text:
London [47] is the capital and largest city of both the United Kingdom and of England, and the largest city in western Europe. Situated on the River Thames in South-East England, Greater London has an official population of roughly 7.5 million people — although the figure of over 14 million for the city's total metropolitan area more accurately reflects London's size and importance. London is historically one of the great, "world cities," and remains a global capital of culture, fashion, finance, politics and trade.
The name London originally referred only to the once-walled "Square Mile" of the original Roman (and later medieval) city (now confusingly called the "City of London" or just "The City"). London, however, has taken on a much larger meaning to include all of the vast central part of the modern metropolis, the city having absorbed numerous surrounding towns and villages over the centuries. Reflecting the massive size of the metropolis, therefore, the term Greater London embraces central London together with all the outlying suburbs that lie in one continuous urban sprawl within the lower Thames valley. Though densely populated by New World standards, London retains large swathes of green parkland and open space, even within the city center.
Greater London consists of 32 London boroughs and the City of London that, together with the relatively new Mayor of London, form the basis for London's local government. The names of several boroughs, such as Westminster or Camden, are well-known and self-explanatory, others less so, such as Hackney or Tower Hamlets. A traveller's London, however, is better defined not by strangely shaped and often fairly arbitrary administrative divisions but rather by recognized cultural, functional and social districts of varying type and size:
Settlement has existed on the site of London since well before Roman times, with evidence of Bronze Age and Celtic settlement. The Roman city of Londinium, however, established just after the Roman conquest of Britannia in the year 43, formed the basis for the modern city (some isolated Roman period remains are still to be seen within the City). After the end of Roman rule in 410 and a short-lived decline, London experienced a gradual revival under the Anglo-Saxons, as well as the Norsemen, and emerged as a great medieval trading city, and eventually replaced Winchester as the royal capital of England. This paramount status for London was confirmed when William the Conqueror, a Norman, built the Tower of London after the conquest in 1066 and was crowned King of England in Westminster.
London went from strength to strength and with the rise of England to first European then global prominence the city became a great center of culture, government and industry. London's long association with the theater, for example, can be traced back to the English renaissance (witness the Rose Theatre [48] and great playwrights like Shakespeare who made London their home). With the rise of Britain to supreme maritime power in the 18th and 19th centuries, the possessor of the largest global empire, London became an imperial capital and drew people and influences from around the world to become, for many years, the largest city in the world.
England's royal family has, over the centuries, added much to the London scene for today's traveller: the Albert Memorial, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Royal Albert Hall, Tower of London and Westminster Abbey being prominent examples.
Despite the inevitable decline of the British Empire, and considerable suffering during World War II (when London was heavily bombed by the German Luftwaffe in the Blitz), the city is still a top-ranked world city: a global center of culture, finance, and learning. Today London is easily the largest city in the United Kingdom, eight times larger than the second largest city, Birmingham, and ten times larger than the third, Glasgow, and dominates the economic, political and social life of the nation (much to the annoyance of people in the provinces i.e. everywhere except London). It is full of excellent bars, galleries, museums, parks and theaters. It is also the most culturally and ethnically diverse part of the country, and, for a visitor, a nice side-effect of this is the wide range of cuisines available. Samuel Johnson famously said, "when one is tired of London, one is tired of life." Whether you are interested in ancient history, modern art, opera or underground raves, London has it all.
London possesses one of the best collections of museums and galleries anywhere in the world. World cultures throughout history are well represented, for example, at the British Museum. The Museum of London (admission free) makes an ideal destination for the traveller who wants to understand the history and ongoing legacy of this great city.
London 2012 Olympic Games
The International Olympic Committee decided in 2005 that London will serve as the host city for the Games of the XXX Olympiad [49], the Summer Olympic Games of 2012. This will make London the first city to hold the Olympic Games three times, having hosted the games previously in 1908 and 1948. The vast majority of events will be held in a regenerated area in East London.
Get in
By plane
London (all airports code: LON) is served by a total of six airports. Traveling between the city and the airports is made relatively easy by the large number of public transport links that have been put in place over recent years. However, if transiting through London be sure to check the arrival and departure airports carefully as transfers across the city may be quite time consuming. In addition to London's six official airports (of which only two are located within Greater London) there are a number of other regional UK airports conveniently accessible from London. Since they offer a growing number of budget flights choosing those airports can be cheaper (or even faster, depending on where in London your destination is).
For transfers directly between London's airports, the fastest way (short of a taxi) is the direct inter-airport bus service by National Express [50]. Buses between Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton run at least hourly, with Heathrow-Gatwick services taking 65min (£18) and Heathrow-Stansted services 90min (£20.50) (note that services between Stansted and Luton run only every two hours). However, it's essential to allow leeway, as London's expressways, especially the orbital M25 and the M1 motorway, are often congested to the point of gridlock. Buses have toilets on board.
London Heathrow
Heathrow (ICAO: EGLL, IATA: LHR) [51] is London and Europe's largest airport and the world's busiest airport in terms of international passenger movement, with services from most available major airports world-wide. There are five terminals, with a fifth one opened in March 2008. Flights landing at Heathrow are often delayed by up to an hour as a simple result of air traffic congestion and waiting for parking slots. A quick summary of transport options:
London Gatwick
(IATA: LGW, ICAO: EGKK) [52] London's second airport, also serving a large spectrum of places world-wide. To get to the center of the city, the following options exist:
London Stansted
London Luton
(ICAO: EGGW, IATA: LTN)[56] Has traditionally been a holiday charter airport, but is now also served by some budget scheduled carriers. As per Stansted, and for the same reasons, many choose to spend the night here before flying. To get to central London the following options exist:
London City Airport
(ICAO: EGLC, IATA: LCY)[57] A commuter airport close to the city's financial district, and specializing in short-haul business flights to other major European cities. To get to the city center the following options exist:
Other airports near London
By train
London has one international rail route (operated by Eurostar [58]) from Paris (2h15) and Brussels (1h50) diving under the sea for 22 high speed miles (35km) via the Channel Tunnel to come out in England. It terminates at St Pancras International. There are no less than 12 main line National Rail [59] terminals (although in conversation you may hear the brand National Rail infrequently if ever it differentiates main line and London Underground services; journey planner online or phone 08457 48 49 50). With the exception of Fenchurch Street (nearest tube: Tower Hill) these are on the London Underground. Most are on the circle line. Clockwise starting at Paddington, major National Rail stations are:
In South London many areas only have National Rail services (no London Underground services but there are buses). London Bridge, Victoria, Cannon Street and Charing Cross serve the South East. London Waterloo serves the South West. First Capital Connect (frequently referred to as Thameslink) is a cross London route between Bedford and Brighton via Luton Airport (Parkway), St Pancras International, Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, London Bridge and Gatwick Airport.
By bus
Most international and domestic long distance bus (UK English: coach) services arrive at and depart from a complex of coach stations off Buckingham Palace Road in St James's close to London Victoria rail station. All services operated by National Express or Eurolines (see below) serve Victoria Coach Station, which actually has separate arrival and departure buildings. Services by other operators may use this station, or the Green Line Coach Station across Buckingham Palace Road. The following are amongst the main coach operators:
By car
There is also the option of a central London Park and Ride site located at Park Lane and Marble Arch, see National Park and Ride Directory
Get around
The city has one of the most comprehensive public transport systems in the world. Despite residents constant, and sometimes justified, grumbling about unreliability public transport is often the best option for getting anywhere for visitors and residents alike and is far more reliable than locals would have you believe. Indeed, nearly a third of households do not feel the need to own a car. The city has recently been awarded the city with the best public transport in the world.
Transport for London (TfL) [63] is a government organisation responsible for all public transport. Visit their website. It contains maps plus an excellent journey planner [64]. They also offer a 24-hour travel information line, charged at local rate: tel +44-20-72221234 (or text 60835) for suggestions on getting from A to B, and for up to the minute information on how services are running. Fortunately for visitors (and indeed residents) there is a single ticketing system, Oyster, which enables travellers to switch between modes of transport on one ticket - but even this has a few limitations (see the guide below) and it is not yet universally accepted by many of the private rail operators.
12 colour-coded lines cover the central area and suburbs mostly north of the River Thames, run by TfL
Only runs in the east of the city, privately run but part of TfL's network
A tram service that only operates in southern suburbs around Wimbledon and Croydon.
The London Overground is now featured on Tube Maps although runs a lot less frequently than the tube (some branches run just 2 or 3 trains per hour). A suburban rail service that crosses north London and round to Richmond, run by TfL. The East London Line is now closed until 2010 when it will become part of the new London Overground.
Rail services to Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton airports (tickets are generally sold at a premium) and suburban services that run out of the city from mainline stations like St Pancras International and Paddington (most lines are south of the River Thames and only one (Thameslink) runs through the city centre; operated by numerous private train companies).
Oyster Card
Which ticket?
Pay-as-you-go (PrePay)
You can charge up your Oyster card with electronic cash at any tube station ticket machine or ticket desk (you can even use a credit card to do this if your credit card has a PIN number) with Oyster pay-as-you-go, also known as PrePay. This money is then deducted from your card each time you get on a service. Pay-as-you-go is much cheaper than paying in cash for each journey. For instance, a cash tube one way in Zone 1 is £4, while with an Oyster Card it costs a mere £1.50. On the tube, be sure to touch in and touch out again at the end of your journey. The fare is calculated based on your start and end points. If you forget to touch your Oyster card at the start and finish you will be charged extra! Furthermore, a cash bus fare is £2 while with Oyster it is £0.90. It also saves time getting onto buses. In the central area, tickets have to be bought at a machine by the bus stop if you don't have an Oyster and outside the zone from the driver.
The amount of PrePay deducted from your Oyster card in one day is capped at the cost of the appropriate paper day ticket (day Travelcard) for the zones you have travelled through, less 50 pence. For zone 1-2 (central London including everywhere inside the Circle line and some places outside) this is £4.80 (£6.30 M-F before 9:30AM).
Travelcard season tickets
Weekly, monthly and longer-period Travelcard season tickets can be purchased at all tube station ticket offices. These can be used on any tube, DLR, bus, London Overground, National Rail or tram service within the zones for which they were purchased. Note that they can not be used on any Airport Express trains (Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express and Stansted Express). A Zone 1-6 Travelcard can be used on the London Underground (Piccadilly line) to/from Heathrow Airport.
The following table summarises the validity of the different tickets you can use on Oyster. For most tourists, tubes and buses are the only transport you will use, but be aware of the limitations if you travel on National Rail or on Airport Express trains.
By foot
For travelling shorter distances in London there is no better way. Walking forces you to slow down and look around, and in a city like London there's always something interesting to look at if you take the time. Walking can also be the quickest way to get somewhere: check your map, central London is surprisingly compact. London walking directions can be planned online with the walkit.com walking route planner [67].
By tube / underground
Tube maps [69] are freely available from any station, most tourist offices and are prominently displayed throughout stations and, for some obscure reason, in the back of most diaries. The Tube is made up of 12 lines each bearing a traditional name and a standard color on the Tube map. To plan your trip on The Tube work out first which station is closest to your starting point and which closest to your destination. You are able to change freely between lines at interchange stations (providing you stay within the zones shown on your ticket). Use the Tube Map to determine which line(s) you will take. Since the Tube Map is well designed it is very easy to work out how to get between any two stations, and since each station is clearly signed and announced it is easy to work out when to get off your train. Visitors should be aware, however, that the Tube map is actually a diagram and not a scaled map, making it misleading for determining the relative distance between stations as it makes central stations appear further apart and somewhat out of place. The Tube map also gives no information on London's extensive overground bus network and its orbital rail network.
Trains run from around 5:30AM to about 1AM. This mode of transport is usually the fastest way to get from one part of London to the another, the only problem being the relative expense, and the fact that it can get extremely crowded during rush hours (7:30AM-9:30AM and 4:30PM-7PM). On warm days take a bottle of water with you.
An integrated map of London's Tube, Train and Bus Map can be purchased online at mapvendor.com [70] or alternatively you can view the map online [71].
By bus
London's iconic red buses are recognized the world over, even if the traditional open-platform Routemaster buses have been largely phased out. Old-fashioned Routemaster buses, with an open rear platform and on-board conductor to collect fares, run on Heritage Route 9 and 15 every 15 minutes, daily between about 9:30AM and 6:30PM.
Over 5 million bus trips are made each weekday; with over 700 different bus routes you are never far from a bus in London.
Each bus stop has a sign listing the routes that will stop there. Bus routes are identified by numbers and sometimes letters, for example the 73 runs between Seven Sisters and Victoria. Yellow route signs indicate you must purchase your ticket before you board. This means you must either have a Pay-as-you-go Oyster card, travelcard season ticket, bus saver ticket, bus pass, or have bought a one way ticket from a machine at the bus stop. Note that these machines don't provide change (all the more reason to use one of the other options). Buses display their route number in large digits at the front, side, and rear of the bus.
The difficulty with buses over the tube is knowing when to get off; while tube stations are clearly marked it is sometimes more difficult to work out where to get off a bus. All bus stops have their location and the direction of travel marked on them, although by the time you've seen this it can be too late to get off! Bus drivers are usually too busy to be able to tell you when you've reached your destination. Your best bet is to ask fellow passengers and/or to trace your route on a map [72].
Standard bus services run from around 6am in the morning to 12:30AM. Buses are generally quicker than taking the Tube for short trips (less than a couple of stops on the Tube), and out of central London you're likely to be closer to a bus stop than a tube station. Around midnight the bus network changes to the night bus network. The night bus service is a reliable and often interesting way to get home at night. Night buses are identified by an 'N' at the start of the route number, for example the N73 runs between Walthamstow Central and Victoria. Bus routes, numbers and timetable all change with most of the buses radiating out from around the Trafalgar Square area to most outlying parts of Greater London. Fares are the same for night buses as for regular services.
Children under 14 travels free without identification, under 16 travels free on production of a Child Oyster photocard. However, unlike The Tube single tickets do not allow you to transfer to different buses.
Many of the most popular buses tend to be of the double-length articulated variety, known as bendy buses. Routes served by this type of bus always carry a yellow route sign as detailed above. Care should be taken as it is possible for those unfamiliar with this type of bus to get on board and then have no way of paying. This could be related to the relative ease of hopping on and off these without paying (at stops, doors open along the length of the bus and there is no on-board conductor). This is, however, illegal and can be very risky - large teams of inspectors frequently descend on these buses accompanied by police, and it's entirely possible to be arrested and prosecuted.
By DLR
Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a dedicated light rail network operating in East London, connecting with the tube network at Bank and Tower Gateway. As the trains often operate without a driver, it can be quite exciting - especially for children - to sit in front and look at through the window, whilst feeling as though one is driving the train oneself. Apart from the trains looking slightly different and running slightly less frequently than the Tube, visitors may as well treat the two systems as the same.
By tram (Tramlink)
Tramlink, opened in 2000, is the first modern tram system to operate in London. South London is poorly served by the Tube and lacks east-west National Rail services so the network connects Wimbledon in South West London to Beckenham in South East London and New Addington, a large housing estate in South Croydon. The network is centred on Croydon, where it runs on street-level tracks around the Croydon Loop.
Route 3 (Wimbledon to New Addington - green on the Tramlink map) is the most frequent service, running every 7 1/2 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 15 minutes at all other times. Beckenham is served by Routes 1 and 2 (yellow and red on the Tramlink map), which terminate at Elmers End and Beckenham Junction respectively. Both services travel around the Loop via West Croydon and run every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 30 minutes at all other times. Between Arena and Sandilands, these two services serve the same stops.
By cycle
Due to the expense of other forms of transport and the compactness of central London, cycling is a tempting option. Excellent free cycle maps [73] can be obtained from your local tube stations, bike shop, or ordered online.
Despite recent improvements, London remains a relatively hostile environment for cyclists. London motorists seem reluctant to acknowledge the existence of cyclists, especially at busy junctions. The kind of contiguous cycle lane network found in many other European cities does not exist. The safest option is to stick to minor residential roads where traffic can be surprisingly calm outside rush hours. The towpaths in North London along the Grand Union Cannal and Regent's Canal are the closest thing to a truly traffic-free cycle path in the capital. The Grand Union canal connects Paddington to Camden and the Regent's Canal connects Camden to Islington, Mile End and Limehouse in East London. It takes about 30-40min to cycle from Paddington station to Islington along the towpaths. In summer they are crowded with pedestrians and not suitable for cycling, but in winter or late in the evening they offer a very fast and safe way to travel from east to west in North London. Care should be taken as to where you choose to park your bike. Many areas, some surprisingly busy, attract cycle thieves, while chaining a bicycle to a railing which appears to be private property can occasionally lead to said bike being removed. Cycling on the sidewalk (pavement) is illegal.
Non-folding bikes can only be taken on limited sections of The Tube network, mostly only on the above-ground sections outside peak hours. For this reason, folding bicycles are becoming increasingly popular. There is a map showing this on the Transport for London website. Most National Rail operators allow bicycles outside peak hours also.
Critical Mass London [74] meets for regular rides through central London at 6PM on the last Friday of each month. Rides start from the southern end of Waterloo Bridge. The London Cycle Campaign [75] is an advocacy group for London cyclists and organizes regular group rides and events. Many improvements have been made for cyclists in the city over the last few years, even if they remain no more than gestures in most places. Noticeably, there are many new signposted cycle routes and some new cycle lanes, not to mention more cyclists since the 2005 public transport attacks.
In the United Kingdom helmets are not compulsory for cyclists, and opinions differ on their value. In London, many cyclists, especially those seen in rush hour, also wear filter masks, but their efficacy is even more argued over.
By taxi
London has two types of taxis: the famous black cab, and so-called minicabs. Black cabs are the only ones licensed to 'tout for business' (ie pick people up off the street), while minicabs are more accurately described as 'private hire vehicles' and need to be pre-booked.
The famous black cab of London (not always black in these days of heavy advertising!) can be hailed from the curb or found at one of the many designated taxi ranks. It is possible to book black cabs by phone, for a fee, but if you are in central London it will usually be quicker to hail one from the street. Their yellow TAXI light will be on if they are available. Drivers must take an extensive exam in London's streets to be licensed for a black cab, meaning they can supposedly navigate you to almost any London street without reference to a map. They are a cheap transport option if there are five passengers as they do not charge extras, and many view them as an essential experience for any visitor to London. Black cabs charge by distance and by the minute, are non-smoking, and have a minimum charge of £2.20. Tipping is not mandatory in either taxis or minicabs, despite some drivers' expectations..... Use your discretion , if you like the service you may tip otherwise don't.
Taxis are required by law to take you wherever you choose (within Greater London) if their TAXI light is on when you hail them. However many, especially older drivers, dislike leaving the centre of town, or going south of the River Thames. A good way to combat being left at the side of the curb is to open the back door, or even get into the cab, before stating your destination.
Minicabs are licenced hire vehicles that you need to book by phone or at a minicab office. They generally charge a fixed fare for a journey, best agreed before you get in the car. Minicabs are usually cheaper than black cabs, although this is not necessarily the case for short journeys. Licensed minicabs display a Transport For London (TFL) License Plate - usually in the front window. One of the features of the license plate is a blue version of the famous London Underground "roundel". Note that some areas in London are poorly serviced by black cabs, particularly late at night. This has led to a large number of illegal minicabs operating - just opportunistic people, with a car, looking to make some fast money. Some of these operators can be fairly aggressive in their attempts to find customers, and it's now barely possible to walk late at night through any part of London with a modicum of nightlife without being approached. You should avoid mini-cabs touting for business off the street and either take a black cab, book a licensed minicab by telephone, or take a night bus. These illegal drivers are unlicensed and sadly they are often unsafe: a number of women are assaulted every week by illegal minicab operators.
By road
Londoners who drive will normally take public transport in the centre; follow their example. Car drivers should be aware that driving into central London on weekdays during daylight hours incurs a hefty charge, with very few exemptions (note that rental cars also attract the charge). Cameras and mobile units record and identify the number plates and registration details of all vehicles entering the charging zone with high accuracy. The Central London Congestion Charge [76] M-F 7AM-6PM (excluding public holidays) attracts a fee of £8 if paid the same day, or £10 if paid on the next charging day. Numerous payment options exist: by phone, online and by voucher. Failure to pay the charge by midnight the next charging day (take note!) incurs a hefty automatic fine of £80 (£40 if paid within 2 weeks).
Despite the Congestion Charge, London - like most major cities - continues to experience traffic snarls. These are, of course, worse on weekdays during peak commuting hours, i.e. between 7:30AM-9:30AM and 4PM-7PM At these times public transport (and especially the Tube) usually offers the best alternative for speed and reduced hassle. Driving in Central London is a slow, frustrating, expensive and often unnecessary activity. Traffic is slow and heavy, there are many sorts of automatic enforcement cameras, and it is difficult and expensive to park. A good tip is, that outside advertised restriction hours, parking on a single yellow line is permissible. Parking on a red line or a double yellow line is never permissible and heavily enforced. Find and read the parking restrictions carefully! Parking during weekdays and on Saturday can also mean considerable expense in parking fees - fees and restrictions are ignored at your extreme financial peril - issuing fines, clamping and towing vehicles (without warning!) has become a veritable new industry for borough councils staffed by armies of traffic wardens.
For the disabled driving can be much more convenient than using public transport. If disabled and a resident of a member state of the EU then two cars can be permanently registered, for free, for the congestion charge.
Motorbike is arguably the fastest way around London, but also the most dangerous. The congestion zone does not apply, and thus for anyone commuting it's usually the cheapest option (possibly excluding bus rides). Parking for motorbikes and scooters is free at many of the reserved areas.
By boat
A slower, pleasant way to travel through the city; privately owned, but discounts are offered on some lines to Travelcard holders. The London Waterbus Company runs scheduled services (more in summer, less in winter) from Little Venice to Camden Lock with a stop at the London Zoo. The 45 minute trip along Regent's Canal is a delightful way to travel.
By skate
Inline skating on roads and sidewalks (pavements) is completely legal, except in the City of London (a district). Roads are not the greatest but easily skatable. In the center drivers are more used to skaters than in the outskirts.
London hosts an outstanding collection of world-class museums. Even better, it is the only one of the traditional "alpha world cities" (London, New York City and Paris) in which the majority of the museums have no entrance charges, thus allowing visitors to make multiple visits with ease. Although London can be expensive many of the best museums and galleries are free including Tate Modern, Tate Britain, British Museum, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery and most museums in Greenwich. Donations are welcome. Note that admission to many temporary exhibitions is not free. The 'green lungs' of London are the many parks, great and small, scattered throughout the city including St James Park and Hyde Park. Most of the larger parks have their origins in royal estates and hunting grounds and are still owned by the Crown, despite their public access.
London is a huge city, so all individual listings are in the appropriate district articles.
If you don't feel like splashing out on one of the commercial bus tours, you can make your own bus tour by buying an Oyster card and spending some time riding around London on the top deck of standard London buses. Of course you don't get the open air or the commentary, but the views are very similar. You will likely get lost but that is half the fun; if it worries you go for a commercial tour. Alternatively make sure you are equipped with an integrated map of London buses and tubes [79] so that you can make the most of your Oyster card by getting less unpleasantly lost and more pleasantly lost!
Winter Skating. London has a number of outdoor ice rinks that open in the winter months. Considered by some to be somewhat overpriced and overcrowded, they nonetheless have multiplied in recent years, easing congestion and increasing competition. Most charge from £10-12 (adults) for an hour on the ice, including skate hire. See the district articles for the City of London, Docklands and Trafalgar Square.
Summer Skating. In summer (and also in winter, for the more dedicated) there is also a thriving roller skating (on inline and traditional "quad" skates) scene in London, catering to many disciplines including street hockey, freestyle slalom, dance, general recreational skating (including three weekly marshalled group street skates) and speed skating. This mostly centers around Hyde Park (on the Serpentine Road) and Kensington Gardens (by the Albert Memorial). See the district articles for Mayfair and South West London.
About culture.
One of the world's great metropolises, anything and everything you could possibly want to buy is available in London, if you know where to look, and if you can afford it (London is not particularly noted for bargain shopping, owing to high prices and high exchange rates - though it can be done with some determination). In Central London, the main shopping district is the West End (Bond Street, Covent Garden, Oxford Street and Regent Street). Visit Fortnum & Mason [80], "the Queen's grocery store." On Thursday many West End stores close late (7PM-8PM).
Markets. Borough (tube: London Bridge) [86] is a great (if expensive) food market, offering fruit, veg, cheese, bread, meat, fish, and so on, much of it organic. It's open Th-Sa, and it's best to go in the morning, since it gets unpleasantly crowded by around 11am. Spitalfields [87] is an excellent market for clothes from up-and-coming designers, records, housewares, food, and all things trendy. Also Brick Lane, Greenwich and Portobello.
Airports. Tax-free shops in airports are not strong in variety, prices are equal to London, and they close rather early as well. Shop listings at airport web sites can help to plan your tax-free (vs traditional) shopping. In the evening allow extra half an hour as closing hours are not always strictly respected.
Prices inevitably become inflated at venues closest to major tourist attractions - beware the so-called tourist traps. The worst tourist trap food is, in the opinion of many Londoners, that served at the various steak houses. Real Londoners wouldn't dream of eating here - you shouldn't either! Notorious areas for inflated menu prices trading on travellers' gullibility and lack of knowledge are the streets around the British Museum, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.
In the suburbs, the cost of eating out is reduced drastically. Particularly in large ethnic communities, there is a competitive market which stands to benefit the consumer. In East London for example, the vast number of KFC-style chicken shops means that a deal for 2 pieces of chicken, chips (fries) and a drink shouldn't cost you more than £2, and will satisfy even the largest of appetites. Another good (and cheap) lunch option is a chicken or lamb doner (gyro) at many outlets throughout the city.
Tipping may also be different than what you're used to. All meals include the 17.5% VAT tax and some places include a service fee (10-12%). The general rule is to leave a tip for table service, unless there's already a service charge added or unless the service has been notably poor. The amount tipped is generally in the region of 10%, but if there's a figure between 10 and 15% which would leave the bill at a conveniently round total, many would consider it polite to tip this amount. Tipping for counter service, or any other form of service, is unusual - but some choose to do so if a tips container is provided.
As one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities, you can find restaurants serving food cuisine from nearly every country, some of it as good as, if not better than the countries of origin. If you are looking for particular nationalities these tend to be clustered in certain areas: Brick Lane in East London is famous for curries but for better quality Tooting in South West London has a good reputation and is cheaper. Brixton for African/Caribbean, Chinatown in Soho for Chinese, Edgware Road in Marylebone for Middle Eastern and Drummond Street (just behind Euston railway station) for a selection of good value Indian vegetarian. Golders Green for Jewish and Kingsland Road for good cheap Vietnamese. Other nationalities are equally represented, but are randomly dotted all over London. It is usally wisest to eat in restaurants on main thoroughfares, rather than on quiet backstreets.
Like other capitals in the world, London has the usual array of fast food outlets. Sandwich shops are London's most popular places to buy lunch, and there are a lot of places to choose from. Some Italian sandwich shops have a very good reputation and you can identify them easily by looking at the long queues at lunchtime. If all else fails, Central London has lots of mini-supermarkets operated by the big British supermarket chains (e.g. Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's, Tesco) where you can pick up a pre-packed sandwich.
London has plenty of vegetarian-only restaurants, and a quick search in Google will produce plenty of ideas, so you never have to see a piece of cooked meat all week. If you are dining with carnivorous friends, then most restaurants will cater for vegetarians, and will have at least a couple of dishes on the menu. Indian/Bangladeshi restaurants are generally more fruitful, as they have plenty of traditional dishes that only use vegetables. There are also many vegetarian Thai buffet places where you can eat somewhat unconvincing (but tasty) meat substitute grub for £5. These can be found on Greek Street, Old Compton Street and Islington High Street.
Due to the mix of cultures and religions, many London restaurants cater well for religious dietary requirements. The most common signs are for Halal and Kosher meat, from burger joints to nice restaurants. There are plenty of Kosher restaurants in London, mainly in Golders Green and Edgware.
Pubs & bars
London is an expensive place and your drink is likely to cost more than its equivalent elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Expect to pay close on £3 for a pint of beer in an average pub. However many local pubs, especially those run by chains like Wetherspoons and Scream tend to be more reasonably priced, the latter catering for a student audience. In the Bloomsbury area, check out The Court (near the North end of Tottenham Court Road) and The Rocket (Euston Road); both are fairly cheap to drink in, given that they cater for students of the adjacent University College London. Directly opposite the British Library is The Euston Flyer, popular with locals and commuters alike given its close proximity to St Pancras International railway station. Classier bars and pubs can be much more expensive. However, the cost of alcohol drops significantly the further away you go from the centre (though be aware that West London tends to be an exception, with prices pretty much the same as the centre).
Nightlife seems to be an integral feature of London life and there are countless nightclubs in and around Central London with music to suit even the most eclectic of tastes. Districts in London tend to specialize to different types of music.
The Farringdon/Hoxton/Shoreditch area mainly consists of clubs playing drum and bass, house and trance music and is home to two superclubs, Fabric (arguably the best nightclub in London) and Turnmills. The clubs in this area are often home to the world's top DJ's and attracts a lively crowd.
The area around the West End (Leicester Square, Mayfair, Piccadilly) is home to the more upmarket and exclusive clubs in London. This area attracts a rather pretentious crowd who love to flaunt what they have and is a must go to celebrity spot. Beware that drinks are ridiculously expensive and many clubs operate a guestlist only policy. Music played here is often of the chart funky house, hip hop and R&B genre. Notable clubs include Cafe De Paris, China White, Funky Buddha, Mahiki, Number One Leicester Square and Paper.
The Camden area in North London is made of clubs which play Indie, metal and rock music. Notable clubs include Electric Ballroom, the world famous Koko, and Underworld.
Gay and lesbian
London has a vibrant gay scene with countless bars, clubs and events. The nucleus of London's gay scene is undoubtedly the western half of Old Compton Street in Soho and the surrounding area, but over the last couple of years Vauxhall has seen a boom. You will probably find that most places, particularly Camden and Shoreditch, straight bars will have a mixed clientele. To find out what is going on during your visit, Boyz Magazine [89] is published fortnightly and is freely available at most London gay venues, and contains listings of everything that is happening in all the major clubs in London and the South East. Gay Pride [90] is held every year in June with parade and street parties. The choice of places to go sometimes seem to be unmanageable.
London has hundreds of options for accommodation from hostels through historic bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) and apartments to five star hotels. Your budget will have a lot to do with what part of London you will want to stay in. Prices range from £20-200 per person per night. Expect smaller than average rooms especially at the low end of this range. The extra cost of getting around is probably not significant compared to hotel savings further out. With the excellent Tube available where you stay won't limit what you see but be sure to check where the closest tube station is to your hotel. Staying further out will be cheaper but when travelling in allow 1-2min per tube stop (near the center), around 2-3min per stop (further out) and 5min per line change. This can easily total up to a 1 hour journey if there is a walk at each end.
Hostels are not necessarily as unpleasant as you may think, and as long as you don't mind sharing with others, they can be the most cost effective option, and also offer breakfast as well as kitchens for self catering. The Youth Hostel Association of England and Wales [91] (YHA) operates four hostels in Central London. As of 2006, the YHA's prices were £24.80 for Bed and Breakfast per night for Hostelling International members, a £1 supplement per person per night for non-members. Like everything else, you should book online well in advance - the hostels usually fill up on Friday and Saturday nights about 14 days before. A top tip is don't be put off if there are no beds left online, phone the hostel in question to see if there are still beds available or if there has been a cancellation. Some of the YHA's properties also offer a limited number of private family rooms - expect to pay £61 per night.
There are a number of other hostels all through the city.
In the summer season, many of the colleges and universities in Central London open up their student Halls of Residence as hotels during vacations, at usually much lower rates than proper hotels, but expect very basic facilities and no catering.
Capsule-style crash spaces are just arriving, but currently these are only in central locations (does anyone know of cheaper capsule-style crash space further out).
In an emergency phone Shelter on 0808 800 4444 (8AM-midnight) (Shelter is a British housing and homelessness charity).
Wi-Fi access
Unlike some other cities, London is unfortunately not noted for free public wifi access - as yet. That said, a number of projects are in place or in development. See [92] for a map containing free wifi locations.
Stay safe
Like many big cities, London has a variety of social problems, especially begging, drug abuse, theft (mobile phones are a favourite), etc. London, however, manages to make do with a police force that doesn't need to carry guns, and is generally a safe place for the tourist to visit and walk around. In an emergency, telephone "999" (or "112"). Don't take illegal minicabs (see 'Getting Around' for details). If you're planning to go out late at night and are worried about safety, frequent crowded areas such as the West End. There are always plenty of people on the street, even at 4am. Generally, outside central London, South and East suburban areas are considered more dangerous, notably Brixton and Hackney, although some parts of North-West London such as Harlesden and Northern Camden are also known trouble spots. The main problem which is present right throughout London to various degrees is drunken behaviour, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights and after soccer matches. Loud and rowdy behaviour is to be expected and fights and acts of aggression do occur. If harrassed, it is best to simply ignore and walk away from those concerned. Trouble spots can be expected around popular drinking locations such as Soho and in various suburban centres.
Even busy nighttime Soho presents a particular danger; the "clip joint". The usual targets of these establishments are male tourists. Usually, an attractive woman will casually befriend the victim and recommend a local bar. The establishment will be near-desolate, and even if the victim has only a drink or two, the bill will run to hundreds of pounds. If payment is not immediately provided, the bouncers will lock the "patrons" inside and take it by force. If it appears you are being lured into a "clip joint", the easiest way out is to recommend a different bar to the new "friend" trying to get you into her "favorite local place" - and if she staunchly refuses, be very suspicious.
Use common sense, at night in particular, but be alert at all times: Don't let anyone near your phone, wallet or valuables; don't give change to strangers; avoid unfamiliar areas at night. It's always a good idea to appear confident and take steps not to mark yourself out as a tourist - some unscrupulous locals will equate "tourist" with "mug". Don't carry your wallet in your back pocket - while London's legendary pickpockets may not be as numerous as in days gone by, they are still equally skilled. The Metropolitan Police have placed significant resources in combating street level crime. Working in conjunction with borough councils they have been able to significantly cut and bring the level of theft and pickpocketing in major retail areas in London. Whilst gun crime, by United States standards is extremely low, deaths from gunshot wounds are increasing, however these usually occur within gang disputes particularly in South and East London. Knife crime is however much higher and as such, conflicts should be avoided as tragic deaths caused as a result of seemingly petty incidents do occur from concealed weapons.
Street gang culture is a growing problem in London as with many other cities in England. Distinctive dress codes can be noticed which include excessive amounts of sports and/or hip-hop clothing, loose fitting baseball caps and most notoriously, hooded tops which are usually worn with the hood up all throughout the day and night and during hot and cold weather. If you notice crowds of youths dressed in this distingtive style, avoid eye contact and appear not to have noticed them if possible; eye contact can be percieved by them as intimidation. Be particularly cautious if one or more attempt to speak to you, They may or may not be considering 'jacking' (stealing from) you. Speak calmly and confidently and be alert to their intention. If they ask for you the time, do NOT bring out your mobile phone or display a valuable watch, just say you dont know. If they ask for a cigarette lighter then it is ok to let them use it and they probably will not hassle you, if you are smoking when this happens then it is advisable to do so otherwise they might percieve that you are disrespecting them. If they ask you for a spare cigerette whilst you are smoking, calmly and politely inform them that it was your last one. Do not escalate situations as such individuals are often extremely violent and can suddenly demonstrate extreme aggression and often carry concealed knives and even guns. You are unlikely to encounter such problems within predominantly touristic central London, but various outer suburbs require greater vigilance. Avoid large areas of social housing estates unless you know people there, they can be very dangerous places. London is also home to some notorious organised gangs, but they wont pose any danger unless you are involved in that scene.
Transport is generally safe, although care should be taken on suburban tubes/trains at night; don't fall asleep and take notice of people sitting around you, be cautious if a large group of hooded youths board the bus. Travelling on lower deck of a night bus is generally safer, as there are more passengers around, and you are visible by the bus driver. If you have been the victim of crime on the railways or the London Underground, you should report the crime as soon as possible to the British Transport Police, who have an office in most major train and tube stations. Elsewhere, you should report your crime as normal to the Metropolitan Police. Major train stations, particularly Kings Cross and Waterloo have problems you would normally associate with large stations. Some thieves hang around waiting for the Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted express trains so they can target disorientated tourists.
It can be a good idea to keep your credit card receipts in a safe place rather than throwing them away; and to be generally wary of "skimming" devices that may be attached to ATMs in an attempt to steal card details. Some of these are very sophisticated, so if in any doubt do not use that ATM. Ones inside shops or banks are safer. Be sure, when using ATM that there are no objects in the card slot nor any micro cameras above the keypad. If you suspect an ATM has been tampered with, do not try to remove the skimming device (you may get attacked by the criminals responsible) instead you should inform the bank staff indoors or call the police.
London is a fairly safe city for its size, and most visits should be trouble-free. The police are generally very helpful when problems do occur.
Get out


text:
Page 1
|1 of 11
This page
Statements on Auditing Procedure • Issued by the Committee on Auditing Procedure, American Institute of Accountants, 13 East 41st Street, New York, N. Y. Copyright 1941 by American Institute of Accountants No. 4 March 1941 Clients' Written Representations Regarding Inventories, Liabilities, and Other Matters INTRODUCTORY NOTE AN INQUIRY was directed to the committee on auditing procedure last fall relating to the form and content of written representa-tions obtained by practising accountants from their clients with regard to inventories, liabilities, and other matters, and a subcommittee was appointed to look into the matter. The subcommittee has made ex-tensive inquiries and research into the subject in recent months and has submitted a report thereon to the committee. This report contains considerable information which the committee believes will be useful as research material to practising accountants, and the committee has accordingly authorized that it be published for the information of members. The report is reproduced hereunder. REPORT OF SUBCOMMITTEE ON CLIENTS' WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS TO AUDITORS Fifty-two representative accounting firms, large and small, partners of which are members of the Institute, have cooperated with the com-mittee in its effort to make a survey of practice in respect to requiring written representations from clients covering inventories, liabilities in general, and contingent liabilities. Many of the moderate-sized and smaller firms which require written inventory and liability rep-resentations do not have special forms, and these representations are not required in every engagement. There is great variation in what these representations cover and there are several points which are included in the inventory representation by some firms and in the liability representation by others. Obviously, there is little similarity in language in the forms used, but the purpose and the desired effect seem to be fairly uniform. The practice of requiring a comprehensive written representation covering practically all items on the balance-sheet is limited to some of the larger firms, but the firms which use this type of rep-resentation are of sufficient importance that it is the opinion of the 25

subset: commoncrawl


text:
View the photo gallery: Copley downtown condo on the market
The late David Copley's downtown San Diego condo has been sold for $3.4 million, real estate records show.
Steve Bjorg, a local tech entrepreneur, is the buyer. He paid an additional $350,000 for the waterview property's furnishings. The sale was recorded late last week.
Originally listed for $3,995,000, the condo is one of several Copley homes that have gradually hit the market since the start of the year. The listings are part of the settlement of the former newspaper publisher's estate.
Copley died from a heart attack in November at age 60, leaving no children. It's still unclear who will receive the proceeds from the sales of the homes and other assets including cars, household items and artwork.
The most recent home sale means at least three of Copley's homes in the settlement of his estate have been sold so far. His Mission Beach house sold for $3.85 million, and his vacation retreat in Borrego Springs went for $712,500.
The 4,000-plus square foot condo is among 38 residences at the Metropolitan, which sits atop the Omni San Diego Hotel, near L Street and Sixth Avenue. It's adjacent to
Other features include a dining room with 25-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, a kitchen with four ovens, a master bedroom wing with a sitting room, three-sided fireplace and a dressing room, and a master bathroom with a 14-foot marble shower/steam room and recirculating infinity tub.
The Neuman and Neuman team of Prudential California Realty represented the buyer as well as the seller.
How to reach me
Email me: email@example.com | Tweet me: @LilyShumLeung. | Facebook me. | Subscribe to this blog.


text:
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Harvard men's and women's water polo coaching staff recently held a youth clinic at the Charles River YMCA.
Harvard men's and women's head coach Ted Minnis and assistant coach Jessi Wood held instructional sessions for three different age groups, which each lasted about an hour, Sunday. A total of 67 boys and girls between the ages of 6-14 participated in the event.
"The kids had an absolute blast," Aquatics Director/Head Coach at the Charles River YMCA Kristen Powers said. "They loved meeting and working with Ted, Jessi and the three athletes that they brought with them. It is so good for young kids in the sport to have older players to look up to, and they absolutely look up to the Harvard teams."
Current student-athletes Yoshi Andersen '16, Jimmy Field '14 and Ben Zepfel '16 also assisted with the clinic. The trio spent their time in the water with the kids, playing games, working on different drills and answering any questions that the kids had about the sport.
"I really enjoyed working with the YMCA," Minnis said. "The kids were really enthusiastic. While working with them, I hope to share my passion for water polo and hope that at least one will fall in love with the sport. I look forward to working with them again in the future."


text:
Features : easy to edit. Landspae Design optimized for printing / 300 dpi. Cmyk color mode. 3.75×2.25 inch dimension included bleed. included files are psd (front & back) & Read Me.txt. all psd files are layered.Ideal for any company or personal business.
Link for free font included in help file.
i hope you like my design, thnx.


text:
Lamotte Test Kits
LaMotte ColorQ Digital Water Testing Kits
The unique, multi-test ColorQ hand-held photometer featured in LaMotte's digital water test kits reads test factors directly on a digital display. Featuring an innovative dual-optic design that allows the water analyst to achieve optimum accuracy. The ColorQ eliminates the need to visually determine slight color variations and the use of look-up tables. The ColorQ series of electronic water testing kits takes the guess work out of pool maintenance and gets you back to enjoying your swimming pool.
Showing 1-8 of 8
Showing 1-8 of 8


text:
November 16, 2007, 12:57 am
The biggest threat to rights isn't gun control
Re: "'Sensible gun control' eventually leads to tyranny," Nov. 13 letter to the editor.
Those of us who favor reasonable gun control do not wish to grab the guns, such as rifles, shotguns and handguns, from law-abiding citizens. To assert that prohibiting guns in schools and on campuses starts us down the road toward "Hitler, Stalin and Mao" or "tyranny and genocide" is preposterous. Perhaps there is more reason to be fearful of an administration that seems bent on limiting our rights of free speech, privacy and due process. I think that these encroachments would be more likely to send us down that tragic road.
Jay Roberts, Arvada
Next Post »
« Previous Post


text:
Cablevision's Connecticut customers get Disney, but still no Fox
Cablevision customers in some parts of Connecticut, faced with a fifth straight weekend without NFL Football on Fox because of an ongoing dispute over retransmission rights, are looking to state and federal officials for help.
Loren John, a longtime New York Giants fan from Orange, urged Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., to bring a speedy resolution to the dispute between Bethpage, N.Y.-based Cablevision and the Tribune Co., which owns WTIC (Fox Connecticut) and sister station WCCT.
Cablevision has not been able to carry either station since late August, leaving about 50,000 Cablevision customers in Milford, Orange, Woodbridge and Litchfield County to go elsewhere for their Fox NFL fix.
Fox is the primary network for National Football Conference games, meaning locally, it holds the broadcast rights to many Giants games.
"They have a legal monopoly in the marketplace when it comes to cable television and somebody should be standing up for the consumers who are getting hurt by this," John said Thursday, adding he thinks that Cablevision should reduce its monthly cable charges for as long as Fox is not available. "We're being held hostage and the two parties in this dispute don't give a damn."
Blumenthal said Thursday evening that he is assessing whether it is appropriate for his office to get involved in the dispute.
"This is a private contract dispute," Blumenthal said. "At the same time, it involves an industry that government agencies do have a regulatory jurisdiction over. There may be a need at an appropriate time to have the public's interest served thorough the involvement of an appropriate agency."
Jepsen's office was not immediately available for comment Thursday evening on whether he would become involved in the dispute.
Cablevision on Thursday announced it has signed "a comprehensive distribution agreement" with The Walt Disney Co. involving the company's television content lineup, which includes ESPN and ABC Sports. While much of the agreement focuses on being able to offer Cablevision customers the ability to see the Disney-owned content on a variety of devices, including tablet computers and smart phones, the deal also included a retransmission agreement to covering WABC-TV in New York City.
The deal leaves Cablevision customers like John, and Dan Stutski in Milford frustrated that an agreement can be reached with Disney and not Tribune.
"I find it offensive that Cablevision can do this and leave customers still stuck in the middle of the situation with Tribune," John said.
Stutski said the deal with Disney shows that Cablevision doesn't consider a resolution of the dispute with Fox to be a priority.
"You'd think it would be a priority for Cablevision," Stutski said.
Jim Maiella, a Cablevision spokesman, noted that in the past several weeks, "Cablevision has successfully completed agreements with CBS, Disney/ESPN, Univision and the NFL Network."
"We offered to pay Tribune every penny they demanded for FOX CT, but Tribune is continuing to illegally tie that station to other less-popular stations it owns in other markets, in an attempt to extract tens of millions in new fees from Cablevision customers," Maiella said. "Tribune has not made a new proposal in more than a month, clearly demonstrating that they are willing to hold their own viewers hostage to get what they want."
Jessica Belluci, a Tribune spokeswoman, was not available for comment on Thursday. But earlier this week, she said the company is working hard to resolve the dispute.
The dispute comes as the entire Tribune media empire is trying to work its way out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
John and other Giants fans in Cablevision's territory catch a break this Sunday because the Giants play the Cleveland Browns at 1 p.m. on CBS.
Call Luther Turmelle at 203-789-5706. Follow him on Twitter @LutherTurmelle.


text:
This website does not belong to Drs. Anita Nevyas-Wallace, Herbert Nevyas, or Nevyas Eye Associates!
This website is to show the deficiencies of following Federal standards, protocols, and regulations BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER an FDA sanctioned investigational study.
The following letters are from the FDA to Drs. Herbert Nevyas and Anita Nevyas-Wallace throughout their investigational study, and after their study was terminated. Despite continued deficiencies as noted below, the FDA kept granting the Nevyases Approvals for their study. Based on documents received during my med mal and the current Nevyas v. Morgan lawsuits, I believe the Nevyases constantly misrepresented themselves and their study to both Schullman Associates (the Nevyases IRB), the FDA, and the courts:
All BLUE font on this page designate links to documents which should open in new window.
Again and again and again, but the doctors claimed numerous times under oath they've never done anything to violate any FDA rules, regulations, or protocols:
Nevyas Eye Associates 6/5/12
Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Food and Drug Administration Center for Tobacco Products 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20993
June 5, 2012
Herbert J. Nevyas, M.D. Medical Director Nevyas Eye Associates Two Bala Plaza PL-33 333 E. City Avenue Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004-1501
Dear Dr. Nevyas:
During an inspection of your firm located in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, on March 19-28, 2012, an investigator from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that your firm is a medical device user facility that is subject to the statutory reporting requirements of the Medical Device Reporting (MDR) regulation, found at Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 803.
The ophthalmic laser used at your facility to perform Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis procedures is a medical device under Section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act), 21 U.S.C. § 321(h), because it is intended for the use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease, or to affect the structure or function of the body.
Our inspection revealed that this device is misbranded under section 502(t)(2) of the Act, 21 U.S.D. § 352(t)(2), in that your firm failed or refused to furnish material or information respecting the device that is required by or under section 519 of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360i, and 21 CFR Part 803 – Medical Device Reporting. Significant violations include, but are not limited to, the following:
Failure to develop, maintain, and implement written MDR procedures, as required by 21 CFR 803.17. For example, the investigator asked the medical director and refractory consultants if the facility had written MDR procedures and they confirmed that they did not and did not know what events would be considered serious injuries and reportable to manufacturers. The investigator reviewed some of the adverse events identified in the assignment guidance with them and they confirmed that these types of events have occurred at their facility. They explained that they inform their patients through the consenting process that they may have vision-threatening complications following the surgery.
We reviewed your firm's response dated April 2, 2012, and concluded that it is not adequate because it did not include a copy of your firm's MDR procedures. Your firm should take prompt action to correct the violations addressed in this letter. Failure to promptly correct these violations may result in regulatory action being initiated by the FDA without further notice. These actions include, but are not limited to, seizure, injunction, and civil money penalties. Also, federal agencies may be advised of the issuance of Warning Letters about devices so that they may take this information into account when considering the award of contracts.
Please notify this office in writing within fifteen business days from the date you receive this letter of the specific steps your firm has taken to correct the noted violations, as well as an explanation of how your firm plans to prevent these violations, or similar violations, from occurring again. Include documentation of the corrections and/or corrective actions (including any systemic corrective actions) that your firm has taken. If your firm's planned corrections and/or corrective actions will occur over time, please include a timetable for implementation of those activities. If corrections and/or corrective actions cannot be completed within fifteen business days, state the reason for the delay and the time within which these activities will be completed. Your firm's response should be comprehensive and address all violations included in this Warning Letter.
Your firm's response should be sent to: Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of Surveillance and Biometrics, MDR Policy Branch, White Oak Building 66, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Room 3208, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993. Refer to the Unique Identification Number #306398 when replying. If you have any questions about the contents of this letter or wish to discuss MDR reportability criteria or schedule further communications, please contact: MDR Policy Branch at (301) 796-6670 or by email at email@example.com.
Finally, you should know that this letter is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the violations at your firm. It is your firm's responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations administered by FDA. The specific violations noted in this letter and in the Inspectional Observations, Form FDA 483, issued at the close of the inspection, may be symptomatic of serious problems in your firm. Your firm should investigate and determine the causes of the violations and take prompt actions to correct the violations and bring the device into compliance. Sincerely yours, /S/ Steven D. Silverman Director Office of Compliance Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Nevyases were issued an FDA483:
PAGE 1 – There was no documentation to show that the CI notified the IRB about all amendments, changes of significant deviations to the protocol [per IRB requirements] prior to implementation. For example, the FDA granted your firm an increase in the number of subjects you could treat with your investigational device on Jan. 20, 1999. IRB. Annual Review dated 7/29/00 does not indicate the IRB knew about population increase. The IRB did not approve the population increase until. August 28, 2000, 20 months later.
The firm is not complying with the Investigator Agreement which was signed and dated by the Clinical Investigator at the beginning of the Clinical Study.
There was a lapse of IRB approval for the protocol: NEV-97-001 from 8/3/2000 until 8/29/2000 according to IRB, lapse notices and the IRB annual reapproval letter.
April 2002
IDE Deficiencies Request Letter from the FDA to Nevyases:
PAGE 1 – 1. You must still provide responses to deficiencies 1, 2, 3, and 5 froth our letter of February 6, 2002. 2. You did not provide the requested information in your response to deficiency 4.
PAGE 2 – 4. In response to deficiency 8, you have indicated how you will verify your current accountability for visits that have already past. After your internal audit is complete and you have more insight as to the reasons for any problems with accountability, please directly address the original issue outlined in previous deficiency 8: please describe how you intend to improve subject follow-up and data reporting during the rest of the course of your IDE study.
PAGE 3 – Attachment: In a reply to Dr. Morris Waxler, FDA's Chief Medical Device Examiner, Dr. Herbert Nevyas states "Since the close of business on July 28, 1997, neither I nor anyone else has used the laser. I certify that, unless and until FDA approves the IDE application for that device, neither I nor anyone else will use the laser to treat patients. I have notified all of my employees, as well as anyone with access to the laser, that the laser may not and will not be used until there is an approved IDE in effect for that laser. I declare that to the best of my knowledge the foregoing is true and correct."
February 2002
Nevyases Deviations and discrepancies continue almost 5 years into their study – Letter from the FDA to Nevyases:
PAGE 1 – Please address the following, questions and concerns with regard to this submission, which also applied to the previous, delinquent, annual report as outlined in FDA's letter of April 10, 2001, and for which we never received a response:
PAGE 2 – 5. Please provide tables (similar to those requested for initial treatments) and narrative summarizing the results of the IDE substudy of enhancements for 25 subjects/50 eyes that had undergone treatment prior to implementation of the IDE, and of the data from enhancements performed for eyes enrolled under the IDE. Please provide separate analyses for the first enhancement, second enhancement, etc.
PAGE 3 – 1. Please note that, based on the stability analyses you have provided in this submission, we do not agree that the time point of stability is at 12 months postoperatively as you have indicated, and, in fact, may be earlier for some of the indications.
August 2001
Supplement Disapproval Letter from the FDA to Nevyases:
PAGE 1 – We regret to inform you that your supplement is disapproved and you may not implement the change in your investigation. Our disapproval is based on the following deficiencies: 1. An important function of the software in the device is to control the beam delivery hardware (iris size, slot movement, synchronizing iris/slot with laser pulses, etc.) in the creation of an ablation pattern. This area, however, is not discussed at all in the Software Requirement Specifications document.
PAGE 2 – The deficiencies identified above represent the issues that we believe need to be resolved before your IDE application can be approved.
July 2001
Disapproval Letter from the FDA to Nevyases:
PAGE 1 – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed the supplement to your investigational device exemptions (IDE) application proposing two new clinical protocols to evaluate the spherical ablation algorithm. We regret to inform you that your supplement is disapproved and you may not implement the change in your investigation. Our disapproval is based on the following deficiencies which, unless otherwise specified, relate to both protocols:
PAGE 2 – 3. You have not provided in your protocol the methodology for performing any of the clinical evaluations. For each clinical evaluation, please specify the testing procedures and instruments that will be used, including the lighting conditions and charts you will use to measure distance vision and near vision, etc.
PAGE 3 – 7. Your protocol states that subjects must have a best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) of at least 20/40 in each eye in order to be enrolled in the study. Please be advised that while we find this criteria acceptable for subjects with high myopia (>7 D MRSE), in order for subjects with low myopia (< 7 D MRSE) to be enrolled, we recommend a BSCVA of at least 20/25 in each eye. Please revise your protocol accordingly, or justify not doing so.
PAGE 4 – 21. The Conclusion section of the consent form stares, "There is always a possibility of one or more late complications That were not known or anticipated at the time of this writing (1997)." It also states, "LASIK is investigational surgery and as such, it has not yet been completely and exhaustively studied by the FDA and medical researchers in this country." Please update the consent form as necessary in keeping with current knowledge including the additions previously mentioned. Please revise the second statement to Improve its accuracy: LASIK is no longer investigational, it has never (page 5) been studied by the FDA, and the FDA does not regulate LASIK, only the devices used for the procedure.
PAGE 5 – 28. There are discrepancies in the way you refer to the protocols throughout the submission. For example, in the Introduction you refer to the new protocols as NEV-97-002 (Myopia/Myopic Astigmatism) and NEV-97-003 (Hyperopia/Hyperopic Astigmatism). However, the myopia protocol itself has been labeled with the protocol number NEV-01-002. To avoid confusion, please make all necessary revisions in any future submission to correct such discrepancies.
PAGE 6 – With respect to the profiles of your ablated PMMA samples:
PAGE 7 – The deficiencies identified above represent the issues that we believe need to be resolved before your IDE application can be approved. In developing the deficiencies, we carefully considered the relevant statutory criteria for Agency decision-making as well as the burden that may be incurred in your attempt to respond to the deficiencies.
PAGE 8 – 34. Please be advised that for possible future pre-market approval, although 300 eyes total are needed to support overall safety, data from approximately 125 eyes are needed to support each indication for which approval is being sought.
April 2001
Request Letter from the FDA to Nevyases:
PAGE 1 – Please address the following questions/concerns, as well as provide the information requested in the tables enclosed with this letter.
PAGE 2 – 8. With regard to your future PMA submission, you have indicated that only subjects treated with the "new centration technique" will be included in the PMA, and that you have selected the eyes treated between 2/19/98 and 11/22/99 as the cohort to support the safety and effectiveness of the device. We would like to clarify that data from all subjects treated. under the IDE should be included in the PMA. The main PMA cohort on which the decision of the safety and effectiveness of the device will mainly rest may be limited to all eyes treated with the new centration technique, but not to only those enrolled during a given period of time, as you appear to have suggested.
January 2001
Letter from the FDA to Nevyases Re: Non-Response To Request:
PAGE 1 – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval of your investigational device exemptions (IDE) application on August 7, 1997. As part of your responsibilities as sponsor of a significant risk device investigation, you are required to submit a progress report to FDA and to all reviewing institutional review boards (IRBs) on at least a yearly basis. We have not received a response to FDA's November 10, 1999 request for additional information regarding your August 1998 — August 1999 annual progress report (enclosed).
November 1999
Request Letter from the FDA to Nevyases:
PAGE 1 – 1. Please separate IDE subjects from pre-IDE subjects in all of your tables, or report only on IDE subjects.
January 1999
Deviations of Nevyas Eye Associates, As Stated In Letter from the FDA dated 01/07/99:
PAGE 1 – Our review of the inspection report submitted by the district revealed deviations from Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, (21 CFR), Part 812 – Investigstional Device Exemptions and Part 50 – Protection of Human Subjects and Section 520(g) of the Act. The deviations noted during the inspection were listed on form FDA-483, "Inspectional Observations," which was presented to and discussed with you at the conclusion of the inspection.
PAGE 2 – Use of the Summit laser at your Marlton, New Jersey site for off-label procedures is not included in your IDE protocol. Moreover, enhancements approved under your IDE do not include hyperopic procedures. It is therefore considered a protocol violation to retreat subjects of your IDE study using the Summit laser and performing hyperopic LASIK.
PAGE 3 – While your Marlton, New Jersey site has a Summit laser, the advertisement does not specify a location. Future advertisements should specify the location(s) of approved lasers, as the enclosed advertisement would not be appropriate for soliciting subjects for your IDE study. All promotional materials designed to solicit participants or to inform subjects about the IDE study need to be approved by the reviewing IRB.
Approval Letter from the FDA to Nevyases dated 01/20/99:
PAGE 1 – Please be aware of the following: In Table 1-1, the data appear to be quite scattered, with some subjects actually increasing in sensitivity during glare (e.g., see BC & CB at 3 cycles per degree (CPD)), while others are severely compromised (see ZM). In order to reduce variability in the data in the contrast sensitivity study, the person administering the test should have experience in this test and the subjects should be well trained prior to testing.
PAGE 2 – We continue to be concerned that your ablation is likely to have multifocal properties, which means some light will be out of focus even at the best focal plane.
December 1998
Approval Letter from the FDA to Nevyases:
Nevyases' Co-Investigators (dated 10/01/98)
I started some time ago to contact the doctors on this LIST the Nevyases sent to the FDA, as being co-investigators. Three of those contacted who responded have never even heard of the Nevyases.
September 1998
Approval Letter from the FDA to Nevyases:
July 1998
"Conditional" Approval Letter from the FDA to Nevyases:
PAGE 1 – FDA cannot approve your request as proposed because you have not shown stability of manifest refraction, and you have not presented sufficient detail for your hyperopic retreatment. FDA will conditionally approve, however, an expansion to include myopia and myopic astigmatism retreatments at this time.
PAGE 2 – This approval is being granted on the condition chat, within 45 days from the date of this letter, you submit your agreement to: 1. conduct the investigation within the modified limit, i.e., retreatment for myopia or myopic astigmatism only; 2. extend the minimum time between the initial operation and the retreatment to 3 months; and, 3. retreat only eyes which are "white and quiet" and in which refractive stability has been documented with two manifest refractions taken at least 30 days apart at less than 1 diopter of—change, confirmed by topography.,
May 1998
Approval Letter from the FDA to Nevyases dated 05/14/98 Re: Contrast Sensitivity & Increased 'Subjects':
PAGE 1 – 'Conditional' approval for substudy and increase of 'subjects'.
PAGE 2 – We acknowledge your request in your original IDE (dated March 18, 1997) to conduct a study at one site with 400 eyes low myopia and 590 eyes high myopia for each of two investigators (single site total of 1980 eyes or 990 subjects). We believe that adequate safety information has been provided to allow the initiation of your study with a small expansion of an additional 75 subjects (150 eyes). We will allow you to expand to the full number of subjects for this study (990) after you have received approval of supplements addressing the following deficiency from our letter of October 3, 1997 (enclosed). No additional expansions of your IDE will be granted until supplements containing the following information are approved:
PAGE 3 – You should also give serious consideration to the following items which are considered essential for the analysis of your data for the purposes of determining safety and effectiveness for a future PMA application: Deficiencies 5 through 16, excluding deficiency 14, in our letter of October 3, 1997.
April 1998
Letter from the FDA to Nevyases dated 04/01/98 Re: Pre Market Approval (PMA):
PAGE 1 – Offers suggestions from the FDA should the Nevyases submit their PMA.
January 1998
Approval Review Letter from the FDA to Nevyases:
PAGE 1 – In your "Substudy for Same-Day Versus Different Day LASIK Treatment for Fellow Eyes": a. Please revise your informed consent document rider for same day surgery to state that the second eye will be rescheduled if there is a complication or an adverse event with the first eye.
PAGE 2 – Your statement in the rider to the informed consent document that "…There have been no failures or malfunctions of the Willis Excimer Laser", should be removed or altered. It may unduly influence potential same day fellow eye surgery candidates into believing that the Nevyas Excimer Laser cannot fail. FDA recommends that you remove this statement or alter it to read: "There have been no failures or malfunctions of the Nevyas Excimer Laser to date."
The following pages are an Investigator Agreement issued by the FDA to a Sponsor/Investigator of an investigational study. Nevyas refused to sign…
PAGE 1 – Investigator agreement signed by Anita Nevyas-Wallace
PAGE 2 – Investigator agreement signed by Herbert Nevyas
PAGE 3 – "I informed Mr. Kane, that Mr. Sullivan told me that the excimer laser that he would build, is considered a custom device and would not be regulated by the FDA. Mr. Sullivan completed the assembly of the laser in the fall of 1995, and the first patient was treated (using LASIK) in January 1996."
PAGE 4 – "I did not maintain any written records of the design specifications, nor did I receive any written design specifications from Mr. Sullivan."
PAGE 5 – "This patient is not part of the patient population included in my IDE submission. I have treated a total of 252 patients, from January 1996 to the present date (6/30/97),"
PAGE 6 – "I affirm that the information on this and the previous pages, is accurate, to the best of my ability. I have read, but would not sign this affidavit."
View ALL PAGES pdf document.
December 1997
Approval Review Letter from the FDA to Nevyases:
PAGE 1 – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed the supplement to your investigational device exemptions (IDE) application. Your application remains conditionally approved because your supplement adequately addressed only deficiency 2 cited in our October 3, 1997 letter.
This approval is being granted on the condition that, within 45 days from the date of this letter, you submit information correcting the following deficiencies.
PAGE 2 – You are reminded that prior to a request for expansion beyond 150 subjects, you should provide adequate responses to deficiencies 5 16 in our letter of October 3, 1997.
View ALL PAGES pdf document.
October 1997
Letter from the FDA to Nevyases dated 10/03/97:
PAGE 1 – We acknowledge receipt of your institutional review board (IRB) approval (supplement 3). Supplement 4 responds to our conditional approval letter of August 7, 1997 and requests: an increase crease in treatment range from -6.75 ID to -22 ID; approval to study simultaneous bilateral treatment; and, approval to retreat approximately 125 patients previously treated with this laser prior to IDE approval.
PAGE 2 – Requests for additional subjects for enhancements for prior clinical patients will be evaluated as additional data is submitted to support stability of the procedure.
PAGE 3 – You agree that you will not perform retreatment procedures for subjects initially treated under this IDE. Retreatment (enhancement) for subjects initially treated under this IDE is appropriate only after your preliminary data demonstrate safety and indicate the time point of stability of the procedure. You may begin retreatment procedures only after FDA has approved your retreatment study plan and data to support stability.
PAGE 4 – PAGE 5 – PAGE 6 – PAGE 7 – PAGE 8 – PAGE 9 – PAGE 10 – Deficiencies listed.
View ALL PAGES pdf document.
August 1997
'Conditional' Approval Letter from the FDA to Nevyases dated 08/07/97:
PAGE 1 – Your application is conditionally approved because you have not adequately addressed deficiency #2 cited in our May 8, 1997 disapproval letter.
Also, we are in receipt of your certification (Amendment 4 received August 1, 1997) that you have not used the laser as of the close of business on July 28, 1997, and that you will not use the laser unless and until FDA approves the IDE applic2tion for your device
PAGE 2 – This approval is being granted on the condition that, within 45 days from the date of this letter, you submit information correcting the following deficiencies.
PAGE 3 – Deficiencies listed.
PAGE 4 – Deficiencies listed.
PAGE 5 – We have enclosed the guidance document entitled "Sponsor's Responsibilities for a Significant Risk Device Investigation" to help you understand the functions and duties of a sponsor.
View ALL PAGES pdf document.
July 1997
Letter from the FDA to Nevyases dated 07/29/97 to cease using Laser:
PAGE 1 – FDA is aware that a number of physicians are using lasers for refractive surgery to treat patients even though there is no PMA or IDE in effect for their lasers. Based on the results of our investigations, we believe that you are currently using your laser to treat patients.
PAGE 2 – Accordingly, on July 28, 1997, we called you to notify you that use of your excimer laser to treat patients would violate the Act and requested that, if you are presently using the laser to treat patients, you immediately cease doing so.
Nevertheless, FDA does intend to consider any use of your laser to treat patients after the close of business July 28, 1997 unless and until the agency approves an IDE for your device to be grounds for disapproval of your IDE.
PAGE 3 – We also want you to know that if FDA approves your IDE application, you would be able to use your laser to perform only specific procedures on a limited number of subjects to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of your laser for those procedures. Studies conducted under such an IDE would be subject to all IDE regulations. See 21 C.F.R. Part 812. For example, you would be prohibited from promoting and commercializing the laser, and from representing that the device is safe and effective.
View ALL PAGES pdf document.
May 1997
IDE Disapproval Letter from the FDA to Nevyases dated 05/08/97:
PAGE 1 – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed your investigational device exemptions (IDE) application. We regret to inform you that your application is disapproved and you may not begin your investigation. Our disapproval is based on the deficiencies listed below.
PAGE 2 – Deficiencies listed.
PAGE 3 – Please explain the low effectiveness and safety outcomes achieved in your prior clinical studies and specify what steps you are taking to improve your results. Your refractive and visual outcomes were reported at one month as: MSRE for low myopes, < 57% were within ID and < 35% were within 0.5D; less than 60% achieved BUCVA > 20/40; complication and adverse events occurred in > 2% of the cases.
PAGE 4 – Please provide your agreement (or justification for not agreeing) that retreatments done to improve refractive outcome are NOT considered as treatment failures, whereas retreatments done to achieve resolution of an adverse event ARE considered as treatment failures.
PAGE 5 – Your description of study procedures, examination conditions and techniques is not adequate. Please provide a detailed description of each procedure, test and instrument to be used in the study.
PAGE 6 – For your follow-up visit schedule, the text on page 20 of the protocol appears to be inconsistent with the chart on page 43 of the protocol. In addition, please justify your statement on page 20 that measurement of corneal topography will be at the discretion of the investigator.
View ALL PAGES pdf document.
Because this website is not owned by the Nevyases or Nevyas Eye Associates and includes their names, the National Arbitration Forum should read THIS SECTION before they involve themselves again.


text:
ALEX Toys Little Hands My Pretty Mosaic
by ALEX Toys
In stock
Buy Online:
Product Description
Making mosaics is fun and wonderful for helping children develop fine motor skills and develop concentration. These beautiful, sparkling mosaics can be made using the 5 boards. There are over 1,400 stickers you just peel and stick to make a sparkling, colorful picture! Easy to follow instructions included.
There are no reviews yet.


text:
Originally published January 27, 2014 at 9:41 PM | Page modified January 28, 2014 at 10:31 AM
Sherman's circus of controversy rolls into pregame spotlight
After Seahawk Richard Sherman triggered a national debate with his angry rant in an on-field interview, he smiled his way through an autograph signing that turned into a circus. He's still smiling during Super Bowl week, as those closest to him continue trying to explain the man and his rant
Seattle Times staff reporter
The people who paid up to $99 for tickets to an autograph signing line up at a strip mall in Mill Creek. The poor souls without tickets idle in the poorly lit parking lot. They've come on faith, standing out in the cold in hopes of stumbling into an autograph or a picture.
A uniformed police officer tells the crowd to be respectful of the cars in the parking lot; one already has been damaged. Then — and this draws a reaction — he says Richard Sherman will arrive in five or 10 minutes.
Two days earlier, immediately after the Seahawks' NFC Championship Game, Sherman had triggered a national debate with an angry, 20-second rant during an on-field interview with FOX's Erin Andrews. Now he is scheduled to sign autographs at Mill Creek Sports, an earlier commitment that has turned into a circus.
Camera crews. Photographers. And two off-duty police officers, one of whom says something that seems both completely ridiculous and entirely believable: An ex-Marine with a rifle is on a roof across the street. Just in case.
Ten minutes later, Richard Sherman walks across the parking lot, smiling.
He would still be smiling a week later, during Super Bowl week, as he and his teammates prepared for the spectacle of Tuesday's pregame media day and the biggest game of their lives.
BEVERLY SHERMAN'S FINGERNAILS are painted green and blue. Big, sparkling earrings, with the number 25, dangle from her ears.
There's no mistaking that she's Richard Sherman's mom.
She walks into WildFin Grill in Renton on Saturday morning and greets a stranger with a hug. She's in a hurry, she says. She landed in Seattle an hour ago and is signing autographs at Mill Creek Sports in 90 minutes.
This has been a crazy week. She's ready for the circus to leave town.
"What worries me is I feel like Richard needs to focus on the task at hand," she says. "There's all this media attention on him, and it has taken away from everything the team has done to get here. That's disappointing for him, and me as well. I just want it to die down."
Keith Donerson, Sherman's high-school coach in Compton, Calif., apologizes for taking another call. "That was one of our coaches," he says. "He was teasing me about all the interviews I'm doing every day. This thing has really blown up. He's like Michael Jackson now."
Jamie Fritz, Sherman's agent, spent the days after the interview talking with national media outlets. "I don't usually do media," he says. "But this is a situation where I had to do damage control. Because this got real ugly and real out of control."
Shaun Guerrero, the vice president of the Richard Sherman Family Foundation, answers the phone just after seeing comments from Arizona Sen. John McCain calling Sherman a loudmouth. "He'll get pissed if he hears about it," Guerrero says, "but somebody compared him to Miley Cyrus."
RICHARD SHERMAN HAS become the most controversial player in the NFL. He had taken steps last season that led to this point. After the Seahawks beat New England that year, he tweeted a picture of himself and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady with the caption "U mad, bro?" He trash-talked with Falcons receiver Roddy White, got into a back-and-forth with fellow all-pro cornerback Darrelle Revis, was shoved in the face by an offensive lineman after a playoff game and lambasted ESPN analyst Skip Bayless on national TV.
The thing about Sherman's FOX interview last week is that he'd actually had a quiet season until that moment. He usually spoke in formal news conferences at a podium, limited how many radio interviews he did and generally watched what he said.
"At one point I think there was an issue trying to keep some of this stuff down, and I think it came from Pete Carroll," Fritz said. "Ninety percent of what comes out of Richard's mouth is spot on. It's the 10 percent that Pete Carroll worries about. But if it's that 10 percent that allows him to play at the level he plays at, the guy's going to get a hall pass."
Fritz doesn't want Sherman to tone it down. Beverly Sherman doubts her son will ever tone it down.
"I can't say it's a flaw, because that's him," Donerson said. "Of course we want him to be politically correct, but he wouldn't be Richard Sherman."
SHERMAN'S ANTICS CAN sometimes feel calculated. He did, after all, change his Twitter handle to Optimus Prime last season before playing Detroit wide receiver Calvin Johnson, whose nickname is Megatron.
"You have to understand," Donerson said. "There's a method to his madness."
But Donerson and Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin agree that Sherman comes by those moments naturally. During training camp and practices, Sherman screams at Seahawks wide receivers and quarterbacks after they throw at him. He plays with a passion bordering on anger, and he has talked trash all his life.
What people saw in his interview — the emotion, the intensity, the bravado that didn't sit well with so many people — was a glimpse into how Sherman plays the game.
"When I first met him at Stanford, he was that way," said Baldwin, who was also Sherman's teammate in college. "When he first got into the league, he was that way. It's rubbed people the wrong way ever since I've known him. Controversy has followed him."
Baldwin remembered Sherman's sophomore season at Stanford. Both were receivers at the time. Sherman caught four touchdown passes that year, but Baldwin and his teammates liked to add an asterisk: All four touchdowns came against busted coverages.
"We would always make fun of him because he'd say, 'I did that to the coverage. I messed up the coverage because they thought I was doing this,'" Baldwin said. "It was in a serious tone, but it was also joking. That's how he is on the football field."
Baldwin started laughing.
"I always joke with him: He's not always right, but he's never wrong."
Sherman held a news conference on Wednesday afternoon — MSNBC and CNN broke into it live — and he was far more measured, thoughtful and funny in that setting.
"That's the off-the-field Sherman, but I wouldn't say that's the real Sherman," Baldwin said. "Because the Sherman you saw on the field after the game, that's the real Sherman, too. That's just when he's in the mode and state of mind he has to be in."
FRITZ, SHERMAN'S AGENT, saw Sherman's postgame interview with Andrews and immediately thought, "That just took away from arguably the greatest single play of his career."
Kam Chancellor, Seattle's safety, watched the interview and started laughing. "Especially with the faces he was making," he said. "It's funny, man, because we know Sherm. When you know him, it's funny."
Coach Pete Carroll listened to Sherman's interview the next morning on his weekly show with 710 ESPN Seattle. "Poor Erin," Carroll said, laughing. "Jeez. Oooh God."
Uriah Leiataua, who goes to the same high school Sherman attended and has verbally committed to play at Stanford, had no problem with it. "I know how it feels to be in the middle of a hard game, in the middle of a huge rivalry," Leiataua said. "I don't want to sound like a jerk, but I think he was in the right to say it."
And Baldwin saw the interview after the game and thought it was hilarious. "He asked me if I thought it took away from anything or if I thought he was out of line," Baldwin said. "I told him as his friend and teammate I didn't think there was anything wrong with it. It's hard for me to take an unbiased opinion because I know Sherm so well that I know he didn't mean anything negative by it."
FRANK SCIOSCIA SAW the backlash to the interview on Facebook and decided to respond. Scioscia is a 49ers fan. He works at Stanford, but he never taught Sherman. He also didn't particularly care for Sherman's postgame interview.
"There's not any hero worship here," Scioscia said.
A few years back, Scioscia's two kids attended a summer sports camp hosted by Stanford. One of their counselors was Richard Sherman. Scioscia's kids had a blast with him.
During the following football season, after Stanford pulled off a big win, fans rushed the field. On the crowded field, Scioscia's son, Colin, started hollering, "Sherm, Sherm!"
Sherman turned around, remembered Colin's name and came over to him.
"One, remembering his name is a pretty good starting point," Scioscia said, "but it was so much more than that. He took the time to acknowledge someone of no importance to him in the scheme of things."
Colin had his picture taken with Sherman and a couple other players on the field that day. Later that year, Scioscia and his wife wanted to have the picture autographed for Colin as a Christmas gift. Scioscia sent Sherman a quick email seeing if he'd be willing to stop by his office to sign it. He did.
"Character is what you look like in the dark," Scioscia said. "It's when somebody is not watching. That's a true testament to your character. That's where I feel like Richard is. That's what I saw.
"That is a truer testament to who he is than what he's doing in the circus that is NFL football."
BEVERLY SHERMAN IS TIRED of the circus. At one point, when asked a question, she pauses, smiles and sighs. "I don't know," she says. "I've talked so much."
So has Richard. "I can hear in his voice that he's just been talking so much and done so many interviews that he can barely talk," she says. "His voice is so raspy right now."
Her phone rings. It's Richard's older brother, Branton, calling to make sure she's on her way to the autograph signing.
"Yes, son, we're leaving," she says. "We're headed that way. We're wrapping it up right now."
Just before Beverly gets up from the table and leaves, a 20-something waitress comes over.
"So, just to let you guys know, we're going to cover it this time," she beams.
Beverly thanks her and starts to gather her stuff. The waitress hangs around a little longer.
"Just to let you know, you have a really inspirational son," she says. "No matter what they say."
Jayson Jenks: 206-464-8277 or email@example.com