The Metro theme is the 22nd mobile responsive design developed by StudioPress and includes the following features:

• 6 wide layout options for displaying more content.
• 3 different locations for stories to grab readers and keep them.
• 5 color styles for changing the look and feel of your site.
• Sleek social media buttons and a prominent email sign-up box.
• An “after-post widget area” at the end of your content for continuing the conversation.
• Styled “author box” on every post for better SEO.
• Landing page template for easily building your business or brand.

Managed WordPress hosting plans by Thunder Sites Hosting includes access to the Metro 1.0 child theme and Genesis framework. Thunder Sites Hosting customers using default themes can request installation of the Metro 1.0 theme by submiting a ticket. Thunder Sites Hosting customers with custom themes can request a quote to convert their website by submiting a ticket.

DIY Hosting plans and other customers can purchase the theme from the StudioPress website.

WordPress 3.5.1 was released on January 24, 2013. Version 3.5.1 is the first maintenance release of 3.5, fixing 37 bugs. It is also a security release for all previous WordPress versions.

For a full list of changes, consult the full announcement and the changelog

We’ve done some testing on a few websites and haven’t encountered any problems. We’re now in the process of upgrading all Managed WordPress Hosting accounts. If you encounter any problems please submit a support ticket.

StudioPress has announced the availability of Genesis 1.9.

Main New Features/Updates/Changes

• The default look of Genesis has been updated. The style sheet has been condensed and completely rewritten, with an emphasis on flexibility for mobile responsive design.
• Genesis 1.9 is also utilizing the rem unit of measurement and will use a pixel fallback for browsers that don’t support rems.
• Google Authorship – Genesis now offers support for authorship. This allows Google to associate your content with your Google+ profile.
• Updated Security Audit
• Depreciated eNews & Updates Widget
• Depreciated Latest Tweets Widget
• Genesis Category/Page Menu Widgets Removed

Managed WordPress hosting plans by Thunder Sites Hosting includes access to the 1.9.1 Genesis framework. We’ve done some testing on a few websites and haven’t encountered any problems. We’re now in the process of upgrading and testing all Managed WordPress Hosting accounts. If you encounter any problems please submit a support ticket.

Any Managed WordPress hosting plans that were using the eNews & Updates Widget were upgraded to the Genesis eNews Extended plugin.

DIY Hosting plans and other customers can purchase the Genesis framework from the StudioPress website.

A good way to start brain storming your blog topics is by creating an editorial calendar for the year. If you get overwhelmed try for just the next 3 months or even 1 month.

Editorial calendars have been used by traditional publishers for centuries. In its most basic form an editorial calendar will help you get ideas and set goals to publish content on specific dates.

First start big, each year are there any annual, biannual, or other seasonal business cycles related to your business? For most retailers the big one will be may be the Christmas shopping season, but what else is there?

A lot of our customers are real estate agents so I’ll sprinkle in some specific examples for them. REALTOR®s what could you write about the Spring Market, Fall Market? If you write about events in your local community – make a list of the annual events such as town days, art fairs, carnivals, and other community activities.

Then Start by flipping through a new calendar. For each month see if there are any holidays that pertain to your business.
January

• Did we fall of the fiscal cliff? What does it mean for buying or selling a home?
• New Years Resolutions
• Review of the 2012 real estate market
• Predictions for the 2013 real estate market
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February

• Groundhog Day
• Lincoln’s Birthday
• Valentine’s Day – if you blog about your local community are there any under appreciated local businesses – florists, restaurants, gift shops that you might want to recommend?
• Washington’s Birthday
• Presidents’ Day

March

• Daylight Saving Time Begins
• St. Patrick’s Day
• Easter

April

• April Fool’s Day
• Taxes

May

• Mother’s Day
• Armed Forces Day
• Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer

June

• Flag Day
• Summer Solstice
• Father’s Day

July

• Independence Day and other patriotic themes posts

August

• For REALTOR®s – Should I put my home on the market in the summer?
• For REALTOR®s – What should I do to get my home ready to go on the marker in the Fall

September

• Labor Day
• Grandparents Day

October

• Columbus Day
• Halloween

November

• Daylight Saving Time Ends
• Thanksgiving

December

• Winter Solstice
• Christmas
• Year End review/wrap up

Also check the calendars of any groups and associations you belong to for any events worthy of blogging about.

Also check your local town websites to see if they have enrollment and signup dates for sports and other activities.

Additional Resources
Here are some additional resources with more information about editorial calendars.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editorial_calendar
http://www.reachcustomersonline.com/how-to-create-an-editorial-process-to-publish-web-content/
http://marketingland.com/developing-your-content-editorial-calendar-for-2013-23920

We’re now in the process of upgrading all Managed WordPress Hosting accounts. If you encounter any problems please submit a support ticket.

This WordPress release is named “Elvin” in honor of drummer Elvin Jones, who played with John Coltrane and many others.

This release includes significant behind the scenes improvements, but what you’ll probably notice first are the dashboard enhancements and new Media Manager.

Here’s a short video with some highlights.

Theme Features
The Stretch 1.0 child theme includes the following features:

• 6 color styles
• Custom menus
• Featured images
• Fixed width
• Mobile responsive design
• Theme options

Managed WordPress hosting plans by Thunder Sites Hosting includes access to the Stretch 1.0 child theme and Genesis framework. Thunder Sites Hosting customers using default themes can request installation of the Stretch 1.0 theme by submiting a ticket. Thunder Sites Hosting customers with custom themes can request a quote to convert their website by submiting a ticket.

DIY Hosting plans and other customers can purchase the theme from the StudioPress website.

Get out and show your support at your favorite local small businesses today! Find a small business

Enroll your eligible American Express® Card to GET $25 BACK ONE TIME WHEN YOU SPEND $25 OR MORE at a qualifying small business location on November 24th. Enrollment is limited so act early before enrollments run out. Corporate and prepaid cards are not eligible. See Offer Terms for full details.

Theme Features
The Executive 2.0 child theme includes the following features:

• New Landing Page template
• New Portfolio Page template
• Updated mobile responsive design
• 7 color styles
• 3 layout options
• Custom background
• Custom header
• Featured images
• Fixed width
• Theme options

Managed WordPress hosting plans by Thunder Sites Hosting includes access to the Executive 2.0 child theme and Genesis framework. Thunder Sites Hosting customers using default themes can request installation of the Executive 2.0 theme by submiting a ticket. Thunder Sites Hosting customers with custom themes can request a quote to convert their website by submiting a ticket.

DIY Hosting plans and other customers can purchase the ExecutiveMinimum 2.0 theme from the StudioPress website.

The Apparition theme is the 18th released StudioPress theme developed to be mobile responsive.

Theme Features
The Apparition 1.0 child theme includes the following features:

• Mobile responsive design
• Custom background
• Custom header
• Featured images
• Fixed width
• Theme options

Managed WordPress hosting plans by Thunder Sites Hosting includes access to the Apparition 1.0 child theme and Genesis framework. Thunder Sites Hosting customers using default themes can request installation of the Apparition 1.0 theme by submiting a ticket. Thunder Sites Hosting customers with custom themes can request a quote to convert their website by submiting a ticket.

DIY Hosting plans and other customers can purchase the Apparition 1.0 theme from the StudioPress website.

Theme Features
The Minimum 2.0 child theme includes the following features:

• New Landing Page template
• Updated mobile responsive design
• 3 layout options
• Custom background
• Custom header
• Featured images
• Fixed width
• Theme options

Managed WordPress hosting plans by Thunder Sites Hosting includes access to the Minimum 2.0 child theme and Genesis framework. Thunder Sites Hosting customers using default themes can request installation of the Minimum 2.0 theme by submiting a ticket. Thunder Sites Hosting customers with custom themes can request a quote to convert their website by submiting a ticket.

DIY Hosting plans and other customers can purchase the Minimum 2.0 theme from the StudioPress website.