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ATLANTA -- Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Teoscar Hernandez won last summer's Home Run Derby
and he is open to the idea of defending his championship this year
said his priority is to make the All-Star team again
"I'm still thinking about it," he said Sunday
outside of the visitors' indoor hitting cage at Truist Park
There would be a really good chance that I would participate in the Home Run Derby."
batting .305 with 33 RBIs in the first 32 games; Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Sunday's game that Hernandez has been obsessed with taking advantage of run-scoring opportunities
Hernandez will enjoy the substantial voting support of Dodgers fans
Roberts does have some influence in filling spots on the All-Star roster
Last year, Hernandez beat Bobby Witt Jr. to win the last round of the Home Run Derby, after longtime friend and former teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr
encouraged him to stop trying to pull the ball and just focus on driving the ball more toward the middle of the field
Tea Time has arrived in Olney with the inaugural event taking place at Lone Oak Brewery’s “Whispering Spirit Speakeasy” located at the Fallen Oak Distillery (5000 Olney Laytonsville Rd.)
Our very own “Mr. MoCo” Alex Tsironis stopped by to support and shared a video of the experience that can be seen below
The cost was $42 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and it came with the following:
“A selection of fine teas from Shafa Blends
but we had to make it back home to the kids so it ended at tea for us
I was told that they’ll likely be doing this again soon
so keep an eye out if it seems like something you’d enjoy.” Lone Oak/Fallen Oak has shared with us that the hope is for many Tea Time events in the future
A post shared by Mr. MoCo • Alex Tsironis (@mrmoco301)
Trigger Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name and image of a person who has passed away
friends and community members gathered in Roebourne to farewell Lois Mary Olney — a proud Aboriginal
becoming one of the many children affected by the Stolen Generations
she grew to be a voice of strength and beauty literally and metaphorically using music as her way to reclaim connection and identity
Former partner John McBain described the significance of laying her to rest alongside her mother and son
"This is her special day," Mr McBain said
The urn will go with her son Keith — it'll be like Lois hugging her son again
it’ll be like her mother is hugging her again
She was taken from her mother just after birth
The service brought together people from across the Pilbara and beyond
She was born in her mother’s country at Roebourne,” she said
“Her father was a Yamatji man from Meekatharra
She was forcibly removed from her family in 1963
But she was raised with love by the only family
who were led to believe she’d been voluntarily put up for adoption.”
A passionate surfer and athlete in her youth
Lois’s life took a turn when she discovered the music of Billie Holiday
She was taught by someone who had been the musical director of Shirley Bassey
But it was Billie Holiday who changed her life,” “She began singing in restaurants around Fremantle
Lois will always appear in songs across the country.”
Ms Lois had also asked Finucane to become her next of kin and ensure her legacy lived on
“She wanted to take her voice and her wishes forward
It’s a deep honour of mine to be here today,” Ms Finucane said
Known for her deeply soulful voice and her generosity of spirit
Lois Olney used music not just to express herself
but to uplift others — especially through her work with Aboriginal communities
she is finally home — embraced once again by the mother and son she longed for
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BUMP AND STACY
The Seattle Mariners have been a different team offensively this season, but the improvements at the plate can be traced back to last season
Three observations from Seattle Mariners’ eighth straight series win
In a recent post on social media, ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney pointed out the Mariners’ offensive prowess dating back to the final two months of last season
the M’s produced the following AL rankings:
Olney joined Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy on Friday to discuss the Mariners
and he shared what he thinks has keyed the club’s recent offensive success
it’s not perfectly all the way through
who brought assistant hitting coach Bobby Magallanes with him
“Part of the reason why I went back and looked at those numbers was because just talking with people about Edgar’s impact as a hitting coach for the Mariners
I think it’s real,” Olney said
“Sometimes guys come in and they’re a pitching coach or they’re a hitting coach and they don’t have much impact
but I think Edgar’s had a real impact
so the vast majority (64) of those 82 games were under his tutelage.”
Olney revealed he had some bias sway his belief in Martinez’s impact on the Mainers offense due to conversations he had with former Mariners star shortstop Alex Rodriguez when they worked together on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight
about after the Mariners would finish a series
and Edgar would be in the back and he’d be sipping some wine
and Alex would go back there and ask him all kinds of questions about hitting
… Alex told me about how Edgar has this beautiful ability to simplify everything that he’s talking about
and Alex would pepper him with questions for an hour
and finally Edgar would chase him back to the front of the plane.”
Olney said he’s heard Martinez’s way of communicating is also connecting with this group of Mariners
“The idea that the Mariners for basically half a season would be second in runs while playing in their home ballpark
which everyone knows offensive numbers are generally going to be depressed
And I’m going to say I think it’s in part because of Edgar Martinez.”
Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story
Listen to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m
or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app
It was the late great Townes Van Zandt who said “Anytime anyone asks me who my favourite music writers are
David Olney is one of the best writers I have ever heard
High praise indeed from someone who knew a thing or two about writing great songs
Since his untimely death whilst performing on stage at the 30A Songwriter Festival at Santa Rose Beach
the legacy of David Olney has continued to grow and grow
with a brand new album just released entitled “Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs Of David Olney”
that sees some of the finest and most respected writers of a generation come together to record their favourite Olney song
to name just handful who wanted to play their part in honouring this true giant of the singer-songwriting profession
In his lifetime Olney recorded around 30 solo albums
though his musical career began way back in the 70’s
while in the early 80’s he formed The X-Rays
He would have been the first to admit that it took a little while for things to fall into place
and though never becoming a household name
many of those solo albums are now considered classics of their genre
covered by such luminaries as Emmylou Harris
and have become a constant inspiration for so many more
With so many incredible songs to chose from
there are enough songs from just his first two albums to more than fill this so-called ‘Top 10 List” on their own
I have chosen to make life a little easier by selecting only from songs that Olney was credited for writing on his own
In truth this list will probably require a part 2
to come close to including all the deserving contenders
so somewhere down the road when our esteemed Editor is either not looking
for if ever a songwriter deserved the extra coverage then it’s surely got to be the great David Olney
being quite aware that many of your favourites will be missing from this list
pint into a half-pint pot scenario once again
Number 10: ‘Deeper Well’ (from “Deeper Well” 1989)
The title track from Olney’s sophomore album
this track would form the centrepiece of Emmylou Harris’ 1996 released Grammy Award-winning album “Wrecking Ball”
where strangely enough Harris and producer Daniel Lanois were co-credit with Olney on the songwriting credits
though the lyrical structure and melody differ little from the original
From its opening notes of the rustic fiddle playing against the driving intensity of an acoustic guitar
Olney takes the listener on a frantic journey through an almost apocalyptic landscape
the vocals delivered with an urgency such as if his very life depended on it’s telling
Number 9: ‘If I Knew I Couldn’t Do It’ (from “Omar’s Blues” 2000)
One of the many characteristics to be found in Olney’s writing was his penchant for retelling familiar tales from the history books
‘If I Knew I Couldn’t Do It’ sees his focus here turn to the well known tale of David and Goliath
told through the eyes of David and his success for the little man against all the odds
One of Olney’s greatest strengths was his ability to inhabit the characters within his songs
like those great method actors of the past
transporting the listener to the scene of the action
This track would become a large part of his live shows for many years and the attached link is taken from his album “Woman Across The River”
by longtime friend and collaborator Pieter Groenveld
Number 8: ‘Loves Been Linked To The Blues’ (from “Roses” 1991)
This song first appeared on Olney’s third album “Roses”
and offers a slightly different approach in his writing and sound
From it’s opening measures of a blues-infused slide guitar upon a 12 string acoustic that continues throughout
along with the introduction of some jazzy chords from the piano that supply a splash of colour to the arrangement
all topped off by a sublime trumpet solo transporting this song to an orbit similar to that of those early Tom Waits albums
Here Olney’s vocal delivery and narrative continue to encourage that comparison on an album
was supposed to propel him into the big time
Unfortunately that wasn’t meant to be
but just possibly in the long run those of us in the know were the real beneficiaries
Number 7: ‘If It Wasn’t For The Wind’ (from “Eye Of The Storm” 1986)
First appearing on Olney’s debut album “Eye Of The Storm”
this beautiful number immediately announced him to the Nashville singer-songwriter fraternity
with its stunning melody and heartfelt narrative perfectly delivered
The arrangement is nothing more than guitar and vocal with just enough percussion to supply the motion
allowing the sagacity of the poetry to sit front and centre
There’s a timeless quality to this number
as if it could have been written anytime between 1950 and yesterday
and one feels it will continue to maintain this aura for decades to come
Number 6: Queen Anne’s Lace (from “Eye Of The Storm”
the second track on this list from his debut album
and another perfect example of Olney’s craft at storytelling
but this time without any historical references
one time lovers crossing paths many years later
one fallen on hard times the other living the highlife
the poetry still betrays that keenest of eyes
with the sweetest melody offering the perfect juxtaposition to the bitterness of the narrative as he sings
“traded all her pain for bright lights and chilled champagne”
before the veiled threat of “they think they know her well
It is the ultimate in broken-hearted love songs
that can be traced all the way back to Hank Williams and the Louvin Brothers
and the equal to the very best that have followed since
but be assured this is a personal favourite
Number 5: ‘1917’ (from “Through A Glass Darkly”
spoken by Olney as an introduction to this heartbreaking tale of World War 1
From here Olney tells the story from the prostitute’s viewpoint
both from what they’ve seen and what they’ve done
Olney’s narrative here is neither judgmental nor overly emotive
understanding the needs of both parties and the circumstances of war
Once again he takes the listener on a journey
and in barely five minutes makes you feel like you’ve just spent two hours enthralled in a cinematic masterpiece
sparse but always with enough detail to develop the imagery
his characters immaculately defined and yet never truly unmasked
that perfectly captures the need to live in the moment
In Belgium and France the dead are everywhere”
encapsulates both the inevitable fate of the soldier and the futility of war
And yet despite the sobriety of the subject
there lies in the narrative just enough compassion to render a faint sense of warmth and hope
Number 4: ‘Millionaire’ (from “Roses”
Though this song is now well over thirty years old
its subject matter seems to resonate louder today than when it was first released
Here Olney’s narrative focuses on the rich and powerful
He opens with the line “Well I started out with one lone dollar”
as if to somehow justify the evil and corruption that follows before demanding “How many of you want to see me dead
how many of you are wishing you were me”
And in that line he turns the spotlight on what’s wrong with so much of today’s society
with his lyrical sagacity exposing all the selfishness
his vocals delivered with an arrogant swagger “I’m bad but I don’t care
I’m going to be a millionaire”
while the broader accompaniment of a fiery fiddle and feisty percussion offer the perfect musical foil
Towards the latter stages of the song he sings the line “got myself in a good position
that unapologetically decries the state of politics both of the time
Number 3: ‘Who’s The Dummy Now’ (from “One Tough Town”
is the opening line from this dark comedic tale
that highlights the power struggle between a ventriloquist and his dummy who have fallen on hard times
Once again Olney demonstrates his artistry of inhabiting the characters within his songs
with the narrative spiced full of one-liners that would make most writers hang up their pen
The song finds the dummy goading the ventriloquist
claiming “my lines are the best”
and “you know I’ve had my fill
it’s about time I got top bill”
The dummy doesn’t restrict his vitriol to just their professional relationship
attacking the ventriloquist’s failure in his personal life
deriding a recent unsuccessful date with utter glee as he mocks “she wanted to be kissed
(but) you couldn’t move your lips”
and just another example of Olney’s narrative capability
Nobody else writes songs with either this level of imagination or acute vocabulary
The narrative is accompanied here by some delightful clarinet playing
their rapport seeming to add the final nail in the ventriloquist’s coffin
Number 2: ‘Jerusalem Tomorrow’ (from “Deeper Well”
For those of you that are regular readers of these hallowed pages you will know that I have previously waxed lyrically about this track
the second to appear on this list from his classic album “Deeper Well”
Emmylou Harris was again one of the quickest out of the blocks to recognise Olney’s talents as a songwriter
including this track on her 1993 album “Cowgirl’s Prayer”
This song is one of the earliest examples of Olney taking familiar tales and replacing them in unfamiliar perspectives
taking well-known historical characters and placing them in a reimagined context
Here he inhabits the role of a bible-era charlatan
travelling through the local towns and villages
taking advantage of the locals with his sleight of hand deception and dishonesty
who has suddenly fallen on hard times due to some ‘upstart’ called Jesus stealing his thunder
making a much greater impression on his potential customers
Olney would go on to be lauded as one of Nashville’s most literate storytellers
and songs structured symmetrically of concept
but here he delivered the narrative in the style of those great method actors
embodying the role and conjuring up all the emotion and imagery to places the listener at the very heart of the scene
It is unlike any other song you’re ever likely to hear
Number 1: ‘If My Eyes Were Blind’ (from “Deeper Well”
throughout this feature I have eulogised extensively about what made Olney’s song craft so uniquely different to his contemporaries
that these previous nine songs have all in one way or another highlighted and endorsed
he was just as skilled when it came to writing in a more traditional
drawing similarities and comparison to such luminaries as John Prine
The third track on this list to have originally appeared on his sophomore release
‘If My Eyes Were Blind‘ is the ultimate in epic love songs
Here Olney swaps his sagacious storytelling narrative that defines so many of songs
for an emotive number that still creates a cinematic aura
like those classic old cowboy songs that echoed with the vastness of the landscape
This reminds us just what a great singer Olney was
his vocal prowess full of emotion but without an ounce of saccharine
so that you believe and hang on to every poetic syllable
while some wonderful acoustic guitar playing fills the space between the lines
This song would be covered by such legends as Mimi Farina on her 1985 album “Solo”
and Steve Young on his album “Look Forward Angel” which was released the following year
is my choice for David Olney’s finest song
the innocence mission “Midwinter Swimmers”
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Which song do you believe to be written by Jimmie Dale Gilmore
It’s seems to suit JDG’s persona and voice
I take it you are referring to Jimmie Dale Gilmore’s cover of ‘If It Wasn’t For The Wind’
that appears on the newly released “Can’t Steal My Fire; The Songs Of David Olney”
It is a great tribute album with a cast of songwriters to die for
all wanting to pay tribute to a true master.The whole album comes highly recommended
Needs a box-set…Postcard From Mexico
Keep an eye out for the Top 10 David Olney Songs part 2
and graciously accept the long list of songs missing
I was working through Olney’s album chronologically and by the time I’d got to the 2000 released “Omar’s Blues (which by the way the list does include one track)
I already had at least 30 songs as contenders
so apart from one track (Who’s The Dummy Now) the list just covers the first half of Olney’s recorded output
I think you’re spot on on with those comments
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The women of Olney are under starters orders as they prepare for the historic Olney Pancake Race
which takes place on Shrove Tuesday 4 March 2025
dressed in a skirt and head scarf and clutching their frying pan and pancake
will be following a great tradition; the race is reputed to have taken place since 1445 and has certainly run every year since 1948
In 1950 the Pancake Race became an international event when the town of Liberal in Kansas
In a spirit of international goodwill and friendship
there are lots of activities taking place in the Market Place
Ben Francis from The Cherry Tree Pub and Restaurant
plus races for local nurseries and school children
The ticketed breakfast takes place from 8.00am
with the children’s races at 10.00 and the main race at 11.55am
and all the details are on our website olneypancakerace.org
You can also like us on Facebook @olneypancakerace
all the runners join visitors in a Shriving Service which is held in the Church of St Peter and St Paul
The church is celebrating its 700th anniversary in 2025 and the service will include some of the famous Olney Hymns
The Race is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Francis Jackson Homes
together with the support of many local businesses
Red Bull secured double points after a fierce
Max Verstappen claimed his third pole position of the season as both Red Bull drivers reached Q3 ahead of tomorrow's Miami Grand Prix
Poor weather created the perfect storm for a chaotic Miami Sprint Race
It was mixed emotions for Red Bull Racing during qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix Sprint Race
MKFM always wants to hear your stories about your city
Feedback window for local sports closes on Sunday
Track riders implore electric vehicle users: ‘please don’t wreck it again’
Chilly feeling with scattered showers possible
Bereaved kids fund calling for support from local businesses
Shoplifting app being used by more than 1500 businesses
Marathon walk to every London football ground starts at MK Dons
Popular player full of confidence for next season
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Last week, Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney managed to find time in the parliamentary schedule to make the case for a voting system that treats every voter fairly. ‘Ten-minute rule’ bills are opportunities for MPs to make a speech in parliament on a topic they care deeply about
and usually aren’t even followed by a vote on the topic
Bills need to go through multiple stages in parliament to become a law
and while Sarah’s bill has a date for the next stage
it’s extremely unlikely that time will be found in parliament’s schedule
There is no doubt that the government could find parliamentary time if they wanted
Liberal democrat leader Ed Davey asked the Prime Minister if he could find time for the bill to progress
and the Prime Minister replied that “Proportional representation is not our policy and we will not be making time for it.”
The new cross-party group, the APPG for Fair Elections
is now one of the largest in parliament with over 100 members
Pressure from the public is finally getting through to Westminster
unions and policy forum have all identified the problem with First Past the Post – it’s up to Labour’s leadership to find the time to deliver the solution
Four Combined Authority mayors will be elected on 1 May 2025
but changes to the rules could see mayors taking power with little public support locally
Voters are going to the polls in the following..
Women’s equal representation in Parliament matters for a host of reasons
From the simple fact that 50% of us are women – to research that points to improved decision-making when women are involved in leadership,..
The Electoral Reform Society (ERS) is an independent
non-partisan organisation leading the campaign for your democratic rights
Take your place among the ERS Members who support our work in parliament
in the press and online – for how we can fix Westminster's broken system
All content © 2017 Electoral Reform Society
This year's race was won by 2023 champion and 2024 runner-up Eloise Kramer
Ruth Martin, one of the organisers of the Olney Pancake Race
said it had the "best turnout so far"
The race itself dates back to 1445 with ladies from the town
running with their frying pans from the market square to the church
Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X
ShareSaveArchive: Zoo welcomes UK's first polar bear twinsNewsreel footage from 1960 shows cubs Aurora and Polaris playing in their enclosure at Whipsnade.
Drone video shows Universal's UK theme park siteThe 476-acre complex on a former brickworks near Bedford will also include a hotel and shops.
Archive: Vauxhall car flipped off hill for testingArchive footage from 1928 shows a Vauxhall car undergoing tests by being pushed down a hill.
Last Vauxhall van rolls off Luton production lineThe final van to be produced at Luton's Vauxhall plant rolls off the production line.
Watch: Footage shows teen planning triple murderNicholas Prosper is seen buying a gun, mimicking a shooting and refusing to answer police questions.
Watch: Police seize three vehicles after one stopAn officer explains how stopping one uninsured car led to two more being taken off the road.
Video shows moment hawk attacks manA resident in Flamstead says about a dozen people in the village have been attacked.
Crossbow killer refuses to answer police questionsVideo shows Kyle Clifford repeatedly saying "no comment" when asked about why he killed three women.
Capt Tom's daughter sorry if public 'feel misled'Hannah Ingram-Moore tells the BBC that the charity set up in her dad's name did nothing "dishonest".
CCTV shows crossbow killer buying rope and fuel cansImages played in court show Kyle Clifford, who admits murder and false imprisonment, out shopping.
Watch: Luton fans react to defeat by WatfordLuton Town fans brace themselves for relegation as their team are beaten 2-0.
Infamous crash-prone bollards to remain on roadFootage of vehicles smashing into the barriers, including a police van, was widely shared online.
HS2 viaduct 'slide' installation captured on filmTime-lapse footage shows engineers completing the largest and longest viaduct operation of its type.
BBC Rewind: Making 500-year-old musical instrumentsMaking a rackett - how a hobby of crafting Renaissance instruments turned into a full-time business.
Watch: Crossbow killer leaving murder sceneKyle Clifford is seen carrying a large white sheet which had the crossbow underneath.
Rob Edwards exit 'the right thing but very sad'Luton Town fans react to the manager's departure following seven defeats in 10 matches.
'Erratic' driver had drugs strapped to his legA drug dealer is jailed after a police pursuit ends in a burst tyre and hospital visit.
City's yarnbombers set woolly world recordDedicated yarnbombers enter the record books by topping 102 post boxes with knitted creations.
Archive: Man 'laid to rest' in bank building roofA TV report from 1975 explains how a coffin ended up in the rafters of a NatWest branch.
Archive: People collect Christmas savings from pubIn the footage from 1962, one woman says it is easier to save money at the pub than go to a bank.
The Olney Chamber of Commerce invited the Easter Bunny to Olney for a fun photo-op with the community
Sparkles the Easter Bunny showed up bright-eyed and bushy tailed to the festive Easter event ready to greet all the excited children of Olney
Phone: (940) 564-5558
Fax: (940) 564-3992
Exclusive: Concerns raised that wording of law could result in people with eating disorders using it to end their lives
MPs will look to close a potential anorexia loophole in the assisted dying bill that psychiatrists fear could result in people with severe eating disorders using it to end their lives
who sits on the committee of MPs that will scrutinise the proposed law
is tabling an amendment to tighten the language around mental capacity
MPs will this week begin examining Kim Leadbeater’s private member’s bill line by line ahead of the next parliamentary vote in April
They are expected to take evidence from external experts in the last week of January and begin to consider any proposed amendments
The Royal College of Psychiatrists expressed some concern about the bill and its reference to mental capacity
It said many people with mental disorders such as anxiety or depression would be deemed to have capacity
though under the terms of the bill they would also need to have a terminal illness with less than six months to live
But the college said the wording of the bill “could also be interpreted to include those whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental disorder.”
does not itself meet the criteria for terminal illness … its effects (malnutrition) in severe cases could be deemed by some as a terminal physical illness
even though eating disorders are treatable conditions and recovery is possible even after decades of illness.”
Olney’s amendment replaces “capacity” with “ability” – where the person seeking an assisted death must be able to fully understand and weigh the information
She told the Guardian: “The Mental Capacity Act is not designed to enable people to make a decision about ending their own life, that is why the suicide prevention approach of the Mental Health Act makes no reference to capacity
“As the Royal College of Psychiatrists have pointed out
people could have a co-occurring mental disorder which impacts their decision and still be considered to have capacity
“My amendment would replace capacity with a functional test of ability and it will ensure that only those who can fully understand the nature of their decision can choose an assisted death
protect those suffering from eating disorders.”
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telling you what’s happening and why it matters
MPs scrutinising assisted dying legislation will have three full days in the final week of January to hear public evidence from health and ethics experts and begin to explore a range of possible amendments
The committee will then meet twice weekly for public scrutiny sessions of the bill until the last week of April
The health minister Stephen Kinnock and the justice minister Sarah Sackman will be on the bill committee for its next stage in parliament
after each voting in favour of the legislation
The Young County-Olney Senior Cub Center hosted a special lunch for all those who have volunteered over the past year for the Cub Center
Attendees enjoyed a free lunch with a special awards ceremony after which Cub Center Director Angela Lockard gave a speech thanking volunteers and presented the volunteers with a certificate of appreciation and a gift bag with small gifts of thanks
playThe numbers behind Gerrit Cole's injury-marred seasons (0:52)Check out some key stats and key figures for Gerrit Cole
who will sit out the 2025 season because of Tommy John surgery
someone who is likely to one day make a speech on induction day in Cooperstown
But this is not a case of a team being blindsided by an injury. Past injuries are the most predictive indicators for future injuries, and after Cole missed nearly the first three months of last season with nerve inflammation in his right elbow
the Yankees knew the chances of losing him were heightened
Their handling of his contract situation last fall was a strong indicator of the uncertainty around Cole
opted out of the last four years of his contract
while asking that the Yankees exercise a $36 million option for the 2029 season
effectively adding a fifth year to his four-year
Owner Hal Steinbrenner and GM Brian Cashman declined to do so
Cole returned to the Yankees without any augmentation of his contract
While the Yankees hoped Cole's elbow would remain functional
as Masahiro Tanaka's elbow did following a diagnosis of a partially torn ligament in 2014
they weren't willing to bet another $36 million on it
given his standing as the sixth starter behind a five-man rotation
Cashman's habit is to be patient -- to weigh internal solutions before diving into another free agent signing or trade. When Cole was sidelined last spring, the Yankees thought Will Warren might step into his spot in the rotation
Gil surprisingly emerged to fill in for Cole and was one of the league's best starting pitchers in the first half
This year, Warren is having a very good spring
having allowed just two hits and a run in eight innings of work
an eighth-round pick out of Southeast Louisiana in 2021
is the front-runner to move into the Yankees' rotation
Just as the Yankees continue to weigh market options for hitting help while Giancarlo Stanton is attempting to work his way back from elbow trouble, they will consider free agent possibilities such as veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson
The Yankees paid for insurance on Cole's contract
and so they will recoup some portion of the salary they owe him; typically
His contract still counts against their competitive balance tax total
but the insurance money will significantly offset the luxury tax they will have to pay for the addition of any replacement: The Yankees are taxed dollar for dollar
for any additional player salaries they take on
A new $5 million player costs the Yankees $10 million
Eventually, their best alternatives, if needed, could be through the trade market, and maybe that turns out to be the Miami Marlins' Sandy Alcantara
the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner who is back after an elbow reconstruction
Under the terms of a deal he signed with the Marlins early in his career
Alcantara is making $17.3 million this year and $17.3 million next season
and there is a $21 million option in his deal for 2027
Buster Olney ranks MLB's best at every position for 2025
Olney's top 10s »
The pitching market could be flush with options in a few months
And the Yankees might wait until then to make a move to cover for Cole's absence
Last month, Chamber UK and 50:50 Parliament hosted a ‘Get Britain Growing’ event
welcoming newly elected MPs and highlighting the critical issue of gender representation in politics
With the most gender-balanced parliament in British history and the UK’s first female chancellor
attendees explored new opportunities for inclusive economic growth
This event was kindly supported by Lloyds Banking Group
to support the essential discussion on gender representation
reflecting their commitment to fostering inclusivity
such as their impactful work on the gender pension gap
This article details a speech made by Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Treasury and Business & Industrial Strategy
Olney speaks about embracing new change in parliament
but also recognising that there is still a long way to go until reaching gender equity
Olney spoke candidly about the unprecedented number of new MPs in the current Parliament
recognising the challenges and opportunities this brings
“There are so many new faces in Parliament
and I think it’s pretty unprecedented,” she said
the dynamics of the House of Commons have undoubtedly shifted
A significant part of Olney’s speech focused on the progress and ongoing challenges of gender representation in Parliament
While proud of her party’s achievements—where women now make up 44% of Liberal Democrat MPs—she acknowledged that there is still work to be done
“We aren’t quite at 50/50 in the Lib Dems at the moment
and we’re doing okay.” Olney’s remarks were grounded in reality
recognising both the achievements and the ongoing efforts required to reach gender parity
Olney shared her thoughts on the importance of breaking down barriers in all areas of life
As the Treasury and Business spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats
she is passionate about removing obstacles that prevent full participation from underrepresented groups
“What are the things we need to do?” Olney asked
challenging the audience to consider how they can support individuals across the UK
“Let’s get people to take those steps that they want to take but are feeling held back.” Her focus is on practical measures that can help individuals re-enter the workforce
Olney urged her fellow MPs and political leaders to actively support and encourage participation from those who have traditionally been excluded or marginalised
“It’s up to us as political leaders to hold out that hand and encourage them forward,” she said
stressing the importance of inclusive leadership
Olney’s vision is one where every individual has the opportunity to contribute to society
leaving her audience with a clear message of support and commitment
Sarah Olney’s focus on inclusivity and gender representation remains crucial
Her practical approach and dedication to breaking down barriers offer a clear path forward for a more equitable and inclusive society
the future of politics holds promise for all
To watch the full video of Sarah Olney’s speech at Chamber UK and 50:50 Parliament’s ‘Welcome to Parliament – Getting Britain Growing’ event, please click below and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
The government’s Plan for Change sees further funding for women in STEM
The investment is part of Labours plan to “fix our NHS and make it fit for the future.”
Grand coalitions create stable governance and national unity in an era marked by polarization and volatility
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THERE are moments in the life of a place that feel truly transformative; landmarks that shift not just the skyline but the horizon of what..
The Toronto Blue Jays' handling of Vladimir Guerrero Jr
might best be summarized by Roman philosopher Cicero's mantra: More is lost by indecision than wrong decision
the Jays have put themselves in a terrible position
with the player holding all of the leverage
But Guerrero still wears their uniform with a season left until he reaches free agency
giving the Jays one last chance to build a beachhead into a future that is otherwise shrouded in murk
apologize for wasting his time and wave the white flag in the negotiations
Last week, the deadline Guerrero set for a contract extension came and went without a deal in place. Assuming Guerrero isn't asking the Blue Jays to match Juan Soto's $765 million contract
they should just say yes to whatever they said no to a week ago
Allowing Guerrero to reach free agency makes no sense given the Jays' handling of his career and his contract situation
Toronto leadership put off a hard decision on Guerrero
The only question is whether the cost comes in Guerrero's departure
The Blue Jays' path to this point reminds me of another team who let indecision cloud the impending free agency of a star player: the Los Angeles Angels and Shohei Ohtani
This 2025 Hail Mary attempt to contend instead of entering a rebuild defers
they might get back only half of what his value might've been last summer
If they hold onto him throughout the season and he walks away to another team
they would receive only minimal draft pick compensation for a homegrown star
Some players don't want to play in Canada for one reason or another
Guerrero was born in Canada -- the son of Hall of Fame outfielder Vladimir Guerrero Sr.
who starred in Montreal -- and signed with the Jays in 2015 for $3.9 million
The Jays' front office delayed his promotion to the big leagues in 2019
but Guerrero demonstrated what everyone was so excited about
hitting 15 homers and showing great bat-to-ball skills
he clubbed 48 homers and finished second in the AL MVP race
with as many extra-base hits (32) as strikeouts (32)
everyone in the industry seemed to be waiting for
and it provided another inflection point for the Jays
Toronto was in the same spot the Los Angeles Angels were with Shohei Ohtani in summer 2022
when the Angels could've traded Ohtani with another 15 months of team control and gotten a major haul in return
And there was another factor for the Jays in July: Soto was headed into free agency and would inevitably raise the ceiling for sluggers
in the middle of a lost season -- either push to sign Guerrero to a long-term deal before the market was impacted by Soto
The Jays did what the Angels did with Ohtani
Free agency, trade grades »
Guerrero was even better in the last two months of the season
finishing the year with a .323 average and a .940 OPS
they had all of October and early November to pick a path
and if they determined that they couldn't or didn't want to sign him
The feedback rival executives continued to get was: Vladdy wasn't available
And it began a dalliance with Soto, picking a fight against the most valuable franchise in the majors, the Yankees, and the richest owner, the New York Mets' Steve Cohen
was among those to meet with Soto and his agent Scott Boras
The Jays' participation was probably doomed from the start -- only Soto knows for sure -- but in theory
this could've worked for them in this way: As bidders
the Jays had firsthand and early knowledge of how Soto's contract might affect the market for other players -- such as Guerrero
The bidding for Soto went through multiple rounds
and it was as if the Jays were benefiting from insider trading
Once the numbers for Soto went over $600 million and zoomed toward infinity and beyond
the Jays had to know Guerrero's ask would be enormous
The Jays had knowledge other teams did not
they had the option of pushing the talks to a resolution -- deal or no deal -- and if not
given what the best first basemen have been paid in recent years
It has been more than a decade since any first baseman got $200 million
let alone $350 million or $450 million or $500 million
But given the Jays' participation in the Soto sweepstakes
the concern over Guerrero's defensive position shouldn't be a factor
Toronto was apparently willing to pay Soto something close to the monster deal he got with the Mets
and it's not as if Soto is a good defender; there will probably be a time midway through his 15-year contract that he will shift into a designated hitter role
you're paying for the bat," one rival executive said
"You're paying for the power and the contact with damage
Is your favorite franchise boiling hot or below freezing
We take the temperature of every club with a brand-new number
Bradford Doolittle »
Guerrero turns 26 next month and will be a free agent in the fall
When the Jays pursued Ohtani, meeting with him in Florida, they were going against the Los Angeles Dodgers and other teams
a number at which they were assured they would sign him
not knowing for sure what other teams had offered
never sure whether Soto would actually seriously consider their offer or whether there even was a number that would get them the slugger
there is no question whether he would sign to play in Toronto
as there was with Ohtani and Soto; Guerrero has played with the Jays his entire career
and he says he wants to continue playing in Toronto
As he said last week after the negotiations stalled
"I have my number." The Jays know that number
in a way they didn't know it with Ohtani and Soto and many other stars who've refused to take their money in recent winters
knowledge of the take-down number is worth everything
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Ministers should weigh up the health and economic benefits of a Heathrow night flights ban
Sarah Olney asked ministers for clarity over Labour’s position on the expansion plan for Britain’s biggest airport
The Liberal Democrats’ Cabinet Office spokeswoman also called on ministers to consider a “do nothing” option for a Government-backed airspace modernisation programme
Aviation minister Mike Kane did not say say whether he supported proposals for a third runway at the airport
to be built above the M25 motorway between Staines-upon-Thames and Slough
But he confirmed the Government has supported an ongoing observational study
monitoring sound levels in participants’ bedrooms
which he said would “inform future policies for managing night-time aviation noise exposure
and assist with the management and mitigation of health impacts on local communities”
Ms Olney, whose Richmond Park constituency lies west of the runway, told the Commons night flights have a “human cost”
She said on Thursday: “Long-term exposure to nocturnal aircraft noise is strongly linked to sleep disorders and broader health impacts
“For each additional 10 decibels of night-time aircraft noise that communities are exposed to
there is an increase of between 14% and 69% in residents’ risk of high blood pressure
increasing the risk of strokes and heart attacks
and the 260,000 flights it will add to London’s skies
“Other researchers have found links between long-term exposure to aircraft noise and an increased risk of obesity
Ms Olney continued: “I urge the Government to commit to commissioning a full independent analysis on the impact of night flights on our economy
to inform a potential ban on night flights at Heathrow.”
Reeves ducks question on whether she backs Heathrow third runway but says growth key
MPs can be robust in discussing community cohesion and extremism
Enjoy a taste of the high life in the Algarve and Tenerife
Ms Olney said: “Despite the efforts of dozens of MPs
the last government resolutely refused to abandon the project.”
Several opponents of the third runway have said it would add seven megatonnes of carbon dioxide to the environment annually
it is a risk to their health,” the Liberal Democrat frontbencher said
She read comments made by now-Energy Secretary Ed Miliband in 2019
when he told the Commons: “If we are so serious about this climate emergency
I do not see how we cannot look at all the things that the Government and the private sector are doing and ask whether they make sense in a net-zero world.”
Ms Olney said: “When the proposed flight path systems are put to public consultation next year
I would urge the minister to ensure that residents can choose a ‘do minimum’ option
“New guidance systems can be integrated and small amendments to current systems made
but ultimately there should be an option to maintain the path in a roughly similar location.”
Mr Kane said: “We need to strike a fair balance (between) the impacts of aviation onto the local environment and communities
but also the economic benefits that flights bring
“This is a challenge for aviation noise policy.”
The minister said the Government had supported one study called ANNE (Aviation Night Noise Effects)
a survey of 4,000 people who live near eight UK airports which looked at night flight noise annoyance
and a second probe “to assess the association between aircraft noise exposure and objective sleep quality” by noise monitoring in bedrooms
These studies he said would influence future policy and cost-benefit assessments around night flights
“Our priority remains to deliver a high quality
robust evidence base and we’re all taking the necessary steps to deliver this,” he said
When he turned to the issue of airspace modernisation
Mr Kane nodded when Munira Wilson charged him with labelling Ms Olney a “luddite”
the Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham said: “I did hear him from a sedentary position calling (Ms Olney) a luddite when she was making her point about airspace modernisation
and clearly he’s making that point that we do need modernisation
that both I and my honourable friend and our constituents recognise the need for innovation and to move with technology as it changes and
we support a better Heathrow and not a bigger Heathrow
“We understand it’s important to the economy but on airspace modernisation
you can still achieve some of those benefits by adopting a do-minimum approach
so looking at how you can gain the benefits of modernisation whilst not coming up with lots and lots of new flight paths and really intensifying noise over certain areas that perhaps aren’t even overflown at the moment.”
Mr Kane said: “I think we can make life better for all people and a rising tide floats all boats
The minister had earlier described aviation modernisation as a “key plank” of Labour’s manifesto
“We have an analogue system in our skies in the UK
designed closer to the time that Yuri Gagarin went into space (1961) than today,” he said
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Paper shred – 3 boxes or 3 large bags of paper
Household Donations – Project B Green will accept household donations include clothing
small furniture (no larger than 4ft by 4 ft)
Lightbulb Exchange – The Department of Environmental Protection will be there to swap out your old incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs for energy efficiency LED bulbs
Feel free to bring as many lightbulbs as you have and receive up to 3 LEDs per person
Performances of the Sara Bareilles-Jessie Nelson musical will begin in February
Casting is set for the Olney Theatre Center production of Sara Bareilles' Waitress, which will play the Roberts Mainstage February 13-March 30 in Maryland. Marcia Milgrom Dodge will direct and choreograph
Malinda (formerly known as Malinda Kathleen Reese), winner of the 2020 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Performance in a Musical for her work as the Girl in the Olney staging of Once, will star as the pie-making Jenna. She will be joined by David Socolar as Dr. Pomatter, Allison Blackwell as Becky
and Nikki Kim with Lou Chubin and Iella Barr-O'Connor sharing the role of Lulu
Stellamaris Orellana and Dylan Toms are swings for the production
intimacy and fight choreographer Sierra Young
The production stage manager is Ben Walsh with assistant stage managers Becky Reed and Kate Kilbane
Click here for ticket information
Gail Kriegel's new play follows a family affected by mental illness
The Tony-winning Best Musical continues at the Walter Kerr Theatre
Noah Himmelstein will direct Matthew Puckett's original musical
Neumann is the Tony nominated choreographer behind Hadestown and Swept Away
one Tony winner is playing the trumpet while the other is channeling Madame Rose
Due to the expansive nature of Off-Broadway
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Producer Kevin Duda and lyricist-librettist-composer Melvin Tunstall III conceived the show while performing together on Broadway
Casting is now complete for the Olney Theatre Center's world premiere of the new musical Senior Class, presented in association with Kevin Duda Productions
Directed by Amy Anders Corcoran with choreography by Emmy winner Karla Puno Garcia and musical direction by Dolores Duran-Cefalu
performances are scheduled for May 16-June 22 on the Roberts Mainstage in Maryland
Swings for the production are Ariel Kraje
“Both Melvin and I were in the ensemble for almost [Beautiful's] entire five-year run,” Duda says about the genesis of Senior Class
“I was having a lot of conversations around race
I really wanted to do something theatrical that incorporated all of these ideas and ideals
It occurred to me that My Fair Lady was a classic example of social structures and class systems
my first show on Broadway as an actor was in the original cast of The Book of Mormon
and I was a fan of Matt [Stone] and Trey [Parker]’s ability to deal with all of these very mature topics using the South Park kids
one day at five-minutes-to-places for the show
what if we did a contemporary retelling of Pygmalion but used students to reframe it and allow them to deal with these very elevated situations from their own
The creative team also includes orchestrator Sam Young, set designer Lawrence E. Moten III
and associate music director and conductor Christopher Youstra
and institutes have been revealed by the industry stalwart
From Coach Tyler Browning: Golden Aces (10-8 overall
3-1 conference) get the win against Olney at home by the score of 13-3
All around solid performance by the Aces with several key contributors up and down the lineup
Bowser was dominant on the mound with 5 innings
Reed came in to finish the game out of the bullpen with a scoreless inning
Offensive exploded at the plate with 11 hits
taking key at bats up and down the lineup drawing 7 walks as well
and Bowser all had multi-hit games for the Aces
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Devorah Stolik loves networking and forming connections within the community
She often utilizes these “matchmaking” skills whether she’s teaching Hebrew school or leading a women’s study session at Chabad
Stolik is the director of Chabad of Olney’s Hebrew School of the Arts
where she teaches 33 students ranging from kindergarten to seventh grade
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, she lives in Olney with her husband, Rabbi Bentzy Stolik
We did all the holidays together — all my first cousins
When I know a certain kid would connect well with other families
I’ll make a point at dropoff or pick-up to tell the parent
“I think this kid really connects with your child
Make a playdate!” It’s honestly the biggest joy to me when I see connections made
I would also say definitely delegate tasks
Responsibilities that you’re able to give over to someone else … try to give to somebody else so that I can have my energy to be able to actually be there for my kids emotionally
Some of the values we try to model in our home is an open home
welcoming others not just physically but also in the conversations we have
[email protected]
and website in this browser for the next time I comment
Olney Independent School District received an overall grade of B under the new Texas Education Agency accountability ratings released last week
with individual campuses showing strong progress despite changes that many districts say unfairly lowered scores statewide
the first full release since the COVID-19 pandemic
graded districts and campuses on an A–F scale based on three categories: student achievement
Student achievement measures performance on state standardized tests and college and career readiness
School progress tracks improvement on state tests
and closing the gaps measures success among specific student groups
such as students with special needs and English language learners
Olney Elementary earned a C in student achievement and Bs in school progress and closing the gaps
Olney Junior High posted a B in student achievement and As in school progress and closing the gaps
Olney High School received a C in student achievement and Bs in the other two categories
Greg Roach said changes in how the ratings were calculated made it harder to earn top marks — even if academic performance stayed steady
“Receiving these ratings means little to us other than we are a bit competitive
Our elementary and high school continued to provide high-quality instruction and will continue to incrementally improve to the A rating.”
Roach noted that the district had already reviewed the 2022-2023 results and made adjustments to programming and instruction for the current school year
“An A district in 20212022 could have the identical scores in each area for 2022-2023 and receive a B rating,” he said
“This seems a bit political in nature rather than a concern for actually tending and teaching children.”
Several school districts across Texas sued to block the release of the ratings
arguing that the last-minute scoring changes unfairly punished schools and confused parents and communities
Roach added that broader state and federal education policies have had little positive impact on students
instead increasing bureaucracy and siphoning taxpayer dollars away from direct classroom support
Cats: "The Jellicle Ball" co-director Zhailon Levingston is helming the new work by Joriah Kwamé
Maryland's Olney Theatre Center has revealed its upcoming 2025-2026 season, which includes new dates for the world premiere musical Little Miss Perfect. Originally announced for the company's 2024-2025 season, the work features a book, music, and lyrics by viral TikTok star Joriah Kwamé and will be directed by Zhailon Levingston (Cats: "The Jellicle Ball")
Performances will run February 12-March 15
The new work follows high school senior Noelle
who is expected to achieve nothing less than perfection against all odds
The musical gets its title from the song of the same name
which launched the project on TikTok and itself has garnered millions of views
Kwamé's full score also includes "Ordinary," another viral hit; plus new songs like "Black Girl Magic," "Malaya's Words," and "Legendary." Patrick B
Phillips will serve as music supervisor and music director
the work follows a group of aspiring professional football players whose lifelong friendship is challenged by gentrification and the demise of their childhood "red pitch." Performances will run September 17-October 19
The cast will feature Ty'Ree Hope Davis as Bilal
Also making their premieres this season at Olney will be the musical adaptation of Lauren Gunderson's I And You
with music and lyrics by Ari Afsar and performing April 23-May 25
2026 (Olney's run is part of a rolling world premiere that also includes performances at New Jersey's McCarter Theater Center); and Carla Hall: Please Underestimate Me
a new solo show from the reality TV chef judge written by Hall
and Leslie Thomas and performing May 27-June 28
The season also includes stagings of Hello, Dolly!, starring Nova Y. Payton, directed by Kevin S. McAllister, music directed by Christopher Youstra, and choreographed by Eamon Foley
and opening November 9; A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
and opening July 5; and A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas
adapted by Paul Morella and directed by Hallie Gordon and performing November 28-December 28
Michael Russotto will star in the solo adaptation of the Dickens classic
For full scheduling details and tickets, visit OlneyTheatre.org
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SEATTLE MARINERS
11:26 PM | Updated: May 4
It shouldn’t be all that surprising that the Seattle Mariners are in first place in the AL West over a month into the season
But what is a surprise is the way they’ve taken the early lead
Based on AL rankings, Mariners made right call with offense
The Mariners are down the top two pieces of their starting rotation
which has been their strength ever since the 2022 team that ended a long postseason drought
The numbers for Seattle’s pitching staff reflect those absences
That means the offense has been picking up the slack, which is part of the reason that two MLB insiders – ESPN’s Buster Olney and MLB Network’s Jon Morosi – have optimistic reads of the Mariners’ hopes to return to October this season
the American League isn’t looking so good
“In the time that I’ve covered baseball
I’ve never seen one league so much better than the other league
The National League is staggeringly better than the American League,” Olney told Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy on Friday
“… The National League is like the Justice League
The American League is the land of opportunity.”
And the Mariners seem primed to take advantage
“You look at the American League West right now,” Morosi said during his weekly Thursday conversation with Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob
“and I know it’s hard to say this on the first of May
it’s the Mariners’ division to lose
Morosi acknowledged the injury-related issues the M’s pitching staff is dealing with, but he pointed out how a bullpen led by closer Andrés Muñoz, April’s AL Reliever of the Month
is teaming up with the offense to keep the M’s moving in the right direction
Morosi explained the difference he’s seeing this year compared to 2024
“When you’ve got a team that can slug and you’ve got a team that can run the bases well
it just puts pressure on the opposition,” he said
pitchers were comfortable going against the Mariners
… They’re just a harder team to game plan for.”
Olney related these M’s to the teams that bashed home runs left and right at the Kingdome in the 1990s
“The idea that the offense is a strength
that is a different type of Mariners team,” Olney said
Olney explained why the Mariners have opportunity in front of them not just in the division
“The Rangers thought coming into this year that they were really going to hit
Marcus Semien has been dropped into the middle of the lineup,” Olney said
“We saw the Houston Astros on Sunday Night Baseball two weeks ago – guys
Yordan Alvarez doesn’t have nearly the sort of support around him.”
things could really take off if it matches up with the improved offensive production
Mariners’ Dipoto shares great news about injured starting pitchers
they probably have the best starting pitching in the league
comparable to some of the teams that they’re going up against
you can paint a reasonable path into October and through October
“… If you are an American League team and you are leading your division
or even if you’re in second place or third place
the league is generally down so much (that) you can paint a reasonable path to playing the World Series.”
Chick-fil-A at 18115 Georgia Ave in Olney has temporarily closed after a vehicle was driven into the building on Tuesday afternoon
The restaurant posted the following message on its social media pages: “Thank you to our guests who have emailed and called us today out of concern
We had an incident in the drive thru earlier this afternoon that caused damage to a part of our building
our restaurant is closed for the rest of the day
We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to serving you tomorrow