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Category Archives: professional mascot
Questions to ask when ordering a mascot costume
An organization makes a significant investment when purchasing a mascot costume. However if the person in charge of ordering doesn't know what to ask they may end up with a sub par costume.
When ordering a mascot costume, make sure to ask your sales representative the following questions:
- Have you ever been a mascot performer?
- If they say "no" then you should take this into consideration. If they have never been a mascot performer then how will they know what's best for your mascot performer? Will they be able to effectively convey to the production staff what works and doesn't work? Do they even have a role in the design/production process? We've heard performers say of some company's creations "It's like they've never even worn a mascot costume." Often times you have seamstresses or people with a fashion/clothing background producing and designing the suits.
- If they say "yes" ask "How long ago?" Some companies do have former mascots on staff. However, some of them haven't been working performers in years. They may be advocating outdated methods.
- If they say "yes" ask "For who?" A corporate, theme park, or minor league mascot has a different experience and knowledge than a full time professional sports mascot performer.
- At AMAZING!! Mascots our costumes are designed by veteran mascot performer Kelly Frank. She spent 5 seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball, three seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL, and has also been a mascot for Arena Football, Major League Soccer, the WNBA, minor league baseball, minor league hockey, NCAA Basketball, Division 1 NCAA Football, in addition to being a parade performer at Walt Disney World and a seasonal character for Universal Studios Florida. She is still an active mascot performer. She tests out every costume and makes sure they have the most vision, ventilation, and mobility that is allowed with the design.
- Is there a charge for artwork?
- Most companies offer a free design service. Others do not. If there is a fee ask what it includes (how many revisions are allowed, will it be in color or black and white). Also ask if the design fee will be applied to the purchase price of the costume.
- AMAZING!! Mascots offers a free design service. We provide a basic black and white pencil sketch to begin the process, and do revisions to the black and white sketch. Once it is approved we provide a color version of the character. We retain the rights to our concept art.
- Most companies offer a free design service. Others do not. If there is a fee ask what it includes (how many revisions are allowed, will it be in color or black and white). Also ask if the design fee will be applied to the purchase price of the costume.
- Will we own the rights to the character?
- Many companies include the rights to the character with the purchase of the costume. Make sure to get this in writing and have your legal department look over the agreement.
- Other companies charge for the rights to characters. This can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The rights to the Phillie Phanatic were notoriously purchased for $250,000 five years after his debut after the team mistakenly passed on purchasing the rights for $1,200 when they first ordered the costumes.
- AMAZING!! Mascots charges between $175-$2,000 for the rights to our original mascot designs. The fee is based off the type of organization (corporate, college/university, high school, minor league, major league). You can avoid this fee by coming to the process with an existing character.
- What material is the head made out of?
- If they say "Fiberglass" you do not want this head. These heads are very heavy and prone to cracking. This is an outdated method of producing costume heads.
- If they say "Paper Machie" you do not want this head. Water breaks down paper, and a performer's sweat can damage the head. Additionally this type of head cannot be washed properly. It is an old and outdated method of producing mascot heads suited for hobbyists and cosplay, but not professionally made mascot costumes.
- If they say "ABS Vacuformed plastic" this isn't a bad option, but it comes with some negatives. Plastic heads are far heavier than foam heads (some weighing as much as 15 pounds!). The hard nature of the head can be a hazard. Our mascot designer gave two different people black eyes while wearing two different ABS plastic heads. From a performance standpoint they are limiting (can't face plant into a wall/hockey glass/floor, can't "kiss" fans, etc.). The seam where the two formed pieced are glued together is often a weak point that comes apart over time. Additionally helmets are often screwed into place. This creates a pressure point and causes weakness in the head's wall over time. Plastic heads are more difficult to repair than foam heads. This style of head is best for corporate or theme park characters. Often an organization will need multiples of these costumes, and vacu forming is a less expensive option. Also they are an exact duplicate every time. Since corporate and theme park characters aren't as active, they don't mind the lack of mobility.
- If they say "upholstery foam" this is not ideal. Upholstery foam is "open celled foam" meaning it is porous and can retain sweat and moisture like a sponge. This can lead to the growth of bacteria or mold. It loses it's shape over time and eventually (7+ years) will rot and crumble apart.
- If they say "Ethafoam" this is a good option. Ethafoam is a rigid closed cell foam that can be carved for details. We have encountered issues with helmets detaching from ethafoam heads. Also if it is carved there may be an issue with creating exact duplicates as carving leads room for error. We have found that most companies that use ethafoam use metal mesh in the mouths to keep them open. This is a terrible idea. Over time the metal rusts due to the performer's exhalations. The metal can also come detached from the face and expose jagged edges, like we found in this costume head. If you chose a producer who uses ethafoam make sure that they don't use metal mesh in the mouth.
- AMAZING!! Mascots uses microcell foam. This is a lightweight closed cell foam. It maintains it's shape over time. Because it is closed cell it does not absorb sweat and does not break down over time. For some features we use open celled "filter foam." We use this for cheeks, noses/beaks, and eyebrows. We only use it in places that will not come in contact with sweat. Occasionally we produce duplicates of existing costumes using filter foam. This is not our preferred method (filter foam does absorb sweat and will break down over time) but do it upon client request.
- How much do your heads normally weigh?
- If they say "we don't know" this means that they are not a company that takes the weight of the head (and the comfort/safety of the performer) into consideration when designing and building a mascot head. This is a red flag.
- If they say "5-15 pounds" this is pretty heavy and is likely made of plastic or fiberglass. Heavy heads can lead to performer injury.
- Our heads are designed to be around 2-3 pounds with our "heaviest" heads weighing in at 4.5 pounds. Considering that the helmet weighs 1/2-1 pounds, that's pretty light!
- Is there a helmet inside the mascot head?
- If they say "no" this is not ideal. A mascot head requires a helmet to respond best to the performer's movements. A head that rests on the shoulder, uses under arm straps, or clips into place is uncomfortable for the performer to wear and severely limits movement. Instead of being a lively animated character the mascot often comes off as a stiff, Frankenstein moving "guy in a costume."
- If they say "yes" ask what type. Baseball helmets offer a nice cushiony but tight fit. But the inner foam can absorb sweat and break down over use. Construction helmets are used, but don't offer a great chin strap system.
- We use lightweight street hockey helmets. We have found these to offer the best fit at the lightest weight. However we encourage your performer to find a helmet that fits them and that they like best and send it to us to install in the head.
- Where is the vision in the head?
- If they say "eyes" ask how much of the eye is see through. Some companies only make the black/iris of the eye see through. For best eye vision make sure that all of the area is see though.
- If they say "mouth" tell them to make sure it has as much peripheral vision as possible. This will be limited by the design. Also a lower jaw will limit the vision. You want as much vision as possible and may have to compromise on the look of the design to achieve this.
- If they say "neck" ask if it's a sewn in screen or if it's athletic mesh. A sewn in screen can be pretty obvious in a character and show up as a darker circle. Athletic mesh that has yarn crocheted into it hides it a little bit better. This method is best used in characters with longer fur. Vision through the neck takes some getting used to and can be less sanitary if you have multiple performers.
- We use all three vision options. The option chosen depends on the final design.
- Does the head have any vents?
- If they say "no" this means they are a company that does not take the performer's comfort into consideration.
- We put a vent at the top of the mascot head. Hot air rises so we find it is the best place to put it. We sometimes put additional vents by the character's ears.
- If they say "no" this means they are a company that does not take the performer's comfort into consideration.
- Do you put a fan in the head?
- If they say "yes" that's nice. Ask if it pulls air inside the costume or sucks stale air out. Fans work best in low impact corporate characters that stand around in one place.
- We DO NOT put fans in mascot heads. Our experience with fans is that they ALWAYS break. The wires become disconnected and the battery terminals rust over time. They create noise which hinders the performer's safety. We have also seen a fan become detached while on and cut the performers head. If you insist we will install one for an additional fee.
- If they say "yes" that's nice. Ask if it pulls air inside the costume or sucks stale air out. Fans work best in low impact corporate characters that stand around in one place.
- Is the neck attached to the head?
- If they say yes, ask if it can be removed. Necks soak up a lot of sweat. It's best if they can be detached from the head and washed.
- We build our necks to the client's specification but strive to make them detachable. Some designs do not allow for detachable necks. We also offer costumes with the neck built into the body (tucks into the head) or with necks that are attached to lycra hoodies. Hoodie necks allow the bottom of the mascot head to remain open creating maximum airflow.
- If they say yes, ask if it can be removed. Necks soak up a lot of sweat. It's best if they can be detached from the head and washed.
- Is the costume body lined?
- If they say "no" this is not ideal. The fur can be pulled out from behind. The friction caused by wearing an unlined suit will accelerate this. However unlined suits are slightly lighter.'
- If they say "yes" ask what it's lined with. Some lining just adds unnecessary weight/heat to the costume. We've seen suits lined with thick cotton fabric and even quilt padding!
- We use lightweight athletic mesh to line our costumes. We find that this adds to the life of the fur body while adding a minimal amount of weight.
- Can the hands detach from the costume?
- If they say "no" this is not ideal. Hands are the highest wear part of the costume. They get dirty and worn out faster than the rest of the suit. Buying a new pair of hands/gloves is less expensive than having to send your entire mascot body back to have the old hands removed and new hands attached.
- Our hands are connected with velcro and snaps. We make our hands detachable so they are easy to wash and less expensive to replace. We make them connect with snaps and velcro so they are less likely to get misplaced.
- If they say "no" this is not ideal. Hands are the highest wear part of the costume. They get dirty and worn out faster than the rest of the suit. Buying a new pair of hands/gloves is less expensive than having to send your entire mascot body back to have the old hands removed and new hands attached.
- Can the feet detach from the costume?
- See above entry for hands.
- What is the average lifespan of the different fur options?
- If they say "what??" then they have not been testing fur for it's durability and are likely using whatever fur they see fit, or is cheapest.
- We can let you know the expected lifespan of your fur options. We have been observing and testing fur for years. We make note of the different fibers, thicknesses, and asses their lasting powers. Basic shag fur, for example, has a short lifespan and needs to be replaced more frequently. We prefer to use deluxe long pile fur and plush fur options.
- If they say "what??" then they have not been testing fur for it's durability and are likely using whatever fur they see fit, or is cheapest.
- Is the costume machine washable?
- If they say "no" do you really want this costume? A costume that needs to be hand cleaned, or taken to a specialty cleaner will take up a lot of time and resources. As a result the costume often ends up going unwashed and gets smelly fast. Also dry cleaning just sprays a layer of chemicals on the costume and is not an effective cleaning method.
- Our costumes are machine washable. However you must use a machine without an agitator. An agitator can/will tear the costume. Our heads are washable by hand.
- If they say "no" do you really want this costume? A costume that needs to be hand cleaned, or taken to a specialty cleaner will take up a lot of time and resources. As a result the costume often ends up going unwashed and gets smelly fast. Also dry cleaning just sprays a layer of chemicals on the costume and is not an effective cleaning method.
- Do the feet/sneakers have internal straps so the performer can secure their own shoes inside?
- If they say "no" this is not ideal. Feet that are worn as "slipper" do not offer optimal arch support or responsiveness.
- Our feet are built with straps to secure the performer's own shoes inside. We find that this allows for the best mobility and foot support. Our feet are also built to be lightweight and durable. We can even make the cover detach from the base for easy washing.
- If they say "no" this is not ideal. Feet that are worn as "slipper" do not offer optimal arch support or responsiveness.
- How do you make your mascot bellies?
- If they say "foam sandwiched between mesh" this works, but we have found it to make the costumes unnecessarily hot.
- Our bellies are made out of athletic mesh and five to eight 1/4 inch pvc tubes. We do not use foam to pad out bellies as we find that it makes the costume much hotter and does not add to the character's over all shape.
- If they say "foam sandwiched between mesh" this works, but we have found it to make the costumes unnecessarily hot.
- Do you offer any annual maintenance with the costume purchase?
- Most companies do not offer annual maintenance with your purchase, and some charge up to $400 for a cleaning!
- We offer a free annual cleaning with minor repairs for the life of the costume! You just pay shipping to and from the studio. We deep clean the costume and fix any tears we see. If we assess that the costume needs advanced repairs (zipper replacement, knees patches, hands replaced, etc.) we will give you a written estimate and will only make repairs if approved. We find this service valuable to keep our characters looking their best. We want you to have an AMAZING!! Mascot for years!
- Most companies do not offer annual maintenance with your purchase, and some charge up to $400 for a cleaning!
If you can think of any questions we didn't answer here, or would like more information on ordering a mascot costume, please feel free to contact us using the form below:
How to write your mascot's biography
Creating your mascot's back story is an important and often over looked part of defining the personality of the character. A good back story helps establish the character, explain who he/she is, and provide motivation for the performer to develop a unique persona. The personality of the mascot helps dictate his actions and habits.
One of my favorite character biographies was for K-O of the Brockton Rox baseball team in 2003. It was done as an interview with the local newspaper and allowed me to present the mascot's story to the public in a humorous fashion. As a performer I always "pushed it" and this mock interview does as well, with a few jokes that probably should have been edited out.
Below is the entire interview, originally published on July 13, 2003 in the Brockton Enterprise
Meet K-O
Below is an interview with Brockton's newest celebrity, K-O the kangaroo. K-O, who stands seven boomerangs tall and weighs 2,416 baseballs (or roughly the same as a baby elephant) serves as mascot for the Brockton Rox minor league baseball team. We sat down with K-O before a recent Rox game
The Enterprise: Where were you born?
K-O: I was born at the Marsupial Medical Center on Kangaroo Island in Australia. They say I weighed 100 pounds, which is pretty heavy for a joey.
Enterprise: How did you start working for the Rox?
K-O: Well, the GM of the team Dave Echols was on a scouting trip to Australia. I happened to go to grammar school with Craig Lewis, the player he was scouting. Even though I'm a "boxing" kangaroo, I love baseball. Craigh got me a tryout in front of Dave. I played my best game ever, but Dave told me I was the worst ball player he'd ever seen, of any species! He did however think I would make a great addition to the Rox as the team's mascot.
Enterprise: Speaking of your boxing career, what is your record?
K-O: It's currently 42-0, all knockouts.
Enterprise: Who are some of the boxers you have faced?
K-O: Well they weren't really boxers. More like that guy who keeps saying, "Momma said knock you out," Barney, some guy who pulled my tail, a mime, several Yankees fans, and even though he won't admit it, the Famous Chicken.
Enterprise: Do you have to be in shape to be a mascot?
K-O: Oh, I'm in great shape! That is, if you consider "pear" a shape.
Enterprise: What is your family like?
K-O: Well there's my mom and pop, and my older brother Syd. We're all in the entertainment industry. Pop was the spokes 'roo for "Kangaroo Krunchies" a very popular sugar-coated chocolate cereal in Australia; Mom has been the featured attraction at the Kangaroo Zoo for over 10 years; Syd took the stage name "Jack," moved to LA, and became a movie star.
Enterprise: What did you want to be when you grew up?
K-O: A firefighting-astronaut-cowboy who plays shortstop for the Boston Red Sox.
Enterprise: Are kangaroos endangered?
K-O: No, we're actually so numerous they've started making kangaroo burgers. The best thing about Brockton is they don't serve kangaroo! the food an beverage director has been leaving me threatening notes though, stuff like "i bet you taste like chicken!"
Enterprise: What do you do for fun?
K-O: I'm actually an avid belly dancer. I spend several nights each week at "Madame Bonapart's Belly Dance Academy for Bulbous Marsupials" on fifth street. I also enjoy base jumping, extreme water ballet, poodle shaving, frisbee golf, full contact shuffle-board, making brownies, extreme bingo, underwater basket weaving, saying "wicked" a lot, extreme cribbage, parking my car at Harvard yard, and chasing my tail.
Enterprise: If you weren't a mascot, what job would you have?
K-O: A male model for "plus size" clothing.
Enterprise: How do you prepare for a game?
K-O: I start off by eating 25 hot dogs followed by five trays of nachos with cheese, two orders of chicken fingers, a bowl of clam chowder, two bowls of chili, two double cheeseburgers, a partridge, and a pear tree. I then listen to some music to get me pumped up. Right now my pump up music is "Dare To Be Stupid" by Weird Al and "Taco Flavored Kisses" by J-Lo. I then make sure the visiting team's cooler is emptied of regular Powerade and replaced with fish-flavored Powerade. I take the visiting teams' boxer shorts and fly them on the flagpole as well.
Enterprise: Do you have any game day superstitions?
K-O: I feel it's unlucky to take a bath during a home stand. If I take a bath, I know the team is doomed. Some people have started to notice the odor of my dedication. I'm not stinky, I'm lucky.
Enterprise: What is your favorite part of the game?
K-O: Hugs! I am the all time leader in hugs received per game with an average of 3,420 hugs. I am also the world leader in the dispersal of kangaroo kisses with a minimum of 2,101 fans receiving smooches at each game. I also enjoy all of the free snacks I find stuck in my fur after a game. There's nothing like furball covered Cracker Jacks, believe me.
Enterprise: What is your least favorite part of the game?
K-O: TAIL-PULLERS!!!! It hurts, its mean, and if you pull my tail don't be surprised if you get a bucket of popcorn dumped on your head.
Enterprise: What is something that not everyone knows about you?
K-O: That I am the uncontested, self proclaimed, "Best Mascot in New England." I held the "Best Mascot" title in my native country and no one has challenged my title since I got here so I can only assume it's mine. If any other mascots want to take my title and the "Best Mascot" championship beltthey're invited to take part in my "New England Mascot Challenge!" They'll be allowed to come perform at a Rox game, and if they can win my crowd over, they'll be invited to the final showdown!
K-O Favorites
Book: Harry Potter and the Order of Onion Rings
Movie: Brave Little Toaster 5; Revenge of the Toaster
Movie star: Jackie Leggs
Food: Anything and everything edible, has been known to eat decorative bowls of plastic fruit
Color: Kangaroo brown
Music: Hip hop, of course
Dance move: Double whammy belly shammy shake
Hero: Elvis, the fat years
Cheese: Cheddar
Saying: "Floss daily."
Subject in school: Tie between lunch and recess.
Baseball player: Ted Williams, unfrozen
As you can see this is a long and thorough story. We find out that K-O is a sharp witted "fat guy" who runs around knocking out mimes and a purple dinosaur. He's pretty pompous, proclaiming himself the best mascot in New England, but also loves giving hugs. He's a born entertainer coming from a family of kangaroo actors and he's confident of his over sized body. He's whimsical/random and enjoys belly dancing and poodle shaving. And he's edgy, as that awful Ted Williams joke shows (really thought they'd edit that one out!)
This helped inspire his character and attitude. He's fat, but he feels he's good looking so he might have to sit down after running up a flight of stairs, but that lady he just sat next to "How you doing?" He loves to belly dance so he dressed up as a belly dancer and tried to "seduce" the visiting team. He might "talk" smack to the other team, only to run away when someone makes a move towards him.
The secret to being a great mascot performer is to develop a character and portray that character the entire time you're in costume.
Are you upset? Be upset in character? Tired? In character. Bored? In character.
When I came to the Rays in 2004 the only biography of the mascot was on the side of a bobble head doll that had been given away in 2002. It was long and involved hot dogs and Rays scouts. It didn't really define who, or what Raymond was. After I went full time in 2006 I sat down to decide once and for all what Raymond was and crafted the following story:
"In early 1998, Rays scouts on a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico spotted a strange looking animal. The creature, apparently drawn to the boat by the smell of hotdogs on the hibachi, climbed aboard and soon won the scouts over with his silly antics. During the excitement, a scout had a brilliant idea: make this fun loving fuzz ball the mascot for the new baseball team. "Raymond" as the scouts dubbed him, immediately accepted their contract offer of all the hotdogs he could eat, all the high fives he could handle, and the ability to shake his groove thing to countless Tampa Bay fans.
Raymond's animal-like appearance causes confusion among fans of all ages. His fuzzy face is similar to a walrus and his bulbous blue belly likens him to a mutant manatee. So what exactly is he?
In 2005 marine biologists and zoologists made a startling discovery; Raymond is actually a previously undiscovered species of dog known as "Canus Manta Whatthefluffalus" or in layman's terms, a Seadog. Seadogs have all the traits of normal dogs. They enjoy going for walks, playing with kids, and fetching. Unlike other dogs they are five to six feet tall, walk upright, are blue in color, and chase catfish. While other dogs live on land, Seadogs usually live in or around the water. Seadogs are well known for their fun-loving nature, passion for baseball, and general good looks."
The #1 issue I wanted to address was exactly what Raymond was. I decided on a "Seadog" primarily because the animal he was most often called was a dog and secondarily because seadog is a term for a pirate, and pirates are a large part of Tampa Bay's history.
We also developed a "Likes/Dislikes" section which was another avenue for humor and character definition:
Raymond's Stats
- Full Name: Raymond Ray
- Birthplace: Gulf of Mexico
- Age: Unknown
- Height: Really tall
- Weight: Really heavy
- MLB debut: June 21, 1998
- Position: Upright and locked
- Throws: Tantrums
- Catches: Colds
- Bats: Scare him
- Color: Blue…duh
- Food: EVERYTHING!
- Songs: "Blue" and "Mozart's 5th Concerto"
- TV Show: I'd rather be reading!
- Books: HAIRY Potter, Monsters Under My Bed, Wuthering Heights
- Movies: "The Rookie" and "Monsters, Inc."
Likes: Rays baseball, belly dancing, hugs, hot dogs, doing flips, full contact shuffle board, poodle shaving, extreme chess, reading, and KIDS!
Dislikes: Hairballs, taking baths, getting nacho cheese in his fur, falling off walls.
As a result of this clarification of who/what Raymond was, the character grew in esteem and recognition, and I stopped hearing "What are you??" as fans would tell people "He's a SeaDog."
When the Astros reintroduced Orbit after a decade they made sure to craft a back story and bio to explain his absence and return. You can read it on their website. Anyone familiar with Orbit knows he's a character and has a set personality. Establishing his bio was just step one of creating a well defined character.
So remember fellow furballs, if you want to be more than a kid in a fuzzy suit, consider yourself an actor. Create your character and be that character. A well crafted back story will help you find inspiration and definition.
Stay fuzzy my friend ~Kelly
How to be a corporate mascot
Mascots are larger than life representatives of the teams and businesses they represent. However there are some differences between performing as a sports mascot and a corporate mascot for a business. With a corporate character, you literally are bringing their brand to life. You are the huggable, walking, dancing interactive extension of their brand. A simple misstep in costume could result in a PR nightmare for a company and damage it's reputation online.
With that in mind here are some tips for being a corporate mascot performer:
- Dress appropriately for the event you are attending. For example, when I recently worked a convention for medical professionals, I showed up in business attire (nice pair of pants, appropriate top.) Everyone staffing the booth I was at was in their best office attire and I was able to look professional while out of costume. While working for a 5/15k racing event, warm up gear was appropriate. Dressing business casual (Khaki pants, polo shirt) is safe choice if you are unsure of the environment you will be performing at. Dress for success! Don't allow your value to be undermined by poor attire.
- Make sure you are always performing in a positive family friendly manner. Some of your go to moves as a sports mascot are not appropriate in a corporate environment. "Thrusting" out a belly, or doing "booty" dances are examples of moves that should be removed from your acting repertoire. Use moves that you would do at a child's birthday party.
- Be aware of event restrictions. Some conventions do not allow mascots to roam the event and the character must stay at the booth. Other events are OK with roaming mascots. If you are able to roam it is a great way to expand your client's impact at the event. Just make sure you have an escort to guide you to prevent mishaps.
- Be aware of "competing" brands. While at an event there may be other businesses offering the services that your client does. Remember, you are not at a sporting event. These businesses are not "opposing fans." Be respectful to other brands and if possibly, simply avoid them.
- Always be entertaining. A lot of the time at conventions/corporate appearances there is nothing going on. No one is at the booth, or all of the customers have already seen you and are drifting away. Do not simply stand there. Stay in character. To keep myself motivated to move I often play a song in my head and dance to it. You can pass the time in a much more fun manner if you are dancing along to the cupid shuffle, or other easy go to mascot dances.
- Be visible. If you're at an event where you can wander around, try and figure out where you can b the most visible. At recent events those spots were: the dance floor by the DJ, the start line of the race, the entrance to the post race party. At store appearances, if things are slow, consider standing by the side of the road and waving to people. You'd be surprised how many people pull into the store/event to get a photo with the character. But be safe, stay far away from the road
- Take breaks. Sometimes corporate clients don't understand the needs of a mascot performer. Be safe, and set appearance guidelines that your feel comfortable with. Indoors I was comfortable with 60 minutes in, 30 minutes out. For outdoor events it varies with the weather. In hotter climates it can be as short as 30 on, 30 off. Proper breaks allow you to recharge and be energetic during your next set.
You'll find that organizations often appreciate a great performer. Too many businesses "settle" for inexperienced "brand ambassadors" that are forced into costume. Once an organization sees the value a professional mascot performer brings, they're likely to have you back for more events!
Stay fuzzy my friends!
How much does your mascot head weigh?
Is your mascot head a literal pain in your neck? Have you ever weighed it?
When we produced a new costume head for the Brockton Rox we put it on our shipping scale to find out how much it weighed. It came in at a meager 2.5 pounds.
The head for the Greeneville Astros, constructed differently and larger in size came in just under 3.5 pounds.
We just shipped out our latest custom mascot costume which was a duplicate of an existing design. The large (by our standards) head weighed in at 4.5 pounds a 25% decrease in weight from the previous manufacturer. Despite the decrease, we wanted it to be even lighter.
Curious about head weight, we polled our social media followers and asked them how many pounds their current heads were. We were shocked to hear that some heads weighed as much as 15 pounds! And we were upset about 4.5!
When you're ordering a mascot costume ask them how much their heads normally weigh. If they don't have an answer, chances are it's not something they generally consider nor is it something they are striving to improve. For some terrible reason, a lot of mascot producers feel that bigger is better. Nothing could be farther from the truth. When it comes to the weight of mascot heads ounces add up and make a significant difference. Things such as the type of helmet, foam, and fur all add or detract from weight.
The great thing about ordering a custom costume from AMAZING!! Mascots is I'm the person designing your costume. My name is Kelly Frank and I've been wearing mascot costumes since 1998. I spent five seasons as Raymond for the Tampa Bay Rays and three seasons as Thunderbug for the Tampa Bay Lightning. I've also been a mascot for Major League Soccer, the WNBA, the NBA (backup), Arena Football, minor league baseball, minor league hockey, NCAA Basketball, a division I University, and I've been a Halloween performer for Universal Studios as well as a parade puppeteer for Walt Disney World. I also worked in the costumed character department at Universal Studio's islands of Adventure repairing costume.
I've worn suits made by every major manufacturer and found most of them to be hot, heavy, and were unimaginatively designed. I feel the issue is the people designing the suits were never mascot performers themselves. They look at a costume design from a fashion or graphic design perspective. I cannot design your wedding dress, or create a wonderful merchandise ready graphic, but I can design a highly functional LIGHTWEIGHT and unique mascot. I know what elements will and won't translate into a foam and fur costume.
So when you're ready to order your new custom mascot costume, don't get a big head. Save yourself a giant pain in the neck and go with a performer friendly designer, like AMAZING!! Mascots.
How to Design a Mascot
This week the corporate mascot world was startled by the introduction of McDonald's new mascot, "Happy." The public was not humming Pharrel as they embraced the new icon. Rather they bashed it in standard social media terms as "nightmare fuel" and dubbing it "the happy meal that will eat your soul." This is on the heels of revamping Ronald McDonald's look to be hipper. With numerous characters with decades of brand equity, "Happy" doesn't seem to make much sense. It can be assumed that the company thought "it worked in France!"
In the same week Chicago based Ferrara Candy company decided to revamp their iconic Lemonhead character and let him "grow up" into a blue eyed 22 year old who loves taking selfies. The giant blue BLINKING eyes, human body, and human tuft of hair give it a truly terrifying look. The team behind the Twitter account seems to acknowledge this and invoke a @TacoBell and @Skittles type of voice, so Lemon Chucky, I mean Head, might actually work as an ad campaign (just not as a costume!)
On one hand you can argue that the mascots are a success due to their social media/viral status. However I don't think these were intended to be short term stunts but rather long term brand investments.
Here's my advice when it comes to designing a mascot: HIRE A MASCOT DESIGN COMPANY!!! I'm positive both of these characters were imaged by an ad agency/marketing firm complete with dozens of focus groups, meetings, meetings about meetings, and power point presentations. I own a mascot company, I make mascots. I would not be able to create and execute a complete advertising campaign (complete with media buys) for your company, so why would you expect an ad agency to know what works best for mascot design? An ad agency has various talented people but a graphic designer is no substitute for an experienced mascot design firm. No agency has a "mascot engineer" who knows the best materials to use or what will/won't translate from a drawing to a costume. A mascot company will also have a vast knowledge of past and present mascot designs and what did/didn't work about them and help minimize the risk involved in launching a new character.
We recently produced a mascot costume that was designed by a very talented branding firm. They create great logos, however when we looked at their mascot design, we knew it would not work as drawn, and knew that some features would draw criticism. We took their artwork and merged it with our own to produce a unique performer friendly costume. While other new mascots who were introduced at the time got slammed, ours was the only one to receive positive feedback. It's because WE KNOW MASCOTS.
A major university was in the process of reintroducing a mascot after several years and called for my feedback. I looked over their proposed designs, looked into their history, read what the student body was saying online, and said only one of the designs even had a chance of getting approved. It was the one closest to their former mascot that was axed for political correctness. I never heard back from them, but awhile later read that they had scrapped the entire idea of a new mascot and are going mascot less. They spent over $50,000 in research to come up with a conclusion I made in 30 minutes.
When we begin the mascot design process I start off by talking to the team/company and finding what their needs are. How will the mascot be used (sports games, school shows, trade shows, outdoors/indoors, etc.)? What is more important for this character brand recognition or mobility/fun? Who will be wearing the costume? I then take any logos or artwork they have an come up with several pencil sketches of possibilities. The client gives feedback and I make the changes. Once the pencil sketch is approved I then create a color proof that we build the costume off of.
So the next time you're looking to introduce a new mascot, save yourself the inevitable "Poochie" references when you present a focus group created mascot and hire an experienced mascot design firm (Like AMAZING!! Mascots.)
In my next post I will elaborate on "How To Order a Mascot Costume" to educate potential mascot buyers what to look for and what to avoid.
Stay fuzzy my friends~ Kelly
How to be a baseball mascot, part 2: The Game
Now that pregame is over, it's time to "tackle" the game. Since the baseball season is long, and games have no set time limit, it's best to establish a schedule and develop a routine.The most useful thing to know before you go out are your entrance/exit points, the fastest ways to get around the stadium, and alternate break rooms. You may get stuck out somewhere during the game and need to take a quick break. Concession stands with freezers, storage closets, suites, bull pen lounges, "family" bathrooms, and offices are great escapes when you don't have the time to get back to your dressing room. By knowing how to navigate your stadium you're getting the maximum exposure with the minimum effort. Also it's extremely important that you are comfortable with your dugout top and familiarize yourself with it's dimensions. Falling off the dugout is a real danger and you, and the players below you, can get seriously injured. Check out the infamous clip of Wolfie falling off the dugout in Reno <click here> You should also watch out for the outfield walls, as they can be dangerous. Slider of the Cleveland Indians fell off the wall during the ALCS and torn his ACL. I fell off the outfield wall and broke my arm, requiring surgery to put a plate and four screws in my bone. Be aware of your surroundings!
If possible give your mascot an introduction sometime after the first inning, mid 2 being an ideal time (the theory being that not everyone is in their seats yet during the 1st). You can announce the character, he/she makes his/her entrance, and does a quick skit, dance, or T-shirt launch. It's a great way to let the crowd see the mascot and know that he'll be around during the game. Check out Orbit of the Astros introduction <Click here> This was done pre game, but could easily be done in game.
Mascots are often used to accentuate promotions. Work with your game director/promotional staff and determine which promos they mascot should be at and know when/where they are. One of the most common on field mascot promotions is the mascot race. Another is musical chairs. Normally I would budget 6 outs for a promotion. I would use 3 outs to get to position and be in position 3 outs prior. While you're waiting for a promo, either interact with the crowd, or hide away in a tunnel/hallway. You should never be seen just standing idle clearly waiting for a contest. It makes you look like a bored intern in a costume.
Skits are another great way to entertain the baseball crowd. There are many common skits, such as the Dance off, where the mascot attempts to get someone (planted player, umpire, fan, opposing mascot) to dance. The person is reluctant at first, but then breaks out into a dance, like this skit with Raymond and the Oriole Bird, the Greenville Drive game and the Eugene Emeralds. An easy skit is the "mascot streaker" where the character runs out "naked" and is pursued by security.For the "Slow Dance request" skit, the mascot finds a pretty lady who he wants to dance with, but has to argue with the sound guy to play the correct song. Watch Raymond perform this routine <click here>. Another is the "mascot in drag" routine where the mascot puts on a dress and serenades an umpire or player. The Phanatic took it up a notch by dressing up as Lady Gaga and dancing. <click here> There is also the mimic/Monkey See Monkey do skit where a fan has to do what the mascot does. Check out Thunder from Lake Elsinore performing this <click here>. If your budget allows it, you can get real creative and create prop based skits, like Raymond's tear away skit, which was adapted from a Famous Chicken bit <click here>. The grounds crew field drag is another opportunity to perform. Here Parker of the Fresno Grizzlies and his "Drag Kings" performing a dance to "Soulja Boy." The "Mascot Evolution of Dance" is another popular routine, where the mascot dances to a variety of popular songs. Parker reworked the skit into the "Evolution of Hip Hop". Watch YouTube and look at what other mascots do. Feel free to "borrow" the skits, as most mascot performers do. I suggest that you find some twist or unique way to make it your own.
In the minors it's easy to get time to perform, but in the majors where every inning break is sponsored and time is at a premium, it's much harder to get time. One way to "sneak" skit time in is by piggy backing on a promotion. Here the Tampa Bay Rays mascot and the Texas Rangers mascot serve as contestants for the Pappa Johns "Dance for your dinner" promo <click here> A great place for "found time" are pitching changes. These breaks are usually not sponsored and offer time for the mascot to strut their stuff. Since pitching changes are random, it's next to impossible to perform a live skit, so video skits are a better option.
Video skits are easy and impactful ways to engage the crowd with the mascot. With the Rays I did several "sing-a-longs" that got the crowd going, such as "Living on a Prayer" and "Minnie the Moocher." Video skits are great because they can be used over and over again. You can theme them for special events, like Father's Day (Raymond goes Fishing with Dad) or for specific opponents (Raymond vs the Rally Monkey, Raymond vs Wally the Green Monster)
The 7th inning stretch usually features the mascot. The character hops on the dugout and pantomimes the stretch. After the stretch there is usually 60 seconds of "pump up" music. The Winston-Salem Dash dances to the song "Ice Cream and Cake." You can also invite fans up to dance with you like the Phanatic does.
The bane of anyone working in baseball is the dreaded rain delay. This is a good time to take a break, but it is also a great time to do some schtick. You can get a rain outfit for the character, but if your budget doesn't allow for a custom costume, just go buy a large yellow poncho. It will fit over your mascot easily and people will "get it." If you have an old/backup suit you can take it out and slide on the tarp or play in puddles. Be sure to check with your groundskeeper and supervisor before doing this.
Mascot "Family" members are a great way to add entertainment to the game on Family Fundays (usually Sundays) and Mothers'/Fathers' Day. Take your old costume or your backup costume and add accessories to make it into Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Or Grandma. For female family members a large dress, fancy hat, wig, lipstick/eyeshadow (made of felt and pinned on) and a purse work. For male characters a sports jacket, neck tie, tacky Hawaiian shirt, and a bushy mustache (fake fur fabric, pinned on) do the trick. For grandparents have the performer walk slower and perhaps give them a cane or walker. Many of these items can be found at a thrift store so you don't have to break the bank to costume your characters.
Mascot birthday parties are a popular event at baseball games, sometimes drawing large crowds. Invite local sports and sponsor mascots to the event. If you have a budget it's even possible to bring in out of town mascots which is a special treat for the fans. Pregame is a good time to do a group introduction and skit. If you have time, film a video skit with the mascots to show during the game (or online) like the Raymond's house party or the Mascot card video we did. Have the mascots available to do an autograph session. Having a poster made with all of the mascots on it is a great touch. If this is not in your budget, get the mascots to take a group photo before the game begins, print off color copies in the office, and have the characters sign the photo during the autograph session.
If the team is down, consider a "rally" version of your character. In Tampa we had "Rally Ray." They played an intro video, cued the music, and Rally Ray came bounding out during the middle of the 9th. We created a super hero style costume for him to wear. "Rally Ray" when then pump up the crowd using his drum. If you have a Rally version of your character, pay attention to the game and make sure you take a break so you have some gas left in the tank. See where you're at after the 7th inning stretch.
If your team wins its great to "run the flag." Get a custom flag made and run out to the field with it. It's a nice way to end the game. If you have a "kids run the bases" post game it's a nice opportunity to high five or take pictures on the field after the game. I was so wiped after working all game that I actually had my backup do it, which is advisable, unless you want to spend all day in costume.
That's all for now. Look forward to Part 3: Working the crowd.
Stay Fuzzy my friends~ Kelly
How to be a baseball mascot part 1, pregame
Modern sports mascots as we known them today started in baseball back in 1974 when a college student working as a radio station chicken mascot performed at a San Diego Padres game. The Famous Chicken, as he'd soon be known, performed for the station for 5 years before breaking free and holding his "Grand Hatching" in 1979. His popularity inspired other teams to get characters of their own and the mascot industry was born. Characters such as the Phillie Phanatic (1978), Fredbird/Cardinals (1979) and Orioles Bird (1979) have stood the test of time while others (Dandy/Yankees 1980, Ribbie & Rhoobarb/White Sox 81-88) faded away.
Baseball is the perfect venue for a mascot. The pace of the game, with its' inning breaks and pitching changes, create multiple opportunities for a mascot to strut his/her stuff.
Here are suggestions on how to perform as a mascot at a baseball game, based on my 13+ years of performing at ballparks:
This is a great time to mingle, greet fans, and with players. It is one of your best opportunities for spontaneous crowd and player interactions. Greeting fans at "gates open" is a fun way to welcome customers into your park. If you schedule it as a photo session it is possible to get sponsors involved.
After greeting people at the gates, head to the field about 15-30 minutes prior to game time. Use this time to stretch with the home team, harass the opposing team as they warm up, and cruise around on an ATV or other mascot vehicle.
Interacting with opposing players is a delicate dance. While the majority of ballplayers are welcoming, some are not. I suggest starting your antics at a distance, judging the player's reaction, and gradually moving in. If a player tells you to go away, leave. Try and find someone else. Just because you're a mascot doesn't mean you need to be a jerk. Over time you may even develop a relationship with certain players or entire teams. I spent years goofing around with the Orioles and knew they could be counted on to have fun, leading to some memorable interactions such as this video <click here>. I also cultivated a relationship with Angel Berroa which lead to this funny moment <click here> while working a game in Kansas City. The master of pregame antics is the Phillie Phantic. He has tried to arrest a Mets player, grown impatient with umpires, and just been a general goof. The Pirate Parrot also has great pregame antics.
Playing with umpires is much like working with the players, except they actually have the authority to eject you from a game. Umps are under a lot of stress and are subject to the verbal beatings of the crowd. In the majors I pretty much left them alone, except to occasionally salute them or wedge my way into their pregame conversation when the lineup cards are delivered. In the minors they were more game to play. Try and introduce yourself to the umpire crew before the game. By letting them see the person in the suit they're more inclined to play with you.
On big games, you can use this time to pump up the crowd. During the 2008 MLB playoffs I would ride out to center field with my drum and some signs. I would rev the engine to get the crowds' attention. Then I would bang on the drum to get them pumped up. I then set the signs on the ground so they could see what they said. One read "Tampa" the other "Bay." I would gesture that left field was Tampa, right field was "Bay" and then do a 1-2-3 count and start the cheer side by side. After that cheer I'd pick up the drum and do a series of 3 beats leading the entire crowd in a "Let's go Rays!" chant.
Generally pregame schtick goes on until either player introductions or the anthem. If they introduce the opposing team its a great time to head over to the opposing side and be unimpressed with their lineup. I would often give sarcastic claps, yawn, or just fall asleep on the field. When they announced the pitcher I would pantomime throwing a pitch and batter getting a home run. After the low energy of the opposing team, it's a good idea run over to the home team side and react as they introduce your players. You can flex your muscles, beat your chest, act like you knocked it out of the park, etc. You can even develop a certain move for each player.
Once it's time for the anthem, it's time to chill out. Do not be disrespectful. It's best to just stand still, remove your hat (if possible), and listen to the anthem. The anthem singer is excited for their moment, let them have it. Once he/she is done, feel free to give them a hug, bow down to them, kiss their feet, or act as their escort off the field.
Next up is usually a ceremonial first pitch. Again be respectful of someone else moment. A mascot can either act as a catcher or umpire. After that it's usually the "play ball" kid. This is a young fan or fans that gets to "say those magic words" to start the game. I would just stand near them and high five or hug them once they were complete.
And now it's game time! And after all of that, it's usually time to take a break and get ready for 9 innings of baseball!
To be continued…..
Stay Fuzzy my friends~ Kelly
How to run a mascot program
So you've been handed the mascot program and you aren't exactly sure what to do. You're now responsible for keeping the costume clean, staffing the costume, and scheduling appearances. Here is some basic advice:
- Learn how to take care of the costume: Read our entry on "how to clean a mascot costume". If this doesn't answer your questions, feel free to contact us for specific cleaning advice. It is a good idea to designate an area for the costume to be hung to air out after use. Make sure that anyone you give the costume to knows how to properly clean a costume. A fur costume can easily be destroyed if someone puts it in a dryer.
- Find a mascot performer: Review our "finding a mascot performer" entry. If you cannot find a consistent performer, you or other staff members may have to wear the costume. Make sure anyone who gets in the costume reads our "basic character development" entry. The less experienced performer you have the more attention you have to pay to them. Make sure they are comfortable in the costume, know to hydrate properly, and take proper breaks. We recommend 20-30 minutes on, 20 minutes off for outdoors, and 30-45 minutes on indoors with 20-30 minutes off for inexperienced performers. Heat sickness is a real concern for someone who does not yet know their limits. More experienced performers already know their comfort level.
- Provide a mascot escort: Make sure your mascot always has an escort to assist them. This person is the mascot's eyes and ears, seeing things the performer cannot (small children below eye level, steps, etc.) and assure their safety in case of unruly fans or other emergencies. This person should have a radio or some means to get in touch with you in case of an emergency. An escort also helps the mascot manage his/her props, preps contestants, and distributes giveaway items.
- Set a schedule of fees: Establish the rate for your mascot at different types of events
- Non profit
- Sponsor events
- Non sponsors
- Private appearances (birthdays, deliveries, parades)
- Community events (walk a thons, school/church festivals)
- Create an appearance request form: The form should ask for
- Event Name, date, time requested
- Name of organization, type of organization (business, non-profit, private party)
- Name of person making request (phone #, e-mail)
- Name of on site contact (phone #, e-mail)
- Address of event
- Description of event
- Expectations of mascot at event
- Create an appearance confirmation form: This is the form you send out once the appearance is scheduled. It confirms the information provided on the request form, sets the appearance time and expectations, and informs the client:
- If parking is an issue, please designate an assigned spot for the performer, preferably close to the event, as he/she will have a large bag to carry
- You must provide a private place to for the performer to change. BATHROOMS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE since the performer may have to place parts of the costume on the floor while getting dressed and bathrooms are unsanitary.
- If the crowd becomes unruly, or the performer fears for their safety, the appearance may be cancelled without refund.
- Advertise the appearance as "between the hours of" to avoid disappointing people if the mascot has to take a break.
- Maintain a master calendar: Use Outlook, Google, Yahoo, or other calendar programs to keep a master schedule online. Allow your performers access to the schedule so they can manage their appearances. Send out a weekly e-mail reminder/schedule of events to keep your performers in the know and avoid missed appearances.
- Create a payroll spreadsheet: Keep accurate records of appearances and hours to make sure your performers get paid properly. Advise your performers to keep track of their hours in case of an error.
- Create a mascot program budget: Calculate expenses for the program. Items to consider
- Payroll for appearances and escorts
- Costume maintenance (cleaning, supplies)
- New/replacement costume pieces
- Mascot promotional items (t-shirts, tattoos, autograph cards)
- Props
- Mileage/travel expenses
- Training for performers
- Develop merchandise: Generate revenue with your mascot through sales of items such as dolls, t-shirts, hats, bobble heads, and more.
- Develop community outreach programs: Decide how you want to impact your local community. Create programs to be performed at schools that encourage students to read, get active, recycle and more. Other popular school shows are anti-bullying and test taking techniques. Many programs rewards students with ticket vouchers to attend a game.
- Work with sponsorship: Generate revenue through the sale of mascot related sponsorship School programs, promotional items, and even an overall mascot sponsorship can bring in money for your organization. Read our "how to generate revenue with your mascot program" entry.
- Work with marketing: Use the mascot to get your marketing messages out. Social media, publicity stunts, community events, charitable visits, all are ways to promote your character and brand.
A mascot program entertainment, community outreach, marketing, and sales combined. A successful program depends on a lot of people, but mostly on its administrator. If you ever need additional advice, feel free to contact us at amazing-mascots.com
Stay Fuzzy my friends!~ Kelly Frank, President/Owner AMAZING!! Mascots, Inc.


text:
Latest media releases
UBS sets up its own life insurance company.
From the first quarter of 2001, UBS will be offering life insurance under its own name as well as risk cover supplied by Providentia. For this purpose it will be setting up its own life insurance company. Through an open sales architecture UBS will market products of other companies in addition to its own range, working as it has done up to now with a select group of insurance companies. This move is in line with the bank's strategy of providing insurance products that cater to capital accumulation and retirement saving needs and therefore fit the business of an integrated financial services group.
With the foundation of its own wholly-owned life insurance subsidiary, UBS is strengthening its present position in the life insurance business. UBS clients will in future have a selection of new and innovative UBS life insurance products to choose from. There will be a strong focus on fund-linked life insurance as well as on innovative special products, and the range will be enhanced by risk products as well as classic cash value and superannuation policies. These will be supplied by UBS's new partner Providentia, but the products will be sold under the UBS name. Providentia Schweizerische Lebensversicherungsgesellschaft AG has its registered office in Nyon and belongs to the Mobiliar Group.
Focus on Swiss market
In the initial phase, the range of UBS life insurance products offered will be aimed exclusively at the Swiss market in line with current policy. Later, however, sales opportunities elsewhere in Europe will be exploited. UBS expects the new life insurance company to become operational in the first quarter of 2001.
Capital accumulation and retirement provision
UBS has always emphasized that its bancassurance strategy does not include non-life or property insurance products. As an integrated financial services group, it has focused its insurance activities on capital accumulation and retirement provision. UBS life insurance products will thus complement the Group's banking products to form an integrated range of financial and retirement planning services.
Cooperation with Zurich Financial Services and Rentenanstalt
Through an open sales architecture, UBS will supplement its own life insurance range with products from external providers. This means that as well as offering life insurance under its own name and risk cover from Providentia, UBS clients will in future also be able to buy products offered by Zurich and Rentenstalt as well as those of any new future partners. These partnerships will continue to be employed, commensurate with the Group's basic philosophy, where they make sense for both parties and bring benefits for the client. As recently as April this year, UBS and Zurich Financial Services agreed to pursue a collaboration effort in the occupational pensions area. As part of this agreement, Zurich will take over the management of the PREVAL collective foundation from UBS in 2001. PREVAL specializes in the administration of mandatory occupational pension schemes for small and medium-sized enterprises in Switzerland.
Zurich/Basel, 8 September 2000

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Washington, D.C. (July 8, 2009) – PhRMA President of International Christopher Singer issued the following statement today on this year's annual report to President Obama and Prime Minister Aso under the U.S.-Japan Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative:
"PhRMA members appreciate the special focus the report places on regulatory and market access issues related to pharmaceuticals. In particular, we welcome steps taken by the Japanese Government to ensure it establishes drug prices in a manner that recognizes the value of innovation and the need for timely access to pharmaceuticals by the people of Japan.
"We also applaud the U.S. Government for its strong statement in opposition to a market-expansion repricing rule. The market-expansion repricing mechanism has been inconsistent with Japan's assurances to consider the value of innovation and ensure timely access to life-saving medicines for Japanese patients. The U.S. Government should also be commended for its strong statement urging the Japanese Government to avoid implementing its annual price revisions.
"The report specifically notes that Japan will provide meaningful opportunities for America's pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies to consult with the government on the government's pricing rules, including frequency of reimbursement price revisions, and regulatory procedures and will allow for more transparency in the government price-setting process.
"The innovative pharmaceutical industry recognizes the challenges faced by the Japanese Government in creating a high-quality, sustainable healthcare system that encourages the development of new medicines and meets the needs of patients. We value our role as a recognized, legitimate partner in Japan's healthcare system, and want to make a constructive contribution to the healthcare reform dialogue.
"PhRMA supports fundamental reform of the system to put patients first, by treating health care as a critical, life-saving investment and ensuring their access to healthcare information, and new, innovative medical treatment. Such reforms not only improve the quality of life, but can lead to lower healthcare costs through more appropriate allocation of resources such as fewer people requiring surgery, costly hospitalization and long recovery periods.
"PhRMA also welcomes steps taken by the Japanese Government to shorten approval times for new drugs as well as the productive dialogue that the Japanese regulatory authorities is having with our industry to identify concrete process improvements. PhRMA welcomes the increased willingness that Japanese regulators are demonstrating toward including Japan into global new drug development plans. We are hopeful that these, and additional efforts, will contribute to the shortening of new drug approval times in Japan.
"PhRMA appreciates the ongoing efforts on the part of the U.S. Government and the Government of Japan and hope that any future reforms will continue to move in this direction."
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country's leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. PhRMA companies are leading the way in the search for new cures. PhRMA members alone invested an estimated $50.3 billion in 2008 in discovering and developing new medicines. Industry-wide research and investment reached a record $65.2 billion in 2008.
PhRMA Internet Address: http://www.phrma.org
For information on how innovative medicines save lives, visit: http://www.innovation.org
For information on the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, visit: http://www.pparx.org
For more information on public health emergencies, visit http://www.rxresponse.org
For information on the danger of imported drugs, visit: http://www.buysafedrugs.info


text:
Staff writer
Time is of the essence for the county to fix a damaged bridge near Florence.
Commissioners voted Monday to begin a process to get the 126-foot bridge, at Alfalfa Road crossing the Cottonwood River, prepared for construction.
Kenneth Blair of CFS Engineers said if the bridge is "shovel ready," then the county has a better chance of receiving 80 percent of the estimated $1 million cost from the Kansas Department of Transportation. The county would have to pay a $234,000 portion.
"It's a competitive program," Blair said. "Last year more counties submitted requests than there was money available."
Design plans are currently 60 percent finished, and geology work to find bedrock under the ground is yet to be done.
KDOT will not select until June, making construction unlikely to begin until 2016. If the bridge is ready enough, work could start as early as 2015.
Commissioners also adopted the 2014 budget Monday.
"Another year's gone by and another year we survive, so we're going to keep on moving forward," Commissioner Randy Dallke said.
The commission also:
- Upgraded the maintenance contract on its operating systems, saving a little under $5,000.
- Decided to write a letter to select taxpayers asking for a return on the difference in rebates for a mistake made in the revitalization plan.
- Agreed to pay $1,100 to get an estimate on repairs to the courthouse clock.
- Approved EMS Director Steve Smith's request to take a course in Anniston, Md., for disaster training.


text:
A little more than 14 miles east of Athens is Crawford, a small town with a population of just over 800, with 11 churches and one traffic light. It's Small Town, USA, personified.
It's a quiet, laid-back community whose main distinction is that it is anchored on the main road, U.S. Highway 78, from Athens to Augusta. People passing through Crawford probably don't know its link to history. There are no signs boasting that the town is named for William H. Crawford, who nearly became a candidate for the presidency. His accomplishments were something to write home about. He was U.S. minister to France, Secretary of War and Secretary of the Treasury. On top of that, he had a hand in having the Monroe Doctrine amended.
There are other luminaries, including three Georgia governors - Wilson Lumpkin, George R. Gilmer and George Mathews - who have resided in Crawford or nearby. Joseph H. Lumpkin, cofounder of the University of Georgia School of Law, which carries his name, hung out here in the past. Few people other than historians are aware that Meriwether Lewis, half of the Lewis and Clark team - which made, perhaps, the most important expedition in history of this country - was once a resident.
Felix the cat is also a Crawford resident, although it's not likely that anybody other than Billy Bryant and his close friends would know that. We aren't talking about Felix the Cat of Hollywood fame, but rather Billy's life-saving feline friend. Felix, knowing that his master had only one life, made sure Billy knew his house was on fire a few weeks ago. A widower who lives alone, Billy has always "been a dog man," but when his wife, Carolyn, died, his grandkids gave Felix to Billy to keep him company.
Billy and Felix hit it off from the beginning. Every night when Billy watches TV, Felix rests affectionately in his lap. They are constant companions during the day, but when it is time to retire, Billy puts Felix outside where he sleeps in a doghouse right near Billy's bedroom window. This routine has been going on for years.
At 5 a.m. on a recent morning, just before Billy would be starting his day, Felix was suddenly clawing and screaming outside the bedroom window.
"It sounded like a bobcat, he was so loud," Billy says.
Billy first thought some varmint had Felix in his grasp, but he immediately began coughing and choking. In an instant, he knew what was going on - his house was on fire. Rushing to get outside, Billy stumbled and fell in the dark a couple of times. He can hardly remember the details, but he did grab his cellphone from the charger on a table by the door.
He called 911, and the volunteer fire department showed up immediately. They were able to save the house, although smoke and water damage was severe. The fire inspector told Billy that the fire started in his den, and the cause was faulty wiring in the house, which Billy built in the early '50s.
"I had always heard that cats were very intelligent," Billy says. "Now I know for sure that Felix is very smart."
It is one of the most interesting stories you can imagine - that the cat knew the house was on fire, that his master was asleep and needed to be awakened, that Billy's bed was next to the window. Felix had to know all this for the events to unfold as they did.
Felix is now a hero among Billy's friends, belonging in the pantheon of the other Oglethorpe residents who have distinguished themselves. Felix ought to get a proclamation from the mayor. How about a parade or a citation from the governor?
Billy has been thinking of doing something special for Felix, whose favorite food is Purina Cat Chow. For years, he's been filling Felix's bowl with Purina products. In the days after being rescued by Felix's considerable commotion, Billy was telling some of his friends that he thought it might be nice to buy a can of sardines for Felix. One of his friends said, "If you really want to do something nice for the cat who saved your life, you ought to buy him lobster."
I have an idea that Felix is in for the most well-deserved treat of his life. Billy Bryant is not likely to experience nine lives, but he will be forever grateful to Felix for extending the one he enjoys today.
Loran Smith is a contributing columnist to the Athens Banner-Herald.


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about eight years ago
Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis says his peers in the Big Ten are comfortable exploring the possibility of a four-team playoff for the national championship.
Hollis says keeping ties to the Rose Bowl is extremely important to athletic directors in the Big Ten and Pac-12.
The Chicago Tribune reported Monday that 1 of the ideas before the Big Ten would put the two semifinal games on the campuses of the higher seeded teams. The national championship game would be awarded to cities that bid for it.
The BCS title game pits the nation's top two teams based on poll and computer rankings.
The plus-one format -- two semifinals plus the title game -- was proposed in 2008 by the commissioners of the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference. It was shot down by the leaders of the Big Ten, Pac-10, Big East, Big 12 and Notre Dame.
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"We recently spent an wonderful break in Tuscany, staying a short distanceoutside Pienza. The countryside in that area is sublime. I've recently started the long training to become a Psychotherapist and part of that process is keeping a personal journal. My choice after a false start with the recommended A4 notebook was to turn to my faithful stock of Moleskines.In this case a large unlined. I write on the right hand page and draw, annotate and doodle on the left. Showing extraoridary (!) diligence as you can see I took my journal on holiday to catch up with my latest reflections.It was hard work but I guess somebody had to do it. The picture shows atable and benches in a small grove of trees, there was also a hammock nearby, where it was possible to read write in some shade and feel a refreshing breeze to alleviate the summer heat.
I find the colour of the pages is comforting on the eye and the blue ink I use in my Rotring ArtPen takes to the pages wonderfully, enabling me to write fluently and quickly. The tools don't get in the way of the process. What more could I ask.
Whilst we were there I managed to score some Molekines at the equivalent of £8 each, when my local supplier prices at £14. Hurrah."


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Here you can find How-To articles and the information you need to help you choose the right floor for your home or business and make an informed decision.
Looking for a great online deal on a Hardwood or Laminate Floor, Floor Installation Supplies, EcoFriendly Green Floors or other Flooring Goods?
We sell a selected range of Flooring Products and Supplies. By shopping online you can save on brands such as Bruce Hardwood, Somerset Flooring, Mannington, Amtico, Harris Wood and more.


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Nokia has released a video showing off what happens inside the Lumia 1020 when you hit the shutter button to snap a photo. You may be thinking, "I've seen this before, Richy!" and you'd be correct in assuming as much. This is the same promo footage used last month when the Lumia 1020 was unveiled to the world. It's about time the video is available as a short clip.
The video is impressive, illustrating how the light hits internal components and the end result being transferred across circuitry to the PureMotion HD+ display. We've taken the Lumia 1020 for a spin, as well as reviewing the latest flagship Windows Phone, and can confirm that there's indeed black magic at work here. Either that or Nokia has simply nailed it when it comes to smartphone photography.
A sample of the Lumia 1020's performance at night
If you're interested in reading up more about the camera inside the Lumia 1020 and its capabilities, our George Ponder took an in-depth look and summed it up perfectly: "Simply put, it's one hell of a camera." The optional camera grip, 41MP shooter and Zeiss lens makes this a superb solution for those who take hundreds of shots with their mobile device.
Source: YouTube; big thanks to everyone who tipped us!


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Radiation Therapy for Hodgkin's Disease and Breast Cancer
Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts,"
Your article on the long-term effects of radiation failed to mention the connection between radiation therapy and breast cancer. There have been many articles including the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Journal of the American Medical Association, New England Journal of Medicine and the Southern Medical Journal. Many young adolescents and teen girls, who received radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease in the1980ss are unaware of the risks and not seeking the proper follow up.
VG, a VC and breast cancer survivor
John Han-Chih Chang, MD, OncoLink Editorial Assistant, responds:
Dear VG,
Thank you for your interest and voicing your concern.
The Frequently Asked Question document you had mentioned addressed the issues surrounding the etiology of diabetes and hypothyroidism. The possibility of radiation therapy being at the root of those two problems was discussed to directly respond to the inquiry.
The question of second malignancies in patients treated for Hodgkin's disease in their adolescence is a complicated one. Is there a higher propensity for patients who have had Hodgkin's disease to have another cancer, is it because of the treatment they received, or is it for both reasons that these patients have a higher risk?
Regardless, a preponderance of data demonstrate an increased rate of second malignancies in patients treated for Hodgkin's disease with radiation with or without chemotherapy. The types of cancers include but are not limited to breast cancer, lung cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, sarcomas and leukemias (mostly chemotherapy associated). The latent period is over 10 or leukemias (6 . The estimated actuarial risk of any second neoplasms at 15 years after diagnosis is approximately 5 cancer risk of 2% estimated 20 years from diagnosis for all female Hodgkin's disease patients (treated in child- or adulthood). Data from Stanford University on nearly 700 patients treated for childhood Hodgkin's disease suggest a 9% risk of developing breast cancer at 20 years from diagnosis. The New England Journal of Medicine published a review on over 1300 patients with childhood Hodgkin's treated before the age of 16 years. They described the breast cancer risk to be as high as 35% by the age of 40 years, which is higher than other reports.
The risk of second malignancies is at least 2 if they were treated during childhood or adolescence. Recommendations are for routine follow-up on an every 6 month basis (at the very least) along with monthly breast self-examinations. Screening exams should begin earlier than the recommended time period for average women.
Here are some references for a more in depth review of the subject:
- Bhatia S, et al. New England Journal of Medicine 1996; Volume 334: pages 745-751
- Shah AB, et al. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology and Physics 1999; Volume 44: pages 867-77
- Nyandoto P, et al. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology and Physics 1998; Volume 42: pages 373-8
- Wolden SL, et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology 1998; Volume 16: pages 536-44


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"Easy way to create beautifully designed QR codes"
Beautiful designsGive your QR code breath taking look with predefined graphic styles.
With generated QR code you can also customize its roundness, color style, shadow or even a logo within few clicks. All this makes your QR code unique in compare to its black pixelated original.
QR code generatorCreate customized QR code with business card information and everybody will think "what a great graphic designer". WWW link, phone number, SMS, geographic location, contact and plain text is already prepared for your text input. iQR doesn't require internet connection for functioning.
Advanced color optionsWe live in a colorful world so all iQR codes can be customized with foreground and background color. But the best looking QR codes you get with linear or radial gradients. With iQR just select another color style and fire the black and white colors.
Boost the readabilityIn real world it can happen by accident that some pixels of your QR code get damaged. For this purposes iQR codes can be generated with several levels of maximum damage. With iQR you can also highlight the control points for the quickest readability of your QR code. Do not forget to see our special tips inside help for the best results.
Logo options (+effects)Drag & Drop image you like and iQR will take care about the rest. iQR understands transparent and classic images and allows you to control their size. You can also apply various graphic effects with a single click.
Export optionsEach QR code can be saved in vector format SVG or bitmap format as PNG (transparency option), JPEG, GIF, TIFF or BMP. iQR also preserves the semi-transparency of your logo. For quick usage in other graphic programs there is a clipboard copy option. With iQR you can also print your code and see how it looks on paper.


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Ultimately, insurance giant AIG decided not to join a lawsuit against the federal government brought by shareholders alleging that big, bad Uncle Sam went too hard on them in the process of saving their bacon. On behalf of taxpayers, thanks for having mercy on us.
One supposes that the AIG board had no choice, legally speaking, but to hear out those unhappy shareholders, led by former CEO and major investor Maurice Greenberg. Nonetheless, the people who run the place will forgive those Americans who view them as �the poster company for corporate ingratitude and chutzpah,� according to a couple of lawmakers. It certainly would have been the height of biting the hand that feeds you had the board gone the other way this week.
In fact, the 2008, $182 billion bailout, courtesy of taxpayers, was the only thing standing between AIG and bankruptcy, and suing shareholders have not contended otherwise. They almost certainly would have taken a much bigger bath had that safety net not been available. No one put a gun to AIG�s head forcing the company to take the help or, with eyes wide open, to accept its terms. Yet that hasn�t stopped the shareholders who made a bad bet on a reckless company and didn�t want to accept accountability for it from arguing that the bailout was essentially a public taking, in violation of the Fifth Amendment, for which they are now allegedly owed greater compensation.
Americans should not have short memories here. This is the same outfit that, not even a week after being rescued by Uncle Sam, treated some 70 employees, including 10 senior executives, to a week-long luxury vacation at a California coastal resort, running up a tab of $442,000. They accepted our generosity and then poked us in the eye for it. Greed and thanklessness to such extreme is nothing short of sinful. If AIG didn�t top the list of most hated companies in America, well, it was - or should have been - a contender.
So excuse those of us who watch AIG�s TV commercials and hear the company say, �Thank you, America,� for finding that more than a bit insincere, and for wondering whether immorally and incompetently led corporations should just be allowed to go under while taxpayers wave from shore. Problem is, we risk sinking to the bottom with them.
Indeed, where the federal government can be faulted is in not seeing to it that taxpayers won�t be exposed to such assaults again by taking action to ensure no institution is �too big to fail.� Taxpayers clearly aren�t held in that same high regard.
Journal Star of Peoria, Ill.
Editorial: Another poke in the eye from a too big to fail'
Ultimately, insurance giant AIG decided not to join a lawsuit against the federal government brought by shareholders alleging that big, bad Uncle Sam went too hard on them in the process of saving their bacon. On behalf of taxpayers, thanks for having mercy on us.


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Metro will take advantage of the long Veterans' Day weekend to complete work on the Orange, Red and Green lines.
Work will begin Friday at 10 p.m. and continue through Monday, Metro said.
On the Orange Line, buses will replace trains between East Falls Church and Clarendon. Trains will also single track between Vienna and East Falls Church. Riders traveling through the work zone should add up to 45 minutes to their travel time.
Red Line trains will single track between Grosvenor and Friendship Heights, and Green Line trains will single track between Greenbelt and College Park. Riders traveling through those two areas should add 10 minutes to their travel time.
On Monday, Metro trains will operate on a Saturday schedule because of the Veterans' Day holiday.


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The inspiring photo is segment of Lacrosse Helmets for A Perfect Game article which is sorted within , , and posted at March 25, 2016 4:20:22 pm by Sport Reviewer
Lacrosse Helmets for A Perfect Game: Old Lacrosse Helmets
A lacrosse helmets is your ultimate protection from possible accidents. Accidents are always present anywhere, and protection is your best option to guard your head and be safe. Being safe is the best way to enjoy your play.
Support your head that works for the rest of your activities through investing a quality lacrosse helmets.
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1. Every person had their own size of heads. When you buy lacrosse helmets, it is important to know the exact measurements of your head. A perfect fit helmets are the one that are comfortable and lightweight.
2. The next thing you must check is the vision. It is important that you can see the entire field from the top two bars under the visor. Otherwise, you will forcefully bend your head or chin in order to see the whole field. Once you tilted you head back you have less chance of protection.
3. Search for the durability and style. There are many sports shop that offers personalized helmets as well. This may allow you to choose how you want your lacrosse helmets made.
4. Lastly, check the functionality and comfortability. Functionality means you have accessed to easy adjustments and full head support. Comfortability is how it provides you ways to minimize pressure and heaviness wearing the lacrosse helmets.
Therefore, to achieve a better safe game, make sure you are totally geared with helmets. Choose a perfect fit for your head size, with the proper visor position and you will definitely feel comfortable and achieve peace of mind while on the field.
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- Home
- Parts
- Vintage Air
- Vintage Air 1966 Corvette Complete Gen IV SureFit Kit - Non Factory AC
Product Description
Ditch the cables for the totally cool Vintage Air Gen-IV SureFit Systems complete kits. These fly-by-wire systems are fully electronic servo motor controls--there are no cables or capillary tubes to route! Gen-IV systems are model-specific and offer climate-control technology for real-deal, bi-level airflow and "just right" temperature air blending. Vintage Air SureFit Gen-IV all-in-one systems are delivered with an evaporator kit, a condenser and drier package, brackets, mounting hardware, and instructions for a professional finish that maintains your car's value and cool looks. Chill your classic car the electronic way with Vintage Air Gen-IV SureFit Systems complete kits.


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Job Seekers, Welcome to Oregon VMA Career Center
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Skinny / Mid-Rise Jean
The skinny on this staple. Isabel, Outland's original women's jean, features a 9.5" mid-rise waist and skinny silhouette fitted from just below the navel through to a 10" ankle opening. She?s known for her impeccable recovery, and better-than-athleisure stretch.
Cut from organic denim and #MadeDifferent at our very own Outland Denim facility in Cambodia, Isabel is a garment you can believe in.
Shipping within Canada: We charge a flat rate of $8 for shipping within Canada.
Purchase two pairs of denims and shipping's on us: No matter where you are sending your order within Canada, we offer free shipping if you purchase two or more pairs of denim.
International shipping: For shipping outside the United States, please order through our Australian site: www.outlanddenim.com.au
Easy Returns: We want to make purchasing from us risk free. If your purchase is not exactly right, simply follow the steps below for prompt exchange or refund.
1. Email firstname.lastname@example.com with your intent to return your purchase. You will be issued an RA number to be included with your return.
2. Fill out enclosed return slip, including your RA number.
3. Place in package with product and proof of purchase.
4. Ensure product is safely packed and clearly addressed to:
c/o CAULFEILD APPAREL
1400 Whitehorse Road
Toronto, ON M3J 3A7 Canada
5. Place enclosed FEDEX return label on outside of box (Return label is located in White Folder).
6. Please include the RA number, clearly labeled on the exterior of the package.
7. Drop off package at your nearest FEDEX depo.
Denim - Care Instructions
Designed to be worn well and washed less, we recommend laundering these denims no more than once every 10 wears.
To preserve the shade of your denim, wash inside out separately or with similar colours. Do not bleach.
Do not dry clean.
Line dry is best, however tumble dry warm if necessary.
Avoid ironing, these denims will be crease-free after 30 minutes of wear, however low heat iron if necessary.
Due to our unique social mission, we seek to align with other companies who are making a stand and a positive difference in the fashion industry, from the suppliers of our raw materials to our washhouse.
80% Organic Cotton
16% Polyester
4% Elastane
Cotton: Organic
Wash: Organic
Pocket lining: Organic
Zippers: Chrome-free
Thread: Sustainable
Buttons: Oeko-tex Certified
Brand patch: Vegetable-dyed leather
Labour: Freedom wages and conditions


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'Stargate' Being Rebooted Into Movie Trilogy
Earlier today when the 'Cliffhanger' reboot was announced, we joked that Hollywood was turning to action movies (and seemingly specifically action movies from the nineties) as the new hot property to remake/reboot. Now there's word that 'Stargate' will not only be rebooted by its original creators Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin, but the plan is to turn the reboot into a trilogy.
That's what Variety is reporting, with Emmerich set to direct the trilogy and with Dean Devlin producing as they did on the original, with MGM and Warner Brothers as the studios behind it. Emmerich talked about this when out promoting 'White House Down,' but with Warner Brothers involved, this looks like a go project. Currently, Emmerich is also attached to the 'Independence Day' sequels. 'ID4 2' just scored a new author for a re-write (and is set to debut in 2016), so it's unknown when this new 'Stargate' will be released, but it doesn't look like Emmerich will leave one for the other.
'Stargate' came out in 1994, and was a surprise success when it grossed over $200 million worldwide. It starred James Spader, Kurt Russell and Jaye Davidson, and followed a group of military men (led by Russell) and a Egyptologist (Spader) who travel to another world via the titular Stargate. Though the film spawned no sequels, it did launch a at least four television series (which spawned two DTV movies) and a number of tie-in novels.


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The Kiva Auditorium boasts a proscenium stage and half-round seating for 2,300 people, making it one of the largest indoor theatres in the State.
From concerts to conventions, the Albuquerque Convention Center hosts a variety of events.
The Albuquerque Convention Center is a multi-purpose event complex with over 270,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space. We are located in the heart of vibrant downtown Albuquerque and are proudly managed by SMG. The ACC, one of the premier venues in the Southwest, is nestled between the breathtaking Sandia Mountains and the majestic Rio Grande River.
The ACC is comprised of two complexes housed under one roof, making it the ideal facility to host your next meeting, tradeshow, convention, banquet or concert. Our professional event staff is at your service to ensure that your event at the ACC is memorable. We invite you to explore our website to find out what makes the Albuquerque Convention Center uniquely unconventional!


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Colin Roust
Ph.D. University of Michigan; B.M. University of Missouri
Colin Roust joined the University of Kansas musicology faculty in 2014, after prior experience at Roosevelt University and the Oberlin Conservatory. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, with specializations in twentieth-century music and film music, and his areas of research interest include the French composer Georges Auric, music history pedagogy, music and politics, and the intersection of music and the other arts in multimedia genres (song, film, opera, ballet, etc.).
Roust is a co-editor of The Routledge Film Music Sourcebook (2012) and his work has appeared in Music & Politics, The Musical Quarterly, twentieth-century music, and Ars Lyrica. He has presented papers at national and international conferences of the American Musicological Society, College Music Society, Royal Musical Association (UK), and Society for American Music, in addition to the American Comparative Literature Association, Society for Cinema and Media Studies, Society for French Historical Studies, and Society for French Studies (UK).
Roust is an advocate of music history pedagogy, serving currently as Chair of the AMS Pedagogy Study Group and previously on the AMS Committee for Career-Related Issues. He was the host and co-organizer of the 2014 Teaching Music History Conference and will be a co-organizer for both the 2015 and 2016 editions. In addition to speaking at local teaching conferences at Roosevelt, Oberlin, and the University of Michigan, he has presented or chaired sessions at the Teaching Music History Conference, and at national and regional meetings of the American Musicological Society and the College Music Society. He contributed a chapter to the first volume of the ebook Engaging Students: Essays in Music Pedagogy (2013), and served on the editorial board for the second volume (2014).
Roust's major projects currently include a monograph on The Music and Politics of Georges Auric, an edited translation of Auric's memoirs, and an edited translation of William Ritter's Etudes d'Art Etranger (with Salvatore Calomino). In addition, Roust and pianist Julian Jacobson are preparing a three-CD set of Auric's complete piano works. For more on his publications, please visit his Academia.edu site.


text: BARRETT M107 .50 BMG 28" FLUTED MK4 LEUP... Sale $499 EASY PAY Barrett 10 round M... Barrett M82A1 50BMG BARRETT M107A1 50 BMG FDE or TUNGSTEN 20... Sale! Barrett Rec7 DI Black Guns Rifles Barrett Rifles Barrett M w Leuopold Scope | 64 | 110 | Lc | 171.8761ms View Category Barrett M99 w/Leuopold Scope For Sale from Legendary Guns | Positive feedback: 97% View | Verified Seller | 4292 Completed Sales View Sellers Items /UserImages/3220/997042145 12580126.jpg /UserImages/3220/997042145 12580127.jpg /UserImages/3220/997042145 12580128.jpg /UserImages/3220/997042145 12580129.jpg /UserImages/3220/997042145 12580130.jpg /UserImages/3220/997042145 12580131.jpg /UserImages/3220/997042145 12580132.jpg /UserImages/3220/997042145 12580133.jpg /UserImages/3220/997042145 12580134.jpg Description: Barrett M99 in 50BMG with Leupold 8.5-25x scope and bipod. Rifle is used with some light wear but overall in good condition. Comes with pelican hard case. *No extra fees, You only pay for the cost of the item & shipping. Arizona Residents Must Pay Sales Tax. *Legendary Guns in Phoenix AZ Hours of operation M-F 10-6 Sat 10-5 Closed Sundays. *All items online are also for sale at our Phoenix location *Please call the shop for any questions and to confirm availability before buying. We are happy to answer all questions. *We offer a 3 day inspection period with a full refund if item was misrepresented. We accept returns for any reason within the 3 day inspection period with NO refund for shipping coming or going and a 15% restocking fee. *We Only accept/consider trades that can be brought to our Store in Phoenix. *Your State Laws are your Responsibility to know. *Items ship once your Dealers FFL is received Read More Condition: Used, Minor Wear Caliber: .50 BMG Location: AZ Trades Accepted: Sorry we no longer do any trades on the internet. Read More Legendary Guns Inc., an FFL dealer, was founded in 1988 in Phoenix Arizona to meet a growing demand for quality new, used & antique firearms and accessories. Since then we have consistently grown to become one of the largest stocked gunshops in Arizona. We also have a large inventory of Cowboy Action Shooting guns and accessories and we also support SASS. Our policies are: We don't engage in internet trades. We take all major credit cards or Bank Checks.We DO NOT charge extra for credit card payments. We Try to ship the same day your FFL arrives assuming payment has been secured. We do not ship outside of the USA. We charge $35.00 shipping. In the Continental USA, Alaska and Hawaii are extra. We allow a 3 day inspection period starting from delivery date. We do not reimburse for shipping charges either ship to or ship back fees. A 15% restocking fee may apply on all returns. Please call 602-242-1195, ask for Internet sales, for details and questions before purchasing. We aim to please and are happy to answer any and all questions to avoid returns and disputes. Hours of operation: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5, Sunday closed. Shipping Notes: We send Long guns via UPS Ground and Hand guns ground USPS, unless We are instructed otherwise.extra cost are part of the Sale. All Sales that require a FFL go to a FFL dealer Read More Share Item Item #: 997042145 Stock No.: 25103 Legendary Guns Seller Since: Jun. 2001 Seller Level: Trusted + Local Connect This seller is an FFL City: Phoenix State: AZ Price: SOLD Shipping: $75.00 (or FREE in-store pick up!) Accepted Payment Methods: Returns: See Description Your Recently Viewed Items


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Wade Dahl, Urban Systems Engineer, 605.773.3576
Cities greater than 5,000 in population receive a yearly allotment of federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. These funds are distributed to the cities based on population, with the more populated cities receiving higher allotments. The State pays the matching funds on these projects.
All projects are initiated at the request of the city governments through a resolution and are then placed in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The Urban Systems Section then provides all administrative assistance needed to take the project up through the bid letting. In the case of the 90:10 funding exchange, administrative help is provided through construction also. All projects are designed using city engineering staff or in many cases private consulting services and therefore, the assistance includes retainer contracts for survey, design, and inspection. Other assistance includes environmental coordination, materials requests, surfacing recommendations, inspections, coordinating plan reviews with other offices of expertise, right-of-way documents, estimates, project scoping, and technical presentations.
All aspects of the Urban Systems Section are outlined in the Local Roads Plan.
Forms available for consultants and counties doing work on local roads with the SDDOT are available by clicking on the Forms link in the left hand navigation bar.