Bringing talent in-house to drive the company's wellness strategy agenda rather than employing consultants.
Switching to a global Employee Assistance Programme provider has led to annual cost savings in the company's UK and Spain markets.
American Express has further re-engineered its fitness provision in the UK, contributing to further annual cost reductions, whilst also developing partnerships with its catering provider for regional nutrition information in restaurants.
Free onsite fitness class attendance in the UK has continued to increase year on year from an average of 336 monthly visits in 2010 to 467 monthly visits by the end of 2012. Overall, the average number of times an employee interacts with any of the Healthy Living initiatives increased from 1.15 since launch to 5.8 in 2012 per employee per annum.
American Express has also seen financial benefit from specific interventions started since launch. In the UK, the company piloted a proactive Energy and Resilience intervention in 2013 which provided a ROI of £4.88:1 in terms of improved performance. Developing its 2011 smoking cessation programme in the UK, American Express saw significant returns in regained productivity and lowered smoking-related illnesses.
In 2009, American Express developed the Healthy Living Programme, a global wellness initiative to help employees shift their view of health benefits, engage in preventative care, and above all, be inspired to adopt new healthier behaviours that benefit individuals, their families and American Express.
In each region where American Express is based, Healthy Living country managers take ownership of implementing Healthy Living services, initiatives, intervention and communication. The programme is tailored to each employee and offers the use of biometric measurement, online health risk assessments and health and wellness coaching to encourage them to make more informed decisions in adopting a healthier lifestyle.
A forward planned annual calendar of wellness is created to match the three year wellness strategy devised by a local working group and chaired by the regional Director. An annual wellness feedback tool takes into account employee suggestions for programme improvement.
To simplify health messages, wellbeing initiatives are aligned under quarterly themes with slightly different communication templates to correspond to each theme. For example, past themes have included 'nutrition, 'heart health' and 'resilience'.
Senior management has been enthusiastic about leading the wellbeing initiative. As well as being present at launch events, lunch and learn sessions and signing up for different programmes, they have advocated Healthy Living through regular team updates and encouraged their teams to participate in onsite Health Check appointments. This is particularly significant to American Express given that many of its employees are shift-based call centre workers, so time away from the phones can impact resourcing significantly.
American Express' strategy and results have been recognised around the world with industry awards including: Sweden's #2 Best Place to Work and UK #12 Sunday Times Best Big Company, winner of Employee Benefits Best Healthcare and Wellbeing strategy award and the Global Health Benefits Institute Gold Award for International Healthcare and a finalist placing for Healthy Living in the HR Excellence awards.
"I have found the Health Check experience to be extremely beneficial in making measurable improvements to my health and lifestyle. The physiologist has been helpful and informative on both of my Health Checks and provided relevant and proactive advice on how changes can be made and their impact.
Since last year I have stopped smoking, reduced my alcohol consumption and increased my exercise intensity and frequency. A year on, my results show some significant improvements including overall weight loss, a reduction in body fat percentage and a much lower triglyceride level.
I have run my first 5km race in under 30 minutes and have seen vast improvements in my recovery and performance in rugby.
I feel healthier and more confident, and the follow up Health Check has enabled me to really see the impact of my changes and how they have 'paid off'.
I continue to work towards reducing my body fat percentage and maintain the lifestyle changes I have made. I am running my first competitive 10km race and hope to continue to see improvements to my performance in rugby.
"I originally had a running injury and was referred to Healthy Living for physiotherapy. While being in physiotherapy I thought a lot about my general fitness and changes to my lifestyle. A beer drinking, burger loving and smoking runner may sound paradox but is not at all unusual.
I called Healthy Living to make general enquiries about the smoking cessation initiative and what I learned motivated me to schedule an initial appointment. From then on, the Healthy Living team took over and stayed with me for the whole time through phone, email and regular meetings, following up on progress and discussing concerns and goals posts that we set during the meetings.
"Following my first Health Check consultation, the main thing I took away was to incorporate exercise in my everyday life i.e. walking up stairs, walking in general and not having an 'all or nothing' approach to healthy habits.
I also think I need to take the same approach to what I eat. For example at the moment when I am good, I am very good, but at weekends and on holiday over indulge, I need to have a more consistent approach at all times.
To be honest there was not a major improvement health status between Health Check appointments, mainly because of illness and holiday. I am aware that these are just excuses and that is why I need to be more consistent. There was a small reduction in my waist size which we put down to me going swimming twice a week since Christmas.
My main focus is to watch what I eat at all times and not just during the week. I also want to walk more and continue with swimming. I do suffer with a bad back so am not able to run.
A switch to a global Employee Assistance Programme provider saving the company's UK and Spain markets a significant sum each year.
An increase in free onsite fitness class attendance in the UK year on year from an average of 336 monthly visits in 2010 to 467 monthly visits by the end of 2012.


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Partnerships, Software
German software-defined archiving company iTernity sees strong expansion potential in strategic HPE alliance
by Mark Cox • July 4, 2018
Georg Csajkas, iTernity's Director Product Management and Business Development
iTernity, a German firm that is focused on archiving software that meets enterprise compliance requirements, is aggressively expanding its presence in North America. Hewlett Packard Enterprise [HPE] is a key strategic partner for them, driving a key component of iTernity's business. ChannelBuzz recently spoke with iTernity at the HPE Discover event in Las Vegas to check out what the company is up to, and where they are going.
iTernity is based in Freiburg, in southwestern Germany, and was founded in 2005. They make iTernity Compliant Archive Software [iCAS], storage middleware that enables secure, compliant data archiving and long term retention management. It is heavily used in health care, financial services, and other regulated markets.
"At the time iTernity was founded, EMC Centera was the state of the art in this area, but it was essentially a monolithic back box," said Georg Csajkas, iTernity's Director Product Management and Business Development. "We came up with the idea that it could be done in a more flexible and feasible way with lower TCO through storage middleware." iCAS is based on open industry standards, and can be implemented on virtual or physical servers.
iTernity has midmarket customers, but their sweet spot is in larger enterprises who need to meet compliance regulations.
"We sell mainly to larger companies, with a longer sales cycle, who have legally to store data in a future-proof way," Csajkas said.
iTernity sells entirely through partners. They have their own reseller channel, which includes several global systems integrators including KPMG, but also sell through strategic vendor partners, of which HPE is the most important.
"We have worked with HP since 2007, and leverage their complete portfolio as a target for the files we create," Csajkas said. "It is our closest and most important relationship, although we do have some others." These include IBM, Datacore, Scality SUSE and Quantum. They are also partnered with Microsoft around the Azure cloud, and are available in the Azure marketplace.
"We work well with HPE, because they don't have a product that does what we do, unlike IBM and Dell, which do," Csajkas noted.
Csajkas described the HPE relationship as critical to their go-to-market.
"It has a strong impact," he said. "We are still a pretty small company, with under 100 employees, so a huge partner like HPE has a huge affect on our business," he said. "We are 100 per cent partner-focused and channel-focused, so the impact on us from partners in the HPE cosmos is very important for us. It's a very big part of our go-to-market."
Csajkas said that their partners typically are archive focused.
"The large storage partners of HPE aren't always the best fit for us," he said. "Resellers buy us through distribution who just want an archiving solution, but we have key partners who buy through distribution with us on a regular basis. Many of our partners have a strong solution fit."
iTernity has a large number of strategic ISV partners with whom they integrate. The HPE integration is different, however, because it involves their membership in the HPE Complete program, which also has a go-to-market component. iTernity joined HPE Complete in March 2017, when it was in its beta stage. The HPE Complete program validates strategic vendor partner designs and then take them to market, through both their direct sales, and through their channel partners.
"We are unique in the HPE inventory," Casajkas said. iCAS was originally validated to work with HPE's 3PAR storage and HPE high density Apollo servers, but is now placed on a variety of HPE platforms.
"BMW is one of our worldwide customers, using an iTernity and HPE solution that runs on HPE 3PAR," Csajkas said. "We can run on any kind of HPE platform now though, even Nimble or SimpliVity. Our solution is very slim and runs well on virtualized infrastructure."
Tags:3Par Apollo archiving Azure compliance HPE iTernity
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Residents of a Sebring mobile home park are turning to the media to address what they see as a traffic safety issue going overlooked in their community by county officials and local law enforcement, Tampa Bay Online reports.
During the last six years, residents say, four Florida drivers have crashed their cars into one of the mobile homes along Whisper Lake Blvd.; destroying property, killing pets and terrifying residents. Many park residents believe that at 45 m.p.h. the speed limit is too high to be safe along the curvy residential road. Others say inadequate enforcement of the speed limit is the problem.
Whatever the case, both excessive speed and poor road design have been linked to each prior Florida car accident.
Our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys know there are many causes of serious and fatal car accidents. Defective roads can be one of them. Missing street signs, inoperative signals, overgrown vegetation, missing or defective guardrails and inappropriate speed limits may also contribute to an accident. In such cases, a local government or Home Owners Association my be partially liable.
The latest incident of car-meets-house happened in the early morning hours of Jan. 17 when the couple living at 1100 Whisper Lake Blvd. awoke to find a dark blue Acura on its side in their Florida room. The driver was gone.
The park manager told Tampa Bay Online that after the last car accident the attorney for a group of residents contacted the county asking that guardrails be installed along the road. Commissioners declined the request. Not enough occurrences, the park manager said.
During that crash – in March 2010 – the struck mobile home erupted in flames. When the homeowner tried to put the fire out, he realized the crash had taken out his water hook-up. He said that the driver's auto insurance paid some, but not enough to restore the home.
And about that. There is a significant difference between a car striking a brick-and-mortar home and a mobile home, like those at the park. A car plowing through a mobile home will do a lot more structural damage and damage to water and electric hook-ups. And mobile home occupants are far more vulnerable to injury or death in the event a car does come barreling off the roadway and into their living room.
County officials say its frequency not number of accidents that determines whether or not the County will put up guardrails. As for speeding, that's a law enforcement issue. Cops say that with current budget cuts, the Florida Highway Patrol no longer has a traffic enforcement unit. But, they will ramp up patrols if residents call and request the service.
We are betting if cars kept driving off the road into a golf course community, commissioners may have been more prone to taking action. An experienced accident lawyer should be called to collect damages. Next commissioners will no doubt be hollering about the high cost of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in 2009 careless driving contributed to 386 fatal Florida car accidents and 49,568 accidents involving injury. Florida drivers tagged for exceeding safe or stated speed limits were linked to another 232 fatal crashes and 3,651 injury accidents.
The Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at Freeman & Mallard have been successfully and aggressively representing accident victims and their families in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Ft. Pierce /Port St. Lucie for years. Call us today to schedule a no-obligation appointment to discuss your case at 1-800-529-2368.


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Denver two nights later less 314
Portland State • 19 points vs.
Saul Phiri had 17 points and seven rebounds for the Explorers .
To guard Dirk Nowitzki completely I don't think is realistic, China coach Wang Fei said.
•Grabbed double-digit rebounds twice.
Originally a CFA signee of Philadelphia in 2016, and also spent time with Denver, the N.Y.
We didn't come out with the same focus we had the last three games. » »I'm disappointed that our mindset wasn't right, » coach Scott Brooks https://www.cheapnfljerseyschinaoutlet.com For better or for worse, Kyle Busch is NASCAR's most unique personality.
It's too early, Bulls guard Richard Hamilton said when asked about seeing flashes of Rose's old ability coming back in practice.
Sources say the Lakers are reluctant to part with Gasol in any trade without receiving assets of some value in return.
LaVar Ball: Zion Williamson needs to learn how to play Lonzo Ball has already had the privilege of calling LeBron James https://www.century21niigata.com teammate for a season, and he will soon be playing alongside a young superstar who many believe will be the next LeBron.
It was orange.
I ran it that way, so when the opportunity came up to start my own business, I always had that vision that I could do something like that.
NEW YORK Glenn Sanabria scored 17 points as St.
wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.
TSN's Raptors' beat reporter Josh Lewenberg joins GameTime to speak on the fallout in Toronto with Kawhi Leonard choosing to play for the LA Clippers.
The other three routinely outscored him, but his coach had no doubt.
Expect him to be cleared on the ' final injury of Week 13, as he has been before both of the team's previous two games.
Occasionally a third player steps up and produces.
Isiah Deas led La Salle in scoring with 22 points.
Signed multi-year contract extension on May 5.
Josh Richardson scores 24 points as seven different Miami Heat players score in double digits, beating the Cavaliers 117.
Utah, scored 12 points in 26 minutes played.
Evander is a fast, powerful player, Johnson said.
The announced the release of quarterback https://www.k4brw.com Friday.
Top Single-Game Performances: Recorded first double-double of the season with 13 points and a season-high and game-high 12 rebounds to go along with two assists and one steal in 25 https://www.thebostonjollypirates.com before leaving the game with a left shoulder strain with 5 left in the third quarter at Miami …
Dallas…Recorded at least one steal 26 times and two-or-more steals six times, including a career-high three steals on Mar.
»We're young, but we were very battle tested last year together in the playoffs. » Celtics coach Brad Stevens was sure the Cavs would give his team all it could handle.
NASCAR Next drivers receive promotional and marketing support.
Collected five offensive rebounds to set a new career-high and grabbed a career-high tying nine total boards vs.
will start Sunday's game against the Dolphins.


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Home » Boston » South End
South End now has highest rate of Covid-19 infection in Boston; could be linked to higher testing rates at neighborhood homeless shelters
By adamg on Fri, 04/10/2020 - 8:58pm
Boston Public Health Commission figures released tonight show the South End now has the highest rate of Covid-19 infection among city neighborhoods - its 282 confirmed cases as of Thursday give it a rate of 78.9 cases per 10,000 people, compared to a rate of 66.6 in the neighborhood with the next highest rate, Hyde Park.
The commission does not provide any possible explanations for the high numbers in the South End, which reflect a fourfold increase over its numbers last week. However, earlier this week, city officials said they had conducted "universal" testing at some city homeless shelters, two of the largest of which, the Pine Street Inn and Rosie's Place, are both in the South End, so it is possible the high rate reflects increased testing in 02118, or that the numbers reflect a particular outbreak of Covid-19 among the city's homeless population, or both.
A task force appointed by Mayor Walsh will focus on a higher rate of infection among black residents than in other groups, as well as higher-than-average rates in Hyde Park, Mattapan and part of Dorchester.
Compare to last week's maps.
Total number of cases citywide by week and number of visits to emergency rooms for coronavirus-like illnesses:
As of 4 p.m. today, the city had a total of 3,138 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 44 deaths.
BPHC
Boston Covid-19 report, 4/10/20 611.31 KB
No clear picture yet
By Cutter on Fri, 04/10/2020 - 9:40pm.
The point about the shelter testing sounds plausible.
But in general it seems like it's too soon to draw conclusions. If impact was strictly tracking socioeconomic status, Roxbury would be worse off and 02122 would not be getting whacked like it is. If it was heavily influenced by language and cultural barriers, you'd see worse numbers for Latinos and Asians.
It seems likely that existing disparities in things like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease will drive more severe cases among African-Americans.
But as of now, the city says it only has racial data on about half the cases. We just don't have the full picture yet.
They've done a lot of outreach through community networks and health centers and now Walsh is putting together a group to give the issue more scrutiny.
I hope they stay on top of it so we don't see the kind of disparities happening in some cities.
Voting closed 29
South End plus Chinatown
By 8StreetsBstn on Fri, 04/10/2020 - 10:26pm.
Zip code 02111 (Chinatown) is being lumped into the South End without attribution for COVID-19 reporting. I'm not sure why, but given the perception that SE is now a mostly white/wealthy downtown neighborhood with some Section 8 housing, adding Chinatown without attribution while placing the 02116 part of the SE into Back Bay (Dartmouth St. to Tremont St. to Berkeley St. to Columbus Ave, mostly free market housing with limited Section 8 housing) may mask/obfuscate a high infection rate of lower income Boston residents of color in the part of the city officially designated as South End for COVID-19 reporting purposes.
Many South End residents are
By SaraK on Sat, 04/11/2020 - 8:15am.
Many South End residents are also employees at BMC which has close to 200 staff positive. Not surprising given taking care of pts from neighborhoods that were most affected at last count.
By Guy Messier on Sun, 04/12/2020 - 12:52am.
Contrary to popular perception, as of the fairly recent past, about half or maybe a little more of the South End is subsidised housing according to a map that I once saw at a neighborhood meeting. These include Villa Victoria, Cathedral Housing, Susan Bailiss, elderly housing on Blackstone Square, Castle Square and other smaller developments and townhouses. Add in Pine Street Inn buildings, Rosies Place and the shelter next to BMC, and it is clearly not a small proportion of the neighborhood.
Many people do not realize this.
By Laura1982 on Sat, 04/11/2020 - 10:49am.
If I remember correctly, zip code 02122 includes the Port Norfolk section of Dorchester, which is home to a large number of police officers. That could help explain the large number of cases in a middle-class area.
A statisticical prediction
By Waquiot on Fri, 04/10/2020 - 10:46pm.
The Fenway will continually have the lowest per capita infection rate in the city.
I don't see how we can put
By Brent Jeffries on Sat, 04/11/2020 - 1:43am.
I don't see how we can put any faith in any of the stats about infection rates, given that hospitals and doctors are routinely telling patients who call them reporting symptoms not to come in and not to get tested. My wife and I are 2 such patients. I doubt we show up in any stats but we both clearly have it. I suspect the actual number of cases is probably an order of magnitude higher than what's reported in the stats. The reality is we have no clue just how widespread COVID really is.
THIS guy gets it
By Old Groucho on Sat, 04/11/2020 - 7:06am.
People are so data driven now in their dailys lives that they're using these models as gospel.
Except that without across the board testing on a significant scale in EVERY neighborbood, we have no way of knowing exactly where it is.
That data will come during the post-mortem stage of this plague but for now we need to assume it's EVERYWHERE.
Because if we don't, then ya know some asymptomatic fitness junkies will see low numbers in their area, go for a 10 mile run and breathe, spit, and sweat all over the city.
A new symptom
By Don't Panic on Sat, 04/11/2020 - 8:37am.
Wind pipe so dry it hurts to breathe.
That must hurt.
The rich and shameless
By anon on Sat, 04/11/2020 - 7:31am.
Can flee to the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket by ferry and yachts to escape the virus but the homeless and poor cannot seek refuge on the Island of Long Island. Has anyone even looked at the feasibility of using Long Island as an alternative to the convention center?
These numbers are meaningless
By StillFromDorchester on Sat, 04/11/2020 - 1:39pm.
It isnt voting patterns it's a virus, unless every woman man and child is tested in Boston the numbers are just an interesting yet useless bit of info.
Driving through Upham's
By Rob on Sat, 04/11/2020 - 11:46am.
Driving through Upham's Corner the other day - City officials reprogrammed the digital message information board that's been parked next to the burying ground for nearly a month.
No longer is the neighborhood fighting the CARONA virus - apparently that curve got flattened and they're now fighting something called CORONA virus.
These divisions make
By anon on Sat, 04/11/2020 - 2:19pm.
These divisions make absolutely no sense. For instance, why is Fenway a discrete division yet Back Bay, Beacon Hill, North End, West End and Downtown (whatever the hell that means!) all get lumped together? Why is Fenway as a neighborhood its own tidy little designation?
Skeptical without universal testing for every resident
By Mary Owens on Sun, 04/12/2020 - 11:14am.
Until there is a simple Covid-19 test with quick and accurate results, one which every Boston resident can take, these neighborhood percentages don't mean a whole lot because they are based on very limited and incomplete data. We don't know who already has it, and according to news stories, a quarter of those who have it can be asymptomatic.
Please everyone, wear a mask every time you go out. I grocery shop for my family, my elderly mother-in-law and an elderly neighbor. About half the people shopping in the supermarket are wearing masks, half aren't. On my walk to the supermarket, it's the same thing. Let's get that percentage up to 100%, that is one thing fully in our control. And stores could enforce it by having an employee at the door turn away those who aren't wearing a mask.
Mayor Walsh and Governor Baker, tell everyone in MA to comply so that they aren't inadvertently spreading the virus further. Stay safe, everyone.
In other South End news
Gun- and knife-toting drug dealer arrested outside Southampton Street shelter, police say
Start spreadin' the Nu - Burger place leavin' Fenway
Restaurants in the South End, North End, go into hibernation
Pine Street Inn proposal to digitize South End billboards gets dim reception
Man stabbed to death outside Southampton Street shelter
Residents of South End apartment building grab, hold alleged bike thieves for police


text:
The Grow () is a 2012 Chinese animated adventure comedy film directed by Ha Lei. It was released in China on December 29, 2012. The film was followed by The Grow 2 (2015).

Voice cast
Han Xue
Wu Tian Hao
Yu Li
Rong Rong
Tong Zirong
Zhou Yemang

Reception
The film earned  at the Chinese box office.

References

2010s adventure comedy films
2012 animated films
2012 films
Animated adventure films
Animated comedy films
Chinese animated films
2012 comedy films
2010s Mandarin-language films

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Books & Spoons Review for WITH NO RESERVATIONS by laurie Tomlinson
There can be more than comfort in food…
What could well-known and wealthy Graham Cooper Jr. have in common with a blogger like Sloane Bradley, a woman with secrets she's kept firmly out of the public eye?
That is, besides a love of food.
Sloane still can't believe Cooper's the chef at the restaurant she's been assigned to promote. But she's boiling to prove to him that her "little blog" can put his place on the map.
She can also fall head over heels for the guy, who has secrets of his own, it turns out…except for one thing.
She can't get past the post-traumatic stress disorder that keeps her walled up in her home studio.
With No Reservations was a sweet story that I was eager to read with the food theme fascinating me, as you can imagine. It is a good story, easy to get lost in it and enjoy the moment with the (mostly) likable characters (Yes, I am talking about you, Mr. Cooper Sr.!).
The protagonists Graham Cooper Jr. and Sloane Bradley were both complex characters with a pass that was shaping up their present as well as their future. I liked how they supported each other and challenged each other to be the best possible version of themselves.
I wish there would have been a little bit more about the obsessive disorder Sloane had, and how she developed it after the accident. Also, the family relationships with the Coopers were mighty dysfunctional and could have used more light into the problems and solving them.
I really liked Cooper's mom, she was down to earth, loving, caring mom, I liked her ease with Sloane as well.
The charity they were involved with warmed my heart, I know how much that kind of work means to children, teaching them about cooking and nutrition is so rewarding, being done it myself in the past.
Reading about the food bloggers routines, plans, and life as a food blogger was fun. No, my life is very little like hers, I could say the planning and photoshoot areas at home and looking for the best light being just about the only things I was familiar with. But I got a kick out it anyways.
I honestly don't get it how Graham Cooper Sr. got away with the bullying he did in the business world. It came so easily to him it was nearly frightening to think about. There were some other questions as well that I had in my mind at the end, I really would have loved to find out more about the problems between the twin brothers because that was such a big thing in Cooper's life.
A charming story about love, life, family, loss, recovering from the past, learning from it, and moving on with life. It touches some heavy topics, but with a gentle hand, it made me think, and it made smile. A good story with lot to give to the reader
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side


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Serena Williams KO From The AO After Shock Loss
Josh Butler
10 daily Senior News Reporter
After being just moments away from victory, Serena Williams has suffered a shocking collapse to be bundled out of the Australian Open in the quarter-finals.
Williams, the tournament's 16th seed, had been up 5-1 in the deciding third set against Karolina Pliskova and looked on course to cruise to victory.
But in an uncharacteristic capitulation, the American lost six straight games to go down 7-5 in the third.
The final scorecard read 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 to Pliskova, the seventh seed. She will now go through to the Open's semis, to meet Naomi Osaka for a place in the final.
(AAP Image/Ritchi Tongo)
Williams battled an ankle issue through the match, and appeared to fade badly as the third set wore on.
It was an epic comeback from the Czech challenger, who had been been facing match point with Williams up 40:30 and 5-1 in the third set at one point.
Many were quick to note the sudden collapse from Williams and surge from Pliskova.
serena-williams australian-open tennis
'We Never Had Signals': Serena Williams Disputes Coaching Claims From US Open
"If you're a female you should be able to do even half of what a guy can do"
A Tearful Andy Murray Announces Tennis Retirement
Three-time grand-slam champion Andy Murray is set to retire from tennis and could make the Australian Open his final tournament, admitting he can no longer play at the top level after enduring years of significant hip issues.
Ash Barty Beats Maria Sharapova To Secure Australian Open Quarter Final Spot
Ash Barty has secured her spot in the Australian Open quarter-finals after beating Maria Sharapova in a three-set thriller.


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text: David Sanborn has been a frequent visitor to the Montreux Jazz Festival, either headlining in his own right, as a sideman or as part of nineties 'supergroup' Legends. This concert focuses on his second headlining appearance in 1984 when he was touring in support of his 'Straight To The Heart' album, which would see him win the second of his six Grammy Awards to date. The live performance combines tracks from that album with others from across his career. It features a special guest appearance by Rickie Lee Jones on piano and vocals on the track 'Autumn Leaves'. Music video by David Sanborn __© 1984 Montreux Sounds (/RTS), under exclusive license to Eagle Rock Entertainment Ltd.


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Posts Tagged 'Marco Scutaro'
Posted in Baseball, tagged Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jonny Gomes, Koji Uehara, Marco Scutaro, Mike Napoli, San Francisco Giants, Shane Victorino, Stephen Drew, Will Middlebrooks, Xavier Bogaerts on August 22, 2013| Leave a Comment »
We just scored enough runs to have won several baseball games, let alone one. I mean, we buried the Giants. We buried them under a whole mountain of runs. We played the small ball, and we played the long ball, and we won. And we won big.
I'll start by saying this. We did not score in the first, the fifth, the sixth, and the ninth.
Gomes struck out to lead off the second, Salty walked, Drew flied out, and Middlebrooks homered on his second pitch of the game, a cutter. He sent the ball beyond the left field fence. It was huge.
Ellsbury and Victorino hit back-to-back singles to lead off the third. Ellsbury scored on a double by Pedroia, Papi struck out, and Victorino and Pedroia both scored on a single by Papi.
Middlebrooks led off the fourth with a walk and scored on a double by Victorino.
Ellsbury led off the seventh with a single, Victorino flied out, Pedroia doubled, Napoli struck out, and Gomes walked to load the bases. Salty singled in both Ellsbury and Pedroia. And it's a shame that the bases had been partially cleared, because Drew ripped a curveball beyond the right field fence. Three runs on one swing, and five runs in the inning. Easy.
Nava reached on a fielding error in the eighth by who but Marco Scutaro, and he scored when Xavier Bogaerts reached on a force.
Meanwhile, Doubront had it turned on all the way up throughout the whole start and was one inning shy of going the distance. He pitched eight innings of one-run ball; he walked one, struck out three, and gave up five hits. He gave up a solo shot with one out in the second; that was his only mistake. He got the win, and Uehara closed it out.
The final score, ladies and gentlemen, was 12-1.
Free-Up
Posted in Baseball, tagged 2004 World Series, Baseball, Bobby Valentine, Boston Bruins, Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford, Clayton Mortensen, Colorado Rockies, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Daniel Bard, Florida Panthers, Franklin Morales, Jacoby Ellsbury, Major League Baseball, Marco Scutaro, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Orlando Cabrera, Roy Oswalt, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vicente Padilla on January 22, 2012| Leave a Comment »
The big news this week is that we've traded Scutaro to the Rockies for Clayton Mortensen. Make no mistake about this deal, folks. This deal was not for Mortensen. This deal was to dispose of Scutaro's six million dollars in order to free up salary for a starter, possibly Roy Oswalt. So don't think of it as a neat exchange; think of it as exchanging Scutaro for a to-be-determined pitcher, and Mortensen just happens to be there. Mortensen, a righty, as pitched in only twenty-four Major League games, thirteen of which were starts. He is four and eight with a 5.12 ERA but had problems with his command, which yielded a high walk ratio. With the Rockies, he posted a 3.86 ERA in sixteen appearances, performing better in relief than in a starter's role. He'll come to camp and fight for a spot just like all the other pitchers. Meanwhile, I'm more concerned with which veteran superstar we're going to get.
We've signed Bard to a one year deal and Ellsbury to a one-year deal worth upwards of eight million dollars. First of all, if we signed Crawford, who by the way just had wrist surgery, to as large a contract in terms of years as we did, Ellsbury deserves exponentially more than one year. Has he not proven that he's worth it? I mean, if we're going to play the long-contract game, we should at least play it responsibly. It's ridiculous that we signed Crawford for as long as we did, and we only talked to Ellsbury about one year. Although he did get a nice raise; he'll make twice as much this coming year as he has in his entire career to date, and he's worth every penny and probably more. We've signed Morales to a one-year deal, and we've signed Vicente Padilla to a minor league deal, but according to Ben, he'll come to camp as a starter. But don't worry because it's all good. Bobby V. spoke to Dice-K and saw a "good look in his eye," so naturally all of our problems are immediately solved.
Orlando Cabrera has decided to retire. We'll never forget what he did for us in 2004.
In other news, the B's beat the Panthers in a shootout. We lost to the Bolts, beat the Devils, and lost to the Rangers in sudden death.
2011: The End
Posted in Baseball, tagged Adrian Gonzalez, Alfredo Aceves, Baltimore Orioles, Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Buck Showalter, Daniel Bard, Don Orsillo, Dustin Pedroia, Fenway Park, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Marco Scutaro, Mike Aviles, New York Yankees, Nolan Reimold, Red Sox Nation, Robert Andino, Ryan Lavarnway, Tampa Bay Rays on September 30, 2011| Leave a Comment »
It happened. I can't believe it happened. I'm going to force myself to save my opinionating for the end because, if I don't, I'll never be able to get through my last game analysis of the year.
Lester pitched well. He ended a three-game slump he'd been in, and he did so on only three days' rest. He gave up two runs on four hits while walking four and striking out five. He gave up a two-run shot with two out in the third. He threw ninety-three pitches, fifty-four of which were strikes. So hits and walks were a problem, which made efficiency a problem. But even our best pitches haven't been at their best lately, so if he got through six innings after having given up only two runs, both via a home run that represented one major mistake, I'd say in light of everything on the pitching front recently, that's not so bad. Was his cut fastball biting and devastating like it usually is? No, and neither was his sinker or curveball, although his changeup was good, but he only threw at most a handful of those. He threw twelve pitches in the first, fourteen in the second, twenty in the third, eleven in the fourth, thirteen in the fifth, and twenty-three in the sixth. He got the job done.
Aceves pitched the seventh and received a hold; he threw twelve pitches, seven of which were strikes. Bard pitched the eighth and received a hold; he threw nine pitches, six of which were strikes. Red Sox Nation signed in relief as one.
Why? Because our lead was almost nothing. We had one on base in the first and second and got on the board in the third. Aviles walked to start the inning, Ellsbury singled, and Pedroia singled in Aviles. Gonzalez was intentionally walked later in the inning to put two on base, so Lavarnway had runners at the corners with two out but struck out swinging. Then the home run gave Baltimore a one-run lead. Baltimore served that to us on a silver platter in the fourth when Scutaro doubled, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a balk. Then, with the count 2-2 and one out in the fifth, Pedroia took a four-seam deep. It was high and inside, and it ended up in the first few rows of seats in left center field. Don Orsillo said at the time that that was Pedroia's way of willing himself into the postseason. He was exactly right.
There was, as you know, a problem.
We put two on base after that but Lavarnway and Drew were out in succession to end the frame. We went down in order in the sixth. A four-pitch walk, a single, and an intentional walk had the bases loaded for Lavarnway, who grounded into a force out with two outs to end the inning. Scutaro singled in the eighth and tried to score on a double by Crawford but was out at home because he hesitated during his hustle because he thought the ball was caught. Ellsbury reached on a missed catch, and then there was a rain delay of one hour and twenty-six minutes. After that, Pedroia singled, and Gonzalez was intentionally walked for the second time, loading the bases again for Lavarnway with two out in the ninth. And he grounded into a double play.
And then Paps took the ball. Sure, he almost lost us the game on Tuesday. But this was Wednesday. It was a new day, and the season was on the line even more than it was on Tuesday. At that point, the Rays were tied at seven with the Yankees, and we had a one-run lead. If ever there were a time this season with absolutely no room for mistakes, this was unmistakably it beyond the shadow of a doubt. And since Paps has been our rock this year, we were going to turn to him to close it out. Just like we did for Game Three of the 2009 ALDS against the Angels. In this situation as in that one, our ability to stay alive was at stake. And in this situation as in that one, he blew it completely.
Pedroia went three for four, and Papi and Scutaro both went two for four. Scutaro and Crawford both hit doubles, Pedroia of course hit that home run, and Ellsbury stole a base. Gonzalez singled but walked three times. We didn't make any errors; Baltimore made two.
We lost, 4-3, and the Rays won in the twelfth inning. The lights are off at Fenway. The ride has ended. The 2011 season, which held such promise in the offseason, lost almost all of that promise in April, and regained it completely since then until now, is over. I literally just can't believe it. I love this game and this team way too much to be able to believe that, in the last game of the regular season, this team was eliminated from the playoffs.
I'm obviously not familiar with the nuances of the rules in this situation, but they could have just called the game during the delay. They could have just called it when we had that one-run lead. At least there would have been at least one more game to play. It was the last game of the regular season, and Baltimore's record going into it was sixty-eight and ninety-three. They were about thirty games out of first. It was literally an impossibility for them to make the playoffs for quite some time already. It's not like they had anything to gain by returning from the rain delay to win the game. Although I'm sure Buck Showalter thoroughly enjoyed the fact that it was his team that had a hand in knocking us out. If you ask me, I'd say it was Paps and the offense and the baserunning and the fielding: Paps for making that mistake, the offense for not scoring sufficient runs in order to make Paps's mistake inconsequential, Scutaro for hesitating because he thought the ball was caught, and Crawford for not holding onto the ball that would have prevented this entire conversation.
The next question, of course, is why we engaged in such a remarkable decline. Obviously the injuries had something to do with it. But that shouldn't have made the decline as severe as it was. We made sure to rest Beckett and Lester earlier in the year so that they'd be fresh and raring to go; I don't know why they didn't continue their dominance this month. I don't know why the hitting fell off completely since the injuries didn't deplete the starting nine to a significant extent on a regular basis. And I certainly don't know why we suddenly couldn't field. As I've said, it's possible to have a bad day on the mound or at the plate, and it's possible to slump at both. But how do you enter a fielding slump? You either can field or you can't; it's not like the ground suddenly changes or you suddenly just lose your ability to see the ball approaching you.
Our collapse this September was legendary. It was the worst in the history of the sport because we were the first team ever to blow a lead that large in September. We're the first team in the history of the Wild Card to blow a ten game lead, which we had on August 17. The last time we won two consecutive games was August 27, when we swept a doubleheader. And the whole thing was capped by a walkoff loss. It was Paps's third blown save in thirty-four chances. What were the chances that the third one would be this important? Probably the same as the chances that he would blow a save in the deciding game of the 2009 ALDS. We went seven and twenty this month and lost a nine-game Wild Card lead. Paps was one strike away. Just one strike away. But Nolan Reimold doubled, and then of course Robert Andino singled to left. Crawford charged the ball. He slid, and the ball made it into his glove. And then it made it out of his glove. Both literally and figuratively, as he did all season long, Carl Crawford dropped the ball.
So that's it, I guess. We finish in third place with a record of ninety-one and seventy-one at .556 and seven games out of first. But I'm not ready to go home. I'm not ready to stop playing. And I can't believe that the team that was responsible for the fact that we are going home and we did stop playing was Baltimore. I don't think there are words to describe the crushing sensation that we all felt on Wednesday. It was crushing and devastating and frustrating and disappointing and infuriating and humiliating in every sense of every one of those words and on every conceivable level. Ultimately, I can't believe it happened. I saw it with my own eyes, and yet I just can't believe it. Seriously. I just can't. It's going to be a long, cold winter. It just hurts. Bad.
By Another Hair
Posted in Baseball, tagged Alfredo Aceves, Baltimore Orioles, Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford, Daniel Bard, Erik Bedard, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jason Varitek, Jonathan Papelbon, Marco Scutaro, Ryan Lavarnway on September 28, 2011| Leave a Comment »
I did say almost, so here's that story.
Bedard's night wasn't great. He gave up three runs on five hits while walking three and striking out six. He gave up a two-run home run. He lasted three and a third innings. He threw eighty-four pitches, forty-eight of which were strikes. He left the fourth after having allowed that homer, and on top of that Aceves came in with two on base. He got through it without a hitch and stayed on to pitch three and two-thirds innings, giving up a solo shot to lead off the sixth in the process.
Baltimore struck first, but we answered mightily for a change. Scutaro doubled in the third, and Ellsbury smacked a two-run shot on a changeup right down the middle. He hit it to right center field and with one swing gave us a one-run lead.
Two singles into the fourth, Lavarnway did the same thing. Tek had a sore right knee, and Salty had taken that foul ball on the collarbone on his throwing side on Monday night and had to leave in the eighth. Thankfully, x-rays were negative. But it was up to Lavarnway to do the catching. May I say he did a truly phenomenal job, starting with a three-run shot on a fastball to left after already having thrown someone out at third. Talk about playing well under pressure. There was one out, a full count, and a Wild Card hanging in the balance. And that was his first career home run right there.
He flied out to end the inning with the bases loaded in the fifth but made up for that by leading off the eighth with a solo shot on another fastball to left center field. Meanwhile, Crawford had tripled in the sixth and scored on Scutaro's two-run shot on a curveball, also to left center field.
So heading into the eighth we had a comfortable 8-4 lead. I've been pretty frustrated lately so I have to say I was hoping that we'd just crush Baltimore. But four runs isn't bad; it's twice as many as they'd scored, and Bard was getting the ball for the eighth. Obviously there was a stretch during which there was no point in feeling good about that, but lately he's been alright.
Bard had a relapse. It wasn't enough to give up the lead, but it was definitely enough to make us extremely nervous. A couple of singles and a triple resulted in two runs. The whole inning took twenty-five pitches, and suddenly our lead was cut in half.
When Paps took the ball for the ninth, we started breathing sighs of relief. It turns out that they were substantially premature. It took him a grand total of four pitches to allow two singles and eleven pitches to get his first out of the inning, a groundout. Another groundout brought in a run. So now we have two outs in the inning and we're clinging to a one-run lead. I know Paps likes excitement and adrenaline rushes and all, but honestly that was a bit much for us. We're barely in the playoffs at this point; it wasn't funny. A third and final groundout finally ended the inning, and then we could relax. But I'm telling you, I was not amused. The final score was 8-7.
And don't forget Crawford's spectacular catch in the left field stands for the second out of the first. Nice read on an extremely high popup. It was sweet.
By A Hair
Posted in Baseball, tagged Alfredo Aceves, Baltimore Orioles, Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Buffalo Bills, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, JD Drew, Jed Lowrie, Johnny Pesky, Josh Beckett, Kyle Weiland, Marco Scutaro, New England Patriots, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays on September 27, 2011| Leave a Comment »
I had high hopes for this game. Very high hopes. After all, it is the Orioles, and we are throwing Beckett. Oh, wait.
Beckett lasted six innings. He gave up six runs on seven hits, two of which were home runs, the first a solo shot with one out in the second and the second a three-runner with two out in the sixth. That three-run home run was an inside-the-park home run. Ellsbury looked like he was about to make a particularly Ellsbury-esque catch, the kind of catch that only Ellsbury could make. Instead, he collided with the wall and lost the ball. It was the first inside-the-park homer the Orioles have hit at home and the first we've allowed since 2006. Thankfully, Ellsbury is okay. The game's result, not so much.
Beckett walked four and struck out five. He threw 108 pitches, seventy-one of which were strikes. What can I say? He didn't have it. We'd just played fourteen innings against New York and some terrible games overall this month. We needed a big night. He didn't deliver.
We actually struck first. The bases were loaded with two out in the first, but Lowrie flied out. What a waste of an opportunity. We plated one in the second; Drew led off the inning in the first and was out on a force by Scutaro, who scored on a double by Ellsbury with a little help from some bad fielding. Lowrie must have felt really bad about that because he homered to lead off the fourth on the second pitch of the at-bat, a changeup he walloped to right field.
We didn't have many opportunities after that until the eighth, when the bases were loaded with one out and Salty and Scutaro both blew it. Then Ellsbury was hit in the ninth and scored on a single by Pedroia.
And that was it. Aceves and Weiland pitched the last two innings. And they were scoreless. Not that that counts for anything at all whatsoever, since we lost, 6-3.
To recap our predicament, we are now officially tied for the Wild Card with the Rays with two games left to play in the regular season. In the month of September, our record is six and nineteen with a nine-game drop in the standings, and exactly one month ago today was the last time we had even a two-game winning streak. On August 17, our Wild Card lead was ten games. If we don't right this ship, like, immediately, we will be the first team in the history of the existence of the Wild Card to blow a double-digit lead. We're Boston fans. We believe. We'll always believe. But words can not describe the anger, frustration, denial, and fear that Red Sox Nation is currently experiencing.
We have to win today. At the very least, Johnny Pesky deserves a happy ninety-second birthday.
In other news, the Pats lost a close one to the Bills, 34-31. It should never have come to that.
Posted in Baseball, tagged Adrian Gonzalez, Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Miller, Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford, Daniel Bard, Darnell McDonald, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Franklin Morales, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalmacchia, Jason Varitek, JD Drew, John Lackey, Jonathan Papelbon, Marco Scutaro, Matt Albers, Mike Aviles, New York Yankees, Scott Atchison, Tim Wakefield on September 26, 2011| Leave a Comment »
I hope it doesn't take Wake as long to get win number 201 as it did for him to get win number two hundred. We lost the opener. Wake gave up five runs, three earned, on five hits, including a two run shot with one out in the third. There was a missed catch and a wild pitch in the first and a fielding error in the fifth. He walked five, struck out four, lasted four innings, and threw eighty-two pitches, forty-seven of which were strikes. Albers gave up another run before Atchison and Andrew Miller finished the game scoreless, Atchison having had to leave with a groin problem.
Ellsbury led off the fourth with a homer on a fastball to right center field. It was a power blast. He homered again in the sixth with one out on a sinker into the second deck in right field. He is now the first player ever to achieve thirty-thirty in a single season. That was the extent of our offense. Ellsbury was our offense. He went three for four; those three hits from him matched the total for the rest of the team combined. But as we know, a team can not live on one man alone, which was proven by the final score of 6-2.
The nightcap lasted fourteen innings. If we didn't win it, it would have crushed me. The very last thing we would have needed when we're down and out with pitching, fielding, hitting, injuries, and standings was to play fourteen innings only to lose at the very end to the Yankees. Thanks to Ellsbury, crisis averted.
It was Lackey of all people who broke the cycle and gave us our first quality start in a while. Lackey gave up four runs, three earned, on five hits. You can thank Tek and his throwing error in the first for that unearned run, which helped the Yanks put up a three-spot. Lackey walked three and struck out four. He threw eighty-six pitches, fifty-seven of which were strikes. He was replaced by Aceves after allowing a single to start the seventh. May I say that this is probably the most efficient I've ever seen him. Most of the time, he's thrown at least a hundred pitches by the time the seventh inning rolls around. He kept his hit count down, which obviously helped a lot. And the offense should have easily scored at least four runs.
We didn't get on the board until the fifth, when Lowrie tripled and scored on a single by Drew, who's back in action. Crawford led off the sixth with a single and scored on a groundout by Gonzalez. Lowrie led off the seventh with a double, and then back-to-back hits, a double for Scutaro and single for Tek, brought in two and gave us a one-run lead.
Aceves received a blown save for allowing his inherited runner to score and tie the game at four. Then Bard, who issued two intentional walks in the ninth but ended the inning on a strikeout, and Paps, who threw twenty-two of twenty-nine pitches for strikes, held the fort for three-plus innings. Morales pitched two scoreless frames and picked up the win; Doubront got the save.
We had one on in the eighth and two on in the ninth. We had one on in the tenth and went down in order in the eleventh. We had one on in the twelfth and thirteenth. Let's not forget that, also in the thirteenth, Pedroia picked a ball and fired from his knees to first for the first out of the inning, if he didn't do that, we could have had a different outcome.
Aviles led off the fourteenth with a flyout. McDonald came in to pinch-hit for Drew and singled. Scutaro worked a seven- pitch walk. Salty flied out. Then Ellsbury took a curveball for a ball.
And then he smacked a three-run shot on a fastball into the bullpen. It was exactly what we needed, exactly when we needed it. That was the final score right there. 7-4 What a relief.
Posted in Baseball, tagged Adrian Gonzalez, Alfredo Aceves, Baltimore Orioles, Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Conor Jackson, Darnell McDonald, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Fenway Park, Franklin Morales, Freen Monster, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jed Lowrie, Jeremy Guthrie, John Lackey, Kevin Youkilis, Kyle Weiland, Marco Scutaro, Matt Albers, Michael Bowden, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers on September 20, 2011| Leave a Comment »
And sweep we clearly did not. Although we obviously should have, being that it's Baltimore and all, which makes it so much worse. At least we split. It was a day of opposites.
Kyle Weiland started and did not have anything close to resembling a good day. He cruised through the first two innings with one of the better cutters I've seen from him and then all of a sudden everything went wrong both in the field and on the mound. He threw eighty-five pitches through four and two-thirds innings. Fifty-two of those were strikes; he walked two and struck out five. He gave up six runs, five earned, on five hits. Only two of the runs he gave up did not score via the home run. Yup. You read right. He gave up three: a two-runner and two solo shots. And you can thank McDonald's sun-induced fielding error in the third for that unearned run. Doubront and Aceves combined for a scoreless rest of the game after that.
We did our best to battle back. I guess McDonald really felt bad about that error because he led off the bottom of the frame with a solo shot on the second pitch of the at-bat, a fastball that he promptly sent into the Monster seats. We got another run back in the fourth on Salty's RBI triple. And we got two back in the fifth with the progression of Scutaro's walk, Gonzalez's RBI double, and Pedroia's RBI triple. Scutaro's double and Gonzalez's single combined to bring in another in the seventh for what would be our last run in a 6-5 loss. Oh, and by the way, that foul ball that Papi hit in the fifth wasn't foul at all. It was fair. It was fair by a mile. The worst part is that it wasn't a potential home run, so it couldn't be reviewed. But it was fair, and it made the difference. He went on to fly out, although that ball was almost out too. Did I mention that Jeremy Guthrie leads the American League in losses? There's no way it should even have come to that.
Lackey started and did not have anything close to resembling a good day, either. The difference was that the offense turned itself on in a big way. Without that, the O's would have embarrassed us completely. Lackey lasted four and a third innings and gave up eight runs on eleven hits. He walked two and struck out three. He threw 105 pitches, seventy-five of which were strikes. It was Atchison who relieved him and picked up the win. Morales allowed another run, and then Albers and Bowden finished the game scoreless.
Let's get to the good stuff. The O's may have put up a three-spot in the top of the first, but we answered with a four-spot in the bottom of the inning. Pedroia brought in one on a groundout, and then Lowrie unleashed on the eighth straight four-seam he saw in his first at-bat for a three-run shot. He also put it in the Monster seats. It stayed just fair and got out of the park in a hurry. We added two more in the second; Scutaro doubled in one (had McDonald not been out at home, it would have been two), and Pedroia stroked an RBI single. We busted it open in the third with a five-spot. McDonald started the scoring plays with an RBI single and a little help from a bad throw. Ellsbury doubled him, and he scored on a single by Scutaro. Pedroia and Papi brought in two more with back-to-back RBI singles.
But if you thought that that inning was big, it was nothing compared to the seventh, when we put up a seven-spot. Seven runs in seven innings. We scored more runs in that one inning alone than we have in some of our games recently. The highlight was the first to occur. Ellsbury led it off. He took a fastball for a ball, fouled off another, and took a changeup for a ball. Another changeup made the count 2-2. And then it happened: a rare result of the perfect combination of hitting and speed, a manifestation of skill and luck.
Jacoby Ellsbury hit an inside-the-park home run.
It was the first on the team since Youk did it on May 28, 2007. I saw it and I couldn't believe it. It was perfect. It's one of those things that you always imagine in your head, trying to draft the perfect conditions under which something like this would result and then hoping you'll see it but assuming you won't. It's the triple play of offense. And he executed it without a flaw.
The ball sailed out to center field. It bounced off of the top of the bullpen wall sharply at some sort of strange angle and ricocheted out to center field. The outfielders couldn't get to it in time; meanwhile, Ellsbury had his head down and put the pedal to the metal. He was safe with some time to spare.
And then Lowrie hit an RBI single. And then Conor Jackson hit a grand slam on a fastball, which he also put into the Monster seats. It was the first time we've ever had an inside-the-park home run and a grand slam in the same game. And then we were done. No big deal. The final score was 18-9.
As a result, the whole doubleheader was a surreal experience. I felt like I was watching two different teams in the two different games.
In other news, the Pats made the Chargers look like amateurs. The final score was 35-21. This is going to be a truly fantastic season.


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The House Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing Wednesday on a bill that would allow motorcyclists and bicyclists to go on red at a slow traffic light if there was no oncoming traffic. HB103 is sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tem Victor Gaston, R-Mobile.
Motorcycle enthusiast Fred Wheeler said HB103 would allow the driver of a motorcycle or bicycle to go on a malfunctioning traffic light.
Wheeler said some lights only change when a sensor detects that a motorist has approached the red light. A motorcycle or bicycle does not have enough metal mass to trip the light.
HB103 would give the motorcycle or bicycle rider the legal option to proceed as if the slow or malfunctioning red light were a stop sign.
"A device can be attached to the bottom of motorcycle that would allow the sensor to detect the motorcycle," said State Rep. Drake, R-Leeds.
"Any time a motorcycle is not moving, it increases the risk for the motorcycle rider," Larry Lindsey said.
"Sons of Anarchy and the 1 percent of motorcycle riders make us all look stupid," Chris Cook said.
The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee is Chaired by state Rep. Alan Treadaway, R-Morris.
Morris said the committee will vote on whether or not to give a favorable report on H 103 until their next committee meeting.


Disabled children are recognised as the most vulnerable group in respect of safeguarding their wellbeing. They may have physical, sensory and learning disabilities and difficulties.
Various definitions of disability are used across agencies and professionals. Whatever definition of 'disabled' is used, the key issue is not what the definition is but the impact of abuse or neglect on a child's health and development, and consideration of how best to safeguard and promote the child's welfare.
Severely disabled children often rely on parents and carers to meet most or all of their needs. They may have limited mobility and may find it hard to make their feelings and wishes known because of communication or language difficulties. Children with complex needs may receive services in a range of settings from a number of care providers leaving them vulnerable to ill or cruel treatment, to neglect and abuse. If they have been harmed or ill-treated they may find it difficult to know how they can express their own concerns about their welfare and they may not even know that the care they are receiving is not safe or appropriate. Disabled children trust their care-givers and rely on them to be sensitive to their personal care needs, their health, their emotional well-being and their safety.
Disabled children are at significantly greater risk of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect than non-disabled.
Disabled children at greatest risk of abuse are those with behaviour/conduct disorders.
children with health-related conditions and deaf children.
Evidence on risk and severity of impairment is mixed. Most research suggests that disabled boys are at greater risk of abuse than disabled girls when compared to non disabled children.
Why are Disabled Children at increased risk?
Looked after disabled children are not only vulnerable to the same factors that exist for all children living away from home but are particularly susceptible to possible abuse because of their additional dependency on residential and hospital staff for day to day physical needs.
Disabled children are more likely to be abused by someone in their family compared to non-disabled children.
The majority of disabled children are abused by someone who is known to them.
Bullying is a feature in the lives of many disabled children. (Marchant et al. 2007; Reid and Batten 2006; Mencap 2007).
Disabled children are more likely to experience the negative aspects of social networking sites than non-disabled children (research conducted by the NSPCC in 2013 on the experiences of 11–16-year-olds on social networking sites).
Disabled children (and severely disabled children even more so) may disclose less frequently and delay disclosure more often compared to typically developing children.
Where there are safeguarding concerns about a disabled child, there is a need for greater awareness of the possible indicators of abuse and/or neglect as the situation is often more complex. It is crucial that the disability is not allowed to mask or deter the need for an appropriate investigation of child protection concerns.
If you are a professional concerned about a child you should refer to the Responding To Need Guidance.


A new study found that people who are more likely to develop schizophrenia are more likely to try cannabis. It also found new evidence that cannabis use can cause schizophrenia.
The Duluth News Tribune looks examines the case for, and against, treating PTSD with MED.
More experts say cannabis should be prescribed before opiates, VICE reports.
Ohio doctors say they're reluctant to recommend MED.
An article from "The American Tribune" on an overdose from injecting cannabis turned out to be fake news.
Connecticut has approved its first MED study, to compare pain relief with an opiate in patients with fractured ribs. A Connecticut hospice will use cannabis to reduce its dependence on opioids.
President Obama granted clemency to 231 individuals. His total of more than 1,300 sentence commutations totals more than his 11 predecessors combined. Here's the story of one of them, Paul Free, who was serving a life sentence and is now eligible for parole in 2020.
Obama also granted 78 "pre-Christmas" pardons.
A court ruled that Arizona MED users can't be convicted of DUI without evidence of impairment.
A Colorado man who drove impaired and killed a motorcyclist was sentenced to 10 months in jail and two years probation.
A day after they opened, six unlicensed Cannabis Culture dispensaries were raided and closed in Montreal. The 10 arrests included owner and "prince of pot" Marc Emery.
In Milton, Mass., a dispensary seeks to open in the historic " Swift Hat Shop" building.
It's part of a whole PR campaign.
Here's your daily dose of pot news from the newsletter WeedWeek.
Ahead of his confirmation hearing for Attorney General, a public relations campaign is trying to depict Sen. Jeff Sessions as emphatically not a racist. He has long been dogged by such accusations, due in part to a statement that he was ok with the Ku Klux Klan, until he heard that they smoke pot.
Rolling Stone envisions the war on drugs under Attorney General Sessions.
Oregon is revising its product testing rules again, following complaints from companies. Nevada companies call for strict product testing.
The Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, N.Y.) reports on " progress and hurdles" in the New York MED program. For more see here.
Maine REC opponents cancelled their recall effort. Gov. Paul LePage (R) said that with REC there's no longer a need for a MED program. A prominent New Hampshire state senator will propose a REC bill.
Canada.com looks at how legalization up north could alter Canadian/American relations.
An Arizona judge ruled that local officials can't use federal law to block MED dispensaries.
The city of Copenhagen is pursuing a longshot legalization push in an effort to reduce gang warfare.
Caribbean nation Dominica will consider MED legalization next year.
Denver cannabis law firm Hoban Law Group may sue the DEA over its recent CBD ruling.
Hound Labs and Cannabix Technologies are racing to perfect a cannabis breathalyzer.
Boston is another potential " cannabis capital." Canadian businesses are preparing for legalization.
CBD pet treats are becoming big business.
Older adults are using more cannabis, and binge drinking more too. Cannabis use may not be a good idea for those seeking long-term abatement of depression and anxiety, Colorado researchers found.
Modern Farmer hangs out with Bear Real, a Colorado hemp scientist.
He's 50 and a father of seven.
Bernard Noble, a Louisiana man serving 13 years for possessing two joints had his sentence reduced to eight years. He may be out in two.
In Michigan, MED patient fees fund marijuana enforcement including raid equipment.
Outgoing Vermont governor Peter Shumlin (D) offered to pardon anyone convicted for possessing up to an ounce. He supported an unsuccessful effort to legalize REC through the state legislature.
In Rolling Stone, the activist and rapper Killer Mike writes on how to bring more African-Americans into the industry. For more, see my story in California Sunday.
The NFL may be warming to MED. Switzerland too may be loosening up.
Ozy talks to a combat veteran who now grows cannabis. A dispensary in Massachusetts is giving away free seeds.
Joe Dolce's new book " Brave New Weed" gets a fond review by Matt Taibbi in the New York Times.
Canadian dispensary chain Cannabis Culture opened an illegal store in Montreal and gave away " free nugs" to an approving crowd.
The L.A. Times went to the Emerald Cup in Sonoma County. It contrasts the revelers against, "a panel of entirely sober government officials [who]discussed the ramifications of marijuana legalization, California's complex and evolving regulatory structure, and tried to answer questions about the future of the cannabis industry that seem, at this point, unanswerable." The piece has many more great descriptions. Read the whole thing.
Social network MassRoots acquired online ordering platform Whaxy.
Mic put out an update on the state of cannabis investing.
The practice seems frankly un-American.
Lawyers for Jeronimo Yanez, the Minnesota police officer who fatally shot Philando Castile last summersay Yanez should be pardoned in part because Castile was high.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who wants to advise President-elect Trump on drug policy, says that as mayor of Davao he used to personally hunt drug suspects down on his motorcycle and kill them, in order to encourage constituents to do the same.
A court ruled that finding evidence of marijuana use in someone's trash is not alone grounds to search the house. A law professor disagrees.
Colorado is awarding $2.35M in research grants to study driving while high and the effects of dabbing, among other topics. The Cannabist says DUI is a pressing issue.
A Johns Hopkins study found that cannabis legalization reduces opioid overdose deaths by as much as 25%.
The synthetic marijuana that sent 18 people in Brooklyn to the hospital in a "zombie" like state, was 85 times as powerful as marijuana.
Doctors remain skeptical of marijuana's medical value.
Colorado is about to raise the allowances for residual solvents in concentrates. Leafly investigates how much of these chemicals is unhealthy.
A doctor tell's Gwyneth Paltrow's site Goop that cannabis can help with PMS.
Illegal grows in California are sickening and killing wildlife.
A Connecticut MED user is suing Amazon and a staffing company for refusing to hire him.
The study is from a U.S. government agency.
U.S. teenagers find it harder to buy weed than they have for 24 years, according to an annual survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The same study found that teen drug use is declining nationally.
Humboldt County's growing areas voted against REC, but the cities voted for it.
A long awaited task force report in Canada recommended 18 as the legal buying age. For more see hereand here. The country plans to legalize REC next year.
REC businesses in Portland, Oregon, are struggling to obtain licenses. And the head of the state's lab accrediting agency is stepping down.
Florida lawmakers are thinking about how to regulate MED. For more see here. A proposal in Ohio would allow 40 MED dispensaries in the state.
Tennessee Republicans are considering a MED program.
Radio Free Asia reports that Chinese visitors to North Korea buy pot by the kilogram and sell it for a healthy mark-up in China.
Australian economists say legalizing REC would be good for the Queensland economy.
L.A. Weekly profiles Seventh Point LLC, a cannabis private equity firm focused on Los Angeles. The firm expects L.A., the world's largest cannabis market, to be the "Silicon Valley" of weed. The city's cannabis community is uniting to legalize dispensaries.
Keith McCarty, CEO of delivery app Eaze, is stepping down, shortly after the company secured $13M in funding. He'll be replaced by Jim Patterson, who, like McCarty was a senior executive at Yammer, a workplace social network which sold to Microsoft for more than $1 billion.
It doesn't really change anything for now.
The DEA confirmed that marijuana extracts containing CBD are illegal. The agency explained that the notice, published in the Federal Register, does not change its enforcement priorities.
More than 30% of cannabis businesses are very concerned about Trump's presidency, according to a Marijuana Business Daily Poll. In particular, they're worried about the U.S. attorney general nomination of prohibitionist Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions (R).
In Slate, I wrote that the industry is cowardly, hypocritical and stupid for not fighting the Sessions nomination. Legalization activist and journalist Tom Angell tweeted that I'm " WAY off base" and then got into an interesting Twitter exchange with Bill Piper of Drug Policy Alliance, which is opposing the nomination.
The U.S. Senate extended the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment, which prohibits the federal government from interrupting state MED programs, until April 28. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R- Calif.) said he's confident that it will be extended again. He also wants it to be expanded to include state REC programs.
Rohrabacher and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) are forming a " cannabis caucus" in Congress. Congress also announced that it will perform a comprehensive review of the war on drugs in search of alternative policies in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, called for changes in U.S. drug policy, as he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize.
Mexico's Senate passed a MED bill, amid a new wave of drug violence.
Maine's REC recount has been suspended until the new year. With 30% of the votes counted, yes remains ahead. After Montana's MED vote, state laws need to be rewritten.
It also said other drug problems are more pressing.
In a report, the DEA said media attention is making it more difficult to prosecute marijuana offenders.
Ferrell Scott, sentenced to life without parole for possession and conspiracy to sell marijuana, was denied clemency by President Obama.
Charles "Eddy" Lepp, "a defiant 64-year-old Vietnam vet and ordained Rastafarian minister" was released after serving eight years in federal prison for growing.
A New York Times photojournalist documented dozens of homicide victims of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war. The Duterte administration defended its record to Reuters.
Big deal political thinker Ian Bremmer tweeted that Duterte wants to advise Trump on drug policy.
Leafly tells the stories of Sam Caldwell and Moses Baca, " drug war prisoners 1 & 2," in 1937. Both were apprehended in Denver. It also cites the work of a "48-year old drug felon and autodidactic cannabis historian who goes by the pen name "Uncle Mike," maintains a site at UncleMikesResearch.com.
Forbes has more on the science of athletes and MED.
The Pantone Color Institute, picked Greenery as the color of 2017.
The AP visits Malana, India, a Himalayan village that depends on cannabis. Uruguay will host a cannabis museum.
A bestseller in Germany and the U.K. says the Nazis ingested huge amounts of meth, and that Hitler was an opiate addict. "Blitzed," will be published here in April.
They opposed REC sales in Arizona.
Several former executives of Insys Therapeutics, which sells the powerful opiate fentanyl, were arrested accused of " bribing doctors, defrauding insurance companies, and fueling America's opioid addiction crisis." Insys contributed to successfully defeat Arizona's November REC vote.
GW Pharmaceuticals reported some "pretty grim" quarterly numbers, but it could benefit from its anti-epilepsy experimental drug Epidolex which is in late stage clinical trials.
Bloomberg suggests there's a Canadian pot-stock bubble.
Legalization in more states could depress California's export market. And in another interesting piece by Madison Margolin, California's "extract artisans" now have some legal protections from meth-lab laws.
Home grow system Leaf raised $2M.
Celebrity-branded weed costs about 24% more than unbranded. Forbes asks if the trend has gone too far.
Commercial landlords in northern California prepare for legalization.
Quartz profiles marketing company Octavia Wellness which throws pot parties for seniors. The art world is joining efforts to re-brand cannabis.
The Denver Post's Cannabist won most influential media source at the cannabis business awards.
A new study in Pharmacological Research, by Czech and Italian researchers, found that pot is an aphrodisiac. Read the study here.
Another study found that marijuana use may damage eyesight.
New York state wants patients to be able to access MED in hospitals. A study found that cannabis users have lower in-hospital mortality rates.
In an effort to reduce opioid use, Oregon wants opioid patients monitored for marijuana use. The health agency view on marijuana vis a vis opioid use is unclear.
The world's first clinical trial to test MED for chemotherapy patients is beginning in Australia.
A device developed by Israeli start-up distributes " nano-droplets" of CBD as a nutraceutical to relieve inflammation and pain is on sale in the U.S. KKTV looked at the cannabis research happening at Colorado State-Pueblo.
The U.S. is lagging Israel and other countries in cannabis research.
The Washington [state]CannaBusiness Association is starting a fund to support MED access for the needy.
The nominee doesn't seem to care much about the environment either.
In particular, Pruitt joined Nebraska in suing Colorado over the state's REC industry. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case.
Trump's pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, retired Marine General John F. Kelly, opposes legalization saying that it increases health care costs and crime, and that the state experiments with it open the U.S. to accusations of hypocrisy from Latin American nations. Kelly is open to the plant having medical benefits.
Meanwhile veterans' group American Legion, pushed the administration to loosen cannabis laws. " I think they were a little caught off guard and didn't expect such a progressive statement from such a traditional and conservative organization," a senior Legion official told Marijuana.com.
It also emerged that Jim O'Neill, a Silicon Valley investor who Marijuana.com describes as a " Marijuana legalization activist," could be tapped to lead the Food and Drug Administration. O'Neill is neither a doctor or scientist, typical credentials for the position. For more see here.
Marijuana entrepreneurs want Trump to see them as " job creators," Forbes reports.
The New York Observer, which is owned by Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, called for rescheduling.
In an effort to protect marijuana laws under the Trump administration, Colorado is cracking down on home growers. The state is poised to surpass 3,000 licensed businesses next year.
What attorney general nominee Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) means for state-legal pot business remains the big green question. In an in-depth piece, Politico says Sessions could easily " ignore the will of millions of pro-pot voters" and crack down. Time lists seven reasons Trump is unlikely to go after the industry.
The Sessions hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 10 and 11.
Pro-cannabis group Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is petitioning the Justice Department to correct what ASA says is incorrect or misleading information about cannabis on the DEA web site. ASA is represented pro-bono by the major San Francisco law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe.
Canadian producer Cronos Group will work with First Nations groups in Canada to help them join the cannabis economy.
An upcoming March ballot measure for regulating the industry in Los Angeles raises many questions.
A Democratic state Senator in Texas introduced a "longshot" MED bill. Virginia Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr. (R), asked for a study of how the state's cannabis laws might be changed.Tennessee could also be in play.
Oregon took emergency steps to lower the testing burden on growers, but the industry is skeptical.
REC opponents in Maine were accused of not providing enough volunteers for a recount of the recent vote. A judge ruled that following the recent vote, MED dispensaries in Montana can reopen immediately.
Maryland named 102 pre-approved dispensary license winners. In New York, licensees are worried about competition in the relatively small market.
Guam is implementing a MED program. Dusseldorf, Germany is on the path to legalization.
Singapore executed Chijioke Stephen Obioha by hanging. A Nigerian national and football player, Obioha was found with 2.5 kg (5.5 pounds) of marijuana in 2007. According to Singapore law, anyone with more than 500 g is presumed to be trafficking.
Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, known as "The Punisher" for his advocacy of vigilante murders,threatened his human rights activist critics.
A Florida county sheriff's office may have trained drug sniffing dogs with material other than drugs, according to ProPublica. Another ProPublica report led Portland, Ore. to change its policy for the drug tests used in many arrests.
The U.S. Supreme Court won't take up the case of a Native American church in Hawaii that wants to be exempt for marijuana laws.
A college student who had $11,000 confiscated at the Cincinnati airport after his checked bag smelled of pot, challenged the forfeiture and got his money back.
Seantrel Henderson, a Buffalo Bills offensive lineman, may sue the NFL over his second cannabis suspension of the season. Henderson's Crohn's disease forced him to have two and a half feet of his colon removed.
The Bay Area has the country's highest concentration of cannabis users in the country.
A survey found that cannabis is attracting an increasingly upscale clientele.
Anita Thompson, widow of Hunter S. Thompson, wants to market the gonzo journalist's personal cannabis strains. Skepticism abounds.
The founder of Healing Church, a Catholicism-inflected pot "ministry" in Rhode Island, is involved in abizarre legal situation. If I'm reading this correctly, Anne Armstrong had a vision of cannabis leaves on a six-foot replica of the Virgin of Guadeloupe – an image said to have appeared on a Mexican peasant's poncho in 1531. Armstrong later obtained and then lost custody of the replica. She also faces a possession charge.
The Stranger put together a cannabis gift guide. It includes weed filled advent calendars and Christmas ornaments. The piece also cites scripture to prove Jesus was a stoner.
Country music legend Loretta Lynn smoked pot for the first time at 84, for her glaucoma. She didn't like it, but defended Willie Nelson and the right to do it.
A woman in Greensboro, N.C., was "shocked," in a bad way, when someone mistakenly mailed her four pounds of weed.


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EC Tells US To Sort Out Safe Harbour Deal
All Tech News > Cloud > Cloud Management > EC Tells US To Sort Out Safe Harbour Deal
Tom Jowitt, November 6, 2015, 4:13 pm
CloudCloud ManagementData StorageDataBaseRegulationSecuritySecurity ManagementSurveillance-IT
'Over to you', as European Commission tells the US to sort out the Safe Harbour data sharing agreement
The European Commission (EC) has effectively told the United States the ball is in their court regarding the future progress of the Safe Harbour data agreement.
It comes after the Commission issued its own Safe Harbour guidelines and demanded the "swift establishment of a new framework" from the United States.
"We need an agreement with our US partners in the next three months," said Andrus Ansip, the man in charge of the Digital Single Market, in a clear indication that the onus is now on United States officials.
"The Commission has been asked to take swift action: this is what we are doing," he said. "Today we provide clear guidelines and we commit to a clear timeframe to conclude current negotiations."
EC Guidelines
And the EC made clear that the United States has to incorporate the Court's decision into any Safe Habour 2.0 agreement.
"Citizens need robust safeguards to ensure their fundamental rights are protected. And businesses need clarity during this transition period," said Commissioner Vera Jourová.
"Our aim today is to explain under which conditions businesses can lawfully transfer data in this interim period," Jourová. "I have stepped up talks with the US towards a renewed and sound framework for transatlantic data flows and will continue these discussions in Washington next week. Any new arrangement has to meet the requirements of the Court ruling."
The EC guidelines comes after last month's ruling from the European Union Court of Justice (CJEU) that the current Safe Harbour data-sharing agreement between the United States and Europe, that has been in existence for 15 years, was invalid.
That decision alarmed thousands of businesses including Google and Facebook as they transfer data between the US and Europe. Even more alarming for them is these firms potentially face legal action beginning at the end of January 2016 over the matter.
The British data protection watchdog (the ICO) has sought reassure British firms in the interim, and now the EC has published its own guidelines for firms, but it has effectively warned that the current Safe Harbour deal is dead and buried, and should not be used.
"Following the Court ruling the Commission has stepped up negotiations with the US on a renewed and safe framework on transfer of personal data," said the EC. "The objective of the Commission is to conclude these discussions within three months."
"In the meantime, companies need to comply with the ruling and rely on alternative transfer tools where available," it said.
American Responsibility
Not Legal
The Commission also warned that that the current Safe Harbour arrangement can no longer serve as a legal basis for transfers of personal data to the US in light of the ability of the US intelligence services to gain access to transferred personal data, as revealed by the NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.
The current Safe Harbour arrangement has been in place since 2000, and effectively allows American companies to certify that they followed EU privacy rules.
But last month's court ruling means that major US companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon, will need to rework their data-sharing practices in order to maintain compliance with the law.
And European data regulators have also confirmed that those transfers can no longer legally be carried out under the current Safe Harbour rules.
The EU and the US have been in negotiations for the past two years over a new agreement to replace Safe Harbour that would better protect data transferred to the US.
In May it was revealed those negotiations were very close to completion. Those talks now have fresh urgency.
Following the NSA spying revelations. Where do you store your data?
'Study From Facebook' App To Pay Users For Their Data
Hackers Steal Traveller Data From US Customs And Border Protection
Mozilla Readies Firefox Premium – Report


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Australian uni sector high-quality, stable and diverse: regulator
Australia's reputation for education quality is key to our success at attracting international students, the higher education regulator has confirmed.
This year's statistics update from the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency also finds university revenue streams are diverse — with nearly 80 per cent of revenue from sources other than international students.
Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said the success of Australia's international education sector was the result of decades of diligent nurturing.
"International education is an inspiring success story for Australia — one that has been tended carefully and strategically over the past 60 years," Ms Jackson said.
"International students are some of the world's best and brightest talent. And they are choosing — in rising numbers, out of all the options before them — to study in Australia."
"That is a major endorsement for Australia's high-quality universities."
"International students contribute not only to the Australian economy, but also to the insights and perspective that Australian students acquire in internationalised classes."
"The personal friendships they forge during these years also enhance Australia's trade, diplomacy and national security interests in the decades ahead."
The Statistics Report on Registered Higher Education Providers 2018 shows Government investment continues to be the bedrock of public university finances.
But our universities are alarmed that the $2.1 billion in cuts to federal Government funding inflicted last December will bite harder in university budgets from 2018 onwards.
"For each year it is in place, this funding freeze will bite even deeper into university budgets," Ms Jackson said.
"University funding cuts weaken our country's future with a potential double whammy. Not only do they erode the number of funded university places for Australian students, but they also risk eroding the quality that attracts our international students."
"It's time to end this uni funding freeze and reinvest in a smart and successful future for Australia."


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Current (https://current.org/2015/07/maria-retires-from-sesame-street-matt-martinez-leaves-npr-and-other-comings-and-goings-in-public-media/)
'Maria' retires from 'Sesame Street,' Matt Martinez leaves NPR and other comings and goings in public media
Dru Sefton, Senior Editor | July 14, 2015
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Sonia Manzano played Maria on Sesame Street. (Photo: Richard Termine)
Sonia Manzano, known to generations of young Sesame Street fans as Maria, announced her retirement July 2.
The actress, 65, has played the role for 44 years, according to a tribute on Sesame Workshop's Facebook page, which added, "She will always be a part of the fabric of our neighborhood." Her character owned the Fix-It Shop with her husband Luis.
Manzano is widely credited with being the first leading Latina on television. She also earned 15 Emmy awards as a member of Sesame Street's writing team.
"We'll always be grateful for her many years on Sesame Street as a champion of diversity and helping millions of kids grow up smarter, stronger and kinder," the Workshop said.
Manzano also has written two upcoming books: a memoir, Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx, coming in September and a Christmas picture book, Miracle on 133rd Street, later this fall.
Matt Martinez, senior producer for NPR programming, is the new director of content at KPLU and Jazz 24 in Tacoma, Wash.
He starts work Aug. 3.
Martinez will manage both on-air and online programming and production departments, with the news director, music director, online managing editor and production manager reporting to him.
His work at NPR since arriving in 2000 includes helping to launch the pilot and podcast Invisibilia and the multiplatform Bryant Park Project. He also ran the weekend version of All Things Considered.
Martinez began his career at public radio station KNAU-FM in Flagstaff, Ariz., as a weekend host.
John Kiesewetter, an entertainment industry columnist for the Cincinnati Enquirer for more than 30 years, has joined Cincinnati Public Radio to report on media. He'll also write a blog for the station, John Kiesewetter: Media Beat, on WXVU.org.
Longtime KHUM Program Director Mike Dronkers is leaving the Humboldt County, Calif., station Friday after 18 years. In addition to programming duties, he was also the music director and hosted the midday shift on the eclectic, community-based freeform station. In an announcement, Dronkers said he plans to work with local NPR member station KHSU.
Lisa Desjardins is the new political director at PBS NewsHour. She joined the weeknight program in October 2014 as politics reporter and editor and regularly reports from the U.S. Capitol. The program also promoted several other staffers. P.J. Tobia and Frank Carlson rise to producers. Tobia joined NewsHour in 2011 as a reporter and also hosts its latest podcast, Shortwave, and Carlson joined in 2009 as a desk assistant, most recently working as a reporter/producer covering the arts. Alexis Cox moves up to segment unit producer from her previous post of segment reporter/producer; she's been with the program since 2000. And Corinne Segal is now a reporter/producer on the arts team; she's been with the program since last summer as editor of "NewsHour Extra," the show's educational resource outreach for teachers.
Dailey
Austin singing actress Mela Dailey is hosting the new hourlong series Icons of Broadway Saturdays at noon on KMFA Classical 89.5 in Austin, Texas. The program celebrates artists associated with Broadway and features Dailey and other local artists performing classic songs in KMFA's studio. "KMFA has played great orchestral Broadway music for many years in its daily programming," said KMFA President Ann Hume Wilson in the announcement. "So the idea of a Broadway show is a natural extension of that, and something our listeners have been asking for."
Detroit Public Television has hired Ken Banach as its chief financial officer. He will serve as a member of the executive management team responsible for revenue development, risk management, budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis. Banach has worked nearly 30 years in the financial industry, most recently as c.f.o. of James Group International, where he oversaw six operating units. He replaces John Wenzel, who retired after 15 years.
Stephen George is stepping into the new position of executive editor at Louisville Public Media in Kentucky. George will direct content across all platforms beginning Aug. 3, as well as set the news agenda and plan and oversee editorial strategies and production. He is currently news editor at the local publication Insider Louisville and previously edited the Nashville City Paper.
Mark Edwards is the new music director at Classical KDFC in San Francisco and sister station Classical KUSC in Los Angeles. Edwards has more than 30 years of radio experience, most recently as music director and morning host at Kansas Public Radio in Lawrence. He also worked as program director at WCRB in Boston prior to its switch to public radio.
PBS Hawaii has hired Heather Arias de Cordoba to direct communications. She is responsible for communications online, in print, on air and radio, as well as community outreach and promotional marketing materials. Arias de Cordoba joins the Honolulu station from Locations, the state's largest locally owned real estate brokerage, where she was director of marketing.
Zuckerman
Stu Zuckerman, who spent 17 years in public broadcasting sales and marketing, has announced his retirement. Zuckerman most recently worked for KCET in Los Angeles, where he secured national sponsors including Shell and Charles Schwab for the BBC World News, which KCET distributes to public TV stations nationwide. Previously he spent 10 years as sales and marketing v.p. for Nightly Business Report. He started work in pubcasting in 1998, directing national corporate sponsorship for the PBS Sponsorship Group at WNET. "Public TV has been a rewarding chapter of my professional life," Zuckerman told Current.
Send People items to sefton@current.org
Trina Cutter to retire from PBS Western Reserve
"I am rewiring more than retiring," said Cutter, who plans to relocate to North Carolina.