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Tag Archives: west sacramento local news
What are those gizmos? Are you on camera at local traffic intersections?
By Steve Marschke
News-Ledger Editor
Have you ever seen those gizmos mounted on West Sacramento traffic poles, and wondered if they're cameras? And, if so, who's watching you?
There are at least three types of pole-mounted sensors around town at different street intersections. And Peter Hanson, an engineering assistant with the City of West Sacramento's Public Works Department, reminds us that none of them is a "red light" camera. The city doesn't currently have a "red light camera" program to catch red light runners.
So what, exactly, are these devices?
At the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Stone Boulevard, near the railroad tracks, you may see a thing that looks like a hanging bulb. It's one of several security cameras operated out of the Port of West Sacramento, which is serviced by the railroad.
"These cameras have a dual purpose," reported Hanson. "'A,', to observe the intersection (for security), and 'B,' to observe the traffic at the intersection."
Aside from monitoring security, the camera's view can be used by city staff to see how traffic light timing changes are affecting the flow of traffic, for example.
Another type of "camera" seen at some traffic-light controlled intersections is a long, white cylindrical device. Those are directly linked to the traffic light controls.
"Those are video detection systems," explained Hanson. "It knows if a car is coming or not. It actually sees cars, and changes the light for them. It 'sees' through algorithms, and it looks at the differences in contrast" in its field of view.
Then there are the more numerous little black items mounted on many a local traffic light pole.
"That's a detector for emergency vehicles," said Hanson. "If you look at an emergency vehicles, you will see a light bar on the roof, and in the center, there is a white strobe light. In our city, the fire and police vehicles each have one."
Those strobes on top of fire trucks and police cars can, when turned on, put out a pattern of white flashes – which is picked up by the traffic pole sensor, and earns a "green light" for that Code 3 emergency vehicle.
Ambulances serving the town can't do this trick, said Hanson.
There's at least one other smart gizmo on the street – or under it, to be precise. An "induction loop" can be buried in the pavement to sense the magnetic presence of a car that has pulled up to a red light, signaling the traffic lights that they need to change.
[adrotate group="7″] But none of these gadgets does what a "red light camera" would do, said Hanson. If you find yourself entering an intersection illegally after a light has turned red, the "sensor" that gives you a ticket needs to be an actual police officer.
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Copyright News-Ledger 2013
Practice for college entrance tests
[adrotate group="9″] FROM THE NEWS-LEDGER —
Students can practice for the SAT/ACT tests and get an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses. The event will be held at the library, 1212 Merkley Avenue, from noon to 4 p.m. on Sat., April 6, with results available at a session from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 18. Stop by the library, call it at 375-6465, or visit www.kaptest.com/college.
Copyright News-Ledger 2013
Free: RCHS plays at Raley Field
Raley Field will play host again to a round of high school baseball games this spring. The River City High School team from West Sacramento will be at the minor league park to take on Linden High on April 13. The junior varsity matchup is at 4 p.m. and varsity plays at 7:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free; teams will be selling River Cats tickets as a fundraiser. Visit www.rivercats.com/highschool.
Copyright News-Ledger 2013
When a bikini wax goes bad —
I, of course, have lots of friends (and non-friends for that matter) who think they could easily write this weekly column a whole lot better than I do, and one of the former had me laughing out loud the other day about something she said she had read on Facebook. She was absolutely convinced it would make for a fabulous column, and our conversation went a little something like this:
"It really would make a wonderful column," she assured me. "Do you want me to forward it to you so you can see for yourself?"
"That's alright," I said, my computer already overflowing with stuff other people have sent me that they think is a lot funnier than I do. "But why don't you go ahead and tell me about it."
"Okay," said my friend, already smiling. "This recently-divorced lady with young kids decided it was about time for her to stop moping around the house and start doing some dating. So she joined one of those social networking sites and soon had a date all lined up for a Friday night. So she gets off of work a little early, comes home, fixes dinner, plays with the kids, makes sure the babysitter is going to be there on time, and then goes into the bathroom to take a shower and get ready for her big going-out-to-the-movies date."
"What's funny about that?" I asked.
"Well, while taking her shower she quickly realizes that she has kind of let her body get out-of-hand, so to speak."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, parts of her body had become completely over-run with unwanted hair."
"Oh, I see," I said, returning her smile.
"So, she goes into her medicine cabinet and pulls out this waxing kit that she had purchased ages ago when she was still married. It's one of those cold wax kits, you know, the kind that you just rub the strips together in your hands until you get them warmed up. Then you pull the strips apart, apply them to your legs or wherever, and the hair is supposed to come right off. It's also supposed to be really easy to do, even if you're not very courageous at such things. But she gets the bright idea of using her hairdryer to heat up the strips, which is when things start going downhill. Anyway, although what she really wants to do is wax her bikini line, she wisely decides to try one of the much too hot strips on her leg first. Although the added heat and pulling off the strip turned out to be pretty painful, she decided to suck it up and move on up north."
[adrotate group="7″] "But why would she need to wax her bikini line if she was just going on a first date to the movies?" I asked naively.
"Trust me, women just feel better about themselves if they're prepared for every possibility and not all covered in unwanted hair."
"I see."
"Anyway, she checked on the kids, made sure she had plenty of time left before the babysitter and her date were scheduled to arrive, and then hurried back into the bathroom. She took off her robe, placed one foot up on the toilet, and then bravely applied a wax strip across the right-hand side of her bikini line, covering the whole right-half of her hoo-ha. Then she inhaled deeply, held her breath, and ripped it off."
"Then what happened?" I asked with interest.
"She went blind."
"Blind with pain! She didn't scream, though, not wanting to frighten her children. But once her vision returned, she realized she had only pulled off half the strip, so she had to woman-up again and rip the other half off. Thinking she might pass out, but knowing that she was only half-done with getting her bikini line just the way she wanted it, she reluctantly decided to apply another strip to cover the left side of her bikini line. But in the process her foot accidentally slipped off the toilet and she ended up with the new wax strip covering up most of her butt and nether regions. Then…."
"Wait a minute!" I interrupted my friend, obviously eager to finish her tale, "I can't possibly make a column out of what you've been telling me!"
"Why not?"
"Because the News-Ledger is a family newspaper and I can't be talking about bikini lines and hoo-has and a woman's nether regions! Our crack editor would quickly spot how inappropriate that is and I will be in big trouble."
"But I thought you told me he never reads your stuff anymore."
"Well, he doesn't, but I'm sure the headline to any story like that would quickly catch his attention."
"But if you just let me tell you the end of this story I'm sure you can make it into one of the funniest columns you have ever written! Believe it or else, she ends up taking a hot bath trying to get that wax strip off only to have her butt cemented to the bottom of her porcelain tub. Thankfully her cell phone was nearby and she was able to call a friend who told her there should be some lotion in the wax kit box for just such emergencies."
"You mean stuff like that happens to women all the time?"
"Oh, Daryl, if you only knew what we women have to do to try and please our men!"
"Well," I said, "it is a cute story, although I'm surprised that anyone would want to put it up on their Facebook page, and I do appreciate you taking the time to tell it to me."
"But like I said," I added, "I'm afraid it's just not something I can put in my column. I do have my standards, you know!"
You can support local journalism, support this website, and see all the News-Ledger's articles every week! Subscribe to the News-Ledge newspaper. It's only $20 per year within West Sacramento – once a week, delivered to your mailbox.
You can even try it for free for two months if you live in West Sacramento. Just send your name and mailing address to email@example.com (offer open to new subscribers in West Sacramento ZIP codes 95691 & 95605).
Copyright News-Ledger 2013
RCHS tennis off to winning start
NEWS-LEDGER — March 6, 2013 —
From River City
High School
The River City High School Tennis Team defeated both Amador and Bear River 7 to 2 and then opened Sierra Valley Conference (SVC) action with a 9-0 shutout of Union Mine to start the 2013 season a perfect 3 and 0.
At Amador, Lily He and Edward Xu won their #2 singles matches and the visitors swept all five doubles contests. In the girls' pairs, Sarah Yang and Sonia Bola took the top spot 8-2 while Nicole Melido teamed with Julia Quenga for an 8-0 win at #2. On the boys side, Matthew Tagupa and Akshay Prabhakar earned an 8-3 victory at #1 and Ben Gerelkhuu and Muradan Chhay overcame a slow start to win 8-5. Lina Vang and Amran Khan cruised to an 8-0 shutout in mixed doubles.
[adrotate group="7″] Up in Lake of the Pines against Bear River, Cindy Oseguera led the way with a 10-2 win in the top girls singles position and Lily He won 10-4 at #2. Gerelkhuu provided a 10-4 victory at #2 boys. Tagupa teamed up with Bola to take mixed doubles 10-2 and Sarah Yang partnered with Lina Vang to dominate #1 girls doubles 10-1. In boys doubles, Xu and Prabhakar won 10-3 while Khan and Phillip Dinh cruised 10-1.
The season's home opener was also the first SVC match of the young season and the host Raiders came out well-prepared. Michael Lee took care of the top boys singles match 6-4,6-3 and Xu won at #2 6-1,7-5. These were the two closest matches of the day as He won 6-2,6-2 at #1 girls singles and Bola rolled 6-0,6-1 at #2. In doubles, RC lost total of just seven games in ten sets. Khan and Tagupa won 6-1,6-1 at #1 boys and Dinh and Prabhkar scored a perfect 6-0,6-0 "double bagel" at #2. On the girls side, Oseguera and Sarah Yang (#1) and Melido and Lina Vang (#2) each posted 6-2,6-0 wins. Chhay and Ger Yang breezed through mixed 6-1,6-0.
Next up for RC will be nonleague matches tomorrow (March 7th) at Lincoln, Friday the 8th at home against Bret Harte, Monday the 11th at home vs. Delhi, and then back to SVC play in a home match against Galt on Tuesday the 12th. Matches begin at 4:00 p.m.
Copyright News-Ledger 2013
Free concert in West Sac
[adrotate group="7″] FROM THE NEWS-LEDGER —
The West Sacramento Community Orchestra invites you to a free concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, at the civic center galleria, 1110 West Capitol Avenue. There will be various classical selections plus music from Sweet Charity and a Beatles medley. The orchestra will also offer a free concert at 7:30 p.m. on March 12 at Centennial United Methodist Church, 5401 Freeport Blvd. in Sacramento. For information on joining the orchestra, call 991-5262. The group has openings for strings, horn, harp and percussion.
Copyright News-Ledger 2013
New 'patisserie' aims to provide pastry treats — and job training for local teens
By Steve Marschke
News-Ledger Editor
You can now pick up a lemon tart, éclair or canalé – all made under the supervision of a trained pastry chef – at an unlikely place: the Collings West Sacramento Teen Center.
The new pastry shop, or patisserie, is open for your morning treats from 7-11 a.m. on weekdays at 1541 Merkley Avenue, and it is intended to become a place where West Sacramento teens can learn job skills.
The shop is headed up by Gary Campbell. He's a self-described "local boy" who has trained for bakery skills at the Cordon Bleu in Portland and worked for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Las Vegas before layoffs at the hotel nudged him back to West Sacramento. He's also a longtime assistant coach for the River City High School football team.
"The teen center is a nonprofit – we fight for the same dollars as other nonprofits," explained Campbell, 53. But with support from sponsors like Agrium, the chemical company with a plant in West Sacramento, the center was able to start the new pastry shop venture.
Putting a kitchen in the teen center wasn't a new idea.
"We offered a late lunch program for the kids anyway," said Campbell. "The vision was to bring some type of culinary training for the students. We started the process over the last three years, getting the kitchen the way it is now. Most of the equipment is donated. The goal is to have a functioning retail bakery with practical experience (the students) can take with them."
Right now, Campbell is working with several students from the nearby Heritage Peak Charter School, which offers academics up to the high school level. Lane Byers, a 20-year old recent graduate of Heritage Peak, has become Campbell's "right hand man."
"Lane's been great," Campbell said. "He started in the beginning, had no cooking experience, and he's been coming on really fast. He started with the basic stuff, scaling and measuring. He's at the point where he can make pretty much any of the elements we use here. Lane's now working on his 'piping' and filling of items."
Campbell hopes to expand and formalize the training at the pastry shop.
"Ultimately, our goal is to break even," he said. "We'd like to, at some point, make it a more formal (internship) program, so we can offer a stipend and tools they can take with them when they graduate – a knife roll and chef's coat."
Those are the "tools of the trade" a baker is expected to own, said Campbell – the white coat along with a set of good-quality knives in a roll-up fabric knife holder.
Students need to get up a tad early to work at the bake shop.
"We're starting at 5 o'clock – from 5 to 7 is our morning bake," he said. "With baking, there are a lot of elements that go into each item. For cream puffs and éclairs, you have to make the shells first. For quiches, you make the shells separately. There are a lot of things we don't do on a daily basis – they have to learn to manage their time and prep work, not just for that day, but for the week."
The pastry shop just opened its doors with a "soft opening," using word of mouth and flyers at nearby businesses. Later, the shop may expand into some lunchtime offerings.
"It's been kind of hit-and-miss," in the first few days, reports Campbell.
[adrotate group="9″] What's his personal favorite out of the pastry case?
"I like the macaroons, and probably the canalés are my favorites," answered Campbell. "Those are a basic custard, but with flour added so they hold their shape. They have some of the flavor of a crème brulée."
That endorsement is seconded by a News-Ledger reporter – who also gave high marks to the shop's lemon tarts – a favorite of teen center administrative assistant Jennifer Enright.
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Copyright News-Ledger 2013


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It's a bittersweet Thanksgiving for the family of 14 year-old Kawehi Adkins-Kupukaa. The Campbell High School sophomore was killed on Tuesday following a horrific crash in Ewa Beach on Tuesday.
Their holiday dinner was spent at the crash site that took their loved one's life. While the family is still mourning their loss, the teen's mother is trying her best to stay positive.
"I actually feel happy, I do feel happy; this is happy cries, just to have family around," said Kawehi's mother Janelle.
Today's meal started with a prayer for Kawehi. She was killed when a classmate driving a GMC Envoy crashed into two cars and a utility pole.
"It's three days later; still shocked," said her Aunt Sharlene Kupukaa.
As tears streamed down their faces, family members embraced each other for support. Instead of cancelling their holiday gathering, the family knew Kawehi would want them to spend Thanksgiving together.
"She's around here in spirit that's why we still continue this Thanksgiving for her because she wouldn't want this to be stopped," said her mother.
But the silence makes it clear that it is a Thanksgiving without her.
"If everyone know Kawehi, she can talk and talk and talk," said Janelle.
Her mom wanted to make sure she felt included today by serving her favorite, Auntie Pauline's lau lau. But the growing memorial is a reminder to her family that there is a big part of them missing today.
"It's hard, it's really hard, but we are happy. We want her to be happy," said Sharlene.
At last check, the 16-year-old driver, Brandon Harris, is still in the hospital in critical condition.
Kawehi's boyfriend, who was also in the car, is back home along with the woman driving the car that was hit.

subset: commoncrawl


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As The Weather Turns
The Phillies took on the Atlanta Braves today in Orlando and won, 7-3. As for me, I was taking the day off from baseball and the crappy weather today…not to mention skipping the 2 hour drive to Orlando. Instead of sitting in the rain, I decided to go scuba diving with sharks and other critters at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa. In the video, you will see a lady behind me with a big stick shooing the sharks away as they got too close. The other guy is the dive master – his job was to rescue me should something try to make dinner out of me :O) Happy to say, I still have all my fingers and toes. There were reef sharks, white tips, sand sharks, nurse sharks and others…check it out:
So while I was off tempting fate, the Phillies were braving the nasty weather. It was cold, windy and rainy today, yet the Fightin's prevailed. Marcus Giles stole the show with 2 hits, 2 steals and 1 RBI; Eric Bruntlett collected 2 hits as well and swiped one bag.
The real fun though was the battle for the 5th starter position which continued today when Chan Ho Park took the mound for 3 innings. Park gave up 4 hits and a solo homer, leaving with a 3.0 ERA and he got the win. Tomorrow both JA Happ and Carlos Carrasco will get their next turn at making a good impression.
A few injuries on the home front: Jayson Werth has not played yet in Spring Training due to what he says was a slow start after a less than productive off-season. Is that a nice way of saying he sat on his butt and ate Ben & Jerry's for 3 months? Hmmm… Werth is scheduled to start tomorrow; we will see how it goes. I'll be on the lookout for love handles :O) Brad Lidge and Chad Durbin are also in a holding pattern; Lidge has a sore shoulder and Durbin has a sore right hamstring. I am guessing this is baseball related, not ice cream related. Then again, fill up that spoon and lift…it can be quite tasking.
See you in Dunedin tomorrow; game time 1:05pm vs. the Toronto Blue Jays.
***Visit the Phillies Phollowers Online Shop today!***
*Read more about the Phillies at MY OTHER HOME PAGE! Phillies Phollowers has joined forces with Phightin' Phils Phorum! Please check out our site and bookmark it.
*Remember also to check out our homepage My Team Rivals and our Phillies, Flyers, Eagles, Billy Penn Curse, Reinstate Pete Rose, Phillies Mets Rivalry, Phillies Marlins Rivalry, and Phillies Braves Rivalry and my very own Miami Dolphins page, The Dolphin Pod!
8 Comments
Looks like you had a blast! A few years ago we took our boys to swim with the dolphins at Discovery Cove in Florida. It is something we will never forget.
Wow. Was that really you in the video, Jenn? You couldn't get me near a shark if you paid me! Very courageous of you.
Well your sure brave! I could never do that! Looks like you had fun. Glad you still have your fingers and toes..they could come in handy some day🙂
I sure hope nothing serious comes from that soreness that Brad, Jayson, and Chad have.
And if you get a chance, could you check out my new blog? I'm new at this and all help is greatly appreciated🙂 Thanks.
Yes, it is really me…I LOVE scuba diving…and oddly, I fear very little. I've played with snakes, tarantulas, bats, etc… Doesn't phase me. But bugs do creep me out a bit… there had to be something, right? :O)
Jealous! Wish I could go see some of these games. So, is that a good line for Park or not?
It's about average for Park…the 4 hits concern me more than the homer, but still pretty good.


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Perfect Hollandaise Sauce
By Leslie Bilderback 05/01/2010
Hollandaise is considered, in classic cuisine, one of the five mother sauces (the list also includes sauces béchamel, espagnole, velouté and tomato), not because it is served on Mother's Day but because, like all mother sauces, it is the base from which dozens of other sauces are created.
Like all great dishes, the origin of Eggs Benedict is hotly contested. Sometime in the 1880s or '90s, Mrs. Le Grande Benedict, or Mr. Lemuel Benedict, or Commodore E.C. Benedict, dined at the Waldorf Astoria, or Delmonico's, or on a yacht. He or she requested the dish either as a hangover cure or because they were bored with the usual fare, and the creation ended up on the menu. To make your own, layer a toasted English muffin with Canadian bacon, a poached egg and Hollandaise. Or turn it into Eggs Sardou by layering an artichoke heart with anchovies, creamed spinach, a poached egg and Hollandaise.
1¼ pounds (5 sticks) unsalted butter
6 egg yolks
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons cold water
A pinch each of kosher salt and white pepper
1. Melt butter slowly, then set aside to cool. Do not stir butter. Let the solids sink to the bottom, and skim the foam off the top. The pure butter fat in the center (called clarified butter) is what you will use for this recipe.
2. Fill the lower portion of a double boiler* with water and bring to a simmer. In the upper portion, before setting it over heat, combine egg yolks, lemon juice and water. Whip vigorously until the color begins to lighten, 1 to 2 minutes. Set over the simmering water and continue whisking until the eggs become thick and creamy. Never stop whisking while heating, or the mixture will congeal into scrambled eggs (for which there is no quick fix).
3. Remove the thickened yolks from the heat, and while whisking, start drizzling the clarified butter into the yolks very slowly. It should take about 3 minutes to incorporate all the butter. (Place the bowl on a wet towel to keep it from spinning as you whisk with one hand and drizzle with the other.) Finish with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.
* Create your own double boiler by placing a stainless or ceramic bowl on top of a saucepan. When the bowl is resting on the pan, there should be enough room for a couple of inches of water and an inch of air between the water and the bottom of the bowl.
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Browse by Artist
|Artist: Lissitzky, El 5 of 5
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Proun, 1923
El LissitzkyRussian, 1890-1941
Lithograph with pasted paper on wove paper
23-7/8 x 17-3/8 in. (60.6 x 44.1 cm)
Norton Simon Museum, The Blue Four Galka Scheyer Collection
© Norton Simon Museum
Not on view
In the 1920s Lissitzky designed a number of museum installations in Germany. In 1925 he published a book with Jean Arp, and in 1927 he painted the murals for the Hannover Landesmuseum's Hall of the Moderns, later destroyed by the Nazis. Although Lissitzky was well known in Germany in the early 1920s, Scheyer probably first became acquainted with his work through her friends at the Bauhaus.
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Lucky Bums IncNo Reviews Available | post a review
Boise, ID US
(208) 345-1611
Store Website
Send Them an Email
About Lucky Bums Inc
|"We started Lucky Bums from our desire to instill our love of outdoor sports into our children. When we went in search of ski training products and other gear built with children and parents in mind, what we found was generally poorly made, inadequate, and not much fun for anyone involved," said Lucky Bums co-founder Jeff Streeter. "We're excited to offer products that help kids enjoy the outdoors – and make what can often be a frustrating experience for parents more enjoyable."
"It's easy to find reports that urge families to get out and enjoy outdoor activities together to improve family life as well as children's overall physical and mental health, but it's not as easy to find products that make that suggestion a reality," says David Ray, a Boise-based physical therapist and certified athletic trainer. "Lucky Bums is answering the call by offering affordable, well engineered products that encourage family recreation, while keeping in mind ease of use for parents and children alike."
Lucky Bums Inc began operations in 2003
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Lucky Bums Inc Contact Information
Lucky Bums Inc Website
New Gear From Lucky Bums Inc This Season
|Lucky Bums, Inc. has begun shipping the Lucky Bums Snow Sport Daypack, a feature-rich pack that enables children to pack their own gear including snowboard, skis or snowshoes easily.
With its 'real gear for kids' commitment in mind, Lucky Bums has developed a pack that helps kids be more independent while enabling parents the privilege of easily integrating their children into their outdoor sports time.
"Our ski products help bring families together while leaving the frustration behind," said Lucky Bums cofounder Julie Streeter. "Our training products make it easy for parents to teach their children the basic tenets of skiing—and now the Snow Sport Daypack has relieved a little more stress by letting the kids be a part of the entire skiing experience. They can pack their own gear out of the car and into the lodge and feel like they're contributing to the effort. Parents are happy to have a more independent child – and are, of course, happy to have the help."
Where to Buy Lucky Bums Inc Online
You can also purchase Lucky Bums Inc directly from their website
Lucky Bums Inc - Their Specialties
|With decades of extreme outdoor experience, a mind for engineering and a parent's practicality, Lucky Bums was born. The company focus is on creating affordable high-quality children's gear that shorten the learning curve and lengthen the opportunities for family enjoyment.
"Every product we create is made with one vision in mind, and that's to help make family's lives easier and better". -- Jeff Streeter
Lucky Bums Inc Service
|Beginning Novemeber 17 all technical daypacks will INCLUDE Hydration Reserviors ( a $17.50 added value)
Lucky Bums Inc Products
Alpine Skiing
Alpine Skiing Accessories
Alpine Ski Bags
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Other Nordic Ski Accessories
Telemark Skiing
Telemark Bags and Packs
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Hydration Packs
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Hiking Gear
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"Your radio show changed my life. As a result of listening, I converted to Catholicism at 53 years old. I was a very active Protestant my whole life before becoming a Catholic. Keep up the terrific work!"
~ Connie
Q&A Newsletter
"We rightly praise the Slavonic letters invented by Cyril, in which praises to God are set forth."
~ Pope John VIII, an excerpt from his sanction of the use of the Slavonic language in the Mass and other church offices, noting the invention by St. Cyril of a special alphabet which now bears his name (Cyrillic); part of the church's civilizing work among the pagan Slavs


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Crispy Sesame-Crusted Brussels SproutsDecember 2009
Crisp, leafy brussels sprouts lie still under a shower of toasted sesame seeds.
Makes: 10 servings
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 40 mins
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 pounds brussels sprouts, halved
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
- In an extra-large skillet, melt the butter in the sesame oil and vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the brussels sprouts and crushed red pepper and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until golden-brown, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on top and cook until the brussels sprouts are dark brown and crunchy, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.


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Everything you need to know about our scholarships and how to apply for one can be found here. Please scroll down so you can become familiar with the easy-to-access information and online tools we have created for your convenience.
As the nation's largest provider of college financial aid to Latino students, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund offers a diverse range of scholarship programs, including Gates Millennium Scholars. Our aim is to provide you with the information and resources you need to achieve success. ¡Suerte!
There are a number of general requirements that must be met to qualify for any scholarship awarded by, or through, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Some specialized scholarships also have additional requirements.
In order to qualify for an HSF scholarship, each applicant must meet all of the following requirements:
Some additional restrictions or requirements may apply to specific scholarship programs administered by HSF. Please check carefully the program guidelines for each scholarship to which you plan to apply.
If you have any questions please see our FAQs or Contact Us.
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4-25-09 Oriole Park at Camden Yards
I was looking forward to my first ever trip to Camden Yards. I should've known that something was up though because before leaving, I filled up my half empty gas tank with 6.66 gallons of gas. Not good.
I drove to Baltimore and checked into the Ramada Lord Baltimore (Radisson) hotel.
And right before 5PM, there were hundreds of people that snaked off into the distance and behind the Sports Museum.
This was not a good sign for batting practice.
The gates opened and I ran into right field first. It would be the last time I would run for somewhile. There was me and some other guy in the section. I long home run was hit within the first minute. It landed about 10 rows behind me, closer to the other guy. He ran to get the ball. I also ran to get the ball. We both ran to where the ball had landed but couldn't find it. I then noticed some movement under the seats. It was rolling down the stairs under the seats. It was two rows ahead of me. I attempted to stradle a row of chairs to get to it quickly. The drop must've been more than I expected because my foot landed awkwardly and immediately rolled over. I went down like a pile of bricks. The other guy saw what happened and ran over and snatched the ball. I was in a lot of pain. I had to sit down for a couple minutes. I tried to stand up but couldn't walk. My ankle was in bad shape. Should I go home or continue on?
I toughed it out and limped over to left field. Since I had season tickets for this game, I had an extra 30 minutes with only season ticket holders. There were a few balls hit out, but I had absolutely no range. Usually I can cover at least one full section to my left or right to chase a home run. Now? Maybe 2-3 seats either way. A home run landed near me, but I wasn't able to get to it in time. Some teenager ran over and grabbed it and screamed "It's mine!!!" and started celebrating like he had caught Joe Carter's 1993 Game 7 World Series walk off home run. I really wasn't in the mood.
Several minutes later another home run hit and bounced diagonally directly to me. I bent over gingerly and picked up ball #1.
Right before the stadium opened to the general public, another home run was hit. It was directly at me. I barely had to move. I caught the home run on the fly.&
nbsp; It was ball #2.
The stadium really filled up with people. Being from Pittsburgh, it was by far the most crowded batting practice I had ever seen.
I was extremely irritated.
The Rangers must have been having their own Home Run Derby competition, because it was insane the amount of home runs they were hitting, and how far they were hitting them. Josh Hamilton hit one over the batter's eye, and peppered a few more off of it. He was also hitting opposite field shots into the left field seats. Balls were landed a good 25 rows back.
I wasn't able to get anything though.
I went over to center field to check out the bullpens. There was 10 balls sitting in the grassy area to the right of the bullpens beneath the batters eye. I met and chatted with another ballhawk who said that the pitching coach usually comes out and tosses the balls up. There was one ball at the very back that was about 10 feet out. However, it was a big drop between the seats and the grassy area against the batters eye. I would've used the glove trick, but I figured I'd save myself the aggravation and just wait for the pitching coach.
An Orioles bullpen catcher came out and started getting the balls. Myself and the other ballhawk asked politely for the balls. He totally ignored us. He gathered all of the balls, most if not all were hit by Texas Rangers, and put them in the ball bag. I'm real sure that pitchers want to warm up with balls that were crushed 420+ feet. No wonder the Orioles lost today.
I took my seat in the 6th row, almost directly behind home plate.
It was pretty good foul ball territory, since I was right on the aisle.
I took a few shots of the game.
Josh Hamilton:
Nick Markakis got the biggest ovation of the night from Orioles fans.
I ended up leaving the game in the 4th inning as I noticed a huge bulge in my sock. My ankle was swollen really bad. After sitting down for a few innings, I could barely even walk. I made it to the outside of the stadium and flagged down a taxi to take me back to my hotel room.
I snapped this picture in the mirror of the balls I caught today. I wasn't happy.
I had tickets for Sunday's game, but found a buyer for them. They came and picked up the tickets on Sunday morning at my hotel. There was just no way I could go to the game. I'm at home now, and can't put any substantial weight on my ankle without pain.
Hopefully my ankle can heal enough so I can get to some games this week.
Game: 2 Balls (2 hit)
Season: 50 Balls (19 hit, 25 thrown, 6 device)
Games: 11 Games (9 with BP, 2 without)
Average: 4.55 Balls per Game
Career: 216 Balls
Attendance: 41,160
5 Comments
Tough luck, Erik. Nobody likes a trip to the DL. That's a pretty ugly sprain, too. I had one like that about six years ago and my right ankle is still a noticeable bit larger than my left.
I know what you mean about Josh Hamilton, too. That guy can flat out RAKE. When he was at Minute Maid last year, he was really giving the guys in the right field mezzanine their money's worth during BP. He was mashing them like no one I've ever seen.
Donny in Houston
Erik –
Congratulations ……… You are now officially a Ballhawk! Bumps and bruises are the norm as well as twisted and sprained ankles! I hope it's gone down soon since the Buc's will be home soon!
Major League Ballhawk
Hi Erik…
That really does suck about your ankle. MLBBallhawk is right though. You're officially in the club. We all get hurt at some point. The key is to learn from it and not get hurt the same way again. Hey, you still got two balls while you were hurt. That's the true sign of a ballhawk. You didn't give up! Great job.
I'm not sure if you know this, but I am in management for Hilton Hotels. Here's the thing about ANY Priceline.com type guest that we get. We know that you didn't pay crap for your room, therefore we are going to give you the worst room possible that we can. Something that we would sell last or towards the end of the night when we're sold out. We always hook up the full price paying guests over the online people. I AM POSITIVE that the Radisson had other rooms they could have put you in, but they told you they only had the handicapped room Ha ha. Every chain does it. $50 is a good price though. Anyway, I hope you feel better soon and your Pirates really put it on is this weekend. Way to go. Jake Peavy still sucks. Take it easy.
You look pissed. I think Gary (Kowal) and myself will be heading over to Baltimore on May 6th in hopes of snagging one of those HHH Metrodome commemorative balls. We'll see..feel better big guy.
– Donnie
Hamilton is amazing. I got a taste of what it must've been like at the Home Run Derby last year. He was killing the ball.
Thanks for formally accepting me as an official ballhawk. Hopefully I can stay healthy once this heals.
Thanks for the heads up about the hotels. I thought it was funny that they didn't have anything but crappy rooms, especially since I was checking in at 2:45 PM. You're right, I'll be more careful in similar situations so as not to roll my ankle again. I'll probably wear a brace for a while, because it'll be more likely to be injured again while its healing.
I hope you have better luck in Baltimore than I did. Good luck getting some Twins balls.


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Will Anne Hathaway's Performance In 'Les Miserables' Bring Oscar Gold?
One take. That's all it took Anne Hathaway to land both an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress AND cement herself as the favorite to win the award.
Her brief appearance in Tom Hooper's adaptation of Les Miserables was nothing short of epic, nailing her performance of "I Dreamed A Dream" in just one take. Hathaway gives off so much emotion during the scene that it's hard to get through it with a dry eye. Not to mention she's weeping herself throughout the sad song.
So who's she up against?
Only two-time Oscar winner Sally Field, whose portrayal of the batsh*t crazy Mary Todd Lincoln in Lincoln was something she begged director Steven Spielberg for and something he gave her after testing her with Lincoln himself, Daniel Day-Lewis. Don't be surprised if Field upsets, because as you know, the Academy likes her.
Strong performances from Amy Adams in The Master and Helen Hunt's sex therapist in The Sessions, along with Jacki Weaver in Silver Linings Playbook could leave this one up for grabs, considering Hathaway's screen time is right around 40 minutes -- the minimum for any film to receive a Best Picture nomination.
The Nominees: Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role
Amy Adams in "The Master"
Sally Field in "Lincoln"
Anne Hathaway in "Les Misérables"
Helen Hunt in "The Sessions"
Jacki Weaver in "Silver Linings Playbook"
Who will win: Anne Hathaway
Who should win: Anne Hathaway


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Teaching Support Services
Director, Teaching Support Services: Sandra Hughes, BA, MA, MEd firstname.lastname@example.com, ext. 4104
Teaching Support Services (TSS) is comprised of a number of distinct departments with interconnected and varying responsibilities. These departments include,
Educational Development (ED)
Educational Technologies
Centre for Online Learning (OC)
Quality Assurance Office (QAO)
Continuing Studies (CE)
Part-time Studies (PTS)
Academic & Related Dates 2011/2012
Other Calendars


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Folklorists to offer 'Cool of the Day' workshop
Does being in a cool glen along the banks of a wild river in a deep forest ever make you want to break into song? Does it rekindle thoughts of pioneers and hard times? How did singing sustain them through long nights and lonely days? Young and old alike looked forward to hearing their favorite stories told and sung around the hearth when the work was done.
For a week this summer, folklorists Michael and Carrie Kline, devoted to singing and sharing Appalachian folk music, will lead a class through the Allegheny Mountain country of northcentral West Virginia, teaching songs from local family repertoires. Singing instruction will plant each of the old songs firmly in each student's memory in the course of the week. The class will travel from Elkins daily to sing on mountaintops, huge rock formations, riverbanks and in shady groves. This weeklong program, titled "The Cool of the Day: Singing in Sacred Places," will run daily from July 22-26. The class can accommodate 12 students and is expected to fill quickly.
Discounted early registration is available through Wednesday. Final registration will be June 15.
Michael Kline has been active since the late 1970s in preserving old ballads, work songs and fiddle tunes. Carrie Nobel Kline is a compelling singer and experienced documentarian. Recording in homes across the Alleghenies and beyond, they have documented the singing of West Virginia's Hammons, Carpenter, Marks and Stover family members among many others, and enjoyed close friendships with traditional singers. He published articles about fiddlers such as Ernie Carpenter and Woody Simmons and singers such as Hazel Stover, Ethel Caffie Austin and Nat Reese. Music is at the heart of West Virginia culture and experience. From the very first, it sustained our ancestors. They sang to survive in the wilderness.
Two hundred fifty years ago, hardy immigrants from the British Isles began to settle the rugged mountains of West Virginia. Arriving on leaky ships after months on stormy seas, they brought to the New World musical traditions oftenpre-dating the Middle Ages. The ancient, raw ballads of old Europe have survived in the singing memories of many West Virginia families. The old, mostly a cappella songs resonate with images of ancient kingdoms, crusades, deeds of both valor and treachery, and broken-hearted love, as well as humorous ditties and religious ballads, blues and camp meeting songs.
Michael and Carrie Kline's previous students have come from West Virginia and far beyond. Brooklyn, N.Y. resident Helen Engelhardt attests, "I went down to the hills of West Virginia for a week of Appalachian music and lore. It was the Klines – their warmth and love for each other and the people whose stories and songs they have dedicated their lives to recording and sharing – that was the ultimate gift."
More information is available by emailing firstname.lastname@example.com or calling 304-636-5444.


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About NovicaWe want to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow. At the deepest essence of our philosophy, we want to create a bridge between you and the many talented artisans across the globe. We want you to know about who you're buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it.
I recently received two beautiful Novica items, one from Peru, and one from Mexico. From Mexico I got the Blown glass planters crafted by Javier Gutiérrez and Efrén Canteras. Since it's too cold to put anything out on my balcony right now, I used the large planter as a vase, and the second as a planter for a house plant. I think they are really beautiful.
There are so many goodies at Novica! It also always feels good buying from an artisan whose story is told along with the product.
Here are some of my Novica favorites. The site is brimming with a large selection of silver chandelier earrings, lush wraps and ruanas from peru, and some really special and unique home decor items.
Balinese silversmith Kenari fashioned these gorgeous silver earrings. See them here.
This looks so soft and warm and comfortable, I would probably end up living in this wrap by Peruvian artist Alfredo Falcon. See it here.
Kahlil Ahmed's wool rug from India. Click here to see.
I could find so many ways to use a $100 gift code at Novica! For your chance to win, pick out a favorite item from Novica, and leave a comment on this post (instructions below) sharing that item. Entry closes Friday the 14th at 12:00 AM EST. The code expires 1/13/2013, and is a one time use only code.
Good luck!
* To comment on this post (scroll to the bottom of this post and right above "Labels" you will see a number followed by the word "comments." Click on the word "Comments." Or, you will see a link, "Post a Comment," which you click on to comment.
Or, you can email me at ashley [at] decorologyblog [dot] com to enter and with your favorite.


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Sheriff fires deputy after shooting
WARREN – Even though a Trumbull County sheriff's deputy, who has since been fired, was among numerous witnesses present during an early-morning fatal shooting in a downtown nightclub New Year's Day, city police said they are further from an arrest than they were nearly two weeks ago.
According to a police report, Alvin Jennings, 31, of 2715 Dunstan Drive, was at the Sunset Lounge when 25-year-old Cory D. Blackwell was gunned down inside the East Market Street club. The police report lists the Sunset Lounge as Jennings' employer at the time.
However, the morning of the shooting, Jennings was also employed by the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office as a reserve deputy sheriff.
On Tuesday, Sheriff Thomas Altiere confirmed that he has since terminated Jennings.
"He wasn't supposed to be there," Altiere said. "We have policies against that and he violated that."
Altiere explained that county sheriff employees are prohibited from working, even when they are off duty, at a "liquor establishment."
Additionally, employees are required to make a request with his office and receive approval before accepting a second position anywhere, even when the position doesn't involve alcohol or carrying a weapon. Altiere said Jennings never made a request to work at the Sunset.
Security came into question Tuesday when attorney Dennis DiMartino, who represents Sunset and the building's owner, Joseph Sankey, complained that one problem the club encountered was the Warren Police Department's failure to respond to a written request for off-duty officers to work there.
"He (Police Chief Tim Bowers) has been sitting on it," DiMartino said.
DiMartino said the Sheriff's Office would not provide security because Bowers had yet to make a decision. DiMartino then said a sheriff's deputy and another man were working security when Blackwell was killed.
Later Tuesday, Bowers said his department did respond to Sunset's request but could not come to terms with the owner.
Warren Safety-Service Director Enzo Cantalamessa concurred, explaining that the Sunset did not meet the city's criteria including pay rates and insurance requirements. Cantalamessa did not have the specific numbers readily available.
Warren City Council has asked the Ohio Department of Liquor Control to not renew the Sunset's liquor license because of more than two dozen police calls there since May.
After the shooting, the city agreed to not file for a nuisance abatement against the business in exchange for Sankey closing Sunset temporarily.
At that time, city police said they anticipated making an arrest soon in the Blackwell shooting. However, on Tuesday, police said that despite questioning numerous individuals and pursuing several leads, the case remains under investigation.
Jennings confirmed he was working security for the club at the time of the shooting, but was not acting on behalf of the Sheriff's Office. He said he did not have Altiere's authorization to work at the club.
He said police have questioned him about the shooting, but he cannot discuss it because it is an open investigation. He said he was unarmed.
"I regret being there," Jennings said. "I lost my job and it's just not worth it. But more than that, to be there when someone is killed and not be able to do anything to stop it. I just regret it."
The second security guard, Desmond D. Rhodes, 31, of 2733 Dunstan Drive, said he did not have a weapon. He also said there was nothing he could do to stop the shooting.


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Robbery attempt reported outside Rutland pharmacyJanuary 18,2013Police seek
would-be mugger
Rutland police say they are searching for a man who reportedly tried to steal a bag of prescription drugs from a man walking with crutches outside a city pharmacy.
Police were called to Walgreens Pharmacy on Woodstock Avenue at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday where Felix Krowinski told police he was approached outside the store by a roughly 60-year-old man who grabbed his prescription bag and tried to wrench it out of his hand, according to Rutland Police Sgt. James Tarbell.
Krowinski said he held onto the bag and kept his balance long enough for his wife Susan to come to his aid.
The Rutland couple told police that the unidentified man fled the scene in an orange or rust colored SUV, Tarbell said.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call city police at 773-1816.MORE IN This Just InWASHINGTON Long-term U.S. Full StoryMONTPELIER The Vermont attorney generals office says drug companies have complied with a state... Full StoryMOUNT HOLLY At its meeting next week, the Mount Holly Select Board will consider an ordinance... Full Story
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Incident Report Form
To report an incident click here.
Please provide detailed information regarding the incident you are reporting involving a Saint Louis University (SLU) student. For incidents involving faculty members, please contact the Dean for the corresponding College, for incidents involving Saint Louis University staff members, please contact the Human Resource automated line at 314-977-2360. For all emergencies contact the DPS dispatcher at 314-977-3000 or 911.
Only current student, faculty or staff members of the SLU community may file a report via this form. If you are not a current SLU community member, please contact the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards at 314-977-7326 to speak with a staff member. Reports filed through this online Incident Report are immediately received through this system and viewed the next business day.
If you have any questions regarding filing an Incident Report, please contact the Office of Student Responsibility and Community Standards at 314-977-7326.
*Example of Incidents that should be reported can be found under the University Policies and Procedures in the Student Handbook.


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Date taken: 2013-05-23 10:05
Date taken: 2013-05-23 10:06
Date taken: 2013-05-23 10:07
Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, delivered welcoming remarks.
Date taken: 2013-05-23 10:13
During the event's welcoming remarks, Secretary of Energy Dr. Ernest Moniz is joined by former astronaut and Acting Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Dr. Kathy Sullivan and Senior Advisor Melanie Kenderdine.
Date taken: 2013-05-23 10:15
Attendees were able to listen to and meet some of the nation's top women in the energy and climate fields.
Date taken: 2013-05-23 10:16
Newly instated Secretary of Energy, Dr. Ernest Moniz, opened the morning's events with remarks on the importance of energy and climate solutions.
Date taken: 2013-05-23 10:21
Date taken: 2013-05-23 10:22
Throughout the day, about 100 of the top women in climate and energy gathered for panel discussions and break out sessions.
Date taken: 2013-05-23 10:42
Dr. Kathy Sullivan, former astronaut and Acting Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, took part on the first panel discussion of the day: Climate Science and Energy Solutions.
Date taken: 2013-05-23 10:47
Kateri Callahan, President of the Alliance to Save Energy, took part on the Climate Science and Energy Solutions Panel.
Date taken: 2013-05-23 11:01
Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, spoke on the President's climate leadership.
Date taken: 2013-05-23 14:30
Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, opened up her discussion to the audience, taking questions and remarks on climate leadership.
Date taken: 2013-05-23 14:33
1000 Independence Ave. SWWashington DC 20585202-586-5000


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A state deputy sheriff charged with driving drunk told police he had been drinking before he crashed the state vehicle he was assigned to, according to documents obtained by KITV.
Police charged Patrick Lewis with operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and refusing to take a blood-alcohol test after the crash on Oct. 2. in Pearl City.
The documents say Lewis was Diamond Head-bound on Kamehameha Highway at Acacia Road just before 3 a.m. when the crash happened.
The vehicle went through a fence on the median and ended up in the Waianae-bound lanes, the documents say. The fence has since been repaired.
An officer reported that there was a slight smell of alcohol coming from Lewis's vehicle. The documents say Lewis told the officer he had two glasses of wine earlier in the evening and fell asleep at the wheel.
The officer noted that Lewis appeared to have minor injuries including a bump near his eye but he refused medical treatment at the scene. Lewis also told the officer he was on his way to pick up his dog.
Lewis is assigned to the K9 unit at the state Department of Public Safety and also assigned to a state car, according to a department spokeswoman.
The spokeswoman says he was off duty at the time of the crash.
Lewis posted $1,000 bail after police charged him with OVUII and refusing to submit to a blood-alcohol test.
Because Lewis refused to take any blood alcohol test his license has been suspended for two years, according to the documents. Lewis's disposition within the department will be determined once he returns from a scheduled vacation, according to the DPS spokeswoman.


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Matthew Camp
Camp has been a fantasy football player since 1997, when he remembers tabulating points using the box scores from the New York Daily News. He graduated from Rowan University in 2007 and was the Vice President of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. In 2007, Camp interned at NFL Films, which led to production assistant credits on DVDs such as "Moment of Impact" and "NFL Greatest Games" along with being a Video On-Demand producer for Comcast. He moved on to an assistant producer role with the Phoenix Communications Group, where he helped produce sports highlights for NBC affiliates across the world.
Matt is an avid New York Mets fan living in Phillies' territory of Southern New Jersey, where he enjoys playing golf, going to concerts, and traveling to NFL games with his father, who has been a head linesman in the NFL since 2000. Through this connection, he's been exposed to more of the NFL experience just this decade than most fans have in a lifetime, and his background has helped him reach expert status when it comes to all things NFL. Still, he's wondering what is taking the Jaguars so long to retire Keenan McCardell's #87.


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'Hero' barber named Citizen of the YearBy Lucia Suarez
STAFF WRITER | December 12,2012POULTNEY — Jeffrey Roberts' barbershop has a pretty good view of Main Street in Poultney, allowing him to help catch a handful of bank robbers in the last couple of years.
"I saw the woman get out of a car parked in front of the shop. When she came back there was steam or smoke from the money bomb the (tellers) had put in there," said Roberts, 57, owner of People's Choice barbershop.
He recalled the bank robbery at the local Citizens Bank just over a year ago. "I got the license plate number," he said. "The police was very happy about that arrest."
Roberts' actions that November afternoon and his similar actions during an earlier robbery in 2009 led to the tellers at the bank to nominate him for this year's Poultney Citizen of the Year, a nomination confirmed by the Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce.
"(Roberts) has a presence of mind to recognize something that didn't seem 'quite right' in our small town, and take notice of details which led to the arrest of the individuals who robbed our bank," said the nomination letter signed by seven employees at the bank.
"The information he provided assisted in apprehending the individuals and putting an end to their crime spree," the letter continued.
"Who knows how long they would have remained unapprehended, or how many other robberies they would have committed had (Roberts) not been looking out for us on that day."
Roberts said he was pleasantly surprised when he found out he was chosen as Citizen of the Year.
"I don't think that I deserve it, as usual," he said. "I don't think I have done enough."
For the complete story, see Thursday's Rutland Herald.MORE IN This Just InMONTPELIER A new report from a commission that studied the cost, availability and quality of... Full StoryVermont fish hatchery changes focus, looks inland
BETHEL, Vt. Full StoryHONOLULU (AP) A group of Hawaii musicians and a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant provided... Full Story
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With the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah here already, once again I pause to reflect. The next 10 days, leading up to Yom Kippur, are important, not only to me, but to millions of Jews around the world. It seems like only yesterday that I wrote a bit about this subject, and my inner voice cried out with trite expressions. The mere fact that "time flies" and "waits for no man" are true, I suppose, and although I celebrate the New Year, I'm also taking stock of what has transpired over the last 12 months, some of which (like life itself) has been a bit icky.
Time—what a concept. Without holidays, seasonal changes, and yes, even parades, the passage can escape us. One of the beautiful aspects of living in the Upper Delaware valley is the ever-changing landscape and the often fleeting reminder that there is no time like the present. Once in a while it's "on our side," but more often than not, it just "keeps on slippin' (slippin' slippin') into the future." As Yom Kippur approaches and I spend some of these moments in quiet meditation, I can't help but notice that the most "solemn day of the year" (www.chabad.org [2] ) arrives right on the heels of spending time with loved friends and family, celebrating joy.
Typical of my own Jewish upbringing (and the overall yin/yang of universal law) I am reminded that life wouldn't seem so sweet if it weren't tinged with sorrow from time to time. And so it goes. One of my pals, who lives in the timeless illusion that is southern California, decided to "like" The River Reporter on Facebook (www.facebook.com/theriverreporter [3]) and scan the photos that I took over the weekend of the tractor parade, duck races and general hoopla that is Jeff Fest (www.jeffersonvilleny.com [4]). "Didn't I just see these same photos last year?" he asked. "How do you even distinguish one tractor parade from another?" I thought about it before responding. "It's all about tradition," I answered, "and like all traditions, (both old and new) there are ties that bind, but if you look closely, one can't help but notice the changes that have occurred during the last year."
As I strolled Main Street in Jeffersonville, I chatted with kids who were in strollers last year, barely able to construct a sentence. I met brand-new residents Joel and Sybil Sanchez, who appeared overjoyed with this celebration of small-town life. Observing the happy couple through the camera's lens, I momentarily experienced the parade through their eyes. I asked if I could snap a pic of their shining faces, and they were happy to oblige. I wondered aloud as to what drew them to Sullivan County. Patting her belly, Sybil pointed to the obvious and acknowledged her impending motherhood. "We wanted a different life for our child," Joel said, "and our priorities have changed. It's not just about us anymore, we have future generations to consider."
Before heading down to Callicoon Creek to capture some of the kids participating in the duck race, I glanced at my phone's calendar and saw a reminder that my 40th high school reunion was around the corner. Forty years. Over those decades a lot of babies have entered the world, my own has grown up, and many of our loved ones have left us. Tradition dictates that I inscribe my own thoughts in the "Book of Life," of which the Old Testament says, "even the tears of men are recorded in this book," and "every one that shall be found written in the book… shall awake to everlasting life" (www.wikipedia.org [5]).
I'm having second thoughts about attending the reunion. On one hand, it would be swell to see how my classmates have remained the same over the years. On the other, of course, is the chance that the obvious differences will be a shocking reminder of just how much time has elapsed and force me to look in the mirror and open the floodgates of memories, some sweet and some tinged with sorrow. During this time of reflection, I recall hearing motivational speaker Harvey Mackay's sentiment that "Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back."
Maybe I'll make the trip to Binghamton and my alma mater after all, and revel in the passage of time, honoring the proverbial ticking clock, before the parade passes by.


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June 18,2014
U.S. nabs Libyan militant
U.S. special forces seized a key leader in the deadly Benghazi, Libya, attack and he is on his way to face trial in the U.S. for the fiery assault that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans, the Obama administration announced Tuesday. It was the first breakthrough in the sudden overseas violence in 2012 that has become a long-festering political sore at home.
President Barack Obama said the capture on Sunday of Ahmed Abu Khattala sends a clear message to the world that when Americans are attacked, no matter how long it takes, we will find those responsible and we will bring them to justice.
We will find you, Obama declared.
As recently as last August, though, Abu Khattala told The Associated Press that he was not in hiding nor had he been questioned by Libyan authorities about the attack at the diplomatic compound. He denied involvement and said that he had abandoned the militia. Administration officials said Tuesday that despite his media interviews, he evaded capture until the weekend when military special forces nabbed him.
Whatever the path to his capture, he was headed for the United States to face what Obama called the full weight of the American justice system. Obama called the Libyan an alleged key leader of the attacks, and said he was being transported to the U.S., without saying exactly how or where.
Signs of sectarian bloodshed
Nearly four dozen Sunni detainees were gunned down at a jail north of Baghdad, a car bomb struck a Shiite neighborhood of the capital and four young Sunnis were found slain ominous signs that open warfare between the two main Muslim sects has returned to Iraq.
The killings late Monday and Tuesday following the capture by Sunni insurgents of a large swath of the country stretching to Syria were the first hints of the beginnings of a return to sectarian bloodletting that nearly tore the country apart in 2006 and 2007.
During the United States eight-year presence in Iraq, American forces acted as a buffer between the two Islamic sects, though with limited success. The U.S. military withdrew at the end of 2011, but it is now being pulled back in so far committing just under 300 troops, with a limited mission of securing U.S. assets as President Barack Obama nears a decision on an array of options for combating the Islamic militants.
In the latest sect-on-sect violence, at least 44 Sunni detainees were slaughtered by gun shots to the head and chest by pro-government Shiite militiamen after Sunni insurgents tried to storm the jail near Baqouba, northeast of Baghdad, police said.
The Iraqi military gave a different account and put the death toll at 52, insisting the Sunni inmates were killed by mortar shells in the attack late Monday on the facility.
PILGER, Neb.
Rare dual tornadoes slam town
As two giant tornadoes bore down on this tiny farming town in northeast Nebraska, Trey Wisniewski heard the storm sirens, glanced out at the blackening sky and rushed with his wife into their basement.
My wife was holding our animals, and I was holding on to my wife. We could feel the suction try to pull us out of there, he said Tuesday.
Suddenly, their house was gone, leaving them to dodge debris that rained down upon them. And then, the storm that hit so suddenly Monday afternoon was gone, allowing them to emerge and see what was left of the 350-person farming town of Pilger.
They found that much of the community was gone and two people had died. The disaster, delivered by twin twisters rare in how forcefully they travelled side by side for an extended period, left some townsfolk doubting whether the town could rebuild, even as they marveled that the death toll hadnt been worse.
This is by far the worst thing Ive ever seen as governor, said Gov. Dave Heineman, who flew over Pilger in a helicopter Tuesday morning and then walked through the town, trailed by reporters.
Hepatitis drug sparks debate
Your money or your life?
Sovaldi, a new pill for hepatitis C, cures the liver-wasting disease in 9 of 10 patients, but treatment can cost more than $90,000.
Leading medical societies recommend the drug as a first-line treatment, and patients are clamoring for it. But insurance companies and state Medicaid programs are gagging on the price. In Oregon, officials propose to limit how many low-income patients can get Sovaldi.
Yet if Sovaldi didnt exist, insurers would still be paying in the mid-to-high five figures to treat the most common kind of hepatitis C, a new pricing survey indicates. Some of the older alternatives involve more side effects, and are less likely to provide cures.
So whats a fair price?
Fishing banned in remote Pacific
Vowing to protect fragile marine life, President Barack Obama acted Tuesday to create the worlds largest ocean preserve by expanding a national monument his predecessor established in waters thousands of miles from the American mainland.
The designation for a remote stretch of the Pacific Ocean marks a major symbolic victory for environmentalists, who have urged the president to take action on his own to protect the planet as Congress turns its focus elsewhere. But the initiative will have limited practical implications because little fishing or drilling are taking place even without the new protections.
Protecting the worlds oceans and the vibrant ecosystems that thrive deep under the surface is a task thats bigger than any one country but the U.S. must take the lead, Obama said, announcing the initiative during an ocean conservation conference.
Lets make sure that years from now we can look our children in the eye and tell them that, yes, we did our part, we took action, and we led the way toward a safer, more stable world, Obama said in a video message.
Obama hasnt settled on the final boundaries for the expanded Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, and will solicit input from fishermen, scientists and conservation experts. Obamas senior counselor, John Podesta, said that process would start immediately and wrap up in the very near future.MORE IN Wire NewsUNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. Full StoryTroubling as the details of the McLaren Report were, a news item out of Russia earlier this week... Full Story
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The Last Shot on the Ballot for a former Red Sox Captain-Jim Rice
There have only been four captains of the Red Sox since 1923: Jimmie Foxx, Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice, and now Jason Varitek. The hall of fame ballots are out yet again, and it is Jim Rice's final at-bat on this ballot. Just a year ago, Rice came so close to enshrinement, missing only 16 votes! He received 72.2% of votes, and he needed 75%… talk about close! Jim Rice played his entire career with Boston (1974-1989) gave pitchers a sickening feeling when he came to the plate (along with other Red Sox stars like Yaz, Fisk, Lynn, Boggs, Evans, Armas during that era). The left-fielder's career statistics speak for themselves:
6 Comments
Elizabeth, wouldn't it be great to see Rice get in this year! And it's Mo Vaugh's first year of eligibility. Maybe they could go in together!
Elizabeth, personally, I do not think Jim Rice belongs in the Hall Of Fame. Now, before you assume this is my Yankee fan bias speaking, I am totally neutral toward Red Sox players once they're retired. I just don't think he is Hall Of Famer. He was a very good player for many years, but just not a Hall Of Famer. I seriously doubt, as well, that his stats would have reached Yastrzemski's or Foxx's level. His production started dropping after 1986, and was dropping sharply by the time he retired. As I said before, a very good player, just not a Hall Of Famer. I don't make the decisions, though, so I don't know if the Writers will agree with me.
I totally agree with you. I think Rice is Hall of Fame material, and luckily he will get in! I wish the same could be said for Dale Murphy. He was a great player and teammate. He was also a 2 time MVP and 5 time Gold Glove winner. Him and Lee Smith are very underrated and might not ever make the Hall. I guess that's the way it happens sometimes. Well, I wish the best for Rice and hopes he makes it in the Hall in his last at-bat of his career.
Yeah, I agree, if I had a vote, I would vote for Jim Rice to be enshrined into the "Hall of Fame" … Also, on this year's list, I would vote for: Rickey Henderson and Don Mattingly … I think, those would be the only players [of the 23 listed] I would vote for … I'm undecided about pitchers: Bert Blyleven and Jack Morris; but, definitely would never vote for Mark McGwire because of his "performance enhancing drug" use during the years he recorded his best stats !!! … Anyway, just my opinion !!! … Jimmy [27NYY]
I usually just put an "x" in the box. 🙂
I love the passion of Hall of Fame voting season.
We have THE Hall…all you have to do is watch Wizard of Oz and see the munchkins' reference to "Hall of Fame" right at a time when it had been introduced.
It has to STAY "the Hall." Not watered down…ever.


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Sports bras let women tackle workouts with gusto while keeping bouncing, jiggling and other potentially painful breast movements to a minimum. Experts say a good sports bra can help active women keep delicate breast tissue from drooping and sagging, and happy users say the right sports bra lets them participate in high-impact activities comfortably. There are three main types of sports bras: compression, encapsulation and combination.
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If the Athleta Sprint Seamless sounds appealing but the price is too high, the C9 by Champion Women's Seamless Cami (Est. $16) has similar features for half the price. Reviewers say it's hard to beat the stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric, which is quick-drying after a sweaty workout. Unlike the Athleta Sprint Seamless, the C9 Seamless Cami has straps that can be adjusted and crisscrossed for more support, and it comes in a few more sizes, too. But it's also not the best pick for high-impact activities or large busts, and reviewers warn that the thin fabric can put nipples on display.
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Get an overview of this hotelModern Rome apartments near the Sistine Chapel
Close to Vatican
Modern apartments in historic central Rome, 300 metres from Vatican City, 400 metres from the Sistine Chapel and one km from the Coliseum and Spanish Steps.
Free Internet
In addition to complimentary wired and wireless Internet access, Trianon Borgo Pio provides fitness facilities. Nearby parking is available (surcharge), and staff can arrange limo services on request.
In-room kitchenettes
The 45 air-conditioned apartments include kitchenettes and complimentary wireless (high-speed) Internet access; all feature chequered tiled floors and light wood furniture.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
Trianon Borgo Pio
Renovations & Closures
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
Guest amenities at Trianon Borgo Pio include complimentary wired and wireless (high-speed) Internet access, Internet point, and fitness facilities. There is also a sports center on site.
Staff can provide tours/ticket assistance, as well as limo or town car services, babysitting/childcare (surcharge), and medical assistance.
There is a lift to all floors, and nearby garage parking facilities for those arriving by car (surcharge).
- Babysitting or childcare (surcharge)
- Total number of rooms - 45
- Number of floors - 45
- Babysitting or childcare
- Elevator/lift
- Express check-out
- Fitness facilities
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Free WiFi
- Laundry facilities
- Express check-in
- Luggage storage
- Limo or Town Car service available
- Television in common areas
- Free wired high-speed Internet
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Free Wi-Fi
- Kitchenette
- Laundry facilities
- Babysitting or childcare (surcharge)
- Refrigerator
- Microwave (on request)
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi , Free wired high-speed Internet
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi , Free wired high-speed Internet
Room Amenities
- Air conditioning
- Kitchenette
- Refrigerator
- Microwave (on request)
- Private bathroom
- Free toiletries
- Hair dryer
- Bidet
- In-room massage available
- Cable TV service
- Iron/ironing board (on request)
- Free WiFi
- In-room safe
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Cribs/infant beds (surcharge)
- Free wired high-speed Internet
Where to Eat
The apartment does not have its own restaurant, but there are several dining options within the surrounding area.
Nearby restaurants:
Taverna Angelica
Dal Toscano-Al Girarrosto
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Roll-in shower
- In-room accessibility
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 8:30 AM
Check-in time ends at midnight
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is 10 AM
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Cribs (infant beds) are available.
- Pets not allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
No rollaway/extra beds available
- A tax is imposed by the city: EUR 4 per person, per night, up to 10 nights. This tax does not apply to children under 10 years of age.
Optional extras
- Late check-in fee: EUR 30 for check-in after 9 PM
- Weekly housekeeping provided; additional cleaning fee: EUR 18 per day
- Cribs (infant beds) are available for an additional fee
Hotel Name
- Trianon Borgo
- Trianon Borgo Pio
- Trianon Borgo Pio Apartment
- Trianon Borgo Pio Apartment Rome
- Trianon Borgo Pio Rome
- Trianon Borgo Pio Residence Hotel Rome
We should mention
All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport. Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 2999.99, due to national regulations. For further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation.


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Richard Childress Racing
Recent News
Menard Hopes to Build on Strong Start
April 6, 2013
Author: Joe Ziemer
Date: April 3, 2013
Three top-10 finishes in five starts. Eighth in the season points standings. It's been a pretty decent start to the Sprint Cup season for Paul Menard. But the Eau Claire native isn't satisfied just yet.
"Top-10s are good days in the Sprint Cup, but we want to be better than that," Menard said. "We want to run in the top five. When you're running in the top five every week, you start contending for wins.
"We've started off well, but we definitely want to get more out of it."
The big picture goal for Menard is pretty simple: stay in the top 10 in the standings and end the season in the Chase. He and the No. 27 team are on the right path thanks to a streak of three consecutive top-10 finishes. He's also one of only five drivers to have completed every lap attempted this season.
Menard took 10th in Las Vegas, ninth at Bristol and eighth at Fontana. That string of results had Menard wishing last week's off weekend had come at a different time, like during the hectic summer.
"You'd rather save it and have another break during the summer time," Menard said. "After July, I think we're straight through November. It gets pretty brutal. I definitely would like to not have that break. But we did, and we're better prepared because of it."
Prior to the season, one of the No. 27 team's primary focuses was on improving its qualifying program. In 2012, Menard had his best points finish at 16th. But his top-five finishes dropped from four in 2011 to one. That probably was related to an average start decline of 12.0 to 16.2.
This year, Menard also is starting at an average place of 16.2. He'd like to see that improve. At Fontana, Menard worked his way through the field to finish eighth despite starting 27th. He knows that's not the norm.
"Even if you do have a good car, it's hard to pass," Menard said. "Qualifying is extremely important. It's definitely something we have to get better at."
A good qualifying run will be important this weekend at Martinsville Speedway, where track position is the name of the game. The flat, half-mile oval known as "The Paperclip" is what Menard calls a throwback track.
Every car will be fighting for position on the bottom groove. It's a track that makes for fun driving but frustrating racing.
"It's almost like a game of bumper cars," Menard said.
Menard's fully expecting a few wrinkled fenders. That comes with the territory at Martinsville. But he and his team go in with confidence after their strong start to the season.
"You have to minimize mistakes," Menard said. "You're going to have some long green flag runs, so track position is really important to get out front and stay out there."
To read this article as it appears on Leader-Telegram.com, Click Here.


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Ladies and gents, the first ever Phillies Nation mailbag!
I took some of these questions from our comments over the past few days. But please, e-mail me at email@example.com to get in on the action. Here we go:
"Tim, do you think the league caught up with Durbin or something else that made him get hit late in the year?"
— mikem
It wasn't so much that the league "caught up," but more the success of advanced scouting. I'm sure early in the season National League teams had trouble determining his stuff, but as the season wore on, teams knew what he had — pretty average stuff. Moreover, a lot of his worst outings came the day after pitching well against the very same team. For proof, he had a 4.58 ERA with no-days rest, while pitching much better with more rest. Batters were ready for him the second time around. That doesn't bode particularly well for 2009.
"Utley in left, or first base? Is the time now?"
— pb
The idea made me think for a moment, but there's no way I'd do it now. If you go back to that Beyond the Box Score piece about second basemen, you'd see Utley was worth 21 runs at second base — meaning, he likely saved 21 runs with his glove. Considering probably no left fielder will save 21 runs, losing Utley's glove at second isn't worth the experiment. I understand you want to keep him healthy, but it's too early to make a move like that. Wait another two or three years.
"Does [Charlie] Manuel call the games, or does he let [Carlos] Ruiz?"
— Kate
Ruiz and his pitchers call the games, but there's much more to it. Pitching Coach Rich Dubee works with the pitchers and Ruiz to strategize opposing hitters throughout the season. Manuel will offer his opinions, but I'd assume he stays away from calling much of the games. If anything, he makes more long-term adjustments.
"If Pat doesn't return who would you prefer: Milton Bradley or Garrett Atkins? I know you are high on Bradley but to me Atkins seems to be the more attractive option. He could fit in nicely platooning with the lefties or completely take over the corner outfield spot just as Werth did this year based on performance."
— Zach
Atkins is attractive, but Bradley is simply more proven as an everyday outfielder and offensive player. Atkins has decreased his productivity in the last few years, though it still remains solid. But I'm more worried about Coors Field — he slugs .527 at home, but just .424 away from Coors. Sure he'd be fine in a platoon role with Jenkins and/or Stairs, but the Phillies need a top right-handed producer. I'm not so sure Werth will take that fully; I'd rather see something concrete out there, and Bradley remains the best option for the best price (remember, Atkins would cost a prospect or two).
30 Comments
143 days and about 7.5 hours till opening day. not that i'm counting
I think there will be a massive fall off on Durbin in '09. I think he will be reduced to Seanez/Condrey roles by year end. I actually could see COndrey giving us a another nice year. But with Durbin, I just don't think he can maintain his groundball ratio that he did all last year.
I saw a rumor, i think on espn that cameron could come to the phils. Werth in LF, Cameron in CF and Vic in RF. I don't think a ball would drop out there, but i am not a fan of his low obs and avg.
and btw.. Charlie does call the game when Manny is at bat.
Tim, forget that I'm brown-nosing for a second. Just want to say thanks. Thanks for this outlet, your sportswriting prowess and the way you make us all a little bit smarted by actually getting us all to actually do the research. Keep on keepin on dudes and dudettes.
Sorry, but I've got a soft spot for Durbin cause I got to watch him do a pretty good job (he just came out of nowhere) for Toledo then Detroit in 2007/2006.
First off, if he'd kept his pace up from mid-Aug on, he'd have a 1.50 ERA for the season. Was that what everyone expected? Intead he got tired as he'd never pitched near that many games in a season b4 and ended up with a "horrid" 2.87. Everyone commented in mid-July that if Charlie kept using him each game that his arm would fall off – well it did. At least he didn't go on the DL…give him some credit for doing what he did.
Advanced scouting? I disagree. The decline on an adjacent night was due to fatigue (he'd never done it b4), not scounting. He pitched very well against the NL East (Mets, Braves, DC) in 2007 including an 8 inning start against the Mets. Funny, seems I remember him doing well agaist them in 2008. Check the #s against those teams.
Ok – that's it him. Also – Moyer – I know everyone loves him…but I'm far more concerned about him doing well in 2009 than Durbin, Condrey, etc… He can be very hittable and chances are he won't be able to repeat what he did this year…and he's much harder to replace if re-signed than one of the BP guys is.
Forgot to add – I respectfully disagree. I like most of your analysis, Tim.. 🙂
To PhillyGirlinMichigan~ I was thinking along same line as you about Durbin. Aside from Lidge, he contributed as much as anyone else in the bullpen. He was a valuable asset to the team in their successful drive to WS championship. I think Manual/Dubee will benefit from the experience
of 2008 season on how best to use Durbin next season.
I wouldnt touch Milton Bradley with a Monopoly Money. Why mess with this team's great chemistry with a guy that is obviously a mental midget?
I would prefer Atkins over Bradley…though I have have always liked Milton's game, I am cautious of his attitude and temper. Our clubhouse has been crucial in bringing a Championship to Philly, Bradley might not be as mentally equiped to handle the local media in Philly.
Atkins, though perhaps a bit more of a reach on production is still entering the prim of his career
isnt atkins under team control for another 2 or 3 years?
I agree with PhillyGirlinMichigan… Durbin was simply exhausted and not used to pitching so often. He was BRILLIANT during most of the season.
I feel okay about bradley actually. I don't think he's as much of a headcase as everyone makes him out to be. That incident where he tore his acl is not his fault at all, the umpire was asking for that. I think charlie would be a good manager for him too. I feel like he wouldn't write him off as a headcase when he walked in but rather treat him like the rest of his players – with respect, I think bradley could use a manager like that.
PhillyGirlinMichigan- I really think he's gonna come down on his groundball ratio. I could see if he consistently had that ratio his whole career but he hasn't but to be fair he has been injured and up and down in the majors his whole career too.
Just would like an arm equal to Durbin's in the pen, I always wondered what Bisenius has, he's always on the team just never pitches.
Chad Durbin, it was pretty clear what his deal was. There were so many times he would come in with guys on and get out of it. Most relievers that enter ballgames want to throw a fastball over for strike 1. That is the goal. That is their purpose. Come in, throw strikes. Hitters know that as well. Some hitter will wait and see it out of their hand a couple of times before swinging, while others will try to be aggressive and hack at that little first-piitch 89-mph fastball. I have seen Durbin on many, many occasions come in firing sliders. Guys would chase, and pound the ball into the ground. It was quite clear that as his arm tired, his slider was less effective, thus staying in the zone where it got hit. He was one of the most valuable relievers all year, and it's a shame he wore down a little bit at the end, because while a 2.87 is great for a reliever, anything under 2.00 is extreme nastiness.
As far as Bradley is concerned, on one hand I say he is an aging headcase, we dont need him. But on the other, he will be coming in as a complementary piece, not the big off-season prize. Maybe a role where he stays under the radar will do well for him, especially with uncle charlie there. I think Uncle charlie could maintain him.
Screw Mike Cameron, he hasnt been good since his early 2000 days with the Mariners. Junk. And if anybody thinks we're moving Victorino out of CF, you're nuts. I never put any creedence into the ESPN "experts." I;m very happy I dont pay for their "insider information." Just listen to baseball tonite, 90% of their predictions are wayy off.
1 more thing. We all know CONSISTENT relievers are really hard to come by. Durbin was great this year, but can we expect that again next year? maybe, maybe not. the best case is arthur rhodes. Check him out, almost every year is up-down. either he's great, or junk. We got him coming off a great year, he was crap for us, and then great for the marlins. go figure. i dont expect our bullpen to be as good as it was last year. lidge will not be perfect again, i expect madson to be about the same, romero has really earned my trust, but thats about it. 3 above average relievers is pretty good. The mets didnt have any good relievers and look how many games they won last year. imagine if they had anybody decent.
113 – I agree he'd have a hard time topping 2008 in terms of HRs allowed and how incedibly sharp he was at CBP; however, I don't see him doing so poorly that he's going to white flag status. I think a fill-in starter would be more likely than that.
As for another reliever – definately. I'm for trying out Bisenius and some of the other youngsters for that last spot in the BP.. Also, there's always potential injuries, etc. Overall we're pretty set compared to most other ballclubs.
PS – Bradley is ok w/me. I never saw him as a real head case…
does utley even have a strong enough arm to play left?
I cant imagine him gunning guys down from left to home plate like burrell or victorino can
i dont like utley in the OF. power-hitting OFs can be had. having the best 2nd baseman in baseball is rare.
i think his arm is decent enough. if you are quick to the ball, have a quick release and are accurate, you can play OF. Pat Burrell was only accurate. It might take him a second and half or two seconds longer to get to the ball, which is a big deal. if (lets just say) utley's releasing the ball while at the same time burrell is just bending down to get the ball, utley's ball will get tehre faster.
Dont even think of moving Utley….He's best right where he is.
The good thing is we have Utley and Rollind locked up for a while,so we have no problems in the middle.Now, lock in Victorino and we're in an envious position.
I know other teams wish they had these guys.
Moving a power hitting gold-glove calibre 2nd basement is about as logical as sticking a bad body 1st basement in CF… (unless it's to short)
1. I agree that advanced scouting caught up with Durbin by year end. I look for a big dropoff in his production next season.
2. I like the idea of Utley at 1B, and Donald at 2B in 2-3 years. I say this, assuming that the Phillies trade Howard to the Yankees or another AL team when they see his cost in arbitration.
3. I always thought that Manuel called the games from the bench, but I guess you have to let the players make the on-the-field calls.
4. I agree with you on Milton Bradley, Tim. The cost for Atkins will be high, and there is no guarantee that he would be more productive than a Pat Burrell. Why not take a chance on Bradley, who is a career .280 hitter, and a proven on base guy.
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