Thursday, December 24, 2009

“Houston rookies no problem with shift in Wild philosophy - Minneapolis Star Tribune” plus 4 more

“Houston rookies no problem with shift in Wild philosophy - Minneapolis Star Tribune” plus 4 more

Houston rookies no problem with shift in Wild philosophy - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Posted: 24 Dec 2009 01:42 PM PST

The best of those was made by left winger Robbie Earl, with three goals in nine games. Assistant Mike Ramsey, in charge of defense for both Lemaire and now Todd Richards, also gave a nod to Jaime Sifers for his play in eight games.

Forwards Nathan Smith, Danny Irmen and Andy Hilbert were other Houston imports to get time.

The Houston rookie that remains for the moment is defenseman Clayton Stoner. Apparently, Fletcher and Richards are trying to find out if he has more to contribute than John Scott, the 6-8 gent who broke in late last season.

Stoner was in the lineup for his fourth game and Scott was scratched in Wednesday night's 3-1 victory over Edmonton.

"If Stoner plays like he has the past three games, you would expect that he has a chance to stay," Ramsey said. "How can you not like him? He's not [Kim] Johnsson or [Marek] Zidlicky when it comes to skating, but he skates well enough and has some talent with the puck."

Ramsey paused, then added: "And he'll fight you, too."

Stoner enlivened the arena with exactly that -- a fight with Edmonton's Ryan Stone -- nine minutes into the game. There were several tussles through the night, and this was the Wild's clearest-cut victory.

It was tough to tell if it was a punch to the gut or a left uppercut that sent Stone to the ice, and Stoner to the penalty box accompanied by a hometown roar.

Stoner was the Wild's third-round draft choice in 2004. He went to rookie camp at Breezy Point in Brainerd, then spent a final season in the Western juniors. He debuted at Houston in 2005, played in 73 games and showed promise.

"From what we saw in Brainerd, and then in training camp in 2005, I never would've believed it would take this long for Clayton to get here," Ramsey said. "He was close to spectacular in that second camp -- and did very well at Houston. Then, he ran into some injuries, and I think that knocked him back.''

Stoner did the knocking on Wednesday. He's an Aero with a chance to stay, which is something that doesn't figure to be as rare with this regime as in Jacques' days.

Patrick Reusse can be heard 5:30-9 a.m. weekdays on AM-1500 KSTP. • preusse@startribune.com

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Possum Philosophy: Favorite gifts ever - Southwest Virginia Today

Posted: 24 Dec 2009 09:24 AM PST

By ROBERT CAHILL/Columnist

By the time this is published it will likely all be over, the mad rush of Christmas that is. It will probably be the day after, the day we all breathe a collective sigh of relief. By then, the main event, the opening of presents, will be finished.
Many of us will be taking stock of the booty we garnered whether we were good little boys and girls or not. Some of us will be marveling at just what tablecloth manufacturer decided to do a little sideline work and make a run of shirts, one of which Great-Aunt Lurleen bought us. And what in the name of all-get-out made her think we would like a dress shirt that resembles a wall hanging of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by a group of dogs dressed in the stylish togs of the mid-1700s, especially one that was printed on a red, white and blue checkerboard pattern.
But don't feel bad. Do you really think her husband, Uncle Throckmorton, the often holier-than-thou lay minister at his local church, will really appreciate the Hooter's T-Shirt you and your cousin Billy Jack went together and bought him. (And yes I know you would have loved to have seen his face when he opened it, especially since Billy Jack's wife asked him what size dress shirts he wore to give you two an idea of the size.)
Many of us will be part of a second wave mad rush (rivaling the last day or two before Christmas at Wally World). To where you may ask? Why to the store of course, to exchange the stuff you didn't like. It's much the same everywhere.
As I have mentioned before, our parents taught my brothers, my sister and me to appreciate any gift we received. After all, no one has to buy you anything and when they do it is a sign they think enough of you to buy you something, even the ones that know nothing about your taste in clothing, your sizes or your sense of humor. They mean well or at least think you will find their joke funny and get a laugh out of it. But everyone has a favorite Christmas story or two they often recall of a favorite present received at Christmas.
I am a member of an online photo-sharing Web site, SOAPhoto.com, which is sponsored by Samsung Cameras. It features competitions for prizes (Samsung photographic equipment and such). It also has message boards to give and receive photography advice, make friends and discuss pretty much anything and everything. One of the message boards recently asked the question, "What was your favorite Christmas present?"
This started me thinking. I have had many wonderful presents over the years. Some expensive, some not, but great stuff all. And as my brother Rusty and I have agreed some years it seems everything just comes together and you really love every single gift you receive. But even when this is not the case, there are always some gifts that really make you smile.
I had to really think before I replied to the query, asking my all-time favorite Christmas gift. I have had so many over the years that have given me so much pleasure. However, two finally came to mind. One was a gift from family, the other from the Great Spirit.
When I was 15 years old, I was at that stage where I was too old for toys, but really not interested enough to want clothes and such. My Dad and Mom had repeatedly asked what I wanted for Christmas as they always tried to get at least one gift each that we really wanted, even in the years when times were a bit lean for the family (which like the vast majority of families in this region happened occasionally and still does for that matter). But each time I told them I didn't really know and in truth I didn't.
That year, several of my buddies had decided they wanted guitars for Christmas. I'd never really thought about it but after talking with them, I decided a guitar would be OK, at least something I could tell my parents. So I did. The problem was it was Dec. 23 when I told them. They started a mad scramble.
Now one must realize, at that time, there were only a couple of stores in Saltville and the immediate surrounding area that even stocked guitars, and they only had one or two. With my friends (and apparently several others) deciding a guitar would make a good present, the stock had disappeared. Mom and Dad were desperate but none could be found.
Then word went out to our family and my aunt, Alice Smith, who worked for WCYB-TV as the founder's executive assistant and who lived in the big city of Bristol, finally found one. Evidently thanks to groups like the Beatles, 1965 was a banner year for guitar sales everywhere in this area. Christmas Eve, Alice came home for Christmas toting my present, a Norma guitar. It was a relatively inexpensive model as no one wanted to put a lot of money in something a boy might not really like, especially for a boy who took piano lessons for a short while but gave it up.
Mom and Dad were happy. Christmas morning, I was truly surprised to see the guitar under our tree. I liked it, even if it had been just a fleeting thought. However, over the next year, I began to actually learn a little about playing it, thanks in part to my old buddy Barry Chapman, who took up the guitar at about the same time and who would go on to become an absolutely fantastic musician. This old cheap guitar became my constant companion. And yes, I did learn to play a bit. Not great but not too bad either. I still have a guitar, and have loved playing from early on. So I'd have to list this as perhaps my best Christmas gift or at least in the top few.
That is for material things. But back in the 1980s we had adopted a kitten. He came to us through strange circumstances and at an age when we had to bottle feed him some at first. He was a tiny thing. We named him Little Bits; we called him Bits or my sister Lynn's favorite Bitties. He would grow to be a huge, beautiful tom cat. He had a great personality, actually I always thought of him more like a dog than a cat. He had a distinctive voice and would try his best to talk with us. Our whole family became as fond of this boy as he did us. He was a hoot. Then about the third year he was with us, just a few days before Christmas, he disappeared.
When he wasn't home in 24 hours we were worried, after all, Bits did not miss a meal. After almost 48 hours, my sister and I were both frantic. When he was not home by late that night, Lynn and I spent about two hours (around midnight or so) driving around the neighborhood looking for him. Neither of us wanted to admit it, but we both feared he might have been hit by a car or killed in some other manner. We even saw a cat that resembled him greatly lying asleep in a neighbor's yard a couple of streets up from us. My sister jumped from the car and ran into their yard to grab him. The neighbor's cat was asleep and awoke just as Lynn reached down to pick him up. Needless to say, he let out a yowl and scrambled away from what he no doubt thought was a kidnapper (or should I say catnapper? I can't resist a pun).
We went home disheartened. The next night was Christmas Eve. After doing the family thing with our relatives, I had gone by to visit some friends. I got home just around midnight and as I got out of my car, I thought what a sad Christmas it would be without Bits. Just out of habit, I called him to come in as I did most nights when I was out late, and had done repeatedly since his disappearance. Suddenly, I heard a distinctive yowl. I thought I was hallucinating and called again just out of habit. That's when I looked down and saw my old buddy Bits come strolling around the back of my car as if to say, "Where have you been and why are we standing out here in the cold?"
Needless to say, we were all thrilled at the return of the prodigal son. It was one of our best Christmases ever, just because of his return. So I list that as one of my best presents ever and chalk it up to the Great Spirit for his safe return.
My family and I sincerely hope that each of you readers enjoy all the best of the Christmas holiday. Merry Christmas to all, even though it may be a day late.

A freelance journalist, Robert "Rocky" Cahill writes regularly for the News & Messenger. His Possum Philosophy column appears in each Saturday edition. 

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John Edwin Smith, 88; Yale educator and philosopher - Boston Globe

Posted: 24 Dec 2009 12:23 PM PST

Dr. Smith's wife of 55 years, Marilyn Schulhof Smith, who taught philosophy at the University of Hartford, died in 2006. Besides his daughter Diana, he leaves another daughter, Robin Smith Swanberg of Wellesley, Mass., and a grandchild.

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Honda’s design philosophy stresses function - KTVZ.com

Posted: 24 Dec 2009 06:40 AM PST

Honda isn't typically singled out for its design expertise. Instead, it is the fun-to-drive and rock-solid aspects of Honda vehicles that usually get top billing. But quietly, Honda has been capturing more and more international kudos for its leading-edge design work, and we were pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Nobuki Ebisawa, the corporate managing director and general manager of styling and design development, to talk about it.

Ebisawa stressed two simple and overarching themes for Honda design: dynamism and functionality. He said the company's designers still draw inspiration from the functional designs of the first-generation Civic and first-generation Accord that were drawn in the same nondescript design studio in which Ebisawa and his crew work today. And at the same time, they look back all the way to the 1963 S500 sports car to channel the dynamism that helps set the brand apart. 

Ebisawa is proud of what he calls "an unbroken chain of dynamism and functionality" that stretches from those earliest models through the legendary Acura NSX sports coupe of the '90s to the Honda Odyssey minivan that transformed its segment. He expects that the upcoming hybrid Honda CR-Z, which was shown in concept form at the recent Tokyo Motor Show, will draw on both aspects of the Honda personality. Functionality will be characterized by the fuel-efficient hybrid drivetrain, and dynamism will be expressed by the car's style and fun-to-drive nature.

While the exterior design of Honda vehicles has not always been highly praised, the interior of its vehicles -- and especially their instruments and controls -- have routinely been lauded around the globe. Ebisawa cites his group's intense study of the "man-machine interface" for this, noting that Honda has long relied on the philosophy "Man maximum, machine minimum" in its designs. This means that Honda's controls are intended to be intuitive, not intrusive: to help the driver, not to challenge the driver or to make a design statement for design's sake.

An example of this effort is the bi-level instrument panel seen on the current Honda Civic. Intuitive operation and instant recognition were keys in the design, and Ebisawa said that in the "layered construction," perceived space is enhanced and line of sight movement minimized to prioritize information. Special effort goes into achieving natural hand position and create buttons that are easily understood. Ebisawa believes that voice support is the next frontier in making things simpler and more functional.

Since 2000, said Ebisawa, Honda design execs made the conscious decision to add emotional appeal to the company's vehicles without compromising functionality. In keeping with the "man maximum, machine minimum" philosophy, space has been intentionally reduced for mechanical components, and interior space with long rooflines has been increased to maximize usable roominess.

The Honda CR-Z, which will be launched next year, will encapsulate all these ideas in a vehicle that is functional and emotional, dynamic yet pragmatic. It draws on Honda's long heritage while at the same time presenting a new face and a new heart. The CR-Z will also be the harbinger of even more fascinating products from the carmaker that was once best known for its motorcycles.

Tom Ripley Driving Today Contributing Editor Tom Ripley writes frequently about the auto industry and the human condition from his home in Villeperce, France. He is a big fan of the art world. 

Copyright (c) 2009 Studio One Networks. All rights reserved.

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Theo Epstein, Red Sox Using New Philosophy for World Series Hopes in ... - NESN.com

Posted: 24 Dec 2009 07:51 AM PST

Theo Epstein, Red Sox Using New Philosophy for World Series Hopes in 2010

Terry Francona John Lackey and Theo EpsteinAn old professor once told me that generalizations are always wrong. Or something like that -- I wasn't really paying attention.

Whether or not you choose to believe it, the latest trendy baseball truism that every psuedo-intellectual baseball fan loves to trumpet is that "pitching and defense win championships." They say it in every sport these days, in fact -- "the best offense is a good defense," and if you want to win the big one, you've got to keep the opposing team off the scoreboard.

Never mind the fact that counterexamples keep popping up every year. What's been winning championships these days? Sluggers. And lots of them.

The last three World Series winners, Boston included, have won by packing their lineups with heavy hitters from one to nine. Pitching and defense haven't been forgotten altogether, but by and large, they're afterthoughts. Having the big boppers at the plate has been the focus.

That's why it's so perplexing that the 2010 Red Sox, with all the pressure in the world riding on their hopes of returning to the World Series, have begun moving in the opposite direction.

The Red Sox won it all in 2007. That year, they were fourth in the major leagues with 867 runs scored -- they also led the majors in doubles and walks, and were second only to the Yankees in on-base percentage. It's no surprise that they took the Fall Classic that October. With an offense like that, they could do no wrong.

The Phillies in '08 were more of the same. Charlie Manuel's ballclub was a modern-day Murderer's Row, leading the National League with 214 home runs. Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins were as formidable a foursome as any in baseball. The Phils fought off the competition with the long ball, and it didn't let them down in October.

And then we had the Yankees.

The Bronx Bombers won 103 games and the World Series this past season. They did it with a lineup that led all of baseball in runs (915), home runs (244), walks (663), on-base percentage (.362), slugging percentage (.478) and OPS (.839). Their offense was the scariest we've seen in baseball in a long, long time. From top to bottom, there were no easy outs -- it was the most complete lineup you may ever see.

The Red Sox, for their part, were Yankee Lite. The Yanks had Mark Teixeira; the Red Sox had Kevin Youkilis. The Yanks had Alex Rodriguez; the Red Sox had Mike Lowell. Both teams were slugging, but the Bronx Bombers were doing it better. The Red Sox knew they'd need to over-perform to sneak into the World Series, and it didn't happen.

The big bats weren't big enough. The Red Sox got to October and fell flat on their faces -- they scored a total of seven runs in three games. No wonder they were sent home early.

David Ortiz went 1-for-12. Youkilis and Jason Bay combined for zero RBIs in 20 at-bats. The Red Sox may have hit 212 home runs in the regular season, but they got just one in the playoffs, a two-run shot by J.D. Drew in the series' third and final game.

If at first the big-bat strategy doesn't succeed, you try again, right? If you can't slug your way to victory, you try slugging harder, perhaps?

That's been the path to World Series glory lately. But the Red Sox appear to be trying a different tactic this time around.

If the Sox had spent all their available cash on retaining Bay, and parceled off their farm system to acquire Adrian Gonzalez and/or Miguel Cabrera, they'd be looking like new-school World Series winners. But by going after John Lackey, Mike Cameron and Marco Scutaro instead, they're trying another approach.

The Red Sox' defense was the third-worst in all of baseball last season. By converting just 67.7 percent of batted balls into outs, the team showed a lack of defensive range that no world champion can get away with. Theo Epstein saw a weakness in his ballclub, and he did what was necessary to fix it.

Lackey, Cameron, Scutaro. It's more than a personnel change -- it's a shift in baseball philosophy.

The Sox have given up on keeping up with the Yankees' bats. They're very much in the hunt for World Series glory in 2010, but they're going about it a different way.

Maybe the generalization is true after all. Defense does win championships sometimes, right?

Right. These Red Sox can prove it.

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