9th Annual Books On The Bayou Opening Celebration on Saturday, August 28, 2010

The Houston Public Library invites the community to join Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Houston Public Library Director Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson for the Opening Celebration of the 9th Annual Books on the Bayou: Houston Reads Together program. This year’s selection is “Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood” by Marjane Satrapi. Mayor Parker’s welcome address is only one of several events which are scheduled to begin at 11 AM thru 5 PM at the Central Library on Saturday, August 28, 2010.

The opening celebration includes a day of Persian cuisine, musical and dance performances, speakers, book discussions, and a film screening of the award-winning film adaptation of “Persepolis” (a French film with English subtitles). In addition, at 1:15 PM there will be a screening of archival footage of Satrapi’s visit to Houston. The Central Library is located at 500 McKinney, 77002, 832-393-1313. The program is free and open to the public.

About Books on the Bayou
The Houston Public Library invites all Houstonians to join together to read “Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood” by author Marjane Satrapi for the 9th Annual Books on the Bayou: Houston Reads Together program. Books on the Bayou brings Houstonians together to read the same book at the same time, provoking discussion among co-workers, friends, families, and classrooms. This program cultivates a culture of reading in Houston by encouraging people to visit libraries, bookstores, community centers, homes, churches, and schools to discuss the featured book.

Now through September 30, 2010 everyone is invited to attend the many diverse activities that are planned at all neighborhood library locations. There will be book and film discussions, displays, storytelling, and other events. For a detailed list of events visit www.houstonlibrary.org/booksonthebayou or pick up a Resource Guide at any of the Houston Public Library’s 35 neighborhood locations.

Opening Celebration
Saturday, August 28 * 11AM-5PM
Houston Public Library Central Library
500 McKinney, 77002, 832-393-1313

Book Discussion | 11 AM
Connie Lewis from Houston Great Books Society will lead a book discussion of “Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood.” Whether you’ve read the book or are just thinking about reading it, you are invited to join the discussion.

Welcome Addresses | 12 NOON
The official opening of the 9th Annual Books on the Bayou: Houston Reads Together reading and programming series, featuring Persian cuisine, special musical and dance performances, and guest speakers Mayor Annise D. Parker and Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, director of Houston Public Library.

Archival Footage Screening | 1:15 PM
A special screening of archival footage from Marjane Satrapi’s visit to Houston, introduced and provided by Inprint. Graphic memoirist Marjane Satrapi, author of “Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood,” was featured in the in the 2007/2008 Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading Series as a special event presentation on Saturday, April 12, 2008, Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

Film Screening | 3:15 PM
A special presentation of the award-winning film adaptation of “Persepolis.” French, with English subtitles; MPAA Rating: PG-13.

For further information, visit the Houston Public Library at www.houstonlibrary.org/booksonthebayou or call 832-393-1313.

Thanx.

So here are my “notes” from this year’s Podcamp San Antonio. Of course, this is more for my benefit than yours.

@sandrasays: with @ewkrause at
podcamp san antonio #pcsa4 #pcsa4

@sandrasays: I need coffee, should have picked up before I got
here. Listening to @epodcaster
discuss online tools #pcsa4

@sandrasays: thank you thank you, got coffee. may be able to
pay attention now. No one ask me how I drove here. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @projectguy: @MomonMars is discussing using Social Media for Non
Profits (Struggling with PC – she is MAC all the way.)

@sandrasays: it is important to record yourself and listen to
yourself when recording podcasts. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: Great idea! RT @SmashburgerSA:
SA Podcampers stop by 4 lunch today, u r right by Park North location.
We love social media folks! #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @podcampsa: Join
the fun! Live Stream of PodCamp San Antonio #pcsa4 See us at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/podcampsanantonio4w!
#pcsa4

@sandrasays: 15-30 minutes is a good length for podcasts. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: Can you tell that my tweetstream is going to be
noisy today? #pcsa4

@sandrasays: I missed the beginning of this session, can
someone tell me who’s leading the podcasting/tools session? #pcsa4

@sandrasays: Think about what you’re saying, how you’re saying
it. Talk conversationally. Find a good pace. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @MomonMars Thanxs
for the info — my session is being led by @Springanew
#pcsa4

@sandrasays: using stuff verbatim in podcasts, make sure you
attribute attribute attribute, says @Springanew #pcsa4

@sandrasays: If you get a podcast that has a really good
following, need a mktg campaign, u can use Blubrry. They r aggressively
looking new shows #pcsa4

@sandrasays: Blogtalk radio also has a revenue sharing option,
says @Springanew. Maybe still do. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: important to find a schedule, environment that
really works for u. will help make better podcasts especially if u r
doing it live #pcsa4

@sandrasays: there are different types of microphones:
unidirectional, omnidirectional. @Springanew
explaining differences. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @PromoGeorge
libraries have started to use animoto. had a recommendation from fellow
library pr pro, on my to do list. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: From another session RT @SmallBizville:
@texasbuck, teacher was able to teach her class 3
times a week via skype after having a baby. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @epodcaster is
encouraging @texasbuck to do
an “educationcamp” and wants us to help her talk him into it #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @epodcaster: If
you aren’t able to come join us at PodCamp San Antonio, then join us on
the live stream http://bit.ly/dwTO3J #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @Springanew is
starting “livestreaming” topic in her tools session. I don’t know much
about this. She’s very good presenter, dynamic #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @Springanew is
doing demo on using ustream to livestream. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @fransteps: Did
not know that TED conferences have been around 15 years || me neither! #pcsa4

@sandrasays: using tags in online content helps with SEO, I’m
told #pcsa4

@sandrasays: if you’re using your twitter feed to promote your
podcasts, etc. it has to be mixed in with other content #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @SmallBizville:
TEDx in San Antonio Oct 16 at Trinity Univ. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @Springanew says
she clicks on “maybe” 5% of links she gets via Twitter. || don’t spam
your feed I say as I bomb mine w today’s notes #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @colleenpence:
Attendees will have to apply to attend TEDx San Antonio. Space for 200.
Admission is $25. apply, get invited. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: interesting discussion about different
approaches/philosophies to twitter, who we follow, what we will accept
in others and ourselves #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @nancypjohnson:
@springanew wisdom: twitter spam/lots of
links=”twitteria” #pcsa4

@sandrasays: BTW, today using tweetchat to track discussions.
better than the search deck in tweetdeck. I like it. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: “being a reporter is an apprentice job” #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @epodcaster: It’s
now time for @lalorek present
about Journalism in the New Media Age. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/podcampsanantonio4

@sandrasays: RT @epodcaster: If
you want to get some of the #PCSA4 gold, tune in now to
hear @lalorek discuss modern journalism #pcsa4

@sandrasays: NOTE TO SELF, look at “newstilt” site, look at
“demand media” site #pcsa4

@sandrasays: NOTE TO SELF, also look at “AOL seed” & and
the Knight Foundation’s “digital media center” #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @dbrsat: @springanew is doing a great job of explaining how to
stream video. She covered podcasting earlier. Podcamp rocks! | yes! #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @lalorek‘s site is
techchi.com; she’s discussing becoming a new media expert with a MSM
(print) background #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @podcampsa: Get
Journalism 2.0: How to Survive and Thrive (free download) http://kcnn.org/resources/journalism_20
#pcsa4 @lalorek #pcsa4

@sandrasays: networks are very important to new media world, if
you’re producing good content it doesn’t matter if no on is reading — @lalorek #pcsa4

@sandrasays: “we all have to produce our own original work,
that’s the best way” says @lalorek #pcsa4

@sandrasays: and discussing how crowdsourcing can help/is
helping main stream media #pcsa4

@sandrasays: NOTE TO SELF, look at “nowcast san antonio”, look
at flip camera program for nonprofits (application process, etc) #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @podcampsa: Flip
Video Non-Proft program http://www.flipvideospotlight.com/SpotlightHome.aspx
#pcsa4

@sandrasays: 1/9/90 rule = 1 person is subject matter expert, 9
actively involved, 90 are listening. considered successful ratio (from
the crowd) #pcsa4

@sandrasays: NOTE TO SELF, look at bigtent.com too #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @projectguy: 1 9
90 rule – 1% content experts and active, 9% ask questions, 90% just
listen. Interesting concept! #pcsa4

@sandrasays: the new standard is that you need to be out
responding in less than 30 minutes, says @fransteps, or
people will start to speculate #pcsa4

@sandrasays: QUESTION to @franstep: are you
going to post your slides? #pcsa4

@sandrasays:
RT @LuisSandovalJr:
Attending Podcamp San Antonio. It’s great to be around my own kind.
(@ Lol comedy club w/ @davgarcia @sandrasays
…


@sandrasays: build relationshps prior to the crisis, comment
from the crowd #pcsa4

@sandrasays: tabletop simulations of crisis are good tools to
build good communicators #pcsa4

@sandrasays: have a printed plan (assume no access to
technology), have templates to help you develop prose #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @conniereece
& @thejenatx are presenting “how to survive a snar
attack” #pcsa4

@sandrasays: discussion of snarks vs trolls. “you can reason
with a snark” #pcsa4

@sandrasays: flamebait = incendiary comments that elicit
flaming emotional responses from others (they WANT a response) #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @SmallBizville:
@thejenatx: dont feed the trolls. Best way to deal
with trolls. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: the @conniereece
& @thejenatx presentation re “how to survive a snark
attack” http://bit.ly/axK4Mb #pcsa4

@sandrasays: crowd discussion on editorial calendars, how do we
decide what makes it to our SM channels? #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @fransteps your
presentation was great. Can’t wait to see the slides to review in
detail. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @projectguy: @alanweinkrantz takes the stage #pcsa4 to talk about 140
character conference. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @AlanWeinkrantz
says he’s old skool PR, still press releases and main stream media,
calls me out when I’m nodding emphatically #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @shaine: If you don’t
see me on the Podcamp San Antonio ustream channel, it’s cuz I’m working
the camera #pcsa4

@sandrasays: and now @shaine is in front
of the camera #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @podcampsa: @doingmedia “Coworking: Working Solo but not Alone” #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @mdeleon I was
really looking forward to that. Do you have a handout or tutorial you
can point me to to help out a newbie? #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @PromoGeorge:
Anyone in San Antonio have access to a telephone booth? You can make @doingmedias day! @C4Workspace #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @carolinecollective
mentioned as Houston coworking spot #pcsa4

@sandrasays: sorry, meant @carolineco was
mentioned as Houston coworking spot #pcsa4

@sandrasays: NOTE TO SELF, look into coworking visa #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @mdeleon where will
you do 101 presentation? Have less than 1 hr battery, so need to find
electrical outlet.

@sandrasays: @mdeleon will do a
podcasting 101 session in a few minutes. then @epodcaster
& @shaine (I think) will tell us re podcasting w phones #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @epodcaster is
answering an online question re how to create a facebook “fan page” #pcsa4

@sandrasays: I already knew this, but I need to learn more
about FBML #pcsa4

@sandrasays: FBML will allow you to create a “branded page” on
Facebook #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @PromoGeorge:
Fan pages on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/advertising/?pages
#pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @ewkrause: @epodcaster is a really gifted teacher/trainer, even
impromptu on the fly. Follow this woman if U’re not already. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: we need a hands on workshop RT @nancypjohnson: @sandrasays we
need an fbml camp #PCSA4

@sandrasays: Red Bull is a good example of how to customized
facebook landing page, and how to use to drive traffic to other site #pcsa4

@sandrasays: “connect with us” or “find us” are good alternates
to to “Become a fan” on FB #pcsa4

@sandrasays: discussions can be moved to a discussion tab to
move them off the wall #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @jenyjose: RT @PromoGeorge-Great Facebook profile pic hacks: http://bit.ly/n1brV Show off your creativity! #pcsa4

@sandrasays: You have to check your SM channels every single
day, IMHO. RT @kathybabb:
Monitoring fb is crucial for your brand. Cannot simply c… #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @ewkrause: @kathybabb Agreed! Monitor multiple times per day -for
corp or highly-public sites. Otherwise, Ure gonna get surprised. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @PromoGeorge http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wptouch/
#pcsa4

@sandrasays: @epodcaster uses a
service/tool called cinch to record podcasts remotely (spelling?) #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @ewkrause @luissandovaljr I was thinking that. cute and
well-behaved #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @mdeleon the message
is the most important part of the podcast #pcsa4

@sandrasays: NOTE TO SELF, look at “blue yeti” mic #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @epodcaster says
ppl are afraid of the equipment and they’re afraid of the learning curve
#pcsa4

@sandrasays: “please don’t let technology stop you from
podcasting” says @epodcaster #pcsa4

@sandrasays: I will admit that I’ve had podcasting on my
learning to do list for a few years now, and I always postpone. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @luissandovaljr
says that the shelf life of your podcast is much longer than you think #pcsa4

@sandrasays: @PromoGeorge I
think that if u r near @epodcaster for
any length of time you’ll have seen her podcast from her phone or
interview you #pcsa4

@sandrasays: ownership is very important. @epodcaster
downloads the show from blogtalkradio, cuts off front and back,
resubmits to itunes #pcsa4

@sandrasays: tools from your phone from @epodcaster:
cinchcast mobile from your phone or iphone app, tweetmike,
twitterlaterpro, bluefire app(?) #pcsa4

@sandrasays: you can attach a mike to your iphone for recording
says @luissandovaljr
to improve the recording #pcsa4

@sandrasays: “get out there and do it” says @epodcaster #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @LuisSandovalJr:
http://ht.ly/1OCwS & http://ht.ly/1OCyr are both great mics for mobile
interviews & podcasting for iphone/itouch #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @kathybabb: @epodcaster Learn, Share, Grow = abundance! More than
enough business to go around. #pcsa4

@sandrasays: watching @epodcaster
record a podcast via cinchcast on her iphone #pcsa4

@sandrasays: this was definitely worth the drive from Houston.
thanx to the organizers #pcsa4

@sandrasays: RT @fransteps:
Today’s crisis comms preso from #pcsa4 http://slidesha.re/cexSIJ. Pls comment so I can
improve! Thx

• adding FeedBurner feed to a blog,
• adding Google analytics, and
• opening a bitly acct.

It’s all about stats, just not mine. As you may be able to tell, while I have been working on online real estate (blogs, social media, etc.) they haven’t been mine.

I need to change that.

Things I need to do:

• add content to my own blog,
• improve my LinkedIn profile,
• weed out RSS feeds I never read, and
• bring my inbox to zero.

I’m working on all of this. In the meantime, I will drink my tea, pretend it isn’t past midnight, and start to write.

To register or to get more information about the event, see the information below or go to the conference web site at http://www.aliconferences.com/conf/social_media_govt0909/index.htm.

Hope to see you there!

I don’t know the names of the flat screwdriver versus the one that one with the end that looks like star. I don’t own a hammer. I don’t have a measuring tape (though I’m considering getting one of those). I don’t carry protective gloves. Those are not my tools. My tools are different.

I started thinking about this a few days ago, when I was covering an event for work. One of the attendees had a Flip video camera and was using it to record the presentation. The woman seated next to me asked what it was and I gave her an explanation. Looking into her confused gaze, I took mine out of my bag to show her.

It’s at this point that the woman seated in front of me asked: “you carry yours with you?” And I was startled. Why wouldn’t I? I thought to myself.

I’ll be candid and admit that I’ve had little on-the-spot call to use my Flip video camera, but I know that I will need it at some point. I’ve gotten into the habit of carrying it to force myself to take more video for when I launch our new media room later this year. But there are other things I carry with me that are essential, that I use daily. These are my tools of the trade, and I carry them in a convenient yet stylish bag that weighs more than I’d like to admit.

In my bag I normally have:

• business cards
• my smartphone
• something to write with and something to write on
• a digital camera
• a digital audio recorder
• my Flip video camera (a new addition)
• my agenda, which is used to track what I did (my calendar is on the smartphone)
• makeup bag (so I can prepare if I have to do a last-minute interview, which happens several times a week)
• wallet

These are things I try to have with me all the time. Items I’ve accumulated over years of doing what I do.

Other things I pack in there include reading glasses, contact solution, aspirin, sunglasses, a brush, hairspray, a Tide stick, Burt’s Bees lip balm, a bottle of water and at least one granola bar. And then there’s a small mesh bag that holds essentials like a USB Flash drive with portable apps, a USB SD reader, portable headphones, extra batteries for the little electronic devices that make life easier (including my smartphone), a USB connector to recharge my phone, a retractable USB cable, a nice little USB splitter to give me additional ports, and a few other things.

Some days, I swap out the agenda for my netbook. Some days I forgo the bottled water and the granola bar. Some days I add a few files to review in my spare moments throughout the day. But I’ve come to rely on the consistency of always having these things with me when I’m working. I never have to worry about my batteries running out, or being stuck without my bookmarks (as long as I can borrow a computer), or having to do an on-the-spot interview without being able to record my side. I’m ready.

Most of us have developed a list of things without which we couldn’t do our jobs. It might be having a certain type of file folder, or a certain software application, or a certain type of computer, or certain networking opportunities – but we all have our tools. Because so much of my work is done off-site (on location, as it were), I’ve learned to bring my tools with me.

What’s in your tool belt?

In last night’s mad rush for Facebook usernames, it really should come as no surprise (to myself) that I didn’t manage to get “sandrafernandez.” There are hundreds of us in the US alone, and I never manage to get that user ID secured for myself. But I guess I was hoping that I was going to be quick enough to find it available on Facebook.

As a backup I used to use sandrafdzh, because I could always count on the fact that it was never taken. SANDRAFDZH = Sandra+FDZ(Fernandez)+H(Herrera); i.e., my name. It was unique and available. The problem was that it’s hard to remember it you don’t speak Spanish.

Sometime in the last few years I started switching to SandraSays. I secured the domain name and started this blog. I changed my Twitter ID, and people actually started remembering it. Somewhere along the line, SandraSays became my recognized ID. (Though I do still have sandrafdzh in several accounts, including Flickr.)

So now I have www.facebook.com/sandrasays as my Facebook “vanity URL.” And it’s a good thing I’m OK with it, because Facebook states pretty clearly that I cannot change it later.

Were you luckier than I was?

Sandra Fernandez’s Profile

Create Your Badge

The seminar was very thorough, though a bit past-faced for a group that included mostly beginners and some intermediate level “gurus.” Many of them don’t actively use social media, even personally. No one came out and asked “what is Twitter?” But, sitting in the crowd, I heard more than one loud whisper scoffing at it’s use.

I like attending these kinds of seminars, given by enthusiastic and knowledgeable presenters. I invariably learn something, even if it’s just a gauge on the mood and open-mindedness of those in attendance. Today, I walked away with more than that.

Tips I picked up at today’s seminar that I hadn’t considered before:

• Twitter is going to offer “verified accounts” soon — http://bit.ly/FwkXe

• create a hashtag for your organization or an incident that’s media-worthy; if you don’t, someone else will

• add commenting to static Web pages; use something like IntenseDebate to add conversations onto parts of your Web site that aren’t interactive — http://www.intensedebate.com/

• YouTube offers special government accounts that lift the restrictions they have on normal accounts, and they’re free. I have to look into this.

Other things he mentioned that I already knew, but are worth sharing:

• develop a policy and job aids for social media in advance of a crisis

• capture video of you or others giving interviews and post unedited in YouTube

• add ShareThis to your Web pages

• pick up your “vanity URL” from Facebook starting 11:01 pm Friday night (Central time)

There was much more, all of it great and useful. I’ll see if I can find his presentation posted somewhere to share.

He walked us through several activities designed to to get our creative juices flowing. It was fun. It was helpful.

One of the things I realized (as we went through one game or another) is that I needed the jolt. I do self-censor my ideas to filter out the good ones, before I write them down or share them. I do think about what’s practical when coming up with concepts and strategies and innovations (in process or message). I do think about too many things as I’m brainstorming. I hinder my creativity.

I have always considered myself to be a creative person. As a child wrote songs and stories, made up friends and games, and I drew on anything that I could get away with – much to my parents’ dismay. I never thought in straight lines, rarely did just one thing at a time.

Somewhere along the line I’ve let function interfere with unfettered creativity. I’m still creative, but it’s in a very adult sort of way. It’s… functional.

I think it’s time for a creativity re-boot. I’ll let you know how it goes.

I always come away from these things energized, full of ideas and hope and commitment. I meet wonderful women doing wonderful things that make me proud and envious and (just a little bit) sad that I don’t measure up (in my own mind). There is something remarkable about getting a group of professional women in the same room for no other reason than to support and celebrate each other. It’s great.

The Woman of the Year is truly inspiring. Her story of overcoming adversity and working her way up, of becoming a success by anyone’s standards, is amazing. The honor she received today was certainly well-deserved.

In the evening, celebrate with our Woman of the Year, Inspector General of the U.S. Government Accountability Office, Frances Garcia. This first-generation Mexican-American worked in the fields; waited tables at a diner; and worked side by side with the white men as the first woman and Hispanic at accounting firm Arthur Andersen in Dallas. She also survived a serious car accident — one that left her with broken bones and other major injuries.

Years of hard work and personal sacrifices ultimately led her to the nation´s capital, where she has been Inspector General of the U.S. Government Accountability Office since 1996.

I met some very interesting women and men tonight. I look forward to connecting with them again later, to find out what they’re doing and how I can help. I flatter myself that I can actually help a few of them reach their goals or just put them in touch with the right tools or people. Every once in a while I’m helpful and/or effective.

Time to go to bed. I have a full day tomorrow, again.