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A Radical Sermon – "Mercy" (Matthew 5:7)
In this continuing study of what can arguably be called the most radical sermon in the Bible, we arrive at the blessing that is most directly attached to its antecedent – those who bestow mercy will receive mercy.
Now, at first blush there should be little to say about this – it appears to be one of the very few "self-explanatory" passages in the Bible. Nice people get treated nicely. Tit for tat. Put a quarter in, get a gum ball out. On a purely egoistic view of living in the world this would make perfect sense.
But, as I hope that I have demonstrated in this series so far, Jesus is bringing us to the edge. He is challenging our view of the status quo. He is challenging us to re-evaluate our priorities. He is talking about Kingdom behavior here, not politics. If we behave nicely only for the purpose of being treated nicely maybe we will have a nicer world, but we are still working on humanistic motivations. So, what is hidden here? Where is the challenge? What is the Kingdom value that confronts our humanistic, secular value?
The key, perhaps, can be found in a couple of other passages in Matthew. Matthew, I am totally convinced, was far more educated and a far more brilliant thinker than many of us have given him credit for. (Acts 4:13 does not mean that the apostles were stupid, back-water, red-neck hayseeds. What it means is that they were not "professionally" educated, in the sense of a school of a well-known Rabbi, competent to handle not only the law, but the volumes and volumes of commentary upon the law.) The gospel of Matthew reveals a deep thinker, and a systematic thinker, one who carefully and prayerfully constructed his story. (Note: I am in no way questioning Holy Spirit inspiration. But, you cannot do a study of the gospels and not realize the profound literary and thematic differences of the gospel writers. I do not believe in dictation inspiration, but I do very firmly believe in the Holy Spirit inspiration of the text.) So, anyway, let us return to Matthew and see if there are other passages which shine a light of understanding on Matthew 5:7.
I think those passages are found in Matthew 9:9-13 and 12:1-8, two "bookend" passages as it were that encompass an ongoing conflict that Jesus had with the Pharisees. In both of those stories the key verse is, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice." (9:13 and 12:7). In the first passage Jesus calls upon His Pharisee enemies to go and learn what the passage means. In the second, he chides His enemies and tells them that if they had done their homework and learned what the passage meant they would understand his mission. Now, here is where biblical interpretation, and therefore theology, gets to be so much fun. (At least for geeks like me.)
The passage that Jesus appears to be quoting is Hosea 6:6. But if you read the passage in Hosea in a formal or mostly formal translation you will not read what Jesus quoted. You will note that Hosea is quoting God as saying, "I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice." The same concept can also be found in Micah 6:6-8, in which Micah quotes God as saying all he desires is "to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with God." The Hebrew word here is chesed, almost always translated steadfast love or loving kindness. However, when the word was translated from the Hebrew into the Greek for the Greek speaking Jews, the word become eleos, meaning mercy. Now, we do not have the exact word that Jesus spoke here – he most probably was speaking to these Pharisees in Aramaic and not Greek. But, regardless, the word that Matthew chose (once again, lest I be misunderstood, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit) was mercy.
So, did Jesus (or Matthew) change the meaning of the text? Why the change from steadfast love to mercy if Jesus really wanted to quote Hosea perfectly? Does the context of these two passages offer a clue?
In Matthew 9 the context is the calling of Matthew and the following meal. Jesus confronts the exclusivist behavior of the Pharisees by quoting a homey little proverb "those who have need of a physician are not the healthy but the sick" and then quoting Hosea. The context strongly favors our typical understanding of the word "mercy" – showing kindness to someone whether they deserve it or not. But, upon careful examination, a physician helping a sick person is not an act of "mercy." It is his obligation. It is his job. It is something he is called to do, maybe based on his drive to help others, but still something that is expected of him. So, what is the "mercy" to which Jesus refers here?
In the second passage the immediate context involves the Pharisees' complaint about the disciples' violation of the Sabbath by plucking grain and eating it. Jesus responds with two Old Covenant examples of "legitimate" law breaking – David and the consecrated loaves and the priests "violating" the Sabbath law by making necessary sacrifices. Here, neither case that Jesus presented has anything to do with "mercy." What they do encompass is obeying the will of God to its fullest extent. Both stories communicate steadfast devotion to God, and thus I believe we have the clue that unlocks the meaning of 9:13 and also of 5:7.
It is my understanding of the word "mercy" here that Jesus (and therefore Matthew) is drawing upon the greater meaning in Hosea and not just the limited meaning that we attach to the word. That is to say that meanings such as kindness, generosity and serving when others do not deserve our service are a part of the concept taught in Matthew 5:7, but the full meaning of the word is far, far bigger.
When you combine the passages in Hosea, Micah ( and others) with the later passages in Matthew, I truly believe Jesus is saying something like this: Blessed are those who are so utterly and totally focused on living out the full nature of God that everything they do reflects upon God's faithful and enduring nature. Those who demonstrate their steadfast and immoveable love to God by steadfastly demonstrating God's love, will, in return, receive the steadfast and immoveable love and kindness from God. Does that involve showing mercy? Absolutely. But does our 21st century understanding of mercy exhaust the concept of chesed and eleos? I don't think so.
Many, many people can show mercy to others and not demonstrate any idea of serving God. There is a difference between feeding the poor and feeding the poor in the name of Christ. Both are good endeavors, and the hungry get fed. But it is only in the second that the steadfast love and mercy of God are glorified. The first points to the filling of an empty stomach. The second point toward the one who created both the stomach and the food – and to spiritual hunger and eternal blessing.
I really believe far, far too many people take Matthew 5:7 and secularize it and turn it into a command to go out and start a soup kitchen, or open a health clinic, or dig a well somewhere. Now, don't misunderstand me – all those are good things. But if we are doing those things as a work of human righteousness, and we ignore the steadfast love and enduring forgiveness of God, then we are missing the point of Matthew 5:7. Jesus, and Matthew, is not just saying -"Go out and do something." Jesus is saying, "In everything that you do, be so fully wrapped up in God that people will not see you – they will see only God and his love in you." It is at that point that we will receive the love of God, even if, and in particular when, others turn against us.
When we get our minds wrapped around that, we will truly become a radical people.
Posted on January 18, 2013, in Christ and Culture, Justice, Spiritual Formation, Theology and tagged Christian worldview, discipleship, God, Hosea, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Matthew, Sermon on the Mount. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
I haven't studied it yet, but I was wondering if Jesus (or Matthew) was quoting the Greek Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Septuiagant (sp)? Could this be the difference between "mercy" and "steadfast love"?
Thanks for sharing the fruits of you labor in His Word!
Regards from Texas,
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- July 6, 2012
eLearning is one of the most rapidly growing industries. A recent study by Ambient Insight Research shows that "the worldwide market for e-learning products was $32.1 billion (£20.5 billion) in 2010 and is expected to rise to $49.9 billion by 2015." Instructor-led training (roundpeg's specialty) represents the largest sector of the market. Blended-learning is a term for a combination of methods, which could include: video, animation, PowerPoint, Adobe® Captivate™ modules, Adobe® Connect™ polls & pods. Blended learning provides the most dynamic, interesting and engaging experience. The staff at roundpeg also develops eLearning content, from design to delivery.
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Kelly McCathran is the newest "pegger" on the roundpeg team. She is the Training Evangelist and will work with the talented Adobe Certified Instructors who teach for roundpeg.
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Sunshine through the Cloud!
I spent an hour on line with Paul Trani, Adobe Creative Cloud Evangelist and got a full bore explanation and demonstration of "The Creative Cloud". If you are not already up to speed on this new service from Adobe let me fill you in and give you my take.
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At roundpeg we measure ourselves by the company we keep.
If you are an industry expert and want to teach for us, read on!
Know an industry expert that might want to teach online or in person? Send them our way and we'll give you a free course after their first assignment.
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Looking to pursue professional recognition?
Wondering what it takes to teach Adobe software?
Here's a rundown of Adobe's requirements for certification, complete with links to exams and prep guides.
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Need to get your FrameMaker and RoboHelp content published to EclipseHelp? Here's a quick review of EclipseHelp options using Adobe Technical Communication Suite 3.x
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- December 1, 2011 | By Aaron Downey
Flex has been part of the Open Source community since the release of Flex 3. What's different now is that Adobe has released the roadmap for Flex, relinquishing control of the SDK to the community at large. Adobe plans to be part of that community, rather than being the controlling body. There are still some issues with this approach since Adobe is not opening up the Flash Player to the Open Source community. When trying to build a platform that is dependent on the Flash Player and you don't know the underlying features, it makes it difficult to extend past the current release.
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Here are some of the most common questions our new clients ask us.
Got a different question? Use the commenting feature down below to get an answer and help us make this more useful to other students.
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Get geared up to publish to Kindle and iTunes!
Conference season is just gearing up and once again, Matt Sullivan, roundpeg's Director of Training, will be representing the Adobe Technical Communication Suite team at a number of events.
Matt will be delivering a 1/2 day workshop which will include an overview of publishing Kindle and ePub formats, as well as an opportunity for attendees to create their own working Kindle and iTunes publishing accounts.
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Ever wonder what those weird square images are? Try scanning this one with your smart phone's barcode reader and you'll be closer to finding out! roundpeg is hosting the November 8th meeting of the Orange County
Matt Sullivan roundpeg director of training will be sharing some easy tips for incorporating barcodes into your workplace to make everyone's life a little easier.
Can't make the November 8th afternoon presentation? Try attending the dry run at the roundpeg-hosted webinar on October 25th instead.
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Daughter, friends react to missing woman being found in FL
LITITZ, Pa. - Brenda Heist disappeared after dropping her kids off at school back in February 2002, police said. Now she's turned up -- alive.
Eleven years later, Heist, 53, formerly of Lititz, Lancaster Co., has been found in Key West, Fla.
Investigators said Heist was upset about an upcoming divorce. The news of her reappearing has stunned her former husband and her family.
"Yes, it was a shock, but at the time point, too, we've already started planning to move forward," said Lee Heist.
Brenda Heist survived in Florida by joining a group of homeless people, living in tents and under bridges and by eating scraps of food, police said.
The Heist family no longer lives where Brenda left them in Lititz. They have since moved to Norristown, Montgomery Co. Lee Heist has remarried.
Lee and Brenda Heist had two children. Their son is in New Jersey. Their daughter, Morgan, lives with her dad and stepmother. She is a student at Montgomery County Community College.
Morgan was 8 when this all happened. She's now 19.
"I was 8, not a care in the world," said Morgan Heist, adding that she remembers the day like it was yesterday. "Her dropping me off at the school that day and her telling me she'd be at the grocery store. When we got home, she wouldn't be home. So we got home, assumed she was at the grocery store. Just never came back."
People thought the worst -- kidnapping, murder. But not Morgan.
"I always said I thought she left, but everyone was like, 'No. She loved you guys too much.' And finally, when I started to accept that, we get this news," said Morgan.
She found out Friday from the detective who has been working this case from the beginning.
"She left me, you know. She was selfish and she left me and my brother and my dad," said Morgan, "She got up and decided she couldn't do it anymore. That's not what you do as a mother."
That's not the mom she remembered.
"She'd take me to the library. We run home from the library, we'd race," said Morgan. "She'd help me and my friends get through stupid fights."
But the photo of her mom from Florida changed that.
"It broke my heart. That's my mom," said Morgan, who's angry. "As of right now, we're going to keep our distance. We're doing okay. I know it's heart breaking. I just put up a good front."
Morgan said her grandmother told her that Brenda said she loved her and missed her. Morgan said together with her brother, they'll decide if they'll talk to the mom who left them so long ago.
Residents in Lititz were shocked to learn of Heist's reappearance.
"And here it is, 11 years and she's alive. I don't see how in the world a mother could leave two little children behind," said one neighbor, who did not want to reveal her name.
Heist's disappearance haunted some neighbors. Every time they heard about a body being found, they thought it was Brenda's.
"She expressed remorse," said Det. Sgt. John Schofield, Lititz Police Dept. "She told me she was sorry for what she did. She felt embarrassed, ashamed, and she understands why no one is going to want to talk to her or forgive her for something like this."
While some neighbors are still angry, after all these years, others said now is the time for compassion.
"I don't like to judge people," said Mary Theresa Squirdo. "Because you never know what's going on in their lives. Everyone has their own story."
"You know, every day I drive by the house and say a little prayer and just hope for the best," said Mike Squirdo.
Police said Brenda told them that she "snapped," it was a whim, and she made a decision after thinking there was no way she could raise her children on her small salary.
Officials said it's still not certain if Heist will face charges, but she will travel to Texas to live with relatives.
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Which is the first country in the world to pay a basic income to randomly picked citizens on a national level, with the aim of dismissing poverty, motivate people to join work force and decrease unemplyment ?
Who was appointed as Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation in the year 2017 ?
Senior IPS officer Alok Kumar Verma, Delhi Police Commissioner was appointed as new Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation. He will have tenure of two years. He was selected by a three-member committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice J S Khehar and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge. He will take over from interim director Rakesh Asthana, who was handed the reins of the premier investigating agency after former director Anil Sinha retired on December 2, 2016.
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Who has been appointed as the new Executive Director (ED) of RBI in place of US Paliwal ?
Surekha Marandi has been appointed as the new Executive Director (ED) of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). She succeeded U S Paliwal, who retired on December 31, 2016.
The International Kite Festival (Uttarayan) will be started from which of the following states?
The 30th International Kite Festival (Uttarayan) will be held in Gujarat from January 8 to 13, 2017. Apart from this, three other international kite festivals will be held in different parts of India viz. Telangana International Kite Festival will be held in Hyderabad on January 14 and 15, the Delhi International Kite Festival from January 16 to 17 and the Belgaum International Kite Festival from January 18 to 22.
"Good Samaritan Policy" has been launched by which state / union territory government?
The Delhi government has recently approved 'Good Samaritan Policy' under which monetary incentive of Rs 2,000 and appreciation certificate will be given to people who help road accident victims in the national capital. The scheme is intended to encourage people to take accident victims in emergency situation to hospitals so that someone's life could be saved.
Which international organization has declared 2017 as the "International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development"?
The United Nations (UN) has declared 2017 as the "International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development" to celebrate and advance the commitment of the tourism division to building a superior world.The International Year aims to support a change in policies, business practices and consumer behavior towards a more sustainable tourism sector that can contribute effectively to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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After reading a letter to the editor in the June Flight Training about a lack of women and minorities represented in aviation, Jean Moule sent this previously published blog to Editor Ian Twombly. We post it here with her permission.—Ed.
"75765, is there an instructor on board?" My erratic taxiing had been noted by the control tower. The basics seemed so difficult. Maybe it was a good thing that the threatening weather kept my instructor and me on the ground in our plane.
I stared through the raindrops on the aircraft windshield. Would I ever learn to fly? I have seen my grandchildren and my students begin a difficult task, become frustrated and put the material or task down with a sigh, lacking the will to continue. I have learned how to help them move past the barriers to try again. Could I do that for myself?
Rarely in my adult life have I faced tasks I found challenging beyond learning a new skill on the computer or how to work a new appliance or gadget. And rarely do these tasks have high emotional impact or the kinds of pressure one may experience when the task is complex, cognitively difficult and watched over intently by a teacher.
Perhaps I needed a reminder of such experiences. Five years ago in "Ask Nana Jean" I wrote about my climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and concluded with my desire to reach more heights. Climb another mountain? Learn to fly? And that is how I found myself behind the controls of an airplane, I in the pilot seat and the instructor on controls on the right. Could I reach high places in a plane?
This was my 3rd lesson; this time with a substitute instructor. The checklist with 120 items and a cockpit with a lot more dials than a car seemed bewildering. Afterwards, as I paid for my half hour on the ground my head filled over and over with "Why am I doing this?" I reminded myself: I want to learn to fly…
- Because I like heights.
- Because I want additional perspectives.
- Because I need exhilaration and a new challenge.
I drove home feeling dejected, the rain and gray clouds matching my mood. I knew that at some point I would have to find the reserves to try again. I tried to encourage myself by thinking about other challenging things I have accomplished:
- Remember learning to drive a car?
- Remember handling an excavator that one time?
- Remember learning to ski or pull a sled while on ski patrol?
- Remember learning to teach!
I made a list of resolutions and requests that I believed would help me continue on:
- Get a copy of the preflight checklist and go over it at home
- Get a life-sized poster of the cockpit and practice touching the right switches
- Ask my instructor to taxi next time to at least get us off the ground
And finally, I remembered the pleasure I receive when my own students begin to grasp a concept that is hard for them. So my final reason for continuing with my lessons? My instructors may feel blessed when their challenging and challenged student finally makes progress. They, too, will have a student whose success they will remember fondly…when she finally leans to fly solo.
Ten days later:
I flew today. My instructor watched as I turned the plane over our house, circled the small town of Lyons where we used to live, flew over the road I take to work. Up and down. Level flight, smooth turns and a deep satisfaction. Now I need to learn to take off and land!
What a contrast to just a few days ago when I almost put down my pilot log-book for good.
My words for myself and others: when the journey gets tough, be strong and continue on. No matter how long it takes.—Jean Moule
Jean Moule is an emerita faculty member of Oregon State University, and a published writer and artist. Visit her website.—Ed.
Tags: flight instructor, flight training, landings, logbook, student pilot, takeoffs


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Hi there,
My Acousticaster has recently started humming, sounding just like a grounding problem on a regular electric guitar. My guitar tech has checked out all the wiring and connections which are all fine. He has traced the source of the hum to the under saddle pickup itself. If you touch the saddle the hum increases. If you press firmly down on the saddle the hum stops completely.
He thinks there may be a delamination problem between the saddle and the pickup itself. Has anyone experienced a similar issue and can it be repaired. If not repairable, does anyone know what the pickup is in an Acousticaster? Godin says its a proprietary pickup, but I assume its an LR Baggs LB6.
Any help would be much appreciated.


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Jon P. Gronquist
Jon P. Gronquist, 70, of 427 S. Main St., Jamestown passed away Jan. 10, 2013, at UPMC Hamot.
He was born March 17, 1942, in Jamestown, the son of the late Fenton and Evelyn Lindquist Gronquist and Katherine SanFilippo Gronquist Hoyt, who raised him.
A Jamestown resident all of his life, Jon graduated from Jamestown High School in 1960, and was currently employed at Producto Machine, Ring Division, where he worked for 48 years. He also was a member at South Hills Country Club, Lakewood Rod & Gun Club and the Viking Lodge. He was a former member of First Lutheran Church.
Jon lived life to the fullest and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He loved the game of golf and played throughout his life. He started as a caddy at age 11 and had several holes-in-one. A highlight for him was caddying for Arnold Palmer at Moon Brook Country Club during an exhibition match in 1959. He also played in many Italian-American charity golf tournaments and enjoyed playing softball, bowling and basketball in earlier years.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Diana Moline Gronquist, whom he married on May 4, 1963, in First Lutheran Church; daughter, Sheila (Allen) Myers, and son, Patrick "PJ" (Victoria) Gronquist, both of Jamestown; three grandchildren, Adrienne (Parker) Mitchell of Nevada, Christopher Myers of Alexandria, Va., and Tristan Myers of Jamestown; a one great-granddaughter, Penelope Mitchell of Nevada; and a sister, Kathie Bellucci of Gainesville, Fla.
Besides his parents, Jon was preceded in death by a sister, Blenda Pettibone; and two brothers: Wesley and Roger Gronquist.
The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in Memorial Chapel of First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daniel Nagle, pastor at First Lutheran, will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Saturday in the Lind Funeral Home.
Memorials contributions may be made to the James-town High School class of 1960 Scholarship Fund, c/o Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY 14701 or Hospice of Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750; WCA Hospital Foundation, earmarked for ICU equipment, P.O. Box 840, Jamestown, NY 14702; or a charity of choice.
You may light a candle in remembrance of Jon at www.lindfuneralhome.com.


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Research Report: Q2 Member Benchmarking Survey Results
August 8, 2012
This report is based on questions posed by ANA members. Topics covered in this survey include marketing accountability, media (direct marketing and out-of-home marketing), and marketing financial management.
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tired of all the tourist maps of edinburgh?
we will start to make the first emotional map of edinburgh. Instead of pointing out all the normal attractions we will mark out places that people have special relation to either a memory or an emotion e.g where they got their first kiss, broke their legs, a hidden place they go when they're sad etc.etc.
so the first meeting is on wednesday the 5th at 3.00 here at the forest!
hope to see you there!


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Leptobrachium nigrops
Leptobrachium nigrops is a species of amphibian in the Megophryidae family. It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical swamps, and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.
- van Dijk, P.P., Inger, R. & Yaakob, N. 2004. Leptobrachium nigrops. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 23 July 2007.


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Next weekend I'll be performing a concert with my group, Chorus Austin. We will be doing the Mozart Mass in C-Minor which is, in all honesty, a simply amazing piece of choral work. If you can make it, you ought to come. Schedule and details are here, and you can check out the nifty glossy flier here. If nothing else, you should see how I look in a tuxedo.
I'm taking a gamble by bringing eight year old Ben along. I expect he'll pay attention to some of the music for twenty minutes and then hopefully read quietly during the rest. In order to get his interest up, I've been playing some movements for him on my iPod — I tried to get him into classical music early in life, and this video turned out to be a fascinating way to demonstrate how fugues work. (The beginning of that piece, the part that everyone has heard in scary movies, is the toccata. The fugue begins at the 2:50 mark. A fugue is like the instrumental version of singing a "round", with a single theme that gets repeated by different voices, usually in different keys.)
Separating form from message
Of course I also had to explain the words, which are roughly the same as words that are in every mass. My chorus has sung a lot of masses (with Bach's B-Minor being my all-time favorite) so I know the words pretty well. It is basically an abridged Latin translation of the entire story of Jesus. They all start out with "Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison" ("Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy"). Then they move on to "Gloria in exceslis Deo" ("Glory to God in the highest"). There is a statement of faith in the credo, which is referenced in the title of this post. ("Credo in Unum Deum" means "I believe in one God." The "Non" was my own addition.)
Eventually they work up to introducing Jesus Christ ("Jesu Christe") and how he was crucified ("Crucifixus") after being betrayed by Pontius Pilate; then dead and buried ("sub Pontio Pilato passus, et sepultus est") But then! Yay! He came back! ("Et resurrexit!") And everything was all better, and finally we live happily ever after, or at least we hope so. ("Dona nobis pacem", grant us peace.) There is also a bit in the about love for the one, true, holy Catholic church ("Et Unam Sanctam Catholicam et Apostolicam"), which you have to admit is an odd sentiment in the middle of Baptist country.
As a story, it's not too terrible. I mean, obviously I don't base my life around it, but you can look at it as a compelling superhero origin story. But it does get a little tedious when you consider the fact that it was virtually the only story expressed successfully through the song for several centuries in a row.
As I explained to Ben, not agreeing with the lyrics does not diminish the power of the music. The choral works of Bach and Mozart are among the greatest artistic achievements in human history, if I say so myself. Christians today are, of course, eager to take credit for this, saying that great art is made possible by the influence of God.
Secular Art
…Which is nonsense. One of my other favorite pieces of all time is "Carmina Burana," which I believe is in the short list of pieces that our director plans to put on the agenda in future seasons. Carmina Burana is essentially a satire of religious liturgies, full of Latin lyrics in full on praise of drinkin', gamblin', overeatin', and good old sexual frenzies. And it is a hell of a musical piece also.
As we've arrived in more modern times, there has been an explosion of creativity which for the first time in history is not mostly driven by the church. I'll stack up The Beatles and Rush against the musical greats of centuries gone by, and even John Williams (composer for movies such as "Star Wars," "Indiana Jones," "Jurassic Park," and "Harry Potter") makes a pretty good secular showing with an orchestra.
Religion used to largely dominate the art profession. Why? Because religious institutions were the ones with piles of money, and you needed rich patrons to survive as a composer or painter or sculptor. Writing a mass or a requiem made good financial sense, not to mention the always present nebulous claims of the church that if you offer enough stuff to God then it will make it easier to get into heaven, back when the rules of entry were not so sharply defined as in a Jack Chick tract.
Rock me, obscene child
It's kind of interesting, if you think about it, that religion no longer dominates popular art. I'm not going to pick on Christian rock. In fact, I've heard individual rock selections expressing sincere religious themes that I liked, musically, very much. (Don't press me for examples, please. I cannot think of any off the top of my head, and if I remembered some then I'd probably embarrass myself by exposing my tastes.) But the point is, religion no longer dominates the music scene the way it did in the mid-to-late parts of the last millennium.
Likewise, I can think of very few movies that exist primarily to promote a religious message that have gotten much traction. There's The Passion of the Christ, of course; that did very well. A handful of historical classics like The Ten Commandments and Ben Hur. But here, again, religious contributions are dwarfed by the very large number of excellent movies that have been made outside the umbrella of religion; and movies that do treat religious themes frequently take a critical or ambiguous view of the church. Was Casablanca a theatrical mass? Was Citizen Kane a liturgical requiem? I think not.
For a good example of the intersection of movies and classical music, there's Amadeus, an Academy Award winner which presents an entertaining (though thoroughly fictionalized) account of Mozart's life and work. A running theme throughout the movie is that Salieri, the villain/protagonist, worships a God who simply does not make any sense. Salieri initially believes that God loves great music and will reward his own religious fervor with the gift of great talent and success. Instead, he watches helplessly as great music is channeled through a Mozart who is portrayed as a "giggling, dirty creature" and an "obscene child."
The whole story of his epic failure at life is told to a young and naive priest, whose look of complete shock and disillusionment at the end of the movie has to be seen and enjoyed. For me, the movie highlights the fact, not that the universe is malevolent, but that by all appearances it doesn't actually care about your piety. Artistic messages are still in the eye of the beholder, and that's just my interpretation. But unlike a Latin mass, Amadeus is great art that doesn't directly praise and glorify God.
Sturgeon was right
The percentage of artistic works that portray a positive religious message has declined over time. This is a statement evangelists would agree with, and they'd use it as a sign of the moral decline of our times. I see it instead as an obvious resu
lt of the fact that religion is no longer the only game in town, which I hardly need to this audience say is a good thing.
You can partly credit this to Sturgeon's Law, which states: "Ninety percent of everything is crud." Most new music that is produced sucks. Most new art that is produced sucks. Most blog posts suck. We romanticize the past because most of the crud has been filtered out by disappearing from the public consciousness. Now we are left with the impression that every playwright of the past was Shakespeare, and every musician of the past was Bach, and every painter was Rembrandt, and every statesman was Jefferson. There are just as many new great works of art being produced now; perhaps even more, since we have so many more tools to make art accessible; but it's buried under mountains of crud that hasn't been filtered out yet.
However, the crud of the past that is no longer with us, was also in large part financed by the church. Reaching back in history, we have much more material to choose from that is religious because that's just where artists went to get money.
I actually am kind of disappointed that so much of the art of the past has exactly the same lyrics. To my modern ear, it seems lazy (probably unjustly, given the circumstances). As I said, I'm not even saying that the gospels tell a bad story. It's just not the ONLY story they could have chosen. It's as if all movies had to be made about just one story. Maybe something from Shakespeare. Let's pick Henry V as an example. I really like Henry V, especially the Kenneth Branagh film version… his delivery of that inspirational speech cements Henry in my mind as one of the greatest military badasses of literature.
But suppose every movie was just a retelling Henry V, and not only that, they were expected to recycle most of the dialogue from the original Shakespeare version. Wouldn't that get boring?
I recognize, of course, that music is not a movie. The musical qualities of Mozart's Mass in C-Minor are on a separate dimension from the words they are expressing. Mozart also wrote a lot of symphonies, and those don't even have words. So you could argue that the lyrics don't matter.
I kind of think they do matter, though, because they are another piece of the art that could be employed to supply great and unique new sentiments, and they kind of don't. The music is influenced by the lyrics, so you can predict what kind of dynamic is called for at any point in a mass. Here's the Crucifixus again, it's all slow and somber like every Crucifixus. Then it gets loud and exultant with Et Resurrexit. Hosanna in Excelsis is joyful, etc. Now, Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, they all wrote masses, and they all approached the subject with different sensibilities. They each have uniquely beautiful ways of capturing these emotions, but they're still just telling the same story. And I don't even think it's all that great a story.
Credo in intelligentibus
I want to wrap this up, so here's my credo. I believe that human beings are capable of producing massive amounts of crap and calling it art. I also believe that once in a while, some truly terrific stuff filters to the top which withstands the test of time. Sometimes the good stuff goes unrecognized and gets forgotten anyway. But I believe that people are sensitive enough that over time, a lot of great stuff has accumulated for all of us to share and enjoy.
I believe that people find inspiration in all different aspects of their lives. I believe that something doesn't have to be true in order to inspire beauty, but that truth is inherently beautiful and preferable. I believe that we should seek to understand more of our world, not less; and we should look for art and inspiration in all of the universe, not just a story that we tell ourselves to pretend that we know more than we really do.


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Anthrax -- Fort Lauderdale, FL -- November 2nd, 2011
I was so fucking pumped for this show, last show I was at was almost a month ago when I saw Cavalera Conspiracy. I was so excited to see Death Angel and Testament for the first time and Anthrax play more than like 6 songs in a small venue. I was fucking pumped! Me and my friends ate and left the house around 6:40 getting there at like 7:10. The doors were supposed to open at 7, but the line was so huge everyone got in around 7:30(Well people kept coming in after that, but fuck those guys).
Next think I know Death Angel came on and I didn't know much, but they were really good! I was very impressed by them and apparently they hand't played here in like 20 something years, which is pretty crazy. Regardless, they were a great way to open the show, but unfortunantly I was so excited for Testament and Anthrax I got a little impatient at times. Still, fun band live!
1. I Chose the Sky
2. Evil Priest
3. Claws In So Deep
4. Relentless Revolution
5. Seemingly Endless Time
6. The Ultra-Violence
7. Thrown to the Wolves
So once they finished, I went and bought a Testament tour shirt(Already had a Anthrax one) and went to piss. Then I returned to my spot next to the stairs near the stage for Testament. I was very excited seeing these guys for the first time and the moment the lights turned off EVERYONE went crazy. The sold-out crowd was really showing their craziness at this point. Pits were already forming and everyone was ready. Once they went into the Preacher, the crowd exploded. Pits were violent, everyone was crazy. Testament sounded so much heavier and better live it was unbelievable. The show was so violent, I was hurt about 5 times when I WASN'T in the pit. Though some dick tried starting a fight but thankfully got kicked out Over the Wall and Into the Pit definitely were the heaviest songs of the set and got the most crowd reaction in the set(that's saying a lot). Though there was one huge problem, Testament were loud, REALLY FUCKING LOUD. Not loud in the good sense, in the sense "Holy shit this is painful, my ears are bleeding". It really fucked the set up for me and my ears are still ringing. Still great performance.
1. The Preacher
2. The New Order
3. The Persecuted Won't Forget
4. Envy Life
5. Over the Wall
6. Souls of Black
7. Into the Pit
8. Electric Crown
9. Henchmen Ride
10. More Than Meets the Eye
12. 3 Days in Darkness
13. Disciples of the Watch
Next, was the band that sold out the place in the first place, MOTHER FUCKING ANTHRAX, BITCH! I was so excited, it wan't even remotely humorous. Most of my friends there were there for Anthrax, but I had the largest feeling Anthrax would kill all.
The moment the background was dropped and the lights were off, the pit was already. And I'm saying the space open, people were pushing and shoving already . The moment the crowd saw Joey and everyone else they freaked and once Earth on Hell started, it didn't seem like what Anthrax played could matter, because everyone would go insane anyways. Earth on Hell came off to me as sloppy though (which was disappointing cause i was looking forward to it the most). Joey seemed to be skipping lots of words and taking breaths in between a lot. I was worried this would continue. Plus everything else seemed lacking. Thankfully I was proven wrong! Once Fight Em Till You Can't came on everything I worried about went away. Everyone sang their hearts out and moshed like crazy. Also the song sounded SO good live, I couldn't help myself from headbanging like a maniac. Once it was finished, they went into old shit and then I realized how pale in comparison their new stuff was live. EVERYONE WENT BAT SHIT INSANE. Once the opening riff to Caught in a Mosh opened the biggest fucking pit opened and everyone lost it, including me. People in the pit were running, pushing, singing along, everything. It was fucking insanity. Same went for Antisocial(which is fun as hell to sing along to live!). I Am Alive and The Devil You Know was the crowds break, but people were still singing a long like crazy. Then Indians came in and holy shit, all hell broke loose, AGAIN. Throughout this whole time I couldn't stop headbanging and moving. They just sounded so god damn good. Got the Time was even better, full of energy and being a face paced song it was full of energy and fun to sing along to as well. In The End was another break moment, but holy shit was it epic live. 2nd Best song off the new album live, right before Fight Em Till You Can't. They then ended with a surprise to the crowd, NFL! Such a good song to hear live and such a treat. By the way, little in the middle of the review, but Anthrax knows how to interact with a crowd, probably better than any band I have seen in a LONG LONG time. Not to mention the crazy amount of energy the whole band had. It was just an insane experience. Anyways back to the main review. So the band left after NFL and everyone began chanting for them. It was kind of funny because no one knew really what to say. People were yelling ANTHRAX, ONE MORE SONG, ENCORE, 3 MORE SONGS, 6 MORE SONGS, etc. It was hilarious. The band did come on back with Scott starting the riff of Madhouse. That really got everyone to get back on their feet, even if it was the end of this long, long day. Afterwords Scott had a speech about Fort Lauderdale and Dio. He mentioned how In The End was meant for Dio, etc, etc. They then went to Metal Thrashing Mad, which surprised a good amount of the crowd. By then it was obvious everyone was tired, but no one was giving up yet. Soon then Joey and Scott looked at us and said if there is one time to go fucking insane, its now. Then Scott just stood there a few seconds and yelled UNO, DOS, UNO, DOS,TRES and began Refuse/Resist.
HOLY. FUCKING. SHIT. When they said go insane, THE CROWD FUCKING LISTENED. The whole floor was a violent insane pit. Everyone was moving, one way or another. It was possibly the biggest pit Ive seen... ever. Not to mention they did such a good damn cover, better than both Sepultura and Cavalera Conspiracy. Sadly, it only went to the first verse. Soon it came to the end and Anthrax ended with I Am The Law. Everyone continued to go crazy as usual, but mostly it was headbanging and singing along. They then said their good byes and left. Best band of the night, hands down and possibly best show I've been all year. It was just that damn good, I don't give a shit what they play, if they keep playing like this, I will see them anytime. I've enjoyed them live more than any of the BIG 4 (except maybe Slayer, but thats because I LOVE slayer). They did awesome, everyone of my friends admitted Testament didn't hold a candle to Anthrax live. Go see them, you won't regret it.
Earth on Hell
Fight 'Em Till You Can't
Caught in a Mosh
(Trust cover)
I'm Alive
The Devil You Know
Got the Time
(Joe Jackson cover)
In the End
Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)
Metal Thrashing Mad
Refuse/Resist (Sepultura cover)
I Am The Law
Nice review.
Why can't everyone's on here be that good?
That's one hell of a paragraph!
I love inside jokes, I'd love to be a part of one some day.
1.23 Ash Borer / Volahn
2.2 Obliteration
2.7 Mayhem / Inquisition
And what do you mean? Good at reviewing? Or give a detailed review?
Great review man! Enjoyed it very much, and it was a good way to wake me up in this nice rainy morning(its raining like hell over here in CA)
@ Sanitarium. I thought I was the one that usually leaves the best and most detailed reviews on Metalsetlist.com
8/31 - Sleep
11/10 - Judas Priest
11/14 - Slayer
|anthrax, death angel, testament
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"We sometimes hear complaints about the effectiveness of the K-12 schools in Mississippi," says Ruthie Stevenson, doctoral program coordinator for Leadership K-12 in the MC Department of Teacher Education and Leadership. "But we cannot have effective schools without effective leaders."
Training those future, effective leaders is the goal of the Mississippi College educational leadership program. Open to K-12 educators who wish to assume leadership roles as school principals or school system administrators, the program offers a master's degree, specialist's degree, or doctoral degree in educational leadership. A second doctoral program launched in 2011 offers a concentration in curriculum and instruction for those who wish to work on curriculum at the school district level.
The program prepares candidates to become strong, ethical leaders capable of guiding K-12 schools to new levels of success in an environment that's becoming more and more challenging. Schools have always been a reflection of society; some current societal issues, including the breakdown of the family, lack of parental involvement, changing moral beliefs, and the evolving definition of "diversity," are magnified in the classroom. Today's school principals and administrators face challenges that their predecessors could not have imagined.
"It takes ethics and courage to be a leader and to make difficult decisions," says Tommye Henderson, assistant professor of teacher education and leadership, who guides the doctoral program with concentration in curriculum and instruction. "In some school districts, that courage is gone."
The educational leadership program attracts teachers with the courage to make a difference and a clear vision for where they believe K-12 schools should and could be.
"Our vision as a department is to produce the best prepared educational leaders in the history of the state of Mississippi," says Doris Smith, who coordinates the master's degree program. "We really work at being the best at meeting the challenges of today's society."
The master's degree program combines class work, seminars presented by respected practitioners in the educational field, team building exercises, and in-depth presentations and projects. Each master's degree candidate must also complete an internship in the school in which he or she currently teaches. MC program coordinators work with the principal in each candidate's school to design an internship during which the candidate progressively acts more and more as the principal. For example, the candidate might handle disciplinary issues, run a parent/ principal conference, or serve as "principal for the day."
The MC program is selective; of the 58 applicants who applied for the session that began in June 2011, only 18 were accepted. The master's degree candidates are referred to individually as "cohorts" and collectively as "a cohort" and complete the program together, relying on one another for input, insight, and encouragement.
"As leaders in a school, these candidates won't work alone, so they don't work alone here," Smith says. "Cohorts become each other's best friends and support systems."
"Your cohorts are always looking for ways to help, from offering to babysit your kids to walking you through their areas of expertise where you might not be as strong," says DeSean Dyson, a teacher and coach at Clinton High School who graduated from the master's degree program in 2011. "I remember us having these exciting combination conversation-and-study sessions. We threw ideas around and fed off of each other's knowledge and energy."
Those who earn master's degrees continue to be an integral part of the program, with previous cohorts returning to campus to teach successive groups.
"What makes this program good – and I believe it's the best in the state – is what we've done together," Smith says. "We have tremendous support and input from practitioners in the field, including principals and supervisors. Students in one cohort share ideas for the next cohort. Once a year, we hold a review and invite all of our graduates to come back and get involved in the planning and tweaking of the program. This program belongs to its participants and to the people who are going to hire them."
The specialist and doctoral programs in educational leadership build on the foundation laid in the master's degree program. Participants include not only teachers, but also principals and administrators who already hold leadership positions, but wish to earn degrees that will prepare them for further advancement.
"The most rewarding part of the program has definitely been the instructors," says doctoral candidate Amanda Harris '01, '09 who earned her bachelor's degree and her specialist in education degrees from Mississippi College and currently works as a technology coordinator for the Rankin County School district. "Not only are they experienced with educational issues that school leaders across Mississippi face, but they are well connected to current educational leaders and bring them in to talk with us in class. Through the program at MC, I've learned from current and retired superintendents, school board members, educational association leaders, legislators, and attorneys.
"After I finished the specialist program, I considered transferring to a larger university for the doctorate," Harris continues. "But in the end, I knew that MC was the best choice to learn from experts in issues that Mississippi educational leaders face."
Doctoral candidates also point to each other as a source of knowledge, inspiration, and new ideas.
The exchange of ideas with my classmates has shaped my philosophy of education," Harris says."We all come from different backgrounds and different districts, and hold various positions. We have a curriculum director, special education director, technology coordinator, teachers, coaches, and several school-based administrators – it's almost like we have our own 'school district' as a group."
"My view of 'school' used to revolve around my classroom. I never thought of anything outside my four walls. Now my view of 'school' includes every classroom and office on our campus," says doctoral candidate Brad Johns, who teaches math in the Rankin
County School District. "Collaborating with others in the program makes me a better teacher and future administrator as I 'borrow' the best ideas and teaching methodology from my peers and translate them into my own practice. As a result, my students experience best practices from around the state of Mississippi."
One thing all students from the master's through the doctoral level agree on is the intense, demanding nature of the educational leadership program.
"The most challenging aspect was staying on top of the work load," says Brett Robinson, a teacher and coach at Clinton High School who earned his master's degree in educational leadership in 2009. "Being a teacher, coach, father, husband, administrative intern, and grad student could be extremely overwhelming. But this was a great lesson to learn because it's just like being in an administrative position at a school. It's a constant battle of doing things for others, handling student issues, handling teacher issues, and still finding the time to get your own work done."
The program's benefits are clearly worth the effort. In an era when educators are often overworked, underpaid, and under appreciated, educators are willing to make the sacrifices needed to succeed in the rigorous MC program.
"Our students have extreme internal drive," Henderson says. "Typically, some experience or person in their lives has motivated them to want to make a difference in education."
"My daughter is in first grade, and I have made it my responsibility to make sure she and her classmates have the best education possible," says Keith Reed, who graduated from the master's program in 2010 and has since been promoted from a teacher at Brandon Middle School to assistant principal at Puckett Attendance Center. "This program gave me the foundation I needed to lead people and students in creating a positive school environment."
"My long-term goal is to serve God in the field of education," Dyson says. "Having been through this program, I feel much more equipped to do so in a leadership capacity. I've met and seen like-minded individuals who have turned their passion into action, and now I have better insight into what leadership can and should do."
"It's my goal to influence the educational system from the inside out so that I can help all children and so that my own children have a successful system in which to learn, grow and develop," Johns says. "My goal of becoming a school principal is more than just a position to me. It is the placement I need to create beneficial change for Mississippi's children."


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The Highland Mint New Orleans Saints Super Bowl Championship Ticket Collection
Product Information:
Celebrate the Saints' success with The Highland Mint® New Orleans Saints Super Bowl Ticket Collection. A full-color replica ticket from the win sits in the middle of the frame and draws attention to your team. Two gold flashed coins etched with team and league-specific graphics remind you of the Saints' history of success. Add an unbeatable piece of memorabilia to your home or office with The Highland Mint® Super Bowl ticket collection.
- The Highland Mint® New Orleans Saints Super Bowl ticket collection
- Full-color replica tickets from each victory lined up in middle
- Two commemorative coins with team and league graphics
- Full-color nameplate in between coins for team spirit
- Bold double matting for a sharp, quality look
- Durable frame and glass covering for protection
- Frame measures approximately 12" x 12"
- Officially licensed by the NFL®
- The Highland Mint
Country of Origin: United StatesWeb ID: 24303646


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Appeals Court Lets Medford Police Keep Lottery Winnings
The Oregon Court of Appeals has ruled that the Medford Police Department can collect a $1 million cash prize originally awarded to a woman who purchased a scratch ticket through illegal means in 2005. The Mail Tribune reports that 45-year-old Christina Elizabeth Goodenow argues that it was excessive punishment to strip her of the $1 million in winnings.
Goodenow stole the identity of her boyfriend's deceased mother and used her Visa card to make $12,000 in purchases, including a winning ticket. She pleaded no contest to these crimes and was sentenced to probation. As part of her sentencing, the lottery money was forfeited to the Medford Police Department. Police agencies in Oregon can collect money gained through criminal activity.
Goodenow, in an attempt to keep her winnings, filed an appeal in 2007.
Associated Press


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To those familiar with the history of New York City schools, this should come as no surprise: NYC schools chancellor Carmen Fariña is pushing for a return to Balanced Literacy, which she has long supported and which she sees as compatible with the Common Core.
Some dispute her claim; a New York Times article by Javier Hernández quotes Common Core architect Susan Pimentel, who says that part of the Balanced Literacy philosophy is "worrisome and runs counter to the letter and spirit of Common Core." Later, it states that she sees the two as potentially compatible. Compatibility aside, is this return to Balanced Literacy a good idea? I say emphatically no–and will give two reasons that weren't mentioned in the article. It was in large part my objection to Balanced Literacy (as dogma) that spurred me to write Republic of Noise.
Balanced Literacy, which traces back to initiatives of the 1970s and 1980s, rests on the premise that children learn best when allowed to teach each other and themselves. The teacher is a "guide on the side," not a "sage on the stage"; students have frequent opportunities to choose their own books; and most lessons involve small group work (or sometimes independent work). The program was extensively developed in NYC schools in the 1990s. Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein mandated it throughout NYC schools in 2003. It is the foundation of the Reading and Writing Project, founded by Lucy Calkins.
While certain elements of Balanced Literacy, applied prudently, could be part of good teaching anywhere, the program as a whole has dangerous weaknesses. Many critics have pointed to the lack of curricular focus and the implied disparagement of direct instruction. The NYT article quotes Robert Pondiscio, who became an eloquent and passionate critic of Balanced Literacy as a result of teaching it in the South Bronx:
"One of the best things you can do to build reading proficiency is to build a strong base of background knowledge," said Robert Pondiscio, a senior fellow and vice president at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a research organization. "When you have 24 kids reading 24 books, you're not accounting for that."
Indeed. Moreover, when there's no specific content that the students are learning together, what do they get instead? Strategies, strategies, and more strategies. Reading strategies, writing strategies, strategies for remembering your strategies. In the absence of content, such strategies become vapid. Forget about holding a candle; they can't even hold hot air to subject matter. Also, some of these "strategies" involve sidestepping the text–for instance, a teacher might encourage students to figure out unfamiliar words (that is, to figure out what they actually are) by looking at the pictures.
Here's my contribution to the discussion: Balanced Literacy is to be distrusted because it is an all-encompassing pedagogical package that comes with both a worldview and a fever. Moreover, its emphasis on group work discourages high-level, sustained, and original work and thought. [Read more…]


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Moderator: Mike
Mattal1958 wrote:Just my opinion here, and not taking shots at anyone who disagrees.
I do not think that because "Let Em In" sold a kazillion copies and was a huge hit that it therefore is a classic McCartney song. In fact, I think it's awful. It's indicative more of the times than anything else. 1976 was a strange year in pop music. Disco was coming to the fore, punk and new wave were about to burst onto the scene, and the style of music that we loved from the late 60's thru the early 70's was becoming "boring" in the eyes of many radio stations, and a younger demographic. Frankly, it was a dead period in pop music. Something had to fill the vacuum. "Let Em In" was a huge hit because it was Paul McCartney and he was on top of the world at that point and he could have released "Mary Had A Little Lamb" (oh, wait, he had done that already)...or "Jack And Jill Went Up The Hill" and had a hit with it.
There were TONS of great songs Paul released in the 70's. I just don't think many of the albums stand up from beginning to end. RAM does. BAND ON THE RUN does. I can't think of anything else.
He's been a LOT more consistent, and the subject matter of his songs have been a bit more weighty, since the Beatles ANTHOLOGY project.
That's just the way I see it. I know a lot of people won't see it like that. I understand that.
I could also make a list of songs I LOVE from McCARTNEY (1970) to McCARTNEY II (1980). It would be a looooooonnnng list, in fact. But, the albums are just too inconsistent-- for the most part.
And, now I'm repeating myself, so I shall shut up and take my dog out in 3 degree weather (something I've been trying to avoid, but she's pestering me now!).
(The 80's were probably worse, if truth be told...but it's saved by TUG OF WAR!)
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According to a report by the Alzheimer's Association, nearly 40,000 people in central Ohio are living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. That number is expected to triple by 2020. Westminster-Thurber is working hard to create a new way to care for those dealing with memory loss and dementia.
"We have a special neighborhood, called Bridgewater, that we have designed to help people manage their lives more successfully," said Joel Wrobbel, director of marketing for Westminster-Thurber. " It's a secure environment with a higher staffing ratio and specific plans and social programs to help."
Each resident has his or her own private studio apartment. Instead of rotating staff in and out of the neighborhood, Wrobbel said Westminster-Thurber is committed to keeping residents and care partners together.
"Consistent relationships between residents and staff lessens the confusion for the residents," Wrobbel said. "It's another way we are providing a higher quality of care."
Recently, Bridgewater care partners completed training on a new curriculum called Dementia
Beyond Drugs. The premise is that dementia is not only a disease and disability — it's a shift in
the way a person experiences the world around him or her. At the Bridgewater neighborhood, the
staff first and
foremost recognizes the person and not the disease.To that point, the social programs and life-enriching activities are key components of the care of the residents.
We encourage residents to develop their own social programs, but we also have numerous life-enriching activities that are available," Wrobbel said.
Westminster-Thurber, located at 717 Neil Ave., is a continuing care retirement community.
Westminster-Thurber Community has been serving central Ohio families since 1965. Respite care
services are also available at the Bridgewater neighborhood. For more information, call (614)
228-8888 or visit


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Engineer Springs
DescriptionThe Engineer Springs Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit (CWMU) is located north of the Bear River National Migratory Bird Refuge on Engineer Mountains and abuts the Golden Spike National Historic Site. The highest point on the Unit is in the south at 5300 feet. There are also a couple of peaks in the northeast corner that reach about 5200 feet. Lower elevations are around 4300 feet near Lampo Junction. Generally there is a hilly region in the north, some flatter areas towards the south before elevation rises up again. The most common elevation is 4300 feet but ranges from 4300 feet to 5400 feet with an elevation difference of 1100 feet. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of the CWMU elevation ranges between 4600 feet and 5100 feet an elevation difference of 500 feet.
Most of the Engineer Springs Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit (CWMU) is covered with Inter-Mountain Basins Big Sagebrush Shrubland (48). But, there are large patches of Agriculture (114) and many smaller patches of Invasive Annual Grassland (121). In the southeast corner are extensive areas of Inter-Mountain Basins Greasewood Flat (82), and scattered throughout the Unit are much smaller areas of Inter-Mountain Basins Semi-Desert Grassland (76).
One of the Ensign Ranches Cooperative Wildlife Mangement Unit (CWMU) nearest weather stations, COALVILLE (421590), is about 5.4 km south from the south edge of the CWMU. COALVILLE has thirty-four (34) years of records, 1974 - 2008. During the FALL (September, October and November) the average precipitation is 3.71 inches, but it can be as high as 7.09 inches or as low as 1.68 inches. During the 91-day FALL period, 19 days will experience greater than or equal to 0.01 inch of precipitation, 10 days of greater than or equal to 0.10 inch, or 2 day of the greater than or equal to 0.50 inch of precipitation. Snowfall during the FALL averages 14.8 inches but can be as high as 32.0 inches. FALL temperature at COALVILLE averages 43.4 degrees F. but can be as high as 87.0 degrees F. or as low as -17.0 degrees F. During the FALL, 61 days will be below freezing (32 degrees F.) and no days above 90 degrees F. This map is provided for general reference only and does not constitute a legal hunt boundary. The Division does not guarantee access to any private or public land. Hunt unit boundaries may include private property or other excluded areas.
Hunts on this boundary
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Lin wrote:I saw something funny in the gym; A bodybuilder was there, lifting huge weights, loudly and painfully.
After a while, a funky house tune came on the radio and suddenly he started dancing, doing a
little choreography! It involved skips, knee-bending and some rather fancy foot-work.
Too cute!
Just saw this and it and me chuckle!
My kickboxing instructor used to do that: big, burly bloke, armed response police officer and general hard-case. Would get us doing some pad work and then be grinding his hips to Britney Spears...
No-one took the piss mind!
Solid lifting here, 100kg dead is a nice bech mark to have rolling around the bottom of the bag somewhere...


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Vincent Warner "Strike" LePine
TAMARACK CITY – Vincent Warner LePine, age 87-3/4, of Tamarack City, died peacefully early Sunday morning, Feb. 17, 2013, at the Omega House in Houghton under the care of Hospice.
He was born in Beacon Hill on Apr. 15, 1925, the son of the late Eugene and Marie "Mary" (Warner) Lepine. Vince spent most of his childhood living in Beacon Hill with his French speaking grandmother, Aurilia Julia LePine, who was a mid-wife.
Vince attended St. Cecilia School in Hubbell and had a challenging adjustment from French to English language. He then attended the National Youth Administration program to learn carpentry.
At age 18, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve during WWII and served on ships in the Pacific Ocean during combat in the Solomon Islands, Okinawa and Iwo Jima from 1943 until 1946. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal with two stars.
Upon his return to the Copper Country, he worked at the C&H Mill, starting as a mill hand and working up to foreman. He retired in 1983.
At age 25, he was married to Elaine Jeanette Marcotte on June 10, 1950. They had been married over 62 years.
He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and 4-wheeling. Every summer he enjoyed spending time with family (especially his brother, "Baby Boy") and friends at the camp he built (LePine's Birch Cove) at E. Grosse Pointe Shores, Dollar Bay.
He loved feeding birds and other animals and he enjoyed fixing things.
Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Dorothy Monville; and brother, James "Baby Boy" LePine.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanette of Tamarack City; daughter, Marilyn (Richard) Isaacson of Calumet; son, Joel (Kristi) Isaacson and children, Aidan and Kiera, son, Bradley (Jodi) Erickson, daughter, Roseanne (Jeff) Counley of McHenry, Ill., daughter, Tanya, daughter, Beverley Olli of Tamarack City, daughter, Jennifer (Andy) Heikkinen, son Jacob (Melissa) Olli, daughter, Nichole "Mickey Mouse" (Nick Sladek) Olli; very close niece, Jean (Mike) Makinen of Tamarack City and children, Sarah (Michael) Malcolm, Karl (Lisa) Makinen, Marja Makinen and James Makinen.
The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, in the Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden. Visitation for family, close friends and neighbors will be from 11 a.m. until the time of services on Friday. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Lake Linden.
Online condolences may be left at pearcefuneralhome.com.


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"No one has ever become poor by giving. "
Destination: Anywhere
Many once-in a-lifetime vacations are just a flight away when you own a jet or have access to one via charter, a fractional share or a jet card. Even then, however, some destinations can pose challenges. They may be out of range for your aircraft. Or the airports, language, culture or other factors may pose challenges that you're not comfortable facing on your own.
In such cases, you might want to put yourself in the hands of a company that specializes in private jet vacations. Lakani World Tours (lakani.com), for example, has 30 years' experience in this business. Its offerings include a 17-day European vacation on an Embraer Legacy jet custom fitted for just 14 clients. The tour includes stops in Scotland, Latvia, Crimea, Italy, Portugal, Germany and France. Cost is $59,900 per person.
Lakani also markets an African vacation using the same model jet for $67,900 per person. Tourists, who overnight in opulent tented camps and top-rated hotels, trek through Rwanda's Parc National des Volcans, observe elephants and other game in Botswana, sample wines in South Africa's vineyards, ride camels in Mali and explore exotic Marrakech.
Lakani additionally features a Central and South American tour and round-the-world itineraries. These tours utilize a Boeing 757, refitted from the standard 233 seats to accommodate just 52 in two-by-two leather chairs and a stand-up lounge.
Lakani's staff prearranges every detail, from customs clearance to managing the check-in process at hotels. Travelers need not be concerned with luggage as their bags await them in their suites upon arrival.
TCS & Starquest Expeditions (tcsandstarquestexpeditions.com) is the other major provider of private jet tours. This company flies customized Boeing 757s, refitted to accommodate 78 guests plus staff in a total of 90 seats. A physician travels with the group and remains available 24/7. All meals are included, whether on-board or at world-class restaurants, along with a wide array of wines and other beverages. Dinners are frequently served in sensational settings such as the grounds of an elephant polo match or grand banquet hall within elaborate castles. Every effort is made to highlight cuisine, cultural themes and traditional entertainment throughout the journey.
Leading educators, archeologists and photographers often come on the trips to give presentations or act as hands-on guides. Travelers on a TCS & Starquest junket break into smaller groups for in-depth exploration at each stop.
"We had the opportunity to visit places and see things that are typically unavailable to the general public, such as dinner at the Luxor Temple [in Egypt]," said Elizabeth Maget, who recently returned from a TCS & Starquest African trip. "Walking into that temple at night was magical."
Many institutions–including the Smithsonian, the National Geographic Society and the National Trust for Historic Preservation–sponsor trips under the auspices of TCS & Starquest.
The National Geographic's 24-day Around the World by Private Jet expedition, for example, costs $64,950 per person and can whisk you to about a dozen memorable destinations. Trips typically start and end in the U.S. and may include visits to the Amazon rain forest; Easter Island; the Cook Islands; Papua, New Guinea; Angkor Wat, Cambodia; Chengdu and Xi'an, China; Lhasa, Tibet; the Taj Mahal; Tanzania; the Pyramids in Egypt; Petra, Jordan; and Istanbul.
The Legendary Cultures expedition, offered by Smithsonian Journeys, can transport you to nine remote hideaways allowing you to interact with reindeer herders in Arctic Norway, Mongolian families, monks in a Bhutan monastery, tribes in Papua, New Guinea and Javanese families in Indonesia. Price is $56,950 per person.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation runs similar private jet trips. In 2012, it is presenting a tour entitled Heaven and Earth, which incorporates a viewing of a solar eclipse. The trip starts in Orlando, Fla., and visits Tikal, Guatemala; Cusco and Machu Picchu (arrival by train); Easter Island; the Kingdom of Tonga; Australia's Uluru or Ayers Rock and the Olgas; the Great Barrier Reef; Indonesia (with viewing of the total solar eclipse); the Kingdom of Rajastan, India, and the Leonid Meteor Shower; Petra and Wadi Rum, Jordan; and London. Cost is $63,950 per person.
International Expeditions (ietravel.com), another company using private airplanes, markets Wings Over the Nile. Its 15-day itinerary includes four flights aboard a de Havilland Dash 7 turboprop and a four-night cruise on the Nile. This trip, usually taken by 32 to 34 passengers, costs $7,400 to $7,900 per person, depending on the cruise accommodations. The excursion starts in Cairo (airfare to and from that city isn't included) and covers six UNESCO World Heritage sites in Egypt, including St. Catherine's Monastery; Petra and Jerash in Jordan; and the Dead Sea. You can extend the trip with an optional three-day guided tour of Jerusalem.
"We got to go to more places and spent more time at the sites because of our special aircraft," said Janet Hollander of Tucson, Ariz., who took the Wings over the Nile trip. "We didn't have to ride long hours on a bus...Flying over Abu Simbel gave me a entirely new perspective on these giants [statues] in the desert. It's a view you can't see any other way."
Debi Lander welcomes comments and suggestions at: email@example.com.
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"VA News" is a video program designed to provide timely news and information about the Department of Veterans Affairs. The weekly 15-minute newscast is co-produced by the VA Learning University and the Office of Public Affairs in partnership with the Employee Education System and other headquarters and field offices.
Veterans Crisis Line:
1-800-273-8255 (Press 1)
Social Media
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420
Last reviewed/updated August 8th, 2016


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New pod belt, hopper or a PE bag?
Posted 04 October 2012 - 01:28 PM
I'm thinking about buying some paintball stuff now.
I got in mind:
A new pod belt with magnets (currently got a cheap Valken belt)
Change my Empire Prophecy V2(?) one before Z2) to a Virtue Spire hopper.
OR, buying a Planet Eclipse roller bag.
(currently got a cheap umbro carry bag for my gear)
I have albow&knee pads. Not sure if I should buy some chest protections or slider shorts. So far, I have survived well without it
I play reball, so I cannot fill my prophecy full els it will jam. Spire can be filled all up and no jam.
Not sure if its the pod belt fault or what but with 3 pods it bounce alot up and down when I run.
I'm not sure what to buy. I would like a pe bag but not sure :/
SO, after reading this, what would you buy/upgrade if u were in my position.
Thanks for all advice.
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2
Posted 04 October 2012 - 02:10 PM
I would get a new pod pack.
fuck yolo
Feedback 2/0/0 Buy my shit here: http://www.techpb.co...-bob-long-vcom/
Posted 04 October 2012 - 02:39 PM
Edited by GeezusPB, 04 October 2012 - 02:39 PM.
Posted 05 October 2012 - 02:46 PM
After what u guys read, is the problem my pack if its bounce alot with 3 pods? Will it be better with a morr expensive pack?
I'm very tempted to buy a bag tho.. It looks very nice and pro xD
And no need for more protections?
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2
Posted 08 October 2012 - 05:30 AM
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2
Posted 08 October 2012 - 10:03 AM
I never get wipers, blood is hard to wipe off.
Do it with style ~ Total Grief
I like autocockers and autococker accessories.
Posted 09 October 2012 - 11:36 PM
He already has a super loader! And if he can't get the paint into his hopper, then he can't get it into his gun!
Get the hopper, as long as your pod pack works use it. But if you cant get paint into your gun, whats the point of playing?
Posted 09 October 2012 - 11:42 PM
I personally would say just use the money on playing or save up and spend it on something you would find even more useful.
Posted 11 October 2012 - 12:16 AM
Posted 11 October 2012 - 12:27 AM
Get a used spire with the leftover cash.
Posted 11 October 2012 - 05:52 AM
So it stands between pod pack or loader. No one thinks that I should get sliderpants or chestpadding so
The pod pock I have today is this Valken Fate (I think):
It bounce alot with only 3 pods on and it slides up on my body so after every round I have to pull it more down.
It also annoy me that my jersey is getting teared apart cause the straps on the pack is getting stuck in my beautiful team jersey. Thats why I want a magnetic pod pack.
The loader works great on paint. But with reballs (using it ALOT), I can't fill it all the way up. Like one pod is enough (200balls) in the 240balls hopper.
Thanks for all answers btw. Hopper vs pod pack? :/
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2
Edited by Simen, 11 October 2012 - 05:54 AM.
Posted 11 October 2012 - 11:22 AM
Posted 12 October 2012 - 01:34 AM
Any hopper will jam when over filled.
I would get a new pod pack.
Bitches love my
[-ORaNGe-] Trolling isn't an action, it's a lifestyle
Posted 12 October 2012 - 05:33 PM
But I can mention that the Spire gets 20% off this weekend at my local pb shop (before $262, weekend $210).
The belt is not on sale, and costs 94$ (from NOK to USD).
It's so hard! I'm leaning forward to pod belt cause I don't really like the one I have. Tears apart my team jersey and moves alot on body and bounce with 3 pods. I won't think about how it would be with 4+ pods!
But it would also be good with a hopper that I can fill all the way up and not be afraid of jamming (I have tried it at my reball field and it does not jam still with artificial turf in it.
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Godzilla has fought many a monster — from giant moths to massive robots to smog incarnate to even King Kong — and he's lived to roar about it.
But what would happen if the King of the Monsters faced down the dragon Smaug from J.R.R. Tolkien's classic "The Hobbit"? With a new "Godzilla" stomping to theaters next week, and "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" recently out on home video and "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" on the way in December, we thought it would be fun to pit these two behemoths — one a Japanese kaiju, or "strange creature," and an avatar of the Nuclear Age; the other a fire-drake from the North in Tolkien's mythical Middle-earth — against each other.
To break down the matchup, Speakeasy enlisted two experts: In Godzilla's corner, we have Chris Picard, owner and editor of the Godzilla-movies.com fansite, citing contributions from staffer Gregory Hudgens. Representing Smaug's side is "Demosthenes," the news editor of TheOneRing.net, a popular fansite dedicated to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien's works and the films based on them.
To see the argument category by category, visit the full article here.
Tags: dragon duel, Godzilla, Smaug, The Hobbit


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Proper cutting techniques are absolutely essential to an Ecology Friendly Lawn.
As the intensity of summer heat changes during the growing season, so will the rate at which your lawn grows, therefore it's necessary to change the frequency of cutting.
There are few other pointers below that will help you manage your lawn like an expert.
Mow Frequently (every 4 to 7 days). Spring time requires more frequent cutting because a large percentage of total growth occurs in the spring time.
Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade; otherwise stress will result in browning.
Cut at a height of 2.5 to 3 inches. (6 to 7 cm). Bentgrass is an exception and is best cut at 1 to 1.5 inches. (3 to 4 cm). Mowing at these heights allows your lawn to shade out newly germinated weed seeds, and forces weeds like dandelions and plantain to grow more upright, resulting in more removal of weed leaf area when the lawn is mowed.
Turfgrass root depth is also deeper in lawns that are mowed high.
Mow in different patterns to avoid rutting or tire marks. Going over the same set of tire marks compacts the soil and inhibits good turf growth.
Sharpen the mower blade regularly to avoid fuzzy mowing. A dull blade creates a ragged cut that causes the lawn to look brown.
Mulch clippings back into the lawn. Clippings do not contribute to thatch accumulation when the lawn is mowed regularly.
Exception - Bag clippings during disease recovery and the final cut of the season.
Mow when the lawn is dry. It's difficult to get a clean cut when the lawn is wet, and mowing a lawn when it is wet can spread some fungal turfgrass diseases.
Make your last cut before winter short - cut when the lawn is dormant, at 1.5 inches high to remove summer building up. By raising the mower back up to 2.5 inches (6 cm) in the spring, the top 1 inch of growth will be beautiful new grass. Remember to raise the cutting again before spring.
Bentgrass lawns can be cut at 0.75 inch or lower for final cut. Bag & compost the clippings if cuttings pile up on lawn.
Proper cutting and watering techniques are absolutely essential to an Ecology Friendly Lawn.
If you would like feedback on your mowing practices, Nutri-Lawn will provide comments each time they visit your property.
Contact your local Nutri-Lawn office to find more out about our Mowing Services service, and about the products and services offered in your local market.


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70 Young Adults Selected as NPS Centennial Volunteer Ambassadors
WASHINGTON, DC – A group of 70 energetic, young adults are leading an effort to connect people to their national parks and public lands in support of the National Park Service's 100th anniversary in 2016.Read more
American Express Announces Grant to SCA to Help Preserve More Than 200,000 Acres of Parkland
Program kicks off with a 'Servabration' in honor of the National Park Service's 99th Birthday on the National...Read more
More Than Measurement: Changing Lives with SCASearch Institute
By Kate Hagner, Program Quality Manager, Student Conservation AssociationRead more
Teens learn conservation at Cape Canaveral National SeashoreDaytona Beach News-Journal
NEW SMYRNA BEACH – With a mission of building the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire stewardship of the environment, 12 teens spent six weeks learning and working at Cape Canaveral National Seashore this summer.Read more
Hazelwood Play Trail will be first in the city with 10 (very cool) playscapesNext Pittsburgh
Fred Rogers understood play as a serious teacher of valuable life lessons, calling it "the true work of childhood."Read more
Group works to clean up brush at Hannah Dustin Memorial siteConcord Monitor
Trevor Nelson stood on the Hannah Dustin Memorial site island Thursday morning and looked through the trees lining the island, out to the Merrimack River near its convergence with the Contoocook River.Read more
Search Institute: SCA Impact on Youth
SCA Experience Fuel Continuous Growth in High School Crew ParticipantsRead more
Park Ranger Millie Jimenez Can Help You Plan Your Next Summer GetawayLatina
As summer winds down, take a weekend to explore some of the hidden gems right outside your backyard. No need to travel abroad to get a taste of the true majesty of nature: America's National Parks offer some of the best landscapes and outdoor adventures in the world.Read more
A Day in the Life at Kenai Fjords NPSeward City News
I wake up every day and walk outside into a postcard. Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the most spectacular natural places I have ever seen.Read more
Stepping outside for a careerThe Dickenson Press
MEDORA — When asked why university-aged interns at Theodore Roosevelt National Park packed their possessions and came to North Dakota for the summer, most said the decision was a "first step" towards a career in the outdoors.Read more
Contact Media Relations
Kevin Hamilton
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About Us
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is America's conservation corps. Our members protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces in all 50 states.


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The original 4 trees are untouchable by mortals , but "cha mate" has had some from a cutting four steps down the ranking system and told me it was an amazing experience.
Finding this stuff online is probably impossible, but hey who knows maybe there is a chance of finding something resembling the original tea.
Another question, what Yixing would be suitable to brew this jewel?


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—Abhi, blogger for Sepia Mutiny
Do cultural identity and role models have a different form between generations? I had to wonder after reading this article from The New York Times about Indians in U.S. politics. Nikki Haley, the Republican nominee for governor of South Carolina, and Bobby Jindal, the governor of Louisiana, are both of Indian descent. They both converted to Christianity in their early 20s. Governor Jindal changed his first name from Piyush to Bobby, after the Brady Bunch character.
The reaction is mixed within the Indian community. Many are asking whether they should celebrate the increased visibility of Indian Americans within politics, or lament their conversions that mask or downplay their South Asian heritage.
But Abhi's quote above might point to a difference in generations. It seems the younger generation of Indian Americans views their identity as diverse and more fluid. Thus, they are more willing to revel in similarities, whereas the older generation might be more rigid in their definitions of identity. What do you think?


text: This flame-resistant work coverall from Carhartt packs a lot of protection, comfort and utility in one hardworking garment. It includes a brass front zipper with Nomex FR zipper tape and inside and outside protective flaps. Ample storage is provided by two chest pockets with flaps and a left-leg utility band as well as multiple tool and utility pockets. All-day comfort is enhanced by a pleated bi-swing back. Two pass through pocket openings allow you to access an inner garment. Triple stitched main seams add strength, and leg openings fit over for boots. Features a 7-ounce FR fabric blend of 45% modacrylic, 35% lyocell and 20% aramid. VPN: 100162.


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Traditional Living® Hawaiian Bamboo Premium Laminate Flooring
About this item
Price Per Square Foot: $1.96
Traditional Living premium laminate offers the style of natural hardwood, coupled with performance, value and carefree maintenance of laminate for easy, everyday living.
How many cartons will I need? (PDF)
Traditional Living premium laminate offers the style of natural hardwood, coupled with performance, value and carefree maintenance of laminate for easy, everyday living. Laminate flooring offers more scratch and wear resistance than hardwood and a unique glueless do-it-yourself dual-locking joint system; just click it together, no glue, no nails, no mess!
The product features premium attached underlayment for maximum sound reduction and ease of installation. To protect it all the product has a lifetime limited residential warranty. If you have purchased the same product color from Lock 'n Seal™ or LivingFlooring™ at Sam's Club in the past, they will work seamlessly with Traditional Living flooring.
- 8MM + 2MM Underlayment Thick
- Ultra-realistic woods designs – stunning, realistic decors that transform any room
- Easy, DIY-friendly installation with secure glueless click joints
- Resists scratches, stains and fading – perfect for kitchens, hallways and family rooms
- Premium attached underlayment for easier installation
- Effortless upkeep – just sweep, wipe clean or damp mop
- 8mm plank thickness with attached 2mm premium underlayment
- With concrete sub floor must use Moisturbloc™ Polyethylene film (#708607)
When ordering 5 or more cartons this item is shipped through a freight company. It will be the Member's responsibility to unload, move and unpack items.
WARNING TO CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: Traditional Living Flooring and Simple Solutions moldings are wood products. Drilling, sawing, sanding or machining wood products generates wood dust, a substance known to the State of California to cause cancer. Avoid inhaling wood dust or use a respirator or other safeguards for personal protection.
Assembled Country
USA and Canada
Assembled Size
Component Country
USA And Imported
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Shipping Information
Standard - 2 to 6 business days
If order exceeds small parcel courier delivery and ships on a large truck option:
Warranty Information
Lifetime Limited Residential Warranty
Traditional Living Premium Laminate provides the following Lifetime Limited Residential Warranty to the original purchaser:
1) The floor will not fade due to sun or electrical light
2) The floor will not stain
3) The laminate surface will not wear through
4) The joint will remain secure under normal use conditions


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Custom Materials on Demand - Gravograph™ is able to supply proprietary material based on your specifications.
Custom Fabrication Services - Personalized engravable items
Application Examples - Engraved Gravograph™ materials
Gravogrip - Use Gravogrip to hold engraving material in place on your engraving table without clamps or vacuum system / marking table.
Tool Box - All the tools to help you in your daily business
Whatever your engraving needs, you can trust the quality of Gravograph's engraving materials. Choose in confidence from one of the widest ranges available in the market for next day delivery on most items, including engravables and gifts.
Our engraving materials, for both indoor and outdoor use, come delivered either in full sheets or pre-cut and custom ready to meet your specifications. With several hundred products in-stock, Gravograph offers you a large choice of engraving supplies:
A wide selection of objects to personalise with our mechanical or laser machines is also available, (tags for animals, door plates, signage, ornamental plates, key chains, labels, badges, ...) as well as many engraving accessories (colouring, lubrication, adhesives and cleaners).
Get our complete "Engraving Materials catalogue"
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Main Content
- Custom engineered print
- Front buckle strap
- Front zip organizer pocket
- Imported
- Large main compartment
- Measures approximately 8" x 13" x 19"
- Padded back panel
- Padded ergonomic shoulder straps
- Padded laptop sleeve
- Removable dry sack
- Sternum strap
- Top zip pocket with fleece lining
- Two side zip pockets
- 100% Polyester
- Brand: Quiksilver
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Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


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Vermont Maple Leaf Syrup Bottle
Glass Bottle Reflects Maple's Glory
Vermont Maple Leaf Syrup Bottle
Glass Bottle Reflects Maple's Glory
This lovely glass maple leaf bottle seems to gather light until the amber syrup inside glows. A wonderful gift or reusable serving container. With 8.45 oz. of our pure Vermont grade A medium amber syrup.
- Eye-catching maple leaf bottle
- Filled with pure Vermont grade A medium amber syrup
- Makes a great gift
Vermont Maple Leaf Syrup Bottle
100% Pure Vermont Maple Syrup
100% Pure Vermont Maple Syrup
Glass Leaf-Shaped Bottle
Shelf Life: 2 Years
|Nutritional Item
|% of Daily
|Serving Size: 1/4 cup
|Total Fat
|Total Carbohydrates
|Pecentages based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Manufactured In: USA
Material - Country Of Origin: USA
Rated 5 out of 5Â by 7 reviewers.
Rated 5 out of 5Â by Georgio Great customer service and great product... Ordered these during For Christmas, one each for my wife and mother. Only one arrived but I called up and was treated wonderfully by my nice service lady (from U.S!) and they sent me another in time for Christmas. I am now a customer for life! Great Maple syrup and a beautiful bottle. January 11, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5Â by Syrup Best gift I bought these for Christmas gifts and everyone I gave it to loved it! It's the worlds best maple syrup in a nice glass bottle and everyone who received it felt very special to have it. I'll be doing this again next year. It's the perfect gift for so many people. December 25, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5Â by love mosser This product is delightful Real Vermont Maple syrup! Wonderful! December 1, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5Â by DMG Brooklyn Perfect Maple Syrup! As a city dweller, it is not often I get to do "country", however, once I found your website, it is irresistible to me! I love pancakes, waffles, french toast, roast pork - anything that I can use maple syrup on and this one is tops! It has a flavor that you won't find in regular commercial stores. And the bottle - well, what can I say - it's adorable and perfect for seasonal weather! I also appreciate the fact that everything is American made! Thank you! November 27, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5Â by Clementine a gift Every now and then I purchase an item for someone in my family. My daughter-in-law loves this syrup so when I ordered something for myself, I ordered the syrup for her. She loves it. June 6, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5Â by trees Beautiful design This bottle not only has a beautiful design, the color of the maple syrup is a perfect compliment to the flavor of fall. It makes an exceptional gift. Thank you for your many fine products. April 16, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5Â by CATh Sooooooooooooooo Good! This Vermont Maple Syrup is soooooooooo good that I've poured some straight from the jar into a small glass to sip. Yes, some of you may be groaning in disgust, but this syrup is really good enough to drink as is. You won't be sorry for purchasing this selection! March 14, 2013
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