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Sutter Health Board of Directors
Geraldine R. Brinton
Geraldine Brinton is a former chair of the Sutter Health board and former board chair of Sutter-affiliated California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco.
Throughout her business career, Ms. Brinton has worked in public accounting, management consulting and direct business management. In addition to health care, her current business interests are property management and winery development.
After receiving a bachelor's degree in accounting from Duke University and earning her license as a certified public accountant, Ms. Brinton earned a master's degree in business administration from Harvard Business School. She lives in the Sonoma area.
Mary Brown
Mary Brown—along with her husband, Chip Brown—founded Hills Newspapers Inc. At one time, they were responsible for publishing 18 community newspapers and magazines in the East Bay, Monterey Peninsula and San Joaquin Valley areas.
Closely involved with her community, Ms. Brown is a former board chair for Sutter-affiliated Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland and Berkeley. She has served on the governing boards of numerous other civic, academic and corporate entities. She now serves on the boards of Samuel Merritt University and Holy Names University.
Ms. Brown attended Maryville College of the Sacred Heart in St. Louis and San Francisco College for Women.
Patrick Fry, president and chief executive officer
Patrick Fry joined Sutter Health in 1982 as an administrative resident at Sutter General Hospital in Sacramento. Over the years, he has held increasingly responsible administrative positions at the affiliate and regional levels, with responsibilities covering the breadth of Sutter Health services.
After serving as regional president for Sutter Health affiliates in the greater Sacramento region, Mr. Fry became president of the organization's eastern operations. He later assumed leadership of Sutter Health's Western Division, and in 2000 he became Sutter Health's second-in-command, serving as chief operating officer and executive vice president. In 2005 Mr. Fry became president and CEO of the not-for-profit health care organization.
Mr. Fry is past chair (2010) of the California Hospital Association board of directors and currently serves on the American Hospital Association Governing Council and the American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board. In addition, he chairs the board of directors of VHA Inc., a national network of more than 1,400 not-for-profit hospitals and 23,000 non-acute care provider organizations that work together to improve clinical performance and efficiency.
Mr. Fry's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in public health administration from the University of California, Davis, and a master's degree in health services administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the American College of Health Care Executives, the Medical Group Management Association and the Leadership Institute.
Michael R. Gaulke
Michael Gaulke is chairman of Exponent Inc., which specializes in engineering and scientific consulting. For 18 years, he held senior management roles in the organization, including 13 years as CEO.
Before joining Exponent, Mr. Gaulke was executive vice president and chief financial officer for Raynet Corp., a fiber-to-the-curb telecommunications company. Earlier in his career, he was a senior executive at Spectra-Physics and a consultant with McKinsey & Co.
In addition to serving on the Exponent board, Mr. Gaulke sits on the board of Cymer, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer. In 2008, Oregon State University inducted Mr. Gaulke into its Engineering Hall of Fame.
For 24 years, Mr. Gaulke has focused on advancing health care quality and access as a member of the board of trustees for Sutter-affiliated Palo Alto Medical Foundation. He also serves as chairman of the board of directors of the Sutter Health Peninsula Coastal Region.
Mr. Gaulke and his wife live in Atherton.
Peter Jacobi
After serving on the board of directors for Sutter Health West Bay hospitals, Peter Jacobi joined the Sutter Health board of directors in January 2011.
Applying international business experience gained from nearly 30 years with Levi Strauss & Co., Mr. Jacobi serves as a member of the board of directors for shoe manufacturer Crocs Inc.
His leadership led him to serve on several not-for-profit boards, including the Levi Strauss Foundation, the Prince of Wales Business Leadership Forum, the Michigan School of Engineering, the President's Advisory Board of San Jose State University, the New Hampton School board of trustees and Marin Theatre Company.
Mr. Jacobi is a business and industrial management graduate of San Jose State University. He resides in Mill Valley with his wife.
Richard M. Levy, Ph.D.
Dr. Richard Levy is chair of the Sutter Health board and of its finance and planning committee. He is a board member of Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
Dr. Levy also is chair of the advisory board of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. He is the nonexecutive chairman of the board and former CEO of Varian Medical Systems, a Silicon Valley-based company that provides high-energy radiation equipment, hardware and software for treating cancer, as well as X-ray tubes for diagnostic radiology.
Dr. Levy has served as a board member for United Way Silicon Valley since 2002, including chairing the board from 2008 to 2009. He is an active founding member of the advisory committee of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. He also is a participant in summits for the Center for Corporate Innovation Inc., with a focus on improving the national health care system.
He has served as board chair of the American Electronics Association and as board member of the Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy Systems Division of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
Dr. Levy holds a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and a doctorate in nuclear chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. He resides in Portola Valley.
Sharon L. McCollam
Sharon McCollam is executive vice president, chief administrative officer and chief financial officer for Best Buy Co. Inc. She oversees all aspects of global finance, strategic planning and corporate development, information technology, supply chain, real estate and store development, and shared services.
Ms. McCollam was executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer for Williams-Sonoma Inc. from 2006 until her retirement in 2012.
She serves as a member of the board of directors for Art.com, an online specialty art retailer, and Privalia Venta Directa S.A., a European e-commerce apparel retailer.
Ms. McCollam is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma and is a certified public accountant. She lives in Redwood City, Calif., and Minneapolis, Minn.
Todd Murray
Todd Murray, attorney and owner of the Law Office of Todd A. Murray, has practiced law for more than 30 years in Northern California, specializing in business, civil litigation and estate planning.
Mr. Murray serves as a judge pro tem for the Sacramento and El Dorado County Superior Courts and is an administrative hearing officer for the Sacramento County Civil Service Commission.
An involved community member, Mr. Murray has been part of the Sutter Health family for nearly 30 years. Among his many roles, Mr. Murray served as the last chairman of the Sutter Community Hospitals board and the first chairman of the Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region and Sutter Medical Foundation boards. For many years, he also chaired the Medical Affairs Committee for Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. He continues to serve as the chairman of the Community Benefits Committee for Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento.
In addition, Mr. Murray has served as board member and president of the Ronald McDonald Camp at Eagle Lake, the Sacramento-area Special Olympics, the Active 20-30 Club of Sacramento and the Point West Rotary Club. He also serves on the board of Capital Public Radio in Sacramento.
Mr. Murray earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Iowa and a juris doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.
David G. Nasaw
David Nasaw has more than 40 years of real estate investment experience. He is cofounder of Metropolitan Real Estate Equity Management in New York and founder of Metropolitan Real Estate Advisors in San Francisco. The two firms manage more than $3 billion of equity in residential, commercial and industrial properties in the United States, Europe and Asia.
Mr. Nasaw graduated from Northwestern University and holds a master's degree in business administration from the Kellogg School of Management. He is a resident of Ross.
Andrew Pansini
A longtime resident of Marin County, Andrew Pansini is president and chief executive officer of Savoy Corp., a San Francisco-based firm that owns and manages commercial real estate in Northern California. He was formerly president and chief executive officer for Jandy Industries Inc., based in Marin County.
Mr. Pansini also is a former chair and member of the board of directors for three groups: Novato Community Hospital, Marin Community Health and Sutter Marin. He has served on advisory and governing boards for multiple Northern California companies and community organizations.
Mr. Pansini received a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of San Francisco.
Robert R. Peabody Jr., M.D.
Dr. Peabody is a board-certified ophthalmologist with more than two decades of medical experience. He earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine. He completed his internship at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and residency at Texas Tech University.
Dr. Peabody practices within Medical Vision Technology Inc., a full-service eye care group with offices in Davis, Roseville and Sacramento. In addition to seeing patients in his full-time clinic, Dr. Peabody has served as the group's president since 1989.
Dr. Peabody has extensive experience as a consultant. He has advised on medical and legal cases, acted as an expert witness and provided patient examinations for workers' compensation, malpractice and civil cases. He lives in the Sacramento area.
Dr. Peabody serves in a number of leadership roles at various Sutter Health affiliates, including as a steering committee member and chair of the Ophthalmology Department for Sutter Physician Alliance; on several Sutter Independent Physicians committees since 2003, including his appointment to the board in 2006 and election as board chair in 2009; and on the boards of Fort Sutter Surgery Center and Sutter Outpatient Services.
Michael A. Roosevelt
A member of the Sutter Health board from 1996 to 2006, Michael Roosevelt rejoined the board in 2009.
A Berkeley resident, Mr. Roosevelt served on the California Pacific Medical Center board of directors when the medical center's then-parent organization—California Healthcare System—merged with Sutter Health in 1996. Mr. Roosevelt was among the original members of the post-merger board and served as board chair in 2006. In 2007, he led the Sutter Health governance assessment steering committee, which recommended a new regional governance structure for the organization.
A shareholder in San Francisco law firm Friedman, McCubbin, Spalding, Bilter, Roosevelt & Montgomery APC, Mr. Roosevelt is a Harvard University graduate who earned his law degree at Columbia University. He has been a board member and chair of San Francisco Home Health Services and the Visiting Nurse Association of San Francisco.
A former director of the Berkeley Community Fund, Mr. Roosevelt is active in several professional associations. He serves on the board of directors of the Association for the Preservation of the Presidential Yacht Potomac.
Todd Smith, M.D., M.B.A.
Todd Smith, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with Modesto-based Sutter Gould Medical Foundation, specializes in surgery of the hand and upper extremities. A native of Fresno, Dr. Smith earned an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master's degree in business administration from California State University, Hayward.
Dr. Smith graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and completed his residency training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He also completed a fellowship in hand and upper-extremity surgery at the University of Virginia.
Dr. Smith serves on the board of directors for the Sutter Health Central Valley Region.
Joan Smith-Maclean, M.D.
A family medicine physician and site director for the Davis track of the Sutter Health Family Medicine Residency Program, Joan Smith-Maclean served on the Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region board of trustees from 2000 to 2011. She is a former chief of staff at Sutter Davis Hospital and has been a member of the medical executive committee since 1992.
A Davis native and longtime family medicine physician in Yolo County, Dr. Smith-Maclean helped establish Davis-based Sutter West Medical Group and served on its board of directors for many years. She helped found the Sutter Health Family Medicine Residency Program and is a clinical professor of family and community medicine at the University of California, Davis.
Dr. Smith-Maclean holds bachelor's and master's degrees from UC Davis and is a graduate of the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. She lives in Davis with her husband.
Barry L. Williams
Barry Williams is the retired managing general partner of Williams Pacific Ventures, a San Francisco-based venture investment and consulting firm. He previously worked at McKinsey & Co. and Bechtel Investments and was CEO of the American Management Association.
Mr. Williams has participated on the boards of several health care institutions, as well as several corporate boards. He is a graduate of Harvard University. He lives in Oakland and Menlo Park.


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Hollywood's A-listers are doing their bit for the environment and keeping their insides healthy at the same time. You can too just walk by that bursting battery chicken and opt for the organic variety instead.
What does organic mean?
Organic means that no artificial chemical fertilisers, pesticides or growth hormones, and no genetically-engineered substances, have been used in producing the end product. In essence, you get fruit, vegetables and meat that have been naturally produced.
Organic farmers use crop rotation instead of synthetic fertilisers to keep the soil healthy. They also use natural pest-control systems instead of nasty pesticides and give animals more space to live and roam, rather than cramming them into tiny cages animals from organic farms are given higher welfare standards. All in all, organic means healthier insides, a cleaner environment and more humane conditions for farmed animals.
Why eat organic?
Well, for starters the chemical-free bit is appealing. Eating naturally-grown fresh fruit and vegies straight from the farmer's market is even more appealing. Need more convincing? Studies have shown that fresh organic produce contains more vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other micro-nutrients than conventional farming produce, which means it's better for you. A new study by researchers at the University of Washington in the US have now also revealed that children who eat more organic food are exposed to six to nine times fewer toxic pesticides than those kids fed a conventional diet.
What the greenies say
Not only is organic food good for your body, but it's also good for the environment. Organic farming encourages biodiversity, and without the use of herbicides and pesticides, wildlife is given a new lease of life. Plus, there are no polluting chemicals.
Organic farming also has a lower carbon footprint than conventional farming due to the fact that it doesn't use insecticides, herbicides, fungicides or artificial fertilisers, which means no fossil fuels.
Who's doing it?
The who's who of Hollywood are lining up for fresh organic food. In fact, according to industry polls, eating organic is one of the latest food trends. Just ask Jennifer Garner who grows her own vegies, or Ellen DeGeneres who has even gone so far as to launch an organic dog food range (which might seem a bit strange, but it's environmentally friendly, nonetheless).
How much will it set you back?
Unfortunately, going organic is not the wallet-friendly option. This is because organic crops are more vulnerable to pests and disease, which means more expense for the farmer and ultimately, more expense for the consumer. Organic farming is also more labour intensive, while organic feed is more expensive, again hitting consumers' hip pockets.
But regardless of the hefty price tag, many health-conscious consumers are still willing to pay the price for superior produce and to support organic farming techniques that are better for the environment.
' +


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Powell to coach Blitzbokke
Neil Powell has been appointed coach of the Springbok Sevens team in succession to Paul Treu, SARU announced on Saturday.
Powell, who is a former Blitzbokke captain, will take charge of the team for the first time at the Gold Coast Sevens in Australia next weekend. He will be assisted by his former team-mate, Vuyo Zangqa, who was appointed as assistant coach.
The appointments were confirmed at a meeting of the executive council in Johannesburg, which ratified the recommendation of the technical committee.
"Following his retirement as an active player in 2012, we took Neil into our structures with a view to developing him as a coach of the future," said SARU CEO Jurie Roux.
"It has been a thorough process in his appointment and he will continue the successful partnership he has had with Vuyo in recent times.
"Neil was a vastly experienced player and is very familiar with the HSBC Sevens World Series.
"They make their debut in Australia next week and we're looking forward to their contribution to the growth of our Sevens programme."
The team departs for Australia on Monday.
Powell and Zangqa were part of the Springbok Sevens squad that won the HSBC Sevens World Series in the 2008/09 season.
35-year-old-Powell, who also represented The Sharks, Bulls, Cats and Cheetahs in the Super Rugby competition and Griquas, Blue Bulls and Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup, played for South Africa in 32 tournaments on the HSBC Sevens World Series. He is also a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist (2010).
Zangqa, who is 32, is a former Border Bulldogs and Leopards representative, and played in 19 tournaments of the HSBC series.
The council also confirmed the appointment of another former national player, Renfred Dazel, as the Springbok Women's Sevens coach. He replaces Denver Wannies.
The 32-year-old Dazel, who also represented Boland Kavaliers in the fifteens code, played in 32 tournaments in the HSBC Sevens World Series and was part of the Springbok Sevens squad that won the HSBC Sevens World Series in the 2008/09 season.


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A learning disorder is defined as difficulty in an academic area (reading, mathematics, or written expression). The child's ability to achieve in the specific academic area is below what is expected for the child's age, educational level, and level of intelligence. The difficulty experienced by the child is severe enough to interfere with academic achievement or age-appropriate normal activities of daily living. About 8% of children in schools are classified as having specific learning disabilities and receive some kind of special education support.
Learning disorders are believed to occur because of an abnormality in the nervous system, either in the structure of the brain or in the functioning of brain chemicals. The difference in the nervous system causes the child with a learning disorder to receive, process, or communicate information in a different way.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, about 5% of children in U.S. schools (kindergarten through grade 12) have some type of learning disorder.
Genetic predisposition, problems during pregnancy, birth, or early infancy, as well as other general medical conditions may be associated with the cause of learning disorders.
The following are the most common symptoms of learning disorders. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
Reading disorder. A reading disorder is present when a child reads below the expected level given his or her age, grade in school, and intelligence. Children with a reading disorder read slowly and have difficulty understanding what they read. They may have difficulty with word recognition and confuse words that look similar. A reading disorder is sometimes called dyslexia.
Mathematics disorder. A mathematics disorder is present when a child has problems with skills related to numbers, such as counting, copying numbers correctly, adding and carrying numbers, learning multiplication tables, recognizing mathematical signs, and understanding mathematical operations.
Disorder of written expression. A disorder of written expression is present when a child has difficulty with writing skills, such as understanding grammar and punctuation, spelling, paragraph organization, or composing written information. Often these children also have poor handwriting skills.
The signs of learning disorders may be identified by parents or teachers when a child consistently has difficulty with any, or all, of the following:
Reading, spelling, writing, or completing math problems
Understanding or following directions
Distinguishing right from left
Reversing letters or numbers (confusing "b" and "d" or 12 and 21)
A comprehensive evaluation by educational and mental health professionals includes educational and psychological testing, as well as talking with the child and parents. A comprehensive evaluation identifies whether a child has a learning disorder as well as learning strengths and weaknesses. Results of the evaluation are used to determine educational needs, identify the best school placement, determine the possible need for medication to help with distractibility or hyperactivity, and determine the possible benefit of any additional therapies, such as speech therapy or family psychotherapy to maximize the child's learning potential and quality of life.
Specific treatment for learning disorders will be determined by the coordinated effort of your child's doctor, and mental health and educational professionals based on:
Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
Extent of the disorder
Type of disorder
Your child's tolerance for specific medications or therapies
Expectations for the course of the disorder
Your opinion or preference
Learning disorders are treatable. A coordinated effort between parents, teachers, and mental health professionals provides the basis for individualized treatment strategies that may include individual or group remediation, and/or special classes or resources.
Preventive measures to reduce the incidence of learning disorders are not known at this time. However, early detection and intervention can reduce the severity of academic difficulties and improve the quality of life experienced by children with learning disorders.
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The West Virginia Land Trust Invites You to Celebrate the Gauley River
WV Land Trust Protects Property Along Gauley River
2014 Special Places Event:
An Incredible Success
Healthy land is an essential resource and is vital to our health and well-being, to our quality of life, and for a sustainable future.
The West Virginia Land Trust helps to protect West Virginia's special places
. Thousands of acres of natural landscape, including farms and forests, vanish each year in West Virginia, never to be replaced. Join with us and our partners to assure future generations know the scenic beauty of our beloved mountain state. If you won't help us protect special places in West Virginia, who will?
EPIC Adventure Giveaway
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to enter the keyword and be entered in a drawing to win TWO FREE TICKETS to an EPIC Adventure of your choice!
(A keyword can be found in the WV State Fair Guide!)
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When Nick Schenk wrote the screenplay for "Gran Torino," he said star and director Clint Eastwood didn't change a word — a highly unusual occurrence in the land of endless rewrites. The Minnesota native had a different experience with "The Judge." Updated Sep. 12, 2014
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"Frank" is weird, wonderful and best of all, truly original.
Pierce Brosnan's Devereaux is no Bond in this humorless, bloody, throw-away spy thriller.
"Life of Crime" boasts a great cast, but plays tamer than the best Elmore Leonard-inspired movies.
CBS and Rihanna are splitting up, more fallout from the Ray Rice domestic violence incident and the turmoil it has caused for the NFL.
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Review: The British pop star wowed a Target Center crowd with his acoustic guitar licks, flashy light show and volume.
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Does Craigslist have good free stuff?
Sure, it's free, but is it really useable or worthwhile?
This guest post comes from Buck Weber at The Buck List.
Can you really find good free stuff on Craigslist? To find an answer to that question, I decided to employ one of the oldest forms of scientific study: observation.
I randomly chose four cities from around the United States (Atlanta, Sacramento, Minneapolis and New York) and during a one-week period of time (Sept. 5-12. OK, eight days) I perused and wrote down what each city had to offer in its respective free sections on Craigslist every day.
What I found was sometimes amusing and somewhat telling of the value we place on our stuff, especially very heavy things.
What they all had in common
During my observations of all those free-stuff listings for a week, a commonality of offerings became apparent: If it's big, heavy or dirty, and you can haul it, it's yours! All four cities offered the following:
- Furniture (every city offered floral printed sofas).
- Dirt (or, more descriptively, "fill dirt").
- Firewood (lots of pine in Atlanta and Sacramento).
- Sand.
- Old TVs (LOTS of these, some up to 52 inches. Might be because of the digital switch).
- Pianos and organs (working and nonworking).
- Grills (gas and charcoal).
- Scrap metal.
- Working and (mostly) nonworking appliances. Usually refrigerators, washers and dryers, with an occasional leaky dishwasher.
- Used carpet, sometimes with the padding.
- Broken concrete/pavement.
- Landscaping rocks.
- Scrap wood and pallets.
- Kitchen sinks and bathtubs.
- Horse manure.
- Exercise equipment (most of it in good working condition -- hmmm).
The carpet surprised me a little. I can understand the owner trying to give it away, but who would want carpet that for years was walked on, spilt upon and who knows what elsed upon until it finally had to be torn up? Another interesting find was the horse manure offered in every city.
The not so big, heavy and dirty stuff
As for not so big, heavy or dirty stuff, all four cities also offered the following:
- Moving boxes.
- Clothes (men's, women's, kids', all seasons and all sizes. The frequency of clothes postings was second only to furniture).
- Old computers and peripherals (if you want an entire eight-year-old computer, including monitor, printer, webcam and scanner, it's all out there waiting for you).
- Magazines.
- Garage sale leftovers (something kind of sad about that).
- VHS tapes.
Three out of four ain't bad
I think if I had taken more than a week, the following stuff would have appeared in all four cities. Three out of the four cities offered:
- Kids' bikes.
- Doors (interior and exterior).
- Filing cabinets.
- Toys (usually stuffed animals).
- Lawn mowers (usually broken).
- Strollers.
- Books.
- Typewriters (very useful these days).
The other stuff
By city, here are the other items offered during that week. Kind of an interesting snapshot.
New York: Not surprisingly, New York City offered the most free stuff, and possibly the widest variety, including baby gerbils, lots of comedy club tickets, cookbooks, coffee mugs, records, a braille machine, 275-gallon tank, fish tank, wheel-balancer machine, comic books, AB Dick 11-by-17-inch printing press, and chocolate chip cookies being given away by a guy sitting on a green inflatable couch in Washington Square Park. Also offered was an electric hospital bed, Sheetrock, fire extinguishers, a safe, crutches, sewing machine, guinea pig cage, Ford bumper, office supplies, fish bait, ferrets, bumblebee gobies (fish), a cat, light table, flower window box, coal, CD jewel cases, wine glasses, cinder blocks, sparring gear, kittens, cement board, worms, hedges, pool heater and a cardboard fort.
Minneapolis: Our northern neighbors ran a close second to New Yorkers in the sheer amount of stuff offered for free. Of the four cities, they were far and away the worst spellers, too. I don't know what that means, but it got annoying after a while. Offerings included baby-food jars, coffee creamer, perennial plants, silk flowers, pickup bed liner, duvet cover, basketball hoop, flower pots, remote-controlled tank, paver bricks, packing peanuts, wheelbarrow, sleeping bags, toilet, downspouts, soccer goal, Barbie dolls, ferret cages, golf clubs, doghouse, shingles, boat ladder, vinyl siding, knife block, water cooler, dog kennel, cats, bathroom vanity, beer bottle collection, fake plant, work bench, turtle sandbox, freezer-burned meat, AM car radio, used breast pump, railway ties, partial jug of crack filler, and a phone charger.
Sacramento: They also had an offer of freezer-burned meat, with the helpful suggestion of feeding it to your dog. Coming in third for amount of stuff, Sacramentians offered a softball mitt, plants, grape stake fencing, palm trees, fresh basil, cactus full of prickly pears, extra abalone, a puppy, woodstove, shelving, Agapanthus, 16mm film reels, working air conditioner, Yanni concert tickets, go-kart tires, pink bottle brush trees, fruit/veggie stands, doghouse, eight-track tapes, toilets, mulch, blinds, hot tubs, bubble eye (fish), more palm trees, gondola shelves, and a ceiling fan.
Atlanta: Besides offering the common stuff listed above, the folks in Atlanta did not have as much to offer as the others. Might have been an off week, or maybe they don't collect junk down South. Or maybe they don't give it away. If you were in the Atlanta area that week you could have picked up a tiki bar, fish tanks, trampoline, go-kart, ice cube trays, basketball goal, PVC pipe, sliding patio doors and baby formula.
To sum it all up
Of the common items listed above, all of the pianos and organs being offered for free was not so much of a surprise as a reminder that these are different times. Pianos used to be one of the prized possessions of a family, while now many consider them a heavy, useless burden. As for the other stuff, you just never know what you will find.
My answer to the question posed by the title is, yes, you can find good free stuff on Craigslist. And if you are looking for something specific, don't watch the ads for a week, just use the search option.
Related reading at The Buck List:
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Del. Frank Turner said he doesn't like increasing the gas tax, but "to do nothing is irresponsible." Turner, a Columbia Democrat, served as Democratic floor leader for the heated gas tax debate, which was eventually passed by the House of Delegates, 76 to 63.
He was one of 76 Democrats voting for its passage. Voting against the bill were 41 Republicans and 22 Democrats.
If passed by the Senate, it would be the first gas tax increase since 1992.
The gas tax is expected to raise $600 million for transportation needs when it is fully implemented in 2016. Residents will first see a nearly four-cent increase in gas prices July 1. After a series of increments by 2016, the gas tax will be raised 16 cents from its current 23.5 cents.
Turner argued that it is better to "be proactive rather than reactive," citing recent bridge failures and the condition of some bridges in the state.
Howard County delegates were split on the gas tax vote.
Democrats Liz Bobo, Guy Guzzone and Shane Pendergrass joined Turner in supporting the measure.
Republicans Gail Bates and Warren Miller voted against the increase along with Democrats Steve DeBoy and James Malone.
Guzzone said funding created by the increase will be used for an expansion of the emergency medical system, a new digital communications system for emergency responders, improvements to the MARC rail service on both weekends and mid-days, and improvements to local transit bus lines.
"Without the funding included in the transportation bill, none of these things would be possible," he said.
Merriweather legislation heads to Senate
A bill that would relax noise limitations on Merriweather Post Pavilion has passed the House of Delegates and now heads to the Senate.
Del. Liz Bobo, a Democrat whose district includes Merriweather, has opposed the bill, but said it is "much stronger" after amendments in the Environmental Matters Committee.
The bill was amended to give county government the authority to adopt regulations on noise levels at Merriweather beginning Oct. 1.
Merriweather had asked for a bill preventing the county from having this authority but later amended their request to operate at a maximum of 95 decibels.
Although Bobo said the amendments improve the bill, she still voted against it in committee because she didn't feel confident the 95-decibel level was appropriate.
If passed by the Senate, the Columbia concert venue could operate at 95 decibels within a quarter-mile radius of the pavilion from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. There are no residential properties within that radius.
At residential property lines outside the radius, Merriweather would have to abide by a 72.5 decibel level, up from the current 65 decibel level.
The county's current noise ordinance requires the decibel level at surrounding residential properties to drop from a maximum of 65 during the day to 55 at 10 p.m.
Village managers require no license


text:
SAN DIEGO – Braves fans have taken to the blogosphere and airwaves with speculation and suggestions that hitting coach Larry Parrish could be and/or should be fired. But at this point, that's apparently all it is. Speculation and suggestions outside the organization.
"I've never even thought about that kind of stuff," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. "That's never entered my mind, because I've been a coach. It's so easy to say, yeah, you, if it's not [going well]. I think the best way to say it is, everybody's got to share responsibility."
The Braves hit .199 in their last 12 games before Saturday, dropping their overall average to .238 and their on-base percentage to .305. Washington (.237) and San Diego (.234) were the only National League teams with lower averages, and San Francisco (.304) was the lone NL team with a lower OBP.
Nevertheless, the pitching-strong Braves were 43-34, tied for the second-best record in the NL and fourth-best in the majors.
"If you look at our stats over the course of the year, we're not where we want to be offensively as a team," Gonzalez said after the Braves got four hits in an 11-2 loss at San Diego on Friday.
A day later, Gonzalez said the team's offensive woes should not be laid at the feet of Parrish, 57. He's a former major league player with extensive managing and coaching experience, though not as a hitting coach except for parts of three seasons as a minor league roving instructor for the Tigers.
"You go by the batting cage every day and Larry's in there banging," Gonzalez said. "He's prepared. He's organized, detailed…. The two worst jobs, for me, are the hitting coach and the pitching coach. Because you're held directly accountable for stuff that you're really not accountable for."
Much of the Braves' offensive disappointments stem from the career-worst first half by Dan Uggla, who had a major league-low .175 batting average before Saturday, and Jason Heyward, whose inflamed shoulder contributed to a sluggish start (.227 average, .325 OBP, seven homers, 23 RBIs).
Uggla said recently that Parrish should take no heat for the second baseman's disappointing first half, that the hitting coach has worked hard trying to help Uggla snap out of his season-long malaise.
Saturday, it was the manager who came to Parrish's defense.
"If [a coach] does the things I said – be there on time, you're organized, you're detailed, you're there for the players – then the other stuff is really on the players," Gonzalez said. "I mean, you hate to throw everything on the players. But Larry doesn't hit for them. [Pitching coach] Roger [McDowell] doesn't pitch for them. And rightly so, they don't want us to hit for them. If I did, I'd be making more outs."
The Braves have 585 strikeouts (fourth-most in the NL) and 247 walks (eighth in NL), after leading the league in walks last season and ranking 11th in strikeouts. Gonzalez said there was not a directive or suggestion by him or Parrish for hitters to be more aggressive than they were under previous hitting coach Terry Pendleton, who was reassigned to first-base coach after Gonzalez was hired to replace retired manager Bobby Cox.
"I don't think it's any sort of blanket policy that we want them to be more aggressive," Gonzalez said. "I think it's up to every individual. I don't think it's the old Oakland A's, where we've got to not swing the bats until we get two strikes — it's not that kind of philosophy. But I know we don't have that [be aggressive edict]; I've never heard anybody talk about that. Just get a good pitch and hit it."
Gonzalez then waxed a bit philosophical about the Parrish discussion.
"It should be more of a simple world in sports," he said, "where your criteria as coaches are, you show up to work, you have a good rapport with the players, you're organized, you're knowledgeable, and then just let them do their jobs. And I don't have to sit here, or anybody has to sit here, and say Larry's job is safe. Yeah, he does all those things I just mentioned."
June 25th, 2011
8:23 pm
You have a good rapport with players, you're organized, you're knowledgeable, and then just let them do their jobs. 1,2, and 4 are nice. But without 3, the others don't matter.
June 25th, 2011
8:26 pm
2nd! lol
June 25th, 2011
8:29 pm
I've heard Chipper say "my dad told me one thing" and that helped his swing immensely. Mac had one conversation with his brother and has been on a tear since. What I haven't heard all season was one single Braves player credit Larry Parrish with helping them at all. It doesn't matter if Larry gets the scouting reports and works hard, he doesn't know how to fix a swing or help hitters figure out whats wrong. No one has questioned his work ethic, just his ability to help the Braves. So, in conclusion…
June 25th, 2011
8:33 pm
Fire both the Larry's from the hawks and braves
June 25th, 2011
8:36 pm
YEA! How dare the blogosphere have an opinion. What do they know?
June 25th, 2011
8:38 pm
Parrish has changed the Braves so drastically .. as far as their hitting mentality goes .. that virtually the same core which had a GREAT OBP and overall OPS the last two-three years is now a mediocre offense. If we can even say mediocre at this point. Their aggressive and wild swings are ridiculous. We go after the first pitch WAY too often. We strike out WAY too much. It's Parrish's fault. Obviously. His hitting philosophy is not adaptable to good hitters who work the count and foul a lot of pitches off.
Parrish once struck out 154 times in a season. He had six seasons where he K'd more than 100 times. Obviously he took what worked for him and thought it would work for real hitters. His .263 career average shows he is not the same kind of offensive player that Chipper, Mac, Prado, Uggla, Heyward are. I guarantee all of those guys would probably be carrying us atop the division had Gonzo hired a real hitting coach instead of some dud whom thinks what worked for HIM as a hitter will work for guys who work the count and think tactically at the plate.
Parrish needs to adapt or go by the trade deadline.
June 25th, 2011
8:40 pm
A guy with a .318 career OBP .. coaching a team that went from a .339 to a .305 OBP. The only thing that changed in the offense was the hitting coach. I've got a BINGO!
June 25th, 2011
8:42 pm
ok you debbie downers…the braves just scored
June 25th, 2011
8:42 pm
We can only hope this "vote of confidence" turns out like most…and he's GONE!!
June 25th, 2011
8:43 pm
We're bound to score a couple runs a game. Last year we averaged almost 5 runs a game though.
June 25th, 2011
8:46 pm
you all should be happy…your team scored….just enjoy the game and chill out a little
June 25th, 2011
8:48 pm
I have never supported the hiring of Parrish. I can understand hiring someone who has only been a hitting instructor in the minors, but what in the world was Wren and Gonzalez thinking hiring a guy that has NEVER been a hitting coach at any level!? It's absolutely ludicrous. Seems to me, from reading his non-chalant comments, Fredi doesn't seem to think a hitting coach has a direct effect on a player.
If one or two players on a team are under performing, then yes, that could fall on the player. But when almost the whole team stinks? C'mon, that the respective coach's fault.
If not, then why even have a coach to begin with? Does Fredi think if we finish dead last in the standings it wouldn't fall back on his shoulders because he comes to work on time and is organized? Gimme a break!
June 25th, 2011
8:50 pm
Do we know of anyone available who should be demonstrably better than Parrish with statistics to back that up.
June 25th, 2011
8:54 pm
I appreciate that Fredi is trying to loyal to his coaches and not speak badly about them to the media, but Larry wasn't even HIS choice for hitting coach. Parrish was Frank Wren's choice. Fredi wanted his hitting coach that he had in Florida, but was basically forced to take Parrish. Regardless, SOMETHING needs to be done, whether its firing Parrish or benching players who are underperforming. I personally think MLB teams should be allowed to fine players for not living up what their contracts pay them to be. Uggla was paid to be a power hitter and he's not hitting AT ALL, much less with power. Fining them would light a fire under their @$$….but the MLBPA would never allow it to happen.
June 25th, 2011
8:58 pm
coming to work on time and efforting does not cut it in my job, i have to perform and meet the expectations that go with the job. am i missing something that this is different in baseball.
DOB, in what situation is a hitting coach not performing and should consider being replaced?
June 25th, 2011
9:00 pm
keep it up you negative nancy's the braves just scored again lol
June 25th, 2011
9:06 pm
Don't know whether Parrish is good or not! But I would ask Uggla if he has someone he'd like to come in to "consult" or bring in somebody to offer a 2nd opinion or both!
June 25th, 2011
9:08 pm
Ok! FIRE FREDI!
June 25th, 2011
9:09 pm
maybe uggla is having personal or relationship problems…….maybe he needs a good woman
June 25th, 2011
9:11 pm
Katherine, you can stop lol'ing yourself to death every time the Braves score. They could score 20 today and there would still be long term concerns about the teams ability to score frequently.
June 25th, 2011
9:13 pm
We suffered through years of the same with T Pendleton, why after only 3 months with Parrish is everybody up in arms to fire him ??????
June 25th, 2011
9:14 pm
shawn…i realize that. It would be nice it you all could be happy when they are winning though. I'm not an idiot tyvm
June 25th, 2011
9:17 pm
You liken a hitting coach to a pitching coach…..they don't hit for the batters and they don't pitch for the pitchers….
Well wouldn't you think it would make sense to hire a pitching coach that has some experience as a successful pitching coach somewhere before, or was a successful pitcher?
Likewise Freddi….Parrish had NEVER ….NEVER…NEVER….been a hitting coach…..NEVER….so let him go practice on it at Gwinnett or Rome or wherever, but NOT IN THE BIGS….
June 25th, 2011
9:18 pm
and you Katherine….go to your room…and shut up…
June 25th, 2011
9:19 pm
excuse me? Who are you to tell me to shut up?
June 25th, 2011
9:20 pm
Oh come ON DOB – is Freddi serious? This ain't a one-way mirror. We were bad with TP, we're far worse with Larry Parrish. And FG stands in there as a team guy trying to deflect the heat from Parrish??? Call a spade a spade man – let's do our own litmus test then OK? Let's release Larry Parrish from his contract, just cut him loose. And then wait and watch to see just how many clubs around the league jump to hire him as Hitting Coach.
Puuuuhhhhhllllleeeeeaaaase. I'd take Howie McCann or Larry Wayne Jones Sr. in a heartbeat over Larry Parrish.
June 25th, 2011
9:23 pm
How many hitting coaches do you go through before you realize that the Braves' hitters are not very good. There, I said it. The Braves have a collection of veterans nearing the end of their careers and very young players. Both of those categories of players lend themselves to struggling at the plate. Last year, it was fire Terry Pendleton. This year, it's fire Larry Parrish. Who next season? Maybe Chipper Jones will spare us all the agony, retire and become hitting coach.
June 25th, 2011
9:25 pm
Enter your comments here
June 25th, 2011
9:25 pm
why would chipper retire? we need him…maybe give his dad a try first
June 25th, 2011
9:27 pm
@ Joe Braves Fan…….I think your wrong on fining players for under-performing….to begin with the players association would never stand for it. Sure these guys are often over paid , but if your looking for someone to blame, look no further than the Yankee org of the (G Steinbrenner) era. During his time of ownership he paid whatever it took to sign the players he wanted and the free agent market exploded because of it.
June 25th, 2011
9:30 pm
If all the reasons Fredi gives are true, why do we need a hitting coach??????
June 25th, 2011
9:31 pm
lets go braves!
June 25th, 2011
9:31 pm
Braves need a hitting coach, I need a typing and blog coach
June 25th, 2011
9:44 pm
Howie McCan IS a hitting coach….makes his living at it….so why not get him to work with ONE SPECIFIC HITTER (er that'd be non-hitter right now)…..and see what happens?
That "specific hitter" I am referring to is of course UGGLA….and he surely couldn't screw him up any worse than he already is…
Maybe we should start an online petition to get these Freddi era knuckleheads to try something besides that which isn't working…
June 25th, 2011
9:46 pm
oh and Katherine….go to your room and CLOSE THE DOOR….
you can watch Hannah Montanna if you want but just shut up…..
June 25th, 2011
10:18 pm
This offense sucks soooo bad that it is beyond the rediculas stage, Iguess nothing will be done about it so long as they are winning, no way I would pay good money to watch their sorry a—es.
June 25th, 2011
10:26 pm
Call Chipper's Dad. No seriously!
June 25th, 2011
10:38 pm
First) One who has never been a hitting coach cant teach one to hit ? Second) Tonight a hit to left and McLouth didn't even try to throw to third ? I am sick and tired of McLouth not throwing anything just a lob. I know he had a shot in shoulder in spring training and if I know that everyone else does. Get Contanza up and give him a try and get us a hitting coach (one that has experience in that capacity).
June 25th, 2011
11:05 pm
I never thought I would say this but:
I mean, this has been awful. Go from league-leaders in OBP to next to last in 1 year, with same core group? Awful! Also, never seen Uggla swing so terribly before. Didn't do that in Florida. I bet Parrish is the reason ALL the hitters look bad when they swing , especially for outside pitches. The way they lunge for those balls away from them, no wonder they're straining obliques.
June 25th, 2011
11:13 pm
The way the Braves structure their org is to load up pitching heavy. It's been that way for many years and continues to be in the future. That often leaves them short of position players with exceptional talent. Under the current ownership, tight purse strings don't allow them to spend big bucks to acquire free agent power hitters. That being said, the Braves will have to continue trying to win with good pitching, defense and low run production. production.
June 25th, 2011
11:31 pm
TeheranTime @9:23 pm is the lone voice of reason on the topic of hitting coaches. Braves fans complained for years about how Terry Pendleton ruined so many supposedly good Braves hitters and celebrated when TP was reassigned before this season. Now, in less than half a season, Larry Parrish has ruined a bunch of supposedly good Braves hitters? Aren't these mostly the same guys (Uggla aside) that TP couldn't teach to hit?
Ted Williams and Tony Gwynn, working together 24/7, couldn't turn me (or most of the rest of you) into a good major league hitter, and those guys know/knew a few things about hitting. Likewise, I couldn't turn Albert Pujols or Chipper Jones (in his prime) into a bad hitter, no matter how hard I worked at it. A good hitting coach may be able to help a good hitter fix the occasional mechanical flaw, but most of what it takes to be a good major league hitter is God-given talent that you either have or you don't. Parrish may not be the answer, but I don't think he's the problem either.
June 25th, 2011
11:32 pm
IMO the problem with Uggla is due to his own stressing out. Career numbers indicate he's a much better player than his current stats. Moving from an org with no fan base to one that does……..Just signing his first big contract…….the desire for fan acceptance and to prove he's worth every penny the Braves spent on him have left him in a mental funk. Remembering back in Smoltz's early career , he too would get into mental lapses and loose the competitive edge. The solution was to employ the services of a Sports Phsychiotrist(spelling). It certainly helped Smoltz and probably would help Uggla as well.
June 25th, 2011
11:42 pm
i sure wish we coulda got that cameron maybin to play cf for us get rid of one of them whiteys and we then coulda had two of the all time worst outfielders in the history of the game in cf and rf but both would have been colored lol
June 25th, 2011
11:47 pm
the hitting coach issure reminds me of a vinegar bend mizel (sp) story he was traded from the yanks too the st louis browns a coach said were going to now do things the yankess way to whit vb replied sir i have a old mule back in kentucky now matter how mucgh i train him he aint winnings the kentucky derby lol
June 26th, 2011
12:10 am
Well Done DOB.
June 26th, 2011
12:48 am
Unfortunately being on time and organized are nice attributes but gettins results is what the hitting coach gets paid to do. I do not have confidence that Larry Parrish can discover what is wrong with a players swing or other hitting mechanics. He needs to go sooner rather than later. Hire Mr McCann or Mr Jones.both havemade a career our of being a hitting instructors. Mr Wren act soon!!!
June 26th, 2011
1:28 am
Because Fredi is now part of the good ol boy buddy Braves system. Screw him and Parrish. I guess everything is cool because we scored ten runs tonight. This team could be amazing with a few tweeks including replacing Parrish.
June 26th, 2011
2:12 am
One of two things is wrong with Parrish. He is NOT knowledgable, or he doesn't know how to teach. Coaching is teaching after all. I had a math teacher in high school that knew math 50 ways from Sunday. Algebra, geometry, trig, calculus, you name it. Nobody doubted that she knew her subject. But she was the absolute WORST teacher that I ever had! Could not get an idea from her brain to yours to save her soul. My dad had to hire a math tutor for me, and that really pi**ed him off. That could be Parrish's problem, he can't teach.
The offense being so inept IS on Parrish IMO. The two hitters that have done the best, lead the team in RBIs, are Chipper and McCann, both of whom rely more on their dads for hitting advice. NO ONE ELSE ON THE TEAM HAS SHOWN ANY IMPROVEMENT OVER THE YEAR. NO ONE. What's the common denominator there? LP. They don't make adjustments, they don't have good approaches. Parrish needs to go and the Braves need to get someone in there that can TEACH HITTING.
June 26th, 2011
2:54 am
Did Fredi address the speculation that Matt Young has been put on a zero BBQ sunflower seeds diet?
June 26th, 2011
6:45 am
I agree with Fredi, in baseball most times it is about the players not being able to hit either u can or u can't! Alex Gonzalez for example no matter where. This guy goes he will always be a free swinger so a hitting coach should never be blamed but if the hitting does not improve of course he will get fired! It is not his fault Uggla has looked like he has been swinging a sword for most of the season and J-Hey has been hurt we have to realize how hard of a game baseball is the Red Sox have lost 5 straight and they have the best team money can buy so braves fans let's enjoy this season
June 26th, 2011
7:00 am
for all these people who have never coached anything in their life take a big drink of shut the hell up. it easy to blame the coach , manager etc, the athletes must be held accountable at some point. these are grown men playing a kids game making a boat load of money. go braves
June 26th, 2011
7:48 am
Indeed Parish needs to go! And fire Fredi Cox! tim…go to your room!
June 26th, 2011
9:01 am
Exactly right, tim.All Braves fan"s want to win.If you ever played any sport,you know you don"t win every game. go braves
June 26th, 2011
9:06 am
Show up, talk with folks, be organized…..WHY HAVE A HITTING AND PITCHING COACH AT ALL???? Sounds like a retail job making minimum wage to me. These should not be held accountable???? Who is accountable? Not the coaches, not the very well paid players, and not the managers. Maybe the bat boys have the wrong juju? Maybe the locker room attendants??? Maybe the caterers??? How 'bout hold the fans accountable for not showing and vocalizing their displeasure??? The announcers are the scurge so maybe they should be accountable. But, hey, I get it, no one on the field should be accountable for not doing the job they are very well paid for…if Freddi says it then it must be so. It's a sad time in Braves land.
June 26th, 2011
9:42 am
DOB……Why didn't you ask the follow up question……..If you haven't thought about firing Larry Parish at all ………Why not ???
Show up on time, be knowledgeable, have a good rapport with the players and be organized…….Why don't you add some goals to the job description for him to achieve like the rest of the people who work for a living must do ??? How about having a combined batting average that is in the top 10 in the NL ?? Freddi you have to give Larry the goal to shoot towards or you wont be able to give him a proper review at the end of the season will you?
Pendleton sure looks good now doesn't he ?? If we had his numbers from last year now, we would be leading the league………..
June 26th, 2011
9:59 am
Pendleton doesnt look, Parrish just looks worse.
June 26th, 2011
10:00 am
I agree Tim people may get smart with me but I didn't know we had so many managers and hitting coaches on this blog maybe u guys can have the braves hitting coach job so alexgonzalez can just go up and swing at every pitch! We can't win every game people it is baseball! If we had better approaches on this team we would save some of the blame for our poor hitting with the exception of Mccann,Freeman, Chipper, and Prado the rest of the guys have horribla approaches
June 26th, 2011
10:01 am
Pendleton was a big free swinger when played and so were the players he coached. Get behind and everyone presses, tried to hit it out ala'TP in his heyday. Parrish, jeeze.
June 26th, 2011
10:05 am
It doesnt take a hitting coach or manager on this here blog to see that we are the worst, or one of the worst hitting teams in the National League. Say what you will but thats a fact.
June 26th, 2011
10:15 am
The Braves are the only team in baseball that do not have a general manager. They have someone that carrries the name, but dosen't know the game
June 26th, 2011
10:23 am
The bunch of you that were calling for TP's head last year are now calling for LP's head this year. The stats last year were bad you say and this year are worst, consider this, just maybe its the players, there are some people that just cannot take suggestions because they already have the answers, then too we could hire Chippers dad and Macks brother and all would be solved.
June 26th, 2011
10:27 am
Freddie Gonzalez has to know sumthing with this bad offensive team and injury plagued first half. Give the man a break We shouldbe praising him for having us leaders of the wild card because the phillies are not playing too well but just seem to never lose even whenteams have them down in the 9th they always seem to find away and freddi has us right in the thick of things
June 26th, 2011
10:28 am
Hiring Parrisch was another mediocre move in a long list of mediocre moves by Fumbling Frank Wren.
June 26th, 2011
10:44 am
In baseball u have to bee bad or mediocre at something! The Orioles have good bats but their pitching ain't that good the braves are good at pitching I will take that over hitting and we can bring in mickey mantle in to be hitting coach and it won't lead to much success with all the bad approaches we have in our lineup!
June 26th, 2011
11:07 am
it does not matter how much you know, how hard you work, or how hard you try, if you dont show success in what you do, then management must take action and fire you. in my opinion,good bye mr. parrish.
June 26th, 2011
11:11 am
Rather have Parrish than I would Pendleless…..
And like Fredi over Cox also………….
June 26th, 2011
12:08 pm
wren conosco halos bravos dede 1990 por 150,00 t pongo a batear con los ojos cerrado a ese equipo
June 26th, 2011
1:32 pm
I agree with Gonzo on this issue….Parrish is not to blame. These overpaid punks need some ass kicking and made aware that they are in the major leagues. I know there are ballplayers in the minors that would love to quit riding that bus and gets the perks these cry babies get. Start putting the at-bat money they are being paid and watch the results!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 26th, 2011
1:39 pm
If it's going to be Parrish's fault for the meager offense thus far, it will be his achievement when the Braves offense gets hot the second half of 2011 and we storm into the playoffs.
June 26th, 2011
2:26 pm
That's great, Freddie!!! How many people will be fired next week in the public sector that "ALSO" do everything you mentioned but unfortunately have been unable to perform the responsibility for which they have been hired? If the hitting coach is only expected to be a nice guy with good human qualities, maybe that's all you expect fromthe players!!! As long as the players get allong with each other and behave in the clubhouse, what happens on the playing field is not too important!!! Did the Braves hire a manager or just a "Nice Guy"? Maybe Freddie should read a good book on Leo Duroucher!
June 26th, 2011
3:00 pm
Why do people refer to Fredi as "Freddie?"
June 26th, 2011
3:12 pm
There's two very important things to hitting in baseball. Patience and Selectivity. The more that you rely on those two things the better contact you will make and the higher your average will probably be. Players like Chipper & McCann have proved this for multiple years and even they when they stray from P. & S. see their contact and average suffer. The Braves are overloaded with players who do not consistently practice Patience & Selectivity and that's a big part of their hitting woes as a team. But a hitting coach can only suggest that approach, not force it upon the players. It's up to the manager to individually discuss and bench when necessary those players who refuse to listen to the advice of their hitting coach(assuming that Larry Parrish is advising P. & S.). Either way on a refreshing note it's wonderful to see one player(a rookie), Freddie Freeman who though he struggles sometimes with P. & S. really is attempting to learn the approach and you can see that he's a better hitter when he does.
June 26th, 2011
3:21 pm
I completely understand the argument that the players (hitters in this scenario) play. However, aren't all coaches ultimately held responsible for the preformance of their players? I mean Fredi's list of things is nice, from the coach's perspective, but that's not what they get PAID to do, or maybe ALL they get paid to do. Certain coaches have unorthodox approaches to techniques, or relationships, but the players preform. So I think he just said something that sounds good, but if it was really true, no coach would ever be fired unless they were a complete jerk. At some point, you have to base the coach's preformance on the player's preformance because the coach is paid to make those players preform. If there are other circumstances, you factor those in as well. Again, why the Braves chose a man who had NEVER BEEN A HITTING COACH is beyond me. I like how DOB added the "except for 3 years as a roving instructor" part. That wasn't fed to him by a Braves PR man was it? Guy gets some heat for poor preformance, poor approach of a decently talented bunch, but because he roved around and may or may not have talked hitting to minor league players, that makes it ok.
June 26th, 2011
3:28 pm
[...] Atlanta Braves [...]
June 26th, 2011
3:30 pm
This is so hilarious — most of you folks were calling for Pendleton's head a year ago (and the year before that).
And many of you used the same reasons (Chipper is coached by his dad, McCann is coached by his dad, TP does nothing, Frenchy and Andruw make the same mistakes at the plate…blah, blah, blah).
Then you finally got your wish with a new hitting coach and guess the blankety-blank what? THINGS ARE WORSE! LOL! In fact, ROTFLMAO!
Obviously, TP was not the problem. The problem is the hitters that haven't been coached by their dad's all their lives (people who will always know their swing best) don't do what Prado does: know the strike zone, take pitches, take a walk, and when you swing make sure you are swinging at strikes.
June 26th, 2011
4:19 pm
Just watched the top of the first inning today and it reflects exactly what our supposed hitting coach is contributing to this team. Nothing!!! We should be able to do better than two foul balls!!! And Freddie is Fredi. What's the difference as long as we know what we are talking about!!!
June 26th, 2011
6:23 pm
i have never in my life time watch 2 RELIEF pitchers who are kids completely make a fool of a whole Lineup like this Atlanta Braves Lineup today. Its a complete embarrassment and a joke.. yet the Braves coaching staff and management shrug it off like nothing and dont care. I mean when you Have ESPN, the MLB network Fox Sports Etc ripping this team everyday of the week. Show us the Fans that your addressing the serious problem..but no you wont even think about it. Yea thats gonna make fans wanna waste 3-4 hrs of thier day watching this team on tv or even showing up at Turner Field or in Opposing ballparks. not me better things to do.. I mean 1 FREAKIN hit off of 3 relievers . not one so called starter.. its an embarrassment and a joke. but ownership and Wren doesn care.
June 26th, 2011
6:56 pm
I am starting to agree with those who say Freddi Gonzalez has no clue. He starts 4 left handed batters with the first four batters 3 of them are left handed.Hhe plays another left handed batter(<cLouth) in left when he has Ramirez on bench. He is like Cox relying on his pitching to give him a winning record. Ventors is tierd. had to come back in a day game following a night game.
June 26th, 2011
8:08 pm
Right back at ya. The Pads won todays game the same way the Braves win half of theirs……luck. The bottom line is the final score, I do realize that but things have a way of evening out and if that occurs the Braves will finish playing .500 ball. I thought they were on their way to another today thanks to an error which gave Schaeffer an at bat. You could tell Homer Simpson ( he's the homiest announcer in the league) thought they were going to pull another out of their ass but justice prevailed. You can't keep playing with fire (2 hits) and not get burned. 1-4 against the NL's worst. Phils are 4-0 and we haven't started hitting yet but like every one of the last 5 years when we do it's another East Division pennant.
June 27th, 2011
7:41 am
Pradoshould be hitting coach while he is on DL
June 27th, 2011
11:31 am
Has there ever been a Braves hitting coach that fans didn't want fired? They've had about 12. Last year people complained about Pendleton. If the hitters suck, it doesn't matter who the hitting coach is. Yes, Chipper talks about his dad and so forth. How is Chipper doing this year? McCann has been good regardless of who the hitting coach is. It's not the hitting coach, it's the hitters, guys.
June 27th, 2011
11:43 am
go and get jose reyes. sign him to a long term contract. with his and shafer's speed they could wreak havoc on the national league. also, braves need to make this move in order to compete with washington in the next few years. philly is on the way out because of their aging players. washington is the rising team. with reyes added along with the pitching and youth we have here now we will also be a force to contend with, now and in the next few years too
June 27th, 2011
11:55 am
So many teams bring up or trade for young players and those players continue to improve significantly as hitters. This has not been true for the Braves and continues not to be true. Just the opposite – they (in many cases) go downhill significantly. This is not to say that Parrish is worse than many, perhaps most hitting coaches. It takes a special talent, and there are not many really good ones – The Braves have not had a really good one in years and years. This is a significant need. It is obvious when our two hitters who have developed over the last many years had to receive assistance from family members.
June 27th, 2011
11:59 am
The Braves cannnot expect to compete (no matter how great their pitching) – when their 3rd place hitter is barely hitting .260 and going downhill — and they are getting terrible production from Right Field and Center Field. – not to even mention 2nd base.
June 27th, 2011
1:25 pm
When the player signs a Braves contract, it reads that he must promise to forget how to hit. The Mendoza Line shall henceforth be known as the Uggla Plateau, and dropped to .175.
Chipper has reached the point that he would be a far superior hitting coach to Parrish or TP, and would benefit them more than he does at third anymore….Shaffer CF; Prado 3b; McCann C; Hinske LF; Freeman 1b; Uggla 2b; Heyward RF; Gonzales SS; Hudson One way or another save the $$$$$ on Lowe; McLouth; Chipper; and Kawa, then go sign a 25m super star and teach them how to forget hitting.
June 27th, 2011
2:10 pm
I almost think Frank Wren brought Parrish in to make us all miss Pendleton – mission accomplished. Now can we end the experiment and please, for the love of God, get rid of Parrish? How do you lose 2 of 3 games to the last placed Padres? You can't hit the damn ball, that's how.
Pendleton isn't great, but he's light years better than Parrish. And for God's sake, the marlins hitting coach was fired a few weeks ago – the same guy who helped Uggla hit in the .260's – can we at least hire the guy for Uggla?
And yes, looking at Parrish's career numbers should indicate that he was a TERRIBLE HIRE. Wren, you're amazing…for every smart move you seem to make (Rentaria for Jurrjens) you ruin it with some asinine move like hiring Parrish – and then not canning him when he is clearly the problem with this team!!!!! ARGGGGGG.
June 27th, 2011
2:30 pm
seems to me, good hitting begins with manager. too many braves with sub-par averages swing on the first pitch. and mostly the opposing managers seem to know this; so the first pitch may be a fast ball, but the location is not leading to many hits.
does anyone worry about over-using the two young relievers except an old braves fan living in south florida? the young marlin pitchers are not doing well. was it Freddi over-use last year? venters' game yesterday seemed like over-use. frank huff
June 27th, 2011
2:39 pm
Hey i washed my buddy cars for him sometimes and we talk Braves baseball all the time, he's retired now but this guy the Braves needs to bring back as an consultant just for these occassion.His name is CJ.
June 27th, 2011
3:55 pm
I once listened to an interview with TP discussing the hitting woes of Andrew Jones. TP said: Andrew I want you to go to other way when a pitcher throws to the outside of the plate, and not pull the ball. This is what you are doing wrong. Andrew acknowledged that he knew, this is what he should be doing. TP then said "Then why are you not doing it, because if you did it would make my job a lot easier". Looks as if TP was doing a little more than what Freddi stated was required of a hitting coach. Could be Larry Parish is doing no more than what Freddi has described as required for a hitting coach. All this translates into fire LP, bring back TP, and if players don;t react to directives given by coachs then do the same thing with them they did to Andrew. Bench him when he underperforms, and if he refuses then trade him or release him. I know this is not an option with DU but it could help with a lot of the other players.
June 27th, 2011
4:46 pm
Come on….not another "Fire the hitting coach" conversation. Didn't we say the same thing with Pendleton. Maybe it's not the hitting coach…..maybe the Braves just can't hit! Prado, McCann, Freeman are doing fine. Chipper is old and aching. McClouth was a flash in the pan in Pitt, Uggla is a lifetime .250 hitter…not to suprising he's gotten into a slump and can't get out, and his power numbers aren't that far off from previous years. Alex Gonzales is hitting about the same he always has. Heyward's swing isn't the problem…pitch selection is….takes to many good ones.
June 27th, 2011
5:29 pm
remember how most of you wanted Pendleton fired, well he was moved, so you got your wish, and now look we are worst than before, so please, no more fire this or fire that, BTW, Braves never fire coaches in mid-season, thats just not their organizational style, so he will be there for end of the year, but i gotta say, i agree with Freddie, at the major league level, hitting coaches do not actually teach you to hit, thats on the hitter who has made it through the levels, all coaches do is make suggestions and give tips, its up to each player to listedn and improvise or not, you can force the hitter to do anything, but you can demote him and send him back down up to the first five years!
June 27th, 2011
7:18 pm
I think we should hire Brad McCann as our hitting coach.
June 27th, 2011
9:56 pm
From Houston, I have been a Braves fan 45 years, never seen a poorer example of a hitting coach than now. My name is first on the petition to bring back TP.
June 28th, 2011
10:50 pm
The scary thing is, the Barves hold the WC spot at the moment.. imagine if they get there offence up and running, they will own the NL… I reckon Parrish needs to go, or at least bring in another for assistance.
July 4th, 2011
12:53 pm
fans. esclaro no hay ayuda d bateo pero el equipo seria bueno batista, reles protocor y libranic,chiper a oprerarse. y ayuda relevo confiable. sino fuera wren no aprendio nada d js
May 8th, 2014
3:23 pm
The good ol' boy Braves system,like MOST good ol' boy groups,excludes us blacks.(See:Terry Pendleton,the most obvious example of the Braves' Bubbadom.The 1991 N.L. MVP-though OF COURSE,Barry Bonds should have won it for the fourth straight year,and for years Bobby Cox's
(from Tulsa,Okla.,another 'neck)third base,then bench coach,Pendleton is shunted aside for Fredi
Gonzalez as Cox's bench boss replacement,and I believe has one of baseball's historic "black jobs"-first base coach.Hmmmm….And MLB wonders why just 8.2% of its players are African American?
Hey,Buddy boy:How 'bout mixing in some black managers (of whom three are African American) and GMs-ONE OF THIRTY-Miami's Michael Hill-is black?


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What's Up with Men and Lingerie?
Lingerie: Why spend money on something that will just get taken off? Inquiring moms want to know!
momlogic's jenny: Long, long ago, there once lived a young, reasonably fit, and energetic woman named Jenny who lived in a magical kingdom called Los Angeles. When she first met a man (that would one day become her husband), she went out of her way to wear sexy undergarments. She even bought naughty lingerie "just because." The man appreciated Jenny's gesture, and gladly reciprocated by buying her (the tightest, most uncomfortable) lingerie to wear on special occasions like Valentine's Day, anniversaries, Fridays ...
Then they got married.
Then they had a baby.
Then she went back to work.
Then she became tired.
Then she stopped shaving her legs.
Now she wears sweats and falls asleep on the couch with her mouth open.
The End.
Does this happily-ever-after story sound familiar to you? Do you want it to be like the "good ol' days"?? You want to feel and look sexy in and out of the bedroom. You want to please your man and feel like his very own Victoria Secret's model, but the truth is you're happy wearing his old boxers and a tee. Plus, in this recession, what's the point of spending money on some see-through, lacy get-up when you could easily be naked -- FOR FREE?!
Well, according to Charles Orlando, author of The Problem With Women... is Men, the reasons men love lingerie so much range from primal to romantic.
Charles says: First, please allow me a disclaimer: I cannot speak for all men. I can offer a combination of my opinions and experiences, as well as my impressions of the opinions of other men I've spoken with ... but that's all.
Bras and G-strings, teddies and baby dolls, negligees, corsets and bustiers, and role-play clothing (nurses outfits and the like) ... the word "lingerie" can take on many meanings. From sexy to risque to kinky -- it is completely based on the wants/needs of the couple. So what is it about leather and/or lace that moves the proverbial meter for men?
When it comes to men, the reasons range from primal to romantic. For some, feeling like she did something especially for him can be flattering ... and lingerie offers him a glimpse (and only a teasing glimpse) of the woman he loves as only he sees her. And with all that daily life brings us, it can be hard to keep that sense of "newness" and romance ... and something sexy can be a welcome addition to the bedroom.
But it's not just men who get a positive charge out of lingerie. As I've mentioned in my book The Problem with Women... is Men, women are women first, and wives/mothers/girlfriends second ... and they want to keep their femininity up-front-and-center ... not as an afterthought. Some women wear something sexy under their everyday clothes to feel sexy throughout the day. Some mentioned to me that it not only gives them more confidence, they feel more empowered. And wearing something sensual and revealing for an evening between the sheets can add to anticipation, and eliminate humdrumish feelings of work/kids/house/finances/etc.
Keep in mind, though, that lingerie is an extension of a couple's sensuality and sex life. If he comes home with a gift you're not into (barbed wire, anyone?), you might need to guide things a little. A suggestion might be to go shopping for lingerie together. If you both end up in the dressing room together -- trying things on and taking them off -- beware of salespeople and mall cops, as they may not be forgiving if you are found in "flagrante delicto." But taking him shopping with you kills two birds with one stone: anticipation will be at a high for that evening, and he'll know that the crotchless panties he thinks are perfect might not be your speed.
Point taken, Charles. I think this Valentine's Day, I WILL spice things up. Besides, who says I can't wear the crotchless panties under my sweats?
|Charles Orlando is the author of The Problem with Women is Men: The Evolution of a Man's Man to a Man of Higher Consciousness. When he's not cooking his wife breakfast in bed or playing Guitar Hero: World Tour on the Wii with his kids, he can be found blogging at theproblemwithwomenismen.com
A man can not get excited in a meaningful manner if he sees his wife in sweats, sexy nightware allows or excitement and pleasure before anything even happens
I love lingerie! Although if my husband ever bought me some I'm sure it would be crotchless panties and cutout bras. So not my thing!!
I was bought the most wonderful set of lingerie, suitable I feel for Kylie M., the thought counts but the fantasy doesn't fit!
As I said in my tweet, it is the same logic that women have when they spend all kinds of time, effort, and money on fancy wrapping paper and bows for a present when it will just get torn off and THROWN AWAY!
The thing for me is my wife is sexy. I see her that way when she gets needlessly dressed up to go to the grocery store, when she has fallen asleep nursing the baby (which I have pics and videos of, BWAHAHA!) or when she hasn't shaved since what seems the mid 90's.
It's HER perception of her own self looking sexy that leads us to get her lingerie or whatever else she likes. It could be from Wal-Mart or Frederek's of Hollywood, there's no sure fire formula.
I should write a book called 'The Problem with Women is… Their Own Self Trying to Look and Act Like What They THINK Men Like'. :-P
I 100% agree that marc should write that book as that is what's wrong with us I'm actually admiting that is wrong with me. You also need to add that we try to compete with what other women "say" they have/do. : )
My husband did the smart thing and gave me a note and the $$ to buy whatever made me feel sexiest that we could both enjoy. Just another reason we're still together after 20 years and 2 kids!
I think men buy what they want. That is selfish
I used to buy lingerie all the time. That was before I had the baby. Now I'm trying to get off the extra 30+ lbs so i can be healthy and trim again. And so I can fit into my old "naughties". My husband never bought me the stuff, for starters, he doesn't know my size, and he wants me to be comfy in what I wear. It's foreplay for both of us and we both take pleasure in it. It's all in how you see it.
This "happily ever after" story sounds very familiar! I also don't understand why men want women to spend all this money on expensive, uncomftorable lingerie when the ultimate goal is to get you naked, which you can do for free! However, men will be men, and if it makes them feel loved or puts a smile on their face, everyonce in awhile women should deal with the uncomfortability and put a smile on their husbands face.


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|God Is Sovereign
Elisabeth Elliot: We have to learn to carry within our hearts unanswered questions. But it all comes down to trusting God. Do you really think God knows what He is doing?
Lisa Barry: We don't like unanswered questions, do we? When a marriage fails, we want to know why. When a child dies, we want answers. It's this very thing that keeps scoffers scoffing. Remember the jeers that came from the crowd when Jesus was on the cross? They said, "If You really are the powerful Son of God, then come down off the cross. Prove Yourself." Isn't that what mockers are saying to us today? "If your God is so great, why does He allow suffering? Why do the guilty go unpunished?" Answers. They want answers.
Today on Gateway To Joy, Elisabeth Elliot talks about God's sovereignty and why we can trust Him, even when we don't understand His ways. Here's Elisabeth.
Elisabeth Elliot: "You are loved with an everlasting love." That's what the Bible says. "And underneath are the everlasting arms." This is your friend Elisabeth Elliot, talking again today about "He's got the whole world in His hands."
Yesterday I gave you some Scripture verses which support that view, certainly not my opinion but what the Bible says. Psalm 40:5 says, "Thy wonderful purposes are all for our good."
When that terrible bombing took place in Oklahoma City, did God know it was going to happen? Yes. Could God have prevented it? Yes. Did God prevent it? No. Has He still got the whole world in His hands? Yes. Are we faced with unfathomable mysteries? Of course we are. We are human. We are finite. Our vision is extremely limited. God knows exactly what He is going to do with this sin-cursed world.
Did God know before He created Adam and Eve that they would sin against Him and bring into the world death and destruction and sin? Of course God knew that. He is omniscient, which means He knows everything.
Do we know why He permitted the bombing in Oklahoma City? No. But let's remember, it's not all mystery. God does reveal Himself, as we've said, not only by His Word, but by His works, whether they're done solely by His hand or by the hand of man.
I read you a verse yesterday from Acts 4:28. "They did [speaking of Herod and Pontus Pilate] what Your power and will had decided beforehand should happen." Does this mean that Herod and Pontus Pilate could not help doing what they did? No. God created man with the freedom to choose, knowing full well that man would often choose wrong.
We have to learn to carry within our hearts unanswered questions. But it all comes down to trusting God. Do you really think God knows what He is doing? I don't have any question about it. Would I bother to be on the radio as I am, trying to help you to learn to trust and obey, if I had the slightest inkling that maybe it wasn't true, that maybe God is not on the throne, maybe He can't control the world? No. I have absolutely no question that He has got the whole world in His hands. He's got you and me, brothers, in His hands. He's got the tiny little babies in His hands. He's never taken by surprise.
So there's another verse in Acts. It's Acts 2:23, a little bit like the one in chapter 4. It says here, "This man [speaking of Jesus Christ] was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross." He was handed over by God's set purpose and foreknowledge. God knew all along what was going to happen. He knew before He created man that it would be He Himself who would have to bleed to death on a cross because of that man's sins, because of your sins and my sins.
"You, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to a cross. But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him." It was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him. We have a miracle-working God.
As the hymn says, "God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm. Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan His work in vain. God is His own interpreter and He will make it plain."
So we learn through what happens to us the sacraments of His will-the visible events and signs, which speak to us of invisible and unfathomable realities.
After the bombing had taken place in Oklahoma City, the BOSTON HERALD sent three reporters there. Did you hear this story? All became Christians as they witnessed Christians' response, because these reporters had fanned out and gone into several different churches where Christians were singing hymns and praying, in spite of the terrible disaster that had taken place. So these reporters learned something that they certainly were not expecting to learn when they were sent there as newspaper reporters.
Was God at work in the salvation of those three men? Of course. Could God have saved them some other way? Well, we don't really know the answers to things like that, do we? We would say, "Yes, of course He could have, because He can do anything He wants to do." But we're not really dealing with mysteries as we should, recognizing that we don't have the answers.
Nothing is meaningless. Nothing is for nothing. Everything is designed, assigned, apportioned, allotted, ordained and/or permitted for our learning. If it hadn't been for the bombing, those three reporters would not have had the opportunity they had to become Christians.
So here is a prayer that someone else wrote: "Teach me to maintain a perpetual contentment under Thy allotments." We need to stand in the counsel of the Lord. In other words, be quiet before Him. Recognize, no matter what is happening, that God does know what He is doing. He has got the whole world in His hands. He will sustain and bless us. God will take care of us.
Another reference from Jeremiah 23: "This is what the Lord Almighty says concerning the prophets: 'I will make them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, because from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.' This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you. They fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They keep saying to those who despise Me, "The Lord says you will have peace." And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts, they say, "No harm will come to you." But which of them has stood in the counsel of the Lord, to see or to hear His word? Who has listened and heard His word?'"
It's my prayer today that we may learn what it means to stand in the counsel of the Lord, to wait quietly before Him, carrying within ourselves the unanswered questions, the unpacable mysteries, the things that completely baffle us and shut our mouths and bring us before God on our faces. Our personal history-is it full of obstacles to achievement, hindrances, frustrations of the real purpose? No. All of it is a help and preparation for God's work in each one of us. His work-that we might become for His glory, broken bread and poured out wine.
I hope that many of my listeners have read the beautiful book by Glenda Revell entitled GLENDA'S STORY. The subtitle is LED BY GRACE. Glenda's mother was a prostitute. Not a very fortuitous way of being raised, but God in His wonderful grace and mercy saved Glenda. Glenda and her husband David have a beautiful family. They live in Virginia. She has written this lovely testimony.
All the way through her life, which was a terribly sad, difficult one as a child, she looks back and realizes that she was led by grace. If anyone's personal history was ever full of obstacles, hindrances, frustrations, it was Glenda Revell's. But all of it was help and preparation in God's mysterious way for God's mysterious work.
If it hadn't been for what she went through, we wouldn't have that beautiful book-that testimony to the absolute faithfulness of God to a little child, even when she was the only child who went by herself to church every single Sunday, sitting on the front steps until they opened the doors, sitting by herself on the front pew. No one asked her who she was or why she came. But she knew that she could meet God there.
A child in the school she went to told her that church means God's house. So she thought, "I want to be in God's house." Read the book. A lovely story of the sovereignty of God.
Lisa Barry: And I will concur. It is great reading. I remember the first time I heard about Glenda's life. I was in sheer amazement that she even survived such a life, not to mention holding onto hope in a way that she did. The statistics were certainly not in her favor, but that's where the sovereignty of God comes in. Odds, statistics and probabilities are no hindrances to God if a child seeks Him out.
Whether you need a little encouraging yourself or someone you know does, this would be a great story to do just that. If you'd like to purchase a copy for yourself, the title to ask for is GLENDA'S STORY. The cost is $11. That includes shipping and handling. We also have GLENDA'S STORY available on tape. If you'd like to purchase that, you can call our toll-free number for more information.
Here it is: 1-800-759-4JOY. That's 1-800-759-4569. Or you can write to us at Gateway To Joy, Box 82500, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68501. Our Internet ministry address is gatewaytojoy.org. Gateway To Joy has been a production of Back to the Bible.
Well, are you going through a trial right now that seems useless and painful? Tomorrow Elisabeth reminds us that suffering is not for nothing and is never wasted. Find out more the next time we meet for Gateway To Joy.


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Shame: Secret Ally of Illness
Experts tell WebMD how shame can have an impact on health.
By Daniel DeNoon
Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario
Think positive. Eat good foods. Be healthy. It's good advice. Sadly, it has a dark side.
"You can be healthy!" shout the covers of magazines and health books. The promise is that all it takes for good health is good exercise, good diet, and good hygiene.
But what does it mean if we aren't like those good people on the covers of health magazines? What if we aren't slim or young or fit? What if we're at risk of illness -- or actually ill?
We all have an ideal self we feel we should live up to, says psychologist Lawrence Josephs, PhD, a professor at Adelphi University. And we feel ashamed when we don't live up to this ideal.
"Everybody believes they should be healthy and fit and youthful and live to a ripe old age," Josephs tells WebMD. "But people do get weak and vulnerable and depend on others and need help. So that ideal of being a strong, healthy person who can do everything on their own, that is shattered. And people get shamed and don't want to admit they are ill."
Shame: A Major Health Issue
In the experience of shame, one's whole being seems diminished or lessened. The expression of shame is not just the desire to hide, or to hide my face, but the desire to disappear, not to be there. It is not even the wish, as people say, to sink through the floor, but rather the wish that the space occupied by me should be instantaneously empty. -- Bernard Williams, British philosopher
The effects of shame and stigma can be devastating to a person's health, experts tell WebMD. They're seen not only in people with life-altering medical problems but also in relatively healthy people with risk factors (such as a family history of cancer) for future illness.
Examples include:
Duke University researcher Laura Smart Richman, PhD, studies emotional influences on health.
"Shame is one reason why people don't seek care," Richman tells WebMD. "There tends to be this perspective that people should have a lot of control over their health -- even with an illness like cancer. We're told, 'You should think positive, you should eat the right foods.' So when people aren't healthy there is self-blame and the perception of societal blame."
Taking personal responsibility for one's life is a good thing. We all want to be independent and in control of our lives. But illness isn't something we fully control. That can be scary -- and shaming.
"People want to think, 'I am in control,' so if you have alcoholism, addiction, eating disorders, incontinence, whatever, there is shame in lack of self-control," Josephs says. "Shame can be dangerous if it keeps you from seeking help for anything serious. It is very upsetting to have a heart attack scare or a cancer scare. It is tempting to deny it -- because that is a big assault on our self-image."
This isn't merely a matter of vanity, or even of being a control freak. Shame is hardwired into our mental makeup, says psychiatrist Michelle E. Friedman, MD, director of pastoral counseling at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah rabbinical seminary and assistant clinical professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York.
"This is an issue and a struggle for every ill person," Friedman tells WebMD. "Shame comes from an ancient, primitive way of thinking. It is really powerful."
We feel guilty for what we do. We feel shame for what we are. A person feels guilt because he did something wrong. A person feels shame because he is something wrong. We may feel guilty because we lied to our mother. We may feel shame because we are not the person our mother wanted us to be. -- Lewis B. Smedes, U.S. psychologist
Why is shame such a problem? It has to do with the nature of this mixed emotion. Like its sister emotion, guilt, shame is what psychologists call a negative emotion.
Negative emotions such as sadness, anger, and fear -- alone or in any of their many combinations -- aren't bad in and of themselves. It's how we handle them that makes them harmful. In this regard, shame is particularly tricky. It strikes at the core of our being, says psychologist June Tangney, PhD, a professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Tangney is co-author of the book Shame and Guilt.