SUNY on Saturday -- Burroughs Hall

I do like a good puzzler.  And here's one.  If you go into the ladies room in Burroughs Hall from the side near the outside of campus, here's what you see:

Clearly labeled.  Women.  And, for good measure, Ladies on the side, with the ladies symbol.  You won't miss this.

If you enter from the other side, the side facing the interior of the campus, it's a whole different story.  First of all, there is only an entrance to the ladies room, none for the men over here.  You guys can all just walk around to the other entrance.  Second of all, it's a bit dark.  And third, well,...

So, I know that this is correct, and I know we're in the science building and all, but really?  Does this appear on any other bathroom anywhere?  "Excuse me, can you point me to the female restroom?"  I'm not sure I see that catching on.  Maybe they just had the sign handy.

Once inside, from one end or the other, it's your standard fare.

Before you ask, I have no idea what the orange thing is.  It looked like an anti-slipping sort of thing, like someone might put their keys on, but I can't imagine it.  If anyone does know what it is, let me know!

So it looks pretty good.  Then you get to try it out, and the locks leave a tad to be desired.  One good push, and this baby gives for sure.  And, oh, look where the hook should be but isn't.

Overall, not the best.  I don't like to worry that one good bang even on another door will unlatch my lock.  That's not fun.  And no hook.  You know that no hook means points off.  On the other hand, not too dirty, so still calling it useable.

https://www.sunyulster.edu/

Art Society of Kingston -- Kingston, NY

The Art Society of Kingston is an intriguing place in an older building at the very top of the Strand area by the Rondout.  In this building, they hold classes, galas, art opening events...the list goes on.  They try to provide a community for artists.

What does their commode hold?

For starters, a ramp.  Well, it's not a ramp to get into the bathroom, but I assume a ramp to help folks get into the building.  Made before building codes called for handicapped accessiblity, there are about two steps to get in which could be problematic for some.  So, here's their storage solution (oh, and a spare mirror)

These items keep me company while at the back of the restroom where the commode itself is.  The ramp is leaning on a half wall I had to go around to get to the commode part.  It has a faux finish of some sort.  Hm.  On the other side of the wall, more faux finish and evidence that this is a 'mixed media' bathroom (both sexes).

On the sink wall, which is opposite the faux wall at the entrance, we see evidence of art.  It looks small on the wall since it is a large, yellow wall, and the art is, indeed, small.  I think it screams for more.

Honestly, it's useable, but I somehow expected more from a commode within an art institution that so often holds such beautiful art.  With access to so many artists and so much creativity, why not make it a project?  Why not divide the walls into squares and allow artists to have one each?  Make it a show, make it an event.  Commission an artist via a competition.  Make the commode match what ASK is all about.

http://www.askforarts.org/

SUNY on Saturday -- Ulster, Stone Ridge, NY

This is going to be a little different.  Each Saturday for the duration of this series, I'll be featuring a different restroom on UCCC campus.  Ulster County Community College campus was built in the 60's, so let's take a look at the facilities.

For our first SUNY on Saturday, we're going to look at the restroom nearest the Art department in Vanderlyn Hall.  Surprisingly un-artistic, we have a pretty standard issue restroom.

Now, I know it's a school.  but the ugly heater?  The poorly closing stall doors?  WHITE walls?  In the art department?  I can't imagine it would take much to get a group of students to do an art project in there.  Heck, they could do one every year and just paint over the top.  It would be an interesting experiment.  But no.  White walls.

I have no quarrel with the paper towel dispenser or the sink.  But what's with the corner shelf?  Could it be that it's considered art?  I doubt it.  Those specks you see on the shelf are gouges.  Why?  Why?  WHY?  I'm equally unsure what use a partial roll of toilet paper serves sitting on a shelf far from the stalls.  Unless you have a friend to call and toss it to you, it seems useless.  Although, in this day and age where cell phone use in bathrooms is considered acceptable by some, maybe that works?
Overall, a bit dated but useable with no hitches.

https://www.sunyulster.edu/

Target -- Kingston, NY

Another large store, this Target expanded a few years ago to include food.  We took full advantage of that fact, but choices are limited compared to a regular food store.  Target gets points for de-sexing their toys, and their price points on things like games, electronics, and, yes, food, are fairly competitive.  Not bargain basement, but competitive.  It's one of my go-to places.

On to the commode:

While not always spotless, I imagine it's hard to keep it clean when there are so many people going through (much like another big box store I rated recently that begins with a 'W').  That said, there are usually at least 4 or 5 stalls that are useable.

There are way more to the left, but it's tricky taking pictures when someone could be in the stalls.  It's a busy place!  One hint about the stalls, though.  Don't use the third one from the left.  The lock doesn't stay and you'll be fighting to keep the door shut (there might be cursing involved).  It's always been that way for some reason.

Why?  Why are all the sinks save one set for kids?  Everyone flocks to the high sink as it's less back-breaking to use.  Do they not notice that the soap for the high sink always runs out first, and that after that, it's the one next to it?  Do they think it's because it's near the door?  Nope.  No one wants to bend down to the waist just to wash their hands.  

Of course, it's also the sink next to the XLerator hand dryer.  Thankfully, they put a towel dispenser in, too, in case you don't want to be blown away, or reminded that you're aging because your skin piles up on your hands as you're pummeled with hot air.

There is a changing deck for little ones, but it's a rough intro to the ladies' room as it's right by the entrance with no recess or anything.  

They got me.  There's the hook.  And, it's set a bit lower than most, so kudos all around for that!

Overall, I wouldn't shy away from using Target of Kingston's bathroom.  Especially when there's a Target attached.

http://www.target.com/

Barnes and Noble -- Kingston, NY

Barnes and Noble has changed a lot over the years.  What used to be a quiet book-filled space has now become a coffee-shop, toy store, and teacher store with a few books thrown in.  There are aspects I like about the changes.  We've gotten a lot of teaching materials from Barnes and Noble, and I've had my share of coffee from Starbuck's (even though they don't give a discount with an educator discount card.  It's okay.  I'm not still bitter or anything.) And there are aspects I don't like.  Mostly the overpriced toys.

On to the commode:

The commode, after being changed several years ago, has since stayed the same.  This is made obvious by the thick layer of dust on the wall.  I'm surprised it didn't show up in the picture below.  Useable, reasonably clean, trying to be stylish.  The uplighting feels odd once you pay attention to it while in the stall:

Where is that light coming from?  Why?  What's it doing way up there?  Yeah, they pay me to ask the big questions.  Anyway, the rest is standard, thankfully with a hook (though it's a little too high).

Sometimes the paper mess can get out of hand, and I've been there when they've run out of paper towel for drying often enough that the thought flits through my head before entering.  All in all, though, not a place I would shy away from using.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

TOE (Town of Esopus) Library -- Port Ewen, NY

The Town of Esopus Library, or, as I call it, the Port Ewen Library, is a little known gem of a place tucked away at the edge of town up the hill from a park right on the Hudson.  Redone a few years ago, it is a beautiful little get-away with a huge open space/art gallery downstairs, along with a duck pond (with ducks and fish!), and a kids' room, teen room, and large deck with Hudson views and Adirondack chairs upstairs.  Here, we will take a look at the upstairs bathroom.

So far, so good.  Pretty standard stuff.

Still pretty standard.  Good things to have all around.  This, by the way, is a single bathroom, as in, unisex, for upstairs.

Well.  Now things have gotten a tad weird.  I hypothesize what that metal plate is for.  Is it an access hatch?  I see no screws on it.  Is it to make it easier to clean, since it's unisex?  But why only one side?  Did the person who installed it, um, veer to the left?  And why the handicapped bar at the back of the toilet?  I'm not complaining.  It's relatively clean and quite useable.

But then this:

I'm glad for the 'Cover your Cough' sign.  In a public space like a library, it's a great idea.  Then we get to the confusing part.  First, I was indignant that there was a sign over the lock, telling me which way was locked and which was unlocked.  I paid no attention.  I tried to lock the door.  And I failed.  Their lock goes counterclockwise, which I deduced is the reason for the sign.  For some reason, it's counter-intuitive.  So thank you for thatl.  But demerits for what I don't see,  There's nowhere to hang my bag.

http://esopuslibrary.org/

Moe's -- Kingston, NY

"Welcome to Moe's!"  That's what we're supposed to hear when we come in the door.  Somehow, the luster seems to have worn off for that, and entry is much more quiet.  The staff is welcoming enough, though, and honestly, I felt a bit annoyed when I'd be trying to tell someone what I wanted on my quesadilla only to be interrupted because they had to yell at the front door.  I do have to admit to liking Moe's food quite a bit!  Fresh, tasty, unlimited drinks and tortilla chips (for the asking) with a salsa bar.  Yummy!

They try to have a sense of humor, shown in their choice of art which is a series of Look-Alike winners.  I always wish they posted who they looked like, since I'm not up on my celebrities, but it's neat anyway.  I could live without the tvs they installed recently, but that seems to be everywhere.  I think restaurants need to have a no-tv area.

When you go to the restroom, you'll keep your sense of humor.  This is the door to go in:

Once inside, it was pretty dark, though I don't think it usually is.

Dark, but you can make out that they used a rich tile, and there's paper towel available.  Even though you can see a lot of paper towel in the waste basket, the room was relatively clean.

You know it.  They won me over.  There's the hook.

And don't lose your sense of humor while your in there.  Moe's will just give it back to you.

https://moes.com/

Aldi -- Kingston, NY

The much-maligned, often ignored Aldi's food store, related to popular kid Trader Joe's, sits just to the side of all the hoop-la in Kingston on 9W.  Set up as a wharehouse store, you will sometimes find brand name foods, but most things are off-brand, or their own brand, at drastically reduced prices.

One issue some people may have with them is that they do not accept credit cards or personal checks.  It's cash or debit here.  And, if you want a cart, bring a quarter with you.  And, byob.  (That's bring your own bags:  don't bring alcohol.  That won't be good.)

So that's the bad news.  The good news is that most of the things we've tried from there have been pretty good, and at reduced cost, that's a win.

I have to admit to a fair amount of trepidation at trying their tucked-away restroom, off to the side of the cash registers.  I needn't have feared.  Aldi's, as usual, surprised me.

What?  Look at that clean sink, and not even any paper on the floor! (I admit to not looking super closely at the floor.  It may not have been spotless.)

Appropriate signage, neat, clean sink.  Yep.  Not bad.

This is the back of the door.  Now you know they won me over.  Overall, a nice surprise and worth using if you happen to be shopping there.  No need to hold it until you get home.


An interesting article recently appeared about Aldi's.  Now you can feel even better about shopping there.

Aldi's website