My ex-girlfriend circa 1998-2001, Michelle Nolan, adored Chronicle Books when we were dating.

She’s from San Fran and it was and is her home town pleasure, both because they were both both in SF but also because they both highly value form, function, beauty, quality, and the power of play.

To Michelle, books are not just things to read but things to look at, touch, and even interact with.

I am a little late to the party here but it has been a busy week. Linda Goin, @Appomattox_News, invited me to attend Social Media Seminar 2009 in Appomattox, Virginia — rural Virginia and the historical end of the Civil War — tomorrow from 9-4:30. Check out the information and look out for future events — Linda is doing some amazing things in the space. She’s a force of nature.

Social Media Seminar 2009

Do you want to learn how to use social media such as Twitter, Facebook and more? Do you want to be inspired about connecting with your community as a business leader, educator, politician or resident? If so, then this seminar is up your alley. You will learn how to use relevant social media tools in classes and workshops as well as be inspired by Joe Gerstandt, a nationally-known specialist in diversity and communication in this all-day seminar on Saturday, 7 March 1009 at the Appomattox Community Center in Appomattox, Virginia from 9:00 a.m.* to 4:30 p.m.

Why should you attend this seminar?

• Business owners can learn how to communicate with customers efficiently and build a business quickly, both locally and internationally if needed.
• Educators can learn how to build an efficient network with students as well as with other faculty members in higher education.
• Politicians can learn how to connect with their constituents.
• Religious leaders can learn how to build rapport with their congregations.
• Non-profit organizations organizations can learn how ’cause marketing’ can build donations and gain new volunteers.
• Residents and employees can learn how to stay on top of events and news at work and in the community to become more involved with local activities.

The Social Media Seminar 2009 will include:

• Class time with Jennifer Mills to learn how to use social media tools.
• Hear Joe Gerstandt speak on community collaboration and what the “new Internet” means for Appomattox and surrounding areas. NEW: Watch Joe’s video introduction to folks in the area (this link will take you to the new Social Media River site for social media users along the James River).
• Lunch break.
• Casual workshops, with focuses on educators, business owners, residents who want to be more involved with their community and more.

You Will Meet:

• Joe Gerstandt: Joe will stay with us after his talk to answer your questions. Learn more about Joe.
• Jennifer Mills: Jennifer also will stay with us during the afternoon workshops. Learn more about Jennifer.
• Jason Fowler: Jason is the founder of Wisely Woven {Creative Media} (www.wiselywoven.com). Located in Bedford, Virginia, Jason empowers values-driven business, sustainable innovators, and other social revolutionaries through progressive marketing, illustration, advertising campaigns, identity systems, graphic and Web design and much more. Wisely Woven currently is developing a flagship project called Sustainable Traditions (www.sustainabletraditions.com). A community experiment, blogazine, business network, print publication and yearly festival, Sustainable Traditions explores social justice, sustainability, and intentional living in the context of radical Christian faith.
• Copeland Casati: Copeland founded copeland casati media (www.copelandcasati.com) in 1999. For over a decade, copeland casati media, C3, has been an advertising, Web and social media agency in Richmond, Virginia. Working late, she needed a break from Web projects, so she began her research and development of green building, modern house kits, modern design and sustainability. The results of this latter project is online at Green Modern Kits (www.greenmodernkits.com). Copeland’s expertise is in ethical advertising, marketing, social media, Web site development and much more.
• Linda Goin: Linda earned thirteen Colorado Press Association awards before she entered college full time to finish her degree at age 46. She now has her undergraduate degree in visual communications and a master’s degree in American history. She currently is the author of several regular columns on personal finance and she’s written several eBooks on graphic design. She also publishes Appomattox News and other Web blogs for herself and for her clients.

Basic Information

This event is casual, so please dress comfortably. Bring a notebook, pen, water or other liquid to sip on throughout the day (coffee and tea will be provided), and a laptop geared to wireless connection if you have one. If you don’t have a laptop, don’t worry. We’ll make sure you have plenty of materials to use on your home computer.

Space is limited to 200 participants. Cost for the entire day is $40.00, which includes lunch.

To register, send an email to Linda Goin at “publisher @ appomattoxnews.com” and please let her know which category you are interested in from the following list if you’re sending a check. If you pay by PayPal, that information will be provided by you at the checkout:

• You are an educator (teacher, professor, instructor).
• You are involved in politics or community service.
• You are a religious or nonprofit organizational leader or member.
• You are a business owner.
• You want to become involved in publishing or writing news and stories for the area.
• You are a resident who wants to learn more.

Well, it is about four hours from Arlington, VA, to where my hotel is. To me, social media is the great equalizer, allowing anyone from anywhere to participate in the conversation as both a producer and a consumer. Here’s some more information for you.

I am heading out to Monterey this Thursday morning to join a bunch of friends for the event I always intend to attend (and hate to miss) every year, Labor Day Renaissance Weekend, where everyone is brilliant, generous, friendly, and passionate about what they do. Via Marketing Conversation

One of the things I love the most about attending Renaissance Weekend events is the sort of panels I get to be on. I will be on three business-related panels this coming weekend, over Labor Day, all of which are super-cool:

“This Brand Is My Brand — The Power of Branding, from Strategic Marketing to Graphic Design to Online Buzz Marketing;”

“Beyond the Code — What’s New Amidst the Speed Bumps, Toll-booths, Soapboxes, Mixers, Exits, & Off-ramps along the Information Highway;” and…

“Fact or Fiction — Books, Publishing, Blogs & Libraries.”

The best thing about these weekends is that we all participate. This isn’t about me attending these panels, it is about me being on them.

I have to tell you that these are the best weekends of my life, that’s for sure!

(Learn more about Renaissance Weekend over at Wikipedia)