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by Kira Lerner Oct 22, 2015
The former secretary of state got to sit this one out.
by Josh Israel Oct 22, 2015
"If those Congressional investigations really were serious and thorough, why did they fail to interview dozens of key State Department witnesses, including agents on the ground who experienced the attacks?"
by Emily Atkin Oct 21, 2015
Our exclusive analysis shows Congress has placed significantly more emphasis on Benghazi than other terrorism acts.
by Judd Legum Oct 18, 2015
Coming up empty.
by Hayes Brown May 15, 2014
In issuing a new subpoena, a top Republican is already challenging the primacy of the new Benhgazi special committee.
by Ben Armbruster May 7, 2014
"I cannot and will not raise money on Benghazi," Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC), chair of the House select committee on Benghazi said on Wednesday. But that hasn't always been the case.


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After many fake-outs, Steven Soderbergh's "last" film, "Side Effects," hits theaters this Friday.
The film stars Rooney Mara as a pill-popping lady, coping with her husband's impending release from prison. Catherine Zeta Jones as well as Soderbergh's faves — Channing Tatum and Jude Law — round out the cast.
But if you think laughter is the best medicine (yuck, yuck!), the new comedy "Identity Thief" is also opening this weekend. Reteaming with his "Horrible Bosses" helmer Seth Gordon, Jason Bateman plays a man whose identity has been stolen by a frosted-hair shop-a-holic, played by Melissa McCarthy.
Before you make your selection at the cinema this weekend, take a look at what the critics are saying about these two new flicks.
RELATED: Melissa McCarthy's Reveals Embarrassing Computer Habit
Rene Rodriguez (Miami Herald)
The main thing to keep in mind while watching Steven Soderbergh's playful new thriller is not to take the movie too seriously or else you'll feel betrayed by the end.
Peter Rainer (Christian Science Monitor)
Soderbergh and screenwriter Scott Z. Burns maintain a tone of taut creepiness, but the plot's double and triple crosses are more ingenious than believable.
Richard Corliss (TIME Magazine)
"Side Effects" virtually demands a three-word review: Just see it.
Steven Rea (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Sex, lies, and violence.
Justin Craig (FoxNews.com)
If we are to believe "Side Effects" is Steven Soderbergh's final theatrical film before his retirement from movies, then he couldn't have gone out on a more electrifying film.
Dana Stevens (Slate)
Thanks to McCarthy's abundant comic gifts and those of her equally ill-served straight man Jason Bateman, "Identity Thief" doesn't leave nearly as icky a taste as it could have, but Gordon only taps into a fraction of his actors' potential.
Christy Lemire (Associated Press)
"Identity Thief" strands these two ordinarily enjoyable comics in the middle of nowhere with no help for miles.
Andrew O'Hehir (Salon.com)
Considering that it starts out with two distinctive and likable stars and a reasonably promising premise, "Identity Thief" reaches impressive heights of laziness and idiocy.
Rene Rodriguez (Miami Herald)
"Identity Thief" apparently forgets it was supposed to be a comedy.
J. R. Jones (Chicago Reader)
[Identity Thief] exhausts most of the comic potential from identity theft in the first 20 minutes and then turns into a solid but unexceptional road picture.

subset: commoncrawl


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The island nation of Malta, the smallest of the 27 EU member states
Major Wallace Camilleri, in charge of the Maritime Squadron. "It's not relevant for me how many do cross over.How many do make it. Sometimes I ask myself 'how many do not make it?' "
An African migrant in detention, who was rescued at sea by the Maltese Armed Forces just days earlier.
Father Joseph Cassar, Malta Director of Jesuit Relief Services, JRS. "The conditions in our detention centers really leave much to be desired".
Alexander Tortell, of the Maltese government, is responsible for the integration of refugees.
"We cannot house them on ships. We cannot house them in the countryside, which we do not have. And, therefore, these people are placed either in open centers or else when they leave the open centers they themselves make their own arrangements to live in the community."
Some residents of Ta' Kandja, such as this man (from Nigeria), spend up to 18 months in "administrative detention"
Maltese officials hope that the country's strict detention policy will discourage migrants from making the hazardous journey from Libya.
The island nation of Malta has rescued over 10,000 people off its coast in the past seven years. Fishing vessels have also picked up migrants adrift at sea.
African asylum seekers at the Ta' Kandja Detention center. This is a police training centre. But it also doubles as an involuntary home for illegal African migrants.
New arrivals from Ghana, Eritrea, Somalia, Nigeria, Ethiopia and the Ivory Coast at the Ta' Kandja Detention center.
In 2009, According to Maltese officials, Somali detainess rioted to protest their detention – and it took dozens of police to restore order.
Since 2002, thousands of Africans have journeyed through deserts and risked their lives to reach the shores of the Mediterranean and North to Europe. Some have been rescued at sea by the Maltese navy and transported to Malta, where their requests for asylum are mostly denied.
The busy bus terminal in the capital Valletta.
Word about Malta's strict detention policy may be spreading, according to Malta's government, citing the fact that the number of migrants in detention has dropped to just 65 from hundreds just a year ago.
Mr Alex Tortell (Director of The Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers)
"The experience of integration all over Europe is that integration cannot start—in the strict sense of the word—before a person has a full time legal job. Unfortunately, because of Malta's limitations we have thousands of people who haven't gotten to that point."
Dr. Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici is Malta's Justice Minister. He says his nation of 400,000 is trying to balance humanitarian obligations, while protecting Malta from a tidal wave of economic migrants.
"Eighteen months. I'm surprised I might be here for eighteen months", said this detainee, days after being rescued at sea by Maltese sailors.
Ta' Kandja Detention center, a police training centre that houses hundreds of illegal African migrants.
"At least I'm safe in Malta" says this would be asylum seeker from West Africa.
At Ta' Kandja, according to a BBC report "there is air conditioning, a small exercise yard, showers and toilets." Administrative detention also comes with barbed wire and locked doors.
Ta' Kandja Detention Center for illegal migrants. Almost everyone that has been detained here since 2005 have been Africans, and all have been persons of color.
African migrants rescued at sea by the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM). The AFM has come to the aid of hundreds of illegal migrants in an area at sea the size of Texas.
A chief guard at Ta' Kandja, Mike Cassar.
Malta's Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs.
Malta for those born there is viewed as a virtual paradise. But its appeal is limited to migrants hoping to make it to continental Europe.
One teenager interviewed for this series said "We're a small country and we have many illegal immigrants for a small country that we are. Every immigrant someday will have to buy a home in Malta and there's no place for them. "
Residents of the Rainbow House outside Valletta
This resident of the Rainbow House says she wants to relocate to Minneapolis, where there are "other people just like me".
Illegal asylum seekers freed from detention are generally given a small monthly stipend and shelter for about a year at the open-centres and in residences such as the Rainbow House. But finding a job and a permanent place to live has proved challenging for this Somali migrant and her children.
This Rainbow House resident wants to return to Switzerland, where she once lived illegally: "When I stayed In Switzerland they gave good house, and good life, good money and good education. Malta is small, they can't."
The Maltese government has noted that more and more African children are among those being rescued at sea.
This Somali boy says he likes Malta, but he says that his classmates joke about his skin color.
Two Somali boys playing in the courtyard at the rainbow House in Malta. The residence is one of several integration centers run by Malta's Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers.
Somali boy at the Rainbow House in Malta.
A Somali child playing at the Rainbow House
Some migrants complain about the rank odor of porta-potties at the Hal Far open centre for African asylum seekers.
"It was an airplane hanger here." Ahmed took me on a restricted tour of the Hal Far open center.
A dejected migrant at the Hal Far open centre. He chose not to give his name or show his face.
According to the Times of Malta: "The Ħal Far open centre is somewhat overcrowded, as last December 400 migrants were released from detention and relocated to open centres.
Some residents have had to sleep in a hangar, which reeks of rotten fruit and in which birds fly and perch for the night, leaving their droppings on the bed sheets.
"These large numbers of people who are new comers to our society need to be housed somewhere." Maltese official Alex Tortell commenting on the Hal Far open centre and criticism from human rights groups.
Hal Far. Said one man interviewed for this series: "I can't live in this situation. I told them, the government, I would prefer to go to my home country to living here. I have no place to sleep. Nothing to eat. I don't have anything, so I prefer to go to Somalia, and they told me you can't go to Somalia because Somalia is a dangerous place. "
African Migrants at Hal Far have called on the Maltese government and the United Nation's refugee agency the UNHCR to improve conditions there. Many complain that the kitchen is both small and unsanitary.
A Somali asylum seeker in the kitchen at the Hal Far open centre.
The JRS of Malta has filed several complaints about conditions at Hal Far.
Jesuit Refugee Service of Malta has filed several complaints about conditions at Hal Far.
Malta, with its warm temperatures and cosmopolitan center, is for many the closest thing to paradise.
One of seveal Ministries that are responsible for asylum seekers in Malta.
Jean-Philippe Chauzy is director of communications for the International Organization for Migration in Geneva. Regarding African migrants in Libya: "They cannot go forward because they realize the risk and do not have the money to pay smugglers. They can't go back because they do not have the documentation. "
In an effort to discourage illegal immigration, Malta has one of the toughest detention policies in Europe, but some say it goes too far and is targeted at Africans.


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CML's Head of In-House Legal & Compliance Search, Ben Cooper, is being interviewed this evening by Terry Nealon on Radio 3 RTHK – Hong Kong's most popular English language news show. The conversation will centre on the recent anouncement of redundancies at HSBC in Hong Kong and is also likely to cover the employment market within investment banking and financial services in general. Tune in!
Latest Posts
- The Impact of Technology on our Lives
- The Cayman Islands moves to the top of the offshore rankings
- The Cayman Islands Captures Another Award!
- Discrimination law: UK vs Cayman
- Bermuda Solvency II update
- EU tax haven blacklist – separating fact from fiction
- Bermuda corporation tax "inevitable"
- Hey buddy, nice bank you got there…
- Bermuda increases payroll tax
- Upheaval in Bermuda reinsurance job market


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Hole in One Executive Chair
Though this item is long gone, we've curated a few other products that you might also be interested in. Check them out!
Hole in One Executive Chair
from our Like a Boss Collection
Sure he hasn't worked a Friday all summer, but Monday through Thursday he's striking deals and cutting checks - and he's doing it in style. Only elite golfers have made a hole-in-one. And only a few elite execs call the shots from a Hole In One Executive Chair.
The Hole In One Executive Chair is not for the faint of heart. It's for the C-Suite exec that goes BIG - big risk, big reward! If you're going to play the game, you've got to play to win. Layups and lag putts are for middle management.
This chair is hand-constructed of solid wood, genuine leather, and brass tacks. Literally. It also comes stuffed with loads of good fortune. So before you make your next power play, make sure your derriere is parked in a Hole In One Executive Chair.
The Hole in One Executive Chair features:
- 27"W x 31"D x 39"-41"H
- seat height: 19"-21"
- padded, sloped arms
- solid hardwood frame
- hooded casters
- tilt and swivel mechanism with adjustable tilt tension
No other style of office chair shows you're the head honcho quite as well as our Like a Boss collection of fine leather office chairs. The pieces from this collection have that commanding look that lets people know you live by no one's rules but your own. Supremely comfortable, Like a Boss office chairs are designed to help you kick butt and take names from dawn till dusk, or longer if need be, all while conveying an air of unparalleled awesomeness. Today's office chairs are all about sleek design and ergonomics, inventing the newest fad in comfort and healthy living. You know what's truly comfortable? Sitting on a supple hide so filled with stuffing that you practically melt into the chair. And in terms of health? Go to your doctor's office and see what kind of chair he's sitting in; yeah, you can bet your health professional is sitting like a boss in a big ol' leather chair. Like a Boss Chairs use only the finest leathers from the world's premier tanneries - we're talking Wagyu cattle massaged daily and fed better than your average middle class family fine. Stop sitting like a chump; order your fine leather office chair and sit Like A Boss today.
Materials & Measurements
- Materials:
- upholstery: fine, natural leather in a wide variety of colors
- seat cushion: ultracel cushion with a high density polyurethane foam core wrapped with plush polyester fiber
- back: spring units with a layer of cotton batting combined with polyester fibers channel sewn in a muslin ticking to prevent packing
- frame: handcrafted using 5/4" hardwood with double doweled joints
- swivel-tilt mechanism: slim profile mechanism with lubrication free, glass-reinforced nylon bearings for smooth, noiseless operation
- Dimensions:
- 27"W x 31"D x 39"-41"H
- seat: 21"W x 19"D
- seat height: 19"-21"
- arm height: 27"-29"
Shipping & Delivery
Products from the Sit Like a Boss Collection arrive 4-6 weeks after the date of purchase. All items ship via standard ground shipping.
Product Q&A
The leather and frame of this Like a Boss Chair are covered under warranty for 5 years while the tilt-swivel mechanism is covered by a 1 year warranty.


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Hi there...I have tried to upgrade a blog to the current iteration of WordPress, and now that I have, it seems I have lost everything. I have not deleted the database tables, as it suggests I need to do, because I don't want to lose everything I've been writing for the past two years.
When I run the upgrade.php, the program says that my database is upgraded. Then it dumps me to a 404 page. Something's not right, and I need some help.


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BEAVER, Okla. - Regrets, we all have them. They lie within quietly, and then prick our souls at the most unexpected time. They haunt us, with time never quite taking away the wound.
What we should have done, what we could have done, and perhaps most painfully, what we wish we had done better. Thoreau said it best, that most men lead lives of quiet desperation, and it's true, certainly the older we get.
As for me, I've always regretted I could never throw a cow turd very far.
That's a terrible burden to bear, especially where there's no excuse. Growing up, I was around more cow chips than potato chips. On the farm, killing time, it's only natural to grab a rock, a dirt clod, and, yes, even a sun-dried meadow muffin and try to hit the bed of a pickup, a diesel tank, your little sister, on the fly.
Rock and clods, fine, but the chip was always a challenge. It broke up too easily and never had the desired accuracy or distance . And so it became a mental thing, and as the years went by, admittedly I lost confidence. Kids can be cruel, and I can still hear their laughter.
It was like a flaw in a golf swing. I was doing something fundamentally wrong but couldn't figure out what it was. Was it the release? Form? Follow-through? Was I just not good at picking out the right texture?
Enough was enough. I decided to confront my doo-doo demon on the big stage. None is bigger than the one in Beaver, Okla. On a windy and overcast Saturday, with sweaty palms squeezing the steering wheel, I drove 166 miles north to Beaver for the climactic end of the weeklong Cimarron Territory Celebration and the 38th Annual World Cow Chip Throwing Contest.
Since 1970, the world's best chip chunkers have met in Beaver each April, spit in the dirt, looked one another in the eye, grabbed some manure, and let it fly.
"You're supposed to lick your fingers between the first and second throws. It's supposed to give you good luck."
Fellow patty pitcher
Upon arrival, no doubt it was the big time. Greeting me, mocking me even, was a 12-foot-tall statue of a grinning beaver holding a huge chip with his front paws. The sign below read, "World Cow Chip Throwing Championship, Beaver, Okla.''
I filled out my entry form, and plunked down my $20 entry fee to become an official competitor in this bovine batter bonanza. With that, first order of business was to locate James Pratt, the Babe Ruth of steer stool slingers.
Pratt, Beaver's city foreman and fire chief, has won the world's title five times, including the last three in a row. Last year he had a Paul Bunyanesque 200-feet, 7-inch toss, though he modestly added that it was wind-aided.
I asked for a few pointers, and out of professional courtesy to a fellow patty pitcher, he said to pick the right aerodynamic chip, and showed how to turn the arm just right, and the best way to play the wind.
Anything else?
"You're supposed to lick your fingers between the first and second throws,'' he said. "It's supposed to give you good luck.''
Contestants soon began milling through the mound of hubcap-sized chips in the official Cow Chip Wagon. We squeezed and sized them much like a housewife does with tomatoes at the grocery store.
We were all obviously playing mind games with each other, trying to psych each other out, which is common at the elite level. Finally, I had my two chips, which had to be at least 6 inches in diameter, in accordance with the strict rules.
The Men's Open Division - the big boys - started at 1:37 p.m. As bad luck would have it, I was the second thrower. Nervous? Sure, I didn't want to relive haunting childhood memories in front of 400 spectators. Yet, it seemed like the right thing to do.
After my name was mispronounced on the PA, I took a couple of deep knee bends, wiped my right hand on my jeans, took a deep breath, took three steps, and let it go just as Pratt had taught me.
After that, it was like slow motion. The pasture pie seemed suspended in the Oklahoma breeze. I thought my heart would come through my T-shirt. The crowd seemed to rise as one, perhaps sensing something historic only to release an audible groan when the wind caught the chip and sent it spiraling downward.
Remembering Pratt's advice, I licked my fingers before the final attempt. For the record, it tasted like chicken.
The second attempt was eerily like the first, a promising beginning only to have a disappointing end. The tape measure said the best of my two near-identical throws was 97 feet.
Pratt immediately followed and uncorked his Hereford heap 139-10, a mark that would stand for the rest of the competition. The 15 competitors all took their turns, some bettering me, some not. In the end, I finished seventh. Average, story of my life.
Could have been worse, could have been better. I could have been Chuck Madson from Beaver, whose grassland goo broke off in his hand and went just 2 feet, 7 inches.
His other throw was out of bounds.
It could have been better, too, as it would have been nice to have beaten women's winner Dana Martin of Guymon, who threw 118-10.
I drove home in stony silence, a light mist covering the windshield, and trying to come to terms with regrets, with redemption, with second chances. Having climbed back on the proverbial horse and flung dung once again, what did it mean? What was the message? More importantly, where do I go from here?
And I discovered, that often in life, you just have to let the chips fall where they may.
Jon Mark Beilue's column appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com or (806) 345-3318.
Amarillo Globe-News © 2016. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy / About Our Ads


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Little panic here.
I have ran an upgrade to 2.0.5 and now I can't see my published posts anymore. Lucky I check my db and I still see all my posts there.
When I go into wp-admin I can see only my draft posts, but not my published posts.
I 777 my htaccess and updated the permalinks but with no luck.
any advice???


text: So I have been using a "BeautySite" theme and am going to continue using it. I have created another page I've labeled as splashpage.php and also a secondary css which is named splashpagestyle.css For some odd reason the css isn't being read/displayed onto the webpage when I open the splash page. I believe I have all the links in order. I've checked the coding and validated it, I'm even able to run the splashindex.html in Chrome and it shows perfectly! What code might I be missing or is incorrect? I'm fairly new at this so, please dumb-it-down a little. Lol!


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I'm having, in a PHP form, when I'm submiting one email as a suscriber in a Wordpress theme, the next error in error.log:
2013/08/03 21:39:22 [error] 19544#0: *11
FastCGI sent in stderr: "PHP message: PHP Warning: require_once(TEMPLATEPATH/functions/theme-functions.php): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /web/domain.com/public/wp-content/themes/launcheffect/functions.php on line 151
PHP message:
PHP Fatal error: require_once(): Failed opening required 'TEMPLATEPATH/functions/theme-functions.php' (include_path='.:/usr/share/php:/usr/share/pear') in /web/domain.com/public/wp-content/themes/launcheffect/functions.php on line 151" while reading response header from upstream, client: 18.104.22.168, server: www.domain.com, request: "POST /wp-content/themes/launcheffect/post.php HTTP/1.1", upstream: "fastcgi://127.0.0.1:9000", host: "www.domain.com", referrer: "http://www.domain.com/"
I've been reading about permissions, about nginx and fastcgi, about PHPfpm, reviewing my config...without success. More, I've other sites working perfectly, and that theme worked well some days ago.
Of course I've that file/directory.
My nginx.conf:
Can anyone help me to solve this error?
Thanks in advance!


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I started having trouble logging on last night - when I went to logon, I would get the login screen but after putting in my username and password and clicking OK, all I would get is a blank screen instead of the admin panel. It was still doing it this morning, so I decided to try resetting my password. Same problem; the admin panel won't load, I just get a blank white screen and url/wp-login.php
Anyone have any ideas? I am running 2.5.


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Please help us! 3 Ways You Can Help
Vote Smart Just The Facts
"Experts nearly all recommend Vote Smart."
"Vote Smart is a bright light in an often desultory civic culture."
- Bill Moyers
"We think so highly of Vote Smart that we are distributing their materials to all of our affiliates."
Tom Perriello's Biography
Contact Information
Full Name:Tom S. Perriello
Birth Date:10/09/1974
Birth Place:Ivy, VA
Home City:Ivy, VA
- Bachelors, Yale University
- JD, Yale University
- Candidate, United States House of Representatives, District 5, 2010
- Representative, United States House of Representatives, 2008-2010
- No caucus information on file.
- National Security Consultant, Century Foundation
- Humanitarian Aid Worker
- Special Advisor/Spokesperson, United Nations Special Court for Sierra Leone
- Founder, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, 2004-present
- Founder, FaithfulAmerica.org, 2004-present
Father's Name:
Vito Perriello
Mother's Name:
Linda Perriello
Priority Issues:
Oil Independence, National Security, Education and Job Training, Economic Fairness


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WASHINGTON (February 1, 2014) The proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada cleared a significant hurdle after the State Department raised no major environmental objections to its construction in a report released Friday.
The report says Canadian tar sands are likely to be developed regardless of U.S. action on the pipeline and other options to get the oil from western Canada to Texas Gulf Coast refineries are worse for the environment.
The latest environmental review stops short of recommending approval of the project, however, but the report gives the Obama administration political cover if it chooses to endorse the pipeline in spite of opposition from many Democrats and environmental groups.
State Department approval of the project is needed because it crosses a U.S. border.
A decision is not expected before the summer.


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I am running Word Press for http://thefullpint.com . When you go to the main site, you will see my logo at the top.
I had the generic ?p=n permalinks. I used the redirect plugin from Dean, and then successfully changed my permalink structure. When you click on any of my postings, it breaks the logo at the top. Any help would be appreciated.
Plugin: http://www.deanlee.cn/wordpress/permalinks-migration-plugin/


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Defending champion Hsieh Su Wei lost in the BMW Malaysian Open's quarter-finals Friday, going down 7-5, 6-2 to American wildcard Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
The Taiwanese's defeat, coupled with seed number one Caroline Wozniacki's first-round loss on Wednesday, means no defending champion or top seed has ever won the Malaysian Open.
Asked about this "tournament jinx", second seed Hsieh just laughed and said: "It's a new feeling for me because it's the first time I'm defending a title. I tried my best to retain the title and hold on to my ranking points."
The 23rd-ranked player said she would return in 2013 "for sure".
"I don't have a lot of pressure here like some other players. I'm here to enjoy Kuala Lumpur," she said. "Bethanie was once a top 30 player so she knows what's it all about. My mental strength was not so good today."
Mattek-Sands -- who is known as the Lady Gaga of tennis after attending the 2011 pre-Wimbledon party in a dress made of tennis balls -- already staged a surprise win Thursday when she crushed Duan Ying-Ying of China in two sets.
Mattek-Sands will now meet world number 29 and third seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who brushed aside Australian youngster Ashleigh Barty 6-2, 6-0 in just an hour.
Meanwhile, Japan's Ayumi Morita edged closer to winning her first ever WTA title after beating Luksika Kumkhum of Thailand 6-7 (7-9), 6-4, 6-1.
"I'm very happy to be in my fourth career semi-finals. I hope to continue doing my best and try to go further this time," the fourth seed said.
Morita, who ranks 55 in the world and has played in the Malaysian Open since the inaugural event in 2011, will meet 127th-ranked Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in Saturday's semi-final.
Pliskova eliminated Austrian Patricia Mayr-Achleitner 7-5, 6-1 to set-up the meeting with Morita.


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My husband and I stayed at Cabana Gardens this summer. Gary was great. We found it to be clean, simple, comfortable, very well located, quite, and overall, just fine. The "but" is that my husband and I are early risers and BEAN FIENDS. Breakfast is only between 9-10am, with no exceptions. There is no Keurig or other quick coffee machine. So no way to have a coffee before 9:00am. As my daughter said, "even the Mavis tires shop has coffee available for customers". So we were disappointed with the morning ritual. Fortunately, there is a Starbucks right down the road, within walking distance,but at additional cost. I would stay there again, but bring my own coffee maker.
- Official Description (provided by the hotel):
- Cabana Gardens B & B was built in 1995 and is located on the corner of Third Street and Lake Avenue. We rent rooms with private baths and provide a continental breakfast every morning. Some rooms have direct access to a deck and a view of Lake Gerar or our inground swimming pool. Maximum of 2 adults per room.Cabana Gardens is a quiet retreat in the heart of downtown Rehoboth Beach just three blocks to the nearest beach and one quick block to the hustle and bustle of shopping and fine dining on Baltimore and Rehoboth Avenues.No children under 12. No pets. No smoking except in the outdoor areas. ... more less
- Also Known As:
- Cabana Gardens Hotel Rehoboth Beach
- Cabana Gardens Bed And Breakfast


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NAPLES, Fla. (AP) - Authorities say seven people have been arrested after shooting and killing protected birds in rural Collier County.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the six men and a woman were arrested Tuesday night. Three have been charged with felony trespassing with a firearm. The other four are charged with misdemeanor trespassing. Authorities say more charges
are pending.
Officers say they found 21 dead birds at the scene, including the protected white ibis and blue heron. Authorities also found dead tree swallows and cormorants, protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Fish and Wildlife officials called the killings "a truly a heinous act."


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Centre for Policing, Intelligence & Counter Terrorism
|This article is an orphan, as no other articles link to it. Please introduce links to this page from related articles; try the Find link tool for suggestions. (June 2014)
The Centre for Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism is an Australian organisation at Macquarie University formed in response to the threat of terrorism. The Centre, founded in 2005, seeks to promote research, deliver postgraduate programs, and provide professional education and consultancy services.
The main focuses of the Centre are:
- Policing (Operational Response and Public Disorder)
- South-East Asia Geo-Political Trends
- Cybercrime and Cyberterrorism
- Organised Crime
- Terrorism and Insurgency
- Counter-terrorism
- Intelligence Analysis
- Transport Security
- Computer Forensics
The current director is Peter Anderson, who was the New South Wales (NSW) Labor Minister for Police and Emergency Services from 1981 to 1986. He has been serving in this capacity since 2007. In late 2013, Peter Anderson's position was advertised as vacant pending his retirement in December 2013.
In October 2010, the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (New South Wales) (ICAC) completed an investigation into multiple allegations from a number of former PICT staff about bullying and victimisation. The ICAC-appointed investigator found substance in the allegations of bullying and victimisation against former staff. The ICAC appointed investigator also found evidence supporting the allegation that the university failed to take adequate action in response to complaints raised by a number of staff. The ICAC sent a copy of the report to the University and the NSW Ombudsman.[citation needed]
External links[edit]
- Independent Commission against Corruption. "Confidential Report supervised by ICAC" (PDF). Unileaks. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- Steketee, Mike (23 March 2011). "Bullied Macquarie University staff demand an apology". The Australian.
- "Open Letter to Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor Steven Schwartz". Unileaks. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
- "Perception of Corruption". The Times Higher Education. 17 March 2011.
- Pemberton, Greg (16 March 2011). "Culture of ignoring plaints". The Australian.
- "Standard tactics of the bully". The Australian. 16 March 2011.
- Steketee, Mike (9 March 2011). "Macquarie and its 'malcontents' under scrutiny". The Australian.
- "Ex-minister Peter Anderson bullied staff, hired mates, ran 'fiefdom': ICAC". The Australian. 9 March 2011.
- Centre for Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism


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ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta police say they arrested a possible suspect in a string of 18 stabbings across three states as he approached the ticket counter at a busy Atlanta airport.
An Atlanta Police Department incident report released Thursday says that officers arrested Elias Abuelazam after he approached the ticket counter late Wednesday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The incident report said that police paged the 33-year-old over the intercom and he was immediately detained.
Michigan State Police arrived at the airport around 4 a.m. and Abuelazam and investigators were transported to the homicide office. The release said he is being temporarily detained at the city jail and that the investigation is ongoing.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


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This is one of those plugins that you should have etched in your memory, ready to deploy whenever you need tweaking user roles / capabilities or, more importantly: RESET them all to their WP core defaults (i.e. deleting all but the standard fresh, vanilla install state) when you need to undo bbPress, BuddyPress, s2Member, Woocommerce, Simple:Press or somesuch plugin that creates custom roles and/or changes capabilities. It's simple, straightforward, logically presented... Awesome.
Спасибо, mr. Garagulya!


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An attractive girl who is incredibly cool and chill. You have a great time with them. This phenomenon is strange considering most hot girls are stuck up and annoying while most "fat" girls are nice and fun to hang out with.
Wow Betty is so hot and cool it's almost as if she has a fat chick mentality.
by stnzmn90 October 22, 2007
Trending Now


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Yoon, the vice chairman of Heidrich & Struggles International, Inc., will speak on "What it Takes to Lead in China," addressing the leadership needs of Chinese organizations. The talk is based on a 12-month study of the top talent situation in China, conducted by Heidrich & Struggles in partnership with Stanford University's Project on Regions of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Yoon will share her own insights from a long career in global executive search as well.
The research study is based on in-depth interviews with over 100 top executives of China technology enterprises like Lenovo, Neusoft, and AsiaInfo. It provides a blueprint for how to pick the entrepreneurs and executives who are most likely to prevail in a highly competitive and fast-changing market.
"Making China Your Gold Mountain" will be held in South San Francisco from May 23-25 and is the first event in the U.S. with influential Chinese HR executives and business leaders from multinational companies, private Chinese companies, Chinese consulting firms and the government. XMei's goal is to create an environment for learning and networking among those interested in business ventures between China and the U.S. "Finding quality leadership is one of the key challenges of doing business in China," said Xiaoli Mei, president and founder of XMei International. "Ms. Yoon's experience and insight will prove invaluable to attendees."
An executive summary of the study, titled "Getting Results in China," may be downloaded at http://www.xmei-int.com/whitePapers.html.
About Kyung Yoon
Kyung Yoon is vice chairman of Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. and a member of the Office of the Chairmen, which directs the firm's board of directors, CEO and other marquee search assignments on a worldwide basis. Since joining the firm in 1994 in Menlo Park, California, Kyung has been one of the key drivers in Heidrick & Struggles' Asia Pacific expansion. She served as Area Managing Partner, North Asia, with management responsibility for the Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai and Seoul offices and spent five years in Singapore and Hong Kong.
About XMei International
XMei International is dedicated to promoting business development between the U.S. and China. It organizes events, both in the U.S. and China, which enable companies to develop new business opportunities, increase knowledge of the other country's business practices, and make valuable international business connections. XMei International also offers other services, including business matches and consulting and market research for both U.S. and Chinese clients.
Liz Menkes
XMei International


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Desaturated the background and faded it out around her so if the viewer is looking directly at her, their eyes have to wander a bit before they get that there's a cage there.
Gotta add more ties. Also note the heart chain.
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FIFA 15 Trailer is all About Emotion and Intensity
Written Friday, July 18, 2014 By Lee BradleyView author's profile
Here's the latest trailer for FIFA 15. This one's all about "emotion and intensity," something that News Editor Rich has dubbed EMOTENSE.
FIFA 15 has loads of EMOTENSE features, including players reacting more realistically to different situations (including getting the arse with each other), new crowd animations and cheering and plenty more besides. EMOTENSE. It's the new Levolution.
FIFA 15 is out on Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One and PS4 from September 26th. You can read our latest preview through here.


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Hi all,
I am trying to change the title of the base page from "Shop" to "Properties." The URL and slug is how I want it, but the header still shows "Shop"
Along with that, wanting to change the breadcrumbs in a similar fashion.
I've duplicated the template files into my theme, to override core files. Just trying to figure out where to make these changes.


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Be Precise: Side Lunges Not Like Front Lunges
Published: Monday, June 3, 2013 at 10:58 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, June 3, 2013 at 10:58 p.m.
Summertime, short pants, and bathing suits are all a constant reminder to keep that lower body in tip-top form.
Aside from vanity purposes, our lower body needs to be strong and healthy. That's what keeps us moving!
Whatever motivates you -- mobility or looks -- lunges are where it is for the whole lower body.
Our move today is a side lunge with a weighted reach. Aside from working the lower body, you get a bonus by adding an upper-body move.
You will need a light or medium hand weight for this one.
Begin this move by holding your chest tall, core tight and centered and feet placed wider than hip-width apart. Keep the feet facing forward and a single weight in your right hand. Proceed to bend in the left knee, lunging on your left side.
At the same time, extend your right arm (with weight in hand) away from your body. Keep your center of gravity strong in your core.
Be careful not to extend the knee beyond the toes.
Keep this move slow and precise. Shoot for eight to 10 lunges/extensions on one side, then repeat on the other. Give yourself three to five sets on each side.
Keep in mind, side lunges are a bit more restricted -- be cautious -- so keep them shallow in the beginning; as you advance, deepen them.
You'll be working inner and outer thighs, quads and hams and chest, shoulder and upper back on the upper.
[ Marlo Alleva, an instructor at Gold's Gym and group fitness coordinator at Fontaine-Gills YMCA, can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com. ]
This story appeared in print on page B5
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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Team Italia reaches #9 in World Baseball Rankings
The European Baseball Coaches Association recently recognized Team Italia pitching coach Bill Holmberg for his excellence by honoring him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Having grown the game abroad for over ten years as the MLB director and coach in residence at the FIBS Italian Academy in Tirrenia, Italy, Holmberg has been instrumental in the advancement and development of baseball in Europe. The fruits of his labor in Italy have blossomed from the Youth to the National Team levels as witnessed by the Azzurri's ascent from #11 to #9 in the WBSC March 2016 World Rankings. A former Chicago Cubs scout who knows what it takes to be competitive in MLB, Holmberg helped Alessandro Maestri, Alex Liddi, Alberto Mineo and Marten Gasparini launch professional baseball careers worldwide.
National Italian American Foundation and Jimmy Kimmel praise Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Piazza
Preserving the Italian American heritage and culture while promoting and inspiring a positive image and legacy of Italian Americans in order to strengthen and empower ties between America and Italy, NIAF and Mike Piazza are second to none. When Piazza was recently voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Joseph Del Raso and John Viola rose to the occasion and spoke on behalf of the National Italian American Foundation's Board of Directors.
very well-deserved congratulations to the great Italian-American superstar catcher @mikepiazza31!! #HOF @Mets
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) January 6, 2016
"We congratulate 12-Time MLB All-Star Michael Joseph Piazza on his election into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., that honors those who have excelled in playing, managing, and serving the sport. Mike has been a longtime supporter and great friend to NIAF. Over the last decade, he has attended the Foundation's Anniversary Awards Galas in the nation's capital, served as the 2012 Master of Ceremonies at our 37th Anniversary Gala, and spoke at conferences and seminars for young Italian Americans during Gala weekends. In 2014, Mike was chosen to light the Empire State Building in Red, White and Green to celebrate NIAF's mission and educational programs across the country. We are extremely proud of Mike's accomplishments as a major league catcher, most notably for the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers. His career is distinguished by 12 All-Star selections, 10 Silver Slugger Awards and National League Rookie of the Year honors in 1993. His 427 homers and his on base plus slugging percentage are the highest totals by any catcher in baseball history. We salute Mike as a distinguished Italian American, passionate sports athlete and inspirational role model for all of us to follow. Bravissimo e Auguri Mike!"
Still haven't come back to earth! Honored, humbled, grateful, Thank You, Writers, Huge, Thanks to teams teammates and especially Fans! #HOF
— Mike Piazza (@mikepiazza31) January 7, 2016
MLBblogger's MLBforLife.com ranks #7 among MLB.com Fan Websites
MLB.com Blogs Central has announced its July 2015 Latest Leaders, and MLBforLife.com has ranked seventh as the most visited MLB.com Fan Website. Providing a global perspective where baseball meets history and pop culture, DJ and blogger Roberto Angotti has written nearly 150 articles to date since 2011. MLBforLife.com prides itself for giving readers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at high profile events such as the Asia Series, the European Baseball Championship, the World Baseball Classic and the upcoming Premier 12 in Japan and Taiwan. Working closely with Team Italia manager and LA Dodgers international scout Marco Mazzieri, MLBforLife.com is dedicated to everything Italian. Inspired by Beyond DiMaggio: Italian Americans in Baseball author and former Team Italia interpreter Lawrence Baldassaro, MLBforLife.com strives to continue documenting the Italian American Baseball experience. From former Twin and current Blue Jay Chris Colabello's dream to become a major leaguer to Cubs' slugger Anthony Rizzo's battle to beat cancer, MLBforLife.com supports the plight of the underdog–especially the efforts of Team Italia and its nurturing coaching staff (including Marco Mazzieri, Bill Holmberg, Tom Trebelhorn and Mike Piazza). Products of FIBS Italian MLB Academy in Tirrenia, Italian-born and developed players Alex Maestri and Alex Liddi have paved the way for MLB prospects Marten Gasparini (Royals) and Alberto Mineo (Cubs). MLBforLife.com pledges to support them and future prospects with Italian blood unconditionally.
Roberto Angotti interviews Kansas City Royals' Italian Ambassador and MLB prospect Marten Gasparini
Nick Leto, manager of the Kansas City Royals' Arizona Operations, is worth his weight in gold for not only signing 17-year-old Italian MLB prospect Marten Gasparini but also for his outstanding work as a minor league affiliate leader. The recent recipient of the organization's Matt Minker Award after eight years of dedicated service, Leto is critical to the success of the Major League Spring Training in Surprise and the Kansas City's Rookie League affiliates. It was Leto who recommended Gasparini to the organization after seeing the speedy switch-hitting shortstop in Italy. Having spent much time working at the Italian MLB Academy in Tirrenia in 2006 and 2007, Nick had close connections with former Chicago Cubs' international scout and FIBS Academy director Bill Holmberg. So when word got out that a very special player was training and developing under Holmberg's watchful eye, Leto had a distinct Italian famiglia advantage over all MLB suitors.
Marten Gasparini was the first European baseball player to sign a contract in excess of $1 million dollars when the Royals signed him in 2013. Heralded by Baseball America as "quite possibly Europe's best prospect ever", he is the real deal. After starting with 2014 Rookie League Burlington, Marten played his final four games with Idaho Falls and went 5-for-11 with a home run and three RBI. With six stolen bases in 23 games, Marten Gasparini is a natural-born athlete.
Roberto: You have some Jamaican roots, with your mom being of West Indian descent living in London, and your father being Italian. In both cultures, family is very important and is the foundation for everything.
Marten Gasparini: Yes, it is. I don't know know much about Jamaica because my mom and I have never been there. But in Italy…absolutely family is the biggest thing, and nothing is more important than family.
Roberto: You began playing stickball when you were eight-years-old and picked up your first baseball bat at age 10, correct?
Marten Gasparini: Yeah, like for fun with my friends. I used to watch baseball movies and read books and newspapers about the game. Everybody loves America, you know. America is famous throughout the whole world. American sports are famous…baseball, basketball, football. They are kind of attractive. I wanted to try it and see how it would turn out.
Roberto: Did you always play shortstop or with the speed you that you possess and are blessed with did you find playing centerfield gave you more versatility? Did FIBS Academy Director and Team Italia coach Bill Holmberg have a big influence on you while playing for the Italian National team at the various levels?
Marten Gasparini: He has been a positive influence on me and has put me at shortstop because he always thought that was the best position for me to play. I can play in the outfield and that's where I played my first workout with the Italian National Under 18 team. That was because I was young and they needed players with more experience at that position.
Roberto: Playing with the Italian National team in Seoul, South Korea and Chihuahua, Mexico must have impacted you personally and professionally as you became a more confident and mature ballplayer.
Marten Gasparini: It was nice. It's always nice to see different cultures, meet different people from other countries and see how life is over there. It was fun and interesting for me to get to see all these countries. It's obviously been helpful for me to be a part of these international tournaments.
Roberto: The spotlights were on you.
Marten Gasparini: Exactly. It was exciting and a very important experience for me.
Roberto: Having been on that international stage, has that prepared you now ay you ascend up in the minor leagues with desire to become a major league ballplayer?
Marten Gasparini: I think it is different because when you play for your national team it just because of the pride you have got for the team. You want your team to win when you want your country to have success in these types of tournaments. But here (in Arizona) it's obviously a game but you have to do if for a job. Any you look forward (to the future). It's like a project. It's a path you have to go into. It's not that important to play hard now if you keep healthy, but maybe in some international tournaments you have to give all you got in a short period of time. I think this is the biggest difference.
Roberto: You have some personal favorite players in Derek Jeter, Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp. What do these players have that has resonated in your heart to make you desire to be at their level?
Marten Gasparini: Derek Jeter is such a professional player and he is a legend. He became a legend for a team like the Yankees coming from the bottom. He was raised by them, and he became their captain. That's something that everybody would like to be for their organization. I like the excitement that Kemp and Puig can bring to the table when they play. They are very athletic and explosive players. I like the way they play the game.
Roberto: After visiting the Italian MLB Academy and watching you play with some of the best European prospects, I came to realize the potential of baseball outside of the U.S. Do you think Italy cam be one of the best emerging markets for the game?
Marten Gasparini: We've been working a lot to make things possible. I think there are more players to come. There have already been some players that have been signed by professional teams, and I think that I can be a big part of it.
Roberto: Watching Team Italia in the 2013 World Baseball Classic must have been inspirational to you. Did you wear your pride on your sleeve during the competition?
Marten Gasparini: Yes. We were at the Italian Academy in Tirrenia watching the games. We were all watching the TV and not missing a minute or a pitch. We were all super excited when the games ended in our favor over Mexico and Canada. It was one of the most amazing feelings I have ever had.
Roberto: While working out at the Italian Academy, you had frequent visits from Team Italia hitting coach Mike Piazza.
Marten Gasparini: I didn't really get to know him well. Just having him there with Bill Holmberg was amazing. I know that they are very close friends. Just having a person like him coming down to watch us play is an honor for me.
Roberto: Mike Piazza wants to give back to the game in Italy in honor of his heritage.
Marten Gasparini: He has pride in his origins and this is a good thing that everybody should have.
Roberto: What are your personal goals now that you have reached the professional level with the Kansas City Royals?
Marten Gasparini: It was my expectation and in my plan to go pro since I started playing baseball to be this type of player and achieve these results. I'm very happy to be here. I'm blessed to be here. Now I just have to keep working.
Roberto: What does it mean to be a part of the Kansas City Royals family with the rich history of great all-stars that have come out of the franchise?
Marten Gasparini: I think the Royals are one of the greatest organizations in all of sports. I'm very happy to be a part of it. I think I'm with the greatest group of people that I could choose. Of course, their history speaks for itself just by saying the name George Brett and the kind of player he was. He has been a very important part of the baseball game history.
Roberto: Coincidentally, the Royals and Team Italia share the same color uniforms. You couldn't have predicted a better outcome.
Marten Gasparini: Maybe a coincidence?
Roberto: Or more like by design..
Marten Gasparini: Yes!
Roberto: Showing up at the Royals Instructional Camp in Arizona. You must have met a melting pot of cultures from the Caribbean and South America who share the same passion for baseball.
Marten Gasparini: There is even a Korean player. I think the Royals have always been doing a great job of signing international players. We have here a great group of international players that have pride and passion for the game.
Roberto: Do you hope to become a role model for Italian baseball players wo have the same dream to play professionally as Alex Liddi did by being the first Italian-born-and-developed player to make it to the Big Leagues? What do you and Alex Liddi have in common?
Marten Gasparini: He already achieved the feat to become a Major League baseball player. I still have to work my way to get there. But if I can say something. We both might be good examples for young players in Italy to believe in their dreams and believe in themselves. Just for them to work hard and be what they want to be.
Roberto: Let's predict the 2017 Team Italia WBC lineup and say that both you and Liddi play the infield next to each at shortstop and third base. That must be on your mind.
Marten Gasparini: It is absolutely… I'm looking forward to it. It will be a great honor for me to play in that tournament with Alex Liddi and Mike Piazza on the coaching staff. But like I said I have to work hard and to focus to get there.
Roberto: Have you ever thought of how it have been for you had you would have been invited to play shortstop for Team Italia in the 2013 WBC?
Marten Gasparini: I don't think I would have been ready to go there. I have respect for the shortstop that played for Team Italia. It wasn't easy for anybody to play in that kind of tournament. It was the first-time for many of the Italian players who had no international or major league experience. That is just something that happens. I don't know how I would have dealt the emotions and everything. I still think that Italy has done a great job in the World Baseball Classic. It's just the first of years to come. I think we will have a very good team in the next World Baseball Classic.
Roberto: Enough respect to Team Italia shortstop Anthony Granado. We love you like pasta. It was commendable for him to step up in the WBC.
Marten Gasparini: I think that he was a great player.
Roberto: It's just how the game goes. Baseball is a game of chance and strategy. Where the ball bounces, nobody knows… Despite many of the players just meeting for the first-time in the WBC, Team Italia played like a family as if they had been playing together for years.
Marten Gasparini: That shows the pride that these players have for their origins. It's nice to know that people have respect for Italia.
Roberto: You were raised in a part of Italy near the Slovenian border. What was that like?
Marten Gasparini: It really didn't influence my life. I'm pretty far from it. But I'm still in a region that also has multi-cultural roots. It is near Slovenia and Austria so you can see and hear people talking in German, Slovenian and Italian as well. So it's kind of a multi-cultural region.
Roberto: You spent a lot of time in London with family as well.
Marten Gasparini: Yes, with my mother's mother and her brothers and sisters.
Roberto: So you must have had some Jamaican reggae music influence?
Marten Gasparini: Yes. I like reggae music. I'm not really a good dancer, but we could see the Jamaican roots.
Roberto: As Bob Marley did in promoting reggae internationally, you are doing the same thing for baseball in Italy and Europe.
Marten Gasparini: I'm honored to have the opportunity to do that and represent my country in that way.
Roberto: What kind of music are you listening to now in America?
Marten Gasparini: Maybe some rap or some deejays with electronic music. It's very popular here so I just get into the mood and listen to the beat.
Roberto: Did you learn about Italian American icon Joe DiMaggio growing up?
Marten Gasparini: Joe DiMaggio was more popular in Italy for his marriage to Marilyn Monroe than a baseball player. But obviously baseball wise he's one of main parts of Italian baseball history. We're very proud of having him. He's just one of many Italian American players that made this sport so great.
Roberto: And his visit to Nettuno only confirmed how big of an impact Americans had on baseball's growth in Italy.
Marten Gasparini: Obviously Nettuno was the biggest thing for baseball in Italy when the Americans introduced the game during World War II. But also near where I live in Trieste the Americans were there too teaching baseball to us Italians.
Roberto: Are you learning any other languages so that you can continue to teach others the game?
Marten Gasparini: I have translated for American coaches coming over to talk to Italian teams. Right now I'm learning how to speak Spanish so that I can help some of the Latin players. A lot of the players here have been friendly and have asked me to help them learn some words in Italian and how to speak the language. It's very hard for them to understand it, but I'm trying to do my best.
Roberto: You are blessed with speed. Have you have always been gifted to be the leader of the pack?
Marten Gasparini: Yes. Since I have been in school, I have always been one of the fastest in my class. I had fun showing off my speed by playing games and playing soccer. I have always had fun running fast.
Roberto: In baseball your mind has to be in the present one pitch at a time rather than daydreaming about the future.
Marten Gasparini: That's the mindset that every player has to have if you want to have success. You have to work. Like I have been told it's a grind, and it's not easy for anybody. But you have to keep working and keep your mind focused on what you have to do in order to have success.
Roberto: What advice do you have for all the young players aspiring to become professional ballplayers?
Marten Gasparini: You just got to have fun. Keep in mind your dreams and remember to be professional by playing the game in a professional way. Most importantly enjoy…
Roberto: Any words for Bill Holmberg, director of the Italian Academy and the people behind the scenes at FIBS?
Marten Gasparini: Thank you very much for all the things you have done for me. I appreciate it a lot. I will always keep you in my thoughts, especially all the things that you have taught me. It's still a big part of my mindset every day.
'Tis the season for HOF's Mike Piazza and La Befana
Only second to Santa in holiday appearances, National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame spokesman Mike Piazza began early before Thanksgiving when he emceed NIASHF's 37th Annual Awards Celebration and inducted John Andretti, Babe Parilli, Scott Pioli, Angelo Pizzo and Frank Zamboni at the InterContinental Hotel in Chicago.
International baseball ambassador and Italian National team hitting coach Mike Piazza got a jump start on Babbo Natale, otherwise known as Father Christmas, when he traveled to Veneto, Italy last January to speak to an enthusiastic audience at the 29th Annual Coaches Convention. Piazza said, "We all overteach and overanalyze hitting. Everyone has their own opinion, but in actuality–just as Ted Williams explained in his book–The Science of Hitting–the number one rule is to get a good ball to hit. Gaining an understanding of the strike zone and what you can and can't hit is the key. Simply spoken, you can't hit what you can't see." Borrowing a page straight out of Ted Williams' book, Rudolph the red nose reindeer leads Cometa, Ballerina, Fulmine, Donnola, Freccia, Saltarello, Donato, and Cupido so that Babbo Natale is able to see which homes to hit and deliver presents to millions of Italian children every year. However, La Befana, the elderly woman who delivers gifts on Epiphany Eve (January 5th), is a cultural folklore tradition favorite and reigns as the undisputed Italian holiday champion.
La Befana is a nice old woman who some believe takes flight on her broom stick every year in the middle of the night in preparation of the arrival of Epiphany day on January 6th. She showers children with gifts to reward them for their good behavior. La Befana's big sack on her back and basket is usually full of sweets and chocolates, which will make their way into the stockings of kids who have behaved on the day of the Epiphany. However, those children who didn't do what they were asked by their parents and were naughty throughout the year will end up with a stocking full of lumps of coal. Yet, everyone loves La Befana. She is sometimes portrayed as having white or black hair with a long crooked nose, broken shoes and a patched dress. Unlike in America where children generally leave milk and cookies for Santa Claus, it is customary to have a nice glass of red wine waiting for La Befana upon her arrival to your house considering the long overnight journey she had to endure getting there.
Mike Piazza deserves more than just chianti for the seemingly endless journey he has had to experience to become enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The Mets Hall of Famer is a fan favorite, and anytime he is affiliated with a night at the ballpark it is an instant hit. The Mike Piazza soccer jersey giveaway at the 2014 Italian Heritage Night at Citi Field was considered to be best Mets promotion of the season.
Commercial endorsements from Philips Norelco as well as special guest interview appearances on Complex News and TMZ Sports are just the tip of the iceberg of mass media that has spotlighted Mike Piazza recently. Expect nothing less than an avalanche of additional coverage in 2015 to follow with Piazza's support of the National Italian American Foundation and the NIAF 40th Anniversary Gala.Author and University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Emeritus Professor Lawrence A. Baldassaro summed up why this blogger believes Mike Piazza is Italian American of the Decade when he wrote: "Of all the younger Major League players I interviewed for my book, Beyond DiMaggio: Italian Americans in Baseball, none was more in touch with, and interested in, his Italian heritage than Mike Piazza. And his commitment to baseball in Italy is unmatched among those his age."
Italia manager Marco Mazzieri chats with Roberto Angotti at the 2014 Euro Baseball Championship
Roberto: It's a pleasure seeing you again after over a year. It's quite an honor to be with you at the 2014 European Baseball Championship. Thank you for taking time out to talk.
Marco Mazzieri: Thank you. We enjoyed our last experience in the World Baseball Classic with you so that's why it was no problem doing this.
Roberto: Did you feel confident or did you have butterflies in your stomach when you faced your strongest opponent, the Netherlands, for the 2014 Euro Baseball Championship?
Roberto: And you are very proud of all of them after they have spent so much time under your guidance and that of Italian Baseball Academy director Bill Holmberg. Considering these players are a work-in-progress, it must be rewarding to see them perform in pressure situations.
Marco Mazzieri: I believe a player is never a finished product, so for these kids to be here is a tremendous experience. Hopefully they will pick it up a couple notches. They need to start walking with their own feet now. By playing competitive games, it will help them get to the next level.
Roberto: You must also be proud of the Italian Baseball Academy graduates who are now representing Team Italia.
Marco Mazzieri: I am proud of all the guys we have right now. We're proud of Cubs catching prospect Alberto Mineo, Royals prospect Marten Gasparini and all those guys we have there in MLB. I think it's to the Italian Baseball Academy's credit with all the work Bill Holmberg is putting into this project that we see results. It's something we're proud of, and we hope there are more in the future.
Italy just took a 5-2 lead over France on a grand slam by Alberto Mineo in Regensburg #eurobaseball14 pic.twitter.com/cbdKdtb7wQ
— Mister Baseball (@MisterBaseball) September 14, 2014
Roberto: You also invited Alberto Mineo along with Reds pitching prospect Davide Anselmi to Team Italia Spring Training at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida.
Marco Mazzieri: Yes, we did. In fact, Alberto looked very good back at the time in February and now seeing him seven months later he looks even better as you can tell.
Roberto: Having seen Alberto when he first reported to Cubs Spring Training Camp in Arizona a couple years ago as compared to how he is today is remarkable. He has matured immensely and his body physique has filled in. The confidence that he exudes now at the plate now is impressive. I know you have worked diligently with him to become the player that he is today. You must be like a proud father to him now.
Marco Mazzieri: Well, I think we are all proud of Alberto Mineo and the way he has developed. As you said, he has a tremendous attitude. When he just walks around the field, you see a player. I think this kid has a chance to be really, really good.
Roberto: No doubt MLB European scout Bill Holmberg made a great catch for the Chicago Cubs when he signed catcher Alberto Mineo.
Marco Mazzieri: It was…I hope that he can get some more playing time in the higher levels. It is not my job to say, but I think he could become a lot better player beyond the Rookie League.
Roberto: Earlier in the first round of the competition in Regensburg, Germany, I saw you arrive early at the ballpark to give one-on-one hitting instruction to Alex Liddi in the batting cages. I observed the dynamic between you and Alex, and it was incredible. He listened intently to everything you said and absorbed it in like a sponge. Then he applied what he learned from you an hour later in the game when he was at-bat against Great Britain and hit three consecutive home runs.
Marco Mazzieri: We have been working together since he grew up playing professional baseball. It's long story with Alex actually. Because we have been together since 2005. He moved up from San Remo to Grosseto, where I live. He was not even 16 at the time when started to work with me on his hitting and with Gianni, our strength and conditioning coach, on his physical side. Since then, we've been working together almost every winter offseason working on his hitting. He's been getting good results and that's why he listens.
Europeo di baseball: il fuoricampo di Alex Liddi colto da Duck Photo Press pic.twitter.com/LTOGvRTeFc
— FIBS (@FIBSpress) September 14, 2014
Roberto: Your current roster is probably 75% Italian-born-and-developed players, right?
Marco Mazzieri: Yes, but I think we should all be proud of this group of guys no matter if you have major league guys, rookie league guys or guys who work and play baseball. When they all get together, it's just one single group. Of course, you have different personalities but they play and lead as a team. And they like it as a team because I think for me and my coaching staff, which I am very proud to be working with such a great group of coaches, one of the biggest accomplishments through all the success we had through the years. But the fact that this group of people have a tremendous energy when they get together. You can tell actually from the WBC to now in the Euro Baseball Championship– win or lose–it's just a great group of guys.
Roberto: The energy and chemistry of the Italian National team combined with the MLB-affiliated players made Team Italia one complete family playing together. One can tell that the future is looking bright for Italian baseball.
Marco Mazzieri: Well, we hope so. The team chemistry is really crucial for me and my staff. We believe that a group of individuals going towards the same direction can accomplish a lot more than just talented guys who just play for themselves. It has always been my idea, and when we put a group together we try to make the right decision based on the people first and the players second. Because we believe in the chemistry first with everone in the same direction, we try to channel all energies toward one single goal and luckily we have been able to do that.
I asked @GrillCheese49 to smile in honor of #TeamItalia manager Marco Mazzieri and coach @mikepiazza31. #ForzaItalia pic.twitter.com/JLN7vs7kJP
— Roberto Angotti (@ABLblogger) August 27, 2014
Roberto: After having spoken to many of the MLB-affiliated players who have played for Team Italia over the years including Jason Grilli, Chris Denorfia, Nick Punto and Drew Butera, they have all cited the experience as being some of the best times of their career.
Marco Mazzieri: Well, by you saying this–and I know it's true because I have talking to the guys–it just gives me goosebumps when you have those kind of players. All those guys are tight with this team. Every time we see them, and we are together they are part of the family. We shared a common energy that we were able to get for the two World Baseball Classics in 2009 and 2013. I happy to know that they cherish those times as much as I do.
Roberto: Considering Major League Baseball has injected millions overseas in Asia and Australia, I believe the time is now for MLB to invest in European baseball.
Marco Mazzieri: I think you are right. They have invested everywhere in the world, and I think sometimes Europe gets underestimated because baseball is not the number one sport. But as we have seen in the past, you can get good players from everywhere. Just getting back to Bill Holmberg and what he is doing for MLB at the Italian Baseball Academy. I have met many, many coaches in my life and in my career, but I have never seen one with that much dedication and who cares more than he does for his pitchers.
Great job Bill Holmberg! My fellow coach! God Bless! pic.twitter.com/BBFyftX0yS
— Mike Piazza (@mikepiazza31) July 22, 2013
Roberto: Team Italia spent Spring Training at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida with hitting coach Mike Piazza. I'm sure everyone missed him during the 2014 Euro Baseball Championship.
Marco Mazzieri: We missed Mike. He is a tremendous guy. He is a tremendous hitting coach and former Team Italia player. So we missed him very much and wished he could have made it but he couldn't.
Roberto: How do you react to criticism from the media when they claim that the Team Italia roster includes international players born outside of Italy?
Marco Mazzieri: It's not the color of the passport that matters, it's about the passion in the heart. We are on a mission even if we have a younger team.
Roberto: Team Italia and European baseball will soon reap the fruits of your labor of love in developing tomorrow's stars. Thank you!
Italia is the team to beat in Euro Championship
Italian national team manager Marco Mazzieri, named 2014 Coach of the Year by the Italian Coaches Convention in Treviso, knows it will be an uphill battle for Team Italia in the European Baseball Championship. He said, "Defending our title will not be an easy thing to do. We're going to have to contend with not only the likes of Holland, but Spain and Germany are also expected to make a splash in this year's tourney. Having won the last two EU Championships, we're the team to beat. We have a target on our backs, and we've got our work cut out for us this year if we want to bring home a third consecutive title."
2014 Euro Baseball Championship co-host Germany, ranked 19th by IBAF, will benefit greatly should German fans rally round the home team and Minnesota Twins' highly-prized prospect Max Kepler–recipient of an $800,000 signing bonus in 2009–represent his country. Kepler said, "Baseball is growing in every German city I go to. They've opened two boarding schools in Germany, so there are opportunities for kids to step up the baseball game if they want to. I hope baseball is on the same level as soccer one day in Germany."
17-year-old Kansas City Royals' prospect Marten Gasparini, who received a $1.3 signing bonus in 2013, has plenty of experience playing for Italia internationally in the Under-15 World Cup in Mexico and in the Under-18 World Cup in South Korea. Having recently been hit in the face by a ball while playing shortstop for the Rookie League Burlington Royals, let's pray the young Italian who has been heralded by many scouts as the best European 5-tool player ever is able to participate in the EU Baseball Championship.
20-year-old catching prospect Alberto Mineo, who was signed by former Chicago Cubs scout and current Italian Baseball Academy director Bill Holmberg for $500,000 in 2009, was under the guidance and direction of mentor Mike Piazza during Team Italia's 2014 Spring Training at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. Catcher Mineo and 19-year-old Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect Davide Anselmi worked together there in preparation of the European Baseball Championship.
Alberto Mineo è stato convocato per un'amichevole dei Cubs di Chicago. Ex Accademia, Mineo giocare nelle Minors pic.twitter.com/EBFCLtIZ8H
— FIBS (@FIBSpress) March 19, 2014
Team Italia hitting coach Mike Piazza is committed to the growth of Italian baseball. The future MLB Hall of Famer said, "I truly believe in the marketability of baseball in Europe, in Italy specifically. I'm here completely focused on this ballclub to get the most out of our players here and hopefully help them along in their individual careers. But also we're just trying to bring attention as well to baseball in Italy. And we think that‑‑at least in my personal opinion–that we can produce players and there's a future there."
Alberto Mineo and Davide Anselmi invited to Italy's National Team camp in Vero Beach. http://t.co/c7CHWPpFqz
— odeni (@waynopapp) February 14, 2014
Just spent amazing week at Dodgertown with @FIBSpress Italian National team preparing to defend European title. Thank you @Mets for tix 2day
— Mike Piazza (@mikepiazza31) February 28, 2014
For further information on the upcoming European Baseball Championship and details on how to obtain tickets for the September 12-16 games in Regensburg, Germany, click HERE. To learn more about the international competition and tickets for the September 12-21 Czech Republic games, click HERE. For an updated schedule of the 2014 European Baseball Championship and complete game box scores, click HERE.
Italia hopes to three-peat in Euro Championship
Having won its second straight European Championship in 2012 after defeating the Netherlands, Team Italia manager Marco Mazzieri expects nothing less than a third consecutive EU title since the Italian National Baseball Team has captured 10 European titles and placed second fifteen times in 32 overall appearances. The Netherlands–winner of 20 EU Championship titles with nine runner-up finishes–and 12-time Bronze Spain stand in their way.
Before Italia has the opportunity to face the Netherlands and Spain in the semi-final and final games held in Brno, Czech Republic, they must first qualify by defeating Belgium, Sweden, France, Germany and Great Britain in Regensburg, Germany. The Netherlands and Spain can both advance to the final rounds with wins over the Czech Republic, Greece, Croatia and Russia in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
Although Team Italia has been dominant of late in European baseball, the Netherlands won four straight EU Championship titles from 1999 to 2007. "This has been a long-time rivalry," Team Italia skipper Marco Mazzieri said of the showdowns with the Dutch. "I have tremendous respect for their program. With that said, I like to beat them just as much as they like to beat us. Luckily, we've been able to beat them the past couple of years in the European Championships." However, the Dutch have fared better than the Italians in the international competition spotlight. The Netherlands reached the second round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, won the 2011 World Cup in Panama and went as far as the semi-finals in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Mazzieri admits the Dutch have an advantage when it comes down to recruiting top international talent from the Netherlands Antilles, which are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. "It's easier for them to get players from the Caribbean," said Mazzieri.
Considering twenty-eight percent of all players making the 25-man MLB opening day rosters last year were born outside the United States, it should come as no surprise that 241 players from 12 different countries were represented on the diamond. Former New York Yankee Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens, who serves as the Netherlands manager when not coaching for the San Francisco Giants, is from Curaçao. He spoke about Major League Baseball's effort to grow the game globally. Hensley said, "International competitions give many countries the chance to show people that we can compete with the best team in baseball, Team USA." With the Netherlands pitching staff led by MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Bert Blyleven and the best position players from Curacao and Aruba being mentored by former Yankees infielder Robert Eenhoorn–who heads the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association, the Netherlands is now home to six baseball academies and a bonafide professional stadium in Hoofddorp which will host an upcoming MLB Season Opening Series soon.In the 2013 World Baseball Classic, the only player on Spain's 28-man roster born in the country was pitcher Eric Gonzalez, who grew up in the Canary Islands and whose parents are Venezuelan. Eleven of his teammates were born in Venezuela and six in Cuba. The makeup of Team Spain reflects the changing demographics of the country, where nearly half of the five million legal immigrants are from Latin America. Some members of Team Spain received passports because of their family roots in Spain, while others qualified to play through marriage or long-term residency. Mauro Mazzotti's team is dangerous because the manager recruits baseball's secret weapons from former Spanish colonies in the Caribbean and Latin America. Manager Marco Mazzieri hopes to replicate the winning synergy demonstrated by the international Team Italia lineup of MLB-affiliated players in the WBC with a roster of primarily homegrown talent in the European Championship. He said, "I'm really focused on developing our guys and possibly to add good players as we did in the 2013 WBC. We would like to get players from all over the U.S. a little bit more, but we just have to make do with what we have." Expect the defending Euro Champions Italians to play with intentions of a three-peat.
Checking out Ballparks for the 2014 European Championship http://t.co/Y7TJ19mrF8
— Murray Cook (@cookmurray) July 3, 2014
For further information on the upcoming European Baseball Championship and details on how to obtain tickets for the September 12-16 games in Regensburg, Germany, click HERE. To learn more about the international competition and tickets for the September 12-21 Czech Republic games, click HERE. For an updated schedule of the 2014 European Baseball Championship and complete game box scores, click HERE.
Italian baseball ambassador Alex Liddi LA bound?
Having a strong presence in Albuquerque since the transcontinental railroad first arrived in the city in 1880, the Italian Americans will now have the opportunity to relish over Italy's pride and joy and San Remo's hometown hero as the latest addition to the Isotopes roster this summer. Similar to that of early Italian immigrants' journey, struggle, and perseverance after leaving their motherland in Italy for better lives in America, Liddi has also endured his own personal and treacherous MLB roller coaster ride up-and-down the ranks in the Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox organizations prior to signing a minor league contract with the LA Dodgers. With most of his Big League experience defensively at first and third, Liddi is a versatile player who can play shortstop and the outfield. Having played in 61 regular season games since making his MLB debut in 2011, the 25-year-old slugger is anxious to prove himself worthy of a trip out west to LA. Alex Liddi has a strong connection to Los Angeles since his father, Agostino (Augustine), graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1970. Agostino's parents left Italy shortly after World War II to work as tailors in America. While attending Beverly Hills High School, Agostino Liddi played baseball before repatriating to Italy after graduation. It was there that he met his future wife, Flavia, who played softball competitively in Italy. Alex was literally weaned on baseball by his father and mother. You could say that Alex was a truly a baseball baby because it was reported that Flavia played first base for the first three months of her pregnancy carrying Alex. When Alex was old enough to play baseball, his mother coached his teams. As a teenager, his father drove him long distances to compete in games throughout Italy. With sons, Thomas and Alex, the couple shared their love of the game to transform the Liddi's into Italy's premier baseball family.
What made Team Italia so heavenly to watch in the WBC was due in part to manager and Dodgers' European Scout Marco Mazzieri's faith in Alex Liddi. Mike Scioscia's Los Angeles Angels became believers in a WBC warm up exhibition game in Tempe prior to the start of the 2013 international competition. Liddi went 2-for-3 with a double, a two-run home run and 3 RBI against the Halos. The Italian cleanup hitter continued his hot-hitting ways and played stellar defense at third base during the first two WBC games against Mexico and Canada. He literally wrecked havoc on opposing pitchers by going 4-for-7 with two walks, three runs and three RBI. The two wins ensured Team Italia's advancement to the next round of action with USA against WBC Champion Dominican Republic and runner up Puerto Rico. If Liddi can rediscover his offensive prowess while in Albuquerque, then the face of European baseball will be a big name in Little Italy and Chavez Ravine.
Big day for @drewbutera as he lifts Team Italy to a win over Mexico with the clubs first HR since 2006. pic.twitter.com/4JWLYVbNyQ
— Dustin Morse (@Twins_morsecode) March 8, 2013
Alex Liddi looks on while Drew Butera speaks during a 2013 WBC Press Conference.
Why Mike Piazza is Italian American of the Decade
Mike Piazza is a baseball immortal regardless of what a pack of bitter, jealous sports writers think. Everyone knows he was The Man.
— Thomas Wilkinson (@RosenblattsBoss) January 8, 2014
"We just want to continue to draw attention to the fact that we believe baseball is marketable in Italy. We think it's viable. We think there's a lot of upward growth. We can produce players over there. I'm convinced of it," said Piazza. 17-year-old switch-hitting shortstop Marten Gasparini–compared to a young Derek Jeter–and 19-year-old lefthanded-hitting catcher Alberto Mineo lead the charge of the Italian baseball revolution spurred by Dodgers scout/Team Italia manager Marco Mazzieri and coaches Holmberg and Piazza.
Just spent amazing week at Dodgertown with @FIBSpress Italian National team preparing to defend European title. Thank you @Mets for tix 2day
— Mike Piazza (@mikepiazza31) February 28, 2014
International baseball ambassador Mike Piazza traveled to Veneto, Italy recently to speak to an enthusiastic audience at the 29th Annual Coaches Convention. Piazza said, "We all overteach and overanalyze hitting. Everyone has their own opinion, but in actuality–just as Ted Williams explained in his book The Science of Hitting--the number one rule is to get a good ball to hit. Gaining an understanding of the strike zone and what you can and can't hit is the key. Simply spoken, you can't hit what you can't see." Twelve years ago in 2002 Piazza met FIBS President Riccardo Fraccari while visiting Italy on a MLB International mission to help the game develop in Europe. Fraccari asked Piazza if he would be interested in representing Italy in international competition, and the proud Italian American responded that it would be privilege to play for the Italian national team in honor of his Sicilian ancestry. During a 2006 World Baseball Classic press conference, Piazza addressed reporters who questioned why he chose to join Team Italia and said, "You may not understand it, but for Italian Americans getting a chance to finally play for Italy is like a duck chick getting close to the water for the first time." The Italians have since fared well in the World Baseball Classic, nearly upsetting 2013 WBC Champion Dominican Republic and runner-up Puerto Rico. Piazza's influence swayed Cubs' slugger Anthony Rizzo to play for Team Italia alongside other MLB Italian Americans including Padres' Chris Denorfia, A's Nick Punto, Twins' Chris Colabello and Pirates' Jason Grilli. Piazza's power of persuasion even impacted the Team Italia coaching staff as former MLB journeyman Frank Catalanotto joined the Italian baseball revolution. Team Italia's homegrown talent held its own and contributed to the overall chemistry of the squad. Alessandro Maestri–the first Italian-born-and-developed pitcher signed by MLB in 2006 and infielder Alex Liddi–the first Italian-born-and-developed player to make his MLB debut in 2011 have benefitted greatly from Piazza's guidance and mentorship.
Grazie di nuovo @FIBSpress! Had an amazing time in Veneto. Great coaches convention. Forza Italia!
— Mike Piazza (@mikepiazza31) January 19, 2014
Maestri said, "It's great to have him around in the dugout. He's like doing this for fun. He enjoys working with us… That's why we appreciate it so much. I think he is positively influencing the program that we have. The fact that the team is winning and improving proves it. So that's why he keeps coming back." Liddi echoed the sentiment and said, "When you have coaches like Mike Piazza and Frank Catalanotto—guys who have been in the big leagues for a long time—it makes it fun just to be around them. You're able to ask them questions and learn from them."Piazza has been a proponent of uplifting and preserving his Italian cultural heritage by supporting the efforts of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), George Randazzo–founder of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and Roberto Angotti–curator of the Artists' Tribute to Italian Americans in Baseball Exhibition. Piazza befriended Angotti during the two weeks Team Italia spent in Phoenix preparing for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. When Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda dropped in on Team Italia's practice at Dodgers' Spring Training Camp in Glendale to address the team, Roberto knew he was on the frontline of the Italian baseball revolution. Lasorda's emotionally-driven speech coupled with Piazza's serious commitment inspired Angotti to share the experience with others through a traveling exhibit paying tribute to Italian American baseball.
GREAT READ from @ABLblogger: http://t.co/UALj2T8U Team #Italy hitting coach Mike Piazza believes in the #WBCBaseball
— WBC Baseball (@WBCBaseball) January 10, 2013
Piazza said,"This commitment I have with the Italian Federation is something I really care about. I feel a strong tie to Italy, since my heritage is there. My grandfather Rosario came from Sciacca, Sicily, to the United States and my father grew me up following the Italian tradition pretty much. I think it's in our DNA to strive to work hard and persevere. Most our ancestors came over to the United States with just the clothes on their back. I think that was the case with my grandfather, who had nothing in his pocket to start a life here in the U.S. When we have the strength and pride of the Italian family with the support we can give one another, it builds character and allows us to achieve our true potential. I don't think there are a lot of Italian American families that don't have strong support behind them. I do not pretend to say what is not true, I grew up as an American boy. Now, getting older, I understand the value of my heritage and I want to give something back to Italy."


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Dunedin's Mercy Hospital has given $50,000 to the Chair in
Neurosurgery appeal, which has now toppped $1.8 million.
South Otago is continuing to help raise $3 million for
neurosurgery positions in the South with a creative
fundraiser unveiled in Owaka on Friday night.
University of Otago psychology student Helen Tsui (left)
chats to Parkinson's disease researcher Dr Louise
Parr-Brownlie (far right), of the University of Otago's Brain
Health Research Centre, while chair in neurosurgery
fundraising project manager Irene Mosley and Otago Multiple
Sclerosis Society field officer Don Benn look on.
Happy with a $12,000 donation from Dunedin Pharmacy Guild
members to the Chair in Neurosurgery campaign are (from left)
guild Otago division chairman and director of Unichem Gardens
Pharmacy, Dunedin North Pharmacy and Unichem South City
Pharmacy, Chin Loh, campaign chairman Brian McMahon and
Roslyn Care Chemist director Andy Hou, as other guild members
look on, in Dunedin yesterday.
Building starts today on the Mitre 10 neurosurgery brain
house in Dunedin.
Upper Clutha quilters will spend today and tomorrow making a
quilt which will be raffled to raise funds for the
neurosurgery campaign.
An Oamaru woman is urging people to give a portion of the
extra day they work for leap year to the neurosurgery
fundraising campaign.
Two Dunedin students, Matt Fuller (28, left) and Richard
Aspinall (23) hit their stride in Princes St, Dunedin, this
week, watched by Dr Jill McIlraith, clinical leader of
Dunedin Sexual Health Clinic, and husband Dunedin neurologist
Associate Prof Graeme Hammond-Tooke.
Public donations have helped the neurosurgery campaign reach
its halfway goal, with more than $1.5 million raised.
A house is to be built and auctioned to raise funds for the
neurosurgery campaign.
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