A man accused of trying to rape a woman in Canyon County wore plastic bags over his shoes to try to conceal his shoe prints, officials say.
A sheriff's dog tracked Cayetano Omar Duarte from the victim's parents' home in Notus just south to his home on Idaho Avenue, where a deputy arrested him, according to the Canyon County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies were called to the area about 12:45 a.m. by a woman who said Duarte attacked her after her identifying himself by her boyfriend's name so she would open the door, according to court documents. The woman and Duarte are acquaintances.
The woman said she opened the door then closed it and text messaged a friend, but Duarte forced open the door and held her against her will for about 10 minutes while she "tried to talk him out of raping her," court documents say.
The text message may have saved her from more violence. Deputies say the woman's arrived just as Duarte was trying to make her cross the street to his home.
The victim also took a photograph of Cayetano in her parents' home, deputies say.
No one answered the door at Duarte's trailer, but the victim identified him when she saw him standing outside the home, according to the sheriff's office.
Deputies say they showed him the photo to Duarte after he told them he hadn't seen the victim in five months. Duarte then told them he'd tried to talk to the victim that night and had worn bags over his feet because "'I know how she is, she invents things. I didn't want her to say that I went to...' before trailing off," according to court documents.
Deputies concluded that Duarte wanted to conceal his shoe prints "because he knew he was about to commit a crime."
Duarte is in the Canyon County Jail on battery, burglary, first-degree kidnapping and attempted rape. His bond is $250,000, but he won't get out even if he pays that because of a federal immigration hold.
2012年12月28日星期五
2012年12月26日星期三
I think this will be a wake-up call to everybody
As Matt Lipan spent Christmas Day with his wife’s family in New Castle, he debated whether they should stay the night with his in-laws and attempt their day-after-Christmas tradition of shopping, or go home to Noblesville ahead of the impending blizzard.
They went home to Noblesville, and the only shopping Lipan had done as of Wednesday afternoon involved a quick stop at Meijer for coffee, eggs, sidewalk salt and a few items for his 10-week-old baby. The family delayed its trip to Edinburgh Premium Outlets, which, like most Simon malls in Indiana, closed early because of the blizzard.
Most day-after-Christmas shoppers in Central Indiana visited grocery stores instead of electronics stores and clothing retailers, who count on post-holiday shopping to ramp up their sales numbers.
The weather hindered stores’ efforts to make one last push for profits before 2012 comes to a close, bringing more disappointment for retailers that generally experienced a lackluster holiday shopping season.
Early numbers released this week in the MasterCard Advisers SpendingPulse report predict that sales likely increased less than 1 percent over last year, the most sluggish gain since the recession. Earlier, sales had been projected to increase 3 to 4 percent.
Stores — and consumers — just might have enough time left to finish the holiday shopping season strong, said John Talbott, associate director of the Center for Education and Research in Retailing at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. His prediction: People still will spend through the rest of this week and the weekend.
“I suspect that what will happen is that the dollars that people have to spend will be distributed more densely over the days they do have to spend it,” he said. “I would expect the malls to be crazy (for the rest of the week). Families have been cooped up together for four days now, so they’re going to be ready to shop.”
Big retailers such as Macy’s could recover, especially if people shopped online while they stayed home from work Wednesday, he said. Local businesses may find it harder to make up for losing a day to snow, even if they picked up a few customers turned away from the closed malls.
While Simon spokesman Les Morris said the company closed its Indianapolis-area malls Wednesday because it worried about the safety of shoppers and employees, some local businesses took a chance on the weather and stayed open to glean a few sales and bolster their image.
By early afternoon, all three Stout’s Shoes locations — in Brownsburg, Carmel and Downtown — had sold only three pairs of shoes. Stout’s two New Balance stores didn’t do any sales, so he planned to shut them at 1 p.m.
Owner Brad Stout said he expected online sales to be better because so many people stayed home, but he hoped the rest of the week would bring even more customers, perhaps because of the storm.
“I think this will be a wake-up call to everybody,” he said, “and they’ll come in and buy a bunch of boots tomorrow and this weekend.”
Keith Payne, who owns North Meridian Hardware near 14th and Meridian streets, found business slightly better. He decided to open his store Wednesday because it has been around less than a year, and he wants the neighborhood to gain trust in it.
Payne described sales as slower than usual, but customers who came in to buy snow shovels and ice melt thanked him for staying open, and he hoped to get a little word-of-mouth advertising from those people telling their friends where they shopped.
“That’s more important than looking at sales,” Payne said.
Grocery stores, gas stations and retailers such as Meijer and Wal-Mart, which carry food and snow-removal supplies, seemed to be the only stores attracting many customers Wednesday. Even those stores lacked crowds, and the customers didn’t stay long.
Stephen Canter, 44, Fishers, tried to beat the storm when he went on an early-morning run to a Marsh supermarket and a gas station near 116th Street and Brooks School Road. He said the weather wasn’t bad when he left around 8 a.m., but as he drove home less than 30 minutes later, the roads had gotten much worse.
They went home to Noblesville, and the only shopping Lipan had done as of Wednesday afternoon involved a quick stop at Meijer for coffee, eggs, sidewalk salt and a few items for his 10-week-old baby. The family delayed its trip to Edinburgh Premium Outlets, which, like most Simon malls in Indiana, closed early because of the blizzard.
Most day-after-Christmas shoppers in Central Indiana visited grocery stores instead of electronics stores and clothing retailers, who count on post-holiday shopping to ramp up their sales numbers.
The weather hindered stores’ efforts to make one last push for profits before 2012 comes to a close, bringing more disappointment for retailers that generally experienced a lackluster holiday shopping season.
Early numbers released this week in the MasterCard Advisers SpendingPulse report predict that sales likely increased less than 1 percent over last year, the most sluggish gain since the recession. Earlier, sales had been projected to increase 3 to 4 percent.
Stores — and consumers — just might have enough time left to finish the holiday shopping season strong, said John Talbott, associate director of the Center for Education and Research in Retailing at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. His prediction: People still will spend through the rest of this week and the weekend.
“I suspect that what will happen is that the dollars that people have to spend will be distributed more densely over the days they do have to spend it,” he said. “I would expect the malls to be crazy (for the rest of the week). Families have been cooped up together for four days now, so they’re going to be ready to shop.”
Big retailers such as Macy’s could recover, especially if people shopped online while they stayed home from work Wednesday, he said. Local businesses may find it harder to make up for losing a day to snow, even if they picked up a few customers turned away from the closed malls.
While Simon spokesman Les Morris said the company closed its Indianapolis-area malls Wednesday because it worried about the safety of shoppers and employees, some local businesses took a chance on the weather and stayed open to glean a few sales and bolster their image.
By early afternoon, all three Stout’s Shoes locations — in Brownsburg, Carmel and Downtown — had sold only three pairs of shoes. Stout’s two New Balance stores didn’t do any sales, so he planned to shut them at 1 p.m.
Owner Brad Stout said he expected online sales to be better because so many people stayed home, but he hoped the rest of the week would bring even more customers, perhaps because of the storm.
“I think this will be a wake-up call to everybody,” he said, “and they’ll come in and buy a bunch of boots tomorrow and this weekend.”
Keith Payne, who owns North Meridian Hardware near 14th and Meridian streets, found business slightly better. He decided to open his store Wednesday because it has been around less than a year, and he wants the neighborhood to gain trust in it.
Payne described sales as slower than usual, but customers who came in to buy snow shovels and ice melt thanked him for staying open, and he hoped to get a little word-of-mouth advertising from those people telling their friends where they shopped.
“That’s more important than looking at sales,” Payne said.
Grocery stores, gas stations and retailers such as Meijer and Wal-Mart, which carry food and snow-removal supplies, seemed to be the only stores attracting many customers Wednesday. Even those stores lacked crowds, and the customers didn’t stay long.
Stephen Canter, 44, Fishers, tried to beat the storm when he went on an early-morning run to a Marsh supermarket and a gas station near 116th Street and Brooks School Road. He said the weather wasn’t bad when he left around 8 a.m., but as he drove home less than 30 minutes later, the roads had gotten much worse.
2012年12月24日星期一
The use of child labor has been rising around the world
TODAY millions of American children will be opening gifts left under Christmas trees. Sadly, many of those trees are decorated with ornaments produced by involuntary child labor.
Just this month, an advocacy network, the Global March Against Child Labor, led a surprise raid of a sweatshop in New Delhi. Fourteen children, ages 8 to 14, were rescued. They were working in small, unventilated spaces for up to 15 hours a day, forced, under the constant threat of violence, to make Christmas decorations and seasonal gifts to be sold in America and Europe.
These were just 14 children of the six million who, according to the United Nations, are trafficked into labor under the threat of physical harm or physical restraint each year. Forced labor is part of an even bigger problem: recent estimates indicate that there are 215 million laborers under the age of 18 worldwide, over half of whom are working in hazardous conditions. The United States Department of Labor publishes a “list of goods produced by child labor or forced labor,” which mentions 134 goods — including decorations, clothing, electronics, shoes, jewelry, fashion accessories and toys — produced in 74 countries.
During the holiday season, heightened consumer demand in the West for these goods leads to a shortage of labor. To cope with this, teenagers and children are often recruited or, as in the New Delhi case, trafficked into forced labor. Poor parents are often tricked into selling their children to middlemen for a few dollars, after being told that their children will receive care and a free education, and that their wages will be sent back to the family.
Last Christmas, an investigation of toy factories in China, where 85 percent of the toys on the American market are produced, revealed that about 300 youth workers were drafted to help with the holiday demand. Another undercover investigation of a Chinese factory last year revealed that children as young as 14 were making Disney’s best-selling Cars toys in preparation for the 2011 holiday season.
The use of child labor has been rising around the world since the financial crisis in 2008. A recent study by the risk-assessment company Maplecroft revealed that manufacturing supply chains in 76 countries were at “extreme risk” of involving child labor at some stage, up from 68 countries last year. Among these countries are key American trading partners: China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and the Philippines. Bangladesh, where a recent garment factory fire killed 112 workers, is also a major offender. Many of the dead were young women, some as young as 12.
America’s own history of addressing domestic child labor in the early 20th century points the way to a global solution to the current problem. Just as today, toys and trinkets then were often made by poor children in factories and tenements — but in America itself. In 1912, Lewis Hine photographed New York City tenement children sewing dolls and displayed the images alongside photographs of middle-class children playing with the same dolls in Central Park. The photographs prompted the State Legislature the next year to prohibit the making of dolls and children’s clothing, among other items, in tenement houses.
Child-labor opponents in the early 20th century drew attention to child labor at Christmastime to stir a complacent American public. Life magazine captured the irony in a 1913 cartoon that contrasted a child laborer, making a stuffed toy, with a privileged child who would later play with it. And in a popular book from 1914 called “Children in Bondage,” one reformer wrote that tenement children were “wasting their bodies and souls to make a little joy for the rest.”
Child advocates also promoted boycotts on the products of child labor. Florence Kelley introduced the “White Label,” which was given to businesses that refused to sell the products of child labor. During the Christmas season, child advocates told consumers to shop only at White Label stores. The movement raised consumer awareness and helped spur the effective abolition of most industrial child labor in the United States in 1938.
Just this month, an advocacy network, the Global March Against Child Labor, led a surprise raid of a sweatshop in New Delhi. Fourteen children, ages 8 to 14, were rescued. They were working in small, unventilated spaces for up to 15 hours a day, forced, under the constant threat of violence, to make Christmas decorations and seasonal gifts to be sold in America and Europe.
These were just 14 children of the six million who, according to the United Nations, are trafficked into labor under the threat of physical harm or physical restraint each year. Forced labor is part of an even bigger problem: recent estimates indicate that there are 215 million laborers under the age of 18 worldwide, over half of whom are working in hazardous conditions. The United States Department of Labor publishes a “list of goods produced by child labor or forced labor,” which mentions 134 goods — including decorations, clothing, electronics, shoes, jewelry, fashion accessories and toys — produced in 74 countries.
During the holiday season, heightened consumer demand in the West for these goods leads to a shortage of labor. To cope with this, teenagers and children are often recruited or, as in the New Delhi case, trafficked into forced labor. Poor parents are often tricked into selling their children to middlemen for a few dollars, after being told that their children will receive care and a free education, and that their wages will be sent back to the family.
Last Christmas, an investigation of toy factories in China, where 85 percent of the toys on the American market are produced, revealed that about 300 youth workers were drafted to help with the holiday demand. Another undercover investigation of a Chinese factory last year revealed that children as young as 14 were making Disney’s best-selling Cars toys in preparation for the 2011 holiday season.
The use of child labor has been rising around the world since the financial crisis in 2008. A recent study by the risk-assessment company Maplecroft revealed that manufacturing supply chains in 76 countries were at “extreme risk” of involving child labor at some stage, up from 68 countries last year. Among these countries are key American trading partners: China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and the Philippines. Bangladesh, where a recent garment factory fire killed 112 workers, is also a major offender. Many of the dead were young women, some as young as 12.
America’s own history of addressing domestic child labor in the early 20th century points the way to a global solution to the current problem. Just as today, toys and trinkets then were often made by poor children in factories and tenements — but in America itself. In 1912, Lewis Hine photographed New York City tenement children sewing dolls and displayed the images alongside photographs of middle-class children playing with the same dolls in Central Park. The photographs prompted the State Legislature the next year to prohibit the making of dolls and children’s clothing, among other items, in tenement houses.
Child-labor opponents in the early 20th century drew attention to child labor at Christmastime to stir a complacent American public. Life magazine captured the irony in a 1913 cartoon that contrasted a child laborer, making a stuffed toy, with a privileged child who would later play with it. And in a popular book from 1914 called “Children in Bondage,” one reformer wrote that tenement children were “wasting their bodies and souls to make a little joy for the rest.”
Child advocates also promoted boycotts on the products of child labor. Florence Kelley introduced the “White Label,” which was given to businesses that refused to sell the products of child labor. During the Christmas season, child advocates told consumers to shop only at White Label stores. The movement raised consumer awareness and helped spur the effective abolition of most industrial child labor in the United States in 1938.
2012年12月20日星期四
The assumption therefore is that most of the travel
Majority of Kenyans feel that they will spend more during 2012 Christmas holiday celebrations as most people close offices and their businesses for pleasant festivities starting next week, a newly published survey said on Thursday.
According to a nationwide survey conducted by Ipsos Synovate between Dec. 6 and Dec. 11, which polled 1,625 respondents, 66 percent of Kenyans stated that they will spend more, 24 percent felt that they will spend less, 5 percent the same as 2011 and only 5 percent were not sure about their spending.
“As Kenyans gear up for their Christmas shopping, beneficiaries of the planned expenditure are gift shops, outlets that retail airtime, clothing and shoes. The focus on these items could be as a result of the numerous Christmas offers from related retail outlets,” Margaret Ireri, MD Ipsos Synovate said in Nairobi.
The level of spending could be explained by findings from a previous study which was released in November on the Cost of Living, which indicated that only 39 percent of Kenyans mention high cost of living as a pressing issue.
This is despite the inflation has declined significantly from 19.72 percent in November 2011 to 3.25 percent in November this year.
The cost of food items in the East African nation has dropped significantly due to good harvests, decline in inflationary pressure and drop in fuel fuels.
This would be perhaps one of the most memorable Christmas periods in recent times for Kenyans, who will not have to grapple with increased cost of basic items as they seek to make merriment associated with the holiday.
In the current survey, Kenyans indicated will spend on airtime, clothes, foodstuff and beverages. Kenyans in the rural areas indicated that they will spend more (67%) compared to 64 percent of those in the urban areas.
Analyzed by age; 25-34 years and 35-44 years are likely to post higher spending at 72 percent and 68 percent respectively.
About 64 percent of the younger age group of 18 to 24 years will also spend more this Christmas; only 60 percent of those aged 45+ years feel that they will spend more.
Ireri said Kenyans aged between 25 and 44 years comprise the workforce of the nation and therefore have disposable income.
“They also have responsibilities of taking care of their spouses, children, parents and relatives and because they are also actively social, they will be looking forward to being generous towards their friends. It is therefore not surprising that they feel they will spend more,” she said.
According to the survey, there will be more shopping, less travel and church on Christmas day. It said gift shops, outlets that retail airtime will experience increase in sales.
Other items whose prices have gone down, noted KNBS while releasing inflation rate data recently, include housing, water, electricity and gas.
However, the survey says off the 39 percent who intend to travel, 96 percent will be travelling locally i.e. across towns within Kenya and only 4 percent likely to opt for out of the country.
According to the survey, 84 percent of the domestic travelers stated that they will be accommodated by relatives. The assumption therefore is that most of the travel will be upcountry.
“Some 6 percent will travel out of town or their usual location but still go back home at the end of the day while hotels and cottages will provide accommodation to only 11 percent of the travelers. Parents and children will be the biggest beneficiaries of gifts during this year’s festivities,” the study shows.
According to the survey, about 54 percent of the respondents stated that they will give gifts to their parents, 53 percent to their children and 43 percent to their spouses.
The list of gifts is dominated by shoes and clothes, and not surprisingly foodstuff and drinks.
“The presentation of gold, frankincense and myrrh by the three wise men became traditional symbols to remember those early Christmas gifts to Jesus. The Three Kings of Orient also became a symbol of kindness known by different names in different cultures and nations,” Ireri said.
She said going by the recent Ipsos Synovate poll, if the three wise men were living in Kenya today, they would have presented shoes, clothes and foodstuff to Jesus as gifts.
According to a nationwide survey conducted by Ipsos Synovate between Dec. 6 and Dec. 11, which polled 1,625 respondents, 66 percent of Kenyans stated that they will spend more, 24 percent felt that they will spend less, 5 percent the same as 2011 and only 5 percent were not sure about their spending.
“As Kenyans gear up for their Christmas shopping, beneficiaries of the planned expenditure are gift shops, outlets that retail airtime, clothing and shoes. The focus on these items could be as a result of the numerous Christmas offers from related retail outlets,” Margaret Ireri, MD Ipsos Synovate said in Nairobi.
The level of spending could be explained by findings from a previous study which was released in November on the Cost of Living, which indicated that only 39 percent of Kenyans mention high cost of living as a pressing issue.
This is despite the inflation has declined significantly from 19.72 percent in November 2011 to 3.25 percent in November this year.
The cost of food items in the East African nation has dropped significantly due to good harvests, decline in inflationary pressure and drop in fuel fuels.
This would be perhaps one of the most memorable Christmas periods in recent times for Kenyans, who will not have to grapple with increased cost of basic items as they seek to make merriment associated with the holiday.
In the current survey, Kenyans indicated will spend on airtime, clothes, foodstuff and beverages. Kenyans in the rural areas indicated that they will spend more (67%) compared to 64 percent of those in the urban areas.
Analyzed by age; 25-34 years and 35-44 years are likely to post higher spending at 72 percent and 68 percent respectively.
About 64 percent of the younger age group of 18 to 24 years will also spend more this Christmas; only 60 percent of those aged 45+ years feel that they will spend more.
Ireri said Kenyans aged between 25 and 44 years comprise the workforce of the nation and therefore have disposable income.
“They also have responsibilities of taking care of their spouses, children, parents and relatives and because they are also actively social, they will be looking forward to being generous towards their friends. It is therefore not surprising that they feel they will spend more,” she said.
According to the survey, there will be more shopping, less travel and church on Christmas day. It said gift shops, outlets that retail airtime will experience increase in sales.
Other items whose prices have gone down, noted KNBS while releasing inflation rate data recently, include housing, water, electricity and gas.
However, the survey says off the 39 percent who intend to travel, 96 percent will be travelling locally i.e. across towns within Kenya and only 4 percent likely to opt for out of the country.
According to the survey, 84 percent of the domestic travelers stated that they will be accommodated by relatives. The assumption therefore is that most of the travel will be upcountry.
“Some 6 percent will travel out of town or their usual location but still go back home at the end of the day while hotels and cottages will provide accommodation to only 11 percent of the travelers. Parents and children will be the biggest beneficiaries of gifts during this year’s festivities,” the study shows.
According to the survey, about 54 percent of the respondents stated that they will give gifts to their parents, 53 percent to their children and 43 percent to their spouses.
The list of gifts is dominated by shoes and clothes, and not surprisingly foodstuff and drinks.
“The presentation of gold, frankincense and myrrh by the three wise men became traditional symbols to remember those early Christmas gifts to Jesus. The Three Kings of Orient also became a symbol of kindness known by different names in different cultures and nations,” Ireri said.
She said going by the recent Ipsos Synovate poll, if the three wise men were living in Kenya today, they would have presented shoes, clothes and foodstuff to Jesus as gifts.
2012年12月17日星期一
While Zinter loved many sports
Long-time Owatonna High School choral director Albert Zinter lost his six-year battle with Parkinson’s disease on Sunday.
Zinter died Sunday morning at Clare Bridge in Owatonna. He was Owatonna High School’s choral director from 1991-2003, when he was replaced by current choral director Chris Harris. On Monday, Harris said the students loved Zinter.
Along with teaching music, Zinter helped run the Owatonna Community Chorus and umpired softball in the summer. Zinter’s friend of 50 years, OHS boys golf coach Keith Bangs, said Zinter was diagnosed with Parkinson’s shortly after Zinter retired from Owatonna in 2003.
Zinter came to Owatonna from Bloomington, Ill., in 1991 to replace Roger Tenney, who also taught music for years in Owatonna. Tenney was named National Teacher of the Year in 1967.
“Roger put choral on the map, so Al had some big shoes to fill,” Bangs said. “Al was up to the task.”
Jim Herzog was principal of OHS at the time and hired Zinter.
"We were so fortunate to have a first-rate musician following the retirement of Roger Tenney," Herzog said. "What struck me was his passion, his sincerity. He brought skill and passion to work every day. I have the highest regard for Al Zinter."
Owatonna band director Pete Guenther worked with Zinter for a couple of years before Zinter retired.
“Owatonna’s music tradition never wavered, choral in particular,” Guenther said. “There were high expectations when Al stepped into those shoes, but Al came in and made it his own. Then, Chris comes in and makes it his own. The promise of excellence is always there.”
As Guenther settled in as Owatonna’s band director in 2001-03, he saw firsthand the love Zinter had for his students and their love for him.
“Al always had a father-figure feel to him,” Guenther said. “He always taught his kids with a very gentle approach. He had expectations, but he always taught kids about life first. He was a very gentle man.”
Bangs was already at Owatonna High School when Tenney announced his retirement. He reached out to his former friend at Concordia-Moorhead and recommended that Zinter apply. At the time, Zinter was music director at a church in Bloomington, Ill.
Herzog said Zinter was a big reason that Owatonna's music program is so highly regarded around the state.
"I have always felt we have had the finest music program in the state, maybe the entire region," Herzog said. "The choral department has always been a solid component. All you have to do is mention our choir directors from Tenney through Zinter to Chris Harris. We have been very fortunate."
Bangs said that along with being a wonderful singer, Zinter was a strong athlete. Bangs said Zinter was a great tennis player. While Zinter loved many sports, Bangs could never sell him on golf, his personal favorite.
“He always tried to get me to play tennis, and I always tried to get him to play golf,” Bangs said. “Neither of us had any luck turning the other one.
Zinter died Sunday morning at Clare Bridge in Owatonna. He was Owatonna High School’s choral director from 1991-2003, when he was replaced by current choral director Chris Harris. On Monday, Harris said the students loved Zinter.
Along with teaching music, Zinter helped run the Owatonna Community Chorus and umpired softball in the summer. Zinter’s friend of 50 years, OHS boys golf coach Keith Bangs, said Zinter was diagnosed with Parkinson’s shortly after Zinter retired from Owatonna in 2003.
Zinter came to Owatonna from Bloomington, Ill., in 1991 to replace Roger Tenney, who also taught music for years in Owatonna. Tenney was named National Teacher of the Year in 1967.
“Roger put choral on the map, so Al had some big shoes to fill,” Bangs said. “Al was up to the task.”
Jim Herzog was principal of OHS at the time and hired Zinter.
"We were so fortunate to have a first-rate musician following the retirement of Roger Tenney," Herzog said. "What struck me was his passion, his sincerity. He brought skill and passion to work every day. I have the highest regard for Al Zinter."
Owatonna band director Pete Guenther worked with Zinter for a couple of years before Zinter retired.
“Owatonna’s music tradition never wavered, choral in particular,” Guenther said. “There were high expectations when Al stepped into those shoes, but Al came in and made it his own. Then, Chris comes in and makes it his own. The promise of excellence is always there.”
As Guenther settled in as Owatonna’s band director in 2001-03, he saw firsthand the love Zinter had for his students and their love for him.
“Al always had a father-figure feel to him,” Guenther said. “He always taught his kids with a very gentle approach. He had expectations, but he always taught kids about life first. He was a very gentle man.”
Bangs was already at Owatonna High School when Tenney announced his retirement. He reached out to his former friend at Concordia-Moorhead and recommended that Zinter apply. At the time, Zinter was music director at a church in Bloomington, Ill.
Herzog said Zinter was a big reason that Owatonna's music program is so highly regarded around the state.
"I have always felt we have had the finest music program in the state, maybe the entire region," Herzog said. "The choral department has always been a solid component. All you have to do is mention our choir directors from Tenney through Zinter to Chris Harris. We have been very fortunate."
Bangs said that along with being a wonderful singer, Zinter was a strong athlete. Bangs said Zinter was a great tennis player. While Zinter loved many sports, Bangs could never sell him on golf, his personal favorite.
“He always tried to get me to play tennis, and I always tried to get him to play golf,” Bangs said. “Neither of us had any luck turning the other one.
2012年12月13日星期四
Boxing makes a bullish return to network TV
There is a generation of boxing fans that never had the chance to plop down in a recliner on a Saturday afternoon, channel hop (when you actually had to get up to change the channel) and catch boxing on network TV.
It’s probably inconceivable to today’s fans that the most popular heavyweight champion of the 20th Century, Muhammad Ali, fought Jimmy Young, Ernie Shavers, Leon Spinks and other contenders on network TV. These days a fan may shell out $59.95 to see a pair of fighters that can’t even sniff the bottom of the “The Greatest’s” shoes.
But something quite seismic will occur on consecutive weekends this month – for the first time in many years live boxing will be featured on network TV, starting with CBS’s broadcast bantamweight beltholder Leo Santa Cruz defending his IBF title against fellow unbeaten Alberto Guevara at the L.A. Memorial Sports Arena, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Saturday.
But what happened to boxing on network TV in the first place? It was a Saturday afternoon staple throughout the 1980s and into the early-1990s. Then it slowly withered.
“I think network boxing disappeared because the promoters, and quite honestly, the fighters, were more concerned about a payday than growing their fighters and growing the sport,” said Jon Miller, the president of programming for NBC Sports and the NBC Sports Network. “Boxing just migrated to cable from there, then eventually to pay cable, choking off any kind of development for a good, young fighter to build a fanbase.
Though ratings were solid, boxing became a tough sell to advertisers. It wasn’t a dependable sports property at the time, because promoters weren’t willing to put their name fighters in against comparable competition. Consequently, the result was a lopsided fight.
“The problem was the tomato can would go down after one round and then you’d be stuck with 90 minutes of programming that you couldn’t fill with live boxing, so the advertisers would under deliver,” Miller said.
Advertisers needed to go some place where they knew they’d get value, so they plunged their resources into college football and college basketball. Programming they knew was dependable, that was going to endure and be competitive throughout the time window.
“Eventually, we knew (we were) not getting good matchups and the fighters we were interested in had migrated to pay cable, so there were other options that came down the pike. Boxing did a terrible job of managing their future,” Miller said.
Boxing trail-off for NBC occurred in the mid-1990s and by 1998-‘99 the network was out completely, dabbling a little into the sport in 2004.
“The ratings were fine,” Miller said. “There was no problem with the delivery. In fact, the ratings were better than a lot of other programming out there, but at end of the day, if a network can’t sell advertising and the affiliates aren’t supportive, it becomes a losing proposition.”
What changed NBC’s thought process toward boxing has been the success of Fight Night, which debuted in January of this year on the NBC Sports Network, owned by powerful Comcast. Gary Quinn, the senior director of programming for NBC Sports and the NBC Sports Network, oversaw the network’s new foray into boxing. He put together a template, along with Main Events’ Kathy Duva and Hall of Fame promoter J Russell Peltz, which received strong feedback.
“We didn’t originally plan to get back into boxing on the network side until we saw how well Fight Night went,” Miller admitted. “It’s been successful because of the concept of putting together good, even-matched compelling fighters, with good stories who understand the value of being on linear television, getting their names out there and growing their brands. When the guys came to the table and we saw how successful it was, we jumped on it.”
NBC is looking at six-to-eight Fight Night shows in 2013 and possibly a few that could make the network.
“And I’ll never say never about primetime if the right fight comes up on a Saturday night, but right now, we’re slotted for weekend afternoons,” Miller said. “I’m not ruling out the possibility that something could be prime time, but the financials of that could make it difficult to pull off.”
As for CBS, their plan is more nebulous. Santa Cruz-Guevara, in what promises to be an action fight, is more of a lead into Showtime’s Kahn-Molina broadcast.
Still, Showtime Sports executive vice president Stephen Espinoza is excited about the prospect of being part of something that hasn’t been shown on CBS in over a decade. Espinoza grew up watching boxing on Saturday afternoons on network TV, and witnessed the sport’s subsequent exodus the sport made to cable.
“I think the pendulum is swinging back the other way,” he said. “I think boxing has been more active and more vibrant in the last 18 months to two years than probably any point in a couple of decades.
“I’m very bullish on the sport and the future of it on network TV. If this works well, I would love to see more shows on network TV. I can’t imagine any other way for fighters to get more exposure. I won’t rule out a possibility that there could be more shows on network TV. Right now, we want to take our best foot forward and be grateful to CBS for giving us this opportunity on a one-time basis.”
It’s probably inconceivable to today’s fans that the most popular heavyweight champion of the 20th Century, Muhammad Ali, fought Jimmy Young, Ernie Shavers, Leon Spinks and other contenders on network TV. These days a fan may shell out $59.95 to see a pair of fighters that can’t even sniff the bottom of the “The Greatest’s” shoes.
But something quite seismic will occur on consecutive weekends this month – for the first time in many years live boxing will be featured on network TV, starting with CBS’s broadcast bantamweight beltholder Leo Santa Cruz defending his IBF title against fellow unbeaten Alberto Guevara at the L.A. Memorial Sports Arena, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Saturday.
But what happened to boxing on network TV in the first place? It was a Saturday afternoon staple throughout the 1980s and into the early-1990s. Then it slowly withered.
“I think network boxing disappeared because the promoters, and quite honestly, the fighters, were more concerned about a payday than growing their fighters and growing the sport,” said Jon Miller, the president of programming for NBC Sports and the NBC Sports Network. “Boxing just migrated to cable from there, then eventually to pay cable, choking off any kind of development for a good, young fighter to build a fanbase.
Though ratings were solid, boxing became a tough sell to advertisers. It wasn’t a dependable sports property at the time, because promoters weren’t willing to put their name fighters in against comparable competition. Consequently, the result was a lopsided fight.
“The problem was the tomato can would go down after one round and then you’d be stuck with 90 minutes of programming that you couldn’t fill with live boxing, so the advertisers would under deliver,” Miller said.
Advertisers needed to go some place where they knew they’d get value, so they plunged their resources into college football and college basketball. Programming they knew was dependable, that was going to endure and be competitive throughout the time window.
“Eventually, we knew (we were) not getting good matchups and the fighters we were interested in had migrated to pay cable, so there were other options that came down the pike. Boxing did a terrible job of managing their future,” Miller said.
Boxing trail-off for NBC occurred in the mid-1990s and by 1998-‘99 the network was out completely, dabbling a little into the sport in 2004.
“The ratings were fine,” Miller said. “There was no problem with the delivery. In fact, the ratings were better than a lot of other programming out there, but at end of the day, if a network can’t sell advertising and the affiliates aren’t supportive, it becomes a losing proposition.”
What changed NBC’s thought process toward boxing has been the success of Fight Night, which debuted in January of this year on the NBC Sports Network, owned by powerful Comcast. Gary Quinn, the senior director of programming for NBC Sports and the NBC Sports Network, oversaw the network’s new foray into boxing. He put together a template, along with Main Events’ Kathy Duva and Hall of Fame promoter J Russell Peltz, which received strong feedback.
“We didn’t originally plan to get back into boxing on the network side until we saw how well Fight Night went,” Miller admitted. “It’s been successful because of the concept of putting together good, even-matched compelling fighters, with good stories who understand the value of being on linear television, getting their names out there and growing their brands. When the guys came to the table and we saw how successful it was, we jumped on it.”
NBC is looking at six-to-eight Fight Night shows in 2013 and possibly a few that could make the network.
“And I’ll never say never about primetime if the right fight comes up on a Saturday night, but right now, we’re slotted for weekend afternoons,” Miller said. “I’m not ruling out the possibility that something could be prime time, but the financials of that could make it difficult to pull off.”
As for CBS, their plan is more nebulous. Santa Cruz-Guevara, in what promises to be an action fight, is more of a lead into Showtime’s Kahn-Molina broadcast.
Still, Showtime Sports executive vice president Stephen Espinoza is excited about the prospect of being part of something that hasn’t been shown on CBS in over a decade. Espinoza grew up watching boxing on Saturday afternoons on network TV, and witnessed the sport’s subsequent exodus the sport made to cable.
“I think the pendulum is swinging back the other way,” he said. “I think boxing has been more active and more vibrant in the last 18 months to two years than probably any point in a couple of decades.
“I’m very bullish on the sport and the future of it on network TV. If this works well, I would love to see more shows on network TV. I can’t imagine any other way for fighters to get more exposure. I won’t rule out a possibility that there could be more shows on network TV. Right now, we want to take our best foot forward and be grateful to CBS for giving us this opportunity on a one-time basis.”
2012年12月11日星期二
That Fit with the help of John McGovern
At least one person is dead and four are injured after an unidentified man opened fire on holiday shoppers at a crowded mall in Portland, OR.
A witness told Portland station KPTV News that the gunman ran through a Macy's department store and entered the food court. Witnesses said the man may have fired as many as 60 shots.
Lt. James Rhodes, a spokesman for the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, reported that the scene is no longer an active shooting site and the gunman has been "neutralized."
The shooter is described as a man wearing all black clothing with a white hockey mask and carrying an AR-15 rifle.
John Canzano, a sports columnist for the Portland Oregonian who was at the mall when the gunfire broke reported that mall security ordered all stores' caged gates closed.
Another witness said ambulances were arriving at the mall. Officials have also set up a command post in the parking lot.
All entrances to the mall have been blocked off. Some shoppers have been evacuated from the mall, however the property remains in lockdown, including a Nordstrom store with approximately 150 people inside.
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber issued a statement soon after news of the shooting broke, offering his assistance to the mall patrons.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. I appreciate the work of the first responders and their quick reaction to this tragic shooting," said Kitzhaber. "I have directed State Police to make any and all necessary resources available to local law enforcement."
PTA president Gina Dacchille contacted Shoes That Fit Headquarters in Southern California seeking help for the hundreds of children affected by this devastating hurricane. "After the families were allowed to return to their homes, they were able to salvage clothing by rewashing them, but shoes were just destroyed," says Gina. When she found out about the Shoes That Fit program, Ms. Dacchille contacted the Shoes That Fit Headquarters and their corporate partner California Sporting Goods Association immediately responded to the need. All 257 students were measured for proper fit and received new shoes donated from Shoes That Fit with the help of John McGovern, president of Forde-McGovern & Associates and member of the California Sporting Goods Association who generously donated to help these deserving children in need.
Shoes That Fit was inspired by one woman who heard of one boy who was in physical pain and mocked by others because he had to go to school in shoes that were three times too small for him," explains Roni Lomeli, Executive Director of Shoes That Fit. "Thousands of children can't attend school in comfort or dignity because their feet hurt. Because of the support of our donors, we were able to respond to the needs of these young victims of hurricane Sandy and provide them with the simple gift of a pair of new shoes."
With no government funding and a staff of only 6 employees, Shoes That Fit takes a simple, grassroots approach to the problem of ill-fitting shoes. A massive network of more than 300 volunteers from local sponsors are matched with nearby schools that have children in need. School staff identifies students, and measures their feet. Volunteers then buy the shoes to deliver them to the school. A sponsor can be any group of people including a business, school, church, civic organization or simply a group of caring friends.
In November 2012, nonprofit watchdog Charity Navigator bestowed its highest 4-star rating on Shoes That Fit for the third consecutive rating period. Shoes That Fit is proud to earn this exceptional recognition since the scoring reflects all areas of the charity, including financial performance, accountability and transparency, and income.
A witness told Portland station KPTV News that the gunman ran through a Macy's department store and entered the food court. Witnesses said the man may have fired as many as 60 shots.
Lt. James Rhodes, a spokesman for the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, reported that the scene is no longer an active shooting site and the gunman has been "neutralized."
The shooter is described as a man wearing all black clothing with a white hockey mask and carrying an AR-15 rifle.
John Canzano, a sports columnist for the Portland Oregonian who was at the mall when the gunfire broke reported that mall security ordered all stores' caged gates closed.
Another witness said ambulances were arriving at the mall. Officials have also set up a command post in the parking lot.
All entrances to the mall have been blocked off. Some shoppers have been evacuated from the mall, however the property remains in lockdown, including a Nordstrom store with approximately 150 people inside.
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber issued a statement soon after news of the shooting broke, offering his assistance to the mall patrons.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. I appreciate the work of the first responders and their quick reaction to this tragic shooting," said Kitzhaber. "I have directed State Police to make any and all necessary resources available to local law enforcement."
PTA president Gina Dacchille contacted Shoes That Fit Headquarters in Southern California seeking help for the hundreds of children affected by this devastating hurricane. "After the families were allowed to return to their homes, they were able to salvage clothing by rewashing them, but shoes were just destroyed," says Gina. When she found out about the Shoes That Fit program, Ms. Dacchille contacted the Shoes That Fit Headquarters and their corporate partner California Sporting Goods Association immediately responded to the need. All 257 students were measured for proper fit and received new shoes donated from Shoes That Fit with the help of John McGovern, president of Forde-McGovern & Associates and member of the California Sporting Goods Association who generously donated to help these deserving children in need.
Shoes That Fit was inspired by one woman who heard of one boy who was in physical pain and mocked by others because he had to go to school in shoes that were three times too small for him," explains Roni Lomeli, Executive Director of Shoes That Fit. "Thousands of children can't attend school in comfort or dignity because their feet hurt. Because of the support of our donors, we were able to respond to the needs of these young victims of hurricane Sandy and provide them with the simple gift of a pair of new shoes."
With no government funding and a staff of only 6 employees, Shoes That Fit takes a simple, grassroots approach to the problem of ill-fitting shoes. A massive network of more than 300 volunteers from local sponsors are matched with nearby schools that have children in need. School staff identifies students, and measures their feet. Volunteers then buy the shoes to deliver them to the school. A sponsor can be any group of people including a business, school, church, civic organization or simply a group of caring friends.
In November 2012, nonprofit watchdog Charity Navigator bestowed its highest 4-star rating on Shoes That Fit for the third consecutive rating period. Shoes That Fit is proud to earn this exceptional recognition since the scoring reflects all areas of the charity, including financial performance, accountability and transparency, and income.
2012年12月9日星期日
that it will result in inspiring personal stories
Shoe Sensation has announced a holiday partnership with Soles4Souls to help individuals in need around the world. With one in four adults in the world living on less than $1a day, basic necessities like shoes are not readily available. A pair of shoes can protect an individual's feet from cuts and infection that can be life threatening if untreated.
Through Dec. 17 Shoe Sensation will help this global relief initiative by accepting donations of new or gently worn shoes on behalf of Soles4Souls. Individuals making a donation during the collection drive will be rewarded with 20 percent off their purchase of a new pair of shoes at Shoe Sensation. The shoes donated will be used to support the charity's relief efforts, as well as their micro-enterprise program.
Formed as a relief effort following the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami, Soles4Souls has donated more than 19 million pairs of shoes across 128 countries. Soles4Souls partners with progressive companies in the footwear and fashion industries like Shoe Sensation to directly impact the lives of people suffering from natural disasters or striving to break free from poverty.
"We deeply appreciate this commitment by Shoe Sensation and its customers," said Keith Woodley, chief development officer of Soles4Souls. "From our experiences over the past seven years, we are certain that it will result in inspiring personal stories from individuals who have witnessed transformation among their families and communities."
Jim Quiggins, advertising director for Shoe Sensation, said: "We are very excited about our partnership with Soles4Souls for this shoe drive. Our hope is to make it effortless for our customers to make a big difference in someone's life through the small gesture of donating a gently worn pair of shoes. This is a great opportunity for all of us to help people around the world experience a higher quality of life."
Two men were robbed of shoes and a hat by two suspects, one of them armed, as they walked along a street in Uniondale Saturday evening, Nassau police said.
The men were walking in the vicinity of California Avenue and Cedar Street about 7 p.m. when two men approached them, one with an automatic handgun, and demanded the contents of their pockets, police said.
Through Dec. 17 Shoe Sensation will help this global relief initiative by accepting donations of new or gently worn shoes on behalf of Soles4Souls. Individuals making a donation during the collection drive will be rewarded with 20 percent off their purchase of a new pair of shoes at Shoe Sensation. The shoes donated will be used to support the charity's relief efforts, as well as their micro-enterprise program.
Formed as a relief effort following the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami, Soles4Souls has donated more than 19 million pairs of shoes across 128 countries. Soles4Souls partners with progressive companies in the footwear and fashion industries like Shoe Sensation to directly impact the lives of people suffering from natural disasters or striving to break free from poverty.
"We deeply appreciate this commitment by Shoe Sensation and its customers," said Keith Woodley, chief development officer of Soles4Souls. "From our experiences over the past seven years, we are certain that it will result in inspiring personal stories from individuals who have witnessed transformation among their families and communities."
Jim Quiggins, advertising director for Shoe Sensation, said: "We are very excited about our partnership with Soles4Souls for this shoe drive. Our hope is to make it effortless for our customers to make a big difference in someone's life through the small gesture of donating a gently worn pair of shoes. This is a great opportunity for all of us to help people around the world experience a higher quality of life."
Two men were robbed of shoes and a hat by two suspects, one of them armed, as they walked along a street in Uniondale Saturday evening, Nassau police said.
The men were walking in the vicinity of California Avenue and Cedar Street about 7 p.m. when two men approached them, one with an automatic handgun, and demanded the contents of their pockets, police said.
2012年12月5日星期三
boys were dressed head to toe in clothing stolen
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputies were still on the scene taking fingerprints at Politics, a burglarized Metairie sneaker boutique, Tuesday morning when employees noticed a very familiar jacket on the back of a bystander. The bystander's cohort was clothed in an equally familiar and rare pair of teal sneakers.
"I said, 'Man, that's all the stuff from our store,'" Politics' owner Patrick Bowden recalled. The thieves had apparently returned to the scene of the crime draped in the evidence.
Deputies eventually rounded up a quartet of teenagers, three boys and one girl. The boys were wearing stolen shirts, hats, socks and jackets that still had Politics price tags, according to Glen T. Boyd, spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.
The burglary occurred about 3 a.m. Tuesday at the boutique, located in a strip mall a 3504 Severn Avenue. Someone broke into the business, which specializes in rare sneakers and other urban wear, and cleared out about $5,000 worth of merchandise, Bowden said. A customer noticed the broken glass and notified employees around 5 a.m.
Investigators were still on the scene about 7:30 a.m. when employee Wendell Carter noticed a small group of people watching the commotion about a half-block away near a McDonald's restaurant. It was Carter who spotted the silver, 10 Deep jacket on one of the teens and recognized it as one that had just been shipped to the store.
"It hadn't been sold," Carter said. "Nobody else would have had it." The teens tried to casually walk away when they realized they had caught the attention of the employees. But Carter and Bowden followed while on the phone with 911.
During the walk/chase, Carter also noticed the teal sneakers, $165 Nike Air Penny 5's. He had personally ordered the limited edition shoes, referred to as "Dolphins," and knew no other local retailer would have had them in stock.
When deputies finally caught up to the teens, the boys were dressed head to toe in clothing stolen from Politics, Bowden said. They told investigators they purchased the gear on Canal Street in New Orleans, Boyd said. But the clothing still had the Metairie store's price tags.
Morris Mims, Darius Garrison, Anthony Dempster and Koyann Williams, all 18 and from 4218 Hessmer Ave., Metairie, were arrested and booked at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna with simple burglary and possession of more than $1,500 in stolen property, Boyd said. Williams allegedly acted as a lookout for the boys when they burglarized the store.
"I said, 'Man, that's all the stuff from our store,'" Politics' owner Patrick Bowden recalled. The thieves had apparently returned to the scene of the crime draped in the evidence.
Deputies eventually rounded up a quartet of teenagers, three boys and one girl. The boys were wearing stolen shirts, hats, socks and jackets that still had Politics price tags, according to Glen T. Boyd, spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.
The burglary occurred about 3 a.m. Tuesday at the boutique, located in a strip mall a 3504 Severn Avenue. Someone broke into the business, which specializes in rare sneakers and other urban wear, and cleared out about $5,000 worth of merchandise, Bowden said. A customer noticed the broken glass and notified employees around 5 a.m.
Investigators were still on the scene about 7:30 a.m. when employee Wendell Carter noticed a small group of people watching the commotion about a half-block away near a McDonald's restaurant. It was Carter who spotted the silver, 10 Deep jacket on one of the teens and recognized it as one that had just been shipped to the store.
"It hadn't been sold," Carter said. "Nobody else would have had it." The teens tried to casually walk away when they realized they had caught the attention of the employees. But Carter and Bowden followed while on the phone with 911.
During the walk/chase, Carter also noticed the teal sneakers, $165 Nike Air Penny 5's. He had personally ordered the limited edition shoes, referred to as "Dolphins," and knew no other local retailer would have had them in stock.
When deputies finally caught up to the teens, the boys were dressed head to toe in clothing stolen from Politics, Bowden said. They told investigators they purchased the gear on Canal Street in New Orleans, Boyd said. But the clothing still had the Metairie store's price tags.
Morris Mims, Darius Garrison, Anthony Dempster and Koyann Williams, all 18 and from 4218 Hessmer Ave., Metairie, were arrested and booked at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna with simple burglary and possession of more than $1,500 in stolen property, Boyd said. Williams allegedly acted as a lookout for the boys when they burglarized the store.
2012年12月3日星期一
Chiefs begin picking up pieces after heartache
The Obama Administration has withdrawn plans to oppose tariffs that reduce import duties on some types of specialty outdoor shoes and boots.
The administration's intentions, revealed Nov. 16, inspired coordinated opposition among outdoor industry officials. However, the administration dropped its opposition Friday, according to the Boulder, Colo.-based Outdoor Industry Association.
Association leaders contended the administration's action, if allowed to take effect after the end of the year, could raise retail prices as much as 38 percent on some footwear.
In response, industry leaders sent nearly 200 emails to Congress and the administration in less than a week, after the White House revealed its intentions Nov. 16. Locally, Columbia Sportswear and LaCrosse Footwear were among the Oregon companies that opposed the tariffs.
"This is a major victory for the outdoor industry and also for our consumers," Frank Hugelmeyer, the outdoor association's chief executive, said in a news release. "The administration's new position will help ensure stable retail prices on these leading outdoor products and keep them more affordable for American families."
The products represent 30 percent of outdoor specialty sales. And the eight tariffs amount to $30 million in costs savings annually.
Nearly $121 billion is spent annually on apparel, footwear, equipment, vehicles, accessories and services in the U.S., according to the outdoor association.
The industry now hopes the administration and Congress support for 10 other tariff-related bills.
The Kansas City Chiefs returned to work Monday at their practice facility near Arrowhead Stadium, trying to find a sense of normalcy after two days of unimaginable heartache.
The locker that once belong to Jovan Belcher, the linebacker who killed his girlfriend and then turned the gun on himself Saturday, still had all his belongings in it. His shoes were piled up on the floor and freshly laundered clothes hung from a hook.
Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli had to walk past the place in the parking lot where Belcher put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger to enter the building, and Crennel admitted to an unsettling feeling that came over him.
Teammates gathered in meetings and to watch film from Sunday's emotional 27-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers, one that ended an eight-game losing streak. They couldn't help but notice the empty seat that once belonged to their close friend.
"We have to deal with the events of the last few days, and it's not over, and it may not be over for some of us for most of our lives, but time heals all wounds, and so we're going to start working on the time thing," said Crennel, who's been a rock for everyone in the organization.
"It was like coming to work like you normally do," he said. "Now you think about the events as you walk through the door and walk through the parking lot, but you know the events are over, and you can't undo them. All you can do is work for the future and toward the future."
The administration's intentions, revealed Nov. 16, inspired coordinated opposition among outdoor industry officials. However, the administration dropped its opposition Friday, according to the Boulder, Colo.-based Outdoor Industry Association.
Association leaders contended the administration's action, if allowed to take effect after the end of the year, could raise retail prices as much as 38 percent on some footwear.
In response, industry leaders sent nearly 200 emails to Congress and the administration in less than a week, after the White House revealed its intentions Nov. 16. Locally, Columbia Sportswear and LaCrosse Footwear were among the Oregon companies that opposed the tariffs.
"This is a major victory for the outdoor industry and also for our consumers," Frank Hugelmeyer, the outdoor association's chief executive, said in a news release. "The administration's new position will help ensure stable retail prices on these leading outdoor products and keep them more affordable for American families."
The products represent 30 percent of outdoor specialty sales. And the eight tariffs amount to $30 million in costs savings annually.
Nearly $121 billion is spent annually on apparel, footwear, equipment, vehicles, accessories and services in the U.S., according to the outdoor association.
The industry now hopes the administration and Congress support for 10 other tariff-related bills.
The Kansas City Chiefs returned to work Monday at their practice facility near Arrowhead Stadium, trying to find a sense of normalcy after two days of unimaginable heartache.
The locker that once belong to Jovan Belcher, the linebacker who killed his girlfriend and then turned the gun on himself Saturday, still had all his belongings in it. His shoes were piled up on the floor and freshly laundered clothes hung from a hook.
Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli had to walk past the place in the parking lot where Belcher put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger to enter the building, and Crennel admitted to an unsettling feeling that came over him.
Teammates gathered in meetings and to watch film from Sunday's emotional 27-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers, one that ended an eight-game losing streak. They couldn't help but notice the empty seat that once belonged to their close friend.
"We have to deal with the events of the last few days, and it's not over, and it may not be over for some of us for most of our lives, but time heals all wounds, and so we're going to start working on the time thing," said Crennel, who's been a rock for everyone in the organization.
"It was like coming to work like you normally do," he said. "Now you think about the events as you walk through the door and walk through the parking lot, but you know the events are over, and you can't undo them. All you can do is work for the future and toward the future."
2012年11月29日星期四
his presentation of human kindness
When NYPD officer Lawrence DePrimo saw an older homeless man sitting outside a store on 42nd Street without shoes or socks on a freezing night, there was no hesitation on his part to help.
DePrimo was on counterterrorism patrol on November 14 in Times Square when he came across the man. He immediately went to a nearby Skechers shoe store, purchased socks and a $100 pair of boots out of his own money.
The officer's generous act of compassion was caught on camera unbeknownst to him by Jennifer Foster, a tourist from Arizona and also the Communications Director for the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.
Foster said she saw the man asking for change and just as she was about to approach him, the officer appeared. She took a photo of the interaction and then emailed it to the NYPD with a note commending the officer.
She wrote: “Right when I was about to approach, one of your officers came up behind him. The officer said, ‘I have these size 12 boots for you, they are all-weather. Let’s put them on and take care of you.’ The officer squatted down on the ground and proceeded to put
socks and the new boots on this man. The officer expected NOTHING in return and did not know I was watching. I have been in law enforcement for 17 years. I was never so impressed in my life. I did not get the officer’s name. It is important, I think, for all of us to remember the real reason we are in this line of work. The reminder this officer gave to our profession in his presentation of human kindness has not been lost on myself or any of the Arizona law enforcement officials with whom this story has been shared."
The NYPD posted the photo and Foster's note to their official Facebook page and it immediately went viral with over 425,000 "likes", 142,000 "shares" and generating 31,000 comments.
“I still have a grudge against law enforcement everywhere,” wrote one commenter on the police Facebook page. “But my respects to that fine officer.”
Officer DePrimo, 25, is a three year veteran of the NYPD , lives at home with his parents on Long Island said he was shocked at the attention and had no idea Foster was watching let alone taking a photo.
DePrimo said it was freezing that night and he could see the blisters on the man's feet. He went on to say he had two pairs of socks on himself and still was cold.
The man's face lit up when DePrima returned with the boots, knelt down beside him and put them on.
The officer said he never did get the homeless man's name but he was "the most polite gentleman he had met". DePrima even offered to buy the man a hot cup of coffee but as soon as the boots were on, the man declined and went on his way.
DePrimo was on counterterrorism patrol on November 14 in Times Square when he came across the man. He immediately went to a nearby Skechers shoe store, purchased socks and a $100 pair of boots out of his own money.
The officer's generous act of compassion was caught on camera unbeknownst to him by Jennifer Foster, a tourist from Arizona and also the Communications Director for the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.
Foster said she saw the man asking for change and just as she was about to approach him, the officer appeared. She took a photo of the interaction and then emailed it to the NYPD with a note commending the officer.
She wrote: “Right when I was about to approach, one of your officers came up behind him. The officer said, ‘I have these size 12 boots for you, they are all-weather. Let’s put them on and take care of you.’ The officer squatted down on the ground and proceeded to put
socks and the new boots on this man. The officer expected NOTHING in return and did not know I was watching. I have been in law enforcement for 17 years. I was never so impressed in my life. I did not get the officer’s name. It is important, I think, for all of us to remember the real reason we are in this line of work. The reminder this officer gave to our profession in his presentation of human kindness has not been lost on myself or any of the Arizona law enforcement officials with whom this story has been shared."
The NYPD posted the photo and Foster's note to their official Facebook page and it immediately went viral with over 425,000 "likes", 142,000 "shares" and generating 31,000 comments.
“I still have a grudge against law enforcement everywhere,” wrote one commenter on the police Facebook page. “But my respects to that fine officer.”
Officer DePrimo, 25, is a three year veteran of the NYPD , lives at home with his parents on Long Island said he was shocked at the attention and had no idea Foster was watching let alone taking a photo.
DePrimo said it was freezing that night and he could see the blisters on the man's feet. He went on to say he had two pairs of socks on himself and still was cold.
The man's face lit up when DePrima returned with the boots, knelt down beside him and put them on.
The officer said he never did get the homeless man's name but he was "the most polite gentleman he had met". DePrima even offered to buy the man a hot cup of coffee but as soon as the boots were on, the man declined and went on his way.
2012年11月20日星期二
The shoes arrive in a kid-friendly shoebox
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Watertown recently wrapped up a service project aimed at lending a hand — or perhaps a foot, in this case — to those in need.
The church collected 686 pairs of shoes, or 835 pounds, to donate to Soles4Souls, a national organization that donates shoes to those who need them across the United States and in other parts of the world. The organization is particularly active in donating shoes in the aftermath of natural disasters, and was formed in response to the 2004 tsunami in Asia.
Cherie Greenhagen, a St. Paul’s member who helped organize the drive as part of a women’s group service project, said she was caught off guard by how well the members of her church responded to the collection effort.
“It was a great service project, and it was amazing how the community came together and brought in their shoes,” Greenhagen said. “It was something so easy, but it turned into a great event.”
The service project came about when 30 women from the church attended an annual retreat, the theme of which this year was “Beautiful Feet.” The group wanted to find a service project to fit the theme, and settled on Soles4Souls.
The collection effort lasted about 5 weeks, and organizers originally figured they might be able to take the shoes to several of the dropoff locations in the Twin Cities. However, each location accepts no more than 30 pairs of shoes, and this particular effort quickly soared way past that number.
“When they started coming in, we were like “Oh gosh, we’re going to have to ship them because there is no way we’re going to be able to haul them to enough locations to drop these off,” Greenhagen said. “It was a great experience. It’s amazing how many people have that many pairs of shoes sitting in their closet that can help other people in need. It was really nice to see that.”
To ship the 835 pounds of shoes — which took up 38 boxes — it cost more than $300. To cover the shipping costs, the church hosted a dinner called Harvesting4Souls and raised well over the amount needed for shipping the shoes.
Just in time for the colder weather, FootPals has just expanded their lineup to include calf-length zippered boots – perfect for the upcoming snow. Choose from bunny, gator, koala or monkey boots for colder outdoor adventures. Their original line of velcro-closure shoes include bunnies, monkeys, gators, koalas, and pandas. Boots and shoes come in a variety of colors for both boys and girls. Most importantly, they are comfortable with every step, and made with quality-tested materials. They also meet all Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines.
FootPals quality details include intricate stitching and dimensional eyes, and durable, lightweight and flexible soles. Their secure fit, roomy toe box, and moisture wicking insoles are perfect for active and growing feet. They're also easy to take on and off, perfect for parents and independent kids - unless of course they refuse to take them off!
The shoes arrive in a kid-friendly shoebox, reminiscent of an antique travel suitcase, complete with an adventure packet. Kids can name their Pals with the pet license, and add stickers to their FootPals passport for each adventure they take their Pals on, from visiting the park to going to school.
The church collected 686 pairs of shoes, or 835 pounds, to donate to Soles4Souls, a national organization that donates shoes to those who need them across the United States and in other parts of the world. The organization is particularly active in donating shoes in the aftermath of natural disasters, and was formed in response to the 2004 tsunami in Asia.
Cherie Greenhagen, a St. Paul’s member who helped organize the drive as part of a women’s group service project, said she was caught off guard by how well the members of her church responded to the collection effort.
“It was a great service project, and it was amazing how the community came together and brought in their shoes,” Greenhagen said. “It was something so easy, but it turned into a great event.”
The service project came about when 30 women from the church attended an annual retreat, the theme of which this year was “Beautiful Feet.” The group wanted to find a service project to fit the theme, and settled on Soles4Souls.
The collection effort lasted about 5 weeks, and organizers originally figured they might be able to take the shoes to several of the dropoff locations in the Twin Cities. However, each location accepts no more than 30 pairs of shoes, and this particular effort quickly soared way past that number.
“When they started coming in, we were like “Oh gosh, we’re going to have to ship them because there is no way we’re going to be able to haul them to enough locations to drop these off,” Greenhagen said. “It was a great experience. It’s amazing how many people have that many pairs of shoes sitting in their closet that can help other people in need. It was really nice to see that.”
To ship the 835 pounds of shoes — which took up 38 boxes — it cost more than $300. To cover the shipping costs, the church hosted a dinner called Harvesting4Souls and raised well over the amount needed for shipping the shoes.
Just in time for the colder weather, FootPals has just expanded their lineup to include calf-length zippered boots – perfect for the upcoming snow. Choose from bunny, gator, koala or monkey boots for colder outdoor adventures. Their original line of velcro-closure shoes include bunnies, monkeys, gators, koalas, and pandas. Boots and shoes come in a variety of colors for both boys and girls. Most importantly, they are comfortable with every step, and made with quality-tested materials. They also meet all Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines.
FootPals quality details include intricate stitching and dimensional eyes, and durable, lightweight and flexible soles. Their secure fit, roomy toe box, and moisture wicking insoles are perfect for active and growing feet. They're also easy to take on and off, perfect for parents and independent kids - unless of course they refuse to take them off!
The shoes arrive in a kid-friendly shoebox, reminiscent of an antique travel suitcase, complete with an adventure packet. Kids can name their Pals with the pet license, and add stickers to their FootPals passport for each adventure they take their Pals on, from visiting the park to going to school.
2012年11月12日星期一
State asks deer hunters to have pot-growing operations
They didn't care about the environment, leaving behind mounds of empty beer cans, picante sauce bottles, Ritz cracker boxes, Spam cans and Gatorade jugs. They left behind clothing, shoes, camouflage tents, dark-colored sleeping bags, camping chairs. They left behind a mess.
After all they were in the forest not to sightsee but to make money -- lots of it.
Heavily armed drug traffickers from Mexico are using the only national forest in Wisconsin as their personal farms and greenhouses, growing millions of dollars in marijuana and leaving behind their garbage, poached deer carcasses, fertilizer and pesticides.
For the last three summers, large marijuana operations have been discovered in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in northern Wisconsin. In each of those busts, law enforcement made numerous arrests, almost all natives of Mexico here illegally. Confiscated weapons included handguns, AK-47s and a .308-caliber rifle with ammunition magazines taped together.
Jeff Seefeldt, district ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, surveyed the scene with disgust.
"When the spring rains come all this would have ended up in that Class A trout stream," Seefeldt said nodding to the south branch of the Oconto River that wound through an area that had been clear-cut and planted with hundreds of marijuana plants.
Since 2008 officers have discovered 11 large illegal marijuana operations, mostly on public land in Wisconsin.
Investigators say it's likely only the tip of the iceberg.
Each of the last three major grows in the Chequamegon-Nicolet were discovered by hunters or anglers. With 1.5 million acres of remote land in the national forest, and many more millions of acres in county and state land, law enforcement is trying to get the word out to outdoors enthusiasts. That includes more than 600,000 hunters heading into the woods for opening weekend of the gun-deer season Saturday.
In the back page of this season's deer hunting regulations pamphlet, hunters are cautioned to be suspicious of illegal drug operations on public land and leave immediately when they see areas with abnormal cuttings or clearings, makeshift structures, gardening tools, watering cans and chemical containers. Hunters who see something that doesn't look right should note the location, with GPS coordinates if possible, and report it to law enforcement.
"It's a significant problem," said Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. "We have people who want to use our lands for public recreation, and they're at risk from people who have a big cash crop to protect. When we encounter ammunition and people armed in the woods with that incentive, it's a great danger to the public."
Of those arrested in the last few years, many revealed they were recruited in California for the work, driven to northern Wisconsin -- some didn't even know which state they were in -- and dropped off in the woods. They were supplied by people dubbed "loncheros" who stopped every few days to bring supplies.
While the 2012 case is pending, 10-year federal prison sentences were handed down in the other cases. After they serve their prison terms, they will be deported to Mexico.
"Which begs the question why do we bother if we're going to deport?" said U.S. Attorney John Vaudreuil for the Western District of Wisconsin.
"But I have a strong feeling that that's not right. If this was an American citizen doing this crime they would serve 10 years. Plus there's a good chance the guys will come back to the U.S. and do this again if we deport them right away," said Vaudreuil, a Rice Lake native.
Using hand axes and saws they cut down thousands of trees, clear cut numerous small areas of the forest, planted marijuana and then carefully cultivated the plants each day by siphoning water from nearby streams before harvesting and packing it out where it likely ended up being sold in Milwaukee, Detroit, Chicago and the Twin Cities.
Why are Mexican drug organizations coming all the way to Wisconsin when they can grow marijuana out west? Economics, explained David Spakowicz, state Division of Criminal Investigation director of field operations for Wisconsin's eastern region.
"Once it's up in northern Wisconsin, you don't have to worry about transportation costs, you don't have to worry about getting it over the (U.S.-Mexico) border. It's so appealing because of the rural nature of Wisconsin," Spakowicz said.
It's also a labor-intensive crop if done right. Marijuana plants are cultivated by breaking off the leaves, which pushes the tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, to the bud and makes the weed more potent and valuable. High-grade marijuana found growing on public land in California has a street value of $4,000 to $6,000 per pound, Spakowicz said.
He estimated much of the marijuana found in recent years on public land in Wisconsin would have a street value of $2,500 per pound. Each marijuana plant provides roughly one pound of pot. Last summer in the Chequamegon-Nicolet in Oconto County, 8,385 plants were confiscated while almost 7,000 plants were discovered in the forest in Ashland County in 2011.
The plants are dried on racks made from poles cut and lashed together, then usually vacuum-packed into plastic bags and carried out where the men and their backpacks filled with marijuana are picked up and driven away, leaving behind their garbage and hundreds of holes left in the ground. Investigators know in some cases growers returned to use the same land in subsequent years when they were not detected.
After all they were in the forest not to sightsee but to make money -- lots of it.
Heavily armed drug traffickers from Mexico are using the only national forest in Wisconsin as their personal farms and greenhouses, growing millions of dollars in marijuana and leaving behind their garbage, poached deer carcasses, fertilizer and pesticides.
For the last three summers, large marijuana operations have been discovered in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in northern Wisconsin. In each of those busts, law enforcement made numerous arrests, almost all natives of Mexico here illegally. Confiscated weapons included handguns, AK-47s and a .308-caliber rifle with ammunition magazines taped together.
Jeff Seefeldt, district ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, surveyed the scene with disgust.
"When the spring rains come all this would have ended up in that Class A trout stream," Seefeldt said nodding to the south branch of the Oconto River that wound through an area that had been clear-cut and planted with hundreds of marijuana plants.
Since 2008 officers have discovered 11 large illegal marijuana operations, mostly on public land in Wisconsin.
Investigators say it's likely only the tip of the iceberg.
Each of the last three major grows in the Chequamegon-Nicolet were discovered by hunters or anglers. With 1.5 million acres of remote land in the national forest, and many more millions of acres in county and state land, law enforcement is trying to get the word out to outdoors enthusiasts. That includes more than 600,000 hunters heading into the woods for opening weekend of the gun-deer season Saturday.
In the back page of this season's deer hunting regulations pamphlet, hunters are cautioned to be suspicious of illegal drug operations on public land and leave immediately when they see areas with abnormal cuttings or clearings, makeshift structures, gardening tools, watering cans and chemical containers. Hunters who see something that doesn't look right should note the location, with GPS coordinates if possible, and report it to law enforcement.
"It's a significant problem," said Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. "We have people who want to use our lands for public recreation, and they're at risk from people who have a big cash crop to protect. When we encounter ammunition and people armed in the woods with that incentive, it's a great danger to the public."
Of those arrested in the last few years, many revealed they were recruited in California for the work, driven to northern Wisconsin -- some didn't even know which state they were in -- and dropped off in the woods. They were supplied by people dubbed "loncheros" who stopped every few days to bring supplies.
While the 2012 case is pending, 10-year federal prison sentences were handed down in the other cases. After they serve their prison terms, they will be deported to Mexico.
"Which begs the question why do we bother if we're going to deport?" said U.S. Attorney John Vaudreuil for the Western District of Wisconsin.
"But I have a strong feeling that that's not right. If this was an American citizen doing this crime they would serve 10 years. Plus there's a good chance the guys will come back to the U.S. and do this again if we deport them right away," said Vaudreuil, a Rice Lake native.
Using hand axes and saws they cut down thousands of trees, clear cut numerous small areas of the forest, planted marijuana and then carefully cultivated the plants each day by siphoning water from nearby streams before harvesting and packing it out where it likely ended up being sold in Milwaukee, Detroit, Chicago and the Twin Cities.
Why are Mexican drug organizations coming all the way to Wisconsin when they can grow marijuana out west? Economics, explained David Spakowicz, state Division of Criminal Investigation director of field operations for Wisconsin's eastern region.
"Once it's up in northern Wisconsin, you don't have to worry about transportation costs, you don't have to worry about getting it over the (U.S.-Mexico) border. It's so appealing because of the rural nature of Wisconsin," Spakowicz said.
It's also a labor-intensive crop if done right. Marijuana plants are cultivated by breaking off the leaves, which pushes the tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, to the bud and makes the weed more potent and valuable. High-grade marijuana found growing on public land in California has a street value of $4,000 to $6,000 per pound, Spakowicz said.
He estimated much of the marijuana found in recent years on public land in Wisconsin would have a street value of $2,500 per pound. Each marijuana plant provides roughly one pound of pot. Last summer in the Chequamegon-Nicolet in Oconto County, 8,385 plants were confiscated while almost 7,000 plants were discovered in the forest in Ashland County in 2011.
The plants are dried on racks made from poles cut and lashed together, then usually vacuum-packed into plastic bags and carried out where the men and their backpacks filled with marijuana are picked up and driven away, leaving behind their garbage and hundreds of holes left in the ground. Investigators know in some cases growers returned to use the same land in subsequent years when they were not detected.
2012年11月8日星期四
Nordstrom is also grappling with new demands
reported a 15 percent increase in third-quarter net income, fueled by strong demand of men's shoes, men's clothing and children's fashions.
But the upscale retailer's profit results missed Wall Street estimates, as the company invested more money in enhancing its rewards program for shoppers. Investors pushed down shares by 3 percent in after-hour trading, extending the decline in regular trading. The company released its results after regular trading closed Thursday.
Still, Nordstrom's solid quarter is encouraging news as the upscale retailer heads into the holiday season. Sales have rebounded since late 2009 for Nordstrom and other luxury retailers as the affluent have spent more. The question, however, is how Superstorm Sandy, which disrupted businesses and households in the Northeast, will affect consumers' future spending.
Nordstrom closed the books on the quarter two days before Sandy pummeled the densely packed Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region. Many shoppers are dealing with problems ranging from transportation to power outages to more serious issues like property losses.
Nordstrom is also grappling with new demands from shoppers armed with smartphones and tables. That's pushing the high-end merchant, long known for service, to come up with new ways to cater to shoppers.
"We aspire to continually improve the customer experience," Blake Nordstrom, president of Nordstrom, told investors during a conference call. "There's no finish line when it comes to this subject as our customers have access to a growing number of choices with expectations increasingly centered on speed and convenience."
Last year Nordstrom started offering free shipping on all online purchases with no minimum dollar amount. Previously customers had to spend at least $200 to qualify. Return shipping is free too. The company is also giving sales associates devices that let them check out shoppers anywhere in the store.
Nordstrom has also partnered with Arcadia Group to launch shops under the British company's Topshop and Topman brands in 14 of its 117 full-scale departments this fall. Company officials said they've been encouraged by the results.
Nordstrom is also looking for growth beyond the U.S. and announced in September that it was heading to Canada, starting in 2014. It's teaming up with Canadian mall developer Cadillac Fairview to open four stores; in Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. Cadillac Fairview operates shopping centers across Canada.
Nordstrom earned $146 million, or 71 cents per share for the three-month period ended Oct. 27. That compares with $127 million, or 59 cents per share, in the year-ago period.
Total sales rose 14 percent to $2.81 billion. Revenue at stores opened at least a year was up 10.7 percent. Its online business increased 38 percent for the quarter compared with a year ago.
Analysts, on average, expected 72 cents per share on total revenue of $2.75 billion, according to FactSet.
Nordstrom, based in Seattle, narrowed its full-year profit outlook to a range of $3.45 to $3.50 per share, from previous guidance of $3.40 to $3.50 per share issued in August.
It also expects revenue at stores opened at least a year to rise 6.5 to 7 percent. In August it forecast growth of 6 to 7 percent.
"While this guidance considers the impacts of Hurricane Sandy, there remains uncertainty and we will continue to monitor trends in the affected areas." Mike Koppell, Nordstrom's executive vice president and chief financial officer told investors.
But the upscale retailer's profit results missed Wall Street estimates, as the company invested more money in enhancing its rewards program for shoppers. Investors pushed down shares by 3 percent in after-hour trading, extending the decline in regular trading. The company released its results after regular trading closed Thursday.
Still, Nordstrom's solid quarter is encouraging news as the upscale retailer heads into the holiday season. Sales have rebounded since late 2009 for Nordstrom and other luxury retailers as the affluent have spent more. The question, however, is how Superstorm Sandy, which disrupted businesses and households in the Northeast, will affect consumers' future spending.
Nordstrom closed the books on the quarter two days before Sandy pummeled the densely packed Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region. Many shoppers are dealing with problems ranging from transportation to power outages to more serious issues like property losses.
Nordstrom is also grappling with new demands from shoppers armed with smartphones and tables. That's pushing the high-end merchant, long known for service, to come up with new ways to cater to shoppers.
"We aspire to continually improve the customer experience," Blake Nordstrom, president of Nordstrom, told investors during a conference call. "There's no finish line when it comes to this subject as our customers have access to a growing number of choices with expectations increasingly centered on speed and convenience."
Last year Nordstrom started offering free shipping on all online purchases with no minimum dollar amount. Previously customers had to spend at least $200 to qualify. Return shipping is free too. The company is also giving sales associates devices that let them check out shoppers anywhere in the store.
Nordstrom has also partnered with Arcadia Group to launch shops under the British company's Topshop and Topman brands in 14 of its 117 full-scale departments this fall. Company officials said they've been encouraged by the results.
Nordstrom is also looking for growth beyond the U.S. and announced in September that it was heading to Canada, starting in 2014. It's teaming up with Canadian mall developer Cadillac Fairview to open four stores; in Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. Cadillac Fairview operates shopping centers across Canada.
Nordstrom earned $146 million, or 71 cents per share for the three-month period ended Oct. 27. That compares with $127 million, or 59 cents per share, in the year-ago period.
Total sales rose 14 percent to $2.81 billion. Revenue at stores opened at least a year was up 10.7 percent. Its online business increased 38 percent for the quarter compared with a year ago.
Analysts, on average, expected 72 cents per share on total revenue of $2.75 billion, according to FactSet.
Nordstrom, based in Seattle, narrowed its full-year profit outlook to a range of $3.45 to $3.50 per share, from previous guidance of $3.40 to $3.50 per share issued in August.
It also expects revenue at stores opened at least a year to rise 6.5 to 7 percent. In August it forecast growth of 6 to 7 percent.
"While this guidance considers the impacts of Hurricane Sandy, there remains uncertainty and we will continue to monitor trends in the affected areas." Mike Koppell, Nordstrom's executive vice president and chief financial officer told investors.
2012年11月6日星期二
Wolak told police Fellenbaum took off
While FBI agents and state troopers spent a second straight day scouring Hammel Woods for some sign of missing mom Stacy Peterson, there was no one to be found in a Joliet cul-de-sac just six miles away, the one where another mother was supposedly seen running off barefoot, never to be seen again.
That mother, Linda Fellenbaum, 33, disappeared Oct. 21, leaving her cell phone, shoes and Toyota Camry at the home of the Joliet man she moved in with only two months before.
Fellenbaum and her Joliet boyfriend, Donald Wolak, 40, had met on the Internet, police said, and their short relationship was made out to be a stormy one.
Wolak told police Fellenbaum took off on him five days before disappeared for good. And when she absconded on Oct. 16, she stole a "large sum of cash" and one of his handguns, Joliet police Cmdr. Briant Benton said Wolak told detectives.
Fellenbaum returned to Wolak's home on Oct. 21, police said, with Wolak believing she came back to give him his gun and money. But instead the couple argued, and the barefoot woman fled without her shoes, phone or car, Benton said Wolak explained to investigators.
It later came to light that Wolak wasn't the first man Fellenbaum visited that day, according to a Chicago resident who says he and the mother of three connected on Facebook and met for a sex date at a Naperville hotel about 4 p.m. on Oct. 21.
The tryst never came off, the man said, and he didn't even realize his would-be lover was missing until nearly two weeks later.
Fellenbaum's family said they have heard nothing from the missing woman, but claim a neighbor and friend of Wolak used her abandoned cell phone to call them. Fellenbaum's mother and brother-in-law said the neighbor went by a fake name but detectives figured out her true identity.
The Joliet police have canvassed Wolak's neighborhood several times since she was reported missing to them on Oct, 25. Joliet Police Chief Mike Trafton said Wolak has cooperated with detectives and allowed them inside his house.
Wolak has failed to return calls for comment from Patch and has not answered the door to his house after repeated visits to his home. Likewise, the neighbor accused by Fellenbaum's family of using the missing woman's telephone to call them has failed to answer her door or to return calls made to her phone.
To support the efforts by police, the family and friends of Fellenbaum conducted a search of their own Sunday. They gathered at nearby Mistwood Golf Course in Romeoville and walked through the area looking for the missing mother.
The volunteer search ended without locating Fellenbaum, and after two days, the professional operation conducted by the state police and FBI failed to find Stacy, sources said.
The person of interest is described as a white male, over 6 feet tall, medium build with dark hair.
Detectives want to know if he's the man committing credit card fraud at local businesses. He often wears athletic pants believed to be Adidas brand, written down the leg, and flip-flop style shoes.
Several local organizations, businesses or individuals are collecting needed supplies for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. As they are made known to The News Eagle the announcement will be posted online that same day and in the paper, as long as the collection cutoff is not before publication.
That mother, Linda Fellenbaum, 33, disappeared Oct. 21, leaving her cell phone, shoes and Toyota Camry at the home of the Joliet man she moved in with only two months before.
Fellenbaum and her Joliet boyfriend, Donald Wolak, 40, had met on the Internet, police said, and their short relationship was made out to be a stormy one.
Wolak told police Fellenbaum took off on him five days before disappeared for good. And when she absconded on Oct. 16, she stole a "large sum of cash" and one of his handguns, Joliet police Cmdr. Briant Benton said Wolak told detectives.
Fellenbaum returned to Wolak's home on Oct. 21, police said, with Wolak believing she came back to give him his gun and money. But instead the couple argued, and the barefoot woman fled without her shoes, phone or car, Benton said Wolak explained to investigators.
It later came to light that Wolak wasn't the first man Fellenbaum visited that day, according to a Chicago resident who says he and the mother of three connected on Facebook and met for a sex date at a Naperville hotel about 4 p.m. on Oct. 21.
The tryst never came off, the man said, and he didn't even realize his would-be lover was missing until nearly two weeks later.
Fellenbaum's family said they have heard nothing from the missing woman, but claim a neighbor and friend of Wolak used her abandoned cell phone to call them. Fellenbaum's mother and brother-in-law said the neighbor went by a fake name but detectives figured out her true identity.
The Joliet police have canvassed Wolak's neighborhood several times since she was reported missing to them on Oct, 25. Joliet Police Chief Mike Trafton said Wolak has cooperated with detectives and allowed them inside his house.
Wolak has failed to return calls for comment from Patch and has not answered the door to his house after repeated visits to his home. Likewise, the neighbor accused by Fellenbaum's family of using the missing woman's telephone to call them has failed to answer her door or to return calls made to her phone.
To support the efforts by police, the family and friends of Fellenbaum conducted a search of their own Sunday. They gathered at nearby Mistwood Golf Course in Romeoville and walked through the area looking for the missing mother.
The volunteer search ended without locating Fellenbaum, and after two days, the professional operation conducted by the state police and FBI failed to find Stacy, sources said.
The person of interest is described as a white male, over 6 feet tall, medium build with dark hair.
Detectives want to know if he's the man committing credit card fraud at local businesses. He often wears athletic pants believed to be Adidas brand, written down the leg, and flip-flop style shoes.
Several local organizations, businesses or individuals are collecting needed supplies for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. As they are made known to The News Eagle the announcement will be posted online that same day and in the paper, as long as the collection cutoff is not before publication.
2012年11月4日星期日
whose entrepreneurial talents are no end
It is one of the most exclusive clubs in the world, but there are no Jimmy Choo shoes, membership fees or handbags at dawn at this club, whose members consist of the best and brightest young entrepreneurs and innovators globally.
They have founded companies, been invited to speak at the White House and the World Economic Forum, been selected as Collegiate All-Stars by Forbes magazine and written books and yet they are all under 30. And now, the Dublin hub of the Sandbox network is re-opening membership applications for young tech titans and business moguls.
The network allows no more than three people worldwide to join each week, and there is a rigorous application and referral process. The Dublin-hub closed the application process several months ago after reaching 15 members.
Described as the foremost global community of young innovators and entrepreneurs, the Sandbox network was founded in Switzerland in 2008, and has since grown to over 750 leaders in more than 53 countries. More than 25,000 people have applied to be in Sandbox over the last three years.
And why wouldn’t they? Sandboxers have featured on the front covers of Wired, Fast Company and Forbes magazine. In fact, the 2011 Forbes selection of “30 under 30” included five Sandboxers.
The network’s founders believed the bright young people shaking things up in the tech, food, fashion, media and entertainment industries would be all world leaders in 20-30 years time, according to Dublin Sandbox ambassador John Egan.
Egan, who sold his first company aged just 20 and went on to found a further six organisations, said the Sandbox network was established so the global leaders of the future would not just be meeting when they were in their 50s, but would have already established relationships spanning more than 30 years while in their 20s.
“The high achievers now could be the movers and shakers worldwide in 30 years time and the relationships will have already been cemented,” he told a group of more than 60 including Sandboxers and star-struck prospective members at a Sandbox open evening.
With 23 connected hubs around the world including London, San Francisco, Nairobi, Bangalore, Beijing and Zurich, the network identifies exceptional young people and helps incubate, accelerate and power their visions. The Dublin hub of Sandbox was launched in April and has 15 members, said Egan, who added the network will never surpass 20 members.
Award winning director, founder of Studio Rua and SuperQuest creator Padraig Mannion told the crowd of savvy businessmen and women at the open evening he joined the Sandbox network after finding he had no-one in his peer group to discuss business problems with.
“I set up my own company five years ago and it was really difficult as I had no one in my peer group to talk to about paying taxes, being sued, paying employees PRSI.”
His fellow Sandboxer Will McQuillan, whose entrepreneurial talents are no end, found no problem big enough for the network with everyone willing to help everyone else.
Sandboxers have been known to post messages on the network’s forum looking for people to connect them with everyone from Bill Clinton to Somali pirates, and nothing ever proved too difficult for them.
The 27-year-old Dubliner co-founded online fashion marketplace Osmoda, start-up accelerator Betapitch and more recently his own private equity firm called Frontline Ventures.
McQuillan is part of the London network of Sandbox, along with fellow Dubliner and Fabsie co-founder James McBennett. McBennett’s start-up was a semi-finalist at the Dublin Web Summit reaching the final 16 from 1,000 entries.
Members of the Dublin hub of the Sandbox network include Kooky Dough founders Sophie Morris and Graham Clark, Katie Tsouros, curator of art initiative KTContemporary, O’Leary Analytics founder Stephen O’Leary and Sasha de Marigny of the Undergraduate Awards. Ms de Marigny, who co-founded a performing arts school at the end of 2009, said potential Sandboxers have to submit a “Wow” item as part of their application process to the network. This can be anything from a video, to a comic strip, to a pop-up book, but it must make the founders sit up and say “Wow”.
She submitted an event pitch as her Wow factor, which detailed an idea for an event to bring the various Sandbox hubs closer, and increase links between them. The event will now be implemented, taking place in Dublin next year, with more than 2,000 Sandboxers from around the world expected to attend.
“They want to get to the essence of who you are as a person. You have to say what projects you’ve worked on, what businesses you’re involved in, what your goals for the future are.”
The former actress is part of the all-female trio running the Undergraduate Awards, an international academic awards programme celebrating the research of the world’s most exceptional undergraduates.
And what do they do at the Dublin hub of Sandbox? “We host a lot of problem solving sessions, pitching sessions (where we help fellow members with their pitches for funding) and regular meet-ups,” says de Marigny.
“We’d be in contact all the time bouncing ideas off each other. They are helping me think of really cool ideas for the Undergraduate Awards summit. We also support each others’ businesses. For example, when Kate Tsouros opens an exhibition at her gallery, we all go along.”
They have founded companies, been invited to speak at the White House and the World Economic Forum, been selected as Collegiate All-Stars by Forbes magazine and written books and yet they are all under 30. And now, the Dublin hub of the Sandbox network is re-opening membership applications for young tech titans and business moguls.
The network allows no more than three people worldwide to join each week, and there is a rigorous application and referral process. The Dublin-hub closed the application process several months ago after reaching 15 members.
Described as the foremost global community of young innovators and entrepreneurs, the Sandbox network was founded in Switzerland in 2008, and has since grown to over 750 leaders in more than 53 countries. More than 25,000 people have applied to be in Sandbox over the last three years.
And why wouldn’t they? Sandboxers have featured on the front covers of Wired, Fast Company and Forbes magazine. In fact, the 2011 Forbes selection of “30 under 30” included five Sandboxers.
The network’s founders believed the bright young people shaking things up in the tech, food, fashion, media and entertainment industries would be all world leaders in 20-30 years time, according to Dublin Sandbox ambassador John Egan.
Egan, who sold his first company aged just 20 and went on to found a further six organisations, said the Sandbox network was established so the global leaders of the future would not just be meeting when they were in their 50s, but would have already established relationships spanning more than 30 years while in their 20s.
“The high achievers now could be the movers and shakers worldwide in 30 years time and the relationships will have already been cemented,” he told a group of more than 60 including Sandboxers and star-struck prospective members at a Sandbox open evening.
With 23 connected hubs around the world including London, San Francisco, Nairobi, Bangalore, Beijing and Zurich, the network identifies exceptional young people and helps incubate, accelerate and power their visions. The Dublin hub of Sandbox was launched in April and has 15 members, said Egan, who added the network will never surpass 20 members.
Award winning director, founder of Studio Rua and SuperQuest creator Padraig Mannion told the crowd of savvy businessmen and women at the open evening he joined the Sandbox network after finding he had no-one in his peer group to discuss business problems with.
“I set up my own company five years ago and it was really difficult as I had no one in my peer group to talk to about paying taxes, being sued, paying employees PRSI.”
His fellow Sandboxer Will McQuillan, whose entrepreneurial talents are no end, found no problem big enough for the network with everyone willing to help everyone else.
Sandboxers have been known to post messages on the network’s forum looking for people to connect them with everyone from Bill Clinton to Somali pirates, and nothing ever proved too difficult for them.
The 27-year-old Dubliner co-founded online fashion marketplace Osmoda, start-up accelerator Betapitch and more recently his own private equity firm called Frontline Ventures.
McQuillan is part of the London network of Sandbox, along with fellow Dubliner and Fabsie co-founder James McBennett. McBennett’s start-up was a semi-finalist at the Dublin Web Summit reaching the final 16 from 1,000 entries.
Members of the Dublin hub of the Sandbox network include Kooky Dough founders Sophie Morris and Graham Clark, Katie Tsouros, curator of art initiative KTContemporary, O’Leary Analytics founder Stephen O’Leary and Sasha de Marigny of the Undergraduate Awards. Ms de Marigny, who co-founded a performing arts school at the end of 2009, said potential Sandboxers have to submit a “Wow” item as part of their application process to the network. This can be anything from a video, to a comic strip, to a pop-up book, but it must make the founders sit up and say “Wow”.
She submitted an event pitch as her Wow factor, which detailed an idea for an event to bring the various Sandbox hubs closer, and increase links between them. The event will now be implemented, taking place in Dublin next year, with more than 2,000 Sandboxers from around the world expected to attend.
“They want to get to the essence of who you are as a person. You have to say what projects you’ve worked on, what businesses you’re involved in, what your goals for the future are.”
The former actress is part of the all-female trio running the Undergraduate Awards, an international academic awards programme celebrating the research of the world’s most exceptional undergraduates.
And what do they do at the Dublin hub of Sandbox? “We host a lot of problem solving sessions, pitching sessions (where we help fellow members with their pitches for funding) and regular meet-ups,” says de Marigny.
“We’d be in contact all the time bouncing ideas off each other. They are helping me think of really cool ideas for the Undergraduate Awards summit. We also support each others’ businesses. For example, when Kate Tsouros opens an exhibition at her gallery, we all go along.”
2012年10月31日星期三
Bothell police had tried to keep the two apart
The 911 call Saturday was not the first time Bothell police had been to the mobile home where an elderly woman lived with her mentally ill daughter.
It was the most tragic.
The daughter met the officers on the front porch, wearing socks but no shoes.
"I want to go to jail," she said.
When officers asked her why, she replied, "I need help."
Moments later, police found the woman's mother, Lila Donaldson, 81, on the floor inside the home. She died minutes later.
Terie S. Davidson, 42, was arrested for investigation of second-degree murder.
Bothell police had tried to keep the two apart, seeking a protection order on the mother's behalf last May.
Police were called to the home around 5:20 a.m. Saturday. They found the body between a bathroom and bedroom. Blood was spattered on the floor and wall. Donaldson had a large head wound, court paper said.
Detectives believe Davidson killed her mother by striking her with a thick glass mug, according to court papers.
In a brief court appearance Wednesday, bail was set at $2 million for Davidson, who called 911 Saturday requesting an ambulance take her to get psychiatric care.
Bothell police discovered her mother inside the mobile home in the 3300 block of 228th Street SE. The victim's name was redacted from court papers released Wednesday, but she was identified in earlier cases.
In June, a Bothell police officer filed a protection petition, arguing that the Donaldson was a vulnerable adult and at risk from her daughter, who had assaulted her.
The officer referred to two incidents last May when the mother called police because her daughter was becoming aggressive and violent. In one instance, Davidson was arrested for investigation of domestic violence assault.
The mother said Davidson has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was off her medication. Donaldson said she feared for her own safety.
However, she also said she didn't want Davidson removed from the property because she was her caregiver and didn't believe she had any place to go.
The officer described Donaldson as "a small, frail, elderly woman" and the daughter as tall and large. The daughter also was reported to "frequently drink excessive alcohol," court papers said.
A judge signed the protection order.
In August, a motion was made in Snohomish County Superior Court to cancel the order.
Donaldson said her daughter was stable and had been on medications for three months, court papers said.
"She is my caregiver. I am 81 years old and need her at home," she wrote.
All was not well inside the home.
Police were called to the residence Sept. 1 after receiving a call that a woman was attempting to commit suicide by dousing herself in gasoline and trying to light herself on fire, court papers said.
On Saturday, Davidson told police she wanted to go to jail shortly after they arrived. She did not mention her mother.
She was in her pajamas and wanted to go into the home to retrieve her shoes.
When an officer tried to go inside, Davidson allegedly shut the front door and said, "It's really bad," court papers said.
She reportedly began to struggle with the patrol officers and was placed in handcuffs.
At that point, an officer went inside to perform a safety check.
Aid crews tried to save Donaldson, but she was pronounced dead while the aid car was parked in front of the home.
Davidson told an officer she had ingested 20 pills. She was taken to a Kirkland hospital to be treated for a possible overdose.
On Tuesday, she was booked into the Snohomish Count Jail for investigation of second-degree murder.
It was the most tragic.
The daughter met the officers on the front porch, wearing socks but no shoes.
"I want to go to jail," she said.
When officers asked her why, she replied, "I need help."
Moments later, police found the woman's mother, Lila Donaldson, 81, on the floor inside the home. She died minutes later.
Terie S. Davidson, 42, was arrested for investigation of second-degree murder.
Bothell police had tried to keep the two apart, seeking a protection order on the mother's behalf last May.
Police were called to the home around 5:20 a.m. Saturday. They found the body between a bathroom and bedroom. Blood was spattered on the floor and wall. Donaldson had a large head wound, court paper said.
Detectives believe Davidson killed her mother by striking her with a thick glass mug, according to court papers.
In a brief court appearance Wednesday, bail was set at $2 million for Davidson, who called 911 Saturday requesting an ambulance take her to get psychiatric care.
Bothell police discovered her mother inside the mobile home in the 3300 block of 228th Street SE. The victim's name was redacted from court papers released Wednesday, but she was identified in earlier cases.
In June, a Bothell police officer filed a protection petition, arguing that the Donaldson was a vulnerable adult and at risk from her daughter, who had assaulted her.
The officer referred to two incidents last May when the mother called police because her daughter was becoming aggressive and violent. In one instance, Davidson was arrested for investigation of domestic violence assault.
The mother said Davidson has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was off her medication. Donaldson said she feared for her own safety.
However, she also said she didn't want Davidson removed from the property because she was her caregiver and didn't believe she had any place to go.
The officer described Donaldson as "a small, frail, elderly woman" and the daughter as tall and large. The daughter also was reported to "frequently drink excessive alcohol," court papers said.
A judge signed the protection order.
In August, a motion was made in Snohomish County Superior Court to cancel the order.
Donaldson said her daughter was stable and had been on medications for three months, court papers said.
"She is my caregiver. I am 81 years old and need her at home," she wrote.
All was not well inside the home.
Police were called to the residence Sept. 1 after receiving a call that a woman was attempting to commit suicide by dousing herself in gasoline and trying to light herself on fire, court papers said.
On Saturday, Davidson told police she wanted to go to jail shortly after they arrived. She did not mention her mother.
She was in her pajamas and wanted to go into the home to retrieve her shoes.
When an officer tried to go inside, Davidson allegedly shut the front door and said, "It's really bad," court papers said.
She reportedly began to struggle with the patrol officers and was placed in handcuffs.
At that point, an officer went inside to perform a safety check.
Aid crews tried to save Donaldson, but she was pronounced dead while the aid car was parked in front of the home.
Davidson told an officer she had ingested 20 pills. She was taken to a Kirkland hospital to be treated for a possible overdose.
On Tuesday, she was booked into the Snohomish Count Jail for investigation of second-degree murder.
2012年10月29日星期一
Warren recycling organizers flush with success
“It was the best day ever. It definitely exceeded what we had anticipated,” gushed Amy Sarver, organizer of the first Recycle-O-Rama at the Warren Township Center. She is the director of operations at the Warren Township Highway Department which conducts a year-round residential electronics recycling. SWALCO, Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, was a co-sponsor of the event.
From 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, cars, SUVs and trucks kept streaming into the center off Washington Street in Gurnee, dropping off household items that had seen better days. Were it not for programs such as the one in Gurnee, they would have been dumped at the landfill — a no-no under the Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act. The crisp, sunny autumn weather, no doubt, helped with the program’s success.
“This is fantastic, great for my kids and their future,” said Kathy Strathman of Gurnee, mother three girls, ages 7-15. She brought with her a computer, a television set, a printer and “a lot of batteries.”
Mike Zullo of Wildwood drove up to a paper- shredding operation with a big box of tax records, canceled pay checks and old credit-card statements.
“It’s easier to have them shredded here than doing it myself at home,” said Zullo who also brought with him cans of latex paint, electronics and eye glasses.
Because of the rising demand for document shredding, two trucks equipped with giant shredding machines were brought to the Warren Township Center. The special trucks were designed to enable people to see through a small screen their papers being shredded so as to ease their mind.
“We expect to shred eight tons of documents today. Last year, four tons were shredded,” said township Supervisor Sue Simpson.
Peter Adrian, SWALCO recycle coordinator, estimated as many as 40,000 pounds of electronics were brought in by people for recycling.
Environmentally conscious residents also dropped off more than 500 pairs of used gym shoes and 94 child car seats, according to Sarver. Receiving the car seats was handled at the site by members of the Gurnee Police Department.
Handling the gym shoes was no duck soup. The metal eyelids had to be cut out first, which was what Rima Thakkar, 17, a senior at Warren High School, was doing with a pair of scissors.
“It’s a little hard, but we must take care of the environment,” she said.
She was among a group of volunteers who helped unload boxes and bags of items from arriving vehicles and then sort them out into bins and containers marked for books, keys, crayons, eyeglasses and so forth.
Roy Triveline, a biology teacher at Warren High School who is adviser to the school’s Environmental Club, said, “It’s everybody’s responsibility to help the environment.”
Besides the club members, other volunteers included members of the Mother Earth Council from the school and also those from Boy Scout Troop 672.
Flush with the success, Sarver was already talking about an encore for next year with a bigger and more ambitious recycling program to help the environment.
From 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, cars, SUVs and trucks kept streaming into the center off Washington Street in Gurnee, dropping off household items that had seen better days. Were it not for programs such as the one in Gurnee, they would have been dumped at the landfill — a no-no under the Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act. The crisp, sunny autumn weather, no doubt, helped with the program’s success.
“This is fantastic, great for my kids and their future,” said Kathy Strathman of Gurnee, mother three girls, ages 7-15. She brought with her a computer, a television set, a printer and “a lot of batteries.”
Mike Zullo of Wildwood drove up to a paper- shredding operation with a big box of tax records, canceled pay checks and old credit-card statements.
“It’s easier to have them shredded here than doing it myself at home,” said Zullo who also brought with him cans of latex paint, electronics and eye glasses.
Because of the rising demand for document shredding, two trucks equipped with giant shredding machines were brought to the Warren Township Center. The special trucks were designed to enable people to see through a small screen their papers being shredded so as to ease their mind.
“We expect to shred eight tons of documents today. Last year, four tons were shredded,” said township Supervisor Sue Simpson.
Peter Adrian, SWALCO recycle coordinator, estimated as many as 40,000 pounds of electronics were brought in by people for recycling.
Environmentally conscious residents also dropped off more than 500 pairs of used gym shoes and 94 child car seats, according to Sarver. Receiving the car seats was handled at the site by members of the Gurnee Police Department.
Handling the gym shoes was no duck soup. The metal eyelids had to be cut out first, which was what Rima Thakkar, 17, a senior at Warren High School, was doing with a pair of scissors.
“It’s a little hard, but we must take care of the environment,” she said.
She was among a group of volunteers who helped unload boxes and bags of items from arriving vehicles and then sort them out into bins and containers marked for books, keys, crayons, eyeglasses and so forth.
Roy Triveline, a biology teacher at Warren High School who is adviser to the school’s Environmental Club, said, “It’s everybody’s responsibility to help the environment.”
Besides the club members, other volunteers included members of the Mother Earth Council from the school and also those from Boy Scout Troop 672.
Flush with the success, Sarver was already talking about an encore for next year with a bigger and more ambitious recycling program to help the environment.
2012年10月25日星期四
Pakistani girls walk in shoes of young activist
As Pakistani school girl Malala Yousufzai recovers from bullet wounds in a British hospital, her classmates say they will not let the Taliban extremists who put her there force them to quit school.
“Though we are very sad for our friend Malala, such mean actions would never discourage us and will never keep our attention from getting education,” said Rida, a ninth-grade schoolmate of Malala’s at Khushal School in Mingora, Swat Valley.
“Education is our right given to us by our religion and no forces can stop us from getting it,” says Rida, whose full name is being withheld by USA TODAY to prevent retaliation against her.
Malala’s hometown in the lush Swat Valley became the center of Taliban violence in Pakistan after the group pushed its way into power in 2007. Staunch opponents of female education, the Taliban terrorized students and teachers, bombed hundreds of schools and forced many others to close their doors to girls because of the risk.
But a major offensive by the Pakistan military two years later largely drove the Taliban from the area and allowed young girls to go back to their classrooms.
Earlier this month, 15-year-old Malala, an outspoken advocate for girls’ education, was shot in the head and neck by the Taliban on her way home from school. The group has vowed to finish her off, saying she had been acting against Islam in her activism.
Even so, the attack on Malala has shown their threat continues. But the girls in her hometown say they can’t let the fear of extremists put them off again.
“We saw three bleak years where our schools were torched and blasted and we were forcefully stopped from going to school — we got education secretly,” said Kausar, a 10th-grader at Government High School No.1 in Saidu Sharif, Swat, whose full name is also being withheld by USA TODAY.
“That was the worst time of our lives but we have never given up our education.”
The official literacy rate in Pakistan is 56% and 40% of females can read. Literacy rates for women in Pakistan have increased from 15% to 40% since the early 1980s. Pakistan’s government credits the rise to public campaigns to get more girls in school.
Malala became famous for a blog she wrote for the BBC in 2009 under a pseudonym about her oppressive life under the Taliban regime and its repression of education of girls. When she was shot for it, Pakistanis across the political, ethnic and religious spectrum came forward to denounce the Taliban.
In the south of the country, where it is safer for girls to go to school, Malala is considered a hero.
“I want to do what Malala did,” said Swaliha Abdullah, a 12-year-old eighth-grader at Eck Eck Government School, a Karachi public school. “She saved her school by writing about it.”
In Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, girls go to school unhindered by extremists. Instead it is poverty that most affects girls’ schooling as well as that of boys.
At Karachi’s P and T Government Girls’ School, girls in pigtails held in place by red ribbons and in the traditional blue-and-white shalwar kameez tunic and trousers, the everyday style of Pakistani females, peek out of the classrooms as the end of the school day approaches.
“My mom wants me to be a doctor, but I want to be a teacher,” said Wajiha Ashfaq, 14, an eighth-grade student there. Her best friend, Fouzia Ayaz Ahmed, wants to be a doctor.
Fouzia’s father is a driver and Wajiha’s has a government job. They live in a low-income neighborhood close by and walk to school together. Their little sisters tag along.
“I have never taken time off school except once when I had fever,” boasted Laiba Ashfaq, Wajiha’s sister, who is in the fourth grade.
She explains that she loves school and English is her favorite subject. Laiba wants to be a doctor when she grows up.
Rich Pakistanis send their children to private school while poorer children often attend those run by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Citizens’ Foundation, which is supported by private donors. In many of these schools, tuition is waived and the NGO pays for uniforms and books.
Equally important to keeping girls in school is to give them the means to help support the family so they are not forced to work. Nighat Abbasi of the Inner Wheel Club, the NGO that adopted P and T Government Girls’ School, organizes programs such as in tie-dying so that girls have a way to augment the family income while staying in school.
Anam Basri, a classmate of Malala at the Khushal School in Mingora, says the Taliban is naive if it thinks it can frighten girls from pursuing an education.
“They will never be successful in their evil thinking and actions to stop us from education,” she says.
“Though we are very sad for our friend Malala, such mean actions would never discourage us and will never keep our attention from getting education,” said Rida, a ninth-grade schoolmate of Malala’s at Khushal School in Mingora, Swat Valley.
“Education is our right given to us by our religion and no forces can stop us from getting it,” says Rida, whose full name is being withheld by USA TODAY to prevent retaliation against her.
Malala’s hometown in the lush Swat Valley became the center of Taliban violence in Pakistan after the group pushed its way into power in 2007. Staunch opponents of female education, the Taliban terrorized students and teachers, bombed hundreds of schools and forced many others to close their doors to girls because of the risk.
But a major offensive by the Pakistan military two years later largely drove the Taliban from the area and allowed young girls to go back to their classrooms.
Earlier this month, 15-year-old Malala, an outspoken advocate for girls’ education, was shot in the head and neck by the Taliban on her way home from school. The group has vowed to finish her off, saying she had been acting against Islam in her activism.
Even so, the attack on Malala has shown their threat continues. But the girls in her hometown say they can’t let the fear of extremists put them off again.
“We saw three bleak years where our schools were torched and blasted and we were forcefully stopped from going to school — we got education secretly,” said Kausar, a 10th-grader at Government High School No.1 in Saidu Sharif, Swat, whose full name is also being withheld by USA TODAY.
“That was the worst time of our lives but we have never given up our education.”
The official literacy rate in Pakistan is 56% and 40% of females can read. Literacy rates for women in Pakistan have increased from 15% to 40% since the early 1980s. Pakistan’s government credits the rise to public campaigns to get more girls in school.
Malala became famous for a blog she wrote for the BBC in 2009 under a pseudonym about her oppressive life under the Taliban regime and its repression of education of girls. When she was shot for it, Pakistanis across the political, ethnic and religious spectrum came forward to denounce the Taliban.
In the south of the country, where it is safer for girls to go to school, Malala is considered a hero.
“I want to do what Malala did,” said Swaliha Abdullah, a 12-year-old eighth-grader at Eck Eck Government School, a Karachi public school. “She saved her school by writing about it.”
In Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, girls go to school unhindered by extremists. Instead it is poverty that most affects girls’ schooling as well as that of boys.
At Karachi’s P and T Government Girls’ School, girls in pigtails held in place by red ribbons and in the traditional blue-and-white shalwar kameez tunic and trousers, the everyday style of Pakistani females, peek out of the classrooms as the end of the school day approaches.
“My mom wants me to be a doctor, but I want to be a teacher,” said Wajiha Ashfaq, 14, an eighth-grade student there. Her best friend, Fouzia Ayaz Ahmed, wants to be a doctor.
Fouzia’s father is a driver and Wajiha’s has a government job. They live in a low-income neighborhood close by and walk to school together. Their little sisters tag along.
“I have never taken time off school except once when I had fever,” boasted Laiba Ashfaq, Wajiha’s sister, who is in the fourth grade.
She explains that she loves school and English is her favorite subject. Laiba wants to be a doctor when she grows up.
Rich Pakistanis send their children to private school while poorer children often attend those run by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Citizens’ Foundation, which is supported by private donors. In many of these schools, tuition is waived and the NGO pays for uniforms and books.
Equally important to keeping girls in school is to give them the means to help support the family so they are not forced to work. Nighat Abbasi of the Inner Wheel Club, the NGO that adopted P and T Government Girls’ School, organizes programs such as in tie-dying so that girls have a way to augment the family income while staying in school.
Anam Basri, a classmate of Malala at the Khushal School in Mingora, says the Taliban is naive if it thinks it can frighten girls from pursuing an education.
“They will never be successful in their evil thinking and actions to stop us from education,” she says.
2012年10月24日星期三
Ingram was vaunted for his aggressiveness
Mark Ingram rushes for 1600 yards and 17 touchdowns while leading his team to a BCS national Championship and winning the Heisman trophy. 2010: Ingram is drafted in the first round, #28 overall to the New Orleans Saints and sophomore back Trent Richardson bursts onto the scene. 2011: Richardson rushes for 1700 yards and 21 touchdowns, leading to another BCS National Championship, is a Heisman finalist, and is drafted with the third overall pick by the Cleveland Browns.
Alabama running back Eddie Lacy has the misfortune of trying to follow one of the best acts in football. Being the next Alabama running back after Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson is like telling someone “Alright, you are going to be getting on stage right after The Beatles and The Rolling Stones warm the crowd up.”
Throw in the fact that Alabama also has the extremely exciting freshman TJ Yeldon breathing down Lacy’s neck, and you’re looking at a guy without a chance of separating himself from the others. And it’s not because he doesn’t have the talent.
Many with short memories will forget that, according to Rivals, Lacy was a four star recruit, 13th ranked running back, and top 120 prospect in the country when he came out of high school. Few people look at the 5’11″, 220 pound back and see the all-around skill set he possesses.
No, many just look at Eddie Lacy and remember how great Ingram and Richardson were, and dream about how good Yeldon could be.
But right now, Lacy is in the present, and the fact is that he is a very solid running back prospect that has true NFL potential. Much like Ingram and Richardson, he does not possess elite speed at the position. Ingram was a low-4.6 guy and Richardson was a low 4.5 guy. I think Lacy is closer to Richardson, and should post a time around 4.55. He isn’t as powerful as Ingram, but he is built very solidly and has very good balance for the position.
Lacy’s running intelligence is something that stands out to me when I watch him. Ingram was vaunted for his aggressiveness at the line of scrimmage and dedication to running north-south. Richardson was known for his light feet and change of direction ability combined with his immense physical skillset. Lacy gets his yards with patience and a great ability to read his offensive line. He is an ideal zone-scheme running back, in the mold of a guy like Ben Tate. He doesn’t have Tate’s second gear (Tate ran in the 4.4 range), but he has his patience in combination with his quickness once he sees the opening.
At this point, Lacy is a second day pick, and a guy who probably will be drafted into part of a rotation. I think he could be a star in a scheme such as the Redskins, but I am sure they are content with Alfred Morris and probably want to use their picks to shore up the defense. I could see a team like the Jets bringing him in as a rotational back because Lacy’s biggest concern is his ability to carry the load. He has never had more than 19 carries in a game (which he has done once), and before this season he never had more than 13 in a game.
I don’t envy Eddie Lacy’s position as the next in line in the Alabama running back lineage. I do think he has a potentially bright future ahead of him in the NFL, and I think he should go in the second day of the NFL draft.
Alabama running back Eddie Lacy has the misfortune of trying to follow one of the best acts in football. Being the next Alabama running back after Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson is like telling someone “Alright, you are going to be getting on stage right after The Beatles and The Rolling Stones warm the crowd up.”
Throw in the fact that Alabama also has the extremely exciting freshman TJ Yeldon breathing down Lacy’s neck, and you’re looking at a guy without a chance of separating himself from the others. And it’s not because he doesn’t have the talent.
Many with short memories will forget that, according to Rivals, Lacy was a four star recruit, 13th ranked running back, and top 120 prospect in the country when he came out of high school. Few people look at the 5’11″, 220 pound back and see the all-around skill set he possesses.
No, many just look at Eddie Lacy and remember how great Ingram and Richardson were, and dream about how good Yeldon could be.
But right now, Lacy is in the present, and the fact is that he is a very solid running back prospect that has true NFL potential. Much like Ingram and Richardson, he does not possess elite speed at the position. Ingram was a low-4.6 guy and Richardson was a low 4.5 guy. I think Lacy is closer to Richardson, and should post a time around 4.55. He isn’t as powerful as Ingram, but he is built very solidly and has very good balance for the position.
Lacy’s running intelligence is something that stands out to me when I watch him. Ingram was vaunted for his aggressiveness at the line of scrimmage and dedication to running north-south. Richardson was known for his light feet and change of direction ability combined with his immense physical skillset. Lacy gets his yards with patience and a great ability to read his offensive line. He is an ideal zone-scheme running back, in the mold of a guy like Ben Tate. He doesn’t have Tate’s second gear (Tate ran in the 4.4 range), but he has his patience in combination with his quickness once he sees the opening.
At this point, Lacy is a second day pick, and a guy who probably will be drafted into part of a rotation. I think he could be a star in a scheme such as the Redskins, but I am sure they are content with Alfred Morris and probably want to use their picks to shore up the defense. I could see a team like the Jets bringing him in as a rotational back because Lacy’s biggest concern is his ability to carry the load. He has never had more than 19 carries in a game (which he has done once), and before this season he never had more than 13 in a game.
I don’t envy Eddie Lacy’s position as the next in line in the Alabama running back lineage. I do think he has a potentially bright future ahead of him in the NFL, and I think he should go in the second day of the NFL draft.
2012年10月23日星期二
I want to support as a female designer
The annual QVC Presents “FFANY Shoes on Sale” event managed to draw an impressive crowd of footwear designers, executives and celebs on Monday night, at New York’s Waldorf Astoria.
“It just seems to get bigger every year. It’s fabulous to be here and actually watch it all come together,” said QVC CEO Mike George. “We’ve got a record number of shoes donated and it’s a great turnout, so it’s another great year.”
While both George and FFANY CEO Joe Moore sported pink ties to show their support for the evening’s cause — breast cancer research — Moore took it a step further with a footwear look by H.H. Brown featuring pink suede contrasts.
Meanwhile, guests were invited to shop the donated merchandise in the Shoe Salon, which showcased more than 90 brands. This year’s spokesperson, Nicole Richie, was in on the shopping and joked that her House of Harlow 1960 line stole the show. When asked her favorite look to peruse? “My shoes, of course,” she said, citing the Madison as her personal favorite style.
Designer Ruthie Davis also was on-hand and donated several looks for the fundraiser. “We took it up a notch this year. It’s a cause I want to support as a female designer,” she said, while also hinting that men’s shoes will be added to her label for fall.
Vince Camuto made the rounds with Liz Rodbell, EVP of merchandising for Lord & Taylor, which received the Retailer of the Year Award (presented by Camuto). “Liz has been a friend of mine for years, and we love working with her,” said Camuto. “We love what Lord & Taylor is doing and we’re excited to be part of presenting the award to them this year. It’s an honor for us.”
Another big name in the room was TV actress Kristin Cavallari, who introduced Tory Burch as a presenter. Cavallari, whose own capsule collection with Chinese Laundry debuts for spring ’13, noted that she was a “big fan” of the designer and her footwear.
Burch then took the stage to present the Jodi Fisher Humanitarian Award, given posthumously to Evelyn Lauder of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Dr. Larry Norton was on-hand to accept the honor.
“Evelyn was always the best advocate [for breast cancer]. I called her when my mother and sister-in-law were diagnosed, and she called me back within 5 minutes,” said Burch, who also shared memories of Lauder’s shoe-loving ways. “Evelyn was always the first in line to shop a shoe sale.”
Actress Helena Mattsson of ABC’s “666 Park Avenue” also showed her support for the cause and attended the event with Carmen Marc Volvo, while sporting an exclusive strappy sandal from the designer’s spring ’13 runway collection.
Volvo himself chose a vintage look by H.H. Brown and hinted that there’s more to come from the two teams.
The evening wrapped with a dance party at the “FFANY Club,” and the on-air QVC sale kicks off Wednesday.
“It just seems to get bigger every year. It’s fabulous to be here and actually watch it all come together,” said QVC CEO Mike George. “We’ve got a record number of shoes donated and it’s a great turnout, so it’s another great year.”
While both George and FFANY CEO Joe Moore sported pink ties to show their support for the evening’s cause — breast cancer research — Moore took it a step further with a footwear look by H.H. Brown featuring pink suede contrasts.
Meanwhile, guests were invited to shop the donated merchandise in the Shoe Salon, which showcased more than 90 brands. This year’s spokesperson, Nicole Richie, was in on the shopping and joked that her House of Harlow 1960 line stole the show. When asked her favorite look to peruse? “My shoes, of course,” she said, citing the Madison as her personal favorite style.
Designer Ruthie Davis also was on-hand and donated several looks for the fundraiser. “We took it up a notch this year. It’s a cause I want to support as a female designer,” she said, while also hinting that men’s shoes will be added to her label for fall.
Vince Camuto made the rounds with Liz Rodbell, EVP of merchandising for Lord & Taylor, which received the Retailer of the Year Award (presented by Camuto). “Liz has been a friend of mine for years, and we love working with her,” said Camuto. “We love what Lord & Taylor is doing and we’re excited to be part of presenting the award to them this year. It’s an honor for us.”
Another big name in the room was TV actress Kristin Cavallari, who introduced Tory Burch as a presenter. Cavallari, whose own capsule collection with Chinese Laundry debuts for spring ’13, noted that she was a “big fan” of the designer and her footwear.
Burch then took the stage to present the Jodi Fisher Humanitarian Award, given posthumously to Evelyn Lauder of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Dr. Larry Norton was on-hand to accept the honor.
“Evelyn was always the best advocate [for breast cancer]. I called her when my mother and sister-in-law were diagnosed, and she called me back within 5 minutes,” said Burch, who also shared memories of Lauder’s shoe-loving ways. “Evelyn was always the first in line to shop a shoe sale.”
Actress Helena Mattsson of ABC’s “666 Park Avenue” also showed her support for the cause and attended the event with Carmen Marc Volvo, while sporting an exclusive strappy sandal from the designer’s spring ’13 runway collection.
Volvo himself chose a vintage look by H.H. Brown and hinted that there’s more to come from the two teams.
The evening wrapped with a dance party at the “FFANY Club,” and the on-air QVC sale kicks off Wednesday.
2012年10月22日星期一
Justin Kittredge of Reebok helped spearhead
He said they feel “like a cushion inside.”
The cushion is actually memory foam in the sole of the shoe.
A team of 10 Reebok designers used laser technology and molds to custom make three pairs of size 24 shoes.
“Now that I’ve seen them, I’m overwhelmed,” Igor said.
Each pair is personalized with his name, his exact height – seven feet, eight and-one-third inches — and his own logo: a symbol of where he is from.
“The top of it is a national Ukrainian symbol,” Igor said.
The last time Igor fit into a pair of Reebok’s, he was in third grade.
“I never thought I’d have a pair of shoes that looks like something that comes off the shelf,” he said. “To have all of these things personalized specifically to me, it goes above and beyond anything I had hoped for.”
For him, this gift is much bigger than shoes.
“It’s an enormous opportunity now to start doing things I haven’t been able to do.”
Numerous painful foot ailments and surgeries, compounded by his size, have kept Igor from leaving his home many times.
“Walking two blocks, I’m out of breath. I hope this is the road to recovery,” he said.
Justin Kittredge of Reebok helped spearhead the effort to get Igor new shoes. He came to Rochester to personally do the fitting on Thursday.
“From the reaction today, I think we’re definitely on the road to helping Igor to a much more healthier lifestyle.”
Igor says he’ll surely be sporting his new Timberwolves-inspired tennis shoes to a basketball game soon.
For the first time in a long time, Igor says, he’ll be comfortable and proud to walk around in his new shoes.
“Now I’m hoping that instead of my height drawing attention, my shoes are going to be drawing attention,” he said.
Igor initially raised nearly $40,000 from donations on Facebook to pay for the shoes. Reebok since stepped in and said it would cover the entire cost.
Igor says he’ll use the money to buy winter shoes, a pair of sandals, and tuck the rest away to buy shoes in the future. He also said he’s incredibly grateful for the supportive messages and donations he received from people across the country.
The cushion is actually memory foam in the sole of the shoe.
A team of 10 Reebok designers used laser technology and molds to custom make three pairs of size 24 shoes.
“Now that I’ve seen them, I’m overwhelmed,” Igor said.
Each pair is personalized with his name, his exact height – seven feet, eight and-one-third inches — and his own logo: a symbol of where he is from.
“The top of it is a national Ukrainian symbol,” Igor said.
The last time Igor fit into a pair of Reebok’s, he was in third grade.
“I never thought I’d have a pair of shoes that looks like something that comes off the shelf,” he said. “To have all of these things personalized specifically to me, it goes above and beyond anything I had hoped for.”
For him, this gift is much bigger than shoes.
“It’s an enormous opportunity now to start doing things I haven’t been able to do.”
Numerous painful foot ailments and surgeries, compounded by his size, have kept Igor from leaving his home many times.
“Walking two blocks, I’m out of breath. I hope this is the road to recovery,” he said.
Justin Kittredge of Reebok helped spearhead the effort to get Igor new shoes. He came to Rochester to personally do the fitting on Thursday.
“From the reaction today, I think we’re definitely on the road to helping Igor to a much more healthier lifestyle.”
Igor says he’ll surely be sporting his new Timberwolves-inspired tennis shoes to a basketball game soon.
For the first time in a long time, Igor says, he’ll be comfortable and proud to walk around in his new shoes.
“Now I’m hoping that instead of my height drawing attention, my shoes are going to be drawing attention,” he said.
Igor initially raised nearly $40,000 from donations on Facebook to pay for the shoes. Reebok since stepped in and said it would cover the entire cost.
Igor says he’ll use the money to buy winter shoes, a pair of sandals, and tuck the rest away to buy shoes in the future. He also said he’s incredibly grateful for the supportive messages and donations he received from people across the country.
2012年10月21日星期日
Even as other cobblers went out of business
In a matter of days, they'll take out the last of the heavy stitching, sanding and polishing machines that have been here as long as he has, since Dwight D. Eisenhower was president and the Baltimore Orioles were the newest thing in the American League. You don't have to ask how Insley feels about leaving the shop after 58 years. Just step in the door and he tells you.
"I loved every minute of it," says Insley. "I hate to go. But when you get to be 82, you got to go."
A few weeks ago, he posted signs in the window saying he was closing the place Oct. 31, asking customers to call his home to make arrangements to pick up their shoes or boots. He's at the shop now just a few hours a week, taking no new work except for repairs that can be done quickly and with the equipment he still has on hand.
"It's going to hurt bad" to leave, he says. "It ain't like I'm not going to see some of the people, but …"
Insley has worked since 1954 at the Shipley Linthicum Shopping Center, where his brother, Joseph, opened the shop in 1949. That was before throwaway shoes and sneakers that change styles in a flash. That was before their trade started to fade away, from about 100,000 shoe repair stores during the Great Depression to fewer than a tenth of that number today, according to the Shoe Service Institute of America.
Even as other cobblers went out of business, Insley says he became known as the "Mayor of Linthicum Shopping Center."
"He'll definitely be missed, that's for sure," says Kathy Williams, who stopped by the shop one recent morning with her husband, Dan, who grew up in the neighborhood and remembers bringing his shoes here when he was a teenager in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
"When I was going to school, the big thing was getting a pair of shoes and getting cleats put on them," Dan Williams says. He'd come here, to Billie.
Now living in Boiling Springs, S.C., the Williamses were in town for a family wedding at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, where Kathy broke a tip off the spiky heel of a pair of black patent leather shoes. She immediately thought of Insley.
"In the 40 years we've been married, anytime we needed shoes repaired, we'd come here," she says.
The Williamses are headed back to South Carolina in a day, but they dropped off the shoes a little after 10 in the morning and went on their way, saying they'd be back about noon.
Insley quickly finds a couple of fresh heel tips, sets the shoe heels up one at a time on an iron stand and nails the tips home. He sands the sides smooth on a machine that takes up much of one wall — a contraption with many wheels and levers that looks suited for a museum exhibition on the Industrial Revolution. He finishes the job with dabs of black Fiebing's Leather Dye. All for $5.
"I call them my family," he says of his customers. "Anybody in this world who loves their job more," he says — well, it's hard to imagine. "It's always something different. The shoes have changed so much since 1947. Used to be wooden heels. Now everything is plastic."
Sometimes that means the heels and soles cannot be replaced, but, he says, "I like a good challenge."
He can repair a leather coat by slipping a matching swatch behind the tear, affixing it with leather cement and tamping it down so smooth that all you see is "teeny seams," he says.
"He's a cobbler, a true cobbler," says Jude Sklanka, a friend from the neighborhood who is helping Insley clean out the shop. "This area of Anne Arundel County is losing something it will never have again. It's sad. Now people are coming in and realizing we lost part of our community."
George Schneider, for instance, stops by after getting his hair cut next door.
"Who's going to be here as a shoe repair?" he asks Insley.
"Nobody," says Insley.
"Nobody?" says Schneider, who has been a customer of Insley's since 1968. "I'm going to miss you."
Sklanka dismantled the wooden shelves, bought all the stock and the equipment, and is taking everything out, piece by piece. Some stuff he has hauled to the county dump. Some supplies and equipment, he's selling to a shoemaker in Rockville. He's putting some of the equipment in storage, and then, he says, "I have no idea what I'm going to do with it."
A lifelong bachelor, Insley is not quite sure what he's going to do, either. He's been doing this work since another brother, who went by the initials L.J., asked him to join him in his shoe-repair shop in Glen Burnie in 1947. Years later, Insley was drafted and spent a couple of years in the Army, then returned to join Joseph here in Linthicum in 1954. Since 1957, he's been running the shop on his own.
"I loved every minute of it," says Insley. "I hate to go. But when you get to be 82, you got to go."
A few weeks ago, he posted signs in the window saying he was closing the place Oct. 31, asking customers to call his home to make arrangements to pick up their shoes or boots. He's at the shop now just a few hours a week, taking no new work except for repairs that can be done quickly and with the equipment he still has on hand.
"It's going to hurt bad" to leave, he says. "It ain't like I'm not going to see some of the people, but …"
Insley has worked since 1954 at the Shipley Linthicum Shopping Center, where his brother, Joseph, opened the shop in 1949. That was before throwaway shoes and sneakers that change styles in a flash. That was before their trade started to fade away, from about 100,000 shoe repair stores during the Great Depression to fewer than a tenth of that number today, according to the Shoe Service Institute of America.
Even as other cobblers went out of business, Insley says he became known as the "Mayor of Linthicum Shopping Center."
"He'll definitely be missed, that's for sure," says Kathy Williams, who stopped by the shop one recent morning with her husband, Dan, who grew up in the neighborhood and remembers bringing his shoes here when he was a teenager in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
"When I was going to school, the big thing was getting a pair of shoes and getting cleats put on them," Dan Williams says. He'd come here, to Billie.
Now living in Boiling Springs, S.C., the Williamses were in town for a family wedding at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie, where Kathy broke a tip off the spiky heel of a pair of black patent leather shoes. She immediately thought of Insley.
"In the 40 years we've been married, anytime we needed shoes repaired, we'd come here," she says.
The Williamses are headed back to South Carolina in a day, but they dropped off the shoes a little after 10 in the morning and went on their way, saying they'd be back about noon.
Insley quickly finds a couple of fresh heel tips, sets the shoe heels up one at a time on an iron stand and nails the tips home. He sands the sides smooth on a machine that takes up much of one wall — a contraption with many wheels and levers that looks suited for a museum exhibition on the Industrial Revolution. He finishes the job with dabs of black Fiebing's Leather Dye. All for $5.
"I call them my family," he says of his customers. "Anybody in this world who loves their job more," he says — well, it's hard to imagine. "It's always something different. The shoes have changed so much since 1947. Used to be wooden heels. Now everything is plastic."
Sometimes that means the heels and soles cannot be replaced, but, he says, "I like a good challenge."
He can repair a leather coat by slipping a matching swatch behind the tear, affixing it with leather cement and tamping it down so smooth that all you see is "teeny seams," he says.
"He's a cobbler, a true cobbler," says Jude Sklanka, a friend from the neighborhood who is helping Insley clean out the shop. "This area of Anne Arundel County is losing something it will never have again. It's sad. Now people are coming in and realizing we lost part of our community."
George Schneider, for instance, stops by after getting his hair cut next door.
"Who's going to be here as a shoe repair?" he asks Insley.
"Nobody," says Insley.
"Nobody?" says Schneider, who has been a customer of Insley's since 1968. "I'm going to miss you."
Sklanka dismantled the wooden shelves, bought all the stock and the equipment, and is taking everything out, piece by piece. Some stuff he has hauled to the county dump. Some supplies and equipment, he's selling to a shoemaker in Rockville. He's putting some of the equipment in storage, and then, he says, "I have no idea what I'm going to do with it."
A lifelong bachelor, Insley is not quite sure what he's going to do, either. He's been doing this work since another brother, who went by the initials L.J., asked him to join him in his shoe-repair shop in Glen Burnie in 1947. Years later, Insley was drafted and spent a couple of years in the Army, then returned to join Joseph here in Linthicum in 1954. Since 1957, he's been running the shop on his own.
2012年10月18日星期四
Big-man Tuinei has big shoes to fill for Als
In some ways, Lavasier Tuinei has been preparing for this moment his entire life -- from the days he followed his father around NFL stadiums, to another stage at the University of Oregon and, finally, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
Tuinei has played before 100,000 spectators. Presumably, he won't be fazed by the 30,000 that will cram into Mosaic Stadium Saturday afternoon.
"I'm excited. I'm not as nervous as I should be. I'm more prepared and have confidence in myself," the 6-foot-5, 216-pound receiver said on Thursday, following the Alouettes' final practice this week at Stade Hébert in Saint-Léonard. "I want to show the team I can step up after the injuries. I have big shoes to fill ... but I'm prepared and ready."
Only 22, and on Montreal's practice roster for only three weeks, Tuinei is preparing for his pro debut against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. And he's part of a new-look offence, following injuries to receiver Brandon London and tailback Victor Anderson. London is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery this week, while Anderson suffered a concussion last Sunday, against Toronto, and will be replaced by Chris Jennings.
And the Als are already missing receiver S.J. Green, creating another opening on offence for tailback, receiver and kick-returner Noel Devine, who comes off the nine-game injured list.
"We have to enjoy the process of getting to know the team," head coach Marc Trestman said. "We have a lot of new pieces, and it'll be this way the rest of the way. Some players will have to be more productive. We can't rely on one or two.
"We'll have to grow and continue finding ourselves as we move forward," he added. "I think we can do it and have success as a team. It's going to take a collective effort and it's going to be different. We won't sit back and wait for things to happen."
Tuinei realizes he would still be a prospect, sitting on the practice roster, had London not sustained his injury. That's the way things work in pro sports, an injury creating a potential opening that must be seized by the newcomer.
"Sometimes you have to wait and be patient," said the native of Arcadia, Ind. "People get hurt and you step up ... show off your ability. This is my chance. I'm the next person (on the depth chart) and I won't lag. I want to help the team. That's what I'm here for."
It's not like Tuinei comes to Montreal without credentials and an impressive pedigree. He already has the blood-line; his father, Van, is a former defensive end who played 45 NFL games with San Diego, Indianapolis and Chicago.
As for the receiver, he spent three seasons with the Oregon Ducks, following a year at Golden West Junior College in Huntington Beach, Calif., catching 108 passes for 1,212 yards over 37 games, while scoring 12 touchdowns.
He was the team's leading receiver as a senior, with 48 receptions and 10 TDs, and second in yards, with 599. But Tuinei saved the best for his final collegiate game, being named the Rose Bowl's offensive player of the game. He had a career-high eight catches for 158 yards, scoring twice, in the Ducks' win over Wisconsin.
Tuinei has played before 100,000 spectators. Presumably, he won't be fazed by the 30,000 that will cram into Mosaic Stadium Saturday afternoon.
"I'm excited. I'm not as nervous as I should be. I'm more prepared and have confidence in myself," the 6-foot-5, 216-pound receiver said on Thursday, following the Alouettes' final practice this week at Stade Hébert in Saint-Léonard. "I want to show the team I can step up after the injuries. I have big shoes to fill ... but I'm prepared and ready."
Only 22, and on Montreal's practice roster for only three weeks, Tuinei is preparing for his pro debut against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. And he's part of a new-look offence, following injuries to receiver Brandon London and tailback Victor Anderson. London is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery this week, while Anderson suffered a concussion last Sunday, against Toronto, and will be replaced by Chris Jennings.
And the Als are already missing receiver S.J. Green, creating another opening on offence for tailback, receiver and kick-returner Noel Devine, who comes off the nine-game injured list.
"We have to enjoy the process of getting to know the team," head coach Marc Trestman said. "We have a lot of new pieces, and it'll be this way the rest of the way. Some players will have to be more productive. We can't rely on one or two.
"We'll have to grow and continue finding ourselves as we move forward," he added. "I think we can do it and have success as a team. It's going to take a collective effort and it's going to be different. We won't sit back and wait for things to happen."
Tuinei realizes he would still be a prospect, sitting on the practice roster, had London not sustained his injury. That's the way things work in pro sports, an injury creating a potential opening that must be seized by the newcomer.
"Sometimes you have to wait and be patient," said the native of Arcadia, Ind. "People get hurt and you step up ... show off your ability. This is my chance. I'm the next person (on the depth chart) and I won't lag. I want to help the team. That's what I'm here for."
It's not like Tuinei comes to Montreal without credentials and an impressive pedigree. He already has the blood-line; his father, Van, is a former defensive end who played 45 NFL games with San Diego, Indianapolis and Chicago.
As for the receiver, he spent three seasons with the Oregon Ducks, following a year at Golden West Junior College in Huntington Beach, Calif., catching 108 passes for 1,212 yards over 37 games, while scoring 12 touchdowns.
He was the team's leading receiver as a senior, with 48 receptions and 10 TDs, and second in yards, with 599. But Tuinei saved the best for his final collegiate game, being named the Rose Bowl's offensive player of the game. He had a career-high eight catches for 158 yards, scoring twice, in the Ducks' win over Wisconsin.
2012年10月17日星期三
while staying with the family of Bob Rosen
Runners young and older can be seen on the roads, and the outdoor tracks at UMass, Amherst College and Amherst Regional High School.
Some of them train for real competition, either in races around Western Massachusetts, or in college and high school meets. Others are just out there for a good workout.
Then there are the really serious guys, like Philemon Terer and Benard Lengat.
No, they’re aren’t from Amherst. Nor do they live there. They come from Kenya, where running is a way of life, especially for those willing to put in the miles that can lead to monetary winnings in support of themselves and their families back in their villages.
For dedicated athletes like Terer and Lengat, Amherst has become an important stop on their journey toward establishing themselves as world-class competitors. Over recent weeks, they trained together in Amherst while staying with the family of Bob Rosen, a 61-year-old distance-running guru who doubles as a Springfield lawyer.
The law may be his livelihood, but the road is his passion. He has been running since his teens, and he loves to help others with their training. He’s been doing that for years as a volunteer assistant coach of cross country and track at Amherst Regional. He also helps with Amherst College teams.
As Rosen puts it, “I love to deal with young, motivated people who want to learn. I try to help them get better and faster, and I try to give them what can be a lifelong love for the sport. It’s something they can do for years.”
It was no wonder, then, that Rosen reveled in the success of the Amherst Regional boys teams when they won a “Triple Crown” in 2011-12 – Western Massachusetts titles in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.
As for the Kenyans, the training they have been doing with Rosen in Amherst has produced impressive results. On Oct. 13 – a cold and crisp Saturday morning – Terer and Lengat finished 1-2 in the Hartford Half-Marathon, outlasting a field of 7,000 entries. If not for the cold, one or both might have broken the course record of 1:05.24 for the 13.1-mile grind.
It seems that Amherst always has been known as “a running town.”
Runners young and older can be seen on the roads, and the outdoor tracks at UMass, Amherst College and Amherst Regional High School.
Some of them train for real competition, either in races around Western Massachusetts, or in college and high school meets. Others are just out there for a good workout.
Then there are the really serious guys, like Philemon Terer and Benard Lengat.
No, they’re aren’t from Amherst. Nor do they live there. They come from Kenya, where running is a way of life, especially for those willing to put in the miles that can lead to monetary winnings in support of themselves and their families back in their villages.
For dedicated athletes like Terer and Lengat, Amherst has become an important stop on their journey toward establishing themselves as world-class competitors. Over recent weeks, they trained together in Amherst while staying with the family of Bob Rosen, a 61-year-old distance-running guru who doubles as a Springfield lawyer.
The law may be his livelihood, but the road is his passion. He has been running since his teens, and he loves to help others with their training. He’s been doing that for years as a volunteer assistant coach of cross country and track at Amherst Regional. He also helps with Amherst College teams.
As Rosen puts it, “I love to deal with young, motivated people who want to learn. I try to help them get better and faster, and I try to give them what can be a lifelong love for the sport. It’s something they can do for years.”
It was no wonder, then, that Rosen reveled in the success of the Amherst Regional boys teams when they won a “Triple Crown” in 2011-12 – Western Massachusetts titles in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.
As for the Kenyans, the training they have been doing with Rosen in Amherst has produced impressive results. On Oct. 13 – a cold and crisp Saturday morning – Terer and Lengat finished 1-2 in the Hartford Half-Marathon, outlasting a field of 7,000 entries. If not for the cold, one or both might have broken the course record of 1:05.24 for the 13.1-mile grind.
Some of them train for real competition, either in races around Western Massachusetts, or in college and high school meets. Others are just out there for a good workout.
Then there are the really serious guys, like Philemon Terer and Benard Lengat.
No, they’re aren’t from Amherst. Nor do they live there. They come from Kenya, where running is a way of life, especially for those willing to put in the miles that can lead to monetary winnings in support of themselves and their families back in their villages.
For dedicated athletes like Terer and Lengat, Amherst has become an important stop on their journey toward establishing themselves as world-class competitors. Over recent weeks, they trained together in Amherst while staying with the family of Bob Rosen, a 61-year-old distance-running guru who doubles as a Springfield lawyer.
The law may be his livelihood, but the road is his passion. He has been running since his teens, and he loves to help others with their training. He’s been doing that for years as a volunteer assistant coach of cross country and track at Amherst Regional. He also helps with Amherst College teams.
As Rosen puts it, “I love to deal with young, motivated people who want to learn. I try to help them get better and faster, and I try to give them what can be a lifelong love for the sport. It’s something they can do for years.”
It was no wonder, then, that Rosen reveled in the success of the Amherst Regional boys teams when they won a “Triple Crown” in 2011-12 – Western Massachusetts titles in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.
As for the Kenyans, the training they have been doing with Rosen in Amherst has produced impressive results. On Oct. 13 – a cold and crisp Saturday morning – Terer and Lengat finished 1-2 in the Hartford Half-Marathon, outlasting a field of 7,000 entries. If not for the cold, one or both might have broken the course record of 1:05.24 for the 13.1-mile grind.
It seems that Amherst always has been known as “a running town.”
Runners young and older can be seen on the roads, and the outdoor tracks at UMass, Amherst College and Amherst Regional High School.
Some of them train for real competition, either in races around Western Massachusetts, or in college and high school meets. Others are just out there for a good workout.
Then there are the really serious guys, like Philemon Terer and Benard Lengat.
No, they’re aren’t from Amherst. Nor do they live there. They come from Kenya, where running is a way of life, especially for those willing to put in the miles that can lead to monetary winnings in support of themselves and their families back in their villages.
For dedicated athletes like Terer and Lengat, Amherst has become an important stop on their journey toward establishing themselves as world-class competitors. Over recent weeks, they trained together in Amherst while staying with the family of Bob Rosen, a 61-year-old distance-running guru who doubles as a Springfield lawyer.
The law may be his livelihood, but the road is his passion. He has been running since his teens, and he loves to help others with their training. He’s been doing that for years as a volunteer assistant coach of cross country and track at Amherst Regional. He also helps with Amherst College teams.
As Rosen puts it, “I love to deal with young, motivated people who want to learn. I try to help them get better and faster, and I try to give them what can be a lifelong love for the sport. It’s something they can do for years.”
It was no wonder, then, that Rosen reveled in the success of the Amherst Regional boys teams when they won a “Triple Crown” in 2011-12 – Western Massachusetts titles in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.
As for the Kenyans, the training they have been doing with Rosen in Amherst has produced impressive results. On Oct. 13 – a cold and crisp Saturday morning – Terer and Lengat finished 1-2 in the Hartford Half-Marathon, outlasting a field of 7,000 entries. If not for the cold, one or both might have broken the course record of 1:05.24 for the 13.1-mile grind.
2012年10月16日星期二
Washington has played a part in the competition
A few had panda jewelry. Some drew the black and white bears on their name tags. Others sported attire that one might expect from semifinalists in a contest to become a world panda ambassador, or “Pambassador.”
Ashley Jaeger, 23, a bioengineering researcher at the National Institutes of Health, had black-and-white panda-colored nails and panda-patterned shoes.
“I thought it was fun and kind of something to set me apart,” she said.
Jaeger is one of 24 semifinalists — one from Brazil, the rest from the United States — competing in Washington at the Omni Shoreham Hotel on Tuesday and Wednesday for a chance to spend a year as a global envoy for wildlife conservation.
Four finalists will be selected Wednesday afternoon to spend nearly a month at the Chengdu Panda Base in China, working to introduce the bears into the wild. Later, the four will compete in Chengdu against 12 other finalists from Britain, Singapore and Chinato be named one of three globe-trotting pambassadors.
Those unofficial diplomats will receive a $20,000 stipend — which could buy a lot of bamboo in tough economic times — and will visit pandas around the world while promoting conservation at the community level. There were 45,000 online applications worldwide for the honor.
The competition’s sponsors, the Chengdu Panda Base and the San Francisco-based nonprofit organization WildAid, are using pandas as the adorable public face of wildlife conservation and endangered species. The contest started in 2010, but did not take place last year.
WildAid Executive Director Peter Knights said that in the conservation business pandas — with their cute faces and scruffy fur — are far more appealing as spokescreatures than, say, sharks.
“A lot of animals don’t have that going for them,” Knights said. “The panda is an icon for many endangered species.”
Giant pandas are among the rarest animals in the world, according to the National Zoo’s Web site. About 1,600 live in the wild. Another 300 are in zoos and breeding centers around the world, mostly in China.
A cub was born at the National Zoo last month, but died a week later. The cub, born to the zoo’s Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, died of liver failure related to an insufficient supply of oxygen. A necropsy showed that the cub’s lungs were not fully formed.
“I always wanted to see a baby panda in real life,” Jaeger said, adding that she has a large collection of stuffed panda toys. “No other animal has that effect on me.”
Jaeger is hardly alone in her panda fascination.
Ashley Robertson, 27, from Orlando, was one of the 2010 panda ambassadors, even putting her associate’s degree in photography on hold to enter the competition. The contest prize that year was $1,000, and she said she took a loan to pay her bills back home while she traveled to China.
“Honestly, I didn’t have a doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t make it,” she said, adding that she has a rescue mutt named Panda, even though it’s part pit bull and part basset hound. “I didn’t want anything anymore, that’s all that I wanted to do,” she said.
This is the first year that Washington has played a part in the competition. The city was chosen because of the resident pandas at the zoo, who have charmed and entranced the community since the National Zoo received its first Chinese panda visit from Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling in 1972.
The 24 semifinalists were selected after applying online and submitting videos showing their panda enthusiasm. On Tuesday, the semifinalists participated in a relay race — dressed at times as pandas — and made their way through the Woodley Park neighborhood to the National Zoo. On Wednesday, among other activities, they were scheduled to visit Georgetown and the Mall accompanied by people dressed in panda costumes. The goal is to interact with the public about conservation.
Ashley Jaeger, 23, a bioengineering researcher at the National Institutes of Health, had black-and-white panda-colored nails and panda-patterned shoes.
“I thought it was fun and kind of something to set me apart,” she said.
Jaeger is one of 24 semifinalists — one from Brazil, the rest from the United States — competing in Washington at the Omni Shoreham Hotel on Tuesday and Wednesday for a chance to spend a year as a global envoy for wildlife conservation.
Four finalists will be selected Wednesday afternoon to spend nearly a month at the Chengdu Panda Base in China, working to introduce the bears into the wild. Later, the four will compete in Chengdu against 12 other finalists from Britain, Singapore and Chinato be named one of three globe-trotting pambassadors.
Those unofficial diplomats will receive a $20,000 stipend — which could buy a lot of bamboo in tough economic times — and will visit pandas around the world while promoting conservation at the community level. There were 45,000 online applications worldwide for the honor.
The competition’s sponsors, the Chengdu Panda Base and the San Francisco-based nonprofit organization WildAid, are using pandas as the adorable public face of wildlife conservation and endangered species. The contest started in 2010, but did not take place last year.
WildAid Executive Director Peter Knights said that in the conservation business pandas — with their cute faces and scruffy fur — are far more appealing as spokescreatures than, say, sharks.
“A lot of animals don’t have that going for them,” Knights said. “The panda is an icon for many endangered species.”
Giant pandas are among the rarest animals in the world, according to the National Zoo’s Web site. About 1,600 live in the wild. Another 300 are in zoos and breeding centers around the world, mostly in China.
A cub was born at the National Zoo last month, but died a week later. The cub, born to the zoo’s Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, died of liver failure related to an insufficient supply of oxygen. A necropsy showed that the cub’s lungs were not fully formed.
“I always wanted to see a baby panda in real life,” Jaeger said, adding that she has a large collection of stuffed panda toys. “No other animal has that effect on me.”
Jaeger is hardly alone in her panda fascination.
Ashley Robertson, 27, from Orlando, was one of the 2010 panda ambassadors, even putting her associate’s degree in photography on hold to enter the competition. The contest prize that year was $1,000, and she said she took a loan to pay her bills back home while she traveled to China.
“Honestly, I didn’t have a doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t make it,” she said, adding that she has a rescue mutt named Panda, even though it’s part pit bull and part basset hound. “I didn’t want anything anymore, that’s all that I wanted to do,” she said.
This is the first year that Washington has played a part in the competition. The city was chosen because of the resident pandas at the zoo, who have charmed and entranced the community since the National Zoo received its first Chinese panda visit from Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling in 1972.
The 24 semifinalists were selected after applying online and submitting videos showing their panda enthusiasm. On Tuesday, the semifinalists participated in a relay race — dressed at times as pandas — and made their way through the Woodley Park neighborhood to the National Zoo. On Wednesday, among other activities, they were scheduled to visit Georgetown and the Mall accompanied by people dressed in panda costumes. The goal is to interact with the public about conservation.
2012年10月15日星期一
The sights and sounds of Old Town are always enjoyable
Grab your dog's leash and slip on your most comfortable walking shoes for Sunday's dog-and-family friendly event.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is hosting the Alexandria Shelter Walk for Homeless Animals starting at 9 a.m. Sunday. This fun weekend event will benefit the residents of the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, and is the only walk to benefit Alexandria's homeless pets.
The walk helps increase awareness about the ever-present problem of pet overpopulation,and covers 1.5 miles, beginning and finishing at Market Square.
Participants, on four legs and two, will stroll through the streets of Old Town Alexandria's historic neighborhoods, and yes, George Washington himself once walked there (although no one can confirm whether a dog accompanied him.).
Those who share their homes with cats, ferrets, bunnies, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds or fish are asked to let their animal companions stay home from the Walk---really, the pets much prefer sleeping in on the weekend!-- but are encouraged to walk to represent their animal friends' species.
The sights and sounds of Old Town are always enjoyable, and on this coming Sunday, a spectacular autumn morning will offer new appreciation of the quaint and storied community. Hundreds of area canine-and-human duos are expected to turn out at this event, which is open to the public and the media. Congressman Jim Moran and members of the Alexandria City Council have also been invited.
Teams such as the Lyles-Crouch Animal Crusaders, a group of local 2nd through 5th graders, will participate, as well as sell baked goodies to hungry walkers, with proceeds going to AWLA.
Local vendors will be in place all around Market Square in support of the AWLA and all the Walk participants.
Adult registration is $25 and includes an event t-shirt and bandana. Children and teen are invited to join in the fun under the supervision of a registered adult. Youth registration (ages 6-16) is $10 and includes a t-shirt. Children 5 years of age or younger are free. Walkers are encouraged to form teams with coworkers, family members or civic group members. Prizes will be awarded to the top Team and Individual fundraisers. Adult participants who raise $100 also win an LED flashlight and poop bag dispenser to keep your evening walks clean and bright.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is hosting the Alexandria Shelter Walk for Homeless Animals starting at 9 a.m. Sunday. This fun weekend event will benefit the residents of the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, and is the only walk to benefit Alexandria's homeless pets.
The walk helps increase awareness about the ever-present problem of pet overpopulation,and covers 1.5 miles, beginning and finishing at Market Square.
Participants, on four legs and two, will stroll through the streets of Old Town Alexandria's historic neighborhoods, and yes, George Washington himself once walked there (although no one can confirm whether a dog accompanied him.).
Those who share their homes with cats, ferrets, bunnies, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds or fish are asked to let their animal companions stay home from the Walk---really, the pets much prefer sleeping in on the weekend!-- but are encouraged to walk to represent their animal friends' species.
The sights and sounds of Old Town are always enjoyable, and on this coming Sunday, a spectacular autumn morning will offer new appreciation of the quaint and storied community. Hundreds of area canine-and-human duos are expected to turn out at this event, which is open to the public and the media. Congressman Jim Moran and members of the Alexandria City Council have also been invited.
Teams such as the Lyles-Crouch Animal Crusaders, a group of local 2nd through 5th graders, will participate, as well as sell baked goodies to hungry walkers, with proceeds going to AWLA.
Local vendors will be in place all around Market Square in support of the AWLA and all the Walk participants.
Adult registration is $25 and includes an event t-shirt and bandana. Children and teen are invited to join in the fun under the supervision of a registered adult. Youth registration (ages 6-16) is $10 and includes a t-shirt. Children 5 years of age or younger are free. Walkers are encouraged to form teams with coworkers, family members or civic group members. Prizes will be awarded to the top Team and Individual fundraisers. Adult participants who raise $100 also win an LED flashlight and poop bag dispenser to keep your evening walks clean and bright.
2012年10月14日星期日
Chaos and squeaking shoes the gaming weekend
Well, I finished Dishonored over the weekend - thanks to the incredibly bad weather on Saturday - and what a single player campaign it was, but it wasn't the ending I was expecting.
No, it seems that the ending you get depends on how much chaos (read: death and destruction) you cause during your travels through the whale-oil-powered city of Dunwall. I now wish I'd played the game a little smarter (and a little less confrontational at times) and a little stealthier as my high chaos playthrough made for a less than desirable final scenario. Luckily, Dishonored is the type of game that is just perfect for a second playthrough, thanks to the multiple options to complete an objective. Note to self: play more stealthily next time.
Next on the gaming agenda is Xcom: Enemy Unknown, which I hear is getting rave reviews, but I like games like Dishonored that provide different endings depending on how you've played, or have events change based on decisions made earlier in the game. It makes a game that is much more open to repeat plays than one which has a strict one-ending-for-all policy, no matter how you play it.
I've also been mucking about with Kinect-enabled Fable: The Journey, and while not perfect, it could actually be the best use of Microsoft's motion-sensing device yet as it doesn't involve party games. In it you use your hands to control the reins of your horse Seren, flicking them as if you were holding real reins, and your right hand to cast spells at foes. Your left hand is used to push objects and foes out of the way and block incoming attacks. Many gamers will scoff at the inclusion of Kinect with a game in the Fable series but it works well, most of the time.
Elsewhere in the Game Junkie household, Master Game Junkie has been hitting the virtual basketball courts in NBA2k13 (I did an interview with producer Erick Boenisch which you can find here) and he's hooked, working his way through the game's My Career mode and the NBA's ranks. He was initially drafted to the Boston Celtics - a team he can't stand - but after discussions with the team manager (through the game's general manager sit-down feature) he has now been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, a team he considers worthy of his basketball talents.
But enough about me, how was your gaming weekend? Did you travel stealthily through the streets and sewers of Dunwall? Did you take on the enemy invaders in Xcom: Enemy Unknown? Did you squeak your shoes in 2K's NBA2K13 or pound the turf in EA's Fifa 13? Or did you replay an old favourite?
No, it seems that the ending you get depends on how much chaos (read: death and destruction) you cause during your travels through the whale-oil-powered city of Dunwall. I now wish I'd played the game a little smarter (and a little less confrontational at times) and a little stealthier as my high chaos playthrough made for a less than desirable final scenario. Luckily, Dishonored is the type of game that is just perfect for a second playthrough, thanks to the multiple options to complete an objective. Note to self: play more stealthily next time.
Next on the gaming agenda is Xcom: Enemy Unknown, which I hear is getting rave reviews, but I like games like Dishonored that provide different endings depending on how you've played, or have events change based on decisions made earlier in the game. It makes a game that is much more open to repeat plays than one which has a strict one-ending-for-all policy, no matter how you play it.
I've also been mucking about with Kinect-enabled Fable: The Journey, and while not perfect, it could actually be the best use of Microsoft's motion-sensing device yet as it doesn't involve party games. In it you use your hands to control the reins of your horse Seren, flicking them as if you were holding real reins, and your right hand to cast spells at foes. Your left hand is used to push objects and foes out of the way and block incoming attacks. Many gamers will scoff at the inclusion of Kinect with a game in the Fable series but it works well, most of the time.
Elsewhere in the Game Junkie household, Master Game Junkie has been hitting the virtual basketball courts in NBA2k13 (I did an interview with producer Erick Boenisch which you can find here) and he's hooked, working his way through the game's My Career mode and the NBA's ranks. He was initially drafted to the Boston Celtics - a team he can't stand - but after discussions with the team manager (through the game's general manager sit-down feature) he has now been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, a team he considers worthy of his basketball talents.
But enough about me, how was your gaming weekend? Did you travel stealthily through the streets and sewers of Dunwall? Did you take on the enemy invaders in Xcom: Enemy Unknown? Did you squeak your shoes in 2K's NBA2K13 or pound the turf in EA's Fifa 13? Or did you replay an old favourite?
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