text:
Kurt Nimmo
April 12, 2012
Jim Clifton, GEO of Gallup, the leading poll company in America, told Russia Today unemployment will sink Obama's re-election bid.
"According to the Gallup poll, if we vote tonight, Romney will beat him… They are not voting for Romney – they just vote against the president," Clifton said.
Forget Afghanistan, Pakistan and a new war in Africa – Americans are more concerned about losing their jobs. "If something really big happens… that will only make a little bit of a difference. Americans don't want to hear about foreign policy. They should, but they don't," Clifton said.
Clifton admitted unemployment is around 20 percent, far higher than the 8 percent the government and the establishment media keep insisting it is. Others put the number at 22.5%, a number closing in on the last Great Depression's unemployment figure of 25%.
"Gallup shows real unemployment is close to 20 per cent in America. Not 8.5 but 20 per cent. 30 million people are out of work. 60 per cent of them told Gallup they have no hope of getting a job. That is 18 million," he said.
Americans blame the president for their economic woes and high unemployment, although it is obvious the presidency is merely a ceremonial position and the real economic decisions are made by the Federal Reserve and the bankster cartel. Obama's administration, like that of his predecessor, is stacked with Goldman Sachs operatives and one-world government proponents. Obama's job is to recite the globalist mantra from behind the teleprompters, not wave a magic wand and create jobs and lower gasoline prices.
"We can be quite sure that somewhere between 400 to 500 high-level members of the Obama administration will be members of the CFR," John McManus wrote after the election. "How can we say that? Because that's about how many CFR members occupy the current Bush administration (beginning with Vice President Dick Cheney, an in-again, out-again member of the CFR board of directors). And about the same number occupied posts in the Clinton administration. And so it has gone since the New Deal reign of Franklin D. Roosevelt."
If Mr. Clifton is right, voters suffering from political amnesia will throw out Obama and replace him with Romney, not because Romney will address the economic decline of America and create jobs, but because that is the only choice voters have now – to throw out one globalist vetted and groomed teleprompter reader and replace him with another one.
The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!


text:
We work to peacefully right wrongs in our
judicial democracy. The jury is the cornerstone of our civil justice system and
a basic part of the democratic process. When someone is damaged by negligence
or wrongdoing, a jury of peers -- everyday people -- is the final arbiter of
justice in determining liability and compensation. We communicate, negotiate,
mediate and litigate to obtain just compensation and restitution for our
clients. The jury is the final authority, or standard, in reaching a fair
settlement or verdict.
Our jury system has been the bulwark of
civil justice since the Magna Carta but is now under an all-out attack by giant
corporate interests whose greed and recklessness endanger the public's health
and safety. When people are injured by dangerous and unsafe products or
actions, we present evidence of the causes and extent of the injuries to
juries. Juries are in the best position to decide who is liable under the law
and the amount of actual and punitive damages to award the victims. Juries can
hold big business accountable for sacrificing our health and safety at the
altar of ever increasing profit margins... more
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
This Is Thy Day
1. Father in Heaven, I'm thankful to see
Thy purpose, Thy vision of what life can be.
Knowing this purpose, I come now to Thee
and offer my whole heart to be more like Thee.
2. Often this pathway brings challenge and grief,
But giving of myself strengthens belief.
I still will press on, My promise to keep
of serving my Savior by feeding His sheep.
Father, it's Thy day;
I'll walk valiantly this road that's before me.
In Thy strength I'll succeed.
Father, I promise to walk in Thy ways,
to do Thy work, to live Thy law,
to take Thy call, for this is Thy day.
Text: Daryl Smith
Music: Daryl Smith
Artist: Smith
Album: Music Published in the Church Magazines: New Era
Composition Date: 1999-03-01
More Info: New Era


text:
I'm confused about the different English terms for the destination of the deceased, and what appear to be (at times) inconsistent translations in different versions.
In the OT, Sheol is in the New American Standard Bible (NASB), but it is translated "the grave," "the pit," or "Hell" in other translations. It seems that Sheol is a place that most wish to avoid, as in the Psalms when the psalmist prays "Let me not go down into Sheol." However, I've read that the Jewish concept of the grave did not include an idea of eternal reward or punishment, rather, it was the place to which all men went after death. "The grave" and "the pit" don't imply to me any sense of punishment to be feared, but translating it "Hell" certainly does.
In the New Testament, the Greek "Hades" is also translated "Hell" in translations. In Greek/Roman mythology, I believe Hades was the "netherworld" or "underworld" to which all people went after death. There were various regions, like "Tartarus" that were reserved for wicked people, and others ("Elesian fields" or something like that) reserved for the good. However, they were all ruled by the same god. Did the OT concept of Sheol include these distinctions? Finally, the NT presents Heaven and Hell as two very different places, certainly ruled by very different masters. Aside from a rather vague comment by Jesus, "In my Father's house there are many mansions," they seem to be the only two options. When did the OT concept of a single destination to "the grave" become the NT concept of two separate destinations?
Your help would be greatly appreciated. I've asked people at my church, my pastor, the assistant pastor, etc. and just about everyone seems to have a different idea.
You are correct that there are many different, and inconsistent, translations in the English versions for the words Sheol and Hades. The reason for this is partly that there are many different, and inconsistent, ideas of what these words mean!
You are also correct that the Old Testament word "Sheol" is replaced in the New Testament by the word "Hades." This is natural because the various Septuagints (the Greek translations of the Hebrew Old Testament used in the years before, during and after Jesus' day) generally translated the Hebrew word "Sheol" with the Greek word "Hades." Although the word "Hades" came originally from the pagan mythologies, we do not take our understanding of what that term means from what the term meant in those pagan mythologies. Rather, we understand that God used the language of the Greeks to communicate His New Testament revelation to us without thereby approving of pagan ideas.
So what do the words "Sheol" and "Hades" mean? There is much disagreement among scholars today (as there usually is!). In the history of the Church, there also have been various views.
Some Christians have assumed that God wanted us to believe in a dark, shadowy netherworld of the disembodied spirits, as was taught by the pagans. Since we know that God will raise the dead at the end of the world, perhaps (so it has been thought by some) all men's souls, righteous and unrighteous, went to this neutral underworld to await their Final Judgment. Some Christians went further and accepted the pagan notion (which you mention) that there were not different regions for the wicked and the believers. Yet, clearly the New Testament does not teach this. Jesus told the thief on the cross, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43, New King James Version or NKJV). Paul said, "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8, NKJV); and, "For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better" (Phil. 1:23, NKJV).
This discrepancy led some to postulate that Old Testament believers had it different from believers called by God after the coming of Christ. While New Testament believers go immediately to be with Christ, perhaps Old Testament believers (so the thought is) had to wait for Christ to come to earth and to accomplish His work of redemption. The souls of these Old Testament believers descended to Sheol and waited in a state of limbo, called in Latin the "Limbus Patrum." After Christ's resurrection, these Old Testament saints were brought into heaven with Jesus when He "descended into hell [Hades]" (more on this phrase later).
However, most Reformed interpreters are not satisfied with this intricate explanation of Sheol/Hades. Instead, "Sheol" and "Hades" are seen as meaning, in most cases, simply "the grave." For example, take Acts 2:27 (where Peter quotes from Psalm 16:10 in speaking of Jesus), "For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption" (NKJV). This verse from a Hebrew psalm has two parallel parts. "You will not leave" is parallel to "You will not allow"; "my soul" is parallel to "Your Holy One"; and "in Hades" is parallel to "to see corruption."
Our understanding of Hebrew poetry leads us to understand that the psalmist is saying the same idea in two related ways. Thus "Hades" is a place where there is "corruption" of the body, i.e., "the grave."
Similarly, the patriarch Jacob speaks in Gen. 42:38b concerning his youngest son Benjamin, "If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave [Sheol]." Consider also two verses from the Psalms: Ps. 6:5, "For there is no mention of Thee in death; In the grave [Sheol] who will give Thee thanks?," and Ps. 89:48, "What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his soul from the power of the grave [Sheol]?" In both these verses, the word "Sheol" is parallel to the word "death" because they mean the same thing. So in a somewhat metaphorical way, the state of the dead is spoken of as a place, without implying the literal existence of such a place.
As you point out, "Sheol"/"Hades" is ordinarily spoken of as a "place" to be avoided by all humans, for whom death is not natural, but the result of God's penalty and curse for mankind's sin. However, for the unbeliever, "Sheol"/"Hades" is even more to be feared for it means he or she will face, after death, a fuller punishment by a righteous God (Hebrews 9:27). Thus, in some instances, the translation "hell" seemed more justified to certain translators of English versions.
In the Apostles' Creed (called thus, not because it was written by the apostles, but because it sets forth in summary fashion the teaching of the apostles), there is the phrase, "Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into Hell [Hades] ...."
In the materials supplied by the Westminster Assembly (1643-1648), the version of the Apostles' Creed printed there contains a footnote to the words "descended into hell" which reads as follows: "i.e. Continued in the state of the dead, and under the power of death till the third day." Similarly, the Westminster Larger Catechism Question 50 reads as follows: "Wherein consisted Christ's humiliation after his death?" Answer: "Christ's humiliation after his death consisted in his being buried, and continuing in the state of the dead, and under the power of death till the third day; which has been otherwise expressed in these words, he descended into hell." In other words, as understood by the Westminster Divines, "descended into hell" teaches that Jesus continued to be in the grave until the third day.
Incidentally, John Calvin took the phrase differently; he took it to mean in a metaphorical way that Christ endured the pains of hell on the cross. He argued that otherwise, this pithy Apostles' Creed said the same thing twice, which Calvin considered unlikely. He was probably right about one thing - that such a repetition was not part of the original Creed. In fact, the phrase, "descended into hell" was not original to the Creed. When it first appeared it was inserted as a substitute explanation for the phrase "buried". Only later did both terms appear together.
The unfolding of God's revelation is a feature that is sometimes called "progressive revelation." By that we mean that certain clear teachings in the New Testament were present in the Old Testament in "types" and "shadows" but not in their full light.
For example, the doctrine of the Trinity is certainly found in the Old Testament, but not as clearly as in the New Testament. The person and work of Christ is everywhere taught in all the Scriptures (Luke 24:25-27), but was not unveiled fully until the coming of our Savior. So too, the Old Testament teaching of the state of individuals after death was not as fully revealed in the Old Testament as it is in the New Testament. To be sure, never is there a contradiction between God's revelation in the past and that at a later time, but there is a progressively greater clarity to be found in later revelation.
When people die, they go down to the grave, called "Sheol" in the Old Testament and "Hades" in the New Testament. Their bodies remain in the grave until the resurrection of both the just and the unjust (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15). Their souls go immediately either to heaven or hell to await the resurrection. This systematic teaching is found in the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 32.1:
The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption1 but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them2 the souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God, in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies.3 And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day.4 Beside these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledges none.
1Genesis 3:19; Acts 13:36
2Luke 23:43; Ecclesiastes 12:7
3Hebrews 12:23; 2Corinthians 5:1, 6, 8; Philippians 1:23; Acts 3:21; Ephesians 4:10
4Luke 16:23-24; Acts 1:25; Jude 6-7; 1Peter 3:19
I hope this long answer helps clarify your thinking of what the Scriptures teach. May you be blessed in believing in Christ and His Word!
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Chaplains and Military Personnel


text:
Taveras pursuing Classic opportunity
JUPITER, Fla. -- Wanting to get an extended look at one of the organization's rising special talents, the Cardinals invited outfielder Oscar Taveras to participate this year in his first Major League Spring Training.
Yet, almost as quickly as Taveras arrived in Jupiter for workouts, he spoke about departing. It was a possibility, too, that caught the Cardinals by surprise.
While meeting with media members Friday, Taveras brought up the possibility of playing for Team Canada in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Though Taveras was born in the Dominican Republic, he holds dual citizenship because he spent time living in Montreal as a child.
Taveras said his agent had recently talked to him about the possible opportunity to join the Canadian team next month.
"I'm going to talk to the team right now," Taveras added. "Maybe [I'll play]. Maybe not. That's a decision for the team and the agent."
At the time of Taveras' comments, the Cardinals were unaware of his interest in the Classic. The organization is not likely to encourage such participation. If Taveras were to leave for the Classic in March, he'd miss the opportunity to work with the Major League coaching staff and to shadow some of the Cardinals' other outfielders.
The Cardinals also expect that there will be plenty of playing time available for Taveras in Grapefruit League play.
"You look at Carlos [Beltran] going to the World Baseball Classic," manager Mike Matheny said. "You know that Matt [Holliday] is not going to be playing every day through the spring. There is going to be opportunities in the outfield. I plan on getting a good look at [Taveras], no question."
Matheny said he reached out to Taveras a few times this winter and spoke some Spanish to him in their phone conversations. His message was simple: Play hard. And play the game right.
Matheny said he would deliberately group Taveras with Beltran to initiate some mentorship. Friday, it was Jon Jay who took Taveras aside. The two discussed some specifics about playing center field.
"I have come here to improve my defense … and run the bases hard," said Taveras, noting the two facets of his game that he particularly wanted to improve.
Taveras' calling card, though, will continue to be his offensive ability, which some contend is already strong enough for Taveras to be able to hold his own at the Major League level. He will still most likely begin the season in Triple-A.


text:
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- Enter the number of tickets you want in the box above and press the NEXT button.
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- Enter your payment and billing information on the secure site and press Pay This Order. You will receive your ticket via e-mail or you can print it from your browser. If your ticket does not appear in your e-mail check your spam folder.
- Print the ticket and bring the printed ticket to the show to be scanned for verification. The ticket is non refundable and can not be used for any other date or show.
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text:
How to stretch your gas dollars
Making the most of your gas dollars is an important part of any holiday travel strategy. Even at a national average of about $3.25 per gallon, the lowest price for this time of year since 2010, fuel costs add up. By following the expert tips below on how to prep your vehicle, drive efficiently and plan your getaway, you can boost your vehicle's fuel efficiency by as much as 40% and also decrease your costs at the pump by 20 cents or more per gallon.
Prep your vehicle
Maintain correct tire pressure. Keeping tires properly inflated improves gas mileage by up to 3.3% according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which estimates that only 17% of cars have all four tires at the proper pressure. A DOE survey discovered that 85% of drivers don't know how to correctly check tire pressure.
The number posted on the tire's sidewall signifies the tire's maximum pressure and not your vehicle's optimal pressure. Your vehicle's recommended psi (pounds per square inch) is posted on the car's door jamb or in the glove compartment and listed in the owner's manual.
Be aware that cooler weather causes tire pressure to drop. "For every 10 degrees Fahrenheit that temperature drops, a tire loses one to two psi in pressure because air contracts as it cools," says Henry Kopacz, Hankook Tire Company's tire expert. Kopacz recommends that owner's check tire pressure at least once a month, preferably in the morning before driving when the tires are cool.
Pack light. "Take the junk out of the trunk," says Nancy White, AAA spokesperson. Remove the golf clubs, gardening tools, portable grills and anything else you don't need for the trip. An extra 100 pounds in your car can reduce the miles-per-gallon by up to 2%, according to the DOE.
Avoid using the roof rack. Aerodynamically, a loaded roof rack adds drag, decreasing fuel economy by as much as 5% notes DOE. Try to pack needed items in the trunk or in the car's interior.
Drive efficiently
Do not speed. Racing down the road decreases both safety and fuel economy. For every five mph over 50 mph that you gain in speed, you lose fuel efficiency notes the DOE. Cruising at 55 mph is the equivalent of paying 25 cents more per gallon and zooming along at 65 mph is like adding 75 cents to the cost of each gallon of gas.
Monitor your driving style. Easy does it makes for maximum fuel mileage. Rapid acceleration and quick stops as well as speeding can lower gas mileage by 33% on the highway and 5% around town according to the DOE. To save fuel — and make the trip more pleasant for your passengers — coast to stops and press gently on the gas pedal.
Pay the lowest rate
Find the cheapest gas.GasBuddy,Fuel Finder, AAA Mobile and other apps display gas prices at stations near you, enabling you to pull up to the pumps with the cheapest price.
Play the points game. Use reward points to lower your gas costs. Safeway stores for example, offer drivers one point for every dollar spent on groceries. For every 100 points accrued you receive a discount of 10 cents per gallon at participating stations. Use 200 points and get a 20 cent-per-gallon discount, 500 points gives you a 50 cent-per-gallon discount and 1,00 points, the maximum per fill-up, discounts your gas $1 per gallon.
Plan the trip
Pick a centrally located lodging. Forget about staying in the suburbs when visiting a city. Instead, pick a downtown hotel near the majority of attractions you want to see. Keep the car parked and walk or take short hops on buses and subways. Doing so saves fuel, adds convenience, affords you a local's perspective and eliminates getting stuck in the often stop-and-go traffic between the heart of the city and the hotel in the outskirts.
Consolidate errands. Plan ahead when being helpful. Pick up the pies at the bakery and the batteries for the toys in one shopping trip instead of two.
Use your most fuel-efficient vehicle. Unless you need the space your old, gas-guzzling SUV has to accommodate your spouse, three kids and two dogs, go down the road in the car that gets the best miles-per-gallon.


text:
Template::Liquid::Tag::If - Basic If/Elsif/Else Construct
If I need to describe if/else to you... Oy.
if executes the statement once if and only if the condition is true. If the condition is false, the first
elseif condition is evaluated. If that is also false it continues in the same pattern until we find a true condition or a fallback
else tag.
Compound Inequalities
Liquid supports compound inequalities. Try these...
{% if some.value == 3 and some.string contains 'find me' %}
Wow! It's a match...
{% elseif some.value == 4 or 3 < some.value %}
Wow! It's a... different... match...
{% endif %}
Liquid's (and by extension Template::Liquid's) treatment of compound inequalities is broken. For example...
{% if 'This and that' contains 'that' and 1 == 3 %}
...would be parsed as if it were...
if ( "'This" && ( "that'" =~ m[and] ) ) { ...
...but it should look like...
if ( ( 'This and that' =~ m[that]) && ( 1 == 3 ) ) { ...
It's just... not pretty but I'll work on it. The actual problem is in Template::Liquid::Block if you feel like lending a hand. Wink, wink.
See Also
See Template::Liquid::Condition for a list of supported inequality types.
Sanko Robinson <email@example.com> - http://sankorobinson.com/
The original Liquid template system was developed by jadedPixel (http://jadedpixel.com/) and Tobias Lütke (http://blog.leetsoft.com/).
License and Legal
Copyright (C) 2009-2012 by Sanko Robinson <firstname.lastname@example.com>
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of The Artistic License 2.0. See the LICENSE file included with this distribution or http://www.perlfoundation.org/artistic_license_2_0. For clarification, see http://www.perlfoundation.org/artistic_2_0_notes.
When separated from the distribution, all original POD documentation is covered by the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/legalcode. For clarification, see http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/.


text:
The air in the street was stifling and syrupy thick. Smoke rose from the tarmac and fumes from stationary exhausts choked the sweat-greased crowd that was beginning to gather. The music had stopped and the singing was over, but Pastor MacDonalds voice was still audible from outside, even through the heavy Sunday-afternoon traffic, now being diverted away from the cordoned-off Plaza.
The microphone settings had been specifically adjusted to project his voice out into the world, towards the seething mass of unbelievers that passed along the road every week on their way to the cinema, the bookmakers, and even the Methodist church, because broad is the way that leadeth to destruction. The building wasnt designed to keep noise in.
Pastor MacDonald first knew the place as a butchers back in the 1960s. He enjoyed recounting to anyone who would listen how it became a temple for God and, even though he was not one to embellish a story, every time he told it the churchs history became increasingly laden with signs and miracles.
His wife, Constance respectfully called Mother MacDonald by church members had several memories of the butchers. Pastor, leaning against the pulpit, was standing where the counter used to be, where he would send her to beg for scraps of meat at the end of the day, back when they had no other family on what she called this wretched island¸. She was in her mid-thirties then and her belly had begun to stretch with Joshua, her firstborn. (And now, every day, she prayed for him, repeating the same words: Elp im, Lawd, cos yu did say hif yu train up a chil in de way him should go . . .¸)
The heathen butcher needed God more than most. She had hated going in there, stooping her neck, sensing his crocodile smile but refusing to look into his eyes. She was older now and vowed never to be humiliated like that again, unless it was for Jesus sake, because bless?d are ye, when men (an women too, hmmph!) shall revile yu, an persecute yu, an shall say hall manner o heevil against yu . . . She still felt guilty about the pleasure she derived, years later, from hearing the butcher had died suddenly. He had choked on a steak, if rumours were to be believed. And that was how Wimpys bought the building.
After only a few years, the Wimpys closed too and it was left derelict. Squatters came in and the council did nothing until the church applied to take it over, holding several twenty-four-hour vigils outside the imposing brick structure of Brent Town Hall, marching up and down the steps as if expecting it to collapse at any moment, like the walls of Jericho. A sympathetic councillor agreed the building should be put to good use and, eventually, it became the True Word Centre.
Over the following months, the congregation took to the streets after every service, collecting money for the building renovations. With a small budget, they began trying to erase the evidence of the restaurant. A sealed corridor now led to the toilets at the back, but they still had the Wimpys red doors and round windows in the middle. At the end of the corridor was the side entrance and, next to it, running along the left side of the building, was the Sunday-school room, which had once been the kitchen. The raised platform on the right, on which some of the congregation sat, betrayed where the restaurants seating area used to be. The spotlights were unchanged here but, on the other side, there was strip lighting and a higher ceiling, left over from the butchers.
It was an unspoken rule, but only the more attention-seeking members of the congregation would come straight through the main glass door at the end of the aisle after service had started. Latecomers and curious outsiders, drawn to the music, would come in through the more discreet side door and peer in through the window at the end of the corridor. So when the main door opened suddenly that afternoon, everyone was surprised.
Mother MacDonald was among those in the eighty-strong congregation fanning themselves with their Bibles; the hot, stale air had baked everyone to feverish distraction. Pastor MacDonald strongly disapproved and would have used the moment to throw himself into a righteous fury about using the Word of God as a fan. He could have talked about how the scribes and Pharisees defiled the Word of God too, but instead he stood in silence for a while. He could not remember what he had just said, so he lifted up his head from the passage he was reading and took a sip of water.
His co-pastor had nodded off to the lilt of his voice and only the faithful few were spurring him on with sporadic Amen¸s Mother Dawkins, right at the back, the Bailey sisters in the middle, Sister Ogilvie and the little preacher boy, aptly named Samuel, both to Pastors left in the front row. Their positions rarely changed week to week.
Mother MacDonald was in the second row desperately trying to keep her husband in focus, but he kept splitting into two. She was seated behind some of the disruptive children shed deliberately placed at the front children¸ meaning anyone under twenty. Sarah, Reuben, Obadiah, Nathan, Daniel and Natasha: all were joined together in their unruliness despite being a decade apart oldest to youngest. She removed her glasses and breathed on them, then bent down to look for a tissue to wipe them with. She nudged Sister Davies next to her, a large, alert woman with bright-blue slippers and matching tights. Sister Davies was ready for her and there was no need to say anything: out came her expensive-looking leather handbag, which her son had bought her with his large wages. She offered Mother MacDonald a packet of Kleenex, Polo mints, Olbas oil.
Mother MacDonald snatched the Kleenex and wiped her glasses. She then wiped down her neck and the sweaty cleavage that always seemed to end up rising up and into the open, announcing itself as she danced, singing to the congregation. (No dress can hol dem down. No blouse, no coat, no gown, amen! No tomb, no too-oo-omb, no tomb couldda hol Him down.)
The chairs wooden slats were beginning to take their toll on everybodys buttocks; most people had begun fidgeting. Mother MacDonald looked to the right and studied Sister Ogilvies back; she was sitting up on the platform as always. They were both wearing the same hat: black felt covered with tiny silver sequins that sent light sparkling off in all directions every time they moved their heads. Sister Ogilvie and Mother MacDonald were kindred spirits, separated by just half a decade and about a hundred pounds in weight. Mother MacDonald marvelled how that skinny old woman could cope with the slats digging into her bones for four hours. She wondered whether, if the congregation paid its tithes more honestly, they could have bought proper chairs, not the cheap garden ones most people were sitting on. Brudder Davies could have feed da five tousand an den some with what dey tell me him get pay,¸ Sister Ogilvie had once told her over the phone. And as she returned to that thought, she adjusted herself and straightened her flower-print dress, while her husband kicked back into gear.
An dere shall be weeping-ah . . . an a wailing-ah . . . an gnashing of teet-ah. And again I say-ah . . . dere shall be weeping-ah! I said-ah weeeping . . .¸ Pastor sang the last note in a falsetto voice and the keyboard kicked in with the organ effect. And way-ay-ay-ling . . .¸ he added and, again, the keyboard player riffed over him, always attentive, always looking up at the preacher or casting sideways glances towards the congregation.
The children in front were elbowing each other. They were anxious to get outside, waiting for the sermon to end so they could step out into a world that promised not eternal damnation but ice cream and much-needed fresh air. Mother MacDonald resisted the urge to reach over and scold them and instead found herself shouting aloud, Preach!¸
The atmosphere was starting to warm up. Samuel was crying loudly his mind full of conjured images of hell and some of the congregation were shifting about in their seats. The restless bodies were becoming more alert, more aware of something that was happening. Mother MacDonald sensed a stirring in her spirit, and she started trying to tune into what the Lord might be telling her. Some of the teenage girls at the back felt the noise from outside getting louder, and they too had recognised a new buzz in the air.
Marsha acne-ridden and usually truculent was sitting in the middle of the back row as usual, her shiny face bursting from holding in her breath. She was trying not to laugh out loud at the cartoon she had been passed, drawn on a scrap of paper torn from a hymn book, of the child crying at the front. Right at that moment, the noise level from outside rose even higher. Someone was entering the main door. Her whole row turned.
Pastor MacDonald stopped mid-flow. Sister Ogilvies body swivelled around instinctively, her head following. Sister Davies, who always kept an eye on Sister Ogilvie, copied her and then nudged Mother MacDonald. The rest of the congregation waited for the split second that the door banged against the wall then, as one, turned to see who had entered.
It was Sovereign.
He didnt mean to open the door so rough but it had swung back the whole way. Hed practically run in, his breath heavy, his forehead itching with sweat and his hands shaking. His entrance must have been loud because a whole sea of eyes turned to greet him. He almost backtracked. Maybe he should have gone into the Methodist church opposite.
There was a host of women in shoulder pads, men in dark suits, walls covered with blue curtain. Hed seen it all before hed been dragged into holes like this as a child by his grandma but this time was different. He was a big boy now.
He realised his head hurt.
A woman with a doily on her head pointed to a spare seat near the back, up on the raised bit. She walked him towards it. She had a badge that said Usher, which hed always thought was a guys name. He clocked a pair of eyes staring back at him. Marsha, from school. She turned away in what looked like wide-eyed horror and folded into the chair. He left Usher pointing, went to the other side and sat down at the end of a row just in front. The pinstripe-suit guy sitting beside him almost seemed not to have noticed he was there. Hed picked up the large Bible on the seat next to him and put it on the floor, allowing Sovereign to sit down, and that was that. Didnt even look at him.
The preacher seemed to be waiting. Hed removed his big round glasses carefully to wipe the sweat from his shiny head, which reflected the bright light from above. He replaced the glasses, putting them as far down the end of his nose as he could, and the sweat poured down to his beard, yea, even Aarons beard: that went down to the skirt of his garments. Resting his left arm on the pulpit and leaning over, leaning right up close to the microphone, his slightly crossed eyes rested on his audience and then he began to speak.
I have,¸ he started, in a low echoing voice, a revelation right now-ah.¸ He paused again and there were a few mumbles in the background: Speak, Laawd. Yes!¸
Dis is-ah,¸ he continued, the time-ah to repent-ah. Dis may be your last opportunity right now-ah.¸
The eyes that had stared at Sovereign began darting about. Several old women, in assorted large hats that swallowed their faces, looked round and stared past him to his left, where Marsha and her friends were. The lethal, half-squint accusations coming from those watery, yellow eyes were enough to freak anyone. He tutted and smiled to himself. Looks like everyone knew what she was like.
He looked over at her row again. Several pairs of batted eyelashes and dipping eyelids, no hint of make-up. Apart from Jezebel herself, they were all fixed on him. Every time he crooked his neck a little, he could sense the eyes bearing down, following his every movement.
He checked out the row directly behind him and caught one girl square in the face. Four of them sitting together, all acting like they werent checking him, but shed looked away too late. She had the soft, round cheeks of an innocent church girl but he could see from the way she held his look before turning away slowly that she was one of them ones. One of those beenies that want to mess with you. The kind who will giggle and go on all shy if you chat to her around her friends, but when you get her alone, you get the other side.
Intelligent. Probably stayed on for Year 12. She leaves home for school with her socks rolled up tight, skirt below the knees, copper face shiny and smelling of coconut lotion, greased-down hair in pigtails, even. She turns the corner and pulls down the socks, pulls out the hairbands, pulls up the skirt and unbuttons the blouse till shes got some decent cleavage going. Then on go the clip-on earrings and the lipstick. He knows.
Marsha was just like that at school. And shed go on like a real sket, but here she was every Sunday shaking her booty in the name of Jesus . . . And Jag told him some things about her recently. Well, maybe he said that just because she darked him. You never know. And the first and last time hed jonesed that girl was five whole years ago. Hed been nearly fourteen and it was his first time. Hed tried to lie, act like hed been doing it ever since he could get it up. Those were the days.
He felt all the eyes up and down the rows looking at him looking at this other girl. The preacher was yelling Repent!¸ Hed repeated that for the second time. The girl bit her lip. The friend next to her gave a nudge. It was Shantelles sister, Ruth. What, like half his class had family here this was unreal. After Ruth nudged her, the corner of the girls mouth went up and her body spasmed. She put her hands to her face styling it out like she was sneezing. Blatant with a capital B.
A few guys had started looking over too. One of the only other guys around his age was sitting just in front, yellow shirt, red tie, an out-of-date Afro with a parting. Shameful. This guy practically swivelled his head around 180 degrees just to cut his eye at him. Must be digging the girl as well. Too bad. Ive done been with church girls and I aint about that right now. He gulped, and for the first time since hed sat down he thought about how he came to be there. He let the beads of sweat trickle down his head and looked around again at the other eyes.
Mr Pimpstripe next to him had his closed tight shut. Just as well because, from the looks of it, my man here spend the whole weekend with a wavecap on. Now that gives you real headache, worse than what I got now.
Sovereign thought about closing his own eyes but his mind had begun racing. He wondered what might be going on outside. He became aware that his body was aching as well as his head and his thoughts were moving too quickly from one place to the other. When he blinked, flashbacks clung to the back of his eyelids, spoke to his brain. Repent! For the time is at hand-ah.¸ His mouth was dry, and his hands were now unwilling to unclench themselves from the taut fists hed created on his lap. He tried to focus his attentions instead at the wave of women surrounding him.
Two sequinned hats looked across at each other and twisted their lips in his direction. Sequin Hat Number One bellowed out a powerful Amen¸ that seemed to shake the foundations of the building. She was just a small old woman, didnt look like she had it in her. Meanwhile, Number Two peeled herself from off her seat and ambled towards the back. She was hench bingo wings, mafia bosss mother type. Her expression was resolute, her eyes constantly shifting through the rows of chairs to meet other eyes and her cheeks puffed out like she was on the cud. Her boulder-like breasts hung down in her flower dress like ammunition in a sling (and David say, Ow dare you defy my Laawd de Gawd of Hisrael?¸ And im did swing him sling and Goliat did faall). He would not have liked to get on the wrong side of those babylons. He thought he recognised her face from somewhere, but couldnt quite place it.
Dere is-ah no coincidences with Gaawd-ah. You are not here by coincidence-ah. You may heven have just stepped off the street-ah and your life may be out of control-ah, but Jesus is calling you now-ah. Jeeesus-ah . . . is calling-ah . . . you . . .¸
The older eyes refocused their attentions from the pretty little eyes sitting in the front and the back. Everyone was looking at him. He met the first few stares and then looked instead at the floor, then at his dirty trainers, his ripped jeans, his baggy string vest, hugely different to the suits and ties and neat polished shoes that didnt seem to fit with the weather. Not only was it baking outside, but the clammy bodies pushed together in this strange place had produced a hellish heat and a heavy odour. Sweat mixed with strong perfume . . . and stale cheese. Worse still, the main door and the windows were closed, but he could still hear the noise of the High Street traffic. He picked his red baseball cap up from the floor and began to fan himself with it. Hot Steppah, it said on the front.
How will you antsah this day-ah? I said how-ah will you ants-ah?¸
Sequin Hat Two with the bazookas stood by the glass door at the corridor entrance. She swatted off a little boy who tried to push through to get to the bathroom. As she bent over, the little butterfly on her dress wobbled. Her face and neck were glowing with sweat.
He wondered how they managed to put up with the stifling heat. When hed gone to America, all the shops had air conditioning, even the dollar stores. They were better at things over there. Then again, even if air conditioning got big in this country, it wouldnt end up in a converted shop like this one, here in Harlesden, the place even God had forgotten.
Are you dat prodigal son-ah? Today-ah He is telling you to come-ah. Dis may be your las chance-ah, for we know not the day nor the hour-ah. Will you come back to the fold this day-ah? I said will-ah . . .¸
He kept his eyes down for a while, stretching out his legs and crossing one foot over the other. He thought of America, the tall buildings, all those nice cars and that dont-give-a-shit attitude. He wanted to go back there, get away from his crew, the Terror Boys; get away from the chicken shop and all the trouble that came out of that place. In America they didnt have to hang out in holes like that. They had Fifth Avenue. They had bigger guns and better drugs. Whats more, they had style to go with it.
He breathed in deeply, unclenched his fists. He felt inside his deep left pocket. The weighty metal was warm. Although you could see the bulge in his jeans, it wasnt that noticeable. He wanted to readjust himself and put it inside his waistband. He breathed out. Shit! He must have said this aloud because the man next to him made a kind of Hmph!¸ noise.
He felt his heart thud and decided to concentrate on something else. He continued looking at his faded Nike trainers. $45 from the flea market and better than the real thing. A couple of times, when he first came back with them, he got stopped in the street and asked where he bought them. And then he remembered how once, some boy stepped on his foot and he flipped. Him and a couple of the crew, Shortie G and Slicer, they dragged the boy out of the chicken shop, his arms flailing, cursing at the top of his voice. Slicer got all hyper as usual, shouting out in his squeaky voice, Lets mash him up, mash him good.¸ They kept dragging him through the High Street and past Headlines, where Big Jeff got out waving a razor and said, You better leave that bwoy alone.¸ Shortie G, always practical, was like, You guys are on a long ting. Just kick the bwoy down and lets go back.¸ So, with a crowd starting to form, they put him down outside Headlines and got a few kicks in. A siren went off somewhere. Everyone walked off nicely. Just how it should be. He wasnt concerned about people chatting his business and getting him into it. Not like now. Shit.
The Spirit is telling mee-ah that there is a soul here today-ah. A soul-ah that is lost-ah. A soul-ah that is wrestling-ah. Wrestling in their mind-ah. And the Bible says-ah that we wrestle not-ah against flesh and blood-ah, but against principalities-ah and powers-ah.¸
Sovereign tried to switch off completely, think about where he was now instead, but he didnt want to look up. He studied the floor. Both feet were now firmly in the middle of one of the brown carpet tiles that went up to the pulpit area. He followed the pattern of squares for a while and the places where they had lifted slightly. He looked across the aisle, noting by their relation to the squares how uneven the nine rows of chairs were. His eyes skimmed over the things people kept under their chairs: Bibles, hymn books, tambourines, handbags, handkerchiefs and, under a few, high heels. So that was the cheesy smell. Old-people feet. He scrunched up his nose then looked over towards the walls, covered with a thick royal-blue curtain. Most of the light came through the shop-window entrance and the strip lighting. There was nothing else to decorate the room, just a large banner at the front saying Victory in Jesus 92¸. They must have reused it three years running.
Are you wrestling this day-ah?¸
He checked his breathing. His pulse was still racing but he felt back to normal. In fact, so normal he was thinking about risking it and leaving Pastor to see to the rest of his flock again. As much fun¸ as it was being here, there was still business to deal with. He needed to work out what had gone down, how bad things were, whether he should lie low for a bit. Maybe go up to Wolverhampton for a while and stay with some family.
He looked behind him to the entrance and thought about ducking out but Number Two fixed him an iron stare. Thats when he recognised her. Constance MacDonald Jags aunt. Jag was one of the Terror Boys, always mouthing it off, saying how his older cousin was the baddest thing going; he was in for ten years or something after he peeled up this guy who juiced one of his girls. So when Shortie G said hes got to be one fool doing that for a girl who probably smelt like fish, because that gallys been round the block twice, better believe dat one,¸ Jag went, Yeah, you chatting Biggie now? You just watch. He can even get you from inside, trust.¸ And so Shortie got all scared. Sovereign had kept quiet. Not worth getting involved.
He wondered if Constance recognised him. Hed only been round there once, when him and Jag were still in school, like more than two years ago now.
The preacher lowered his voice almost to a whisper over the microphone and spoke the last words of the sermon. Today-ah, your soul-ah may be required of thee-ah.¸
Sovereign groaned. Oh, God. That was the punch line. He cut his eyes at Constance, moving his head back round to face the preacher, whose bulging eyes were fixed on him. He met the preachers gaze and wiped his mouth, still stinging from the sharp right hook that had caught him square less than a half hour ago. He looked down at his hand and jumped when he saw how much blood stuck to it. He must look real bad.
The preacher let out a huge cry which made him jump again. No one else seemed surprised. His eyes again hooked on to the preachers, daring him to outstare him, knowing he would have to look away soon and address the rest of the congregation, who were starting to get noisier with Amen¸s and Preach!¸ and other exhortations to continue. Sovereign didnt look away as he began to hear sirens outside. There were only a few but they echoed in his head, getting louder each time and forcing the congregation to crescendo in turn in some twisted battle. Wrestling against the powers. His mouth went dry.
He felt his eyes widen as the sirens blazed on, whirring, whooping, hollering, rising against the sounds of the congregation, which was being charged up by some strange energy, bubbling up with no limit, no control. An old woman led the stampede squealing loudly, she leapt from her seat as if it had struck her and danced to the front. She must have been at least seventy, but her stooped heavy frame glided across the floor, weightless, effortless.
As she got up, she knocked the head of the young girl next to her, almost removing her black beret, which was stuck down with a hairpin. The girl, who could have been no more than twelve, convulsed in her chair like shed been given a jolt of electricity, then fell forwards muttering and then back again, stretching out her hands and screeching. The chair rocked back and forth and a couple of women from the row behind grabbed on to it to steady her.
The dancing caught on like a Mexican wave and soon nearly half the congregation were shouting and shimmying their way to the front, whilst the others were righting upturned chairs, limiting the damage.
At this point, Sovereign felt a hand on his shoulder as Constance leant over him, breasts level with his eyes, grip firm and unapologetic.
Come to de haltar,¸ she commanded, not waiting for him to look up at her.
He could still hear the sirens, but they seemed stationary now. Loud whoops that made him dizzy. Definitely more than one and probably a whole legion of cars and vans surrounding the place. He gulped.
She repeated herself. His legs moved of their own accord his will was giving way. Eyes welling up with angry tears, ears filled with nothing but the cars outside. He found himself pleading for a miracle that would clear up the stupid mess he was in. If he hadnt been there that morning, it wouldnt have happened. If Jag hadnt given him the piece, then it wouldnt have happened. If those damn boys hadnt wanted to start something, and if that one especially hadnt got feisty, it definitely wouldnt have happened. He wanted to scream.
Come,¸ she said, and pushed him up roughly. He staggered towards the front, steering his body around the limbs of the crowd, which had begun to sing. His ears could not focus on the words and his eyes were now clouded over. The bodies blurred around him, multiplying until he was standing among a myriad of spirits.
Constance shoved him further forward until he was standing right by the pulpit. She touched his head and he felt himself falling to his knees. Weak and heavy, dry-throated and naked in front of the thickening crowd. He was hotter than before, almost dizzy with fever, and his sweat poured down around him. He closed his eyes.
Constance was kneeling behind him, but her voice seemed to surround him completely. She was transformed, swallowing him, increasing as he decreased. She pressed his head down until it was almost level with his knees and now all he could hear was her voice. A voice that spoke words he couldnt understand. That seemed to be scolding him and comforting him at the same time. A voice that went on and on, barely pausing for breath.
And now the sirens stop, the yelling and the crying and the singing around him cease. In the silence, his spirit lifts itself, up through the congregation, through the glass door, through the police cars parked outside, through the High Street and upwards, upwards, upwards. His spirit is giddy, slicing through clouds and surging forwards. It begins to spiral downwards, swirling towards the chicken shop, where he can see a large circle of curious bodies stretching over a police cordon. He doesnt have time to wonder if they managed to hide all the stuff that was under the counter because it continues floating onwards and, just as he thinks his spirit is running home to safety, to a third-floor flat on the Stonebridge Estate where the police wont find him, it turns back towards the car park in the Plaza. It hovers over the blocked traffic, where the noise of horns fills his ears like sweet gospel music and joins with the hum of the choir back in the church, still weighed down with the notes of Sinner Come Home. It skates through the police barriers, cuts through the whirring of sirens and lowers itself slowly into the corner, just by Blockbuster Video. The air out here is stifling and choking smoke rises from the tarmac and his spirit twists with the rhythm of Pastor Macdonalds voice, echoing louder, stronger, deeper, above all of the other sounds. The car park is unfamiliar: almost no cars, no people running into the shops screaming, just a heavy atmosphere of uniformed men standing watch while an ambulance approaches. His spirit hovers over the boy lying in a pool of blood, the still conductor in this orchestra of sirens and choirs and weeping and hollering.
Constance knocks him backwards and his body feels light. His spirit is melting. Its weightless world merges with the carpet tiles on the floor and the sound of the preacher talking over him and the woman with the sequinned hat chanting over him and now his own words, which surprise him. He shouts out to Jesus, shouts out for salvation, shouts out for something or anything that will rescue him, take him somewhere else, make him new and clean and safe. He remembers chunks of the Bible he learnt as a child and his shouts become screams become noises become whispers. Let this cup pass, let this cup pass, please let this cup pass . . .¸
And then shes on his left-hand side and shes pressing her body into him. He can hear that theyve entered. Hear the tension in the air because the musics stopped and the singings stopped and theres a voice telling him to freeze and put his hands in the air and everyone else better back away. Suddenly it gets a lot noisier again and he doesnt know whats going on because it all seems like a dream and his heart has gone into his mouth. But Constance has been holding on to him, squeezing his leg and now she lets go. The preachers saying something. Hes talking to them, saying, How dare ye gentiles defile de House of de Lawd! Ow dare ye enter into dis sacred ground! You come here under whose name? Under whose right?¸
The police have grabbed him roughly, wrenched his wrists behind his back and clicked on the handcuffs. Hes hardly moved because he suddenly needs to pee and now he cant see much because his eyes are blurry and he wants to close them again and not open them until he wakes up from this nightmare.
All he notices through the blur is that the congregation is moving towards the front, singing at full strength, and that the pigs have got bullet-proofs on. Theyre saying, Stand back, stand back, we are dealing with an armed murderer,¸ and the preacher is saying, De only authority you must respeck right now in dis place his de autority of de Lawd.¸ Hes at the pulpit, his voice still coming through the speakers. And the congregation has begun a new chorus of We Shall Not Be Moved. This has got to be a dream. His arm feels weird up against his back and the cold metal cuffs are digging into his hands. Hes still talking to himself, still asking God to help him and the police are patting him down. Wheres your weapon?¸ theyre asking him and theyre going into his pockets and pulling out money and keys and cigarettes and rolling papers and nothing else. Wheres your weapon?¸ they keep saying, and the chorus has gathered pace, quickening, louder, fuller, angrier. More police have trickled through to the altar and one of them is on his radio calling for backup and theyre shouting at the congregation, Stand back.¸
Through all the commotion he can hear them: Im arresting you, Christian Wilson, for the murder of . . .¸ and then Just like a tree thats planted by the wa-a-ters¸ and then Anything you do say may be given as evidence¸ and then another pigs threatening the preacher saying, Quiet down or well arrest you and all for obstructing the course ¸ and suddenly the preachers struck the cop and hes been handcuffed too. But hes still trying to talk into the microphone, saying, Brethren, let us render unto Caesar dat what pertainet unto Caesar but dey shalt be struck down if hany arm shall come upon dis boy.¸ And he hears the preacher saying, Lawd, I deliver us into your hands,¸ but hes not on the microphone any more.
Then he feels himself being dragged up the aisle and the congregation parting like the Red Sea, still singing, right? Only its something else he cant quite catch the words to. He cant stand properly because hes weak. And then Pastor is right behind him, saying, I know ye scribes and Pharisees. I do know all your hungodly ways. I know what you did to my Joshua.¸ And hes wondering whos Joshua, and hes wondering what happened to the gun, knowing now for certain what happened to the boy. And then hes wondering where he is because his mind goes funny. Then he feels his wrists again and the arms squeezing his elbows and he panics and wonders where Shortie is and where Slicer is and where the rest of them all is. And then his head is being pushed down into one of the many police cars. And when he looks out onto the street and sees Constance standing among the crowd that has rushed out with him, he knows he doesnt have to wonder what happened to the gun any more. She just looks at him through the glass as they speed off to the chorus of sirens.
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Sun Chemical Releases First Sustainability Report
Sun Chemical
Sun Chemical recently released its first sustainability report, which provides data-driven performance measurements for seven key metrics to help customers and consumers understand the company's environmental impact.
Data collected since 2005 from 170 of the company's sites in more than 25 countries include sustainability metrics related to energy consumption/conservation at production and non-production facilities, the energy carbon footprint at the production locations, process-waste reduction, water consumption, materials safety, and employee safety.
Sun Chemical has also begun analysis and management of the carbon footprint of its products. The company will examine eight different ink products manufactured in the U.S. and Europe, with results expected during the first half of 2010. To request a copy of the sustainability report, visit www.sunchemical.com/suncare. Customers can calculate their own carbon footprint by using this information.


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WHAT You May Not Know About Milk
The following are all your question about milk answered:
Milk is important for kids, but what about adults?
As I had mentioned earlier in my previous updates that Milk is important for your nutritional well-being, no matter how old you are and what lifestyle you lead. Milk as the richest source of calcium that can be readily absorbed, as well as other important nutrients, milk should always be considered as part of one's daily diet across all ages. For toddlers and young children, milk is essential as it provides energy and nutrients for growth and development. During the teenage years kids need plenty of calcium as bones are developing quickly, while adults need calcium and dairy products for bone maintenance.
Can drinking milk give you more energy?
Not known to many, milk contains the same amount of energy as an energy drink. This is derived mostly from carbohydrate in the form of lactose. Besides providing energy for replenishment, the high protein content in milk contributes to the building and repair of muscles, therefore, improving muscle protein balance in active individuals.
Is is true that milk makes you fat?
An average glass of whole milk contains around 10 grams of fats, and goat milk does not contain agglutinin. As a result, the fat globules in goat milk do not cluster together, making them easier to digest. And if you consume 2 – 3 servings of milk and other dairy products everyday as recommended by nutritionists, there is no need to avoid milk in order to stay in shape. In fact, no particular food product can make one fat. Instead, it is the total calorie intake a day that counts, whereby, if you consume more calories than you burn, weight gain will result.
How can milk last without the addition of preservatives?
To improve its shelf life without preservatives, milk is heat treated in various processing techniques that also kill harmful bacteria. The result is different types of milk like UHT, Pasteurized, Sterilized or Powdered Milk that can be stored for longer periods if left unopened.
What is the difference between UHT, Pasteurized, Sterilized Milk and Milk Powder?
The difference is in the way that it is processed, yet delivering all the same goodness of milk. How you choose depends on your preference for convenience, taste or storage choices.
UHT (Ultra High Temperature) is a process that uses temperatures no lower than 135° C to kill all bacteria in milk. This allows an unopened pack to be kept for as long as 10 months.
Pasteurized milk is processed at temperature not lower than 73° C for at least 30 seconds, followed by rapid cooling at which temperature it is stored. In goat milk, after pasteurization, it kills the pathogenic bacteria – those that make you sick, the harmless lactic acid bacteria survives, but if the goat milk is not kept cold, they multiply rapidly and cause it to turn sour. So it has to be kept refrigerated at all times – even if left unopened and its shelf life is short – approximately 4 weeks.
On the other hand, Sterilized Milk is treated with temperature of more than 100° C, and since it is packaged in bottles, additional treatment is required to ensure the sterile condition of the product. If unopened, sterilized milk can be kept for 8 months at room temperature.
Powdered Milk is manufactured by evaporating milk to dryness so that it can sustain a longer shelf life than liquid milk. It does not need to be refrigerated, due to its low moisture content.
How do I choose between Whole milk, Low fat milk and Skimmed milk?
The fat in milk is necessary for the body to develop hormones, structural components of cells and act as a transporter for vitamins. And since an average glass of whole milk contains around 10 grams of fats, there is no real need to opt for milk with lower fat content to stay in shape. But for those who wish to limit their fat intake, they can choose skimmed milk where nearly all the fat has been removed or low fat milk which has a fat content of 1 – 2%. Generally, whole milk contains at least 3.25% of milk fat.
There is an inherent belief that chilled milk in the morning causes phlegm, how true is this?
Many people confuse the temporary, slight thickening of saliva after drinking milk with mucus. In actual fact, there is no scientific research that shows milk produces mucus in the airways or the throat.
Now that you have all your question about milk answered, go ahead and spread the goodness of goat milk!


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In case anybody's been looking for the Gudo Nishijima / Chodo Cross translation of Dogen's Shobogenzo and couldn't find it, or else found it for a ridiculously high price, check out the link below or click on the title of this article. The full four volume set is now available through Amazon.com at just $23.99 per volume.
This is the best, most reliable English translation of the complete Shobogenzo that ever has been or ever will be produced. I've sat down with the Japanese version and this translation open to the same passage a great number of times and it's like someone gave you magic glasses that enabled you to read exactly what the original Japanese text says in crystal clear English. You cannot do this with any other edition.
It's great to see this available once again. Buy a set or be a loser!


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Lavender Kennels, Home of Lavender's Gettin A Tan SH "Tanner"
We believe you can have great performance dogs that are also well mannered in the blind as well as in the home. After growing up with family dogs that doubled as hunting dogs, we found the need and desire to own performance dogs that also doubled as a family dog and a hunting dog. My husband and I strive to provide you with a dog that has both the genetics and an excellent pedigree with the health clearances to match. With that we also strive to provide you with quality trained all around dogs.
What sets us apart from the others, we train to meet your needs. If you hunt strictly the river, we will train your dog on
the river. If your a field hunter we will break out the layout blinds and mutt huts. Whatever it may be we will try to
simulate it. We do not train large numbers of dogs at a time, which allows us to better train for your needs.
We Thank You here at Lavender Kennels for the interest you have showed in our kennel and look forward to hearing
from you


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Nico Monday and Amelia O'Reilly's Smoked Fish Chowder (The Market Restaurant)
Laced with fennel, leeks, and bay leaf, Nico Monday and Amelia O'Reilly's Smoked Fish Chowder from Food and Wine's new cookbook America's Greatest New Cooks is a complex, fragrant take on the classic even before adding its namesake ingredient. But it is the flaked smoked fish that truly takes this chowder to another level. The smoke's aroma is the first thing to hit when ladling a bowl, and it certainly permeates the soup. However, since it is added so late in the cooking, this smoke gives way to the sweet corn, fennel, and potatoes.
Why I picked this recipe: I rarely make creamy chowders, but the inclusion of smoked fish was too curious an idea to pass up.
What worked: Adding smoked fish is a pretty marvelous tweak to a fairly standard chowder recipe, adding fragrant smokiness without overpowering the delicateness of the fennel, corn, and potatoes.
What didn't: No problems here.
Suggested tweaks: Frozen corn works just fine here instead of fresh (use about 1 1/2 cups kernels and skip the blanching step).
Reprinted with permission from Food & Wine: America's Greatest New Cooks Edited by Dana Cowin, copyright 2013. Published by American Express Publishing. All rights reserved. Available wherever books are sold.
- Yield:serves 6 to 8
- Active time: 30 minutes
- Total time:50 minutes
- 2 ears of corn, kernels cut from the cobs
- 1 1/2 pounds large red-skinned potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 fennel bulbs, cored and thinly sliced, fronds reserved and chopped
- 2 large leeks, white and pale green parts only, cut into 1/4-inch dice
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 quart plus 3 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 pound smoked fish, such as haddock, mackerel, bluefish or trout, skinned and flaked
In a large saucepan of salted boiling water, cook the corn until just tender,
about 1 minute. With a slotted spoon, transfer the corn to a bowl. Add the potatoes to the boiling water and cook until tender, about 6 minutes. Drain the potatoes and add to the bowl.
In a large pot, melt the butter. Add the fennel slices, leeks, onion, thyme and bay leaf and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Add the milk, cream, corn and potatoes and simmer for about 3 minutes, smashing some of the potatoes to thicken the soup. Discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Add the fish and simmer until heated through, about 2 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Ladle the chowder into bowls, garnish with fennel fronds and serve.
Wine Pairing: Minerally northern Italian white: 2011 Kellerei Cantina Terlan Pinot Bianco
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Lord of the Rings: Tolkien estate suing Warner for $80m over online slot machine games
The Lord of the Rings is set to return to the big screen in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and ahead of the film's release the Tolkien estate has been getting its house in order by suing Warner Bros. to the tune of $80 million for going beyond 'tangible' merchandising. Get the facts below.
The Hollywood Reporter broke the story, revealing that the Tolkien lawsuit was filed yesterday at a U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
Book publisher HarperCollins is also involved on the Tolkien side of the $80 million suit, and both parties claim that Warner Bros. has overstepped copyright of the books and breached a contract with the Tolkien estate.
The plaintiffs claim that Warner has broken a decades-old agreement signed in 1969, stating that third-parties only create "tangible" merchandise based on the original books, not including branded slot machines or digital online gambling games that the estate has deemed 'highly offensive'.
An excerpt from the full lawsuit reads, "The original contracting parties thus contemplated a limited grant of the right to sell consumer products of the type regularly merchandised at the time (such as figurines, tableware, stationery items, clothing and the like.
"They did not include any grant of exploitations such as electronic or digital rights, rights in media yet to be devised or other intangibles such as rights in services."
The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring: Online Slot Game was first brought to the Tolkien estate's attention in 2010 and prompted the group to seek damages, leading it to discover that Warner Bros. had plans to release more slot machines and games.
If the lawsuit is successful, the Tolkien estate will slap an injunction on Warner's online slot machines and other infringing games. As far as can be seen, games such as Lord of the Rings Online, Guardians of Middle Earth and LEGO: Lord of the Rings are not involved in the suit.
The suit continues, "Defendants also have asserted and continue to assert that they have rights relating to a wide variety of goods and services beyond 'articles of tangible personal property' and have registered trademarks and/or filed 'intent to use' applications in those same categories, including without limitation hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, ringtones, online/downloadable games and housing developments — categories of rights which plainly have not been granted to them."
On the issue of slot machines, the document added, "Not only does the production of gambling games patently exceed the scope of defendants' rights, but this infringing conduct has outraged Tolkien's devoted fan base, causing irreparable harm to Tolkien's legacy and reputation and the valuable goodwill generated by his works."
What do you make of the Tokien's suit? Is it justified, or was such brand expansion inevitable? Let us know below.
Thanks IGN.


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59 items
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It's business as usual for Sveum amid talk of future
ST. LOUIS -- Dale Sveum made out the Cubs' lineup card for Sunday's game as he has for much of this season, not knowing if it's his last one.
"Like I said the other day, you'd be lying if you didn't have anxiety about what's going to happen in 24 hours," Sveum said on Sunday. "That's human nature."
Theo Epstein, Cubs president of baseball operations, will meet on Monday in Chicago with the manager and some of the coaching staff to discuss their status. It's part of the evaluation process Epstein is doing. If Sveum is anxious, he hasn't shown it.
"You try [not to]," Sveum said of keeping a low profile. "There's obviously frustrations [with the season]. But my personality -- I can get as [ticked] as anybody [about the difficulties]. But the focus should be on the players anyway. There's something wrong if I'm seen too much. That's my personality. I am what I am."
It isn't just Sveum who will find out Monday, either.
"Theo's still evaluating [the coaches], too," Sveum said. "He didn't specifically say he was evaluating me, but evaluating the whole staff situation."
The Cubs will finish with at least 90 losses for the third straight season, the second in a row under Epstein and with Sveum at the helm. The Cubs have used a franchise-record 56 players this year, and only 12 remained on the roster for Game 162 who were present for the first game.
Sveum's fiery side was revealed during the Cubs' last series in Milwaukee from Sept. 16-18, when he was caught on camera in the dugout arguing with pitcher Edwin Jackson. The next day, Jeff Samardzija was seen arguing with coach David Bell in the dugout. Epstein called those incidents "brushfires," and complimented Sveum because they were the only such incidents during his two years at the helm.
"It happens," Jackson said on Sunday about the argument. "In families, there's nobody who has brothers or sisters who hasn't been in an altercation with a brother or sister. It happens in other sports. But when it happens in baseball, it's the less aggressive sport than other sports, and sometimes it's made to be a big deal.
"You see a first-place team, a playoff team [like the Braves], and it happens (referring to Atlanta's dugout tussle on Saturday between coach Terry Pendleton and Chris Johnson ). I'm sure they talked it over the next day. I'm sure it's happened with plenty of players and managers, and they make up the next day."
As to whether Jackson wants Sveum back, the pitcher deferred to Epstein and the front office.
"It's my first year with the organization," Jackson said. "That's a decision for those guys on top to make. My job is to go out and take the ball every fifth day to give the team a chance to win."
Sveum has met with each of the players -- either with Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer present, or just Hoyer -- to review the season and talk about next year. Sveum said his relationship with the front office has been good.
"Theo was honest with everybody that there's an evaluation going on with all of us -- myself included with the coaches," Sveum said. "That doesn't change your relationship with anybody. It's my job to do what I do, and Theo's job to do what he does. Just because there's an evaluation going on doesn't change anything."
It's impossible to predict the Cubs' lineup for 2014. Sveum will find out on Monday whether he'll be part of the continued rebuilding process.
What was on his mind as he prepped for Sunday's season finale?
"The same thing that was on my mind yesterday," Sveum said. "Obviously, it's the last day, so it's a little different than any other day with the players. You know it's the last day of the season, and you're going to play it out and hopefully win a ballgame."


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Dear Hungry Girl, First of all, THANK YOU. I have lost 20 pounds since January, thanks in large part to your recipes, tips, and tricks. I still have a lot of weight to lose, however. I want to start exercising, and I love the idea of classes led by an instructor, but I'm not comfortable working out with a bunch of strangers. Any suggestions? Gym-Shy Janelle
Hi Janelle,
Congratulations on your weight loss! That's truly fantastic. I think it's great that you're ready to incorporate exercise into your life. And I totally get your hesitation to jump right into a group-exercise setting. But instructor-led classes and working out with fellow exercisers can be really motivating and fun. So, I have a couple of ideas for you...
There are many, many great exercise videos available for all fitness levels and workout types. You can find these online, on TV, and on DVDs. They're a fantastic way to get the expertise and encouragement of an instructor without having to brave a room full of strangers. These days I really like (and HIGHLY recommend!) Gaiam TV, a subscription service that gives you access to a huge number of workout videos from your computer, TV, iPhone, etc. It has everything from yoga to cardio to basic stretching, and you can pick your level and length of workout. It's really affordable too -- about 10 bucks a month. And you can try it free for 10 days -- just cancel if you don't want to continue on to the monthly subscription. DEFINITELY worth checking out! (Just do it -- it's FUN!)
Another idea for you is to buddy up with people you already know. Friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. This way you get the advantages of group workouts -- you can encourage each other, and you can schedule exercise plans like appointments so you're less likely to bail -- but it isn't as intimidating as getting your sweat on with a dozen or so people you don't know. If you want to start simple, try going for walks around your neighborhood or on your lunch break. Then work up to activities like biking and hiking with your pals. You can even team up and work out to some of those exercise videos together.
Hope these ideas help! P.S. My favorite way to work out is still walking on the treadmill with my "friend" the DVR :)
Hi HG,
My question is actually for the Hungry Girl employees. Since you guys probably get to try every single recipe, which are the absolute favorites -- the ones you make again and again?
Askin' the Staff
Hi Askin',
What a fun question! All of the HG staffers were more than willing to share their favorite Hungry Girl recipes. By the way, they say HI! Here's the lowdown...
Several staffers (including me!) make egg mugs on a regular basis... They've been raving about the latest recipes, which are making their debut in next Thursday's email. Another HG employee starts every single morning here at the HG HQ with a growing oatmeal bowl -- I think we'd all go into shock if she didn't make it!
One recipe that almost every single HG staffer mentioned as a favorite? The Buff Chick Hot Wing Dip! "Every party I attend, this comes with me or people get upset," said one. The Turkey & Veggie Meatloaf Minis also came up repeatedly, as well as the Chicken Amore and Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole. Whenever that casserole is made, it disappears in record time! Another recent standout is the Super-Special Chicken Sausage 'n Squash Pack -- it's definitely one of the best foil-pack recipes of all time!
When it comes to snacky stuff, one HGer said she's completely addicted to the Baked Kale chips, and another is obsessed with the Pizza-bellas. As for dessert, no surprise here: The classic two-ingredient Yum Yum Brownie Muffins topped everyone's list!
There you have it... A SLEW of recipes made regularly by the HG staffers themselves. Enjoy!
Today, June 6th, is National Applesauce Cake Day. Sounds like the PERFECT opportunity to whip up our Upside-Down Pineapple-Applesauce Cake!
Have a question for Hungry Girl? Send it in! She answers new Qs each week (but cannot respond to emails personally).
SmartPoints® value not what you expected? Click here for more info on how the values are calculated, plus more FAQs about PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® values on our website.


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Bold D'Ussé Cognac Not Just a Beginner's Brandy
D'Ussé Cognac has just become a lot more accessible to drinkers seeking a bold, new brandy experience.
Bacardi USA's first foray into the category has recently expanded its reach into several new markets including Los Angeles, Houston, New Jersey, Connecticut, Chicago, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Miami, after first launching in New York and Washington last summer.
Meant to shake up a spirits class that, according to Bacardi USA CEO Robert Furniss-Roe, has grown "a bit dusty," D'Ussé, with its full-frontal profile, is aimed at both experienced Cognac enthusiasts and those new to the category. Vice president brand managing director Giles Woodyer has said that the brandy has had an incredible response since it rolled out last year.
One notable convert is rapper and music producer Jay-Z, who hosted a launch party and then drank D'Ussé at the Grammy Awards in February from the trophy he won.
While some pundits have used the old fallback descriptor "smooth" to characterize D'Ussé in comparison with typical Cognacs, our tasting showed that while it may lack bite, it has a bold presence that makes it much more than a beginner's brandy. The point seems to be a brandy that can be used for sipping and drinking on the rock as well as in a cocktail. In the latter consideration, D'Ussé brings plenty of the flavor needed to stand up to mixers.
Even as this VSOP (at least four years old) is not as complex as the Cognacs rated XO (at least six years) and above that we usually suggest for pairings, it proved a formidable partner with a cigar. (Furniss-Roe said that XO and VS [two years or more] variants could eventually follow the VSOP).
Pronounced "dew-say," it is made by Chateau de Cognac, a venerable house founded in 1795. Located near the Charente River, its aging cellars are known for their dampness and a constant temperature of 59° F. The company also makes Otard Cognac, which is not distributed in the United States.
Featuring the Cross Lorraine, the packaging is also a distinct departure for the generally staid category. Those of us who do not have Grammy trophies in which to decant may appreciate owning vessel that looks like it would be at home on TV's "Game of Thrones."
(Tasting notes and cigar pairings on next page)
D'ussé (80 proof, or 40 percent alcohol by volume, $44.99 for a 750 ml bottle)
APPEARANCE: It's dark amber, coppery color is quite forceful. The legs start out thin as they hang pendulously to glass, then clot together and roll down in fat chunks.
NOSE: An inviting, toasty aroma of caramel, maple and toffee. Fruit comes in the form of sweet oranges and lemons. The toasted aspects verges on pumpkin pie.
PALATE: A remarkable change occurs initially from the nose to the palate. The formerly mellow notes become bold, effervescent and spicy. Minty, eucalyptus sensations fairly blow through the roof of the mouth. Then calmness occurs, and the sweet and hearty flavors of the nose regain dominance, with some honey, cinnamon, maple and woodiness.
FINISH: As it finishes, the sassy, spicy notes of the palate seem to disappear, leaving only the sweet and mellow. At the very last, the Cognac snaps shut with a tart hard-candy flavor.
NOTE: Big and bold, this is perfect for mixing (we found nirvana by muddling cucumbers and basil in lemon juice and D'Ussé and shaking with ice and straining). Taken without added flavors, it cries out for some (but not too much) water. Siphon up H2O with a straw and add it in dribs and drabs until you get it right.
CIGAR PAIRING: J. Fuego Edicion Familia 2012 Toro (6 1/2 inches by 54 ring, $10, 88 points, Feb. 26 Cigar Insider)
A distinct walnut sweetness comes on strong, but dissipates, ushering in faint coffee notes. Tasty, but could use more body. The D'Usse handily delivers the formerly delinquent body to the cigar, showcasing its nutty qualities and accentuating the coffee and some hidden spiciness. The Cognac smooths out considerably under the influence of the J. Fuego, with its woody character coming to the fore.
Añoranzas Gran Toro (6 inches by 60 ring, $8.50, 89 points, Feb. 26 Cigar Insider)
A massive, thick smoke, this toro is toasty and pleasant with occasional snaps of pepper. The finish is a bit dry, but imparts notes of almond flavor. Any dryness on the cigar quickly disappears when taken with the D'Usse, which takes its pepper notes into another realm of more complex spiciness. The sweetness and fruitiness of the Cognac's nose becomes much more appreciable with the cigar as a graham cracker luster suffuses it.


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Mayor's Office
Mayor Chris Beutler today announced that bike racks have been installed on all StarTran buses, and StarTran is offering free fares in April to all those who use the new "Bike and Bus" program. The $140,000 project was paid for with federal stimulus funds.
"StarTran ridership is up 10 percent since last fall, and we expect this bike and bus option to further increase the use of our transit system," Mayor Beutler said. "The bicycling community is very excited about this new travel option, and the program is one more important step in making Lincoln a more bike-friendly community."
The racks are mounted on the fronts of the buses and each will hold two standard bicycles. They will be available year-round on a first-come, first-serve basis. Bikes are not allowed inside StarTran buses. Patrons are responsible for loading and unloading their bikes. A brochure showing the loading and unloading procedures is available at StarTran, 710 "J" Street, local bicycle shops and online at lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: bike and bus). A video showing the procedures also is available through video-on-demand at 5 CITY-TV.
"The bike racks are very easy to operate," said Larry Worth, StarTran Transit Manager. "We have had many requests for these racks the last few years, and we expect them to be very popular. Using Bike and Bus is good for your budget, good for the environment and good for your health."
The public is invited to try the new bike racks at these events:
The public also is invited to take a brief online Bike and Bus survey at startran.lincoln.ne.gov. Those who complete the survey are eligible to win prizes, including a new bike. Cycle Works/Moose's Tooth is the prize sponsor.
In February, Lincoln was selected as one of America's Top 15 Smartest Cities For Transit Innovation based on public transit availability and use; household automobile ownership and use; and innovative, sustainable and affordable transportation programs. Worth said recent innovations include:
The public is encouraged to donate new items for the Friendship Home during StarTran's annual Stuff the Bus event April 15 through 17 at all Walmart stores and Sam's Club. StarTran also will offer the Big Red Express service to and from the Husker spring football game April 16 at two locations — SouthPointe Pavilions and North Star High School.
More information on StarTran is available by visiting startran.lincoln.ne.gov or calling 476-1234.


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Egypt's soccer team will play in Cairo for the first time in two years when it competes for a spot in the World Cup.
The Egyptian soccer association decided Wednesday to hold the second leg of the World Cup playoff Nov. 19 against Ghana at a military stadium in the violence-hit capital.
The EFA also said that fans would be allowed in to watch the game at the 30 June Stadium, a military-owned venue recently renamed to commemorate the day this year when millions of Egyptians took to the streets to demand the ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.
The decision to play in Cairo for the first time since late 2011 was made after discussions among the national soccer body, state authorities and sports minister Taher Abouzeid, a former player.
Egypt hasn't qualified for the World Cup since 1990. But under former U.S. coach Bob Bradley, it advanced to the final two-leg playoffs for a place in Brazil next year with a perfect six wins in its group, the only team out of 40 to do that.
Bradley also had called for the playoff against 2010 World Cup quarterfinalist Ghana to be held in Cairo and in front of fans to boost the Egyptians' chances of making it to soccer's main event. The 30 June Stadium has a capacity of 30,000, and the EFA said it would be full for the Ghana game.
"We would love to play in Cairo," Bradley said after the playoff draw last week in Cairo. "That is the dream of the team."
Egypt's last game in Cairo was a 3-0 win over Niger in October 2011, four months before a deadly riot at a league game in the Mediterranean city of Port Said left more than 70 fans dead amid the country's political turmoil.
Since then, Egypt's national team has played in Alexandria and more recently in the Red Sea resort of El Gouna to avoid the unrest that has swept through Cairo and other major cities. The games have largely been played behind closed doors, although a few thousand supporters were allowed in to watch in El Gouna.
Egypt has won a record seven African championships. But the upheaval at home has affected the soccer team. Egypt was the three-time defending champion at the time of the 2011 overthrow of longtime President Hosni Mubarak. The country surprisingly failed to qualify for the 2012 African Cup and also missed out on the continental championship this year in South Africa.
The first leg of the decisive World Cup playoff is scheduled for Oct. 15 in Ghana.
Source : AP


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It's closing in on 100 years since veterinarian A.J. Chandler sold plots of his 18,000-acre ranch to establish the city. That was three months after Arizona became a state on Feb. 14, 1912.
City leaders are organizing to commemorate both centennials next year. But given the poor economy and tight budget, it's going to require scaling back some and seeking private donations, said Jean Reynolds, Chandler's public history coordinator.
"While the city doesn't have a lot of extra money to spend on things that are not high priority … I think that it's still worthwhile to celebrate the centennial because the centennial is a way to promote community pride and to help people create roots in the community," she said.
On Feb. 14, the 99th anniversary of Arizona's statehood, Gov. Jan Brewer urged Arizonans to use the next 12 months to celebrate the centennial. But like Chandler, many communities will do so with fewer resources than leaders originally anticipated.
The state initially allotted $5 million to provide grants for communities' centennial events but later swept the money to help address the budget deficit. Even the Arizona Centennial Commission is relying on private donations, sponsors and volunteers.
Mandi Wimmer, the commission's associate director, said Arizonans are looking for something to celebrate for reasons including the tough economy, recent controversy over immigration and last month's tragedy in Tucson.
"The centennial could not come at a better time," she said.
In Chandler, organizers have developed a centennial logo and tasked a committee with raising private money for a celebration. They're still developing plans, which may include opening a time capsule buried as part of the city's 50th anniversary celebration.
One thing that won't happen due to the budget – at least by next year – is completion of a museum for which voters have approved bonds. But the most important goal is just honoring the centennials, Reynolds said.
"It's something that only comes around once in a lifetime, and it's a point of pride in the city," she said.
The Casa Grande Arts & Humanities Commission's plans for a centennial celebration have been put on hold for now, City Clerk Gloria Leija said.
"Unfortunately, we do not have the funding right now to go ahead with the plans that we had laid out," she said, adding that it's unlikely the city will find the money.
In Flagstaff, there has been no discussion yet about the centennial or funding a celebration, City Clerk Margie Brown said.
"Our budgets are so dismal it makes it hard to tell people you are spending money on other things that aren't typically already in the budget," she said.
However, Brown said she expects the state to offer ways for residents to commemorate the centennial.
Among other plans, the Arizona Centennial Commission, which Brewer established, is putting on a penny drive that encourages students to raise money to polish the copper dome atop the old Arizona State Capitol building in Phoenix. It will include a program to teach children about Arizona's first 100 years, Wimmer said.
Other events in the works include a "Best Fest" in Prescott, Tucson and Phoenix to highlight Arizona's wineries, microbreweries, restaurants, foods and merchandise and promote the "Local First Arizona" effort. Each city will host the festival at a different period during the year, culminating with one in Phoenix timed with the state's centennial.
Many of the commission's plans hinge on the amount of money it's able to raise over the next year, Wimmer said. She's optimistic, though.
"I think this is something people can rally behind, and this is something that is nonpartisan," Wimmer said. "Everyone is excited for Arizona to turn 100, and it's something for people to really look forward to."
Some centennial plans:
Arizona Centennial Museum: Transform the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum into an interactive museum that incorporates the past, present and future of Arizona, with an emphasis on gems and minerals.
U.S. Postal Service Commemorative Stamp: A special postage stamp will honor Arizona's centennial.
Copper Chopper Traveling Exhibit: A custom, copper-clad motorcycle is touring the state to promote the centennial.
Arizona Historymakers: A project comprised of 150 hours of interviews with 58 influential Arizonans, this will lead to a centennial video titled "In Our Own Words."
Centennial Legacy Projects: A series of different projects are commemorating different aspects of Arizona's heritage, including the Arizona Memory Project, an online effort to connect residents with libraries, archives and museums.


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Walking in the footsteps of Agatha Christie: Agatha Christie fans know that the Queen of Crime was born in Torquay in the English Riviera. Through the prolific success of her many novels, she has brought much fame and interest in the area. When you visit Torquay you can walk in the footsteps of … [Read more...]
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