Tag: 220224

NBA at All-Star break

The Celtics went into the All-Star break within one infuriating Jayson Tatum isolation play on a 10-game winning streak. With them having won 11 of their last 13 most will say that’s me seeing the glass as half empty.

But while I know that it got him a makeable 18-foot buzzer-beater in a 112-111 loss to 19-41 Detroit, I also know putting that Kobe wannabe shot/game in the top drawer had a big part in why they suddenly were/are playing so well. I could go into more detail, but suffice it to say I think it’s better for all when he aggressively takes it to the basket as he did during all but one play in the streak.

As for the streak, it’s nice, but I’m not gaga over it yet, as aside from the 50-point dismantling of Philly, six wins were against under-.500 teams, while Miami and Denver had half their top players out with injuries.

Still, there were clear signs of playing more effectively as a unified team, which is the best news as the second half starts in Brooklyn on Thursday night.

Here are a few other NBA stories making news at the break.

Speaking of Brooklyn, Bill Parcells once famously said, “You are what your record says you are.” So since their record is 4 and 10 in the 14 games the unvaxxed Kyrie Irving has played I’m not sure why it’s such a big deal whether he plays or not.

Rodney Dangerfield You’re Waaaay Off Award: To me, for saying Phoenix would have a hangover season after going to the finals last summer. Wrong. At 48-10 they have the league’s best record and lead Golden State by 6 1/2 games out West. My bad.

I also didn’t see Memphis (41-19) and Cleveland (35-23) getting as good so quickly behind their young stars. Ja Morant is already among the NBA’s 10 best players while Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are going to be big-time players for the Cavs.

Incidentally, think New Orleans regrets taking the always injured Zion Williamson over Morant in the 2019 draft?

Not sure what planet Tracy McGrady moved to after he retired. But hearing him say that Giannis Antetokounmpo would “struggle” in McGrady’s era is evidence it’s in a galaxy far, far away.

How about the L.A. Lakers rescinding the season tickets for life given by the late owner Jerry Buss to Laker all-timer Jerry West? But that’s what a franchise now run by daughter Jeannie did to a guy who, as an iconic player, coach and GM, was instrumental in building it to be worth $2 billion or so today. Better yet, they didn’t even tell him. They did it with a text to his wife. Classy.

Actually, here’s a real example of class. Got to love Joel Embiid paying the $20,000 fine of just-up-from-the-D-Leaguer Jose Alvarez after the two got double T’s for jawing at each other in a recent Sixers-Pelicans tilt. The picture of the 6-foot Alvarez standing chest to chest with the 7-foot Embiid is hilarious. The big fella reportedly said he did it because “there was nothing to it beyond just two guys jawing. He’s on a two-way contract, I make a lot more money and liked his spunk.” Not sure spunk-hating Lou Grant would do it, but it was classy.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. After building ridiculous expectations on a mediocre for most franchises barely-make-the-playoff season, the ravenous New York media is now killing coach Tom Thibodeau because the Knicks haven’t lived up to the not in touch with reality expectations they set in the first place. Even though they’re the ones who hailed bust Kemba Walker as a savior mainly because he played his high school ball in the Bronx. Ditto for ever inconsistent free agent Evan Fournier. While it’s true the Knicks have struggled, who’s really to blame for the natives being restless, a team that’s at the level everyone outside New York thought they would be at, or a media horde dumb enough to pitch them far above what they actually were?

And remember, these are the same doofuses who proclaimed the now twice traded 7’3” Kristaps Porzingis as an emerging superstar even though he did his best work 30 feet from the basket. Who turned out to be an injury-prone middling player with a one of a kind name.

Ben Simmons Saga Finally Ends: The short summary of the James Harden–Ben Simmons blockbuster trade is that each team gave up a guy who quit on them for someone who could quit on them in the future.

But when the final results are in I expect Brooklyn to win this deal big for two reasons.

First, Nets GM Sean Marks got more by getting a much younger and signed for three more years headliner in Simmons, a solid three-ball shooter in Seth Curry and two first-round picks for the unhappy Harden, whom they likely were going to lose as a free agent in four months.

Second, who remembers the fall-away jump shooting Michael Jordan in Washington? Or how about Russell Westbrook in L.A. now?

To keep Harden, Philly will have to give him a five-year deal worth north of $250 million. A contract that starts at 33 for a guy who clearly is much bigger than in Houston and has seen his scoring average drop from 34 per to 22 a night in two years. If the size is age, not just being out of shape, that will affect his killer first step, which in turn will make his killer step back easier to defend. All of which means they’ll eventually be paying $50 million to a guy who’s lost half his offensive arsenal.

Thus Philly had better win a title in the first two years or this could be a catastrophe, because like with Westbrook they’ll never be able to dump the contract at the end.

Sweet spots

’Tis the season for Girl Scout cookies

Carrie Green Loszewski, vice president of engagement for the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, talked about Girl Scout cookie season and how customers can buy cookies and support their local Girl Scouts.

What challenges are Girl Scouts facing with cookie-selling this year?

Like so many industries over the last two years, we’ve been hit in the Girl Scout cookie industry the past few months with shortages and delays. The bakers we contract with have experienced some staffing shortages and ingredient delays and, now, some transportation issues that have resulted in us not receiving the full order of cookies we placed. We were able to fill all the orders the girls took for the first part of the sale in January — that’s when they go door to door and ask their neighbors and friends and family [to buy cookies], and they collect orders on their order card or through our digital app. Those orders get placed in what we call the ‘initial order,’ and those were all delivered last weekend. Our ‘covered orders,’ which are a smaller portion of our sale and are the cases you see the girls selling outside Walmart and the grocery stores on the weekends — for those, we didn’t receive the full amount of different varieties of cookies we ordered.

What are the different ways people can buy cookies?

We have a cookie locator on our website where people can enter their zip code and see all the booths … happening within 20 or 30 miles. … The girls also have the ability [to sell through] our online platform called Digital Cookie. They set up their own electronic cookie store, upload a video, their goals and set all the parameters. Then, they can share that link with friends and family, who can purchase cookies using a credit card. If they’d like, they can select to still have their cookies [hand] delivered by the Girl Scout. … [People who don’t know a Girl Scout personally] can go to that cookie locator on the website and select a troop’s digital link … to purchase cookies online to be shipped to their house. The cookies often come within two to three days. … We also have DoorDash available in the Manchester area, so people who live in that vicinity can order their cookies through DoorDash.

How are troops keeping themselves and customers safe while selling in the community?

They have to follow all the safety protocols; they’re expected to wear masks and follow any requirements by the store [where they’re selling]. Some troops got really creative last year and this year with large chutes [to distribute] the cookies or used a Plexiglas display as part of their booths to make sure everyone stays safe.

Which cookies are available and which are in short supply?

Some booths won’t have all the varieties customers are used to seeing. The shortages are mainly with the Tagalongs, Trefoils and the new cookie the Adventurefuls. We’ve still got plenty of Thin Mints, which are the No. 1 selling cookie … and the Do-si-dos, Lemon-ups and S’mores should all be available at the booths. There are fewer cases of Samoas, but most booths should have some. … [For online orders,] we have some varieties [labeled unavailable] because … we aren’t sure what we’re going to be receiving for reorders, and we don’t want people to purchase them online and then not [receive what they ordered] … but we’re hoping we’ll be able to [make] more varieties [available] once we know what we’re going to be receiving for reorders, which will hopefully be in the next few weeks.

How can a customer support Girl Scouts if the cookies they want aren’t in stock?

We’re encouraging customers to try a different variety that maybe they haven’t tried before, or to stock up on [other cookies that are in stock]. … Customers can also choose to donate a box if they don’t see a variety they want to eat. [Donated boxes] will be given by the troop to local fire departments or hospitals or military veterans.

What are the proceeds from cookie sales used for?

The cookie program is the main money-earner for our troops. They’re using these funds to go camping in the summer, to go on trips, to do service projects in their community and to help them earn badges.

What kinds of skills are the girls learning from selling cookies?

The cookie program has always been a great way for girls to learn business skills. … [With the shortages], they’re learning firsthand how to help customers who might be disappointed and how to sell some of the different varieties we have available. … The skills they’re learning have also stayed really up to date. Twenty or 30 years ago, when I was selling cookies, it was all about building your confidence to knock on someone’s door or make a phone call. Now, they definitely still build those types of skills, but they’re also learning about what information to share on a video [online] … so that it makes a good sales pitch and how to share a store link to get the most customers to see it.

Featured photo: Carrie Green Loszewski. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 22/02/24

Covid-19 update As of Feb 11 As of Feb 18
Total cases statewide 288,191 293,697
Total current infections statewide 5,343 3,073
Total deaths statewide 2,294 2,333
New cases 4,011 (Feb. 8 to Feb. 11) 5,506 (Feb. 12 to Feb. 18)
Current infections: Hillsborough County 1,314 749
Current infections: Merrimack County 547 286
Current infections: Rockingham County 769 439
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Covid-19 news

State health officials reported 846 new cases of Covid-19 on Feb. 18. The state averaged 371 new cases per day over the most recent seven-day period, down 42 percent from the week before. As of Feb. 18 there were 108 hospitalizations statewide, the fewest since August of last year.

Also on Feb. 18, the state Department of Health & Human Services announced in a press release that, effective Monday, Feb. 21, the state-run fixed vaccination sites have modified their hours. The sites operated by ConvenientMD are now open seven days a week from noon to 7 p.m., while the sites operated by On-Site Medical Services are open Monday through Saturday, from noon to 7 p.m. According to the release, the hours were modified to allow for greater access beyond traditional school and work hours. Go to covid19.nh.gov and click on the “vaccination fixed sites” button to view a complete list of locations — no appointments are required.

State of the State

Gov. Chris Sununu gave his State of the State address on Feb. 17, praising New Hampshire for its economy, how it’s handled Covid and its progress toward better mental health care, among other things. “Today the Granite State is ranked as the freest state in the nation. … We have the strongest economy in the Northeast and the fastest population growth in New England. … We are No. 1 in America for public safety … first in economic freedom … and we continue to have the lowest poverty rate in the country with some of the highest average wages for our citizens,” he said in his address. Sununu pointed out that in the past year the statewide property tax has been cut by $100, the rooms and meals tax has been cut, business taxes have been cut, and the state’s rainy day fund has doubled. Regarding Covid, he said that “it has been safer to live in New Hampshire through the pandemic than virtually any other state,” with relatively low infection rates and hospitalization rates and a high vaccination rate. And in other health-related progress, Sununu said in his address that “For the first time in state history, New Hampshire is developing the most innovative paid family medical leave program in America — one that is truly voluntary and funded without an income tax.” The state’s mental health system, too, is seeing major improvements, he said. “When I came into office, the State had a mental health system that was fragmented and designed by and for bureaucrats, not for families and individuals … and [we] have worked to dramatically transform the entire mental health system,” he said. As for new initiatives, Sununu announced the creation of the InvestNH Housing Incentive Fund, a $100 million federally funded program to increase housing construction throughout the state. He also announced the creation of the New Hampshire Veterans Campus; the state will partner with Easterseals to build this campus on a 15-acre site in Franklin, to provide mixed housing, supportive services and a retreat campus for veterans and their families.

Library goals

The Nashua Public Library has some new goals for the next three years. According to a press release, staff and trustees surveyed the public, talked with focus groups, and held retreats for staff and trustees to answer the question, “What does Nashua want and need from its library?” After an analysis of the data they compiled, staff and trustees have decided to focus on three strategic directions: Make the library welcoming and comfortable and a hub of community activity; support learning and culture in the community by connecting people to learning opportunities in an inclusive way; and keep the library collaborative and connected by integrating it into the community. Three long-term goals were set for each of the three strategic areas, the release said, and the library is now working on an action plan to meet those nine goals. The plan is expected to be completed this spring.

Dr. Gretchen Mullin-Sawicki, president of NHTI in Concord, will be stepping down from her position later this spring, having served as president since 2019. According to a press release, she is relocating to be closer to family, and Chancellor Mark Rubinstein will serve in a dual role, leading NHTI for about six months while the Community College System of New Hampshire’s board of trustees begins its search process.

Drivers should anticipate daytime and nighttime lane closures for bridge work on I-293 in Manchester. According to a press release, the project entails replacing the concrete bridge deck and expansion joints, and work is expected to last through the fall. Initial lane closures will move traffic under the bridge at Huse Road while construction crews set up protective shielding on the bridge, the release said.

Longtime instructional paraeducator Beverly Mann celebrated 40 years as an employee at New Searles Elementary School in Nashua last week as staff threw her a surprise gathering under the guise of a Valentine’s Day staff breakfast. According to a press release, more than 50 current and former colleagues attended the event, which was also a celebration of her 80th birthday.

Flowers for Father O’

Some years ago, I was on a business trip to South Korea, a guest of a university there that had invited me to give some lectures. The hospitality was gracious and generous and included several excursions to places of interest outside of Seoul. At the end of my third day, however, my host, Professor Hwang, advised me that on the next day not he but a colleague would be my guide, as he himself had a “duty” to fulfill.

When Professor Hwang did rejoin me two days later, I tried carefully and respectfully to inquire about the “duty” he had mentioned.Smiling kindly, he asked if I knew yesterday’s date. Of course,” I replied, and mentioned the number of the day in May. His smile grew broader as gently he reminded me it had been the birthday of the Buddha, and that, according to Korean tradition, at least once in a person’s life she or he should observe that sacred day by visiting and bringing flowers to that teacher who had been most influential in the formation of the student’s character. Professor Hwang had done just that. His story touched me deeply.

Three years later — by good fortune, also in the month of May — I was in Santa Barbara, a city to which my high school principal, Father Carroll O’Sullivan, had retired. He had been my mentor all through those long-ago days, but I had lost touch. He welcomed me warmly, graciously accepted the flowers, and as we had tea, I recounted my Korean experience as an explanation for my visit to him now. He was deeply touched. For a couple of hours, we reminisced on those times, and we ended our visit with a photograph being taken. “Father O,” as we all had called him that back then, died just a couple of months later. That photograph is now on my desk.

Yesterday’s Union Leader carried the worrisome news of a recent survey that revealed nearly half of the state’s teachers are seriously considering leaving their jobs. Such an eventuality, understandable given the unprecedented pressures today on their profession — pandemic-related accommodations, workload, fractious school board meetings, uncertainties in the face of legislation restricting what can and cannot be taught, overly officious regulators — would be terrible even to contemplate. And yet, who of us could not, given but a few moments of reflection, identify that one teacher who made such a welcome difference in our early lives?

Yes, this is the dead of winter and flowers are harder to come by and travel more difficult. But do we need to wait until May to contact that certain teacher and just say, “Thank you?”

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