After a surprising 3-9 loss in the 9th inning of the first game in the series, the Astros will return tonight to try to hold on to their second to last place lead over the Pirates.
Houston now holds a one-game lead over Pittsburgh, and are 12 games behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs. However, both the Astros and the Pirates share a batting average of .259 and in their previous series, the Pirates beat the Astros 2-1.
The Astros are playing pretty well, but they need to win as many games as possible in order to secure a spot in the playoffs later this year.
Tonight's starting pitcher is Jack Cassel, who has a 1-0 record this season. Regular pitcher Roy Oswalt was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday for a hip abductor strain and a small, but old, herniated disc. Oswalt was replaced for Monday's game by Runelvys Hernandez, who played a beautiful first 5 1/3 innings. Oswalt leads the team in ERAs, wins and strikeouts.
Kazuo Matsui is also back in action at the head of the lineup after a 15-day stint on the disabled list for a strained right hamstring.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Obituary: Melania Trump
Melania Trump, most noted as Donald Trump's second wife, has died. She was 38. Mrs. Trump died instantly in a car accident on I-95 on July 8 when another driver lost control of his vehicle on the wet road and slammed into the side of Mrs. Trump's chauffeured car.
"Melania was a great wife, and a phenomenal mother," Donald Trump said gravely on Friday. "I loved her a lot and I will miss her a lot."
Mrs. Trump was born Melanija Knavs (which she later anglicized to Melania Knauss) on April 26, 1970 in Slovenia. She spent her early years engrossed in school because her parents were firm believers in education as a means of success. She learnt four languages, including English, and received a degree in design and architecture at the University of Slovenia, but chose to pursue modelling instead.
At 18, she signed with an agency in Italy, and in 1996 she moved to New York. She has worked with photographers such as Patrick Demarchelier, Helmut Newton and Arthur Elgort. She has also been featured on the covers of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, British GQ, In Style and New York Magazine, as well as major layouts in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Allure, Glamour and Vanity Fair.
Mrs. Trump soon met Donald Trump at a fashion gala, and the two started dating in 1999. They got engaged in 2004 and were married at Bethesda by the Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach on January 22, 2005. On March 20, 2006, she gave birth to her first child (Trump's fifth), whom the couple named Barron William Trump.
After moving to New York, Mrs. Trump spent most of her time involved in cultural activities. Her achievements include Honorary Chairwoman for Martha Graham Dance Company in April 2005, and the Police Athletic League's Woman of the Year in 2006 (she was also an active member). She was the Honorary Chairwoman for the Boy's Club of New York for five years, and the American Red Cross Goodwill Ambassador for three years.
Mrs. Trump is survived by her parents, her husband, her son, Barron, and her step-children.
A memorial service will be held on July 16 at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
"Melania was a great wife, and a phenomenal mother," Donald Trump said gravely on Friday. "I loved her a lot and I will miss her a lot."
Mrs. Trump was born Melanija Knavs (which she later anglicized to Melania Knauss) on April 26, 1970 in Slovenia. She spent her early years engrossed in school because her parents were firm believers in education as a means of success. She learnt four languages, including English, and received a degree in design and architecture at the University of Slovenia, but chose to pursue modelling instead.
At 18, she signed with an agency in Italy, and in 1996 she moved to New York. She has worked with photographers such as Patrick Demarchelier, Helmut Newton and Arthur Elgort. She has also been featured on the covers of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, British GQ, In Style and New York Magazine, as well as major layouts in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Allure, Glamour and Vanity Fair.
Mrs. Trump soon met Donald Trump at a fashion gala, and the two started dating in 1999. They got engaged in 2004 and were married at Bethesda by the Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach on January 22, 2005. On March 20, 2006, she gave birth to her first child (Trump's fifth), whom the couple named Barron William Trump.
After moving to New York, Mrs. Trump spent most of her time involved in cultural activities. Her achievements include Honorary Chairwoman for Martha Graham Dance Company in April 2005, and the Police Athletic League's Woman of the Year in 2006 (she was also an active member). She was the Honorary Chairwoman for the Boy's Club of New York for five years, and the American Red Cross Goodwill Ambassador for three years.
Mrs. Trump is survived by her parents, her husband, her son, Barron, and her step-children.
A memorial service will be held on July 16 at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Travel Item: Negril
Negril, fondly called the "capital of casual," is the most laid back, easy going place you can ever hope to visit. It is located on the west coast of Jamaica, with 7 miles of white sandy beaches and a few more miles of cliffs. The adventure begins literally from the ride from the airport. If you're leaving from Florida, the plane ride should take no more than an hour and a half, and the drive from Montego-Bay to Negril (which costs about $15) is the most relaxing thing on earth. After passing through the town of St. Lucie, Hanover, green hills rise up on one side of the road and the sea laps at the shore on the other. This is the drive to enjoy, because as soon as you hit Negril, there are pot holes to greet you.
One of the most spectacular features of this beach town is that there are hotels on either side of Norman Manley Boulevard on the 7-mile beach. Naturally, hotels on the beach cost more (up to $200 per night for all-inclusive hotels), but there are cheaper hotels and bed and breakfasts available (as low as $37 per night). If you'd like to escape the 'touristy' feel of the Boulevard, there is Negril's West End, which is more secluded and even more laid back.
Also located on the West End is the famous Rick's Café, with a cliff for the adventurous to jump off, or just the backdrop to an appetizing lunch. Meals here are among the most expensive in Negril (up to $50), so if you are looking for something cheaper (as low as $3), there are fast food restaurants offering American-style meals (Burger King) or Jamaican-style meals (Juici Patties - a must for authentic Jamaican patties).
Daytime activities include a visit to the Kool Runnings Water Park. This is the only water park on the west coast of the island, and also one of the newest attractions. Admission is $28 per person and the park features ten water slides and three themed restaurants. There is also Chukka Caribbean Adventures, which is in Hanover. They offer horseback riding in the sea, ATV rides, river tubing safaris, and other activities. The horseback riding costs about $76 for two and a half hours.
In the evening, you can wind down with dinner and live entertainment at one of the many hotel restaurants or Margaritaville (known as 'Ville to the locals). Margaritaville is a Spring Break hot spot and a favorite of natives. It features a giant trampoline ten yards from shore, a rock-climbing wall and a store where you can buy souvenirs hassle-free. For nighttime fun, there is The Jungle Nightclub, which has been dubbed the "best nightclub in the Caribbean." The nightclub features a jungle theme, with a VIP lounge, sports bar and arcade. There is also a Detox Bar in the works.
If you would like to bring back souvenirs from your trip to Negril, there is the Craft Market at the bottom of Norman Manley Boulevard. This is a tricky experience though, because once the vendors know you are a tourist, they hike up the prices of all their products, and they are darn good at it too. It is helpful to have a Jamaican with you if you want to go shopping there. Most stalls sell beaded jewelry, T-shirts, swimsuits, towels, handbags and backpacks. However, you can also get these items along the beach. A favorite past time of mine was to walk along the beach from the Craft Market to as far as my legs would carry me.
The only bad things about Negril (from a tourist's perspective) are the pot holes on the road to West End, the hagglers trying to sell you something around every corner, and the shopping. The only major shopping complex is the Craft Market, with a few strip malls in the town center. In spite of this, Negril is the place to visit for a relaxing vacation away from the stress of work and everyday life.
One of the most spectacular features of this beach town is that there are hotels on either side of Norman Manley Boulevard on the 7-mile beach. Naturally, hotels on the beach cost more (up to $200 per night for all-inclusive hotels), but there are cheaper hotels and bed and breakfasts available (as low as $37 per night). If you'd like to escape the 'touristy' feel of the Boulevard, there is Negril's West End, which is more secluded and even more laid back.
Also located on the West End is the famous Rick's Café, with a cliff for the adventurous to jump off, or just the backdrop to an appetizing lunch. Meals here are among the most expensive in Negril (up to $50), so if you are looking for something cheaper (as low as $3), there are fast food restaurants offering American-style meals (Burger King) or Jamaican-style meals (Juici Patties - a must for authentic Jamaican patties).
Daytime activities include a visit to the Kool Runnings Water Park. This is the only water park on the west coast of the island, and also one of the newest attractions. Admission is $28 per person and the park features ten water slides and three themed restaurants. There is also Chukka Caribbean Adventures, which is in Hanover. They offer horseback riding in the sea, ATV rides, river tubing safaris, and other activities. The horseback riding costs about $76 for two and a half hours.
In the evening, you can wind down with dinner and live entertainment at one of the many hotel restaurants or Margaritaville (known as 'Ville to the locals). Margaritaville is a Spring Break hot spot and a favorite of natives. It features a giant trampoline ten yards from shore, a rock-climbing wall and a store where you can buy souvenirs hassle-free. For nighttime fun, there is The Jungle Nightclub, which has been dubbed the "best nightclub in the Caribbean." The nightclub features a jungle theme, with a VIP lounge, sports bar and arcade. There is also a Detox Bar in the works.
If you would like to bring back souvenirs from your trip to Negril, there is the Craft Market at the bottom of Norman Manley Boulevard. This is a tricky experience though, because once the vendors know you are a tourist, they hike up the prices of all their products, and they are darn good at it too. It is helpful to have a Jamaican with you if you want to go shopping there. Most stalls sell beaded jewelry, T-shirts, swimsuits, towels, handbags and backpacks. However, you can also get these items along the beach. A favorite past time of mine was to walk along the beach from the Craft Market to as far as my legs would carry me.
The only bad things about Negril (from a tourist's perspective) are the pot holes on the road to West End, the hagglers trying to sell you something around every corner, and the shopping. The only major shopping complex is the Craft Market, with a few strip malls in the town center. In spite of this, Negril is the place to visit for a relaxing vacation away from the stress of work and everyday life.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
How to Make Escoveitch Fish and Bammie
Escoveitch Fish and Bammie is a regular part of every Jamaican's diet. I've been eating this for as long as I can remember, and the smell of a fish frying is enough to make me salivate. Here is how you can enjoy escoveitch fish and bammie too.
First, you need to buy a whole snapper fish from the Meat and Produce Store (also known as the West Indian store) on highway 441 and 26th Street in Fort Lauderdale. They are scaled before they go on sale, but you may find a few scales lurking on the fish. Do not be surprised, just get a knife and scrape them off. Also, bammies are scarce here in the US, so I usually get mine from Jamaica and freeze them. Let a bammie defrost for about an hour before you are ready to fry it.
Wash the fish in cold running water, rubbing it both inside and out, and then wrap it in paper towel to dry. After this, make a three-inch slit vertically on both sides of the fish. Then, take about a teaspoon each of salt and ground black pepper. Mix them together, and use a knife to insert a satisfactory amount of mixture in the slits.
Heat a frying pan on medium flame with a generous amount of cooking oil. This is the tricky part. Frying a fish means that you will get burned by the oil. There's no real way around that, unless you have a splatter guard. When the oil is hot, gently lay the fish in the pan and leave it to fry. While it is frying, chop an onion and a few scotch bonnet peppers and put them to soak in about half a cup of vinegar. Turn the fish after the first side is fried to satisfaction. Heat another frying pan on medium flame with a little oil (a smaller pan is suitable for this). When this pan is hot, pour in the vinegar mixture and let it heat to satisfaction, stirring it ocassionally.
When the fish has been fried, lay it in a shallow dish and pour the vinegar mixture over it. Let it soak.
When the bammie has thawed, cut it in four (this can be a bit difficult, but cut it nonetheless) and soak it in milk. Not too much to make it soggy, and not too little to keep it dry. Heat another frying pan on medium-low flame with a generous amount of oil, and when the oil is hot, place the bammies in the pan. No worries here, the bammies won't make the oil pop. Let it fry on one side for five to ten minutes, or until it has reached a desired color. I prefer mine golden brown. Turn and let the other side fry. When the bammie is done, place it on a plate with the fish and serve.
Caution: Bammies are extremely hot straight out of the pan, so you may want to wait a while before eating or be very careful. Also, whole fishes have a lot of bones, so inspect each forkful for bones, and if any happen to make their way to your mouth, carefully remove it. Do not, under any circumstance, try to chew it, much less swallow it.
Profile: Coach Scott McMillin
>>>>>Intense, loyal and caring. These are the words used to describe Coach Scott McMillin. McMillin has been the head men’s basketball coach at Lynn University for the past five seasons, and in that time he has brought success to Lynn time and time again.
>>>>>I met with Coach McMillin one morning in his office. It’s a relatively small office, but on one wall, there were at least a dozen plaques showcasing his accomplishments. That’s no surprise, considering he has been named coach of the year three times – once at Santa Fe Community College, and twice at Lynn University – among other achievements.
>>>>>We talked about his childhood and where he grew up: Wichita Kansas. I guess the look on my face gave me away, because he laughed and said that Wichita isn’t what most people think. “It’s a town of about 300,000 people; an urban city with Midwest values and a small town vibe.” That definitely clarified some things for me. He further explained that in Kansas, most children get attached to sports. “I always played sports. Basketball, baseball, soccer. But it was in junior high and high school that I really fell in love with basketball…When you’re a kid growing up in Kansas, basketball is in your blood.”
>>>>>Well, that certainly explained his enthusiasm when I asked about his job. He couldn’t help repeating how much he loved his job and I could tell by his approach to it. With an MBA, he could be working as a top business executive right now, but he turned down job offers in order to do what he loves. “I had the opportunity to work on Wall Street in New York,” he says, “but I turned it down to work at Central Florida Community College. I could have been earning a lot of money at 23, but I took a job that paid $7,000 [per year] instead.”
>>>>>Prior to his stint at Central Florida, he was assistant coach at the University of Buffalo, which is actually where the idea of coaching occurred to him. “I didn’t think about coaching as a career until I played at the collegiate level at the University of Buffalo.” After graduating from the university, he stayed on as assistant coach, and then he took the job at Central Florida, where he played the part of assistant coach once more. In the midst of all this, he met his wife, Crystal, through mutual friends in the summer of 2001. “I was home for the summer and our friends introduced us. She was a CPA working in Wichita at the time, but she was getting ready to move to Denver and I was one month away from moving to Gainesville, to work at Santa Fe Community College.” In spite of the distance, their relationship grew and she moved to Florida less than a year later. He was head coach at Santa Fe for two years, and then he accepted the position he now holds at Lynn.
>>>>>“I know in terms of age, I’m pretty young to be a head coach, but I have seven years of experience in this position, so with my age comes this qualification.” And rightly so. At Santa Fe he pushed the team academically, which resulted in a program high average GPA of 3.05 in the fall of 2002. At Lynn, he and his team have broken quite a few records, and they ended the 2006-07 season ranked 11th in NCAA Division II.
>>>>>When I asked him what he attributed to all his success, his response was simple. “Having the right people involved in the program, from players to assistant coaches, is what I would say is the reason for our success. We have a group of very hard working, driven people, who are self-motivated, and who will go above and beyond the call of duty. You need to have people who are going to work hard. There’s no secret to success.” Once we got into talking about his job, the enthusiasm showed even more. He’s not a man who is in this for the winning. The one thing that he stressed the most was that he is in this to influence the lives of his players more than winning. One of his former players, Sheldon Edwards, confirmed this. “He’s a very caring person. I’ve known him quite a while. He’s an intense person, he puts all he has into whatever he does. And obviously he really cares about his players since we still have a relationship. He’s thoughtful and caring and genuine.”
>>>>>McMillin remembers what his coaches were like in high school and college, and his aim was to help his players improve in every aspect. “I feel like they gave me something really important, and I feel like I owe it to my players to give them what my coaches gave me.”
His best moments, he says, actually happen off the court. Moments like conversations with players and keeping in touch with former players are important to him. With a sparkle in his eyes, he said: “I have the ability to see a young man’s life develop… The winning is great, but it’s the bigger picture. All the players come from different backgrounds: some come from good homes, some come from bad homes, some are well-off and some are not so well-off. Taking all those guys and bringing them together for one common goal is important to me.”
>>>>>The worst thing that has happened in his point of view is when he doesn’t get through to a person. There’s also the losses. Although his current team has netted more wins than losses each season since his arrival, he says, “As a coach, you tend to remember the losses more than the wins.”
>>>>>Maybe this is why his assistant coaches describe him as intense and loyal. Assistant coach Marcus Hayes said: “He’s a very driven individual. His coaching style is very hands-on, very detail-oriented. And he’s passionate and enthusiastic towards his teaching. That’s what I call it anyway.” His other coach, Tim Heskett, spoke more about the mood he brought to the program. “He is an extremely loyal individual. Everything he does in the program is to make the atmosphere more like a family.”
>>>>>With a personality like his, it is no wonder that he loves what he does so much. He says: “The pressure of winning and losing is tough. But every day is an opportunity to maximize their [the players] potential as individuals. That’s the goal, and the process is the end result.”
>>>>>I met with Coach McMillin one morning in his office. It’s a relatively small office, but on one wall, there were at least a dozen plaques showcasing his accomplishments. That’s no surprise, considering he has been named coach of the year three times – once at Santa Fe Community College, and twice at Lynn University – among other achievements.
>>>>>We talked about his childhood and where he grew up: Wichita Kansas. I guess the look on my face gave me away, because he laughed and said that Wichita isn’t what most people think. “It’s a town of about 300,000 people; an urban city with Midwest values and a small town vibe.” That definitely clarified some things for me. He further explained that in Kansas, most children get attached to sports. “I always played sports. Basketball, baseball, soccer. But it was in junior high and high school that I really fell in love with basketball…When you’re a kid growing up in Kansas, basketball is in your blood.”
>>>>>Well, that certainly explained his enthusiasm when I asked about his job. He couldn’t help repeating how much he loved his job and I could tell by his approach to it. With an MBA, he could be working as a top business executive right now, but he turned down job offers in order to do what he loves. “I had the opportunity to work on Wall Street in New York,” he says, “but I turned it down to work at Central Florida Community College. I could have been earning a lot of money at 23, but I took a job that paid $7,000 [per year] instead.”
>>>>>Prior to his stint at Central Florida, he was assistant coach at the University of Buffalo, which is actually where the idea of coaching occurred to him. “I didn’t think about coaching as a career until I played at the collegiate level at the University of Buffalo.” After graduating from the university, he stayed on as assistant coach, and then he took the job at Central Florida, where he played the part of assistant coach once more. In the midst of all this, he met his wife, Crystal, through mutual friends in the summer of 2001. “I was home for the summer and our friends introduced us. She was a CPA working in Wichita at the time, but she was getting ready to move to Denver and I was one month away from moving to Gainesville, to work at Santa Fe Community College.” In spite of the distance, their relationship grew and she moved to Florida less than a year later. He was head coach at Santa Fe for two years, and then he accepted the position he now holds at Lynn.
>>>>>“I know in terms of age, I’m pretty young to be a head coach, but I have seven years of experience in this position, so with my age comes this qualification.” And rightly so. At Santa Fe he pushed the team academically, which resulted in a program high average GPA of 3.05 in the fall of 2002. At Lynn, he and his team have broken quite a few records, and they ended the 2006-07 season ranked 11th in NCAA Division II.
>>>>>When I asked him what he attributed to all his success, his response was simple. “Having the right people involved in the program, from players to assistant coaches, is what I would say is the reason for our success. We have a group of very hard working, driven people, who are self-motivated, and who will go above and beyond the call of duty. You need to have people who are going to work hard. There’s no secret to success.” Once we got into talking about his job, the enthusiasm showed even more. He’s not a man who is in this for the winning. The one thing that he stressed the most was that he is in this to influence the lives of his players more than winning. One of his former players, Sheldon Edwards, confirmed this. “He’s a very caring person. I’ve known him quite a while. He’s an intense person, he puts all he has into whatever he does. And obviously he really cares about his players since we still have a relationship. He’s thoughtful and caring and genuine.”
>>>>>McMillin remembers what his coaches were like in high school and college, and his aim was to help his players improve in every aspect. “I feel like they gave me something really important, and I feel like I owe it to my players to give them what my coaches gave me.”
His best moments, he says, actually happen off the court. Moments like conversations with players and keeping in touch with former players are important to him. With a sparkle in his eyes, he said: “I have the ability to see a young man’s life develop… The winning is great, but it’s the bigger picture. All the players come from different backgrounds: some come from good homes, some come from bad homes, some are well-off and some are not so well-off. Taking all those guys and bringing them together for one common goal is important to me.”
>>>>>The worst thing that has happened in his point of view is when he doesn’t get through to a person. There’s also the losses. Although his current team has netted more wins than losses each season since his arrival, he says, “As a coach, you tend to remember the losses more than the wins.”
>>>>>Maybe this is why his assistant coaches describe him as intense and loyal. Assistant coach Marcus Hayes said: “He’s a very driven individual. His coaching style is very hands-on, very detail-oriented. And he’s passionate and enthusiastic towards his teaching. That’s what I call it anyway.” His other coach, Tim Heskett, spoke more about the mood he brought to the program. “He is an extremely loyal individual. Everything he does in the program is to make the atmosphere more like a family.”
>>>>>With a personality like his, it is no wonder that he loves what he does so much. He says: “The pressure of winning and losing is tough. But every day is an opportunity to maximize their [the players] potential as individuals. That’s the goal, and the process is the end result.”
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Product Review
Product: Samsung S850Brand: Samsung
Price: $199.99
Available at: Target
8.1 mega pixels
5x optical zoom
2.5" TFT color LCD
ASR (Advanced Shake Reduction) system
High sensitivity ISO 1600 support
Interval Shooting function
Size: 4 x 3 x 1 inches; 6.4 oz.
The Samsung S850 is one of the most affordable digital cameras available today with the advanced features found in high end SLR digital cameras. On looking at the camera, the first thing you will notice is the lens protruding half an inch from the body of the camera. Though not as sleek and pretty as other cameras in this price range, it has more features than cameras in this price range.
The most surprising feature is the P, S, A and M modes found on the mode dial. These allow you to manually control the features of the pictures you want to take. Or you could take the easy route and just use the auto setting. Another interesting feature is the ASR, which quickens the shutter speed for better, less fuzzy motion shots.
The only drawbacks to this camera are the slow start up and shot-to-shot speeds, and the fact that the 38mm lens does not allow for good wide-angle shots, and therefore pictures of buildings and landscapes don't come out that great. When you first turn on the camera, it takes up to 2.1 seconds before you can take a picture, and if you adjust any of the settings in between shots, there's another 2.1 seconds before you can take another picture. Also, the camera does not have a viewfinder, so the 2.5-inch LCD display must be used to frame every picture.
In spite of all it lacks, this camera is a great deal for people who just want to take good pictures without having to pay too much.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Calendar Listings
ORCHESTRA MIAMI IN CONCERT WITH ANGEL ROMERO – This classical opera featuring Angel Romero will be held at 8 p.m. on Saturday June 31st at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami Frost School of Music, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL. Tickets: $40. Telephone: (305) 274-2103.
“MOBILE HOME SWEET HOME” – This comedy theater production will be held at 8 p.m on June 30 at the Atlantic Theater, 6743 W Indiantown Rd, Jupiter, FL, 33458. Tickets: $12-$15. Telephone: (561) 575-4942.
SUNDAY AFTERNOONS OF MUSIC FOR CHILDREN – This dance recital hosted by the Miami City Ballet will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday July 1 at the University of Miami Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Rd, Coral Gables, FL. Tickets: $10-$12. Telephone: (305) 271-7150.
“MOBILE HOME SWEET HOME” – This comedy theater production will be held at 8 p.m on June 30 at the Atlantic Theater, 6743 W Indiantown Rd, Jupiter, FL, 33458. Tickets: $12-$15. Telephone: (561) 575-4942.
SUNDAY AFTERNOONS OF MUSIC FOR CHILDREN – This dance recital hosted by the Miami City Ballet will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday July 1 at the University of Miami Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Rd, Coral Gables, FL. Tickets: $10-$12. Telephone: (305) 271-7150.
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