text: Watch a video Watch a video review from one of our experts (iPhone not included) (iPhone not included) Back with solar panel extended Back, with solar panel closed Side view, with solar panel open Photos (5) Video View larger Etón Soulra XL Solar-powered speaker system for iPod® and iPhone® Item #: 710SOULRXL 6 Reviews This item is no longer available. Original Price: $299.99 Shop all Portable Speakers Need help? 1.888.955.6000 Email Chat Ask an expert advisor No pressure, no commission — just lots of good advice from our highly trained staff. Overview Reviews Details Articles & Videos by Ralph Graves Want a great (and green) way to bring your iPod's music to the great outdoors? Then check out the Etón Soulra XL solar-powered iPod/iPhone speaker system. It features a large, 72 square-inch solar panel to provide power. And while the Soulra XL is soaking up the sun, don't worry about the LCD display getting washed out. The recessed iPod dock has an anti-glare screen so you can easily see what's on your player, even in full sunlight. Fast charging, long playback The efficient Soulra XL can completely recharge its built-in battery in as little as five hours, depending on sunlight. It can also fully charge your docked iPod or iPhone in as little as four. And if it's rainy or dark, no problem the included power adapter lets you charge the Soulra XL indoors, too. How much music playback can you expect? The system can deliver up to five hours on a full battery charge. Great portable sound The Soulra XL doesn't skimp on sound quality. Two woofers handle the mids and bass, while two tweeters produce clear highs. Four passive drivers help reinforce the low tones, giving your music a nice, full-bodied sound. Made for travel The Soulra XL was designed for convenient portability. The solar panel flips down, facing outward on the back so it can keep charging. There's a built-in storage compartment for the remote. And the removable carrying strap is gel-cushioned so you can comfortably carry the system for a good distance. Rubberized end caps minimize the minor bumps most portables experience. From the review The Etón Soulra XL Excellent in the Sun I'd consider the Soulra XL a must-have for outdoor recreation. I enjoyed it while I worked in the yard, and relaxing in the shade. Keeping a portable system powered with four or more "C" or "D" cell batteries can be an expensive proposition after a while. Keeping my tunes going with the same sun that made it such a glorious day seemed to be an elegant solution to me. - Ralph G., Crutchfield blog editor and writer Product Highlights:for docking iPods and iPhonescompatible with iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS2 tweeters, 2 woofers and 4 passive radiators for stronger bassselectable bass boostflip-up solar panel operates in full sunlight and cloudy conditions22 watts total powerrugged, splash-proof rubberized designstrong, lightweight aluminum framebuilt-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery packup to 5 hours operation with fully charged battery5 hours recharge time with flip-up solar panel and direct sunlight5 hours recharge time for iPod/iPhoneautomatically charges docked player even in battery moderemovable gel-cushioned carrying strapremoteweight: 7 lbs.14-5/16"W x 8-1/4"H x 5-5/16"Dwarranty: 1 yearOur 60-day money-back guarantee Etón Soulra XL Reviews Average Customer Review: 6 reviews Review this product Submit a review and then enter to win a $350 rewards card Filter by rating: 5 Star: (0) 4 Star: (0) 3 Star: (0) 2 Star: (0) 1 Star: (0) Review this product: Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences about this product. Please be sure to focus your comments on the product itself. Read our Review Guidelines for more information. Review title * Email Your email won't be visible. Please use the email address that is associated with your order. Display name (e.g., JohnD) Your review will be signed using the display name and location * Your location (e.g., Charlottesville, VA) * Your rating Click on a star to rate the overall product on a scale of 1-5 1500 characters left * Your review Attach a YouTube Review Crutchfield Video Review Guidelines Only submit videos that you made or are authorized to use. Do not submit videos that contain music, video or visuals that are copyrighted and belong to someone else. Please see our Review Guidelines for more information. Enter the URL of your YouTube™ video review or product demonstration. e.g., "http://www.youtube.com/v/o79TWHh598U" 500 characters left Pros 500 characters left Cons * Agree to Terms By checking this box you agree your review becomes the property of Crutchfield, that you are over 18 years of age, that you own or have owned this product, and that you are located within the United States or its territories. Please see our Review Guidelines for more information. We reserve the right (but are not obligated to) review all submissions and edit or remove any review in any manner which we deem necessary. Your review should be posted within seven days. Good package Written By pm, Houston, TX on Thursday, June 06, 2013 Good sound and interesting concept. Very substantial build and easy to carry w or w/o strap. Difficult to dock iPod if in a case; recommend an Apple extension cord if so. Buttons don't let you know status. Manual a bit skimpy. Works wonderfully on the patio; don't know if I'd submit it to sand.Had to return one to Eton when the charge light wouldn't go off and temporary malfunction ensued. It cleared up but Eton insisted I return it for a new one. Not bad. Pros: Clear sound especially with bass boost. Charging boost from solar panel works well. Fairly easy to carry. intriguing appearance often makes it a conversation piece. Remote control is quite good. Excellent customer service from Eton. Cons: People think it's a heater. Manual is unclear. Hard to dock iPod if in a case. Could use status lights for buttons. Was this review helpful? Yes No Etón Soulra XL Written By Lynne, Savannah, GA on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?) fabulous product!! We took it to the beach for the day and everyone loved it!! Was this review helpful? Yes No Cool idea, great sound. Written By P_W_12, Chicago on Monday, May 14, 2012 I was in the market for a portable speaker system and was considering the Dr. Dre Portable before listening to this one! I cost me half as much, has GREAT sound which provides very nice bass and mid range. The thing that drew me to the product was the solar panel because I primarily was going to use it outside. You can charge it up in your house for a few hours and then bring it outside to continue charging while you use it. I also love that you can charge your iPhone/iPod on it. Overall I am extremely happy with the product so far; its very easy to carry around with you, provides great sound, and is very "green". Pros: Solar Powered, Sound, Portability, iPhone/iPod Charging, Price. Cons: Can't control iPhone/iPod when charging is turned off. 3 out of 3 people found this helpful Was this review helpful? Yes No Better than Sony portable!!!! Written By Zach F, Philadelphia, PA on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?) I've own the Soulra XL for a few weeks now and have used it daily. It's a nicely made system with a good sound volume. The quality of the music played out of the speakers is better than expected. I compared the Soulra XL to the Sony portable (RDP-XF100iP). The Sony was a lot louder, so if you want pure noise, then go with the sony. Although not as loud, the Soulra XL has a total of 8 speakers that carry the music, even when played outside. The quality of the sound is also better than the Sony. Pros: Awesome sound Battery longevity, lasts longer than 5 hrs (especially with the solar panel) Bass is great and the bass boost actually works unlike the sony presets Cons: Not the loudest Sound distorts at higher volumes (Sony also distorts at high volumes) I also compared this system to the Bose, but I don't like Bose's sound system. 7 out of 8 people found this helpful Was this review helpful? Yes No great! Written By Vicki, Waukesha, WI on Monday, August 15, 2011 Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?) Bought as a birthday present for my music loving hubby. He spends lots of time outside and while he has his ipod and head phones, it's nice for all of us to be able to listen. We've taken it camping, to a pool party and out to the veggie garden to do some weeding. No problems at all. 6 out of 6 people found this helpful Was this review helpful? Yes No Etón Soulra XL Written By Mike L., Landisville PA on Sunday, July 31, 2011 Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?) Great sound for the price . Love the built in battery feature. All the lights can be confusing, and the owners' manual doesn't fully explain them, Well worth the price. 4 out of 5 people found this helpful Was this review helpful? Yes No Hands-on research What's in the box? | In-depth notes What's in the box? Download owner's manual Solar powered speaker dock (for iPod/iPhone) AC power supply (with attached 6' DC cord) IR remote control (with installled CR2032 lithium battery) Removable strap User Manual (Eng/Fre) Quick Guide (Eng/Fre/Spa) Limted Warranty/Product Registration (USA/Canada) Product Research Features Overview: The Eton Soulra XL is a solar-powered speaker system with an integrated iPod/iPhone dock and auxiliary input. It also includes an IR wireless remote control. The Soulra XL is powered from an integrated rechargeable Li-ion battery, charged by a built-in solar panel or the included AC adapter. 22-Watt/8-Speaker System: The Eton Soulra XL is equipped with 8 full-range drivers (2 tweeters/2 woofers/4 passive radiators) powered by a built-in 22W amplifier for stereo sound. It also offers a bass boost function for added bass response. iPod/iPhone Dock: The Eton Soulra XL features an integrated, swivel-hinged iPod/iPhone dock to connect select Apple iPods & iPhones. Once your iPod or iPhone is docked, there is anti-glare tinted plastic cover which protects your iPod/iPhone from the elements. The Eton Soulra XL offers audio playback, basic playback control (Play/Pause, FF/RW, Previous/Next), and charging of your iPod or iPhone. You can still control all the advanced music navigation functions from your iPod/iPhones clickwheel or touchscreen. This unit does not feature an LCD display and does not support text display of your iPod/iPhone. You will continue to use your iPod/iPhone to view song information. The unit is "Made for iPod/iPhone" compatible and supports the following iPod/iPhone functions (as of August 2011). iPod/iPhone Model Generation Media Type Control Type Display Type Charge Audio Video Remote iPod/iPhone Song/Artist Text Track Info dock connector 3rd N N N N N N N clickwheel color 4th N N N N N N N mini 1st N N N N N N N 2nd N N N N N N N video 5th Y N Y Y N N Y classic 80GB Y N Y Y N N Y 120GB Y N Y Y N N Y 160GB Y N Y Y N N Y nano 1st Y N Y Y N N Y 2nd Y N Y Y N N Y 3rd Y N Y Y N N Y 4th Y N Y Y N N Y 5th Y N Y Y N N Y 6th Y N Y Y N N Y touch 1st Y N Y Y N N Y 2nd Y N Y Y N N Y 3rd Y N Y Y N N Y 4th Y N Y Y N N Y iPhone 2G Y N Y Y N N Y 3G Y N Y Y N N Y 3GS Y N Y Y N N Y 4 Y N Y Y N N Y Note: Apple iPod/iPhone software updates may change functionality results. If you download a newer software version, you may need to reset the device and your iPod/iPhone to regain functionality. If this doesn't work, you may need to revert to the older software version or wait until an newer software update is available. Auxiliary Input: The Eton Soulra XL is equipped with a side-panel 3.5mm auxiliary input jack for connecting a portable audio device, such as your MP3 player or CD player. Remote Control: The Eton Soulra XL come with an IR remote control for wireless operation of the unit and docked iPod/iPhone. The remote uses a single CR2032 3V lithium-cell battery. There is a convenient remote control storage compartment located on the back of the unit. Convenient Portability: The Eton Soulra XL features an integrated carry handle and a removable gel-cushioned carrying shoulder strap for convenient portability. Solar Panel: The Eton Soulra XL features an integrated high-efficiency monocrystal solar cell panel with commercial grade lamination technology to recharge the unit's built-in lithium-ion battery. The solar panel measures 72 square inches and enables up to 5 hours of recharge time in direct sunlight. Power Requirements: The Eton Soulra XL operates off of the integrated rechargeable lithium-ion battery (200maH, 7.4V) or AC power. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 5 hours of audio playback at mid-volume levels. The unit's rechargeable battery can be charged using the supplied AC adapter or charged from the unit's integrated solar panel. Our Product Research Team At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team. They verify what's in the box, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices. Sorry, the Etón Soulra XL is no longer available. Looking for a similar item? Shop all Headphones & Wireless Audio Or, you can still... 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Mazda Repair in York
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|Topic Review (Newest First)
I think there's a short video on "You Tube" showing Barlowi with a mouthful of fry. I'll look around this weekend and see if I can find the link.
|I want to get some of the Barlowi if they are mouth-brooders. We have some Haps that are holding at Vancouver Aquarium where I work, and I always just stare into their mouths.
Chris is a good guy and his fish are awesome. You can see my trifasciata pics on apistogramma.com.
In your 55g, with the right rock/aqua scaping you can trying putting in a colony of borelli's (8-10 might work, if all of them are added at the same time, and there is no line of sight). I had 10 adult A.borelli in my 60 gallon, although that might be overkill for a first timer. Again, it will be nice if you can scape the bottom so that there are 3-4 'regions', then you can see some very interesting interactions.
good luck!
Can't get the Barlowi. They're all sold out. Shucks.
I picked the Barlowi because they're mouth brooders so the spawns should be smaller. I'd rather have a smaller number of fry to deal with. I've had so many BN fry at times I didn't know or have anywhere to put them! Chris said they're larger than the average dwarf cichlid but that's not a problem since they'll be the highlight of the tank.
Presumptious aren't I! I don't have them in the tank yet and I'm already planning on apisto fry.
I've been trolling the web and I think my next choice is the Borelli Opals. They'll basically share the 55g with some whiteclouds and a BN pleco. Wonder if I can squeezze in 2 trios or should I just go with one male and possibly 3 females. I don't know if they're pair or harem breeders.
Rod since you have experience with them. What do you think??
I'm a new member of aspistogramma.com and will probably buy my fish from Chris Moscarell. He's the one that had the Barlowi's for sale.
I'll try to post a picture of the tank this weekend. It, of course is a tank in transition.
Thanks Rod and Wuddy for your posts.
hey lnb
Apistos are the best !! But thats because I am biased . Here are some comments based on my experience.
1. Eco complete is great. I have it on all my tanks. I am not sure it brings out the best colors, but the fish like it.
2. The choice of species will depend on whether you want to breed them or not. Apistos come from soft acidic waters in SA, and some species will require really soft acidic water to breed (pH under 6, TDS < 70). Having said that, A.cacatuoides, A Borelli, A. Trifasciata are probably the easiest to breed in harder and more alkaline water. Your water parameters will dictate what species you can breed. Keeping most other apistos in pH > 7.0 is fine, you just wont get any fry .
3. Choice of species also depends on whether the apisto you keep are harem breeders or pair breeders. A.nijsseni for example may kill any excess females. Might be good to do your research on the breeding nature (polygamous or monogamous) before you pick your species.
3. Barlowi is a great apisto too. Getting them might be tough, I usually get mine from fellow hobbyists at forum.apistogramma.com
For getting more information from 'the real apisto freaks', go over to forum.apistogramma.com
Good luck!
|Rod Hay
I think most often A. borellii w/ red cheeks are called the "Opal" strain. You could try googling this for more available images. Although "Opal" most often have the blue body coloring w/ red cheeks. Not sure if just "Red Cheeks" may mean that the body coloring is different. I'd be sure to ask the seller.
I really like my A. borellii "Opal"s. I love fish w/ blue coloring, it just seems magical. Like finding true blue flowers in the garden - it's just rare. I think that's why neon and cardinal tetras remain so popular. A. borellii are a tamer, smaller species that could be stocked in higher densities.
My best experiences have been w/ Ryan @ Twofishguys: http://www.twofishguyz.com/comersus/...ersus_home.asp
He does have a higher shipping minimum on the website. However, sometimes he post fish on Aquabid and you can grab some real steals. His packing and shipping is excellent! I've ordered from Ryan three times and always been happy.
Also great quality, shipping and good prices from Chris Moscarell. You can find him over at the Apistogramma Forum: http://forum.apistogramma.com/showth...?t=7819&page=3
Definitely would/will not hesitate to order from Chris again.
Unfortunately, my own personal experience w/ Apisto Dave was quite poor. The packing left a lot to be desired. I did not get accurate m/f ratios or even all the correct species ordered. Now, I do know he is a icon in the fish world for his work w/ apistos and some of his fish are gorgeous. Yet, perhaps business-wise, sometimes a little careless?!?!? Unfortunately, if something is wrong w/ your order, you are the one responsible to repay any additional shipping charges. And shipping can be as much as - or more than - the cost of the fish. I was charged $70.00 to ship in just one box of just eight fish from Apisto dave! That was the first time and will be the only time.
Some additional tips on shipping fish.
I personally would never use Priority Mail in the winter or during heat waves in summertime. If you're willing to pay guaranteed overnight freight, and the shipper uses styro and a heatpack, winter is just fine.
Plan to be home all day, the day your fish should arrive. YOU - not your wife, mother, brother, sister, cousins, roommate. . . etc., etc. It is important to provide immediate care. If there is anything wrong w/ the fish it also must be reported immediately. Have your plan of action ready and in place. QT tank(s) up and running. I like to ask the seller beforehand what water parameters - KH, GH, pH, temps - the fish are being held/raised in. This is where having a QT tank really helps, because you can set your water close to this. Then gradually move closer to your regular water. Also you are not dumping a fish straight from shipping stress into the stress of a CO2 injected tank.
Drip acclimating fish shipped overnight - let alone two days - is a NO-NO. Slice the bag w/ scissors, pour out thru a net, immediately into the tank ready w/ clean, fresh H20. It's important to remove the fish from the dirty water A.S.A.P.
With even the best shipper you will probably have one or two losses. Expect this. With schooling fish, don't order six if you want six. Order eight or nine. Probably eight will live . . .and besides eight will look better than six anyway. If ordering pairs or trios. Well, on a trio it's most often the male that ends up dying and leaving you then w/ two girls. Ugh! With just a pair, it doesn't matter if the male or female dies, both ways you're now S.O.L. I've learned the hard way. If D.O.A., the supplier will send you another fish - but you will have to repay the shipping. It is often a lot cheaper to order an extra pair and give them away to a friend, or auction at fish club, then pay that shipping fee again. Its fun to be generous too!
But keep those extra fish for a few weeks before you let them go. Especially if you really want a particular species. Make sure your chosen pair(s) are out of QT; settled-in; disease free; happy with your H2O and their new digs; also pleased w/ each other. If you do want to breed, get your first successful spawn before giving up the extras. (Unless your buddy is better at this then you are.)
If you have my luck, the male/female you'll end up losing, will die a week to ten days later. Now you have to pay for another pair and the shipping fee. If you order two or three different species, the one male you loose WILL be the species you particularly want the most!!!!! Trust me on this.
One last point, when shipping Apistogrammas, keep a close eye out for fin rot on their fancy tails. I've had this happen on multiple occasions. Something about the shipping seems to bring this on. It's not a fungus but bacterial. And don't bother w/ those natural remedies - Pimafix or Melafix. Get some real drugs - E.M.: Erythromycin, works great and turns this around fast.
I'm not going to quote everyone in my reply but one must start somewhere. I wasn't looking for the definitive answer just input from people with experience keeping them. Everything is relative of course, that's a given.
I'm leaning to Apistogramma Barlowi F1. They're mouth brooders. Looks really interesting. They are said to like white sand bottoms with a fast current. I have Eco-complete, can't get more opposite than that! But, I do have a pretty good current with 2 Eheim 2217's. Just sent an email to the seller about the substrate issue. I'd feel really bad if I got the fish, and then find out they're totally miserable. If that's the case then I might go with the Borelli - Red Cheek, wish I could find a picture of one.
The water in NYC is pretty soft, usually around 6.8 - 7. A friend of mine suggested the Apisto's since my water supply is well suited for them. Why fight it, just use what you have.
Keep' um coming folks, would love to hear about your experiences keeping apistos!!
Thanks ..................
Apistos will probs eat your rcs, and the Embers should be fine. They'll act as dither fish probably.
Aquabid is good. Apisto Dave is good, and so is www.canadianaquatics.com- though I'm not sure if they ship to the states.
I got apisto Trifasciatus, they breed like rabbits.
though, I wouldnt have more than one species of apisto in one tank as far as number per species I dont think that matters much, just try to keep more female than males
Hola amigos,
I'm also interested in some apistos for my 60g tank. Where is a good place to look information and buy some online. How do they do in a community tank? With small Ember tetras and RCS shrimp?
Thanks guys!
|I should have mentioned this in my earlier post, but as the other posters have staed, I would stick to only one species per tank. The harem idea should still be alright, but you never know. If you were to do harems, place multiple flowerpots/caves all over so they do have choices, and I would only keep probs 2 males with however many femles.
I have had a 50 gallon (same footprint just a lil shorter) with a trio of Apisto. cacatouides and a pair of A. sp. Inka 50. The male A. cacatouides beat the hell out of the male and female Apisto. Inka. So if your going to to go with apistos, its best to stay with one species. If you really get into them you can start setting up a few other tanks to accomodate them.
As far as species goes....I would go with Apisto. cacatouides or Apisto. borelli. They can accept a wide array of water parameters and they are a very beautiful compatible fish.
|Rod Hay
Part of the reason it is hard to answer this question is because there is NOT one easy answer. It really can vary.
Sometimes it will vary between individual males how much they are willing to share the aquarium. If you want both females and males I would not try more than two males w/ respective females.
Then besides the individual temperament of the males, there is the whole question of where the females will decide to put their nests. For instance, my male Pelvicachromis taeniatus "Moliwe" wants the nest under the Java fern that's at the far end of the tank. He even dug it out better for her. But MAMA refuses and always wants the clay pot next to the driftwood that's just slightly right of dead center. This causes Papa to boastfully patrol the whole tank. If Papa doesn't do a good enough job patrolling he gets a few stern reminders from MAMA! Junior can't "set up shop" w/ his girl because Papa is always keeping him tightly in the corner. . . . and so the story goes! This is a dwarf that mostly spawns as a dedicated pair.
Among my harem spawning Apistogrammas I've had an expert male that successfully kept the females in their safe separate ends of the tanks. Then I've also had females that have chosen to spawn within inches of each other and resultant fry stealing and lip-locking brawls. I've also witnessed both a male and female together gang up on attacking an unwanted female. I've also had a rare case where a male has attacked the brooding female and assumed the parental role.
Although smaller, always remember, even the dwarfs are never the less cichlids! Think. . . could I/would I house two mating pairs of Angelfish in a 55 gallon? If the answer is no; then the safest, surest plan would be to only put one trio. If you're willing to assume some risk then you could try out two trios, as long as you take some extra care to create a very dynamic environment. Actually w/ a larger fish like the Angelfish it's a lot easier to see if problems are arising. I've had smaller dwarfs be injured and not immediately know because they hide so well in a densely planted tank.
Personally, I think keeping only one species would be better than mixing them. My own older male A. cacatuoides is all of 4" long w/ a very big mouth! If he's in a mood not a single one of my A. trifasciata or tank strain A. agassizii Double Red could stand up to him. (They are safely in their own tanks!) If you really like a larger group I'd select one of the smaller more congenial Apistogrammas. IE., A. borelli and also A. trifasciata.
One other point. What are your water parameters? If higher Kh & Gh, I'd recommend staying away from the A. agassizii. They've been one of the species to give me the most trouble.
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In Hot Fuzz, they find a giant weapon's cache at this old man's house. I remember him saying something about he found him. Do we have any idea where they came from? If not, was this supposed to be a nod and a wink at some type of trope?
Take the 2-minute tour ×
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It is meant as a satire of other action films where people simply seem to have access to special force style weapon caches.
The joke ("Found 'em") makes you think about where on earth all of these guns and a sea mine could possibly have come from and how the old man could have obtained them.


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Nb: infants must be under the age of 2 and
children must be under the age of 12 at the time of
The L'Orgentil is a cosy chalet that offers fantastic views of the valley from the sunny balcony which encircles the rear and sides of the building. The chalet boasts a charming, beamed open plan living and dining room with a comfortable seating area and an open fireplace. The chalet has recently had the entrance and kitchen area enlarged, with the downstairs being fully redecorated.
Chalet L'Orgentil - sleeps 8 (room numbers are shown in brackets): Ground floor: Open-plan living/dining area with balcony. Separate WC. From the living area, there is a fairly steep wooden staircase leading to the two rooms on the top floor. We suggest that these rooms are better suited to children over 10 years of age due to the design of the stairs.Lower ground: Double bedroom (1), twin bedroom (2) sharing a bathroom and separate WC. These rooms are light, bright and beautifully decorated and boast views across the valley. Top floor:2 twin bedrooms under the eaves (3&4) with a shared bathroom with WC. These rooms are full of character and decorated in a traditional design. Head room is restricted in places due to the eaves.
The chalet host will have a day off during the course of the week, during which you will be required to eat out.
• Hearty breakfast with one cooked option• Afternoon tea with home-made cakes • 3 course evening meal with house wine and coffee included (5 nights)• 4 course farewell feast (1 night)
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Although far from foolproof in deterring would-be migrants, border fencing remained a priority for many countries in 2008.
Tibetans have integrated into Asian and Western societies since 1959 with different types of outcomes. In Part II of our two-part series, Seonaigh MacPherson, Anne-Sophie Bentz, and Dawa Bhuti Ghoso examine integration experiences, the diaspora's political success, the gaps between those in Tibet and Tibetans abroad, and what lies ahead for the Tibetan diaspora.
Approximately 122,000 Tibetans, including those of Tibetan ancestry, live outside their homeland. Seonaigh MacPherson, Anne-Sophie Bentz, and Dawa Bhuti Ghoso provide an in-depth look at Tibetan history and Tibetans' migration to India and the West in this first of our two-part series on the Tibetan diaspora.
Along with increased trade and Chinese investment in Africa has come new migration between the two regions. Malia Politzer places this movement in context and looks at the types of Chinese migrants going to Africa and the Africans going to China.
Economic, social, and political conditions have pushed North Koreans to illegally leave their country and migrate to South Korea, China, Russia, and elsewhere. MPI's Hiroyuki Tanaka examines humanitarian and economic migration flows from North Korea, and the situation of North Koreans living abroad.
This report examines the diaspora entrepreneurs who are often motivated to contribute to job creation and economic growth in their native lands, and offers some key findings and policy options.
This report explores how nostalgia trade and heritage tourism can involve diaspora populations in transactions that ease the integration of their homeland economies, while helping maintain their ties to their countries of origin or ancestry.
This report analyzes the evolving role of diaspora philanthropy in countries of origin, and examines the emergence of nongovernmental development actors and new trends in global philanthropy, such as strategic giving and use of online platforms to harness small donations.
Nearly 1 million U.S. residents spend time volunteering abroad each year, including nearly 200,000 first- and second-generation immigrants. As skilled migration and the number of U.S. youth with ancestors in the developing world grow, this report shows the potential for diaspora service volunteers to assist with development in a number of countries.
A growing body of evidence suggests that diasporas play a critical role in supporting sustainable development by transferring resources, knowledge, and ideas back to their home countries, and in integrating their countries of origin into the global economy.
Breakfast briefing with T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Demetrios G. Papademetriou, and Kathleen Newland.
MPI report release with Dovelyn Rannveig Agunias, Luzviminda Padilla, Jeni Klugman, and Kathleen Newland, which examines the Philippines' large and sophisticated system of overseas labor deployment.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the third-largest destination for Filipino migrants, with private recruitment agencies in both countries managing the flow of 200,000 Filipino workers who head there annually. This report examines the recruiters' practices as well as their regulation by the Philippine and UAE governments, offering recommendations to strengthen the system of oversight.


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Source: GrapeSeed Spa at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
Grapeseed Spa earns a 95% approval rating from more than 1,000 Travelzoo members. Save more than 50% on a massage and pool day.
Through Jan. 10, 2016; Sunday-Thursday
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Members can indulge in a spa treatment at the AAA 4-Diamond Hilton San Diego Bayfront, then relax by the saltwater pool with ocean views.
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The coastal Encinitas spa garners an impressive 5-star Yelp rating and offers Travelzoo members treatments at more than 55% off.
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Mantra "The Art of Spa" at the Hilton San Diego is named one of the city's Top 10 Spa Hotels by Gayot. Get pampered with a facial or body scrub package.
Through Nov. 13, 2015; Sunday-Friday
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Place 360 Health + Spa offers a relaxing ambiance with a "zen-infused mix of services" (Riviera Magazine) located just blocks from the beach.
Through Nov. 30, 2015; Sunday-Friday
Source: Bellassima Sea Spa
Located a short walk from the oceanfront, this beach-themed boutique spa specializes in tranquil massages and corrective treatments to soothe skin.
Through Dec. 30, 2015; Tuesday-Saturday
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Located at "Temecula wine country's most luxurious resort" (Fodor's), GrapeSeed Spa invites Travelzoo members to indulge in a luxe spa day.
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Indulge in an 80-minute massage or facial with an add-on at Loews Coronado Bay Resort's Sea Spa, which Gayot named among the best spas in San Diego.
Through Nov. 25, 2015; days vary by voucher
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Visit Wat Po for a traditional Thai massage with add-ons at 50% off. Choose from their West LA and West Hollywood locations.
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Located just a few blocks from the beach, EnVus Salon & Day Spa offers a variety of massage and salon services at more than 45% off.
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From 5:00 p.m. on 2-4-2014 till 5:00 p.m. on 2-5-2014, Lafayette Troopers have worked 9 property damage crashes, 2 personal injury crashes, and 23 slide offs. They have assisted 15 motorists, for a total of 49 calls to service during the time period.
Interstates and their ramps through the Lafayette District are clear except for a few isolated slick spots. If you should or need to travel during poor or hazardous conditions, here are some points to consider before leaving for your destination:
1. Leave sooner and expect your travel time to be twice as long as normal
2. Drive slower
3. Increase the following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you by at least five times greater than normal
4. Approach intersections with great care; other drivers not paying attention will slide through red lights
5. Signal all lane changes and turning movements
The posted speed limit may be more than twice as fast as the reduced speed drivers should travel to reduce the possibility of a collision or loss of control that puts a vehicle into a retaining wall, ditch or another motorist. Indiana code 9-21-5-1 specifies "Speed shall be restricted as necessary to avoid colliding with a person, vehicle, or other conveyance on, near or entering a highway." Motorists losing control of their vehicle or who are involved in a crash resulting in a police report should expect to be cited for this offense, which carries a maximum fine of $500.
If you are involved in a crash, are uninjured and all vehicles are drivable, involved drivers should move to a safe place completely off the road, be it the next exit or to the parking lot of a business to await law enforcement response for a police report. It is important to remember crashes involving injury or lane blockage receive priority attention ahead of property damage crashes. So, keep in mind, it may be an extended period of time before law enforcement arrives. The reason and purpose for moving drivable vehicles off the road is to avoid secondary crashes of other inattentive motorists crashing into your scene or sideswiping you if you've only moved to the side of the road.
Something else to keep in mind, crash scenes with vehicles disabled in the roadway and state police presence may have the state police vehicle facing the wrong way with emergency lights and headlights on. This is to warn approaching motorists of impending danger.
Remember, Indiana's Move Over Law states motorists MUST change lanes away from the emergency or utility vehicle if they can do it SAFELY. If not possible to move away from the emergency vehicle, motorists must SLOW DOWN and proceed with caution. Please give us room to work. We are asking motorists to SLOW DOWN and/or MOVE OVER WHEN SAFE TO DO SO.
Vehicles included in the Move Over law are:
• Police vehicles
• Ambulances
• Fire trucks and rescue equipment
• Highway incident-response vehicles
• Highway work vehicles-including snow plows
• Vehicle recovery equipment (tow trucks)
The point of not calling police agencies for road information during snow emergencies cannot be over stressed. Calling police departments about road conditions may delay action on critical life emergency 911 calls. Road conditions are likely the same for the area you want to know about as it is looking out your front window. Citizens calling state police facilities to ask for road conditions will be directed to either call the Indiana Department of Transportation's Road and Weather automated system at 800-262-7623 or visit the INDOT traffic map at http://indot.carsprogram.org/main.jsf. The 800 phone service is voice activated and updated with timely road conditions across Indiana. The INDOT web link allows users to check on specific locations for current closures and other road information.
For Indiana County Travel Status Reports, visit this link: http://www.in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory
FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION FROM THE INDIANA STATE POLICE ON A WINTER STORM, visit our webpage http://www.in.gov/isp/3096.htm
For up to date Road and Weather Conditions, please call 1-800-261-7623, or visit INDOT's web site at TrafficWise.IN.gov. PLEASE DO NOT CALL your local City, County or State Police for road conditions.


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Puerto Limon Embassy Contacts and Tourist Office
Visa Agencies
Travel Visa Pro, San Francisco, USA. (866) 378-1722 or www.TravelVisaPro.com
Travel Visa Pro in UK: +44 (0) 20 3743 3155 or www.travelvisapro.co.uk.
Costa Rica Embassies
Embassy of Costa Rica, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 499 2991.
Embassy of Costa Rica, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7706 8844.
Embassy of Costa Rica, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 562 2855.
Honorary Consulate of Costa Rica, Johannesburg, South Africa: +27 (0)11 486 4716.
Foreign Embassies in Puerto Limon
United States Embassy, San Jose: +506 2519 2000.
British Embassy, San Jose: +506 2258 2025.
Canadian Embassy, San Jose (also responsible for Australia): +506 2242 4400.
South African Consulate-General, San Jose: +506 2222 1470
Puerto Limon Emergency Numbers
Emergencies: 911
Become our Puerto Limon Travel Expert
We are looking for contributors for our Puerto Limon travel guide. If you are a local, a regular traveller to Puerto Limon or a travel professional with time to contribute and answer occasional forum questions, please contact us.
iExplore designs made-to-order, privately-guided adventure tours to Costa Rica and over 200 other world wonders. Come Back Different!
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is one of the world's leading suppliers of small group adventures focused on getting off the beaten track and having real life experiences in Costa Rica.


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Baseball and Education: Our Future
"She was the only girl on her Canyon del Oro Little League baseball team and played second base. John Green said his daughter wanted to be the first woman to play major league baseball."
– Christina-Taylor Green's Obituary. Age 9, Victim in the Tucson Shootings.
I took off my Christina-Taylor Green "Hope" bracelet and placed it on my closet shelf. I was officially done with my three and half week trip through Spring Training. It was a long haul but I loved it. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to combine my three loves: education, baseball, and helping people.
Joe Neikro pulled me aside from the other women who were trying out for the Colorado Silver Bullets and told me he had seen enough and to expect a phone call in a few months. I can't find the words to describe the euphoria that I felt the night I received that phone call or the thrill of signing my first pro contract.
Before I got to the Bullets' camp, I was having some arm troubles, but I figured I could just work through it. It was a spring training game under the lights and I was called in to get us out of a jam. Men on 1st and 2nd, with no outs. On my first pitch the runner got caught stealing third; I then struck out the batter; And the next guy grounded out. No one scored. Inning over.
After the game, I was summoned by coaches Joe and Phil Neikro. Later, when I left the lockerroom, I saw my grandfather beaming at me. He said I was the best that pitched that night and that I was sure to make the team. I gave him a hug. But I had just been cut. And just like that – my pro baseball dream was over. And I didn't sleep for a month.
Getting "cut" can have serious ramifications. Twenty percent of elite athletes require considerable psychological adjustment upon their career termination (Lavallee, 2005). Helping athletes both prepare and cope with retirement can help lower career transition distress (Wippert & Wippert, 2010; Lavalle, 2005; Baillie & Danish, 1992).
Like many of the minor leaguers that I talked to during this spring training trip, I also left school early to pursue a professional baseball career. Then when I was released I went back to school. Through my education, I have had the amazing opportunities to chase other dreams – some I have caught – others I'm still running after – and there are ones I haven't even dreamt yet.
Sport in Society understands that an education can help players prepare and cope with retirement. Northeastern University has made it possible for professional baseball players, coaches, and umpires to chase their dreams while also preparing for their life journey.
In a discussion on the benefits of our program, I shared that, "a degree would likely make the players better husbands and fathers." And without hesitation, the Assistant GM replied back, "And it will also make them better players."
Better players
Better husbands
Better fathers
This is what baseball AND an education can do.
*For more information on Northeastern University's online degree program or Sport in Society, please send me a note and I'll get right back to you.
Baseball and Education: The Umps!
"Getting a big-league job is like hitting the lottery, that's how hard it is."
-Mike Estabrook, MLB Umpire
When we customized our online degree program for minor league players, I knew we had to offer this same program to the minor league umpires. This past week, I went to both Arizona and Florida to present to the Professional Baseball Umpire Corp. From the very beginning, PBUC Executive Director Justin Klemm, wanted to help his umpires get their college degree. And I'm glad because I am a big fan of both umpires and education.
Economist, Dr. J.C. Bradbury conducted a data analysis on umpire careers. He explained the challenge. "At low levels there are umpires covering games for over 200 teams, all vying for slots in the 30-team major league. Not only must you suffer through many years of low pay, but there exists the possibility that even if you excel and do everything right, there won't be a spot for you when you rise to the top" (sabernomics.com).
While minor league players and umpires have their similarities, there are also big differences. ESPN.com reporter, Jim Caple, compared the path of players and umpires, "A good player prospect can skip several minor league levels. Many do. But umpires cannot. They MUST ump at each minor league level, which generally means your looking at eight years to reach the majors. Caple summed up, "You can graduate from college and medical school in that time."
I was really impressed by the umpires that I spoke to. They are a very respectful and motivated group. One umpire shared that his interest in Northeastern was because he just liked learning. Half of the umpires I spoke to wanted to finish their college degree and the other half wanted to start a Master's. The College of Professional Studies provides both options.
Eight years in pursuit of a dream is a long time. But I believe, with all that I am, that dreams are worth pursuing. But as we follow our dreams, we can also prepare for our journey. Our customized online degree program allows umpires to pursue their baseball dreams and get their education.
And that really is the best of both worlds.
*For more information on Northeastern University's online degree program or Sport in Society, please send me a note and I'll get right back to you.
Baseball and Education: A's are Home
"The pleasure of rooting for Goliath is that you can expect to win. The pleasure of rooting for David is that, while you don't know what to expect, you stand at least a chance of being inspired."
― Michael Lewis, Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game
I always feel like I am coming home when I go to the Athletics' Spring Training site. My second batting practice outing was with the A's and I had a lot of fun. I was also at the A's complex several times when I attended MLSB Scout School. So, I was happy to be back and thankful for the chance to talk to their minor leaguers about earning their college degree at Northeastern University.
A mutual friend introduced me to A's General Manager, Billy Beane, at the 2010 Baseball Winter Meetings. Right then and there, I asked him if I could throw BP to his team. He looked at me, paused for about 5 seconds, and said yes. "Wow", I thought. "My dream is going to actually happen. Billie Beane believes in me."
When I present to teams, what I want the players to know most, is that I believe in them. I want them to know that I understand their baseball dreams. And that I am proof that dreams come true therefore I know their dreams can come true too.
But I also need them to know that they have more than just their baseball dream. Understanding that they are more than just baseball, is key to successful career transition and a confident and satisfying athlete identity.
I also believe in our program at Northeastern. We have really made it viable for pro athletes to compete AND get their degree. Everything is online; Including academic advising, tutoring, the library, and even the writing center. Our program is convenient, flexible, and affordable.
I think the A's are built on a foundation of believing. I think Billy Beane understands that the intangible qualities in us is often what makes us great. Of course, you still need the physical tools to be a successful player. But the first step is always to believe.
As I looked out at the young, A's minor leaguers, I told them I believed in them. That I believed in dreams. And that I also believed in an education. Whether they make it to the majors or are forced onto another path, they have a future. And with an education, that future provides a lot more options.
At the end of our presentation, over 40 players came up and asked for more information; It was our biggest response yet. I think it's because the A's believe too.
*For more information on Northeastern University's online degree program or Sport in Society, please send me a note and I'll get right back to you.
Baseball and Education: Padres Lead
Fact: Between 1962 to 2000, 66 percent of players who had an education package written into their contract used at least a portion of it.
Dressed for the field, with their glove in hand, players sat outside on picnic benches waiting for us to speak. Coaches were lined up in the back. I hoped that they could hear me. Not just my voice but also my message. Padres' Manager of Player Development and International Operations, Juan Lara, introduced us, and we began our presentation.
Before we presented to the team, we sat down with Juan, and discussed our customized online degree program. Juan had a ton of questions for us. I liked that because it meant he cared. Juan played baseball only until the 10th grade. He confessed, "I couldn't hit."
Sure, baseball has its well known, on-field heroes, but much of baseball is led by those who have never played professionally. These leaders love baseball, the people in it, and what the game stands for. Juan is one of these leaders. Each day, he supports the players and coaches, so they can be their best in baseball. But he also thinks of what they can be off the field too.
Major League Baseball has a scholarship program to help players pay for their education. The scholarship and its amount are negotiated at signing. Players then have 2 years after their release date to use their funds. Some players use their money and many do not. The Padres encourage players to take advantage of their scholarship and to finish their college degree.
After our presentation, about 30 players and coaches came up for more information. Juan was pleased. One player took my card and warned his friend, "I'm going to get my Master's and then take over the world." I smiled.
You never know what you can accomplish with an education.
*For more information on Northeastern University's online degree program or Sport in Society, please send me a note and I'll get right back to you.
Baseball and Education: Rays Dream
"No dreamer is ever too small. No dream is ever too big"
-Unknown Author
It was good to be back at the Rays' facility where I had thrown batting practice at last year's Spring Training. What a day that was! Having Johnny Damon introduce himself to me; Talking with Manny Ramirez at the water cooler; And having Don Zimmer turn into an old grandfather as he gushed over his granddaughter's recent softball achievements. The chance for me to come back and share what I was now doing with Sport in Society was very cool for me.
This time around, there were no press cameras covering my every pitch. Nor was Joe Maddon there, who had previously cracked my daughter up, trying to bribe her into becoming a Rays' fan with endless gifts of Rays' merchandise. In fact, without any hoopla at all, as representatives of Northeastern University, we slipped through the door of the Ray's minor league clubhouse and prepared to present.
Julio, a Latin American infielder, met us in the presentation room. He was happy to hear that Northeastern has many international online students, and that he could work on his degree from either his home country or the U.S. I found Julio's smile and excitement to be contagious and unforgettable. Turns out, he still needs his high school diploma. But undeterred, Julio is now making arrangements to get his GED so he can then pursue his college goal.
Maybe by going to the Rays' camp we helped inspire Julio to get his GED. Or maybe he would have done it anyway. Either way, Julio inspired me. He inspired me to keep pushing through and to keep sharing the gift of education.
At its root, my baseball journey has always been about helping people. I believe with all my heart that baseball can be used to help make the world better. For me, it has never been about meeting superstars, being in the news, or for a collection of free gear. For me, it has always been about the Julio's of the world – The players who love the game – Who fight as underdogs – And always dream big.
*For more information on Northeastern University's online degree program or Sport in Society, please send me a note and I'll get right back to you.
Baseball and Education: Red Sox Know
" Approximately one in 200, or .44 percent of high school seniors playing interscholastic baseball will eventually be drafted by an MLB team."
The night before we spoke to the Red Sox minor leaguers, Nate and I went to the Red Sox/Rays game at jetBlue Park. The stadium was packed and shaped like a miniature Fenway. While I ate my first hot dog of the season, Nate was chatting to a family of Northeastern alumni who by chance were seated right next to us. I looked at the young girl in front of me, chomping on her popcorn, and remembered how much I love going to a baseball game. And how much I enjoy the Dream.
Nate Thomas is a talented enrolment coach for Northeastern's College of Professional Studies. As we travel from team to team, he consults individually with players to show them how our program can work for them. He talks majors, classes, and transfer credit. I talk baseball and the importance of an education. We make a pretty good team.
The Red Sox made our presentation mandatory for all 2010 and 2011 draftees and optional for the rest. About 50 guys sat in the cafeteria, waiting for us to start and perhaps also waiting for us to end. After all, within the hour, they would all be on the field practicing what they do best and dreaming of what might come.
Prospective draftees are put in a precarious educational bind because of the way the MLB draft works. U.S. players are traditionally eligible to sign after they complete high school; anytime after entering junior college; or after three years (or turning 21) in a 4-year college/university. Meanwhile, international players may be signed at 16. There is much debate as to when a player should sign and these arguments are often based on the tangibles and intangibles, such as: talent, projection, education, money, and maturity.
What side of the argument one is on, is usually based on the role of the stakeholder. As I presented, I asked the Red Sox players to raise a hand if they had finished college; A small number went up. When I asked for players who had completed some college, half the room's hands went up.
Former Major Leaguer and current sport psychology consultant for the Red Sox, Bob Tewksbury, shared his own perspective with the minor leaguers. He warned that while he had the chance to play pro ball for 18 years, he knew that in actuality he would spend most of his life not playing the game.
Baseball may be a game of dreams but it is also a game of decisions. After our presentation more than 25 players asked for more information on our degree program.
*For more information on Northeastern University's online degree program or Sport in Society, please send me a note and I'll get right back to you.
Baseball and Education: Mets Inspire
Fact: The federal graduation rate for baseball players in the 2004 entering class is 48%.
-NCAA Graduation Success Rate Report
As we sat outside the Mets' minor league locker room, not a player went by with out saying hello or shaking Dr. Astro's hand. He was obviously liked, respected, and trusted. Dr. Richard Astro is the Academic Liaison for the New York Mets and one of the founders of Sport in Society.
As a former Dean of Arts and Sciences at Northeastern University, Astro was familiar and supportive of our online degree program. But we still met so he could learn more details, such as the online tutoring, athletic mentoring, and the course transfer services we offer players. As the Academic Liaison, he will later convey our information to interested players.
After our informal presentation, we continued to sit with Astro as he spoke on the challenges of education in baseball. He was disappointed but realistic about the college graduation rates of baseball players. He longed for the answer on how to help Dominican players prepare for a future without baseball. And he shared with us the stories of heartbreak from the broken dreams of the released ball player.
The Mets have both players and coaches working on their college degrees. Astro explained that when a coach works on his degree, he is not only helping himself, but by default becomes an educational role model to his players. Role models, trust, and an environment where school is important are all key factors in guiding minor leaguers through a degree completion program.
Veteran MLB Scout, Craig Conklin, clarifies why trust is so important to players: "Too often people want something from the players and the players learn to become cautious." Conklin continues, "But trust is everything. When working with players, the relationship is what matters."
As the Athletic Mentor for those who enroll in our customized degree program, ensuring that the players know that I care for them, is paramount to me. Sport in Society was founded on a principal that we could help athletes finish their degrees. What an amazing moment for me, to be sitting with Astro, and be a part of fulfilling what he had envisioned 27 years ago.
As I do my best to mentor our online student-athletes, I need to look no further then Astro, for my own inspiration. He has my trust, respect, and I like him.
*For more information on Northeastern University's online degree program or Sport in Society, please send me a note and I'll get right back to you.
Baseball and Education: Pirates Believe
"Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't then you are wasting your time on Earth."
– Roberto Clemente, Former Pirates Player, Current Hall of Famer
Nervous and a little lost for words, I went to my heart on what to say next. I looked out at the 160 young minor leaguers knowing they all dreamt of making it to the Show. I didn't want to be the one to tell them they might not make it. I believe in dreams.
Larry Broadway, the Pirates' Director of Minor League Operations, is a Duke graduate and former 3rd round draft choice. I met Larry at the Baseball Winter Meetings and was immediately struck by how much he cared for his players. He seemed to have a balanced interpretation of how players could give everything to their baseball dream and still have a connection to the realities of the outside world.
Going after one's baseball dream is not without sacrifice. Sociologist, Dr. Sudhir Venkatesh, examined the socioeconomic background and outcome of the 2001 baseball draft class. According to Dr. Venkatesh, the average draftee is probably making $20,000-$24,000 a year. He explained, a player is, "Probably working five to seven months playing baseball and then struggling to find part-time work in the off season. Might be coaching, might be doing some training, might be working on a construction site. Might be working in fast food" (Freakonomics.com).
The decision to stick through the minors to follow a dream, when it may be economically disadvantageous for a player to do so, makes total sense to me. Because I love baseball. And these minor leaguers love baseball too. And when you love something, you will do anything to be a part of it.
So as I stood in front of those young men, I gave them my heart, and I shared that I too believed in dreams. That I had made history twice even though I was told my whole life it could never be done. But even though their dream is possible, they must still prepare for the realities of life after baseball.
When our presentation was over, 30 players came up to us and asked for more details on how to earn their college degree.
*For more information on Northeastern University's online degree program or Sport in Society, please send me a note and I'll get right back to you.
Baseball and Education: Spring Training
Fact: Only 1 out of 14 minor league players will make it to the major leagues; Including those that come for just a "cup of coffee".
Earlier this year, former major leaguer, Shawn Green, tweeted, "Excited to watch the Stanford game…technically I'm still a junior there (I'm on the 30 year plan!)". For the former All Star, not finishing college is a bit of a joke but for the hundreds of minor leaguers who do not make it the major leagues, the absence of a college degree can severely limit their post-playing opportunities and income.
When I coached for the Brockton Rox, a minor league team in the CanAm League, players would talk to me about what they wanted to do after their playing career. I guess because I was working on my PhD in Sport Psychology, they figured I must know something about school and career transition. I tried not to disappoint.
Since coaching for the Rox and later becoming the first woman to throw batting practice to major league teams, I have been working at Sport in Society at Northeastern University. Sport in Society uses the power of sport to help create social change. Their mission and my life mission are the same – Thus I love my job! Sport in Society is making the world a better place and sometimes that starts on the baseball field.
There is an epidemic in the baseball community of players starting college but not finishing. Last year, one MLB team's opening day roster included 18 players who had gone to college; but not one player had actually graduated. Yet the average major league career is only 4 years. When their playing career is over, we must wonder what comes next?
Sport in Society and Northeastern University's College of Professional Studies have teamed up to offer a customized online degree program for professional baseball players. We help the players arrange their classes around the baseball season and we provide a personal support system to help them succeed.
For the next 3 weeks, I will be at Spring Training talking to different MLB clubs and letting the players know that they can play baseball AND get an education. Each day, I will blog about my experiences and explore further the question of baseball, education, and the future of our ball players. Thank you for joining me on another part of my baseball journey.
*For more information on Northeastern University's online degree program or Sport in Society, please send me a note and I'll get right back to you.
MLB Scout School: Graduation
"I want our democracy to be as good as Christina imagined it. I want America to be as good as she imagined it. All of us, we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations."
-Barack Obama, Tucson memorial Speech
Ten years of post high school education, with the late nights, tests, and papers, and I start drinking coffee at MLSB scout school…
What an amazing and challenging 2 weeks it has been. I learned how to find, evaluate, and sign ML prospects. I also made great friends (that includes you Jim Barnick!). I will never forget Mr. Walton saying…"But do you like him" over and over again, as he explained to us whether we should consider a player as a prospect. Then he would finish, "Well, if you like him, tell me why."
Each day, I have been wearing a purple bracelet in honor of Christina-Taylor Green. And as I sat in class, I would hold that purple band in my hands, with my fingers gently going back and forth over its indented word – Hope. "Hope" – the word describing what Christina-Taylor dreamt of at just 9 years old – a better world. A world where dreams come true; where people care for one another; and a place where she could one day become the first female to play ML baseball.
Finished with my breakfast, sitting with my elbows on my knees, with my gaze to the floor, I was lost in thought. Thinking over all that I have learned and experienced in the past days, left me with one summarizing thought. Looking up at Tyler, I shared, "I feel a lot older than when I first got here."
I am so grateful for the opportunity to go to scout school. Another dream come true for me. I was asked what do I want to do next; what am I looking for? And the truth is that I think of Christina-Taylor and the other girls who have dreams of baseball glory and I just want to do whatever I can to make the world better for them. A place where we know and see that baseball is a game for all.
Thank you to all who have read this blog – for your belief in me and your belief in us. Because we are all in a community of baseball dreamers.