Minnesota Trip

So as you may know, this past week was the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Satellite Industries. The celebration started off with a tour of Biff's. They are a portable toilet company in Minnesota, with a very impressive operation. I got this from their website:

"Biffs, Inc. started in 1986. The company had 200 portable restrooms, 4 trucks, 5 employees and a vision. That vision was to provide service so good that people would want to use us over and over again. Our goal, then and now, is to make every project a little bit easier and every special event a bit more special.

Today, Biffs, Inc. remains a family owned business. We operate from 2 locations in the Metro Area. Although portable restrooms remain the foundation of Biffs, Inc. In 2000 we began providing dumpster service with www.BiffsBoxes.com. Since 2005, Biffs, Inc has started to rent 20’ and 40’ storage containers. One call-three critical services to meet all your needs."

Then there was lunch and a tour of Satellite's facilities. That night, Satellite had a lovely event at the Northland Inn (gorgeous). There were speeches by Todd and Al Hilde, the current owner and the founder of the company. The origins of the company and the story of how it all started are truly impressive. To read about it, click here.

Satellite put together a lovely event. We are happy to wish them another 50 years of success!!!

In Minneapolis

This weekend is the 50th anniversary of Satellite Industries. In their honor, they are hosting events at their headquarters in Minneapolis. For those going, hopefully you will get to see:

The Mary Tyler Moore Statue

The Spoonbridge in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

And of course....

The Mall of America!!!

Because those are the things I want to hear about!! Have a great weekend and I will be sure to tell you all about their trip on Monday.
Alex

Trade Show

For today and tomorrow (24th & 25th), the Construction Expo will be held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Be sure to stop by if you are in the area.

Too Tired

I am much too tired to think of anything witty to share with you. I ran the ING Philadelphia Distance Run yesterday


along with 16,000 other people. You will just have to come back on Wednesday for more of my lovely humor!

Very Exciting

Now I know she isn't P. Diddy or Lance Armstrong, but I am still very excited about this!! I saw this on the New York Road Runners website today.

Kara Goucher to Make Marathon Debut in New York

New York, September 10, 2008—Olympian Kara Goucher announced today that will run her debut marathon at the ING New York City Marathon 2008. Goucher, 30, of Portland, OR, was the bronze medalist at the 2007 IAAF World Championships 10,000 meters and she represented the United States at 5000 and 10,000 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Goucher is coached by three-time New York City Marathon winner (1980-82) Alberto Salazar.

“Last year when I watched the race first hand, I decided I wanted to run in New York,” said Goucher. “The ING New York City Marathon is one of the most prestigious, and the course is challenging, so I’m excited for my first marathon to be this one. I have a strong emotional connection to New York, as it is where I was born, where my family lives, and where my father passed away. This one will be personal for me and my family.”

Goucher’s marathon debut has been much anticipated. She is latest in line of stars to make their debuts in New York, including Grete Waitz (1978), Salazar (1980), Liz McColgan (1991), Deena Kastor (2001), Marla Runyan (2002), Meb Keflezighi (2002), and Dathan Ritzenhein (2006).

“Our wish has been granted,” said NYRR president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.. “Kara will follow in the footsteps and with the help of her coach and mentor, the marathon’s last great American star, three-time winner Alberto Salazar. This is a two-for-one deal. We get Kara and she comes with the benefit of Alberto’s experience. I anticipate another milestone in American long distance running.”

Goucher’s breakout performance at last year’s World Championships in Osaka, Japan, established her as one of America’s finest distance runners. She was the first American woman since Lynn Jennings in 1992 to win a World Championships or Olympic medal at 10,000 meters. Goucher won the 5,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials this year to win her first USA track title. At the Olympic Games in Beijing, Goucher finished 10th in the 10,000 meters in a time of 30:55.16, becoming the third-fastest 10,000-meter runner in U.S. history behind Flanagan and Deena Kastor. In the 5000-meter final, she placed ninth in a time of 15:49.39.

Goucher has run few road races—but in her most recent one, last September, she upset marathon world record-holder Paula Radcliffe to win the BUPA Great North Run, a half-marathon in England, in 1:06:57, the fastest-ever half-marathon by an American woman. The race was Goucher’s first serious race longer than a 10K and only the third road race of her career.

American Kara Goucher

New York Road Runners

Great Moments in History

Beginning on Monday, September 26, fans can vote to select the top moment in New York Road Runner's history. Voting will continue through Friday, September 26. The top five New York Moments will be unveiled during the week leading up to the 39th running of the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 2 (where I will be participating!!!). Click on the video links here to watch and then vote!

Another News Story

I feel like these news stories just keep getting weirder and weirder....

Police: Man Arrested After Stealing 2 Cans Of Beer

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- A man who was found sleeping in local portable toilets was arrested again. Gil Duff, 46, of Cincinnati, was arrested Thursday night on a theft charge. He allegedly stole two cans of beer from a Deer Park store, reported NewsChannel5's sister station WCPO. Deer Park Police said Duff was stopped by a security guard at a store on Webster Avenue while trying to leave with two cans of beer. The guard said Duff gave back one can of Steel Reserve beer, but kept the other. Duff was arrested four times this year for being found asleep. Three of those times he was found by police in portable toilets located in public parks, while another alleged instance was on a woman's front porch in Deer Park. During one arrest in Bechtold Park, Duff was heard snoring by a passing police officer. A beer was found next to him, according to police.

In Remembrance

List of September 11th events in New York

In addition to the ceremony at Ground Zero, here is a sampling of events on Thursday marking the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Point Lookout: 7:30 a.m., Town of Hempstead memorial ceremony, Point Lookout Beach, Lido Boulevard.

Rockville Centre: 7:45 a.m., memorial Mass celebrated by Bishop William Murphy, St. Agnes Cathedral, 29 Quealy Place.

Fire Island: 8-9:30 a.m., "Lonelyville to the Lighthouse Walk for Peace," Plank Walk, Lonelyville to Fire Island Lighthouse.

Albertson: 8:30 a.m., Town of North Hempstead ceremonies, Clark Botanic Garden, 193 I.U. Willets Rd.

Bellport: 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., wreath-laying ceremony honoring Eastern Suffolk BOCES alumnus Glen Pettit, police officer killed on Sept. 11, Brookhaven Technical Center, 350 Martha Ave.

Manhattan: 10 a.m.-7 p.m., public invited to sign steel beams to be used in construction of National September 11 Memorial and Museum, Battery Place, Greenwich and Washington streets.

Oakdale: 10 a.m.-11 a.m., remembrance ceremony at outdoor memorial garden by Connetquot students, faculty and administrators and local elected officials, Idle Hour Elementary School, 334 Idle Hour Blvd.

Manhattan: 11 a.m., 3 p.m., screening of documentary, "In Memoriam: New York City, 9/11/01," Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., free with museum admission, $9 adults, $5 seniors and children. 212-534-1672, ext. 3395.

Mineola: 11:30 a.m., Nassau County Court System ceremony honoring Sept. 11 victims, with Court Officer Sgt. Frank Barry, a first responder on 9/11, to speak, Nassau County Supreme Court, central jury courtroom, first floor, 100 Supreme Court Dr.

Hempstead: 1 p.m., memorial service hosted by Hempstead Village Mayor Wayne Hall and the board of trustees, with the Hempstead High School choir, Denton Green (across from Village Hall), 99 Nichols Ct.

Central Islip: 5 p.m., memorial service, including reading of the names of 456 Long Islanders who died at the World Trade Center, followed by 6:35 p.m. game between the Long Island Ducks and the Somerset Patriots, Citibank Park, 631-940-3825.

Manhattan: 5 p.m., memorial service led by Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, at the site of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which was destroyed in the collapse of the South Tower, corner of Greenwich and Liberty streets.

Lynbrook: 6 p.m., memorial service, 9/11 Memorial Park, Lynbrook Village Hall, 1 Columbus Dr., 516-599-8300.

Freeport: 6 p.m., American Legion ceremonies on the "Miss Freeport," docked at Woodcleft Canal.

Commack: 6:30 p.m., candlelight ceremony honoring two Commack High School graduates who died at the World Trade Center. Commack High School, 1 Scholar Lane.

Seaford: 7 p.m., tribute to five Seaford High School graduates who died at the World Trade Center, Seaford High School, 1575 Seamans Neck Rd.

Manhattan: 7 p.m., "Hands Across The Sea," a special concert by the Oriel Choir of Oxford University, England, in tribute to victims and rescue workers. Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club, 283 Lexington Ave., between 36th and 37th streets.

Manhattan: 7:30 p.m., Concert for Peace, including U.S. premiere of "Iraqi Requiem" by Mohammed Amin Ezzat, Merkin Concert Hall, 129 W. 67th St., $35-$125, 212-501-3330

Some People Are So Ridiculous

Porta-toilets upset neighbors

Station owner denies claims about the 80 portable potties

By Ellie Oleson CORRESPONDENT

Portable toilets and a pumper truck sit in the parking lot across the street from the Oxford Middle School. (T&G Staff/DAN GOULD) Enlarge photo

OXFORD— There’s some dirty business going on at a local gas station, though it is perfectly legal, according to the owner. Some neighbors disagree.

The main concern is with 80 portable toilets stored and rented at the gas station, which is located at 484 Main St. Who governs the use of these devices is in question.

Tom Lyons, spokesman for the state Board of Health, said Friday, “There is no direct law or regulation governing portable toilets.”

He said local boards of health may use the authority provided in the “nuisance statute,” which gives them the power to investigate all nuisances, sources of filth and causes of sickness; and the housing code, which states that boards of health may approve the use of portable toilets.

In other words, the state has nothing to do with portable toilets, unless there is a sewage spill, in which case the Department of Environmental Protection would likely step in.

The Planning Board issued a permit, in July 2007, to George and Mary Papageorge, owners of Kalami Fuels and Action Oil and Septic, “to store portable toilets, oil trucks and septage hauling trucks” at a Mobil gas station at 484 Main St., according to David M. Manugian, town planner/engineer — who pointed out that it is a commercial property.

The Papageorges said that “business is all right,” except they are tired of being harassed by their neighbors.

The problem is that the commercial property is located in a residential neighborhood, directly across the street from the Oxford Middle School and Carbuncle Pond, the principal town public swimming place.

Richard M. Kneeland of 491 Main St., a town constable, traffic control officer and former reserve police officer, lives across the street from the Mobil station. He said he is concerned about the safety and health of schoolchildren and swimmers.

He regularly takes photographs of work he considers to be illegal at the Papageorges’ Mobil station, always documenting the time and date. He said he has called the town and local police to report problems with the Papageorges several times.

“I have seen them pumping oil from one truck to another. I have watched them pumping sewage from one truck to another. I have seen them pumping out portable toilets. They come in and out with the toilets all day long. The smell is awful sometimes. Children going to the middle school cross the street at the crosswalk in front of that gas station. They and the neighbors have to deal with the smell,” Mr. Kneeland said.

Mr. Papageorge said he has 80 portable toilets that he rents for use at various construction or other outdoor sites. Empty toilets not in use are stored behind the gas station garage.

Mr. Papageorge admitted that in the past he has pumped sewage from a small truck to a larger truck at his Main Street site before taking the septage in the larger truck to the Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District sewage treatment plant on Route 20 in Millbury.

“It was done here, but it is not done now, and it won’t be done in the future,” he said.

He said that Mr. Kneeland was mistaken when he said Mr. Papageorge had hosed out portable toilets on-site.

“The hose Mr. Kneeland saw was a hose being repaired,” Mr. Papageorge said.

Mrs. Papageorge said, “It makes no sense for us to pump out the toilets here. We do it at the rental site before picking up the toilet. Why would we want to carry a full toilet down the road? It makes no common sense.”

Mr. Papageorge said, “This is my office. I don’t want to smell sewage. The only time there is a smell is when we pump our septic tank.”

Mr. Papageorge said he is “tired of being harassed” by his neighbors and is taking action. He said he will seek a no trespassing order against Mr. Kneeland in Dudley District Court forbidding Mr. Kneeland from coming onto his property.

Mr. Kneeland said he has no plans to go on the Papageorges’ property, but he will continue to take pictures and document times and dates of what he considers illegal activity.

Pauline L. Pinkham’s home and yard at 6 Newton St. abut the back of the Papageorges’ business. From Mrs. Pinkham’s yard, the top half of several portable toilets were clearly visible behind a low fence on Thursday.

“I bought my house the same year the gas station was built 53 years ago. I’ve never had a major problem until now. I’m poor, but I’m not stupid. I don’t think the town knows what he is doing. He pumped the little sewage pumper into the big pumper. Every time he does it, you gag. On July 15, the smell was overwhelming. He’s not supposed to pump anything. It’s against the law. I want to know what the town is going to do about it. He’s degraded the value of my property. I’ve applied for a (tax) abatement. This has to stop,” Ms. Pinkham said.

Mr. Manugian said that conditions of the Papageorges’ special permit include putting up a fenced enclosure to screen the portable toilets from view of neighbors.

“Mr. Papageorge was to have the fence up by the end of July or remove the toilets, or we would start legal action. Once the conditions are met, they could bring back the toilets,” Mr. Manugian said.

He said a letter sent to Mr. Papageorge in mid-August reminded him to remove the toilets.

Mr. Papageorge said he plans to erect an 8-foot fence behind his property soon.

Another requirement not yet fulfilled is to put up an oil containment area with an oil-water separator where Mr. Papageorge’s oil and sewage trucks are parked, Mr. Manugian said.

James F. Malley Jr., town health inspector, said the Board of Health is also involved.

“We are working with the state Department of Environmental Protection on this. We do not allow pumping of portable toilets at 484 Main St., but there aren’t a lot of regulations governing this. We are working with the DEP to come up with local regulations. It is also not legal to pump oil truck-to-truck.”

“We have residents all around there, a pond, a school and a new police station coming. We do not want to have any odors or contamination. We certainly don’t want to have anyone walking through effluent that could be spilled during pumping.”

A Lesson to Potential Thieves

Burglary suspect meets messy end in Port-A-Potty

Reported by: Chad Cookler

Lorenzo Knight TAMPA, FL -- Let this be a warning to all you potential thieves out there. If you're going to try to steal a man's truck, a portable toilet is not the best place to hide from him. That's because those port-a-potties are very easy to tip over. One suspected thief found that out the hard way. According to Tampa Police, 22 year Lorenzo Knight broke into a 1999 Ford F-150 in the parking lot of the International Mall and stole a digital camera as well as the truck's instruction manual. He then punched the door of another Ford F-150 parked right next to it, police said. That's when Knight's troubles began. Investigators say that car's owner and his friends saw Knight and chased him to a nearby construction site. Knight tried to hide in a portable toilet, but the men spotted him. And then they pushed it over, police said, and held him inside until cops arrived. He was covered in human waste when officers arrested him, according to police. Cops recovered some of Knight's burglary tools as well as one of his shoes next to the cars, according to Tampa Police.

Go Pink, in NYC!

Duane Reade Goes Pink to Support 2008 Komen New York City Race for the Cure(R)

NEW YORK, Aug 27, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Duane Reade, the leading drug store chain in metropolitan New York and the Local Presenting Sponsor for the 2008 Komen New York City Race for the Cure(R), is selling special Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R) paper ribbon pinups in its stores through the month of August. To further show Duane Reade's commitment to breast cancer awareness and the effort to find a cure, for the second year in a row the Company's signature shopping bags will go pink.

As part of Duane Reade's commitment to health and wellness, the Company is selling $1 paper ribbon pinups in its 241 stores in the New York metropolitan area. The promotion raised over $90,000 to-date, which will be donated in addition to a contribution of $80,000 through Duane Reade's Charitable Foundation, to the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to underwrite New York area community-based breast health programs and national peer-reviewed research.

To honor its second annual sponsorship of the Komen New York City Race for the Cure, Duane Reade will again turn its iconic shopping bag pink. For the two weeks prior to the race, from August 31st to September 14th, New Yorkers will receive their purchases in the limited edition bags.

"We are very thankful to have the generous support of Duane Reade," said Dara P. Richardson-Heron, MD, CEO of Komen Greater New York City. "In 2008, more than 170,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,000 will die. We appreciate Duane Reade's commitment to helping us run breast cancer out of town. The Company's pinup program will allow us to fund even more local breast health education, screening and treatment programs next year, and the pink shopping bags will be a tangible and lasting sign of New York's support."

"As an integral part of the New York community, we are proud to play such a large role in the 2008 Komen New York City Race for the Cure," said John Lederer, CEO of Duane Reade. "Duane Reade is the Local Presenting Sponsor of the race and by selling the Komen ribbon pinups in our stores and turning our iconic shopping bags pink, we invite New Yorkers to show their support and help us contribute to the effort to find a cure for breast cancer."

The 2008 race will be held on Sunday, September 14th in Central Park. The event is the signature fundraiser for the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R). Race registration is open at www.komennyc.org/race.

Duane Reade partnered with the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Outreach for Breast Health Foundation (OBHF) earlier this year to provide free mammography services at the Duane Reade stores located in East Harlem, New York in recognition of Black History Month. A mobile mammography van was on-site at these select Duane Reade stores to administer free mammogram screenings.

The Duane Reade Charitable Foundation was formed in March 2007 and is committed to supporting charitable organizations that promote health and wellness in New York's communities. A portion of the budget is also reserved to support programs that address local community needs.

From Market Watch

Labor Day

Just Kidding!! Have a wonderful Labor Day and enjoy the last day of the (sniff, sniff) summer!! We are closed today, but we will be back tomorrow.
Alex