“Arson-related heart attacks murder? DA says yes - Bakersfield Now” plus 4 more |
- Arson-related heart attacks murder? DA says yes - Bakersfield Now
- Ford, Dodge and GMC: Diesel Pickup Truck Tow Test (with Video) - Popular Mechanics
- Country Coach avoids liquidation -- for now - KVAL
- Scott blog: Home sweet home, but never for long - PGA Tour
- Judge: RV maker still worth saving | County Coach gets a few extra ... - Register-Guard
| Arson-related heart attacks murder? DA says yes - Bakersfield Now Posted: 23 Oct 2009 02:44 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) — Retired accountant James McDermith's mad dash to retrieve a camper and pack it with belongings as a wildfire chewed closer to his home six years ago may have cost him his life. But it wasn't the flames or smoke that got him. The 70-year-old church deacon was one of six men to have a heart attack during the 2003 blaze that surged through the San Bernardino Mountain foothills. With evidence that stress from the wildfire led to five of the deaths, prosecutors took the unusual step this week of charging a suspected arsonist with five counts of first-degree murder that could signal a tough new standard for arson cases in a region held hostage by fire. Proving that case, however, could be a challenge: all the victims had a history of heart disease, and prosecutors might be hard-pressed to get a jury to see murder in the medical mix. Under state law, any death that occurs during the commission of a felony, including arson, can be charged as first-degree murder — but a conviction will hinge on how much time elapsed between the crime and the death and if any other factors contributed. "There's nothing inherently wrong with attempting a felony murder conviction in this case," said Robert Weisberg, director of the Stanford Criminal Justice Center at Stanford University. "But the judge could conceivably say I'm not even going to give this to the jury ... because it's too hard to say the fire actually caused the deaths." Prosecutors insist they have a strong case and are confident they can link the deaths to the arson. Investigators pored over hundreds of tips, witness reports and other evidence over six years and were finally able to file charges Wednesday, just four days before the statute of limitations was to expire. Rickie Lee Fowler, a 28-year-old convict currently in prison for burglary, was indicted on five counts of murder, one count of aggravated arson and one count of arson of an inhabited structure. He has not appeared in court and no attorney was listed in court records. Following a phone tip, investigators interviewed Fowler several months after the fire, but didn't have enough evidence to press charges. They went back to him in 2006 and 2008, when he finally provided additional information that helped detectives close the case, Supervising Deputy District Attorney Victor Stull said. Stull would not say what he said, but defended the district attorney's decision to charge Fowler in a potential death penalty case. He should have known that people could die — even from heart attacks — when he tossed a lighted roadside flare into the brush. "You can anticipate someone having a heart attack every now and again, but (these were) three on the same day, within hours of each other and the others followed just days after," Stull said. "The arsonist takes his victims as he finds them." Fowler's case highlights a new determination to charge alleged arsonists with murder whenever possible in a region plagued by wildfires that repeatedly lead to firefighter and civilian deaths, said John Maclean, who has written four books on arson wildfire prosecutions. Earlier this year, prosecutors in neighboring Riverside County won a death penalty conviction against Raymond Lee Oyler, an auto mechanic who set the 2006 Esperanza wildfire that killed five federal firefighters. Oyler is believed to be the first person in the U.S. to be convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death in a wildland arson case. Investigators are trying to determine who set the Station Fire, a wildfire north of Los Angeles that resulted in the deaths of two firefighters who drove off the road in thick smoke. Maclean called the Oyler conviction a watershed moment for prosecutors seeking to stem arsons that ravage the region every fall. "The lesson of the Esperanza Fire is that anyone who starts a fire deliberately is putting himself in jeopardy of the death penalty, even if there was no intent," said Maclean, who is currently writing a book on Oyler's case. "The cat's out of the bag here. You don't have to have an Oyler case anymore to go for first-degree murder or in fact to go for the death penalty." Like the other victims, McDermith had a history of heart disease, said his daughter-in-law, Lisa McDermith. He had a quadruple bypass in the early 1990s and was having trouble breathing in the thick smoke from the wildfire. When he died, he was driving from his home in Highland to San Bernardino to retrieve his RV from a mobile home park so he could load it with clothing and camp out in a church parking lot during the evacuation. A crew checking electric wires nearby spotted him in distress and did CPR until an ambulance arrived, but McDermith was dead by the time he arrived at the hospital. Another man, 93-year-old Charles Howard Cunningham, had a heart attack as he watched his home burn. Lisa McDermith said because of the victims' pre-existing conditions, she was surprised when a detective said Fowler would likely be charged with murder. "Who knows how much longer these people would have lived? It was a very stressful situation with the fires, the smoke, they couldn't breathe, they were starving for oxygen," she said. "I think that exacerbated all of their health issues and I really believe that murder charges are justified." This content has passed through fivefilters.org.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Ford, Dodge and GMC: Diesel Pickup Truck Tow Test (with Video) - Popular Mechanics Posted: 23 Oct 2009 12:21 PM PDT If there's a massive load that needs to be moved in this country, few vehicles can handle the job better than a heavy-duty diesel pickup. These trucks are built specifically—and unapologetically—for work. And, unlike every other segment in today's automotive landscape, heavy-duty pickups are the sole domain of American automakers. The capability curve for heavy pickups has steepened in recent years, fueled largely by a booming fifth-wheel RV trailer market. These 8-ton McMansions on wheels require near commercial-strength towing power. To meet the demand, the latest pickups are engineered with thicker frames, stouter suspensions and enough turbocharged torque to move extreme loads up the steepest grades—without breaking a sweat. But don't confuse today's plush pickups with those beasts of burden from the past; capability and comfort have improved in equal measure. These rigs can tackle the dirtiest jobs while providing (in some cases) downright luxurious surroundings for up to six passengers.
For 2008, all three American manufacturers—Ford, General Motors and Dodge—have updated their models with new diesel powertrains to meet more stringent emissions requirements. Thanks to those tighter standards, the thick black smoke and stench we commonly associate with diesel trucks is now a faint memory. Even though these machines are cleaner, the manufacturers have somehow found a way to increase horsepower and torque significantly: All of these trucks make at least 350 hp and 650 lb.-ft. of torque. So, with a full week set aside for testing, we gathered up the Big Three diesel 4wd pickups optioned with automatic transmissions and the biggest cabs available. Our goal? Find out which of these megamachines provides the best combination of in-the-field heavy-hauling performance, overall comfort for the daily grind and fuel efficiency. We tested the trucks unladen at the track and on our 300-mile fuel-economy loop. We then hitched each one to a load we felt best typified the use it might see every day. Each truck mated its 2-5/8-in. ball to the coupler of a Zieman 1165 equipment trailer from Zieman Trailer Manufacturing in San Bernardino, Calif. And we loaded each with a John Deere 27D excavator from Coastline Equipment in Long Beach, Calif. Our total combined weight for excavator and trailer: 9120 pounds. We moved that load some 500 miles—up the steepest freeway grades and over the roughest roads we could find. We even snaked it through the streets of Los Angeles to find out how the trucks performed in tight quarters. At the end of the week we had a whole lot of test data—and a favorite truck.
This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Country Coach avoids liquidation -- for now - KVAL Posted: 23 Oct 2009 10:05 AM PDT EUGENE, Ore. -- A federal bankruptcy judge found troubled RV manufacturer Country Coach can stay open and continue bankruptcy proceedings. Rebecca Kamitsuka, an attorney for the U.S. Trustee had asked Judge Albert Radcliffe to dismiss Chapter 11 proceedings, saying Country Coach has continued to lose money since re-opening with a skeleton crew earlier this year. Mark Andersen, Country Coach's Chief Financial Officer, testified Country Coach has failed to meet sales and manufacturing goals set forth when the company re-opened. A dismissal would have shut down Junction City-based Country Coach and liquidated its assets. However, attorneys representing Country Coach's unsecured creditors and Wells Fargo, which had sued Country Coach earlier this year to recoup $8.5 million, said they would like to see the company continue in bankruptcy proceedings. Several people read statements of support for Country Coach before opening arguments in the bankruptcy hearing. They included Junction City officials, auto industry business owners and Country Coach employees, who talked about how important the company is to them. "I was one of the lucky ones that's been only laid off recently but I have lots of co-workers that have been laid off for over a year now," said Shannon Kalb, a Country Coach purchasing agent, who read a statement Thursday morning. "So I wanted to put a face with those people." "The debtor [Country Coach] has overwhelming support, certainly from employees, unsecured creditors, investors," noted Radcliffe, along with qualified support from Wells Fargo. Radcliffe, saying the court can take community interest into account, added that dismissal would appear to benefit no one. Matt Howard, Country Coach spokesman, said the company plans to exit bankruptcy in mid-February. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Scott blog: Home sweet home, but never for long - PGA Tour Posted: 23 Oct 2009 09:15 AM PDT Editor's note: Adam Scott will write a blog for PGATOUR.COM during the 2009 season. For more information on Scott, visit his official Web site. Oct. 22, 2009 Hello Everybody, I hope this blog entry finds everyone well. I have had a really good week at home. It's nice to sleep in your own bed for a change. I've been practicing a lot and getting ready for the Singapore Open next week. The weather has been great on the Gold Coast. I wanted to remind everyone that applications for the Adam Scott Foundation Scholarship will close on Nov. 27, so anyone interested, be sure to download the application on my Web site. We offer the scholarship once a year. The scholarship provides an opportunity for a young, underprivileged person to attend Griffith University and earn a Bachelors degree in Business Sports Management with the option to join the PGA International Golf Institute. For more information, please visit the Foundation section of my Web site. I have a couple of media commitments today for Sunday Magazine and a local journalist and then the weekend is here. I'm looking forward to spending some time with friends this weekend and getting ready to head over to Singapore early next week. I'll write more from Singapore. Until next time, take care. -Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct. 15, 2009 Hello Everybody, I arrived home yesterday, and it feels good to be back in Australia. I think I fell into a complete heap when I boarded the plane at LAX. The next thing I knew we were landing in Oz. I didn't realize how exhausted I was until I had the time to actually sleep. The week at The Presidents Cup was full-on, and I enjoyed being a part of the team -- of course all except the part where we didn't win the cup. Every Presidents Cup team I have played on has always been a special part of my career, and last week was no different. It was a complete honor to be a Captain's Pick and to play for not only my country but also my childhood hero. Ernie and I got off to a great start on Thursday. I have to say the juices were flowing on the very first tee, and I hadn't experienced that feeling for a while. It was a lot of hard work on Thursday, and it felt good to come out on top. Unfortunately, the rest of the matches weren't as fruitful. I hit the ball well but came up short in my next four matches. It was a week filled with a lot of emotion. The team had a ton of fun off the course, and Greg and Frank were great team leaders. We don't have the opportunity to spend time with one another throughout the year, so I always look forward to team competition. A lot of ping pong, video games and pool! Hats off to Tim and Ryo for having a very good week. Ryo, the youngest competitor ever on any Presidents Cup team, has proved, once again, he's got game! I am really close to firing on all cylinders, and being a part of the Presidents Cup gave me the confidence that I have been lacking for a few months. I will practice the next two weeks and then head over to Singapore for the Barclays Singapore Open. I have had good results in the past at Sentosa and am looking forward to getting back there. Weather on the Gold Coast is perfect, so I'm going to enjoy the time practicing and also catching up on business and my foundation. I'll be in touch next week. Until then, take care. -Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct. 6, 2009 Hello Everybody, I'm in San Francisco gearing up for the week ahead. I flew in on Sunday evening after my final round at Turning Stone Resort. I felt I played well last week and was pleased that I had three solid rounds of breaking par. My putting was a lot better than it has been the past several months, so I feel like my game is getting back on track. I've also put a lot of work in on my posture at address, and that is also feeling more comfortable. I am heading in the right direction and feeling confident things are back on track. I am excited to be a part of the international team this week. It was definitely a goal of mine to make the team. I grew up watching Greg in Australia, and he is such a great ambassador for the game, so it is an honor to be a part of this year's Presidents Cup. We have several social commitments during a Presidents Cup week, and more media surrounds the competition, so it's always a balancing act. Greg definitely has us focused and is managing our time efficiently. There's a special buzz in the air, and hopefully we will get a win this week. It's unfortunate we've never won against the American team on U.S. soil, so that gives all of us even more motivation to get a victory. It's definitely going to be an exciting four days. I'll be in touch next week, and if all goes well, I'll have a story or two from the celebration on Sunday night. Until then, take care. -Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sept. 29, 2009 Hello Everybody, I just arrived in Verona, New York today. It's my first time playing Atunyote Golf Course and also my first time in this area of Central New York. It looks like it's going to be a wet and chilly week ahead as the forecast is calling for the chance of rain every day. In any event, I'm looking forward to playing and I'm sure the groundskeepers are ready to tackle the elements. I had a couple of weeks of really good practice in London. There were even a few days of cool, wet weather during practice sessions so I should be able to adjust to the elements. This is the third year of the tournament and the course opened in 2004. I'll get a good look at the course tomorrow and from what I've heard it's in pristine shape. It will be interesting to see how it holds water! Shifting gears, just wanted to remind everyone that our next newsletter comes out on Thursday, October 1st. If you are interested in signing up just go to the clubhouse section of my website and you can sign up there. I'm looking forward to a great week ahead! Until next time, take care. -Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sept. 18, 2009 Hello Everybody, I spent the last week at my home in Switzerland, and I'm heading over to London later today. I was lucky enough to meet up with my dad for a few days as he was also in Europe on business. It's always great when our schedules actually have a chance to coincide as I don't get to see him or my mum very much throughout the year. I'll be practicing a lot the next couple of weeks and mainly focusing on putting drills. I wanted to let everyone know Titleist launched a sweepstakes on Tuesday of this week. You can go to www.titleist.com.au and register for the sweepstakes and the chance to play with me in the Australian Masters Pro-Am at Kingston Heath on Nov. 11. It's a pretty cool prize package including domestic airfare in Australia, accommodations, car transfers and some Titleist products. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the Turning Stone Resort Championship. Until then, take care. -Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sept. 10, 2009 Hello Everybody, I arrived in Europe last night and will be here for the next couple of weeks practicing. As you probably know, I had a pretty exciting and humbling day on Tuesday when Greg Norman announced that I was chosen for one of his Captain's Picks for the Presidents Cup. It was somewhat unexpected, and I am grateful for the opportunity. Greg's vote of confidence has given me a real boost, and I feel like I can make a contribution in all areas of the event. I have been fortunate enough to play in the last three Presidents Cups for the International side, and I look very forward to being a part of the team in October. It will be a great experience playing for Greg Norman. I was at Cog Hill on Wednesday filming a commercial shoot for Titleist. I have to say I wish I was competing this week, the course looks like it's in really good shape, and I've always liked the vibe of the Windy City! I look forward to getting back there next year. I wanted to let you know about a very cool promotion for everyone back home in Australia. Starting on Sept. 15 through Oct. 14, Titleist is running an online competition with the winner getting to play in the Australian Masters Pro-Am with me on Nov. 11. To register for the competition and to view a listing of the complete rules and prize package, go to www.titleist.com.au when the promotion launches on Sept. 15. We will also have an announcement on my Web site in the news section next week. I'll be back in the U.S. for the Turning Stone Resort Championship in Verona, N.Y., the week of Sept. 28 and then the following week is the Presidents Cup at Harding Park, San Francisco. Looking forward to preparing and getting ready for my next two tournaments. I'll be in touch sometime next week. Until then, take care. -Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- September 4, 2009 Hello Everybody, Unfortunately my Playoffs ended at The Barclays last week at Liberty National. I played three solid rounds but came up short to extend my playoff run. It was such a great venue for the first Playoffs event, and I really enjoyed the challenging course. Weather played a factor for all of us. By the last day, I was hitting the ball nicely, and things were coming together. Needless to say, this year has been challenging, but I'm hopeful and determined to turn things around. Greg Norman will announce his Captain's Picks on Tuesday next week for the Presidents Cup. I've played on the last three teams, and I am hoping my run will continue. I will respect the decision that Greg makes and understand there are several factors to be considered. In any event, I look forward to supporting the International Team either way. It's such a great event for our sport. Until next time, take care. - Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- August 27, 2009 It's Thursday morning and just getting ready to head out to Liberty National to tee it for my first round at the Barclays. The course has the most amazing views but more important than that the designers, Bob Cupp and Tom Kite, transformed a toxic waste dump into an unbelievable golf course. The Statue of Liberty is only 1,000 feet away and each hole is positioned for a view of Lady Liberty. I truly enjoy going to new courses and learning about the history of the course and the visions of the designers. My dad and I talk frequently about the courses out on TOUR for our design company and this one is quite unique so it will be discussed a lot! It will be interesting to see how the scores will unfold. Very narrow fairways so you have to be precise and if the winds are up, like they were yesterday for the pro-Am, then anything can happen. My goal is to qualify for next week at the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston. I've been working hard so hoping it all comes together this week. It's been a frustrating year but I'm trying not to think of yesterday and rather focus on the present. I need to run but I'll be in touch soon. Until next time, take care. - Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- August 20, 2009 Hello, I'm in Greensboro, N.C.. preparing for the Wyndham Championship. I decided to play this tournament after a highly disappointing finish last week at the PGA Championship. I had two grueling rounds at Hazeltine and just couldn't find any rhythm on the greens. I felt OK with my new irons and driving the ball, but my putting was just terrible. I'm not playing well, and when things start to unravel, the best thing to do is get back to the basics and work hard. I spent a couple of days away from golf over the weekend and spent some time thinking about the rest of the year. I am confident with some hard work, I can get the train back on the track so to speak. Even though this is the last PGA TOUR Regular Season event, I am hoping to get myself in position to play throughout the Playoffs. This is my first time playing at Sedgefield Country Club. The greens are not overly fast, and it's important to hit the fairways in order to make some birdies. I think there will be some low scores this week. I had a decent Pro-Am today and am just looking ahead and taking one round at a time. I have an afternoon tee time tomorrow. I'm off to dinner and will be in touch early next week. Until then, take care. -Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- August 5, 2009 It's Wednesday and I'm in Akron at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational. I had a good practice round today and the course is in really good shape. The fairways are pretty narrow so you've got be exact off the tee and the greens are very quick so you need to have precision with the short stick. I always look forward to playing this course and this year is no exception. The field is very competitive this week given it's a World Golf Championships event and every tournament from here on out is very important. I'm playing some new irons this week - the new Titleist MB irons. They are traditional style blades and are similar to the type of irons I played my entire career until switching to the AP2 irons in January 2008. I'm really feeling good with them and getting good feedback from the clubs. I think the irons have more of a user-friendly design, which allows a little more forgiveness in the hitting zone. Very clean and very simple. I'm looking forward to seeing how I go with them this week. Titleist will release the clubs sometime later this year. I'll keep you posted on how things progress with them! I have an early tee tomorrow so need to run to dinner and then will have an early night. I'll be in touch from Hazeltine next week. Until then, take care. -Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 30, 2009 Hello Everybody, I'm in London this week and will head over to the U.S. over the weekend. It's been a good couple of weeks, and I've been getting some good practice in. I can hardly believe we have eight weeks left in the regular season. I know it's a clich, but I really don't know where the time goes! Once the Masters is over, the year seems to fly by, and before we know it, it's time for our last major of the year. I'm looking forward to getting back to Hazeltine for our last major of the year. It is an old-fashioned-style golf course, and it's very tough and long! It actually opened in the 1960s, so it's not really that old. It has gone through various changes throughout the years, but it still has the feel of a classic design. I finished T23 in 2002, so I'm hoping for a better result! My game is feeling good, so you never know how things will unfold the next couple of weeks. I know one thing for sure; in order to win at Hazeltine, my short game will have to be in peak form, and there should be great rewards for accurate driving. Anyway, it's going to be a fun and exciting next couple of weeks. I'll be at the Bridgestone next week, and I look forward to seeing everyone then. Until next time, take care. - Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 23, 2009 Hello Everybody, I'm in Europe this week and just enjoying a few days before I head back to the U.S. next week. I'm getting some practice in and working specifically on my short game. I was disappointed with missing the cut at Turnberry by one stroke. I felt like things were coming together but unfortunately my putter let me down. What an exciting tournament to see Tom Watson do so well. He's a legend in our sport and it was inspirational to watch him. I read an article and the headline was "Watson gains more from losing than winning" -- I felt like that said it all. It would have been a remarkable accomplishment for Tom to win, but all of us were in awe of how well he played. It was similar to how well Greg Norman played last year. Needless to say, there's something special about the Open Championship. Our next Clubhouse Newsletter will be sent out on Aug. 1 so just want to remind everyone to sign up in the Clubhouse Section of my website before then. We will have some announcements regarding the Foundation activities being planned at the end of the year and also another fun contest you can enter. Until next time, take care. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 15, 2009
I'm at Turnberry preparing for the Open Championship. It's the one major of the year where the weather conditions are unpredictable even if you follow the weather channel. The conditions can change drastically and it's just very hard to prepare, but we are all faced with challenges and usually they are different with each draw. The one variable that we know is true is that it's going to be unpredictable! I'm feeling very good about this week. I had a great four rounds at the Barclays Scottish Open last week and it gave me a boost of confidence. I haven't had a solid four rounds of golf for several weeks, so it really felt nice to be back in contention. I played a practice round here at Turnberry last week -- it's going to be a tough four days but a challenge I'm ready to take. Thanks to everyone who came out on Saturday to support my Foundation. I appreciate the support and it sounds like everyone had a good time. Awesome win by the Lions! I especially want to say thank you to the manager of my foundation, Geoff Hall, all the volunteers from Twin Waters Golf Club, YoungCare and Clayton Utz. As you know I can't be there in person for these special events and I truly appreciate everyone that makes these events possible. I'll be in touch after The Open! Until then, take care, ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 8, 2009 Hello Everybody, I'm just getting ready to call it a night but wanted to post a blog entry for this week. I'm in Glasgow and will tee off at 12:40 p.m. tomorrow for the Barclays Scottish Open. I'm feeling good, and I have been practicing well. I enjoyed the Pro-Am today and look forward to getting back to competition tomorrow. The weather here has been cool with some rain and supposed to be partly cloudy tomorrow and more showers over the weekend. The field is always competitive and this year is no different -- 22 of the top 50 players in the world are here. Should make for an exciting tournament! I just want to remind everyone in Brisbane to go out and support the Lions this Saturday night! It should be a good time, and hopefully everyone can show support by making a contribution to my Foundation's major project, The Adam Scott Foundation Youngcare Apartments. Since I can't be there in person, I just want to say thank you in advance for your support! Have fun and enjoy the night! Until next time, take care. -Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 2, 2009 Hello Everybody, I'm at my home in Switzerland and enjoying the week. On Monday I played in an exhibition match against Henrik Stenson at Bastad Golf Club in Sweden. The event was held to help raise funds for the World Childhood Foundation. The Foundation supports more than 90 programs in 15 countries to help support children at risk around the world. It was a fun event and it was nice to be able to support the cause. CNN will be airing the match so I don't want to ruin it with giving you the results. Check your local listings on when it will be aired in your local area. I leave for Glasgow this weekend to get ready for the Barclays Scottish Open next week. I'm looking forward to getting back there and I always enjoy this tournament. I'll also be on The Cage Morning Show on MMM radio station in Brisbane on Monday. I'll be talking about an upcoming fundraising event on July 11th, Brisbane Lions vs. Geelong Cats Australian Football League game held The Gabba in Brisbane. A portion of the proceeds raised will support my foundation's main project, Adam Scott Foundation Youngcare Apartments. Please come out and cheer on the Lions and at the same time show your support for a worthy cause! I'll be cheering Roger Federer on this weekend and hoping he wins his 15th Grand Slam title. It's been a great Wimbledon and I was able to catch a few matches last week while I was in London. Weather was superb so I was able to get quite a bit of practice in as well. I'm off for now but will catch you all next week. Have a safe Fourth of July to everyone in the U.S.! -Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 26, 2009 I hope this blog finds everyone well. Sorry it's taken me a few days to post an entry this week. I was pretty exhausted after the U.S. Open. It was an interesting 5 days in Farmingdale. A lot of starts and stops and also long days. I sat in my hotel room for most the day on Thursday watching the television coverage and also the rain come down outside my window! It made for a long day so I was anxious to get started on Friday morning. I felt good after my first round and was striking the ball as well as I have for quite some time. It gave me a confidence boost which is exactly what I needed to start my second round less than 90 minutes later. I was able to play 11 holes in my second round before they called play due to darkness. Needless to say it was an exhausting way to start the tournament but I was pleased with my performance so I had some momentum going into Saturday. On Saturday we had an early tee time to finish our second round. I had a decent day but was feeling pretty tired so I went back to the hotel and got a little rest before we were called back out to start our third round around 5:30 p.m. We got a couple of holes in before the rain was back in full force and once again play was called for the night. The U.S. Open is always an interesting major and this year's weather made it even more interesting than usual!! More rain than I think I've ever even seen at The Open Championship! The USGA was faced with several challenges and for the most part got the course ready as best they could given the circumstances. I know the spectators were muddy from head to toe so thanks to everyone that came out and weathered the storm so to speak! Congratulations to Lucas on a great victory. I'm in Europe for the next few weeks. I'm spending some time with my Mum and it's been great since I don't get to see her very often. I'm also going to play in an exhibition match in Sweden against Henrik Stenson on Monday for charity. I'll let you know how it goes next week! I also want to announce our winners for our U.S. Open/Open Championship Trivia Contest from our June/July Clubhouse Newsletter. Congratulations to all the winners! Thanks to everyone that participated and be sure to sign up in the clubhouse section of my website to receive our newsletter! We will have more contests in the future so it's a fun way to share your golf knowledge and win some prizes. Shifting gears, I was saddened to hear about the two separate auto accidents that occured this past week involving family of two golfers. My thoughts and prayers go out to Chris Smith who lost his wife, Beth Smith, in a tragic automobile accident in Indiana. My thoughts are also with Skip Kendall who lost his mother in a separate car accident last week. Life is so very fragile and my thoughts are with both families during this difficult time. Until next time, take care. -Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 17, 2009 Hello Everybody: It's Wednesday evening in New York and the night before our second major of the year gets under way. The U.S. Open is always an interesting atmosphere, and this year is no different. The hustle and bustle of New York City has made its way to Farmingdale, N.Y.! The crowds have been electric since the gates opened at Bethpage State Park early on Monday morning. The New Yorkers have brought something special again this year, and it's evident they are very passionate about golf. The last year the U.S. Open was played here was 2002, and it's hard for me to believe I've been on TOUR long enough to be back here again! In some respects, 2002 seems like it was just yesterday, but then I have a look in the mirror and realize some time has passed, and I've actually become a better golfer. I am excited to have the opportunity that lies ahead, and I look forward to the official starter announcing my name on the first tee tomorrow at 1:25 p.m. ET and hearing the New York crowd in the background. Thanks to New York and everyone who is coming out tomorrow to support the greatest game ever played! Until next time, take care. -Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 10, 2009 Hello Everybody, I hope this blog entry finds everyone having a good week. I am in Europe and working hard on my game and getting ready for our second major of the year next week. I am getting back to the basics of my golf swing and keeping my focus on a more simple approach. I think I started to over-analyze certain aspects of my game which led to a lot of over-thinking. Every player and swing coach have various methods regarding the technical side of a golf swing, so what is good for one player doesn't necessarily translate to another player. I think Butch and I started to tweak too much and realize it's time to get back to what got me to No. 3 in the world. I am confident it's only a matter of time because the mechanics are all there. It's amazing how quickly things can turn in our sport. My thoughts and condolences are with Champions Tour player Ken Green and his family. Ken was involved in a tragic RV accident on Monday and everyone on the PGA TOUR is saddened by the news. I'll get to New York on Sunday and I'm looking forward to a good week ahead. Each of the four majors has a special quality, and the U.S. Open crowds are always electric. It will be great to be back at Bethpage Black. I look forward to seeing you in New York. Until next time, take care. -Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 3, 2009 Hello Everybody, I am heading to the airport to fly over to Columbus this afternoon. I feel like my game is coming back around and still working hard to get it back to where it needs to be. I enjoyed the time in Texas and feel confident things are getting better with each round I play. Jack Nicklaus always puts on a great tournament this week and I am excited to be a part of it again this year. Tomorrow is Military Appreciation Day which allows the military to come to the tournament with their immediate family free of charge. It's a great way to show support of all the women and men that risk their lives for our freedom and the troops from the many countries around the world working as one. I also wanted to remind everyone that this Sunday, June 7, CBS will be airing a TOUR charity show presented by Barclays. The show is scheduled to air prior to the final round coverage of the Memorial Tournament. It will highlight the PGA TOUR's numerous charity efforts and also charitable efforts by several players. I hope you tune in and see what some of us are up to off the course! On July 11, the Brisbane Lions, a new corporate partner to my foundation, play the Geelong Cats in an AFL game at the Gabba back home in Queensland, Australia. I am pleased to announce a portion of the proceeds will be donated directly to the Adam Scott Foundation. You can purchase tickets online through Ticketek at www.ticketek.com.au/lions09 or by visiting any Ticketek outlet. Come out and watch a great match and support a great cause. Go Lions! I need to get going. Have a great week and I'll be in touch soon. Until next time, take care. -- Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 26, 2009 Hello Everyone, I am in Fort Worth this week for the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. I've never played this event and I am excited to be here. I drove over from Irving on Saturday and have spent the last couple of days checking out the course. Needless to say another disappointing finish at the HP Byron Nelson Championship last week. I had two terrible holes on Friday and that cost me in making it to the weekend. I feel like my game is shaping up and feel like it's only a matter of time before it all comes together. Golf is about patience and my patience is definitely being tested at the moment. The news about Phil Mickelson's wife, Amy, hit everyone on TOUR and associated with golf really hard last week. My thoughts go out to Phil, Amy and their family. It really puts things in perspective and the news is a harsh reminder of how fragile life is. I look forward to a much better week ahead. Our next newsletter comes out on June 1, so be sure and get signed up in the clubhouse area of my website. Until next time, take care. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 19, 2009 Hello Everybody, I'm in transit today from Europe and will arrive in Dallas this afternoon. I had a good week off and had a few productive days of practice. I am looking forward to defending my title this week. It is a great venue, and the crowds always create an electric atmosphere. I feel honored to have won Byron Nelson's tournament. Mr. Nelson is one of the true legends of our sport, and perhaps he's best known as a true gentleman of the game. Mr. Nelson is an inspiration, and his legacy lives on in the lives of so many people he has touched. Shifting gears, our next Clubhouse Newsletter will be sent out on June 1. I just want to remind everyone to sign up in the Clubhouse section of my Web site to receive the bi-monthly newsletter. It's a detailed and informative way to keep you up-to-date on all the happenings on and off the golf course. We also include interactive contests and ways to win some pretty cool prizes. I also want to welcome Avondale Golf Club as a new partner to the Adam Scott Foundation. Avondale shares our vision, and we look forward to working together to make a difference in the lives of our youth. Please stay tuned for upcoming announcements on the partnership. A big thank you to Avondale for their support! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 12, 2009 Hello Everybody, I have had a bit of a rough go of it lately out on TOUR. I have been practicing hard and feel that I am hitting the ball really nicely, but for some reason, it's not translating in my results. I spent a fair amount of time with Butch last week and also over the weekend, and we made a few minor adjustments. Golf is a very fickle sport, and it only takes a minor thing in your alignment to throw it completely out of balance. I haven't really felt this way since I turned pro, so I'm working hard and getting back to the basics of how it all began. Sometimes that's all you need to do ... not only on the golf course but also in life. I'm in Europe this week and will get several days of practice in before I head back to the USA to defend my title next week. I am looking forward to the Texas crowds, and it's always a good feeling returning to a place where I've been successful. The atmosphere will get me fired up, and everyone is so friendly and welcoming in that part of the world. I will also be playing the Crowne Plaza at Colonial the following week in Ft. Worth. I am confident that I will get things turned around in the next few weeks. Until next time, take care. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- April 27, 2009 Hello Everybody, I hope everyone had a great weekend. I got to spend some time with my dad over the weekend in Florida and that was nice to catch up with him as it does not happen all that often given my schedule. The weather in West Palm has been very good so I have had a great several days of practice. I am hitting the ball well and genuinely feel that I am ready for this week. My level of consistency isn't quite where it needs to be but I am working hard to improve upon it this week. I'll leave for Charlotte in the morning and I have a practice round scheduled in the afternoon. It's a good week to get back out on TOUR and I'm looking forward to it. I think I need to let things fall into place, get back to basics and shoot some scores that reflect the way I feel! I look forward to seeing everyone at Quail Hollow this week. Until next time, take care. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I hope everyone's week is off to a good start. I am heading back to Florida and have a week full of practice scheduled. I'll be back out on TOUR next week at the Quail Hollow Championship. The field is always competitive, and I am sure it will be the same next week. The Quail Hollow Championship is one of the largest sporting events in Charlotte, and this year marks the seventh year. I look forward to seeing everyone out there next week. I also want to thank everyone who participated in the Adam Scott Foundation and Youngcare golf day yesterday. The event was held at Royal Queensland Golf Club, and all funds raised will go directly to our main project on the Gold Coast. Youngcare and my Foundation have partnered to build a 24-hour care facility on the Gold Coast in Australia . This facility will provide assistance and care for young people with debilitating injuries. Currently, the only option for these patients is elderly care facilities, so the need for such a facility is overwhelming. For more information on the project and how to get involved, please visit www.youngcare.com.au and www.adamscott.com.au. I appreciate everyone who participated in this worthwhile event and for making the event such a success! Until next time, take care. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- April 15, 2009 It was definitely an exciting finish on Sunday. The course setup this year was fantastic and as a result plays so differently from the start on Thursday to the finish on Sunday, which always creates a an interesting challenge. I was flying for most of the day but I was able to catch the last few holes. Angel, Chad and Kenny played very well and it will definitely be remembered as one of the most exciting finishes in Masters history. Congratulations to Angel! I am excited to announce the five winners of the Masters Trivia Contest published in the April 1st Clubhouse Newsletter. 1st Place: Christina Olson Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you to everyone that participated! We had a tremendous response and will be doing more interactive contests in future newsletters. Be sure to sign up for our bimonthly newsletter in the clubhouse section of my website. You must be registered to participate in future contests. I'll be in touch next week. Until next time, take care. For more on Adam Scott, visit his website: www.adamscott.com.au. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- April 7, 2009
Hello, Everybody: I am on my way to the airport to fly over to Augusta. I have had a good week of practice and I am ready for the week ahead. I had a practice round at Augusta National last week and it was quite wet from all of the rain they had the previous day. The greens were crisp and will become quick as soon as they dry out a bit. Forecast is calling for cool temperatures at the beginning of the week and with the coldest day being Tuesday. Winds will also be gusty at times and I think anyone that has ever played there knows that can be somewhat tricky and just another added element to the week. Each year the Masters is made up of many special moments and this year is no different. I am especially excited to see my childhood golfing hero, Greg Norman, back at Augusta. The last time Greg played was my first year invited to the tournament. I played with Greg in a practice round that year and I remember sitting on the edge of the lake on the 11th green while he talked about his past experiences at The Masters. A memory that will last a lifetime. It is an interesting time of the year and something that is very special not only in the sport of golf but in all sport throughout the entire world. A tradition like no other. It is a great week and I am thrilled to be a part of it. -- Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 30, 2009
Hello, Everybody: I'm in Florida this week getting ready for our first major of the year. I will get over to Augusta this week for a practice round. I have heard the course is in good shape and I am really looking forward to making that drive up Magnolia Lane again. It's an amazing feeling and one that is special every time you do it. Needless to say I was disappointed with my play again last week. Things are clicking along and I'm confident it will all come together next week. Congratulations to Tiger for another amazing victory at Bay Hill on the 72nd. I want to remind everyone to sign up for our Clubhouse Newsletter. Our next newsletter will be sent out on April 1st, so today is the last day to sign up to receive that issue and qualify to play in our Masters Trivia Contest. You can definitely sign up after today but won't be qualified to the play in this issue's contest. I'm off to the course. I look forward to catching up with everyone soon. -- Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 22, 2009 Hello, everybody, It's Sunday evening and I am preparing for the week ahead. I'm in Florida and will drive to Orlando early this week for Arnold Palmer's event. It is always a good week and the field is very strong. I am disappointed with my results in Tampa last week and I'm looking forward to a better week ahead. My next Clubhouse newsletter will be sent out on April 1. In this issue there will be a fun and interactive contest on Masters Trivia with some great prizes. I just wanted to remind everyone to sign up in the Clubhouse Section of my Web site and click on "Receive Newsletter" to become a member. You must be a member in order to participate in the Masters Trivia contest as well as future contests. Last week my Foundation announced a new partnership with GOLF Link, specifically with the Mates Program. GOLF Link is an online handicap system exclusively in Australia. There are several benefits in subscribing to the Mates Program. The program brings golfers closer to their game by allowing subscribers to view competition rank from each of your rounds, keep track of hole by hole statistics, connect with other golfers, invite friends into groups, and much more. Golfers in Australia will also be able to support my Foundation through the annual subscription fee, with $10 of the annual entry fee to be donated directly to my Foundation to assist in our major fundraiser efforts. Currently, our major fundraising effort is a project between The Adam Scott Foundation and Youngcare. Youngcare and the ASF will be build a 24-hour care facility on the Gold Coast to assist young people with high care needs many of these young people are victims that have suffered trauma, head injuries and other illnesses through tragic accidents. I encourage all golfers in Australia to sign up for the Mates Program and help our youth in the process. For more information please visit: http://www.golflink.com.au/ and click on Mates or Mates Masters. Until next time, take care. -- Adam ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 17, 2009 Hello, everybody: I'm on my way to Tampa Bay for the Transitions Championship this week. I had a tough tournament at Doral. I couldn't seem to find my rhythm and it showed with my results. I am looking forward to getting back out there this week and working hard. We have received a few e-mails on my Web site letting us know people are having difficulty signing up to become a member and also receive our bimonthly newsletter. I wanted to let everyone know all you need to do is go to the Clubhouse section of the site, click on "Become a Member," fill out the registration form and be sure to click "Receive Newsletter." If you don't click the box that says "receive newsletter," then you won't be officially registered, so that's the key to getting signed up. Our next newsletter will be sent out on April 1, so be sure to get signed up before that date. I need to run but I'll be in touch soon. Have a good week. -- Adam This content has passed through fivefilters.org.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Judge: RV maker still worth saving | County Coach gets a few extra ... - Register-Guard Posted: 22 Oct 2009 11:28 PM PDT A judge decided Thursday to give Country Coach a little more time to reorganize its business plan after concluding that the company has "at least a reasonable chance" to emerge from bankruptcy as a going concern. "If this debtor can be saved, it's in everybody's interest," U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Albert Radcliffe said near the end of a daylong hearing. Country Coach, a privately held maker of luxury motor homes, closed its Junction City factory in November, putting about 500 employees out of work. The company filed for bankruptcy in March to reorganize its finances while getting breathing room from creditors. The company resumed production in April, bringing back about 120 employees, with plans to turn out one coach per week. But the company has not met sales or production goals, and has been losing money at a rate of about $1 million a month, according to court testimony and documents. The plant shut down briefly in July, and the assembly line has been shut down since the week of Sept. 11, Chief Financial Officer Mark Andersen testified. Radcliffe rejected arguments from Rebecca Kamitsuka, attorney for U.S. Trustee Robert Miller, that the case should be dismissed. Doing so would allow creditors to move to liquidate the company's assets "at fire sale prices," Radcliffe said. "I fail to see who benefits from the dismissal of the case," he said. "Its loss would be devastating to Junction City." Radcliffe set another hearing for next month and said he hopes to schedule a hearing to confirm the company's reorganization plan by late January or early February. Wells Fargo, the company's main creditor, has agreed to extend financing through Feb. 15, said David Kurzweil, an attorney for the bank. Kamitsuka had argued that the case should be dismissed because Country Coach had missed court-imposed deadlines for filing a reorganization plan and other documents, and because the company has lost $7.6 million since it resumed production in April and has just $1,000 left on its line of credit. The company has no reasonable chance to recover, and its assets will continue to diminish in value, she said. "Everybody wants jobs, but this company is going further and further in the hole," Kamitsuka said. "This case has cratered." Under questioning from David Lavant, one of the company's bankruptcy attorneys, CFO Andersen said he was not alarmed by the $7.6 million in losses because that number "is a measure of accounting activity." What the company needs to do to survive is create cash flow by selling coaches, even at deeply discounted prices, he said. The company is trying to sell coaches for more than their liquidation value, he said. At the start of the hearing, Radcliffe heard a series of statements from Junction City civic leaders, Country Coach employees and vendors on how important the company is to the community. "This is an important business in Junction City," said Rick Kissock, executive director of the Junction City-Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce. "We need jobs. We don't need empty buildings." Country Coach, which has been in Junction City since its founding in the 1970s, is "an integral part of the community" and a contributor to local causes and organizations, Junction City Administrator David Clyne said. The company accounts for 10 percent of the city's property tax base, which helps the city pay for services such as police and parks. Dave Swenson of API Inc., a Eugene auto paint maker, said Country Coach helped his company grow to 25 employees and $14 million in annual revenue. Since Country Coach fell on hard times, API is down to $4 million in revenue and 12 employees, he said. Eugene lawyer Douglas Schultz, representing a committee of unsecured creditors, also urged Radcliffe to allow Country Coach to continue its reorganization efforts. Unsecured creditors include suppliers, dealers and other parties who are owed money but will get paid only after the secured creditors get paid. Schultz said the company has struggled and not sold as many coaches as it intended. But he pointed to "one glaring fact": Nearly all of Country Coach's assets are encumbered by Wells Fargo Bank and investor Bryant Riley. If the case were dismissed, Wells Fargo would foreclose to get back what it is owed, and Riley would get the rest, he said. "The unsecured creditors would end up holding an empty bag," he said. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Add Images to any RSS Feed To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar