John Beagle

People, Places and Things

Wrigley Field in Chicago


Wrigley Field , originally uploaded by John Beagle.

We had seats 5 rows off the first base side and could see our Cincinnati Reds up close coming and going off the field.

Going to a Cubs game is an event. Much like a college football game, because there is a mass of people everywhere in and around the stadium. The streets were closed for foot traffic to all the great bars in town.

I want to do this again! Chicago rocks. Cubs won 5 to 0.

Grass Roots Economic Development in Middletown


Bill Murphy Meeting 059, originally uploaded by John Beagle.

I was surprised the other day when Bill Murphy, the City of Middletown’s Economic Director, called me and asked for an appointment.

Bill said he was on a mission to meet businesses in the city and find out what the city can do for them.

So, when he showed up today, he brought the president of Sawyer Realtors a 70 year old Middletown Company) , John Sawyer.

Also with Bill was Fred Debiasi. Fred sits on the board for the Chamber of Commerce and is the President of America Savings and Loan.

“We have to listen to our existing businesses first. We want to find out if the city can do anything to help. What can the city do for your company?” were the questions being asked.

We had a good brainstorming session. One thing we all agreed to do was to help get the good word out about Middletown, Ohio. To help people find Middletown through positive news. Businesses in Middletown need to share their good economic news, tell the real story of Middletown instead of the one the newspaper tells about car wrecks and social ills. That’s not the real news of Middletown.

Real news is news such as job promotions, new products, locations and visions for the future. Middletown is located in a prime area for growth, midway between Cincinnati and Dayton. Locating your business in Middletown puts your business in the heart of the entire SW Ohio MSA (Cincinnati and Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area) .

We intend to distribute Middletown, Ohio news through the city’s website and MiddletownUSA.com.

Lebanon Bike Path Under I-75 to Little Miami

I just realized that bike paths are generally publicly funded. Since I have been paying taxes for 35 years, I in effect have help fund all the bike paths in the US. Therefore all bike paths are mine!

Well that’s what I am telling myself and anyone who will listen.

This is a photo taken on the Lebanon bike path under Interstate 75. A very challanging bike path, due to changes in elevation. But also very fun to ride.

There are some photos on My Bike Path Blog Entry: Lebanon to Little Miami Bike Path.

I will be checking out different bike paths in the US as often as possible.

The Yin and Yang at 2008 ADVANCED SMX


SMX Seattle 144, originally uploaded by John Beagle.

The redeye seems appropriate for this photo of Stephen Spencer and Danny Sullivan. It was taken at the end of the SMX Advanced 2008 in Seattle the place where in the know SEO’s go. It appears that Stephen is shooting laser beams at Danny for the final assault at the conference.

SMX in Seattle did have a bit of Yin and Yang to it. Yin was the anti-Moralist SEO, Jay Young of Link Fish Media, Inc. Yang was Google’s SPAM Buster, Matt Cutts.

Moderator of the Yins and Yangs was mild mannered, Danny Sullivan of Search Engine Land.

Danny’s job is to keep everyone playing nice. A boundary that was breached at 2 of the SEO sessions, “Blow Your Mind Link Building Techniques” and “Give it UP!”

Around 11 o’clock on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, the assault on white hat SEO’s was opened up by Jay Young with this salvo -‘were not in this for the morals, were in it for the Marketing!’ Mr. Young offered several tips that Matt Cutts would consider over the line, some even ‘way over the line’ such as certain types of SPAM.

Matt Cuts explains his position on immediately removing SPAM from the News in this SMX Advanced 2008 Matt Cutts video by Dave Dugdale of rentVine.

“No one can blog about this for 29 days… keep under wraps… let’s not go too far… and remember, Matt Cutts is sitting out in the audience,” reminded Moderator Danny Sullivan just before the packed seo session, “Give it UP!” the last SMX session on the last day.

In keeping with Danny’s request, I can’t say for another 3 weeks what was said in the ‘Give it up!’ Session. (Hint: The Stephan Spencer presentation).

But, I can share you this photo just after the SMX session ended. Danny was frazzled to say the least. And Stephen was pleased, Danny was not.

Danny… remember Ricky Nelson’s Garden Party, “You see, ya can’t please everyone, so you got to please yourself”

Plasma Screen Lifter

Companies wanting to transport 103″ plasma screens can do so with an automated transport and crate removal system. The screen lifter can also spin your screen 360 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise.

The new system can be used for digital signage and multimedia high res video at your next trade show, conference, convention or corporate event and has multiple uses at the same event because of its portability.

The packaging is what really makes this thing great. When I am in my trade show booth, I do not want a damaged 103″ Plasma Flat Screen staring everyone in the face. Thats why it’s a good idea even at $15k, not including the flat screen.

The Next John Beagle


John Beagle is my son and I am proud of him.

He scored a near perfect in math on the ACT test. He is a cook at the Red Onion Restaurant, working under Chef Gary Heinz, who was the Chef at the Maisonette, a five star restaurant.

Johnny, as we all call him, played Monroe HS soccer for four years and was top scorer in his division. He has recently taken up golf and expects to beat me this summer. I said no way.

Johnny will go to the Ohio State University this fall. He has been accepted into the Honors program where he will figure out what kind of engineering student he wants to be.

The video is from a speech he gave at the Middletown Community Foundation Awards Banquet in May of 2008. Johnny has been a active member of the MCF for 3 years.

Sunshine Laws and Email in the US

Regarding Public Emails and the Sunshine Laws also knows as the Open Meetings/Open Records Law.

“There is a large misconception by non technical people that if they have a backup system for their e-mail server they are in compliance. This could not be more wrong.” JVC

Have the email floodgates just opened now that people are asking for electronic documents including email?
When people ask for public emails they are well within their rights. But many public officials need Sunshine Law Training.
In one case, a city mayor had sent out an email to all council members asking members to agree to a small city related finacial matter.
A public governmental body cannot simply make those kinds of decisions by responding to information emails from the mayor. This kind of a decision requires a vote to be taken in an open meeting.
In another case, parents opposing a school levy requested email from school district administration and pro-levy supporters. These parents were well within their rights to ask for the email that the school district was not willing to provide.
This may be a wakeup call for all public entities in Ohio and other states from Florida to Hawaii, that have enacted similar sunshine laws.
E-Mail archival regulations are a relatively new thing, and compliance seems to be slow. Nevertheless the law is in effect and government agencies and schools in many states are required to comply.
One possible solution for small governments and school districts is the Barracuda Message Archiver.

Need Fast Installation? Barracuda Message Archiver quote request from Computer Service Now.

13,127 Tech Army Troop Count Today

Currently, the Tech Army Organization has 13127 troops, representing hundreds of companies, stationed in over 1000 cities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

And that troop count is growing fast. Everyday new companies and computer technicians are signing up. At our current rate, we could see 15,000 troops by years end.

Find out more, read: 13127 Tech Army Member Troops Combat Bad Computer Service

John 3:16 is Gospel

Jesus’ words as recorded in John’s gospel, chapter 3 verse 16, are probably the most succinct and perfect presentation of the entire gospel message ever recorded.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

This bible verse holds special meaning to me because I only know that my birth name is John (no last name, I was adopted by Don and Sue Beagle) and I was born on 3-16. John 3-16.