Watts Consulting

More than you ever wanted to know about Alabama native Joe Watts

Newsletters

Another Newsletter–for the Alabama Byways Program

by

 

Seems as though I’m working on lots of newsletters these days. This is a newsletter I’ve intended to put together for a long time and just haven’t gotten around to it. This is the first newsletter for the Alabama Byways Program. Future issues will have more topical information  including grant deadlines, tips and more, but for the first issue, it seemed a good idea to send out basic information about exactly what the program is.

I’ve been working on byways in Alabama since I took a job at Scenic Alabama back in 1999. I’ve long since left Scenic Alabama, but really fell in love with the byways program. It is one of those really great concepts that lets small communities around Alabama (or, in larger terms, around the country) band together to create something bigger than any of them can create on their own.

Growing up in rural Alabama (I’ve always referred to it as the edge of nowhere because people have actually heard of the middle of nowhere), I’ve always had a love of rural life and the small towns that exist nowhere else. The byways program is my chance to work with these communities. (I’ve also managed to work with Alabama communities on some other projects, too. More on that in another post on another day.)

To read the newsletter, just visit the Alabama Byways website: www.alabamabyways.org/news.htm.

And, in case you are wondering about the seagull, this was taken in February of last year along the beautiful Coastal Connection Corridor that runs from north of Orange Beach over to Dauphin Island and beyond.

Newsletters, newsletters, newsletters

by

One of my favorite project types is newsletters. They are fun to put together. They are interesting (usually) and also provide a steady source of work. I do a fair number of newsletters now:

Most of these newsletters are online only. A couple are print. I really enjoy working on both types. Print newsletters are great, because everybody gets exactly the same experience–if you choose a font, you can be sure that it will look the way you want. If you choose a layout, nothing will mess it up. Web newsletters are fun, too, though, because you can plug loads of information in, you can make them “clickable” so people can access even more info.

ACA Calendar: A Last Minute Christmas Idea

by

Here’s an idea for a last minute Christmas gift, and one that really can make a difference. Give someone a calendar for 2008 from Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama. Okay, it’s a plug for something I worked on, but still, pretty worthy when you think about it. The proceeds from the calendar sales go to fund the mission of ACA–which is to help people with Alzheimer’s and the people who care for them. Visit www.alzca.org and you can buy the calendar online (using paypal, so you are safe as can be).

The brightly colored flowers of the cover art were created by 86 year old Dapsie, who was born in Briarwood. Her family of four children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren tell us that she was a wonderful seamstress and cook.  Dapsie, who has lived in Tuscaloosa for over fifty years, is known for having a smile as bright as this artwork and for being very generous with hugs!

All the art is created by Alzheimer’s patients–several area nursing homes have art therapy programs and reportedly the creation of art gives the patients something rewarding to work on and can help them have a more enjoyable life.

Just a thought!

Finishing Up

by

Always excited to finish a project–even though this one comes around fresh each month with a new issue. I’ve been doing the Sierra Club’s newsletter for several years now and it is one of those projects that I really enjoy being involved with–lots of interesting information to read and sort through when deciding what fits. When I started, the newsletter was mostly filled with national, and even international, news. As it has grown and become more a part of the Alabama Chapter, more and more people now contribute to each issue to the point where (other than a little short filler here and there) it is almost entirely about Alabama and the Southeast.

Best of all, as I was finishing this issue up, I got a great compliment sent my way:

“I wanted you to read the message that a long time Sierra Club member sent when she mailed the clip out card regarding improving fisheries management to Gov. Riley.

She sent a Sierra Club card (with an adorable sea otter on it) and the clip out regarding fisheries, the card read:

I’m using this clip out message to Governor Riley to express my appreciation to all who produce the splendid “Alabama Sierran” newsletter. It is the best publication ever and I always enjoy reading it from cover to cover! The message to the governor is an example of making it easier to contact officials which I don’t always do on my own. As a long time member who is not able to be active thanks for keeping me informed.“

That was pretty nice.