Round 3 (86): IF Christopher Paciolla – 6’2″ 185, Age 18 – Temecula Valley (CA)

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $735,200 

MLB Pipeline: 166th, BA: 128th

Round 4 (113): RHP Nazier Mule – 6’3″ 210, Age 17 – Passaic Tech (NJ)

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $538,400 

MLB Pipeline: 96th, BA: 94th

Round 5 (143):

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $402,100

Round 6 (173):

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $303,700

Round 7 (203):

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $237,300

Round 8 (233):

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $188,900

Round 9 (263):

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $164,500

Round 10 (293):

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $154,200

Hailed by Forbes as “The Real-Life Willy Wonka” and has been given the honor of being one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” chocolatier Phillip Ashley Rix has created the best tasting chocolate I have ever tasted, and I am a known chocaholic.

Phillip spent his childhood in Memphis in his grandmother’s kitchen learning the secrets of great southern cooking, however, being a chef wasn’t his first love.  He went to college and became a corporate marketing and sales executive for major corporations.  In 2007, he decided that he wanted to open his own business and left the corporate world for milk and dark chocolate.  After tasting his Perfect Turtle, I am so glad he did. 

I spoke with Phillip and asked him how he developed a palate for fine chocolate. He told me that when he and his brother were 10 and 5 years old, their mother would take them to the mall and if they were good boys, she would give a treat of Godiva chocolates.  So, at an early age his taste buds were set for finer things.

Fast forward many years later and Phillip told me how the idea came to him in 2007 to make chocolate. “

“I just one day woke up, later in life in my 20s, I woke up at three in the morning. Was like, “You know what? I want to make chocolate for the rest of my life.” And at that time, I was in my corporate career and been out of school and all of that other stuff. And it just had this pull, or this draw to want to make chocolate, and became obsessed with learning everything about it. And so, I taught myself over the course of a few years, and here we are.”

After making the decision, Phillip spent the next three years reading and learning all about chocolate. How it was made, where it was made, how people tasted it, what ingredients worked together or didn’t.

He then started the process of making it.

“So, I spent a lot of time testing, putting two spices together or putting this fruit with that and just testing viscosity and texture and all these other things and how people taste. So, I’d be like, “Here, Bonnie, taste this,” and see what reaction you would have, and the zones of the palette. So, I went into this thing thinking, “how cool would it be to say I’m a chocolatier? How many people can say they know a chocolatier, let alone a black chocolatier?”

Then Phillips imagination went wild.  He brought the Willy Wonka Factory idea to life. He started thinking chocolate has no limits. He stepped away from the industry traditional perspective of what chocolate should be and created flavors that I couldn’t imagine being paired with chocolate. Flavors like barbecue, key lime pie, bleu cheese, collard green chocolate, mac and cheese, and fried chicken chocolate, just to name a few.  I can see you shaking your head as you read this but trust me, I was skeptical until I tasted them, and I am a true believer.   

Phillip explained, “We have things with whiskey and bourbon and all of that. And so, I really wanted to just be this encyclopedia of flavor and understand food, understand beverage, understand ingredients, spices, herbs, oils, you name it. From how it’s grown, where it’s grown, what’s the regional impact and all of that.  I want to tell stories with chocolate. I want to be able to work with brands and say, “Well, what does Cadillac taste like?” We can create chocolates that are specific and custom to this luxury auto maker. Or I can create things based on, inspired by music or by a show. We did a whole collection for and inspired by Insecure and Issa Rae. So just being able to tell these stories in different ways or perspectives using chocolate as the medium and how we communicate is really what I was wanting to do. I didn’t want to just understand how to cook per se, but I wanted to understand how to communicate with food.”

I asked him about the number of Black chocolatiers and explained that there aren’t many in the world, however, Phillip is excited to see more since he began his leap into all thing’s chocolate.

Now, Phillip Ashley Chocolates are not your average chocolate, and it is not your average price.  Phillip wants you to understand that the chocolates are an experience. They put a lot of time, effort and quality ingredients into it, because he wants you to enjoy what you’re experiencing and feel like the money you spent is just, is well worth it.

You can find Phillip Ashley Chocolates at www.phillipashleychocolates.com.

You can see my entire conversation with Phillip by visiting https://youtu.be/hice-pWsYBU

I feel a chocolate break coming on.

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!

Heat wave in Spain and Portugal, over 1000 people have died. In the UK too, high temperatures over 100 degreesF (40C ). Photos in the papers of people relaxing on the beach are not helpful. This is not a vacation. This is a climate crisis.

These temperatures were predicted by climate scientists as a warning that if we continue to rely on fossil fuels, heat waves like this would be common by 2050. That future is NOW.

People in Chicago learned a lot from the heat wave of July, 1995. There are cooling centers, and emergency numbers to call. And still, people die here in the summer from the heat.

Know the difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Here is a handy chart from the National Weather Service. You could save a life–maybe even your own.

Many people are offering advice on how to survive the extreme heat. Let me add some tips, too. Here is a post I wrote about how to keep cool without air conditioning.

While politicians take a short-term selfish view, it is the vulnerable —you and me–who suffer, the ones most vulnerable to the plague that continues, too.

Stay cool! stay safe!

Round 1 (7): RHP Cade Horton – 6’1 211, Age 20 – Oklahoma

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $5,708,000

A redshirt sophomore, Cade Horton shot up draft boards in the 2nd half of the 2022 collegiate season, finishing the year with a terrific postseason run for the Sooners beginning with the Conference title game and continuing through the College World Series.

Per Cubs:

Cade Horton went 3-0 with a 2.61 ERA and 49 strikeouts (6 walks) in five postseason starts this year for the Sooners.

July 18, 2022

Cade Horton set a MCWS Finals record with 13 K’s against Ole Miss.

(via @NCAABaseball) pic.twitter.com/vl9nYxch1n

July 18, 2022

It was an amazing ascent given Horton originally went to Norman as a two-sport prep star, who competed with the Sooners football team in 2020, before giving it up and concentrating on baseball in 2021. He ended up needing to take a redshirt season because of an elbow injury which required TJS in the spring. He opened the 2022 season still recovering and was used mostly as a 3B/SS before finally making his debut on the mound in March. His numbers early on were ugly (even with his terrific final 5 starts his overall ERA remained elevated at an 4.86).

But the raw tools were there (mid-to-upper-90s heat, high spin rates on breaking ball, as well as his plus athleticism), and even as he struggled he was garnering strong draft interest. It was when Horton developed a new slider during the season that things took off for him. It’s a nasty pitch, which generates good horizontal and vertical break that makes it an effective pitch against both right and left handed batters. There is also some deception as Horton pitches from a lower arm angle that makes his vertical drop seem unusual.

Data loves the slider Cade Horton developed late this season. #Cubs

Averaging 85, up to 90, and generating ~9″+ of horizontal mvmt.

Most harder sliders are thrown w/ more backspin & less horizontal. Not many SPs with that shape – Carlos Rodón comes to mind (obviously a LHP).

July 18, 2022

And at 88 mph in this particular example (reportedly ranges from 86-90) the total amount of break is truly impressive. Nasty pitch, which should play against hitters from both sides of the plate.

July 18, 2022

Once that pitch was in place it was bad news for opposing hitters the rest of the way. By the time the College World Series ended Horton was widely considered the best college pitcher available in the draft (with the caveat that some of his potential competition suffered injuries during the 2022 season to take them out of the running).

Enjoy all of Cade Horton’s (@cadehorton14) strikeouts v Notre Dame in one minute.

I call it, “T̶h̶e̶y̶ Gone in 60 Seconds.”@OU_Baseball #Sooners pic.twitter.com/F5RwM4eCmB

June 21, 2022

Cade Horton was disgusting in Omaha.

So cool to see his climb down the stretch. @Cubs got a great one.

July 17, 2022

The Cubs pitching development infrastructure has been making big moves over the past couple of years generating big velo jumps from prospects, and showing improved ability to refine breaking pitches (including teaching the trendy sweeping slider). What’s been missing is a stockpile of high end raw talent with which to mold a potential TOR starter. Horton brings that.

Big arm, high character and performed best on the biggest stage. @cadehorton14 ➡ @cubs https://t.co/iEMj7fYYKD#Sooners Reply to this comment

As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, many people are still concerned about how sanitation affects their health. Whether they contract something through unclean surfaces or spend too much time in unfiltered air, your customers often still worry if your small business is safe.

Many states no longer have mandates for masking indoors. Therefore, it is up to you to continue doing the best for your customers’ health and safety. Here are some things small business owners should know about sanitation requirements.

Why Is Sanitation Important for Small Businesses?

For obvious reasons, property hygiene can help prevent people from getting sick. Repeated hand washing, cleaning of common surfaces and proper ventilation are great ways to keep employees and customers safe. By providing workers with a healthy environment, you can potentially decrease the instances of sick days.

However, good sanitation could be advantageous for your company as well. Research shows the need for hygiene transparency is one of the top changes in consumer behavior. Your consumers want to know you’re doing all you can to keep them, your employees and yourself in good health. Highlighting your cleanliness practices could prove beneficial for business.

Requirements for Physical and Online Shops

You likely have a few people to manage, whether you’re operating digitally or in a brick-and-mortar store. The Food Safety and Inspection Service has laid out guidelines coworkers and employees should follow for excellent cleanliness standards.

For a given number of employees, you must provide a certain amount of bathrooms. Each bathroom has to have water that can reach 110° Fahrenheit. Your trash containers must not be able to create unsanitary conditions. Even surfaces that don’t come into contact with food need repeated cleaning to ensure their continued safety.

Additionally, all workers must follow the best practices for hand washing and other hygiene. Good sanitation also includes allowing employees to take time off when sick. Anyone that may have an infectious disease or skin lesions should be out until they’re better. You could even ask them to wear a comfortable mask while they’re at work to avoid spreading germs.

Plumbing and sewage have requirements too. You have to provide enough water for the building and make sure wastewater is separate from any other drainage. If your company involves food, there are many additional regulations you must keep in mind.

Think about your small business as your house. Would you invite people over if others were coughing and sneezing in it, nothing was ever clean and there was trash everywhere? Your customers are your guests, so treat them and your employees with the same respect — online or in person.

Considerations for Maintaining Sanitation

There are many ways you can practice good hygiene in a small business. Here are a few ideas and recommendations for keeping fellow workers and customers healthier.

1. Keep Common Surfaces Clean

You should encourage people to wash anything others repeatedly handle. Registers, shopping baskets, door handles, phones — if more than one person will touch it, they should clean it.

Cleansing wipes are great for this kind of sanitation. You have a few options, but you must remember to read the packaging carefully. Some wipes have a specific length of time they should sit for maximum effectiveness.

2. Have a Good Sick-day Policy

Many employees are afraid to call in sick. They often feel managers disbelieve or even pressure them to still come into work. They could also worry about missing a day of pay or that their coworkers will have to take on more work with them gone.

These reasons are why your small business needs to have a forgiving sick-day policy. Sickness will happen, so you need to accommodate it. Offer paid time off and ensure your company can still function while certain employees are unavailable. Cross-training ahead of time can be a big help in these situations.

3. Think About Ventilation

Most businesses only exchange the air in their facilities about one or two times per hour. However, recent research shows good ventilation can help reduce the spread of airborne diseases. Clearing out air five times an hour could cut COVID transmission by 50%.

The only caveat is this will be a bit of an investment. Check with your local government to see if they offer any rebates or assistance for upgrading air ventilation. Though this sanitation step incurs more of a cost, it is a significant factor in keeping people healthy.

4. Display Cleanliness Posters

Give workers, customers and yourself a reminder of the best ways to stay sanitary. A display of proper cleaning techniques is a testament to your business’s dedication to hygiene.

If your business is online only, you could discuss your cleanliness standards on your website. This shows potential customers you’re taking care of them before they even receive their product.

Keep Your Small Business Sanitary

Good hygiene is essential for everyone involved with your small business. Your workers and customers will thank you for going above and beyond the baseline sanitation requirements. Read up on local and federal cleaning regulations and consider the tips above to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Round 3 (86): IF Christopher Paciolla – 6’2″ 185, Age 18 – Temecula Valley (CA)

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $735,200 

MLB Pipeline: 166th, BA: 128th

Round 4 (113): RHP Nazier Mule – 6’3″ 210, Age 17 – Passaic Tech (NJ)

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $538,400 

MLB Pipeline: 96th, BA: 94th

Round 5 (143):

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $402,100

Round 6 (173):

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $303,700

Round 7 (203):

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $237,300

Round 8 (233):

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $188,900

Round 9 (263):

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $164,500

Round 10 (293):

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $154,200

Hailed by Forbes as “The Real-Life Willy Wonka” and has been given the honor of being one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” chocolatier Phillip Ashley Rix has created the best tasting chocolate I have ever tasted, and I am a known chocaholic.

Phillip spent his childhood in Memphis in his grandmother’s kitchen learning the secrets of great southern cooking, however, being a chef wasn’t his first love.  He went to college and became a corporate marketing and sales executive for major corporations.  In 2007, he decided that he wanted to open his own business and left the corporate world for milk and dark chocolate.  After tasting his Perfect Turtle, I am so glad he did. 

I spoke with Phillip and asked him how he developed a palate for fine chocolate. He told me that when he and his brother were 10 and 5 years old, their mother would take them to the mall and if they were good boys, she would give a treat of Godiva chocolates.  So, at an early age his taste buds were set for finer things.

Fast forward many years later and Phillip told me how the idea came to him in 2007 to make chocolate. “

“I just one day woke up, later in life in my 20s, I woke up at three in the morning. Was like, “You know what? I want to make chocolate for the rest of my life.” And at that time, I was in my corporate career and been out of school and all of that other stuff. And it just had this pull, or this draw to want to make chocolate, and became obsessed with learning everything about it. And so, I taught myself over the course of a few years, and here we are.”

After making the decision, Phillip spent the next three years reading and learning all about chocolate. How it was made, where it was made, how people tasted it, what ingredients worked together or didn’t.

He then started the process of making it.

“So, I spent a lot of time testing, putting two spices together or putting this fruit with that and just testing viscosity and texture and all these other things and how people taste. So, I’d be like, “Here, Bonnie, taste this,” and see what reaction you would have, and the zones of the palette. So, I went into this thing thinking, “how cool would it be to say I’m a chocolatier? How many people can say they know a chocolatier, let alone a black chocolatier?”

Then Phillips imagination went wild.  He brought the Willy Wonka Factory idea to life. He started thinking chocolate has no limits. He stepped away from the industry traditional perspective of what chocolate should be and created flavors that I couldn’t imagine being paired with chocolate. Flavors like barbecue, key lime pie, bleu cheese, collard green chocolate, mac and cheese, and fried chicken chocolate, just to name a few.  I can see you shaking your head as you read this but trust me, I was skeptical until I tasted them, and I am a true believer.   

Phillip explained, “We have things with whiskey and bourbon and all of that. And so, I really wanted to just be this encyclopedia of flavor and understand food, understand beverage, understand ingredients, spices, herbs, oils, you name it. From how it’s grown, where it’s grown, what’s the regional impact and all of that.  I want to tell stories with chocolate. I want to be able to work with brands and say, “Well, what does Cadillac taste like?” We can create chocolates that are specific and custom to this luxury auto maker. Or I can create things based on, inspired by music or by a show. We did a whole collection for and inspired by Insecure and Issa Rae. So just being able to tell these stories in different ways or perspectives using chocolate as the medium and how we communicate is really what I was wanting to do. I didn’t want to just understand how to cook per se, but I wanted to understand how to communicate with food.”

I asked him about the number of Black chocolatiers and explained that there aren’t many in the world, however, Phillip is excited to see more since he began his leap into all thing’s chocolate.

Now, Phillip Ashley Chocolates are not your average chocolate, and it is not your average price.  Phillip wants you to understand that the chocolates are an experience. They put a lot of time, effort and quality ingredients into it, because he wants you to enjoy what you’re experiencing and feel like the money you spent is just, is well worth it.

You can find Phillip Ashley Chocolates at www.phillipashleychocolates.com.

You can see my entire conversation with Phillip by visiting https://youtu.be/hice-pWsYBU

I feel a chocolate break coming on.

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!

Heat wave in Spain and Portugal, over 1000 people have died. In the UK too, high temperatures over 100 degreesF (40C ). Photos in the papers of people relaxing on the beach are not helpful. This is not a vacation. This is a climate crisis.

These temperatures were predicted by climate scientists as a warning that if we continue to rely on fossil fuels, heat waves like this would be common by 2050. That future is NOW.

People in Chicago learned a lot from the heat wave of July, 1995. There are cooling centers, and emergency numbers to call. And still, people die here in the summer from the heat.

Know the difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Here is a handy chart from the National Weather Service. You could save a life–maybe even your own.

Many people are offering advice on how to survive the extreme heat. Let me add some tips, too. Here is a post I wrote about how to keep cool without air conditioning.

While politicians take a short-term selfish view, it is the vulnerable —you and me–who suffer, the ones most vulnerable to the plague that continues, too.

Stay cool! stay safe!

Round 1 (7): RHP Cade Horton – 6’1 211, Age 20 – Oklahoma

BONUS SLOT VALUE: $5,708,000

A redshirt sophomore, Cade Horton shot up draft boards in the 2nd half of the 2022 collegiate season, finishing the year with a terrific postseason run for the Sooners beginning with the Conference title game and continuing through the College World Series.

Per Cubs:

Cade Horton went 3-0 with a 2.61 ERA and 49 strikeouts (6 walks) in five postseason starts this year for the Sooners.

July 18, 2022

Cade Horton set a MCWS Finals record with 13 K’s against Ole Miss.

(via @NCAABaseball) pic.twitter.com/vl9nYxch1n

July 18, 2022

It was an amazing ascent given Horton originally went to Norman as a two-sport prep star, who competed with the Sooners football team in 2020, before giving it up and concentrating on baseball in 2021. He ended up needing to take a redshirt season because of an elbow injury which required TJS in the spring. He opened the 2022 season still recovering and was used mostly as a 3B/SS before finally making his debut on the mound in March. His numbers early on were ugly (even with his terrific final 5 starts his overall ERA remained elevated at an 4.86).

But the raw tools were there (mid-to-upper-90s heat, high spin rates on breaking ball, as well as his plus athleticism), and even as he struggled he was garnering strong draft interest. It was when Horton developed a new slider during the season that things took off for him. It’s a nasty pitch, which generates good horizontal and vertical break that makes it an effective pitch against both right and left handed batters. There is also some deception as Horton pitches from a lower arm angle that makes his vertical drop seem unusual.

Data loves the slider Cade Horton developed late this season. #Cubs

Averaging 85, up to 90, and generating ~9″+ of horizontal mvmt.

Most harder sliders are thrown w/ more backspin & less horizontal. Not many SPs with that shape – Carlos Rodón comes to mind (obviously a LHP).

July 18, 2022

And at 88 mph in this particular example (reportedly ranges from 86-90) the total amount of break is truly impressive. Nasty pitch, which should play against hitters from both sides of the plate.

July 18, 2022

Once that pitch was in place it was bad news for opposing hitters the rest of the way. By the time the College World Series ended Horton was widely considered the best college pitcher available in the draft (with the caveat that some of his potential competition suffered injuries during the 2022 season to take them out of the running).

Enjoy all of Cade Horton’s (@cadehorton14) strikeouts v Notre Dame in one minute.

I call it, “T̶h̶e̶y̶ Gone in 60 Seconds.”@OU_Baseball #Sooners pic.twitter.com/F5RwM4eCmB

June 21, 2022

Cade Horton was disgusting in Omaha.

So cool to see his climb down the stretch. @Cubs got a great one.

July 17, 2022

The Cubs pitching development infrastructure has been making big moves over the past couple of years generating big velo jumps from prospects, and showing improved ability to refine breaking pitches (including teaching the trendy sweeping slider). What’s been missing is a stockpile of high end raw talent with which to mold a potential TOR starter. Horton brings that.

Big arm, high character and performed best on the biggest stage. @cadehorton14 ➡ @cubs https://t.co/iEMj7fYYKD#Sooners Reply to this comment

As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, many people are still concerned about how sanitation affects their health. Whether they contract something through unclean surfaces or spend too much time in unfiltered air, your customers often still worry if your small business is safe.

Many states no longer have mandates for masking indoors. Therefore, it is up to you to continue doing the best for your customers’ health and safety. Here are some things small business owners should know about sanitation requirements.

Why Is Sanitation Important for Small Businesses?

For obvious reasons, property hygiene can help prevent people from getting sick. Repeated hand washing, cleaning of common surfaces and proper ventilation are great ways to keep employees and customers safe. By providing workers with a healthy environment, you can potentially decrease the instances of sick days.

However, good sanitation could be advantageous for your company as well. Research shows the need for hygiene transparency is one of the top changes in consumer behavior. Your consumers want to know you’re doing all you can to keep them, your employees and yourself in good health. Highlighting your cleanliness practices could prove beneficial for business.

Requirements for Physical and Online Shops

You likely have a few people to manage, whether you’re operating digitally or in a brick-and-mortar store. The Food Safety and Inspection Service has laid out guidelines coworkers and employees should follow for excellent cleanliness standards.

For a given number of employees, you must provide a certain amount of bathrooms. Each bathroom has to have water that can reach 110° Fahrenheit. Your trash containers must not be able to create unsanitary conditions. Even surfaces that don’t come into contact with food need repeated cleaning to ensure their continued safety.

Additionally, all workers must follow the best practices for hand washing and other hygiene. Good sanitation also includes allowing employees to take time off when sick. Anyone that may have an infectious disease or skin lesions should be out until they’re better. You could even ask them to wear a comfortable mask while they’re at work to avoid spreading germs.

Plumbing and sewage have requirements too. You have to provide enough water for the building and make sure wastewater is separate from any other drainage. If your company involves food, there are many additional regulations you must keep in mind.

Think about your small business as your house. Would you invite people over if others were coughing and sneezing in it, nothing was ever clean and there was trash everywhere? Your customers are your guests, so treat them and your employees with the same respect — online or in person.

Considerations for Maintaining Sanitation

There are many ways you can practice good hygiene in a small business. Here are a few ideas and recommendations for keeping fellow workers and customers healthier.

1. Keep Common Surfaces Clean

You should encourage people to wash anything others repeatedly handle. Registers, shopping baskets, door handles, phones — if more than one person will touch it, they should clean it.

Cleansing wipes are great for this kind of sanitation. You have a few options, but you must remember to read the packaging carefully. Some wipes have a specific length of time they should sit for maximum effectiveness.

2. Have a Good Sick-day Policy

Many employees are afraid to call in sick. They often feel managers disbelieve or even pressure them to still come into work. They could also worry about missing a day of pay or that their coworkers will have to take on more work with them gone.

These reasons are why your small business needs to have a forgiving sick-day policy. Sickness will happen, so you need to accommodate it. Offer paid time off and ensure your company can still function while certain employees are unavailable. Cross-training ahead of time can be a big help in these situations.

3. Think About Ventilation

Most businesses only exchange the air in their facilities about one or two times per hour. However, recent research shows good ventilation can help reduce the spread of airborne diseases. Clearing out air five times an hour could cut COVID transmission by 50%.

The only caveat is this will be a bit of an investment. Check with your local government to see if they offer any rebates or assistance for upgrading air ventilation. Though this sanitation step incurs more of a cost, it is a significant factor in keeping people healthy.

4. Display Cleanliness Posters

Give workers, customers and yourself a reminder of the best ways to stay sanitary. A display of proper cleaning techniques is a testament to your business’s dedication to hygiene.

If your business is online only, you could discuss your cleanliness standards on your website. This shows potential customers you’re taking care of them before they even receive their product.

Keep Your Small Business Sanitary

Good hygiene is essential for everyone involved with your small business. Your workers and customers will thank you for going above and beyond the baseline sanitation requirements. Read up on local and federal cleaning regulations and consider the tips above to keep everyone safe and healthy.