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Style Sample Magazine Issue #6
Issue #6 of Style Sample magazine is packed to the brim with Spring-ready shopping picks, an interview with two friends who started their own design business, advice on working with blog sponsors, commentary on what happens when bloggers limit or - gasp! - remove their comment sections, independent designers, fashion illustration and photography, and much more!
SS The magazine about fashion bloggers! # 6 STYLE SAMPLE PLUS: SPRING STYLE PICKS SHOULD YOU DELETE YOUR COMMENT SECTION? WHAT TO EXPECT FROM BLOG SPONSORS ...and more! it's always O ERNO N AFT Liz of Late Afternoon talks blogging, modeling, and keeping your head straight in the fashion biz. AE LT somewhere StyleSampleMag.com STYLE SAMPLE Editor-in-Chief Tamia Stinson email@example.com {blogger's paradise} To subscribe, visit www.stylesamplemag.com. For information regarding permissions and advertising, contact firstname.lastname@example.com Published by TheStyleSample.com Creative Commons License Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike A s I write this, we've just come off of a "fashion blogger high" during New York Fashion Week, during which the Chictopia10 Social Influence Summit and the Independent Fashion Bloggers Evolving Influence Conference took place (read more on page 4 and online at stylesamplemag.com). Fashion blogging and its many participants received coverage in industry publication WWD, as well as mentions in both new and traditional media. Fashion bloggers' time in the spotlight is often the subject of controversy. Traditional media folk--from print magazine editors to those who write for online publications--have expressed their displeasure at the influx of "inexperienced" new voices commanding their readers' attention. However, as panelists at the IFB conference noted, we're not interested in ousting the traditional fashion industry--rather we would prefer to peacefully coexist, and will continue to add our voices to the stream of information and opinions flooding the web. Not necessarily because we're interested in fame and fortune (well, not all of us anyway), but because fashion is what we love and we've found a supportive community that shares our passion. As blogging and bloggers continue to gain recognition, opportunities both positive and negative abound. If you are interested in monetizing with sponsorships, check out the article about working with public relations agencies and press representatives on page 25. As bloggers, we open ourselves up to direct feedback from our readers, feedback that often includes both praise and criticism in a very public forum. But is it necessary? "The Etiquette of Comment Sections" on page 22 examines what happens when readers are limited or no longer able to offer such feedback in the form of comments. Blogging is a boon for search engine optimization, so independent business owners and designers Nicole Fisher, and the Stylestalker girls use blogging to connect with their target audience (pages 22 & 23). In terms of artistic talent, illustration and photography reign supreme in the blogosphere, and illustrator Belle Kr�l (page 20) and self-portrait photographers Zanita (page 16) and Crystal (page 7) are inspiring examples of the way art manifests itself in fashion. With every issue I am inspired and impressed by the initiative and grace of the people who contribute, as well as countless others I come across while surfing your link lists. As fashion bloggers continue to gain credibility and scrutiny, remember to do what you love. TheStyleSample.com firstname.lastname@example.com 2 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com VALERIE WARRINGTON { ISSUE #6 Beauty and the Budget ANN COLVILLE SOMMA Holier Than Now Valerie is the founder of Beauty and the Budget, the frugal fashionista's guide to shopping. As a passionate writer and fashionista, she's aspiring for a career that will combine both loves. Ann Colville Somma is the blogger behind Holier Than Now, co-founder of the Cliquesound ad network, and a branding and innovations consultant to the fashion and beauty industries. @HOLIERTHANNOW NISHA AMY CLAIRE THOMPSON Nonsense on Stilettos Nisha is a law student and fashionphile from Calcutta who mostly prefers hiking boots to stiletto heels despite referencing the latter in the name of her blog, Nonsense On Stilettos. Confessions of a Fashion Editor @BLUEFLOPPYHAT @_AMYCT Amy is a student and writer from NorthEast England, who has the annoying habit of loudly making her opinions on everything known to everyone all the time. Sadly, they tend not to listen. TIANA REID SARAH SORINO Looking Sharp! Sarah is a student at Point Park University working on her Masters' Degree. When she's not blogging or writing, she can be found shopping at independent boutiques around Pittsburgh and writing for her blog, Looking Sharp! Tiana is a writer and student who splits her time between Montreal and Toronto, all the while dreaming of New York. She likes to think she fights her biggest battles with her pen. @TIANAREID @FASHIONISTA0921 CERI HEATHCOTE Style Eyes Fashion Blog As well as writing for her personal blog Style Eyes Fashion Blog, Ceri has her own company called Heathcote Communications, which provides fashion blogging, online marketing, and PR services for fashion companies. JULIA WHICKER Song of the Exile Julia Whicker is a writer living in Richmond, Virginia. She is an enthusiastic proponent of costumery as escapism. She blogs at Song of the Exile. @HEATHCOMM MOLLY KATHLEEN FLOOD TRY a Fashion Blog Molly is a fashion blogger and senior at the University of Alabama studying journalism and photography. She loves to incorporate her aesthetic eye for photography with her personal and unique style. Natural Disaster @MOO488 Natural Disaster is a style and culture blog inspired by colors, textures and finding the patterns and coincidences in everyday life. Sometimes anecdotal, always impulsive and constantly evolving--like the weather, it's gracefully, and sometimes wickedly, unpredictable. Here comes the Flood. StyleSampleMag.com 3 CONTENTS { 20 ISSUE #6 8 6 NEWS The latest happenings from around the blogosphere and what to check out online. 23 12 TRENDS: DOLLY DAYDREAM Dream your way into spring with pastels and pattern. Edited by Amy Claire Thompson of Confessions of a Fashion Editor 22 EMERGING DESIGNER 7 SINGULAR STYLE Highlighting the style of design and photography student Crystal of 11:11. 14 STYLE IN MY CITY With her first baby due in May and plans to extend her line, designer Nicole Fisher has an exciting road ahead. By Nisha of Nonsense on Stilettos 8 BLOGGER'S PARADISE New York Fashion Week was abuzz with two fashion blogger conferences. By Ann Colville Somma of Holier Than Now Myriam of Mode-moi-selle shows us the best shopping in Naples, Italy; Michelle of Glisters & Blisters explores the style scene in Jakarta, Indonesia. 23 BLOGGING + BUSINESS Bounty hunters: On and offline with the girls of Stylestalker. By Kathleen Flood of Natural Disaster 16 FRAMING THE PICTURE 24 10 BLOGS TO WATCH Featuring A Stylized Hysteria, Come Over to the Dark Side, We Have Candy, Coop Style, and Kansas Couture. Zanita shares her favorite images and tips for self-portrait photography. By Sarah of Looking Sharp! FEATURE: IT'S ALWAYS LATE AFTERNOON SOMEWHERE 20 DRAWING INSPIRATION The success of Late Afternoon's Liz Cherkasova is due to more than great style. By Ann Colville Somma of Holier Than Now Illustrator Belle Kr�l is busy using her talents to her advantage. By Tiana Reid of SORINO 28 TIPS & ADVICE Working with press reps is a big part of monetizing your blog. Here's what to expect. By Ceri Heathcote of Style Eyes 4 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com Memorable high fashion. 30 29 FROM THE BLOGOSPHERE One Question, Three Bloggers with Jenifer of Fashion for All Mankind, Lei Ann of Give Me Platforms, and Tariro of Savile. Edited by Molly of TRY a fashion blog Quotable 30 OPEN-ION: THE ETIQUETTE OF COMMENT SECTIONS Comments are a big deal to most bloggers, but what happens when they're limited or-- gasp!--deleted altogether? By Julia Whicker of Song of the Exile www.Madras641.com StyleSampleMag.com 5 NEWS The latest happenings in the blogosphere Compiled by Valerie Warrington of Beauty and the Budget ON THE FRONTLINE OF FASHION Los Angeles beauty blogger Bren of SoMuchPretty has created an amusing challenge for fashion-savvy bloggers. With style challenge The Fashion Frontline, eight bloggers compete in various style categories for each day of the week. Readers vote on their favorite, and whoever gets the most votes, wins the challenge! BRITISH STYLE BLOGGERS "I chose a mix of bloggers with different backgrounds," says Bren. "[There are] blogs with lots of hits and blogs with low hits, so we can help promote them!" The Fashion Frontline officially launches on April 15, 2010, with the looks and polling section set to open on May 1st. Vote for your favorite at www.thefashionfrontline.com. We all know Britain's got talent, but they've got style too! British Style Bloggers began as a way to bring inspiration to its creator, Amy Claire Thompson of Confessions of a Fashion Editor. "I love that we have created a community," says Thompson. "The discussion and support that bloggers give each other always makes me smile." Since 2009, the site has been dedicated to exploring the world of British style and fashion blogging, and they hope to gain international support for the upcoming Body Image season. DESIGNER CHARLOTTE TAYLOR BLOGS HER WAY TO FASHION WEEK The principal idea of her blog was a way for her to connect with the fashion industry. She could see the fashion world was using blogging as a means of communication, and she was also looking for advice. What's it like to be a first time designer premiering in London Fashion Week? Charlotte Taylor tells all in her blog! Image: Claire Pepper Her line was originally designed for 20�35 year old women, but Taylor feels the target market for her collection has expanded. "My mum, for instance, looks fab in a lot of pieces that I have designed, but so do all my buddies," says Taylor. From preparing for a lookbook shoot to getting the wrong labels in, readers can take a detailed look into Charlotte Taylor's life and what goes on behind the scenes with an aspiring designer launching her first collection. Send your tips and information to firstname.lastname@example.com with "News" in the subject. GOT NEWS? ONLINE @ STYLESAMPLEMAG.COM FASHION WEEK BLOGGER EVENTS 11 WAYS TO PROMOTE YOUR ONLINE SHOP 7 TIPS FOR CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS A full wrap-up (plus photos) of the major blogger events during New York Fashion Week, including the Chictopia10 and Independent Fashion Blogger conferences. Read all about them here! You've set up shop, you have great products, now you need cutomers! Check out these tips for promoting your venture. Interviewing is a big part of writing (especially for this magazine). Click here for tips to help you conduct great interviews. PLUS: The best shopping, how to take self-portraits, writing tips, and more! 6 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com STYLE SINGULAR STYLE Crystal Wood, 19 Location: Michigan Occupation: Student Blog: 11.acesaura.com Twitter: @growtrees Name: ABOUT ME: High pitched giggling drives me crazy! I never leave home without my journal for poetry My guilty pleasure is watching Gossip Girl. If I was in an art show, you'd see lots of photog- and my iPod. adore. A perfect day for me involves solitary walks , thrifting , and hanging out with someone I The last thing that made me laugh out loud was a raphy! Portraits and self-portraits are my specialty. My favorite candy is anything with chocolate because there's just something about woman's needs and chocolate. friend of mine who has some of the craziest/strangest dance moves I've seen! Learn more about Crystal on her blog, 11:11 StyleSampleMag.com 7 EVENTS BLOGGER'S PARADISE Text and images by Ann Colville Somma Two conferences during New York Fashion Week put fashion bloggers squarely in the spotlight. "The outfit ins ration alo was worth ticket pri I FB (Independent Fashion Bloggers) is a community made up of more than 6,000 bloggers around the world. The Evolving Influence Conference, held at the Helen Mills Theater in New York on February 15th, provided a forum to discuss growth opportunities for this now highly influential arm of fashion media, and sought to address the future of monetization, ethics, and influence for fashion blogs. The day brought together a global who's who of successful independent and corporate-sponsored bloggers including Gala Darling, Tavi Gevinson (Style Rookie), Bryanboy, and Susie Bubble (Style Bubble/Dazed Digital). Representatives from new and traditional media like Business of Fashion and The New York Times also spoke. Minx provided complimentary musthave manicures by day, while the Couturious Cocktail Party capped off the event that night with food, drinks, and a photo booth by Weardrobe. The conference consisted of four panels, each rich in ideas, and the success of this year's event sets the stage for future IFB conferences. Though they may become larger than this 300-person affair, they will certainly only become more valuable for the blogging community. IFB Evolving Influence Conference Clockwise from top left: Bryanboy, Tavi Gevinson (Style Rookie), Susie Lau (Style Bubble); Tavi Gevinson, Diane Pernet (A Shaded View on Fashion); Gala Darling. Read the full summary at StyleSampleMag.com 8 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com spione h the ice." Chictopia10 Social Influence Summit B illed as a forum where "global online taste makers meet executives from premium brands," the Chictopia10 Social Influence Summit was held on February 13th at the Allegra Laviola Gallery in lower Manhattan. Intimate invitation-only events for the panelists and select guests were held the following day. The day's panel discussions brought together bloggers including Judy Aldridge of Atlantis Home, Danny Roberts of Igor + Andr�, Liz Cherkasova of Late Afternoon, and Rebecca Stice of The Clothes Horse to discuss the future of blogging and provide insights to optimize brand-blogger relationships. Marketers and media specialists including Modcloth founder Susan Koger and Botkier Marketing Director Jennifer Wexler shared their take on the blogosphere, highlighting the importance of associating their brands with individual style and independent voices, and sharing their take on activating communities with new tools like Polyvore (whose VP of Products, Jess Lee, also spoke). The day was capped off with a fashion show of emerging designers including Alexandra Grecco and the Triskaidekaphobia line of jewelry designed by the girls of Six Six Sick, followed by a cocktail party at the Tribeca Grand Hotel. Clockwise from top left: Jane Aldridge (Sea of Shoes), Lucrecia (Fashion is Poison), Rachel (That's Chic), Liz Cherkasova (Late Afternoon), and Taghrid (Taghrid.cc); Taghrid, Liz, and Danny Roberts (Igor + Andr�); Janelle Haskins (Nelle & Feathers), Alexandra Grecco, Landon and Hannah (Hannah and Landon); Rebecca (The Clothes Horse) and Erin (Cali Vintage). The outfit inspiration alone was worth the $129 ticket price for Chictopia members, but the opportunity to gain executable insights from experienced bloggers--and meet them in person--made the event highly rewarding. Read the full summary at StyleSampleMag.com StyleSampleMag.com 9 BLOG WATCHING TO WATCH blogs Fresh faces and unique concepts in the world of blogging A Stylized Hysteria AStylizedHysteria.com, @Najeema Why did you start blogging? I am pretty shy in real life, but I'm full of opinions and I wanted a space to share my thoughts and love of style, makeup, and everything beautiful. It feels great to have a place where I can express myself 100%--no filters! Who do you hope to reach? I would love to reach absolutely everyone with a computer and an interest in fashion! Really, I want to reach those who enjoy fashion and clothes, but aren't necessarily following every bit of breaking news. I focus on accessible fashion for real life, not couture or outfits full of designer pieces. 10 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com Najeema Boston , What's your favorite part about blogging? I love that blogging connects people from around the world with each other, and I really love that blogging allows the average women (i.e., me) to be involved with media and the fashion world. Blogging is absolutely changing the way people share information, and I'm excited to be a small part of that! Amsterd Cindy, am Why did you start blogging? It's just great way to get in touch with other girls who share the same interest in fashion and clothes! And when you are always spending lots of Coop Style www.coopstyle.com Why did you start blogging? I started my blog on September 28, 2009. I'd spent some time in this amazing online world, but only as a spectator. I finally decided to become the "creator" of a space where I can be myself without limits and I created Coop Style. In my room I can dream and make this wonderful city-- which is unfortunately inhabited by bigots-- into the medieval city of my dreams. I decided to dream of New York and Paris, like in a teen movie! a, ntin Vale ilan M Come over to the dark side, we have candy www.comeovertothedarksidewehavecandy.com, @Comeovertocandy time (and money, haha) figuring out what to wear, you want people to see it. When you are just going to work or to see your friends and family--who don't really pay any attention to it-- it's just nice to get compliments and opinions from girls who do notice and appreciate the little details in an outfit! Who do you hope to reach? Hard question! I didn't even expect that there would be that many people interested in my blog about my personal style. I'm now at 900 followers and to me that's unbelievable! Apparently I'm just as much an inspiration for other girls as they are to me, and that's all that I could hope for! What's your favorite part about blogging? My favorite part of blogging is each and every single comment that I receive on a new post. It just puts a smile on my face and gives me so much energy! And like I said before, I love being able to get in touch with other fashion bloggers. Some I've already met a couple of times! How cool is that? Where are you from? I'm from Holland and I live near the capital of the Netherlands: Amsterdam. It's a great place to shop and visit for inspiration. When I was younger and didn't get my inspiration from the internet, I always went to Amsterdam to get inspiration from the streets there! Katy, Kansas Kansas Couture KansasCouture.com, @KansasCouture Why did you start blogging? After graduating from college, I was looking for a way to channel my creative energy. Fashion was a longtime interest of mine that I hadn't explored very deeply. After becoming a regular reader of several fashion blogs, I decided to start my own. I didn't really have any expectations in the beginning, but Kansas Couture has provided me with so many unbelievable opportunities. Who do you hope to reach? I hope to reach people like me, people who have a similar attitude toward fashion. One of the most important aspects of my blog is that it doesn't take a lot of money to have interesting style. My goal is to inspire readers (particularly those on a budget) to get creative with their day-to-day outfit choices. Overall, I strive to be relatable and accessible. What's your favorite part about blogging? Blogging pushes me to constantly improve. I want to keep things interesting for my readers, so I'm always trying to take my style one step further. I also appreciate the dialogue of the blogging community. I think fashion blogs are a great communication tool for people who are passionate about outfits, accessories, and what's shown on the runways and in glossy magazines, and are also a source of news, inspiration, and fun. Who do you hope to reach? I have no particular muse unless you count Gabriel Coco Chanel, so whoever I reach is fine. What's your favorite part about blogging? The first great thing is taking pictures! I love photography and I do not know what I would do without my tripod and my little Canon! I also love the relationship with my readers. It is great reading their comments, advising them, and talking to them! Everyone is so nice and they also give me their suggestions and advice. StyleSampleMag.com 11 TRENDS Dream your way into spring with pastels and patt Dolly Dayd ALLEGRA It's on with Allegra BJ { { Sunglasses, Chloe Bralet, Topshop Back to the roaring 70's: these cream and brown cat-eye "Tilia" sunnies by Chlo� are nothing short of retro-fabulous and totally perfect for easy breezy spring days! You see them all over the runways: flower prints and the underwear as outwear trend. Pair it with a boyish blazer and high-waisted pants to unveil a line of nude skin--very sexy, very Dolce & Gabbana! Rosette top, H&M Particuliere polish, Chanel CAROLINA Closet Full of Nothing Fun and flirty, this subdued rosette top from H&M's garden collection is a must for my spring wardrobe. The "Jade" reign is hardly over and Chanel has released yet another brilliant nail color just in time for spring. Particuliere is a milky grey-taupe that perfectly compliments this season's soft shades. NATHALIE Accessory Pirate { Y-Mail blush, YSL Chain earrings, Topshop What better mail can you get in spring than something from YSL? I adore the print on top, and the blush gives skin a fresh look after those cold wintery days. I love long earrings, they make you feel so graceful. These pieces can be an eyecatcher for a simple look or complement an outfit for a night out. 12 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com terns. Edited by Amy Claire Thompson of Confessions of a Fashion Editor dream Fashion Trend Guide MELISSA { { { Mini bag, Bebe With its classic quilted pattern and feminine heart shape, this charming bag from Bebe will make carrying around your essentials fun again. It's just the right size to stash a few small things, too! Body lotion, Burt's Bees Warm weather means showing more skin, and that means staying moisturized. This lightly scented lotion is not only 99% natural, it contains royal jelly, and gives skin a subtle, healthy glow. Open back dress, Luca Couture The pale pastel blue and white stripes are simply delightful juxtaposed with the open-back detailing. Cutouts will be big for spring! Buckled wedges, Sam Edelman EMMA Gotham Hipster These shoes are a spring necessity, a whimsical spin on your typical gladiator sandal. They're very versatile; I could even wear them into the fall with a cute pair of socks. Necklace, I Love Cutie Pie Intrinsically Florrie FLORRIE I Love Cutie Pie do the most sweet, whimsical jewellery--the kind that makes you happy just by looking at it. This necklace was inspired by Hansel & Gretel. Chiffon blouse, D&G The theme made me think of dolly mixture and this top is so sweet in its coloring. Could it be more feminine? StyleSampleMag.com 13 `ROUND THE WORLD in my CITY style "Naples... has a fashion soul, too!" Naples, ITALY Myriam, 25 Mode-moi-selle W hen someone thinks about Naples, his mind goes to its tasty food (pizza and sweets above all), its awesome landscapes, and its museums and historical sites. Well, I can tell you it has got all that, but it has a fashion soul too! It's within the inner city that you can find the most bizarre shops: small windows full of Oriental silver rings, earrings and necklaces, nu-hippie clothes and customized t-shirts are the most visible items along the tiny streets that cut across the city from Piazza del Ges� Nuovo to Via Duomo. If you prefer high designer brands, just go to the Chiaia district and you'll find everything you want! There are boutiques such as Fendi, Vuitton, Herm�s and many more, as well as Mango, Pinko, Liu Jo and other less expensive brands. This is a classy district very close to the seafront, and you'll have a great walk even if you can't buy anything. However, my favorite shopping places are Via Toledo in the city centre and Via Scarlatti in the Vomero district. The first one is a very long street full of shops for every price point: there are Spanish brands such as Bershka, Pull and Bear, and Zara Street Style The majority of people living here don't follow the runway trends. The most quoted style is flashy, colourful and equipped with designer accessories. But as with everything else, there isn't only a single point of view in fashion: thanks to its five universities, Naples attracts students from all over southern Italy and Erasmus Student Network. People from all around the world contribute to the variegated street style, especially in the inner city. Top: the author in the Vomero district and at the Campania shopping center; above: at Coin department store; below: Via Scarlatti The Shopping 14 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com Jakarta, INDONESIA "One thing is for sure: locals embrace trends." Michelle, 17 Glisters and Blisters W hat's the first thing that jumps into your mind when you hear Indonesia? I'd reckon thoughts related to terrorism are one of them. Despite the ugly news, the fashion sphere is better than ever. These days, there are more events than you can count on two hands. From runways to Jakarta Fashion Week to charity sales, there's always something to look at every day. If you're lucky, you might be able to visit the occasional Brightspot Market (www.brightspotmarket. com). You'll love the products from local & international brands such as Cotton Ink (cottonink.blogspot. com), Petite Cupcakes (www.petitecupcakes.com), and many others. The exhibition, held few times a year, is a must-go for all fashion worshippers. the Balinese brand Biasa at Kemang Raya for casual beach pieces. I know that beachwear might not sound that appealing, but don't compare Biasa to Billabong. Instead, think Cavalli's maxi-dresses blended with Karen Walker's preppy style. You never know when your perfect summer piece could be waiting! Far left: the author and friends in Gossip Girl mode; above: Nikicio Spring/Summer show, Brightspot market Images: Nikicio.com; Fenny Chen Jakarta Style It is actually very hard to define one particular style for J-towners. One minute you'll see cute Blair Waldorf bows and another you'll catch a glimpse of Erin Wasson's rock-child vibe. One thing is for sure, locals embrace trends. Thanks to the increasing amount of magazines, getting inspired from gazillions of sources isn't a big deal anymore. Actually, me and my blogger friends just did a "Gossip Girl" inspired photo session. Once you've done your shopping, fill up your tummy at a historical dining site, Huize Trivelli (www.huize-trivelli.com). The Dutch-based restaurant serves variety of foods that are prepared by the Dutch owner himself. I don't think there's any better way to study the past than this! (my favorite!), and Italian ones such as U.C.Benetton, Motivi, Camomilla, Intimissimi, and many more. At the end of the street there is a beautiful 19th century gallery full of shops and caf�s...you have to go there, it's amazing! Via Scarlatti is a small promenade in the smart district. There you can find a nice department store (Coin), a bigger Zara � hurray! � and some other shops. If you can get around by car, there are two shopping centers close to town with more than 100 shops (Campania and Vulcano Buono), and a big outlet is opening soon (La Reggia). Bargainista Heaven Like to bargain? Then ITC Mangga Dua is your place. ITC has everything from $13 bodycon dresses to knock-off Louboutins to factory outlet designer pieces. Starting from $40, you can walk away with Stella McCartney's leopard screenprint t-shirt. Of course, you won't walk away with that price easily. If you're heading down here, drop me a line and I'd be happy to bargain for you! e e MYRIAM of Mode-moi-selle is an almost graduated language student with a passion for shopping and a neverending love with fashion. You can find her under stacks of books and fashion magazines, in a Zara store with eyes sparkling, or on her fashion blog. Come and enjoy! Unique Designers Bargaining not your thing? Drop into Tribute Birdcage and bury yourself in unique young Indonesian designers pieces from Nikicio, KLE, and many others. Pay a visit to MICHELLE of Glisters and Blisters is a newbie in blogging and has a passion for two words beginning with an F: Fashion & Food. The fashion business student collects black shoes and dreams of following Patrick Demarchelier's path in fashion photography. You can follow her on Twitter @glister_blister. StyleSampleMag.com 15 FASHION + ART FRAMING 16 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com THE Blogger Zanita has mastered the art of selfportrait photography. Here, she spills some of her secrets. By Sarah of Looking Sharp! PICTURE L ike most fashion bloggers, this 23-year old fashionista from Sydney has no formal training behind the camera. She credits her knowledge of photography to working with professional photographers on modeling shoots, inspirations from magazine editorials, and pure experimentation. Armed with a Nikon D60, a tripod, and a remote, Zanita self-shoots her blog photos from her secluded rooftop deck, allowing herself two seconds to strike the perfect pose. To inspire us all, Zanita lays out the basics of her fashion photography. StyleSampleMag.com 17 18 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com WHAT IS ESSENTIAL TO CREATING BEAUTIFUL IMAGES? Framing. My advice would be to try different angles and to get closer to your subject. Cropping just above the knee and along the top of the head better conveys an image of the mood of an outfit and subject. Also, utilizing props such as chairs can make a photo more interesting and seem more natural. WHAT ARE SOME TIPS YOU'VE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY TO PRODUCE GREAT PHOTOS? Mastering natural light is key. Take photos outside first thing in the morning or in the evening when the sunlight is less harsh and more direct on the face. Also, take photos on a very cloudy day because heavy clouds disperse light beautifully. If you must take pictures inside, utilize the light filtering through windows. Using basic editing software can dramatically improve the impact of an image. Try adjusting the contrast and brightness and changing the temperature of the image (increasing the orange tones or reducing the saturation). WHERE IS YOUR DREAM PHOTO SHOOT LOCATION? An isolated beach! Beach sand makes a natural reflector and the wind and ocean are beautiful natural elements. Now with Zanita's insights, we can all start creating stylish photos for our blogs! Visit Zanita online at Zanita.com.au. StyleSampleMag.com 19 W hen I spoke with Argentinian native and accessories editor for Chic.tv Belle Kr�l, she was living every fashion blogger's dream: covering New York Fashion Week. Like many fashion weekers, she was overworked and underslept, but loving every minute of it. In fact, life was so hectic for Belle that we scheduled our interview for midnight! Inspiration Blogger and illustrator is busy using her talents to her advantage. By Tiana Reid of So Right Now Drawing Belle Kr�l TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING AT NYFW. I'm doing a little bit of everything so that I'm happy with the results later. I'm spending lots of time inside the press lounge, interviewing, photographing, getting to know my favorite models backstage, and sitting in the press row at some of the shows. I've been sleeping like, three hours a day, but even when I do get the chance to sleep, the excitement keeps me up. THAT SOUNDS HECTIC, BUT ENVIABLE. WHAT ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATION PART OF YOUR 20 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com " WORK? HOW DID YOU GET INTERESTED IN FASHION ILLUSTRATION IN PARTICULAR? Drawing comes naturally to me. My dad is a great illustrator, so I guess that's one reason it's innate for me. Linking illustration with fashion made me realize that they're both things that I want to spend all my life doing. HAVE YOU BEEN DRAWING ALL YOUR LIFE? Since I was two! When I was five, I always paused the movies The Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty again and again to draw the princess' hair, crowns and dresses. My sister used to hate watching movies with me! WHAT ARE YOUR MORE CURRENT FILM INFLUENCES FOR YOUR ILLUSTRATIONS? The Virgin Suicides, my favorite movie, is the start of my inspiration. The photography is so awesome that ten years later I keep watching it and finding something new. The twist that Sofia Coppola creates is truly amazing. WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER INSPIRATIONS? I'm so obsessed with Lady Gaga that it scares me. I keep singing her out loud in the streets and I know I look so ridiculous but I just don't care! I really do have deeper musical influences... Just to make it clear. HAVE YOU EVER DRAWN HER? I'm just waiting to find the right outfit (or wig!). I can't figure out how I would "decorate" her, but she's on my to draw list. WHO ELSE IS ON YOUR "TO DRAW" LIST? Anna Wintour, Kate Moss, Karl Lagerfeld... There are some hot choices, I just need inspiration, and time! Visit Belle online at I Know What You Wore Last Season and Belle Kr�l Illustrations. The Virgin Suicides, my favorite movie, is the start of my inspiration. Far left: Sketch of Snejana; left and below: Belle's pencil sketches. StyleSampleMag.com 21 PROFILES With her first baby due in May and plans to extend her line, designer Nicole Fisher of Nic*Fish has an exciting road ahead. By Nisha of Nonsense on Stilettos The toughest part of her job (and her favorite part) Left: Nicole with her merchandise; below: her convertible jumpsuit. designer { { EMERGING I hear music Nicole's design skills are backed by a wealth of experience--having juggled work at Free People with simultaneously running NIC*FISH, she recalls the task of balancing the two as no real challenge despite the surprise and curiosity of her colleagues. Even the recession--nemesis of many independent designers--is something Nicole sees in a positive light, as an opportunity to restructure her creative vision. Her hopes for the future include opening a standalone NIC*FISH boutique, being stocked by stores like Harrods and Henri Bendel, and mentoring young people in the arts. "Musicians are extremely fun to work with," says Nicole, who has collaborated with several performers. Her aim when designing costumes for musicians is to ensure they're functional, comfortable, and expressive of the artist's own style. In her own words, "It feels awesome when they trust my creative viewpoint." Advice for aspiring designers On the importance of formal training "Always believe in yourself and your creative talents," recommends Nicole. She also believes that pursuing a formal education, learning the business, and finding people who support their dreams are essential for young designers. You can find Nicole online at nicfish. com and follow her on Twitter @ DESIGNBYNICFISH. Her line can be purchased online at Etsy, iStyleList, and Yannique. "It's important to have a formal education to gain the basic technical knowledge of fashion illustration, construction, design terminology, and collection development. However I strongly believe real-world experience brings academic knowledge into reality. For young design students, it's important to focus on both." 22 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com Images: Rehes Creative G rowing up in a family of Philadelphia creatives, former teen model Nicole Fisher realized by college that her heart lay in apparel design. Inspired by her mentor Sayida Hafiz, Nicole studied fashion design at FIT in New York before setting up her own Philadelphia-based label, NIC*FISH, in 2000. Femininity and confidence are qualities Nicole prizes in her clients, which she also sees in women like Chanel Iman, Rihanna, and Scarlett Johansson--all ideal NIC*FISH wearers. Her latest collection features simple, convertible pieces that multitask as much as the women she designs them for. Managing her business as an independent designer without a team is demanding. The lack of financial investors is a challenge, which Nicole sees as opportunity to succeed by making wise decisions about the direction of NIC*FISH. But independence is also Nicole's favorite aspect of her job: her progress with the label spurs her to do more to develop it to her exact vision. Bounty hunters: On and offline with Stylestalker. By Kathleen Flood of Natural Disaster I t was mutural attraction at first sight with SueAnn San and Rachel Zeilic wh,o met while "fashion perving" one another during lectures at the University of Technology in Sydney. After becoming friends and literally sharing the same job at an advertising agency, working on alternate days representing mostly alcohol and beauty brands, they realized that Australia had a void for trendy, affordable clothes. "We're both aesthetic junkies: obsessed with style, fashion, mags, blogs and shopping," says Sue-Ann. "We used to save up all our money and go to London or Los Angeles to blow it in Selfridges, Topshop and at the vintage markets." In response, their online store, Stylestalker was born. "We were really young at the time (Sue-Ann was 22 and Rachel 21) so we just jumped in head first. We found our vendors in Indonesia by literally going there and knocking on peoples doors," said Sue-Ann. Separate strengths Last August they celebrated their first year of business, but have yet to have a party. According to SueAnn the two are rarely in the same country. Their personal styles are also oceans apart. Sue-Ann rocks a "tougher" look, favoring harder fabics, darker colors and embellishments, while Rachel goes for prettier, more ladylike dresses and colors. Sue-Ann says their differences are also their strengths because they always come up with different ideas. They design everything together, but there's no typical day for the duo. Stylestalker designs for a woman who probably follows a similar ethos. "Our girl is savvy, sexy, sucessful and likes to look hot. She's always a little undone with a bit of rock and roll, tousled hair and tight dresses," says Sue-Ann. { BLOGGER business with a g { If Sue-Ann could only wear one outfit this season she'd be wearing "a luxe jersey dress paired with a strong shouldered blazer and some tough boots." Her other current preoccupations include anything Alexander Wang, the entire Alexander McQueen (RIP) S/S 2010 collection, credit card debt, eyebrow pencils and late night TV shopping. "We're From top: currently obsessed Dancing in the with knives and vacstudio; images from their line. uum cleaners," says Sue-Ann. Just do it Sue-Ann and Rachel encourage anyone who's thinking about starting an online business to do it, but because they just jumped right in, they wish they would have maybe taken a fashion design course and done more research on their target market. Regardless, Stylestalker has been a success. "I guess the most crazy part of it is how quickly it's grown from a small online store to a business which has over 100 stockists," says Sue-Ann. "Rach and I literally squeal when we see girls on the street wearing Stylestalker." Current obsessions Just as addictive is Stylestalker's blog, where a recent post alludes to Jen Brill's great taste in men (referring to her boyfriend Terry Richardson). When asked if she would date Richardson if she could, Sue-Ann replied, in perfect Stylestalker form: "Of course. He's a bit scary sexy." Stalk Sue-Ann and Rachel at www.stylestalker.com, and on their blog at www.stylestalkerdotcom.blogspot.com. Find them in the US at Pixie Market and Nastygal.com. StyleSampleMag.com 23 FEATURE The success of Late Afternoon's Liz Cherkasova is due to more than great style. By Ann Colville Somma of Holier Than Now 24 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com it's always O ERNO N AFT somewhere AE LT I t's always late afternoon somewhere, and around the world countless fans are checking Liz Cherkasova's blog for their daily inspiration. With her effortless style and honey-blond hair, it would be easy to mistake this San Franciscan for just another West Coast cutie with a camera. But Late Afternoon's rise from a college hobby to a monetized business--and Liz's transformation from UC Santa Cruz psych major to up-and-coming buyer/stylist and social media and marketing specialist--reveals a savvy business woman behind the blog. A recent graduate, Liz settled in San Francisco because it's the best of both worlds. Unmistakably Californian (she was raised in L.A.), the city also has the bustling urban feel of New York, where she hopes to end up. Her new home parallels her personal style: it's West Coast at its best--relaxed details and vintage are key--but with a metropolitan polish and lean silhouette that's more Madison Avenue than Monterey Bay. With her unique vision and 5'9" frame, it's no surprise Liz has modeled for Nasty Gal and Tobi, but her ability to translate Late Afternoon's success into opportunity isn't due to good genes and great style alone. She's a natural networker with a passion and integrity that shines through in the philosophy she revealed to Style Sample. Grow Online by Going Offline Liz cites her involvement in the Chictopia network as the key factor in expanding her audience--and her career options. The popularity of her outfit posts led members to her website and sparked collaborations with Chictopia's founders. She was featured prominently on the site, and brought her passion for the community to the offices of Chictopia as a social media and marketing intern. The relationship-building paid off: this year, Liz spoke at the Chictopia10 Social Influence Summit in the company of Judy Aldridge of Atlantis Home and other industry insiders. StyleSampleMag.com 25 ing your way around social media is a really valuable skill right now." "Know- At meet-ups, successful San Francisco style bloggers inspired Liz to seek sponsorship. She approached brands that advertised on her friends' blogs, and was soon booking ad space and creating a media kit to showcase her stats and press clips. She now counts ModCloth, Need Supply and Nasty Gal as sponsors, and parlayed her relationship with Nasty Gal into an internship. In a tough job market, Liz saw her blogging savvy as a marketable talent. "In this economy, people don't quite trust you yet and would rather take you on as an intern and see what you're capable of. They're looking for hands-on experience. Knowing your way around social media is a really valuable skill right now." Her passion for the community goes beyond her commercial endeavors: she counts Aimee Song of Song of Style and Jennie Lodge of Going West as close friends. "Meeting people--industry people and other bloggers" is the greatest benefit of her blog's success. "We hang out, we go out, we have dinner parties together--it's probably one of my favorite parts of being a blogger, just having the opportunity to make these friends." 26 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com Let Success Expand Your Wardrobe--But Not Your Ego From the effortless appearance of her style shots, it's hard to imagine Liz stepping out looking less than chic. But when asked if supporting this image is top-of-mind when she leaves the house, Liz summarizes her "brand" in one phrase: "I'm a real person." She continues, "I don't really believe that I should have to look perfect all the time--that's not what my blog is about. I walk out of the house in my sweats all the time... I don't really feel it's necessary to always look great. It's not a very realistic standard." And though Late Afternoon fans may aspire to Liz's styling talents, a wardrobe like hers is an attainable goal. She favors smart basics and affordable gems culled from chains like H&M and Zara, and favorite vintage haunts like Painted Bird. She's eager to point out that she's on a tight budget--like many of her readers--and isn't afraid to share that she sells pieces at Crossroads and Wasteland when it's time for a closet cleanse. Many bloggers struggle with the ethics of free gifts, but Liz's down-to-earth approach has helped her build authentic relationships with her sponsors and, in turn, with her readers. "Sponsors help me maintain [my] wardrobe without the financial strain, but if you don't like [a gift] it's not your duty to promote it--if you're honest with sponsors, they're very understanding." Fashion's Future While Liz's confidence emboldens fans in their personal style quest, her ability to leverage Late Afternoon towards a future in fashion is an inspiration to her fellow bloggers. "Blogs are a fashion revolution," she's unafraid to state. Liz's style acumen and business intelligence puts her firmly at the front of the charge. { VISIT LIZ ONLINE at popcultureafternoon.blogspot. com and follow her on Twitter @lateafternoon. StyleSampleMag.com 27 TIPS & ADVICE { Fashion Bloggers + PR: Maintaining a Relationship Working with PRs is a big part of monetizing your blog. Here's what to expect. By Ceri Heathcote of Style Eyes Fashion Blog F ashion bloggers have received plenty of media attention lately, not least about their relationship with Public Relations agencies and press reps. Fashion blogging is a fairly new field that is growing and evolving all of the time. Working successfully with PRs has numerous benefits for the blogger and the PR, so how can fashion bloggers and PRs work together for mutual gain? What you should expect from a PR Generally speaking, the more traffic you get, the more influence you likely have, and the more interested a PR will be in working with you. What a PR will expect from you You need to hold up your end of the bargain and conduct your blog with the same level of professionalism you would a business. RESPECT No matter how small your blog is, you deserve to be treated with respect. Your small following is probably growing, and who knows where you will be at this time next year? A small cult following can sometimes be more important than a larger site with less relevant traffic. TIMELINESS Answer their emails in a timely manner. A maximum of 48 hours is a reasonable and professional time scale to respond to emails. KEEP YOUR WORD Do what you say you will do. If you have been sent a product to review, it is good etiquette to post the review in a reasonable time scale (about a week) and send a quick email with a link to the post. SOME BENEFIT Depending on the following and influence of your blog, this could include: � Interesting content, images and story ideas for your blog � Exclusive previews of collections � Tickets to launches, fashion shows, and industry events � Free products for review � Giveaways or competitions for your blog � Sponsorship offers A FIGHTING CHANCE Try to resolve issues with a company before posting anything negative on your blog--every company occasionally makes mistakes. It's reasonable to give them the chance to put things right before venting on your blog. GET TO KNOW YOU No one has time to waste, least of all bloggers. A good PR should only approach you with relevant pitches. YOUR VOICE Create well written posts that give your own point of view and personal take on the product or brand. A post which gives an honest and well thought out opinion is so much more influential than a post that just sounds like a marketing pitch. CONVENIENCE If someone would like you to promote their product or brand for them, the least they can do is make it easy for you by providing clear and easy to understand information and images. This also includes answering any requests for further information and images in a timely manner. CLEAR INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BLOG A PR will usually need some information about your blog to make a decision on what they can offer. A media kit is a great way to present information on target audience, metrics, etc. in a professional way. By engaging with a PR in a professional manner, you will maximize the chances of a successful relationship and your potential gain, whilst maintaining the integrity and individuality of your blog. TRUST They should trust and respect your judgement on what is right for your blog audience. A PR should not dictate editorial content! It is your blog and it is completely up to you what you write. You should not have to compromise the integrity of your blog. 28 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com FROM THE BLOGOSPHERE question THREE bloggers Different perspectives, shared experiences Edited by Molly of TRY a fashion blog Jenifer, FASHION FOR ALL MANKIND That one piece for me is the LPD, "Little Printed Dress". A cute dress that hugs all of your curves in all the right places makes you feel like you could ask Johnny Depp for his number! A scribble print dress in a stretchy fabric and a Tuxedo jacket is my go-to outfit. I like that you can dress it up or down, depending on the accessories you pick. Lei Ann, GIVE ME PLATFORMS I love shirtdresses! I find them to be a tremendously versatile article of clothing. This black shirtdress (which I thrifted) is one that I'm constantly pulling from my closet. I can wear it over pants, jeans or a skirt, buttoned up fully as a dress or left open as a jacket. However, my favorite way to wear it is over a poofy dress to add an interesting pop of color & texture! QUOTABLE! Funny/interesting/thoughtful comments from the blogosphere "Fashion, clothes and self-expression isn't silly, it's sociology. What we wear expresses very deeply how we feel about ourselves, our friend group, our tribe and our culture." ~Seen on Why Fashion is Worth Blogging About, Good Morning Midnight "That looks so, so grossly unhealthy. I can't wait to eat twenty of them." StyleSampleMag.com ~ Seen on Elephant Bread, Here's Lookin' at Me, Kid 29 { ONE What is the one piece of clothing you always pick out of your closet to wear? { Tariro, SAVILE One piece of clothing I always pick out of my closet are my Forever 21 jeans! I love them so much. They only cost 10 dollars and they're so comfortable! They go with pretty much everything. I love jeans that are versatile and can go with any outfit I need them to. They're really soft, and I've seen that they are really good quality. They are my favorite pair of jeans! OPEN-ION t en e mm om m om c co c ts ts ts e en en en m mm m m m m m co m contsoents ts cots c e m en en mom m m c s comcom nts t ents mme n C mts co ents mn m e om c s What happens when bloggers limit or-- gasp!--delete their comment section? By Julia Whicker of Song of the Exile omments are a big deal to most outfit bloggers, and perhaps rightly so. The average number of comments a particular blog receives per post is an easy point of comparison, a visible (though inaccurate) measure of who's reading. But among the fashion blogging set, there is also a sort of unspoken etiquette: comments are generally positive, and often "exchanged"--you leave a comment on my blog and I'll leave one on yours. 30 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com ts ts en en en mm m m m m co co co co ts ts ts ts en t en enmm men mmm co " m o nts ts co e en mm m s The comment section is indeed one of the newest additions to fan-culture; it offers an instant fix for those wanting to communicate with their idols. wanting to communicate with their idols. But once a blogger reaches such celebrity status, a host of even stickier questions arise, especially when that blogger decides to remove the commenting function from her site, as Jane from Sea of Shoes did last year. The way the "system" works There's much that is good about this system. It introduces bloggers to each other, it encourages rapport and feedback and even friendship, and frankly, compliments can really brighten somebody's day. And after all, it's entirely possible that there are bloggers out there who genuinely admire each other's style and really do want to communicate that appreciation. This tit-for-tat commenting can begin, however, to seem perfunctory. Even disingenuous; after all, what does it mean, really, if you're only leaving a comment on a blog to get a comment in return? Or what if you leave one without reading the post's text? If the comment feature's intended function is as a forum for readers to create genuine discussion (and that, of course, is debatable), what are we to make of its actual function--as a place for readers to check in, to pay their dues? Fame (and please choose your own loose definition of that word, since we are, after all, talking about internetfame) has always had a price, and that price has more or less been a loss of privacy. Being famous means you give up your right to police your own image. Whenever a "celebrity" blogger chooses to remove her comments, the backlash often smacks of feelings of betrayal--what, you don't care about our opinions any more? We made you! The internet is a strange new world indeed, because these blogging celebrities can, to some degree, still control the very mechanism by which their success is most visibly measured: their comments. If they don't like what's being said, they can just turn them off and keep right on posting. Internet fame and fandom The issue grows murkier. Obviously, a blogger with 350 comments per post can't possibly reciprocate every comment, so commenters must be seeking some other kind interaction. It's almost like a contact high, one that enables fans to have instant access to their celebrity of choice. Perhaps it should come as no surprise then, that many bloggers with such large readerships decide to disable their comment sections, citing both the negative remarks (which are much more frequent at blogs with larger readerships) as well as the gushing praise as unsettling. The comment section is indeed one of the newest additions to fan-culture; it offers an instant fix for those Good Etiquette Comment etiquette is an issue that will probably receive more attention if blogs continue to evolve as powerful marketing tools. We may very well be on the cusp of a new dawn -- perhaps new bloggers will forgo the comment feature altogether and thus avoid the recoil and dissention that removal often causes. Then again, in an era where everything from shoes to teapots can be reviewed ad nauseum online, why shouldn't our outfits--and our blogging celebrities--be subjected to the same banal judgement? There's a certain fairness to that. It's a question that only time will answer. StyleSampleMag.com 31 SS STYLE SAMPLE StyleSampleMag.com 32 S t y l e S a m p l e M ag.com


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A book by Don DeLillo
John Updike aims to shape the pastiche portrait of the homegrown terrorist (a la Richard Reid, John Walker, even Timothy McVeigh) into something psychologically rich and artistically profound. A lesser writer would have stumbled into threadbare stereotype, … see full wiki
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A book by Don DeLillo
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Schwannomatosis causes tumors, called schwannomas, to grow along the peripheral nervous system of the body. People with schwannomatosis do not routinely develop vestibular schwannomas or any of the other tumors typically associated with NF2.
The most common symptoms of schwannomatosis occur due to the development of these tumors on the peripheral nervous system. Learn more about symptoms of schwannomatosis.


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Inspector Morse 1987 | TV Show Watchlist
The cases of author Colin Dexter's prickly, eccentric Oxford sleuth, whose passions include ale, crosswords and, of course, a good mystery. Indeed, these first-rate whodunits established `Morse' as PBS's longest running detective series. Sadly, the inspect (more…)
Premiered: January 6, 1987
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Last-ever episode. The year-long investigation into the murder of Yvonne Harrison in a quiet Cotswold village is revitalised with the promise of new evidence.
Morse investigates a murder that takes him away from the familiar setting of twentieth century Oxford to solving a canal murder in Oxford in 1859.
Detective drama featuring Colin Dexter's enigmatic chief inspector. A young woman is shot dead in her home in an apparently motiveless killing.
Chief Inspector Morse and Sergeant Lewis investigate the murders of two men in Oxford. But the suspects seem to have a perfect and unbreakable alibi.
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- Premiered: January 6, 1987
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- Premise: The cases of author Colin Dexter's prickly, eccentric Oxford sleuth, whose passions include ale, crosswords and, of course, a good mystery. Indeed, these first-rate whodunits established `Morse' as PBS's longest running detective series. Sadly, the inspect… (more)
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Home » Softball News
Coffer hired as softball coach at Columbus North
July 23, 2014Columbus North High School
Robyn Coffer has been hired as Columbus North varsity softball coach for the 2015 season, Bull Dogs athletic director Jeff Hester announced Tuesday (July 22).
Already on staff at Columbus North as a certified athletic trainer, Coffer will take the lead role in a softball program that posted a 17-11 record in 2014 and finished as runner-up in Conference Indiana and runner-up in Class 4A Sectional 14.
Coffer will continue in her job as a certified athletic trainer that serves all sports at CNHS.
"I can barely wait to get started," said Coffer, 26, a former softball player at Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis and Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion. "The excitement of working with the girls every day, day in and day out, is going to be incredible."
In high school, Coffer was a three-time Indianapolis All-City selection as a pitcher while competing for Heritage Christian from 2003-06.
In college, from 2007-10, Coffer was a pitcher, center fielder, shortstop and second baseman at different times for Indiana Wesleyan. She was selected all-conference and academic all-conference in the Mid-Central Conference while a player for the Wildcats.
That versatility will allow Coffer to instruct players all across the diamond.
"I feel like I have a lot to offer," she said. "Knowing the perspective from the outfield, the middle infield or as a pitcher, everything has to work together to get the outs. Then everything else can come together."
Columbus North athletic director Jeff Hester expressed confidence in Coffer.
"I've known Robyn for more than 10 years, and she will be a transformational coach," Hester said. "She has a good grasp of the culture at Columbus North, and I'm excited to see a new chapter for our softball program."
Coffer has worked as a personal pitching coach in the past and also served a summer assistant coach in the Heritage Christian program while she was in college. She is enthused about what lies ahead for the Columbus North program, which expects to return nine letterwinners and six starters to the 2015 squad.
Rising senior Kelsay Lucas and rising juniors Tommi Stowers, Christine Bombardiere and Katie Prall headline the holdovers for the Bull Dogs. Lucas hit .364 with a team-high 30 RBIs last season. Stowers hit .418, Bombardiere hit .375 and Prall hit .357.
"There is so much potential," Coffer said. "There are some great players coming back, several with qualities they can put forth toward the new team. I am ready to roll with it."
Coffer succeeds Jerry Burton as the skipper of CN softball. Burton retired from coaching at the end of the 2014 season. His teams won 369 over 23 seasons at Columbus East, Jennings County and Columbus North. Over the past five seasons, Burton guided the Bull Dogs to an 88-53 mark, including two sectional titles and one regional crown.


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NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Verizon (VZ - Get Report) and the Federal Communications Commission are poised to re-open a debate on net neutrality, or the ability for Internet service providers to prefer some users over others, in a court battle that could have big implications for media industry upstarts like Netflix (NFLX - Get Report), Google (GOOG), Amazon (AMZN) and Pandora (P - Get Report).
Net neutrality is considered by freedom of speech advocates to be the lynchpin of fair Internet access in the U.S., allowing for equal treatment among Web sites irrespective of their size or the services they offer. Charging for broadband data usage could give rise to a media industry where only the richest content providers have the ability to make their voices heard, some freedom of speech advocates argue.
While Verizon's court battle with the FCC does have clear freedom of speech implications, in the near-term the biggest issues of the case are likely to be economic. Cable and telecom giants such as Verizon believe they should have a say on how to charge for data after spending billions of dollars to build out high speed nationwide Internet service.
Verizon is challenging a 2010 Open Internet Order ruling by the FCC, which said that Internet service providers could not block or discriminate against Web traffic, ultimately giving all sites equal access to the Internet. For high users of Internet data such as Netflix, Amazon and traditional broadcast and cable channels, the decision has allowed them to build out streaming video services and dominate Web data usage on most nights.An overruling of the FCC's Open Internet Order could pave the way for ISPs such as Verizon and AT&T (T) to charge high users of broadband data, in a move that could pose a threat to the fast growth of streaming media services. The prospect that a Federal Court overturns the FCC's order could also shut the agency out from regulating competitive dynamics within the broadband market. "


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Please note: The InfoZone will be closed for renovation during the month of April, 2015.
The closure will only apply to the theater and small news museum room. We will still have exhibits up in the main area. Also, in lieu of our Wednesday night movies, we will be showing Monday movies in the Ryals Room during April.
The InfoZone News Museum is an interactive news museum. The InfoZone News Museum's mission is to provide broader knowledge of news and information. The museum focuses on journalism, the First Amendment, historic news and current events that affect our world. The museum serves to promote the joy of reading and writing, to preserve and interpret the archives and artifacts of The Pueblo Chieftain and provide educational programs and exhibitions that enhance the Pueblo City-County Library District.
The InfoZone features a state-of-the-art 100-seat movie theater, touch-screen computer kiosks and exhibits that demonstrate how your local newspaper was produced before computers came along. Check out our working Linotype typesetting machine and meet Hoagie, our animatronic newsboy.
We also do fun things that kids of all age will enjoy, plus events are always free in the InfoZone!


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Iranian Inauguration
Iran: US, Israel not invited to inaugurationComment
Iran's Foreign Ministry says that the United States and Israel have not been invited to attend the Aug. 4 inauguration of the country's president-elect.
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ABC7 News at 4 Now Weekdays!ABC7 is giving you MORE news in your afternoons with an extra hour, an hour earlier! Join ABC7's Leon Harris and Alison Starling for what's trending in your community and world. Every weekday afternoon at 4pm right after back to back "Hot Bench" shows at 3pm on ABC7.


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Study: Effective Content Marketing Has One Element via @Frank_Strong
Measuring The Effectiveness Of Content Marketing #FridayHangout with @Steveology, @SecretSushi & @TexasGirlErin
#ContentMarketing Strategies For Real-life Business #SocialBusiness
The State of Content Marketing #FridayHangout with @Steveology, @SecretSushi and @Robert_Rose
Content Marketing With Purpose: via @YouTube
Is Content Marketing Worth the Squeeze? 61% of Consumers Prefer It via @ShellyKramer
Creating A Powerful Content Marketing Framework Part 1 via @Steveology
10 Reasons Twitter is essential to your content marketing plan via @markwschaefer
10 Reasons Twitter is essential to your content marketing plan via @markwschaefer
Is Content Marketing Worth the Squeeze? 61% of Consumers Prefer It via @ShellyKramer
nice! This wk on #FridayHangout @FLabastida talking Content Marketing with Purpose w @Steveology @secretsushi
The Great Divide in Content Marketing [Infographic] - As the prevalence of content marketing continues to rise, mo...
A report from the epicenter of content marketing conferences via @markwschaefer
The Difference Between Content Marketing and Inbound Marketing (and Why It Matters)
I added a video to a @YouTube playlist Content Marketing, Social and SEO
Content Marketing, Social and SEO: via @YouTube
Content Marketing Maturity Model #FridayHangout with @Steveology, @SecretSushi, @leeodden
Does Content Marketing Really Have a Confidence Problem? via @markwschaefer
On #fridayhangout FRI 11AM PT @brentcarnduff talks Content Marketing, Social + SEO w @Steveology @Secretsushi
Navigating Unexpected Controversy or Tragedy in Your Content Marketing Strategy via @DJThistle
See what's Trending Now for @jfouts


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Everyday Latin Read on Spain's "Terra Sigillata"
VALÈNCIA, SPAIN—Josep Montesinos of the Asociación RUVID, and Xaverio Ballester of the University of València are gathering information about the Latin spoken in Roman Hispania through the writing found on the molded and stamped ceramic wares kept in the Spanish Royal Academy of History. "Research focuses on the words written on the surface of these everyday ceramic pieces which can provide linguistic data, but also territorial and ethnological information," Montesinos said in a press release. The pots bear marks and decorations made by their users, and include personal details such as proper names and colloquial phrases. The ceramics "allow us to approach the real language, popular Latin, very different from formal Latin or from that found in obituaries and, therefore, reveal the customs and habits of Roman Hispania," Montesinos explained. To read about the Roman Empire's rise to dominance, see "Rome's Imperial Port."
Steel Blade May Have Been Wielded by Mongol Invader
YAROSLAVL, RUSSIA—Analysis of a fragment taken from a saber found in a mass grave in the historic trade center of Yaroslavl indicates it is the oldest crucible steel weapon in Eastern Europe. Steel of this kind was first produced in India in the first century A.D., and later in Central Asia, but it was very expensive during the medieval period. The grave, located alongside the Dormition Cathedral, holds the remains of people slaughtered during the invasion of the city by Batu Khan in 1238. "The site contains comprehensive evidence of the atrocity committed that day. We found numerous skeletons of murdered women and children, many household objects like dishes, jewelry, many weapons, and this saber," Asya Engovatova of the Russian Academy of Sciences said in a press release. The weapon's handle has been lost, and its blade is bent. Micro-cracks in the blade show that it had been heated to a high temperature, perhaps in order to bend it before it was discarded. Engovatova thinks the blade may have belonged to a wealthy warrior from Batu Khan's army. To read about another recently discovered sword, see "Viking Trading or Raiding?"
New Thoughts on Neanderthal Cooking
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA—Neanderthals went extinct in most of Europe around 40,000 years ago, some 5,000 years after the arrival of the first modern humans. "The issue of Neanderthal extinction is very complex, and very little is agreed upon," Anna Goldfield of Boston University said at the annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, reported in Live Science. She thinks that mastery of fire may have given modern humans an advantage over Neanderthals in the struggle for survival. Cooking would have provided modern humans with more calories from the same amount of food, and it kills bacteria, making the food safer to eat. Fires also provide warmth. Goldfield and mathematical biologist Ross Booton of the University of Sheffield used mathematical models to simulate how the populations of modern humans and Neanderthals might have changed if modern humans were using fire more frequently than Neanderthals, and when the two groups were using fire about equally. They also looked at the reindeer population—a food source for both groups. The numbers suggest that if modern humans used fire more often than the Neanderthals, they would have eventually won the competition for resources. Meanwhile, The Huffington Post reports that a study published in the journal Antiquity suggests that Neanderthals living in northern Spain some 50,000 years ago were cooking with chamomile and yarrow, which have anti-microbial and anti-parasitic properties, just because they liked the taste. Chemicals from the herbs and chemicals associated with smoked and cooked meats were found on the Neanderthals' teeth by a team led by Karen Hardy of the University of Barcelona. Sabrina Krief of the Museum of Natural History in Paris and her colleagues agree that the Neanderthals may have used the herbs as medicine, or even as flavor enhancers, since they have observed chimpanzees in the wild chewing bitter herbs and flavorful soils before and during meat-based meals. "The strong, bitter taste of the leaves may modify the flavor of viscera, muscles, organs, or water. The bitter taste of the cooked plant does not necessarily disappear completely; chamomile, for example, remains bitter when infused," they wrote. To read more about Neanderthals, see "Should We Clone Neanderthals?"
Fragments of the Ancient Wall of Memphis Found
CAIRO, EGYPT—A team from the Russian Institute of Egyptology at Kom Tuman has uncovered white limestone fragments of the wall that surrounded the Old Kingdom capital of Memphis, which sits at the mouth of the Nile Delta. The 5,200-year-old enclosure wall protected the palaces of the pharaohs and the state administrative buildings. "Unlike royal tombs, pyramids, mortuary, and cult-related temples and any other buildings related to the afterlife, ancient Egyptian royal palaces, administrative offices, houses, and other life-related buildings were often made of mud brick," Kamal Wahid, director of the central administration of Giza antiquities, told The Cairo Post. The city, now known for its colossal statue of Ramses II, was founded at the end of the fourth millennium B.C. by Menes, the first-dynasty pharaoh who was the first to unify the kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt. "A number of pottery-making ovens and bronze tools were also found. The excavations will continue and we will be working to unearth the rest of the wall, as well as any archaeological elements which could help us to know more about this early period of Egyptian history," added Galina A. Belova, director of the Russian archaeological team. To read about another recent discovery in Egypt, see "Tomb of the Chantress."
Pictish Fort Unearthed on Scottish Sea Stack
ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND—A team of six archaeologists from the University of Aberdeen climbed Dunnicaer sea stack on the northeast coast of Scotland, where they uncovered traces of a Pictish fort, including a house, a fireplace, and ramparts. "It shows that people, for at least part of the year, were living on the sea stack which is quite remarkable. There were quite a lot of forts on the coastline and in Moray, control of the sea seems to be a big part of power to the Picts," archaeologist Gordon Noble told The Press and Journal. The team ascended the sea stack with the help of professional climber Duncan Paterson. "I don't think any of them have much experience of this kind of terrain, so it's been a big challenge. Beating the tide was also a challenge, and then I set up a tension rope—some would call it a zip wire—to get them across the water and then they were roped up to climb the stack," Paterson said. "Was this a precursor to Dunnottar Castle, or one of a series of Pictish forts along this coastline?" wondered Noble. He and his team may return to the site for further excavations. For another sea stack project, see "Scots on the Rocks."
More Evidence of Cannibalism Found in Gough's Cave
LONDON, ENGLAND—Ancient human remains from Gough's Cave, located in southwest England, exhibit signs of a sophisticated culture of butchering and carving of human remains, according to scientists from the Natural History Museum of London, University College London, and IPHES and the Universitat Rovira I Virgili in Spain. In 2011, scientists from the museum announced that the earliest-known skull cups had been found in Gough's Cave. "We've identified a far greater degree of human modification than recorded in earlier research. We've found undoubting evidence for defleshing, disarticulation, human chewing, crushing of spongy bone, and the cracking of bones to extract marrow," Silvia Bello of the Natural History Museum said in a press release. Radiocarbon dates show that the bones were deposited over a short period of time, possibly during seasonal occupations, nearly 15,000 years ago. Cannibalism may have been part of a mortuary practice that combined processing and consumption of the bodies with the ritual use of skull cups. "Further analysis along the lines used to study Gough's Cave will help to establish whether the type of ritualistic cannibalism practiced there is a regional phenomenon, or a more widespread practice found throughout the Magdalenian world," said Simon Parfitt of University College London. For more recent evidence of the practice, see "Colonial Cannibalism."
Mushrooms Were on the Upper Palaeolithic Menu
LEIPZIG, GERMANY—Analysis of dental calculus on 18,000-year-old teeth found in Spain's El Mirón Cave indicates that Magdalenian hunters ate a variety of plant foods and mushrooms, in addition to meat from red deer and ibex. Robert Power of the Max Planck Research Group detected a diverse assemblage of microremains in the dental calculus using optical and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. "These types of microremains show that the individuals at El Mirón consumed a variety of plants from different environments, as well as other foods, including possibly bolete mushrooms," he said in a press release. "This finding at El Mirón Cave could be the earliest indication of human mushroom use or consumption, which until this point has been unidentified in the Palaeolithic," Power concluded. To read about a similar discovery, see "Bone Analysis Shows Gravettian People Ate Mammoth."
Were Footprints Left by Homo Erectus Hunters?
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA—Some 100 footprints near Ileret, Kenya, are thought to have been left 1.5 million years old by a hunting party made up of Homo erectus adults. "What we can say is that we have a number of individuals, probably males, that are moving across a lake shore in a way that is consistent with how carnivores move," palaeoanthropologist Neil Roach of the American Museum of Natural History said at the annual meeting of the Paleoanthropology Society, reported in Nature. Some researchers have speculated that Homo erectus turned from scavenging to hunting to obtain more calories for their developing brains. But "hunting is a difficult thing to prove in human evolution," Roach said. He and his team plan to study footprints left behind by subsistence hunters today in order to get a better idea of their patterns of movement for comparison. To read in-depth about the evolution of throwing, see "No Changeups on the Savannah."
Sections of The Great Wall Found in Northwest China
YINCHUAN, CHINA—Nine sections of the Great Wall have been found along the border of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Gansu Province. "Finally, we're able to see the whole picture of the Qin Great Wall," Zhou Xinghua, a former curator of the Museum of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region told China Daily. Six of the sections are on the southern bank of the Yellow River, and stretch between Nanchangtan Village in Ningxia and Jingyuan County in Gansu. The wall would have prevented invaders from crossing the river when it was frozen. The other three sections are in Jingyuan County. To read about a massive, ancient wall in what is now Russia, see "The Shah's Great Wall."
Imported Artifacts Unearthed at 1,000-Year-Old Alaska Site
BOULDER, COLORADO—Bronze and obsidian artifacts discovered in a dwelling at Alaska's Rising Whale site bolster the idea that there had been a trading relationship between the New World and East Asia 1,000 years ago. One of the bronze artifacts, which may have been used as a buckle or fastener, still has a piece of leather attached to it. Preliminary radiocarbon dates indicate that it was made around A.D. 600. The second bronze artifact may have been used as a whistle. Bronze had not yet been developed in Alaska, so the items may have been obtained through trade. "We're seeing the interactions, indirect as they are, with these so-called 'high civilizations' of China, Korea, or Yakutia," Owen Mason of the University of Colorado told Live Science. The obsidian from the house originated in Russia's Anadyr River Valley. Scholars think that the people who lived at the Rising Whale site may have been members of the "Birnirk" culture, a group of people who lived on both sides of the Bering Strait. To read more about archaeology in the region, see "Ice Age Infant Burial Discovered in Central Alaska."
WWII Aircraft Carrier Mapped With 3-D Sonar
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA—The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Navy, and private industry partners have confirmed the location and condition of the USS Independence, a light aircraft carrier that operated in the central and western Pacific from November 1943 through August 1945. The ship was later one of 90 vessels that served as a target fleet for the Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests in 1946, when it was damaged by shock waves, heat, and radiation from two atomic blasts. Independence then returned to the United States, where it was used by the Navy to study decontamination until it was towed off the coast of California in 1951 and scuttled in 3,000 feet of water. "After 64 years on the seafloor, Independence sits on the bottom as if ready to launch its planes," James Delgado, maritime heritage director for NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, said in a press release. The survey of the ship determined that it is upright, slightly listing to starboard, and much of its flight deck is intact. There are gaping holes leading to the hangar decks that once housed the carrier's aircraft. To read more about underwater archaeology, see "History's 10 Greatest Shipwrecks."
Crafting Stone-Age Tools Requires Complex Thought
EXETER, ENGLAND—Archaeology students at the University of Exeter learned to make stone tools in the Oldowan and Acheulean traditions over an 18-month period, in order to evaluate the cognitive control required to make them successfully. At the beginning, middle, and end of the experiment, they underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans of their brains while they watched videos and were asked questions about tool making. "For the first time, we've showed a relationship between the degree of prefrontal brain activity, the ability to make technological judgments, and success in actually making stone tools," Dietrich Stout of Emory University said in a press release on Phys.org. Oldowan flakes, which date back 2.6 million years, are relatively easy to make, and the students were asked to detach five flakes from a flint core. Late Acheulean hand axes are about 500,000 years old and require the knapper to produce a tool with symmetrical edges from a lens-shaped core. The subjects were give a standardized porcelain core to work with for this task. The researchers, including Bruce Bradley of the University of Exeter, Thierry Chaminade of Aix-Marseille University, and Erin Hecht and Nada Khreisheh of Emory University, found that students who demonstrated greater skill at making tools were more accurate at predicting the correct strategy for making a hand ax while watching the instructional videos. "These data suggest that making an Acheulean hand ax is not simply a rote, auto pilot activity of the brain. It requires you to engage in some complicated thinking," Stout said. He adds that the modern axes "weren't up to the high standards of 500,000 years ago." To read about one of the most significant Acheulean hand ax discoveries of recent times, see "Bon Voyage, Caveman."


text: Publications Search Results Users may wish to consult What's Included in the Bibliography. Results 1 - 1 Results per page: 25 50 100 Sort by: Pub Date (newest) Title Recent Additions Author Clear All Pub. Year Citation 1985 Tolley, H.D., Manton, Kenneth G. Assessing Health Care Costs in the Elderly. Transactions (Society of Actuaries). 36, 71-90. Full Text Options: Worldcat Google Scholar Export Options: RIS EndNote XML [1]


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SAFEClickID Launches Membership Organization for Chicago-area Home Service Companies
Goals Include Fortifying Business Protections Against Negligent Hiring & Enabling Consumers to Choose Service Provider Based on Screening Safety Standard.
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) March 13, 2013
Targeting home service businesses that are proactive about customer safety and security, SAFEClickID is launching a membership organization for Chicago-area companies that maintain appropriate licensing, bonding and registration and background screen all employees who work in or around a customer´s home. Approved in-home and onsite workers of member companies will carry a SAFEClickID-issued photo ID badge that customers can view online for free before a worker arrives. The precautionary measures support SAFEClickID´s aim to reduce employer´s liability risk for negligent hiring and to expand the margin of safety for consumers.
SAFEClickID has developed baseline screening criteria developed in consultation with top tier lawyers and professional background screeners that comply with federal employment laws and state regulations governing different types of home service, and cover the most common home service businesses. The standardized screening guidelines include Social Security verification, county-level and multijurisdictional criminal checks and national and statewide sex offender registry reviews, subjecting workers to a higher level of scrutiny than many home service companies do.
SAFEClickID members agree to have employees and contractors screened every 12 months by an elite screening firm that is accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners and approved by SAFEClickID. The employer verifies the completion of screenings based on SAFEClickID standards and pledges to dispatch to customers´ homes only those workers who pass. In addition, member companies agree to internal vetting of the business and the owner that includes verification of insurance and at least a B-rating with the Better Business Bureau.
SAFEClickID is targeting home service companies willing to substantiate reputability and commitment to consumer safety, which differentiates SAFEClickID from other online sites that list scores of companies and charge consumers to join and write reviews, as well as those that charge businesses for each customer lead. SAFEClickID member companies pay a monthly subscription fee to be listed in an online directory and receive customer leads for free.
"We don´t want SAFEClickID to be for every single company," said SAFEClickID founder Howard Hamilton. "We are unlike any other organization in that we do some upfront vetting on the company — not every company will be accepted. We want SAFEClickID´s focus to be quality versus quantity."
SAFEClickID´s offerings enable home service companies to bolster internal procedures and protections in an industry fraught with risk. Juries have leveled multi-million dollar judgments against home service companies that failed to perform background checks on in-home and on-site workers who committed crimes against a customer. Those cases contribute to heightened concerns about personal safety, especially among single dwellers, senior citizens, families with children under 18 years old and individuals with disabilities.
In fact, the concept for SAFEClickID germinated when Hamilton worked in outside sales and his wife stayed at home with their young children. Two carpet cleaners who drove on the property as Hamilton prepared to leave for work made his wife feel uncomfortable. She urged him to stay.
"Everybody has a friend, family or business associate with a home repair horror story. It may not have led to a terrible situation or crime, but it was just uncomfortable for people to be left alone with workers," Hamilton said.
For more information on SAFEClickID, please visit http://www.safeclickid.com.
About SafeClickID
SAFEClickID is a membership program focused on employee background screening, credentialing, and registration services for home service companies. Using comprehensive background screening checks and standards, photo ID badges, and a unique internet capability, SAFEClickID enables customers to know more about the workers assigned to their job, prior to their arrival. We believe customers value these extra steps which help increase their safety, security, and peace of mind when employees are dispatched to their homes.
For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2013/3/prweb10520378.htm


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This weeks Monday Minutes starts a brand new feature where I am going to focus on nice EMS quick study tips. These early ones may be a bit run of the mill for you but I want to start at the beginning and build this library resource for you and future members.
Click here for the EMS Quick Study Guide resource mentioned in the video
Be sure to Like and Share below – the social media deities will thank you.


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BOISE -- Representative Lawerence Denney says recent controversy over comments made by Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson will not deter him from bringing the reality stars to the Idaho Center in March for a fundraiser for his campaign for Secretary of State. The comments in question deal primarily with Robertson's view of homosexuality.
Robertson suspended from the show over comments in GQ
Robertson has been suspended by the A&E network over his comments. For an example of the comments people are speaking out about from the article, Robertson is asked: What, in your mind, is sinful?
The Duck Dynasty star responded: Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.
Denney spoke with KTVB on Friday, and he pointed to other parts of the article where Robertson talks about loving everyone and letting God judge.
To that point, part of the article quotes Robertson saying: We never, ever judge someone on who's going to heaven, hell. That's the Almighty's job. We just love 'em, give 'em the good news about Jesus - whether they're homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort 'em out later, you see what I'm saying?
Though religious discussion makes up a large portion of the article, parts of the article also talk about the Robertson family's love for the outdoors, their duck call business and hunting.
Rep. Denney continues support for family and expanded his invitation to Idaho
Denny says he continues his support for the Robertson family and that Robertson expressed his religious viewpoint in an article published in January's edition of GQ.
Our family proudly stands in support of the Robertson family in its' modeling and expression of our Christian family values and heritage. We expressed that support when we spoke to the Robertson family yesterday, Denney said.
Denney says he supports their 1st Amendment right to speak freely about religion of their choosing. Further, he supports the viewpoints expressed overall by the family. KTVB asked him about the controversy surrounding the article.
I think there is a standard in the country now of political correctness, and certainly what Phil said was probably outside that political correctness, but at the same time that's his belief, and certainly that's my belief, and he's entitled to it, Denney said.
In his conversation with the Robertsons, Denney says he has since invited their whole family, though he doesn't expect they would all end up on the March visit to Idaho.
Nampa's mayor: 'I hope the Idaho Center is packed out to support Duck Dynasty'
On Friday afternoon, KTVB asked Nampa Mayor Tom Dale for his take on the Robertson visit. The Idaho Center is owned by the City of Nampa.
Oh, he better come! This is a community that supports his moral and spiritual philosophy, Dale said. For any news media to come out and say they're going to criticize or condemn somebody for expressing their personal religious and moral belief is totally beyond the realm of what we should expect in a country like the United states.
Dale said he has a personal conflict on the day of the scheduled visit, but he wants to see a high turnout.
I hope that Idaho Center is packed out to support Duck Dynasty! Dale said.
Gay rights activist: Not surprised by the comments, but shocked by response
Minerva Jayne has been involved with a number of projects around the Treasure Valley to support gay rights and is a native Idahoan. She said she wasn't surprised Robertson had his particular views, but found them misguided. More shocking to her has been the response she's seen on social media.
I've been most suprised by how willing people have been to overlook what he's actually saying because they like him, and they like the show, she said. I've seen friends on social media and on facebook, people, some of them I've known for years, some of them I've known since childhood, come out in defense of his views simply stating that oh, he's old school so it's okay. Well, no it's not okay.
She says it's been disheartening to see some of those comments. When asked about Robertson coming to her home state, Minerva Jayne says she would love to meet the Duck Dynasty patriarch.
He's welcome to come to Idaho. I'd love to sit down with him and have a drink and talk about our different points of view, actually, she said. I've lived in Idaho my whole life, and there isn't a point of view I experienced on the issue. I just think what he needs is perhaps to actually know somebody who's had the struggle and had to grow up with it and be in violent altercations and live with the reality of hate on a daily basis, as I have growing up.
ACLU of Idaho: Disagrees with comments, but agrees with the ability to make them
Executive Director of the ACLU of Idaho Monica Hopkins said with the organization's support for the LGBTQ community, they obviously disagree with Robertson's comments. On the other hand, Hopkins says from a free speech perspective, they support the ability for Robertson to make his comments.
The ACLU works on LGBT equality as a fundamental fairness issue under the Constitution, so some of the comments that were made, of course we disagree with fundamentally and as issues of policy. However, really the lens in which we look at this issue is through a 1st Amendment Freedom of Speech issue, Hopkins said. So do people have a right to espouse their views? Yes, they do, fundamentally. And they can continue espousing those views. What was expressed is how a segment of the population may feel, and we feel that it is not a right to censor those views or that speech. Actually the way you combat those thoughts is with more speech.
Let us know what you think by taking our poll on this page. (The poll is not available on the mobile app.)
To read the entire GQ article, click here.


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Home > collabs
Hex has joined forces with Girl and Chocolate Skateboards to create the "Pretty Sweet" Solo wallet for the iPhone 5. This collaborative effort comes just before Girl and Chocolate skateboards are set to premiere their long anticipated new film, Pretty Sweet. Check out the inside after the jump.
Supra has created two shoes with new styles designed by Prodigy of Mobb Deep. The first is a grey suede camouflage and black ballistic nylon flip on the Backwood and the second is a canvas camouflage take on Tom Penny's signature shoe, the Bandit. Hit the jump for a closer look at both.
Stussy and Incase team up for the Series 001 Collection. With a black and tan color way the collection consists of an assortment of bags, an iPhone case, earbuds, hat and t-shirt. You can cop the gear at the Incase webstore. More looks after the jump. Via The Crosby Press.
Just don't call it a promo. This year PBR has linked with GNU to create a super limited edition, fully rideable PBR custom snowboard. Handmade in the USA by Mervin and based on GNU's Carbon Credit Series, the PBR comes in 156cm and 159cm with only 200 made in each length. The brainchild of PBR's Steve Nilsen, this puts collaboration where it's the raddest – on snow. Check out some detailed looks after the jump.
These leaked way back on the webz, but this week Lakai Anchor dealers finally got their hands on Lakai's two shoes dedicated to the new Girl video Pretty Sweet. Both the Brea and the new Spring 2013 Rick Howard cupsole pro model are given the Pretty Sweet treatment in colors that we are partial to for obvious reasons. Complete looks at both after the jump.
There's pretty much no way that paring Stussy and Converse for a shoe collab can be anything less than super rad. The new Stussy x Converse CVO LS Mid is available now in black/angora and brown/cranberry. Get a pair at Atlas. Check out some detailed shots after the jump.
Brixton and Poler have teamed up for limited edition hat a tee collab. The Summit is a six-panel cap featuring pull down earflaps that tie in the front and a custom printed lining. Also look for the Pine, a premium fit tee featuring custom artwork that comes in three colors. Hit the jump for more looks.
Next up in Supra's Pro + Am Collection is Boo Johnson flip on the color way of Lizard King's signature Passion shoe. The desert boot-inspired mid top upper is made of a unique, hairy green suede, with a green canvas flap, fluorescent orange accents, padded fluorescent orange mesh lining, and it's built on a gum vulcanized sole with white foxing and an orange pinstripe. Watch the edit above an hit the jump to peep the shoe.
Spy and Herschel give us another reason why collabs won't and shouldn't ever go away with their new two-goggle pack. Consisting of two signature frames, the $160 Platoon and the $130 Marshall, the Spy x Herschel pack is thought out from front to back right down to the mini Herschel bag replica cases. If you are trying to be fly this season, you need these. The Platoon is above, peep the Marshall and a promo vid after the jump.
Emerica and Altamont connected for this all Sole Tech collabo version of the Reynolds Cruiser. Get a pair now from Homage Brooklyn and support the Sandy effort, aight!