The keys to a strong military are coordinated intelligence efforts,
high-tech weaponry, and good shoes – American-made shoes, that is,
according to certain members of the sneaker lobby.U.S. law requires that
all clothing, boots and dress shoes for new military recruits be
American-made. However, one of the exceptions under the so-called Berry
Amendment, which was originally passed in 1941, is athletic footwear.
The estimated 225,000 new military recruits every year, instead, receive
a cash allowance to buy their own sneakers with no requirement on where
the shoes were made. The Pentagon program is valued at $15 million a
year.
This program puts the training of U.S. troops at risk, says
Matt LeBretton, the director of public affairs for American shoemaker
New Balance, one of 13 companies urging President Obama and lawmakers to
back a change to the Berry Amendment. He argues that an insufficient
shoe could either increase the possibility for a training injury or lead
to hamper troop fitness.Sequestration, it would seem, is not the only
thing that could affect military readiness.
“It only makes sense
to have a shoe that’s designed for the rigors of training,” LeBretton
said. “And they’re not doing that today.”But it’s not just for the
military’s sake that this new law passes. With many of these proposals,
it’s also about economics. Supporting American manufacturing boosts the
economic and promotes hiring, LeBretton argues.
“We believe that
as a company that making things in the United States matters, and it
should matter,” LeBretton said. “A lot of people, from the president on
down to through congressional leaders and rank-and-file members, say the
same thing.”
New Balance is one of the only remaining companies
that make their shoes in the U.S. Other American companies like Nike and
Vans produce their shoes overseas. Thirty-eight different companies go
into producing New Balance shoes. A $500,000 contract for a 40-person
company, he said, could go a long way.
A bipartisan mix of 15
senators is putting their support behind this change. They include Sens.
Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Jack Reed, D-R.I., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C,
Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Roy Blunt, R-Mo.,
John Boozman, R-Ark., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H.,
Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Mo Cowan, D-Mass., Bob Casey, D-Penn., and
Chris Murphy, D-Conn.
The letter to the president was authored by
Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King, which makes sense,
considering that a majority of New Balance’s manufacturing employees are
located in their state. LeBretton estimates 200 new manufacturing jobs
could be created if this were to go through.
While this change
could be made through the Defense Department or the president, neither
has seemed willing to go through with it. And while the request is a bit
unusual – as LeBretton said, “We’re in the shoe business and we didn’t
think of it” – this change can be made administratively or through
congressional action.
As Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “An army
marches on its stomach.” Well, in this case, an army should only march
on American-made shoes, proponents of this new change would argue.
The
shoe's shiny mesh upper material feels almost like snake skin. The
soles, a thin ply of rubber, stick to the ground like lizard
feet.Running shoes keep getting weirder. Merrell indeed markets its new
Vapor Glove shoe as something unique. The company calls them the "most
minimal shoe Merrell has ever made."On a scale, they weigh in at 6
ounces apiece — half the weight of regular running shoes. Wearing the
Vapor Glove is akin to the sensation you get in slippers.
I laced
up and did a 4-mile trail run last week. It was my first test in the
shoes, and right away I knew they were wildly different.
On the
trail, the shoe gave a "barefoot" feel — it can seem like nothing is on
your foot at all. I could feel each stone underfoot as I scampered up a
steep bank on a rough part of the route.Merrell touts that the minimal
design will "stimulate muscles." I guess that's what the stiffness in my
legs was the day after that first run.To be sure, you need to start
slow with a shoe like the Vapor Glove. The brand cites "zero-drop
cushioning," meaning the shoe is flat from front to back. There is no
heel rise and very little foam underfoot.
Thursday, 25 April 2013
Comfy Shoes for Penguins?
Millions of people suffer from sore feet--there’s hardly anything worse that can put a damper on a delightful day.
But humans are not the only ones prone to this miserable affliction. According to NBC News, the penguins at the John J. Shedd Aquarium, one of most famous aquatic facilities in the world, have foot pain from spending most of their time sunning on the rocks near their pool. "As our birds age and get older...they get sore feet like we do," said Lisa Takaki, Senior Director of Marine Mammals.
Since penguin anatomy precludes them from taking advantage of any Dr. Scholl’s sole soothers, the Shedd staff started thinking outside the box to find something that would alleviate their pain. Fortunately for these flightless birds, the Shedd staff had a brilliant idea: contact the brainy freshman engineering majors at Northwestern University, who are participating in the school's "Design, Thinking and Communications" class.
The students were asked to create special penguin booties designed to distribute their weight. "My reaction was 'what? This is not engineering. This is arts and crafts!," one of the students remarked. Clarifying Shedd’s unique request into a better perspective, another student acknowledged that engineering consists of finding solutions to problems.
Shedd’s partnership with the students has been in existence for eight years. During this period, the students have solved many "fishy" situations that range from a creating a decompression chamber that helps sea horses eradicate air bubbles from under their skin, to a delivery system that administers medication to fish while they are undergoing surgical procedures.
While the students mainly thought engineering entailed designing buildings, they never dreamed that they would be helping fish and other aquatic animals. That said, they are proud of their accomplishments in helping Shedd provide treatment to their aquatic residents. One student asked “How many people can say they worked on a fish anesthetic delivery system?" His answer; "I can tell you. It's about four!"
Being fashion-minded as well as ingenious, the students came up with a comforting foot contraption designed in stylish Northwestern Purple. Not too shabby, considering the penguins' footwear looks more like a band-aid!
To get an up close and personal experience with the Shedd’s penguins, watch this video.
Tai paired silver versions of them with overalls while trying to woo Elton; Clarissa sported them while explaining it all; My So-Called Life was basically an ode to them. Dr. Martens were everywhere. Also, '90s teens were so grounded and had exceptionally toned calves on account of the shoes' combined weight of like 20 pounds.
The whole grunge renaissance thing within the last few years brought the combat boots and chunky sandals back. Socialite-about-town Alexa Chung sports them regularly and model Agyness Deyn is the face of the spring collection plus has her very own clothing collaboration. There are a lot of eyeball prints involved. But if you haven't shopped the shoes since the first Clinton administration, you might want to give the site a once over. There are hundreds of styles that recall the chunkiness of footwear in the '90s without falling onto the cheesy side of retro. Nirvana soundtrack optional.
But humans are not the only ones prone to this miserable affliction. According to NBC News, the penguins at the John J. Shedd Aquarium, one of most famous aquatic facilities in the world, have foot pain from spending most of their time sunning on the rocks near their pool. "As our birds age and get older...they get sore feet like we do," said Lisa Takaki, Senior Director of Marine Mammals.
Since penguin anatomy precludes them from taking advantage of any Dr. Scholl’s sole soothers, the Shedd staff started thinking outside the box to find something that would alleviate their pain. Fortunately for these flightless birds, the Shedd staff had a brilliant idea: contact the brainy freshman engineering majors at Northwestern University, who are participating in the school's "Design, Thinking and Communications" class.
The students were asked to create special penguin booties designed to distribute their weight. "My reaction was 'what? This is not engineering. This is arts and crafts!," one of the students remarked. Clarifying Shedd’s unique request into a better perspective, another student acknowledged that engineering consists of finding solutions to problems.
Shedd’s partnership with the students has been in existence for eight years. During this period, the students have solved many "fishy" situations that range from a creating a decompression chamber that helps sea horses eradicate air bubbles from under their skin, to a delivery system that administers medication to fish while they are undergoing surgical procedures.
While the students mainly thought engineering entailed designing buildings, they never dreamed that they would be helping fish and other aquatic animals. That said, they are proud of their accomplishments in helping Shedd provide treatment to their aquatic residents. One student asked “How many people can say they worked on a fish anesthetic delivery system?" His answer; "I can tell you. It's about four!"
Being fashion-minded as well as ingenious, the students came up with a comforting foot contraption designed in stylish Northwestern Purple. Not too shabby, considering the penguins' footwear looks more like a band-aid!
To get an up close and personal experience with the Shedd’s penguins, watch this video.
Tai paired silver versions of them with overalls while trying to woo Elton; Clarissa sported them while explaining it all; My So-Called Life was basically an ode to them. Dr. Martens were everywhere. Also, '90s teens were so grounded and had exceptionally toned calves on account of the shoes' combined weight of like 20 pounds.
The whole grunge renaissance thing within the last few years brought the combat boots and chunky sandals back. Socialite-about-town Alexa Chung sports them regularly and model Agyness Deyn is the face of the spring collection plus has her very own clothing collaboration. There are a lot of eyeball prints involved. But if you haven't shopped the shoes since the first Clinton administration, you might want to give the site a once over. There are hundreds of styles that recall the chunkiness of footwear in the '90s without falling onto the cheesy side of retro. Nirvana soundtrack optional.
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
THE MAN IN THE WOMAN'S SHOES
Award-winning actor and director Mikel Murfi is set to tour his one man show The Man in the Woman's Shoes to 17 venues across Ireland this May, stopping in Roscommon for a performance at Roscommon Arts Centre on Friday 3rd May.
The show was commissioned by Sligo Arts Office and the Hawk's Well Theatre in Sligo as part of the Bealtaine Festival. Beginning in 2013 Mikel traveled to meet with older people across county Sligo to gather stories. Tales emerged of characters who lived in Sligo town and county - characters who likely live in every part of Ireland. From the memories, tales and experiences gifted to him, Mikel has made a show that brings these stories back to the people who told them in the first place.
It's October 1978 and Pat Farnon has some business to do in town. It's a ten-mile round trip and it's no joke when you have to do it walking, it in a pair of women's shoes. As he makes the trip from his little cottage to town and back again, Pat Farnon meets little marvels along the way. Funny, tender and at times downright daft, The Man in the Woman's Shoes is a charming encounter with a man who has a boundless enthusiasm for life.
Speaking about his experience making The Man in the Woman's Shoes, Sligo native Mikel, says, "I was commissioned to research a play with different groups of older folk and then to bring that work back to them, to perform the play for the various groups I'd met by way of sharing their creativity and hopefully also documenting their lives. It's my way of honouring the wisdom and tenacity and most of all the gentle good humour in all of the people I met while creating the work. I hope that I've somehow captured the spirit of these people in the play."
Mikel Murfi is an actor and director who has worked on some of the most celebrated Irish theatre productions of recent years. He directed B for Baby by Carmel Winters for The Abbey Theatre, which won an Irish Times Theatre Award for Best New Play and Enda Walsh's The Walworth Farce and Penelope for Druid, winners of Scotsman Fringe First Awards. Mikel won an Irish Times Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Walsh's The New Electric Ballroom for Druid. Mikel worked with over 50 people from active age groups across Sligo to create The Man in the Woman's Shoes, including The Catalysts Writing Club, Cliffoney and Ballintogher Active Age clubs, Forthill Men's History Group amongst others. Mikel then performed the show in various venues in Sligo, places as diverse as St John's Nursing Home, day care centres, parish halls and the Hawk's Well Theatre.
Dominic Campbell, Artistic Director of Bealtaine said, "Mikel embarked on a remarkable journey last year to make this gorgeous piece of theatre which was performed back to the people that inspired it in Sligo. We know it has relevance to audiences of all ages across the country, and are delighted to be bringing this beautiful play to venues nationally this May."
Bealtaine's line-up for May 2013 will see hundreds of theatrical, cinematic, craft, photographic, choral, dance and other events taking place across Ireland, giving people a chance to celebrate creativity as we age, inviting them to "Grow Happy!" - the theme of this year's festival.
The show was commissioned by Sligo Arts Office and the Hawk's Well Theatre in Sligo as part of the Bealtaine Festival. Beginning in 2013 Mikel traveled to meet with older people across county Sligo to gather stories. Tales emerged of characters who lived in Sligo town and county - characters who likely live in every part of Ireland. From the memories, tales and experiences gifted to him, Mikel has made a show that brings these stories back to the people who told them in the first place.
It's October 1978 and Pat Farnon has some business to do in town. It's a ten-mile round trip and it's no joke when you have to do it walking, it in a pair of women's shoes. As he makes the trip from his little cottage to town and back again, Pat Farnon meets little marvels along the way. Funny, tender and at times downright daft, The Man in the Woman's Shoes is a charming encounter with a man who has a boundless enthusiasm for life.
Speaking about his experience making The Man in the Woman's Shoes, Sligo native Mikel, says, "I was commissioned to research a play with different groups of older folk and then to bring that work back to them, to perform the play for the various groups I'd met by way of sharing their creativity and hopefully also documenting their lives. It's my way of honouring the wisdom and tenacity and most of all the gentle good humour in all of the people I met while creating the work. I hope that I've somehow captured the spirit of these people in the play."
Mikel Murfi is an actor and director who has worked on some of the most celebrated Irish theatre productions of recent years. He directed B for Baby by Carmel Winters for The Abbey Theatre, which won an Irish Times Theatre Award for Best New Play and Enda Walsh's The Walworth Farce and Penelope for Druid, winners of Scotsman Fringe First Awards. Mikel won an Irish Times Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Walsh's The New Electric Ballroom for Druid. Mikel worked with over 50 people from active age groups across Sligo to create The Man in the Woman's Shoes, including The Catalysts Writing Club, Cliffoney and Ballintogher Active Age clubs, Forthill Men's History Group amongst others. Mikel then performed the show in various venues in Sligo, places as diverse as St John's Nursing Home, day care centres, parish halls and the Hawk's Well Theatre.
Dominic Campbell, Artistic Director of Bealtaine said, "Mikel embarked on a remarkable journey last year to make this gorgeous piece of theatre which was performed back to the people that inspired it in Sligo. We know it has relevance to audiences of all ages across the country, and are delighted to be bringing this beautiful play to venues nationally this May."
Bealtaine's line-up for May 2013 will see hundreds of theatrical, cinematic, craft, photographic, choral, dance and other events taking place across Ireland, giving people a chance to celebrate creativity as we age, inviting them to "Grow Happy!" - the theme of this year's festival.
Outside of the game: Kyle Rose
Kyle Rose sits in the locker room and laces up his team-issue basketball shoes before hitting the court. He’s living out his lifelong dream of playing for the Brigham Young University basketball team. But outside of practice, Rose’s sports shoes just don’t make the cut compared to his Air Max Ones, Jordan Fours or Foamposites.
A redshirt freshman on the BYU basketball team, Rose has collected about 150 pairs of shoes — Nikes and Jordans, specifically, plus about 20 other pairs of everyday shoes.
What Rose says began as a “mini obsession” with shoes was fueled by visits to his dad’s office at Nike. In junior high, Rose wore a size 9 — the perfect size for leftover sample shoes, which were a perk of his father’s job. His friends started noticing that he was wearing different shoes to school all of the time and wanted to trade him, and that’s when he said shoes became his hobby.
“Seventh grade is when I started to collect and care which pairs I had and try to get the best pairs,” Rose said.
Even before that, Rose had been indoctrinated that Nikes are the best. He has been wearing Nikes since the time he first had shoes on his feet.
“He probably had a pair of Jordans on him when he came home from the hospital,” said Rose’s father, Scott Rose. “He had a Jordan onesie and matching crib booties.”
Scott Rose has worked at Nike throughout his son’s life, so shoes were always abundant at the Rose home. He said shoes are everywhere you look in the house, filling the closets and garage like food storage. Kyle Rose was taught to appreciate shoes at a young age.
“The very first time I can remember him having an opinion about shoes was in the fifth or fourth grade when he had a dress-up day,” his father said. “He always matched everything, but on that day I remember him wearing a black pair of Jordans on one foot and a white pair on the other foot.”
Young Kyle Rose’s favorite shoes back then were high-top Nike Dunks, nicknamed Sea Crystals, that he would sport with a matching shirt, of course.
He has kept up his collection since. He and a teammate used to camp out overnight for shoes. They’d wait in line with their the shoes until their Nike-employed fathers came in the morning to purchase them.
“He knew at a very young age everything that was exclusive enough that he wanted it be to be part of his collection,” Scott said.
Kyle Rose’s collection just kept growing as his father taught him about new technologies and up-and-coming shoe releases. During his senior year, he had the opportunity to work with the Nike design team to create the shoes for his high school basketball team. With the Hyper Dunk as his starting ground, he built the color and added school logos.
Also during his senior year, the avid shoe collector went the first 60 days of school without repeating the same pair of shoes.
His roommate and best friend since seventh grade, Mitch Mathews, said, “I was always jealous because he’d go to school for two to three months without wearing the same pair of shoes.”
Aside from coordinating his footwear, Kyle Rose was also busy coordinating his Eagle Scout project. He raised money and donated Nike shoes and other gear to different charities.
Since then, Rose has continued to look outside himself and is always ready to share. In addition to letting trustworthy friends borrow from his collection, he gives up his shoes to make others happy. In December 2012, he met Garrett Card at the Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation. Rose found out Card was interested in Nike shoes too, and they got to talking shop.
“That’s what he wanted for Christmas, so I ended up giving him a pair out of my closet at a game,” Rose said. “He was super stoked. He couldn’t even say anything except thanks a billion times.”
As he continues his collection, the Nike purist keeps up on his research by spending time on blogs and shoe websites. Kyle Rose looks at the colors and the technologies as well as the history behind the shoe — especially when it comes to Jordans like the Jordan Fours he recently acquired.
“He (Michael Jordan) wore these way, way back in the day — before I was born,” Kyle Rose said. “He hit a game-winning shot against Craig Ehlo in one of his most famous moments. These are one of my all-time favorite pairs of Jordans for sure.”
Other shoes have special meaning to Rose because they are connected to important memories like a basketball tournament with his father during his sophomore year of high school or a significant basketball game.
“I remember my senior night in high school for basketball I broke out this pair of Jordans that I had never worn before,” he said. “I wore them and played in them for senior night, and we won.”
When he wears out a pair, a rare occurrence, Kyle Rose just throws them out or gives them away. Yet some shoes he has never worn and doesn’t ever plan to wear. He keeps all of his shoes, brand new or not, in the boxes with the tissue, but he said he has about 50 pairs still with pristine soles.
“Honestly, some of them are just so nice and just look so good I don’t want to wear them,” Rose said. “I don’t want to mess them up. I don’t know why I do that, but I just can’t bring myself to wear them.”
While he knows some people think he’s crazy, he also says a lot of people like his gigantic shoe collection. Some people even come over and look through the boxes and check out all of his shoes. Mathews said people are amazed when they come into Rose’s room, and they ask him a lot of questions about the shoes.
Even though he is fairly humble about his collection, he — like anyone with something new — sometimes wants to show them off.
“One time he got four new pairs of shoes that were all the same but different colors,” Mathews said. “He lined them up perfectly so people could check them out.”
With three more pairs on their way in the mail, Rose’s shoe collection just keeps growing, and he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Nike shoes are probably in his life to stay, and his future spouse had better be okay with it.
His father said, “I think he’s already picked out the pair he’s wearing to his wedding — a pair of Italian-made Air Force Ones with crocodile skin.”
A redshirt freshman on the BYU basketball team, Rose has collected about 150 pairs of shoes — Nikes and Jordans, specifically, plus about 20 other pairs of everyday shoes.
What Rose says began as a “mini obsession” with shoes was fueled by visits to his dad’s office at Nike. In junior high, Rose wore a size 9 — the perfect size for leftover sample shoes, which were a perk of his father’s job. His friends started noticing that he was wearing different shoes to school all of the time and wanted to trade him, and that’s when he said shoes became his hobby.
“Seventh grade is when I started to collect and care which pairs I had and try to get the best pairs,” Rose said.
Even before that, Rose had been indoctrinated that Nikes are the best. He has been wearing Nikes since the time he first had shoes on his feet.
“He probably had a pair of Jordans on him when he came home from the hospital,” said Rose’s father, Scott Rose. “He had a Jordan onesie and matching crib booties.”
Scott Rose has worked at Nike throughout his son’s life, so shoes were always abundant at the Rose home. He said shoes are everywhere you look in the house, filling the closets and garage like food storage. Kyle Rose was taught to appreciate shoes at a young age.
“The very first time I can remember him having an opinion about shoes was in the fifth or fourth grade when he had a dress-up day,” his father said. “He always matched everything, but on that day I remember him wearing a black pair of Jordans on one foot and a white pair on the other foot.”
Young Kyle Rose’s favorite shoes back then were high-top Nike Dunks, nicknamed Sea Crystals, that he would sport with a matching shirt, of course.
He has kept up his collection since. He and a teammate used to camp out overnight for shoes. They’d wait in line with their the shoes until their Nike-employed fathers came in the morning to purchase them.
“He knew at a very young age everything that was exclusive enough that he wanted it be to be part of his collection,” Scott said.
Kyle Rose’s collection just kept growing as his father taught him about new technologies and up-and-coming shoe releases. During his senior year, he had the opportunity to work with the Nike design team to create the shoes for his high school basketball team. With the Hyper Dunk as his starting ground, he built the color and added school logos.
Also during his senior year, the avid shoe collector went the first 60 days of school without repeating the same pair of shoes.
His roommate and best friend since seventh grade, Mitch Mathews, said, “I was always jealous because he’d go to school for two to three months without wearing the same pair of shoes.”
Aside from coordinating his footwear, Kyle Rose was also busy coordinating his Eagle Scout project. He raised money and donated Nike shoes and other gear to different charities.
Since then, Rose has continued to look outside himself and is always ready to share. In addition to letting trustworthy friends borrow from his collection, he gives up his shoes to make others happy. In December 2012, he met Garrett Card at the Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation. Rose found out Card was interested in Nike shoes too, and they got to talking shop.
“That’s what he wanted for Christmas, so I ended up giving him a pair out of my closet at a game,” Rose said. “He was super stoked. He couldn’t even say anything except thanks a billion times.”
As he continues his collection, the Nike purist keeps up on his research by spending time on blogs and shoe websites. Kyle Rose looks at the colors and the technologies as well as the history behind the shoe — especially when it comes to Jordans like the Jordan Fours he recently acquired.
“He (Michael Jordan) wore these way, way back in the day — before I was born,” Kyle Rose said. “He hit a game-winning shot against Craig Ehlo in one of his most famous moments. These are one of my all-time favorite pairs of Jordans for sure.”
Other shoes have special meaning to Rose because they are connected to important memories like a basketball tournament with his father during his sophomore year of high school or a significant basketball game.
“I remember my senior night in high school for basketball I broke out this pair of Jordans that I had never worn before,” he said. “I wore them and played in them for senior night, and we won.”
When he wears out a pair, a rare occurrence, Kyle Rose just throws them out or gives them away. Yet some shoes he has never worn and doesn’t ever plan to wear. He keeps all of his shoes, brand new or not, in the boxes with the tissue, but he said he has about 50 pairs still with pristine soles.
“Honestly, some of them are just so nice and just look so good I don’t want to wear them,” Rose said. “I don’t want to mess them up. I don’t know why I do that, but I just can’t bring myself to wear them.”
While he knows some people think he’s crazy, he also says a lot of people like his gigantic shoe collection. Some people even come over and look through the boxes and check out all of his shoes. Mathews said people are amazed when they come into Rose’s room, and they ask him a lot of questions about the shoes.
Even though he is fairly humble about his collection, he — like anyone with something new — sometimes wants to show them off.
“One time he got four new pairs of shoes that were all the same but different colors,” Mathews said. “He lined them up perfectly so people could check them out.”
With three more pairs on their way in the mail, Rose’s shoe collection just keeps growing, and he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Nike shoes are probably in his life to stay, and his future spouse had better be okay with it.
His father said, “I think he’s already picked out the pair he’s wearing to his wedding — a pair of Italian-made Air Force Ones with crocodile skin.”
Sunday, 14 April 2013
De Siena Shoes Embraces Asian Market And Invites Consumers To Discover De Siena Shoes - Luxury Shoes For Women
The bold new ladies high heeled, luxury shoe designer is a major hit with new consumers in the Asian market wanting to literally discover a new luxury brand their friends don't know about yet. Targeting early adopters to De Siena Shoes brand has proven to be a very successful case for De Siena Shoes. As one informed consumer suggests, "I simply want the most beautiful, high quality shoes possible but I also don't want to arrive at a party and find my girlfriend wearing the same shoes. I discovered De Siena Shoes and I want my friends to know it."
Francesco Lorenzi, Founder and CEO of De Siena Shoes, says he took the bold steps to create a new luxury shoe brand simply because he knew the market had vital holes that needed to be filled. Lorenzi created De Siena Shoes in the worst financial market of the century but did it because he well understood the gaps between true quality and market hype. "I created De Siena Shoes with the finest quality materials available in the world and with the highest craftsmanship from Italy. I felt like there simply wasn't enough choices in the market for truly exquisite shoes made from the finest materials in the world - and from the highest rated designers in the world from Italy. De Siena Shoes are made with a simple philosophy , and it's that once you see, feel and touch the shoes in person, you know that there is no match in the world for their quality and beauty."
Francesco Lorenzi doesn't enter this market blindly. As part of a family business that has provided the highest quality leathers, silks and other materials to the world's most prestigious brands in the past, Lorenzi simply wanted to create a brand of his own known for using the finest quality materials in the world that his family had a long history of providing.
To assist consumers and shops alike in "Discovering De Siena Shoes", the company has launched a number of public and private events across the region and will be announcing them in the coming weeks.
The shoe company and shoe store worked together to donate running shoes, which for many of the homeless participants, were their first new pair of shoes in years.
“New Balance is always interested in grass-roots programs that benefit the community. So, when Saxon Shoes presented us with information regarding the YMCA Keep It Movin’ program, we thought it was a great fit for both companies and couldn’t wait to join forces,” said Robert Evans, sales representative for New Balance.
Francesco Lorenzi, Founder and CEO of De Siena Shoes, says he took the bold steps to create a new luxury shoe brand simply because he knew the market had vital holes that needed to be filled. Lorenzi created De Siena Shoes in the worst financial market of the century but did it because he well understood the gaps between true quality and market hype. "I created De Siena Shoes with the finest quality materials available in the world and with the highest craftsmanship from Italy. I felt like there simply wasn't enough choices in the market for truly exquisite shoes made from the finest materials in the world - and from the highest rated designers in the world from Italy. De Siena Shoes are made with a simple philosophy , and it's that once you see, feel and touch the shoes in person, you know that there is no match in the world for their quality and beauty."
Francesco Lorenzi doesn't enter this market blindly. As part of a family business that has provided the highest quality leathers, silks and other materials to the world's most prestigious brands in the past, Lorenzi simply wanted to create a brand of his own known for using the finest quality materials in the world that his family had a long history of providing.
To assist consumers and shops alike in "Discovering De Siena Shoes", the company has launched a number of public and private events across the region and will be announcing them in the coming weeks.
The shoe company and shoe store worked together to donate running shoes, which for many of the homeless participants, were their first new pair of shoes in years.
“New Balance is always interested in grass-roots programs that benefit the community. So, when Saxon Shoes presented us with information regarding the YMCA Keep It Movin’ program, we thought it was a great fit for both companies and couldn’t wait to join forces,” said Robert Evans, sales representative for New Balance.
Summer Shoes: What's Hot And How To Find A Pair That Fits
Finding footwear that is fashionable, comfortable and affordable is challenging in any season, but the pressure is on in warmer months. Feet swell when we spend more time outdoors – even if it is just to go for lunch or a walk during the workday. And in today’s casual environment it is almost expected that we will have bare legs with more revealing shoes, making the right footwear choices even more important.
Happily, this spring and summer there are enticing shoe trends for women of every age; in every heel height from flats to skyscrapers; and at every price point for every budget. You don’t have to spend much for a trend you don’t see yourself wearing next year. On the other hand, for a timeless style, buy the best quality you can afford.
Before you start shopping, remember that your shoe size can change. Have your foot measured – both length and width. Always buy what fits, regardless of the number on the box. Just like clothes in your closet, you may wear a number of different sizes, depending on the brand and style.
For brick and mortar shopping, try shoes with the hosiery you expect to wear with them. The thickness of a sock can affect fit. Unless you are Kate Moss or under age 16, put last season’s trendy mountaineering style socks away for next fall. At the same time, don’t be afraid to wear spring shoes with colored tights if you can’t get away with bare legs. (See my post, “Fashion Week On A Budget: 10 Ways To ‘Shop Your Closet’”, for more tips on stretching your current wardrobe.)
Shop late in the day when feet have the greatest tendency to swell. Take advantage of longer days to fit a little shoe shopping in at the end of the work day. Consider a slightly roomier size for hotter conditions, and if your feet are different sizes, buy for the larger one.
Committed shoppers keep notes about brands and sizes – what works and what doesn’t. This is especially helpful when shopping online. If you aren’t sure that an Internet purchase will fit, make sure you can return it. Better yet, look for a site with free returns.
Once you know what size you are and what brands work best, here are the styles to look for this spring and summer.
Elegant pointed toes. In any height they never go out of style, and are particularly prevalent this year. If you crave stilettos but can’t tolerate the height any more, investigate the kitten heel–cute at a lower altitude. Just make sure you can wiggle your toes. Toe impressions should never be visible through the top of a shoe.
Platforms. Popular during the winter, they are now available in summer styles and are an easy way to get height while feeling like you are wearing flats. But your toes should never hang over the sides of your platform (or any other shoe).
Black and white. The post-Memorial Day perennial is turning up this year in clothes, shoes and accessories. In footwear, this year’s offerings go beyond the traditional “spectator” pump to just about any shape or style in black and white.
Neutral nudes. Kate Middleton is keeping the nude shoe trend strong. Keep your L.K. Bennett nude pump, but also look for nude leather, suede and fabric popping up on many of the spring and summer style trends.
Hot colors. Your neutral, workhorse, go-with-everything shoe doesn’t have to be black this season. Try orange, red or yellow as a basic. And if you can go beyond basic, florals and prints were a pretty addition to the spring runway. Wear them with a neutral outfit or pair them with a contrasting floral and remain on trend.
Solid metallics. Buy any color with a shiny finish–no need to limit yourself to silver and gold. Think pink, mint green and red. If all over metallic isn’t your thing, look for a metallic stripe instead.
Short booties. These were the rage during winter and continue to be popular and flattering paired with shorts and skirts. Rubber Wellies aren’t for everyone, especially in warmer climates. But, a solid or floral short rubber boot with the right casual skirt is a fun trend to try before the weather gets too hot. Just don’t try it at the office unless you work in a garden store.
Strappy footwear. With the “Fifty Shades of Grey” franchise dominating The New York Times Bestseller List, we are seeing spring and summer footwear with a hint of bondage. Straps are turning up in sandals, shoes and even boots. To remain comfortable, look for perforated or laser-cut leather, linen and open-toe strappy styles to give your stylish feet some air. Remain on trend by pairing this style with a summer-weight leather jacket in a bright color or a floral dress.
Oxfords. Dressing from a man’s closet is something we usually associate with fall and winter, but this year you can find a lot of menswear styles in feminine colors for spring and summer. A wingtip with a colored sole is a nice riff on a menswear staple.
Architectural styles. Color blocking, unusual shapes, layering of materials, and metallic decorations abound. If you aren’t ready to go full on into this trend, look for a creatively placed zipper – up the front of the shoe, on the outside of the boot, or up the back of your heel, for some structured flair.
Chunky heels. This is my favorite trend. They make a shoe comfortable and stable at any height. Chunky heels can also be found in new materials such as wood and clear plastic. Higher chunky heels can often provide more stability than a low stiletto, with just as much style and a lot more comfort.
Happily, this spring and summer there are enticing shoe trends for women of every age; in every heel height from flats to skyscrapers; and at every price point for every budget. You don’t have to spend much for a trend you don’t see yourself wearing next year. On the other hand, for a timeless style, buy the best quality you can afford.
Before you start shopping, remember that your shoe size can change. Have your foot measured – both length and width. Always buy what fits, regardless of the number on the box. Just like clothes in your closet, you may wear a number of different sizes, depending on the brand and style.
For brick and mortar shopping, try shoes with the hosiery you expect to wear with them. The thickness of a sock can affect fit. Unless you are Kate Moss or under age 16, put last season’s trendy mountaineering style socks away for next fall. At the same time, don’t be afraid to wear spring shoes with colored tights if you can’t get away with bare legs. (See my post, “Fashion Week On A Budget: 10 Ways To ‘Shop Your Closet’”, for more tips on stretching your current wardrobe.)
Shop late in the day when feet have the greatest tendency to swell. Take advantage of longer days to fit a little shoe shopping in at the end of the work day. Consider a slightly roomier size for hotter conditions, and if your feet are different sizes, buy for the larger one.
Committed shoppers keep notes about brands and sizes – what works and what doesn’t. This is especially helpful when shopping online. If you aren’t sure that an Internet purchase will fit, make sure you can return it. Better yet, look for a site with free returns.
Once you know what size you are and what brands work best, here are the styles to look for this spring and summer.
Elegant pointed toes. In any height they never go out of style, and are particularly prevalent this year. If you crave stilettos but can’t tolerate the height any more, investigate the kitten heel–cute at a lower altitude. Just make sure you can wiggle your toes. Toe impressions should never be visible through the top of a shoe.
Platforms. Popular during the winter, they are now available in summer styles and are an easy way to get height while feeling like you are wearing flats. But your toes should never hang over the sides of your platform (or any other shoe).
Black and white. The post-Memorial Day perennial is turning up this year in clothes, shoes and accessories. In footwear, this year’s offerings go beyond the traditional “spectator” pump to just about any shape or style in black and white.
Neutral nudes. Kate Middleton is keeping the nude shoe trend strong. Keep your L.K. Bennett nude pump, but also look for nude leather, suede and fabric popping up on many of the spring and summer style trends.
Hot colors. Your neutral, workhorse, go-with-everything shoe doesn’t have to be black this season. Try orange, red or yellow as a basic. And if you can go beyond basic, florals and prints were a pretty addition to the spring runway. Wear them with a neutral outfit or pair them with a contrasting floral and remain on trend.
Solid metallics. Buy any color with a shiny finish–no need to limit yourself to silver and gold. Think pink, mint green and red. If all over metallic isn’t your thing, look for a metallic stripe instead.
Short booties. These were the rage during winter and continue to be popular and flattering paired with shorts and skirts. Rubber Wellies aren’t for everyone, especially in warmer climates. But, a solid or floral short rubber boot with the right casual skirt is a fun trend to try before the weather gets too hot. Just don’t try it at the office unless you work in a garden store.
Strappy footwear. With the “Fifty Shades of Grey” franchise dominating The New York Times Bestseller List, we are seeing spring and summer footwear with a hint of bondage. Straps are turning up in sandals, shoes and even boots. To remain comfortable, look for perforated or laser-cut leather, linen and open-toe strappy styles to give your stylish feet some air. Remain on trend by pairing this style with a summer-weight leather jacket in a bright color or a floral dress.
Oxfords. Dressing from a man’s closet is something we usually associate with fall and winter, but this year you can find a lot of menswear styles in feminine colors for spring and summer. A wingtip with a colored sole is a nice riff on a menswear staple.
Architectural styles. Color blocking, unusual shapes, layering of materials, and metallic decorations abound. If you aren’t ready to go full on into this trend, look for a creatively placed zipper – up the front of the shoe, on the outside of the boot, or up the back of your heel, for some structured flair.
Chunky heels. This is my favorite trend. They make a shoe comfortable and stable at any height. Chunky heels can also be found in new materials such as wood and clear plastic. Higher chunky heels can often provide more stability than a low stiletto, with just as much style and a lot more comfort.
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
In My Shoes: Maurilia Meehan's mysteries
MAURILIA Meehan brings an obsessive knitter and erotic novelist to life in her latest publication Madame Bovary’s Haberdashery.
Ms Meehan, who is known around town as “Milla”, is one of Hepburn Springs’ resident writers.
She is the author of four critically acclaimed novels, including Fury, The Sea People, Adultery and The Bad Seed and has been shortlisted for awards such as the Vogel, Age Book of the Year and Mile Franklin.
Her latest novel has been described as “a sexy mystery story that plays with convention” and pays homage to both Christie and Flaubert.
The publication will be launched by well-known novelist Carmel Bird on April 21at 3pm at Union Bank Arts Centre in Clunes.
Milla has been putting pen to paper for about 20 years and, between novels, works as a ghost-writer.
“I enjoy solitude and have always read a lot,” she said.
“Then I started having imaginary conversations with the ideas and characters, saying to myself, ‘But what if...?’.
“From that point it all overflowed into writing.”
Milla has lived in the Hepburn Shire since 1999 and, when she’s not writing, spends her time knitting, doing cross-stitch, swimming and gardening.
“I have a lovely adult daughter and a wonderful partner who lives at the other end of town from me to give me space to write,” she said.
Milla said writing wasn’t a 9am to 5pm job, thanks to her nocturnal musings.
“The highlight is always coming out of my writing cave to have wonderful conversations such as this,” she said.
“The challenge is that my ideas always (appear to me) when I am half asleep in bed, so I have to get up and write them down.
“So when I am writing I am always exhausted during the day.”
Milla said her latest publication is aimed at people who might “enjoy a humorous take on the straight detective mystery, or a send-up of the jealousies of the literary, art and film worlds”.
“In Madame Bovary’s Haberdashery we meet two best friends, fans of Miss Marple and Madame Bovary,” she said.
“One is an obsessive knitter and erotic novelist who has no knack for relationships with men, the other a romantic ceramicist who smashes her own work. When one goes missing, a search for her begins.
“The novel explores the idea that we are all detectives in our own lives, looking for clues and often misreading them.”
Ms Meehan, who is known around town as “Milla”, is one of Hepburn Springs’ resident writers.
She is the author of four critically acclaimed novels, including Fury, The Sea People, Adultery and The Bad Seed and has been shortlisted for awards such as the Vogel, Age Book of the Year and Mile Franklin.
Her latest novel has been described as “a sexy mystery story that plays with convention” and pays homage to both Christie and Flaubert.
The publication will be launched by well-known novelist Carmel Bird on April 21at 3pm at Union Bank Arts Centre in Clunes.
Milla has been putting pen to paper for about 20 years and, between novels, works as a ghost-writer.
“I enjoy solitude and have always read a lot,” she said.
“Then I started having imaginary conversations with the ideas and characters, saying to myself, ‘But what if...?’.
“From that point it all overflowed into writing.”
Milla has lived in the Hepburn Shire since 1999 and, when she’s not writing, spends her time knitting, doing cross-stitch, swimming and gardening.
“I have a lovely adult daughter and a wonderful partner who lives at the other end of town from me to give me space to write,” she said.
Milla said writing wasn’t a 9am to 5pm job, thanks to her nocturnal musings.
“The highlight is always coming out of my writing cave to have wonderful conversations such as this,” she said.
“The challenge is that my ideas always (appear to me) when I am half asleep in bed, so I have to get up and write them down.
“So when I am writing I am always exhausted during the day.”
Milla said her latest publication is aimed at people who might “enjoy a humorous take on the straight detective mystery, or a send-up of the jealousies of the literary, art and film worlds”.
“In Madame Bovary’s Haberdashery we meet two best friends, fans of Miss Marple and Madame Bovary,” she said.
“One is an obsessive knitter and erotic novelist who has no knack for relationships with men, the other a romantic ceramicist who smashes her own work. When one goes missing, a search for her begins.
“The novel explores the idea that we are all detectives in our own lives, looking for clues and often misreading them.”
Breaking the silence on child sex abuse, 1 step at a time
Lauren Book is on the road again traveling the state, in large part by foot, delivering her very personal message of sexual abuse and a program of awareness and prevention she started for kindergarten children throughout the state.
"I am a survivor. ... my story is a difficult one to listen to and tell," she told a group of preschool educators Tuesday at the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia in Daytona Beach. "I was abused from age 11 to 16 sexually, physically and emotionally by my live-in nanny. It went on 365 days a year, seven days a week."
Book, now 28, said her father was a lawyer and lobbyist who was away in Tallahassee four months a year, and her mother suffered from a mental disorder. So Book said she remained silent, unsure where to turn for help. She finally told a school counselor.
The nanny is now serving a 25-year prison sentence.
"The most important thing about sharing my story is that we can prevent these kind of things from happening to other children," she said before a presentation of the Safer, Smarter Kids program she developed for preschool teachers that was funded by the state two years ago. "It's important that we empower our children to speak up if something makes them feel unsafe and uncomfortable. Children need to know that it's OK to tell an adult 'no.' To empower them that their bodies belong to them."
Book founded Lauren's Kids in 2007 and is halfway through this year's road trip that began March 19 in Key West and is scheduled to conclude April 23 at the steps of the state Capitol.
The motivation to go public and help children was in part cathartic.
"I knew I needed to turn a negative into a positive," she said, concerned about other silent victims of sexual abuse that occurs in children most often between age 7 and 13. "I knew I could make a difference, not only to help make it better for survivors, but to prevent these crimes from occurring. ... 90 percent of the time children are abused by someone they know or trust."
Pat Quigley, the director of Inspirations Learning Center in Daytona Beach, said Book's background offers valuable insight into helping children avoid sexual abuse and provides the curriculum for teachers to reach that goal.
"I pay close attention when opportunities like this arise," she said before the presentation. "I hope to learn some training tools to work with kids. Some tangible information."
On this year's statewide walk, Book is spending time with educators such as Quigley and the others gathered at the Early Learning Coalition.
"This year we're trying to focus on community outreach," she said before heading out on a six-mile walk earlier Tuesday that began at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. "We're doing 55 events this year. Lots of survivor rallies and talking about the issues."
Those included stops Tuesday at the Early Learning Coalition and Bethune-Cookman University.
"I lived through that horror, and I want to prevent it," she said of childhood sexual abuse.
Book said that while on the road she encounters many former victims and family members impacted by childhood abuse. Strangers sometimes stop and join the walk and have included a young jogger and a 78-year-old grandfather. Some break their silence for the first time to Book.
"I am a survivor. ... my story is a difficult one to listen to and tell," she told a group of preschool educators Tuesday at the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia in Daytona Beach. "I was abused from age 11 to 16 sexually, physically and emotionally by my live-in nanny. It went on 365 days a year, seven days a week."
Book, now 28, said her father was a lawyer and lobbyist who was away in Tallahassee four months a year, and her mother suffered from a mental disorder. So Book said she remained silent, unsure where to turn for help. She finally told a school counselor.
The nanny is now serving a 25-year prison sentence.
"The most important thing about sharing my story is that we can prevent these kind of things from happening to other children," she said before a presentation of the Safer, Smarter Kids program she developed for preschool teachers that was funded by the state two years ago. "It's important that we empower our children to speak up if something makes them feel unsafe and uncomfortable. Children need to know that it's OK to tell an adult 'no.' To empower them that their bodies belong to them."
Book founded Lauren's Kids in 2007 and is halfway through this year's road trip that began March 19 in Key West and is scheduled to conclude April 23 at the steps of the state Capitol.
The motivation to go public and help children was in part cathartic.
"I knew I needed to turn a negative into a positive," she said, concerned about other silent victims of sexual abuse that occurs in children most often between age 7 and 13. "I knew I could make a difference, not only to help make it better for survivors, but to prevent these crimes from occurring. ... 90 percent of the time children are abused by someone they know or trust."
Pat Quigley, the director of Inspirations Learning Center in Daytona Beach, said Book's background offers valuable insight into helping children avoid sexual abuse and provides the curriculum for teachers to reach that goal.
"I pay close attention when opportunities like this arise," she said before the presentation. "I hope to learn some training tools to work with kids. Some tangible information."
On this year's statewide walk, Book is spending time with educators such as Quigley and the others gathered at the Early Learning Coalition.
"This year we're trying to focus on community outreach," she said before heading out on a six-mile walk earlier Tuesday that began at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. "We're doing 55 events this year. Lots of survivor rallies and talking about the issues."
Those included stops Tuesday at the Early Learning Coalition and Bethune-Cookman University.
"I lived through that horror, and I want to prevent it," she said of childhood sexual abuse.
Book said that while on the road she encounters many former victims and family members impacted by childhood abuse. Strangers sometimes stop and join the walk and have included a young jogger and a 78-year-old grandfather. Some break their silence for the first time to Book.
Saturday, 6 April 2013
Steven Luatua stepping into big shoes at Blues
When Jerome Kaino departed the Blues there was a sense of shock.
Not only was his decision to leave for Japan premature, in terms of wasting his world-class ability but, at that point, the Blues had no clear replacement.
Then along came Steven Luatua.
While he made his debut during last year's horror campaign, playing at lock and blindside flanker, Luatua's impact was not truly felt until this season. To date he's been the Blues' most consistent and influential forward in 2013.
The 21-year-old speaks with maturity beyond his years and that is reflected in his on field abilities. Some of his rugby lessons can be attributed to Kaino, the man he credits with being his mentor.
"Jerome," Luatua said swiftly. "Last year the way he held himself and the way he played . . . if you want to definition of a forward, that's Jerome Kaino. He gets the team going forward on attack and defence. Hopefully I can fill half his shoes and push on."
Well, Kaino must be proud.
Luatua doesn't yet posses the same stinging defence but his ball-carrying and off-loading skills have featured prominently for the Blues. That was no different in Friday's crucial 29-18 bonus point win over the winless Highlanders. After three straight losses, the context of the result cannot be understated for the Blues. They have now won three, lost three.
"That's pretty much put us right back in the chase," he said.
"Going up against the Hurricanes next week it's nice that we can go out there and just play our game and not chase the game."
The dynamic No 6 is right at home in the Blues' frantic style. Some of the older members of the forward pack must cringe on occasions as, more often than not, their youthful back-three take the risky option of running it out from the 22.
"When we keep the ball in hand it's great to be a part of," Luatua said. "When that back three make some yards they are pretty special. It can get tiring at times but that's how I like to play. It's been really emphasised by the coaches. They want me to go out there and express myself.
"To be honest I didn't expect to play as much as I am now. Even last year I was hoping just to get a cap. To be able to keep playing in the No 6 jersey, I'm cherishing the opportunity."
Not only was his decision to leave for Japan premature, in terms of wasting his world-class ability but, at that point, the Blues had no clear replacement.
Then along came Steven Luatua.
While he made his debut during last year's horror campaign, playing at lock and blindside flanker, Luatua's impact was not truly felt until this season. To date he's been the Blues' most consistent and influential forward in 2013.
The 21-year-old speaks with maturity beyond his years and that is reflected in his on field abilities. Some of his rugby lessons can be attributed to Kaino, the man he credits with being his mentor.
"Jerome," Luatua said swiftly. "Last year the way he held himself and the way he played . . . if you want to definition of a forward, that's Jerome Kaino. He gets the team going forward on attack and defence. Hopefully I can fill half his shoes and push on."
Well, Kaino must be proud.
Luatua doesn't yet posses the same stinging defence but his ball-carrying and off-loading skills have featured prominently for the Blues. That was no different in Friday's crucial 29-18 bonus point win over the winless Highlanders. After three straight losses, the context of the result cannot be understated for the Blues. They have now won three, lost three.
"That's pretty much put us right back in the chase," he said.
"Going up against the Hurricanes next week it's nice that we can go out there and just play our game and not chase the game."
The dynamic No 6 is right at home in the Blues' frantic style. Some of the older members of the forward pack must cringe on occasions as, more often than not, their youthful back-three take the risky option of running it out from the 22.
"When we keep the ball in hand it's great to be a part of," Luatua said. "When that back three make some yards they are pretty special. It can get tiring at times but that's how I like to play. It's been really emphasised by the coaches. They want me to go out there and express myself.
"To be honest I didn't expect to play as much as I am now. Even last year I was hoping just to get a cap. To be able to keep playing in the No 6 jersey, I'm cherishing the opportunity."
Carolyn Barber: Residents look at times gone by
Last week's column drew many a person to tell about the way Red Bluff used to be on the streets of Red Bluff. There is no doubt that stories of past years are recognized by many a remaining families and past residents.
Unfortunately I had a battle with my computer last week and ended up spelling a couple past stores names incorrectly. Stricker's Bakery and Bosse's Meat Market names were spelled incorrectly.
Several people told of some other important stores which have changed and or disappeared since about 1966. Walnut and Main were hosts to Clark's Drug Store on Walnut, and Crocker Bank was across Main. There also was a little lunch room behind the Crocker Bank. Sprouse Rietz and Cox Electric were on the same side of Walnut St., as the Crocker Bank. The Mode 0 Day Store where women's clothing was sold and next to it was the Rasco Variety Store was called a "dime store."
Not only have local residents shared their memories of days gone by, other current residents expressed their appreciation of knowing that Red Bluff had hosted many thriving businesses in days gone by. The responses to old time locations of past businesses brought back memories to me as a young child. I believe it was that the J.C. Penney's Store was once located on Walnut St. before it located on Main Street. I was a very young girl who used to earn money taking care of small children.
I managed to save lots of pennies so I decided to buy some shoes at the then Walnut St. location of the first Penney's Store. The man who was showing me the nice "flat" shoes, tried very hard to talk me out of some four inch high shoes. He told me that he thought my mother would not like me to wear such high heeled shoes. I insisted that I wanted the high wedged shoes. He finally gave up, I paid him $2.50, I put them on and wore my high healed shoes all the way home with my old shoes in hand. It didn't take long to realize that walking on wedged shoes from Walnut to the head of very long Lincoln Street was pretty hard on the feet and the legs. My Mother looked a little startled and said she would rub some liniment on my legs so they would feel better. The fact is that I wore the high healed shoes very little and went back to wearing some flat soft leather shoes, called "Ducks."
A number of people contacted me to add a few more interesting happenings in Red Bluff many years ago. The buried history of Red Bluff tunnels under buildings located on both sides of Main Street. It has been said that in the 1800's there were under several business buildings in Red Bluff. Over the years there were many Chinese people living in Tehama County.
It has been thought that many people were able to go through the underground tunnels and reach the river. It has also been said that there could have been some opium and other drugs located possibly in the underground basements. For more information on the underground tunnels of Red Bluff, readers may want to look up some of the documents regarding possible tunnels located under stores in Red Bluff It has been said that Newspaper articles from 40-plus years ago chronicle the arguments for and against the tunnel's existence.
I must admit that my husband Hurley and I did go downstairs at some of the stores and were greeted at what did look like tunnels whose doors were closed up although the doors were facing the streets toward the river.
Enough of my diatribe just keeps checking both old and present times about Red Bluff and Tehama County. It will be a fun but maybe a challenge to those of us who just love to learn about the past.
Unfortunately I had a battle with my computer last week and ended up spelling a couple past stores names incorrectly. Stricker's Bakery and Bosse's Meat Market names were spelled incorrectly.
Several people told of some other important stores which have changed and or disappeared since about 1966. Walnut and Main were hosts to Clark's Drug Store on Walnut, and Crocker Bank was across Main. There also was a little lunch room behind the Crocker Bank. Sprouse Rietz and Cox Electric were on the same side of Walnut St., as the Crocker Bank. The Mode 0 Day Store where women's clothing was sold and next to it was the Rasco Variety Store was called a "dime store."
Not only have local residents shared their memories of days gone by, other current residents expressed their appreciation of knowing that Red Bluff had hosted many thriving businesses in days gone by. The responses to old time locations of past businesses brought back memories to me as a young child. I believe it was that the J.C. Penney's Store was once located on Walnut St. before it located on Main Street. I was a very young girl who used to earn money taking care of small children.
I managed to save lots of pennies so I decided to buy some shoes at the then Walnut St. location of the first Penney's Store. The man who was showing me the nice "flat" shoes, tried very hard to talk me out of some four inch high shoes. He told me that he thought my mother would not like me to wear such high heeled shoes. I insisted that I wanted the high wedged shoes. He finally gave up, I paid him $2.50, I put them on and wore my high healed shoes all the way home with my old shoes in hand. It didn't take long to realize that walking on wedged shoes from Walnut to the head of very long Lincoln Street was pretty hard on the feet and the legs. My Mother looked a little startled and said she would rub some liniment on my legs so they would feel better. The fact is that I wore the high healed shoes very little and went back to wearing some flat soft leather shoes, called "Ducks."
A number of people contacted me to add a few more interesting happenings in Red Bluff many years ago. The buried history of Red Bluff tunnels under buildings located on both sides of Main Street. It has been said that in the 1800's there were under several business buildings in Red Bluff. Over the years there were many Chinese people living in Tehama County.
It has been thought that many people were able to go through the underground tunnels and reach the river. It has also been said that there could have been some opium and other drugs located possibly in the underground basements. For more information on the underground tunnels of Red Bluff, readers may want to look up some of the documents regarding possible tunnels located under stores in Red Bluff It has been said that Newspaper articles from 40-plus years ago chronicle the arguments for and against the tunnel's existence.
I must admit that my husband Hurley and I did go downstairs at some of the stores and were greeted at what did look like tunnels whose doors were closed up although the doors were facing the streets toward the river.
Enough of my diatribe just keeps checking both old and present times about Red Bluff and Tehama County. It will be a fun but maybe a challenge to those of us who just love to learn about the past.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Woodstown senior spreads message of giving through TOMS "Ticket to Give"
With hopes of traveling out of the country and participating in a shoe giveaway to children in need, a local high school senior is spreading the word about TOMS shoes’ “Ticket to Give” contest.
Callie Mae Bowen, 18, said she got involved with the contest because she supports the company’s message of giving.
TOMS is looking to provide a pair of brand new shoes for needy children in more than 50 countries through the world with each purchase by a customer.
The Woodstown High School senior owns three pairs of TOMS shoes and said she has always had an interest in the company.
“When they first announced the contest, I was probably looking at the next pair of shoes I wanted to buy,” Callie said.
As part of the contest, entrants submitted a categorized page and slogan explaining their interest in giving out TOMS shoes to those in need. As of Monday afternoon, Callie had more than 500 votes.
Her long-haired, 14-year-old, cat Foxy is her partner and supporter as part of her “Ticket to Give” contest slogan theme, “Paws to Think.” As part of her contest entry, Callie had to select a theme and write a 100-word essay about why it is important to go on the trip.
Pictured on her entry page is a photo of Foxy in a pair of TOMS shoes.
“I think there’s a lot of focus on what we have in our own country. You don’t hear as much about other volunteering in other countries. Some people are afraid to expand their horizons. They have a fear of the unknown — nobody should have to live with that fear,” Callie said.
The top 50 people with the highest amount of votes will be given the opportunity to travel to another country and participate in one of the “giving trips” where the donated shoes are handed over to a child.
According to Callie, she will not know what her destination could be until the trip approaches. However, some of the countries could be Argentina, Guatemala, or Paraguay, she said.
Callie said she be attending the University of Vermont, starting in August and added that she wants to be able to help change a life in addition to just starting college.
There are five different trips with 10 different winners for each giveaway trip.
“I know growing up in Woodstown, we are very sheltered and my classmates or peers don’t know what is always going on outside of Woodstown. I’ve always been able to know what’s out there in the world and want to help others,” Callie expressed.
Callie reflected on graduating from high school and said that this will be the time where she will be faced with challenges of defining who she is.
“We’re just on this journey to find out who we are and why not help others while trying to help yourselves,” she said about the importance of helping others.
While she has observed her name go up and down in the contest ratings, Callie said the entire experience has been humbling and a reminder that she has a lot of support from those who have voted to help her on this adventure.
“My own thoughts are about giving back. Buying a pair a shoes and having one donated is an awesome organization and is a way to pay for two but give a gift to another in need,” Callie said.
For the contest, applicants can only be voted for once by each individual and must be 18 or over. Applicants who are between 16 and 18 years old must have a parent with them on the trip.
Callie Mae Bowen, 18, said she got involved with the contest because she supports the company’s message of giving.
TOMS is looking to provide a pair of brand new shoes for needy children in more than 50 countries through the world with each purchase by a customer.
The Woodstown High School senior owns three pairs of TOMS shoes and said she has always had an interest in the company.
“When they first announced the contest, I was probably looking at the next pair of shoes I wanted to buy,” Callie said.
As part of the contest, entrants submitted a categorized page and slogan explaining their interest in giving out TOMS shoes to those in need. As of Monday afternoon, Callie had more than 500 votes.
Her long-haired, 14-year-old, cat Foxy is her partner and supporter as part of her “Ticket to Give” contest slogan theme, “Paws to Think.” As part of her contest entry, Callie had to select a theme and write a 100-word essay about why it is important to go on the trip.
Pictured on her entry page is a photo of Foxy in a pair of TOMS shoes.
“I think there’s a lot of focus on what we have in our own country. You don’t hear as much about other volunteering in other countries. Some people are afraid to expand their horizons. They have a fear of the unknown — nobody should have to live with that fear,” Callie said.
The top 50 people with the highest amount of votes will be given the opportunity to travel to another country and participate in one of the “giving trips” where the donated shoes are handed over to a child.
According to Callie, she will not know what her destination could be until the trip approaches. However, some of the countries could be Argentina, Guatemala, or Paraguay, she said.
Callie said she be attending the University of Vermont, starting in August and added that she wants to be able to help change a life in addition to just starting college.
There are five different trips with 10 different winners for each giveaway trip.
“I know growing up in Woodstown, we are very sheltered and my classmates or peers don’t know what is always going on outside of Woodstown. I’ve always been able to know what’s out there in the world and want to help others,” Callie expressed.
Callie reflected on graduating from high school and said that this will be the time where she will be faced with challenges of defining who she is.
“We’re just on this journey to find out who we are and why not help others while trying to help yourselves,” she said about the importance of helping others.
While she has observed her name go up and down in the contest ratings, Callie said the entire experience has been humbling and a reminder that she has a lot of support from those who have voted to help her on this adventure.
“My own thoughts are about giving back. Buying a pair a shoes and having one donated is an awesome organization and is a way to pay for two but give a gift to another in need,” Callie said.
For the contest, applicants can only be voted for once by each individual and must be 18 or over. Applicants who are between 16 and 18 years old must have a parent with them on the trip.
Pinterest Web Analytics gains traction with brands
Pinterest is not only popular with consumers, many brands have business pages on the social pin board site. And its not only B2C brands that have a presence on Pinterest. Cisco, Sentara Healthcare, Sony Music and the Today Show all have boards
Pinterest currently has almost 50 million users and is currently valued at $2.5 billion after securing a new $200 million round of funding. It is far from being the pin board networking site used by women pinning recipes.
Although 83 per cent of the global users were women in 2012, locally there are regional variations. In the UK for example 56 per cent of users are male.
Pinterest has announced Web Analytics makes it easier for brands to see what people are pinning from the web site. It also help brands understand where pin clicks lead. Analytics measures pins, repins, impressions and clicks, trending over time.
Analytics show which pins are the most popular and which have been clicked directly from the web site. Brands can also see which pins have been repinned and which pins have been clicked the most to get back to the web site.
These analytics show data leading to better web design and smarter business decision making. And smart brands have been quick to capitalise on the new features.
Shoes of Prey uses Pinterest in an integrated way across all of its social channels. Jodie Fox, Shoes of Prey co- founder said:
"Search Pinterest for "shoesofprey" and you'll not only come across stunning visuals we've created ourselves, but you'll also see all the designs created and shared by our users. It's a really natural, stylish selection of imagery that showcases what our brand is all about and is a perfect introduction to what we do for new users."
Pinterest and its Web Analytics helps Shoes of Prey’s business. “Pinterest is about sharing exceptional images, and Shoes of Prey is about designing exceptional shoes -- so it's the perfect platform to get potential customers -- and shoe-lovers everywhere -- excited about what's possible through our site." said Fox.
"Pinterest analytics is a recent addition to the platform that we're really excited about. It's strength is its simplicity -- analytics can be a feast of information -- but Pinterest gives you clear, straightforward results which spotlight what's working and what's not. So you can get back to the business of sharing great new content."
If you want to go further than Pinterest for analytics and want to track ROI and Pin-to-Purchase metrics then you might want to look at PinReach or Piquora which gives a deep dive into Pinterest engagements tracking pins like traditional systems track hyperlinks.
Piquora, changed its name from Pinfluencer in March launching its Gallery product which gives an ‘automated visual feed of a brands top products trending on social networks, creating a social e-commerce experience for consumers and helping marketers convert their social traffic’.
“Our new Gallery product gives brands a way to nurture their discovery traffic from social networks and tablet users, showcase what is most popular and offer customers a rich, boutique-type browsing experience” explained Sharad Verma, CEO, Piqora.
Perhaps brands should consider taking a closer look at Pinterest. With added tracking and analytics features capitalising on our desire to share interesting visual images it will become more and more critical to businesses as Pinterest’s user base continues to grow.
Pinterest currently has almost 50 million users and is currently valued at $2.5 billion after securing a new $200 million round of funding. It is far from being the pin board networking site used by women pinning recipes.
Although 83 per cent of the global users were women in 2012, locally there are regional variations. In the UK for example 56 per cent of users are male.
Pinterest has announced Web Analytics makes it easier for brands to see what people are pinning from the web site. It also help brands understand where pin clicks lead. Analytics measures pins, repins, impressions and clicks, trending over time.
Analytics show which pins are the most popular and which have been clicked directly from the web site. Brands can also see which pins have been repinned and which pins have been clicked the most to get back to the web site.
These analytics show data leading to better web design and smarter business decision making. And smart brands have been quick to capitalise on the new features.
Shoes of Prey uses Pinterest in an integrated way across all of its social channels. Jodie Fox, Shoes of Prey co- founder said:
"Search Pinterest for "shoesofprey" and you'll not only come across stunning visuals we've created ourselves, but you'll also see all the designs created and shared by our users. It's a really natural, stylish selection of imagery that showcases what our brand is all about and is a perfect introduction to what we do for new users."
Pinterest and its Web Analytics helps Shoes of Prey’s business. “Pinterest is about sharing exceptional images, and Shoes of Prey is about designing exceptional shoes -- so it's the perfect platform to get potential customers -- and shoe-lovers everywhere -- excited about what's possible through our site." said Fox.
"Pinterest analytics is a recent addition to the platform that we're really excited about. It's strength is its simplicity -- analytics can be a feast of information -- but Pinterest gives you clear, straightforward results which spotlight what's working and what's not. So you can get back to the business of sharing great new content."
If you want to go further than Pinterest for analytics and want to track ROI and Pin-to-Purchase metrics then you might want to look at PinReach or Piquora which gives a deep dive into Pinterest engagements tracking pins like traditional systems track hyperlinks.
Piquora, changed its name from Pinfluencer in March launching its Gallery product which gives an ‘automated visual feed of a brands top products trending on social networks, creating a social e-commerce experience for consumers and helping marketers convert their social traffic’.
“Our new Gallery product gives brands a way to nurture their discovery traffic from social networks and tablet users, showcase what is most popular and offer customers a rich, boutique-type browsing experience” explained Sharad Verma, CEO, Piqora.
Perhaps brands should consider taking a closer look at Pinterest. With added tracking and analytics features capitalising on our desire to share interesting visual images it will become more and more critical to businesses as Pinterest’s user base continues to grow.
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