Pacers’ D key to Valentine’s Day win
Despite Saturday being Valentine’s Day, USC Aiken’s Pacers showed no love to Georgia Southwestern.
The Pacers got off to a quick start and wasted no time defending their home court against Georgia Southwestern in an 85-67 victory.
Senior Chris Commons came out hot as he hit three of his first five tiffany shots to lead USCA. Commons led USCA with 11 first-half points and scored 21 in the game.
USCA had five players — four starters — score in double digits.
Both teams traded baskets in the onset and Georgia Southwestern had trouble breaking a full-court press by the Pacers. That allowed the Pacers to push the ball and get back on offense as they caused several Hurricane turnovers. USCA’s defensive pressure yielded a nine point lead at 29-20 in the first 15 minutes of the first half.
USCA had no trouble penetrating Georgia Southwestern’s 2-3 zone and drew several free-throw opportunities. The Pacers went 12-of-14 from the charity stripe in the first half.
The Pacers pushed their lead to 12 points on a three-point basket by junior Seth Leonard at 36-24 with 4:30 left in the first half. That three-point basket started a 9-0 run for USCA.
On defense, USCA would run an effective 2-3 zone and trapped the ball at the top of the silver pendants key, which put pressure on Georgia Southwestern. That pressure led to 12 first-half turnovers and resulted in 16 Pacer points.
About 2:15 left in the first half, Georgia Southwestern’s Rick Russell was ejected by the referees on a flagrant foul on Commons as the two were going for the ball as it was bouncing out of bounds.
Shortly after the ejection, the Pacers went up by 15 at 45-30 with just under a minute and a half left in the first half.
USCA’s bench play was key in the first half as they scored 19 points coming off the bench, mostly from Leonard and sophomore Brandon Shephard, who scored six points each.
The Pacers also outrebounded Georgia Southwestern 16-12, and those 16 rebounds led to 12 second-chance points for USCA. Georgia Southwestern’s 12 first-half rebounds led to just one field goal.
Georgia Southwestern shot less than 46 percent from the field in the first half, while the Pacers silver earrings were hitting over half of their shots by shooting 52 percent.
In the second half, the Pacers came out flat as Georgia Southwestern opened the second half on an 11-2 run in the first 2:30 of the half to move the score to a slim 49-45 USCA lead.
“We had some guys come out in the second half that were a little sluggish,” said Pacers’ head coach Vince Alexander.
The Pacers seemed to be fickle in the second half as they would play well at times, but then allowed Georgia Southwestern to hang around. Nothing showed that more then a missed dunk by senior Brian Egwuatu, where the ball went halfway down the cylinder and bounced back out.
After a Pacer timeout, USCA got hot as three straight baskets by Commons pushed the lead back to nine by the Pacers at 56-47. Those baskets were the start of a 14-0 run by the Pacers that lasted about four minutes.
“The guys that came in gave us a lift and did a great job,” Alexander added. “We had to get our best going.”
USCA kept a comfortable lead for the remainder of the game as they cruised through the remainder of the second half.
In the second half, the Pacers were led by Commons and junior Casey McMasters, who scored nine of his 11 points in the second half.
“(Casey) did a great job,” Alexander said. “He got an opportunity and did a great job.”
The Pacers remain a half-game behind Augusta State for the lead in the Peach Belt Conference. silver key rings Augusta State won by four over Armstrong Atlantic State on Saturday.
Georgia Southwestern 34 33 — 67
USC Aiken 47 38 — 85
GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN (67) Rick Russell 1-1 0-0 3, Sedale McGee-Jones 3-6 4-4 10, Evan Mobley 2-5 4-4 8, Anthony Sargent 5-13 3-4 13, Dannie Hunt 0-0 1-2 1, Marcus Scott 2-7 0-0 4, Chris Rawls 6-7 1-1 13, Ric Roderick 1-4 0-0 3, Damayrius Adside 3-5 0-2 9, Brandon Sims 1-1 1-3 3. Totals: 24-49 14-20.
USC AIKEN (85) Kingsley Oguchi 3-5 2-2 10, Cordaryl Ballard 4-7 4-5 12, Javonte Clanton 3-7 4-5 10, Chris Commons 8-11 4-5 21, Brian Egwuatu 0-2 2-2 2, Seth Leonard 3-3 0-1 8, Josh Dollard 1-4 3-4 5, Brandon Shephard 2-5 0-0 6, Casey McMasters 4-7 0-0 11. Totals: 28-52 19-24.
New Survey Suggests Women May Expect Less This Valentine’s Day
WHY DON’T YOU: Tailgate for breakfast. Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year,tiffany providing an additional nine hours of free time to impress your lady love. Start her day with a surprise of pancakes — heart shaped if you’d like — and her favorite non-fat, no-foam latte. Or, add a surprise by moving the coffee maker and toaster into the bedroom so she can watch and smell her breakfast being made.
INSTEAD OF: Red roses (worse yet, delivered to her office) costing upwards of $100
WHY DON’T YOU: Have something ELSE delivered. Roses and carnations are no good. Think of something unique and unexpected like peonies or hibiscus — large, bold, tropical flowers of the same color are your best bet. Or, call a local grocery store and request a special delivery of your girlfriend’s favorite treats. Think childhood earrings favorites such as sugar cookies, orange soda and candy.
INSTEAD OF: Heart-shaped box of chocolates
WHY DON’T YOU: Become as irresistible as chocolate. A box of chocolates is boring, but chocolate itself is still irresistible. In fact, one survey found that 70 percent of women around the globe ranked chocolate as more irresistible than shopping, jewelry or even sex(2). Find new ways to indulge your girl’s love of chocolate: pick up some salted caramel chocolates (the hot new trend in sweets) from your local chocolaterie and wear AXE Dark Temptation, the new chocolate-inspired fragrance, for dessert. You’ll satisfy her appetite and her desire!
INSTEAD OF: Fancy (and often stuffy) five-star restaurant
WHY DON’T YOU: Go somewhere unexpected. One study showed that women transfer the feelings they have key rings about a room to their feelings about the people they are with. Take her to a stuffy restaurant and she’ll think you’re stuffy. Instead, try a local tapas joint or an Indian restaurant. Picking an ethnic food will make you seem daring and adventurous. Tapas are great because of the smaller plate sizes, which are usually cheaper than full entrees. Or, add an aspect to the date that jumpstarts her heart rate, like a scary movie, and she’ll relate the butterfly feelings to you.
STUDENT CENTER OFFERS VALENTINE’S DAY OPTIONS
Southern Illinois University issued the following news release:
The Student Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is offering many ways to tiffany and co celebrate Valentine’s Day in 2009. In addition to the Valentine Craft Sale in the Hall of Fame Lounge from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 13, there are many other options.
Nutritionist Cynthia York-Camden will hand out samples of dark chocolate that day at the center. Actually, in moderation, chocolate has health benefits, including the promotion of healthy blood flow and sugar levels and lowering the “bad” cholesterol (LDL) while raising the “good” cholesterol (HDL). York-Camden will also answer health questions, dispense helpful information and offer fun games.
Businesses within the Student Center are offering specials that day, such as coupons for free meals with a purchase, and heart-shaped pizzas. There is a variety of Valentine gift selections available at the new Saluki Oasis store, including sweets and roses.
For more information about any of the Feb. 13 opportunities at the Student Center, silver bracelets call 618/536-3351 or look online at www.siucstudentcenter.org.For more information about US Fed News contract awards please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, US Fed News, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.
Opening statements begin Valentine’s Day murder trial
Prosecutors told the jury in the Valentine’s Day murder trial of Maurice Johnson that they would prove that drugs were why three people were shot execution-style in a Cleveland apartment 10 years ago.
Defense attorney Steve Ward told the jury that the case is based on assumptions, “but worse than tiffany and co that, it’s a case built on manufacturing facts to fit those assumptions.”
Fifteen jurors, 11 women and four men, heard these opening arguments and testimony from witnesses for prosecutors Richard Fisher and Paul Moyle, assistant district attorney for the 10th judicial district.
Records show that Cleveland police answered a 911 call at 7:27 a.m. on Feb. 14, 1999, at a two-story apartment on 19th Street. Intruders had broken down a back door.
Inside, officers found Dawn Rogers, 30; Cayci Higgins, 19; and O.J. Blair, 18, with hands bound behind their backs and gunshot wounds to their heads. Local media quickly dubbed the event the “Valentine’s Day murders.”
Cleveland police, Bradley County Sheriff’s detectives and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents made their first arrest in the triple slaying in November 2006.
Mr. Johnson and Michael Younger were charged with three counts of first-degree silver earrings murder.
Twanna Blair was in the apartment, shot in the back. Police first considered her a victim, but in 2006 she was charged as a participant.
For more on this and other stories go to www.timesfreepress.com.
Credit: Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tenn.
Astra VP gets $10,000 fine, ankle bracelet
Stefan E. Solvell, the former senior vice president of Astra USA Inc., was fined $10,000 yesterday and placed on two years probation, a harsher sentence than federal prosecutors recommended.
U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton adopted the government’s probation recommendation, but added the fine and ordered Solvell to serve 90 days of home detention by wearing an ankle bracelet that allows for electronic monitoring.
Solvell, 43, a Swedish citizen, pleaded guilty last year to filing a false federal income tax return, and cooperated with a federal investigation of his boss, Lars E. Bildman, the former president of the Westboro-based pharmaceuticals company. Solvell’s sentencing was delayed until the conclusion of Bildman’s trial.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen G. Huggard and Solvell’s lawyer, James W. Lawson, each said Solvell provided substantial assistance in Bildman’s prosecution. Bildman’s trial ended last month when he pleaded guilty to three counts of filing false federal income tax returns.
Gorton chided Solvell, saying he helped Bildman commit crimes against his adopted country. Absent his cooperation, Solvell likely would have received a prison sentence of six to 12 months, Gorton said.
“You should be ashamed of your conduct,” Gorton said.
The maximum penalty for filing a false federal income tax return is three years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Lawson objected to the electronic bracelet requirement but failed to persuade Gorton to change his mind.
The stigma of wearing an ankle bracelet will harm Solvell’s business activities, tiffany Lawson said.
“That’s something Mr. Solvell should have thought about before committing this crime,” Gorton said.
In his plea agreement, Solvell admitted he falsified his 1995 federal income tax return. His joint return reported $541,544 in income, but prosecutors said he received income, goods and services valued at $566,324.
GAVE INVALUABLE INSIGHT
Solvell testified before a grand jury that returned the 35-count indictment against Bildman. He provided invaluable insight into Bildman’s criminal activities and met repeatedly with government lawyers and agents, Huggard said.
Solvell’s cooperation undoubtedly influenced Bildman’s decision to plead guilty, Huggard key rings said.
Solvell admitted Astra picked up the costs of some personal expenses, including Florida prostitutes, Cape Cod family vacations and improvements to his home at 49 Scotch Pine Road, Wellesley, Huggard said.
Solvell worked at Astra from 1981 to 1995, when he voluntarily left because he was tired of the Astra environment, Lawson said.
Bildman was a difficult and tyrannical man, a demanding boss who even controlled the time and content of Solvell’s lunch, Lawson said. Bildman frowned on any absences, and Solvell was labeled soft and weak when he took time off for the birth of his children, Lawson said.
Bildman set the standard for Astra and Solvell followed his lead, Lawson said.
In a brief statement to the court, Solvell expressed his remorse and said he regretted not living up necklaces to the accepted standard of conduct.
Last year, Solvell also pleaded guilty to filing a false 1995 state income tax return. He was sentenced to two years in the House of Correction, suspended with two years of probation, and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
The charm bracelet
Unless you have been in a coma or a Trappist retreat, you will have noticed that Mick Jagger’s daughter has got a job working at a jewellery shop Ms Jagger is now design director of the revamped and relaunched crown jeweller Garrard.
Apart from looking after the Queen’s baubles and enjoying a reputation as one of the last great silversmiths, money clips Garrard has not really had an awful lot going for it of late; so little, in fact, that it was gobbled up by Asprey. But recently, publicity for the company has been remarkable, including an enthusiastic paean across several pages in Vogue. Once all the brouhaha has died down, it will be interesting to see how the place fares, particularly as it is no longer on Bond Street, but Albermarle Street.
Certainly, there was good footfall through the new store in the days following its opening party, as guests trooped in to insert metal tokens they had been given into the Garrard Charm Machine. Insert your token nominal value L100, twist the handle and a plastic ball containing a charm comes whizzing out. Whether this sort of lucky dip will catch on has to be seen, but if someone else is paying, it can be fun. It also functions as a welcome indicator that the charm bracelet might be poised to make a comeback. The charm bracelet would seem to be at the forefront of Garrard’s assault on the jewellery-buying public. As well as the relatively inexpensive L100 lucky dip, there is a more seriously priced Garrard Collection called Knightrider, which features numerous charms based on an armorial theme and modelled, with lashings of homo-eroticism, by a smouldering Rupert Everett all of which is something of a leap from the dowdy and slightly prim image with which the charm bracelet has become encumbered.
From the early part of the 20th century a charm bracelet has been a traditional gift to a child: a relative giving a bracelet and then adding charms to it over the course of subsequent birthdays, religious festivals and so on. It is an intensely personal piece of jewellery and as David Lancaster, head of jewellery at Christie’s south Kensington, explains, as pieces of “very personal jewellery they have great significance to the person who gathers them in, and very little to anyone else”, although Garrard is hoping to make the charm bracelet a fashion statement as well as a personal one.
On a slightly more sombre note, Lancaster points out that charms are related to memento mori pieces tiffany jewelry that were popular in the 1800s. “As people died, they bequeathed you a ring with the words ‘remember me’ or ‘in memory of’ either engraved or enamelled on it” And given 19th century mortality rates, those who remained alive could assemble quite a number of these pieces, which were then worn on a chain. As well as a reminder of mortality, the charm bracelet has its roots deep in the Quasi-mystical field of the good luck amulet, as in an “evil eye” to attract good luck. In The Golden Bough, Sir James George Frazer recounts a traditional Middle Eastern cure involving a knotted camel hair bracelet. “The enchanter takes some camel hair and spins it into stout thread, droning a spell the while. Next be ties seven knots on the thread, blowing on each knot before he pulls it tight. This knotted thread is then worn as a bracelet on his wrist by the patient. Every day one of the knots is untied and blown upon, and when the seventh knot is undone the whole thread is rolled up into a ball and thrown into a river, bearing away (as they imagine) the fever with it.”
The Golden Bough was published in 1922, at a time when charm bracelet mania had seized Europe. A French picture postcard dating from this period helpfully delineates the more popular types of charm at the time: an elephant symbolising happiness, a heart for love, a four-leaf clover for luck, a die (for luck at the gaming tables), a pig betokening prosperity and so on As people’s horizons broadened, so charm bracelets evolved to reflect this, even becoming part of consumer advertising. At the New York World Fair of 1939, the Heinz Pavilion was the locus classicus of a charm bracelet decorated with a number of the company’s tinned goods reproduced in miniature, including small cans of soup, tomato juice, baked beans and macaroni. Nor has the charm bracelet escaped the attentions of political spin-doctors. A bracelet of Spanish origin is decorated with a series of letters that spell the legend “Viva Franco”. At the other end of the political spectrum, veteran US women’s rights campaigner Alice Paul, who first proposed the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1920s and found herself campaigning for it again in the 70s, wore a charm bracelet decorated with representations of the states that ratified the amendment.
The high point in the charm bracelet’s popularity came in the years after the war, when such fashion icons as Slim Keith, Babe Paley and, of course, Diana Vreeland were photographed with wrists well-covered in all manner of elegantly cluttered jewellery. Then, as more people took holidays abroad, landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower pendants found their way on to well-travelled wrists, much as ancient seals had found their way onto the fobs of gentlemen making the grand tour the century before.
Over the past few years charms have returned to being primarily personal pieces of jewellery, once again made expressly for certain customers or reflecting the character of the jeweller selling them. Keen horticulturalist Pilar Boxford, ambassadress of Cartier in Britain, wears a gardening-themed bracelet with small secateurs, a pygmy watering can, a lilliputian trowel and so on. Cartier also sells ready-to-wear charms in the form of diamond-set animals or miniature versions of Cartier classics such as the love bangle.
Las Cruces, N.M., firm markets ankle bracelet that detects alcohol consumption
To see more of the Las Cruces Sun-News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.lcsun-news.com.
Jan. 3–Battles with alcohol can be difficult for the drinker and for family members, and problem drinkers all too often drink and drive.
Courts and law enforcement are looking for ways to keep repeat DWI offenders from behind the wheel.
Now a Las Cruces company is touting its Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor or SCRAM, which is capable of checking alcohol consumption up to 48 times a day.
Similar to an ankle bracelet worn by some parolees and pretrial defendants to keep in contact with authorities, the SCRAM device monitors daily alcohol consumption.
Sean Parnes owns Adobe Interlock in Las Cruces, the company that sells SCRAM.
“From the time the bracelet is attached and activated its sensors check body temperature, sniff the skin for alcohol and the distance from the device to the leg,” Parnes said. “All of the functions are printed out on a graph showing the person’s location from the base monitor at the home.” Gary Bilovesky is the service provider of SCRAM in Maricopa County, Arizona.
His company provides the bracelets to seven different courts in the county and its biggest city, tiffany and co Phoenix.
“One year ago, 85 percent of our business came from the DWI Court,” Bilovesky said recently. “Now the juvenile and family courts use SCRAM and pretrial services do, too.” Bilovesky said what the judges like about the bracelet is it is voluntary.
If a person doesn’t want to be monitored, they can stay in jail, he said.
The bracelet is placed above the ankle and strapped on with a sensor that alerts the court if the sensor is tampered with or taken off.
“When someone takes a blood-alcohol test, alcohol is measured by the breath,” Parnes said. “It dissipates over two or three hours. SCRAM measures the amount of alcohol in the body over time.” SCRAM defeats those who try to cheat the court-ordered daily testing.
“Right now, a person who is tested daily can drink the night before the test and it won’t show up the next day,” Parnes said. “With this system it lets the court know the person has be drinking in violation of their court order.” The device is not currently in use anywhere in New Mexico.
“This is a new product in New Mexico,” Parnes said. “It was tested in a pilot program in Albuquerque, but is not in use yet.” Parnes said the pilot program was done on a grant and the funding ran out before the program could be completed.
SCRAM is used in Colorado, Alaska, Ohio, Michigan and Florida.
District Court Judge Larry Ramirez, who runs the Doa Ana County’s Children’s Court, said while he cufflinks would be interested in seeing the device, his only major concern is SCRAM’s reliability.
“I don’t want a juvenile wrongly accused,” Ramirez said. “As long as it is reliable, anything we can use to make sure the conditions of release are secure is worth a look.” Kathleen Brown, with Denver- based Alcohol Monitoring Systems that developed the product, said there have been skeptics.
“SCRAM has been challenged in courts 70 times,” Brown said. “Each time it’s been contested, the company has prevailed.” Brown said Michigan has used it with great success in a number of courts.
Domestic courts are finding uses for it as a condition of release for an accused abuser.
“A domestic court judge here in Maricopa County puts these on abusers, and if they don’t drink and follow court ordered counseling, anger management and family programs, he will expunge their record,” Bilovesky said.
Distributes Diabetes Heroes Awareness Bracelets to Children Nationwide
Animas Corporation Mindy Cooper, 610-644-8990 x1157
Animas Corporation (Nasdaq:PUMP), a leading manufacturer of insulin pumps, along with Nicole Johnson Baker, former Miss America, TV Host and Author, have launched the Diabetes Heroes campaign. Diabetes Heroes is a nationwide program created to identify and recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional resilience and/ or creativity in living with diabetes or who have provided exceptional assistance and motivation to one or more persons with diabetes. Heroes will be named in five categories including: patient, family member, friend, healthcare professional and other.
As part of the program, Animas will be distributing Diabetes Hero awareness tiffany and co bracelets through diabetes camps nationwide. Animas will make a donation to the non-profit organization, Children with Diabetes for every bracelet given to a child this summer.
Children with Diabetes is dedicated to promoting the importance of care and treatment of children with diabetes within the families, schools and daycare; to support families living with the disease; and to promote the importance of research and finding a cure.
“Since Animas was founded in 1996, we have met countless individuals who tirelessly work towards making a difference in the lives of those living with diabetes. Many of them have family members with the disease, while others are living with diabetes themselves and aspiring to making life better for those around them,” explains Audrey Finkelstein, Executive Vice President, Sales, Clinical Affairs and Marketing. “We want to recognize these extraordinary people and their efforts, while at the same time, educating the public about this disease and the physical and emotional impact it has on the over 18 million it claims.”
For more information on Diabetes Heroes, visit www.diabetesheroes.com.
For more information on Nicole Johnson Baker, visit www.nicolejohnson.com.
About Animas Corporation: Animas, a leading maker of insulin infusion pumps and related bangles products, is dedicated to improving diabetes management and making insulin pump therapy easier for patients with insulin requiring diabetes and healthcare professionals through product innovation, customer support and extensive customer education. For more information on Animas, visit http://www.animascorp.com or call Animas Corporation at 877-937-7867.
REEBOK RECALLS BRACELET LINKED TO CHILD’S LEAD POISONING DEATH
The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following press release:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
NAME OF PRODUCT: Reebok Heart-Shaped Charm Bracelets
UNITS: About 300,000
IMPORTER: Reebok International Ltd., of Canton, Mass.
HAZARD: The recalled jewelry contains high levels of lead, posing a risk of lead tiffany jewelry poisoning and adverse health effects to young children.
INCIDENTS/INJURIES: Reebok has received a report of a death caused by lead poisoning of a 4-year-old child from Minneapolis, Minn. The child reportedly swallowed a piece from one of these bracelets.
DESCRIPTION: The recall involves an 8-inch long metal bracelet with a heart-shaped charm. The name “Reebok” is engraved on the one side of the charm. The charm bracelet was provided as a free gift with the purchase of various styles of children’s footwear.
SOLD AT: Major shoe stores nationwide from May 2004 through March 2006. The manufacturer’s retail price of the shoes ranged between $33 and $50.
MANUFACTURED IN: China
REMEDY: Consumers should immediately take the charm bracelets away from children and dispose of the entire bracelet.
CONSUMER CONTACT: For additional information, contact Reebok at (800) 994-6260 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit Reebok’s Web site at www.reebok.com.
NORTH CAROLINA CENTER FOR MISSING PERSONS PROVIDING FREE IDENTIFICATION BRACELETS DURING STATE FAIR
The North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety issued the following news release:
The North Carolina Center for Missing persons will distribute free identification bracelets during the State Fair in an effort to educate citizens about the importance of having some form of identification with them. The Missing Persons’ booth is located in the Commercial Building. On August 26th, Lieutenant Denise Schmolke, a 16 year veteran of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, was jogging at Emerald Isle, North Carolina Witnesses said she stopped, leaned over, placed her hands on her knees and without warning collapsed on the sidewalk. Rescue personnel arrived quickly and provided Cardiopulmonary resuscitation before she was transported to the hospital. Denise did not have any identification on her; therefore family and friends could not be contacted for much needed medical information and support for at least twelve hours. Tragically, Denise Schmolke died from a brain aneurysm. However, a valuable lesson is offered in her memory. Please don’t be a Jane or John Doe and be sure you always carry proper identification any time you are out walking, running, or anytime you are alone. Ensure that your loved ones can be located in the event of an emergency. If you have any questions, please call our office at (919) 733-5027.Contact: Lt. Everett Clendenin, 919/733-5027, ext. 233.
Lt. Everett Clendenin, 919/733-5027, ext. 233. tiffany