Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2000 12:06:16 -0500 (EST)
From: Sheena Beaverson <sbeavers@balloonhq.com>
To: balloon@balloonhq.com
Subject: re: Leonard's thoughts

Hello everyone,

It seems there is a call for community afoot.  The following are some
great ideas, I'd like to point out some features of BHQ which fall
right within these categories.

Leonard wrote:
> Have a column each month from or about one of the balloon
> artists which many of us know or don't know, but that have helped to
> make and continue this great form of art to what it has become.

Mark Nilsen responded: 
> ... what if we had a "featured author" each week or so, and perhaps they
> would be willing to offer a book or tape to list members at at discount
> during their featured time?


If you go to the main Balloon HQ web site <http://www.balloonhq.com> 
you'll notice that we've snuck the beginnings of an updated navigation
architecture by you in the past week or so.  We've expanded the old name
of the periodic BHQ newsletter, 'BHQ News' to encompass a variety of
current topic categories.  Under the BHQ News zone you will find input 
from guest Columnists, a current listing of Upcoming Events, Photo
Contests, and our traditional Highlights and Features. 

* Monthly Guest Columnists
  Some industry greats have stepped forward to donate their time to the
  creation of a monthly column.   This month see a new editions of 
  Balloons@Work, input on current twister topics from The Balloon Kid,
  Patrick Brown, and Jack Procello, ideas on twisting rubber gloves, 
  an industry press release about IBAC from Pioneer Balloon, and the 
  current BHQ Survey topic (competition and fair business practices).

* Upcoming Events
  You should all be familiar with this BHQ page.  Larry posted pictures
  from the currently ongoing All Star Revue just last night.  See them
  at http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/asr2000

* Monthly Contests
  While weekly features is a new idea, the concept of collaboration and
  competition is alive and well with BHQ Photo Contests.  Many of the 
  industries top companies have donated prizes over the past few years.
  Visit the contest page and vote for your favorite entry in the 
  current "Olympics 2000" contest.  $300 of Qualatex balloons are on 
  the line.  Remember, your vote counts!

* Highlight Articles
  The long-standing section of BHQ features topic-specific write-ups,
  video clips, special event coverage, additional reference resources.

Along with the traditional resources of the Guide to Balloons and Balloon
and Photograph Archives, and the immediate gratification of the e-mailing
lists and Artists Directory, we hope that you like this new emphasis on 
topical shared resources in BHQ News.

Have a good day,
Sheena Beaverson
BalloonHQ.com