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2012-01-19T05:01:00.001-08:00

Casey Anthony found not guilty of murder

2011-07-05T11:20:00.001-07:00

Tennessee wins race to the TOP GRANT!

2011-01-13T07:05:00.000-08:00

The Obama administration delivered a jolt to U.S. public education Monday by selecting just two states, Delaware and Tennessee, to receive $600 million in hard-fought grants designed to help districts overhaul their programs.

The awards are part of the administration's $4.35 billion Race to the Top competition, which has sparked a nationwide scramble among states to prove which of them is championing the most robust changes. Forty states and the District of Columbia applied for the grants.
Tennessee will receive $500 million, and Delaware gets $100 million.

Lawmakers in Tennessee met twice in special session to pass new education laws. The state lifted its cap on the number of new charter schools, which are schools that are taxpayer funded but independently run.

Both Delaware and Tennessee have imposed new measures that base teacher pay and promotions partly on how well their students perform.

"In Tennessee's case, our willingness to actually make changes really made a difference," said Tennessee Governor Philip Bredesen, a Democrat. "This is not a demonstration for a pilot project. We had every school district buy into this."

Obama bestows technology medal in TN!

2011-01-06T06:11:00.000-08:00

From super glue to microchips to digital cameras, President Barack Obama on Wednesday celebrated the brains behind these inventions and other breakthroughs as examples of "the promise of science."

In a ceremony in the White House East Room, Obama bestowed the National Medal of Science on 10 researchers and awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to three individuals and a three-person team.

The medals represent the government's highest honor for scientists, engineers and inventors.
Obama said their achievements "stand as a testament to the ingenuity, to their zeal for discovery and to the willingness to give of themselves and to sacrifice in order to expand the reach of human understanding. All of us have benefited from their work."

Other honorees helped unlock the secrets of genetics and disease, nanotechnology, solar energy, and chemistry and biology.

Their work, Obama said, has saved lives, improved health, created new industries and millions of jobs, and transformed education and communication. It serves, he said, "as proof not only of their incredible creativity and skill, but of the promise of science itself."

One of the recipients of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation is Harry Coover of Eastman Chemical Company in Tennessee, for inventing cyanoacrylates, also known as super glues.

Solar energy in the Volunteer State!

2010-12-23T06:06:00.000-08:00

Solar technology uses the sun’s energy to provide heat, light, hot water, electricity, and even cooling—for homes, businesses, and industry. Solar energy is a very powerful source of energy because more energy from the sun falls on the earth in one hour than is used by everyone in the world in one year.

Unknown to most people, solar industry was established in the Volunteer state well before solar energy deployment become locally popular. Sharp Corporation is one of the largest solar manufacturing companies in the world, and in 2003, opened a solar panel manufacturing facility in Memphis, TN. Another pioneer in Tennessee’s solar industry is AGC Flat Glass, a leader in providing innovative glass products for specialty applications, including solar products used in photovoltaics, greenhouse glazing, and both active and passive solar applications.

In addition, local solar businesses are also growing. For instance, at the beginning of the Knoxville Solar America Cities program, there has been only one certified solar installer in the entire state for many years, but now there are at least three in Knoxville alone.

The Tennessee Solar Institute has announced the recipients of $7.25 million in Innovation Grant awards. Grants were awarded to 21 Tennessee companies to complete 37 projects throughout eight of the nine U.S. Congressional Districts in Tennessee.

Equipment ReUse Program in East Tennessee!

2010-12-16T07:13:00.000-08:00

East Tennessee Technology Access Center, ETTAC is known for its assistive technology - computer software for low-vision and disabled people, devices that help people "talk," modified toys and electronics with simple, one-button switches.

The Center now has an Equipment ReUse program, with the large number of disabled and elderly people losing insurance, coupled with changes to Medicare coverage of "durable medical equipment," ETTAC was led to expand the type of donated equipment it loans or gives to people who can't get it any other way.

The need has been overwhelming. A Morristown supplier of medical equipment closed recently and donated his remaining inventory - which filled 5,000 square feet in a warehouse - to ETTAC.

"We had given away most of that within 45 days," she said. "I had no idea there were that many people who couldn't get what they need. It was a real eye-opener."

Last year, ETTAC gave more than 130 people more than $30,000 worth of equipment, not counting short-term loans. Symington said ETTAC serves more than 300 people a month.

Fastest Net Service in U.S. Coming to Tennessee!

2010-12-09T06:09:00.000-08:00

In the global race to see who can offer the fastest Internet service, an unlikely challenger has emerged in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The city-owned utility, EPB (Electric Power Board), plans to announce on Monday that by the end of this year it will offer ultra-high-speed Internet service of up to one gigabit a second. That is 200 times faster than the average broadband speed in America.

Only Hong Kong and a few other cities in the world offer such lightning-fast service, and analysts say Chattanooga will be the first in the United States to do so.

“This makes Chattanooga — a midsized city in the South — one of the leading cities in the world in its digital capabilities,” said Ron Littlefield, the city’s mayor.

The highest-speed service will cost $350 a month, a price that may appeal to some businesses but few households, even though the service will be offered to all the 170,000 homes and businesses EPB serves.

“We don’t know how to price a gig,” said Harold DePriest, chief executive of EPB. “We’re experimenting. We’ll learn.”

Technology Conference in Nashville!

2010-12-02T06:06:00.000-08:00

Taking place this week at The Nashville Convention Center, is the 28th Annual TN Educational Technology Conference, presented by The Tennessee Department of Education, Office of Instructional Leadership.

Designed specifically for school and district educational technology leaders and instructors, TETC offers opportunities for growth and development through training sessions, labs, workshops, interest sessions, and peer networking. TETC is the premiere venue by which educators help to better the knowledge, quality and access to educational technology and integration in the schools systems of Tennessee, benefiting children and communities statewide.

Conference sessions will focus on Curricular Technology, Instructional Technology and Administrative Technology. If you would like to register for the remaining sessions of TETC 2010, please visit the On-Site Registration desk, located on the Lower Level of the Nashville Convention Center at 601 Commerce Street, Nashville, Tennessee.

For more information regarding TETC, contact trent.weaver@tn.gov or call (615) 532-2491.

Knoxville Hospital and Clinics Upgrade Equipment!

2010-11-18T06:16:00.000-08:00

Women who undergo routine mammograms at the Knoxville Hospital and Clinics will soon be able to have a more comfortable experience and be tested by the latest diagnostic technology available, thanks to recent donations.

The Knoxville Hospital and Clinics Foundation has donated $40,000 for the purchase of new state-of-the-art digital mammography equipment. The new equipment changes the way the breast images are acquired and how they are viewed by radiologists. The physicians will now be able to magnify the images and increase or decrease the contrast which will allow them to further evaluate and focus on areas of concern.

With the new improvements, the Knoxville Hospital and Clinics hopes to increase the number of women in Southeast Tennessee who visit the center for regular mammogram screenings.

UT School of Music's technology-enhanced building!

2010-11-12T06:22:00.000-08:00

The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, celebrated the breaking of ground today on the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, a new, technology-enhanced building for the UT School of Music.

The proposed four-floor, 123,000-square-foot building is named for Natalie Haslam, a graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences and a music and arts enthusiast.

“Natalie Haslam’s love of the University of Tennessee and its cultural arts truly make her our first lady of music,” said UT Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek. “As we celebrate this building, the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, it’s a great honor that it’s named for her and what she represents.”

In 2006, Natalie and Jim Haslam, co-chairs for the Campaign for Tennessee, and the Haslam Family Foundation gave the University of Tennessee $32.5 million. The largest allotment of this money, $10 million, went to the UT School of Music, which dedicated the funds for the construction of a new facility. It will house a new recital hall, music library, band room and office suite, computer labs, a recording studio, 40 performance studios/offices and a variety of technology-enhanced practice and rehearsal rooms.

The Haslams have been generous UT supporters for years, having dedicated gifts to a wide variety of programs across campus. The Haslams’s gift was part of the university’s $1 billion fundraising campaign, the Campaign for Tennessee. The most ambitious effort in the university’s history, the campaign places UT among the ranks of the nation’s largest public and private institutions that have sought this level of private support.

Nashville Technology Award Winners!

2010-11-04T06:06:00.000-07:00

Top technology talent was recognized at Nashville Technology Council’s annual awards gala on October 29th. The Nashville Technology Council announced the official winners of the 2010 “Feel the Beat” Technology Awards at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. The awards acknowledge individuals and companies whose success has helped grow Greater Nashville into a nationally recognized hub for technology.

In addition to the category presentations, special recognition was given to Chris Beck and Patrick Vondette of HP for their Diamond level sponsorship support of the Nashville Technology Council.

2010 “Feel the Beat” Nashville Technology Award Winners:

CIO of the Year — Gary Seay, Community Health Systems
CTO of the Year — Eric Harrison, Community Health Systems
CISO of the Year — Bill Dieringer, Ardent Health Services
Innovator of the Year — Tim Smith, MyWerx
IT Student of the Year — Matthew Lefavor, Belmont University
Volunteer of the Year — John Kepley, teknetex
Social Media/Blogger of the Year — Scott Gordon, Vaco Technology
Software Programmer/Engineer of the Year — Nicholas Williams, PureSafety
The Green Award — LetterLogic, Inc.
Start-up Company of the Year — Taigan
Lifetime Achievement — Tom Stephenson, HMS
Technology Organization of the Year -- Ardent Health Services

The Nashville Technology Council, an affiliate of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, is an exclusive, 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization devoted to helping the Middle Tennessee technology community succeed. Membership is open to technology companies, technology employers, service providers, educational institutions, and non-profit companies interested in supporting the growth of technology business in Middle Tennessee. Since its formation in 1999, membership has grown to more than 400 organizations. New programs and events such as technology roundtables, educational initiatives, annual technology conferences, a technology job board and other activities are designed to foster Nashville’s technology industry. For more information, visit www.technologycouncil.com

Groupon opens in Knoxville!

2010-10-28T06:13:00.000-07:00

Groupon, a shopping website that offers a daily deal on the best local goods, services and cultural events, recently launched in Knoxville.

"Featuring an array of cultural and historical attractions and home to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is an ideal Groupon city," said Rob Solomon, president and chief operating officer of Groupon. "We look forward to helping residents and students save money on the best that Knoxville has to offer, while bringing a quality stream of new customers to local merchants."

According to the Company, Groupon negotiates discounts with businesses. Groupon subscribers get free daily emails alerting them to the deals. The deals are activated only when a minimum number of people agree to buy, encouraging subscribers to share the promotion with family and friends. With new technology, Groupon has created a unique marketing vehicle for local merchants. This approach to e-commerce has brought millions of dollars in new revenue to local businesses while saving more than $570 million for subscribers across North America.

"Groupon brings buyers and sellers together in a fun and collaborative way," said Solomon. "We offer the consumer a great deal they can't get anywhere else and deliver the sales directly to the merchant."

Recent featured deals in Knoxville included tickets to a local baseball game, miniature golf and a sandwich shop. Upcoming deals include a hair salon and one-day motorcycle rental. Knoxville joins Nashville and Memphis as Tennessee's third Groupon city.

Groupon features a daily deal on the best products to buy from over 250 markets around the world. Groupon uses collective buying power to offer unbeatable prices and provide a win-win for businesses and consumers, delivering nearly 200 deals daily throughout the United States and Canada.

More information is available here: http://www.groupon.com

STAR Center Technology benefits kids in TN!

2010-10-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

The STAR Center, in Jackson, Tennessee, is a model demonstration, resource and training center dedicated to ensuring that all individuals with disabilities or other special needs maximize their potential for independence and achieve their personal goals of employment, effective learning and independent living through assistive technology, assistive aids and support services.

The STAR Center’s Assistive Technology Services Department is dedicated to providing the most comprehensive assistive technology evaluation and training services to all individuals with disabilities who need access to any environment (home, work, school, public) they frequently use. The Assistive Technology Services Department has been providing both evaluation and training services to individuals with disabilities in the West Tennessee area for the past twenty years. Evaluations and training are conducted per referral from several sources including Vocational Rehabilitation, the Veteran’s Administration, local schools and self referral.

The STAR Center is also a beta test site for many conventional and assistive technology companies and their newly developed technology products.

STAR's 9th Annual KidsFest was a huge success! The event featured many unique, fun-filled, interactive activities for kids and their families. Proceeds from the event benefit STAR Center services to children and adults with disabilities in West Tennessee. Events such as KidsFest help us to fulfill their goal to never turn anyone away because of inability to pay and provide scholarships for part or all of the services needed.

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2010-10-14T14:35:00.001-07:00

Nashville Technology Awards!

2010-10-14T06:02:00.000-07:00

On October 28th, 2010, the Renaissance Nashville Hotel will host the Nashville Technology Awards "Feel The Beat" at 5:00pm.

The annual awards gala honors Middle Tennessee’s technology companies, leaders and innovators. The inaugural event attracted 400 attendees for this night of celebration, food, and entertainment. The 2010 Technology Awards Gala will feature a “red carpet” entrance, VIP reception, dinner and the presentation of 12 prestigious awards.

Awards include: Volunteer of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, IT Student of the Year, Start-Up Company of the Year, Innovator of the Year, CIO of the Year, Social Media/Blogger of the Year, Software Programmer/Engineer of the Year, Chief Technology Officer of the Year and Chief Information Security Officer of the Year.

Nominees for the "Green Award," sponsored by HealthSpring, are LetterLogic, Inc. and Hewlett-Packard.

Technology jobs in Nashville!

2010-10-07T06:06:00.000-07:00

Recently a study was released that was conducted in partnership with Vaco Technology on the state of technology jobs in Middle Tennessee for the third quarter of 2010. This report, released once a quarter, provides a consistent format for reporting on open job positions. It includes top tech employers, most popular job positions, and trending data points. One thing is clear: Nashville is poised to gain traction as one of the leading tech centers in the nation.

In Greater Nashville, there are more tech jobs than there are people to fill them.

The Nashville Technology Council is focused on a three level pipeline for talent growth:
T3 – Organic growth through local high schools and universities
Professional Development (Courseware for Career Transition)
Economic Development (Individuals and Companies)

The Nashville Technology Council spearheads the T3 Initiative to help local students connect with opportunity and support their academic needs. Partners at the Nashville Health Care Council and Nashville Chamber of Commerce work on events such as the Health Care IT Workforce Solutions Forum to address the gap between skills desired in our local IT grads and the myriad of career opportunities in their own backyard.

Technology infused in a Tennessee classroom!

2010-09-30T06:09:00.000-07:00

Jordan Haney is doing a new thing in his classroom at Rocky Hill Elementary School in West Knoxville. The 29-year-old teacher said he's always emphasized technology in the four years he's taught, but this year he was given the opportunity to do even more.

Haney was this year's winner of the Oak Ridge Associated Universities' Extreme Classroom Makeover, so his classroom received a $25,000 grant to go toward technology and other enhancements.

His fifth-grade classroom receivee 15 iPads, 12 iPod touches, 3 iMacs, 10 Macbooks, a flat-screen TV, a miniMac, iTunes giftcards, a saltwater tank, a garden, a document camera, 4 flip video cameras and supplies to build new furniture for his room.

Haney has infused technology into many aspects of his classroom. For reading, he says the students get on the iMacs and use an interactive website. Students use the iPads for reading, too, picking novels from an application called iBooks. On the iPad, students can make notes and use a dictionary application to look up words they're unfamiliar with. Haney purchases books with the iTunes giftcards he received.

'I could have taken all paper out,' he said. 'I'm using 90 percent less paper.' Haney said his students can take quizzes on the iPod touches, which connect to the Active Board he already had in his room. He assigns the students to work on worksheets on the Macbooks. Haney said he's trying to find a good balance of technology use in his room, because he wants to get them ready for next year, too, which won't look quite like this.

Learning with the World is a project in which the students have chosen several locations around the world, including Pennsylvania, California, Kansas, Germany and Brazil, and write to their 'e-pals' in those places. One student explained, 'We write letters to the other e-pals on the computer so that we can be friends with someone across the world.'

Soon they will even begin to Skype with their e-pals, Haney said.

Each student also has a blog that they update weekly. This way parents, grandparents and even their e-pals can access the blog to see what the students are up to in the classroom, all while students are practicing writing.

Haney said all students learn at different speeds, and that is taken into consideration. 'Technology gives me a wide range of teaching to all levels,' Haney said, explaining that he can
make adjustments to focus on a child's needs. 'On the laptops, I can put them on all different levels. … It's their own. No one sees what level, and they can work at their own pace.'

The use of the technology has allowed Haney to connect all the things the students are learning, providing a broader educational experience and allowing them to apply things they learn. 'There's deeper learning, instead of just rhetorical, repetitious learning, which only lasts a month,' he said. And as a result, he has students coming in early and leaving late, updating their blogs or listening to Podcasts. 'Our goal was not to be consumers this year, but to be creators.'

New Oak Ridge homes are laboratories for energy efficiency!

2010-09-23T06:18:00.000-07:00

Four East Tennessee homes completed this month's showcase on how scientific research can make dramatic changes in the cost of heating and cooling our homes. The four houses, located in the Wolf Creek subdivision in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, use about 55 to 60 percent less energy than conventional houses while maintaining similar amenities. Consumers will benefit from the project's goal to identify affordable energy-saving options for new and existing homes.

"These homes are a great example of what can be done when we partner with industry to provide scientific solutions to real problems," ORNL Director Thom Mason said.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) use innovative technologies in energy, life sciences, neutron sciences and advanced materials while adding new missions in the areas of national security and high-performance computing.

ORNL conducts basic and applied research and development to create scientific knowledge and technological solutions. The current rebuilding of ORNL with a $300-million modernization program will maintain their laboratory as one of the world's leading scientific research centers.

Tennessee Graduate Lands Job with Marvel Comics!

2010-09-16T06:05:00.000-07:00

Chandar Wilson, was hired as an illustrator with Marvel Comics, home to many of the most well known and most poplar comic book characters of all time. This fantasy-like virtual journey started when Wilson posted some of his artwork at on-line art form sites including www.digitalwebbing.com.

One of the publishers of Marvel Comics saw his work and contacted him through his e-mail address. His trial assignment was to complete the graphics for a six page Spider Man story. Wilson finished the task in record time and was immediately offered a contract.

Wilson says that he has been drawing and sculpting since the age of five, and has been following comics for 15 years. He graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1992, acquired an Associates Degree in Computer Technology from Vatterott College, but always knew that he wanted to study graphic design and become a publisher. His educational journey finally brought him to the Graphic Design Program at Tennessee Technology Center at Memphis where he was able to hone his natural talent into professional skills.

Wilson is working on his first project for Marvel Comics, which is to illustrate Marvel’s “New Mutants” comic book series. Besides having what he considers a “fun job,” Chandar is able to work at home.

After graduating from TTCM in August, he plans to expand his work with Marvel Comics. According to Wilson, “I place no limitations on my future success in this industry; I may one day create my own comic book series.”

Recovery Act Helps Enhance Technology In Schools!

2010-09-09T06:11:00.000-07:00

Governor Phil Bredesen and Commissioner of Education Dr. Timothy Webb announced Title II-D Education Technology funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

These allocations represent funding that will be available for districts to effectively integrate technology into the classroom.

“Tennessee must remain at the forefront in using technology to better serve students in their future careers,” Governor Phil Bredesen said.

“There is no doubt that this generation will need the skills these grants will help build to be successful in any career they choose.”

These Recovery Act funds will go to each school district to enhance technology in schools to improve learning.

The focus is to effectively integrate technology into the classroom curriculum and increase student achievement, as well as assist every student in crossing the digital divide by ensuring their technological literacy by the time they complete eighth grade, regardless of the student’s race, ethnicity, gender, family income, geographic location or disability.

“More technology in the classroom is something our teachers and administrators are always pushing for and it’s exciting to know that we now have additional dollars to help them achieve that goal,” Commissioner Webb said.

The ARRA Title II-D Education Technology funding was part of the Department of Education's proposed budget, which was considered by the Tennessee General Assembly.

VIC introduces RealFocus Market!

2010-09-02T06:01:00.000-07:00

VIC, short for Virtual Interactive Center, is a web-technology agency with the creative and technical expertise to develop and deliver Internet-based products and services. VIC was founded in Knoxville, Tennessee in March of 1995, and their headquarters are located in downtown Knoxville.

A real estate web portal solution, RealFocus Market, was released in August, a ready solution to Realtor® Associations, banks, corporations, brokers, apartment complexes and any organization to have a branded lead-generating website for listings of available properties for sale or lease.

With individual settings for each listing, clients can perform auctions, accept offers, or just simply provide information for properties that are for sale or lease. Using the powerful admin interface, realtors can easily track responses and market all listings like never before.

As a lead generation tool, all communication is tracked and reported. It is a new way to market real estate listings online. With multi-level access, realtors also have the technology to test listing pricing and the market.

For more information, visit: http://www.vic.com/

TN Board of Regent helps celebrate Tech Center GRADS!

2010-08-26T06:12:00.000-07:00

Tennessee Technology Center (TTC) at Morristown’s graduating class for fall 2010 has the work skills necessary to gain employment, attract businesses and improve the economy.

A group of around 70 of the almost 120-strong TTC graduates attended Tuesday night’s commencement ceremony featuring Judy Gooch as the keynote speaker.

Gooch, a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents that heads 45 higher education institutions across the state, explained that education correlates directly to the economy.

"The better our workforce, the more attractive we are to businesses and industries as the place to locate. And that makes for more jobs and more prosperity, so get out there and spread the word about Technology Centers," Gooch said.

She emphasized the importance of continued education and all the benefits it will provide graduates.

"Whatever field (you’ve taken your degree in), you’re going to have to keep learning just to keep up," she said. "Failure is simply not an option.

"All of you have learned one truly important lesson and that is you now know you have what it takes to learn a new skill."

Whether students continue to community colleges or enter the workforce, they should accept their roles as lifelong learners because technologies will continue to expand and new ones will be developed, Gooch said.

She encouraged graduates to be confident as they apply for employment with their new certificates and/or degrees; 95 percent of TTC graduates are placed within related jobs.
The employment rate for TTC graduates is so high, Gooch said, local, state and federal people and agencies are noticing the intense work ethic of TTC students.

"We have a lot (of students) who are represented here tonight," said Lynn Elkins, director of TTC-Morristown. "Of course, there are a lot who have finished but couldn’t be here because they are on the job."

Elkins said she was so proud of the graduating class, including students who’ve already found employment with their new skills and those who will soon find jobs.

WBIR.com | Knoxville, TN | East Tennessee Elvis ranks top 5 impersonator in the world

2010-08-21T14:21:00.000-07:00

WBIR.com Knoxville, TN East Tennessee Elvis ranks top 5 impersonator in the world

Tennessee entrepreneur soars with Solar Power!

2010-08-19T06:06:00.000-07:00

With a background in electrical construction, Steve Johnson opened Lightwave Solar Electric, LLC in 2006, a full-service solar panel installation firm that has been involved with some of the largest such projects in Tennessee so far.

The Nashville-based company, which also designs rooftop photovoltaic systems, posted $2.7 million in sales last year and expects to double that in 2010 as the alternative energy source gains wider acceptance among consumers.

Government incentives for businesses and homeowners to convert to solar systems have helped business, Johnson said, but the market is likely to remain tiny until the cost of solar power reaches parity with coal and other energy sources.

Johnson shares his views about new technology and the growth of solar energy, especially as large solar manufacturers like Hemlock Semiconductor, a $1.2 billion plant planned near Clarksville, Tennessee, take root in the state.

"About two years ago, we did the largest project in the state, which was 50 kilowatts in Oak Ridge. Then a year later, we did a 50-kilowatt system in Smyrna at Franke Foodservice. City Square Shopping Center in Hendersonville was 88 kilowatts. The Metro Development and Housing Authority did 60- and 70-kilowatt systems on Parthenon Towers and Madison Towers, and we were associated with that. We also did Al Gore's house and Sheryl Crow's house."

WBIR Reports: Smokies maintenance worker hospitalized after tree fell on him

2010-08-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

Officials with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park now say it was a maintenance employee that was injured in a tree fall accident.

Spokeswoman Nancy Gray says the man was part of a six-person crew that was taking a break on the trail about a hundred yards up from Laurel Creek Road.

Read full story here >>> WBIR.com | Knoxville, TN | Update: Smokies maintenance worker hospitalized after tree fell on him

Tennessee puts a stop to CYBER-BULLYING!

2010-08-12T06:10:00.000-07:00

Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper, on behalf of Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs Director Mary Clement, signed the agreement with Topix.com to ensure that Tennesseans are not being harmed by cyber-bullying. Topix.com allows consumers to post comments, polls and surveys in local forums to facilitate discussion about news and other matters of local community interest.

According to the Tennessee Attorney General’s office, the forum — like many others — is subject to abuse by users posting false, misleading or inappropriate material. Consumers have complained about the amount of time it took the company to remove offensive or abusive posts on its site.

And some consumers also complained about the company’s “Priority Review” policy, which charged $19.99 to review the posts in a more timely manner. As part of the settlement, all reports of abuse on Topix.com will be reviewed free of charge. The company also will seek to review and remove inappropriate posts within three working days rather than its previous policy of seven to 14 days.

The site also has agreed to make a number of additional technical and human resources improvements in order to better review and block inappropriate posts.

“On behalf of the concerned citizens and public officials who have contacted me about Topix.com, I am pleased that we’ve been able to reach an agreement with the company,” Cooper said.

Clement urged consumers who have complaints about Topix.com or any consumer matter to file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Affairs by calling 1-800-342-8385 or 615-741-4737 or going online to www.tn.gov/consumer/

“Consumer Affairs works to facilitate company responsiveness to customer concerns, be it with brick-and-mortar businesses or online ones,” Clement said.

Free service by Bank of Tennessee!

2010-08-05T06:11:00.000-07:00

Bank of Tennessee has recently announced a new program offering their business clients a complimentary technology assessment provided by Saratoga Technologies. This new partnership is designed to educate businesses in East Tennessee about computer network security and online banking best practices.

"We want to ensure that our customers are aware of their vulnerabilities related to the recent increase of online threats to businesses. We chose Saratoga Technologies because we wanted to establish a long term relationship with a high caliber partner and they were the clear market leader in technology solutions", said Cindy Cantrell, Executive Vice President/Sr. Marketing & Retail Officer of Bank of Tennessee.

The new program officially launched on July 7, 2010 and will provide Bank of Tennessee business checking customers access to a completely free technology assessment. In addition to covering security and online banking issues the assessment will address the state of servers, PCs, telephone systems, websites, software, printers/copiers and wiring.

"We are very excited to be working with Bank of Tennessee on this very unique offering.", said Allan Walters, Senior VP, Saratoga Technologies. "Bank of Tennessee is taking a very pro-active approach regarding security education and are really adding tremendous value to their clients. I don't know of any other bank in our region offering such a comprehensive analysis for free."

Both organizations plan to work closely together to educate and equip local businesses to be prepared for our ever increasing online world.

Chattanooga Unveils Innovative Technology and Provides Clean, Reliable Power for Tennessee Valley

2010-07-29T06:10:00.000-07:00

Officials and representatives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, recently inaugurated the City’s first Bloom Box, a 100 kW energy server based on cutting-edge fuel cell technology. The project is the continuation of a long-standing partnership, facilitated by Congressman Zach Wamp, between the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the National Center for Computational Engineering (SimCenter), EPB, TVA, The Enterprise Center and California’s Bloom Energy.

“UTC and the Tennessee Valley, have been exceptional partners from the beginning and the valuable insights gained here have helped shape our product into the commercially viable entity it is today,” said KR Sridhar, Co-founder and CEO of Bloom Energy. “We are thrilled to be here to celebrate the continuation of Bloom Energy’s collaboration with Tennessee’s Congressional leadership, the Tennessee Valley Authority, EPB, and the University.”

With major support from Congressman Zach Wamp, and in conjunction with TVA, this project will provide 24/7 clean, reliable power to EPB’s building.

“The Tennessee Valley has been involved with this technology for a long time, and we’re now at the point of demonstrating its viability as a compliment to the grid. The ultimate goal would be to manufacture fuel cells in Tennessee and further advance the new manufacturing boon in the Tennessee Valley Corridor,” said Congressman Wamp. “Bloom’s technology could have a tremendous impact for the world in creating new energy sources and is cleaner and more efficient than much of today’s power generation. Fuel cell technology coupled with increased nuclear energy could significantly shrink our country’s carbon footprint.”

Chattanooga continues to be on the forefront of technology. Home to the National Center for Computational Engineering (SimCenter), the largest municipal 100% Fiber Optics network, and one of the most automated Smart Grids in the nation, the 100 kW Energy Server is yet another shining example of Chattanooga quickly becoming a recognized national leader in state-of-the-art thinking and innovation.

Tennessee top target for spammers!

2010-07-22T06:09:00.000-07:00

Tennessee is among the national leaders when it comes to the most spammed states, according to Symantec's annual look at spamming in U.S. states and territories.

Tennessee ranks No. 5 with a spam rate of 92.1 percent, according to Symantec's MessageLabs Intelligence Special Report. That means more than 9 of every 10 e-mails sent to Tennessee are spam.

Spam is a serious threat to business productivity. My work and personal e-mail are bombarded daily. Most of the messages that make it to my in-box are legit, but I waste time every day deleting spam that makes it past the filters.

"Spam isn't just a simple annoyance to businesses, but a real threat that can consume resources and put valuable information at risk regardless of location," MessageLabs Intelligence Senior Analyst Paul Wood writes in the report. "From the World Cup to fake PDF Reader updates, even the most intricate scams are now widespread and the sheer size and power of today's botnets are making possible what was once unthinkable."

The most spammed state is Idaho with a 95.2 percent spam rate, followed by Alabama, South Carolina and Indiana, all with rates over 92 percent. The national average is 89.3 percent, according to the MessageLabs study.

Engineering, automotive and construction are the U.S. business sectors most frequently targeted by spammers, with spam rates, respectively, of 94.1 percent, 92.9 percent and 90.5 percent.

The least spammed sectors are business support services, general services and finance, each with spam rates of about 87 percent.

("Rant$ and Rave$" by Roger Harris )

TheSmokies.TV Season 1 - Episode 1 Teaser

2010-07-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

Knoxville business aims to make a change!

2010-07-15T06:07:00.000-07:00

The Internet offers excellent cover for people to spread information that can damage the reputations of companies and individuals without having to answer for it, according to Scott Scheinbaum, who is offering a service to mitigate that damage. Companies and individuals can suffer as a result and not even realize why, Scheinbaum said, which is why he has founded www.ReputationAngel.com in Knoxville, Tennessee.

"A lot of times people just aren't aware it's happening because they are busy running a business and Googling themselves is way down on their list of priorities," said Scheinbaum, chief operating officer of the upstart firm.

So, his company will do it for them. ReputationAngel.com offers 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week monitoring of what kinds of information is turning up about a client online, and if a problem is detected, it will take steps to deal with it. For the most part, this means some positive information about the client online in a way that search engines will rank it higher and push the negative information lower in search results.

One www.ReputationAngel.com client is a technology company. Scheinbaum found that when a search was done on the company, it produced press releases and financial statements from the company's website, but these were ranked lower than a couple of negative reviews of the company's products. Scheinbaum produced some new content better tailored to match the criteria search engines use to rank Web pages.

"We take the positive content and help it become more visible, and as we do that, the negative results go further down on the search listings," he said. Pushing negative content further down is important, because about 95 percent of people will not bother to go past the first page of results and about 99 percent will not go beyond the second page, he said.

"I don't want to benefit anybody who has done something against the law or harmed someone, but there are a lot of legitimate, honest, ethical businesses out there that have had some bad things said about them and need my help," he said.

In May, Scott Scheinbaum started www.ReputationAngel.com, with business partner Doug Lane, sharing over 48 years of combined experience in information technology hardware and security.

Computers 4 Kids and AT&T donate laptops to group in Memphis!

2010-07-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

Connected Tennessee's Computers 4 Kids program and AT&T announced the donation of seven new laptop computers yesterday to Girls Incorporated of Memphis, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and educating girls.

Funded by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Computers 4 Kids distributes computers to nonprofit organizations and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 26 percent of students from disadvantaged families use computers at home to complete school assignments, compared to 53 percent of their peers from higher-income families.

By helping bridge this "digital divide," Computers 4 Kids hopes to provide disadvantaged youngsters with the resources necessary for success.

So far, the program has distributed more than 2,000 computers, with plans to distribute at least 1,000 more.

"Computers today are the highways to the future for our children," said Tennessee House Speaker Pro Tem Lois DeBerry, D-Memphis, who praised the program. Since the laptops are portable, they will benefit multiple Girls Incorporated locations in Memphis, said Deborah Hester Harrison, president and CEO of Girls Incorporated.

Harrison said the girls will learn how to use the Internet safely and use technology as an educational resource. In particular, Harrison said Girls Incorporated will use computer-based assessments of reading skills to focus on reading at grade level.

Pamela Marshall, chief of staff for Interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford, said the computers will help prepare local girls for the global economy.

"We're on a path, and there's no turning back," said Marshall.

Thompson couldn't agree more. She said computers have helped her practice time tables, adding that she is excited to use the computers at Girls Incorporated to learn even more.

Sevierville Police Department now on Twitter!

2010-07-01T06:08:00.000-07:00

Officials in Sevierville, Tennessee say their Twitter page provides time-sensitive information for people on temporary road closures, traffic incidents, crime alerts or emergencies.

"We are always looking for methods to improve public awareness," said Police Chief Don Myers in a recent press release.

"Tweeting is an efficient way to get important messages to the public in a timely manner. We hope this service will help motorists avoid areas where delays are ongoing and also keep citizens informed of emergency situations that might affect them," Myers added.

Myers admits he's still learning to text, but he knows sites like Twitter are the preferred mode of communication for many of the citizens he serves. Since opening their account last month, the department has tweeted about construction delays, weather conditions and the buckling of Ridge Road due to all the recent rain and snow.

"If we put the information out, and you're able to avoid a congested area, then you get to your destination in a timely matter, plus it helps us because it doesn't make things as problematic in having to direct the traffic or to get the emergency vehicles to the place they need to go," Myers says. The tweets come straight from dispatchers.

"They're online with the Twitter account and when something happens, let's say we have an accident, as soon as they have an opportunity, after they get everything settled down in dispatch, they would get on the Web site and put out that message," Myers says. In the future, followers can also expect crime alerts, although tweets are limited to 140 characters each.

"If we had a suspect in some sort of crime, obviously we could quickly put out a description and if anybody saw that person, stay away from them and call the police immediately," he says. UT Police is the only other local department with a Twitter page. Johnson City, Tennessee also uses the technology. To receive mobile texts, just follow the department and activate the mobile text option. Even if you don't have a Twitter page, you can still follow the department's page for updates.

Robots from South East Tennessee!

2010-06-24T06:07:00.000-07:00

Robots manufactured in Clinton, Tennessee are doing hazardous duty for U.S. forces in Iraq.

Remotec Inc., a division of Northrop Grumman, supplies robots for the military, law enforcement and first responders. About 25 to 30 percent of its business is in robots for the military. Many are used in first encounters with potential explosive devices, just like the Remotec HD-1 robot seen in Academy Award-winning movie, "The Hurt Locker."

The HD-1, a compact, fast and lightweight robot, received its own Academy Award during an "all hands" employee meeting at the Clinton facility in March after "The Hurt Locker" won Oscars for Best Picture and in five other categories. Remotec loaned the robot for use in the movie, and the robot and a technician spent two months in Jordan, where the film was made.

Remotec, located in Anderson County's Eagle Bend Industrial Park, was founded in 1980 by two Oak Ridge engineers to build robots to handle radiological equipment. Some, like Remotec, have a share of that business. Its parent firm, Northrop Grumman, is listed among the top 10 who have contracts with the Department of Defense in 2009.

Science Applications International Corporation, with offices in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and CAPE Incorporated, with offices in Knoxville, Tennessee, are global corporations that compete for government contracts.

iPhone revolution!

2010-06-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Apple iPhone sparked a revolution for the next wave of handheld cell phones. This electronic device has some innovative features that will attract the tech savvy consumer as well as the average person because it’s user-friendly touch screen technology appeals to anyone in The Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Apple Inc. reported that it and its phone company partners took orders for more than 600,000 iPhone 4s in one day, the highest number it's ever seen, despite widespread problems getting orders through overwhelmed computer systems.

The iPhone comes preloaded with a YouTube player that currently plays about 10,000 videos that have been reformatted for the iPhone's screen. The launch of the first iPhone model a year ago boosted interest in the technology tremendously, and the updated model now available will take the enthusiasm further. Now touch-screen manufacturers are going flat out, and more devices will soon be controlled by the tip of your finger.

Touch screens are the ideal solution for maximizing screen size while keeping gadgets small. They also make for easy-to-use devices, because each application can present its own specific controls, rather than relying on hardware buttons shared with other applications.

The next iPhone comes out June 24 and will have a higher-resolution screen, longer battery life and thinner design.

Have an event that you want to stream live to the world?

2010-06-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

Contact S.D. Professionals, LLC about your company's upcoming event and stream live video through http://thesmokies.tv/ Online Video Channel in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Schedule a live "webinar" for your business with two presenters and up to 500 people participating online. Chat with your audience, hold Q & A sessions, conduct LIVE POLLS and even allow up to 2 additional speakers during your presentation. In addition, when finished, your company will have a full recording of the experience on video and a complete chat log for reference.

In addition to web conferencing services, the multi-media company of South East Tennessee, S.D. Professionals, LLC, offers several technological solutions for you and your audience. Events that are streamed via LIVE BROADCAST have viewers tuning in from all over the world simultaneously.

To view the most recent broadcast, please visit: http://thesmokies.tv/

Dolly Parton Announces $250,000 in Flood Relief and Credits S.D. Professionals, LLC for Stepping Up to the Challenge

2010-06-05T05:36:00.000-07:00

Funds raised by Dolly, Dollywood, Dixie Stampede and S.D. Professionals' online campaign, specifically earmarked by Parton to help devastated families restore and renovate.

Dolly Parton presented $250,000, in Nashville to Mayor Karl Dean and United Way representatives, with the money specifically designated by Parton to aid Nashville-area flood victims who are restoring and rebuilding in the flood’s aftermath.

After much consideration, Parton decided to donate the funds raised during her Dolly Helps Nashville event on May 22 and 23 to the United Way’s Restore the Dream Fund. The donation includes net admission proceeds from Parton’s Dollywood and Dixie Stampede properties in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., as well as fan contributions to DollyParton.com.

“My husband took me to see the damage done by the flooding, and I was absolutely unprepared for what I saw,” Parton said. “I knew right then and there that something had to be done to get those families who’d lost everything back in their homes. And that’s what the mayor, the other Karl Dean, and the United Way have so graciously agreed to help me do. Get this money to those folks who are hurting the most.”

The United Way’s Restore the Dream Fund was established to assist nonprofit organizations throughout Middle Tennessee recover and resume operations in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. The fund is managed and administered by United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. The Restore the Dream Fund will specifically work with Family Resource Centers to meet the needs of those hardest hit. In addition, none of Parton’s contribution will be used to cover the agency’s administrative fees.

Parton also challenged area East Tennessee businesses to join the effort which was met by S.D. Professionals, the company that designed DollyParton.com and facilitated online donations.

“I know that it’s going to take a lot of effort and hard work and money to reverse the damage,” Parton added. “I know, too, that folks in Nashville have been great supporters of Dollywood and Dixie Stampede, so I wanted to let them know that we understand that they are suffering, and we’re here to help like good neighbors should. As my Dollywood theme park marks its 25th anniversary this season, we’re celebrating the dreamer in everybody. I think it’s really fitting that we can work through the Restore the Dream Fund, and, with this contribution, help bring dreams and hopes and peace of mind to my fellow Nashvillians.”

LIVE BROADCAST with Dolly Parton announcing exciting news from Nashville!

2010-06-03T07:05:00.000-07:00

S.D. Professionals, LLC would like to sincerely thank each of you for your efforts to help Dolly Parton spread the word to raise funds for Nashville Flood Victims in the past two weeks.

After a successful 'Dolly Helps Nashville' flood relief fundraising event took place at her Pigeon Forge-based Dollywood, Splash Country and Dixie Stampede attractions on May 22 and 23, Dolly Parton announced yesterday, from Nashville, Tennessee the grand total in contributions.

This event was streamed via LIVE BROADCAST yesterday at noon, with viewers tuning in from all over the world. The multi-media company of South East Tennessee, S.D. Professionals, LLC uses cutting-edge technology to stream these type of events online. Click here to watch: http://www.livestream.com/thesmokies/video?clipId=flv_d4514123-f84d-401c-a794-d16de30b846d&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb

Stay tuned for more exciting news from S.D. Professionals, LLC!

Dolly Parton - LIVE - Wednesday, June 2, 2010 @ 12 Noon EDT

2010-05-30T06:24:00.000-07:00

Watch live streaming video from thesmokies at livestream.com

Dolly's fans help Nashville!

2010-05-27T07:15:00.000-07:00

Recently S.D. Professionals, LLC collected video interviews from local officials, government leaders, celebrities and other influential members of the community that all shared one important message: Encouraging those watching to particpate in Dolly Parton's "Dolly Helps Nashville" flood relief fundraiser.

In only 9 days, through social networking on Facebook and Twitter: http://www.dollyparton.com/ received tens of thousands of visitors from across the world to find out more about the event and as a result, thousands flocked to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to visit Dollywood, Splash Country and Dolly's Dixie Stampede to show their support!

The 'Dolly Helps Nashville' Facebook page received thousands of visits and over 1,000 friends and fans.

The 'Dolly Helps Nashville' Twitter page, gained over 40 followers totaling +/- 25,000 collectively.

The final numbers are being tallied and so far, the donations have reached $43,336.00!

If you have not yet had the chance to donate, please visit: http://www.dollyparton.com/

Come to Dollywood, Splash Country or Dixie Stampede!

2010-05-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

Area businesses continue putting their money and their manpower into flood recovery efforts in Tennessee. In addition to the Red Cross, several area organizations and companies have organized volunteer efforts and accepted donations. Earlier this week, Dolly Parton placed an announcement on her website to rally fans, family and friends to raise funds through www.dollyparton.com and to contribute to her cause during an exciting two-day event this weekend.

“Dolly Helps Nashville” May 22nd & 23rd as the Dollywood, Splash Country and Dixie Stampede companies donate all admission proceeds towards a special fund to benefit Music City flood victims. Sevier County officials, members of the local press and celebrities have joined forces in this donation effort through social networking. NBC – WBIR Channel 10 Knoxville reporters were live on the scene yesterday as this charitable movement continues to make headlines.

"I want to thank Dolly Parton for her efforts on behalf of the flood victims in Nashville and Middle Tennessee," Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said as Jacob Timmons and Adam Chapman recorded his statement.

The team from S.D. Professionals, LLC have captured heartfelt statements about this fundraiser in order to post each one immediately onto the internet. Interviews included David Dotson with the Dollywood Foundation, Leon Downey with the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, Jim Hedrick of Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group, and Mayor Waters. The WBIR news story can be found here: http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=122125&catid=2&GID=taLaTroUAdskFJmCMA1ET61URIFGKCmDwHQlX4m3vvQ%3D

"We're posting it to social media networks like Facebook and we're tweeting about it and putting it on reddit," Jacob Timmons said. "In two or three days we're getting 4,000 to 5,000 hits on the videos. And the moment we upload a video, the donation counter starts turning."

It's all an effort to create buzz for this weekend's fundraiser "Dolly Helps Nashville." Other statements have been collected from Lt. Governor of Tennessee Ron Ramsey, Jeannie Seely of the Grand Ole Opry, Mountain Press Publisher Jana Thomasson, Sevierville City Mayor Bryan Atchley, LeConte Medical Center, Restaurant Owner Geoffrey Wolpert and Amanda Marr of the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce.

For more information or to place a donation online, please visit www.dollyparton.com

Dolly Reaches out to Sevier County and the World!

2010-05-19T07:23:00.000-07:00

Sevier County super star Dolly Parton is reaching out to the world on behalf of Nashville flood victims. Gathering all her considerable resources in the effort, Dollywood, Dixie Stampede, and local media company S.D. Professionals, LLC have joined together to assist in raising the funds needed.

May 22 and 23 have been designated as 'Dolly Helps Nashville' at her area attractions. Admission proceeds from Dollywood and Dixie Stampede will benefit Music City flood victims. Dolly herself will be appearing to promote the event and encourage generous donations. Those unable to attend this weekend are asked to watch a special video of Dolly and contribute to the cause at http://www.dollyparton.com/, a website donated by S.D. Professionals, LLC to allow donations from all over the world.

“We're honored to be a part of 'Dolly Helps Nashville' states Jacob Timmons, S.D. Professionals owner. “We challenge Sevier County to give back to our friends and family who have suffered such a devastating loss.”

Please visit http://www.dollyparton.com/ for complete details and to make your donation today.

Power is back on for Nashville!

2010-05-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

Downtown businesses that lost electricity due to the flooding in Nashville, Tennessee last week are receiving power starting today. Repairing systems individually, the Nashville Electric Service, is urging caution. The U.S. Bank building had power for business this morning and it is confirmed that many facilities such as the AT&T building, Country Music Hall of Fame, Hilton Nashville Downtown Hotel and others will have power after repairs to the substation. The Wildhorse Saloon, Hilton Courtyard and Nashville Symphony have requested not to receive power yet, for safety reasons.

The NES waits to ensure that they are ready for power, as opposed to energizing the entire area at once. About 3,000 customers were still without power Friday and long-term repair needs at two other substations could lead to outages in surrounding parts of Tennessee when usage picks up this summer.

Combined reports from several well known companies, determined the state of Nashville's high-tech infrastructure earlier this week.

AT&T: The corporate building downtown is on generator power. There are network outages for some telephone customers.

Comcast: Business systems operational. Some cable customer areas maybe affected by flood waters.

Nexus Group: All systems operational. Providing emergency relief program for businesses affected.

Sprint: reporting some cell issues from Nashville to Jackson. Most towers in Nashville are operational.

Verizon Wireless: deployed mobile communication stores in Nashville to support residents affected by recent floods. Some cell service may be interrupted due to power loss on towers.

Windstream: All systems operational. Providing emergency relief program for businesses affected.

Nashville WIFI: The building hosting the repeater lost power, but will be restored today.

Downtown Nashville underwater after FLASH FLOODING.

2010-05-06T07:04:00.000-07:00

Downtown Nashville has been ten feet underwater since flood over the weekend. On Sunday, May 2nd, as much as 13 inches of rain water collected by 8:30 in the evening, the highest amount of water to be ever recorded, making the event one of the worst storms ever experienced in years. The flood is now moving through Tennessee, due to a significant amount of rain that fell into watersheds downstream of Nashville, and other communities are also likely to experience water damage this week. Thousands were evacuated and sheltered in places like the Shrine Temple, which can house 300 people, Bellevue Middle School and the Lipscomb University’s student activities building. Road transport is impossible due to the temporary road closures ordered by officials who are trying their best to solve transportation around the area.

Here's how you can help:

The Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management is encouraging residents who want to volunteer to sign up through Hands On Nashville. Register at http://www.hon.org/. The city expects approved volunteer opportunities to be available by mid-week. As of Monday afternoon, more than 3,200 people had registered, said Brian Williams, executive director of Hands On Nashville.
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management, is collecting donations to support flood relief, restoration and clean-up efforts in Davidson County through the Metro Nashville Disaster Response Fund. It has also activated its Tennessee Emergency Response Fund to help communities in need beyond Davidson County. Donations can be made online to both funds at www.cfmt.org/floodrelief

The Nashville Area Red Cross also is accepting donations to support its relief efforts of the flooding victims. There are volunteers with the American Red Cross of Northeast Tennessee going into neighborhoods offering food and other supplies like cleaning kits to those who need them. Donations can be made at http://www.nashvilleredcross.org/

Launch of new site for South East Tennessee Multi-Media Company!

2010-04-29T06:09:00.000-07:00

S.D. Professionals, LLC has just launched their new iPhone, HTML and Flash Interactive websites and invite you to have a look around. Browse through their extensive portfolios easily on your mobile device or check out other current productions by watching "The Project of the Month."

Located in Sevierville, Tennessee, S.D. Professionals, LLC serves thousands of people worldwide ranging from well-established corporations, small businesses owners to celebrity clients with constant focus on new technology. This multi-media production & web development firm combines innovative ideas, creativity and the latest resources to compete in this expanding global industry.

Services include Web Design, Video Production, Photography, Graphic Design and so much more. Professional, affordable solutions for you or your company are available right here in Sevierville, Tennessee. President and Founder, Jacob Timmons, has built a unique company that "Brings Life to Imagination!"

S.D. Professionals, LLC brings home another TELLY AWARD!

2010-04-15T06:12:00.000-07:00

Once again, Jacob Timmons and his highly skilled team of industry professionals are recognized for their creativity and innovation in the Park Grill Steakhouse "Suzette Black Bear Parker" commercial. Awarded with a BRONZE TELLY, and recently named "People's Choice" for 2010, this Southeast Tennessee multi-media company continues to shine!

S.D. Professionals, LLC had introduced a new "spokesbear," to represent the Park Grill Steakhouse. To do this, they used Green Screen Technology which allowed them to take raw video footage of this beautiful black bear and develop a new marketing concept for the restaurant in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, while producing a visually stunning advertisement. To see the commercial , please visit: http://www.parkgrillgatlinburg.com/video.php

The 30th Annual Telly Awards received over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. These awards honor the very best local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and work created for the Web. Find out more about the Telly Awards by visiting their site: http://www.tellyawards.com/

Congratulations to all who were involved in this production!

S.D. Professionals, LLC voted "People's Choice" for the 2010 Telly Awards!

2010-03-29T17:16:00.000-07:00

Congratulations are in order for Jacob Timmons and the crew of S.D. Professionals, LLC in Sevierville, Tennessee who were recently named "People's Choice" for the 2010 Telly Awards!

This prestigious award was voted on by both the elite panel of Telly judges and by You-Tube viewers across the world.
"We are extremely excited since this was our first RED ONE 4K production at Dollywood and our first time being up for a Telly Award. Then to take home the award, well that for us is simply incredible. We definitely want to send a special thanks to the Telly judges and to the wonderful people who took the time to vote for us!" said Jacob Timmons, President of S.D. Professionals, LLC.

Timmons, along with his hand selected industry professionals, recorded the live performance of Dollywood's original gospel quartet, the Kingdom Heirs, in the Showstreet Palace Theatre. Celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year at Dollywood's Adventure Park in Pigeon Forge, TN, the Kingdom Heirs deliver world-class entertainment in “Live At Dollywood.” The entire show was captured using S.D. Professional's new RED ONE 4K cameras and then edited to both SD and HD video.

In the past, to shoot a live production would require multiple video cameras as well as still camera photographers to capture moments for print collateral needs such as album covers, posters, and more. Shooting with the new RED ONE 4K cameras, S.D. Professionals was able to record amazing 4K quality video while simultaneously capturing every second of the performance in high resolution still images (up to 60 high resolution stills per second) which were then used to design all print collateral.

S.D. Professionals, LLC would like to send a very special thanks to the Kingdom Heirs, Dollywood, R.H. Lighting, The Room Studios, Shanna Norris, Matthew Rogers and everyone who helped make this such a fantastic project to be part of.

S.D. Professionals, LLC is a multimedia limited liability corporation located in beautiful Sevierville, TN. For more information, visit http://www.sdprofessionalsllc.com/.

America, we need your VOTE for the People's Choice Awards!

2010-02-22T04:54:00.000-08:00

S.D. Professionals, LLC produced "Kingdom Heirs LIVE at Dollywood" and now we are up for a PEOPLE's CHOICE AWARD!

Please click the following link to watch one song from LIVE @ Dollywood and to VOTE for SD Professionals, LLC!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW

Absolutley NO personal info is needed.....all you need to do is CLICK THUMBS UP!

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE & HELP US WIN the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD ;D this year at the Telly's!

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library nominates SD Professionals

2009-09-12T16:01:00.000-07:00

S.D. Professionals, a graphics and multi-media company, was nominated for consideration by long-time client, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

“Being a good community partner is imperative to S.D. Professionals,” states Doreen McCammon, director of operations for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. “Volunteering time for charitable events and donating thousands of dollars annually in services as in-kind donations. They are more than a necessary services provider, they are a partner in the spirit of how they operate and surround themselves with clients who share their values.”Companies making it into the top 150 in the nation will be reviewed by a panel of judges including comedian and television host Ellen DeGeneres. Three finalists will be chosen, and then voted on, by America. Winner receives national exposure on the NBC Today Show and $100,000 in grants and marketing by American Express.

With only a few hours of voting left SD Professionals is currently voted 1st in the nation and they need your help to hold onto the #1 position in NBC’s “Shine A Light Award”.

Please if you have not yet voted, we really need your help to win!

Go to: http://www.sdwebpros.com/vote for complete details and to cast your vote.Remember, a vote for SD Professionals is a vote for early childhood literacy…help us tell the world about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Black Bear proves huge hit for the Park Grill Steakhouse in Gatlinburg, TN

2009-06-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

As the Smoky Mountains celebrate 75 years, Geoffrey Wolpert and his Park Grill Steakhouse located next to the entrance of this great national treasure have their celebration in full swing!Geoffrey has teamed up with Jacob Timmons of S.D. Professionals, LLC, a multimedia company located in Sevierville, TN, to add a new, fun twist to his restaurant’s image. To do that, they have introduced a new "spokesbear", if you will, to represent the Park Grill Steakhouse. Her name is “Suzetta Parker” and she is a beautiful black bear with a heart touching story and a zany personality!Suzetta “Black Bear” Parker was rescued as a cub in a deadly forest fire which proved tragic for the rest of her family. Now living in Los Angeles, California, she is quickly becoming famous around the world because of her zany attitude and impeccable taste for great dining! Evolution LA, Suzetta’s agent, ensures her happiness and comfort around the clock by having any production done at her home so she never has to be moved to any other location which could cause her to be stressed.

To do this, they use Green Screen Technology which allows us to then take the “Green-Screened” video footage and produce just about any concept we want as Suzetta (Misty) leads the way.

“We struck gold when we found Evolution LA! Misty Black Bear (aka Suzette Parker) is a super hit with super talent. Combine her with the unsurpassed talent of Velton Ray Bunch (scoring), our RED ONE 4K production and editing crew and the majestic, lodge-like Park Grill Steakhouse, you have the perfect combination to achieve greatness”….Jacob Timmons, president S.D. Professionals, LLC.

“One of the greatest hidden treasures of the Great Smoky Mountains is the talent...and tops on that list is Jacob Timmons”, Emmy Award winner, Velton Ray Bunch.
For more information on the Park Grill Steakhouse, visit http://www.parkgrillgatlinburg.com/.For information on having a video concept produced for your company, contact Jacob Timmons at S.D. Professionals, LLC by clicking here: http://www.sdwebpros.com/ or call 865-774-9023.

TheSmokies.TV proves big hit for S.D. Professionals, LLC

2009-05-12T03:26:00.001-07:00

Weeks of preparation paid off Friday, May 8th, 2009 as S.D. Professionals, LLC and their new media “TheSmokies.TV” revealed their worldwide broadcast of Dolly Parton’s 24th Annual Parade in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Pigeon Forge, TN, May 11, 2009
Although the there were a few technical snafus here and there such as clogged servers from time to time, once again they have a big hit on their hands. Stats reveal tens of thousands of viewers logging on from 20+ countries around the globe, all of which are potential new visitors to this area which is dependent upon tourism. “We truly strive to always think outside of the box. Not only did we bring the Smokies to the world during Dolly’s Parade but we actually streamed and recording for the first time ever with a RED ONE 4K Camera” said Jacob Timmons of S.D. Professionals, LLC For those who may have experience issues logging on during the heavy traffic period, TheSmokies.TV is now broadcasting an encore performance on TheSmokies.TV. TheSmokies.TV is an online broadcasting division of S.D. Professionals, LLC which covers live events and entertainment within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains and immediate surrounding areas. For more information, contact Jacob Timmons at 865-774-9023.

Dolly Parade Video

2009-05-09T15:54:00.000-07:00

24th Annual Dolly Parton Parade goes worldwide!

2009-05-02T15:55:00.000-07:00

The Dolly Parton Parade this Friday will be broadcast live via TheSmokies.TV, the new web media from S. D. Professionals. The live show hosted by radio personality, Tammy Kelly and Kate Phillips starts at 6pm eastern and can be viewed for free on http://www.thesmokies.tv/
The new media is sure to create major interest with visitors “clicking on” to the net to watch the parade along with a live interview with The Smokies Ambassador, Dolly Parton. Some high profile entertainers will also be featured throughout the broadcast.

"The live broadcast opens up an entirely new audience with millions of potential viewers and is breaking new ground in reaching the ever increasing internet savvy public, not only locally but worldwide” said Jacob Timmons of S. D. Professionals. “We feel it is the perfect opportunity to do our part to stimulate tourism in the Great Smoky Mountains because millions of potential viewers will convert into millions of potential new visitors to the area."

TheSmokes.TV is a new media web broadcasting channel within S.D. Professionals, LLC that features events and entertainment exclusively within the Great Smoky Mountain area, covering Concerts, Craft Fairs, Rod Runs, Parades, Special Functions & Events, Sports, Festivals and more. Interested parties for either an event promotion or becoming a sponsor can contact Jacob Timmons on 865-774-9023.

TheSmokies.TV to broadcast 24th Annual Dolly Parton Parade to the world!

2009-04-28T13:42:00.000-07:00

TheSmokies.TV will be broadcasting the 24th Annual Dolly Parton Parade live on http://www.thesmokies.tv/ on Friday, May 8th, 2009 at 6pm Eastern. Tune in early for pre-show fun and live interview with Dolly Parton.

East Tennessee will miss you Paul Harvey!

2009-03-01T05:32:00.000-08:00

Paul Harvey, an American legend, has passed at the age of 90. Paul had gained the trust and filled the hearts of Americans through radio for over 70 years and its going to be a tough time adjusting to the world without “the rest of the story”.

Visit Paul Harvey's website for special messages and special photos.

CLICK HERE

Sevierville company takes home the Addy for website design and interactive media!

2009-02-22T15:58:00.000-08:00

Sevierville based graphic design and multimedia company S.D. Professionals, LLC was the only Sevier County business represented at the 44th Annual Knoxville ADDY Awards this weekend. Owner Jacob Timmons and team came home winners!

The AAF Knoxville is a professional organization that promotes excellence in advertising in the greater Knoxville area. The ADDY Awards is the year's largest gathering of advertising, media, and creative marketing professionals in East Tennessee. The organization invited S.D. Professionals LLC to join after being placed in Business TN’s Hot 100 for the state of Tennessee, partly due to their involvement with FOX network's American Idol and Dolly Parton’s “Backwoods Barbie” world (check spelling) tour video design.

The Silver Addy, for web site/interactive media client Thompson Carr Auctions, qualifies the Sevierville based company for national awards in that same category.

Thompson Carr partner Dale Carr, and Thompson Carr business executive Melanie Sims, both attended the ceremony to applaud the win. "S.D. Professionals LLC has helped our company grow by leaps and bounds, even in this rough economy. We are delighted to see their talent recognized within the industry on such a prestigious level and we celebrate with them on an absolutely successful campaign".

UPCOMING WEB TV SERIES NEEDS TALENT (GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE)

2009-02-21T05:07:00.000-08:00

UPCOMING WEB TV SERIES NEEDS TALENT! For upcoming Web TV Series 1. Actors/Comedian 2. Song Writers/Musicians 3. Screen Play Writers/Creative Writers 4. Investigative Reporters 5. Journalist 6. Camera/Audio Operators 7. Lighting Technician
We are currently accepting applications and resume’s for an upcoming Web TV series based in Gatlinburg, Tennessee which will broadcast via the web, live, worldwide. If you are an Actor, Songwriter, Comedian, Musician, Screen Play Writer, Investigative Reporter, Journalist, Lighting Technician or Camera/Audio Operator, please submit your résumé/portfolio to the following address:

S.D. Professionals, LLC

c/o Web TV Applications

112 Y Road, Sevierville, TN 37862

All information received will be reviewed completely. The show will broadcast once weekly so if you are not utilized for one broadcast, we will keep your file for each upcoming webisode. If you are an actor, comedian, screen play writer, investigative reporter or journalist who submits a resume and your resume is accepted you will then be required to submit an audition video/audio which must be based on a provided topic / synopsis. Come one, come all! *College students majoring in any of these fields should apply! *All applicants must be legal residents of the U.S.A.

Location: GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE
Compensation: According to position offered/applied for
This is a part-time job.
This is a contract job.
This is an internship job
OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
Principals only. Recruiters please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

The Great Smoky Mountains just went RED with S.D. Professionals, LLC!

2008-12-10T07:29:00.000-08:00

As an innovative resource in a constantly developing market, S.D. Professionals, LLC has a guiding principle of using new and advanced technology that gives us the competitive edge.
Featuring mind blowing versatility and ready to conquer the industry, we are proud to announce our new RED ONE camera and MAC FINAL CUT PRO 2 HD STUDIO. Built like a tank, this ground-breaking camera shoots and records both 2K and 4K RAW Video with all of the distinctiveness of film.
Recent high-end movies including the Spiderman series and the new Star Wars episodes are prime examples of these cutting-edge cinematic tools. In terms of production value, the higher quality you start out with, the better it looks as it progresses through the video process. With a 4K capacity we actually have more pixels to work with, better resolution and upgraded color information. S.D. Professionals LLC will produce a noticeably better looking video product, all without the high cost or concerns of working with film. Superior RED ONE lenses achieve that wonderful, film style depth of field and improved focus capabilities.
S.D. Professionals, LLC is in the market for camera operators, as well as those skilled in FINAL CUT PRO 2 HD STUDIO to join our elite team and learn all about the RED ONE system. Encompassing all avenues of photography, video production, post editing and production, we plan to enjoy a stronger success rate based on this advancement in technology. Our work is local, national and international with focus on documentaries, small business and business-to-business production. With this new equipment to help us soar over the horizon of expectation, the RED ONE camera and MAC FINAL CUT PRO 2 HD STUDIO now provide our current customer base with a tremendous enhancement. For S.D. Professionals, LLC, these new ‘toys’ are not only worthy investments, but an inspiring shift of creative development and professional growth.
"Shooting with RED ONE is like hearing The Beatles for the first time. RED ONE sees the way I see. This is the camera I've been waiting for my whole career: jaw-dropping imagery recorded onboard a camera light enough to hold with one hand. ...RED ONE is going to change everything."”
- Academy Award winningDirector, Steven Soderbergh Director and Cinematographer of Ocean's Eleven, Traffic and Solaris

Black Bear with 3 cubs seen in Gatlinburg near the Smoky Mountain Park!

2008-11-12T03:54:00.000-08:00

Today after going to Ski View Road in Gatlinburg to take aerial blimp photos of a few cabins in the area, our crew got a nice surprise from Mother Nature! From out of the woods comes an enormous mother bear with her cub just walking along quite briskly. They were simply beautiful and seemed to be in perfect health. By the time this all happened, I realized that I was stopped in the middle of the road and the mother bear was just a few short feet away from my driver’s window and so at that moment I decided that taking the time to grab the camera and take a photo of the bear may not be worth the danger that could occur from being so close to her.

So, I decided to put the truck in drive and get out of their way when out of nowhere came 2 more cubs running as fast as they could through the woods trying to catch up with the mother and first cub so there we were stopped again. This time, I thought I may as well get a photo if I am waiting and so I did.

S.D. Professionals, LLC named in Top 100 Companies in Tennessee!

2008-11-10T05:52:00.000-08:00

S.D. Professionals, LLC was thrilled to learn that the popular Business TN magazine had named them among the top one hundred companies in the state of Tennessee.
Business TN: The 2008 list of Tennessee companies that are fast-growing, emerging and brimming with promise.
This multimedia and Web development firm built the technology responsible for providing over 500,000 books to children each month through the Imagination Library, the literacy brainchild of fellow Sevier County native Dolly Parton. S.D. also created the graphic & Web site designs which graced Parton's latest world tour. Earlier this year, the firm created the visual animation for Parton's appearances on American Idol episodes. At press time, the company was working with the Boys & Girls Club on a project that included Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
"We are honored to be named as one of Tennessee's Top 100 and we thank Business TN for recognizing our efforts!"...Jacob Timmons, Founder, S.D. Professionals, LLC.
See complete list of companies named in Top 100

Record voter turnout in Sevier County but not for Barrack or McCain?

2008-11-04T04:11:00.000-08:00

Record voter turnout in Sevier County but not for Barrack or McCain?

Voters from across the Great Smoky Mountains already crowding polling stations this morning to cast their vote for liquor-by-the-drink. Many find it hard to believe that in the year 2008 Sevierville restaurants still cannot serve liquor-by-the-drink when their neighboring cities such as Knoxville and Gatlinburg are selling alcohol and turning all the profits to be had by the millions who visit the area each year!
There are many heated discussion about this topic ever since it was brought up. Here is a good article post with public comments I found: http://www.topix.com/forum/city/sevierville-tn/T1Q0V9F82T3MSHPLO#comments.
I will stay in the middle on this subject and only say, go to the poles and cast your vote!

Panic in the Smokies over plunging stock market

2008-09-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

As a small business owner, I have been watching CNN and the stock markets today as congress struggles to pass a bill to bailout Wall street. Now, here just about 1 minute after the bill has failed, the stock market is on a downward plunge that some say is unrecoverable. I remember when I was an employee and not a business owner, I would always think the stock markets didn’t really affect me. It is so strange how life’s journeys seem to change a person’s way of thinking.I have not yet felt the financial pressure of this horrific financial issue our country is facing and I understand that simply means I am one of a lucky few as I see some of our clients beginning to feel this as their sales begin to drop in front of our eyes.Several of our clients are in the real estate business and we have seen them struggle for some time now but today, I am truly afraid of what is yet to come for the entire financial market in the U.S.A.I can only pray that we all stay together to get through this and that recovery comes swift and fruitful.

Read about it on CNN

Small Business Owner of East Tennessee

DOLLY PARTON PAYS TRIBUTE TO PORTER WAGONER AND DON WARDEN

2008-04-17T05:38:00.000-07:00

Sevier County superstar Dolly Parton took some personal time off from her busy press schedule Saturday to celebrate the life and music of former television partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner. In her own Celebrity Theater, the singer spent an emotional and poignant afternoon singing the songs and sharing the stories of the time she and Porter spent together and the impact the legend had on all who surrounded him. Parton also took the opportunity to surprise manager, and original Wagon Master, Don Warden with an induction into the Missouri based Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. The Dollywood Theater was transformed with familiar sets from the long-running country music show and Dolly’s band, The Backwoods Boys, dressed in the signature costumes from the era. Dolly, herself, wore a Porter-inspired outfit to set the mood for the afternoon.“This won’t be a sad time,” she assured the crowd. “This will be a happy time!”

The private event was attended by Wagoner’s children and grand children and many of the Grand Ole Opry stars who had performed with him during his long and successful career. “The Porter Wagoner Show” debuted on syndicated television in 1960 and the flashy country star brought new talent Dolly Parton aboard in 1967. Parton credits his support and the popularity of their duets together, as the foundation of her own success. During the emotional memorial, Wagon Master steel guitar player Don Warden was surprised by Parton with a tribute of his own. Dressed in the original costume he wore on the famed show, Warden was gifted with a sculpture from Parton who described him as her “Angel on Earth” and told of his induction into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. When Dolly left the Porter Wagoner Show, Warden went with her as manager and has remained with her as an adviser through the years. This very special tribute marked the first time the two had performed together in 34 years. Eyes glistening with tears, Parton closed the memorial with the original version of her 1974 musical farewell to their partnership, “I Will Always Love You”. “Not a dry eye in the house,” says Sevierville media artist Jacob Timmons, who designed and manages Parton’s web empire. “The whole first row of the theater was Porter’s family, the second row was legends from the Grand Ole Opry. It was a powerful and moving expression of love”. Porter Wagoner died on October 28, 2007, in Nashville Tennessee. His career spanned seven decades.This blog brought to you by S.D. Professionals, LLC :: Tennessee's Entertainment Bloggers!All content of this blog belongs exclusively to S.D. Professionals, LLC and may NOT be used, copied or rewritten in any form with out written consent.

Eager fans line the streets to catch a glimpse of the Backwoods Barbie, Dolly Parton

2008-04-12T16:50:00.000-07:00

As thunder storms and funnel clouds ripped through East Tennessee yesterday, Pigeon Forge had their own special angel keeping skies sunny and dry! This area's favorite daughter, Dolly Parton, welcomed Spring with her annual parade down the city's main street, and even the weather seemed to be under her spell.

From the Dollywood Foundation offices to Wears Valley Road, eager fans lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the Backwoods Barbie and, as usual, she didn't disappoint! Signature smile (and wig!) glowing, looking full of life and bursting with happiness, Dolly waved and chatted with the crowd from atop her new custom built float.

Sharing time with her home town fans before jetting off to a year-long World Tour, Dolly has had a busy Spring already; appearing as a mentor on Fox Television's popular hit, American Idol and promoting her latest album. Not likely a few rain drops would dampen her enthusiasm or that of the crowds cheering her on.

The yearly tradition celebrates the official Grand Opening weekend of the star's Dollywood Theme Park and has become an eagerly awaited kick-off for summer in the Smokey Mountains.

This blog brought to you by S.D. Professionals, LLC :: Tennessee's premiere bloggers!

East Tennessee Luxury Properties Growing Again

2008-04-10T09:51:00.001-07:00

East Tennessee Luxury Properties is proud to announce the addition of agent, Susan Kirby.
Knoxville, TN, April 09, 2008

East Tennessee Luxury Properties expands team with new luxury agent, Susan Kirby bringing added benefit for clients.Susan’s natural passion for real estate and love for people are contagious, beginning with her professional career in St. Louis in 1983 and continuing in Lexington and Knoxville. Her unique professionalism and strong work ethic are evident in her innovative marketing plans serving both buyers and sellers.Susan and her family have achieved their dream of living the resort lifestyle in Rarity Bay on Lake Tellico. Enjoying the mountains, boating, and the warm southern quality of life has been a lifelong dream. Helping others achieve their dreams is her personal commitment to colleagues, friends & neighbors. Her motto is “everyone should love where they live”.The services she provides to clients include providing sophisticated, well targeted local and national advertising for sellers, and an uncanny knack for quickly understanding buyer priorities to quickly identify high probability houses. Your needs, concerns and special circumstances are the building blocks she considers while helping you achieve your values, dreams and aspirations.With the addition of Susan, East Tennessee now has five licensed agents and one licensed assistant to serve the needs of buyers and sellers. “We are very excited that Susan has decided to join our team along with the wealth of experience that she brings. Our clients and our company will greatly benefit.” says Donna Mitchell, Principal Broker.

This blog brought to you by S.D. Professionals, LLC:: East Tennessee Real Estate Marketing

S.D. Professionals, LLC Makes TV Debut On American Idol

2008-04-01T09:11:00.000-07:00

S. D. Professionals, LLC owner Jacob Timmons isn’t appearing as a contestant on American Idol this week but, with the help of super star Dolly Parton, his work will be seen on the popular talent showcase just the same. Timmons, owner of the Sevierville based media design company, was contacted by representatives from American Idol to create the visual animation for Parton’s appearance on episodes airing this week. “It isn’t every day you see American Idol on caller ID!” Timmons laughed.On Tuesday night, Sevier county’s hometown celebrity is sharing her wisdom and years of performance experience with the Idol finalists celebrating her music. Parton will be performing her new hit “Jesus and Gravity” live during the elimination phase of the show Wednesday evening. No coincidence that the Fox network staff looked to Timmons for artistic visual interpretation when planning Dolly’s Idol debut. S. D. Professionals, LLC designed and maintains Parton’s new web site, http://www.dollyparton.com/ as well as her Imagination Library web site and book order system, DollysImaginationLibrary.com. The artist also recently produced the video content for Parton’s new 2008 Backwoods Barbie World Tour which kicks off this month. Timmons’ work opens the famous show tonight and he looks forward to seeing “S. D. Professionals, LLC” roll by on the credits.“We are thrilled to be part of the evening”, says Timmons, “and feel Dolly will have a little bit of Sevierville there with her”! Local residents can enjoy the same affordable services as the successful Fox network by contacting S. D. Professionals, LLC at http://www.sdwebpros.com/ or by calling 865-774-9023. --Posted By iPhone Web Designers to Tennessee On the Web at 4/01/2008 11:58:00 AM--Posted By iPhone Web Designers to Sevierville Web Design at 4/01/2008 12:02:00 PM

S.D. Professionals, LLC proves huge hit with world's first small scale R/C HD Video Goodyear Blimp

2008-02-03T16:24:00.000-08:00

S.D. Professionals, LLC and TNBLIMP.com prove a complete success for the 2008 Goodyear dealer tradeshow at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas this past weekend! Jacob Timmons, managing member of S.D. Professionals, LLC along with Aerial Products, built the world’s first small scale remote controlled Goodyear Blimp with wireless HD Video transmission which totaled 22’ in length.The flying wonder was seen all weekend flying through the Gaylord Texan’s tradeshow areas and then for the grand finale the crowd of thousands was amazed as S.D. Professionals, LLC debut the Goodyear Blimp by flying in the grand Atrium of the Gaylord Texan.Mr. Timmons was asked for a photo with the famous Goodyear pilots where he was very happy to oblige! Stayed tuned to tonight’s Super Bowl 2008 to catch a glimpse of the Goodyear Pilots in action.

For more information about the Goodyear Blimp Event or to find out how you too can have TNBLIMP.com come to your next event, call S.D. Professionals, LLC at 865-774-9023.

A New Eagle In the Sky Over East Tennessee

2008-01-25T08:40:00.001-08:00

Bird watchers in East Tennessee are sighting a new breed of Eagle in the skies. Not the feathered kind, but the latest pet of Sevierville based media company S.D. Professionals, LLC The local company has launched the first ever HD (high definition) video blimp. The nearly 5lb bird has been dubbed, affectionately, The EagleEye. S.D. Professionals, LLC already known in the industry for its cutting edge media tools and techniques, originally trusted Aerial Products, a Florida based business, to develop the new blimp as an additional advertising view for their Sevier County clients. “We surprised even ourselves,” says company owner and creative force Jacob Timmons, “with the overwhelming number of uses and level of interest!” Before the bird was even out of the cage, Timmons was contacted by the king of blimps, Goodyear tire & Rubber, Co., with an interesting proposition. S.D. Professionals, LLC & Aerial Products, are now in the process of building, for the Goodyear Company, a 22ft small scale replica of their famous flying logo complete with all wireless remote controls. “We have designed a wireless, high definition, video system that can send images from the flight to pre-selected television screens and stations on the ground. Goodyear is premiering this innovation at their yearly world wide vendor event at the "Gaylord Texan" in Grapevine, Texas" with Timmons and company piloting the flight! “It’s a VERY exciting time for us”, says Timmons. “But even more exciting is the possibilities this will open up for business in Sevier county!” Timmons plans to use his new toy not only for area advertisers and real estate interests, but as a promotional vehicle for local schools, events and sports. He is speaking with several interested groups, and delighted with plans for the future. Already affiliated with Dolly Parton and her Imagination Library, the company looks forward to giving back to the community. “Check out our EagleEyeinthesky.com website for more details or to find where we will be flying next. Meanwhile, keep looking UP!”

Police hunt for Tennessee bank robber

2007-12-11T02:45:00.000-08:00

Chattanooga Police are searching for a man who robbed the First Tennessee Bank on Broad Street just before 11 a.m. today.
The man walked into the bank, demanded money, but did produce a gun, according to police spokesman Lt. Kim Noorbergen.
He left the bank with an undisclosed amount of money, got into a newer model beige sedan and sped away. The vehicle was last seen on Cowart Street.
The suspect is described as a white male, wearing a black or dark blue cap, white shirt with a red plaid pullover shirt.
Anyone with information on the robbery can call 911.

Blog brought to you by S.D. Professionals, LLC :: Tennessee Web Design

Bomb Robot can now be found in the Great Smoky Mountains!

2007-12-03T04:19:00.000-08:00

Their parents' generation heard predictions of robots taking over the world and killing humans, but some Pigeon Forge Primary students got a lesson from a robot built to save lives Wednesday. Advertisement
Sgt. Doug Ogle of the Sevier County Sheriff's Department showed off the bomb-disposing machine to a group of second- through fourth-grade students. He demonstrated the robot's abilities, bringing shrieks of delight from his young audience.The robot extended its long arm and cries of, "Giraffe," rang out from the crowd.It climbed the steps to the stage in the school's gym and received a rousing ovation.Ogle explained a high-pressure, air-powered water cannon and hands immediately sprang into the air, followed by the question, "Can we shoot it now?"

Full Story

Blog brought to you by S.D. Professionals, LLC :: East Tennessee Web Designers

2 Female inmates complained of being improperly STRIP searched

2007-12-03T04:10:00.000-08:00

RICHFIELD — Disciplinary action has been taken against a pair of corrections officers accused of inappropriately strip searching a pair of female inmates.Utah Department of Corrections director Tom Patterson would say only that action has been taken against the officers but declined to be more specific. He said the issues with the officers were being dealt with through "training and notification."
"We felt like there was things that were done incorrectly," he said Monday.
In October, two male officers were transporting two female inmates from the Sevier County Jail in Richfield to a parole hearing in St. George when the inmates complained that they had been improperly searched. Corrections policy does allow for opposite-sex searches under certain circumstances
more

Blog brought to you by S.D. Professionals, LLC :: Tennessee Bloggers

HOW GOOD ARE GOOD OLD BOYS FOR THE ECONOMY?

2007-11-25T04:56:00.000-08:00

AT&T representative's attempt to get city support for a statewide cable franchise bill that would remove the power of local municipalities to establish and enforce regulations for their cable systems, and put it in the hands of the state, FAILS.That in turn prompted the board to approve a resolution reiterating its opposition to the bill and sending copies to the county's legislative delegation, along with letters explaining their position. "This legislation will necessitate a state franchising process and diminish local authority to negotiate much needed (public education channels) and cable television service to schools and libraries," the letter states, adding, "Statewide franchise agreements will complicate the market and inhibit local monitoring of franchise fee payments and audits."In this bloggers opinion, I do agree that the local authorities have every right to protect our interests however, I have a "gut feeling" they are protecting their pockets instead. It is absolutely clear that in fact if AT&T came in, it would cause our cable bills to drop due to healthy competition.So to spin this and make AT&T look bad, the locals use common scare tactics to make people afraid AT&T will rule the world and force their children to watch bad television when in fact, all the local authorities would have to do is execute revisions in the documentations which would allow them to keep their local authority on incoming competitors like AT&T.My brother works for a local telephone company in South Carolina and they do EXACTLY the same thing (not my brother, he plows cable). They (the local phone company in SC) have the entire area, which means they have the entire market with ZERO competition which means they can offer whatever they want, whenever they want and they can charge whatever they want and NO ONE WINS BUT THEM!OK, that's my 2 cents.....:)Blog brought to you by S.D. Professionals, LLC :: Tennessee Web Designers

Black Out on Black Friday at Super Wal-Mart in Sevierville, TN

2007-11-23T05:27:00.001-08:00

Black Out on Black Friday at Super Wal-Mart in Sevierville, TN
It has been reported that a shopper at the Super Wal-Mart Center in Sevierville, Tennessee was seriously injured when a television from a higher shelf fell on them. This blogger is heading to the scene to find out more information and will blog more when more details are available!

#1 Web Designers in the Great Smoky Mountains!

2007-11-23T03:59:00.000-08:00

What Tennessee Web Designer should you do business with? #1: Sevierville Web Designers: Our absolute #1 pick of course, was http://www.sdwebpros.com/. Why? http://www.sdwebpros/ has the most to offer and it is clearly stated on their home page without having to visit every page to find what you are looking for!
Here is the information available on their home page: Domains Domain Registration Search for Domains Transfer Domains Web Hosting Free Web Hosting for clients Manage Hosting Login Manage Email Login Web Design Complete Web Design Portfolio E-Commerce Websites Custom Designed Websites Custom Website Plug-ins Photo Galleries Free Web Design Quote Graphics Design Complete Graphics Portfolio Free Custom Graphics Quote Media Services Media Products Media Services Complete Media Portfolio Corporate Info Free Quote Support Center Comprehensive Support Center with thousands of free answers to your Web Design, QuickBooks, H-Sphere Hosting, Custom Website, Real Estate Websites, Psoft questions and more! Website Marketing Free Quote Search Engine Optimization Free Quote
Now compare that to the competition that frequently shows up in similar Google and major search engine’s search results: TN Web Design :: "Spinning Your Future Identity on the Web" Custom Website Design: Where? There is nothing in any page of this website that shows what they do, a portfolio or a price sheet! Website Marketing: This is an offensive external link that goes to a site filled with pop-up ads. Search Engine Optimization: This too is an offensive external link that goes to a site filled with pop-up ads. Custom Graphics Custom Company Logos Graphic Design Look above at the 3 items highlighted in red. What this reader can not understand is the fact that the last 3 items are one in the same, yet they have it reworded so that it somewhat appears to be different. To http://www.sdwebpros.com/, graphics are important but graphics are graphics. It seems to this blogger that TN Web Design is trying unsuccessfully to implement some sort of page content optimization for themselves??? Now here are a few more “don’ts” we found for the site:
The copyright expired 4 years ago for the content on this site which means either the site owner doesn’t seem to care about the homepage or in fact they don’t exist any more.
They offer services like “Search Engine Optimization”, or do they? The link takes you to another unrelated website…not crazy about that!
Then there is the “Fake Drop-Down” on the home page that again, takes you to a different website filled with terrible coding and offensive pop-ups.
So how did it rank high with http://www.sdwebpros.com/? Ask Google…that’s our answer! Veteran Web Design:: Website design, marketing, and ecommerce – Home The biggest “text” statement I can find on the homepage besides the error on line 114, was that the owner of the site is a military veteran and of course during a time of war especially that did tug at my heartstrings a little but immediately I got turned off by the blonde woman intruding on my web page and talking to the top of her lungs. I mean come on, what if I was trying to watch this in a library or maybe in a hospital lounge or in school areas? Things like video commercial containing annoying sound that do not give me the option to first turn them on, are big reasons for me to leave the page quickly and never return! Information I found form their homepage: Homepage Company Page Link: This is a bit confusing but after several clicks you do find a contact template for that I only assume will work. External link for Hosting provided by another company Portfolio: Not too bad. There were a few dead/broken links but for the most part I thought it was not bad! Pricing: This is one I did a bit of research on before I decided to comment. Now, here you have a list of things they do with basic pricing beside them. However, it appears after some research, that you will NEVER get any of those services for the prices listed since things that normal web searchers would consider “standard/included” in fact are not. For example: Veteran Web Design offers an E-Commerce website. This means they offer to build a website for you which would allow you to sell items online. However, their price only includes, well we couldn’t really find out exactly what it includes! We did find out that it does NOT include the actually feature that is key for e-commerce called a gateway. Basically, if you want to sell on the internet, you have to have an e-commerce site and that site has to have a gateway (kind like a credit card machine). I don’t know of any reputable web firms that try to sell an e-commerce website that leaves the client unable to sell but in fact that is the e-commerce veterans seem to be offering! Bottom Line: We thought it would in fact be interesting to compare http://www.sdwebpros.com/ to some of the other sites that sometimes display in search results pages so that you could quickly see why they remain on top! Happy Black Friday everyone and be careful out there shopping today!!!!

Dolly Parton Leads Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

2007-11-21T07:11:00.000-08:00

Dolly Parton will take her new single "Better Get to Livin'" to the streets of New York City when she kicks off the 2007 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November. 22.Dolly will be on the lead float to perform the song live and on television during the morning parade. "Better Get to Livin'" is the first single from Backwoods Barbie, her first mainstream country album in more than 17 years due out February 5. She wrote nine of the songs for the album and produced the CD with bandleader and guitarist Kent Wells."I've always dreamed of doing the Macy's parade," Dolly said. "I guess I don't get to watch it this year though...I'll have to tape it!"Dolly plans to tour in the U.S. starting in February, then hitting Europe in the summer before returning to the U.S. for dates expected into December 2008.In other news, Dolly's stage version of the 1980 film 9 to 5, will have its world premiere September 21, 2008, at the Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.

Full Story

Blog brought to you by S.D. Professionals, LLC :: East Tennessee's Premier Web Design Firm --Posted By iPhone Web Designers to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library South Carolina

Tennessee Web Design Firm plans to integrate virtual tours with new mobile phone technology

2007-11-20T05:20:00.001-08:00

S.D. Professionals, LLC (www.sdwebpros.com) an East Tennessee Web Design and multi-media firm, announced today that they have developed an exclusive team of software programmers to research new mobile phone software technologies and specifically focus on virtual tour integration abilities which allow mobile users to see the clients of www.sdwebpros360.com on their mobile phones. This would come in very handy if a potential buyer was driving through an area and saw a home for sale that they like.
Then let's say the homeowner was able to simply type in the MLS number into their cell phone, see photos, see virtual tours, see video tours and complete details of the home. Cool huh?
Well S.D. Professionals, LLC says this technology is here now and they are just smoothing out the last few wrinkles before announcing the release date! Why the new direction? To keep up with technology and what’s leading the market place. Since 1997 Tennessee web designers, www.sdwebpros.com has been turning on the heat for its competitors by promising and delivering cutting edge technologies intertwined into vivid imaginative designers thus leaving any “so-called” competition far behind.