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Broadcast Pioneer Dave Roberts delivered the 85th commencement address at Chestnut Hill College, on Saturday, May 12 at an outdoor ceremony on the College's campus.
This year, Chestnut Hill College awarded 351 bachelor degrees, 219 graduate degrees as well as 30 doctoral degrees in clinical psychology during the ceremony. An honorary Doctor of Laws degree will be awarded to Dave Roberts for his outstanding community service work supporting local charities that include the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Lupus Foundation, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Barbara D'Iorio Martino '60, chair of the board of directors will receive the Chestnut Hill Medal.
David Thomas Boreanaz, also known on television as Dave Roberts, is a man of many talents and was a familiar and beloved presence on Philadelphia's "Action News" for a number of decades. Dave attended Syracuse University as a speech and dramatic arts student, graduating with a dual major in English and communications. He began his career as a radio broadcaster in Syracuse and Buffalo, and then in late 1950s served as the U.S. Army's news director for the Caribbean Forces Radio-TV network in the Panama Canal Zone. He then returned to Buffalo, where he continued in TV, hosting a children's program, the quiz show "Dialing for Dollars," and also began his work as the WKBW-TV weatherman. Dave moved to Philadelphia in 1978 and worked as the co-host for the morning television show "AM Philadelphia" with Lisa Thomas-Laury. Following the tragic and untimely death of Jim O'Brien on September 25, 1983, Dave began reporting the weather for WPVI's "Action News."
In 1993, the National Weather Association awarded him the "Weathercaster Seal of Approval." In 2000, he was inducted into the Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneer's Hall of Fame and selected as the "Person of the Year" by the Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneers Association. He was also inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters' Hall of Fame.
Over the years, Dave Roberts developed many interests and activities outside of his work at WPVI. As a member of the Screen Actors Guild, he appeared in Brian DePalma's "Blow Out" with John Travolta. He also made guest appearances on ABC's soap opera "All My Children," Dick Clark's "Inside America," ABC's "Thirtysomething," and "Bones" in which his son stars.
Off-screen, his charity work is notable. He is active in many organizations, such as the Variety Club and the Knights of Columbus, where he is a Fourth Degree Knight. He has shared his talent and time with many charities, including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Lupus Foundation and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. For many years, he was the familiar face on Channel 6 as the host of the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. The Muscular Dystrophy Association honored him for 35 years of service, and the Central Delco Lodge #2438, Order of Sons of Italy in America, awarded Dave with its "Man of the Year Achievement Award" for his outstanding service to the community. In 2004, he was awarded the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award from the Boy Scouts for "unselfish service to the youth of America." Dave has been married to his wife Patti for more than 50 years, and they have three grown children and four grandchildren.


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To replace the Pontiac Aztek, Pontiac unveiled the Pontiac Torrent at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2005. The crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) went into production in 2005 and was launched for the 2006 model year. Only one generation of the Pontiac Torrent was produced and was sold from 2005 through 2009. The Torrent was discontinued when General Motors dropped the Pontiac brand from its lineup due to economic hardship.
Prior to the launch of the Pontiac Torrent, the Pontiac Aztek was Pontiac's midsize crossover offering. The Torrent was built by General Motors at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, and was basically the same vehicle as the Chevrolet Equinox. The two SUVs were built on the same platform and shared the same drivetrain components and body structure. In order to differentiate the two, the Torrent had a different front and rear so that it looked more like other Pontiac vehicles and less like a Chevrolet product.
With the Pontiac Torrent, General Motors wanted to produce a sportier vehicle than the Chevrolet Equinox. As well as making the cosmetic changes, mechanical parts of the Torrent were modified. The suspension was adjusted so that it was firmer than the one found in the Chevrolet Equinox, and the power steering was calibrated to make it more firm. The rest of the drivetrain was the same for both vehicles.
The 2009 model year was the last for the Pontiac Torrent. There were very few minor changes for the launch of this model year. There had been plans to build a Buick Torrent to replace the Pontiac version, but in the end, the vehicle was taken over by GMC. The GMC Terrain took its place in the midsize crossover SUV category.
When the Pontiac Torrent was launched in 2005, it was equipped with a 3.4-liter V-6 engine with a power rating of 185 horsepower, which was the exact same engine found in the Chevrolet Equinox. It came with only a five-speed automatic transmission, while front-wheel and all-wheel drive systems were available. Anti-lock braking systems were standard for all vehicles, and traction control was standard on the front-wheel drive versions.
The Pontiac Torrent seated up to five passengers. As well as having a 60/40 split, the rear seat could be moved forwards and back about eight inches so that the maximum amount of room was provided for cargo or passengers. To allow further cargo space, the front passenger seat folded flat to accommodate longer items. It was a five-door hatchback, and at the time, Pontiac stated that it had the widest rear doors of any vehicle available.
With the launch of the 2007 model year of the Pontiac Torrent, several safety features were added. Anti-lock brakes, traction control, an anti-skid system, and rear-wheel disc brakes became standard features. Rollover deployment for curtain-side airbags was an option. As well as the increase in safety features, a further premium trim level was introduced that included heated front seats and leather upholstery.
The Pontiac Torrent GXP version of the SUV was launched for the 2008 model year. It was equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine and a new six-speed automatic transmission. The power rating of the engine was increased to 264 horsepower. The new automatic transmission came with manual capabilities. The driver could choose gears by manually tapping the gear shift up and down while driving.
In addition to mechanical updates for the launch of the GXP version, the body and other features were improved. Instead of the standard 16-inch wheels, or optional 17-inch aluminum wheels, the GXP version was fitted with 18-inch wheels. It had a ground clearance of just over 6.5 inches and sat lower to the ground by one inch when compared to the standard Pontiac Torrent. By removing the roof rack, the GXP had a smoother and sleeker design flow.
To give the drive and handling a sportier feel, the suspension was tuned to improve its performance. The steering system was changed to a hydraulic power-assisted system instead of the electronic power-assisted version. The interior trim was upgraded to include chrome trim and GXP-specific gauges on the instrument panel. Options included a navigation system, heated seats, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, and a sunroof.
2009 Pontiac Torrent
SUV, Utility/Offroad
2008 Pontiac Torrent
The 2008 Pontiac Torrent has a lot going for it as a family vehicle.
2007 Pontiac Torrent
The Pontiac Torrent replaced the Pontiac Aztek when it was introduced to the Brand's 2006 lineup.
2006 Pontiac Torrent
The 2006 Pontiac Torrent is a compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) that comes available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive versions.

subset: commoncrawl


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Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney Have Highest-Grossing Country Tours of 2011
Another year in the concert industry has closed and is in the books, and the results are out. Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney enjoyed the highest-grossing tours in country music in 2011.
Swift placed second overall on concert trade Pollstar's list of top tours of North America, raking in a whopping gross of $97.7 million with her guest appearance littered Speak Now Tour. Swift placed second only to U2, who collected $156 million in box office receipts for their '360' tour. U2 have been around for decades, so the fact that a relative 'newcomer' like Swift was nipping at their heels is pretty impressive.
Third place went to Swift's fellow country music superstar Chesney, a perennial live draw who hauled in $84.6 million for the year.
Swift and Chesney placed ahead of Lady Gaga and Bon Jovi. Not too shabby for the country genre to have two acts in the Top 5. It's evidence that country music fans turn out in droves to support the acts that they love and take in their live shows.


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Alien UFO Vinyl Sticker | Weather-proof | 8-year lifefrom $8.00
Type: Vinyl
Availability: In Stock
Please select your sticker and size using the drop-down menus.
- Sizes are shown as WIDTH x HEIGHT (Cm to Inches Converter)
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- Stickers can be applied to any clean, smooth surface such as cars, trucks, windows, laptops, fridges and many more.
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- There is to this sticker/decal.
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- Can't find the size you were after? Send me a message to get a quote.
Note: To save you postage, the sticker may be folded to fit inside the envelope. Once applied, any creases will disapper, however, if you are concerned, tube postage (where the sticker/s will not be folded) is available when you check out.


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Oak Creek residents find homemade bottle bombs; police searching for suspects
November 28, 2012
Oak Creek — Residents and business owners in Oak Creek on Tuesday and Wednesday were finding the remains of small, homemade bombs throughout the town as police continued to search for who made them.
Oak Creek Fire Protection District Chief Chuck Wisecup said Wednesday that the devices were plastic bottles filled with aluminum foil and a cleaning agent suspected to be toilet bowl cleaner.
When the two ingredients combine, they cause the bottle to explode and leave behind chemicals and fumes Wisecup said can cause burns, respiratory problems and blindness.
The fire department is encouraging anyone who finds one of the devices to avoid them and to call 911 because the detonated remains can be dangerous to handle.
"You definitely have to take a step back and think about what you're going to do with the device when you find it," he said.
The first bomb was found Tuesday morning in the parking lot of Rachel's Smokin' BBQ and Cafe. Owner Rachel Green said her adult daughter found the detonated bottle and touched it with her foot not knowing what it was. She said it appears the detonated device left behind an acid because a liquid ate through her daughter's sock but didn't cause any injury.
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"It's a nasty substance," Green said. "If she would have picked it up, she would have been in trouble."
Green suspects the device was thrown at her property sometime Monday night or early Tuesday.
Wisecup said that after he posted about the bombs on Facebook, firefighters were called to at least two more reports of similar devices found at nearby residences Tuesday afternoon.
Firefighters were called to another report of a bottle bomb Wednesday morning.
Oak Creek Police Department officer Ed Corriveau said Wednesday evening that police still were investigating the bombs found in town.
When asked whether his department had identified any suspects, Corriveau said he couldn't release any additional information until he had news release approved by Town Administrator Mary Alice Page-Allen.
Corriveau said more information likely would be available Thursday morning.
Wisecup said the homemade bombs in Oak Creek are similar to ones deployed in Hayden years ago that injured a police officer.
In August 2007, 12 to 14 mangled, plastic bottles were found throughout Hayden. Like the bottles found in Oak Creek, they appeared to have been remnants of homemade acid bombs, which explode when a common cleaning agent is sealed inside a plastic bottle with aluminum foil. The reaction leaves behind poisonous hydrochloric acid fumes.
A Hayden police officer who responded to the scene of the exploding devices inhaled those fumes and was diagnosed with chemical bronchitis.
Two 19-year-old former Hayden residents eventually were charged for detonating the devices.
To reach Scott Franz, call 970-871-4210 or email email@example.com


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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Pushed by several outstanding individual performances and making the semifinal round of the Atlantic Sun Conference Championships, the Lipscomb men's soccer team proved 2012 to be another successful season.
The Bisons had a second team All-Conference selection, a member of the All-Freshman team, two A-Sun Academic All-Conference members and a defensive Athlete of the Week while posting a 7-12-1 record overall and 3-4-1 mark in league play.
Sophomore defender Omar Djabi did not suffer from the dreaded "sophomore slump" as he was named to the second team All-Conference after earning All-Freshman Team honors a year ago. Djabi scored three goals and dished out two assists from the defensive line.
It was Djabi's goal that thrust the Bisons to their first win of the season at Central Arkansas.
Rookie Reece Holcombe became the second-straight Lipscomb player to be named to the A-Sun All-Freshman Team. Holcombe was the only unanimous selection on the team this season while leading the Bisons in points (10) and goals (4) along with tying the for the team lead in assists with two.
Holcombe's first career goal will go down in history, as it was the game-winner at rival Belmont. The victory secured an unbeaten record against Belmont for the graduating senior class, a feat that had never been accomplished.
Senior Ethan Summers was named A-Sun Academic All-Conference and earned Defensive Player of the Week after scoring his first two career goals, the latter being the game-winner against Oral Roberts. The weekly award was the first in Summers' career. The veteran finished the year with three goals and two assists while providing leadership as the captain of the squad. Summers posted a 3.63 GPA while majoring in business management.
Sophomore Robbie Johnson also earned A-Sun Academic All-Conference with a 3.78 GPA in engineering. Johnson, a defender, had an assists in the Bisons victory over Florida Gulf Coast while posting 13 shots including six on frame.
The Bisons made the semifinal round of the A-Sun Championships for the third time in program history, before ultimately falling to the regular season champion FGCU. Earlier in the season, the Bisons handed the Eagles their only loss in A-Sun play, a 3-1 victory on Oct. 6 at the Lipscomb Soccer Complex.
Heading into the 2013 season, the Bisons lose senior leadership from Summers who ended his career as the active leader in the A-Sun with 79 games and Jeremy Reid, a fellow captain, and veteran of 75 games. The Bisons also lose Deven Bahadoorsingh, Josh Robert and Matt Shanklin, all of whom will graduate having set Bisons program standards with three semifinal appearances and twice reaching the 10-win plateau.


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On a recent trip to Vrbancic Brothers Racing to witness a dyno pull, we had the chance to chat with Bob and George about the various project engines in their shop. One of their customers brought in an all-stock engine. He wanted to really punch out the ponies with this engine, but didn't want to get rid of the OEM heads. Not for any numbers-matching, auction house reasons, he just wanted a stock appearing engine.
Although an attempt was made to dissuade him from this path for the simple sake of economics and flow numbers, he still insisted that the OEM heads be rebuilt. Admittedly, most of us can probably identify with this situation. Sometimes it's just downright cool to see an old set of double hump heads on top of an engine.
Looking old school cool does come at a price, though. Unless you own a machine shop, there's a good chance that the costs will easily cross the $1,000 mark with upgrades such as cleaning an old set of double hump heads, adding hardened seats, grinding the seats, porting and polishing, fitting new guides, and installing screw-in rocker arms, studs, seals, springs, valves, etc.
It used to be that this was the only way to have higher flowing heads. Most early racers had a secret scientist locked away in a tower where he worked night and day getting those asthmatic heads to breathe. A majority of those old racers were pretty tight lipped about the performance of their heads. Well, the secret is out of the bag-and has been for several years now. The performance of yesteryear's racers is now standard operating procedure for various aftermarket cylinder head companies.
We called all the cylinder head manufacturers we could think of and asked them what their most popular off-the-shelf performance cylinder head is. We also told them that we wanted to present our readers with performance heads available on a realistic budget (given that "realistic" budgets tend to range quite a bit). Judging by the responses we received, it seems the majority of today's bang-for-the-buck performance cylinder heads are the out-of-the-box, pre-assembled type. In no particular order, here's that list we compiled. Stay tuned for next month's big-block cylinder head list.
GM Performance Parts
Vortec 170cc Cast-iron SBC Cylinder head
One of America's favorite high-performance, cast-iron, small-block cylinder heads offers big power at an incredible value. The modified combustion chambers and high-velocity port technology offer impressive power gains at an affordable price. The Vortec head significantly outflows their non-Vortec service replacement head and offers a 20-40 hp increase over earlier cast-iron heads. They will fit 1955-and-later small-blocks, except for the LT1/LT4 and LS family of engines. (These heads do require Vortec-specific intake manifolds).
Air Flow Research
(818) 890-0616
AFR 180cc and 195cc SBC Eliminator Street Cylinder Head
AFR's new "Eliminator" SBC line raises the bar for 23 cylinder-head technology. Completely redesigned castings feature improved oil drain back, stronger rocker stud bosses, and revised cooling passages. A clean sheet of paper approach to port and combustion chamber designs has boosted efficiency levels dramatically with smaller cross-sectional areas flowing 5-10 percent more across the entire curve for increased airspeed. AFR is the first company to incorporate "Gen III" technology into their 23 product line by fitting them with 8mm valves, and lightweight springs and retainers (a 50-gram weight reduction per valve/spring/retainer assembly), which reduces valve float and improves high-rpm power and reliability.
The AFR Emissions Legal (versions from 1969 to 1994 with heat riser, CARB EO #D-250-2), 180cc intake port small-block Chevy cylinder heads are available in your choice of straight, or L98 angle plug versions. The 180cc heads feature a 74cc or 68cc combustion chamber with a 64cc exhaust port and a 3/4-inch thick head deck (ideal for nitrous or blower applications.) The 68cc chambers are designed for flat top or dished pistons; domed pistons will require additional machining. Standard valves are 2.020 intake and 1.600 exhaust with AFR's hardened ductile iron interlocking valve seats. The exceptional flow characteristics, ideal operating range of idle to 5500 rpm (higher rpm ranges possible depending on combination of parts), 23 valve angle, and standard valve spacing make this the perfect street head for 327 cid to 350 cid engines from 1955 to 1986. They're also available for 1987-to-present engines with center bolt valve covers and two center intake bolts at 72 angle. No special parts are required for these heads.
World Products
(631) 981-1918
Sportsman II 200cc Iron SBC Cylinder Head
Continuously improved since its 1987 introduction, the Sportsman II is still the industry's most popular cast-iron high-performance head. Featuring RightCast 200cc intake runners, Fast-Burn chambers, and your choice of angled or straight plugs, they're good for 30-70hp increases right out of the box. They're the aftermarket's only 50-state emissions-legal, cast-iron, high-performance cylinder head (E.O. #D-343-1). World Products heads are precision CNC-machined, and indexed off the chambers to assure perfect alignment with the cylinder. They flow 238 x 134 @.600 as-cast.
Cost per pair: $645.98 (bare); $968.98 - $1101.98 (assembled).
World Products
(631) 981-1918
S/R Torquer 170cc Iron SBC Cylinder Head
An improved replacement for the factory Chevrolet 327-350-400 cylinder heads, World's S/R Torquer series features 170cc intake runners, and can provide up to a 30hp increase over most OEM castings. Note, however, that these heads are accepted by many racing associations as "stock," and are 50-state emissions legal. S/R Torquer heads accept early and late model accessories. The exhaust valve seats are hardened to provide compatibility with unleaded gas. The S/R Torquer heads are available in 67cc and 76cc versions for engines up to 1986, and 76cc for 1987-and-later applications. They are designed to use 2.020-inch intake and 1.600-inch exhaust valves. They flow 206 x 116 @.600 as-cast, and work well in engines from 302 to 400 cid.
Cost per pair: $598.48 (bare); $883.48 (assembled).
World Products
(631) 981-1918
Motown 220cc Cast-iron SBC Cylinder Head
Designed to provide an even greater intake charge than the Sportsman II, World's Motown 220 features the latest high-tech 64cc chambers and RightCast 220cc runners to provide a combination of excellent flow and high velocity. With high-flow ports (flow: 269 x 169 @.600 as-cast) and standard intake valves, Motown 220 heads are the ideal complement to large displacement small-blocks (383 cid and larger).
Cost per pair: $655.48 (bare); $1101.98 - $1291.98 (assembled; with your choice of straight or angle plug configurations).
Patriot Performance
(888) 462-8276
Freedom 188cc Aluminum SBC Cylinder Head
Patriot Performance's new Freedom Series heads provide exceptional quality and great performance. The intake and exhaust runners on these heads were modeled after its CNC ported heads and flow 260 @ .600-inch using a 188cc intake runner. The combustion chamber volume on these heads will be 64cc, and castings will be available in straight or angle plug. The 188cc Freedom heads are designed for street/strip applications and are equipped with the following: 2.02/1.57 21-4N stainless steel valves, steel retainers, .575-inch lift springs, custom honed bronze guides, machined spring bases, viton rubber seals, 3/8-inch studs, and guide plates. A 220cc runner version and a BBC version will be coming soon. These heads will fit all '55-and-up GM 23 small-block engines (except LT1).
Cost per pair: $795.00 (assembled).
(479) 394-1075
IK 180cc & 200cc Aluminum SBC Cylinder Head
These new small-block heads offer the only two things that matter: performance and price. New features for the IK 180/200 include a revolutionary ultra-casting, versatile 180cc or 200cc intake ports that are specifically designed for optimum versatility, and 64cc or 70cc combustion chambers. 2.020/1.600 intake and exhaust valves allow the use of several types of fuels. Standard features include: A-356 virgin aluminum alloy, phosphorous bronze valve guides, valve seats for use with unleaded fuel, ends milled and drilled for accessories, and a straight spark-plug angle. CNC ported combustion chambers are available as large as 74 cc. These are the most affordable high quality aluminum cylinder heads on the market.
Cost: $1,070 (for assembled heads).
(479) 394-1075
Race Rite 180cc & 200cc Aluminum SBC Cylinder Head
These Race-Rite heads from Brodix for small-block Chevys are available with 180cc or 200cc intake ports. They feature 67cc combustion chambers, 2.020/1.600 intake and exhaust valves on the 180cc, and 2.055/1.600 intake and exhaust on the 200cc models. These aluminum CNC-machined, fully assembled heads can be used in street and strip applications. Brodix installs solid, phosphorous bronze guides, and ductile iron valve seats reducing valve leakage and oil consumption.
Cost: The assembled 200cc retails for about $1,329.
EQ (Enginequest)
(800) 426-8771
EQ Cast 180cc & 200cc Iron SBC Cylinder Head
Enginequest stock replacement and performance cylinder heads are designed to provide maximum power with minimum effort. They're engineered and manufactured in a state-of-the-art facility and are available from over 300 different retailers. All EQ 23 cylinder heads feature specially designed runners and combustion chambers (available in 50cc, 64cc, and 72cc volumes) to maximize velocity, volume, and atomization. Their improved valve guide material allows for tighter tolerances and extended durability. The heads are available in cast-iron, and straight or angled spark-plug configurations. EQ Lightning Heads accept 1.55-inch diameter springs and standard style rockers. All performance cylinder heads have the following: as-cast combustion chambers and ports, Dura Bond exhaust seats, a three-angle valve job, thick deck faces for angle milling, phosphor bronze intake, and exhaust guides machined for guide plate use.
Cost: $860.50 K1 (hydraulic flat tappet up to .550 lift-1.460-inch single w/damper 110lbs @ 1.800-inch); $899.50 K2 (solid flat tappet or hydraulic roller up .600 lift-1.460-inch dual w/damper 135lbs @ 1.800-inch).
Powerhouse Engine Components, Inc.
(661) 861-0167
Powerhouse 190cc Aluminum SBC Cylinder Head
You've seen the ads in Super Chevy that read: "Home of the 383 Stroker Kit." Did you know Powerhouse also makes and sells cylinder heads? Powerhouse aluminum cylinder heads feature a 64cc chamber/190cc intake runner, and a spring setup for .550-inch flat tappet hydraulic cams (upgrades available). Heads feature 2.05-inch x 1.60-inch stainless steel, swirl polished valves, .550-inch lift (1.460-inch OD) dual valve springs, chrome-moly retainers, 10 hardened valve locks, high-temp valve seals, and bronze guides. The straight or angled plugs both include 3/8-inch screw-in studs and guideplates (and require +.100-inch long hardened pushrods).
Cost: $799 (assembled).
Holley Performance Products
(270) 782-2900
Avenger 184cc Aluminum SBC Cylinder Head
Holley Performance Products is proud to introduce the latest addition to its line of aluminum cylinder heads for 305, 327, and 350ci small-blocks built up to 1986. The Avenger heads are cast 356 aluminum, heat treated to T-6 for strength and then CNC machined to exact tolerances. A .500-inch deck thickness was designed into the casting to give maximum strength and to improve gasket retention. All rocker stud and exhaust manifold bolt holes are heli-coiled for added strength and durability. The Avenger heads offer a 20-degree valve angle design to help optimize the intake and exhaust runner flow, but still retain the stock port locations for intake manifolds and exhaust headers. The heads come fully assembled with one-piece stainless steel swirl polished under-cut 2.02-inch intake valves and 1.60 exhaust valves; hardened steel guide plates; ARP rocker studs; and Lunati valve springs, locks, and retainers capable of handling the high-lift camshafts. The port-matched 184cc intake and 68cc exhaust runners are port-matched to ensure maximum flow, horsepower, and torque. In most cases the Avenger heads can be interchanged with factory heads. The 68cc combustion chambers are performance-designed to keep compression ratios down for use with pump gas, and the spark plug location has been optimized for better combustion.
Cost: $1,400 (MSRP).
Aerohead Racing Components
(317) 862-0223
Aerohead Cast 165cc Iron SBC Cylinder Head
Aeroheads are reconditioned and come assembled with a "like new" appearance and quality, all new Aeromaxx parts installed, and a milled deck surface. These heads have outstanding features that include premium one-piece, stainless steel, high-flow valves; heat treated and machined steel retainers and valve locks, seals, bronze wall valve guides; a 3-angle valve job; and heavy duty valve springs. All heads listed accept their respective stock equipment (i.e. intake manifolds, exhaust headers and manifolds, valvetrain, valve covers, and accessory bolt holes). The heads also offer a modern, fast burn combustion chamber design.
Cost: $625.
RHS (Racing Head Service)
(877) 776-4323
Pro Torker 1 170cc Iron Vortec SBC Cylinder Heads
Once again proving its commitment to "Power by Design," the new RHS Pro Torker Vortec Iron Performance cylinder heads deliver superior flow characteristics over all other previously available iron small-block Chevrolet heads. In comparison to the popular GM 906 casting, the RHS Pro Torker Vortec cylinder heads deliver 27 more cfm at 0.500-inch lift. Constructed from high quality cast-iron, these heads are perfect for racing classes where iron heads (with standard 2.02-inch intake and 1.600-inch exhaust valve sizing) are required. Featuring dual pattern (four and six bolt) intake compatibility, these heads work with virtually any intake manifold (including early style) rather than being restricted to Vortec-style components, which has been a limiting factor in the past.
Equipped with hardened exhaust seats, multi-angle performance intake valve seats, and "Fast Burn" 64cc combustion chambers, the new RHS Pro Torker Vortec heads are perfect for both race and street performance applications. Featuring spring seats specially machined for 1.550-inch valve springs, and premium bronze valve guides designed to avoid potential retainer to guide clearance issues when used with high lift camshafts, RHS delivers the ultimate in high quality, high-flow cylinder head technology with its new Vortec SBC Iron Performance Cylinder Heads. Features include: a 170cc intake runner, multi-angled intake valve seats, radiused exhaust valve seats, a 1.550-inch valve spring seat, improved retainer-to-guide clearance, hardened valve seats, extra-thick deck faces, and a dual pattern (early and late model) intake manifold compatibility.
Cost: $450 (assembled; flat tappet).
RHS (Racing Head Service)
(877) 776-4323
Pro Action 200cc Iron/Aluminum SBC Cylinder Heads
The new Pro Action cylinder heads use advanced airflow and cooling technology to deliver the most "out of the box" power and torque available, claims RHS. A manufacturing process labeled Clean Cast Technology ensures that its products meet strict tolerances and achieve superior final workmanship in order to eliminate the need for extensive after-purchase porting. As an added benefit, the refined RHS water jacket design flows much better than the competition, delivering improved heat dissipation and yielding more consistent and reliable horsepower.
Pro Action 23-Degree SBC Cylinder Heads feature specially designed runners and combustion chambers (available in 50cc, 64cc, and 72cc volumes) to maximize volume, atomization, and velocity. An improved valve guide material yields tighter tolerances and extended durability. Available in aluminum or iron, and straight or angle spark plug configurations, Pro Action SBC cylinder heads accept 1.550-inch diameter springs, and standard style rockers and valvetrain. Options include as-cast, CNC'd chambers, or matched assemblies utilizing Comp Cams components. Standard features include multi-angle intake, and radiused exhaust valve seats for up to five percent more flow and improved guide and seat material. Select from 180cc, 200cc, 220cc, and 235cc intake runners, and 50cc, 64cc, and 72cc combustion chambers.
Cost: $626 (assembled).
Iron Eagle Platinum 180cc Cast-iron cylinder SBC Cylinder head
Dart has developed more efficient port designs with improved velocity and flow capabilities, and the results are the Iron Eagle Platinum cylinder heads. The combustion chamber of these heads has been redesigned, and the casting walls made cleaner, for greater breathing characteristics and more controllable combustion. Also featured are hardened exhaust seats for better durability with unleaded fuel, and a 5-angle competition valve job on the intake, with a full radius on the exhaust valve. These heads also accept most stock bolt-on components. The result of three decades of cylinder head development, Iron Eagle heads incorporate features that were previously available only in expensive aluminum cylinder heads. Dart designed the Iron Eagle heads for street performance, bracket racing, oval track competition, and high-performance marine use. five different intake ports are offered: 165cc, 180cc, 200cc, 215cc, and 230cc, that cover virtually every engine application. Dart Iron Eagle heads have standard features you don't get in other factory and aftermarket cast-iron cylinder heads. Long-wearing bronze valve guides (except S/S), multi-angle intake valve seats, and hardened and radiused exhaust seats are standard.
(248) 362-1188
Pro 1 200cc Aluminum SBC Cylinder Head
There's a Pro 1 head for virtually every small-block engine. Dart offers a choice of four intake runner sizes (180 cc, 200 cc, 215 cc, and 230 cc), two chamber volumes (64 cc and 72 cc), five valve diameters, and straight or angled spark plugs. Dart has improved the original small-block design with extra-thick decks and high-capacity water jackets that increase reliability in high-performance applications. Hardened exhaust seats and long-lasting mag-bronze valve guides significantly extend cylinder head life. Pro 1 heads are engineered for easy installation.
These heads work with standard small-block pistons, headers, and valvetrain components, and are bolt-on replacements for most conventional 23 heads.


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Savory Ingredients Meet Demand for New Flavors
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|The basis of savory or umami is in meaty tastes that primarily round out other flavors and taste sensations. Photo courtesy of McCormick.
The Merriam-Webster's Dictionary describes savory as "pleasing to the taste and smell." There is general agreement that savory flavors are often found in cooked foods, often the result of a reducing sugar (like glucose or maltose) and amino acid subjected to heat and/or acid. Some savory flavors are produced via the Maillard reaction, which produces toasted, cooked and sautéed notes.
That leaves a lot of latitude (and longitude), a lot of directions in which processors and their ingredient suppliers can take savory. "The most noticeable trend is for Far East and Indian-type flavors," says Simon Poppledorf, vice president of RandD for flavors at Bell Flavors and Fragrances, (website), Northfield, Ill. "Curry, a blend of spices, is showing up in all kinds of foods. It's aromatic, flavored with spices including cardamom and cinnamon, and using capsicums of all types so that it's getting hotter all of the time. It's showing up in snacks, yogurt dips, and other cultured dairy products as well as sauces, main dishes, and snacks." It's all savory, he says.
Vegetable flavors offer savory flavor notes, too. Vegetables such as mushrooms, tomato, asparagus, onion, and garlic, all of which contain large amounts of glutamic acid or other specific amino acids, are new, popular sources for savory flavor. Mushroom, especially shitake mushrooms, contribute a lot of savory flavor, which is why they are so popular with chefs as flavors in rice dishes and others.
Flavor and Fragrance Specialties (www.ffs.com), Mahwah, N.J., offers these flavors as well as cabbage and broccoli flavors (possibly building on the sulfur ingredients of those cruciform vegetables) to provide savory notes. As fruits and vegetables gain popularity, they become more important as a source of savory flavor. A number of firms offer toasted, fried, sautéed and otherwise altered garlic and onion flavors that offer an easy route to making foods tastier.
A savory history
While the umami flavor/sensation has been understood by the Chinese for more than 1,000 years, apparently the first identification of a protein-based savory flavor was made by the Japanese in the early 1900s. Kikunae Ikeda separated the crystals of monosodium glutamate from seaweed broth. The flavor, described by Ikeda as like that of tomatoes or cheese, was described as umami, which approximately translates to "delicious."
Savory products have very complex flavor systems, so temperature control during processing can be extremely important. If flavors are changed, the effect of temperature should be monitored.
Some of these new flavors are protected by very complicated systems. While certain flavors are designed to be very effective in a heat-processed or frozen product, the same flavor could have a totally different effect in a refrigerated or dry, shelf-stable product.
Hot flavors, especially concentrated ones, must be very carefully measured as small errors can make the final product inedible. And they should be weighed and handled while wearing protective clothing and goggles. An accidental rub of the eye can be very painful and quite dangerous.
A key component of naturally occurring savory flavor is glutamic acid, which is also a major component of proteins, with great variations in concentration. One of the earliest uses of the protein-reaction flavors was in hydrolyzed vegetable protein, with its high content of glutamic acid, in the early 1960s.
Bound glutamate is a major source of umami flavors, and the amount of glutamate often is similar to the savory flavor impact of those foods. For example, parmesan cheese has 9,847 mg of glutamic acid per 100 g of the cheese, chicken has 3,309 mg per 100 g and cows milk offers 800+ mg per 100 g.
While the science of producing savory flavors is not new, the variety of flavors preferred by the public does change with flavor and food preferences. These flavor preferences are impacted by Americans' desire for something different, fueled by a well-traveled generation that has been influenced by Thai, Vietnamese, Caribbean and other cuisines, as well as the impact of the growing Latino population, which is being increasingly Americanized. So savory foods today are generally hotter and more complex than in the past.
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Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom
With the C-8080, Olympus enters the 8-megapixel arena with a splash. It's well suited both to amateur photo enthusiasts who want to ramp up their power and to professional photographers who need a smaller camera that's still loaded with a high-quality lens and expected high-end features. To that end, the C-8080 has a hot shoe for an external flash and the ability to add lenses (in conjunction with Olympus's bayonet-connected lens adapter tube).
With a body modeled after Olympus's professional E-20N, it has a classic SLR-style look but with a smaller profile (it's less bulky than Sony's DSC-F828). The rubber hand grip feels quite comfortable, making it easy for our fingers to access all the operation buttons on the right side. That said, we had to train ourselves to press the shutter-release button instead of the power button, since it is placed a bit lower from the top than where our fingers wanted to go. We also occasionally turned off the camera when making adjustments to the mode dial.
The left side also collects several buttons that are used in combination with the jog dial on the back (enabling quick access without having to go through all the menus). These buttons include flash pop-up and mode selection, resolution and image quality, and exposure compensation buttons. The LCD can be pulled away from the camera body and tilted up and down, which is especially handy for capturing ground-level photos.
Ergonomics aside, the C-8080 offers a powerful array of photographic features that make it easy to snap pics automatically or with your own manual settings. Here are some highlights:
- The C-8080 has four continuous shooting modes, with the fastest being five shots at 1.5 frames-per-second (which was helpful in capturing the tip-off at an NCAA basketball game). It also has an AF burst mode where the focus is adjusted frame by frame, but this slows down the capture speed.
- The manual focus mode allows you to get in as close as 7.9 inches (20 cm). A zoomed portion of your subject appears at the center of the LCD enabling you to get the right adjustment.
- The movie mode allows you to record up to 640 x 480 resolution (VGA) with sound, and it's only limited by the amount of free space on your memory card–the LCD shows how much more video you can fit there. You'll also be able to hear audio during in-camera playback thanks to a small, built-in speaker at the bottom.
Other fave features included the electronic viewfinder (which helps keep the LCD from draining battery power), the My Mode setting (which can save up to 8 presets), and the ability to shoot in RAW format.
Although the 5x optical zoom is smaller than other current 8 MP models, we found it to be quite adequate. It's also a bit on the wide side–28-140mm with maximum aperture settings of f2.4 at wide and f3.5 at telephoto. The aspherical glass lens is built to the same quality level as the Zuiko lenses used with Olympus's E-1 digital SLR. We were quite happy with its clarity and ability to pick up fine details–even in a romantically lit restaurant.
The included 32 MB xD memory card is nice start, but you'll definitely need the space for storing 8 MP photos; we were able to fit 20 HQ 3264 x 2448 images onto the card. It's also compatible with Type I and II CompactFlash cards, and we recommend purchasing either a large-capacity CF card or a MicroDrive to ensure you've got enough capacity. One bonus of using xD is its faster write speed (images save about one second faster than a MicroDrive). The downside to using the two card formats at once is you have to choose a destination card each time you start the camera (it defaults to the xD card, even if it's maxed out).
We found the battery life to be quite long-lasting–we only used about half of its capacity during five days of moderate use. The C-8080 is powered by the rechargeable lithium-ion BLM-1 battery. The camera conserves battery power by going to sleep within three minutes of not being used; press any button to immediately bring it back to life.
Overall, Olympus delivers a worthy, professional, SLR-style camera with a good range of high-end controls, handy features, expandability, and great image detail. The only factor that tempers our enthusiasm is its somewhat awkward button layout. –Agen G.N. Schmitz
- Sharp 8-megapixel details and bright lens
- Good variety of professional-quality photographic features, including hot shoe and add-on lenses
- Articulated LCD and electronic viewfinder for saving battery drain
- Dual xD and CompactFlash/MicroDrive compatibility
- Long-lasting lithium-ion rechargeable battery
- Poor layout of control buttons–a slip of the finger easily turns off the camera
- Need to choose CF card every time camera is turned on if xD card also present


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March 15, 2006
Kaitlan Riccio
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Lansing Girl Scouts honored
Troop 1454 members receive Girl Scout Gold Award at annual banquet
Four members of Lansing Troop 1454 are the recipients of Girl Scouting's highest award.
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text: Video: The Box Opener System July 19, 2013 10:48 AM Tweet TAGS: Marketing, Overseas December 18, 2014 By Margy Eckelkamp Director of Content Development, Machinery Pete Email The following information is a Web Extra from the pages of Farm Journal. It corresponds with the article "Better to be Safe." You can find the article in Farm Journal's 2013 Seed Guide. Watch a short video of the Box Opener System and Nester in action. Back to news


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Official *What did you get in the mail today?* Thread!!!
52 Teas ~ Pumpkin Pie
Zhena's Gypsy Tea ~ Firelight Chai
Harney and Son/ Paromi(samples) ~ Holiday and Cinnamon Chai
Have you tried your Pumpkin Pie yet? I was looking at purchasing that one.
Yes, and reviewed it.
Going to look at it now.
Got my DAVIDsTEA order in the mail! YAH!!!!
Pink Flamingo
Red Velvet Cake
Kiwi's Big Adventure (Left this off originally, but it came too)
Tangerine Dream
Toasted Marshmallow
Glitter and Gold
Goji Pop (Left this off originally too, but it came in with all the others)
Green and Fruity
Bear Trap
Mint Chocolate Chip
Sweet Dreams
Mom's Apple Pie-Being discontinued!!! :(
Santa's Secret
The Skinny
Cocomint Cream
1 Perfect Tea Mug (Clear)
Gaaaaaaah. Yum.
I'm drinking the Red Velvet Cake tea right now…still have 12 new teas I need to try!!!
is that red velvet good? I see it every time I go to the one in the city, but haven't gotten to try it yet
Artp- it's soooooooooooo good!
really? I have to pick it up then! Especially as a gift; at least half the people in my life are red velvet addicts.
Now I want some cake flavoured tea.
Arpt-It's very good! I have a cold and I can still smell the flavor of cake in my house when I make this tea.
Pink Flamingo sounds like a cocktail with one of those paper umbrellas.
@ Tina12-I saw a video review on glitter and gold, and the individual said it was really good. It has a really strong cinnamon aroma, and I'm excited to try it. Bear trap smells like trail mix, pretty excited to try that one too. Pink flamingo smells the best of the three (like oranges), so that's the next one I'll be drinking once I finish my Kiwi's Big Adventure, which I somehow left off of my list of tea that came in the mail.
@ Lariel-I agree. It has a REALLY strong citrus smell to it, probably the best smelling tea next to Mom's Apple Pie that I purchased.
I'm bummed out. My Upton order was supposed to arrive today but the USPS blew me off because of the storm. :(
I hate when this happens! So disappointing. For me, I live out in the middle of nowhere, so sometimes I have to track my packages down because it was delivered to the wrong house or they left it at the post office because they couldn't find my house.
I just got some David's tea in:
Banana Dream Pie
Hot Lips (Organic)
Ginseng Oolong
Guayusa (Organic)
Licorice Twist
mom's Apple Pie
Plastic Bombilla
Green Mate
How is the Banana Dream Pie? (mmmmm banana)
Let me know what you think about Licorice Twist. I love licorice, but I'm afraid it won't taste good as a tea.
What is guayusa? I think I had that with rooibos once. I want to try the swapwater, mostly because of the name.
It's tea made of leaves from the holly tree in Ecuador. I had a sample of it from Tea District. It's definitely different in taste. Kind of silky too.
I haven't tried any of it yet but banana dream pie smells like dark chocolate/ bourbon /banana. Licorice twist smells has a strong mint smell hopefully the licorice taste shines through it. Guayusa smells very green like green tea, it's an herb that is supposed to provide energy. Swampwater smells fruity,like kind of fruit punch. Opening them into their tins makes me want to drink them all now!
I finally got to head back to my apartment (in "blizzard" nemo, I know, not the smartest move) and came back to a TON of stuff!
3 swaps
2 Smaugs from 52teas
NMTC order (Smokey EG, Casablanca, Monkey King Jasmine EG)
Tea Guys order (Maple Sugar, samples of Key Lime & Coconut Truffle)
Slips for the traveling tea box and my steep city order~
Two more boxes on my doorstep this morning!
One was my Rooibos order from NMTC
Second was some limited oolong and a bunch of copper tea tins I'm finding i like the best to store my teas in from Tao of Tea.
Here's a pic of todays presents!
Love the copper tins! And thanks for pics I really enjoy seeing everyone's tea goodies!
Thanks! I'm loving the tins too (have about 20 of them now) I need to find a shelf system for them soon!
(and happy to provide pics…I'm the same way, I live SEEING stuff much more then just words)
The copper tins are gorgeous!
Only $3 at Tao of Tea when they have them in stock (or some of their limited teas you can get in the copper tins super cheap. Got some oolong for $4 with tin included!
More mail today!
A HUGE package from TeaEqualsBliss including one of our swaps along with the TTB
Della Terra Order: Love In A Cup, Hearts & Roses, Professor Grey
Steep City Order: Coconut Grove, Citrus Sunshine Oolong, Black Carnival, free sample of Lady Melody
I am rolling in tea! I'd take a picture but my apartment is tea mayhem right now, reorganizing my cupboard and it looks like a tea bomb went off.
Just one teabomb?
Okay maybe 5 or 6 teabombs ^^;
got 2 swaps, and several package tickets to pick up monday!
yup. can only pick up packages between 10:30-12 noon at the PO Locally…so this happens constantly
That's such a narrow window!
Ah.. on saturdays…forgot that part…so not as bad most.
got Azzrian's package of teas complete with a cute lil kitty cellphone thingie! :)
my old friend sent me another box of samples from her cupboard too :)
a digital scale from amazon
and my first big tea order:
2oz, halfpounds of blacks, flavored blacks, tisanes, and an oolong.
will post the list in a swapping thread :)
Forgot to post Friday night. Received my Monkey Picked Oolong from Sara on Friday.


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sleepywrap needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 7 designs submitted by 2 freelance designers.
We are adding a new "CREATE" section to our website where our customers can upload pictures and ideas and vote for their favorites. We are in need of some makeover ideas.
Our "CREATE" contests will mainly be targeted towards new moms and moms-to-be. This part of our website is still not "LIVE", but our current page can be entered through
- we would like to keep the top portion of the page intact (as to correspond with the rest of our website)
- we would like to keep the functionality of the page with all the links
- tagline can be changed
- buttons can be changed
- "CREATE" navigation can be changed (COMPETITIONS open closed etc.)
- we are basically open to any new ideas below our blue navigation line


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Gray, Butler remain atop Rockies' updated Top 20 list
With the passing of the Draft signing deadline, teams have had a recent influx of talent into their farm systems, and with that, we've updated the Top 20 Prospects lists of all 30 teams.
To be on a list, a player must have rookie eligibility. To qualify for rookie status, a player must not have exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues, or accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the 25-player limit period, excluding time on the disabled list or in military service.
With the passing of the Draft signing deadline, teams have had a recent influx of talent into their farm systems, and with that, we've updated the Top 20 Prospects lists of all 30 teams.
To be on a list, a player must have rookie eligibility. To qualify for rookie status, a player must not have exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues, or accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the 25-player limit period, excluding time on the disabled list or in military service.
Players are graded on a 20-80 scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average.
Check out all 30 team Top 20 lists and the Top 100 on Prospect Watch.
1. Jonathan Gray, RHP
Preseason rank: 1
MLB Top 100 rank: 15 (Preseason: 14)
Scouting grades: Fastball: 80 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 65
Gray didn't enter the spring of 2013 with much fanfare, and his teammate Dillon Overton was considered to be Oklahoma's best Draft-eligible pitcher. That quickly changed as Gray's fastball was regularly clocked up to 100 mph, propelling him into the conversation for the top overall pick, before settling at No. 3 overall with the Rockies.
Gray has excellent size for a right-hander, and he uses it to generate easy velocity. He throws his fastball in the mid-to-upper 90s. Gray's slider is his best offspeed pitch and he also throws a solid changeup. He displayed impressive command in his professional debut, and he pitches well off his fastball.
It didn't take long for Gray to reach Class A Advanced Modesto after signing, then he went right to Double-A for his full-season debut. He has the stuff to become a front-line starter.
2. Eddie Butler, RHP
Preseason rank: 2
MLB Top 100 rank: 30 (Preseason: 41)
Scouting grades: Fastball: 75 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 60
Butler came on strong in the second half of his junior year at Radford, and he continued to pitch well at Rookie-level Grand Junction after signing. That run continued in 2013, as he appeared in the Futures Game and compiled a 1.80 ERA (the second-best mark in the Minor Leagues) at three levels.
Butler throws his fastball in the mid-90s, and he can reach 99 mph. His wipeout slider is his best offspeed pitch, and his changeup and curveball give him a chance for four average-or-better offerings. Butler has had command problems in the past, but his walk rate improved throughout 2013. His loose easy delivery should make it possible for him to pound the zone at a high rate.
Before the Draft, some scouts thought Butler might be a better fit in the bullpen. Those concerns have been quieted and he now has the look of a potential front-line starter.
3. David Dahl, OF
Preseason rank: 3
MLB Top 100 rank: 44 (Preseason: 71)
Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55
Dahl made a splash in his professional debut, winning the Pioneer League MVP Award in 2012, but he was unable to build on that success in '13. Dahl played on Opening Day in Class A Asheville, but he was then sent back to extended spring camp for disciplinary reasons. He returned to Asheville three weeks later, only to tear his right hamstring, ending his season in early May.
Dahl is a pure hitter with an innate feel for putting the bat on the ball. He has some pop in his bat already and he could develop above-average power as he physically matures.
Before the injury, Dahl had above-average speed, and he used it well offensively and defensively. He covers ground well in the outfield and he has a strong arm. Dahl appears to have recovered from what was essentially a lost year for him, and he is getting back on track this season.
4. Kyle Freeland, LHP
Preseason rank: None (2014 Draft)
MLB Top 100 rank: 75 (Preseason: 2014 Draft)
Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 60 | Overall: 55
A big Cape Cod League performance for Freeland led to a huge junior year at Evansville, allowing the Colorado native to go to his hometown Rockies at No. 8 overall.
Batters react to Freeland's fastball as if he's throwing harder than 90-93 mph, because he has some deception in his delivery and the pitch has heavy life. He can reach 95-96 mph. Freeland throws a true slider in the low 80s, and he can turn it into more of a mid-80s cutter at times. He'll also display an average changeup at times, getting good sink on it.
Freeland throws from a lower arm angle and features more effort in his delivery than scouts like to see in a starter. But he should be able to work out of a rotation in pro ball, because he has two swing-and-miss pitches and he throws strikes.
5. Raimel Tapia, OF
Preseason rank: 9
MLB Top 100 rank: 96 (Preseason: NA)
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
When a Dominican teenager comes and makes his United States debut, the organization hopes he can just adjust and hold his own. Tapia went out and won the Pioneer League batting title while ripping off a 29-game hitting streak.
With an easy left-handed swing, Tapia has a knack for making consistent solid contact. He doesn't strike out much, nor does he draw many walks. There's more power to come as Tapia continues to mature. He's played all over the outfield and he has the speed to stay in center field for now. Should Tapia outgrow the position, he has more than enough arm to play right field, and he could profile well there when all is said and done.
Tapia will play all of the 2014 season at age 20, giving full-season ball a try for the first time.
6. Rosell Herrera, SS
Preseason rank: 4
MLB Top 100 rank: NA (Preseason: 99)
Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
After struggling so much at Class A Asheville that he was demoted to Short-Season Tri-City in 2012, Herrera returned to the South Atlantic League in '13. All he did the second time around was win the MVP Award and the batting title with a .343 average.
An improved swing was crucial to Herrera's turnaround. With his mechanics smoother than before, he has begun driving the ball more and tapping into his raw power. Herrera is a switch-hitter and hits for average well from both sides, but his power mostly comes as a left-hander.
Herrera has also improved defensively. Still, most scouts believe he will eventually outgrow shortstop. Herrera has played some third base already, and he could also fit at second base if he does in fact have to change positions.
7. Ryan McMahon, 3B
Preseason rank: 5
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
A former high school quarterback at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif., a program known as QB High, McMahon chose to focus on baseball as a senior, and he parlayed that into becoming a second-round pick in the 2013 Draft.
McMahon's tremendous debut in the Pioneer League and solid turn in his first full season has Colorado excited, and for good reason. McMahon has the chance to develop into something all teams covet: a left-handed-hitting third baseman. He has good bat speed and a smooth swing, which, along with a solid approach at the plate, should allow him to hit for average. The power showed up immediately in McMahon's debut and it should continue to develop as he matures. He has good hands and an above-average arm, with the skills necessary to stick at the hot corner.
The former QB is a natural leader on the field, and that should serve McMahon well as he moves up the Rockies' Minor League ladder.
8. Kyle Parker, OF/1B
Preseason rank: 6
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
A two-sport star at Clemson, Parker became the first player in NCAA history to throw for 20 touchdowns and hit 20 home runs in the same school year. He has steadily risen through the Minor Leagues since giving up football, and Parker has hit at least 21 home runs in each of his first three professional seasons.
Parker has the strength and the bat speed to generate plus power. He is at his best when he utilizes an up-the-middle approach, and he should be able to hit for a decent average.
Parker began his career as a corner outfielder, but Colorado has increasingly used him as a first baseman. While the Rockies brought in Justin Morneau to replace Todd Helton, Parker could be the team's long-term answer at first base.
9. Forrest Wall, SS/2B
Preseason rank: None (CBA)
Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Run: 70 | Arm: 35 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50
One of the best high school hitters in the 2014 Draft class, Colorado felt fortunate Wall was still there for it to take in the Competitive Balance Round A at No. 35 overall.
Two distinct shoulder injuries concerned some scouts, as Wall separated his left shoulder in March, forcing him to miss a few games. But an injury to his right shoulder that required labrum surgery in 2011 is more troubling. He's been limited to second base as a result. Wall's bat is good enough to make up for the concerns about his arm. He has a quick left-handed swing and he makes consistent line-drive contact. Wall has a surprising amount of power for his size, and he outhomered Jose Bautista in the first round of a charity home run derby in February. He has outstanding speed, making him a basestealing threat as well.
Wall may be an offensive-minded second baseman in the future, but one who can impact the game with his tools in a number of ways.
10.Tom Murphy, C
Preseason rank: 7
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
Joe Hesketh may be the most successful big leaguer to come out of the University of Buffalo, having pitched for parts of 11 seasons. Murphy has the chance to surpass his fellow alum's accomplishments.
Murphy has the skills to be an everyday catcher at the highest level. He doesn't have a bad approach at the plate, though whether he can continue to hit for average remains to be seen. Murphy does have plenty of power, though, enough to keep hitting balls out of ballparks. Behind the plate, he has a strong arm and moves well, giving him the chance to a solid all-around backstop.
The Rockies double-jumped Murphy to Double-A near the end of the 2013 season, putting him on a fast track to Coors Field, where Colorado hopes he can eventually settle in as the team's starting catcher.
11. Trevor Story, SS
Preseason rank: 10
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
Story's first two full seasons of pro ball were vastly different, with a strong first season resulting in a championship and a second year that saw the infielder deal with extended adversity for the first time. He earned a promotion in 2014, showing he can learn from failure.
Story has good bat speed and some extra-base pop, but he became way too aggressive in 2013, leading to a very high strikeout rate. He runs well and is a threat on the basepaths. Story has played more shortstop than anything else, though he has seen time at third. Some feel his defensive skill set would fit better at the hot corner. Story gets very high marks for his leadership skills and plus makeup, even during his struggles.
Whether Story is an everyday player on the left side of the infield or a solid super-utility type remains to be seen, though he's back heading in the right direction.
12.Tyler Anderson, LHP
Preseason rank: 11
Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45
A former first-round pick taken as an advanced college lefty who could move quickly, Anderson has been slowed by injuries, but he still has the pitchability to reach a big league rotation.
Recovered from a stress fracture in his elbow, Anderson should be ready for a full season of innings. When healthy, he attacks hitters with four pitches which he can throw for strikes. Anderson's fastball is average, but he can throw it to both sides of the plate. He has a plus changeup that has a ton of fade and sink to it. Anderson will throw two breaking balls, with his cutter-like slider a touch better than the curve. All of it comes from a funky delivery which causes deception, making it tougher for hitters to pick up the ball.
Anderson may profile as a back-of-the-rotation starter, but if he can stay healthy, he could reach that ceiling fairly quickly.
13. Cristhian Adames, SS
Preseason rank: 15
Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 30 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
There is little question that Adames can handle the defensive rigors of playing shortstop at the highest level. How far his bat comes will determine whether he could one day play there regularly.
Moving steadily through Colorado's Minor League system, Adames has always shown easy, fluid options at short, with good-enough range, hands and plenty of arm to stay there. The questions surrounding him are about his bat. A switch-hitter who's a bit better from the right side, Adames has always been adept at putting the ball in play, and has shown decent strike-zone knowledge. With very limited power and below-average speed, he doesn't have that much of an offensive ceiling.
Adames had played shortstop and little else for much of his career. His path to the big leagues might be as a utility man who can play on both sides of the infield. Adames saw more time at second and third in 2014 as a result.
14. Emerson Jimenez SS
Preseason rank: 14
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
Jimenez's exciting United States debut in 2013, followed by his ability to hold his own in the South Atlantic League in '14, has the organization excited about his potential to become an everyday shortstop -- even if it's way off in the future.
Signed in 2011, Jimenez performed very well in the Short-Season Pioneer League in '13. A left-handed-hitting shortstop, he has good bat speed at the plate, though added strength and a better knowledge of the strike zone will help his offensive game. Jimenez has excellent speed, which should help him on both sides of the ball. He has the range and the arm to stay at shortstop long-term.
Jimenez is not going to move Troy Tulowitzki off of shortstop anytime soon, and the Rockies will be sure not to rush him. Jimenez does give Colorado a middle infielder who will definitely stick at the premium position long-term.
15. Dom Nunez, C
Preseason rank: None (2014 Draft)
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
Nunez mostly played shortstop in high school, but when he moved behind the plate in his senior year, he gave many teams, including the Rockies, an idea. Colorado let Nunez play the infield during his pro debut after signing an above-pick value bonus, then moved him behind the plate for the 2014 season.
Heading back to the Pioneer League, where he made his pro debut, has helped. Nunez has a quick left-handed swing with a solid approach at the plate. As he adds strength, he should also add some power down the line. Nunez runs OK for a catcher and is not a baseclogger. He's solid across the board defensively, though he has a ways to go to become a complete catcher.
The Rockies rave about Nunez's makeup and the natural leadership skills teams love to see in their regular backstops.
16. Sam Moll, LHP
Preseason rank: 12
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45
Moll was a starter at Memphis, but his power stuff and bulldog mentality made many feel he'd be better suited coming out of the bullpen.
Moll did a little bit of both during his pro debut. The southpaw's fastball plays up, hitting the mid-90s in shorter stints. Moll couples it with a nasty slurve-like breaking ball that he throws with a hard sharp break. Moll's changeup is behind the other two pitches, and he will need to improve it if he wants to continue starting. It was a small sample size, but he was much more effective in relief than he was as a starter last summer in the Northwest League.
Moll will also have to get healthy. Elbow issues made 2014 a washout, so he'll need to log some innings to truly get a sense of what his future role might be.
17. Scott Oberg, RHP
Preseason rank: 17
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45
The University of Connecticut has built quite a nice baseball program, producing top prospects like George Springer, Matt Barnes and Mike Olt. If his first full season is any indication, Oberg, a former Tommy John surgery recipient, should join the list of Huskies who are big league bound.
Oberg was tied for second in the Minors with 33 saves in 2013, relying largely on his fastball-curveball combination. The right-handed reliever's fastball can touch the mid-90s, and his hard breaking ball is a hammer out pitch. He also has a changeup, giving hitters a third look. Oberg is very aggressive on the mound, with some effort in his delivery, and he will need to throw more strikes as he moves up the ladder.
With Oberg's stuff and mindset on the mound, if he can refine his command, he has the chance to continue closing at the highest level.
18. Rayan Gonzalez, RHP
Preseason rank: 16
Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45
Sometimes power relief arms can be found in unlikely places. Colorado thinks it may have found one in the 21st round of the 2012 Draft by way of Bethune-Cookman University.
Armed with a hard sinking fastball that can touch the mid-90s, missing bats and inducing a ton of ground-ball outs, Gonzalez had a very successful first full season -- even seeing some time as a closer. He complements the fastball with a cutter/slider that has a ton of bite. Gonzalez's control improved in 2013 compared to his summer debut, and his bulldog mentality is very well suited for short-relief work.
Pitchers who throw hard and keep the ball down in the zone have the chance to succeed in Coors Field, and it might not take Gonzalez too long to get there, with the chance to close games if his fastball command improves.
19. Daniel Winkler, RHP
Preseason rank: None
Scouting grades: Fastball: 45 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 45
Because of fringy stuff across the board, it's difficult to figure out this Central Florida product's profile, but Winkler simply continues to pitch too well to ignore.
While Winkler will never light up radar guns, he misses a lot of bats -- he led the Minors in strikeouts with 175 in 2013 -- thanks to a lower arm slot that causes deception when he delivers his average fastball. His breaking ball and changeup grade out about the same, but his ability to command all of his pitches well makes his modest stuff play up.
Because of the lack of wow stuff, Winkler will have to continue proving himself at every level, but he's cleared every hurdle so far.
20. Antonio Senzatela, RHP
Preseason rank: None
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curve: 45 | Splitter: 50 | Control: 45| Overall: 45
Signed out of Venezuela in 2011, Senzatela put himself on the prospect map when he made his United States debut mid-summer in 2013.
Now he's giving full-season ball a try, armed with a potential three-pitch mix and the potential to be a starting pitcher long-term. With a free and easy delivery, Senzatela sits in the low 90s with his sinking fastball that generates a ton of groundball outs. His best secondary pitch is his splitter, which he commands well, and he has a curveball that is improving.
Still very young -- age 19 for the entire 2014 season -- Senzatela is fairly physically mature. But he has tremendous upside that he'll try to reach as he continues to learn how to pitch in a professional rotation.
Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com and writes a blog, B3. Follow @JonathanMayoB3 on Twitter.


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Grandhilldrive needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 93 designs submitted by 12 freelance designers.
AWE (The Association of Women Entrepreneurs & Executives)
AWE is an organization of top female business leaders across industries who come together to support greatness in each others' businesses, careers and lives. Like minded CEOs, entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals meet several times per year at intimate, luxurious retreats that focus on solving their greatest business and leadership challenges. AWE also provides networking opportunities for its members online and at events including breakfast round tables, dinners with high profile guest speakers etc. We have chapters in Boston, NY, Chicago, LA and San Francisco.
strong imagery. would welcome a powerful image/photo that serves as a metaphor for the mission of the organization. not looking for a "girlie" look. needs to be high brow/professional but eye catching/compelling. favor red, but am open to other palettes.
The landing page, should include:
a logo and the company name
a description of the organization
membership benefits
past and upcoming events
contact info
space for video
tabs for separate pages: about us, membership, corporate sponsors, member testimonials, chat & contact
Audience is 35-55 year old, highly successful, CEOs, entrepreneurs and experienced professional women who are at the top of their game. All female. New York City, Boston, Chicago, LA and SF. Many have MBAs or graduate degrees. Some have founded their own companies. Very savvy about finance, leadership, building businesses both on and off line. Incredibly busy, very high end, cut to the chase, bottom line but top shelf. One of the unique things about our organization is that it offers a safe haven to powerful women -- a place where they can come together, solve problems and support one another without having to save face or sell.


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One of the year's most affecting performances is given by Christopher Walken, who takes a break from the likes of "Seven Psychopaths" to play a classical cellist stricken with Parkinson's disease in the superb dramatic comedy "A Late Quartet."
Walken was largely typecast in quirky roles as a result of playing the title character's brother in "Annie Hall," so it's something of a delightful irony that 35 years later, Walken finds his most rewarding role leading a terrific ensemble in what amounts to one of the best Woody Allen movies that Allen wasn't involved in making.
The career-ending diagnosis for Walken's Peter comes as his internationally known string quartet is about to embark on its 25th season.
The gentle, cultured Peter has a plan — if he responds to treatment, he will bow out with the quartet's first concert of the season, performing Beethoven's very challenging Opus 131.
Peter is confident he can convince a friend (fellow Woody Allen veteran Wallace Shawn) to let his chosen replacement out of her contract to take Peter's place. But he doesn't count on the dissonance that his announcement generates within the group.
Second violinist Robert (Philip Seymour Hoffman) reckons that since the group's sound is going to change anyway, this is the time to press his long-festering ambition to alternate on first violin with control-freak Daniel (Mark Ivanir).
Robert is crushed when his wife Juliette (Catherine Keener), the group's viola player — who was raised by Peter and his late wife — refuses to support his idea, and accuses him of selfish behavior that could destroy the group.
Things get worse when the angry Robert embarks on a boozy, unwise one-night stand with a fiery flamenco dancer who's also a classical-music groupie.
An added complication is that Robert and Juliette's 22-year-old daughter, Alexandra (Imogen Poots), an aspiring violinist, is taking lessons from Daniel. And there's a growing romantic attraction between Alexandra and Daniel, who's a long-ago ex-lover of Alexandra's mother.
Yaron Zilberman, a documentarian making his feature debut, treads a fine line between farce and drama as these Upper West Siders (played by a superb ensemble) hurl decades' worth of grievances against each other.
But it's Walken who holds together "A Late Quartet" as the stricken Peter, who puts aside his own thoughts of suicide to rally his longtime colleagues. You won't see a better piece of acting this year than his final speech — though odds are you'll likely be watching it, like I did, through your tears.