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Bowers & Wilkins C5 In-Ear Headphones Review
Earbuds of the future
Dave Bar worked for Crutchfield from 1981 until his retirement in 2016. After a 23-year stint in the sales department, he joined the home A/V writing staff. Dave's expertise and good humor will be sorely missed.
More from Dave Bar
Heads up!Welcome to this article from the Crutchfield archives. Have fun reading it, but be aware that the information may be outdated and links may be broken.
Bowers & Wilkins has always been best known as a high-end speaker manufacturer whose professional monitors are found in some of the world's finest recording studios. But as of late they've begun thinking small, as in desktop computer speakers, powered portable iPod® docks, and headphones.
Their first set of headphones, the highly regarded P5 on-ear headphones, were well received and reviewed (including a thumbs-up review by our very own Ralph Graves). And they made a good showing in Crutchfield's first headphone shootout. But what if you want or need something even more compact than the P5?
B&W now has you covered with their new C5 in-ear headphones. With their silvery black and white motif, swoopy loops and angular lines, these cool, futuristic headphones look like something right out of a 1950's science fiction movie.
Anyway, they certainly have a style that stands out from the earbud crowd. Personally, I like the look. As with the P5, they come with an in-line remote/microphone for convenient operation with Apple iPhones®, iPods®, and iPads®. Listening to them, I would even say that B&W voiced them to sound remarkably like their big brother.
And that's a good thing.
Fit and comfort
No matter how wonderful a set of headphones may sound, it's a deal breaker if you can't wear them for any length of time without discomfort. That's especially true with in-ear 'phones where fit can be, to say the least, a very personal affair.
Most in-ears force you to wedge them in pretty far to achieve a proper air-tight seal, critical for obtaining maximum bass and sound quality. A tight fit is also important for holding the 'phones in place when you hit the road or the gym.
So I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that the C5s sealed up perfectly with minimal intrusion, making them a good choice for those who might be on the fence about using in-ear headphones. (This also made them easier to insert and remove quickly.)
A good bit of that pleasantness is due to one of their most unique and visibly prominent features, the Secure Loop design — those little loops of plastic coated wire curling around the headphones that look like the St. Louis Arch in miniature.
The C5's Secure Loop design keeps the headphones in place
without discomfort.
Far more than just decorative, the loops hold the headphones in place by gently hugging the inner rim of each ear. The wires slide back and forth through a notch carved into the C5's barrel, allowing you to adjust the size of the loop to achieve a custom fit. I found this design worked perfectly for me, keeping the headphones securely in place no matter how much I moved.
A few other in-ears I've tried offer a similar approach using widgets made of silicone rubber to help hold them in. And even though those were pretty effective, none offered the quick, easy, and infinite adjustability of the C5.
Another less visible feature designed to enhance fit and feel are the C5's internal solid tungsten sound tubes. Placed toward the eartip end, these sound tubes tip the balance of the headphone's mass toward the ear so they don't constantly feel as though they're falling out. Tungsten is an extremely dense, heavy metal that even in small amounts, adds enough weight (but not too much) to make this design work quite nicely.
Overall, I found the C5 to feel very comfortable and secure, and well-balanced in terms of weight distribution. But they were also noticeably heavier than some in-ears that I've tried.
The sound
I listened first to the C5 connected directly to my iPod touch. My digital music selections ranged from old 128kbs iTunes® downloads to uncompressed AIFF and WAV files ripped from CD. I'm glad to report that my iPod's headphone jack drove the C5s extremely well on its own (not always the case with quality headphones).
Sound was robust and clear; with palpable bass and smooth, detailed midrange. High frequencies were just ever so slightly rolled off at the very top. With many of today's dynamically and digitally compressed MP3 files that may actually be a blessing in disguise. Those recordings can have a somewhat harsh digital edge to them that a slight high-frequency rolloff helps tame.
Closeup of the micro porous filter, the secret
behind the C5's spacious soundstage.
I also greatly enjoyed the way the C5s spread the instruments across a wide and moderately deep soundstage, rather than concentrating them right in the middle of my head. This is a pretty neat trick that you normally only expect to hear with open-air, around-the-ear headphones. Much of that spaciousness can probably be attributed to B&W's Micro Porous Filter — a cluster of tiny little steel balls attached somehow to the outer end of the headphones.
When I put my fingers over the ends of the headphones, defeating the "filter," the soundstage immediately collapsed. I would also have expected putting my fingers over the filter to decrease the amount of outside noise entering the headphones, but it seemed to make no difference-it affected only the soundstage. Overall, outside noise attenuation was very good.
Adding a headphone amp
Audio geek that I am, I next tried plugging the C5s into my NuForce uDAC-2 headphone amp/DAC. This little device is my favorite way to listen to headphones when plugged into my laptop or work computer. I'm glad I did. What a diff!
Adding a headphone amp like the
uDAC-2 can be a game-changer.
The sound was instantly more dynamic, with instruments taking on much greater levels of texture and flavor. It reminds me of those kids pop-up books where you open the page and the characters stand up-going from two- to three dimensional before your very eyes.
The headphone amp also brought out something that I wasn't quite expecting. A noticeable bump in the mid-bass region, say between 40 and 80 Hz that gave the C5 a somewhat "fat" sound. The bump was also enough to slightly obscure some of the deeper bass notes below it (at least on the relatively few recordings that actually have any appreciable content going that low).
A word or two about personal preference and intended use: what might be a conundrum for me may be a bonus for many. Here's why. First, I suspect most people will be plugging these 'phones straight into their iPods and iPhones, never using a headphone amp as I do. For them, the only noticeable characteristic they may hear is a strong, even bass response. The kind of response that helps overcome some of the bass-robbing low-frequency sounds that emanate from our surroundings, like the rumble of a train or bus.
That bass bump also serves somewhat like a "loudness" control, enhancing low-frequency sounds for a fuller listening experience at lower, safer volume levels. And, let's face it, a lot of people just flat out like powerful-sounding bass, so it really is just a matter of taste as to how much is too much. I suspect that this was no coincidence, but an intentional move on B&Ws part to create a full-sounding set of 'phones that can really hang in there when driven by portable electronics.
With all that said, I still found the sound of C5 to be refined, warm, and thoroughly enjoyable, whether listening directly to my iPod or through my amp — much the same way I found B&W's P5 on-ear headphones. Those looking for a more ruler-flat response with an in-ear headphone destined for listening primarily through a headphone amp may want to consider their choices carefully.
Everything else
What else can I say about the C5? I liked how the in-line remote let me skip around tracks and control the volume level on my iPod touch. The remote's built-in microphone also makes it possible use my iPod's Voice Control feature to change play lists, and play specific albums or artists. iPhone users can also use Voice Control to make calls, but I wasn't able to test that capability.
As far as construction quality goes, the C5s are first rate. No rough edges or loose parts anywhere to be seen. Everything was tight and fit well together. I especially liked the springy, plastic coated cable that B&W uses. It resisted tangling better than any in-ear headphone I've ever used. In fact, it never knotted once the entire time I was auditioning them.
My sample came with four different sized silicone eartips, among which I was able to find a pair that fit perfectly. B&W also includes a zippered, pocket-size case for storage, something I find more protective and easier to use than the typical draw-string bag. Oh, and there was also an airline adapter in the box, which unfortunately, I couldn't use. Maybe I'll snag a pair of C5 in-ear headphones for some company on my next long-distance journey, and give that in-flight adapter a try.


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Interested in adopting this pet? Please click the adoption info link for more information. And then click on the 'Online Application' link at the bottom of that page.
-Teach respect for living things
-Reinforce the bond between humans and animals
-advocate for and help provide assistance to large scale spay and nuetering programs
-Teach and model responsible pet ownership
These are all things that will help us in our effort to stop the needless killing of cats and dogs in our shelters and pounds.
We ask that our community understand that while we pamper and care for our pets they are all still missing the most important thing in their life...a loving home and family of thier own.
Mailing Address:
PO Box 444
Williamsburg, IA 52361
It is our policy that adoptions are conducted a minimum of 24 hours after your initial visit with the animal and submission of the adoption application. This allows us time to call your references, perform home inspection as well as giving you the opportunity to sleep on your decision and make sure it is what you really want.
Compare the adoption fees below with the routine animal health care and spay / neuter costs you would have to pay. Without the generous help of the local veterinarians we would never be able to include such services at this fee.
We have the right to refuse ANY adoption for ANY reason.
Dogs & Puppies: Adoption fees include spaying or neutering (if under 4 months a voucher is provided for surgery at one of our participating veterinarians), heartworm test, distemper, rabies, worming, ear cleaning, flea control if needed.
Fee: $200.00
Cats & Kittens: Adoption fees include spaying or neutering (if under 4 months a voucher is provided for surgery at one of our participating veterinarians), FeLv and FIV testing, distemper, rabies and worming, ear cleaning, and flea control if needed.
Fee: $50.00
All puppies and kittens adopted without spay/neuter completed will have a contract stating the animals will be altered by the time it is 6 months old. Follow up calls will be made to confirm completion of surgery.
Thank You!
Your message has been sent to Safe Haven of Iowa County.
You'll receive a copy, too, at to help you keep track of which pets you've inquired about, and which shelters and rescues you've emailed.
NOTE: Some shelters have physical locations you can visit; some of these shelters may only have pets for a limited time, so please do not wait for a reply—just go visit the shelter! Other organizations are rescue groups run by busy volunteers who may take a while to reply. You can find information about the shelter or rescue group caring for this pet, and their adoption procedures, on the pet's details page on Adopt-a-Pet.com.

subset: commoncrawl


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Sylvester Stallone as Barney Ross to launch new 1:6 series...
For a great selection of film, comic and TV action figures and collectibles, check out BigBadToyStore.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, PastGenerationToys.com, Urban-Collector.com, ZoloWorld.com, MonkeyDepot.com, HobbyLinkJapan.com, and Sekaido.com.
For a great selection of film, TV and pop culture t-shirts and apparel, check out TShirtGurus.com and 80sTees.com.
To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with our sponsor Collectibles Insurance.
With The Expendables opening in theaters today, Hot Toys springs the news that they will be producing the 1:6 scale action figures based on select characters from the film. On tap for their Movie Masterpiece Series is Jason Statham as Lee Christmas, Jet Li as Ying Yang and Sylvester Stallone as the group's leader, Barney Ross. Hot Toys reveals that Barney Ross will kick off the line and will be revealed soon with authentic Stallone head sculpt and two different costumes.


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Six attorneys applied to be appointed Kanawha County Family Court judge when Mike Kelly retires Aug. 31.
James Wilson Douglas, Erica N. Lord, Laura J. Straley, Lera K. VanMeter, Darlene Ratliff Washington and R. Joseph Zak filled out applications with the state Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission.
The commission will interview the attorneys and recommend three to five names to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, who will make an appointment.
Douglas is an attorney in Sutton; Zak is a divorce lawyer in Charleston. Both men are considered top-ranked divorce attorneys, according to previous Gazette reports. In 1994, the men were among four lawyers in the state to belong to the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Lord is has been an assistant Kanawha County prosecutor for five years. She helped Kelly create the county's domestic violence pilot program and assists with the juvenile drug court. Lord prosecutes all of Kanawha's child pornography related charges.
Straley is an attorney in Danville, who works with the state Bureau for Child Support Enforcement.
VanMeter is a former assistant Mingo County prosecutor. She is now an attorney in Kanawha County and focuses on divorces, car accidents, wills and deeds. She has been recognized for her work as a guardian ad litem, or a lawyer appointed to the court to protect the interests of children and others who cannot do so for themselves.
Ratliff, an assistant attorney general, often represents the state Department of Health and Human Resources. She was appointed a family law master in 1994. In 2001, family court judges replaced family law masters after voters amended the state Constitution to allow the Legislature to create a family court.
Ratliff lost by about 200 votes in the 2008 election to Kanawha Family Judge Mark Snyder. She is a former president of the Mountain State Bar Association, the nation's oldest black bar association.
Interviews will be held Aug. 22 in Charleston, said Deb Scudiere, chairwoman of the vacancy commission.
Kelly, a Democrat, has served as family judge in Kanawha for 13 years. Whoever is appointed will finish his eight-year term, which ends in 2016.
Reach Kate White at email@example.com, 304-348-1723 or @KateLWhite on Twitter.


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Angels have few options left for Saturday's start
ANAHEIM -- The Angels' search for a potential fifth starter took a hit on Tuesday night, when Chris Volstad was scratched from a start in Triple-A with a sore elbow.
Volstad, one of the few options the Angels have for Saturday's start against the A's, is not expected to be ready to start this weekend, seemingly narrowing the options to Double-A starters Michael Roth and Drew Rucinski and Triple-A left-hander Randy Wolf. The Halos need a starter with ace Garrett Richards out for the season.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia even mentioned current reliever Cory Rasmus as a possible option. Rasmus threw a career-high 51 pitches on Monday, but he has never started a Major League game.
"We've got some guys that are currently on our 25-man roster that we could look to get that game done, and there are some guys in the organization we could look at," Scioscia said.
Roth appears the most likely to start, having thrown seven shutout innings on Monday, which would put him on normal rest for Saturday. In 22 starts at Double-A Arkansas, Roth is 11-7 with a 2.62 ERA. He has also appeared in two games for the Angels, allowing four runs in 6 2/3 innings.
Rucinski, meanwhile, started Sunday's game for Arkansas, giving up four runs in five innings while recording 11 strikeouts. Like Roth, Rucinski has pitched for the Angels (two runs in one inning in July) and remains on the 40-man roster.
Wolf is not currently on the 40-man roster (meaning the Angels would need to make room for him by potentially losing a player) and last pitched Sunday for Salt Lake. The 38-year-old veteran surrendered four runs on eight hits across seven innings.
"You don't have a crystal ball, but you always try to project performance and project what both pitchers can do and make the best choice you can on who you think is going to perform better," Scioscia said.
Saturday's start will be the last one by the No. 5 starter before rosters expand on Monday and allow the Angels more pitching depth and flexibility to get through the remaining games.
"You're always going to have that challenge of depth in a starting rotation, and I think you have to find ways to hold your own and win some of those games, when maybe it's not your [No. 1] or 2 or 3 pitcher, and that's what we'll have to do," Scioscia said.
Matthew DeFranks is an associate reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @MDeFranks. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Many Will Enter, One Will Win!...
One lucky winner will take home the TV miniseries event of the year: The Bible: The Epic Miniseries, available on DVD and blu-ray hi-def April 2.
From executive producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett comes The Bible -- an epic 10-part miniseries retelling stories from the Scriptures for a whole new generation. Breathtaking in scope and scale, The Bible features powerful performances, exotic locales and dazzling visual effects that breathe spectacular life into the dramatic tales of faith and courage from Genesis through Revelation. This historic television event is sure to entertain and inspire the whole family and this impressive blu-ray hi-def release, valued at $69.99, could be yours simply by entering your email address at the link below.
The giveaway ends Monday, April 8.
Epic Bible Tales: Inspired by The Bible, Coming to Blu-ray, DVD & DHD April 2nd
Over the years, hundreds of feature films and TV movies have been inspired by the Bible. From Ben Hur to Passion of the Christ, we will count down some of the most memorable biblical tales to blow us away on screen.
From Executive Producers Mark Burnett (The Voice, Survivor) and Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel) comes The Bible an epic 10-hour miniseries, coming to Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD April 2 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Breathtaking in scope and scale, THE BIBLE features powerful performances, exotic locales and dazzling visual effects that breathe spectacular life into the dramatic tales of faith and courage from Genesis through Revelation.
Ben Hur: This epic film follows Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston), a rich Jewish prince who is betrayed and sent into slavery by his Roman friend Messala (Stephen Boyd). The prince somehow survives and returns to Jerusalem in the hopes of finding his family and exacting revenge on his one-time friend. This biblical tale won 11 Academy Awards in 1960 including Best Picture.
Passion of the Christ: Mel Gibsons Passion of the Christ depicts the last twelve hours of Jesus life, including the betrayal and crucifixion. The film begins in the Garden of Gethsemane and follows Jesus as he is arrested, tried and sentenced to death on the cross. The film holds nothing back and includes a graphic and disturbing depiction of Jesus being tortured and whipped. This intense depiction of Jesus final hours was nominated for three Academy Awards including Best Original Score.
The Prince of Egypt: This 1998 DreamWorks animation tells the story of Moses, a Hebrew who becomes an Egyptian prince, only to flee Egypt and return to free the Hebrew people. This film about power and plagues had an all-star cast including Val Kilmer, Ralph Feinnes and Danny Glover, and won an Academy Award for Best Song for Mariah Carey and Whitney Houstons song When You Believe.
Evan Almighty: Evan Almighty follows Evan Baxter (Steve Carrell) as his life is turned upside-down. Evan thinks his life is going well until he is visited by God (Morgan Freeman), who asks him to build an ark. Although initially resistant, Evan eventually agrees, and despite the ridicule and criticism of his friends and peers Evan follows Gods commands with hilarious consequences. Evan Almighty is the sequel to Bruce Almighty and provides a healthy dose of laughter to the famous Bible story.
Monty Pythons Life of Brian: This classic comedy film from Monty Python is based on the Gospels and the life of Jesus. In this version of the well-known Biblical stories, a normal man named Brian is mistaken for the Messiah, with hysterical consequences. This comical take on the life of Christ became an instant cult-hit, despite being banned in countries such as Norway and Ireland.
The Seventh Sign: This tense drama references the book of Revelation. The film begins as signs of the apocalypse seem to follow in the wake of a mysterious wanderer (Jürgen Prochnow). Father Lucci (Peter Friedman), the Vatican Emissary assigned to investigate, dismisses the occurrences as natural, but Abby Quinn (Demi Moore), a young American woman, has reason to fear they're real and that the unfolding events may spell disaster for her unborn children.
Be sure to enter our The Bible Blu-ray Giveaway today!


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Bochy lets Panda rest in series finale vs. Rockies
SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy let the warm bat of Pablo Sandoval rest on a warm San Francisco day.
Sandoval is batting .467 (7-for-15) in his last four games, but Bochy did not start his regular third baseman in Wednesday's series finale against the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park.
Sandoval, Bochy explained, is just getting a break.
"More than anything, [we're] being cautious," Bochy said. "Just giving him a breather. It's a good day to put [Joaquin] Arias in [at third]."
While Sandoval has hit safely in six of eight games, Arias is 2-for-7 (.286) in six games this season. Arias made a start at first base against the Dodgers on April 2.
Willie Bans is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Firestone Walker
Lion & Bear Series
Leo v. Ursus
Proprietor's Vintage Series
Barrelworks Wild Ales
Nitro Series
Beer Archive
Agrestic Single Barrel #16
Dos Osos IPA
Double DBA
El Gourdo
Feral Vinifera
Forbidden Fruit
Good Foot
Hat Trick
Hydra Cuvee
Lil' Mikkel
Lil Opal
Maltose Falcon
Ol' Leghorn
PNC Buckwheat Stout
Reginald Brett
Vessel 8
Velvet Mocha Merlin
Violet Underground
Winter Wookey
American Style Red Ale
In the now famous SNL skit, "(Don't Fear) The Reaper", Producer, "The Bruce Dickinson", demands more cow bell from his band, Blue Oyster Cult. Here at the Barrelworks, we asked for more American Oak. Agrestic 16 is 100% single barrel American Oak-aged Agrestic. As in our other Agrestic Ale, a blend of American and French Oak, this is a rustic red ale, that is fermented in the Firestone Union, then aged and inoculated with B. Lambicus and lactobacillus in an American Oak barrel for 14 months. It is here where it develops its earthy funk, quenching acidity and complex flavor. Only the best barrels are singled out to be served "as is". Barrel #16 lends more traditional American oak character—soft vanilla and coconut—than our blend. The Acidity is softer, and the finish dryer. The experience, nonpareil.
Draft only, extremely limited.
Imperial Brown Ale
The first beer brewed for the barrel aging program and has been brewed every year since. Originally named after an experimental variety of hops but now brewed with US grown Fuggles which are earthy and resinous. A lean, simple barley wine brewed to showcase barrel flavors with massive bourbon barrel notes that morph as the beer warms in the glass.
Draft only, extremely limited.
ABV: 6.5% // IBU: 75 // Deep Gold
Dos Osos, or "two bears," IPA is a collaboration brew between Firestone Walker Head Brewer Dustin Kral and Head Brewer Jim Cibak of Revolution Brewing. Named after both the bear on the California State flag and the Chicago bears this IPA is described as a Central Coast IPA, named for California's Central Coast. As with most West Coast IPAs, this version in not bogged down with lots of specialty malts and is dry, crisp and clean which is a trademark of the hoppy ales from both Revolution and Firestone. 2-row, Munich, and a touch of cara-pils lend a subtle malt base to which the layers of hop character are built upon. An array of hops including Warrior, Chinook, Centennial, Cascade and Citra infuse this ale with aromas and flavors of fresh flowers, citrus and passion fruit. The finished product is a clean refreshing IPA with a crisp bitterness and wonderful hop bouquet.
Imperial Special Bitter
Our flagship beer brewed to double strength. Immense toffee, vanilla, coconut and caramel malt married with American oak aromas emerge. The first sip develops with sugary caramel, molasses and vanilla, finishing with English toffee and toasted coconut. A beer to be reckoned with and perfect for sharing.
Wild Roasted Pumpkin Ale (with walnuts and bay leaf)
El Gourdo is what happens when the local pumpkin patch calls the Barrelworks on the day after Halloween, asking if we want orphaned Cinderella Pumpkins. Not only did we take the leftover pumpkins last year, we roasted them with bay leaf and walnuts in a wood-burning oven fueled by brandy staves and local white oak. We then tossed 500 lbs. of the caramelized gourds into an oak-aged base beer blend for fermentation and further oak barrel aging, lasting almost a year. The resulting beer is subtle yet firm. Roasting releases naturally sweet spicy pumpkin, brown sugar, and nutty flavors and aromas, which mingle nicely with an earthy funk, toasted oak and assertive acidity. A Santé!
Base Beer // Description // Ratio // Maturation time // Barrel
2012 Lil Mikkel // Saison // 66% // 24 months // French & American Oak
2013 Agrestic Ale // American Wild Red // 33% // 12 months // French & American Oak
500 lbs. of Cinderella Pumpkins
60 lbs. walnuts.
½ lb. of Bay/Laurel leaf.
**Please note: The pumpkins in this beer were roasted with walnuts. For those with nut allergies, we do not recommend drinking this beer.**
Draft, 375ml bottles, extremely limited.
Wild Ale Fermented With White Wine Grapes
Feral Vinifera is our foray into a new and exciting adventure in the Santa Ynez Valley, that expresses our collaborative efforts with local grape growers and winemakers. Its journey begins with the sourcing and pressing of grapes from David Walker's vineyard, co-fermenting the juice with a wheat-based wort, inoculating with proprietary wild yeast and bacteria, and allowing for a long fermentation and maturation in French Oak barrels. We have carefully fermented, matured and blended this beer with the collaboration of our friend, Andrew Murray, proprietor/winemaker at Andrew Murray Vineyards. The resulting cuvee; a partnership of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Muscat grapes co-fermented with wheat based wort-bends the mind and senses. Pineapple, mango, guava mingle with Meyer lemon and gooseberry. A funky savory yeast bouquet lays down a firm foundation, fruity esters and tart acidity lend body and structure. Finishing with a flinty minerality, woody tannins and vinous perfume.
Barrel Ratio: 100% French Oak
Barrel // Blend // Ratio // Maturation time
French Oak // Sauvignon Blanc/wheat beer // 35% // 12 months
French Oak // Chenin Blanc/wheat beer // 35% // 12months
French Oak // Orange Muscat/wheat beer // 5% // 12 months
French Oak // Bretta Weisse // 25% // 8 months
A Wild Merkin Blend Infused with Pomegranate
The phrase "Forbidden Fruit" originates from Genesis, concerning Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and sometimes implies a guilty pleasure or indulgence. The pomegranate is native to the Holy Land and is thought by some to be the fruit described in Genesis, not the apple. We avoided any debate on the subject, and instead, decided to create our own guilty pleasure, infusing it with pomegranate juice. Jim Crooks cleverly picked his barrels for blending from our Garden of Eden: our Live Barrel and spirit barrel programs, adding pomegranate juice for good measure. The result is astonishing. Tart berries and pomegranate notes lead to an earthy funkiness, followed by a delicate dance between the yeast and roasted barley phenolics. Black licorice and slight bourbon notes give way to a wonderful acidity, rounding out this complex indulgence. Don't miss out on this gem!
Draft only, extremely limited.
Barley Wine
Good Foot was created as the hoppy sidekick to Stickee Monkee; designed with a massive hop charge in the kettle to add more hop character for blending. However, barrels have a way of mellowing all things and bitterness is very often lost in the aging process, what was once a hop bomb has mellowed into a balanced and complex barley wine. After it warms, the hops being to peek through.
Draft only, extremely limited.
Blended Beer
Hat Trick is a blend of Parabola (Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels) and SLOambic (Sour Opal fermented with Ollie berries, aged in American Oak barrels). This is a beer of contrasts! The aroma of bourbon, vanilla, coconut, tobacco and leather, jockey with tart berry notes. Flavors of malt, coffee, bittersweet chocolate, mingle with berries, tart acidity, a firm malt body, then punctuated by bitterness. The flavors and aroma linger on the palate for some time. This is a full-bodied blend of both our spirit barrel and wild beer barrel programs.
Blending strong ale
Hydra Cuveé is a blend of four different beers—two barrel-aged beers, a robust imperial porter and a black rye IPA. In keeping with Greek mythology, the Hydra represents three distinct parts—the Lion, the Bear (both from Firestone Walker's insignia) and the Flying Dog.
The imperial porter was brewed on March 25, 2014 and was blended with two barrel-aged beers and a black rye IPA. Expect the porter to be rich and chewy with a lot of caramel and chocolate malts alongside oat flakes and a mellow stone fruit hop profile.
Flying Dog's Matt Brophy and Firestone Walker's Matt Brynildson picked the barrel-aged beers from Firestone Walker's Barrelworks program.
Collaboration Saison with Mikkeller
This extraordinary beer's journey began over a year ago, prior to the first annual Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival in 2012. It started as a collaboration between Matt Brynildson and Mikkeller, but the journey did not end there. The beer was transferred to Opus One barrels and turned over to the Barrelworks so we could work our magic. Sour Jim Crooks and Barrelmeister Jeffers Richardson spent the better part of two days adding Sauvignon Blanc grapes to some barrels and Chenin Blanc grapes to the others. Both were inoculated with Brettanomyces Lambicus and Lactobacillus Brevis, sometimes more than once. The result is a 50/50 blend of barrels fruited with Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc grapes. This one blurs the lines between wine and beer—very champagne-like! Vinuous aromas, peppery, clove and spicy barnyard. Flavors are white wine-like, pepper, clove, a hint of passion fruit, refined Oak character, finishing off crisp, quenching with a fine carbonation. Mild acidity (pH 3.75). Delicious!
Draft only, extremely limited.
Our first 2013 blend from masterblender Jim Crooks! Lil' Opal is a cunning blend of two-year-old American oak and eight-month-old French oak saisons. Both go through a secondary fermentation and maturation in barrels. This traditional Belgian farmhouse saison has notes of citrus and tropical fruit, a smooth mouthfeel, and tangy crisp finish. Round this all out with a little earthy funk and we have one refreshingly complex offering.
Draft, 375ml bottles, extremely limited.
ABV: 13.6% // IBU: 32 // 64.5SRM (Dark Rum)
A tribute to 40 years of inspiration and innovation. English Brown malt, drum roasted Caramel malt, Chocolate malt and a healthy dose of brown sugar, together with West Coast American hops created a luscious Barley Wine class Brown Ale. Loads of rich, silky cocoa dusted malt character with a sturdy yet elegant balance on hop spice and boozy barrel accents. Aged seven months in Rum, Brandy and Bourbon barrels and bottled for the Maltose Falcons 40th Anniversary.
German Marzen
Our twist on the German Märzen bier, we give you a Paso Märzen. Traditional imported malts offer subtle honey-like aromas with hints of Noble hop spice. The stars of this brew are the imported Pilsner and Vienna malts that offer malty sweetness that carry through to the end. German Hallertau hops add rich Noble hop character to balance this exceptional Marzen. This beer is 100% stainless steel and gets the name Oaktoberfest as an ode to our hometown, Paso Robles, Spanish for "Pass of The Oaks". True to Oktoberfest custom, this beer makes its debut in time for fall to celebrate the age-old German tradition.
Barrel Age Blend
What's better than drinking with friends? Brewing with friends, so each year Brewmaster Matt Brynildson collaborates on a special beer, inspired by the Invitational Beer Fest. This year's collaboration with 3 Floyd's has deep roots in Chicagoland where Matt Brynildson & Nick Floyd first home-brewed together back in the early days of craft beer. The result of a friendship started long ago, Ol' Leghorn is more than just a beer, it's a time-machine. Enjoy.
Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
Infused with Coffee
ABV: 13% // IBU: 82 // Espresso Black
Parabajava is an ongoing series of infusing some of the best coffees in the world in to Parabola, our decadent Russian Imperial Stout. This year, we collaborated with local Templeton coffee roaster Dark Nectar to find the perfect coffee to complement the rich dark chocolate and bourbon character of Parabola. After tasting single-origin coffees from around the world, we found what we were looking for. Their Ugandan single origin roast adds subtle nutty and fruity accents that round out the flavor profile of Parabajava, resulting in an overall profile reminiscent of a rich, espresso-infused batch of fudge brownies. The barrels selected for the final blend were from several batches in the summer of 2015, averaging just over a year in age at blending. We then cold-infused freshly roasted and coffee direct from Dark Nectar. We recommend that you drink Parabajava fresh to enjoy the coffee character at its peak.
22oz, extremely limited.
Imperial Buckwheat Stout
This bold and deliciously complex beer is an Imperial Buckwheat Stout aged in Tequila barrels for 13 months. Only a collection of pioneering, well seasoned, extensively traveled and passionate pub owners could come up with such a notion. Our carefully calculated collision of flavors was laid down in fresh Tequila barrels wrangled over our southern boarder. We simply call this beer "PNC" in honor of it's collaborating creators – the gothic symphony of flavors will speak for themselves.
Strong Wild Ale
Once a Liberal Party politician in the U.K., the "Viscount Esher," aka Reginald Brett, left a strong impression on his native England as this offering, from our Live Barrel program, will leave with you. Big, malty, and alcoholic, this hefty brew is supported by a firm oaky backbone and slight tartness from its time in a French oak barrel, and in the discreet company of a certain B. Lambicus. Scandalous! But our palates benefit from this 6-month tryst.
Draft only, extremely limited.
Belgian Saison
"Another saison?", you say. Hear me out: Brewmaster Matt Brynildson and team have created a small batch of outrageously drinkable light-bodied saison. Think "Duvel" meets "Dupont Saison". The yeast is a French Saison type. The flavor sublime: Pear drop, earthy, peppery, with a soft sweet malt middle, a touch of candied sugar and Styrian Golding finish. After you taste this gem, you will be saying, "another saison, please!"
Draft only, very limited.
Coffee Infused Oatmeal Stout
Our beloved Velvet Merlin aged with cocoa nibs and Intelligentsia Espresso Beans.
All of the smooth textures and roasty dark chocolate goodness of our seasonal Velvet Merlin Oatmeal Stout with the added infusion of Intelligentsia Coffee House aromas and cocoa dusted chocolate truffle flavors.
This brew makes debut in our 2014 Winter Bundle pack - the only way to find this elusive collaboration.
Cross Atlantic Wild Ale
The Rainbow Project paired seven UK and US breweries with one of seven colors of the rainbow, creating the theme of the brew. We drew violet. What followed was left to the imaginative and creative spirt among the collaborators. Violet Underground represents a partnership between The Wild Beer Co. and Firestone Walker Brewing Co. A cuvée was born from Somerset Wild, a newly minted Golden and Sunrise Raspberry ale, and Barrelwork's blending warhouse, Cowbell. Proprietary yeast from both sides of the Atlantic, fresh local California fruit and French candied violet petals went into the cauldron. The resulting potion is bursting with ripe fresh fruit, a hint of violet petals and anchored by a funky yeast foundation. A quenching acidity and lively carbonation rounds out the collaboration. A santé!
Available in draft and bottles (November 2015), extremely limited.
Blended Strong Ale
A blend of Wookey Jack and un-oaked Double DBA, Winter Wookey brings dark chocolate covered dried cherry, candied apple, orange zest and toffee flavors together in a complex, warming blend. Deceivingly drinkable for its size, Winter Wookey balances a big, malty body with a complementary spectrum of hop aroma and bitterness.
Berlinner Weisse
Firestone Walker was born in the vineyards of Santa Ynez Valley in 1996 and Barrelworks carries on the tradition of working with and learning from our cousins in the wine sector. For this collaboration, we tapped into Sherman Thacher of Thacher Winery, capitalizing on his love for and experience in the beer and wine industry. Dark secret: Sherman was a brewer before a winemaker. For ZinSkin, we used his 2014 freshly pressed zinfandel grape skins and fermented them with one of our wild beer creations in 100% American oak barrels. The result is delicious: toasty oak, vanilla, coconut, cinnamon and leather, tussle with field herbs of sage, lavender and mint. Vinous notes of cherry, brambles and watermelon are supported by an earthy, funky, yeasty nose. Velvety tannins introduce a wonderful acidity and carbonation. A santé!
Barrel // Ratio // Maturation time
American oak // 100 % // 10-16 months
Available in draft and bottles (September 2015), extremely limited.
Released November 2006
The Components
The following brews were aged in six different barrel formats creating 10 distinctive component lots (pieces) that were blended together. Portions of these beers were also fermented in the Firestone Union oak barrel brewing system.
Abacus-5 barrel varieties
Parabola -2 barrel varieties
Ruby -2 barrel varieties
Bravo -2 barrel varieties
Walker's Reserve
Humboldt Hemp Ale
100% oak barrel fermented Double Barrel Ale.
Released November 2007
Final Blend:
Bravo (11% ABV) - (82%) of final blend
Rufus (11% ABV) - (7%) of final blend
Velvet Merkin (5.5% ABV) - (7%) of final blend
Parabola (13% ABV) - (4%) of final blend
The Finished Piece
As a finished beer- Eleven is far more structured and refined than any previous blend. We bottled this beer a full month before release to allow it to integrate fully. It is not a beer of broad strokes or exclamation points, but a beer of subtle nuances and secrets. It best enjoyed in a half filled brandy snifter or wine glass. Allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas. We kept the carbonation very low to compliment Eleven's smooth texture. If left in a cool dark place, I suspect that this beer will age well.
Released November 2008
Final Blend:
Parabola (13% ABV) - (44%) of final blend
Opal (11% ABV) – (28%) of final blend
Rufus (11% ABV) – (18%) of final blend
Saucerful of Secrets (9% ABV) – (9%) of final blend
Union Jack IPA (7% ABV) - (1%) of final blend
The Finished Piece
As a finished beer, XII is in some ways more aggressive than any previous blend, but it maintains a great deal of depth and complexity. Everyone seems to get something different when they taste this beer- mocha, tobacco, toasted almonds, olallieberries… I leave the interpretation to you. It is best enjoyed in a half filled brandy snifter or wine glass. Allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas. If left in a cool dark place, I suspect that this beer will age well. Only time will tell. If you find something you like- please contact us and let us know your thoughts.
Released November 2009
Final Blend:
Parabola (13% ABV) : 39% of final blend
Bravo (11% ABV): 24% of final blend
Velvet Merkin (6% ABV): 15% of final blend
Opal (11% ABV): 6% of final blend
Rufus (11% ABV): 6% of final blend
Double Double Barrel Ale (10.9% ABV): 6% of final blend
Saucerful of Secrets (9% ABV): 4% of final blend
The Finished Piece
As a finished beer, 13 is more sublime then last year's blend. It is all about the subtleties and quiet tones. It has deep dark chocolate notes and is accented with dried fruit and licorice. There are hints of molasses and even a little cherry in the middle complimenting the vanilla and coconut notes brought in by the oak. These barrel qualities are very well integrated and meld well with the roast malt and caramel undertones. It is best enjoyed in a half filled brandy snifter or wine glass. Allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas. If left in a cool dark place, I suspect that this beer will age well. It was a pleasure in the making and I truly hope you enjoy our fourth oak-aged blend!
Released November 2010
Final Blend:
Double Double Barrel Ale (10.9% ABV): 31% of final blend
Sticky Monkey (12% ABV): 29% of final blend
Parabola (13% ABV): 27% of final blend
Velvet Merkin (6% ABV): 7% of final blend
Good Foot (13% ABV): 3% of final blend
Black Xantus(11% ABV): 3% of final blend
The Finished Piece
As a finished beer, 14 is a brimming with amazing flavors and textures. DDBA leads the blend lending American toasted oak, English caramel toffee and light leather nuances. Newcomer, Sticky Monkey, folds in the taste of brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger and ripe figs. Parabola brings the familiar flavors of bitter dark chocolate and cherry pit. Velvet Merkin carries silky bourbon soaked chocolate cake goodness to the party while a touch of Black Xantus teases coffee and tobacco. Last, but not least, Good Foot brings the hops… hints of citrus zest and tangerine, which adds a pop to the aroma and nice finish to this big, sexy brew. 14 is best enjoyed in a half filled brandy snifter or wine glass. Allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas. If left in a cool dark place, I suspect this beer will age well. It was an absolute pleasure making it and I truly hope you enjoy our fifth oak-aged blend! The journey continues.
Released November 2011
The Finished Piece
Looking at a blend of 8 beers on paper at first looks chaotic and potentially disjointed; however, a closer look reveals and interesting theme: 76% Barley Wine style beers, 19% Stout and 5% Imperial IPA. XV introduces our new blonde barley wine Helldorado with flavors of lavender honey liqueur. The well established DDBA delivers its signature American toasted oak, English caramel toffee and light leather nuances. 2010 vintage Sticky Monkey folds in brown sugar, maple, cinnamon, ginger and ripe figs. Parabola brings the familiar flavors of roasted dark coco, and chocolate covered cherries. Velvet Merkin carries silky milk chocolate, toasted coconut and creamy textures. Good Foot and Bravo add assertive barley wine warmth and lush barrel derived vanilla bean notes. The game changer this year is the addition of Double Jack to the blend. At just 5% its massive dry hop character brings citrus zest, tangerine and mango aromas making this a completely new beer.
The beer is unfiltered and unfined, so there will be a small amount of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. XV is best enjoyed poured carefully into a half-filled brandy snifter or wine glass. Allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas. As the beer sits and breathes in the glass, a richer, orange zested, chocolate dusted, vanilla custard character is reveled, so take your time. If you wait to open your bottle later, store it in a cool dark place. I suspect that this beer will age well and change favorably for years to come. It was an absolute pleasure in the making and I truly hope you enjoy our Sixth oak-aged blend! Our journey continues and it's just as fun and exciting now as it was back in 1996.
Released November 2011
Final Blend:
Velvet Merkin (8.7% ABV) Aged in Bourbon barrels: 23% of final blend
Stickee Monkee (12.5% ABV) Aged in Bourbon and Brandy barrels: 22.5% of final blend
Double Double Barrel Ale (14.2% ABV) Aged 100% in retired Firestone Union barrels: 20.3% of final blend
Parabola (13% ABV) Aged in Bourbon barrels: 10.8% of final blend
PNC (13.0% ABV) Aged in Tequila barrels: 8.1% of final blend
Helldorado (11.5% ABV) Aged in Bourbon Barrels and Brandy barrels: 5.4% of final blend
Bravo (13.4% ABV) Aged in Bourbon and Brandy barrels: 5.4% of final blend
Wookey Jack (8.3% ABV) 100% Stainless Steel: 4.5% of final blend
The Finished Piece
As a finished beer, XVI takes us back to some of the wonderful dark notes (the black keys) that I remember from the original 10 blending. XVI is 42% stout with Velvet Merkin, Parabola and "PNC" working together as three roasty toasty friends that create rich cacao, chocolate and mocha flavors together. "PNC" also introduces tequila barrels into our blend for the first time and brings some interesting south of the boarder spirit notes to the mix – a welcome twist. Helldorado, with flavors of lavender honey liqueur was again a favorite of the winemakers and made the cut adding some flowery notes. DDBA continues to deliver its signature American toasted oak, English caramel toffee and light leather nuances. DDBA was also release on its own in 2012 and is now established as a solid annual brew. Stickee Monkee is fast becoming one of our favorite pieces with its rich maple syrup, spicy cinnamon, and ripe fig flavors which has developed into a bolder cousin of perennial blend component Bravo who carries barrel character and bourbon notes like no other. The additional twist this year is Wookey Jack, Black Rye IPA with its wily citrusy hop notes and spicy rye backbone. The finished blend is unfiltered and unfined, so there will be a small amount of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. XVI is best enjoyed poured carefully into a half filled brandy snifter or red wine glass. Allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas. It takes a while, but as this beer sits and breathes in the glass, more rich dusty chocolate, stone fruit and crème brulee character is reveled as the rich spirit characters fade - so take your time. If you wait to open your bottle later, store it in a cool dark place. I suspect that this beer will age well and change favorably for years to come. It was an absolute pleasure in the making and I truly hope you enjoy our Seventh oak-aged blend! The journey continues and its just as fun and exciting now as it was back in 1996. Thank you so much for spending a little time with us!
Released November 2013
Final Blend
Bravo (13.6% ABV) Aged in Bourbon and Brandy barrels: 30% of the final blend
Stickee Monkee (15.3% ABV) Aged in Bourbon and Whiskey barrels: 25% of the final blend
Velvet Merkin (8.7% ABV) Aged in Bourbon barrels: (15% of the final blend)
Parabola (12.8% ABV) Aged in Bourbon barrels: 15% of the final blend)
Double Double Barrel Ale (12.0% ABV) Aged in retired Firestone Union barrels: 8.0% of the final blend
Helldorado (11.5% ABV) Aged in Bourbon and Brandy barrels: 4.0% of the final blend
Wookey Jack (8.3% ABV)100% stainless steel fermentation: 3.0% of the final blend
The Finished Piece
As a finished beer, XVII is dark, rich and complex. The lead beers of the blend are Bravo, a lean and oak-forward imperial brown ale and Stickee Monkee, a huge brown sugar infused barley wine. These beers are beautiful on their own but together they bring rich molasses drenched oak flavors and cinnamon glazed almond aromas lifted by high alcohol. In the middle of the blend are our two favorite stouts, Parabola and Velvet Merkin, working in concert to provide a dusty cocoa mocha aroma and bitter dark chocolate flavors. Somehow together in this blend I am reminded of Bourbon-soaked chocolate chip cookie dough! Double DBA makes the blend again this year, bringing its signature vanilla-infused crème brulée flavor. Helldorado, our blonde barley wine, helps to bring balance with its honey notes and light leather nuances. Like last year, a dash of Wookey Jack made the cut bringing with it some fresh hop notes derived from bold Citra and Amarillo creating even more interesting complexity. All together I find XVII to be full of soft chocolate and warm spice perfectly balanced by toasted coconut, bourbon barrel notes and smooth creamy malt mellowness. The finished blend is unfiltered and unfined, so there will be a small amount of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. XVII is best enjoyed poured carefully into a half-filled brandy snifter or red wine glass. Allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas. It takes a while, but as this beer sits and breathes in the glass, more rich chocolate and spice character is revealed as the ethereal spirit characters dissipate - so take your time. If you wait to open your bottle later, store it in a cool dark place. I suspect that this beer will age well and change favorably for years to come. It was an absolute pleasure in the making and I truly hope you enjoy our eighth oak-aged blend.
Released october 2014
The Aging Cellar – The Components
We blended together 227 oak barrels containing 9 different beers creating something dark complex and 100% original.
Final Blend:
Parabola (13% ABV) Aged in Bourbon Barrels: 38% of the final blend
Helldorado (11.7% ABV) Aged in Bourbon and Brandy Barrels: 16% of the final blend
Bravo (12.9% ABV) Aged in Bourbon and Brandy Barrels: 16% of the final blend
Stickee Monkee (12.3% ABV) Aged in Bourbon and Brandy Barrels: 14% of the final blend
Velvet Merkin (8.5% ABV) Aged in Bourbon barrels: 5% of the final blend
Hydra Cuveè (10.5% ABV) Aged in Bourbon Barrels: 4% of the final blend
Wookey Jack (8.5% ABV) 100% Stainless Steel: 3% of the final blend
Ol' Leghorn (12.5%ABV) Aged in New American Oak: 2% of the final blend
Double Jack (9.5% ABV) 100% Stainless Steel: 2% of the final blend
The Finished Piece
As a finished beer, XVIII is a dark and complex brew full of malt and barrel derived flavors, with Parabola leading the brew into the rich darkness. The beer is unfiltered and unfined, so there will be a small amount of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. XVIII is best enjoyed poured carefully into a half filled brandy snifter or wine glass. Allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas. As the beer sits and breathes in the glass, rich dark chocolate, toasted oak and dark fruit character is revealed, so take your time.


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Celestial Bars Recipe
My aunt gave me the recipe for these wonderfully nutty bars. With their marbled base, fluffy icing and pretty chocolate glaze, they're the stars of bake sales, cookie gift packs and parties.
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3 cups confectioners' sugar
- 3 to 4 tablespoons 2% milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons shortening
- 1. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts. Combine flour and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in pecans (batter will be thick).
- 2. Divide batter in half; stir chocolate into one portion. Alternately spoon plain and chocolate batters into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Swirl with a knife.
- 3. Bake at 350° for 16-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- 4. For icing, in a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in milk and vanilla until smooth. Spread over bars.
- 5. For glaze, melt chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave; stir until smooth. Drizzle over bars. Let stand until chocolate is completely set before cutting into bars. Yield: 4 dozen.
Nutritional Facts
1 each: 155 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 65mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
Reviews for Celestial Bars
Average Rating
Reviewed Mar. 2, 2008 Edited Oct. 11, 2008
"I have taken a pan of these bars to four separate pot lucks, and every time at least one person has asked me for the recipe. Don't let the length of the ingredients list or the directions scare you. These are really very easy to make."
© 2017 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC


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Navistar Stumbles On CFO Departure
Shares of Navistar (NAV) were falling nearly 5.5% in after hours trading, on news of the departure of the heavy duty truck and engine maker's CFO.
Andrew Cederoth is leaving at the end of the month, as part of Navistar's planned transition to a new CFO, it said. Current Treasurer James Moran will helm the company's financial operations on an interim basis, as it finalizes its appointment of a new CFO from outside the company.
Cederoth had been CFO since 2009.
The stock took a hit earlier this month, when it reported a weak second quarter. The stock hit a 52-week high in early May, but is down slightly for the past year.


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Best Pet Products For January 2013
Start the New Year Right With Our January Pet Must Haves
Start the New Year Right With Our January Pet Must Haves
Along with sticking to your pet's New Year's resolutions, January is a month packed with special days celebrating our favorite friends. From National Bird Day to Squirrel Appreciation Day, click through for a collection of products that are guaranteed to make your pet pal feel special and loved.
Source: Etsy seller LittleBlueFeathers, John Paul Pet, Planet Dog, and Umbra
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xeroxed44 wrote:If i'm following you correctly, release the disc with my hand closer to 12:00 vs 6:00?
yep, and for a flat putt it'll be somewhere around 3:00. play with it and you'll see... e.g. you can do a high, super nose-down putt by lofting upwards and releasing at 6:00, but if you want high and nose up, the only way to make it work is to release more from the front of the disc.


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Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
Contact: Merni Fitzgerald, Director of Public Affairs
703-324-3187, TTY 711, Fax 703-324-2010
Media Pager: 703-324-NEWS (6397)
May 19, 2008
Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
A Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday will be held in Virginia from Sunday, May 25, through Saturday, May 31. During this period, items designated by the Virginia Department of Taxation as hurricane preparedness equipment will be exempt from state and local sales and use taxes.
The tax exemption applies to generators, inverters and inverter cables costing $1,000 or less, as well as batteries, food-storage containers, first-aid kits, bottled water and 18 other items costing $60 or less. The complete list of exempt products can be found at www.vaemergency.com/threats/hurricane/2008taxholiday.cfm.
The tax holiday will take place annually during the last week of May through 2012. This year it coincides with National Hurricane Preparedness Week, which focuses on informing the public about hurricane hazards and measures that can be taken to prepare and minimize damage. The 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
The Virginia Department of Taxation's Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Guidelines and Rules are available on Fairfax County's Web site, at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta/news.htm. For additional information on hurricane preparedness, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/prepare/hurricane.htm.


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For the last 29 years, the NBA has conducted its postseason with a strange twist. In the conference rounds, the league has split the seven-game series into a 2-2-1-1-1 home-road format, and only in the NBA Finals has the postseason gone to a 2-3-2 setup.
That made sense when the move was made in 1985, when travel between, say, Boston and Los Angeles was difficult, and newspaper writers had to transmit stories under tight deadlines.
MORE: Finals format | TNT analysts think Heat can be beat | GMs pick Heat to 3-peat
Much has changed, though. And by a unanimous vote, the league's Board of Governors on Wednesday changed its Finals format back to 2-2-1-1-1.
"The Competition Committee felt strongly that a consistent format should be used for each round of our playoffs," Rod Thorn, president of the league's Basketball Operations, said. "With improvements in team air travel and technology, the reasons the 2-3-2 format made sense for us in the past largely do not exist anymore, so creating consistency became the priority."
The league has frowned on any notion that the 2-3-2 format has had an effect on which team wins the championship, and ultimately, there is some truth to that. Certainly, any series that was over within five games would not have been affected by the homecourt format, but that accounts for only 11 Finals played since '85. In the 18 Finals that went at least six games under the 2-3-2 format, the team with the homecourt advantage went 13-5.
While the homecourt is going to give any team an edge, it seems especially disadvantageous to the road team in the 2-3-2 format. That's because it is difficult for the team playing three consecutive games at home to win all three—teams in the Final are, obviously, among the league's elite and it is hard to beat any team in the same setting three straight times. In the 18 Finals that reached Game 6, only one team managed to win all three games at home, the '06 Heat.
As the numbers below show, in series that go at least six games, teams playing the three middle games at home are at a distinct disadvantage:
NBA Finals, home team's record
• Games 1 and 2: 25-11 (.694)
• Games 3, 4 and 5: 34-20 (.629)
• Games 6 and 7: 17-6 (.739)
What makes things especially difficult for the team without the homecourt advantage is the task of playing three games at home, then needing to go on the road and gather up enough momentum to win in a hostile building. It is tough to maintain rhythm that way.
Last year, for example, the Spurs were in San Antonio for a solid week before returning to Miami for Game 6 with a 3-2 series lead. The Spurs wound up fumbling away the sixth game late in the fourth quarter before losing in overtime, then lost Game 7, too.
That was a repeat of what happened to Boston in 2010, when the Celtics went back to play the Lakers with a 3-2 lead, but hit a wall in the final two games, scoring 67 points in Game 6 and 79 points in Game 7. Those were easily the worst offensive games that Boston had in that postseason—the Celtics had averaged 95.8 points in the playoffs prior to that.
Two other teams—the Knicks in 1994 and the Pistons in 1988—were in similar situations, coming out of Game 5 with a 3-2 lead and heading on the road for the final two games. Each suffered the same fate as Boston and San Antonio, losing in heartbreaking Game 6s.
The Knicks' loss came on a last-second block by the Rockets' Akeem Olajuwon (before he became Hakeem) on a shot by John Starks, and the Pistons' one-point loss came despite a heroic 43-point performance from Isiah Thomas, who played through an injured ankle.
In all four cases, the team with a 3-2 lead going on the road lost in Game 6 and went on to lose the championship in seven games.
It can never be said for sure, of course, whether a 2-2-1-1-1 would have made any difference for teams like the Spurs, Celtics, Knicks or Pistons. But it has no doubt been an uphill climb for teams in that situation. The new layout should ease that climb, at least a little.


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Hobbit trilogy inspires another boom
Having seen how The Lord of the Rings movies attracted tourists from around the world, New Zealand is expecting Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy to inspire another boom.
From 1999 to 2004, the Oscar-winning filmmaker's first journey to Middle-earth contributed to a 47 per cent jump in spending by international visitors to $5.7 billion a year.
And though just 6 per cent of all visitors cited The Lord of the Rings as one of the reasons for their trip, that would still be a significant boost for a country attracting 2.6 million visitors a year if it happened again.
"If we grew our tourism numbers by 6 per cent, that would be worth between $NZ400 million and $NZ500 million a year," says the chief executive of Tourism New Zealand, Kevin Bowler.
The tourism authorities say the single most significant reason tourists cite for visiting New Zealand - outside the Rugby World Cup, at least - is the landscape.
"The films really help in that regard because they beautifully showcase that landscape," Bowler says.
"The level of integration of New Zealand and the films through the marketing that we do, Air New Zealand does and others do has really got that connection quite strong now."
Bowler says The Lord of the Rings movies sparked visits by hard-core fans, who knew lines from the films, where particular scenes were shot and who wanted to have their photo taken at filming locations around the country.
These were the kind of fans who flocked to Wellington in costume for the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in November.
Less-rabid fans are interested in seeing filming locations as part of a broader experience of the country's landscapes.
"What a lot of the operators have done really cleverly, particularly around Queenstown, is they've said 'we'll take you into the back country, we'll show you gold-panning, we'll take you in a four-wheel-drive and we'll show you some locations from the films'," Bowler says.
After the release of An Unexpected Journey, The Lord of the Rings tours around Wellington and Queenstown are likely to be popular as they no doubt expand to include Hobbit filming locations.
The next two film instalments are due for release on Boxing Day in 2013, then July 2014.
Also expected to appeal to tourists is the improved hobbit village where Bilbo and Frodo live in Middle-earth, on a sheep and cattle farm at Matamata, 175 kilometres from Auckland.
After the location was used for The Lord of the Rings, the sets were dismantled. But the Alexander family turned the site into a tourist attraction, with tiny plywood and styrofoam hobbit homes, that attracted more than 260,000 visitors in a decade.
When Jackson wanted to use the farm again for the Hobbit movies, the family had one condition: it had to be rebuilt as a permanent village. So the knighted filmmaker and the Alexanders formed a joint venture to rebuild Hobbiton.
As well as 44 permanent hobbit holes complete with gardens, orchards, smoking fireplaces and washing lines dangling hobbit clothes, the filmmakers have built a replica of the Green Dragon Inn, which serves hobbit beer and cider.
- Sydney Morning Herald


text: Rainbow record raises questions By John McCoy May 25, 2013 Story Share CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia has a new state-record rainbow-trout - one that raises a few uncomfortable questions.Tony Corbin of Gerrardstown caught the 30.5-inch, 17.31-pound fish May 2 from a Berkeley County quarry pond. On May 20, Division of Natural Resources officials issued a news release confirming the trout's record status.And the questions began.The release said the fish had been caught "from a private pond." Within days, Bret Preston, the DNR's assistant chief in charge of fisheries had received what he called "a few critical comments from anglers.""Some people don't think it's appropriate for us to recognize state record fish from private waters," he said.Apparently the term "private waters" raised the possibility in critics' minds that the fish might have been purchased from a hatchery and stocked into someone's backyard pond specifically for the purpose of claiming a record.That wasn't what happened. A MetroNews report on Corbin's catch revealed that the pond had been stocked several years earlier with trout and hybrid striped bass. Apparently the pond was deep enough, cold enough and rich enough in forage fish to grow at least one trout to record-breaking size. From that standpoint, Corbin's catch appears legit.The catch does, however, bring to mind some questions.First, why do DNR officials award records for fish caught from private waters? The short answer: Because they always have. The current state-record list contains five specimens caught from private lakes and ponds: bluegill, bowfin, common carp, grass carp and rainbow trout. And by the way, the previous state-record rainbow also came from private waters - a pond in Monroe County."Truth is, we've [recognized catches from private waters] for many, many years," Preston said.Second question: Would the current policy force DNR officials to accept a state record caught from a "fee fishery" such as a pay lake in which all the fish come from private hatcheries?"We haven't been faced with that," Preston said. "State code says an angler has to hold a valid fishing license in order to claim a state record. People who fish pay lakes aren't required to purchase licenses."But that doesn't address what we would do if a licensed angler tried to claim a record with a fish from a pay lake. That's a gray area that, so far, we've never had to take into account." Addressing a stocked-trout record-fish issue wouldn't exactly be a new experience. DNR officials have done it before.A few years back, the agency took a pounding for recognizing a state-record trout stocked from one of their own hatcheries. The blowback from that "instant record" resulted in a policy that, effective from that day forward, no fish exceeding record size were to be stocked.Preston said Corbin's record has touched off yet another round of questions."I understand and recognize that this is a legitimate point of discussion," he said. "I suspect that at our next fish staff meeting, we'll be taking a look at it. We'll more than likely look at other states to see how they handle these questions."For starters, Preston looked up Ohio's and Pennsylvania's policies. Ohio recognizes fish from private waters; Pennsylvania does not."This does cause us to pause and think about our state-record program," he said. "And I understand folks' concerns. Our last two rainbow-trout records have come from private waters, and people are questioning that." Story Share Story Share Trending Now 1 WVU pulls away from Kansas for 56-34 win 2 Philanthropist Betty Schoenbaum of Shoney's fortune turns 100 3 'Heroin(e)' spotlights women helping combat Huntington's drug crisis 4 WVU notebook: Defense feeling a bit run down 5 New company planning $73M synthetic fuel plant in Greenbrier County Outdoors notes -- May 26 Previous Story Books for a lazy summer day Next Story


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Efed stuff that doesn't matter
1 x IWA World Heavyweight Champion - Malcolm Adonis
Current WWE World Heavyweight Champion - Dean Ambrose
1 x EWNCW Tag Team Champion - Malcolm Adonis w/ Kyojin
Current No 1 Contender to the EWNCW Title - Arthur Lansdale
I lied, it matters.
"Tell me.. what is insane about wanting to create perfection? I'd be crazy not to." - Jarvis Cole
Former IWA Revolution Creative Team
Former IWA/WWE
Last Ever IWA Vanities Champion: Juno Mercury
2013: Women's Wrestler of the Year,Juno Mercury (IWA)
2013: Vanity of the Year,Juno Mercury (IWA)
PWR Women's Champion: Juno Mercury


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The California Department of Education this week released its latest list of recommended reading for K-12 students, including some newly published works that address immigration and sexual identity issues.
While the state list has addressed controversial topics before, this is the first time it included works that were honored by the Stonewall Book Awards, which have been given out since 1971 to recognize contributions to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender literature.
"We have titles in the list for the LGBT community for multiple recommended grade levels," said Roxane Fidler, the CDE's education programs consultant. "There are books from the Stonewall Book Awards, which has not previously been on the list," Fidler said.
The online catalog, Recommended Literature: Pre-Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, contains more than 7,800 books meant to prepare students for college, a career and the changing world, Fidler said. Because the newest titles were published in 2012, some of the included books embrace today's cultural and civil rights challenges. It was last revised in 2008.
The state-approved canon comprises fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama. None of the previous book recommendations were deleted, and new additions include "De Donde?," a book that offers alternative reasons for why people come to the United States illegally, and "I am J," a book about the emotional plight of transgender teens.
A spokesperson for Equality California, a statewide LGBT advocacy organization, said his organization is thrilled.
"We applaud Superintendent Tom Torlakson for including these books," spokesman Stephan A. Roth said. "We think this is consistent with the spirit of the FAIR Education Act, which is a new law that mandates that the role and contribution of LGBT people is included in our state education curricula. "
Some conservatives, however, disagree with the inclusion of texts they see as liberal and promoting alternative lifestyles.
Sandy Rios, host of a morning radio show on American Family Radio or AFR Talk, called this list of titles "appalling. "
"It's a frightening trend," Rios said in an interview. "The reading lists are very overtly propagating a point of view that is at odds with most American parents. Leftist educators are advocates of everything from socialism to sexual anarchy. It's very base; it's raping the innocence of our children. "
But Fidler said the works are not mandatory reading and they are chosen based on quality not ideology.
There are "no controversial books," Fidler said. The teachers, librarians, administrators, curriculum planners and college professors who curated the list rarely had trouble deciding whether a well-written book should not be included because of its topic, she added.
"We never censor the list because it's a list of recommended literature. It's not a requirement that the literature be read or taught. We want to put out all literature that is of quality and of interest that someone might have an interest in reading," she said.
The new reading list consolidates three other literature lists: science and mathematics; history, social science; and the visual and performing arts. Now parents, educators and school districts have one searchable resource to turn to, Fidler said.
Because the list is so new, the Los Angeles Unified School District declined to comment, other than noting that the district has its own policies for choosing specific books within the state policy.
In the next academic year, however, its schools will have to implement the Common Core State Standards, a state-led national effort that includes 45 states, two territories and the District of Columbia.
"A lot of districts and county offices will use the list to guide them in selecting literature, but they don't have to use any title on the list. They have local policies for how to choose books," Fidler said.
The online catalog is available at cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/rl.


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LOUDON, N.H.—Matt Kenseth has won more Sprint Cup races than any other driver this year. He leads the series standings. He has had a year that he will always remember no matter what happens over the next nine weeks.
So it would stand to reason that he's a favorite, if not the favorite, to win his second career Cup title, especially after a win in the Chase for the Sprint Cup opener Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway.
MORE: Junior fastest in practice | Newman on pole | Starting lineup
But Kenseth doesn't appear to feel that way. Maybe it's just a realistic attitude that anything can happen over the next nine races. Maybe part of it is still wondering when the honeymoon of his first year at Joe Gibbs Racing will come to crashing halt.
"You're not really going to buy this, but I don't really think about the point lead that much," Kenseth said. "Yeah, I know we're leading. With nine weeks to go, it's just an incredible amount of racing."
LINEMAKERS: Sylvania 300 odds | DETAILS: Race begins 2:15 p.m. ET
And then Kenseth gave the typical focus week to week line that racers often utter.
While Kenseth was pretty typical in what he said about his focus, he was pretty frank as far as what this season has meant to him. His six wins are more than in any of his 14-year career, the first 13 seasons spent driving for Jack Roush before a move to the Gibbs stable.
"If the wheels fell off the last nine weeks, you'd be disappointed to a point but yet when you look back at it, it has been a pretty magical season with some of the things we've been able to do," Kenseth said.
"That's one of the keys—when things are going bad, not to get too far down in the ditch and when thing are going great, don't try to get too high up in the clouds, either."
Kenseth, who will start ninth in the Sylvania 300 on Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, has good reason not to be in the clouds. His six wins are more than any other driver this year but he ranks just tied for sixth with seven top-fives and tied for third with 14 top-10s.
POCKRASS: Michael Waltrip Racing to blame in loss of major sponsor
To win the championship, he needs to probably have a higher percentage of top-five finishes.
"I feel like I certainly have the team and the equipment to do that," Kenseth said. "Early in the year, there's a lot of those finishes where we ran a lot better than that, we just didn't finish them. We had a lot of different little things happen."
"I feel like we're certainly capable. Whether you do or not remains to be seen. Just take it one week at a time, put forth our best effort and hope to get the finishes."
In the Chase opener last week, 10 of the top-12 drivers were Chase competitors.
"You're going to have to run really good every week to be able to beat that because they're in the Chase for a reason—because they've been the best-running cars all year," Kenseth said.
"You're going to try to figure out how to beat all of them and they're all going to be really tough."
JGR still has tests scheduled at Texas Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway—two of the last three tracks on the schedule.
At those tests, the key is to learn what adjustments work the best depending on track conditions and how the car is handling. With that knowledge, they can make the best decisions late in a race.
In the first Chase race, Kenseth and JGR teammate Kyle Busch had the best cars late in the race, but Kenseth was just a tick better and was able to get a lead on the restart.
"Jason (Ratcliff) has done a really good job of not only calling the race and putting me in front and giving me an opportunity but also making the right adjustments when we're up there," Kenseth said.
"The 18 (of Busch) and our car was really, really equal. … Kyle is really good. I don't know that there is anybody better than Kyle anywhere. I certainly don't think I am."
Maybe it is that approach that keeps Kenseth grounded. Or maybe it is just his approach to the Chase, where he doesn't go in with a master plan of where he needs to run exceptionally well and of where he just needs to survive without too much damage.
"I'm not a big believer in a mulligan or you just got to get through (a) week," Kenseth said. "I don't want to just get through any week. … All those cars you're trying to race for a championship are so incredibly good that if you let your guard down a little bit or if you're off for one week, they're going to eat you up in a hurry."


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Location: Hyderabad
Experience: 6+ years
Education: BE/B.Tech/MCA
· Implementing new features as directed by the Product Development team in accordance with the R&D team's agreed standards & practices. The vast majority of features will be developed in C#, VS2010, .NET4, WCF, Silverlight
· Collaborating on the R&D team's agreed set of standards and practices
· Performing peer design, code and test case reviews
· Contributing to feature design as part of a collaborative process with the Product Development team
· Doing some maintenance of existing code where necessary. Really, everyone in the team should be willing and able to do this. However, as a team we want to minimise this kind of work over time through refactoring, rewriting and improved practices
· Provide leadership, technical expertise and mentoring to mid-level and junior developers in team
· Solid, up-to-date knowledge & experience of C# & ASP.NET (min .NET 2, .NET 3.5+ preferred)
· Strong OO design skills, and good understanding of various design patters
· Working knowledge of SQL Server 200x
· Working knowledge of WCF or WebServices
· Experience in Silverlight
· Experience in ASP.NET MVC 4
· Experience in JavaScript, JQuery, JQuery UI and CSS
· Experience in MVC and MVVM patters
· Experience working in an Agile environment, especially Scrum and Kanban
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New York, NY 10011
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"And Justice for All" poster
Federal Relay Service poster
The "And Justice for All" poster must be displayed in a prominent location at all CACFP centers and homes. It contains the USDA non-discrimination statement and instructions for filing a complaint of discrimination. The Federal Relay Service poster must be posted next to the "And Justice for All" poster.
Building for the Future brochure
This tri-fold brochure describes what CACFP is, how it works, who is eligible and what kind of meals are served.
Construyendo Para El Futuro
This tri-fold brochure describes in Spanish what CACFP is, how it works, who is eligible and what kind of meals are served.
Building for the Future poster
This colorful CACFP poster is available for printing and must be posted at CACFP centers. It is available both in English and in Spanish.
Building Good Nutrition Through Child Care Homes
This four-fold brochure explains how licensed child care homes can participate in CACFP and provides a list of sponsoring organizations. For instructions to print the brochure click here.
"Building Good Nutrition Through Registered Homes"
This three-fold brochure explains how registered family child care homes can participate in CACFP and provides a list of sponsoring organizations.
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
This manual provides guidance on developing model nutrition and physical activity policies for child care facilities. It includes examples of best-practice policies, tips to implement policies and materials to share with parents.
National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI) Resource Center
This resource guide is a comprehensive listing of materials available from NFSMI. Clicking on the entry in the guide may access documents, which are available on the web. Printed materials not available on the web, which can be ordered through the mail, have their prices posted.
Mealtime Memo for Child
The National Food Service Management Institute's newsletter for child care providers participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, focused on good nutrition for young children. Each issue offers a recipe from the USDA Recipes for Child Care and a week's menus. It's available in Spanish. Sign up to receive Mealtime Memo, NFSMI Update, or the NFSMI E-newsletter by E-mail.


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University Core Curriculum (Distributive)
At the heart of a John Carroll education is the University's Core Curriculum, rooted in the wisdom of our 450-year-old Jesuit heritage and responsive to the needs of our global society. This series of courses provides a solid foundation for your studies at John Carroll and for your life after college—no matter the major you select, the career you pursue, and the difference you choose to make in society.
Discover New Interests—and Yourself
The Core Curriculum is about opportunity and options, with more than 250 courses to choose from. The Core will help you gain a broad base of knowledge about many different subjects, discover new interests, and learn more about yourself, your values, and your aspirations. You'll also learn to develop superior communication skills and hone your abilities to creatively and confidently solve problems.
A Pathway to Learning and Success
You'll take a First-year Seminar focused on academic inquiry and research as well as courses in mathematics and science to hone your analytical skills. The Core also will introduce you to important concepts in history, literature, philosophy, and religious traditions. Courses focusing on international cultures, languages, and diverse populations will help you understand, appreciate, and engage in global issues. Together, the Core Curriculum courses prepare you to become an informed, inquisitive, and insightful individual ready for the promise of your future.
Take the Next Step
Learn more about the academic experience at John Carroll or review the Undergraduate Bulletin for more information about the Core Curriculum.


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'"Our season ticket holders are the lifeblood of this organization," said Chief Operating Officer, Dan DiPofi. "Since the first day Tom Golisano purchased the team in 2003, we wanted to be sure our season ticket holders received the best price on their tickets. In return, our fans have been fiercely loyal to us and we take great pride in the partnership we have nurtured with them over the last several years."'
You are here: Home / SabresBeat / 94% of season ticket holders renew for '09-10


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What I love about Professional Wrestling. Chapter One - Changing of the guard.
by, 01-30-2013 at 02:55 AM (3753 Views)
StanInLove.jpgIn this world, we often look for ways to keep ourselves amused. We want to enjoy life, and be entertained, we want to get lost in magical lands filled with diversity. We like to listen to music, and get lost in the songs. We like to play video games and truly become one with it, even if its just for a short time. We like to play our favourite sports, we enjoy the adrenaline of watching it too. There is no doubt that life would be one giant bore if we had to work all the time, we would end up going insane of boredom to the point that life would not be worth living.
Chapter One - Changing of the Guard
So what does Wrestling provide? People seem to forget how to truly enjoy wrestling. They become so lost and deluded from what wrestling is all about, that they take out their anger by shouting at it, or arguing with their friends over it. Personally I enjoy a lot of things about wrestling. I could sit here and write ten more blogs on things that I don't enjoy, but then I would become what I hate. This beginning chapter is about something very specific. It keeps wrestling going, and makes it somewhat addictive. We want to know who is guarding the big castle. We want to know who has worked and achieved that glory and success that will eventually make them legends.
If you have not guessed by now, I am talking about the changing of Championships. Don't you ever feel like a PPV is so much better when there are a lot of title changes, compared to when there's none? Why is that? Maybe because we like that initial buzz we get in our stomachs as the ref goes to slam that hand down on the mat for the third time. Maybe its the thrill of seeing that wrestler finally make it on a big stage, you can see the passion in their eyes, the sacrifices they have made to get to that point. Becoming a Champion in wrestling can be incredibly popular and unpredictable, or totally forgettable. It all depends who won what, where and how.
I have seen so many different title changes. To the absolute brilliant, to the outrageous, and even to the point it made no impact whatsoever.
It's like scoring that goal in football, (Soccer for you Americans reading) its like winning a trophy in your favourite game. It's like getting that huge promotion at work, only on a much grander scale. The whole world watches as that wrestler achieves. Isn't it funny how a belt, is worth more to the wrestlers then spending time with their families? Isn't it funny how wrestlers sacrifice so much of their time, to get to that level. Many wrestlers never get that far, they never achieve greatness. They put everything on the line, yet we don't appreciate these men, because they never won anything of importance.
Its even funnier how they manage to make the titles "prestigious", despite all the title changes being predetermined. CM Punk made the WWE title relevant again, even though he never actually beat anyone in a real fight, he was chosen as the man to carry it until Vince McMahon would decide to pass it on. I could go into how negative it is that The Rock is WWE Champion. How it is .. a travesty, that he is Champion, but to be honest, I am happy whoever holds it. Whoever is given the WWE Championship has got it because they were right for it at the time, for the boss of the company. I can only imagine the reaction when someone beats The Rock. Can you imagine it now? Or are you still looking into what "should have happened"?
Wrestling always moves forwards. There are so many moments, so many title changes, as fans we are always caught up in the moment. If we stand around to dwell on the past too much, we might miss something in the present. In my life time I have seen some title changes that really got to my heart. In those moments, I could not have been happier for that wrestler. Should I give some examples? Well I don't wish to create a list, but I can tell you that title changes such as ... Chris Benoits World title win, Eddie Guerreros WWE title win, the first time Kurt Angle won the title, the time Chris Jericho became Undisputed Champion, even the more recent one of Austin Aries winning the TNA World Championship, all of these and many more have made me reach a state of absolute happiness.
Everyone has those wrestlers they love and hate. They really want to see their guys succeed. For some people, seeing John Cena win the title on any occasion was huge to them, while absolutely cringing to others. This is why I love Pro Wrestling. The fans are so diverse, so passionate, they will let you know exactly how they feel, and when that big title change happens, they will go nuts with excitement, or they will boo the roof off the building.
Title changes are magical, but they can also be damaging. Those title changes that should have, or should not have happened. Vacated titles are also a bummer, but most of the time, unavoidable, but you can enjoy the fact that there will definitely be a new champion crowned.
Its not just about titles either, its about special tournaments too. Gone are the days of King in the Ring, but I can guarantee that if the WWE put on a huge tournament bracket for the WWE title someday, it would be massive. People love to follow things like that, they like to try and predict who will win. They will even place bets on who will become Champion, to add to the excitement.
I am sure you all get the idea by now. Sometimes a wrestler has to be a Champion for a long time to make the title change more meaningful and memorable. How many of you will forget how your favourite wrestlers won their title? Or will you instead, remember how they lost it?
Always look on the bright side of life. Yes that is a quote from Monty Python, but its a damn good one. Look at the good things in Pro Wrestling, instead of the bad things. Try not to nitpick so much, I know how easy it can be to pick at all the really silly things that can happen, but just realize that anything you don't like will soon be over, and you can move on and forget about it. Try telling people why you love professional wrestling, and be proud of it, instead of hiding it away like a dirty little secret.
And that is what I love, about Professional Wrestling.


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Groene at the Legislature: Teacher absences, substitutes
Mail: Southern statues symbolize suppression
More opinion
Senate: Vote no on Graham-Cassidy health care plan
Fall: Good time to spray musk thistle in rosette stage
More Ag News
Mike Groene, the president of the Western Nebraska Taxpayers Association, said he was stunned to read that the WNTA sponsored a lecture at the library a couple weeks ago.
Werthmann was 12 years old when Hitler assumed power in Austria, according to her website.
Werthmanns North Platte appearance attracted a crowd of more than 80 people, Library Director Cecilia Lawrence said, and violated several library policies.
Lawrence said the meeting was apparently sponsored by the WNTA. A founding WNTA member, Gary Heinzle, paid to rent the room, and the WNTA has a long-standing rental agreement with the library for monthly meetings and occasionally rents the room for a special meeting.
Several people attended thinking it would just be an historical and educational presentation, Lawrence said, but it turned into more.
Lloyd Synovec of North Platte, a World War II veteran, said the talk was interesting, but when Werthmann drew comparisons between Hitler and President Obama and told people how to vote, he stood, loudly stated his objection, and left. Several others did too, he said.
Library staffers told the Bulletin that about a dozen people left.
Lawrence was home at the time and was hurriedly called to the library. She got there after the hubbub and had a long talk with organizer Gary Heinzle. They agreed it wouldnt happen again.
Groene said the WNTA was never the sponsor.
"Let me make this absolutely clear: the WNTA did not sponsor her talk," he told the Bulletin Thursday. "The board never talked about sponsoring her nor did we talk about it at our monthly meeting. (Member) Gary Heinzle stood up (at the WNTA meeting) and announced that the lady was having a talk. Anybody can announce events that they think people should attend (but) that does not mean that the WNTA is sponsoring the happening."
Werthmann is on a speaking tour of the area.
Groene said the Werthmann appearance came through an organization called the Eagle Forum.
Kathy Wilmot, a former member of the Nebraska State Board of Education, notified the press of her tour.
Apparently, the Heinzles arranged for a place to meet.
Lawrence said the meeting violated library policies against campaign rallies and crowds larger than 70 people. She said the library staff wasn't made aware of the potential size of the crowd nor the comparisons that Werthmann makes.
Groene said national social issues are not part of the WNTA mission.
"None of our members introduced her, nor did they use the WNTA name to endorse her talk," he said.
Groene said many of the talkbacks to the Bulletin's report of Werthmann's talk were hateful toward the WNTA.
"As to the hate-filled talkbacks addressed at the WNTA, just substitute any minority that dares to speak out for "WNTA" in any of the anti-WNTA talkbacks and you have an example of how evil gains ground in a society," he said.
"What kind of moral code does a person have that they would venomously attack someone or organization while hiding behind a pseudonym?" he asked.
Groene said the WNTA's key role is to object to "government confiscation of your money to pay for our or your personal needs."
"To enjoy freedom involves effort," he said.
Flatrock Publishing, Inc.
1300 E 4th St., Suite F
North Platte, NE 69101


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Hey guys.
I'm looking into getting a disc strictly for overhead. I've been using a champion innova orc, but I would like to save that disc for my backhand drives because thumbers and tomahawks can be pretty rough on a disc.
To be more specific, what speed, glide, and stability do you recommend. How over stable of a disc do I need?


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Adding an upholstered coffee table to your traditional or contemporary living room is a great choice for any space in which you might want an ottoman or extra seating, but have limited open floor space. Your choices will commonly include round coffee tables or rectangle coffee tables with vinyl or leather upholstery. Some models include a storage feature, much like a storage ottoman.Read More
Both shapes work well as ottoman coffee table hybrids, allowing you and your guests to put your feet up on the coffee table – by design. If you're primarily after extra seating, consider a rectangle coffee table to seat more than one. Depending on the size, you may find a round coffee table will only comfortably seat one.
Shape aside, you may be specifically looking for leather coffee tables that add a refined sense of sophistication while still creating an out-of-the-ordinary ambiance. We carry leather coffee tables that look like large ottomans, but you'll also find less padded trunk coffee table designs, also an unusual look, yet less suited to offering extra seating.
Coffee table sets with nested upholstered seats are another variation among upholstered coffee tables, also ideal for those cases when floor space is precious. Look for free form, rectangle and round coffee tables with small upholstered seats designed to tuck under the table when not in use. These clever coffee tables allow you some extra seating that doesn't claim floor space when you're not entertaining. Depending on the shape you choose, your extra seats come in the form of stylish cubes or wedges.
Find all sorts of upholstered coffee tables and ottoman style round coffee tables at discount prices. Our selection of upholstered and leather coffee tables includes top rated brands, most with free shipping. Check back often for sales and special offers to make your upholstered coffee table purchase even more affordable.


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|73 Spring St #604
New York, NY 10012
United States
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|user support community help product startup; technical support customer support
|Web Site:
|73 Spring St #604
New York, NY 10012
United States
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|Everyone that uses the web today faces some version of the password problem. Many know that their passwords are unsafe, either because they're trivial to crack or they're reused on several websites. Many others forget their passwords and stop using services, or shy away from new online services altogether - because remembering passwords and registering for new websites with new passwords is a pain. And these folks are also constantly annoyed by having to type out long strings of meaningless numbers, dates, and codes to conduct a simple act of buying online (or even more painfully, on their mobile device) - an act that is as simple as a swipe in the physical world. We created Dashlane to solve these problems with one neat solution that is simple, secure, and universal. Our users don't trade security for convenience - they get both.
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