Sports and Fitness

In recent months, news organizations have covered crosswalk construction or changes to existing crosswalks, including new, decorative pavers in Slidell, Louisiana, proposed infrastructure changes aimed at improving pedestrian safety in Phoenix, and decorative, themed crosswalks, such as rainbow crosswalks painted in towns across the country for Pride month. Such stories call attention to the dangers of pedestrians and vehicles sharing roadways -- and the rising rate of pedestrian deaths nationwide. The Governors Highway Safety Association estimates at least 7,508 pedestrians were killed as a result of crashes on U.S. roadways in 2022. more »

"From the Editor: We've tried to replicate parts of the CDC Center for Disease Control and Prevention's presentation of their Drowning Prevention information but urge you to go to their pages in effort to gain a organized way to compile as much information as you can. Tam Martinides Gray, Editor '...Drowning is a serious public health problem. Drowning can happen in seconds and is often silent. It can lead to long-term disability. Drowning is preventable... The Lifesaving Society designates the third week in July (July 16-22, 2023) as National Drowning Prevention Week (NDPW) to focus community and media attention on the drowning problem and drowning prevention.'" more »

Rose Mula Writes: Some people never leave home without their American Express card; I never leave home without a camera. Digitized pictures of the twenty-five countries and forty-plus states of America that I’ve visited since my first tour of exotic New Hampshire constantly flash on my computer monitors and digital frames throughout my home, helping me relive the magic every day. The galleries on my tablet, IPod, and phone teem with images of everything and everyone I love. more »

1) PITCH TIMER • 15 seconds with bases empty; 20 seconds with runners on • Hitter gets 1 timeout per plate appearance; must be in batter’s box with 8 seconds left • Pitchers get two disengagements (pickoff attempts or step-offs) per batter; violations are a balk • Limits on pickoff attempts led to 26% increase in stolen base attempts in Minors • Pitch timer helped reduce game length by 25 minutes in Minors in ‘22 more »