text:
Cavalcade of Whimsy
Oct. 6
Past Cavalcades
- 2008
Season | Sept.
1, Part 1 |
Sept. 1
- Part 2
- Week
1 (The Bradford Shoulder) |
Week 2
(Time To Boot the Big East?)
- Week 3 (The Ten New Stars)
- Week 4 (ESPN's responsibility)
Sorry if this column sucks, it's not my fault … Chairman of the Florida State Board of Trustees, Jim Smith, wants me to quit. He appreciates what I've done for the site and for the state of Florida, but he feels the Seminole Nation has been more than patient and that the column has been in decline for seven or eight years. He thinks eight is enough.
"Thanks. Hey, I guess they're right. Senior citizens, although slow and dangerous behind the wheel, can still serve a purpose. I'll be right back. Don't you go dying on me!" … From 1973 to 1975, Florida State went 4-29. There was some success in the 1960s and a Fiesta Bowl appearance in 1971, but the football program was basically non-descript and was hardly a player on the national scene. Bobby Bowden was hired in 1976; he went 5-6. Florida State hasn't had a losing season since.
In just one season Bowden created a program that spent more than three decades among the elite of the elite of the elite. Legendary to the point of being in the discussion of the greatest college football head coaches of all-time by any measure you want to use, Bowden has done more than just make Florida State a football powerhouse, he has become Florida State. That Bowden's legacy and accomplishments have to be written and acknowledged shows just how quickly a halo can become a noose, to use Bowden's own words, and how no matter what we do in life and what we accomplish, in the end, we're all going to get thrown out with the trash.
Of course the wins, the national championships, and the overall numbers are phenomenal (the last time FSU didn't go to a bowl was 1981, and that was a 6-5 year), but more than that, Bowden has been a dream of a figurehead for the university. Not only has he always won with dignity and humility, but in the face of defeat, even in the most soul-crushing of moments, he has been the model of grace and class for a profession littered with too many petty and despicable human beings. Yes, there have been scandals, and yes, there have been several things that Bowden can be criticized for, but for the most part he has handled off-the-field problems better than just about any big-time head coach ever has. Now his team is 2-3, and now there is a bunch of very silly, very impatient people who feel like their lives will be better if they can push Bowden out to pasture.
Florida State isn't the superpower it once was, but it's not like the program has fallen off the map. This is still a very athletic, very talented team that's young and needs more work and consistency. It'll be fine, it'll go to a bowl game, and it'll win some big games over the rest of the season. But that doesn't matter. Bobby Bowden can go 0-12 and he should still be allowed to keep his job. He has earned the right to several hundred benefits of the doubt, because this is his program and this is his football team that he created.
To all of those who want to see Florida State football move on and think that you have any sort of right to tell this great icon of college football what to do, conduct yourself like he would. He's going to handle himself with grace, humor, and honesty, and now it's up to you to do the same.
"I was wrong/Self destruction's got me again/I was wrong/The only moment that I was me/
I was wro –onnnnng." … Where are the apologies to the Auburn powers-that-be for all the nastiness surrounding the hiring of Gene Chizik? Talk shows and article after article couldn't rip on the university for the strange and bizarre hiring of a coach who was an utter failure at his previous job, and even though the Tigers have shown one of the most balanced and effective offenses in college football, and even after wins over a Mississippi State team that pushed LSU, a good West Virginia team that could win the Big East, and at Tennessee, it's almost as if the No. 19 ranking in the Coaches' Poll was made with one arm twisted behind the pollsters' backs. It's okay to admit it … we were all wrong.
By the way, Buffalo is 1-4 and going nowhere in a
big hurry.
Once you've taken a break from Googling Erin Andrews … Here's your message board discussion topic of the day for all you college football philosophers. What would've happened if Tommy Tuberville had hired now-Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn at the beginning of the 2008 season?
Upon further review, the officials have to holster their flags … C'mon, LSU fans. You can be happy that you got the win, but you're supposed to be sophisticated SEC fans and you're supposed to know your stuff. You know that the Tigers probably don't pull out that win without the awful, awful, awful, awful unsportsmanlike penalty call on Georgia WR A.J. Green after his key late touchdown catch,
and no, the calls didn't even out in the end. On the flip side, Dawg fans, just like when Oakland got hosed on the tuck call against New England in the 2002 NFL playoffs, and just like when Oklahoma got completely screwed by the replay official in the loss to Oregon in 2006, Georgia didn't lose because of a poor call. The Raiders and Sooners could've still come up with stops to win their respective games, and Georgia could've thought about tackling Trindon Holliday on the kickoff and wrapping up Charles Scott on his game-winning touchdown dash. LSU won because it executed better in the final minutes. Period.
"Unit. Corps. God. Country." … A.J. Green, basically, got flagged for being happy and wanting to share the moment with Georgia fans and teammates in a spontaneous outburst of uncontrollable joy. LSU RB Charles Scott, basically, got flagged for being happy and wanting to share the moment with God. It's a coin-flip on who will be tougher to answer to for the ill-advised flags, the Supreme Being or scorned Georgia fans.
And watch, the situation will come up at Tennessee next year … Alright, Urban Meyer. You want to go all Monday morning quarterback on the SEC officials and pop off about how the Green penalty was "awful" and "wrong?" Fine, then let your Lane Kiffin-public relations-kicked butt cash the check your mouth just wrote and do the right thing if and when this happens to you.
Say there's a huge play late in the SEC title game against 12-0 Alabama. Tide RB Mark Ingram tears off a 75-yard touchdown run with a few minutes to play to give his team the lead. After getting into the end zone, he points to a slew of insanely cheering fans while instinctively flinging the ball a few feet up in the air. And then comes the fun as he gets hit with a chickenspit unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for a not-that-bad celebration. Meyer, it would then be your job to walk out to the middle of the field, call over Alabama head coach Nick Saban, along with the officials, and demand that the flag be picked up and ignored because you don't want that kind of a call to have any bearing on the outcome.
Blount, Just … Say … No. Start training for the NFL. Now. … Thinking about returning Oregon RB LeGarrette Blount to the football field after he was supposed to be suspended for the season for punching Boise State's Byron Hout might be a "human being decision," but it sure doesn't seem like it. After head coach Chip Kelly and the Oregon program dealt with the situation as well as it could've possibly been handled, now the timing is completely off. Now that the team appears to be a real, live Pac 10 title contender again, who couldn't use a burst from a running back who'd start for several NFL teams this Sunday if given the chance?
But the cherry stuff really is pretty good. … Back to something I wrote about a few weeks ago. For everyone who continues to use the term "drink the Kool-Aid," and to the ESPN GameDay guys for actually using a glass of the liquid as a prop a few weeks ago, check out MSNBC on Sunday at 10 pm EST. Watch the hour show called Witness to Jonestown (which isn't nearly as good as the PBS American Experience documentary on the Jim Jones cult, but is still effective) and then decide if you want to keep using the quirky phrase.
Pettitte is spelled with four Ts … Here's the deal, Brett Favre. I promise that I'll go out right now and buy a pair of Wrangler jeans and I'll wear them in public (but I'm not tucking in the shirt) if you can tell me how much they cost, why they're such a great value, and when, exactly, you've used Wrangler jeans as the standard of what a good value is in comparison to the rest of your every day life. And while you're at it, tell us, exactly, how a 40-year-old man can play at such a high level physically, can come back week after week over the course of a career from serious injuries, and where the magical, supernatural recuperative powers come from without the use of any pain killers or mood altering stimulants, that you're not able to use because of past substance abuse problems, that NFL players need to survive. We're waiting.
Fish, barrel, meet gun … Most coaches like to get off the field and into the locker room as soon as humanly possible. They might give monosyllabic grunts to the poor on-the-field haircut who's trying to do her job, but when they feel like they've adequately handed over enough of their time, the run inside faster than their corner who just gave up the big play in the final minute. That's why it's fantastic theater to watch the lovely Alex Flanagan (rule number one when naming a girl: girls with guys' names have a 71% better chance of being hot than girls with female-only names) try to interview Charlie Weis before halftime. The man has a bad knee, has to stand up for a few hours, and probably desperately needs to throw a whiz and take a seat. If he could run, he'd do a dead sprint into the locker room and blow past Flanagan, but he can't move, goes as slow as my kid (Sam, by the way … we're tried to give our children every advantage) trying to clean her room, and Flanagan can read War and Peace to him by the time he's finally able to get off the field. It's both painful and beautiful to watch.
The C.O.W. airing of the grievances followed by the feats of strength
The ten aspects of the college football world that have amused, disappointed, demoralized, depressed, or flat-out annoyed me this week.
10. And the Rebels outscored the Pack 21-7 in the third
I did a quick look-see through the historical books and I couldn't find anyone who pitched as close to a perfect game as the Nevada offense came up with on Saturday night in a 63-28 win over UNLV. There have been some flawless performances against the college football dregs and the D-IAA/FCSers of the world over the last several decades, but this was different; UNLV isn't all that horrible and wasn't playing that poorly coming into the game. Nevada committed 15 penalties for 169 yards, and lost four fumbles, but other than that, try to do better than this ...
- 773 yards of total offense.
- Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick, combining with one pass from RB Luke Lippincott, completed 16-of-19 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns.
- The running game went for 559 yards and seven touchdowns averaging over ten yards per carry. Lippincott, Kaepernick, and Mike Ball, who ran for five scores, all ran for more than 170 yards.
- The offense was 7-of-7 on third down conversion chances, and there weren't any punts.
UNLV plays BYU next week, while Nevada gets Louisiana Tech.
9. But there were roughly 14,529 promos for BrettFavre (one word) and his Monday night battle against Green Bay
ESPN's College GameDay did a nice job with its one novelty appearance of the year by going to Boston College to honor Eagle superstar LB Mark Herzlich, who saw his career take a detour after being flattened by cancer (and is now almost cancer-free). However, the show should've used the opportunity to raise money for cancer charities rather than spend every free moment pumping up some other ESPN show. Instead of Big 'N' Rich, they should've showed Jim Valvano's breathstopping Don't Give Up speech at the 1993 ESPYs, followed up by a graphic plastered on the screen for the entire two hours saying how fans could donate to help cancer research. www.jimmyv.org … it wouldn't have been that hard to capitalize on the inspiration of Herzlich's story.
8. And no, it didn't make up for the finale
The basic premise became quickly flawed because NBC would never, ever, ever put the "kibosh" on any sort of Seinfeld reunion project no matter what Larry David would say to the head of NBC. Also in the "yeah, right" department was Brett Favre being listed on the crawl as "probable" for the Green Bay game with a foot problem … like there was a question about whether or not he was going to play.
7. "That's why guys in my car club call me "The Cruiser.""
"Should call him "The Dork.""
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. It's Louisville. L-O-U-I-S-V-I-L-L-E. Jerseys with "The Ville" on the front, like the ones worn in the Friday night blowout loss to Pitt, are sold in gas stations next to the pine tree air fresheners and beef jerky and should only be worn by 45-year-old fat men to match their Cardinal and White Zubas and the dollop of nacho sauce hanging from their mustaches. Forgive me for throwing a second 80s movie reference in the same blurb, but to dust off my best Fred Palowaski when referring to the Louisville players wearing those jerseys … NEERRRRRRRRRRRRDS.
6. "Heh heh heh. `Learn'd', son. It's pronounced `learn'd'"
No more "teachable moments." A coach is supposed to be teaching his players at all times, and just because someone screws up, that doesn't make it a "teachable moment." A mistake means it's time for a coach to show a player what he's supposed to do differently and how to do something better, which is a coach's full-time job. There doesn't need to be a defined instance for someone to be taught something, and the hip new catch-phrase must go away, and must go away now.
5. You can't be a badass team if you play in something called Land Shark Stadium
Just because the Miami players and fans say the swagger is back doesn't make it so. Even the juggernaut national title-level U squads of the early 2000s didn't have the swagger and the attitude of the teams of the 1980s and early 90s, and if you question this in any way, you weren't around when the Miami Hurricanes were the Miami Hurricanes (Jacory Harris had barely been born when Miami ruled the world). This was a whole different animal before the sanitizing came following sanctions and the Butch Davis era.
Miami's attitude and swagger came from former head coach Howard Schnellenberger, who had to continuously sell the program to the administration and created a true Us vs. The Establishment mentality. When he put a wall around the "State of Miami" to keep all the top players at home, and Miami had better athletes and more talent than everyone else, then the swagger kicked in. Jimmy Johnson's teams combined arrogance and true swagger, along with gobs of talent, and Dennis Erickson's teams added a cup of obnoxiousness to the equation. Anyone program with true swagger doesn't have to try to sell the concept. Either you have it or you don't. USC has swagger. Florida definitely has swagger. And even in a loss, Oklahoma has swagger. Miami is just plain good, but the big-time attitude only comes with a steady stream of big wins. This group of Canes aren't there yet.
4. The Landry Jones mustache
I don't have it and it's killing me. I'm better than this. I can't come up with anything witty about the sad caterpillar sitting on top of the Oklahoma quarterback's upper lip, and I've been working on it for three weeks. Jones with the 'stache isn't Doc Holliday, as OU tight end Brody Eldridge calls him; the Val Kilmer portrayal in Tombstone is way too cool for the comparison to work. And Jones isn't Schneider (the most annoying headlining character in television history) from One Day At A Time (the most annoying show in television history). I'll get it before Sam Bradford takes over again. I promise.
3. The suspenders end the debate
If Lawrence Taylor isn't the greatest defensive player in the history of football, he's in the top three. Not only was he a dominant pass rusher in the pros who changed the way the game is played, but he was also a legend at the collegiate level as a do-it-all superstar for North Carolina. Even though he had a slew of off-the-field character issues that kept some from wanting him in the Hall of Fame, there was no questioning that he deserved to be in on talent. Now I want him out. Part of LT's persona and mystique was in the intimidation factor, and that's completely gone after his NutriSystem ad with Dan Marino that makes America just a little bit dumber, and makes anyone who watches it a little sad inside. The dancing, the horrific banter, and the suspenders are enough for the Pro Football Writers Association to hold a special ballot to either take Taylor out, or put him in a separate part of the Hall for those who cause irreparable damage to their legacies. It's a small room he'll share with O.J.
2. "You've got to make that catch."
It's the laziest of all analysis, and the announcers in both the pros and college use it as a fallback in the most obvious of circumstances. It's 3rd-and-8 on a key late drive and a receiver drops a pass that hits him in the hands, or was reasonably close, and every time the color analyst will remark that the catch should've been made, like the receiver doesn't know that already. It's the type of comment that separates the good ones from the bad, and the good coaches from the bad. When the coaches are miked up and they tell a player something obvious like that, it's not teaching and it's not coaching; it's piling on. When announcers say something that you could've come up with, that's not doing the job, either. Players know when they screw up and they don't need to be reminded of it. If a play isn't made, it needs to be explained why, and it can be as simple as, "it looks like he didn't concentrate," or "he was trying to run after the catch." "He needs to make that catch," or, "he has to make that kick," or "he has to make that tackle," doesn't help anyone.
1. Tim Tebow's brain
All of a sudden, everyone has become a neurologist and knows what's wrong with Tim Tebow's bruised brain and what needs to be done to make sure it's fine and able to withstand the punishment of playing football again. What no one seems to be talking about are the non-football ramifications. Because Florida plays a monster game at LSU on Saturday night, that CBS is giving the primetime spot for in place of whatever dopey CSI Whispering Mentalist thing it normally would've showed, Tebow's injury is being analyzed and scrutinized like he was a pro. Forget about playing football; how about trying to concentrate in the classroom
(and I mean this for all players who suffer a
concussion and now necessarily Tebow, who's only
taking one class)?
Lost in the world of college football is that injured players still have to study, walk to class, sit in class, try to learn, and try to lead a normal student life. Try doing any of those things after suffering a major concussion. Try sitting through an extended lecture for over an hour with a throbbing shoulder with pain that isn't going away even after taking ten Advil. Try writing notes or typing on a computer with sore fingers that have been jammed and banged on over and over again. Try focusing on absorbing the material when you have a bruised rib that you feel every time you breathe.
We've all had injuries, aches, and pains of some sort that make life hard, but concussions are at another level. This is all about the doctors when it comes to Tebow, and it's all about making sure the next 60 years of his life are spent with a clear mind and without the horrors of being sensitive to light, headaches, mood swings, memory loss, and all the other problems that are certain to follow. But Tebow is at the University of Florida to play football, and football players live with concussions and injuries. Just remember that the next time you question whether or not they're supposed to be treated just like regular students.
Random Acts of Nutty … Provocative musings and tidbits to make every woman want you and every man want to be you (or vice versa) a.k.a. things I didn't feel like writing bigger blurbs for.
- A little note for Purdue this week and the rest of the Big Ten. Minnesota QB Adam Weber is tipping his pitches. If I'm seeing this then I'm sure a highly-paid Big Ten defensive coordinator must notice the same thing. When a pass play is supposed to go to the left side, Weber dips his left shoulder when he's under center and has a severe body lean to the left when he's in the shotgun. When the play calls for the pass to go to star WR Eric Decker on the left side, Weber might as well be turned 90-degrees.
- Not only has Navy been the first team in NCAA history to lead the nation in rushing three years in a row, but it's now on a four-year run. The streak is in serious jeopardy this season as the Midshipmen offense isn't nearly as effective running the ball as it's been in the past. Part of the reason is the emergence of QB Ricky Dobbs as a passer, Navy throws for about 100 yards a game, and part of the reason is that the ground game simply isn't as good.
- Time of possession is overrated in the pros, Miami can hold the ball for 45 minutes with the Wildcat offense and Peyton Manning can undo all the momentum with a one minute touchdown drive that covers 81 yards. In college, time of possession matters a bit more because it allows lesser teams to hang around a bit more (which is why teams that run the spread so effectively can control games). That's why it's interesting to note that Cincinnati isn't just last in the nation in time of possession (Notre Dame is first), but it's last by a huge margin holding on to the ball for 23:47 a game. The No. 119 team, Baylor, holds the ball for 25:32. That's partly why a mediocre Fresno State team was able to stay close, and why the Bearcats didn't obliterate a miserable Miami University squad. This might matter against the West Virginias and South Floridas of the Big East world.
- Saying that Washington head coach Steve Sarkesian had a 6-1 record vs. Notre Dame, like NBC had up in a graphic, based on his time as an assistant at USC, is like giving credit to Cliff Levingston for winning two NBA championships for the Chicago Bulls.
C.O.W. shameless gimmick item … The weekly five Overrated/Underrated aspects of the world
1) Overrated: Bush Push … Underrated: Hughes Push
2) Overrated: Louisville QB Adam Froman … Underrated: The Sausage King of Chicago (I know, I know, but I wanted to use it anyway)
3) Overrated: Tim Tebow as a motivational speaker ... Underrated: Mark Herzlich
4) Overrated: The Olympics ... Underrated: Chicago
5) Overrated: Kenny the Page ... Underrated: Dabo Swinney
"Ain't so bad." (Another hit from Lang) "Ain't so bad." (Another big hit from Lang) … The three lines this week that appear to be a tad off. I will stop thinking that Army is quirky-good … I will stop thinking that Army is quirky-good … I will stop thinking that Army is quirky-good. You have to really, really try to be 1-2 every freaking week. I press on. … 1) Wisconsin +14 over Ohio State, 2) Alabama -6.5 over Ole Miss, 3) Florida State -2.5 over Georgia Tech
Week 6 Results: 1) Wisconsin +2.5 over Minnesota (WIN UW 31-28), 2) Toledo -7.5 over Ball State (LOSS Toledo 37-30), 3) Army -6 over Tulane (LOSS Tulane 17-16) … Record So Far: 4-11.
My Heisman ballot this week would be (if the college football season ended right now) … 1) Jimmy Clausen, QB Notre Dame, 2) Jerry Hughes, DE TCU, 3) Case Keenum, QB Houston
Sorry this column sucked, it wasn't my fault … Michael David Barrett simply told the front desk people that he wanted a hotel room next to mine, and inexplicably, he got it. Now Erin Andrews is about to get a very, very, very large check from the good people at Marriott.


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The Bedside Drawer
dook wants to know really what resides in your bedside drawer. I have some rather nice things in my bedside drawer, multiple colors, speeds, a movie and oh yeah, LOTS of batteries, good batteries, not the cheap rayovac kind you get at the dollar store...they do not do you any justice.
So, buzz on in and tell me what resides in your drawer or in a special place in your room. Ladies, does your spouse know you have them, or do you prefer some alone time?
Tell dook, what is all the buzz about?
Since: Jun 24, 2007
Posted on: March 15, 2008 4:15 pm
The Bedside Drawer
Hello All, now we know what's in the drawer. What items, apprentices, toys if you will would you replace with an updated model. Example: The two speed, Delta 2000 model - to a multi speed Hydro Lx model ( comes with a moaning button ). Maybe you have been eyeing that dual head, multi tasker ( mmmmm that one sounds interesting ). Let's see what you people really want, shall we.
Since: Feb 7, 2008
Posted on: March 15, 2008 11:04 am
The Bedside Drawer
Wow.. looks like I need to get my wife some new shopping friends!!
She did have a "friend" that she kept in the drawer until our youngest asked mommy about the ladybug that hummed. Since then, it's been stashed in the closet and out reach (and commission)
Only thing on my side is some books, a TV remote and tube of sportscream (sucks getting old)
Since: Aug 16, 2007
Posted on: March 15, 2008 9:20 am
The Bedside Drawer
Nah i like my $25 turbo I got at A&E
Mine is hand blown....glass with some special friction features applied to the apparatus to add to the experience. Just warm it up in water...and whheeeew
Since: Jan 26, 2007
Posted on: March 14, 2008 11:00 pm
The Bedside Drawer
I went through the contents of my drawer and cleaned it out last week. (some girls really like it there).
scuzzie you keep your girls in your drawer?
Since: Jan 26, 2007
Posted on: March 14, 2008 10:57 pm
The Bedside Drawer
I have a $300 piece of corning ware with warts
I would recommend a good physician to take care of that problem.
warts??? I don't want warts! Wait a minute, I thought corning ware could be bought at wally world fairly inexpensively?
Nah i like my $25 turbo I got at A&E
Since: Jan 24, 2007
Posted on: March 14, 2008 4:46 pm
This comment has been removed.
Post Deleted by Administrator
Since: Aug 16, 2007
Posted on: March 14, 2008 4:35 pm
The Bedside Drawer
I have a $300 piece of corning ware with warts that knows how to rotate....and it's dishwasher safe!!
Since: Feb 27, 2008
Posted on: March 14, 2008 10:13 am
The Bedside Drawer
Way to be dook, this is way better than talking about sports, unless you are talking about sex as a sport, sounds good to me. I have purchased a few items that reside in my drawer such as several different shaped vibrating apperatuses, a few dozen movies, a little reading material, and a couple personal private pictures. We are not talking about a huge arsonal but enough to get the job done well enough that she keeps begging for more. Whooh... that got me as sweaty as a good workout. LOL.
Since: Oct 19, 2007
Posted on: March 14, 2008 9:03 am
The Bedside Drawer
The usual stuff. A three speed vibrating & rotating dildo with special stimulator attachment, the pocket rocket (great for travel), large and small ben wa balls, and a c*#k ring. Batteries of course.
The best appliance, however, is the innocent and inexpensive two speed body massager we picked up at the drug store at least ten years ago. We just leave it out for all to see on top of the headboard. It has a handy long handle, runs on rechargable batteries, and has been as reliable as the sunrise. No reason to be concerned where to put it when you travel. It arrouses no suspicion, but can and does arouse plenty. Trust me on that... It even doubles as a back massager.
Since: Apr 12, 2007
Posted on: March 14, 2008 9:02 am
The Bedside Drawer
I went through the contents of my drawer and cleaned it out last week. I have about half a case of Magnums, 4 sets of handcufs (one set is fur lined) a tube of KY (some girls really like it there). A remote control for the dimmer switch. A book with names numbers and ratings, a double sided apparatus for nights when I'm lucky enough to have two female companions, a box of altoids and a wine bottle opener. Yes, I'm a pig and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

subset: commoncrawl


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So decided to take some shots,as you do.
River Dance boat on blackpool beach,which unfortunatly was blown on shore by a storm.
We where not allowed to get close to the boat,so good job i had the big daddy of zoom lenses on me.
Don't know why they took a chunk out of the bows.
Now taking it to bits from the stern.
Spotted this guy with camara and tripod.
And this guy flying over.
High Tide.


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A must have
posted 7 years ago
these halters are very durable. plus you can get them in almost any color!
Pros: variety
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Sturdy, good quality
posted 6 years ago
I love them, cost a little more but quality is worth it. choice of adjustments ,color combo and decide on your monogram. Only ones i ever buy
Pros: engrave / selection of color combos
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Southampton captain Adam Lallana has hailed the progress of teenage fullback Luke Shaw.
It is not just ShawŌĆÖs performances that have caught the eye of his teammates. It is also his attitude.
ŌĆ£The confidence and matureness he has for such a young kid is unbelievable,ŌĆØ said Lallana to the Daily Echo.
The Saints skipper added: ŌĆ£HeŌĆÖs come in and done absolutely outstanding. To think heŌĆÖs still 17 is unbelievable.
ŌĆ£Credit to him, his fitness is coming on. He lasted the full game (against Liverpool), so heŌĆÖs showing heŌĆÖs making giant strides forward in his fitness.
ŌĆ£We all know the ability that heŌĆÖs got. HeŌĆÖs unbelievable for his age.ŌĆØ


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Brewer's Friend Free
10,000 - 50,000 downloadsAdd this app to your listsTweets por @Appszoom
Fellow home brewers, please enjoy our free mobile app which contains 15 stand alone brewing calculators, a summary of our blog, and links to our cloud based brewing solution. Now you can keep Brewer's Friend on your home screen and quickly get to the brewing tools you love!
Note: this free app does not contain a full beer recipe designer. However, the cloud tab contains a link to our online recipe designer, which is designed to work on mobile phones and tablets.
The Brewer's Friend free mobile app contains the following brewing calculators:
ABV Calculator - Alcohol
IBU Calculator - Bitterness
SRM Calculator - Color
All Grain OG/FG
Brewhouse Efficiency
Mash Calculator
Quick Infusion Calculator
Extract OG/FG
Dilution and Boil Off
Hydrometer Temperature
Bottling Calculator
Priming Sugar Calculator
Keg PSI Calculator
Wine Brix and SG Calculator
Wine Chaptalization Calculator
Full support for metric units!
The app connects to the internet only to refresh the blog tab content from our RSS feed. When you click a blog post or cloud link you are taken to the Brewer's Friend website.
Tags: brewers friend.
Calculators look better on larger devices.
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Very good app and useful, thank you.
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Every time I try to enter grains to find my efficiency the app force closes. Fix that and I will give more stars. Been like this for a while now. HELP ME OUT PLEASE!
(53 stars)
Just about every calculator for brewing beer you could want in one convenient app. Would be nice if they could add apparent attenuation, though.
(53 stars)
Just like the website but easier and faster!
(53 stars)
Closes every single time I try and enter a grain. Doesn't work!!!
(53 stars)
The calculators are great. But it needs better web integration. Also it would be great to have a brew timer to brew the recipes that the user creates on the website.
(53 stars)
Great to use to sync with the browser version.


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9am - 6pm ET M-F
9am - 5pm ET Sat
If your Poulan small engine needs a replacement gas tank, turn to Jacks. Jacks can supply a replacement Poulan fuel tank to fit your Poulan trimmer. With fast shipping you'll have your repairs finished before you know it. Match your Poulan part number below.


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UC Davis veterinarians have treated their share of celebrity patients.
They have performed kidney transplants on the dogs of wealthy people from the United Arab Emirates. They have cared for the feline pets of Hollywood stars. Doris Day has taken her pup to the school's renowned veterinary teaching hospital.
But the hospital's staff cannot recall having had a case quite like that of Kabang, the snoutless mutt from the Philippines credited with saving the lives of two young girls last year.
"I have not encountered a case like this one before," Dr. Jane Sykes, director of the institution's small-animal clinic, acknowledged Tuesday with a smile.
Kabang's story has tweaked heartstrings across two nations, and also raised questions about the extraordinary effort and cost going toward treating a single animal when so many are put to death in shelters or die because their owners cannot afford treatment.
Sykes acknowledged those concerns Tuesday.
"It's an interesting phenomenon that has occurred with this dog," she said. "The story has touched so many people. It's fascinating that it has attracted so much attention when, yes, there are lots of dogs in shelters and that is a huge issue."
In the end, she said, "I believe that Kabang is a great ambassador for dogs and what they can do for people. I think we owe her a service in return."
Kabang's story went global after news media in the Philippines reported that she lost her snout after bolting in front of a motorcycle headed toward two young sisters who were the dog's companions. After disappearing for a few weeks, the shepherd mix returned to her family's home with a gaping hole where the top of her muzzle used to be.
The dog's owner, Rudy Bunggal, who lives in Zamboanga City in the southern region of the Philippines, took her to a veterinarian. Soon media outlets jumped on the story, and thousands of dollars began pouring into a fund for Kabang's care.
The Animal Welfare Coalition of the Philippines, Global Animal Transport, Philippine Airlines and individual donors pitched in, according to a New York-based website created on the dog's behalf, www.careforkabang.com.
Last week, the pup and her Filipino vet made the trip to Northern California and UC Davis, which boasts the most comprehensive dental and oral surgery service of any veterinary teaching hospital in the world.
The Kabang website, launched by a critical care nurse in New York, estimates the cost of six to eight weeks of treatment at UC Davis at about $20,000. That bill likely will grow far higher, as veterinarians announced that Kabang has unrelated problems that will delay surgery for her facial wounds.
More than two dozen members of the media gathered Tuesday at UC Davis for an update on Kabang's status. Sykes said that tests show the dog is suffering from heartworm disease, as well as a potentially aggressive tumor.
Treatment of those conditions could take six months, Sykes said. If it proves successful, Kabang would undergo major dental surgery followed by an operation to close the wound on her face.
Sykes declined to estimate the total cost of treatment, but said the bill will be covered by Kabang's supporters.
The injury essentially robbed Kabang of her upper jaw and teeth. Because of the wound, she is at grave risk for infection and has to be creative in her efforts to eat and drink, Sykes said. Given soft food, she laps it onto her tongue and tosses it back toward her throat, the veterinarian explained.
"She's just a very, very sweet, affectionate dog who loves people," Sykes said. "She's a pleasure to work with."
A small army of top veterinarians is working on Kabang's case. Besides Sykes, they include Boaz Arzi, a specialist in facial reconstruction; Frank Verstraete, whose expertise is in oral pathology, surgery and diagnostic imaging; David Wilson, director of the veterinary hospital; and Anton Lim, who escorted the dog from the Philippines.
Even animal advocates are conflicted, they said, about so much time, effort and money being spent on a single case of an animal whose story goes viral.
"I struggled with the same concept after Hurricane Katrina," when outsized efforts were aimed at rescuing stray, sickly animals that found themselves in desperate straits during the disaster, said Jennifer Fearing, California state director of the Humane Society.
"It's a phenomenon that kicks in when animals that are simply part of an event somehow become celebrities," Fearing said. "Everyone wants to help. To me, the life of the pit bull picked up in Oak Park is just as valuable as the animal at the center of the big story."
Even so, Fearing said, she has no problem with the outpouring for Kabang.
"We should never stand in the way of people's interest in doing right by animals," she said.
Rick Johnson, executive director of the Sacramento SPCA, said the Kabang case illustrates "the personal choices that people make every day, with animals and with life in general.
"Do you spend a lot of money on a procedure to help one person, or do you use it to help a whole bunch of people in Bangladesh? Either way, it's hard to criticize people trying to do something positive in this world."


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City of Princeton
Princeton Police Department
Troy was happy to meet Princeton Police Officer Combs at this year's Bike Rodeo. He sat in the SWAT Humvee and was given a "Police, Your Friends For Life" treat bag, before riding his bike through the obstacle course. By fostering positive interaction, Police will be his friends for life.
Contact Us
- In case of Emergency, Call 911.
- Non-emergency calls: 304-425-8911
- Police Department Telephone: 304-487-5000
- Police Department Fax: 304-487-5002
- Anonymous Tip Line
Anonymous Tip Line
All applicants must have a High School diploma or GED. Applicants must have a valid drivers license. Applicants must meet or exceed minimum physical requirements. Applicants will be expected to attend West Virginia State Police Academy. Applicants must complete appropriate paperwork, including the city employee appplication, the medical release form, and the release of information form.


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Join Date: May 2005
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proverbs 29:7 the righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
~Beth, mama to two amazing girls, ages 12 and 6~
Thrilled to be expecting Baby #2 after 15 months TTC (a 30% drop in TTC time than Baby #1!)
"Everything that is done in the world is done by hope." Martin Luther
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Steelers rookie LB Jarvis Jones settling in
Asked to describe LeBeau, Jones just smiled and called the Hall-of-Famer "chill."
Then again, it's early. The Steelers might not be rebuilding but they are regrouping after an 8-8 season. Jones will get a chance to prove he belongs. In a way, he already does. In the hours after hearing his name called by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Jones received congratulatory phone calls and texts from Woodley, Polamalu and Ben Roethlisberger.
"I can't wait to get in the locker room with those guys and just learn from those guys," he said. "It's definitely a blessing to be on the field with those guys."
The Steelers might talk about having Jones take his time and learn the system, but in today's NFL, first-round picks aren't supposed to wait their turn, particularly if it's a position where there's a significant need.
Jones impressed Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert with his maturity. He'll need to lean on it to fit into an organization that's still knee-deep in veterans. As Tomlin likes to say, "the standard is the standard" regardless if it's Harrison out there or Jones. That's fine by the kid in the 95 jersey.
"They're about winning," Jones said. "They're about playing hard-nosed defense and they're about playing down after down. I see it and I know what it means."
Follow Will Graves at www.twitter.com/WillGravesAP
The Associated Press


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Mad Rupert Hops To Writing And Illustrating 'Regular Show: Skips' [Interview]
Regular Show's super strong immortal sage (who just so happens to be voiced by Mark Hamill) is about to step into the comic book spotlight. This November Boom! Studios will roll out Regular Show: Skips #1, written and illustrated by Mad Rupert (Saskana, Adventure Time). Set to show the RS world from Skips' point of view, the story sees Pops reward Mordecai, Rigby and the rest of the crew with a mini-vacation for all their hard work at the park. Thanks to the antics of his coworkers, though, Skips probably won't quite get the rest and relaxation he deserves for bailing his buds out of trouble time and time again. ComicsAlliance got in touch with Rupert to learn more about what readers can expect in the issue, how the artist got into Regular Show, and just how much she loves pugs.


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Lenny Wilkens To Speak At Friar Legends Forever Dinner
The Dinner will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13 at the Omni Hotel in Providence.
College To Honor John Thompson, Jim Hadnot and Andrea Mangum
Three former Friars will have their numbers raised to the rafters on Feb. 14 and a dinner on Feb. 13.
Providence College Remembers Marvin Barnes
Former Friar will always be regarded as one of the greatest.
Joe Hassett, Kevin Stacom And Tracy Lis Become Friar Legends Forever
The three former Friars had their jerseys put into the rafters at halftime on Saturday.
College To Honor Kevin Stacom, Joe Hassett and Tracy Lis
Three Friar Legends will have their numbers raised to the rafters at halftime of the men's and women's basketball games on Jan. 25.
What Jimmy Walker was to Joe Mullaney and the great teams of the 1960's, Ernie DiGregorio was to Dave Gavitt and the team's of the 1970's. Homegrown in the shadow of Alumni Hall, Ernie D not only defined the running Friar tradition but helped revolutionize college basketball's fast break offense. A wizard with the basketball as a ballhandler and passer, DiGregorio helped usher in the age of the Providence Civic Center. It was his behind-the-back passes and three consecutive team MVP awards that packed the downtown arena. Still the all-time assists leader and one of the top scorers in PC history, he was a consensus All-America and Lapchick Award winner as the nation's outstanding senior. He was the NCAA East Regional MVP and the only Providence player to make the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team. The third pick in the 1973 NBA draft, he went on to be the NBA's Rookie of the Year. He played for the Buffalo Braves for four seasons before a season with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. The ECAC named him Eastern Player of the Decade for the 1970's.
After playing for the Providence College Friars, DiGregorio was drafted by the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association but opted instead for the NBA. He was selected third overall by the Buffalo Braves in the 1973 NBA Draft and won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 1973-74 after averaging 15.2 points and leading the league in both free throw percentage and assists per game. DiGregorio still holds the NBA rookie record for assists in a single game with 25 (a record now shared with Nate McMillan). During the 1976-77 season, DiGregorio led the league in free throw percentage a second time, with a then-NBA record 94.5 percent average. Ernie played another four seasons after his rookie campaign and averaged 9.6 points per game for his career. In addition to the Braves, he also played for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.
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Providence College men's basketball coach Ed Cooley announced today (April 16) that student-athlete Ricky Council II (Durham, N.C.) signed a National Letter ...
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Providence College men's ice hockey Head Coach Nate Leaman and Sports Radio WEEI 103.7 FM will hold the Nate Leaman Radio Show live TONIGHT (Monday, April 6)...
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Providence senior forward LaDontae Henton (Lansing, Mich.) played for the East squad in the in the 2015 Reese's College All-Star Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in...
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It was announced on Tuesday, March 30 that Providence College sophomore guard Kris Dunn (New London, Conn.) was named to the CBS Sports.Com All-America Third...
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It was announced on Monday, March 30 that Providence College senior forward LaDontae Henton (Lansing, Mich.) and sophomore guard Kris Dunn (New London, Conn....
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Former Thomas Cook boss donates £3m to charity over hotel deaths
28 May 2015
Former Thomas Cook chief executive Harriet Green said she will donate more than £3m of a £10m shares...
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Baroness Hayter, the new spokeswoman for the shadow Cabinet Office team in the House of Lords, has criticised NCVO for not lobbying on behalf of the voluntary sector when the Welfare Reform Bill was going through Parliament.
Baroness Hayter was speaking at Acevo's 25th anniversary lecture last night where she reflected on how civil society had developed over the last quarter of a century.
She said in the past some charities were "deliberately amateur"; governance was deeply underdeveloped; at times charity executives were "a law unto themselves" and charities were more unionised:
"I thought unions were a great strength," said Baroness Hayter. "But there were also challenges in balancing the needs of trade union membership with clients' needs."
Later in her speech, Baroness Hayter said the role of NCVO was similar to that of the Trades Union Congress or CBI for the charity sector, but she questioned whether the umbrella body carried out this role adequately.
"I had not one bit of lobbying from NCVO on the Welfare Reform Bill," she complained. "I got great help from individual voluntary organisations, such as Disability Alliance UK.
"But I did not have the wider perspective for the voluntary sector. I expected NCVO to produce something on the whole of the welfare system."
She added that there were questions to be asked on who spoke for charities across the piece.
Deputy chief executive of NCVO Ben Kernighan told civilsociety.co.uk this morning that the organisation would respond directly to the Baroness:
"We are very sorry that Baroness Hayter feels that way and we will be in touch shortly with her," he said. "NCVO engages on a range of issues affecting the voluntary sector including welfare reform."
Charities, especially those supporting people with disabilities, lobbied hard during the Welfare Reform Bill's passage through Parliament.
A group of disability charities, led by the Children's Society, used the government's e-petition site to lobby government to debate the introduction of the universal credit welfare system.
The government's controversial Welfare Reform Bill passed its final hurdle in the House of Lords this March. The Bill introduces an annual cap on benefits and overhauls many payments within the welfare system.
Commentators have warned that changes to the benefits of disabled people may risk their right to independent living.
Baroness Hayter was one of the founders of Acevo 25 years ago. She has this week been appointed frontbench spokesman for the Labour Party Cabinet Office team in the House of Lords.
13 May 2012
Well done Baroness Hayter for raising this issue - NCVO in its bid to appear respectable has lost its campaigning cutting edge. I guess like many major charities it feels that by taking so much money from the government it feels that it cannot criticise it too much or stand up for the people at the bottom of society that need charities to speak up for them (because no one else is going to in this big society).
And 'Sir' Stuart Etherington clearly feels his place is in the governing classes not amongst the hoi-polloi of the charity world and certainly not amongst volunteers and service users.
I think a re-radicalising of the sector is in order - NCVO should renew the charity sector's radical edge. For this to happen 'Sir' Stuart needs to stand aside - an elevation to the Lords perhaps to complete his elevation to the ruling class
Anne Cook
Development Officer
The Crosby Community Association
13 May 2012
I find all to offten the voluntrey sector are asking for there views at various forms,
But are we bring lisened to?
CCA has been providing a free advocacy service to the people of North Lincolnshire since 1994
We live on a knife edge along with many other voluntreey sector organisations fighting for funding to deliver a much needed service to the public.
I ask is it not time the goverment realise nothing comes free there are always overheads to be paid.
Utilitys, postage, Telephone, Admin, Audits, Training for volunteers and paid staff.
Sorry but we work in partnership with many organisations in and around North Lincolnshire who are under pressure to servive.
What happened to the big socity?
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28 May 2015
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The Children's Society and NSPCC both said last week they plan to revamp digital services for young people,...
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James MalachTwitter Statistics
@jamesmalach - Tracking since May 3, 2009
Blockchain twaddle, freshly lactated from the caffeine-addled brain udders of altcoin development monkey.
Manchester, England
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Why don't you give it a try and compare James Malach to yourself ? Or if you are James Malach get even more feature rich & up-to-date stats with Premium & Pro Twitter Stats.
Twitter Counter is the #1 Twitter stats site powered by Twitter. It all started in June 12, 2008 and we grew rather rapidly because of our Twitter Counter badge. The button is a nice small image that shows your visitors how many followers you have on Twitter. Within a year the button was on many many blogs around the world and we displayed more than 100 million buttons in one month. We track follower stats for over 180 million users now.
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Find out more http://twittercounter.com/pages/you via @TheCounter #paidwithatweet"


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For two centuries, people have crowded into urban areas, seeking higher standards of living than prevail in the rural areas they abandoned. Nowhere is this truer than in China. In just four decades, it has risen from 17.4 percent to 55.6 percent urban, adding nearly 600 million city residents. This has been accomplished while lifting an unprecedented number of people out of poverty. read more »
Urban Issues
Paving Over Hunan? The Portland Model for China
Brooklyn is Getting Poorer
I'm trying to make more of an effort, whenever I write or talk about gentrification, to point out that the real issue is larger: that gentrification is only one aspect of income segregation – specifically, the part where the borders between rich and poor neighborhoods shift – and that the real problem is that we have such sharply defined rich and poor neighborhoods to begin with. read more »
Southern California Becoming Less Family-Friendly
The British Talmudic scholar Abraham Cohen noted that, throughout history, children were thought of as "a precious loan from God to be guarded with loving and fateful care." Yet, increasingly and, particularly, here in Southern California, we are rejecting this loan, and abandoning our role as parents. read more »
Baby Boomtowns: The U.S. Cities Attracting The Most Families
With the U.S. economy reviving, birth rates may be as well: the number of children born rose in 2013 by 4,700, the first annual increase since 2007. At the same time new household formation, after falling precipitously in the wake of the Great Recession, has begun to recover, up 100,000 this June from a year before. read more »
Are Cool Downtowns the Solution to Suburban Ennui?
Recently, former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi took a turn answering The Foggiest Five, a new segment that asks influential Long Islanders five questions regarding the future of the Nassau-Suffolk region. His answers gave an interesting look at our issues, and I appreciate the time he took answering the questions. read more »
Wrong Way Cities
In a New York Times column entitled "Wrong Way America," Nobel laureate Paul Krugman again reminds us of the high cost of overzealous land-use regulations. Krugman cites the work of Harvard economist Ed Glaeser and others in noting that "high housing prices in slow-growing states also owe a lot to policies that sharply limit construction." He observes that "looser regulation in the South has kept the supply of housing elastic and the cost of living low" (Note 1). read more »
Class Issues, Not Race, Will Likely Seal the Next Election
Recent events in Ferguson, Missouri and along the U.S.-Mexico border may seem to suggest that race has returned as the signature issue in American politics. We can see this already in the pages of mainstream media, with increased calls for reparations for African-Americans, and expanded amnesties for the undocumented. read more »
On The Pitfalls of Urban Food Production
In her August 21 pieces "Can Urban Agriculture Work on a Commercial Scale?" and "Five Urban Farms that are Growing Big" published in Citiscope, journalist Flavie Halais enthuses over the potential for small scale urban agriculture, vertical farming, and innovative ways to connect producers and consumers. In doing so, she ignores some very real pitfalls that have long relegated urban food production to the realm of hobbyists.
Pitfall #1: Urban land is too valuable to be devoted profitably to food production
Until a century ago many foods that did not travel well, or benefitted from organic waste (primarily horse manure) generated in cities, were still produced in and around large urban agglomerations. read more »
Traffic Congestion in the World: 10 Worst and Best Cities
The continuing improvement in international traffic congestion data makes comparisons between different cities globally far easier. Annual reports (2013) by Tom Tom have been expanded to include China, adding the world's second largest economy to previously produced array of reports on the Americas, Europe, South Africa and Australia/New Zealand. A total of 160 cities are now rated in these Tom Tom Traffic Index Reports. read more »
America's Fastest-Growing Small Cities
Coverage of America's changing urban scene tends to focus heavily on large metropolitan areas and the "megaregions" now often said to dominate the economic future. Often missed has been a slow, but inexorable, shift of migration and economic growth to smaller cities, a geography usually ignored or dismissed, with the exception of college towns, as doomed to lag behind by urban boosters. read more »


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Staff Recognition
SPU staff members of the month are nominated by their peers and selected by Staff Council. If you would like to nominate a person for this recognition, proceed to the nomination page.
Meet the SPU Staff Members of the Month for January/February 2015
Dale Kegley and Alison Estep
Dale, Art Director & Interim Co-Director, Univ. Comm. and
Alison, Assistant Director of University Communications
Where did you grow up?
Dale: I grew up in Walla Walla, Washington.
Alison: I grew up in New Jersey and Michigan. If you want to see me point out my Michigan hometown using my hand as a mitten (you Michiganders out there will understand), just ask. Seattle had been home for me since the mid-1980s.
How about your educational and professional careers?
Dale: I got my bachelor's degree in economics from Central Washington University. After working at Merrill Lynch for two years as a Commodity Broker, I returned to school to get my bachelor's degree in graphic design from Central Washington University and my master's degree from Central Washington University. I started at SPU in 1983 and have been here ever since!
Alison: I studied English at University of Michigan. When I moved to Seattle I worked for a trade magazine and then stumbled into public relations. I've worked in communications at a few places, including a hospital, a health insurance company, and a commercial real estate company. I had my own PR firm for several years and also spent some time at an advertising and public relations agency.
What brought you to SPU?
Dale: I applied for and received a graphic design position here at SPU 33 years ago. The best part of my job now is being able to be creative.
Alison: I played in the SPU orchestra for many years as a community member. But all I knew about the University at that point was Beegle Hall, where we rehearsed. I learned about a job opening in UC through a former colleague who works at SPU.
What was a challenge in the last year?
Dale: One challenge of the last year was grappling with the loss of our longtime colleague and friend, Jennifer Gilnett.
Alison: We've had an extraordinarily difficult year, first managing communications around the June 5 shooting and then unexpectedly losing Jennifer Gilnett–– director, mentor, and friend. With support from SPU leadership and so many faithful prayers, God has sustained and helped heal our office –– and me.
What are you looking forward to?
Dale: I am looking forward to working together as a staff on some very exciting new branding campaigns for SPU.
Alison: New and creative projects telling our SPU story.
What is the best part of your job?
Alison: My office is incredible: supportive, creative, energetic, and skilled. I am challenged and encouraged every day.
What is your favorite thing to do when you're not at work?
Dale: My hobbies include traveling, swimming, and hanging out with my adult children.
Alison: My oldest son is a sophomore at SPU studying mechanical engineering and my daughter is a junior in high school. She knows she can go anywhere to college as long as it's SPU. I am active in my church in West Seattle, help with worship, community meals, and church music.
Tell us about you — your family, church, etc.
Dale: I live in Magnolia and am a member of Bethany Presbyterian Church. I have three children, all of whom have attended SPU, including one current student.
What is one interesting thing that few people know about you?
Dale: People may not know that I will be attending the 2015 Nationwide U.S. Masters Swimming Spring National Championship in San Antonio, Texas.
Please join Staff Council in congratulating Dale Kegley and Alison Estep as Staff of the Month!


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Not a huge surprise but Flip confirms to @PAOnTheMic that KG has told him he wants to return to the #twolves next season.
Pro Basketball Talk "When the Timberwolves traded Kevin Garnett to the Celtics in 2007, it changed the balance of power in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics won the 2008 title immediately after acquiring Garnett and Ray Allen, and made the Finals again two years later. The Big Three of Garnett, Allen and Paul Pierce..." May 19
Fox Sports North "Seated on the edge of a waste receptacle and slouching forward in the corner of Minnesota's locker room March 2, Kevin Garnett for once looked comfortably human. The Twin Cities yesteryear hoops hero had just dragged his 38-year-old bones up and down the Target Center floor for 21 minutes, 56..." April 21
Canis Hoopus "This would be his 21st season in the NBA and his age 39 season. Garnett was re-acquired by the Wolves at the trade deadline this season from the Brooklyn Nets, making his return to the franchise where he got his start and played for a dozen incredible seasons. Unfortunately, he has only..." April 13
Ricky said at shoot he doesn't know if he'll play, but it's likely he'll be only one of Pek, KG and Neal to play tonight vs. Raptors
Pro Basketball Talk "The Denver Nuggets have won two in a row, playing with a newfound effort since coach Brian Shaw was let go and Melvin Hunt was given the interim tag. Wednesday night the Nuggets outplayed Minnesota and picked up a 100-85 win. After the game, the question was if Kevin Garnett expected that kind..." March 05
ESPN Los Angeles "Although Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett showered each other with praise before Monday's game between the Clippers and Timberwolves, Austin Rivers wasn't as complimentary late in the fourth quarter, when both players received double technicals for jawing at each other. With 3:23 left in the game..." March 03
St. Paul Pioneer Press "The contract extension Kevin Garnett, 38, will sign with the Timberwolves this summer will be for two years. During that period, Garnett and Wolves president-coach Flip Saunders are expected to try to form a group to buy the team from Glen Taylor. Garnett has amassed more than $325 million in..." February 23
Source: Kevin Garnett agrees to trade, will go home to Minnesota for Thaddeus Young.
KG has known about Minny's interest in a reunion for weeks. He wasn't with it at that time.
ESPN sources say Wolves and Nets have discussed deal to send Thad Young to Brooklyn in exchange for KG ... who of course has no-trade clause
SB Nation "The Minnesota Timberwolves are bringing back the best player in franchise history to finish his career with the team that drafted him. The Wolves have acquired 38-year-old Kevin Garnett from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for power forward Thaddeus Young, according to NBA.com's David..." February 19
Yahoo Sources: Minnesota, Philly could be included to expand Brooklyn-OKC deal w/ Garnett to Wolves, Thad Young to Nets. Among many parts.
Sources: Despite Doc Rivers' strong interest, Brooklyn's Kevin Garnett has ruled out contract buyout. He'll consider the one trade scenario.
New York Post "As the NBA moved into the final hours before Thursday' trade deadline, which ends at 3 p.m. Eastern time, the Nets haven't changed their thinking: unless they get a deal that helps them compete for a playoff spot this season, or if not gives them a high future return, they won't be moving any of..." February 19
KG situation fascinating. Ball, I'm told, largely in his court whether he wants to sign off on deal we reported last nite: Thad Young-for-KG
Washington Post "It's too quiet. One of the game's most cantankerous, obnoxious and belligerent spewers of loud, vile trash talk, and the man whose Pavarotti-powered remarks after winning his only NBA title — "Anything is possible!" — nearly shattered flat screens across the country is likely walking away from..." February 10
The Wall Street Journal "Kevin Garnett's tenure with the Nets was supposed to be a victory lap for his brilliant two-decade NBA career. But instead of adding a second championship to go with the one he won with Boston in 2008, Garnett is punctuating his career by averaging just 6.8 points and 6.9 rebounds a game for an..." February 02
INJURY UPDATE: Brooklyn Nets say Kevin Garnett (rest) is OUT tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers.
New York Daily News "Kevin Garnett lost his cool and perhaps a few brain cells. The Nets just lost. Again. The night started with a head-butt and an ejection, as Garnett charged at Dwight Howard and delivered his forehead to the Rockets center's cheek. Howard responded with an open-hand shot to Garnett's chin,..." January 13
The Brooklyn Game "Kevin Garnett has been suspended by the NBA for one game for his role in an altercation with Dwight Howard during Monday night's 113-99 Nets loss to the Houston Rockets. Garnett threw a basketball at Howard's shoulders after the two bickered, then headbutted him in the jaw. Garnett was ejected,..." January 13
Lineup update: Kevin Garnett (rest) will not play in tonight's game vs. Philadelphia. #Nets
ESPN New York "Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams and power forward Kevin Garnett will not play Monday night against the Dallas Mavericks. Williams had been listed as probable to play with a sore left side. He suffered the injury in an 88-84 loss to Miami on Sunday night, but had been hopeful he'd be..." January 05
Kevin Garnett will play tonight as well. If I'm not mistaken, he hadn't played in the second game of the last five back to backs.
#Nets forward Kevin Garnett (rest) won't play in tonight's game vs the Spurs
Off an ESPN piece where KG gave his top trash talkers, I asked Kobe for his on @TWCSportsNet: G. Payton, KG, R. Miller, Scottie Pippen.
CBSSports.com "The Brooklyn Nets almost lost to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. With a bit more than a minute left, the Nets only held a one-point lead. The Philly crowd was desperate for a win. It didn't happen. Brooklyn closed the winless Sixers out. The final score was 99-91, and the biggest shot of..." November 27
ESPN New York "Kevin Garnett hopes Jason Kidd receives a warm reception on Wednesday night when the former Nets coach and player returns for the first time as the Milwaukee Bucks' coach. Kidd and the Nets went through a sudden and stunning divorce and this will be the first time the two sides are reunited..." November 19
Yahoo! Sports "Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Garnett doesn't want to be an NBA general manager or coach when his playing days are over. The Minnesota Timberwolves' all-time leading scorer has his eye on an even higher position with his former NBA franchise. Garnett told Yahoo Sports he wants to one day own the..." November 15
New York Post "Whenever Kevin Garnett has deigned to talk to the media since the start of training camp, the future Hall of Famer has had a consistent message for anyone willing to listen: This year will be different than last. And, at least through two games, Garnett has backed up his words with his play on..." November 03
New York Post "Kevin Garnett's ongoing bout with a stomach virus held him out of Monday's 99-88 win over the 76ers at Barclays Center, and is going to keep him out of Wednesday's preseason finale in Boston. Nets coach Lionel Hollins said before Monday's game that Garnett — who has missed both practices and..." October 22
New York Post "Since before training camp began, Lionel Hollins has said Kevin Garnett is going to play more minutes and have a bigger role this season than he had a year ago. But when the same questions were posed to Garnett following Monday's practice at the team's facility ahead of Tuesday's preseason..." October 08
ESPN New York "Brooklyn Nets power forward Kevin Garnett, who is set to become just the fourth player in league history to play at least 20 seasons, was noncommittal when asked if this will be his final season. "I like to come in each year and assess it," Garnett said Friday at the team's annual media day...." September 26
Lionel Hollins says Kevin Garnett is going to start at power forward this season.
The Brooklyn Game "Could Kevin Garnett be with the Brooklyn Nets beyond his playing career? One person tied in to the organization thinks so. In an interview released Saturday with CLNS Radio, Nets play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle sees Garnett having a role in the Nets organization after his retirement. "This..." July 28
ESPN.com "Nothing is official yet, but quiet optimism is emanating from Brooklyn when it comes to Kevin Garnett playing for one more season. Garnett has predictably said nothing since the Nets' season ended with a second-round loss to Miami, but the whispers are starting to get louder that KG, at 38,..." June 23
Hoops-Nation "The Brooklyn Nets acquired both Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce from the Boston Celtics last offseason, but they didn't get a very good Garnett in the trade. He looked extremely old all season long, but also wasn't getting the same type of minutes or being used in the same way that he was in Boston...." June 21
Nets continuing to operate with the belief that Kevin Garnett will return next season, sources say. KG has been in contact with the team.
ESPN.com "Paul Pierce's first season with the Brooklyn Nets is over. And the veteran forward isn't sure if it will be his last in Brooklyn, either. Pierce said after the Miami Heat's series-clinching 96-94 Game 5 win over the Nets that he believes he still has a year or two left in his tank. Where the..." May 16
New York Post "The Nets paid a heavy price in both dollars and draft picks to bring Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett from Boston to Brooklyn last summer. But now that the Nets are headed into the offseason following Wednesday's season-ending 96-94 loss to the Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals,..." May 15
New York Post "When the Nets introduced Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett as the team's newest acquisitions last July, the two newest and biggest pieces of this $190 million experiment, they weren't shy about their championship aspirations for their first season in Brooklyn. "Obviously the talent is there,"..." May 14
Pro Basketball Talk "Kevin Garnett looks old. The mind is still willing — watch him "assistant coaching" during time outs and you can tell he knows the game and he still has a passion for it — but the flesh is weak. He does not cover ground on defensive rotations like the 2008 KG. He misses shots that used to be..." May 10
Boston Globe "Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen haven't spoken since Allen left the team two years ago, Allen tells the Florida Sun-Sentinel. Has Allen tried? "No, no," he tells the paper. Allen signed with the Miami Heat before the 2012-13 season, leaving behind a Celtics team that took Miami to Game 7 of the..." May 08
New York Post "When the Nets shipped several draft picks and dramatically expanded their payroll to bring Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn last summer, they were supposed to provide the Nets with the kind of know-how necessary to deliver them to victories in close playoff games. But as the Nets..." May 01
Kevin Garnett will make his return tonight after missing the past 19 games.
The Brooklyn Game "After his team's 116-104 victory over the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd said that Kevin Garnett would travel with the team to Philadelphia for their Saturday night game against the Philadelphia 76ers, and may play for the first time in over a month. "He felt better today,"..." April 05
ESPN.com "Brooklyn Nets center Kevin Garnett will not travel with the team on the road and miss at least the next three games, coach Jason Kidd said Friday. Garnett has missed the last 11 games due to back spasms. The Nets (36-31), however, have gone 9-2 without him, surrendering 100 or more points just..." March 23
Kevin Garnett spoke to the media, said he's progressing and doesnt know yet if he'll go on road trip.
New York Daily News "Kevin Garnett took two months to find a rhythm with the Nets, and that was after he called this season the most frustrating of his career. Now the 37-year-old center has been ruled out for the rest of the week because of the back spasms that Jason Kidd finally revealed Monday is more than just a..." March 18
Kidd says Garnett will be out for the rest of the week, and will be re-evaluated on Saturday.


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Mary Star of the Sea
Gate Council 1740
100 Years of
870 West 8th
o 310-832-4537
MARY STAR HIGH SCHOOL: From the MS Sunday Bulletin January 5, 2014: "Many thanks go to the Knights of Columbus who have generously reduced the interest rate of the High School's eight million dollar loan."
ONE OF THE FIRST councils to be organized in Southern California in 1914, Angels Gate Council has been in continuous service to church and community ever since. During its long history the council has preserved the ideals of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, although more so at some times than others. Today our council is a thriving, vibrant one, with many activities for our members' participation in all three San Pedro parishes. In 2012 Columbian Squires Circle 824 under Council Sponsorship was reactivated (www.sites.google.com/site/circle874)
IT IS THE MISSION of this website to be a timely informational source for its members. It is kept up to date, and we solicit information from the membership.
COUNCIL BY-LAWS: The new by-laws were ratified by the Supreme Council in 2013 and may be read by CLICKING HERE. It takes a 2/3 vote to amend them subject to approval of the Supreme Council.
He married Cecelia Lucia Najera Railey on May 14, 1983 at Mary Star of the Sea. He is the proud father of two daughters; Kelley Elizabeth Railey (27) and Christina Ann Railey (21). Both of them attended Mary Star of the Sea Elementary, Middle School, and graduated from Mary Star of the Sea High School.
Married to Thelma Siapno Decano for 31 years, they are blessed with eight children: Thedda Ann, Dan Augustus (dec.) Thedda Cleo, Marylou, Danilo Joseph, Christine, Danilo Nino and Philip Christopher. His motivation is to serve, promote and share the love and teachings of Jesus Christ to his brother Knights, the Community and the Parish.
HAVE A CELL PHONE? Take a picture at your next KofC activity or event and email it
Leo Kowalski, firstname.lastname@example.com or Joe Lauro, firstname.lastname@example.com.
Please give a brief description of who, what and where.
Last Updated 04/05/15


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Pronunciation: Rhonda
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- Introduction
- Land
- People
- Economy
- Government and society
- Cultural life
- History
Daily life and social customs
The family is the heart of Syrian social life. Frequent visits and exchanges of invitations for meals among family members are integral to daily living. Although formally arranged marriages are becoming less frequent, parents ordinarily wield decisive authority in approving or rejecting a match. Marriage to members of one's religion are the norm; Muslim men may marry non-Muslim women, although the reverse is prohibited; interdenominational marriages among Christians are legal but require permission from both denominations. Neighbourly relations and friendships among members of different religions are common in Syrian cities.
A visible expression of Syria's cultural eclecticism is demonstrated in its range of clothing styles: while some women choose the latest European fashions, others are completely veiled; older men in traditional black baggy trousers contrast with youths sporting Western styles.
Syrian Muslims observe the major religious holidays of Ramadan, ʿĪd al-Fiṭr ("Festival of Breaking Fast," marking the end of Ramadan) and ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā ("Festival of the Sacrifice," marking the culmination of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca). Syrian Christians freely celebrate the holidays of the Christian tradition, including Christmas and Easter.
Syrian cuisine makes use of a wide range of ingredients and styles of preparation; lemon, garlic, onions, and spices are often featured prominently. Kibbeh—ball-shaped or flat diamond-cut bulgur (cracked wheat) shells filled with ground beef or lamb, spices, and pine nuts—are enjoyed, oftentimes served with yogurt. Grapevine leaves are stuffed with spiced mixtures of lamb or beef and rice and simmered with lemon juice; variants also exist using cabbage leaves and a lemon-tomato broth. Meat pies and spinach pies are also enjoyed, and fruits, vegetables, and grains are staples in Syrian dishes. Flat bread, cheeses, salads, and olives are often a fixture of the mazzah (mezes), a spread of smaller dishes served together. Syrian pastries, some of which require substantial skill to prepare, are of a wide variety.
The arts
The artistic representation of animal or human life is proscribed by Islam, and until World War I public figurative art in Syria was restricted to geometric, vegetative, and animal designs as manifest in the arts of arabesque and calligraphy, which adorn most palaces and mosques. Following World War I, drawing was taught in the schools, and talented artists began to emerge. Sculpture is mainly confined to decorations hewn in white marble. Damascus is particularly famous for this type of sculpture, and beautiful examples of it can be seen in its palaces and public buildings.
Short-story writing and poetry have flourished, as in the widely read works of Nizār Qabbānī and ʿAlī Aḥmad Saʿīd ("Adonis"). The country's leading playwright, Saʿdallah Wannus (1941–97) has an international reputation for his politically forthright productions. The National Theatre and other theatrical and folk-dance companies give regular performances. In the realm of popular television, theatre, and cinema, Durayd Lahham's comic figure Ghawwar, a sort of "wise fool," enjoys a popular following throughout the Arab world. Syrians produce and listen to styles of popular music shared by much of the Arab world. Renowned Syrian musical artists include singer and ʿūd-player Farid al-Atrash and his sister Amal, known as Asmahan, who was a popular singer and actor.
Cultural institutions
National folk traditions have been emphasized by the state, which has established a museum for national folk traditions in Damascus. The capital also contains the National Museum and separate museums for agriculture and military history. Archaeological museums are located in Aleppo and at major sites. There are numerous libraries throughout Syria; Al-Assad National Library, al-Ẓāhiriyyah, and the library associated with the University of Damascus are among the country's most important.
The Ministry of Culture has established an Arab institute of music and has made available numerous courses in the figurative and applied arts, as well as centres for teaching the domestic arts. The Arabic Language Academy in Damascus, founded in 1919, is the oldest such academy in the Arab world.
A number of Syria's archaeological and historic features have been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage sites; these include the ancient cities of Damascus, Aleppo, and Bostra, the site of Palmyra, and the Crusader-period fortresses of Krak des Chevaliers ("Castle of the Knights") and Qalʿat Salāḥ al-Din ("Fortress of Saladin").
Sports and recreation
Football (soccer) is the country's most popular sport, and Syrians closely follow both Arab and European matches broadcast on national television. Weight lifting, judo, and karate are popular in the cities, and health clubs and gyms are becoming increasingly common in the capital. There are stadiums in Damascus, Aleppo, and Latakia, where occasional sporting events are held. The government-run Institute for Sports Education is in charge of organizing these sporting events, and the General Union of Sports, which is also funded by the government, promotes sports in rural areas to underprivileged children. Syria first competed in the 1948 Games in London and later won its first medal in men's heavyweight freestyle wrestling at the 1984 Olympic Games.
In addition to sporting activities, other leisure activities include frequent family outings to favourite picnic spots by streams or to mountain resorts.
1Islam is required to be the religion of the head of state and is the basis of the legal system.
|Official name
|Al-Jumhūriyyah al-ʿArabiyyah al-Sūriyyah (Syrian Arab Republic)
|Form of government
|unitary multiparty republic with one legislative house (People's Assembly [250])
|Head of state and government
|President: Bashar al-Assad
|Official language
|Official religion
|Monetary unit
|Syrian pound (S.P)
|(2014 est.) 21,987,000
|Total area (sq mi)
|Total area (sq km)
|Urban-rural population
|Urban: (2012) 56.1%
Rural: (2012) 43.9%
|Life expectancy at birth
|Male: (2009) 71.9 years
Female: (2009) 76.7 years
|Literacy: percentage of population age 15 and over literate
|Male: (2008) 90%
Female: (2008) 77.2%
|GNI per capita (U.S.$)
|(2011) 2,610


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Why buy a brand new $150,000 sailboat?
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Re: Why buy a brand new $150,000 sailboat?
Originally Posted by
Well, without crunching the numbers I'd say the rate of inflation is way off. Today's 30 footer also has more and more complicated systems.
But to stick with your analogy if the guy who bought that boat in 1975 was 25 he'd be 63 today and would have enjoyed a lifetime on the water. Had he waited he might have a chunk of money - assuming he didn't get screwed in one of the intervening Wall street debacles - but he literally would have missed out on a lifetime's worth of experiences.
What's the dollar value of that?
To me the boat is money well spent.
So were are on the same page - I totally agree with you, as long as the buyer enjoyed the boat, that was money well spent. Having a large bank account on your last day on the planet is not the measure of a life well spent. In fact it could be the direct opposite. personally, I agree with buying the boat. Believe me when i say, I've spent so much money on "stuff" i'm the last person to judge how others spend their money!
The point is non judgmental. It is only to point out that there is a lost opportunity cost when we chose to buy things like boats.
As for the math, it's dead on. Even with the Wall Street debacles. They've been accounted for.
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Prois staffer and marketing coordinator, Alex Brittingham, took this nice black bear over hounds a few years ago on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation in New Mexico.
Prois would like to know what YOUR preferred bear hunting tactics are… Spot and stalk, calling, baiting, or hunting with hounds?
Prois Hunting Apparel for Women…technical hunting and shooting gear for your toughest pursuits!


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When spring comes around, you should be thinking about preparing your hanging baskets for some summer colour. Plug Plants are perfect for this, as they work out cheaper to buy than traditional summer bedding plants, and you have a much… Continue Reading →
Do you grow plants in unusual places? We'd like to hear from you! Enter the Guardian Grows competition and inspire us with your most inventive means of planting. Whether you're growing flowers in upcycled wellies or vegetables in an old… Continue Reading →
The Discovery Zone at Chelsea has really upped its game with stands that intrigue and inform. Shallow person that I am, I was attracted by the zinc planters on the Rothamsted Research Centre stand (I wasn't alone, apparently several people… Continue Reading →
A well-edged lawn makes the grass looks kempt and well-loved. Photograph: Stephen Sykes /Alamy Every now and then I like to indulge my inner Hyacinth Bucket and edge my lawn. This is one of those faintly ridiculous pastimes, something akin… Continue Reading →
Back before he was famous, important, an RHS worthy – and made silly films with Joe Swift and Cleve West as part of Three Men went to Mow – James Alexander Sinclair and I used to have a very jolly… Continue Reading →
To my great joy I have finally found a product that fixes broken terracotta really effectively. Gorilla Glue is an American product that claims to mend just about anything – including metal, stone, ceramic and wood – so I thought… Continue Reading →
The flowers of Holboellia brachyandra smell of cantaloupe melon. Photograph: Robbie Blackhall-Miles I found myself in a polytunnel recently, sorting out the climbing plants for Sophie Walker's Cave Pavilion, one of the fresh gardens at this year's RHS Chelsea flower… Continue Reading →
Kim Stoddart's kale plants are already starting to set seed. Photograph: Kim Stoddart When I first started this blog I imagined there would be a few small sacrifices to make along the way. I was confident I could learn to make,… Continue Reading →
There is no point in growing salads at ground level in our garden – they disappear overnight as platoons of slugs and snails emerge from their hiding places in walls and terraces to feast on my efforts. Rather than spend… Continue Reading →
Kim Stoddart's kale plants are already starting to set seed. Photograph: Kim Stoddart When I first started this blog I imagined there would be a few small sacrifices to make along the way. I was confident I could learn to make,… Continue Reading →
Cleve West's Paradise garden had two distinct areas of planting, both equally wonderful, but I was particularly taken by the area at the front where the plants emerged from a dry bed in a way that was reminiscent of the… Continue Reading →
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Good starting boat with some speed, but forgiving while learning as well?
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Re: Good starting boat with some speed, but forgiving while learning as well?
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.
So I guess I should have stated it at the start, but my budget is only about 1000-1500. I don't want to go spending a lot of money on a boat only to find out I don't enjoy it as much as I think I will. As for location, I'm in the SF Bay Area, so that would be my principal sailing location.
I know everyone keeps touting the Laser, but I know for myself I want two sails. As well, I do want to be able to go out with someone on the water, even if they don't help with the boat, and a Laser isn't going to be very comfortable for that. Lol.
But to answer you overbored, no, I haven't done any sailing on my own. Lol. However the Taser, the Viper, VX One, Hobie 16 look both manageable and capable as I get better.
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SWOYERSVILLE — Borough officials are raising questions about a flier soliciting donations for a fire company that they thought had closed months ago due to a theft of $700,000 in bingo proceeds.
Council member Chris Concert said Friday he had been approached by a number of concerned residents who are asking why they received a flier to donate to the Swoyersville Volunteer Hose Company No. 1.
Borough officials said they believed the fire station had ceased operation after two fire company officers, Carol Gamble and her mother, Catherine Drago, had been charged in 2008 with taking the money from bingo fundraisers over a three-year period. Theft charges against them are pending in Luzerne County Court.
Borough coordinator Gene Breznay said he hasn't seen anyone going in or out of the fire station for months and is aware that the hose company's fire truck has been on loan to a West Wyoming station since the September 2011 flood.
"Is (Hose Company No. 1) operating?" Breznay said. "I really don't know. (The borough) has tried to get them to clarify their position … but we don't have an answer for people."
Both Breznay and Concert said they are unsure who holds officer positions within the hose company.
Concert has no problem with West Wyoming borrowing the fire truck, he said. But he's bothered that the borough is unclear on whether the fire station is open and, more important, how that impacts response times in emergencies.
"I've tried to sit down with (Hose Company No. 1), but I don't know who to contact," Concert said. "I would love to get all three (Swoyersville) fire stations together with the borough and council and talk."
The flier says donations may be made to the hose company by mailing them to a Kingston P.O Box. On Friday, a West Wyoming truck could be seen inside the fire station and no lights appeared to be on other than a neon beer sign.
The flier also states donations will be used for equipment, building maintenance and insurance, and asks for a $25 donation from residents and $50 from businesses — or whatever the donor can afford.
"This is our 99th year of service to our neighbors and surrounding communities," it states. "We would like to thank everyone that donated last year and look forward to your support again this year. Without you, our department wouldn't be possible."
Concert is concerned with the emergency response time for people who live near Hose Company No. 1 on Scott Street, he said, but is glad there are two other stations in the borough: the Maltby Volunteer Fire Co. on Owen Street and the Volunteer Hose Co. No. 2 on Slocum Street.
Breznay and Concert said they don't feel that anyone in the borough is in jeopardy because of mutual aid agreements with neighboring fire companies.
Concert hopes the issue is addressed at Monday's regular council meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the borough building on Shoemaker Street.
Drago, 82, and Gamble, 51, were charged in December 2008 after an investigation that began in 2005 with the state Bureau of Charitable Organizations.
Drago, of Forty Fort, had served as the fire company's treasurer, while Gamble, a West Pittston resident, served as the company's president. Both women allegedly took control of collecting and depositing money generated at bingo games held as department fundraisers.
The investigation began after Drago submitted incomplete information as part of a routine survey the bureau conducts. A bureau official became suspicious because the amount of revenue Drago reported the bingo games generated was less than the bureau thought it should be.
An audit was conducted, according to court papers, which determined the hose company generated a total of $1,789,529 from Jan. 1, 2004 to Nov. 14, 2007. Of that amount, $1,054,781 was deposited into the department's bank account, leaving $734,748 unaccounted for.
Search warrants conducted in the case revealed Drago and Gamble allegedly issued checks totaling more than $400,000 to themselves dating from January 2005 to September 2006.
The mother and daughter were scheduled to stand trial earlier this month, but the trial was continued to July 29.
Joseph Sklarosky Sr., Drago's attorney, said in court papers the 82-year-old had suffered a heart attack and was unable to discuss the case with him. Luzerne County Judge Judge Lesa Gelb granted the request and scheduled the July trial date.
Times Leader efforts to locate a hose company contact were unsuccessful.