text:
Garza hurls two-inning simulated game
MILWAUKEE -- Cubs pitcher Matt Garza threw a two-inning simulated game Friday at Miller Park and did well, although he struggled a bit with what manager Dale Sveum called "pinpoint-manship."
Garza, who strained his left lat during a live batting-practice session Feb. 17 and did not appear in a Spring Training game, was throwing in a game situation for the first time this year. He has not pitched in a regular-season game since July, and missed the second half of last season with elbow problems.
"Everything was coming out of his hand OK," Sveum said. "He was a little rusty."
His command was also off a bit, resulting in the lack of pinpoint control.
"That's just the first step to get out there," Sveum said of Garza, who faced two hitters in the simulated game.
This was the first of at least four games for Garza. Next step will be 45 pitches over three innings. If all goes well, the right-hander should be ready to return to the Cubs' rotation by mid-May.
Garza most likely will go to Double-A Tennessee for his next outing. Until then, you can find him in Sveum's office.
"He doesn't bother me," Sveum said of the energetic Garza. "He's entertaining."
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings, and you can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Bob Adelman and his Civil Rights Photographs
September 27-October 31, 2013
Art and Art History present
a show of Bob Adelman's Civil Rights Photographs: The Children's March.
Opening 5-8 p.m. September 27 UAB Visual Arts Gallery
Opening September 27, 2013
UAB Visual Arts Gallery
Bob Adelman will lecture about these works at 6p.m. on September 26.
Hulsey Recital Hall

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Now here at last, is McCourt's long-awaited audiobook about how his thirty-year teaching career shaped his second act as a writer. Teacher Man is also an urgent tribute to teachers everywhere. In bold and spirited prose featuring his irreverent wit and heartbreaking honesty, McCourt records the trials, triumphs, and surprises he faces in public high schools around New York City.
©2005 Green Peril Corp.; (P)2005 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.
"Should be mandatory reading for every teacher in America. And it wouldn't hurt some politicians to read it, too." (Publishers Weekly)
"Teacher Man is an irresistible valedictory, about a man finding his voice in the classroom, on the page and in his soul." (The New York Times)
"Fun, quick, well done!"
"Quit bothering me, man". I don't know how ANYONE can tolerate teaching teens. God bless'm! I have some of my own. It is my opinion that teachers should be held in the highest esteem, paid exobintantly and worshipped by all. Teachers have the most important jobs in any society (no, I'm not a teacher). "Teacher Man" was absolutely fantastic and enjoyable. Read well... My only wish was that it was longer.
"Insightful and fun"
It was great listening to Frank McCourt recount his memories of teaching in New York City. He is honest, insightful, and humorous. He tells his story in a blunt and humorous way. He doesn't try to make himself sound like a goody-goody teacher who was out to save the world; yet he probably made a huge impact on many students. I will look at my students with "wider eyes and a better listening heart" from now on. He is definitely a "late bloomer" as he, himself admitted in his book. I loved his previous book, Angela's Ashes; tolerated his book Tis, but I LOVED this new book of his!!!
"Exceptional Audiobook"
I loved this book and wished it were longer. I could have listened to Frank McCourt's stories of teaching for hours and hours (and I heard the unabridged version). His teaching career ran the gamut of high school experiences -- from vocational high school to elite college prep, with a little community college thrown in. And somewhere in these teaching experiences, he "found himself."
Mr. McCourt is an exceptional reader -- better than most authors who read their own books. His accent is charming, and easy to understand. His voice added greatly to the memoir.
"Wonderful to listen to"
This was the most wonderful memoir. McCourt has spoken for many educators who just want to be left alone to teach in classrooms of America. We want the politicians to just "Leave people alone" We are all doing the best that we can, considering the talent we have been sent. We help some to grow academically, but mostly we want to help them to grow into productive members of society. The politicians want us to send out a group of lemmings. Education is about teaching to differences and teaching diferently. McCourt celebrates just that as he reads to us about the love of his life... Helping children, and young adults to see the wonder within themsleves.
"For the teachers"
Those of you who are part of this circle, this is a must. If you teach, then you can relate and empathise with Teacher Man as he recalls and recounts his exploits as a HS English teacher in NYC.
Rather a slow read, with great highlight and some parts that drag on, perhaps it might be better with the abridged version.
Read by the author, always a plus!
Gold - for those who teach and can relate
Silver - for those who are looking for an interesting read, but slow.
Bronz - for those who want action adventure and wild themes.
I believe a reviewer should finish a book before submitting a review. What do you think?
"love the accent"
This book was wonderful, a joy to hear. I liked the first two books a bit better though, this one was on self indulgent side. His stories of teaching high school kids are fun. A good listen.
"More interesting stories from Mr. McCourt"
This book contains more interesting stories about an interesting life. As you read (listen to) this book it is fun to keep in mind the Pulitzer Prize won by this most unassuming author. Angela's Ashes was one of the most amazing stories I have ever read. I also read and enjoyed 'Tis. The author tells his own humble story as a long time high school teacher and never boasts about or even mentions his previous award winning best seller. This exemplifies the humility that makes him so great. He focuses on what he gained from his students and the experience in all his years of teaching English, not on what he gave back to the literary world. His perspective is refreshing to hear and I can't wait for his next book.
"loved it"
Reading this book confirmed to me that I went into the right profession. McCourt's stories about teaching for 30 years in NYC public schools was very inspirational to read and at times I just laughed out loud becuase I knew exactly what he was talking about. It really is a great read espeically if you are a teacher.
I enjoy mysteries, NOT thrillers, contemporary fiction, especially about diverse cultures, and sometimes history, if it doesn't involve too many dates. I often listen to a book multiple times, discovering unnoticed details in the retelling.
"typical superb McCourt work"
I've stood in the same teacher shoes McCourt describes. But, oh, how HE can describe it! His accent and phrasing is a joy to hear; anyone who simply reads the book for himself will miss that dimension of this excellent work. I only wish that his analysis of administrators was too cruel, or exaggerated. It isn't. He's fair and accurate in how he describes the ladder-climbers of large, and even small, public school systems. McCourt, I'm so pleased to hear you, at long last, reach deep into the souls of those students and yourself, to reach an enjoyment of what you were working at, and to have students return to find you. And I hope that your cot is no longer celibate!
Nurse by day, gangster knitter & book listener by night. Married w 2 girls, 3 dogs & many woodland creatures. Love Twain & meditation.
"Charming, delightful and engaging."
Absolutely. It's the third and final offering and takes us on a wild ride through the classroom drama in NYC. His tales are warm, real and his commitment to following his dream is unwavering. It feels almost like I've made a friend... and miss him and his funny songs dearly. He left us with a rich version of a poor man's wanderings.
His ongoing love and belief in his students.
His tales of his students, their personal struggles and his commitment to be there for them.
Report Inappropriate Content
If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.


text:
POLICE have charged a 24-year-old Sunshine West man with two counts of murder and one of arson following the death of a Yarraville couple on Saturday.
Ross Konidaris appeared in an out-of-sessions court hearing on Wednesday night and was remanded to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Police said Konidaris was arrested in Yarraville on Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency services were called on Saturday when a neighbour reported a fire. The fire that destroyed the house is believed to have been deliberately lit.
On the day of the fire, Detective Inspector John Potter, of the homicide squad, described the incident as ''gruesome''.
One neighbour of the Morven Street couple, in their 70s and 80s, described them as nice people who were frail with ailing health.


text:
Red River Valley potato growers seem divided over the United Potato Growers of America.
Salt Lake City-based United Potato has had a local chapter in East Grand Forks, Minn. — the Red River Valley Fresh Potato Growers Cooperative — since 2008.
Some growers declined to comment on United and its stated goal to boost grower returns by, in some cases, controlling acreage.
Others said they could see the co-op's value, while noting that it can fluctuate from year to year.
"I'm certainly not against United. I think they have some really good ideas, and they have some people who have put a lot of work and effort into making this thing successful," said Paul Dolan, general manager of Grand Forks, N.D.-based Associated Potato Growers Inc.
United Potato has established its bona fides in the potato industry, although litigation against the organization likely has caused that standing to "slip a little bit," Dolan said.
Late in 2011, United lost its claim to protection by the Capper-Volstead Act, when a U.S. district judge turned aside United Potato's attempts to get dismissed a lawsuit filed against it a year earlier by a New York-based company that accused United Potato of "classic cartel behavior" to control potato supplies and fix prices at artificially high levels.
"I think in years past, (United Potato) probably helped, and I think a lot of people want to take credit for the better markets of previous years," said Randy Boushey, president and chief executive officer with East Grand Forks-based A&L Potato Co.
He also said the potato industry is capable of policing itself, in terms of output, so he could understand the opposition to United Potato.
"Sometimes low markets generate less production, and (leads to) a thinning process," he said.
The question centers on who should get credit for the cutbacks, Boushey said.
"Maybe the thinning process had already (begun), and they'd cut acres, and it was going to come back anyway, and they just called it their credit," he said.
Markets tend to run in cycles, anyway, Boushey said.
The Red River Valley co-op had 25 growers in 2011-12, representing about half the acreage in the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, said Ted Kreis, the East Grand Forks-based association's marketing director.
"We don't have our 2013 membership drive completed yet, but it might be down some from 2012," he said.
Dave Moquist, the co-op's current chairman, said United Potato has made a significant difference."The information we've gotten from United has allowed us to be able to market our potatoes in a more timely manner and just be able to get out of the marketplace what we could, so I think, over the years, it has been significant."
Dennis Magnell, a partner in Trail, Minn.-based Peatland Reds Inc., which has announced it is leaving the Northern Plains association at the end of 2012, said his company doesn't feel a need to belong to United Potato, either.
"They just bring us down, too," he said.
The 2012-13 market has started with prices around $10, which growers describe as low.
One of United's stated goals has been to help prop up returns to growers, but there's only so much any organization can do in that realm, said Keith Groven, a salesman with Grand Forks, N.D.-based Black Gold Farms.
"You can't control yields. There are lots of things United can't control," Groven said, adding that potato production is not "an exact science."
Too many factors are involved, he said.
"The other thing that makes it difficult is the flexing of the potato deal in processing or whether they'll go to the fresh market," he said.
In theory, at least, United's efforts make sense, said Chad Heimbuch, president and sales manager at Heimbuch Potatoes, Cogswell, N.D.
"Now you need to take it to the next level," he said.


text:
Today is National Best Friends Day! Forget the virtual greetings and tap into these perfect presents to show her just how much you care. Show a pal that's been there since the beginning — through breakups, new jobs, you name it — how much she's appreciated with a thoughtful gift, a sweet sentiment she'll adore.
Gathering what's bound to become her new favorite t-shirt and updated interpretations of the classic friendship bracelet, we've covered all your bases to make shopping for your top pal totally stress-free. Grab one of our favorite thoughtful gifts and then call her up and suggest an afternoon frozen yogurt for some girl time.


text:
|Strength of Schedule Report
The BP First Take
Search The BP First Take
All Blogs (including podcasts)
Active Columns
Article Types
April 5, 2012 11:47 am
The Reds might be making a mistake by not starting Chris Heisey.
When the Reds let Jonny Gomes walk in free agency this past winter, it seemed Chris Heisey might finally get a chance to show that he could stick as the team's everyday left fielder. The 27-year-old Heisey hit .254/.309/.487 last season, with an impressive 18 home runs in 308 plate appearances. His plate discipline left much to be desired, but his minor-league track record suggested that an uptick in walks and a decrease in strikeouts could be forthcoming.
On January 17, though, the Reds inked Ryan Ludwick to a one-year, $2.5 million deal, threatening the expected increase in Heisey's playing time. The fit was odd, to say the least. Ludwick—coming off a .237/.310/.363 campaign split between the Padres and Pirates—did not offer much that Heisey wasn't already providing. Both are right-handed hitters. Both have reverse platoon splits (although Heisey's may be the product of a small sample size). Both produce the bulk of their value in the batter's box.
April 4, 2012 10:20 am
The Marlins have an ace in the hole that could help them scoop the NL East title
When Josh Johnson takes the mound tonight and throws the first stateside pitch of the 2012 regular season, he will be making his third consecutive appearance as the Marlins' Opening Day starter. The difference is that, for the first time in those three seasons, Johnson's team projects to be a contender.
The 28-year-old Johnson had his 2011 campaign cut short by a shoulder injury after just nine starts and watched the Marlins sink to a last-place finish in the NL East at 72-90—five games behind the fourth-place Mets and 30 games behind the division-champion Phillies. But the tide has turned, and PECOTA sees a level playing field likely to result in a three-horse race between the Phillies, Marlins, and Braves for the top spot.
April 2, 2012 10:51 am
There is too little evidence in the Troy Tulowitzki-Ubaldo Jimenez spat to draw definitive conclusions.
A little over a week ago, Ubaldo Jimenez and Troy Tulowitzki exchanged words in a Denver Post column. Yesterday, they exchanged them during the bottom of the first inning at Salt River Fields.
There's more to the story, of course.
March 30, 2012 4:35 am
While several backstops have been locked up lately, the Diamondbacks might not be so lucky with Miguel Montero.
On Wednesday, I wrote favorably about the Brewers' five-year extension for catcher Jonathan Lucroy, which essentially assured the team of average-or-better production from the position at a reasonable rate through 2017. The Diamondbacks aren't so lucky; according to Jon Heyman, their catcher, Miguel Montero, has done his time and is looking forward to a payday next winter.
The 28-year-old Montero has been Arizona's primary catcher for the past three seasons, though he missed a significant chunk of the 2010 campaign while recovering from knee surgery. Already a solid, 2.8 WARP player in 2009, Montero put forth a career-best 3.8 WARP effort in 2011, and his production was one of the key factors behind the Diamondbacks' division title.
March 28, 2012 3:00 am
The Brewers' decision to extend Jonathan Lucroy could have a massive payoff.
An unexpected storyline has emerged over the last few weeks of the offseason, as the Royals and Brewers have agreed to long-term contracts with their catchers. The latter deal, which will pay Jonathan Lucroy either $11 million or $13 million (if he attains Super Two status) over five years and includes a club option for the 2017 season, was made official on Tuesday.
What's interesting about the deals given to Lucroy and Salvador Perez is that neither projects to be a star-level player. The Rays' pact with Matt Moore and the Pirates' hitch with Andrew McCutchen were examples of teams preferring cost certainty—and the chance to strike significant bargains with potentially elite players—at the expense of some additional risk for the club. The Lucroy and Perez extensions carry less financial risk for the Brewers and Royals, respectively, but the upside is also considerably smaller.
March 26, 2012 3:00 am
Losing Joakim Soria isn't a death blow to the Royals' ninth-inning hopes.
When is losing your closer—not long ago considered one of the best closers in the league—not a big deal? What if you have a possible replacement on your roster whose rookie season was historically good?
Bob Dutton, the Royals beat writer for The Kansas City Star, reported on Friday that Joakim Soria had decided to undergo Tommy John surgery and would miss the entire 2012 season. Soria previously needed a UCL replacement procedure in 2003 while in the low minors with the Dodgers, three years before the Royals plucked him out of the Padres' farm system in the Rule 5 draft.
March 21, 2012 3:00 am
The Phillies and Rockies both have gaping holes and could become perfect trade partners.
The Rockies need reliable starting pitchers and have a plethora of infielders. The Phillies are running out of infielders and have a surplus of starting pitchers. Perhaps general managers Dan O'Dowd and Ruben Amaro Jr. should have a chat.
With two weeks remaining before Opening Day, Colorado's rotation plan is still to throw a bunch of things at a wall and hope five of them stick. Jeremy Guthrie, Drew Pomeranz, and Jhoulys Chacin are locks, though Chacin has dealt with a blister on his pitching hand and was far too hittable on Tuesday night. Juan Nicasio's recovery from a broken neck may be the feel-good story of the year. That leaves a four-way battle for the number-five spot, between Tyler Chatwood, Guillermo Moscoso, Jamie Moyer, and Alex White.
March 20, 2012 3:00 am
Injuries to Ryan Howard and Chase Utley make the Phillies' chances of maintaining the NL East crown slimmer.
Have you already penciled the Phillies in atop your projected NL East standings? Well, you might want to find an eraser.
Ryan Howard is going to miss the first two months of the season while recovering from the Achilles injury he suffered last October, and it now appears that Chase Utley will be joining him on the disabled list with recurring knee woes. Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels should hold down their end of the fort, but questions about the Phillies' offense are looming rather large as the season approaches.
March 19, 2012 3:52 am
With Carlos Quentin booked for surgery, who should the Padres turn to?
The Padres' marquee big-league addition this offseason was outfielder Carlos Quentin, who was expected to add thump to the offense in his final year before free agency. Some thought the deal with the White Sox on December 31 was odd, considering that San Diego is likely to be a fourth-place team in the NL West this season, Quentin is an iffy defensive outfielder, and his arbitration salary was projected to be in the $6-8 million range (he settled for $7.025 million). But he only cost two middling pitching prospects—Simon Castro and Pedro Hernandez—so general manager Josh Byrnes saw little risk and pulled the trigger.
Unfortunately, among Quentin's many flaws, proneness to injuries may be the greatest. He has never played more than 131 games in a season, has landed on the disabled list four times since his 2006 debut, and has had surgeries on his elbow, shoulder, and wrist. On Sunday, we learned that his right knee is next in line, and the recovery will likely cost Quentin at least the first month of the season.
March 15, 2012 3:00 am
While most players don't need to prove themselves in spring training, the pressure is on for Adam Dunn.
For most players, spring training stats are meaningless. As long as they are healthy, their swings or deliveries are in order, and their bodies are conditioned for the 162-game grind, all the March 0-fers and five-run duds will be forgotten come Opening Day.
That's not the case for Adam Dunn. No one in baseball needed a clean slate after last season more than the 32-year-old Dunn, who hit an awful .159/.292/.277 and was worth –2.7 WARP, making him the absolute worst player in the league. Prior to 2011, Dunn had been remarkably consistent, slugging between 38 and 40 home runs in six consecutive seasons. It was hard to believe that all of his talent could have slipped away so suddenly, but after an impossibly bad 597 OPS in the first half of the season, Dunn somehow managed to drop even further to 519 in the second.
March 13, 2012 3:00 am
Drew Cumberland's days as a player may be over, but he could have a bright future as a coach.
When Kevin Goldstein compiled his Padres Top 11 prospects list in December, he listed infielder Drew Cumberland as the team's sleeper. KG described the 23-year-old as "an easy Top 11 prospect before being forced to retire due to a rare medical condition that affected his balance," and was optimistic that he could return to that level after receiving the go-ahead from doctors. Sadly, those hopes were short-lived.
On Monday, Cumberland informed the Padres that he is retiring from baseball. The neurological disorder, known as bilateral vestibulopathy, had taken its toll, and—combined with Cumberland's history of concussions—proved to be too much to overcome.
March 12, 2012 3:00 am
Were Mike Matheny's complaints about a rain delay justified?
There are few more frustrating experiences for fans than going to a game, watching four-plus innings of baseball, and then having a rainstorm set in that forces the grounds crew to bring out the tarp. Those rain delays are at least equally loathsome to the players, particularly when they happen amid a rally and dim their team's momentum.
It's understandable, then, that first-year Cardinals Mike Matheny was miffed by the fifth-inning hiatus during the game against the Marlins on Saturday. But what really irked Matheny was the MLBPA's decision to hold a mandatory meeting with the Marlins, even as the showers moved away yielding clear skies and playable conditions.


text:
Greetings, fellow cake fans! This is from the Better Late Than Never Department….
A little over three years ago, I made my first (and only) wedding cake, which was the subject of a brief forum discussion here. I promised to post pictures when I got them from the photographer. She was pretty busy, so it took a while… and then it was the holidays… and then… and then… and then… well, I have a short attention span at the best of times, and you know how it is.
In short, I forgot about it.
Cut to a week or so ago.
I was flipping through one of my copies of The Cake Bible (yep, I have two of them) and realized… my all-time favorite cookbook is 25 years old this year. Cool. So I decided to write a blog post about it. With a bunch of cake pictures, of course. Including that wedding cake.
At which point I remembered that I never got around to posting them here. And so, at long last… here they are.
This cake was a real labor of love for me, and I was deeply honored to be asked to make it—the bride is a very dear friend of our family. I've been baking since I was a small child, and over the years I have made a LOT of cake for a lot of special occasions. Never a wedding cake, though, and certainly never cake for 250 people at once.
Even so, I was perfectly comfortable agreeing to do it without any hesitation whatsoever. Undoubtedly because it never once occurred me to how monumental a task it would be just to PLAN a cake on this scale, let alone make it.
I don't think I truly comprehended until after it was all over how risky this actually was, and how easily it could have turned into a disaster. Several years later, I still haven't decided if that's a good thing or a bad thing. The cake (all three flavors of it!) was delicious - and the bride was beyond delighted - so I suppose by every measure that counts, it was a success.
Looking back on it now with the benefit of hindsight, I think I must have been crazy to take on such a thing. Crazy or not, I know one thing FOR SURE: that it would never have been possible without The Cake Bible. Because all those pages and pages of Rose's incredible charts and calculations absolutely saved my life. For which I am SO grateful.


text:
Hope he didn't hurt it again
Hope he didn't hurt it again
Leake is a better hitter than most of the bench players.....have you seen their averages!!!!
The thought of BP being out for awhile makes me a sad panda.
cmon ROLEN
Can't even hit a F'N flyball to the outfield!
Silly Cozart. Just hit it to the outfield.
Or... ground to 3rd. That's cool too.
How many games each season does Baker lose for this team because of his riding the veterans into the ground in lieu of developing the players with more potential, who at worst, could do as well as these Veterans?
Todd Frazier is better than any of these "Veteran" subs that Dusty plods out there, and better than the Starter Rolen. The worst of Frazier would be the best of Rolen.
Not often a team walks someone to get to your clean up hitter...unless your clean up hitter is Scott Rolen.
Board Moderators may, at their discretion and judgment, delete and/or edit any messages that violate any of the following guidelines: 1. Explicit references to alleged illegal or unlawful acts. 2. Graphic sexual descriptions. 3. Racial or ethnic slurs. 4. Use of edgy language (including masked profanity). 5. Direct personal attacks, flames, fights, trolling, baiting, name-calling, general nuisance, excessive player criticism or anything along those lines. 6. Posting spam. 7. Each person may have only one user account. It is fine to be critical here - that's what this board is for. But let's not beat a subject or a player to death, please.


text:
ST. LOUIS (AP) Over and over again, the scene was repeated. St. Louis hitters just kept trudging back to the dugout, bats on their shoulders.
Erik Bedard struck out a season-high 11, including a team-record seven in a row, and the Pittsburgh Pirates set a club mark by fanning 17 batters Thursday in a 6-3 win over the Cardinals.
''I was throwing pitches and they were swinging through it,'' Bedard said. ''I guess I was in a good groove. I don't remember getting seven.''
Bedard (2-4) was pulled after five innings and 104 pitches, keeping St. Louis off-balance with an assortment of soft tosses.
Pittsburgh relievers kept piling up the strikeouts - the 17 Ks were the most by Pittsburgh in a nine-inning game since 1900, the team said in citing research by the Elias Sports Bureau.
''It's a way to keep them from scoring runs,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ''But as you saw, they had the tying run at the plate at the end of the game, so they kept fighting.''
The strikeouts were the most by the Pirates in any game since they fanned 18 Cubs over 20 innings in 1980.
The last time the Cardinals fanned so often in a nine-game game was 1989, when they struck out 18 times against the Cubs. St. Louis struck out 19 times in a 20-inning loss to the Mets in 2010.
In all, 11 St. Louis hitters struck out, including three pinch hitters. Six players fanned twice. David Freese, who entered second on the team with 23 strikeouts, was the only starter who didn't strike out.
''We've talked about it before,'' manager Mike Matheny said. ''Timely hitting is one of those key ingredients to winning, and we didn't get as many of them as we needed.''
The Cardinals drew seven walks for the fourth time to tie a season high, and lost for the first time.
Pedro Alvarez hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth as Pittsburgh avoided a sweep in a game that lasted 3 hours, 26 minutes, the longest regulation affair for both teams this season.
Clint Barmes had a pair of RBI doubles for the Pirates, who completed a 3-4 trip and will have 18 of the next 25 at home to end May. Jose Tabata, a career .343 hitter against St. Louis, added three hits and a steal.
''It was showtime,'' Hurdle said. ''We had the people in there we wanted to have in the game. We threw all the chips in. It was probably a little more entertaining than we probably would have liked, but we got it done.''
Jake Westbrook (3-2) lost to Pittsburgh for the second time in three starts, giving up four runs in 6 1-3 innings.
The NL Central-leading Cardinals have won seven of their first eight series, but four times have failed to complete a sweep after winning the first two games.
''You guys are going to get sick of me saying it but I want to keep telling you, we just go one at a time,'' Matheny said. ''We're not thinking about winning a series, we're not thinking about sweeps, we're thinking about winning today's game.''
The Cardinals outscored the Pirates 7-0 in the first inning in the series, and got off to another fast start against Bedard after doubles by Rafael Furcal, Freese and Allen Craig made it 2-0. Matheny played it conservative in the first, though, with Jon Jay sacrificing Furcal to third.
''We've been doing that a lot, almost every game,'' Matheny said. ''Not necessarily small ball, that's just good baseball.''
St. Louis had just two hits the next six innings and came up empty with the bases loaded twice, with Matt Holliday hitting a comebacker to end the second and Craig grounding out against Juan Cruz to end the seventh.
Bedard was untouchable between the third and fifth, fanning Craig, Shane Robinson, Tyler Greene, Tony Cruz, Westbrook, Furcal and Jay before Holliday singled with two outs in the fifth.
Though four strikeouts shy of his career high, Bedard's total was the highest by a Pirates lefty since Oliver Perez fanned 14 Astros on Sept. 9, 2004.
Bedard has won his last two starts after dropping his first four while pitching well without much support. He hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any of his starts.
Craig hit an RBI double off the base of the center field wall against Joel Hanrahan with two outs in the ninth. The Cardinals had the tying run at the plate before Hanrahan struck out Matt Carpenter.
Jay was 0 for 2 with two walks and a sacrifice for St. Louis, ending his season-best 11-game hitting streak in which he batted .488 (21 for 43).
Neil Walker singled to start the Pittsburgh sixth and Alvarez followed with his seventh homer and third in four games for a 3-2 lead, the Pirates' first edge of the series.
It was the first homer allowed on the year by Westbrook, a sinkerballer. Westbrook has never beaten the Pirates, going 0-5 with a 5.06 ERA in 10 games with six starts.
''You saw more fly balls than you've seen from Jake all year,'' Matheny said. ''Typically, when he gets hurt he's up.''
Tabata doubled with one out in the seventh to chase Westbrook, stole third against reliever J.C. Romero and scored on Alex Presley's groundout. Garrett Jones and Barmes hit consecutive doubles with two outs in the eighth off Victor Marte, and Nate McLouth added a run-scoring single off Kyle McClellan in the ninth.
Cardinals pitchers combined for five strikeouts.
NOTES: Pirates star Andrew McCutchen, who got his first day off on Wednesday, left with stomach flu in the fourth. ... Cardinals rookie Lance Lynn is the first Cardinals pitcher to win his first five starts since Bob Tewksbury won his first six in strike-shortened 1994. ... Kyle Lohse (4-0, 1.62) goes for his fifth win Friday when St. Louis opens a three-game series at Houston. Lohse was 2-0 with an 0.60 ERA against the Astros last year. ... Kevin Correia (1-1, 2.42) starts for the Pirates in the opener of a three-game series against the Reds Friday. ... Westbrook's stolen base in the second was the first by a Cardinals pitcher since Joel Pineiro on April 15, 2009, at Arizona.


text:
The worst of all...
"If one with a confident mind were to go to the Buddha, Dhamma, & Sangha for refuge, that would be more fruitful than... if one were to have a dwelling built and dedicated to the Community of the four directions."
Mkoll wrote:My grandparents on my mother's side are Chinese-Americans living in the United States but they are still very much Chinese; my grandmother still doesn't read English after 40+ years in this country. They are both nominally Buddhist in that they call themselves Buddhist but don't practice Buddhism or go to a temple. My grandfather has serious Alzheimer's and was recently taken into the hospital because he was displaying signs of great distress. The doctors in the ICU hooked him up to assisted breathing machines, dosed him with sedatives, and tried to get a feeding tube down his mouth. They said his organs were failing and that the family should come to say their final farewells. I said mine last week. Anyway, my grandmother asked my mom to ask me if I knew any "Buddhist prayers" to "help him along".
I was abhorred. She has taken care of him for years now as he's gotten progressively worse and I can't imagine how stressful that must be, but this request was hard to believe. My grandmother is a very superstitious person who believes, among many other superstitious things, that the gods are punishing her for something by having her husband come down with Alzheimer's and necessitating her taking care of his needs. She also has told me that she "prays to Buddha" and everything I know points to her viewing him as a deity, perhaps a supreme deity. I've tried to explain to her what Buddhism is, but there's a language barrier, a cultural barrier, and a lot of other barriers that have prevented any sort of understanding. That is the kind of praying I was referring to when I made my post. Anyway, my grandfather is now much better just a few days after that request; he wide awake and desiring food. He made a miraculous recovery and the doctors were wrong.
zavk wrote:Why should such customs and attitudes be regarded as 'abhorrent'? Or why are they generating feelings of 'abhorrence'? And if there are feelings of abhorrence, what should these feelings be attributed to - some defect in the life-practices of others and their supposed lack of understanding, or rather, a limitation or blindspot within our own expectations?
zavk wrote:Of course, i am not talking about charlatans and unethical practices that would exploit such customs and practices - it is important to speak out against this when we encounter them. But as you note yourself, your grandparents speak a different language, they have never fully been 'Americanised'. They are in fact from a different lifeworld, a different lived reality. Or to put it another way, they are of an entirely different SPACETIMEMATTERING. What you regard as 'barriers' to 'understanding' may not be so for them - and this is the difficult bit isn't it, how are you to find out given the vast gap in conditioning/lived experience between you and them?
zavk wrote:I mean, sure, for the purpose of discussion, it may be useful to talk about how their customs and practices differ from the ones we prefer. But at the end of the day, I think what tends to get lost is this important question:
In whose interest, and to what ends, does making judgements about the relative merits of these customs and practices of other lifeworlds (which we DO NOT LIVED AND HAVED NOT LIVED), serve?
zavk wrote:In whose interest, and to what ends, does making judgements about the relative merits of these customs and practices of other lifeworlds (which we DO NOT LIVED AND HAVED NOT LIVED), serve?
chownah wrote:Seems to me that she was asking if you knew any prayers that would help him in the afterlife and not about helping him die sooner.
binocular wrote:Other times, they aren't able to - they have little or no meta-understanding of their religiosity. Asking them to explain why they believe what they believe is much like asking them "Why did you choose to be born with blue eyes?"
Users browsing this forum: dharmacorps and 72 guests


text:
New Disney movie hitting theaters March 9, 2012...
To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with our sponsor Collectibles Insurance.
To get your figures graded, go to ActionFigureAuthority.com.
For a great selection of film, comic and TV action figures and collectibles, check out BigBadToyStore.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, MonkeyDepot.com, Urban-Collector.com, NeutralZ.com, and Sekaido.com.
For a great selection of pop culture apparel, check out 80sTees.com.
Disney has released the first trailer for JOHN CARTER, Disney's upcoming film based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic sci-fi novels.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rf55GTEZ_E&feature=player_embedded"]John Carter[/ame]
John Carter tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.


text:
Moderators: Timko, Fritz, Solty, Booter, Blake_T, Frank Delicious
Yehosha wrote:How could you all have missed the best of them all?
sillybizz wrote:Off the top of my head:
Final Fantasy
Baseball Stars
Dragon Warrior 1,2,3,4
Super Mario 1,2,3
Skate or Die 1,2
Dr. Mario
River City Ransom
Zelda, 1,2
RC Pro Am
Marble Madness
My collection is in the 200+ NES games range right now.
Return to Off-Topic, Miscellaneous, etc.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


text:
Lucas Duda homered and knocked in two runs to lead the New York Mets to a 5-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in the middle test of a three-game set at Citi Field.
David Wright and Marlon Byrd also hit solo shots for the Mets, who snapped a three-game losing streak.
Dillon Gee (5-6) pitched 6 2/3 solid innings, giving up one run on six hits and two hits while striking out seven. He has allowed just one run in each of his last three starts.
"[We were] able to jump on them early and just allow Dillon to go out there and pound the strike zone," Wright said. "The key is always good starting pitching, and we got that tonight."
Allen Craig's home run was the lone score for the Cardinals. Shelby Miller (7-4) had 10 strikeouts, but surrendered a career-high four runs and five hits, including two homers, over six innings.
"He only gave up five hits, but they counted for four runs," manager Mike Matheny said of Miller. "It was another pitcher who had a lot going against him early and kept his composure and gave us a chance."
The Mets struck for two runs in the first. With two outs, David Wright smacked a double to right-center. Murphy and Duda then connected on back-to-back RBI singles. Duda's hit to right field scored Murphy from first base when Carlos Beltran threw the ball to second. Murphy kept chugging around the bases and the throw home wasn't in time.
Duda's 11th home run of the season, a shot to right-center came with one out in the fourth.
The Cardinals finally scored in the sixth, when Craig crushed a 3-2 pitch to left for his second homer of this series. Yadier Molina followed with a double to left, but the Cardinals went hitless the remainder of the game.
In the home half of the sixth, Wright hammered a 3-1 pitch over the wall in center with one out. Seth Maness replaced Miller in the seventh, but gave up a leadoff homer to left from Byrd.
Game Notes
Cardinals third baseman David Freese went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, snapping a career-long 20-game hitting streak ... Molina went 3-for-4 with two doubles ... The Cardinals were 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.


text:
Adel Imam gives aid to Iraqi refugee camps
An advocate of human dignity, tolerance, democracy and human rights, Egyptian actor Adel Imam's values as an artist are those promoted by UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in its everyday protection of refugees, assistance to victims of persecution or wars, and its search for solutions to their dilemma. The actor has begun taking on the responsibilities expected of him as and ambassador and visited refugee camps setup for Iraqi people.
According to the Egyptian based daily, Al Ahram, Adel revealed that UNHCR expects over 600 refugees to escape from famine and war-ravaged areas in Iraq, which calls for securing a budget of 60 million US dollars in order to have all essential necessities available. Imam regretfully admitted that out of the 60 million, only 25 million are available a shortage that led UNHCR to ask for donations from countries around the world.
Imam added that the spokesperson for UNHCR called on all neighboring countries of Iraq to keep their borders open for refugees and try to support and aid those injured and in need of security.
He was appointed UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2001, and visited refugee camps in many Arab countries, focusing public attention on their squalid and unbearable conditions. Imam also participated in a documentary film aimed at replenishing the fund of UNHCR.
Egypt's film superstar Adel Imam, whose credits include more than 105 movies and nine plays, is one of the best-known actors in the Arab world. In a rich career spanning 30 years, he has portrayed - with humor - victims of injustice, poverty, corruption, fanaticism, and dictatorship.
Earlier this month, the Egyptian democratic national party organized a march for peace consisting of over one million protestors from all over Egypt. The march, which featured a large number of actors, singers, political parties, businesses, and average citizens, was in support of Iraq and against a possible US attack.
Protestors wanted the Iraqi people to know they stand by their side and do not aid war on them or any other Arab nation. Solidarity with the Palestinian people was also expressed at the march, where actors like Egyptian comedian Adel Imam gave a speech expressing his full support for Iraq and Palestine and said that Egypt is with peace and not war. This view was shared among all those who took part in the march reflecting Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak's stance.
A number of important figures gave speeches leading to the same idea of putting an end to suffering and allowing peace to take over. Heads of local and satellite television channels also gave speeches stressing the need for Arab leaders to make a stance and stop any possible attack on Iraq. People also called for leaders to pay more attention to the Palestinians and their daily sufferings, which for some reason have been neglected and destruction of their land and people remains. The overall message given at the march was "Yes to Peace, No to War". –Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
Top Headlines
- Live coverage of war pushes Dina, Alissa and Adel Imam out of the spotlight
- Adel Imam denies going to Iraq before the war to meet Saddam Hussein
- Adel Imam Participates in Fund Raising for Refugees in Egypt
- Mozambique President visits refugee camps of Saharan refugees
- Adel Imam's Nomination for President Art Award Faces Opposition


text:
For many people, gaming is a social thing. I tend to favor RPGs and long single player experiences, but even my life is punctuated by periods when gaming means being with someone.
Recently, I saw the Co-op trailer for Child of Light. One of the first things I did was to show my fiancee, see if she was interested. She was delighted at the idea, laughing, and calling herself my "spark." This got me thinking about games as something to share, and about all the times that videogames have brought me closer to someone in my life.
My eldest brother, who got me into games: always competing. He'd smash me in Double Dragon, crush me in Street Fighter II, and beat every Final Fantasy before I could. I don't think I ever beat him in a match of Mortal Kombat or won a race in F-Zero. He was also my gate to Nintendo Power, since he had the subscription. I was his guides guy because of it, but then we were beating the game together. Even as adults, most of what we talk about are fantasy books, videogames, comics and movies.
My best friend, the Playstation guy. We'd play any multiplayer RPG we could get our hands on. Earlier games like Secret of Mana, Final Fantasy III (USA), SNES Lord of the Rings, Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Phantasy Star Online, Gladius, Tales of "all of them", a variety of Tactics games, and many others that I'm surely missing. All the other time was spend on Smash Bros. For six year, every Friday night was Smash and Pizza night. That's despite going to different schools for the last four of those years. That's a bond forged with games.
My college roommate, who wasn't too much of a gamer. The first time she saw me playing a Final Fantasy game, she had no idea what was going on nor how I was controlling anything. After a year we were destroying people in doubles Soul Calibur 2 matches. We could play Ikaruga on Hard and need one continue between us to beat the game. Then I shared the RPGs: Knights of the Old Republic was first. I was like a prairie fire across the dorm. Over the years, I'd come back to my apartment to see Final Fantasy (4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12), Kingdom Hearts (1, 2, DS, PSP), or Zelda (OoT, MM, TwPr, both DS games) being played, it was a constant nostalgia trip.
I'm still close with all of them, but have uprooted and now live with my fiancee. She plays videogames with me and I play boardgames with her. We're currently into DKC: Tropical Freeze. Usually she hates platformers, but we are having a blast with this one. We have weekly Pokemon battles. Now, we are both looking forward to Child of Light. I reflect on all of this, I look at the games industry and geek culture generally, and I'm thankful for all the great thing we can share with our loved ones.
What games have you bonded with someone over?
Keep Gaming!


text:
Stephenie Meyer's life has slowed down significantly since the 2012 release of the fifth and final "Twilight" franchise installment – and the author is thrilled to say goodbye to all of the hype.
"It's really relaxing, actually," Stephenie told Access Hollywood at the "Austenland" premiere in New York City on Monday, when asked about her post-"Twilight Saga" life. "It got bigger than I ever expected, and while that was kind of fun, it was also really overwhelming.
"Life is a lot more normal now and I appreciate that," she added.
PHOTOS: Hot Shots Of 'Twilight' Hunk Robert Pattinson
When asked by Access if the author (who is now trying her hand at producing) ever feels sorry for "Twilight" star Robert Pattinson, she replied, "Oh, all the time!"
"I don't think anybody thought it was going to be like that. It's gone crazy," she said. "Hopefully it quiets down for them too."
PHOTOS: 'The Hunger Games' Bombshell Jennifer Lawrence
Stephenie said she also feels for Jennifer Lawrence, as the Oscar-winning star is beginning to experience the same fan-obsessed fame, due to her role as Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games" franchise.
"I just saw an article today about Jennifer Lawrence and how she's kind of having to deal with how crazy it is and it's starting to really bother her, as down-to-earth and as sweet as she is," the author said. "Nobody's meant to live under that kind of scrutiny – it's just too much. So I feel really bad for her, how the success has kind of ruined the lives of the people in it."
Adding, "I think that's terrible."
"Austenland," starring Keri Russell, Jennifer Coolidge and Jane Seymour, hits theaters on September 27.


text:
Posted 6 years ago
(1 item)
I have been asked to find a value for this vintage Singer sewing machine. This is an old hand crank model, and I know nothing about it... Serial # is F4952859. Machine is in excellent shape, and is alleged to still work. Wooden case is in great shape too, and has the key. I also have all the shoes and accessories for the machine. I plan to list this on eBay, but would like to establish a value first.
Thanks in advance!


text: Vanessa DeLeon Talks VDA Virtual Design I&S questions this online maven about her new business venture and how she uses social media to establish herself as a tastemaker. * required fields From* To* Message cancel Ask any designer and they will say the same thing: the Internet has changed the game. Vanessa DeLeon, principal of Vanessa DeLeon Associates (VDA) has decided to face that head on with her new venture: VDA Virtual Design (www.vdavirtualdesign.com). This interactive initiative offers design services and solutions to the online marketplace, gathering up all the tools necessary for creating customized interiors into a concise digital package. VDA Virtual Design allows users to work with the design team and customize their space in six easy steps. To facilitate the process, DeLeon pulled from some of her most recent projects to create a series of lifestyle boards ranging from Mediterranean to modern. Just as she would do in person, she asks the client to think: "Where would you live?" The next step is a detailed questionnaire, which addresses everything from fabrics and finishes to budget and function. Photography and measurements of the space are required to complete the packet. After a thorough review, DeLeon and her team will provide the client with a virtual presentation board that includes furnishings, flooring, lighting fixtures, wall finishes, accessories and window treatments; a floor plan that shows the location of movable furniture and furnishings; a price worksheet with retail pricing and product links to the manufacturers websites for purchase. What was your "a-ha" moment when you decided to get started creating this website? When some of our prospective clients asked for an affordable alternative to our full-fledged service, and I realized we could offer our services to anyone, anywhere with a virtual design website How did your team plan this transition from purely brick and mortar to an online sales cycle? Our team is already experienced with developing all aspects of a design project by utilizing digital tools, including CAD drafting, rendering, and cloud services—so the transition was easy. What criteria did you look at to determine whether this digital process would work? How did you know when you got it right and it was ready to launch? We had multiple design and fashion professionals review the site to determine if there were any flaws, as well as a few test groups that were inexperienced in design to "road test" the site before the launch. Where do you see things evolving next? We would love to link furniture manufacturers directly to the site, to make the process that much more accessible and easy for clients. Is moving this into a commercial market on the table for you in the future? Yes. We always look to improve and expand. Many commercial products are available to consumers, just not necessarily at a discounted price. We believe we could still specify products and the client could purchase through a local distributer. The web process hands a lot of the decision making process over to your clients. How do you make sure you retain the final vision and control of each project? In all design, the final decision is always in the client's hands. Our job, virtually or otherwise is to make recommendations on what we believe are the best solutions to their design project. Ultimately, a client has to have the last word. Will each project completed through the website still have a "VDA" stamp? And if so, what does that look like? Each project that we encounter will have its own unique aesthetic, but we also aim for a level of quality that will leave potential prospects motivated to see what we can do. Though we come up with different design choices for each kind of client taste, one of our VDA signatures is our "Glamilistic" approach. We try to achieve "glamorous, sophisticated, elegant, fashionable and bold," design throughout a diverse range of styles. Glamilistic is also a featured lifestyle board on our VDA Virtual Design platform. How do you build in that identifiable aesthetic when it's ultimately your clients who are seeing the project to fruition? We do that by having the ability to make professional suggestions to greater the outcome of the final design for our clients. Through the various examples we offer them, they get a better idea and develop "the big picture" for themselves. Whatever the project may be, our clients trust us fully with our design decisions. You have had a lot of success building your brand through social media. What's your formula? Social networking is a very important aspect of how we market everything we do. Staying on top of new social networks and what's trending is one way that we can determine what's being seen, and what's popular. Being active with this social community and establishing myself as an opinion leader is what gains a big reach through my social media. Blogging, posting, tweeting, and pinning has no formula other than to keep up with it. What advice do you have for designers trying to establish a personality online? Develop a unique style and market that style night and day. Be confident in your style and don't be scared to put it out there. If you are excited about your ideas the public will be as well. With the digital world changing so fast, how do you make sure you stay on the cusp of that change? We are always looking for the newest, latest changes and finding ways to make our design relevant to the change. There are always new social media outlets that come to the surface i.e.: pinterest, instagram, twitter, etc. Anything new that comes out you can bet our name is on it and a part of it. Where do you see things moving in the future? We hope to have this site be a starting point for developing a large-scale online design resource for all budgets and projects. Related Articles Looking Ahead, Looking Within Nemo Tile and I&S to Host NeoCon East Afterparty


text:
JC: What else would you like people to know about you?
Bhikkhu Bodhi: I should mention that I also translate Buddhist texts from Pali into English. A couple of months ago I completed a translation of the Anguttara Nikaya, which has been submitted to Wisdom Publications and will be published in 2012. I donated a substantial portion of the royalties from my earlier publications to create, through Wisdom, a Nikayas Fund. The intention is to donate sets of the English translations of the four Nikayas to monasteries and libraries in the disadvantaged countries of Buddhist Asia, Eastern Europe, and elsewhere where the costs would be formidable.
retrofuturist wrote:Greetings Mike,
That is cool... it's a positive wholesome thought to bring to mind when forking over our cash to Amazon etc. - a thought that is much preferable to, and more beneficial than an unwholesome "the Dhamma should be free" whinge.
retrofuturist wrote:That is cool... it's a positive wholesome thought to bring to mind when forking over our cash to Amazon etc.
cooran wrote:Though the postage is a killer if you want it to arrive promptly in Oz.
Return to "General Theravāda discussion"
Users browsing this forum: cappuccino, theY, Yahoo [Bot] and 88 guests


text:
Credit cards vs. third-party payment plans for veterinary care
According to John Ulzheimer, president of consumer education at SmartCredit.com, the credit market may be starting to rev up again in 2013.
"Some people will start getting credit card offers in the mail who haven't gotten them in past few years," Ulzheimer recently told Reuters, as published in the Boston Globe. "The credit card issuers will go deeper into the FICO pool when it comes to prospecting, so people with credit scores around 600 to 680 will have access to credit again."
This means more veterinary clients may be asking questions about third-party payment providers who offer financing for healthcare needs, including veterinary care—and how they differ from regular credit cards. The main difference between regular credit cards and third-party payment plans is how they're set up for repayment, says Nancy Potter, practice manager of Olathe Animal Hospital in Olathe, Kan. Most third-party payment plans offer interest-free financing if the borrower pays off the bill within a set time period, say, six months or a year."They do require a minimum payment each month, and if clients miss a payment, they might accrue a hefty interest charge, depending on the plan," Potter says. "But if clients are diligent about making their payments in a timely manner, it can be a good tool."
The approval rate for third-party plans is often higher than most cards, Potter says, and veterinary team members can find out immediately whether the client is approved and for how much. If a client doesn't receive approval, they're likely a poor credit risk. Potter says some third-party plans charge the clinic a higher fee. But most practitioners appreciate the service because it provides the needed treatment to those pet owners who have no other options for payment.


text:
Comics and Music: Exclusive Guitar Rocks the Best of Both Worlds...
For this year's SDCC, AFX is offering something perfect for those wanting to bring together their love of comics and music - the Peavey McFarlane Spider-Man Rockmaster Electric Guitar, featuring Spider-Man #1 artwork from comics legend Todd McFarlane.
This San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive Guitar is only available from the Action Figure Xpress SDCC booth #3345, and is limited to only 100 numbered pieces worldwide. The Rockmaster Guitar is a full-size electric guitar with a high-gloss finish on a basswood body which provides excellent balance and tone. The maple neck and rosewood fretboard enable fast rhythm and lead playing. Each guitar comes with a strap and amplifier cord and is priced at $275.
Want to make sure someone else doesn't end up strumming this rare and inspired instrument instead of you? Action Figure Xpress is now accepting pre-orders for the guitar via 1-866-SHOP-AFX (746-7239) or at shopafx.com. Because the guitar is only available at the convention, those pre-ordering are asked to pick up their guitar from 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 12 through 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 15 at the booth.
Attendees at SDCC can also enter to win a free Peavey McFarlane Spider-Man Rockmaster Electric Guitar at the Diamond PREVIEWS booth (#2401), and comic book specialty store retailers will have a chance to win one of these rare guitars by filling out a brief survey or attending the Diamond Retailer Appreciation Lunch. Stop by booth #2401 for more details.
To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with Collectibles Insurance, the official insurance company of the Figures.com network. Say "Figures.com" to get 5% off your first term premiums.
To buy action figures, take a look at BigBadToyStore.com, RedfordFilms.com, Toynk.com, PastGenerationToys.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, and MonkeyDepot.com.


text:
Ben wrote:Hi Rui Sousa
I never had much luck with tomatoes either. However, I hope to have some luck this year. I purchased six seedlings from a hardware store and some of those I've kept indoors for about a month while the weather warms a little. I've also got about 100 seeds in a germination tray, but I'm concerned that it might be a bit late for them. The main issue I've had with tomatoes have been insects which have had a feast of the leaves or the crop. I'm not inclined to use pesticide.
Some years ago when i was living in Melboune, I had a vegetable garden in my backyard. I grew some 'heirloom' varieties of carrots which were great. Lots of unusual shapes and different coloured carrots from white to purple. Lots of flavour. Some were more woody then others - though that could have been the poor soil and trying to grow vegetables during a drought!
Yesterday I planted approx 32 potato seeds (kipfler and desiree), 3 golden nugget pumpkin seedlings, capsicum, chilli, eggplant and bok choi.
kind regards
Ben wrote:I'm glad to hear it Sarath.
I'm not sure what happened to last year's crop. My work contract finished before harvest so I don't know what was successful.
I haven't planted anything in my own yard because of its aspect. However, I might put n some melon seeds and see of they come up. I might also plant some pumpkins.
Kind regards,
Good mousers.greenthumb wrote: . . . chickens . . .
greenthumb wrote:@Cooran per the tradition of my culture and upbringing I butcher them.
Ben wrote:greenthumb wrote:@Cooran per the tradition of my culture and upbringing I butcher them.
May I suggest you try a mycoprotein alternative to chicken.
It's very delicious and your chickens will love you for it.
Kind regards,
Return to "Wellness, Diet & Fitness"
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests


text:
A food safety material supplier is targeting fresh-cut processors with its latest product release, with a goal of complying with food safety regulations.
Birko, Henderson, Colo., has an spray system that automatically mixes and applies antimicrobial solutions to produce.
Distributed through Chad Equipment LLC, a Birko company, the spray system reduces and controls microbial contamination in produce processing, according to a news release.
The automatic mixing system supplies the trademarked Birkoside MP-2 or Veggiexide antimicrobials to the Chad Conveyorized Spray System and operating parameters including pressure, flow and temperature, according to the release.
Birkoside MP-2 fights listeria while Veggiexide is designed for direct application to produce during processing, according to the release.
"Using the Chad Antimicrobial Spray System is a proven way for produce processors to improve product quality and safety," Dana Johnson, Birko's produce specialist, said in the release.


text:
Lake Orion School District will open its doors to students from other districts for the first time in its history this fall.
Superintendent Marion Ginopolis said the 7,800-student Lake Orion district will accept about 175 students from districts in Oakland, Macomb and Genesee counties.
This leaves only two school districts among more than two dozen in Oakland County that remain closed to Schools of Choice -- Bloomfield Hills and Novi. Spokespersons from both districts said they expect no change in that status in the near future.
While the others participate in the Schools of Choice concept, most accept only the youngest students, or welcome high-performing older students into special academies or programs. Some open their alternative programs to students from other districts.
"Most of it is for economic reasons," Ginopolis said, noting that the Lake Orion district has had declining enrollment of about 60 to 70 students a year during the past several years.�
"A lot of it is people moving out of the district," where the General Motors Orion plant once had a larger work force, she said.
Like most other Oakland County districts, Lake Orion's open-door policy will be restricted. Only students entering kindergarten, first or second grades or students in grades 10 to 12, who would like to enroll in the Learning Options Alternative Education program at the Community Education Resource Center will be eligible.
Of the 175 spaces available, only 20 will go to the alternative school and 155 to elementary schools.
Opening school to the youngest from out of district, "gives us the opportunity to bring children into our curriculum," Ginopolis said, noting, "We are an outstanding school district."
The district is in the top 10 in ranking in MEAP reading scores.
The district has won recognition for its elementary buildings as Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary Schools, Ginopolis also pointed out.
"We are excited about being able to open programs to children and families who want to come," Ginopolis said.
Whether the choice program will be expanded will be an annual decision of the school board's, she said.
The openings for kindergartners are at Blanche Sims, Pine Tree and Webber; for first-graders at Blanche Sims, Orion Oaks, Paint Creek, Pine Tree and Webber elementaries; and for second-graders at Blanche Sims, Paint Creek, Pine Tree and Webber.
Open house hours at the schools -- with the principals -- are from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through June 5 by appointment only.
If there are more applications than spaces available, a lottery will be held to determine which students are accepted. Once students are accepted, they can stay in the district until graduation without reapplying, as long as they follow the district's code of conduct.�
If one child in a family with more than one child in the eligible age group is accepted through the lottery, the other children will also be admitted, only if space is available.
For more information about the Learning Options Alternative program, call 248-693-5420.
Applications can be downloaded from the school district's website, obtained at the Central Enrollment Office, 455 E. Scripps Road, Lake Orion, or at any district school building.�
Completed forms must be returned in-person to the Central Enrollment Office by 4 p.m. June 11.
All applicants will be notified of their enrollment status by June 26 and students selected must enroll by July 31. Students on a waiting list will be notified by Aug. 19, if space.
To check out the schools of choice openings for all participating Oakland County school districts for the 2013-2014 school year, visit http://www.oakland.k12.mi.us/Departments/GovernmentRelationsandPupilServices/SchoolsofChoice/tabid/235/Default.aspx.
For more information about Lake Orion school district's Schools of Choice program, visit www.lakeorion.k12.mi.us, or call 248-814-0215 or email email@example.com.


text:
Moderators: Timko, Fritz, Solty, Booter, Blake_T, Frank Delicious
allsport1313 wrote:Ok thanks for the response. Would a good starting point be to try following through with my right leg driving forward rather than planted? Or how do you recommend I go about doing this?
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


text:
Weather could impact Darvish's All-Star plans
BALTIMORE -- Online All-Star voting ends on Thursday, but the most significant event impacting the All-Star Game could be happening on the Atlantic Seaboard. With Hurricane Arthur crawling up the East Coast, there is a growing possibility that the Rangers' game with the Orioles on Thursday night could be rained out. The forecasts are calling for a 70-90 percent chance of rain.
Yu Darvish is scheduled to pitch for the Rangers on Thursday. A rainout would push him back to either Friday or Saturday against the Mets. Another rainout on Friday is a possibility.
Either way, a rainout on Thursday would mean that Darvish would likely get only two more starts before the All-Star break. One would be this weekend in New York and the other would be either Wednesday or Thursday in Arlington. He would not pitch on the final Sunday before the All-Star break and that would make him available to pitch in the All-Star Game on July 15 in Minnesota.
With that amount of rest, Darvish could emerge as a prime candidate to start for the American League. The only other Rangers pitcher to start an All-Star game was Kevin Brown in 1992. Darvish has been selected to two All-Star Games but has yet to pitch.
"That's a scenario, but tomorrow hasn't gotten here yet," Rangers manager Ron Washington said.
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields and follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
On the blocks closest to the 6 train stop on Longwood Avenue, a small collection (3-4) of particularly entrepreneurial Mexican bodegas have staked out new territory: selling the typical spices and chilies from back home, and offering home cooked food to a growing community. Steps from the subway is Quetzal Deli Grocery, a dim corner store with windows covered in multi-colored leaflets advertising special deals and hot food.
In the back left corner of the store, adjacent to the cash register and candy shelves, is a collection of family-sized Tupperware containers filled with different home cooked dishes. The food appears to change on a more-or-less daily basis, though how much I can't say; the day's offering are advertised on a paper taped to the window that guards the food.
Rather then just the tacos and tortas typically available at these kinds of places (or similarly minded street carts), the dishes cooked here aren't street snacks. They're more in line with what'd you find at an American-style deli, brown bag lunches for the immigrants who work downtown. A quick glance at the options led me to the adobo cerdo en salsa verde ($6), an easy choice if there was one. Behind the counter, an electric griddle is used to heat up tortillas, which unfortunately aren't homemade, and a microwave is used to heat up the food.
Microwaves be damned: there is some good cooking going down at Quetzal. The sauce, which didn't feature the tartness of the tomatillo so much as its bright sweetness, had a prickly heat that pinched my tongue. The white rice, dressed with the sauce, had surprising depth: likely cooked in stock, and featuring infrequent but carefully diced carrots and red bell peppers. But the pork was something else entirely. Served on the bone, the meat was tender and had a beautiful red color that was miles from that of the dry, pale stuff served across this country. Smothered in the green sauce, it was a dangerously tasty bite.
The question is, though, is there anything else at Quetzal that can compete with this adobo? There's only one way to find out.
Quetzal Deli Grocery
1023 Longwood Ave # B, The Bronx, NY 10459 (map)
About the author: Chris Crowley is a former Serious Eats intern and the author of the Bronx Eats column. You can follow him on twitter here, or pay a visit to his new food blog, Sound Bites, over on Wordpress.


text:
BECOME A PREFERRED SUBSCRIBER+ Get 15% off Your Next Order
The BEST deals come to your inbox. Sign up for GEMPLER'S emails to get exclusive offers and first dibs on hot new products!
Superior 3/4", Full-circle, 2000SX Impact Sprinkler
This Superior 3/4", full-circle, 2000SX Impact Sprinkler is unlike the models you'd commonly find in hardware and box stores. This heavy-duty impact sprinkler is made with stainless-steel springs and chemical-resistant bearing seals for years of reliable watering. This dual-nozzle sprinkler also comes with a plug enabling you to quickly convert to single-nozzle use. Features include full-circle operation at 25° angle of trajectory and solid-brass construction. 3/4" male NPT inlet. Drive-side nozzle thread is 1/4"-18 UNF. Range-side nozzle thread is 3/8"-24 UNF. Operating pressure is 35 to 80 psi with an output of 2.53 to 15.71 gpm. Spacing: 40 to 60'. Imported.View all Watering Equipment and Irrigation Supplies
2017 Reference Guide: Page 384


text:
Tomato Success Kit Replenishment Pack
This item is currently not available.
Additional Information
Everything You Need for Another Successful Season with Your Tomato Success Kit
- Kit includes everything you need to replenish your Tomato Success Kit
- Get ready for a new season of terrific tomatoes
- Includes container mix and fertilizer
If you already own one of our Tomato Success Kits, you will find this Replenishment Kit both convenient and economical. You'll get 1 bag of Self-Watering Container Mix (20 quarts), 2 bricks Eco-co® Coir Container Mix (hydrates to 20 quarts) and 1-1/2 lb. of calcium-fortified Gardener's Best® Organic Tomato Fertilizer — everything you need for another year of bountiful tomatoes, for less than individual prices.
Product Details
- 1 bag (20 quarts) of Self-Watering Container Mix
- 2 bricks of Eco-co Coir Container Mix (hydrates to 20 quarts)
- 1-1/2 lb. of calcium-fortified Gardener's Best Organic Tomato Fertilizer
- Gardener's Supply Exclusive
Reviewed by 13 customers
Displaying reviews 1-10
Previous | Next »
My tomatoes are bigger and beefier growing in this soil mixture thant the ones in the regular garden. I absolutely recommend this to anyone!
I have been purchasing this replenishment kit for a number of years now, and this version is my least favorite. There is much more work involved in re-hydrating and separating the coconut fibers than there is in mixing up the soil. Also, this is the first year I have anything but the greatest success - only one plant is thriving, the other is nearly dead but that could be due to a sick plant. I am not enough of a gardener to know.
This is our third year growing tomatoes in your Tomato Success rectangular containers using your Refill Kit. However, this year we received 2 square blocks of some coconut shreading mix called "Eco-co Coir" along with one bag of self watering Container Mix and a bag of tomato fertilizer.
I think the coconut shreds are inferior to using 2 bag of your container mix. The coir clumps, and seems to be soggy in spite of my using the watering hole in the self watering planter. Also, I think the one bag of tomato fertilizer had too much crushed particles and not enough little pellets as in the bottle from previous years. Also, I like the idea of fertilizing after 4 or 6 weeks of growth and your bottled fertilizer provided for that.
Of course, my tomato plants are in the beginning stages. They do have some blossoms, so maybe it will work out OK in the end. If not, I don't think we'll be using the Success Replenishment Kit next year!
Ease of use
- Love the coconut hull
Best Uses
Great water draw ability with planting soil
coconut hull combo.
- Easy to mix
- none
Best Uses
- Container grown tomatoes
I purchased the Tomato Success Kit last year. The Replenshing Kit is easy to mix and refill the container. What a relief knowing that the soil is taking on the responsibility of keeping the tomatoes wataered. I can[t wait to taste my tomatoes this year!
- Comes is a complete kit
- Easy to put together
- Love reserve water
- Plants love to grow here
Best Uses
- Convenience
- Lots of tomato's to use
I love the many tomato's that grow.
It is easy to manage.
It will hold two plants successfully.
No cons in the years I have used the kit.
- Product comes in on time
- Product is as stated
- Product is easy to use
- Results speak volumes
- none
Best Uses
- Produces awesome veggies
The replenishment pack along with the self watering tub that I purchased several years ago has been easy and fun to use and has produced tomatoes that are so plentiful that I give some away to my friends. It is easy to use from the standpoint that after I set up the soil I only have to fill the base when needed and the rest is history. This epitomizes the phrase "Set it and forget it"
- Easy to use
- Everything included
- My tomatoes love it
- Creating my own "cover"
Best Uses
- Patio pot for shady yard
I have a shady yard so I needed a container to grow tomatoes on my patio where is is sunnier and could absorb the heat of the patio. I gave this pot a try many years ago and it works great! I appreciate that I can just order the replenishment kit each year!
- No complaint
Best Uses
I have always been happy with Gardeners Supply.
When I have to talk to someone they are always so kind and have great knowledge about any of their products. The thing that comes to mind for me is "what you see is what you get". They never make any false claims on anything. I will continue to deal with Gardeners Supply because I trust them and have always been happy.
Displaying reviews 1-10
Previous | Next »
- International delivery is not available for this item


text:
Today the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched Combating Zika and Future Threats: A Grand Challenge for Development, calling innovators around the world to submit groundbreaking ideas to enhance our ability to respond to the current Zika outbreak and generate cutting-edge technologies and approaches that better prepare the world to address the disease threats of tomorrow.
The U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) U.S. Global Development Lab has announced $5 million in new grants to eight organizations from around the world. The awards are funded through the Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) program, a year-round open competition that seeks innovative, breakthrough development solutions.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives J. Mark Brinkmoeller will travel to Rome, Italy on April 11-13, 2016.
USAID is committed to openness and transparency, and we take our obligation to release information under FOIA very seriously. The significant increase in the volume of information requested, however, is delaying our responses.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia Thomas O. Melia will travel to Georgia April 10-15, 2016. This will be Melia's first visit to Georgia as USAID's Assistant Administrator. He will be joined by the U.S. State Department's Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs Kurt Tong.
Today the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced it will invest $3.18 million to strengthen efforts to rebuild the coffee industry in South Sudan and improve coffee farmer livelihoods.
The United States announced nearly $139 million in humanitarian assistance in response to the Yemen crisis today. The contribution will help meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable people in the Middle East's poorest and most food insecure country. Since the beginning of the current conflict in March 2015, approximately 2.7 million Yemenis have been displaced and over 20 million Yemenis are in need of humanitarian protection and assistance. The USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) estimates that at least 6 million people in Yemen are currently in need of life-saving food assistance.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced it is providing nearly $68 million for emergency food assistance, to reach approximately 2.5 million Sudanese as well as refugees from South Sudan and other neighboring states. This assistance will be delivered through the World Food Program, which will help address the complex emergency arising from conflict, natural disasters and widespread displacement in Sudan, including those severely affected by the impacts of El Niño. This contribution brings total U.S. humanitarian assistance for Sudan to nearly $351 million since FY 2015.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Associate Administrator Eric Postel will travel to Stockholm, Sweden on April 4-5, 2016.
Saving Lives at Birth: A Grand Challenge for Development announced three new award nominees in its fifth global call for groundbreaking solutions to protect mothers and newborns during their most vulnerable hours. These awards include two transition-to-scale awards (approximately $2 million each), which will support innovators with demonstrated proof-of-concept in transitioning their solutions towards scale, and one validation grant (approximately $250,000) to support the introduction and validate the effectiveness of the innovation to reach proof-of-concept.
On Monday afternoon, Jehiel Oliver, founder and CEO of Hello Tractor, was chosen as the winner of the Global Innovation Challenge, an interactive pitch competition hosted by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) at South by Southwest (SXSW).
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will host an interactive pitch competition at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas on Monday, March 14 from 3:45 - 4:45 p.m. CT at Palm Door on Sixth, 508 E 6th Street.
On Wednesday, March 9, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Gayle Smith will give her first major policy speech at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, on Capitol Hill. Administrator Smith will join the Brookings Institution and the American Enterprise Institute to discuss her priorities for the next year, USAID's response to crises around the world, and the future of U.S. leadership in international development.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Gayle Smith announced today that the United States is dispatching a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Ethiopia to help avert a crisis triggered by El Niño. The drought follows successive poor rainy seasons and is one of the worst to hit the country in decades. The DART, an elite team of disaster experts, will provide technical assistance to the Government of Ethiopia, conduct humanitarian assessments, and coordinate with the Ethiopia Government and humanitarian organizations on the ground to bring vital humanitarian aid - including emergency food assistance, seeds to plant new crops, safe drinking water, and nutrition treatments - to those in need. Administrator Smith also announced $4 million in drought-tolerant seeds that will help ensure that over 226,000 households can grow additional life-saving food in the coming months.
The United States is providing an additional $20 million in emergency food assistance for Iraq to address the humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Stuart E. Jones announced today.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia Thomas O. Melia will travel to Kosovo, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina March 1 to March 9, 2016. This will be Assistant Administrator Melia's first visit to the Balkan region in his capacity as Assistant Administrator.
A new vaginal ring providing sustained release of the antiretroviral (ARV) dapivirine was shown to help reduce the chance of HIV infection during vaginal sex among women ages 18 and older. USAID, through the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, provided $25 million in support for the trial and ring licensure.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Chief Innovation Officer and U.S. Global Development Lab Executive Director Ann Mei Chang will travel to Tanzania and Kenya February 15-19, 2016.
USAID Assistant Administrator Paige Alexander and Acting Assistant Administrator Thomas H. Staal will travel to the 2016 Supporting Syria and the Region Conference that will be held in London on February 4. Assistant Administrator Alexander and Acting Assistant Administrator Staal will join the U.S. delegation to the conference led by Secretary of State John Kerry.
The U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (USAID/ASHA) announced $23 million in funding to U.S. organizations and their overseas partners to support construction projects and to purchase equipment for 15 hospitals and clinics, 6 secondary schools, 16 universities, and 1 library. This year's projects, spanning 25 countries, are funded through a competitive annual award and directly support schools, libraries and medical centers outside the United States that advance innovation and best practices and build bridges between citizens of the United States and other countries.
Last updated: September 21, 2017


text:
Infor Global Solutions
Job Posting
Infor delivers fully integrated enterprise solutions for a wide range of industries, as well as best-in-class, stand-alone products that address the essential challenges its customers face in areas such as enterprise resource planning, supply chain planning and execution, customer and supplier relationship management, asset management, product lifecycle management, financial and performance management, and business intelligence. With 8,100 employees and offices in over 100 countries, Infor provides enterprise solutions to more than 70,000 customers. For additional information, visit
POSITION: Technical Consultant, .NET Programming
LOCATION: Tulsa, OK (0-10%)
Infor's Bar Coding Consulting organization supports our LN, LX, Syteline, and ERP groups by providing Bar Code solutions to clients. Our continued growth has created the need for an experienced .NET programmer
· Provide technical expertise in the area of customizations, product installation and administration, interfaces, etc. to a variety of customers who have purchased Infor's ERP software solutions.
· Have the ability to discuss technology with customers in non-technical terms.
The candidate should have 2- 3 years' experience in the following areas:
· .NET programming ( some Java a plus)
· Technical Consulting skills
· Strong communication skills.
Experience in the following areas a plus:
· Infor's LN, Baan, LX, or Syteline applications.
The successful candidate will have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, MIS or equivalent work experience.
Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), should you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a currently open position with Infor, please call (678) 319-8000 or email us at
|Plano, TX
United States
|Web Site:
|641 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10011
United States
Support Infor Global Solutions, Inc. with Social Media services


text:
Fiscal Cliff Bullish for EM Currencies
I've learned over the years that it doesn't matter where you pitch in the rotation. For me, preparation is everything. --Cory Lidle, MLB pitcher
In many ways, the fiscal cliff is the perfect made-for-TV story: full of political actors, drama and a countdown clock....335 more words left in this article. To read them, just click below and try Real Money FREE for 14 days.
There's no substitute for a trading floor to get great ideas, so Jim Cramer created a better one at Real Money and blogs there exclusively. We then added legendary hedge fund manager, Doug Kass, with his exclusive Daily Diary and best investing ideas. Staffed with more than 4 dozen investing pros, money managers, journalists and analysts, Real Money Pro gives you a flood of opinions, analysis and actionable trading advice found nowhere else, and allows you to interact directly with each expert.
Already a Subscriber? Please login.


text:
This is the latest of our 30 team previews, which will run through March 19. Previous: Colorado Rockies preview. Next: Texas Rangers preview.
The Oakland A's unexpected and tremendously exciting 2013 season was barely over when general manager Billy Beane made a deal to improve an already outstanding outfield.
In other words, there is no slowing down for Oakland. Beane traded infielder Cliff Pennington for 2010 All-Star Chris Young in October, acquiring a fourth everyday outfielder.
How will that work? Well, Beane insists there will be 450 to 500 at-bats for Young, Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick and Yoenis Cespedes, which means more DH appearances from all of them—and potentially fresher outfielders at the end of the season. Reddick and Cespedes ran out of steam down the stretch last season, and Crisp and Cespedes both missed time with injuries.
The A's also have plenty of starting pitching, enough that they let 2012 opening day starter Brandon McCarthy leave as a free agent. Oakland boasts slick lefthander Brett Anderson, potential star righthander Jarrod Parker and three other solid young starters: lefty Tommy Milone and righthanders A.J. Griffin and Dan Straily. Add to that re-signed veteran Bartolo Colon—who must sit out the first five games of the season while serving the remainder of his drug suspension—and the A's are set with starters and then some.
The A's bullpen is one of the league's best, with Grant Balfour reclaiming the closer role in August and becoming a real factor in the team's rush to the AL West title. Setup men Ryan Cook (converted starter) and Sean Doolittle (converted first baseman) were great stories. Jerry Blevins is an effective lefthanded specialist who can handle other bullpen roles, and Jordan Norberto showed flashes of excellence when healthy.
Buy your Sporting News 2013 Baseball Yearbook now!
With an overloaded outfield (don't forget Seth Smith) and strong pitching, the A's biggest questions will be in the infield. Jemile Weeks could win back his second-base job, but Scott Sizemore, who has fully recovered from knee surgery, is a solid option at second unless he is shifted back to third. Adam Rosales also is in the second-base mix.
Josh Donaldson finished the season strong at third base, but the converted catcher struggled offensively in the first two months of the season and was demoted until Brandon Inge needed shoulder surgery in August. Inge is gone, but newcomer Jed Lowrie is a strong hot-corner candidate.
Shortstop Stephen Drew is gone, replaced by 30-year-old Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima, who signed a two-year deal during the offseason.
Oakland got unexpected production from the first-base platoon of Chris Carter (16 homers) and Brandon Moss (21 homers), but Carter was traded to the Houston Astros in the deal for Lowrie. Catcher Derek Norris showed promise in his rookie season but will assume a backup role to another new acquisition, John Jaso.
The team lost 18 homers and significant leadership when DH Jonny Gomes signed with Boston as a free agent. But the A's still have plenty of power. They got 32 homers from Reddick, who also won a Gold Glove for his outstanding play in right field. Cespedes showed superstar potential, hitting .292 with 23 homers and 82 RBIs in 129 games.
Between the outfield and the pitching staff, Oakland has plenty of talent, meaning the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels again will have to watch out for the A's.
1. CF Coco Crisp
2. 3B Jed Lowrie
3. LF Yoenis Cespedes
4. 1B Brandon Moss
5. RF Josh Reddick
6. DH Seth Smith/Chris Young
7. C John Jaso
8. 2B Adam Rosales/Scott Sizemore/Jemile Weeks
9. SS Hiroyuki Nakajima
LHP Brett Anderson
RHP Jarrod Parker
LHP Tommy Milone
RHP Bartolo Colon
RHP A.J. Griffin/RHP Dan Straily
* RHP Grant Balfour
* Expected to begin the season on the disabled list
Mr. Dependable: Josh Reddick. Scanning this roster, it isn't easy to select the team's best player. The A's are loaded with young and relatively inexperienced position players and pitchers, or guys who had career years in 2012 en route to the team's division title. But Reddick is a strong candidate. The 26-year-old right fielder is coming off a 32-homer season, but must raise his .242/.305/.463 slash line to truly become the man in Oakland.
X-factor: Yoenis Cespedes. He finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting, and that was only because Mike Trout is a once-in-a-generation kind of player. Cespedes, a Cuban defector, was as good as advertised last season, hitting 23 homers and producing a 137 OPS-plus. If he can duplicate (or even top) that effort, he will make the hitters in front of and behind him even more productive.
On Deck: A.J. Griffin. Pitching carried the A's last season, and that might not change. With the loss of McCarthy, Griffin could be the surprise of the rotation. Griffin, 25, should spend the full season in the majors after going 7-1 with a 3.06 ERA in 15 starts for Oakland in 2012.
— Anthony Witrado
MORE MAGIC? A's, Orioles try to surprise again
OFFENSE: Oakland upped its home runs total from 114 in 2011 to 195 in 2012. Although Gomes (18 homers) departed, Cespedes should get even better.
DEFENSE: Last season, the A's were near the top of the league in defensive efficiency, but their 111 errors were third highest in the AL. Reddick became the first A's outfielder to win a Gold Glove since 1985.
ROTATION: Despite trading Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill after the 2011 season, A's starters posted a 3.80 ERA (third-best in the league), and walked the fewest batters. Rookies started 101 games, so they all have experience now.
BULLPEN: Oakland used three closers, but the team's 2.94 bullpen ERA was second-lowest in the league. And opponents hit just .209 against A's relievers. All the primary pieces of that bullpen return.
BENCH: Manager Bob Melvin made platoons work at catcher, first base, second, shortstop, third and at DH during the 2012 season. There is even more depth this season.
A major league scout analyzes LF Yoenis Cespedes:
"People didn't know what to expect (because he had never played outside of Cuba before last season), but the first time you see him, you realize he's going to make something happen. You don't go to the concession stand when he's coming up. He has the best bat speed in the league, and there isn't an easy way to pitch him because sometimes you have to put the ball over the plate. He walked enough to show he knows the strike zone. He runs the bases well. What really surprised me was his ability to hit—he's not all-or-nothing. He can make adjustments, hit for average, and that's not having ever played in the minor leagues."
Last season, Oakland got 54 wins by rookie pitchers, a key reason it won the division. The A's claimed the AL West on the final day of the season, winning the final six games to do so. They had an all-rookie rotation the final two weeks.
What could go right: The A's won 94 games in 2012. Their young pitching should only improve—and so should Cespedes, after his first year playing in the United States.
What could go wrong: Melvin made as many as five platoons at a time work last season. Timeshares will be plentiful again this season, and the A's will be in trouble if a couple of them go south.
Bottom line: Oakland arrived at least a year ahead of schedule after rebuilding with pitching obtained in trades, and now a talented young team has experienced success. That bodes well for the future, but repeating in the tough AL West will be a tall task.
Susan Slusser covers baseball for the San Francisco Chronicle. This feature also appears in Sporting News' 2013 Baseball Yearbook.


text: This news item expired on 10/12/2012, so the information below could be outdated or incorrect. Got Goalie Gloves? Special Olympics Buncombe County is in need of adult size goalie gloves and extra large adult size goalie shirts. Our soccer team goalies are required to wear goalie gloves and the ones we have are too small. If you have a pair to donate to Special Olympics, they would be greatly appreciated. We are also hoping to have a goalie shirt donated. Our goalies are all adults and need large sizes. Call or email Greg Mace if you can help. 777-5634 email@example.com.


text:
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.
Each Birchline stacking ring is created to order individually, by the artist's hands. It is then finished with a lightly hammered texture and dashes inspired by birch bark. Variations in detail placement will occur as each piece is made one at a time.
This product ships from the maker within 14 days, via USPS
If you're not happy with this item for any reason, you may return it for a full refund within 14 days.


text:
DimensionSeries teasers are where you try to complete the sequence of a series of letters, numbers or objects.
What is the next number?
HintThe title gives the clue.
In 0-D, there is a dot. Nothing else. So, there is one.
In 1-D, the line, is the only one.
In 2-D there are infinity regular polygons
In 3-D, 5 Platonic Solids appear:
tetrahedron, cube, octahedron, dodecahedron, and icosahedron.
In 4-D, 6 regular polytopes show:
5-cell, 8-cell, 12-cell, 24-cell, 120-cell, and 600-cell.
In the fifth dimension, only the simplex, hypercube, and cross polytope are regular.
This leaves us with 3 as our answer.
What Next?
See another brain teaser just like this one...
Or, just get a random brain teaser
If you become a registered user you can vote on this brain teaser, keep track of
which ones you have seen, and even make your own.
Back to Top