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Among the most prominent to be abducted was Ai Weiwei, probably China's best-known artist internationally. He had been embarrassing the regime for years, suffering brutal beatings at the hands of China's communist overlords. But it was assumed that his fame would offer him some degree of protection. It didn't.
On April 4, Chinese authorities picked him up at an airport as he was about to board a flight for Hong Kong. Then, he disappeared, with no official statement on his whereabouts or condition. His family wasn't even informed.
The regime claims Ai is guilty of "economic crimes," but nearly everyone outside of China knows that's not true. Now, he's said to be "confessing" to the charges — almost certainly under torture.
One of Ai's associates, freelance journalist Wen Tao, was abducted the same day. Nothing is known publicly about his fate so far. And Ai's attorney, Liu Xiaoyuan, only re-appeared on April 19 after being detained by the regime last week. Liu told the U.K. Guardian that he did not want to give details about what had happened. Numerous other friends and associated of Ai have been detained, too.
And they're not alone. Dozens — possibly hundreds — of high-profile critics, human-rights lawyers, and even bloggers have also been abducted by the communist "security" apparatus since February. Only a handful have been released so far, and all of those have refused to talk publicly about what they endured. At least some of the abductees have been sent to labor and "re-education" camps.
Certain analysts believe the crackdown is related to online calls for a Middle East-style "Jasmine Revolution" in China. Anonymous Web postings began appearing several months ago, but no large-scale protests emerged, especially since the regime sent out swarms of goons to each location.
Apparently the communist dictatorship is feeling nervous. But so are people close to the abductees. An unidentified person close to one of the lawyers who was abducted told Reuters that the situation was becoming "more and more terrifying."
Human-rights groups have become increasingly vocal about the disappearances. And protests at the communist dictatorship's embassies around the world have already started. Even Western governments and the United Nations have started to offer some tepid criticism about the abductions.
In a statement released earlier this month, the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances expressed "serious concern at the recent wave of enforced disappearances" in communist China, noting that such tactics were a crime. "There can never be an excuse to disappear people, especially when those persons are peacefully expressing their dissent," the UN body said in a rare criticism of the communist regime.
Western governments have also offered some mild rebukes of the dictatorship. The foreign ministries of Germany and the U.K. have both expressed concern. Even U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whose husband Bill is known to have provided some of America's most sensitive military secrets to the communist regime during his time as President, said she was concerned. "As we have said repeatedly, the United States welcomes the rise of a strong and prosperous China," she told reporters earlier this month when presenting a human-rights report. "However, we remain deeply concerned about reports that since February, dozens of people including public-interest lawyers, writers, artists, intellectuals and activists have been arbitrarily detained and arrested."
Clinton said such detentions were "contrary to the rule of law," urging the dictatorship to release everyone who was abducted for expressing their opinion. The State Department report she was presenting noted that numerous Chinese people, possibly tens of thousands, were improperly committed to psychiatric institutions because of dissent.
Numerous human-rights groups around the world have also condemned the communist regime's disappearances. From the New York-based Human Rights Watch to the Hong Kong-based Chinese Human Rights Defenders, the atrocities are being roundly condemned by non-profit groups worldwide.
The International Bar Association even stepped up, with its Human Rights Institution issuing a warning about the regime in a statement. "An expanding catalogue of abductions by the Chinese authorities [is creating] a climate of fear," it said. "The IBAHRI calls on the Chinese government to release all illegally detained human rights lawyers; cease all forms of harassment of the same; and to make a public statement on the whereabouts of 'disappeared' lawyers, the reasons for their arrest and their treatment in detention."
China, as is typical, chastised other countries and international observers for objecting to the abductions and disappearances. "We advise the U.S. side to reflect on its own human rights issues and don't position itself as a preacher of human rights, and to stop using the issue of human rights reports to interfere in other countries' internal affairs," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement posted on the regime's website.
As reported recently by The New American, human-rights activists are not the only ones suffering crack downs and brutality at the hands of the communist regime. Christians and the people of Tibet are being brutalized, arrested and "re-educated" too. Torture, labor camps, brainwashing, and outright murder are all tactics employed by the Chinese government in its zeal to retain absolute power.
What will happen to the multitude of abducted critics remains unclear. But so far, despite the outcry and intensifying international pressure, the communist dictatorship has only been clamping down even harder.
Photo of Ai Weiwei: AP Images
Related articles:
China Cracks Down on Large Underground Church in Beijing


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by Paula M. Riley
It's the Christmas season, and decorating the home is often the first step of holiday celebration. Chestnut Hill merchants have all that is needed to bring the holiday spirit to any abode.
The grounds of the Top of the Hill Farm Market are once again jam-packed with four varieties of fresh cut Christmas trees. They sell Douglas Firs and Fraser Firs as well as Concolor Firs, which have an aromatic citrus smell and winter green color with very full, long needles and branches. A new variety available at the market is the Grand Firs; these trees are no larger than five feet and have sturdy branches and needles.
"Our trees are fresh cut from a farm in Lehighton, Pennsylvania," said Andy Peszka, co-owner of Top of the Hill Market. "They shear and shave them all summer long and take great pride in their work. They are constantly growing trees so generations to come will be able to enjoy such beautiful trees."
Top of the Hill also sells tree stands, wreaths, mantelpieces, swags, roping, table runners and centerpieces all made fresh with seasonal trimmings. Poinsettias arrive in mid-December, hand-picked at the farm by Peszka himself.
The staff at the market, along with Peszka and his wife Sharon, is on site to help customers find the perfect holiday decor for their homes. They deliver trees and have extended hours (Monday through Saturday until 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) for tree sales.
"Come up to "Captain Andy's Tree Farm" and pick out your tree before they're gone!" said Sharon Peszka.
Just down the Avenue, Laurel Hill Gardens offers an array of fresh holiday décor. They, too, sell and deliver fresh-cut Fraser Fir trees and also have live potted trees, and fresh handmade and custom decorated wreaths they can ship nationwide. You can decorate your homes using their fresh greens bunches (boxwood, berried juniper, incense cedar), fresh garland (white pine, cedar, noble fir), Magnolia and berried holly bunches, and locally grown Winterberry bunches. They also sell a variety of dried natural items on stems for pots, such as pine cones, lotus pods, and pomegranates.
If decorating is a chore, contact Laurel Hill for Christmas tree set-up, exterior house decorating and tree lighting.
"We will do anything we can to make the holidays easier for you," said Anna Primzo, of Laurel Hill Gardens.
Throughout the holiday season, Laurel Hill Gardens will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Santa will visit on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 12-2 p.m., so stop by with a camera.
Once the tree is home and in its place, it's time to decorate. Don't begin the process without a trip to The Hill Company and HOBNOB. The Hill Company is truly, a winter wonderland with magnificently decorated trees on display.
The "Bling Tree" is sure to catch your eye. This 9-foot tree is covered in glass and silver ornaments. A gorgeous, iridescent creation, it features chandelier ornaments, glass birds and mirrored ornaments topped with a silver and white gold angel.
The naturalists will enjoy the woodland trees decorated with pine-cone ornaments, felt and other traditional décor. Another woodland tree has a more sophisticated look and includes birch branches, huge pine cones and bright gold balls.
Wine connoisseurs won't want to miss the "Napa Tree" complete with wine ornaments, grapes, discs with antique wine labels and other purple and green ornaments. A "Children's Tree" is adorned with traditional red, white and green fun ornaments and snowmen and Santas.
Linda Moran, owner of The Hill Company suggests adding new ornaments as a simple way of updating your tree.
"Red and green isn't what it is all about anymore," said Moran. "There are so many other colors of the season you can add to update your family's tradition Christmas tree at home."
HOBNOB Design has wonderful, fun ornaments as well. It offers vintage glass ornaments from a recently acquired collection in various colors and styles.
"As a designer, I feel that vintage glass ornaments are a great addition to any Christmas tree regardless of your style," said Angela Heithecker, HOBNOB's owner. "They bring fantastic memories of past holidays with their shiny patina and old fashioned charm."
Other ornaments available at HOBNOB include felted, wool ornaments of birds, reindeer, dogs and others. These bring a handmade, folk-charm theme to the holiday decorations. Children especially are drawn to the snow globe ornaments that are a perfect size for the tree.
"These evoke childhood memories of wonder and holiday enchantment," said Heithecker.
Enjoy holiday shopping in Chestnut Hill. Shops are open late for Stag & Doe Nights on Wednesdays, Dec. 5, 12, and 19 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m., with music, carolers on the Avenue, refreshments and Santa. For a full list of holiday events, visit www.chestnuthillpa.com

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Mya Guarnieri
Media misconceptions: Is the conflict really about Jews vs. Arabs?
In the second post of my three-part series about media and publishing, I examine some misconceptions about the Israeli-Palestinian 'conflict,' and the ways in which the media feeds into a binary that leaves non-Jews and non-Palestinians out of the spotlight. When my agent and I shopped my book about Israel's migrant workers and African refugees around, we got a lot of those "We love it but it's not right for us" and "This is an important book that needs to be published. But there's no audience for this" kind of responses. But perhaps the most common response was, "Where are…Read More... | 19 Comments


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The potential role of garlic (Allium sativum) against the multi-drug resistant tuberculosis pandemic: a review
Il ruolo potenziale dell'aglio, Allium sativum, nella tubercolosi farmaco-resistente: una rassegna
Catia DiniI; Alessia FabbriII; Andrea GeraciII
IDirezione Generale per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo, Ministero degli Affari Esteri, Rome, Italy
IIDipartimento del Farmaco, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
Worldly data show the increasing incidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and particularly of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). In developing countries, TB control programmes are overwhelmed by the complexity of treating MDR-TB infected people, as current tools and therapies are inadequate. MDR-TB could become the main form of TB. Risk factors that make South Africa into one of the main epicentres are analysed. A review of the studies carried out about antitubercular properties of Allium sativum both in vitro and in vivo is provided. The researches about the garlic extracts effectiveness against clinical isolates of MDR-TB are of scientific importance. Allium sativum offers a hope for developing alternative drugs. The involvement of traditional healers (TH) in the TB health management could facilitate the administration of garlic extracts to the infected patients.
Key words: tuberculosis, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), Allium sativum, traditional healers (TH), South Africa.
I dati a livello mondiale mostrano la crescente incidenza del Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) e in particolare della TB farmaco-resistente (MDR-TB). I programmi di controllo della TB nei paesi in via di sviluppo sono sopraffatti dalla complessità del trattamento per le persone colpite dalla MDR-TB, considerata l'inadeguatezza degli attuali strumenti e terapie. La MDR-TB può divenire la forma principale di TB. Sono analizzati i fattori di rischio che rendono il Sud Africa uno dei maggiori epicentri. Viene fornita una rassegna degli studi condotti sull'attività antitubercolare dell'Allium sativum sia in vitro che in vivo. Le ricerche sull'efficacia degli estratti d'aglio su campioni clinici di MDR-TB sono di interesse scientifico. L'Allium sativum offre una speranza per lo sviluppo di farmaci alternativi. Il coinvolgimento dei guaritori tradizionali nei programmi sanitari per la TB può facilitare la somministrazione di estratti d'aglio alle persone contagiate.
Parole chiave: tubercolosi, tubercolosi resistente (MDR-TB), Allium sativum, guaritori tradizionali, Sud Africa.
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and is a global health issue, being a threat to the entire mankind, especially for the rapid increase of multidrug-resistant (MDR) MTB strains. Population mobility is one of the main factors of the disease fast spreading. Co-infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) poses a major health and scientific challenge, due to the high mortality associated.
The magnitude of the MDR-TB infection in some epicentres highlights the urgency of finding new medicines that could overcome the problem of drug resistance. Focus has now shifted to development of compounds from natural sources that have antimycobacterial activity. Garlic (Allium sativum) is a plant used as a food as well as a folk medicine for centuries by different cultures. It has shown to have a variety of pharmacological properties like antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant and many other effects. The present paper offers a review of Allium sativum activity against TB and MDR-TB, willing to contribute to the discussion about low-cost and affordable treatments.
Allium sativum represents an opportunity to develop innovative programmes and to reengage with planners about sustainable health policies in the poor settings where MDR-TB is nowadays out of control. Considering the social and financial costs of MDRTB spread, the demonstration of the clinical efficacy of Allium sativum is needed. Till now reviews have shown that clinical trials have been few, small and inadequately controlled. However, the standardization and regulation of garlic as medicine – since thousands of years of experience – may provide huge benefits for the TB containment. Scientific evidence from randomized clinical trials can support the use of Allium sativum and enhance access for MDR-TB infected people, through the public health system. Its use can allow an effective MDR-TB management, due to its affordability and the absence of toxic effects. Health expenditure might diminish substantially and Governments may be enabled to face the burden of the pandemic.
Tuberculosis in the world
TB is a common infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis in humans. One third of the world's population is thought to be infected with MTB and about 80% of the population in many Asian and African countries are tuberculin skin test positive. In 2009, 9.4 million of people were infected worldwide [1].
The resurgence of TB resulted in the declaration of a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1993 [2]. In 2007, WHO estimated 13.7 million chronic active cases, 9.3 million new cases, and 1.8 million deaths, mostly in developing countries [3]. Most of the TB cases occur in Asia and Africa and the countries with the highest rates of TB incidence are India, China and South Africa [4].
There is evidence that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is correlated with increased risk of TB infection. The probability raises, in fact, 5-10 times in HIV-positive people [5].
MDR-TB is defined as resistance at least to the two most effective first-line TB drugs i.e. isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RMP). Outbreaks of MDRTB were reported in US and Europe in patients with HIV infection, since the early 1990s [6].
The Report of WHO 2010 estimates 440 000 MDRTB cases worldwide and 150 000 deaths in 2008 [7]. Only 7% of the estimated 440 000 cases of MDR disease were reported to WHO in 2008 and of these, only a fifth were treated [8]. According to WHO, Asia, countries of the former Soviet Union and East Europe are facing a serious and widespread MDR-TB epidemic; some provinces in China reported the highest rate of resistance, followed by India.
Direct transmission of MDR and XDR (extensively drug resistant)-TB, the last one caused by MDR strains also resistants to a fluoroquinolone and an injectable drug (kanamycin, amikacin, capreomycin), occurs frequently among individuals with no prior history of TB, as it was observed in Shanghai (March 2004 to November 2007) [9] and Western Cape in South Africa (September 2000 to August 2002) [10].
Although previously the MDR-TB epidemic was largely confined to east Asia and eastern Europe and the acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS) epidemic was mostly focused in sub-Saharan Africa, these infections are now clearly converging on both continents. TB patients with HIV have been shown to be twice as likely to get MDR-TB as people who are not HIV-positive. The HIV/TB co-epidemic represents a setback to global control of TB, which would otherwise be more manageable [11].
HIV and tuberculosis co-infection in sub-Saharan Africa
Mining in southern Africa has amplified HIV and TB epidemics across sub-Saharan Africa through social, political, and biological risks posed to miners and their communities [ 2]. The scale of international migration involves migrants from Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zimbabwe to work in the south African mines and through oscillating migration causes HIV/TB transmission in home regions [13].
In sub-Saharan Africa, mineral miners have among the highest TB incidence rates in the world. The mining industry in southern Africa may be implicated in as many as 760 000 new cases of TB each year, due to factors such as silica dust in mines, crowded living conditions, and the HIV infection. Through a multivariate analysis in 44 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the same researchers found that, in high HIV prevalence settings, a huge mining sector represents a key factor in the spreading of TB [14].
Autopsies of black miners in South Africa reveal very high rates of silicosis and TB undetected or poorly-treated, rising from about 5% active pulmonary TB at autopsy in 1975 to 40% in 2008. Data on prevalence of silicosis in 2008 showed that onequarter of all miners were affected by TB. Autopsies attested a gradual increase in the prevalence (per 1000) of active TB from 33 in 1975 to 50 in 1990, and a marked increase to 359 in 2008 [15].
Because of their multiplicative interactions, HIV and silicosis have an even larger effect on TB risk [16]. Studies in the gold mines show that, in addition to dramatic raise of TB in HIV-positive miners, there is increased incidence in HIVnegative miners [17, 18]. Seasonal migration makes the diagnosis more difficult. Even though TB is detected, in the miner's villages the chance of treatment interruption and failure raises, due to lack of appropriate health structures and of drugs supply. This factor leads to an increase of people developing drug-resistant forms of TB.
HIV and TB in South Africa: a severe threat to the global health
South Africa is one of the world's fastest growing tourist destinations, attracts millions of seasonal workers from neighbouring countries, and its ports and roads service several other African countries. A study conducted in a rural area in Kwazulu Natal investigated on a sample of 1539 patient during the period from January 2005 to March 2006. They found that 475 were culture-positive for TB and 39% of them (185 patients) were infected with MDR-TB, 6% (30 patients) had XDR, and all patients with XDR tuberculosis were co-infected with HIV [19]. Besides the rapid raise of MDR and XDR-TB and the spreading of HIV, cumulatively, all these factors make for a potentially explosive international health crisis [20].
Tuberculosis in Europe
The European Centre for the Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and WHO Report of 2008 have found that, in that year, 82 611 cases of TB occurred in European Union (EU) countries. Almost a quarter of them were born in other countries, more than 60% being from Asia and Africa. 28 295 cases of those occurred in EU in 2008, were MDR-TB [21]. In 2009, 79 665 TB cases were reported by all 27 EU countries and MDR remains most frequent in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania [22].
Instead in the European Region as a whole, in 2008 461 645 cases of TB were described (52.2/100 000), representing 6% of the global incidence of the disease. Eighteen of the 54 European countries are classified as high priority countries (HPC) because they constitute 87.6% of all the cases in the Region. In 2008 329 391 new episodes of TB and 46 241 deaths from TB were reported, the majority of them in the 18 HPC. 42% of the new infections occurred in the 15-44 age range [23]. In the same Region, MDR has resulted in more than 13 500 new and previously treated cases that defaulted from treatment. In a research it was observed that the strongest independent risk factors of death were advancing age and MDR, although male sex, European ethnicity, pulmonary TB and country of report also showed significant association [24].
Those data highlight the fact that MDR-TB is a threat to the European health stability.
Tuberculosis in Italy
In Italy, in the last 25 years, an increasing trend has been observed after an incidence decrease from the '50s to the '80s. Although Italy is classified as a low epidemical country, there is a significant concentration of cases among specific age ranges and at-risk groups and the insurgence of varying strains of MDR and XDR-TB [25].
In the decade 1998-2008 the incidence of TB increased (< 10/100 000 residents) with a total of 4500 cases per year. In 2008 4418 cases of TB occurred, 73% of which in the Northern and Central Italy. The TB rate among immigrants has doubled in the last decade, representing the 50% of total cases. The high incidence in foreign population depends both on the endemic situation in their countries and on the vulnerable status of the "immigrant" [26]. According to G. Besozzi, 5000 TB cases per year is an underestimation, as the real figure may be almost 8000 cases per year [27].
The WHO strategy with directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) is a standardized therapy with supervision and patient support provided by a health worker. The care-giver is responsible to administer the drugs to TB patients and to ensure their adherence [28]. That approach was effective for the treatment of TB.
However, MDR-TB presents new challenges. MDR strains could become the main form of TB, since subpopulations of resistant mycobacteria can emerge as the dominant strain in the presence of drug-selection pressure. Management of MDR-TB is more complex, costly, time-consuming and less effective than it is for drug-susceptible TB [29]. In developing countries, it would be unwise to rely on existing technologies alone. Most MDR-TB programmes in the resourcepoor settings do not have access to the complex and expensive diagnostics and they face constraints like worldwide shortages of quality-assured second-line drugs (SLD) [30].
Lastly, the management of the debilitating and toxic side-effects of drugs combination for MDR-TB and HIV requires alternative therapies. Studies have shown higher rates of adverse reactions in HIV-infected patients to the anti-TB therapy rifampicin [31]. One of the principle drugs for HIV treatment, efavirenz, may, in fact, cause toxic interaction with rifampicin [32]. The most common side effects noted – due to drugs interactions and toxicity – were peripheral neuropathy (PN), rash, gastrointestinal upset (GI), hepatitis and neurological events [33].
Moreover, strains of TB resistant to all major anti-TB drugs have emerged in Central Asian countries [34]. Drug resistance severely threatens TB control, since in the medium period existing drugs could be no longer effective. If no new antituberculosis drugs are found, returning to the preantibiotic era could be a reality [35].
Research efforts in affordable treatments that work faster, with less side-effects and compatible with medications for HIV must be prioritized, as current tools and drugs are inadequate [36].
Tuberculosis treatment costs
DOTS-Plus is a case-management strategy designed by WHO to manage MDR-TB using SLD. However the following examples show that costs are not sustainable:
- in the period between 1999-2002, in Manila, the average cost per patient treated in the DOTS-Plus project was US$ 4192, of which US$ 3355 for health system costs and US$ 837 for costs incurred by patients and their families to benefit from therapies [37];
- drug costs for the 30 000 estimated cases of MDRTB in the Russian Federation in 2003 could amount to US$ 70 million at highly-concessionary Green Light Committee (GLC) prices, and US$ 452 million at market prices. In 2003, in the Russian Federation the average cost per patient treated was US$ 10 319 for DOTS-Plus [38];
- in 2006-8, Médecins sans frontières (MSF) have spent in Armenia € 9000 per patient for treatment and SLD; they have paid around US$ 7300 per MDR-TB patient in Cambodia [39].
To achieve universal access to treatment recommended in the Global Plan to Stop TB, 1.4 million cases of MDR-TB in the 27 countries with the highest burden of MDR disease will need to be cured [40]. The total estimated cost of such treatment for 2010-2015 is US$ 16.2 billion, an amount far in excess of the existing level of funding [41].
In developing countries the charge for treatment of MDR and XDR cases may far exceed their total budgets for health care [42]. Health services costs cause both impoverishment of households that fall into debt to seek services or exclusion of others from health care access. In countries with high rates of poverty, huge rates of catastrophic spending are expected [43].
Allium sativum properties
Garlic (Allium sativum) is world famous from centuries for its contribution to human health. Literature says that garlic has originated in Central Asia and then spread to remaining parts of world [44]. Garlic was known to Chinese health providers before 3000 BC and is a part of Chinese diet and traditional medicine till today. It was also known to Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Africans from ages and was used as a treatment for several ailments. Hippocrates (470-358 BC) has recommended its use in treating infections [45]. Besides, according to the Unani and the Ayurvedic systems of medicine, garlic is a well-known remedy for several diseases [46]. Allium sativum, in fact, has been found to exhibit in vitro i) antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including species of Escherichia, Salmonella, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, Klebsiella, Proteus, Bacillus, Clostridium, Helicobacter pylory and even MTB ii) antifungal activity -particularly against Candida albicans – iii) antiparasitic and iv) antiviral action [4748]. It has in vitro a strong anticancer effects [49-54] as well as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties. It also possesses antihyperlipedemic, antihelminthic, antihypercholesterolaemic, antihypertensive activity [55].
Researchers have found garlic to be effective in vitro against several opportunistic infections in acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS), including candidiasis [56], herpes and Cryptococcus infections, as well as Cryptosporidium, Cytomegalovirus [57] and Pneumocystis carinii [58]. According to Cutler and Wilson, allicin liquid extracts were highly active against clinical isolates of multiple antibiotic resistant S. aureus, as "allicin is considered to be the most potent antibacterial agent in crushed garlic extracts" [59]. However, undamaged garlic bulb contain not allicin but alliin which is converted into allicin enzimatically when fresh garlic is squeezed [60].
Wills reported that allicin is an inhibitor of sulfhydryl metabolic enzymes and suggests that its antimicrobial properties are due to specific interaction with SH- group [61]. It is now recognized that the wide-spectrum antimicrobial activity of allicin is due to the multiple inhibitory effects it can had on various thiol-dependent enzymatic systems, its main antimicrobial effect remaining its interaction with important thiol-containing enzymes [62].
Allium sativum and tuberculosis
In developing countries current tools and drugs for MDR-TB are inadequate and the treatments available are not only unsustainable but cause either several side effects. In view of the increased incidence of MDR-TB, the research of new antitubercular drugs based on affordable and more effective treatments has already begun. Studies on innovative alternative plant extracts of medicinal value need to be emphasized, as plants are an important source of new antimicrobial agents, with little toxicity, able to replace drugs to which mycobacteria resistance has occurred [63].
As Allium sativum is concerned, the in vitro tests undertaken about the inhibitory effect on MDR-TB are at an advanced stage whereas few researches in vivo have been conducted.
First studies on the antitubercular treatments with Allium sativum
A review of the main studies that tested garlic as an antitubercular therapy is provided below.
In 1912, Dr. WC. Minchin, of the Kells Union Hospital in Ireland, published Allyl Sufphide in the treatment of Lupus and tuberculosis [64]. He described an inhaler mask containing a sponge soaked in garlic juice for the TB treatment. Inhaled garlic juice would function as a volatile germicide, which would destroy the bacterium. Cases of those recorded by Dr. Minchin may be claimed as proof that in certain individuals the drug practically annihilates the activity of the bacterium [65]. Minchin gave also the simple recipe for a treatment of tuberculosis with oil of garlic, successful cure guaranteed within two months, even in far advanced cases [66].
In the same year, Ballière affirmed: "..there is no doubt that allyl sulphide in the juice of garlic is quite a good chemotherapeutic agent, for sulphur...turns the toxin of microbes into harmless toxoid" [67].
In 1914, the inhibitory effect of garlic on mycobacteria was reported by Dr. MW. McDuffie of the Metropolitan Hospital in New York. He compared garlic with 55 other treatments for TB and concluded that it was the most effective. He affirmed "Garlic contains a volatile oil, called allyl sulphide, and its medical properties depend on this oil, strongly antiseptic, it seems to have a remarkable power of inhibiting the growth of the Koch's bacillus, eliminated by the lungs, skin, kidneys and liver, and oxidizes into sulphonic acid in the system. Applied locally, it is freely absorbed by the skin and penetrates the deeper tissues. Garlic gave us our best results, and would seem equally efficacious, no matter what part of tile body affected, whether skin, bones, glands, lungs or special parts" [68].
Researches about the inhibitory effect of Allium sativum extracts against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Cavallito and Bailey first isolated and identified, in 1944, the component responsible for the broad-spectrum antibacterial activity of crushed garlic cloves. The compound turned out to be an oxygenated sulphur compound which they termed allicin [69]. By steam distillation of ethanolic garlic extracts, the researchers obtained a colourless strong-smelling oil which was active against a wide range of bacteria, in concentrations as low as 1:85 000. Two years later, Rao and coworkers demonstrated, for the first time, the in vitro inhibitory effect of allicin on the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) [70].
The study by Rao was confirmed and extended by Delaha and Garagusi (1985). They established evidence of inhibitory concentration of allicin on 17 species of mycobacteria. The concentration of garlic extract required was in the range of 1.34-3.35 mg/ mL suggesting that there is only a slight variation in the susceptibility of the strains to allicin [71].
The antituberculosis activity in vivo of garlic oil preparation was demonstrated in a study by Jain (1993) where guinea pigs were given an intraperitoneal dose of 0.5 mg/kg [72]. Jain (1998) observed in tubercle bacilli-exposed guinea pigs, treated with streptomycin or garlic oil, a comparable marked epithelioid reaction. However, when garlic oil was used, a reduced caseative process was noted in the organs involved, indicating that garlic oil administration causes less marked lesions in the viscera of the animals inoculated with tubercle bacilli [73].
Thehighpotentialof garlicextract,wasrevealedbythe discovery (1996), based on a previous investigation [74], that it was able to inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and Mycobacterium tuberculosis TRC-C1193, susceptible and resistant to isoniazid (first-line antituberculosis medication), respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was between 80 and 160 µg/ml for the susceptible strain and between 100 and 200 µg/ml for the resistant strain. In addition, water extract of garlic was proven to be able to inhibit the incorporation of 14C glycine into whole cells, indicating that the primary mechanism of action is by inhibition of protein synthesis [75]. In a further study, Murthy et al. (1997) showed that higher purification of allicin gave a chloroform elutable fraction called CEF-allicin, which inhibited the growth of both the susceptible and the isoniazid resistant strains of TB with a lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) i.e. 25 µg/ml. The authors, in view of the increased incidence of TB caused by MDR strains emphasize the need for the development of new antitubercular drugs, preferably with structure different from that of the existing ones and active against MDR-TB. They found that CEF-allicin together with trifluoperazine (TFP) possess the advantage of being active against M. avium, which causes disseminated infections in AIDS-patients being potential antitubercular drugs [76].
In 2006, according to a research – that joined the University of Aligarh in India and the University of Cleveland in US – allicin was proved to be a potential agent to counteract TB infection, via a potent anti-inflammatory effects on host mononuclear cells infected with MTB. Allicin, in fact, increased the activity of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase thus decreasing the production of reactive oxygen species and finally lowering the production of inflammatory mediators [77]. This phenomenon was reported to be due to the suppression of antigen 85B transcription at both gene and protein level. Antigen 85B is abundantly secreted by MTB and is responsible of the induction of the inflammatory madiator TNFalpha. Suppression of 85B expression by allicin seems to be mediated via inhibition of glutathione. Therefore the researchers suggested that the garlic compound should be tested in vivo models to evaluate its therapeutic potential in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis [78].
An interesting in vitro test about the antitubercular activity of Allium sativum was performed in Nigeria (2010), where the extract of Allium sativum was expressed as disc diffusion method and compared with standard antibiotics. The antitubercular activity of garlic on multiple-drug resistant Mycobacterium was investigated among Nigerian HIV-infected-persons and it exhibited maximal activity against all isolates even at reduced concentrations with inhibitory zone diameter (IZD). Only two of the standard antitubercular antibiotics used, streptomycin and rifampicin, showed significant activity against isolates tested [79].
Researches about Allium sativum extracts and MDR-TB isolates
The antitubercular activity of garlic extracts become particularly interesting in the case of MDR-TB. In fact, some years ago Dr. R. Cutler and Dr. P. Wilson, at the Royal London Hospital, noted that a number of strains of MDR-TB isolated from patients grew on all slopes where strains were treated with streptomycin, while the same isolates were completely inhibited by allicin liquid [80]. Two studies published some years later demonstrated the inhibitory effects of allicin against both, non-MDR and MDR isolates of M. tuberculosis. In 2010, the research by Gupta, et al. was carried out to evaluate the antitubercular activity of aqueous extracts of five medicinal plants. Water extract of Allium sativum was found to have activity against two MDR M. tuberculosis isolates that were found to be resistant against rifampicin and isoniazid [81]. A study by Hannan et al. (2011) was undertaken to evaluate the antibacterial activity of garlic against non-MDR and MDR isolates of M. tuberculosis. A total of 20 clinical isolates of MTB including 15 MDR and 5 non-MDR were investigated. Ethanolic extract of garlic was prepared by maceration method. MIC of garlic extract was ranged from 1 to 3 mg/mL, showing inhibitory effects of garlic against both non-MDR and MDR M. tuberculosis isolates [82].
The above research about the garlic extract effectiveness against clinical isolates of MDR M. tuberculosis is of high scientific interest, since garlic extract may both reduce the scale of MDR-TB and decrease the public health budget necessary for the management of the disease.
Synergistic effect of current antimycobacterial agents and garlic extracts: a likely integration
The synergistic effect of garlic crude extract with the conventional therapies represents a challenging research area.
In 1999, this result was demonstrated in a study on 30 patients suffering of tubercular lymphadenitis. Two groups of patients, 30 each, were given for 30 days antitubercular therapy (ATT), consisting of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide. For the next 15 days some patients of group 1 received 3-6 garlic pearls in addition to ATT, while other patients received ATT only. From 46th day onwards both the groups received ATT only, for 6-8 months. In the serum samples collected on the 45th day, the patients who received garlic pearls showed significantly much higher antitubercular activity than the others, suggesting a good potential as antitubercular drug for garlic, even when given as a supplement to ATT [83].
In the same vein, a research (2010) demonstrated that crude aqueous extract (CGE) of garlic inhibited the growth of MTB in vitro. Moreover, MIC of isoniazid and rifampicin were significantly reduced by addition of crude aqueous extract of garlic in the media [84].
Garlic potential use against tuberculosis
At least two thirds of the world population rely on medicinal plants as their primary source of medicinal treatment. In view of the relevance of traditional medicine (TM), WHO has set a strategy that involves four objectives: integration of TM with national health care systems; promotion of the safety, efficacy and quality; increasing the availability and affordability of TM; promotion of effective TM by providers and consumers [85].
Garlic is a common ailment worldwide cultivated with several properties and tremendous curative potential. Used for ages in culinary and medical traditions, its regular intake has shown beneficial effects on the immune system.
Allium sativum has already been screened for pharmacological activity. Further investigations are needed for its development as a drug for TB treatment. Once conducted the necessary clinical trials to assess Allium sativum efficacy as antitubercular drug for humans, it may be administrated:
- as a preventive medicine for TB infection;
- as a monotherapy cure for TB and MDR-TB, upon further studies to assess specific doses required;
- added to ATT to strengthen the efficacy of the therapy and reduce its side-effects.
During the past three decades, pharmaceutical companies and research scientists have shown an increased interest in phytomedicine. The pressing need for anti-TB drugs, affordable by the majority of people, finds in medicinal plants a potential solution [86]. As garlic is broadly cultivated worldwide and can be easily manufactured, the suggested approach seems more sustainable and appropriate for the poor settings than the conventional one.
Traditional healers involvement
An additional convincing advantage of using garlic extract in developing countries is that diseased people can count on their own traditional healers (TH), who provide care services informally within the solidarity net of the community.
According to the South African Department of Health, traditional health practitioners are an essential component of the comprehensive care delivered. Indeed they tend to adopt an holistic approach to health promotion and diseases management. A study found that in urban areas in Kwazulu Natal patients interviewed used to consult TH regularly, as they could share a common cultural belonging [87].
The potential role for collaboration between the health service and TH, especially as TB treatment supervisors, has been investigated. A research reported that 84% of the 100 TB patients interviewed would consider choosing a TH as treatment supervisor and 92% of TH were willing to act as supervisor. Thus, potential for collaboration and interaction with the formal TB care-givers was found in the setting observed [88]. TH when integrated into the existing community-based TB DOTS programme made an effective contribution to TB plan performance, as examined in a pilot scheme in a Kwazulu Natal district [89]. Some TH interviewed in Malawi claimed to know about TB. The study remarks also the importance of involving TH in the national TB control programme of Malawi [90].
There is a large literature discussing the potential for cooperation between TH and conventional health services. Sources note that the majority of people in Africa are believed to attend TH prior to, or in parallel with conventional health services [91-92]. The role they can play in TB control programme could be significant, as TH are relevant members of local society and deeply integrated as well as largely appreciated by their communities for medical issues.
The solution could be at the same time affordable and efficient.
Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming the major number of adult lives in combination with AIDS. Pulmonary TB is a very contagious disease, and it spreads easily especially in poor and crowded contexts. The resistant strain (MDR-TB) is even more threatening and poses a significant challenge to national healthcare systems. Failure to prevent further convergence of the HIV infection and MDR-TB epidemics will be catastrophic for many countries in the years to come [93].
With limited financial resources for diseases control, planning should take into consideration all the available means. According to Dr. Raviglione (WHO, Director of the Stop TB Department), "Shorter treatment regimens and more effective MDR-TB care regimens are priorities for drug development. An ideal candidate would shorten the treatment from the current six months to less than two months; have a novel mechanism of action; not interact with anti-retrovirals; be taken orally once daily or intermittently; and be low in cost" [94].
With the urgent need for new anti-TB agents, it is appropriate to further investigate the antimycobacterial activity of Allium sativum.
Considering the social and economic costs of MDRTB spread, any clinical trials with Allium sativum might contribute to the Global health and diminish substantially the Governments' health expenditure, necessary to face the burden of the pandemic.
The ideas expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect any official view of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Conflict of interest statement
There are no potential conflicts of interest or any financial or personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately bias conduct and findings of this study.
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Address for correspondence:
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Received on 21 April 2011.
Accepted on 4 November 2011.


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Hello SW fans,
So, I was on TFA. I was allowed to keep a few items from set, which I would now like to sell. I'm not a major star wars fan so I could do with the money more than the item. I'm about to post it to eBay but have no idea what the going price is for an item like this - it's basically 2 shards from two of the weapons used on the planet of Jakku. Can you please share what you would be willing to pay for an item like this and I can eventually share the link to the listing on here?
I've attached it!
I have a few things to sell so would appreciate the feedback. Thanks!


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It's that time of year again! (It's that time of year approximately six times per year.) There are new Chanel bags in the stores boutiques, this time from the Fall 2014 Pre-Collection. If you were turned off from the overbearing theme of the brand's recent Dallas-themed Metiers d'Art collection, then this one might be more your speed; it includes a lot of seasonless bags and Chanel classics, plus a little bit of python to satisfy the high-rollers.
Check out all of the bags (with their prices!) below, or take a gander at the collection as Chanel displays it on its website.


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****Pick-up only**** Location: Hamilton Brisbane 4007.
Limited delivery options available for a fee, contact us for a quote.
Hessian High Top Succulent Baby Shower / Christening Favours.
20 Succulents: $8.00 per unit.
30 Succulents: $7.50 per unit.
40+ Succulents: $7.00 per unit
For customised orders please contact us.
All orders include;
- Hessian High Top approximately 13cm H (highest point) x 6cm W
- Pot: 6cm H x 6cm W (hidden).
- Living Succulent.
- Labels: Professionally printed or basic personalised labels.
How To Order;
Step 1: Find the style you are after.
Step 2: Contact Us; we need to discuss your order first (pickup date, labels etc).
Step 3: You will receive a confirmation email including payment options.
Delivery Options:
- Pick up from Hamilton Brisbane 4007.
- We can deliver for a fee depending on location and depending on availability.
- We do not deliver to Sydney or Melbourne.
Please contact me to find out when this item will be ready to ship.
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Water: 1-2 times per week. Allow soil to dry between watering.
Sun: Succulents need plenty of sunlight however the harsh Queensland sun can sometimes burn the succulents (in the hotter months). To avoid this please do not leave them in direct light all day. Morning or after sun is fine.
Plants: We will send a photo of the succulents before the order is made to ensure that you are happy with the plants we pick. If you do not like some we will simply change it for ones that you do like.
Labels: We import professional printed labels however if you are after something a bit more personal we can print basic labels. This includes guests names, short messages etc. so please send through your ideas.
Decorative Stones: For the ceramic pots we include decorative stones for all orders, we have a variety of colours available.
Colours: If you are having a coloured themed party and want a particular coloured succulent we will work hard to make this happen however cannot guarantee this.
We will pack all succulent orders in boxes or crates so that they can be easily transported.


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Atlanta, GA 30309
Atlanta, GA 30309
Sabrina Curran
HometownAlexandria, Virginia
Favorite Proof of the Pudding DishCaramelized Collard Greens and Deconstructed Bourbon Pecan Pie
At home I like to cookAnything that goes great with a lot of lime juice, especially if it's grilled.
For funI love the outdoors! Hiking, camping, outdoor concerts and festivals, playing outside with the family, and my new hobby, gardening.
Must see site or locationLittle Five Points - great people watching, fun bars and good music.
What I like best about my workI like being able to share great food ideas and have clients try new things.
Janice Wilmer
HometownLynchburg, Virginia
Favorite Proof of the Pudding DishCoconut Shrimp Martini and Ham and Pimento Cheese Biscuits.
At home I like to cookPizza! Did you know the world's best pizza is made by a girl from Lynchburg, Virginia? You should!
Must see site or locationI love the Silver Comet Trail.
Most memorable eventThe first big dinner we catered for President and Mrs. Carter. We served a souffle for dessert, and it was stunning!
What I like best about my workShopping for decor and working with our wonderful clients. There's nothing better than searching for the piece to inspire the design!
Shelia Lockhart
HometownDillon, South Carolina
Favorite Proof of the Pudding DishLemon Ricotta Ravioli with a glass of Pinot Gris
At home I like to cookBiscuits! There's nothing quite like waking up to the smell of freshly baked biscuits.
For funI love spending time with my husband just relaxing around the house.
Most unusual food requestWe were asked to bake a cake for a groom that resembled a Black Labrador Retriever - and we had to make it in the house of the reception! Then, there was a squabble: the bride wanted the cake outside, and the groom wanted the cake inside. We stood holding the 40-pound cake while they decided what to do!
My work philosophyNo excuses and make sure every guest is happy!
Howard Garnel
Chef Howard is no stranger to varied cuisines. From Denver, Austin, Dallas, Grand Cayman, Charlotte , Charleston & South Beach he has seen it all. Howard settled in Atlanta where he was managing partner for US Cafe, winning "Best Burger in Atlanta" Editors Choice Creative Loafing. Howard then opened Village Cafe in the Smyrna Market Village as Executive Chef, a farm to table scratch made concept. Howard then joined Safari Hospitality as Executive Chef of Glorious Event & Alliance Hospitality in 2013 and lead his staff with confidence and creativity.
"I think of myself as a casual, comfortable guy. I truly believe that whether you are eating dinner at a wedding reception or picnicking in the back yard, the food that is produced should wrap you up, bring back wonderful memories or create new tantalizing ones. Food should be a desire and not a function".
When he gets a breather from the hustle and the bustle of culinary world he is gardening at home growing wonderful vegetables that he prepares with his wife Krissa and children Emma & Max, inspiring another generation of food lovers.


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Being an old curmudgeon, I shall be avoiding street parties like the plague (the last street party I went to was for the Silver Jubilee in 1977; I had green balloons attached to me and wore a label identifying me as a Birds-Eye pea pod. This stuff scars you for life – believe me) but instead decided on a nice meal with my family.
The raspberry and blueberry sponge is my attempt to get patriotic by picking out the colours of the Union flag (yes, I am a pedant – it's only the Union Jack when it's at sea. Pedantry over.) This is a big cake and it serves a lot of people – I used my 23cm round tin which is a tin that doesn't get a lot of airings in my kitchen!
Icing sugar – to taste
3 tablespoons runny honey
4 leaves gelatine
250ml double cream
250g natural yoghurt
200g caster sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 eggs
325g plain flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
150ml milk
125g fresh raspberries
125g fresh blueberries
200g icing sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk


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Youth Ministry
Every Sunday until May 28, 2017
5:00pm – 6:30pm
Location: 1770 S Dobson Rd., Chandler, AZ 85286
We at Hope Covenant Church strive to provide an atmosphere where teenagers experience the love of God through a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, other teenagers, and the entire body of Hope Covenant Church. For more information or questions about youth ministry, please contact Pastor Anthony at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Middle School / Junior High Students - Grades 6-8
High School Students - Grades 9-12
Sundays: (Junior High and High School)
In between both morning services, we gather together in the high school room to recap the sermon from the 9am worship service. At 5pm, we have our own youth program at Hope, starting in the auditorium. This youth program brings students together for community, fun, and fellowship.
Small Groups: (Junior High and High School)
Throughout the week there are gender-specific small groups that dive deeply into the word of God. These groups are focused on discipleship and spiritual growth. Please contact Pastor Anthony for weekly updates on times and locations of group meetings.
Youth Ministry students gather weekly for fun, snacks, and to hang with their friends. They experience a time of worship, relevant biblical teaching, and fun with their friends in a loving and encouraging environment.
Students come to be encouraged, motivated, challenged and inspired to live a life worthy of the calling they have received. It's a place where God's love is evident in worship, relevant in biblical teaching, and made apparent in the building of meaningful relationships with Jesus Christ, other teenagers and the entire Hope Covenant Church family. It's a place of joy, it's a place of fun, and we would love for you to join us on our journey...
WIN teens to Christ...
TRAIN them to follow Christ...
SEND them into their schools, neighborhoods and communities to make a difference in His name.


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The official Blackheath & Elthamians H C app
London Marathon Sports Ground - College Meadow Astro Grove Park Road Mottingham London SE9 4QF View with Google Maps
This website is part of the Pitchero Hockey network. Create your own free Hockey club website with Pitchero.
Digital advertising by Minute Media
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Scan at the box office and concession stand to earn points, unlock rewards and use your Movie Club credits.
2132 N. Mays, Ste. 800, Round Rock TX 78664
In an effort to enhance the safety and security of our guests and employees, any bags or packages measuring larger than 12"x12"x6" will not be permitted into the theatre.


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Baseball has a rich history of big league role models
The son of a United States Army officer, Bruce Bochy was born in France and moved around in his youth, gaining exposure to a wide range of cultures and people that would serve him well in his future career as a baseball manager.
It was during Bochy's time living near Washington, D.C., that he developed a fondness for one of the Senators in flannels: Frank Howard, the mammoth slugger with a gentle nature that belied his stature.
The son of a United States Army officer, Bruce Bochy was born in France and moved around in his youth, gaining exposure to a wide range of cultures and people that would serve him well in his future career as a baseball manager.
It was during Bochy's time living near Washington, D.C., that he developed a fondness for one of the Senators in flannels: Frank Howard, the mammoth slugger with a gentle nature that belied his stature.
Howard played 1,077 games for the Senators before they moved to Texas, twice leading the American League in home runs with 44 in 1968 and '70, and also leading in RBIs with 126 in '70. He was fifth in the AL Most Valuable Player Award balloting that year with a team that lost 22 more games than it won.
"You'd be out in the backyard playing Wiffle ball, trying to emulate your favorite player," recalled Bochy, manager of the two-time World Series champion San Francisco Giants. "Naturally, I'd try to hit just like Frank Howard. I had the chance to watch Mickey Mantle, and he was tremendous, of course. But big Frank was my favorite. I loved watching him play and hit.
"As it turned out, Frank was my coach when I was playing in New York [in 1982, with the Mets]. He was the hardest-working coach I've ever seen -- and the most polite guy you'd ever met. I went out to shag [fly balls] in the outfield one day, and Frank called me in and told me to go to second base and take some ground balls. I'd just gotten there, and maybe he didn't know I was a catcher -- and I was catching that day.
"So, he keeps hitting me grounders, back and forth, really working me. I think he just wanted somebody to hit to, and I didn't want to tell him I was a catcher. Just being around the guy I grew up admiring was a thrill."
Don Mattingly also got the chance to spend some quality time with his boyhood idol after arriving in the Major Leagues.
"Rod Carew was the player I wanted to be like," said Mattingly, the Dodgers' manager who grew up in Evansville, Ind., and became a Yankees superstar in the 1980s. "I was always trying to hit like him when I was a kid. I'd try his stance, his swing, his mannerisms. I hit the ball all over the field then, like Rod. Of course, I couldn't bunt and run like him.
"Rod was my guy, and he knew it. When I got to New York, I'd get to first base after a base hit, and he'd ask me why I was doing something. He always took an interest in me. That meant a lot to me."
Mattingly, at 23, made his first All-Star Game appearance in 1984 and went on to win the AL batting crown with a .343 average. Carew, having moved from the Minnesota Twins to the California Angels, was an All-Star for the 18th and final time that season. Carew won seven batting titles en route to the Hall of Fame.
"Rod came over [in the clubhouse] when I got to that All-Star Game [in San Francisco's Candlestick Park] and gave me a bat," Mattingly said. "He wrote, 'Don -- continued success. Rod Carew.' That was a real thrill for me."
Understanding firsthand the impact a professional athlete can have on impressionable youth, Bochy, Mattingly and others in their positions are able to convey to players their responsibilities as role models.
"That is so true," Bochy said. "Sometimes I don't think they realize how much influence they have on young people. There are kids out there watching everything they do. That's why it's important to run hard down the line every time, to play the game the right way and treat people the right way.
"It's like that classic Joe DiMaggio story, about how he played the way he did because he said there might be a kid there who had never seen him play before."
Hailed now as the best all-around player in the game, Mike Trout was a wide-eyed rookie appearing in his first All-Star Game in the summer of 2012.
Growing up in Millville, N.J. -- small-town America -- Trout played shortstop until his senior year of high school when he became a center fielder and lights-out pitcher. He loved the Phillies, but his favorite player was Derek Jeter. Trout is hardly alone in that; Jeter's admirers are found in every big league clubhouse.
Jeter, being Jeter, readily made himself available to Trout when they became teammates for a day in Kansas City in the All-Star Game.
"He's a great guy," Trout said. "Everything I've heard about him is true. Great person, everything he does is the right thing. He's out there playing hard. He's great with the community. He's a great role model."
Trout also left an impression on Jeter, who responded with an act of kindness when Trout and the Angels visited Yankee Stadium the weekend after the All-Star Game.
Hearing that Trout's parents, brother and girlfriend were coming to the game, Jeter offered them his personal suite for the series opener.
"It was pretty neat, really nice of him to do that," Trout said.
Jeter had spoken favorably of Trout at the All-Star Game.
"It goes without saying he's talented," Jeter said, "but I always look at how people play as opposed to the results. It seems like he plays hard all the time."
Trout clearly has taken the compliment to heart, racking up historic numbers in his first two full seasons.
Youngsters frequently adopt as role models stars who play their position. That was the case with Colorado's Nolan Arenado, the National League Gold Glove Award-winning third baseman in 2013 as a rookie.
"I'm a huge fan of Adrian Beltre," said Arenado, who grew up in Southern California while Beltre, now a Rangers star, played for the Dodgers. "I've always looked up to him, being a third baseman. I love the way he plays the game, everything about him."
They play in different leagues, but Arenado and Beltre have met, briefly, on the field.
"I talked to him one time, at third base," Arenado said. "I don't think I was able to tell him how much he meant to me."
Like Jeter, Beltre is enormously admired within the fraternity of players for his character and engaging nature.
Growing up in Pine Bluff, Ark., Detroit Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter was a football player first. He was drawn to baseball by Andre Dawson, then the star of the Chicago Cubs and visible on WGN-TV, which gave young Hunter access to the game.
"I copied everything Andre Dawson did -- his stance, the way he ran and threw, everything," Hunter said. "He was my man. When I finally met him, he was everything I imagined him to be. That's kind of how you want to be like when kids meet you."
In baseball, to borrow from a Beatles classic, the respect you get is equal to the respect you give.
Lyle Spencer is a columnist for MLB.com.


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When I bought a house ten years ago, I also bought place settings for six and silverware for twelve. Then I developed a minor fascination with bone China and bought settings for eight. I probably had four dozen glasses. About once a month or so, all of these dishes would be piled up in and around my sink, begging to be cleaned. I didn't have a lot of dinner parties-- I just hated doing dishes so much that I'd procrastinate until washing became a full day event. Those days were some of my least favorite.
A few days ago, I was doing the dishes for the six of us that ate dinner. There were pots, pans, plates, serving utensils, and glasses. The works. For the first time ever, I found myself enjoying doing the dishes. I could appreciate the warm water on my hands and the shine in the pot when it was clean. When I washed everything that wasn't dishwasher safe, I started handwashing the things that could have just gone in the dishwasher. It wasn't fun exactly, but it was so enjoyable that I actually found myself looking forward to washing the dishes the next day.
Work has become the same way. I don't love all aspects of it equally, but when I wake up and know I have a tough day ahead of me, I feel great. Pant of it is that I know the day will end with a nice chunk of progress made, but most of it is the actual act of working. I love it. I can't wait to face off with a bug that's been bothering me for weeks, trace it through all of our code, and fix it. It's relaxing, like an internal Swedish massage.
My friend Constance wrote me an email today. She was talking about me with her sister and some friends, describing my hyperfocus on work, learning, and other productive things. An excerpt from her email:
"As I was talking about you, they got the impression you were too strict on yourself, your routine didn't allow time for happiness... I almost described you as an overly anxious person, which isn't you at all, at least not from what I've seen."
In comments I sometimes see people encouraging me to have more fun, not work so hard, etc. I get where these ideas come from, but they couldn't be farther from the truth. I don't get stressed at all with doing this stuff. I love it.
Enjoyment and happiness comes from attitude and process, not from setting or result. It took me a really long time to actually believe this and to internalize it. It always seemed like a hippie truism that wasn't actually true. But when I washed those dishes and felt the surprise of realizing that I was enjoying it, something clicked into place for me and completed the puzzle.
I had a dream last night where I was put into a North Korean prison. They took my phone away and gave me this weird North Korean phone that couldn't access the internet. I was in for life with no chance of escape and no way to contact anyone I know. You know how I felt? I was happy. My brain immediately started thinking of cool things to do in prison like work out, write books, and share stories with the other inmates.
Every day, I generate a certain amount of happiness internally. I think about how fortunate I am to have good people in my life, great experiences in my past, and great challenges ahead of me. My experience of being alive on this earth is enough to make me completely happy every day. I'm not immune to outside forces, but I think of my happiness as a ratchet-- things can make me happier, but they can't make me less happy.
So when I'm washing those dishes, the positive aspects of that process make me a little bit happier, but the grime on my hands or the hassle of scraping burnt food doesn't have any effect on me at all. I let the positive parts cloud out those details. It's a work in progress for me, but I try to be fully present whenever I do anything, whether it's washing dishes or drinking tea with friends. It's that whole commitment to the present that allows me to see all of the positive details of each experience.
Even when I'm hard on myself, it makes me happier. It's not negative self talk or discouragement-- it's encouragement to step up my game and be the best I can. I love that feeling of making a challenge to myself and rising to the occasion.
I wasn't born with this attitude. I was a chronic procrastinator, someone who was quick to give up or do a mediocre job on something, and someone who always looked for the easy way out. I got here through years of self experimentation, and through closely monitoring my happiness and my thought processes.
It seems that most things people do to become more happy are actually making them less happy. The problem is that in their search for happiness, many people chase stimulation. Stimulation is mentally noisy. It drowns out your thoughts and the subtleties of the present. It makes your brain feel happy in the same way someone renting a limo can feel rich. When that feeling fades, you chase stimulation again to get it back. It's like a drug.
Internal happiness and the happiness that can be milked from daily experience are subtle. They're found only in the quiet that exists in the absence of stimulation.
I used to think that monks lived ascetic lives as a form of self flagellation, but I don't think so anymore. I think that they eat plain food, wear plain clothes, and abstain from various indulgences because it helps them remain in a state conducive to sustainable happiness.
Want to try something interesting? Decide that you're going to remove stimulation for a couple months. Eat the same exact food every day. Don't watch TV or play video games. Don't drink or do drugs. Pick out seven (or fewer) very similar outfits and wear them exclusively. Don't do anything for fun, but try to find the fun in everything. Don't date. When you have a moment of boredom, don't try to fill it.
It will be a hard two months, and unlike many challenges I might suggest, I don't think you'll love it so much that you'll permanently adopt it. But I do think that it will change your perspective and build up your ability to generate happiness within.
I haven't done this challenge explicitly, but my work schedule pushed me into it without me even knowing. Rather than the sacrifice that I would have anticipated it being, it has been a real pleasure and has brought me a focused calm I never had before. Plus I like doing the dishes now.
Photo is from the MFA in Boston.
Two more days in NY and then I'm heading back to SF. Looking forward to about three months of my routine before going to Japan in the spring.
First thought to mind is Viktor Frankl's book Man's Search for Meaning where he spends years in a concentration camp and yet finds a way to stay present and find meaning. Based on the amount of pain surrounding him, it's more about the internal freedom to choose how you respond to events and find meaning in anything including suffering.
Second thought is meditation. It's probably the most unstimulated activity. However, anyone who goes through a long retreat reaches that breaking point when they realize that joy is an internal state not dependent on anything externally. Where just eating a banana is like the greatest experience in the world. I think a lot of today's stimulation is like sugar or HFCS. It's so abundant today in everything from texting to apps to facebook and video/music. People lose their natural sensitivity to staying present and thereby lose the joy of just taking a walk, being alive, and doing mundane tasks. I hear people say that they couldn't live with their phone, and you understand just how far people have been imprisoned by illusions rather than living in reality.
Having said that, it's still a difficult feat for me to stay present. Although I've actually always enjoyed washing dishes more than any other cleaning chore.
This is a great post Tynan.
What are the three changes (or eliminations) you've made that had the biggest impact?
And on a more general note. I'm curious what your view is on attachment. I know you're opponent of attachment towards objects. What about people? And partners?
I don't know if I have a great answer for the biggest three things. I think most of my gains stem from really thinking logically about things. Is it okay to be single for years? Is it okay to eat the same thing every day? Without conscious thought, knee jerk reactions to these things take over.
As far as attachment goes, my philosophy is to fully enjoy whatever I have, but never need it absolutely. This sounds cold, but I think it's the opposite. I like the idea of a woman loving me and being devoted to me, but knowing that even without me she'd be fine. I'd like to feel the same way about her
Whats funny is I just finished enjoying doing the dishes. Rocking out to some music along the way. Then I come online and check my email and find this post about learning to love doing the dishes. You've really inspired me in the past year and a half. I was always a positive person, but you've helped me in a lot more ways and I thank you for that.
What i do suggest though is trying Psilocybin Mushrooms. It's made me such a more active person in life, always wanting to work and do more things. It lets me control my own thoughts. I've realized so many things about how the world works and how everything always works out. Life really is just a ride. You have no idea what it does until you try it. Do all the research you can on them and you will see.
I like this post.
"I was a chronic procrastinator, someone who was quick to give up or do a mediocre job on something, and someone who always looked for the easy way out."
That's me. That's why I failed to create an iPhone app for TaskSmash. I couldn't keep up the motivation and discipline. I know I had the ability, and of course I said I would do it, but I just couldn't follow through. (The one bit of solace I had was the idea that some of the world's greatest hackers, inventors, and innovators are super lazy and/or procrastinators - that's why they had to think outside the box and invent a short-cut that improves people's lives.)
I'm working to fix this. Like you, I'm on a quest of daily self-improvement. Some day very soon, I'll be a lean code-producing machine, and maybe I'll have another opportunity to make a sweet mobile app for you. And I'll be truly happy and balanced while doing it.
I am going through something like this currently. I mean regarding the stimulation thing. But I am going through it from the frame of consumption vs production, rather than stimulation. Like you explained, we look for stimulation and more specifically for me I look to consume something, be it food, sugar, facebook or video games, etc. Something to keep busy and stimulated. So to fight this, I try and fast from any food or drink from sunrise to sunset two days out of the week, which really brings a balance to me and a reminder that I don't need to consume that much, and rather than consuming so much, I want to produce something of value for people. Anything. Be it writing something to pass on some good idea or making somebody laugh or just doing good at my job. Anyways, I really liked your post and the way that you explained things. Spot on!
Sounds to me likes it's time to read St John of the Cross or Thomas Merton. I gave up TV, dating, excess a few years ago. nothing can compare to the happiness of having little.
Tynan, do you thin these thoughts applies for everything?
I mean, right now I'm looking forward to change my life by leaving the corporate job I have right now and doing what I most love. What I do is pushing myself in the evening/night working in my personal project, and again in the day doing what I feel is a boring corporate work. So, do you think that you could start to love working in something that isn't your passion?
And excuse me if I doesn't express myself well, english is not my main language.
Doing astrological charts is a hobby; this is off subject but would you mind sharing date, time and place of birth-strictly your choice.
I've always enjoyed doing the dishes, I find it very therapeutic and the warm soapy water is so nice in the cold winter nights. My approach is slightly different to yours Tynan.
Rather than my mind being present on the doing of the dishes, my body goes into autopilot - disconnecting my mind and I am able to then really focus and meditate on my latest thoughts and ideas.
Seven years ago, I wrote a post called "How to Be Happy. Always." It's pretty poorly written, but starts off with an important concept-- we live in a society where happiness is the number one priority. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No one really questions that, but maybe we should. Is happiness really the best goal we can come up with?
In the time that's elapsed between when I wrote that post and now, I've thought a lot about happiness, and I still think that maximizing it is a bad idea. But before I get into that, let's talk a little bit about what happiness is.
Happiness is an good state of mind. It allows you to be optimistic, to see the good in people, and to be productive. On the other end of the spectrum, when you're very unhappy, you have a lot of barriers between things like productivity and socialization. Clearly, being happy is much better than being unhappy. It's important to be happy. Is there such a thing as being too happy? I don't think so. I've never seen someone make a mistake because he was just too happy.
So what's my problem with maximizing happiness, then? Well, it's the method, mostly.
I'm thrilled that Tynan is coming to you with two things -- first, he's offering a breakthrough session through GiveGetWin. It's geared around doing more of the kind of excellent work you want to do, becoming more internally focused with your emotions, having a more enjoyable life, building great habits, and producing a lot of value in the process. There's five spots, so check it out now.
Second, we have this wonderful tour-de-force interview: it starts by covering how Tynan made the shift from unfocused to focused, how to derive internal enjoyment from things, useful actionable exercises you can do right now, Tynan's method and mindset for producing creative work consistently, how to set up great habits and an excellent mental and physical work environment, and how to make blogging work and similar endeavors work for you.
Total Focus; Total Enjoyment by Tynan, as told to Sebastian Marshall
When I turned 30 and I had a minor freak out… I thought, "I'll be 40 in not long, and then 50… there's things I want to do in my life, and they're not happening at this pace."
Before that, I had a general idea of things I wanted to do and have in my life, but I went about in an unstructured way. It was good in a lot of ways. It made be a broad process, but not much depth.


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AUER Packaging's hand trolley for moving transport trolleys has a fork which makes lifting transport trolleys really easy. It consequently makes it possible to transport heavy, stacked goods comfortably – even over uneven ground.
- Ergonomic
- Matched to transport trolleys
- Carrying capacity up to 160 kg
- Especially smooth-running wheels


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Tides for Playa Coronado Area, Panama
April 2016 Tide Table
Tide Table Playa Coronado Area, Panama
Here is the tide table for April 2016 in the Playa Coronado Area of Panamá Republic Central America. These are good for the Pacific Ocean Side including Punta Chame, San Carlos, Punta Barco, Punta Barco Viejo, El Palmar, Rancho Viejo, Gorgona, Nueva Gorgona, Malibu, Las Lajas, Las Uvas, Santa Clara, Playa Corona, Rio Mar, Rio Hato, Bejuco and Farallon.
Tides on the Pacifico Oceano in Panamá can be very crucial for the enjoyment of your day, as if you take a walk down the beach at low tide you could end up swimming back. Some areas of the beach are gone at high tide as the water reaches the sea walls and cliffs. This large fluctuation in tide levels however provides for some great shell and creature scouting around exposed rocks during times of lower tides.
We are sure to go explore the beaches at low tide often and see what is hiding just below the surface. These tides also affect surfing conditions as some beaches have a shelf that create ideal surfing waves at particular tide levels. You can also use low tide to identify areas where large rocks are so you can avoid these areas during high tide and avoid injuries from hiding rocks.
The tides, sunrises and sunsets are amazing sight in Panamá Central America, so be sure if you ever visit to get up around 6 am and watch the sunrise. Playa Coronado in Panama Republic is located just over an hours drive from Panama City and is certainly worth visiting. Many "Gringos" that speak English reside in this community whom are from all over the world, however majority are from Canada and USA. These "Gringos" are full of many stories of adventure and travel around this world as they are "doers" that experience life in many places rather than just in the town they were born in. Panamá is a true melting pot of many cultures from around the world.
Thanks for stopping by our website, if you have any questions, comments or input, feel free to contact us anytime.


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