Trinity authorities are looking for information on an unidentified man who walked into Trinity High School and filled up two duffle bags before walking out.
Constable Woody Wallace said the man was allowed in through a locked door on Feb. 22 by a student at the school. He then went down the hall and grabbed two duffle bags and filled them up with clothes, shoes and laptops before leaving the school.
2012年2月28日星期二
Lake Delton PTO buys new playground
By the start of next school year, students at Lake Delton Elementary School will have new swings and an outdoor climbing wall to play on.
The Lake Delton Parent Teacher Organization raised $10,000 for the equipment, according to the organization's president, Angela Reiger.
Reiger said the PTO money covers part of the cost, and that more was donated to cover additional costs from other businesses.
She said she has been with the PTO for three years and the fund-raising for the playground equipment was going on before she got involved.
Eight new swings will be added for kindergarten through second-graders, Reiger said. The new swings will make it possible for some older swings to be moved to the higher grades for their playground, and the older grades will also get a new climbing wall, she said.
The PTO raises money for things like the playground equipment and extra changes of clothes for students who get wet on the playground, according to Reiger. It donated gloves, and it also recently provided 20 teachers with $50 shopping sprees and donated tissue paper, wipes and bean bag chairs that were items requested on the teachers' wish list, she said.
The playground equipment was a major focus, but Reiger said the PTO didn't want to ignore other needs at the school.
The district's Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Dennis Draper said the school district will put the equipment in, but the funds for the equipment comes from the PTO, and not the buildings and grounds budget. Draper said an old slide and old teeter totter will be removed.
Reiger commented on how the PTO steps up when school budgets aren't big enough to handle some costs.
"Right now as tight as money is getting throughout the school systems, playgrounds pretty much do come from PTO. There's not spare money to say, ‘Hey, let's go buy new equipment,'" she said.
Reiger is a substitute for teacher's assistants and sometimes supervises on the playground. She said she's been there to limit how much time any one student spends on a swing so that others in line have some time to swing.
She said the new equipment will benefit the older kids, too, who need some amenities.
"So we're happy to get them the climbing wall and four swings, so they have something to do," she said.
The fund-raisers the PTO has done include selling Butter Braids, a frozen pastry that can be baked, bake sales, Tastefully Simple food catalogues and Yankee Candles. Reiger said the profit was donated from Tastefully Simple for which she is a consultant.
The Lake Delton PTO meets in the library at school on the first Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. The organization is flexible on membership and parents as well as grandparents join.
Reiger said the organization has about six active members and a contact list of another 18 to 20 people who want to know what's going on.
The organization does monthly activities for the kids, including Kid Candy Bingo, Santa's Secret Shop where children can shop for their parents around Christmas, Kalahari Waterpark night, Knucklehead's family fun night and Cabin Fever Popcorn parties in classes, she said.
The Lake Delton Parent Teacher Organization raised $10,000 for the equipment, according to the organization's president, Angela Reiger.
Reiger said the PTO money covers part of the cost, and that more was donated to cover additional costs from other businesses.
She said she has been with the PTO for three years and the fund-raising for the playground equipment was going on before she got involved.
Eight new swings will be added for kindergarten through second-graders, Reiger said. The new swings will make it possible for some older swings to be moved to the higher grades for their playground, and the older grades will also get a new climbing wall, she said.
The PTO raises money for things like the playground equipment and extra changes of clothes for students who get wet on the playground, according to Reiger. It donated gloves, and it also recently provided 20 teachers with $50 shopping sprees and donated tissue paper, wipes and bean bag chairs that were items requested on the teachers' wish list, she said.
The playground equipment was a major focus, but Reiger said the PTO didn't want to ignore other needs at the school.
The district's Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Dennis Draper said the school district will put the equipment in, but the funds for the equipment comes from the PTO, and not the buildings and grounds budget. Draper said an old slide and old teeter totter will be removed.
Reiger commented on how the PTO steps up when school budgets aren't big enough to handle some costs.
"Right now as tight as money is getting throughout the school systems, playgrounds pretty much do come from PTO. There's not spare money to say, ‘Hey, let's go buy new equipment,'" she said.
Reiger is a substitute for teacher's assistants and sometimes supervises on the playground. She said she's been there to limit how much time any one student spends on a swing so that others in line have some time to swing.
She said the new equipment will benefit the older kids, too, who need some amenities.
"So we're happy to get them the climbing wall and four swings, so they have something to do," she said.
The fund-raisers the PTO has done include selling Butter Braids, a frozen pastry that can be baked, bake sales, Tastefully Simple food catalogues and Yankee Candles. Reiger said the profit was donated from Tastefully Simple for which she is a consultant.
The Lake Delton PTO meets in the library at school on the first Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. The organization is flexible on membership and parents as well as grandparents join.
Reiger said the organization has about six active members and a contact list of another 18 to 20 people who want to know what's going on.
The organization does monthly activities for the kids, including Kid Candy Bingo, Santa's Secret Shop where children can shop for their parents around Christmas, Kalahari Waterpark night, Knucklehead's family fun night and Cabin Fever Popcorn parties in classes, she said.
2012年2月27日星期一
Gucci's glamour shines at 84th Oscars evening
Gucci dressed select presenters and attendees for the 84th Annual Academy Awards – Oscar- which took place at the Hollywood & Highland Center in Los Angeles last evening.
Presenter Cameron Diaz wore a Gucci Première strapless pale nude silk evening gown that featured a full skirt of chiffon plissé layers embroidered with nude and silver glass bugle beads and silver fringing and a silver beaded fringe clutch.
Presenter Robert Downey Jr. wore a Gucci Made to Order charcoal grey peak lapel Marseille tuxedo with black dress shirt and metallic bowtie.
Presenter Christian Bale wore a Gucci black peak lapel Signoria tuxedo with black dress shirt and slim black satin tie.
Sibi Bale wore a Gucci one of a kind black silk georgette strapless gown with silver crystal and bead embroidered drop waist detail.
Li Bing Bing wore a Gucci horsebit ring in 18kt white gold and diamonds.
Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of the world's leading luxury fashion brands. With a renowned reputation for quality and Italian craftsmanship, Gucci designs, manufactures and distributes highly desirable products such as leather goods (handbags, small leather goods, and luggage), shoes, ready-to-wear, silks, timepieces and fine jewellery.
Presenter Cameron Diaz wore a Gucci Première strapless pale nude silk evening gown that featured a full skirt of chiffon plissé layers embroidered with nude and silver glass bugle beads and silver fringing and a silver beaded fringe clutch.
Presenter Robert Downey Jr. wore a Gucci Made to Order charcoal grey peak lapel Marseille tuxedo with black dress shirt and metallic bowtie.
Presenter Christian Bale wore a Gucci black peak lapel Signoria tuxedo with black dress shirt and slim black satin tie.
Sibi Bale wore a Gucci one of a kind black silk georgette strapless gown with silver crystal and bead embroidered drop waist detail.
Li Bing Bing wore a Gucci horsebit ring in 18kt white gold and diamonds.
Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of the world's leading luxury fashion brands. With a renowned reputation for quality and Italian craftsmanship, Gucci designs, manufactures and distributes highly desirable products such as leather goods (handbags, small leather goods, and luggage), shoes, ready-to-wear, silks, timepieces and fine jewellery.
2012年2月26日星期日
Turn Fashion Disasters Into Dollars!
What do you do with your fashion mistakes? Things that don't fit that well, or just don't look right? Or splurges that you really couldn't afford?
Rather than donating them to charity or taking them to consignment stores, some fashionistas are clicking on online consignment sales.
A recent find included a pair of $150 jeans for $40 from a seller who lamented that she couldn't fit into them. Women can buy, sell trade and swap their unwanted clothing and accessories on I-Ella, and even rent items to other members.
To buy and sell designer handbags, check out DesignerSocial.com. Some of them are brand new, others gently used.
And if you want a Rolex Watch or a Gucci bag and you don't want to pay full price.
There are items for men and women and they're guaranteed to be authenic. You can also sell on Portero but you have to fill out an application and be approved.
Rather than donating them to charity or taking them to consignment stores, some fashionistas are clicking on online consignment sales.
A recent find included a pair of $150 jeans for $40 from a seller who lamented that she couldn't fit into them. Women can buy, sell trade and swap their unwanted clothing and accessories on I-Ella, and even rent items to other members.
To buy and sell designer handbags, check out DesignerSocial.com. Some of them are brand new, others gently used.
And if you want a Rolex Watch or a Gucci bag and you don't want to pay full price.
There are items for men and women and they're guaranteed to be authenic. You can also sell on Portero but you have to fill out an application and be approved.
2012年2月23日星期四
How to travel lighter
That's why we're bringing you a series called Get Better in 2012, featuring tips to help you get smarter, fitter, and more on top of your game than ever before. Like us on Facebook to get all these posts directly on your news feed!
With traveling formalities what they are in these uncertain times, it's important for you to pack smart when you travel! Traveling light can also ensure you'll avoid unnecessary delays and extra fees, the latter of which airlines have become extremely draconian about.
We Indians are notorious for carrying everything but the kitchen sink in our massive travel bags. So we took every little detail into account to provide you with some tailor-made tips to lighten up that suitcase.
Tip One: Choose smaller luggage This may sound silly but trust us, it will cut your problems down. When we have a bigger bag, we see extra space and tend to fill it up with unnecessary junk we never end up using. Starting with a smaller bag is the easiest way to travel light!
Tip two: Lists, lists, lists! This is the sacred rule for absolutely anything that requires planning but even more so for packing right and packing light. Plan out your attire for absolutely every event on your trip if you're travelling for business or a wedding. Then, research the predicted temperatures at your destination. This way you can plan exactly what you will wear (and even on which occasion if you're that organized) and you can also eliminate carrying unnecessary items.
Tip three: Substitute Basically, you should try to substitute heavy items with lighter versions. For example, If you need to take a pair of pants then opt for lighter khakis rather than denims. Same goes for a linen or wool jacket rather than a bulky leather one. Think smart and watch the kilos melt off your suitcase!
Tip four: Reduce the toiletry case Many people go overboard on this front and the worst part is that they don't even end up using half the contents of their toiletry case! Invest in smaller bottles you'll only use while traveling or just use the hotel bathroom supplies. You can actually buy travel-size toiletries that will pass the 100-ml-or-less rule at airport security as well. For instance, buying single-use shave gel packs and smaller toothpaste tubes will go a long way in helping you cut the weight and bulk down.
Tip five: Do your laundry Depending on the duration of your trip, don't go out of your way to avoid laundry. Making a trip or two to the washing machine will save you a lot of extra weight in your bag and you'll still have everything you need for your trip!
Tip Six: Pack outside first Most people start throwing things into the bag rather than collecting everything they want outside the bag first. Trust us, switch to the latter. When your clothes are outside, you'll tend to tone it down a bit, but if they're inside and you notice some extra space, and you'll just end up throwing more things in!
Tip seven: Weigh it Invest in a small weighing scale! When you're done with packing weigh your bags. This is also useful in making sure that you don't have to pay for any excess baggage. Placing a bag on the scale directly will often be inaccurate; instead, weigh yourself first, and then again while you're holding the bag.
With traveling formalities what they are in these uncertain times, it's important for you to pack smart when you travel! Traveling light can also ensure you'll avoid unnecessary delays and extra fees, the latter of which airlines have become extremely draconian about.
We Indians are notorious for carrying everything but the kitchen sink in our massive travel bags. So we took every little detail into account to provide you with some tailor-made tips to lighten up that suitcase.
Tip One: Choose smaller luggage This may sound silly but trust us, it will cut your problems down. When we have a bigger bag, we see extra space and tend to fill it up with unnecessary junk we never end up using. Starting with a smaller bag is the easiest way to travel light!
Tip two: Lists, lists, lists! This is the sacred rule for absolutely anything that requires planning but even more so for packing right and packing light. Plan out your attire for absolutely every event on your trip if you're travelling for business or a wedding. Then, research the predicted temperatures at your destination. This way you can plan exactly what you will wear (and even on which occasion if you're that organized) and you can also eliminate carrying unnecessary items.
Tip three: Substitute Basically, you should try to substitute heavy items with lighter versions. For example, If you need to take a pair of pants then opt for lighter khakis rather than denims. Same goes for a linen or wool jacket rather than a bulky leather one. Think smart and watch the kilos melt off your suitcase!
Tip four: Reduce the toiletry case Many people go overboard on this front and the worst part is that they don't even end up using half the contents of their toiletry case! Invest in smaller bottles you'll only use while traveling or just use the hotel bathroom supplies. You can actually buy travel-size toiletries that will pass the 100-ml-or-less rule at airport security as well. For instance, buying single-use shave gel packs and smaller toothpaste tubes will go a long way in helping you cut the weight and bulk down.
Tip five: Do your laundry Depending on the duration of your trip, don't go out of your way to avoid laundry. Making a trip or two to the washing machine will save you a lot of extra weight in your bag and you'll still have everything you need for your trip!
Tip Six: Pack outside first Most people start throwing things into the bag rather than collecting everything they want outside the bag first. Trust us, switch to the latter. When your clothes are outside, you'll tend to tone it down a bit, but if they're inside and you notice some extra space, and you'll just end up throwing more things in!
Tip seven: Weigh it Invest in a small weighing scale! When you're done with packing weigh your bags. This is also useful in making sure that you don't have to pay for any excess baggage. Placing a bag on the scale directly will often be inaccurate; instead, weigh yourself first, and then again while you're holding the bag.
2012年2月22日星期三
City Council to work on a solution for city's plastic bag litter problem
Two plastic shopping bags caught in live oak trees outside City Hall on Tuesday set the backdrop for an hours-long discussion about the problem.
The bags became fodder for a rally held by the Coastal Bend Surfrider Foundation where about 50 residents gathered in support of a fee to discourage use of plastic bags. The conversation later continued inside City Hall where City Council members discussed the proposal and other ways to tackle the plastic bag litter problem, which costs the city about $190,000 a year in cleanup.
Council members agreed the city has a litter problem and needs to have tougher laws and enforcement but stopped short of giving consensus about a bag fee.
Mayor Joe Adame wants the community to work together on a solution within the next two to three months.
"The easy decision is to ban plastic bags," he said. "We have got to figure out a unique way to change people's behavior in the community."
Some City Council members supported the idea of a plastic bag fee, while others said it's not the government's place to tell businesses what to do.
There was some consensus among the council, including an idea for public anti-litter campaign to put more teeth behind the city's litter ordinance, and ramping up litter enforcement. Some council members said it might be effective to embarrass those caught littering by putting their faces in the newspaper or on TV.
People know littering is wrong and the city won't change that behavior without a stronger incentive, said several residents who spoke during public comment.
"We are going to have something stronger than an educational purpose if we are going to make a difference in the litter blowing around on our streets," said Cliff Schlabach, president of the Coastal Bend Surfrider Foundation. "There is a whole lot of energy going into this effort and I hope we are able to tap into it."
Three schoolchildren from Metro E read essays they wrote about the environmental problems caused by plastic bag litter.
"It's a really bad thing," student Nathaniel Ramirez said. "We need to take responsibility for our Earth."
Many who spoke during public comment supported the Coastal Bend Surfrider Foundation proposal for a city ordinance to assess a plastic shopping bag fee. The fee would encourage retail customers to bring their owns bags or pay $1 per transaction to use plastic bags.
Most of the money collected would pay for litter cleanups, education and more code enforcement officers. Some would go to retail stores to cover administrative costs.
The discussion about a plastic bag ban, which for the past two years remained at city committee level, recently gained momentum after the local Surfriders chapter took up a national initiative called Skip the Plastic. The initiative encourages people to bring reusable bags for shopping.
Americans throw away more than 100 billion bags a year, and every hour about 200,000 plastic bags are placed in landfills, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
It's facts like those that prompted resident Katy Frontell to join the local efforts. She carried a sign that said "Our cities' health and beauty vs. convenience," during the Surfrider-led rally outside City Hall.
"We definitely can't eliminate (plastic bags), but we can reduce it," she said.
Several residents asked the council to be courageous and take a stand against the problem so Corpus Christi would not be the last city to do something about it.
Brownsville adopted a plastic bag fee last year, becoming the first Texas city to adopt the ordinance. Three other cities, Fort Stockton, South Padre Island and Pecos, passed similar ordinances. Ordinances also are proposed in Austin, San Antonio and McAllen.
Others offered a different proposal for curbing plastic bag use. The city could offer businesses incentives instead of forcing them to collect a fee, said Allan Johnson, owner of local laundry chain Peerless Cleaners. Stores that don't offer plastic bags or reduce the number they use should in return receive incentives from the city, he said.
Whatever Corpus Christi decides to do will influence neighboring cities and counties, said Theresa Finch, environmental coordinator for the Coastal Bend Council of Governments. Finch runs a recycling education program in area schools. Corpus Christi's single-stream recycling program has other communities talking about doing something similar.
The bags became fodder for a rally held by the Coastal Bend Surfrider Foundation where about 50 residents gathered in support of a fee to discourage use of plastic bags. The conversation later continued inside City Hall where City Council members discussed the proposal and other ways to tackle the plastic bag litter problem, which costs the city about $190,000 a year in cleanup.
Council members agreed the city has a litter problem and needs to have tougher laws and enforcement but stopped short of giving consensus about a bag fee.
Mayor Joe Adame wants the community to work together on a solution within the next two to three months.
"The easy decision is to ban plastic bags," he said. "We have got to figure out a unique way to change people's behavior in the community."
Some City Council members supported the idea of a plastic bag fee, while others said it's not the government's place to tell businesses what to do.
There was some consensus among the council, including an idea for public anti-litter campaign to put more teeth behind the city's litter ordinance, and ramping up litter enforcement. Some council members said it might be effective to embarrass those caught littering by putting their faces in the newspaper or on TV.
People know littering is wrong and the city won't change that behavior without a stronger incentive, said several residents who spoke during public comment.
"We are going to have something stronger than an educational purpose if we are going to make a difference in the litter blowing around on our streets," said Cliff Schlabach, president of the Coastal Bend Surfrider Foundation. "There is a whole lot of energy going into this effort and I hope we are able to tap into it."
Three schoolchildren from Metro E read essays they wrote about the environmental problems caused by plastic bag litter.
"It's a really bad thing," student Nathaniel Ramirez said. "We need to take responsibility for our Earth."
Many who spoke during public comment supported the Coastal Bend Surfrider Foundation proposal for a city ordinance to assess a plastic shopping bag fee. The fee would encourage retail customers to bring their owns bags or pay $1 per transaction to use plastic bags.
Most of the money collected would pay for litter cleanups, education and more code enforcement officers. Some would go to retail stores to cover administrative costs.
The discussion about a plastic bag ban, which for the past two years remained at city committee level, recently gained momentum after the local Surfriders chapter took up a national initiative called Skip the Plastic. The initiative encourages people to bring reusable bags for shopping.
Americans throw away more than 100 billion bags a year, and every hour about 200,000 plastic bags are placed in landfills, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
It's facts like those that prompted resident Katy Frontell to join the local efforts. She carried a sign that said "Our cities' health and beauty vs. convenience," during the Surfrider-led rally outside City Hall.
"We definitely can't eliminate (plastic bags), but we can reduce it," she said.
Several residents asked the council to be courageous and take a stand against the problem so Corpus Christi would not be the last city to do something about it.
Brownsville adopted a plastic bag fee last year, becoming the first Texas city to adopt the ordinance. Three other cities, Fort Stockton, South Padre Island and Pecos, passed similar ordinances. Ordinances also are proposed in Austin, San Antonio and McAllen.
Others offered a different proposal for curbing plastic bag use. The city could offer businesses incentives instead of forcing them to collect a fee, said Allan Johnson, owner of local laundry chain Peerless Cleaners. Stores that don't offer plastic bags or reduce the number they use should in return receive incentives from the city, he said.
Whatever Corpus Christi decides to do will influence neighboring cities and counties, said Theresa Finch, environmental coordinator for the Coastal Bend Council of Governments. Finch runs a recycling education program in area schools. Corpus Christi's single-stream recycling program has other communities talking about doing something similar.
2012年2月21日星期二
Topshop Unique's Tough Girls: Fall 2012
Topshop Unique always pulls a cool crowd at London Fashion Week, and Sunday's show was no exception: Pixie Geldof, Leigh Lezark, Olivia Palermo and Azealia Banks all nibbled on scotch eggs and sipped champagne before the show began in the official Topshop venue in London Bridge.
The showing from Unique was a radical departure from last season's Cleopatra-fest, this time focusing on a grown-up take on military tailoring. The jackets and dresses were a little more streamlined than we're used to from Topshop. This could be the result of newly appointed creative director Kate Phelan, formerly of British Vogue, but it worked well on the whole. The collection tapped into Topshop's hip and youthful DNA but kept it directional with fat-pleated skirts, velvet trousers, asymmetric biker jackets and sheepskin caps. The color palette—aubergine, olive green, and charcoal—and the emphasis on outsized outerwear reminded us a little of a younger, hipper Burberry. There was a lot here to look forward to for fall: a chunky dark velvet coat, for one, and some faux-alligator handbags.
The show closed on a high note, showing off one of the things Topshop does best: shiny, glittering minidresses perfect for the party season. Worn under an unzipped olive parka and with some gunmetal lace-up booties, these dresses looked a lot like something Alexa Chung (seated front row, of course) would be street-style snapped in. Expect them to sell out when Unique hits TopShop stores in New York, Chicago, and online this fall.
The showing from Unique was a radical departure from last season's Cleopatra-fest, this time focusing on a grown-up take on military tailoring. The jackets and dresses were a little more streamlined than we're used to from Topshop. This could be the result of newly appointed creative director Kate Phelan, formerly of British Vogue, but it worked well on the whole. The collection tapped into Topshop's hip and youthful DNA but kept it directional with fat-pleated skirts, velvet trousers, asymmetric biker jackets and sheepskin caps. The color palette—aubergine, olive green, and charcoal—and the emphasis on outsized outerwear reminded us a little of a younger, hipper Burberry. There was a lot here to look forward to for fall: a chunky dark velvet coat, for one, and some faux-alligator handbags.
The show closed on a high note, showing off one of the things Topshop does best: shiny, glittering minidresses perfect for the party season. Worn under an unzipped olive parka and with some gunmetal lace-up booties, these dresses looked a lot like something Alexa Chung (seated front row, of course) would be street-style snapped in. Expect them to sell out when Unique hits TopShop stores in New York, Chicago, and online this fall.
2012年2月20日星期一
'I Coulda Been a Contender' Film Contest to Highlight Lacey Township Talent
Teams of no more than three people must make a film with the central plot element a duffel bag, gym bag or back pack as part of the 'I Coulda Been a Contender' film contest for Lacey Township residents.
Created by Anthony Marotta, a senior at Lacey Township High School, the films must be no more than 20 minutes long.
"I like to think of myself as someone who can offer something to young film makers like myself, to get their work noticed," said Marotta, who will attend the film and video program at Drexel University in Philadelphia in the fall, which accepts only 64 students a year. "I want to be a respected director of feature-length films and documentaries."
Marotta first became interested in film when he was a freshman and has since done a few projects. It was in film class that he came up with the idea of the contest.
"I was sitting in film class with a substitute watching a movie and I started thinking how to get Lacey more interested in film," said Marotta. "I hadn't heard of a film contest so I thought I'd create one and see what happens."
Marotta said he's receiving some assistance from his film teacher, Shaun Banin, who has agreed to be one of the contest's judges.
Since opening up the competition on Sunday, Feb. 5, Marotta said he's gotten 17 members on his Facebook group, making up 10 to 15 teams.
"I'm trying to make it something that people look at and think this is pretty cool," said Marotta. "I'm hoping it will get bigger and bigger each year and expand past Lacey to all of Ocean County and possibly New Jersey."
Marotta said he's investigating venues to announce the winner and show the films. All the films will be available for the public to view on YouTube two to three weeks before the judging.
Created by Anthony Marotta, a senior at Lacey Township High School, the films must be no more than 20 minutes long.
"I like to think of myself as someone who can offer something to young film makers like myself, to get their work noticed," said Marotta, who will attend the film and video program at Drexel University in Philadelphia in the fall, which accepts only 64 students a year. "I want to be a respected director of feature-length films and documentaries."
Marotta first became interested in film when he was a freshman and has since done a few projects. It was in film class that he came up with the idea of the contest.
"I was sitting in film class with a substitute watching a movie and I started thinking how to get Lacey more interested in film," said Marotta. "I hadn't heard of a film contest so I thought I'd create one and see what happens."
Marotta said he's receiving some assistance from his film teacher, Shaun Banin, who has agreed to be one of the contest's judges.
Since opening up the competition on Sunday, Feb. 5, Marotta said he's gotten 17 members on his Facebook group, making up 10 to 15 teams.
"I'm trying to make it something that people look at and think this is pretty cool," said Marotta. "I'm hoping it will get bigger and bigger each year and expand past Lacey to all of Ocean County and possibly New Jersey."
Marotta said he's investigating venues to announce the winner and show the films. All the films will be available for the public to view on YouTube two to three weeks before the judging.
2012年2月19日星期日
Kids in Farm-School Partnership Know Where Food Comes From
An urban farm and a nearby elementary school have formed a winning partnership. The farm has a market for its produce, and the school raises funds for its activities. They join a growing number of schools that have started school garden programs.
The Penticton, British Columbia, Urban Agriculture Association has a mission: "To create a Centre for Urban Agriculture as a source of information and education to the public and schools and to be a hub for collaborative work among people running projects related to developing a more diverse and reliable local food supply for the South Okanagan/Similkameen area."
Since they launched the project in March 2010, the ambitious organizers have made impressive progressive. They leased a vacant lot from the city, created a market garden, published recipes and a blog, and started a Farm Bag program with the produce they harvested. For a modest monthly fee, customers receive a 20 pound bag of produce and a chance to invest in agriculture that is about as local as a backyard garden.
Wanting to educate children about the food system, they formed a partnership with Uplands Elementary. With the Farm Bag Fundraiser, the farm earns $20 for each bag sold, and the school keeps $5. In winter months, the bags are filled with produce that stores well, such as apples, potatoes and squash. Farmers benefit. Schools earn cash, and children learn important lessons about the food they eat.
The Shaw TV video starts with a scene that gives me hope for school children who have a chance to actually understand where food comes from. A kindergartener at Uplands Elementary signs in one of the customers and says, "You just, like, sign them in. We give them their bag, and then they get to pick out vegetables. That's what they do."
This is a project that could work in any community. With food security one of the world's most pressing issues, rearing a generation that understands what growing food is all about is more important than ever.
The Penticton, British Columbia, Urban Agriculture Association has a mission: "To create a Centre for Urban Agriculture as a source of information and education to the public and schools and to be a hub for collaborative work among people running projects related to developing a more diverse and reliable local food supply for the South Okanagan/Similkameen area."
Since they launched the project in March 2010, the ambitious organizers have made impressive progressive. They leased a vacant lot from the city, created a market garden, published recipes and a blog, and started a Farm Bag program with the produce they harvested. For a modest monthly fee, customers receive a 20 pound bag of produce and a chance to invest in agriculture that is about as local as a backyard garden.
Wanting to educate children about the food system, they formed a partnership with Uplands Elementary. With the Farm Bag Fundraiser, the farm earns $20 for each bag sold, and the school keeps $5. In winter months, the bags are filled with produce that stores well, such as apples, potatoes and squash. Farmers benefit. Schools earn cash, and children learn important lessons about the food they eat.
The Shaw TV video starts with a scene that gives me hope for school children who have a chance to actually understand where food comes from. A kindergartener at Uplands Elementary signs in one of the customers and says, "You just, like, sign them in. We give them their bag, and then they get to pick out vegetables. That's what they do."
This is a project that could work in any community. With food security one of the world's most pressing issues, rearing a generation that understands what growing food is all about is more important than ever.
2012年2月16日星期四
New Richmond students packs 21,816 meals for Kids Against Hunger
High school students in New Richmond, Wis., along with several community volunteers, helped package 21,816 meals for Kids Against Hunger on Wednesday, Feb. 8.
All the meals, which are packaged family-style in sealed plastic bags, will feed 60 children one meal per day for an entire year, said Scott Anderson, director of packaging operations for Kids Against Hunger, a humanitarian food-aid organization.
Each bag of vitamins, vegetables, soy and rice can feed six people, Anderson said.
About 90 New Richmond students gathered at 1 p.m. on Feb. 8 to begin the packing process. The group had until 2:50 p.m. to complete its task but the group was so efficient that they ran out of supplies at 2 p.m.
"We estimated the amount of time it would take to package these meals based on (Kids Against Hunger's) calculations," said Rachel Sauvola, agriscience teacher and FFA advisor. "We just blew it out of the water."
The group's goal was to pack 20,000 bags.
Ten stations were set up in the NRHS commons. At each station, 11 people were assigned different tasks. Two people were responsible for putting the bags on the funnels. Once the bags were in place, four other people filled them with a mixture of vitamin powder, vegetables, soy and rice. Once filled, the bag went to the weigh stations, where rice was added or subtracted, depending on the weight of the bag. Once the correct weight was achieved, the bags were sealed by two students operating the sealers. Lastly, one person was responsible for packing the meals into boxes.
The idea for the project began when Sauvola and a few FFA members attended the National FFA Convention earlier this year.
Sauvola said she was given the opportunity to help pack meals at the convention and, after talking with the organizers, she thought it would be a great thing to bring to New Richmond.
The school's FFA chapter, along with the Student to Student Club and SPARK Mentors (two United Way funded programs), issued a challenge to classmates on Dec. 1 – raise $4,600 to feed 20,000 people through Kids Against Hunger.
The challenge resulted in more than enough money.
Ellie Wallace, FFA vice president, said Wednesday's packing event went smoothly.
"It was very systematic," she said. "Our group really got into it and really had it going for a while."
A friendly competition broke out at one point, pitting assembly team against assembly team to see who could pack the most boxes in the shortest amount of time.
Kids Against Hunger is a Minnesota-based organization. All meals are packed by volunteers, most of whom are younger than 18 years old, hence the Kids Against Hunger name, said Anderson.
Although it's impossible to pinpoint exactly where the 21,000 meals will go, Anderson told the local students that the meals will likely end up in a country like Haiti or a refugee camp in the Horn of Africa, where a famine is causing children and families to starve to death.
Not all meals will travel out of the United States, Sauvola said. Seventy-seven bags (462 meals) were set aside and given to St. Croix County Public Health to be distributed to local families.
Teresa Kvam, a dietician with St. Croix County Public Health, said her department has a table in its office that is used to collect and distribute items to families in need.
"One of the questions we ask people who come to us is whether they are able to feed their families," she said. "Not everyone can. There's a lot of need right here, too."
New Richmond High School hopes to host another packaging event next year, Sauvola said. The extra money that was raised during this year's fundraiser has already been earmarked for that event.
All the meals, which are packaged family-style in sealed plastic bags, will feed 60 children one meal per day for an entire year, said Scott Anderson, director of packaging operations for Kids Against Hunger, a humanitarian food-aid organization.
Each bag of vitamins, vegetables, soy and rice can feed six people, Anderson said.
About 90 New Richmond students gathered at 1 p.m. on Feb. 8 to begin the packing process. The group had until 2:50 p.m. to complete its task but the group was so efficient that they ran out of supplies at 2 p.m.
"We estimated the amount of time it would take to package these meals based on (Kids Against Hunger's) calculations," said Rachel Sauvola, agriscience teacher and FFA advisor. "We just blew it out of the water."
The group's goal was to pack 20,000 bags.
Ten stations were set up in the NRHS commons. At each station, 11 people were assigned different tasks. Two people were responsible for putting the bags on the funnels. Once the bags were in place, four other people filled them with a mixture of vitamin powder, vegetables, soy and rice. Once filled, the bag went to the weigh stations, where rice was added or subtracted, depending on the weight of the bag. Once the correct weight was achieved, the bags were sealed by two students operating the sealers. Lastly, one person was responsible for packing the meals into boxes.
The idea for the project began when Sauvola and a few FFA members attended the National FFA Convention earlier this year.
Sauvola said she was given the opportunity to help pack meals at the convention and, after talking with the organizers, she thought it would be a great thing to bring to New Richmond.
The school's FFA chapter, along with the Student to Student Club and SPARK Mentors (two United Way funded programs), issued a challenge to classmates on Dec. 1 – raise $4,600 to feed 20,000 people through Kids Against Hunger.
The challenge resulted in more than enough money.
Ellie Wallace, FFA vice president, said Wednesday's packing event went smoothly.
"It was very systematic," she said. "Our group really got into it and really had it going for a while."
A friendly competition broke out at one point, pitting assembly team against assembly team to see who could pack the most boxes in the shortest amount of time.
Kids Against Hunger is a Minnesota-based organization. All meals are packed by volunteers, most of whom are younger than 18 years old, hence the Kids Against Hunger name, said Anderson.
Although it's impossible to pinpoint exactly where the 21,000 meals will go, Anderson told the local students that the meals will likely end up in a country like Haiti or a refugee camp in the Horn of Africa, where a famine is causing children and families to starve to death.
Not all meals will travel out of the United States, Sauvola said. Seventy-seven bags (462 meals) were set aside and given to St. Croix County Public Health to be distributed to local families.
Teresa Kvam, a dietician with St. Croix County Public Health, said her department has a table in its office that is used to collect and distribute items to families in need.
"One of the questions we ask people who come to us is whether they are able to feed their families," she said. "Not everyone can. There's a lot of need right here, too."
New Richmond High School hopes to host another packaging event next year, Sauvola said. The extra money that was raised during this year's fundraiser has already been earmarked for that event.
2012年2月15日星期三
Opinions vary on ban of single-use plastic bags
A Clintonville resident is part of a local effort to get single-use plastic bags banned in the city.
One of her neighbors, however, is not so certain that's such a good idea.
Welcome to Clintonville, where pretty much any opinion is subject to an opposing view.
Susann Moeller, who describes herself as a professor of English and environmental studies, and others are conducting a signature-drive to encourage city council members to pass an ordinance banning or, perhaps initially, levying a fee for single-use plastic bags such as the ones typically used in grocery stores and myriad other retail outlets.
Moeller last week said she and the others plan to continue the signature-gathering that began last summer as a means of showing elected officials where their constituents stand on the issue.
"We want to have a buy-in from the public," she said.
"I think it's well-intentioned but not really the right thing to do," countered neighbor Jeff Frontz, who squared off with Moeller on the issue a while back on an Internet bulletin board for residents of south Clintonville.
The issue of pollution from plastic bags is a complex one, according to Frontz.
"I personally like plastic (bags) because I use them for a variety of things and then when I'm done with them I recycle them," he said.
"I'm an environmentalist," Frontz added. "I'm very much concerned about the environment, but I'm also very much in favor of choice. I think we should all make our own choices, and I think we should make the best choices that we can."
The local movement to ban or tax single-use plastic bags, reflecting similar efforts across the country and around the world, had its birth at Comfest last summer, according to Moeller, a native of Germany who came to this country in the late 1970s. Moeller put on an "Eco Poetry Workshop" at one of the festival's stages, presenting an overview of the situation regarding single-use plastic bags in the United States and the rest of the world.
"We covered Africa where the problem is so great that the plastic bag is referred to as the national flower of Africa," Moeller said.
She also touched upon China, which is the main supplier of the bags but where they have been outlawed since 2005. Several other developing nations have followed suit, and the bags are banned in most of Europe.
"And we haven't even seriously looked at it except in some isolated instances on the West Coast and the East Coast," Moeller said.
As she was addressing the crowd, Moeller said that a woman, Karla Box, stood up and said she had already created a Facebook page devoted to a bag ban in Columbus.
Moeller and Box had several meetings to organize the effort. Box has since moved to California but another woman, Connie Willett Everett of Worthington, has joined with Moeller in pursuing the cause.
"We do presentations in school and at community homes," Moeller said. "We collect signatures. It is on Facebook. We have talked to legal counsel about the right wording for and consideration of an ordinance."
"I don't think legislation is the way to address this particular issue," Frontz said. "I think it's great that people are thinking about what are the affects of our choices."
A local ordinance wouldn't necessarily have to ban single-use bags at the outset, according to Moeller.
As has been done in other cities, Columbus could impose a charge of 5 or 10 cents a bag, with the money earmarked for conservation or education purposes.
Single-use plastic bags are a problem on many different levels, in Moeller's view. "It is the nature of the beast that it is lightweight," she said. "But because it's so lightweight it can float everywhere. It can clog our sewer system.
"The city pays quite a bit to unclog sewer drains from plastic bags."
Bags floating on the breeze can wind up in trees where birds or, where the trees overhang rivers or steams, fish mistake them for food and die from ingesting parts of them, she said.
"They are, on top of everything else, truly an eyesore in the cityscape," Moeller added.
"Each year, Americans throw away 100 billion plastic bags. Only 0.6 percent of plastic bags are recycled," according to the movement's Facebook page, at http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/130463973659415/. "Plastic bags are a menace to the environment, waterways and landfills.
"Plastic is the largest source of ocean litter. Plastic bags take up to 500 years to decompose in the water and in the meantime contribute to the deaths of 10,000s birds and marine mammals each year."
City council as a whole has not yet been approached to determine how receptive the members would be to taking up the proposed legislation.
"That would be premature," Moeller said.
One of her neighbors, however, is not so certain that's such a good idea.
Welcome to Clintonville, where pretty much any opinion is subject to an opposing view.
Susann Moeller, who describes herself as a professor of English and environmental studies, and others are conducting a signature-drive to encourage city council members to pass an ordinance banning or, perhaps initially, levying a fee for single-use plastic bags such as the ones typically used in grocery stores and myriad other retail outlets.
Moeller last week said she and the others plan to continue the signature-gathering that began last summer as a means of showing elected officials where their constituents stand on the issue.
"We want to have a buy-in from the public," she said.
"I think it's well-intentioned but not really the right thing to do," countered neighbor Jeff Frontz, who squared off with Moeller on the issue a while back on an Internet bulletin board for residents of south Clintonville.
The issue of pollution from plastic bags is a complex one, according to Frontz.
"I personally like plastic (bags) because I use them for a variety of things and then when I'm done with them I recycle them," he said.
"I'm an environmentalist," Frontz added. "I'm very much concerned about the environment, but I'm also very much in favor of choice. I think we should all make our own choices, and I think we should make the best choices that we can."
The local movement to ban or tax single-use plastic bags, reflecting similar efforts across the country and around the world, had its birth at Comfest last summer, according to Moeller, a native of Germany who came to this country in the late 1970s. Moeller put on an "Eco Poetry Workshop" at one of the festival's stages, presenting an overview of the situation regarding single-use plastic bags in the United States and the rest of the world.
"We covered Africa where the problem is so great that the plastic bag is referred to as the national flower of Africa," Moeller said.
She also touched upon China, which is the main supplier of the bags but where they have been outlawed since 2005. Several other developing nations have followed suit, and the bags are banned in most of Europe.
"And we haven't even seriously looked at it except in some isolated instances on the West Coast and the East Coast," Moeller said.
As she was addressing the crowd, Moeller said that a woman, Karla Box, stood up and said she had already created a Facebook page devoted to a bag ban in Columbus.
Moeller and Box had several meetings to organize the effort. Box has since moved to California but another woman, Connie Willett Everett of Worthington, has joined with Moeller in pursuing the cause.
"We do presentations in school and at community homes," Moeller said. "We collect signatures. It is on Facebook. We have talked to legal counsel about the right wording for and consideration of an ordinance."
"I don't think legislation is the way to address this particular issue," Frontz said. "I think it's great that people are thinking about what are the affects of our choices."
A local ordinance wouldn't necessarily have to ban single-use bags at the outset, according to Moeller.
As has been done in other cities, Columbus could impose a charge of 5 or 10 cents a bag, with the money earmarked for conservation or education purposes.
Single-use plastic bags are a problem on many different levels, in Moeller's view. "It is the nature of the beast that it is lightweight," she said. "But because it's so lightweight it can float everywhere. It can clog our sewer system.
"The city pays quite a bit to unclog sewer drains from plastic bags."
Bags floating on the breeze can wind up in trees where birds or, where the trees overhang rivers or steams, fish mistake them for food and die from ingesting parts of them, she said.
"They are, on top of everything else, truly an eyesore in the cityscape," Moeller added.
"Each year, Americans throw away 100 billion plastic bags. Only 0.6 percent of plastic bags are recycled," according to the movement's Facebook page, at http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/130463973659415/. "Plastic bags are a menace to the environment, waterways and landfills.
"Plastic is the largest source of ocean litter. Plastic bags take up to 500 years to decompose in the water and in the meantime contribute to the deaths of 10,000s birds and marine mammals each year."
City council as a whole has not yet been approached to determine how receptive the members would be to taking up the proposed legislation.
"That would be premature," Moeller said.
2012年2月14日星期二
New details released in murder of newborn
Pointing to a row of tan and green apartments Becky Spears shudders.
"It's right over there," she said, pointing. "It's pretty close to us. It could have been a friend for my kids to play with."
But the little girl who was born just down the street from Spears was not given that chance. Investigators say she was killed at her Trimble Street apartment by her own mother. Just minutes after she was born, the baby girl was thrown into a plastic shopping bag.
"She just discarded that blessing," Spears said of her neighbor's alleged actions.
It is a blessing Sgt. Brian Laird with Paducah Police said the young woman, 17 at the time, was not ready for.
"We believe she did a good job of concealing she was pregnant. Her mother stated she did not know, as well as she did not know her daughter had given birth inside her apartment."
It is what happened next that investigators say is both shocking and disturbing: the young woman snapped a few pictures of the baby with her cell phone and then allegedly killed the little girl she had not taken the time to name.
The cell phone pictures, as it turns out, were later deleted. The suspect told only one friend of the pregnancy, later telling her the baby had died and that she had buried her in the backyard. It was that friend who called authorities.
"We think she made some choices and she really didn't have a plan or know what she was going to do," Laird said.
Initially, when she was first brought to police headquarters, the girl denied the story, saying the baby survived for just 20 minutes.
"What she told us was when the baby stopped breathing, she placed the child in a bag," Laird said during a Tuesday morning news conference.
Police will not go into details but say the autopsy shows otherwise.
"It's really sad somebody didn't value what they were given. I don't even know what to say," Spears said.
"It's right over there," she said, pointing. "It's pretty close to us. It could have been a friend for my kids to play with."
But the little girl who was born just down the street from Spears was not given that chance. Investigators say she was killed at her Trimble Street apartment by her own mother. Just minutes after she was born, the baby girl was thrown into a plastic shopping bag.
"She just discarded that blessing," Spears said of her neighbor's alleged actions.
It is a blessing Sgt. Brian Laird with Paducah Police said the young woman, 17 at the time, was not ready for.
"We believe she did a good job of concealing she was pregnant. Her mother stated she did not know, as well as she did not know her daughter had given birth inside her apartment."
It is what happened next that investigators say is both shocking and disturbing: the young woman snapped a few pictures of the baby with her cell phone and then allegedly killed the little girl she had not taken the time to name.
The cell phone pictures, as it turns out, were later deleted. The suspect told only one friend of the pregnancy, later telling her the baby had died and that she had buried her in the backyard. It was that friend who called authorities.
"We think she made some choices and she really didn't have a plan or know what she was going to do," Laird said.
Initially, when she was first brought to police headquarters, the girl denied the story, saying the baby survived for just 20 minutes.
"What she told us was when the baby stopped breathing, she placed the child in a bag," Laird said during a Tuesday morning news conference.
Police will not go into details but say the autopsy shows otherwise.
"It's really sad somebody didn't value what they were given. I don't even know what to say," Spears said.
2012年2月13日星期一
How to Survive a Road Trip…With Your Kids
Since moving to the South more than a decade ago, every summer we plan our pilgrimage back to the Midwest to visit relatives and old friends. Normally, this trip is accomplished with the aid of a jet plane and some friendly relatives waiting for us at the airport to chauffeur us around during our stay. When baby number one came along, nothing changed as far as our means of transportation. Yes, it was a little harder rolling around from gate to gate with that whole car seat/stroller system thing. And true, it’s a tad embarrassing to be “those people” on a two hour flight with a screaming baby who you realize later was suffering from an ear infection, causing the lady across the aisle to proclaim upon landing how badly she needed a drink. But that had to be easier than keeping our poor child strapped in a car seat for the twelve-plus hour road trip, right?
When baby number two came along, we tried the flying thing. Once. Two screaming kids were just not nearly as easy as one. It was quite an undertaking to haul our luggage, car seats, stroller and two kids, who insisted on being carried, from the terminal to the car rental agency, since no longer could we rely on a friendly relative to pick us up and run us around. Between the cost of the airline tickets, baggage fees, airport parking, and the rental car, we knew this wasn’t something we would be able to keep up. It was decided. Our next trip was going to have to be a road trip. Sigh.
After weeks of trying to get my head around the thought of being trapped in a vehicle for twelve hours with two little ones who can’t sit still for more than one minute tops, I just had to embrace it. Much to my surprise, the trip actually went smoother than I could have imagined. There were some very nice benefits to driving. We could pack whatever and as much as we. We could travel on our own schedule, so if we wanted to spend an extra day, it was no problem.
When baby number two came along, we tried the flying thing. Once. Two screaming kids were just not nearly as easy as one. It was quite an undertaking to haul our luggage, car seats, stroller and two kids, who insisted on being carried, from the terminal to the car rental agency, since no longer could we rely on a friendly relative to pick us up and run us around. Between the cost of the airline tickets, baggage fees, airport parking, and the rental car, we knew this wasn’t something we would be able to keep up. It was decided. Our next trip was going to have to be a road trip. Sigh.
After weeks of trying to get my head around the thought of being trapped in a vehicle for twelve hours with two little ones who can’t sit still for more than one minute tops, I just had to embrace it. Much to my surprise, the trip actually went smoother than I could have imagined. There were some very nice benefits to driving. We could pack whatever and as much as we. We could travel on our own schedule, so if we wanted to spend an extra day, it was no problem.
2012年2月12日星期日
New bag breakfast program a hit with students
Breakfast is served, and not just in the cafeteria anymore.
Each morning, the children at John F. Kennedy Elementary School have a choice: play outside with friends or eat breakfast in the cafeteria before school starts.
Now, as part of a pilot program in the Scranton School District, students have the option of grabbing a bag off a cart and eating outside.
In the last two weeks, the Aramark program has already increased breakfast participation at the school by 20 percent.
"We found if we make it more accessible, more students will come to breakfast," said Matt Sfarra, general manager for Aramark, Scranton's food-service provider.
The new program comes as schools across the country increase their options for breakfast. Advocates say eating the meal improves a student's school performance, attention and behavior.
In Scranton, all students can receive a free breakfast. One day last week, as about 150 children ate French toast sticks in the cafeteria, more than 30 more grabbed a bag and a carton of milk from a cart in the hallway and headed back outside.
Between bites of whole-grain toaster pastries and apples, students played touch football and chatted with friends.
Most of the students who grab a bag are students who never went to the cafeteria for breakfast, Mr. Sfarra said. Across the district, 34 percent of elementary school students eat breakfast at school.
The program has been started in some Aramark schools across the country, and Mr. Sfarra said he hopes to expand it to another Scranton school, and perhaps to all elementary schools, soon.
The breakfasts, which follow U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition guidelines, are reimbursed by state and federal programs.
Before the bag program, fifth-grader Nathan Mankins and his friends said they did not eat breakfast at school. Instead, they like to have time to play and talk.
"It's really nice how they have breakfast outside now," Nathan, 11, said. "It's a fuss going inside."
Principal Bridget Frounfelker supervised the playground last week and said she was happy that the bag program gives her students another option.
"It starts their day off on a good note," Ms. Frounfelker said.
Each morning, the children at John F. Kennedy Elementary School have a choice: play outside with friends or eat breakfast in the cafeteria before school starts.
Now, as part of a pilot program in the Scranton School District, students have the option of grabbing a bag off a cart and eating outside.
In the last two weeks, the Aramark program has already increased breakfast participation at the school by 20 percent.
"We found if we make it more accessible, more students will come to breakfast," said Matt Sfarra, general manager for Aramark, Scranton's food-service provider.
The new program comes as schools across the country increase their options for breakfast. Advocates say eating the meal improves a student's school performance, attention and behavior.
In Scranton, all students can receive a free breakfast. One day last week, as about 150 children ate French toast sticks in the cafeteria, more than 30 more grabbed a bag and a carton of milk from a cart in the hallway and headed back outside.
Between bites of whole-grain toaster pastries and apples, students played touch football and chatted with friends.
Most of the students who grab a bag are students who never went to the cafeteria for breakfast, Mr. Sfarra said. Across the district, 34 percent of elementary school students eat breakfast at school.
The program has been started in some Aramark schools across the country, and Mr. Sfarra said he hopes to expand it to another Scranton school, and perhaps to all elementary schools, soon.
The breakfasts, which follow U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition guidelines, are reimbursed by state and federal programs.
Before the bag program, fifth-grader Nathan Mankins and his friends said they did not eat breakfast at school. Instead, they like to have time to play and talk.
"It's really nice how they have breakfast outside now," Nathan, 11, said. "It's a fuss going inside."
Principal Bridget Frounfelker supervised the playground last week and said she was happy that the bag program gives her students another option.
"It starts their day off on a good note," Ms. Frounfelker said.
2012年2月6日星期一
Local fashion brands breathe fresh air into luxury trend
When Seok Jeong-hye launched her accessory brand Couronne back in 2009, the Los Angeles-based designer said she once considered hiding its Korean origin.
In Korea, where people are very conscious about brand names, especially those of European fashion houses, many were doubtful about the likelihood of success of a home-grown handbag brand.
"There were some people who called to ask about the brand and just hung up after realizing it's a Korean brand. But I had confidence in product quality," Seok told The Korea Herald.
After three years, her expectations have proved right.
Starting with the flagship store in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, the number of outlets increased to 23 as of 2011.
Sales also soared from 1.7 billion won ($1.5 million) in 2010 to 12 billion won last year, with Couronne becoming the best-selling local accessory brand at Hyundai Department Store.
"It's old-fashioned to call a brand 'home-grown' now. People care more the product quality than origin," she said.
"Korean consumers are changing, although slowly."
Even though Koreans' fever for foreign luxury goods shows no sign of abating, local accessory brands are enjoying popularity especially among young office workers as they seek chic but affordable items.
With the whole handbag market growing about 10 percent last year, some Korean brands saw a growth rate more than double the average figure.
Dominant players are still the nation's top four "masstige" brands (prestige brands targeting the masses) including MCM, Louis Quatorze, DAKS and Metro City.
The Munich-based MCM has posted more than 20 percent growth every year since Korea's Sungjoo Group acquired it in 2005.
In 2011, the company logged 340 billion won in sales to Korean customers, beating global rivals such as Gucci and Chanel that sold 194.2 billion won and 188.1 billion won, respectively.
"We aim to become one of the top global luxury brands within five years," said Sohn Hyun-joo, marketing manager at MCM.
"Our global operations are also benefiting from the K-pop sensation in Asia."
MCM, which operates some 200 stores in 35 countries, will open more than 40 new outlets in overseas markets this year.
More recently, young designer brands like Couronne are emerging to bring a breath of fresh air into the local market with their new and fashionable experiments.
The color palette of Couronne bags was one of the wow factors here where most handbags used to come in black or brown with golden chains.
Its candy-colored Stephanie tote, coupled with its relatively low price of some 500,000 won, is considered an "it bag" among young women.
In Korea, where people are very conscious about brand names, especially those of European fashion houses, many were doubtful about the likelihood of success of a home-grown handbag brand.
"There were some people who called to ask about the brand and just hung up after realizing it's a Korean brand. But I had confidence in product quality," Seok told The Korea Herald.
After three years, her expectations have proved right.
Starting with the flagship store in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, the number of outlets increased to 23 as of 2011.
Sales also soared from 1.7 billion won ($1.5 million) in 2010 to 12 billion won last year, with Couronne becoming the best-selling local accessory brand at Hyundai Department Store.
"It's old-fashioned to call a brand 'home-grown' now. People care more the product quality than origin," she said.
"Korean consumers are changing, although slowly."
Even though Koreans' fever for foreign luxury goods shows no sign of abating, local accessory brands are enjoying popularity especially among young office workers as they seek chic but affordable items.
With the whole handbag market growing about 10 percent last year, some Korean brands saw a growth rate more than double the average figure.
Dominant players are still the nation's top four "masstige" brands (prestige brands targeting the masses) including MCM, Louis Quatorze, DAKS and Metro City.
The Munich-based MCM has posted more than 20 percent growth every year since Korea's Sungjoo Group acquired it in 2005.
In 2011, the company logged 340 billion won in sales to Korean customers, beating global rivals such as Gucci and Chanel that sold 194.2 billion won and 188.1 billion won, respectively.
"We aim to become one of the top global luxury brands within five years," said Sohn Hyun-joo, marketing manager at MCM.
"Our global operations are also benefiting from the K-pop sensation in Asia."
MCM, which operates some 200 stores in 35 countries, will open more than 40 new outlets in overseas markets this year.
More recently, young designer brands like Couronne are emerging to bring a breath of fresh air into the local market with their new and fashionable experiments.
The color palette of Couronne bags was one of the wow factors here where most handbags used to come in black or brown with golden chains.
Its candy-colored Stephanie tote, coupled with its relatively low price of some 500,000 won, is considered an "it bag" among young women.
Jason Wu For Target Fabulous Fashion Line Launches Sunday
Jason Wu for Target launches his fabulous fashion line on Sunday, February 5, 2011. The 29-year-old success in the designing world designed First Lady Michelle Obama's famous inaugural gown in 2009.
Now everyday women will have access to the Taiwanese designer's talent at Target. The feminine designs are affordable and accessible to women of all ages and budgets. People are still talking about Michelle Obama's chiffon inaugural gown with Swarovski crystals.
In October, 2011, HULIQ reported Jason Wu would be bringing his tailored and elegant designs to Target. Wu had stated to Women's Wear Daily, "The exciting thing about this limited edition collection of affordable women's wear and accessories is that it allows me to reach a winder audience and bring my designs to people who may not have been able to purchase them before."
The Jason Wu for Target collection will offer items priced at $60 and under. The fashion line includes women's wear, handbags and scarves. Offerings include sleeveless blouses with bows, gauzy blouses, floral shifts and pleated floral skirts. There will be 60 pieces in the new Target line.
Some of the Jason Wu for Target collection is only available through their website. Examples include a classic long-sleeved white blouse and a navy dotted shift. The collection is also not available at every Target location.
The Target website is previewing the collection for customers who can't wait to see it. According to their site, "Jason Wu for Target – Mischief is in the Details. Clean lines and smart details are the signatures of Jason Wu's styles. Explore the details here, then shop the new collection in-store and online February 5."
The Washington Post reports items from the Jason Wu line have already found their way to eBay. It seems some people who attended the launch party last week are selling the advance purchases for prices marked up to 250 percent. The rush to buy Jason Wu fashions might be similar to Black Friday's lunge to grab a bargain.
Now everyday women will have access to the Taiwanese designer's talent at Target. The feminine designs are affordable and accessible to women of all ages and budgets. People are still talking about Michelle Obama's chiffon inaugural gown with Swarovski crystals.
In October, 2011, HULIQ reported Jason Wu would be bringing his tailored and elegant designs to Target. Wu had stated to Women's Wear Daily, "The exciting thing about this limited edition collection of affordable women's wear and accessories is that it allows me to reach a winder audience and bring my designs to people who may not have been able to purchase them before."
The Jason Wu for Target collection will offer items priced at $60 and under. The fashion line includes women's wear, handbags and scarves. Offerings include sleeveless blouses with bows, gauzy blouses, floral shifts and pleated floral skirts. There will be 60 pieces in the new Target line.
Some of the Jason Wu for Target collection is only available through their website. Examples include a classic long-sleeved white blouse and a navy dotted shift. The collection is also not available at every Target location.
The Target website is previewing the collection for customers who can't wait to see it. According to their site, "Jason Wu for Target – Mischief is in the Details. Clean lines and smart details are the signatures of Jason Wu's styles. Explore the details here, then shop the new collection in-store and online February 5."
The Washington Post reports items from the Jason Wu line have already found their way to eBay. It seems some people who attended the launch party last week are selling the advance purchases for prices marked up to 250 percent. The rush to buy Jason Wu fashions might be similar to Black Friday's lunge to grab a bargain.
New Town Center retailers will create women's shopping 'neighborhood'
Sophisticated shoppers have four more reasons to visit the Charleston Town Center Mall: Coach, Sephora, Francesca's and White House Black Market will soon be tenants at the downtown mall.
The four high-end stores will be located in the same area on the first floor surrounding the free-standing Starbucks, creating a "women's neighborhood" shopping experience, said the mall's marketing director, Lisa McCracken.
The mall is also planning major renovations to the center's interior. Shoppers and visitors will soon see new flooring and lighting as well as an upgrade to all restrooms, walls and the common area. A new family restroom will also be added in the center of the mall.
The Town Center has been upgrading its stores for the past 10 years, said the mall's general manager, Tom Bird, to cater to its targeted demographic, which is working women with children, and teenagers. The retailers will join other high-end fashion stores including Talbots, Coldwater Creek and Chico's.
"We are excited to be able to present these four sophisticated women's stores. We've always been a fashion destination," McCracken said. "Most certainly we think everyone will be pleased with these four retailers and looking forward to them and also to the major renovations."
Coach is an upscale leather good company known for selling handbags as well as accessories, watches and footwear. Sephora is a cosmetic and beauty store that carries more than 250 brands of items that include makeup, skin care, fragrance and hair products.
White House Black Market sells women's fashion, targeting women 25 years of age and older while Francesca's sells fashion-forward styles in women's clothing, accessories and gifts.
To create the women's neighborhood on the first floor, Bird said they relocated fashion retailers Deb and Justice to the second level, which gave them enough room to allow the four high-end stores to be located next to one another.
The women's neighborhood concept mimics the cluster of teen stores on the second floor that are close to one another, McCracken said, including American Eagle, Hollister and Delia's.
The four high-end stores will be located in the same area on the first floor surrounding the free-standing Starbucks, creating a "women's neighborhood" shopping experience, said the mall's marketing director, Lisa McCracken.
The mall is also planning major renovations to the center's interior. Shoppers and visitors will soon see new flooring and lighting as well as an upgrade to all restrooms, walls and the common area. A new family restroom will also be added in the center of the mall.
The Town Center has been upgrading its stores for the past 10 years, said the mall's general manager, Tom Bird, to cater to its targeted demographic, which is working women with children, and teenagers. The retailers will join other high-end fashion stores including Talbots, Coldwater Creek and Chico's.
"We are excited to be able to present these four sophisticated women's stores. We've always been a fashion destination," McCracken said. "Most certainly we think everyone will be pleased with these four retailers and looking forward to them and also to the major renovations."
Coach is an upscale leather good company known for selling handbags as well as accessories, watches and footwear. Sephora is a cosmetic and beauty store that carries more than 250 brands of items that include makeup, skin care, fragrance and hair products.
White House Black Market sells women's fashion, targeting women 25 years of age and older while Francesca's sells fashion-forward styles in women's clothing, accessories and gifts.
To create the women's neighborhood on the first floor, Bird said they relocated fashion retailers Deb and Justice to the second level, which gave them enough room to allow the four high-end stores to be located next to one another.
The women's neighborhood concept mimics the cluster of teen stores on the second floor that are close to one another, McCracken said, including American Eagle, Hollister and Delia's.
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