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The Florida Gators open the 2013 gymnastics season with a spacious new practice facility, a star-studded roster and a plethora of motivation.
The Florida Gators open the 2013 gymnastics season with a spacious new practice facility, a star-studded roster and a plethora of motivation.
UF, ranked No. 3 in the GymInfo preseason poll, moved into the program's new 18,000-square foot practice facility in the O'Connell Center on Dec. 27. While the Gators are getting accustomed to their new digs, which are still undergoing some last-minute touches, the initial response is a unanimous thumbs-up.
"It's a phenomenal facility," senior All-American Marissa King said. "It means so much to our program to have this facility now. It's going to be a huge contribution to the future of this program, and it was so needed and I think it was so deserved."
"Our new facility is amazing," junior All-American Alaina Johnson said. "We're so excited to have such a nice place to train in. The previous facility wasn't that bad, but this is way better and we love it. It was definitely a great Christmas present."
"We all love the facility," added sophomore All-American Kytra Hunter. "We're just really thankful that we got the opportunity to get a new practice gym, and now we're ready to start the season."
Ball State provides the season-opening competition tonight at 7 for a UF squad that won the 2012 SEC and NCAA Regional titles and finished as national runner-up in the closest finish in the 31-year history of the NCAA Championships.
Just a 10th of a point separated No. 1 from No. 3 in the NCAA Super Six team final, with Alabama (197.85) nipping UF (197.775) and third-place UCLA (197.75) in a finish that came down to the last competitor in the final event.
"As a team, I think we all went home on our own and were upset about coming in second at NCAAs," Hunter said. "We all had a mindset at the end of the year banquet. I believe this year it's going to be a lot better, and I'm just excited. All of the girls came back in great shape. I think we were so anxious coming back that we were all ready to compete.
"The coaches have done a great job keeping our bodies in the shape they should be and just keeping us on the right path to be ready for the season."
UF's 15-member roster includes five gymnasts with a total of 29 All-American honors, led by Hunter, who won a pair of individual NCAA titles (all-around and vault) last year as a true freshman, and Johnson. They were the only two performers at the NCAA Championships to earn the maximum of five All-America honors.
Rounding out the quintet are seniors King (2011 NCAA vault champion) and Ashanee Dickerson and junior Mackenzie Caquatto.
Add in another stellar freshman class led by former U. S. Olympian Bridget Sloan, who will be the first world all-around champion (2009) to compete as a collegian, and the ingredients are certainly there for a memorable season.
"This team is so unique and wonderful because of the variety of athletes that we have," UF coach Rhonda Faehn said. "We have quite a bit of depth, which is wonderful and is always needed, and we have an incredible senior class. The experience we have there with Ashanee, Marissa, Randy (Stageberg) and Dali (Lemezan) and the overall excitement that they bring is wonderful. This is their fourth year here, so they really get it."
Tonight is one of six regular-season home dates for UF, highlighted by an SEC dual meet with two-time defending national champ and top-ranked Alabama on Feb. 8. In addition, the Gators host NCAA Regionals (April 6) for the first time since 2008.
"It's really nice to get this season under way because the preseason is long and it gets a little bit tiring, so it's nice to get out there and kind of see what our athletes are going to do," Faehn said. "We're going to take it slow again, but it's going to be fun to be back in the O'Dome competing in front of all of our fans."


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As vice president of risk management for The Wendy's Co., Andy Kuchar has within his purview more than 40,000 employees working at 1,427 restaurants. Charged with the safety of that many workers and the tens of millions of guests the chain serves each year, working proactively is paramount to prevent injuries and ensure that proper coverage is in place.
The Wendy's Co. owns approximately one-fifth of its restaurants; the remainder are franchises. Each franchise agreement includes the insurance coverage needs that every Wendy's restaurant is required to carry, including General Liability, Workers' Compensation, Excess Liability and Property cover.
Kuchar's office utilizes a preferred insurance program for franchisees through Marsh, which brokers all of its placements—but some of those insurers don't write in certain parts of the country. As such, Wendy's requires a network of carriers to cover all its bases, with multiple carriers in each market competing for the business.
"Some of the large programs, such as our Property and Excess Liability, have multiple insurance carriers participating," he notes. "That said, AIG and ACE are our two most significant insurance partners: AIG on the property and executive-risk side and ACE on the casualty-risk side." While the company is self-insured in 18 states including Florida, New York, Georgia and Louisiana, its insurance programs are not self-administered in any of them but by its TPA, Sedgwick.
Wendy's risk management squad also includes two risk analysts, three casualty claims associates, three Workers' Compensation claims associates and a claims manager, all based in its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ohio. Kuchar is directly responsible for all coverage lines for the Wendy's Co., including D&O, Workers' Comp, General Liability, Excess Liability, Employment Practices Liability, Property and others, as well as several company-related organizations—two adoption-related charities (established by Wendy's founder and former CEO Dave Thomas, who was adopted when he was six months old) and the restaurant chain's political action committee (PAC).
When it comes to claims, Kuchar reveals, about 70% of the restaurant chain's incurred costs stem from Workers' Comp, while 30% fall under General Liability. The most significant exposures for both Wendy's customers and its employees are not extraordinary in the fast-food space: For guests, it's the usual slips, trips and falls. For employees, it's sprains, burns and other typical food-prep injuries.
"Being a restaurant company, maintaining the highest degree of food safety is one our primary concerns," he says. "If you're cooking in your own house, how do you get hurt?" he muses. "Those losses are almost inherent to what you do, and that's the challenge. Like a lot of disciplines, basic day-to-day 'blocking and tackling' executed well seems to yield the greatest results."
Which is not to say they happen often, according to Kuchar. And while any chain of Wendy's stature will attract a handful of unsubstantiated lawsuits per year, "the overwhelming majority aren't genuine," he says. "I was running through the math one day to see what the magnitude [of such claims] was, and 90 million people [in the U.S.] every year walk in to a Wendy's that we operate. And if you look at the number of accidents that happen, it's actually amazing—about one customer incident per million transactions."
Similarly, on the Workers' Comp side, Kuchar is encouraged to see just how low the accident rates really are. The math works out to more than one million hours worked before the company gets to a meaningful number.
"We have a strong emphasis on making certain that our employees have the right personal protective equipment available to minimize the risk of injury," Kuchar says, citing as examples special mesh gloves that employees wear while slicing tomatoes, and box cutters outfitted with retracting blades to help prevent cuts.
One of Wendy's signature menu items is its chili, which due to its temperature requires careful preparation. "We have specific procedures and equipment we use to make and move the chili to minimize the risk of a burn," he says.
Long, heat-resistant gloves and special aprons are used for this purpose, along with a special cart that's used to move the steaming dish from the station where it's cooked to the area where it is served.
Despite everyone's best efforts, employee accidents like cuts and burns still happen, he says. "When they do occur, we work hard to help the injured employee get appropriate medical care and return to work as quickly as possible."
To that end, Wendy's risk management program's policy is to return employees as soon as possible, working within the restrictions provided by their treating physician and its TPA.
"There are occasions when we can't accommodate an employee's work restrictions because it might create a safety hazard for other restaurant employees," he adds. "For example, any employee could need a walker while they recover from their injury, but a walker would be difficult to navigate around in the back of a restaurant." In those cases, alternate duties are available.
Just a few years ago, Wendy's refocused its return-to-work efforts, essentially making certain return policies were implemented across the board. Previously, as Kuchar explains, "If someone needed to sit on a stool for a week because they had a leg injury, some restaurants would have them at pick-up window, while others wouldn't."
At that time, return-to-work decisions were made primarily at the restaurant level, on a case-by-case basis; now, the risk-management department partners with an individual restaurant's operations team to bring more consistency to such decisions. These days, he says, such policies are the same in Georgia as they are in New York. That effort has yielded significant reductions in work-related injury costs.
In terms of teaching employee safety, like many companies, Wendy's has leveraged technology to deliver a large portion of training online through manager workstations via its intranet site.
Rather than approach safety and security as separate training modules, Kuchar notes, both components are integrated across the training modules. "We hope that sends the message that safety and security considerations are part of everything we do, not an afterthought," he says.

subset: commoncrawl


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Glock Magazine Model 36 .45ACP 6-ROUNDS
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Glock Magazine Model 36 .45ACP 6-ROUNDS
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May 1, 2015 Please read the following Terms and Conditions (these "T&Cs", "TOS" or "Agreement") carefully before committing to buying from LG-OUTDOORS/ LG ENTERPRISES, LLC or submitting any content to us.
***Please vistit our main website at http://www.lg-outdoors.com/termsandconditions.asp for our full terms and conditions. ***
o SOME OF OUR PRODUCTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO GUNS, AMMUNITION AND OTHER WEAPONRY HAVE VARIOUS SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS ON SALE, DELIVERY AND TRANSPORT AS DELINEATED BY LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. ANY SUCH LAWS ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THESE T&CS.
o YOU AFFIRM THAT YOU ARE EITHER AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE, AN EMANCIPATED MINOR, OR POSSESS LEGAL PARENTAL OR GUARDIAN CONSENT, AND ARE FULLY ABLE AND COMPETENT TO ENTER INTO THE TERMS, CONDITIONS, OBLIGATIONS, AFFIRMATIONS, REPRESENTATIONS, AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN THESE T&Cs, AND TO ABIDE BY AND COMPLY WITH THESE T&Cs.
o ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE LISTING IS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE MAY DISPLAY AN IMAGE OF ONLY ONE OF THE SIZES OF A PRODUCT, AS IMAGES FOR ALL SIZES MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE.PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS, IMAGES AND INGREDIENTS ARE BELIEVED TO BE ACCURATE BUT MAY BE CHANGED AT ANYTIME BY MANUFACTURERS. PLEASE REFER TO THE MANUFACTURERS WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
o OUR BUSINESS CHANGES CONSTANTLY, AS DO OUR PRIVACY POLICY AND ANY RULES, REGULATIONS AND FAQ POSTED ON THE LISTING, INCLUDING THESE T&CS. WE MAY OR MAY NOT E-MAIL OR IN OTHER WAYS PROVIDE YOU WITH PERIODIC REMINDERS OF CHANGES TO OUR POLICIES, BUT IT IS YOUR EXPRESSED OBLIGATION TO CHECK THE SITES FREQUENTLY TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY RECENT CHANGES TO ANY OF OUR POLICIES OR THESE T&CS. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REVISE THESE T&CS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT PROVIDING NOTICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS.
1. Description of Products: The Sites enable our customers, users and visitors (together "Customers") to purchase various products, including but not limited to hunting, fishing and general sporting goods and merchandise (together, the "Products").
a. Some of our Products, including but not limited to guns, ammunition and other weaponry have various specific restrictions on sale, delivery and transport as delineated by local, state and federal laws and regulations ("Laws"). Any such Laws are incorporated by reference into these T&Cs.
b. We reserve the right to add, change, modify, suspend or discontinue any portion of the listing or the Products offered at any time.
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ii. Product pictures are provided as a convenience to our Customers. Manufactures do not always have a picture for every item they produce. This leaves some products without a picture. We provide these missing pictures with a picture of a like item.
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a. Ship and/or delivery dates are not guaranteed under any circumstances regardless of the method chosen for shipping. All dates given, both verbally and written, are estimates based on average movement of shipments. Any orders cancelled or returned due to shipping and/or delivering delays are subject to all cancellation and return fees.
b. Lost, Stolen or Damaged Packages? If a package is lost, stolen or damaged a claim must be filed with the shipping company. Damage must be reported within 2 days of receipt of the package. No replacements or refunds will be issued until the shipping company has completed their investigation. Upon receiving the shipping companies findings and they have decided to pay the claim we will either send a replacement or refund at our discretion.
c. Customers Are Responsible For All Shipping Charges, Cost, And Fees. ?The customer is fully responsible for all charges, cost and fees related to/with returned shipments and address changes. This includes but is not limited to Undeliverable Addresses, Refused Packages, Address Changes, 3rd Attempt Undeliverable Packages, Cancellation Of An Order After It Ships, and The Return Of Packages To Our Facility With / Without Proper Notification, which includes but is not limited to the issuing of a return merchandise authorization number (RMA). Charges, Cost, and Fees may include but are not limited to shipping charges, cost and fees to the customer, shipping charges, cost and fees back to our facility, and shipping charges, cost and fees back to the customer. If a package is returned to us and delivered to the wrong facility, the customer is responsible for the charges, cost and fees related to shipping the package to the proper facility. If the customer refuses to pay for any shipping charges, cost, or fees accrued after the initial shipping of the package we reserve the right to deduct all charges, cost and fees from the customers refund.
d. Once a package has been delivered back to our facility, we will attempt to contact the customer via the information they have provided us. The customer has 2 business days from the time the package is delivered to our facility to contact us and make arrangements for reshipping of the package. After those 2 business days have elapsed, we reserve the right to ship the package back to the proper facility, if it is not already been delivered there, and issue the customer a refund minus the charges, cost and fees mentioned in this agreement.
e. Address Corrections/Changes After Order Ships = Minimum of $20.00 + Shipping Fees
f. Package Intercepts Minimum of $20.00 + Shipping Fees
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4. We Reserve The Right To Cancel Any Order At Any Time For Any Reason.
5. Exchange/Defective Products/Refund Policy For a more prompt exchange/refund, Please keep your invoice!
(a) If it is necessary to return merchandise for an exchange/refund, all merchandise must meet the following conditions:
• Returned in original packaging.
• Returned within (15) days. This can be extended for special circumstances.
• Returned to us in re-sellable condition.
• Copy of invoice enclosed with merchandise.
• You must contact us for a RMA number and write the number on the package.
• You must return the goods to the warehouse(s) specified in the RMA, and it is the customer's responsibility to verify the correct return address before sending goods back. Any good shipped to the incorrect location will incur additional shipping charges. We are not responsible for any goods returned to the wrong address.
• Enclose a brief letter of explanation.
• Merchandise returned for refund is subject to a 15% restock fee.
• Defective items will be replaced if possible. If a defective item is returned for refund, all restocking fees apply. If we do not have a replacement, you will get a 100% refund of the purchase price of the item.
• There is a minimum restocking fee of $5.00.
• Shipping charges are not refundable.
• If you return an item for a refund that had free shipping, a normal shipping charge will be deducted from the refund.
• All returns must be prepaid.
• No COD's accepted.
(b) Returns and Exchanges NOT Allowed On AIR PISTOLS, AIR RIFLES AND ANY OTHER TYPE OF AIR GUN ALL SALES FINAL ON AIR PISTOLS, AIR RIFLES AND ANY OTHER TYPE OF AIR GUN. All sales are final on these items.
(c) Returns and Exchanges NOT Allowed On AMMUNITION. ALL SALES FINAL ON AMMUNITION. All sales are final on these items.
(d) Returns and Exchanges NOT Allowed On SCOPES if they have been mounted.
(e) Returns and Exchanges NOT Allowed On LEOPOLD OPTICS and other optics if the SEAL has been BROKEN.
(f) Returns and Exchanges NOT Allowed On Items manufactured by CAS Hanwei
(g) Returns and Exchanges NOT Allowed On BLACK or SMOKELESS POWDERS and PRIMERS. ALL SALES FINAL ON BLACK or SMOKELESS POWDERS and PRIMERS. All sales are final on these items.
(h) Returns and Exchanges NOT Allowed On Floor Safes
(i) Returns and Exchanges NOT Allowed On UNDERGARMENTS and / or SWIM WEAR. ALL SALES FINAL ON UNDERGARMENTS and / or SWIM WEAR. All sales are final on these items.
(j) Returns and Exchanges NOT Allowed On SAFETY GEAR including harnesses, helmets, and ropes due to safety concerns. All sales are final on these items.
(k) Returns and Exchanges NOT Allowed On Tree stands of any kind. All sales are final on these items.
(l) Returns and Exchanges NOT Allowed On Bows and / or Crossbows of any kind. All sales are final on these items.
(m) Returns and Exchanges NOT Allowed On First Aid Items of any kind. All sales are final on these items.
(n) Any questions concerning an exchange/refund should be directed to our customer service department at Toll Free 1-888-LG-SHOPZ ( 1-888-547-4679). If the merchandise you receive is defective, call our customer service department for instructions.
(o) For a prompt exchange/refund, return all merchandise to the location specified in the RMA acknowledgement.
(p) Item Condition and Packaging
• Items will only be accepted for return if the item itself and it's packaging are in new, unopened and unused condition. This includes blister packs and shrink wrapping that an item may come in. Certain manufactures, like Leupold, will not allow us to take items back that the blister pack and or shrink wrapping have been opened.
• In cases that we are unable to take an item back you will need to contact the manufacture for warranty work.
6. Warranty/Defective Items/Missing PartsAll defective and/or warranty products should be handled through the manufacturer.* *Claims for missing items or items damaged in transit must be received / reported to us within three business days of deliver of merchandise.*
• We are not a repair facility and can not accept items for repair or warranty work.
• All warranties are through the manufacturer of the product.
• If the product is missing parts and/or is defective, the customer should first contact the manufacturer for parts and/or repairs.
7. Charge Backs: The customer agrees not to proceed with any actions that would dispute and / or recover any charges, cost or fees that we have collected and / or deducted from the customers refund / account. This includes but is not limited to charge backs and canceling checks. If the customer does pursue any actions that would dispute and / or recover any charges, cost and fees that we have collected and / or deducted from the customers refund / account they agree to pay for any charges, cost or fees we may accrue defending such actions. **The customer is responsible for any and all charges, cost or fees accrued by as a result of a chargeback being filed. These charges, cost and fees include but are not limited to a $25.00 chargeback initiation fee, arbitration cost, and any legal cost. **


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Ratings Rumble
"The government has not explained where the other $4.5 billion in alleged losses come from."
–Kenneth Vittor, general counsel of McGraw-Hill Cos.
As part of the continuing fallout from the 2008 financial crisis, the U.S. government is suing Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (S&P) for $5 billion, accusing the company of ignoring its own quality standards when rating mortgage bonds, many of which subsequently collapsed.
The feds say that S&P, a unit of McGraw-Hill, should pay back billions of dollars for losses suffered by federally insured banks and credit unions in connection with the inflated ratings. But in a conference call Monday, Vittor told investors that the government's suit enumerates just $500 million in alleged losses.
Spill Saga
"What is clear is that [gross negligence] is a very high bar, and we firmly believe the bar is not met in this case."
–Rupert Bondy, general counsel of BP
Last fall, BP Plc agreed to pay a record-setting $4.5 billion penalty and plead guilty to 14 criminal counts to settle a portion of the U.S. government's investigation into the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. But the saga is far from over, as both sides prepare for a civil trial slated to start on Monday. Authorities hope to prove that the oil company was guilty of gross negligence, and they're seeking Clean Water Act (CWA) penalties that could add up to billions of dollars.
BP officials, however, maintain that the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion was an accident, and that part of the blame should go to Transocean, which operated the rig, and Halliburton, which cemented the well.
Preventing Piracy
"Research shows that users trust search engines like Google to lead them to legitimate sites when searching for music, yet Google's demotion program is not working."
–Steven Marks, general counsel of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
It's no easy task to enforce copyright online, where piracy of written works, videos and songs runs rampant. In an effort to crack down on such infringement, Google announced six months ago that it would factor copyright takedown notices into its search algorithm, resulting in lower search results for sites that garnered numerous complaints.
But those efforts haven't done much to decrease music piracy, according to an RIAA report released Thursday. The industry group found that when it searched for popular songs titles along with words such as "MP3" and "download," Google's auto-complete function directed users to alleged pirate sites 88 percent of the time, while legitimate sites such as Amazon and iTunes were demoted in the rankings.
Peeved Publishers
"This bill would waste so much taxpayer money at a time of budgetary crisis, squander federal employees' time with busywork and require the creation and maintenance of otherwise-unneeded technology."
–Allan Adler, general counsel of the Association of American Publishers (AAP)
The publishing industry group is speaking out against a new bill that would require federally funded researchers to make their final publications available for free online. Supporters of the Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act say that it will help increase transparency, and boost collaboration and innovation in the scientific community. But the AAP says that the proposed law would burden federal agencies, and notes that some private-sector companies are already collaborating with researchers to publish scholarly work.
Extra Employees
"The biggest gating factor on the industry's ability to keep innovating and keep producing more products is the ability to hire more engineers."
–Brad Smith, general counsel of Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft's top lawyer is continuing his quest to increase the number of H1-B visas available to companies. According to Smith, the tech titan had more than 3,500 engineering jobs available at the end of last year, but couldn't find enough U.S. workers to fill those spots. Some companies in the industry are lobbying Congress to release more work visas, which would allow them to temporarily hire foreign workers with specialized skills in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
Some out-of-work American programmers, however, remain skeptical that companies such as Microsoft can't find qualified workers closer to home.


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Walworth County Judge John Race retiring
ELKHORN--The governor's office is accepting applications to fill the term of Walworth County Judge John Race, who is retiring Dec. 30.
"I'm 78. I don't want to be carried out feet first," Race said Friday.
He submitted a letter to the governor's office Tuesday announcing his intent to retire.
Race has served on the bench for 29 years after being appointed by Gov. Tony Earl in 1984. He ran for election one year later, surviving a primary and general election. He has not been challenged in an election since.
"My term is up July 31, 2015. I didn't plan on running again because judicial elections are very costly now," Race said.
The governor's office on Friday issued a solicitation for attorneys to apply for appointment to Race's bench seat. The deadline for applications is Friday, Oct. 11.
The person appointed will be required to run for election within a year, Race said.
He has encouraged family court commissioner Kristine Drettwan to apply for appointment, he said.
He said he does not know what other attorneys might be interested.
Before his appointment in 1984, Race practiced law in Elkhorn for 17 years. As a judge, he rotated between the criminal, civil and family courts every two years.
He's been on the family court bench since Aug. 1.
"That's the most unpleasant branch of court a judge can serve in ... because of the bickering," Race said. "And then they put the kids in the middle and bicker about that.
"I just got through being angry and kicking people out of the courtroom just simply because they're bickering and they're using me to beat each other up," he said.
Race said he'll miss hearing interesting cases.
"It's the excitement or the pressure or how to handle a case. What's going on. The intrigue and tension. The drama of a lawsuit. I'll miss that, but I won't miss the bickering.
"If you go into a felony murder, every question I have to listen to very carefully. Medical malpractice cases have the best lawyers and witnesses in the country if not the world. It's like watching a very good movie. Trials are great listening. I"ll miss the trials." Race said.
Race said he would like to serve as a reserve judge.
"Maybe they won't let me because they think I'm too goofy," he said.
He thanked the residents of Walworth County for their support.
"It's just been a great 29 years," he said. "I want to leave on a high note in good health."
He said he and his wife plan to travel after his retirement.


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Janesville Police looking for robbery suspect
JANESVILLE—Police are looking for a suspect in an attempted robbery.
At 8:47 p.m. Saturday, a white male entered the Citgo Station, 404 N. Parker Drive, Janesville.
The suspect did not display a weapon, but ordered the clerk to give him all the money. The clerk refused and the suspect fled.
Janesville police officers responded to the scene with their K-9 unit, but were unable to track down the suspect.
The suspect is described as a white male in his 20s, approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall and about 175 to 185 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black long-sleeve T-shirt, with black baggy jeans and white tennis shoes.
Anyone with information about this crime can contact Janesville Area Crime Stoppers at 608-756-3636 or Rock County's non-emergency dispatch at 608-757-2244.


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Research Fellow Job
Company: Mayo Clinic
We're sorry, this position has been filled.
But don't give up your job search just yet!
Click Here to see all Mayo Clinic Job Openings in Rochester, or click below on one of our main categories:
Rochester Minnesota Nursing Jobs: Professional nurses at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., deliver comprehensive care of the highest standard. The Department of Nursing coordinates and collaborates with other disciplines to provide excellence in patient care. This commitment provides quality holistic nursing care to patients and their families from their initial clinical visit through hospitalization and the transition to their discharge destination.
Minnesota Medical Office Jobs: Whether you are a recent medical secretary or medical transcriptionist graduate or a skilled professional, Mayo Clinic is a place where you can achieve your goals and discover career and personal fulfillment. We invite you to explore a medical secretary or transcriptionist career with Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Here you will be a valued member of an outstanding healthcare team, and you will experience the exceptional environment of one of the world's leading healthcare institutions.
Minnesota IT & Programming Jobs: The size and scope of practice at Mayo Clinic makes it unique. Technologies that have been created here are used worldwide. Computers, joined with video, wireless and engineering technology, support every aspect of Mayo's clinical practice, research and education. Glimpses of future technology suggest ways in which Mayo Clinic will remain an international leader.
Why Apply for a Job at Mayo Clinic?
Mayo Clinic recognizes that every staff member contributes to the care of the more than 500,000 patients who pass through its doors each year. To ensure that we also care for our employees, Mayo Clinic provides a comprehensive benefits package that recognizes the importance of a balance between your professional and personal lives. This dedication to our employees has resulted in Mayo Clinic consistently being named one of FORTUNE's "100 Best Companies to Work For."
Mayo Clinic is an affirmative action and equal opportunity educator and employer. Post-offer/pre-employment drug screening is required.
Date: Nov 14, 2012


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please contact EHEN's Executive Director, Rhea A. White.
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Arguments heard in case accusing Walworth County sheriff's deputies of intimidating jurors
ELKHORN—Witnesses claim up to 10 Walworth County sheriff's deputies participated in an intimidation tactic by standing in a line facing the county courthouse while watching jurors, defense attorneys, Daniel White and White's family, leave the building the first night of a September trial.
The event was part of an "orchestrated effort" to intimidate the jury and infringe on White's right to a fair trial, Anthony Cotton, defense attorney, said at a motion hearing Thursday afternoon.
White of Sugar Creek was on trial for resisting an officer, battery to law enforcement officers, failure to comply and disorderly conduct in a September 2012 incident. He claims he is the victim of police brutality.
The trial ended in a mistrial Sept. 13.
In November, White and Cotton filed a motion for dismissal and a motion for a change in venue to a non-adjacent county.
Cotton claims members of the sheriff's office engaged in actions "calculated" to intimidate the jury and witnesses during White's trial. A mistrial was declared when the jury was unable to reach a verdict.
The accusations that the sheriff's office intimidated jurors and witnesses and infringed on the defendant's right to a fair trial "are completely without merit," according to a brief filed by Deputy District Attorney Joshua Grube.
At a motion hearing Thursday afternoon, Grube continued his argument, saying if deputies were in the courtroom and courthouse, they were either doing their jobs or supporting a fellow deputy, who was reportedly injured by White in the 2012 incident.
Grube said the prosecution had no reason to shoot for a mistrial, as the defense alleged, because it was confident in its case.
"At no point was the state working for a mistrial. It was always to win the case," Grube said.
White's attorney for the September trial, Donna Kuchler, testified Thursday about her experience. She said at one point the sheriff, undersheriff, captains and lieutenants entered the courtroom at the same time.
Kuchler said deputies were "packing" the courtroom, giving "grim" expressions to herself and jurors when leaving the courthouse.
The deputies' actions were intimidating to her, Kuchler said.��
"At all times throughout this trial, there was a tremendous presence of deputies" in the hallways, courtroom, and courthouse Kuchler said.
When Grube asked why Kuchler did not report the presence of deputies outside the courthouse on the first night, Kuchler said the evidence had been presented and the jury was deliberating so she "dealt with it" and set it aside until a juror later approached her about feeling intimidated.
The defense also accuses deputies of taking a dog and searching the exterior of vehicles belonging to Kuchler, to White and to White's wife without searching other vehicles in the parking lot outside the courthouse.
In the November interview, Sheriff David Graves said the trial and parking lot searches are unrelated and the deputies in the room were either testifying or were court security deputies.
Sean Borkhuis, a private investigator hired by Kuchler for the case, took the witness stand Thursday.
He said he was present during the trial and did not see deputies leading dogs in the parking lot firsthand, but he did see a video showing a deputy and a dog circled "at least three times" around Kuchler's vehicle.
When asked if Kuchler's car was targeted, he said "from the video it appeared that way."
Eight of the 12 jurors said they thought deputies had their names, addresses, phone numbers or license plate numbers, knew which cars they drove or were being tracked by GPS, according to one motion.
Two jurors signed affidavits saying they feared the deputies and that White couldn't have a fair trial in Walworth County.
The affidavits were ruled hearsay by Judge David Reddy.
In a November interview with The Gazette, Graves said the accusations are "wholly without merit."
White's claims lack explanation and evidence, according to the prosecution's brief in response to White's motions.
"White has not alleged one single shred of evidence--beyond innuendo and speculation--that any officer, whether directly involved in this case or not, did anything to intimidate any member of the jury," according to the brief.
The defense said it is "prudent and wise for all of us to air on the side of caution" and move the case to a different county to avoid prejudice against White and to avoid jurors feeling afraid.
Reddy said he plans to make a written decision on the motions.


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Greenacre - Chullora suburb map
Greenacre - Chullora suburb map and detailed boundaries, with the latest demographic data in an accurate, easy to use website.
An accurate suburb map for Greenacre - Chullora and surrounding areas is available in profile.id - the online community profile compiled by id, the population experts and funded by the local council. Maps are generally based on officially gazetted suburb or locality boundaries.
These maps are part of a comprehensive demographic analysis of the area that includes the latest population, land area and population density figures as well as a comprehensive socio-demographic analysis of the resident community.
Statistics for Greenacre - Chullora include population, age structure, religion, education, qualifications, occupation as well as information about housing and households.
These websites, which are funded by the local council and compiled by population experts, .id, use simple, clear maps tables and charts with concise factual commentary to inform community groups, investors, business, students and the general public.


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Richard Sheridan, Janesville (1931-2013)
May 14, 1931 - November 27, 2013
Richard Sheridan, age 82, of Janesville, died on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, at St. Mary's Janesville Hospital. He was born in Janesville, on May 14, 1931, the son of Edward and Catherine (McKeown) Sheridan. He served in the U.S. Air Force in Greenland. Dick married Diane A. Schweitzer in St. Patrick's Catholic Church on Sept. 1, 1956. He spent many years as a Barber operating Razors Edge on Mineral Point, and also took care of patients at Rock Haven Nursing Home, and the TB Sanitarium. He, later, owned and operated with his father-in-law, brother-in-law, and their children, Ott Schweitzer Distributing Company, before retiring in 1992. He was a member of St. William Catholic Church, the Janesville Country Club, Loyal Order of Moose, and the Elk's Club. He loved golfing, music especially Frank Sinatra, attending sporting events, and was a Badger ticket holder. Dick was a practical joker from the start and "proud to be a stockholder" of the Atlanta Braves. He followed current events, was an avid reader, and loved celebrating his Irish Heritage.
Dick is survived by his wife, Diane; two children, Stacie (Terry) Clark of Neenah and Douglas (Denielle) Sheridan of Janesville; three grandchildren: Keaton and Mikenzie Clark and Sophie Sheridan; five siblings: Pat Wileman of Largo, FL, Kay (Lee) Gosda of Portage, Donna (Jerry) Brehm of Janesville, Sally (Paul) Cole of Beloit, and Terry (Judy) Sheridan of Janesville; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Theresa Marie; and three brothers: Jack, James (Doris), and Daniel (Ann) Sheridan.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, at ST. WILLIAM CATHOLIC CHURCH with Rev. John Auby officiating. A visitation will be held on Monday from 3 until 7 p.m. at SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Lasting Memorials may be made to St. William Catholic Church. For on-line condolences and registry: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com


text: Week 4 of the TransWorld SURF Model Search for Miss November 2012 features a slew of smoking hot contenders! To enter the Model Search, email your photos to firstname.lastname@example.com. Please include name, age, hometown, and some info about yourself. Winners will receive prizes from Spy Optic, B. Swim, and be featured in TransWorld SURF magazine.


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Freestanding with legs. This light table will fit comfortably in a child's room. Will accommodate 4 Prism Bases. Quality hardwood. UL approved. Connector cord on/off switch. Measures 20 in. long x 23 in. wide x 21 in. tall. Suitable for ages 2 and up. Prism bricks sold separately. Mfg. item #L4001
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Dallas Cowboys Mens Shirts
Show your Cowboys spirit with a Dallas Cowboys Men's Shirt from the Official Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop. A Cowboys shirt is the best way for Cowboys fans to get together and show their loyalty to their favorite team, not just during the game but anywhere. We've provided you with a wide variety of Cowboys gear, so you can show your appreciation for the Cowboys every day. If you're looking for short sleeve, long sleeve, tank tops, polos, big and tall shirts, we have it here. Is there a favorite player you want to sport? We have player tees for top players as well, such as Dez Bryant, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Dan Bailey, and Jason Witten. Perhaps you just want a classic Cowboys logo shirt, we have that too.
We also have a wide selection of Dallas Cowboys Nike Men's Shirts, so you can put your Cowboys pride on display while at the gym or during your run. These Nike performance tops are designed with Dri-FIT fabric to wick away sweat and keep you cool and dry while you work out. So, we basically have everything you need. What are you waiting for? Enjoy the warm weather and see what we have for you.


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Each spring, park patrons may see dandelions growing in their neighborhood parks throughout Chicago, signifying a healthy, chemical-free park. The Chicago Park District for a fourth year is partnering with Safer Pest Control Project to offer park visitors a safer and healthier park by limiting the use of pesticides throughout the district.
Close to 90 percent of Chicago parks avoid the use of chemicals that are sprayed to control weeds. This is done in an effort to minimize the impact on our environment.
"The Park District strives to keep our Chicago parks a healthy place for everyone to enjoy," said Mike Kelly, Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO. "We are encouraging all Chicago residents to follow the Park District's example and use more natural lawn care techniques that keeps your lawn safe and healthy."
"Residents can control weeds and get a naturally beautiful lawn without pesticides, which carry potential risks to human health and water quality," says Ruth Kerzee, Executive Director of Safer Pest Control Project. "A natural lawn will help reduce disease and pest problems safely, which can over time save time and money as an extra added benefit to your family."
The Chicago Park District mows turf grass to keep weeds down. Following natural lawn care basics, the Park District keeps the grass three inches high. This allows the roots to grow strong and access water deep in the ground. As a result, the taller grass naturally shades out some weeds. With the reduction in use of chemical weed killers, dandelion flowers grow back quickly, often overnight. Therefore, the sight of dandelions indicates grass that is healthy and safe for all park patrons to play on!
Four Natural Lawn Care Tips
Safer Pest Control Project
The Safer Pest Control Project is the only organization in Illinois dedicated to protecting children and their families from the serious health consequences of pesticides. Safer Pest Control Project (SPCP) works to reduce pesticide use and promotes safe, effective alternatives.
At the center of their efforts is Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a proven method that emphasizes simple, inexpensive prevention practices that cause the least harm to people and the planet. For 18 years, Safer Pest Control Project has done their work by developing model programs and policies, lobbying, building coalitions, and conducting outreach, training, and advocacy programs.
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Quick Facts
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease in which your body is unable to maintain a normal blood sugar (glucose) level.
Care Guides
- Birth Control Facts about birth control to help decide which type is right for you.
- Type 2 Diabetes Basic facts about type 2 diabetes & risk factors to be aware of.
- Urinary Incontinence The symptoms and causes of urinary incontinence or urge incontinence.
- Alzheimer's Disease Facts about Alzheimer's Disease, including the symptoms and stages.
- Atrial Fibrillation Facts about atrial fibrillation, including symptoms and risk factors.
- COPD The facts about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Clinical Depression Clinical depression facts; symptoms & other depressive disorders.
- Depression Facts about depression, including the symptoms of the condition.
- Diabetic Macular Edema Facts about diabetic macular edema, including the different types.
- Flu Facts about influenza (flu), including symptoms and vaccines.
- View All Care Guides Prepare for your next visit with our extensive library of Care Guides
About Dr. Ajitha Palukuru
Dr. Ajitha Palukuru, MD is a Doctor primarily located in Everett, WA. She has 14 years of experience. Her specialties include Geriatric Medicine and Internal Medicine. Dr. Palukuru is affiliated with Island Hospital, Providence General Medical Center and Providence Everett Medical Center. She speaks English.
Group Health Everett Medical Center
2930 Maple St
Everett, WA 98201
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Dr. Ajitha Palukuru has the following 2 specialties
- Geriatric Medicine
A geriatric specialist is a physician who treats the elderly population and the conditions that most commonly affect them. These doctors have special training in the effects of aging on the body and mind of a patient.
Geriatric specialists...
- Internal Medicine
An internist is a physician who focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the adult population—both acute and chronic.
These doctors are often who adults see as their primary physicians because they treat a broad...
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Stopping Seizures
"There is a rational basis to conclude that the use of eminent domain by localities to restructure loans for borrowers that are 'underwater' on their mortgages presents a clear threat to the safe and sound operations of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks as provided in federal law."
–Alfred M. Pollard, general counsel of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)
Some cities, such as Richmond, Calif., have begun seizing mortgages from investors and writing down the loan balances to help borrowers at the risk of foreclosure. Although this plan has some backers, the FHFA is not one of them. Last week, the agency, which regulates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, is considering telling the two companies to stop doing business in communities where this occurs.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have recently joined a lawsuit to stop Richmond from seizing loans. Other cities, such as North Las Vegas, Nev., and Irvington, N.J., are still examining the eminent domain plan. Chicago is among the cities that scrapped the idea after studying it last year.
Navigation Networks
"The responsibility for Harbinger's losses rests squarely with Harbinger."
–Jim Kirkland, general counsel of Trimble Navigation
GPS companies are in Phillip Falcone's crosshairs. His hedge fund, Harbinger Capital, sued Deere & Company, Garmin International and Trimble Navigation last week, along with two GPS industry lobby groups. Harbinger owns LightSquared, a now-bankrupt wireless broadband company. In the lawsuit, Harbinger claims the defendants prevented LightSquared from operating a crucial 4G network.
The GPS companies don't see the disagreement the same way. According to them, LightSquared's network transmitters would interfere with other GPS equipment using the same band of spectrum. LightSquared had planned to build a broadband network to compete with AT&T and Verizon, but in February 2012, the Federal Communications Commission rejected a license it needed to get the network up and running.
Political Preferences
"We've excluded states that have not shown consistent, strong support for Second Amendment rights."
–Jeff Reh, general counsel of Beretta U.S.A.
It's not much of a secret that some sections of the U.S. are more gun-friendly than others. Recognizing this discrepancy, governors and other politicians from gun-friendly states have begun offering tax breaks and cash grants to persuade gun makers to move. While gun makers' headquarters were once all over the map, more and more are beginning to be concentrated in one place.
Gunmaker Beretta U.S.A. is one of those on the move. The company is looking to build a new factory, and as Reh explains, only gun-friendly states will be considered. Beretta has determined seven finalists—among them South Carolina, Texas and Virginia—from these states. Other states, such as West Virginia and Louisiana, were cut due to state politicians supporting gun control bills.
Patent Problems
"Zynga filed a lawsuit to stop blatant infringement of its valuable 'With Friends' brand. Zynga is compelled to file suit to prevent further consumer confusion and protect its intellectual property rights against infringement."
–Renee Lawson, deputy general counsel of Zynga
As we covered here at InsideCounsel, Zynga was none too happy about a start-up phone application company calling itself "Bang with Friends." Zynga, whose game catalog included the titles "Words with Friends," "Chess with Friends" and "Scramble with Friends" claimed the new company was in violation of Zynga's intellectual property rights due to the similarity.
However, Zynga may not get its wish. Experts told the BBC that "with" and "friends" are very common words that the company may not be able to keep to itself. Bang with Friends said, "As a technology company, we take intellectual property seriously, and will evaluate the case in detail once we receive a copy."
Fee Fracas
"Quality starts by staffing and resourcing the patent office."
–Horacio Gutierrez, deputy general counsel of Microsoft Corp.
Technology patent fights are all the rage these days, especially with Samsung and Apple locked in a duel to the death. That's why technology companies were crying foul a few weeks ago when Congress held back $148 million in higher patent fees received from companies such as Google Inc. and 3M Co. rather than using those funds to address a work backlog. Several top-patent holding companies agreed to higher fees if the government would use the funds constructively, and now, they're crying foul.
The struggles within the U.S. patent system have resulted in many major technology companies beefing up their patent law departments. Microsoft has been at the forefront of this movement, an unsurprising development considering the company ranks in the top 10 recipients of U.S. patents each year. According to Gutierrez, Microsoft pays "tens of millions more each year," that, with the government's decision, have resulted in "a tax increase that is not going to result in the improvement of patent quality."
Privacy Protections
"While consensus around the technical specs remains elusive, people are making a choice when they turn on Do Not Track. We're going to respect that choice."
–Mike Yang, general counsel of Pinterest
Web privacy has become a hot-button issue, and social networking site Pinterest is the latest to make its thoughts on the matter known. Using a "Do Not Track" feature, Pinterest users are now eligible to avoid cookies that collect personal information as well as third-party cookies, including those used for advertising. Pinterest said on its company blog: "We're excited to offer everyone a more personal experience, but we also understand if you're not interested. We respect Do Not Track as an option for people who want to turn off this collection of browsing activity from other sites."
Privacy companies are praising the move. Kurt Opsahl, a senior staff lawyer with the non-profit Electronic Frontier Foundation, told The New York Times, "It's good to see some prominent companies come forward and adopt these standards. By doing so they are saying 'We're going to respect people's privacy preferences.'"
TV Tussle
"[This] is a victory for American consumers, and we are proud to have stood by their side in this important fight over the fundamental rights of consumer choice and control."
–Stanton Dodge, general counsel of Dish Network Corp.
Tired of commercials? Dish Network Corp. has been banking on that. Its AutoHop ad-skipping feature delighted Dish customers but enraged broadcasting companies to the point where some decided to take Dish to court. In late July, Dish won the first battle, as a California federal appeals court upheld a lower court's decision denying a preliminary injunction and allowing the service to continue.
Last year, Fox Broadcasting Co., Comcast Corp.'s NBC, and CBS Corp. sued Dish in California, claiming the ad-skipping feature would reduce the companies' revenue from advertisers. Fox also filed a preliminary injunction against Dish which was denied. Dish in turn sued the broadcast networks in New York seeking a declaration that its service would not infringe upon copyrights.
Stakeholder Suit
"The court recognized that there isn't wrongdoing in every instance where a public company is acquired."
–Steve Scheinthal, general counsel of Landry's, Inc.
When Landry's Inc. and restaurateur Tilman Fertitta purchased Morton's Restaurant Group Inc. for $116.6 million, Morton's stakeholders cried foul. Shareholders claimed Morton's directors should have gotten more for the sale than $6.90 per share, claiming a rushed process that always favored Fertitta above all other bidders. In late July, Delaware Chancery Court Judge Leo Strine sided with Morton's and threw out the investor suits challenging the deal.
In his decision, Judge Strine said investors could not challenge the sale because "every major decision leading up to the transaction was approved by a board of independent and disinterested directors." The judge concluded that Morton's properly shopped around for the best price, taking nine months to complete the process. He also said the finances were not clouded by a conflict of interest, as the shareholders had claimed.


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Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Functionality, Comfort, Aesthetics
There are three basic qualities that matter to me in a bicycle, and these qualities are functionality, comfort, and aesthetics. All three are essential for me, and I could not love a bicycle if either were lacking.
Because functionality is a factor of individual needs, it is subject to great variability. Just as there are different types of bicycle racers, so are there different types of urban commuters. A diplomat who wears crisp skirt-suits and freshly-polished shoes to work and has a 2-mile commute will likely require different features from a transport bike than a computer programmer who wears jeans, sweaters and sneakers and has a 12-mile commute. A bicycle's functionality can only be evaluated in the context of its intended use.
And of course, regardless of what kind of cycling a bicycle was designed for, functionality means that everything should be working properly: structurally sound frame, proper assembly, and quality components.
Being comfortable on a bicycle involves, first and foremost, being pain-free. In particular, pain in the hands, knees, butt, crotch and neck are the sort one should not be experiencing while cycling, as it can cause injury.
Comfort also means that a cyclist should feel good about their ability to control and handle their bicycle: to mount and dismount, to balance, to pick up speed in the manner they want, to handle turns, to climb hills, to control descents, to make emergency stops, to carry a load, and to cycle through traffic. And while to an extent all of this certainly depends on the cyclist's skill level, it also very much depends on the bicycle. A given cyclist may be comfortable doing these things on one type of bike, but not on another. I am a firm believer in finding a bicycle that both feels good to ride, and matches your skill level and comfort zone, rather than attempting to adapt to a bicycle that does not feel right.
Though some are more aware of it than others, the aesthetic experience is a natural part of our everyday lives. As we move through our environments and go about our daily activities, we are always looking and always responding with some degree of emotionality - whether it is positive, negative, or some form of confusion. Almost nothing leaves us entirely indifferent, unless we do not notice it. We prefer certain colours over others, certain shapes over others, certain spaces over others, and certain faces over others. Aesthetics are not just for the frivolous or the rich; they are not something you are aware of only when looking at paintings or choosing expensive curtains. All ordinary objects and everyday experiences have aesthetic qualities, and being able to extract these qualities can bring joy and fulfillment to the way we experience life.
Needless to say, what we consider "aesthetically pleasing" is extremely subjective, probably even more so than comfort and functionality. To some extent, it has to do with our inherent sense of harmony, symmetry, and balance, as well as with the associations evoked by the given object. Suffice to say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
In my posts on Lovely Bicycle, I do not pretend to be "everyman" or the voice of other cyclists. Far from it! I am a kooky, peculiar person with an unconventional lifestyle and profession, and I am comfortable with that. Neither do I make prescriptive statements about what kinds of bicycles other people should like or should be riding. Personally, I love bicycles that are functional, comfortable, and beautiful - and that is what I write about. You may relate, or you may not. Life is all about personal preferences.
39 comments:
Thank you for putting these terms into dialogue. Aesthetics too often gets branded as either too high-brow or too frivolous for us practical-minded Americans. But of course, as you say, aesthetic decisions and determinations constantly affect our perceptions of the world around us. No matter what it is, bicycle or desk lamp, why wouldn't I want something that's going to look good as much as something that's going to function well?ReplyDelete
If you want a great primer on what part aesthetics play in how you feel about your environment, take a walk around an Eastern European post-Soviet city and think about how you feel in different parts of the city - the old town versus the towering flat-block soviet apartments, etc.ReplyDelete
For me as well, a thing has to be functional and practical - if it looks nice but doesn't work, I'm not going to use it. But I'm also much less likely to use it if it's ugly, cheap feeling, etc - even if it works practically. This applies to many many more things than bicycles (kitchen equipment, for instance).
Having good, practical things which work well, are well-made, and show that the maker put some care into them by making them look nice to me is a big value-add to life. Aesthetic, however you define "good" or "bad" is well worth thinking about.
Speaking of which - it's not universal, but I would say things which are aesthetically pleasing tend to also be well-made - because part of the aesthetic, especially when talking about mechanical things like bicycles, is the heft and sturdiness and the overall feel of an object both when stationary and in use, not just the shape or color.
- JeanetteOctober 19, 2010 at 2:24 PM
Great summary of the form/function debate as it pertains to bicycles.ReplyDelete
I agree that the two do not present a necessary opposition (indeed, Louis Sullivan, who I think who coined the phrase, actually said, "form ever follows function", so clearly he did not think they were in opposition either. But I digress!)
I love your point about how personal function is, though; and how personal esthetic preferences are, too.
Mostly, thank you for claiming a place for an appreciation of beauty in our everyday lives and activities. There are many things we touch and feel and see every day; it adds immensely to the experience of our day if we enjoy that experience as much as is reasonable.
There can be a reverse snobbism about the defiantly ugly -- or parading the beautiful -- that is less about the object itself than about a statement the person wants to make about him/herself. A celebration of the beautiful is a celebration, and who can argue with that?
That said, there are many people who do not have the "gene" for an emphatic need for the esthetic, and that is fine, too.
I love how bicycles can prompt discussion about much larger issues; they really are the most amazing creation!
portlandize.com said...ReplyDelete
"...if it looks nice but doesn't work, I'm not going to use it. But I'm also much less likely to use it if it's ugly, cheap feeling, etc - even if it works practically"
True, and I would also say that things that are made with aesthetics in mind are less likely to be discarded or neglected until they are ruined. Cherished possessions are likely to be "for keeps" and are even passed on generationally. At worst, if the owner tires of the object or cannot afford to maintain it, it will be sold - to somebody who appreciates it and wants it. Our garbage dumps are overflowing with ugly, inexpensive, disposable objects that are not designed to be loved. Something to think about.
V.- Agree, and when these come together there is an "at-home-ness" on the bike.ReplyDelete
Jeanette - I'm trying to understand what you mean by the "defiantly ugly." Is it's opposite the "defiantly beautiful?" I park my bike in a high-crime area, and notice many bikes parked around me have been spray painted or taped to make them less attractive to thieves. All of this supports Darwin's thesis on camouflage being necessary for survival. When I see the Goth teens congregating in the pit in Harvard Square, I see their clothing screaming "don't touch me." And when I see a model on the runway, I see her/his clothing screaming "don't touch me." A long way to get a short distance, I want a bike I'm not afraid to touch.
@Velouria: yeah, totally agree with that - we produce way too much crap these days that is made in such a way that if it stops working functionally, there is no reason to try to repair it, because there's no connection to the object, only to the job it performs.ReplyDelete
I prefer to have a connection to the things I own, because then I feel like the things I use for everyday normal life things are important to me, and I'm willing to make some effort to keep them around instead of just chucking them as soon as they break.
I interpret "defiantly ugly" as either taking pride in the fact that one's bicycle has a lower-end/subpar look to it, or intentionally "uglifying" one's bicycle. The former is mainly a matter of having a morally superior attitude. The person is clearly too busy with more important things and is not as filthy-rich as you, to bother with/afford a fancy-shmancy bicycle. The latter is done either for the sake of security (to disguise the bike in a high crime neighbourhood), or if the bike is not naturally cheap/ugly enough, yet the person wants to fit in with the folks in the former category. : )ReplyDelete
ha! i lived in a "panelak" in a former east-bloc city, and know *exactly* what you are talking about: the epitomy of uninspired.ReplyDelete
Velouria, it's interesting, hat you write about intenionally uglyfying a bicycle:ReplyDelete
A few days ago I saw a "ugly" bike, and I liked the Pletscher rack it had mounted, so I looked closer: It was a very fine Basso Italian cyclocross lugged steel frame, maybe even handmade, that had been converted into a city bike with midrange components, and then been sloppily sprayed with flat black paint.
It must have looked spectacular when new. But anybody who knew this would still see the beauty below the ugly botched paintjob. In a way there was a different kind of beauty in this bike: Because it was black and looked cheap, it might have had more "function" to the owner than with its former shiny red paint and chrome.
There used to be a website about uglified bicycles; it even provided directions on how to do it and featured a gallery. Will try to find it!ReplyDelete
Uglified bikes are the norm here. I don't find them ugly at all, most of the time. Probably because I know they're useful!ReplyDelete
That said, people who do not care about aesthetics are like benign aliens to me. I recently caught myself unconsciously "styling" the robe they give you at the hair salon. I had rolled the sleeves to elbow length, removed and retied the standard-issue belt before even know I was being fashion robot. Kill me now. Is not even my work. No excuses.
Re defiantly ugly -- I think Jeanette is right there is often reverse snobbery in it. There can also be self-preservation. Cf the classic of the rich kid in clothes looking like they were thrown on with a pitchfork. Never works, though :)
I love the defiantly ugly of a fabulous jolie-laide, though. It's rare to see someone who has the courage to be truly, wondrously ugly. It always ends up beautiful.
Very well said. Seems like a truly functional and comfortable bike would have to be aesthetically pleasing. The lines and quality construction needed to create that type of bike naturally also make the bike good looking. I'm a big fan of aesthetics when it comes to bikes, but like you I don't think that's an indulgence, but a necessity.ReplyDelete
wonderful read!!! its funny just today before i read this, a friend of mine mentioned that my Electra Delivery 8D was an "old mans bike". i was kinda upset especially since i had given this person all my knowledge base on proper bike posture, what brands were better than others, what to look for, what you "need" and don't need.......he is the type of person that if i said i was getting a $1000.00 mtn bike he would go out and buy the $3000.00 bike without even riding it just to be seen as the guy who has the "awesome bike" i told him lets take a 20 mile ride, and see who's sore tomorrow and who's in unbelievable pain tomorrow. needless to say he declined.....it seems that his $3200.00 full suspension bike is "too awkward to ride on the streets" as he puts it......ReplyDelete
- AnonymousOctober 20, 2010 at 1:24 AM
As always, a very nice read. I found this little post very thought-provoking. Overall, I agree with the larger sentiment, but I've brought a little food-for-thought to this'ere picnic.ReplyDelete
Form and function can, at times, be at odds with one another. Many of the remarks above refer to deliberately "uglified" bikes that've been made-over to deter thieves. In the case of a commuter bike, too much aesthetic charm would be a functional flaw; some art-school drop-out is sure to steal your pretty city bike, and no commuter wants his/her ride stolen.
As far as the cliche about beauty and the eye of the beholder, I had a roomie who bought himself a brand-new 'cross bike, with his bike shop employee discount, to try his luck racing. It was a jamis nova, from sometime around the turn of the century. It was blue and yellow. *Royal* blue and *canary* yellow. Not my idea of beautiful, but charming in a garish kinda way. He promptly painted it rattle-can silver, ostensibly to deter thieves, but he wasn't commuting on the thing (yet). He went with the low-buck paint job on a brand-new, mid-priced bike b/c it wasn't fashionable to be seen in phila on a new jamis with harlequin colors, leastways not 'round the turn of the century, among his crowd.
I agree that, as a species, humans are producing and consuming too much terrible, janky stuff. But, I can see how a preoccupation with aesthetics might contribute to this problem. You can buy bargain-priced "dutch-style" bikes at freeking urban outfitters now. These bikes seem to be bound for the landfill in a short time, but some folks are buying them b/c they want the dutch-bike image without investing much $$, thought, or effort. I wonder how long we can expect creme-colored Electra-branded rubber to grace the rims of "fashionable" cyclists' rides?
In short, I enjoy a nice-looking bike, which is probably why i visit the powder-coater so often. But, I find that my preferences for what looks nice tend to coincide with the bikes and components that have become cherished items via reliable service. Personally, I find the practical aspects of cycling to be the most attractive, whether we're talking about tangible hardware or abstract concepts.
rob - Hey, I am an art school dropout. Are you calling me a thief? : )ReplyDelete
The point about too much aesthetic charm on a commuter bike being a functional flaw is valid, if the commuter lives in a high crime area and the bike looks not just charming but *expensive*. I would deal with that by commuting on a cosmetically ravaged vintage 3-speed and slapping a decrepit-looking (but oh so comfy!) vintage Brooks B72 on it. I think that machine would actually be less likely to get stolen than a $60 WMart bike.
As for the lower priced imitation-Dutch bikes and imitation mixtes... I have been torn about this for a while. I do not support their existence and I think that most people would be happier with a properly restored vintage 3-speed with modern alloy-rimmed wheels. The cost in the end would be about the same. However, what about the people who can neither afford the well made high end bikes, nor have any vintage bikes available in their home town, yet they want to cycle and they want their bike to be beautiful? For this I have the "Budget Options" page, and do occasionally comment/post about budget bikes.
However... The bigger problem still is that there is no longer all that great of a distinction between the way those "imitation/budget" bikes are made and the way some of the formerly handbuilt-in-Europe bikes are made. Since I started this blog, almost *half* of the manufacturers listed in the "Manufacturer Profiles" page have revealed that at least some of their frame production is now outsourced to China. What am I supposed to do with that information? Drop them from the list and ignore their reputation as quality bikes? Move them to the "budget" page, even though they cost over $1K retail?.. Write an outraged post about it and upset everyone who bought one of these nice bikes precisely because they thought they *were* made in Europe by hand and not in China? No idea : (
Portlandize -- Careful! Not all Soviet buildings were created equal. Despite the hate they get, many Soviet apartment blocks were very well designed, efficient, comfortable, surrounded with nice outdoor spaces.ReplyDelete
Velouria - "European" bike companies seem to be relentlessly misrepresenting (lying about) their supply chains.ReplyDelete
I guess this happens for all types of consumer goods ("Made in Italy," anyone?), especially since most manufactures have evolved into marketing entities that often don't even design their own products anymore. It's sad how far brands have fallen.
Remember how Clarks, Bostonian, Florsheim once made quality shoes? Well now they don't even *design* most of their shoes, instead sending out buyers with marketing degrees to order ready made shoes at trade shows.
Herzog - In the former USSR many modern apartment complexes were built around the courtyard system, with playgrounds, yards, and sometimes even small leafy parks. "The yard" was a popular cultural concept, referring to the communal yard one grew up around. Have you lived in the former Soviet Union?ReplyDelete
Occasionally for short periods. I actually know quite a its architecture (for a non-expert). Anyway, I get a laugh out of how people in the former Soviet Union love to hate on apartment blocks (and dream about living in American style suburbs), yet in reality there is far more demand than supply for such flats, and new blocks are being constructed.ReplyDelete
Did you notice how Gazelle tries to spin its hybrids with shock absorbers as "modern" reinterpretations of classic dutch bikes, when in fact they are based on generic Giant bikes that Gazelle sources for pennies from Asia?ReplyDelete
Yes, seeing those bikes in early 2009 in DBC Somerville was what made me question Gazelle's claim of being made in Holland. Out of curiosity, I investigated and even spoke to their corporate office on the phone. Eventually I learned that they sold their European production facilities in (I think) 2007.ReplyDelete
Herzog: I agree with you that the apartment block idea is not necessarily bad, and the areas around the apartment blocks also are sometimes quite nice, with parks and play equipment and whatnot - but it's a rare exception when the apartment building itself is pleasant to look at, at least in my experience.ReplyDelete
Velouria and Rob: regarding bikes made cheaply to look like Dutch bikes or whatever - this is part of why I remarked that to me, the quality of an object makes a noted effect on the aesthetic to me. Even though a step-thru Electra Amsterdam has a similar frame shape (at first glance) to the WorkCycles Zwan, to me, the Electra feels cheaper at first glance, and therefore changes the aesthetic appeal for me. There is something not really tangible between the two that just makes it seem obvious to me that the Electra uses cheap stuff (and they do, I've had one). I get the same feeling with pots and pans. A cheaper, thin, flimsy one, even if it looks similar to a nice one just feels different to me somehow, even without handling it.
Regarding outsourcing frames and such, China and Taiwan do produce some very nice frames, and even if you don't like the idea of outsourcing, you can't deny that still some of the bikes built with these frames are very high quality bikes. Someone can always make the decision to buy from a local frame builder in order to get that quality without the outsourcing, but that bumps the price level up to an even higher price point than a WorkCycles, Gazelle, or Pashley or similar bike. It just depends what it's worth to a particular person, i guess.
this brings up the whole phenomenon of branding, and how branding has evolved over time. in the recent age of corporate conglomerates, the connection between a brand and a particular quality or character of product has been severed. it is no longer sufficient to choose a product simply by its name (dutch bikes being built by giant, jaguars and volvos being built by ford, etc...) and extra research needs to be done to know what you are getting.ReplyDelete
as for communist architecture, while i would agree that some of it was quite inspired and pleasing, most housing was strictly utilitarian (at least in czechoslovakia, where i lived, where they use the term "panelak" to describe the pre-formed concrete slab, uninspired housing blocks that were built between the 1950s-90s). however, the perspective of these buildings from a westerner can be very different from that of someone who grew up in the soviet era. the main distinction being that people who live in those buildings in former soviet bloc countries don't experience the social stigma attached to people who grow up in "projects" here in the US have (our austere, drab housing projects bear significant resemblance to soviet-bloc panelaks). for westerners, a housing "project" is inextricably associated with poverty and disenfranchisement; in former soviet-bloc countries, panelak living was (and largely still is) totally integrated, with all classes living in them. many of them now in the post-soviet era have become privatized, essentially condo-ized, and spruced up.
i find it interesting that most east-europeans that i know who grew up in the soviet era and came to the US for a stint (grad school, post-doc, etc) gravitated toward the style of apartment complex that i would never consider living in. for them, a quaint, drafty victorian house with vintage charm would be the equivalent of ghetto living.
- DeborahOctober 20, 2010 at 11:03 AM
It might be worth noting that some of Brooks products are also manufactured in China. If you look at, say, their "D-Shaped Leather Tool Bag" (www.brooksengland.com) and scroll down to the "criticisms" section, you'll see an impassioned response from the staff about how they chose a manufacturer in China because the quality was BETTER than what they could find in Europe. These things are apparently so complicated...ReplyDelete
I truly appreciate the equal attention given to function, form, and aesthetics on this blog. I feel I'm becoming a significantly more informed and appreciative cyclist, which can only be a good thing!
A good bicycle will have great function and great aesthetics. It makes me laugh when i see people riding really badly made city bikes that are all about image and not about function.ReplyDelete
Deborah--I am not sure when Brooks switched their bags to China but I have two of their bags on my Pashley and the dealer had to replace one (the larger one) for ripped stitching at the seatpost attachment point. The replacement felt even flimsier in some ways. I am at a loss because I really like the Brooks vinyl bags, they are padded and hold shape. They need to step up the quality control.ReplyDelete
velouria, i wonder how you reconcile the stance you take in this post with the one you made long ago in the "vacuum cleaner" post, in which you stated:ReplyDelete
"A vacuum cleaner evokes associations with: order, work, domesticity, obligation, enclosed spaces, headache-inducing noise, and boredom. A bicycle evokes associations with: movement, freedom, independence, wind in your hair, the outdoors, and joy. It is only natural the the latter invites emotional connectedness and the former does not."
i mentioned in that past (and still strongly maintain) that any appliance or tool is capable of evoking a positive emotional response. i used the example of my miele vacuum cleaner, which i think reaches a state of near perfection in terms of function and also design. it begins to look aesthetically pleasing to me because every aspect of its design follows a function, all of which simply *work*. when i see how the flow or air was designed to pass through the first, then the second, and finally the third filter, and when i see how the exit path for the filtered air is designed to flow upward and away from the floor (so as not to blow the dust bunnies on the floor all over the place before it sucks them up), and when i hear the clean, white-noise whine of a precision brushless electric motor, i can appreciate how the design elements all work in harmony to create a machine that simply works better than the rest. that is beauty to me. echoing portlandize's comment, the object becomes aesthetically pleasing to me as a result.
it seems from your older post that objects generate emotional responses from you based on the type of activity associated with using them (domesticity, obligation, etc), not with how well they perform their function. by this token, it shouldn't matter how well or poorly an object performs, because the emotional response associated with the object is really associated with the activity surrounding the object.
for me, the act of commuting by bike to work also is associated with negative things (obligation to work, deadlines, anxiety, boredom), yet i still enjoy a positive emotional response from the way my bike operates with its comfort and precision feel, as i'm on my way to the place that evokes those negative feelings. so for me, the emotional response of an object is more associated with how it interacts with me, rather than the type of activity associated with it.
yet, in this post, you seem to be moving more in alignment with this notion.
A very simple, but heart-felt comment.ReplyDelete
I love the look of your custom mixte: I want one like that, just 'cos it's purty. I'd have no idea about all the parts you chose though.
- DeborahOctober 20, 2010 at 3:31 PM
MDI -- Bummer that. From the comments on the Brooks site it would appear you are not alone. I see they have an all-leather Glenbrook for a mere 400 Euros... sure hope it shows better workmanship!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousOctober 20, 2010 at 4:53 PM
a man who loves his vacuum cleaner! be still my beating heart....ReplyDelete
@Anonymous: We have a Dyson (my parents bought it for us), but I usually prefer my straw broom, to be quite honest :) (so do our cats)ReplyDelete
Yeah, no way I'd hang $1000 worth of luggage on my bike.ReplyDelete
Bags just barely make sense at $100 a pop, I think $50 would make me much happier especially knowing they are mass-produced in the far east. Of course I don't see Brooks lowering prices any time soon and their saddles sell for around $100-$120 so they are trying to keep it in line, I guess.
- AnonymousOctober 20, 2010 at 9:43 PM
I have no issues with frames being made in china or taiwan. I ride a surly, taiwanese to the core, and it is very well made for being a $400 frameset. There are many taiwanese components i like, too. I think what gets me is how the bike "manufacturers" are misleading their customers.ReplyDelete
I used to work in a shop that sold, among other things, Bianchis. It drove me nuts to think that ppl were selecting the Bianchi Volpe over the Jamis Aurora for the stated reason that "the Bianchi is Italian". Now, I can think of other reasons to pick a Volpe over an Aurora, but Italian-ness isn't among them. To me, you take 2 taiwanese framesets, hang some shimano components on em, and the "country of origin" thing is a wash. A "Bianchi" decal doesn't make one more italian than the other. However, they're both nice bikes, for their intended purpose and at that pricepoint. The cliche thing to say about this sort of comparison: they're probably made at the same factory.
I think I can dig far-eastern bikes when they're up-front about what they are. I can respect a Giant or a Flying Pigeon; it's tougher to generate enthusiasm for a new Masi or Schwinn. I don't dig the masquerade. And, of course, I don't enjoy the prospect of supporting a factory with unfair, irresponsible labor practices. But, it's just too durned hard, these days, to even know who you're buying your stuff from.
Donald A. Norman's books _Emotional Design_ is based around this very subject. In fact, he contends that quality aesthetics actually improve the functionality of an object (or a person's ability to use the object), even if the aesthetics do not have a direct functional impact. It is worth a read. His earlier book, _The Design of Everyday Things_ is a better book and relevant across a range of disciplines.ReplyDelete
(an omafiets rider in Chicago)
Great post! Lewis Sullivan said "form follows function." His protege Frank Lloyd Wright improved upon this when he stated "form and function are one." It is possible for a bicycle to resonate with your being. For me, it's the A. Homer Hilsen made by Rivendell Bicycle Works... amazing bike, amazing company... Again, thanks for a great post.ReplyDelete
First time on site and getting taste of user comments. Happy to see a Boston blog. When I lived in Somerville many years ago I rode year around through Cambridge and Boston to my job near the Public Garden. At the time I needed a bicycle with function at the top of my list. It functioned well since it was sort of a beater and I could park it outside. Fast forward to Minneapolis summer of 2010 and I started to think about form. Although I graduated to a 'nice bike' many years ago I had a "beater bike' someone gave me and went to work chopping and flopping drop handlebars and made a modification that allowed micro hand positioning, multiple brake lever placement all with an upright riding position for quick urban travel. Check out blog, it's not why I ride a bike but how I roll.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMay 18, 2011 at 1:02 AM
While I appreciate the author's elegant statement regarding the three-pillars of her bicycle world view - function, comfort and aesthetics - is there not, in this awful world of ours, a tension between "functional" and "aesthetically pleasing." Functional means the bike can be used. Aesthetically pleasing means that it will be stolen, at which point it will no longer be functional, at least to its owner.ReplyDelete
As for the vacuum cleaner sub-thread, I know of no contemporary plastic, air sucking machine that can be loved, but consider the metal chassis classics: Electrolux and Kirby. I have three of the former and two of the latter, and they give me much pleasure, if I can put it that way.
- Mr WillMarch 15, 2012 at 1:25 PM
I believe the problem is this:ReplyDelete
Functional/Beautiful/Cheap - Choose any two.
thanks for the article. I'm restoring an old Raleigh rsw (with some schwalbe big apples and an 8 speed sturmey they're very, very good for what they were designed for..) and after putting a brooks b17 on it just didn't feel right. the article jolted something in place, it's a semi sport saddle on a town bike, it needs something sprung, functionally and aesthetically.ReplyDelete


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