The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • A15

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 THE BALTIMORE SUN 15 Chinese New Year has a global effect By Kelvin Chan millions of migrant workers overseas who rely on China. festival is traditionally the most important time of the Burberry are offering cards and envelopes personalized with Chinese calligraphy. Economic Distortion: Because the Lunar New Year never falls on the same date, it plays havoc with Chinese economic data at the start of the year. Economists are cautious not to read too much into figures from January or February, and prefer to wait until March to see the trends lest they make an incorrect interpretation of the world's second-biggest economy. Chinese Abroad: In San Francisco, where about 1 in 5 residents is of Chinese descent, the celebration is stretched over a few weeks, with fairs, beauty queens, bazaars, lion dances and deafening firecrackers in Chinatown.

Holiday Surprise: Chinese officials are notorious for releasing big news during holidays. The timing may be an attempt to reduce the impact on financial markets or, perhaps, to bury bad news. Associated Press Decades ago the Chinese New Year holiday, also known as Spring Festival, had little impact outside China But as the country gained outsized economic influence, the holiday, which has enormous cultural significance, has become more prominent around the world: Factory Freeze: Chinese factories shut down for the holiday, as hundreds of head to their hometowns in part of the world's largest mass movement of people. In the lead-up to the holiday, factories run flat out to fill orders before closing. The holiday itself begins Thursday this year, but workers start heading out up to two weeks earlier on packed trains and buses.

After the holiday they may take the same amount of time to return, or not It all means an annual headache for retailers and importers Quiet Markets: Stock market trading shudders to a halt as mainland China shuts for an entire week and financial hubs such as Hong Kong and Singapore take a break as well, albeit a shorter one. Trading volumes "drop off considerably" about three working days before the start of the holiday, said Andrew Sullivan, managing director at Hai-tong Securities in Hong Kong. Global Shopping: The year for family reunions, but as China has become prosperous, an increasing number of wealthy Chinese are traveling abroad. That means big business for global luxury brands. Many British department stores, for example, are pulling out all the stops to woo mainland Chinese shoppers.

Harrods is selling its own brand of red envelopes traditionally used to give "lai see," or lucky money. Selfridges and Under Armour teams up with Ali jjjjjjjjjjj AUTHENTIC BRANDS GROUP Like Muhammad Ali, Under Armour projects an upstart image as it battles industry leader Nike. Under Armour plans a campaign incorporating the image of the legendary boxer. and out of the ring continues to inspire people everywhere." The company, founded nearly 20 years ago by Plank, reached $3 billion in sales last year and has expanded overseas. The brand recentiy reported its 19th consecutive quarter of sales gains of 20 percent or more and announced the acquisition of two makers of digital fitness applications.

Under Armour said it studied Ali and his legacy for months. The company said it sent a team to Ali's hometown of Louisville, Ky, last year "to really get a feel, to get a deeper dive, to capture his voice," Silbert said. He said the executives came away convinced they had found a fit This deal is different from the company's endorsements by athletes such as New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, Orioles catcher Matt Wieters and swimming superstar Michael Phelps. "This is a partnership with a brand," Silbert said. "There is so much heritage and legacy there." Ali's representatives could not be reached for comment.

In a statement released by Authentic Brands and Under Armour, his wife, Lonnie Ali, said that Ali's and Under Armour's values align. "We are truly flattered to have Under Armour pay homage to Muhammad in such a significant way," she said. "We see in the Under Armour brand a similar spirit and drive that pushed Muhammad to be such a groundbreaking force." Under Armour said the Ali-themed products can be worn inside or outside the gym. jebarkerbaltsun.com twitter.comsunjejfbarker UNDER ARMOUR, Frompagel versus active celebs whose behavior is constantly under a microscope," said Bob Dorfman, executive creative director of Baker Street Advertising in San "Jack Daniel's is currently using Frank Sinatra to sell bourbon, Jockey recently used Babe Ruth in underwear ads, Dove used Audrey Hepburn to sell chocolate last year, Fred Astaire infamously danced with a Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner in a 1997 Super Bowl spot and the list goes on and on," Dorfman said. Carnival, the cruise ship operator, aired a spot during the Super Bowl featuring a 1962 speech by President John F.

Kennedy about the power and mystery of the ocean. The T-shirt released Wednesday shows a young, fit Ali who often boasted of being "the greatest" in a fighter's pose on the front and the words "Will over skill" on the back. The company said the phrase is a variation of a quote widely attributed to Ali: "The will must be stronger than the skill." On its social media pages, the company shared a video of Ali fighting, slapping rope and running down a road at night "You're going to see in the next few weeks a really cool collection of products that tap into quotes like, 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a Silbert said. "You'll see graphics using some of his famous quotes." A bigger release is planned in the fall of training gear, shoes and accessories featuring "some cool things with actual pictures of him," Silbert said. "We're kind of co-branded with him.

There is Ali overlay, whether it be his name or whether it be a great image of him." Ali previously appeared in an ad campaign for the German sporting goods giant Adidas, which Under Armour overtook in U.S. sales last year. "Particularly in light of previous comments by Under Armour founder Kevin Plank about his disdain for Adidas, I do find it interesting that they decided to follow Adidas' lead by signing Ali, who was previously featured in the 'Impossible is Nothing' Adidas campaign," said Jonathan A. Jensen, an Ohio State University sports marketing instructor. "But when you look at how many top-tier athletes Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, Alex Rodriguez have had issues over the past few years, it's not surprising at all that retired or even deceased athletes and entertainers would be utilized more frequently," Jensen said.

"Sinatra, Ali, they're bulletproof. Even if they don't resonate as well with millenials as more contemporary athletes or entertainers, they're less of a risk." The campaign will feature heavy social media marketing. Ali video clips and quotes will be available on Under Armour and Ali-trademarked social media outlets. In his prime, Ali was hardly mainstream. Born Cassius Clay, his 1964 conversion to Islam alienated many fans, and his refusal to fight in Vietnam in 1967 cost him his heavyweight title.

Nick Woodhouse, Authentic brands president and chief marketing officer, said there is more to Ali than simply being a boxer. "Ali was tough, unapologetic, and showed the world that he wasn't afraid to speak his mind. He was a man of conviction who proved athletes could discuss subjects outside the arena," Woodhouse said. "Muhammad Ali is one of the most recognized athletes in the world, and his legacy both in WEST, Artella VUU11CU 111C111UC1 a CM shock at schools budget gap SCHOOLS, From page 1 "ItS an accumulation i "It's an accumulation DEATH LODGE NOTICES TRACEY, Clarence E. The officers and members of the Cockeysville Volunteer Fire Company regrets the passing of our life member and past president Clarence E.

Tracey and extends our deepest sympathy to the family. Jean Roberts President VIRTS, Ann E. of meeting with key lawmakers in Annapolis this week to brief them on the system's Savannah, Georgia Artella Rebecca "Ding" West, passed peacefully at home February 18,2015. She was born January 10, 1929 to her parents, Orville and Minnie Peters in Baltimore, Maryland. Ding married Clarence William "Bill" West on November 28, 1948 and they have shared 67 years together.

She was of the Lutheran faith and was a very caring, wonderful person. She the city not putting up its fair share. Its not a matter of the schools mismanaging their money. The city has to step up." Councilman Carl Stokes On February 13, 2015, Ann E. Virts (nee Suter), beloved wife of the late William Curley devoted daughter of the late William A.

Suter and Helen Roth, dearest sister of Richie, Samuel and Nancy Suter, cherished mother of Chester F. virts, Peter H. Virts, David w. Virts, Diane Magaha, Michael A. Virts, and the late Thomas L.

Virts. Also survived bv many grandchildren 11 -J and great-grandchildren. Servic- es and Ashton interment private. Arrangements by Bradley-Kehl Funeral Home, PA. WARNER, A.

Amanda On February 16, 2015, A. Amanda Warner (nee Blume), of Parkville; beloved wife of Carroll "Bud" Warner; devoted mother of Keith W. Warner and his wife Peggy, Leslie A. Davis and her husband Jeffrey, Linda C. Fu-kuichi; dear sister of George E.

Blume and the late Ann Lindt; loving grandmother of six and great grandmother of eight. Family and friends will honor Amanda's life at the family owned Evans Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services Parkville, 8800 Harford Rd. on Thursday, February 19, 3-5 7-9 PM, where a funeral service will be held 12 noon Friday. Interment Moreland Memorial Park. Memorial contributions in Amanda's name may be made to Gilchrist Hospice Care.

Memory tributes may be sent to the family at www.evansfuneralchapel.com. budget woes. Participants said he assured them he would make cuts to close the deficit and set the school system on a fiscally responsible path, but asked them to work to restore $35 million in cuts in Gov. Larry Hogan's budget proposal. If proposed state cuts are approved, the system's total deficit would be roughly $100 million, or about 8 percent of the $L3 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July Thornton also met Tuesday with City Council President Bernard C.

"Jack" Young, who called the school budget problems a "fiasco." "He came in and inherited this," Young said after his meeting with Thornton, who became system head in July. "He said he has a plan he's going to work toward trying to reduce it. I believe he can get it done." Thornton has said he will need to reduce staff, and will consider layoffs. But in a statement late Wednesday, the Baltimore Teachers Union said it would not accept any reduction in teaching staff, layoffs or furloughs as a way to balance the budget. "We believe with a thorough evaluation of essential bureaucratic personnel and strong leadership from Dr.

Thornton and others, the school system can fix this issue," the union said. While the school system has declined to provide details of the budget shortfall, charter school operators said Wednesday they have been warning officials that the costs associated with the 2010 contract were not sustainable. Will McKenna, co-chair of the Coalition for Baltimore Charter Schools, said charter operators have expressed concern that salaries have been rising 4 percent to 6 percent a year under the contract. In addition, benefits rose 13 percent in two years, he said. In one year, five teachers at Southwest Baltimore Charter School were able to earn model teacher status, a special designation for the best teachers, officials there said.

That meant the salaries of five teachers rose by $20,000 to $25,000 each increasing the school's budget by about $100,000. "These teachers earned it. They were outstanding teachers," said Erika Brock-man, executive director and founder of the school. But the long-term financial effect was significant, she said. As pay as increased overall, several charter school operators said, their class sizes have risen as they brought in more students to try to offset the increasing costs.

Matt Hornbeck, principal of Hampstead Hill Academy near Patterson Park, said he Features of the On-line Death Notice had a great sense of humor and loved to be with her family and numerous friends. She will be missed by all. She was also a member of the Navy League of Savannah and exercised for many years at the Islands YMCA. Surviving are husband Clarence William "Bill" West, sons Russell (Gloria), Terry (Susan) and Randy (Diane); grandchildren Shannon West, Regan Zottnick, Timothy West, Melissa West, Jennifer West Jones, Brian West, Amy West and Tyson West; sisters Carey Brown, Susan Kogut and brothers Pete Peters and John Alvin Peters. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m.

until 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 20, 2015 at Fox Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel. The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 21, 2015 in the Islands Chapel of Fox Weeks Funeral Directors. A very special thank you for the compassionate care of Terry and Susan West, Dr. Cortez, Dr. Roth and the great staff at Summer Breeze Assisted Living.

Remembrances may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or www.heart.org Please sign our online guestbook at www.foxand-weeks.com Fox Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel, Savannah, Georgia WILSON, Ronald Ronald Jack Wilson, 75, longtime resident of Street, Maryland passed away peacefully with family by his side Monday Evening, February 16, 2015 at University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. Ron was the beloved husband of Ally Wilson and the late Margaret Alice Young Wilson; devoted father of Jeff Wilson, Garry Wilson, Angela Gowl, and Joshua Wilson; loving grandfather of Jordan Wilson, Jessica Wilson, Christian Wilson, Elyse Magnus, Meaghan Scheide, Caleb Scheide, and Hannah Scheide; great-grandfather of Karen Sophia Magnus; and caring brother of Donald Wilson, Jerry Wilson, Harold Wilson, Sharon Zietlow, Dan Wilson, David Wilson, and Dale Wilson. Ron is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Family and friends will honor Ron's life at the family owned Evans Funeral Chapel Cremation Services -Bel Air, 3 Newport Dr.

(Rts 23 24 Forest Hill) on Friday, February 20, from 2-4 7-9pm, where a funeral service will be held on the following day beginning at Noon. Interment private. Memory tributes may be sent to the family at: www.evansfuneralchapel.com. ZIGLIN, Rebecca On February 16, 2015, Rebecca Ziglin; adored sister of the late Sarah (Joseph) Zucker and Maxwell (Mildred) Ziglin; cherished aunt of Alan Ziglin, Carl Ziglin, Paul Zucker, and Mickey Zucker; beloved great-aunt of Amy Frizzell, David Zucker, Michael Ziglin, and Eric Ziglin. Services at SOL LEVINSON 8900 Reisterstown Road, at Mount Wilson Lane on Thursday, February 19, at 12 pm.

Interment Moses Montefiore Woodmoor Hebrew Washington Blvd. Please omit flowers. Contributions in her memory may be sent to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058 or American Cancer Society, 8219 Town Center Dr, Baltimore, MD 21236 or Northwest Hospital, co LifeBridge Health, Department of Development, 2401 W. Belvedere Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215.

The family will be receiving at Pikesville DoubleTree by Hilton, 1726 Reisterstown Rd, Baltimore, MD 21208. www.sollevinson.com Follow the obituary, for updates Email to a friend Share on Facebook Create a Bookmark Post on Other Sites Print the Death Notice has been able to handle the pay increases, particularly because his school is larger. "Over the 10 years we've been a charter, I've never had to release a teacher or any staff member due to the budget I know it's not true for all schools," he said. Several other factors are contributing to the budget deficit. The school system made a commitment to spend an additional $13 million next year toward the plan to rebuild schools, and it has increased spots for pre-ldndergartners.

The past two years, the school system has taken a total of $27.5 million from its rainy-day fund to help balance the budget. Last year, the school board passed a policy requiring the fund to be paid back this year. If the board decided to delay that repayment, the deficit would be reduced. City Council members said they were taken aback by the size of the problem. Councilman Eric Costello called the implications of the deficit "scary." A $35 million shortage "is unfathomable," he said, referring to the proposed state cuts.

"The fact you're nearly tripling that, I don't even want to imagine the impact of that on education." Councilman Nick Mosby said the proposed state cuts are "devastating" to schools. He called on Baltimore residents to rally in Annapolis to ensure state money is restored. "We have to ensure our constituents know the impact this will have on the school system," he said. "It's critical. It's very troublesome." Baltimore spent about $260 million on its public schools last fiscal year while state government is contributing more than $945 million of the schools' $L3 billion budget.

Councilman Carl Stokes said the city's contribution is among the lowest of the state's municipalities. "It's pretty bad," Stokes said of the deficit. "It's an accumulation of the city not putting up its fair share. It's not a matter of the schools mismanaging their money. The city has to step up." lbroadwaterbaltsun.com liz.

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