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City has cleanup crews, tough new penalties for vandalism. WITH BREAKOUTS.
One minute, a red scribble of graffiti was on the cinderblock wall. The next minute, it was gone – erased by a jet-blast mixture of water and baking soda. Nearby, a cryptic gang message had been scrawled in paint on a plastic trash can cover. Within moments, it disappeared, too -- scrubbed by a citrus-based solution. "It's no different than a dog marking a fire hydrant – it's somebody marking their turf," Matt Smith, spokesman for Chicago's Streets and Sanitation Department, said recently as city workers cleaned up defaced surfaces in a Northwest Side neighborhood. "It's vandalism. It's ego." Chicago is trying to take back its walls through a $6.5 million annual program known as "Graffiti Blasters" that began in 1993. But at times, it might seem like an uphill battle for the 77 employees who use an arsenal of solvents and paints to erase or obscure the work of vandals. Each year, mobile crews remove an average of 130,000 pieces of graffiti at public and private properties in affluent and distressed neighborhoods. The phoned-in reports come in constantly, and given the volume, it may take as long as a week to respond to a call, said supervisor Tom O'Connor. There is no charge to property owners. The graffiti in Chicago ranges from intimidating gang messages to the random "taggings" of juvenile attention-seekers. There are even elaborate, quasi-artistic -- though illegal-- wall paintings and stenciled pieces of "guerilla marketing." "Graffiti is not an expression," Smith said. "If you want to make an expression, use a canvas." And then there are the pieces of "hate graffiti" that express a racist or vulgar message. Those markings get top priority for removal, Smith said. Graffiti Blasters is the reactive side of Chicago's efforts. The city is ready to launch a revised front-end strategy, with the recent approval of an ordinance that holds parents or guardians financially liable if their minor child damages a property with graffiti. Under the new law, which takes effect in November, adults can be socked with a fine of between $250 and $750 and be obligated to pay restitution. Mayor Richard Daley sought higher financial penalties but negotiated a cap with aldermen who said poor families would be hurt by heftier payments. Ald. James Balcer, a Vietnam veteran who was incensed by vandalism at a war memorial downtown, said the new ordinance is appropriate. Chicago has tried to fight graffiti legislatively in the past, and officials concede the problem hasn't gone away. The City Council banned the sale of spray paint at local stores and more recently prohibited the sale of acid-based pastes that vandals have used to permanently scratch windows – a more recent trend in graffiti. A sponsor of the latter measure, Ald. Manny Flores, said troublemakers can get around the law by ordering the product over the Internet. Normally, the pastes are used for arts and crafts. When used on windows, the damage cannot be reversed; Graffiti Blasters refers acid-etchings to the police department, Smith said. "I feel terrible for these entrepreneurs, these mom-and-pop (store owners) trying to make a go of it," Flores said. "They go to work, and all of a sudden they see their front window damaged." One graffiti expert-for-hire said cities that document and track the activity of vandals have had the most success in reducing it. Timothy Kephart, president and CEO of Graffiti Tracker Inc., said his Omaha, Neb.-based firm has contracts with 24 cities to analyze data and provide "intelligence" to police officials, who use the information to zero in on suspects. "If you don't catch the kids, you can't hold the parent accountable," he said. Kephart said the vandalism has "significantly increased" over the past five years in urban and suburban areas alike. It is thought that graffiti costs property owners billions of dollars annually across the United States. "It's multiple factors," Kephart said. "You have got more of a pop culture that is exposing kids to this to make it seem kind of cool. There's probably more disorganization in the home." Smith, the streets and sanitation agency spokesman, said Chicago's Graffiti Blasters program represents a zero-tolerance policy as prolific vandals keep trying to send their "message." "We'll send a message: We won't tolerate it," he said. Mike Ramsey can be reached at (312) 857-2323 or email@example.com. GRAFFITI IN CHICAGO: THE NUMBERS The number of reported graffiti incidents in Chicago has fluctuated little since 2000. 2007: 102,630 (through Sept. 1) 2006: 162,635 2005: 123,440 2004: 106,849 2003: 141,012 2002: 164,335 2001: 161,693 2000: 127,703 Source: Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation TYPES OF GRAFITTI The majority of graffiti in cities, some 80 percent, is "tagging" done by youths ages 12 to 18 who seek notoriety, says Tim Kephart, president and CEO of the private firm Graffiti Tracker Inc., which analyzes vandalism patterns for cities. He said the other 20 percent is gang graffiti that is meant to inspire fear and intimidation. He said those markings are typically left by the gang's youngest members. Only about 1 percent of graffiti comprise the elaborate and colorful murals known as "bombing," Kephart said. These "artists" are in their late teens or 20s, he said. "They do have talent, but the problem is, in order to get that good, they did a lot of damage," Kephart said.


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DETROIT (AP) -- Federal prosecutors have filed fresh money laundering charges against a Detroit-area cancer doctor accused of intentionally misdiagnosing patients and ordering unnecessary treatments.
Dr. Farid Fata was arrested Aug. 6, 2013. A judge ordered him held because of concern he might flee to his native Lebanon.
The Detroit News says he's scheduled for arraignment on the new charges Feb. 4 before U.S. District Judge Paul Borman.
Fata is a naturalized U.S. citizen who lives in Oakland County's Oakland Township.
He's accused of committing fraud to enrich himself through health insurance programs. The government says his practice billed Medicare $225 million from August 2007 to July 2013.
Prosecutors say some patients were repeatedly exposed to powerful drugs despite having no cancer. Fata denies it.
His trial is scheduled Aug. 12.
Published: Mon, Jan 20, 2014

subset: commoncrawl


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- 2 Beds
- 2 Full Baths
Property TypeResidential – Condominium
SubdivisionSimba Run
Listing Date05/16/19
Year Built1983
Lot Size0.06 Acres (2,614 SqFt)
Parking1 Car Assigned, Underground
Property Description
Enjoy beautiful ski slope / mountain views from this turn-key condo located just mins from Vail & Lionshead. This complex is known for location, view & amenities including: underground parking, lots of storage, free private shuttle in the winter, firewood, tennis courts, pool, hot tub, fitness room, front desk & it's on the free Town of Vail bus route. The two level floor plan has great separation of space & plenty of room to sleep six! Fantastic short or long term rental with proven history.
Presented By
- Bus Route
- See Remarks
- Walk to Slopes
- Mountains
- Ski Slopes
- South Facing
- Woods
- Cross Country Trails
- Golf-Public
- Hiking/Pedestrian Trail
- On Bus Line
- Cable Available
- Deck
- Fireplace - Wood
- Multi-Level
- Vaulted Ceilings
- Fitness Center
- Front Desk
- On Site Management
- Pool
- Shuttle Service
- Spa and Hot Tub
- Tennis
- Cable TV
- District Sewer
- District Water
- Electricity Avail.
- Phone Available
- Snow Removal
- Trash Pickup
- Baseboard
- Electric
- Ceiling Fan
- Dryer
- Washer
Financial Information
About Vail
Home to the internationally incomparable Vail Mountain Ski Resort, the Town of Vail is comprised of several neighborhoods including Vail Village, Lionshead Village, East Vail and West Vail. The heart of town lies within its villages at the base of the mountain, a Tyrolean inspired blend of American and European cultures. Vail has a near endless list of cultural and sporting events and activities year round including the single largest ski mountain in the country and an array of outdoor pursuits including fly fishing pristine waters and golf at the beautiful town course with magnificent views of the Gore Range. All of which are easily accessible by car, bike, walk, or the free town shuttle.
Area Market Data
3 Beds 4 Baths
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The data relating to the real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of the Vail Multi-List Service, Inc.
Copyright © 2020 Vail Multi List, Inc. (VMLS). The information displayed herein was derived from sources believed to be accurate, but has not been verified by VMLS. Buyers are cautioned to verify all information to their own satisfaction. This information is exclusively for viewers' personal, non- commercial use. Any republication or reproduction of the information herein without the express permission of the VMLS is strictly prohibited.
Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties


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Dodgers roll out "A Whole New Blue" advertising, marketing campaign for 2013 season
The Los Angeles Dodgers' 2013 "A Whole New Blue" advertising and marketing campaign has launched across the Los Angeles DMA and will include print, digital, television, radio and out-of-home components.
The "A Whole New Blue" campaign takes its lead from the anticipation and excitement generated by the team ownership's very ambitious off-season program to strengthen the team and implement enhancements to iconic Dodger Stadium.
"A Whole New Blue" debuted on the team's website (www.dodgers.com) and on graphics seen at the recently held, highly successful, first ever off-season team FanFest. It has been incorporated in the team's print ads, radio spots, game tickets, and other sales collateral. It will soon be displayed on billboards and bus shelters. Digital and television advertising will launch later this month.
"A Whole New Blue" is more than a tagline or advertising campaign," said Dodgers' Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Lon Rosen. "It's a whole new way of thinking about Dodger baseball. It's about a new attitude embraced by the team that will be reflected in the fan experience at Dodger Stadium this season."
"A Whole New Blue" was designed by Walton Isaacson (WI), the team's new advertising agency. Walton Isaacson will work with the Dodgers' marketing and advertising team to help execute all marketing strategies in 2013.
"We're thrilled to be involved in the overall creation and execution of this statement campaign," said Aaron Walton, co-founder of WI. "The Dodgers have assumed an aggressive, leadership position in Major League Baseball, sending a clear signal that they're willing to take every step possible to dramatically improve the team and heighten the adrenaline level at Dodger Stadium. We're confident that "A Whole New Blue" will be the rallying cry for fans from Opening Day in April to a championship in October."


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Store Categories
Please use PayPal to make your payments. For multiple item purchases, to qualify for combined shipping, one payment must be made for all items purchased. Please wait for invoice to be assured of proper charges, and combined shipping discounts when available.
CANADIAN RESIDENTS:Payments in Canadian Funds drawn on a Canadian Bank or P.M.O. welcomed.Save postage & time... mail payment to:Attn: eBay Sales, JusTrains Group, Blakely RPO Box 68003, Hamilton ON L8M 3M7
INSURANCE is buyer's responsibility and optional under $25.00, excluding shipping costs. There is no overseas insurance available (and some restrictions to Canada), unless you are willing to pay for registered, or expedited service. We do not make false Customs Declarations, so please DON'T ASK! Otherwise, do inquire if you have other concerns.
JusTrains ships Worldwide pending any mail or trade restrictions with an international country. Where customs export documents are required, same will be accurately issued. JusTrains is not responsible for any customs tariffs, taxes, surcharges, or delays in shipping, for whatever reason. Canadian and U.K. customers generally will enjoy free trade priviledges, but please inquire if you have any concerns. Shipments bound for Canadian destinations may be shipped via Hamilton, ON. Due to frequent First Class Mail disappearances, for your protection, certain countries are restricted to expedited delivery services only.
Purchases are generally processed and shipped via First Class Mail within 72 hours after payment is received, pending volume. While we ship daily, our guaranteed shipping day to the Canada is the first Tuesday after payment has been received.DOMESTIC SHIPMENTS can take up to 7 days; Expedited Mail 3-5 days.INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS take 7-14 days, or more depending upon foreign country services; expedited shipping 5-7 days, however, where customs clearance may be required, delays can be 30 days, or longer. Please be patient!
We try hard to earn 5 STARS on each component of every transaction. The FeedBack program is very important to us and directly affects our standing in search engines and listing costs. We would greatly appreciate your support in helping us continue to grow our e-store business within the eBay Community.
Due to the select product offerings that JusTrains makes available, all sales are considered "Final" and "As Is". Buyer's remorse is not an acceptable reason for a return. Returns for items shipped by mistake, or items incorrectly described, will be accepted as the exception. JusTrains dedicates considerable time and effort towards descriptions and pictures provided within an auction or listing. Please read each listing carefully and completely. Where insurance is not purchased by the buyer, the buyer assumes all risk for loss, or damage, once the shipping carrier takes receipt of the shipment. JusTrains packages all shipments, whether $4 or $400, with the same attention to detail and quality. If you have ANY concerns, please feel free to ask questions? but don't wait until the final hours before the auction ends! A response may not be returned in time.
S&H charges include the cost of shipping, plus supplies and labor. It costs time & money to process orders & we work hard to earn a 5-star rating on every sold listing. For complete terms, please see our sales policy listed on My eBay.
Should you have any concerns with this transaction, we will expect the courtesy that you will contact us, PRIOR TO LEAVING FEEDBACKso that we may have the opportunity to address your concerns.
Since 1979, JusTrains Group is Western New York's and Ontario's Largest Full-Time Purveyor of Quality Select Railway and Steamship Art, Antiques, Books & Magazines, Buttons & Badges, Brotherhood Items, Ephemera, Equipment, Dining Car Supplies, Keys & Locks, Lamps & Lanterns, Passes, Philatelic Topicals, Postcards and Telegraphia, c1830-1970.JusTrains Group Buys, Sells and Trades Single Items or Complete Collections from primarily North America, and offer our inventory through Retail, Mail Order, Internet and Show Sales. We also take pride in having supported over 133 retail dealers and galleries as well as 45 museums in North America and abroad, with their acquisition and inventory requirements over the last 30 years. Check our auctions and e-store periodically for collectibles that we acquire which have nothing to do with Trains... or Ships. Imagine That!JusTrains Group also provides a free Estate Conversion/Appraisal Service. We welcome your visit, and your inquiries are always confidential. Click here to view our eBay ABOUT ME profile.
Unsure? Konfused? Got a question, or a comment? Contact us through eBay messages, or email. JusTrains does not lose mail to spam filters. Responses may take up to 72 hours, depending on time of contact and current volume. We are closed weekends and holidays.


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This weekend I participated in my orchestra's chamber music series, and performed Franz Strauss Nocturno Op. 7 with Channing Yu accompanying. It was a fantastic event, and I appreciated hearing my colleagues make some music. We all had a moment prior to performing to discuss our musical choices, and I focused on the lack of true romantic music featuring the solo tuba before the 20th century. The audience seemed delighted. Please enjoy.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Fhbf0 ... p=drivesdk


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Sex please, we're Canadian. Survey lays bare everything from threesomes to canoe canoodles
Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Email
Misty Harris, Postmedia News
Monday, Feb. 4, 2013
Threesomes - Getty Images
Three's company for millions of Canadians, with more than one in five sexually active adults – 22 per cent – saying they've done the deed with two or more partners at the same time, and another 29 per cent saying they're open to the idea.
The admissions are among the risqué revelations uncovered by Playtex and Environics Research Group in a new nationwide sex survey that pulls back the sheets on where we do it, who we do it with, and how often. The results collectively confirm that when it comes to intimacy, the True North is indeed strong and (very) free.
"There's a stigma about Canadians being somewhat reserved," said Sohana Samanta, brand manager for Playtex feminine care. "But some of the greatest findings in this survey speak to the fact that Canadians are a lot more adventurous and sexually uninhibited than we believed… I mean, eight per cent of Canadians have had sex in a canoe."
This light-hearted approach to intimacy is reflected in the brand's controversial new marketing campaign for Fresh + Sexy wipes, currently being rolled out nationwide. The cheeky ads, which some publications have refused to run, varyingly feature images of a peach, a beaver, a door knob and a woodpecker, with carnal double-entendre slogans to match.
"It's obviously edgy," said Samanta, noting that some magazines would only run teasers of the full advertisements. "We're trying to capitalize on what we've found out about sexually active Canadians."
The survey certainly shows we're hardly prudes when it comes to matters of lust.
The average person has had 12 sexual partners in their lifetime, while 23 per cent of men and 13 per cent of women claim 20 or more lovers. Bedpost notches climb with age, but not everyone is spreading the love: fully 17 per cent of Canadians say they've been sexually monogamous with a single person.
When asked how often they have sex, 35 per cent of people said a few times a month, while 33 per cent said a few times a week. Married Canadians were more likely to cite the former, while dating Canadians were more likely to cite the latter.
Nearly one in five (19 per cent) claimed to do it once a month or less, while eight per cent said they got busy every day. The remainder either weren't getting any or preferred not to answer.
Just 13 per cent of Canadians said they liked morning sex, while a scant five per cent were into afternoon delights. Half preferred to keep their intimate moments to the evening, while the rest said any time was go time.
Geographically, Ontario, Alberta and Quebec boasted the most satisfied lovers ("very" or "somewhat"), while those in B.C. and Atlantic Canada were likeliest to have complaints.
A spokesman for Environics, which conducted the research, says due diligence was done to ensure the results were reliable – even if some findings may be surprising.
"I don't personally know anyone who's had sex in a canoe, or even how you'd go about that," said senior research associate Sean Copeland, laughing. "But I do know canoe usage is quite high in North America."
The online survey of 1,003 adults, aged 18 to 49, was taken Dec. 19 to 20. The results are weighted to reflect the population and no margin of error is stated.


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Bengal confirms oil discovery at Caracal
Bengal Energy reported that the first exploration well in the Tookoonooka drilling campaign, Caracal-1, is a new oil discovery. This new discovery has established light oil on a new and unexplored trend with the Caracal-1 well being the first well to be drilled on the very large 654,335 acre Authority to Prospect ("ATP") 732 (the "Tookoonooka Block") in the last 15 years. Seismic mapping defines a large structure, with the Caracal-1 closure alone estimated to cover an area of 5.5 square miles (approximately 3,500 acres).
The well was drilled as a vertical well and after being perforated, recovered free oil on swab testing commingled across two different sands in the Wyandra formation. Analysis of the down-hole pressure data collected during the production testing has commenced and will be used in conjunction with the final core analysis results to provide further definition of the reservoir characteristics encountered by Caracal-1. Preliminary core analysis suggests that the Wyandra permeability at Caracal-1 is similar to that seen in the Viking and Cardium plays in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. These plays are now being exploited using horizontal wells and multi-stage fracture stimulation technology. Engineering and geological work is planned by Bengal to determine how similar horizontal multi-stage fracturing could be applied at Caracal.
Offset pool analogies from the Wyandra zone show oil accumulations which exhibit stratigraphic variability across the accumulation, with variations in permeability and therefore productivity. Additional geoscience analysis incorporating existing 3D seismic and data acquired from the Caracal-1 well will allow for high grading of future drill locations targeting areas of thicker and more permeable sand development within the structure. This planning will also incorporate a design for potential fracture stimulation and/or horizontal drilling programs.
Caracal-1 is located approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of the producing Ipundu/Tarbat oil fields which have produced to date in excess of 3.5 million barrels from the Wyandra/Murta interval. Caracal-1 was drilled, completed and tested utilizing the 100% owned Bengal 1 Rig. The Bengal 1 Rig will be put on standby until early in 2013 while additional geoscience and integration of new Caracal-1 downhole data are used in planning an appraisal drilling program.
"We are pleased with this new oil discovery on our first exploration well in the 100% working interest Tookoonooka Block and look forward to results from both the potential fracture stimulation of this well and upcoming appraisal drilling programs. We see the potential for significant Wyandra light oil development on the Caracal structure. This makes nine successful wells on our Cooper Basin permits, including eight at Cuisinier, and portends an active drilling program in 2013," said Chayan Chakrabarty, President and CEO of Bengal.
The Tookoonooka Block is located on the southeast flank of the Cooper Basin in Australia in an area of established oil and gas production spread across a number of producing oilfields, crude oil facilities, the Tarbat to Jackson Oil Pipeline and the Eromanga Refinery. Bengal has defined five other primary exploration drilling locations in the Tookoonooka Block which will target both the Wyandra and deeper formations.
In addition to appraisal drilling planned for the Tookoonooka Block, Bengal also has two active drilling programs planned for calendar 2013: i) a multi-well development drilling at its producing Cuisinier oil property in the Cooper Basin, and ii) a multi-well exploratory drilling program at its CY-ONN-2005/1 permit located onshore Cauvery Basin in India , with locations identified from the 222 square miles (575 square kilometers) of 3D seismic shot in 2012.


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Borrow(redirected from borrowed)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Idioms, Encyclopedia.
Related to borrowed: Borrowed Money
To receive money from another party with the agreement that the money will be repaid. Most borrowers borrow at interest, meaning they pay a certain percentage of the principal amount to the lender as compensation for borrowing. Most loans also have a maturity date by which time the borrower must have repaid the loan. Borrowing occurs informally from family and friends, at the retail level through a bank, and also on a large scale involving governments and institutional investors.


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I cooked chestnut rice in Japan for the first time using Japanese ingredients. I do see the differences between the chestnut rice I cooked in Malaysia and in Japan, especially the texture of rice. I used new rice we received from a friend. Autumn, is the season for rice, chestnut, and so forth. New rice, newly harvested rice, has a firmer and mochi-like texture compared to rice which has been milled for awhile. Also, each newly milled rice grain will be crystal clear not yellowish. In fact, some high-end restaurants in Japan insisted to do rice milling their own to ensure best quality of rice serve in restaurants. I am not a rice expert ya, that was from Iron Chef - Michiba-san.
Back to this chestnut rice, the combination of mochi-like rice, and soft and smooth texture chestnut is just irresistible for a rice lover like me. For my diet, I cooked only small amount on purpose. This recipe is good for two persons only but I fed it to five persons. A little too less, I guess.
Original recipe is available in Japanese, by Kikkoman (soy sauce company) but I did not use any soy sauce for this. Instead, I used mentsuyu (noodles dipping sauce). Also, I am using a pressure-rice cooker so I skip the rice soaking step. If you are using normal type, remember to soak the rice for at least 30 minutes.
Ingredients (2 servings):
- 1 cup Japanese rice (200 ml/cup)
- 150 g peeled chestnut (fresh)
- 1 tbsp Sake
- 1 tbsp mentsuyu (concentrate type) or 1/4 tsp Kikkoman soy sauce
- 1/4 tbsp mirin
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Black sesame for garnish
- Wash and rinse rice until water running clear (soak if required), drain and transfer to the rice cooker pot.
- Add in seasonings (sake, mentsuyu, mirin, and salt), and fill in water up to level "1" in the rice cooker.
- Place a single layer of chestnut on the rice, then cook the rice as if cooking plain rice.
- Transfer cooked rice to serving bowls, garnish with black sesame and serve warm.


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Health clubs that do not comply with accessibility requirements not only shut out potential members, but they also risk being hit with a civil rights lawsuit. Case in point: two women who must use wheelchairs are suing Urban Active, Lexington, KY, because they claim staff misled them when they told them that the two-story club in Columbus, OH, would be ADA compliant once construction was complete. Instead, the finished club does not have an elevator, the pool is too shallow for people in wheelchairs, no clear path exists between equipment, and the countertops and sinks are too high to be reached by a person in a wheelchair, the suit claims.
For many years, new and redesigned fitness facilities have been required to follow the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In September, however, the Department of Justice adopted the 2010 ADA Guidelines for Accessible Design, which apply to public clubs that are under construction, undergoing renovation or were built before 1992 but haven't yet complied with ADA guidelines, says Michael Fleming, senior principal for OLC Architecture, Denver. The standards go into effect on March 15, 2012. Some of those new requirements apply to locker rooms.
For example, at least 5 percent of lockers must be accessible to people with disabilities. This means more space is required in locker bays, Fleming says, but if there is a bench next to the lockers, the clear floor space no longer must be at the end of the bench, and a parallel approach to the front of the bench is permitted.
To comply with the new guidelines, clubs must allow 48 inches of space around the accessible lockers and ensure that the bottom of these lockers is not more than 15 inches off the floor, says Bob Martin, sales manager for Ideal Products Inc., Ontario, CA. Because only a small percentage of lockers need to be accessible, club owners often can buy a package from locker manufacturers that will make them ADA compliant for less money than buying new lockers. Ideal Product's package includes an access symbol, adjustable shelf, 4-inch wire pull and side-mounted coat hook.
However, just making the lockers accessible is not enough unless the lockers have proper door hardware, says Julie Advocate, chief financial officer for Digilock, a Petaluma, CA, manufacturer of Celare locks and Digilock locks. Traditional locking options, such as padlocks, dial combination locks and key locks are not ADA compliant, she says.
"A locker, although ADA compliant when purchased, becomes non-compliant when locked with a non-compliant lock," Advocate says.
The ADA requires locks to be operable with one hand and not require tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist with a five-pound maximum operable force. Since the early 1990s, Digilock has been manufacturing ADA-compliant keys, and five years ago, the company incorporated an ADA-compliant user key into all of its keypad-operated locks to make all of its locking products compliant with ADA regulations.
Another manufacturer also is helping health clubs properly secure accessible lockers. Ojmar in Holland, MI, sells ADA User Keys, which feature a small wand that uses infrared technology to operate touch keypad locks. On nine out of 10 projects, club owners consider purchasing these keys for their members with disabilities, even though these keys add significantly more cost per locker, says James Oonk, U.S. sales manager for Ojmar.
"Every project always has budget considerations, and that is the tightrope that health clubs walk in making their facilities ADA compliant," Oonk says. "The more that clubs market themselves to say that they are accessible, however, bodes well for the culture and overall feel of the club."
For example, Poudre Valley Medical Center, whose average member is 50 years old, features accessible lockers in its locker rooms, ADA-compliant showers, and lockers, sinks and countertops that can be accessed by a member in a wheelchair, says Ryan Donovan, fitness supervisor. The 25,000-square-foot Windsor, CO, club opened last December and now has 1,200 members.
The majority of health clubs, however, probably have locker rooms that don't meet current ADA requirements, says Karen Pyonin, CEO of Benco, Pine Brook, NJ, which sells ADA-compliant benches. For that reason, she expects to receive calls from club owners about the changes.
Although club owners may have to make a minimal investment to improve their accessibility, Earlene Sesker, accessibility specialist with the U.S. Access Board, says the changes are a monumental step in allowing people with disabilities to enjoy health clubs.
"Right now, they may be able to get into the facilities, but if the space is not there, they can't get through and use the equipment," says Sesker, who works for the independent federal agency that wrote the architectural specifications under the ADA Act. "Now they not only have access to the facilities, but they can get some use out of them."


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News - April 2013 - Published/Exhibited
|April 2013
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Monday, April 8, 2013
»Sue Taylor, Art and Design faculty, contributed an essay on ceramicist Hal Riegger's 1974 Planet Pot to the Portland Museum of Contemporary Craft's online exhibition catalogue for "Object Focus: The Bowl," March 7 – Sept. 21.
»Eva Thanheiser, Mathematics and Statistics faculty, along with graduate students Jodi Fasteen, Briana Mills, and Krista Strand, co-authored the article "Preservice-Teacher Interviews: A Tool for Motivating Mathematics Learning" in Mathematics Teacher Educ
»Kristi Yuthas authored the article "Rural Microfinance and Client Retention: Evidence from Malawi" in the Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, March.
»Cliff Allen, Business Administration faculty, co-authored an article titled "International Outsourcing of Research and Development: A Model of Leadership and Culture" which appeared in the current issue of Operations and Supply Chain Management: An Intern
»Kristi Yuthas authored the article "Rural Microfinance and Client Retention: Evidence from Malawi" in the Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, March.
»Roberto De Anda, Chicano/Latino Studies faculty, authored the article "Ernesto Galarza and Mexican Children's Literature in the United States," published in Camino Real: Estudios de las Hispanidades Norteamericanas, Vol. 7, No. 4.
»Jill Emery, Library faculty, co-authored "Techniques for Electronic Resource Management," published in Library Technology Reports, February/March 2013, Vol. 49, No. 2.
»Meredith Farkas, Library faculty, authored "Web Conferencing Software," published in Association of College and Research Libraries, Winter issue, in the Tips and Trends, Instruction section of the journal.
»Grant Farr, Emeritus Sociology faculty, has written the new book The Shaping of Iran Today, published by Cognella Press.
»Karen Gibson, Urban Studies and Planning faculty, and Leanne Serbulo, University Studies faculty, authored "Black and Blue: Police-Community Relations in Portland's Albina District, 19641985," published in the Oregon Historical Quarterly. In the article,
»John Hall, Economics faculty, authored a review of the book "Latin American Economic Development," which was published in the Journal of Economic Issues, Vol. XLVII, No. 1, March.
»Tom Hastings, Conflict Resolution faculty, and alumni Rhea DuMont and Emiko Noma, co-edited the compilation Conflict Transformation: Essays on Methods of Nonviolence, McFarland, Jefferson N.C. The compilation includes chapters by Conflict Resolution facul
»Sean S. Kohles, Materials and Mechanical Engineering and Biology faculty, co-authored the paper "The Stationary Configuration of the Knee," published in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association.
»Eva Nunez, World Languages and Literatures faculty, authored the article "Fundaments of Morphological-Syntactical Ergativity," published in the Journal of Language for Specific Purposes, Vol. 18.
»Nicole Rigelman, Education faculty, authored "Becoming a Mathematical Problem Solver," published in Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, Vol. 18, No. 7.
»Ken Ruoff authored "Nationalistic Movements to Restore Cultural Symbols of the Monarchy," published in Critical Readings on the Emperors of Japan, Vol. 4, Leiden: Brill.
»Timm Menke, World Languages and Literatures faculty, authored a review of Christian Stein's Primat der Sprache: Leitmotivik und Topologie des Subjekts bei Arno Schmidt in Bargfelder Bote: Materialien zum Werk Arno Schmidts, April.
Monday, April 15, 2013
»Carl Abbott, Urban Studies and Planning emeritus faculty, authored a chapter on North America in The Oxford Handbook of Cities in World History, 2013.
»Ralph Bunch, Political Science emeritus faculty, authored a book, Universal Suffrage: A Gift From Oregon To America's Future, published by Odin Ink.
»Jill Emery, Library faculty, authored "The Role of the Modern Intermediary and What Constitutes Value in the Library of 2012" published in Against the Grain, Vol. 25 No. 1 February 2013.
»Hiro Ito, Economics faculty, co-authored "China and Global Imbalances from a View of Sectorial Reforms," published in Review of International Economics, Vol. 21, Issue 1, February 2013.
»Dustin Morrow, Theater and Film faculty, wrote and directed, Everything Went Down, a feature-length musical shot entirely in the Pacific Northwest. The movie screens at the Portland Museum of Art's Whitsell Auditorium on Thursday, May 2, at 7 p.m. as part
»Gerry Sussman, Urban Studies and Planning faculty, wrote the prologue for the book Managing Democracy, Managing Dissent published by Corporate Watch, London.
»Sarah Tinkler and James Woods, Economics faculty, authored "The Readability of Principles of Macroeconomics Textbooks" published in The Journal of Economic Education, Vol. 44, No. 2.
Monday, April 22, 2013
»Sharon Carstens, Anthropology faculty, authored "New Questions, New Directions in Malaysian Chinese Studies" published in the Proceedings of the First Biennial Conference of Malaysian Chinese Studies, Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies, Kuala Lumpur, Ma
»Paul Collins, English faculty, wrote "Monkey Business" published in Lapham's Quarterly's Spring issue.
»Tom Fisher, English faculty, authored "Making Sense: Jacques Rancière and the Language Poets" published in the Journal of Modern Literature, Vol. 36, No. 2.
»Sheila A. Martin and Elizabeth Morehead, Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies, authored "Regional Indicators as Civic Governance: Using Measurement to Identify and Act Upon Community Priorities" published in National Civic Review, Vol. 102, No. 1.
»John Spence and Vikki Vandiver, Social Work faculty, wrote a book chapter titled "Tribal Best Practices: A Native American Horsemanship Program for Indian Youth" published in Best Practices in Community Mental Health: A Pocket Guide, edited by Vandiver, L
Monday, April 29, 2013
»Jennifer Allen, Institute for Sustainable Solutions and Public Administration faculty, authored "The Wicked Problem of Chemicals Policy: Opportunities for Innovation," published in the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, April 2013.
»Sharon Carstens, Anthropology faculty, authored a review of Strangers at Home: History and Subjectivity among the Chinese Communities of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, published in the Journal of Asian Studies, Vol. 72, No. 1.
»Annabelle Dolidon, World Languages and Literatures faculty, authored "The Postmodern Farmer and the Production of Rural France in The Girl from Paris" published in The French Review, Vol. 86, No. 5, April 2013.
»Charles Klein, Anthropology faculty, authored "Online Activities for Enhancing Sex Education Curricula: Preliminary Evidence on the Effectiveness of the Abstinence and Contraception Education Storehouse" published online in the Journal of HIV/AIDS and Soc
»Swapna Mukhopadhyay, Curriculum and Instruction faculty, authored "Mathematical Practices of Those without Power" published in the Proceedings of the Seventh International Mathematics Education and Society Conference, Vol. 1.
»Billie Sandberg, Public Administration faculty, authored "The Road to Market" published in the journal Administrative Theory & Praxis, Vol. 35, No. 1, March 2013.
»Jeremy Spoon, Anthropology faculty, authored "From Yaks to Tourists: Sherpa Livelihood Adaptations in Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park and Buffer Zone, Nepal" published in Continuity and Change in Cultural Adaptation to Mountain Environments, Stud


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Bacillus influenzae vaccine
The Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine, often called Hib vaccine, is a vaccine used to prevent Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection. In countries that include it as a routine vaccine, rates of severe Hib infections have decreased more than 90%. It has therefore resulted in a decrease in the rate of meningitis, pneumonia, and epiglottitis. It is given by injection into a muscle.Severe side effects are uncommon. About 20 to 25% of people develop pain at the site of injection while about 2% develop a fever.There is no clear association with severe allergic reactions. The Hib vaccine is available by itself, in combination with the diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis vaccine, and in combination with the hepatitis B vaccine, among others.All Hib vaccines that are currently used are conjugate vaccine. An initial Hib vaccine was developed in 1977 which was replaced by a more effective formulation in the 1990s.As of 2013, 184 countries include it in their routine vaccinations. (source)
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Yes it's true, while we wine geeks love all things related to wine, we tend to be an astoundingly fickle bunch. I'll be putting together upcoming lists of the toys I like to use while enjoying wine, but for the wine geek on your list, you might want to consider the unexpected.
Wine games are great gifts since most self-respecting wine geeks would never admit to wanting them but will play until the cows come home. There are also some nifty items out there that every wine geek can find a use for.
Check out this list of prime wine gifts for your favorite wine lovers, and don't forget to buy a little something for yourself, too. You know you'll be getting bottles of wine you're not familiar with and wine glasses that aren't your style anyway, so make sure your wine gift list has at least one winner this year!
Gift Image via Shutterstock


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A former Uptown neighborhood man who attacked a woman in a public restroom in a park near the Foster Avenue beach in 2010 pleaded guilty and was sentenced today to 20 years for the attempted sexual assault, authorities said.
Joseph Mbatchou pleaded guilty to one count of attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault and he was sentenced to 20 years by Judge Joseph G. Kazmierski, according to Cook County State's Attorney's office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton.
Mbatchou lived in the 900 block of West Lawrence Avenue in September, 2010, when the attack occurred.
A woman told police that Mbatchou, who was 29 at the time, came into the restroom at 5100 N. Simonds Drive in Margate Park the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010, struck her in the face and attempted to sexually assault her, police said at the time.
Witnesses told police they heard screams from the restroom and a man rushed in and broke up the attack. The attacker scuffled with the man who rushed in, hit him in the face, then calmly walked out of the restroom, the witnesses said.
"Like nothing happened," one witness told the Tribune at the time. The attacker said, "That's OK, I'm with the FBI," and walked away.
As he casually walked south on the beach, a man on a bike followed the attacker and pointed him out to police, the witness said.
The woman who was attacked was bleeding from the forehead as paramedics took her out of the restroom, the witness said.
Mbatchou was convicted of residential burglary in 2007 and was sentenced to four years in prison. He was released from the Dixon Correctional Center in July of 2008 and was discharged from parole in July 2010, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.


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Whitewater, Part 2
Posted by Brian from Shawnee on March 17, 2004
In Reply to: Whitewater, Part 2 posted by Brian from Shawnee on March 17, 2004
: : : : Hi, who can help me with the expression: Whitewater charges.Because of the Martha trial in the USA, she was convicted for whitewater charges. What does it mean?
: : : Infoplease at http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0852144.html In part, it says:
: : : Whitewater, popular name for a failed 1970s Arkansas real estate venture by the Whitewater Development Corp., in which Governor (later President) Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, were partners; the name is also used for the political ramifications of this scheme.
: : : Whitewater was backed by the Madison Guaranty Savings and Loan, which went bankrupt in 1989. The controlling partners in both the land deal and the bank were friends of the Clintons, James and Susan McDougal... Although nothing conclusive concerning the Clintons' involvement in the Whitewater deal was proved in the congressional or special prosecutor's inquiries, Republicans charged Hillary Clinton with having sought to suppress politically damaging information and accused Clinton administration officials of lying under oath.
: : : In early 1998, Starr won authorization to expand his investigation to include the Lewinsky scandal, and questions about Monica Lewinsky's relationship with Clinton quickly overshadowed Whitewater matters. However, in late 1998, when Starr presented his case for impeachment of the president for his attempts to conceal the Lewinsky affair, he indicated that his office had no impeachable evidence in the Whitewater matters. Starr resigned in Oct., 1999, and was succeeded by Robert W. Ray, the senior litigation counsel in Starr's office. In Sept., 2000, Ray ended the Whitewater inquiry, stating there was insufficient evidence to prove that President Clinton or his wife had committed any crime in connection with the failed real estate venture or the independent counsel's investigation into it; the final report was issued 18 months later. Susan McDougal was pardoned by President Clinton in Jan., 2001, shortly before he left office.
: : : See J. B. Stewart, Blood Sport: The President and His Adversaries ; M. Isikoff, Uncovering Clinton ."
: : Part 2, also from InfoPlease:
: : "Susan McDougal...After serving 18 months in prison for refusing to answer questions about President and Mrs. Clinton before the Whitewater grand jury, McDougal immediately began a 90-day detention at home for fraud in the Whitewater dealings..."
: : Someone more politically aware and articulate needs to pull all this together. But my thinking is that a comparison is being made between Martha Stewart and Susan McDougal. They couldn't bring them down on more substantial charges. So Susan went to jail for refusing to testify and Martha for lying.
: They got Al Capone for tax evasion, and Ollie North for accepting a home security system free of charge. I wonder what they would get me for, if I got on the wrong side of the wrong people.
What I mean is, if a government prosecutor wants to get you, they'll get you. "Whitewater" was supposed to have been a big scandal that could potentially bring down the Clinton presidency. But all they got was a relative nobody named Susan McDougal on a technicality. But a cloud hung of the Clintons, with vague rumors about boxes full of Rose Law Firm documents disappearing mysteriously, etc. The vast right-wing conspiracy (Rush, Drudge, et al) never allowed anyone to forget it. Martha Stewart was supposed to have been involved in a big insider trading scandal, but they only got her for lying to investigators. Martha Stewart resigned as head of the company she founded, and they are now taking her name of the flagship Martha Stewart Living magazine (so I hear). So she spends a litle time in jail or pays a fine, but is ruined. People will not remember what she got convicted for, but they'll remember that she got convicted.
I don't think there's any Lewinsky-type stuff in Martha's closet, but if there was, it would only serve to rehabilitate her image in today's world!
So I think ESC is right, Martha is being compared to Susan McDougal as a little fish caught in a big net.
- Whitewater, Part 2 ACME 17/March/04
- Whitewater, Part 2 ESC 17/March/04
- Why Martha Lost ESC 17/March/04
- Whitewater, Part 2 ESC 17/March/04


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Blake Shelton Wins Entertainer of the Year at 2012 CMAs, Responds With Shock and Awe
Reba McEntire and Tim Allen teamed up at the 2012 CMA awards to hand out the most coveted trophy of the night: the Entertainer of the Year award. Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton and 2011 winner Taylor Swift were all nominated for EoTY, but in the end, Shelton beat out the competition.
To say that Shelton and his supportive wife, Miranda Lambert, were shocked to hear Allen and McEntire call out his name is an understatement.
"I didn't even go back and change," Shelton said. "Entertainer of the Year? What are you talking about?" he cried out in shock.
He then went back in time and reminisced about the goals he set for himself when he arrived in Nashville back in 1994. Shelton set his sights on winning a gold record and becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry, but he never even considered winning a CMA for Entertainer of the Year.
And tonight, the dream he didn't even know he had was realized. Shelton was still in shock when the music cued up and the CMAs came to a close.
Watch Blake Shelton Accept the Entertainer of the Year Award at the 2012 CMAs


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Unforgettable Grenada
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Book flights to Grenada and wander the waterfront of picturesque St George or lounge on the gorgeous Grand Anse beach and feel miles away from reality. Explore the charm, colour and culture of this Caribbean island and lose yourself in nature's riches. Hike through the glorious Etang National Park to the beautiful Annadale Falls and soak in natural pools. Experience the best diving and snorkelling in turquoise oceans, exploring the underwater sculpture park at Molinere Bay. Go on an excursion to the Grenada Chocolate Factory to taste some world-renowned chocolate and indulge in outstanding cuisine everywhere you go. Whatever your choice this holiday, Grenada will tantalise your senses.
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2013 NFL Week 12 Preview — 5 Intriguing Storylines to Watch
The NFL heads into its final six-week stretch with several key games in Week 12. Here are the five storylines we'll be watching:
The AFC Playoffs (Sort of) Start This Weekend
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore — Sunday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. (ET)
FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland — Sunday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. (ET)
O.Co Coliseum, Oakland — Sunday, Nov. 24 at 4:05 p.m. (ET)
While the post-season isn't scheduled to officially begin until January, several AFC teams are playing for their lives — and the right to stay in the hunt for the last wild card spot — this weekend. Right now, the New York Jets (5-5) would be the last team in the playoffs. They'll face the Ravens (4-6) at Baltimore this weekend. It's probably the last stand for the defending Super Bowl champs and the last shot for the Jets to get on a roll. Elsewhere, Pittsburgh (4-6) at Cleveland (4-6) and Tennessee (4-6) at Oakland (4-6) will also decide which mediocre teams stay in the AFC playoff chase. Miami (5-5), San Diego (4-6) and Buffalo (4-7) are all in the mix, too.
Will the Chiefs Have a Hangover?
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City — Sunday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. (ET)
After suffering their first loss of the 2013 season, Kansas City (9-1) returns home to Arrowhead Stadium for a game against the Chargers (4-6). The Chiefs should be able to get past San Diego and keep pace with Denver in the AFC West race, but there could be a hangover from the season's first defeat and the pending charges around Dwyane Bowe's arrest for marijuana possession. San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers is having a solid year. The Chiefs' pass rush can't come up empty like it did against Peyton Manning in Denver last Sunday and hope to win.
The Giants Face a True Starting Quarterback
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. — Sunday, Nov. 24 at 4:25 p.m. (ET)
The New York Giants (4-6) are among the NFL's hottest teams, winning four games in a row after losing their first six contests. Before anyone gets carried away with talk of another Super Bowl-like run being made by quarterback Eli Manning and head coach Tom Coughlin, they should note the quarterbacks Big Blue has beaten for those wins: terrible Josh Freeman; deer-in-headlights Matt Barkley; slowed-by-injury Terrelle Pryor and new-to-the-NFL Scott Tolzien. This Sunday, the New York defense must stop Tony Romo and the Cowboys (5-5). Dallas has found a way to lose several games it should have won, but its offense hasn't been the problem. It may become one for the Giants.
Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning, Again
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass. — Sunday, Nov. 24 at 8:30 p.m. (ET)
Future Hall of Fame quarterbacks Tom Brady of the Patriots and Peyton Manning of the Broncos don't actually play against each other on the football field, but they have created a natural rivalry steeped in respect — and incredible performances. Denver (9-1) is the AFC's best team, but Manning is just 4-9 against Brady over their careers. New England (7-3) could still be smarting from the controversial non-call at the end of their loss in Carolina on Monday, but it's hard to imagine anything but a classic shootout for this Sunday's game.
What a Difference a Year Makes
FedEx Field, Landover, Md. — Monday, Nov. 25 at 8:40 p.m. (ET)
Last season, Robert Griffin III and Colin Kaepernick led Washington and San Francisco, respectively, to NFC playoff berths. This season? Griffin has struggled in his return from a knee injury, as the Redskins (3-7) have stumbled. The 49ers (6-4) have a better record than Washington, but defenses have given Kaepernick fits. The two young quarterbacks will try to change their momentum in the Monday night match-up.


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The lead-in for the TV police drama "NYPD Blue" flashes scenes of subway trains and Manhattan skylines, blue New York police cars and Chinatown celebrations. In reality, the show is shot in a 20th Century Fox studio, on a palm-tree-lined corridor called Pico Street in Century City. The filming is on Stage 9, smack in the middle of geologically and meteorologically challenged Los Angeles. Adjacent to the studio sit the actors' trailers.
Inside trailer No. 2 sits Dennis Franz, better known to the man in the street as Detective Andy Sipowicz, the character he plays. He rests on a couch, waiting to be called to film a scene for the 19th of the season's 22 episodes for "NYPD Blue." He leans back, a Churchill in his large hand. He sports the slacks and the bargain short-sleeved shirt that have become Sipowicz's trademark apparel on the show. "I always liked the smell of a smoke-filled room," he says, measuring each word as one would expect of an actor. "I think it's a good smell."
Whereas some actors are notoriously difficult to deal with, Franz is accessible. He doesn't have an ego that would plug the Grand Canyon. "An actor," Marlon Brando once said, "is a guy who, if you ain't talking about him, ain't listenin'."
Again, not Franz. He offers the most careful, deliberated answers to even the most incidental questions. He cares about each response, cares to get the wording right. He talks at length about high school, about the theater department at Southern Illinois University, about his time in Vietnam, about his role on "NYPD Blue" and about his recent marriage. A production person pops her head into the trailer. "Scene 27 Baker is now no longer at the end of the day," she tells Franz. "Your scene is thelast scene of the day."
Bingo. Franz is now free for several hours of conversation. The time is needed, for executive producer and co-creator Steven Bochco does not allow writers on the set, reasoning that they distract the crew from the laborious task at hand. Gaining access to a war meeting at the Pentagon would be easier than getting a tape recorder and pad on the set of "NYPD Blue."
So the set for this award-winning police drama with a distinctly New York feel is whatever set you can envision from this nondescript row of trailers that looks like a Winnebago Wonderland. Here, in a kind of twilight realm, actors act and rest, talking about the O.J. trial whenever time allows or whenever it comes up--which it always does in Los Angeles. Despite the geographical disparity between the impetuous and populated streets of New York and the left coast "Happyland" known as Hollywood, the show is an obvious success.
Franz couldn't be more affable. Down-to-earth and self-effacing, loquacious and friendly, he describes his life before and after the show without affectation. And he's got a lot on his mind besides this lot of studios. He and his bride, Joanie Zeck, planned an April Fools' Day wedding--no hidden jokes--because they met on that day 13 years ago. And the unrelenting pace of the show has him putting in 12-, 15-, even 18-hour days. Thus, this homey trailer adjacent to the set is not a luxury, but a necessity. On one wall hangs a photo of his bride, another of himself and buddies Dennis Farina and Joe Mantegna smoking cigars, and another of his three-legged dog, Bigelow. A copy of the acclaimed film Hoop Dreams sits near his television.
He still needs to find time to practice tomorrow's lines. He's not the complaining type, however. Franz's life has afforded him a wealth of experiences--jubilant and routine and depressing--and the wisdom that accompanies them.
Los Angeles is a far cry from Franz's childhood home in the Chicago suburbs. He was born on October 28, 1944, in Maywood, Illinois, the son of a baker who had to find another line of work when he developed an allergy to flour. His parents ended up working in the postal service. "My father was a quiet role model for me," says Franz. "We have a saying: 'You get too soon old, and too late smart,' " he says, using a humorous German accent. "After many years, I have understood more and more the significance of that phrase and how accurate it was.
"I respected my father always. He was a quiet disciplinarian. He was self-taught and well-read, but he didn't have a formal education," Franz adds. "I always respected his ethics and the way he would treat other people. I think I learned very good things from him. He lived for the family; that was his priority in life. Very seldom did he set a bad example for me."
Franz concedes that he had a terrific time as a kid. "I had a wonderful childhood, and it all centered around baseball. Baseball was my sport. I started out in the outfield, but I wanted to be part of the activity all the time, so I put on a few pounds and I became a catcher. That was my position, because I always loved being involved."
Growing up seven miles from Chicago, Franz's undying allegiance to the beloved "Cubbies" is understandable. "I grew up wanting to be like Ernie Banks," he says in his Chicago accent, recalling the Cubs Hall of Fame shortstop. "I was always imitating his hand movements on the bat," he says, demonstrating Banks' spiderlike digits fingering a bat handle.
Franz also began smoking as a teenager. "I remember a specific time when we were, oh gosh, sophomores. I was at a buddy's house with a couple of guys, and we were watching a football game on TV on a Sunday afternoon. His parents were not in the house, so we pulled out a box of cheap cigars. We were in the middle of stinking up the TV room when the doorbell rang. And this guy freaked--I said we were sophomores, but we were probably in grade school--and he runs to the front door and yells, 'Who's there?'
"It was his uncle. He shouts, 'Just wait a minute!' We started opening up the windows, trying to air out the house, tossing the cigars, running back and forth with ashtrays full of ashes. And we just about had it cleaned up when one of the guys with an ashtray bumped into someone else and all the ashes spilled out on the floor. So he's calling out, 'OK, wait a minute; I'll be right there.' And he gets out the vacuum cleaner, and he's running the vacuum cleaner, and his poor uncle is still standing there at the front door. Finally, he got it all cleaned up, and he yells, 'Just a second!' He opens the door, and his uncle steps in the door one foot and says, 'Jeez, who's been smoking? If you're going to smoke cigars, at least smoke good ones.' " Eventually, Franz would.
Franz was also active in football and swimming in high school, but the centerpiece was always baseball. "Babe Ruth was my first idol. I never saw him play, of course, but everything about him was bigger than life. He represented baseball. He represents the meaning of baseball, just as Jordan does basketball. The first book report I did in school was about the Babe Ruth story."
But in high school, Franz was drawn to another kind of performance. He got a lead role in Little Hiawatha, and was immediately hooked. "I loved getting in front of people. I loved not being myself and trying to understand this other person," he recalls. "I found it very comforting, and it was something that I immediately wanted to pursue, enough so that I left my other passions behind. This became a passion for me. Every time I went to a school, I would look at their auditoriums and their theater departments."
But acting in junior college and Southern Illinois University would soon give way to a tormenting, 11-month tour of duty in Vietnam. After his college graduation in 1968, a notice from the local draft board arrived. The day before Franz was to report, he enlisted in officer's school. In the Army he served with the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions. "I was with two recon units--it was the loneliest, most depressing, frustrating time that I can ever imagine in my life," Franz says, his face sinking.
"Nine months I was in the field, two months in the rear. It was one of those experiences that you never want to experience again, but it was life-altering. It was a very maturing time for me. I came back a much different person than when I left, maybe much more serious. I was frivolous before I left. I left my youth over there. I left it behind," says Franz. Moments ago he was recalling some of the fun times of his youth. Now his face is forlorn; his voice, quiet.
"Fortunately, I was not physically hurt. Emotionally I was touched upon; I had seen many friends get wounded or lose their lives. They were temporary friends but all meaningful at the time. They were my only friends; that was my world. We developed those tight bonds. You don't have anyone--family, relatives, loved ones, girlfriends--you don't have any of that. So the buddies you make while you were there, that's your world. They become all-important to you, so when something happens to them it really hurts."
Just then, a knock comes at the trailer door. As if on cue, the friendly face of Sharon Lawrence pokes her head in. "Hi, Sharon," Franz says, smiling broadly at the woman who plays Sylvia Costas, the officious assistant district attorney whom Sipowicz plans to marry. "We're doing an interview with the cigar magazine," he says, holding up a copy of the publication. "He should go on the cover," she says, then rushes off to do a scene.
After his tour in Vietnam, Franz joined the Organic Theater Company, writing original material for and touring with the cast. One production was Bleacher Bums, which Franz helped write. "We did play after play, and after we'd finish one, we'd talk about what we were going to do next. One of my friends from that time was Joe Mantegna. Joe lived near Wrigley Field, and we were all big Cubs fans. Joe suggested doing a play about Cubs fans and the mentality of Cubs fans," says Franz. What he means is the mentality of living with losing, year in and year out. The Cubs last won a World Series in 1908. "The play was about accepting the Cubs for what they are and loving them regardless, knowing that we will probably never see a World Series in our lifetime."
The play went on to become one of the longest-running plays in Chicago history, and though everyone expected its impact to be regional, they were surprised when it caught on in Los Angeles. "Joe remounted it out here at a theater just around the corner from the studio--it ran for over 11 years," Franz remarks.
Soon, Franz broke into film, securing roles in Robert Altman's A Wedding and Brian De Palma's The Fury, both in 1978. After moving to Los Angeles at the behest of these directors, Franz got a spot opposite Bruce Willis in the 1990 megahit Die Hard 2: Die Harder. He played Captain Carmine Lorenzo, a territorial horse's ass and cop wanna-be who--while head of Dulles Airport security in Washington, D.C.--is getting in Willis' way. Although the movie was a box-office smash, because of the nature of the role it didn't open up any new vistas for Franz. "That was Bruce Willis' vehicle," he says. But Lorenzo displayed enough piss and vinegar and his conflict with Willis' character was one of the dramatic highlights of the film. Another meaty role was in 1989 with his hero Gene Hackman in The Package.
But before his more recent films, Franz had made inroads into television. Producer Steven Bochco created "The Bay City Blues," the story of a minor league baseball team. Franz had the starring role, alongside Michael Nouri, Sharon Stone and Bernie Casey. Though the show ended after just 13 episodes in late 1983, Franz was asked back for "Hill Street Blues," another Bochco production. And it was because of his connection to "Hill Street" that he copped the role for "NYPD Blue."
"Steven Bochco and [co-creator and executive producer] David Milch called me about six months prior to the actual shooting," Franz recalls. "They asked me if I'd like to do another cop show." At first, Franz was not elated. "I had already had my fill of cop shows," he explains. "But they described it as a gritty cop show. Soon I agreed. It was just me at first, and then they signed James McDaniel" (who plays Arthur Fancy, the lieutenant who doesn't suffer fools gladly). Little by little it came together.
"I had no idea it was going to be this big," he marvels. "I thought that all of my TV shows would be successful. You can never tell. The timing was right, the controversy, the quality of the show. And the writers are the stars of the show," Franz says.
"I knew 'NYPD' was a good piece of work," he continues. "I'm twice-blessed to be in two successful shows like this. When we go to New York, it's like a feeding frenzy, like the Beatles in the '60s." That last remark is hyperbolic--thousands haven't shown up at airports and crowded hotel sidewalks to squeal when the cast of "NYPD Blue" hits the New York City streets. But, says Franz, "Cops pull us over to the side of the road, yelling 'Hey Sipowicz, take a picture.' "
But while the public glory is palpable, so is the private work. "If you know how shots are established to get the look of the show, we have to repeat the same thing over and over with different angles and shots. Scenes are physically and emotionally exhausting. The camera goes from side to side, wide, zoom, tight. You repeat the work over and over again. This is not uncommon. At the start of each scene there are questions the actors bring up about the logic of the scene; we question a lot. A lot of times Milch is rewriting for us, reworking new dialogue on the spot. It is exhausting but rewarding--we're tired at the end of the show, but it's a good tired. You can hold your head up because you're proud."
Week in and week out, it all seems to work. The show is an odd mélange of police cases and relationships among the characters, often running counterpoint to one another. While Sipowicz and Sylvia Costas are romantically on the rise, heading toward an unlikely marriage of opposites, the fumbling, anguished and allergy-ridden Detective Greg Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) is losing his way pursuing the alluring blonde precinct secretary, Donna Abandando, played with intelligence and self-assurance by Gail O'Grady. The writing and directing are so damned good, so consistently good, that even ordinary episodes shine. The gloom of the station house, the stark reality of the interview room, the looks of tension, the understated comportment of these streetwise cops--it all adds up to a heady mix. The whole ends up being much greater than the sum of the parts.
It was thus utterly baffling to many observers that last year's Emmy for Best Drama would go to "Picket Fences," a pleasant, but not great, production. Indeed, if there was ever a doubt that New York-style shows like "NYPD Blue" are at a disadvantage among California award voters, last year's selection seems to eliminate all doubt.
Franz, however, did cop an Emmy for Lead Actor in a Dramatic Series. Both he and David Caruso, who played Detective John Kelly, the red-haired cop for whom each case seemed to present a fresh existential crisis, could have taken the award. When Franz won, Caruso congratulated him.
Which leads to the controversy of controversies that has surrounded the show in its second year. "The first season was a battle, trying to get people in some cities to have the permission to be able to watch the show and judge for themselves," Franz recalls. "The show was having to defend itself for our use of certain language. And that was a big topic. Not that we seem to have won those battles, but this is a year of contentment after all the discontent."
Well, almost. After Caruso demanded a reported $100,000 per episode--triple his salary--and unusual scheduling arrangements, Bochco let him go. "Whether it was money, ego or personality clashes, the bottom line is still that when 'NYPD' lost Caruso, it lost its soul," said Jeff Jarvis of TV Guide. "He gave 'NYPD' its tension: sexual, moral, dramatic." Since Caruso's departure, actor Jimmy Smits ("L.A. Law") has come on board "NYPD" for its second season as Detective Bobby Simone, which invites inevi-table comparisons.
"It's the most natural thing for people who watch the show to compare," Franz says. "I think they're both great, and they both handle their characters--there are distinct differences between the two characters. Caruso's character was one of a weary sort, always trying to do the right thing. That caused great angst within himself. He was always battling good versus evil. And the Bobby Simone character is also an upstanding character with much integrity."
Despite the post-mortem sentiments of fans and scribes, the show is flourishing, consistently placing in the top 10 shows of the week. Although wildly different than Caruso's character in manner, Jimmy Smits' character is effective and is developing more and more each week. The ratings reveal that millions of fans have stayed with the show to give Smits a chance; they are being rewarded, as the show's writers begin to unravel his enigmatic character.
"From what we've seen of him so far, he isn't battling as many demons as were presented in the Kelly character," says Franz. "That's not to say it's not going to happen, because I'm sure it is. There's something going on in his past, but we don't know about his past yet. There have been a few episodes that have ended where I really longed to know what happened to Bobby Simone before he came to this point. I assume that the audience is asking the same question. What kind of man is this, where is he coming from and will that open up as time goes on?"
"NYPD" is a show that always seems to make its own press. Whether it's the little "viewer discretion" warning at the beginning of each episode or the parade of naked bottoms, the production always rates high on the titillation meter. One example was Sipowicz's first skirmish with Sylvia Costas. She comes at him with a Latin phrase common in legalese, saying "ipso facto..." Sipowicz grabs his crotch and shoots back, "Ipso facto this, bitch." Before long, Franz suggested to writers that it would be novel for two people from such different levels on the food chain to get together. The writers began developing the relationship.
Then came the now-infamous scene in which Sipowicz's ass made its grand debut. While he showers, his girlfriend enters and begins to wash him. "I usually wash myself down there," he says, not quite protesting. "It's getting clean down there," he says, as she continues. While her tush was a sight worth beholding--perhaps even freeze-framing on your 19-inch--Sipowicz's ass became the butt of late-night TV shows. "I did it as a joke," Franz says with a smile. "I know what I look like. I wanted to show I'm Everyman."
Jay Leno went to town on him. "Did we need to see Dennis Franz's ass just before Thanksgiving?" Leno wondered during one monologue. "I had only a 20-inch screen and couldn't see it all," Leno continued. On another show Leno cracked, "Franz was actually doing a public service announcement: 'This is your ass, and this is your ass on Twinkies.' " No one got a bigger kick out of it than Franz. "He had a ball at my expense," he says.
Franz was invited onto Leno's show. "I brought Twinkies onto the show. I was going to throw them at him, but gave them to the audience instead." But a truce was not called; Leno wasn't finished. Referring to the New York City cop, Carol Shaya, getting fired for baring it all in Playboy, Leno said, "What kind of country is it when a beauty in her 20s is fired for going around topless, and Franz is 50 and allowed to go bottomless?" Now Leno leaves messages on Franz's machine such as, "More ass jokes coming!"
Franz has taken the kidding well. And why shouldn't he? He and the show are riding a frothy wave. "I've got a good job," he says. "I want to stay five years. I expect it'll be five years."
And it just keeps getting better. First came the TV miniseries "Texas Justice," when Franz got to play a loud and unorthodox Texas attorney, Richard "Racehorse" Haynes. "I also got to have hair in that part," he says with a laugh. And now he has been signed on for the upcoming film version of David Mamet's drama, American Buffalo, in which he will play a lead role opposite Dustin Hoffman. The movie began filming after "NYPD" wrapped its final episode of the season on May 2. And then there is his new marriage.
He and Zeck were married April 1 in Carmel, California, with about 100 guests in attendance. They told the press it was to be in Santa Barbara to avoid the hassles, Zeck explains. Franz proposed to Zeck at his 50th birthday party last October. All of the 175 guests--and Zeck herself--were surprised. "I said yes, and it was very emotional," she recalls. "A lot of people were crying that day."
Zeck is the president of RCA Consulting, a gift and promotions firm. Thus, both of them keep long hours. When time allows, they go to films together--sometimes five in a row in multiplex theaters--and regularly attend swap meets. "A swap meet is like a flea market where people basically bring their own junk to sell and they buy other people's junk," Franz explains, "though now they've gotten more sophisticated." He and Zeck have filled their Bel Air home with antiques bought at the meets. But one thing not tolerated in the home is cigar smoking. "I don't mind cigars," Zeck insists, "but they make the house smell afterwards."
So, Franz gets together with cigar buddies such as actors Dennis Farina, Joe Pantoliano (whom he calls "Joey Pants") and Joe Mantegna. Mantegna recalls "dabbling" in cigars with Franz almost 25 years ago: "At that time we smoked stuff that was crooked and flavored," he recalls. In July, Pantoliano opened Havana, an upscale cigar club in Beverly Hills, with Farina, Franz and Mantegna as charter members. The foursome also smoke at Gus' Back Room on Ventura Boulevard.
Farina, Franz and Mantegna are depicted (with Michael Jordan) in a mural painted along Chicago's Northwest Expressway. The mural, which is on three sides of a warehouse owned by Bigsby and Kruthers, a local clothier, shows the Chicago threesome in suits and smoking cigars. The display is so prominent that when Franz recently attended a golf tournament, former Bears' coach Mike Ditka came up to him and said the mural was "the greatest thing you ever did."
The threesome probably won't be smoking flavored tiparillos anymore. Franz likes Arturo Fuentes, Ashtons and Dunhills. "Some of the Cubans I find almost a little too strong for me," he says. But Franz, like other cigar smokers, is feeling the pressure from antismoking laws. "The restrictions have become so heavy on cigar smokers. But there are some people who just refuse to acknowledge any kind of restrictions and just go ahead and smoke regardless."
As for Franz, "I have to acknowledge the restrictions set by my bride. Joanie is a reformed smoker. When time permits, I sit out on the patio or somewhere outside the house and enjoy a cigar out there. I also go to occasional smokers with Joey Pantoliano, Joe Mantegna and Michael Nouri, just to mention a few who get together on a regular basis to enjoy a good cigar. Unfortunately, my job takes me in and out of the set so much that I can't sit down and thoroughly enjoy the cigar."
Upon hearing that President Clinton is a closet cigar smoker, Franz quips, "Really? He smokes? Maybe we can invite him to one of our smokers." He smiles, and that moon-faced grin lights up his face.
All is good, very good, for Dennis Franz.
Kenneth Shouler, a freelance writer based in White Plains, New York, is a frequent contributor to Cigar Aficionado.


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With a season-opening win, Bottas dropped the championship gauntlet on Hamilton as the 2019 season is shaping up as a straight title fight.
Bottas regains his mojo to challenge Mercedes teammate Hamilton
When Valtteri Bottas joined Mercedes in 2017 after four impressive seasons with the Williams team, many thought he would be an instant championship contender who would make life difficult for his multiple world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton.
It didn't turn out that way, with Bottas quickly becoming the subject of stories speculating about why he wasn't living up to expectations. It's difficult to blame those who doubted Bottas after he didn't seem to have the stuff needed to win consistently in a car that was more often than not the fastest in the field.
After bit of a personal reboot following the 2018 season delivered a more relaxed and determined Bottas to the grid this season, his new approach paid off almost immediately.
Bottas dropped the championship gauntlet on Hamilton with a masterful performance to win the season opening Australian Grand Prix and take the early title lead. Another win and three poles followed, which has this season shaping up as a straight title fight between the Mercedes duo.
"Obviously I'm pleased with the season — how it has been started compared to recent ones — that's very positive," Bottas said.
"It's not only me, it's the team, but it's a good battle with Lewis at the moment."
The strong start by Mercedes and its pair of drivers brings back memories of the close and often bitter battles between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, who fought tooth-and-nail for every bit of asphalt during their four seasons as teammates. Rosberg left the team suddenly after winning the 2016 drivers' title and was replaced by Bottas.
So, what changed for the 29-year-old from Finland?
"There are many things in this sport that can affect things for sure," Bottas said.
"Sometimes you're more lucky for sure, sometimes very much less so, but I honestly think why I've been able to improve year-by-year is work. Work with the team, work with my ability, focus on all the single details, and if you work hard it's only a matter of time before things start to go right."
While much was made of Bottas' more edgy bearded look and increased focus this year, other changes inside the team also influenced his surge.
The Mercedes squad shuffled things in the garage a bit during the off-season, moving some of the key players around after the departure of Bottas' race engineer for the manufacturer's Formula E team.
"Whenever you have new people around, it makes you think about some things differently," Bottas said.
"It can open up some new routes on the setup and the direction. It has started really well. We have been learning a lot as an engineering team all the time and it's getting better and better. So far, so good."
For his part, Hamilton acknowledged his teammate's step up in performance, but also expressed a bit of dismay in losing his No. 2 engineer to Bottas, and the help it's given his main rival. It might not be the stuff that caused a massive rift between the five-time champion and Rosberg, but Hamilton didn't seem to be completely comfortable with the decision.
"This year he has my No. 2 engineer — he is learning a lot from that," Hamilton said.
"The things that he's doing on track, which my engineer has obviously encouraged him to do, the things I was doing with settings, he is doing now and he's definitely moved in the right direction there."
The other major difference in Bottas this year is the speed he's found on Saturdays in qualifying. His three poles in the first six races already surpassed his total from all of 2018.
Some performances have simply been stunning.
In Spain last month, Bottas started at the front after outpacing qualifying maestro Hamilton for the pole by a whopping 0.634 seconds.
"In terms of qualifying performance, it has been so far my best start of the year in F1, but it's not only about Saturdays," he said.
"For sure, it's super-important depending on the track, but also the race performance, start performance. I think it's going to be one of the key things for sure."
Heading into the Canadian Grand Prix, Bottas had outduelled Hamilton 3-2 for poles — Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took the other — although his teammate had four wins to the Finn's two. The last race in Monaco didn't help Bottas' title challenge after Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen torpedoed his Mercedes in the pit lane during a safety-car period and caused the Finn to get a flat. The incident sent Bottas from second to fourth, although he was promoted to third after a penalty to Verstappen.
Going into Montreal, Hamilton led the championship with 137 points to Bottas' 120. Drivers get 25 points for a win. At the same point last year, Bottas was already 42 points behind Hamilton, who had two wins and two poles, while the Finn had none.
Bottas' resurgence reflects the pace he showed in four seasons with Williams, where he consistently outclassed his teammates by a good margin in an okay car. He was so impressive that many pegged the Finnish driver as a future world champion even before he signed with front-runner Mercedes.
That move proved underwhelming initially after Bottas won only three times to Hamilton's nine in 2017 and saw him finish behind runner-up Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari in the championship. It also marked the first time since the hybrid era began in 2014 that the two Mercedes drivers didn't end the season 1-2 in points. Things went from bad to worse for Bottas last year, where he failed to take a single win compared with Hamilton's 11, and sagged to fifth overall in points as his teammate notched up another championship.
After emerging as a credible threat to Hamilton with his fast start, there's no doubt that Bottas is riding higher than he ever has at Mercedes. That might be a huge positive, but Bottas isn't about to let the 2019 success go to his head and risk getting ahead of himself.
"It's a long season ahead — I do realize that," he said.
"Just keep doing what we're doing and the list of things that we can do better as a team is still long. So we need to focus on that."


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Learning Index >> Hand-blockprinted Textiles: Phyllis Barron and Dorothy Larcher
In addition to some early exhibitions which Barron shared with Ethel Mairet in the Brook Street Gallery, several other London galleries showed temporary exhibitions of Barron and Larcher's materials including The Mayor Gallery and The Three Shields Gallery. An exhibition of Barron and Larcher's work at the Mayor Gallery in April 1926 received an enthusiastic review in Vogue from Roger Fry. Early on Barron had shown work in displays of the Omega Workshops but had not taken up Fry's offer to join the group, as she preferred to maintain her independence. (No. 1)


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