Thanks for the memories Shaughs

IT happens in hurling areas (I’m sure it happens in all sports), you hear about this new phenomenon coming along, a youngster way ahead of his peers and way ahead of his time. Thus it was for us in Cork when we learned of Eoin Kelly, the youngster in Mullinahone, thus it was in Tipperary and Kilkenny when they first heard of ‘The Twins’ in Cork, Ben and Jerry O’Connor from Newtownshandrum.

When it came to Andrew O’Shaughnessy, however, we had a bit of an advantage here in Ballyhea – Kilmallock was just across the border in Limerick and their minor team was being trained by a Ballyhea man Neil Ronan. Three years in a row Neil trained Kilmallock to win the Limerick minor title, and in each of those three years, and though he was still U-16 for the first, Shaughs was the main man. However the third year was the big one. Covering the Limerick senior final the same day, it was the first time I saw this kid in action. What an eye-opener it was.

“The first year of the three-in-a-row the team was a bit indisciplined but we got discipline into them and we felt confident enough,” Neil recalls. “The second year we had a more balanced team and we thought ‘yes, it’s on this year’. The third year, we just thought ‘no, no chance, but if Andrew catches fire anything can happen.’ And it did. We got to the final, were playing Na Piarsaigh, a very talented team, but they had this one weakness that we had spotted – every one of their backs wanted to get on the scoresheet.
“Initially we had Andrew outside, but as the game went on and they started to come forward more and more, we said, ‘right, now we put him back in but we bring out everyone else’, all the other forwards, away out the field, leave him on his own on their side of the pitch. We knew if Andrew got ball, he’d score. We told the lads out the field – ‘when ye get the ball, just hit it in, anywhere, Andrew will win it. I forget what exactly he got, but it was enormous.”

In a game that was finely balanced all through, Andrew scored the first 4-9 for his team, and not until the final minutes did anyone else register as Kilmallock ran out one-point winners, 4-12 to 4-11. It was an incredible individual performance. but that same year Andrew also became the youngest ever player in the Railway Cup, when he made an appearance as a 17-yr-old for Munster won his second All-Ireland U-21 medal, played in the Munster senior hurling championship with Limerick and won Munster and All-Ireland colleges titles with St. Colman’s of Fermoy, scoring 5-3 in one particular game.

Over the years since then I have many times had the opportunity to marvel at Andrew’s hurling genius, have had many opportunities to meet and interview him also, shy as he is about such occasions. What struck you about him was the intensity, the drive for hurling perfection. He might have attained it too, but for a few unfortunate factors.

First, his timing – no, nothing to do with his game, just his timing into the world. In 2002, the hurling world seemed at his feet. Limerick had just completed a hat-trick of All-Ireland U-21 titles, Kilmallock likewise at minor – things looked on the up, at both club and county level. Didn’t happen, however. Though Andrew continued to shine, neither Kilmallock nor Limerick capitalised on that all rich promise and year followed frustrating year.

There was an All-Ireland final appearance in 2007 but a forgettable appearance it was, Limerick blitzed by Kilkenny in the opening ten minutes. An All-Star award followed, but had he been around in the mid-90’s, both he and Limerick might have had two All-Ireland titles to go with the two Munster’s of 1994 and 1996. Even had he been born when he was, on November 30th 1984, but a few miles up the road on the other side of the border, he would certainly have been on the Cork team that won that won Munster and All-Ireland’s in the mid Noughties, and would equally certainly have added to that single All-Star haul.

But he was where he was, and as time passed, the years under Justin McCarthy especially, I believe that Andrew – ever the perfectionist — became more and more disheartened by what he saw around him. Standards were slipping even as the likes of Kilkenny were forging ahead. Then came the autumn of 2009, and being cut by McCarthy from the Limerick panel, lumped in with nearly a dozen others due to a perceived lack of commitment and dedication. Andrew O’Shaughnessy, non-drinker, non-smoker, fitness fanatic, Army officer — lacking commitment, lacking dedication? The final straw probably came with the reaction of the Limerick county board, who backed the manager, and with the Limerick GAA supporters, many of whom turned on the players.

True, there was a diagnosis of MS at the end of that turbulent year, which would test even the stoutest heart. But he took that squarely on the chin and is still coping well. I don’t believe that is why Andrew O’Shaughnessy has now quit the inter-county scene. Yes there are greater calls on his time, what with being based in Cork and building a house in Kilmallock, but I believe he has simply had enough of the inter-county scene and all the accompanying pressures.

He will continue to play for his club Kilmallock and last year they finally did make the breakthrough by winning a senior title. This year they could do so again, and who knows, perhaps even go on from there. Perhaps in a year or two – still not even 30 by then – he may again feel the urge. Hopefully, this isn’t the last we’ve seen of him in Limerick green, but if it is, then thanks Andrew for the memories.

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/lIGPm75fyi4/post.aspx

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Pasta? Sorry, but I'll have to pass, says Leicester Tigers star

Leicester Tigers international Martin Castrogiovanni has discovered he is allergic to his country's national dish – pasta.

The Italian international made the discovery after going for tests when he returned from the Six Nations championships struggling to maintain his ideal weight and complaining of lethargy.

Blood tests revealed the Italian tighthead prop has coeliac disease, which comes from an intolerance to gluten.

Martin, 29, who also runs two Italian restaurants alongside his rugby career, was told to cut out the food groups which were causing him problems, such as wheat, rye and barley.

He said: "A doctor took some samples of my blood and later found out that I was allergic to gluten. Maybe, after a while, it will get better but, for now, I am a coeliac and, since I have got on top of it, I am feeling much better."

Since ditching gluten from his diet, the Italian international has been in sensational form.

His 50-metre chase down of an up-and-under kick at home to Gloucester was a clear indication that any lethargy seems to be a thing of the past.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill is happy his player is no longer "under the weather."

"He came back from the Six Nations feeling a little bit weary and that was a worry because he is really important to us," he said. "He has been feeling a little bit lethargic for quite a while.

"We have an outstanding doctor here who knows where to send people to. We did some tests and found out he was a coeliac and now he has got that under control.

"He is an Argentinian-Italian who owns two restaurants. Now he can't eat bread or pasta and he can't drink beer.

"As you get older, you have to look after yourself and Castro's weight is really good and he is in good nick."

Kate Newman, of support group Coeliac UK, said: "When you are diagnosed it is definitely not the end of the world but it does require a strict, lifelong change of diet.

"There are lots of products that are gluten free, like all meat, fish, vegetables and fruit.

"The only things people have to keep away from are those with gluten in.

"These include pizza, pasta, beer, cakes, biscuits, but wheat is often used as a thickening agent in sausages, gravy, sauce, mayonnaise even, so you have got to be very, very careful."

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503348/s/148589a4/l/0L0Sthisisleicestershire0O0Cnews0CPasta0ESorry0Ell0Epass0Esays0ETigers0Estar0Carticle0E350A58510Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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Happy birthday to legend Enge!

Music legend Engelbert Humperdinck may turn 75 on Monday, but he shows no sign of slowing down.

The Leicestershire singer, whose hit songs include Please Release Me and The Last Waltz, will celebrate his birthday with family at his home in America.

But relatives closer to home plan to throw a party for the King of Romance when he returns to Leicestershire – where he has a home in Great Glen – later this year.

Niece Jacqui Holford, from Quorn, is the daughter of Engelbert's youngest sister Pat.

She said: "We're planning on having a big family gathering when he gets back – he loves Leicester and the fuss Leicester makes about him, his heart is here."

Enge was honoured two years ago when he was made Freeman of the City, in 2009.

He was also included on Leicester's Walk of Fame, which runs outside the Curve theatre, along with Sue Townsend and Thomas Cook.

Jacqui said the family were delighted to see him recognised in this way.

She said: "I love him, I think he's such an amazing performer and that's why he's lasted so long.

"He was so proud when he received the freedom of the city and when he had his name put on the Leicester Walk of Fame."

The singer – who performs at De Montfort Hall in November – was also presented with an honorary doctorate in music from the University of Leicester, in 2006.

The Engelbert's Starlite Fan Club was set up more than 30 years ago. President Judy Kaye, 53, said: "We always want to wish him well, we've sent him some cards and our birthday wishes. He is such a talent, it's not only his songs, but his humour."

Enge was christened Arnold George Dorsey, but took the name Engelbert Humperdinck from an early 20th century Austrian composer.

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503348/s/1483739a/l/0L0Sthisisleicestershire0O0Cnews0CHappy0Ebirthday0Elegend0EEnge0Carticle0E350A1490A0Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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What GDP misses

Tim Lee is worried that the way we measure improvements in economic well-being is not suited to the Internet age:

Suppose we lived in the world of�Harry Potter, and one day in the late 1950s RCA hired a wizard to wave his magic wand and transform all of the world?s black and white sets into color sets. This would clearly represent a large increase in the standard of living ? a larger increase, in fact, than the non-magical process whereby people have to buy new, more expensive, televisions. Yet the government in the alternate universe would almost certainly have recorded a�smaller�increase in GDP. Our own BLS would see consumers buying more expensive televisions while in the Harry Potter universe consumers would be happy with the old, cheap ones. Hence, consumers circa 1970 would be wealthier in that universe than in ours, but official GDP statistics would show just the opposite.

Today these magic wands exist. For example, a couple of years ago, Google waved a magic wand that�transformed�millions of Android phones into sophisticated navigation devices with turn-by-turn directions. This was functionality that people had previously paid hundreds of dollars for in stand-alone devices. Now it?s just another feature that comes with every Android phone, and the cost of Android phones hasn?t gone up.�

I get the implications of this argument for our data. But does it have implications for policy?

Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=d18aed38c78df2cfd3b498350a1fb305

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S.A.R.S. join Exit Festival lineup

At this summer?s Exit Festival a number of foreign and domestic bands will get a chance to perform at Main Stage. Those Serbian groups who will be privileged to open shows of more established global stars are Darkwood dub, Petrol, S.A.R.S. and Jinx.

Source: http://english.blic.rs/Culture-Showbiz//7597/SARS-join-Exit-Festival-lineup

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Will the White House lose control of Democrats on the debt ceiling?

It?s not clear whether the White House ever could have persuaded congressional Democrats to demand a clean bill to raise the debt ceiling. Raising the debt ceiling is very, very unpopular. But what?s obvious is that the White House could never have persuaded congressional Democrats to demand a clean bill to raise the debt ceiling once they?d already agreed to negotiations to raise the debt ceiling. Once you say there?s going to be a deal, everyone wants a cut of the action. And sure enough, Democrats are starting to fracture.

What matters now is whether the White House can get Democrats to unite behind policy that isn?t horribly destructive in return for raising the debt ceiling. My understanding is that even Republicans have realized that the balanced budget amendment that Senate Republicans voted for is so badly written that it can?t become the Republican position, so that?s largely off the table. That leaves two contenders:

1) A spending cap along the lines on McCaskill-Corker. This is the GOP?s position, and for good reason: It reframes our deficit problem as a spending problem, and makes spending cuts, as opposed to a mix of spending cuts and tax increases, the only possible solution.

2) A debt cap along the lines of what?s in Obama?s budget, or SaveGo. This would work by specifying a specific target for total debt or total savings and, if we failed to hit it, make automatic cuts to both spending and to tax expenditures (when you cut a tax break, it acts as a tax hike) until Congress got us back on track. This has the advantage of targeting the actual thing we say we?re worried about ? debt ? as opposed to the thing Republicans have an ideological aversion to.

If the White House can get the Democrats to unite behind some sort of debt cap, that?s one thing. Then Joe Manchin and Amy Klobuchar can go to their voters and say they stood firm for deficit reduction in the face of enormous pressure. If they lose control of them, however, and end up with a spending cap, that?d be a disaster. And remember that this is all happening against the backdrop of the debt ceiling, which means that too much disagreement could lead to an absolute catastrophe.

Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=68596737565657524cfdf4adc67fe4eb

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A company which kept data does not have a server

Affair at Vojvodina Secretariat for education which helped foreign company ?WDW Soft? gets a several million deal does not end with the fact that this company won the tender at a time it actually did not exist.

Source: http://english.blic.rs/News//7599/A-company-which-kept-data-does-not-have-a-server

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Leicester by-election: Prospective MPs clash over 'local ward for local people'

A row has broken out among two would-be MPs over who is the "most local" candidate.

Lib Dem Zuffar Haq has put his Leicestershire credentials at the heart of his campaign to be elected MP for Leicester South.

He is using adverts against his Labour opponent pointing out that, until recently, Jon Ashworth lived in Mansfield, while Mr Haq is from Leicester.

In one recent advertisement in the Mercury, Mr Haq's Lib Dem advert asked: "Who should be Leicester's new MP? The Labour candidate who lives in Mansfield, or the Liberal Democrat who lives in Leicester."

But Mr Ashworth has pointed out Mr Haq lives in Oadby, which is in another constituency, and he is the only candidate who lives in Leicester South.

In scenes which could have come from TV comedy The League of Gentleman – famous for its "Local Shop for Local People" – they are arguing over who has the most claim over the constituency.

"I am the only candidate in this by-election who actually gets the chance to vote on election day," said Mr Ashworth. "I've moved to Leicester, I have a house here, and I'm part of the community. My daughter will be born here. I love the area and the people here and that's why I'm standing to represent it in Parliament."

In Mr Haq's view, however, that is not enough.

"I was born in the constituency, grew up here, worked here and raised my family here. I'm the candidate that knows every street, knows the different issues facing each neighbourhood, and knows how to improve the area."

Conservative candidate Jane Hunt is based in Loughborough and sits on Charnwood Borough Council.

She has previously stood for election in the Leicester East constituency.

She believes that the ability to do a good job for the community you are hoping to represent is key.

Ms Hunt said: "As long as you're prepared to get out on the doorsteps and listen to people's concerns, you can effectively represent an area."

Raving Loony candidate Howling Laud Hope is based in Hampshire, while UKIP's Abhijit Pandya lives in London.

Mr Pandya said: "I'm based in Stoneygate during this election campaign because I believe it's important to meet as many local people as possible and listen to their concerns.

"By living in Leicester during this period, I can campaign from early in the morning through until the evening."

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503348/s/148589a8/l/0L0Sthisisleicestershire0O0Cnews0CProspective0EMPs0Eclash0Elocal0Eward0Elocal0Epeople0Carticle0E350A560A80Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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Meet Adrian Clayborn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round pick

Times staff
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Position: Defensive end

Height, weight: 6-2, 287 pounds

Hometown: St. Louis

College: Iowa, where he started 37 of 50 games at right defensive end; recorded 19 sacks and 37½ tackles for loss in career; 2010 AP and Walter Camp All-American; two-time All-Big Ten selection; selected for 2011 Senior Bowl; one of four finalists for Rotary Lombardi Award given to the top college lineman (offense or defense); one of six finalists for Ted Hendricks Award given to top college defensive lineman; permanent team captain, defense.

High school: St. Louis Webster Groves, where he was two-time All-State; had 42 career receptions, 691 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense; lettered four years in basketball as a power forward.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/meet-adrian-clayborn-tampa-bay-buccaneers-first-round-pick/1166733

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Beaches reopened after washed-up 'white pills' declared non-toxic

A three-mile stretch of beach at Hunmanby Gap has been reopened to the public following a clean-up of material washed ashore.

The beach was closed from Wednesday afternoon after a dog walker found what he thought were white pills.

Tests have indicated the material is non-toxic and posed no risk to the public.

Scarborough Borough Council will continue to monitor the situation.

Andy Skelton, the head of environmental services, said: "Cleansing staff have worked hard to remove as much of the product as possible."

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503342/s/14809b98/l/0L0Sthisishullandeastriding0O0Cnews0CBeaches0Ereopened0Ewashed0Ewhite0Epills0Edeclared0Enon0Etoxic0Carticle0E350A43520Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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Happy birthday to legend Enge!

Music legend Engelbert Humperdinck may turn 75 on Monday, but he shows no sign of slowing down.

The Leicestershire singer, whose hit songs include Please Release Me and The Last Waltz, will celebrate his birthday with family at his home in America.

But relatives closer to home plan to throw a party for the King of Romance when he returns to Leicestershire – where he has a home in Great Glen – later this year.

Niece Jacqui Holford, from Quorn, is the daughter of Engelbert's youngest sister Pat.

She said: "We're planning on having a big family gathering when he gets back – he loves Leicester and the fuss Leicester makes about him, his heart is here."

Enge was honoured two years ago when he was made Freeman of the City, in 2009.

He was also included on Leicester's Walk of Fame, which runs outside the Curve theatre, along with Sue Townsend and Thomas Cook.

Jacqui said the family were delighted to see him recognised in this way.

She said: "I love him, I think he's such an amazing performer and that's why he's lasted so long.

"He was so proud when he received the freedom of the city and when he had his name put on the Leicester Walk of Fame."

The singer – who performs at De Montfort Hall in November – was also presented with an honorary doctorate in music from the University of Leicester, in 2006.

The Engelbert's Starlite Fan Club was set up more than 30 years ago. President Judy Kaye, 53, said: "We always want to wish him well, we've sent him some cards and our birthday wishes. He is such a talent, it's not only his songs, but his humour."

Enge was christened Arnold George Dorsey, but took the name Engelbert Humperdinck from an early 20th century Austrian composer.

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503348/s/1483739a/l/0L0Sthisisleicestershire0O0Cnews0CHappy0Ebirthday0Elegend0EEnge0Carticle0E350A1490A0Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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Teams to let players in starting today

Times wires
Thursday, April 28, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS — Finally, the NFL is getting back to football.

Five days after a federal judge declared the lockout was illegal and nearly seven weeks after it began, the NFL said players can talk with coaches, work out at team headquarters and look at playbooks.

The NFL said all of that can begin today, when it is also expected to release detailed guidelines for free agency, trades and other roster moves in the absence of a collective bargaining agreement.

"That's great news," said linebacker Joe Mays, one of 10 Broncos who showed up at team headquarters Thursday. "It's something we've been trying to do, get back to work."

It was a welcome step forward on a day members of the Titans showed up to find two armed security guards at their locked-up facility, no sign of their new coach. New players in particular will benefit from the new guidelines.

"These rookies, there's a lot going on for them," Giants center Shaun O'Hara said. "So any info they can get, any things they can study, is good."

The league has asked the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis to restore the lockout as soon as possible. The court is considered a friendlier venue for businesses than the federal courts in Minnesota.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell still did not express optimism.

"I think the litigation, unfortunately, could go on for some period of time," he told the NFL Network. He said he looked forward to the next round of court-ordered talks on May 16.

Mandatory minicamps and voluntary offseason practices can begin under rules of the collective bargaining agreement that expired March 11. Team-supervised workouts will count toward bonuses in contracts, and players can work out on their own at team facilities if they have health insurance.

The news came hours after Titans players were unable to access the team's facility. Players were met by what they called "excessive" security when they arrived. Two armed off-duty police officers in uniform joined the team's director of security, Steve Berk, at the only open side gate to the facility. The main gate stayed locked.

VIKINGS CASE: The Minnesota Supreme Court cleared the way for the league to suspend Vikings defensive lineman Pat Williams, perhaps the final chapter in a closely watched anti-doping case. In a one-page order without comment, the court declined to consider Williams' appeal of a decision that went against him and teammate Kevin Williams, who isn't related. The order was signed Wednesday by Chief Justice Lorie Gildea and made public Thursday. Justice Alan Page, a former Viking, did not take part in the decision. The Williamses were to be suspended in 2008 for taking the weight-loss supplement StarCaps, which contained a banned diuretic called bumetanide that can mask steroids. They waged a fight against the suspensions in federal and state courts, and the league let them play pending final resolution of the case.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/teams-to-let-players-in-starting-today/1166671

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Braves 8, Padres 2

Times wires
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Braves 8, Padres 2

SAN DIEGO — David Ross hit two home runs and Jair Jurrjens threw his first complete game to lead the Braves. Chipper Jones hit a two-run homer in the first inning to tie Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle for second place among switch-hitters with 1,509 RBIs. Ross drove in four runs with a solo homer in the second and a three-run blast to cap the Braves' five-run sixth inning. The Braves kept Aaron Harang from becoming the NL's first five-game winner.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/braves-8-padres-2/1166287

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NFL draft: Top available players at each position

Times staff
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Top five players at each position

QUARTERBACK

1. Cam Newton, Auburn, 6-5, 250

2. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri, 6-4, 235

3. Jake Locker, Wash., 6-2, 230

4. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas, 6-6, 251

5. Christian Ponder, Florida State, 6-2, 226

RUNNING BACKS

1. Mark Ingram, Alabama, 5-9, 215

2. Mikel Leshoure, Illinois, 5-11, 229

3. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech, 5-9, 212

4. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma, 6-0, 214

5. Daniel Thomas, Kansas State, 6-0, 229

RECEIVERS/Tight ends

1. A.J. Green, WR, Georgia, 6-4, 211

2. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama, 6-3, 220

3. Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky, 5-10, 191

4. Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh, 6-4, 228

5. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame, 6-6, 259

OFFENSIVE LINE

1. Tyron Smith, T, Southern Cal, 6-5, 307

2. Derrick Sherrod, T, Mississippi State, 6-5, 321

3. Anthony Castonzo, T, Boston College, 6-7, 311

4. Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin, 6-7, 314

5. Nate Solder, T, Colorado, 6-8, 319

DEFENSIVE LINE

1. Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama, 6-3, 319

2. Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn, 6-3, 291

3. J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin, 6-6, 290

4. Robert Quinn, DE/LB, North Carolina, 6-4, 265

5. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson, 6-4, 280

LINEBACKERS

1. Von Miller, Texas A&M, 6-2, 245

2. Akeem Ayers, UCLA, 6-2, 253

3. Bruce Carter, North Carolina, 6-2, 240

4. Martez Wilson, Illinois, 6-3, 250

5. Chris Carter, Fresno State, 6-1, 247

DEFENSIVE BACKS

1. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU, 6-0, 219

2. Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska, 6-0, 206

3. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado, 6-2, 210

4. Aaron Williams, CB, Texas, 6-0, 205

5. Brandon Harris, CB, Miami, 5-10, 191

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/nfl-draft-top-available-players-at-each-position/1166376

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Braves 8, Padres 2

Times wires
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Braves 8, Padres 2

SAN DIEGO — David Ross hit two home runs and Jair Jurrjens threw his first complete game to lead the Braves. Chipper Jones hit a two-run homer in the first inning to tie Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle for second place among switch-hitters with 1,509 RBIs. Ross drove in four runs with a solo homer in the second and a three-run blast to cap the Braves' five-run sixth inning. The Braves kept Aaron Harang from becoming the NL's first five-game winner.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/braves-8-padres-2/1166287

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Astros 6, Cardinals 5

Times wires
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Astros 6, Cardinals 5

HOUSTON — Bill Hall's ninth-inning RBI single rallied the Astros. Brian Bogusevic scored the tying run on Mitchell Boggs' wild pitch earlier in the inning. With Michael Bourn on first, Angel Sanchez and Hunter Pence singled to set up Hall's one-out winner.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/astros-6-cardinals-5/1166275

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Indians 9, Royals 4

Times wires
Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Indians 9, Royals 4

CLEVELAND — Justin Masterson won his fifth straight start, a stunning personal turnaround, Jack Hannahan homered twice and Shin-Soo Choo hit a three-run shot for the Indians. Masterson started 0-5 a year ago, lost 11 straight over two seasons and went winless over a stretch of 17 starts, a club record for futility. Cleveland won its eight straight home game.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/indians-9-royals-4/1166246

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Mariners 7, Tigers 3

Times wires
Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Mariners 7, Tigers 3

DETROIT — Miguel Olivo hit a bizarre home run and Felix Hernandez beat the Tigers for the seventh straight time for the Mariners. After Detroit scored an unearned run in the first, Seattle tied it in the second. Olivo hit a routine-looking fly to deep left, but former Durant standout Ryan Raburn struggled to find it in the sun. While short of the warning track, Raburn lunged back only to deflect the ball into the air and into the Tigers bullpen.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/mariners-7-tigers-3/1166248

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You just bought a royal wedding gift: hiking gear

Taxpayers will pick up the bill for the gear and Canada?s official wedding gift, a $50,000 contribution to the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Source: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/981929--harper-to-pick-out-hiking-gear-for-the-royal-couple

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Crops hit by lack of rain: Farmer fear poor cereal and vegetable harvest

DROUGHT conditions could have a damaging effect on East Yorkshire's cereal and vegetable harvest.

Worried farmers say the lack of rainfall in March and April has put crops such as beans and spring cereals under serious pressure.

Farmers are now praying for rain amid fears the yields of all crops will be down and prices will rise in shops and supermarkets.

The food and farming industry is facing a double whammy – low global food stocks and extreme weather hitting growing crops.

East Yorkshire farmers and growers have not had to cope with such a prolonged dry spell since the drought of summer 1976.

Farmer John Clappison, of Risby Park Farm, near Beverley, said: "An inch of rain over the next seven days will make a tremendous difference.

"If we don't get the rainfall all crops will suffer and there will be the potential for a really poor cereal and vegetable harvest.

"At the moment, some crops look better than others, but they all need water and that it why immediate rain is so vital."

Normally 50mm of rainfall a month is recorded in the Beverley area, but so far this April there has been just 4mm.

Mr Clappison, who grows sprouts, vining peas and cereals, said: "The food market is now international and dependent on the weather.

"A year ago cereal stocks were high, but a huge drought in Russia last summer has turned oversupply into undersupply, with soaring prices.

"Current extreme weather in the UK, US and Australia is hitting crops, so the food market could be facing a double whammy."

The drought has led to grass stopping growing, which is bad news for farmers who graze cattle and sheep and make fodder crops, such as hay and silage.

Farmer Paul Temple, of Wold Farm, Driffield, said: "We are really concerned that it has become very dry so early.

"This is the time of the year when cattle are turned out to pastures and in a normal time there is plenty of grass for them to eat, but not this year.

"What has happened this spring shows how difficult it is for farmers to work with the weather."

Mr Temple said some farmers had licences to extract water from bore holes and streams to irrigate crops, but that was not an option for everybody.

He said: "The real concern is over the supply and availability of vegetables and as every week goes by the need for rainfall becomes more critical."

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503342/s/14789e68/l/0L0Sthisishullandeastriding0O0Cnews0CCrops0Ehit0Elack0Erain0Carticle0E34955870Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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ROYAL WEDDING VOTE: Will you be celebrating or escaping?

​SO, the big day is almost upon us. Will you be donning a paper hat and belting out Rule, Britannia! as you string up the Union Jack bunting, or heading for the beach or the beer garden?

Will you be celebrating or escaping? Or are you unlucky enough to be working? We'd love to know.

East Yorkshire weather forecast

The Met Office forecasts Friday will be mostly dry for East Yorkshire with some spells of sunshine. But if you're looking forward to a street party or heading for a beach, you might want to put on a pullover – there'll be a chilly easterly or northeasterly breeze with temperatures struggling to get above 12C.

Meanwhile, well-wishers will be keeping their fingers crossed that the rain stays away from London, where the Met Office is predicting sunshine and showers.

● What's on in our area: Royal Wedding events guide for Hull and East Riding

● We'll be following some of the local celebrations for the Royal Wedding on Friday, April 29. Are you organising an event? Let us know and we'll mention it on this website. E-mail paul.johnson@northcliffemedia.co.uk

Whether you're celebrating or escaping, post your pictures from Royal Wedding day and we'll feature the best on the website and in the Mail. E-mail paul.johnson@northcliffemedia.co.uk or post on our Facebook page.

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503342/s/14741d8f/l/0L0Sthisishullandeastriding0O0Cnews0CROYAL0EWEDDING0EVOTE0Ecelebrating0Eescaping0Carticle0E34945750Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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'Stayin' Alive' facts

Times staff
Tuesday, April 26, 2011

'Stayin' Alive' facts

•The disco song, written and performed by the Bee Gees, was the second release of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. It hit No. 1 on Feb. 4, 1978, and stayed there for four weeks.

•The song was written and recorded in Paris for tax reasons.

•The original Stayin' Alive video was scrapped and redone so lead singer Barry Gibb could grow a beard for it.

• A study showed that humming the song helped in administering CPR. The song has 103 beats per minute, the perfect number to maintain CPR rhythm.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/stayin-alive-facts/1166226

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Nate Thompson brings grit, guts, and even goals to Tampa Bay Lightning

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

PITTSBURGH — Lightning center Nate Thompson said there's more desperation than thinking involved with blocking a shot, and "you'll block it with any part of your body."

Coach Guy Boucher says Thompson, 26, takes that mentality to another level.

"He'll stop the puck with his teeth if he has to," Boucher quipped. "We called him 'Textbook' all year long because if you ask (him) something, you'll get exactly that and more. I think his willingness to pay the price is second to none. The guys who are looking at him play, either from the bench or when we look at video, it's clear that he's an inspiration in this type of game."

Thompson's all-in attitude in buying into Boucher's system and representing how the organization wants its players to play earned the grinding forward the nickname "Nate Boucher."

It's also the reason the Lightning signed Thompson to a two-year, $1.8 million extension in January.

And, make no mistake, Tampa Bay wouldn't have made it to Wednesday's Game 7 had it not been for the play of role players like Thompson, whose skills on the penalty kill and grit in tough areas of the ice pack more punch than points.

"He's a guy that goes unnoticed a lot from the media standpoint and attention-wise, but he does all the little things right," center Steven Stamkos said. "In a series, you need those guys; he's a big faceoff guy, he's willing to block shots, he's unbelievable on the penalty kill. He gets momentum on your side, he chips the puck in and goes and gets it."

Thompson can score, too — he had 10 goals and 15 assists this season, as well as a goal in Game 2 against Pittsburgh. But for forwards like Thompson, Dominic Moore, Adam Hall and Sean Bergenheim, they take pride in a lot more. Besides helping tasked with stopping the other team's top lines, Thompson entered Wednesday second on the team with 21 hits in the series.

"I wanted to have a solid all-around game," Thompson said. I don't dictate my play on points or goals, it's just doing the little things. If the points and goals come, it's a bonus. Every guy has to play their role. That's my role."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/nate-thompson-brings-grit-guts-and-even-goals-to-tampa-bay-lightning/1166479

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Browns RB Peyton Hillis to appear on cover of Madden 12

Browns running back wins ESPN "SportsNation" popular vote over Philadelphia QB Michael Vick.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis' breakout season in 2010 was enough to earn him the fans' vote for the Madden '12 cover, announced Wednesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns' cursed streak is over. But now there's the Madden Curse to contend with.

Peyton Hillis will grace the cover of Madden NFL '12, EA Sports announced Wednesday on ESPN2's "SportsNation." Hillis won the honor by popular vote over a five-week online competition culminating in a final against Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick.

Hillis had 66 percent of nearly 1.1 million fan votes in the finals against Vick. Throughout the competition, about 13 million votes were logged.

"It's pretty overwhelming," Hillis said in a phone interview. "This whole process has been really unexpected. I've got to give it up to the Cleveland fans. It shows how big Cleveland fans are to the players, and I'm going to try my best for them."

Hillis becomes the first Brown to appear on the cover of Madden. The 25-year-old from Arkansas rushed for 1,177 yards in his first season with the team in 2010, becoming the first white running back to amass more than 1,000 yards rushing in 25 years.

The Browns have not won a championship in 47 years, so this is a minor victory for the luckless team. However, Hillis now must contend with the legendary "Madden Cover Curse." Players who appear on the cover of the video game have typically suffered a decline in production the following season, often because of injury.

Hillis, however, laughed at the suggestion of a curse, while EA Sports senior product manager Anthony Stevenson contends the game's previous bad luck and the troubles experienced by the Browns franchise will cancel each other out.

"If you put the two together, the Browns make the playoffs," Stevenson said. "I'm going to go ahead and go with that."

Hillis' selection was buoyed by a landslide of Browns fans votes, according to Stevenson.

"Peyton won pretty handily and there's no doubt it was thanks to the fans of Cleveland and Arkansas and all his other fans out there," he said.

The cover not only provides Hillis with publicity, but comes with $125,000 in return for about a week of promotional duties. One of his first obligations will be to present the Top 10 on Thursday's Late Show with David Letterman.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/04/browns_rb_peyton_hillis_to_app.html

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What Ben Bernanke should?ve said

Earlier this afternoon, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave his first news conference. This isn?t what he said. But it?s what he should?ve said.

Good afternoon. This is a strange moment for me. As most of you know, I?m the first Federal Reserve chairman in history to give a news conference. I?m not doing it because I want to. I recognize that the likely outcome of this effort is that I?ll accidentally say ?contraction? when I mean ?expansion,? Matt Drudge will put up a siren, CNBC will go to Defcon 5, and the Dow will fall by a 1,000 points ? all before I?m able to correct myself in the next sentence. Most of you are wolves who would happily crash the economy in return for a Nielsen point ? particularly you, Maria ? and my predecessors were probably right to ignore you.

But there?s something I have to say. Something the Federal Reserve has to say. We?ve screwed up. We?re sorry. But we can?t make things right unless you?re willing to help.

We were the folks who had both the power and the responsibility to pop the credit bubble before it enveloped the entire economy. I wasn?t the guy in charge then, but it?s not like I saw it coming. I think we did a better job once the financial crisis began. You folks have no idea how bad things would?ve gotten if I hadn?t broken every rule in the Federal Reserve?s Big Book o? Don?ts. Half of what I did was arguably illegal. And, if I?m being honest, the biggest mistake I made was not stretching the law further and keeping Lehman from going under. Damn Lehman.

But since then, things haven?t gone so well. Let me be very clear: 8.8 percent unemployment in the second year of a recovery isn?t a problem or a cause for concern. It?s an absolute, unmitigated catastrophe. It is millions and millions of people who are suffering unnecessarily ? people who we know will have lower lifetime earnings, more depression and suicide, more arrests and divorce. In fact, it?s worse even than that: We know their kids will suffer, too, with lower earnings over the course of their entire lifetimes. And we?re not doing nearly enough about it.

I have a lot of power. But I?m not a dictator. The Federal Reserve?s Open Market Committee has 12 members. If I?m being generous, five or six of them seriously understand how bad things are right now. And outside these walls, a guy who wrote a book called ?End the Fed? now chairs the House committee that oversees us. Sarah Palin appears to be developing strong and incoherent views on monetary policy. Paul Ryan dabbles in this stuff. If I went public with what really needs to be done ? buying bonds related to the real economy rather than Treasury bonds, paying a negative rate on bank reserves so they move the money we?ve given them out of our coffers and into the labor market, doing price-level targeting so we make up for the years of sub-2 percent inflation with a few years where inflation is above 2 percent ? I?d be strung up tomorrow. I?d go from having the freedom to talk half-measures to maybe ? maybe! ? having the freedom to take quarter-measures.

And that?s fine. I understand why people are freaked out by the idea of some group of bearded economists getting together to decide what?s going to happen in the economy next year. But you know when exactly you get bearded economists making the big decisions? When Congress becomes too paralyzed and polarized to make them itself. I mean, good Lord. The division of labor here is ? or at least is supposed to be ? that the Federal Reserve holds interest rates down while Congress spends money to stimulate the economy. Then, in a few years, when the economy is working again, we begin tightening and they begin reducing the deficit. That?s what Japan should?ve done. In fact, I got hired for this job because I was one of the people telling Japan to do it. And now we should be doing it. But we?re not. Or, more precisely, Congress is not.

Somehow, it?s even worse than that. Instead of doing something sensible, or even doing something nonsensical but internally consistent, Congress pretended to turn against the idea of stimulus and against the idea of deficits and then ? and this is the part that really pisses me off ? passed $850 billion of ineffective stimulus in the form of deficit-financed tax cuts. And it was only $850 billion because the two parties couldn?t decide between the president?s $3.2 trillion in deficit-financed cuts and the GOP?s $4 trillion in deficit-financed tax cuts. So they passed two years of the Bush tax cuts and then some, and we all know that they?re going to pass trillions more in 2012. The total price tag of this will be incredible, none of it will be paid for, and it?s money we could?ve used to stimulate the economy when that stimulus was needed. And then you all have the audacity to whine about the deficit. It?s sickening.

So, in conclusion, the economy is terrible, we should be doing more, and Congress should be doing much more, but instead we?re going to pretend the economy isn?t that bad, I?m going to pull back so you guys don?t jail me and everyone who works for me, and Congress is going to do the exact opposite of what economic theory and evidence would suggest and cut spending immediately while passing deficit-financed tax cuts for later. Oh, and I haven?t even mentioned the debt ceiling, because if I start cursing and crying, the markets will really freak out.

With that, I?ll be glad to take your questions.

Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=2d34fc30a2e02e7ef2df24f857445ffa

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Ryan 2012?

I don?t think it?s likely that Rep. Paul Ryan will run for president in 2012, but if you?ll excuse a double negative, I think it?s less unlikely than people realize. Particularly if President Obama?s poll numbers continue to sag.

The arguments for Ryan?s run would be mostly the same as those for Obama?s run, with the big differences being that a) Obama looks a lot stronger in 2012 than the Republicans did in 2008, b) Ryan would be starting a lot later in the process than Obama did and c) the current Republican field is a lot weaker than the Democrats? 2008 field, which included Hillary Clinton, a pre-scandal John Edwards, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, etc.

Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=30f003bdd60580e2e8b21c9314d69e04

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