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— From staff reports
An empty 4-acre parcel on U.S. 72 west that once served as the location for Clayton Homes will soon be the site of a new shopping center development.
Athens developer Bill Ming announced his plans for Athens Shoppes at the Nov. 20 Planning Commission meeting. The site plan for the 31,925-square-foot development received unanimous approval by the board.
Construction on the $5 million shopping center is slated to begin in early spring, and be completed by fall 2013. Though no tenants have been announced, Ming said they would begin taking occupancy in the center by late summer.
The development will include 10 to 12 businesses and be a mix of retail, restaurants and service businesses. It will also provide 100 to 150 jobs and provide estimated annual sales tax revenues of $750,000 to $1 million.
Ming said he's worked for more than a year to target expanding and new businesses for the development. Factors those businesses consider before opening a new location, he said, include the trade-area population within a 5-mile radius, the number of houses, median income, employment base, co-tenancy (other businesses), competition and existing anchor tenants
"Most businesses want to be in the shadow of an anchor business because they require the best visibility, traffic and exposure," he said.
Ming, who has been recruiting businesses to Athens for more than 15 years, said he feels positive about future opportunities for the community, but added there are challenges. He pointed to recent efforts by leaders in Decatur, Madison and Huntsville to add to its retail base through offering incentives packages to help pay for the cost of developments.
"This part of recruiting retail is very competitive and we need to continue our focus on being able to offer the same type incentives that our competing communities offer to retail developments similar to what we have historically offered to industry," he said.
He added that some national retailers and service businesses feel they can serve the Athens and Limestone markets from those neighboring cities because the drive time is less than 15 minutes.
"This limits some of our opportunities for new retail, restaurants and service businesses," he said, adding he's had at least a half dozen opportunities that did not materialize because they chose to locate in Madison and Huntsville closer to the corridor of U.S. 72 between County Line and Wall-Triana roads.
Despite the lure of those other cities, Ming believes Athens still has plenty to offer in terms of desirable locations. He predicts retail growth over the next three to five years would be adjacent to existing anchors, including Walmart and Publix.
The city has other prime locations, he said, including the northwest quadrant of U.S. 72 and Interstate 65 where Logan's, Ruby Tuesday's, Holiday Inn Express and Chick-fil-A are located.
A new Fairfield Suites under construction in the same quadrant should be completed by spring, and Ming said an out-of-town developer has plans to turn the former Backyard Burgers building into an IHOP. That project should be open in April 2013 he said.
Other potential development sites include the Tanner exchange off Interstate 65, though Ming said the site lacks infrastructure, rooftops and traffic from "major arterial roads." He added that would change over time, given Huntsville's long-term development plans and a planned widening of Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road.
"What's great about interstate locations is it not only serves your local market but it pulls out-of-towners and travelers off U.S. 72 and I-65," he said. "They're spending their dollars here without any cost to us in terms of providing services because they don't live here."
Despite Ming's aforementioned challenges, he said he feels positive about the city's future and it's existing amenities, which are attractive to residents and businesses alike.
"We are blessed to live in a great community with the best to offer from our historical downtown to the latest and greatest along U.S. 72 and Interstate 65," he said. "Great schools, great people and great location; (it's) a winning combination."


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Danny Glover
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Birth Name: Danny Glover
Born: 07/22/1946
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Born: 07/22/1946
Birth Place: San Francisco, California, USA
Born on July 22, 1947 in San Francisco, CA, Glover was raised by his father, James, a postal worker and union organizer, and his mother, Carrie, who also worked at the post office and organized for the union. Both were also active in working for equal rights with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. At five years old, Glover had his own paper route, which taught him the value of hard work - a lesson that remained with him for the rest of his life. By the time he reached George Washington High School, he was engaged in athletics - namely football and track - while also being enamored with acting. But his childhood and adolescence was plagued by dyslexia and later ep... Continue Bio >>
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ROSENBERG, Texas - A Rosenberg mother of four is facing four counts of endangering a child after allegedly leaving her young kids home alone. Police said 25-year-old Sarah Gonzales left her children by themselves several times Monday.
Rosenberg Police got a call around 3:20 p.m. on Monday from a concerned neighbor. That neighbor reported seeing the young kids playing outside unattended.
"She told us she had left to go to Jack in the Box to get some food for a short period of time. It was obviously a much longer distance than that," said Rosenberg Assistant Police Chief Dallis Warren.
Surveillance cameras at the Woodland Inn and Suites reportedly captured her coming and going. According to police, the time she was missing ranged from 25 minutes to over an hour.
CPS confirms the kids are 6 months old, 1 year old, 4 years old and 9 years old.
"It's pretty shocking to find a 6-month-old and 9-year-old left alone without any supervision," Warren said. "Either take those children with you when you're going to the store or leave them with a responsible adult."
Neighbors claim this isn't the first time Gonzales has abandoned her children since moving to the motel about two weeks ago.
"I believe this needed to be done," said a neighbor who only wanted to be identified as Ren. "Someone needed to show up and take care of it."
It's unclear if there is a history of CPS involvement with this family. CPS is still waiting to speak with Gonzales about the allegations. The four children are staying with relatives.
Gonzales is now being held at the Fort Bend County Jail.


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Workers would take brand new body panels they'd just finished stamping and toss them onto a pile. Meaning that the new cars would roll off the assembly line dented. Bricklin, of course, failed to see the problem and told Ciminera just to fax the Zastava workers a list of changes needed when the two of them returned to the U.S. The problem with that plan was that the Zastava factory didn't have a fax machine. Once they got one, the fax that Ciminera sent them was over four meters long. And Bricklin was sticking to his fanciful nine-month deadline.
Related GalleryThe Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History
Jason Vuic's new book The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History (Amazon link) isn't so much about the actual car, but rather the never ending blunders, unmerited chutzpah and collective cluelessness of the people behind the eternally-doomed sub-compact. Vuic felt compelled to write the book after a New York artist was able to purchase 39 Yugos for $92 a pop – in the mid-90s! Front and center sits the amazing, seemingly unstopable Malcom Bricklin, a man willing to hop in bed with communists, socialists, repressive dictators and Henry Kissinger (all factor into the Yugo's story) to make a quick buck.
After three back to back failures in the car biz – Subaru, Bricklin and IAI, importers of Pininfarina Spiders and Bertone X1/9 a decade past the cars' primes – Bricklin was wandering down a street in Paris when he saw his first Yugo. Instantly knew he had to bring the car to America. This is why Malcolm Bricklin is not only very different from you and I, but any other entrepreneur in history.
The thing is, Bricklin's plan almost worked. Despite a Michigan congressman publicly accusing the communist Zastava plant of using slave labor (they didn't), despite the Zastava workers drinking plum brandy from 6:00 am to 1:00 am (they did), despite all the me, me, me! excesses of the 1980s and meteoric rise of luxury makes like BMW, the Yugo was almost a success. Americans were lining up ten deep for the brand new $3,990 Yugoslavian cars, which were in reality shoddily made, decade and a half old Fiats. At one point, Yugo sold 1,050 cars in a single day. Of course the good times didn't last, and neither did the cars. Vuic points out that as of 1999 there was only one Yugo registered in the State of Florida.
Were the Yugos really that bad? Yes, but also no. Vuic spills a good deal of ink explaining what he calls, "Yugomania," an almost mindless acceptance of the Yugo as a good car for a great price. Then fate steps in and starting with a brutal review by Consumer Reports ("You're better off buying a good used car than a new Yugo"), some misinformation from the NHTSA about the Yugo's 35 mph collision results, Bricklin's pyramid-scheming ways (why pay for national advertisements when you can buy a several hundred acre ranch in Colorado with your company's credit line?) and even the S&L junk bond scandal all eventually conspire to bring the Yugo down. Oh, and Nato bombed the Zastava factory in 1999, seemingly just for good measure.
Even if you have no interest in the Yugo, or even no interest in cars, Vuic's book is a must read. Not only is every page filled with laughter (did you know Bricklin started a go-cart franchise featuring Subaru 360s?), but Vuic actually starts each chapter with a Yugo joke (Q: What do you call a Yugo with brakes? A: Customized). If the book has any shortcomings, the biggest would be not interviewing Malcolm Bricklin. Readers are left clamoring for more Malcolm (after Yugo, he proceeds to found three more companies that go belly up). Also, a little more information about the car, specifically how the cars failed, would have been nice. Though it should be pointed out that Yugo might be the most exhaustively researched 213 page book ever written. Just remember, Yugo filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in just four years. Malcolm Bricklin is still at large.
Related GalleryThe Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History


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By David B. Wilkerson, MarketWatch
CHICAGO (MarketWatch) – Airline stocks, along with United Natural Foods Inc. and American Eagle Outfitters Inc., are among the stocks that could see active trading on Wednesday.
Airline stocks will be watched following Tuesday's news that AMR Corp. , the parent of American Airlines, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Among those shares: AMR, U.S. Airways Group Inc. , Southwest Airlines Co. /quotes/zigman/241463/delayed/quotes/nls/luv LUV -1.01% , Alaska Air Group Inc. /quotes/zigman/216861/delayed/quotes/nls/alk ALK -0.67% , JetBlue Airways Corp. /quotes/zigman/87304/delayed/quotes/nls/jblu JBLU -2.18% and SkyWest /quotes/zigman/77976/delayed/quotes/nls/skyw SKYW +0.37% . See full story of AMR's bankruptcy filing.
Organic food distributor United Natural Foods /quotes/zigman/61530/delayed/quotes/nls/unfi UNFI -0.57% , reporting third-quarter earnings Wednesday morning, is seen posting a fiscal first-quarter profit of 40 cents a share on revenue of $1.19 billion, according to a survey of analysts by FactSet Research.
Teen apparel retailer American Eagle Outfitters /quotes/zigman/183513/delayed/quotes/nls/aeo AEO -1.02% is expected to post a profit of 26 cents a share on revenue of $832 million.
Specialty grocery retailer Fresh Market Inc. /quotes/zigman/711861/delayed/quotes/nls/tfm TFM -2.70% is expected to report third-quarter earnings of 20 cents a share on sales of $263.8 million.
Ethanol producer Rex American Resources Corp. /quotes/zigman/129855/delayed/quotes/nls/rex REX -2.67% is expected to report third-quarter earnings of 44 cents a share on sales of $92.2 million.


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Results 1 to 10 of 16
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07 Silverado Classic Left Speaker... Now she works... .Now she doesn't
Ok this one got me confused. Yesteday I got in the truck for work and left speaker had no audio in door except the tweeter. doesn't cut in or out, no popping or crackling like a blown speaker would do. I left work and got in truck and the speaker was working fine.
So I thought ok maybe I will keep an eye on it. got in the truck this morning and again no sound as if someone unplugged the speaker. Tweeter still going during all this.
I have read others having this issue with no resolution. Some have replaced the head unit and still having problems. Seen speakers replaced and yet still a problem.
Any Ideas? anyone no a real solution to what seems to be somewhat common problem?
07 Silverado Classic 5.3L Z71 4x4
Maybe its just a connection to the speaker, try taking your door panel off and checking the wires.
www.youtube.com/ippielb 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 z71 1985 Chevrolet Silverado k10 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500hd 6.6l LLY Duramax 6.5" BDS Suspension Lift Edelbrock Carb & Polished Intake Manifold & Valve Covers NAPC Race Transmission & NAPC Built Transfer Case EFI Live Comp Cam and Valvetrain Snow Performance Methanol Injection 35" Toyo Open Country Mud Terrain on 18" Ion Alloy 179's Headman Long Tube Headers and True Dual Exhaust FASS 150gph Titanium Series Pump AirAid Cold Air Intake with K&N Dry Filter & AirAid PowerAid Throttle Body Spacer 2" Suspension Lift 33x12.50r15 Tires EFI Live & AFE Stage 2 Intake Pacesetter Long Tube Headers with Cats Gone True Dual Exhaust FlowPro 3.73 Gears Yukon Grizzly Locker with Mag-Hytec Cover & Traction Bars NGK Iridium Tips & MSD Ignition Plug Wires Baja Spare Tire Holder 33x13.5 Hankook rt03 18" XD Rims Innovate LC-1 Wideband o2 Sensor x2 HID's all around LED taillights and 3rd brake light BDS Dual Steering Stabilizers Pioneer Double-DIN Touchscreen Navigation with Two 10" Subs under rear seat Electric Fan Autometer Pressure, Boost, and Pyro Gauges 4.56 Gears Airlift Air Bag Suspension
Man, I got the same problem!DJ Galloway
08 Chevy Silverado LT(Blue)
63 series K&N Cold Air Intake Kit
Dual Magnaflow cat-back system(str8 out the rear)
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I noticed one thing so far.
It seems to only be a problem in the morning when it's cooler. I will post more on what I find when I get it fixed. Gonna get a new voltage meter since the one I have is unreliable and check the voltage at the speaker when it's occurring. This should tell me if it's the speaker or not at least. Then I will have to pin it down to the radio or wiring.
- Join Date
- Jun 2010
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dudeee, I have the exact same problem. usually occurs in the AM and after i get in my truck after work the speaker works fine..its been freaking me out. please keep us updated on what you find...do u have factory speakers or aftermarket? i have factory and just think it could be because they are so old and ****ty.
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Yeah I have factory. We bought the truck last fall and havn't really changed anything on it. From past experience I have never seen temperatures effect the function of a speaker, but I have seen it effect electronics. But it usually reacts just the opposite with electronics, works when cold and stops when warming up..... I get a meter today so I have it on hand.
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- Dec 2010
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Hi!!,, I got the same problem, but in my case, both left speaker have the problem,, front and rear! (double cab). When they begins to work,, the first is the rear and 20 minutes after, front does!.
Does aneyone has found the cause ??
---------- Post added at 10:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:06 AM ----------
Solved..!!! Just change the speaker!!
..... from kvert......
" ... Yes sorry I should of posted it. Replace the speaker... This is the first time I have ever seen a speaker react this way. I was able to monitor the signal feed to the speaker when it occurred and found that the signal had not changed. I plugged in another temporary spare speaker I had from my stereo system to find that it worked. So I went and bought replacements for both doors and have no more issues. plus it sounds better. lol... "
Thank you very much!
- Join Date
- Oct 2010
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It could be a few different things. Alot of times the speaker wire wears in the door boot. It could be partially broken and when you open and close the door it may connect it momentarily until you open it again. Just open and shut the doors a few times and see if it goes on and off for that the brett solution is just to run some new speaker wire. Another possibilty is the speaker is blown. The voice coil can seperate from the speaker and alot of times it will work at some point and then not. You can test the speaker for resistance and if its a stock speaker it should be around 4 ohm. Or if you have a amplified stock system like bose the channel on the amp can be going out. But if you really want to figure it out start by taking off the door panel which is cake and shouldn't take more than a few minutes and bench test the speaker. If it is bose its a little more complicated to fix or replace so hopefully its not.
Ok I need help here also. When the inside of my truck is below 50 degrees somtimes higher, none of the speakers work at all not even the tweeters. They just make a consistant poping noise even with the key off and the doors open. After it warms up they work great until the truck gets cold again. All the wires are hooked up tight and fuses are fine, I just cant figure it out and it is really annoying if it doesnt get above 30 degrees out side. If you have any info please let me know. I dont think It is the speakers that are bad because they all do it at the same exact time. Oh I forgot its the bose 6 speaker. Any help will be great!2003 Chevy 1500 Z71
3" body lift, 305/70 r 17 Remmington mud brutes, Matching color rino liner, KandN filter, Extra Chrome trim, Diablo Sport Predator programmer, electric fan swap
---Plans for later: low profile blackdiamonplate tool box, custom made front and rear bumpers or bumper guards, winch on the front
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also similar problem thanks
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Did Doumit's pitch-framing cost the Twins 3.8 wins?
I was perusing Fangraphs and saw an article about the end of the Doumit catching era. According to the article, Doumit was/is the worst pitch-framer ever. -3.02 strikes per game: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/tradi...end-of-an-era/
According to the same article, one call is worth .13 runs. And, if I understand correctly, 10 runs is roughly 1 win.
So Doumit caught 99 games for the Twins total. 99 games x 3.02 runs per game is 298.98 lost strikes. That equates to 38.8 runs, or nearly 4 wins total.
Just though it to be interesting. Does anyone buy this math?
No!This comment brought to you from the Rosedale Mall studio by Hamm's Beer, brewed in the land of sky blue waters.
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No, I don't think that's a credible number of runs/wins. It's very much a minority view among sabremetrics people that the impact is that large. The effect is real, but at this point I don't think anyone has a good handle on how to measure the importance of it.
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I don't, and here's why......runs are discrete activities that happen within an inning. You can't add up .1 run over 10 games, and come up with a run. It is the issue I have with this particulary analysis. I might be wrong, maybe you can do this, but I have my doubts.
Look at it this way, if he gave up 1 strike every three innings, what are the odds that one strike leads to a run? I guess you could argue that 1 missed strike an inning increases the odds of a run scoring that inning by x%, and therefore you can make the kind of argument you are making over 99 games.....but I think framing's impact is being over rated.
that said, I could be totally wrong, and this is the exact kind of analysis that was done. Frankly, it is kind of why I struggle with all the stats that peanut butter pitching effectiveness over a season......there are just some days where a pitcher is awful, and some when a pitcher is awesome. I'd rather have the guy that is awesome 2 starts, and terrible one start, than the guy that is mediocre every start......but again, maybe I'm missing something, and maybe starts aren't discrete.Lighten up Francis....
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StatCorner.com has it broken out further. According to their reports, Doumit cost the Twins -15.9 runs above average (or roughly 1.5 wins) in 2013. In 2012, he was -21.2 RAA (or 2.1 wins). So, overall, it may have resulted in 3.6 wins.
Another study for catchers -- which is still in its infancy -- is how well they prevent passed balls and wild pitches. According to Dan Brooks' research (the Brooks who runs BrooksBaseball.net), Doumit was -0.8 RAA on average each season between 2009-2013. Surprisingly (maybe?), it was better than Joe Mauer (-0.9)*. At the top of the list is Carlos Ruiz (saving 3.7 runs per season, min 20,000 pitches total) and at the bottom is Miguel Olivo (costing -4.5 runs per season).
At the end, I still question how cleanly these two things correlate to wins overall. In general, I believe there is an advantage for having catchers who can coax additional strikes (which puts pitchers in advantageous counts or help ring someone up) that could led to few pitches overall. Likewise, those who are able to corral bad pitches better are keeping runners from moving up a base and putting themselves in better scoring positions.
*For those who have watched, Mauer has a high tendency of simply trying to one-hand pitches in the dirt. This sort of jives with that eye-test.
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I buy the concept of pitch framing but not these quantification efforts. The main issue I have with those number is that they are not normalized for umpire strike zone. And this is a solvable problem but requires some fuzzy math...
In other (simpler words) if a strike per PitchF/X is called a ball, the current system always calls it "bad framing" by the catcher. However, if that particular umpire behind the plate usually calls that strike a ball, it is an umpire thing and not "bad framing".
So, yes, I kinda buy it qualitatively but not quantitatively and nobody knows how many wins (if any) Doumit's catching cost.
Also: To calculate the latter correctly, because is not an isolated situation, you have to also replace Doumit's offensive contribution with a replacement level player in those games (as a catcher.)-----
Blogging Twins since 2007 at The Tenth Inning Stretch
twitter: @thrylos98
I don't know how many wins Doumit gained/lost but I do think people underestimate the impact and ripple effect of losing or gaining strikes. Think about how different an at-bat becomes if you go 1-2 instead of 2-1 for example. Having the advantage in the count is absolutely critical.
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Alex (12-19-2013)
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This is one of those statistics that I really think needs to be calculated multiple different ways to see if there is in fact an effect. I have no doubt that a catcher can influence this. The scope of that influence is in question.
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Wow! Lots of interesting feedback. I do agree that this is the type of stat that is dangerous (and probably inaccurate) to simply aggregate. But replacing those 99 games with a league average catcher (hopefully better) may make our pitchers look significantly better. I think this is particularly true if you believe pitchers' confidence plays a significant role in his performance throughout a game. I imagine it is pretty disheartening when you throw the perfect pitch and it's called a ball.
I don't buy it... Never have... Never will.
If Pitch framing is that influential.
Fire the umps today and automate it exactly one second after the mass firing.
If umps are so easily fooled by framing. This means that after years of training... Up to 7-8 years in the minor leagues. Multiple Performance evaluations for advancement consideration... Camps... Instructionals... Tests... After all of that training... They can't get passed catcher sleight of hand so sophisticated that it is one generation beyond "Hey look your shoe is untied".
A catcher can practice the art of framing over and over and perfect it... Yet the ump can't practice recognizing it and perfect that or simply be better than that and is apparently at the complete mercy of the more clever catcher.
If true... This means the umps are on auto pilot and robot like themselves. So... We Might as well put the real robots in.
Instructor: A strike is judged by where the pitch crossed the plate... Any questions?
Jim Joyce: We understand that... But... What if the catcher catches the ball outside the zone and moves his glove inside the zone. Is that a strike?
Instructor: No it's not... It where it crosses the plate.
Kerwin Danley: Ok... What if the catcher catches the ball in the zone but his glove moves outside the zone after catching it. Is this now a ball?
Instructor: Umm no... Again...
Marty Foster: Listen... We've been doing this for years... A strike is judged by where the glove is.
Instructor: No it's not... Because the catcher might move the glove in order to gain an advantage.
Tim McClelland: That is not true... They would never do anything like that. These catchers are good family men. C'mon guys... Let's leave this seminar. We don't have to listen to this.A Skeleton walks into a bar and says... "Give me a beer... And a mop".
Ball ball strike ball strikeA Skeleton walks into a bar and says... "Give me a beer... And a mop".
Yeah those weren't very hard were they.
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I think pitch framing absolutely impacts the game. I struggle believing some of the numbers spit out by various metrics.
Without a doubt, Ryan Doumit is a liability as a catcher. But if you use him correctly, he can be a valuable player, particularly on an NL team. He's a switch-hitter, which gives him an advantage off the bench. He *should* OPS around .750, which makes him a bad DH but a very good bench bat. And you can put him behind the dish ~30 times a season and he won't kill your team, which means that you can't need to carry a second catcher on the roster, a position often synonymous with "boat anchor at the plate".
He shores up several problems on the average NL roster and his only detriment is his catching, which is also a positive because he can catch, even if it's badly.
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I don't know what to make of the framing issue, but it is a damn game of inches. I mean that cliché is pretty relevant here. It's frightening to think of, but it's relevant.
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Some of the numbers do seem pretty crazy, don't they? The trends seem accurate, though (same guys ranking top and bottom each year, even when changing teams/leagues).
The Rays definitely seem to be buying on the idea -- maybe not necessarily at the full published figures, but they have targeted and retained two of the top pitch framers.
The Braves have two other catchers, apparently, so it's likely they agree with the consensus on Doumit's catching. It's a shame, because it would have been another interesting data point to see Doumit catching a quality pitching staff (although Pittsburgh's 2011 staff wasn't that bad... but Doumit was injured for a full two months of that season, and had the worst cERA on their team. Hmmmm....).
Hey Hammer Here are 5 pitches for you
I believe umps miss calls all the time. Sometimes the pitcher gets screwed and sometimes the pitcher gets the benefit.
Sometimes when it happens... It's a huge moment... And the pitcher either has the stuff to survive or he doesn't.
But any conversation that the catcher can influence games strictly by his framing ability to the degree that has been suggested... Simply suggests that the umpires are not worth the salary they are paid.
If true... Seriously automate it. It would be way too much influence on the game. Make it a large suspension and fine for any catcher who tries to influence an umpire. Fire all umps who are routinely fooled by it. Clean it up.
These teams pay millions per win. If a catcher can create wins by framing... The top framers would be FA rock stars with that kind of win influence. Forget the .850 OPS catcher. A framer will get you to the playoffs quicker.
Umping is hard... Judging balls and strikes is hard. The ball coming in is quick and it moves. Umps miss calls all the time but consistent missing based on the movement of the glove and not being able to recognize it after film review that the catcher got you again and again and again and not correcting it after review means you are a terrible umpire and you should be taken out of MLB ballparks... The Ump would be better suited leaving his job at the car dealership... Grabbing a quick 6 pack and a pound at Taco Johns... Eating... Getting dressed and umping Cretin Derham Hall Vs. Burnsville.
At at some point in time... We have to recognize that the umpires are professionals and capable of adjustment and are reviewed and graded on performance.A Skeleton walks into a bar and says... "Give me a beer... And a mop".
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Willihammer (12-19-2013)
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I do agree, they should automate it. And, I disagree with your belief that in a split second they are not influenced by many things other than "did the pitch actually cross the plate".
If they are graded and rewarded on performance, why was one of the worst ones working the post season this year, other than seniority?Lighten up Francis....
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jokin (12-19-2013)


text:
RICHMOND, Va. —
A Virginia Beach man has admitted his role in six bank robberies.
Twenty-year-old Carlos McClammy pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Richmond to multiple counts that include aiding and abetting bank robbery.
Court records show McClammy admitted to armed bank robberies in March, April and July 2012 in Nassawadox, Jarratt, Midlothian, Wakefield, Stony Creek and Virginia Beach.
McClammy faces up to life in prison. Sentencing is set for April 29.
Virginia State News
Va. Beach man admits to 6 bank robberies
Anonymous Associated Press Tue Jan 28, 2014, 05:05 PM EST
RICHMOND, Va. —
A Virginia Beach man has admitted his role in six bank robberies.
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text:
The message on the answering machine at LBI House Raising is telling: "Due to the high volume of requests we are receiving, we are only able to provide estimates for Long Beach Island homeowners at this time. Please check back with us periodically for updates. We apologize for the inconvenience."
There was a time, LBI House Raising Co-owner Nancy Leonetti said, when their contractors would travel all the way to Flemington, N.J., to raise a home. But that all changed after Hurricane Sandy.
If there can be one "bright spot" in Sandy's wake, it would be the growth in certain businesses that cater to the rebuilding efforts needed all along the shore, from private home rebuilds to construction of various recreational areas, like boardwalks.
Late last month, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development issued a press release stating that private sector employers added 30,900 workers to their payrolls, and construction jobs were among those topping the list.
Although the agency said it would be another month or two before they could analyze the data to show that the spike was actually related to Sandy, it is apparent, just by a drive through any shore town that certain businesses - namely those related to home rebuilding - are booming.
According to the Labor statistics department, in December, job gains were posted in all of New Jersey's nine major private industry sectors. The industry sector with the largest gain was trade, transportation and utilities, which rose by 6,000 jobs. That was followed by growth in construction, at more than 4,300 jobs.
"Let me just say that my house was flooded as well," Steve Borer, owner of CDA Roofing Consultants, told Patch. "And yes, it is a huge inconvenience. But following this storm, I have hired six more full-time people. I have spent money on advertising and on business cards. The up side of all this, if there is one, is that it is boosting the economy in New Jersey, and I think it is needed."
House raising
Borer said that as a Brick resident and businessman, he has heard the frustration and confusion of his fellow Jersey Shore residents, regarding FEMA's advisory flood maps.
Called Advisory Base Flood Elevations, or ABFEs, the new maps were compiled prior to Sandy using historical storm data and changing topography and will eventually become the National Flood Insurance Program's official flood elevation maps. Though the ABFEs won't become official until the middle of 2014 at the earliest, their adoption by the state leaves impacted municipalities with few options moving forward.
Much of the criticism of the new maps focuses on changes to its various zones, specifically its A and V Zones. Residents who fail to rebuild their homes higher or elevate their existing properties above base flood levels will soon be subject to extreme flood insurance premiums.
"My advice to people who don't have the money to raise, and if they don't have the 51% damage, is to just pay off their mortgage, and ride it out without absorbing the cost of the flood insurance," Borer said. "I'm not always trying to get a sale, I'm in a position now of having to help them make an educated decision about what will be best for them." Borer cited his own father as an example.
"My father lives on the bay in Point Pleasant. He is in his 70s and can't make it up and down the stairs, so raising his home isn't a good decision for him," Borer said, adding that he has done more than 100 estimates for house lifting since Sandy.
Leonetti echoed those sentiments, adding that many residents, particularly in the LBI area, are waiting to see about their Increased Cost of Compliance funding before committing to raising, because they don't have the money to pay. F
Impact on other businesses
Just as when the storm hit, the waves created by Sandy have been far reaching.
Ray Guida, owner of which is based in Manalapan, said his business has also seen a spike in work after Sandy, despite being an "inland" business.
"Right after Sandy, I was getting calls from people who wanted sheetrock on their first floor level to avoid the mold starting to grow," Guida said. "There was one shore house down in Brick. We gutted the entire first floor right up to the ceiling, and we were going to remodel the entire interior, but the project is on hold, because now he's been told he has to raise his home. I feel badly for a lot of people down there, because a lot of people just can't afford to make these repairs. And of course the talk of the town, is people are deciding to just leave their homes."
Union reports
Local unions are also reporting spikes in workload, but at least one union member expressed frustration by what appears to be a stall in the work.
Michael Maloney, who is the business manager of UA Local 9, told Patch that right now, the work is coming in in "drivels", because "many people are waiting for their FEMA checks."
Maloney said he is frustrated that bills like Senate President Stephen Sweeney's (D-Gloucester), S. 2425 which adds to the project labor agreement law on the books since 2002, by adding highways, bridges, pumping stations and water and sewage treatment plants, are being met with resistance from Republicans, whom he claims are voting along party lines. Sweeney (D-Gloucester), has said the agreements are key to making sure work goes to New Jersey workers.
"I can't believe there is partisan B.S. going on when people here in this state are suffering," Maloney told Patch. He added that many people in his union lost their own houses in Sandy.
several carpenter union representatives asked Gov. Chris Christie about the work situation in coming months.
"None of us would have wished this on New Jersey, but now that it has come, I would say a lot of you will be back to work," Christie said.
Christie also said he planned to be vigilant about price gouging - which many Shore residents have reported - and trouble shooting any other issues that may surface from less-than-reputable contractors. For any storm related service, Shore residents are encouraged to:
- Get more than one estimate.
- Take those estimates back to your insurance agent and ask, "Is this a reasonable cost," because if it's not, the insurance company may not pay for it.


text:
Found 13559 Items Tagged "Late Antique"
Gold was extremely important in the economic and political life of the Akan kingdoms of southern Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. Until ...
Hiroshige's One Hundred Famous Views of Edo
Hiroshige's 118 woodblock landscape and genre scenes of mid-nineteenth-century Tokyo, is one of the greatest achievements of Japanese art.
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These finely crafted objects demonstrate Egyptian mastery of stoneworking in the Early Dynastic Period. An artisan fitted the two parts of t...
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052
Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum
Wednesday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Friday–Sunday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.


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text:
Larry Downes, Contributor
Customers vent, whistle blowers reveal internal turmoil, CEO Brian Dunn responds
For years I've worked with clients who want to tap the power of the Internet to distribute and transform information, but I've never experienced that power quite like I did last week.
My article, "Why Best Buy is Going out of Business…Gradually," became something of a sensation. By the end of the week, the article had generated coverage in major business media and across the Internet. Late Friday, even the company's CEO, Brian Dunn, posted a response. (More on that in a moment.)
A few numbers tell the tale:
Yet my purpose in writing the article couldn't have been more modest. I have long been interested in why managers and executives misinterpret changing market dynamics. (I've written two books on the subject, including "Unleashing the Killer App," which is still relevant to Best Buy's current problems.) I've just started work on a new book on disruptive market transformations, which will teach even large companies to avoid getting caught in the trap.
Then a pre-New Year's visit to a local Best Buy store had the unintended consequence of focusing my attention on the electronics retailing giant, which continues to struggle despite the disappearance in 2009 of one of its main competitors, Circuit City.
The poor service at the store led me to dig into the company's balance sheet and strategic plan, as well as the company's embarrassing decision to cancel 30,000 online orders just a few days before Christmas for lack of inventory.
Like many companies surprised by the unpredictable transformation of markets at the hands of disruptive digital technologies, I concluded, Best Buy appeared to be going out of business two ways: "Gradually, then suddenly."
By early Monday morning, it was clear something unusual was happening. In the middle of the night on a national holiday, there were over 100,000 page views just in the first few hours.
As the week went on, momentum built. The page views accelerated mid-week, and new stories about the article proliferated in print, on the radio, and on the web. After Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn wrote his own response to the article on a company website, the volume of buzz amped up again.
By week's end, the article and its response had been reported by, among many others, The Wall Street Journal ("Best Buy CEO Defies Critics"), The Financial Times ("Best Buy Chief Hits Back at Critics"), and National Public Radio ("Is Best Buy Built for the Long Haul?").
Clearly, I'd struck a chord with Best Buy customers. And while any large retailer is bound to have generated its share of horror stories, there was something more personal about the abuse Best Buy customers reported and the sense of combat fatigue they felt on entering the store. Just page through the comments on the original post to see what I mean.
(As a side note, I apologize to those who sent me literally thousands of emails, Tweets, and discussion comments. I feel your pain, and wish I had time to respond to each of you individually.)
But the story inevitably hit a few nerves as well.
The company did not respond to my written request for comment or reply to the article. But Best Buy insiders passed along what appears to be the company's internal script for responding to customer and press inquiries about my story:
Refer to the following PR talking points when handling any customer inquiries about this article:
We disagree with the premise of blogger Larry Downes in his recent post on forbes.com. We think Best Buy is here for the long term. After all, Best Buy plays a unique role in the world of consumer electronics – we combine the "what" of the industry (the world's most comprehensive portfolio of cutting-edge products) and the "how", services to turn everything on, connect it and protect it. We have strong growth initiatives that include global connections, expanded services, expansion into China and a growing e-commerce presence.
Yes, we know that we had issues with some online orders over the holidays and as a result, we disappointed some customers. We are truly sorry if we ruined anyone's holiday. Rest assured that we are working on resolving the issues that caused those problems so that they will not occur again.
We know our accountability starts and ends with our customers.
We will continue to define ourselves by relentlessly focusing on the customer and going where the growth is.
I also heard from plenty of current Best Buy employees, both via Forbes and through private emails. Best Buy has a strong sales culture at the stores, and some employees took the article personally. I called out some of their (non-obscene) comments on the original post, in part because I think they inadvertently highlight what's wrong with the company's current strategy.
Employees, I learned, are strongly conditioned to see every customer who walks in the store as a potential target, one who needs to be coerced into buying something other than what they came looking for.
But you can't treat the customer as an adversary in a battle of wills. You can't provide superior service when you've been drilled to view each person who walks into your store as prey. You can't be a trusted source of expertise on consumer electronics when, as many former employees told me, failure to follow the company script means getting your hours cut or simply being fired.
Best Buy employees are trained to focus on customers. But not so much to serve them as to overpower them. It is not being "customer-centric" when your laser-beam focus is on sizing the customer up and looking for weaknesses in their resistance to buying products and service they didn't come looking for.
That, at least, was the conversation until Friday. Then the other shoe dropped.
Former employee here as well but not in CA. I try not to give BBY much thought these days. I worked there for 5 years and about 4 of those I was in leadership. Where is the toxicity developed in BBY? I had several bad managers that by the company standards were "Achievers." For the customer on the outside this is what they see. Brian Dunn should go on a surprise road show and pop in during leadership meetings and take a look at the performance management rhythm of the leaders. Too many politics in the stores.
Thanks for the positive notes in your reply. I also work at Best Buy but in Greenville, SC in the computer dept. too. I spend my free time researching new products as they arrive or the Kindle vs. Nook tablet debate that was going on. I do not push anything onto my customers but I do help them make informed decisions. For instance when the Kindle was waiting for an update bc of a too quick release in my mind, they did push the update but the issue was before Christmas. Customers appreciate the friendly, knowledgeable staff. No store has this 100% of the time and I have heard many complaints even at my store. It is much easier to complain when you feel neglected or not helped I should say, but the customers I encounter NEED to pick my brain, they need my help for which router, cable or modem, why 2 vs 8 Gb and 320 vs. 500 HDD. I personally try to give each and every customer the same time, attention and information they need and deserve. I have had many repeat customers bc of the knowledge I possess…. yes I am pursuing a degree in Networking also so not all of us are walking around clueless :) No matter what the reviews and comments are I am being paid for my services and when I am on BB time that is exactly what I give with full dedication. It is sad that a handful of truly hard workers (although I believe it to be more), get the all around how dumb we are. Thank goodness my customers tell me how much they appreciate my help….
The time has come for Mr. Dunn to step aside, or fired by the board. The new CEO should be an outsider to cleanup the senior management mess. They all want to dance to the tunes of wallstreet metrics and don't care about long term plans or how thousands of employees and their families will be affected if it goes out of business. BBY has customes issues for years, and online commerce is going on for years. If they still can't figure out, it is too late. Just look at Netflix, though the stock went down, it is the right move to separate streaming vs mailing..
I also believe Brian Dunn should go out, he was never for the part. He is in the past and does not know how to run the company, like Schultz or Anderson did.
I have no way of knowing if your analysis is correct or not, as I have virtually no experience in a Best Buy store. I would, however, like to make the following observation re your comment:
"It's more denial, now tinged with a dose of anger."
And the feeling of your whole critique in general.
It reminds me a lot of the responses of both PALM and RIMM CEOs: Denial. Comments – in particular by RIMM – on the advent of the iPhone, led me to believe that they were on the road to disaster.
Another brilliant post. Definitely buying your book. I also feel like you've given somewhat of a voice to all the disgruntled customers that have been wronged by the poor customer service of Best Buy. I really wish Dunn and delved further into their poor customer service, because that's really the root of the problem. Whether it's cancelled internet orders or just treating someone in one of their B&Ms poorly, it all comes down to poor customer service. Your response reiterates this and your comment that he set up a straw man and knocked it down is spot on. He's mincing words and beating around the bush. Where's the accountability? What is he going to do to make it right? Nothing. None of us that don't go there anymore will ever be satisfied anymore because they are riding that wave of people that aren't angry enough yet just like you said. Then, when things start getting worse and worse they'll be filing for bankruptcy and scrambling to improve things, but it will be too late because I've already gone elsewhere. But Dunn will get his parting bonus and go ruin another company.
It's interesting to contrast Best Buy with a brick and mortar that is getting it right. I like Barnes and Noble.
As a storefront they do great. A coffee shop and comfy chairs make it a destination. I enter the mall through B&N about 80% of the time. I always check their "new releases".
The storefront helps me find books I wouldn't ordinarily find. I wasn't "looking for" about 70% of my purchases.
We own two Nooks and the storefront technical support is a large selling point. All the employees are readers themselves and quickly help out.
I usually read using an Android phone rather than one of the Nooks. My shopping process is to browse the storefront and keep a wish list on my phone. Latter, I compare Amazon, B&N and Google Books and purchase the cheapest.
B&N could get more of my sales if I could scan a book cover on my phone using the Nook app and have it automatically added to an on-line B&N wish list. (I wish the app would also store my last page on-line so I can quickly switch devices.)
The convenience of not manually typing titles and easy on-line wish list purchases would make price shopping less attractive.
The Book market is definitely on-line and B&N has/is facing tremendous issues, but B&N storefronts provide a better "book discovery" showroom than on-line only stores.
Maybe the Best Buy CEO should visit both B&N storefronts and on-line and see how they have made lemon-aid from what is commonly considered a lemon.
Mr. Dunn,
Take Mr. Downes advice!
Another great article. I don't remember if I commented on your first one (I usually don't if there are already tons of comments), but you and your reader-commenters hit the nail on the head.
The in-store customer service is THE asset that Best Buy could be using to delight their customers. Instead, they have very little product knowledge and do the opposite.
By the way, Radio Shack is quickly going in the same direction. They need to learn that informed customers aren't going to go to Radio Shack to buy a cell phone plan, digital picture frame, or MP3 player accessories- we can get all of those things cheaper elsewhere. Where Radio Shack has a HUGE advantage is that they are the store I know I should go to if I need ANY electronic component- switches, cables, wires, HDMI, TV antennas, etc.
But what is their staff educated on? Phone plans, headsets, picture frames, and MP3 player accessories. I go in there looking for a stereo audio cable switch (to switch between two devices that will input to one speaker), and they guy steers me away from my suggestion that turned out to be the right answer, and steered me toward what I knew was a wrong answer (I convinced him it was also a wrong answer). It turns out they had what I needed, and if the guy had been smarter, I would have spent $20 that day. Instead, I concluded that they didn't have what I needed and spent $0.


text:
- Where and how do I drop off my samples?
- How much total RNA will I need and in what concentration?
- How should genomic DNA be prepared?
- How long after I drop off my sample will I have data?
- How do I get my data and what do I do with it?
- Is there a system for data storage at the Core Facility?
- What happens to my sample material?
- How much does it cost?
- How do I pay for Microarray Services?
- I have more questions- who do I call?
1. Where and how do I drop off my samples?
All samples must be brought to the Core Facility (WHA 3285) Contact Karen Gentile (315-464-3206) at least three days in advance to schedule a drop-off time.
Labs outside of SUNY Upstate, please contact Karen to discuss sample shipping.
- Tissue samples that have been stored in RNALater can be brought up on wet ice.
- Frozen tissue must be transported on dry ice.
- Contact the Core Facility if you will be dissecting fresh tissue that will be processed immediately.
Cell culture:
- Spin down cells and remove all media, then freeze the pellet immediately. Bring cells to WHA 3285 on dry ice.
Laser microdissection:
Contact Karen Gentile to schedule time on the LMD microscope. Total RNA can be extracted immediately after laser dissection. Alternatively, LMD samples can be frozen on dry ice and stored at –80C for processing at a later time.
Total RNA:
If you have extracted total RNA, you will need to bring it to the core facility on dry ice. If you have gel pictures or have measured your RNA concentration, bring those data to the lab with your samples. However, the Core Facility will quantify and check the quality of your total RNA sample with the Agilent Bioanalyzer at no additional charge.
Suggestions for total RNA preparation:
We suggest using the RNeasy mini-kit from Qiagen for total RNA extraction, although any method that results in high quality RNA is acceptable. Total RNA preparations should be resuspended in RNase-free water.
- DNA samples should be kept refrigerated, multiple freeze/thaw cycles can cause reduced call rates on the Human Mapping Arrays.
- DNA should be shipped on blue ice or at ambient temperature.
2. How much total RNA will I need and in what concentration?
Optimally, 8 micrograms of total RNA is suggested as starting material for the labeling process using the Affymetrix Standard One Cycle Protocol. However, we are able to label RNA starting from much smaller quantities (from small tissue biopsies or laser microdissected samples, for example), as long as the RNA quality is good using the Nugen kit. Total RNA samples can be dropped off at any volume and any concentration; we will adjust the volume at the Core Facility. Samples should be resuspended in RNase-free water.
3. How should genomic DNA be prepared?
Genomic DNA for the Human Mapping Arrays is required to be of very high quality. Multiple freeze/thaw cycles and pipetting will cause genomic DNA quality to decline and may cause lower call rates on the Mapping Arrays.
Genomic DNA can be resuspended in either nuclease-free water or low EDTA buffer (10mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0, 0.1mM EDTA, pH 8.0) This buffer can be purchased from Teknova (Cat.No. T0223).
We require 500ng of genomic DNA for each chip, at least 10ul at 50ng/ul.
If your DNA is already prepared but resuspended in standard TE buffer, you must precipitate the DNA (we recommend Novagen PelletPaint ) and resuspend in either water or the low EDTA buffer.
4. How long after I drop off my sample will I have data?
The exact timing for completion of your experiments will depend on the number of samples you have and the total number of experiments being processed in the Core Facility at the time, but usually you will have your data within two weeks of sample drop-off.
5. How do I get my data and what do I do with it?
When your samples are processed, you will be contacted by Karen. You can access your data in two ways:
- See Data Analysis Resources page for information about software programs that you can obtain from the Core Facility, or:
- CD/Memory Stick– Bring a CD or Memory Stick to the lab and we will copy your data files.
- For larger filed we will post your data for secure FTP download
6. Is there a system for data storage at the Core Facility?
The Core Facility keeps all files associated with each experiment on a back-up drive in WHA3285. These files will be available at your request.
7. What happens to my sample material?
The Core Facility will not store tissue samples or slides. Total RNA, cDNA, and hybridization cocktails will be stored at the Core Facility after your samples are processed, but we strongly encourage you to take all samples back to your lab for storage. A list of samples, concentrations, and approximate volume will be provided when you pick up your tubes.
8. How much does it cost?
Contact Karen (315-464-3206, email@example.com) for current pricing.
9. How do I pay for Microarray Services?
After your samples are processed and you have your data, your lab will be sent an invoice with your charges and instructions for payment.
If you are at SUNY Upstate, you can bring a signed Research Foundation Purchase Requisition with your grant account number to Karen. She will send you a copy of the completed form.
Labs outside of Upstate (including other SUNY schools) must pay by check, we are unable to accept PO numbers. Checks should be made payable to The Research Foundation of SUNY, with SUNY Microarray Core Facility referenced in the memo line. Send checks to:
Karen Gentile
Upstate Medical University
Neuroscience/WHA 3285
750 East Adams Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
10. I have more questions– who do I call?
Call or email the Scientific Director Dr. Frank Middleton for questions regarding experimental design or data analysis and interpretation. Call or email the Technical and Administrative Director of the Core, Karen Gentile, for inquiries about sample preparation, processing, or billing and ordering:
Karen Gentile
Frank Middleton
Contact Us
For questions or to drop off samples contact:Contact: Karen Gentile, Technical and Administrative Director of the Core
Location: Upstate Medical University, Neuroscience
Weiskotten Hall 3285
750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone: 315 464-3206
Email: email@example.com


text:
Deborah L. Jacobs, Forbes Staff
I cover personal finance for baby boomers.
Updated Jan. 4, 2013 with an addendum at the end of this post.
Let's say you have some spare cash after the holidays (maybe from an unwanted gift you returned) and would like to treat yourself to a designer handbag — perhaps by Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton, Chanel Chanel or Coach Coach. You could go to one of their boutiques or department store counters. But a growing number of people looking for bargains will shop for these goods through online discounters, or buy them on the secondary market, online or at consignment shops. That's a bit of a gamble, though, because you can't be sure you're getting the real thing.
For example, in the course of reporting the story, Luxury For Less: New Web Sites And Shops Offer Gently Used Designer Goods, Forbes contributor Wendy Goffe bought the handbag pictured above at the San Francisco consignment shop, Cris. The bag says Louis Vuitton on the hardware, and in various spots on the checked pattern. But is it for real?
Cris Zander, owner of the store that bears her name, wouldn't vouch for the bag, but offered Goffe a full refund of the $500 she spent if it turned out to be a counterfeit. (A comparable Louis Vuitton bag, bought new, would have cost several times that amount.)
We went right to the source, inviting Louis Vuitton to participate in a video at their Fifth Avenue store. Our proposal: have a representative of Louis Vuitton put the bag side by side with the ones in the store, and show us, feature for feature, why it is or is not the real thing.
Our requests to four different Louis Vuitton representatives, over the course of more than a month, went into a black hole. (We did the video anyway, as you can see below.)
Attempts to interview other luxury manufacturers about how to spot a fake of their brand were similarly unsuccessful. Coach did not reply. A representative from Kate Spade said no one was available. Goyard passed. And Chanel sent this statement through a spokesperson: "Authentic Chanel products are only available at Chanel boutiques and authorized dealers." When we objected that it obviously wasn't true, the same spokesperson replied by email: "Unfortunately, Chanel has no further comment. Thank you for your understanding."
Sure, counterfeiting is rampant, but a strong resale market is one sign of a brand's strength. So it's too bad companies refuse to help consumers — or talk to the press.
Yes, there's a small handful of third-party companies that provide authentication services, but proceed with caution. A call to one of them indicated that the phone had been disconnected. The company's website required an upfront payment before we could get any information. And there was no indication who was running it, who would be doing the work, and what made that person qualified to offer an opinion.
From the consumer's perspective, there's surely a need for these services, yet very few businesses have seized the opportunity. The reason, says Susan Scafidi, who heads the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law School and writes the Counterfeit Chic blog, Is that "there's a huge liability if you get it wrong either way." Designers actively enforce their trademarks, and don't want a fake identified as the real thing. Likewise, if someone is trying to sell the real thing and it's wrongly identified as a fake, they too, could sue. All such lawsuits can be costly to defend.
What's more, if a fake is good, it can be hard for even the company to distinguish it from the real thing, though they have covert, as well as overt, ways of doing that, Scafidi says. For example, the number of stitches per inch in a seam may be a trade secret, and with items like Coach bags that have serial numbers, they can easily tell if it's for real.
Meanwhile, the proliferation of online sites makes it easier than ever to get snookered. They have professional sounding names; include pictures that look like the real thing (those photos may even violate copyright rules); and price merchandise so it looks like they're discounting the real thing, rather than overcharging for a knockoff. As with any online vendor you'll want to consider how long they've been in business; how many previous customers there are; and be suspicious if the seller has plenty of stock in an item that's sold out everywhere else. Good luck getting them to take things back, or expect them to charge a huge restocking fee for the privilege.
You can't necessarily believe what they say about where something came from either. "It was a gift," is all too common an explanation. And though you might want to believe that something fell off a truck or went out the back door of the factory at night, these instances are rare, Scafidi says. Don't be fooled by the presence of a hang tag, either; anyone who can counterfeit a handbag can fake that, too.
What's a fashionista to do? Train your eye to spot a counterfeit by looking at the real thing in person – at a boutique or an authorized dealer, Scafidi advises. Then, before you buy a bag from another source, give it the once over. Here are the features she recommends you consider.
For "How To Spot A Fake Louis Vuitton," click here.
Materials. Not all designer bags are made of leather. For example, Louis Vuitton is coated canvas with leather trim. If the trim is supposed to be leather, it should feel dry — not oily, slippery or sticky. The hardware should be heavy — not hollow. If it's imprinted with the designer's name, make sure it's supposed to be.
Workmanship. The stitching should be perfectly even, with no loose threads or back-and-forth stitching at the end of a seam – that's a sign of sloppy construction. Check the seams for matching–whether of the quilting on a Chanel bag, or the pattern on a Louis Vuitton. A company like Louis Vuitton, which values its logo, wouldn't divide the letters in a seam. And where the pattern appears on either side of the seam, it should match precisely.
Lining. Counterfeiters rarely have a good view of the inside of a bag. Typically they are working from photographs, which tend to distort color. So if you have gone to a boutique and seen the color in person, you immediately have an advantage. It should be precisely the same shade as the real thing–not a close approximation.
Pockets. Here too, it's easy for counterfeiters who are working off photographs, rather than copying the real thing, to get it wrong. Scafidi has a fake Chanel tote on which copyists omitted the pocket on the back, and a Coach on which they included the the back pocket but added a zipper.
Place of manufacture. Some counterfeiters routinely mark Louis Vuitton knockoffs "Made in France." But as it happens, at least one line was made in Spain. An example: a collaboration between Louis Vuitton's creative director Marc Jacobs, and the artist Takashi Murakami featuring cherry blossoms with whimsical smiley-face centers against the company's classic brown toile background.
Misspellings. In her collection of counterfeit bags Scafidi has a Coach labeled "eatherware" (the "L" in the word is omitted). Goyard counterfeiters made an even more egregious error, spelling the company's name "Gooyar" on both the printed canvas of the bag and its dust cover. That's a dead giveaway.
Based on four of these criteria, Scafadi questioned the authenticity of Goffe's Louis Vuitton bag, though she couldn't say for sure whether it was real or fake. The color of the lining isn't true to the original, she noted; the handles don't feel like leather; the pattern matching on the seams isn't perfect; and there is back-and-forth stitching where the seam ends under the tab.
We sent the bag back to Goffe, who made a separate attempt to authenticate it. Without disclosing that she writes for Forbes, she took the bag to the Louis Vuitton store in Seattle and asked if they could repair a scuff on the binding, figuring that they wouldn't touch a knockoff. The saleswoman looked at it closely and said it was the real deal–an older style that is no longer made.
"She inspected it closely (inside, outside, the lining and in the pockets)," Goffe reported, including the serial number pressed into the felt just above the pocket which would indicate where and when the bag was made. "It was worn off so she couldn't read it clearly, but based on the overall wear on the bag, the wear on the serial number was normal." Ordinarily, Louis Vuitton could have redone the piping for $175 but not in this case because the vinyl was cracked, creating the risk of further cracking when they re-piped the seams.
The plot thickened. Could it be that the previous owner had the bag repaired, but not by Louis Vuitton (given how much they charge for those services)? That would explain why the handles weren't made of the same material as the leather tab at the end of the zipper. In an older bag, with leather handles, they would have shown wear. So maybe the owner had the handles replaced with synthetic ones, which are more durable.
All this suggested that the bag was not a counterfeit–instead call it "custom modified." Oh the places it might have been before landing in the San Francisco consignment shop. And if only it could talk!
Addendum: Although the bag can't speak for itself, three days after this article was published Sally A. Carlson, an executive recruiter with Equinox Search in San Francisco, contacted us to speak for it. Carlson, who says she consigned the bag to Zander late last year, wrote in an e-mail that she bought the bag at the Louis Vuitton boutique on Union Square in San Francisco in 2007 and that it has never been altered. She also sent us a receipt showing that she paid $1,120 for it.
Also On Forbes
An Insider's Guide To Cate Blanchett's Designer Outfits In 'Blue Jasmine'
Consignment Shop Treasures: Where To Go And What To Buy
Four Tips for Selling Your Diamond Jewelry
Archive of Forbes Articles By Deborah Jacobs
Deborah L. Jacobs, a lawyer and journalist, is the author of Estate Planning Smarts: A Practical, User-Friendly, Action-Oriented Guide. You can follow her articles on Forbes by clicking the red plus sign or the blue Facebook "subscribe" button to the right of her picture above any post. She is also on Twitter and Google+
There is one really sure way to tell a fake. Look at the hardware under a magnifying glass. The Chinese factories that make it just dont have the manufacturing processes to produce good hardware. If you know what the really hardware looks like the fake hardware is dead obvious under magnification.
For bags that have leather external panels such as LV bags believe it or not the fakes actually look better than the real ones. The real ones use leather for the large panels while the fakes use vinyl. The leather looks very flat in light where as the vinyl tends to be brighter and slightly more reflective. Your eye will definitely be drawn to the fake for this reason, but the difference is quite subtle and unless you are experienced you would need to see them side by side. The vinyl is tougher and will last longer also.
The fakes are excellent products for the money. If you dont have several thousand dollars burning a hole in your pocket I definitely recommend them. Your best bet if to order one direct from China. Find a website that accepts credit cards or Paypal and use your credit card. They will not likely rip you off, but you might get a bag of lower quality than the one on the website so make them email you pictures of the actual bag they are sending.
I agree. The hardware tends to be the easiest give away. Good zippers are very expensive and they typically have a different color and/or finish, so that's the first thing one can investigate.
Type of thread is another give-away. Thinner thread is common on LV knock-offs. The better companies use heavier and better thread that doesn't fray, the color on authentic bags is rarely bright white. And again, the stitching is straight and consistent throughout.
Lining quality and construction are also important. Again, zipper quality on interior pockets should be checked, labels are also important, and if the lining has a pattern is it straight – again, better manufacturers take the time to make these details right.
Sometimes, on European brands (actually made in Europe) you can identify the direction of the stitches of their machines vs. Asian machines as European machines tend to angle the stitches slightly, but that's getting a bit technical.
There are many online companies which are selling fake products as real branded items. In this case we should buy only from local exclusive retailers or online authenticated stores as I bought my wife Kil kenny Orla Kiely Accessories last month and no doubt they are original.
Fakes are so pervasive on the secondary markets like the internet and consignment shops. After 15 years of authenticating I finally started authoring authentication manuals that are purse specific so women can have a definitive point of comparison before they buy. Check out my manuals on Amazon – Authenticating Louis Vuitton
This is one of the best guides I have founf on how to spot a knockoff Louis Vuitton bag.
I bought one the other day off of a site called http://replicaman.com
I have to say that it is the highest quality knockoff I've ever seen. It passes most of the tests here on this page. It only cost me $35 too. My friends all think it's a real one – hehe!


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« Drake Makes 'Headlines' Live, Squashes Rumors of Big Sean Beef [Video]
New Music: Tyrese f/ Ludacris – 'Too Easy' »
New Music: Teairra Mari f/ Rico Love – 'That's All Me'
Teairra Mari takes it back to the '90s by singing over a sample of Puff Daddy & the Family's classic "It's All About the Benjamins" on the Rico Love-penned "That's All Me."
"Been searching and I finally found someone who can cure all my lonely/ Won't let you go, no way boy, no how/ I'ma need you as my one and only," sings Teairra before Mr. Turn the Lights On spits a verse.
The song will appear on Division1/BMajor DJ T. Neal's forthcoming album Not Your Average DJ.
Teairra Mari f/ Rico Love – "That's All Me"Tweet
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Rockstar details GTA Online Independence Day weekend events
Sweepstakes, US vs UK stream, in-game discounts and more
Grand Theft Auto V or GTA 5 as its known to its fans is the fifth instalment of RockStar's award winning Grand Theft Auto series, released worldwide on September 17 2013. GTA 5 returns to the setting of Los Santos, RockStar's fictional equivalent of Los Angeles and stars three disparate career criminals taking on a series of heists as well as the series usual trademark open world gameplay. Featuring a massive open world which is as big as GTA: San Andreas, GTA IV and Red Dead Redemption combined, GTA 5 is considered the biggest single game release of 2013. It is available on Xbox 360 and PS3, with next-gen and PC versions possible too.
Sweepstakes, US vs UK stream, in-game discounts and more
GTA 5 title update 1.15 also fully detailed
Acclaimed film director Darren Aronofsky joins judging panel
Xbox 360 mod introduces new perspective on Rockstar's crime opus
Content 'taking more time to create than originally anticipated', misses spring release window
New clothes, tattoos, cars, jobs and gang attacks added
Clever fan remakes the intro in 8-bits
Related projects include Liberty City and Vice City Stories
Net income hits $361.7 million for FY2014
Helps propel digital revenue to Take-Two's highest
Adds option to own multiple new properties
Rewards boosted for all jobs and activities
Fresh community created content now available to play
It's not a jetpack, but it'll do
Players will be able to create four Capture Job types


text:
Rutland Town dealing with theftsBy Brent Curtis
STAFF WRITER | December 13,2012A large number of vehicles and even the municipal transfer station have been targeted by thieves recently in Rutland Town.
Vermont State Police and local law enforcement have issued multiple warnings in the last week about car break-ins on Town Line Road, Park Lane and Post Road Extension in Rutland Town.
Police also reported that similar break-ins were reported on Cedar Lane in Mendon.
Monday, police reported the latest break-in the office at the Rutland Town Transfer Station where someone damaged a door and a window to break in. State police said the burglary occurred at some point between Saturday afternoon and early Wednesday morning.
Police said they recovered evidence at the scene.
Transfer station manager Tony Flory said the thieves did a lot of damage including about $500 worth of damage to the door and window but found little of value inside.
They ransacked the whole place but there wasnt much for them to take, Flory said.
Checks made out to the town for about $600 were taken, Flory said, but he and other town officials said the checks could not be cashed since they were already made out to the town.
Im thinking whoever is doing this is looking for drug money and not thinking straight, said Stan Rhodes, chairman of the Rutland Town Select Board.
Break-ins arent new at the transfer station or at the municipal pool next to it in Northwood Park.
Flory said there were four break-ins at the transfer station last year while a break-in at the school last spring resulted in the theft of about 15 checks, Rhodes said.
The town installed surveillance cameras around the pool area this fall to deter further break-ins, Rhodes said.
For residents living in the Post Road Extension and Town Line Road areas, Rutland Town Police Chief Edward Dumas said the best way to deter thieves from breaking into vehicles is to take away any incentive to break into a car.
Dont leave anything of value in your car. Its like a calling card to thieves, he said. For people in the town, its not something they see as much as people in the city. Theyre not used to having their cars broken into.
And Dumas said all sorts of items could have value. In one case, he said, a pair of sweaters that a man bought for his wife were stolen and returned to the store where he bought them so the thief could claim a refund.
Asked if police believed that the break-ins were being carried out by the same person or people, Dumas said that was still unclear.
Anyone with information about the break-ins can call Dumas or the state police at 773-9101.
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What's Under Her Dress?
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Backless Dress
"The Victoria's Secret U-Plunge Backless Push-Up has been a lifesaver," celeb stylist Christina Ehrlich, who will be dressing Amy Adams for the Oscars, tells UsMagazine.com. "It's like a second skin -- even with sheer dresses -- and it really provides support." ($50, victoriassecret.com)


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