Jim Karnik Films - Natural History Films that Explore, Inform & Inspire

To read past posts please visit Fieldnotes Archives

P R O D U C T I O N
F I E L D N O T E S

Periodically I'll post excerpts from my field journal, news regarding films on-line and production services. Log-in from time to time for the latest posting or better yet Subscribe to Fieldnotes.

Subscribe to receive periodic email newsletters covering production updates, new web-films and articles on natural history filmmaking.
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J A N U A R Y 2012

New Series on Nature Filmmaking

#1 - Jim's Canon 7d DSLR Rig
As both a photographer / filmmaker specializing in nature programming, having one system that can do both high quality stills and HD video would be ideal. And we’re getting close.

I’ve been producing web films with the Canon 7D for some time and would like to share with you my experiences dealing with some of the benefits and limitations of shooting with a DSLR.

In this segment I will show you some of the modification I’ve made on my rig to make it easier to work with in the field.

D E C E M B E R   2011

NEW Note Card Sets

California Trails Project
Great gift idea just in time for the Holiday Season
The Wilds of San Diego is a campaign to increase public awareness of the beauty and natural diversity of San Diego County. This note card series is a selection of images from this film project.

Images are printed on water color paper and hand mounted on recycled kraft card stock. Sets include 12 - 4.25 x 5.25 note cards and envelops.

The Wilds of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve - Note Cards

ECO-EDUCATION THROUGH RECREATION
Getting people to watch environmental or nature conservation programming has always been challenging. Often we are just preaching to the choir. It seems the majority of viewers are those that already have an interest and appreciation for these topics. This is fine, but if we really want to reach a broader audience to inform them of important conservation issues and increase their appreciation for nature there should be an entertainment value to the programming. It doesn’t have to be fast cut footage of animals chasing and killing each other or people in life threatening situations. If nature films are based around adventure, exploration and outdoor recreation they have a greater chance of being viewed by a broader audience. I have found that the most successful nature films are those that explore trails and public access as a background story and in the process inform people about habitats, species and conservation topics. Another benefit to this format is that it encourages people to get out and reconnect with nature. Web Films have the added value of providing text and links so people can view maps and connect with related organizations for more information.

SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER
In an effort to promote this format I am offering a special California Trails web film package that includes: high definition field production, creative editing, formatting for the web and a free web page with links on fieldnotes.com. You’ll be able to embed these films into your website as well as share them with others. The California Trails series will also be added to Fieldnotes – California which provides on-line video coverage of nature conservation and research efforts and is promoted throughout the state.

The California Trails package is a limited time offer for the production and distribution of a 3-5 minute web film for only $480.00. This package normally goes for $750.00! Offer Expires 1/31/2012!

This is an unique opportunity to promote your favorite trails, reconnect people with nature and present California’s incredible natural diversity. Please call or email for details and to schedule production.

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1
New Logo for fieldnotes.com and a new effort to expand fieldnotes.com coverage of nature conservation and research activities throughout California with

fieldnotes.com - California

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

Eco-Film Sponsors
Web films are a powerful way to communicate your message. If you or your business are interested in sponsoring an eco-film or possibly creating you own web tv series, please contact me by email or phone at 760-525-6045.

The Wilds of San Diego
A high definition film series promoting the natural diversity of San Diego County

Read Project Synopsis

BLOG http://jkfilms-wsd.blogspot.com/

CALENDAR

First Friday Artwalk At Bernardo Winery - Friday, August 5
I'll have landscape photography and a new note card series for The Wilds of San Diego on display at the First Friday Artwalk At Bernardo Winery tomorrow. Come enjoy some great acoustic performances by some local talent and walk around the winery with some vino and snacks in-hand and take in all the wonderful art brought to you by local artists. Admission is free, and it runs every first Friday evening of the month til 8pm.

IN PRODUCTION

I am working on the final edit of a Web Film about Wildlife Corridors for the City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation, Open Space Division. Barry Martin with Western Tracking Institute talks about the importance of providing safe corridors for wildlife to move from one core area to another. We followed him and a tracking team in training as they explored the Shaw Lopez tunnel in San Diego.

Just completed a short instructional video on SkyHawk Optics binoculars using the Canon 7D system. These ultra high powered 25x/40x 100mm binoculars are fantastic for viewing wildlife from a stationary position. Here is the video (VIEW)

NEW FILMS ON-LINE (Please share these films with others)

Five Habitats of San Diego
City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation

Vernal Pools of San Diego
City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation

The Hidden Treasures of Torrey Pines
Torrey Pines Association

A P R I L 2 0 1 1

Fieldnotes.com is Expanding It’s Coverage
Fieldnotes.com has focused mainly on web films about conserving and protecting wild places. But a key component of nature conservation is sustainable human ecology. Thus fieldnotes.com is expanding its coverage to include more eco lifestyle stories, products, services and travel. Film topic suggestions are always welcome.

Fieldnotes News 4/1/2011

Viewership is growing on fieldnotes.com as I continue to develop new distribution avenues. The more these films are shared, embedded and viewed, the more effective they will be in increasing public awareness of wild places and efforts to protect them. I recently made contact with Untamed Science, an educational content provider. They agreed to carry fieldnotes.com web films. In addition, I was requested to submit about 14 films to an international on-line film festival called Green Unplugged.

Recent Wild Web Films Additions

Bird Watching San Diego Style
This series was created from a cable program I produced a few years back for San Diego County Cable and Nature Festivals of San Diego. I just added two more segments that provide tips and techniques for bird watching in habitats of San Diego County. Although filmed in southern California, these tips and techniques apply to similar habitats around the world.

BIRDING IN MOUNTAIN HABITATS - (VIEW)
Hosted by US Forest Service Biologist, Kristen Winter, you’ll learn about some of the common birds found in the oak and coniferous forests of San Diego County mountains.

BIRDING AROUND LAGOONS AND MARSHES - (VIEW)
Join naturalist, Barbara Moore as we explore San Elijo Lagoon’s abundant bird life and learn how to spot birds in lagoons and marshes.

Over 40 other films are viewable on-line

More Wild Web Videos Coming Soon

GSOB – The Goldspotted Oak Borer is killing oaks in California and has now been found in coastal areas of San Diego. This web film discusses the spread of this tiny insect. Training of volunteers to spot potential infestations will be an important factor in controlling this pest.

VERNAL POOLS
Vernal Pools are shallow indentations in the ground found mainly on mesas here in San Diego. Most of the year they are dry and bare, but after brief winter rains they come to life and host a variety of unique creatures including spadefoot toads (Spea hammondii) and the San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis). As they begin to dry out in the spring beautiful wildflowers create a tapestry of color.

EXPLORING THE TORREY PINE EXTENSION
Hosted by Peter Jensen, we’ll hike some of the trails of this little known reserve tucked in the hills of Del Mar, California.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 1

Nature Film Production Workshop
There has been some interest in learning more about nature film production and I'm planning to do a workshop in the spring of 2011. It will be open to everyone and include using video cameras, still cameras and even cell phones for making movies. If you're interested in participating please let me know.
H A P P Y N E W Y E A R

I'm looking forward to a spectacular spring with all the early wet weather we've had here in Southern California. This winter/spring is when I plan to do the bulk of the filming for The Wilds of San Diego.

NEW BLOG
Created a new blog to follow production of The Wilds of San Dieo. Through this blog I will post production field notes, Information about habitats & species, supporting organizations, and wildlife filming.
Here is the link: http://jkfilms-wsd.blogspot.com/

CONNECTING CHILDREN TO NATURE
A new web video about Connecting Children to Nature was created for the City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation Department (VIEW). It's seems to be well received and is getting a lot of distribution.

Canon 7D DSLR
Work continues with the Canon 7D DSLR system for shooting HD video. Over the holidays I shot a web film for San Diego Botanic Garden on their Holiday Garden of Lights. Every year they deck the garden in thousands of lights and provide all sorts of festivities such as Santa Claus, Wagon Rides, roasting marshmallows on an open fire, spiced wine and kids activities. All great fun. Using the DSLR allowed me to capture long night exposures that can be incorporated into the video.

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0

The basic Wild Web Film production/distribution offer just got better!

The length has increased from 1-3 minutes to 3-5 minutes

They will be filmed in high definition, providing higher quality on-line viewing and additional distribution options to broadcast cable TV.

The best thing is, I’m going to continue to offer this package at the extremely low rate of $750 or $700 each for a series of 6 or more.

NEW WEB FILMS ON-LINE

Five Facts About Torrey Pine Trees
Torrey Pines Association (VIEW)

Native Americans & Nature, Tecolote Canyon
City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation (VIEW)

Stewardship at Mission Trails Regional Park
City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation (VIEW)

The Lodge that "Miss Scripps" Built
Torrey Pines Association (VIEW )

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 0

New Wild Web Films On-Line
I've uploaded four new Wild Web Films for you to view and share. The two for San Diego Botanic Garden are in HD (High Definition). They look great in full screen. Of course you do need a good computer with high speed access.

The Lodge that "Miss Scripps" Built - Torrey Pines Association (VIEW )
2010 Insect Festival - San Diego Botanic Gardens (VIEW)
Frogs & Lizards - San Diego Botanic Gardens (VIEW)
Attack of the Invasives! - Torrey Pines Association (VIEW)

Wild Web Film Production Offer
These short mini-docs are an effective way to tell your story. I'm still offering a great deal to non-profit organizations on producing these web films, $750 each or $700 for six or more. However, the $750 / 1-3 minute package will be discontinued in November and replaced with $975 / 3-5 minute package. Still a great deal!

Sustainable Energy Week
A couple of weeks ago I filmed the Sustainable Energy week for the California Center for Sustainable Energy located here in San Diego. The Sunday family event had tons of displays and activities related to new products and services to help make our energy intensive lifestyles more sustainable. There were electric cars and scooters, solar electric and water systems, and even a solar powered stage where live bands played throughout the afternoon. California Center for Sustainable Energy is open to the public and provides workshops on all sorts of energy topics.

J U L Y 2 0 1 0

The Wild of San Diego
I continue to work on the Wilds of San Diego using the Canon 7D to capture spectacular High Definition images of the county's natural diversity. I've edited a preview piece together with the footage I have so far. This preview is being shown at various venus around the county including The Reuben H Fleet Science Center. On July 27th it will be displayed at the “Nature Education Fair” at Mission Trail Regional Park.

A P R I L 2 0 1 0

WILD WEB FILMS TV
I added a Vimeo feature that allows you to visually scan throught Wild Web Films. As more of these films are produced and uploaded this feature will help you choose which films to watch. (VISIT)

MORE WILD WEB FILM SERIES IN PRODUCTION
This month I begin production on two new multi episode web projects. One series is for the Torrey Pines Association. It will be based on the various trails you can hike in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. The other series is for the City of San Diego - Open Space Division. It will explore the many parks, reserves and projects the city has to offer.

  M A R C H    2 0 1 0

GEO-PHOTO TOUR - Sept 30 - Oct 7, 2010
Update Click here for details

AMBIENT SOUNDTRACKS
Gary Johnson & Bill Olien of Resonant Drift have created new ambient soundtracks for the Yosemite and Sequoia Wilderness Theater pieces. We are looking into collaborating on longer film that may be part of a live performance in the future.

F E B R U A R Y    2 0 1 0

New Website Design
I redesigned this website with a cleaner design that focuses on Wilderness Theater and on-line nature films. There are a number of films now viewable on-line, from short web-films to 30 min. documentaries. More will be added over time.

IN PRODUCTION
Web Films
I recently completed two web films, one for the San Diego River Park Foundation on volunteerism and another for Friends of Rose Canyon about children harvesting and spreading native plant seeds. Three more are in production. Web Films are a great low cost way to reach the masses using social media sites like Vimeo and YouTube.

IN DEVELOPMENT
Wild Habitats of San Diego
With the rains we're having this season we can look forward to a spectacular spring. Many plants are already beginning to bloom. This would be a perfect year for filming the Wild Habitats of San Diego series. This is a multi organization media campaign to increase awareness of San Diego's spectacular natural diversity through a high definition film series presented in public spaces. This project could easily be expanded statewide. Please contact me for more information.

FILMS | THE WILDS SERIES | PHOTO GALLERIES
Home | In Production | Field Journal | Exhibits
Production Services | Clients & Links | Producer Profile | Contact


To read past posts please visit Fieldnotes Archives	P R O D U C T I O N F I E L D N O T E S Periodically I'll post excerpts from my field journal, news regarding films on-line and production services. Log-in from time to time for the latest posting or better yet Subscribe to Fieldnotes. Subscribe to receive periodic email newsletters covering production updates, new web-films and articles on natural history filmmaking. Subscribe Here
J A N U A R Y 2012	New Series on Nature Filmmaking #1 - Jim's Canon 7d DSLR Rig As both a photographer / filmmaker specializing in nature programming, having one system that can do both high quality stills and HD video would be ideal. And we’re getting close. I’ve been producing web films with the Canon 7D for some time and would like to share with you my experiences dealing with some of the benefits and limitations of shooting with a DSLR. In this segment I will show you some of the modification I’ve made on my rig to make it easier to work with in the field.
D E C E M B E R 2011 NEW Note Card Sets California Trails Project	Great gift idea just in time for the Holiday Season The Wilds of San Diego is a campaign to increase public awareness of the beauty and natural diversity of San Diego County. This note card series is a selection of images from this film project. Images are printed on water color paper and hand mounted on recycled kraft card stock. Sets include 12 - 4.25 x 5.25 note cards and envelops. The Wilds of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve - Note Cards ECO-EDUCATION THROUGH RECREATION Getting people to watch environmental or nature conservation programming has always been challenging. Often we are just preaching to the choir. It seems the majority of viewers are those that already have an interest and appreciation for these topics. This is fine, but if we really want to reach a broader audience to inform them of important conservation issues and increase their appreciation for nature there should be an entertainment value to the programming. It doesn’t have to be fast cut footage of animals chasing and killing each other or people in life threatening situations. If nature films are based around adventure, exploration and outdoor recreation they have a greater chance of being viewed by a broader audience. I have found that the most successful nature films are those that explore trails and public access as a background story and in the process inform people about habitats, species and conservation topics. Another benefit to this format is that it encourages people to get out and reconnect with nature. Web Films have the added value of providing text and links so people can view maps and connect with related organizations for more information. SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER In an effort to promote this format I am offering a special California Trails web film package that includes: high definition field production, creative editing, formatting for the web and a free web page with links on fieldnotes.com. You’ll be able to embed these films into your website as well as share them with others. The California Trails series will also be added to Fieldnotes – California which provides on-line video coverage of nature conservation and research efforts and is promoted throughout the state. The California Trails package is a limited time offer for the production and distribution of a 3-5 minute web film for only $480.00. This package normally goes for $750.00! Offer Expires 1/31/2012! This is an unique opportunity to promote your favorite trails, reconnect people with nature and present California’s incredible natural diversity. Please call or email for details and to schedule production.
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1	New Logo for fieldnotes.com and a new effort to expand fieldnotes.com coverage of nature conservation and research activities throughout California with fieldnotes.com - California
A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 Eco-Film Sponsors Web films are a powerful way to communicate your message. If you or your business are interested in sponsoring an eco-film or possibly creating you own web tv series, please contact me by email or phone at 760-525-6045. The Wilds of San Diego A high definition film series promoting the natural diversity of San Diego County Read Project Synopsis BLOG http://jkfilms-wsd.blogspot.com/	CALENDAR First Friday Artwalk At Bernardo Winery - Friday, August 5 I'll have landscape photography and a new note card series for The Wilds of San Diego on display at the First Friday Artwalk At Bernardo Winery tomorrow. Come enjoy some great acoustic performances by some local talent and walk around the winery with some vino and snacks in-hand and take in all the wonderful art brought to you by local artists. Admission is free, and it runs every first Friday evening of the month til 8pm. IN PRODUCTION I am working on the final edit of a Web Film about Wildlife Corridors for the City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation, Open Space Division. Barry Martin with Western Tracking Institute talks about the importance of providing safe corridors for wildlife to move from one core area to another. We followed him and a tracking team in training as they explored the Shaw Lopez tunnel in San Diego. Just completed a short instructional video on SkyHawk Optics binoculars using the Canon 7D system. These ultra high powered 25x/40x 100mm binoculars are fantastic for viewing wildlife from a stationary position. Here is the video (VIEW) NEW FILMS ON-LINE (Please share these films with others) Five Habitats of San Diego City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation Vernal Pools of San Diego City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation The Hidden Treasures of Torrey Pines Torrey Pines Association
A P R I L 2 0 1 1 Fieldnotes.com is Expanding It’s Coverage Fieldnotes.com has focused mainly on web films about conserving and protecting wild places. But a key component of nature conservation is sustainable human ecology. Thus fieldnotes.com is expanding its coverage to include more eco lifestyle stories, products, services and travel. Film topic suggestions are always welcome.	Fieldnotes News 4/1/2011 Viewership is growing on fieldnotes.com as I continue to develop new distribution avenues. The more these films are shared, embedded and viewed, the more effective they will be in increasing public awareness of wild places and efforts to protect them. I recently made contact with Untamed Science, an educational content provider. They agreed to carry fieldnotes.com web films. In addition, I was requested to submit about 14 films to an international on-line film festival called Green Unplugged. Recent Wild Web Films Additions Bird Watching San Diego Style This series was created from a cable program I produced a few years back for San Diego County Cable and Nature Festivals of San Diego. I just added two more segments that provide tips and techniques for bird watching in habitats of San Diego County. Although filmed in southern California, these tips and techniques apply to similar habitats around the world. BIRDING IN MOUNTAIN HABITATS - (VIEW) Hosted by US Forest Service Biologist, Kristen Winter, you’ll learn about some of the common birds found in the oak and coniferous forests of San Diego County mountains. BIRDING AROUND LAGOONS AND MARSHES - (VIEW) Join naturalist, Barbara Moore as we explore San Elijo Lagoon’s abundant bird life and learn how to spot birds in lagoons and marshes. Over 40 other films are viewable on-line More Wild Web Videos Coming Soon GSOB – The Goldspotted Oak Borer is killing oaks in California and has now been found in coastal areas of San Diego. This web film discusses the spread of this tiny insect. Training of volunteers to spot potential infestations will be an important factor in controlling this pest. VERNAL POOLS Vernal Pools are shallow indentations in the ground found mainly on mesas here in San Diego. Most of the year they are dry and bare, but after brief winter rains they come to life and host a variety of unique creatures including spadefoot toads (Spea hammondii) and the San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis). As they begin to dry out in the spring beautiful wildflowers create a tapestry of color. EXPLORING THE TORREY PINE EXTENSION Hosted by Peter Jensen, we’ll hike some of the trails of this little known reserve tucked in the hills of Del Mar, California.
J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 1 Nature Film Production Workshop There has been some interest in learning more about nature film production and I'm planning to do a workshop in the spring of 2011. It will be open to everyone and include using video cameras, still cameras and even cell phones for making movies. If you're interested in participating please let me know.	H A P P Y N E W Y E A R I'm looking forward to a spectacular spring with all the early wet weather we've had here in Southern California. This winter/spring is when I plan to do the bulk of the filming for The Wilds of San Diego. NEW BLOG Created a new blog to follow production of The Wilds of San Dieo. Through this blog I will post production field notes, Information about habitats & species, supporting organizations, and wildlife filming. Here is the link: http://jkfilms-wsd.blogspot.com/ CONNECTING CHILDREN TO NATURE A new web video about Connecting Children to Nature was created for the City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation Department (VIEW). It's seems to be well received and is getting a lot of distribution. Canon 7D DSLR Work continues with the Canon 7D DSLR system for shooting HD video. Over the holidays I shot a web film for San Diego Botanic Garden on their Holiday Garden of Lights. Every year they deck the garden in thousands of lights and provide all sorts of festivities such as Santa Claus, Wagon Rides, roasting marshmallows on an open fire, spiced wine and kids activities. All great fun. Using the DSLR allowed me to capture long night exposures that can be incorporated into the video.
N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0	The basic Wild Web Film production/distribution offer just got better! The length has increased from 1-3 minutes to 3-5 minutes They will be filmed in high definition, providing higher quality on-line viewing and additional distribution options to broadcast cable TV. The best thing is, I’m going to continue to offer this package at the extremely low rate of $750 or $700 each for a series of 6 or more. NEW WEB FILMS ON-LINE Five Facts About Torrey Pine Trees Torrey Pines Association (VIEW) Native Americans & Nature, Tecolote Canyon City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation (VIEW) Stewardship at Mission Trails Regional Park City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation (VIEW) The Lodge that "Miss Scripps" Built Torrey Pines Association (VIEW )
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 0	New Wild Web Films On-Line I've uploaded four new Wild Web Films for you to view and share. The two for San Diego Botanic Garden are in HD (High Definition). They look great in full screen. Of course you do need a good computer with high speed access. The Lodge that "Miss Scripps" Built - Torrey Pines Association (VIEW ) 2010 Insect Festival - San Diego Botanic Gardens (VIEW) Frogs & Lizards - San Diego Botanic Gardens (VIEW) Attack of the Invasives! - Torrey Pines Association (VIEW) Wild Web Film Production Offer These short mini-docs are an effective way to tell your story. I'm still offering a great deal to non-profit organizations on producing these web films, $750 each or $700 for six or more. However, the $750 / 1-3 minute package will be discontinued in November and replaced with $975 / 3-5 minute package. Still a great deal! Sustainable Energy Week A couple of weeks ago I filmed the Sustainable Energy week for the California Center for Sustainable Energy located here in San Diego. The Sunday family event had tons of displays and activities related to new products and services to help make our energy intensive lifestyles more sustainable. There were electric cars and scooters, solar electric and water systems, and even a solar powered stage where live bands played throughout the afternoon. California Center for Sustainable Energy is open to the public and provides workshops on all sorts of energy topics.
J U L Y 2 0 1 0	The Wild of San Diego I continue to work on the Wilds of San Diego using the Canon 7D to capture spectacular High Definition images of the county's natural diversity. I've edited a preview piece together with the footage I have so far. This preview is being shown at various venus around the county including The Reuben H Fleet Science Center. On July 27th it will be displayed at the “Nature Education Fair” at Mission Trail Regional Park.
A P R I L 2 0 1 0	WILD WEB FILMS TV I added a Vimeo feature that allows you to visually scan throught Wild Web Films. As more of these films are produced and uploaded this feature will help you choose which films to watch. (VISIT) MORE WILD WEB FILM SERIES IN PRODUCTION This month I begin production on two new multi episode web projects. One series is for the Torrey Pines Association. It will be based on the various trails you can hike in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. The other series is for the City of San Diego - Open Space Division. It will explore the many parks, reserves and projects the city has to offer.
M A R C H 2 0 1 0	GEO-PHOTO TOUR - Sept 30 - Oct 7, 2010 Update Click here for details AMBIENT SOUNDTRACKS Gary Johnson & Bill Olien of Resonant Drift have created new ambient soundtracks for the Yosemite and Sequoia Wilderness Theater pieces. We are looking into collaborating on longer film that may be part of a live performance in the future.
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 0	New Website Design I redesigned this website with a cleaner design that focuses on Wilderness Theater and on-line nature films. There are a number of films now viewable on-line, from short web-films to 30 min. documentaries. More will be added over time. IN PRODUCTION Web Films I recently completed two web films, one for the San Diego River Park Foundation on volunteerism and another for Friends of Rose Canyon about children harvesting and spreading native plant seeds. Three more are in production. Web Films are a great low cost way to reach the masses using social media sites like Vimeo and YouTube. IN DEVELOPMENT Wild Habitats of San Diego With the rains we're having this season we can look forward to a spectacular spring. Many plants are already beginning to bloom. This would be a perfect year for filming the Wild Habitats of San Diego series. This is a multi organization media campaign to increase awareness of San Diego's spectacular natural diversity through a high definition film series presented in public spaces. This project could easily be expanded statewide. Please contact me for more information.