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This is not an EMD issue. There were other updates around the time of the EMD update. What specific date did the traffic fall off?

If you message or email the owner and ask for permission, you can avoid stepping into that fuzzy gray area.

Here's something else I noticed about OP's site:

Home page outranks privacy page when using site search -- yet home page appears to be filtered out of standard queries.

Try BlueHost for managed/shared hosting. I would stay away from GoDaddy and HostGator -- way too slow.

Actually, a 301 redirect can be avoided here, provided you maintain the same page/URL structure. You can use this WordPress plugin to generate the custom .cfm page extension and retain your URL structure to avoid hurting your rankings:

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/custom-page-extensions/

It would be best to avoid a 301 redirect if possible.

Yes, to the above. Fill out your home page with more content and do something about your title tags. Presently the title tag for every page on the site is "Mardi Gras Parade Tickets 2013."

Just to add to the other answers, you can also remove the URLs (or entire directory if necessary) via the URL removal tool in Webmaster Tools, although Google prefers you to use it for emergencies of sorts (I've had no problems with it).

http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=164734

If your title tag is too long, its also possible that Google is displaying a truncated version of the tag with the emphasis on the matching keyword.

Does the tag actually change or does Google just display a different part of it?

Google is pretty good and identifying the original source of content; however, it isn't perfect. I suggest pursuing the options to have the content removed from the scraper/spam sites whenever possible.

Here is a good article on the subject:

http://www.searchenginejournal.com/10-post-pandapenguin-era-links-acquisition-strategies/50414/

And here is another:

http://www.searchenginejournal.com/101-ways-to-link-build-in-2012/46988/

The type of opportunities you want to pursue, in my opinion, vary depending on the type of business/website you operate, as well as the applicable industry.

Guest posting is generally a safe and viable option around the board.

Edward

I would personally reconsider the use of .md as the primary domain, although I think it would be appropriate for a vanity URL to use in offline advertisements, etc., that redirects to your website.

Google does not just use the Geotarget data:

http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=182192#2

Also, Google does not explicitly list .md in its list of ccTLDs that are considered generic:

http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1347922

In the above link, scroll down to this section:

Generic Country Code Top Level Domains (gccTLDs)

I'm not guaranteeing you that this is a problem, but I'm saying I would personally reconsider it if the site is still fairly NEW.

The trackback links are generally nofollow, so PageRank isn't being passed. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Personally, I do not allow trackbacks on my WordPress sites.

I would just like to add: If you're considering signing up for something (SEV), you may as well get a real hosting package.

The meta tag method is functional and technically works, as far as I can tell. Google, however, recommends the link rel method, so personally I would stick to using it.

Major kudos to Ryan!

Don't bother with it. Even if something has a short-term benefit, we know the general direction Google is going, and we know they will eventually be addressing any so-called loopholes.

Link-building is not dead -- but link-building as we know it is dead. Yes, you should strive to create quality content that others will share, but you should also seek out guest-posting opportunities from high-quality sites.

And don't underestimate the power of social media -- reddit in particular, depending on your niche/content.

a) Understand that you're likely not going to be able to build high-quality links at a mass rate -- with that said, it's quite easy to build low-quality links at a mass rate.

b) You have writers creating original content -- turn your focus to guest posting on high-quality sites. You'd be surprised how many opportunities are out there.

c) It's a marathon not a sprint.

Here's the best way to proceed with article submission/syndication:

Stop.

Many of us here offer consulting and other services, including myself. I don't feel like this is the place for self promotion, but I will say that there appears to be a number of knowledgeable folks here. And yes, I think the list of recommended companies/individuals is a good place to start.

I may be wrong, but I believe business.com directory links are nofollow -- which is not to say they have no value. Funnily enough, your link may remain in the Yahoo! Directory even after cancellation, as many others have reported.