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Category:
bike riding
I was surprised to catch the ranking for most bike friendly cities today. This story from the Chicago Sun Times is told from the vantage point of Chicago but gives the full ranking of best cities for cycling. Orignal data from the May issue of Bicycling Magazine. I had thought there were lots of places in LA great for biking - including the beautiful paths taken by SingularCity's biking groups. BICYCLING MAGAZINE NAMES CHICAGO NO. 10 MOST BIKE-FRIENDLY CITY IN AMERICA Mayor Daley makes cycling priority in the Windy City NEW YORK (April 6, 2010) - In its May issue, Bicycling magazine ranks the fifty most bike-friendly cities in America and Chicago comes in at number ten. Rounding out the top ten spots as overall best are Minneapolis, MN; Portland, OR; Boulder, CO; Seattle, WA; Eugene, OR; San Francisco, CA; Madison, WI; New York, NY; and Tucson, AZ. Mayor Richard Daley might have more enthusiasm for cycling than any other mayor in the United States. In addition to a growing network of bike lanes, the city has amenities such as valet bike parking and indoor bike racks, helping it stand out amongst the competition. This year's list pays homage to cities that have shown real innovation, as well as local government support and a vibrant bike culture. Highlights from the new 2010 best cities for cycling are as follows: Top 5 Best Cities:
#1 Minneapolis, Minnesota
#2 Portland, Oregon
#3 Boulder, Colorado
#4 Seattle, Washington
#5 Eugene, Oregon
#6 San Francisco, California
#7 Madison, Wisconsin
#8 New York, New York
#9 Tucson, Arizona
#10 Chicago, Illinois Worst Cities: Birmingham, Alabama, Jacksonville, Florida, Memphis, Tennessee 5 Rising Stars:
#8 New York City
#17 Albuquerque, New Mexico
#23 Long Beach, California
#39 Cleveland, Ohio
#44 Miami, Florida
"Bicycling's Best Cities list this year proves that great things can happen in short periods of time, even in the largest metropolitan areas," said Loren Mooney, Editor-in-Chief of Bicycling. "New York City is literally re-engineering its streets to accommodate bikes. And watching a city like Miami pull a 180 to become bike friendly has been incredibly gratifying for us. This year's list is evidence that a much needed, far reaching pro-bike movement is in full swing, all across the country." To compile the list, Bicycling editors strove for geographical diversity and considered cities with populations of 100,000 or more. They narrowed it down using factors such as cycling-friendly statistics (numbers of bike lanes and routes, bike racks, city projects completed and planned) including changes in these statistics and a city's future plans since the last survey; and bike culture (number of bike commuters, cycling clubs, cycling events, renowned bike shops). Editors also referenced the Bicycling and Walking in the United States 2010 Benchmarking Report prepared by the Alliance for Biking and Walking, the League of American Bicyclists' Bicycle Friendly America project, and interviews with national and local advocates, bike shops, and other experts. As for the worst American cities for cycling, Bicycling pointed to Birmingham, Alabama; Jacksonville, Florida; and Memphis, Tennessee. Despite community interest in cycling, these cities have fallen victim to suburban sprawls that lack bike lanes, and slow-going planning and implementation of improvements.
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Category:
estate probate attorney
Please allow me to help you learn from my mistakes. Here is what I know now about choosing an estate attorney. If someone who had named you as the executor of their estate has just died, it's already a difficult time. You need to deal with contacting friends and relatives, the funeral, the obituary, paying bills, and other arrangements. What you do not need to decide in these first few days is which estate attorney to use. If you are fortunate, the deceased has left a trust that makes distribution of the estate extremely simple and you need not read further. However, many older people resist establishing trusts because they feel they are losing control over their assets, even though they are not. For this and other various reasons, there may just be a will - or worse no will at all. Your choice of estate attorney is therefore very important. You want someone who will: 1. Price their services fairly 2. Advise you in advance what to expect, how long it will take, what is required of you and how much it will cost I would recommend getting a good estimate of the size of the estate before you contact an attorney. For instance, in Florida the guideline for the attorney's fee is 3% of the estate's value at the time of death. In my case, immediately following news of my loss, a friend recommended an attorney that I had actually met once socially. She had not used him personally - as she was in a different city - but was trying to be helpful. This attorney turned out to be a huge disappointment. Because he was introduced through a friend - and my sister and I were going through the throes of a loss - I did not: 1. Do proper diligence in selecting an attorney by checking alternatives 2. Check the "fine print" of contract that I signed with him In retrospect, there was no reason to rush into making this decision. Sure, I was reassured having someone to answer early questions (for which he charged for every minute). You certainly should get the the estate bank account set up, but there is no reason this cannot wait a few weeks. Of course, you cannot use the deceased's credit cards or spend any money in the estate in the interim. Just hang onto any incoming checks for deposit into the estate account. Our attorney created significant unnecessary costs as well as causing delays in processing the estate. In my case, there was a will specifying me as executor with clearly identified beneficiaries - so it should have been a straightforward matter. About six months into the process of clearing the estate (that ultimately stretched to almost a full year), we became pre-paid legal subscribers. At about that time, a financial advisor for the deceased flagged one of our attorney's practices as very suspicious. So we took advantage of a free hour of consultation with a Pre-Paid legal attorney to find out more. How we wished we had been with Pre-Paid Legal at the time we were first searching for an estate attorney! Ten months after hiring him, our lawyer abruptly resigned after we sent a letter questioning his bill. He then sent us a bill for the time it took him to file a lien against our estate to get paid in full. Using Pre-Paid Legal, we were able to hire an appropriate attorney - at a reasonable and predictable fee - to finish the probate process and negotiate a settlement with the first attorney. If you'd like to learn more, I recommend you talk to the very competent woman with whom I first signed up for Pre-Paid Legal, Kim Roberts. Or ask me more about my experiences with the service.
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Category:
HealthCare
RamonKauai came back from his harrowing accident in Nigeria with this to say. He spent 5 hours in one of the top hospitals there, getting all kinds of tests. Many X-rays later the bill was a total of $20. The hotels in Nigeria are not cheap, neither are the decent restaurants. But health care is affordable. At least based on this experience. The accident took place in between Kano and Kaduna, an area where the citizens don't have much money. This article by leading podiatrist Dr. Mark Weiss published today in the Huffington Post explains how Anthem Blue Cross is not serving its clients or doctors well. 
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Ray J Gordon was a passenger in rear of this Toyota 4Runner with a professional driver carrying three key members of a World Bank related mission in Nigeria. Ray is the Urban Planner for the mission. During mission trips, there are always several stops in different cities in Nigeria. Usually the transport is by air, but sometimes needs to go on the road. This team was traveling from Kano to Kaduna when the rear tire on their Toyota 4Runner Cruiser vehicle collapsed. Ray was sitting above that tire. I don't have every detail exactly clear here yet but I'm giving you what I have.
The professional driver did everything possible to bring the car under control. But with the collapsed tire, other things on the car then failed and the car flipped 5 times in two different directions.Ray was sitting above the wheel that collapsed. Fortunately one of the best hospitals in West Africa was relatively near the accident. That is Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital. The accident happened at 3PM. They were at the hospital from 4PM to 9PM then were transported to their hotel in Kaduna and Ray was able to settle into his room by midnight. That is when he called me through iChat audio. Ray was examined and treated at the hospital. What we know for sure is that he has two fingers badly broken on his left hand and he is very beat up in general but nothing else appears to be broken. When you see the photos of the car, you know that they are all lucky to be alive. In situations like this, it helps to be in good condition and Ray was in good condition when it happened. This trip was to have lasted until February 27 but the accident cut it short and all members will return home. Ray said that it is traditional for people in that part of Nigeria to gather around an accident to say "I'm sorry" (to see your trouble) so you will see some people gathered. Ray said that about 100 people stopped to pay their respects.
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Category:
Los Angeles Art
Contemporary Art is alive and well in Los Angeles. I had the pleasure of attending the opening night reception on January 28 at the Pacific Design Center. This is the first annual ALAC fair of no doubt many to come. There were 55 top galleries represented, most of them from Los Angeles. Visitors had an opportunity to hob nob with the gallery owners and with the artists. 
There were many large scale works - a feast for the eyes 
Spectacular photo composite image by Luis Gispert - I'm holding a book of his photos 
Grant Stevens is a Singular artist from Auckland, now living and thriving in Los Angeles. His work was displayed in the StarkWhite gallery exhibit. He had a unique video presented on a constantly moving screen that delivers a poetic piece written to a woman in Los Angeles. Grant created much suffering for himself in this relationship but often pain can lead to great art, catharsis and moving on. I spoke at length to the gallery owner, Dominc Feuchs about how to protect the intellectual property of digital files and copies made by galleries and individuals. This work is in an editiion of 9 for $3,000 each. I suggested they could make more money selling it for $10 each through a platform like iTunes. 
Peter Sarkisian I-20 Extruded Video Engine - this is video projected onto a 3D extruded surface. Includes sound. 
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Jane Fonda is proudly single. I like that. Jane also sets a good example for plunging into social media these days, according to James Andrews in this Sept 3rd Fast Company article. As indicated by the flood of "adults" onto Facebook in the last year and of course the appeal of our own SingularCity.com, there is no age barrier to enjoying social networks and on-line activity. Many of us have learned that combining on-line and off-line relationships is ideal. That is why SingularCity members form groups for hiking, bicycling, golfing etc and gather at our events like Thursday Happy Hour. Like the author of the Jane Fonda article, I help clients establish their on-line personal brand and master social media tools. It is a very emotionally rewarding field of endeavor. Congratulations to our SingularCity Members for being active and overcoming the natural hesitation to put yourself out there.
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Time magazine’s cover story “The Myth About Exercise” made me mad. It looked like an irresponsible marketing ploy to sell newsstand copies. The Time article sends absolutely the wrong message to Americans who should take responsibility to do as much as they can to create and maintain good health. In this case, the magazine’s actions are detrimental both to individuals and our costly American health care system. I was grateful for the LA Times response and accompanying comments from readers. GrandpaG’s was one of my favorites: "I just finished reading the Time article and was incensed at both the premise and the failure to recognize that any endeavor, weight loss, finances, relationships or career, requires at least a modicum of self control. Time has for years published articles absolving fat people of responsibility for their condition. Time has variously attributed obesity to genetics, brain cells, food processors and now exercise? Weight loss is a simple mathematical formula, regardless of how it may be more difficult for some to achieve than others. Calories in vs. calories out" 
August 22, 2009
A major point of the Time Magazine article is that the benefits of exercise are undone by people rewarding themselves with high calorie treats. If this is true for a significant number of people, it is a sad state of affairs. I do some kind of exercise every day. There is no reason to be starving before you exercise. I have never found exercise itself to make me hungry. I enjoy exercising because it makes me feel good. I’m sure there is some tipping point to getting started in this direction but I am confident it is worth it. I frequently get asked how I stay fit. My regime is fairly simple, and I do not feel in the least bit deprived. I am never hungry, I am rarely sick and I generally feel great. 1. Lots of omega 3 rich mackerel, salmon, black cod and tuna (not from a can) - fabulous for your skin!
2. Secondarily tofu and turkey
3. Lots of vegetables (moderate legumes and corn), baked yams are OK
4. Brown rice
5. Lots of water
6. Nothing white: bread, rice, potatoes, mayonnaise
7. To the extent possible, no refined sugar, no bread (watch out for Chinese dishes cooked with sugar)
8. Limit alcohol to 1 - 2 times a week
9. Use olive oil, forget butter; nothing fried
10. Daily exercise During a diet phase: NO carbs at night works like a miracle. During maintenance (not diet) phase it is OK to go off these guidelines once a week.
I eat sugar-free high fiber cereal with fruit for breakfast. I fresh grind 2 tablespoons of flax seeds and add to the cereal. This is easier than it sounds: buy a cheap coffee bean grinder and dedicate it to this use. I use light Silk or skim milk. I do not believe in “no carbs.” I do trust in the glycemic index - and with much regret have therefore given up beer and fruit juice. I also take some high quality vitamin supplements. Last year, I wrote about how to order well when you dine out. I believe that we have a great deal of power in our lives. The first step in taking charge of that power is realizing just how much we can create ourselves. This applies not just to fitness, but to relationships and many other important areas of our lives. Cross Posted at It's Different For Girls
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Slate Magazine just came out with a great article explainig why you should create safer passwords for accounts that you are particularly concerned about being hacked into and how to do it. It is worth taking a moment to read it. Have a great weekend! @LindaSherman
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We were talking about online personal branding last night. The beautiful fireworks display had just ended. Everyone had enjoyed the food and drink we brought to share. 
Fireworks view from Julie Spira’s rooftop terrace in Marina Del Rey
Julie Spira and I were explaining the value of a Google Profile to a few of the party guests. Someone asked, ‘Why would I want to be more visible on the internet?’ The answer is: because you are already there - whether you like it or not. A profile you create yourself offers a free and easy way to represent yourself more accurately. (For more information about Google Profiles you may like to read this article from Time Magazine.) We threw this party specifically for Los Angeles based SingularCity.com community members. Julie and I started talking about doing the party just four days earlier but that’s the advantage of an Online Social Community, you can move very quickly. (OK …. Girls Who Get Things Done is a factor here). Coming back to our discussion about the internet in our lives, Julie smartly pointed out to the internet wary participants in the dialogue, ‘it was the internet that got you to this gathering wasn’t it? If you weren’t a member of an online community (SingularCity) you wouldn’t even know about this party!’ I like to write about the value of the intersection of online and offline relationships and last night’s 4th of July SingularCity gathering would be a great example. Having spent 20 of my July 4th’s in Japan, which needless-to-say does not celebrate the American birthday, I very much appreciated a close-up view of the fireworks shared with a lovely group of people. Cross posted at: http://itsdifferent4girls.com/blog/2009/07/05/online-community-leads-to-offline-fireworks/ 
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Does Your View At Work Enhance Your Life?I love a good view. I will often choose a restaurant with outdoor seating. I enjoy working on my lanai when I am in Kauai. I believe that a gloomy room saps energy from your head and heart. If you work for a corporation (and today with many of us gratefully clinging to any job, who is to complain) you likely have no choice on where you sit during the day. If you are lucky, you can see out a window or they let you work remotely. Even if you work in an office, you still do some (a lot?) of work from home. When you are not working for pay, you are likely still spending time on your computer at home. So what is the view beyond your computer? I decided to post this “Hard at Work” on my Posterous blog to reply to frequent “have a great time” “enjoy your vacation” comments when I mention I am currently at my house in Kauai. It really is possible to work in a beautiful place. My theory is that you will certainly feel better if you are working in a beautiful place. A view is a gift to yourself. A message that “I’m worth it”. I am collecting photos and blurbs about your working view. Can you please send me a photo of your view at work by e-mail or with it’s URL on Flickr. Please include a web URL you would like me to link your name to. A bit of explanation would be most appreciated. I will pull them all together for an article on this topic. Please use #ViewAtWork for Twitter, Flickr etc. My e-mail: Linda.Sherman at CourageGroup.com In the photos I posted from my lanai, I first attempted to take a photo of my computer screen with the view beyond. My MacBook screen is bright and beautiful but it is really hard to take an effective photo like that. So let’s just say we believe your computer screen is somewhere below your camera lens. If your work has nothing to do with a computer screen, please note. Scenes from restaurant kitchens and construction sites are welcome! Here is an example of what I am talking about, graciously provided by our Singular Member "Cre8ive" Marsha Collier: I started working at home in the mid - 80s, when no one took you seriously if you worked at home. I wanted to be near my daughter, and I had contracts from retail marketing clients, there was no way I couldn’t do this at home. I had a 2 car garage and moved the car out. I had a big window put in, the garage rewired for phones and extra electricity, put in a drop ceiling with fluorescent lights, put in an air conditioner and had carpeting put down. I went to a used furniture store and got desks. When you were inside, it was a real office. Ten or so years later I moved to a new house. I knew the value of being able to walk away from my work, and didn’t want papers or computers anywhere where I could relax. Nothing in my living space. So I had a room built off the garage and kitchen for my office. I love it (although it’s dreadfully messy). When the stress gets too much, I look out through the French doors (always keep the side vents open so I can hear the birds chirping at the birdfeeder).. The attached pictures are from my desk and the second while standing at the French doors. I get a peaceful feeling whenever I look out. I love my home office. 
Marsha’s view from her desk
Marsha’s view standing at her french doors
cross posted from It's Different For Girls
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There is something about Tokyo that compels most of us to be very serious and work oriented. This was the first trip I stole moments to take photos. Using my iPhone made it easy.My overall theme is "Tokyo is Never Boring". This has always been true for me. The expats I know who are never bored in Japan enjoy their work, learn the language, take a genuine interest in Japanese culture and business challenges, and are stimulated by the diversity of the foreign community living in Tokyo.Public transportation in Japan is outstanding. It is clean, safe, frequent, well-connected and on-time. During rush hour, it is also crowded.
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