Will Middlebrooks also homered for San Diego off McCarthy, who struck out nine in five-plus innings of his Dodgers debut.

Gonzalez is the first player in MLB history to hit five home runs through his team's first three games of a season, according to Elias Sports. All three of Gonzalez's home runs came off Cashner. He also singled in a run off Frank Garces for a fourth RBI, going 10-for-13 in the series with seven RBIs. Kemp went 5-for-13 in the three games.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Another fast start: Scoring runs -- period -- was a big problem for the Padres in 2014, as they ranked last in the game (535 runs). Not so much this season, as the Padres scored four first-inning runs in the series -- one each on Monday and Tuesday and then two on Wednesday on Upton's home run.

SD@LAD: J. Upton hammers a two-run shot to left field

4/8/15: Justin Upton drills a two-run home run over the left-field wall to open the scoring for the Padres

Historic hitting: Gonzalez also joined Carl Furillo (1955) and Jimmy Wynn (1974) as the only Dodgers since 1914 to homer in the first three games of a season and is the only Dodger since at least 1914 to have three hits in each of the first three games of the season. The last National Leaguer to do it was Orlando Cepeda in 1963. More >

SD@LAD: Gonzo hammers his second solo shot of game

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Adrian a one-man wrecking crew with three homers vs. Padres

Will Middlebrooks also homered for San Diego off McCarthy, who struck out nine in five-plus innings of his Dodgers debut.

Gonzalez is the first player in MLB history to hit five home runs through his team's first three games of a season, according to Elias Sports. All three of Gonzalez's home runs came off Cashner. He also singled in a run off Frank Garces for a fourth RBI, going 10-for-13 in the series with seven RBIs. Kemp went 5-for-13 in the three games.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Another fast start: Scoring runs -- period -- was a big problem for the Padres in 2014, as they ranked last in the game (535 runs). Not so much this season, as the Padres scored four first-inning runs in the series -- one each on Monday and Tuesday and then two on Wednesday on Upton's home run.

SD@LAD: J. Upton hammers a two-run shot to left field

4/8/15: Justin Upton drills a two-run home run over the left-field wall to open the scoring for the Padres

Historic hitting: Gonzalez also joined Carl Furillo (1955) and Jimmy Wynn (1974) as the only Dodgers since 1914 to homer in the first three games of a season and is the only Dodger since at least 1914 to have three hits in each of the first three games of the season. The last National Leaguer to do it was Orlando Cepeda in 1963. More >

SD@LAD: Gonzo hammers his second solo shot of game

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Padres can't answer after Cashner allows three homers to Gonzalez

What does one do when ones own parents are engaged in a game of one-upmanship, placing ones freedom and right to choose in jeopardy?

This is the central dilemma faced by Zulaikha (Maya Ali) as main protagonist Yousuf's (Imran Abbas) love interest in Mera Naam Yousuf Hai.

Read also: Review: 'Mera Naam Yousuf Hai' is off to a smooth start

In the first episode, the 'Yousuf' in Mera Naam Yousuf Hai bumps into Zulaikha on a train and it's pretty much love at first sight. The problem is that Zulaikha's parents are already lining up suitors for her and the families aren't quite a match.

In episodes two through five, the story has maintained a pretty good pace. It also manages to bring into its fold a supporting cast which is given ample screen time which helps move the story along. The latest additions: Bushra an older divorcee hoping to marry Zulaikhas father; Madiha Yousufs friends sister (who also has the hots for Yousuf), and Tony another old school fellow and fortuitously Zulaikhas neighbour. These characters all have important roles to play in unfolding of the plot.

Zulaikhas father (Waseem Abbas) promises her hand in marriage to his sisters son, Imran Mugeez, while Zulaikhas mother, Afia Begum (Hina Bayat Khwaja) makes her own move by asking her sister Kulsoom to show up with her son, Ali Hamza, to woo Zulaikha. Clearly, both parents are trying to get their way without much thought to their sacrificial lamb of a daughter.

Meanwhile, our dreamer Yousuf is hopelessly in love and trying to get his (as yet one-sided) message of mohabbat across to his lady love through various channels by showing up at her door himself, asking his childhood friend Madiha to convey his feelings, requesting a meeting and finally, throwing caution to the wind and landing up in Zulaikhas room to confess his love and stay (or at least stall) Zulaikhas impending nuptials (groom TBD).

For now the one-sided love stories are adding up Yousufs love for Zulaikha, Madihas love for Yousuf and heck, even Tonys youthful I love you scrawled on Madihas school notebooks! Madiha, played with charm by Mansha Pasha, is ever hopeful that Yousuf will come around. She has been hopelessly in love with him since their school days and is willing to help him in anyway, despite her own heartbreak.

Zulaikha is well aware of her parents' jung, and isnt above playing her parents against each other. Even though her mother says otherwise, it is a sobering fact that even in 2015, there are still enough fathers 'joh betiyon ki saas keech lete hain'. In some way Noor Mohammed, Zulaikhas father, still has control over his daughters one who is not allowed to complete her education and the other who must marry as per his will.

Even though Yousuf has made his way into her dreams in a great scene with their roles reversed, Zulaikha still has to make up her mind. She seems strangely disinterested in the fact that she is about to get married in weeks time, no less, to a person not of her choosing. She wont stand her ground and actually say no but remains hopeful that her mother will fix things.

Originally posted here:
The story so far:

"When I hit it, [new second baseman Howie Kendrick] said he got the chills," Rollins said.

SD@LAD: Rollins breaks the tie with a three-run homer

4/6/15: Jimmy Rollins drives a three-run home run down the right-field line to put the Dodgers up, 6-3, in the 8th inning

Kendrick made it a quartet of memorable Dodgers debuts with a triple, double and the pivot on double plays to bail out Peralta and Hatcher in the final two innings.

Rookie Joc Pederson, the new center fielder, doubled, stole third base and started the winning rally in the eighth with a leadoff walk. RBI champ Adrian Gonzalez did his thing with a homer, double and single.

For management, the most rewarding aspect of the game was the rebuilt bullpen, which took over trailing by a run after Kershaw's six innings. In relief of Kershaw, rookie Yimi Garcia preceded Peralta and Hatcher by striking out two in a perfect inning.

"Those guys stepped up in big situations," said catcher A.J. Ellis, getting the start over former Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal to help keep Kershaw comfortable.

It was a milestone game for Hatcher, who apparently will be the interim closer until Kenley Jansen returns, except Mattingly won't announce it. Hatcher said he was never told ahead of time he would pitch the ninth inning and began warming up with the game tied. Upon entering with a three-run lead, he promptly hit Jedd Gyorko with a pitch leading off the ninth.

Continued here:
Dodgers' new additions make immediate impact

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The season is not over and yet the summer transfer rumours are ramping up.

After an impressive second half to the season, Arsenal will be looking to make the additions to their squad required to make them genuine title challengers.

In this piece, we look at five recent transfer stories about Arsenal and analyse their veracity, offering a true or false verdict on every story. Read on to discover the reality of Arsenal's summer transfer plans.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

According to John Cross of The Mirror, Arsenal will attempt to lure Liverpool's Raheem Sterling to London this summer.

Verdict:True

Arsene Wenger is a huge fan of English talent, and Sterling fits the kind of fluid football he likes Arsenal to play.

However, even if the interest is real it doesn't mean Arsenal will get their man.

Original post:
Calling True or False on 5 Recent Arsenal Transfer Rumours

Five matches into a 34-game schedule, the Vancouver Whitecaps, in their fifth season, and second led by manager Carl Robinson, finally have the makings of a team that could be one of the best.

At B.C. Place on Saturday night, the surging Whitecaps defeated the MLS Cup defending champions, their long-time nemesis the L.A. Galaxy. The final tally was 2-0 and the win propelled the Whitecaps to the top of the Western Conference with the best record in Major League Soccer.

Robinson, a 38-year-old Welshman, has crafted a physical, fast, attacking squad. His team leads the league in shots on goal, fouls and yellow cards. Robinson has been especially savvy finding talent in Latin America, and on Saturday seven of the 11 starters were players he has brought to Vancouver.

Robbie Keane saw it. Keane, the Galaxys star striker, was last years league MVP and has been essential to the dynasty manager Bruce Arena has built in L.A. In a league structured to produce parity, L.A. has won three of the past four MLS Cups, the first in 2011 when Keane arrived in August. Last year, he scored the championship-winning goal in extra time.

Keane is also one of Robinsons closest friends. The two first met as teenagers in the late 1990s when they began their lives in professional football with Wolverhampton Wanderers in Englands Midlands. On Saturday against the Whitecaps, Keane was checked tightly, unable to get any open looks. He didnt register a shot after scoring twice on eight shots in four previous games.

This is 100 per cent Carls team, said Keane of his friends remake of the Whitecaps. Last year, when Robinson was a rookie manager, the Whitecaps were a hybrid, a roster crafted in part by previous administrations. I knew it was only a matter of time before he had a good, good team that wants to try and play football, very attack-minded, and weve seen that tonight.

This seasons key additions are two 23-year-olds from Uruguay. Striker Octavio Rivero was the MLS player of the month in March and scored the second goal Saturday, his fourth of the season to lead all MLS scorers. Nicolas Mezquida, an attacking midfielder, helped set up Riveros goal and was Saturdays player of the game.

This is the finishing punch the Whitecaps sorely lacked last year, when they scored only 42 goals, barely one a game. This year, the team aims for at least 60 goals. The sellout crowd of 21,000 at B.C. Place bellowed Riveros name over and over after he scored, in a call-and-response with the stadium announcer.

There are several asterisks on this story, beyond the fact it is early April. The Whitecaps, while wire-to-wire impressive against the Galaxy, have often been outplayed this year, even as they managed to snatch wins in the final moments of games. And the Galaxy have been known as slow starters, falling to 1-2-2, and this year are without the retired Landon Donovan. The Galaxy on Saturday night werent exactly their champion selves. Reinforcements will arrive: Steven Gerrard, captain of Liverpool and England, joins the team in the summer.

Robinson, after the game, sat cross-legged, his hands folded in his lap, at a table facing upward of 20 reporters. He repeated a its one game mantra. He did allow a small bit of savouring.

Originally posted here:
Led by Robinson, Whitecaps climb to top of MLS table with win over Galaxy

Burbank City Council enacted an emergency zoning ordinance on Tuesday that temporarily tightens the limits on new homes and additions, at least until council members are able to study and consider more permanent changes to the citys code.

Under state law, which required a four-fifths vote of the council, the limits can remain in effect for 45 days and may be extended for up to two years. Civic groups and residents had been calling for the measure and for more stringent permanent controls to prevent the construction of overly large homes in Burbank neighborhoods.

Council in recent weeks had discussed concepts for the proposed ordinance, giving guidance to city staff in drafting the controls that they hope will close loopholes in the existing code, but it still took a little negotiating on the particulars this week and some last-minute changes to get 5-0 support for the final measure.

Councilwoman Emily Gabel-Luddy advocated against a watered down ordinance and admonished her colleagues for what she said was back-tracking on certain items, but she agreed to changes that would allow for new or expanded homes that do not exceed a 0.40 ratio of floor area to lot size of on lots smaller than 10,000 square feet, even for two-story homes.

In exchange, however, she bargained for inclusion of up to 200 square feet of floor space to be counted into that ratio for garages exceeding 400 square feet, which she argued would keep bulk in check, winning even Mayor David Gordons reluctant approval of the provision, which he had spoken against in earlier meetings.

Council members also agreed to enact second-story setbacks to curb the construction of large, boxy homes, and to allow addition of a porte cochere feature, so long as its only one-story.

One particular sticking point in negotiations was determining what date would be used to establish which projects were already in the pipeline for development, that is, projects exempt from new standards because property owners had already completed substantial planning work on them prior to the ordinance being enacted.

In earlier sessions, council members had discussed using March 10 as the deadline the date they first instructed staff to begin developing the ordinance in order to prevent a rash of hastily planned projects coming in under the wire throughout March and using the soon-to-be closed loopholes in the code to build big, bulky homes.

After hearing from dozens of citizens, several of whom, like Kochendorfer, voiced concerns that the ordinance would halt their ongoing plans to build dream houses or to expand their homes to fit their growing families, council members Gary Bric and Jess Talamantes argued for pushing the deadline back to March 31.

Im just trying to be as fair as possible to everybody, Bric said.

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Council approves temporary tightening of residential zoning rules while permanent changes studied

We're not going to look at this year's Padres as a truly surprising team if they win. They won't come out of nowhere; they'll come out of the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, a five-minute drive from the team's offices at Petco Park.

That's where rookie general manager A.J. Preller started the blitzkrieg of player acquisitions that culminated with his landing his Opening Day starter, James Shields, only a week before the start of Spring Training. But one of the reasons that Preller felt he could import so many veterans in such a hurry was that he trusted his manager, Bud Black.

Black has overseen preparations for the upcoming season that were remarkably smooth. He and his coaching staff (headed by bench coach Dave Roberts, pitching coach Darren Balsley and new hitting coach Mark Kotsay) worked on a daily basis to show new guys like Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Wil Myers, Derek Norris and Will Middlebrooks how the Padres handle the details, while keeping an eye on how their most important holdover players were welcoming the newcomers.

Given that 35 of 60 players in camp were in their first Spring Training with the team, this was a huge consideration. And as Black prepared to fly back to San Diego for the start of the season, he almost let out a sigh of relief over how well the spring had gone.

Black discusses takeaways on last day of Padres camp

Bud Black wraps up the final day of Padres Spring Training and looks ahead to the 2015 season

"Both groups -- new and holdovers -- they understand what it takes for a team to gel, and they took it on themselves to get to know each other," Black said. "The conversations, dialogue, have been great. [In] the clubhouse [and] on the field, the coaches have been great as far as the instruction and teaching, as far as getting the new guys on board to what we do fundamentally: bunt defenses, cutoffs and relays, pickoffs, rundowns, all those things. Guys have really done a nice job of being on point there."

With Seth Smith being the only holdover outfielder who was traded, the Padres' Opening Day roster will be a tight fit. Playing time seems uncertain for Will Venable, Cameron Maybin and Carlos Quentin, but Black says the infusion of talent has actually reinvigorated veteran players who were around for parts of the stretch in which San Diego had six losing seasons in the past seven years.

"All the guys who were new, down the line -- Kemp, Upton, Myers, Middlebrooks, Norris, [Brandon] Morrow, [Brandon] Maurer, [Shawn] Kelley -- these guys were excited to be Padres, really excited to be here," Black said. "The holdovers from last year's group -- Venable, [Jedd] Gyorko, [Yonder] Alonso, Maybin -- they're excited for the new guys to be here."

See the rest here:
Black is synergizing Padres' talented mix

Netflix offers a veritable treasure chest of interesting and offbeat new cinematic offerings in April, one of the best months for streaming additions we've seen in a long time. In addition to the eagerly anticipated, NYC-shot "Marvel's Daredevil," which is available on April 10, these are some highlights:

This cop movie satire, the second Edgar Wright-Simon Pegg-Nick Frost collaboration, isn't as funny as the first, "Shaun of the Dead," or the third, "The World's End." But to use Bruce Springsteen as an analogy, that's like saying "The Rising" isn't as good as "Darkness on the Edge of Town" or "Born to Run." It's still damn good. April 16 (Credit: Universal Pictures)

Jean-Luc Godard's 3-D experimental piece was named best picture of 2014 by the National Society of Film Critics and sparked a considerable back-and-forth between his critical supporters and detractors, much as the French New Wave icon's movies have done since his indispensable "Breathless" in 1960. April 14 (Credit: Wild Bunch)

Biblical movies saw a bit of a revival in 2014. Darren Aronofsky's environmentalist take on the flood story, starring Russell Crowe as a crazed Noah, is the one to see, not Ridley Scott's "Exodus." It considers the scenario with a measure of realism usually missing from this sort of thing. April 18 (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

This is, simply, an instant horror classic. It's at once terrifying and deeply emotional, perfectly paralleling the difficult and complicated experience of motherhood with its story of a demonic being threatening a closed-off family. My review is here. (Credit: Causeway Films)

This black-and-white Iranian vampire movie was one of the indie sensations of 2014, launching filmmaker Ana Lily Amirpour to prominence. It's sure to be unlike anything you've seen before. April 21 (Credit: Say Ahh Productions)

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We love Nicolas Cage, even when he makes utter soulless direct-to-the-dumpster junk. This movie is not that. It's one of his biggest hits, an incredibly silly Americana adventure with dialogue that entirely consists of characters hurriedly exclaiming things like, "Those men have the Declaration of Independence!" April 27 (Credit: Walt Disney Pictures)

This is the most bananas Jason Statham movie, the most utterly deranged, and that's saying something. It's not a good movie, exactly, but it sure is an experience. April 9 (Credit: Lakeshore Entertainment)

It slipped under the radar last year, but this is a sweet and charming movie about the complexities of friendship, starring Gillian Jacobs and Leighton Meester as best buds drawn apart by romance. April 2 (Credit: Haven Entertainment)

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Best new movies and shows on Netflix: April 2015

health care Poll: Should the Saint Luke's Master Plan be Approved? Posted By Harrison Berry on Thu, Apr 2, 2015 at 11:03 AM St. Luke's Health Systemhas proposed a massive expansion of its Boise medical center, including new office complexes, a second hospital tower, and additions to its pediatric and cancer services. The catch is, the master plan would close a portion of Jefferson Street.

Proponents of the plan say that's a small price to pay for the expanded services, and St. Luke's officials suggest that should the Boise City Council reject it, those services may have to move outside of Boise. The plan's critics have been vocal, arguing that closing Jefferson Street would cut off residents in Boise's East End neighborhood and clog traffic in the area.

Boise Weeklyis posing a simple question to readers:Should the St. Luke's master plan, including the permanent closure of Jefferson Street, be approved?

Take our online poll here.

Tags: Boise, St. Luke's, Image

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Poll: Should the Saint Luke's Master Plan be Approved?