A Lemon of a Brand
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- Written by Stacie M. Waldman
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Lululemon is all the rage in fitness fashion, and at $100 a pop for yoga pants, it's what every brand-conscious woman wants to wear to the gym. At some yoga studios, gyms, and specialty fitness centers, Lululemon is de rigeur. Do you own Lululemons? Following are some surprising facts about Lululemon's founder Chip Wilson:
- In a blog entry Wilson said that working women who take oral contraceptives are overstressed, and have caused the increased rate of breast cancer over the last 20 years, particularly if they also smoke.
- When a manufacturing glitch caused yoga pants to come out too sheer, rather than blame his company he claimed that women's oversized bodies, not the fabric, were to blame.
- In a blog entry Wilson admitted that he chose the company name as a joke on Asians. The name contains 3 "L"s and he thought it might help with product marketing, making it difficult for people from "The Orient" to pronounce this very western sounding name.
- Wilson is vocally in favor of child labor, holding the belief that children in "third world" countries should be allowed to work in factories for money, even though UNICEF has data to show that the number one way for a cycle of poverty to end is by educating children.
With all of this negative press will Lululemon continue to be able to turn their outsourced fabric into billions of dollars of profits? Wilson is said to have a net worth of $3 billion but will brand-conscious, ethical woman continue to shop at his stores after they know more about him? He has already offended women who work, women who are sexually active, women who work out to lose weight, the Asian population and objectors to child labor. Perhaps the tarnished brand image will result in lower sales.
Here's a little more information about Wilson:
On his blog (until it was suspiciously removed), Chip Wilson stated, "Breast cancer also came into prominence in the 1990's. I suggest this was due to the number of cigarette-smoking Power Women who were on the pill...and taking on the stress previously left to men in the working world." Critics have suggested that women who are currently battling breast cancer, are breast cancer survivors, or support breast cancer research, buy small iron-on pink ribbons and replace the prominent, reflective Lulu logo with them. (After all, it's hard to go and burn a bunch of comfortable, expensive yoga pants.)
Last March, when the manufacturing glitch was discovered, women in gyms all over the country were exposing their private parts by wearing see-through, black Lulu Lululemon leggings. The product recall cost the company $67 million. Rather than staying silent, apologizing, or poking fun at himself, Wilson blamed women's anatomy and said that the fact that women's thighs touch was the issue. In a Bloomberg interview he said, "We are a technology company and when you push technology...there's a thousand things that could go wrong. Quite frankly, some women's bodies just actually don't work," he continued, "It's about the rubbing through the thighs, how much pressure is there." His wife also attended the interview and admitted that the issue wasn't just the thighs but the sheerness from other angles as well - notably the rear. She suggested it was due to how the pants were being used and claimed that women were sitting on cement while exercising and causing the fabric to wear. Do you frequently see women working out on cement in their Lululemons?
As far as the name "Lululemon," Mr. Wilson blogged, "...A Japanese marketing firm would not try to create a...brand with the letter 'L' because the sound does not exist ... By including an 'L' in the name it was thought the Japanese consumer would find the name innately North American and authentic." In a follow up interview with a Canadian publication, he said, "It's funny to watch them try and say it."
The last surprise (or probably not given Mr. Wilson's gift of gab) is his position on child labor. He told a Canadian publication, The Tyee, "the single easiest way to spread wealth around the world is to have poor countries pull themselves out of poverty." But most agree that countries can pull themselves out of poverty by yanking children from school and sending them to work at garment factories. UNICEF states, "Education ends generational cycles of poverty and disease and provides a foundation for sustainable development." In the U.S. we have laws requiring children to attend schools and prevent youngsters from working. We tend to want our children to become as educated as possible because that is what will allow them to be most successful over the long-term. It's the same in developing countries. Children who have the greatest chance of securing their way out of poverty are the educated ones, not the ones being exploited in the factories.
Ironically, Lululemon is adding a children's line to its repertoire. Now American children will have the chance to dance and skate in pants made by children in sweatshops in Bangladesh. Let's see if Mom's embrace this new line.
It may be time for Wilson to do some damage control and donate some of his profits to good causes such as breast cancer research or UNICEF. Savvy customers may demand an explanation before they buy more Lululemons.
If, after learning all this about Wilson you want to support other brands of exercise wear, here a few comparable alternatives: Zella at Nordstrom, Lucy, Lole, Athleta, SweatyBetty, and YogaSmoga.
Healthy and Tasty: A Savory Bakery in Scarsdale
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When we first met Diane Forley and Michael Otsuka shortly before Thanksgiving in 2009 they had just opened Flourish Baking Company on Summerfield Street in Scarsdale. The chefs, a married couple with extensive experience at Manhattan restaurants, had decided to produce savory meals and baked goods that were healthy without sacrificing taste.
They recognized that gluten free diets were on the rise and that many were looking to avoid the white flour, sugar and buttercream frosting customarily found in bakery treats. They came up with a line of vegetable pot pies and snack bars made with organic flour and grains and fresh vegetables which are now sold at Whole Foods, Balduccis,, Dean and Deluca, Equinox Health Clubs and can even be ordered on Fresh Direct. They also offer their goods at the weekly farmers markets in Larchmont and Chappaqua. In the last three years they have grown an impressive manufacturing business and now plan to enhance their local business in Scarsdale by offering fresh foods from their shop, opening a small café and even giving healthy cooking classes in their industrial-sized kitchen.
They have come up with some wonderful new menu items for the holidays as well as gift offerings of healthy treats and snacks and allowed me to come down for a tasting this week. I sampled tuscan bean spread with olives, squash and chick pea salad, bread sticks, focaccia, lavender shortbread, dried apples and pie –and it was all delectable.
Beginning with Thanksgiving, Flourish is offering everything but the turkey and has a full plate of side dishes, breads and desserts for your celebration. Here are just a few of the Thanksgiving items that can be ordered (by 11/22) and picked up before the holiday:
Cauliflower Bisque
Brussel Sprouts Hash
Glazed Sweet Potato Rounds
Kale, Collard and Spinach Pie
Wild Rice Pilaf
Challah Bread Stuffing
Michael's Cranberry Sauce
Many of these items are gluten free or vegan -- which will allow you to feed guests with special dietary needs.
This year, as Hanukkah coincides with Thanksgiving, you may want to recognize both traditions on your table. To celebrate the festival of light, Flourish is selling root vegetable latkes or potato latkes as well as Hudson Valley applesauce, beignets shortbread dreidels, hand made maple pecan rugelach and almond and fennel seed biscotti.
Their new line of prepared foods and gift items are on display at the bakery on Summerfield Street – just down the way from the Eastchester Fish Gourmet. Many of the items are wrapped for holiday giving and will make nice presents for the healthy and unhealthy eaters on your list.
Take a look at these organic spiced cashews and pumpkin and sunflower brittle that looks like Diane's take on Heath Bar Crunch. Also appealing are these individual apple pies in a jar that can be heated in the microwave or oven and make any day a holiday.
But you don't need a special occasion to visit Flourish. They are baking up savory muffins and tarts that make good lunches or dinners. Soon they will also be serving coffee and baked goods in their café and invite you to visit and spend some time at the shop.
To preview their new line and enjoy a free taste, attend the open house on Thursday night November 14 from 5 pm to 8 pm. Flourish will be sampling their fare that night and invite the community to attend.
Flourish Baking Company
160 Summerfield Street
Scarsdale
(914) 725-1026
www.flourishbakingcompany.com
RiverMarket: Farm to Table Now Open in Tarrytown
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- Written by Anna S. Decker
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Looking for something new in the Hudson Valley? Head on over to RiverMarket Bar and Kitchen (I think they could have been a little more creative with the name!) brought to you from the owners of the famous Westchester Crabtree Kittle House in Chappaqua. This is a very different, more casual restaurant and in keeping with the farm to table movement, many of the menu ingredients are locally sourced. It is sited in a corner of the luxury Hudson Harbor condo community that was developed right on the river in Tarrytown. While it was too nippy to take advantage, outdoor seating is available and it looks like it will be a great place for views of the Hudson River and Tappan Zee Bridge construction when spring arrives!
The restaurant's interior features beautiful dark woods and cavernous ceilings. Unfortunately there did not seem to be much soundproofing so although the restaurant wasn't full, it was very noisy. That didn't stop us from enjoying the surroundings but since this is a brand new building, I wondered why they didn't plan for it.
The restaurant has only been open several weeks and you could tell they were still working things out. Wait staff seemed inexperienced, but we came here for the food and we weren't disappointed. I found the menu to be really appealing with wonderful seasonal appetizer choices including fresh oysters, grilled calamari (with peas, artichoke and mint... a terrific combo $16) homemade burrata (ok!), a foie gras terrine, a lobster salad and a wonderful composed green salad. It was a menu bursting with great choices and not overwhelmed by too many ingredients. The bread, prepared in house, was hot and delicious.
Our group of six ordered a variety of main courses and everyone seemed satisfied. I had a flavorful lobster dish ($35) with swiss chard. It had a very light sauce that was rich and delicious but not overwhelming. Other choices that I tasted included duck prepared 3 different ways including some foie gras and a pork shoulder . There were two pasta selections (spicy lobster with black linguini and a ravioli $16 and $12) and our server encouraged the smaller portions and both diners agreed that it was enough for an entrée although a larger portion is available. Entrées run from $16 (a burger) to $36 and all include a generous serving of delicious local vegetables.
They are working on a cocktail list and there were a large variety of wines as you would expect from a restaurant with the Crabtree Kittle House pedigree. Standard cocktails were available and we had plenty of good choices for reasonable wines. Desserts didn't disappoint and we had an excuse of a birthday to order a couple....Churros that were uninspiring but a butternut squash spice cake with butternut squash ice cream, which was rich, creamy, savory and sweet. The chocolate cake is another good choice...I admit, we unabashedly cleaned the plates!
The restaurant is working out the kinks and by spring (if not sooner) should be on your list. They have an attached market that sells some of their pastries, local cheeses, eggs, veggies and jams and other products.
RiverMarket Bar and Kitchen is located at 127 West Main Street in Tarrytown. Be sure to put it in your GPS ... not so easy to find. 914 631-3100
Marathon Tales
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Ninety-three runners from Scarsdale were among the 50,740 entrants in what the NY Times said was the largest marathon in history. Scarsdale runners joined representatives from 109 countries and all 50 states at the NYC Marathon on Sunday November 3. The oldest person to complete the race was 89 year-old Colin Thorne of New Zealand, who finished in 6:30:09.
Among the Scarsdale runners were doctors, a dentist, several married couples, a banker and a family of three. Some had signed up last year for the ill-fated 2012 marathon that was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy, and had been waiting a year to conquer New York. Read their stories here:
Melanie Bernitz
Melanie Bernitz, MD, MPH, began running shortly after moving to New York in 1999 to do a residency in family medicine at CUMC. She is now executive director of the Student Health Service, a faculty member in the Department of Medicine at P&S, and a two-time participant in the NYC Marathon.
Dr. Bernitz's training consists of two or three moderate runs during the week, a long run on the weekend, and gym work on the days between. Running, she says, relaxes her and allows her to do her best thinking. She has adjusted her diet to five small meals a day.
After breaking an ankle in 2011, she set her sights on a return to the NYC Marathon.
Bernitz said "A marathon is a mental goal as well as a physical one, and with motivation and commitment pretty much anyone whose mind is set to it can run the marathon," she says. "I wanted to be able to run the marathon again, so I set myself this challenge. Many of my students run, and they were a tremendous motivating factor. I had the most incredible experience yesterday. The crowd support was phenomenal and the organization impeccable. To witness the perfectly orchestrated event after Hurricane Sandy and the Boston Marathon made me proud to be a participant. Running allows me to stay active and healthy. I hope that by watching me train, it inspires my kids to set their sights on a goal and not stop until they achieve it."
Daniel Burton
It was actually my second marathon. It was supposed to be my first because I registered for the NYC Marathon last year, but after last year's NYC Marathon was cancelled, I was fortunate in that I was able to get into the Philadelphia Marathon two weeks after NYC was cancelled (Philadelphia opened some extra spots at the last minute last year for those who were supposed to run NYC). I ran some of the race with my good friend Marty Keltz. For me, the best part of the NYC Marathon is the feeling of togetherness you share with everyone who runs, cheers, or volunteers. Everyone is pulling for each other - to keep moving forward, to accomplish a goal, to reach the finish line!
My favorite moment of the race was when I saw my family and friends smiling and cheering for me at Mile 19 on First Avenue - that gave me a much-needed boost!
Jen and David Chan: 
The 5:30 am bus from Westchester and the three-hour wait to begin the race in Staten Island were tough-- but the experience of running the NYC Marathon was well worth the initial discomfort. We met people from all over the world – and it was amazing to see thousands of runners streaming over the bridge. Each borough brought it's own surprise and we were buoyed by the crowds that lined the streets for the entire racecourse. A friend met us at mile 8, and my cousin appeared at mile 12 and then again at the end of the race which really cheered us up. The temperature was perfect for running and David and I ran together the entire time. (David is pictured at top)
Joan Frankle
Last Sunday, I ran my second NYC Marathon. After my first, I knew I wanted to run it one more time. I waited eight years to run New York again, in honor of my fiftieth birthday. With no goal, other than to finish, I was pleasantly surprised to have improved on my 2005 time (by seven minutes). Marathon Sunday is always a great day for New York and, after last year's cancellation and this year's Boston Marathon tragedy, it was an awesome experience to be able to participate. I met some great people along the way and I had an incredibly supportive following of friends and family cheering for me, helping me on to the finish.
Rosanne and Rich Klein
Here is a photo of both my husband and I with our medals! While we didn't run the marathon together (our start times were different), we did both complete our first marathons! It was an amazing experience - we loved it! We both ran for charity, I ran for St. Judes and he ran for JDRF (our niece has juvenile diabetes). It was terrific. Thank you so much for including us!
Donna Lau
I had a great time on Sunday! I was actually supposed to run last year before it was cancelled. It would've been my first 
marathon. So instead of letting all the training and hard work go to waste, I decided to run the marathon in Richmond, VA, two weeks after the New York race date. This year, I completed my second marathon, running in the Nike Women's San Francisco marathon, just 2 weeks ago! It has been an emotional journey for me, getting to finally run the NYC Marathon. It was an awesome experience and nothing beats the NY crowds cheering you on! I finished in 4 hours, 37 minutes.
Cara Roberts
Cara had registered last year but the race was cancelled due to Superstorm Sandy. "While I hadn't trained as seriously this year, it was an opportunity not to be missed while living in NYC." Her parents, Bill and Cynthia Roberts, used the subway system to catch sight of their 
daughter. Cynthia said, "We missed her by three minutes in Green Point, Brooklyn, but thanks to the subway we were able to cheer for her at three spots in Manhattan. The other key to finding her was that friendly spectators shared their smart phone runner tracking app to check on her progress for us. This race was a refreshing celebration of the strength of the human spirit."
Art Rublin
I had a great experience doing my second New York City Marathon. I didn't exactly keep up with the elite runners with my 4:27 time, but I was very happy to have a smile on my face high-fiving my three sons and hugging my wife at Mile 19, and a kick and a smile at the Finish Line. I had fun training on the roads of Scarsdale, using the Rec Department's 5 and 8.5 mile loops 
through many of Scarsdale's neighborhoods and parks. That hill going up Cambridge and then across Mamaroneck up Cooper is great training for the Queensboro Bridge!
Elizabeth Thompson
This was a very meaningful race for me. I wore my Boston Red Sox hat and my Boston strong T-shirt to show my solidarity and support for the crisis that have happened in Boston in April. But the race has personal meaning as well. My husband proposed to me in 1996 the night before the marathon and challenged me to run it in under four hours. If I ran it in under four hours I could keep my engagement ring otherwise I had to wear a knuckle ring instead.
(photo caption:) My official time was 3:56.55 despite what my watch says.
So, no matter what shape on then or how many miles I put in for training I always try to go under four hours. This year I was perilously close to not making it and each mile was painful. I was so happy to tell him that I could do it one more year
Fiona Silver
This was my first marathon. I ran in support of UJA's "sports for youth" program. New York Road Runners puts on an absolutely amazing day for the marathon and thankfully everything went off without a hitch. It's fantastic to see how many people come out to cheer and encourage you on. It was wonderful day for me and my family. I'd like to say a special thank you to all my friends and family for their support and kind words and thoughts leading up to and after the marathon.
Tracie Sundack
Here is my blurb. I have only been running for four years and it has changed my life for the better. This marathon was the fourth marathon I ever ran and the second in NYC. I ran The Chicago Marathon 3 weeks ago. It was great, but nothing beats running the NYC Marathon. Although I was still sore from running Chicago, I wouldn't have missed NYC for the 
world. My time in NYC was slower because of muscle soreness, but I had a great time and enjoyed the crowds. I am already looking forwards to running it again next year. I run with the Newro runners and 33 of us ran the marathon.
Steven Siegel
Steve Siegel, who lived on Crossway in Scarsdale for 35 years, ran his 30th marathon on Sunday and his 18th NYC Marathon. He is pictured here with his marathon number from his first NYC Marathon in 1978.
Michael, Jana and Benita Trenk
Michael Trenk and daughters Jana and Benita all ran the race. Michael Trenk finished in 3:14, Jana Trenk in 3:26 and Benita Trenk in 4:00.
Jana and Benita are both graduates of Scarsdale High School and were members of the cross country/track teams under coach Richard Clark. Benita, age 22, recently graduated from Barnard College as an architecture major and is planning on going to grad school in the fall.
Jana, age 24, is finishing her Masters Degree in Childhood Education at Bank Street College in December. She works as a Teaching Assistant at PS 77 Lower Lab School in NYC where she is an assistant coach at the school's running program that she helped to start last year.
Michael has been running competitively since 2000 and completed his first marathon in 2001. He has been coached by Mike Barnow of the Westchester Track Club.
Michael says, "I enjoy running because it is a healthy sport, convenient to do nearly anytime, anyplace, at any speed or distance,
at any age for a low cost. It has proven to be a good social opportunity – runners have a special camaraderie that builds friendships at home, at school and in business. Runners enjoy a special benefit – you can eat as much as you want without gaining weight!
The New York City Marathon is my favorite race. I love the crowds, the bands, the competition, the people we know who meet each year to run or cheer. But most of all, I like it for the discipline. To get a good time in the marathon, one must train all year long. When the next race is always just months away, you have to stay in shape. No excuses!"
Elizabeth Gruber, Ann Sacher, Liz Somekh
It was awesome. The outpouring of support from our families, friends and the NYC community was overwhelming. We've been running together for 
more than ten years and decided last year to run the NYC Marathon together. Although it took us two years to get there because of Hurricane Sandy, we were thrilled to cross the finish line hand-in-hand. We loved every minute of it!
If you ran the marathon and want to be included, please send your photo and comments to [email protected].
Here's a complete list of Scarsdale residents who registered to run this year's NYC Marathon:
Melanie Bernitz
Dawn Byck
Martin Keltz
Richard Klein
Aaron Marks
Gregg Monterosso
Andrew Nicholson
Eric Premisler
Linda Rigano
Sonnia Sheridan
Elizabeth Thompson
Thomas Vinton
Henri Waelbroeck
Michael Pritula
Todd Sohn
Javier Chapochnick
Shinchi Kon
Joshua Trump
Helyce Sellinger
Jennifer Chan
David Chan
Fiona Silver
Helene Walisever
Isak Yahav
Brian Keefe
Liz Somekh
Kristen Fusco
Robert Cruz
Servaas Chorus
Elizabeth Gruber
Jonathan Katz
Amy Feilbogen
Kengo Tanaka
Gavin Duke
Jospeh Roth
Tetsuo Watanabe
Ann Sacher
Dawn Joyce
Jonathan Bender
Victor Munoz
Sean Dunne
Nicolas Friedman
Rosanne Klein
Neal Sheridan
Brandon Schubert
Alex Teeman
Jennifer Ruckdeschel
Alan Fitzgerald
Jason Ser
Phillippe Harousseau
Ted Piekarski
Alan Ivcic
Kristen Lynn Beades
Kinzang Tobay
Moh-Lim Ong
Kenneth Sherman
Eve Feurstein
Arthur Rublin
Cathy Biviano
Tracie Sundack
Daniel Burton
Shunsuke Tomioka
Cara Roberts
Henry Asher
Benita Trenk
Marios Damianides
Ann-Maria Rankis
Jana Trenk
Joan Frankle
Yumiko Shime
Vivek Pabby
Kenji Shime
Mike Kiser
Michael Trenk
Sandy Balkin
Simone Gentilini
Jennifer Li
Geoff Homer
Thomas Kline
Apul Im
Amanda North
Jason Krasner
Stephan Month
Cheong Sack Hoong
Sara Friedman
Timothy Dowling
Evan Halpern
Andrew Gorrin
Emily Ostertag
Frank Colella
Marc Gross
Donna Lau
Natalie Yellen
Fitness Faux Pas: 12 No No's At the Gym
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With the kids back in school, perhaps you have two, maybe even three whole hours for some quality me-time. What's the first thing on your wish list? Workouts at the gym! But when you're there, remember it's not all about you. Everyone at the gym is there to get fit and enjoy a workout. So avoid these fitness faux pas to ensure that you don't embarrass yourself and annoy others.
1. Leave sick kids at home: Dylan's nose is oozing and he had a fever at 8:00 AM- that's why you didn't send him to school. So why is he in childcare at the gym? We all know whose kid that is and if we don't, we ask. Always have a home workout ready as backup and stay home. What small child wants to be at a gym childcare when they're sick anyway?
2. Arrive on time: Try to be on time for classes, especially if you need to lug a lot of equipment in with you and if the class is very full. If you easily find a spot, great. If you need to worm your way through and it will disturb others, activate gym etiquette. We all run late and it stinks to miss that one class you live for every week, but know where to draw the line and sit one out.
3. First come, first served: Never ever think you own a spot on the floor in a gym class. You don't. Moving someone else's equipment without asking them first, even if it's poorly placed, is just bad karma.4. Don't bare it: Those Lululemon pants are transparent. It was in the New York Times, Reuters, Business Week, Time, The Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, People, on CNN and NPR, and trending on Twitter. You couldn't have missed it. But, if you did, someone reading this article will remember proper gym etiquette and remind you that you have on the recalled Lululemons. Please exchange at your nearest retailer. Now.
5. Respect personal space: Accidentally hitting the person next to you when you're doing jumping jacks hurts. Being back-lunged into never feels good. You should never feel like you need to wear a helmet and shin guards to a fitness class. Try your best to leave an arm's length or two between you and the person next to you and try to be aware of your surrounding gym-mates. (See #5 if you do make contact.)
6. Say excuse me: This should be a given, but apparently it is not. If you bump into someone, (or if you are thrown into someone when someone bumps into you,) say "I'm sorry" or "excuse me," with a smile on your face. Similarly, if you need to reach past someone for equipment, wait your turn or say, "excuse me;" it makes everyone's gym experience better.
7. Talk outside: Save the cell phone conversations for outside the gym. Enough said.
8. Don't tie up the machines: An oldie but goodie is don't rest on a machine or bench in between sets; and definitely don't superset. Avoiding eye contact with the guy you know is waiting is obvious to all, so just let him know that you're buff enough for another set and give him a turn.
9. Clean up after yourself: The eight-pound dumbbells are always missing from the rack. Remember what you're always trying to teach your children...please put things back when you're doing using them.
10. Wipe it down: If the equipment you just used is very shiny in certain areas, it is probably your sweat. Please take the time to wipe it down before the next person uses it. Thanks.
11. Exit gracefully: If you need to leave a class early, politely inform the instructor of this before the class begins. They work hard to design classes for you and may take it personally.
12. Don't strut your stuff: Do you really need to blow dry your hair for 20 minutes naked? Or in a thong? Congratulations on your new breasts, they turned out lovely (and who's your surgeon?), but the most amount of time they should be out in a public locker room is the time it takes to change. You may think you look awesome in a thong, but you jiggle when you blow-dry your hair. Oh, and men, skip blow-drying the privates in public.
The author wishes to thank Webb Travis for providing feedback and suggestions for this article. Webb is an experienced personal trainer and top-notch fitness instructor at Equinox in Scarsdale, and he never uses blow-dryers inappropriately in public locker rooms
