Rebuilding

U.S. Foodservice has laid off an unspecified number of workers this week as it continues to recover from an accounting scandal and rebuild its food distribution businesses. "We're trying to reduce expenses and bring them in line with the needs of the business," said Rob Meyne, vice president of corporate communications at the Columbia company, which is a subsidiary of Dutch food company Royal Ahold NV. "To the extent possible, we tried to consolidate and make the business more efficient by reducing excess operations and losing people."

LOS ANGELES -- Repairs to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will be aided by a state and federal agreement that speeds the rebuilding of historic structures, including the 71-year-old stadium.Although damage to the Coliseum was severe, state officials and members of the Los Angeles Conservancy who toured the historic arena expressed optimism that it can be restored and that demolition will not be necessary."We're obviously disheartened to see the extent of the damage," said Gov. Pete Wilson's secretary of resources, Douglas Wheeler.

Washington -- Congress should force the State and Defense departments to cooperate in planning and overseeing wartime reconstruction efforts to prevent the kinds of problems that fouled rebuilding efforts in Iraq, according a new investigative report being issued today. The failure of a comprehensive unified planning effort before the Iraq invasion, and shifting oversight of the reconstruction program after the invasion, hindered the United States' ability to effectively rebuild Iraq, according to a "lessons learned report" by the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction.

It looks more and more like the Orioles have shifted into a serious rebuilding mode. I'm guessing team president Andy MacPhail wasn't overly impressed with what he saw this summer or what he heard at the organizational meetings. Unfortunately, the "rebuilding" should have started sooner and been done more effectively. A lot of years have been lost. Now fans will be asked to remain patient while prospects work their way up from the lower levels of the farm system and veterans are dealt for more prospects who are closer to the majors but aren't going to bring you a title in 2008.

SHADYSIDE,Ohio -- Janet Polivka gives out photos of her daughter Kerri, inside a magnetized plastic sleeve for people to keep, dressed in her favorite dancing outfit."

Do you think New Orleans ought to be rebuilt or be left to become a much smaller city? And if it's rebuilt, who should pay the bill? The federal government? The state of Louisiana? The private sector? REALISM MUST GUIDE REBUILDING UNQUESTIONABLY, THE rebuilding of New Orleans must proceed. In the midst of tragedy, the rebuilding process offers an opportunity for urban, cultural, business and personal renewal on an unprecedented scale. To leave the city in its current state would undoubtedly lead to urban blight and decline.

Well, well, well! Now that the fighting in the Persian Gulf is over, Japan comes riding to the rescue, astride a metaphorical white stallion like the one the emperor used to ride, offering $9 billion to help pay for war costs.Mind you, even though Japan gets an irreplaceable share of its petroleum from the Persian Gulf, the country nevertheless didn't send a single soldier or sailor to fight, and, for that matter, sent support groups such as medics only in laughably small numbers. At the outset the Japanese promised to help foot the bill for the operation, but these promises tended to be as evanescent as Japan's promises to lift trade barriers.

LA PLACE, La. -- A week after Hurricane Andrew slashed through Louisiana, plastic sheets are spread on hundreds of roofs like oversized Band-Aids, utility crews jam the streets and National Guard troops direct traffic as the storm's victims begin the painful march from recovery to rebuilding.Some communities have been so swamped by donations of food and other supplies that they have begun turning away contributions, while other towns remain dependent on daily truck convoys for water.Across the state, fewer than 800 people remain in emergency shelters while about 32,000 people are still without power.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Players started arriving in the cramped clubhouse at Fort Lauderdale Stadium before 8 a.m. yesterday, walking briskly to their lockers while nodding at unfamiliar faces. A couple of hours later, after the hugs and handshakes and thorough physicals had commenced, Orioles pitchers and catchers emerged from the dugout to a smattering of applause and officially began preparations for the 2008 season. At a time in the sport when optimism reigns, the Orioles will train for the next six weeks here amid low expectations.

The payroll has been slashed by more than $40 million the past two years. The starting lineup is short on star power and long on inexperience. The outlook of a once-proud franchise appears to be riddled with uncertainty as the regular season opens today at Camden Yards. The Cleveland Indians seem to have a lot in common with a certain rebuilding team near you. New manager Eric Wedge will have three rookies and a second-year player in his starting lineup when Orioles starter Rodrigo Lopez takes the mound against Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia at 3:05 p.m. The Indians also will have two rookies in their starting rotation.