Thursday, July 08, 2010

Tour de France Stages 1 through 5 recaps:

Tour de France Stages 1 through 5 recaps
http://www.livestrong.com/teamradioshack/news/
Team RadioShack: Recap: Tour de France Stage 5:

Pressure to Perform
Posted by Cathy Mehl | 12:35:00 PM PDT July 8, 201

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/teamradioshack/news_pressure-perform/#ixzz0t7yjWH3m

Tour de France
Stage 5: Épernay - Montargis, 185 km/116.3mi
By Cathy Mehl

Order has been restored to the universe – Mark Cavendish has won his first stage at the 2010 Tour de France. Taking much heat and criticism from the press for lack of results in this year’s race, the 25-year old sprinter set things right on Thursday by earning his 11th career Tour stage win. Unable to hold back his emotions on the podium, Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) was finally able to let go of the tension and enjoy his moment in the sun. And sunny it was with temperatures soaring into the mid-90’s for much of the day as the race continues to head southeast toward the Alps.
Second place went to Germany’s Gerald Ciolek (Milram) more than a bike length behind Cavendish. In third was Edvald Boasson Hagen of Team Sky. There were no changes on the classification with Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) taking his 21st career yellow jersey. The Shack’s Lance Armstrong remains the best-placed team rider in 18th place.

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Team RadioShack: Recap: Tour de France Stage 4.

A Rolling 'Rest' Day
Posted by Cathy Mehl | 12:29:00 PM PDT July 7, 2010

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/teamradioshack/news_a-rolling-rest-day/#ixzz0t7nT9JoT

Tour de France
Stage 4: Cambrai to Reims, 153.5km/95mi
By Cathy Mehl

No stage is easy in the Tour de France, but today’s shorter stage was a welcome relief from the stress of the previous two days. On the first pure sprinter’s stage the fast men of the sport barged and battled for position to get to the tape first. HTC-Columbia put their men on the front and seized control to stretch out the peloton on the city streets of Reims, but their man Mark Cavendish waited too long to begin his sprint when Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre) came along the barriers to claim his165th career and second stage in this year’s Tour. Second place went to Julian Dean (Garmin) and Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky) took third. There was no change overall with Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) holding tight to the maillot jaune with 23 seconds over Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) and thirty-nine seconds to world champion Cadel Evans (BMC). Team RadioShack’s best-placed rider remains Lance Armstrong in 18th place at 2:30 behind Cancellara.
Speaking about yesterday’s tough day in the saddle, Team Manager Johan Bruyneel commented, “We had Klodi with a broken wheel just before section 4. We had the stop in the peloton because of Frank Schleck’s crash. Then Lance and Levi both punctured. From then on there was nothing we could do anymore. We are all disappointed for the loss of two minutes to Andy (Schleck), 50-seconds to (Alberto) Contador and a bit more on the other favorites. It’s two-and-a-half weeks to go. What happened to us can happen to somebody else tomorrow.”

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Team RadioShack: Recap: Tour de France Stage 3

'Some Days You're the Nail'

Posted by Cathy Mehl | 01:04:00 PM PDT July 6, 2010

Tour de France

Stage 3: Wanze to Arenberg – Porte Du Hainaut, 213km/132mi

By Cathy Mehl

The long-anticipated stage on the cobbles of northern France finally arrived on Tuesday’s stage three. Tackling seven sectors of pavé totaling 13.2km of bone-jarring cobblestones, the peloton of 191 riders took their chances on the famed roads used in the one-day classic Paris-Roubaix. Some won…some lost. Team RadioShack’s Lance Armstrong punctured at just the wrong time and lost contact with his working group. Teammate Yaroslav Popovych was there to help Armstrong get back into the action before Lance went solo to bridge a gap and rejoin a chasing group. But the 7-time Tour winner lost time on the stage and slipped out of the top ten.

“Like you see a lot of times in these races it’s a question of luck, good or bad, technical issues, flat tires and crashes. And we saw all of the above,” said Armstrong to the press after he finished the stage. “Frank Schleck crashed and that split the group and then I got a flat and was behind.” Asked about putting the cobble sections into a grand tour course, Lance answered, “Going in I thought it was a good idea to have this stage and I’m not going to change my mind. I think it was a dynamic stage. You can say it was a disadvantage to the climbers but look who was in the front today, a great team that rode a great race today. I think there is a place for that in this race.”

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Team RadioShack: Recap: Tour de France Stage 2:

Slip Sliding Away

Posted by Cathy Mehl | 12:16:00 PM PDT July 5, 2010

Tour de France

Stage2: Brussels to Spa, 201km/125mi

By Cathy Mehl

In another crash-filled stage at the 97th Tour de France, a new race leader emerged after a successful daylong break put Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) on the top step of the podium. Although the biggest group of riders rolled in under soft-pedaling conditions to protest the unsafe conditions of the stage, the yellow jersey was awarded to Chavanel who know holds a massive 2:57 gap to former leader Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank.). Team RadioShack’s Lance Armstrong remains the best-placed rider in fifth place with Levi Leipheimer just beind in 8th.

“It’s like there was something on the road. We just couldn’t stay on our bikes," said Lance after the stage. "I’ve never seen anything like that. Then as we would get back up and going we’d pass other guys who had gone down so it was a bit surreal. I’ve got some good abrasions but it was more of a slide. It was so slippery that you would just slide. There wasn’t much impact. I feel ok." Asked if he was re-thinking his return to cycling, Lance answered with "Moments like today I wonder why I came off the beach." Regarding today's route he said, "These hills in the Ardennes are legendary. It was just bad luck. It was pretty even in that just about everybody crashed so everybody will be a little banged up tomorrow.” Lance has a wound on his hip and elbow which shouldn't cause him too much difficulty in the days to come.

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Team RadioShack: Recap: Tour de France Stage 1:

Fireworks in France on the 4th of July

Posted by Cathy Mehl | 12:33:00 PM PDT July 4, 2010

Tour de France

Stage 1: Rotterdam to Brussels, 223km/139mi

By Cathy Mehl

With fans in the USA celebrating Independence Day over hamburgers and fireworks, cycling fans around the world were tuned in to another type of pyrotechnics in the first road stage of Le Tour. It was a nervous peloton that raced into Brussels on Sunday’s stage 1 for the 97th Tour de France and unfortunately many of them hit the deck in a massive pile-up that took out not only men sprinting for the finish but overall contenders too. While chaos ensued behind, Lampre’s Alessandro Petacchi ramped up his speed, stayed clear of the others and claimed his 5th Tour de France stage victory and 164th career win. Just behind for second and third were Mark Renshaw (HTC-Columbia) and Thor Hushovd (Cervelo).

Asked post-stage to comment on the crash-filled day, Team RadioShack’s Lance Armstrong described it as “Total mayhem, definitely in the finish. It was a typical first stage. Everyone wants to be in the front. There were nervous crashes; a dog caused a crash for some of our guys. Millions and millions of people on the road is a blessing and a curse. It’s so great to have so many supporters but it makes the guys super nervous. The guys are always dodging people.” He continued with, “And on these tight roads you saw in the final it shouldn’t be any surprise that there would be some crashes there. Everybody is okay (on Team RadioShack). It just shows you how crazy it’s going to be on Tuesday. You saw the nerves today. We’ll have the same situation on very small roads. The nerves and intensity will be high,” he concluded, referring to Stage 3’s visit to the cobbles.

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Recent stories in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff

LABELS: DAYHOFF MEDIA EXPLORE CARROLL

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/07/recent-stories-in-explore-carroll-by.html
George H Miller, 'true patriot' of Westminster, dies at 89: Published July 6, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle; Friends and family gathered at the Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home June 30 to say goodbye George Henry Miller. He died at his home June 24, 2010. He was 89.Miller wore many hats over the years and was known by many as a tireless supporter of the community. He ... ...

Freedom is truly not free, and it carried a hefty price in 1863: Published July 4, 2010 by Carroll Eagle; ... �� remember freedom isn't free. Much of it came at a high price, and it sure was messy. When he's not "mustering" a hot dog, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com....

History and humor prevail at annual Corbit's Charge weekend: Published June 29, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle; The smells of campfires, gun smoke and southern fried chicken joined forces with the sounds of children and minstrel musicians playing last Saturday at the Corbit's Charge encampment at 224 N. Center St. in Westminster.All were smothered with the sticky ... ...

EAGLE ARCHIVE: Tale of a long and bitter rivalry in the heart of Westminster: Published June 27, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle; ... Pennsylvania Avenue by way of zoning. Some would say out of spite. Others would say it was to remove the competition. Pennsylvania Avenue never recovered. When he's not praying for peace in our time, Kevin Dayhoff can be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com....

Dr. Douglas Chilcoat, 71, formerly of Westminster, dies in Alaska

Published June 24, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

Dr. Douglas Chilcoat, 71, a longtime veterinarian in the Westminster area, died unexpectedly June 17, 2010, at his home in Talkeetna, Alaska.Chilcoat began practicing veterinary medicine in the early 1970s in Westminster. For more than 30 years, he ... ...

Man struck and killed on Route 97 north of Westminster: Published June 21, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle; State police were searching Monday for a driver who they say struck and killed a Carroll County man along Route 97 (Littlestown Pike) north of Westminster — possibly in the early morning hours of Sunday.Shortly before 2:45 p.m. Monday afternoon, a police ... ...

Attempted murder suspect returned to Carroll County: Published June 21, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle; Brian Joseph Hill, who was arrested last Friday in Hagerstown, Washington County, for the alleged attempted murder of a Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputy during a June 14 traffic stop, has been delivered to the Carroll County Detention Center.Hill had been ... ...

EAGLE ARCHIVE: Westminster Riding Club has been galloping through history: Published June 20, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle; ... 's first swim team. For 75 years, the club has contributed to our community and remains woven into our social fabric. Happy trails, and happy 75th birthday. When he is not racing around in circles, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com....

Arts Center to host recycled art exhibit: Published June 16, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle; ... a press release issued by the Arts Center. Artists included in the show are: • Eagle columnist Kevin Dayhoff of Westminster. Dayhoff creates mixed media collages and sculptural forms using found objects and recycling paper, magazines and newspaper. • Heather ... ...

Give a wave to that grand ole flag: Published June 14, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle

History and humor prevail at annual Corbit's Charge weekend

Published June 29, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

The smells of campfires, gun smoke and southern fried chicken joined forces with the sounds of children and minstrel musicians playing last Saturday at the Corbit's Charge encampment at 224 N. Center St. in Westminster.All were smothered with the sticky ... ...

Squeals on Wheels

Published January 31, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle

The Chesapeake Roller Derby team Mutiny defended the ship well, but it was the South Jersey Derby Girls who rolled to a 56-29 victory Jan. 23 in the first-ever roller derby event at the Danele Shipley Memorial Arena at the Carroll County Ag Center, in ... ...

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Westminster slow on Public Information Act request

Westminster slow on Public Information Act request

Thursday, July 8, 2010 By Marc Shapiro, Times Staff Writer

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_558b96c4-8a30-11df-a3e0-001cc4c002e0.html

While most towns in Carroll County, as well as the county government, have financial documents easily accessible, the city of Westminster has not responded to a Public Information Act request filed more than 30 days ago, a violation of state law.

A recent survey of Carroll County municipalities, county government and the city of Frederick showed how easy, or hard, it can be to get financial documents from public officials.

The Carroll County Times sent a PIA request to Westminster City Administrator Marge Wolf, who is the city's custodian of records, Mayor Kevin Utz and City Attorney Elissa Levan on June 3 for its general ledger and comparative analysis for the most recent available month, preferably in electronic form if available.

As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, the Times had not received a definitive response from Wolf.

On June 8, Wolf said Westminster would have to hire someone to look through various documents in order to produce a general ledger and comparative analysis, and that she was going to come up with a price for it.

On June 23, Wolf said Levan just got back from vacation and they were to talk that afternoon. On July 1, Wolf didn't have anything new to report, and said the PIA request was at the top of her list to talk with Levan about on July 6. She did not explain why it wasn't discussed on June 23.

Wolf did not return phone calls seeking comment on Wednesday.

Officials from other towns and cities, as well as county government, say they have these documents readily available… http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_558b96c4-8a30-11df-a3e0-001cc4c002e0.html

20100708 CCT Shapiro Westminster slow on PIA request

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The Neverending Death of the American Mall

http://gawker.com/5581346/the-neverending-death-of-the-american-mall?skyline=true&s=i

The Neverending Death of the American Mall

The death of the mall has been a meme long enough to have inspired aneponymous website, a documentary, and, with the onset of the recession, a slewof mall deathwatch trend stories. So...how much longer do these monstrosities have?

Well, we're happy to report that all indicators still show that the entire "mall" concept should collapse into rubble any day now! The latest figures, from the WSJ—first, the bad news, for malls: http://gawker.com/5581346/the-neverending-death-of-the-american-mall?skyline=true&s=i

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Investigative Voice: Lawsuit that could stall construction on Baltimore Orioles’ new spring training home in judge’s hands

NEWS FLASH — Lawsuit that could stall construction on Baltimore Orioles’ new spring training home in judge’s hands

Wednesday, 07 July 2010 23:55

A lawsuit challenging the legality of a $31 million deal that moved the Baltimore Orioles' spring training home from Ft. Lauderdale to Sarasota is now in the hands of a Florida Circuit Court judge.

Based on what the judge decides, the challenge could be overruled or renovations on the Orioles' spring training stadium could be halted.

“Citizens for Sunshine” and “Citizens for Responsible Government” filed a lawsuit last year alleging Sarasota’s county commissioners violated the state’s Sunshine Laws when they discussed the details of the 30-year deal privately in both emails and phone conversations.

But the Sarasota Herald Tribune reported the county commissioners argued in court and during testimony that the deal was the “most transparent ever.” .... http://www.investigativevoice.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4789:news-flash-lawsuit-that-could-stall-construction-on-baltimore-orioles-new-spring-training-home-in-judges-hands&catid=25:the-project&Itemid=44

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