Looking to get inked? Use these hints, and you're on your way to obtaining a great tattoo.

Don't rush into it: Tattoos are permanent, so think hard. And drugs and alcohol combined with permanent body modification is a recipe for regret. Wait until you're of sound mind, and then decide if you still want those Grateful Dead bears dancing across your behind.

Choose an artist: "Read, research, get a referral," counsels independent tattoo artist Paul Roe, who has thousands of tattoos to his credit. (The Web sites Tattooz.net and Tattoodles.com are good places to start looking.) Find someone "whose tattoo you love -- not like, but love -- and ask them who did it," he says. Then, visit several studios.

Ask questions: The more information your artist provides, the better. She should answer all your concerns easily and willingly. If she seems uncomfortable, go elsewhere.

Do a safety check: Allergic reactions to tattoos are rare, but anyone with sensitivity to a particular metal (such as nickel) should mention it. Risk of transmitting disease through tattooing is also very low, as long as safety procedures are followed. Ask to see the autoclave -- the machine that sterilizes equipment. If it looks as if it hasn't been used in 10 years, it probably hasn't. Also make sure the tattooist employs single-use, disposable needles; the sterile bags that hold these should be opened in front of you.

Pick your moment: Before getting tattooed, be sure your tetanus shot is up-to-date, get a good night's sleep and, to avoid fainting, don't get inked on an empty stomach. Go when the artist is least busy. You don't want him rushing it, and if he's on his 10th hour straight, he might not be at the top of his game. And if the tattooist is drunk or high, don't let him near your skin.

Brace yourself: It will hurt. Greg Dietrich of Reston, Va., who has more than 10 tattoos, likens the experience to "a deep, long, painful brush burn." To minimize discomfort, Roe tells his clients "the three rules of getting tattooed: relax; breathe consistent, regular breaths; don't move." Roe also says that with a correctly applied tattoo, "there should be very little blood. Perhaps a drop or two over the entire thing." Don't drink alcohol or take aspirin -- both thin the blood -- in the 24 hours before or after getting a tattoo.

Don't forget after-care: Ointments, lotions, top-secret formulas -- there are almost as many regimens as there are artists. Do what your tattooist recommends. Keep the bandage on for at least two to three hours, then use your hand to wash the area gently with soap and water. Exposure to sun fades any tattoo, new or old, so keep yours covered with sunblock of SPF 30 or stronger.

www.indystar.com

A number of new ordinances are up for approval Monday night at the Austin City Council meeting.

Among them is the tattoo and body piercing ordinance, which dictates safety standards and the age limit for people receiving tattoos or piercing.

At a work session earlier this month, the council agreed 6-1 to pass the ordinance, which, among other things, requires parental signatures and supervision for anyone under 18 that wants a piercing or tattoo.

The age limit was the only matter of debate on the issue. Steve Kish, owner of Unusual Expressions in Austin, helped create the ordinance, but argued that the age limit should be lowered to 16. Teens ages 16 and over can drive, he said, and will simply go to other communities or unlicensed artists if the limit is set.

That would be a safety hazard, he said.

City Attorney David Hoversten has advised there could be some legal problems with allowing someone aged 16 or 17 to receive a piercing without supervision and consent.

Another ordinance up for consideration is one which would allow sale of beer or liquor outside alcohol establishments.

Places with decks or patios in particular would be able to take advantage of the new ordinance. The change would be reflected when the establishment renews their license.

Also, an outdoor license for specific events can be requested under the proposed ordinance.

www.austindailyherald.com

KC Opry is bringing a Branson-style country music show to the Northland. The group’s new home will be at the Liberty Performing Arts Theater, 1600 S. Withers Road.
Opry stars Bobby Simkins and April LaJune said their roots were here, and now they are bringing their talents to country music fans in the Kansas City area.
Their band, Texas Tattoo, provides a variety of music, including classic and new country as well as ’50s and ?60s rock ’n’ roll with a twist of Mississippi blues.
For Elvis fans, the KC Opry features hits from the King. Skits from “Grease” and “Dirty Dancing” will be incorporated within the show, promoters said.
Simkins and LaJune said that because they grew up in the Kansas City area, they wanted to help local organizations raise money for worthy causes. The KC Opry is looking for groups that would like to use their show as a fund-raiser.
For ticket information, call 322-6774, e-mail kc_opry@yahoo.com, or call the box office at the Performing Arts Theater, 792-6130. Their first show will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 31.
Adult tickets are $12 in advance, $6.50 for children 6 to 12 and free for children younger than 5.

www.dispatchtribune.com

Attendance totals were said to be up at the 2004 Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

Organisers estimated that up to 200,000 people visited the two-day event and they hope for a profit this year.

The tattoo featured hours of military and aerobatic displays and hundreds of planes from around the world were on the ground for viewing by the public.

Last year spectator numbers were down and the event, which supports the RAF Benevolent Fund, lost money.

Organisers this year paid particular attention to traffic systems to overcome the problem of queues which have hit the event in the past.

To mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day, RAF Fairford - itself a D-Day airfield - recreated events in an MoD-sponsored tribute to all those who took part in Operation Overlord.

Other special features included two stalwarts of international aviation, the Hawk and the Hercules, and displays by the world-famous Red Arrows.

The operational theme Fighter 04 brought together some of the world's greatest frontline aircraft, including the Hunter, F-15, F-16, Tornado, Sea Harrier, the Mirage 2000 and Typhoon.

news.bbc.co.uk

Lionel Richie's daughter Nicole's choice of intimate body piercing left her highly embarrassed recently, when she had to show her breasts to airport security.

The aspiring singer, who stars in hit reality show Thhe Simple Life alongside her best pal Paris Hilton, was travelling from Reno, Nevada to New York City when her nipple piercing triggered off metal detectors at a security checkpoint.

She recalls: "(When the alarm went off), I said, 'I'm pierced,' and that usually is the end of it. And she said, 'Well, what are you gonna do about it?' I said, 'Well, you can either scan it or…I don't know what to tell you.'

"She said, 'Well, visually, I can't say that that is okay. Even if I look at it I can't say it's okay. I'm not even allowed to touch it.' I'm like, 'What if I say you can touch it? It should be fine.' She's like, 'No, I'm not allowed to do that.'

"So they brought in two female officers and took me not to necessarily the most private place in the airport and made me take off my top. Thank God I'm not a shy person, but what if I was shy?

"You know what, you guys are letting lighters on the plane and stuff like that, but I can't have a nipple ring? What am I gonna do - poke someone in the eye with it?"

breakingnews.iol.ie

Calgary's love affair with the Flames is being worn more on sleeves than on flesh down on the grounds. While jerseys, shirts and caps bearing the NHL Stanley Cup finalists' colours are readily in evidence, other tattoo designs are scoring more often with fair-goers.

"The biggest sellers are the Celtic symbol and barbed wire," said Tashawna Fraser, 21, who roams the grounds with a tank of compressed air used to stencil on temporary paint images.

But she and co-worker Kristin Boguski say there has been some demand for the Flames logo, particularly among a group of visiting Vancouverites, whose Canucks were eliminated by the Calgary squad in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

"I did six Flames tattoos in 15 minutes," said Fraser of the company Just for Now Tattoos.

The mobility of the scuba-like air tanks has been a huge hit on the grounds, said the two wandering vendors.

"It's more convenient -- we go to them," said Boguski, who also sells airbrush tattoos at Flames games in the Pengrowth Saddledome.

"It's been awesome for our company, that's for sure -- we might be doing this here next year."

www.canoe.ca

OCEANSIDE ----- Decked out in braids and multiple facial piercings, Tracy Scheidel is a savvy, if slightly eccentric, businesswoman.

The owner of Body Piercing by Tracy in Oceanside, as well as a local tattoo parlor, Scheidel has managed to take the piercing shop she started in her home about 13 years ago and mold it into a thriving business where hundreds of body parts are pierced each week.

Located on South Coast Highway, Body Piercing by Tracy is a full-service piercing shop, offering assorted jewelry and most body piercings, including those on the nose, tongue, eyebrow, ears, nipples, navels and what Scheidel refers to as "south of the border." The price for a piercing, which includes jewelry, ranges between $35 for an earlobe or eyebrow up to $80 for more delicate spots.

"Some add sensation, others are sensational," Scheidel said jokingly.

The shop's employees also give patrons information about how to care for their piercing and what to do if things go wrong. They also offer free after-care consultations, even if a customer didn't get their piercing at the shop.

The inside of Tracy's is decorated with whimsical images of pierced inanimate objects such as an orange with a hoop earring protruding from its navel. The shop also has a large display case filled with jewelry for assorted piercings that also contains a set of antique jewelry that Scheidel said she is reluctant to sell.

Despite the relaxed atmosphere of her shop, Scheidel said she is serious about providing the most hygienic piercing experience as possible.

"We are not a punk rock head shop," Scheidel said. "I feel the establishment is very clinical in appearance ---- we are very concerned about safety and cleanliness."

She is also very strict about who her employees pierce. She only allows adults 18 years or older to participate; anyone younger must be accompanied by a legal guardian, and even then, they only have a limited number of piercing choices.

Courtney Wilson, 20, started getting piercings at Tracy's when she was 16 years old. Now a customer for four years, she said she continues to go because she likes and trusts the employees. She now has a pierced navel and nose as well as several holes in her ears from going to the shop.

"They are super friendly and super cool. I know that it is a clean shop, and they know what they are doing," said Wilson, a Carlsbad resident. "I know the quality I'm getting when I go there." When Scheidel started her piercing services out of her Carlsbad home in 1992, she was also working as a military barber.

Scheidel generally comes in only once or twice a week. Last year, the shop grossed $250,000.

"It's past puberty now," Scheidel said. "I'm very proud because I worked really, really, really hard."

www.nctimes.com

Fairplex event is world's largest show for body art

Arms still flesh-colored? No permanent art on your neck? Have fewer than three parts of your body pierced?
Here, you're the freak.

Hundreds of tattoo artists and thousands of inked-up enthusiasts are expected this weekend at the world's biggest tattoo show, Body Art Expo 2004 at Fairplex in Pomona.

The three-day event, which started Friday, brings together artists from across the world and features tattoo competitions, demonstrations and rows of booths where people can get tattooed or leaf through artists' work.

"When people come to shows like this, it's an opportunity to collect work from artists from other parts of the country and other parts of the world without the client having to do the traveling,' said Pat Sinatra, a Kingston, N.Y.-based artist regarded as one of the best in the field.

Sinatra, who has been in the business since 1976, participates in shows and lectures practically everywhere and says the industry has never been more popular.

The massive attendance at shows like this semiannual Pomona event, she said, are evidence that tattoos are no longer taboo.

"Twenty years ago, because I did tattoos, I was a slut,' she said. "Now, I'm fashionable.'

At another booth, 21-year-old Ricky Garcia of Walnut crouched over a chair as artist Jennifer Schichi buzzed his back with bright-red ink.

It was the third of six expected three-hour sessions for Garcia, who was getting an elaborate dragon to match one on his father's back.

"I'm a big fan of dragons and wizards, and I've always felt if I wanted to protect my family, I'd give these dragons the power to protect my family,' Garcia said.

www.pasadenastarnews.com

Children are no longer allowed to have their tongues, lips, ears or any other body part pierced in Pennsylvania without a parent or guardian nearby. House Bill 832 calls for a fine of as much as $2,500 and/or a year in jail for puncturing a minor without parental permission.
The law has dumbfounded several area piercing enterprises because it reiterates a general practice within the industry.

Mike Riggins, owner of Sharper Image on Morrell Avenue, Connellsville, has required parental consent for minors throughout his 11 years in the business, and he won't even consider piercing anyone under 16.

"Kids don't take care of piercings the way they are supposed to," Riggins said. "Older people are up to taking the proper care measures. I've seen some serious infections."





Sharper Image was opened on Morrell Avenue in February, but Riggins said he has seen all the scams in 11 years of piercing and tattooing.

"I've had older brothers and sisters come in with young kids," he said. "People try to pull scams, but if I feel they are young I ask for identification. Once, I had a 22-year-old girl say she was the mother of a 14-year-old."

According to Tim Azinger, director of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Professional Tatooists and Body Piercers, nothing will change because "now there's a law on paper."

"Tattooing and piercing has always been a very self-regulating industry," he said. "Safety and sterilization laws we have no problem with, because these are things we already do."

Dave Jubec, who co-owns Dermagraffiti on South Broadway, Scottdale, said every shop he has worked for in 14 years has required parental consent for minors.

"Think of the maturity level of most kids that age," he said. "They're not looking at the long-term effects."

Dave, and his wife, Holli Jubec, co-owner, ask parents to bring their child's birth certificate because it has both names on it. In the case of a guardian, they want to see court papers.

"That's just common practice for reputable shops," Dave said." It's been that way as long as I've been doing it."

For Riggins, the best way for parents to protect their children is to research piercing and tattoo shops.

"Take a look at the place and ask questions," he said, "especially about how much experience they have."

Other factors are the supervision of aftercare and making sure jewelry is made of quality materials. Riggins said to look out for jewelry made of plated metal because the outer coating will eventually peel and cause infection even with proper aftercare.

The owners of Sharper Image and Dermagraffiti both use hospital-grade autoclave machines to sanitize tools and jewelry. An autoclave applies steam and pressure to ensure the single-use implements are free of microscopic hitchhikers.

The new legislation was proposed by state Rep. Stephen Maitland, a Republican who represents Adams and Franklin counties. He has said it was prompted by a Gettysburg mother who was upset about her 14-year-old daughter's pierced tongue.

The law does not criminalize someone who informally pierces a minor. The bill specifies that "a person commits an offense if for compensation he punctures a part of the body of any person under the age of 18 years (without the permission and presence of a parent or guardian)."

www.pittsburghlive.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A local hospital has a team of specialists on standby waiting to treat people suffering from homemade tattoos, NewsChannel 4's Elenora Andrews reported.




The tattoos are created through an illegal practice where people use guitar strings to puncture their skin. It's an unsanitary procedure that is causing dozens of cases of staph infections throughout Columbus. The infections cause bumps and boils, Andrews reported.

"Most of the time, it's draining, it's red, it's hot, and it's very painful," said Columbus' acting Health Commissioner Debbie Coleman.

Mount Carmel West Hospital's emergency room and the city's health department are trying to track all of the cases.

Uncle Sam's Pawn Shop said guitar strings seem to be a hot commodity for homemade tattoos.

"They build (ink) guns, you know, out of old train sets ... and use guitar string," John Pierson said. "I think it's probably stupid."




Between 40 and 50 people are suffering with the skin infections, and four of the cases are being directly linked to the homemade tattoos.

The illegal practice was revealed last week at a news conference when only three cases were being investigated.

The cases have caused problems for the fire department, too, forcing it to take a medic and fire station temporarily out of service for decontamination after coming in contact with a person believed to have the highly contagious infection.

The biggest challenge is that the tattoo-related skin infections are antibiotic-resistant. Health officials say sufferers are buying street drugs to try to treat themselves.

Anyone with symptoms of the infection is urged to go to Mount Carmel immediately.

www.nbc4columbus.com

Columbus police are hot on the trail of a man who’s at the heart of a disease outbreak, and a city wide health alert.

George Barido, 37, has a warrant out for his arrest. He’s charged with multiple counts of illegal tattooing.

"We've filed nine counts for tattooing without a license, unsanitary conditions, and one count of tattoos to a minor without consent,” said Bill Hedrick, Columbus City Prosecutor.

And it's the first of what prosecutors say will be many arrests.

“These individuals are giving tattoo parties for numerous people,” says Hedrick “They do them all using the same materials on everyone.”

The tattoos could be spreading highly contagious hepatitis and skin lesions. City prosecutor Bill Hedrick says these wanna-be tattoo artists are putting lives at risk.

"They're creating a health menace in the community,” said Hedrick.

Rather than the needle, these artists are using guitar strings dipped in computer ink.

Friday night, officers arrived at George Barido's southside home, but he was no where to be found. So, the frantic fight against illegal ink continues.

www.10tv.com

Approximately one week ago for the first time ever I got pierced by a piercer who wasn't an English native speaker. I tried to spend some time before setting an appointment and explaining what I want to get done on thinking about an appropriate vocabulary which I could use in case my piercer wouldn't know English words for specific piercings. As it turned out, I didn't have to worry about it as English is present in all spheres of modern life. But my language - related preparations made me to think more about my attitude toward body modification.
To name a thing means to take control over it. It is as ancient as The Bible and it is also as ancient and meaningful as tribal cultures. God has had Adam name all things in Paradise which meant taking control over them. Members of many tribes all over the world had their own secret names which were known only to their closest friends. Knowledge of such a secret, usually acquired at the time of coming out of age, name meant taking control over its owner. Even now people feel, even if they are not really aware of it, that there is some strange power in words and one has to be very careful about them.

When I was thinking about words I should use during my new appointment I realized that my body modification language is not my native tongue, Polish, but my second language, English. I do not think: "Chcialabym miec nowy tatuaz"; I think: "I would like to have a new tattoo". One can ask if does it really matter? It seems to be so irrelevant and weird ... But when we consider body modification as something more than just fashion, rebellious statements or one of many ways to show how pissed off we are, then it is clear that our own rituals, these body - and - mind related rituals, should have their own language. And surprisingly, they have their own language.

For those of us whose first language is English it is hard to realize what it is like to use foreign names to describe things by means of which you want to change your body. It is so simple! Eyebrow piercing, tongue piercing, septum piercing and many many others. What kind of jewelry would you like to use? Barbells, cbr's, ccb's? Maybe surface bars? Again, it is so simple. But it is hard to come out with proper equivalents of these names in other languages. Of course I could say: "Prosze, chcialabym, aby Pan przeklul moja przegrode nosowa" but it sounds somewhat awkward for me. It is so much easier to tell the guy "Prosze przekluc moje septum". But I don't even know if there are any Polish counterparts for piercing jewelery. Well, you can use a noun "koleczko" to let your piercer know that you want to get a cbr but this word just describes shape and can be applied to all kinds of jewelery. Thus it is better to use English names. It's much shorter, more convenient and understandable to piercers all over the world. Thus we can see that body modification is indeed very important - it has its own language after all.

Rituals are not only about specific gestures and special tools. They are also about specific, carefully chosen words. These of us who speak more than one language have to decide then which language they want to use. Your first language is the obvious choice but what to do when you are not able to find words you look for in your first tongue? Then you have to turn to another language. People speaking Germanic languages don't feel this change too much as their languages are related more or less to English. But people whose languages belong to different language groups can feel it really deeply. I don't know how many people ever thought about it and whether it is important to them or not but I do know that using a different language while dealing with my body and mind (and that's the case with body modification for me) means entering a different level of reality. Thus my own rituals become deeper, more meaningful and less accessible for others, especially for those who don't know "my" ritual language. Using foreign names and thinking about my past, present and future modifications in a language which was not my first one creates something more than just a temporary pain and physical changes. And when you start thinking about it, you begin to realize what a great tradition and how many wonderful cultures are hidden behind. The word "tattoo" is not English, is it? But we use it now. "Labret" is of French origin, right? And what about septum? Is it not Latin? How many examples we can find? All these words were important parts of some context; once they meant something on their own. They were used to commemorate and describe important moments of human life. Now many of us use it in much lighter, even entertaining context.

I do not want to analyze here all these words, their origin, meaning, cultural context. What I want to say it that for many of us they still posses some power and they can still be used in context of rituals changing us into better, more mature people. Words which Americans or Canadians use on daily, very ordinary basis for many people mean something more and sound pretty strange at first. Thus, once again words from various cultures and different times regain their power and create our personal sphere of sacrum where we can touch something Divine and feel much better connected to ourselves.

Ania
www.bmezine.com

I am not sure where to start with this. I guess some background. Debra Darvick is a freelance writer who was fortunate enough to land her article in the My Turn section of Newsweek mid-July 2004. My Turn is an article in Newsweek that provides a platform for the individual journalist to voice their opinions. Unfortunately many people, readers of BME, pierced, unpierced, teachers and clergy were quite put off by Ms. Darvick's opinions. She in fact received many many letters in response to the article as did Newsweek magazine themselves. All of these letters were written because she has offended a great number of people with her opinions of the pierced population in the service industry. You can see her article here.
When I first read her article I was at my moms house for dinner. I was aimlessly flipping through her Newsweek when I noticed the article, I read it pretty thoroughly, my Dad and My husband were talking in the background and my Mom and I were chit chatting about school when she would come through the room but I got the point of the article and I admit I was somewhat taken aback. However be it the parental (read mildly oppressive) vibe of my environment at the time or my own nature, I took the piece with a grain of salt. I knew some people would be pissed about it but I'm not one to rock the boat.

I think it was the next night after school that I was on checking my mail when I decided to see if BME got updated. As soon as the page popped up I knew it had because the cover photo was a new and rather disturbing drawing that also looked strangely familiar. The title of the article that went with the picture was sensational to say the least, (sorry Shannon,) Debra Darvick advocates mutilating babies P.S. She's also a bigot. Now of course it got my attention but until I started reading it I didn't put together that this was about that article in my Mom's magazine. Well obviously some people did get pissed. Shannon's article piqued my interest so I linked to the internet article which was a bit shorter than the one in the printed magazine, but yup it was the same thing I had read, so lets find out more about her. I googled her name and about the 3rd site that popped up was BME (it's first today) but other than that she had many articles written on different Jewish and community sites, the Newsweek article was right next to the BME article, and her own page promoting a book was buried in the middle of the results. I decided to read some of her work, book excerpts, and articles, to decide what I really thought of her. Honestly not a bad writer, it wasn't hard to read her articles, they weren't painfully boring, I don't have a big interest in Judaism but my mind didn't wander while I read. Almost all of her writing is filled with that Sienfield-esque mid 90's sarcasm that was prevalent in the Service article but that's what is to be expected out of average American journalists.

Her article in the printed Newsweek made it more clear that she just wanted the piercing culture explained to her than did the on-line version, so since Shannon was kind enough in his article to provide her information I decided to e-mail her an explanation. Today I found that I was not one of the few but rather one of many that decided to contact her. I discovered this because to my surprise she responded to my letter, twice. The first response was what I felt to be a somewhat condescending form letter being sent to all who had written her regarding the Service article mostly aimed in response to the BME article about her. The second however was a personal response, that's what it said anyway, thanking me for my honest opinion of her and constructive criticism of her writing style as well as my explanation of beauty and fairness. I'm impressed I figured she was probably just deleting all the hate mail.

One thing that stuck out to me in both the letters though was that she had been receiving death threats and pointless e-mails that simply called names and made no argument. This surprised me. I don't want to think that many were from fellow BME readers because I believe that this is one of the more intelligent of all communities on the web but no doubt some of this type of mail probably did originate from people in this community.

My whole reason for this drawn out rambling is simply to say this: It doesn't help anyone in this community to perpetuate others view of us by slipping right into their stereotypes for us. When you are angry or disturbed or even straight up pissed you can get your point across better by writing or speaking objectively, or as neutrally as possible, than you can by yelling and screaming. This goes for everything, trying to get your parents to sign for a tattoo or piercing, writing to your congressman, debating with your professor over a test question, discussing an unfair situation with your boss, and so on. Every time one modified individual allows rudeness to take over their senses with someone who just doesn't understand us it only proves that person right, next thing you know they won't be willing to try to understand.

snailer
www.bmezine.com

THE Military Tattoo is celebrating its third consecutive year at the Manchester Arena with a fresh show.

This year the event is dedicated to all those who have served (or who still serve) in the most dangerous of environments - behind the lines, highlighting the heroic actions of those in SOE (Special Operations Executive), while celebrating the 60th anniversary of Arnhem and the DDay Landings.

Without the dedication and bravery of these special agents and airborne forces, the outcome of the Second World War might have been very different.

There are action displays from 12 Company 4 Parachute Regiment (TA) and the Allied Special Forces Action Teams (ex-special forces including SAS) who will recreate a hostage situation.

The theme continues with music from the renowned Band of the Parachute Regiment and The Band of the Light Division. WARS (WW2 Axis Reenactment Society) help to depict the capture of SOE agents, including Violette Szabo, in 1944.

To complete this moving portrayal there will be a guest appearance by Virginia McKenna, who played Violette in the film Carve Her Name With Pride.

Music is provided by the familiar sounds of the Pipes & Drums of the Scots Guards' Association (Manchester) and the GMP Band, which will undoubtedly entertain the crowds, while the Irish Guards Singers also return.

Every year the Military Tattoo has increased in popularity. The high standard of the displays and musicians has encouraged celebrities such as Virginia McKenna to offer their support to such a fitting tribute to all service men and women.

iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk

HOUSTON -- A Pasadena tattoo parlor went up in flames early Friday morning.


Firefighters arrived at the shopping center at 2640 Spencer Highway near Main Street around 1:30 a.m. to find heavy fire shooting from the roof of the tattoo parlor.

Authorities said the fire had spread to a beauty salon and health food store in the same shopping center.

Firefighters quickly contained the fire, but the tattoo parlor was destroyed.

The other two businesses received smoke and water damage.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

www.click2houston.com

HAYWARD -- That tattoos are popular only among outlaws is an outdated stereotype ... a sort of "pigment" of the imagination.
Rather, Matthew Hamlet, whose permit to run a downtown tattoo and piercing business was approved by the Planning Commission last week, said his clientele will be every-

day people.

"Back in the old days, it was only bikers and sailors who had tattoos," said Hamlet, a 1990 Hayward High School graduate who "tattooed his way through" the University of California, Berkeley.

Nowadays, tattoo clients are mothers and grandmothers, something Hamlet attributes in part to advances in tattooing as an art form, he said.

Hamlet's new Russell City Tattoo and Piercing Studio, which will include an art gallery, is at 22622 Mission Blvd., at the intersection with B Street atop Eden Jewelry & Loan.

The Planning Commission approved the required use permit for the project on a 5-1 vote, despite opposition from several local business owners.



Planning Commissioner Christopher Thnay, who opposed the use permit, said it's not that he has anything against tattoo parlors; in fact, he has voted in favor of two or three similar permits for shops in other locations. But a tattoo shop on B Street goes against his "vision of downtown," he said.

"A downtown either dies or thrives on its reputation and perception," Thnay said in a later interview.

Other commissioners were also wary of a tattoo studio along the city's prized B Street corridor, but they recognized that Hamlet's space has an odd layout that could be difficult to rent out for other businesses.

Planning Commission Chairwoman Barbara Sacks said she was wary about similar permit applications that have come before the commission in the past. But her perspective changed after seeing a tattoo business on Tennyson Road that improved an area and never seems to have people hanging around.

Sacks added that she sees tattooing and piercing as a form of expression, and compares both to hair-dyeing -- all three can be done to varying extremes.

Edgar King of Omega Insurance Service, Steve Rubiolo of Steve Rubiolo Photography, Kelly Spillane of Curves and Joel Davis of Cyclepath all wrote the city to oppose the use permit. Two cited concerns about the type of customer the business would attract, particularly in light of the work and money put into a recent facelift of B Street.

"I believe this type of establishment into the area would undermine the progress made and bring an unsavory element back to the area," Spillane wrote.

Rubiolo wrote that he had problems with one of "those types of business" that used to be above his studio.

"The city just spent $3 million on the sidewalks trying to give the city a good appearance, and we certainly do not need to draw those sleazy characters from all over the county to downtown Hayward," he wrote.

Hamlet said he expected some controversy, given the negative connotation that's often associated with the business. And he said he knows of the tattoo studio Rubiolo referred to and can understand how he's been influenced by a "bad apple."

Hamlet plans to talk with those business owners and invite them to see his business' lack of "sleaziness," he said. He also plans to join the Hayward Chamber of Commerce and hopes the shop's gallery will attract a wide range of local artists.

Russell City Tattoo's grand-opening celebration scheduled for Aug. 6 and 7, Hamlet said.

Most piercings cost about $45, he said. And tattooing, which on average takes about two hours to draw out and perform, cost about $80 to $90 per hour.

Hamlet had planned to major in art at Berkeley, but ended up getting a degree in architecture because it seemed like a better way to generate income. He worked for awhile at an architectural firm, but concluded that the career was 98 percent business and 2 percent art.

"This is much more my passion," he said.

Hamlet added that he immediately fell for the space in the 1916 building, which most recently was rented out to some architects and engineers. The Russell City name is not only in honor of the former farming community in west Hayward that produced a steady stream of blues musicians, but is a way to "take Hayward back to its roots."

www.theargusonline.com

MARK COLVIN: The inquiry into the former asbestos-maker James Hardie has led to growing calls for the biggest shake-up in corporate and criminal law in more than a century.

The legal counsel assisting the commission is now backing demands by unions and asbestos victims for radical legislation to wind back the principle of "limited liability".

This could make directors who've engaged in serious misconduct, personally liable for the debts of a company, and a parent company liable for the debts of its subsidiaries.

And as Finance Correspondent Stephen Long reports, the implications extend well beyond the James Hardie case.

STEPHEN LONG: Modern capitalism rests on the foundation of limited liability.

That's the idea that directors and shareholders shouldn't be held personally responsible for the debts of a company, and nor should one company be liable for the assets of another.

But now the doctrine is under siege.

Counsel assisting the special inquiry into James Hardie is calling for retrospective legislation that would make the parent company responsible for the terrible legacy of death and injury its asbestos making subsidiaries caused.

So too are unions, asbestos victims support groups, and the Plaintiff Lawyers Association, who want James Hardie's directors to pay for what they say is criminal fraud.

Professor Ron McCallum is the Dean of the University of Sydney Law School, and he says this would amount to the most radical change to corporate law in more than a century.

RON MCCALLUM: Yeah, it would be in the history of criminal law, it would be one of the biggest reforms since the House of Lords handed down Salomon v Salomon in 1894.

STEPHEN LONG: And what did that case involve?

RON MCCALLUM: The Court held that even though Mr Salomon owned 99 per cent of the shares, or thereabouts, and his wife owned the other one per cent on trust for him, that he wasn't personally liable for the debts of the corporation, and that case enshrined the capitalism mantra of limited liability.

STEPHEN LONG: It's not hard to see why limited liability makes sense.

Not too many people would be willing to invest in a company if their own home and personal assets were on the line if it went bust.

But even in the heartland of free enterprise, courts recognise that there are times when the doctrine of limited liability should be put aside.

US courts will hold directors personally liable when they've used a company to perpetrate fraud or crime, or to commit serious injustice. And likewise, courts in the US, Canada and Europe have made parent companies liable for the assets of subsidiaries.

The court's action is known as piercing the corporate veil.

And Professor McCallum is among who believes Australia should take a similar approach.

RON MCCALLUM: I think that we really need to make corporations liable for criminal behaviour, in safety and health matters, and for negligent matters, and that we need to think more the way the British and Americans do about piercing the corporate veil when we have recalcitrant corporations engaging in unacceptable behaviour.

MARK COLVIN: The Dean of Sydney University Law School, Ron McCallum, speaking to Stephen Long.

www.abc.net.au

People who decide to have tattoos or have parts of their bodies pierced should be scrupulous about ensuring the needles are sterile to avoid contracting hepatitis B.

This was the message yesterday from Dr Suleman Moola, a gastro-enterologist at St Augustine's Hospital in Durban.

He will be one of of the speakers at a Hepatitis Day presentation at the hospital tomorrow.

A symptom of hepatitis was inflammation of the liver. This could lead to chronic infection of this vital organ, often resulting in severe forms of liver damage, including cirrhosis (severe scarring) and cancer.

He said hepatitis B was a highly infective condition, 100 times more infective than HIV/Aids.


Intravenous drug users were particularly at risk because the virus could be transmitted through the bloodstream. It could also be transmitted by sexually promiscuous behaviour.

Moola said the medical profession was concerned at the spread of hepatitis C, a virus which was identified in 1989.

This virus caused the deaths of 500 000 people worldwide every year. It was estimated that 750 000 people in South Africa were infected with it.

In addition to the talks at tomorrow's presentation, free screening tests for the hepatitis C virus will be performed.

www.themercury.co.za

PETERSBURG - When the crowds come out to Friday for the Arts this week, they'll get a look at one of the first canvasses upon which humankind ever drew: the human body.


Java Mio, a coffee shop and regular stop along the monthly tour through town, is hosting licensed area tattoo artists, who will display design patterns and photos of their work, as well as a few living samples.


In the flesh.


"We're excited to be working with such a talented group of artists," said Mari Hardenbergh, owner of Java Mio, which opened on Sycamore Street last October.


But there's more.


"One of my artists and I will be down there most of the night, and he will be putting a tattoo on my leg - a big tattoo that will take about an hour and a half to do," said Scottie Barfield, owner of City Limits Tattoo in Colonial Heights.


Tattooing has had a stigma in the past, Hardenbergh said. She and Barfield thought that Friday for the Arts might be the perfect venue to show the genuine art involved in the work, she said.


"We're hoping to educate people in the artistic aspect of it," she said.


Both old style "fat line" drawings - the familiar military style tattoos - as well as the newer, more realistic fine line needlings, will be displayed, Barfield said.


"Years ago, it was all enlisted military, blue-collar workers and bikers. Now the popularity of tattooing crosses socio-economic, ethnic and cultural lines," he added.


For those a little squeamish about the sight of such permanent art, a representative of Tantrum Tattoo will also be on hand to render henna temporary tattoos, Hardenbergh said.


She's even planning on getting one of those, Hardenbergh said.

www.zwire.com

Key points
• Group against Chinese army visit
• Torture to be simulated at event
• Methods shown ‘used on members’

Key quote
"Torture is still endemic in China and therefore we do not believe it is right for Tattoo officials to engage with the Chinese Army" - Free Tibet campaign spokeswoman

Story in full HORRIFIC acts of torture are to be re-enacted in the Capital in a protest against the visit by members of the Chinese army at this year’s Tattoo.

Followers of Falun Gong, an ancient spiritual practice, will stage an open-air exhibition of torture methods they allege are used on their members by the Chinese government.

The stomach-churning torture, which will be simulated by actors, includes force-feeding, hanging, electric shocks and the burning of hair, skin and genitals.

The show also includes practices such as pressing, where a victim is tied underneath a bed while several people jump on top of it, forcing bamboo sticks into the fingers of prisoners through the tips of their fingernails and forced abortion.

Falun Gong followers claim 960 practitioners have been tortured to death in China using these methods.

The spiritual group is described by supporters as a harmless exercise regime with a philosophy of tolerance, but it is branded a sinister cult by the Chinese government, who banned it in 1999.

Beijing-born Christina Jing Ha, 37, who teaches the principles of Falun Gong in Edinburgh, said the show was designed to show the "brutality" of the Chinese government. She said: "The persecution of Falun Gong has been ongoing for almost five years.

It is wrong to invite the Chinese People’s Liberation Army to Edinburgh because it sends out the wrong message regarding Scotland’s position on human rights."

Falun Gong practitioners recently handed a petition to MSPs asking them to intervene and prevent the visit by the 70-strong Chinese military band.

And they have also met with Tattoo organisers to discuss the alleged persecution of the Falun Gong by the Chinese Army.

Ms Jing Ha, who has lived in Edinburgh for six years, said she would be lending her support to the Free Tibet campaign’s "March Against Oppression" on August 1.

A spokeswoman for the Free Tibet campaign said: "The PLA have been responsible for the violent oppression of Tibetans for over 50 years.

"Torture is still endemic in China and therefore we do not believe it is right for Tattoo officials to engage with the Chinese Army."

John Watson, programme director for Amnesty International Scotland, said: "The Chinese state continues to engage in torture and widespread use of the death penalty.

"The Tattoo organisers should consider whether, given this record of abuses, it is right to lend the PLA the respectability of a place in a major UK and international cultural event."

But Brigadier Mel Jameson, who produces the Tattoo, said his aim in inviting the Chinese band was to "hold out the hand of friendship" and to produce "an entertaining show".

He said: "Of course human rights should be respected, but I am not political. My aim is to put on a good show for Scotland and the world by bringing excellent entertainers to Edinburgh.

"I have met with members of Falun Gong and I can understand their views. However, I am inviting non-combatant musicians and dancers, not soldiers. The show is an example of cultural exchange with China."

An Edinburgh City Council spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the torture exhibition and will be in discussion with the organisers closer to the time."

The torture exhibition will be staged in Waterloo Place in the city centre on Saturday, July 24, and Sunday, July 25.

The Free Tibet campaign’s "March Against Oppression" will take place on Sunday, August 1, at 11am in Market Street.

news.scotsman.com

SAN DIEGO – When it comes to cops with tattoos, there's an official cover-up going on.

SDPD Chief William Lansdowne announced the completion Wednesday of a detailed directive for members of his department who sport body art – and it hinges on a respectful concealment from the taxpayers.

"Clearly, the public in San Diego wants a well-groomed, very professional appearance on our police officers, and that's what this (policy) does provide and will provide," Lansdowne said during a morning briefing.

The new rules compel uniformed personnel to make sure that their dress blues hide any tattoos, brands or scarifications that are "excessive," or visible over more than 30 percent of the subject biceps, forearm or hand.

The changes, which also prohibit most inked skin renderings above the collarbone, grew out of public opinion aired at community meetings – and during a few notable assistance calls.

On those occasions, the sight of an extensively tattooed patrolman further flummoxed a crime victim, the chief said.

"And we have had complaints from citizens who called and said they didn't believe that (the responding personnel) were police officers," he added. "We had to send a sergeant or someone else to manage the call for them."

Many of the SDPD's beat cops wear tattoos, though only a few have gotten ones large enough to require significant apparel changes, according to department officials.

For those who do, the answer will simply have to be a more formal look, along with a bit of discomfort on hot summer days, Lansdowne told reporters.

"For 37 years in this business, I've never worn anything but long-sleeved shirts, with a tie," he said. "It's the way I think officers should look."

www.signonsandiego.com

Many factors influence the community’s confidence in our Department. The image we present to the community must be one of professionalism. Our appearance is of utmost importance. It is the preference of the Department that should personnel obtain any tattoo, scarification, branding or piercing, it should be located in an area which can be covered with a Department-approved uniform or business attire as described in Department Procedure 5.10, Uniforms, Equipment and Weapons.

This order establishes specific guidelines concerning the display of tattoos, scarifications, brands and piercings by members of the Department. It places accountability for compliance not only upon each employee, but also upon their supervisors and commanding officers.

Effective IMMEDIATELY, all Department members shall adhere to the following:

I. DEFINITIONS

A. Tattoo – the act or practice of marking the skin with indelible designs, forms, figures, art, etc., by making punctures in the skin and inserting pigment.

B. Scarification – the act of intentional cutting of the skin for the purpose of creating a design, form, figure or art.

C. Branding – the act of intentional burning of the skin for the purpose of creating a design, form, figure or art.

D. Piercing – the act of creating a hole in any part of the body for the purpose of inserting an object, jewelry or ornamentation.

E. Uniformed personnel – includes sworn police officers, Community Service Officers, Code Compliance personnel, Reserves, RSVPs, Cadets, and Special Event Traffic Controllers.

F. Non-uniformed sworn personnel – includes investigative, administrative and all other non-uniformed assignments.

G. Excessive tattoos, scarifications or brands – excessive is defined as any tattoos, scarifications or brands that exceed 30% of the exposed body part, those above the collarbone readily visible when wearing an open collar uniform, and/or any which detract from an appropriate professional image.

H. Unauthorized tattoos, scarifications or brands – Unauthorized is defined as any tattoos, scarifications or brands considered inappropriate, unprofessional or offensive as outlined in Section II. D. of this order.

II. TATTOOS, BRANDS, SCARIFICATIONS

A. Uniformed Personnel, as defined in Section I. E. of this order

1. Except as provided in Section IV., any excessive tattoos, scarifications or brands worn by UNIFORMED Police Department personnel shall NOT be visible while on duty or representing the Department in any official capacity. Excessive tattoos, scarifications or brands must be covered with a Department approved uniform including but not limited to a long-sleeve shirt, jacket, sweater, turtleneck sweater, dickie, or pants.

2. Uniformed personnel may be granted a one-time exemption by the Chief of Police for tattoos, scarifications, or brands already in existence on the date of this order that cannot be covered by a Department approved uniform, pursuant to Section V. of this order.

3. No exemption will be granted for any unauthorized tattoos, scarifications or brands considered inappropriate, unprofessional or offensive as outlined in Section II. D. of this order.

B. Non-uniformed SWORN personnel

1. Except as provided in Section IV. any excessive tattoos, scarifications or brands as defined in Section I. G. of this order, worn by sworn personnel working plain-clothes assignments shall not be visible while on duty or representing the Department in any official capacity. Excessive tattoos, scarifications or brands will be covered with approved clothing attire as outlined in Department Procedure 5.10, Section VII., Investigations.

2. Non-uniformed sworn personnel may be granted a one-time exemption by the Chief of Police for tattoos, scarifications, or brands already in existence on the date of this order that cannot be covered by Department approved business attire, pursuant to Section V. of this order.

3. No exemption will be granted for any unauthorized tattoos, scarifications or brands considered inappropriate, unprofessional or offensive as outlined in Section II. D., of this order.

C. Non-uniformed CIVILIAN and VOLUNTEER personnel

Civilian and volunteer personnel may display tattoos, scarifications or brands, except as outlined in Section II. D., of this order.

D. ALL Police Department personnel:

The display of any unauthorized tattoo, scarification or brand considered inappropriate, unprofessional or offensive, regardless of its location, by any member of the Department while on duty, or representing the Department in any official capacity is prohibited.

1. The following includes, but is not limited to, the types of unauthorized tattoos, scarifications or brands prohibited by this order:

a. Depictions of nudity or violence. b. Sexually explicit or vulgar art, words, phrases or profane language. c. Symbols likely to incite a strong reaction in the workplace, i.e., swastikas, pentagrams or similar symbols. d. Initials, acronyms or numbers that represent criminal or historically oppressive organizations, i.e., AB, KKK, SS, MM, BGF, HA, 666 or any street gang names, numbers and/or symbols.

2. Any member of the Department who obtains an unauthorized tattoo, scarification or brand considered inappropriate, unprofessional or offensive, shall:

a. Remove the tattoo, scarification or brand at their own expense; or, b. Cover the tattoo, scarification or brand with a Department-approved uniform as described in Section II. A. of this order; or, c. Cover the tattoo, scarification or brand with Department-approved business or casual attire as appropriate according to Section II. B., of this order and Department Procedure 5.10.

III. PIERCINGS (DP 5.10, Uniforms, Equipment and Weapons)

A. While on duty, all members of the Department shall adhere to all sections of Department Procedure 5.10, which pertain to the wearing of jewelry.

B. While on duty, all uniformed female personnel, sworn and civilian may only wear one set of stud-type earrings with only one earring per ear. Earrings may only be worn in the earlobes. The earrings shall be plain and no more than ? inch in diameter. The piercing and wearing of associated jewelry in all other visible parts of the body is prohibited.

C. While on duty, all uniformed male personnel, sworn and civilian, will not wear any visible type of jewelry designed for display through the act of body piercing.

D. While on duty, non-uniformed sworn female personnel, may wear two sets of earrings per ear. Earrings may only be worn in the earlobes. The earrings shall be no more than one inch in diameter and extend no further than one inch from the bottom of the ear. Earring styles and colors should not be excessive or offensive.

IV. EXCEPTIONS

A. When deemed operationally necessary, sworn Department members in undercover assignments may display tattoos, scarifications, brands or jewelry otherwise prohibited by this order with approval of their commanding officer.

B. Jewelry, tattoos, scarifications or brands that are a required part of a recognized religious organization or practice.

V. EXEMPTIONS

A. Uniformed personnel and non-uniformed sworn personnel may be granted a one-time exemption by the Chief of Police for tattoos, scarifications, or brands already in existence on the date of this order that cannot be covered by a Department-approved uniform or business attire as set forth in Department Procedure 5.10.

B. Members requesting this exemption must submit their request in writing to the Chief of Police with photographs documenting the tattoos, scarifications, or brands for which they are requesting exemption. A decision will be rendered granting or denying the exemption within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of the request by the Chief of Police. The final authority for granting any exemption will rest with the office of the Chief of Police or an appointed designee.

C. No exemption will be granted for any unauthorized tattoos, scarifications or brands considered inappropriate, unprofessional or offensive as outlined in Section II. D. of this order.

VI. SPECIAL EVENTS and ASSIGNMENTS

A. Commanding Officers retain the authority to further limit the display of tattoos, scarifications, brands or piercings by officers within their command for a specific purpose, special events or assignments, as set forth in Department Procedure 5.10.

For example, officers working special assignments requiring regular contact with juveniles, such as JST or Juvenile Administration, are considered role models to youth. As such, the officer(s) could be required to cover their tattoos, scarifications, or brands during their assignment to these units, even if the Chief of Police has previously granted the officer an exemption.

VII. FINAL AUTHORITY

The final authority for deciding the appropriateness of any tattoo, brand, scarification, piercing, or jewelry will rest with the office of the Chief of Police, or an appointed designee.

www.nbcsandiego.com

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Punjab inspector-general of prisons on the alleged “branding” of an undertrial in Amritsar Central Jail.

Jail wardens allegedly tattooed yeh chor hai (he is a thief) on the back of Rocky, arrested for theft, with burning iron rods.

Taking suo motu cognisance of newspaper reports, the rights panel called for a report from the IG (prisons) within six weeks, a release issued by the commission said.

The IG has ordered a probe into the incident, the reports said.

Rocky alleged that on the night of June 30, some jail wardens pushed him out of his cell when he demanded water and other facilities listed in the jail manual.

He was later beaten up “brutally” with belts and the jail staff allegedly tattooed the letters on his back with burning iron rods, he has said.

www.telegraphindia.com

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors has approved an ordinance allowing the health department to increase its regulation and inspection of tattoo and body piercing businesses.

Officials said the move was made to protect customers from unsafe and unsanitary conditions.

"This will give us some tools to be able to assure that things are done properly and in a sanitary manner," health department spokesman Allen Stroh said.

The ordinance also allows the county to charge businesses operating fees to help pay for the extra enforcement.

www.theksbwchannel.com

Dr. Gregory Shannon described the typical tattoo-removal client:

"A woman, usually 25 to 35 years old. Maybe she got her tattoo when she was a little younger, and a little wilder. Maybe her boyfriend (no longer in the picture) enticed her to get it. Now she wants to look like a mom."

Maybe that's you, but you don't want to spend - or can't afford - the $600 Shannon normally charges to crank up his amazing laser machine and make a medium-sized tattoo go away.

Here's your chance to reinvent your misspent youth - or a small piece of it, anyway - for free.

In response to Sunday's column about my own checkered past and my near miss with a full-color skull-and-crossbones beauty, Shannon phoned to say he'll provide a free tattoo removal to the person with the most compelling story of regret.

Make your case

Here's the plan: Send me up to 150 words (by e-mail, fax, or snail mail) explaining why you want to make your tattoo disappear.

Maybe it's the nature of the tattoo itself that vexes you, or the circumstance under which you got it, or the memories it evokes.

Be serious, if you wish. Or, make us laugh. That's up to you.

Keep in mind, however, that your story could end up - etched in black and white - in this space.

We'll publish the stories that best capture the heartbreak of unwanted tattoos. From those, Shannon will choose the lucky recipient of the freebie.

The contest is open to all tattoo wearers in the State Journal circulation area. Your letter should include your name, age, town in which you live, and how you can be reached.

The deadline for entries is July 23. For snail-mailers, send your letters to me at 120 E. Lenawee St., Lansing, MI 48919.

Shannon, who specializes in cosmetic medicine and hair restoration, said the laser procedure rarely leaves a scar, but requires six treatments over eight months.

The doctor also pointed out that truly high-quality tattoos - those with dense inking and deep colors - are sometimes impossible to remove entirely.

Shannon said he's never heard of a health insurance company that covers tattoo removal.

No regrets

Meanwhile, I've been hearing from people who wouldn't dream of shedding their body art.

For example, Julie Gates of Haslett wrote: "I seriously considered a tattoo when I was 19, and continued to consider it until I turned 30.

"Since I was still thinking about a tattoo at age 30, I went out and got one. I loved it then and I still love it now, eight years later.

"It's small, and it says something about me and my personality.

"About five years ago I started thinking about another tattoo. I knew what I wanted and where, and just last week, I went out and got my second tattoo at the ripe old age of 38. And I love it.

"I have a 10-year-old son and we've discussed my tattoo. He says, 'Don't worry, Mom; I don't want one. They hurt!' "

And Mia Shellenbarger of Dansville offered this testimonial: "I am 23 and I have three tattoos that I am extremely proud of. They represent my heritage and my faith, which will never change."

www.lsj.com