Well gang, the printed version of the Busted Knuckle Chronicles days are numbered.
With more advertisers trimming and cutting back the economic woes of the world are going to hit Canada a second time. Yes, just as I suspected, the minute the Loonie hit about 90 cents our good old Canadian consumer headed straight for the border and they never looked back - at least they haven't yet. Dealers and shop owners are reporting the worst October/November on record in a while.
So, 12 months earlier than originally anticipated we are moving to being a completely digital publication.
All of the newspapers are going that way. Pretty soon restaurants and hotels will be supplying Kindles to read your morning newspaper.
The internet is the future for all print type communications.
It makes me sad in some ways - being a kid that grew up reading books I have to say I find the electronic age somewhat daunting.
Making any kind of living on the internet is going to prove interesting as well.
So I will be probably looking at taking a job to subsidize the on line paper and the web site. We will begin a printed events calendar that will be available at BDB Association member businesses. What exactly that will look like is unclear at the moment but as soon as we have it all figured - you'll know about it.
Speaking of event calendars - our new ones are almost ready and they are a thing of beauty. I am exciting - we will be launching them VERY SOON!!!!
In keeping with this move to 100% electronic, we will be changing our registration format somewhat - there will be different benefits given to those who "quick" register compared to those who fully register.
The price of a subscription to the news paper will go up a little in price as our electronic mailing service costs have gone up.
We are going to be increasing the price to $20 per year plus $5.00 for those who want their community phone book - just not sure exactly when that will happen.
We will be contacting all of our print subscribers next week to tell them about the change and if they don't get the internet where they live of they don't want to be on the computer, well - we'll figure something out. Refunds are not an option at this point in the game.
I'll let you know more as we get it all sorted.
If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP - A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
An award....
I got a call yesterday from the Grande Prairie Tourism Association. It appears that on Wednesday, the 19th of November, I am to receive some award of excellence for marketing the Grande Prairie area.
I appreciate the recognition and am grateful to those who chose me, however, it's a very bitter sweet award.
GPRTA just had their funding from the City of Grande Prairie cut and so now the Tourism Association can not afford to honor their contract with us for the 2010 marketing year.
They are having to revisit all of their efforts and will see where that leaves the Busted Knuckle and the Rider Friendly directory. We could end up with 35% of the original contract being honored or we could loose it all - we won't know the extent of the affects of the budget cuts for a few more days.
It's going to be a challenging time - it's going to mean changing some things, adapting to the new realities - but it can and will be done.
I know that this too shall pass - I know we can deal with it all - I hope you will bear with us as we adapt to this new economy and the new reality of doing business...
Time and patience, right? Good thing I quit smoking...
If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, please, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
I appreciate the recognition and am grateful to those who chose me, however, it's a very bitter sweet award.
GPRTA just had their funding from the City of Grande Prairie cut and so now the Tourism Association can not afford to honor their contract with us for the 2010 marketing year.
They are having to revisit all of their efforts and will see where that leaves the Busted Knuckle and the Rider Friendly directory. We could end up with 35% of the original contract being honored or we could loose it all - we won't know the extent of the affects of the budget cuts for a few more days.
It's going to be a challenging time - it's going to mean changing some things, adapting to the new realities - but it can and will be done.
I know that this too shall pass - I know we can deal with it all - I hope you will bear with us as we adapt to this new economy and the new reality of doing business...
Time and patience, right? Good thing I quit smoking...
If you are fortunate enough to be riding today, please, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Friday the 13th - a tradition
Port Dover Ontario.
A quiet and serene community of approximately 6,000 on the north shore of Lake Erie.
Quiet and serene that is until Friday the 13th rolls around.
Why Friday the 13th?
There is no mystery or fantastic story to tell...On Friday the 13th, November 1981, 25 riders headed up by Chris Simons met up at the old Hotel then known as the Zoo - and they had a great time. They decided they should get together every Friday the 13th and a tradition was born.
Since 1981, riders have been gathering in Port Dover on Friday the 13th - some years there are two events and others like this year have 3...
If you Need an excuse to ride - Friday the 13th is always a great one...
If you are fortunate enough to be riding today or to Dover tomorrow - PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
A quiet and serene community of approximately 6,000 on the north shore of Lake Erie.
Quiet and serene that is until Friday the 13th rolls around.
Why Friday the 13th?
There is no mystery or fantastic story to tell...On Friday the 13th, November 1981, 25 riders headed up by Chris Simons met up at the old Hotel then known as the Zoo - and they had a great time. They decided they should get together every Friday the 13th and a tradition was born.
Since 1981, riders have been gathering in Port Dover on Friday the 13th - some years there are two events and others like this year have 3...
If you Need an excuse to ride - Friday the 13th is always a great one...
If you are fortunate enough to be riding today or to Dover tomorrow - PLEASE, ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Another World Tour...
This time it is two Australian's that are riding around the world - their cause - to raise money and awareness for Prostate Cancer. They hooked up in Niagara Falls with the organizers of the new Niagara Ride for Dad.
I think Daryl Makk - who is also in the news today - has it right. Anyone can do a world tour so he's doing a Planet Tour.
Personally I feel the whole world tour thing is being done to death. It seems to me that most of these people (and I say seems and most)...are doing it for personal edification. The cause is very secondary otherwise there would be press releases out the arse and the cause would be highlighted a lot more. Bit hey - what the heck do I know.
Daddy Makk is raising funds for the Actors Fund of Canada - if you are in Calgary and find you are in need of some laughter therapy - go catch his show.
Surprise, surprise - 5 of the 6 convicted of murder in the Bandido's slayings have already filed appeals. Get set people, we are going to be hearing about this one for a long time to come.
No matter what you find yourself doing today - please - at 11 am, take 2 minutes and remember those who have given their lives so that we may flourish.
Thank a Soldier - remember a soldier - take 2 minutes - it's the least you can do if you enjoy this country and it's relative freedom and peace.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP - A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
I think Daryl Makk - who is also in the news today - has it right. Anyone can do a world tour so he's doing a Planet Tour.
Personally I feel the whole world tour thing is being done to death. It seems to me that most of these people (and I say seems and most)...are doing it for personal edification. The cause is very secondary otherwise there would be press releases out the arse and the cause would be highlighted a lot more. Bit hey - what the heck do I know.
Daddy Makk is raising funds for the Actors Fund of Canada - if you are in Calgary and find you are in need of some laughter therapy - go catch his show.
Surprise, surprise - 5 of the 6 convicted of murder in the Bandido's slayings have already filed appeals. Get set people, we are going to be hearing about this one for a long time to come.
No matter what you find yourself doing today - please - at 11 am, take 2 minutes and remember those who have given their lives so that we may flourish.
Thank a Soldier - remember a soldier - take 2 minutes - it's the least you can do if you enjoy this country and it's relative freedom and peace.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP - A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Not such a quiet day....
The newsfeeds today sure made up for the quiet of yesterday.
My heart goes out to the families of the two riders killed yesterday.
One in Regina and one in Niagara Falls.
Ducati has unveiled it's new bike the Mutlistrada 1200 and MV Agusta (A Harley -Davidson owned company) has unveiled their new F4.
In Italy the world's largest motorcycle show is under way in Milan Italy - manufacturers from 31 countries are attending and unveiling their offerings.
And a mother of one of the slain Bandido's had her say in a victim impact statement in court at the sentencing of the 6 convicted of killing 8 members of the Banadido's.
If you are fortunate enough to be riding today - PLEASE, PLEASE - ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
My heart goes out to the families of the two riders killed yesterday.
One in Regina and one in Niagara Falls.
Ducati has unveiled it's new bike the Mutlistrada 1200 and MV Agusta (A Harley -Davidson owned company) has unveiled their new F4.
In Italy the world's largest motorcycle show is under way in Milan Italy - manufacturers from 31 countries are attending and unveiling their offerings.
And a mother of one of the slain Bandido's had her say in a victim impact statement in court at the sentencing of the 6 convicted of killing 8 members of the Banadido's.
If you are fortunate enough to be riding today - PLEASE, PLEASE - ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
Monday, November 09, 2009
A quiet Monday...
Well, Monday is proving to be a quiet day in the news feeds - so far anyway!
I finished this week's Busted Knuckle Chronicles and shipped it off to the printer - now I am trying to decide between a nap and forging ahead.
I quit smoking after almost 38 years and I am still going through withdrawal, bad headaches etc...so I didn't sleep all that well last night.
How many of you out there have quit smoking? Or Quit some other really bad habit?
It takes a lot of determination - doesn't it.
Every morning I wake up saying - I am a Non Smoker...
Every time I find myself craving a smoke - I say t myself - I am a non smoker.
They claim that quiting smoking is harder than quitting heroin and you know what?
I think they might be right.
Any way - the decision has been made - off for a nap and then the last of the 2010 phone book edits from the layout artist to be gone through, that will take about 5 days!
By next Monday we go to print! They should be here in time for the January bike shows!
If you are fortunate enough to be riding today - please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you!
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP - A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com
I finished this week's Busted Knuckle Chronicles and shipped it off to the printer - now I am trying to decide between a nap and forging ahead.
I quit smoking after almost 38 years and I am still going through withdrawal, bad headaches etc...so I didn't sleep all that well last night.
How many of you out there have quit smoking? Or Quit some other really bad habit?
It takes a lot of determination - doesn't it.
Every morning I wake up saying - I am a Non Smoker...
Every time I find myself craving a smoke - I say t myself - I am a non smoker.
They claim that quiting smoking is harder than quitting heroin and you know what?
I think they might be right.
Any way - the decision has been made - off for a nap and then the last of the 2010 phone book edits from the layout artist to be gone through, that will take about 5 days!
By next Monday we go to print! They should be here in time for the January bike shows!
If you are fortunate enough to be riding today - please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you!
Belt Drive Betty
www.beltdrivebetty.com
National VP - A.I.M.Can
www.aim-can.com