10 COLLEGES WITH THE MOST POWERFUL COACHES

July 17, 2012

Ideally, colleges should be well-known, desirable, and popular because of the high quality of educational resources they offer students and other members of the community. Yet, here in the U.S. that’s not always the case. Many schools’ academic programs are eclipsed by the overwhelming popularity of their sports teams, and for better or worse that has made the coaches and head administrators of these teams incredibly powerful figures that dominate what has now become a billion-dollar industry for colleges and universities.

Often, these college coaches command multi-million dollar salaries that outpace those of any other figures at the school (and the budgets of some entire departments) and may even hold quite a bit of influence over the college president and the direction of the school itself. While some coaches have done a lot to help schools, their athletes, and their image through their influence, others have abused their power and made some pretty poor and sometimes downright appalling decisions. The coaches that follow have been some of the most powerful in recent sports history and are well known for their winning streaks, high profiles, and in some cases, distressingly unprofessional misdeeds.

1. Penn State, Joe Paterno:

   
   Paterno was head coach of the Nittany Lions for almost 46 years and holds the record for the most victories by an NCAA Division I coach. He coached five undefeated teams, won major and memorable games, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007. In short, he was one of the winningest and most powerful figures in college football, yet that power had a dark side, as was revealed in 2011. Paterno was fired from Penn State when it was revealed that he not only had knowledge that assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was abusing young men but actively dissuaded other university officials from reporting him to the authorities. Celebrity, high salary, success, a long tenure, and the support of team boosters and college donors gave Paterno power at the university that he shouldn’t have had, influencing the decisions of the board and the president, making him almost impossible to fire, and ultimately causing harm to dozens of young men that could have easily been prevented. Paterno is perhaps one of the clearest and most saddening examples of a college coach who had too much power for far too long.

2. University of Alabama, Nick Saban:

   
   Those who are outraged by how much university administrators make only need to look at astronomically high coaching salaries to put things into perspective. Nick Saban currently holds the record for the highest salary ever paid to a college coach: $32 million over eight years, with use of a university airplane, two cars, and a country club membership to boot. It’s a testament to his power and status at the university that he was able to command this amount, and in 2008 Forbes called him the “Most Powerful Coach in Sports.” More than his salary, however, gained him this distinction. Saban was given complete control over the football program, including recruiting, coaching, business administration, and even marketing. So far, the investment seems to be paying dividends to the university, with a profit of $32 million in his first year of coaching alone and bringing in even more through donations from alumni and school supporters.

3. Ohio State, Jim Tressel:

   
   Think college coaches aren’t really all that powerful? Jim Tressel admitted in 2010 that he had knowledge of his players taking money and tattoos from a drug dealer, concealed this information and did not report it to authorities, let these players start in games, and after all that was defended by the university president for these actions. In fact, Ohio State president Gordon Gee stated that, “I’m just hopeful the coach doesn’t dismiss me.” Gee may have been joking, but there is some distressing truth in his statement about the skewed balance of power in college sports today. Despite his improper actions, Tressel still had the support of the school and the community, with fans showing up at a pep rally to support him. While he was ultimately allowed to resign (a controversial decision in itself), his reputation doesn’t seem to be as tarnished as it should have for his actions, and he now works at the University of Akron as a vice president.

4. Indiana State, Bobby Knight:

   
   Bobby Knight has worked for a number of college teams in his coaching career, each time helping the teams to turn around and become winners, most famously at Indiana where he led the Hoosiers to numerous championships, won several Coach of the Year honors, and was even asked to coach the U.S. Olympic team. Yet Knight is as famous for his fits of temper as his high win count. During his tenure at Indiana he spewed profanities during an NCAA tournament news conference; kicked his son, an IU assistant, and responded with a four-letter obscenity to Indiana fans behind him who booed; refused to let his team finish an exhibition game against a Soviet team; and even purportedly choked one of his players. During all of this bad behavior, Knight was never under any threat of being fired by university president John Ryan who said he couldn’t fire Knight because of the alumni. In fact, it wasn’t until Ryan was replaced as president that Knight was ousted, with Myles Brand making a name for himself at the university for those actions. However necessary, Brand would face outrage, protests, and even threats for his actions, which in retrospect were long overdue and well within his power.

5. Florida State, Bobby Bowden:

   
   Bobby Bowden is one of the most decorated coaches in college sports history, winning an impressive 389 games (though some of those wins were vacated after it was revealed that ineligible players were on the field). Bowden may have an impressive record, but he’s another coach who held perhaps a little too much sway at his college. In 2008 the head of the Board of Trustees asked Bowden to step down in light of recent losses and Bowden’s advanced age (at the time, he was turning 80). Bowden responded that he would let them know if he wanted to come back or not, publicly demonstrating for all to see who was really in control of the situation. Even the governor of Florida announced that he supported Bowden if he chose to return to coach and that he considered him one of the greatest coaches of all time, wishing him luck for the season. Bowden would eventually retire on his own terms, but his power over the university and the community makes him stand out as one of the most influential coaches to ever work in college sports.

6. University of Louisville, Rick Pitino:

   
   The only coach to ever lead three separate teams to the Final Four, Rick Pitino was a college sports heavy hitter, a fact that was also evidenced by his incredible $7,531,378 a year salary. Yet his position at the school, perhaps cemented by this winning history, was so solid that even a major scandal couldn’t shake it. Despite his contract stating that Pitino could be fired for “acts of moral depravity or misconduct that damage the university’s reputation,” he held onto his job after it was discovered that he had sexual relations with a woman in a Louisville restaurant then paid her to have an abortion and keep quiet about the tryst. Those actions may have done damage to the university’s reputation, but university president James Ramsey decided that the damage would be worse if the school lost Pitino, allowing him to stay on as coach. After this year’s winning season and healthy prospects for next year, Ramsey probably feels pretty justified in that decision, though he’s made it quite clear where the university’s priorities lie.

7. University of Florida, Urban Meyer:

   
   Urban Meyer is in the top echelon of college coaches when it comes to salary, pulling in a contract with the University of Florida that promised him a whopping $24 million over six years. He has since moved on to Ohio State, where he commands $4 million a year, bonuses, and the use of a private jet. Unlike many others on this list, Meyer has generally held himself above many of the problems that have affected other powerful college teams, a big part of what helps him command such a high salary. Yet when he resigned from Florida in 2009, some pointed to serious problems with the team, including drug use, preferential treatment, entitlement, and scholarship manipulation. Meyer has denied these allegations, but with misbehavior and rule violations so prevalent in college sports and kept so deeply under wraps by embarrassed schools, it may never be known what truly happened.

8. Duke University, Mike Krzyzewski:

   
   Sometimes just called Coach K, this Duke coach has led his team to four NCAA championships, 11 Final Fours, 12 ACC titles, and 13 ACC championships. He’s also the coach of the men’s national basketball team, winning gold at the 2008 summer Olympics and hoping to lead this year’s team to a repeat victory. For his expertise, he’s paid pretty well, pulling in a whopping $4,195,519 during the 2010-2011 season. What’s more, he seems to have thus far avoided many of the scandals that have plagued other high-profile coaches, instead being better known for helping ensure almost all of his players graduate. He did raise eyebrows with recent comments in defense of Paterno, stating that the iconic coach’s record of winning shouldn’t be wiped clean because of recent revelations of misconduct. Many have found this distressing, as it reflects and increasingly common attitude that gives winning games more importance than doing the right thing.

9. University of Connecticut, Geno Auriemma:

   
   So far, all the coaches on this list have been for men’s sports, but there are some women’s sports coaches who stand out for their power on college campuses as well. Geno Auriemma is one of those coaches. He has led the Huskies to seven NCAA Division I championships, won six Naismith College Coach of the Year awards, and is the head coach of the U.S. women’s national team in this year’s Olympic games. He has long enjoyed a rivalry with Pat Summitt of the University of Tennessee, with each vying to coach the best women’s basketball teams. While Auriemma has largely enjoyed a spotless record at UConn, a recent lawsuit may tarnish that, as an NBA official for the Olympics claims Auriemma harassed her and then had her fired. The allegations may be proven to be false, but for now many are hoping that the legal trouble doesn’t distract Auriemma from coaching the women’s team to victory.

10. University of Tennessee, Pat Summitt:

    
    As unfair as it may be, women’s sports often don’t get as much attention on college campuses, nor do their coaches. Yet Pat Summitt made a name for herself during her tenure at the University of Tennessee coaching the Lady Volunteers basketball team. She is the all-time winningest coach in NCAA history in either men’s or women’s basketball, for all divisions. During her time at Tennessee, Summitt led her team to eight national championships, earning 1,098 victories during her 38 years as coach, and never once having a losing season. In both 1997 and 2000, Tennessee asked Summitt to coach the men’s team, an unprecedented move, but Summitt declined the offer, opting to stick with the women’s team. She was so well-regarded as a coach that she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012 by Barack Obama. That’s a kind of power and prominence that no other coach on this list can match.

Meet ESPN's Tim Kurkjian Tonight; Big Train Ranked #22; Chad Cordero Interview!

TONIGHT Features ESPN's Tim Kurkjian and Special Baseball Picnic Meal! ESPN's Tim Kurkjian will be at Povich TONIGHT for Baseball History Night.   Come out to Povich Field TONIGHT for Baseball History Night when thenow #22 ranked Bethesda Big Train face the Alexandria Aces! On this special night, you can get to the ballpark at 6:00, before the game at 7:30, and buy a special ticket that includes...   Admission to TONIGHT'S game. A chance to meet ESPN's Tim Kurkjian and famed baseballauthor Paul Dickson. Participation in a baseball trivia contest (with prizes) with ESPN's Tim Kurkjian. Participation in a quick tutorial on how to keep score with author Paul Dickson. A voucher for a hot dog, a bag of chips, and a drink at the Home Run Cafe. Tickets for this special event can be purchased here or at the gate. This night is sure be one of the best nights of the season so make sure you don't miss out!  Big Train Now Ranked #22 in the Nation   Coming off of last year's national championship, the Big Train started a little slow at 3-9. However, before this week's rankings, the Big Train had gone on a run. After winning 17 of 20 games, the Big Train have catapulted onto the national radar and are now ranked #22 in the country according to Perfect Game USA.  To see this week's rankings, click here.  Chad Cordero Interview from Big Train Camp! Chad Cordero Talks About Big Train Summer Camp Check out this video of former Nationals closer Chad Cordero talking about what it's like to be running Big Train Celebrity Camp this week. Cordero will also be appearing at TONIGHT'S Big Train game for Baseball History Night. Make sure to come out to get a picture or autograph!

Avoid colon cancer with an EASY exam

Less Invasive Tests May
Replace Colonoscopy

    Mention the word "colonoscopy" to someone and they'll probably get a funny look on their face. Although you're unconscious during the test, it's not a pleasant thing to think about or go through.

    The most unpleasant part is the harsh laxatives you have to take to clear everything out before the test. Is there a better way? There may be now... keep reading...

Continued below...

"Shocking Confessions of a Drug Company Insider"     In this exposé, a top executive of a major pharmaceutical company spills the naked truth about the drugs you and your family take... which drugs heal, and which ones KILL... what doctors turn to when they don't know the cure... what they do when they themselves or their loved ones are stricken with disease or illness... what life-saving resource they insist should be in every home. Watch this must-see video nowbecause your life -- or the life of your loved ones -- may depend on it.

    Despite the drawbacks, a colonoscopy is worth the bother because it gives you an excellent chance of avoiding colon cancer -- one of the most common cancers. As opposed to, say, skin cancers, which are seldom fatal, or other cancers that are extremely rare, colon cancer is one you SHOULD worry about.

    And you're in luck, because colonoscopy is one screening test that IS successful at finding cancer and precancerous growths while they're still easily treatable.

    But if you'd like to avoid some of the bother and discomfort, a large federal study suggests that a simpler, less invasive lower bowel exam may reduce your risk of colon cancer almost as much as a full-scale colonoscopy.

    The study, published online by the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests asigmoidoscopy could be a cheaper, easier way to diagnose colon cancer risk.

    The exam can be used to determine whether the lining of your lower sigmoid colon, rectum and anus are normal in color, size and texture. During the exam the doctor can also perform a biopsy on a suspicious growth if one is found.

    During the exam, the doctor inserts a flexible tube into your anus and guides it through the rectum deeper into your lower colon, but not through the entire colon as in a colonoscopy. A small camera mounted on the scope sends videos that help the doctor examine the intestinal lining.

And this is BETTER than a colonoscopy because…

    According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a sigmoidoscopy has quite a few advantages because it:

• Costs far less than the colonoscopy
• Doesn't require sedation
• Examines only the sigmoid, or descending colon, and is less invasive
• Requires less bowel cleansing, i.e. harsh, nasty laxatives

    Although it inspects only the lower part of the colon, this is where most colon cancers occur. And randomized clinical trials suggest that this procedure is effective in helping to reduce colon cancer incidence and deaths.

    Current guidelines recommend that people at average risk should have a colonoscopy every 10 years. The sigmoidoscopy is recommended every five years—which increases the opportunity to catch abnormal growths sooner.

    As with a colonoscopy, you still might need a laxative or an enema the night before, but it's not necessary to evacuate the whole colon. And this is true for another screening option doctors use to check colon health…

Talk about 'virtual reality!'

    The American Cancer Society (ACS) has wholeheartedly endorsed the use of virtual colonoscopy as a screening tool for colon cancer.

    This procedure uses computerized tomography (CT) scans to detect abnormalities or changes in your colon and rectum. The scan involves a massive dose of cancer-causing X-radiation, and for this reason I don't recommend it. My first choice would be colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

    But so you're informed about your full range of choices, I'll describe what a virtual colonoscopy involves.

    The exam only takes about 20 minutes and typically is performed in a hospital radiology department.

    During the test, the patient lies on her left side on a table connected to a CT scanner or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine.

    With the patient's knees up toward the chest, medical professionals insert a small tube in the rectum and gently pump air into the tube. This helps expand the colon so it's easier to see.

    Finally, with the patient lying on her back, the table slides into the CT or MRI machine to take hundreds of x-ray images of the colon. A computer combines the images to form 3-D pictures of the colon for viewing on a video monitor.

    The exam is short and less invasive than a traditional colonoscopy. But remember that the virtual colon exam won't allow a doctor to remove tissue samples or polyps.

    And despite its sweeping endorsements by the medical establishment, many hospitals have been slow to adopt the procedure. They cite a lack of sufficient evidence to support approval for Medicare reimbursement.

    With costs averaging between $400 to $800, the virtual scan is significantly less expensive than the average $1800 for a traditional colonoscopy.

    But if doctors note a suspicious polyp, they must perform a colonoscopy anyway, in order to excise tissue for a biopsy. This is one reason Medicare won't reimburse for the virtual scan.

    There's yet another option for checking your colon that won't require the pesky laxative purge.

Introducing... the world's first colon cleanser 'app!'

    Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) recently developed computer software that can digitally "cleanse" waste matter from a virtual colonoscopy.

    According to study results published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, this procedure produces a pretty accurate picture of the colon wall and any potentially cancerous growths.

    NO laxatives and NO probes are required, and this may make it more attractive to people who refuse to go through the more invasive tests.

    Lead study author Dr. Michael Zalis, director of CT colonography at MGH, told Timemagazine that "the level of performance was very comparable to CT [virtual] colonography as well as optical [scope-based] colonoscopy."

    For this procedure, reseachers asked 605 men and women between ages 50 and 85 to eat a low-fiber diet for two days before the virtual colonoscopy. They also drank small amounts of contrast agent dissolved in their food or drink three times a day.

    The contrast agent selectively marked only digested food or drink and feces in the stomach or colon. This allowed all other tissues, including possible polyps, to remain untouched.

    Patients underwent a 15 to 20 minute CT scan, without sedation, and were able to go back to their normal activities right after the test.

    The investigators then used their software program to digitally remove all elements tagged by the contrast agent. This allowed radiologists to examine a whistle-clean picture of the colon.

    Dr. Zalis said this procedure detected a whopping 91% of patients who had one or more of the high-risk lesions that were 10 mm or larger.

    This screening tool still won't allow doctors to remove and test suspicious tissue. But it may help ensure that a great many people don't get unnecessary treatment for non-cancerous growths.

    In any case, these newer, less-invasive tests may encourage more people to schedule colon screenings. And this just might be a step toward cutting colon cancer and death rates down to size.

Special Event with ESPN's Tim Kurkjian; Big Train Players in Pro Ball; DC Sports Night a Success

Wednesday Night Features ESPN's Tim Kurkjian and Special Baseball Picnic Meal!

ESPN's Tim Kurkjian will be at Povich on Wednesday for Baseball History Night.     Come out to Povich Field on Wednesday night for Baseball History Night when the now #22 ranked Bethesda Big Train face the Alexandria Aces! On this special night, you can get to the ballpark at 6:00, before the game at 7:30, and buy a special ticket that includes...   Admission to Wednesday night's game. A chance to meet ESPN's Tim Kurkjian and famed baseball author Paul Dickson. Participation in a baseball trivia contest (with prizes) with ESPN's Tim Kurkjian. Participation in a quick tutorial on how to keep score with author Paul Dickson. A voucher for a hot dog, a bag of chips, and a drink at the Home Run Cafe. Tickets for this special event can be purchased here or at the gate. This night is sure be one of the best nights of the season so make sure you don't miss out!

Big Train Players in Pro Ball

Matt Bowman played for Big Train, now plays for the Brooklyn Cyclones. Here is a mid-season update on how Big Train alumni are currently doing in pro ball. Thanks to Volunteer Coordinator Emeritus Bill Hickman for putting this together. To get you started, here are some updates on Big Train players of the very recent past. To see the entire report, click here.    Martin Agosta, RHP (BT 2011) Signed with the San Francisco Giants on 7/11/2012 for a $612,000 bonus (He was their #2 draft pick).  He will be in their Scottsdale training camp for the rest of the summer. Michael Aldrete, RHP (BT 2011) Johnson City Cardinals (Appalachian Lg. - Rookie) 1-0, 4.91 ERA in 6 games. Cody Allen, RHP (BT 2008 & 2010) Columbus Clippers (International Lg. - AAA) 2-2, 2 saves, 2.43 ERA in 23 games, after starting season with the Carolina Mudcats (Carolina Lg. - Hi A) 0-0, 0.00 ERA in 2 games and Akron Aeros (Eastern Lg. - AA) 0-0, 1 save, 1.17 ERA in 5 games. Matt Bowman, RHP (BT 2010-11-12) Brooklyn Cyclones (NY-Penn Lg. - ss-A) 1-1, 2 saves, 3.24 ERA in 4 games. To see the entire report, click here.

DC Sports Night a Success Despite Big Train Loss

Gary Clark & Darnerien McCants at Big Train Gary Clark and Darnerien McCants were in the house last night to help the Big Train celebrate DC Sports Night, as fans with hometown jerseys received free admission. Clark in particular was impressed with Povich Field, describing it as "unbelievable." Both former Redskins receivers, Clark and McCants spent time giving fans a chance to get some autographs and pictures with their favorite hometown athletes. The Big Train were unable to come up with the win last night, falling 6-3 to the Alexandria Aces. Jon Carlson (High Point) took the mound for the Big Train last night, giving the team four solid innings. Carlson allowed no earned runs while giving up just three hits and recording four strikeouts. The Big Train scored two early runs in the second and third innings. The first run coming in on an Avondre Bollar (San Diego State) double and the second on a solo home run by Brennan Middleton (Tulane). Alexandria scored four runs and took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the fourth. Cameron Cuneo (UC Santa Barbara) would come in to pitch the fifth inning. Cuneo would go three strong, giving up just two hits and no runs while striking out two. Cuneo's solid three innings of work would give the Big Train a late chance to rally. However, the Big Train rally would come up short. Though they were able to score one run to cut the lead to one, the Aces scored a couple in the ninth to seal the game. Be sure to come see if the now #22 ranked Big Train can get their revenge against the Aces on Wednesday night as they host the Aces again at Povich Field.

When organic food is not really organic

Is Organic Food Often Corrupted
with Chemicals?

    Not long ago, I heard from an organic farmer and grass-fed beef rancher in Viborg, South Dakota. He was concerned about the integrity of the organic label.


    I'm sorry to confirm he has a point. For many people, just seeing the word "organic" on food products makes them feel confident they're eating quality, pesticide-free food. But you can't always count on it. Let me tell you what I found. . .


Continued below. . .

[Urgent] Can you believe this video?     Can you believe this video? It's a phenomenon. In fact, it was sent to more than 289,000 people in just the first 24 hours!     But you might not see it at all.     Why? Because, for the first time, mainstream medicine's deadliest conspiracy has been EXPOSED. Finally, this video is the 'shot heard around the world' the establishment prayed would never come.     There are powerful interests hell-bent on minimizing the damage it is doing to corporate medicine's profit machine.     Before it's banned, watch it here.

Turns out eating healthy is big business

    Questions about the integrity of the organic label started in 2006 when USDA employees discovered synthetic additives in organic baby formula. The additives violated federal standards. Yet by 2009, those same additives were in 90 percent of organic baby formula. Suppliers claimed the additives boosted brainpower and vision.

    According to a July 3, 2009 article from the Washington Post, the turnaround on additives was a result of lobbying efforts by formula makers who got a USDA program manager to bend the rules. Combine that with a growing list of non-organic ingredients "approved" to be in organically-certified food, and you get what we've got: a spike in the number of companies allowed to wear the coveted USDA organic seal.

    Why the big push by lobbyists in the first place? Because organic food is big business these days. In the U.S. in 2011, sales of organic food and beverages passed the $31 billion mark. The global organic foods market is worth more than $60 billion.

    There's no question it's a profitable industry. According to the Organic Trade Association…

• 78% of U.S. families now buy organic
• More than half of all parents have a high level of trust for organic products
• There are over 17,600 certified organic farms, ranches, and businesses
• 35% of organic farms are more profitable than average farms
• 4.6 million acres of farmland in the U.S. is devoted to organic agriculture
• 94% of organic operations in the U.S. will either maintain or increase employment this year
• The organic industry is creating jobs at four times the national average
• The organics industry in the U.S. grew by a record 9.5% in 2011

    Those numbers are impressive when you consider how poor the rest of the economy is. This is a growth industry. It's obvious why so many in the food business want a piece of it. But the rush to claim the "organic" label is leading to lower standards and outright fraud.

Here's what you're actually getting when you buy organic

    According to the USDA site, if you're looking for organic food all you have to do is locate the USDA organic seal, printed in brown, green, or black, on products in the grocery store or on the signs above them.

    The website explains that if a vendor wants to legally claim something is "100 percent organic," the product "must contain 100 percent organically produced ingredients, not counting added water and salt."

    If the maker wants to claim a product is simply "organic" (not "100 percent organic"), it can't have added sulfites, has to have at least 95% organic ingredients, and may contain the following: 1) non-organically produced agricultural ingredients not commercially available in organic form, and/or 2) other substances allowed by 7 CFR 205.605 (more on that in a minute).

    Multi-ingredient products can display the seal if at least 95 percent of the product is organic.

    The same standards apply to foods labeled "made with organic ingredients," except in that case, only 70 percent of the ingredients need to be organic. 30% of the food can be non-organic.

    What's the problem here? For starters, when most folks see the word "organic," that's what they think they're getting. Few realize something may be only 95 percent or as low as 70 percent organic.

    What's more, few people realize nonorganic substances are allowed in foods with any kind of organic label. Below is a list of just some of the synthetic stuff permitted in our organic food according to the approved list from the USDA:

Alginates Ammonium bicarbonate—for use only as a leavening agent Ammonium carbonate—for use only as a leavening agent Ascorbic acid Calcium citrate Calcium hydroxide Calcium phosphates (monobasic, dibasic, and tribasic) Carbon dioxide Cellulose—for use in regenerative casings, as an anti-caking agent (non-chlorine bleached) and filtering aid Chlorine material Ethylene—allowed for postharvest ripening of tropical fruit and degreening of citrus Ferrous sulfate—for iron enrichment or fortification of foods when required by regulation or recommended (independent organization) Glycerides (mono and di)—for use only in drum drying of food Glycerin—produced by hydrolysis of fats and oils Hydrogen peroxide

Lecithin—bleached Xanthan gum Magnesium carbonate—for use only in agricultural products labeled "made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))," prohibited in agricultural products labeled "organic" Ozone Pectin (low-methoxy) Phosphoric acid—cleaning of food-contact surfaces and equipment only Potassium acid tartrate Potassium tartrate made from tartaric acid Potassium carbonate Potassium citrate Silicon dioxide Sodium citrate Sodium hydroxide—prohibited for use in lye peeling of fruits and vegetables Sodium phosphates—for use only in dairy foods Sulfur dioxide—for use only in wine labeled "made with organic grapes," Provided, That, total sulfite concentration does not exceed 100 ppm Tartaric acid Tocopherols—derived from vegetable oil when rosemary extracts are not a suitable alternative

    And this is just the list of "approved" synthetic ingredients. Nobody wants to think about how many illegal synthetic chemicals are being smuggled in under the organic label.

    Most of the items on this list are harmless and some may even be good for you. The ones that raise my unscientific eyebrows are chlorine, ethylene, glycerides and glycerine, ammonium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate, and some of the sodium compounds. And of course, I avoid wine containing sulfites.

The best organic food may not be labeled

    Here's something to complicate the issue even more: If a producer is completely organic, it doesn't mean he or she will try to qualify for the USDA Organic label. A great many people don't want to hassle with the process of getting certified, especially if their farming operation is small.

    So someone selling food at a farmer's market, or even in a small-town grocery store, might really be offering good organic food. They just do it without the government label.

    I've spoken with farmers in my area who say they don't go for the official certification because of the expense and bother. At least in a farmer's market you can look people in the eye and decide if you trust them when they say their foods were grown without chemicals, antibiotics and hormones.

    In farmer's markets it's become a popular ploy to label produce "low spray." This means little, if anything. I suspect it's an effort by nonorganic farmers to profit from the demand for organic foods. Some fruits and vegetables — peaches for example — are very hard to grow without sprays.

    In case you're curious, here's what farmers and food producers have to do to get organic certification:

• Prove no human sewage sludge fertilizer was used to grow plants or feed animals
• Prove no synthetic chemicals were used, including genetically modified organisms, antibiotics, and pesticides
• Prove the farmland used has been free of synthetic chemicals for three or more years
• Keep detailed production and sales records
• Keep organic products away from non-certified products
• Tolerate occasional on-site inspections

Safeguarding the organic label — is it even possible?

    I'm not a fan of government regulation and government-approved labeling as the way to ensure the integrity of the food I'm eating. Control of regulatory agencies invariably gets captured by the people supposedly being regulated, who then make sure the whole thing is run in their interests, not those of the consumer.

    If you don't believe me, just consider the FDA and the drug industry. What makes you think the Department of Agriculture is different? Verily, I say unto you: It isn't.

    A far better method is to buy from people and companies you trust. Those people will, I hope, self-regulate by private industry associations that set high standards for membership. By all means, let organic growers form a platinum club, a gold club and a silver club — private clubs all — and let them insist the members meet their standards.

    As for the USDA's regulatory program, there's some support from government representatives who'd like to save the organic label from losing all meaning. Just last month, California congresswoman Lois Capps joined New York congressman Richard Hanna in presenting the Organic Standards Protection Act to the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill's goal is to give the Department of Agriculture the power to "protect the integrity of certified organic products," as Capps puts it.

    She's calling attention to the fact that companies now label and sell foods with the organic label even though the foods contain or have been treated with things prohibited under organic certification. Capps says this bill, if passed, would give authorities the regulatory power to put an end to this.

What to expect down the road in organics

    What's particularly interesting (and disturbing) is that shortly after the government relaxed the standards, so many new companies jumped in that the organic market became a multibillion-dollar business. Now we often pay twice as much for food that isn't as natural as we may think. By that, I mean the food isn't necessarily chemical and pesticide-free and produced in a way that's safe for the environment.

    My bet is we'll see more rules cropping up for growers and producers to meet "national standards" instead of having clear-cut guidelines that say something either is organic or it isn't.

    If the lax standards continue, they'll undermine everything the true organic farmers — like my friend in South Dakota — are trying to do.

    View the government's organic label as one step in your vetting process. It's not worthless, but it's not the last word, either. If food officially labeled organic has 60 or 70 percent fewer chemicals than regular food, it's a huge improvement. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

    Meanwhile, if you're worried about cell phones contributing to brain cancer, our last issue offered a possible solution. If you missed it, scroll down and take a look now.

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New Way to Protect Yourself
From Cell Phone Radiation

    The people at Flowww International in the Netherlands say they've got something to protect us from cell phone radiation, which may be a cause of brain cancer. Are their devices worth a shot? Let's take a look. . .

Continued below...

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    The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) created some media buzz last year when it declared that regular exposure to mobile phone radiation was a "possible" carcinogen (see Issue #90).

    The group based their statement on hundreds of scientific articles that suggest a link between cell phone radiation exposure and brain cancer.

    The study raised doubts about the safety of extended cell phone use-although the results weren't absolutely conclusive. But no matter: Even the threat of brain cancer hasn't been enough to slow the sale and use of cell phones.

    Seeing that all the nifty gadgets are here to stay, some folks with an entrepreneurial spirit got busy developing ways to protect us from the potentially damaging radiation these devices give off.

    One company called Floww International has developed a wide range of radiation-protection products. They claim to have products that protect the natural human energy from being disrupted by exposure to radiation from cell phones, televisions, computer screens and other electronic devices.

    Before I tell you more about how these radiation shields supposedly work—let's take a moment to clarify the type of radiation we're talking about...

You mean there's more than one kind of radiation?

    According to the American Cancer Society, radiation is the emission of energy from anysource.

    Sunlight is one type of radiation—while the x-ray exams you get in a doctor's office are another sort altogether. ACS says even the heat coming from your body is a form of radiation (technically true, but nothing to worry about).

    Ranked from highest to lowest energy, ACS lists the main forms of radiation as follows:

• Gamma rays
• X-rays
• Ultraviolet (UV) rays
• Visible light
• Infrared rays
• Microwaves
• Radiofrequency (radio) waves
• Extremely low-frequency (ELF) radiation

    The group said the most important distinction in terms of health risks from radiation is whether the energy is ionizing—that is, whether it contains enough high-frequencyenergy to damage cell DNA—or non-ionizing (low frequency).

    The antenna on your cell phone emits radio waves and microwaves that are a form of radiofrequency (RF) energy or radiation. Although ACS claims that the energy they put out is too weak to damage cell DNA, they do acknowledge concerns that it could affect cells in other ways that could be harmful.

    Here's how companies like Floww International say they can help...

A force field of protection—or a farce?

    You might be familiar with the lead aprons and glasses that some medical professionals wear to protect themselves from frequent exposure to x-ray radiation. Or think of the lead vest a dental technician drapes you in before x-raying your teeth.

    Well, Floww doesn't offer a lead helmet to wear while you talk on your cell phone. Instead, the company says its products can "convert harmful radiation frequencies into body-friendly radiation frequencies."

    One of their gadgets can be attached to your cell phone to protect you from close and frequent exposure to radiation.

    There's another small device you can put in your pocket to create a "Floww field" around your body (I bet Superman would have snapped one up to protect himself from kryptonite!).

    They even have a set of products for both home and office to help balance the energy flow and counteract harmful radiation waves.

    So you might be wondering 'how these products work?' Well, Floww International spokesmen say they developed their products according to the principle of resonance. The WHAT?!

    They say their products are built with circuits of electronic components that respond to radiation emitted by various sources. They claim these components create a "Floww field" that can block the distorted radiation waves coming from your television, tablets, cell phones and other devices.

    The factsheet for their computer screen protector said it's not uncommon for some people to experience 'withdrawal symptoms', such as mild headaches or nausea in the first weeks of use. They said this is probably because your body is no longer being exposed to distorted RF frequencies it has gotten used to.

    While this could be true—an argument could be made that one of the electronic components in their product is causing the problems!

    But Floww International isn't the only purveyor of radiation protection products.

    Another U.S. company, Research Center for Wireless Technology based in Hawaii, also provides products to help counteract harmful radiation frequencies.

    They claim that balancing these RF waves can help protect your nervous system and even shield you from arthritis, depression and Alzheimer's disease!

    Now all these claims might sound a little fantastic. And it's hard to know for sure if these products truly work. Some satisfied users confirm they do. At Cancer Defeatedwe're not technical people, nor do we have the resources to conduct the lab tests that would be needed to verify the claims.

How worried should you be?

    We DO know for sure the radiation problem is for real. We just can't gauge the scope and intensity of it. Cell phone usage, for example, may pose a small risk or a big risk. In twenty years we'll know, too late for tens of millions of people.

    And it's not just phones. People absorb daily doses of RF waves from a wide array of electronic devices and household gadgets. Prior to, oh, 1920, no one was exposed to this stuff. It's another experiment that modern industrial society created without planning or forethought.

    Where government and industry are concerned, if something doesn't kill you fast it's considered safe. The idea of long-term damage hardly comes into play.

    There are some things you can do to minimize your exposure to this form of radiation without buying another gadget. For example, Floww International suggests you can minimize RF waves in your bedroom by:

• Charging your cell phone outside your bedroom.
• Watching television in other rooms.
• Moving your clock radio away from the head of the bed.
• Removing plugs from sockets in the bedroom.
• Removing electric blankets from the room.

    All this may sound crazy, but there's significant evidence that being bathed in electromagnetic radiation day and night really is NOT a good idea. I've seen enough evidence for the effects of magnetism on health to dissuade me from ever using electric blankets, heating pads or heated car seats. You don't want to be closely wrapped in an electric field.

    At the last conference of the Cancer Control Society, I heard a speaker discuss evidence that wireless routers — so-called "hot spots" -- have introduced yet another danger. Her results were not conclusive, but they were worrying.

    I have a wireless router in my home to enable my computers and mobile devices anywhere in the house. Millions of other people have them as well, as do most restaurants and coffeehouses and many other businesses.

    These devices create a fairly strong radio field in a small area, and you're in it ALL the time. The speaker at CCS recommended turning wireless routers off when they're not in use, such as when you're sleeping.

    Do I do this? No. I'm already surrounded by a "worry field" that can't hold one more item at this time. Like Scarlett O'Hara, I'll worry about it tomorrow.

    As for cell phones usage—you can always use the speaker function when possible and keep calls short to minimize your exposure to the RF waves from the antenna.

    The most sensible idea is to use your cell phone less than a half hour a day, for things you really need, rather than chatter away on it for hours on end. But this is probably beyond most people. The need to be in touch 24/7 is yet another addiction that's seized our society.

    But if you want to reduce your risks, these are simple solutions that could help protect you from the modern "radiation bath."

Burger Night is Tonight; Big Train Split Doubleheader

Burger Night is TONIGHT at Povich Field! The 9lb Burger from BGR: The Burger Joint. Come to Shirley Povich Field tonight (gates open at 6:00, game starts at 7:30) and see one lucky Big Train fan try to eat the 9lb. Burger from BGR: The Burger Joint! If the fan can finish the burger before the end of the game, everybody in attendance will receive a free burger from BGR: The Burger Joint! Also, help us celebrate Shirley Povich's 107th birthday. Shirley Povich's former colleague at the Washington Post, George Solomon, will be on hand to say a few words about the man our stadium is named after. Also appearing will be the Chief of Police, and acandidate for the U.S. Senate and a candidate for the House of Representatives. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or by clicking here.  Big Train Split Doubleheader in Vienna  Derrick Sylve (left, win) and Mike Miedzianowski (right, 5 RBI) were game 1's heroes.    The Big Train traveled to Vienna yesterday afternoon for a doubleheader with the Riverdogs, looking to continue their hot streak. The team would pick up a victory in the first game behind clutch performances by a pair of High Point University teammates. With the Big train down 4-0 in the top of the first, relief pitcher Will Resnik (High Point) was able to hold down the fort, giving up no runs over 3.1 innings. Resnik gave up just one hit and struck out five, giving the offense every opportunity to overcome the deficit. The offense thanked Resnik for his efforts, scoring eight runs over a two inning span between the fifth and sixth. The fifth inning saw an RBI single from Brennan Middleton (Tulane) as well as a two-run homer from Mike Miedzianowski (High Point), pulling the team back within one. After seeing their deficit increase to three runs in the top of the sixth, the offense was able to collect itself and put together a five-run performance in the bottom half of the inning. Brendan Hendriks (San Francisco) and Middleton would pull the game back within one, setting up Miedzianowski with the bases loaded, two outs, and the Big Train trailing by just a single run. Miedzianowski came up in the clutch, hitting a bases-clearing double to give the Big Train a new two-run edge, their first lead of the night, heading into the seventh. Hugh Adams (Florida Atlantic) was able to hold on for the save in the bottom of the seventh, securing the 8-6 lead for the Big Train as they prepared for the second game. The team would lose the second game, as 13 Riverdog runs were just too much for the offense to overcome. However, highlights included two shutout innings byRobbie Kidd (Tennessee), Michael Bass (UNC Wilmington) drawing two walks, and a home run from Hendriks. It also allowed some position players to do some pitching as Hunter Renfroe (Mississippi State) and Justin McCullough (El Camino) combined for five strikeouts over 2.1 innings or work. The Big Train will look to bounce back tonight at home as they host the Youse's Orioles at Povich Field. Tickets can be purchased here or at the gate! For yesterday's box scores, click here (Game 1) and here (Game 2).

Bethesda Big Train Hispanic Heritage Night is TONIGHT; CRCBL All-Star Wrap-Up

Hispanic Heritage Night is TONIGHT at Povich Field! Fans enjoying Halloween Night last season. As the Big Train comes out of the All Star break this week, here are some upcoming promotions that you should enjoy at Povich Field: TONIGHT, THURSDAY, July 12th - Hispanic Heritage Night: Help the Big Train celebrate Hispanic Heritage Night by coming out to the ballpark for this night of fiesta! The pregame and 7th inning stretch will feature performances by the Tinkus Tiataco Bolivian Dancers and free salsa dancing lessons in the ballpark! Pyramid Atlantic will also be sponsoring pregame arts and crafts for kids and singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame in Spanish. Sponsor: Doyle & Associates. Friday, July 13th - Halloween Night: Darkness falls across the park. The midnight hour is four-and-a-half hours from hark. Creatures crawl in search of... baseball! Povich Field will be costume filled for Halloween Night on this Friday the 13th. Kids admission is free and they can trick-or-treat around the park (parents: make sure to bring candy!).Sponsor: Bethesda Magazine. Sunday, July 15th - Burger Night: On this day, 107 years ago, Shirley Lewis Povich was born. We will honor Shirley Povich's Birthday with tributes throughout the night including a few words said by his former colleague at the Washington Post, George Solomon. We will also throw some birthday candles on the only thing big enough to hold 107 of them - BGR: The Burger Joint's 9-Pound Burger. If one lucky (or unlucky) fan can eat the burger during the game, everyone in attendance will win a free burger from BGR: The Burger Joint! Sponsor: BGR: The Burger Joint. Tickets for these games can be purchased at the gate or by clicking here.  CRCBL All-Star Festivities TONIGHT AT POVICH FIELD    BETHESDA, MD - by Lukas Favale/Syracuse (Alexandria Aces) - This year's All-Star game had just about everything you expect from an All-Star game: highlight reel plays, a ton of substitutions, and, for the most part, a competitive game. In the end, it was the National All-Stars that beat the American All-Stars 9-3 on a beautiful Wednesday night at Shirley Povich Field. The National All-Stars were made up of players from the Baltimore Redbirds, Bethesda Big Train, Herndon Braves, Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts, and Southern Maryland Nationals. The American All-Stars were made up of players from the Alexandria Aces, Rockville Express, Youse's Orioles, Vienna River Dogs, and DC Grays. The game was close through most of the game, until the National All-Stars broke it open in the bottom of the 6th. Locked in a 3-3 tie, American All-Stars manager Corey Haines went to Chris McKenna of the Alexandria Aces. Kyle Toomey of the Herndon Braves singled to start the inning before Wes Walker, also of the Braves, walked and Cole Norton of the Bethesda Big Train was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. Jake Huxtable of the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts followed that with a sacrifice fly to make it a 4-3 game. McKenna then got Wes Hoskins of the Southern Maryland Nationals to hit a potential double play ball to the short stop Bobby Rice bobbled it to re-load the bases. Hunter Renfroe of the Big Train hit an RBI single, Colin Kish of the Big Train grounded into a fielders choice for an RBI and Jake Taylor of the Thunderbolts hit an RBI single to open up the 7-3 lead for the National All-Stars. They would add to their lead in the 7th, as Renfroe and Kish both hit RBI singles to make it 9-3. Renfroe and Kish each finished with 2 RBIs in the game as they were the only two players to play the full game. The American All-Stars jumped out to the early lead in the 1st inning. After starter Cameron Cuneo of the Big Train got two quick outs, KJ Hockaday of the Youse's Orioles laced a single right back up the middle. The next batter Trent Higginbothem of the Vienna River Dogs pulled a double down the left field line to score Hockaday and up the American All-Stars up 1-0. They doubled that lead in the 2nd, when Ryan Ripken of the Orioles started the inning with a single and John Beaubien of the DC Grays walked and Anthony Papio of the Aces singled to load the bases. Norm Donkin of the Rockville Express then walked to force in a run as the American All-Stars took a 2-0 lead. The National All-Stars cut into that lead in the bottom half of that inning as Kyle Toomey of the Braves, and eventual All-Star Game MVP, blasted a home run off of Colin Milon of the Aces. Then in the 3rd, Pat Blair of the Baltimore Redbirds scored on a wild pitch from Ronnie Glenn of the Aces to make it a 2-2 game. The American All-Stars reclaimed the lead in the 4rd, on an RBI single from Norm Donkin, but the National All-Stars responded with another run off of Glenn. This run was scored on a hit by pitch by the Braves' James Vasquez. The box score from the game can be viewed here.

4 Hidden Factors That Are Shrinking Your Brain

Yale Says Stress Reduces Brain Volume

You Call Them Senior Moments...but They Could be a Sign of Something Much, Much Worse

Have you been noticing more "senior moments" lately? More embarrassing incidents when you forget what you were about to say or can't recall someone's name? Or more frustrating searches for misplaced car keys or eyeglasses? Then you may be shocked to learn these memory lapses could be due to this overlooked cause of memory problems and Alzheimer's. What is it? Your brain is SHRINKING! That's right...starting at around age 60, the thinking portion of your brain begins to waste away. Plus the hippocampus-where memories are stored-often becomes damaged. Stress makes matters even worse. A new Yale University study shows that repeated exposure to stress reduces brain volume and function-even if you're fit and healthy. Click here for some important information about how to stop your brain from shrinking-and enjoy a razor-sharp memory again! You'll also find out about the four health and lifestyle factors that a recent study at the University of California found could be making your brain shrink even faster. Chances are you have at least one of these factors...because millions of your fellow Americans are in the same boat! It's no wonder the number of people with Alzheimer's is skyrocketing. At least 1-in-8 Americans age 65 or older have Alzheimer's. Nearly HALF of Americans over age 85 have it. But that's not all. More than 200,000 Americans UNDER age 65 are suffering right now from early-onset Alzheimer's. So it's not just an "old people's" disease. What's more, Alzheimer's is the ONLY cause of death...among the top 10 in America...that conventional medicine doesn't have a way to prevent, cure or even slow down! But I've got some great news for you. I've uncovered some surprisingly simple ways you can... Stop your brain from shrinking...and keep yourself safe from Alzheimer's What's more, these easy, natural solutions and many more can dramatically boost your memory...help you learn new things more quickly...and improve your concentration so you can get more done in less time. Click here and you'll know exactly what you need to do to recall names, phone numbers, shopping lists, and other information just as easily as you did 10...maybe even 20 years ago. Even more important, you'll discover how to make sure you NEVER end up in a nursing home or forget who your loved ones are due to Alzheimer's... Yours for excellent mental health,

CRCBL All-Star Festivities at Povich TONIGHT

CRCBL All-Star Festivities TONIGHT AT POVICH FIELD

Come out to Povich Field TONIGHT to cheer for Big Train's best in the CRCBL All Star events. This year's CRCBL All-Star festivities are loaded with Big Train. From the location (Shirley Povich Field) to the manger (Sal Colangelo), and from the roster (a league-high seven players) to the Home Run Derby (Hunter Renfroe is the favorite), the Big Train are sure to have a great time during their short break.    Here is the list of Big Train players selected to the All-Star team:    Cameron Cuneo (Pitcher - UC Santa Barbara)  Ben Griset (Pitcher - St. Mary's (CA)) Brendan Hendriks (Third Base - San Francisco)    Colin Kish (Rightfield - Florida Southern) Bo Logan (Pitcher - Florida Atlantic) Cole Norton (Leftfield - St. Mary's (CA)) Hunter Renfroe (Centerfield - Mississippi State) Big Train Manager Sal Colangelo will manage the "National" team in the game. To see the full rosters, click here.    Everything at the park will be up and running so come out to Povich Field early tonight to grab a good seat to support your Big Train representatives. The Home Run Derby, featuring CRCBL home run record-holder Hunter Renfroe, will take place at 5:00, followed by the All-Star Game itself at 7:30.