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Al-Kataib Media / MAXPPP via EPA
An undated TV grab of footage shot by Al-Kataib Media, made available by MAXPPP on Saturday, shows Denis Allex, a French hostage allegedly held by Somali militants, who was reportedly killed during a failed rescue mission by French soldiers.
WASHINGTON -- The United States helped France last week during an attempted rescue of a secret agent captured by insurgents in Somalia, President Barack Obama confirmed on Sunday in a letter to Congress.
The French team was trying to free Denis Allex, held since 2009 by al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, but insurgents apparently killed their hostage during the raid, along with a commando.
The French defense ministry said that 17 Somali fighters also died in the fight.
"United States combat aircraft briefly entered Somali airspace to support the rescue operation, if needed. These aircraft did not employ weapons during the operation," Obama said in his letter to U.S. lawmakers.
Obama sent the letter to Congress to fulfill his obligations under the War Powers Resolution, which requires him to inform policymakers within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action without congressional authorization.
Obama said the operation was warranted to further U.S. national security interests, and said U.S. forces "took no direct part in the assault on the compound where it was believed the French citizen was being held hostage."
Editing by Philip Barbara, Reuters
Related stories:
Officials: French agent held by al-Qaida group in Somalia killed in rescue attempt
Somali troops take control of al-Shabab stronghold Kismayo
D-Day for al-Qaida in Somalia? Troops storm beaches at last stronghold


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I have been a resident of Bayside since June 1, 2005. I have spoken to several Bayside residents about Mayor Billy Paul Fricks and I believe most Bayside residents have lost their confidence in Billy Paul Fricks.
I spoke with two Bayside officials, and both said the census is gradually falling. The population in Bayside used to be about 400 residents.
I filed a complaint in Bayside City Hall about a mosquito spraying program. The clerk told me she handed my complaint to the mayor, he read it and laid it down. As of today, Mayor Fricks never responded to me.
I spoke to city council member Leonard Spanjers about a mosquito spraying program. He said, we don't have any money.
Another issue is Bayside residents do not have a health department. Yet Mayor Fricks wants to raise our taxes every year. This year the taxes are doubled and I read in the Refugio County Press Mayor Fricks is still at odds on the ag-exempt issue.
I support president county commissioner Ruben Lee.
Fact (1) Mayor Fricks has not supplied in writing the Bayside ordinance ag-exempt, with county appraiser Lee. Moreover Fricks and his boy, Eugene, state they made research on surrounding counties. This statement produced heresy.
Fact: (2) Fricks needs something in writing from the other counties. I find favorable judgement in county appraiser president Rueben Lee.
Fact: (3) My wife and I went to a city council meeting during which Mayor Fricks conducted a city council meeting without a full forum. The agenda was to raise taxes. There were only two city council members present.
Fact: (4) Mayor Fricks has a long history of making perjured statements, in his official capacity. These factors, give rise on the scales of justice, Mayor Fricks does not have an arguable basis for raising taxes on Bayside residents.
This renders "Taxation without representation."

subset: commoncrawl


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Noordam Cruise Review by cruzzer2014: First time not the charm
Overall Member Rating
First time not the charm
Destination: Mediterranean
Embarkation: Rome (Civitavecchia)
We picked this cruise especially for the ports of call. First time on Holland America. We were delighted to find the passengers mainly mature adults and that the staff welcomed family groups, many celebrating special reunions or other occasions. The staff was very kind and helpful to elderly passengers, many in wheelchairs or using walkers. However we found our cabin suite older and not as well appointed as the lower cabins, with no windows. The bathroom shower needed regrouting and did not look like it had been cleaned very well. Our cabin had a/c issues for most of the cruise and we were visited several times by crew taking measurements or doing repairs on the system. We slept with the balcony door open 2 nights as a result (blocked open with sturdy waste basket). When a taxi strike occurred at the disembarkment port, the staff had no information or any interest in assistance unless you booked airport transfer with them. Front desk personal very uninterested in providing any More
assistance. Warning for those expecting internet/wifi - not consistent and slow enough to be useless. Also want to warn passengers to check your bill as there were many issues with ours. Fortunately, they got settled by cruise end. The excursions are very expensive but many were well done; informative and hitting all the high spots of each port city. However, we had to walk quite a way to get to excursion buses either at port or for the return. Food onboard was adequate. The specialty restaurants were worth extra cost. I could not believe the size of glassware in the buffet section or at the bars and that you had to pay for soda, but iced tea and juices were included. I would recommend this cruise for my 55+ friends warning them to have low expectations about cabin and food. Would advise to book suite for upgrades and to research and plan your own excursions. Less
Published 07/13/14
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A/C problem; bath older and not clean looking. Lower cabin with no windows had newer, cleaner look.
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The Ontario Hockey League regular season begins this week. They play one of these every winter? Man, it never ends. With the days getting shorter and the season getting nearer, BTN is taking an early look at each team in reverse order of last season's standings.
Guelph Storm
In 2012-13 — 39-23-2-4, .618 point pct., 250 GF/206 GA. Fifth, Western Conference. Lost 4-1 to Kitchener in first round .
Final Dynamic Dozen ranking — seventh OHL, 18th CHL.
Drafted — C Jason Dickinson (Dallas Stars, first round) D Matt Finn (Toronto Maple Leafs, second), LW Brock McGinn (Guelph Storm, second), LW Tyler Bertuzzi (Detroit Red Wings, second), RW Scott Kosmachuk (Winnipeg Jets, third), RW Justin Auger (Los Angeles Kings, fourth), D Ben Harpur (Ottawa Senators, fourth), D Zac Leslie (Los Angeles, sixth).
2014 NHL draft watch — C Robby Fabbri, the OHL's No. 6 overall pick in 2012, tantalized with 33 points in his first season. The Storm's new import D, Phil Baltisberger, is a wide-bodied blueliner at 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds and helped Switzerland make the world junior championship medal round last winter.
1. Which veteran offensive player(s) will take the lead?
The Scott Walker-coached Storm pulled off a neat trick to little acclaim in '12-13, tallying the third-most goals in the OHL without a single player placing in the top 30 in league scoring. (Kosmachuk was 32nd with 65 points in 68 games.) Guelph has 11 of its top 15 point-getters back, which is good since it might have to play a few last-shot-wins games while relying on untested goalies Jason DaSilva and Matt Mancina.
Walker's two best right-shot wings, Auger and Kosmachuk, are interesting case studies. Auger can be expected to get a lion's share of scoring chances due in part to what cannot be taught. He is the OHL's tallest forward at 6-foot-7 and uses that length to protect the puck. Now that he's been through a summer as a NHL draft pick, it will intriguing to see whether he takes what he's been taught and becomes an irresistible force after scoring 16 goals and 33 points last season. Kosmachuk's sweet skills are also manifestly evident; he has an excellent shot to show that he was a steal for the Jets at the 2012 draft. That likely boils down to consistency and offsetting his one-and-one skill by distributing the puck. Dickinson's two-way savvy enabled him to become a late first-rounder, which segues into watching to see whether he converts that into being a steadier scorer. Of course, one cannot talk about the Storm's scoring punch and omit overage Zack Mitchell and undrafted 18-year-old Hunter Garlent. These guys are good. Bertuzzi, McGinn and Ryan Horvat, an overage Ryan Horvat, who was in the Anaheim Ducks' training camp, also give Guelph some jam up front.
2. Will they remain this reliant on two young goaltenders all season long?
The new tandem cannot be called green; it's more like a chartreuse. Garret Sparks, now with the Toronto Maple Leafs AHL affiliate, never came out of the net in '12-13 and seemed to give Guelph the comfort of knowing it could take the occasional chance offensively. The Storm used journeymen Keegan Wilson and Michael Nishi for spot starts, so now it's looking at beginning a contending season with two goalies who have a combined 180 minutes' OHL experience, with no starts.
DaSilva, 18, and Mancina, 17, each deserve a chance to make their cases on merit. It is just unusual in light of how GM Mike Kelly and Walker have assembled their roster over the last three seasons. The goalie trade market in the OHL might not be too deep, but the Storm are in a flexible position. Kelly, barring a trade that breaks by the time I finish typing this sentence, has an open overage slot and also could dangle a young player after drafting well the past two springs.
The penultimate line of defence should be sound. Finn is capable of logging 25-30 minutes each night. The 6-foot-6 Harpur seems like a natural to step into the big skates of graduated 6-5 defender Andrei Pedan, while Baltisberger and Leslie could round out a sound top four.
#Leafs send to Marlies:Carrick, Crescenzi, D'Amigo, Leivo,McKegg Ross, Granberg, Yeo Yuen, and G Christopher Gibson and Garret Sparks
— Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran) September 17, 2013
3. Will Fabbri find a fine fit in a lineup with five drafted forwards?
Apologies in advance for what might, nay, will come off as concern trolling. It is just hard not to consider Fabbri's outlook without thinking of arlent, whose injury-altered sophomore season led to him not being taken in the NHL draft. The association is inevitable since both are smallish playmakers and were also top-10 picks in consecutive drafts. The potential is manifest for both, but with so many good 18- through 20-year-old forwards around, offensive opportunities cannot be taken for granted. That being said, if Fabbri breaks out and becomes a point-a-game scorer at age 17, this blurb never happened.
Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet. Please address any questions, comments or concerns to email@example.com.
- Sports & Recreation
- Ice Hockey
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Guelph Storm
- Scott Kosmachuk


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Event Sponsorship
There are many ways you can sponsor this great event. Please contact Kelly Flynn at (810) 230-9613 for information on how you can support this powerful community program.
Program Guide Ad Rates
You may choose to advertise in the event program guide. The deadline is January 9th.
Last Year's Early Literacy Sponsors
The Genesee District Library is deeply grateful to the following Early Literacy Sponsors of the 2016 Black History Month Brunch. In addition to supporting the event, they helped to purchase over 600 prize books for the youngest patrons who participate in the GDL's 2016 Summer Reading Challenge.
- Foundation for Mott Community College
- GDL Foundation
- Hamilton Community Health Network
- Molina Healthcare
- Mr. and Mrs. Herbert and Carolyn Nash
- The Williams Firm
Media and Entertainment Sponsors
- Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt and Sylvia Keys
Table Sponsors
- Alpha Kappa Alpha
- Brown & Brown Insurance
- Burnis Kennedy Scholarship
- Community Foundation of Greater Flint
- Concerned Pastors for Social Action
- Ennis Center
- Flint Public Library
- Genesys Health Systems
- Reverend Alfred Harris
- Mr. Henry Hatter
- Coach Courtney Hawkins
- In Honor of Mary Shinn
- Kettering University
- Local 659 Retirees
- Maryann McLemore
- Ms. Burnie G. Nelson
- Red Hat Divas
- Mr. Kelly Richards
- Victorious Word Church


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Archive for May, 2011
Music for kids on WDVX
One of the nicest, hippest and most talented dudes in the East Tennessee scene is Sean McCollough, of both The LoneTones and the John Myers Band (and, on occasion, Evergreen Street). We wrote about him last year when he released an album for children, "This Is Our House," and now he's heading up a new program on local grassroots radio station WDVX-FM, 89.9 or 102.9. Here's the press release:
Knoxville, TN- WDVX and the multi-talented Sean McCollough are teaming up for a weekly radio show, "Kidstuff," premiering at 9 p.m. Saturday June 4 on WDVX. "Kidstuff" will be a show full of high-quality music geared the young and the young at heart. The show will present a mixture of live and recorded music and will eventually include a live audience once a month. Listeners will hear traditional music and original music from a variety of genres, cultures, and even music performed by kids themselves. Kidstuff will be both fun and educational.
"When WDVX approached me about doing a show aimed at kids, it seemed like a perfect fit. I have been performing for kids for nearly two decades, so creating programming aimed at a young audience is right up my alley," said Sean McCollough. "Over the fourteen year history of WDVX I have always noticed how kids respond to music. 'Kidstuff' is the evolution of what we have been doing for a while with WDVX, especially the Blue Plate Special and presenting live music"
"We are so happy to have Sean McCollough as a host and Knoxville and East Tennessee as a home to launch this new program. We hope it reaches the kid in you," said Program Director Tony Lawson.
Wanda Jackson on Jack White
Rockabilly icon Wanda Jackson, performing at The Bijou Theatre in downtown Knoxville on May 27, knows her superstars.
After all, she once dated Elvis Presley, she recalled in an interview with The Daily Times Weekend section last year:
"I was right there working with him when all of this great stuff started to happen, so I was excited to be around him," she said. "It impressed me. You have to remember, I was a teenager, and this was the music the teenagers loved. I loved it too, and I felt like it was a great opportunity for me to work with him, because he was causing such a stir.
"Sometimes Elvis and I would get to go out by ourselves and just have a bite to eat and drive around and talk, or maybe take in a matinee movie. That's what I had to call dating him, even though when we lived in different states, so when I was at home, that was hard. But I still have his ring that he gave me, so we were officially dating."
So when she says there's only one contemporary rock star who could stand up to the King, you best take her word for it. And really, is it any wonder that one is Jack White — he of The White Stripes/The Dead Weather/The Raconteurs and producer of her most recent album, "The Party Ain't Over"?
"The only one who stands up to Jack would be Elvis, and Elvis wasn't that big a star when I was working with him. He was becoming that, but when I started, in 1955 up until his early movie career starting in '57, he was only doing select tours," Jackson told us during a recent phone interview. "Jack has brought that same kind of excitement back for me. I even tell my audiences that I see a lot of resemblance in Jack and Elvis, just in their mannerisms, their ways of thinking, their love of life and enthusiasm for things, their focus.
"Elvis was very focused; he knew exactly what he was doing and understood what he was creating. He loved it at the time, but it kind of got out of hand for him. And Jack knows, too — but he has a handle on balance, and a wonderful little family, including a wife and two adorable children who he loves dearly. I'm glad he seems so well balanced where Elvis was so much younger and didn't get that opportunity."
REVIEW: Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers — May 24, 2011 at The Tennessee Theatre
Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, at the Fifth Annual Mountain Song Festival in Brevard, N.C.; September 2010. Courtesy of www.steepcanyon.com
Playing for two hours and receiving three standing ovations, well-known comedian and banjo player extraordinaire Steve Martin was more than a huge hit Tuesday night. He wowed a packed-out crowd at The Tennessee Theatre, performing all of his own music and showcasing the remarkable talents of the Steep Canyon Rangers.
"I know this is strange," he told the crowd. He compared his banjo tour to waking up and discovering that Jerry Seinfeld had just embarked on a bassoon tour. "That's a must-see," he chided.
Martin played tunes from both of his albums ("Rare Bird Alert," a joint effort with the Rangers, and "The Crow"), including "Daddy Played the Banjo," "Go Away, Stop, Turn Around, Come Back," "The Crow," "Rare Bird Alert," "Yellow-Backed Fly" and "Jubilation Day." He switched out playing four different banjos and left the stage briefly to allow the Rangers to spill out all of their brilliancy.
This seasoned entertainer and Grammy winner kept the audience engaged the entire two hours, drifting back and forth between the humor he is known for and the bigger-than-life talent on the banjo some are only discovering. He has been playing the instrument since the age of 16. Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs were early influencers.
The repertoire on Tuesday night was a mix of bone-tickling fun with the offering of "Atheists Don't Have No Songs" and one number about Martin's own dog, Wally, called "Wally on the Run." One song Martin wrote from the viewpoint of Paul Revere's horse, entitled "Me and Paul Revere," will be performed by Martin at the Fourth of July celebration in Washington, D.C. He gave Knoxvillians a taste on Tuesday night.
The Steep Canyon Rangers received their most rousing applause for the a cappella rendition of "I Can't Sit Down." At one point in the performance Martin told the audience, "I am doing two of my favorite things — stand-up comedy and charging people for music."
Those there to see if Martin still had it comedically weren't disappointed. Those who were there to see if this comedian could really tease the banjo strings shook their heads in amazement. In the encore, Martin and the Rangers played a couple of teasers before bringing down the house with their magical take on "Orange Blossom Special." And the audience refused to leave without hearing Martin's best "King Tut," bluegrass style.
He left everyone wanting more.
— Melanie Tucker, The Daily Times
Donna the Buffalo to headline Meadow Lark Music Festival at Ijams
More summer festival coolness, courtesy of WDVX-FM and Ijams Nature Center. Here's the full press release:
Two of Knoxville's nationally renowned non-profit organizations, WDVX Radio and Ijams Nature Center, have joined forces to create the Meadow Lark Music Festival — In Tune With Nature, from 1-10 p.m. Saturday, June 18. The inaugural event will host the widely popular roots band Donna the Buffalo, famed for igniting a herd of fans with their rootsy, rocking style. The festival lineup also features The Hackensaw Boys, Phil Pollard and the Band of Humans, Valley Young, Spirit Family Reunion and other locally popular bands in a full day of performances in the meadow of Ijams Nature Center. The event is being supported by individuals and companies, including New Belgium Brewing known for its philosophy of environmental stewardship.
"Ijams meadow is a beautiful setting and a great listening space so having a roots music festival there will give people a wonderful music experience," said WDVX General Manager Linda Billman. "Donna The Buffalo is known for its eclectic and often socially conscious music, so DTB is a perfect band for the festival's debut and for launching the Ijams and WDVX partnership," according to Ijams Executive Director Paul James.
Advance tickets to the festival are $20 and available at BrownPaperTickets.com. A limited number of VIP tickets, which include special seating and hospitality are available for $75 each. The Meadow Lark music festival will include art and craft vendors, children's activities, educational displays, and food vendors. Other founding sponsors of Meadow Lark include Elizabeth Eason Architecture, LLC, Three Rivers Market, knoxmusictoday.com, Tomato Head, and WBIR-TV. Employees of Green Mountain Roasters are festival volunteers.
Ijams is located at 2915 Island Home Ave. in South Knoxville. For more information, visit the center's website or WDVX online.
The everybodyfields reunite for Bristol Rhythm & Roots performance
Thanks to "Ramblin'" Randall Brown and his fine blog, I was alerted to a partcularly delightful reunion taking place in September at the 2011 Bristol & Roots Festival — Americana darlings the everybodyfields will be reuniting for a one-off show.
The band got its start in the Tri Cities area (after founders Sam Quinn and Jill Andrews met as counselors here in Blount County at Camp Wesley Woods several years ago), and after the band split in 2009, both went on to pursue solo careers. After releasing an EP in 2009, Andrews is preparing for a June release date for her first solo full-length, "The Mirror," and she's scheduled a CD release show at Relix Variety Theatre for Friday, July 8. Quinn, who plays with his new band Japan Ten, released his solo album "The Fake That Sunk a Thousand Ships" last year. The two relocated to East Tennessee after the everybodyfields released 2007's "Nothing Is OK," and they've considered this area home ever since.
I talked to Jill this morning, and she said that it seemed fitting for the band to reunite for a one-time-only occasion at a festival that means a great deal to them both.
"Basically, we were just asked to do it," she said. "We haven't played together in a really long time, formally at least. And it just seemed like a good time to get together. Rhythm & Roots is one of our favorite festivals, because it really brought us up from baby musicians to real musicians, so it seemed like an appropriate time to do this."
And while fans of the band, who were in the process of recording a follow-up to "Nothing Is OK" when the members broke up in early 2009, are hoping for something permanent, Andrews is quick to point out that probably ain't gonna happen.
"It's definitely prompting a lot of, 'Are you guys getting back together?,' but I'm very focused on my solo career at this point, and I think Sam is, too," she said.
Andrews hits the road next month with J.D. Souther. Quinn can be seen next on Thursday, May 26, performing with his local "super group" King Super and the Excellents at The Square Room, part of the International Biscuit Festival. The Rhythm & Roots show, Andrews, added, will feature the rest of the band as well — Blount County's Josh Oliver on keys (a Blount County boy preparing for his new solo album) and Tom Pryor and Jamie Cook, now of The Black Lillies, on pedal steel and drums, respectively.
Black Lillies headed to the Opry stage
June looks to be a busy month for The Black Lillies, but front man Cruz Contreras didn't hesitate when band manager Chyna Brackeen inquired if he wanted to squeeze in one more gig.
"I think we're doing some sort of taping before, and we play a wedding in Pennsylvania the next day, so she said, 'I don't know if you have time to do this gig, but would you like to play the Grand Ole Opry?'" Contreras told me today.
The answer, obviously, was an enthusiastic yes — and so the band is slated to perform on the Opry stage in Nashville on Friday, June 17. It's the latest feather in the cap of the band, which returns to a local stage on Saturday, May 28, when the Lillies perform at The Bijou Theatre in downtown Knoxville with Americana chanteuse Tift Merritt. (Tickets to that show are $25.)
"I know that WSM-AM 650 has been really supporting the band," Contreras said. "They played 'Whiskey Angel' and they've been playing the new record ("100 Miles of Wreckage"), so I think that connection has probably been how we got put on that radar. I guess I wasn't expecting it to happen this quick."
It shouldn't come as a surprise, however — ever since "Wreckage" was released in January, the Lillies have been on an uphill climb. It currently sits at No. 11 on the Americana radio charts; video director David McLister, who's worked with Lady Antebellum, Leann Rimes and Dierks Bentley, will be filming a video for the song "Two Hearts Down" in June in Nashville as well. And on June 10, the band will perform at the Country Music Association's Festival & Fan Fair.
If you're in Nashville on the 17th and want to see the band perform at the Opry, tickets are $28.50 to $55; call 1-800-733-6779 for more information. Although Contreras says it's a "big, big deal," it's not the first time he's been on the Opry stage — he played there once before as the bandleader of his ex-wife's former project, Robinella and the CCstringband, back in 2003 or '04.
"It's definitely the ultimate stage for any country musician," he said.
Clayton Center books "Friday Nights Live" concert series
Old Time duo Boogertown Gap will be one of this season's "Friday Nights Live" performers.
Last summer, while the Maryville College campus stood mostly empty, the staff at the Clayton Center for the Arts decided to serve up some weekly entertainment for the community at large.
"Last year, we had gospel, jazz, rockabilly, a Native American flute player — just really good stuff," center Director Robert Hutchens told us back in the winter, when he announced that the "Friday Nights Live" series would return to the Clayton Center this summer. Well, the lineup has been posted on the Clayton Center's website, and it's quite the attractive offering of stellar music:
- July 1: Bill Swann Trio (jazz)
- July 8: Boogertown Gap (Old Time)
- July 15: R.B. Morris (singer-songwriter)
- July 22: 3CD (rock)
- July 29: Ben Bolt (guitar)
- Aug. 5: Pistol Creek Catch of the Day (folk/bluegrass/general craziness)
- Aug. 12: Will Tate and 6ix Mile Express (bluegrass)
- Aug. 19: Barry Roseman and Friends (jazz)
- Aug. 26: Ensemble Swing Time Band (Big Band)
All performances take place at 7 p.m. in the Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall. Admission is $10. Start spreading the word, because it's gonna be some great music.
"We want folks to think, 'Hey, it's Friday night — let's see what is going on at the Clayton Center," writes Marketing Director Cheri Compton.
DevilDriver metal dude expresses admiration for Dolly
Dez Fafara
One of the things I love about this job is the fact that musicians constantly surprise me.
Like a lot of rock writers, I'd heard of DevilDriver, a band I interviewed for the May 5 Daily Times Weekend entertainment section. Although they recoil at the label, the metal those dudes lay down is definitely melodic in a way that some of what's out there these days is not. It's been tagged as "groove metal," sounds like it has some thrash elements, and the front man I talked to — Dez Fafara — is a tattooed maniac who talks about pouring all of his pain and anger into the music.
Which made it a little surprising when, during our phone interview this week, he expressed admiration for East Tennessee native and country diva Dolly Parton, especially when it comes to songwriting.
"I'm really good friends with Danny Nozell (Parton's manager and president of Dolly Records), and he told me that she gets up every day, writes one tune, records it and sticks it in the vault," Fafara said. "I'm really coming up on that kind of thing, because when you've got books and books and books of lyrics that'll never be put to music, it becomes a natural resource."
Dolly? Really?
"Any artist — country, rock, whatever — who's been around that long is obviously an inspiration to someone like myself," he replied.
These days, the guys are breaking in a new bass player after founding member Jon Miller went to rehab a few months back and decided to leave the band to focus on his recovery. Losing him, Fafara said, wasa wake-up call.
"This band parties harder than most bands, but we're on a different level now," he said. "A lot of us put ourselves in check after Jon left. He was the one who couldn't conquer his demons, but the rest of us are not drinking a bottle of moonshine every night. We know when it's time to party and when it's not."
That said, he hastened to add about the band's upcoming May 12 show at The Valarium in Knoxville (with DownSlave, Scent of Remains and His Name Was Yesterday): "But that doesn't mean I don't want fans to not bring any moonshine for us to try!"
Whitechapel guitarist Alex Wade sets the record straight about 'arrest' in Germany
The website Noisecreep reported it first, and since the boys in Whitechapel are East Tennesseans, it wasn't long until Knoxville's alternative weekly Metro Pulse picked up the news: The guys had been arrested and fined in Germany after destroying a motel room.
The story has it all — rock 'n' roll, debauchery, excess, clashes with the law. As it was put out there, Whitechapel guitarist (and one of three Blount Countians in the band) Alex Wade told me this afternoon, it's an awesome story. Problem is, it's just not true.
Yes, the cops were called when a couple of drinks led to a fire extinguisher mishap. Yes, it was a debacle, since the cops didn't speak English very well and the band's tour manager had to translate and settle the situation. And yes, hotel management probably weren't saddened to see the guys move on to the next tour stop in Amsterdam with The Acacia Strain. But that's about all there was to it, Wade said.
"Basically, the story is slight true but fabricated to be way bigger than it was to make a better story," Wade said. "No one got arrested or 'detained.' While it's slightly humorous and a good 'tour story,' I don't want our band to be seen in that light, you know? We aren't Motley Crue back in the day; I don't want people thinking we're disrespectful party animals."
Indeed, their mamas — who are proud of their boys — would likely snatch them up by the ears if they thought otherwise.
The band is currently on a break from the road before getting back to it on the "Summer Slaughter Tour" with The Black Dahlia Murder.
Jill Andrews announces tour dates to support 'The Mirror'
Back in March, we told you about the forthcoming full-length by East Tennessee chanteuse Jill Andrews, formerly of the everybodyfields.
Since that time, a couple of things have happened. (Don't worry; that June 7 release date is still a go.) First, I had the pleasure of seeing her set at the Rhythm N' Blooms Festival at the beginning of April, and it was mind-boggling in its beauty. I'm talking about the kind of awe that leaves you yearning for another song, another set, a lifetime with this woman singing these songs from that stage, over and over again. The new songs are bold and without restraint, in a way that Jill's never accomplished before. As good as her work was with Sam Quinn … as good as her solo EP was … she's thrown caution to the wind on this new batch of music and given over to the unrestrained abandon of a woman desperate to make her voice heard. When she lingers on those long notes, the cords in her neck thrumming with every octave, she and her music are things of exquisite ache and sorrow and hope and pain and loss and regret. She sings the feelings of a graveyard full of hearts on these songs, and I can't wait to hear them.
Secondly … a press release from Big Hassle Publicity last week announced that she'll head out on a month-long North American tour in direct support for acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician J.D. Souther, starting June 12 in Carrboro, N.C. That's only five days after "The Mirror" comes out on Thirty Tigers; it was recorded, incidentally, with Scott Solter (Superchunk, The Crooked Jades) in North Carolina and Neilson Hubbard (Glen Phillips, Matthew Perryman Jones) in Nashville. The title track is headed for radio this month, and she's at work on a video for it, according to Big Hassle.
No word yet on when she'll play an East Tennessee release show for "The Mirror." Here's her list of complete dates:
May 28 – Brevard, NC – White Squirrel Fest
June 2 – Chattanooga, TN – Rhythm and Brews
June 3 – Bristol, TN – Border Bash
June 4 – Johnson City, TN – Blue Plum Festival
June 9 – St. Louis, MO – Twangfest
(June 12-31 Dates with JD Souther)
June 12 – Carrboro, NC – The Art Center
June 13 – Charlotte ,NC- The Blumenthal PAC
June 16 – New York, NY – Joe's Pub
June 17 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theatre
June 18 – Montclair, NJ – Outpost in the Burbs
June 21 – Philly, PA – The World Café Live
June 23 – Norfolk, CT – Nancy Marine Studio Theatre
June 24 – Boston, MA – Johnny D's
June 27 – Detroit – The Ark – C
June 28 – Cleveland, OH- Nite Town
June 29 – Cleveland, OH – Nite Town
June 31 – Evanston, IL – Space
September 16-18 – Bristol – Rhythm and Roots


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Items where Salford Author is "Gao, Y"
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|Kay, S and Gao, Y 2005, 'Representing different views of acupuncture in a single ontology' , Medical Informatics and the Internet in Medicine, 30 (2) , pp. 143-150. Item not available from this repository.
This list was generated on Sat Dec 10 03:19:37 2016 UTC.


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Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation 8
View Single Post
Erick Mead
Dojo: Big Green Drum (W. Florida Aikikai)
Location: West Florida
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,568
Re: Transmission, Inheritance, Emulation 8
John Brockington
But's that just it, the context (of O Sensei's actions and teaching) is what is in question, or let's just say it is what is being examined and commented upon. .. So who does one believe, and just exactly how circumspect should we be in interpreting anything we are told about O Sensei? Now, no one would thoughtfully accuse Allen Dershowitz of opposing civil liberties, because there is a preponderance of evidence to the contrary.
Which is all fine. Answers are easy -- It is the questions are hard. What is the question that we are really asking? The issue of
yamato damashii
is fraught with many agendas, and they must be carefully questioned lest we assume an agenda in operation for which there is no evidence, other than the contested use of the term.
I am no hagiographer, but we cannot judge a man adequately divorced of his own time. To say on the basis of expressing
yamato damashii
that Ueshiba was an imperialist before the War is a no-brainer uncontested point of cultural reality. But only a very narrow historical lens takes that information amiss, since Churchill was expressly so, and his historical contemporary, no less, and personally advanced the cause of empire in the Sudan and India. Britain was very little different in its excesses, which are not excused thereby, but then that hardly makes Japan atypical in its goals and ends, even if its means in obtaining them may legitimately be challenged.
As far as it relates to the War, in which the phrase is very prominent, there was no inevitability in the war with the U.S. from the Japanese side, and much strongly expressed political opposition to it, up to and possibly including Hirohito himself, and expressly including the admiral charged with carrying the war to us. Yamamoto did not want that, he had long running ties in the States -- but he carried it out.
To me this speaks deeply of a true concept of budo and
yamato damashii
which it is meant to embody, even though he acted to attack. In a different way, so does O Sensei's withdrawal to Iwama after Pearl Harbor and the second "vision of Aiki" in 1942.
Erick Mead
Erick Mead
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MSC Magnifica Cruise Review by Barbara Sabin: I thought The Shambles was in York!!
Overall Member Rating
I thought The Shambles was in York!!
Destination: Europe - Eastern Mediterranean
Embarkation: Venice
1. Embarkation shambles began at Marco Polo airport when we were left out in the cold for 30 minutes with a promise that the coach was coming in 10 minutes. The express check in is something of a mystery we were no 13 out of 15 groups and kept waiting whilst all non express passengers had checked in.
Cleanliness of ship good, superior balcony cramped in comparison with other cruise lines.
2. Why oh why were the Americans given water and coffee vouchers free and all others had to pay. Water is a basic human right but only if you pay on MSC
Tea and coffee only available at breakfast and afternoon tea and rationed out like school dinners queues.
Food was only reasonable.
3.Cabin Steward very good ,cabin quickly cleaned regularly.
4.Entertainment not very good the classical concerts were only average and the shows lost the plot as the time passed -what Carmen Miranda dancers had to do with a music box I don't know.The compere was More lacking originality and having to listen to so many languages to introduce everything was tiresome.
5.Ravenna was the icing on the cake, - I am joking of course , we were dropped in pouring rain with no map of the town. A well English speaking Italian advised us the only place to escape the deluge was 7 kilometres away, we returned 24 euros worse off with no driver on the locked coach and had to wait in the pouring rain for another shuttle coach.
6.Lastly what can I say about disembarkation -breakfast 6.am out of cabin for 7.30am -sit in the theatre until 10am- then off the ship to queue for 2hours 30 Min's for coach to the airport, with the promise of coach be 10mins . 1 coach to take all passengers to Marco Polo. The best entertainment of the cruise was the Danish couple who took photographs of all the staff who did not respond to our requests for help, there were diabetics desperate for food elderly needing to sit down in all the BIGGEST SHAMBLES YOU HAVE EVER SEEN. and lets not forget the 6euros per person per day deducted the minute you get on board and the donation for UNICEF taken without any permission and the 15% service charge on everything. Is MSC helping out the Italian economy- it must be 3000 passengers all paying 6 euros plus 15% I expect to hear of another new ship next year. Sorry MSC have cancelled our next cruise immediately we got home. Less
Published 02/21/11
Read more MSC Magnifica cruise reviews >>
Read Cruise Critic's MSC Magnifica Review >>
Cabin review: 1111224
Clean but cramped small drawers difficult to open. No toiletries on wash basin eg shampoo conditioner body lotion which are standard on other cruise lines.
Port and Shore Excursions
A Vision to Autumn Cruising
Adventures in Venice Italy
First Cruise Experience, Visio...
Low expectations significantly...
Fantastic Atmosphere
Nice ship nice crew but expens...
Avoid MSC Like The Plague
Great Ship and Crew. Shame abo...
Decent cruise with some issues
Unhappy ship!
A most wonderful break on MSC ...
Good but improvement needed.
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Violence across Iraq killed nearly 1,000 people in October, the United Nations said Friday, as the world body's representative there called on leaders to take bold action to stop the "current mayhem" gripping the country.
Car bombings, shootings and other attacks have been on the rise all year, intensifying fears that widespread sectarian conflict again may overwhelm the country.
Chaos nearly tore apart the country in the aftermath of the U.S.-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein in 2003.
U.N. mission chief Nickolay Mladenov, as the body announced the figures, simply said: "Indiscriminate violence is constant."
The U.N.'s report said 979 people were killed in October – the same number as in September. Out of those, 852 were civilians while 127 were Iraqi soldiers and members of the police force.
U.S. to help clean up Fukushima
The utility operating Japan's crippled nuclear power plant said Friday that it will work with the U.S. Department of Energy in decommissioning the site and in dealing with radioactive water problems.
Tokyo Electric Power Co. President Naomi Hirose said he agreed to accept U.S. help in discussions with U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz as they visited the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant on Friday to inspect preparations to remove fuel rods from a storage pool.
Operators of the plant are currently making final preparations to remove fuel rods from an uncovered cooling pool at Unit 4 – one of four reactor buildings damaged in the crisis, and the one considered at highest risk. Removing the fuel rods from the cooling pool is the first major step in a decommissioning process at the plant that is expected to take decades.
Four accused of kidnapping racket
A Ukrainian woman and three Italian men belonging to what Italian media Friday are calling a child kidnapping ring were arrested in Italy on charges of belonging to a criminal organization.
Arrest warrants were also issued for two Norwegians and a Swede. All are believed to be employees of Scandinavian firm ABP World Group, which offers services in international child custody conflict and missing children.
According to the reports, charges against the people involved include human trafficking, kidnapping and child abduction, the reports say.
Martin Waage, chief executive of security firm ABP World Group, rejected the media reports.
2 Golden Dawn members slain
A drive-by shooting killed two members of Greece's Nazi-inspired Golden Dawn party and wounded one outside a party office in Athens on Friday night, in what officials are treating as a likely far-left domestic terrorist attack.
The government and opposition parties – all who have long ostracized Golden Dawn as a group of neo-Nazis – quickly condemned the attack, which the left-wing main opposition Syriza said "targets democracy" in Greece.
The two victims, ages 22 and 27, were shot at close range from a motorcycle carrying two men, Golden Dawn lawmaker Georgios Germenis told The Associated Press.
A third man, 29, was taken to hospital with severe gunshot wounds.
Mineworkers to strike
More than 7,000 South Africa mineworkers at Northam Platinum will go on strike next week for higher wages, union leaders said Friday.
Unless a last-minute deal is reached, workers will put down their tools on the Sunday evening shift, in a court-sanctioned labor action.
The platinum producer and the National Union of Mineworkers this week failed to reach a deal on wage increases, with the company offering a 7 percent raise, while the labor group is seeking more than triple that amount.
South African officials have warned the strikes on the mines are hurting the country's growth.
Congo hunts down rebel group
The Congolese government says soldiers are hunting down the last remaining M23 rebels in the country.
Government spokesman Lambert Mende said Friday that the remaining rebels are near borders with Uganda and Rwanda.
The Congolese military has recently retaken most of the land that was under the control of the M23.
Mende said Friday that the government will pursue an offensive against those who remain unless they put down their arms.
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Model of Collaboration: Merging Sculpture and Medicine
Published on February 4th, 2014 | by By Dawn K. Waters0
It's easy to imagine a collaboration between a doctor and a medical student, but an art student? Not so much. That is, until you meet Morgan Yacoe and learn what she can do.
When Virginia Commonwealth University surgeons set out to separate a set of conjoined twins, they called on Yacoe, then a junior at the number-one ranked VCUarts sculpture program. Yacoe's task: to cast a medical mold of the twins.
The surgeons realized that planning for this challenging operation required a detailed medical model that replicated the precise shape of the twins themselves. Furthermore, this model needed to duplicate the twins' skin as well as their shape. Nothing like this had been done before.
In collaboration with Dr. Jennifer Rhodes, a reconstructive plastic surgeon and director of Center of Craniofacial Care at the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Yacoe provided the model, complete with a skin-like outer surface. Yacoe's model was a crucial part of the operation's success—so much so that surgeons tapped Yacoe again a year later. This time she was asked to cast the model for an even more complex surgery involving another set of conjoined twins.
"If you think about it, plastic surgeons are—among other things—sculptors."
In addition to her work with conjoined twins, Yacoe is also completing a number of sculpture commissions. She continues to work directly with plastic surgery residents and attending physicians to develop models to simulate surgery outside the operating room.
As a sculptor who happens to have a strong interest in medicine, Yacoe has found the perfect creative outlet. The industrious and charming young woman has a way of making things happen. For example, in another collaboration with Dr. Rhodes, she follows through on the idea that plastic surgery residents can benefit from learning sculpting skills. To accomplish this, Yacoe designed and teaches a series of traditional figure sculpting workshops that allow VCU plastic surgery residents to observe and replicate the human form in three dimensions to help them improve their understanding of the body. If you think about it, plastic surgeons are—among other things—sculptors.
Yacoe collaborates with VCU Medicine and VCUarts to continue finding ways to merge sculpture and medicine. Rhodes and Yacoe have even co-published a peer-reviewed paper on their medical sculpture method in the prestigious Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. They have also shown their work as a poster presentation at the American Society for Plastic Surgery Annual Meeting in New Orleans. This spring, they will present their most recent medical model construction method at the American Association of Plastic Surgeons' annual meeting in Miami.
Closer to home, Richmonders can get a behind-the-scenes look at the medical molds and the role they played, as an exhibition with documentation of Yacoe's groundbreaking work is scheduled for fall 2014 at the historic VCUarts Depot building, currently under renovation on Broad Street between Harrison and Belvidere. Formerly known as the Richmond Glass building, it will house a gallery for VCUarts student work throughout the year.
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Procrastination vexation.
So at least half of my Interweave Knits collection went missing during Yarn School, including the issue with Cobblestone, which I was planning to make Ron for his birthday this month. Boo. I'm hoping it was an honest mistake and whoever walked off with them will realize and return them to me. Or better yet, that someone was perusing a big stack of them in some isolated spot, which they'll tell me about now so I can retrieve them (I already checked all the common & guest rooms with no luck, but there are many hidey-holes in this place). I'm positive one of those two things will happen, because I can't abide the thought of actual stealing. It's just too disappointing. (Update: It's looking up! I found a few of the behind the pits, and while many are still at large, including the one I need, I'm feeling hopeful! Now whoever moved he rest of them somewhere weird, email me and tell me where to find them!)
For today anyway, missing half my back issues is probably for the best, since I really should be working on my taxes and I've already exhausted most of my other avenues of procrastination.
Oh! And if you left Yarn School before lunch on Sunday, you may well have won a door prize in absentia! Half the prizes went to folks who had scooted already. I'll be packing them up and shipping them out next week.
The minute I finish my taxes, I'll gather up my Yarn School pictures and post them. In the meantime, a mere 2 of mine, and a big pile of everyone else's:
5 Responses to "Procrastination vexation."
October 11th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Yeah… taxes can take forever. But there's always the chance you could luck out and win Yarn Monies! The program I used says I will get monies back. Here's hoping! :)
Good luck with the taxes! (And with your procrastiknitting too, of course!)
October 11th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Oi. Yarn School was the best fiber experience ever!!!!!
I truly hope your IKs were just misplaced somehow. I can't imagine someone would take them. If yes, they suck and should have 7 years of bad spinning and knitting luck.
I just looked up Cobbelstone, and yes – I have a copy of the magazine. (Fall 07) Send me an email at firstname.lastname@example.com, and I'll get the pattern to you!
October 13th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Oh, that makes me sad about your magazines . . .
Thanks for Yarn School, you did a fab job, as always!
October 13th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Oh no! I'm so sorry your IK issues have disappeared! I hope they show up soon, one way or the other.
Yarn School was wonderful – thanks so much!
October 13th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Well, that's a bummer. I hope they turn up and you get your taxes done soon.


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Crab Rangoon/Puffs are always the first hors d'œuvres to disappear at a gathering. The dish is so easy to make and to impress when unexpected guest show up at the door.
The chef at Trader Vic's in San Francisco is credited for inventing Crab Rangoon and his original recipe can be found here. Everyone has a slightly different version adjusted to fit one's taste. The following is my preference...
The tiny bit of condensed milk is to pick up the saltiness of the crab meat and add a little "hmmmm, what is that?" flavor. The condensed milk adds a little wink to the recipe.
I like to use fresh hand-picked Dunguness crab when available (but seriously, who has the time nowadays.) The freshly packed version at Costco for about $20 is magnificent to add to any recipe with crab as an ingredient.
Makes about 60 pieces
10 ounces of non-fat cream cheese, room temperature
8 ounces of crab meat
3 green onions, finely sliced
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon condensed milk
sprinkle of white pepper
1 egg
1 teaspoon of cold water
2 packages of wonton wrappers (30 pieces each)
-Mix the cream cheese to form a paste and then add the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly.
-I like to make an assembly line to expedite the cooking process. Use a teaspoon to spoon the filling onto the middle of each wonton wrapper. Beat the egg with the cold water.
-Wet all sides of the wonton wrapper with egg mixture, fold in half and firmly seal the edges.
-Heat a pot filled 3/4 with vegetable oil to 360 degrees. Fry the crab rangoon in batches of 8-10 to keep the temperature stable, turn the wontons when one side is golden brown. Drain over a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil.


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Although many Free French were now fighting with the British, the Vichy regime in France was a different proposition. The French had allowed the Japanese into French Indo-China, a move that had given them access to Malaya and Singapore. Now it was feared that the Japanese would move into the huge natural deep water port of Diego Suarez, on the northern tip of the French colony of Madagascar. Such a move would give the Japanese a dominant position in the Indian Ocean and threaten the convoy route running up East Africa to Egypt.
A pre-emptive invasion of Madagascar was therefore launched by the British. Operation Ironclad saw troops landed on the north western tip of the island in an attempt to capture the port from the rear. The surprise landings were very successful. It was as the force moved inland that they ran into trouble. The French had built a defensive line to protect their rear, and it was very well defended.
The leading Valentine tanks were knocked out by old French 75mm artillery pieces firing solid shot. There then followed a fierce engagement, a minor action fought out under the tropical sun on a distant island, in a largely forgotten war. Only the post action report of Major Simon records what happened when the even more lightly armoured Tetrarch tanks followed up the attack:
The Tetrarchs behind, seeing that the leading tanks were under fire, with great gallantry advanced and engaged the enemy. Unfortunately they followed the Squadron Commander down the road instead of deploying off the road to the right, where they would have been hull down, at least to the gun down the road.
In the event the two leading Tetrarchs were hit, and immediately caught fire. In one, the commander, Corporal Watkins, was killed, the gunner so severely burnt that he died subsequently of his wounds, and the driver also badly burnt. In the other the driver and gunner were wounded.
The commander of this tank, Lieutenant Carlisle, completely disregarding the fire from the 75s, and from the machine guns and rifles which opened fire on him, assisted the driver out of his cab, and then dismounted the Bren Gun from the A. A. mounting.
The Squadron Commander stopped the remaining Tetrarch (Lieutenant Astles), which was engaging the enemy, from advancing further, and sent it back to the Brigade Command to report the result of the action.
The unwounded personnel then fetched, a T.S.M.G, [Thompson Sub Machine Gun] and a Bren Gun, ammunition, water and a first aid box from one of the tanks, and went into dismounted action. 2nd/Lieutenant Whittaker and Sergeant Grime particularly distinguished themselves in thus removing necessary kit from the tanks under fire.
At this stage, Captain Belville, R.M. [Royal Marines], who was acting as Liaison Officer with "B" Squadron R.A.C. [Royal Armoured Corps], and who had watched the tank action from further back, advanced on his motor cycle under machine gun and rifle fire to where the crew were preparing to go into dismounted action. He received a report from the Squadron Commander and proceeded back to the Brigade Command. He took with him on the back of his motor cycle a N.C.O. who had been badly burnt. His action undoubtedly saved the life of the N.C.O., who would otherwise have had to remain In the open under fire for three and a half hours.
An attempt was made to stalk the guns on the right by a patrol armed with T.S.M.G., but this failed owing to heavy machine gun fire covering a sunken road between the tanks and the gun position.
After a pause of approximately half an hour, during which the party was ineffectively sniped, enemy infantry advanced from their positions in an attempt to round up the tank crews. The enemy were however forced to withdraw by fire from the Bren Guns.
After a short pause the enemy again advanced, making skilful use of cover, and attempting to work round the right flank of the position. During this engagement some carriers came in sight, but owing to heavy machine gun fire were unable to approach. The enemy was, however, again forced to withdraw.
The enemy then made a third sortie, employing the same tactics. They managed to approach quite close, but were held off by fire from the Bren Gun, T.S.M.G. and pistols. The T.S.M.G. and pistol ammunition was, however, by now almost exhausted. Finally 2nd/Lieutenant Whittaker, who had been manning the Bren gun on the fight flank with great determination and accuracy, was fatally wounded.
The enemy then advanced and at approximately 1545 hrs captured the party. Only three of that tank crews were then unwounded. The prisoners were treated by the enemy with great consideration.
Hours later a combined tank and infantry attack was able to overcome the position. See TNA WO 218/156 for the full report.


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PHILADELPHIA – Four professors at the School of Medicine were elected as members of the Institute of Medicine (IOM), one of the nation's highest honors in biomedicine. The new members bring Penn's total to 62, out of over 1600 worldwide. Overall, the IOM named 65 new members this year.
"Penn is privileged and proud that four of our most distinguished physician-scientists have been named to one of America's premier institutions," says Arthur H. Rubenstein, MBBCh, Executive Vice President of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System and Dean of the School of Medicine.
The new Penn IOM members are:
David Asch, MD, MBA, is Executive Director of the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania, where he is the Robert D. Eilers Professor of Medicine and Health Care Management and Economics at the School of Medicine and the Wharton School. He teaches health policy at the Wharton School, and he practices internal medicine at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where he is Co-director of the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion. He also co-directs the Robert Wood Johnson Health & Society Scholars Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Asch's research aims to understand how physicians and patients make medical choices in clinical, financial, and ethically charged settings, and how health policies affect equity and quality.
Joel D. Cooper, MD, is Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery, of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Known for his pioneering contributions to the field of thoracic surgery, he is a recipient of the prestigious Jacobson Innovation Award from the American College of Surgeons and the Scientific Achievement Award from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Dr. Cooper's special interests include general thoracic, esophageal and tracheal surgery, lung cancer and swallowing disorders. A past president of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, he is recognized for his contributions in the field of airway surgery, esophageal surgery, pulmonary, physiology, lung transplantation and surgery for emphysema. Dr. Cooper is on the editorial board of Clinical Transplantation, the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Transplantation Proceedings and Transplantation Today. Dr. Cooper has published almost 400 scientific articles and is a co-editor of the Pearson Textbook of Thoracic Surgery.
Lee A. Fleisher, MD, is the Robert D. Dripps Professor and Chair of Anesthesia and Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He is the Chair of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Guidelines on Perioperative Cardiovascular Evaluation before Non-Cardiac Surgery. Dr. Fleisher has published more than 200 articles, chapters, books, and abstracts. He has edited several books and monographs, including Evidence Based Practice of Anesthesiology and the 5th edition of Anesthesia and Uncommon Diseases; he is also the co-editor of Essence of Anesthesia Practice and the forthcoming Perioperative Medicine: Managing for Outcomes, consulting editor for Anesthesia Clinics of North America, and associate editor of the 6th edition of Anesthesia. He is considered to be one of the world's authorities on how the heart responds to the stress of surgery.
Katherine A. High, MD, is internationally prominent hematologist and researcher, She is the William H. Bennett Professor of Pediatrics at Penn, the director of the Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. She also is a past president of the American Society of Gene Therapy. Dr. High's studies of the molecular biology of the bleeding disorder hemophilia led to clinical trials of gene therapy for hemophilia at CHOP. She leads a National Institutes of Health-funded laboratory and has contributed scores of papers to the scientific literature.
The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to honor professional achievement in the health sciences and to serve as a national resource for independent analysis and recommendations on issues related to medicine, biomedical sciences, and health.
PENN Medicine is a $3.5 billion enterprise dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. PENN Medicine consists of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System.
Penn's School of Medicine is currently ranked #3 in the nation in U.S.News & World Report's survey of top research-oriented medical schools; and, according to most recent data from the National Institutes of Health, received over $379 million in NIH research funds in the 2006 fiscal year. Supporting 1,400 fulltime faculty and 700 students, the School of Medicine is recognized worldwide for its superior education and training of the next generation of physician-scientists and leaders of academic medicine.
The University of Pennsylvania Health System includes three hospitals — its flagship hospital, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, rated one of the nation's "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S.News & World Report; Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital; and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center — a faculty practice plan; a primary-care provider network; two multispecialty satellite facilities; and home care and hospice.
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Cubs Win First Game With Teamwork!
Cubs Win! Cubs Win! How? A combined effort of solid pitching and timely hitting gave the Cubs their first victory of 2011. Everyone contributed and provided the kind of teamwork that will carry this team to new heights. As a diehard Cubs' fan, I am very encouraged by this team's tenacity to hang in there. I am pleased by the effort that everyone gave. Indeed, this will be a fun group to watch. Mike Quade deserves a world of credit for the way this team has come together. I think there is good reason to be optimistic this season.
Carlos Zambrano struggled early but managed to keep the game close. Cramping in his hand forced him to leave the game, but Kerry Wood came in and took care of business. Sean Marshall followed Wood and also shut down the Pirates. Then in the bottom of the 8th, the Cubs came to life and battled for a 5 run inning. The beauty of that inning was that everyone contributed with timely hitting.
60602722.jpg Alfonso Soriano had a key hit and of course, Blake DeWitt delivered in the clutch. Dewitt, who struggled in Spring Training, deserves a lot of credit. His confidence needed a boost and he needed that hit as much as the team did. It was a total team effort.
60602747.jpg I like the way that this team sticks together and supports one another. It is refreshing. Carlos Marmol came on in the 9th and struck out the side for his first save of the young season.
60602748.jpg In fact, the bullpen retired the last 9 Pirate batters of the game. Now that's a solid bullpen!
Matt Garza is on the bump today. He will be starting his first game in a Cub uniform. If he can have a solid outing, then the Cubs should win again. Garza seems like a really good teammate. He's a gamer, you can tell. With the addition of Garza, Carlos Pena, and the return of Kerry Wood, I believe the club house chemistry is finally coming together. Mike Quade has good reason to like his chances this year. Teamwork is what champions are made of and the Cubs are showing signs of having the right chemistry.
Good job to everyone! Keep up the good work! Go Cubs Go!!!
Spring Training Assessment
With Opening Day less than a week away, it's time to assess the Cubs and determine what we can come to expect in the upcoming season. There have been some positives and negatives that have emerged. Let's take a closer look.
In his first full season as a Major League Manager, Mike Quade has been impressive with the way he has conducted himself in Spring Training. Quade has demonstrated that he is a hands on type of guy. He brings a ton of energy to the ballpark and that has to rub off on the players. I have heard reports of how Quade has been actively involved in every phase of the game. When he spots a mistake, it is immediately addressed. Mike Quade has proven that he is one of the guys, which is important to teamwork. He doesn't maintain the distance that other managers might keep between him and his players. Perhaps, that is the reason that the players have responded in a positive manner. Anyway, I like what I have seen thus far. He is an honest, candid, and a no non-sense man on a mission. He has gained my confidence that he was indeed, the right man for the job.
Mike Quade and the Cubs are in the process of trimming the opening day roster, which is no easy task. Many players have already been optioned to the minor leagues. One of the biggest questions revolve around the starting rotation. Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, and Matt Garza will be the top three starters. Randy Wells has had a good Spring and has earned the #4 spot. Carlos Silva thought that he deserved to pitch in the starting rotation but didn't back it up. His performance this Spring was terrible. He had an ERA over 10 and was optioned to Triple A, but refuses to go. The Cubs will most likely try to trade him. Braden Looper had a rough Spring and consequently, did not make the team. He decided to hang it up and retire once again. Andrew Cashner was named the 5th starter, however, I am not so sure that he is the right fit for that role. Cashner has done very well in relief. He has the tools to be an awesome set-up guy. Last season, he opened our eyes. Many people feel that he would make a good starting pitcher, but even while he has earned a spot in the rotation, Cashner has not really demonstrated his effectiveness in that role. Personally, I think Sean Marshall is better suited, but I cannot argue his effectiveness and value in the bullpen. Another possibility is Kerry Wood, although like Marshall, that is unlikely to happen. The only other option for the Cubs would be to trade for a solid starting pitcher and move Cashner back to the bullpen where he can be the most effective. Hopefully, Cashner will settle into his new role, but time will tell.
The Cubs have a similar outfield situation to the one they had last year. Alfonso Soriano will be the left fielder. Of course, he will need to have a good year and stay healthy. He will need to produce if he wants to keep the Cubs' faithful off his back. Marlon Byrd has had a good Spring and promises to be a team leader. Right field is where the problem lies. The Cubs have Kosuke Fukudome, who has not done well at all. It seems like he has nothing to offer the Cubs but defense. It may be time to unload him and get it over with. Tyler Colvin can definitely hit, but his defense remains a bit shaky. I do not share most Cubs' fans optimism concerning Colvin. He simply needs to work on his defense. Reed Johnson was re-acquired this offseason. Reed will definitely help the Cubs this year, particularly against left-handers. If I had my way, I would platoon Soriano and Colvin in left, move Marlon Byrd to right, and bring up Brett Jackson to play center and lead off.
The infield needs to tighten up the defense. Darwin Barney has earned the job at second base, period. Blake Dewitt and Jeff Baker can be used as back-ups. Barney has shown all the signs of a promising second baseman. He has won me over this Spring. He has the right attitude and work ethic to succeed.
Carlos Pena remains a bit of a mystery. He is a gold glove first baseman, but his hitting still needs work. He has the left-handed power that the Cubs were looking for, but still struggles at the plate. Pena has a lightning-fast bat, but has difficulty with pitch recognition. Hopefully, that will improve and he can raise his batting average to a respectable level.
Finally, Geovanny Soto will be the primary catcher, but there is much debate over who should back him up. Koyie Hill handles the pitching staff well, but simply cannot hit. Wellington Castillo has had an incredible Spring, batting over .600, but the Cubs will probably elect to send him back to the minors where he can get regular playing time. That is unfortunate. How much more does Castillo have to do to prove that he is ready for the big leagues. He is way better than Hill who has contributed nothing to the offense or the defense. Wellington Castillo has earned a spot on the Cubs' roster, pure and simple. To deny him the opportunity to play in the big leagues would be a travesty.
Well, Mike Quade and the Cubs' front office still have work to do. There remains much to be optimistic about, however, there also remains some wrinkles to work out and decisions to be made. Let's hope the Cubs can figure it out. As Spring Training winds down, Opening Day will soon be upon us. It's time to "Play Ball!" I can't wait.
The Cubs Need A Lesson In Teamwork!
By now, everyone has seen or heard about the scuffle that took place last week. If this is a sign of things to come, then the Cubs are in serious trouble. Hopefully, this incident will be put to rest and the Cubs can get on with the business at hand. Before we move on, perhaps we should take a closer look at how these things happen.
Obviously Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Silva have better insight into the situation than I do, but I may be able to shed some light on this subject. Players get frustrated when things don't go their way. A bad pitch or a costly error can cause some players to become unhinged and blow up at their teammates. Bad idea. The word "Teammates" suggest that players should be on the same side. We're all in this together should be the motto. A teammate should lift his fellow player up when he makes a mistake, not condemn him. This has been the problem. Mike Quade did a fine job of downplaying the incident with the media, but I wonder how the situation was addressed in the clubhouse. Sure, they had a team meeting to address the 14 errors in the first 4 games, but was it enough to prevent future outbursts of infighting? Time will tell.
A successful team establishes urgency and direction. A worthwhile purpose that unites the team as a whole. Teams must have complementary skills at each position. Everyone plays a particular role. Teams set clear rules of behavior to help achieve their purpose and performance goals. This enables the team to stay focused and committed. Teammates should challenge one another to be better rather than placing blame and embarrassing each other. Teammates should be family, spending alot of time together to create an unbreakable bond, trust, and understanding. Successful teams feed off of positive reinforcement, recognition, and reward. Lastly, there must be accountability. Each player should be held accountable for his performance. That does not mean he deserves to be ridiculed but rather each player has a responsibility to his teammates to learn his craft, work hard, and improve on a daily basis. Just because a veteran earns millions of dollars doesn't mean that he isn't expected to work hard and give maximum effort. It doesn't mean that he shouldn't seek help from a coach when he needs it. There are too many players that think they know it all and don't need the extra help or that they don't have to hustle. Those players don't deserve to wear Cubby blue. The players who are truly commited to improving and winning are the ones that should stay, everyone else should go elsewhere. There is no room for laziness at the MLB level.
Every successful team forges its own path. That doesn't mean that there won't be conflicts because there will be, but how a team handles it, is crucial. Isn't it time the Cubs start playing as a team, committed to excellence and winning? Enough of these childish tantrums, let's get down to business and win a World Series!
Seriously, Are The Cubs Going To Be Any Good This Year?
With Spring Training right around the corner, it's time to evaluate the offseason moves made by Jim Hendry, the Cubs General Manager. Each and every year Cubs' fans get excited around this time. We are ever hopeful that the new season will bring that elusive championship, but in the end, we are disappointed yet again. Could this year be different? Could 2011 be the breakthrough year to remember? Have the Cubs made the necessary moves to bring the right balance to a team that has struggled to reach its potential? I am going to gaze into my crystal ball and peek into the future and try to determine what kind of team we have to look forward to.
The first glimpse that may be indicative of a promising year dates back to the last month and a half of last season. After the sudden retirement of Lou Piniella, Mike Quade took over the helm and steered the Cubs in the right direction. Under Quade, the Cubs finished strong. The players responded to his style of managing and won nearly 2/3 of the remaining games. Quade made a strong impression on Jim Hendry and Cubs' Chairman, Tom Ricketts, and the interim tag was removed as he won the managerial job over fan favorites such as Ryne Sandberg and Joe Girardi. There was much controversey over the process, but in the end, Mike Quade had earned the position. In 2011, Mike Quade will face the challenge of managing over the long haul of the season. If 2010 was evidence that he has what it takes to turn this team around, then indeed, the Cubs have much to look forward to.
As the Cubs searched the free agent market to fill some obvious holes, Jim Hendry finally found a left-handed first baseman in Carlos Pena. Was it the right fit? Some may argue, but seriously, Pena is a great defensive first baseman and has a powerful left-handed bat. Exactly what the Cubs needed. Is his .196 batting average and high strikeout ratio a concern? It would be, but Pena is working with Rudy Jaramillo, the Cubs' hitting coach, and is totally committed to improving his swing. That willingness to learn is the key. There are far too many veterans who think that they are so great that they have nothing more to learn, the very same players who start to stink and drag everyone around them down. So it is refreshing to see a player who wants to get better. Carlos Pena is going to work out just fine, you'll see.
The Cubs also re-acquired Kerry Wood. I am very happy about this because Woody is, was, and always will be a Cub. He is a club house leader and understands what it means to be a Cub. He gave the Cubs a huge discount to come home. He did an awesome job for the Yankees last season and he promises to do more of the same for the Cubs in 2011. Hopefully he can remain healthy and prove to everyone that HE'S BACK! I think that he will return with a vengeance. I am excited to see him again!
Then, there was the controversial trade for Matt Garza. The Cubs may have lost some top prospects, but they have gained one of the best pitchers in the game today. He will be a welcomed addition to the Cubs' pitching staff. Coming to the National League where hitters aren't very familiar with him will be to his advantage. I look for him to have a great year. Like Woody and Pena, I foresee him silencing the critics very quickly. I predict that he will win 18 games or more this season.
The Cubs have also made some minor moves, such as re-acquiring Reed Johnson, Todd Wellmeyer, and getting some players in the Tom Gorzellany trade. We'll see how those work out as only time will tell. On a positive note, the Cubs have signed Geovanny Soto, Sean Marshall, and I believe, Carlos Marmol thus avoiding arbitration. So that is good news.
One important factor that will determine the Cubs destiny is whether or not they can stay healthy. Last year was a disaster as far as injuries go. A healthy team learns to play as a team and gel. A different line-up everyday is disastrous to team chemistry and that was something we saw too much of last year. The Cubs need to stay healthy, period! It is good to hear that Tyler Colvin will be back this year. Watching him being impaled by a broken bat scared us all. It's great that he will return, we'll need him.
The Cubs seem pretty solid up and down the line-up, except for one thing. We still do not have a protypical lead-off hitter. I probably sound like a broken record, but this could make or break the Cubs' offense. Last season, there was no spark to ignite the offense and consequently no pressure on the opposition. If the Cubs truly want to contend, this crucial piece must be found. If no trades are made, then somebody will need to step up and learn how to get on base and rattle the defense. I hope that Mike Quade doesn't just pencil in just anybody. He knows full well that the lead-off hitter sets the tone for what will follow. Anyway, we'll see what happens. Perhaps Starlin Castro or Kosuke Fukudome will be willing to learn how to fill that role. Who knows, after all, there is still some time before the season begins.
Overall, I think the Cubs will be much improved. If the lead off role can be filled, I think the Cubs will be in business. Once again, I am excited about the upcoming season, unfortunately, my crystal ball isn't as clear as I'd like it to be, but that would take all of the fun out of watching the season unfold now wouldn't it?
Cubs Still Missing Crucial Piece To Offense
The Cubs have been busy this offseason improving the team for 2011, but there is still one piece that has yet to be addressed to elevate them to the next level – a legitimate lead off hitter.
In 2010, the Cubs lacked one crucial element which failed to spark the offense. All season long, the offense struggled to score runs. There was nobody at the top of the batting order to ignite the spark and put pressure on the defense. Lou Piniella and Mike Quade exhausted every option at their disposal to find somebody that could fill the role. Ryan Theriot was traded to the Dodgers and consequently left a huge hole to fill. Many attempts to try different players were unsuccessful. As a result, the offense struggled to offer much run support. Too much reliance on the long ball resulted in a lack of run support for a pitching staff that deserved better.
During an interview, Mike Quade was asked who would be the Cubs' lead off hitter in 2011.
His response was disturbing. He admitted that the Cubs did not have such a player that he would consider a true lead off candidate. He acknowledged that the Cubs simply lacked what was needed. At least he was honest. Given the fact, his response was that the lead off role would be by committee. In other words, he would be forced to pencil in anybody and everybody to fill the slot. A repeat of last season apparently. This disturbs me because last season was a disappointment due to the lack of run production. There was no spark to ignite the offense. So is 2011 doomed to failure?
What exactly is the role of a legitimate lead off hitter? A lead off hitter, first and foremost, must be able to get on base. He should be able to draw walks, bunt for a base hit, and hit for average. In other words, he must have a high on-base percentage. Secondly, he must have speed. Once on base, he must apply pressure to the opposing pitcher and defense. He must be a base stealing threat. He must cause the pitcher to be nervous and disrupt his concentration. He must draw the defense out of position and wreck havoc. Not only should he have the abilty to steal bases, but have the abilty to reach third base on a hit and run. He must be able to get himself in scoring position, somehow. He must be fast enough to score runs and make things happen. Such a player causes the opposition to make mistakes and opens the door for the offense to score runs.
The Cubs have made some improvements this offseason, but still lack the necessary spark to ignite the offense. With all due respect to Mike Quade and the current roster, the Cubs will be in for another long season if this isn't addressed.
The Cubs' General Manager, Jim Hendry, needs to find a way to fill this hole. It is too important not to. I was reading another Cubs' blog, Strictly Cubs Baseball, http://strictlycubsbaseball.mlblogs.com/, I began thinking about this problem and reached the conclusion that this IS a HUGE problem. The lack of offense last year is directly attributable to the lack of a legitimate lead off hitter. There simply was no run support. Opposing pitchers were entirely too relaxed while facing the Cubs. Jim Hendry still has work to do. I hope and pray that he does something to address this glaring hole or 2011 could be disastrous. The Cubs are on the right track, but to be truly competitive, we need a solid lead off hitter. Only then, will we be in good shape to reach the playoffs.
Cubs Get Matt Garza, But Did They Give Away The Farm?
The Cubs made a major move to acquire Matt Garza, one of the best starting pitchers in baseball. In return, the Cubs traded their minor league pitcher of the year, Chris Archer, and their minor league player of the year, Brandon Guyer. The highly touted shortstop, Hak Ju Lee was also thrown in. So did they give away the farm just to get a top-notch pitcher?
It is arguable.
My first reaction to the news was, "How could they let that happen?" I thought they were building the farm system, building for the future. However, after having some time to think about it, I have settled down and have come to the conclusion that the Cubs needed to do something to upgrade the starting rotation. Perhaps, it was the only way. Tampa Bay was insistent on receiving the best prospects for Garza. Perhaps, the Cubs have enough depth in the minors that they can afford to make such a move. I certainly hope so. It doesn't matter now. What's done is done. I am happy that the Cubs landed a big time pitcher. Matt Garza is definitely a big time pitcher. He tossed the first Tampa Bay no-hitter last year and has pitched in the post-season. Coming to the National League will benefit him since opposing teams aren't very familiar with him. He won 15 games last season in the toughest league of all. I can't wait to see what he can do with the Cubs. I expect Garza to perform at the highest level. He will be joining his first baseman, Carlos Pena, which will make both players feel more comfortable coming to the Cubs.
So was it a good move? Time will tell, but for the most part, I think it was. To make a trade for a top-notched pitcher, Jim Hendry had no choice but to give something up in return. It's the nature of the beast. Once Matt Garza shows Cubs' fans what he brings to the table, I think everyone will forget all about the prospects that were traded. The Cubs will certainly be in a better position to make a playoff push with Garza on board. I wish him well. Welcome to Chicago, Matt!
The Return Of Kerry Wood; A True Cub Comes Home!
Welcome back, Woody! While some Cubs' fans might be hesitant to get excited about Kerry Wood's return to Chicago due to the injuries that haunted him during his first tour of duty, I am not one of them. Sure, Woody was plagued by injuries in the past but those days are gone. A skeptical fan need only to look at the year Wood had last season with the Yankees. During the post-season Kerry came out of the bullpen and was lights out. I thought to myself, "He's back!"
Now, Woody is healthy and has returned to form. Now, he is back with the Cubs and I am excited. He has new life and the Cubs will benefit from his presence in the bullpen. Jim Hendry sought a veteran right-handed reliever to anchor the bullpen and Kerry Wood is the perfect fit. Personally, I was skeptical at the idea of bringing him back, but something dramatically opened my eyes.
Woody wanted to return to Chicago since his family has roots here. His wife is from the Windy City and he wanted to make Chicago his permanent home. That is great, but the reasons why I am excited about his return is that I was watching Chicago Tribune Live and Dave Kaplan was talking about a conversation that he had with Kerry Wood. He jokingly told Kerry that the White Sox were interested in signing him as a free agent and asked Wood if he had considered going there. Kerry Wood's response, "Never!" Spoken like a true Cub!
Then, when I heard that Jim Hendry was considering signing him and Woody was willing to accept far less money on the open free agent market to come to Chicago to play for the Cubs again I thought, "Hmmm". In essence, he was willing to take a pay cut to accomodate the Cubs who have had a huge payroll deficiency. He was taking one for the team. Wow, you don't see that every day. Any player who is willing to turn down millions of dollars to help the team out is definitely my kind of player. Kerry Wood is truly a Cub!
I will never forget the day he struck out 20 while pitching against the Houston Astros in 1998, his rookie season. I have watched a million games and that, I swear, was the best pitching performance that I have ever seen. Better perhaps, than any no-hitter that I have watched. Kerry Wood was in the zone that day. It was incredible! Sure, due to injuries, he has had a disappointing career, but we can take heart that Woody is healthy now and he's back, back with a vengeance. Kerry is a true Cub, a veteran presence, and a true leader in the club house. I am glad to have him back and wish him the best of luck as the Cubs set forth on their journey to the World Series in 2011. Don't laugh. It could happen. As Mike Quade has said, "Why not us?"
A Special Thanks To Baseball Bloggers Alliance
It has been a while since I have posted anything but unfortunately I have had some personal issues to deal with. I apologize for the delay. However, I'm back! There has been alot going on in the baseball world so I will try to get up to speed with the rest of you. One thing that I have failed to do was write a post about the Baseball Bloggers Alliance.
For those of you unfamiliar with the BBA, I would like to share with you some of the benefits of joining.
I started blogging back in September. Not too long after that I decided to join the BBA even though I knew nothing about who they were or what they did. Since joining, I was asked if I had any interest in having my blog, A Diehard Cubs' Fan Speaks Out, listed on the new I-Phone App. Of course, that was intriguing so I agreed. Amazingly, to my disbelief, my blog is now on I-Phones. Wow! I couldn't believe it, but there it is. Therefore, I owe a debt of gratitude to the Baseball Bloggers Alliance for their excellent work. I would like to thank them for adding me to the list.
The BBA is simply a bunch of bloggers like myself who have joined forces to raise blogging to the next level. There are many exciting things to participate in, such as voting for Hall of Fame inductees, post-season awards like the MVP and many many more fun stuff. I am still a rookie in this league so I have not experienced all of the fun stuff yet, however, I certainly look forward to it and encourage my fellow bloggers to consider joining. There is no cost, just alot of fun baseball-related things to do. Again, I would like to give a thousand thanks to the Baseball Bloggers Alliance for allowing me the opportunity to take part.
Scot Blust
Cubs Finally Make A Move; Sign First Baseman, Carlos Pena!
The Winter Meetings in Orlando have been stalled by Cliff Lee, however, the Cubs have managed to find their first baseman for the upcoming season. Carlos Pena has agreed to a one-year contract worth about $10 Million.
Jim Hendry was running out of options as the search for a first baseman intensified. Adrian Gonzalez was traded to Boston, Lance Berkman was signed by the Cardinals, and Adam Dunn will join Paul Konerko on the White Sox. With available Free Agents dwindling, Hendry had to do something, something fast. Hendry has been talking to Carlos Pena and Adam LaRoche, but has decided to go with former Tampa Bay, first baseman, Carlos Pena.
Pena is the top defensive first baseman in this year's free agent market. He is a Gold Glove Award winner. Despite his offensive struggles, Pena still managed to hit 28 homeruns last year. He only batted .196, which has some Cubs' fans nervous, but by coming to Chicago, Pena will have the opportunity to work with Cubs' Hitting Coach, Rudy Jaramillo. A change in his batting approach should improve his swing. Poor hitting is fixable, especially when a hitter is willing to learn and make adjustments. With a one-year deal, Pena will be motivated to make vast improvements to increase his market value next year. I think Jim Hendry made the right decision by signing Pena. In my humble opinion, Carlos Pena will be a good fit for the Cubs. He will improve a defense that struggled last season, he adds a left-handed power bat to the middle of the line-up, and he is a leader in the club house. The Cubs are in desperate need for all of those things. While I have criticized Hendry for not making any moves up to this point, I will admit that he has done the right thing in signing Pena. He will be a welcomed addition.
In other news, the Cubs have shown interest in some pitchers this week. According to MLB Trade Rumors http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/chicago_cubs/index.html, the Cubs have had discussions concerning Zack Greinke, Matt Garza, and Brandon Webb. There are talks of a trade with the Rangers for Chris Davis, a potential power-hitter, and Darren O'Day, a side-armed reliever with an ERA under 2.00. It has also been reported that the Cubs are shopping Tom Gorzellany around to create an opening in the starting rotation.
Good news! The Winter Meetings are starting to heat up, but the Cubs are just getting warmed up. I can't wait to see what happens next. With pitching a top priority, look for Jim Hendry to target a pitcher to solidify the starting rotation next.
Will The Winter Meetings Bring Solace to Cubs' Fans?
It has been a year of disappointment and frustration for Cubs' fans. The Cubs' have yet to make any moves to fill the glaring holes at first base and the lead off position. Time is running out and Cubs' fans are getting nervous. What are the Cubs going to do?
The 2010 season was lost from the very beginning. The season brought many disappointments along the way. After Lou Piniella suddenly retired, Mike Quade took over and brought some renewed hope to Chicago. He managed to motivate the players and the Cubs finished strong. A glimmer of things to come?
Following the season, the managerial search was on. Fans argued over who should be the next manager. Ryne Sandberg and Joe Girardi were amongst the names that most believed would win the job. Of course, the Cubs decided on Mike Quade, who earned the position with the strong finish. Many diehard Cubs' fans were angered that Sandberg wasn't named manager, others were mad that Girardi never had the opportunity to interview. In the end, it didn't matter what Cubs' fans wanted, the Cubs had made their choice.
Next came the off season. The Cubs have many holes to fill, particularly first base. The Cub faithful once again started a debate. Who should the Cubs acquire? Many Cubs' blogs have made suggestions. The Cub Den, http://cubden.mlblogs.com/ and Strictly Cubs Baseball, http://strictlycubsbaseball.mlblogs.com/ have explored all of the possibilities. I, myself, have made some suggestions. Unfortunately, our suggestions have seemingly fallen on deaf ears. Do the Cubs actually listen to the fans? Do they acknowledge what the fans want? It has been my opinion that they do not. Of course, I understand that the Cubs have all the experts that share their input when it comes to assembling a team. That's what they get paid to do. However, since the fans are the ones that support the team, shouldn't the Cubs take a more active interest in what the fans want? I think so. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any evidence of that. I suppose that we should leave the management to the professionals, but I would like to believe that the Cubs care about the fans. Obviously, the fans have a thousand opinions and not all of them are wonderful, but some are.
So what is my point to all of this?
I would like the Cubs to listen a little more closely to us diehard fans, that's all. Sometimes we feel ignored. Many of us wanted the Cubs to acquire Adrian Gonzalez, but he got away.
As the Winter Meetings get under way, the Cubs need to get busy filling holes. The Cubs haven't done anything yet and other teams are swooping down and plucking players left and right. Hopefully, the Cubs will make some moves that will earn the fans' respect again. Cubs' fans don't want to wait till 2 or 3 years before the team competes. We want to compete each and every year. Baseball should be exciting, not disappointing. On that note, Jim Hendry needs to get busy. Cubs' fans are getting restless.