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Here is what it looks like to stand at centre ice at MTS Centre!
The countdown to the Winnipeg Jets season opener now sits at eight days, which means Jacob Trouba is front and centre today.
The 20-year-old from Rochester, Michigan is entering his second NHL season after a rookie campaign that saw him score 10 goals and 29 points in 65 games. Trouba, the Jets' ninth overall pick in 2012, is a product of the US National Team Development Program. The defenceman suited up for the USA at the 2014 World Hockey Championships, and accumulated three points in four games.
Here are some highlights from Trouba's rookie season in Winnipeg.
The 23-year-old forward from Vancouver, BC is excited to start this NHL season, after having an off-season to train without injuries nagging him. Kane had 19 goals and 41 points for the Jets last season. The fourth overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft also finished in the league's top 20 in shots, with 250.
Kane starts this season with 99 career NHL goals and 200 points. Here are some of his highlights from last year.
The two-week countdown to the Winnipeg Jets season opener is underway. Only 14 days until the Jets take on the Arizona Coyotes October 9 to open the 2014-2015 campaign.
With the number 14 being in the spotlight today, here is more information on forward Anthony Peluso.
Peluso, 25, played in 53 games for the Winnipeg Jets last season. The native of North York, Ontario played for Erie, Sault Ste. Marie, and Brampton in the OHL before he turned pro. He played three seasons with Peoria of the AHL before joining the Jets in 2012-2013.
Peluso scored two goals last season, including his first NHL goal against Nashville.
He is also involved in the Winnipeg community. Along with teammate Jim Slater, the two Jets visited the Winnipeg Police Service late last season to learn more about their jobs.
Bryan Little's number is the focus of today's countdown. There are exactly 18 days until the Winnipeg Jets drop the puck on the 2014-2015 season against the Arizona Coyotes.
The 26-year-old centre put up 64 points in 82 games last season, scoring 23 times, two of those being shorthanded.
From Edmonton, Alberta, Little looks to surpass the 500 career games played mark this season. He currently sits at 486 games played.
Here are some of Little's highlights from last year.
Chris Thorburn's number 22 is the focus of today's countdown to the Winnipeg Jets season opener. The Jets begin the 2014-2015 campaign in Arizona October 9.
The 31-year-old Thorburn hails from Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and was drafted by Buffalo in 2001.
Last season Thorburn played 55 games for the Jets, scoring 11 points. In 2013-2014, the forward hit a career milestone, playing in his 500th NHL game.
Here are some highlights from Thorburn's season last year.And here is Thorburn providing some colour commentary on the fastest skater event at last year's skills competition.
The countdown to puck drop on the Winnipeg Jets 2014-2015 season sits at 24 days today. That means Grant Clitsome is in the spotlight today.
Clitsome, a 29-year-old defenceman from Gloucester, Ontario, played 32 games for the Winnipeg Jets in 2013-2014, recording 12 points. His season was cut short by season-ending surgery. His last game came against Buffalo on December 17, 2013, where Clitsome recorded an assist.
Away from the ice, Clitsome is very active in politics. He minored in political science at Clarkson University, and is working to help Canadians understand the political process. Read more about Clitsome's work in this feature article.
Here are some highlights from Clitsome's time with the Jets so far.
There are 26 days until the Winnipeg Jets drop the puck against the Arizona Coyotes to open the NHL season. Fans of the team need no reminder who wears the number 26 for Jets each and every night.
Blake Wheeler established a new career high with 69 points in 2013-2014. The 26-year-old forward was the team leader in points last season, scoring 28 times, also a career high. In his time with the Jets organization, Wheeler has only missed two regular season games.
The Robbinsdale, MN native also represented the USA for the first time as an Olympian in the 2014 Games in Sochi, where he recorded one assist in six games.
Here are some highlights from Wheeler's season:
Eric Tangradi's number 27 is the focus of today's countdown to the Winnipeg Jets' season opener October 9 in Arizona.
The 25-year-old from Philadelphia, PA played in 55 games for the Winnipeg Jets last season, his second year with the team since signing with the team in July of 2013. Here is a look back at a few of Tangradi's highlights from last season.
Ondrej Pavelec's number 31 is the focus of today's countdown to the Winnipeg Jets' season opener in Arizona on October 9.
The 27-year-old goaltender from Kladno, Czech Republic, is entering his eighth NHL season after being drafted in the 2nd round in 2005. Last season, Pavelec started 57 games for the Jets and made highlight reel saves like these:
Near the end of last year, Pavelec, along with teammate Chris Thorburn surprised a young boy named Austin at Champlain School in Winnipeg.


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3414 Elm St.
Dallas, TX 75226
Category: Bars and Clubs
Region: Downtown & Deep Ellum
There are two popular archetypes of the Southern women: polite marriage material and delightfully tacky diva. One of these is far more interesting than the other and I'll give you a hint: The fun one doesn't involve going to cotillion (at least not legitimately). Christy McBrayer seems like she may have crashed a cotillion or two in her day, and makes no bones about her seriously Southern upbringing just outside of Tupelo, Mississippi. She sends up her big-haired, menthol-smokin', PBR-swillin' friends and family, playing 10 strong-willed ladies who will make you laugh and wince equally. Her Redneck Greek Chorus gives McBrayer's "Southern Fried Chickie" the soundtrack you'd expect — a little Hank Williams, a little Johnny Cash and a lotta pickin'. Check out this hilarious backwoods, down-home performance at Sons of Hermann Hall, 3414 Elm St., at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Tickets are $45, and include a traditional Southern meal that really gives you the total Southern-fried experience. See southernfriedchickie.com for more.
Fri., Sept. 7, 2012

subset: commoncrawl


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FridayThe freaky folk band everyone's talking about, listenlisten, helps Block 7 Wine Co. (720 Shepherd) celebrate its grand opening this evening with Robert Ellis. Festivities continue Saturday with Runaway Sun (9 p.m.) and Sunday with Kenneth Scott (8 p.m.). No cover. The adorable Cop Warmth he ... More >>
A DIY gallery opens in Montrose
A picture of our opinions on local exhibitions
A picture of our opinions on local exhibitions
DiverseWorks keeps it Real
OneTen Gallery closes its doors with a bang


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Sullivan Taketa is a five-attorney litigation boutique that
resulted from the two-way split of former firm Sullivan Sottile
& Taketa LLP. The firm focuses on business, employment and
complex litigation.
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You can sign up for the Edmonton Opera newsletter here. Effective July 1, you must have either re-subscribed to the newsletter through an emailed link, or re-enter your information above to continue to receive Edmonton Opera correspondence. This link will remain valid after July 1 so that lapsed or new parties can sign up to receive the e-newsletter.
Previous 2014/15 season issues:
- 09/02/2014 - Seven reasons to escape to the opera!
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DEFINITION of 'Field Of Use'
Restrictions that are placed on a license granted for the use of an existing patent. Field of use restrictions limit the use of a patent to a certain industry, or even a specific product. These restrictions aim to protect patents against overuse or reckless use, and are a factor in the fees that are charged to patent licensees.
INVESTOPEDIA EXPLAINS 'Field Of Use'
Field of use restrictions help patent owners control how their patents and inventions are used in the marketplace. This arrangement is often found with the free licensing of certain patents. This enables the patent holder to profit from future applications that might use the patent in different ways. Another common example of field of use restrictions occurs within universities, where teams or groups of people may collectively hold a patent, but the members may have different wishes about how the patent should be licensed.
GoodwillAn account that can be found in the assets portion of a company's ...
PatentA government license that gives the holder exclusive rights to ...
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Patent ReexaminationA process conducted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) ...
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Activities' Guiding Principles: Principle #4
Principle #4
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There are so many ways to get involved in Activities! Students can choose their own level of participation in order to find something to fit their schedules, needs and lifestyles. A student can explore one area from an entry level, or dive into highly focused areas that require more commitment or have greater challenge. Try out for a sports team, take time to help with a humanitarian project, or organize a series of art workshops. With the variety of different levels and ways to take action in Activities, there is literally something for everyone.
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Hey there! I'm sure you already know my name is Raven Alexis, but there are probably at least a few things about me that you don't know or have questions about so hopefully I'll be able to touch upon those in this quick little bio. So let's get started...
I currently reside in Las Vegas, NV though oftentimes I find myself spending days, weeks, or even months in exotic destinations or unexpected locales. As a contract star for adult film powerhouse, Digital Playground, I've enjoyed the scents and sounds of sand swept beaches as well as the contrasting quaint of antiquated towns lined with cobblestone streets. The DP team produces such amazing quality feature films, that I'm incredibly proud to have the opportunity to work with such talented individuals and be able to create on a scale so broad.
So what else can I tell you about me? I'm currently 23, an Aquarius, and my birthday is January 28th (No cheating by only remembering it is around the Super Bowl.) Some of my favorite things include computers, gadgets, gaming, reading, movies, traveling, camping, hiking, swimming, the beach, and a litany of other fun activities that I pursue in my spare time.
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Miss Amanda Kate Reynolds and Mr. Jordon David Armstrong were united in marriage on Sunday, June 15 at six p.m. in the atrium of The Addison, Boca Raton, Florida.
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Restaurants not fully labelling undercooked food items on menus; how to politely raise issue...
- r
- relizabeth Mar 30, 2013 08:52 AM
I'm in the midst of my first pregnancy and am now a cautious eater.
I have noticed that some menu items have * that indicates something like "Notice: The consumption of raw or undercooked eggs, meat, poultry, seafood or shellfish may increase your risk of food borne illness." Often this is on some seafood dishes, eggs, and burgers. BUT I have seen many menus where dishes are not starred but following conversation really ought to be.
I feel like such a jerk asking things like "Is your deviled egg made with aioli with raw egg in it? Is that raw egg pasturized?" or "Do you make your caesar salad dressing from scratch or from a bottle?" or "The toasted meringue on top of that s'mores tart sounds delicious; does it have raw egg in it?"
I hate being so obnoxious, but at the same time, would rather not consume things that are potentially hazardous. What is best way to deal with this? It is only my knowledge of recipes and cooking that has prompted me to ask these questions, and I'm sure there are people with compromised immune systems who don't know that housemade pepperoni that rests on top of an artisnal pizza rather than being baked in could be on their verboten list.
I know people don't like hearing this, but maybe you should just avoid those items for the next 9 months. I would bet your server probably doesn't know the answer and is it really worth all of the commotion if you can't get a definitive answer? It's not like you can never have those items again, you just need to wait a few months.
re: Philly Ray
re: foodieX2
Also agree. I was not a worrier when it came to most foods but if you are that concerned, why take a chance?
the enormous risk you are taking if the server doesn't get it right is, imho, not worth the inconvenience of sticking soley to "safe" food during the course of your pregnancy.
the probabliliy of something going wrong with raw product may be low, but if you happen to be the person who comes up with the wrong number, the results can be worse than disastrous.
best to play it absolutely safe during this period and assume that all servers and cooks don't really know what they are talking about.
re: westsidegal
Are you a physician?
re: Nayners
It isn't necessary to be a physician to be aware of, and concerned about, potential hazards in food. But I don't think restaurants have an obligation beyond meeting food safety codes.
re: westsidegal
<best to play it absolutely safe during this period and assume that all servers and cooks don't really know what they are talking about..>
That is a bit harsh. Everyone who is pregnant has different ideas about what they should or shouldn't eat. As long as they go to a competent restaurant and explain that they are pregnant and what they wish to avoid, your needs should be accommodated.
I have worked in many kitchens and have always known my ingredients. I knew what cheeses were or were not pasteurized, I knew what meats were cooked, vs smoked vs cured vs raw, etc.
Really not a big deal to work with any food restriction for any reason as long as the diner explains that they have a restriction, and what they need to avoid, before ordering. Bonus points for calling ahead and making sure you can be accommodated.
Maybe all restaurants are not run this way, but as long as you communicate with restaurants you don't have to hide at home and never eat out.
re: TeRReT
"Bonus points for calling ahead and making sure you can be accommodated"
That is a key point and the wisest course of action for the OP if she wishes to eat items she is concerned about.
There are so many variables to getting correct information at the time of ordering. Language barriers with back of the house, servers not well versed in ingredients and preparations, and timing. I've seen managers running expo on a busy night scream "no questions - get out!" and fire the server who tried to get a dietary question answered...Obviously much will depend upon the venue.
Unless it is high-end dining where the OP can communicate prior to the meal I think it is just safer to forgo the items she is concerned about.
Aren't restaurants forced to make the 'Notice: ...' by local or state laws?
is the Washington State regulations regarding eggs. Note special rules for 'FACILITIES THAT SERVE A HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE POPULATION'
Dishes that may require the advisory or pasteurized eggs:
- Eggs served sunny-side up, poached, or scrambled
- Caesar dressing
- Hollandaise sauce
- Eggnog
- Ice cream
- Tiramisu
- Meringue for pies
- Egg-fortified beverages
re: Karl S
Even if a state requires a warning it doesn't mean that the dish will be cooked to FDA "safe" standards.
Here in Mass there is an asterisk on basically any dish that can be ordered "rare" with the following warning:
"Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness."
Doesn't mean you can't eat it or order raw or undercooked foods.
Which is why I think a pregnant woman who is nervous or concerned is better off just avoiding the foods they are worried about. It is such a short period time, if you are that worried don't eat it. Is it really worth the stress it is causing the mother?
re: foodieX2
"Short period of time, just avoid...." you know, that seems like pretty good common sense advice.
As a dad, I did enjoy feeling those little punches & kicks a little sugar seemed to bring about. :)
Everyone has their own level of comfort when it comes to undercooked foods. During both of my pregnancies, I avoided raw fish (sushi), but women in Japan eat raw fish throughout their pregnancies without ill effects. I ate lunchmeat both times, but my SIL avoided places like Subway during her pregnancies because of listeria.
Obviously, meringue is made from raw egg whites that is either baked in a low heat until dry or just toasted on top. If you're concerned, order something else to avoid any possible risks. Or ask for it without the meringue. But if you are that worried about it, then stick to the "tried and true" items that have no potential issues. Get vinaigrette dressing instead of the caesar or blue cheese. Get the beet carpacchio instead of devilled eggs, etc.
I think if the fear is of being obnoxious or avoiding being obnoxious, then perhaps the best method would be to call the restaurant during off hours.
Talking on the phone at that time, and not in the middle of an active service may result in someone having the time to get the exact answers - or give you a better impression if the staff is simply not educated enough to be trusted on such issues. And if you're concerned that you're not being taken seriously, on the phone you can say that you're asking due to a compromised immune system.
Another idea would be to look at the suggestions and methods of those with celiac disease (where they are very concerned about glueten presence perhaps as opposed to a trend dieter) which may also give you insight on how to approach restaurants.
I suppose that is because I have read "the fine print" so often, that I never worry. I know of many (most?) potential problems, so just go beyond.
If it bothers you, pull the service captain, the GM, or the chef aside, and express your concerns.
Congratulations on the upcoming baby! It's a thrilling time. I devoured the "What to Expect" series of books that were popular when I was pregnant. It made me hyper-aware of everything, which is good and bad.
You are informed and concerned, rightfully so. I agree with many posters that if you are THAT concerned and don't want to appear to be obnoxious, just skip the things that are on your list of possible hazards. Ultimately, you are the one responsible.
9 months in the scheme of life is pretty short for most. Stick with the safe stuff.
re: justalex
When my wife was first pregnant, we both read the What to Expect books. One piece of advice I remember reading was avoid eating spicy food like Chinese or Mexican. I asked my wife what do the pregnant woman in China and Mexico do for 9 months? Do they hunt down bland American restaurant food? I imagined a Chinese woman trying to find mac and cheese in Beijing. We had a chuckle. A truly ethnocentric series of books.
re: Bkeats
Word. And how about all those French and Italian women drinking their wine and eating their unpasteurized milk cheeses?
re: pdxgastro
actually, French women don't drink wine or eat unpasteurized cheeses when they're pregnant -- it's a pretty new shift, but I know several French mamans who were warned to avoid raw-milk cheeses during their grossesse.
But as a whole, yes -- we seem to have lost sight of the fact that the birthrate has somehow managed to exceed the deathrate throughout our collective history, despite disease/war/lack of sanitation/medical care. The human body (and the universe) protects unborn children in way that leave me slackjawed in awe and wonder.
re: sunshine842
And we are still just learning how much elimination contributes to propensity to allergies.
re: justalex
I wish the entire series of "What to Expect" could be destroyed. It has ruined the pregnancies of so many women, because it is written in a manner designed to scare the living shit out of anyone who reads even a single paragraph.
I'm not a worrier, but I drove myself nuts when I read that stupid book....once I chucked it in the garbage, I began to actually enjoy my pregnancies.
It's one thing to tell people about the risks and how to avoid them -- it's another to leave a woman frightened to do much more than breathe because OHMYGOD it could be dangerous.
Try "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy" -- has lots of very straightforward advice, wrapped in enough truly funny writing to wake your spouse up because you're shaking the bed trying not to laugh out loud.
re: sunshine842
Exactly! That's why my suggestion to the OP is to discuss her feelings with her physician. These books will send women spiraling into neurosis.
re: sunshine842
You said it much better than I did with "scare the living shit out of anyone who reads even a single paragraph."
True, so very true.
re: sunshine842
Completely agree.
Now, I took a few precautions when I was PG - the obvious and easy ones, but as a woman of strong Greek ancestry, there was no way I was avoiding feta cheese the whole 9 months. Basically after the first trimester, I ate pretty normal stuff and even had a half a cup of coffee a day, and a small glass of wine here and there in the last tri. If I was in doubt about something like stuff the OP asks, I would just skip it and get something else - get the Casear with a different dressing or get a different salad or whatever.
The first thing you should do is discuss your concerns with your physician. If you are healthy, you can eat what you want. Just because someone has "compromised immune systems" doesn't mean they'd have to avoid "pepperoni that rests on top of an artisnal pizza". I think you are over-thinking the issue.
re: Nayners
This repeats a common misconception which gets repeated again and again on this website: that "healthy" people can eat what they want without risk. The fact is, anyone can get food poisoning and food poisoning can cause severe illness. Even though food poisoning is rare, it seems prudent to me to reduce the risk of food poisoning during pregnancy by avoiding those foods most likely to cause it. No one should have to suffer the stress of food poisoning during pregnancy.
re: GH1618
(although even pepperoni cooked on an artisanal pizza...and raw-milk cheese, for that matter, has by definition been cooked on the pizza and thereby passes over to "safe" in most cases)
Raw pepperoni, yes should be avoided, but cooked on a pizza, not so much.
Obviously, ymmv, speak with your doctor, one size does not fit all, yadda yadda yadda.....
re: sunshine842
It comes down to statistical risk.
Listeria, salmonella, fish parasites - these are low probability illnesses. Your chances of catching one of them is very small. They are, however, much more serious an illness if you have a comprised immune system (or are very elderly, or very young), and can't fight off illness as well. In some cases, they are easier to catch if you are pregnant or immune compromised. If you are pregnant, they can cause problems for the baby as well. So people who are more susceptible to these illnesses are advised to avoid riskier foods (raw eggs, raw fish, unpasturized cheese, lunch meat, bean sprouts etc), even though the actual chances of getting the illness are small.
For things like alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, etc the situation is slightly different - consuming large quantities of the active substance has been shown pretty conclusively to be bad for developing babies, but it is not conclusively known what the maximum safe exposure is. For medicine, most of the time the situation is "we don't know if it causes birth defects, but we don't know it doesn't, either, so avoid it unless necessary".
So, from a practical perspective, women are advised to avoid a whole bunch of stuff while pregnant, either because there is a low probability of a serious illness, or because the substance causes problems when taken in too large a quantity, or because a substance may or may not cause problems.
However, for most stuff it's not like a peanut allergy - if a morsel of unpasturized cheese finds its way into your salad, or the pepperoni in your pizza wasn't hand made, or the sauce has some wine in it, the odds are very strongly that it won't affect you or the baby.
And the "just avoid everything that might be a problem, it's only nine months" sounds good, it can be difficult to implement - the sheer number of things you're supposed to avoid, combined with morning sickness and aversions, can make it difficult.
A quick list of things to avoid, that I've come across on major pregnancy sites.
Seafood high in mercury, smoked salmon, undercooked seafood, seafood from polluted water, undercooked meat, poultry and eggs, pate and meat spreads. Deli meats and hot-dogs unless cooked until boiling. Eggs unless cooked hard. Soft cheeses. Milk from cows that were fed growth hormones. Food packaged in containers using BPA (includes many canned and bottled foods), Caffeine. Alcohol. Inadequately washed vegetables. Bean sprouts. Fresh squeezed fruit juices. Ham salad, chicken salad, seafood salad. Eggnog. Nuts, eggs and milk.
Avoiding deli meats might be easy. Quizzing your server about how well they wash their vegetables, what sort of cow the milk came from, and the food packaging is a lot trickier.
There are several ways "uncooked" foods are treated to make them safe.
People are taught taught to fear dishes with raw eggs without being educated that heat isn't the only way to kill salmonella, sugar and acid kill it off as well. Meringue? The sugar is what makes it safe to eat. Aioli? lemon juice often does the job there.
We are often only offered a singular solution a problem with many solutions.
re: Brandon Nelson
I'm really not thinking you're going to convince many moms-to-be that a meringue, sweetened or not, is worth risking the life of their unborn child.
It's only 10 months. (ain't that the best lie in the world? Pregnancy is 9 months, right? Nope. Full-term pregnancy average 40 weeks. Divide that by 4 weeks in a month, and you have TEN months.)
re: sunshine842
There are about four and one-third weeks in the average month. It works out to about nine months and one week.


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Company Profile:
Incorporated in 1996, USAT is a privately held company with business headquarters in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. USAT is both a state-certified minority/woman business enterprise (MWBE) and certified SBA WOSB. These certifications qualify us as a diverse supplier to our clients' supply chains. We are registered with the Department of Defense's Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database, and can leverage GSA 70 to provide some hardware and software solutions. We are proud to count among its many clients, some of America's largest utility and energy companies along with many local, state and national security public safety agencies.
We are a stocking distributor of top-tier cellular modems, cellular gateways, cellular routers, and ruggedized managed and unmanaged switches designed for critical infrastructure applications. We design and fabricate antenna assemblies that maximize the performance of this type equipment on the cellular network. If a client's data acquisition needs requires outdoor deployment, we can build custom environmental enclosures and off-the-grid power sources that can operate in harsh climatic conditions.
We specialize in improving the efficiency of our clientele's mission critical operations by implementing M2M solutions. We provide, configure, and deploy the exact durable, field-tested intelligent network devices that best fit the business requirements and budget of a wireless connectivity initiative.


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Christie's, My New Best Friend
October 10th, 2014 by admin
Just as business started to improve, one my two old nemeses, Christie's, threw a softball to every decorative arts dealer who wants to claim the "middle market." I don't think it is really a big secret that the duopoly abhors the process and logistics of selling the vast quantities of decorative arts out there, all for the taking. Their problem is they don't know how to make this segment of the industry profitable, short of giving inventory away or strangling consignors (they do it quite nicely to the buyer already).
First, I have to explain what Christie's is doing, as reported in this week's Antiques Trade Gazette. Their new 2% fee comes as an added expense for those consignors lucky enough to get them to sell their merchandise. If during an auction sale, a consigned item hits or beats the high estimate, Christie's (and they are the experts) will tack on an additional 2% commission "to incentivize and reward high performance that exceeds consignors' expectations." Only in this industry can such unconscionable actions be a generally accepted way of doing business. The duopoly reinvent ways to fleece a buyer or seller, even as secret reserves and other deceptive practices still openly function.
Enough with my ramblings about the felons, the exciting thing about this move away from the middle market is that the middle market has the most potential for development as the biggest market in the industry. No one can deny that there exists a tremendous glut of quality, middle market inventory that is suffering from the market dominance of Mid-20th Century decorative arts and modern design. Today, the efficiency needed to managing a large inventory is not so easy, for either an auctioneer or dealer. It requires storage, damages, and movement in and out, which are structural operating necessities.
The fact that Christie's is sending this message puts additional pressure on other auctioneers to impose the additional fee, or at least think about it. However, Christie's in the end knows that the 2% fee is chump change in the grand scheme of their operations. The message is clear, we want you to go somewhere else or you will pay dearly. Of course it will be buried in the fine print; but will each item that it affects be disclosed to the buyer? Probably not. However, shouldn't the buyer be rewarded by not having to pay the additional fee on the buyer's premium? I guess there are limits as to how much that should be, although I am always in favor of raising the buyer's premium, as fast and as high as you can.
For me it has always been about the middle market, and searching both the top and the bottom of the strata. The industry needs this market to not only survive but also to have spectacular growth. This is also where creative market forces of efficient database technology and economies of scale, can disrupt the norm. We at Newel are approaching our operation with that concept in mind. Moving to a new facility twice as big as our present building will offer untold possibilities.
Of course Newel will still be known (historically) as a "prop house," but the opportunities in the decorative arts market are getting pretty intriguing. Dealer competition is negligible, and auctioneers will never have the luxury of a strong secondary market that the dealers once offered. We have always been lucky and fortunate to have a highly successful rental division; it has made the transition in this industry's last 15 years possible for us. The rumbling of the middle market are starting to sound like an echo, getting louder. We believe in the future of the middle market and that the best is yet to come.
BADA for the 21st Century, Prospects for a Future?
July 30th, 2014 by admin
Michael Cohen, the new chairman of BADA has written a ringing challenge in the "Back Page" of the Antiques Trade Gazette in an attempt to revitalize that organization's standing and relevance to the trade and the greater public. Certainly anyone trying to fill his new shoes would feel the urge to offer some (dare I say any) action that might help awaken the industry to a progressive and not resistant path. As the consummate "outsider" who's only membership in the trade is as a 1stdibs dealer, I want to offer my thoughts on the prospects for his success.
First and foremost, Mr. Cohen understands that membership growth is paramount. With the last decade taking a devastating toll on dealer survival, and especially those with a "brown wood" stock, surely that one gesture should open some eyes of those still calcified by their own shortsightedness. If BADA can't embrace 20th and 21st Century design, then their relevance will certainly over time be relegated to the trash heap of an inapt organization. As a case in point, think of how many new and exciting dealers with outstanding inventories have appeared in the last decade, stocking 20th Century or prior periods; very, very few.
If they cannot or do not find a way to cajole more members of any period and style, BADA's demise will be a forgone conclusion. Those dealers that BADA has ignored or shunned for various reasons are now not dependent on the services of that organization. As a case in point, I can never remember any customer inquiring if my firm was a member of any US dealer organization. I never saw it as an advantage. It is my stock and personal reputation that is on the line, every day, with every client.
But having a strong voice that looks after industry threatening legislation is perhaps the most important responsibility and aspect of what BADA or any professional organization should foster. Whether it is legislation that hobbles dealers like the new English Regulatory Reform Act of 2013, which exempts auctioneers but not dealers with restrictions and disclosure of financial arrangements prior to an auction, there is a need for a strong advocate. In the US, Mr. Cohen correctly points to the "ill-thought out legislation on antique ivory" as a case in point. These are not just local issues but have broad industry ramifications that need BADA and other associations around the world to have a coordinated agenda.
Finally, I have to disagree with Mr. Cohen's idea of the value added by issuing Certificates of BADA provenance. If you have BADA on your invoice what more of a provenance is necessary; is BADA going to create a data base of all sales associated with its members? This seems to be an unnecessary task for its members and one that is self-serving and really does not offer anything more than what is already available.
I wish Mr. Cohen much success (although I am not expecting a solicitation for BADA membership). I have been critical of BADA and American dealer organizations for their insular membership and limited vision. However, I fervently hope that all of our survival and future growth will come from our industry being more open, approachable, and acceptable to the public.
Sotheby's Contagion Now Spreading to Ebay
July 17th, 2014 by admin
On July 14th the front page of the New York Times ran a major article concerning the new relationship being created by Sotheby's with the original internet auction giant eBay. With all the fanfare of the Sotheby's PR machinery, breaking the news of this questionable combination was orchestrated to quiet their critics and leapfrog their "competition." Well Christie's, their duopoly partner/competitor, is probably not too concerned given that this new partnership is full of many hurdles and issues that perhaps may yet come back to haunt them.
It's interesting how the New York Times article puts such a spin on the synergies and possibilities of eBay's worldwide market gaining access to Sotheby's "imprimatur of authenticity." There is a big problem however, they both operate in directly opposite manners, with one (guess who) charging and exorbitant buyer's premium and the other just a listing fee. It appears that eBay will be getting a listing fee from Sotheby's, but will the buyer's premium now be the generally accepted method for the eBay masses, and can we now rate Sotheby's as a Power Seller? Of course the details of the arrangement remain confidential according the article, probably because they have to reconcile that gap and many others.
Another interesting comment made by eBay was that they perceive Sotheby's as an "anchor tenant" in their virtual shopping mall, but since when does Saks Fifth Avenue have a marquee place in the same location as a Kmart? Ebay tried to go upscale by purchasing the auction firm Butterfield & Butterfield and it failed not because it was a bad idea but because they could not make the migration to an upscale market. Same was the case when Sotheby's made prior deals with eBay and Amazon. When they attempted to create their own marketplace and approached my firm to be part of it, I told David Redden, then running that operation, that it would never succeed. We somehow forget that secret reserves, and an outrageous 25% buyer's premium on items sold under $100,000 (naturally identical for both of the duopoly participants) has severely impacted the market for these items and the jury is out as to how much lower on the food chain this practice will be tolerated.
Unfortunately for Sotheby's, this gesture to the mass market will only dilute their cache and give Christie's a better marketing position. According to the article, Christie's will be expanding its online presence by going it alone, using consultants from other high end retailers to bolster their image, not dilute it. However, both of their sights are on the younger online shopper who now does not want or need to visit a gallery or showroom. Also, this younger generation might not tolerate the deceptions and frauds perpetrated by their business methods. Explaining these practices to a generation that craves the openness and disclosure that the internet offers could have the opposite effect. It has turned me off of being a participant in their rigged practices and might just do the same to the middle/mass market; so let their present affluent customer base enjoy being hoodwinked.
Humira, The Arthritis Drug For Antiques
July 13th, 2014 by admin
While watching the news on TV it seems that most of the commercials cater to drug oriented products, be it erectile dysfunction, diabetes, stomach ailments, and cholesterol issues. One that caught my eye was for an arthritis relief drug called Humira. Not that I have arthritic issues (although I do have a bum knee), the Hurmira commercial features a young lady searching through an antiques shop as a nod to her physical ability to enjoy a task that the drug would ameliorate. Why antiques, and she appeared to be under 45 years of age.
Perception is not necessarily reality and not anyone who wants to live and collect antiques has to be rich and elderly. What I found so stunning in the commercial is that the showcasing of "antiquing" was a subliminal connection to perhaps biking down a country road or playing with your grandchildren. There is both a physical and cerebral activity involved. Ever watch the TV show "American Pickers"; you have to go through floors, up steps, over tables, and just plain move the stuff around in search of something that connects. In the Humira commercial the featured actress touches a brass clothes valet that has a certain charm and functionality which catches her attention. It is what all antiques and decorative art should do, to be able to make a personal and pleasurable connection for what it is and how it can be useful and enjoyable.
The public image of antiques has a way to go before it gains a cache like fast cars and the newest handheld technology. Just getting noticed is a start and not having a condescending attitude about our items is even more important. The upscale show phenomenon has little reason or the ability to expand its public persona just as the elitism of Sotheby's and Christie's is portrayed by their abuse and manipulation of both buyers and sellers.
The only salvation for the growth in the market for antiques is to be a more generally accepted commodity. Acceptance has to come with a recognition by the general public that, like an effective drug, you want it because you believe it will offer a positive benefit. Antiques should implicitly offer a remedy for value, functionality, taste, and style. What we need is the benefit of an industry organization that can get the message out to our potential customers. Unfortunately we don't have an AppVie, Inc (the developer of Humira) or a Bristol Myers who have the deep pockets to promote our industry and the products we sell.
The Spring Masters Show in NYC, Done Differently
May 4th, 2014 by admin
I started blogging about this industry back in 2007 when I discovered Clinton Howell commentaries and his participation at shows. I saw him today, exhibiting in the revolutionary format of this year's Spring Masters show. With Artvest Partners now in control they are attempting a different approach that is dramatic, and it works. Clinton suggested I write something about the show, as he obviously loved the change and extraordinary visual vistas of the show floor.
It works because of the creative and inventive approach taken by the architect, Rafael Viñoly. That antiques and art fairs so desperately need a new format is reflected in the fact that this show unfortunately was projected to be no better than the prior year show which was created by AADLA, or for that matter any highbrow style show. The whole idea of any show, be it a Pier Show, Brimfield, or any local event, is the grid layout that prevails as the only solution. Up one aisle and down the next; and (my method) repeat the process in reverse so you can really see the most merchandise at any show.
Mr. Viñoly's design for the show has attempted to break that monotonous pattern with a fun, fantastic, and innovative approach to multi-dealer display. The magic is the open, almost interconnected feeling that is created by have transparent and angular walls within the layout of the booths. What made this all the more fun is how you almost get a certain vertigo in terms of "have I been here before"? This makes you look even harder at all the merchandise, and appreciate how the dealer mix from antiquities and art, to items of recent design, are somehow seamlessly connected.
Lost in this review is the merchandise and art that in on display. Yes it is of high quality and caliber, but why do some have prices and others do not? And if you need a set of chairs, not at this show. This fair isn't necessarily for the decorator trade but really requires patrons who want to see a diverse exhibition of fine and decorative arts in a stimulating and contemporary environment. Being creative and innovative is how you can make it approachable to students and a younger generation of consumer. Imagine if every item in the show could be looked up on an iPad as you strolled the show?
Perhaps this style of show presentation will be replicated by other show promoters. It cannot help but foster some creative new approaches to dealer presentation as groups or individually. There should be a way to promote having a stimulating experience and interest in how and what we sell. But this original 2014 Spring Masters New York will be the standard reference as to what broke the "show" mold.
The New UK Way: Auctioneer Exemption, Of Course
April 28th, 2014 by admin
When I was trying to relax this past Sunday morning, I picked up the latest edition of The Art Newspaper and was stunned when I came upon an article explaining how the new English Regulatory Reform Act of 2013 would exempt the auctioneer's from being a party to a public sale. At auction, the restrictions and disclosure of financial arrangements are only applicable to dealers who form a "ring" or limit the number of potential buyers, but not on the auctioneer's side of a deal.
I can't image how proud I would feel if I were a member of the British trade. First they blinked at challenging the auctioneer's buyer's premium back in the mid-1970s, and now your own government in coming down against the dealer trade. When you read about the restrictions and new regulations, I am totally in favor of them. I think that disclosure of inside information is good for the market. Since governments can't control or regulate the financial markets from a meltdown, let us start in my unregulated industry. Great, but why not level the playing field for disclosure of auctioneer collusion with another interested party.
Disclosure of a transaction within the auction world is of course, the biggest joke that Wall Street envies. The way this new Reform Act works, the info on the irrevocable bid somehow does not need to be disclosed in the same format required by non-auctioneers. It seems strange that the auctioneer, the consignor, and another party (or more) does not have to disclose the same information requirements of the new law.
To be fair, I think the British trade has been a good model for the US, who have an even more flawed structure as a representative organization. It really comes down to the classic duopoly approach that leaves one two-headed monster (guess who they are) running their own show. I would love to lead the charge to dismember them, and would suggest that only a class action be initiated to demand equal status as the auctioneer who is running the event in question, with these new rules.
The Sotheby's/Christie's duopoly has had its share of publicity regarding hedge fund activity, record prices at their auctions for contemporary art, and having made a major push into the private treaty/dealer space for transactions. They pride themselves on being the most egregious offenders of conflict of interest in their major transactions and way of doing business.
These new Regulations requires that the "ring" dealers submit a written contract to the auctioneer, so the auctioneer is aware of the pending transaction. But what of the dealers or other bidders who does not have the privilege information that an auctioneer may have with its consignor and or an interested third party? This is a fundamental flaw in the regulations and with their international scope, will allow them to funnel contracts to auction merchandise in the country that best serves their and their interested 3rd party's interests.
This leads me to the point that dealers must and will have to evolve in the face of the unregulated, manipulative, and fraudulent methods employed by auctions. Secret reserve and chandelier bidding are blatant deceptions; the British government condones that and leaves dealers like myself with another excuse to not partake in their farcical way of operating. Unfortunately, this is the power they exercise.
Buying Decorative Art; A Changing Knowledge and Passion
April 16th, 2014 by admin
The alchemy of knowledge and passion can usually result in a productive creation (not necessarily legal either). However, in the decorative arts as a dealer or collector, it now requires a new calculation of the supply/demand equation. The reality of how goods surface on the market has drastically changed and with it is a radically different consumer, who has an expanded or minimal visual perspective of space.
Filling the space to suit a lifestyle will usually require some sense of taste and style. Today, the buyer of antiques for the home has not changed much and has always been the largest application for their functionality. The home will always be the easiest destination for one's own passion be it living or working. The place where you want to show your passions and interests can range from an apartment with dramatic panoramic views of New York City, to a bomb shelter garage housing a collection of vintage automobiles. It is all in the perspective of having enthusiasm and satisfaction.
Knowledge is much more tangible and easier to quantify. What you know presents a clear advantage that does not require an interpretation when the facts are self-evident. You know a Tiffany lamp when you have seen thousands. The decorative arts has so many nooks and crannies of makers, materials, shapes, and functions. How can't you just keep learning? The search for knowledge and the recognition of a great object requires an inquisitive mentality that has many competitors for your attention. It requires a motivation, which also includes money and valuation.
Since I first went on a European buying trip with my grandparents in 1963, I have witnessed some of the most critical junctures in the pricing, supply, and demand for use of decorative arts by interiors designers, who also work with collectors. Acquiring a 40 foot jumbo container of great merchandise was almost literally a walk in the park. That fantasy period has completely disappeared and has now being transformed by the complete lack of dealer price support in the market. Are you kidding, who is buying things at auction for stock? Not nearly as many as in years past. The critical number of dealers to support auction pricing is vastly different and private purchasers cannot make up the difference.
Because of this disruption to the buying side of the decorative arts, new and exciting options will avail themselves to those dealers that afford to control or take advantage of the lack of competition both to buy and sell. As economists talk about generational passing of assets from parents to children, the amount of inventory potentially coming on the American market is staggering. There was such a tremendous importation of decorative arts into the United States in the last century and a half. Not much has gone back. For me there is no financial advantage to try to load up a container in Europe; it is already here, somewhere.
This gets me back to my original thought, how the changing market dynamics offers an opportunity for someone to wants to own and live with these items. It should not be a case of making it difficult to find and buy at a reasonable price. The decorative arts needs to embrace design, and expose minimalism for what it really is, stunted creativity.
Going, Going, But Not Gone; This Decorative Arts Dealer
March 11th, 2014 by admin
If you take out of the equation, Mid-20th Century Modern, the traditional antiques dealer no longer exists or does so as a relic of the past. Counting down the number of surviving dealers from just 20 years ago is a staggering thought. The monumental shift in taste has made the antiques business a one pony show of 20th Century and modern. Dealers in classical French, English, 17th, 18th, and 19th Century decorative arts might never appear again.
Never is a strong term, but the role of a dealer must evolve into being more of a merchant than a curator. No one ever accused Sotheby's and Christie's of being curators, but rather as super promoters. If you want to curate, go to a museum; to make money you have to raise the awareness of your business and promote it so it can engage one's visual and intellectual attention. You don't do that by building walls of intimidation (go to a "fancy" antiques show), price deception (auction with secret reserves or dealers not showing a price tag), and difficulty in finding and shipping the item. We are not talking about buying TV's, but these are major obstacles to connect with the potentially massive public domain.
These issues of making it difficult to embrace the public will not be ameliorated by any dealer run organization, as has been the case for the last 35 years (since the British dealers blinked at the imposition of the buyer's premium at auctions). Dealers as a group sounds more like an oxymoron for inaction. It can only come from some sort of dealer consolidation, where many can be spoken for by one dealer, both in policy and operation. Perhaps that is an evolutionary thought for my industry, but how else will it ultimately survive?
For the last several months, I have heard from so many dealers that having a physical storefront is not particularly relished any more. An incredible number of venerable and well stocked firms have made the decision not to renew a lease or are looking for an exit from the business. And this is on top of an industry that has contracted significantly in the last 10 years. Adding fire to the situation, The New York Times noted in an article on affluence that every major category of wealth spending rose considerably, but furniture fell 16%, yes 16%.
But somehow, I think Newel will survive this present state of the industry like it has always survived; it will go on with what it does best but with a vision of doing it even better. For years we have been busting out of our building and it has been a major constraint on our growth. Walk-ins can be great (and scarce) but a presence on the Internet is worth that price.
Later this year, we are planning to move our business to a new destination; the third in our history, Long Island City. Yes, it is across the river from where we are now, but it is closer than you think and will make Newel bigger and better. We're going, going, gone; across the river into an exciting new channel of our future.
"Concerned Dealers" and The 1stdibs Challenge
December 23rd, 2013 by admin
There appears to be a dialogue of some 1stdibs member dealers who have made public comments and complaints about an evolving process of commerce. It has always been a concern that this industry has little life blood left compared to just a decade and further into the past. While auction success with the buyer's premium certainly took a toll on dealer survival, we are now witnessing the next transformation of the industry by 1stdibs.
There is a thread of commonality in any "concerned" 1stdibs dealers that the 1stdibs web site does on such a large scale what any individual dealer can never achieve, eyeballs and buyers. As a Johnny-come-lately to 1sdibs, I know the frustration of trying to build a competitive web site. In the early 2000s, my web site had almost 10 times as many visits as today. I know my loss certainly has been their gain. Yet, now as a new member of 1stdibs, I am selling far more with an ease of transaction that does not necessarily require the hand holding of a physical showroom. That is revolutionary and the next challenge for dealers is to accept and embrace this power offered by the Internet.
As a case in point, most if not many dealers today are not in central locations build for foot traffic. The rents and overhead of those locations (as well as their specific inventory stock) have made that method difficult or nearly impossible to be profitable. That has lead to the demise of or the curtailing of a storefront in favor of a traveling show exhibitor and/or an inexpensive storage overhead location. The gap of location is now filled with the Internet, and if you take that out of the equation, for most dealers you take out 1stdibs.
As I see dealers fret about the Goliath of a 1stdibs running roughshod over them, I see a company that is trying to grow and with it come growing pains. I don't think any "concerned dealer" could deny that 1stdibs is forward thinking and wants to move into new and untested areas of commerce. To me that is exciting and an opportunistic prospect. I can think of nothing better than benefiting from their success, and I would suggest that the issues of concern for the dealers run parallel to 1stdibs.
A lot of the dealer issues center around technical problems like good analytics and clearer functionality for both dealers and buyers. However, they at least understand that customer service is a big head ache for all of us and they are trying to absorb some those issues for the dealers. Undeniably, customers (whether interior designers or private purchasers) today are much more demanding of service, price, and other options.
With the prospects of dealers having a dialogue with the management of 1stdibs, it is certainly an opportunity to help them help us. I will always encourage them to charge fees when they perform a service that can result in a sale; it is my pleasure to share a profit and grow with them. For me, it is making them more efficient in my generating and completing a transaction. Their assistance in making it happen is undeniable in this new age of commerce for the industry. It is also a testament to what they have accomplished and that they appreciate their relationship with dealers and our method of trading, which auctioneers seemed to have left at the doormat.
While I don't claim to be an apologist for all the dealer complaints or issues cited in this collective group, I will say that my experience has been quite positive and beyond my expectations. It has been the successes of direct contacts (mostly with trade designers) initiated from 1stdibs that have dominated over the 1stdibs direct "purchase" (which has operated quite nicely-less discount net of their fees and no need to deal with retail types). Collaborating with 1stdibs to make changes should be with a measured and not antagonist approach. If you think you can create a competitive alternative site, don't think Accel Partners isn't in the same profit mode as a Benchmark.
Why Obama Will Go Down As a Great President
November 29th, 2013 by admin
I have never written a political blog commentary, at least on the point of an American President. When President Obama was first running for the office, I deferred to my oldest son on his opinion of who might be the better choice. I felt McCain was part of my generation. But there does come a time to pass the torch, and I voted with my son.
Because I voted for him once, does not automatically mean I would go with him on a second round. Romney could have been an excellent President, with great managerial skills. We do have a lot of waste in government and it is a systemic problem that needs more oversight and direction. It is part of what a President does, but the challenges in this age are expanding exponentially. Control and being cool under pressure are the hallmarks of any leader. You can bend, but you can't break.
What got me re-appraising my thoughts on Mr. Obama was his performance and focus when he was being heckled by some immigration protesters at a prepared speech. Even the Presidents strongest critics must acknowledge that he is extremely bright and his family values are impeccable. But what set that episode apart, was the fact that he waived off Secret Service agents who were going to approach the hecklers. He was the man in the room and went on to articulate his greatest problem, Congress, which can't pass any legislation relating to immigration issues.
But let us get to the area that every American President wants to shine, foreign affairs and international diplomacy. We have seen this president do what Richard Nixon did in opening up Communist China, or Reagan and the fall of the Soviet Union. Being at the right place at the right time can also be very fortuitous. The opening of a dialogue is only a starting point. You've got the ball, now start rolling it together. I think Iran realizes that might is right, which has taken its economic and social toll when applied in the manner that Obama was able to implement with the international community. After all, he started it all with his "Arab Spring".
President Obama would love as much as any President to be the architect of a lasting peace in the Middle East. Europe was moved off the spotlight after the fall of Communism so the world has had two generations to figure out this dilemma. Religion is a big issue, but that is just an excuse for power and a following; it doesn't provide an equitable solution. But if you must start with that big impediment, a test of wills is the last resort. The President's enforcement of restrictions on Iran is an unqualified success. We know that they know our economic muscle is for real. Obama deserves all the credit for its effectiveness. He also was able to see what kind of diplomacy has not worked in the past.
Perhaps his most successful and renowned accomplishment might be the breaking down of Al Qaeda and its leadership. Obviously President Bush never did the job, only to leave office with a stalemate. International dynamics are now more than ever dominated by economics exerted by both political and corporate interests. It also worked because Iran is a one trick pony with its oil and gas. I believe Obama understands how effective we can use collective economic interests for political gain. That same approach can work with the Palestinian and Israeli conflict, as a trickle down of the Iran capitulation. But he does have one big problem that needs his attention to make it all work and gain recognition as a great American President, the economy.
If ever someone was dealt a bad hand, this President came into an economic mess of potentially catastrophic proportions. The fact that we are still standing is a thought that many might argue. Yes things have most definitely improved, but at what cost and will the President keep growth going or let it possibly slip back. The strength of the United States has historically been attributed to our economic growth and creativity. This President understands that the opportunity for economic growth is to integrate it into the world community, where American values can best be displayed. It is a noble goal.


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