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Joining the big league at Aon
Financial institutions are accelerating their investment in the Greater China region and it's no wonder – with dynamic advantages from which to benefit on both sides. Risk management services provider Aon Risk Solutions recently appointed banking veteran Owen Belman as chief executive officer of Greater China in a strategic move to enhance its leadership in the region. He swaps e-mails with Hilda Poon.
Why did initially you join Aon Risk Solutions?
For the opportunity to move up the league tables. Aon is the acknowledged market leader globally and across Greater China, and it's great to be with a winner. That said, Aon still has tremendous upside. Its brand is not widely known outside of the industry, though the sponsorship of Manchester United has helped dramatically. (And my two boys really enjoy spotting "Aon" shirts in Times Square and across the island!) Aon has an enviable footprint globally, particularly in Asia. Greater China is one of the fastest growing regions in most industries, but especially particularly in brokerage and insurance, where commercial penetration rates are very low.
What are the key areas of the company's development strategy in Greater China?
Aon's objective is to bring distinctive client value, unmatched talent, and operational excellence to its engagements. The same is true in Greater China, but given that many of our clients are operating and investing across the region, capturing cross-border opportunities through seamless customer service is imperative. We need to be the most client-focused firm, offering the best industry talent, for clients focused domestically in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as those operating elsewhere in the region.
Why do you see a need to strengthen leadership capability in Greater China?
More of our clients are accelerating their investment in the region and are looking for risk management partners who can anticipate and serve their needs. We need to rapidly grow our group of leaders across Greater China who can bring the best of Aon Risk Solutions' global offer to bear in client engagements. Aon has world class practice sharing capabilities, but it takes great leaders to orchestrate delivery across markets, channels, and products.
How will you empower leaders in the company?
Empowerment starts with putting in place the right leaders which involves recruiting and developing unmatched talent, then supporting them with the right tools, investment, and trust. We ask leaders at Aon to deliver business results with excellence, by living our values, innovating, and developing excellent teams, all with the purpose of delivering distinctive client value.
What is the current staff count in Hong Kong, Taiwan and the mainland?
Aon has three business units, including Aon Risk Solutions, the insurance brokering and risk management advisory business; Aon Hewitt, the human resource consulting and outsourcing business; and Aon Benfield, the reinsurance intermediary and capital advisor of Aon. Aon Risk Solutions has 530 staff across Greater China.
How many more staff, and in which departments, are you planning to hire in the coming year?
This question is important and timely, as we enter our 2012 planning cycle. I am currently visiting our operations in each country to learn more about our people and the Aon business. Recruiting and retention in this region is a challenge across industries, and it is a credit to Aon's brand and value proposition that we have remarkably low attrition rates. Asia and Greater China are growth markets for Aon, and will receive considerable investment, as a result. We will use a combination of organic growth and targeted external hires to enhance capabilities and expand distribution, particularly in mainland China.
What do you offer in terms of work-life balance?
Aon Risk Solutions offers paternity leave, employee volunteering leave, and the ARS recreational club. Beyond these programs, we continue to search for ways to simplify and enhance operational efficiency, to limit the time staff must spend internally-focused, freeing them to invest most of their work time on delivering client value.
What can your staff expect in terms of professional development?
Developing unmatched talent is a key strategic focus for Aon. We are committed to becoming an employer of choice, offering a world-class working environment. We have a number of initiatives underway to sharpen performance management, learning and development, and knowledge sharing.


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Then why bring up JO at all? No one is saying that Mahinmi is going to be the next all-star PF/C, what does a JO move have to do with it?This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
The problem that I refer to with "being in a vacuum" is that so many people here seem to have an absolute idea in their heads of what a player with a certain set of statistics is worth in the league, as well as an idea of what level of salary makes it impossible for that player to be off the deep bench.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Considering so many payrolls out there, I have absolutely NO idea where these values come from. If a guy is going to be your main rotation b/u big, is he worth $4M? If someone else was going to pay him that amount, is he worth $4M? Is the worth absolute or is it relative to the cap? If he isn't worth $4M in a cap space of $58M, is he worth it in a cap space of $62M? $65M? $70M?
I just don't think it is as cut-and-dried as so many seem to that there's a fixed retail price where anyone who offers more is foolish.

subset: commoncrawl


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And, of course, the fine print:
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|August 7, 2002
Volume 4, Issue 29
|Midwifery Today E-News
"Second Stage (Cephalic Baby), Part I"
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Midwifery Today Conferences
Besides all of the dynamic teachers we have coming for the Netherlands Conference in The Hague, we have attracted many amazing participants. They are coming from many parts of the world, making this a truly international event. We will get to network with people from Scotland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, England, Aruba, the US, Israel, South Africa and more. As birth around the world has become more and more medicalized, this is the time and opportunity to make plans for change. With the two days devoted to Midwifery Education around the world we can discuss how to build a strong foundation right at the student level. With a day devoted to sexuality in birth we can reclaim this important, almost forgotten aspect of birth. I am always excited and full of hope when I attend a conference, which is several times per year. It fills me with hope because I meet many people like each of you who are working diligently in your areas of influence to help women have the best births possible. Keep up the good work.
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Quote of the Week
"The wisdom and compassion a woman can intuitively experience in childbirth can make her a source of healing and understanding for other women."
- Stephen Gaskin
The Art of Midwifery
Alfalfa tablets make the most lovely, rich breastmilk. Borage is also a wonderful breastfeeding herb; I like to mix it with oat straw for a good balance.
- Raven
Try adding nettles [in addition to alfalfa]. However, you may not want to drink nettle tea right before bed as it can have a stimulating effect on some people. Nettles are highly nutritious and safe to take while breastfeeding as well as throughout pregnancy.
- Lori
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News Flashes
A study shows retrospectively that screening for B streptococcus with cultures is more effective at reducing neonatal infection than is risk-based assessment. A second study shows the harm of routine antibiotic prophylaxis. The multistate, retrospective cohort study evaluated 5,144 births, including 312 in which the newborn had early-onset group B streptococcal disease. Antenatal screening with cultures reduced risk of early-onset disease compared with those managed according to the risk-based approach (adjusted relative risk, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.36-0.60). This protective effect persisted after investigators controlled for recognized risk factors for early onset disease as well as for other clinical variables.
Another group compared 5,447 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants born between 1998 and 2000 with 7,606 VLBW infants born between 1991 and 1993. Compared with the earlier cohort, the more recent birth cohort had a reduction in group B strep sepsis from 5.9 to 1.7 per 1000 live births (P<.001) and an increase in Escherichia coli sepsis from 3.2 to 6.8 per 1,000 live births (P=.004). In the more recent cohort, 85% of E. coli isolates were resistant to ampicillin, and mothers of infants with ampicillin-resistant E. coli infections were more likely to have received intrapartum ampicillin than those with ampicillin-sensitive strains (26 of 28 vs. 1 of 5; P<.01).
- N Engl J Med., 2002;347(4):233-239, 240-247, 280-281
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Second Stage (Cephalic Baby), Part I
When receiving a baby into this world, the first suggestion is to breathe deeply and relax your shoulders.
Perhaps you will be positioned between the knees of a woman in a well-supported sitting position. Place your dominant hand on the perineum. Have a steady supply of clean warmed compresses available to place on the perineum and over the vaginal labia while the mother is pushing. This helps relax the area and focuses the mother's attention on her bottom. While touching the mom, keep up a verbal connection with her. Let your touch and movements be fluid, kind and gentle.
When crowning occurs, the head is quite visible between pushes at about +4 to +5. It is important to keep the head flexed by placing gentle downward pressure on the uppermost part of the head near the top of the vaginal opening. This pushes the baby's chin toward the baby's chest, allowing the smallest diameter of the skull to navigate the maternal pelvis. There are a couple of ways to do this. One way is to use the fingers of your nondominant hand. Press firmly with the fingerpads of your first three fingers; do not use the fingertips. This holds the head in flexion. The other way is to use the heel of your hand. Your elbow points toward the sky. With the heel of your nondominant hand, press firmly downward on the occiput. Again, this keeps the head flexed. This is most easily done if you are standing to the side of the mom.
During crowning your perineal hand can hold the perineum like this: The thumb is placed in the crease of the groin area half way on the side of the perineum. The middle finger is placed in the crease of the groin on the other side of the perineum. Pressure is applied inward toward the baby's head. Slightly pinch the fingers toward one another to gather as much slack in the perineum as possible. The pinky side of your hand should stay in contact with the perineal body to help give added support. Also keep an eye on the perineum that is visible between your thumb and fingers.
I suggest you hold the head in this manner until the chin is born over the perineum. This allows a slow extension of the baby's head/chin so there may be a decreased chance of the larger diameter of the baby's head causing a super stretch/tear in the perineum.
- Kimberly Hulsey, LM,
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Forum Talk: Cord Clamping
I am pregnant with my fourth child and having a homebirth. I talked to a midwife who said she only clamps the cord immediately if the mother has RH- blood. I have talked to other midwives who let the cord pulsate even if the mother has RH- blood. I am looking for any information I can get about why midwives have different opinions about this in order to make my own decision.
- Amber
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Mothering celebrates the experience of parenthood as worthy of one's best efforts and fosters awareness of the immense importance and value of parenthood and family life in the development of the full human potential. As a readers' magazine, we recognize parents as the experts and wish to provide truly helpful information upon which parents can base informed choices. For more information please visit www.mothering.com.
Question of the Week: Pregnant After 40
Q: I am a midwife and family nurse practitioner who has had two full-term breech babies (bicornate uterus), one 34-week vertex baby with prolapsed cord, and C-section at age 36. I want to have one more baby. The oldest woman I have delivered was 44 years old and it was her first. She did great. I am in great shape and so is my husband. I want to know what others have experienced with women this age. I was pregnant five months ago but had a very early miscarriage, so I know I could get pregnant. I am now using OTC Progest to help maintain my hormones. What experience do others have with women in their 40s having babies?
- Shawna Doean
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Question of the Week Responses: Hypertension, Loose Stools
Q: Has anyone else noticed an increase in hypertension for women who conceived soon after 9-11? I just had five hypertensive clients in a row, and I normally only have a maximum of two each year.
- Lisa Goldstein
A: I have a related experience. Immediately after 9-11 I missed a period. I was 46 years old, feared I might be pregnant, but wondered if it was the start of menopause. I missed an entire month menstruating again when the next period would have been due. This had never happened to me before and I have had regular periods since. This also happened to an acquaintance of similar age. Upon hearing this I wondered just how many women put their bodies on hold at that time.
- Alexandra Smith
A: I was just noticing how I haven't had anyone with pregnancy-induced hypertension for a long time.
- Mary Ann Durbin, CNM
A: Mildred Seelig, M.D., who works for the American College of Nutrition and Trace Minerals Research, has dedicated her career to magnesium and the effect it has on pregnant women. Magnesium deficiency is a major factor in high blood pressure and the requirements for a pregnant woman are grossly underestimated. She suggests a daily magnesium intake of 500-600 mg.
- Susette
Q: Do readers have insight or remedies for a pregnant mother who has had loose stools all of first and second trimester? Why does this happen, and is it normal for some pregnancies?
- Anonymous
A: In Chinese Medicine there are two main causes for loose stools. One is spleen qi deficiency and the other is spleen and/or kidney yang deficiency. I would recommend that she see an acupuncturist who also practices Chinese herbalism. This condition can be effectively treated with Chinese medicine and will most likely help mom and baby be healthier in the long run.
- Colleen
The BirthLove Web site has helped many women grow trust in birth and in their bodies. It has helped women resist Cytotec, find good midwives, and stop believing everything their doctors say. There are hundreds of homebirth stories: unassisted VBAC, fathers' stories, twin (and triplet home VBAC!) stories, breech stories -- for things that people get sectioned for daily, there are homebirth stories on the site. Marsden Wagner, MD is a contributing expert, as are Sarah Buckley MD, Gloria Lemay and Gretchen Humphries. BirthLove has changed and saved lives through education, communication and love. Become a member of BirthLove today and be inspired! www.birthlove.com.
Question of the Quarter, Midwifery Today magazine
Issue 64, Unity
Is unity possible in this diverse midwifery community? Can we stand up for and support one another when there is such a range of philosophical approaches to training and practice?
Please submit your response by Sept. 30, 2002, to email@example.com.
All responses subject to editing for content and style. Sorry, but we cannot reply to each individual submission.
With Woman
by Gloria Lemay, compiled by Leilah McCracken
Strep B: A Holistic Approach
The concern about Strep B involves two groups at high risk of infection:
Contractions are a possible indicator of infection, but this situation is a concern in weeks 0-36. After 36 weeks, Braxton Hicks are normal and a good sign of a healthy toned uterus getting ready to push a baby out. Strep B in the vagina is not necessarily illness related. Just as we commonly have Strep A in our throats on a swab and have no sore throat symptoms, from one day to the next we can all culture positive for Strep B without any symptoms or danger to our unborn babies. This is why many practitioners refuse to test for it and simply wait to test until such time as the above two "at-risk infant scenarios" show up. One day a woman might test positive and the next be negative. To treat with antibiotics before labour would NOT be recommended.
The mother's body could build up a resistance to the antibiotics and so could her babe's body. Then if either got a more serious infection after the birth, the antibiotics might be ineffective. It can also lead to thrush, vaginal yeast and severe colic in the months after birth.
I would advise mothers to do as many things as possible to minimize their risk of ANY infections and maximize their immune systems. Some safe suggestions:
I often think we must have had a lot of women who were Strep B positive in the 800 or so births I have attended. We do not test unless we have long rupture of membranes and/or a preemie. Once the baby is born, we keep all women warm and baby skin-to-skin with the cord intact and, of course, all our mothers breastfeed. I have never had a baby sick with Strep B in twenty years.
Gloria Lemay is a private birth attendant in Vancouver, BC, and is a contributing expert at BirthLove.
Where I live in British Columbia, Canada, I had the option of hiring a free registered midwife during my pregnancy. After comparing outcomes based on transfer of planned homebirths to hospital, use of interventions, use of medications, and infant and maternal morbidity and mortality rates, it was clear that my best chance of having a safe, satisfying home/water/lotus birth was with Gloria Lemay in attendance. During the earthquake last year, my son was born into my arms in the water, his placenta remained attached until four days later when the cord gently slipped away. Lemay did not call herself a midwife; in fact, anyone practicing midwifery as it is presently known today in BC would not make it through my front door. She did not manage my birth. I managed to birth my baby all by myself. Now, Lemay has been sentenced to five months in jail for attending women like myself who willingly pay out of their own pockets to birth how we want, when we want, where we want and with whom we want.
Set Gloria Lemay free. Reform registered midwifery in British Columbia. Donations are urgently needed and can be made payable to: Peter Ritchie, Lawyer and sent to: Sherri-Lee Pressman, 4636 218A St., Langley, BC, Canada V3A 8H8.
Gloria Lemay, grandmother, childbirth educator, and internationally respected midwife of 20+ years experience, was convicted of "criminal contempt of court" for practicing "midwifery" in British Columbia, Canada, a province where midwifery is a word and practice owned and controlled by the provincial government. She is appealing this conviction, as well as the five-month jail sentence and twelve-month probation the judge handed to her on July 24, 2002.
Gloria needs money to help fund her appeal. To donate to her appeal fund, please go to BirthLove's Gloria Lemay Defense Fund. The women of British Columbia thank you.
I am 32 and just had my fifth baby last week. My second and third labors at term (7 years apart, 1993 and 2000) were 5 hours long. My last two labors (2001 and 2002) were at 35 weeks and 36 weeks gestation and were 26 and 24 hours long. I took red raspberry and pregnancy mixture during the last trimester for each.
I wonder why my labors lasted so long. I progressed slowly (9 am, 3 cm; 3 pm, 6 cm; birth at 11:15 pm). I have considered two possibilities: premature births--my body did not have the last month to ready itself, or that my labors were close together and my uterus was tired. I had no problem with postpartum bleeding. I plan to have more children and would like to prevent this from happening again—or is this a new pattern for me?
- Annmarie, RN
I read a lot about unassisted births in America, but I am wondering if anyone knows the legal implications of unassisted birthing in the UK? I find it a difficult subject to get any factual answers about rather than everybody's opinions.
- Debra, doula
I have seen women discussing their fifth, sixth, seventh birth, midwives talking about their multip patients, or scared teenagers seeking midwives. I realize this is a forum for birthing, but I think the birthing community should also be concerned about overpopulation issues and birth control. I would be interested in hearing what folks have to say about this subject. I would also be interested in finding out what midwives do in the case of abortion or a pregnant woman who has had an abortion but may have issues or complications because of it.
- Anonymous
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Birthing Options' Childbirth Education & Services, LLC presents Doula/Monitrice Workshops; August 29-31 in Jackson, MS; September 21-22, Oct. 5-6, 2002 in Carriere, MS; October 18-20 in Mobile, AL; www.birthingoptions.com. Contact: Renata Hillman at 251-463-2426 or email@example.com
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Midwifery Today: Each One Teach One!


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Push putt or some kind of hybrid spin putt?
He has a very noticeable elbow bend when he swings his arm up that the other push putters don't do (Feldy, Nikko, Avery) and I was wondering what you guys think of it. Is it still a push putt? Does it help him get more distance? Does his accuracy suffer?
There is a good view of his elbow in this video at 3:46


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Sign into our member site to view your information online.Forget your username or password? Not registered? Register here
trimethoprim (generic name)
It is used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections
(trye METH oh prim)
Table of Contents
Top Learning Centers(Recursos en Español)
What is this medicine?TRIMETHOPRIM (trye METH oh prim) is an antibiotic. It is used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
How should I use this medicine?Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early even if you feel better. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
What if I miss a dose?If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
What should I watch for while using this medicine?Visit your doctor or health care professional as directed. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor if they continue or are bothersome):
Where should I keep my medicine?Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.


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Review: Falling in love with the Samsung TL350
I've been a camera nut all my life, so it makes sense I'd end up being a video producer. Of course, it has been a roundabout journey for me, as I started at Crutchfield in 2007 writing about car audio gear. Over the years I've learned about all the electronic items we sell, and it is my job to make sure we are making videos that you will find useful, whether you're shopping for something specific or trying to install some new gear yourself. My job is a lot of fun because I get to play around with all the cool stuff you see on our website while I'm making videos about it. Getting hands-on with the gear helps me see what I should show you about a product, though the flip side is my personal wish list is a mile long...
More from Zak Billmeier
Heads up!Welcome to this article from the Crutchfield archives. Have fun reading it, but be aware that the information may be outdated and links may be broken.
I love cameras, often in spite of themselves. They're like cars or guitars; all different, some better than others, and if you know how to handle one you'll have a good time with any of them. I've become particularly interested in compact cameras, especially ones that give me what I need to squeeze out nice, printable images. Enter the Samsung TL350.
Front view, TL350.
Top view. The left gauge measures battery life, while the other one keeps track of available memory.
Rather than flesh this out with a thousand words, I'll go for brevity. Below are my list of pros and cons for this camera, followed by some pictures I've taken with it recently. One thing's for sure, it's gonna kill me to give it back. Get one today while you can!
- 24mm wide angle, plus a 5x optical zoom (to 120mm). The wide angle lens is SWEET.
- shoots RAW if you want, for ultimate control in post-processing
- f/2.4 at the wide end, lets in a decent amount of light for low-light shooting
- only 10 megapixels — the less the better with compacts, because the sensors are so small
- surprisingly good in low light — I've taken shots at ISO 800 and even 1600 that (with a little work) are usable
- very nice OLED screen — almost too nice (see cons below)
- small, pocketable, lens retracts into the camera when you turn it off
- manual (PSAM) controls if you want to take more control of your shooting
- 1080p movies (man is this great at 24mm!)
- slow-motion movie modes (at reduced resolution; still a lot of fun)
- time-lapse (Samsung calls it "interval") shooting where the camera takes a series of pictures at a given interval
- panorama mode where you sweep the camera while holding down the shutter (see an example at the bottom of the post)
- useful battery meter on the top
- stereo sound on movies — most compact cameras give you mono sound for movies
- screen is not articulated, making it tougher to shoot at waist level (though this allows the camera to be small & pocketable)
- no exposure lock button, nor can you program another button to do so
- screen makes images look a little too good — your shots will look more punchy and contrasty on the screen than when you load them onto your computer. BUT — this is no big deal if you shoot RAW. If you shoot jpegs, you'll have to experiment with various in-camera settings to get those pictures looking the way you want them to. Not a big deal, really, but I didn't want you to be surprised.
Here are some sample pics (click to make 'em bigger):
If you're looking for a camera to go along as a backup to your DSLR, or even if you're not a serious shooter, the TL350 is worth a look. It may be the perfect travel camera - wide angle, great lens, high-def movies, small size. I thoroughly enjoyed testing it out.


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Classic hero Deduno sent down by Twins
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Twins are down to just 26 healthy players in big league camp, as they reassigned right-handers Samuel Deduno and P.J. Walters to Minor League camp on Tuesday.
The roster moves leave the Twins with 29 players on the active roster but that includes injured pitchers Tim Wood, Rafael Perez and Rich Harden. Wood, who has a right rotator cuff strain, is expected to land on the 15-day disabled list, while Perez and Harden are both coming off shoulder surgery.
Walters and Deduno were both candidates to make the rotation but Walters needs time to build up his pitch count, and Deduno is currently out with a groin strain he suffered in the title game of the World Baseball Classic. Deduno started for the Dominican Republic.
"We want to stretch Walters out," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said. "He's had a pretty decent camp but he's behind a couple guys. And Deduno has a sore groin. So we'll go over there and get him healthy and see how things go. It's unfortunate because he had such a good WBC, but there's nothing we can do now."
So the Twins essentially have to make only one more roster decision before Opening Day, which is Monday against the Tigers at Target Field. It's expected to be a pitcher, and the most likely candidate is left-handed reliever Tyler Robertson, who has a 6.75 ERA in 10 2/3 innings this spring.
It also means that Eduardo Escobar will make the club as a utility infielder, and Wilkin Ramirez will make the club as a fifth outfielder despite the fact he's not on the 40-man roster.
Right-handers Liam Hendriks and Cole De Vries are also expected to make the rotation now that Deduno and Walters will start the year at Triple-A Rochester.
"They've got themselves in a good spot," Ryan said. "I'll put it that way."
Rhett Bollinger is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Bollinger Beat, and follow him on Twitter @RhettBollinger. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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How to Deal With a Difficult Boss
By Donna Fuscaldo,
In a perfect world, you love your
and your boss. But often times it's one or the other. If you enjoy your position at a company, but can't say the same about your supervisor, there are ways to manage your manager short of quitting.
"You have to determine if it's an isolated situation or if it's a pattern," says Stephen J. Johnson author of THE SACRED PATH: The Way of the Spiritual Warrior. "It's important to determine if it's a boss issue or an employee issue."
Anyone who has been in a situation where they've worked for a difficult boss knows it's easy to blame their supervisor. But that may not be entirely factual, which is why career experts say the best way to handle a tough boss is to get to the bottom of the problem.
"If you think your boss is difficult, the question is: Is he difficult for me or do our styles naturally clash?" says Julie Bauke, career strategist, president of The Bauke Group, and author of Stop Peeing on our Shoes: Avoiding the 7 Mistakes That Screw Up Your Job Search. For instance, maybe you are the independent type that wants an assignment, deadline and to be left alone to complete it, but the boss is a micromanager constantly requesting updates and looking over your shoulder. If it's a managing style that has the two of you clashing, then career experts say it's up to you to figure out how to make it work. If giving weekly updates will keep your boss at bay then do it if you value and want to keep your job.
Polling your co-workers is a surefire way to get a sense of whether or not your boss is universally difficult or if there's something going on between the two of you. If the general consensus is your boss is a jerk, then you have to determine if the boss's days are numbered and you can stick it out or he or she has an in with the CEO and will be there long after you. If it looks like your boss won't be leaving anytime soon and you can't stand another day, then it's best to work elsewhere.
If it turns out that your boss gets along great with everybody but you, it's a good idea to confront the situation instead of letting it simmer long enough for it to erupt. According to Bauke, talking to co-workers about your boss may provide the insight needed to make it work.
"It's just like oil and water; find someone that does work well with your boss and ask them why their relationship seems successful," says Bauke. Get tips on how to speak your manager's language and to improve the relationship, she says. Talking to your boss directly about what could be a misunderstanding that has created this environment will not only help repair the relationship, but prevent you from landing on a lay off list. Bauke says to also build relationships with other mangers in the organization so you have allies if your boss wants to put you on the layoff list or pass you over for a promotion.
Unfortunately, often it's not the employee who is the problem, but the boss whose behavior goes beyond difficult to abusive. According to Ronald E. Riggio of the Henry R. Kravis Professor of Leadership and Organizational Psychology Kravis Leadership Institute, if you work for an abusive boss it can negatively impact your mental and physical health. "Working for a bad boss can be very stressful, and psychological stress can lead to physical health problems," says Riggio.
In the case of an abusive boss it may be best to quit. But, if you can't or won't quit, Riggio says it's important to document the bad behavior including dates, times, specific descriptions of the actions and how they made you feel. You can confront your boss and explain how you feel, or if that will get you no where you can approach HR about the problem. Legal action is another option, but Riggio says there are costs associated with that and it can be risky because it's not easy to prove. "Getting into a prolonged 'battle,' such as a legal action or one that triggers retaliation could make the stress even worse, but doing nothing doesn't make any sense. No one should have to endure supervisory behavior that crosses the line of decent treatment of others," he says.
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Off-Airport Aircraft Disaster Exercise Scheduled
Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
Dec. 8, 2003
Off-Airport Aircraft Disaster Exercise Scheduled
A tabletop emergency preparedness exercise will be held at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy, 4600 West Ox Road, Fairfax, on Friday, Dec. 12, from 8 a.m. to noon. The off-airport aircraft disaster exercise, hosted by the Fairfax County Emergency Management Office, is designed to improve preparation and readiness capabilities for local emergency responders and the Fairfax County Emergency Operations Center in dealing with a catastrophic commercial airliner crash that results in mass casualties and fatalities, as well as significant damage to critical infrastructure.
The program begins with welcome remarks and a presentation. The exercise formally begins at 10 a.m.
The exercise will serve as a forum to validate response plans and procedures, to identify resource needs, and most importantly to enhance relationships between county emergency response agencies and surrounding county, state and federal response agencies.
Approximately 100 emergency responders, government officials and airline industry representatives are expected to attend. Organizers expect participation from all levels of government to include representatives from surrounding jurisdictions.
Members of the media are invited to attend the exercise. Please bring your press credentials with you to ease the registration process. For more information, call Gerald Jaskulski in the Emergency Management Office at 703-324-2362, TTY 711.


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London Design Festival
BA backs Lebanese talent at UK design expo
British Airways has been announced as one of the sponsors of an emerging Lebanese artist who is taking part in the London Design Festival 2013 at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A). Najla El Zein, who is the first Middle EMore…
Ahec gears up for London design fest
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) has joined forces with product design students at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London to manufacture chairs and and exhibit them at the upcoming London Design Festival. A leading internationMore…


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Acres burned: 1,700+
Structures Damaged: Two homes burned
Injuries: One
Containment: 0%
Cause: Undetermined
Evacuated areas: Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Easley Canyon, San Gabriel Canyon Road, as well as areas west of Glendora Boulevard, east of Azusa Avenue and north of Sierra Madre Boulevard.
Homes evacuated: More than 1,000 from Azusa, Glendora
School Closures: St. Lucy's Priory High School and Citrus College are closed. Azusa Pacific University said classes will continue as scheduled.
Glendora Unified School District schools La Fetra, Cullen and Sellers elementary schools, as well as Goddard and Sandburg middle schools are closed.
Evacuation Centers: Legion Building at Finkbiner Park, 160 N. Wabash Ave. Glendora. Pets can be brought to the Inland Valley or Pasadena Humane societies. Horses can be brought to the Fairplex in Pomona.
Firefighters: 600 plus from Los Angeles County, U.S. Forest Service and fire agencies in Region 1 which covers the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and Santa Barbara
Aircraft: 8 each of water-dropping helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft
Ash rained down on the greater Los Angeles area Thursday morning as the Colby Fire burned over 1,700 acres in the Angeles National Forest near Glendora.
With brush, trees, and even homes burning, a smoke advisory was issued.
Many posted on social media about the ash.
Trouble viewing on a mobile device? View this story on Storify.


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MARTINEZ — Voters in Antioch, Moraga and San Ramon will go to the polls on Nov. 5 in increasingly rare odd-year elections.
Antioch will decide whether to levy a half-cent sales tax for police services and anti-blight measures. Moraga will consider a $192 annual parcel tax for schools. And San Ramon will choose a mayor and two council members.
San Ramon residents will also take up whether to move their mayoral and council elections from odd to even years.
Most public agencies have already made the switch to even years as a cost-saving measure. The move allows local agencies to share election costs with presidential, congressional, state and other local agency contests.
Contra Costa Registrar of Voters Joe Canciamilla's office sent vote by mail ballots out Oct. 7. Residents who have not received their ballots by midweek should contact the elections office at 925-335-7800 and request a replacement.
The sample ballots look different from what voters have received in prior elections — thanks to improved printing technology, the ballot statements, measure arguments and candidate statements are included in a single bound booklet rather than multiple pamphlets.
The registration deadline to vote in the election is Oct. 21. Register online at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/register-to-vote or pick up a form at state and county offices.
Residents who wish to observe voting equipment preparation and testing underway through Oct. 24 are welcome. Check in at the Elections Department's office at 555 Escobar St. in Martinez. Photo identification and signatures will be required to access the secure testing observation area.
Contact Lisa Vorderbrueggen at 925-945-4773, firstname.lastname@example.com, politicswithlisav.blogspot.com or Twitter.com/lvorderbrueggen.


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A FORMER BT engineer stole metal cables from telephone exchanges around Oxfordshire more than 120 times for two years before being caught.
Edward Thomas, a BT operations manager, then sold the loot on for profit.
The 60-year-old, from Bagley Close, Kennington, pleaded guilty at Oxford Magistrates' Court on January 8 to three counts of theft by an employee, and three counts of concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.
He also asked to have 246 offences taken into consideration.
The court heard that between May 2010 and April 2012, Thomas stole metal cable from various BT exchanges around Oxfordshire on more than 120 occasions.
Thames Valley Police said that as Mr Thomas did not admit specific thefts on specific days it did not know exactly where the crimes took place.
However, police spokeswoman Rhianne Pope indicated he had committed thefts "all over Oxfordshire".
Det Ins Rodger Cartwright said: "This prosecution is another example of the on-going activity conducted by Thames Valley Police under the banner of Operation Symphony into metal theft and associated crime.
"We will continue to investigate these offences and work alongside partner agencies in order to bring offenders to justice."
Simon Davies, cable theft manager at BT Security, said last night: "British Telecom has worked closely with Thames Valley Police, providing surveillance intelligence to assist with the police's operation.
"BT will not tolerate any level of criminal behaviour and we will continue to work with police and do everything possible to catch criminals."
Thomas was bailed to appear at the court for sentencing on February 1.


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I absolutely love smoothies. Not only are they fruity and sweet and delicious, but you also feel good that you have consumed something that is good for your body. Innocent smoothies tell you what is in each portion fruitwise, so you imagine all the whole fruits being compressed into one little bottle. This makes me feel like I have consumed a load of fruit with very little effort which is a good feeling.
The smoothies are always brightly coloured and appealing. It makes them look fresh and again, very healthy looking.
Innocent smoothies come in a variety of flavours,
strawberries and banana
mango and passion fruit (my personal favourite)
kiwi, apple and limes
peaches and apricot (new I am yet to try)
blackberry, strawberry and blackcurrant
pineapple, banana and coconut
pomegranates, acai and blueberries
The main one I keep coming back to again and again is the mango and passionfruit. It isn't as sharp as some of the others and it is sweet and very refreshing. Unlike juice, these smoothies have all the bits left in them. Giving you a good amount of fibre (10% RDA claimed) and also this means that they are a bit more satisfying than juice. A portion is also 2 of your 5 a day so Is a quick and convenient way of getting closer to the daily target.
However this comes at a cost. These drinks are very expensive in my opinion. When you take into account how much it costs to actually buy the fruit and make it yourself perhaps there isn't much in it for the more exotic flavours. However, I do wish these were cheaper as at £1.90 for a small bottle of smoothie these are never bought on their own. They are always bought in some sort of meal deal or special offer.
You can now also get them in small 90kcal/1 of your 5 a day sizes but there isn't much in a bottle to quench your thirst or keep you satisfied. I haven't seen these on the shelves yet but I think it is a good idea to have them available in a smaller size. It is very easy to consume a lot of calories in a drink form. Even though these drinks are healthy they are calorific and so drinking excessively doesn't do much for the waistline!
Despite the price tag they are delicious and healthy and I really do love them. I would recommend giving these a go. I cannot compare these smoothies to cheaper brands as I have not tried any but my tastebuds are not complaining!
I love smoothies, especially these ones.
They're healthy, and delicious- and much better than fizzy pop (but they are quite expensive, so I try to get them with meal deals at supermarkets)
Innocent have some classic, and some wacky flavours but there's plenty to chose from so you'll find something to suit your tastes. They taste really natural, and have a really thick texture. They're more substantial than a fizzy drink as one small bottle is more than enough for me.
They are easy to find in most retailors, but they are expensive, so I try to wait until they're on offer.
Innocent smoothies are a great healthy beverage that even counts towards your five-a-day! Delicious
they come in small 250cl bottles which are surprisingly filling compared to a can of coke. They also come in more economcial larger bottles, which are big enough to last you a few days
Sometimes I find it difficult to get my five a day. This can be for a number of reasons, such as being too busy with work or not having anything to go with the fruit and veg I have in the house. This is where Innocent Smoothies come in really handy.
Innocent Smoothies come in a wide variety of different flavours, meaning that I don't get bored of them easily, as if I've had enough of a certain flavour, I can just get myself a new one.
The different sizes of bottles and cartons are also extremely good for me. If I know that I will be home a lot then I will buy the larger cartons of smoothie, as they are usually cheaper. This means I can have a glass whenever I feel thirsty, meaning I get my five a day easily. However, if I know that I will be out a lot, I can buy myself the smaller bottles instead, meaning that I can take them with me, allowing me to still get my five a day.
Overall, I love innocent smoothies just because it means that I can get my five a day with ease, it also helps that they have a good variety, and taste delicious.
Getting 5 a day into my stubborn kids can be a bit of a nightmare but these smoothies make it so much easier and more enjoyable. Both my kids, aged 10 and 17, love smoothies so I am happy to buy them now and then as they never get wasted - if I am not quick I don't even get a glass myself.
Each carton lists the fruit included, depending on the variety of course, so it gives a clear, easy guide to what it contains, that you get 2 of your 5 a day in a 250ml glass and shows that a good variety is included. It also shows it is made from 100% real fruit with no added sugar. Our favourite is strawberries and bananas, which also includes apple, orange, grapes and a dash of lime. The calorie content, at around 133 calories in a 250ml glass, is quite high in my opinion, but this is due to the levels of natural sugars found in the fruit. So whilst this is an excellent addition to a healthy, balanced diet, its use should be limited somewhat to avoid a huge intake of sugar.
On of the other things we all love about these smoothies in our house is that it is fairly thick and can be used for a quick snack when needed as a glass of it leave you feeling like you've had something small to eat. We usually buy the 750ml cartons but have often grabbed a 250ml bottle or 2 when out and about.
At £2.79 for the carton it is a little too expensive to have everyday but we tend to stock up and buy a few at a time when they are on offer. The bottles sell at around £1.79 each, so again a little expensive, However if you were to make your own smoothies using the variety of fruit that are in these it would end up costing a lot more and a lot of effort would be involved in the making - I do this occasionally but much prefer grabbing a bottle or carton that Innocent have kindly done all the work for.
I would high recommend smoothies to anyone as the taste and texture is fantastic but I would love it even more if it was a bit more affordable.
Perhaps it's just the advertising that's fried my brain - the same way that I'm more or less programmed by now to Pavlovianly crave Coke when I'm thirsty - but I reckon I could more or less subsist on these things and not a lot else. And wouldn't that be good for me? Well, probably not. But there's a lot of goodness in an Innocent smoothie - both in terms of lip-smacking, guzzle-it-down flavour and nutritional content.
A glance at the ingredient list pretty much affirms this - at least to my layman's eyes. You've got fruit, fruit and more fruit - and that's it. Perhaps the odd vegetable, too. And it tastes wonderful - it's thick, just sweet enough and deliciously refreshing. The drinks come in a variety of flavours, from the conventional Strawberry/Banana to the more offbeat Kiwi-edged offering. There's even a Super Berry variety featuring Acai and Pomegranate. In each case, they taste fantastic; a hit of vitamins that comes down super-smoothly.
If there's a negative, it's in the hit on your wallet. At around £2.50 for 750ml, this drink doesn't come cheap. I find a carton is gone in no time, and although there are often offers on at the supermarkets, this only brings it down to the lower end of extortionate. If it's just fruit going into the drink it shouldn't cost that much - of course, you can make your own if you've got the inclination and patience. On taste and health grounds, though, this is a winner. Serve it to me in a bucket.
Innocent hit the market a few years ago with a bang with their non concentrated fruit smoothies. So what are they? Innocent smoothies are made with 100% fruit and fruit juices. The premise with the product is that they are totally natural with no hidden addictives, and are fresh and good for you!
The positives
- The range : there are a number of different smoothies to choose from including mango and passionfruit, strawberry and banana, Orange mango and carrot, kiwi ,Apple and lime,pineapple coconut and banana, and a super berry mix to name a few- The taste: I have tried all of the favours listed above and they are all delicious . I think its the freshness of the fruit they use which shows through in the taste. My favourite is the berry mix. Its sweet yet sharp.
- The health benefits: Each 250ml bottle is two of your five a day
The Negatives
- The price : usually the 250ml bottle retails at around 2 pounds , which is v expensive for juice !
- The life range: As the product is 100% natural it goes off quickly so you can't buy it and leave it in your fridge for weeks as the likehood is it will have went off
- The sugar: these little bottles are packed with natural sugar which unfortunately are bad for your teeth ( why are all the nice things always bad for teeth!)
On balance the positives outweigh the negatives and I have to say I am a fan of these smoothies!
Innocent are a company which makes fruit smoothies.
There are quite a few flavours available including:
Strawberry and Banana
Blackberries, Strawberries and Blackcurrants
Kiwi, Apple and Lime
Mangoes and Passion Fruit
I love these smoothies as they are always full-flavoured (no matter which one you choose). They taste really fresh too! They have a very smooth texture. I know some people who don't like smoothies because of their 'slimey' texture, although these are very smooth with no bits.
I do love smoothies, although I tend to buy them mainly for their health benefits. Good news for those of you who have difficulties getting your 5 a days, as each 250ml glass of smoothie contains two of your five a day!! Great news!! Especially for children.
I haven't tried all of them. My favourites are; Strawberry and Banana and Blackberries, Strawberries and Blackcurrants. Whilst they are my favourites, I do like to try other flavours to get the benefits of all the other different fruits (as each different fruit contains different nutrients).
Unfortunately Innocent Smoothies are very expensive. Whilst I would love to load my trolley full of them each week, I only tend to buy them when they are on offer. A 500ml carton can set you back over £3 which I think is quite expensive, especially as it only provides me with two large glasses. Although, then again, I suppose it would cost you a lot more if you made your own smoothie. You can get the smaller 200ml bottles for around £1.95 from supermarkets and places such as Boots.
I would definitely recommend these smoothies! They are tasty, healthy, 2 of y our 5 a day, and save mess (compared to when you make homemade smoothies).
Thanks for reading!
August 2012
Xdonzx / xd-o-n-z-x
I am not the healthiest eating and drinking person in the world. I know when I need to watch what I am eating and drinking but I also want to enjoy myself. However, Innocent Smoothies are one thing I do grab out of sheer love for the drink rather than thinking I have to so I can be healthier.
The one thing Innocent Smoothies pride themselves on is the fact that all of their products contain 100% natural ingredients. There is so much fruit packed into one Innocent Smoothie that just by drinking one bottle, you are actually drinking two of your five a day and there is no added sugar! There is something for everyone as Innocent has a host of flavours including strawberries & bananas, pineapples, bananas & coconut and my favourite mango & passionfruit.
I hate bits in drinks. I always have done but Innocent Smoothies are completely bit free and smooth. They are refreshing, thick and very easy to drink. This is definately best served cold. And although you know they are very healthy drinks, they still feel a bit naughty. It is like a little trick in your mind.
The bottles are made of out plastic and have a white lid. The bottle itself is clear so you can see the colour of the smoothie. There is a shaped label around the bottle with the Innocent Smoothie name and the flavour. There is also the recognisable smiley face with a halo around its head.
Innocent Smoothies can be picked up at all major supermarkets and come in variety of sizes.There is the 250ml bottle which is usually around the £1.75 mark, 750ml and 1.25L bottles which come in at £2.50 and £3.50 respectively. They also have a Kids Smoothie range which comes in a little carton with a straw and you can buy a pack of four for £3. I tend to pick Innocent Smoothie cartons and the kids packs up when they are on offer in the Supermarkets.
The only thing that lets Innocent Smoothies down is that they are very expensive. They aren't something I grab regularly because I begrudge spending nearly £2.00 on such a small bottle of drink. I think this is why Innocent isn't as popular as it could be as its price cuts out a huge market.
I still remember the first time I tried an Innocent Smoothie. It was quite a few years ago now, in a Starbucks, I wasn't sure about it but decided to give it a go anyway as I was really thirsty. What put me off? The fact that I could see seeds in it and the 'strange' combination of flavours. However, when needs must. To this day, I am glad I tried it. Quite possibly the best smoothie (apart from my own, of course) I have tried.
Innocent started out making smoothies and have since moved on to making other delicious products such as veg pots and juices. Their smoothies are made from 100% fruit (no concentrates) and no added sugar.
Innocent by name, innocent by nature. Innocent do their best to be as sustainable as they can - which is not something a lot of larger companies can say. This is important to me as I know too many companies harm the planet for the purpose of ease and profit. The fruit Innocent buy to make the smoothies is bought from suppliers who look after their workers and the environment. This sentiment is found throughout the business from packaging to production.
**Product Range**
Innocent smoothies come in a range of flavours, such as:
- Strawberries & Bananas (my favourite the banana smoothies out the delicious strawberry)
- Mangoes & Passion Fruit (delicious, more tropical/ summery tasting)
- Oranges, Carrots and Mangoes (Limited Edition for the Olympics - not tried but intend to)
- Kiwi, Apple & Lime (Haven't tried, but I like the sound of it)
- Blackberries, Strawberries and Blackcurrants (Delicious!)
- Mangoes & Marmite (erm, don't intend on trying this one, sorry!)
As you can see they have a wide range of varieties for you to try. Every bottle is packed full of fruit (some different to the ones listed). But the ingredients list shows that they really do only use fruit - nothing added and nothing taken away.
It is all good being sustainable and having a good product range - but how is the taste and quality? After all, you aren't going to buy something disgusting on these merits alone. Well, these smoothies are delicious (of the ones I have tried - I haven't tasted one that I don't like). They create the perfect balance of the different fruits to create something that you don't want to stop tasting. No one flavour seems to over-power the other and you can taste why they added each ingredient. There are no ingredients added for the sake of bulking up - each is doing its own job through taste. When it says Strawberries and Bananas - you can bet you can taste both of those fruits.
The quality is consistent as well - as long as used within the use by date - I have never bought a smoothie that was of poor quality.
One thing that I thought would put me off was the presence of seeds. I hate bits in my juice so I wasn't so sure about this. It turns out that I don't mind bits of seeds in my smoothie.
The texture is smooth and there are no lumps or horrible bits.
**Health Benefits**
As well as being packed full of vitamins each bottle contains 2 of your 5 a day. While other 'health' drinks are packed full of sugar (sometimes disguised as sweetener etc.) and are generally not very good for you these smoothies (while they do contain sugar in the form of fructose) are pretty good for you as part of a balanced diet.
**Price and Availability**
One downfall to these smoothies is the price. They are certainly not the cheapest product around at about £1.95 for a 250ml bottle or £2.79 for a 750ml carton it may be cheaper to go for a more unhealthy option but I feel in this case it is worth the extra money for the quality of the product you get.
While I tend to drink water/ tea/ home-made smoothies I will pick up an Innocent smoothie from time to time. The delicious smoothies may be a bit on the pricey side but they are worth it in taste alone. Couple that with a sustainable business model and you have me sold.
I would recommend these to pretty much everyone especially as an occasional treat if you are watching the pennies slightly. However, if you are on a tight budget it may be a more cost-effective move to just make your own (using frozen fruit).
~Not quite so Innocent Smoothies~
Innocent Smoothies seem to be something that I really cannot persuade my family to drink. I have bought these fruit flavoured smoothie drinks in the past and they tend to simply languish at the back of the drinks fridge looking all unloved and unwanted whilst other fruity drinks such as Tropicana and Ocean Spray seem to fly out through the fridge door like they are going out of style. I feel that the over thick consistency of theses drinks is what puts people off them, making them a love them or hate them kind of product.
I know that you get lots of lovely fruit in each carton or bottle of drink with some interesting fruit combinations to be had and I personally feel that they are a helpful way to increase ones intake of five a day fruit. Yet I still find that even for myself the over thick consistency of Innocent Smoothies makes them almost as unpalatable as a Frijj Milkshake if I over indulge. I must add that these don't taste very nice when warm either and are best served ice cold in my opinion.
~Product presentation/ cost~
The packing that these drinks come in is very minimal but also rather eye catching as they do stand out from other products in supermarket and store fridges. The small clear plastic bottles have well fitting lids that stop leaks once you have cracked open a bottle and taken your first sip and the simple tetra packs that the larger drinks come in work as well as most other similar packs in my opinion (although a twist on and off lid like the Ocean Spray drinks have would have been a little more practical in my opinion). The price of Innocent Smoothies does vary from around £1 for a small bottle to over £2 for a tetra pack carton which I feel is reasonable based on the amount of fresh fruit you get per pack/ bottle.
Flavours are varied and all do have a fresh and fruity taste that I feel can be refreshing if kept chilled in the fridge. All drinks are sugar free yet in my opinion still have a natural sweetness to them and are made with 100% fruit. Blends such as strawberries and bananas seem to be heavy on the banana flavour in my opinion so if you aren't keen on those stay away from this one (although I don't mind it too much). Mangoes and passion fruits is a reasonably nice mix and pineapples, bananas and coconuts really does have a fresh hint of coconut that means you could almost see yourself on a tropical island somewhere with a pina colada in hand.
~To buy or not to buy?~
Over all I feel that I can drink a small bottle of this every now and then and feel refreshed, but buying it on a regular basis has been a waste of time as no on else seems to like this very much and a full sized carton just ends up going to waste. I would rather stick with fruit based drinks that I know won't be wasted if buying the tetra packs and will stick to only having these when I know that a small bottle or carton will actually be used. I do like the idea of all the fresh fruit in each drink and the taste is very good on the whole, it really is the texture of these drinks that seems to be the issue.
My rating for Innocent Drinks is 3 stars due to their over thick consistency. Had they been a little thinner and not quite so gloopy I would have given them 4 stars as they do have some nice flavours that work well together. I wonder if they might begin to make some of these as fruit juice drinks instead as I would be more inclined to buy them in that case. As these are super thick drinks I sometimes feel that I have to water them down a little just to make them more appealing and I find that the bottom of a carton or bottle will most often have an even thicker more gloopy consistency which can really only be avoided by shaking the bottle or carton before use.
Remember the days gone by when you had to make your own smoothie? First of all you had to buy all different types of fruit (or vegetables), but only a few of each. It was so expensive, as the shops never seemed to sell small portions, or if they did, you felt like a skinflint just buying a dozen grapes. Once you got it home, you had to wash and de-stone the fiddly fruits like apricots and plums. Apples? Well they SAID you could put the pips in, but who in their right mind eats apple pips right? Then the blender. Took ages to fit together, there was always a bit missing and the noise was horrendous. Then you poured out half a glass of slop which looked like the cat had just thrown it up. After you sipped the vitamins, making it last after all that effort, you had the task of dismantling and cleaning the blender. Phew!
Well cancel all that and buy Innocent smoothies instead. There are so many delicious combinations and textures, you'll never get bored with them. Innocent have gone to all the trouble of shopping, washing, blending and they've even done the washing up! Their smoothies contain real fruit and nothing else, so they provide 2 of your 5 a day. Great with breakfast, as a mid morning snack, a post-gym boost, enjoy them any time.
It is best not to have more than one smoothie a day, as the fruit sugar content (naturally present in the fruit) could cause damage to teeth in the case of excessuve consumption.
The price is a bit expensive, if I'm honest, but they are frequently on offer in the major supermarkets. The individual bottles work out even more expensive, so buy a reusable bottle to transport them of you're taking them to work or the gym.
Finally, if you're bored for 5 minutes, read the cartons. They're highly entertaining!
Innocent smoothies have recently been in the paper with claims they are actually bad for your health and no innocent at all. I have tried a few different flavours and analysed the nutritional content and the ingredients and this is what I have found:
Taste- No-body can deny that they taste delicious, they are a mixture of different fruits that create a thick sweet drink that's really refreshing. Some of them contain small seeds that you find in fruits such as strawberry's I personally like these but if you don't there are other smoothies that don't have any.
Nutrition- There have been issued raised over their sugar content, however all these smoothies contain is fruit, they have no added sugar and no other ingredients. The reason for their high sugar content is fruit is naturally high in sugar. The government recommends you eat five servings of fruit or veg a day and I think that this is a great way to get a couple. I wouldn't recommend drinking more than one bottle a day because it would be better to vary your fruit and veg intake. They are relatively bad for your teeth because of all the natural sugar but if you don't drink loads of them and brush your teeth daily I don't think you would have any problems.
Design- You can see what is in the bottle with innocent smoothies and I always think they look tasty and refreshing. On some of the cartons they have fun facts and tell you exactly how much fruit has gone into your drink. They also contain fun fruit characters and the children's cartons have puzzles on the back.
Price- The only problem with them is they are quite pricey and other smoothie brands are cheaper. Its a lot cheaper to buy fruit and make your own smoothies but this takes time and some people would rather pay more for the convenience of them. For a small bottle it costs around £1.20. You can buy big cartons that work out cheaper but they are still on the expensive side. I would look out for them when they are on offer and stock up.
I love these smoothies. They are packed full of goodness and are great for both adults and children.
The smoothies come in a variety of different flavours and they come in a variety of different sizes too. I often stock up when they are on offer as they can be quite expensive when they are at full price.
The smoothies are lovely. They are made with natural ingredients and you can really taste the fruit that they are made with. They have a lovely smooth texture that just tickles your tastebuds, yum! They are quite filling too. I find that just one 250ml serving of one of these keeps me going for around two hours or so. They also give you a burst of energy. If I am slumping I find that a typical 250ml serving boosts my energy levels and maintains alertness. The smoothies are best served chilled as they are more refreshing that way. They're refreshing anyway but I prefer the taste of them when they are chilled.
The smoothies come in small plastic bottles too, which are ideal for a quick snack. These can be find in places such as Tesco and Boots. They are part of the meal deal in Boots.
These are lovely smoothies that taste great and they're really good for you. They also count towards your five-a-day, great!
Lovely smoothies, better than homemade!
It is that time of year when we all try to start eating healthily after the major Christmas binge. It was upon having this thought recently that my partner and I decided that we needed to start eating more healthily and in particular try and up our daily intake of fruit and vegetables. Juice is a great way of doing this without the effort plus it also goes down much easier; however a lot of juices come from concentrate and are therefore lacking in the vitamins found in freshly squeezed fruit. We therefore opted for the Innocent smoothie range, being that it uses freshly squeezed fruit to create a lovely variety of juice mixes.
------The Product------
For all those who have not seen this range of drinks, the Innocent Smoothie range uses a mix of juiced whole fruits to give a healthy and delicious drink. These smoothies are available in three types of packaging these being 250ml bottles, 750ml cartons or the larger 1.25l family cartons. Over the years the flavour options of this drink have expanded and these now include the following:-
* Strawberries and Bananas
* Mangoes and Passionfruit
* Kiwis, Apples and Limes
* Pineapples, Bananas and Coconuts
* Blackberries, Strawberries and Boysenberries
* Pomegranates
It is worth noting that the smaller bottles and cartons are available in all six of the above flavours; however the larger 1.25l cartons are only available in the Strawberries and Bananas, Mangoes and Passion fruits and Kiwis, Apples and Limes options.
Each smoothie option is simplistically packaged either in a translucent bottle or a white carton which is illustrated simply with an almost childlike illustration of an angel face and halo. The back of the packaging serves to give the consumer a list of the ingredients which are illustrated with small pictures of the fruits within.
Every smoothie contains an entirely natural fruit content with no added preservatives or flavours which means they are completely healthy if a little high in sugar content. It is worth commenting that every smoothie option has a minimum of 5 pieces of fruit within and this increases to 9 pieces of fruit for the berries option. Plus a glass or so of the juice provides 2 of your 5 a day.
------Price and Availability------
I bought my Innocent juice from Sainsburys and bought two 750ml cartons for £4; however they can be purchased for £2.29 separately. If buying the smaller 250ml bottles they cost £1.75 in Sainsburys however can be bought as part of a lunch time meal deal.
------My Experience------
In my opinion this juice is impressive, both in the natural quality of the ingredients to the simplistic and attractive packaging. I bought 2 cartons of this product in the Mango and Passionfruit flavour and upon clicking back the lid of the carton I was struck by the highly fruity and delicious smell of the juice inside. The juice was a rich amber colour and was quite thick in consistency with particles of the juiced fruit being visible.
The flavour of the drink is what makes it so special being highly tropical and fruity in taste whilst also being very refreshing. The flavour of the mangoes was really apparent with a hint of the passion fruit. Although you would not want to use this smoothie as a real thirst quencher being that it is quite expensive, a glass of the juice makes a great accompaniment to our evening meals and this means a carton usually lasts a couple of days between the two of us.
Overall this is a great tasting drink which although costly is a very healthy option which ensures you get a couple of your five a day. I have therefore scored it five out of five stars and would highly recommend it!
Thanks for taking the time to read my review!
Innocent smoothies provide a quick and covenient way to get two or three of your five a day and taste great. They come in a range of flavours and so far I haven't tried any I haven't enjoyed. I love the innocent branding - it's funky and fresh and not like anything else on the market. If I do buy a small innocent smoothie it's usually as part of a Boots meal deal which means it works out as fairly good value. However, if you buy a bottle on its own, it is definitely on the pricey side. It's obviously much more economical to make a smoothie yourself, and that way you can experiment more with ingredients, flavours and texture. Innocent also make Veg Pots which promise to provide at least three of your five a day. They are incredibly tasty - some more so than others - and very easy to prepare. Again, they are quite expensive but provide a very nutritious, convenient lunch.


text: This news item expired on Saturday, April 27, 2013 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect. See the Master Gardeners at the Montreat LandCare Native Plant Sale on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The sale will be held at Pratt Park, just inside the Montreat Gate. Area Nurseries will be selling native plants and shrubs and there will be many educational exhibits. For more information, call Buncombe County Cooperative Extension at 255-5522.


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Wine and art have always paired well. There are as many references to wine in the great Rumi's poetry as to love itself, and I'm confident that the ancient Romans adorned the walls of their temples with mosaic tiles between sips of indigenous swill.
Much of the modern art and wine movement is owed to Margrit Mondavi and her work in Napa Valley. She launched the first winery fine arts program at the Robert Mondavi Winery in the 1960s. Her summer music festivals were the first large-scale music events in the valley, drawing visitors with big-name acts, such as Ella Fitzgerald and Harry Belafonte.
Today, most wineries double as galleries, their tasting room walls hung with paintings and their courtyards filled with one-of-a-kind sculptures. But a wave of contemporary and experimental art is hitting Napa Valley, and those of us who can't stomach another framed watercolor chateau are jazzed.
The third annual Arts in April, which takes place at wineries and other venues throughout Napa, promises to cement the valley as a destination for the arts — one that rivals any big city. The timing is good, too, as it warms hipsters up for May's Bottle Rock, the much-anticipated multiday rock music festival. Coachella, be warned: Napa is prettier than Indio, and the weather's much better.
This month, you'll be able to participate in a wine-and-painting pairing (April 14, Beaulieu Vineyards), check out the U.S. debut of Rolling Stone photographer Baron Wolman's exhibit "The Groupies" (April 13, Markham Vineyards), and rub elbows with Oakland electronic artist Alan Rath, who is known for his robots and tongue-in-cheek digital video sculptures (April 27, Hess Collection).
The lineup gets even cheekier on April 26: Judd's Hill winemaker Judd Finkelstein plans to open his studio for a live audience taping of his popular web-based TV talk show, "Wine Booty," the swashbuckling, wine-soaked love child of "The Colbert Report" and "Pirates of the Caribbean."
For the past two years, Finkelstein has hosted a who's-who of Napa's food, beer and wine scene with his trusted sidekick, Captain Whylee Raven, a pirate Finkelstein says he found on the Vallejo waterfront. He posts episodes on YouTube and the winery's website, www.juddshill.com.
Featured guests have included winemaker Heidi Barrett, craft brewer Don Barkley and chefs Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani of Terra Restaurant in St. Helena. Finkelstein says he's pretty excited to be included in the Arts in April mix.
"The art scene has broadened in the Napa Valley, and I think it's wonderful that the Arts Council is celebrating that," says Finkelstein, who has a degree in TV production from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University.
The "Wine Booty" taping will act as a closing weekend gala, with 50 studio audience guests sipping Judd's Hill wines and eating popcorn and hot dogs. Now, that's art.
Contact Jessica Yadegaran at email@example.com. Follow her at Twitter/swirlgirl_jy.
arts in April
Napa Valley Arts in April showcases permanent and rotating art collections maintained by more than 30 wineries, including Bennett Lane Winery, Domaine Chandon and St. Supery Estate. Works on view during the month range from Belle Epoque to contemporary electronic creations, plus special tastings, exclusive gallery events, lectures and artist receptions. Proceeds benefit Arts Council Napa Valley. Learn more at www.visitnapavalley.com/artsinapril.


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Well friends and uniques, we collectively find ourselves smack in the middle of the grey zone. In this not-so-imaginary force field (opposite the wall of worry, which is imaginary) that only appears when the winds of earnings season blow, the market will receive some early financial statements and comments to snack on, digest and then sit anxiously awaiting another feeding.
The phase brings with it speculation on macro and company developments based on a small sample size of data. Often the market accurately sniffs out earnings season inside of three reports, other times it's horribly wrong. It's a giant crapshoot.
I use this momentary break in the action to squeeze in the last management chats before quiet periods and stalk the market. I am not prepared to dominate an earnings season weeks in advance. I will have lost the battle before it began. But here is little snapshot of how I venture off into book land to find old-school investment quotes that keep me firmly anchored (and amused because most are absurdly outdated), which is counter to the happenings between 9:30 am and 4:00 pm. Staying grounded in your investment discipline, as in life, is a surefire ticket to success.
Memo: I am not divulging where these quotes came from, just be aware they are sourced from pieces of paper, not Wikipedia.
Top 5 Quotes
- "The way to succeed in the market is to concentrate on what matters and to block out the noise." -- Practical application: Earnings season has started on a darn near thunderous note, the rest is noise. Any news going forward that is counter to the positive early information would have to first be scrutinized for company-specific attributes and then broader market applications.
- "In the short term, no one can predict the course of the economy." -- Practical application: Make your own predictions, don't rely on the banker with the white collar, striped shirt and purple tie that was bullish in August 2011.
- "If a company prospers, you share in the prosperity." -- Practical application: It's inappropriate to invest in dog-with-fleas companies in the present market on the assumption beta chase lifts those woofers. I see numerous signs of technical breakdowns near 10-day moving averages, most prominently in the consumer discretionary sector.
- "Because they are so risky, stocks are a terrible investment for short periods." -- Practical application: If you do not know at the minimum 10 themes from the economy and 10 focus items on each company held in the portfolio, liquidate and hold cash. Earnings season ain't for you.
- "Do sweat the small stuff." -- Practical application: Quick, of the Dow Transports, SOX and Baltic Dry Index which has outperformed in the past three weeks? My point exactly.
I yearned for in excess of 61 Dow points on Wednesday considering the favorable start to earnings season. But importantly, the stocks that delivered the financial goods to their remaining shareholders were rewarded by the market (WD-40, for example), a telltale sign of non-believers having given up on the near-term possibility of upside and overall individual stock selection. Stay hungry.
I pride myself on keeping crazy detailed notes, but admittedly forgot a Dec. 15 buy call on Facebook (FB) (as seen in this video with my very good friend Jennifer Schonberger). The e-mails I received yesterday were on whether to buy more of the stock or cut bait and run. I think a trader could be a little piggish here for the simple reason that Facebook is the ultimate momentum name and the stock's appreciation is signaling a 2013 performance runway (and stream of headlines) that are in stark contrast to 2012. Until Mr. Market hints the momentum trade is over (momentum trade is happening today because the fundamentals should be on the verge of improving, namely monetization) ride the pony.


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Not a fan of the wide wing discs. I just can't seem to get consistent snap with them. I've tried the Nuke, DD, Quasar, etc.
My longest disc is a nicely seasoned 150g SOLF.
On a good throw, I can get an ESP Nuke a good bit further than the SOLF, but there's just no consistency with that. I'm wondering if there's something out there with a narrow rim that would give the distance of the wide winged drivers without the wide wing.


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Mail: Southern statues symbolize suppession
Mail: Thanks for helping Aiden
More opinion
Fall: Good time to spray musk thistle in rosette stage
Robertson and Delsing re-elected chair, vice chair of NWB
More Ag News
The state of Nebraska wellness program, wellnessoptions, became the first state program to earn the 2012 C. Everett Koop National Health Award.
The award requires demonstratable health improvements and cost savings, according to Gov. Dave Heineman, who announced the award Monday.
After just three years, the state of Nebraska is enjoying a $4.2 million reduction in claims, strong participation rates and high satisfaction among employees, Heineman said.
The return on investment in the program is above the industry average: For every $1 spent on the program, $2.70 is returned in health care savings (based on an independent review of claims data,) Henineman said.
As the U.S. faces the problem of rapidly rising health care costs, coupled with an epidemic increase in obesity rates, Koop Award winners demonstrate that forward thinking employers can simultaneously improve their workers health and reduce spending.
Nebraska launched the program in 2009, becoming one of the first states to combine wellness initiatives with health insurance coverage.
The wellness health plan features 100 percent coverage of preventive health care, lower premiums and value-based health and prescription offerings, Heineman said.
HealthFitness, a leading provider of health management services, supports the program with confidential annual health risk assessments, on-site biometric screening, health coaching and lifestyle improvement programs.
The wellness program has more than doubled the rate of participants completing preventive screenings, which enabled detection of conditions at an earlier stage, while helping participants learn about their personal health risk factors.
More than 500 cases of early-stage cancer were detected for the first time through the program, resulting in early treatment for the condition, Heineman said in the announcement.
Other health care savings include:
Lower prescription utilization a 3 percent reduction in 2011 among wellnessoptions enrollees as a result of improved lifestyles.
Fewer emergency room visits.
Fewer hospital admissions.
Shorter hospital stays.
The good news is that when done right, these programs not only make workers healthier, they can also produce a positive return on investment, said Dr. Ron Goetzel, president and CEO of The Health Project.
In addition to receiving the 2012 C. Everett Koop Award, the state wellness program has previously received two other national awards: the 2011 Gold Well Workplace by the Wellness Councils of America and the 2011 Innovations Award from the Council of State Governments.
C. Everett Koop award applications are independently reviewed and scored by some of the nations leading experts and researchers in the area of health management. Reviewers place the most scoring emphasis program evaluation and results.
The State of Nebraska is joined by only one other 2012 C. Everett Koop Award winner (L.L. Bean, Inc.) and three honorable mention programs, Heineman said.
Our message for Nebraska businesses, schools, families, and individuals is that wellness works every time, Heineman said. Prevention and wellness efforts lead to healthier employees, increased productivity, better employee satisfaction and lower future health care costs.
A recently published Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) Case Study showcases the programs components and strategy that the State of Nebraska took to lower costs while improving the health for 13,500 employees (including retirees and COBRA participants) and 7,000 spouses.
To view the WELCOA case study about the state of Nebraskas successful health management program, view Free Resources at www.welcoa.org.
Flatrock Publishing, Inc.
1300 E 4th St., Suite F
North Platte, NE 69101


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Vescey obviously wrote this before learning of Artest's trade "demand"
By PETER VECSEY
HOOP DU JOUR WHEN Charles Barkley whose weekly substance abuse for TNT is comically commended by many men of the couch is spoon-fed an item that actually might be newsworthy, it's prudent to pay attention.
Several nights ago, Sir Charlatan claimed the Pacers and Kings had revived trade discussions involving Ron Artest and Peja Stojakovic. Despite Larry Bird's stated fascination with Indiana's compulsive competitor, I've got to believe there's something to it.
For one thing, CEO Donnie Walsh always has coveted the Sacramento sharpshooter.
Number two, without Artest (sprained right wrist) the Pacers' offense conspicuously opened up in the final three quarters of Wednesday's dominant win over the Wizards.
Thirdly, the unbalanced Kings (7-12 going into last night's game in Seattle) need to shake things up. Either Geoff Petrie must fire his best friend, Rick Adelman (I've heard he's asked the Raptors permission to talk to Gene Keady; I'm lying), or he must import a demonic defensive player who derives equal enjoyment from punishing people on offense.
Not that Peja doesn't have other suitors; the Heat, his first choice (he owns a South Beach condo and fantasizes about finishing his career living off the open looks Shaq would create) surely have made a bid, and that goes for the Bulls, as well. But, as far as I can tell, they can't come up with such a savage.
Lastly, TNT's junk journalist wouldn't know fact from fiction if Larry Brown diagrammed the difference on Barkley's drive-in movie-screen forehead.
Therefore, he really has to trust the person who put him up to it. I'm talking colleague Reggie Miller. He's the only one at the network privy to such classified material. Of course, as the former prince of all Pacers, he wouldn't dare break the news on his own.
Is there a Peja-Artest offer on the table at this time?
"No," I'm informed. Nor is it currently being considered.
Have there been conversations along that line?
My source could not tell me that. Not wouldn't, but couldn't. He said he simply did not know. At the same time, he volunteered that the team definitely is entertaining subtractions and additions, because numerous players are unhappy about playing time Fred Jones, Anthony Johnson (when Jamaal Tinsley's healthy) and David Harrison, who was fined for breaking a glass picture frame of himself near the locker room.
I'm taking that long-winded answer as a "yes."
One more Pacer note: Jonathan Bender will announce his retirement within the next 48 hours due to unbearable problems with both knees. By all accounts, the exceptionally likable Bender may have been the best practice player in NBA history, but bone-on-bone pain was too much to endure.
Forget about going two games in a row, Bender couldn't play back-to-back quarters.
John Paxson was asked for his fondest memory of Scottie Pippen, whose No. 33 jersey was retired Friday when Phil Jackson's inflamed 10-9 Lakers liquidated the Ben Gordon-less Bulls. His response was identical to mine when I posed the same question to myself the entire year after Michael Jordan retired.
"Everybody thought we would fall apart as a team [in 1993-94], and Scottie literally carried us to 55 wins and had a season in which he easily could have been the MVP," the Bulls GM submitted.
Pippen established career highs in average points (22) and rebounds (8.7) and added 5.6 assists, four-tenths above his 17-year mark. I actually rooted out loud on NBC for the Bulls because their success minus His Airness was such an inspirational story line.
"We started out something like 4-10 (4-7, in fact, then took 14 of 15) and won 55," Paxson recollects. "As you know, we lost to the Knicks in the conference semis on the infamous Hue Hollins call. Had we won that Game 5 in New York, we were going home to clinch and would have. Then we would've been one series away from the Finals . . . the year after the greatest player in the game left. Scottie was phenomenal that season."
For some odd reason (a sure sign of senility, I'm afraid), I can't recall how awful Hollins' call was that send Hubert Davis to the line. However, I acutely recall Pompous Pilate, er, Darrell Garretson, supervisor of officials/observer that afternoon, standing in back of the scorer's table afterward, muttering to the free world how the call never should've been made.
The Bulls led 86-85 when Hollins felt the urge to whet his whistle with 2.1 seconds remaining on the game clock. Davis misfired from the top of the key, and I'm told by a still-active ref there was plenty of daylight between him and his defender.
Davis cashed both welfare checks for the victory and the Knicks went on to beat the Pacers, only to lose to the Rockets in the Finals after being up 3-2 going back to Houston.
Of course, that also was the season/series Pippen became professional sports' poster boy for self-absorption. With 1.8 seconds left in Game 3, he had a spit fit when Jackson set up a shot for Toni Kukoc and Scottie refused to play along. Rather than in-bound on the play The Incredible Sulk morphed into Sitting Bull while Kukoc flushed the 104-102 game-winner.
I might've been the only national voice to sympathize with Pippen trippin' out. I still believe Jackson should've allowed No. 33 to settle matters. I'm still convinced Pippen earned the right to win the game and so does Scottie, unapologetic to this day.
Pippen returned my allegiance by almost always making himself unavailable for comment after practices and games throughout the team's second trio of titles. Imitating Jordan's big-time attitude, he made himself as scarce as the league allows, breaking countless promises to participate in a feature interview.
In light of my tendency to carry grudges into the Hereafter, Scottie Pippen will always be a hoople.
Like John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and 9/11, nobody ever forgets where they were when heard John Lennon was shot and killed.
Twenty-five years ago last Thursday, I was playing full court with Dave Cowens in some high school gym outside Boston. Sport Magazine had assigned me to check out how he was handling retirement, his first prolonged one on impulse he'd quit for six weeks or so during the '76-77 season to drive a cab.
Upon retuning to Cowens' home later that night, my wife called to alert us of Lennon's death.


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