Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Courtesy of Live NationSound Of MoneyHuntington Bank has naming rights for Live Nations Chicago amphitheater.

Andy Peikon, Live Nations senior vice president of sales, oversees the group that sells naming rights for the promoters 46 amphitheaters across the country. Its a thriving piece of the entertainment business that keeps Peikon and his 30-person sales staff busy considering the vast number of venues, the steady growth for Live Nation in building new amphitheaters and adding others through acquisition, and the active market for naming rights in general. VenuesNow spoke with Peikon about trends in sponsorship of outdoor music venues and where the business is headed.

VENUESNOW: Explain Live Nations strategy for naming rights tied to amphitheaters. Its obviously a different dynamic compared with arenas and stadiums.ANDY PEIKON: We focus on working with local brands willing to invest back into the community. I remember the first deal I worked on (with Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, N.Y.) about 14 years ago, and essentially the brand just wanted to put their name on the building. Today, its very different. What has really evolved over the last 15 years with amphitheaters is the dialogue 365 days of the year. Its not just communicating with the fan at the show. Were speaking with them throughout the entire journey, from the minute they go online to discover whos playing and buy a ticket to when they plan and pregame to when they experience the show and relive it after the fact. Its a seasonal business, but we go on sale with shows (for the following year) starting in the fall. Its not just a three- to four-month communication between the brand and our fans. Its much longer than that.

What are the annual values for naming rights at amphitheaters?We dont discuss the financial terms, but the deals are getting bigger and bigger. (In 2017, Northwell Health signed a naming-rights deal for the Jones Beach amphitheater reported at $3 million for three years with a two-year option.) The categories that weve been focusing on like credit unions have become so competitive that it drives the price up. The media and sponsorship division at Live Nation is the highest-margin business within the company. Were very fortunate to have a receptive audience and a great sales team thats out there banging on doors on a regular basis with a lot of success.

How are you using sister company Ticketmasters deep database to help sell naming rights for amphitheaters?Its something that locally were just starting to touch the surface. Weve got the worlds largest fan database, and, like I said before, we essentially own the journey from tickets to the seat to reliving the experience. We have a lot of information and what were trying to do now is figure out how best to deliver it to add value to our partners. Its a work in progress.

Considering amphitheaters are a seasonal business, how does it work with term length and activation? As an outsider, it appears some of these naming-rights deals are recycled with greater frequency than typical agreements for sports and entertainment facilities.We are not accepting deals that arent at least five years and preferably 10 years. Were striving to sign longer-term deals, and I can think of three in the past two years that are 10 years in length. Thats the ultimate goal. We dont want to confuse the public; we want to have long-term relationships with our partners. For the most part, our renewal rates have been very high. In many cases, (the name changed) because one bank, for instance, is being acquired. In Boston this past year, Blue Hills Bank, which had their name on our venue for a number of years, was acquired by Rockland Trust, hence the name change.

What are the core categories for naming rights, and have you looked at emerging categories such as financial services technology?The credit union business is very competitive and theyre always looking to provide perks for their members. In the last five years, weve done five naming-rights deals in that space. Banking as a whole is very strong for us and we have 10 of those deals at the amphitheater level. Casinos are strong as well, and health care is getting stronger. Whats interesting is when you look at these categories, theyre all a local focus. There is no such thing as a national credit union, for example, and we find that theyre really primed for naming rights.

From a technology standpoint, we really havent cracked the code yet. The most recent one was Nikon in digital imaging (at Jones Beach), but we know that its taken a huge hit as a result of the iPhone. We did speak to SoFi and theyre a sponsor now of our Bottle Rock festival in Northern California, and we spoke with Fiserv when we were looking to replace Verizon in Alpharetta, Ga. (Ameris Bank took over naming rights.) I dont have a strong answer, simply because weve had great success with our bread-and-butter categories. Most of our buildings have naming rights and we have good relationships with those brands.

Some amphitheaters have been around for 30 to 40 years and concertgoers still call them by their original names, such as Deer Creek in Indianapolis, Walnut Creek in Raleigh, N.C., and Jones Beach. How do you fight that battle to give your naming-rights partners exposure and convince them that it makes sense to sign these deals?The best way is through our media properties. Weve got 100-plus properties across mobile, social and online and 80 million monthly unique (views) through Live Nation, Ticketmaster, Setlist.fm and Bandsintown. Were giving brands more ways to connect with the audience, whether it be through fan insight and targeting or proximity marketing. The more that we promote them online outside of the building, the more we help them fight that battle.

What are some examples of creative activations for naming-rights partners at your amphitheaters?Were working with a banking partner currently where they have asked us to develop a menu of calendar disrupting events and experiences for high net worth individuals. (As of late November, specific details had not been announced). One concept is called Front Row, which is essentially storytelling with an artist and an intimate performance where they discuss their greatest influences. Weve also come up with a program called A List Access, which is sound check parties and stage viewing access and helicopter entry to bring guests to the venue. Another one is Music Lesson, where we bring individuals into the venue early to learn what its like to stage a show and meet the general manager, sound and lighting technicians, the production manager and maybe even the artists. The one thing weve really made a concerted effort to do is work with brands to make sure they are working to improve the fan experience.

Hollywood Casino in St. Louis has its name on the amphitheater in that market, and you can see the casino from the venue. For the 2019 season, we provided ticket buyers the option of purchasing a round-trip shuttle pass for $10. The pass is sold on livenation.com, which includes transportation to and from the venue on show days. What were doing is (promoting) the casino business with increased foot traffic. In Nashville, we have an interesting concert series partner at Ascend Amphitheater. Journeys, the footwear retailer, built a custom branded viewing deck where they can use it to reward employees and guests in their home market for a great experience at the show. We are really trying to encourage our partners to think outside the box, and we love when they give us an opportunity to sit at the table and brainstorm ideas.

Where do you see things headed in the future?Weve had a great run at Live Nation with double-digit growth nationally and locally at our venues, and its an exciting time to be part of the company. The thing thats terrific about the business of live is the fact that it cant be replicated. There is nothing like the intensity of being at a show. The average Live Nation fan is going to no more than two shows at best a year, so every show is their Super Bowl and gives our partners a real opportunity to connect in a deep and meaningful way. Its got to be mutually beneficial. Our partners have to show fans whats in it for them in exchange for their time, money and attention. Were bullish on the future of the business.

This story originally appeared in VenuesNow.

Read the original here:
Longer Deals, Bigger Activations For Shed Naming-Rights Clients Integral To Live Nation's Amphitheater Strategy - Pollstar

A prime piece of undeveloped property in the Animas Valley previously owned by the U.S. Forest Service sold for nearly $1.7 million this summer, but dont expect to see bulldozers and construction equipment out there anytime soon.

In an interview with The Durango Herald, the owner of the property, Kurt Carter, said he has no immediate plans to develop the property.

Right now, I have to crunch some numbers, see what the community needs, see what everyone could be happy about going there, and find out what makes financial sense, Carter said. I want to do something more beneficial than what I think other developers would do.

Carter is one of three new owners of the Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa (formerly named Trimble). But, he said, this venture is not related.

Bidding opened in June for the 20-acre property in question, about 8 miles north of Durango at 373 Trimble Lane, behind the Trimble True Value hardware store. The online auction closed in August with the winning bid at $1,690,000.

For years, the property has been a vacant horse pasture, with a few structures on it, surrounded by luxury subdivisions. The Forest Service a few years ago announced its intent to sell the property, saying it no longer had a use for it.

Carter said he lives in Florida but has ties to Durango that date back at least 25 years.

I learned how to ski on Purgatory when I was 5 years old, he said. I come out there quite frequently; thats how I found out about the property out there.

Carter said hes never developed property in Durango but has been part of projects like banks and offices in Florida.

For the land in the Animas Valley, he sees great potential.

Its an impeccable piece of property out there with gorgeous views in every direction, he said. Regardless of whats done on it, its a beautiful piece of property.

Carter said hes aware of the development pressures in the Animas Valley. Recently, another developer proposed a 28-lot RV park and tavern on 4 acres adjacent to his newly acquired land.

The Animas Valley is one of the only areas in unincorporated La Plata County with zoning. The property is zoned neighborhood commercial, which according to county records, carries no uses permitted by right.

Instead, there are a variety of possible development options for the property under a special-use permit. That process requires a developer to propose the project to the county and ultimately obtain a special-use permit.

For the Forest Services part, the agency has said it will use money from the sale to help fund a new office building for the Columbine Ranger District in Bayfield. James Simino, Columbine district ranger, said previously that process is ongoing.

jromeo@durangoherald.com

See more here:
New owner sheds light on plans for recently purchased Animas Valley property - The Durango Herald

Nearly 140 members discuss security aspects of secure storage units with new tool list of the new standard EN 1143-1, the future of cash and some potential dangers of older safes in focus.

When the European Security Systems Association (ESSA) invites its members to its general assembly, then there is no way too far: Nearly 140 experts from the entire physical security industry travelled from New Zealand, China, India, Brazil, the US and many European countries to Frankfurt. These included leading manufacturers and suppliers of safes and solutions for strongrooms as well as insurance and government representatives.

Programme highlights included a lecture on the future of cash, a workshop on the European standard EN 1143-1:2019 for safes, ATM safes, strongroom doors and walls, which has been in force since April 2019, and a lecture on possible pollutants in safes built years ago.

Cash remains an important means of payment

As leading engineer of KBA-NotaSys, a top manufacturer of printing presses and security solutions for banknotes and securities, Johannes Schaede has been keeping a close eye on the market for decades. The expert is not afraid of an end to banknote printing, despite the trend towards cashless, often smartphone payments. Indeed the production of banknotes is increasing in nine of the ten largest markets. In 2023 it will be five to seven percent higher than ten years earlier, he reported.

The expert had several positive messages for the present manufacturers of ATM safes or safes for private and commercial users. The trend towards negative interest rates as well as the growing need for privacy in the digital world tends to result in more cash use, especially since every card payment leaves data traces. In addition, for millions of people worldwide who do not have an account, cash is the central access to economic life.

Preparing safes for the technical progress of burglary tools

The workshop on EN 1143-1:2019 showed that since its publication in April 2019, the industry has only cautiously approached the new regulation. This applies in particular to the optional T2-toolset contained in the new regulation. Tools, which safes as well as doors and walls of strongrooms are to withstand as long as possible in destructive tests, were adapted to the current state of the art for this list.

Dirk Etheber, certification engineer of the European Certification Body GmbH, dared to make first assessments of the influence of these more powerful tools on future tests and their results. Electric cutting tools, hammer drills, concrete chain saws and thermal lances, some of which have significantly more penetrating power than the previously binding T1 tool set, will present engineers with challenges. However, because the use of the T2 tool set is optional even from the point of view of insurers, manufacturers are hesitant. It is not clear when the first safes and strongroom solutions will be launched on the market for which the T2 tool set will be used for certification, he explained.

For more security news visit here.

Related

Read more:
ESSA General Assembly 2019 sheds light on security aspects of safes and strongrooms - SecurityNewsDesk

SOS Zanesville is a newly formed group whose goal is to serve as a distress signal for those who are in crisis due to issues such as homelessness. Pictured from left to right are SOS Zanesville and Zanesville Think Tank on Poverty members Marcia Hartman, Lesha Farias, Samantha Crawford, Steve Stewart, Wendy Tarr and Adam Binckley.(Photo: Submitted)

ZANESVILLE This Friday, a group of local activists and members of the homeless community will be sending a cry for help, without making any noise at all.

An informal group called SOS Zanesville, which was formed as a distress signal to support those in crisis, will hold a dinner at SaintThomas Aquinas Church at 5 p.m. Friday, followed by a silent procession and candlelight vigil in downtown Zanesville. Organizers of the event hope to raise awareness on housing issues in the city and encourage short term solutions, such as a warming shelter, as well as long term ones.

We want to keep attention on it, I think its easy for peopleto be aware of something but if theyre not familiar with the ramifications that people deal with on a daily basis its easy to forget about it, said Wendy Tarr, director of the Vincentian Ohio Action Network, who is helping with the event.We need to have continued attention and understanding of the urgency of this issue and thats really the purpose of this event.

The route of the procession has not yet been determined, but will begin at Saint Thomas after the dinner. The walk will end in a candlelight vigil at an undetermined location downtown.

The dinner and following procession are open to anyone in the community and organizers hope to include those who are directly affected by the city's housing issues. Members of various community groups, such as the Zanesville Think Tank on Poverty and Friends of Putnam, along with members of faith-based organizations, have partnered to host the event under the SOS Zanesville group.

Its like an outgrowth of a lot of different activity thats already been going on in the community," Tarr said.We want to build collaboration and the issues that were talking about are really long term ... This is really just one event but SOSis like a distress call, and housing isnt the only issue where people are in distress and calling out for help.

Zanesville City Council is considering an ordinance to adopt a housing needs assessment that showed zero vacancies in surveyed government subsidized apartments, 350 households on the Housing Choice Voucher wait list and concluded "very low-income renters have limited options available."

The survey's findings, along with the arrival of winter weather and struggles to start another warming shelter, led the group to hold the event. Members of SOS Zanesville and related organizations are still searching for another property owner to come forward and help start a shelter.

Theres nowhere for people to go, Tarr said. So thats a real challenge and we know that takes a coordinated effort to address.

With Friday's silent procession and candlelight vigil, Tarr said the event is aiming to convey the severity of housing and shelter needs in Zanesville.

Its kind of a somber issue. Its dark, its cold. We want there to be light for hopeto show that theres hope and that theres also a need for everybody to be bringing light and hope to the situation, Tarr said. People might die in the cold, and we dont want to see that. We dont want to see that and sometimes just showing up and being present on an issue is whats necessary to get the ball rolling."

TRobertson@gannett.com

740-450-6752

Twitter: @TomRobertsonTR

Read or Share this story: https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/2019/12/03/march-and-vigil-shed-light-homelessness/2595415001/

More:
March and vigil to shed light on homelessness - Zanesville Times Recorder

DOORS to the Wokingham Mens Shed were officially opened this week, with new members welcomed to join the community of shedders.

Addressing a fifty-something crowd of shedders, volunteers and members of the Town Council, Ron Baillie chairman of the Wokingham group explained how the Mens Sheds can help tackle social isolation.

In a speech, he said: This is about bringing together guys to help themselves and their community.

To get them out of their house and out of their armchair.

The Mens Shed is a registered charity, with more than 500 locations across the UK.

The shed is a place for local men and women to make new friends whilst making and mending. Common activities include woodwork and metalwork.

Acknowledging those involved in the sheds launch, Mr Baillie said: Thank you to Janet and Amy from Wokingham United Charities who gave us a grant to help with the renovations, to Oxfam who have helped with the PAT testing of equipment, and to David Cliff who has supplied us with modern, new power tools.

The shed was renovated last month after the Latimer Road Pavillion building was approved for community use.

This building was going to be demolished, said Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, leader of the Town Council said.

It was being vandalised. But when Ron got in touch in May last year, we decided that if the building is looked after, then maybe people will respect it and leave it alone.

She congratulated Mr Baillie on his perseverance to open the shed and providing a good use for the community building.

Mr Baillie thanked Cllr Shepherd-DuBey for her help finding a suitable building for the shedders to use.

Cllr Tony Lack, Deputy Town Mayor was also at the opening. He added: Thank you for creating a resource for the town.

Its really great to see this resource and Ill see you in the shed for a cup of tea when I get a chance.

Vic Gardener became a member soon after the charity started.

He said: Its a great thing. Ive got short term memory loss, and it really helps to meet other people and get out of the house.

Another shedder added: This is somewhere you can go without making an appointment, and you can learn lots of skills from other people.

Its about getting people out of the house.

Currently, the Shed has 20 members, however they hope to increase their membership to 50.

The shed is open two days a week, but if they hit their 50-member target, the shed will open more frequently.

More information about the group can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/Wokinghammensshed/

Go here to read the rest:
The Wokingham Men's Shed officially opened today, welcoming new Shedders - The Wokingham Paper

WALLINGFORD Picking right up from their Carini Bowl rout on Thanksgiving, the Sheehan football team chewed up a second straight opponent at Riccitelli Field on Wednesday night, routing Woodland Regional 51-0 in the CIAC Class S quarterfinals.

The game was over early. The fourth-seeded Titans put up 30 points on the No. 5 Hawks in the first quarter and took a 44-0 lead into halftime.

Combined with their 56-0 Carini Bowl win over Lyman Hall, the Titans have outscored their last two opponents 107-0.

Next up for 9-2 Sheehan is top-seeded Ansonia (11-0) in Monday nights semifinals. The Chargers defeated Plainfield 30-12 in their quarterfinal.

Ansonia, coached by Wallingford resident Tom Brockett, will host Sheehan at Nolan Field.

It will be the second straight Naugatuck Valley League opponent for Sheehan.

Woodland was no obstacle. The Titans forced the Hawks to punt 3-and-out on the games opening possession. Two plays later, Terrence Bogan broke free for a 69-yard touchdown up the middle untouched.

The extra point was good and the Titans led 7-0 all of 1:55 into the game.

Woodland promptly deepened the hole. On the next drive, quarterback Tyler Bulinski was picked off by Jason Villano and the Titans wasted no time extending their lead. Jordan Davis took a pass from Kyle Simmons and broke a few tackles on his way to a 33-yard touchdown.

Woodlands next drive resulted in another 3-and-out. On the punt, Woodland fumbled the snap and Sheehans Anthony Castaldi recovered it at the 3-yard line.

On Bogans second carry of the night, he recorded his second touchdown of the game, this time punching it in from one yard.

It was 21-0 and the cycle only continued. Woodland went 3-and-out with 0 yards gained.

Sheehan took over, drove into the red zone and, facing fourth down at the 19, brought on kicker Garrett Molampy, who drilled a 36-yard field goal.

The Titans scored another touchdown on a 39-yard pass from Simmons to Michael Lemay to take a 30-0 lead right before the end of the first quarter.

Woodland finally gained success on its next drive. The Hawks gotinside Sheehans 10-yard line, but on third-and-goal, cornerback Riley Bjornberg denied the scoring opportunitywith an interception in the endzone.

On the ensuing drive, it appeared the Titanswould be stopped and forced to punt for the first time of the night.Instead, an offsides penalty against the Hawks on fourth-and-1 extended the possession andthe Titans took full advantage, scoring the next play on a 66-yard touchdown pass from Simmons to Jordan Davis.

Sheehan led 37-0 at the top of the second quarter.

The Titans scored their sixth touchdown and Bogan his third on a 21-yard run by the senior running back.

Defensively, the Titans recorded four sacks in the first half, with Thomas DiPasquale recording 2.5 sacks alone.

Sheehan began the second half with the ball at Woodlands 48-yard line after recovering an onside kick.Bogan took one carry before subbing out of the game. He became Sheehans all-time rushing leader with Wednesday nights performance.

Senior running back Russell Rutowski capped the 51-0 win with an 8-yard touchdown run. The drive took up the whole length of the third quarter as the game went on running time, quickly counting down the minutes to Sheehans semifinal showdown with Ansonia.

See the article here:
CIAC FOOTBALL: Sheehan takes Woodland to the shed, advances to Class S semis showdown with Ansonia - Meriden Record-Journal

MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins will join Major League Baseball's trend toward artificial turf by installing the surface at Marlins Park for 2020, and they'll move in the fences for the second time in four years.

CEO Derek Jeter said an artificial surface solves the challenge the Marlins have had growing grass in the retractable-roof stadium since it opened in 2012. They'll install the same turf used by the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers.

Five of the 30 teams in the majors now will have artificial turf. Arizona added it this year, joining Toronto and Tampa Bay. Texas' new ballpark opens in 2020.

"While playing the Diamondbacks in Arizona, we were able to get a close look and examine the new surface at Chase Field," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said on a team website. "We agreed as an organization that this change was for the best after our players and staff had encouraging remarks regarding the playability of the playing surface."

The Marlins also plan to move in their fence in center and right-center field. The distances are changing from 407 to 400 feet in center and from 399 to 387 in right.

The distances "will now be more in line with the field dimensions you see across many of today's ballparks," Jeter said.

Since it opened, Marlins Park has had a reputation for being pitcher-friendly. This year the stadium had the third-lowest home run rate in the majors.

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo, whose team plays in Miami three series a season, said the new turf will require an adjustment.

"It does change how you play the game just a little bit," Nimmo said. "The bounces ... they can actually bounce over your head rather than right. So we'll see how it plays."

See the original post here:
Marlins to install artificial turf, move in fences for 2020 season - ESPN

Sabre Raymond Zhao is among the newcomers getting acquainted to the college level By Helen Ly 7 hours ago Credit: Eric Zeng

The Penn men's and women's fencing teams have gone through their fair share of changes this year, but the fencers are optimistic about the teams future. A number of freshmen have joined the Red and Blue, and the transition to college fencing has proven to be a major challenge.

Sabre Raymond Zhao is a starter for the men and has done a lot to improve his skills in a college-level environment.

The main difference is youre fighting for a school, [not] yourself, so the intensity is incredible," Zhao said.

Competing for the Quakers is what gives him extra motivation to work harder, and hes quickly learned what it takes to become better.

You have to focus on these short burst of strategies, focusing on clutch situations, and working under pressure, which [are all] important aspects of college fencing," he said.

Sabre Enzo Bergamo and epee Madeline Adams-Kim both see majordifferences between fencing competitions in high school and in college.

The system points are different, and in college, its about adapting to the new format," Bergamo said. The matches are quicker than what youre used to in regular fencing.

High school was more individual and trying to get a higher ranking for yourself, but now, each time you win, you get a point for the team, Adams-Kim agreed.Its team-oriented, which I like a lot."

Being a small fish in a big pond, Zhao, Bergamo, and Adams-Kim are three of the many freshmen new to Penn fencing. However, the bond between the incoming teammates has grown exponentially.

Our team has made great efforts this year, especially acclimating the freshmen with group events," Zhao said. The group cohesion is really good."

Bergamo has found a community in the team, as the fencers share common goals and all experience growth both as athletes and people.

Get our newsletter, Dear Penn, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.

It is a big family, and everyone received the freshman very well and is always striving to improve and [be] on the same page. he said.

In terms of personal goals, Zhao has high expectations for himself. He hopes to qualify for the NCAA Championships and is very hopeful about the rebuilding process of the team. Adams-Kim also has lofty goals, looking forward to making it to NCAA Regionals and possibly, Nationals.

With a fresh face of athletes, the fencing team continues to strive towards improvement. No matter the end result, the rookies of Penn fencing will play a crucial role in the team's success.

See the rest here:
New to the team, these Penn fencing freshman are stepping up on the mat - The Daily Pennsylvanian

This piece was originally intended as an open letter to the Columbia Fencing Team, urging them to accept the presidential invitation to the White House. It has since been edited to reflect the time passed.

Earlier this month, the Columbia fencing team received an invitation to the White House to be honored for winning the 2019 NCAA championship. The announcement of the invitation immediately polarized our team. Some fencers expressed their intentions not to attend, others were hesitantly excited, and many were more preoccupied with the potential optics of their decision than their personal feelings about the invitation. Even though the Columbia fencing team already went to the White House last week, I still think it is important to note the significance of this eventnot only the larger significance of the teams visit but the smaller significance of the individual decisions made by Columbia fencers. Columbia fencers had the choice as to whether or not they would personally accept the presidents invitation to the White House, and the majority chose to attend.

Unfortunately, this decision did not apply to me (despite the fact that I am on the fencing team), since I was representing the country in an entirely different capacity: competing for the United States at a Junior World Cup in Laupheim, Germany. But I still would like to discuss how important I think it was for my fellow teammates to personally accept the invitation.

I consider that decision to be pretty damn brave. In todays political atmosphere, on Columbias ultra-liberal campus, during this particular election year, you may reasonably fear the social ramifications of visiting the Trump White House. You may fear political ramificationsbeing incorrectly or uncomfortably labeled as a conservative, a Republican, or worse (especially on this campus): a Trump supporter. But I urged my teammates to keep in mind one thing: This decision does not have to be a definitive statement of your personal politics. The recognition of your accomplishment does not need to be politicized, and accepting a presidential invitation does not constitute support for the incumbent. It should be possible to visit the White House out of pride in our accomplishment and respect for the office of the president of the United States without being labeled (properly or improperly) as a Trump supporter.

Furthermore, the fact that we as collegiate athletes even had the option of accepting or rejecting a presidential invitation is in and of itself a privilege. In some other countries, we may not have a choice. It should not merely be a point of pride to us as NCAA champions to be invited to the White House. It should be a point of pride to us as American athletes that we were offered an invitation, as opposed to an order.

But I know that for many fencers on the team, visiting the White House out of a sense of national pride or respect for the presidential office was insufficient. The decision still felt inherently political, and some fencers felt that declining the presidential invitation was the most effective way to demonstrate their opposition toward President Donald Trump or his policies. (A few fencers chose to attend and try to deliver a letter to the president, but thats a subject for another essay.) But I think a much stronger statement was made by the fencers who chose to attend, and in doing so, continued one of the most important legacies of American athletics.

I believe the history of American athletics has consistently demonstrated one clear message regarding the confrontation of controversy: Choosing to attend an event and taking a stand for what you believe in always makes a stronger statement than sitting at home. Take Jesse Owens, the Black track and field athlete who chose to compete at the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany (and won four Olympic golds). Take Kathrine Switzer, who registered as a man to run in the 1967 Boston Marathon, and famously evaded race officials trying to physically impede her from participating in the event. Or the members of the 1971 U.S. table tennis team, whose demonstration of sportsmanship with Chinese athletes at the World Table Tennis Championships in Japan led to a reinstatement of diplomatic relations between the United States and China. Any one of these athletes could have chosen to stay at home and all faced backlash for their decision not to. But their resolve to participate in controversial events demonstrates clear support for attendance, or at the very least activeness when faced with a controversial decision. To me, this makes perfect sense. Were athletes; sitting out does not impress us.

So my fellow Columbia fencers, even though the White House invitation (and all the controversy that came with it) already came and went, I encourage you to continue to realize how important of a statement it was to be invited and to have gone. In the future, if youre given another invitation to the White House or any other similarly significant event, make a statement that you will not allow your sport and your accomplishments in that sport to be politicized. In the future, when faced with decisions such as this White House invitation, make a statement that the spirit of camaraderie in athletics is stronger than the divisiveness of a controversial invitation. Make a statement that the Columbia fencing team is what it claims to be: a family that supports each other no matter the circumstance.

And most importantly, if you do not support President Trump (which I should now say I very often dont), consider how even more important your visit to the White House was. For those of you that attended, you have shown that your pride in your country and your accomplishment is more important than your feelings about the current president. You have shown that this current president is not the only representative of our country. He and his administration alone do not define this country. We do. And what we chose to do in this situation was more representative of our country and our countrys values than of President Trump.

The author is a sophomore in Columbia College, intending to major in American Studies and concentrate in Polish language and Culture. She is a member of the Columbia Fencing Team and the USA Junior National Team. The opinions stated here only reflect the view of the author and do not represent those of the fencing team as a whole.

To respond to this op-ed, or to submit an op-ed, contact opinion@columbiaspectator.com.

The rest is here:
The significance of the Columbia fencing team at the White House - CU Columbia Spectator

It is a common dilemma for any hard-bitten politician faced with a hostile crowd: how best to make a sharp exit to avoid embarrassment?

For one 63-year-old Tory councillor confronted with a less than receptive audience during a climate crisis debate the answer was to clamber over some bins and scale a fence.

Nancy Bikson was a last-minute replacement for the Conservative prospective MP Maria Caulfield, who was too busy to attend climate hustings for candidates in the key marginal seat of Lewes, East Sussex, at a school on Monday evening.

Explaining that she was afforded little time to prepare for the event organised by local groups, including a branch of Extinction Rebellion, Bikson said she would not be sticking around for questions after making a short speech. She attracted groans from the crowd, with one man heckling her before she even began speaking, asking: Why dont you go now?

Bikson said she cared deeply about the environment and that she did her bit but concluded, to further groans: Its all about us, there is no such thing as government. Government is just people.

Though she eventually gained polite applause, Bikson left the stage after other candidates made speeches and the event was opened to questions from the audience.

However, when she left via the fire escape she found herself outside in a dead end as the school gates were locked. Rather than trudging back through the packed hall to get out, she pondered her predicament for up to 45 minutes before opting to climb over the fence.

Biksons great escape would have stayed secret were it not for a 13-year-old girl who saw the incident at Priory school.

The teenager, who did not wish to be named, said: I left about an hour early and about half an hour after she [Bikson] left the stage. I came outside and I was about to cycle off and she was behind the gate next to our school canteen which was locked and said, excuse me, can you help me? She sounded quite desperate. I said the only way back out is through the auditorium and she said she didnt want to go back through the auditorium because of everyone. She said they all despise me and they dont want me to go back in there.

Explaining that she felt sorry for the stranded politician, the teenager added: I went back into the canteen to try and open the door from the inside [allowing her a route of escape] but it was locked. Then I got a caretaker. I said a caretaker is coming but she said, dont worry, Ill just climb over the gate. And she got up on the school bins and climbed over the gate. Shed been out there for a while.

After hearing the tale, the schoolgirls mother, who runs a business managing composers, brought the councillors ordeal to a wider audience, posting on Facebook: Lewes Tory MP Maria Caulfield failed to show for tonights climate hustings. Her last-minute replacement left the hall before the questions, having first explained that she knew nothing about climate or the environment.

She was spotted by my daughter 45 minutes later still trying to find her way off the premises without having to go back through the hall. She ended up climbing the fence via the bins. Ignominious.

Bikson apparently admitted her actions later, telling the Evening Standard on Tuesday It was only because there wasnt any other way and I didnt want to disrupt everybody. It was either that or sit outside for a couple of hours.

But when the Guardian rang to get her version of events she was tight-lipped, replying: I can neither confirm nor deny, thank you.

Lewes was previously held by the former Liberal Democrat minister Norman Baker for nearly two decades before being won by Brexiter Caufield in 2015. But the Conservatives only have a majority of just over 5,000, meaning the constituency, which narrowly voted remain during the EU referendum, is a top target for the Lib Dems.

Read the original:
No great escape: Tory scales bins and fence to exit climate hustings - The Guardian