Interactive Map of Hurricane Irene Path and other resources

Use the link as it opens up a browser window . Embedding the map is not working well .

Interactive Map of Hurricane Irene Path and other resources


 

 This is a Google.org project and brings in resources from weather, relief agencies, power companies to give you a good view. I chose a random address in Gaithersburg

Are you heading for the Optsum conference! Sept.12th and 13th

This September, Glendale Arizona is the venue for the New media Optimization Summit where attendees will gain critical, new Internet marketing and communication skills through comprehensive workshops covering all aspects of online marketing, public relations, and internal and external corporate communications

Shashi Bellamkonda our editor is also presenting at this conference

Shashi's session:
Date: Sept.13th
Title: Listen To Your Customers (If You Want Them to Listen to You!)

Venue:

Renaissance Glendale Resort & Spa
9495 W. Coyotes Blvd.
Glendale, Arizona 85305
United States
(623) 937-3700

Schedule:

Monday, September 12, 2011 8:00 AM - Tuesday, September 13, 2011 6:00 PM

Social media optimization, is a process or methodology for bringing forth publicity via social media, web sites, and online communities. New Media Optimization Summits event is all about how to put the social media to work in a business, it's a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience, you won't just listen, you will see, here and do.

Special offer: $50 discount off the regular $425/per person price use special discount code is: ShashiB and register athttp://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=927501

Earthquake 5.8 magnitude in VA USA : What to do in case of an Earthquake

More details http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/


Update:
Advice from Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, Marcia McNutt in the Washington Post :

“When something like this happen, everyone has to remember, more than half of the states in the U.S. are considered earthquake country. When something like this happens, remember what to do in the case of a seismic event. Duck, get under something sturdy like a desk or a doorway, get away from falling glass. Make sure that you are not in the way of falling objects like pictures, bookshelves, books, anything that’s not firmly connected the wall.”

Read the whole article in the Washington Post

Advice from  FEMA: What to Do After an Earthquake http://t.co/Lb8nVXE #earthquake

From Montgomery County:

Do not call 911 for information about the earthquake, only to report an emergency.

If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak:
Leave the area immediately and go to a location where you no longer smell gas, and report the leak by calling 911 (If Fire Rescue is not already on the scene).
In any event: Do Not:
 Light matches or smoke. Avoid use of all open flames.
 Try to locate the source of the gas leak.
 Use any electrical device, including cellular phone, I-pods etc.
 Turn light switches On and Off. Re-enter the building or return to the area until it has been declared safe to do so by Fire Rescue Personnel

This sounds very geeky but here is what I did as the tremors continued beyond a reasonable time :

1) Yelled EARTHQUAKE loudly to all my neighbors in the office

2) Luckily the tremors subsided so did not run out

3) Tweeted "EARTHQUAKE" https://twitter.com/#!/shashib/status/106061208968380416

4) Checked the USGS website http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/ It was not reported yet as it was too early and so I reported it on their page http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/

5) Checked Google and found the image above 5 minutes after the quake.

The 2011 100 Small Business Influencers Announced

Small Business Trends and Smallbiztechnology.com are today  announced the Small Business Influencer 2011 Champions and Honorees.

As per the organizers the criteria for judging included the following:

"... a person, company or other organization that has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the North American small business market. Impact may mean (i) providing products widely used by significant numbers of small businesses, or (ii) influencing significant numbers of small businesses by being a thought leader, or (iii) providing information or services of note to significant numbers of small businesses." 

GOOD NEWS :  I am very honored to be in the list of THE 100 SMALL BUSINESS INFLUENCER 2011 CHAMPIONS and want to thank the community , Small Business Trends ,  Smallbiztechnology.com , all the judges and Network Solutions  for the support.

For the complete list go to the announcement page at SmallBiztrends.com and the list of Honorable Mentions

Awards Ceremony

The official Awards Gala on September 13th from 6-9pm at the New York Institute of Technology Auditorium on Broadway in New York City. Influencers, nominees, judges, members of the media and the small business community will join together for an evening of celebration, networking and fun. Click here for more information on the event

Follow t #mocial on Aug 25th for a great Mobile discussion

Event : #mocial chat at 2:00pm EST on 8.25 with Matthew Shadbolt of @Corcoran_Group by @bdionline #bdi1

Where : Virtual online from your computer. Go to http://tweetchat.com/room/mocial or follow the hashtag #mocial on Twitter

The tweetchat will focus on mobile social in the real estate industry featuring the guest speaker Matthew Shadbolt, Director of Interactive Product and Marketing for The Corcoran Group. He is the man responsible for the the interactive output and advertising for The Corcoran Group, Manhattan's largest real estate brokerage. Check out the Tech Savvy Agent article including an in-depth video interview with Matthew about The Corcoran Group's Brand, Mobile and Social strategy.

You can follow the conversation by searching the hashtag #mocial in Twitter’s search box and you can join the discussion by making any tweet that includes the term #mocial.

REMEMBERING 1991 in Moscow USSR

Twenty years ago I was living in the USSR and was on a trip back home to India when my friend Deviah M A showed me a "teletype" with the breaking news of a coup in Moscow. By the time I landed back in Moscow a new beginning was taking place. I lived in the same place vut became a resident of the Republic of Russia. This was indeed a new beginning. Many of us expats stuck together and new media began to open up. I watched CNN all day on my days off as it was the only English language TV station. I was on Radio Maximum - Moscow in the Morning - Chef's Corner with +Cami McCormick (Now a heroic reporter with CBS Radio) Another Moscow buddy +Dan Roam became a award winning author. +Karen Johnson profiled me in the Moscow Magazine http://b.shashi.co/qaOWYP It was not all rosy- Crime increased (my house was burgled and +Joanne levine covered it for Moscow News ) food became expensive, the rouble got devalued. I learnt lessons in economy that no university could have taught me. I became familiar with Prof. Jeffery Sachs and his advice to the Russian Government. In the late 90's I moved to the US and just came back from a vacation in India. THe economy engine in India is running in full steam, friends and relatives are thinking nothing of spending $40 on shirts and over $250k on homes. I see a lot of young employees who are cheerful and happy having achieved the middle class prosperity dream. After 20 years having watched economy changed in a different part of the world I wonder what is in store for us in the US. Dr. Jeffery Sachs - Do you have any answers?

From Wayback Machine

9/11 Tribute Motorcycle Parade

Today about 1800 motorcycles passed by the road I usually take to get back home. I heard about the 9/11 Tribute Motorcycle Ride first when all the local radio and newspapers were warning folks of the traffic delays. The organization behind the rally is at www.americas911ride.org/  and is doing a tremendous job paying tribute to the brave men and women who lost their lives on 9/11. I was happy to ride alongside them for a short while and watch the numerous folks who lined roads and bridge son the road to cheer them.


The route was brilliantly organized and I wish these heroes good luck as they continue their journey from the DC Area to New York. Some of the pictures from the parade route I was part of :

Startup event in the Washington area!September 15th from 6-10pm

Social matchbox startup launch 2011, a grand event held by Washington area Startup Founders, Investors, and Community Leaders that provides a launch platform for new web and software product companies to gain exposure to early adopters, major media, bloggers, investors, and to compete for a chance to win the Community Choice and Founders’ Choice Awards from their peers.

The event will include ten startups launching new web and software products on the East Coast. To reserve your seat visit the Social Matchbox registration page

Event location

US Navy Memorial Heritage Center
701 Pennsylvania Ave NW,
Washington ,DC 20004

Schedule

September 15th from 6-10pm

So you want a mobile app? There's a class for that Aug 26th at Alexandria VA

Hurry! as I am writing this post there are only 16 seats left for this Free class

So you want a mobile app? There's a class for that 
Learn the basics of mobile application development strategy, cost, and how an app can help your business

 When: Fri, Aug 26th, 2011 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Where:
Connect 113
113 S. Columbus St., Suite 100
Alexandria, VA


Register at Skillshare.com (community marketplace for offline classes.)

Thanks for the tip Kristian Bouw

See you at the Content Marketing World 2011, Cleveland OH Sep 6-8

We would like to tell you about a great conference next month in Cleveland , OH on Content Marketing put on by Joe Pulizzi of Junta42.

Shashi is planning on attending and other thought leaders like Anita Campbell and Jim Kukral. Lot of great speakers like David Meerman Scott, Kevin Smith and Sally Hogshead are leading the conference. Detailed info available at Content Marketing.

Content plays a key role in all of your web marketing, that is how u communicate online. At content marketing world you will learn how to transform your marketing department into a storytelling factory, engaging your prospects and customers in all the right channels with the right messages– including social, mobile, email, online and even print and in-person strategies.

Conference Location.

Renaissance Cleveland Downtown,
24 Public Square,
Cleveland, OH 44113.

Schedule:
Tue, September 6 To Thu September 8th

Register at ContentMarketingWorld.com

The lights of New York City while enjoying #140ConfTails.

Here is a event tip for New York. If you have been a fan of #140conf and are following #140OnBoard from Jeff Pulver . Jeff writes : 

While we were planning on having a trip to Philly tomorrow from NYC, the plans have changed and instead we are doing an evening event in NYC where our guests will see "the lights of New York City while enjoying #140ConfTails." :)
If you are available to join tomorrow evening, the costs is $0 (free) but you need to RSVP as soon as you can over at: http://140DrinksOnaBus.eventbrite.comJoining us will be our friends from #TechDrinkUp.
Tickets available for the first 60 people who sign up NOW

Windows 7 Student Loft at Tysons August 12th to 16th

Nice to see that Windows is having a roadshow for students at Tysons Corner and a 10% discount ( Not sure if that's good) but a place to check out the new stuff that Microsoft has.

August 12th to 16th

1961 Chain Bridge Rd
Tysons Corner, VA 22102