Junior Seau`s death “hit home” for ex- Patriot Ted
Transcription
Junior Seau`s death “hit home” for ex- Patriot Ted
SECTION B visit samoa news online @ samoanews.com Saturday, May 19, 2012 Classifieds • Cartoons • aloha briefs & More ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ C M Y K Junior Seau’s death “hit home” for exPatriot Ted Johnson Redskins & 49ers top ESYFL Champs by T. Gasu, Samoa News Sports Correspondent C M Y K The Eastern Star Youth Football League (ESYFL) ended its second annual football season last Saturday at the Onesosopo Park, with memorable games between the two divisional Championship match ups. Both teams who faced off in the “Little Boys Division” were ranked amongst the bottom of the list in the league and were not expected to make it to the last game of the season, but with an upset brought on by both teams two weeks ago, the 49ers and the Buccaneers faced off for this season’s ESYFL Little Boys Division Championship. The Buccaneers were the odd on favorites to win the Championship title this season. In the “Big Boys Division”, Aua Redskins set up the biggest upset of the season, as they faced the undefeated Lauli’i Patriots. Throughout the season, the Aua Redskins were marked as the Champions of the 2011 ESYFL season, as they faced a new tough challenger in the league this year, the Lauli’i Patriots. LITTLE BOYS DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 49ERS 8, BUCCANEERS 6 The match up opened with the kick off from the Niners over to the Buccaneers, that saw the Bucc’s coming back hard, setting up a great combination of run and gun plays that led them all the way past 49ers territory. Paul Von Dincklage as quarterback for the Bucc’s, set up his offense at the Niners 15 yard line. A running play that was pulled out at the last minute by Von Dincklage when he saw the defense bringing the blitz to the middle, forcing Paul to roll out with the football. Luckily for Von Dincklage, his speed was what he depended on when he hit the sidelines and burned out his defenders to taking in the first touchdown of the game early in the first half just 3:23 into the game. Their two point conversion was unsuccessful to put them up with a six point lead. (Continued on page B6) Toa o le Tai Ocean Heroes open water swimming and open water safety instructor, (L) 19 year old Daniel Saifoloi from Se’etaga, last Saturday, moments after completing his historic 9 mile relay with other instructors from the Toa o le Tai Ocean Heroes and members from the Department of Public Safety Marine Patrol Unit. Saifoloi’s mother, Torise Saifoloi (center) and Michelle Chase, wife of marathon swimmer Bruckner Chase beaming [photo: Jeff Hayner] with the hero. A.S. holds first Toa o le Tai Ocean Heroes Lifeguard competition By Jeff Hayner, Samoa News Reporter Today, the territory will witness an American Samoa historic first, the Toa o le Tai Ocean Heroes Lifeguard competition, with participants competing in Lifeguard events, closing out this year’s Ocean Week (Our Island’s Ocean Is Life), which began last Saturday, with a historic 9 mile relay swim from Aunu’u Island to Utulei Beach Park , completed by instructors of the Toa o le Tai Ocean Heroes Program, as well as members of the Department of Public Safety Marine Patrol Unit. This morning at 8am, at the Utulei Beach Park, Toa o le Tai members and others, will compete in another historic event, when they put their training and hard work to the test at Utulei Beach Park. Samoa News spoke with 19 year old Daniel Saifoloi from Se’etaga, who was also part of the historic 9 mile relay swim and is an instructor for the Toa o le Tai Ocean Heroes Program. “I want to wish everyone good luck today. Just like the relay swim last week, I hope that this competition will encourage the youth of the territory to want to learn how to swim and learn about water safety. By doing this, hopefully some of the youth will become efficient enough in doing this, that they to will be able to someday compete in a competition like this one and become ocean athletes themselves,” said Saifoloi. The Toa o le Tai Ocean Heroes Lifeguard Competition, as part of the Bruckner Chase Toa o le Tai Ocean Youth Program, in partnership with Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Public Safety and Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, invites the public out to witness the young ocean athletes of the territory. Reach the reporter at [email protected] BOSTON (AP) — Junior Seau’s death got former New England Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson thinking again about his own career in the NFL and his struggles with post-concussion syndrome after he retired in 2005. “It’s corrode or explode,” Johnson told a conference on pediatric concussions at Boston Children’s Hospital on Friday. “And it all exploded by killing (himself).” Seau shot himself in the chest on May 2, echoing last year’s suicide of former Chicago Bears defensive back Dave Duerson. Duerson left a note asking for his brain to be studied for signs of brain trauma; no link has been established between Seau’s death and the pounding he took during his football career, but Johnson was convinced it was a factor. “You can’t tell me the head trauma he had over his career didn’t affect him,” Johnson said. “That was the tip of the tipping point for me. ... It makes you take inventory on your own mortality. If that can happen to him, I’ve got to be more diligent in how I live my life. ‘Cause it’s a road I don’t want to go down.” Johnson played 10 years in the NFL — all of it for the Patriots — before retiring at the age of 32 on the first day of ‘05 training camp when he began to fear the next big hit. “As a middle linebacker, my job is to initiate contact. It’s not to run away from contact,” he said. “I knew it was over for me, because I knew I wasn’t going to be the same player.” What followed were the typical symptoms of what is now recognized as post-concussion syndrome (along with an addiction to stimulants), but no diagnosis. One doctor wanted to send him to electroshock therapy, but instead he asked concussion guru Chris Nowinski for his opinion and got referred to Dr. Robert Cantu, a leading concussion expert, instead. Finding out that he was suffering from a recognized disease — and that he was not alone — was a relief. “It’s a shame-based issue,” he said, calling concussions the “invisible injury.” ‘’You can’t see into the brain. ... It makes you feel like less of a man.” Johnson said he thought the NFL had improved its procedures for dealing with head injuries, and he thinks players will no longer be pressured to come back too soon after a concussion. He thought Seau’s death will also help bring attention to the problem. (Continued on page B7) Former New England Patriots football player Ted Johnson pauses while speaking to reporters after addressing a conference on pediatric concussions at Children’s Hospital in Boston, Friday, May 18, 2012. Johnson says the death of former Patriots’ Junior Seau was “the tip of the tipping point” that convinced him to speak out (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) for concussion victims. Page B2 samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 Gasol ‘wins’ award as NBA’s top citizen Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis goes flying after colliding with St. Louis Cardinals runner Tyler Greene, out on a fielder’s choice - Shane Robinson reached first - in the sev(AP Photo/Reed Saxon) enth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles Friday, May 18, 2012. Pirates avoid no-hitter but lose 6-0 to Tigers DETROIT (AP) — Justin Verlander came within two outs of his third no-hitter, allowing only Josh Harrison’s ninth-inning single in the Detroit Tigers’ 6-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night. The 29-year-old Verlander, last year’s AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner, nearly became the sixth major league pitcher with at least three career no-hitters. But with one out in the ninth, Harrison reached out and flicked a 1-2 slider into shallow center field for a clean single. The crowd at Comerica Park, already on its feet, gave Verlander a big ovation and the righthander quickly finished off the Pirates with a pair of groundouts. Verlander (5-1) completed his onehit gem with 12 strikeouts and two walks. It was his sixth career shutout and 16th complete game. Verlander no-hit Toronto on May 7, 2011. His other no-hitter came June 12, 2007, against Milwaukee. This was his first one-hitter, although he allowed one hit in eight innings against the Los Angeles Angels last season, one of several close calls to go with the no-hitter against the Blue Jays. Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder hit consecutive RBI doubles in the first off Charlie Morton (2-4). Delmon Young added a solo homer in the fourth. YANKEES 4, REDS 0 NEW YORK (AP) — Andy Pettitte pitched eight sharp innings for his first regular-season win since July 2010, leading New York over Cincinnati. Making his second major league start since ending his one-year retirement, the 39-year-old Pettitte (1-1) limited the young, free-swinging Reds to four hits — all singles. He struck out nine and walked one, throwing 78 of 115 pitches for strikes. Given a 1-0 lead on Alex Rodriguez’s RBI grounder in the fourth, Pettitte pitched well enough to make it stand up. Robinson Cano hit a solo homer off Bronson Arroyo (2-2) in the eighth and Raul Ibanez hit a two-run drive, his eighth homer of the season. Boone Logan pitched a perfect ninth as New York stopped a three-game skid. BRAVES 5, RAYS 3 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tommy Hanson pitched seven effective innings, Freddie Freeman drove in two runs and Atlanta beat Tampa Bay. Hanson (5-3) allowed two runs and six hits. Freeman had a run-scoring double and Brian McCann hit an RBI single that put the Braves up 4-2 in the fifth. Martin Prado added a solo homer in the seventh. Chipper Jones left after seven innings because of a bruised left calf. Craig Kimbrel got three outs for his 12th save. James Shields (6-2) gave up four runs and seven hits over six innings for Tampa Bay. Luke Scott had two RBIs. MARLINS 3, INDIANS 2 CLEVELAND (AP) — Carlos Zambrano pitched seven strong innings to help Miami open interleague play with a victory over Cleveland. The Marlins broke a 2-all tie in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Hanley Ramirez. All three Miami runs were scored by batters who walked. Zambrano (2-2) gave up four hits and two runs as he continued a strong first season in Miami after 11 years with the Chicago Cubs. The right-hander has a 1.96 ERA in eight starts since being acquired in a January trade. Heath Bell worked the ninth for his fourth save in eight chances. Tony Sipp (0-2) took the loss as Cleveland had a four-game winning streak snapped. Marlins center fielder Emilio Bonifacio left with a strained left thumb in the fifth inning. BLUE JAYS 14, METS 5 TORONTO (AP) — J.P. Arencibia and Rajai Davis each hit two home runs, Yan Gomes hit his first career homer and Toronto routed the New York Mets. Trailing by nine, the Mets gave their weary bullpen a break by turning to catcher Rob Johnson to pitch the eighth. Johnson produced New York’s only 1-2-3 inning of the night, striking out Eric Thames to end it. Arencibia hit a three-run homer in the first off Jonathon Niese (2-2) and finished with a career-high six RBIs as the Blue Jays won their third straight. Ricky Romero (5-1) was the beneficiary of Toronto’s power surge, winning for the first time in three starts. The left-hander allowed one run and three hits in six innings. Niese, winless in five starts, lasted three innings and matched a career worst by allowing eight runs. WHITE SOX 3, CUBS 2 CHICAGO (AP) — Gordon Beckham hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning and the Chicago White Sox beat their crosstown rivals in what was likely the final major league game for Cubs reliever Kerry Wood. Beckham’s solo shot and a two-run drive by Paul Konerko in the first were the only runs allowed by Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija (4-2). Konerko sustained a laceration above his left eye and swelling when he was hit by Samardizja’s pitch in the third inning and had to leave the game. Tests revealed no other problems with Konerko’s eye. Matt Thornton (2-3) won in relief of Philip Humber. After striking out his only batter on three pitches, Wood left to a rousing ovation at Wrigley Field. He plans to (Continued on page B4) EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Pau Gasol probably would have been a doctor if he hadn’t grown up to be 7 feet tall and awfully good at basketball. The Lakers forward sees his charity work with UNICEF and children’s hospitals as a different way to fulfill the dreams instilled in him by his medically minded Spanish family. Gasol won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award on Friday for his extensive charity work as a UNICEF ambassador, winning a vote by members of the Professional Basketball Writers Association. “It’s a great honor for any player to receive,” Gasol said Friday after the Lakers’ shootaround for Game 3 of their second-round playoff series against Oklahoma City. “It should be an honor for any player to have the opportunity to give back and to make the community better, be a role model to all the other kids and people. I think it’s very important when you have that opportunity, you take advantage of it. You maximize it.” The four-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion is the second straight Los Angeles player to win the award. Ron Artest was given the Kennedy Award last year for his work in mental health awareness before he changed his name to Metta World Peace. Gasol has traveled the globe to raise awareness for UNICEF over the past seven years, primarily working on programs involving nutrition, education and health care for children. He also has strong ties to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, where he began his NBA career. “When you have an opportunity to have a positive impact on somebody’s life, especially for me around kids, it’s worth all the dedication,” Gasol said. Gasol’s mother was a physician, and his father was a medical administrator. Pau was born at the Barcelona hospital where both of his parents worked. Pau became interested in a career in medicine after Magic Johnson announced he had contracted HIV in 1991, when Gasol was 11. Gasol took classes in a pre-med program at the University of Barcelona as a teenager, but gave up his studies when his basketball career took off. Gasol’s interest in medicine hasn’t waned, and his charity work has included observing orthopedic surgeries and other medical procedures, sometimes surprising surgeons with knowledgeable questions about their work. “It fulfills a lot in me as a person, as a human being,” Gasol said. “To me, that’s above and beyond basketball. Obviously, basketball has allowed me to have these opportunities, and that’s why I feel so fortunate, but to me it’s much stronger, much more powerful than the basketball game.” Gasol’s mother has volunteered at St. Jude since the family moved to Tennessee along with Pau and then stayed there after his brother, Marc, joined the Grizzlies in the trade that sent Pau to the West Coast. Pau plans to continue his work with St. Jude and UNICEF indefinitely, and he encouraged other NBA players to find charitable causes to support. “When I have a chance to do something that I feel is important, I do it,” Gasol said. Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka, left, of Congo reaches for a rebound along with Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol of Spain during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference semifinal, Friday, May 18, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Lakers won 99-96. samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 Page B3 NUUULI PLACE CINEMAS 699-3456 $5.25 - Bargain Matinees All Shows Before 6pm $5.25 - Senior Admissions All Day $4.25 - All Day For Kids $6.75 - Adults Discount Tuesdays $5.25 - ADMISSION ALL DAY TUESDAY Excludes Holidays Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, left, is pressured by Oklahoma City Thunder’s Derek Fisher during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference semifinal in (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Los Angeles, Friday, May 18, 2012. The Lakers won 99-96. Kobe leads Lakers past Thunder in 99-96 thriller LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant’s perfection at the free-throw line was big for the desperate Lakers. His poise in the fourth quarter was even bigger, and it got Los Angeles back into its second-round series with Oklahoma City. Bryant made 18 free throws without a miss and scored 14 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter, and the Lakers rallied late for a 99-96 victory in Game 3 on Friday night, cutting the Thunder’s second-round series lead to 2-1. Metta World Peace swiped the ball from Kevin Durant and hit two free throws with 12.9 seconds left for the third-seeded Lakers, who shook off the memory of their late collapse in Game 2. When Durant missed a potential tying 3-pointer before Andrew Bynum blocked Serge Ibaka’s shot at the buzzer, the Lakers’ frenzied crowd celebrated only their second victory in the last six playoff games. Game 4 in the back-toback set is Saturday night. Durant scored 31 points before missing his last shot for Oklahoma City, which seemed poised to move to the brink of its second straight trip to the Western Conference finals with a five-point lead inside the final 3 minutes. Instead, the Thunder lost for the first time in the postseason, getting outscored 12-4 down the stretch. After blowing a seven-point lead in the final 2 minutes of Game 2, Los Angeles finished Game 3 on a 6-2 run in the final 33 seconds, all on free throws. The Lakers went 41 for 42 from the line, including 26 for 27 in the second half. “You have to knock those freebies down,” Lakers coach Mike Brown said. “You’re not going to get any better look in a game than a free throw. That’s how good (the Thunder) are.” The Lakers said the 41-of-42 performance at the line was the second-best in NBA playoff history for teams with more than 30 attempts. Only Dallas’ 49-for-50 effort against San Antonio on May 19, 2003, was better. Russell Westbrook and James Harden scored 21 points apiece for the Thunder, who couldn’t match the Lakers’ late-game execution after soundly out-executing the Lakers in Game 2. “We put them on the line,” Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. “We can’t do that. Down the stretch, you have to defend them without fouling and rebound the basketball. Unfortunately, we came up short.” Bynum had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who got 12 points apiece from Pau Gasol, Ramon Sessions and Steve Blake. Gasol also had 11 rebounds and six assists for the Lakers, who didn’t appear worried while flirting with an 0-3 deficit, which has never been overcome in NBA history. “We’ve got a great, veteran group of guys who have been through all this,” Brown said. “They stepped up to the plate and gave us a chance to win down the stretch.” Oklahoma City’s bench celebrated a 92-87 lead on Westbrook’s breakaway dunk with 2:55 to play, but the Lakers trimmed away with Gasol’s free throws, Bryant’s layup and several possessions of tenacious defense. Bryant’s free throws put the Lakers ahead with 1:09 to play. Durant immediately hit a go-ahead jumper with a hand squarely in his face, but Bryant added two more free throws - his 15th and 16th - to put Los Angeles ahead 95-94. The Thunder finished 26 of 28 from the line, but the Lakers went 17 for 18 in the fourth quarter alone. The game was the first of four second-round NBA playoff games in just over 48 hours at Staples Center, also the site of the NHL’s Western Conference finals between and Kings and Phoenix on Thursday and Sunday. The top-seeded San Antonio Spurs will face the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday in an afternoon game before the Thunder and Lakers play Game 4. Thanks to the NBA’s shortened schedule, the Lakers are playing their first back-to-back playoff games since May 22-23, 1999, in the second round against San Antonio during another season shortened by labor strife. Staples Center was bubbling with energy even before tipoff, with thousands of Lakers fans actually deigning to wear the gold giveaway T-shirts that are usually tucked under chairs or slung over shoulders. The Lakers responded to the buzz, jumping to a 16-6 lead while Oklahoma City missed its first five shots and used two timeouts. The Lakers led by 12 points in the first quarter, but Oklahoma City erased it quickly in the second quarter when Bryant left the game. Harden was booed the first time he touched the ball in his first game at Staples since World Peace gave him a concussion with a vicious elbow in the Lakers’ penultimate regular-season games. Tempers flared in the second quarter when Westbrook furiously attempted to prevent World Peace from tying him up for a jump ball. World Peace’s knee came down on Westbrook’s leg during a brief skirmish including Jordan Hill, and both Westbrook and World Peace received technical fouls. Oklahoma City surged in front during the third quarter, but the Lakers kept it close despite a rough quarter from Bryant. Kendrick Perkins’ interior defense largely prevented Bynum from scoring in the low post, but the Thunder also struggled for offensive consistency. The Lakers stayed in Game 3 with incredible free-throw shooting, making their first 28 foul shots before Bynum missed with 9:15 to play. NOTES: Before the game, Gasol received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his charity work as a UNICEF ambassador. World Peace won the award last season. ... Perkins had six points in 30 minutes, but coach Scott Brooks put no limit on his minutes in the back-to-back games despite the veteran’s sore hip. ... NBA Commissioner David Stern, Denzel Washington, Snoop Dogg, The Game, Ice Cube, Redskins QB Robert Griffin III and the Los Angeles Kings’ Mike Richards, Drew Doughty and Jarret Stoll and attended the game. BATTLESHIP – Rated: PG-13 Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Rihanna, Liam Neeson Peter Berg (Hancock) produces and directs Battleship, an epic action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force. Based on Hasbro’s classic naval combat game, Battleship stars Taylor Kitsch as Lt. Alex Hopper, a Naval officer assigned to the USS John Paul Jones; Brooklyn Decker as Sam Shane, a physical therapist and Hopper’s fiancee; Alexander Skarsgard as Hopper’s older brother, Stone, Commanding Officer of the USS Sampson; Rihanna as Petty Officer Raikes, Hopper’s crewmate and a weapons specialist on the USS John Paul Jones; and international superstar Liam Neeson as Hopper and Stone’s superior (and Sam’s father), Admiral Shane. Friday: — 4:00 7:00 10:00 Saturday: 1:00 4:00 7:00 10:00 Sunday: 1:00 4:00 7:00 — “Discount Tuesday”: — 4:00 7:00 10:00 Mon-Wed-Thurs: — 4:00 7:00 — THE AVENGERS – Rated: PG-13 Starring: Robert Downy Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow answer the call to action when Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., initiates a daring, globe-spanning recruitment effort to assemble The Avengers team to defeat an unexpected enemy threatening global safety and security. Despite pulling together the ultimate dream team, Nick Fury and longtime confidant Agent Coulson must find a way to convince the Super Heroes to work with, not against each other, when the powerful and dangerous Loki gains access to the Cosmic Cube and its unlimited power. Friday: — 4:00 7:00 10:00 Saturday: 1:00 4:00 7:00 10:00 Sunday: 1:00 4:00 7:00 — “Discount Tuesday”: — 4:00 7:00 10:00 Mon-Wed-Thurs: — 4:00 7:00 — NOTES Discount Tuesdays, all tickets are $5.25 for all shows. Movies and Times are Subject to change without notice. Call 699-3456/699-9225 for additional information. Gift Certificates make the perfect gift and are available at our Box Office! Page B4 samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 Houston Astros’ Jordan Schafer slides beneath Texas Rangers third baseman Texas Rangers’ Adrian Beltre to steal third base in the first inning of an interleague baseball game, Friday, May (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) 18, 2012, in Houston. ➧ Baseball Action… Continued from page B2 announce his retirement Saturday. PHILLIES 6, RED SOX 4 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cole Hamels pitched seven strong innings and Jonathan Papelbon saved his first game against his former team in Philadelphia’s sixth straight victory. Hamels (6-1) gave up three runs on six hits while striking out nine and walking one. Freddy Galvis and Hunter Pence homered for the Phillies and streaking Carlos Ruiz went 2 for 3 with a pair of RBIs for Philadelphia, which moved two games above .500 for the first time this season. Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 12th save in as many chances. Papelbon had 219 saves in six seasons with the Red Sox before signing a four-year, $50 million deal with Philadelphia in the offseason. Adrian Gonzalez, Mike Aviles and Cody Ross homered for the Red Sox. Daniel Bard (3-5) allowed five runs on three hits with five walks in five innings. ORIOLES 2, NATIONALS 1, 11 innings WASHINGTON (AP) — Nick Markakis homered into the second deck in right field to give Baltimore a victory over its beltway rival. Markakis’ blast off Nationals reliever Ryan Mattheus (2-1) helped the Orioles improve to 6-2 in extra innings with all six victories coming on the road. The first-place Orioles have won four straight. Four Orioles relievers followed starter Jake Arrieta, including Kevin Gregg (2-1) in the 10th inning. Pedro Strop allowed two runners to reach in the 11th inning before finishing off the Nationals for his third save. Arrieta matched his career-high with nine strikeouts. He allowed one run and six hits, walking one in seven innings. Edwin Jackson (1-2) matched him, allowing one run in eight innings with eight strikeouts and one walk. RANGERS 4, ASTROS 1 HOUSTON (AP) — Adrian Beltre homered and drove in two runs and Michael Young broke out of a slump with two hits and an RBI to lift Texas over Houston. Rangers starter Neftali Feliz allowed three hits and a run with five walks in 4 2-3 innings — his shortest start of the year. He was relieved by Robbie Ross (5-0), who allowed one hit in 2 1-3 innings for the win. Joe Nathan pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save. He has appeared in four straight games for the first time since September 2009. Wandy Rodriguez (3-4) gave up three runs and a season-high 10 hits in six innings. Josh Hamilton went 1 for 5, a day after his 16-game hitting streak ended. Ian Kinsler added three hits for the Rangers. DIAMONDBACKS 6, ROYALS 4 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Miguel Montero had three RBIs, driving in the go-ahead runs with a double in the eighth inning, and Arizona beat Kansas City. The Royals tied it in the seventh before Kelvin Herrera (0-1) gave up backto-back singles to Willie Bloomquist and Justin Upton to start the eighth. Montero’s second double of the game off reliever Tim Collins gave the Diamondbacks the lead. Brad Ziegler (3-1) and Craig Breslow got the game to J.J. Putz, who earned for his eighth save. Chris Young came off the disabled list to add a pair of RBIs for the Diamondbacks, who have won consecutive games for the first time since April 29 to May 1. Billy Butler homered for the Royals, who are 4-16 at home. TWINS 11, BREWERS 3 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Scott Diamond won his third straight start and Josh Willingham homered as Minnesota routed Milwaukee. Diamond (3-0) gave up a run in the first, ending the 14-inning scoreless stretch he put together in two starts since he was called up from the minors. He went on to give up three runs and eight hits in 5 1-3 innings. Willingham hit a two-run shot, Joe Mauer had three hits and three RBIs and Denard Span had four hits and three RBIs for the Twins. Ryan Braun hit his 11th home run for the struggling Brewers, who made four errors. Marco Estrada (0-3) gave up four runs and six hits in five innings. ANGELS 4, PADRES 2 SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jered Weaver and two relievers combined on a three-hitter, Mike Trout had an RBI triple among his three hits and the Angels beat the Padres. Albert Pujols singled, walked and scored twice in his first game in an NL ballpark since leaving St. Louis and signing a $240 million, 10-year contract with the Angels on Dec. 10. Making his third start since throwing his first career no-hitter, Weaver (6-1) held San Diego two runs in seven innings while allowing a homer and two singles. He struck out four and walked three. Scott Downs pitched a perfect eighth and former Padres pitcher Ernesto Frieri allowed a walk in the ninth. Jeff Suppan (2-2) took the loss. DODGERS 6, CARDINALS 5 LOS ANGELES (AP) — A.J. Ellis drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning, helping the Dodgers to a victory over the Cardinals in the opener of a series between the NL West and Central Division leaders. Los Angeles’ Adam Kennedy had four hits against his former team and James Loney drove in two runs. Cardinals first baseman Lance Berkman, 3 for 31 with 10 strikeouts against Dodgers left-hander Ted Lilly, was not in St. Louis’ starting lineup despite having led the NL with 22 road home runs last season. He came up with two outs in the ninth as a pinch-hitter for Shane Robinson and drove an 0-1 pitch from closer Kenley Jansen into the pavilion seats in right-center for his first homer in 41 at-bats this season — ending the longest season-opening drought of his 14-year career. GIANTS 8, ATHLETICS 6 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Zito outdid his old Oakland team, Brandon Belt drove in three runs, and the Giants beat the Athletics in the Bay Bridge Series opener. Hector Sanchez had two RBIs to back Zito (3-1), who won the 2002 AL Cy Young Award across the bay in Oakland but left for a $126 million, seven-year deal with the Giants before the 2007 season. Josh Donaldson homered, doubled in a run and hit a three-run double off Steve Edlefsen for the A’s, giving Donaldson career-bests of three hits and five RBIs. But Oakland couldn’t overcome a shaky night by starter Jarrod Parker (1-2) and lost their 10th straight in San Francisco’s waterfront ballpark dating to 2009. Clippers try to dig out of a 2-0 hole against the Spurs LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Down 2-0 against the San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Clippers face the tough task of needing two victories at home to keep pace with the NBA’s hottest team. Making things worse are injuries to Chris Paul and Blake Griffin that have robbed the superstars of their effectiveness. “The mood is still pretty good,” Griffin said Friday after practice and a video session. “We’re not completely out of this.” Not yet. Game 3 on Saturday is particularly crucial for the Clippers because no team in NBA history has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a series. “The next game is our Game 7,” Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. “We got to fight, we got to claw, we got to do whatever we can.” Paul’s turnovers in the playoffs - 38 in nine games - are up significantly since he strained his right hip, while Griffin added a left hip injury in Game 2 to a sprained right knee that was already limiting his elevation to the rim. “It’s one of those nagging things,” Griffin said about his hip. “Just kind of put that to the list of everything that we have right now. We just got to find a way to play through them and find a way to counteract them.” Bolstered by inspired play from their trio of 30-somethings, the Spurs have won 16 straight games, including a 6-0 mark in the playoffs. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have helped them to a 27-2 record in their last 29 games. They beat the Clippers by double digits in each of the first two games, using their depth and 3-point shooting. “We’ve shifted the offense a bit so it’s a little more perimeter-oriented the last couple of years,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “Timmy understands that, but he continues to rebound and play defense. We’ve gone to him quite a bit during these playoffs. He’s a competitive son of gun and he’s one hell of a player.” The Clippers will try to regroup with two straight games at home, where they were better than on the road in the regular season. They did lose Game 6 to the Grizzlies at Staples Center on May 11, the last time they were there, before winning Game 7 in Memphis to reach the Western Conference semifinals. “We know Game 3 is going to be very, very hard,” Parker said. “We should focus on that and not focus on the winning streak or what we’re doing good. We know Saturday is going to be a long, long, long game. Very physical.” The unusual schedule of consecutive games on Saturday and Sunday will test the mettle of Paul and Griffin, along with the aging Duncan (36), Parker (30) and Ginobili (34). “It’s hard to find that fine line between conserving and pacing yourself, and you got to kind of give it your all every minute. I’m just kind of searching for that,” said Griffin, who had 20 points and one rebound in Game 2. “The best thing about the back-to-back is that they have to go, too. We’re not put at any disadvantage that they aren’t. It’s going to be a big mental game Sunday coming off the second day. We got to be prepared and locked in.” Paul, who wasn’t made available to the media on Friday, has been unwilling to admit his injury is affecting his play. But his numbers tell the story. He had 16 points and 13 turnovers in the first two games. “He’s a little tentative. He hasn’t gotten his legs under him yet,” Del Negro said. “Some of the turnovers are not like him. I expect him to bounce back well.” Two minor leaguers get 50-game suspensions NEW YORK (AP) — Mets prospect Daniel Muno has been suspended 50 games for testing positive for a performanceenhancing drug. Luis Rojas, a pitcher in the San Francisco Giants’ organization, also was suspended Friday for the same violation of the minor league drug program. Muno, an infielder, tested positive for a metabolite of Drostanolone. The 23-year-old switch-hitter was batting .283 with five homers and 23 RBIs in 38 games for Class-A St. Lucie. Rojas tested positive for metabolites of Stanozolol. He has no record and a 3.38 ERA in six relief appearances for Class-A San Jose. The right-hander was in the Mets’ organization from 2007-11. The commissioner’s office said both suspensions are effective immediately. There have been 43 suspensions this year under the minor league drug program. Heat regroup after shocking loss to Pacers INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- As panic ensued along South Beach and the national scrutiny intensified, the Miami Heat decided to chill out. After the storm, there was silence. One day after they lost by 19 points and Dwyane Wade lost his cool in Game 3 against a balanced Indiana team growing in confidence and not getting nearly enough credit, the Heat canceled Friday’s practice and media availability. They stayed back in their downtown hotel to recharge mentally and physically. Miami needed a short-term escape. A team that loves the spotlight dodged it for a day. Trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals and with Chris Bosh unlikely to return in this series, the Heat are in trouble and have two days to regroup before a Game 4 that LeBron James has already deemed vital to the team’s NBA championship chase. “It’s a must win, honestly,” the league MVP said after Game 3. “We’ve just got to go out and play.” The Pacers also took advantage of the two-day break - per NBA rules, teams are not typically required to meet with the media when there are two off days between games and they do not practice - between games to rest and recover. They chose not to practice either, but coach Frank Vogel doesn’t have nearly the issues facing Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, whose team appeared to unravel during Thursday’s loss. As the Pacers pulled away in the third quarter, Wade, having one of the worst playoff games of his career, got into an ugly sideline exchange with Spoelstra. An angry Wade appeared to swear at his coach before brushing him aside and then had to be steered away from the coach’s huddle by several teammates. “We’ve got a lot of alpha males in this locker room,” said veteran forward Udonis Haslem, who managed to settle down Wade. “It’s all constructive criticism. I don’t think it’s personal with anybody. Emotions get high. It’s the playoffs.” Spoelstra tried to dismiss the confrontation with Wade following the game, but the damage was done and the sight of one of Miami’s “Big Three” arguing with his coach raised questions about the Heat’s future should they again fall short of a title. Wade’s health, however, is a major worry. The eight-time AllStar is clearly not himself. He’s not making explosive moves to the basket and settling for jump shots that aren’t falling. He scored just 5 points - his second-lowest output in 95 career postseason games - on 2 of 13 shooting. He didn’t score in the first half and didn’t adequately support James, who has had to move to power forward with Bosh out with a strained abdominal muscle. If not for Mario Chalmers kicking in 25 points, many coming on aggressive drives, the Heat would have been beaten even worse. Wade has reportedly been receiving extra treatments for lingering leg soreness. He doesn’t have his usual lift, which could account for many of his jumpers being short. He’s never been one to make excuses, and Wade, who missed 17 games this season with assorted injuries, won’t start now. To be fair, Wade isn’t the only reason the Heat are in hot water. Miami’s bench hasn’t stepped up. The Heat are 5 of 42 on 3-pointers, and Miami’s front line is being outrebounded by Indiana’s big men, who have thrown their weight around inside. The Pacers are punishing the Heat. Center Roy Hibbert dominated at both ends of the floor in Thursday’s win, racking up 19 points, 18 rebounds, five blocks and an unspecified number of alterations. Of all Miami’s problems, the 7-foot-2, 260-pound Hibbert could be its biggest. The 25-year-old is beginning to put it all together, and his maturity is a major reason the Pacers have risen from also-ran status to contenders this season. Hibbert has been getting tutelage from an unlikely mentor, San Antonio center Tim Duncan, who has been helping him with his skills in the paint and outside the lines. “We sat down and talked to see how he goes about his business,” Hibbert said of the Big Fundamental. “He doesn’t get too high or too low. I model my game after him. He texts me after every game. I’m very appreciative.” Vogel was grateful he had Hibbert in Game 3. “One of the best games I’ve ever seen him play,” he said. Without Bosh, Spoelstra, who started Dexter Pittman at center in Game 3, doesn’t have an answer inside for Hibbert, who helped the Pacers outrebound the Heat 52-36. Miami’s next rebound, though, must be to even the series at 2-2 and get back to Florida, where Bosh has remained to get extensive rehab so he can return in the next round. A loss on Sunday would put the Heat on the brink of elimination, well short of a championship Miami has craved since losing in the finals last season. While others have their doubts about Miami’s chances, Spoelstra believes his team can bounce back. “Everything can change in the next two days with a win, and we have a lot of veteran guys who understand that,” he said. “We’re fine and that extra day of rest will help us.” samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 Page B5 Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce (34) battles for a loose ball with Philadelphia ‘76ers players during Game 4 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series on Friday, May 18, (AP Photo/The News Journal, Suchat Pederson) 2012, in Philadelphia. 76ers stun Celtics 92-83 in Game 4 to even series PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Andre Iguodala snapped a tie game with five straight points in the final 90 seconds to help the Philadelphia 76ers storm back from 15 points down in the first half and stun the Boston Celtics 92-83 on Friday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The young Sixers were a team reborn in the second half and played like a squad that refused to roll over for the championship-tested Celtics. “I don’t even know where to start,” Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said. “Our guys are pretty amazing. They really are.” The Sixers tied the series at 2-2 with the huge comeback and guaranteed a return home for one more game. Iguodala, one of the more maligned athletes in recent Philadelphia history, put the Sixers ahead 85-83 with a step-back jumper and buried a 3-pointer for a five-point lead. Game 5 is Monday in Boston. Iguodala scored 16 points, Evan Turner had 16 and Lou Williams added 15. Kevin Garnett had his first bad outing in an otherwise monster series with nine points. With Garnett in a funk, so were the Celtics. The Sixers just kept attacking, turning a first half of airballs, botched dunks and sloppy defense into a fullblown display of near-flawless basketball. Thaddeus Young’s thunderous slam tied the game at 63 in the middle of the fourth. And when Jodie Meeks drained a 3-pointer on the Sixers’ next trip down the court for Philadelphia’s first lead 20,000 fans stomped their feet and unleashed two hours of pent-up jubilation. Williams hounded Paul Pierce and forced a turnover, fed the ball to a streaking Turner for a dunk and put the lead at 68-65. It was that kind of hustle that brought the Sixers back. After Garnett blocked a Lavoy Allen shot, Young snagged the ball out of the air and score to make it 74-all. Game 4 came down to young legs, fresh enthusiasm and untested big-game experience vs. aging, championship-tested stars fighting for another title. Give the edge to the Sixers. Iguodala, who has been branded as the face of a mediocre franchise over his eight seasons, has changed that talk with a clutch postseason. He sank the winning free throws in Game 6 to finish off the top-seeded Chicago Bulls in the first round. And it was Iguodala who finished off the Celtics in Game 4. Pierce had 24 points and Rajon Rondo had 15 points and 15 assists. Garnett, who turns 36 on Saturday, missed nine of 12 shots. The Celtics look primed for a blowout victory after the first 10 minutes of the game. They hold out hope a trip back to Boston can make them forget about this collapse. “Coming out of halftime they came out more physical, and we got into that instead of playing basketball. We lost our composure,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. Philadelphia CEO Adam Aron tweeted at the break, “This will have to be one of the best come backs ever for the (at)Sixers.” Down 15 at the half, the under-25 crew found their spark, their legs and their shooting touch to crank up the pressure on the Celtics. Williams hit a 3, Iguodala hit a 3, and Williams converted a three-point play to make it 58-54. Williams stood on the free-throw line with the widest smile of anyone in the building and calmly sank the deficit-slicing free throw. Meeks, a starter-turned-sub, stole an errant pass and went all the way for his first bucket of the game to make it 63-59 at the end of the quarter. Philadelphia’s 10 baskets in the third were one more than their total for the entire half and their 28 points were three shy off their halftime total. “We’re just going to keep fighting,” Collins said. “That’s what we do.” The Sixers had vowed they would be a more determined team after the veteran Celtics dismantled and demoralized them on their home court in Game 3. The Sixers said after their 16-point loss in Game 3 that they would return more focused in preventing another hot Celtics start that took them out of the game and sucked the atmosphere out of the Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics squashed that attitude before thousands of fans had taken their seats moments after the opening tip. Pierce and Avery Bradley hit 3-pointers, Garnett hit a pull-up 20-footer and the Celtics raced to a 14-0 lead only 3 1/2 minutes into the game. The Sixers truly couldn’t find their footing. Young bounced the ball off his sneaker on a drive down the lane, and Pierce converted on the other end for an 18-3 lead. The Celtics could never find that extra scoring boost to truly put away the Sixers. Rondo, Garnett and Ray Allen all had quiet first 24 minutes and the Celtics let the lead drop to seven. Rondo scored an uncontested bucket coming out of a timeout to end the half and put the Celtics up 46-31. “That was probably the worst we could shoot,” Iguodala said. “They were playing as good as they could play and we were shooting poorly.” Notes: The 76ers head to Boston 2-8 over their last 10 road postseason games. ... The Sixers haven’t won a playoff series when they trailed 2-1 since 2001. Page B6 samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 C M Y K C M Y K A look at this year’s Big Boys Division “Back to Back” Champions, the Aua Redskins, who brought down the undefeated Lauli’i Patriots last Saturday in the [photo: TG] ESF Championship game with a 22 - 8 victory. This was the first time Aua was able to bring down Lauli’i, and it was in the final game of the season. ➧ Championship… Continued from page B1 Both teams played out a great defensive game throughout the two halves of play and managed to keep each other out of goal line possessions. But it wasn’t until late in the second half that the Niners managed to answer back to their six point trail, with a stunning third down passing play. 49ers on the Buccaneers 10 yard line with a third and long situation had to be very careful. If they failed, it was all over. Niners’ quarterback faking the hand off to AJ Iosua, and rolling out to drop a perfectly placed pass to Lopati Spitzenberg for their first touchdown of the game, tying up the game 6 – 6. But a tie wasn’t what the Niners were looking for when they executed their two point conversion with the same play. This time, though, saw the quick hand off to the middle to Aroni Taua’a who was never marked in the game, that managed to send the Niners over the Bucc’s with a two point lead of 6 – 8, to end the match, and send the Niners home with their first Championship title of the season. The Little Boys Division awards were handed out at the end of the game with Offensive Player of the Game going to Jacob Umu of the Niners. The Defensive Player of the Game went out to Foma’i Vaina of the Buccaneers. The Most Valuable Player of the Game was awarded to the Niners’ Aroni Taua’a. Coach of the Year Award went to the Eastern Star Youth Football League’s “Defensive Player of the Year” for the Little Boys Division Paul Vondincklage of the Pagai Buccaneers. Paul struggled with his team against the Niners during their Championship game, losing 6 - 8. 49ers Chester Manaea who told Samoa News, “this Coach of the Year Award isn’t just for me. I want to dedicate this award out to all of my coaching staff, George Tafua, Vili Fea, Fa’asavala Agae, and Chester Manaea.” BIG BOYS DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP REDSKINS 22, PATRIOTS 8 The No.2 ranked team in the league, the Aua Redskins made the number one team in the league, the Lauli’i Patriots, pay for every mistake they made in the Championship game. Mistakes started in the first quarter for the Patriots, when they had first possession of the ball. Pinned deep in their own territory and on a fourth and long situation, a simple punting situation was what everyone thought was going to happen, but the story changed when Head Coach Lafu Ta’ase called to quarterback Gus Napoleon to go for it on their own 10 yard line. The snap sounded on a shot gun formation, an obvious passing play, turned sour for the Patriots when Napoleon was sacked hard in the back field on their 1 yard line by a host of Redskins, to turn the ball over for a scoring advantage for Aua. Coming on to play first down in a fortunate situation, first down situation was a quarterback keeper by Aleipata Feleti who was stopped inches away from the goal line by Siale Ula. Then on second down, Fereti forcing the ball inside the end zone with a quarterback sneak, sent the Redskins to the lead for the first time 6 – 0. Blessman Ta’ala of the Aua Redskins was named the Defensive Player of the League after leading Aua in bringing down the undefeated Lauli’i Patriots and winning the Championship for a back to back title. This was the first time ever the Lauli’i Patriots ever fell behind by points since the league started, aside from their early scoring schemes. So, the Patriots were in a comeback situation for the first time this year. With 3:44 remaining in the second quarter, and again, the Patriots are pinned deep in their own territory, playing a second down situation on their own 1 yard line, with Gus Napoleon lined up inside the end zone in a shotgun formation, who was totally surprised to see Blessman Ta’ala storming into the end zone to sack Gus Napoleon for a safety, the first safety of the season, sending the Aua Redskins on an eight point lead with the Patriots still at zero. Then, in the second half of the ball game, late in the third quarter, the Patriots expecting to rise up to the occasion were totally disappointed again after the Redskins created another way to the end zone, on a third down situation from the Patriots 29 yard line, an inside counter hand off play to Junior Fiso, who flashed out to the end zone, and was hit hard by Gus Napoleon just before the end zone causing a fumble, with the ball rolling into the end zone. Aua’s Daniel Afano was fast enough to get to the ball, and recovered it in the end zone for another Aua touchdown with just 3:21 remaining in the third quarter as the Redskins extended their lead in the championship game 14 – 0. Late in fourth quarter, with just 1:12 remaining in the ball game, and the Red- Ferrin Manuleleua of the Lauli’i Patriots was named the the Eastern Star Youth Football League’s Offensive Player of the Year. Manuleleua led the Patriots to an undefeated season, only to lose the Championship game. skins find themselves in another fortunate situation, a threatening first down play on the Patriots 1 yard line, and quarterback Fereti hands off the quick dive to the middle out to Leroy Fesili who scored another touchdown situation for the Aua Redskins. Their two point conversion was good on a passing play from Fereti out to Seti Sailele to extend their lead 22 – 0. Just as the Aua Redskins thought they would shut out the Patriots, the Lauli’i Patriots thought otherwise when Ferrin Manuleleua came into play quarterback on the Redskins 10 yard line, and dropped back to find Gus Napoleon on the quick slant pass play that was caught by Napoleon for their first touchdown of the game with just 13 seconds remaining in the game. Their two point conversion was good again by Napoleon, but it was too late, as they went home with an undefeated season going down the drain after suffering a 22 – 8 loss against the Aua Redskins, who claimed their “Back to Back” Championship title. Eastern Star Youth Football League President Sua’ese Pooch Ta’ase ended the season thanking all the sponsors who supported ESF making this year’s football season possible. “I would like to acknowledge Highway Patrol, Trophies & Things., Parks and Recreations Veavea Semana, the Iaeli & Tavai families in Onesosopo, Skyview Store in Aua, Fagaitua High School, Panamex, Florence & Saulo Insurance,” said President Sua’ese Ta’ase. Juke Machine Gus Napoleon of the Lauli’i Patriots, was named this year’s Eastern Star Youth Football League’s “Most Valuable Player”. Gus Napoleon is the Lauli’i Patriots quarter[photos: TG] back, and safety. samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 Page B7 C M Y K The Utumea 49ers who claimed this year’s first ever Eastern Star Youth Football League’s Little Boys Division Championship, after defeating the Pagai Bucca[photo: TG] neers with an 8 - 6 victory, last Saturday at the Onesosopo Park. ➧ Ted Johnson Continued from page B1 C M Y K But he said players might need to be convinced to speak up for themselves — even in a league where contracts are not guaranteed. “That dynamic in itself creates a lot of problems,” Johnson said. “You don’t want to get labeled as a guy that’s easily concussed.” Johnson said his problems started after a concussion in a 2002 game, when he got his “bell rung,” he said. Four days later he was back at practice and he was concussed again. In a 2007 newspaper article, Johnson said coach Bill Belichick pressured him to return before he was ready. “It’s as clear as a bell, ‘I had to see if you could play,’” Johnson recalled Belichick saying, according to The New York Times. “I was put in a position where I felt compelled to play against doctors’ orders, so I did,” Johnson said Friday, adding later that he held no grudge against Belichick, the Patriots or the NFL. Asked whether he would play football again, knowing what he does now, Johnson thought and listed all of the things the NFL made possible for him. But he did take issue with current and former players, including Patriots receiver Chad Ochocinco, who said players know what they sign up for when they playing the NFL. That might be true now, but it wasn’t just a few years ago, Johnson said. “You guys hardly ever get hit,” Johnson said, mentioning Ochocinco and Cris Carter by name. “You don’t ever get hit in practice. And when you do, you complain about it.” Office of Highway Safety Page B8 samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 MOVE ON INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON WHO’S TO BLAME BY TOM & RAY MAGLIOZZI Dear Tom and Ray: We recently purchased a 2003 Honda Civic with 80,000 miles. The previous owner was very fastidious about maintenance, and had replaced several major items within the past six months, including the timing belt, for which he provided us receipts. My husband was driving the car recently and accelerated to pass another vehicle, when the Civic suddenly lost power and some of the dashboard lights came on. Fortunately, he was close by, and was able to limp home at a slow speed. We had the car towed to the repair shop that we have used previously, and they diagnosed the problem as a burned-out alternator and PCM. The mechanic told us that the problem was caused because when the timing belt was replaced, the alternator was left loose and not grounded. He said that when there was a power surge during acceleration, both the alternator and the PCM burned out. The repair bill was $1,200. We contacted the shop where the timing-belt repair was done, and the owner denies that his work would have caused this damage. He said our repair shop sold us unnecessary parts, and said the alternator is not touched when a timing belt is installed. He also pointed to the five-month span between the time the work was done by his shop and the alternator problem, and suggested that any problems with the repair would have shown up sooner. We don’t know what to believe. What do you think? -- Kathi TOM: Well, first of all, you have our condolences, Kathi. The PCM is the powertrain control module, also known as “the computer.” That’s why this repair was so expensive. RAY: Is the story possible? Can an ungrounded alternator cause this damage? I’m sure it can. I’ve never wanted to find out, so I’ve always made sure my customers’ alternators are grounded when they leave the shop. But inadequate grounding can potentially cause a host of electrical problems. TOM: But can you attribute it directly to the guy who changed the timing belt five months ago? That’s almost impossible, at this point. RAY: He had to loosen the alternator to remove the other belts in order to get at the timing belt. So it’s possible he neglected to tighten the pinch bolt that grounds the alternator to the bracket through its housing. TOM: But then why did it take five months to fail? I suppose it could have loosened up more and more over time until it was not grounded at all, but on a 10-yearold car, one of those could just as easily have failed on its own for another reason. RAY: Or it’s possible that the guys at your shop were the ones who were mistaken, or dishonest. TOM: I sympathize with you guys. You just got what is supposed to be a reliable car, and you immediately had an expensive and unexpected repair. But that sometimes happens with cars, even when it’s nobody’s fault. RAY: So my advice would be to forget about it and move on with your lives. I don’t think you’ll ever know for certain whether this was somebody’s fault unless you engage CSI: Midas Muffler. So assume there was no evil deed done here -the car just broke down -- and don’t lose any more sleep over it. “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Boost Your Brain Power!” • • • • • • • • • “A book burrows into your life in a very profound way because the experience of reading is not passive.” -- Erica Jong • • • • • • • • • A lover of books encourages others to read • • • • • • • • • It was “Pop Warner’s Book for Boys.” I’ll never forget it. I was probably around 7 years old when my parents gave me that book. Who could have guessed what a fire it would light in my life? Thanks to old “Pop,” I was encouraged to develop a passion for sports, a habit of clean, upright living, and most of all, to fall in love with books. When he told me in his book that athletes never drink, smoke or swear, I believed him! And I made sure I never did, either. Books can have a tremendous influence, especially when it comes to raising the bar on our thinking and behavior. I’m known as a voracious reader and usually have several books going at one time, with a goal to finish one every day. Each one has made me a different man than I was before I opened it, but a few have made a profound difference in my life. I think particularly of “Veeck as in Wreck” by the late great Chicago White Sox owner Bill Veeck -- a book I discovered while working in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Thanks to a fortunate set of circumstances in my life at that time, I had the opportunity to meet Veeck. We developed a lifelong friendship, and few people have had a greater influence on my NBA execu- tive career. By the early 1980s, I found myself receiving numerous requests to speak before audiences at a variety of venues. I was flummoxed. What kind of message could I deliver? How could I develop the confidence to speak with conviction? Could I, little ol’ Pat Williams, actually make a difference in others’ lives? I knew I’d find the answers I sought in books, and I was not disappointed. Two wonderful volumes, both written by longtime NFL defensive end and ministry founder Bill Glass, “Expect to Win” and “Plan to Win,” laid out the principles I needed to launch my speaking career. Today, I speak on a regular basis. And everywhere I go, I issue my reading challenge: one hour a day, from a book. I don’t care how you do the hour -- it can be 60 minutes all at once, two 30-minute sessions, four 15s, or 60 ones. Just do it! When you make that commitment, you’ll be finishing an average of one book a week. That’s 52 books a year! The very idea sends an endorphin rush straight through me. In the research done for my book “Read for Your Life: 11 Ways to Transform Your Life With Books,” we came across data corroborating the brain-boosting power of books. One report suggested that such mind-engaging activities as crossword puzzles and reading actually can delay or even prevent age-related memory loss. Another article from a renowned health professional touted the importance of keeping our minds from wandering. I don’t know about you, but I plan to live every day with a sound, fully engaged mind, and nothing I’ve found keeps me more focused than a good book. As a reward for my reading evangelism, I regularly receive letters, phone calls and emails from those who’ve taken up my one-hour-a-day challenge. They feature key words and phrases like: “Your book has transformed my life!” “I am honored to accept your challenge to read every day” and “books have allowed me to educate myself ... to become more confident, to become a better conversationalist, and have provided me with opportunity and inspiration for many of my personal projects.” If that isn’t evidence that reading boosts your brain, I don’t know what is. I’ve heard it said that reading is mental dental floss. And I believe that once you’ve made books an integral part of your life, as I have mine, you’ll agree that nothing comes close in the brain-boosting category. Most people who know me will say that I am something of an over-the-top kind of guy. And with my 50-year career in professional sports, my 19 children and more than 70 published books of my own, they would be right. I believe in squeezing every minute out of every day that I possibly can. Even now that I am battling multiple myeloma, I’m doing my level best not to yield any ground. And why not? After all, we are not here on our own time. We owe it to the one who gave us our life in the first place to put it to good use. In my home I have a vast library of books. And at the heart of them all is that Pop Warner book -- red, cloth-bound and well-worn from all the reading. Nothing has influenced me more than the love of reading that book inspired. Why not power up your brain with a great book, starting today? CLASSIFIEDS for sale for sale 1997 FORD ECONOLINE VAN 5.4 engine Auto, good engine, 15 passenger van $6,000. New wheels to fit a Nissan vehicle w/ tires. $2,000 [05/22] 1/4 ACRE LAND in Nu’uFaleula Apia. Contact #7334582 [05/24] for sale FOR SALE BRAND NEW ELECTRONICS @ www.ktechsamoa.com, 32” TV $350, 19” TV $200, 7” portable DVD players $85, car stereo $75, cellphones: Android, Sider, Flip, Touchscreen; Microwaves, call 731-8326, 2520789 or 256-6235. [05/22] ‘98 FRONTIER SPACE CAB, in good condition, A/C, manual. $4,500. 256-8040, 256-6803, 699-5436. [05/12] NEW SHIPMENT OF CLOTHES All sizes. Men’s & children’s shorts, women’s plus sizes, large jeans. Ongoing sale of $5 Bag. Mary’s Homestyle Bargains. Malaeimi 699-9557. [5/21] for sale FOR SALE NEW & USED TOOLS & EQUIPMENT, hammer drills, skill saws, arc weld, mini cement mixer, chop saw, cement vibrator, compactor (roller & plate), bobcat loader, air compressors, etc. Call 733-2005, 699-1444. [05/21] FOR SALE 2005 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA, 2011 SILVER TOYOTA CAM- Good condition. Everything RY in excellent condition. Ins works. Asking $9,500 OBO. good til Aug 2012. Mileage Call 252-4010 or 699-1346. 800, one owner, one driver $25,000. great vehicle for family or taxi. Call 699-7512 or HELP WANTED 733-3099[05/22] CANON PRINTER (PIXMA/ 2 WELDERS needed at TJ IP1600), two office chairs, sev- Welding. 10 years experience eral movies (DVDs), women’s on Ammonia Lime Welding. shoes (4 pair, brand new, size Send resume to PO Box 1950, 8-9). 733-8433. [05/22] Pago Pago, AS 96799 [05/19] for sale HELP/JoBS ur Community o Y for rent samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 Page B9 FOR RENT JULY 1ST, 2012 3 BEDROOM 2 BATH HOME, Ideal home. Located in Utulei. partially furnished. For more info call Al at 699-4689 or 2562125 [05/25] 2 BDRM/2 FULL BATHROOM HOUSE, near golf course, furnished w/ stove & refrigerator. Affordable rent, includes water & electricity. Must see to appreciate. Call Dani @ 2587442 for appt. [05/25] ROOMS AND HOUSE FOR RENT in Pago. Call 770-6708 or 770-5249. [05/19] for rent FOR RENT 3 BDROOM APARTMENT w/ living room, dining room, electric range, refrig, 3 air/con, huge parking lot, also a studio bdrm w/ air con, queen bed, shower and many more, available anytime. 252-8383, 2587260, 699-9603. [05/21] CLEAN 3BDRM 2 BATH HOME, comes w/ ceiling fans, AC units in master & living rm, washer, dryer, hot water. very comfortable and safe. Can furnish if needed. Property is fenced, covered carport. $1,250 mo. Available May 18. [email protected], 6999169, 252-0202 [05/21] Approximately 1,150 square feet of prime retail/office space on the ground floor of this building in Nu’uuli. The space is currently occupied by Origin Energy but they will be moving out in June and the space is available for rent on July 1st. If interested please call 699-2100. FIRST OFFICERS - Dornier 228 Inter Island Airways, Inc is hiring First Officers for it’s operations. Flight Minimums: U.S Commercial Multi-engine Instrument Rating, 300 Hrs Total Time, Current 2nd Class Medical, Current Instrument Proficiency Check, FCC Restricted Radio Permit, and a Valid Passport, Authorization to work in American Samoa. Send Resume to Fax 699-5880 or call 699-5700 for more information. BULLETIN BOARD Brought to you by We’re here for you - 633-5599 LAUNIUSAEALUA SPORTS ASSOC. Basketball League Meeting for interested teams. Monday, May 21st @ SHS Gym. Sila 7334667 or Ernie 633-4505. [05/21] On-line Subscription ASVBA special meeting for Samoa Volleyball Federation Invitation. Monday, May 21st @ 4:30 p.m. @ President’s guest house. All interested team & clubs welcomed to the meeting. 733-6143. [05/21] GROUP SUPPORT HANNAH to rebuild strength, to restore wisdom & understanding & working together side by side to overcome any obstacle, please call and join us. Pua 770-6938 or 633-2855 SURVIVORS TAKING ACTION THROUGH SHARING Meeting every Saturday. Open Fellowship, All are welcome @ Lion’s office by Showers of Blessing. Elizabeth 770-2504 or 699-0272 (Victiims of Violence) FARM FAIR 2012 Hosed by Dept. of Agriculture will be July 4th. More info call office 699-9272. ASOA General Meetings. Will be held each month on the 3rd Friday at 10am at ASOA Center in Tafuna on Tasi St. All seniors welcome. Questions, call Marilyn 699-4432. AA MEETINGS Held at Catholic Social Services. Samoan version - Tues. & Thur. 12noon. English version - Tue. & Fri. 5-6pm (Hope House)- More info 699-6611/5683 or 258-6302 YANA If you are feeling lonely & need someone to talk to, we are here for you. Please contact us at 252-YANA(9262) 24/7 CANCER SUPPORT GROUP Have you been diagnosed with cancer & need someone to talk to? Call Stella 731-8606. AS-EPA SAYS: Litter hurts. . Do the right thing Samoa News local stories delivered directly to your email daily! Just $25 for 6 months gets you a link to Same Day News from Samoa News On-line. To sign up, log on to our website <www.samoanews.com> and click on subscriptions or call 633-5599 for more info. www.samoanews.com... “Linking Samoans Worldwide” Page B10 samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 Universal Crossword Saturday, May 19, 2012 Edited by Timothy E. Parker May 19, 2012 ACROSS 1 Rental document 6 Anatomical pouch 9 Arrange, as a blind date 14 Rooms with open ceilings 15 “Horned” flyer 16 ___-loading (pre-marathon activity) 17 Less hospitable 18 Genevabased workers grp. 19 Two-tone cookies 20 Jump around on the sofa? 23 Crooner “King” Cole 24 Diddly-squat 25 Flaws 27 Exceedingly large 32 One of Alcott’s “Little Women” 33 Strongman Ferrigno 34 Air Force Two passengers in the ’90s 36 Old coin of Europe 39 Palindromic male name 41 Zenith opposite 43 Accelerator particles 44 Ulan ___ 46 Dating from birth 48 You may get it for effort 49 “Touching” Olympic event 5/19 51 Any sense organ 53 Some fish fins 56 It’s big, for a blowhard 57 Bone of contention 58 Laborer used for underground work? 64 A day’s march 66 Word on an Uncle Sam poster 67 “I do” sayer 68 Alfred who coined the phrase “inferiority complex” 69 Birler’s perch 70 Access a computer network 71 Casts off the skin 72 Barely achieve (with “out”) 73 Act like a thespian DOWN 1 Non-clerical 2 Carve in granite 3 Covent Garden solo 4 “Burnt” Crayola color 5 Producing income 6 Agronomist’s sample 7 Cobblers’ tools 8 Mushroom ___ (atom bomb’s wake) 9 Displayed disdain 10 A friend may lend one 11 Attire popular with private eyes 12 WWII naval menace 13 Chatroom contributions 21 “Bennie and the Jets” singer John 22 Antietam soldier 26 Case with buttons and needles 27 Amorphous mass 28 Ninth Greek letter 29 Not-sosuper bowl? 30 1979 hostage locale 31 Chestmaker’s wood 35 Building location 37 “Domini” lead-in 38 Alexandra Feodorovna’s husband, for one 40 “Clumsy me!” 42 Competed at Pimlico 45 Kindle buyers 47 Easily deciphered 50 ___ Lilly pharmaceuticals 52 “Fiddler on the Roof” fear 53 Cherished desire 54 Achieve a personal best 55 Baroque or rococo, e.g. 59 Boil, broil or bake 60 See 27-Across 61 Computer acronym about faulty data 62 Spruce up, as a story 63 “The Son of Man” painter Magritte 65 Astro, Scooby-Doo or Dino PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER 5/18 © 2012 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com THE HOLE NINE YARDS By Mark Hooper a transition that will improve your life and your future. Don’t let a personal matter stand in the way of your success. ✸✸✸✸✸ LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Work on projects you can complete on your own. Money matters should be dealt with promptly to avoid unnecessary costs. Home improvement, a move or sizing down will work in your favor. A relationship will improve if you discuss future plans. ✸✸✸ SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Forward-thinking with progressive action will help you turn an OK event into a smashing success. Your input can bring you the results you want and help you grab the recognition that will allow you to expand in new directions. ✸✸✸ SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Change things around at home to prepare to make a move or lifestyle change. Taking time to research a job that interests you will pay off. It’s time for new personal and professional beginnings. Take a leap of faith. ✸✸✸ CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Make things happen. You have more control than you realize. Set your standards high and everyone will live up to your expectations. Nothing is impossible once you choose your course of action. Changes you make at home will bring great returns. ✸✸✸✸✸ AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take a moment to reconsider your options and to formulate the best possible move. Opposition will attempt to use emotional blackmail in order to get you to do something that encroaches on your space. ✸✸ PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): There is money to be made. Get busy fleshing out your ideas and putting them to the test. You will gain all the support you need when you promote and present what you have to offer. Last-minute changes will lead to success. ✸✸✸✸ ✸✸ Birthday Baby: You are intense, strongVIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Set your sights high and go after your goals. Traveling or net- willed and money-oriented. You appreciate working will lead to ideas that promote making quality. Happy Birthday: Look at your financial situation, your assets and your liabilities. You can jump ahead if you discuss your position and plans with the right agency or individual. An idea can turn into a lucrative pursuit that can also bring you great satisfaction and enjoyment. Enjoying what you do is half the battle. Your numbers are 3, 12, 19, 24, 28, 30, 46. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Inattention to detail due to a time restriction will hurt you. An encounter or an old memory will open your eyes to new possibilities. Backtracking and implementing something you’ve used in the past will help fill a void. ✸✸✸ TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Your emotions will set you on a course that can alter your life. Follow your heart, but proceed cautiously. There will be a price to pay for stubbornness or indulgence. Refresh your memory and you’ll find a way to please everyone. ✸✸✸ GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your financial experience will play a role in the outcome of any encounter with institutions or authority figures. Knowing your rights and respectfully displaying intelligence will help you overcome any adversity. Love is highlighted late in the day. ✸✸✸ CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t waste time trying to change the impossible. Focus on what you can accomplish and you will discover options that allow you to follow a path that doesn’t require you to deal with the limitations that have been holding you back. ✸✸✸✸ LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A chance to improve your financial situation is within reach. Focus on what you can do to make a difference. A short trip will help you choose a lifestyle that can ease your stress. Love and romance are on the rise. Dear Abby by Abigail Van Buren TEEN’S ANTI-CURSING CRUSADE CAUSES HER FRIEND TO CRY FOUL DEAR ABBY: I’m 19 and have a dear friend, “Emily,” who is offended by cussing. She literally has never said a curse word in her life. When I’m around her I never use swear words because I respect her and her friendship. My issue is that Emily gets very upset if people swear around her. There have been nights that she ended up in tears because someone used foul language. She also angrily confronts people on this issue. I commend my friend on her decision not to curse, but I think it’s unrealistic of her to expect everyone in the world to bend to her morals. I also think it’s wrong for her to try to force them. Abby, what are your thoughts? -- CHALLENGED FRIEND IN LARAMIE, WYO. DEAR CHALLENGED: If Emily prefers not to be in the company of people who use four-letter words, that’s her privilege. And if she finds it offensive, she has a right to speak up and make it known. But to “wind up in tears” because someone used foul language -- as long as it wasn’t directed toward her -- is overreacting. And for her to angrily confront someone about it would only invite more of the same. Emily will be much happier if she spends more time in the company of people who feel as she does. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • DEAR ABBY: My daughter, “Gina,” is engaged but hasn’t started making any plans yet. We have had some rough mother/daughter years but are now in a good place. When it’s time, I would like my daughter to ask me to help her pick out her wedding gown. I have a strong hunch that Gina will ask a girlfriend instead. I also know that if I talk to her about my wishes, she’ll say, “Sure” or ask me to join her friends. This may seem silly, but I want her to want just me to go. What do you think is the best way to handle this? -- MOTHER OF THE BRIDE DEAR MOTHER: Your relationship with your daughter may be better now, but its pattern was established years ago. You appear to be extremely invested in an “ideal” of how her wedding will be. For your own sake, lower your expectations. You can’t make somebody want something if it doesn’t come naturally. Because Gina isn’t a mind reader, speak up now for that exclusive mother/daughter shopping jaunt. If she likes your fashion sense, she may agree. However, it is not unusual for a bride to include not only her mother, but also her attendants and future mother-in-law when choosing her wedding dress. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend bought his house two years ago. We were fortunate to have found such a darling little place. It was owned by only one woman since it was built in the 1950s. She is now deceased, and we have no way of contacting anyone in her family. For the last two years my boyfriend has received greeting cards from an old friend of the former owner. What should we do about the greeting cards? I feel terrible that he doesn’t know the woman who lived here is no longer with us. -STEPHANIE IN URBANA, ILL. DEAR STEPHANIE: I know you and your boyfriend have the best of intentions, but according to the post office, whether there is a return address on the envelope or not, you should write “deceased” on the envelope and let the Postal Service handle the matter. samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 Page B11 Page B12 samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 C M Y K C M Y K REMINGTON COLLEGE - HONOLULU CAMPUS, ACCREDITED MEMBER, ACCSC For Disclosures of Tuition Costs, On Time Graduation Rates, Median Loan Debt, Placement Rates and Occupational Information, go to www.remingtoncollege.edu/ge-disclosures.