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The 3-minute interview: Steven Soifer
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Related Topics: BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Steven Soifer, an associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work in Baltimore, is co-founder of the American Restroom Association, a city-based nonprofit that advocates for private, comfortable and sanitary bathrooms.
What are the best and worst bathrooms in the Baltimore region?
Some of the best bathrooms in the area? Dave and Buster’s. Part of it has to do with the design of the men’s restroom — they have floor-to-ceiling dividers at the urinals, which is very unusual.
The new Southwest terminal at the [Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall] airport has low bowl urinals with no dividers. That’s one of the worst I’ve used. It’s very small for the traffic, and there’s no privacy.
You refer to people with shy bladder syndrome, a social anxiety disorder that prevents them from urinating in front of others. Do many people avoid going to places without private bathrooms?
It’s hard to have exact numbers. We know 7 percent of the population has shy bladder syndrome, but the reason we formed this organization is because we’re also dealing with people who are incontinent ... When they gotta go, they have to go.
Anything on the horizon to help?
In the new plumbing codes, which municipalities will adopt, there will have to be directional signs pointing customers to the bathroom. ... We tried to get that passed in the Maryland legislature, but failed.
What’s the ideal public restroom?
Men and women have different needs. Men need dividers. In the bathroom stall for women, there is usually not enough toilet paper or disposal containers or shelf space. We are working on a book about how establishments can design the perfect bathroom. Many businesses don’t think about how much business they can lose with poorly designed bathrooms.
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Examiner Reader said:
This is total baloney
14 agree | 13 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
A fine article except for a few points left out. I think most parents don't really realize what they have gotten in until it hits them in the worst matter. Parents need to realize that not everything that a child do is funny, if you start earily then chances will be maybe few problems. I think that Scan needs to have some kind of set-up with the hospital when to-be moms come in to give birth because the nurses are the first to see signs of what may appear to be trouble later on down the road. These are not doll babies but little humans that grow up and do need nurturing until they are ready to leave home for college or marriage whatever comes first. My thing is see the problem before it gets out of hand.
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Examiner Reader said:
The "Wall" for Vietnam Veterans is their hallowed ground. It is here where the dead are honored, comrades meet, and memories of loss and triumph are shared. Jan Scruggs' work will live on long after he and the others are gone. However, the Memorial will exist as part of our American culture and history. It shall forever remain as a somber tribute to the ideals of a Nation and the heroism of those who served. The "Wall", and its legacy, shall continue to visually represent the Great Political Debate that exists within our democratic society.Jan Scruggs is to be commended and thanked for the efforts that have touched so many lives. Signed, a grateful veteran
17 agree | 13 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Dave, I just read the article (diabetes) at Pat and Alice's....I am surprised you didn't mention this one to me. Nice job! I am now reading some of your other articles...see you soon. MOM
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Examiner Reader said:
The state of maryland has had a drug and alcohol council for 20 years and they do nothing at all. Its one of the most useless councils in government. No one is going to increase drug treatment because there is no money. So each Governor plays lip service to the issue and says how important it is and how most crime is drug related but there is no new programs for the people who need it. We do have more prisons and police, which continues to do very little to stop drugs, but it looks good politically. When the government is serious about increasing treatment, they will learn to work with the Private Treatment community and become partners. Use old Mental Hospitals and closed army bases and let the private sector operator them. It works and doesn't cost tax payers any money. But this council is a joke...
11 agree | 9 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Kristy, are you nuts. Taking 10 city school students and trying to teach them science? How do you do it? I mean what black role models do you use to keep them interested. Are there any hip hop songs championing science?
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Pooky said:
Why does anyone owe Dr. Callender an apology? You seem to be the ONLY person who is caught up in mentioning his race, the rest of the world just sees a good doctor. Who is the bigot?
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D. Tucker Sheler, RN said:
Kudos to Dr. Callender! It's great to see features on Afro American men who have contributed so significantly to thier profession. Having been a doctor for so many years, I commend him on all the challenges he's endured over his career and his life. I know personally that he attributes his overcoming and success to the grace of God. Though he is probably credited with saving lives through the transplants he has performed, he knows that it is still in Gods hands to perform the miracle. If you could interview him longer than "3 minutes", you'll see that there is so much more to his amazing career. The AMA owes personal apologies to Dr. Callender and so many other AA doctors who continue to contribute to this profession with humility, compassion and spirit. Finally, in the year 2008, someone on the AMA board recognizes the need to own up to the errors of the past.
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Examiner Reader said:
I admire those groups working for GLBT, also those online services like the one BiLoves dotcom. Many of my friends there have spent their careers working for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. I think they are really very great.
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Examiner Reader said:
This show is supposed to be great...a must see!
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Indie said:
The ACLU is here to keep constitutional rights protected. W/o groups like the ACLU, the gov't would trample on people's rights. The Jim Crow laws were not ok, contrary to what some here might think. Guantanamo is tragically unconstitutional and tramples everything that we stand for. The right leaning Supreme Court Justices agree and so does McCaine. The gov't should only be allowed to spy on it's citizens through court-ordered warrants; that's our Fourth Amendment rights. To go against it is to go against what America is about. It's like the drug trade in the city. Under O'Malley, cops made mass arrests, then let them go on no charges at taxpayer's expense. Dealers and terrorists need to be put away, not innocent people. And w/o the ACLU, the state of MD would have continued violating their own constitutional mandate of providing an adequate education for public school students. Courts aren't sympathetic and w/o a valid and hard proof, the case would not have been
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Examiner Reader said:
You have got to be kidding me, an Owe'Malley judging someone else. Katie, you had to break the residency requirements of the position in order to accept the job in the first place. Remember Martin saying, in this instance residency is not an address it is a "state of mind". Poppycock! It is typical of an Owe'Malley to twist laws and to not hold yourself accountable to the same rules you hold the public in general to. Dont worry though you will be able to reside in the jurisdiction where you work after the next election. Martin Owe'Malley fooled the voters once, but his huge tax increase, his BG&E increase and his false sincerity have come across loud and clear with the voters. One term Marty!, its all I can afford. I hope you do not feel threatened in any way by this post, it is not meant to be so. I do not want Martin Owe'Malley to have me arrested for writing this simple post, like he had that contractor in Carney arrested for a criticizing E-Mail. Scary stuff MOM
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Examiner Reader said:
The ACLU is an insult to human intelligence.
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Examiner Reader said:
got her job because of her father. how corupt is that. miller's son will be a judge also because martin omalley bsby stuck his nose inot it after they ruled he did not belong.
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johnn said:
what about her husbands pratice of descriminating aganist its black police officers,i dont see her consern about that,after all she did decide the fate of a lot of black officers when her husband was mayor
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Examiner Reader said:
If the ACLU had its way all terrorist would be let go and all the people in jail would be let go. The ACLU hates America and loves murderers. I say disban the ACLU, they are worthless and we need to watch every move they make. I belive that they are helping in the attacks on the American people.
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Examiner Reader said:
The ACLU considers anything in the best interest of America to be illegal. If the ACLU thinks people have a right to protest then why doesn't NSA have the right to monitor the protestors. Don't believe anything the ACLU says. Their goal is to destroy America.
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Examiner Reader said:
It's ok for people to video police and their families but it's not ok for the gov. to video tap some wack jobs protesting? Get real, the ACLU is a Joke, all they want to do is keep the gov. from doing their jobs and they are all about hug a thug.
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TUTiger said:
This is awesome! To clarify the Bowl situation--Towson University is Division 1 in all sports, the highest level. Football is the only sport where we compete in FCS which is the second level of Division 1 football. FBS is the highest level which we hope to reach eventually. Congrats to the TU marching band! They deserve this.
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Examiner Reader said:
Ed --teach these kids to fish do not give them fish sticks. Teach a Baltimore City kid to fish and they will commit their crimes outside of the city where fishing is plentiful. Give a Baltimore City kid fish sticks and they will throw the empty fish stick box in the alley, sell the fish sticks they were given for nourishment for blunts, kill one another if someone disrespects their fish sticks, sue the fish stick company for making their stomach hurt, and then pull the race card when the fish sticks run out!
25 agree | 26 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The answers to fixing Baltimore City Schools are easy, and we all know what they are. Discipline in the classrooms, teach the 3 R's, teach citizenship,(how to be a good citizen-- do not litter, work ethics, common courtesy, why NOT to be mad at the world, etc). But the political will is not there to do it. So we will continue to coddle trouble makers in the class room, teach students to hate and tell them they have every reason to be mad at everyone, teach them they are OWED everything and should not be expected to work for success. Finally the Baltimore City Schools will continue to teach young people that they are never at fault and their failure at school, work, and life success is caused by everyone EXCEPT themselves. Their lack of motivation, work ethic, self reliance has nothing to do with their faliures. But in all fairness it aint the fault of the students--- it is the fault of a school system and culture that trains them to be failures--and celebrates it to boot!
26 agree | 27 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
the charter schools are bunk. this guy will prohibit some students from attending. it is a stupid idea that is making some rich. for every success story of a charter sholl there are 10 failures. not good.
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Carol Cooley said:
Excellent article - the issues facing the poor are so overwhelming - it is heartening to see that there are people helping to address their needs. However, if we do not ALL work to eliminate poverty people will continue to go to bed hungry in this very wealthy county. Mathis represents Community Action Agencies across the U.S. -- we need to support their efforts. This is an issue for all of us.
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Examiner Reader said:
If we are really going to get a handle on important environmental monitoring and reduce time to action we need more innovative ideas from men such as Quentin Forrest. Well done.
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Examiner Reader said:
Hi, Regarding the article on D.C. Sperior Court on finding the will of Frederick Douglass, I sent this news to a gentleman who portrays the spirit of Frederick Douglass and he asked me this question? Thanks Patricia. This is very interesting but I didn't die in 1886. It was 1895. Does she have the right Frederick Douglass?
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Examiner Reader said:
Its wonderful to see a relatively young man who is committed to and has dedicated his life to assisting the down and out. I hope and whish you success in your future undertakings.
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Marilyn said:
Waste to energy makes sense, just ask Montgomery County,MD. Let's hear more about recycling too.
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Examiner Reader said:
Le Village Marche is a great store. Too bad the reporter, Bill Sammon, is map challenged. Shirlington is in Arlington not Alexandria. Bit of fact finding would have shown that.
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Examiner Reader said:
Hearing comments from a Parkinson patient certainly should carry weight when additioinal funding is considered!
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Nikolet said:
Nice site!
34 agree | 29 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Ms. Peirce, I make the following corrections on your interview with Judge Leasure: (1) Governor Glendenning appointed her to the bench in 1992. (2) The overhaul of the Case Management System has been nothing but chaotic. An excellent system was ruined by Judge Leasure and her court administrator. (3) Judge Leasure DOES NOT carry the same caseload as the other judges which in a small part is caused by the fact that during the past eighteen months she was spending a good part of her time in Annapolis with trying to get one of the two appellate court openings. Ms. Peirce, you should always check your facts before writing a fluff article such as the one above.
145 agree | 116 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Mizeur is a one issue, gay rights only promoting, delegate. When will Examiner inteview an interesting legislator? I have nothing against gays, but how about interviwing a heterosexual to balance things out.
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Examiner Reader said:
Examiner Reader said: >>Re: The 3-minute interview: Carl Cephas<< For the record, I recall the Psychotronic Film Society meeting in Adams Morgan living rooms -- including mine -- in 1982 or 1983. The Psychotronic film guide wasn't out in 1982. Published/Created: New York : Ballantine Books, 1983. Maybe you mean eye and eye from D.C. Space.
113 agree | 157 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Gawd, is this the best the Examiner could come up with for an interview? Why not interview an O'malley wind-up doll? The responses would be more interesting and original. State stat's done nothing to fill hundreds of unfilled public safety vacancies in a state that is "making public safety its number one priority".
133 agree | 114 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
lisa "party trumps race" gladden is laughable.
140 agree | 119 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Lisa Gladden is just another liar as a Baltimore senator. She knows citistat was ineffective in Baltimore. But, she would rather suck up to the governor and allow him free reign to impose that failed program on the entire state of Maryland.
143 agree | 105 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Congratulations Ms. Sheehy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
135 agree | 122 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
You rock Ms.Sheehy! from your student
104 agree | 113 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
What is so hateful about not wanting criminals(Yes Eliza entering the USA ilegally is a crime)moving into your hometown. I also think CASA is breaking the law by aiding people who are here ilegally,What kind of message does that send?
179 agree | 168 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I worked with Mel back in the late 80s. Glad to see he's still at it. He'd be happy to know I left the restaurant business and I am now an attorney. Glenn Swiatek
184 agree | 197 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I strongly disagree.
181 agree | 190 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The silence on the sewage sludge matter is disturbing. What's going on? Is everyone now colluding with the powerful sludge industry?
251 agree | 172 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It sure is nice how George forgets that he also represents the southeastern district,you know everybody's orphan.
282 agree | 187 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Grace, my Howard County has been taken over by the socialist party.
274 agree | 230 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Bob Perilla's Big Hillbilly Bluegrass Band is a group of virtuoso musicians who are great ambassadors of American bluegrass in foreign countries and at home. Finally, some good news about our government--they were smart enough to send Big Hillbilly Bluegrass to spread goodwill overseas!
259 agree | 236 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
A nice three minute interview. I have followed Bob Perilla's brand of bluegrass music for years. I am so pleased that our government is sending such a great representative to create goodwill for America. In Perilla we have chosen someone who is both musically and intellectually capable.
341 agree | 240 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Great article about a dear friend, Saurabh Dalal, who is at the helm of the Vegetarian Society of D.C.! What the lead-in failed to mention is that the V.S.D.C. is -- or has been in recent years -- the largest local vegetarian society in the U.S.A. Saurabh's somewhat responsible for that, with his personable, helpful demeanor and his professional, consistent approach to public education. Saurabh heads a knowledgable and reliable team.
247 agree | 213 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Delegate Susan Krebs, I could not have said it better. But, frankly, what can we intelligent people expect from a bunch of demorat socialists? I'm sure it must be very frustrating for you as an intelligent person to be in that circus atmosphere. But until the people of Maryland wake up, you, I and all the other intelligent people will suffer greatly. I do so hate rats, and I am not referring to their four legged first cousins. But, in the interim, thank you for trying to bring some common sense in Annapolis. It must be very very frustrating.
263 agree | 233 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Mike Gimbel has SAVED more lives then this poison pen writer could ever reach. I know of that which I speak. Thank Goodness we have a Mike Gimbel in this town.
295 agree | 262 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Thanks Mike for all you do. This town is full of jerks
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