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February 10, 2011
Overthinking It
Tooling Around
In my chat last week, reader "dandycharger" asked me to name all of the genuine five-tool players in the majors, hoping to illustrate how loosely the term tends to be applied. Since I'm always happy to honor a reader request (especially when it supplies me with an article topic), I decided that I'd hold off on offering an incomplete, off-the-cuff, chat-length response in favor of writing up a semi-complete, Overthought™, column-length response, which brings us to today's piece.
Tools are a slippery subject. Before we dive in, let me offer a quick refresher on which tools we're talking about. (You can also look here for a lengthier take.) The wording may vary slightly depending on the source, but the proverbial five tools are as follows: hitting for average, hitting for power, foot speed, throwing ability, and fielding ability (the Dickson Baseball Dictionary calls those last two "throw" and "catch"). "But Ben," you might ask, "isn't foot speed linked to fielding and hitting for average? And shouldn't throwing be considered a component of fielding ability?" To which I'd respond, hey, I didn't decide what the tools were—this particular assortment of skills was handed down on stone tablets by the great scout in the sky long before I became a prospect.
As reader Bob in Seattle pointed out further down the chat stream, every player is a "five-tool player," if you want to get technical about it; notwithstanding the incongruous sight of Jorge Posada on the basepaths or behind the plate, every major leaguer possesses at least some trace of talent in each of these areas. The question, then, is where to draw the line separating the haves from the have-nots, which can't help but be an arbitrary distinction, since tools are distributed along a spectrum, not on a binary basis.
Think about it—at what point does it become possible to say that a player doesn't "hit for average"? When his average falls—speaking of arbitrary thresholds—below .300? When it fails to match the league average, slips one standard deviation below the mean, or reaches the Mendoza line? When the player goes 0-for-the-season? There's really no right answer, and attempting to come up with one is an exercise that can be resolved only by making a subjective judgment call, much like trying to pinpoint the exact magnitude of movement at which a cutter should be classified as a slider, or the angle at which a line drive should be considered a fly ball.
What's more, tools are transient: It's possible to possess one for a time, only to surrender it to age, injury, or overconsumption. It's also worth asking why we should even bother to count how many tools a player has at his disposal; after all, isn't all that really matters the bottom line? Still, while how many wins a player brings to the table is the most important thing, the manner in which a player puts his wins together has implications for his aging trajectory and likelihood of a repeat performance. Plus, talking tools is fun.
Much as we could quibble about whether these particular five tools provide the best representation of a player, the concept does have its uses, both in the scouting field and as an extension of the baseball lingua franca. At worst, the "tools" framework serves as a convenient shorthand, much like the notion of assigning theoretical rotation slots to starters or labeling a given pitcher an "ace." (Even if the logical question that arises from those abstract terms is "Sure, but in whose rotation?")
With that throat clearing out of the way, let's get down to searching for the current crop of five-tool players. Since home-to-first times and FIELDf/x-like measurements of range and arm strength haven't made it to the public domain, we'll have to use statistical proxies for each of the tools. I settled on batting average (hitting for average), isolated power (hitting for, you guessed it, power), our rebuilt versions of BRR (speed) and FRAA (fielding), and the throwing component of Tom Tango's Fans Scouting Report. Colin Wyers has developed a provisional arm rating that will soon be incorporated into FRAA (let's call it FRAArm for now), but for a variety of reasons—most of them stemming from the metric's incomplete assessments of infielders, whose arm strength is difficult to isolate from their other work with the leather—averaging the FSR's three throwing components (release/footwork, throwing strength, and throwing accuracy) yields a more representative crop of five-tool players.
It's also worth noting that this five-tool APB includes a position adjustment for FRAA intended to save us from judging all the candidates against the same baseline, since an average-fielding first baseman and an average-fielding shortstop probably can't be said to have the same gifts when it comes to the "fielding" tool. This still isn't a perfect method—for one thing, BRR is a measure of more than pure speed, since it accounts for the quality of a player's instincts and decisions on the bases—but it works well for our purposes.
Based on a conversation with Kevin Goldstein, BP's primary conduit to the scouting world, I confined the search to players who qualified as average or above in each statistical category; according to Kevin, a theoretical player who earned a rating of 50 or above for each tool on the 20-80 scouting scale would be considered a five-tooler. Since some of these stats take time to become reliable, I limited the pool to players with at least a thousand plate appearances over the last three seasons. As a result, this group won't include anyone who debuted during the last two seasons and didn't accumulate the necessary playing time to qualify, but the results should be fairly reliable. Two additional notes: FRAA totals in the table below are un-regressed, and FSR numbers aren't included (thanks to my limited appetite for data entry and Excel's SUMPRODUCT function), but I'll vouch for the fact that all of these players' arms rated as average or above—in fact, the only player who passed the test of the first four tools with flying colors and flunked throwing was Kelly Johnson. Without further ado, on to our 17 five-toolers, ranked in order of descending PA:
On the whole, this list looks pretty tooltastic to me, so I'll declare the manhunt at least moderately successful. It should come as no surprise that our five-tool players turned out to compose quite a talented group. I'll leave it to you to decide whether the term is over-applied, as dandycharger suspected; if you're wondering where Troy Tulowitzki is, he missed out by under half a run of BRR, so we can award him an honorable mention (remember, you have to set that arbitrary cut-off somewhere).
There are a number of related topics to investigate before we leave this subject behind: projected 2011 five-toolers, five-toolers still tooling around the minor leagues, and historical five-toolers, just to name a few. If you'd like to see any or all of those topics explored in an upcoming article, have a suggestion for refining the player selection process, or want to mention a player whom this method might have missed, leave a comment below.
Thanks to Colin Wyers for research assistance.
Ben Lindbergh is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @benlindbergh
32 comments have been left for this article.
BP Comment Quick Links
Bem, nice little article! Definitely worth the extra word-count vs. a chat-length response.
Feb 10, 2011 04:48 AM
Scott Rolen has average foot speed? Who knew?
Feb 10, 2011 06:51 AM
I know what you mean. That said, the fact that it's Pujols makes me feel a bit better.
Feb 10, 2011 07:28 AM
As awesome a player as Pujols is, he's lacking one tool: arm strength. When he first came up, he had the arm to play at third, but an elbow injury (and fear of losing him for an extended period for TJ surgery to fix it) took care of that. FRAA, as Ben points out, makes some attempt to capture both defense components at once, and by that metric, Pujols is as brilliant as he is at everything else. To look specifically at arm strength, however, something else should be found.
Feb 10, 2011 07:28 AM
Bill, as I mentioned in the article, I used the Fans Scouting Report to judge throwing. Over the last few years, the fans have rated Pujols only slightly above average in throwing strength, but very well in release/footwork and throwing accuracy, so the total package comes out looking pretty good (I suppose it's not entirely clear whether the "arm" tool should include all of those aspects or just the arm strength, but either way, he qualifies according to my method). For what it's worth, though, Albert's 2009 was the worst throwing season on record in Colin's arm metric. As Colin pointed out to me, considering Pujols' range, a subpar arm would be a logical explanation for the fact that he's been confined to first base.
Feb 10, 2011 07:41 AM
Ben: Good stuff.
Feb 10, 2011 07:37 AM
Thanks, Tom. Out of curiosity, what do you think of the concerns expressed in this thread about Pujols' arm as relates to his throwing scores in the FSR? Would you still trust those ratings, or do you think we could be seeing something of a "halo effect," in which Pujols' overall skill (both at the plate and in the field) is skewing the voters' perceptions of some of his component skills?
Feb 10, 2011 08:22 AM
I'm not Tom, but you don't have to go any farther than Buzz Bissinger's book "Three Nights in August" (anti-sabermetrics though it may be) for entirely conclusive commentary on AP's arm. His "arm strength" really doesn't matter. What matters is that the team won't LET him throw hard, as evidenced by the gyrations, described in the book, that TLR has gone through to protect that arm. A tool isn't any good if you can't use it.
Feb 10, 2011 08:36 AM
I like what the other reader said about "functional speed" as opposed to pure speed.
Feb 10, 2011 12:55 PM
Interesting that Pujols, who moved to first because his elbow is hanging on by a thread, passes the test for throwing. He gets a lot of assists, but they're all to first or second.
Feb 10, 2011 07:51 AM
Where is the ultimate 5 tool man - Josh Hamilton.
Feb 10, 2011 08:34 AM
John Carter
Other than for tradtional misconception, why is strike zone discipline not considered a tool? Is it really learned or is it just as much an innate part of a ballplayer's skill set as these other skills?
Feb 10, 2011 08:53 AM
1) Surprised to not see David Wright on this list.
Feb 10, 2011 09:53 AM
Christopher Taylor
Pujols really ought to flunk the throwing component, just being a 1B (would he really pass at any other position?) but, meh, it is Pujols. Fine by me.
Feb 10, 2011 09:59 AM
The FSR instructions specify that each player should be judged against the baseline of an average player, not an average player at his position, which should take care of the 1B issue, in theory. In practice? I don't know.
Feb 10, 2011 10:59 AM
Totally agree on Rios. Although, in a sense, also seeing Scott Rolen on this list is instructive. The speed metric does not just measure physical speed, but functional speed. Alex Rios is a burner with seemingly no concept or care about how to use that tool. Scott Rolen, on the other hand, does not stand out as being exceptionally fast, yet his baseball smarts allow to maximize what speed he does have, to the extent that his BRR is 1/3 higher than Rios'.
Feb 10, 2011 12:32 PM
Jay Taylor
What category did Shin-Soo Choo fall short on?
Feb 10, 2011 11:14 AM
Seconded. His arm is monstrous, he's got two .300 AVG 20/20 HR/SB seasons under his belt ... maybe ISO?
Feb 10, 2011 11:27 AM
I see several problems. For one, using the Fans Scouting report, where the standard deviation is 20, seems to make the data VERY suspect. And while graders are not supposed to take into account position the person plays, because the player is only seen performing certain throws automatically biases the data. For example, I watch Y. Molina throw to second base and then I see Jason LaRue throw to 2b, I can evaluate those two. But when Pujols rarely throws more than 90 feet and usually from a standing position to start with, the average fan (even good fans) can't accurately compare them, IMO.
Feb 10, 2011 12:57 PM
Factoring the positional adjustment into FRAA was meant to address the second issue, but those are both fair points. Unfortunately, we don't have a perfect method of identifying five-toolers with stats alone (or at least the stats available to us), so we'll have to make do.
Feb 10, 2011 14:20 PM
Where's Joe Mauer? He's certainly as fast as Albert, and I can't imagine him failing any of the other tools. He's probably the best base runner on a team of above average base runners.
Feb 10, 2011 13:38 PM
This is obviously a lark, but I don't think that BBR actually works that well for these purposes at all. But still a fun article.
Feb 10, 2011 15:09 PM
I agree with the general sentiment from the readers about how uncertain some of the metrics are for the purposes here.
Feb 10, 2011 15:19 PM
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And, of course, the fine print:
Get free shipping on your next order when you spend over $100. The discount will be automatically applied to your purchase; no promo code required. The subtotal of your purchase must be $100.01 or greater after any promotional discounts have been applied. Additional fees such as tax or shipping and handling do not apply toward your minimum subtotal requirement of $100.01. Offer applies to standard shipping only. Certain items that require additional shipping and handling are excluded from this promotion and do not apply towards your $100.01 subtotal minimum. Offer subject to change.
This spice set provides all the tools you need to make some mean pickles. Except, of course, for the material-to-be-pickled itself. Just add fresh veggies of your choice, and you're ready to start.
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Unused and unopened items may be returned within 14 days

subset: commoncrawl


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By Gale Fiege Herald Writer
ARLINGTON — So just how does anyone judge a high school lip dub contest?
First, one has to determine if school spirit is portrayed in each music video. Then there's an examination of the quality of lip-synching, audio dubbing, acting and dancing by hundreds of students. Creativity is scrutinized. Above all, it has to be obvious that each lip dub was filmed in one continuous take.
The art of the lip dub is not new, but Arlington High School students hope to make regional, competitive lip dub an annual event.
The first Wesco Invitational Lip Dub Competition on Wednesday evening at Arlington included videos by
">Henry M. Jackson ">La Conner ">Sedro-Woolle
">Henry M. Jackson,
">La Conner,
">Sedro-Woolley and Lip dub videosEverett High School:
Arlington High School:
Jackson High School:
Sedro-Woolley High School:
Shorecrest High School:
Mount Vernon High School:
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Thank You to the many people, from at least 5 states, for commenting on the April 2013 issue of "On Call". Positive reinforcement is appreciated and in one case a reader took exception to my opinion. Stirring controversy is healthy for our industry as it gets people engaged. All opinions are welcome!!
We need to get young people trained to take our industry forward. Animal care, Stockmanship, will be critical if we are in fact moving to pen gestation (again). When we brought pigs inside back in the 70's pen gestation was the norm. A controlled environment, out of the mud, was a blessing and production efficiencies followed. Stockmen were the owners, managers, laborers of the day so animal care was top of mind. An animal that was off feed was recognized on day 1 which with our present maternity pens allows obvious black and white analysis.
Recognition is key and with 20 to 70 animals in a group the challenge to properly see every animal every day is heightened. This ability will transform over time as people work with the animal and "live" with the animal. Experience in nursery and finishing units, especially large pen finishing, can be an excellent training ground for sow farm management. We have got to recognize and react day 1 to animals off feed.
The black and white will soon be gone. Let's start making the stockman of tomorrow.
Paul Meers Swine Consulting LLC
The opinions expressed are those of the author.


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FOREST Green take a break from their Blue Square Premier promotion quest by turning their attention to the FA Cup on Saturday.
David Hockaday's side welcome Dartford, who sit one place below Rovers in sixth in the Blue Square Premier and an upbeat Hockaday is confident his side can halt a three-game losing sequence.
Hockaday said: We've performed better than results show over the past three games and we haven't taken the spoils.
"We should have got something from each of those games and the fact we haven't is disappointing. Mansfield only had three shots all game and Tamworth only had two. If we can put our chances away and stop making individual errors, I'm very confident we'll start putting points back on the board."
Hockaday and his staff have done their homework on Dartford and expect a tough test.
He added: "Dartford have had a good start to the season. It's a tough draw for both teams but that's the card we've been dealt; and besides we want to win every game.
"The FA Cup adds a bit more spice because you only get one shot and we want out name in that hat for the draw in the first round proper."
Forest Green should be able to call on defender Chris Stokes (thigh) and midfielder Al Bangura (groin), but Jamie Collins (knee) is expected to be out for a lengthy spell.
Rovers' England C quartet - Matty Taylor, Eddie Oshodi, Jamie Turley and Kieron Forbes all reported back for training at Cirencester RAC this morning after their clash in Albania was cancelled.


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Topic: Really sleepy with pain meds
My 41 year old husband was diagnosed with CC a year and a half ago. He has done very well until the last few weeks. His pain intensified and so his Fentanyl patch was increased to 175mcg. This makes him so sleepy he cannot keep his eyes open sometimes through dinner. I do not want him in pain but I want him to be able to engage somewhat with our family. Any suggestions??


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Two professors receive NSF CAREER awards
GOLDEN, Colo., April 11, 2012 – Two assistant professors in the Colorado School of Mines Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Zizhong Chen and Michael Wakin, have been awarded National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) awards.
Chen's project "Dependable High Performance Scientific Computing at Extreme Scale via Algorithmic Fault Tolerance," seeks to create dependable high performance computing. Extreme scale high-end computing platforms are expected to be available before 2020 and will have 100 million to 1 billion CPU cores – due to the large number of components in these platforms, the probability that errors will occur during the execution of an extreme scale application is expected to be much higher than observed today. The goal of this CAREER research project is to develop highly efficient techniques to detect, locate and correct both soft and hard errors according to the specific characteristics of an algorithm.
Wakin's project is "New Models, Representations, and Dimensionality Reduction Techniques for Structured Data Sets." A significant byproduct of the modern Information Age has been an explosion in the sheer quantity of data demanded from sensing systems. This project focuses on developing effective new frameworks for data acquisition, processing and understanding that will help meet the technological challenges posed by this ever growing demand for information.
The NSF CAREER award is the most prestigious award in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations.
David Tauchen, Public Relations Specialist / 303-273-3088 / firstname.lastname@example.com
Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations / 303-273-3541 / firstname.lastname@example.com
Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations / 303-273-3541 / email@example.com


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"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." -- Leonardo da Vinci
One of the most influential books early in my investing career was Beating the Street by Peter Lynch, the superstar money manager from Fidelity. One of the core things I distinctly remember pulling from the book was that simplifying things can often be the best investment approach. Lynch made a career of finding great investments in mundane industries. Instead of finding the next Google (GOOG) or Salesforce (CRM), Lynch found firms that were taking market share in fragmented, slow-growing industries.
His philosophy was that these stocks were often overlooked by analysts, and that the companies did not attract competitors, since the industry overall was only growing 1% to 3% per year. The two examples I remember were his investments in Service International (SCI) and Safety Kleen. Both turned out to be more-than-10 baggers, and he achieved this simply by betting on companies that consolidated, respectfully, the funeral home and grease-trap-cleaning businesses over more than a decade. These are hardly sexy investments, but it's a very effective investment strategy.
I am reminded of this simple lesson every time I look at my investment in World Fuel Services (INT), which is a part of my core portfolio. World Fuel is the global leader in the distribution of fuel products. The company generates some $40 billion in annual sales and has more than 6,000 locations, yet most investors are probably not familiar with its stock. This company services aviation, marine and land customers worldwide.
Despite this, World Fuel's market capitalization is only around $3 billion, as it operates in a low margin/low growth industry. What the company does better than anyone in the space is to grow via buyout. It makes several acquisitions a year, integrates them well and continues to grow market share because of them.
For instance, on Monday it agreed to buy the payment-processing assets of Multi Service, which serves the same customers as World Fuel. Assuming the deal closes, it will cost the company $137 million, and should be accretive to earnings by $0.12 to $0.16 a share in its first year. This acquisition shows the power of World Fuel to continue driving sales and earnings through acquisitions within the sector.
Despite a challenging world economy over the past five years, in that period World Fuel has managed to grow earnings and revenue by approximately 20% annually. From 2002 to 2011, the company grew per-share operating cash flow every single year, even during the financial crisis. At year-end 2011, OCF per share had increased by 11x vs. year-end 2002.
Because of the nature of World Fuel's business and its business model, top- and bottom-line growth tends to be lumpy on an annual basis -- but they're rock-solid over a longer period. An investment of $10,000 in the stock five years ago would be worth more than $26,000 today. A $10,000 investment made 10 years ago would be worth more than $100,000. A post-acquisition multiple of 12x forward earnings seems like a cheap price to pay for this boring market leader in a mundane business.


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Outfielder Young to have ankle examined in LA
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Phillies outfielder Delmon Young is scheduled to fly Tuesday morning to Los Angeles to have his surgically repaired right ankle examined.
He had microfracture surgery in November.
Young has not participated in workouts with his teammates this spring, although he has been hitting off the practice tee, throwing long toss and running at 90 percent of his body weight on a treadmill. Young said he is optimistic the doctor will give him good news, which would allow him to step up his rehabilitation program. The Phillies remain hopeful Young will play in Grapefruit League games before the team heads to Philadelphia on March 28.


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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Monday, September 25, 2017
Myasthenia Gravis
Regarding Body Healing
I have been on prednisone for several years due to MG and also asthma. The dosage is always changing. It is my understanding that the body naturally produces 6 to 7 mg of steroid daily. My question is, if I can taper down or off of the steroid, will by body naturally start the production of the steroid? I understand that I may be taking this medication for life, but was wondering. Thank you
Yes, your body will be able to produce its own cortisol. But it is very important that you work with your treating neurologist whenever medications are adjusted.
Remember, you and your doctor are a team.
John G Quinlan, MD
Professor of Neurology
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati


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Each week J. Kenji Lopez-Alt will drop by with a list of tools or a tool you might want to stock your kitchen with—if you haven't already. Kenji also writes The Food Lab column here on SE. You can fan The Food Lab on Facebook for play-by-plays on his future kitchen tests and recipe experiments.—The Mgmt.
The difference between a sauté pan and a skillet is a subtle but important one, and it all comes down to shape. A sauté pan, from the French verb meaning "to jump" (sauter) has a wide flat bottom, and relatively tall, vertical sides. A skillet, on the other hand, has sides that flare outward at an angle. But the real question is, when should you use each one, and do you really need both?
The difference in shape affects five main factors: surface area, volume, weight, tossing ability, and evaporation.
Surface Area
Pans are measured according to the diameter of the lip, not the diameter of the cooking surface. Most home burners can only comfortably fit a pan of around 12-inches in diameter. Because of its straight sides, a 12-inch sauté pan will also have a large, 12-inch wide cooking surface (about 113 square inches). A skillet, on the other hand, loses at least an inch on each side, making the effective cooking area only 10-inches wide (about 79 square inches). That means that given a skillet and sauté pan of equal diameter, the skillet will have 30% less cooking area than the sauté pan. That's not an insignificant amount.
I can quite comfortably fit 12 pieces of chicken in a 12-inch sauté pan—a task that takes two batches with a skillet.
Again, the straight sides of a sauté pan allow you to fit a higher volume of liquid into the same amount of oven space. Straight sides also make it less likely to splash out as you move the pan around or transfer it in and out of the oven. It also allows the lid to fit more tightly, minimizing evaporation. This extra volume is a great boon when performing tasks like shallow-frying a pan full of meatballs in a 1/2 inch of oil or braising a dozen chicken thighs in white wine.
Because of its wide base, a sauté pan is significantly heavier than the equivalent skillet, often necessitating the addition of a "helper handle" on the opposite side of the main handle to facilitate lifting and moving. While this weight is no problem when the pan is sitting still on the stove top or oven, the lighter weight of a skillet makes it superior for shaking and stirring to promote even cooking of vegetables or pieces of chopped meat.
Tossing Ability
Ironically, a skillet is actually far superior at sautéeing food than a sauté pan. To properly sautée, small to medium sized pieces of food are cooked rapidly in hot fat while constantly stirring. The sloping sides of a skillet allow you to easily shake the pan, performing the jump-flip maneuver that cooks like to show off with. It's more than just ego-padding though. It's the most efficient way to redistribute the food in the pan, ensuring even cooking for all pieces.
While it is possible to sauté in a straight-sided sauté pan, it's not easy, requiring constant stirring and turning with a wooden spoon or spatula.
The geometry of a pan can affect how easily moisture is driven off of food, and how rapidly a sauce will reduce. It's often claimed that the sloped sides of a skillet help moisture exuded by cooking meats evaporate more rapidly, allowing you to sear more efficiently. And this is true, but only given the same cooking area. In other words, a 12-inch skillet with a 10-inch cooking area will sear foods more efficiently than a 10-inch sauté pan. The corollary to this, of course, is that given an equal amount of food that needs searing over super high heat (some steaks, for example), the large surface area of a sauté pan does not offer any significant advantages over a skillet—you'll still have to cook in just as many batches.
Same goes for reducing sauces—sauces will reduce just as fast in a 12-inch sauté pan as in a 12-inch skillet.
So Which One Is It?
When it comes down to it, as far as high-temperature (as for steaks) searing goes, both pans are equally efficient. A skillet offers advantages when sautéing, and a sauté pan offers advantages when shallow frying, moderate-temperature searing (as for chicken pieces), or braising. In an ideal world, you'd have both, but if I had to pick one, I'd go with the skillet, as sautéing is a step in nearly every recipe I make.
Whichever pan you choose, there are a few things to keep in mind while shopping.
- Look for triple-layer construction. Triple-layer products generally consist of a layer of aluminum clad between two layers of stainless steel. Aluminum transmits heat very rapidly, while stainless steel heats much more slowly and can maintain its temperature better when cold foods are added to it. Put these two characteristics together, and you've got a pan that heats evenly, and maintains its heat for more even sautéing and searing
- Avoid disk-bottomed pans. Disk-bottomed pans are stainless steel pans with an aluminum disk welded to the bottom of them. Conceptually they work the same way as clad products but the disks have a tendency to fall off. They also don't distribute heat to the sides of the pan.
- Look for riveted handles. Welded handles fall off with repeated use. Riveted handles should last a lifetime
- If it's your first pan, don't buy a nonstick. A nonstick pan is great for some uses. Eggs, pancakes, super delicate fish, but a stainless pan is far more versatile. You can heat it hotter, giving you a better sear. It is also superior at developing fond—the flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan after searing that are the base for any number of pan sauces
- And the number 1 rule: You get what you pay for. Those $24.99 13-piece pan sets look like a great deal until you try sweating onions in them and find half your onions burning while the other half are raw, or realize that it doesn't retain enough heat to sear more than half a steak at a time
All-Clad remains the industry standard for high quality cookware, and their 12-inch Stainless Fry Pan with Lid is a steal these days at only $89.99. Remember, this is a pan that will last you a lifetime.
The only cheaper pans I've used that have come close to All-Clad levels are the Walmart-exclusive Tramontina Stainless line, which comes at about half the price (though with no lid). Only time will tell of the longevity of the cheaper knock-offs, however.
About the author: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt is the Chief Creative Officer of Serious Eats where he likes to explore the science of home cooking in his weekly column The Food Lab. You can follow him at @thefoodlab on Twitter, or at The Food Lab on Facebook.
Your purchase on Amazon helps support Serious Eats.


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Team Bob's Red Mill arrived safe and sound; if a bit weary, in Edinburgh yesterday morning. With a few hours rest on the flight across the pond, each of us felt the need to make the most of our first day in Scotland. We had been quite lucky to have arrived on a beautiful sunny day. Stepping out of the airport and diving into a taxi, we planned our respective days. Each of us had something we wanted to start by seeing. As the taxi wound its way into the heart of the city, our jaws dropped. Edinburgh is like stepping into a fairytale. With only a few modern buildings, the blocks are teaming with beautiful architecture that looks as if it was designed to emulate the many castles dotting the city. The city felt old and ancient, yet thriving with life. It was a dramatic contrast to see blackened statues as old as our country across from cafes boasting free wifi.
We gawked at the beauty of it all and when worn completely to the bone, each of us found ourselves craving a hot meal followed promptly by bed. Unsure where to dine, where did Team Bob's Red Mill find ourselves? At the Grain Store, of course. A lovely establishment located in old store rooms (though the proprietor admitted grain had never been stored there) in the second level of a building over 200 years old. While there was nary a whole grain on the menu, we did enjoy a lovely meal. Near the end, as we sipped coffee our conversations lagged and our eyelids drooped. After all, we had been up for nearly 24 hours with only a few naps.
A gray sky heavy with rain clouds greeted us as we piled into our tiny car to head up to Carrbridge, where the Golden Spurtle Championship is held. The drive was lovely as we climbed into the Highlands. Sheep and Scottish Heather dotted the rolling green hills. Arriving in Carrbridge, we received a warm welcome from our hosts, Lindsay and Allison, at the Fairwinds Hotel. Scouting out the site of the competition and taking in the picturesque village, brought home how much work we have put into being here today. Everyone has been incredibly nice and welcoming to us Yanks and we're happy to have come to join in the porridge fun!


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At first, I hated this disc. It just didn't feel right in my hand. Too slippery. Too different. But I did like the way it cut though the air. So I stuck with it and now, I must say, I love this disc. Yeah, It bounces around a little bit if you're not careful, but after a while, you learn how to manage its attributes. This disc is a little tricky to learn but well worth the effort. imo it is the most consistant
Putter on the market. Don't just try it. Learn how to throw it.


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Posted 7 years ago
(85 items)
This item is an old Boy Scouts lantern. It says Delta on the bottom. I'm not sure if that's the brand name. There is a sticker on the side that says Official Equipment of the Boy Scouts of America. There is a main light in the front, and a smaller light on top. I dont know the date of it. I couldn't find anything about it on the Internet.


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Total-Body Assessment
Until now, you probably measured how in shape you were the old-fashioned way — by comparing yourself to others. You peek at the woman on the treadmill next to you or see how your side kicks stack up with the ridiculously well-toned DVD instructor's. "But that doesn't tell you anything about your own true fitness level," says exercise physiologist Suzanne Meth, who manages E, Equinox Fitness's private club, in New York City. That's why it's so important to establish a personal baseline by testing the four basic tenets of fitness: aerobic endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance. "No matter what your overall level is, having a starting point can help you set tangible goals," says FITNESS advisory board member Michele Olson, PhD, a professor of exercise physiology at Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama.
FITNESS's brand-new, do-anywhere test will help you determine how strong, speedy, and flexible you really are. It takes only about 30 minutes; you'll even get a mini workout just doing it! Then you can set a new goal and retake the test every six weeks to track your progress. Guaranteed, in that time you'll reach a new personal best!
Test Your Aerobic Ability
You'll need to know how long it takes you to run a mile before you take this test, which will assess your level of ability when it comes to those cardio workouts. Go ahead and time yourself on the treadmill or nearest track — we'll wait!
Here's what else you'll need for this assessment:
- A flight of stairs
- A watch or clock with a second hand
Test Your Aerobic Ability Now!
Test Your Strength
Time to put those muscles to the test! Find your level of ability when it comes to strength training.
What you'll need for this assessment:
- A 10-pound dumbbell
- A sturdy chair
Test Your Flexibility and Balance
This test is about more than touching your toes. Assess your body control with 5 quick tests.
All you'll need for this assessment is a ruler (and clothes you can move around in!)


text: Yeah, my local course is built along existing paths (so they didn't have to cut down a huge amount of trees), which are paved walkways that criss-cross a small suburb and the green areas around it. On most of the holes there's a big chance of landing on the pavement, and because people walk about on the a LOT there's quite a bit of waiting included in the experience. =)BentElbow11 wrote:Tarmac?


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Brandy's Best
American Brandy Distilled in the Traditional Methods of Cognac Is Starting To Come of Age
As the door closes behind you, it takes a few seconds for your eyes to adjust to the comparative darkness after the brilliant sunshine outside. Immediately, your nostrils prickle at the scent that hangs over the cavernous room, a blend of wood, earth and spice aromas imbued with pungent, palpable alcohol. Stretching off into the dusky distance are endless rows of oaken barrels, stacked three high. The haunting sounds of Gregorian chant resonate from speakers high above your head and waft off into space. Otherwise, the barrel room at Carneros Alambic Distillery in the southern Napa Valley is as still as a cathedral at dawn.
After the hubbub of winemaking and the hellfire of distillation, this is how first-rate Cognac-style brandy is produced: by waiting. For years.
It takes patience to produce good alambic brandy--"alambic" referring to the uniquely configured pot still used in the production of French Cognac. For the tiny handful of distilleries that is crafting this little-known style of brandy in the United States, the long wait is starting to pay off in complex, aromatic bottlings.
Carneros Alambic, owned by Rémy-Cointreau SA of France, is producing a line of well-made alambic brandies ranging from Special Reserve at $29 to a deluxe XO-level brandy called QE (for "Quality Extraordinaire"), which sells for $92. QE, a mellow, rich and nutty spirit, is blended from brandies from 1982 and 1983, the operation's first two years of distilling.
Another highly regarded producer of alambic brandies, Germain-Robin, Inc., of Ukiah, California, has also released a top-of-the-line brandy that edges over the $100-per-bottle mark. Germain-Robin's XO, made by distiller Hubert Germain-Robin, contains brandies averaging 10 to 12 years in age and retails for about $105. Hubert Germain-Robin's partner, Ansley Coale, says the XO is "what we set out to do" when they established their distilling operation on Coale's sheep ranch near Ukiah in 1982.
Jepson Vineyards in Mendocino County, which produces small amounts of alambic brandy from the grapes of 40-year-old French Colombard vines across Highway 101 from its winery, will release a reserve bottling within a couple of years, according to winemaker and distiller Kurt Lorenzi. The Jepson reserve will include its oldest brandies, dating back to 1982, when the winery was named Estate William Baccala and when Miles Karakasevic, who now has his own distillery called Domaine Charbay, was the distiller.
Hundred-dollar brandies may seem pretty ambitious for Germain-Robin and Carneros Alambic, two operations that didn't exist 15 years ago. After all, the most venerable of French Cognac firms have been around for almost three centuries, and Cognac itself, the model for American alambic brandy, is a creation of age. Cognac begins life as a thin, neutral white wine. After distillation, it is only prolonged aging in Limousin and Tronçais oak casks that gives the best Cognac its dazzling complexity.
But the California producers have impressive pedigrees. Carneros Alambic was founded as a joint venture between Rémy-Martin Cognac and Napa Valley sparkling wine producer Schramsberg Vineyards. (Schramsberg exited the partnership in 1986, and the French firm is now the sole owner.) And Rémy did not stint on the investment in its Carneros outpost, which operates eight 25-hectoliter alambic stills. In contrast, Germain-Robin and Jepson Vineyards have one 13-hectoliter still, and one 25-hectoliter still, respectively.
Germain-Robin is also a French-American partnership, albeit on a more modest scale. Frenchman Hubert Germain-Robin, who comes from the family that produced Jules Robin Cognac, met Ansley Coale, then a classics professor at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1981. Germain-Robin was hitchhiking in Weott in Northern California's Humboldt County; Coale says he picked him up because he knew the area was so remote that the poor guy never would have gotten a lift. The two began talking about making a Cognac-style brandy at Coale's ranch. Within a year, Hubert Germain-Robin had found an antique Cognac still in France and arranged to have it shipped to Ukiah, and in 1983 he made his first barrels of distillate.
That these California producers have no stocks of decades-old brandies, such as those in the chais (barrel warehouses) of venerable Cognac firms, doesn't worry them. "We're not trying to produce Cognac," contends Bernard La Borie, director of Carneros Alambic, who despite his French surname was born in New York City. "Cognac is Cognac, and California alambic brandy is California alambic brandy, and yes, there is some sort of relativity, but they are separate and very, very distinct."
Coale and Germain-Robin, though, have the temerity, even gall (pun intended), to present their brandies in tastings alongside fine French Cognacs, and the upstart Mendocino County bottlings show very well indeed. Coale asserts that the quality of California grapes makes the brandies supple and mellow. Plus, Hubert Germain-Robin blends brandies made from a range of varietals--Pinot Noir, Gamay Beaujolais, French Colombard, Semillon, Chenin Blanc, Palomino and Sauvignon Blanc--which adds complexity, whereas in Cognac, the Ugni Blanc grape predominates. "We are very lucky here to have access to all types of grapes, compared to the Cognac region, where they mainly use one grape," notes Germain-Robin.
The California brandies also benefit from the West's balmy climate, according to Robert Léauté, maître de chais expert (master Cognac maker) for Rémy-Martin, who serves as a technical advisor to Carneros Alambic and was part of the original team that came over from France to launch the joint venture. Léauté asserts that brandy ages faster on the West Coast because it is so much warmer there, particularly during the winter months. California's relatively mild winters allow the brandy to continue to age, whereas in Cognac the chais are so cool over the winter that the aging process is retarded.
Léauté adds that the more assertive varietal characters of California grapes add complex flavor notes to the brandy, whereas the wine that goes into Cognac is selected for its neutrality. "What is amazing is that we can get certain varietal characters, such as tobacco and cigar box, earlier in our [California] brandy because they exist as varietal characters in the grape," Léauté says. "For Cognac you have to wait 25 or 30 years to get some tobacco or cigar box smell; it comes from the aging process."
A tasting of Carneros Alambic's component brandies bears out the importance of grape character. Each of the six varietal brandies that the distillery makes is distinctive-- for example, the Pinot Noir is vanilla-scented and rich; the Palomino is butterscotchy and spicy; the Muscat offers the aromatic floral quality of wine made from that grape. There are also a French Colombard, Chenin Blanc and Folle Blanche.
A good introduction to California alambic brandy is to sample the basic brandy each producer offers. Jepson Rare ($28), the only brandy Jepson currently produces, is made from estate-grown French Colombard, a grape type that once was widely planted in the Cognac region. The Jepson brandy is suave and subtle, with attractive dried-fruit and dead-leaf aromas and spicy, earthy flavors. Germain-Robin's Fine Lot 11 ($35), which Coale characterizes as VSOP-level, is composed of brandies with an average age of five to six years, made largely from Colombard and Chenin Blanc grapes and small amounts of other varietals. It is pale gold, with a delicate, citrusy-woody aroma and a delicious softness on the palate. Carneros Alambic's Special Reserve ($29), also based primarily on Colombard, is made in a sweeter, richer style, with a woody-floral bouquet and caramel-like flavors on the palate.
From there, the possibilities abound, depending on your taste and budget. For those who favor a full-bodied, fruity style, Carneros Alambic makes a varietal brandy from Folle Blanche ($61) that bears an elegantly understated, old-fashioned label. Folle Blanche was once the major grape used in the production of Cognac and Armagnac, but after phylloxera ravaged the French vineyards, Folle Blanche did not take well to being grafted and was gradually replaced with the more neutral Ugni Blanc. These California plantings of Folle Blanche are from Louis Martini Winery's famed Monte Rosso Vineyard, which Carneros Alambic distiller Brad Skibbins believes to be the only plantings of the varietal in the North Coast. The Folle Blanche brandy is very fruity, with orange peel notes in the aroma, and is full-bodied and round on the palate.
Carneros Alambic also produces two older brandies, XR ($52) and QE ($92). XR was one of my favorites, particularly given its price; it is made in a drier, more delicate style than the Special Reserve and offers intriguing toasty aromas with a long, toffeelike finish. Carneros Alambic QE is rich, smooth and complex, with toffee and dried-fruit aromas; the nutty, suave flavors unfold seductively on the palate.
Germain-Robin has long produced a Shareholders' Blend ($50), which is given as a Christmas gift to the firm's 14 outside shareholders. This is a delicate, fruity, lightly oaked brandy with attractive spicy flavors. Germain-Robin's XO ($105) is composed of 75 percent Pinot Noir brandy with a bit of Colombard, Chenin Blanc and Palomino, the grape used in Spanish sherry. The XO is extremely fine, offering a cornucopia of woodsy scents mingled with sherry and toffee aromas and smooth and spicy flavors; it has a long finish.
Hubert Germain-Robin also releases a single-barrel, single-varietal brandy every year, made without the flavorings commonly used in brandy production such as caramel and syrup sweetener. The Single Barrel V17, now sold out, was a 1984 brandy distilled from French Colombard that offered clean citrus-floral aromas and Colombard's characteristic spicy earthiness on the palate. A single-barrel Pinot Noir brandy, V43 and V177 ($125), is currently available. "What I like in the single-barrel brandies is that they are very pure," comments Germain-Robin. "You get the essence of the grape."
There's even a brandy "for the lover of fine cigars." A year and a half ago, Germain-Robin, who enjoys an occasional cigar, released a single barrel--about 38 cases--of Germain-Robin's Special Blend for the Lover of Fine Cigars ($95). He structured the blend to provide a generous dose of fruit from Sauvignon Blanc brandies in order to balance the dry-mouth effect that smokers can experience, and he used oakier brandies for more power to stand up to cigar flavors. The result is an assertive, rich brandy with attractive tobacco and butterscotch aromas and a lingering finish. The initial release sold out immediately, but a second release is now available at $95.
This year, Germain-Robin also collaborated with Robert Levin, owner of Ashton Distributors, which imports Ashton cigars, to produce a custom cigar-blend brandy called Ashton Crown. An XO level brandy, Ashton Crown is available at select wine and spirits merchants and at some tobacconists, priced at around $100.
While American alambic bottlings have proliferated over the past few years, brandy lovers should not expect to find new, high-end domestic blends above XO in quality anytime soon. Antique brandies cannot be produced on demand; the stocks of Germain-Robin, Jepson and Carneros Alambic will have to age considerably longer before another leap in quality can be offered.
"People ask, what's next after QE?" says Bernard La Borie. "I have no idea, because it's going to be many years before we put out a product after QE. Now, our brandies are continuing to get better and better every year, but our oldest stocks are from 1982. You have to consider that products like Louis XIII Cognac have components of brandies that are over a hundred years old. We're not there yet."
Miles Karakasevic of Domaine Charbay holds another viewpoint. Karakasevic, who has been distilling since his boyhood in Yugoslavia when he worked in his family's distillery, produces a range of small-batch distillates in alambic stills in Ukiah and Napa Valley. Whereas he and his wife, Susan, market grappas, eaux-de-vie and other exotic spirits, his California alambic brandies, dating back to 1982, are still resting in barrel and won't be released anytime soon.
Karakasevic explains that while he likes the alambic brandies produced by other American distillers, he prefers a different style, one that requires prolonged aging. "Mine you have to eat with a spoon; you have to chew on it," he asserts. "It's like chewing tobacco or molasses. Dark, rich! And that's what I call brandy."
When will this nectar be available?
"Turn of the century, I guess," replies Karakasevic. He sounds reluctant.
For information on the availability of American alambic brandies, contact the distillers at: Carneros Alambic, 707/253-9055; Domaine Charbay 707/963-9327; Germain-Robin, 707/462-3221; Jepson Vineyards, 707/468-8936.
Jean T. Barrett is a Los Angeles-based writer on wine, spirits, food and travel and a frequent contributor to Cigar Aficionado and Wine Spectator. GLASS ACT
Those balloon brandy snifters from Tiffany's that were given to you as a wedding present? Lose 'em. If you're serious about your brandy, you should know that the classic globe-shaped snifter is not the best glass for tasting. It tends to deliver too much alcohol to the nose, which hampers appreciation of brandy's complex aroma nuances.
Professional Cognac tasters have long used a much smaller glass, shaped like a tulip with a narrow, chimney-style aperture. Carneros Alambic's hospitality center sells three variations on this "cellar master" glass, priced at $5.50 (with Carneros Alambic logo), $10 and $36 per stem. Austria's Riedel glass company has two glasses for Cognac, a "Cognac XO" and a "Cognac VSOP," that fit the bill as well and are priced at $49.50 per stem.
Bernard La Borie of Carneros Alambic believes that the classic balloon-shaped snifter will soon go the way of the Champagne saucer, which was the glass of choice for bubbly until the flute became popular in the 1970s. "The next generation of brandy drinkers will be drinking out of the cellar master glass," he predicts.
Mention American brandy and the big brands come to mind: E.&J. Gallo, Christian Brothers, Paul Masson and Korbel. These large-volume, well-established brandies are produced using the continuous still--also known as the Coffey, patent or column still. This type of still permits a continuous inflow of distilling material, greatly boosting volume. The continuous still is used to make most high-volume distilled products, such as gin, vodka, much blended whiskey and American brandy.
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MRI scanning uses magnetic fields to make images of the inside of the body. A computer produces two- and three-dimensional pictures. MRI of the breast uses an MRI to evaluate breast tissue.
Breast MRI can be used to:
Breast Cysts
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
MRIs can be harmful if you have metal inside your body such as joint replacements or pacemaker. Make sure your doctor knows of any internal metal before the test. Some may also have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye. Talk to your doctor about any allergies you have or if you have liver or kidney problems. These may make it difficult for your body to get rid of the contrast.
If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, talk to your doctor before the MRI scan about whether an MRI scan is right for you.
Leading up to the test:
Once at the MRI center:
You may be:
You will lie face down on your stomach on a moveable bed. The bed will slide into a large, cylindrical magnet. Your breasts will hang into cushioned openings. You may be hooked up to monitors. These monitors will track your pulse, heart rate, and breathing. The technician will be in another room and give you directions via an intercom. A magnetic field will be produced to generate three-dimensional images of your breast tissue. As this happens, you will hear loud banging noises.
The MRI may require contrast dye to make the pictures better. In this case, you will receive an IV in your hand or arm. Contrast material will be injected through the IV.
You will need to wait until the images are examined. In some cases, the technician may need to take more images.
About 1-½ hours
The MRI images will be sent to a radiologist. Your doctor will receive the report and talk to you about the results.
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
Canadian Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute of Canada
Breast MRI. University of California at San Francisco website. Available at: http://www.radiology.ucsf.edu/patient-care/services/breast-mri. Accessed May 28, 2015.
Camp HJ. Controversies in breast MRI. Radiologica. 2010;52(suppl 1):26-29.
Heywang-Kobrunner SH, Viehweg P, Heinig A, Kuchler C. Contrast-enhanced MRI of the breast: Accuracy, value, controversies, solutions. Eur J Radiol. 1997;24(2):94-108.
Klostergaard J, Parga K, Raptis RG. Current and future applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to breast and ovarian cancer management. Puerto Rico Health Sciences J. 2010;29(3): 223-231.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—breast. Radiological Society of North America Radiology Info website. Available at: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastmr. Updated July 2, 2014. Accessed May 28, 2015.
Shinil K, Shah BS, Greatrex KV. Current role of magnetic resonance imaging in breast imaging: A primer for the primary care physician. J Am Board Fam Med. 2005;18(6):478-490.
9/10/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed: US Food and Drug Administration. New warnings required on use of gadolinium-based contrast agents. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm225286.htm. Updated April 19, 2013. Accessed May 28, 2015.
5/17/2014 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed: Patenaude Y, Pugash D, Lim K, et al. The use of magnetic resonance imaging in the obstetric patient. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2014;36(4):349-355.
Last reviewed May 2015 by Andrea Chisholm, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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This place is one of those scarily-proportioned planned "towns" that seem to spring up out of the swamp land as if by magic. What I mean by scary is just the absolute perfectness about it all; it's so self-contained and pristinely designed that it just doesn't seem real.
And, in keeping with the Mediterranean theme of the architecture, there are rosemary bushes springing up everywhere. I don't think that rosemary would grow here as a native plant, but it does seem to thrive in this climate, because the plants seem to grow into large hedgerows.
Rosemary might just be my favorite herb and every spring I put out numerous small plants in my garden. I always hope that one or two of them will make it through the winter, but so far that hasn't happened.
Seeing them casually growing here to the size of happy Great Danes kind of overwhelms me. I'm starting to feel like cooking something. Or maybe I'm just thirsty.
We came up with this refreshing cocktail recipe while lounging on the beach yesterday. It's pretty good. Might be just about time for another!
Rosemary Lemon-Ginger Vodka Spritzers
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
¼ cup peeled, chopped fresh ginger
2 large springs rosemary, plus more to garnish
Pinch of fine sea salt (seems weird, but it really makes the syrup pop with flavor)
Fresh lemons, halved
Ice cold vodka
Chilled sparkling water
To make a drink, squeeze fresh lemon juice to taste into a glass filled with ice. Pour in 2 ounces vodka and about 1 tablespoon syrup. Top off with the sparkling water. Take a sip, and add more syrup if you like. Add a rosemary spring for garnish. Cheers!


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GEA Farm Technologies increases its expertise in pastoral based dairy farming with the acquisition of the Milfos International Group; with its headquarters based in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Milfos is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative dairy technologies offering a comprehensive range of milking, cooling, stalling and automation solutions along with service and maintenance programs focused on grazing farm applications. This acquisition clears the way for GEA Farm Technologies to fully participate in growth opportunities within all pastoral farming markets worldwide and specifically within the key market of New Zealand. New Zealand exports 95 percent of its annual milk production representing more than one-third of all global cross-border trade.
"This acquisition is another important step in the GEA Farm Technologies Total Solutions Strategy. The Milfos product portfolio enables us to better meet the requirements of grazing markets by offering best-in-class tailored solutions. In addition, our combined sales channels will strengthen our position in Asia Pacific and increase GEA Farm Technologies influence in emerging markets" says Dr. Ulrich Hüllmann, CEO and Segment President of GEA Farm Technologies.
"This acquisition offers significant benefits to our customers. Our companies share strong common values and innovative spirit. These elements are at the heart of our daily activities and our drive to deliver technological advances that create sustainable value for our customers into the future" says Jamie Mikkelson, CEO and Co-Shareholder of Milfos International Ltd.
Milfos, exporting to more than 20 countries, was formed in 1987 and has more than 100 employees. It has a strong background in precision stainless steel manufacturing and the company has diversified into electronics, plastics and mild steel products. With a policy of adopting in-house manufacturing the company controls all aspects of the product life cycle, including research, design, production and delivery.
The acquisition will be executed in November 2012.
For more information, contact GEA Farm Technologies at 1.877.WS.DAIRY or 1.877.973.2479.


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First-round pick Holmes visits Dodger Stadium
LOS ANGELES -- Right-handed pitcher Grant Holmes, the 22nd overall pick in this year's First-Year Player Draft, was at Dodger Stadium on Monday, exploring what could be his future home.
Holmes, drafted out of Conway High School (S.C.), said he and the Dodgers were still negotiating a contract but that his signing was mainly dependent on an upcoming physical.
"We've got to tie up some loose ends," said Logan White, Dodgers vice president of amateur scouting.
Holmes said he was impressed with what he had seen of the iconic ballpark.
"They've always had a great organization, and being a part of it is a great feeling," he said.
Though Holmes hasn't signed, the Dodgers did come to terms with three more Draft picks Monday: right-hander Brock Stewart (sixth round, Illinois State), third baseman Jimmy Allen (24th round, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo) and right-hander Harlan Richter (27th round, Bossier Parish Community College).
The Dodgers have signed 22 of their 40 picks, including six of their top 10.
Holmes, their top pick, has a mid-90s fastball, a slider and a developing changeup. Holmes said he patterns his game after closer Craig Kimbrel of the Braves -- Holmes' favorite team growing up.
As Holmes spoke with reporters in the Dodger Stadium dugout, outfielder Yasiel Puig came up to Holmes and introduced himself. He told Holmes, in Spanish, to hurry up to the Major Leagues so he can play behind him.
Holmes seems ready to start that journey.
"Beyond ready," Holmes said.
Michael Lananna is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Weaver V-neck T-shirt s are an Idakoos specialtiy! Idakoos has many things to offer. Whether you want to get a Weaver V-neck Tee for a special occasion, give a Weaver T-Shirt as a present or need to represent with a funny Weaver V-neck Tee during Holidays or Family and Friends get-togethers, Idakoos is sure to have the right Weaver V-neck T-shirt for you! Even if it turns out you can't find the right Weaver V-neck Shirt with the perfect design for your mother, father or children; Idakoos offers all of its men's women's and children's Weaver V-neck T-shirt s as Custom Weaver T-Shirts. Personalize any Weaver V-neck T-shirt the way you want to ensure the perfect gift.
Showing 1 - 24 of 78 V-Neck T-Shirt


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The mission of the CSU Foundation is to enhance the educational excellence of the California State University in teaching, learning, community service, and applied research.
Established in 1962, the CSU Foundation is the university's central foundation and
serves the Office of the Chancellor. The CSU Foundation exists to promote the
national, state and regional interests of the California State University. The Board
of Governors represents a cross-section of business, community, cultural, and
educational leaders with a shared commitment to uphold and advance the mission and
goals of the university.


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A classic breton sablé serves as the base of La Maison's Tube de l'Ete ($9). It's buttery and snappy with a crunch; crumbs fly everywhere and the heady flavors of vanilla lingers. But then the chocolate takes over, a simultaneously sleek and elegant tube of dark, dense chocolate mousse dipped in even more chocolate for a silky shell. True to tradition, the mousse is the over the top, nearly too rich, and best savored in small bites. In the center runs a thin rope of wild strawberry, cranberry, and hibiscus gelée, tart enough to cause a pause, and bright enough to be refreshing, saving chocolate from its own decadence.
La Maison du Chocolat
Multiple Locations in NYC
About the author: Originally from Honolulu, Kathy YL Chan blogs at Kathy YL Chan, where she chronicles her eats and travel adventures between Hawai'i, New York and beyond. She firmly believes that there is always room for dessert.


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Figgins making strides in battle to make club
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Marlins didn't sign free agent Chone Figgins to a Minor League contract until February 8. And his name hasn't come up much since.
That may be starting to change. Figgins went 4-for-4 in Sunday's 10-2 win over the Braves at Champion Stadium, one day after going 2-for-3. That raised his Grapefruit League average to .333 and put him in the mix, competing for the utility spot with Matt Downs, Chris Valaika and Nick Green, who are also non-roster invitees.
"[Figgins] has had some good at-bats," said manager Mike Redmond. "So it was nice to see him come out and get some hits. He's a guy vying for one of those bench spots. He's a utility guy. He plays third. He plays second. He's played short and the outfield. He fits that utility role need for us.
"We brought him in thinking an equal competition for everyone. We're playing all these guys. They're all playing the same amount of time. That's something that we'll have to sit down with at some point, figure out what we're looking for and who fits that need the best. But there's still time. There are still at-bats out there for these guys."
Figgins also scored twice and drove in a pair of runs on Sunday.
Redmond noted that, with Adeiny Hechavarria penciled in at shortstop, he'll place a premium on finding a bench player who can play shortstop. The candidate with the most experience at that position is Green.
Paul Hagen is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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An Ilkley man has taken part in the world's largest timed cycle race to raise money for a charity close to his heart.
Tom Gillon, 51, who is chairman of rugby at Ilkley Rugby Club, was one of 34,000 cyclists who took part in the Cape Argus bike race in Cape Town, South Africa, on March 9 and completed the 110k - or 68 miles - in a time of five hours, 29 minutes and eight seconds.
By completing the challenge Mr Gillon has raised more than £1,100 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
He said: "It was by far and away the most scenic race I've ever done. The stunning views took away the pain of the hill climbs, and the tens of thousands of people who turned out for the day to cheer us on made such a difference.
"I started off with a couple of friends, but left them behind after a couple of kilometres as I didn't fancy going that slowly. It was nice to have the solitude to take it all in during the race."
There is still time to sponsor Mr Gillon online at: justgiving.com/Tom-GILLON1


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THE SQL Server Blog Spot on the Web
Almost two years ago, I wrote about a method to use Table-Valued Parameters in SQL 2005 – or basically any environment that doesn't support them natively.
The idea was to use a View with an 'instead of' trigger. Essentially, the trigger acts as a stored procedure, which is then used to be able to handle all the rows however you want. That could be distributing the rows into tables as if it's an actual insert, but also works to just run whatever code you like, as a trigger is essentially just a stored procedure.
So anyway – today I got challenged to make it more explicit that this also works within SQL Server Integration Services. SSIS handles batch inputs into views, but if you were hoping to push data into a stored procedure in a data flow, that's going to be on a row-by-row basis – no TVPs. I'd described it to a class I was teaching, showed them the code from my 2011 blog post, and they pointed out that I hadn't made it particularly obvious (in my blog post) that you could use that method in SSIS.
The idea is very simple – you just create a view, as I did in my earlier post, and then use it as a destination within SSIS. This can be used for all kinds of methods for which you'd want to use a TVP, including pushing data up into SQL Azure databases.
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Hi Rob,
great idea, but it's important to note that by default, this doesn't work in SSIS because the default "Data access mode" option in an "OLE DB Destination" is "Table or view - fast load", which disable the triggers execution
To solve it, we can add "FIRE_TRIGGERS" option on "FastLoadOptions" in the advanced editor, or selecting "Table or view" on the "Data access mode" option
Yes - you do need to make sure that you're putting the data in using a method that will cause the triggers to fire.
Using a hammer to push in a screw isn't a good idea, no matter how good the hammer is. We all know that.


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Air Quality Monitoring
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At some point, Brendan Shanahan is going to leave the NHL's department of player safety. Regardless of what you think of the job he's done—and reviews are solidly and rightfully mixed—it's impossible to do any of it for all that long.
He's not leaving the league's office for the Calgary Flames, though, as he told reporter Roger Millions at the league's Board of Governors meetings in New York.
Shanahan had interviewed for a job that would put him in charge of the Flames' hockey operations. That position is still likely to be filled, which would mean Jay Feaster has some checks and balances in place, and that current president Ken King would focus solely on business (as in a new arena, especially considering what's happened to the Saddledome).
As for Shanahan, though, he's sticking in New York. Maybe this portends an expanded role for him at the League, maybe not. But some more time specifically with the DOPS will allow him to better define his legacy and, more specifically, the standards for what constitutes a dirty play and what doesn't. Consistency remains the biggest issue he (or his theoretical successor) faces.
From SN partner Kent Wilson at Flames Nation:
We can't know exactly why Shanahan decided against the move, but it makes me at least raise an eyebrow to see him prefer what is perhaps the league's most thankless job over moving into a senior management role here in Calgary.
It's unclear whether the Flames are still actively looking to add a guy like Shanahan to the org or if the opportunity was tailor made for the former superstar specifically. I'll guess we'll see.


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Lansing Community College is Michigan's third largest community college with more than 20,000 students attending each year. Students can pursue 230+ degrees and certificates that will prepare them for high-wage, high-skilled jobs, various transfer programs, career credentials or professional and personal enrichment.
Connect to colleges and universities in Michigan and nationwide through our growing number of transfer programs. LCC's low tuition and multiple funding options provide a high quality education students can afford.
At LCC we have many resources including academic and career advising, veterans and military affairs, and personal support services to help our students to succeed.
Be a part of the LCC community by getting involved with campus life through our many student clubs and diverse activities and events. Feel the pride of being a star in and out of the classroom! Whether you're on the field or in the stands we want you to be a part of our team at LCC!
Our multiple locations and learning centers offer flexibility and convenience for students. Visit campus to take a guided tour, meet with an LCC representative and explore all that LCC has to offer!


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The mention of Dubai conjures up images of oil-driven towering buildings, iconic hotels, and snow skiing and water parks in the desert. Dubai Creek is the beating heart of the city with a chaotic frenzy of workers, abra (wooden water taxi) catchers, shoppers and travellers all bustling with activity.
In sharp contrast is the neighbouring historic district of Al Bastikiya. Built by wealthy Iranian traders in the late 1800s, a gentle stroll around the peaceful but tangled streets of Al Bastikiya highlights the wonderful adobe wind tower (or windcatcher) houses. With the houses built closely together to maximise shade, this ingenious design uses natural ventilation to target the extremes of weather of scorching hot dry days and chilly nights.
The cooling effect is due to the air movement (the air isn't actually cooled) with the air forced downwards into the main living areas of the house. Similar ideas are used in the Middle East with some extending the idea by steering the air over running water to provide a natural form of air-conditioning (a similar technique was practised in Amer Fort in Rajastan).
Take some time out from the souqs and shopping of Dubai for a peaceful stroll through the historic Al Bastikiya area and see the inventive resourcefulness of the past traders in making living in the heat of Dubai as refreshing and pleasant as possible.


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Education funding for rural Minnesota needs to change, said parents and administrators of area school districts.
During an education forum held March 25 at Cambridge Intermediate School, Milaca School District Superintendent Jerry Hansen said school districts shouldn't have to rely on passing bond referendums and operating levies for funding.
"When you try passing excess operating levies and bond referendums, they are difficult, if not impossible to pass," Hansen said. "Our school district was finally able to pass one this fall, but the solution doesn't rely in operating levies – it relies in St. Paul."
The forum was sponsored by the Cambridge-Isanti Community Action and Response for Education (C-I CARE). Its mission is to actively advocate for legislation that supports quality and equity in education from K-12 in Minnesota public schools with a focus on issues specific to the Cambridge-Isanti School District. C-I CARE was established by parents to be an advocate for the public school district and the learners, families and communities it serves.
Of the 336 school districts in the state, area districts rank the lowest in per pupil funding.
"Per pupil funding is a problem for the entire East Central Minnesota," Hansen said. He cited numbers that ranked Princeton at 299; North Branch, 302; Mora, 303; Milaca, 304; Cambridge, 319; and Rush City, 328.
Hansen said during the 2001 tax reform, the state said state legislators would be responsible for funding the general education formula.
"The state created a system and it failed," Hansen said. "As a result, school districts are forced to ask local citizens to approve operating levies."
Hansen said because operating levies are based on property values and because most communities in East Central Minnesota do not have large industrial and commercial businesses, the taxpayers in these communities pay more.
He said to generate $1,633 per student funding, on a $100,000 home, taxpayers in Milaca would pay $509, Cambridge-Isanti, $456, North Branch, $415, and Princeton, $480.
"This represents the fact that school districts in East Central Minnesota pay two to five times more than other districts because of our lower property values," Hansen said. "It costs an average taxpayer $449 based on a $100,000 home in the rural school districts for a $1,633 operating levy."
Hansen said it isn't fair the school districts pay more because it doesn't cost any less to live in East Central Minnesota.
"Education is the engine for economic success and prosperity," Hansen said. "It is time to level the playing field for all students in East Central Minnesota."
North Branch School Board Member Kirby Ekstrom said school districts in East Central Minnesota have been forced to cut budgets.
"The North School District has had $16 million in budget cuts since 2003-2004, and we are looking at another $1.5 million," Ekstrom said. "With the continued cuts to our fund balance, we are not able to add any additional opportunities for our students. The basic education is there, but we aren't able to provide opportunities for our students to expand their horizons."
Ekstrom explained the past eight bond and levy referendums have failed for the North Branch School District.
"We have had a tough time selling the community on a bond and levy," Ekstrom said. "This past time, the city of North Branch voters approved the bond and levy, but it failed in the surrounding communities, so overall it failed with 53 percent voting against and 47 for it. We are encouraged because we are getting more yes votes, but still not getting them passed."
Ekstrom said the North Branch School District removed an old building, the Main Street school, because it wasn't being used anymore, which results in an annual $400,000 savings. He said the district going to a four-day week has resulted in a $250,000 annual savings. The district implemented an energy savings plan that has resulted in $500,000 savings to date.
"With the funding not there that we need, it really creates a way of thinking outside the box," Ekstrom said.
Erika Zdon, a parent in the Cambridge-Isanti School District, said she had several opportunities as a student in a metro area school district. She didn't realize all students didn't have these same school offerings.
"I had wonderful high school opportunities. … I didn't realize what my children are missing out on," Zdon said. "What I'm looking for is more language programs, and it would be nice to have more music programs. We don't have any music programs for our students until they reach the sixth grade. If we don't touch that student until sixth grade, it might be too late. Art teachers share the love of art and passion and education."
Rep. Bob Barrett, who represents North Branch and Chisago Lakes school districts, talked about House file 755, a bill he authored that would equalize education funding.
"Two main reasons why funding differs for school districts in East Central Minnesota is because of categoricals and the property wealth of the district," Barrett said. "House file 755 provides some measure of equality in funding. It doesn't solve the problem, but it's a first step toward a solution."
Barrett said the bill would give the Cambridge-Isanti School District $2.5 million, Chisago Lakes $500,000 to $600,000 and North Branch $1.5 million.
"The bill would give funding to the places it's needed the most—to the school districts on the bottom level of funding," Barrett said. "We want this bill as part of the final education bill. The cost of my bill is $90 million that's being added to a budget of $11 to $13 billion. The $90 million is really a small amount being added onto a large part of an appropriation."
Rep. Tim Faust, who represents most of Kanabec and Pine counties, said education funding needs to be addressed.
"This isn't an issue of fairness—it's an issue of economic stability of the country," Faust said. "We need to invest in our children because they are competing with a global job market."
Rep. Joe Radinovich, who represents the Crosby-Ironton School District and serves on the K-12 education finance committee, said more programs are being discontinued every year due to lack of funding.
"We can't afford to exist with the growing disparity between schools," Radinovich said. "We need to see major significant changes in the education funding formula."
Sen. Sean Nienow, who represents the Cambridge-Isanti School District, authored Senate file 929, a bill that addresses general education disparity aid eligibility designation for school districts or charter schools with below-average revenue.
"There is a tremendous need for more vocation and technical programs in the school districts," Nienow said. "School districts in East Central Minnesota come out on the short end of the stick and that's the simple reality."
Cambridge-Isanti School District Superintendent Bruce Novak said the education formula needs to change.
"I'm hearing tonight how our districts are competing globally and locally," Novak said. "We can't get our students into a 21st century education if we are funding on a 19th century model. Our students are not Democrats or Republicans—they are our future. We need to change the funding formula and get off the 19th century model so we can get them the funding they needs so they can compete in the global market."
Those gathered urged the legislators to get the education funding formula changed.
"I was elected to the Cambridge-Isanti School Board by this community to represent the best interests of the community," Mark Becker said. "We elected you officials to represent us and to get something done. We understand the resistance of change and hope you will take that challenge on."
All the legislators gathered at the forum encouraged the public to contact the legislators with their concerns about education funding.


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A way for the Carolina folks to get in touch.
Location: Anywhere, North Carolina
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Did anyone else read this article in Huffington on March 3rd? I just saw it today. Good Read.
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Soria enjoying 'perfect' progress from surgery
ARLINGTON -- Reliever Joakim Soria, who was signed by the Rangers as a free agent during the Winter Meetings, said so far his rehabilitation program has gone "perfect" as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Soria, who was a two-time All-Star closer during his six years with the Royals, underwent surgery on April 3, 2012, and he's hoping to be available by the end of May or early June. He is currently throwing long toss and probably won't go off a mound until the end of February. "So far it has been perfect, every step has been perfect," said Soria, who also missed the entire 2003 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery for the first time. "I know what to expect this time. It's a little different. The first time I was 19 years old and most of my rehabilitation was in Mexico. Now I'm here in Phoenix and we have all the facilities and all the stuff to help you recover."


text: Jerry Colangelo was long one of sports' most respected executives, trusted by both owners and players. Now he's ready to share some of what made him successful -- and maybe help little Grand Canyon University realize its big-time athletic dreams. The Phoenix school announced Tuesday the partnership of the Colangelo School of Sports Business, and the namesake says he plans to be involved.


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How long was your progression from when you first started running to when you were able to hit near-max mileage in 24-hour races or near best times in 100 mile races?
Personally I feel that I am somewhere in the middleground of this progression, going from "3 miles a year" about 3 years ago, to "25 MPW" average, 'till 6 months ago, to "40+ MPW" average 3 months ago, to 75+ miles achieved in a 24-hour last weekend.
I would love to hear some personal stories on how long did it took you to go from "0" to "Near Max" on mileage!
The Plan '15 → /// "Run Hard, Live Easy." ∞
I'll let you know when I get to "near max".
Demon of Bad Decisions
I want to do it because I want to do it. -Amelia Earhart
-- I like that answer.
To modify the question for those still progressing in their levels of achievement, how far has it taken you to go from "0" to where you currently are in time/distance + what do you consider your best performance to date? (Reading what others have done + continue to do is quite motivational for me personally as to what is possible.)
Uh oh... now what?
-- I like that answer.
To modify the question for those still progressing in their levels of achievement, how far has it taken you to go from "0" to where you currently are in time/distance + what do you consider your best performance to date? (Reading what others have done + continue to do is quite motivational for me personally as to what is possible.)
By carefully adjusting my goals I have continued to progress in my levels of achievement. Next month I hope to stay awake and ambulatory for all twelve hours at the Watershed 12-hour (not its real name but I know I sent them a check).
Congratulations on the 75 miles, oops, says 76.25 miles.
Seriously, the question assumes the goal when one starts running is to keep increasing run mileage as long as possible, which I don't think is how most of us started.
Personally, I've been running since 2004, ultras since 2008, first hundred in 2011, but I won't max out at least until I try 24hr.
old woman w/hobby
I'd like to think that I'm no where near my max!
Started running a bit in 02 when I quit smoking and just keep kept plugging away
from there. I ran my first ultra last March so...I'm hoping for much improvement yet
mta: Initially, for quite a few years, I was only trying to keep the pounds at bay while
getting over the cigarettes. Then I realized that even at my advanced age I could
actually enter races and so on.
Just run.
Max Mileage?
2010 - I had been injured for December and January, I started to fight and run even with the injury. I hit 238 in January, February I hit 612, March 938 and then started a taper, so April I only hit 762.
I ran 3 times a day.
You can only have one master - Either you care about mileage or speed. If you care about speed, you make sure that you recover enough for your next speed workout and it is OK if mileage suffers. If you care about mileage, you pound the mileage and still might try speed, but many, many runs you will fail at speed work outs, because you will not be recovered enough.
I would run 18-22 miles on my easy days (6/6/6 or a bit more) I would run 30-50 miles on my hard days (6/6/20-40). I was always dead legged. Depending on your mechanics and where your body's weak areas are, running a lot of slow miles may be less likely to injure than cranking on speed work.
I would never do it again.
There are 2 schools of thought:
1) Do speed and then work in more and more mileage.
2) Work up mileage higher and higher and then add speed.
Since I am usually coming off a period of not running much and being fat - I chose #2. I run 1-2 months of lots of slow mileage with the occassional speedwork out if I feel good. This is both base building and "De-Fatting" I usually need to lose 25-30 pounds during this "De-Fatting" process. By 2 months I am comfortable running higher slow mileage and then I add consisent speed.
Make no mistake ~ 2 hard speed workouts a week are very stressful on the body, 3 hard speedworkouts a week start applying extreme stress. So someone running 100 miles per week with easy to moderate speed once or twice < someone running 70 miles a week with 3 hard workouts. It is like me running 100 miles a week on a TM and someone else running then in the mountains of Colorado.
My 2 -cents.
7/20/17 #247 Comeback #19 ... 10/8 - Glacial Trail 50M
I started running (Jogging) in July 1st 2003
2003 1569 (Starting weight 300+ pounds)
2004 3858 Marathon 2:56
2005 4907 Marathon 2:49
2006 4754 Marathon 2:45 / 50 mile 7:50 (2nd OA)
2007 3974 (Injury end of 2007 Sept - end of year)
2008 4554 50 Mile 7:33 (2nd OA Ice Age) / 24 hour 123 (Injured start of 2008 - Jan and Feb)
2009 5303 Marathon 2:48 / 24 hour 147
2010 5605 24 hour 154 / marathon 2:59
2011 51xx ? sucked stop doing speed work ~ too many ultras marathon 2:55
2012 60xx ? sucked not enough speed ~ Marathon 2:56 / 24 hour 128 ~ way too many ultras and marathons
2013 - Goal 3500 miles ~ I do not care, except I would like to get my 10th consecutive year with a sub 3 marathon. If I start caring I may run 1 24 hour race in fall.
I have transitioned from the 1st time I ever ran on trails - Glacial 50 mile race in 2006 when I absolutely hated trail running, to loving trail running, but with the closest good trail 1 hour drive (2 hours round trip) I do not get on them near enough. We are also hill deficient where I live - 1/2 hour drive (hour round trip) to a hill. This is part of the reason I gravitated to marathons and 24 hour races ~ flat.
What I feel my greatest performaces
2004 - Marathon - running 2:56 at 232#
2006 - Marathon Running 2:47 at Houston - gutting out last 10k with scorced legs - this is where I learned how high a pain level I could endure
2006 - Marathon 2:45 ~ Needing a 6:03 and 6:01 last 2 miles to break 2:46 (2:45:58)
2006 - 7:50 at 1st ultra - Glacial 50M - Quads gone at 35 miles, but went into animal mode and felt primal
2008 - 123 1st FANS 24 - I was dizzy and dehydrated by 6 hours and would run a few minutes until I felt like passing out - Then walk until I could run again - The pure stubborness
2009 - 147 FANS 24 - Knees went out at 100 miles ~ felt like a knife in both knees the next 8 hours and 45 minutes
2010 - 154 Worlds 24 - Sureal - Last 4 hours, I went into beast mode (Like 2006 glacial) and disassociated from the pain ~ Duing the 4 hours increasing the effort and speed continously, not caring if I died ... I was constanly gowling as I forced down the pain the last hour.
2010 - Marathon 2:59 ~ I redlighted since mile 3 and ran a perfect race ~ I had not right to break 3 hours
To me performances are great or not by either the effort level or perfection of pacing and effort level. The race above are the ones I learned from and progressed from to get to my only 2 good 24 hour distances. But I can only judge how good a race was by knowing what shape I was in and what I think was possible ... Less by comparing it to how I placed.
Dopple, holy sh1t! I was impressed with your times in other races, like the 12 hour performance and the 154 mile 24 hour performance, but I had no idea of all the back story to some of those achievements.
Sometimes when you see folks blowing by you in a race for a 125+ mile performance, seems as if they are having an easy time doing it. But "Knives in the knees" for over 8 hours, wow.
And that was the point I quit in the 24 hour, knees were swelling and hurt, but dull pain, not sharp like what you describe. -- I haven't put myself into anything close to "beast mode" yet in a race. I just hope when that moment comes, I can endure at least a quarter of the pain you have been able to endure.
Also on mileage, you stated: "March 938 and then started a taper, so April I only hit 762." Simply amazing mileage. Well, I go on terminal leave (IE. Not working but still getting a full check) from May 10, all the way through August31. I think I will try and implement running 2x a day, possibly more if my body will let me ramp it up without breaking down. Although 938 in a month? Maybe more like 300-350 would be short term max for me, but if I am not injured I will be pushing the distance late May-August.
It was great to read what you have done so far and what those performances are based on. This is what I was looking for. I hope that when I am on the brink in a future race and deciding if I am going to throw in the towel or not, I think back to some of what I read here today and push through.
I'm not sure that you will be able to draw a max distance correlation from weekly mileage. There are lots of folks that run 100 mile races on 30-40 MPW but are nowhere near their max performance. Even max performance may depend on the individual, some people thrive on high mileage and other people break down. Some of that depends on progression though. Most folks don't go from 0 MPW to 100 MPW in a year.
I don't think there is a silver bullet when it comes to mileage. DB may have dead legs after running 150-200 MPW but I have dead legs after 90+. I could rearrange my running schedule to allow for better recovery, but by doing it the way I do my wife can do group runs on certain days of the week. Anyway here are my stats if they provide any value:
2005 - averaged 30 MPW peaked at 40 - first marathon was a 3:26 where I walked about 2 miles
2007 - averaged 40 MPW and peaked at 60, first qualified for Boston with a 3:10:57
2009 - averaged 60 MPW and peaked at 70, first sub 3 with 2:57:07 (PR in 5k, 10k, 1/2, and marathon)
2011 - averaged 70 MPW and peaked at 80, first 50 mile Ice Age was 8:10, marathon PR of 2:54:46 (PR in 1/2 marathon too)
2012 - averaged 75 MPW and peaked at 100, 50 mile PR of 7:27 (ice Age), marathon was 2:56:30 (only PR this year was 50 mile)
2013 - so far averaging 87 MPW and shooting for a 50 mile of 6:59 (Ice Age) --fingers crossed
At least for me as I have increased my weekly mileage my short distance races have suffered. If they were more important I would probably drop my mileage back down to low 70s.
The 3 times I have went to a different place of pain in races I had something the meant more to me than it should have - I know at least one other person around RA that understands ... when you are so focussed on your goal that you think - I can stop if I die and death does not scare you.
I am not proud of the statement as I have a family and nothing is more important then them to me ... but those 3 times in the heat of the race, I did not care if I left my kids fatherless.
I doubt I will ever return to that place again and hope I do not.
. -- I haven't put myself into anything close to "beast mode" yet in a race. I just hope when that moment comes, I can endure at least a quarter of the pain you have been able to endure.
What you see from Flatfooter is the best and most common progression - Build up that takes years, results that progress over years 7-10 years to hit a sweet spot in your racing.


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Make retro garden markers
Ever gardened with the kids, planted seeds into the soil - and then forgotten what's there? Check out these waterproof, recycled, retro-tastic mini garden markers. They're easy to make, you just need some plastic from your recycling bin and an old Dymo embosser.
Number of players:
What you need:
- an 'old school' DYMO embosser label maker (available at Officeworks and eBay)
- tape for the label maker (If you don't have a DYMO label maker, a permanent marker will do.)
- plastic tub lid (a standard ice-cream tub lid can make eight markers)
- scissors
Step 1. Gather all you need to make your retro garden markers.
Step 2. Make your labels, this is our fave part. Turn-click, turn-click!
Step 3. Cut your tags plastic tags from the ice cream container lid. These markers are 1.5cm wide and 9cm long. Don't forget to make one end pointy!
Step 4. Stick on your labels firmly and get gardening!
NOTE: I've always been fascinated by these little label makers, but until now haven't found a perfectly practical use for them. You can imagine my amusement when after making this project I discovered that the labelling device was originally marketed to make pressed metal garden markers!
This craft was created by Cintia, who blogs at my poppet.
Find more inspiring kids' craft ideas
- How-to videos for kids' crafts
- Make a melted crayon masterpiece
- Easter crafts
- Christmas crafts
- Fun kids craft ideas
- 30 fun things to do with kids (including craft)
- Dress up ideas kids can make
- Crafts to make from the recycling bin
- Fairy-inspired craft ideas
- Great ideas for paper crafts
Learning benefits of play, craft and activities:
- Benefits of crafts for kids
- Craft ideas to make for babies
- Why reading is important
- Your child's development milestones
- Why play makes kids smarter
- The importance of outdoor play
- Types of play
- How craft helps unplug kids from screentime


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Pacers get:
Shane Battier
Rockets get:
T.J. Ford
Reasons for it:
I really like this deal. It's full of good value for both teams.
Houston would start T.J. at PG with Brooks backing him up
We would have a back up SF in Battier for Danny and he's also a good defender I think.
This would mean we'd probably draft a PG.


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Gotta agree on being one of the best versatile players.
I'm a Beast
That is really high praise. Hope Paul can continue to live up to his potential and meet expectations.
As for the list, I would not have Wade over Kobe, even if he is getting older. Ray Allen seems to high at this point in his career. Interesting list though.
"Just look at the flowers ........ BANG"
Are the shooting guards in the NBA really that bad? Potential is one thing, but c'mon.