TONING SHOES
Did you fall for those expensive toning shoes? Here's an excerpt from the article "The Craze Over ‘Toning’ Shoes Is, Well, Over" by Brad Tuttle publshed on July 28, 2011. If you want to read more, click this link - http://moneyland.time.com/2011/07/28/the-craze-over-toning-shoes-is-well-over/#ixzz1TT90c1L3
"A year ago, consumers eagerly handed over upwards of $200 for each pair of special fitness “toning” shoes that, thanks to designs featuring padded, wobbly, uneven soles, would supposedly tighten buns, thighs, calves, and abs. Nowadays, amid widespread claims that they don’t come close to working as advertised (and may even be dangerous), toning shoes are more likely to be selling for $50 or less, and shoemakers are unloading millions of them at a loss.
Sales of hot new toning shoes from the likes of Reebok, Skechers, and Avia rose 400% in 2010. But almost as quickly as consumers hopped on board with a gimmicky product that promised quick results through less effort, doctors, fitness gurus, and consumer advocates expressed deep skepticism amounting to something like: “Come on, who are you kidding?”
A study released last fall from the American Council on Exercise concluded:
“Across the board, none of the toning shoes showed statistically significant increases in either exercise response or muscle activation. There is simply no evidence to support the claims that these shoes will help wearers exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve muscle strength and tone.”"
MY THOUGHTS
So, you see, it pays to wait a little while before jumping onto the band wagon. Expensive and branded beautiful shoes do not always mean you'll get your money's worth.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
UNWANTED SHOES
Gardena man's nonprofit turns unwanted shoes into needed clean water
By Melissa Evans Staff Writer
Gardena resident Scott Kjos and two others recently started a nonprofit to help combat the world's clean water crisis.
But they don't want money. They want shoes.
"Old shoes, new shoes, worthless shoes, heals, pumps, slippers," he said. "Bring everything and anything, except socks. We don't want socks."
His organization, Soles for Life, will collect donated shoes Saturday at the Pacifica Open Air Market in Gardena. The shoes - he hopes to collect enough to fill a semitrailer - will be donated to another nonprofit, Edge Outreach, which sells them by weight to an exporter.
The exporter resells the shoes to vendors in developing countries, who sell them to people at a low cost. Edge Outreach then uses money from the exporter to buy inexpensive water purification systems, which produce 10,000 gallons of clean water per day in places where it's needed most.
Thousands of people die each year in developing countries due to dehydration and disease spread through unclean water, Edge said.
The water systems, which clean well water, are made using a 12-volt battery, salt and a purification pump. The cost is extremely low, those involved say.
"It's really a win-win-win for everybody," Kjos said. "If there ever was a good thing to do, this is it."
None of the donated shoes will wind up in landfills, he said - everything is used, even old shoes that can't be worn.
He and others are hoping to collect up to 10,000 shoes at Saturday's event, enough to eventually fill a semitrailer that holds 25,000 shoes.
Several churches also are involved in the effort, including Journey of Faith Church in Manhattan Beach, along with the Easter Seals and a handful of local businesses.
melissa.evans@dailybreeze.com
MY THOUGHTS
Such a great idea.
By Melissa Evans Staff Writer
Gardena resident Scott Kjos and two others recently started a nonprofit to help combat the world's clean water crisis.
But they don't want money. They want shoes.
"Old shoes, new shoes, worthless shoes, heals, pumps, slippers," he said. "Bring everything and anything, except socks. We don't want socks."
His organization, Soles for Life, will collect donated shoes Saturday at the Pacifica Open Air Market in Gardena. The shoes - he hopes to collect enough to fill a semitrailer - will be donated to another nonprofit, Edge Outreach, which sells them by weight to an exporter.
The exporter resells the shoes to vendors in developing countries, who sell them to people at a low cost. Edge Outreach then uses money from the exporter to buy inexpensive water purification systems, which produce 10,000 gallons of clean water per day in places where it's needed most.
Thousands of people die each year in developing countries due to dehydration and disease spread through unclean water, Edge said.
The water systems, which clean well water, are made using a 12-volt battery, salt and a purification pump. The cost is extremely low, those involved say.
"It's really a win-win-win for everybody," Kjos said. "If there ever was a good thing to do, this is it."
None of the donated shoes will wind up in landfills, he said - everything is used, even old shoes that can't be worn.
He and others are hoping to collect up to 10,000 shoes at Saturday's event, enough to eventually fill a semitrailer that holds 25,000 shoes.
Several churches also are involved in the effort, including Journey of Faith Church in Manhattan Beach, along with the Easter Seals and a handful of local businesses.
melissa.evans@dailybreeze.com
MY THOUGHTS
Such a great idea.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
KATE WEARS BOAT SHOES
Deck-ready Duchess: Kate leads renaissance for boat shoes
By Kate Melhuish
Last updated at 12:18 AM on 21st July 2011
No longer the preserve of sea dogs and Sloane rangers, boat shoes — or deck shoes, in nautical circles — are experiencing a renaissance.
Similar to a loafer, but more casual, this no-frills footwear works perfectly with the season’s pared-down fashions.
On traditional boat shoes, the laces were made of leather or rope, but this summer’s high-style varieties come in a dazzling array of jaunty hues and finishes.
And, best of all, as they were originally designed to be a non-slip shoe to sport dockside you can guarantee there won’t be any embarrassing slip-ups during the unpredictable British summer in a sturdy pair of these.
Fashionable yet sensible? Sounds good to us.
HOW TO WEAR
Keep it casual — team your deck shoe with a pair of cotton shorts, T-shirt and a chunky knit to keep you warm in the evening.
Wear them with a pretty floral dress for a tomboy take on a girly look.
Team with cropped trousers, rolled at the ankle, and a pretty blouse.
MY THOUGHTS
I love them. Period
By Kate Melhuish
Last updated at 12:18 AM on 21st July 2011
No longer the preserve of sea dogs and Sloane rangers, boat shoes — or deck shoes, in nautical circles — are experiencing a renaissance.
Similar to a loafer, but more casual, this no-frills footwear works perfectly with the season’s pared-down fashions.
On traditional boat shoes, the laces were made of leather or rope, but this summer’s high-style varieties come in a dazzling array of jaunty hues and finishes.
And, best of all, as they were originally designed to be a non-slip shoe to sport dockside you can guarantee there won’t be any embarrassing slip-ups during the unpredictable British summer in a sturdy pair of these.
Fashionable yet sensible? Sounds good to us.
HOW TO WEAR
Keep it casual — team your deck shoe with a pair of cotton shorts, T-shirt and a chunky knit to keep you warm in the evening.
Wear them with a pretty floral dress for a tomboy take on a girly look.
Team with cropped trousers, rolled at the ankle, and a pretty blouse.
MY THOUGHTS
I love them. Period
Thursday, July 14, 2011
500 pairs of shoes needed
500 pairs of shoes needed
July 14, 2011
Love INC seeking help to put shoes on homeless kids feet
Stephenie Livingston Suwannee Democrat
Live Oak — A first grader was living in a truck with his mother and two other siblings. On his first day at a Suwannee District school this past school year, his jeans were too big, “falling off” were his teacher’s words, and his shoes were in bad shape.
Suwannee teachers report throughout the school year that homeless students don’t have adequate footwear. Some shoes are missing laces, others soles. Some homeless children even come to school barefoot.
Now a local nonprofit is seeking the community’s help.
Love INC, a Christian organization that assists families in need, is challenging local churches, agencies and civic groups to collect 500 pairs of new tennis shoes for homeless children in Suwannee County beginning July 15 and ending August 15. The tennis shoes can be any size for children kindergarten through 12th grade.
Love INC will collect the shoes at their facility at 609 5th Street SW Suite 5 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. daily. Shoes can also be dropped off at the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce in Live Oak at Old City Hall on North Ohio Avenue from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
“While a lot of students will have a cool Harry Potter or LL Bean embroidered backpack on the first day of school, these children just want underwear and a clean pair of socks and new shoes,” said Sherrie Anderson, fundraising coordinator for Love INC.
She said the community must understand the extent of the issue and how far reaching homelessness is in Suwannee County in order to combat the problem. In June of last year there were over 360 homeless students in Suwannee County schools. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines “homeless children and youths” as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” This definition is broad enough to include “the hidden homeless,” including children and youth that are temporarily doubled-up in housing because they cannot afford a place to live. It also includes those who sleep in a shelter, or a car, park, abandoned building, substandard housing, or low-budget motels. Those classified as Unaccompanied Homeless Youth are young people who lack safe, stable housing and who are not in the care of a parent or guardian.
Many homeless children in this county are shuffled between family members, according to Anderson.
“I want the community to know what a huge issue this is,” said Anderson. “We as a community need to do something.”
Eventually, she hopes the organization will be able to provide new complete outfits for homeless students. To do that, she said it will take involvement from the entire community.
For some of these students, the first day of school is a dreaded experience. Sometimes, children do not show up because they lack shoes or are embarrassed by their clothes.
For this particular shoe driver, the organization asks that only new shoes be donated.
“We want them to feel special. On the first day of school, as they look at the student to their right and to their left, with a totally new outfits, at least they will have new shoes,” said Anderson.
It’s so very important that these students have necessities, like shoes, she said. “I don’t feel like five hundred pairs is unrealistic.”
Love INC is providing other ways the community can help students meet their basic needs for the new school year.
There are currently nine homeless students in summer school at Suwannee Elementary. Five of them don’t have enough clean underwear, according to Anderson. Love INC is also hosting an outreach program called “Stuff the Bug”. They are working along with local churches to gather underwear, socks, deodorant, toothpaste, and other things of this nature.
The finale will be held at Walmart on SR 129 on July 30 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Homeless advocate for Suwannee County Schools Melanie Buchanan said there are approximately 232 active homeless students currently in the District and over 310 entered the program during the 2010-11 school year. When students enter the homeless program, they are given two new outfits and one pair of shoes. The younger students are provided with crayons while the older students are given calculators.
With budget cuts to special programs and stimulus money drying up, Homeless Liaison Lisa Garrison said the funding they are getting is essentially needed for medical care and counseling. She said the community is helping to provide necessities, and their program needs that help to continue.
However, it's not just about getting them in a school five days a week and making sure students are clothed and healthy. It’s about how much self-confidence a new pair of shoes can give.
Anderson told a story of a student who was constantly acting up in class. Teachers couldn’t understand what the problem was. Why was he acting out? Then one day the child opened up to a faculty member that other students were teasing him about his worn, generic tennis shoes, and told her that’s why he acted out. Wanting to help the student’s feelings, the faculty member bought the student a new pair of shoes.
“Teachers saw a huge improvement. New shoes made all the difference,” Anderson said.
Often, all that is needed is a little self-confidence or something to make them feel special.
“It is unbelievable what it does for a student to have a new pair of shoes on,” said Garrison. “It doesn’t seem that important to some of us, but I get emails from teachers and grandparents saying how it changed the child and gave them some self-confidence. Just because of a new pair of shoes.”
The first grader, living in a truck with his mother and siblings, was given a new pair of jeans, shirt, shoes and a used jacket that had been donated to the school’s homeless program. His teacher thanked the program’s advocates, “You have made one little boy very happy! It’s amazing how a new pair of jeans, shirt and jacket can completely change an attitude.”
She added, “..The jacket is a little small, but he won’t take it off. He loves it.”
MY THOUGHTS
Great idea! I hope they get all the shoes they need. And I hope I'd get the guts to start something like this.
July 14, 2011
Love INC seeking help to put shoes on homeless kids feet
Stephenie Livingston Suwannee Democrat
Live Oak — A first grader was living in a truck with his mother and two other siblings. On his first day at a Suwannee District school this past school year, his jeans were too big, “falling off” were his teacher’s words, and his shoes were in bad shape.
Suwannee teachers report throughout the school year that homeless students don’t have adequate footwear. Some shoes are missing laces, others soles. Some homeless children even come to school barefoot.
Now a local nonprofit is seeking the community’s help.
Love INC, a Christian organization that assists families in need, is challenging local churches, agencies and civic groups to collect 500 pairs of new tennis shoes for homeless children in Suwannee County beginning July 15 and ending August 15. The tennis shoes can be any size for children kindergarten through 12th grade.
Love INC will collect the shoes at their facility at 609 5th Street SW Suite 5 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. daily. Shoes can also be dropped off at the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce in Live Oak at Old City Hall on North Ohio Avenue from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
“While a lot of students will have a cool Harry Potter or LL Bean embroidered backpack on the first day of school, these children just want underwear and a clean pair of socks and new shoes,” said Sherrie Anderson, fundraising coordinator for Love INC.
She said the community must understand the extent of the issue and how far reaching homelessness is in Suwannee County in order to combat the problem. In June of last year there were over 360 homeless students in Suwannee County schools. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines “homeless children and youths” as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” This definition is broad enough to include “the hidden homeless,” including children and youth that are temporarily doubled-up in housing because they cannot afford a place to live. It also includes those who sleep in a shelter, or a car, park, abandoned building, substandard housing, or low-budget motels. Those classified as Unaccompanied Homeless Youth are young people who lack safe, stable housing and who are not in the care of a parent or guardian.
Many homeless children in this county are shuffled between family members, according to Anderson.
“I want the community to know what a huge issue this is,” said Anderson. “We as a community need to do something.”
Eventually, she hopes the organization will be able to provide new complete outfits for homeless students. To do that, she said it will take involvement from the entire community.
For some of these students, the first day of school is a dreaded experience. Sometimes, children do not show up because they lack shoes or are embarrassed by their clothes.
For this particular shoe driver, the organization asks that only new shoes be donated.
“We want them to feel special. On the first day of school, as they look at the student to their right and to their left, with a totally new outfits, at least they will have new shoes,” said Anderson.
It’s so very important that these students have necessities, like shoes, she said. “I don’t feel like five hundred pairs is unrealistic.”
Love INC is providing other ways the community can help students meet their basic needs for the new school year.
There are currently nine homeless students in summer school at Suwannee Elementary. Five of them don’t have enough clean underwear, according to Anderson. Love INC is also hosting an outreach program called “Stuff the Bug”. They are working along with local churches to gather underwear, socks, deodorant, toothpaste, and other things of this nature.
The finale will be held at Walmart on SR 129 on July 30 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Homeless advocate for Suwannee County Schools Melanie Buchanan said there are approximately 232 active homeless students currently in the District and over 310 entered the program during the 2010-11 school year. When students enter the homeless program, they are given two new outfits and one pair of shoes. The younger students are provided with crayons while the older students are given calculators.
With budget cuts to special programs and stimulus money drying up, Homeless Liaison Lisa Garrison said the funding they are getting is essentially needed for medical care and counseling. She said the community is helping to provide necessities, and their program needs that help to continue.
However, it's not just about getting them in a school five days a week and making sure students are clothed and healthy. It’s about how much self-confidence a new pair of shoes can give.
Anderson told a story of a student who was constantly acting up in class. Teachers couldn’t understand what the problem was. Why was he acting out? Then one day the child opened up to a faculty member that other students were teasing him about his worn, generic tennis shoes, and told her that’s why he acted out. Wanting to help the student’s feelings, the faculty member bought the student a new pair of shoes.
“Teachers saw a huge improvement. New shoes made all the difference,” Anderson said.
Often, all that is needed is a little self-confidence or something to make them feel special.
“It is unbelievable what it does for a student to have a new pair of shoes on,” said Garrison. “It doesn’t seem that important to some of us, but I get emails from teachers and grandparents saying how it changed the child and gave them some self-confidence. Just because of a new pair of shoes.”
The first grader, living in a truck with his mother and siblings, was given a new pair of jeans, shirt, shoes and a used jacket that had been donated to the school’s homeless program. His teacher thanked the program’s advocates, “You have made one little boy very happy! It’s amazing how a new pair of jeans, shirt and jacket can completely change an attitude.”
She added, “..The jacket is a little small, but he won’t take it off. He loves it.”
MY THOUGHTS
Great idea! I hope they get all the shoes they need. And I hope I'd get the guts to start something like this.
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