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HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- February is full of galas, concerts and other events you don't want to miss! Use our handy list to plan your social calendar this month.
* Have an event you'd like us to add? E-mail firstname.lastname@example.com or tell us on Facebook or Twitter.
Feb. 1
Force of 100 Women's Heart Health Symposium
5:45 p.m.-8 p.m., Alabama A&M, Dawson Building
This health symposium, part of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's Go Red Heart Health Awareness Weekend, is free to registered guests. To register, contact firstname.lastname@example.com, or call 256.372.8648 or 256.837.7354
Feb. 1-2
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Fri. & Sat. at 7:30 p.m. & Sat. at 2 p.m., Merrimack Hall
Matthew and Gunnar Nelson (sons of Ricky Nelson) star in this multimedia entertaining experience featuring the live music of Ricky Nelson, America's original Teen Idol. Tickets are $40-$45 for adults, $37-$42 for seniors.
256.534.6455, www.merrimackhall.com
Feb. 2
HEARTea Luncheon
Noon-2 p.m., Huntsville Mariott
The luncheon is part of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's Go Red Heart Health Awareness Weekend. Keynote speaker is Dr. Richard Clay, cardiothoracic surgeon. Kimberly Essex of WAFF 48 News will be mistress of ceremony. Tickets are $40.
Feb. 2
Love Hurts
7:30 p.m., VBC Concert Hall
The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra presents a concert from its Classical Series featuring trombonist Mike Svodboda and his composition, Love Hurts – Carmen Remix, as well as pieces by Bizet and Debussy. Tickets are $25-$69, with student pricing available.
256.539.4818, www.hso.org
Feb. 3
Go Red Sunday
Delta Sigma Theta sorority encourages area churches to participate by wearing red and bringing attention to heart health awareness. The forum provides an opportunity to educate, empower and mobilize members of the community around issues related to heart disease. Part of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's Go Red Heart Health Awareness Weekend.
24th Annual Dog Ball
5:45 p.m. silent auction, VBC South Hall
The Greater Huntsville Humane Society presents its 24th Annual Dog Ball that will feature live music, a silent auction, dinner, and the presentation of VIDs (Very Important Dogs). The theme this year is "Disco Down with the Hounds." Proceeds benefit the GHHS and its mission of providing care, food and shelter to local animals. Individual tickets are $75; sponsorships are available.
256.881.8081, www.thedogball.org
Medi Gras Bash
This festive Mardi Gras-themed party will feature a casual buffet with New Orleans-style cuisine, a specialty drink and cash bar, live music by The Purple Ravens, and a fabulous silent auction. Funds raised will benefit the new Madison Hospital Breast Center.
Feb. 10
Jack Hanna's Into the Wild Live
3 p.m., VBC
Jungle Jack brings his favorite animal friends in this family-friendly show recommended for all ages. Tickets are $21-$25 for adults; children are $10 less than adult prices.
256.518.6155, www.broadwaytheatreleague.org
Feb. 14-16
Jeremy Davis & Fabulous Equinox Orchestra
7:30 p.m., Merrimack Hall
This live, high-energy stage show could be described as the Rat Pack hosting "A Prairie Home Companion" on the Austin City Limits stage. Tickets are $35-$40 for adults, $32-$37 for seniors. A Valentine's Day Package is available including champagne and dessert prior to show and during intermission.
256.534.6455, www.merrimackhall.com
Feb. 14
Valentine's Day Ball
7-10 p.m., EarlyWorks Grand Ballroom
The Huntsville Youth Orchestra hosts the first annual Valentine's Day ball featuring Billy Bargetzi's 17-piece Big Band, heavy hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction. Tickets are $50 per person, with sponsorships available.
256.880.0622, www.huntsvilleyouthorchestra.org
Feb. 16
We Will Rock You – The Music of Queen
7:30 p.m., VBC Concert Hall
Classic rock meets orchestra when the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and the musicians of Jeans 'n Classics present the greatest hits of the 80s band Queen. Tickets are $25-$68 with student pricing available.
256.539.4818, www.hso.org
Elvis Lives
7:30 p.m., VBC
The Broadway Theatre League brings to town an unforgettable multi-media and live musical journey across Elvis' life. Tickets are $38-$58; children's ticket prices are $20 less than adult prices.
256.518.6155, www.broadwaytheatreleague.org
Feb. 23
Bard to Blue Notes
7:30 p.m., Trinity UMC
The Huntsville Community Chorus presents its annual spring concert, featuring Shearing's bluesy "Songs & Sonnets" and guest performers the Watters-Felts Project. Tickets are $18.
256.533.6606, www.thechorus.org
Feb. 23
Huntsville Heart Society Ball
6 p.m., Westin Huntsville
The Huntsville chapter of the American Heart Association hosts this annual black-tie fundraising gala. The evening begins with a cocktail hour and silent auction, followed by dinner and a live auction. Entertainment provided by David McConnell as Frank Sinatra, and the band Junctional Rhythm. Tickets and sponsorships available.
256.345.4900, www.heart.org/huntsvilleheartball
Feb. 26
Gala Luncheon with Haskell Harris
11:30 a.m., Huntsville Museum or Art
The first event of the Huntsville Museum of Art's 22nd Annual Gala is a luncheon that will feature Southern style expert Haskell Harris, contributing editor at Garden & Gun magazine. This event will benefit the HMA. Guests will enjoy catering by Narvell. Tickets are $75 per person.
256.535.4350 ext. 214, www.hsvmuseum.org
Feb. 28
Huntsville Museum of Art 22nd Annual Gala & Art Auction
6 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. live auction, Huntsville Museum of Art
The Huntsville Museum of Art's black-tie gala dinner and art auction is always a highly-anticipated event. Funds raised will help bring nationally-recognized exhibitions to the HMA, as well as support the Community Membership Program, making the museum accessible to all. Catering provided by Chef James Boyce of Cotton Row. Tickets are $300 per person at the benefactor level; $500 per person at the advocate level. More information available on the website.
256.535.4350 ext. 214, www.hsvmuseum.org


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Are any less speedy (10-10:30 mi) folks running?
Where and when is the run. I might join you all for that to help out.
NTP Group Run: June 14th (Su), 8:30 a.m.
Where: National Mall - Meet at the top of the Smithsonian Metro on the Mall exit.
Details: The olympic group has a one hour run and the sprint group has a 45 minute run scheduled.
I'm shooting for 1 hr, but anything b/t 45-60 min will do.
Even if we end up splitting up a little bit, we'll arrange it so that hopefully we all end up back at the Metro at the same time. Maybe we can all go get some coffee/breakfast afterwards.
Breakfast or food for that matter, always sounds good to me.
Was thinking about getting in a little bit longer run. Wanna meet up early??
Trithis, thanks, but I don't want to slow you down. Since I'm in the slow camp, I'm going to run on my own.

subset: commoncrawl


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The family of a Phillipsburg woman facing charges that she struck another woman with a baseball bat says they plan to fight the accusations "tooth and nail."
A Warren County grand jury indicted 34-year-old Carrie Stepney on Wednesday on charges of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Stepney, of the first block of David Street, is accused of striking 20-year-old Nyshiah Rogers with the baseball bat during a fight May 1 in the area of Filmore and Davis streets, according to court records.
Rogers was taken to St. Luke's Warren Hospital for treatment but her injuries were not life-threatening, police said.
At the time of the incident, Stepney said a group of people approached her daughter outside their home and that Stepney's sister initially tried to help the daughter. Stepney said she only went outside to defend her daughter and sister.
Family member James Baines vowed today to fight the charges.
"She should never have been indicted. It's a bunch of crap," he said. "We're going to fight it tooth and nail."
The alleged fight was part of a long-simmering feud between the Rogers and Stepney families.
In August, authorities charged Latisha Rogers, the mother of Nyshiah Rogers, with disorderly conduct and possession of more than three-fourths of an ounce of pepper spray.
The charges came after she allegedly sprayed several people, including Stepney's sister and two of her children, with pepper spray at the Ole Towne Festival, according to records. Police charged Stepney with disorderly conduct in connection with the incident.
In August, both Rogers women were charged with one count of making terroristic threats after telling Carrie Stepney they would kill her and her family, according to court records. Authorities also charged Latisha Rogers with harassment.
Stepney has previously said her family is moving to a new home soon to escape problems with the Rogers family.


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DETROIT, MI - Cee Lo Green appears to steal the show in a new movie trailer for the Detroit-inspired "Sparkle" movie scheduled to hit theaters Aug. 17.
Check out all the Twitter reaction about the clip here. The movie's official website can be found here.
News of the trailer comes a day after actress Jordin Sparks returned to Metro Detroit for a premiere at the Emagine Theater in Royal Oak.
This no-dialogue trailer showcases Green's soulful sound and on-stage presence - with a full head of hair.
But why take our word for it? See for yourself below.
Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog


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We still call her Juli Wightman, even if the Chicopee native has been married now for two years with the last name Erekson.
But what the 23-year-old golf professional would like to be called is Juli the LPGA Tour player.
Erekson begins her next best chance for that status Thursday, when she opens play at a first-stage site for the LPGA Tour's 2010 Qualifying Tournament. Her hope after four days at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., to finish among the top 30 in the field and advance to the final stage qualifier in December.
"I am excited, because I am in a different place this year about my game and myself," said Erekson, now a Texas resident. "I played this course last year, so I know what to expect. Being familiar with the routine and atmosphere will help me."
"Q School" rules allow for players to enter both first stage sites (another starts later this month in Venice, Fla.). So, as she did unsuccessfully last year, Erekson has two shots at advancing. Reaching the final stage will also guarantee her full playing status on the Duramed Futures Tour
Wightman recently finished up her second season on the Futures Tour, the LPGA's developmental tour. The top 30 finishers on the final money list earn LPGA Tour status for the following season. Erekson made six of 13 cuts, including four of her last seven.
"My last five tournaments, I made the majority of the cuts, and my comfort and confidence levels went up," Erekson said. "Making cuts and the experience of playing on Sundays can really make a difference."
Her best finish was a tie for 25th, and she finished 105th on the money list.
Erekson played in all but four of the 17 Futures Tour events this season, all with conditional status. She said she is already guaranteed higher status on the tour for 2010, so she has a full Futures Tour schedule to fall back on if Q School does not pan out this fall.
"The travel, the tournament atmosphere . . . it can be a grind, but it had helped me become a better player," Erekson said. "But the more I can stay relaxed and have fun, the better everything seems to be."
Erekson will add a twist to her style and mindset, as she will celebrate her heritage by wearing attire with a Polynesian flair.
"I am the only female Samoan player on tour, and I don't know if anyone really knows that or if I come across that way, if you don't know me," Erekson said in reference to her father Via, a native of Samoa and head golf professional at Holyoke Country Club. "It's a look that just says 'happy.' The image will have something Hawaiian, some kind of print in that style. I'll wear a flower in my hair. Things like that."
Erekson said her mom Lynn, who is of Scottish, Irish and Polish decent, and her aunt have worked to make six skirts for Erekson.
"Maybe it could be something new," Erekson joked of a future business.
Erekson was also hopeful of another big break - The Golf Channel's Big Break.
The Golf Channel's popular series held interviews for players on the Futures Tour, during its season's final event at Albany, N.Y., on Labor Day weekend.
"They did some video of us hitting balls, then a 15-minute interview," Erekson said. "I don't know if and when I'd ever hear back, but I thought I gave a pretty good representation of who I am. And I know that sometimes they are looking for a certain personality to fill a spot. We'll see what happens."
Until then, she has golf to play this weekend that will help determine her immediate future.
SENIOR MOMENTS: Robert Linn of Enfield had his senior moment(s) earlier this week.
The member at Berkshire Hills CC in Pittsfield advanced to the round of 32 at the U.S. Senior Amateur at Beverly CC in Chicago.
His two-day score of 148 included scores of 73 and 75 and tied him for 32nd place.
He edged out Ian Harris of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., at the 18th hole of his first-round match before he dropped a 3-and-2 decision to Mike Bell of Indianapolis in second round.
Linn, 55, qualified in his first year of eligibility.
Wilbraham resident Paul Nunez Jr. also qualified, but he missed the cut to match play after on-site rounds of 81 and 79. He missed finishing in the top 64 by nine shots.
Wyantenuck CC's Robert Brunetti also competed carded a 79 and 74.
HALL OF FAME: There are only five more days to make golf reservations or to reserve dinner-only tickets for the upcoming Western Massachusetts Golf Hall of Fame festivities.
The Class of 2009 includes six inductees and three others in memoriam on Hall of Fame Day at Hickory Ridge Country Club in Amherst on Sept. 28.
World renowned architect Geoffrey Cornish leads a class that includes teaching pro Tom Toski, amateur standout Ron Goldsmith, retired superintendent Gary Mondor, legendary women's player Martha Hayes and local ambassador Jim Barry.
Honored in memoriam will be Henry Bontempo, Frank Comfort and Dick Baxter.
Festivities include an afternoon shotgun scramble and an induction dinner. Reservations must be made before Sept. 21 through the Hickory Ridge CC pro shop at (413) 253-9320.
TOURNEY LIST: Chicopee CC runs a Ryder Cup-style two-ball Sept. 20. Call the pro shop at 594-9295 . . . Ludlow CC has a pair of events this weekend, with a senior two-ball scheduled for Friday and an open two-ball Sunday. Call the pro shop at 583-3434 for more information . . . The Pioneer Valley USO tournament takes place Saturday at Westover GC. Former Red Sox player Sam Horn will participate and be the guest speaker at the dinner. Call (413) 467-3446 for more information . . . The Young Life Springfield Classic is set for Saturday at Veterans GC. Contact Bob Tongue at 734-2071 . . . Twin Hills CC in Longmeadow has an open two-ball Sept. 26-27. Call (413) 567-0181 . . . The Bucky O'Brien Men's Pinehurst Scotch is set for Sept. 27 at CC of Greenfield. Call (413) 773-7530 . . . The Web site for the Joe Salvon Memorial at Twin Hills CC and Franconia GC on Sept. 28 is joesalvongolf.com . . . The Golf Fore Autism tournament is scheduled for Oct. 2 at Ledges GC. Call (413) 335-6664 for more info . . . Looking to play at Orchards GC in South Hadley? How about a men's two-ball Oct. 5 (an 11 a.m. shotgun). Call the pro shop at (413) 533-4653 . . . The Friends of Ed Montovani Memorial takes place Oct. 5 at Hickory Ridge CC in Amherst. Deadline is Sept. 28. Call Bob Bontempo at (413) 695-2998 . . . The annual Fred King/Dick Marr memorial to benefit the American Diabetes Association tournament is planned for Oct. 9 at East Mountain CC in Westfield. Call (413) 538-6284 for more information . . . Edgewood GC in Southwick holds a two-man scramble Oct. 11 and an open three-man cash scramble Oct. 18. For more information, call 569-6826 . . . The Columbus Day Italian Open is on for Oct. 12 at Crestview CC in Agawam. A Springfield Falcons celebrity will be paired with each foursome, and the event benefits the Shriners Hospital, the Springfield Sliders Sled Hockey Team and the Falcons Charities Inc. Call (413) 739-3344.
Russ Held can be reached at email@example.com


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A record 22 restaurants have signed onto this year's edition of the AmeriCU Downtown Dining Week.
All participating restaurants will offer selections of three courses for $25 during the promotion. Dining "week" runs 12 days, Feb. 15 through Feb. 26.
This is the seventh year for the promotion coordinated by the Downtown Committee of Syracuse. The 22 restaurants beats the record set last year, when 19 participated.
Downtown Dining Week is intended to boost business for downtown eateries during what otherwise might be a slow winter season. It also overlaps a bit with another downtown promotion, Syracuse Winterfest (Feb. 17 to Feb. 27).
This year, the Downtown Committee is hoping to boost interest by engaging Dining Week patrons through some new social-media features. That includes an online poll in which diners can vote for their favorite meals, a Facebook spot where they can post photos of their favorite meals, and a place where patrons can see behind-the-scenes photos and read interviews with chefs at participating restaurants. Access those features
through www.downtownsyracuse.com.
Participating restaurants in this year's Downtown Dining Week in Syracuse:
- Ale 'N Angus Pub, 238 Harrison St.
- Anthony's Pasta Bar, 126 E. Genesee St.
- bc Restaurant, 247 W. Fayette St.
- Bistro Elephant, 238 W. Jefferson St.
- Bittersweet Wine & Dessert, 127 W. Fayette St.
- Black Olive Mediterranean, 316 S. Clinton St.
- Bull & Bear Pub, 125 E. Water St.
- Byblos Mediterranean Cafe, 223 N. Clinton St.
- Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, 246 W. Willow St.
- Empire Brewing Co., 120 Walton St.
- Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub, 301 W. Fayette St.
- L'Adour Restaurant Francais, 110 Montgomery St.
- La Taqueria Fresh Mexican, 409 S. Clinton St.
- Lemon Grass, 238 W. Jefferson St.
- The Mission, 304 E. Onondaga St.
- Namu, 215 Walton St.
- Opus Restaurant & Lounge, 218 Walton St.
- Pastabilities, 311 S. Franklin St.
- PJ's Pub & Grill, 116 Walton St.
- Prime Steakhouse, 101 E. Water St.
- Sakana-Ya Sushi Bar, 215 Walton St.
- Syracuse Suds Factory, 320 S. Clinton St.


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QB TJ Luddy of Freedom High School was 18 for 35 for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns, rushed for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns and punted seven times for an average of 34 yards for Albright in a 45-34 win over Juniata in the ECAC Southwest Bowl. Luddy was named MVP of the game. FB Josh Macleod (Emmaus) had a 4-yard reception and LB Mike Walsh (Belvidere) played but had no stats for the Lions. ... RB Andre Williams (Parkland) rushed 32 times for 263 yards and 2 touchdowns for Boston College in a 29-26 win over Maryland. Williams became the first FBS running back to go over 2,000 rushing yards in a season since Donald Brown of UConn in 2009.
DB Okezie Alozie (Freedom) made 5 tackles and a sack for Buffalo in a 44-7 win over Miami (Ohio). WR Boise Ross (Liberty) had 3 receptions for 52 yards for the Bulls. ... QB Brendan Nosovitch (Central Catholic) was 2 for 2 for 13 yards and rushed for 5 yards for South Carolina in a 70-10 win over Coastal Carolina. ... LB Anthony Gonzalez (Liberty) recorded 11 tackles for Pittsburgh in a 17-16 win over Syracuse. WR Devin Street (Liberty) caught 2 passes for 7 yards for the Panthers. ... WR Tyler Artim (Whitehall) had a 13-yard reception for Holy Cross in a 28-21 loss to Georgetown.
Brad Bormann (Hunterdon Central) and Zack Mazur (Freedom) started on the offensive line for Lafayette in a 50-28 win over Lehigh. QB Nick Shafnisky (Whitehall) was 3 for 9 for 56 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception for Lehigh. WR Josh Parris (Palisades) caught 2 passes for 4 yards and returned 2 punts for 16 yards. Matt Lippincott (Wilson) started at center. LB Noah Robb (Central Catholic) recorded 2 tackles and a sack. LB Matt Laub (Parkland) had 2 tackles. LS Kyle Lechner (Delaware Valley) played but had no stats for the Mountain Hawks. ... DT Galen Clemons (Northamtpon) had 5 tackles and a sack for Massachusetts in a 37-0 loss to Central Michigan. ... LB Shane McNeely (Central Catholic) recorded 5 tackles, a sack and forced a fumble for New Hampshire in a 24-3 win over Maine. Tad McNeely (Central Catholic) started on the offensive line for the Wildcats.
LB Paul Mania (Hunterdon Central) played but had no stats for Duquesne in a 33-23 win over Monmouth. DB Tevrin Brandon (Bethlehem Catholic) recorded a tackle, interception and returned 4 kickoffs for 105 yards for Monmouth. TE Brandon Suk (Hunterdon Central) played but had no stats for the Hawks. ... RB Kyle Harbridge (Easton) rushed 29 times for 110 yards and a touchdown and caught 3 passes for 43 yards and a touchdown for Saint Francis (Pa.) in a 23-3 win over Robert Morris. TE Matt Camilletti (Pius X) played but had no stats for the Red Flash.
RB Eddie Elliot (Freedom) rushed once for 2 yards and had 2 receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown for West Chester in a 38-7 win over American International in the NCAA Division II playoffs. LB Drew Persa (Liberty) played but had no stats for the Rams. ... DB Brian Velasco (Emmaus) had 6 tackles and an interception for Franklin & Marshall in a 38-14 win over Delaware Valley in the ECAC Southeast Bowl. RB Scott LaValva (Bangor) made a tackle for the Diplomats. WR Danny Lopez (Liberty) and DL Chris Chioffe (Phillipsburg) played but had no stats for Delaware Valley. ... RB Kevin Van Laar (North Warren) rushed 21 times for 78 yards and a touchdown and caught 3 passes for 13 yards for Muhlenberg in a 21-19 loss to Salisbury in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl. WR Mike Harris (Liberty) caught 5 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown. WR Chris Litzenberger (Catasauqua) had 5 receptions for 45 yards. Willie Britt (Delaware Valley), Bryan Auvil (Emmaus), and Andrew Kincaid (Hillsborough) started on the offensive line. LB Ian Gimbar (Saucon Valley) had 7 tackles and forced a fumble for the Mules.
LB Luke Maginnis (Warren Hills) recorded 10 tackles for Wesley in a 29-24 win over Johns Hopkins in the Division III playoffs. RB Matt Berry (North Hunterdon) played but had no stats for Johns Hopkins. ... DT Kevin Smith (Pen Argyl) made 4 tackles for Lebanon Valley in a 59-17 loss to Wittenberg in the Division III playoffs. ... LB Matt LaFevre (Delaware Valley) had 5 tackles for Norwich in a 28-27 loss to Springfield in the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl.
DB Adam Bridgeforth (Nazareth) made 8 tackles and intercepted a pass for a 19-yard return for Colgate in a 56-19 loss to Fordham. LB Kris Kent (Nazareth) made 5 tackles and had a sack and DB Jake Kern (Northern Lehigh) made 2 tackles for Colgate.
Compiled by Josh Blake


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In the current divisive political climate that seems to pit one class against another, Habitat for Humanity of Fulton County is a perfect blend of community cooperation in which people of any background, ability or socioeconomic level can work together for the common good.
Last week, Habitat broke ground on its ninth project - constructing a home at 71 Bloomingdale Ave. in Gloversville.
Habitat is an amazingly broad effort. Under this program, people or companies donate buildings to be refurbished or land on which to build a home. Everyday people donate money, time or labor, including participation in clerical work, fundraising and construction. Corporations and local companies offer free or discounted materials, including appliances, and they also can allow employees to volunteer labor on company time. Skilled craftsmen and professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, architects and real-estate agents, provide help.
The family that will live in the home is required to participate by putting in 500 hours of "sweat equity," which can include working on their home-to-be, another Habitat home or other community service. In return, a lower- to middle-income family gets a no-interest mortgage on a home the family otherwise could not afford. Habitat describes this as a "hand-up, not a handout." Laboring side by side, volunteers and the family members get to know one another.
Habitat describes itself as "an international nonprofit ecumenical Christian ministry founded on the conviction that every man, woman or child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live." Globally, Habitat has helped some 500,000 families since 1976.
This number seems small compared to the vast need, unless your family happens to be a beneficiary.
Habitat's homebuilding is limited only by our willingness to give. The effort is a win-win for everyone. Those who contribute to this effort gain a benefit not tangible like concrete and wood - the opportunity to do something good for someone else. Communities, especially those plagued by blight, also gain well-built, energy-efficient homes in place of no house or a deteriorating one. "We're going to impact one family, one neighborhood and one community at a time," said Naquana Mitchell, the upbeat local chapter president.
Mitchell said she's seen people improve their neighborhood after Habitat finishes a house. "When I walk by, I just chuckle," Mitchell said after seeing debris taken away and grass cut. "The neighbors are inspired, they're reinvigorated."
Many thanks to Habitat for supplying the kind of inspiration we all need.


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WESTFIELD – Construction on this city's long-awaited Columbia Greenway rail trail project is expected to begin this spring and bring bicycle and pedestrian travel from Southwick to at least a section of the downtown.
"This is an important and exciting project for our city," City Engineer Mark S. Cressotti told the Conservation Commission this past week when he asked the board for the necessary permission to proceed with construction.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik said Westfield is currently awaiting award of a state grant through the Department of Conservation and Recreation for the project.
"Our intent is to complete roughly one mile of the project this year and then proceed next year to bring the Greenway trail up to the area of the Great River Bridge," Knapik said.
At least a dozen members of the Friends of the Columbia Greenway were in attendance before the Conservation Commission when project managers from Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. of Worcester presented plans for the initial phase of trail construction.
The project will included a paved bikepath, 12-feet wide, a parking area at the Southwick line and an access road through a portion of Shaker Farms Country Club, said project manager John J. Bechard.
"This is phase one of a project that will be done in segments," he said.
Cressotti said the first phase will be completed and available for use this summer. The city must first seek construction bids before the project can begin.
Phase one of the trail is expected to follow utility work in the same area by Westfield Gas and Electric Department.
The estimated $2.5 million utility project involves installation of a high pressure natural gas line from south of shaker road and extend it to South Meadow Road-Ponders Hollow road and beneath Little River to a location just south of South Broad Street, utility general manager Daniel Howard said.
"This project represents the final push of our plan to fully utilize and maximize the benefits of connecting with the gas transmission line in Southwick. Completion of the extension will allow us to bring additional natural gas capacity deeper into the load center of Westfield," Howard said.
Southwick completed its $4 million, six-mile, portion of the Columbia Greenway project last year and users can now travel nearly 30 miles from the Westfield-Southwick line to Farmington, Conn..
Construction on first phase of Westfield's Columbia Greenway railtrail project set to begin
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on January 12, 2012 at 8:00 PM
WESTFIELD – Construction on this city's long-awaited Columbia Greenway rail trail project is expected to begin this spring and bring bicycle and pedestrian travel from Southwick to at least a section of the downtown.


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No one knows the value of art and silence like long-time Jersey City resident Grigory Gurevich.
"I got sick of speaking theater – people talk, talk, talking – saying in some cases, nonsense."
Disillusioned by theater, the St. Petersburg native became fascinated by pantomime after seeing the work of famous mime Marcel Marceau, whom Gurevich befriended.
Since then, Gurevich created pantomime theater companies in Russia, performed in numerous countries and passed the silent art down to his 18-year-old son Alex.
The multi-talented artist will present a special pantomime exhibit this Friday at 282 Barrow St. in Jersey City where he will also display his paintings, sculpture, photographs and drawings.
At the event, Gurevich, who has lived in Jersey City for 34 years, will stage a version of Alejandro Jodorowsky's "The Mask Maker," a piece made famous by Marceau. Alex Gurevich will perform the actual piece.
In the skit, a mask maker tries on different masks and enjoys entertaining the audience until he is unable to remove one of the masks. As he struggles to remove the comedy mask in despair, his face remains frozen in laughter.
"This is one of the best pieces of Marcel Marceau," said Gurevich. "It's a symbolic piece…his body is suffering but his face is laughing. Finally, he takes a hammer and chisel and breaks the mask. He takes the mask off and now we can see that there is a real human being behind the mask."
After the performance, Gurevich will also teach those interested how to mime and perform.
Gurevich is particularly excited about working with his son.
"He's a wonderful performer," said Gurevich with pride.
Gurevich said his son is currently taking a year off from school to decide what he wants to do with his life. "He has many different talents and is now concentrating on a musical he's writing."
Growing up with Gurevich as a father has set the Ferris High School graduate apart from his peers, Gurevich said.
"Alex's generation never saw Marcel Marceau but Alex met him personally. It was a great influence on my son just meeting Marcel and seeing him perform."
Gurevich hopes to influence those who attend his JC Fridays event but has realistic expectations.
"Honestly, there is not too much hope for that because pantomime is not really popular unless you call it dance or something else…It will only impact people who are (really interested)," said Gurevich.
"I'd like to share it with beautiful artists who can appreciate it."
You can see Grigory Gurevich's Introduction to Pantomime Art on Friday, Mar. 4 at 282 Barrow St. in Jersey City. His performance and workshop will run from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, call (201) 451-4862.


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Earlier today, Pinar showed us the wonderful 365 project by 19-year-old prodigy Rebeca Cygnus. After looking deeper into her portfolio, we just had to feature some of her magically surreal photographs. "In my photography I look for the surreal world and to be a storyteller," says Madrid-based Cygnus. As you can see, she accomplishes both those tasks through these fantastic shots.
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Don't miss the opinion piece "One D & R Canal path, complete" by Jeffrey Laurenti of Trenton, a senior fellow at The Century Foundation in New York and a new member of the Trenton Cycling Revolution.
He relates the long history leading up to finally finishing the 1.5 mile "hinge" that fully connects the previously separated trails on either side of the V that forms the 67-mile long D&R Canal Path from New Brunswick, down to Trenton, and back up to Frenchtown.
Laurenti strongly concludes:
"With the new piece of trail now paved in Trenton, cyclists can travel off-road the entire course -- New Brunswick to Princeton to Trenton to Lambertville to Frenchtown. They can connect to other trails, such as the Lawrence-Hopewell Trail that links to the canal path at the Brearley House Great Meadow. They can cross one of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission bridges (without paying toll!) to connect to Pennsylvania's 60-mile Delaware Canal, which runs parallel to the river from Bristol north to Easton. (Indeed, the bridge commission is including a dedicated bike path in the upgraded I-95 bridge at Scudders Falls.)
"Not only local residents can benefit. Completion of the missing link allows Trenton to become the center of a new kind of cycling tourism, luring many of New York's European and Latin visitors out for two-day cycle adventure in historic, small-town America. The canal commission should start putting up appropriate signposts to guide the new kind of cyclist to the remarkable sites in our area. The infrastructure is now in place."


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personal floatation device
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15th August 2012, 12:39 PM
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,483
I don't think the world is getting mad about health and safety.
Every rider, novice to expert, should know the hazards that are associated with water sport activities, be it windsurfing or whatever else.
A good example about windsurfing hazards and safety :
The difference between life and death situation in windsurfing is the capacity of your own body to fight hypothermia.
"Hypothermia is the life-threatening lowering of the body temperature which can result from accidental immersion in cold water. Even brief exposure to cold water can cause numbness and confusion which could result in helplessness and drowning". See the following link for more info about that :
The main point about hypothermia is your survival time when your body is immersed in water. In medical physiology, water is 23 time more energy-loss and heat-conductive than air. When immersed in water, you will loose energy if the temperature is below 37°C. The colder the water, the quicker your energy loss, the shorter your survival time. As simple as that.
To increase your chance of survival in case things go wrong and to help your body fight heat loss for an unexpected long time, it is strongly advised to always wear a wetsuit and a PFD/life jacket. These 2 safety measures will greatly increase your chance of survival against cold in water. A third measure is to adopt the HELP foetal posture when your body is in water while waiting for search & rescue help. HELP = Heat Escape Lessening Posture to reduce heat loss and energy loss of your body. It is way easier to keep this foetal HELP posture when wearing a PFD/life jacket without having to swim to keep your head out of water in order to breathe normally.
No health and safety madness going on here, but just to know the hard facts about true hazards and the 3 protective safety measures anybody can take to fight hypothermia when shit happens. And shit will always happens at least once during your lifetime just because the zero risk does not exist, especially with mechanical sports. Unfortunately, one very bad mishappening is enough to get you drowned. Choice to bet on this unlikelyhood is your own responsability. Would you bet on this if the "PFD could save one person a year from drowning" is indeed yourself ? For me, this bet is worth the trouble to wear a PFD and still be alive and well after windsurfing for 32 years...
Cheers and ride on !
Last edited by Jean-Marc; 15th August 2012 at
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In A&E twice a month and online weekly, The Oregonian's Colin Powers brings readers The Cocktail Hour: coverage of local bars and tips and recipes for home bartenders to build their skills. Powers writes:
As often as we can, we're hoping these two worlds intersect with Portland's bartenders helping put together classes and special events for the public to check out what's happening on the drink scene and to take home information to inspire them.
Our Tiki Boot Camp is the first step. We've teamed with the tiki masters at Trader Vic's and Hale Pele to explore a complex world of exotic drinks this month. Look for the complete lesson plan, including recipes and tips from local bartenders, next week. In the meantime, check out the schedule and consider the first class, which features the mai tai and bartending basics, this Monday.


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Canceled Or Renewed: 2010 TV Status Update Guide
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- 53 Comments
(11/16) Update: Rubicon and Running Wilde
Each fall, over 50 new and returning television series hit the air on network television alone. Unfortunately, the addition of new series, combined with old favorites, puts the television viewing audience in an interesting predicament.
Should viewers continue to tune into shows they've become accustomed to watching or replace it with a new series that might not last the season?
Because of that reoccurring rhetorical question, many shows beginning their freshman year, along with a few returning series, aren't able to deliver respectable audience numbers. While each network has their own sliding scale regarding what exactly respectable numbers represent, the outcome is still the same. Series that are unable to garner a large enough audience for the networks (to justify their respective production budgets and time slots) are cut. While there are a few exceptions to that rule, this is typically the case.
With that, many viewers are left wondering whether their new or returning series will continue past the initial episode order. Even though the Internet has become a veritable treasure trove for television information, such news about a particular series that you may be interested in can easily slip through the cracks.
In an attempt to provide you with every new (and some returning) series that have already been renewed or canceled, we have compiled a comprehensive list detailing everything you might want to know about a particular series. From ratings to episode orders, as well as where you can continue to watch your favorite canceled series (once it has been moved from its original time slot), we have attempted to provide you with all the information that you need.
We've also provided a small paragraph explaining why a particular series was or was not canceled. Additionally, we'll speculate on whether or not a series that was picked up for a full season order will return for a second season.
Below, we have separated this list in three separate categories (in alphabetical order): Canceled, Full Season Order, and Undecided.
Caprica (SyFy)
Aired: Fridays @9pm
When the remaining episodes will air: 1st quarter 2011 (new episodes will continues to air in Canada)
Total episodes to air: 18
Average rating: .822 million viewers
Fate: Canceled on October 27
Explanation: After the ratings sensation that was Battlestar Galactica, SyFy attempted to continue that success with the spin-off/prequel series Caprica. Unfortunately, without the space battles and Cylon butt-kicking, viewers just weren't interested. After returning this fall after a brief hiatus, the series was in a serious ratings decline and just wasn't able to recover. Good thing there's already another Battlestar Galactica spin-off set to air next year.
My Generation (ABC)
Aired: Thursdays @8pm
Total episodes aired: 2
Average rating: 4.58 million viewers
Fate: Canceled on October 1
Explanation: While easily the most ambitious new series of the new fall season, My Generation failed to deliver interesting drama that took advantage of the unique story-arc time-jumps. When the series premiere failed to deliver a respectable audience, ABC took notice. After the ratings of the second episode declined immensely, ABC cut it loose.
Outlaw (NBC)
Aired: Fridays @9pm
Total episodes to air: 8
When the remaining episodes will air: Saturdays @8pm
Average rating: 4.93 million viewers
Fate: Canceled on October 6
Explanation: Even though Jimmy Smits has proven in the past to be television gold, he just couldn't make it work with his new series Outlaw. With the television landscape already full of legal dramas and NBC still recovering from last year's late night debacle, there just wasn't an audience to support this type of series.
Lone Star (Fox)
Aired: Tuesdays @10pm
Total episodes aired: 2
Average rating: 3.96 million viewers
Fate: Canceled September 28
Explanation: Lone Star was easily the best new show of the season. Unfortunately, the television audience didn't agree. After a low-rated series premiere, Fox gave the freshman series one last chance to prove itself. Since Lone Star was up against Dancing with the Stars, Hawaii Five-0 and Monday Night Football, it just couldn't deliver a large enough audience to allow Fox to justify continuing with the series.
Rubicon (AMC)
Aired: Sundays @8pm
Total episodes aired: 13
Average rating: 1.19 million viewers
Fate: Canceled November 11
Explanation: Rubicon started off strong. With 2 million viewers tuning into its premiere, AMC dubbed the conspiracy series as "the newest jewel in the AMC crown." Unfortunately, that jewel's shine began to fad as viewers stopped watching. Even though an unofficial second season was planned, AMC had no other choice but to cancel the series, as it crept below the 1 million viewers per episode mark.
Undercovers (NBC)
Airs: Wednesdays @8pm
Total episodes to air: 10
Average rating: 6.46 million viewers
Fate: Canceled on November 4
Explanation: When NBC announced that they were bringing a new show from J.J. Abrams to their network, everyone was excited to see what it would be. Unfortunately, once everyone saw what Undercovers was, they realized that this was less of a new series and more of a rehash of Alias. Except that it was missing the interesting storylines and convincing premise.
The Whole Truth (ABC)
Airs: Wednesdays @10pm
Total episodes to air: 13
Average rating: 4.53 million viewers
Fate: Canceled on October 26
Explanation: When I originally compared this ABC series to the failed Fox show Justice, I had no idea just how close that comparison would be. Like Justice, The Whole Truth couldn't find an audience with their twist on the typical legal drama. While the series was canceled, ABC will still produce and air the full 13 episodes in its original time slot.
Continue reading to find out what TV series received a full season order…
Better With You (ABC)
Airs: Wednesdays @8:30pm
Total episodes this season: 22
Average rating: 7.3 million viewers
Fate: Full season ordered on October 25
Explanation: In today's landscape of single-camera series, the three-camera sitcom has fallen to the wayside. While CBS has been one of the few networks to continuously succeed with this type of format, ABC has carved out a respectable audience for Better With You. After delivering solid ratings on Wednesday night, a full season order was definitely going to happen.
Bleep My Dad Says (CBS)
Airs: Thursdays @8:30pm
Total episodes this season: 18-22
Average rating: 10.79 million viewers
Fate: Additional episodes ordered on October 21
Explanation: Once again, CBS has proven that they can make any series successful, even if it is terrible. This Twitter experiment series premiered to an extremely large audience and while the ratings have dipped since then, it's still enough to secure a full season order and an expectant second season. Because of that, get ready for many Twitter/Facebook/MySpace originated series coming your way. There are three on the books already, for next year.
Blue Bloods (CBS)
Airs: Friday's @10pm
Total episodes this season: 18-22
Average rating: 11.25 million viewers
Fate: Additional episodes ordered October 21
Explanation: Tom Selleck's return to primetime proved to be extremely successful. With the television landscape already full of police procedurals, Blue Bloods was able to separate itself from all of the rest and deliver a winning series for CBS. While a full season order was all that was announced, it's only a matter a time before this freshman series is locked in for a second season.
Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
Airs: Sundays @10pm
Total episodes this season: 12
Average rating: 3.20 million viewers
Fate: Renewed for a second season on September 21
Explanation: After delivering the best premiere ratings since Deadwood, HBO instantly locked Boardwalk Empire in for a second season. Hopefully Boardwalk Empire will have a different outcome than Deadwood, which was canceled after three seasons.
Chase (NBC)
Airs: Mondays @10pm
Total episodes this season: 22
Average rating: 5.73 million viewers
Fate: Additional episodes ordered on October 19
Explanation: After NBC completely wiped out their primetime line-up, they needed a hit to reclaim some of their lost viewers. While Chase didn't prove to be the series to do that, NBC has no other choice than to keep it on the air. A full season order was the best move for this fledgling network, but don't expect this series to have legs, as it will quickly be replaced by a new series next fall.
Chuck (NBC)
Airs: Mondays @8pm
Total episodes this season: 24
Average rating: 5.49 million viewers
Fate: Full season ordered on October 19
Explanation: The proverbial little show that could once again comes out on top. With NBC trying to put things back together after last year's prime-time catastrophe, Chuck was the only series that viewers are able to associate with the network. A solid fan base and consistent ratings is something that NBC needs right now, which is why Chuck was picked up for a full season. When it comes to talk about a fifth season, everything is still up in the air, but I wouldn't be surprised.
The Defenders (CBS)
Airs: Wednesdays @10pm
Total episodes this season: 18-22
Average rating: 10.2 million viewers
Fate: Additional episodes ordered on October 21
Explanation: A CBS legal drama with a twist, The Defenders started out as a ratings juggernaut with 12 million viewers. Unfortunately, the series dropped off a little with each proceeding episode. Fortunately, the wonderful chemistry between Belushi and O'Connell kept a good majority of the audience. While a full season ordered was almost certain, so is a second season.
Detroit 187 (ABC)
Airs: Tuedays @10pm
Total episodes this season: 18
Average rating: 8 million viewers
Fate: Five additional episodes ordered on October 25
Explanation: While Detroit 187 premiered to respectable numbers, the proceeding weeks saw a slight dip in overall viewers. Even though the freshman series has been able to bring back some of the lost audience, it's not enough for ABC to commit to a full season. Instead, ABC decided to order an additional five episodes, which will allow the series to prove itself to the network.
The Event (NBC)
Airs: Mondays @9pm
Total episodes this season: 22
Average rating: 5.73 million viewers
Fate: Additional episodes ordered on October 18
Explanation: NBC put a lot of support behind this Lost-esque series. While the premiere showed signs of being a hit, the subsequent episodes quickly lost many of the viewers. Now garnering almost half of the audience that tuned into the premiere, NBC is in a tough spot. While there's no doubt that the series would receive a full season order (for the same reason as Chase), it does put into question the notion of a second season. Fortunately, for those that watch the series, NBC will most likely give The Event a second season – if for no other reason than to give producers the chance to reveal what "the event" is.
Continue reading for the rest of TV's renewed series…
Hawaii Five-O (CBS)
Airs: Mondays @10pm, on CBS
Total episodes this season: 18-22
Average rating: 11.6 million viewers
Fate: Additional episodes ordered on October 21.
Explanation: As one of the most talked about series, Hawaii Five-O had a lot to prove – especially with Kurtzman and Orci attached to this television remake of the popular 70s police drama. Even though the series premiered to 14.2 million viewers and had a significant loss as the season progressed, it still held on to enough of an audience to garner a full season order. There's no doubt that a second season will happen.
Hellcats (The CW)
Airs: Wednesdays @9pm
Total episodes this season: 22
Average rating: 2.22 million viewers
Fate: Additional episodes ordered on October 22
Explanation: While an average 2.2 million viewers isn't anything compared to ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. For The CW, this represents a solid performing series. Many people wondered why Smallville alum, Tom Welling, would kick off producing an outside series with a show that has a cheer-leading theme. After watching a few episodes of the series, even the most hardened television watcher has to admit that it's entertaining. Even though Hellcats has received a full season order, a second season may still be in questions or, unfortunately, its last.
Law & Order: Los Angeles (NBC)
Airs: Wednesdays @10pm
Total episodes this season: 22
Average rating: 8.42 million viewers
Fate: Additional episodes ordered on October 18
Explanation: When NBC canceled the long-time original Law & Order, everyone wondered what they would replace it with. Surprisingly, although not surprisingly, NBC decided to replace it with a new version of the series, Law & Order: Los Angeles. Sticking with the same format that made this franchise popular for two decades, they moved from New York to Los Angeles. While it's not pulling in the ratings of its predecessor, NBC's relationship with the franchise and Dick Wolf means that this series will not only receive a full season order, but probably a second season as well.
Mike & Molly (CBS)
Airs: Mondays @9:30pm
Total episodes this season: 18-22
Average rating: 11.21 million viewers
Fate: Additional episodes ordered on October 21
Explanation: The second three-camera sitcom at CBS this season also proved to be the better of the two. Fortunately, audiences also agreed – albeit by a small margin. With a solid cast, endearing storylines and the ratings to back it up, this overweight romantic comedy certainly deserves a full season order. Expect this series to receive a second season soon and a third season next year.
Nikita (The CW)
Airs: Thursdays @9pm
Total episodes this season: 22
Average rating: 2.86 million viewers
Fate: Additional episodes ordered on October 22
Explanation: The CW's remake/sequel of the famous "La Femme Nikita" story started off with a rocky premiere. While the ratings were high, Nikita failed to deliver a competent story and ultimately lost some viewers because of it. Fortunately, for those that continued to watch, they were presented with a compelling story, interesting characters, and great action. Not only is a full season order on the books, but expect this series to return for a second season – and then some (maybe).
No Ordinary Family (ABC)
Airs: Tuesdays @8pm
Total episodes this season: 22
Average rating: 8.4 million viewers
Fate: Full season ordered on October 25
Explanation: No Ordinary Family was ABC's response to Heroes. After all the hype and promotion, the series started off with a bang. Unfortunately, each subsequent episode has shown a continuous drop in the ratings – the largest loss being almost 2 million viewers after the series premiere. Even though the average television fan can tell what the eventual future of this series will be (cancellation), ABC has invested too much to just let it go. Don't be surprised if it gets a second season.
Outsourced (NBC)
Airs: Thursdays @9:30pm
Total episodes this season: 22
Average rating: 5.79 million viewers
Fate: Additional episodes ordered on October 18
Explanation: Out of all the new television series this year, Outsourced was the most perplexing. While the series had its moments, no one could tell if American audiences would warm up to a series that hits so close to home. Fortunately, enough viewers tuned in to garner a full season order. Outsourced is still pulling in a larger audience than that of Parks & Recreations – justifying NBC's decision to move Parks to the mid-season.
Raising Hope (Fox)
Airs: Tuesdays @9pm
Total episodes this season: 22
Average rating: 6.37 million viewers
Fate: Additional episodes ordered on October 6
Explanation: The best new comedy of the season, Raising Hope, started things out with solid ratings. While nothing compared to CBS, it was still a solid performance for a new series on Fox. Even though the subsequent episodes dropped off in the ratings, it still held enough of an audience to garner a full season order. A second season will definitely be on the books for this wonderful comedy. Even if the audience doesn't support it, Fox will – for the time being.
The Walking Dead (AMC)
Airs: Sundays @10pm
Total episodes this season: 6
Average Episode Rating: 6.37 million viewers
Fate: Second season of 13 episodes ordered on November 8
Explanation: The Walking Dead was easily one of the most hyped series of the year. From San Diego Comic-Con to New York Comic Con, AMC made sure that their zombie show made an appearance. After delivering the highest ratings that AMC has ever seen, they officially renewed the series for a second season of 13 episodes.
Continue reading to find out what series fate are still undecided…
Life Unexpected (The CW)
Airs: Tuesdays @9pm
Total episodes this season: 13
Average rating: 1.52 million viewers
Fate: TBD May 2011 (cancellation expected)
Explanation: Last year, Life Unexpected was one of television's dark horses. Even though the series was critically acclaimed, it struggled to find an audience. Fortunately, The CW put faith in the freshman series and gave it a second season. Although, with rating numbers slipping, it appears that this series will end in its sophomore year.
Running Wilde (Fox)
Airs: Tuesdays @9:30pm (removed for November sweeps)
Total episodes this season: 13
Average rating: 4.08 million viewers
Fate: TBD (cancellation expected)
Explanation: After Arrested Development became a cult hit, everyone has been waiting to see what would happen when creator Mitch Hurwitz and Will Arnett got together to create the new series Running Wilde. Unfortunately, everyone saw what happened… and it wasn't good. Despite recasting the series before the premiere, Running Wilde failed to deliver the comedy that people came to love from Arrested Development. While the fate of this series has yet to be announced, don't expect it to stick around.
[Update] – While Fox decide to remove Running Wilde from its line-up during November sweeps (a time when networks fight for the highest ratings), the series has yet to be canceled. "Yet" being the key word.
If we have forgotten a series or you have any questions, don't hesitate leaving a comment below. Although, knowing our readers, I don't think that will be a problem.
Follow me on Twitter @anthonyocasio
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WALKER, MI -- In recent years, Meijer has expanded its selection of house plants but the Michigan retailer wants to make it clear there is no room for one plant: marijuana.
A store manager recently discovered a garden of illegal plants flourishing in a nail and tanning salon inside a busy Ann Arbor-area Meijer store at 3825 Carpenter Road in Pittsfield Township.
That 2012 April discovery resulted in the arrest of the U.S. Nails lease-holder Tai Anh Nguyen, 26, and his cousin Phu Danny-Quoc Nguyen, both of Ypsilanti.
But the back story of what led to the discovery was brought to light by a police report Ann Arbor.com obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
A Meijer manager thought he had a plumbing issue when he was informed of a leaking ceiling. Trying to find the source, he used a master key to check the nail salon on the store's upper level.
Ann Arbor.com reports that "the manager let himself in and noticed a puddle near a partially opened closet. There was also a light on. Inside he saw "numerous plants he believed were marijuana," the report said. "It appeared as though the water that was being used to grow the plants in the closet was overflowing and causing the water to fall through the floor into the ceiling."
Read the AnnArbor.com story.
Meijer responded by immediately terminating the nail salon's lease, said Meijer spokesman Frank Guglielmi.
"We've never had a case like this before," said Guglielmi.
AnnArbor.com reports Phu Danny-Quoc Nguyen, who had a medical marijuana card and was a certified caregiver, was sentenced to one year of probation in the case after pleading guilty to possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor.
In the closet, police found a hydroponic water filter, growing lights and ventilation tubing. While not considered a large grow operation, the police investigation noted Phu Nguyen was preparing for an expansion. His cousin who ran the shop said he wasn't involved in caring for the marijuana plants.
Email Shandra Martinez or follow her on Twitter


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As wide and deep as Antarctica's ice, as bright as its snow crystals in the headlight of a Ski-Doo, this book captures our coldest and most remote continent in all its mystery and wonder. What's more, its writing is as warm and secure as the regulation red parkas worn by its residents, none of them native, none of them permanent.
I can't recommend it highly enough. It is a cultural, psychological and scientific page-turner.
I admit to being an Antarcticaphile and have read many books about the land at the bottom of our planet, its South Pole reached by modern humans just over a century ago, and populated by far more penguins than people. Yet some of my key questions haven't been well answered: How do people survive psychologically at the South Pole, stranded with a handful of others for six months in a bleak, black landscape at 70 below zero? How is human waste processed there? Why do people come back to Antarctica season after season? What kind of fun is in it? And what do all those scientists study anyhow?
Eureka! Gabrielle Walker answers all those questions and more. Walker, a British Ph.D. chemist, writer and teacher, has visited Antarctica five times, starting 14 years ago. Once she stayed four months at McMurdo, the main American base. Perhaps because of her scientific credentials, she has had unusual access to bases operated by Britain, Italy, France and New Zealand, also persuading many lone wolf polar scientists to let her in on their work.
And, somehow, she seduces them into speaking poetry. Says one, who studies the shifting body temperatures of male emperor penguins: "I went almost mad with them. I had to know everything. . . . In some ways they were my experiment. In some ways they were my friends."
Says another, who drills 100 feet through ice to examine surprising microbial life buried in a slushy brine: "What are the extremes of life on this planet? How far can you push life before it doesn't become life any more? Maybe life on Earth started like this. Maybe it will finish like this."
Walker also listens to herself and describes transformations of her heart. In a rare whiteout caused not by snow by certain cloud-and-sun conditions, she writes of being enveloped by white: "Nothing had ever been so empty. . . . A white-walled room has corners and shades. There are always shadows. Except here. . . . I felt a deep delicious peace. . . . The emptiness had descended on me, and I didn't feel abandoned. I felt cradled."
At first she considers penguins "the clich`s of Antarctica, annoyingly cute. . . . I saw them as our way of diminishing the ice . . . and in the process we bring the continent down to a manageable human scale. I hated that idea."
But in time they come to mesmerize her, and her descriptions grow affectionate: "He looked like one of the seven dwarfs, on his way to work. Chest thrust out, flippers held out rigidly for balance, he trotted busily along, rocking from side to side, the embodiment of industry and effort. Hi ho, hi ho."
We can track Walker's travels via detailed maps attached to each chapter. She leads us into the past, into the lives and deaths of the continent's first explorers. But she thrives in the moment: She smears her fingers with ancient green mud found oozing beneath massive ice sheets. She blows soap bubbles in 40-below weather, watching them break into pieces and float away. She drinks a cocktail chilled by chips of cold from a yard-long ice core triumphantly drilled and lifted from the continent's almost impenetrable surface.
We learn how things work on Antarctica and why often they can't, because the continent -- our least understood -- won't let them. And no, Walker doesn't ignore the elephant on the ice: Read this book and your global warming anxiety will indeed grow, while you gain insights and information to argue the case to skeptics.Susan Ager is a critic in Northport, Michigan.


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This deal has ended.
A selection of shoes by Aerosoles and Life Stride are marked down by up to 75%. Even better, get free shipping, guaranteed by Christmas, on orders $50 and up. The pictured Aerosoles Serial Port Boots drop from $150 to $60, while the Aerosoles Mezzotint Boots go from $120 to $48. Also take a look at the Life Stride Armony Pumps, which drop from $55 to $19.99. There is no sales tax (except KY, NV, NC, NY, and WA).No longer available


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A low-pressure area with its associated fronts is pushing through today. As a front moves east of us, so will the steady rain by noontime. A few more showers trickle through in the evening, and, then, we'll enjoy a drier second half to the weekend.
Low pressure moves away Sunday allowing for a cool northerly breeze. This will dry us out and reveal some late-day sunshine. The sky becomes mostly clear Sunday night into Monday.
Tree pollen is at lower levels today thanks to the rain. It increases through the first half of the week, but rain returns Wednesday. Expect scattered showers to last into next weekend.
This afternoon: Cloudy with some p.m. sun then evening showers. High 55.
Sunday: Mainly cloudy. Breezy. High near 52.
Monday: Mainly sunny, near 60.


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WHITECAPS 5, LUGNUTS 3 (11 innings)
Next game: South Bend (Sean Morgan 2-2, 3.63) at West Michigan (Mark Sorensen 0-2, 3.52), 7 p.m. Wednesday at Fifth Third Ballpark
Radio: WBBL-AM (1340)
LANSING -- It took Avisail Garcia two chances, but the West Michigan Whitecaps outfielder made up for his mistake.
Garcia's two-run triple in the 11th inning gave West Michigan a 5-3 win against Lansing and a split of Tuesday's doubleheader at Oldsmobile Park.
The Whitecaps lost the opener 8-2.
Garcia, 17, made an error in the second inning that tied the game 3-3. The Whitecaps, who finished with 11 hits, had taken an early 3-0 lead in the first.
With the game tied 3-3 in the ninth, Garcia struck out with the winning run at third. But his triple in the 11th following a single by Jordan Lennerton and a walk to Ben Guez earned the Whitecaps the split.
The Whitecaps scored their three runs on a single by Brent Wyatt, a hit batter, a two-run double by all-star Ronnie Bourquin and RBI single by Guez.
The win ended more than 5 1/2 hours of baseball, and came after an ugly first game in which Whitecaps starter Casey Crosby (4-1) recorded his first loss. Crosby gave up nine hits and five runs in three innings.
Lansing collected 14 hits off three Whitecaps pitchers in the first game.
West Michigan took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a triple by Gustavo Nunez and a double by Bourquin.


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- Founded in 1944, the name "Kia" comes from two words (ki and a) - the latter standing for Asia - and roughly translates as "rising out of Asia"
- There are 12 Kia models available to lease at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, from the compact Picanto, Rio and Venga, to the Sportage and Sorento SUVs
- There are 12 Kia models available to lease at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, from the compact Picanto, Rio and Venga, to the Sportage and Sorento SUVs.
- The Ceed is Kia's current medium sized hatchback that compares favourably with European rivals, and is one of the most popular leasing options
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Kia News
Best-Ever March Sales for Kia in UK
Kia Motors (UK) Limited recorded its best ever one-month sales figure in March of 15,017 cars delivered.
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Kia Novo Fastback Concept Premiered at Seoul Motor Show
Kia's latest concept car, the Novo, was unveiled at the 2015 Seoul Motor Show, showing off a bold and exciting, coupe style and driver-focused cabin.


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Joseph H. Mundell, 40, of Lake Dallas, formerly of Amarillo, died Saturday, June 22, 2002, in Fort Worth.
Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Memorial Park Cemetery with Phil Mercado, associate pastor at Trinity Fellowship Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2820 Virginia Circle.
Mr. Mundell was born in Amarillo and had last worked as a truck driver in Dallas. He was in the Army Reserve.
Survivors include his father, William Mundell of Amarillo; his mother, Elaine Mundell of Michigan; two sons, Curt Mundell of Arkansas and Michael Mundell of Amarillo; two sisters, Valerie Marburger of Houston and Sherrie Doughterty of Minnesota; and a brother, William J. Mundell of Amarillo.
Amarillo Globe-News, June 26, 2002
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MOBILE, Alabama – Alabama state troopers worked four I-10 traffic accidents that resulted in injuries to three people and involved six vehicles Sunday afternoon, said Alabama State Police Mobile Troop Commander Joe Piggott.
Three of the accidents occurred between mile markers 8 and 10 along I-10 in Mobile County and troopers worked another on Grand Bay-Wilmer Road north of the interstate, Piggott said.
He added that all of the wrecks had been cleared from the roadway and there were no delays along that section of I-10 west of Theodore.
"We got more wrecks than we got troopers," Piggott said as the situation devloped early Sunday afternoon.
Sunday evening Piggott did not have the names of the injured, the extent of their injuries sustained or where they were taken for treatment.
Piggott also did not have specifics as to what caused the accidents.
He speculated that since they were in a relatively short stretch of the interstate, it was probable that secondary collisions occurred as drivers rubbernecked to get a look at another accident.
"It happens all the time on the Bayway," Piggott said. "There will be a wreck in the eastbound lane and traffic will be backed up for two miles in the westbound lane just because people want to get a look at what's happened."One of the accidents involved a single vehicle, two involved two vehicles and the fourth involved three vehicles, he said.
According to an earlier WKRG report, witnesses said a late-model Range Rover was flipped over in the median just west of the Dawes exit.
It appeared that a Volvo and an older model Chevrolet Blazer were also involved in that accident, though Piggott could not confirm what vehicles were involved in which accident.


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October 21, 2010
SUNY Empire State College to Honor Veterans Day
Veterans Read Recollections of War at NYS Military Museum
(SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Oct. 21, 2010) – "Veterans Recollections," readings from their original work by three SUNY Empire State College students who also are veterans who have written about their experiences in the military service, is set for Wednesday, Oct. 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the New York State Military Museum, 61 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs.
The event is in honor of Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11. Readers are:
- Ryan Smithson, author of "Ghosts of War," a compelling memoir of his experience in the military that allows readers to march alongside him on his one-year stint in the Middle East, including Iraq,
- Andrew Davis, director of Veterans Services for Saratoga County, New York. Davis was honorably discharged after serving six years in the United States Army as a Non-Commissioned Officer. He is a two-war veteran, having served three combined tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq with the U.S. Army's 75th Ranger Regiment, and
- Ed Herbert is a SUNY Empire State College student and a founding member of the college's Student Veterans and Military Club.
Video interviews will be conducted of veterans present at the event to be included in a documentary the college will produce and submit to the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress.
On Oct. 27, the readings will be streamed live at: http://pointers.audiovideoweb.com/asxfileslive/va92winlive2341.asx.
The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are requested at 518-587-2100, ext. 2949 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
A reception will follow.


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This report describes how to build the electronics for a resolver-based absolute angular position encoder for use on a telescope. This system is now in use on the VLA radio telescope azimuth and elevation positioning. The circuits are ideal for upgrading an existing encoder system to one with higher resolution or higher reliability. The report includes schematics, board designs, program source code, and excruciating detail about the design.
Be sure to check Appendix E - Errata. All the errors here have been corrected in the Production Version.
This upgrade to the VLA encoders provides 0.08 arcsecond (0.00002 degree) resolution at low power and high reliability while minimizing RFI emission.
Printable version, but no schematics or board designs (download these seperately): encoder.ps 385KB.
VLA Technical Report No. 76
Absolute Position Encoder Electronics Upgrade
Bob Broilo
February 18th, 2000


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DALLAS — Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand, who was paralyzed while making a tackle this season, has won the Courage Award given by the Football Writers Association of America.
LeGrand, a junior from Avenel, N.J., was injured Oct. 16 in a game against Army. The award will be presented Jan. 3 at the Orange Bowl in Miami.
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said that "Eric has displayed so much courage and determination throughout his injury and rehabilitation. He has given everyone associated with our football family at Rutgers the strength to persevere through life's challenges."
LeGrand is rehabilitating at Kessler Institute in West Orange, N.J. Last month, he was taken off a ventilator and is able to breathe on his own.


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Pm coming your way
Thanks dude. Still doubting it though.
Found one now:
Raekwon ft. Maino - To The Top
Yeah, we've got the real Fiddy back, the real Akon back- album with both Kendrick Lamar and J.Cole coming out, new album from Angel coming out! My life cannot get any better.
Yeah I heard it, I'm not a big fan to be honest. Though- I'm hoping it pops up on the music channels on TV, because I'll probably get addicted to it haha.
I know all the words to the song now, lol.
Nice to know, no worries mate.
That track is my new addiction haha!
Yo, man. Yeah bruv, things are sick. You alright?
You heard L Marshall - Castles?
I did manage to get some read time on it - very nice! Kinda mad with myself for not checking it out sooner... I love how there are so many recognizable wrestlers in it - not just current WWE guys and girls...
Ravens theme song- when I get home I'll post a pic- unless you are gonna use the one that was used for Raw. Trying to stay up in hopes I can sleep on the plane- it never works. I decided to look up Raven stuff to pass the time while I could have probably done the promo lol. I'd rather do that when I get home though
Black Ninja!
The Trinity
© 2011 eWrestlingNews, All Rights Reserved.


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You can cook these pancakes well in advance. Assemble the whole dish, then bake just before serving. The pancakes are made with half wholemeal flour and half plain flour to be light yet higher in fibre than regular pancakes.
Used different ingredients. My kids won't eat anything green, so I ditched the spinach, ricotta, mushrooms and most of the spices (only cos I didn't have them), and used diced/shredded ham and grated cheese. Then grilled them instead of baking. A HUGE hit with the littlies for a light dinner! - 07 Sep 2010


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You've heard of a financial bailout — but what about an ice hockey bailout?
That's exactly what one recreational hockey player from New Jersey had in mind when he persuaded a bunch of middle-age friends to travel to Iceland last October for a hockey tournament.
Michael Dee, 60, said he developed a soft spot for the troubled country after reading about how it had suffered a financial collapse and volcanic eruption in the span of two years. So the Branchburg resident, who has flown around the world for hockey tournaments, resolved to make the snowy land of puffin and reindeer his next stop.
In an e-mail pitch to a few friends — who quickly forwarded it to their friends — Dee proposed what he called the Great Iceland Ice Hockey Bailout. The idea was to boost the tiny country of 300,000 people with plenty of partying (bars stay open until 5 a.m.) — and, oh yeah, play some hockey on the side.
"Our slogan was 'Iceland is too small to fail,'" says Dee, a Drew University grad student who also owns the company that makes Smarties, the popular candy roll. "We thought we'd give them a hand."
In the end, Dee and about 100 hockey players from the United States and Canada traveled to Reykjavik, the country's capital, for the Iceland Air Cup. They spent more than $200,000 in four days — most of it, Dee admits, on alcohol and seafood (with a few wool sweaters and Viking helmets thrown in for the folks back home).
"It was pretty wild," he says. "Some of the guys figured they were bailing out Iceland by buying drinks for every girl in the bar. I helped out, too."
The $25,000 they paid in tournament fees also will be split between the Red Cross and a local youth hockey team.
Looking ahead to this fall, Dee says he plans to organize another Icelandic bailout, which he predicts will draw twice as many participants.
The ultimate goal, though, is to raise spirits, not just money. During their stay in Reykjavik the players bonded with local residents, many of whom talked about working three or more jobs to get by.
"It's about the morale of the country," says Dee. "And we did well over $1 million of morale boosting."


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News you can use
This week, we're sharing reports and articles you might find useful or motivating in your involvement with Habitat for Humanity. Learn more at these links about housing, poverty and how our work helps.
Building Families' Futures and Opportunities Through Habitat Homeownership
This survey by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation finds the vast majority of Habitat Canada homeowners are happier and healthier since moving in: "Broad positive impacts of the new Habitat home were noted, with 86 percent of the Habitat homebuyers indicating they were happier in their new housing and 89 percent indicating that their family life had improved."
From Blight to Light: Assessing Blight in the City of Dallas
Dallas Area Habitat commissioned this University of North Texas study to better meet its neighborhood revitalization goals. The study identifies Dallas' blighted areas, works to show their cost to the city and examines how other cities have reclaimed their own blighted neighborhoods. "Nonprofit organizations," the study notes, "empower community residents by providing awareness programs and education for maintaining homeownership by low-income households."
State of the Nation's Housing Report 2013
Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies has released its report on trends in economics and demographics in housing each year since 1988. This year's assessment notes yet another increase in those facing housing cost burdens. "At last count in 2011, over 40 million households were at least moderately cost burdened (paying more than 30 percent of their incomes for housing), including 20.6 million households that were severely burdened (paying more than half of their incomes for housing)."
"How to Design Our Neighborhoods for Happiness"
This article from Yes! Magazine examines how the design of neighborhoods can help create community and how that benefits everyone. "A neighborly sense of the commons is missing. You don't have to be a therapist to realize that this creates lasting psychological effects. It thwarts the connections between people that encourage us to congregate, cooperate and work for the common good."
"The Good Work That Habitat Does for Humanity"
This opinion piece from Texas' Marshall News Messenger offers a great, succinct summation of what Habitat is all about: "We do not know the number of families that have been given the opportunity to break out of the cycle of poverty and experience homeownership that would not have been possible otherwise. In just our small city, Habitat has raised 11 homes and will soon be working on no. 12. That represents a dozen families who have been given a chance to lift themselves up."


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Theresa May intervened personally last night to grant a British Army veteran from Fiji who had been held in immigration limbo for the past month the right to settle in the UK.
Filimone Lacanivalu, whose plight was first highlighted by The Times, was given the special treatment because of his nine years of service in the Armed Forces, including two tours of Afghanistan.
The decision came barely 48 hours before the former soldier had been due to be kicked out of the country and sent back to Fiji after he fell foul of bureaucratic red tape.
Mr Lacanivalu, 34, said


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Vote 'yes' for Snoqualmie Valley students in Feb. levy
This week, voters in our community will be receiving ballots for a very important election. The ballot includes two levy propositions for our schools: a four-year Educational Programs and Operations Levy, and a four-year Technology Levy. These levies, if approved by the voters, will renew levies passed back in 2010 that are set to expire in 2014. Like us, nearly all of our neighboring school districts are proposing levies of a similar nature in their respective communities.
Levy funds provide for a substantial part of our school district's budget. In fact, the Educational Programs and Operations Levy provides approximately 24 percent of the funds needed to operate our schools. This levy helps to fill the gap between what is provided by the state, and what is actually necessary to sustain the educational program for the students in our schools. The Technology Levy is needed because the state does not provide revenue to support and maintain technology in our schools. It is important to remember that these levies are not "add-ons" to existing levies. They would simply replace levies previously approved by the voters that are set to expire in 2014.
The outcome of the election will have a profound effect on the 6,300 students attending our schools, as these levies provide funding for additional teachers, specialists, and support staff beyond what is funded by the state. These levies also help pay for technology, teacher training, transportation, textbooks, utilities, maintenance and custodial services, school supplies, and after-school academic, athletic, arts, and activity programs for students.
Student achievement has been trending upward here in the Snoqualmie Valley School District in recent years, and our schools now rank among the finest in the entire state. Even so, we are committed to making them even better. As we continue the quest to make our schools the very best they can be, renewed support of these levies and the resources they provide is vitally important.
The quality of our schools is critical to the health, economy, reputation, and future of our community. Most importantly however, these propositions will sustain a significant portion of the funding necessary to ensure our students are fully prepared for college, careers, and citizenship. Please vote "yes" on these important levy propositions.
For more information on the levy propositions, visit the school district website at: www.svsd410.org or contact the Snoqualmie Valley School District at (425) 831-8000.
Joel Aune
Snoqualmie Valley School District Superintendent
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Common Names: Greenhead (drake), green-headed mallard (drake), susie (hen), gray duck (hen), northern mallard
Perhaps one of the most widely recognized ducks in North America, the Mallard remains a favorite for sport and meat. As one of the most abundant duck species, it is the source of all domestic ducks in North America, except the Muscovy.
Mallards are large, stocky dabbling ducks. Adult males in full breeding plumage are hard to miss with their striking dark green head, narrow white neck ring, brown chest white outer tail-feathers and recurved black central tail feathers. In non-breeding plumage (late summer), males resemble females, but are larger, have solid dark green crown and solid brown breast.
Females are more drab, a protection against predators when they are sitting on a nest. Female plumage has a streaky pattern in buff, white, gray or black through their brown feathers. They have a prominent dark eyeline and heavy orange bill.
Both drakes and hens have a blue/violet speculum bordered by a white strip. As well, in flight both sexes can been seen to flash a white underwing.
Mallards are extremely adaptable and use a wide variety of habitats. During breeding season, Mallards will nest in many different places that provide cover, including grasslands, marshes, bogs, riverine floodplains, dikes, road ditches, pasture, cropland, shrubland, fencelines, rock piles and forests.
When migrating, Mallards typically use shallow wetlands (e.g. marshes, small ponds, flooded agricultural fields). Hunting pressure can also affect habitat use. In autumn months, staging ducks will often congregate on grain fields.
Across their winter range, Mallards only require a ready food source and small area of open water.
Mallards are omnivorous and tend to eat anything that comes their way. During breeding season, a time when protein is needed for breeding and egg development, Mallards concentrate on animal foods such as midge larvae, dragonfly and caddis larvae, snails, freshwater shrimp and terrestrial earthworms. Outside of breeding season, Mallards eat mostly seeds from moist-soil plants, acorns, aquatic vegetation and corn, rice, barley and wheat from agricultural crops.
Most Mallards form pair bonds on the wintering grounds. As soon as open water appears on the breeding grounds, pairs arrive. Hens start selecting a nest site in about 5 – 10 days after establishing their home range.
Once a hen selects a suitable site, usually on the ground near water, they makes a shallow bowl by digging into the ground with their feet and rotating on their breast. Hens don't carry material to the nest, but pull in what they can reach with their bill while on the nest. As laying and incubation progresses, hens will add more vegetation and down from their breast.
Incubation starts during the egg laying period and gradually gets longer with each egg laid. Average clutch size for a Mallard is about 8 creamy to gray or greenish buff eggs. Eggs hatch after about 23 – 30 days. 24 hours before ducklings start to crack their shell (pipping), they begin to vocalize and the hens will respond with quiet calls. The first egg laid is the first egg to hatch.
Ducklings usually leave the nest with the hens about 13 – 16 hours after hatching, once their down is dry. Only hens care for the ducklings. They lead their brood to nearby water where ducklings feed themselves. Hens usually stay with their broods until they can fly (52 – 70 days).
Conservation and Management
Mallards are not threatened or endangered in any part of their range. Today, much of waterfowl management is based on Mallard populations. Mid-continent Mallard populations are used for Adaptive Harvest Management (USFWS) where computer models take environmental changes and biological responses over a year to predict populations sizes for waterfowl. AHM is currently being modified to incorporate information on other waterfowl breeding populations.
Sources of Information
Bellrose, F.C. 1976. Ducks, geese and swans of North America, 2nd edition. Stackpole Books, Pennsylvania.
Drilling, N., R. Titman and R. McKinney. 2002. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). In The Birds of North America, No. 658 (A. Poole and F. Gill ed.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.


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Results tagged ' MVP '
Victorino Is Clutch (Again)
The Phillies got good news last night when Cole Hamels pitched six strong innings at Great American Ball Park.
They could enjoy his efforts a little more thanks to Shane Victorino's game-winning homer in the eighth.
Victorino is having a heck of a season. He ranks eighth in the National League in batting (.308), eighth in on-base percentage (.381), ninth in slugging percentage (.544) and eighth in OPS (.925). He has 21 doubles, 14 triples, 15 home runs, 53 RBIs, 17 stolen bases and 79 runs scored.
He's been especially clutch late in games, too. In close-and-late situations (seventh inning or later with the batting team ahead by one run, tied, or with the tying run on base, at bat or on deck), he is second in the league in batting (.396), sixth in on-base percentage (.448) and first in slugging percentage (.849).
An .849 slugging percentage in close-and-late situations is ridiculous, but it looks even more ridiculous when you see the guy ranked second in slugging in those situations, Jose Reyes, has a .627 slugging.
That's a .222 differential.
No big deal.
If I had a NL MVP vote, Victorino would be my top Phillies player on the ballot. Not sure where he will finish overall, but if you've watched the Phillies play every day you know how valuable Victorino has been, both offensively and defensively.
Check out my Facebook page. Follow me on Twitter. Pick up a copy of my book.
Four Phillies Get MVP Votes
Joey Votto deservedly won the NL MVP with 31 first-place votes and 443 points.
Albert Pujols finished second with one first-place vote and 279 points. The rest of the top five included: Carlos Gonzalez (240), Adrian Gonzalez (197) and Troy Tulowitzki (132).
The Phillies had four players receive MVP votes:
- Roy Halladay finished sixth with 130 points.
- Jayson Werth finished eighth with 52 points.
- Ryan Howard finished 10th with 50 points.
- Carlos Ruiz finished 17th with 12 points.
Twenty-seven players received votes. The Phillies were the only team with four players receiving votes.
The Dodgers have hired Davey Lopes as their first base coach.
Halladay and Felix Hernandez won the Cy Young last week, which made the Phillies, Mariners and Cardinals the only three teams to win the four major postseason awards in the last 10 years.
The Phillies won the MVP in 2006 (Ryan Howard) and 2007 (Jimmy Rollins), Cy Young in 2010 (Halladay), Rookie of the Year in 2005 (Howard) and Manager of the Year in 2001 (Larry Bowa). The Cardinals won the MVP in 2005, 2008 and 2009 (Albert Pujols), Cy Young in 2005 (Chris Carpenter), Rookie of the Year in 2001 (Pujols) and Manager of the Year in 2002 (Tony La Russa). The Mariners won the MVP in 2001 (Ichiro Suzuki), Cy Young in 2010 (Hernandez), Rookie of the Year in 2001 (Suzuki) and and Manager of the Year in 2001 (Lou Piniella).
I've got a new Facebook page, where I'll post stories, blogs, thoughts, etc. Check it out here.
Follow me on Twitter. My Phillies book "The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly" is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!
Ibanez Looks MVP Worthy
It's June, but it isn't too early to say Raul Ibanez is making himself an early candidate for National League MVP.
He hit a three-run home run tonight in a 6-3 victory over the Mets in 11 innings at Citi Field. He leads the National League in RBIs (58), runs (49) and slugging percentage (.674). He is second in home runs (21). He is hitting .322 with a .377 on-base percentage. He has 15 doubles and two triples. He is playing good defense and has shown good abilities running the bases.
He has been a stud.
Of course, there is a long way to go, but what Ibanez has brought to the Phillies has been pretty special so far. He has made people forget about Pat Burrell, despite their protests when the Phillies let Burrell walk in the offseason.
Ibanez should be headed to his first All-Star Game in July.
He has a chance for more honors later.


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Not your usual spring break
By PHILIP PALERMO
The Mirror
Like many college students, Carly DeVries kicked off her spring break by hopping on a plane and taking a trip.
When she got off that plane, however, she was greeted not by a thriving party scene. Instead, the Washington State University junior said she was struck by the pervasive smell of mold in the air in a hot, humid city in need of help.
DeVries, a former Decatur High School student, spent her week-long break in New Orleans, helping victims of Hurricane Katrina.
You would have thought this happened last week, she said of the state of some homes in the Louisiana city.
She was among more than 100 WSU students including two other Decatur graduates, Amber Spencer and Megan Geiselman who took part in a nationwide effort sponsored by Campus Crusades for Christ. DeVries said she heard about the effort through her sorority Bible study group.
It was probably the most amazing spring break Ive ever had, she said.
Each day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the students helped gut houses and clean them out so they could either be rebuilt or torn down.
In the evenings, students were free to explore the city and experience the different characteristics that make New Orleans such a popular place.
DeVries said she saw firsthand how the regions southern hospitality hasnt faded away. The owners of one home, who had little left after the hurricane, still offered to buy lunch for the students that were gutting their home.
As much as we were trying to help them, they were the most giving people Ive ever met, DeVries said. Theyre so generous.
According to her mother, Carly knows a thing or two herself about generosity.
She likes to give her time and do philanthropic things, Carol DeVries said.
Carol said she was happy with her daughters decision to help, rather than head to the typical college spring break locales.
She chose to do something useful with her time, Carol said. I was very proud that she chose to serve others instead of being self-serving during spring break.
Carly said she hopes to continue helping those in need after college. While she does want a successful career, she also wants to help around the country.
Classes are back in session, and the students who volunteered in New Orleans have gone back to school. But DeVries said the work isnt over. In fact, she hopes to return to New Orleans this summer, and she encourages more people to help.
Id go back in a heartbeat, she said.
Staff writer Philip Palermo: 925-5565, email@example.com
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