Note 10 - Operating Segments (Detail) - Reportable Segments (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues	$ 8,131,000	$ 8,499,000	$ 24,117,000	$ 26,368,000
Income (loss) from operations	2,234,000	2,604,000	6,678,000	8,373,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments	2,855,000		2,855,000
Pretax income (loss)	(17,000)	2,921,000	5,343,000	9,217,000
Income tax benefit (expense)	225,000	(1,030,000)	(1,385,000)	(3,300,000)
Net income (loss)	208,000	1,891,000	3,958,000	5,917,000
Total assets	117,656,000	100,363,000	117,656,000	100,363,000	90,816,000
Capital expenditures	52,000	19,000	352,000	74,000
Depreciation and amortization	126,000	124,000	371,000	408,000
Traditional Business [Member]
Revenues	7,296,000	7,793,000	21,824,000	24,050,000
Income (loss) from operations	2,709,000	3,094,000	8,133,000	9,475,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments	2,855,000		2,855,000
Pretax income (loss)	458,000	3,411,000	6,791,000	10,319,000
Income tax benefit (expense)	100,000	(1,215,000)	(2,135,000)	(3,705,000)
Net income (loss)	558,000	2,196,000	4,656,000	6,614,000
Total assets	116,344,000	99,605,000	116,344,000	99,605,000
Capital expenditures	21,000	11,000	312,000	51,000
Depreciation and amortization	118,000	117,000	349,000	387,000
Sustain [Member]
Revenues	835,000	706,000	2,293,000	2,318,000
Income (loss) from operations	(475,000)	(490,000)	(1,455,000)	(1,102,000)
Pretax income (loss)	(475,000)	(490,000)	(1,448,000)	(1,102,000)
Income tax benefit (expense)	125,000	185,000	750,000	405,000
Net income (loss)	(350,000)	(305,000)	(698,000)	(697,000)
Total assets	1,312,000	758,000	1,312,000	758,000
Capital expenditures	31,000	8,000	40,000	23,000
Depreciation and amortization	$ 8,000	$ 7,000	$ 22,000	$ 21,000