure.

I took my own advice that year and quit the theatre and began my career as a graphic designer. I haven’t “worked” for more than fifteen years. This simple path of career serenity is the same advice I’ve given hundreds of times, and I’m glad to be able to say that it works. It works not only for careers, but in business as well. After all, those of us who are in business… do it because we want freedom, and because we want to play a part in our own destinies.

The secret is out. Find your path!

My parents forbade me to ever utter those words again.

The answer to the prayer came… and boy, did it ever. Those who have been in Clarksville long enough will remember that winter as the Blizzard of ’77.

It snowed, all right. We had snow days, all right. Heck, we had so many snow days that we ended up going to school on Saturdays.

I remember fondly the snow tunnels, the under-snow snow forts, the snowball battles, and the snowmen. The winter wonderland that was otherwise known as Clarksville was a pure delight to a six-year old. My big brother and I spent so much time outside that I’m surprised that we didn’t turn into snow-boys.

One day, we made as many snowballs as our little hands could make. We stacked them high and proud — all for one purpose: to ambush Daddy! We waited patiently until that old brown Dodge Dart came home. We gave him no warning and no reprieve… it was a constant pummel of snowball after snowball!

We then learned something very important. Dad is a big guy. With big hands. That make big snowballs. We didn’t know what hit us. Only one each is all it took. He made the snowballs and tossed them in one swift motion. Whoosh-SPLUT! Whoosh-SPLUT! My brother and I were so utterly and completely defeated that all we could do at that point was wave a white flag. Of course by then, we were the white flag. Immediately, the three of us went back inside, all covered in snow. Alas, our dastardly plan was thwarted by my father’s very large hands.

We sat around our toasty warm wood stove and sipped Mommy’s special blend of hot chocolate as she held my newborn baby sister in her arms. It was a mix of cocoa, evaporated milk, and that extra special tender loving care that she always put into everything she made.

It was a winter like we’ve rarely had since, a winter for the ages. Of course, that picture window is long gone, as are those wonder years of my childhood. Now, more than 30 years after that storied winter, we all look toward a new year and new possibilities.

To be sure, I’ve tried praying for snow since then, but I’m convinced that the power for the snow-prayer was in that picture window (It was removed when we added on a room to our house a couple of years later). One thing that hasn’t left, though, is my hope for lots
of snow.

Whether we’re in business, in the arts, or proudly working for the heritage or the future of our many communities, there’s always a place to find child-like joy and hope. Here at Business Clarksville, we’re always looking for the best and brightest of our region, and we hope you enjoy this issue!

Happy New Year.

Netbooks have been all the rage for their portability, but I’ve held back on them for a gazillion reasons, chief of which is that they’re… well… lame. Itty-bitty keyboards, chintzy screens, and tee-niny processors that are about as useful for business apps as a permanent marker for a dry-erase board. You use them once, and throw the whole thing in the can.

The tablet computer is a quickly-evolving market that’s already seen its share of entries. E-book readers from Amazon and Barnes & Noble are both making waves of their own, but there’s not a lot to offer if you’re wanting to do something other than read a book. Browsing the actual web? As if. Oh, the iPad will have its own iBookstore too.

Enter the iPad. Apple has designed this for just about anyone, and priced it that way as well. The rumors were that it would be in the range of $899 or so. Those rumors couldn’t have been more wrong — Apple announced pricing for the iPad that has its highest price point at $829 for a 64GB 3G model. In fact, the iPad starts at $499 for its 16GB model. This device includes wi-fi access, and is perfect for minor projects and web browsing.

What makes the iPad so great for business is what it does for A/V presentations. When I realized that it would run a Keynote presentation, and even attach a VGA adapter, its purpose for sales and marketing becomes clear. Presenters will be able to go through their presentation, either one-on-one or for larger groups, with plenty of multi-touch dazzle that will give their prospects a presentation with all the flash they can muster… well, without Adobe Flash, that is.

Apple’s resistance to Flash has been a buzz topic of the years since the iPhone was introduced. And quite frankly, we shouldn’t miss it. As a web development company, we cheered when Apple CEO Steve Jobs described Flash as “buggy.” That’s because he’s right. It IS buggy. It’s hard to program, has little to offer except flash-bang graphics, and does practically nothing for search engine optimization. It’s a developer’s nightmare. In fact, most website don’t use it except in limited capacity. Even YouTube will  embrace HTML5 for its platform eventually.

With iPad’s low price, high-flexibility, lightweight profile, and even despite its lack of Flash support, we’ll purchase several for our office. We have a clear use for the tablet computer, and Apple’s entry is just what the doctor ordered. Good business will always use inexpensive technology to help pad the bottom line. Better business will use these items to actually enhance their image.

When such a device is created with that flexibility, low price point, and ease-of-use, it becomes clear that the iPad is already making waves in the business world, and we’re sure to see it pop up nearly everywhere.

Well-done, Apple!

Well, dear reader, I’m happy to announce that we’re making a couple of those choices easier than ever. Of course, we can’t do a lot for choosing between an aisle or window seat. We can, however, help you out on your subscription options!

You might have noticed that we’re maintaining our focus on Business Clarksville. “But,” you ask. “What about Warioto Arts & Heritage?” That’s the good news! All content for Warioto Arts & Heritage will be included in the pages of Business Clarksville! After all, there’s plenty of business in the arts and heritage markets. Plus, when we’re reaching out to the rest of the country to showcase the best and brightest of the Clarksville area, it’s absolutely essential to present the cultured side of our community.

Business and the arts have always been closely related. In this new, combined format for Business Clarksville, this will be more evident than ever. I’m absolutely convinced that you’ll love what we do with Business Clarksville. In fact, I’m so convinced that you’ll love it, that we’ve decided to help things along with another choice… to buy or not to buy!

Let’s face it. People just don’t buy magazines a whole lot. In fact, even People doesn’t get bought in the grocery store aisles. It does, however, get browsed through a lot. On the flip side, we have all those free publications. They’re coupon books, newsletters, and Real Estate guides, for the most part. We’ve seen it happen… someone would pick up a copy of Business Clarksville, and browse through its pages.

“That’s $4.99,” the clerk says. “Oh, never mind,” the dissuaded browser says as he puts it back on the rack. Sound familiar? Yikes!

I’m always willing to learn valuable lessons, and this one is a doozie: put your magazine in as many hands as possible. We saw the reaction and the overwhelmingly warm reception we got at Riverfest as we passed out well over 1200 copies of Business Clarksville in September. People kept them. They read their copy as they ate their meals.

Clearly, the way to go is to make that choice as easy as possible. From this moment on, Business Clarksville is now free. We’re so convinced that you’ll love our humble little magazine, that we want to make sure there are no barriers whatsoever between you and owning a copy (or ten) of this publication. Pick one up at one of our more than 150 local distributors throughout the region and get a few copies for your friends!

While you’re at it, be sure to browse right here at our brand-new BusinessClarksville.com website! This incredible new site features plenty of frequently-updated content that’s among the best coverage of local business and arts news. Be sure to register (It’s free, too!), and you’ll have access to even the best and brightest of the features from our print edition. Also, we’ve included a calendar with the latest information on events from around town. If you know of something happening that’s not on it, then let us know and we’ll add it!

Now all that’s left for you to decide is whether or not to have a hot coffee or an iced coffee while you read your copy of Business Clarksville.

We look forward to seeing you soon!