Toxic chemicals found in pets, study finds
"There's been an increase in cancer in dogs and cats and hyperthyroidism in cats," Richter said. "Household toxins are concerning. We hope the research community can determine if the causes are environmental."
Richter said the high number of cases of cancer and hyperthyroidism in pets can be attributed to better diagnosing of the illnesses. The fact that cats and dogs are living longer means they get more diseases as a result, he added.
Kendra Borja, a spokeswoman for the American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical manufacturers, said she had not seen the animal study, but said tests of chemicals in humans can be misleading without some context.
She said if you don't consider the source of a chemical exposure, or how long a substance has been in a body, "unnecessary fears can arise."
"The public should not be led do believe that the products of chemistry are inherently dangerous," Borja said in an e-mailed statement. "In fact, Americans are living longer, safer and healthier lives through the essential benefits provided by the chemistry industry."
But Arlene Blum of Berkeley, a visiting scholar in the UC Berkeley chemistry department, said chemicals are killing our pets and our people.
About 18 months ago, she noticed her cat Midnight dropped about half of his 14 pounds in six months. Midnight was later diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and now she must give the feline fluids through a needle because his kidneys are failing. The cat also gets daily medicine for the hyperthyroidism, medicine for urinary tract infections and anti-vomiting medicine. All that costs about $200 a month.
"In lab animals, fire retardant was shown to cause hyperthyroidism, and quite likely that is the cause of Midnight's problems — the fire retardant in the furniture," Blum said.
Blum tested her cat, furniture and household dust and found high levels of fire retardant.
"What goes into our furniture goes into our dust, cats and our children," Blum said. "These unnecessary toxic chemicals were banned in children's clothes but not furniture."
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Colorado VC investment at highest since 2001Denver Business Journal
MoneyTree: Colorado VC investment at highest since 2001.
Denver Business Journal - by Renee McGaw Denver Business JournalPrint .
Venture capital investment in Colorado companies rose to a seven-year high in the first quarter of 2007, according to the MoneyTree report from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association, released Saturday.
Another major VC report, the Quarterly Venture Capital Report by Dow Jones VentureSource, also released Saturday, showed a 145 percent surge in Colorado VC investment during the quarter.
According to MoneyTree, a total of $297.7 million was invested in 26 companies in the first quarter, the highest level since 2001.
The success of the quarter owed a lot to a $130 million investment in Range Fuels Inc. of Broomfield, a biotechnology company involved in cellulose ethanol production technology.
But the other 25 deals together brought in far more than the $100.4 million that was invested in 13 companies in the first quarter of 2007, according to MoneyTree data published last year.
"The funding of Range Fuels Inc. represents an exciting trend for the state," Bob Puls, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Denver, said in a statement. "This, along with ConocoPhillips' announcement of the creation of a Louisville-based facility devoted to the advancement of renewable energy technology, emphasize Colorado¹s presence in the clean tech/alternative energy industries nationwide. There is also a healthy diversification for the Denver-Boulder corridor, which has long been dominated by the data storage and software industries."
The medical devices and equipment industry had a strong quarter, with five companies receiving nearly $91 million. Although software industry funding declined, nine software companies -- many in early or expansion stages -- received funding, Puls said.
Noteworthy deals mentioned in MoneyTree and/or the Quarterly Venture Capital Report included:
Range Fuels Inc., $130 million Taligen Therapeutics of Aurora, a biotechnology company, $65 million SomaLogic Inc. of Boulder, a medical device maker, $35 million Lanx LLC of Broomfield, a medical device maker, $25 million IntelliDx of Boulder, a medical device maker, $21.5 million Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy Inc. of Boulder, a retailer, $12 million Tendril Networks Inc. of Boulder, telecommunications, $12 million. Nationally, venture capitalists invested $7.1 billion in 922 deals in the first quarter, down 8.5 percent from the fourth quarter of 2007. Despite the decline, the quarter was within recent quarterly investment levels, and was the fifth-highest quarter since 2001, according to MoneyTree, which bases its results on data obtained from Thomson Reuters.
Meanwhile, according to the Dow Jones VentureSource report, total of nearly $260 million was invested in 13 Colorado companies in the first quarter, up from $106 million in 11 companies in the same quarter a year earlier.
Denver Business Journal - by Renee McGaw Denver Business JournalPrint .
Venture capital investment in Colorado companies rose to a seven-year high in the first quarter of 2007, according to the MoneyTree report from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association, released Saturday.
Another major VC report, the Quarterly Venture Capital Report by Dow Jones VentureSource, also released Saturday, showed a 145 percent surge in Colorado VC investment during the quarter.
According to MoneyTree, a total of $297.7 million was invested in 26 companies in the first quarter, the highest level since 2001.
The success of the quarter owed a lot to a $130 million investment in Range Fuels Inc. of Broomfield, a biotechnology company involved in cellulose ethanol production technology.
But the other 25 deals together brought in far more than the $100.4 million that was invested in 13 companies in the first quarter of 2007, according to MoneyTree data published last year.
"The funding of Range Fuels Inc. represents an exciting trend for the state," Bob Puls, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Denver, said in a statement. "This, along with ConocoPhillips' announcement of the creation of a Louisville-based facility devoted to the advancement of renewable energy technology, emphasize Colorado¹s presence in the clean tech/alternative energy industries nationwide. There is also a healthy diversification for the Denver-Boulder corridor, which has long been dominated by the data storage and software industries."
The medical devices and equipment industry had a strong quarter, with five companies receiving nearly $91 million. Although software industry funding declined, nine software companies -- many in early or expansion stages -- received funding, Puls said.
Noteworthy deals mentioned in MoneyTree and/or the Quarterly Venture Capital Report included:
Range Fuels Inc., $130 million Taligen Therapeutics of Aurora, a biotechnology company, $65 million SomaLogic Inc. of Boulder, a medical device maker, $35 million Lanx LLC of Broomfield, a medical device maker, $25 million IntelliDx of Boulder, a medical device maker, $21.5 million Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy Inc. of Boulder, a retailer, $12 million Tendril Networks Inc. of Boulder, telecommunications, $12 million. Nationally, venture capitalists invested $7.1 billion in 922 deals in the first quarter, down 8.5 percent from the fourth quarter of 2007. Despite the decline, the quarter was within recent quarterly investment levels, and was the fifth-highest quarter since 2001, according to MoneyTree, which bases its results on data obtained from Thomson Reuters.
Meanwhile, according to the Dow Jones VentureSource report, total of nearly $260 million was invested in 13 Colorado companies in the first quarter, up from $106 million in 11 companies in the same quarter a year earlier.
2008 Kia Koup ConceptBy Joe DeMatio
News in: automobile
The Kia Koup concept (Koncept?) that debuted at the 2008 New York auto show accomplishes two things for Kia. First, it gives us a good idea of how the next-generation Kia Spectra will look, which is to say, a lot sexier than the current one. Second, it also reveals the new corporate "face" for Kia.
We caught up with Kia's worldwide design director, Peter Schreyer, a veteran of Audi's design studios, at Kia's cocktail party near Javits Center the night before the official unveiling of the Koup. Kia positioned the car in a special presentation room that was awash in red lights, so it was difficult to tell what color the actual car is, because it looked kinda pink. This morning at the official unveiling, it became clear that the Koup is actually bright red, and it sports a full glass roof. At the party, the Koup was draped, but the drape was teasingly pulled back enough to show part of the front-three-quarter view, the side greenhouse, and the rear flanks and trunk. With its muscular, defined corners and sharply drawn sheetmetal, the Koup looks great and is clearly much closer to production than, say, the Kia Kee that debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show last September.
"The Koup was designed at our California studio. Koup [with a K] is a play on Kia, but this is actually a preview of the next Spectra," says Schreyer. This is a two-door, but the production car will be a four-door, although Schreyer allows that "we will see what the reaction is from the media and the public here at the show. If it is positive, we might also consider a coupe version. But the sedan is for sure and will come within a year's time." Kia insiders indicate that a Spectra coupe version is quite likely, about six months after the Spectra sedan, and it should look virtually identical to the Koup concept.
"What I like about the Koup is its proportion and stance," Schreyer continues. "The front shows for the first time our new grille [Kia calls it a 'tabbed grille'], a theme that I want to follow as a signature family face for Kia worldwide. I want Kia to have an identity, like when you see a Mercedes or BMW or Audi or Volvo coming toward you and it is immediately identifiable-that would be nice for Kia. We do not currently have that kind of awareness, which makes a brand a lot stronger."
When asked about Kia's relationship with Hyundai, in terms of design, Schreyer insists that Kia will go its own way: "I have a strong idea about what I want to do. I am trying to implement this [design theme] around the world, at our three design studios [Korea, Europe, USA]. We will have our own style [as compared with Hyundai] and our own form language. That is the only way that we can effectively differentiate ourselves from [corporate parent] Hyundai."
By the looks of the Kia Koup, we'd say that Schreyer is on the right track. This is actually a sexier car than the Genesis coupe that Hyundai unveiled at the New York show.
The Kia Koup concept (Koncept?) that debuted at the 2008 New York auto show accomplishes two things for Kia. First, it gives us a good idea of how the next-generation Kia Spectra will look, which is to say, a lot sexier than the current one. Second, it also reveals the new corporate "face" for Kia.
We caught up with Kia's worldwide design director, Peter Schreyer, a veteran of Audi's design studios, at Kia's cocktail party near Javits Center the night before the official unveiling of the Koup. Kia positioned the car in a special presentation room that was awash in red lights, so it was difficult to tell what color the actual car is, because it looked kinda pink. This morning at the official unveiling, it became clear that the Koup is actually bright red, and it sports a full glass roof. At the party, the Koup was draped, but the drape was teasingly pulled back enough to show part of the front-three-quarter view, the side greenhouse, and the rear flanks and trunk. With its muscular, defined corners and sharply drawn sheetmetal, the Koup looks great and is clearly much closer to production than, say, the Kia Kee that debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show last September.
"The Koup was designed at our California studio. Koup [with a K] is a play on Kia, but this is actually a preview of the next Spectra," says Schreyer. This is a two-door, but the production car will be a four-door, although Schreyer allows that "we will see what the reaction is from the media and the public here at the show. If it is positive, we might also consider a coupe version. But the sedan is for sure and will come within a year's time." Kia insiders indicate that a Spectra coupe version is quite likely, about six months after the Spectra sedan, and it should look virtually identical to the Koup concept.
"What I like about the Koup is its proportion and stance," Schreyer continues. "The front shows for the first time our new grille [Kia calls it a 'tabbed grille'], a theme that I want to follow as a signature family face for Kia worldwide. I want Kia to have an identity, like when you see a Mercedes or BMW or Audi or Volvo coming toward you and it is immediately identifiable-that would be nice for Kia. We do not currently have that kind of awareness, which makes a brand a lot stronger."
When asked about Kia's relationship with Hyundai, in terms of design, Schreyer insists that Kia will go its own way: "I have a strong idea about what I want to do. I am trying to implement this [design theme] around the world, at our three design studios [Korea, Europe, USA]. We will have our own style [as compared with Hyundai] and our own form language. That is the only way that we can effectively differentiate ourselves from [corporate parent] Hyundai."
By the looks of the Kia Koup, we'd say that Schreyer is on the right track. This is actually a sexier car than the Genesis coupe that Hyundai unveiled at the New York show.
Hunting for Newness at L.A. Textile Show
Designers and fabric reps turned out for the April 14 –16 run of the Los Angeles International Textile Show atthe California Market Center with a realistic outlook. article : apparel .
GREEN JEANS: Calik USA showed organic and recycled cotton denim dyed using organic dyes made from walnuts. Amid sluggish retail sales and a faltering economy, few expected the textile trade show to draw big business. Many exhibitors noted a drop-off in traffic, particularly from larger manufacturers, but the designers who did come to the show said they were pleased with the products they found. And both longtime exhibitors and those new to the show were encouraged by the contacts made and sample orders placed.
Among the companies and designers spotted walking the show were Bebe, Monique Lhuillier, Hale Bob, Raw Earth Wild Sky, Kritik, William Beranek, Tarina Tarantino, Carole Little, Estevan Ramos, Rojas, Lily et Cie vintage boutique owner Rita Watnick and a cadre of former “Project Runway” designers, including Rami Kashou, Sweet P Vaughn, Kit Pistol and Santino Rice.
In between posing for cell-phone photos, Vaughn and Kashou were both shopping the show with very specific fabrics in mind.
Vaughn was on the hunt for upscale fabrics for the contemporary market, more-theatrical items for a costume-design project she’s working on and lower-priced fabrics for a mass-market collection she described as “something secret.” The designer spent three days at the show, browsing the lines and attending trend-forecasting seminars by Peclars Paris and Promostyl.
Kashou was looking for colors, prints, new textures and unusual treatments. Something “clean and modern with new treatments,” he said, adding that he has found several fabrics from Korean mills, as well as items from local and New York suppliers.
“It’s been better than any time so far,” he said.
Kashou spent several days at the show, as did designer Freddie Rojas, who said he was working with a mix of domestic and international companies, including several Korean mills.
“I’m looking for a lot of novelty fabrics— trying to stand out from the mass market,” said Rojas, who said he recently began developing his own prints.
Samantha Robinson and Karen Kananen, designers for eco label Raw Earth Wild Sky, were on the hunt for organic and sustainable fabrics, including Seacell and Sasawashi, a Japanese fabric made from paper and infused with vitamins and minerals.
The textile show featured fabric, trim and artwork suppliers as well as trend-forecasting materials and services in the CMC’s 13th-floor penthouse. Several CMC tenants showed in their own showrooms on the seventh floor. A group of Korean textile mills organized by the Korean Textile Trade Association showed in the Fashion Theater on the lobby level, as well as among the other exhibitors on the 13th floor.
TRANSCRIPT OF COLOMBIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT TELECONFERENCE WITH SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE ED SCHAFER
TRANSCRIPT OF COLOMBIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT TELECONFERENCE WITH SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE ED SCHAFER
Washington, D.C. - April 8, 2008 Audio Link :agriculture
MODERATOR: Good afternoon from Washington. I'm Larry Quinn speaking to you from the Broadcast Center at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Welcome to today's news conference with Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer. The topic for today's conference is the President's action regarding the Colombia Free Trade Agreement.
Reporters, if you wish to ask a question, please let us know that by pressing *1 on your telephone touchpad.
Now it's my pleasure to introduce Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer.
SEC. SCHAFER: Thank you, Larry. I'm pleased to be here to talk a little bit about the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Yesterday the President sent the implementing legislation for the Colombia Free Trade Agreement to Congress for consideration. Before I get into the policy of this agreement, let me say a word about the process.
The FTA was negotiated 16 months ago, and since that time the Administration has reached out repeatedly to Congress to find a bipartisan path forward. Yet Congress has not held a single hearing. Sending this legislation to Congress is a move to make progress on this important agreement. The President's Trade Promotional Authority requires congressional action on this within 90 legislative days.
As the President said yesterday, sending the implementing legislation to the Hill is neither the beginning nor the end of our cooperative efforts with Congress. Rather, it is an important milestone for this FTA. The Administration has held more than 400 consultations, meetings and calls with members of Congress and congressional leadership. I myself have reached out to members of Congress to discuss this agreement.
In response to congressional concerns, the Administration added enforceable labor and environmental standards to the agreement in May of last year. We have hosted trips to Colombia for almost 60 members of Congress to demonstrate the progress that country has made in reducing violence and strengthening democracy, and we remain committed to working with both parties toward approval of the Colombian agreement.
I hope to see the same bipartisan support on this legislation that we saw on the Peru agreement, and I hope we can see it soon. Our farmers and ranchers stand to gain a great deal from this agreement. Colombia is the largest market for our agriculture exports in South America, buying a record $1.2 billion of our agriculture products in 2007. What's interesting is that this market for our goods is growing despite the fact that all of our goods face duties and tariffs entering Colombia.
Meanwhile, the trade situation between our countries has become one-sided, as 99 percent of the Colombian food and agriculture products come into the U.S. without any duty whatsoever. The free trade agreement levels that playing field for our farmers and ranchers. It removes duties on more than 70 percent of our ag products immediately.
U.S. farm exports to Colombia that will receive immediate duty-free treatment on products including high quality beef, cotton, wheat and soybeans. Many specialty crops will also become duty free, including apples, pears, cherries and many processed food products like frozen French fries and cookies. The remaining tariff on our products will be eliminated over time.
We've also worked to address sanitary and phytosanitary issues with Colombia, and they have agreed to recognize the equivalence of our meat and poultry inspection systems and adopt full OIE standards. The American Farm Bureau put together some numbers on this, and they estimate that, once the agreement is fully implemented, American agriculture will see $690 million in gains each year.
The agriculture community recognizes the enormous potential of this agreement, which is why more than 40 agricultural and food associations have voiced their support for the Colombia FTA.
There are intangible gains with this agreement as well. Colombia is a key ally in our hemisphere, and this agreement helps strengthen our national security. There are concerns about violence in Colombia, but we believe, as does Colombia, that one of the best ways to help address them is through increased trade. It stimulates the economy and creates jobs, two crucial factors in stabilizing a society.
Colombia is already making progress on human rights. Since 2002 kidnappings and homicides and terrorist attacks have been decreased dramatically. They've also enjoyed record economic growth. The free trade agreement will help them continue these directions. It will level the playing field, create jobs, allow for fair competition, and capitalize on the strength of the parties involved.
And with that, I'd be glad to take any questions or comments that you might have.
MODERATOR: Reporters, as we prepare to receive your questions, we remind you to press *1 on your telephone touchpad to indicate that you'd like to ask a question. And, Operator, if you could give us the first question?
SEC. SCHAFER: Do we still have those technical difficulties?
MODERATOR: Operator, do you have any questions for us?
REPORTER: I'm trying to ask a question. Can anyone hear me?
MODERATOR: Yes. Go ahead.
REPORTER: I'm sorry. I'm unable to hear very much. Mr. Secretary, could you identify one or two specific products or particular crops, industries that are going to benefit the most from this agreement if it's approved?
And then the second question would be, can you describe the strategy for convincing the Democratic leadership that this can be done in what they're describing as a departure from the right procedure for approving a trade deal in Congress?
SEC. SCHAFER: Well, you know, to the second part first, you know, it's interesting to see who's defining the "right" procedure. In May of last year, an agreement was made with Speaker Pelosi about how to move forward with these trade agreements. At that time the agreement said that we wanted to see strong bipartisan support, we wanted to see the violence and labor issues be taken care of in Colombia, and there were a couple of other issues as well. The other one was the TAA agreement, the Trade Adjustment Authority, their adjustment as we go forward.
We are looking at now the statistics on the performance, the efforts in Colombia, and the violence and labor issues have dramatically changed. We showed the strong bipartisan support with the Peru Agreement, and the President is committed to a Trade Adjustment Assistance Program. So we are trying to say, okay, if all of those factors have been according to agreement, who's changing the direction here?
Unfortunately, through as I mentioned the 400 different contacts, consultations, meetings, phone calls that have taken place to try to get this through, the leadership has just been unwilling to act. And we all know that this is getting tied up in presidential politics as that unfolds.
The portion, the question you asked for strategy, from our standpoint in agriculture is this. We have over 40 agriculture organizations, trade associations, etcetera, that have said we must sign this agreement for the benefit of our members and for the good of the economy and the United States of America. We are going to ask those folks to continually contact their members of Congress. We are going to continue to point out the economic benefits of trade for agriculture, and we are going to ask members of Congress as I did this morning in my budget hearing to vote for agriculture to vote for their constituents to vote to improve our relationships between the two countries and support the free trade agreement.
So we've got a multifaceted effort here. The Administration will be contacting people to vote their hearts. And as long as the specifically Democratic Caucus don't take strong stances against this, if they allow their members to vote for what's right for America's pocketbook, then we think we'll get the votes from Congress.
MODERATOR: Operator, we're ready for the next question.
REPORTER: There was actually a second part to that question about the specific products or sectors that are going to benefit the most.
SEC. SCHAFER: Yes. We are looking at beef, pork, corn, wheat and barley products as well as cotton and some processed products like frozen French fries and cookies.
MODERATOR: Our next question, Operator?
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Mr. Mike Hergert of Red River Farm Network.
REPORTER: Hello, Ed.
SEC. SCHAFER: Hi, Mike. How are you doing?
REPORTER: I'm doing great. I guess I probably have a couple questions, but one we heard Senator Grassley this morning on his conference call say that the problem right now is that protectionism is so strong in America that the argument for trade agreements is going on deaf ears. Would you agree with that?
SEC. SCHAFER: I do not agree with that. I think the protectionism is coming from the halls of Congress, people worried about politics and not putting free trade agreements. You know the reality is, certainly there are pockets of the economy in certain areas of the country that have been affected by our free trade agreements. But, Mike, as you know in North Dakota almost 50 percent of our agriculture products are exported. You know, the economy depends on agriculture; agriculture depends on exports. That is replicated in state after state after state across this country. And people know that.
I mentioned to an earlier group I spoke to that Americans are overweight. We eat a lot, but there's only so much we can do. You know, we've got to ship our agriculture products outside this country, and I do not believe that the protectionism comes from the American citizen. They want to see economic activity, they want to see job growth, and they want to see increased exports and increased economic opportunity in their communities. The hang-up we have right now is purely political. As you saw a strong bipartisan support in the Peru agreement, we should see a strong bipartisan support for Colombia as well. If we can get the proper votes, I think that's what will happen.
MODERATOR: We remind reporters, if you have a question to ask, please press *1 on your telephone touchpad so that we'll know you have a question. Operator, next question?
OPERATOR: There are no questions at this time. I apologize. We do have one question from Mr. Jim Berger of Washington Trade Daily.
REPORTER: Mr. Secretary, you said the hang-up right now is purely political on the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Do you think the politics will sort of evaporate on this after the Pennsylvania primaries?
SEC. SCHAFER: You know, I don't know. The labor unions have taken a strong stance against this. And clearly you can show longshoremen have better jobs, truckers have better jobs, distribution managers have better jobs, better pay, better efforts because of trade. You know, they've taken a stance because labor has a strong stake in this by their protection to say, 'Let's close our borders and not have trade.'
One of the real issues here is today's trade. We do $1.4 billion or more than that in agriculture trade to Colombia today. Their products come in here duty-free. Ours get tariffed over there. That doesn't make sense. Upon signing this agreement, as I mentioned 70 percent go duty free of our products going down there. So really it's an effort of fairness, it's an effort of good economics, it's an effort of supporting an ally in a troubled South America, and we need very much to pass this.
So I just think the politics are at play. The reality is, after the Pennsylvania primary we're still going to have at least one Democrat candidate who has said, 'I want to renegotiate trade agreements, I don't want any new ones, I want to put a moratorium on it, whatever you want to talk about.' And that's just simply not good for America.
MODERATOR: Operator, we're ready for the next question.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Missy Ryan of Reuters.
REPORTER: Hi, again. Just very quickly, and excuse me if I missed this when I joined the call: are you going to be going to Colombia anytime soon to bring members of Congress to rally support for the agreement?
SEC. SCHAFER: My trip to Colombia, Missy, will be dependent on the Farm Bill. You know, the Farm Bill is absorbing us right now here at USDA. I had a trip scheduled a few weeks ago, and we delayed that trip because of the farm bill negotiations. But certainly I will be going to Colombia. We will be taking members of Congress. Ambassador Schwab has been taking people down regularly, and I think including just this last weekend Ambassador Schwab took a group down.
You know, we will continue that effort. We've had 60 members of Congress down there, and the changes are dramatic and striking as to what's going on, and we need to continue to support it. So yes, I'll be going to Colombia. We'll be taking folks down. But right now I'm on hold for the important Farm Bill negotiations.
MODERATOR: Operator, next question, please?
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Mr. Mike Hergert of Red River Farm Network.
REPORTER: Hi, again. Ed, as I think Canada is negotiating or has negotiated FTA with Colombia. Where's that at, and is that a disadvantage for the U.S.?
SEC. SCHAFER: No, Mike. Is it snowing up there?
REPORTER: Oh, that's come and gone.
SEC. SCHAFER: (laughs) Okay. You know, I don't know about the Canadian negotiations with an FTA with Colombia. You know, it hasn't been involved in our work in what we're doing, so I just am not able to answer that question.
REPORTER: Thank you.
MODERATOR: Operator, do we have anymore questions?
OPERATOR: No, sir, not at this time.
SEC. SCHAFER: On this call, this is an important piece of legislation. I've outlined why it's important, but we really need to get this legislation passed. I would point out that Colombia is a pathway for free trade agreements. If we look at the Peru Agreement that was signed last December and you look at Colombia, add to that our very important negotiations with South Korea and Panama, those four countries together would provide $3 billion worth of agriculture, increased export opportunities. And so these agreements are important. Colombia is very important, but it is not the beginning nor the end. It is a pathway to get better bilateral trade agreements.
We're also negotiating hard on the Doha Round of the WTO; that's been a strong seven-year effort. It's gone up and down, but we see increased activity there and are optimistic on a multilateral basis at Doha as well.
We're putting this effort in because exports are hugely important to agriculture, they're hugely important to the United States, and 40 percent of our gross domestic product growth last year was generated by exports. And we need to put these agreements in place for the economy of the United States of America, for jobs, for careers to move forward, and we're going to do everything we can to do so.
So thank you very much for listening in, and we'll look forward to reading about your comments in the news.
MODERATOR: Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer.
I'm Larry Quinn bidding you a good afternoon from Washington. News Releases Latest Releases Transcripts and Speeches Agency News Releases Radio and TV Broadcasts How to Get Information Subscriptions RSS Feeds Reports & Publications Agency Reports USDA Publications Events Events by Date Image and Video Libraries Secretary's Photo Gallery Broadcast Media & Technology Center Last Modified: 04/08/2008
Washington, D.C. - April 8, 2008 Audio Link :agriculture
MODERATOR: Good afternoon from Washington. I'm Larry Quinn speaking to you from the Broadcast Center at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Welcome to today's news conference with Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer. The topic for today's conference is the President's action regarding the Colombia Free Trade Agreement.
Reporters, if you wish to ask a question, please let us know that by pressing *1 on your telephone touchpad.
Now it's my pleasure to introduce Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer.
SEC. SCHAFER: Thank you, Larry. I'm pleased to be here to talk a little bit about the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Yesterday the President sent the implementing legislation for the Colombia Free Trade Agreement to Congress for consideration. Before I get into the policy of this agreement, let me say a word about the process.
The FTA was negotiated 16 months ago, and since that time the Administration has reached out repeatedly to Congress to find a bipartisan path forward. Yet Congress has not held a single hearing. Sending this legislation to Congress is a move to make progress on this important agreement. The President's Trade Promotional Authority requires congressional action on this within 90 legislative days.
As the President said yesterday, sending the implementing legislation to the Hill is neither the beginning nor the end of our cooperative efforts with Congress. Rather, it is an important milestone for this FTA. The Administration has held more than 400 consultations, meetings and calls with members of Congress and congressional leadership. I myself have reached out to members of Congress to discuss this agreement.
In response to congressional concerns, the Administration added enforceable labor and environmental standards to the agreement in May of last year. We have hosted trips to Colombia for almost 60 members of Congress to demonstrate the progress that country has made in reducing violence and strengthening democracy, and we remain committed to working with both parties toward approval of the Colombian agreement.
I hope to see the same bipartisan support on this legislation that we saw on the Peru agreement, and I hope we can see it soon. Our farmers and ranchers stand to gain a great deal from this agreement. Colombia is the largest market for our agriculture exports in South America, buying a record $1.2 billion of our agriculture products in 2007. What's interesting is that this market for our goods is growing despite the fact that all of our goods face duties and tariffs entering Colombia.
Meanwhile, the trade situation between our countries has become one-sided, as 99 percent of the Colombian food and agriculture products come into the U.S. without any duty whatsoever. The free trade agreement levels that playing field for our farmers and ranchers. It removes duties on more than 70 percent of our ag products immediately.
U.S. farm exports to Colombia that will receive immediate duty-free treatment on products including high quality beef, cotton, wheat and soybeans. Many specialty crops will also become duty free, including apples, pears, cherries and many processed food products like frozen French fries and cookies. The remaining tariff on our products will be eliminated over time.
We've also worked to address sanitary and phytosanitary issues with Colombia, and they have agreed to recognize the equivalence of our meat and poultry inspection systems and adopt full OIE standards. The American Farm Bureau put together some numbers on this, and they estimate that, once the agreement is fully implemented, American agriculture will see $690 million in gains each year.
The agriculture community recognizes the enormous potential of this agreement, which is why more than 40 agricultural and food associations have voiced their support for the Colombia FTA.
There are intangible gains with this agreement as well. Colombia is a key ally in our hemisphere, and this agreement helps strengthen our national security. There are concerns about violence in Colombia, but we believe, as does Colombia, that one of the best ways to help address them is through increased trade. It stimulates the economy and creates jobs, two crucial factors in stabilizing a society.
Colombia is already making progress on human rights. Since 2002 kidnappings and homicides and terrorist attacks have been decreased dramatically. They've also enjoyed record economic growth. The free trade agreement will help them continue these directions. It will level the playing field, create jobs, allow for fair competition, and capitalize on the strength of the parties involved.
And with that, I'd be glad to take any questions or comments that you might have.
MODERATOR: Reporters, as we prepare to receive your questions, we remind you to press *1 on your telephone touchpad to indicate that you'd like to ask a question. And, Operator, if you could give us the first question?
SEC. SCHAFER: Do we still have those technical difficulties?
MODERATOR: Operator, do you have any questions for us?
REPORTER: I'm trying to ask a question. Can anyone hear me?
MODERATOR: Yes. Go ahead.
REPORTER: I'm sorry. I'm unable to hear very much. Mr. Secretary, could you identify one or two specific products or particular crops, industries that are going to benefit the most from this agreement if it's approved?
And then the second question would be, can you describe the strategy for convincing the Democratic leadership that this can be done in what they're describing as a departure from the right procedure for approving a trade deal in Congress?
SEC. SCHAFER: Well, you know, to the second part first, you know, it's interesting to see who's defining the "right" procedure. In May of last year, an agreement was made with Speaker Pelosi about how to move forward with these trade agreements. At that time the agreement said that we wanted to see strong bipartisan support, we wanted to see the violence and labor issues be taken care of in Colombia, and there were a couple of other issues as well. The other one was the TAA agreement, the Trade Adjustment Authority, their adjustment as we go forward.
We are looking at now the statistics on the performance, the efforts in Colombia, and the violence and labor issues have dramatically changed. We showed the strong bipartisan support with the Peru Agreement, and the President is committed to a Trade Adjustment Assistance Program. So we are trying to say, okay, if all of those factors have been according to agreement, who's changing the direction here?
Unfortunately, through as I mentioned the 400 different contacts, consultations, meetings, phone calls that have taken place to try to get this through, the leadership has just been unwilling to act. And we all know that this is getting tied up in presidential politics as that unfolds.
The portion, the question you asked for strategy, from our standpoint in agriculture is this. We have over 40 agriculture organizations, trade associations, etcetera, that have said we must sign this agreement for the benefit of our members and for the good of the economy and the United States of America. We are going to ask those folks to continually contact their members of Congress. We are going to continue to point out the economic benefits of trade for agriculture, and we are going to ask members of Congress as I did this morning in my budget hearing to vote for agriculture to vote for their constituents to vote to improve our relationships between the two countries and support the free trade agreement.
So we've got a multifaceted effort here. The Administration will be contacting people to vote their hearts. And as long as the specifically Democratic Caucus don't take strong stances against this, if they allow their members to vote for what's right for America's pocketbook, then we think we'll get the votes from Congress.
MODERATOR: Operator, we're ready for the next question.
REPORTER: There was actually a second part to that question about the specific products or sectors that are going to benefit the most.
SEC. SCHAFER: Yes. We are looking at beef, pork, corn, wheat and barley products as well as cotton and some processed products like frozen French fries and cookies.
MODERATOR: Our next question, Operator?
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Mr. Mike Hergert of Red River Farm Network.
REPORTER: Hello, Ed.
SEC. SCHAFER: Hi, Mike. How are you doing?
REPORTER: I'm doing great. I guess I probably have a couple questions, but one we heard Senator Grassley this morning on his conference call say that the problem right now is that protectionism is so strong in America that the argument for trade agreements is going on deaf ears. Would you agree with that?
SEC. SCHAFER: I do not agree with that. I think the protectionism is coming from the halls of Congress, people worried about politics and not putting free trade agreements. You know the reality is, certainly there are pockets of the economy in certain areas of the country that have been affected by our free trade agreements. But, Mike, as you know in North Dakota almost 50 percent of our agriculture products are exported. You know, the economy depends on agriculture; agriculture depends on exports. That is replicated in state after state after state across this country. And people know that.
I mentioned to an earlier group I spoke to that Americans are overweight. We eat a lot, but there's only so much we can do. You know, we've got to ship our agriculture products outside this country, and I do not believe that the protectionism comes from the American citizen. They want to see economic activity, they want to see job growth, and they want to see increased exports and increased economic opportunity in their communities. The hang-up we have right now is purely political. As you saw a strong bipartisan support in the Peru agreement, we should see a strong bipartisan support for Colombia as well. If we can get the proper votes, I think that's what will happen.
MODERATOR: We remind reporters, if you have a question to ask, please press *1 on your telephone touchpad so that we'll know you have a question. Operator, next question?
OPERATOR: There are no questions at this time. I apologize. We do have one question from Mr. Jim Berger of Washington Trade Daily.
REPORTER: Mr. Secretary, you said the hang-up right now is purely political on the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Do you think the politics will sort of evaporate on this after the Pennsylvania primaries?
SEC. SCHAFER: You know, I don't know. The labor unions have taken a strong stance against this. And clearly you can show longshoremen have better jobs, truckers have better jobs, distribution managers have better jobs, better pay, better efforts because of trade. You know, they've taken a stance because labor has a strong stake in this by their protection to say, 'Let's close our borders and not have trade.'
One of the real issues here is today's trade. We do $1.4 billion or more than that in agriculture trade to Colombia today. Their products come in here duty-free. Ours get tariffed over there. That doesn't make sense. Upon signing this agreement, as I mentioned 70 percent go duty free of our products going down there. So really it's an effort of fairness, it's an effort of good economics, it's an effort of supporting an ally in a troubled South America, and we need very much to pass this.
So I just think the politics are at play. The reality is, after the Pennsylvania primary we're still going to have at least one Democrat candidate who has said, 'I want to renegotiate trade agreements, I don't want any new ones, I want to put a moratorium on it, whatever you want to talk about.' And that's just simply not good for America.
MODERATOR: Operator, we're ready for the next question.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Missy Ryan of Reuters.
REPORTER: Hi, again. Just very quickly, and excuse me if I missed this when I joined the call: are you going to be going to Colombia anytime soon to bring members of Congress to rally support for the agreement?
SEC. SCHAFER: My trip to Colombia, Missy, will be dependent on the Farm Bill. You know, the Farm Bill is absorbing us right now here at USDA. I had a trip scheduled a few weeks ago, and we delayed that trip because of the farm bill negotiations. But certainly I will be going to Colombia. We will be taking members of Congress. Ambassador Schwab has been taking people down regularly, and I think including just this last weekend Ambassador Schwab took a group down.
You know, we will continue that effort. We've had 60 members of Congress down there, and the changes are dramatic and striking as to what's going on, and we need to continue to support it. So yes, I'll be going to Colombia. We'll be taking folks down. But right now I'm on hold for the important Farm Bill negotiations.
MODERATOR: Operator, next question, please?
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Mr. Mike Hergert of Red River Farm Network.
REPORTER: Hi, again. Ed, as I think Canada is negotiating or has negotiated FTA with Colombia. Where's that at, and is that a disadvantage for the U.S.?
SEC. SCHAFER: No, Mike. Is it snowing up there?
REPORTER: Oh, that's come and gone.
SEC. SCHAFER: (laughs) Okay. You know, I don't know about the Canadian negotiations with an FTA with Colombia. You know, it hasn't been involved in our work in what we're doing, so I just am not able to answer that question.
REPORTER: Thank you.
MODERATOR: Operator, do we have anymore questions?
OPERATOR: No, sir, not at this time.
SEC. SCHAFER: On this call, this is an important piece of legislation. I've outlined why it's important, but we really need to get this legislation passed. I would point out that Colombia is a pathway for free trade agreements. If we look at the Peru Agreement that was signed last December and you look at Colombia, add to that our very important negotiations with South Korea and Panama, those four countries together would provide $3 billion worth of agriculture, increased export opportunities. And so these agreements are important. Colombia is very important, but it is not the beginning nor the end. It is a pathway to get better bilateral trade agreements.
We're also negotiating hard on the Doha Round of the WTO; that's been a strong seven-year effort. It's gone up and down, but we see increased activity there and are optimistic on a multilateral basis at Doha as well.
We're putting this effort in because exports are hugely important to agriculture, they're hugely important to the United States, and 40 percent of our gross domestic product growth last year was generated by exports. And we need to put these agreements in place for the economy of the United States of America, for jobs, for careers to move forward, and we're going to do everything we can to do so.
So thank you very much for listening in, and we'll look forward to reading about your comments in the news.
MODERATOR: Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer.
I'm Larry Quinn bidding you a good afternoon from Washington. News Releases Latest Releases Transcripts and Speeches Agency News Releases Radio and TV Broadcasts How to Get Information Subscriptions RSS Feeds Reports & Publications Agency Reports USDA Publications Events Events by Date Image and Video Libraries Secretary's Photo Gallery Broadcast Media & Technology Center Last Modified: 04/08/2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
How to use steel trash can make the most of storage space in a bathroomBy Martha Stewart
Affix a sheet of galvanized steel inside the back of a bathroom cabinet so you can add storage options with magnetic hooks and containers.
Roll-out tracks can be added to cabinets so you have easy access to baskets filled with supplies and a trash can. Hooks on the inside of a door keep hairdryers and other items within easy reach.The number-one rule for keeping a bathroom tidy is finding a rightful place for everything. By using the room efficiently and providing everyone with space for her personal items, you will help keep the peace, create a better-looking bathroom and even provide a more comfortable visit for guests. Visit www.himfr.com to find more steel trash can.
A bathroom shared by a family can get a little chaotic, especially during the morning rush. Toothpastes and hairbrushes crowd the sink, and towels constantly find their way onto the floor. The result is a space that feels cramped and cluttered.To provide sufficient storage, add a standing cabinet. If you can, choose one with separate spaces, preferably one for each person — one drawer can hold Mom's hair-care essentials, for instance, while another contains the kids' bath toys.
Bathroom drawers are second only to junk drawers in their potential for messiness. It's easy to toss grooming products in there pell-mell. Use wooden boxes and trays to help categorize the items. They are available in various sizes and materials, so they can be mixed and matched to fit any drawer. Lazy Susans, too, make accessing toiletries a snap. As a final touch, paint the cabinet a color that coordinates with the rest of the bathroom.
Make the most of cabinets
If you have a wall-mounted medicine cabinet, eliminate items that don't belong there, such as prescription medicines (which can be affected by humidity and heat). To expand storage space, affix a sheet of galvanized steel to the back wall of the cabinet's interior with construction adhesive, and use magnetic hooks to hang scissors and a hand mirror. Small plastic containers with magnetic bottoms can be used to corral small necessities, such as hair elastics and clips. Clear cups will keep cosmetics and tweezers in order, and let you store larger items, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes, more efficiently.
If you have enough storage elsewhere, you might replace the medicine cabinet with an interesting antique mirror that coordinates with the rest of the bathroom's decor. A sink with ample counters can hold small attractive trays — one for each family member — to keep frequently used personal items in place.
If you have cabinets under the sink, outfit them with roll-out wire trays like those used in kitchens for easy access to miscellaneous toiletries. Stash items used at the same time, such as shaving or hairstyling supplies, together in a basket so they can be pulled out easily when needed and then stored. Fasten hooks to the inside of the doors, and use them to hang hair dryers and flat irons. In an adjacent cabinet, install a second sliding track for the bathroom's trash can. Keep extra rolls of toilet paper within reach by storing them in a tall, clear, cylindrical vase near the toilet.
Keep towels, guest bath tidy
Next to the bath, a hotel-style, multitiered towel rack attached to the wall will keep fresh, folded towels at hand. On the back of the bathroom door, attach as many as three towel bars to provide plenty of places to dry towels.
In the bath, uniform plastic bottles not only look better than the usual shampoo and soap containers, but they also fit more neatly in storage devices. It's helpful to identify the contents of bottles with laminated labels, which can also be used for the names of family members who prefer their own products. If you're renovating, consider adding a recessed shelf. A 3-inch-deep cavity will provide plenty of space for shampoo, conditioner and body wash decanted into plastic vessels.
Guest bathrooms can require frequent cleanings, so keep a plastic bin with all the necessary supplies in one of its cabinets.
One item guests seem to forget more than any other is a hair dryer. Rather than make them root around in the cabinet for one, consider mounting a streamlined unit to the wall beside the sink. These devices are available through online suppliers of hotel accessories. Likewise, always provide shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste and disposable razors, just in case your guests need them.
Roll-out tracks can be added to cabinets so you have easy access to baskets filled with supplies and a trash can. Hooks on the inside of a door keep hairdryers and other items within easy reach.The number-one rule for keeping a bathroom tidy is finding a rightful place for everything. By using the room efficiently and providing everyone with space for her personal items, you will help keep the peace, create a better-looking bathroom and even provide a more comfortable visit for guests. Visit www.himfr.com to find more steel trash can.
A bathroom shared by a family can get a little chaotic, especially during the morning rush. Toothpastes and hairbrushes crowd the sink, and towels constantly find their way onto the floor. The result is a space that feels cramped and cluttered.To provide sufficient storage, add a standing cabinet. If you can, choose one with separate spaces, preferably one for each person — one drawer can hold Mom's hair-care essentials, for instance, while another contains the kids' bath toys.
Bathroom drawers are second only to junk drawers in their potential for messiness. It's easy to toss grooming products in there pell-mell. Use wooden boxes and trays to help categorize the items. They are available in various sizes and materials, so they can be mixed and matched to fit any drawer. Lazy Susans, too, make accessing toiletries a snap. As a final touch, paint the cabinet a color that coordinates with the rest of the bathroom.
Make the most of cabinets
If you have a wall-mounted medicine cabinet, eliminate items that don't belong there, such as prescription medicines (which can be affected by humidity and heat). To expand storage space, affix a sheet of galvanized steel to the back wall of the cabinet's interior with construction adhesive, and use magnetic hooks to hang scissors and a hand mirror. Small plastic containers with magnetic bottoms can be used to corral small necessities, such as hair elastics and clips. Clear cups will keep cosmetics and tweezers in order, and let you store larger items, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes, more efficiently.
If you have enough storage elsewhere, you might replace the medicine cabinet with an interesting antique mirror that coordinates with the rest of the bathroom's decor. A sink with ample counters can hold small attractive trays — one for each family member — to keep frequently used personal items in place.
If you have cabinets under the sink, outfit them with roll-out wire trays like those used in kitchens for easy access to miscellaneous toiletries. Stash items used at the same time, such as shaving or hairstyling supplies, together in a basket so they can be pulled out easily when needed and then stored. Fasten hooks to the inside of the doors, and use them to hang hair dryers and flat irons. In an adjacent cabinet, install a second sliding track for the bathroom's trash can. Keep extra rolls of toilet paper within reach by storing them in a tall, clear, cylindrical vase near the toilet.
Keep towels, guest bath tidy
Next to the bath, a hotel-style, multitiered towel rack attached to the wall will keep fresh, folded towels at hand. On the back of the bathroom door, attach as many as three towel bars to provide plenty of places to dry towels.
In the bath, uniform plastic bottles not only look better than the usual shampoo and soap containers, but they also fit more neatly in storage devices. It's helpful to identify the contents of bottles with laminated labels, which can also be used for the names of family members who prefer their own products. If you're renovating, consider adding a recessed shelf. A 3-inch-deep cavity will provide plenty of space for shampoo, conditioner and body wash decanted into plastic vessels.
Guest bathrooms can require frequent cleanings, so keep a plastic bin with all the necessary supplies in one of its cabinets.
One item guests seem to forget more than any other is a hair dryer. Rather than make them root around in the cabinet for one, consider mounting a streamlined unit to the wall beside the sink. These devices are available through online suppliers of hotel accessories. Likewise, always provide shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste and disposable razors, just in case your guests need them.
Julia:Leather Tissue Box
Julia Knight knows your secret: You like to flirt with fun colors in the kitchen, but you’re hesitant to commit. “I think people love color—it’s like a fragrance that makes you feel wonderful,” says the creative force behind Julia Knight America. “Yet a lot of us are afraid of color because it seems to really make a statement, and sometimes we are reluctant to define ourselves that way.” To find more Leather Tissue Box ,Visit B2B Portal http://www.himfr.com/
Luckily, the Orono designer is here to help closet color-lovers find their inner magenta. Knight founded her high-end tabletop, barware, and home accents company in 2001 when her own search for colorful yet stylish home designs left her empty-handed. Frustrated, Knight grabbed a glue gun and set out to create bold, sophisticated items. The first thing she created was a cowhide-covered tissue box for her home in Colorado; friends loved them—and a business was born. Determined to breathe some life into the monochrome world of bar accessories, Knight designed a barware set in pink “Croco” leather. “I showed them to a few buyers and they were like, ‘That looks really, er…different,’” she chuckles. “But when I introduced my first five pieces at Tommy Bahama stores, they sold something like 500 in a week! They couldn’t keep them on the shelves. I learned that others must love color as much as I do.”Today, Knight’s designs include more than 300 styles of bar and tableware in 11 colors. Though her primary market is independent specialty boutiques, such as Ampersand in Edina, Knight’s work is also sold worldwide in high-end stores such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. The pink “Croco” leather flask that jumpstarted her business even made an appearance in Academy Awards’ presenters’ gift baskets.
Her designs were also spotted on the set of the recent Hugh Grant-Drew Barrymore movie, Music & Lyrics.Knight credits her line’s popularity to the way we eat and entertain. “[It] has changed—we do less formal entertaining today and more casual entertaining. [My] designs hit at the perfect time during this switch. They are fun accessories that make even a handful of pistachio nuts looks like you had it catered.”Knight has steered away from using brightly colored leather in her work, and now incorporates hand-painted enamel, tiger’s eye horn, and mother of pearl on aluminum serving ware to create rhythmic surfaces and fluid, nature-inspired shapes. Knight describes her serve ware as having a “non-patterned pattern,” which sets it apart from the competition. “A lot of tableware is covered with fleur-de-lis, or it’s about the pattern,” she says. “I wanted a ‘pattern’ that was more like a texture.” At the same time, her designs have a lofty, architectural quality that is befitting for both formal dinners and a casual bowl of chips. “Presentation is a huge part of the pleasure of experiencing food,” Knight adds. “When people come into our home, whether they are fixing the screen door or coming for dinner, I like to whip up something wonderful and make people feel special. That’s what entertaining is about—and this kind of serve ware fits really well with that. When food is on something great, it tastes great.”Before revolutionizing the American tabletop, Knight worked as a marketing executive, a freelance business consultant, and she founded a baby food company. But she’s pretty sure that she’s found the path she’s going to stick with. “I love this business,” she says. “I could do it for the next 50 years. It’s really creative, and it’s about people, entertaining, hospitality, food, and friends.” Most important to Knight, however, is bringing color and beauty into people’s everyday lives. “I believe in making ordinary, everyday things extraordinary—that makes life beautiful.” Laine Bergeson is a Minneapolis-based freelance writer.
Luckily, the Orono designer is here to help closet color-lovers find their inner magenta. Knight founded her high-end tabletop, barware, and home accents company in 2001 when her own search for colorful yet stylish home designs left her empty-handed. Frustrated, Knight grabbed a glue gun and set out to create bold, sophisticated items. The first thing she created was a cowhide-covered tissue box for her home in Colorado; friends loved them—and a business was born. Determined to breathe some life into the monochrome world of bar accessories, Knight designed a barware set in pink “Croco” leather. “I showed them to a few buyers and they were like, ‘That looks really, er…different,’” she chuckles. “But when I introduced my first five pieces at Tommy Bahama stores, they sold something like 500 in a week! They couldn’t keep them on the shelves. I learned that others must love color as much as I do.”Today, Knight’s designs include more than 300 styles of bar and tableware in 11 colors. Though her primary market is independent specialty boutiques, such as Ampersand in Edina, Knight’s work is also sold worldwide in high-end stores such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. The pink “Croco” leather flask that jumpstarted her business even made an appearance in Academy Awards’ presenters’ gift baskets.
Her designs were also spotted on the set of the recent Hugh Grant-Drew Barrymore movie, Music & Lyrics.Knight credits her line’s popularity to the way we eat and entertain. “[It] has changed—we do less formal entertaining today and more casual entertaining. [My] designs hit at the perfect time during this switch. They are fun accessories that make even a handful of pistachio nuts looks like you had it catered.”Knight has steered away from using brightly colored leather in her work, and now incorporates hand-painted enamel, tiger’s eye horn, and mother of pearl on aluminum serving ware to create rhythmic surfaces and fluid, nature-inspired shapes. Knight describes her serve ware as having a “non-patterned pattern,” which sets it apart from the competition. “A lot of tableware is covered with fleur-de-lis, or it’s about the pattern,” she says. “I wanted a ‘pattern’ that was more like a texture.” At the same time, her designs have a lofty, architectural quality that is befitting for both formal dinners and a casual bowl of chips. “Presentation is a huge part of the pleasure of experiencing food,” Knight adds. “When people come into our home, whether they are fixing the screen door or coming for dinner, I like to whip up something wonderful and make people feel special. That’s what entertaining is about—and this kind of serve ware fits really well with that. When food is on something great, it tastes great.”Before revolutionizing the American tabletop, Knight worked as a marketing executive, a freelance business consultant, and she founded a baby food company. But she’s pretty sure that she’s found the path she’s going to stick with. “I love this business,” she says. “I could do it for the next 50 years. It’s really creative, and it’s about people, entertaining, hospitality, food, and friends.” Most important to Knight, however, is bringing color and beauty into people’s everyday lives. “I believe in making ordinary, everyday things extraordinary—that makes life beautiful.” Laine Bergeson is a Minneapolis-based freelance writer.
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