In the world of mystery writing, amateur detectives come in all shapes, sizes, skills, pedigrees and even species. They go to bed with us at night, keep us company as we wait for the kids in the carpool, and distract us from the fellow on the cell phone spewing his business to one and all in the airport lounge.
But why do we love them?
The amateur detective is an ordinary person thrust into extraordinary circumstances. They are the everyman or everywoman, both approachable and brave. In short, we can see ourselves as being like them. Through them, we envision ourselves having the courage to step forward and assertively take charge. We too can become the hero.
Also there is, in many of us, a streak of the wild. Amateur detectives are, by nature, rule breakers. They have to be; they don't have a badge or forensic experts to fall back on. They solve cases with brains vs. brawn. They have to be logical, smart, and even sneaky. They may have to steal, snoop, lie, or at least misdirect.
As a writer and reader of mysteries, I am always looking for the detective's motivation. Why take on murderers and thieves? Why step into the path of danger? Especially if you're not getting paid to do it. Is the amateur detective just plain nosy or does he or she have skin in the game?
Simply being curious or meddlesome isn't enough to carry a good book. Here are some reasons why our favorite sleuths chase that bad guy down that dark alley: 1) It's in their nature; they have a need to know or they have a need to save. Perhaps something or someone is threatening their town, a friend, or their family; 2) Guilt or they feel responsible; 3) People ask them for help; 4) It's personal. They have to prove they didn't do it in cases where the protagonist is the logical suspect or that an accused loved one is innocent; or 5) They seek revenge. They have to find out who killed or harmed a loved one.
In my mystery series, yoga teacher Maya Skye has a background of social consciousness, which gives her a savior mentality and a reason for always wanting to come to the aid of those in trouble. People ask for her help because they sense that she doesn't look away. She will step into that dark alley to answer a call for help.
Let's look at some other amateur detectives, why they do what they do, and what keeps us reading about them. Don't hesitate to add these to your reading lists.
Don't mess with my people: Like Maya, these sleuths feel responsible for their community, their neighbors, their family. They have a strong sense of justice.
Smilla Jaspersen: You can practically feel the biting Copenhagen winter in Peter Høeg's Smilla's Sense of Snow. Smilla, a former scientist and current brooding loner, investigates the death of her six-year-old neighbor Isaiah. While the police think the boy fell off a roof, the footprints in the snow tell Smilla a different story.
Beacon Hill couple Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn: Charlotte MacLeod's humorous and literate-yet-light style gives us likable protagonists and an eccentric cast of secondary characters.
Egyptologist Amelia Peabody: This creation of Elizabeth Peters (Barbara Mertz) finds love and murder in archeology while protecting her family and the world's treasures amid the sand dunes.
Gotta figure it out: Estelle Ryan's Dr. Genevieve Lenard is an autistic art investigator who can't stand to leave a puzzle unsolved (really, she can't function until the mystery is solved).
On a mission for a higher power: The Blues Brothers were amateur sleuths "on a mission for God" to find out who robbed their old orphanage. G.M. Malliet's Father Max Tudor, an MI5 agent turned Anglican priest, often seeks spiritual help in his investigations. In one case, God, in the guise of the bishop, sends him to a monastery to find out what the heck is going on.
Mystery magnets: I put Jessica Fletcher of Murder, She Wrote in this category. Her small town of Cabot Cove, Maine, has a murder rate 86 times that of the most murderous city in the real-world world. Comedians joke that you never want to be on a plane with Jessica; where she goes, murder follows.
Sweet, old, and not to be dismissed: Miss Jane Marple by Agatha Christie is the most famous sleuth of this caliber. Seemingly a fluffy old spinster, her mind is as sharp as her knitting needles, and having lived in small towns her whole life, nothing about human nature ever surprises her. She appeared in 12 Christie novels and 20 short stories.
Precocious children: These kid sleuths are smarter than the average adult.
Nancy Drew: The books about Nancy Drew, teenage sleuth, first appeared in 1930. They are ghostwritten by a number of authors and published under the collective pseudonym Carolyn Keene. One of my favorite descriptions of the endearing and highly skilled Nancy is: She could dance like Ginger Rogers and administer first aid like the Mayo brothers.
Flavia de Luce: Alan Bradley's 12-year-old aspiring chemist has a passion for poison and solving the crimes that seem to baffle the local constabulary.
That darn cat: Rita Mae Brown and feline co-author, Sneaky Pie Brown, pen the Mrs. Murphy series. Mrs. Murphy, the tiger cat, and Tucker, the intrepid corgi, have their paws full saving the humans in their lives.
This list is just the tip of the iceberg. Who are some of your favorite amateur detectives? And why do you like them? Drop a note in the comments.
I am a birdwatcher. Not the kind who can't go out without my binoculars, but the kind who feeds hummingbirds and notices when a sharp-shinned hawk is building her nest in the woods behind my house. I also watch the EagleCam maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
One winter two events came together: my obsessive EagleCam watching and the wait for my first grandchild. My daughter and her husband were nervous and afraid they really wouldn't know how to do this whole parenting thing.
And a short story was born. In "Rutherford Speaks," a young Saint Paul, MN, couple await their first child and learn about parenting from the eagles on the EagleCam. It was selected for inclusion in the Saint Paul Almanac Volume 11: On a Collected Path. I am honored. This is my fourth time to be part of this collection, which is a collaborative community publishing project.
One of the things I love about being a writer is when two disparate ideas come together to form a lovely whole.
Sally Hawkins as Maud Lewis.
If you think you've got it bad, get over yourself and go to Maudie, a quiet yet moving film about Canada's most famous folk artist.
Sally Hawkins is incredible as the irrepressible, smart, yet fragile Maud Lewis. Ethan Hawke admirably plays her fish seller husband, the irascible and stoic Everett. It is a story of a woman who can't help but paint and a man who, in the end, can't help but fall in love with her. She is sunshine to his perpetual gloom. She is ready to laugh at life, when he can do nothing but growl at it. As Maud says in the movie, they are a pair of mismatched socks.
I have long admired the story of Maud Lewis of Nova Scotia, a woman who let nothing diminish her spirit—not disease (polio as a child left her handicapped and arthritis eventually made her fingers curl so she couldn't hold a paintbrush), not a family who made her feel defective, and not a hardscrabble existence living in a 10 x 12 foot fisherman's shack.
Instead of whining, though, Maud painted the walls, steps, door, even the window of her tiny, dour house with brightly colored flowers, animals, butterflies, and birds. She insisted that all the inspiration she needed was right outside her window. And, eventually, the world came to her door to buy her paintings.
Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke in Maudie.
My novel, Maud's House, is certainly not a biography of Maud Lewis. However, her life and personality were the inspiration for my Maud Calhoun, who goes from child prodigy granted the freedom to draw on the walls to blocked artist in a small Vermont town. My Maud is lost, and her story is one of lost-and-found creativity. I don't think, that even in her worse times, Maud Lewis was ever truly lost. Her work is filled with too much joy, her spirit too indomitable. How did she do it?
That was the question I kept asking myself as I wrote Maud's House and learned more of Maud Lewis's extraordinary story: what drives a person to create—no matter what? I came to the conclusion that we are all artists, and we pursue our art in many ways—in our gardens, in the food we make, in the songs we sing, in the pictures we paint and the books we write, in the relationships we nurture, in the kindnesses we scatter on our journey.
That's why, when a reader asks me to inscribe a copy of Maud's House, I write one sentence: Discover the artist in you.
If there is an inscription fitting for Maud Lewis's life, it would be: See beauty in the world—no matter what.
Maud's House is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other retail outlets. If it is not available in your local bookstore or library, please ask for it.
You can see Maud Lewis's house and some of her paintings at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
Long ago in a land faraway a humble physician named Patanjali codified his thoughts and knowledge of yoga in The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali. This is a guide for living the right life. It is also a guide to right writing.
You don't believe in all this yoga stuff? Fine. But I have found that yoga not only opens the body but the mind as well. It expands our possibilities, which is good news for anyone facing the blank page.
I write about yoga all the time, indirectly, in my mystery series: Down Dog Diary and Warrior's Revenge. In these unusual whodunits, yoga teacher Maya Skye sometimes seeks answers in meditation and her yoga practice. Just as Sherlock Holmes had his violin; Maya has her yoga mat.
Patanjali's 195 guidelines to enlightenment are considered the fundamental text on the system of yoga, so what do they have to do with writing?
Nonviolence (ahimsa). This principle says do no harm to any creature in thought or deed. This is a tough one, especially in the fractious times in which we live. It is so easy with social media to cast judgments, to seek similar views, to fall in with the same crowd—and stop listening. But think about what would happen if you practiced ahimsa in your writing — writing that keeps an open mind elevates the conversation for us all.
Truth and honesty (satya). Ernest Hemingway once said, "All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know." Don't recirculate false stories or misinformation in your work. Whether you're writing the next great American novel or a community newsletter, truth is important. Truthfulness touches our very nature and resonates in our soul.
Nonstealing (asteya). My writing mentor gave me this advice: "No one else can write your story." And it's true. There are a finite number of stories in this universe, but an infinite number of ways to tell them. Still, when I consider asteya, I realize that my stories don't belong to me. They belong to my readers because, without them, my writing doesn't come to life.
Abstention (brahmacharya). The writer who practices brahmacharya avoids listening to that little ego jumping up and down, shouting me-me-me. "Brahman literally means the vastness," according to Yoga Sutra scholar Ravi Ravindra. Writing that dwells in vastness is not small or petty.
Nonpossessiveness (aparigraha). Free yourself from greed, hoarding, and collecting. Writers hoard ideas and truth; they throw up walls against criticism; they take sides. This inability to share leads to hard feelings in critique groups and cardboard characters on the page. When we don't clutch so fiercely to our ideas, we have room to acknowledge the perspectives of others, which will always make our writing — and our lives — richer.
I love aparigraha for another reason: it helps us let go. The writer in us gets our snapping turtle jaws around an idea and holds on so tightly. But with aparigraha or nonpossessiveness, we learn to let go of those stories we've spent years on but still aren't working. We can let go of bad reviews and harsh criticism. We can let go of our "darlings," those sentences we love beyond measure but lay so heavy they drag down the entire page. We can move on. And who knows what wonderful story is around the bend?
I admit I am nowhere near bringing all of Patanjali's teachings into my writing. But every day, I try. Because this edgy world that we live in could use a little less anger and more love, a little less conflict and more peace, a little less me and more us.
A book has only seconds to capture your attention, and its attention-getter is the cover.
As an author entrepreneur, a professional book designer, and an independent publisher, I'm always looking at covers. Some catch my eye, but many more make me wince.
So let's look at five steps to creating a great cover.
Step 1: Hire professionals to help you find or create good art that relates to your book and your genre.
I design covers for nonfiction, but not fiction. So when I was working on my mystery novels, I knew I needed help.
In my books, a yoga teacher solves mysteries. For the latest in the Maya Skye series, Warrior's Revenge, I bought the work of two professional photographers: Cathleen Tarawhiti of New Zealand and Greg Nimbs of North Carolina.
If you are looking for atmospheric and beautiful, Cathleen is a wizard. She introduced me to the model Monique Wanner, who became Maya Skye in the first book in the series, Down Dog Diary, and returned in Warrior's Revenge. See more of Cathleen's work here.
Greg's photo of a church in Murphy, NC, caught my eye the first time I saw it on Pinterest and stayed with me the whole time I was writing Warrior's Revenge. I just knew the church in Greg's photo was the Chapel of the Forgiving Heart in my story. Check out Greg's work here.
Note: Do not use clipart on your cover. Invest in quality art from a stock library or the library of a good photographer.
So You Have Good Visuals, Now What?
Step 2: Tell a story, not write a ransom note.
The sure sign of an unprofessional book cover is a bucket of images plastered on top of each other—with no finesse.
For finesse, I turned to digital artist Katt Amaral Quinonez. Take a peek at her work here and see why I chose her. I wanted a mystical and mysterious quality for Warrior's Revenge, but not too dark and forbidding. Katt nailed.
She took the photographs by Cathleen and Greg and blended them into one coherent image that had a beautifully illustrative quality.
Take a look at the lovely Monique in the flesh and how she evolved under Katt's artful hand into my Maya.
Note: When it comes to fonts, once again, avoid the ransom note. Use no more than two fonts on your cover.
But Will It Play as a Postage Stamp?
Step 3: Make sure your cover is readable in all sizes.
Your cover has to be intriguing—from the shelf of your local bookstore to the thumbnails displayed in online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.
Make sure the title is big and your name is big. Avoid fonts that are difficult to read (no matter how cool they look on the screen).
Step 4: Plan your back cover real estate.
Subject category at the top. This standardized heading helps bookstores shelf your book appropriately. Find a complete list of publishing categories at Book Industry Study Group.
Summary of your book: Tell what your book is about in 100-200 words. Remember you are selling, not writing a synopsis.
About the author. Offer a brief bio with photo. Be sure to note where you are from. Local reviewers will look for that connection right away.
Website URL so readers can find out more about you and your books.
Barcode and ISBN to make the stores happy.
Step 5: Create a thing of marketing beauty by working with professionals.
As the chair of the Midwest Book Awards, I want to see covers that wow the judges (who are themselves cover designers). From the evaluations of last year's cover entries, we can glean the basics of good cover design.
Make it inviting, striking, and beautifully done. Those were some of the adjectives the judges used to describe the finalists in the book awards. Quality book covers stand out from the crowd.
Deliver on its promise. A cover is the beginning of a contract with the reader. It makes a promise of what is going to be inside. Does a cover promise fun, thrills and chills, or romance? A pink, fluffy cover with kittens on it will not sell a dark thriller.
Keep it balanced and integrated. The cover makes the reader feel comfortable (another part of that invisible contract) by integrating all the visual elements and balancing the images with the fonts.
Here's one more tip (or rather 10 of them) from the experts at Writer's Digest: 10 Tips for Effective Book Covers.
When you think about it, book covers have a heavy job. They have a function—to market the book—but the best ones are also works of art.
Unlike O. Henry, most of us are not short story factories.
We stare at blank screens and wonder if our writing lives are over. What if we never get another fresh idea? What if that last essay or story or novel was it?
Let's look at how O. Henry defeated the blank page.
Once while dining with friends at a restaurant, O. Henry was asked by a reporter how he came up with all the plots for his hundreds of short stories. "There are stories in everything," O. Henry said.
Sometimes when I am stuck, I play a game inspired by O.Henry. I call it the "Connection Game"—seizing on something commonplace and letting the mind make connections. Here's how it works: choose the first three words that pop into your head and then let your writer mind begin weaving them into a story. Don't try to write a story. Just let the mind start making connections, pulling in things you have experienced, heard, or read. Trust it.
In one of my games, the words were: rabbit, spoon, and penny. What came when I sat down to type was just a vignette of a homeless man, a war veteran, who was camped in a woods and roasting a rabbit on a spit. In his shirt pocket was a silver spoon. He used the spoon for self-defense but also to dig out the pennies tucked into the crevasses of brick walls.
What did he do with the pennies? Eat them. Because everyone knows we stash pennies in cracks and throw them in fountains to bring us luck. Rabbit Man figured he was eating the good wishes of others when he ate the pennies.
This scene eventually became part of my novel, Book of Mercy. Runaway Ryder hooks up with Rabbit Man for the night and is changed forever.
If you are mired in self-doubt and eating procrastination like chocolate, remember that it happens to all of us. Even O. Henry alternated "between procrastination and fits of feverish industry," according to Harry Hansen in the foreword of The Complete Works of O. Henry.
All you have to do is stay in the game, perhaps by playing the Connection Game. As O. Henry inferred from his comment to the reporter, stories and storytelling are about connections, and connections are all around us.
Freebie: One of my favorite mystery series is all about connections. Author Estelle Ryan's autistic art fraud investigator, Dr. Genevieve Lenard, helps solve crimes by making connections. The first book in the series, The Gauguin Connection, is free in eBook.
Books waiting to be shipped to judges in the Midwest Book Awards.
As chair of the Midwest Book Awards, I have discovered one can survive running a book awards program. It takes an immense amount of time, planning that would put most military strategists to shame, lots of contacts and friends with contacts, a patient and generous family, and a warm coat.
The Midwest Book Awards have been sponsored for 26 years by the Midwest Independent Publishing Association (MIPA). This is an organization that has dedicated more than a quarter of a century to raising the level of book publishing in the Midwest.
We still have a way to go, as I learned last year when AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs) held its conference in Minneapolis. I can't tell you how many times I heard writers claim they were surprised by how much literature is being produced here; they considered us a "flyover" between the big publishers in the East and the trendy ones on the West Coast.
Well, fly this: This year the book awards received 198 titles entered in 305 categories. At this very moment they are being judged by 58 independent judges all over the country. All of the books are from publishers located in MIPA's 12-state region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
My job is a simple one: find the judges, promote the awards, handle the entries and entry fees, keep on the good side of all delivery people, deliver the entries to the judges and field their questions, tally the results, send out the good and bad news, throw a big party in May to honor the winners and finalists, and do not, under any circumstances, screw up my Excel spreadsheet that has all these details meticulously recorded.
Is Entering a Book Awards Program Worth It?
Entering award programs are important for authors and publishers. I'm not saying awards will sell a million books, but they have value. It is a way to get feedback on your work. All the entries in the Midwest Book Awards (not just finalists and winners) receive copies of the judges' scoring sheets with their comments. This is part of MIPA's mission—to help educate publishers and authors about best practices so they can produce better books.
From a promotion standpoint, finalists and winners can send out press releases, announce their glory on their websites, add this honor to their portfolio, and purchase gold (for winner) and silver (for finalist) seals to decorate the covers of their books. One winning author called me while on a book tour: "Please send me more gold seals. The readers and buyers love them." I mailed a fresh supply to her hotel.
When publishers ask me about entering book awards, I say go for it with one caveat: Spend your time and money on the good ones. Not all award programs are the same in terms of prestige and return on investment. For example, if an award requires you to send just one book, that means there is only one judge in your category. What if that judge is having a bad day when she reads your book or your writing style just isn't her cup of tea despite your memorable characters and clever plot. The Midwest Book Awards has three judges for each category; that's three opinions to balance out the bad day and three times the feedback.
Is Coordinating a Book Award Program Worth It?
As for me, has it been valuable to coordinate this program? Think about what I've learned (about Excel alone), the books I've seen, the people I've met. When those judges open their boxes of books, it is like Christmas morning. They are excited and grateful and proud to be part of this grand adventure. One judge told me she is learning about ways to improve her own writing skills by evaluating scenes and pacing in the work of others. Some judges have asked to judge this competition year after year, and their only recompense is our undying gratitude, free books, and tickets to the awards gala.
The awards gala will be truly special. I know because I've emceed the last two galas. The books of all the finalists will be displayed for everyone to thumb through and to generate buzz before the ceremony. The authors and publishers will be giddy, cheering for their favorites, and taking pictures of everyone with their cell phones. The wine will flow and the appetizers will disappear.
But what about the generosity of family and that puffy parka? You need family to help you with the logistics of an awards program sponsored by a volunteer organization; someone has to box and deliver hundreds of books of varying sizes and weights.
The parka is a personal preference. When I was sorting and moving books on a daily basis, I was doing it in my three-season porch, the only space available in my home to store that many books. It was December in Minnesota, and some days it was not much more than six degrees on my porch. So, yes, a good coat is the book awards chair's best friend.
Book Club #2: What Is Harry Potter Without Hogwarts?
Any of Erin Hart's mysteries set in Ireland. She's a Minnesota writer with dark peat dirt under her fingernails. She writes about the mysteries (both human and relic) preserved in the peat bogs of Ireland and the dark secrets of those who live near the bogs. Check out her latest, The Book of Killowen.
The Alaska-cooled mysteries of Dana Stabenow. Her main character, Kate Shugak, who is an Aleut and born in the Park, draws you in like a warm fire on a blizzardly night. She understands this place, this life, and through her, so do you.
Hogwarts will forever be in our blood, thanks to the writing of J.K. Rowling. And the movies don't harm the ambiance either. What's your favorite scene at Hogwarts? Mine is anything set in the dining hall, especially hundreds of candles floating in the air. What better way to set the scene for a magical story?
Three Pines. If you are a fan of mystery writer Louise Penny, that's all I need to say. When reading remarks about this tiny Canadian village with the big body count, I am amazed at the number of readers who say, "I want to live in Three Pines." Penny's irresistible Inspector Armand Gamache is a cross between a Canadian Mountie, Dr. McDreamy, and your ever patient and wise Uncle Somebody.
What settings in books do you get and like to go back to? Please leave a comment below.
As for my books? Maud's House is set in Vermont, where individualism runs rampant. Book of Mercy takes place in North Carolina, where I lived for nearly 20 years. And Down Dog Diary is a mystery set in Minnesota, where Maya Skye chases a killer through state parks and national monuments.
The Book Club Series is an informal chat about what we love about books, movies, and television shows. Join the discussion. I'd love to hear from you.
Eleven-year-old Flavia de Luce, amateur detective and ardent chemist, is the precocious star of Alan Bradley's wonderful cozy mystery series set in 1950 in the English countryside. I'm currently making my way through the fifth book in the series, Speaking from Among the Bones. In this one, Flavia, who is inordinately interested in death and passionate about poisons, must solve the mystery of who killed the St. Tancred Church organist, Crispin Collicutt, right when everyone is gearing up to mark the five-hundredth anniversary of St. Tancred's death.
What is the appeal of Flavia or Roald Dahl's Matilda or Kay Thompson's Eloise? They are smart kids. Living in Minnesota, where Garrison Keillor tells us many of our offspring are "above average," we have an appreciation for early genius.
But another reason these fictional prodigies are so enjoyable to read about is that the authors let them run their worlds. How else are they to get into fixes, make adults look like idiots, and save the day with their flashes of innocence? For often their genius is tempered with a soft spot for puppies, the elderly, the downtrodden, or just some slow-minded adult in their path.
This is where grown ups remember that while Flavia is putting one adult on her mental poison list, she is lifting up another who has fallen. From precocious children, we recall that strength comes from tenderness as well as intellect. And if that's not worth a read, I don't know what is.
Please share: What precocious children have you come across in literature that you love and why? Leave a comment below.
One man has died for it.
Now it's Maya Skye's job to protect it.
Can a yoga teacher hunt a killer and still find inner peace?
Do you practice yoga? Don't you love Downward Facing Dog? This is a pose that turns you upside down and reenergizes you while also relaxing you. This is the first of Maya Skye's stories. Each one will have a yoga pose in the title.
About the cover: It was created by a group of talented artists in New Zealand: Kathey Amaral, Cathleen Tarawhiti, and Monique Wanner. Thanks, ladies. And I love the crow and the dripping blood.
Want to read an excerpt of Down Dog Diary?
Want to learn why I named her Maya?


As irresistible as adoptable kittens: the best cat condo for your shelter or boarding facility.
What makes these the best cat condo options when you're showcasing adoptable pets?
Animal control officers and shelter managers agree that the best cat house and condo material is stainless steel.


text:
Thunder Stifle Spurs In Final Shot Attempt To Hold On To 1 Point Win!
By Mr Pappagiorgio Mar 31, 2009, 10:20pm CDT
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Perhaps there is just something about the way that these two teams matchup that works out for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Its one thing to hold the Spurs to under 80 points and come back from a 17 point deficit at home in the Ford Center, but its quite another to go into San Antonio, on the road, in a hostile environment, and get a win. That's exactly what the Thunder were able to do tonight. Both teams shot incredibly well through the game and the Thunder finished with an impressive 49% shooting, and the Spurs weren't far behind, shooting 47% for the game. The terrific shooting was definitely what got the Thunder in the win column tonight.
The Thunder also lead most of the way on the boards, but the Spurs ended up finishing ahead in the rebounding department by just a couple of rebounds. For a while the Thunder looked as if they would run away with the win, and even had the hometown crowd boo'ing the Spurs for awhile before the Spurs mounted a comeback late in the third quarter. They also got a boost from the referees as Roger Mason took a 3 point shot at the buzzer and stuck out his leg to catch Kyle Weaver as he jumped past, contesting the shot. Weaver had the foul called on him, despite not even making contact, and Mason knocked down 3 shots at the line. That cut the lead to six points instead of 9, heading into the final quarter, and in my opinion gave the Spurs a huge boost down the stretch, but in the end the Thunder were able to hang on in that final minute to get the win.
If you wanna talk about great effort, all you had to do was watch the final 30 seconds of this game to see an incredible effort by the Thunder. Up by one point with about 20 seconds remaining Russell Westbrook drove the lane and dished the ball to Green for a layup that didn't go down and the Spurs got the ball for one final shot. They took possession with 14 seconds remaining, so they had plenty of time to set something up. The Spurs looked in Manu Ginobili's direction first, who was open for a jumpshot near the 3 point line, but Thabo Sefolosha disrupted what would have been a game winning shot attempt, so Ginobili took the dribble inside and attempted a leaping pass that Thabo swatted away. Ginobili ran toward the baseline to save the ball and made a quick pass to Duncan who passed the ball to Michael Finley who had to immediately take a shot as the buzzer went off. The ball clanked off the rim, and the Thunder got the win. This Thunder defense was all over the Spurs and in the end, they barely even got a shot up. When you go back and look at it, the Thunder looked like the seasoned veterans and the Spurs looked like a bunch of rookies who didn't know what to do in the final seconds. When the buzzer went off I threw my hands up in the air like we had just won a playoff game.
Its that type of intensity and effort that makes it impossible to dislike this team. Sure they have nothing to play for, and in the end, winning games worsens their lottery chances, but you can't tell any of these guys that winning games like this doesn't matter. After the game Kevin Durant commented that it was like a playoff atmosphere out there tonight, and I feel the same way. For this to feel like a playoff game and have this team respond the way they did, you have to be happy if you are a Thunder fan. It was the teams first road victory against a team with a .500 or better record. Nice to get that monkey off our backs finally.
Kevin Durant finished with 31 points to mark the first time he's crossed that 30 point barrier since coming back from his ankle injury. He added 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal as well. A trio of Thunder players tied for second on the team in scoring with 16 points, those players were Green, Westbrook, and Krstic. Westbrook also had 10 assists and just 2 turnovers tonight. That's the kind of performance that makes you think that maybe, just maybe, he can be the POINT GUARD of the future for this team. Perhaps the signing of a one Shaun Livingston was a motivating factor.
This was a big win for this team, and a huge confidence booster after the way they played last week against the Lakers, Raptors, and then in the 4th quarter against the Celtics in 3 consecutive losses. They'll return home on Friday night to take on the Blazers. Big Effort, Big Win, Exciting finish, what more could a Thunderfan ask for?
Oklahoma City Thunder 29 25 27 15 96
San Antonio Spurs 32 16 27 20 95

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Dried beans supply complex carbohydrates and are also a rich source of protein.
Beans are also an excellent source of dietary fiber, half of which is soluble fiber.
Beans are also an excellent source of folate (folic acid), with adzuki beans, black-eyed peas, lentils, and pinto beans the leading choices for this important B vitamin.
Most beans are also great sources of iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and thiamin.
The complex carbohydrates and fiber in beans pump up metabolism by keeping insulin levels low after eating. This is important because spikes in insulin production signal the body that it's time to store fat, at which time your metabolism slows down and you burn fewer calories.
Good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber.
Their high-fiber content helps keep blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making them beneficial for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia.
Source of the trace mineral, molybdenum, an integral component of the enzyme sulfite oxidase, which is responsible for detoxifying sulfites.


The study of the Oualidia lagoon aims to establish the state of knowledge of the environment of this ecosystem after the construction of an inner dam in 2011 and the ecological functioning of the lagoon. For that, several campaigns were carried out between February 2011 and October 2012 and were the subject of a seasonal monitoring for the collection of the main biotic and abiotic parameters of the environment of this ecosystem. During the construction of the inner dam on 2011, a hydrological variability was marked in summer by low oxygen levels and maximum temperature variation between the two tides. Since the completion of the construction of the inner dam, there has been a significant increase in nutrients, mainly nitrogenous elements, and an increase in turbidity caused by an improvement in hydrodynamics, which has particularly increased of the sandpit modified the morphology and moved on south, creating a new main channel structure in 2011. This hydrodynamic was manifested on the upstream area by a decrease of the sedimentary organic matter due to the trapping of fine sediments in the inner dam. At the immediate level of the upstream area (Slikkes and Schorres), the hydrodynamic is relatively low, which has reduced the sedimentation rate on the upstream of the lagoon. The Oualidia lagoon is situated in a littoral zone influenced by the enrichment in deep cold waters loaded with nutritive salts, which invade it during the high tide, and would be, consequently after construction of the inner dam, protected from any confinement of the ecosystem.


text:
class Auth0Controller < ApplicationController
  def callback
    if github_org_authorized?
      user = User.find_or_create_by(uid: request.env['omniauth.auth']['uid'])
      user.image = request.env['omniauth.auth']['info']['image']
      user.name  = request.env['omniauth.auth']['info']['name']
      user.email = request.env['omniauth.auth']['info']['email']
      user.save
      if github_mentor?
        user.roles << Role.find_by(name: "mentor")
      end

      session[:uid] = user.uid
      if user.is_mentor?
        redirect_to mentor_index_url
      else
        redirect_to root_url
      end
    else
      render plain: "You are not a member of the Devbootcamp Org on GitHub", status: 403
    end
  end

  def failure
    @error_msg = request.params['message']
    render plain: @error_msg.to_s
  end

  def github_org_authorized?
    conn = Faraday.new(:url => 'https://api.github.com') do |faraday|
      faraday.adapter  Faraday.default_adapter
    end

    token = "#{request.env['omniauth.auth']['extra']['raw_info']['identities'][0]['access_token']}"
    response = conn.get do |req|
      req.url "/orgs/devbootcamp/members/#{request.env['omniauth.auth']['info']['nickname']}"
      req.headers['Authorization'] = "token #{token}"
    end

    if response[:status] == "204 No Content"
      return true
    end
    # false
    # force return true to make dev-branch hosted at mentor-me-dev.herokuapp.com
    # accessible to any user with a GitHub profile
    true
  end

  def github_mentor?
    conn = Faraday.new(:url => 'https://api.github.com') do |faraday|
      faraday.adapter  Faraday.default_adapter
    end

    token = "#{request.env['omniauth.auth']['extra']['raw_info']['identities'][0]['access_token']}"
    response = conn.get do |req|
      req.url "/teams/1889928/memberships/#{request.env['omniauth.auth']['info']['nickname']}"
      req.headers['Authorization'] = "token #{token}"
    end

    response[:status] == "200 OK"
  end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


San Miguelito is located 50 miles northwest of the SJO Airport. 75 minutes.
Come and enjoy the experience of being emerged in the villages of the Costa Rican coast in the hills of the Center Pacific coast of this beautiful country.
We offer a little opportunity for any traveler with any budget!
This property features two residential properties inside a gorgeous 1/2 acre compound surrounded by lush gardens, BBQ ranch, swimming pool and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. Each house can accommodate four to 5 people. For a combined 9 PAX capacity.
Each unit has its own fully equipped kitchenette, TV area, cable, A/C in all bedrooms , Internet, telephone and ADT security alarm system. Covered garage for two cars. Open parking for 3 additional cars.
Bus service to surrounding areas every hour in front of the main gate. House caretaker and gardener at the property.... We are available 24/7 to take care of any questions you may have.
A combination of simplicity, calmness and adventure- All in one breath!
..unplug your mind experience.... with great local experts.
We have a online service in Costa Rica that offers great options with unbeatable prices of Hotel Bookings, tours around the country, vacations rentals and of course services to pamper yourself, like spas- massage-rental cars- chefs- cooks and much more. ... unplug your mind and let us take care of you..
This property was intended for the administrators of a local business recently sold. The house and apartment are fully equipped and furnished. When sold, it became a great option for travelers that really want the Costa Rican experience in one of our villages and away from it all, but, close enough were you can enjoy many activities.
You can enjoy a MILLION DOLLAR view and use San Miguelito as your strategic station to visit rain forests, beaches, the Port of Puntarenas, adventures or to simply relax in quietness with family and friends!
Secluded in the little town of San Miguelito, Puntarenas (oldest fishing port of the country) were you can enjoy a local experience and also dont forget to order our famous "churchils- Copo" a must.
The Village of San Miguelito, Puntarenas can offer a great get together's for families or groups close enough for a ride to the oldest fishing port of CR.
Enjoy view of the Gulf of Nicoya. See the cruises arrive. Spectacular sunsets, a total local experience away from it all.
THREE UNITS. ONE IN EACH HOUSE AND ONE FOR THE SOCIAL AREA.
EACH UNIT HAS DINING TABLES PLUS A TABLE AT THE SOCIAL AREA.
ONE STAFF MEMBER/GARDENER AT YOUR DISPOSAL DURING YOUR STAY. (7:00- 16:00) BUT HE IS NOT INTENDED FOR DOMESTIC HELP. SHOULD YOU NEED MAID SERVICES, CHAUFFEUR, COOK OR TOURIST GUIDE WE CAN ARRANGE THAT FOR YOU DEPENDING ON AVAILABILITY, BUT, IT WOULD BE SEPARATE CONTRACTS DIRECTLY WITH THEM.
Good spot for a very big group.
Iguanas and coconut on the property were fun. Kitchens needed some improvement if you intend to cook a lot. Houses are remote - down a gravel road.
We were not able to stay at this place not even for a night but we were lucky enough to get a full refund, the owner and VRBO were amazing on this matter but I will recommend any other accommodation over this place.
Beautiful asset but, very poorly maintained. NOT VRBO quality.
2. Neither shower upstairs building worked.
4. Three badly, dangerous rotted out stairs on lower building.
5. AC in lower bd room in lower building didn't work.
6. Basic paint and trim and touch-up throughout.
MAP to site is a must. GPS is useless to find. Driveway is super steep; rental car would not make it, even in reverse. 4x4 is advisable.
Wainer, the caretaker, saved it all. He is absolutely super!! But this property needs some basic work to be up to the quality of a VRBO. Would pay a bit more if it were fixed up.
Thank you for your input, we have already repaired the leak on the upstair kitchen, the showers and the toilet. AC also has been fixed and we are now working on the stairs on lower house.
I will also work on a map to get to the house, that is a good idea, usually waze works pretty good.
We had a hard time finding the property and they weren't expecting us so getting into the property was not easy. Thank goodness someone was there & finally opened the gate. The property looked nice. Loved the view and the pool was awesome. Very friendly dog. Don't forget to Bring your own towels, soap and toilet paper!
San Miguelito is in the heart of Central Pacific Coast.
Strategically located to visit Vulcanoes, Rain Forest, Beaches, Bird watching, surfing, sailing, deep sea fishing or stay at home and enjoy the spectacular view of the Gulf, entertain your guests offering a great BBQ with a splash in the refreshing pool.
Read, write your book or simply do nothing.
Port of Puntarenas receives several cruises per week. Small city with restaurants, beachfront sidewalks, souvenir shopping. U will feel the local Costa Rica touch of a local fishing port.
Want to get away but be close to the real Costa Rica? San Miguelito is the answer!!


I'm a huge fan of digital photography, but from time to time I enjoy shooting with Mom and Dad's old Cannon T70. None of these are prize-winning images, but their vibrancy and texture please me nonetheless. It's the grain, I think. As always, click to embiggen.
Is that last one called, "Oh! You're awake, huh?". And why the heck did you break those slats on that wooden bike rack? Was it a Feat of Strength for Festivus?
Ha! It does look like I kicked in those slats, but they were actually already broken, providing a handy place for me to stand. That was the old "Midi Mart" convenience store in Leaf Rapids, Manitoba, long abandoned to the winds.


Convert Indesign/Photoshop Template to HTML & Develop PHP Program to Export HTML to PDF Format Finalizado left Looking for a web developer who can convert the attached PSD/ Indesign (We have the document in both of these formats) into HTML and create a PHP program that will convert the HTML into a US Letter Size PDF with page numbers, headers/footers, etc just like the attached design.... Shutterstock.com How to Convert a PSD to InDesign Adobe is known for its rich software suite, which includes Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. These programs have plenty of cross-platform functionality, allowing you to transfer assets between projects, so you can make the most of each program's feature set.
Convert Indesign/Photoshop Template to HTML & Develop PHP Program to Export HTML to PDF Format Finalizado left Looking for a web developer who can convert the attached PSD/ Indesign (We have the document in both of these formats) into HTML and create a PHP program that will convert the HTML into a US Letter Size PDF with page numbers, headers/footers, etc just like the attached design.


The series returns tonight which searches for the country's fittest families, beginning at Spike Island prison, Cobh, Co Cork, with the first two of four qualifying rounds. We'll see six families competing for two places on the teams as new coaches Derval O'Rourke and Jason Sherlock put them through the gruelling events of Hard Labour and Prison Break. As perfect a family Sunday evening show since 7th Heaven went off the air.


text:
Samuel Eto'o Elected Head of the Cameroon Football Federation
Former international Samuel Eto'o has been elected president of the Cameroon Football Federation, the body announced on Saturday.
The former Barcelona and Inter Milan star gained 43 votes to beat acting president Seidou Mbombo Njoya, who collected 31.
The vote was held after the Court of Arbitration for Sport in January annulled Njoya's victory in a 2018 election.
When filing his candidacy on November 17, Eto'o, a four-time African footballer of the year, said: "I will be the next president of the federation despite all the cheating."
Eto'o said Njoya, who he supported in 2018, had "failed miserably".
Cameroon will host the African Cup of Nations in January, a tournament delayed a year by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tags: football news, Samuel Eto'o
Premier League 2021-22 Southampton vs Tottenham Hotspur LIVE Streaming: When and Where to Watch Online, TV Telecast, Team News
Philippines Arrives for AFC Women's Asian Cup Football Tournament
'Bowled' That Was Not to Be: Tendulkar-Warne Have Fun Discussion on Stokes' Lucky Survival
IPL 2022: Rashid Khan to Likely Join Ahmedabad Franchise Ahead of Auction; Aakash Chopra Reacts to Rumours
Copa Del Rey: Real Betis Knock Out Rivals Sevilla after Suspended Game Resumes Without Fans
IPL Retention: Chennai Super Kings Full Squad List


text:
The Annual Hall of Fame post
by Richard Hershberger · January 12, 2017
The vote has not yet occurred for which players will be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame. I might write about that, when the time comes. In the meantime, I am writing about the selection of two inductees in the baseball executive category: John Schuerholz and Bud Selig.
Honestly, I don't have much to say about Schuerholz. He was around a long time. He ran a couple of clubs (the Royals and the Braves) that were successful under him. Is this enough to put him in the Hall? Who knows? What is the standard for an executive? I have no idea. It isn't obvious what sets Schuerholz apart from other guys who were around a long time running successful clubs. My guess is that he is personally popular among The Powers That Be, so they gave him a nice Christmas present. I can't get excited one way or the other.
Selig is another matter. Anyone who has paid any attention to the business of baseball over the last quarter century is intensely conscious of Bud Selig. Here is the Hall of Fame's bio of him. It is the happy talk propaganda version, and is quite dull. The more interesting stuff is, as is the nature of these things, left out.
The thumbnail version is that he made his money as a car dealer. He led the group that bought the Seattle Pilots in 1970 and moved them to Milwaukee. (So far as I can tell, not even fans in Seattle manage to get worked up about this.) He was active within the MLB ownership, especially as chairman of the owners' Player Relations Committee. In 1992, MLB fired its Commissioner, Fay Vincent and appointed Selig interim Commissioner. The "interim" was removed in 1998 and he was the Commissioner until his retirement in 2015.
The thing to understand about the office of the Commissioner of Baseball is that he is an employee of MLB, which is to say of the owners of the major league clubs. When you hear talk of "the best interests of the game" you should understand that this is code for protecting profits. Don't be fooled by the baseball-mom-and-apple-pie rigamarole. This is a smoke screen used to disguise the business realities.
Fay Vincent was fired because he overlooked this. He embarrassed the owners by admitting that they had colluded to lower player salaries in the '80s. He was too conciliatory while resolving the 1990 lockout. He negotiated with the players' union in good faith. He had to go. Selig, unlike Vincent, was reliable.
This is hinted at in that Hall of Fame bio, which says he was "thrust into the battle between labor and management, which culminated in the 1994 strike and cancellation of that year's World Series." He had been leading that fight for the owners all along. This just made it obvious. The strike was the result of an attempt by MLB to break the players' union, as the NFL had done a few years earlier with its players' union. (The Wikipedia article I linked to does not make this clear, what with its neutral point of view.) When the Hall of Fame piece praises him for his leadership as "baseball slowly returned to normal" we should keep in mind that he was central to the whole sordid mess in the first place.
There is a lot more that could be said about Selig's tenure. Consider the steroids debacle. Wherever you fall on the steroids issue, it is hard to argue that MLB's handling of it wasn't a cluster fuck. We could also talk about collusion. He wasn't commissioner during the collusion of the 1980s–merely a participant–but people forget that MLB paid out another, smaller settlement in 2006. It had the traditional disclaimer of any admission of guilt, but let us not imagine the payment was made in a spirit of charity.
But this isn't what I want to write about. I am here today to write about the major league baseball contraction of 2002. You may not remember that, and if you go look at the records you will find that MLB did not in fact contract in 2002. But this wasn't for lack of trying.
Turn the pages of memory back to 2001. Baseball finances were a fraction of what they are today. Worse, they weren't as strong as they had been previously. Attendance took a hit following the 1994 strike Selig had orchestrated, and had only recently returned to pre-strike levels. The strike had screwed up MLB's television deals, taking years to sort out. Worst of all, the strike hadn't even succeeded in breaking the union. Players still selfishly insisted upon being paid salaries based on their free market value. The owners were sad. (They would get sadder. The steroids scandal was starting to heat up. But that mostly came later.)
Enter the contraction idea. MLB would cut out two teams, the Montreal Expos and the Minnesota Twins. How would this help its finances? Those were two of the weak sisters, financially speaking, so there would be an element of culling the herd. (The Expos, by the way, had a six game lead in their division when the 1994 strike hit. Their subsequent financial problems were, in part, more fallout of the strike.) But the real point was leverage against the union. Contraction would throw 50 major league players into the market. (80, if we count the entire forty man roster.) This, in addition to being a nice "fuck you" in its own right, would lower player values.
It also would serve as a cautionary tale for cities contemplating not ponying up the cash for new stadiums. The Twins had been playing in the Metrodome, which by all accounts was a terrible venue, and wanted a new ballpark. They didn't want to pay for it, of course. That would be crazy talk. But the state and local governments had uncharacteristically developed vertebrae, and refused to be shaken down. Letting this pass would set a bad precedent. At the same time, contraction would open up the Minneapolis market for future shakedowns of other cities. A team needs a plausible place to move to if it is to mount a credible threat. Tampa Bay had traditionally served that function, but then MLB actually put a team in there, ending that party. Having Minneapolis as an open market, yearning for the return of major league baseball, would be sweet!
So far this is all pretty standard stuff. It's hardball, but everyone knows the rules. Selig's personal interest is what makes this interesting. Recall that he owned the Milwaukee club. It is a five hour drive between Milwaukee and Minneapolis, so there wasn't a lot of potential for an attendance boost. But this was the era of the TBS superstation expanding the Braves' television market, while WGN was trying to do the same thing with the Cubs' weaker product. The idea of extending the Brewers' TV audience into Minnesota was not implausible, and many people at the time assumed that this was Selig's motivation.
This alone was a clear conflict of interest, but things get juicier. Selig was pals with Carl Pohldad, the owner of the Twins. Pohldad wanted out. There was that non-existent stadium deal making him sad, plus lousy attendance. The attendance was lousy partly because the stadium sucked, but mostly because the Twins sucked. The Twins, in turn, had a tiny payroll by MLB standards, so its not as if Pohldad had nothing to do with this suckage.
In any case, Pohldad wanted out. Of course he could simply sell the franchise. It was estimated to be worth about $100 million. That would be nice, but even nicer would be to sell it for more than it was worth. What was MLB going to pay to buy him out? Estimates vary from $150 to $250 million. I incline toward the lower figure, which is still well above $100 million. Why would MLB, meaning the owners collectively, overpay? There arguably are some structural reasons why this sort of deal gives the club owner additional leverage, but I don't know about that. What is clear is that Selig was lobbying hard for this, and by all accounts Selig was a master. The mere fact that he corralled the herd of cats that were the MLB owners for decades speaks to his political skills. (Insert joke about car salesmen here.)
This brings us to the real conflict of interest. Selig, in the 1990s, was not wealthy by MLB owner standards. Pohldad had made a personal loan to him of $3 million in 1995. It was a short term loan and was repaid on time, but the fact remains that this was against MLB rules. It wasn't disclosed as the rules required, and only came out through an act of journalism during the contraction brouhaha.
So in short, Selig was working to screw over (1) the players, (2) the fans, (3) the taxpayers, and (4) his fellow owners in what looks suspiciously like a hand-job to help out a guy who had done him a favor. What a sweetheart.
The contraction never happened, despite Selig's best efforts. There was the inevitable race to the courthouse. The commission that operated the Metrodome won the race, and got an injunction. It turned out that the Twins' lease ran another year, and the judge insisted that they actually fulfill their contractual obligations. It's like we live in Russia!
A year later the moment had passed, and the contraction idea was dropped. The story has a happy ending, though. Eventually Pohldad succeeded in extorting a new stadium from the taxpayers, and God was once more in His heavens. By the time Selig announced his retirement, he was claiming he had never had anything to do with anything, saying "Baseball was really struggling at the time, losing a fortune as a sport. There were owners who believed that contraction might help. I wasn't of that particular view, but the owners were searching around"
So why do The Powers That Be get all moist and tingly at the thought of Bud Selig, such that they voted to enshrine him with Babe Ruth? Because he made them money. Partly he rode the wave of the cable television sports boom. To this extent he simply avoided screwing up too badly. But he also continued to fight the good fight against player salaries. In 1996 player salaries were about 50 percent of MLB's baseball-related income. By 2014 he had gotten this down to 38 percent. Selig did OK for himself, too. He eventually sold the Brewers for about $200 million and negotiated his salary as Commissioner up to $18 million a year. He clearly was worth this to the owners, and his election to the Hall of Fame is the final installment of his compensation.
Compare this with the Hall of Fame non-induction of Marvin Miller. Miller is a towering figure in the history of baseball. He made the Major League Baseball Players Association into the powerhouse union it remains to this day. He is largely responsible for ending the reserve clause in its traditional form, resulting in the players getting a piece of the action. The owners have never forgiven him. He was put up for election to the Hall of Fame in 2003 and 2007, but The Powers That Be managed to block it.
I have a mixed relationship with the Hall of Fame. It is really three institutions in one. There is the museum, the research center, and the room with the plaques. The museum is excellent. Sports museums all have their element of soft-focus sentimentality, but the Hall manages to keep this to a minimum, and the collection is superb. The research center is a serious research library, within its narrow focus, and the staff efficient and professional. The room with the plaques is, well, a room full of plaques. The people who run the museum and library parts don't really have anything to do with it. (Take one of them out for a beer and ask what they really think of it.) I go there every year for an early baseball conference. They are lovely and gracious hosts. The room with the plaques? I pass through it on my way back to the library. I don't slow down.
The criteria for induction in the Hall of Fame are only vaguely defined, for players and especially for non-players. Many people want it to be about people they have heard of. They want to go admire plaques of the heroes of their childhood and of famous players they have seen movies about. I find this supremely uninteresting. A more interesting approach is that it commemorates people we should remember: People who, if you want to understand the history of baseball, you need to know about. If this is the standard, then I have no problem with Bud Selig being included along with William Hulbert and Ban Johnson and Kennesaw Mountain Landis. They were sons of bitches, but if you don't know who they were and what they did, you don't know baseball history. Selig fits right in. But the same is true of Marvin Miller, except for the "son of a bitch" part. Include him and we have a history museum. Leave him out and we have an owners' mutual admiration society and circle jerk. Excuse me if I avert my eyes.
Tags: Hall of Fame
Richard Hershberger
Richard Hershberger is a paralegal working in Maryland. When he isn't doing whatever it is that paralegals do, or taking his daughters to Girl Scouts, he is dedicated to the collection and analysis of useless and unremunerative information.
Genius Internet Find of the Day
Everything Happens for a Reason, Part 2
Burt Likko says:
I can recall turning my opinion on Selig in 1994 as it was clear to me that he had no problem whatsoever with inducing the strike. Deliberately not paying into a pension plan today, so as to induce lower future salaries, is pretty low punch.
You might also remind players that not only were the Expos in a six game lead for their division, but they were playing something close to .667 ball most of the year. They were simply on fire. Both the Red Sox and the Cubs were doing well then, too and the idea of a Sox-Cubs World Series was not implausible (this was before both teams had broken their long championship droughts) but for the en fuego Expos. 1994 was simply one of the best years of play I could remember and even in retrospect, it stands out. Selig torpedoed it.
On the other hand, how were Selig's Brewers doing that year? Basement of the AL Central (yes, I'm old enough to remember when the Brewers played in the AL). So pulling the plug on an awful season for his own team probably hurt a lot less than it would have had the Brew Crew been looking at a reasonable shot at the pennant.
Bud Selig used to buy his lunch every day at the Gilles' custard stand on Bluemound and 76th, within walking distance of my grandmother's house but after the strike I avoided the place (when in town) during the time he would be likely to be there, because I would have nothing good to say to the man.
To the extent baseball has thrived from the mid-90's onward, it's largely been despite Selig's cupidity and certainly not because of it.
Ommegang looks like a class place.Report
Richard Hershberger in reply to Burt Likko says:
Ommegang looks like a class place.
Someone clicked the link! I have never taken the tour, because my visits to Cooperstown tend to be flying affairs with no spare time for fripperies. But I can attest that the beer, which is widely available in local restaurants, is excellent.Report
Mike Schilling in reply to Burt Likko says:
Matt Williams had 43 HRs in 115 games, which was on pace for 60+. (The record was still Roger Maris's 61.) Would he have gotten there? We'll never know.Report
Slade the Leveller says:
Don't give short shrift to Schuerholz. He should be in the Hall simply for the fact that he assembled what is probably one of the greatest pitching staffs in the history of organized baseball, the heart of which was Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine. The won 6 Cy Youngs combined during their tenures with the Braves.
I never knew of Selig's role in the strike, but he'd never get my vote simply because he was the first non-independent commissioner. The firing of Fay Vincent is a stain that can never be cleaned.
Also, @richard-hershberger, it's Carl Pohlad.Report
Mike Schilling in reply to Slade the Leveller says:
Building a team that finished first every year from 1991 to 2005 (the strike year of1994 excepted) is pretty damned impressive too.Report
Richard Hershberger in reply to Mike Schilling says:
OK, I'll buy that. I wondered about GMs of other dynasties. Upon checking, I find that Ed Barrow, Yankees GM during the pre-WWII dynasty, and George Weiss, Yankees GM during the post-WWII dynasty, are in the Hall. With that as a baseline, Schuerholz meets the standard. Only a hardened cynic would even think to wonder about the effect of all that TBS superstation money on building that Braves dynasty.Report
Mike Schilling in reply to Richard Hershberger says:
It was largely built via trades and the draft:
* Smoltz: acquired as a minor-leaguer for Doyle Alexander
* Glavine: drafted in the 2nd round
* Justice: drafted in the 4th round
* Chipper Jones: drafted with the 1st pick
* Andruw Jones: Signed as an amateur free agent
* Javy Lopez: Signed as an amateur free agent
* Jeff Blauser: drafted in the 1st round
* Kevin Millwood: drafted in the 11th round
* John Rocker: drafted in the 18h round
The only high-priced free agent signing that comes to mind is Greg Maddux.Report
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I use this pickle mix for just about everything (well everything where pickling is required!). However, don't use it for Pickle Backs (recipe elsewhere on this blog under "drinks"). It will cause you pain. You need a sweeter pickle mix in my opinion for that.
Makes just over 1.5 litres. I pour it in to kilner bottles and store in the fridge. It was last a very long time. It is pickling liquor after all!
Put everything in to a large saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. When the sugar has dissolved reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes. Worth putting your extractor fan on or opening the windows at this point, as your kitchen will start to smell very vinegary!
Turn the heat off, then straightaway cover with a double layer of clingfilm. Leave like this until it is completely cool, Then strain in to 2 x 1 litre sterilised bottles through a fine sieve until needed. I like to put one of the cinnamon sticks in to each bottle but that's entirely up to you.


There is something that Ms Buddha and I both very much enjoy when traveling to Japan, and that is stay at Onsen Ryokans, these are normally inns which include dinner, bed and breakfast and the price range can be very large between low to high ranged ones.
After our experience at Takinoya, it was we were keen to try another higher end Ryokan to see how different the facilities can be in terms of quality, and Seikai (潮騒の宿 晴海) in Beppu did not disappoint.
Seikai is located nice to the main road in Beppu facing the ocean and to get there you need to be traveling South, otherwise, you need to tour around as the road is actually quite busy.
Once you arrive, the staff outside have a guest list so you just tell them that you are checking in and they will tick you off and guide you to park in a spot right in front of the building so that they can grab your bags and guide you in.
After a long drive and tired from walking through Yoshinogari Historical Park, it was very pleasing to see that we were checked in very quickly (although I think the tea was missed though) – and Ms Buddha was taken to a special room where she can choose which yukata (traditional Japanese dress) she wanted.
Choose your style – nightly!
The staff were incredibly efficient and took us to our rooms almost immediately – one staff in particular was brought to us to converse in English to us – she spoke absolutely impeccable English and confirmed that I'll be having vegetarian the whole day the next day (more on that later).
Once inside, we were completely stunned, Ms Buddha was speechless and I was delighted that we had made the right choice. When you entered, first thing that hits you is the view.
Just look that the sea view!
Before we went inside to inspect the rest of the room, we did the traditional Japanese thing and changed to our indoor slippers.
Slippers for inside the room; slippers for within the property; and a nice and metallic shoehorn!
Once your footwear is appropriate, we were ready to roam the rest of the room. Firstly, there are two living area, one which is Japanese themed which we actually never took full advantage of but was very nice none the less (we used it for our suitcases).
Outside the Japanese themed area, there was the more western looking living room, which was well equipped with a nice couch that Ms Buddha took full advantage of during our stay by falling asleep several times.
Then closer to the entrance, there was the bedroom, which was simple yet very efficient – the beds were incredibly comfy although the room got a bit stuffy midway through the night because the air con was warm and the sheets a little too thick.
Like most properties we've been to, the toilet is normally separate from the rest of the bathroom, and this one was no different, with the small bar area outside stocked with water and daily snacks.
Then came the best thing about the room, I know the view was fantastic, but there is something that can improve upon the view, and that is to be able to enjoy the hot spring (onsen) while looking at the view. Most rooms at Seikai had rooms that had their individual hot springs, so the spring water is constantly pumped into the bath, you adjust the temperature by adding cold water to it.
What is great about this private onsen is that because it is open air, you actually don't get "over heated" like you do in the enclosed ones and you actually get to breath in the fresh cold air from the ocean – definitely something that I did at least twice a day while there!
Because there was the mesh (I am thinking to keep birds out) – the view is slightly obstructed, so for the most unbeatable view, the living room was still the best spot if you don't want to be too cold.
And if you don't mind the cold.
Because the balcony is quite big, it is also a fantastic spot to get a panoramic shot of the sea.
In addition to the excellent property itself, at ryokans, you're normally provided with traditional clothing that you can wear within the property, I tend to not wear them because I enjoy my T-shirt and shorts, but to help you carry your phones, gadgets, wallets, wifi, etc. Seikai provides their guests with bags they can use during their stay.
Service throughout our stay was excellent, and they made sure you're looked after as well with checking when you wanted breakfast and dinner on a daily basis, they also remember your car if you drive to make sure you get a spot outside the building, I parked in the car park one night but then realise that might have been a little silly since that it was incredibly windy next to the ocean!


text:
Home Market AA Insurance launches 'Drivesafe' insurance
AA Insurance launches 'Drivesafe' insurance
AA Insurance is the latest to turn to technology, with the launch of a new 'pay how you drive' policy. Called AA Drivesafe, it provides the tools to help drivers, especially new and inexperienced ones, improve their driving safety.
AA Drivesafe tracks driving behaviour using a small electronic 'Drivesafe Box'. The data collected is then presented to users in a way that will help them improve their driving safety and, in so doing, can lead to lower insurance premiums.
Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance said, "It is likely to appeal to inexperienced drivers as well as parents, whose youngsters have their first car. Parents know driving behaviour is being tracked by a system that also provides crash, breakdown and theft alerts."
While the product is currently only offered through three insurers, Mr Douglas says that more will be added, making AA Drivesafe more competitive.
AA Drivesafe is launched at a time when young drivers are expecting sharp rises in the cost of car cover as a result of a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that will outlaw use of gender to calculate insurance premiums after 20th December.
A number of other insurers have seen the opportunity to recently launch similar products.
"After this, I believe telematic insurance technology will come into its own," Mr Douglas says. "And young and inexperienced drivers stand to benefit most.
"At present, young women can expect to pay up to 40 per cent less than their male peers for car insurance. Although young men are statistically more likely to have a serious crash than women, that doesn't mean that all men drive aggressively. Similarly, some young women also take risks when they're behind the wheel."
The product will include an online 'dashboard' where users log on to find out how they are performing under four separate categories:
– Speed
– Anticipate traffic (smooth deceleration / braking)
– Follow landscape (cornering)
– Where and When (types of roads and time of day)
Another benefit of the product is that In the event of a breakdown or a crash, or if the car is stolen, the AA can also identify exactly where the car is.
Mr Douglas continued, "Although the initial premium may be little different to a conventional policy, the safest drivers could see their premiums fall quickly. As with standard polices, no-claim bonus applies and any premium reductions for risk-averse driving are in addition to that.
"A new driver with their first car could see premiums fall faster than the 30 per cent or so they might expect from their first year's no-claim bonus alone, after a year."
Pay as you drive
Telematics insurance
Warning when driving too ill
A quarter of Brits drivers break the law to cut costs


Ita enjoyed a very successful career working in this environment. The role of senior sister exposed her to a variety of jobs which including working clinical on the unit, a post as a teaching sister which included teaching at the local university and also a clinical governance and management job which included representing the Trust on two overseas recruitment drives.
Before leaving the NHS Ita also worked as a clinical site manager, vascular access device nurse and safeguarding adult co-ordinator which served to further enhance her skill set and experience of the health care sector.
Looking for a new challenge and the opportunity to share years of experience Ita brought her vast skill set to A to E training and solutions and joined the company in December 2013.


text:
At St Joseph's Catholic Primary School the health, safety and well-being of every child is our top priority. We expect all staff, governors and volunteers to share this commitment to safeguarding our pupils. We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us. All school staff are trained in Child Protection, and children are made aware of the adults they can talk to if they have any concerns. Our Staff have had safeguarding training and are kept up to date with the safeguarding policies and procedures.
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child's welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child's welfare.
We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Sarah Keefe and the Deputy Safeguarding Officers are Mrs Helen Mayhew and Ms Ali Keen.Our Safeguarding governor is Mr Tom Morell.
Local Contact Detail
Children's Single Point of Access (SPA) Team. (Open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday)
Kingston Council - concerned about a child information page (click here)
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Safeguarding Policy
Safeguarding Policy 2019-20.pdf
Safeguarding.pdf
Tootoot is the award-winning reporting platform and app for schools, colleges and universities.
All our children in KS2 have a username and password to login to Tootoot. They can use any device at home or in school to report any concerns or worries they have about themselves or other children.
Click on the link below to find out more.


We strive to become the world's most trusted IT service partner, enabling business innovation and growth for our customers. We build relationships with our customers, deploying highly skilled people and world-class technologies in order to provide flexible solutions and services that rapidly generate lasting value.
As Proact continue to grow we are now seeking to fill a senior public sector sales management position that is responsible for growing a developing a number of sales people in the public sector in the UK. Managers should have experience of Client Facing, Networking/ Business Development and a need to succeed within Managed Services.
As a sales manager you will organise, coach and lead a team of sales representatives to work towards agreed sales targets. In this job you'll be using your management skills and enthusiasm to motivate others. You'll also need to be organised and good at planning. You will need proven public sector sales experience and management skills.
Manages all aspects of running an efficient sales team, including hiring, supervising, coaching, disciplining, and motivating direct-report sales team members.
Stays current with industry and competitive research and information to enable rich client dialogue; maintains an understanding of client business challenges, industry trends and markets; demonstrates the knowledge to position and map Proact capabilities that align to client business objectives and initiatives.
Typically manages 8 or more Sales Representatives or combination of Sales Reps and others depending on functions managed.


Gearbox continues to innovate with its new GX5 Collection. For those seeking only the most advanced paddle technology, exceptional durability and outstanding play, the GX5 is here!
The GX5 features a Quadraform shaped head to give you precise control. It also includes patent pending Solid Span Technology, giving this paddle Optimal Power, a Softer Feel, a Softer Sound, a Durable Edgeless Rim and a Massive Sweet Spot. For extra spin on the ball, the GX5 includes All-New HyperBite Spin Technology!The paddle handle feels natural in the hand with a very comfortable grip shape.
The GX5 will set you apart from the competition. Its loved and used by both top pickleball professionals and novice players alike.


text:
Malthinus fuerteventurensis es una especie de coleóptero de la familia Cantharidae.

Distribución geográfica
Es endémica de Fuerteventura, en las islas Canarias (España).

Referencias

Enlaces externos

Fuerteventurensis
Coleópteros de Canarias
Fauna endémica de Fuerteventura
Animales descritos en 1975

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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text:
Mercedes-Benz Achieved Sales Growth with Sales of 198,545 Vehicles (+1.5%)
The FINANCIAL — Mercedes-Benz has once again set a new sales record towards the end of this year despite a volatile market environment: 198,545 vehicles with the three-pointed star were delivered to customers all over the world last month.
Under ongoing challenging conditions, Mercedes-Benz sold more units than ever before in a November (+1.5%). Further progress with vehicle availability, particularly in some international markets, had a positive impact on sales development in the three core regions. In the first eleven months of the year, 2,103,653 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars were handed over to customers, which is slightly above the high level of the prior-year period (+0.4%).
Last month, the brand with the star maintained its market leadership in the premium segment in markets including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, South Korea, Japan, Australia and the USA.
Mercedes-Benz unit sales by region and market
In Europe, Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 82,007 vehicles in November, an increase of 2.6% and a new record. In the first eleven months of the year, 850,957 units were sold (-3.3%). The development in Germany was particularly pleasing. Mercedes-Benz sold 29,188 passenger cars with the three-pointed star in its domestic market last month, another double-digit increase of +12.5%.
Once again, the new A-Class was very popular in Germany: sales of the compact car doubled compared to last year's November. In France, Switzerland, Poland, Denmark, Portugal and Hungary, more cars with the three-pointed star were sold last month than in any November before.
Mercedes-Benz set new records in the Asia-Pacific region: 75,392 vehicles were hand over to customers in November (+1.5%) and 862,419 in the first eleven months (+7.5%). In China, the biggest sales market, 52,151 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars were sold last month (+2.6%). In the period of January to November, Mercedes-Benz achieved growth of +11.7% and sold 603,089 units.
See also Road To Court: 4 Elements Of A Car Accident Claim
This November, together with the models delivered by the smart brand, the car division of Daimler AG became the first premium automobile manufacturer to pass the milestone of 600,000 vehicles delivered in China within one year. Mercedes-Benz achieved further sales records in November in the markets of South Korea, India, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
In the NAFTA region, Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 35,842 vehicles in November (-1.8%). In the first eleven months of this year, 340,564 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars were handed over to customers in that region (-5.4%). In the United States, a total of 31,022 customers were delighted to receive their new model with the star last month, an increase of 0.6%. This means that a total of 283,943 vehicles were delivered in the United States in November (-6.0%). In Mexico, Mercedes-Benz set a new sales record in the first eleven months of the year.
Mercedes-Benz unit sales by model
Demand for the E-Class Saloon and Estate was higher last month than ever before in a November. More than 31,000 units of these two models were sold worldwide, an increase of about 6.2%. The long-wheelbase version of the E-Class Saloon was particularly popular in the Chinese market, posting double-digit growth in November and thus achieving a new sales record.
The SUVs from Mercedes-Benz continue to sell in record numbers, with about 750,000 units of the models GLA, GLC, GLC Coupé, GLE, GLE Coupé, GLS and G-Class sold in the period of January to November (+2.4%). The sales growth was primarily driven by the GLC, which also set a new record for unit sales last month. And thanks to double-digit growth, the new G-Class posted a new sales record for a November
Customers' interest in the Dreamcars from Mercedes-Benz was strong once again in November: Worldwide unit sales increased by 19.8% to the new high of 15,073 units. In all three core regions – Europe, Asia-Pacific and NAFTA – the dream cars achieved growth in unit sales last month. The E-Class Cabriolet was particularly popular, as well as the CLS, which set a new record in November.
In the first eleven months of the year, 118,512 vehicles of the smart brand were sold worldwide (-3.8%). In November, a total of 10,926 customers were pleased to receive their new two- or four-door urban microcar (-6.2%). The smart models were especially popular in Spain, with double-digit sales growth in that market. Worldwide sales of the electric smart models reached a new record level in November and in the first eleven months.
Road To Court: 4 Elements Of A Car Accident Claim
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Half of all drinkers risk exceeding legal driving limit by underestimating how drunk they are
Retirement Provision is the Main Concern, Unemployment Falls in the Rankings
Total Launches a Pioneering Line of Fluids for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles


Aromatic Description: Argan Carrier Oil has a nutty, spicy and oily scent.
Argan Oil, also known as "Liquid Gold", is a lightweight oil that can be used as a daily moisturizer, hydrating, nourishing and treatment for skin, hair, and nails. This 100% Pure Argan Oil is a legendary oil that's rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, and grown organically in Morocco. With its multitasking benefits, Argan Oil can be used for many areasfor skin treatment.
It is rich in vitamin E, carotenes, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, is used for massage, facials and as an ingredient in anti-aging cream and even aftershave lotion for men. Argan Oil can also be used to nourish the hair making it shiny, treating spilt ends, softening cuticles for a healthy looking hair. Argan Oil easily absorbs into skin to give you a youthful, dewy glow, and has astonishing healing, conditioning, and anti-aging properties to keep your skin and hair nourished and revitalized and to keep you looking beautiful from head to toe.
Apply directly to skin after bathing while skin is still moist, this is a wonderful and simple dry or mature skin treatment. Apply as a hair or scalp treatment. Soak nails in this oil to prevent nail or cuticle dryness. Argan oil is recommended for oily skin, eczema and psoriasis. Because it's so high in vitamin E and phytosterols, this oil is also recommended for scars. Argan Carrier Oil is also used in manufacturing soaps, creams and shampoos. Argan oil is commonly called "liquid gold" in Europe.


text:
La  Unión Regional Deportiva 2010 es una nueva temporada de la unión de ligas conformada por la Liga Tandilense de Fútbol, la Liga Ayacuchense de fútbol, la Liga Rauchense de fútbol y la Liga Juarense de fútbol, desarrollándose entre el 17 de abril y el 19 de diciembre.

La temporada 2010 consagró campeón a Atlético-Defensores (Ayacucho).

Obtuvieron plazas para el Torneo del Interior 2011; UNICEN, Excursionistas (Tandil),  Atlético-Defensores (Ayacucho)  y  Botafogo (Rauch).

Equipos participantes

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Sistema de disputa
Apertura: El torneo apertura se llevará a cabo en cuatro zonas (tres de cinco equipos y una de seis), por el sistema de todos contra todos  (a dos ruedas), clasificando los primeros de cada zona a cuartos de final y los segundos y terceros a octavos de final.
Los octavos, cuartos y semifinales se jugarán a un solo partido, mientras que la final se diputara en partidos de ida y vuelta.

Clausura: El torneo clausura se llevará a cabo en tres zonas (de siete equipos cada una), por el sistema de todos contra todos  (a una rueda), clasificando los primeros y segundos de cada zona y los dos mejores terceros a cuartos de final.
Los cuartos y semifinales se jugarán a un solo partido, mientras que la final se diputara en partidos de ida y vuelta.

Final del año: La final del año, que coronara al campeón anual, será disputada por el ganador del apertura y el ganador del clausura.

Apertura 2010

Posiciones finales de la Zona 1

Posiciones finales de la Zona 2

Posiciones finales de la Zona 3

Posiciones finales de la Zona 4

Pts = Puntos; PJ = Partidos jugados; PG = Partidos ganados; PE = Partidos empatados; PP = Partidos perdidos; GF = Goles anotados; GC = Goles recibidos

(1): A Argentino (Benito Juárez) le descontaron 3 puntos al cierre de la primera fase.
Fuente: El Eco de Tandil

Resultados

 Fixture: Minuto 91

Fase final

Octavos de final

 Resultados de Octavos de final: El Eco de Tandil

Cuartos de final

 Resultados de Cuartos de final: El Eco de Tandil

Semifinales

Final del apertura

Clausura 2010

Posiciones finales de la Zona 1

Posiciones finales de la Zona 2

Posiciones finales de la Zona 3

Pts = Puntos; PJ = Partidos jugados; PG = Partidos ganados; PE = Partidos empatados; PP = Partidos perdidos; GF = Goles anotados; GC = Goles recibidos; Dif. = Diferencia de gol.
Fuente: La Voz de Tandil

Resultados

Fixture: Minuto 91

Fase final

Cuartos de final

 Resultados de cuartos de final: El Eco de Tandil

Semifinales

 Resultados de Semifinales: El Eco de Tandil

Final del clausura

Final del año
En la final se enfrentaron los ganadores del apertura y del clausura.
Estos encuentros se disputaron los días 15 de diciembre y 19 de diciembre.

Ida

Vuelta

Goleadores

Tabla general

Pts = Puntos; PJ = Partidos jugados; PG = Partidos ganados; PE = Partidos empatados; PP = Partidos perdidos; GF = Goles anotados; GC = Goles recibidos; Dif. = Diferencia de gol.

Campeón

<center>
{| align=center class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" width=80% border=1 cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="background: #f9f9f9;border: 1px #aaa solid;border- collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%; text-align: center;"
|- align=center bgcolor=#C0C0C0
!colspan=3 width=100%|Todas las ediciones del torneo (En negrita la última edición ganada por ese club)
|- align=center bgcolor=#C0C0C0
!colspan=3 width=100%|Unión Regional Deportiva
|- align=center bgcolor=#FFFFFF
|| Unión Regional Deportiva 2007  Independiente (Tandil) (1)
|| Unión Regional Deportiva 2008  Independiente (Tandil) (2)
|| Unión Regional Deportiva 2009  Santamarina (Tandil) (1)
|- align=center bgcolor=#F8F8FF
|| Unión Regional Deportiva 2010  Atlético-Defensores (Ayacucho) (1)
|| Unión Regional Deportiva 2011  Ferrocarril Sud (Tandil) (1)
|| Unión Regional Deportiva 2012  Ferrocarril Sud (Tandil) (2)
|- align=center bgcolor=#FFFFFF
|| Unión Regional Deportiva 2013  Independiente (Tandil) (3)
||
||
|}

Referencias

Enlaces externos
 Diario el Eco
 Minuto 91´
 Esperanzas del fútbol
 Deporte Tandilense
 Flashes Deportivos Tandilenses
 La Voz de Tandil
 El Picadito
 Ayacucho al Día
 Diario La Verdad
 El Fenix Digital

Unión Regional Deportiva
Fútbol en Argentina en 2010


text:
McCarthy rules out Kightly exit
MICK McCarthy today declared there was "no chance" of Michael Kightly being picked off by the Premiership vultures this summer - and revealed the Wolves winger has already requested a new squad number for next season.
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Kightly, who still has two years to run on his current contract, is expected to sign a new and improved deal this summer as reward for his phenomenal impact since arriving from Grays last November.
And McCarthy believes that should send out a signal to several interested Premiership clubs that the 21-year-old is more than happy at Molineux.
"Will Michael be offered a new deal? Absolutely," said McCarthy. "We said when he came in that we would reward him if he did well and that's what we'll do.
"If there are clubs interested I would say no chance. In terms of his development he's come a long way since he arrived here, it's been remarkable. Now he's got to do it all again starting on August 11 at Wolves and I've no doubt he will."
Having already plundered 10 goals from Grays in the early stages of the season, Kightly notched a further nine for Wolves from 24 appearances.
And he was already made his request to be handed the number seven shirt vacated by Jackie McNamara for next season.
"That's commitment for you," added McCarthy. "He came in the day after the play-offs and said he wants the number seven shirt for next season.
"I've told him that unless we sign David Beckham then it's his!"


The City of Detroit is moving forward with renaming Chene Park Amphitheatre in honor of the late Aretha Franklin, settling on the name Aretha Louise Franklin Amphitheatre.
Conversations about renaming a City building or attraction for the Queen of Soul began when reports of the singer's grave illness spread last month. On August 30, a day before Franklin's much-attended funeral at Greater Grace Temple, a resolution was submitted to City Council to rename the Park.
There is no set timeline for the name change, but Earlene Franklin, Franklin's sister-in-law and Detroit resident, encouraged everyone to spread the word and prepare for a groundbreaking.
Councilmember Mary Sheffield said that as the East Riverfront continues to develop, the amphitheatre's future should not be lost in the plans. Sheffield said Council should consider special funding to allow for improvements to the park, which will be explored at a later date.
The Right Productions, which has been contracted as manager of Chene Park since 2004, will continue managing the park's operations.
A Thursday night tribute to Franklin at the 6,000-seat amphitheatre was at full capacity. Chene Park. Other noted performers include Diana Ross, Babyface, Wynton Marsalis and Franklin herself.


Commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), INNO AG, in cooperation with the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA) department of VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH, have run an analysis on the potential for bilateral cooperation between Germany and the so-called EU-13-Member States.
The objective of the study was to identify the specific regional and local competence centers (clusters and innovation hotspots) in the EU-13-countries, which show already existing or emerging fruitful collaboration models between science and industry with significant innovation outputs. The data collected include their respective technology or branch focus as well as key players (businesses, research institutions and universities) and the description of their interactions.
The study encompasses innovation profiles of the EU-13-Member States and their players that show where there is a significant potential in terms of specific regional and local competence centers that, from a German aspect, provide a solid basis for bilateral partnerships which shall lead to mutually beneficiary partnerships and joint innovation activities.


Question: I want to hear your story, if you are willing to share. Why did you leave the Catholic Church?
Answer: I was raised in a Roman Catholic home, and my parents and teachers taught me the fear of God, for which I will always be grateful. My country, Malta, is intensely Roman Catholic, with well over 95% of the population being Catholic. I was thoroughly indoctrinated in the Catholic religion since infancy. Sunday mass and daily rosary were obligatory in my family, and I happily attended mass on most days of the week before school. I was proud and sure of my religion.
All that was about to change unexpectedly when I was completing my secondary education in the Catholic seminary. One day my brother came home and told me that we are justified by faith and not by works. Later on I found out that he had met some Evangelical Irish tourists earlier that week and that they had convinced him about their religion.
I defended the Catholic teaching with much zeal. I remember arguing that faith must be accompanied by good works, the solid evidence of true faith. (Little did I know at the time that that was not what the Catholic Church teaches, but that good works actually increase and preserves the person's righteousness on the basis of which he would be justified at the end).
For two years I studied the Catholic Bible because I wanted to bring my brother back to "the true Church." I also sought the assistance of my spiritual director and several priests. I wanted to show him that the Catholic teaching is biblical. Slowly however, I begun to realize that many of the Catholic dogmas are not clearly taught in the Bible, or even worse, some seemed to contradict Scripture.
More importantly, I begun to feel the burden of personal sin and the frustration of trying to merit salvation by religion. This had become more than a religious controversy. It became a matter of life and death! I found peace after reading the Gospel of John. When I finished the book, I asked myself: What is the main purpose of the writer? The answer was simple and apparent, and yet absolutely wonderful. God the Father wants me to believe in His Son and in believing I would have eternal life!
Of course I already "believed" in Jesus. But I also believed in Mary, in the sacrifice of the Mass, in confession to a priest and penance, in purgatory, in myself and my good works by which I was expected to merit eternal life. By God's grace I realized that salvation is not what I do, or what the church does for me, or what Mary or the saints do. Salvation is of the Lord ALONE. I tossed away all these clutches, and I rested by faith on the Rock of my Salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ. Now I know what it means to believe on the Son. And I know that I have eternal life. Praise God!
Eventually I reluctantly left the Roman Catholic Church because I could not remain a member of an institution that teaches a different way of salvation than what is taught in the Scriptures. In a very real sense my heart remains with Roman Catholics because I am a debtor to them. My desire is to share the Gospel of the Scriptures - let us keep what is holy and true in the Catholic religion, but let us not be afraid to clean the house of the erroneous traditions that have accumulated through the years.