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on March 17, 2013 - 6:00 AM
, updated March 18, 2013 at 9:01 AM
First of a four-part series
By Susan Schulman / News Staff Reporter
If this were the Wild West, instead of Western New York, we might see Brian Higgins and Howard Zemsky in a shootout with Steve Casey and Phil Rumore.
It would be a battle viewed by many as good leaders against bad.
At least in the eyes of many area movers and shakers.
Leadership is undoubtedly a subjective concept, falling into the same category as beauty or perhaps even pornography – it's difficult to define, but you know it when you see it. And it's in the eye of the beholder.
That was clearly the case when close to 150 business, political, government and community/civic leaders responded to a survey from The Buffalo News asking them to rank the effectiveness of 25 leaders in Buffalo and Erie County. Politicians generally did not get rave reviews in the survey. Not Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown. Not County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. Not the head of the County Legislature or City Council, or any of our state legislators.
The exception – and this was a big exception – is Rep. Brian Higgins, who seems to be the closest thing to a political rock star that we now have.
Higgins was a strong second among the 25 leaders ranked by survey respondents.
"Brian has done wonderful things," said Sharon L. Hanson, a cable company government relations director who also serves as vice chairwoman of the Erie County Medical Center board of directors. "The whole waterfront thing would not be getting done without Brian."
The No. 1 pick by far, however – a favorite among all groups surveyed – was Howard A. Zemsky, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority chairman and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's Western New York economic development guru, whose renovation of a vacant building on Exchange Street is transforming an entire city neighborhood.
"What Howard has been able to do in the Larkin area is amazing," said Jeffrey M. Conrad, regional director for the Center for Employment Opportunities.
"He has what many leaders in Buffalo don't have," said Eunice Lewin, a SUNY trustee who is also an NFTA commissioner. "He's not threatened by diversity of thought. He is totally inclusive. He has a total proven record."
Meanwhile, at the bottom of the list, the leadership equivalent of Blackwell's worst dressed, are two men that Buffalo – and it turns out much of Erie County – loves to hate.
No. 24, and second from the bottom, was Steven M. Casey, Brown's deputy mayor, who was derided over and over – even by fellow Democrats working in government or politics – as a political hack.
"The mayor's hatchet man," one respondent said.
Rock bottom on the list, No. 25, was Philip B. Rumore, the longtime president of the Buffalo Teachers Federation and perhaps the most reviled man among the area's leadership elite.
"He's an obstructionist," said developer Paul F. Ciminelli, president of Cimineli Real Estate. "It seems whenever there is an initiative to help the schools, he's against it. He's polarizing."
"His job is to protect the teachers, and he's doing a great job representing teachers," attorney John V. Elmore said. "But is his role always best for students? Absolutely not. It doesn't lend him to be the most popular person in the City of Buffalo."
Rumore says he doesn't deserve to be viewed so harshly, but he also said he isn't surprised, given the way he is portrayed in newspaper articles and editorials in The Buffalo News.
"We never get credit for anything positive that we do," he said. "The only coverage we get is our battles with the district. Most of the time, we are working well together."
"I'm not an adversarial person," he added, "but when it comes to certain things, I'm not afraid to take a stand."
The survey
The News sent three separate surveys to 320 government and political officials, as well as business and community leaders in Buffalo and Erie County.
One survey asked respondents to rate Brown. Another asked for ratings on Poloncarz. The third asked respondents their overall views on the community's leadership and asked them to rank 25 individuals identified as leaders by The Buffalo News.
Just under 50 percent of those sent surveys – 154 – responded, although all didn't respond to all three surveys.
There were 149 responses to the leadership survey. The survey responses were anonymous, although respondents were invited to be interviewed if they wished, and 26 did.
In addition to asking respondents to rank individuals, the leadership survey asked respondents to rank the most important issues facing the region.
By far, the most important issue was creating jobs, followed by addressing the public school crisis in Buffalo.
The survey also asked respondents to rank the importance of 12 ongoing brick-and-mortar projects in Western New York.
The waterfront was ranked the most important, followed by the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. The downtown casino was ranked last.
The survey also found that a majority of residents are pleased with progress being made on the waterfront and, even more so, on the Medical Campus.
It was just the opposite when it comes to jobs and schools.
Sixty-five percent rated job creation as unsatisfactory. Seventy percent labeled the progress with the city schools as unsatisfactory, with 39 percent of that group labeling the effort as dismal.
These rankings would seem to explain a lot about why some leaders, such as Rumore, fell to the bottom and others, such as Zemsky, rose to the top of the leadership list.
Howard Zemsky
Meet Howard A. Zemsky, the man dubbed by this survey as the leader of the leaders. A 53-year-old Republican-turned-Democrat, Zemsky not only received the best overall score among the 25 individuals ranked in the survey, but also was listed in first place by 30 percent of respondents. That's twice as many first-place rankings as the person in the No. 2 spot and almost four times as many as the person in No. 3.
Some anonymous comments about him from survey respondents:
"Helped create a 'place' at Larkin Square where previously there was nothing." – 60-something-year-old white male community leader from Buffalo.
"Dedicated to regional initiatives. We need a regional strategy." – 50-year-old white businesswoman from the Northtowns.
"No personal agenda, inclusive leader, champion of the city." – 60-something-year-old African-American woman from Buffalo.
"Converts talk to action." – white male community leader.
"The 'chosen one' of Gov. Cuomo; has done great job with Larkinville." – Buffalo businessman.
"Vision, follow-through. Gets the job done." – 50-year-old African-American businessman.
Such accolades represent the growing role Zemsky has taken on as developer, NFTA chairman and as co-chairman, with University at Buffalo President Satish Tripathi, of the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council.
The latter two posts come virtue of Zemsky's growing relationship with Cuomo, who considers Zemsky his Western New York development czar. No doubt the MBA-trained business executive picked up some of the skills for that role from years in his family business, his seven years on the NFTA and, more recently, his award-winning Larkinville redevelopment project on Exchange Street – and possibly also because of his generosity.
Zemsky, his wife, Leslie, and his companies have given politicians more than $500,000 since 2000. Cuomo received $55,000 of that, campaign records show.
Zemsky describes himself as a businessman who appreciates the aesthetics as well as economic benefits of historical architecture, with the Larkin building being his prime example.
His larger vision is to help create jobs and a culture that keeps young people in Western New York.
"It is amazing to me to be part of this," he said. "It's an honor."
Brian Higgins
Of the 25 leaders respondents were asked to rank, nine were elected officials. Brown ranked eighth; Poloncarz, ninth.
The only other politician in the top 10 was Higgins, who ranked second, and who could, based on this survey, be dubbed Mr. Waterfront.
The South Buffalo Democrat has been in Congress since 2005, has travelled to Iraq and Afghanistan as a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and is associated with such issues as helping Bethlehem Street retirees obtain compensation, getting additional cancer research funds and keeping Power Authority revenue in Western New York.
The survey found that nothing Higgins has done has resonated more than his work on reviving the Buffalo waterfront. "This is one of those issues that transcends geographic areas," Higgins said. "People in Amherst are as excited as those in Buffalo about the waterfront. And it transcends generations. People are seeing something they never thought they'd see in their lifetime."
Higgins, 53, said he saw the potential for Buffalo's waterfront when fighting for a larger share of New York Power Authority money as part of the Niagara Power Project's federal relicensing agreement in 2006.
"That was the game-changer for the Buffalo waterfront," Higgins said. "The settlement gave us $279 million for waterfront development."
Higgins then called for creation of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp., a state agency but one led by local officials – rather than by people from Albany and Washington – to oversee the Buffalo waterfront.
"The combination of money and local control changes everything," Higgins said. "In five years, we've made more progress than in the past 75."
"I've tried to find what is important to Buffalo," Higgins added. "Find a focus, sustain a focus, produce an outcome. Have a vision, and then work to turn it into something."
With Zemsky in first place and Higgins in second, the other three filling out the top five are, in order, Sabres owner Terrance M. Pegula, who is developing an ice rink-hotel-retail project on the waterfront; Oishei Foundation president Robert D. Gioia, who also heads up the Erie Canal Harbor Development board; and John R. Koelmel, president and CEO of First Niagara Bank.
Robert G. Wilmers, president of M&T Bank, ranked sixth on the list. Many of his supporters felt strongly about the commitment Wilmers has shown to the community, particularly the Buffalo schools. He received the third highest number of first-place rankings from the survey's 149 respondents.
Then there is the opposite end of the leadership rankings.
At the bottom
Developer Carl P. Paladino was in 20th place, with rankings that reflected how polarizing he has become in Buffalo.
While 25 percent of respondents gave Paladino dismal rankings of 24 or 25, another 8 percent ranked the onetime gubernatorial candidate now running for the Buffalo Board of Education as being among the area's top five leaders.
Below Paladino were Buffalo Common Council President Richard A. Fontana at 21st, regionalism advocate Kevin P. Gaughan at 22nd, longtime Assemblyman Robin L. Schimminger of the Town of Tonawanda at 23rd and Casey, the deputy mayor who is viewed as Brown's protector and enforcer, at 24th.
"Casey is brutal. Very blatantly political," said Hanson, the cable company government relations director who is on the ECMC board. "He has prevented access to the mayor. Early on, when Byron was first running, Casey tried to step in between Byron and myself during a conversation. I told him that wasn't going to happen. If more people were to treat him that way, he would fall into his rightful place. People give him respect he has not earned. And it's not a good respect. It's almost fear."
Casey, 46, declined to be interviewed for this story.
Survey respondents also had lots of criticisms for Rumore, 70, the BTF president since 1981. He was ranked lowest of the 25 leaders by all three groups of survey respondents – business leaders, government and political officials, and community/civic leaders. Rumore's refusal to go along with district attempts at insurance reform, to the point, some say, of continuing to work under a 2004 teachers' contract, has critics calling him an obstructionist.
So does his challenge to the state's teacher-evaluation program and the district's plans for dealing with underperforming schools.
Several respondents said they recognize that a union's allegiance is to its members, but they argued that unions also have a responsibility to their communities.
"He's stuck in a 1950's-style approach," said Robert M. Glaser, former chairman of the Erie County Fiscal Stability Board. "Enlightened unions are helping with their community around the country."
Rumore responds
But Rumore responds that the union has a history of fighting for students, whether it's to reduce class size, mandate arts and music in elementary schools or, more recently, insist that the district address its student attendance problem.
Rumore objected to being called an obstructionist. The district, he said, can't be allowed to run roughshod over the union contract. Issues such as insurance reform must be negotiated, not unilaterally imposed, he said.
He acknowledged that the expired teachers contract allows teachers to retain a fully paid, health-care-for-life plan that the district wants to pull back on. He blames the delayed contract talks on a series of legal disputes with the district as well as the district's failure to offer teachers an acceptable contract proposal. The Public Employment Relations Board, he said, has been brought in to move contract talks along.
The Buffalo schools, meanwhile, remain a multitiered system, offering a handful of good schools but a larger number of troubled ones.
Student absenteeism is rampant. Fifty percent of students don't graduate.
"We've got a failing school system," said Peter F. Hunt, president of Hunt Real Estate, who was among the many survey respondents concerned with the state of Buffalo's public schools.
It's not fair, Rumore responds, to blame the union for the district's failures.
"I am not in charge of the Buffalo schools," he said. "I don't have the power to do the things people think I can. I wish we did have the power to make changes."
email: email@example.com
Coming Monday: Mayor Byron Brown


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There was this one time I got all caught up on the laundry and when I finally put it away, we didn't have enough room in our drawers.
(That photo was taken by Suni Danielle Photography for an upcoming project I'm signing on to do.)
P.S. I love my kids.
Have you had fun decorating the turkey on Google this week yet?
At 4 Kids or More you can see another crazy-adorable pic from our photo shoot, and I'm also asking Do your kids have friends outside of the family?
Hope you have a great night! We're going to see The Muppets and I've not even gone to the grocery store for what I need to make for Thanksgiving yet. I KNOW.

subset: commoncrawl


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Need to give your lamp the perfect finishing touch? Pickstitch stripes add a subtle pop of color and texture to this inviting lampshade. Featuring a classic drum silhouette, our Pickstitch Lampshade plays nicely with most lamp bases and offers a quick and easy way to update your favorite lamp or change up the look of a room. Just select the color of the stitching, add it to nearly any lamp, and you're done!
Choose your Pickstitch Lampshade in one of three great color palettes: warm reds, cool blues or earthy neutrals. No matter which you choose, the clean, contemporary styling of this striped lampshade will create the perfect accent in nearly any space in your home. Natural cotton gives the shade its crisp, inviting appearance, while allowing just the right amount of glow to warm up your room.
Available exclusively at The Company Store, our Pickstitch Lampshade coordinates perfectly with our clear Glass Jug Lamp, sold separately. The shade's white ground and subtle hues add color to your room without distracting the eye from other décor. From sleek contemporary interiors to casual and relaxed décor, this attractive cotton lampshade easily blends into its surroundings while making your space unique and interesting.


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On Monday, the singer celebrated her big day – and engagement to rapper/producer, Future – by hosting an event at the Moët Rosé Lounge in Houston.
While the celebration was in honor of the "Body Party" singer turning 28, all eyes were on her massive engagement ring.
"She talked about the engagement – she's super sweet and you could see that she was excited and happy about it all," an onlooker tells PEOPLE. "She gushed about Future and just kept saying that it was such a great birthday surprise."
During the event, Ciara posed for photos with fans, letting them sit in the VIP area for photo pops.
"A good 100 people came into the VIP area to take photos and wish her and Future the best," the source adds.
Spot a celebrity? Tweet us your sighting— People magazine (@peoplemag) August 7, 2012
@peoplemag with #CITA and it could appear on PEOPLE.com!


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With so many flowers in full bloom in the June sunshine, it seems like the right time for another walk around the garden.
Starting beside the front door, the Russian Sage is in full bloom and attracting a number of bees and other flying creatures with its mauve flowers and strong scent. The Peace rose is blooming, but struggling with a little black spot, and the new lavender plant by the rock is blooming profusely.
I never have much success with lavender when I plant it in a good spot and lavish care on it, but this one was an afterthought on a stony corner right up against the rock, and maybe that is the way to go.
The border along the street on the north side of the house is colorful at this season, even without the candy wrappers and drink cups I collect during the school year.
The dark green of the star magnolia, Korean lilac, dwarf Alberta spruce, arbor vitae and the tall spears of zebra grass are a nice foil to the pink geraniums and Autumn Joy sedum.
Patches of portulaca are colorful, and multiplying as the seedlings from last year's plants start to show up. The highlight of the border soon will be the profuse golden flowers of the cutleaf coneflower, which already is 6 feet tall.
Fact Box
Janet Del Turco is a local gardener and a graduate of the Ohio State University Master Gardener program. Contact her at firstname.lastname@example.com.
For several years, I disdained the cutleaf coneflower as a weed and pulled it out before it bloomed, and indeed I have found a mention of it in a weed book, but generally it is admired as a hardy perennial.
It is a real attention-getter for the weeks it is in bloom.
Between the house and the garage the two butterfly bushes are blooming. They went through some rough weeks with the early March heat that brought the leaves out much earlier than usual, only to be followed by the cold April weather and consequent browning and dying of the new leaves. Now, fresh foliage has appeared and the flower spikes are opening.
The butterflies love these buddleias in purple and white, a gift from a reader that keeps on growing.
The herb border is doing well, with my bay tree entering its second summer in good shape. I can rarely get a potted bay through the winter in the house, but this year it did well and is growing so fast it soon will look like a tree.
Parsley, thyme, chives, sage and several flavors of mint are right at hand outside the back door, and the two cherry tomato plants on the back steps are producing plenty of little green fruits.
The most colorful border right now is the one between the houses on the south side. There are plenty of sunflowers for the birds who come to the feeder there, with gold and dark red daylilies below them.
My favorite plant of all is the Maximilian perennial sunflower. It already is 6 feet tall and probably will grow to twice that.
I have a section of fencing to support it this year; its growth habit is rather undisciplined.
The golden flowers will shine into the kitchen windows over the sink and bring in their own sunshine on the dullest day. There are more than 30 stems growing enthusiastically, and I can't wait for them to bloom.
Which brings us back to the front shade garden.
After writing about it a couple of weeks ago as one of my annual mistakes, now I am not so sure. There is something appealing about a dim, shady area in this hot summer weather.
I will give it another year before I decide whether to trim the cascading branches
of the weeping cherry and let some light back in.
So there it is, a quick walk around the garden. I see I have left out many plants I enjoy (the caladiums in a container, all the portulaca that fills any sparse corner, many colors of daylilies, the geraniums that weather the winter in the basement and so on).
More another time.


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Watch 1980s video clip of WWUH in the News!
When the University of Hartford was incorporated just over 50 years ago by business and community leaders, they envisioned a center of education and culture for Greater Hartford. At its core, it would be a university for the community created by the community.
The University has come a long way since its humble beginnings on Hartford's last remaining farm, evolving from a local school for commuters into a comprehensive university that attracts students from throughout the world. Yet it remains true to its original mission of serving as a valued resource for individuals, families, businesses, and communities throughout the Hartford region, offering hundreds of programs that serve the University and its neighbors every day. For over 45 years listener supported WWUH has served an important role in the University's community service mission.
Start: 10/07/2012 1:00 pm
End: 10/07/2012 4:30 pm
Host Keith Brown writes:
Idomeneo was Mozart's first mature masterwork of opera, first staged in Munich in 1781. I have presented Idomeneo four times before, utilizing two recordings that were historic oldies-but-goodies and two that were in the newer, historically informed practice.


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COLUMBIA — On a late January morning, Chad Holbrook arrived at his Carolina Stadium office and walked through a lobby that doubles as a shrine to South Carolina baseball's remarkable recent accomplishments.
Chad HolbrookJob: South Carolina baseball coach Age: 42 Family: Married his wife, Jennifer, in 2000. Their sons, Reece and Cooper, are 10 and 8. Notable: Holbrook was an assistant coach at North Carolina, his alma mater, from 1994-2008, then spent 2009-12 as a USC assistant under Ray Tanner. Holbrook went to the College World Series from 2006-08 with North Carolina, which finished second in the first two years. He helped USC win the national title in 2010 and 2011 and finish second in 2012.
The 2010 and 2011 national championship trophies shined inside a glass case. Framed newspaper front pages hung on the wall, their bold headlines proclaiming the title victories. In other glass cases were a base from the College World Series and mannequins dressed in full uniforms from the back-to-back championship teams.
Holbrook's spacious office is filled with framed World Series pictures, many still waiting to be hung, but all placed for now at the base of a wall of windows, and within plain view of his desk. Holbrook looked out the windows on this morning and admired his postcard view of the field where he will chase more trophies for the lobby.
The sun shined, the outfield grass was bright green, and for a moment, Holbrook took it all in. Then he snapped back to reality.
"It might not be so comfortable after we lose a few," he said with a chuckle.
Holbrook, 42, had just finished one of the best years of his life. Last January, he moved to a house on Lake Murray with his wife and two sons. In June, the Gamecocks played for a third straight national title. Though they lost to Arizona, Holbrook was promoted from associate head coach three weeks later, after his boss, Ray Tanner, became South Carolina's athletic director. In November, Holbrook's oldest son, 10-year-old Reece, reached the critical five-year mark of being free of leukemia without the aid of chemotherapy.
His quest for a successful 2013 begins in earnest this afternoon, when USC opens the season against Liberty and Holbrook works his first game as a head coach. As Holbrook replaces one of college baseball's all-time greatest coaches, he knows he cannot hide from the lofty expectations surrounding the Gamecocks. He isn't trying to. But he wants to create his own identity as a coach — the only job he ever wanted — while still embracing Tanner's influence.
Holbrook made this clear in his first meeting with USC's players as their head coach.
"Hey, coach Tanner is not walking through that door," he recalled telling them. "I'm the head coach now. You're my responsibility."
Raised in coaching
The lightning flashed on the horizon. Little Chad Holbrook watched it through the window of the tiny airplane. He was terrified. The lightning was the only thing Holbrook didn't enjoy about accompanying his father on recruiting trips.
Eddie Holbrook spent 14 seasons as Gardner-Webb's basketball coach and four at Furman, then decided to quit coaching after the 1981-82 season, because he was burned out at 42. But by that time, his only son had spent most of his first 11 years absorbing a coach's life.
After his elementary school in Boiling Springs, N.C., let out, Holbrook walked across the street to Gardner-Webb's gym and spent three hours sitting in the bleachers, watching practice until it ended. At home, while other kids rode bikes around the neighborhood, Holbrook sat in front of the television, engrossed in whatever sporting event was on.
He jumped at the chance to hop in the car or school plane when Eddie made recruiting trips. As a five-year-old, he sat in the living room of a recruit named Al Wood, who would play at North Carolina and become the fourth pick in the 1981 NBA Draft.
"He would just sort of sit there and soak it in, rather than being a typical kid, running around all over the place," Eddie said.
Holbrook became a cerebral athlete. He was an option quarterback at Shelby (N.C.) High, tasked with reading defenses and making split-second decisions. He played baseball at North Carolina from 1990-93, and in those days, if you wanted to study videotape of your swing, you could do it only in the coach's office.
"That's where you could always find Chad," said Chris Cox, a college teammate and roommate. "He was one of the few that wanted to watch his at-bats."
After Holbrook's playing career ended, he immediately became a North Carolina assistant. He continued to do what he always did best — watch — and developed a keen recruiting eye.
"He seemed to be determined that he wanted to make an impact (with recruiting)," said Louisville pitching coach Roger Williams, who worked with Holbrook at North Carolina.
Williams said Holbrook had "a good knack for trying to find the guy that obviously had ability, but maybe the best was yet to come." That was evident in Kyle Seager, who arrived at North Carolina in 2007. Seager was not an elite recruit, said North Carolina pitching coach Scott Forbes, but Holbrook loved his versatility as a multi-position infielder.
"I think this kid is a baseball player," Forbes recalled Holbrook saying.
Holbrook landed an early commitment from Seager, who wound up being a third-round draft pick in 2009 and was Seattle's starting third baseman last year.
Tested by trauma
As Seager helped North Carolina to its second straight national runner-up finish in 2007, Holbrook spent much of his non-baseball time dealing with Reece's leukemia treatments.
He was diagnosed as a two-year-old, in 2004. Though he went into remission within two weeks, he still had to endure three years and two months of chemo, and its brutal side effects. It made his legs ache so badly that he couldn't walk for several weeks. One morning, he woke up and could only open one eye halfway.
"He was so young that he didn't understand what the cancer word meant," said Holbrook's wife, Jennifer. "I think he just thought every kid goes through it."
The adults around Reece understood the gravity of his situation. Eddie watched Holbrook's mother, Bobbie, succumb to colon cancer in 2000. Now, he had to see Reece lie there in an oncology center with IVs snaking out of him.
"I can remember to this day almost walking out of the room because I could hardly bear the thoughts of looking at him," Eddie said.
Holbrook likes to say that he is "not a good poker face guy on the baseball field," and he expects he won't be able to mimic Tanner's stoic demeanor during emotional moments in games. But Reece's ordeal revealed Holbrook's steadier side, whenever he returned from work and caught up with Jennifer after she spent all day tending to Reece and holding back her own emotions.
"He would have to be strong for me, because once I got away from Reece is when I would have my meltdowns," she said.
Not going it alone
Life changes again today for Holbrook. He reached this moment after thousands of hours of observing and studying — including the past four seasons as a USC assistant after 15 at North Carolina — and after years of far greater challenges with Reece.
Holbrook's experiences made him very much his own man, but he doesn't want to tackle his latest mission alone. He still talks often to Tanner, mostly about roster moves such as who to redshirt. These are the conversations they had often over the past four seasons.
Soon after Holbrook arrived at USC, he became Tanner's consigliore. Between innings, Tanner asked him about pinch-hitting possibilities. After practices, Tanner told Holbrook to contact a frustrated player.
Holbrook knew Tanner liked his approach after Holbrook's first season, when Tanner told him, "You're like me. You don't have any problem making decisions."
Holbrook decided immediately after taking over the program that he would not dismiss Tanner's influence. At North Carolina, where Jennifer worked as an administrative assistant in the men's basketball office, Tanner noticed how coach Roy Williams relied on the legendary Dean Smith's advice far more than Williams' unsuccessful predecessor, Matt Doherty, did.
"I would be foolish not to tap in to the wealth of knowledge that he has," Holbrook said. "Being a first-time coach, really, I'm not going to listen to Ray Tanner? I'm not that stupid. That would be awful shallow of me not to lean on him for help."
But this is Holbrook's program now, and one potential change he envisions is more stolen base attempts — the type of aggressive approach he has long favored.
"There's going to be a little bit of a difference here and there, because I'm not Ray Tanner," he said. "I can't be, even though I wish I could."
Being himself has always worked fine for Holbrook, and in 2012, he could enjoy the successes of his life more than ever before.
Reece and his eight-year-old brother, Cooper, have fallen in love with wakeboarding, and last summer you could often find them on Lake Murray, riding behind the family's boat, with their mom or dad at the wheel.
"With Reece's situation, I spoil him rotten because I don't know what the future holds," Holbrook said. "I want to make sure that his life is a fun one for him."
The day before preseason practices started, Holbrook's college roommate, Cox, came to Columbia to visit. As Holbrook began a new year and journey, his old friend sensed a peace about him, with so much darkness now in his past and a bright view of what's ahead.
"He seemed like: 'This is finally our time to enjoy everything that we can enjoy,' " Cox said.


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Greetings all!
I recently got engaged and have just started my search for the perfect wedding reception site. I'm looking at different locations all over the place (literally) and my ultimate goal is to find a unique indoor/outdoor reception site that would accommodate around 250 people. A few ideas I have: an interesting barn which could be "spruced up" for a dinner and dance, a historic home, a beautiful resort, a secret spot on one of the areas many lakes, etc. I'm really open to all suggestions! Any ideas would really be appreciated. My fiancé and I want to do something "different." Does Tomahawk have any options? Thanks!


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Theories of Harm in European Competition Law: A Progress Report
Hans Zenger
Charles River Associates (CRA)
Mike Walker
Charles River Associates, Incorporated
February 22, 2012
TEN YEARS OF EFFECTS-BASED APPROACH IN EU COMPETITION LAW, Jacques Bourgeois and Denis Waelbroeck, eds., pp. 185-209, Bruylant, 2012
The last ten years have seen an increasing focus from European competition authorities on articulating the theory of harm behind any competition concern. This represents a significant improvement in the enforcement of competition law. The requirement to present a theory of harm imposes a logically consistent approach to the assessment of anti-competitive behaviour. This paper takes stock of changes in the European Commission's use of theories of harm in competition cases over the past ten years and suggests areas where enforcement could benefit from a more explicit use of theories of harm.
Number of Pages in PDF File: 29
Keywords: European competition law, theory of harm, effects-based approach
Date posted: February 22, 2012 ; Last revised: December 4, 2012
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text: Angie Scott, Medical Aesthetician and Owner; FACES Corrective Skin Care and Permanent Cosmetics, Lambertville, Mich. We hear so much about prevention when it comes to skin care, and for good reason: By taking care of our skin early on, we can help to preserve its youthful appearance for years to come. Most skin aging starts at a young age. The sun can begin to degrade collagen in the early childhood years when sun exposure first begins. In fact, a smattering of freckles is often a child's first visible sign of sun exposure. The commitment to sun protection should start early. Patients with certain skin types, like fair skin, are prone to showing signs of aging earlier than patients with darker ...Read More


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The heartthrob, 31, known as the "Latin Brad Pitt," has shared steamy moments with Jennifer Lopez and was featured on the cover of PEOPLE En Español in 2011.
Here's everything you need to know about one of this season's new ballroom contenders:
1. He's been linked to Lopez
Levy was the chiseled mystery man who had the privilege of cozying up to Lopez in her 2011 music video for "I'm Into You." The pair's chemistry in the video was so visible that it sparked rumors that Levy was the reason behind Lopez's split from Marc Anthony. Levy debunked the reports, telling ET, "It was work, we had a great time together and that was it," adding that he wouldn't want to break up a family. Lopez quickly moved on with Casper Smart.
2. He's single! – but a family man
Single and sexy is never a good combination on DWTS. Levy, who split from Elizabeth Gutierrez in March 2010, could be a likely candidate for a ballroom romance (or rumor) to blossom. He and his ex have two children together: Christopher Alexander and Kailey Alexandra.
3. He was involved in a highly-publicized sex scandal
In August 2010, a woman accused Levy of sexual battery, saying she was 17 when they had relations. The woman allegedly blackmailed Levy for $950,000 to keep quiet. He counter-sued for infliction of emotional distress and defamation, saying the woman told him she was 19. The case was settled privately in July 2011.
Rodrigo Varela / WireImage
Explaining the origin of his name during an interview with ET in 2011, he says, "Levy is because that's my mom's last name. And my grandfather, he was Jewish. So that's where it comes from. It's a Jewish last name. I have some Jewish in my family."
5. He's from Cuba, but he emigrated to Florida
Born in Cojimar, Cuba, Levy emigrated to Miami when he was 14. Later, he ended up getting an American gig with Next Models and was also cast in two Spanish reality shows on Telemundo.


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LEWISTOWN - The Mifflin County Library and its branches have long made do with less in an effort to maintain quality community outreach under the weight of heavy cuts in state funding. But after operating in "survival mode" for three years, administration says the library has exhausted its resources.
If funding doesn't become available soon, the library is in jeopardy of closing all operations, executive director Molly Kinney said.
"We really, really are having a silent, quiet crisis," Kinney said.
Article Photos
Sentinel photo by BUFFIE?BOYER
The Milroy branch of the Mifflin County Library is closed until further notice due to a shortage of funds and manpower. The library is beginning a fundraising campaign to help keep the entire system afloat in an economy where budgets continue to be cut.
The news comes in the wake of an announcement that the Milroy branch library has closed its doors indefinitely.
Kinney said the closure is due in part to decreases in state funding for libraries, which has fallen by 38 percent from 2010 levels. In Mifflin County, that has translated into a loss of about $87,000 of revenue crucial to daily operation. While local government funding has not decreased, Kinney said operating costs continue to climb and the funding gap is widening.
The Mifflin County Library, which circulates about 151,000 items per year, is working with a proposed revenue of $530,000 for 2013, Kinney said. At this time, funding is only being used for operational necessities like staff salaries, but funds are still coming up short.
"We've calculated costs in ways I never thought we could calculate," she said.
Despite the implementation of cost-cutting measures, Kinney said the library is having trouble staying afloat. No new books have been purchased this year with operating revenue, computers have not been replaced or added, electronic resources have been reduced and staff who retired or resigned have not been replaced. Kinney said the library has been operating in "survival mode" for three years and has simply run out of financial resources.
"We're no longer bobbing (above water)," said Teddie Snyder, president of the library board. "Milroy happened to be at the right place at the wrong time."
When the manager of the Milroy branch resigned, the library was unable to hire a replacement and decided to close its doors, Snyder said. Kinney said the closure came after careful consideration of travel patterns and proximity to the main branch of the library. The Milroy branch of the library cost $30,000 per year to maintain and was close enough to the main branch that community members will still have access to a public library, Kinney said.
"It wasn't that we didn't look at a variety of factors to cut costs to survive," she urged.
The Mifflin County Library and its branches have long been "first responders" for the informational and recreational reading needs of area residents, she said. Now the library needs a lifeline of its of its own.
Kinney said the library is about to embark on a fundraising campaign and asks every individual, service organization, club, church and business in Mifflin County to help. She said the library hopes to raise $100,000 by Sept. 1 to compensate for cuts in state funding. The campaign will include the following programs:
The 300 Club - At least 300 individuals are asked to donate $100.
Each 1, Reach 1 - Individuals are asked to donate $15, 20 or 25 and ask four other people match the gift.
The Leather Book Club - 200 individuals are asked to donate $200.
The Reading Wall - Individuals, service organizations and businesses may make a contribution of $500 or more. Contributions will be recognized with the addition of a wooden book or shelf to the Reading Wall display at the library.
Direct Mail - The library will reach out to donors and prospective donors via direct mail.
"We have to do this every year," to make up for financial losses, Snyder said.
If the library reaches its goal of community-raised funds before Sept. 1, Kinney said the library will be able to operate for another year. And with continued support, she said she is confident that the library will not only survive, but thrive in years to come.
"Libraries give the community an identity," Snyder said, explaining how important the organization is within the community.
Local individuals of every kind have access to free informational and recreational resources, computer and Internet access and early literacy resources. She said the library is one of few community resources that doesn't discriminate based on age, ability or income level.
"We're here for everyone," Snyder confirmed.
Despite tough cuts and loss of funding, Kinney remains optimistic that creative thinking and community support can help the library survive and thrive.
"In 10 years, the Mifflin County Library is not only going to be the best in the state, it will be the first thing in Mifflin County people want to come to," she said. "Right now, we just need to come up and get another breath of air."
For more information, call the Mifflin County Library at 242-2391.


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Tuesday, July 23, 2013
The Mount Pleasant Track Club continues to cement itself among the premier track and field clubs in the country. Thirty-six members, competing in 47 different events, qualified for the United States of America Track and Field (USATF) Nationals in Greensboro, N.C. this week.
Nineteen of those youth athletes are ranked in the top 12 of their respective events in the country.
Those 36 qualifiers reached their national meet aspirations after a strong showing at the Region 4 track meet in Orlando, Fla. over the July 4th weekend. The region covers South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Reid Haigler won the 3,000-meter race, Terrell Venning championed the discus event and Worth Burnette was the pole vault winner.
The club held its final preparatory practice Monday at the Park West track. ""This was our best showing ever at Regionals," coach Tami Dennis said.
"We were put in a new region with Florida and Georgia and knew the competition would be stiff, but the kids responded with huge PRs (personal records)."
The complete list of athletes competing in the national meet are listed at the conclusion of the article, categorized by age groups. Nationals began Monday and conclude the following Sunday.
"In the past we were excited about going to nationals," Dennis said, "now, we're hungry to compete and reach for that All-American position (Top 8 finish at nationals)."
8 and under: Caleb Boykins (800, 1500), Troy Cocco (shot put, javelin), Ginger Arnold (shot put, javelin)
9-10: Caleb Walker (javelin), Georgia Arnold (javelin), Zaire Coker (long jump), Morgan Arent (high jump, long jump), Sophie Heinhold (high jump, long jump)
11-12: Jayla Grant (shot put, Discus), Wells Burnette (high jump), Ryan Loud (high jump), Chloe Berda (javelin), Dylan Buchelle (javelin), Christopher Corgill (javelin), Paul Kowalchick (discus), David Kowalchick (discus), Ben McElveen (3000m)
13-14: Worth Burnette (pole vault), James Corgill (pole vault), Colton Green (pole vault), Taylor Arent (pole vault), Raena Burns (pole vault, javelin), Austin Marshall (long jump), Jacob Wilkins (discus)
15-16: Kristin Fairey (1500m, 2000m steeplechase), Reid Haigler (3000m, 2000m steeplechase), Keegan Green (3000m, 2000m steeplechase), Scott Stroman (800m), Mads Nelson (3000m), Kendall Mercer (high jump, pole vault), Liam Christensen (javelin), Terrell Venning (discus)
17-18: Sarah Lee (pole vault), Hampton Harvin (high jump), Angelica Collins (long jump), Caitlin Corgill (high jump).
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Sources: Sony, Engadget
quote: I don't see a plausible use-case for a waterproof tablet.
quote: Games on any touchscreen suck way too much to play.
quote: A big difference than Android going from 4.7 to 7 in alot of cases, to 9-10 in others... Totally redesigning all apps isn't needed
quote: Again, you are over-stating the issue and putting WAY too much on something that isn't a big issue. Yes, better on IOS, but not immensely.
quote: Walking Dead
quote: can't say the same about other games but walking dead is a HUGE apple's win imho. it so sad to see it released only on ios among tablets.
quote: tablet that is waterproof
quote: I do wonder whether we are seeing a decay in the meaning of technical terms due to poor marketing.


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A big spike in flu cases has health officials warning people to get the vaccine available for the illness that has claimed the life of a Barnwell County child.
Flu numbers
1,976: Number of confirmed flu cases in South Carolina since Sept. 30.1,232: Number of flu cases reported in the week ending Nov. 24.226,000: Average number of flu-related hospitalizations per year nationally.3,000-49,000: Number of flu-related deaths per year nationally.Source: CDC, DHEC
Since Sept. 30, there have been 1,976 confirmed flu cases in South Carolina. Of those, 1,232 cases were reported in the week ending Nov. 24, the latest available figures from the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Flu shots are available at public health clinics, dozens of pharmacies and doctors offices.Public health clinic locations include:Berkeley CountyGoose Creek: 106 Westview Blvd.Moncks Corner: 109 W. Main St.Dorchester CountySummerville: 500 N. Main St.Charleston CountyNorth Charleston: 3963 Whipper Barony LaneCall 953-0090 to schedule an appointment at a clinic.For a list of pharmacies, go to http://flushot.healthmap.org.
In addition, 38 people have been hospitalized for symptoms related to flu, according to DHEC.
Flu tips
Get a flu vaccination each year.Wash your hands often with soap and water. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.Stay home if you are sick until you have been symptom-free without taking fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours.Try to avoid close contact with sick people.Eat a healthy diet, exercise and get plenty of rest.Source: DHEC
Flu activity typically peaks in February, and it is very unusual for us to see this number of cases so early in the season, said Dr. Linda Bell, interim state epidemiologist. Our latest statewide activity report indicates that influenza has quickly reached widespread levels.
Local emergency room physicians said they have seen a sharp rise in flu cases.
It has come on with a furor, said Dr. Ed Rodelsperger of Roper St. Francis Healthcare.
He saw five confirmed cases of flu at Roper Northwoods on Saturday night.
Rodelsperger said he is seeing a lot of young people with the illness. The anti-viral medicine Tamiflu in the pediatric dosage has been hard to find, he said. Thats concerning.
He began to see more patients with the flu after Thanksgiving.
This is significantly early, he said. That tends to mean it could be a much more virulent season.
Dr. Keith Borg, a Medical University of South Carolina emergency medicine specialist, likened the beginning of flu season to the part of an iceberg that is visible above water.
You dont know how big it is underneath, he said.
Flu can be especially dangerous for the young, the elderly and those whose immune systems are weakened from
You dont know how big it is underneath, he said.
Flu can be especially dangerous for the young, the elderly and those whose immune systems are weakened from other illness, he said.
Typically, the flu lasts several days to a week. Anti-viral medicine administered within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms can shorten the course of the illness by about a day and prevent transmission to family members if they also take the drug, Borg said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday reported widespread flu in South Carolina, Mississippi, Alaska and New York.
It looks like its shaping up to be a bad flu season, but only time will tell, said Dr. Thomas Frieden, CDC director.
Vaccination is the best protection against the illness that claims thousands of lives annually, he said Monday in a media conference call. DHEC recommends vaccination starting at 6 months.
This is the earliest spike in flu cases in 10 years, Frieden said. The type of flu identified this fall, H3N2, is generally associated with more severe flu seasons, but the vaccine is well-matched to protect against it, Frieden said.
Although effective, the vaccine typically produces the most benefit if it has been received at least two weeks earlier.
The flu can cause mild to severe illness. Symptoms can include a sudden onset of fever, dry cough, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, sore throat and nasal congestion or stuffiness.
This strain of flu is having some vomiting with it, usually in the second day, Rodelsperger said.
More than 130 million doses of the flu vaccine were made this year, and 112 million people have already been vaccinated. The vaccine remains in good supply, Frieden said.
An average of 226,000 hospitalizations and between 3,000 and 49,000 flu-related deaths occur annually. Despite the toll of the flu, more than 60 percent of Americans have not taken advantage of the flu shot so far this year, the CDC reports.
In contrast, up to 90 percent of doctors, pharmacists and nurses are vaccinated, Frieden said.
Kim Keelor, spokeswoman for Roper St. Francis Healthcare, said 5,200 of the systems 5,400 employees have received the flu vaccine. Unless there is a good medical reason to avoid the vaccine, those who do not get the shot risk losing their job, she said.
Only 40 percent of children up to 17 years old receive the flu shot, and among adults only 35 percent get the shot, the CDC reports.
As of early November, 89 percent of pharmacists had been vaccinated, 84 percent of physicians and 82 percent of nurses nationwide. Overall, the vaccination rate among all health care providers was 63 percent.


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Texas State University System launches accountability dashboard
Following in the footsteps of some of its fellow universities, the Texas State University System launched its online productivity dashboard Monday.
The dashboard is an accountability system that showcases performance measures like tuition and fees, enrollment growth, degrees awarded and student-to-faculty ratios.
"We wanted to create an application that is simple and straight-forward," said TSUS Chancellor Brian McCall. "Our dashboard tells a story about our system and the outstanding value it delivers to students and taxpayers."
The University of Texas System and, most recently, the A&M University System, have their own versions of the dashboard aimed at enhancing university data transparency.
Dashboard data compiled from the state Higher Education Coordinating Board shows that the TSU System has increased the number of degrees awarded per 1,000 students by 24 percent in the last 10 years. But it also shows 2011 state appropriation per degree at 28 percent below the average Texas public university.
The TSU System is composed of Lamar University, Sam Houston State, Sul Ross State, Texas State, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College – Orange, Lamar State College – Port Arthur and Sul Ross State Rio Grande.


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In an interview with G. Allen Jackson, pastor of World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Phil Cooke explores what it will take to reach the church's men in the 21st century. read more
Page 58 of 127
A Father Carries on Through Tragedy and Pain
While it's difficult to imagine losing one child—much less two—Alpha USA Executive Director Gerard Long and his wife Jeannie know that God is still on the throne. read more
5 Things to Remember When Looking for Employment
In today's economy, searching for a new job can be challenging. Here are some things to remember while going through the process. read more
Courageous Manhood: A Spiritual Breed of Men
There are no limits for men who become champions for Christ. Here's why we should honor such special men on this Father's Day. read more
No Matter How Difficult, Resolve to Honor Your Father
Are you estranged from your earthly father? Do you have a story similar to this one that could serve as a blessing to someone else? read more
Guys, How Can You Avoid Temptation?
Why do we repeatedly put ourselves in places of temptation? Watch as Lifechurch.tv's Craig Groeschel explores this monumental issue. read more
10 Things to Do For Your Wife Every Year
Are you intentional about your marriage? Here are some ways you can do that and make your marriage stronger. read more
Why Busyness is Not a Badge of Honor
Is the fact that your schedule is full at all times a source of pride for you? But, how harmful is that to you and your family life? read more
How to Avoid a Family Cold War
Here are 10 relational suggestions that can help you and your family sidestep any chaos that might arise. read more
Holy Shift: Do You Need to Make One?
If you're struggling with life, a few changes may be in order. Do you need to make changes in your relationships, especially with the One who created you? read more


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Today I thought about how I've adored hockey back in the good old days, couldn't stop watching the games was thrilled to see "my" Red Wings play, watching so many great players on the ice and fantastique season was just gorgeaus but for whatever reason, I heavily dislike the new NHL. I don't agree with the stupid rule-changes, how they are treatening the fans and all this CBA crap.
To be honest for me as a fan, I am losing interest in the NHL fast, trade-deadlines and UFA days are not what they once were and tank to win teams are rising to the top or at least close to it every year. Speaking with some friends I am clearly not the only one, losing interest in the NHL.
So what about you? Do you think this league can be fixed or will it continue to lose fans because of idiots running the show and by doing so, ruinning this great sport.
Edited by frankgrimes, 07 April 2013 - 07:24 AM.


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The Iraq war in pictures
POSTED: 12:08 PM PDT March 18, 2013 UPDATED: 10:23 PM PDT August 7, 2014
Look back at more than a decade of war in Iraq, which is now once again the target of U.S. airstrikes.
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BERKELEY SPRINGS - West Virginia birthday activities are happening all over the state this weekend.
Cacapon Resort State Park has many activities today through Saturday for the sesquicentennial, including a lecture on state history, children's events, Civil War events and fireworks.
"We want to improve the future of the state by expanding into the next century," said Jim Michael, Cacapon State Park Foundation president. "We have so many scenic and recreation opportunities. So, to help the citizens of the state move forward, we wanted to commemorate the state's beginnings."
"To create more activities is a good business move," said Foundation member Lin Dunham. "And we are celebrating a fabulous history the state has had in relation to the park system and of being founded during a war."
The park and its foundation always concentrates on not only getting tourists in, but of getting the local citizens involved.
Events begin today with a Cacapon history walk, from the park's beginnings as a Civilian Conservation Corps project. Visitors can make their own West Virginia ornament to take home, and have a piece of birthday cake. Other activities include hayrides and evening campfire.
Friday, there is a history presentation about the Ridge Trail and a Discovery table. All ages can try identifying the animal that matches the track impression. At 2 p.m., visitors can watch a film on the Civilian Conservation Corps and play West Virginia Jeopardy.
On Saturday, a full day is planned, with West Virginia History discussed with slides by West Virginia University history major Nathan Keefer. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., members of the 5th Virginia Volunteer Infantry will show camp life and the nature of uncertainty of one state being formed of another, and of the territory changing sides often. A Belle Boyd impersonator plans a stop. At 7 p.m., the Stevens Family band will play country and bluegrass, followed by fireworks at dusk.
Renee Fincham, park naturalist and activity coordinator, said activities like the history walks, hayride, and campfire are done on a regular basis. Other activities were coordinated by her, the Foundation, and a committee including Superintendent Tom Ambrose.
The native West Virginian said she's always loved the state parks.
"In my communications class, I did a persuasive speech on why people should use our state park system," Fincham said. "We have free admission. We're unique, and people should enjoy our state."
For more information, call 304-258-1022 or log onto www.cacaponresort.com.


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on December 24, 2012 - 5:14 PM
Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Taylor of Depew celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a dinner in Jack's Oyster House, Albany, the same restaurant the couple went to during their honeymoon. Mr. Taylor and Kathleen Weidner were married Dec. 1, 1962, in St. James Catholic Church, Depew. He is a retired computer programmer for Peter J. Schmitt Co.; she is a retired mortgage processor for HSBC Bank. They have three children, six grandchildren and a great-grandchild.


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Please Note: By clicking a link to any resource listed on this page, you will be leaving this site.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)http://www.usda.govThe USDA works to enhance the quality of life for people by supporting the production of agriculture.
National 4-H Councilhttp://www.fourhcouncil.eduThe 4-H program involves young people in educational youth development programs throughout America. Engaged in 4-H clubs, camping, school enrichment activities, and after-school programs, young people are given the opportunity to learn teamwork and develop leadership skills. Contact them at:
National 4-H Council
7100 Connecticut Ave.
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
National Safety Councilhttp://www.nsc.orgThe National Safety Council offers information on first aid, CPR, environmental health, and safety.
National Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA)http://www.ffa.orgThis organization is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
Poison Control Centershttp://www.aapcc.orgUse this toll-free number to reach any of the United States' 65 local poison control centers - (800) 222-1222 - or visit the website to find the poison control center nearest you.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-
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Right Reasons: Tuition hikes should not be for increasing revenue
March 28, 2013
Most people agree they shouldn't have to pay for something they don't get. That's pretty simple, but it is a concept that hasn't caught on yet at some institutions of higher learning....
minor says, "It isnt our responsibility to put Your kids or illegal aliens kids through an extension of their high school years. Heres some valuable advice: Get a job". Just where in this editorial does it say anything about you paying for anyone's schooling past high school? WBinWV said it best the other day, "You should refrain from commenting on education related articles."
2 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
OldGoldBlue: Just where in this editorial does it say anything about you paying for anyone's schooling past high school?
It doesn't tell you this in the editorial but Major is correct. If you pay taxes you are supporting the FAFSA program which allocates money to colleges to help supplement tuitions for kids that need the money.
1 Agrees | 2 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Unless someone can convince me otherwise, I think that a student who is taking 21 credits ( 7 teachers) should have to pay more for those resources than a student taking 12 credits (4 teachers)
1 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Annette, as the editorial points out, there is more to college expenses than just teacher salaries. There is a huge overhead associated with maintaining the buildings and the campus, the library, the cafeteria, etc.
The overhead is covered by the first 12 hours. After that, students are no longer paying for their share of the overhead, so they just pay for their extra classes.
1 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Showing 4 of 4 comments


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Celebrity Central / Top 25 Celebs
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
- 1980s
SNL Beginnings
At Northwestern University, Louis-Dreyfus is the only female member of the improv troupe, the Practical Theater Company, run by her college sweetheart Brad Hall. In 1982, the producers of Saturday Night Live hire her and Hall. "Working with him is great," Louis-Dreyfus says of Hall – whom she marries in 1987. "He's a really nice man and he's always funny to be with."
- 1990
Seinfeld's Leading Lady
Louis-Dreyfus is catapulted to superstardom as Seinfeld's lone female lead, the perpetually single Elaine Benes, costarring Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards. "We had a very vague idea of Elaine," Seinfeld tells the New York Times. "But once Julia walked in, we knew who Elaine was. We created her together." Adds Louis-Dreyfus, "It's probably the best job I'll ever have."
- 1992
Working Mom
Louis-Dreyfus and Hall welcome their first child, a son named Henry. "Sleeping is a thing of the past," she tells PEOPLE of juggling a hit show and a family. "You've got to go with the flow and laugh about it, or you're dead." In 1997, they welcome another son, Charles, to their brood.
- 1996
A Winning Moment
Louis-Dreyfus wins her first Emmy for supporting comedic actress. "It was a shocker," she tells PEOPLE. "It was fantastic, because I was sure I would lose. It's much better to win than to lose. There's no doubt about it, having been in both positions."
- 1998
Goodbye, Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld decides to end his namesake sitcom after a very successful 9-year run. Over 76 million people tune into the show's finale on May 14, which sees the gang thrown in jail. "I've been working long enough to know all the elements don't come together like this every day," Louis-Dreyfus says on the Today show. "My God, this has been sublime."
- 2006
Breaking the Curse
After the cancellation of her 2003 sitcom Watching Ellie, Louis-Dreyfus returns to TV with The New Adventures of Old Christine, a comedy about a divorcée maneuvering parenthood and dating. "[She] has only become sleeker, chicer, and sexier in the years since Seinfeld ceased production," raves EW. The show earns Louis-Dreyfus her second Emmy in 2006.
- 2009
They're Baaaack!
The cast of Seinfeld reunites on the cover of EW and dishes on their TV reunion for Curb Your Enthusiasm –Seinfeld creator Larry David's HBO series. "It's the anti-reunion reunion, and I'd like to copyright that," says Louis-Dreyfus. Adds Seinfeld, "As far as I'm concerned, we did do [a reunion], and in a better way than I ever imagined."
- 2012
Hail to the 'Veep'
Louis-Dreyfus returns to television in her own HBO series, Veep, playing a former senator turned vice president of the U.S. "The idea of playing Selina and showing the woman behind the political mask was what spoke to me," the comedic actress says. "I love the idea of playing someone in a seemingly powerful position who is also powerless."
Louis-Dreyfus wins her third Emmy, nabbing the trophy for best lead actress in a comedy series for her role in Veep. In a planned bit, the actress pretends to have an acceptance speech mix-up with fellow nominee Amy Poehler. "First of all, I'd like to thank NBC, Parks and Rec, my beautiful boys Archie and Abel," Louis-Dreyfus says, adding, "One last thing written here. Isn't it a shame Amy Poehler didn't win… what?"
- 2013
Four Score
In a repeat of last year's awards show, Louis-Dreyfus takes home the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series, her third win in the category and fourth Emmy overall. "This is so much good fortune it's almost too much to bear," she says in her acceptance speech. The Veep star also becomes the most nominated comedic actress in Emmy history with her 14th nomination in 2013, besting the record previously held by Lucille Ball.
Photo Credits
BIOGRAPHY (top to bottom): Robin Platzer/Time & Life Pictures/Getty; Everett; Ron Galella/WireImage; Getty; Monty Brinton/CBS; Martin Schoeller/HBO; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Scott Kirkland/Invision/AP
- Name
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus
- Date of Birth
- January 13, 1961
- Birth Place
- New York, N.Y.
- Relationships
- Brad Hall, husband (1987 to present)
- Children
Henry Hall, son (June 1992)
Charles Hall, son (May 1997)


text:
on February 18, 2013 - 9:10 PM
, updated February 19, 2013 at 12:55 AM
Dentists focus on the inside of the mouth, and doctors care for the rest of the body.
This is how medical practice has worked for decades.
But a fledgling movement insists there is a better way and is advocating for a big change in the dentists' role.
Because patients tend to visit dentists routinely more often than they visit doctors, members of this movement see dentists as perfectly situated to screen for a host of conditions, including glucose monitoring for diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, HIV, obesity and sleep apnea.
"Dentists are health care professionals who happen to be dentists. We need to be integrated into the health care of our patients," said Dr. Michael Glick, dean of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
Glick is one of the nation's leading advocates for change. As editor of the Journal of the American Dental Association, he has used his position as a bully pulpit to make his views widely known.
He is not alone.
"Too much of the profession is focused on the technological side of dentistry and not enough on the biological side," said Dr. Ira Lamster, professor of health policy and management at Columbia University and former dean of the school's College of Dental Medicine.
"Millions of people with undiagnosed or poorly diagnosed diseases visit a dental office, making it an appropriate place for screening," said Lamster, who in 2011 called on the profession to create a new 21st century model for dentistry in an article in the American Journal of Public Health.
If change occurs, it likely won't occur quickly or easily.
Insurance companies and government agencies would have to decide that such services should be reimbursed. Dental schools would have to alter their educational programs. Dentists and doctors would have to interact on a regular basis. The medical community would have to accept a larger role for dentists.
And dentists themselves would have to embrace the idea of expanding their work, including making sure that patients get appropriate referrals.
"Some dentists may not want the aggravation, and there is concern that once you do it, you take on the responsibility for the patient and follow-up," said Dr. John Nasca, a Williamsville dentist.
Nasca is also president of the Eighth District Dental Society in Western New York and stresses that his views do not reflect those of the organization. He favors the idea of dentists doing more, but acknowledges that it will require a slow evolution in the profession's culture.
"We don't just look into patients' mouths and say, 'Open wide,' " he said.
"I'm sure there are logistical issues to work out, such as insurance reimbursements, and concerns about counseling and appropriate follow-up and referrals for positive tests. If these can be addressed and as testing becomes easier, less expensive and more accurate, I think you will see these types of services offered in more dental practices in the years to come," he said.
Research offers support for the link between periodontal disease and other conditions, as well as for an expanded dental role.
In 2010, a nationwide survey in the journal of the American Dental Association reported that dentists would be willing to screen their patients for medical conditions when they come into the office for dental care. The survey showed that more than three-quarters of the 1,945 dentists who responded thought it was important to screen for such disorders as heart disease, diabetes and HIV.
A 2012 study in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry found that a majority of patients surveyed were willing to be screened by a dentist.
"We usually see doctors when we have symptoms, but people routinely visit the dentist twice a year. The opportunity to screen is there, and we tried to answer the question of whether doctors and patients were willing to do it," said Glick, who was involved in both studies.
Some of the most publicized research has been done by Shiela Strauss, associate professor of nursing at New York University's Colleges of Nursing and Dentistry.
In 2009, she and her colleagues in a national survey of nearly 3,000 people found that a majority of the respondents with periodontal disease were also at risk for diabetes and should be screened. In addition, half of the individuals had visited a dentist in the previous year, suggesting that dentists should consider offering routine diabetes screenings in their offices.
Another study by Strauss' team in 2011 concluded that nearly 20 million people each year fail to see a physician but do make at least one visit to a dentist. As such, she reported, dentists can serve as health care professionals who identify the warning signs of chronic illnesses and refer patients for expert help to prevent complications.
"This is not about diagnosing disease, which is what doctors do. It's about screening," Strauss said in an interview. "There are lots of people in the country and world who have diabetes but are unaware of it. If we identify them early, we can help prevent complications."
Dentists are not allowed to diagnose diseases normally taken care of by doctors. The debate is over testing.
The American Dental Association definition of a dentist is broad enough to possibly include such things as diabetes screening, according to Lamster. But scope-of-practice laws, including New York's, vary and usually focus on treating the mouth and the tissue around the head, neck, face and jaws.
Lamster said he and others have asked the state whether the law allows dentists to screen patients for diabetes using a finger-stick blood test.
"Dentists give injections deep into the mouth, so why not a finger stick?" he said. "The reason is antiquated scope-of-practice laws."
A growing body of research indicates a link between oral health and overall health. But it's still the rare dental service that screens for systemic diseases.
Susan Trzeciak said she believes her dentist's willingness to provide care beyond what dentists traditionally provide made a significant difference. She was at UB's dental clinic for routine care in 2009 when the dentist took her pulse and noticed an abnormal heart rhythm. At a second visit, he referred her to a cardiologist.
The result: She ended up getting a pacemaker.
"I think his taking my pulse saved by life," said Trzeciak, 72, of Buffalo.
Glick and others argue that change will come if more dental schools change their educational programs to train dentists to test for chronic diseases. UB is one of the minority of schools that pushes the concept.
For instance, UB this fall took a lead role in a state project to test the idea of "chairside" screening for HIV by dentists. UB operates a dental clinic that gets about 60,000 visits a year.
More than 1 million people in the United States are infected with HIV, and about 20 percent don't know they are infected. Early diagnosis of the virus means patients receive treatment sooner and reduces the chances of transmitting the disease.
In 2006, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that health care providers, including dentists, offer routine HIV screening to all adolescent and adult patients. Advocates for expanding the role of dentists say the profession should offer rapid HIV saliva tests because they see regularly see patients, and oral lesions common in HIV infection are a key indicator of disease progression. But few dentists offer the test.
The one-year study at UB and four other dental schools in New York will look at the percentage of dental patients who agree to HIV testing, the percentage of dental patients who test positive, and the percentage of dental patients who are HIV-positive and successfully linked to counseling or medical treatment.
"The number of undiagnosed patients with HIV is a big problem because they can infect others," Glick said. "Dentists should be involved."
Even if chairside dental HIV screening turns out to be effective, it won't be easy to make it routine.
As with testing for other medical conditions, there is little time and funding now to incorporate such training into dental school programs that are crowded with courses students must take. Testing every patient in every dental office could be expensive. Patients may be reluctant to accept HIV testing by dentists and, dentists may be reluctant to offer the service because of discomfort about communicating test results to patients, and the time and cost of offering the service.
Still, advocates like Glick say the profession must redefine itself, especially as private and government efforts to reform medical care transform the health system.
"We're trying to teach that screening for medical conditions should be part of the care dentists provide," he said. "The opportunity is there. If we don't take it, dentists risk being marginalized."
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Thornton Wilder
News about Thornton Wilder, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.
Review: Darkness Laced With Sentiment in 'A Wilder Christmas'
This double bill of one-acts by Thornton Wilder traces 90 years in the life of a family over a dinner table, and invites audience participation during a fictional train trip.
December 23, 2015, Wednesday
MORE ON THORNTON WILDER AND: Theater , Wilder, Thornton , Peccadillo Theater Co , Wackerman, Dan , Theater at St Clement's Church , A Wilder Christmas (Play) , The Long Christmas Dinner (Play) , Pullman Car Hiawatha (Play)
Classical Playlist: Hindemith, Shostakovich and Dutilleux
Times critics share what they've been listening to lately.
July 29, 2015, Wednesday
MORE ON THORNTON WILDER AND: Botstein, Leon , Hindemith, Paul , Morlot, Ludovic , Nelsons, Andris , Shostakovich, Dmitri , Wilder, Thornton , American Symphony Orchestra , Boston Symphony Orchestra , Bridge Records , Deutsche Grammophon , Seattle Symphony , Classical Music , Opera
Two-Course Feast of Stage and Song
Two versions of "The Long Christmas Dinner" were performed on Friday at Alice Tully Hall.
December 22, 2014, Monday
MORE ON THORNTON WILDER AND: Theater , Music , Opera , Wilder, Thornton , Hindemith, Paul , Botstein, Leon , American Symphony Orchestra , Rosenberg, Jonathan (Theater Director) , The Long Christmas Dinner (Opera) , The Long Christmas Dinner (Play)
Visits to a Small Town and the State of Denmark
"Our Town" and "Hamlet," two of the English language's most popular and most frequently performed dramas, are both currently being staged in Connecticut.
October 26, 2014, Sunday
MORE ON THORNTON WILDER AND: Theater , Wilder, Thornton , Shakespeare, William , Connecticut , Hartford Stage Co , Long Wharf Theater , Roman Catholic Church , Our Town (Play) , Hamlet (Play)
'Extreme Whether' Explores the Climate Fight as a Family Feud
A new play tries to engage audiences on global warming through a family feud over fossil fuels, dying frogs and melting ice.
October 22, 2014, Wednesday
MORE ON THORNTON WILDER AND: Bartenieff, George , Global Warming , Hansen, James E , Malpede, Karen , McCarthy, Jeff , Wilder, Thornton , Theater for the New City , Air Pollution , Global Warming , Greenhouse Gas Emissions , Theater
Amid the Tombstones, a Look Back at Life
Green-Wood Cemetery is the setting for a production of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town."
June 19, 2014, Thursday
MORE ON THORNTON WILDER AND: Our Town (Play) , Theater , Wilder, Thornton , Green-Wood Cemetery (Brooklyn, NY) , Brooklyn (NYC)
Partnerships Old, New and Stage-Managed
A production of "Our Town" opens at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick on April 22.
April 13, 2014, Sunday
MORE ON THORNTON WILDER AND: Our Town (Play) , Wilder, Thornton , Colleges and Universities , George Street Playhouse , Mason Gross School of the Arts , New Brunswick (NJ) , New Jersey , Theater
Labyrinth Announces Readings of Pulitzer-Winning Plays
The event, called "Pulitzer Fest," will run April 7 to 13.
March 19, 2014, Wednesday
MORE ON THORNTON WILDER AND: Pulitzer Prizes , Theater , LAByrinth Theater Co , Bogosian, Eric , Burstyn, Ellen , Nottage, Lynn , Parks, Suzan-Lori , Wilder, Thornton , Wright, Doug
A Portrait of Eternally Beguiling Americana
The artful simplicity of "Our Town," at the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, is enhanced by staging both beautiful and thoughtful.
November 10, 2013, Sunday
MORE ON THORNTON WILDER AND: Goodwin, Philip , Coughtry, Jordan , Theater , Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey , Daugherty, Allison , Madison (NJ) , Sturgis, Nisi , Wilder, Thornton
Stage Manager
A biography of Thornton Wilder, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and novelist.
December 30, 2012, Sunday
MORE ON THORNTON WILDER AND: Niven, Penelope , Wilder, Thornton , Books and Literature , Theater
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The recent surge in M&A activity fuels speculation about future acquisition targets. [© Michael Brown - Fotolia.com]
Amgen's planned acquisition of Onyx Pharmaceuticals was a reminder of how quiet the M&A market had been over the past year and a half, and an indication of how busy it has become in recent weeks.
At $10.4 billion, Amgen's acquisition of Onyx is only the year's second eight-figure M&A deal, the first being Thermo Fisher Scientific's planned purchase of Life Technologies for $13.6 billion plus $2.2 billion in assumed debt. Biopharma went through all of last year without a single deal of $10 billion or more, unless you count Pfizer's $11.85 billion sell-off of its infant nutrition business to Nestle.
Amgen-Onyx is also the largest deal to date in the second half of 2013. This period, according to a GEN spot check of recent announcements, saw four acquisitions in the four days after Labor Day, following nine mergers and acquisitions last month. It remains to be seen whether the flurry of deal making in recent days will generate enough momentum to reverse a decrease last year.
Between January and July, the number of biopharma, diagnostics, tool/tech, and supply/service deals dipped compared to the first seven months of 2012, to 155 from 160, even as the volume of deals whose values were disclosed rose 17%, to $61.6 billion from $52.5 billion, according to Burrill & Co. The number of undisclosed deals fell year-over-year to 41 from 55.
Based on disclosed deals alone, August 2013 appears to be a roughly $20-billion deal month, not only due to Amgen-Onyx, but also Boca Pharmacal's $225 million sale to Endo Health Solutions' Qualitest generics subsidiary and (notably) Perrigo's planned $8.6 billion acquisition of Elan. Perrigo-Elan became the third deal so far this year in the $5–10 billion range, compared to two in all of 2012. (The other two are Valeant Pharmaceuticals' $8.7 billion purchase of Bausch+Lomb, and Actavis' planned $8.5 billion purchase of Warner Chilcott.)
Such megadeals are exceptions in an industry where most deals run into millions. Yet a closer look at deals whose values were disclosed this year also shows more smaller-value transactions during 2013. Between January and July, the number of deals from $100 million to $999 million dipped slightly to 40 from 42 a year earlier, while those from $10 million to $99 million climbed to 45 from 36.
Two key reasons why 2013 has been a mostly quiet year for deals until lately: Over the past year, the stock markets have performed strongly, lifting stock prices. Even more important for biopharma, the market for initial public offerings of stock is at its strongest since 2000, with 29 companies having successful IPOs from January to July this year, compared with 11 the same period last year. (There were 16 successful IPOs for all of 2012.)
"There's an inverse correlation between IPOs and M&A, which is not surprising," said Eric Schmidt, Ph.D., managing director and senior research analyst with Cowen & Co. "When companies can go public, and have the option, they tend to want to stay independent and choose that option. They get a good value as a publicly traded company in a public market. It makes finding a negotiated M&A price more difficult."
An inverse relationship also exists between M&A deals and stock-market performance, Dr. Schmidt said, adding that Amgen-Onyx is an example of the one or two very high profile acquisitions that can surface even in strong market years.
"There's always going to be interest on the part of larger companies like Amgen to acquire smaller companies like Onyx. These larger companies have a perpetual need for more products and higher revenue growth. The question is can they find the right asset at the right price?" Dr. Schmidt said.
A Cowen report published in July included Onyx among 10 potential biotech acquisition targets—a list of mostly long-rumored names that included Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Acorda Therapeutics, Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Dynavax Technologies, Incyte, and Medivation.
Acorda has had sales success and plans to add indications to its multiple sclerosis drug Ampyra; Ariad's leukemia drug Iclusig has been projected to reach $2.5 billion in annual sales; Auxilium expects approval later this year for a new indication (Peyronie's disease) for adult Dupuytren's contracture treatment Xiaflex, whose year-over-year sales rose 15% from January to June; and BioMarin has a pipeline of drugs plus sales in orphan drugs like Naglazyme, which made $257 million last year.
Cadence last month raised its sales forecast range for its IV acetaminophen Ofirmev, since its drug class is expected to see greater use in surgery; Incyte's pipeline and solid launch of Jakafi for myelofibrosis has wowed investors, with Phase III data for a new indication (polycythemia vera) expected next year; and Medivation successfully launched Xtandi for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Two targets lost investor luster in recent weeks: The FDA placed Achillion's hepatitis C candidate sovaprevir on clinical hold after liver enzyme levels associated with significantly higher-than-anticipated exposures to the drug were seen in a Phase I study of the drug combined with ritonavir-boosted atazanavir. Also, Dynavax saw its share price drop more than half since May, after receiving an FDA complete response letter seeking more safety data on adult hepatitis B vaccine candidate Heplisav.
Onyx emerged as the apple of Amgen's eye after launching its first wholly owned product, Kyprolis®. The multiple myeloma drug racked up $125 million in net sales for the first six months of this year, nearly double 2012's $64 million. Kyprolis was the fourth best-selling new drug launched last year, according to GEN's "Top 20 Best-Selling Drugs Approved and Launched During 2012," published April 8.
Eun K. Yung, Ph.D., an equity analyst with Jefferies, predicted in an August 26 note to investors that sales of the drug would zoom to $499 million in 2014, and $1.728 billion by 2018. A consensus of analysts cited by Bloomberg anticipates more than $3 billion in sales by 2021.
"You can say with some certainty that if Kyprolis didn't exist, Amgen wouldn't be interested in Onyx," Dr. Schmidt said.
Justin Collishaw, a Frost & Sullivan industry analyst, said that investors should look longer term, since the hepatitis market is expected to grow beyond hepatitis C, encompassing drugs developed for other forms of the virus, where Achillion's knowhow can prove valuable to a buyer.
"By 2020, I would say hep G is going to be at least a $10-billion market, so a company like Achillion has, I think, extreme attractiveness, and they have a [range] of wholly owned products with no partnerships in place, so they can be comfortable about their results," said Collishaw. "All [Achilion] would have to do is get a small slice of that pie, and they would get a higher valuation than what they're trading at today."
Another potential M&A target, Collishaw said, is Theravance, which develops small molecule drugs for respiratory disease, bacterial infections, and central nervous system pain. Its sole marketed product is Vibativ for MRSA-caused nosocomial pneumonia. One sign of big biopharma interest in Theravance: In May, Elan agreed in principle to pay $1 billion for a 21% royalty participation interest in potential future payments related to four respiratory programs in which Theravance is partnering with GlaxoSmithKline. The programs are Relvar™ or Breo™ Ellipta™ (approved that month by the FDA for COPD); Anoro™ Ellipta™; bifunctional muscarinic antagonist-beta2 agonist monotherapy (GSK961081/MABA '081); and vilanterol monotherapy.
Elan shareholders, already sour on Royalty Pharma's hostile bid for their company, rejected the deal the following month.
BioMarin and Medivation also turned up last month in a Jim Cramer list of takeover targets that included Seattle Genetics. He cited the company's antibody-drug conjugate licensing agreements with 12 biopharmas—including giants such as AbbVie, Bayer, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, and Pfizer—that have generated more than $225 million for the company.
As more biotechs go public in a market now smiling on biopharma, the takeover target lists of analysts can be expected to lengthen in the short term. The long term is harder to figure out, though investors seeking clues might look less to the Wall Street herd and more to basic criteria, such as success in finding niches to dominate with first-in-class drugs, building pipelines, collaborating with others, and translating years of research and trials into millions or billions in sales.
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CLEMSON There is a pair of common threads in Clemsons two losses this year. The No. 14 Tigers (10-2) faced elite defensive fronts in defeats to Florida State and South Carolina, and in both games Berkeley High product Andre Ellington disappeared in the second half.
Chick-fil-A Bowl glance
No. 8 LSU (10-2) vs. No. 14 Clemson (10-2)What: Chick-fil-A BowlWhen: Monday, 7:30 p.m.Where: Georgia Dome, AtlantaTelevision: ESPNLine: LSU by 5
Ellington averages 5.6 yards per carry, trailing only C.J. Spiller (5.85) for the best in Clemson history. Ellington has produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. But in last months loss to South Carolina, Ellington carried the ball just four times in the second half. This despite his effective running in the first half and Clemson not trailing by more than one possession until late in the fourth quarter. Clemson also went into a pass-first mode in the second half at Florida State.
The Tigers arrived in Atlanta on Wednesday to begin preparing for No. 8 LSU (10-2). Clemson and LSU play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl at 7:30 p.m. Monday (ESPN).
Perhaps what Clemson can learn from its losses is to not forget about Ellington in the Georgia Dome.
Chad Morris has pulled many of the right levers in his first two seasons running the Clemson offense. But the Clemson offensive coordinator admits he was too quick in getting away from Ellington against the Gamecocks.
Yeah, we should have given him the ball more, Morris said. Its hard to look back. When you are three-and-out, your options are limited.
Of course, Clemson might have had fewer three-and-outs had it kept giving Ellington the ball.
During Clemsons 16-play touchdown drive in the first quarter against South Carolina, Ellington had four first-down runs and rushed for 23 yards on those carries, helping keep Clemson in advantageous down-and-distance situations.
Clemson ran just 16 plays from scrimmage in the second half because it couldnt keep the chains moving. Clemson began just one second-half series with an Ellington run. Ellingon also had just four carries in the final 21 minutes at Florida State.
It was a curious approach, and as Clemson center Dalton Freeman noted, its not as if Clemson was physically mismatched in the running game. Take away sack yardage and Clemson averaged 6.1 yards per running play against South Carolina.
In part as a result of getting away from Ellington, Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd found himself in more second- and third-and-long situations in the second half. As a result, Boyd was under constant pressure in passing situations. Boyd was sacked six times in the game.
LSU does not have Jadeveon Clowney, but it does have a pair of potential first-round selections in defensive ends Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo who can disrupt the Clemson passing game.
If you come predictable, its a long night, Swinney said. You want to have some balance and dictate the tempo and rhythm from a play-calling standpoint. We have to execute.
Morris preaches balance and knows achieving it will be critical vs. LSU.
Their defensive front and their linebackers are really sound, Morris said. We are going to have to play physical up front.
Clemson struggled in 2011 when Ellington was not involved in the offense. When Ellington received 15 or more carries last season, Clemson was 8-0. When he received fewer, the Tigers were 2-4.
After Ellington announced he would return for his senior season last winter, Morris called him his top recruit of the offseason. And in the last game of his college career, Ellington remains perhaps Clemsons most important player.