Phil Knight, Nike's co-founder, pledges $500 million to fight cancer

I know he is probably insanely rich, but this is still a mind-boggling amount of money to give to fight cancer.  Thanks to Phil Knight for his incredible generosity.  Hopefully his gift will inspire others in the coming holiday season...

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Boston's Starting Pitcher Is Actually Legally Blind?

Editor's Note: This article was posted with a format error a few weeks ago. This is the corrected version.

BOSTON- In an attempt to bolster a bullpen that has seen its fair share of injuries this season, the Boston Red Sox acquired Cy Young award winning right hander Jake Peavy from the Chicago White Sox in a three team trade on July 30th. The Sox sent their Cuban born, rising star third baseman Jose Iglesias to the Detroit Tigers, while the White Sox basically took away a bag of balls out of the deal (Avisail García, J.B. Wendelken, Francelis Montas and Cleuluis Rondon). A little known fact about Jake Peavy that should strike fear in the heart of opposing batters, as he whips a leather covered 5 ounce pellet inches from their head, is that.....he's LEGALLY BLIND!!!

According to this NESN.com article (http://nesn.com/2013/08/jake-peavy-continues-to-overcome-terrible-eyesight-pitch-well-despite-being-legally-blind/) without his corrective lenses, his eye sight is actually 20/300. If he doesn't wear these patented special glasses or contact lenses, Peavy says he sees "a big blur of colors." On Saturday, Boston's catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (World record holder for longest last name from an MLB player EVER, no joke) applied bright colored tape to his finger tips to help Peavy pick up the signs being sent to him. It must have worked, because in this first start he went 7.0 innings and only allowed 2 runs on 4 hits with 7 strike outs and only 2 walks. Granted this was against a .500 National League ball club, so we will have to wait until he gets in a few starts against the growing list of Boston's heated rivals in the AL East (Tampa, Baltimore and the Yankees). It's a bit too soon to start putting the champagne on ice, but this move certainly makes the Sox that much more of a contender as this season comes to its thrilling conclusion. It makes you wonder if Peavy takes offense when he hears a Sox fan scream "Hey Ump, what are you blind!?"

The Grateful Dead Rock THE BRONX?!

Looking down the hill from the Manhattan College campus onto W. 240th Street and Broadway, you can’t miss the “Kelly Green” artificial grass of Gaelic Park. This sporting facility, gathering place, and neighborhood staple lends itself to a multitude of local activities. Originally a hub for Irish imigrants living in the Bronx and nearby Yonkers, NY, the park currently hosts Irish sporting events as well as Manhattan College Athletics (the current owner of the facility).  After a $3 million renovation of the park, beginning in 2007 and completed in 2012, the park improved the bar/gathering area that has been known to bustle on weekends during hurling and Gaelic rules football season, drawing decent crowds to the Northwest section of The Bronx.

Located next to the train yard at the northern terminus of the 1 train, and across the street from beautiful Van Cortlandt Park, the park is easy to get to by train or bus. Its proximity to Broadway and I-87, and its huge parking facility also allow easy access to Westchester County residents. Currently, Gaelic Park features sporting events primarily, but this was not always the case. According to wikipedia.com, “In the early 1970s, rock concerts were also held there, including Chicago, The Beach Boys, Yes, Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter, Deep Purple, Ten Years After, Mountain, Humble Pie, and the Grateful Dead." Yes, that’s right, THE Grateful Dead.

When I used to live in the Bronx with Chowder, we had always talked about this show,
and marveled at the concept of what it would have been like to have been able to walk just a few blocks down the street to partake in the spectacle and traveling circus that occurred when ever the Grateful Dead and their diehard fans came to town. For whatever reason, we never tracked down a copy of this show....that is until now. Thanks to “The Professor” over at The Deadpod (deadshow.blogspot.com) I was able to stumble upon a copy of this show available on his archives. If you’ve never heard of The Deadpod, it’s a weekly internet radio show that features one show, or sometimes just one set of a Grateful Dead performance. The host, “The Professor,” gives a quick run down to start off, and then gets right to the music.

Here is the link for the show in the Bronx (The Grateful Dead, August 26, 1971):
deadshow.blogspot.com/2013/09/dead-showpodcast-for-91313.html‎

Here is a direct link to the audio:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod091313.mp3

Enjoy and keep on Sunshine Day Dreaming!

Global Health Mission: Peru

Laura Huggett is a great friend of my family..  She came on 2 separate Habitat for Humanity trips to Serowe, BOtswana.  Aside from her strong work ethic, knowledge of healthcare and medicine, and warm personality, her compassion towards others was her most memorable attribute.  I just heard of a new volunteer healthcare mission she is organizing to Peru.  If you are interested in contributing to her charity and trip (which is a 501 C3 charity and tax deductible) please read the following letter:

Dear Friend,

Rev. Timothy Huggett and Laura Huggett will serve this October on the 2013 Global Health Ministry (GHM) Volunteer Surgical and Medical Mission to Chulucanas, Peru.   The GHM volunteers work side-by-side with local Peruvian volunteers to provide health care and health education in remote villages and towns where the people have little or no access to doctors or medical services.  The majority of the people live without clean water or electricity. Most travel is by foot or by burro over rugged mountain paths.  The people served are most grateful for the care provided and want to learn how to improve the health of their communities, especially the children.

We need your help to make this mission trip as effective as possible. Your donation will assist the team to provide surgeries and health care services for many, and also conduct educational sessions for local volunteers in basic health topics that the people have requested to further their efforts to develop healthier communities. Each year we see improvements, but there is still much to be done.

2013 marks GHM’s 24th year serving in Peru. In addition to Peru, Global Health Ministry also sends volunteer teams to Gros Morne, Haiti, Esquipulas, Guatemala, and Kingston, Jamaica.  

Global Health Ministry is totally dependent upon donations to continue its mission.  100% of all funds raised by the 2013 Peru team will be used for this year’s mission.  Every dollar donated is needed and appreciated and will make a difference in the life of someone in Chulucanas, Peru.  On behalf of the people who will be served by the Global Health Team to Chulucanas, Peru, thank you for your  response to this request.

Sincerely,

Mary Jo McGinley, RSM

Executive Director, 

Global Health Ministry

Gifts to Global Health Ministry are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.  Global Health Ministry is a registered non-profit 501(c)3 organization.  Our Federal Tax ID number is 23-3068656, The official registration and financial information of Global Health Ministry may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. 

Please visit us on the web [globalhealthministry.org}

3805 West Chester Pike, Ste.100

     Newtown Square, PA  19073

Three ways you can donate to support this medical mission to Peru:

1.  On-Line: [www.globalhealthministry.org]   Click “Make a Donation” on the homepage and click the button  HTMLCONTROL Forms.HTML:Hidden.1  HTMLCONTROL Forms.HTML:Image.1  INCLUDEPICTURE "https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" \* MERGEFORMATINET  and follow the directions given.  Remember to click Donate for Someone Special and add the volunteer’s name.   HTMLCONTROL Forms.HTML:Hidden.1 

2.   Send a check made out to “Global Health Ministry” and mail it in the enclosed envelope. 

Call our office [610-355-2003] to donate via credit card.

Maple, pecan, date granola

Some foods are healthy and delicious, but are usually very expensive at your neighborhood grocery store.  One of my favorite healthy foods is granola.  It is loaded with vitamins, fiber, and still finds a way to taste great.  I came upon this crockpot recipe that I think you will find delicious.

Maple pecan date granola

Can't get enough Breaking Bad?

Well then you will be happy to hear they are producing a special 1 hour spin-off for everyone's favorite lawyer, Saul Goodman.  The character, played by Bob Odenkirk, has been a fan favorite since arriving in the episode titled "Better Call Saul."

For those who don't know, Odenkirk has been floating in and around Hollywood for the last few decades.  He starred in Fox's  "The Ben Stiller Show", which was prematurely canceled in the early 90's.  HBO's "Mr. Show with Bob and David" was also popular for a while in the 90's.

But of all Bob's memorable characters, Porno Gil, of Curb Your Enthusiasm fame, has to be my favorite.  Enjoy the clips below:http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/breaking-bad-spin-moving-forward-627406 Insert

Youtube Clips:

Tabasco

No Shoe Rule

Largest Stem Cell Study to Date

There are still a lot  of questions surrounding stem cells.  Hopefully, the new study will verify some new important findings.  Advances in stem cell therapy could lead to treatments and cures for cancers, blindness, spinal injury, organ regeneration, as well as other medical miracles.


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