Trade

GLENDALE — It's been a whirlwind 2006 for Jason Hirsh, to say the least. And Tuesday might very well have been the most shocking day of the year, as the 2000 St. Francis graduate was dealt by the Houston Astros to the Colorado Rockies. "It's been quite a ride and it's not getting any slower," said Hirsh from his parents' Burbank home. Hirsh was part of a five-player deal that sent the 24-year-old right-handed pitcher to the Rockies along with pitcher Taylor Buchholz and center fielder Willy Taveres for right-handed pitchers Miguel Asencio and Jason Jennings, Colorado's all-time wins leader.

GLENDALE — The following are updates on area Major League Baseball players .   Freddy Sanchez (Glendale Community College, 1998) Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman: When the Pirates traded All-Star center fielder Nate McLouth to the Atlanta Braves for prospects on June 3, Sanchez was affected by the repercussions in more ways than one. Sanchez was one of the more outspoken Pirates on the subject of the trade, one that many see as a move by the Pittsburgh front office to build for the future at the expense of the present season.

GLENDALE — Persistent rumors that swirled around baseball since prior to the All-Star break regarding a likely trade of Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez to the San Francisco Giants were finally validated on Wednesday. The three-time All-Star and former National League batting titlist was swapped for Double-A starting pitcher Tim Alderson in a move announced shortly after Sanchez’s new club completed a three-game sweep of his former one with a 1-0 10-inning victory at AT&T Park.

Marlene Hitt From the earliest times, people have used any kind of goods that were hard to get and highly desired for means of exchange. Exchange goods could have been salt, or obsidian, nails or shells or gemstones. Giraffe tails were once used as money in a part of Africa and whale teeth were once used in Fiji. In the days of early California, there was a material for exchange that most of us haven't been aware of. From a book, "Leather Dollars" by Ana Begue Packman, comes this information: "The wondrous long-horned cattle which, in migrating from Mexico, were driven along destined for food and nourishment by the colonists of California under the standard of Spain, soon multiplied in great number in this spacious and fruitful country."

Jeff Tully Things haven't gone well the past few weeks for Freddy Sanchez. On July 17, the former Burbank High and Glendale Community College baseball standout was demoted to the minor leagues after spending less than two months with the Boston Red Sox. Since being sent down, Sanchez struggled offensively and was not hitting well. Three days ago, Sanchez sustained a minor injury to his right foot in a game playing for the triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox and was sidelined after suffering slight tendon damage.

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate that, if passed, would extend trade benefits to Armenia. The bill was introduced by Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.), according to the Armenian Assembly of America. A similar bill is already pending in the House. The motivations behind the bill is to open up U.S.-Armenian trade relations, which historically has involved aid to the landlocked country. In the House version of the bill, many Armenian-Americans in the Glendale business community backed the provisions, which would knock down provisions that blocked free trade.

Throughout history, trade has been the great accelerator of civilization. Commerce between nations has promoted communication among cultures, advancement in the sciences and the arts and an understanding of the "interconnectedness" of humanity. These are just a few of the reasons why we see the latest push to increase trade between California and Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, as a positive thing. On the heels of a recent historic trade expo in Glendale featuring products and services, state Sen. Jack Scott (D-Glendale)

"What's it gonna look like? I just can't visualize it." If you are in a quandary over the look of your home remodel project, Digital Sun Studios may have the solution with their "Dream Preview{trade}." Digital Sun Studios specializes in digital solutions for restoring or enhancing photographs, graphic design, imaging services, illustration (for private and commercial customers), and their Dream Preview{trade} services. "We specialize in digital imaging, graphic design, photography, and illustration," said Javier Gonzalez, III, owner of Digital Sun Studios.

Mr. Ergun Kirlikovali's letter to the News-Press ("Trade with Armenia? Preposterous!" Community Forum, July 17) was really amusing. He was suggesting that the U.S. shouldn't trade with Armenia because Armenia had nothing to offer. Since he is so interested in Armenia's affairs, why couldn't he show up at the Armenian Expo last month, where he could have learned all the variety of goods and products that Armenia produces for export? Then he goes on, saying there are a million signatures gathered in Armenia to make Armenia part of Russian, like Belarus.

Our local politicians recently met at St. Mary's Apostolic Church to discuss increasing economic, social and cultural ties with Armenia. From the article, ("Forum aims to improve trade relations," June 21) all seemed to agree that setting up a trade office in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, would be a good thing. It was said in the article that trade between the two countries would strengthen the California economy. State Sen. Jack Scott described it as a win-win situation.

The two candidates in the 43rd District Assembly race - incumbent Mike Gatto (D-Silver Lake) and longtime Glendale Unified school board member Greg Krikorian - squared off in a sometimes contentious debate Thursday in front of a spillover crowd at Glendale City Council chambers. The debate, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Glendale/Burbank, ranged from the candidates' positions on everything from job creation and education funding to political attacks lobbed from either side of the forum.

The L.A. Mart, a 12-story complex in downtown Los Angeles, has been purchased for about $55 million by Glendale investors. The 784,000-square-foot property at 1933 S. Broadway is a combination design center, office and showroom, real estate brokerage Madison Partners said. It serves the interior design, gift and home furnishing industries. Los Angeles County also leases more than 140,000 square feet of office space at the L.A. Mart. Continue reading > > -- Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times

The parade of two-wheelers snaking toward R.D. White Elementary School could have stocked a bicycle shop. There were mountain bikes, road bikes and beach cruisers with white-wall tires. Helmeted heads bobbed up and down to the rhythm of the pedals. It was a scene playing out at schools across the country Wednesday as thousands of students flicked up their kickstands and took to the streets for the first national Bike to School event. Sponsored by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, the ride was modeled after its International Walk to School Day - initiatives that are designed to foster pedestrian safety and healthy lifestyles.

Airport security tightened in Burbank and long-held emotions were cut loose in Glendale as news surfaced Sunday that U.S. Navy Special Forces had killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. “It was the first time I cried in a long time, since we buried my brother,” said Brandon Valvo, a Glendale native whose brother Carlton Valvo II died at the World Trade Center when terrorist planes struck on Sept. 11, 2001. Valvo said a torrent of emotion coursed through him when he learned bin Laden had been killed, from elation and long-simmering anger, to gratitude for the work of U.S. armed forces and political leaders.

NORTHEAST GLENDALE — After his team squandered a nine-run lead, Flintridge Prep baseball Coach Buzz Cook didn't have much to say. Instead, Cook left it for the Rebels to figure out the reason for his silence. Flintridge Prep did in the nick of time. The Rebels scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to record a sloppy 14-10 nonleague win against St. Michael's Prep on Tuesday afternoon at the Glendale Sports Complex. Flintridge Prep improved to 6-4 despite blowing a large lead and then seeing St. Michael's rally for a 10-9 lead in the top of the sixth.

HOLLYWOOD HILLS — Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, fitness icon Richard Simmons and former “Hulk” star Lou Ferrigno were among hundreds of friends and family who packed an auditorium Tuesday to remember Jack LaLanne. “Jack is now in heaven, and that is going to be very annoying for a lot of people up there,” Schwarzenegger joked. “Because we know what is going to happen. He already has told St. Peter that the wakeup call is 6 in the morning.” LaLanne, known to many as the “godfather of fitness,” died Jan. 23 in Morro Bay at age 96. He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years and three children.

"Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy…" ("Nearly seven decades later, Pearl Harbor attack still a vivid memory," Dec. 4) In the 69 years since those words were spoken by President Franklin Roosevelt, Japan has become our friend and a very serious trading partner. Billions of dollars are exchanged between our two countries each year. And there is lasting peace! Establishing and fortifying our trade agreement with South Korea was a smart move.

GLENDALE — The following are odds and ends from the local sports scene.   REID REFLECTS ON MCNABB TRADE The Philadelphia Eagles, who are coached by former Glendale Community College football player Andy Reid , are heading in a new direction at quarterback for the first time since 1999. On Sunday, Philadelphia dealt veteran starting quarterback Donovan McNabb to the NFC East Division-rival Washington Redskins in exchange for a second-round pick (37th overall)

A performance at Yerevan’s Opera House. Coffee at a cafe on Abovyan Street or around Opera Square. On a clear day, climb the Cascade steps for the best view of Mount Ararat. For a night out, there’s live jazz music at the Stop Club on Moskovian Street. A trip to Armenia’s capital could yield an array of options for a traveler’s itinerary, a plan that government officials there are promoting to more potential tourists. The Armenian Travel Development Agency, based in Yerevan, the Glendale-based Armenian American Chamber of Commerce, and Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles represented Armenia in its first-ever appearance at the annual Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure show last month.

GLENDALE — After 15 years of patrolling the infield and earning a pair of All-Star game selections, St. Francis High graduate Mark Loretta retired as a player Monday to become a special assistant to the baseball operations staff with the San Diego Padres. Loretta, 38, was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round in 1993 before playing for the Brewers, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 1989 St. Francis graduate was a career .295 hitter and appeared in the All-Star game in 2004 and 2006.