text:
'Wayward' #12 recruits new characters through bursts of teenage angst
Wayward #12
Written by Jim Zub
Illustrated by Steven Cummings
Colours by Tamra Bonvillain
Colours assisted by Marissa Louise
Lettered by Marshall Dillon
Back Material by Zack Davisson
Published by Image Comics
The battle between the yokai and the new supernatural group of Emi, Nikaido, Shirai, Ayane and Rori is just heating up. The young group is still reeling from the battle that took place in the last volume of Wayward and starts to go in a very big direction by the end of this issue. From the looks of it, the conflict between the yokai and the newer generation of supernatural individuals has only just begun and is about to blow into an all out war.
The really great thing about what the creative team of Wayward continues to do is the level of respect and detail that is taken into account when setting a title like this in Japan. It is definitely evident that a lot of time is dedicated to research and an understanding of Japanese society and culture. There is a lot to take in with Jim Zub's scripts that go beyond this being a fun, fast paced adventure (which there is absolutely nothing wrong with) into a commentary of Japanese society that has difficulties balancing the shift from traditional (yokai) to a more modern and contemporary way of living (new generation of supernatural characters). Having the yokai and supernatural as a basis for the story and tone of Wayward makes the book very poignant, commenting on an ideology that has been supported and fought against since at least the end of World War II. Even though this is a Japanese set title, the idea of accepting a new, younger generation of ideas being combatted by an older way of understanding is something prevalent in the West as well. It is much more complex to explore in Japan than a simple two sided debate, but is something still relevant to the present day.
Diving right back into the issue, Jim Zub's fast paced, witty script continues to read very comfortably, proving Zub's voice as one to really consider as one of the more refreshing and confident creators in comics today. He has a very tight handle on the characters and leaves room in every issue for the world and characters to expand; Wayward has a lot of potential to get even more intense. His use of Japanese terms (expanded upon by Zack Davisson's excellent bonus essays) also shows his ability to incorporate and enhance the reading experience.
Steve Cummings's attention to detail in the emotions of the characters faces, the background environments like the arcade and the streets of Harajuku, and even the costume design all deserve a round of applause. The city of Tokyo and the characters' actions within truly come to life through Cummings's line work. All one has to do is come across a lively action sequence such as the fight between Ayane and Nikaido at Harajuku with the kitsune (foxes) to get a real sense of the hectic, vibrant nature of Wayward. That isn't to say the meditative and quieter moments aren't handled well as there are some truly great, emotional moments in this issue.
The emotional tolls of past events are starting to catch up with the array of main characters. Emi is still reeling after encountering her parents who don't even have a memory of who she is and Ayane's frustrations with Rori's struggle to handle the strength of her powers sets Ayane off on the already mentioned violent battle with the kitsune at Harajuku. The teenage angst and how it is dealt with draws out some very erratic actions, showing that none of the characters still have a decent understanding and ability to control themselves. Even Nikaido goes full blown Scanners at one point.
A new character named Segawa, introduced in the last issue, is a social outcast who has the powers to manipulate technology. He is currently being tested by one of the leaders of the yokai and is being recruited to their cause of bringing down the new generation of supernatural individuals. Segawa's addition isn't the only new pawn to the war being prepared as the competing side brings on a new recruit as well in the form of a ronin (masterless) kitsune named Inaba.
Tamra Bonvillain's colours enhance the vibrancy of the multiple Tokyo neighbourhoods, as well as the detail of the main characters and random bystander's clothing. Her use of red and green really pop out of the pages this issue, pointing to the tension between Rori and Ayane. Marshall Dillon's lettering respects the very busy frames of Wayward, allowing for plenty of space and detail to be absorbed within the surroundings.
Wayward #12 really kicks things forward for this arc by exploring further the new character introduced from the last issue, and introducing yet another new character that really mixes things up. The yokai now have a 'modern' mind on their team, while the new generation have a 'traditional' yokai of their own. Wayward has truly yet to disappoint and is definitely one of the more fun and colourful comics on the stands that continues to have plenty of unexpected twists and turns.
Lastly, since Wayward focuses on the yokai of Japanese mythology and folklore, it was very unfortunate to hear of the passing away of manga and yokai mastermind Shigeru Mizuki. Wayward is indebted to Mizuki's wonderful and imaginative exploration of yokai. His brilliance and impact is summed up with a beautiful post by Zack Davisson. As Davisson says, otsukaresama deshita.
Image ComicsJim ZubMarshall DillonSteve CummingsTamra BonvillainWayward
'Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl' #5 brings the series closer to inevitable conclusions
'Power Up!' #6 brings the colorful magical girl series to a close


text:
Home>Travel inspiration>Tips + News>Air Travel
At LAX, Cutting-Edge Tech Is Speeding Up the Boarding Process
By Matthew Phenix
Courtesy of Vision-Box
The Los Angeles International Airport is testing boarding gates with facial-recognition scanners.
In Los Angeles, a pretty face can get you places, including onto your next flight.
In an effort to speed up aircraft-boarding lines, the Transportation Safety Administration has instituted a test at LAX that will let travelers act as their own gate agents. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, the three-week experiment involves adding two new boarding lanes ("e-Gates") at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Fliers with microchip-containing e-Passports can scan them along with a boarding pass, and then "facial matching algorithms," developed by Lisbon-based tech company Vision-Box, will compare an image taken during the screening process with the digital photograph that matches the ID number associated with the passport.
The goal is to speed up airport security and lessen the TSA's dependence on wannabe corrections officers who yell at people to take off their shoes. For now, human agents are double-checking the computers' work; if the tests are successful, the TSA plans to roll them out in autonomous environments throughout the country.
The LAX test follows successful rollouts of the technology at several airports in 2017, including New Zealand's Christchurch Airport and Heathrow in the United Kingdom, where British Airways installed scanners at several boarding gates serving domestic flights.
During this trial at LAX, Homeland Security will be studying the privacy impacts of this technology, as if we hadn't left all such expectations at the airport door. We're left with just one big question: When this technology inevitably results in robotic pat-downs, will we enjoy them more or less than the ones we get from TSA agents?
>>Next: With an Airline Ban at Hand, What's Next for Smart Luggage?
This Remote U.S. National Park Is Home to Bats, Beaches, and Tropical Rain Forests
The Ultimate Guide to Tipping in Europe
U.S. Citizens Will Need to Register to Travel to Europe Starting in 2021

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


NEW YORK -- Alex Cora is shaking things up a bit for Game 3 of the American League Division Series.
With the bottom of the Red Sox' lineup giving very little production through the first two games Cora is giving Brock Holt, Rafael Devers and Christian Vazquez a chance to see what they can do against Yankees starter Luis Severino.
Holt replaces Ian Kinsler at second base, while Devers subs in for third baseman Eduardo Nunez. Vazquez gets the nod behind the plate with Nathan Eovaldi pitching. It's been an effective combination with Eovaldi allowing just two runs in his 16 1/3 innings with Vazquez catching him.
While Devers and Holt are a combined 1-for-27 with 11 strikeouts against Severino, both were among the Red Sox' hottest hitters entering the postseason.
Also of note is Steve Pearce getting the start at first base with Mitch Moreland still nursing a hamstring ailment suffered Saturday night.


Marigold, a Three Star Hotel is located on the picturesque banks of the River Mandovi. Situated in the heart of Panaji, the entire edifice exudes the spirit of modern Goan exuberance set against a bygone Portuguese era.
The Hotel has spacious rooms tailored to anticipate comfort for the business as well as the leisure traveller. The rooms display a fine blend of Gaon decor and contemporary amenities and at all times the Hotel endeavours to provide impeccable service, accentuated by the warmth of Indian hospitality.
Tea/ coffee maker with replenishment once in a day.
Accommodation in Deluxe AC Room on Twin sharing basis.
Complimentary Buffet Breakfast on the next day of Arrival.
2 Days Sightseeing tour By Non-AC Coach for 3 nights 4 days package.
Boat Cruise on river Mandovi (Subject to weather condition).
Luxury tax as applicable extra on above rates.
Extension of stay as per availability of rooms on CP.
Check in Time – 12.00 Noon Check out Time – 11.00 a.m.


The electronic government is being interpreted as the application of information and communicational technology for improving the performance of the government's execution of its duties and services. To be more specific, it is the usage of digital technology for the evolution of government operations which help delivering the best service to the people.
The more online services available and the more the use of these services become more publicly accessible, equally the effect of the electronic government is doubled, it can be successful if it comes with the high demand of the people.
Among government agencies, the ministry of Agriculture-Jihad of the Islamic Republic of Iran has a long-term program with an explicit vision and strategy for the successful implementation of e-government.
The vision of the ministry in the field of e-government development includes: increasing the efficiency and transparency of the working process and services of the Ministry of Agricultural-Jihad, by applying the most effective ICT Solutions.
The mission of the ministry of Agriculture-Jihad in the field of e-government development is to create a suitable electronic infrastructure for supervising, guiding and comprehensive and systematic supporting of agricultural activities, and continuous improvement of the relevant work processes.
4-Reducing costs, time, and complexity of work procedures.
5-Using modern management systems and promoting the culture of innovation in the body of the government.
1-Shrinking the government body, deregulation and increasing agility.
2-Developing communications and creating information integrity between the ministry of Agricultural-Jihad and other governmental sectors.
3-Taking advantage of new and successful technologies , according with the mission.
4-The provision of re-engineered e-services and value-creating activities for beneficiaries.
5-Providing on-time information through integrated IT systems.
The ministry of Agriculture-Jihad strategy in development of e-government and providing services is applying Service Oriented Software Architecture, through executing Quick Wins projects, and short term software projects.


Have you got any friends coming to visit you? Don't get lost and master Prague like a local with this guide!
Meet your friends at the airport and get into the city by bus, or take an Uber: regular taxis can charge you extra for being a tourist. (N.B. Prague 1's Mayor has started a personal war against dishonest taxi drivers, see posters in crowded places).
A nice way to start your tour on day one is to get to Staroměstké Náměstí, where you can admire the Old Town Square in the evening. You can proceed towards Náplavka, passing through the National Theatre for a beer and good music, and enjoy the sunset from the river in the summer. In the neighbourhood, stop by Pivovar Národní (Národní 8) for a meal and their brewed beer. Their menu offers typical Czech and international dishes.
Day 2: The tour begins!
Meet for breakfast at Café Louvre (Národní 22): it offers a true to its name atmosphere in a beautiful building. Take tram 22 (beware of pickpockets!) and get off at Pohořelec .
From here, you can visit Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral through Nový Svět street and Loreto. In summer, wine gardens are open to the public and you can reach Malá Strana. From there, you can easily get to the Old Town Square by the Charles Bridge. Then, you can move to Wenceslas Square, visit the shopping street Na Příkopě and finally reach Náměstí Republiky.
If you are into trying more Czech food, you can't miss Lokál (Mala Strana: Lokál U Bílé kuželky, Míšeňská 12; and Old Town: Lokál Dlouhá, Dlouhá 33 – Rybná), but if you want to treat yourself, try Pizza Nuova (Ambiente Pizza Nuova, Revoluční 1/655), one of the best pizzas in town, slightly more expensive than regular restaurants, but well worth it!
Feeling like clubbing? Check this other article for advice on where to go!
Meet in Hradčanská and visit Letenské Sady (you can go for breakfast in Místo, Bubenečská 12). Have a beer in the gardens above the city, then continue to Veletržní Palác, where you can visit modern art exhibitions.
From here, you can take the boat from Prague's Markets in Holešovice and visit Štvanice Island and admire Prague's newest architecture in Karlín. The city center is not far, from Karlín you can walk along the river and reach the Old Jewish Quarter.
Try a Czech fast-food: Bageterie Boulevard is all over the city!


If you haven't climbed the Endless Stair at the Tate Modern, find out more about our visit.
Endless Stair invites visitors to climb a series of 20 Escher-like interlocking staircases made from a prefabricated construction using 44 cubic metres of Tulipwood. As a viewpoint, the structure is on axis with the Millennium Bridge leading directly to the Tate Modern and provides an impressive view of the River Thames. London based design practice Seam Design provides a lighting scheme to illuminate the installation using equipment by Lumenpulse.
The complex construction is designed by Alex de Rijke, Co-Founder of dRMM Architects and provides something of a challenge for engineering partner Arup. Tulipwood is a plentiful and sustainable American Hardwood export, composed here for the first time as cross - laminated timber (CLT). CLT is a method of exploiting the structural properties of timber to create panels that can form buildings quickly, efficiently and sustainably. Traditionally, CLT is made using softwood because it provides a cheap and readily available source of wood fibre. The Endless Stair pioneers the use of a hardwood species, which is inherently lighter and stronger than its softwood equivalents.


How did it begin ?
"I was given a sketchbook as a gift… about 300 pages thick and a little larger than A5. I didn't really know what to do with it. I've never been much good at sketchbooks… I tend to work in a very focused manner, project by project with a fixed goal or set of outcomes, usually for a commercial purpose. I had rarely drawn for the sake of it and I always admired those who did.
I had just come off a run of practical art books and was very much entrenched in commercial life, living in Italy and commuting to London to work in order to support my family.
Janette, (my partner for most of my adult life), encouraged me to use the sketchbook to just enjoy myself… so I did. I wanted to take the same approach to drawing as I did to music, to make it emotional, visceral, in the moment, from the heart. So I started doing these crude drawings, working rapidly in pencil then attacking them with inkliners and marker pens.
But I immediately reverted to form and tried to structure it. I tried to create an outcome but Janette kept interrupting me, "Stop thinking, just do it and see where it goes"… so I did.
I was travelling, spending a lot of time in airports and before long I was knocking out these drawings in departure lounges, trains, even standing in queues or waiting for buses, they just flowed out one after another, it was a book created on the move. After a short while I drifted towards using my song lyrics, songs that had been evolving for years, and it turned out to be the perfect match. So, as I wandered around London between meetings, or inhabited that strange netherworld of solo travel portrayed in movies like 'Fight Club' and 'Up In the Air' the book took form and Subway Slim was born, or rather, came back into my life because when I looked back I noticed he had been around in one form or another for quite some time, waiting, watching, listening.
Convergence put itself together naturally, over time, it was an organic process. After that the question remained: where would Slim go next? The answer came to me in a dream and that dream led to the second book 'The Ghost In Me' with Subway Slim, once again, deciding for me where it would go".
What would you say is the main theme of the book ?
"Disconnection. Calling it 'Convergence' sounds ironic but it shows these disparate people who cross paths but they all seem to end up disconnecting. Slim himself is an observer, rarely actually involved, so he too is disconnected. This theme emerged from a mixture of observations and songs that were developing in parallel and proved to be a foundation for the next development.
'Convergence' was an essential prelude to the trilogy that follows, it sets the world of Subway Slim firmly in reality – an every day life that we would all recognise and that's important because Slim's understanding of what 'reality' means is challenged in the stories that follow.
It was really important to me that we see Slim as a person who lives and functions in our present day world just like everyone else and it was also important that we should see how disconnected he has become because his detachment from life is one of the key things that he is forced to deal with in the next book, 'The Ghost In Me'".
The music and the songs are an important part of convergence ?
"Yes, the songs are really the narrative in Convergence, the story started without them but they soon found their way in and took over the thing, so it makes sense to talk about how the songs came together. When Convergence finishes at the end of issue to I move to a traditional graphic novel style narrative for the next book".


text:
Republic Forge:
What Custom Can Be
By Jeff "Tank" Hoover
Every time I hear the name, Republic Forge, thoughts of the United States of America, a Constitutional Republic, is reinforced, stating the type of government our founding fathers wanted for our nation. We are not a democracy, there's a huge difference!
And Forge? You know darn well it's made the old-fashioned way, as heated steel is pounded into submission, tightening its very molecular core, making it stronger, more malleable. I couldn't think of a better name for a gun manufacturer.
Thought Inspiring
After learning about Republic Forge, images of American made 1911's bursting with pride, patriotism and perfection, will fill your mind, every time you hear their name.
"And to the Republic, for which we stand, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." These words are the backbone of what America stands for. The very meaning may be waning according to some — but to Republic Forge, they're still words to live by.
Bob Maw purchased Republic Forge December 28, 2017 from the previous owner. He saw an opportunity to make the best damn 1911 money could buy, for people who actually shoot — and made by shooters. He wanted to build guns with museum quality beauty and world-class accuracy.
Tough standards indeed, but with a crew of skilled gunsmiths and artisans, I think Bob Maw is well on his way to making 1911's in a class all by themselves, labeled as "working art."
A lifelong 1911 aficionado and collector, the former chopper pilot, businessman and current judge has an impressive collection of 1911's, including a few of John Moses Browning's original tool room prototypes. How cool is that?
Ya' Get What You Pay For
Anything of quality comes with a price, especially when it's hand-fitted, polished and tuned by hand. Others tout CNC machining, but machines are just that. They can't "feel" when something is painstakingly fit to perfection, as the slide travels along the frame grooves, or the trigger is releasing the sear. It's this "feel" truly custom guns offer, and what Republic Forge strives to achieve.
A lot of machining is done to go from 6.5 pound forged billet to a finished
product. This is what makes them so special.
Banging Billets
Every Republic Forge starts life as a 6.5-pound billet of 4140 steel. It's heated to 1,400 degrees and then pounded roughly into shape. It's this pounding that forges the metal, giving it strength as the metal is squashed on a molecular level.
The frame is then painstakingly milled on one of two Bridgeport Mills in the Republic Forge Shop. This gets it to its roughly final shape. The same is true of the slide, only it starts out at around two pounds. The parts are then hand-fitted the old-fashioned way, with lots of handwork and that special "feel" only obtainable with hand fitting.
Every Republic Forge 1911 starts out as a 6.5 pound steel billet,
heated to 1,400 degrees F, and forged to shape.
As Bob Maw says, "Forged checks bad — forged 4140 steel good!"
Bob starts each new project gun with a phone conversation with the customer. The needs are discussed, as well as expectation, along with how fancy, or traditional you choose to go. You may want a simple bluing job replicating your granddads old 1911. Or just maybe you want the ultimate 1911, with every accruement available, including engraving, inlays, sporting mastodon ivory stocks and more — and Republic Forge can accommodate those needs. This is a true custom shop, where you're in control, and each and every gun is built to the customer's specifications.
Using the finest mother nature has to offer. Check out this mammoth
tusk ivory ready for stocks.
Tank Test
I've had the opportunity to shoot several Republic Forge 1911's in various configurations at a media event hosted at the prestigious Gunsite Academy. Everything from a 9mm Commander-sized 1911, to a long-slide 10mm were shot. Every gun functioned without mishap, which is no big surprise. Shooting steel at 25 and 50 yards was almost monotonously boring, but seeing the tight clusters of splattered paint on the steel let you know these guns shot as good as they looked.
Performance? You Bet!
While Republic Forge may not suit everyone's budget, give them a call and ask about options. You just may be pleasantly surprised. As "His Editorship" likes to say, "Sell some of your commodity plastic guns you rarely use and buy one really good one!" I couldn't agree more.
For more info: republicforge.com


In the year 1690 the first paper money in the United States was printed in the Massachusetts colony. This birthed need for something other then a coin purse or pouch to carry ones money. As a tribute to this historical time we bring you The 1690 Wallet.
Crafted from 5oz Horween Natural Dublin it is hand stitched with the finest American made thread, edges carefully beveled, sanded and burnished for a lifetime of service then finished off with two antique brass snaps. This single pocket wallet measures just shy of 7' wide by 3.75" tall with a uniquely cut top flap making each piece a true one-of-a-kind (raw edges are left when possible adding to the unique rustic look). Horween leathers are some of the most desirable for personal items due to their rich characteristics and durability.


These specially trained stormtroopers wear customized armor well suited to the climate extremes on ice planets such as Hoth. These cold environment specialists stormed the Rebel Alliance's base at the Battle of Hoth, brandishing blaster rifles with precise skill and undeterred by the subzero conditions.
Hasbro knew they created the definitive Snowtrooper action figure when it was first released in the 2007 wave of the VTSC line. And we quickly knew that we would see this great action figure get released and rereleased time and again. And it certainly has been! Since the original 2007 VTSC Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear), this sculpt in some form or another has been released no less than a half a dozen times. These versions include the figure from 2007's TAC The Battle Of Hoth Ultimate Battle Pack, 2009's TLC Snowtrooper Saga Legends (SL25), 2009's LC Snowtrooper (BD55), 2010's SW [SOTDS] Hoth Assault Battle Packs set (and this same figure was first packed as the first version of the 2010 Saga Legends figure), 2010's SW [SOTDS] Attack On Hoth TARGET exclusive. But it didn't stop there. A second release in the 2010 Saga Legends line was released at the end of the year and includes yet another all-new paint job. This version made its way into later shipments of the 2010/2011 Saga Legends waves, yet interestingly brings the Snowtrooper full circle to how it looked when first released in 2007. We reported on this second release HERE. As you can see, we definitely have a big palette of Snowtrooper figures from which to choose, but it's a good bet that you have all or most of them already in your collections just out of sheer army-building necessity. Although this Snowtrooper sculpt has gone through quite a metamorphosis by way of its deco, Hasbro has done little (and only improvements) to affect the integrity of the sculpt which is great because it's nearly perfect as is. And we even believe that the best and most definitive version of the action figure is this updated Saga Legends figure.
Not only has the figure been updated with an excellent paint job (both versions of the Saga Legends figure are great), Hasbro also tweaked the stance of the legs. The sculpt became a little bit adulterated in the 2009 Legacy Collection (BD55) version. The update here is wonderful work because that figure had a ridiculously wide stance which is now gone and in its place are redesigned/repositioned and properly placed legs. This gives the Snowtrooper a natural (and remarkable) look. We reported this update and it was subsequently confirmed by Hasbro in a Q&A session (found HERE). But the changes don't really stop there. The helmet has a very distinct paint job and you'll be able to tell it apart from all other versions. While we thought we were partial to the heavily dark wash on the first version (which was the style they used in 2010's SW [SOTDS] Hoth Assault Battle Packs set, the second (and much cleaner) version is evidently the better one because it looks so much more authentic to the film, to a much more satisfying degree. The Snowtrooper is obviously the perfect candidate for the Saga Legends line because it appears that collectors cannot get enough of this action figure for army-building. And if Hasbro is to continue tweaking them every time they see rerelease, they won't become boring. This makes us want them more and more. There are sure to be purists out there that may not appreciate the removable helmet, but it has a pretty snug fit and if you keep it on his head. So it should not cause that much distress. Besides, there are so many details in the uniform to appreciate so keep your selves occupied with all the positivity this figure possesses. Be sure to make note of all of the changes this Snowtrooper has experienced in our report found HERE.
Hasbro successfully produced a definitive sculpt for the Snowtrooper right from the start. Sure it's gone through a series of updates and slight retools, but it's always been a great action figure. There hasn't been a need for a resculpt from the ground up since (aside from the previously mentioned slight but very important retool of the legs). It goes without saying that it is rare when a sculpt that is over three years old is still shining and remains the "go to" mold when a rerelease is needed. And it's quite amazing that it still looks as incredible as it did when it was first released. But still, while we're thrilled to have the opportunity to purchase him again in the Saga Legends line, we think it would have made more sense to get him back into the vintage line look via The Vintage Collection, especially since 2010 marked the 30 year anniversary landmark of The Empire Strikes Back. Hasbro has other things in mind it seems. Many collectors are partial to the very first version of this figure released in the VTSC line, but we bet if you take the time to compare that figure to this one that you'll be able to see that the 2010 version is unequivocally the better figure. Expect the Snowtrooper to make repeat appearances in the line for quite some time. While we don't expect Hasbro to tweak its paint job every time they rerelease it, we think that is a cheap and cost-effective way to ensure its continual sell through and maintain its success. We'll just have to revisit this and see where we are in a few years. But we hope that this figure will at the very least still be available to purchase in some form in the basic figure line because it's an incredible figure. Oh, and be sure to check out our comprehensive report on the overview and evolution of the 2010 Saga Legends line right HERE.
Status: Snowtrooper is a repaint of 2007's VTSC Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear) figure. The figure has gone through many paint job variations since its inception.


Eric has nearly 18 years of higher ed and SaaS industry experience, now working to further enhance Solution Design Group's position as a leader in contract management and financial software solutions as Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Prior to joining SDG, Eric worked as Vice President of Attain's Higher Ed and Commercial Sales division, where he ran the Workday Advisory practice and oversaw an acquisition of a higher ed Salesforce business. He has been a part of several leadership teams at SaaS-based software companies in the higher ed and commercial markets.


ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—LG will begin shipping its 2019 line of OLED and NanoCell TVs this month, although it didn't provide pricing as of this posting.
The company also announced that the TVs, first unveiled at CES in January, will receive a midyear upgrade to support Apple AirPlay 2, Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa.
Features of the W9 (model 77/65W9), E9 (65/55E9), C9 (77/65/55C9) and B9 (65/55B9) include Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, while select models support HDMI 2.1 for 4K viewing at 120 fps and have 4K high frame rate, automatic low latency mode (ALLM), variable refresh rate (VRR) and enhanced audio return channel (eARC).
They also feature LG's second-gen Alpha 9 intelligent processor and deep learning technology, said to "recognize" content source quality and determine the best upgrade method for visual output. It also analyzes ambient conditions to achieve the optimal level of screen brightness, according to LG, as well fine-tunes audio and dialog settings.
While the TVs will receive support later this year for AirPlay 2, HomeKit and Amazon Alexa, they will ship with support for Google Assistant.
Sizes for the NanoCell TVs range from 49 to 86 inches.
LG's OLED models will make up 20 percent of the company's high-end TV portfolio, it said. It estimated that demand will reach 3.6 million units this year, 7 million units in 2020 and 10 million in 2021.
Now available for sale at Video & Audio Center at $9,999, the 65EC9700 will be available nationwide later this month.


text:
Home > Raw Wood Sings
Raw Wood Sings
Bob Childs makes world-class violins.
by Laura Levis [1]
May-June 2014 [2]
In his Cambridge studio, Childs makes about six violins a year.
Photograph by Stu Rosner
Musicians typically wait more than a year for a Childs violin. They sell for about $18,000.
Photograph courtesy of Bob Childs
An ornate scroll on the neck of a violin.
A fiddling putto or Baroque cherub is one of Childs's trademarks.
Listen to tracks from As the Crow Flies
The Hawk and Crow
[video:http://harvardmagazine.com/sites/default/files/media/The_Hawk_And_Crow_As_The_Crow_Flies.mp3]
Leave No Millionaire Behind
[video:http://harvardmagazine.com/sites/default/files/media/Leave_No_Millionaire_Behind.mp3]
Alone in his studio, while a radio plays baroque music, master violinmaker Bob Childs, Dv '92, Ed.M. '93, holds a flat piece of spruce in his hands and taps it with his finger. He listens. Tap! Tap! Tap! He listens again. It will take him some 200 hours to create a violin worthy of some of the greatest musicians in the world. But the wood must sound right to him—must sing to him—from the very start.
"You're listening for that bell-like sound, that sustained sound," Childs says. "A really good violin will sound good right from the beginning."
After spending so much time with this piece of wood, giving birth to what will be virtually a living instrument—one that will long outlive any of its players—Childs hears his own inner voice saying, "Keep it." But he does not. His masterpiece will go to someone in the Boston Symphony Orchestra, or New York Philharmonic, or perhaps a violinist in Germany or Scotland who's waited on his list for at least a year to get it.
There are at least two consolations, he says. Crafting violins is his calling, and with every one he makes, he adds to his legacy. And he is not saying goodbye to this violin forever.
Childs has made 140 violins in 38 years. Those who've bought his instruments become eligible for membership in a very elite organization: Childsplay, an orchestra whose members all play, yes, a Childs violin. They tour the nation, have a forthcoming PBS special, and play both large and small venues several times a year. At any time, Childs can hear the group's 20 musicians playing fiddle music on those pieces of wood he tapped and tapped and tapped for hours on end.
"There's a commonality to my instruments—people can recognize that I made them," he says. "Just like you can recognize that Stradivarius made an instrument. Really, what you're after is just to have it be you, and then to have all those voices united together. We think of it as a family choir…a violin choir that's singing together."
The sixth Childsplay CD, As the Crow Flies
In his tiny third-floor workshop in Cambridge, Childs sits at a small desk surrounded by plaster violin molds and tools of varying shapes and sizes, with the smell of freshly cut maple and spruce wafting through the air. Holding the beginnings of a violin that he will eventually sell for about $18,000 up to a window flooded with light, he carefully carves the wood, constantly checking to make sure the thickness, and most important, the sound, are nothing short of impeccable.
"I can feel the quality of the wood, and the flex of it," Childs says. "The very amazing thing that people don't realize is that the sound of the violin is actually in the wood before you start." He lightly taps a piece of spruce that he has recently cut into the shape of the top of a violin. "There's a wisdom that you get," he adds. "It's a wisdom that I think is what I would call anoetic: anoetic knowledge—a wisdom that comes through your feeling, not necessarily intellectual wisdom."
Pulling down a stack of air-dried wood from a high shelf above a small "Bugs Bunny" basketball hoop, Childs demonstrates his process. It begins, typically, when a musician comes to his studio and they pick the wood together. Depending on the type of wood—spruce, maple, and ebony are the primary varieties used—and the thickness, he says, each violin will have a unique sound and tonal quality. Then Childs holds up a plaster mold. "This is an old Guarneri violin that we took apart, and we made a cast of it," he says. "You make a cast of the violin you are going to copy by creating an external cast first, which means that you protect the violin that you are copying by giving it a protective cover, then creating an external wall or barrier that will hold the plaster you pour into it. That creates a reverse mold, so you have to create a positive image of the cast by pouring plaster into the external mold and you end up with an exact copy of the shape of the original back and top that you were seeking."
The molds enable him to replicate the outline and contours used by the master violinmakers of Italy, Childs says. "They say there are two things in the world that have completed their evolution—one of them is the redwood tree, and the other is the violin," he explains. "In terms of the form, it doesn't change."
Childs says that he likes to think of violins as going in two directions: either they are like trumpets and they're way out in front of the orchestra, or they're going to draw the audience toward the player, with what he describes as a "chocolatey kind of sound."
It has taken years for Childs to develop his eye. He first started working in Maine for a self-taught violinmaker. He then worked with some of the top craftsmen in the world before moving to Philadelphia; there he repaired and restored the violins for Philadelphia Orchestra musicians and began to develop his own style. "We got to take apart really beautiful, old, famous violins from orchestra members," recalls Childs, who also works as a clinical psychologist and teacher. "So I got to know Stradivarius violins and Guarnerius violins, Amati violins—all the great makers. I learned from the masters and was able to create my own brand."
Yet how does a maker, in the course of a lifetime, develop violins that all have his voice? "Some part of the violinmaker gets put in the violin, gets transmuted to the violin in some way," Childs says. "That's half of it. The other half, of course, is the player. The music that's inside the player comes out through the violin. In that way it's a remarkable thing. It's very mysterious."
Source URL: https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2014/05/raw-wood-sings?page=all
[1] https://www.harvardmagazine.com/profile/Laura-Levis
[4] https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2014/05/raw-wood-sings


text:
No need to fear, Danko is here
Danko patrols Brighton High School during the day and fights crime when needed at night
Noe Hernandez
Home Depot donates kennel
State grant paid for training
Danko already a legend in Brighton
A dog is helping keep Brighton High School and city neighborhoods safe this year, but don't get too comfy if you have crime on your mind.
This dog — Danko, an 18-month-old Dutch Shepherd — is a member of the Brighton Police Department and trained to protect and serve the public just like other police officers. He joined the force in May.
"He's doing great," Police Chief Tom Wightman said. "He's been out on a number of tracking assignments and tracked down subjects."
On command, Danko can track down criminals who are running from the law, even if they've already fled the scene by the time he and K-9 Handler Jim Meldrum arrive to assist other officers.
He's also able to smell drugs on a person, and alert Meldrum, who will, of course, put the wretched soul in 'cuffs and give him or her a free ride to jail.
When called, Danko can help find folks who have gone missing simply by getting a whiff of the missing person's shirt, wallet, purse or other personal belonging.
Though Danko does not carry a gun, he can control criminals with his bite and keep them at bay until Meldrum slaps on the 'cuffs.
He's also trained to protect Meldrum, so don't even think about taking a swing his way. Danko will clamp down on a body part faster than the assailant can scream "OMG!"
"We all consider Danko as a fellow police officer, but Danko offers a set of tools that we don't have with his sense of smell," Meldrum said.
The Brighton City Council authorized $7,500 to buy and ship Danko from the Netherlands and a $4,000 state grant paid for his training in Auburn Hills. He went to work with Meldrum five weeks after completing training in obedience, narcotics detection, tracking, handler protection and other police K-9 duties.
Brighton also set aside $2,700 for Danko's food, vet shots and other necessities. Home Depot donated Danko's outdoor kennel, which he uses when he's in the police department. Danko lives with Meldrum and his family in Brighton when he's not on duty.
Danko's already famous among his peers for, on his first day, tracking and catching a drunk who had fled from an injury accident. His list of accomplishments in Brighton now includes sniffing out drugs and locating a guy who was wanted for domestic violence.
Danko and Meldrum spend eight hours a day in Brighton High School, where Meldrum is the school's resource officer and a part-time teacher. Danko sniffs lockers at times, checking for marijuana, cocaine, meth and other illegal drugs. He and Meldrum work out of a spacious office in the building.
"He's made my life easier in school and harder outside of school," Meldrum says with a police dog handler's humor. "He's very high energy and takes a lot of effort."
Meldrum, an eight-year veteran, teaches constitutional law, business law and social media, and takes Danko along when fights erupt, threats are made and personal items are stolen.
Principal Gavin Johnson says Danko helps keep the high school's 2,100 students safe. Danko does not cost the school district a penny.
"Anytime we are able to increase student safety, it's a great thing, and that's what Danko does," Johnson said. "He's another tool to keep our school safe."
Danko and Meldrum work from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. during the summertime.
Meldrum runs Danko three times a day, sometimes up a hill, and puts him through quarter-mile-long tracking drills to keep him fit. Danko can sit, lay, stay and return to Meldrum on command. Danko also knows what to do based on the collar he wears. He has collars for obedience, aggression, detection and tracking.
On his time off, he loves to swim, play fetch and jog with Meldrum. Students chanted "Danko! Danko! Danko!" during a recent football playoff game.
"The reception that Danko has had in the school has been very positive," Meldrum said. "Most kids I've talked to have told me that Danko is a great deterrent for drugs in school."
Contact Livingston Daily business reporter Noe Hernandez at 517-552-2854 or nhernandez@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on Twitter @sayyesnoe.


text:
Home >Companies >People >We wanted to do things Piramal way, says Piramal Finance MD Khushru Jijina
Piramal Finance managing director Khushru Jijina. Photo: Aniruddha Chowhdury/Mint
We wanted to do things Piramal way, says Piramal Finance MD Khushru Jijina
3 min read . Updated: 07 Aug 2017, 01:01 AM IST Bidya Sapam
Piramal Finance's managing director Khushru Jijina attributes employee loyalty to the group's constant efforts to enforce its value system at levels of the firm
In just five years, Piramal Finance Ltd, part of the Piramal Group, has become one of India's largest domestic fund managers operating in both real estate and, other sectors. From 25-30 employees in 2012, it has grown to around 240 with zero attrition rate in the last three years. The company's managing director Khushru Jijina attributes employee loyalty to the group's constant efforts to enforce its value system at levels of the firm. He said one of the reasons the company has been able to retain and attract talent is the entrepreneurial spirit that it encourages and the strong support it provides to all its employees.
What makes Piramal Finance a great place to work in?
Everyone comes here not just to work but to do something for themselves. They come because they want to do something for this family. If you look at the journey of Piramal Finance in the last four years, we have had the same set of people. It is not easy work that we do here but people enjoy what they do here. This goes back to the core value of the group. One of the value systems is entrepreneurship and you will see across right from the smallest guy to the managing director of the company. People have the right to take decisions and even if there is a mistake, we have always said that the leader has to accept it because if you relate to a family, the family head has to own up. So, I own it if something goes wrong, but then that freedom is given to anyone to do something what they think they can do, innovate and take risk. Secondly, family means we share everything. In other words, whatever the management or the board gives as part of the profit is actually shared by everyone. It is not restricted to a chose few. That's the concept of family.
The attrition rate of the company in the last three years is almost zero. How do you manage it particularly in terms of retaining the younger talent?
Everyone comes here as part of the family. Why would anybody leave a family when one is getting all the tools what he wants and rewarded for what he is doing? It also starts from the philosophy of the group—that is to get the right people whose value system is similar to the group's. That person may be less intelligent to the market.
We are not worried about that because that person will learn. We are not looking for rock stars, we are looking for people whose DNA matches with us. My role as family head is to see is that each of my family members are treated fairly and how their aspirations and ambitions are taken care every year in terms of work, more job and responsibilities. Thirdly, if one of the family members has a personal problem, the whole team rallies to see how to solve the person's problem.
So it's that strong a bonding among the team. Here, we also give the person all the tools and opportunity to become their own boss. We encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in a person by giving the freedom to do what you want and with a strong support of the group. One of the things we score very high is on communication. We communicate a lot with each other.
Since it was founded in 2012, how has the company evolved in terms of talent management to keep up with the pace of growth?
When I took over in 2014, the assets under management was around Rs1,300 crore. Today as we speak, the combined growth of the real estate and non-real estate along with private equity would around be Rs40-45,000 crore.
The growth has come from support of the group but obviously the credit goes to the team because it is this team which kept on innovating.
We have all come from different backgrounds. We realized that we wanted to do things the Piramal way. And because of the spirit of entrepreneurship that we encourage, we started innovating all the time.
mint-india-wire great-place-to-work


text:
Bulbophyllum futile is a species of orchid in the genus Bulbophyllum.

References
The Bulbophyllum-Checklist
The Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia

futile

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Foreign medical graduates interested in enrolling in Specialized and Professional Development Courses should go to the Extension Chamber of the Escola Paulista de Medicina located at Rua Pedro de Toledo, 650, 2nd floor, from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. They should fill in the registration form, pay the enrollment fee (GRU) of R$ 150,00 (one hundred and fifty reais) and present a duly documented curriculum.
Candidates must also be within the conditions established by Resolution no. 1832 from January 11, 2008, issued by the Brazilian Federal Council of Medicine (CFM).
Foreign candidates can only apply for courses that accept foreign candidates and that meet the academic, bureaucratic and legal requirements established by the Course Coordination, by the Brazilian Government and by PROEC (Unifesp´s Executive Vice-Rectorate of Extension and Culture).
Foreign candidates, holders of a temporary visa, who are interested in conducting such courses are not authorized to perform medical acts without the presence and direct supervision of a doctor of high ethical and professional qualification from the Institution.
In accordance with Resolution no. 1831, from January 9, 2008, issued by the Brazilian Federal Council of Medicine (CFM), a certificate of proficiency in Portuguese (CELPE-BRAS) with an upper intermediate level, issued by the Ministry of Education is required.
It is mandatory to have a CPF (individual registration number).


text:
La reserva natural de Chórniyeche Zemli (en ruso, заповедник «Чёрные Земли», zapovédnik «Chórniye zemli» o de las «Tierras negras») es una reserva natural en la república rusa de Calmuquia, que tiene una extensión de 1219 kilómetros cuadrados, con una zona adyacente de 900 kilómetros cuadrados.

Fue creada en origen en el año 1990 para proteger al antílope saiga (Saiga tatarica). Con el tiempo, la economía de Calmuquia se derrumbó y el número de saiga se ha hundido debido a su caza furtiva para comida y por sus cuernos (para la medicina china) y la desertificación causada por el sobrepasto de los animales domésticos. La parte principal de la reserva se encuentra en la depresión cáspica al noroeste del mar Caspio. La reserva contiene también colonias de garcetas, de cormoranes y de pelícanos.

Desde 1993, la reserva natural de Chórniye Zemli es considerada una reserva de la biosfera por la Unesco.

Referencias
 Centro para la conservació de la naturaleza rusa, Cherny Zemly Zapovednik (en inglés)
 Reserva natural Chórniye Zemli (en ruso)

Enlaces externos

Chorniye zemli
Kalmukia
Áreas protegidas establecidas en 1990


text:
Q: Re-use buttons jquery I have 2 buttons which each one appears after an AJAX call. This is the code which work in these buttons:
 $('#detalles').on('click', 'button', function() {
    var id = $(this).data('estatus');
    var val = $(this).val();
    estatusObj[id](val);
});

And estatusObj have the next:
etc...
'4': function(val) {
        if (val === 'no') {
            if (confirm('¿Desea eliminar la oportunidad ' + nombre + '?')) {
                $.post('oportunidad_query.php', {'id': oportunidad, 'accion': 'delete'})
                        .done(function() {
                            $('#detalles').on('dialogclose', function(event, ui) {
                                location.reload();
                            });
                            $('#detalles').dialog({buttons: {'Cerrar': function() {
                                        $(this).dialog("close");
                                    }}
                            }).html('
¡' + nombre + ' eliminado!
');
                        });
            }
        }
        else {
            alert('hola');
            $('#detalles section:first-of-type p+p').html('¿Ajustar cotización?');
            $('#detalles').off('click', 'button', function() {
                alert('Lo hizo');
            });
        }
    },

The buttons says 'Yes' and 'No'. If 'No', delete data into the database (this works).
But when click 'Yes', I want to keep those buttons, but with differents click events.
How can do it?

A: function(val) {
    if($('#detalles button').attr('rel')=='second'){
        if (val === 'no') {
            alert("Second No");
        }else{
            alert("Second yes");
        }
    }else{
        if (val === 'no') {
            if (confirm('¿Desea eliminar la oportunidad ' + nombre + '?')) {
                $.post('oportunidad_query.php', {
                    'id': oportunidad,
                    'accion': 'delete'
                })
                .done(function() {
                    $('#detalles').on('dialogclose', function(event, ui) {
                        location.reload();
                    });
                    $('#detalles').dialog({
                        buttons: {
                            'Cerrar': function() {
                                $(this).dialog("close");
                            }
                        }
                    }).html('
¡' + nombre + ' eliminado!
');
                });
            }
        }
        else {
            alert('hola');
            //$('#detalles section:first-of-type p+p').html('¿Ajustar cotización?');
            $('#detalles button').attr('rel','second');
        }
    }

}

You can add some attribute rel into buttons element.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The 1990 unsolved homicide of John Ramsey, IV.
On July 20, 1990 at 2:04 a.m., Manchester Police were called to 540 Maple Street, Manchester NH in regards to a shooting victim. Upon arrival, they found a male subject suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. The male victim, identified as John Ramsey, age 34, was transported to a local hospital where he died from his wound.


There are all sorts of movies to watch for Christmas Eve. While the various traditional holiday movies are all good, I often prefer to see something that has the inner dynamic of Christmas – celebrating some surprising way in which the fullness of life comes into the world.
This year, I watched the documentary A Touch of Greatness. In the 1940s and 1950s, Albert Cullum broke all the rules of teaching. A friend who was a film-maker captured much of it on film: fifth-graders rallying to vote for Shakespeare, Shaw or Sophocles, or putting on Hamlet and Richard II, or creating a Mississippi River out of a long roll of paper and having the students swim its length on the huge map of America drawn on the school's playground.
The interviews with former students are interspersed, and it's clear that Cullum's methods made a lasting impact on many of them.
The scenes I like best, though, came near the end of the hour-long movie. One of Cullum's former students has himself become a teacher – and spoke about the difference in today's school system. He speaks about the pressure to teach to the standardized tests, and especially about the differences in educational methods given to school in neighborhoods of different social classes. The children of the middle class are prepared for problem-solving and critical thinking, he says, while the children of the working class are prepared to careers in boring and service jobs. Pugh is still touched and inspired by Cullum's methods and ideas, but finds that he has to re-shape them to modern times.


This is an avulsion fracture.
This is the swelling on the outside that started yesterday.
We have no idea what happened or caused this.
She woke up yesterday morning and couldn't walk on the outside of her foot.
We thought she was avoiding chore day.
After ice and elevation most of the day, it started really swelling around 7pm.
I swear everything happens at 7pm.
Anyways, to (hopefully) save another ER visit, I called and just talked to the nurse about it. She said she needed to be seen soon by either an ER or Urgent Care.
So I took her in (she couldn't get a shoe on, it was too painful with the pressure of the shoe) and they did 3 angles of x-rays.
Of course what is on Caroline's mind? Horse riding.
She told the doctor she rides every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday and works at the barn on Saturday.
She is super bummed but also understands. She said she'll do whatever it takes to be back with her horses as soon as possible.
I love her spirit and passion.
So she is in a boot right now, staying off of it as much as possible.


text:
Hemimycena pithya (Pers.) Dörfelt – gatunek grzybów z rodziny grzybówkowatych (Mycenaceae).

Systematyka i nazewnictwo
Pozycja w klasyfikacji według Index Fungorum: Atheniella, Mycenaceae, Agaricales, Agaricomycetidae, Agaricomycetes, Agaricomycotina, Basidiomycota, Fungi.

Po raz pierwszy opisał go w 1801 r. Christiaan Hendrik Persoon, nadając mu nazwę Agaricus lacteus var. pithyus. Obecną nazwę nadał mu Heinrich Dörfelt w 1984 r.

Ma 7synonimów. Niektóre z nich:
 Mycena lactea var. pithya (Pers.) J.E. Lange 1914
 Mycena pithya (Pers.) Mussat 1901.
W checklist Władysława Wojewody w 2003 r. gatunek ten potraktowany jest jako synonim białogrzybówki igłowej (Hemimycena gracilis), jednak według Index Fungorum jest to odrębny gatunek.

Występowanie i siedlisko
Podano stanowiska tylko w niektórych krajach Europy, głównie w Europie Środkowej. W Polsce w 2003 r. W. Wojewoda przytoczył 7 stanowisk dla Hemimycena gracilis (łącznie z Hemimycena pithya, potraktowaną jako jej synonim).

Grzyb saprotroficzny.

Przypisy

Grzybówkowate
Mykobiota Polski


Brad and I went to his parents' house for Christmas, so we had to board our dogs at the vet. I hate doing that to them, and it made me sad to think about them in that cage. They're home now, and are healthy and happy. Yesterday I took them for a mile walk around the neighborhood and wore them out.
Also, I started going to a yoga class at Nydia's Yoga Therapy. I'm trying to make a habit of going at least twice a week. It's a lot cheaper than massages and better for me because it looses up all my tension AND increases my strength and flexibility. Being strong and flexible seems like a good idea.
I think Brad and I are just going to take it easy this weekend. Clean up the house a lot, play a lot of WoW, and hang out with the little pugs. Next weekend, we're having friends over for games!


text:
AL Central Notes: Castellanos, Perez, Lovelady
By Mark Polishuk | October 17, 2019 at 9:24pm CDT
As BBWAA writers in Detroit prepare to vote on the "Tiger Of The Year" award, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reveals that his vote will go to a player who didn't suit up for the Tigers after the trade deadline — Nicholas Castellanos. A case could certainly be made that Castellanos was still the best performer on the woeful Tigers, though Fenech took something of a more symbolic stance, arguing that Castellanos "provided a fitting look at the front office's failure to gain serious ground in their rebuilding process." After several months of fruitless attempts to move Castellanos, Detroit finally unloaded the slugger to the Cubs for two decent but unspectacular pitching prospects, only to see Castellanos start tearing the cover off the ball after arriving in Chicago.
"How did the Tigers not know this hitter was in there? And why does every player that leave Detroit improve?" Fenech asks, also wondering why the club didn't make more of an effort to extend a player who openly desired to be a long-term piece for the Tigers. Instead, the lack of progress on either a trade or an extension seemed to wear on Castellanos in the first half of the year, which didn't help his trade value.
More from around the AL Central…
The Indians announced that catcher Roberto Perez underwent arthroscopic surgery in order to remove bone spurs from his right ankle. The procedure isn't considered serious, and Perez is expected to be fully ready for the start of Spring Training. Moving into a starting role for the first time, Perez responded with a career year in 2019, hitting .239/.321/.452 with 24 home runs over 449 PA. He was also arguably the game's best defensive catcher, throwing out 20 of 49 would-be base-stealers and ranking at or near the top of the league in blocking and framing metrics.
Royals left-hander Richard Lovelady also went under the knife, as the team announced that the rookie will be sidelined for six-to-eight weeks after right knee surgery. A tenth-round pick in the 2016 draft, Lovelady made his MLB debut last season, posting a 7.65 ERA over 20 innings (25 games) out of Kansas City's bullpen. A .412 BABIP contributed to Lovelady's inflated ERA, as his 4.16 FIP/4.75 xFIP/4.58 SIERA presented a much more respectable picture of his first season. The 24-year-old is expected to compete for a job in the Royals' pen during Spring Training.
Cleveland Indians Detroit Tigers Kansas City Royals Nick Castellanos Notes Richard Lovelady Roberto Perez
Indians Release Carlos Gonzalez
By Steve Adams | May 26, 2019 at 9:59pm CDT
TODAY: Gonzalez has officially been released, as per Roster Roundup (Twitter link).
WEDNESDAY: The Indians have designated veteran outfielder Carlos Gonzalez for assignment in order to open a spot on the active roster for catcher Eric Haase, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal tweets. Haase was already on the 40-man roster, but the club opted to cut ties with Gonzalez rather than place Roberto Perez on the 7-day concussion list. Perez apparently tested well enough following last night's concussion that the team isn't currently planning to place him on the IL (though he'll quite likely still sit out the next couple of days at the least).
Gonzalez, 33, will see his time with Cleveland come to an end after 30 games and 117 ugly plate appearances that didn't inspire much confidence. The three-time All-Star and former NL batting champ hit just .210/.282/.276 with a pair of homers, a double and 33 strikeouts in his short time with the Indians. That type of production wouldn't cut it even if the Indians were a first-place club, but the fact that they're sitting six and a half games back in the American League Central only further creates a sense of urgency to coax production out of what has been a dismal lineup.
Gonzalez is the second former superstar with whom the Indians have parted ways since Opening Day; Hanley Ramirez cracked the Opening Day roster as the team's designated hitter but was cut loose after 16 games and 57 plate appearances worth of similarly disappointing numbers.
With Gonzalez now subtracted from the outfield mix, the Indians will free up additional at-bats for younger options. Oscar Mercado has shown well in his first handful of MLB games, and the Indians could take further looks at some combination of Tyler Naquin, Greg Allen, Jake Bauers and Jordan Luplow their corner outfield/DH rotation. The Athletic's Zack Meisel tweets that former first-round pick and top prospect Bradley Zimmer, who is recovering from 2018 shoulder surgery, is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus sometime next week, so he'll emerge as an option in the not-too-distant future as well.
Cleveland will have a week to either find a trade partner for Gonzalez or release him. An outright assignment is technically possible but seems unlikely; Gonzalez would have to accept the assignment despite knowing that there are younger options that the team wishes to evaluate at length before giving him another look. The most probable outcome is that Gonzalez will simply be released and look for a new opportunity to rebuild his stock following a change of scenery.
Carlos Gonzalez Cleveland Indians Eric Haase Newsstand Roberto Perez Transactions
Indians' Roberto Perez Diagnosed With Concussion
By Steve Adams | May 22, 2019 at 8:09am CDT
Indians catcher Roberto Perez was diagnosed with a concussion after taking a foul ball off the mask in last night's game against the Athletics, manager Terry Francona told reporters after the game (link via Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer). While Francona called it a "mild" concussion and suggested the team will take a day before determining whether to place Perez on the 7-day injured list, though clubs typically err on the side of caution with regard to head injuries. Fellow catcher Eric Haase is already on his way to join the club from Triple-A Columbus, Francona indicated.
The 30-year-old Perez has taken over as Cleveland's top catching option in 2019 following the offseason trade of Yan Gomes, and while he's never previously been much of a threat at the plate, he's enjoyed a solid start to the season. In 117 plate appearances, Perez is hitting .228/.319/.426 with six home runs and a pair of doubles. He's always been able to draw a walk, but Perez has slashed his strikeout rate by four percent over last season and upped his walk rate a bit while showing the best home-run pop of his career to date. He's also gone 6-for-18 in stopping stolen-base attempts and posted above-average framing marks (per Baseball Prospectus).
Given that improved offense and his typically solid brand of glovework, an absence for Perez would sting perhaps more than many Indians fans would've thought entering the season. Cleveland's other catcher, Kevin Plawecki, has managed only a .143/.250/.286 batting line — albeit in a mere 56 plate appearances.
Haase, 26, is on the 40-man roster, so the Indians would only need to make a 25-man move to bring him up to the Majors. He's out to a nice start of his own in Columbus, having batted .245/.341/.562 with 11 home runs in 129 plate appearances. His 31 percent strikeout rate is too high but is also a mirror image of the rate at which he's fanned dating back to Class-A Advanced in 2015. He's offset that mark a bit with a 13.2 percent walk rate and the best power production of his career.
Cleveland Indians Eric Haase Roberto Perez
Indians "Will Listen" To Trade Proposals On Key Veterans
By Jeff Todd | November 2, 2018 at 8:31pm CDT
The Indians remain in a highly competitive stance coming out of the 2018 season, particularly in an exceedingly weak overall American League Central division. After three-straight divisional titles, the organization still has one of the game's best — and most affordable — core talent groups.
Still, there are plenty of needs on the roster and seemingly less resources to utilize to fulfill them. The club has in recent years both committed salary and dealt well-regarded prospects to supplement its fantastic bunch of stars.
Given this state of affairs, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports (Twitter link), the Indians "will listen to trade offers" involving key veteran players. He specifically cites top hurlers Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco, along with pricey veterans such as Edwin Encarnacion, Yan Gomes, and Jason Kipnis, as theoretical trade chips.
Importantly, and unsurprisingly, the club's two still-youthful, amply controllable stars — Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor — will remain off limits. There's certainly little reason for the Indians even to contemplate moves involving those players, whose contract rights are among the most valuable in the entire sport.
The most interesting element of this report, undoubtedly, is the possibility of the Indians offering up some of their top-flight pitching talent. Kluber and Carrasco are both excellent pitchers, but they are also signed to highly appealing contracts. The former, a perennial Cy Young contender, can be controlled through 2021 for as little as $30.5MM (though his 2020 and 2021 options can rise in value based upon his Cy placement). The latter, who's also a top-10 starter over the past three seasons, will pitch for just $9.75MM next and little more in 2020 (his option, too, can be boosted based on the voting).
There's no specific mention of righty Trevor Bauer, who emerged to take a place alongside his more-accomplished rotation mates. He's just as plausible a candidate to be moved from an outside perspective, though, given that he's down to two more years of arbitration control. Bauer is the most youthful of the three, but doesn't figure to be an extension candidate given his stated preference never to agree to a multi-year deal. Still, he's projected to earn a bargain $11.6MM for 2019 with one more arb year to go thereafter.
Any of these three pitchers would be hotly pursued this winter, because there just aren't many alternatives. As our recent Market Snapshot series discussed, the trade market doesn't seem to offer much in the way of high-end pitching– at least at affordable rates of pay. Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Madison Bumgarner do not appear particularly likely even to be discussed in trades. Zack Greinke is still good, but his remaining obligation of $95.5MM is more than it cost the Dodgers to retain Clayton Kershaw earlier today. Meanwhile, the free agent market has a few talented hurlers on offer, but that'll entail long-term commitments and much greater financial risk.
For some organizations, the possibility of landing one of the Indians pitchers would be a dream scenario. Of course, there's little question that the Cleveland organization will demand a princely sum. Given its near-term ambitions, far-away prospects likely won't headline a deal. Instead, the Indians are sure to demand high-quality players that can step right into the lineup while also providing greater long-term value than the starters who'd be dealt. While the Indians may be willing to stake a bet on their ability to find good innings from within, at least sufficient to come out ahead of the divisional opponents, it's hard to look past the fact that the American League features a few teams that have aggregated an awful lot of talent. Rolling the dice on other hurlers (Mike Clevinger, Shane Bieber, Adam Plutko, Danny Salazar) could be a viable strategy, but only if the Indians can secure young players they truly believe in with a swap.
As for the other players on the Indians roster that could be moved, it seems reasonable to suppose that cost-savings would be a leading motivator. Encarnacion can still swing the bat, but he wouldn't command his remaining obligation ($25MM, including a 2021 option buyout) on the open market. Gomes rebounded with the bat in 2018, but is earning a relatively hefty $7MM, plus $2MM in buyouts on a pair of options ($9MM and $11MM, respectively) that seem unlikely to be exercised. (Fellow backstop Roberto Perez also receives mention from Olney, though he's much cheaper and his control runs further into the future. He also struggled notably in 2018.) No doubt the club would like to find a taker for some of the $17MM still owed Kipnis ($2.5MM of which is in a buyout), but other organizations would only stake so much on a rebound. First baseman Yonder Alonso ($8MM salary plus $1MM buyout on 2020 option) would also seem a hypothetical possibility.
All things considered, there are quite a few fascinating possibilities to consider. Elite young position-player talent and/or cost savings seem clearly to be in mind here for the Indians. It may require a bit of a tightrope walk to pull things off, but the market situation seems generally favorable to the attempt.
Carlos Carrasco Cleveland Indians Corey Kluber Edwin Encarnacion Roberto Perez Yan Gomes
AL Notes: Gordon, Segura, Twins, Roberto Perez
By Kyle Downing | December 23, 2017 at 10:15am CDT
New Mariners center fielder Dee Gordon doesn't like what's happening in Miami, Tim Healey of the Sun Sentinel reports. While his words don't stir up controversy quite to the level of Giancarlo Stanton's upon the slugger's own exit from Miami, Gordon was very candid with his feelings about the direction of the Marlins' franchise. "It's terrible," Gordon said, via Healey. "It's almost — I'm not even going to say almost. It's embarrassing. It's embarrassing. I don't want to bash anyone, but what's happened is not good." The former Marlins second baseman expressed a distaste for the franchise's trades of Stanton, Marcell Ozuna and himself, accusing the team of getting rid of them because of payroll obligations the Marlins' new ownership "can't take care of." When asked what he thinks the club should do with Christian Yelich, Gordon said, "I think you have to let the dude go win." Under new ownership, or course, the Marlins have expressed a desire to change the way the team operates financially in order to create sustainable success for the long-term. While the strategy has been met with skepticism by many (including colorful agent Scott Boras), others side with Derek Jeter and co., believing that the new owners aren't morally obligated to remain bound to the financial decisions of the old regime.
More from around baseball's American League during the holiday season…
In other Mariners news, shortstop Jean Segura says he was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint by corrupt police in the Dominican Republic. Mark Townsend of Yahoo Sports delves into the details of incident, which Segura made public via a post on his Instagram account. The photo of the post appears to show a number of DICAN officers, one of whom is "visibly armed," in Townsend's words. The Dominican Republic National Police have since announced the appointment of a commission to investigate the incident. Segura followed up a breakout 5-WAR 2016 campaign with the Diamondbacks by hitting .300/.349/.427 across 566 plate appearances in 2017.
The Twins "hope to get a meeting soon with Darvish," Darren Wolfson of KSTP reports in a tweet. While the prospect of a meeting certainly doesn't imply a serious pursuit of the former Rangers ace (indeed, Wolfson adds that there's no indication the club has made a formal offer), a potential pursuit of Darvish by Minnesota is intriguing. Any contract large enough to lure him in would need to nearly triple the club's highest-ever guarantee given to a pitcher ($55MM to Ervin Santana). However, it's no secret that the Twins are in dire need of pitching if they plan to compete this offseason, and as MLBTR's Steve Adams notes, the club is definitely in a position to spend this offseason.
Roberto Perez, backup catcher for the Indians, is focused on getting his mother a new home. A story by Jordan Bastian of MLB.com details Perez' desire to sit down with his mom Lilliam Martinez this holiday season and discuss plans to build a new house to replace the one that was severely damaged by Hurricane Maria. Bastian's piece provides some insight into the emotions of Perez since the storm hit; the piece is well worth a read for fans looking to learn more about how Puerto Rico has been affected since landfall by the Class 5 storm. The 29-year-old Perez made his MLB debut with the Indians back in 2014. He signed a four-year, $9MM extension last spring following three excellent defensive seasons with the Tribe.
Cleveland Indians Dee Gordon Derek Jeter Jean Segura Miami Marlins Minnesota Twins Roberto Perez Seattle Mariners
AL Rumors: Indians, Orioles, Machado, Red Sox
By Connor Byrne | November 19, 2017 at 11:27am CDT
While it's unclear if any deals will materialize, a slew of Indians drew trade interest at this month's general managers meetings, according to Terry Pluto of cleveland.com. Specifically, teams inquired about a few Indians pitchers – including right-handers Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer and Mike Clevinger – as well as catchers Roberto Perez and Yan Gomes. Clubs also approached the Tribe about a couple less heralded members of the organization in outfielder Greg Allen and minor league righty Shane Bieber, Pluto adds. Of those players, it's clear Carrasco would warrant the largest return, but there's no reason for the Indians to move him. Conversely, the Tribe would be open to dealing either Perez or Gomes, Pluto suggests, considering the team has high-end prospect Francisco Mejia waiting in the wings behind those two.
More from a pair of other American League cities:
The Orioles will wait until later in the offseason to discuss extensions with third baseman Manny Machado and center fielder Adam Jones, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com relays. Kubatko doesn't expect an extension for Machado to come to fruition, which isn't surprising given that he's primed sign a mega-deal on the open market a year from now. Interestingly, though, Kubatko hears that Machado would prefer to play shortstop instead of third base, which could make a potential trip to free agency all the more intriguing. Machado logged 52 appearances at short between 2015-16 but has otherwise played the hot corner since debuting in 2012.
Closer Zach Britton, another high-profile Oriole entering a contract year, likely wouldn't bring back a great return via trade this offseason, Buster Olney of ESPN.com observes. While the Orioles are open to trading Britton, his lack of team control, high salary (a projected $12.2MM in arbitration) and recent arm problems figure to tamp down his value, Olney writes. Still, whether it's Britton, Darren O'Day or Brad Brach, Baltimore seems poised to move one of its most established relievers and use the money it saves on much-needed starting pitching help, per Olney.
More from Olney, who reports that the Red Sox and three-time World Series-winning manager Tony La Russa discussed having him serve as rookie skipper Alex Cora's bench coach. Instead, Boston hired La Russa as a special assistant to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and replaced previous bench coach Gary DiSarcina with Ron Roenicke. La Russa, 73, hasn't been part of a coaching staff since he managed the Cardinals to a title in 2011.
Adam Jones Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox Brad Brach Carlos Carrasco Cleveland Indians Darren O'Day Greg Allen Manny Machado Mike Clevinger Roberto Perez Shane Bieber Tony La Russa Trevor Bauer Yan Gomes Zach Britton
Indians Extend Roberto Perez
By Connor Byrne | April 2, 2017 at 12:04pm CDT
The Indians have signed catcher Roberto Perez to a four-year extension worth a guaranteed $9MM, reports Jordan Bastian of MLB.com (Twitter links). The deal includes club options for the 2021 and '22 seasons. A client of MDR Sports Management, Perez will make $550K in 2017, $1.5MM in 2018, $2.5MM in 2019 and $3.5MM in 2020. The options are for $5.5MM and $7MM, respectively, and come with $450K buyouts.
Cleveland has made a habit of extending players in recent years, having reached deals with Jose Ramirez, Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Jason Kipnis, Michael Brantley, Carlos Santana, Yan Gomes, Brandon Guyer and Josh Tomlin. Gomes, who shares the catcher position with Perez, is controllable through the 2021 campaign, and the club has a top behind-the-plate prospect on the way in Francisco Mejia, as Bastian notes (Twitter link).
The 26-year-old Perez, who would have been eligible for arbitration next winter, is now potentially in position to remain with the Indians through his age-31 season. The Puerto Rico native joined the Indians as a 33th-round pick in 2008 and made his major league debut in 2014. Since then, Perez has hit .220/.318/.355 in 505 plate appearances, though a .183/.285/.294 showing last season weighs down his overall line. Perez's walk and strikeout rates (12.5 percent and 23.9 percent, respectively) were in line with career norms last season, but his hard contact dropped and his infield fly rate rose, helping lead to a .229 batting average on balls in play and a lack of production.
Despite his offensive struggles in 2016, Perez managed to provide value behind the plate, where he graded as one of Baseball Prospectus' best pitch-framing catchers. That has typically been the case for Perez, who also threw out an incredible 50 percent of would-be base stealers and earned plus marks as a blocker last year. Thus far in his career, Perez has halted 43 percent of attempted base thieves. Given his defensive brilliance, it's no surprise that the Tribe jumped at the chance to lock Perez up through his prime to a bargain deal.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Cleveland Indians Newsstand Roberto Perez Transactions
Quick Hits: Perez, Cespedes, Pirates, International Draft
By Mark Polishuk and Jeff Todd | October 29, 2016 at 12:41pm CDT
Roberto Perez already faced long odds to get to the big leagues as a 33rd-round draft pick for the Indians in 2008, though he faced another obstacle to both his career and general well-being when he suffered a Bell's palsy attack in June 2013. As Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan writes, Perez kept playing through his affliction, despite being unable to move the muscles on the left side of his face. Thankfully, the catcher's condition has improved since he began receiving thrice-weekly acupuncture treatments, and Perez has since made a place for himself in Cleveland postseason lore thanks to his two-homer performance in Game One of the World Series. Here's some more from around baseball…
Yoenis Cespedes' list of possible suitors is examined by Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News, who notes that the Mets are "the obvious choice" but several other teams will be in the mix. Several industry sources tab the Giants as candidates to make a push for Cespedes, who would solve San Francisco's needs for power and a left fielder. The Angels also have a left field vacancy and some payroll space, while the Marlins and Dodgers could potentially emerge in the Cespedes market if they trade one of their current outfielders. Teams who miss out on signing Edwin Encarnacion could also get involved in the Cespedes market.
The Pirates announced several changes to their coaching staff, including the previously reported hiring of Joey Cora as the team's new third base and infield coach. Tom Prince, the longtime former big leaguer and coach/manager in Pittsburgh's minor league system will become Clint Hurdle's new bench coach. Kimera Bartee becomes the new first base coach as well as the club's outfield and baserunning coach, following nine seasons as Pittsburgh's minor league outfield/baserunning coordinator. Dave Jauss, who served as the bench coach in 2016, will return to his previous role as the quality-control coach, MLB.com's Adam Berry reports. Brad Fischer, a coach on last year's staff, has been offered a new job in the club's player development department but is still mulling the offer. Cora and Bartee will respectively replace Rick Sofield and Nick Leyva, who both lost their jobs last week.
Earlier this week, Major League Baseball ended up canceling a showcase in the Dominican Republic that players were set to boycott, as BA's Ben Badler reported. A group representing trainers issued a statement saying that the move was "not a fight against MLB," but rather "a fight against the draft" for international talent that the league has proposed in collective bargaining agreement talks. Many trainers did show up to further their protest, as Badler further documents.
2016-17 International Prospects Cleveland Indians Pittsburgh Pirates Roberto Perez Yoenis Cespedes
Yan Gomes Out Four To Eight Weeks With Separated Shoulder
By Steve Adams | July 18, 2016 at 3:06pm CDT
3:06pm: The Indians announced that Gomes has been placed on the disabled list with a separated A/C joint and will miss the next four to eight weeks due to the injury. Perez has been activated in his place.
7:58am: Indians catcher Yan Gomes suffered a separated right shoulder in yesterday afternoon's game against the Twins when he tumbled following a close play at first base and will be placed on the disabled list, writes Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The injury could bring Gomes' 2016 season to an end, he adds. Fellow backstop Roberto Perez is set to be reinstated from his own stint on the disabled list in Gomes' place. Perez has been out since the first week of May after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured thumb.
According to Hoynes, the immediate response from the club was that even with the loss of its starting catcher for what could be the rest of the year, Cleveland doesn't plan to pursue a more established catcher like Jonathan Lucroy via the trade market. The team's belief is that Perez can hold down the fort as the primary catcher for the remainder of the season, with Chris Gimenez continuing to serve as the top backup option.
Of course, it'd be a surprise to see Cleveland brass plainly state that the plan was to pursue an upgrade on the trade market, and despite whatever the team wishes to publicly state, catcher is and has been an unequivocal weakness for the team all season long. Hoynes reported on Saturday that Cleveland valued Gomes' defensive contributions to the point where it wouldn't look for an upgrade in spite of his offensive woes, but the 28-year-old (29 tomorrow) has batted a woeful .165/.198/.313 at the plate this season. Gimenez's .188/.231/.271 line isn't any better, and Perez was hitless through 15 plate appearances prior to his injury (though he did have six walks).
All told, Cleveland catchers have been far and away the least productive collection of backstops in all of Major League Baseball this season, hitting a combined .169/.216/.299. That production more closely resembles the league-average pitcher (.134/.163/.171) than it does the league-average catcher (.240/.308/.384). The 27-year-old Perez offers some hope, to be sure, having posted very solid OBP and slugging marks in spite of a low average in 2015 when he batted .228/.348/.402 in 226 plate appearances. He hit well in 24 plate appearances on his rehab assignment as well, though the bulk of that work came at Rookie ball, and a sample of 24 PAs is hardly indicative of things to come anyhow. Moreover, Perez is returning from a thumb operation, and it's not uncommon for players to struggle at the plate in the early stages of their returns from thumb, hand or wrist surgery.
The Indians may indeed wish to see how Perez handles his first few games back from the disabled list before pursuing any outside help, but it's hard to imagine that the front office won't be at least gauging the price on potentially available backstops. Even in the event that they don't wish to pay a prohibitive price for a top-tier option such as Lucroy, the market features a number of rentals that are currently performing well (e.g. Nick Hundley, Kurt Suzuki) and several other options that won't come at such a premium cost, as I wrote last week when examining the 2016 trade market for catchers.
Share 17 Retweet 8 Send via email0
Cleveland Indians Jonathan Lucroy Milwaukee Brewers Roberto Perez Yan Gomes
Minor MLB Transactions: 5/14/16
By charliewilmoth | May 14, 2016 at 9:22pm CDT
Here are today's minor moves from around the league.
The Marlins have placed right-hander Kendry Flores on the 15-day DL with a strained pitching shoulder, per a team announcement. Flores, whom the Marlins recalled from Triple-A prior to their Saturday doubleheader, left his start against the Nationals after three shutout innings because of the injury. It was the first big league action of the year for Flores, who threw 12 2/3 innings of 4.97 ERA ball, struck out nine and walked four with the Marlins last season.
Catcher Michael McKenry has opted out of his minor-league deal with the Rangers, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets. McKenry was batting .220/.389/.341 for Triple-A Round Rock after agreeing to terms on a minor-league deal in December. He hasn't yet played in the big leagues this season even as the Rangers have used four different catchers at the Major League level. McKenry, now 31, is a career .239/.319/.407 hitter in parts of six seasons with the Rockies and Pirates.
The Braves have released minor-league catcher Ryan Lavarnway, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. The Braves' recent acquisition of Anthony Recker likely meant the Braves had less playing time for Lavarnway, but given Lavarnway's career .374 minor-league OBP, he should be able to find work elsewhere. He has appeared in the last five big-league seasons, spending time with Boston and Baltimore in addition to Atlanta.
The Indians have announced that they've selected the contract of infielder/outfielder Michael Martinez, who also played briefly for them last season. The five-year MLB vet was batting .288/.351/.442 for Triple-A Columbus. Martinez will take the place of Michael Brantley, who is heading to the 15-day DL with shoulder inflammation. Brantley had surgery on the shoulder in the offseason. Via MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (on Twitter), however, a recent shoulder MRI didn't reveal any serious problems. Brantley was off to a slow start this season, batting just .231/.279/.282 since making his season debut in late April. To clear space for Martinez on their 40-man roster, the Indians transferred catcher Roberto Perez (hand) to the 60-day DL.
The Dodgers have released utilityman Elian Herrera to give him an opportunity to play in Japan, Alex Freedman of the Oklahoma City Dodgers tweets. Herrera was hitting .218/.308/.238 for Oklahoma City while playing shortstop, second, third and left field. He batted .242/.290/.395 with the Brewers last season before signing a minor-league deal with the Dodgers last winter.
The Twins have signed utilityman Thomas Field, as Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press tweets. Field has been assigned to Triple-A Rochester. The 29-year-old has played sparingly in parts of four seasons in the big leagues. He began the season with the Tigers' Triple-A affiliate in Toledo, but he was released after playing just 15 games there. He spent most of last season with Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers system, batting .247/.347/.439 over 435 plate appearances and playing second base, shortstop and the corner outfield positions.
Atlanta Braves Cleveland Indians Elian Herrera Kendry Flores Los Angeles Dodgers Miami Marlins Michael Brantley Michael Martinez Michael McKenry Minnesota Twins Roberto Perez Ryan Lavarnway Texas Rangers Transactions


CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH (WOIO) - A special dedication will be held in honor of a businessman shot and killed last year.
Cleveland Heights will dedicate a ball field in honor of Jim Brennan during a special ceremony Saturday, July 11.
The dedication is in partnership with the "We are a Colony" Committee and the Cedar Lee Special Improvement District at the Cleveland Heights Forest Hill Park ball fields.
In a statement, "Jim Brennan was an enthusiastic supporter of our Recreation programs for over twenty years," said Mayor Dennis Wilcox. "He sponsored softball teams and held many an after game celebration at The Colony. This dedication celebrates and honors the energy and commitment Jim brought to our Cleveland Heights community".
The ceremony will be held prior to the All Star games at 4:30 p.m. to dedicate Ball Field #5 as the Jim Brennan Field. Funds raised by the "We are a Colony" Committee and supplemented by the city are being used to purchase and install the sign.
Brennan was murdered June 30, 2014, during a robbery at The Colony. Four suspects, including an employee, were charged. Three are serving life sentences.


India's Gaganjeet Bhullar will make his debut at the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from August 2-5 2018.
Bhullar, one of the most successful professional golfers from India and an eight-time winner on the Asian Tour, is the latest player to confirm his place in the tournament.
He's no stranger to the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, having teed it up in the past two ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth tournaments in 2017 and 2018 – which are, like the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways, tri-sanctioned with the European Tour and Asian Tour.
"I'm really looking forward to playing in Fiji for the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways, I can't wait to see the Vijay Singh-designed Natadola Bay Championship Course for myself," Bhullar said.
Bhullar has enjoyed a steady start to the 2018 Asian Tour season; a top-10 finish at the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open and a runner-up result at the 37th GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship, where he narrowly missed victory being defeated in a four-man playoff.
He currently sits just outside the top-10 on the Asian Tour's Habitat for Humanity Standings but has his work cut out for him to catch countryman Shubhankar Sharma at the top of the standings.
"This being a tri-sanctioned tournament with the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, European Tour and Asian Tour is going to provide a great chance for me to make up some ground on the Habitat for Humanity Standings," Bhullar said.
Bhullar says he is excited to test his game at the Vijay Singh-designed Natadola Bay Championship Course during the 2018 Fiji International. PHOTO: PGA of Australia.
Bhullar's last victory came at the 2017 Macao Open where he won by three-shots from countryman, Ajeetesh Sandhu.
"We are happy to welcome one of India's greatest golfers to Fiji for the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways," said Honourable Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Lands and Mineral Resources.
"As one of the most successful golfers on the Asian Tour, we're sure Bhullar will be a great addition to the field which currently includes golfing stars like Ernie Els and our own Vijay Singh.
"Once again, we know the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways will prove an impressive platform to promote golf and tourism in Fiji," Hon. Koya added.
Bhullar's addition to the field carries on a strong history of Asian Tour stars teeing it up at the picturesque course with stunning views of the Coral Coast Sea.
"We're excited to have Gaganjeet confirmed for the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways, his performance on the Asian Tour over the years has been fantastic," said Gavin Kirkman, CEO of PGA of Australia which owns the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
"The Asian Tour has been a strong supporter of the tournament here in Fiji and we've had some of their strongest performers compete in the tournament, highlighted by rising Thai star Jazz Janewattananond thrilling us all with a final round of eight-under 64 last year.


Below are some horror stories I've written (most of them, actually.) I prefer to read stories that emphasise mood and atmosphere over a complex plot, so my writing is the same. You're unlikely to get scared. Just a little unnerved.
My friend Allan had a very disturbing dream about an art show, and kindly donated his recollection for me to reproduce. I hope I did it justice.
This is a story about rain, and about keeping in touch.
A story about fond memories, their fragility, and the inevitable realisation that things change and move on.
My entry to Black Static's 'Campaign for Real Fear' competition.
The first story I wrote while taking a creative writing course, and it was published in Writer's Muse, a small magazine.


Between 2002 and 2012, the Voices Young Writers Award was presented to 29 Catholic students under 18 years of age. Each winning essay was published in Voices, and the young writer received an award of $100. An archive of these original essays appears below.
Pentecost 2002 winning essay, Whether Christ Changed the Role of Woman by Elizabeth Ruth Cheffers.
Michaelmas 2002 winning essay, The Little Lily of Purity by Katherine Buckmaster.
Pentecost 2003 winning essay, Seat of Wisdom, Help of Students by Allannah Karas.
Michaelmas 2003 winning essay, The REAL Presence by Claire Cote.
Michaelmas 2003 winning essay, Temptation and Sin by Emma Olwell.
Eastertide 2004 winning essay, The Price of Their Faith by Margueritte McKenzie.
Pentecost 2004 winning essay, A Life Lived with Faith and Reason by Anna Maria Mendell.
Eastertide 2005 winning essay, Saint Teresa of Avila — A Paragon of Faith & Virtue by Alex Macey.
Michaelmas 2005 winning essay, Can the Existence of God Be Proven? by Derek Remus.


trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring laminate flooring laminate trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring installation instructions video.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring cleaning.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring laminate flooring top tremendous laminate flooring high gloss laminate flooring gray laminate wood flooring flooring cost vision trafficmaster glueless laminat.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring decor of traffic master laminate flooring trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring cleaning.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring pecan laminate flooring laminate flooring cherry reviews pecan pecan laminate flooring reviews trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring installation instructio.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring pecan laminate flooring laminate flooring acacia chocolate pecan laminate flooring reviews trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring saratoga hickory.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring pecan 7 mm thick x 7 2 3 in wide x 5 8 in length laminate flooring sq ft case the home depot trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring lakeshore pecan.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring best laminate flooring reviews trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring cleaning.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring laminate flooring dimensions reviews trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring installation video.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring laminate flooring trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring lakeshore pecan.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring laminate flooring installation instructions trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring new ellenton hickory.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring installing laminate flooring unique mm thick x 4 trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring installation instructions.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring farmstead hickory mm thick x in trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring cleaning.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring laminate flooring pecan trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring installation instructions.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring laminate flooring laminate reviews customer images does flooring have formaldehyde home depot laminate flooring reviews trafficmaster glueless laminate floorin.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring best oak laminate flooring 6 in x in khaki oak resilient vinyl plank flooring trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring installation video.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring best laminate flooring reviews traffic master pecan within pecan laminate flooring reviews allure trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring reviews.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring laminate flooring s installation video trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring instructions.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring laminate flooring floor laminate flooring trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring brazilian cherry.
trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring pecan 7 mm thick x 7 2 3 in wide x trafficmaster glueless laminate flooring brazilian cherry.


Rather than conducting a full test, we also offer the option of a Somatic Cell Count (SCC) test. A SCC test can be carried out on either the whole herd or selected problem cows.
There is no need to record milk volumes in a SCC test, and you will receive test results within a 48-hour period. There is also an optional text service.
A SCC test can be completed during either PM or AM milkings.