The first time the brakes went out in her trailer/store, Joey Wolffer ran a stoplight and worried what would happen to her high-end accessories inside. Two years later, she has a close relationship with a mechanic, knows the best spot to park in New York's Meatpacking district and has a devoted summer following in the Hamptons.
Wolffer transformed a greasy potato chip truck into a 1980s glam, bohemian den she named "Styleliner." It is stocked with limited-edition accessories, like a $430 crystal and fringe necklace, from her world travels.
Friends were always asking Wolffer where she got a piece of jewelry, and the former trend director for Jones Apparel Group said she was looking for a unique way to introduce some favorite designers to the U.S. market, along with some of her own creations. She bought the truck with money she inherited and set up shop.
Styleliner is among a handful of mobile retail stores in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Portland, Ore., and across the U.S that are hawking vintage accessories, sexy shoes and denim to die for in their haute wheels. Owners say they're taking cues from the food truck industry, which glamorized street cuisine, garnered a cult following and even spawned a hit TV show.
"I wanted relationships with customers. I wanted to get out there and work with people and meet new people all the time," said Wolffer, who made a profit her first summer in business in 2010.
The boutiques on wheels can only accommodate a few customers at a time, providing a more intimate shopping experience than a crowded department store. Styleliner can fit about five customers at a time.
"The old door-to-door salesman is too difficult in today's world but we're seeing an uptick in bringing the product to the consumers," said Marshal Cohen, chief retail analyst at New York-based NPD group.
It's also a cheaper way for startup companies to break into the business quickly.
When former fashion editor Sarah Ellison Lewis wanted to open a funky shoe boutique in Austin, Texas, she had sticker shock every time she saw the price for a store lease. So for a quarter of the price she bought a 30-foot trailer, decorated it with vintage wallpaper photography and reclaimed wooden benches and leased a parking spot between a chic hotel and popular brunch spot.
She declined to say how much she paid for the truck or her parking spot. Retail spots in hot Austin neighborhoods can be as high as $45 per square foot, according to Habitat Hunters Real Estate Services. Lewis does not pay property taxes, but many mobile retailers are required to pay permit fees, which vary by city.
The 36-year-old stylist specializes in smaller, hard-to-find designers of men's and women's shoes. Bootleg Austin's customers -- about 50 a weekend -- love to paw through her well curated collection that includes black ankle booties with gold buckles, polka dot flats and gold metallic lace-up sandals. The trailer was turning a profit in nine months, says Lewis, who predominantly sells from her leased space, but is about to embark on a 20-city tour this fall.
"This was about being an entrepreneur and doing it in a strange and audacious way and the trailer brings out all these great stories from people that I love," said Lewis. "I wanted to do something that was also really friendly and really warm. I'm really sick of retails being cold and stark and snotty."
Experts say traditional stores want to collaborate with mobile retailers, not compete with them. The trend comes as brick and mortar stores are struggling to get customers excited about shopping in a struggling economy.
"It's an opportunity to get (customers) into the parking lot and go to the mobile truck and we believe there's overflow traffic that goes right into the store from there," said Mike Gatti, a senior vice president of the National Retail Federation. "We're not hearing really any complaints about them."
Customers are also drawn to the novel experience and personal attention they get from mobile retailers.
2012年7月31日星期二
The Power of Selective Memory
Russell Martin is a shoe aficionado, and like most athletes, he's a fan of Michael Jordan.
So in this, the worst season of his career—with his batting average at .189 entering Monday night's game against the Baltimore Orioles—Martin has been reading about Jordan and his sneaker empire. Even though Jordan made his name in basketball, Martin is searching for some insight into his success—and some cool tales about shoes.
Jordan famously always found something new to motivate him on a given day. Something to get angry about, fight against or overcome.
So instead of thinking about how miserable 2012 has been and the failures he has had so far, Martin is trying to craft a Jordanesque focus, caring only about what will make him great that day.
"You can trick your mind into feeling better than you actually should at times," Martin said. "Finding ways to motivate you on days when you don't feel too good. Michael Jordan was big on that—people don't understand the importance of finding out what motivates them on a given day. What can make you have the edge, in that mental aspect."
For too much of this year, Martin hasn't done that. He has stared at his disappointing batting average on the scoreboard and let it get to him.
"It used to bother me," he said. "But honestly, I don't give a crap anymore. It is what it is.
"That's the kind of thoughts you need to eliminate from your mind. That's what I was battling with before, and that's the kind of thoughts you need to eliminate from your mind."
So Martin has tried to mimic Jordan's approach of focusing on the moment, finding some reason to conquer the enemy that day, and not looking at the broader picture.
"Wondering why it's not happening? I'm done with that," Martin said. "I'm just going to go out there and perform. Period."
Well, that and work harder. Since the All-Star break, Martin has started working harder than before, taking more swings and doing additional drills with second baseman Robinson Cano and hitting coach Kevin Long. He believes it has helped, and others have taken notice, especially manager Joe Girardi.
"We've said all along we thought his at-bats the second half have been really good. We see a different hitter," Girardi said.
Martin has raised his average 10 points and hit four home runs in the two weeks since the All Star break, which counts as progress when you're still south of .200.
Martin is also tired of hearing that he can contribute with his defense when he doesn't get it done with his bat. Enough with that, he said. It is an excuse.
"I feel like it's an excuse for me not hitting. I can always play defense and I can always hit. I'm expected to do that. I'm just doing what I'm supposed to do. On offense, I'm not. But I'm starting to. And that's gratifying," Martin said.
But is it too little too late? Martin has already slipped into a timeshare with backup Chris Stewart, with Stewart catching two of every five games now. And 287 at-bats into the season, even a monumental surge would leave Martin with an ugly season on his resume—another black mark for a catcher who has been a three-time All Star, yet also had several puzzling years. Though still just 29, Martin has hit .250 or worse each of the past three seasons.
This year's struggles couldn't have occurred at a worse time. Martin will be a free agent after this season; beforehand, he was discussing a multiyear contract extension with the Yankees. Suddenly, his bargaining position is dubious—and the Yankees need to weigh whether they want to commit to a player capable of such dramatic swings in performance.
But in keeping with his new focus on the moment, Martin says that is the furthest thing from his mind—that if this team wins the World Series, all will work out for the best.
"I don't care—I honestly do not care what happens next season," Martin said, punctuating each word for emphasis. "I can't say that enough. I Do. Not. Care.
"I want to win this year. If we win, I win, obviously. And that's all I care about."
So in this, the worst season of his career—with his batting average at .189 entering Monday night's game against the Baltimore Orioles—Martin has been reading about Jordan and his sneaker empire. Even though Jordan made his name in basketball, Martin is searching for some insight into his success—and some cool tales about shoes.
Jordan famously always found something new to motivate him on a given day. Something to get angry about, fight against or overcome.
So instead of thinking about how miserable 2012 has been and the failures he has had so far, Martin is trying to craft a Jordanesque focus, caring only about what will make him great that day.
"You can trick your mind into feeling better than you actually should at times," Martin said. "Finding ways to motivate you on days when you don't feel too good. Michael Jordan was big on that—people don't understand the importance of finding out what motivates them on a given day. What can make you have the edge, in that mental aspect."
For too much of this year, Martin hasn't done that. He has stared at his disappointing batting average on the scoreboard and let it get to him.
"It used to bother me," he said. "But honestly, I don't give a crap anymore. It is what it is.
"That's the kind of thoughts you need to eliminate from your mind. That's what I was battling with before, and that's the kind of thoughts you need to eliminate from your mind."
So Martin has tried to mimic Jordan's approach of focusing on the moment, finding some reason to conquer the enemy that day, and not looking at the broader picture.
"Wondering why it's not happening? I'm done with that," Martin said. "I'm just going to go out there and perform. Period."
Well, that and work harder. Since the All-Star break, Martin has started working harder than before, taking more swings and doing additional drills with second baseman Robinson Cano and hitting coach Kevin Long. He believes it has helped, and others have taken notice, especially manager Joe Girardi.
"We've said all along we thought his at-bats the second half have been really good. We see a different hitter," Girardi said.
Martin has raised his average 10 points and hit four home runs in the two weeks since the All Star break, which counts as progress when you're still south of .200.
Martin is also tired of hearing that he can contribute with his defense when he doesn't get it done with his bat. Enough with that, he said. It is an excuse.
"I feel like it's an excuse for me not hitting. I can always play defense and I can always hit. I'm expected to do that. I'm just doing what I'm supposed to do. On offense, I'm not. But I'm starting to. And that's gratifying," Martin said.
But is it too little too late? Martin has already slipped into a timeshare with backup Chris Stewart, with Stewart catching two of every five games now. And 287 at-bats into the season, even a monumental surge would leave Martin with an ugly season on his resume—another black mark for a catcher who has been a three-time All Star, yet also had several puzzling years. Though still just 29, Martin has hit .250 or worse each of the past three seasons.
This year's struggles couldn't have occurred at a worse time. Martin will be a free agent after this season; beforehand, he was discussing a multiyear contract extension with the Yankees. Suddenly, his bargaining position is dubious—and the Yankees need to weigh whether they want to commit to a player capable of such dramatic swings in performance.
But in keeping with his new focus on the moment, Martin says that is the furthest thing from his mind—that if this team wins the World Series, all will work out for the best.
"I don't care—I honestly do not care what happens next season," Martin said, punctuating each word for emphasis. "I can't say that enough. I Do. Not. Care.
"I want to win this year. If we win, I win, obviously. And that's all I care about."
2012年7月30日星期一
The Power of Selective Memory
Russell Martin is a shoe aficionado, and like most athletes, he's a fan of Michael Jordan.
So in this, the worst season of his career—with his batting average at .189 entering Monday night's game against the Baltimore Orioles—Martin has been reading about Jordan and his sneaker empire. Even though Jordan made his name in basketball, Martin is searching for some insight into his success—and some cool tales about shoes.
Jordan famously always found something new to motivate him on a given day. Something to get angry about, fight against or overcome.
So instead of thinking about how miserable 2012 has been and the failures he has had so far, Martin is trying to craft a Jordanesque focus, caring only about what will make him great that day.
"You can trick your mind into feeling better than you actually should at times," Martin said. "Finding ways to motivate you on days when you don't feel too good. Michael Jordan was big on that—people don't understand the importance of finding out what motivates them on a given day. What can make you have the edge, in that mental aspect."
For too much of this year, Martin hasn't done that. He has stared at his disappointing batting average on the scoreboard and let it get to him.
"It used to bother me," he said. "But honestly, I don't give a crap anymore. It is what it is.
"That's the kind of thoughts you need to eliminate from your mind. That's what I was battling with before, and that's the kind of thoughts you need to eliminate from your mind."
So Martin has tried to mimic Jordan's approach of focusing on the moment, finding some reason to conquer the enemy that day, and not looking at the broader picture.
"Wondering why it's not happening? I'm done with that," Martin said. "I'm just going to go out there and perform. Period."
Well, that and work harder. Since the All-Star break, Martin has started working harder than before, taking more swings and doing additional drills with second baseman Robinson Cano and hitting coach Kevin Long. He believes it has helped, and others have taken notice, especially manager Joe Girardi.
"We've said all along we thought his at-bats the second half have been really good. We see a different hitter," Girardi said.
Martin has raised his average 10 points and hit four home runs in the two weeks since the All Star break, which counts as progress when you're still south of .200.
Martin is also tired of hearing that he can contribute with his defense when he doesn't get it done with his bat. Enough with that, he said. It is an excuse.
"I feel like it's an excuse for me not hitting. I can always play defense and I can always hit. I'm expected to do that. I'm just doing what I'm supposed to do. On offense, I'm not. But I'm starting to. And that's gratifying," Martin said.
But is it too little too late? Martin has already slipped into a timeshare with backup Chris Stewart, with Stewart catching two of every five games now. And 287 at-bats into the season, even a monumental surge would leave Martin with an ugly season on his resume—another black mark for a catcher who has been a three-time All Star, yet also had several puzzling years. Though still just 29, Martin has hit .250 or worse each of the past three seasons.
This year's struggles couldn't have occurred at a worse time. Martin will be a free agent after this season; beforehand, he was discussing a multiyear contract extension with the Yankees. Suddenly, his bargaining position is dubious—and the Yankees need to weigh whether they want to commit to a player capable of such dramatic swings in performance.
But in keeping with his new focus on the moment, Martin says that is the furthest thing from his mind—that if this team wins the World Series, all will work out for the best.
"I don't care—I honestly do not care what happens next season," Martin said, punctuating each word for emphasis. "I can't say that enough. I Do. Not. Care.
"I want to win this year. If we win, I win, obviously. And that's all I care about."
So in this, the worst season of his career—with his batting average at .189 entering Monday night's game against the Baltimore Orioles—Martin has been reading about Jordan and his sneaker empire. Even though Jordan made his name in basketball, Martin is searching for some insight into his success—and some cool tales about shoes.
Jordan famously always found something new to motivate him on a given day. Something to get angry about, fight against or overcome.
So instead of thinking about how miserable 2012 has been and the failures he has had so far, Martin is trying to craft a Jordanesque focus, caring only about what will make him great that day.
"You can trick your mind into feeling better than you actually should at times," Martin said. "Finding ways to motivate you on days when you don't feel too good. Michael Jordan was big on that—people don't understand the importance of finding out what motivates them on a given day. What can make you have the edge, in that mental aspect."
For too much of this year, Martin hasn't done that. He has stared at his disappointing batting average on the scoreboard and let it get to him.
"It used to bother me," he said. "But honestly, I don't give a crap anymore. It is what it is.
"That's the kind of thoughts you need to eliminate from your mind. That's what I was battling with before, and that's the kind of thoughts you need to eliminate from your mind."
So Martin has tried to mimic Jordan's approach of focusing on the moment, finding some reason to conquer the enemy that day, and not looking at the broader picture.
"Wondering why it's not happening? I'm done with that," Martin said. "I'm just going to go out there and perform. Period."
Well, that and work harder. Since the All-Star break, Martin has started working harder than before, taking more swings and doing additional drills with second baseman Robinson Cano and hitting coach Kevin Long. He believes it has helped, and others have taken notice, especially manager Joe Girardi.
"We've said all along we thought his at-bats the second half have been really good. We see a different hitter," Girardi said.
Martin has raised his average 10 points and hit four home runs in the two weeks since the All Star break, which counts as progress when you're still south of .200.
Martin is also tired of hearing that he can contribute with his defense when he doesn't get it done with his bat. Enough with that, he said. It is an excuse.
"I feel like it's an excuse for me not hitting. I can always play defense and I can always hit. I'm expected to do that. I'm just doing what I'm supposed to do. On offense, I'm not. But I'm starting to. And that's gratifying," Martin said.
But is it too little too late? Martin has already slipped into a timeshare with backup Chris Stewart, with Stewart catching two of every five games now. And 287 at-bats into the season, even a monumental surge would leave Martin with an ugly season on his resume—another black mark for a catcher who has been a three-time All Star, yet also had several puzzling years. Though still just 29, Martin has hit .250 or worse each of the past three seasons.
This year's struggles couldn't have occurred at a worse time. Martin will be a free agent after this season; beforehand, he was discussing a multiyear contract extension with the Yankees. Suddenly, his bargaining position is dubious—and the Yankees need to weigh whether they want to commit to a player capable of such dramatic swings in performance.
But in keeping with his new focus on the moment, Martin says that is the furthest thing from his mind—that if this team wins the World Series, all will work out for the best.
"I don't care—I honestly do not care what happens next season," Martin said, punctuating each word for emphasis. "I can't say that enough. I Do. Not. Care.
"I want to win this year. If we win, I win, obviously. And that's all I care about."
2012年7月29日星期日
Athletes showcase impressive high fashion
An Olympic athlete’s claim to fame is without a doubt his or her superior athletic ability. These super humans jump higher, run faster and hit harder than most average people. But like many individuals, there is more to these celebrities than meets the eye, and their impressive capabilities on the court, in the pool or at the beach should not be the only achievement for which they are known.
Although most Olympic competitors have a simple uniform they are required to wear while performing that their other team members also sport — whether it be a basketball jersey, a swimsuit or a leotard — they also have their own unique personal style that they show off in their everyday lives.
And just as some of these athletes perform better in their given sport than others, there also are those competitors who know how to dress better than the competition as well.
Despite the fact that he dons a basic swimsuit while speeding through water on his way to the top in the Olympics, 27-year-old Ryan Lochte, a swimmer for team USA, has a unique personal style when outside of the pool that has earned him a good deal of attention.
His hip-hop and surfer-inspired look might not be for everyone, but he sure does make an impression on some, myself included. With a sparkling grill made of diamonds and more than 100 pairs of colorful and stand-out shoes in his closet, Lochte is no stranger to style.
On the court, 25-year-old Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova typically can be seen wearing a comfortable yet stylish tank top and skirt. Off the court, her look is just as fashion-forward – if not more.
Sharapova has been known to incorporate trends, such as color blocking and ruffles into her sportswear garments, as well as her everyday looks. This style and sports icon has been seen in garments created by some of the industry’s top designers, such as Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney.
Lochte and Sharapova are just a few of the 2012 Olympic competitors whose extraordinary athletic abilities in addition to their impeccable style earn them popularity and stardom among Olympic viewers throughout the world.
Although most Olympic competitors have a simple uniform they are required to wear while performing that their other team members also sport — whether it be a basketball jersey, a swimsuit or a leotard — they also have their own unique personal style that they show off in their everyday lives.
And just as some of these athletes perform better in their given sport than others, there also are those competitors who know how to dress better than the competition as well.
Despite the fact that he dons a basic swimsuit while speeding through water on his way to the top in the Olympics, 27-year-old Ryan Lochte, a swimmer for team USA, has a unique personal style when outside of the pool that has earned him a good deal of attention.
His hip-hop and surfer-inspired look might not be for everyone, but he sure does make an impression on some, myself included. With a sparkling grill made of diamonds and more than 100 pairs of colorful and stand-out shoes in his closet, Lochte is no stranger to style.
On the court, 25-year-old Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova typically can be seen wearing a comfortable yet stylish tank top and skirt. Off the court, her look is just as fashion-forward – if not more.
Sharapova has been known to incorporate trends, such as color blocking and ruffles into her sportswear garments, as well as her everyday looks. This style and sports icon has been seen in garments created by some of the industry’s top designers, such as Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney.
Lochte and Sharapova are just a few of the 2012 Olympic competitors whose extraordinary athletic abilities in addition to their impeccable style earn them popularity and stardom among Olympic viewers throughout the world.
2012年7月26日星期四
Worried about skin cancer from South Texas sun?
Wondering if you or a family member should consider lap band surgery?
Are you questioning if your child’s growth is slower than their peers, or if your aging parent needs diabetic shoes or varicose vein screening?
If so, grab your granny or corral the kids to attend Saturday’s Nueces County Medical Society’s 47th Annual Health Fair.
Coastal Bend health professionals have planned more than 30 tests, screenings and health services among more than 150 vendor booths, focusing on wellness programs, nutrition and health safety.
It’s all free, including the parking, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Bank Center.
A children’s area will focus on school immunizations, kids’ dental needs and student athlete physicals. It will also offer parents a chance to sign up for federal health insurance programs, such as Medicaid and CHIP. You can attend CPR training to better protect your family and friends in a health emergency. Or make some motion alongside exercise trainers to burn a few calories while perusing the fair.
The Nueces County Medical Society Alliance is hosting a “Hard Hats for Little Heads” area to fit free bicycle helmets on children. First Friday is offering a breast health information area that includes mammogram screening. And there will be an “Ask the Doctor” booth staffed by local physicians to field your medical questions.
The medical society, founded in 1904, is a professional association of more than 750 physicians whose primary goal is to promote better health in the community, organizers said. Be among the thousands of people annually who take advantage of the free education, training, and health screenings provided by health industry exhibitors.
Are you questioning if your child’s growth is slower than their peers, or if your aging parent needs diabetic shoes or varicose vein screening?
If so, grab your granny or corral the kids to attend Saturday’s Nueces County Medical Society’s 47th Annual Health Fair.
Coastal Bend health professionals have planned more than 30 tests, screenings and health services among more than 150 vendor booths, focusing on wellness programs, nutrition and health safety.
It’s all free, including the parking, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Bank Center.
A children’s area will focus on school immunizations, kids’ dental needs and student athlete physicals. It will also offer parents a chance to sign up for federal health insurance programs, such as Medicaid and CHIP. You can attend CPR training to better protect your family and friends in a health emergency. Or make some motion alongside exercise trainers to burn a few calories while perusing the fair.
The Nueces County Medical Society Alliance is hosting a “Hard Hats for Little Heads” area to fit free bicycle helmets on children. First Friday is offering a breast health information area that includes mammogram screening. And there will be an “Ask the Doctor” booth staffed by local physicians to field your medical questions.
The medical society, founded in 1904, is a professional association of more than 750 physicians whose primary goal is to promote better health in the community, organizers said. Be among the thousands of people annually who take advantage of the free education, training, and health screenings provided by health industry exhibitors.
2012年7月25日星期三
The bipartisan support for the groundbreaking national reform
The 56-year-old, who was born with arthrogryposis, which severely affects her mobility, has been fighting a losing battle against red tape.
Her battle comes as Geelong yesterday missed out on being named a launch site for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The scheme promises extra money for people such as Mrs Foreman and, until yesterday, it was thought Geelong was in the box seat to be included in its launch.
She said it was a bitter blow for the region's 5000 people with a disability.
The bipartisan support for the groundbreaking national reform disintegrated yesterday, with the state and federal governments failing to reach agreement over funding, leaving South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT as the only launch sites.
"It is disappointing but you have to think on the positive side, at least there is eventually going to be an NDIS, which is better than what we've got now," Mrs Foreman said.
She is one of many people who don't automatically qualify for disability funding, making something as simple as getting an $800 pair of shoes a nightmare something she hoped the NDIS would change.
"There's just so much red tape," she said.
"There's a big gap between what the government gives you and the equipment you need."
"It's the little things that people take for granted, like being able to take a shower when I want one, that affects the whole of your life."
Chief of Geelong disability support service Karingal, Daryl Starkey, said there were many people in the region, just like Mrs Foreman, who don't currently receive funding or are underfunded for their disability, who would have benefited from the NDIS trial.
"We are very disappointed for people with a disability in the Barwon region and we just hope the door is still open because we are ready to go," Mr Starkey said.
"We want people in Geelong to be the beneficiaries of the NDIS funding sooner rather than later because, if we can participate in the launch, the increased funding will come to Geelong years sooner than it would otherwise."
Mrs Foreman is still clinging to hope.
"At least it hasn't been pushed under the carpet and we are going to continue to campaign until it's set in concrete," she said.
Her battle comes as Geelong yesterday missed out on being named a launch site for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The scheme promises extra money for people such as Mrs Foreman and, until yesterday, it was thought Geelong was in the box seat to be included in its launch.
She said it was a bitter blow for the region's 5000 people with a disability.
The bipartisan support for the groundbreaking national reform disintegrated yesterday, with the state and federal governments failing to reach agreement over funding, leaving South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT as the only launch sites.
"It is disappointing but you have to think on the positive side, at least there is eventually going to be an NDIS, which is better than what we've got now," Mrs Foreman said.
She is one of many people who don't automatically qualify for disability funding, making something as simple as getting an $800 pair of shoes a nightmare something she hoped the NDIS would change.
"There's just so much red tape," she said.
"There's a big gap between what the government gives you and the equipment you need."
"It's the little things that people take for granted, like being able to take a shower when I want one, that affects the whole of your life."
Chief of Geelong disability support service Karingal, Daryl Starkey, said there were many people in the region, just like Mrs Foreman, who don't currently receive funding or are underfunded for their disability, who would have benefited from the NDIS trial.
"We are very disappointed for people with a disability in the Barwon region and we just hope the door is still open because we are ready to go," Mr Starkey said.
"We want people in Geelong to be the beneficiaries of the NDIS funding sooner rather than later because, if we can participate in the launch, the increased funding will come to Geelong years sooner than it would otherwise."
Mrs Foreman is still clinging to hope.
"At least it hasn't been pushed under the carpet and we are going to continue to campaign until it's set in concrete," she said.
2012年7月24日星期二
A life changing experience for a local woman
Shannon Black heard God tell her “I want you to do that” as she listened to her friend Susan Hicks describe the blessings she received on a mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. But she thought to herself, “There’s no way I could ever do that.” She wondered how she would get off work and be away from her family. A few months later she heard someone else sharing their missionary experiences and she knew she had to make it happen.
“I just got chill bumps and I felt God telling me again, ‘I want you to do that.’” At that moment she grabbed Susan and said “Okay. I’ve got to do this!”
She and Susan, along with Susan’s husband Dennis Hicks and Rebecca Wells, found a way to do what God put in their hearts to do, and last October they made their way down to Mexico on a Shoes for Orphan Souls mission trip.
Shoes for Orphan Souls is a humanitarian aid project of Buckner International. Their organization delivers shoes to thousands of children in many impoverished regions of the world, children who otherwise might spend their young life dealing with diseases brought on by walking the harsh earth in bare feet. Buckner sends individuals like Shannon and Susan to these children with the blessing of brand new shoes and the assurance of Jesus’s love.
Though the shoes are meant to be a gift for the children, Shannon felt that she was the one who truly received a blessing. “It was just so amazing to see how much a simple pair of shoes, something we take for granted every single day, meant to the kids. They loved them,” she said. The trip left Shannon with many unforgettable and life changing memories. She savored the simple beauty of singing a hymn, then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, how great Thou art, while others who worshiped sang the words in Spanish mi corazon entona la cancion, cuan grande es El. Shannon will also carry the memory of a little boy named Ernesto in her heart forever. Ernesto lived in an orphanage and walked with braces on his legs. She worked with him on Vacation Bible School activities, but before she could say goodbye a teacher took him to work on something else. Later she noticed Ernesto sitting in a corner, his feet without new shoes. She was able to wash his feet and place new shoes on his young feet. “That was special for me, to put his shoes and socks on after we had formed that special bond. It was just a really awesome experience,” she said.
Susan received her share of blessings on that trip as well. She visited a government orphanage. “They told us in the morning you’re going to be with some mentally challenged children,” she said. At first, the situation made Susan feel uneasy because, having had four healthy children, she had never been around children with disabilities before. Susan said, “I’m a talker and normally nothing ever prevents me from talking, but this day I couldn’t. I was just standing there thinking, ‘these children, what kind of life do they live?’” When she went into the room she noticed a girl, about 14 years old, who was sitting across the room moving her head back and forth. Her name was Patti. Susan sat down with her, took off her old shoes and washed her feet. But, before she could get the shoes on Hattie’s feet something amazing happened. “Tears are just pouring down my face and I’m trying so hard to keep it together,” she said. Then, inside Patti’s new shoes Susan found a note. It said, “God made you special, love Mallory.” In that moment, God gave solace to Susan. “I was like okay Lord, that’s it. God made her just the way she is. I don’t understand it and it doesn’t seem fair in my eyes, but God you just gave me an answer right there. This little girl is special in your eyes,” Susan remembered thinking.
Volunteers like Shannon and Susan help bring blessings to orphans across the globe, and they are rewarded with joyous hugs and kisses of small children whose grateful smiles will forever linger in their minds. If you too would like to help improve an impoverished child’s life by giving them a new pair of shoes you can drop-off a new pair of athletic shoes and socks to Calvary Baptist Church in Scottsboro by August 31. The shoes will be sent to Buckner International and processed to go out as a gift to a special child in need.
“I just got chill bumps and I felt God telling me again, ‘I want you to do that.’” At that moment she grabbed Susan and said “Okay. I’ve got to do this!”
She and Susan, along with Susan’s husband Dennis Hicks and Rebecca Wells, found a way to do what God put in their hearts to do, and last October they made their way down to Mexico on a Shoes for Orphan Souls mission trip.
Shoes for Orphan Souls is a humanitarian aid project of Buckner International. Their organization delivers shoes to thousands of children in many impoverished regions of the world, children who otherwise might spend their young life dealing with diseases brought on by walking the harsh earth in bare feet. Buckner sends individuals like Shannon and Susan to these children with the blessing of brand new shoes and the assurance of Jesus’s love.
Though the shoes are meant to be a gift for the children, Shannon felt that she was the one who truly received a blessing. “It was just so amazing to see how much a simple pair of shoes, something we take for granted every single day, meant to the kids. They loved them,” she said. The trip left Shannon with many unforgettable and life changing memories. She savored the simple beauty of singing a hymn, then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, how great Thou art, while others who worshiped sang the words in Spanish mi corazon entona la cancion, cuan grande es El. Shannon will also carry the memory of a little boy named Ernesto in her heart forever. Ernesto lived in an orphanage and walked with braces on his legs. She worked with him on Vacation Bible School activities, but before she could say goodbye a teacher took him to work on something else. Later she noticed Ernesto sitting in a corner, his feet without new shoes. She was able to wash his feet and place new shoes on his young feet. “That was special for me, to put his shoes and socks on after we had formed that special bond. It was just a really awesome experience,” she said.
Susan received her share of blessings on that trip as well. She visited a government orphanage. “They told us in the morning you’re going to be with some mentally challenged children,” she said. At first, the situation made Susan feel uneasy because, having had four healthy children, she had never been around children with disabilities before. Susan said, “I’m a talker and normally nothing ever prevents me from talking, but this day I couldn’t. I was just standing there thinking, ‘these children, what kind of life do they live?’” When she went into the room she noticed a girl, about 14 years old, who was sitting across the room moving her head back and forth. Her name was Patti. Susan sat down with her, took off her old shoes and washed her feet. But, before she could get the shoes on Hattie’s feet something amazing happened. “Tears are just pouring down my face and I’m trying so hard to keep it together,” she said. Then, inside Patti’s new shoes Susan found a note. It said, “God made you special, love Mallory.” In that moment, God gave solace to Susan. “I was like okay Lord, that’s it. God made her just the way she is. I don’t understand it and it doesn’t seem fair in my eyes, but God you just gave me an answer right there. This little girl is special in your eyes,” Susan remembered thinking.
Volunteers like Shannon and Susan help bring blessings to orphans across the globe, and they are rewarded with joyous hugs and kisses of small children whose grateful smiles will forever linger in their minds. If you too would like to help improve an impoverished child’s life by giving them a new pair of shoes you can drop-off a new pair of athletic shoes and socks to Calvary Baptist Church in Scottsboro by August 31. The shoes will be sent to Buckner International and processed to go out as a gift to a special child in need.
2012年7月23日星期一
Flip-flops to blame for foot problems
If Florida had an official state shoe, it would have to be the flip-flop, right?
You see people wearing them everywhere -- work, school and, of course, the beach.
According to a new study, the flip-flop could be the root to foot problems in America.
Juliana Luciano of Orlando may be headed to the beach, but she tends to wear her flip-flops full-time.
"I wear them to work, I wear them to wherever I need to go, the supermarket, wherever I need to go, garbage, throw out the garbage, I wear flip-flops, it's Florida, why not?" said Luciano.
Florida does love the inexpensive shoe, from strolls around town, to even while riding a bike.
"I love flip flops, I wear them all the time, I guess the only reason I like them is because you just slip them on and ready to go," said another flip-flop supporter, Anna Hansard.
But with convenience, comes pain for some people.
"I would say flip flops do hurt on occasion, because they don't have any arch support," said Rockledge resident Heather Fields.
According to the National Foot Health Assessment 2012, 78 percent of adults over the age of 21 experience a foot problem.
Foot doctor David Simonson in Rockledge said there are two big reasons why -- the number of obese people in America and the type of shoe you wear.
"They're flat and there's nothing to control the arch and support the arch of your feet," explained Dr. David Simonson.
The flip-flop being one of the worst offenders for your feet.
"They can slip from underneath you, they make you walk differently because you have to keep the flip-flops on your feet when you're walking," said Dr. Simonson.
He recommends people only wear flip flops occasionally, like when you're going to the beach. Otherwise it should be walking shoes, or sandals on your feet.
But that won't stop some as flip-flops now come in more feet friendly shapes.
Dr. Simonson said flip-flops can cause pain in your knee, back, hip, as well as muscle aches in the legs and feet.
You see people wearing them everywhere -- work, school and, of course, the beach.
According to a new study, the flip-flop could be the root to foot problems in America.
Juliana Luciano of Orlando may be headed to the beach, but she tends to wear her flip-flops full-time.
"I wear them to work, I wear them to wherever I need to go, the supermarket, wherever I need to go, garbage, throw out the garbage, I wear flip-flops, it's Florida, why not?" said Luciano.
Florida does love the inexpensive shoe, from strolls around town, to even while riding a bike.
"I love flip flops, I wear them all the time, I guess the only reason I like them is because you just slip them on and ready to go," said another flip-flop supporter, Anna Hansard.
But with convenience, comes pain for some people.
"I would say flip flops do hurt on occasion, because they don't have any arch support," said Rockledge resident Heather Fields.
According to the National Foot Health Assessment 2012, 78 percent of adults over the age of 21 experience a foot problem.
Foot doctor David Simonson in Rockledge said there are two big reasons why -- the number of obese people in America and the type of shoe you wear.
"They're flat and there's nothing to control the arch and support the arch of your feet," explained Dr. David Simonson.
The flip-flop being one of the worst offenders for your feet.
"They can slip from underneath you, they make you walk differently because you have to keep the flip-flops on your feet when you're walking," said Dr. Simonson.
He recommends people only wear flip flops occasionally, like when you're going to the beach. Otherwise it should be walking shoes, or sandals on your feet.
But that won't stop some as flip-flops now come in more feet friendly shapes.
Dr. Simonson said flip-flops can cause pain in your knee, back, hip, as well as muscle aches in the legs and feet.
2012年7月22日星期日
Lab working on security shoe sole to ID people
High-tech security? Forget those irksome digital iris scans. Meet the biometric shoe.
A new lab is working to perfect special shoe insoles that can help monitor access to high-security areas, like nuclear power plants or special military bases.
The concept is based on research that shows each person has unique feet, and ways of walking. Sensors in the bio-soles check the pressure of feet, monitor gait and use a microcomputer to compare the patterns to a master file for that person. If the patterns match the bio-soles go to sleep. If they don't, a wireless alarm message can go out.
"It's part of a shoe that you don't have to think about," said Marios Savvides, head of Carnegie Mellon University's new Pedo-Biometrics Lab, in Pittsburgh.
The lab, which has $US1.5 million in startup funding, is a partnership with Autonomous ID, a Canadian company that is relocating to several US cities. Todd Gray, the company president, said he saw the potential when his daughter was in a maternity ward decorated with representations of different baby feet all along a wall.
Autonomous ID has been working on prototypes since 2009, with the goal of making a relatively low cost ID system. Gray said they've already run tests on samplebio-soles, which are no thicker than a common foot pad sold in pharmacies, and achieved an accuracy rate of more than 99 per cent. He said Carnegie Mellon would broaden the tests to include "a full spectrum of society: big, tall, thin, heavy, athletic, multicultural, on a diet, twins and so on."
Gray wouldn't speculate on what the system would cost or when it might reach the marketplace, but each worker at a site would have his or her own pair of bio-soles.
"Within the third step, it knows it's you, and it goes back to sleep," he said. "If I put on yours, it would know almost instantly that I'm not you."
The idea may seem far-fetched, but scientists have known for centuries that individuals have unique ways of walking, and in recent years the US Department of Defense has been funding millions of dollars of gait research, as has the Chinese government.
The Institute of Intelligent Machines is doing extensive research into gait biometrics, including reports of systems where a floor monitors footsteps without people's knowledge.
One expert who is not connected with the CMU lab said the biometric sole seemed promising.
"I must admit I find this news very exciting," said John DiMaggio, an Oregon podiatrist who has worked with law enforcement to use foot information in forensic investigations. While it is too early to fully judge the CMU research plan, DiMaggio said using feet as a biometric identification source makes sense.
While researchers have noted that gait can vary with injuries, fatigue and other factors, Savvides said the bio-soles can detect signs of those things, too.
The bio-soles might also have medical uses. Several papers presented this month at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Vancouver suggest changes in how elderly people walk — such as a slowing pace or variable stride — can provide early warnings of dementia.
Gray said the technology is less invasive of privacy than eye scans and other biometrics, in part because the individual data stays inside the bio-soles.
But one group that has followed biometrics and privacy issues said there could still be problems.
"Any biometric capture device is a potential tracking device, just like every iPhone is a potential tracking device. That's just the way these things are," said Lee Tien, an attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a San Francisco nonprofit that monitors free speech and privacy issues.
Tien said that the bio-soles themselves "might make a person feel a little bit better" than other security systems and that Gray's claim that the system can ID a person within three steps is "pretty impressive."
But he added that if the project is successful, bio-soles could also be implanted in shoes secretly.
"I wouldn't expect Nike to build these in. But it's potentially covert," he said, meaning it could be used to help spy on people.
A new lab is working to perfect special shoe insoles that can help monitor access to high-security areas, like nuclear power plants or special military bases.
The concept is based on research that shows each person has unique feet, and ways of walking. Sensors in the bio-soles check the pressure of feet, monitor gait and use a microcomputer to compare the patterns to a master file for that person. If the patterns match the bio-soles go to sleep. If they don't, a wireless alarm message can go out.
"It's part of a shoe that you don't have to think about," said Marios Savvides, head of Carnegie Mellon University's new Pedo-Biometrics Lab, in Pittsburgh.
The lab, which has $US1.5 million in startup funding, is a partnership with Autonomous ID, a Canadian company that is relocating to several US cities. Todd Gray, the company president, said he saw the potential when his daughter was in a maternity ward decorated with representations of different baby feet all along a wall.
Autonomous ID has been working on prototypes since 2009, with the goal of making a relatively low cost ID system. Gray said they've already run tests on samplebio-soles, which are no thicker than a common foot pad sold in pharmacies, and achieved an accuracy rate of more than 99 per cent. He said Carnegie Mellon would broaden the tests to include "a full spectrum of society: big, tall, thin, heavy, athletic, multicultural, on a diet, twins and so on."
Gray wouldn't speculate on what the system would cost or when it might reach the marketplace, but each worker at a site would have his or her own pair of bio-soles.
"Within the third step, it knows it's you, and it goes back to sleep," he said. "If I put on yours, it would know almost instantly that I'm not you."
The idea may seem far-fetched, but scientists have known for centuries that individuals have unique ways of walking, and in recent years the US Department of Defense has been funding millions of dollars of gait research, as has the Chinese government.
The Institute of Intelligent Machines is doing extensive research into gait biometrics, including reports of systems where a floor monitors footsteps without people's knowledge.
One expert who is not connected with the CMU lab said the biometric sole seemed promising.
"I must admit I find this news very exciting," said John DiMaggio, an Oregon podiatrist who has worked with law enforcement to use foot information in forensic investigations. While it is too early to fully judge the CMU research plan, DiMaggio said using feet as a biometric identification source makes sense.
While researchers have noted that gait can vary with injuries, fatigue and other factors, Savvides said the bio-soles can detect signs of those things, too.
The bio-soles might also have medical uses. Several papers presented this month at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Vancouver suggest changes in how elderly people walk — such as a slowing pace or variable stride — can provide early warnings of dementia.
Gray said the technology is less invasive of privacy than eye scans and other biometrics, in part because the individual data stays inside the bio-soles.
But one group that has followed biometrics and privacy issues said there could still be problems.
"Any biometric capture device is a potential tracking device, just like every iPhone is a potential tracking device. That's just the way these things are," said Lee Tien, an attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a San Francisco nonprofit that monitors free speech and privacy issues.
Tien said that the bio-soles themselves "might make a person feel a little bit better" than other security systems and that Gray's claim that the system can ID a person within three steps is "pretty impressive."
But he added that if the project is successful, bio-soles could also be implanted in shoes secretly.
"I wouldn't expect Nike to build these in. But it's potentially covert," he said, meaning it could be used to help spy on people.
2012年7月19日星期四
Walking shoes required in Boston
Many who know the Boston area will not recommend traveling in and out of the city by plane in the winter months because you’re likely to encounter a weather delay. While that’s often true, I’m quite glad I didn’t listen and still went to Boston in December 2011. My mom and I were lucky to experience decent temperatures, which allowed us to adequately explore the historic city.
In addition to what I mention in this story we also visited the graveyards, Paul Revere house, Boston Common, The Old North Church, the Cheers bar, the Museum of Fine Arts, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and the USS Constitution as well as some other places, which were also great. But here’s some advice that goes beyond those favorites.
If you want to see a lot, don’t leave your sneakers at home. Take your most comfortable shoes and if you go in the winter, make sure you take warm and comfortable boots. Take multiple pairs of shoes, too, in case one gets wet.
It seems it’s cold there more than anything else, so at least take a light jacket. It was pretty cold when we were there but we heard people commenting that they were experiencing a warm week, so I was glad not to have to experience the city at its coldest.
Three travel tips for the trip
Stay in the heart of the city: You’ll want to be able to walk to a lot of the sites and not have to rent a car or take public transportation everywhere. I recommend making sure your hotel or hostel is in close proximity to what you want to see before you book it.
Plan what you want to do ahead of time: Since it was winter, we only had about eight hours to cram in everything that was wanted to do since things closed early. If there are things you have to see in the city, make a list and plan them out ahead of time after checking the hours it’s open.
Take a trolley ride: When we were there, we bought a ticket for the trolley and it was good for a week. It’s a nice way to make sure you see some memorable sites and a great way to get around the city. Most of the drivers let you get on and off as you please. I’ve heard good things about duck tours, but they weren’t in operation when I was there.
While many may just think to go to a game if it’s baseball season, I suggest you go further. I’m not even a baseball fan but I really enjoyed touring the park. We went during their 100th anniversary celebration, which was neat. The park has a lot of history and it’s really interesting to hear all about it. Plus, you get to sit in the green monster seats, which are difficult to get if you are looking to go to a game.
Visit the New England Aquarium: We received discount tickets through the trolley company so we went, and I’m glad we did. It was really fun to see and there were a lot of interactive displays. It’s a great way to get inside, which can be helpful in the cold weather. We were able to touch stingrays, hermit crabs and starfish. I was excited to see a giant sea turtle in the central tank.
Go to the Prudential Tower Skywalk Observatory on a clear day: It’s nice to see the city from up high on a very nice day. As you walk around the skywalk, you can punch different numbers into your personal audio tour and you’ll learn a ton of interesting things about the city.
In addition to what I mention in this story we also visited the graveyards, Paul Revere house, Boston Common, The Old North Church, the Cheers bar, the Museum of Fine Arts, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and the USS Constitution as well as some other places, which were also great. But here’s some advice that goes beyond those favorites.
If you want to see a lot, don’t leave your sneakers at home. Take your most comfortable shoes and if you go in the winter, make sure you take warm and comfortable boots. Take multiple pairs of shoes, too, in case one gets wet.
It seems it’s cold there more than anything else, so at least take a light jacket. It was pretty cold when we were there but we heard people commenting that they were experiencing a warm week, so I was glad not to have to experience the city at its coldest.
Three travel tips for the trip
Stay in the heart of the city: You’ll want to be able to walk to a lot of the sites and not have to rent a car or take public transportation everywhere. I recommend making sure your hotel or hostel is in close proximity to what you want to see before you book it.
Plan what you want to do ahead of time: Since it was winter, we only had about eight hours to cram in everything that was wanted to do since things closed early. If there are things you have to see in the city, make a list and plan them out ahead of time after checking the hours it’s open.
Take a trolley ride: When we were there, we bought a ticket for the trolley and it was good for a week. It’s a nice way to make sure you see some memorable sites and a great way to get around the city. Most of the drivers let you get on and off as you please. I’ve heard good things about duck tours, but they weren’t in operation when I was there.
While many may just think to go to a game if it’s baseball season, I suggest you go further. I’m not even a baseball fan but I really enjoyed touring the park. We went during their 100th anniversary celebration, which was neat. The park has a lot of history and it’s really interesting to hear all about it. Plus, you get to sit in the green monster seats, which are difficult to get if you are looking to go to a game.
Visit the New England Aquarium: We received discount tickets through the trolley company so we went, and I’m glad we did. It was really fun to see and there were a lot of interactive displays. It’s a great way to get inside, which can be helpful in the cold weather. We were able to touch stingrays, hermit crabs and starfish. I was excited to see a giant sea turtle in the central tank.
Go to the Prudential Tower Skywalk Observatory on a clear day: It’s nice to see the city from up high on a very nice day. As you walk around the skywalk, you can punch different numbers into your personal audio tour and you’ll learn a ton of interesting things about the city.
2012年7月18日星期三
Carrying a dozen pair of shoes
England — Rickie Fowler routinely travels with a dozen pairs of golf shoes in tow. This week might be the rare tournament where the third-year pro and noted clotheshorse actually wears every pair at least once — just trying to keep his feet dry.
Rain showers lashed Royal Lytham several times a day through the practice rounds this week and could again be a factor once the British Open begins in earnest off the northwest coast on Thursday. Fowler lives in Florida and he learned to play the game growing up in sunny California, but he’s taken to the tough conditions on this side of the pond like a duck.
“I definitely think there are guys that either get off to a tough start or aren’t looking at the weather the right way and may kind of beat themselves before they tee off,” he said Wednesday.
Fowler realized he could have been one of those guys after shooting 79 at wet and windy St. Andrews in his first-ever round at the Open in 2010. He started out coping with the weather well, then made triple-bogey late and added another double staggering in. But drawing on his experience in the Walker Cup in Northern Ireland a year earlier, Fowler navigated his way around the Old Course with a 67 the next day to make the cut and wound up finishing in a tie for 14th.
Both those memories provided some comfort last year at Royal St. George’s, when he sat in the locker room Saturday and prepared to go out for the third round in some of the worst golfing weather he’d ever seen. So did a glimpse of how five-time Open champion Tom Watson, playing a few groups ahead, embraced the same challenge. Watson, who was 61 at the time, remains one of the best bad-weather golfers ever.
“He just looked like he was hitting his shot and walking forward and moving on,” Fowler recalled.
The longer he and caddie Joe Skovron watched, the more they marveled at Watson’s unflinching demeanor.
“Joe just said to me, ‘It’s going to be tough. Some guys aren’t going to like it. But if we can go out and make some fun of it and keep moving forward, we could make up a lot of ground’ — which we did.
“I knew it was important to go out and play the first few holes solid,” Fowler added. “That was where a lot of it was into the wind. ... We got off to a good start and definitely made the most out of the Saturday there.”
Fowler shot 68, then 72 in the final round and finished tied for fifth. Small wonder that despite the narrow driving lanes on a course featuring more than 200 bunkers and some of the most fearsome rough at an Open in years, he said, “I’m really looking forward to it.”
“There may be fewer options here this week,” he added a moment later. “And there’s definitely going to be some shot-making that’s going to need to happen out there. But I love to play links golf, like I said. You can be as creative as you want.”
Previously, when Fowler’s name and the word “creative” turned up in the same sentence, a discussion of his sometimes-outrageous clothes or his membership in the “Golf Boys” band was likely to follow. The 23-year-old teamed with fellow golfers Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan and Ben Crane last year to make a boy-band video spoof titled “Oh Oh Oh” that mocked the game’s buttoned-down image and raised money for charity.
But Fowler also sandwiched a solid rookie debut at the 2010 Ryder Cup between those impressive Open performances, then won on the PGA Tour for the first time in May at Quail Hollow. His shot-making ability might be more recognized now, but Fowler, who is largely self-taught, always believed it was a cornerstone of his game — especially over here.
“Basically I learned the game as you would if it would have been 1950 versus 1995. So it was a great way for me to be brought up, a very different way in today’s day and age.” he said.
“But I think it’s a huge credit to who I am now and I guess the creativity I have and the way I like to play and one of the reasons why I love links golf.”
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Rain showers lashed Royal Lytham several times a day through the practice rounds this week and could again be a factor once the British Open begins in earnest off the northwest coast on Thursday. Fowler lives in Florida and he learned to play the game growing up in sunny California, but he’s taken to the tough conditions on this side of the pond like a duck.
“I definitely think there are guys that either get off to a tough start or aren’t looking at the weather the right way and may kind of beat themselves before they tee off,” he said Wednesday.
Fowler realized he could have been one of those guys after shooting 79 at wet and windy St. Andrews in his first-ever round at the Open in 2010. He started out coping with the weather well, then made triple-bogey late and added another double staggering in. But drawing on his experience in the Walker Cup in Northern Ireland a year earlier, Fowler navigated his way around the Old Course with a 67 the next day to make the cut and wound up finishing in a tie for 14th.
Both those memories provided some comfort last year at Royal St. George’s, when he sat in the locker room Saturday and prepared to go out for the third round in some of the worst golfing weather he’d ever seen. So did a glimpse of how five-time Open champion Tom Watson, playing a few groups ahead, embraced the same challenge. Watson, who was 61 at the time, remains one of the best bad-weather golfers ever.
“He just looked like he was hitting his shot and walking forward and moving on,” Fowler recalled.
The longer he and caddie Joe Skovron watched, the more they marveled at Watson’s unflinching demeanor.
“Joe just said to me, ‘It’s going to be tough. Some guys aren’t going to like it. But if we can go out and make some fun of it and keep moving forward, we could make up a lot of ground’ — which we did.
“I knew it was important to go out and play the first few holes solid,” Fowler added. “That was where a lot of it was into the wind. ... We got off to a good start and definitely made the most out of the Saturday there.”
Fowler shot 68, then 72 in the final round and finished tied for fifth. Small wonder that despite the narrow driving lanes on a course featuring more than 200 bunkers and some of the most fearsome rough at an Open in years, he said, “I’m really looking forward to it.”
“There may be fewer options here this week,” he added a moment later. “And there’s definitely going to be some shot-making that’s going to need to happen out there. But I love to play links golf, like I said. You can be as creative as you want.”
Previously, when Fowler’s name and the word “creative” turned up in the same sentence, a discussion of his sometimes-outrageous clothes or his membership in the “Golf Boys” band was likely to follow. The 23-year-old teamed with fellow golfers Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan and Ben Crane last year to make a boy-band video spoof titled “Oh Oh Oh” that mocked the game’s buttoned-down image and raised money for charity.
But Fowler also sandwiched a solid rookie debut at the 2010 Ryder Cup between those impressive Open performances, then won on the PGA Tour for the first time in May at Quail Hollow. His shot-making ability might be more recognized now, but Fowler, who is largely self-taught, always believed it was a cornerstone of his game — especially over here.
“Basically I learned the game as you would if it would have been 1950 versus 1995. So it was a great way for me to be brought up, a very different way in today’s day and age.” he said.
“But I think it’s a huge credit to who I am now and I guess the creativity I have and the way I like to play and one of the reasons why I love links golf.”
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
2012年7月17日星期二
The Riders Revolt series allows our riders
Women's skateboarding phenom Leticia Bufoni has been climbing up a lot of podiums lately, with a win earlier this month at the fifth annual Girlzilla competition in Somerset, United Kingdom; a second place finish at the Mystic Sk8 Cup in Prague, Czech Republic over the weekend; and a silver medal in Women's Skateboard Street last month at X Games Los Angeles 2012, among others. The 19 year-old Brazilian skater has been a force in women's competition since she first started winning contests back home in 2006 and is no stranger to the podium (she's the current overall leader on the 2012 World Cup Skateboarding circuit, on track to win her third overall World Cup title in a row), but even her biggest fans have been surprised by a new detail in her success story: This year she's been skating her way to those podiums in a custom Leticia Bufoni colorway of the popular Decay vulcanized skate shoe from Osiris Shoes.
Bufoni is not the first female skateboarder to be similarly honored by a shoe sponsor -- Vans unveiled a signature Cara-Beth Burnside shoe in 1999 and was her longtime sponsor before parting ways last year -- but her Osiris shoe will be the only one of its kind on the market when it drops next year. The Bufoni shoe, which will be released as part of the Osiris Fall 2013 Back-to-School collection, is part of the company's Riders Revolt series.
"The Riders Revolt series allows our riders who don't have signature models yet to come in and personalize a shoe from our line for themselves, give it their flair and their twist, and make some extra money off the sales," says Kyle Klemetsrud, product line manager for Osiris, noting that only two Osiris team skaters -- Corey Duffel and Caswell Berry -- currently have full signature pro models in the brand's line. Other athletes featured in the 2013 Riders Revolt series will include skateboarders Jamie Palmore and Kellen James, BMX rider Ryan Nyquist, FMX rider Adam Jones, and mountain bike rider Cameron Zink.
"Leticia's been skating the Decay for a few years and wanted to keep it classy with a nice black suede," Klemetsrud says. "We did a micro-perf on the underlay panels for her to give it a little more breatheability, and on the heel we have a little 'Yeah Yeah' screen embossed in white. That's something she's always saying and that she and her mother both have tattooed on them and have a bond together with, and it reflects her positive go-for-it attitude. And then we have a custom insole graphic where we did a pirate skull-and-crossbones with a rope and anchor and a banner with her name on it, and the skull is wearing her trademark bandana that she always rocks, just to give it that extra Leticia flair. Other than that we kept it really simple: it's a black suede vulcanized shoe that any skater, male or female, would be stoked to rock. It's not a women's-specific shoe, but it is the shoe she's been skating in for the last couple of years."
Osiris co-founder Tony Magnusson first spotted Bufoni in a skatepark more than five years ago when he was putting together a grom team and gathering footage for the 2008 Osiris film "Children of the Revolution," which introduced "Osiris Youth Movement" skaters Jake Hill, Tyson Bowerbank, Allysha Bergado, and Shane Borland, among others, and featured a breakout video part for Bufoni.
"She's just been bringing it ever since," says Osiris skate team manager Cuong Ling. "She's one of the best female skaters in the world and she's out in the streets skating all the time, literally on the grind all the time, and she's earned this."
Speaking of the grind, Bufoni could not be reached for comment for this article; she's currently on tour in Europe.
"She's a real skater and she's been an important part of our team and our brand for a long time because her performance on and off the board is just as professional as can be," Ling says. "She dominates that whole women's contest circuit -- she's always in the top three and it's really good exposure for us -- but if it wasn't for her also being a real hardcore skater out on the streets she wouldn't even be on the team. She can do nollie tricks, switch tricks, 360 flips... she's out there skating ledges really well, backside Smith grinding on rails, kickflipping onto rails, skating big stair sets... she's the real deal."
Other women on the Osiris team include skateboarders Karen Jones and Annie Sullivan, and both Klemetsrud and Ling say the brand's women's line has become increasingly popular.
"I feel like our team is constantly growing, for the better, and it's great to see so much progression from the women's side," Ling says. "Going to the X Games last month and watching that women's competition was great to see because it was packed and the level of skateboarding was so high. Leticia plays a major part in our skate program and brings a lot of interest to our team and our brand, and I'm really stoked to have her involved."
Bufoni is not the first female skateboarder to be similarly honored by a shoe sponsor -- Vans unveiled a signature Cara-Beth Burnside shoe in 1999 and was her longtime sponsor before parting ways last year -- but her Osiris shoe will be the only one of its kind on the market when it drops next year. The Bufoni shoe, which will be released as part of the Osiris Fall 2013 Back-to-School collection, is part of the company's Riders Revolt series.
"The Riders Revolt series allows our riders who don't have signature models yet to come in and personalize a shoe from our line for themselves, give it their flair and their twist, and make some extra money off the sales," says Kyle Klemetsrud, product line manager for Osiris, noting that only two Osiris team skaters -- Corey Duffel and Caswell Berry -- currently have full signature pro models in the brand's line. Other athletes featured in the 2013 Riders Revolt series will include skateboarders Jamie Palmore and Kellen James, BMX rider Ryan Nyquist, FMX rider Adam Jones, and mountain bike rider Cameron Zink.
"Leticia's been skating the Decay for a few years and wanted to keep it classy with a nice black suede," Klemetsrud says. "We did a micro-perf on the underlay panels for her to give it a little more breatheability, and on the heel we have a little 'Yeah Yeah' screen embossed in white. That's something she's always saying and that she and her mother both have tattooed on them and have a bond together with, and it reflects her positive go-for-it attitude. And then we have a custom insole graphic where we did a pirate skull-and-crossbones with a rope and anchor and a banner with her name on it, and the skull is wearing her trademark bandana that she always rocks, just to give it that extra Leticia flair. Other than that we kept it really simple: it's a black suede vulcanized shoe that any skater, male or female, would be stoked to rock. It's not a women's-specific shoe, but it is the shoe she's been skating in for the last couple of years."
Osiris co-founder Tony Magnusson first spotted Bufoni in a skatepark more than five years ago when he was putting together a grom team and gathering footage for the 2008 Osiris film "Children of the Revolution," which introduced "Osiris Youth Movement" skaters Jake Hill, Tyson Bowerbank, Allysha Bergado, and Shane Borland, among others, and featured a breakout video part for Bufoni.
"She's just been bringing it ever since," says Osiris skate team manager Cuong Ling. "She's one of the best female skaters in the world and she's out in the streets skating all the time, literally on the grind all the time, and she's earned this."
Speaking of the grind, Bufoni could not be reached for comment for this article; she's currently on tour in Europe.
"She's a real skater and she's been an important part of our team and our brand for a long time because her performance on and off the board is just as professional as can be," Ling says. "She dominates that whole women's contest circuit -- she's always in the top three and it's really good exposure for us -- but if it wasn't for her also being a real hardcore skater out on the streets she wouldn't even be on the team. She can do nollie tricks, switch tricks, 360 flips... she's out there skating ledges really well, backside Smith grinding on rails, kickflipping onto rails, skating big stair sets... she's the real deal."
Other women on the Osiris team include skateboarders Karen Jones and Annie Sullivan, and both Klemetsrud and Ling say the brand's women's line has become increasingly popular.
"I feel like our team is constantly growing, for the better, and it's great to see so much progression from the women's side," Ling says. "Going to the X Games last month and watching that women's competition was great to see because it was packed and the level of skateboarding was so high. Leticia plays a major part in our skate program and brings a lot of interest to our team and our brand, and I'm really stoked to have her involved."
2012年7月16日星期一
The shoes are also retailed from certain stores
Pune student Vedashree Bankar has directed her love for art into hand-painted footwear
Seven years ago, Vedashree Bankar had purchased a pair of white sneakers from a market in China. Little did she know that the sneakers would become the inspiration to carry forward her passion for painting. The 19-year-old, along with friend 22-year-old Pranav Mote, today owns a venture titled Raskala as part of which she sells hand-painted, customised shoes. While they mostly sell online to customers in the Pune area, the shoes are also retailed from certain stores in Pune and Goa.
Talking about the initial days, Bankar recounts, “On a family vacation to China, I saw a lot of cheap converse shoes being sold on the streets. My mom and I made a deal that if she bought them for me, I would stop painting on the walls at home and my pants." Bankar's first pair, painted with rainbows and clouds, won her appreciation following which it became her pastime activity.
Making a business of it, however, was not what Bankar had planned. Bankar and Mote made their first few sales within their social circle, publicising their wares on Facebook page and through word of mouth. During an the internship at a start-up company in Goa in 2011, they learnt about branding and marketing. Bankar was then eager to put her lessons in business to work. She adds that the internship was instrumental in channeling her ideas towards Raskala. "I learned how to build a brand from my boss who also helped me design the logo and develop a marketing plan," Bankar adds. Raskala was officially launched in October 2011.
While most of the orders come in through their website, Raskala sells anywhere between seven to 22 pairs of shoes a day at the retail stores in Goa during peak tourist months between November and January. This surge in demand sometimes needs them to hire interns. “Priced between Rs 1,200-Rs 1,700, a lot of people take these shoes back home as souvenirs,” explains Bankar.
Over the last two years, Bankar’s designs have evolved as much as her business sense. The days of painting rainbows have come to a close as she has discovered that mehendi art and Angry Birds are the company’s top sellers.
Seven years ago, Vedashree Bankar had purchased a pair of white sneakers from a market in China. Little did she know that the sneakers would become the inspiration to carry forward her passion for painting. The 19-year-old, along with friend 22-year-old Pranav Mote, today owns a venture titled Raskala as part of which she sells hand-painted, customised shoes. While they mostly sell online to customers in the Pune area, the shoes are also retailed from certain stores in Pune and Goa.
Talking about the initial days, Bankar recounts, “On a family vacation to China, I saw a lot of cheap converse shoes being sold on the streets. My mom and I made a deal that if she bought them for me, I would stop painting on the walls at home and my pants." Bankar's first pair, painted with rainbows and clouds, won her appreciation following which it became her pastime activity.
Making a business of it, however, was not what Bankar had planned. Bankar and Mote made their first few sales within their social circle, publicising their wares on Facebook page and through word of mouth. During an the internship at a start-up company in Goa in 2011, they learnt about branding and marketing. Bankar was then eager to put her lessons in business to work. She adds that the internship was instrumental in channeling her ideas towards Raskala. "I learned how to build a brand from my boss who also helped me design the logo and develop a marketing plan," Bankar adds. Raskala was officially launched in October 2011.
While most of the orders come in through their website, Raskala sells anywhere between seven to 22 pairs of shoes a day at the retail stores in Goa during peak tourist months between November and January. This surge in demand sometimes needs them to hire interns. “Priced between Rs 1,200-Rs 1,700, a lot of people take these shoes back home as souvenirs,” explains Bankar.
Over the last two years, Bankar’s designs have evolved as much as her business sense. The days of painting rainbows have come to a close as she has discovered that mehendi art and Angry Birds are the company’s top sellers.
2012年7月15日星期日
Can you really make DIY Louboutins?
My fingers are covered in bright red paint, bits of glue are dotted up my arms, and I’ve got so many metallic studs littering the table and the floor, it looks like the aftermath of an unfortunate incident between a gang of Hell’s Angels and a very powerful magnet.
But I don’t care, because sitting in front of me is a beautiful pair of shoes that are a dead ringer for this season’s most sought-after Christian Louboutin heels. And, best of all, they’ve cost me a fraction of the real deal.
Louboutins and their iconic red soles have become the red carpet shoe of choice for A-listers including Victoria Beckham, Nicole Kidman and Sarah Jessica Parker. As a result, they also rank highly on the wish list of many style-savvy women.
But with prices starting at ￡375 for the basic Pigalle court shoe, they’re beyond the reach of most of us.
When times are tough, however, we Brits can be incredibly resourceful. During World War II, when women couldn’t get their hands on stockings, they bathed their legs in tea and used eyeliner to draw seams down the backs of their legs.
Flash forward 70 years, and if we can’t afford designer label shoes, we’re faking them ourselves. At least that’s what Homebase reckon. Last week, the DIY chain revealed that sales of tester pots of red paint had soared 40 per cent in the past year as cash-strapped fashion fans have decided to transform their High Street buys into designer lookalikes, employing the simple trick of painting the soles scarlet.
Louboutin’s red soles were first showcased in 1992 when, backstage at a show, Christian saw an assistant painting her fingernails a bright red and decided to use it to varnish the soles of his stilettos.
‘It happened by accident as I felt that the shoes lacked energy,’ he recalled. ‘So I applied red nail polish to the sole of a shoe. This was such a success that it became a permanent fixture.’
Success is something of an understatement. The company’s annual revenue is in excess of ￡160million, and an estimated 340,000 pairs are sold each year. Every pair comes with soles in a shade known to those in the trade as Pantone-18 Chinese Red.
And Louboutin goes to great lengths to protect these unique soles. In 2008, he sued High Street chain Zara for selling a pair of red-soled slingbacks which, he claimed, were too similar to his.
But last month a French court ruled that there was no way the shoes could be confused and dismissed the case. Last year, another case was brought against Yves Saint Laurent, which is still ongoing.
But I don’t care, because sitting in front of me is a beautiful pair of shoes that are a dead ringer for this season’s most sought-after Christian Louboutin heels. And, best of all, they’ve cost me a fraction of the real deal.
Louboutins and their iconic red soles have become the red carpet shoe of choice for A-listers including Victoria Beckham, Nicole Kidman and Sarah Jessica Parker. As a result, they also rank highly on the wish list of many style-savvy women.
But with prices starting at ￡375 for the basic Pigalle court shoe, they’re beyond the reach of most of us.
When times are tough, however, we Brits can be incredibly resourceful. During World War II, when women couldn’t get their hands on stockings, they bathed their legs in tea and used eyeliner to draw seams down the backs of their legs.
Flash forward 70 years, and if we can’t afford designer label shoes, we’re faking them ourselves. At least that’s what Homebase reckon. Last week, the DIY chain revealed that sales of tester pots of red paint had soared 40 per cent in the past year as cash-strapped fashion fans have decided to transform their High Street buys into designer lookalikes, employing the simple trick of painting the soles scarlet.
Louboutin’s red soles were first showcased in 1992 when, backstage at a show, Christian saw an assistant painting her fingernails a bright red and decided to use it to varnish the soles of his stilettos.
‘It happened by accident as I felt that the shoes lacked energy,’ he recalled. ‘So I applied red nail polish to the sole of a shoe. This was such a success that it became a permanent fixture.’
Success is something of an understatement. The company’s annual revenue is in excess of ￡160million, and an estimated 340,000 pairs are sold each year. Every pair comes with soles in a shade known to those in the trade as Pantone-18 Chinese Red.
And Louboutin goes to great lengths to protect these unique soles. In 2008, he sued High Street chain Zara for selling a pair of red-soled slingbacks which, he claimed, were too similar to his.
But last month a French court ruled that there was no way the shoes could be confused and dismissed the case. Last year, another case was brought against Yves Saint Laurent, which is still ongoing.
2012年7月12日星期四
Toby has Mitcham volunteer job licked
AS PETER Greeneklee's car nears Resthaven at Mitcham, his dog, Toby, can not contain his excitement.
Mr Greeneklee and Toby, 12, a kelpie, visit the nursing home every week to bring laughter and smiles to the residents.
"Toby really does know the place," Mr Greeneklee says.
"As soon as he gets even close he gets excited."
The duo have been visiting the Smith-Dorrien St nursing home for about five years.
Mr Greeneklee and fellow volunteer Bob Hedge run the nursing home's men's group each Friday morning.
Mr Greeneklee says Toby is so dedicated to the visits, three years ago, while his owners were on holiday, he escaped his backyard walked the 1.5km to the nursing home.
"One Sunday, Toby got the day wrong and decided it was men's group day and escaped," Mr Greeneklee says.
"He trotted down Fullarton Rd and walked all the way here (to the nursing home) and presented himself at the desk.
"Fortunately the desk people recognised him and rang us and my brother picked him up."
Mr Greeneklee downplays his own involvement in the Resthaven volunteer program, chosing instead to focus the attention on Toby's interaction with residents.
"Anyone who's got cake is his favourite," Mr Greeneklee says.
Although Toby qualifies for aged care himself - at the equivalent of about 85 in human years - Mr Greeneklee can not see the Kelpie's enthusiasm for the nursing home visits slowing down anytime soon.
Mr Greeneklee and Toby, 12, a kelpie, visit the nursing home every week to bring laughter and smiles to the residents.
"Toby really does know the place," Mr Greeneklee says.
"As soon as he gets even close he gets excited."
The duo have been visiting the Smith-Dorrien St nursing home for about five years.
Mr Greeneklee and fellow volunteer Bob Hedge run the nursing home's men's group each Friday morning.
Mr Greeneklee says Toby is so dedicated to the visits, three years ago, while his owners were on holiday, he escaped his backyard walked the 1.5km to the nursing home.
"One Sunday, Toby got the day wrong and decided it was men's group day and escaped," Mr Greeneklee says.
"He trotted down Fullarton Rd and walked all the way here (to the nursing home) and presented himself at the desk.
"Fortunately the desk people recognised him and rang us and my brother picked him up."
Mr Greeneklee downplays his own involvement in the Resthaven volunteer program, chosing instead to focus the attention on Toby's interaction with residents.
"Anyone who's got cake is his favourite," Mr Greeneklee says.
Although Toby qualifies for aged care himself - at the equivalent of about 85 in human years - Mr Greeneklee can not see the Kelpie's enthusiasm for the nursing home visits slowing down anytime soon.
2012年7月11日星期三
Walking gave Keleigh Bradford a reason to get out of bed
Even more, the simple activity gave the Kitchener woman a push on the road to recovery from mental illness and addiction.
Sticking with the healthy habit was that much easier with a good-quality pair of athletic shoes given to her through an annual walking fundraiser that provides shoes to people with mental health issues on a limited income who are pursuing exercise as part of their recovery.
Bradford recently received the 500th pair bought by the Minds in Motion KW Walking Classic.
“It’s a real esteem builder,” said Bradford, 33.
Now in its fifth year, the competitive walking event, also open to recreational walkers, has raised just over $70,000. It has grown steadily, from about 325 walkers in the first year to 950 last year.
All 70 pairs of shoes paid for by the first walk were handed out within two weeks.
“The need was so tremendous,” said event co-chair Dave Lewis, who was inspired by the benefits of walking he and his wife Sue saw when they were coping with their son’s serious mental health issues.
That’s what he wants people to realize through the event, which “celebrates the connection between walking and mental health, not just for people with lived experience, but the whole community,” he said.
“We all need to move to feel healthy, to feel positive.”
Walking has been a big part of Bradford’s new healthy lifestyle.
She struggled with drug addiction and mental illness for a decade after leaving home at 12 because of a tumultuous childhood with alcoholism and abuse. Bradford found herself in Victoria, B.C., hooked on drugs as a way to cope with her mental illness and paying for her habit with prostitution.
She woke up one morning determined to change her life, coming back to Kitchener three years ago.
“My life really has been a big journey,” Bradford said. “I’ve deal with a lot of stuff and I continue to deal with stuff.”
She started getting help, joining support groups and taking advantage of programs. That included a walking group through Waterloo Regional Homes for Mental Health, which focuses on improving the quality of life and independence for people with mental health issues by providing access to affordable housing and flexible, individualized support.
She got her first pair of running shoes a couple years ago and put them to good use. Through walking she met people who were also coping with mental illness and addiction, people who supported each other.
“It gave me a sense of purpose to get up and get out of the house,” Bradford said.
That sense of purpose went far beyond a morning boost. She’s working on completing her high school diploma and hopes to enrol at Conestoga College in a social work program, with the goal of helping others who find themselves in tough situations. She volunteers with a local self-help organization and hopes to be living independently in the fall. Bradford has also lost 25 pounds and quit smoking almost a year ago.
Walking can transform a person like Bradford, said Gayle Parker, a registered nurse who co-ordinates the wellness program at Waterloo Regional Homes for Mental Health.
“It moves people forward,” Parker said.
Diabetes and smoking are more common among people coping with mental illness, and these can lead to other health complications. Walking boosts their health, along with helping them realize recovery is possible.
“People aren’t limited by their mental illness,” Parker said. “I think being involved helps them see the potential.”
Bradford joined the walk twice, first doing the 10-kilometre route as a competitor and the second as a supporter for a first-time walker. She’ll be back again this September for the event she said is fun, but also breaks down the misconceptions around mental illness.
“I have this scary label attached to me, but it’s not me.”
Sticking with the healthy habit was that much easier with a good-quality pair of athletic shoes given to her through an annual walking fundraiser that provides shoes to people with mental health issues on a limited income who are pursuing exercise as part of their recovery.
Bradford recently received the 500th pair bought by the Minds in Motion KW Walking Classic.
“It’s a real esteem builder,” said Bradford, 33.
Now in its fifth year, the competitive walking event, also open to recreational walkers, has raised just over $70,000. It has grown steadily, from about 325 walkers in the first year to 950 last year.
All 70 pairs of shoes paid for by the first walk were handed out within two weeks.
“The need was so tremendous,” said event co-chair Dave Lewis, who was inspired by the benefits of walking he and his wife Sue saw when they were coping with their son’s serious mental health issues.
That’s what he wants people to realize through the event, which “celebrates the connection between walking and mental health, not just for people with lived experience, but the whole community,” he said.
“We all need to move to feel healthy, to feel positive.”
Walking has been a big part of Bradford’s new healthy lifestyle.
She struggled with drug addiction and mental illness for a decade after leaving home at 12 because of a tumultuous childhood with alcoholism and abuse. Bradford found herself in Victoria, B.C., hooked on drugs as a way to cope with her mental illness and paying for her habit with prostitution.
She woke up one morning determined to change her life, coming back to Kitchener three years ago.
“My life really has been a big journey,” Bradford said. “I’ve deal with a lot of stuff and I continue to deal with stuff.”
She started getting help, joining support groups and taking advantage of programs. That included a walking group through Waterloo Regional Homes for Mental Health, which focuses on improving the quality of life and independence for people with mental health issues by providing access to affordable housing and flexible, individualized support.
She got her first pair of running shoes a couple years ago and put them to good use. Through walking she met people who were also coping with mental illness and addiction, people who supported each other.
“It gave me a sense of purpose to get up and get out of the house,” Bradford said.
That sense of purpose went far beyond a morning boost. She’s working on completing her high school diploma and hopes to enrol at Conestoga College in a social work program, with the goal of helping others who find themselves in tough situations. She volunteers with a local self-help organization and hopes to be living independently in the fall. Bradford has also lost 25 pounds and quit smoking almost a year ago.
Walking can transform a person like Bradford, said Gayle Parker, a registered nurse who co-ordinates the wellness program at Waterloo Regional Homes for Mental Health.
“It moves people forward,” Parker said.
Diabetes and smoking are more common among people coping with mental illness, and these can lead to other health complications. Walking boosts their health, along with helping them realize recovery is possible.
“People aren’t limited by their mental illness,” Parker said. “I think being involved helps them see the potential.”
Bradford joined the walk twice, first doing the 10-kilometre route as a competitor and the second as a supporter for a first-time walker. She’ll be back again this September for the event she said is fun, but also breaks down the misconceptions around mental illness.
“I have this scary label attached to me, but it’s not me.”
2012年7月10日星期二
Health Commissioner Holds Unique Public Meeting
Minnesota's Commissioner of Health spent the day in Rochester on Tuesday.
Discussing several health issues in the community.
After touring a few health facilities in town he set up a rather laid back and unique public meeting.
Many a business meetings have settled over a beer, a board room, or even on the golf course.
At East Park in Rochester, health officials are hearing pitches. As they pitch.
"Why not talk public health on a horse shoe pitch?" Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger says as he tosses a horse shoe.
Members of the public were invited to talk public health with the man in Minnesota who probably knows it best.
With titles like “Dr.” and “Commissioner of Health,” Ed Ehlinger may seem a little intimidating.
"You're number one in health factors, but you're number 24 in health outcomes," Ehlinger explains to a group of people.
But that’s only until you get a good look at his brown knickers and matching bowtie.
And play a game of horse shoes with him.
“Not too far left or too far to the right. Just like public health. It’s not to the left or the right. It’s non-partisan,” Ehlinger chuckles.
Even though some people are better at horse shoes than others, everyone feels comfortable to share their ideas.
Playing a laid back game, on a sunny afternoon.
"Not only to come and tell us what they think but maybe to learn a little bit about what is going on," DFL-Representative Tina Liebling explains.
The biggest topics discussed during Tuesday’s horseshoe match were creating healthier school lunches as well as monitoring emergency rooms and surgeries to cut down accidents and improve care.
Discussing several health issues in the community.
After touring a few health facilities in town he set up a rather laid back and unique public meeting.
Many a business meetings have settled over a beer, a board room, or even on the golf course.
At East Park in Rochester, health officials are hearing pitches. As they pitch.
"Why not talk public health on a horse shoe pitch?" Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger says as he tosses a horse shoe.
Members of the public were invited to talk public health with the man in Minnesota who probably knows it best.
With titles like “Dr.” and “Commissioner of Health,” Ed Ehlinger may seem a little intimidating.
"You're number one in health factors, but you're number 24 in health outcomes," Ehlinger explains to a group of people.
But that’s only until you get a good look at his brown knickers and matching bowtie.
And play a game of horse shoes with him.
“Not too far left or too far to the right. Just like public health. It’s not to the left or the right. It’s non-partisan,” Ehlinger chuckles.
Even though some people are better at horse shoes than others, everyone feels comfortable to share their ideas.
Playing a laid back game, on a sunny afternoon.
"Not only to come and tell us what they think but maybe to learn a little bit about what is going on," DFL-Representative Tina Liebling explains.
The biggest topics discussed during Tuesday’s horseshoe match were creating healthier school lunches as well as monitoring emergency rooms and surgeries to cut down accidents and improve care.
2012年7月9日星期一
Sneaker freak takes on shoe business
Turning a life-long obsession into an ambition, Andrew Henry is seeing his sneaker drawings step off the drawing board.
Henry, the one man band behind Yours sneakers, had been collecting sneakers for almost two decades.
"I think I've been collecting for about 15-20 years now, and you know, whenever I bought a pair of sneakers I'd always examine them and just see ways to improve them," he told TV ONE's Breakfast show.
Now, instead of coveting shoes, he is creating his own pared-back, clean cut designer sneakers.
His vision of the perfect shoe, as described on his website, is "understated, clean, and simple. The purist's sneaker".
But getting his vision turned into cold-hard rubber and leather was the hardest part, he said.
"The biggest challenge would have to be transferring it from a design from my computer to something I could hold, you know," said Henry.
"The thing I hate most about my job is dealing with the factory, you have to be so specific."
Henry, the son of Sir Graham Henry, keeps his shoes exclusive, with only around one hundred shoes made in each design.
"I don't want to be the likes of Nike or Adidas, because my shoes are quite limited, and I want to keep it like that," he said.
"I want to be stocked in Tokyo, London, Paris you know and all the rest - just make a name for myself."
While the idea and the final product belong entirely to Henry, he said a friend came up with the brand name 'Yours'.
"A friend actually came up with it for me, he said "it's all yours", and it makes sense to me because I've done it all on my own pretty much," he said.
Henry said it can be tough going solo on his footwear project, but he has some "really talented friends" that help him out - as well as family.
Henry, the one man band behind Yours sneakers, had been collecting sneakers for almost two decades.
"I think I've been collecting for about 15-20 years now, and you know, whenever I bought a pair of sneakers I'd always examine them and just see ways to improve them," he told TV ONE's Breakfast show.
Now, instead of coveting shoes, he is creating his own pared-back, clean cut designer sneakers.
His vision of the perfect shoe, as described on his website, is "understated, clean, and simple. The purist's sneaker".
But getting his vision turned into cold-hard rubber and leather was the hardest part, he said.
"The biggest challenge would have to be transferring it from a design from my computer to something I could hold, you know," said Henry.
"The thing I hate most about my job is dealing with the factory, you have to be so specific."
Henry, the son of Sir Graham Henry, keeps his shoes exclusive, with only around one hundred shoes made in each design.
"I don't want to be the likes of Nike or Adidas, because my shoes are quite limited, and I want to keep it like that," he said.
"I want to be stocked in Tokyo, London, Paris you know and all the rest - just make a name for myself."
While the idea and the final product belong entirely to Henry, he said a friend came up with the brand name 'Yours'.
"A friend actually came up with it for me, he said "it's all yours", and it makes sense to me because I've done it all on my own pretty much," he said.
Henry said it can be tough going solo on his footwear project, but he has some "really talented friends" that help him out - as well as family.
2012年7月8日星期日
who will receive one of the Red Shoe Circle awards
When many children look at Ronald McDonald, they see a big, fun clown — but he represents more than just fast-food enjoyment. The Reno Ronald McDonald House will honor its 25th year on July 16 with red shoes galore to celebrate the anniversary.
The now sold-out celebration, which will be held at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, will feature guests Maury Povich and Connie Chung, and guests are requested to wear red shoes to emulate the famous clown. The Red Shoe Circle Award, which honors supporters who have made substantial financial commitments to the house, will be awarded to six people.
“It’s a little bit of both a fundraiser and a celebration,” said Judy O’Brien, senior associate at Ronald McDonald House Charities. “Our fundraising piece comes from ticket sales.”
The Ronald McDonald House Charities is known for the Ronald McDonald Houses, which host families from out of town for little to no cost so that they can be near their sick children in the hospital.
The house gets most of its funding from donations, not from McDonald’s, said Marty Ozer, RMHC’s executive director.
“McDonald’s doesn’t pay for everything. They make Ronald available to us for events,” Ozer said. “They give us a penny for every happy meal. They will have two tables (at the celebration). The perception was that McDonald’s takes care of expenses.”
RMHC doesn’t only provide the Ronald McDonald House — it’s also the funding for the second-largest scholarship program in Northern Nevada. About $750,000 has been given in scholarships since the program’s inception in 2000, said John Drakulich, chairman of the RMHC Scholarship Program.
Drakulich, who will receive one of the Red Shoe Circle awards, had been a member of the RMHC’s Board of Trustees since its inception in 1987. He said he volunteered to chair the program because he had been academically challenged in school, but succeeded because of the assistance of his parents and because of his teachers at Hug High School.
“I chair (the program) for no other reason than that I was fortunate to go to Hug,” Drakulich said. “The vast majority of the teachers there truly cared. … I would say that I do it because it honors my parents who cared so deeply for their kids.”
Drakulich said the scholarship program gives money based on the personal statements submitted, not on grades.
“It’s then that you realize how challenged we are,” he said. “I don’t believe society values education as much as it should. To me, it was saying, how can we make a difference?”
Drakulich said he remained involved with RMHC because of the way it supports children and their families.
“Every dollar that goes in the scholarship comes back,” he said. “They accomplish what they have, like the house itself.”
Though he finds the charity efficient, Ozer said fundraising is still needed for the RMHC’s programs.
“We have two golf tournaments a year, and that was our only fundraising effort,” Ozer said. “This is the first time we’ve done anything like this.
“We’re anticipating it being a lot of fun and a wonderful success. The money we make on this will help the various programs we have move forward.”
The now sold-out celebration, which will be held at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, will feature guests Maury Povich and Connie Chung, and guests are requested to wear red shoes to emulate the famous clown. The Red Shoe Circle Award, which honors supporters who have made substantial financial commitments to the house, will be awarded to six people.
“It’s a little bit of both a fundraiser and a celebration,” said Judy O’Brien, senior associate at Ronald McDonald House Charities. “Our fundraising piece comes from ticket sales.”
The Ronald McDonald House Charities is known for the Ronald McDonald Houses, which host families from out of town for little to no cost so that they can be near their sick children in the hospital.
The house gets most of its funding from donations, not from McDonald’s, said Marty Ozer, RMHC’s executive director.
“McDonald’s doesn’t pay for everything. They make Ronald available to us for events,” Ozer said. “They give us a penny for every happy meal. They will have two tables (at the celebration). The perception was that McDonald’s takes care of expenses.”
RMHC doesn’t only provide the Ronald McDonald House — it’s also the funding for the second-largest scholarship program in Northern Nevada. About $750,000 has been given in scholarships since the program’s inception in 2000, said John Drakulich, chairman of the RMHC Scholarship Program.
Drakulich, who will receive one of the Red Shoe Circle awards, had been a member of the RMHC’s Board of Trustees since its inception in 1987. He said he volunteered to chair the program because he had been academically challenged in school, but succeeded because of the assistance of his parents and because of his teachers at Hug High School.
“I chair (the program) for no other reason than that I was fortunate to go to Hug,” Drakulich said. “The vast majority of the teachers there truly cared. … I would say that I do it because it honors my parents who cared so deeply for their kids.”
Drakulich said the scholarship program gives money based on the personal statements submitted, not on grades.
“It’s then that you realize how challenged we are,” he said. “I don’t believe society values education as much as it should. To me, it was saying, how can we make a difference?”
Drakulich said he remained involved with RMHC because of the way it supports children and their families.
“Every dollar that goes in the scholarship comes back,” he said. “They accomplish what they have, like the house itself.”
Though he finds the charity efficient, Ozer said fundraising is still needed for the RMHC’s programs.
“We have two golf tournaments a year, and that was our only fundraising effort,” Ozer said. “This is the first time we’ve done anything like this.
“We’re anticipating it being a lot of fun and a wonderful success. The money we make on this will help the various programs we have move forward.”
2012年7月5日星期四
Hinchcliffe provides the maple flavour at Honda Indy Toronto
TORONTO Canadian James Hinchcliffe is having trouble filling Danica Patrick’s shoes with Andretti Autosport this year.
“They’re tiny shoes, she’s like a size 6,” the 25-year-old native of Oakville deadpanned Thursday. “It’s tight.
“I’m not good in heels, I’ve established.”
It’s that combination of quick wit and on-track success that has helped make the personable Hinchcliffe a hot commodity on the IndyCar series heading into the Honda Indy Toronto event Sunday. In fact, sponsor GoDaddy has gone to great lengths to heavily promote its newest star, with Hinchcliffe’s face appearing on billboards and posters all over the city.
“Like really weird, that’s how it feels,” Hinchcliffe said of seeing his likeness. “I feel sorry for the people of Toronto, I apologize on behalf of myself and GoDaddy for doing that to them.
“It’s great that GoDaddy is so behind it. To see the level of activation that they’ve taken here in Toronto is incredible ... it’s not something I’m used to seeing. I don’t think you get used to seeing that but it’s cool, it’s all part of it.”
But Hinchcliffe — the self-proclaimed Mayor of HinchTown — is far from being all sizzle and no steak. He’s fifth in the overall driver’s standings, just 30 points behind front-running Will Power.
He was second in the 2010 Firestone Indy Lights Championship and last year was the top rookie in the IZOD IndyCar Series.
But what makes Hinchcliffe’s standing this year amazing is he’s the only driver among the top five not to have won a race this season. He has finished third on two occasions (April 15 at Long Beach, Calif., and June 16 at Milwaukee), earned a front-row starting spot at the Indianapolis 500 (where he finished sixth) and has ended up lower than sixth just twice in nine events this year.
One of those finishes to forget was a 17th-place effort June 23 at the Iowa Corn Indy 250. Hinchcliffe held the lead for 19 laps in the race but ultimately crashed with 55 laps remaining.
If Hinchcliffe is feeling any pressure to rebound in his hometown race, he’s not openly showing it.
“I think the big thing is to try and not reinvent the wheel, not look at our last result and say, ‘Oh my god, we finished whatever it is we finished, panic,’ because it was an accident, we were running well and I think what we’ve been doing as a team has been very good.
“If we just stay on form, stay on point and continue the job we’ve been doing hopefully we’ll put ourselves in a good position Sunday.”
And Hinchcliffe can’t say enough good things about the Toronto street course.
“This is one of my favourite street courses,” he said. “It has a really good mix of fast corners, slow corners, long straights, heavy brake zones and the thing Toronto is famous for is the surface changes.
“There are about 8,654 different surface changes out there and that really throws the engineers and drivers for a bit of a loop. We enjoy the challenge, certainly, and there have been some improvements: Lakeshore (Boulevard) has been completely repaved, which our backs thank the people for.”
Scotland’s Dario Franchitti, the 2012 Indy 500 winner, is a three-time Honda Indy Toronto victor and the defending race champion. Hinchcliffe began last year’s event 13th and was top-finishing Canadian in 14th, one spot ahead of Toronto’s Paul Tracy.
Hinchcliffe and Tracy were both running among the top-10 through 33 laps before bumping tires heading into a turn, contact that resulted in both drivers falling from contention.
But Hinchcliffe and Tracy, twice a winner in Toronto and the only Canadian to capture an Indy race here, won’t have any epic battles Sunday as Tracy isn’t driving in this year’s event.
And that will undoubtedly make Hinchcliffe the overwhelming favourite in the hearts of Canadian racing fans Sunday, a heady status for a youngster who grew up idolizing another Canadian driving star, B.C. native Greg Moore.
At this year’s Indy 500, Hinchcliffe qualified second overall while wearing a pair of gloves that belonged to Moore, who died in a race accident in ’99 at the age of 24.
One of Moore’s best friends on the circuit was Franchitti, who has said Hinchcliffe has many of the qualities that made Moore special.
That comparison humbles Hinchcliffe, who grew up idolizing Moore and in 2010 captured the Greg Moore Legacy Award, traditionally given to a driver who best typifies Moore’s on-track talent as well as possessing a dynamic personality.
“When a guy like Dario says anything complimentary about you, that’s a pretty big statement,” Hinchcliffe said. “To be compared favourably to a guy like Greg, who obviously meant a lot to Dario and meant a lot to me as well, it’s very flattering. It’s like the greatest honour.
“I remember years ago winning the Greg Moore Legacy Award and to me that was better than any on-track accomplishment that you could get because that award was about so much more than just driving. It was comparing you to Greg as a human being and I think that’s what set him apart. There’s a lot of good racing drivers but what made Greg stand out so much was who he was as a person as well. I idolized him as a kid, I tried to model myself after the kind of guy he was and so to have a comment like that from somebody that was close to him like Dario was, that’s pretty incredible.”
“They’re tiny shoes, she’s like a size 6,” the 25-year-old native of Oakville deadpanned Thursday. “It’s tight.
“I’m not good in heels, I’ve established.”
It’s that combination of quick wit and on-track success that has helped make the personable Hinchcliffe a hot commodity on the IndyCar series heading into the Honda Indy Toronto event Sunday. In fact, sponsor GoDaddy has gone to great lengths to heavily promote its newest star, with Hinchcliffe’s face appearing on billboards and posters all over the city.
“Like really weird, that’s how it feels,” Hinchcliffe said of seeing his likeness. “I feel sorry for the people of Toronto, I apologize on behalf of myself and GoDaddy for doing that to them.
“It’s great that GoDaddy is so behind it. To see the level of activation that they’ve taken here in Toronto is incredible ... it’s not something I’m used to seeing. I don’t think you get used to seeing that but it’s cool, it’s all part of it.”
But Hinchcliffe — the self-proclaimed Mayor of HinchTown — is far from being all sizzle and no steak. He’s fifth in the overall driver’s standings, just 30 points behind front-running Will Power.
He was second in the 2010 Firestone Indy Lights Championship and last year was the top rookie in the IZOD IndyCar Series.
But what makes Hinchcliffe’s standing this year amazing is he’s the only driver among the top five not to have won a race this season. He has finished third on two occasions (April 15 at Long Beach, Calif., and June 16 at Milwaukee), earned a front-row starting spot at the Indianapolis 500 (where he finished sixth) and has ended up lower than sixth just twice in nine events this year.
One of those finishes to forget was a 17th-place effort June 23 at the Iowa Corn Indy 250. Hinchcliffe held the lead for 19 laps in the race but ultimately crashed with 55 laps remaining.
If Hinchcliffe is feeling any pressure to rebound in his hometown race, he’s not openly showing it.
“I think the big thing is to try and not reinvent the wheel, not look at our last result and say, ‘Oh my god, we finished whatever it is we finished, panic,’ because it was an accident, we were running well and I think what we’ve been doing as a team has been very good.
“If we just stay on form, stay on point and continue the job we’ve been doing hopefully we’ll put ourselves in a good position Sunday.”
And Hinchcliffe can’t say enough good things about the Toronto street course.
“This is one of my favourite street courses,” he said. “It has a really good mix of fast corners, slow corners, long straights, heavy brake zones and the thing Toronto is famous for is the surface changes.
“There are about 8,654 different surface changes out there and that really throws the engineers and drivers for a bit of a loop. We enjoy the challenge, certainly, and there have been some improvements: Lakeshore (Boulevard) has been completely repaved, which our backs thank the people for.”
Scotland’s Dario Franchitti, the 2012 Indy 500 winner, is a three-time Honda Indy Toronto victor and the defending race champion. Hinchcliffe began last year’s event 13th and was top-finishing Canadian in 14th, one spot ahead of Toronto’s Paul Tracy.
Hinchcliffe and Tracy were both running among the top-10 through 33 laps before bumping tires heading into a turn, contact that resulted in both drivers falling from contention.
But Hinchcliffe and Tracy, twice a winner in Toronto and the only Canadian to capture an Indy race here, won’t have any epic battles Sunday as Tracy isn’t driving in this year’s event.
And that will undoubtedly make Hinchcliffe the overwhelming favourite in the hearts of Canadian racing fans Sunday, a heady status for a youngster who grew up idolizing another Canadian driving star, B.C. native Greg Moore.
At this year’s Indy 500, Hinchcliffe qualified second overall while wearing a pair of gloves that belonged to Moore, who died in a race accident in ’99 at the age of 24.
One of Moore’s best friends on the circuit was Franchitti, who has said Hinchcliffe has many of the qualities that made Moore special.
That comparison humbles Hinchcliffe, who grew up idolizing Moore and in 2010 captured the Greg Moore Legacy Award, traditionally given to a driver who best typifies Moore’s on-track talent as well as possessing a dynamic personality.
“When a guy like Dario says anything complimentary about you, that’s a pretty big statement,” Hinchcliffe said. “To be compared favourably to a guy like Greg, who obviously meant a lot to Dario and meant a lot to me as well, it’s very flattering. It’s like the greatest honour.
“I remember years ago winning the Greg Moore Legacy Award and to me that was better than any on-track accomplishment that you could get because that award was about so much more than just driving. It was comparing you to Greg as a human being and I think that’s what set him apart. There’s a lot of good racing drivers but what made Greg stand out so much was who he was as a person as well. I idolized him as a kid, I tried to model myself after the kind of guy he was and so to have a comment like that from somebody that was close to him like Dario was, that’s pretty incredible.”
2012年7月4日星期三
Sometimes I attending in my underwear drawer and see annihilation
Most of the time my clothes and I accept a appealing acceptable — and simple — relationship. My physique requires covering; my clothes accommodate that covering. But some days, the button of my jeans pokes me in the belly, the neckline of my shirt slides about and my shoes defection adjoin the abstraction of getting active by feet. Sometimes my clothes and I are in a fight. And sometimes my clothes are winning.
The botheration is that assertive pieces are moody. There are the pants with the waistband that refuses to break about the waist. There is the dress with a beat neckline that brand to blooper too low and betrayal my bra. (Actually, absolutely a few acme apperceive this ambush as well.) There's a shirt that consistently rides up my abdomen and a brace of socks that just won't break on my heels — sliding down into my shoes as I walk. I acclimated to accept a brim that would aberration and about-face as I absolved while cutting it, so that I would leave home with the attachment in the aback and access at plan with the attachment on the side, against the front.
Sometimes I attending in my underwear drawer and see annihilation but old, annoyed underpants that I loathe, and that I apperceive abhor me appropriate back.
I apperceive what you're thinking: If your clothes don't fit properly, get rid of them! Well, yes, but afresh I would accept annihilation to wear. Okay, that's not true. I don't accept issues with all of my garments. Just assertive items. And yet: I acquisition myself afraid to get rid of those pieces. It seems like afterwards I yield them off, I end up abrasion them, and putting them aback in the closet or drawer from which they came, abandoned to be faced with them afresh addition day. Why don't I accord the shoes that are adorable, but accomplish my anxiety ache? Why don't I bandy abroad the jeans that won't break up (or, at the actual least, buy a belt?)
Maybe I still see the abeyant in my ornery clothes. Whatever qualities I saw in anniversary apparel if we aboriginal met — abundant color, breathable fabric, adeptness to go with a agglomeration of added things I own — are usually still there. (Or at least, in my mind, they are.) Maybe I'm bedeviled by a adamant optimism: This time things will be different! Or a poor memory: I forgot how abundant these shoes aching the assurance of my feet. Or maybe some affectionate of incredulousness: I can't accept this is happening. Actually, I anticipate it's authentic anger: You accept betrayed me. You are asleep to me. I am not speaking to you and I am traveling to avoid you until the next time I charge something to wear.
Sometimes I anticipate it's me, that my physique needs changing, reshaping, altering. But afresh I think, No, fuck that, Old Navy needs to apprentice how to accomplish a T-shirt that hides your bra, dammit! Or something of the sort. And the added day, if I started bitching about the attachment on my jeans that won't break up, anyone abroad in the appointment mentioned the button on her pants that kept bustling open. So yeah, some of us are angry with our clothes. Duking it out with our duds. Apparel altercations. At atomic I'm not alone.
The botheration is that assertive pieces are moody. There are the pants with the waistband that refuses to break about the waist. There is the dress with a beat neckline that brand to blooper too low and betrayal my bra. (Actually, absolutely a few acme apperceive this ambush as well.) There's a shirt that consistently rides up my abdomen and a brace of socks that just won't break on my heels — sliding down into my shoes as I walk. I acclimated to accept a brim that would aberration and about-face as I absolved while cutting it, so that I would leave home with the attachment in the aback and access at plan with the attachment on the side, against the front.
Sometimes I attending in my underwear drawer and see annihilation but old, annoyed underpants that I loathe, and that I apperceive abhor me appropriate back.
I apperceive what you're thinking: If your clothes don't fit properly, get rid of them! Well, yes, but afresh I would accept annihilation to wear. Okay, that's not true. I don't accept issues with all of my garments. Just assertive items. And yet: I acquisition myself afraid to get rid of those pieces. It seems like afterwards I yield them off, I end up abrasion them, and putting them aback in the closet or drawer from which they came, abandoned to be faced with them afresh addition day. Why don't I accord the shoes that are adorable, but accomplish my anxiety ache? Why don't I bandy abroad the jeans that won't break up (or, at the actual least, buy a belt?)
Maybe I still see the abeyant in my ornery clothes. Whatever qualities I saw in anniversary apparel if we aboriginal met — abundant color, breathable fabric, adeptness to go with a agglomeration of added things I own — are usually still there. (Or at least, in my mind, they are.) Maybe I'm bedeviled by a adamant optimism: This time things will be different! Or a poor memory: I forgot how abundant these shoes aching the assurance of my feet. Or maybe some affectionate of incredulousness: I can't accept this is happening. Actually, I anticipate it's authentic anger: You accept betrayed me. You are asleep to me. I am not speaking to you and I am traveling to avoid you until the next time I charge something to wear.
Sometimes I anticipate it's me, that my physique needs changing, reshaping, altering. But afresh I think, No, fuck that, Old Navy needs to apprentice how to accomplish a T-shirt that hides your bra, dammit! Or something of the sort. And the added day, if I started bitching about the attachment on my jeans that won't break up, anyone abroad in the appointment mentioned the button on her pants that kept bustling open. So yeah, some of us are angry with our clothes. Duking it out with our duds. Apparel altercations. At atomic I'm not alone.
2012年7月3日星期二
Pepper spray bandits on the loose
Police are warning area businesses to be on the lookout. They say five to seven women are still on the run after robbing two Beaumont stores Monday evening and pepper spraying workers who tried to stop them.
Police say they first struck Abercrombie and Fitch in the Parkdale Mall around 6:00 PM, and 40 minutes later they hit the Shoe Carnival on Dowlen Rd.
The tactic of these robbers is simple, but painful if you get in the way.
Police say they shove merchandise into a bag. If approached, they spray that person with pepper spray and run.
Police say it's unlike any robbery in Beaumont.
The harmful robberies are not surprising to Angela Frazier who managed two stores at the mall.
"I had bodily threats. My vehicle was damaged a couple different times. It's ridiculous," said Frazier.
This time, police say five to seven women are acting together.
At Abercrombie and Fitch police say seven women came in carrying bags and acting suspicious. The assistant manger approached them. That's when one of the women sprayed him with pepper spray.
Once at the shoe store, police say the women stuffed shoes into a large Aropostale bag. The manager approached taking a bag from one of the women. When he tried to grab another bag from another woman he was sprayed with pepper spray.
"These ladies are not thinking about what they're doing. They're being very bold and brazen about it," says Officer Carol Riley with the Beaumont Police Department.
Frazier.. says shoplifters are often bold about it, threatening those who stand in the way.
"everyday they would come in like they own the place, and it was ridiculous," said Frazier.
Police say these women will face robbery charges when caught. They carry a punishment of up two to 20 years in jail if convicted.
Police say they first struck Abercrombie and Fitch in the Parkdale Mall around 6:00 PM, and 40 minutes later they hit the Shoe Carnival on Dowlen Rd.
The tactic of these robbers is simple, but painful if you get in the way.
Police say they shove merchandise into a bag. If approached, they spray that person with pepper spray and run.
Police say it's unlike any robbery in Beaumont.
The harmful robberies are not surprising to Angela Frazier who managed two stores at the mall.
"I had bodily threats. My vehicle was damaged a couple different times. It's ridiculous," said Frazier.
This time, police say five to seven women are acting together.
At Abercrombie and Fitch police say seven women came in carrying bags and acting suspicious. The assistant manger approached them. That's when one of the women sprayed him with pepper spray.
Once at the shoe store, police say the women stuffed shoes into a large Aropostale bag. The manager approached taking a bag from one of the women. When he tried to grab another bag from another woman he was sprayed with pepper spray.
"These ladies are not thinking about what they're doing. They're being very bold and brazen about it," says Officer Carol Riley with the Beaumont Police Department.
Frazier.. says shoplifters are often bold about it, threatening those who stand in the way.
"everyday they would come in like they own the place, and it was ridiculous," said Frazier.
Police say these women will face robbery charges when caught. They carry a punishment of up two to 20 years in jail if convicted.
2012年7月2日星期一
Summer shoes for men
We’re now in full swing of yet another (surprise) hot, muggy Kansas summer — that time when heat waves ripple off the blacktop and central air becomes your refuge.
Unfortunately, the heat’s not going away anytime soon, but neither should your classic, practical style.
Over the next few months I’ll detail some easy, affordable ways to stay stylish during the dog days of summer, starting from the ground up with shoes.
Summer shoe options are incredibly diverse and provide men a great opportunity to vary otherwise limited summer wardrobe choices. Since layering is difficult at best under the blazing sun, shoes give men a chance to “put their best foot forward” fashion-wise (bad pun, I know).
An option I find myself leaning toward are classic/casual sneakers, like those Converse and Vans have made for 60 years.
Although offered in a seemingly endless variety of materials, color schemes, patterns and styles, the most popular versions of these American athletic classics are simple, relatively inexpensive (around $40) canvas editions in basic colors like white, navy, red and black.
Leather is also a nice alternative, as it will age better and last longer than canvas, but is usually pricier ($70 to $100) and isn’t as breathable or colorful as canvas.
The great thing about a pair of Converse “Chuck Taylors” or Vans “Authentics” is their classic simplicity, functionality and affordability. You really can’t go wrong with them as a casual option, especially when paired with shorts or jeans and a T-shirt.
If you find yourself wanting a dressier alternative to the sneaker, you might try a pair of boat shoes. With their “prep” and “Ivy League” pedigree, these classics have experienced a huge resurgence in the past two years in high fashion as well as everyday wear.
For more than 80 years, Sperry has offered traditional boat shoes with durable leather uppers, sticky rubber soles and stylish leather laces for discerning sailors everywhere, and has recently expanded its lineup to offer a staggering combination of materials, colorways and patterns for those who stick to land. Although a bit more expensive than most sneakers at around $80, boat shoes offer an impressive level of classic, refined quality that can be paired as easily with shorts and a T-shirt as khakis and an oxford.
Rounding out these footwear options are the most casual of the group, espadrilles. Finding their origins in the Pyrenees Mountains, these classic rope-soled shoes of the French Mediterranean have made their way to America via the explosion in popularity of TOMS — an American-based shoe company that provides a child in need with a pair of shoes for every pair you purchase.
If you don’t want to spring for TOMS, Soludos offers a more affordable pair of espadrilles at a similar quality point. Easy to slip on (no laces), breathable during the hottest days because of their sheer canvas upper and quite affordable at around $50, espadrilles are a stylish, storied alternative to sneakers and boat shoes.
Unfortunately, the heat’s not going away anytime soon, but neither should your classic, practical style.
Over the next few months I’ll detail some easy, affordable ways to stay stylish during the dog days of summer, starting from the ground up with shoes.
Summer shoe options are incredibly diverse and provide men a great opportunity to vary otherwise limited summer wardrobe choices. Since layering is difficult at best under the blazing sun, shoes give men a chance to “put their best foot forward” fashion-wise (bad pun, I know).
An option I find myself leaning toward are classic/casual sneakers, like those Converse and Vans have made for 60 years.
Although offered in a seemingly endless variety of materials, color schemes, patterns and styles, the most popular versions of these American athletic classics are simple, relatively inexpensive (around $40) canvas editions in basic colors like white, navy, red and black.
Leather is also a nice alternative, as it will age better and last longer than canvas, but is usually pricier ($70 to $100) and isn’t as breathable or colorful as canvas.
The great thing about a pair of Converse “Chuck Taylors” or Vans “Authentics” is their classic simplicity, functionality and affordability. You really can’t go wrong with them as a casual option, especially when paired with shorts or jeans and a T-shirt.
If you find yourself wanting a dressier alternative to the sneaker, you might try a pair of boat shoes. With their “prep” and “Ivy League” pedigree, these classics have experienced a huge resurgence in the past two years in high fashion as well as everyday wear.
For more than 80 years, Sperry has offered traditional boat shoes with durable leather uppers, sticky rubber soles and stylish leather laces for discerning sailors everywhere, and has recently expanded its lineup to offer a staggering combination of materials, colorways and patterns for those who stick to land. Although a bit more expensive than most sneakers at around $80, boat shoes offer an impressive level of classic, refined quality that can be paired as easily with shorts and a T-shirt as khakis and an oxford.
Rounding out these footwear options are the most casual of the group, espadrilles. Finding their origins in the Pyrenees Mountains, these classic rope-soled shoes of the French Mediterranean have made their way to America via the explosion in popularity of TOMS — an American-based shoe company that provides a child in need with a pair of shoes for every pair you purchase.
If you don’t want to spring for TOMS, Soludos offers a more affordable pair of espadrilles at a similar quality point. Easy to slip on (no laces), breathable during the hottest days because of their sheer canvas upper and quite affordable at around $50, espadrilles are a stylish, storied alternative to sneakers and boat shoes.
2012年7月1日星期日
Take Back Control of Your Time – and Your Life
Travel sellers must manage competing priorities continually. Tasks hit all the time, from all directions, frequently at the same time. Most react impulsively, bouncing unconsciously from one task to another.
There’s a better way. Pre-establishing a limited number of priorities and knowing when each priority should dominate will allow agents to manage their time more effectively, according to Jeff Davidson, a.k.a. “the Work-Life Balance Expert.”
A conscious approach to your priorities also creates a sense of control – and a more comfortable work-life balance, said Davidson, executive director of the Breathing Space Institute and author of Breathing Space and Simpler Living, among others.
“Travel agents always have more to do. New travel plans, new government regulations to learn, keeping up with the competition – theoretically your day never ends. You could sit there until the next morning doing productive stuff,” Davidson said.
But it’s unhealthy to live your life constantly “on” – balance is required. And the way to find balance is to manage your priorities.
Travel Market Report asked Davidson to elaborate.
Identify your priorities
The first step in managing priorities is to verbalize them. Make a list.
If your list is longer than nine or 10, you’re probably listing subdivisions of the main priorities. In a given day, a typical professional is going to have somewhere between five and nine major priorities, Davidson said.
Priorities should be identified as broad categories – like career, health, family, etc. By ordering these priorities consciously, it is easier to determine whether something requiring your attention belongs at the top, middle or bottom of your daily or weekly “to do” list.
“Priority means it’s of the greatest importance,” Davidson said.
Let one priority dominate – sometimes
On any given day, most people do at least one or two tasks associated with all their priorities, but one or two priorities will dominate.
So though it might be a work day dedicated to your career, you may still go for a jog (health) and take the kids to school (family).
One priority should not dominate all the time, Davidson said. Nor should one priority be dominant all day long. In other words, your career priority should not spill over into your weekends or evenings.
Some separation required
But the days of strict separation between your work and personal life are over. Thanks largely to mobile devices, you can be handling personal business during the work day and career-related business during the evening.
You might order a new pair of shoes while sitting at your desk during the workday, and you might write thank you notes to customers during commercial breaks while watching your favorite TV show in the evening.
Yet some separation is necessary, Davidson advised.
Time with your kids, for instance, should be separate from time working for clients. Trying to do both at the same time will leave your kids feeling like they need to compete for your attention, and your clients feeling like they’re not important to you.
There’s a better way. Pre-establishing a limited number of priorities and knowing when each priority should dominate will allow agents to manage their time more effectively, according to Jeff Davidson, a.k.a. “the Work-Life Balance Expert.”
A conscious approach to your priorities also creates a sense of control – and a more comfortable work-life balance, said Davidson, executive director of the Breathing Space Institute and author of Breathing Space and Simpler Living, among others.
“Travel agents always have more to do. New travel plans, new government regulations to learn, keeping up with the competition – theoretically your day never ends. You could sit there until the next morning doing productive stuff,” Davidson said.
But it’s unhealthy to live your life constantly “on” – balance is required. And the way to find balance is to manage your priorities.
Travel Market Report asked Davidson to elaborate.
Identify your priorities
The first step in managing priorities is to verbalize them. Make a list.
If your list is longer than nine or 10, you’re probably listing subdivisions of the main priorities. In a given day, a typical professional is going to have somewhere between five and nine major priorities, Davidson said.
Priorities should be identified as broad categories – like career, health, family, etc. By ordering these priorities consciously, it is easier to determine whether something requiring your attention belongs at the top, middle or bottom of your daily or weekly “to do” list.
“Priority means it’s of the greatest importance,” Davidson said.
Let one priority dominate – sometimes
On any given day, most people do at least one or two tasks associated with all their priorities, but one or two priorities will dominate.
So though it might be a work day dedicated to your career, you may still go for a jog (health) and take the kids to school (family).
One priority should not dominate all the time, Davidson said. Nor should one priority be dominant all day long. In other words, your career priority should not spill over into your weekends or evenings.
Some separation required
But the days of strict separation between your work and personal life are over. Thanks largely to mobile devices, you can be handling personal business during the work day and career-related business during the evening.
You might order a new pair of shoes while sitting at your desk during the workday, and you might write thank you notes to customers during commercial breaks while watching your favorite TV show in the evening.
Yet some separation is necessary, Davidson advised.
Time with your kids, for instance, should be separate from time working for clients. Trying to do both at the same time will leave your kids feeling like they need to compete for your attention, and your clients feeling like they’re not important to you.
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