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Verbum et Ecclesia
versão On-line ISSN 2074-7705
versão impressa ISSN 1609-9982
Verbum Eccles. (Online) vol.34 no.2 Pretoria Jan. 2013
An exegetical analysis of the vision of peace in the Book of Isaiah (2:1-5)
Alphonso Groenewald
Department of Old Testament Studies, University of Pretoria, South Africa
The vision in Isaiah 2:1-5 of nations streaming to Zion in the days to come to receive Yahweh's Torah is one of the best-known texts in the entire Book of Isaiah. The chapter begins with the description of Yahweh, the universal Judge, who issues effective decrees and exercises authority over the earth from atop Mount Zion. The standards for the nations' relationships amongst themselves are set by Yahweh. The nations will learn peace and practice peace. The question of Israel's relationship to the nations is addressed in many texts in the Old Testament, but they do not offer a uniform opinion on this matter. The Book of Isaiah goes a step further than other texts: the Torah is also valid for the other nations. In this article the focus will be on Isaiah 2:1-5. The relationship of this text with other parts of the Book of Isaiah will also be addressed.
The vision in Isaiah 2:1-5 of nations streaming to Zion in the days to come to receive Yahweh's Torah is possibly one of the best known texts in the entire Book of Isaiah. This chapter begins with the description of Yahweh, the universal Judge, who issues decrees and exercises authority over the earth from atop Mount Zion. Just as the Decalogue appears twice in the Pentateuch, the text about the pilgrimage of the nations to Zion appears twice in the prophetic canon. This oracle, which occurs in a slightly variant form in Micah 4:1-3,1 is one of the classic texts often cited as providing a biblical vision for world peace. The nations recognise the supremacy of Yahweh and go up to Jerusalem for instruction, because Yahweh's rulings are issued from there. The prophecy that the nations will one day beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning knives, that one nation will not take up its sword against another nation, and that they will cease to learn to war, is often taken as an imperative for how God's people should act (Roberts 2004:3).
The standards for the nations' relationships amongst themselves are thus set by Yahweh. Just as he settles disputes without choosing war, the nations should not turn to war to settle their disputes (Leclerc 2001:49). Political and economic oppression will come to an end, as well as hateful and divisive ideologies. The nations will learn peace and will practice it (Brueggemann 1998:25).
This peaceful situation does not acknowledge the voluntary decision of humble nations as such, but is a testimony to Yahweh's word that can compel nations to bring about peace. His worldwide rule causes all the nations to live in peace and walk in his ways. Yahweh's word and Torah2 are instructive: they teach Israel to do good and all the nations to cease their warfare. The result of 'judging' rightly is a society living in justice and a world at peace (Leclerc 2001:49).
The question of Israel's relationship to the nations is addressed in many texts in the Old Testament, but they do not offer a uniform opinion on this matter. On the one hand we encounter texts which are in favour of a hermetic segregation between Israel and the nations,3 and on the other hand there are texts which are in favour of the inclusion of foreigners4 into the community (Fischer 2010:184). In the Book of Jonah, for example, the salvation of Israel's God is extended to include the nations. The Book of Isaiah even goes a step further: the status of election is not restricted to Israel alone; the cult and the validity of the Torah for the other nations are reflected upon (Fischer 2010:185). In this article the focus will be on one text within the Isaianic corpus, namely 2:1-5, and the perspective this text offers regarding the nations.
Detail analysis
v. 1: The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw (in vision) concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
v. 2: And it will be in the sequel of days that the mountain of the house of Yahweh shall be established at the top of the mountains, it shall be raised high above the hills; and all the nations shall stream to it.
v. 3: And many peoples shall come and shall say:
'Come, and let us go up to Yahweh's mountain, to the house of Jacob's God; and that He may teach us his ways, and that we may walk in his paths'.
Yes, for out of Zion Torah shall go forth, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem.
v. 4: And He shall judge between the nations, and arbitrate for many peoples.
And they will beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning knives.
Nation shall not take up the sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
v. 5: O house of Jacob, come; and let us walk in the light of Yahweh!
Isaiah 2:1
This unit (2:1-5) commences with the superscription which stands apart from the material it introduces and which identifies the subsequent material as 'the word that Isaiah ben Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem'. It uses a common form and basic vocabulary and corresponds to the superscription at the beginning of a collection of prophetic words (cf. 1:1). The superscription in verse 1 clearly demarcates chapter 2 from the preceding chapter. However, there are still theological connections between 2:1-5 and chapter 1, in spite of the fact that the superscription (2:1) and the insertion of 1:29-31 have weakened this link (Berges 1998:72). The motif which links the two parts of this overture together - namely the restoration of Zion and the pilgrimage of the nations - is defined as follows: 'the word of Yahweh/ the Torah of our God' (1:10) and 'the Torah/the word of Yahweh' (2:3) (Beuken 2003:89).
Isaiah 2:1 ascribes the origin of this word to Isaiah ben Amoz rather than a divine source. For redactors of this superscription it is important to claim that this perspective of Zion's future, which is without any nationalistic goals, actually belongs to the prophet Isaiah of 8th-century Jerusalem (Watts 2005:4142). Given the fact that the oracle which follows is also found in the collection ascribed to Micah, Isaiah's contemporary, the suggestion would be that this 'title' stresses the oracle's Isaianic origin (Ackroyd 1963:320).6 The superscription belongs to an editor who was aware of the problem of the double occurrence and affirmed his belief that the oracle was of genuine Isaianic origin.7 However, it says nothing about writing: Isaiah son of Amoz is nowhere pictured as a writing prophet. The words instead claim that the ideas in the book are related to Isaiah of Jerusalem of the 8th century BCE.
This verse cannot serve simply as the introduction to the passage which immediately follows it and therefore constitutes the first subunit of Isaiah 2:1-4:6 (Blenkinsopp 2000:190; Sweeney 1988:135; Sweeney 1996a:97).8 It mentions Judah and Jerusalem, which indicates that it does not relate solely to the Jerusalem-oriented unit in verses 2-5, but to the following material as well. Chapters 2, 3 and 4 are all ultimately concerned with Judah and Jerusalem. This superscription thus leaves aside the undoubted wider application of the chapters to the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim), to Syria, and to other non-Israelite nations (Clements 1980:38). These chapters discuss the purification and restoration of Jerusalem and Judah so that Zion can become Yahweh's capital for ruling the whole world (Sweeney 1988:134).
When it is read as the title of chapters 2-4, it claims Isaiah's inspiration for the theme of Yahweh's reign on Mount Zion and its utmost position (2:2-5), and the theme of the dire results of the Day of Yahweh on Israel (2:6-8), on humankind and over the 'land' (2:9-22). It portrays a vision of Yahweh's dealings with Jerusalem, beginning with a trial and ending with a thorough cleansing of the city (chapters 3-4) (Watts 2005:42).
In 2:2 the time frame is qualified as 'after these days' or 'in the sequel of days', which probably refers to the Judah and Jerusalem of chapters 40 onwards. The vision has thus chosen words appropriate to the period of kingdoms and to the exilic and post-exilic periods.
Isaiah 2:2-5
Scholars generally agree that verses 2-4 belong together, but they disagree on the relationship of verse 5 to this unit (Sweeney 1988:135). Some therefore favour ending the unit with verse 4, and regard verse 5 as an editorial link with the oracle beginning in verse 6.9 Others see verse 5 as an editorial link with verse 6ff., but end the unit with verse 5 (Kaiser 1983:52, 56; Wildberger 1972:77-78). Still others see verses 2-5 as a distinct unit (Clements 1980:39, 42; Lohfink 1994: 40-43). According to Sweeney (1988:135), it seems as if verse 5 was formed with verse 3 as a model which might indicate that it belongs with verse 2-4 as a unit. There is a similar syntactic arrangement of imperative verb, waw-consecutive, and first person plural imperfect verb in verse 3 and verse 5. This verse is an invitation to Jacob to join with Yahweh(Sweeney 1988:138).
These verses express a picture of the future exaltation of Jerusalem and Mount Zion. It is a future promise of a role that they would fulfil in the days to come. It may be held to presuppose Deutero-Isaiah's surprising offer of salvation to the nations (42:1-4; 45:22-25; 49:1-6), linked to the descriptions of the pilgrimage of the nations to Jerusalem which we also find in Isaiah 45:14-21; 60:1-18 and 61:5-7 (Beuken 2003:89; Clements 1980:40). It draws upon traditions concerning the myth of the cosmic mountain which stood at the centre of the world, where divine order and truth originated and were given to the world.
Verse 2
Isaiah 2:2-4 pictures the situation of the mountain of Yahweh's house (i.e. Zion's Temple Mount) in the 'sequel of days'.10 The emphasis may here be on the end of the days as they are currently experienced, characterised by enmity and war, and so especially on the transition to a new era or phase or history (Williamson 2006:180). The prophets indeed speak about a better future time, but not of the eschaton [end time]; it becomes a term for the end of days when that concept develops (Blenkinsopp 2000:190; Fischer 1995:25).11 With regard to the phrase Q'è'ri ΓΡΊΠΝ3 [sequel of the days], De Vries (1995) infers as follows:
Our assessment has been that the poetic material it introduces is secondary in each context and dates from the late exilic or early postexilic period, having been composed for the purpose of providing the following collections of judgment oracles with a counterbalancing announcement of salvation, implicitly for the inhabitants of Jerusalem but explicitly for foreign nations. (p. 119)
'The mountain of the house of Yahweh' refers to Zion and the temple (Watts 2005:46).12 There was a widespread belief in the ancient world which associated mountains with proximity to, or even a representation of, the abode of the gods (Beuken 2003:91; Williamson 2006:181). Older mythology was undoubtedly taken over by Israel in her temple worship, as may be clearly seen in Psalms 46 and 48. The prophet makes creative use of such language in order to assert that the time is coming when the superiority of Zion's God and his truth will be seen and acknowledged universally. And the appearance of God's earthly abode, which now fails to correspond with what was believed to be its true nature, will be changed to reflect that present hidden reality. Zion, as a microcosm of the created world, was already believed to be 'established' - as is clear from for example Psalm 48:9 (Eng. 48:8) - and consequently it could never be moved (Ps 46:6[5]) in the face of any attack.
Isaiah 2:2 introduces a motif that runs through most of the Book of Isaiah (excluding chapters 38-55). The mountain will be established as the most important and respected pilgrimage destination for 'all nations'. 'Established' is a key word. The established order of nature and of political and social forms is being turned upside down (Watts 2005:47). The first move toward restoring order and confidence will be to firmly fix the temple in its place on Zion. Its position is to be at the very top of the mountains and all things that mountains stand for.
Therefore, for the Book of Isaiah it is a terrible sin 'to forget the mount of my holiness' (Is 65:11). Zion will be the cult centre for a huge number of international believers in an era of peace for everyone. Isaiah 25:6-8 places the turning point for human history on the mountain of God:
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. (New Revised Standard Version [NRSV])
The reason why Zion will surpass everything else is that it will become the most important - or even the only - locus of oracles in the world (Lohfink 1994:41). In this instance we need to regard the lower hills as analogous to the temples and oracle loci of other gods throughout the world. Ultimately it is God and the gods who will be in view. The gods of these other oracle loci will become powerless at the envisaged point of history as oracles offering help will no longer go forth from there. The starting point for the word about the pilgrimage of the nations is the impending disappearance of the gods outside Israel. As is known, that is an important theme from Isaiah 40 onwards.
Verse 3
The goal of the journey is the 'mountain of the Lord' (as in v. 2) which is now explicitly defined further as the 'house of the God of Jacob'. This divine title does not occur elsewhere in the prophets (apart from the parallel in Micah), but it is frequent in the Psalms of Zion and others from the same milieu and refers to Yahweh as God of all Israel, based in the Jerusalem temple (Sweeney 1996a:88; Williamson 2006:183). Of the many reasons why one might undertake a pilgrimage to the sanctuary, only one is mentioned here, namely the search for Torah. Before this word, and leading to it, stands the verb ΠΤ [to teach] which has the same root. In the MT this word sketches a consistent picture: God is the one who acts. Just as Israel received God's instruction at Sinai, the nations will be taught and instructed at Mount Zion through the Book of Isaiah (Berges 2001:59).
Once Zion is restored, Torah will go forth from her to the nations. Here for the first time she plays a role regarding the nations. The expression [to go forth] reminds one of the temple vision in Ezekiel 47, where is constantly used to describe the flowing, life-assuring waters from the altar of the temple (Berges 2001:59). Consequently, Isaiah 2:3 could be translated as follows: 'for out of Zion flows forth the Torah' as lifegiving force. Here by the waters of the Torah the just can plant their roots and yield fruits in its season (Ps 1; Jr 17:8). It seems to be no coincidence that the song of thanksgiving in Isaiah 12, at the very end of the first main section of the book, also refers to water in relation to Zion and the nations (Is 12:3, 6).
Furthermore, the expression 'out of Zion flows forth Torah' (Is 2:3) should be seen in connection with the mission of the Ebed [Servant] to bring forth justice to the nations (42:1). Zion and the Ebed fulfil a similar task, not only in their suffering, but also in their mission to the nations. The difference is, however, that the Ebed has to bring justice to the people, whereas Zion will receive the nations who will come to her(Williamson [1994] 2005:152).
The function of the new temple centres on Torah.13 Jerusalem will be known primarily for the temple where Yahweh abides, and this temple is to serve as a gathering place for learning Yahweh's ways and paths (Watts 2005:48). Parallel to the Torah of the pilgrimage of the nations, we find the 'word of Yahweh' that now goes forth from Jerusalem (Lohfink 1994:40).
The word about the pilgrimage of the nations begins with the symbolic picturing of mountains and hills (v. 2). Next to Zion there are only hills, which do not match its height. The world landscape changes as Zion becomes the highest of the mountains.14 If in this context the word Torah is so clearly emphasised, that suggests that the Torah that is directed to the nations from Jerusalem is connected with that peace-establishing Torah possessed by Israel that lives on Zion (Lohfink 1994:42).
Verse 4
With this verse we finally reach the specific goal of the nations' quest, namely that God should 'judge between' and 'arbitrate' for them. Yahweh will decide on the issues that are concerning the peoples (Watts 2005:48; Williamson 2006:185). A significant element of the role of the pre-exilic king was that he should exercise divinely given wisdom in the settling of disputes between his subjects. By extension, cases of international dispute will be decided by the Great King, the God of Israel.
The background of this oracle is in the legal tradition and it takes as an example the process of the High Court of Arbitration as described in the Deuteronomic Law. It offers conspicuous parallels to Deuteronomy 17:8-11; specifically with regard to the word pair 'Torah' or 'word' in Deuteronomy 17:11. The scene described here is in essence the same, but in the prophetic oracle it has moved from the private realm to the dimension of international relationships. Everyday legal practice and custom, as envisioned and legislated by the Deuteronomic code with its central abode for the Deity, is reflected and magnified to produce the prophetic picture of the future of international relationships (Schwartz 1998:19-21). The nations will thus also experience the benefits of the Torah in the way Israel enjoys them. Was it not prophesied by Moses that the nations would envy Israel because of the Torah (Dt 4:5-8)? This, however, can only happen on the precondition that they protect the Torah in their hearts (Beuken 2003:93).
This verse assumes the sovereignty of Yahweh over the nations and the peoples - a point that chapter 41 will develop further. As this text continues, it clearly presses forward to questions of human conflict. The consequences of the nations' implementation of God's decisions are spelt out in terms of a utopian vision of peace. It is presented as the natural consequence of the nations seeking, receiving and acting upon God's instruction and arbitration.15 As one reads further, the surpassing height of Zion seems have something to do with the peace that the nations are unable to find amongst themselves, but which they seek and then obtain from Zion (Lohfink 1994:42).
The functions that Yahweh has performed in his relationship with Israel will now be applied universally. Armaments and wars will be unnecessary as his decisions will settle all disputes between peoples and nations. Wars will therefore cease. When the population of the countryside is called to arms, as evidenced in Joel 4:9-10 (Eng. 3:9-10), they are told to 'beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruning knives into spears' (Williamson 2006:186). In Isaiah's vision, the belligerent peoples will reverse this process, and turn their implements of warfare back into implements of agriculture, as they were originally (Schwartz 1998:17). Nations will no longer lift up a sword against each other, and they will not learn to fight any more.
Verse 5
It has already been remarked that verse 5 was formed with verse 3 as a model (Sweeney 1988:135). The expression 'come, and let us walk' is undoubtedly modelled on the similar 'come, let us go up' in verse 3. This summons makes it clear that the prophet is on the side of his people and his aim is to encourage them to live as worthy examples of the principles which have been introduced in verses 2-4. Verse 5 discloses the purpose of the redactional insertion of these verses in the Book of Isaiah, namely to inspire the community to be obedient to Yahweh's will in the face of the coming judgement, by holding forth a perspective of the future glorification of the city of Yahweh (Kaiser 1983:50).
The address 'house of Jacob', which is here used for the whole of Israel, stresses the religious and moral connections existing between the patriarch and his descendants (cf. e.g. Gn 46:27; Ex 19:3; Ps 114:1).16 The venture of the covenant which Yahweh made with Jacob is still continuing (Beuken 2003:94).
The fact that in future days Zion will stand higher than all other mountains because Torah reigns in Jerusalem, becomes even clearer when one takes a look at this last verse with which this prophetic word closes. The mountain, which with the house of Yahweh towers above the other hills, is dependent on the fate of the Torah in Israel. Only when it begins to give light, then Zion-Torah can go forth from Israel into the world of the nations. Thereby, at least in Isaiah, the conclusion of the word makes it clear that the Torah of 2:3 also has an inner connection with the Torah given to Israel by its God. The house of Jacob17 must begin to become a just society. This demand is made now, and it is made in view of what is promised for the 'days to come' (v. 2). The logic is: they must now become a just society so that what God will bring about in days to come, can thereby begin.18
In this verse (2:5) the 'house of Jacob' is called upon to walk in 'the light of Yahweh'. The only element for which there is no immediate verbal trigger in the surrounding context is the phrase 'in the light of Yahweh'. In use here seems to be the metaphor of the Sun-god, who is also the God of righteousness (Lohfink 1994:42).19 According to Taylor (1993:257) there is more than enough biblical and archaeological evidence that a close relationship existed between Yahweh and the sun: a 'solar' character was often presumed for Yahweh.20 In many instances the sun actually represented Yahweh as a kind of 'icon'. The association between Yahweh and the sun did not only occur in one or even two obscure contexts, but was well integrated into the religion of ancient Israel. Solar Yahwism during the monarchy was a feature of royal religion. The sun was understood to be a tangible expression of Yahweh in ancient Israel (Taylor 1993:259-260).
The expression 'the light of Yahweh' seems to be the editor's way of contemplating or characterising the 'ways', 'paths', 'instruction' and 'word' of verse 3 (Williamson 2006:187). Light is a prominent image for salvation (broadly spoken) in all parts of the Book of Isaiah (Clements 1996:68).21 In the earlier material, 9:1 (Eng. 9:2)22 is a particularly significant example. The use of 'light' occurs, however, most frequently and creatively in Deutero-Isaiah (e.g. 42:16; 45:7; 49:9), whilst the uses in Trito-Isaiah seem to draw on the earlier examples in the book. It is significant that it occurs as a major theme of the redactional joins in 2:5, at 5:3023 and at 9:1 (Eng. 9:2), all of which can simply be associated with the late exilic or early post-exilic redaction of the first part of the book.
These verses have a prominent setting in the book as a whole. This prominence is confirmed by the fact this text is a collage of Zion themes and that its major themes are echoed later on, especially in the second half of the book (Williamson 2006:172). These verses outline a vision of the ideal Zion as the centre of God's peace-promoting rule of the whole earth. The general theme and outlook of the passage find their closest parallels in material from the late exilic and early post-exilic periods, such as Isaiah 40-55; 56:6-8; 60 and 66:18-21. From a diachronic perspective three different motifs position themselves here at the entrance to the Book of Isaiah: Zion's significance fits Proto-Isaiah; the nations' acknowledgement of Yahweh fits Deutero-Isaiah, and the pilgrimage of the nations to Zion fits Trito-Isaiah (Beuken 2003:90).
The most likely date for this text's composition date cannot be easily determined with precision, but the post-exilic period -probably mid to late 5th century (or even later?) - is the most likely (Blenkinsopp 2000:191; Clements 1980:40; Sweeney 1996a:97, 1996b:51). The phrase 'Judah and Jerusalem' which occurs in the new title in 2:1 also indicates a post-exilic origin (Ackroyd 1963:320). Diachronically the motif of 'Zion as the goal of the pilgrimage of the nations' (2:1-5) and Jerusalem as the place from which moral instruction radiates, fits well into the second Temple Period when Israel definitely became an ethnic entity within the Persian Empire (Beuken 2003:90; Blenkinsopp 2000:190).
If the text is read on a synchronic level, the addition of these verses to the Book of Isaiah leads to the thematic coexistence of two themes, namely on the one hand the 'cleansing of Zion' in chapter 1, and on the other hand the 'pilgrimage of the nations' (2:2-4). If this addition is to be dated in the 5th century (or later), the question arises whether this thematic concatenation does not reflect a strong protest against the religious policies of Ezra and Nehemiah who forced all men in mixed marriages to divorce from their foreign wives (Ezr 9-10; Neh 13:23-31). Their policies furthermore closed the ranks of the post-exilic Judean congregation for Yahweh followers from other nations - yes even for their fellow Yahweh followers from Samaria (Berges 1998:71).
The close literary connections between 2:1 and 13:1 could be an indication that the oracle of the pilgrimage of the nations in 2:2-4 should be read against the downfall of Babylon (Berges 1998:75-76). Isaiah 13:1 forms the introduction to the Babylon oracle in Isaiah 13-14. If this text does not refer to the peaceful takeover of Babylon by Cyrus in 538, it could be a reference to Xerxes' actions against Babylon in 482.24 This would make the incorporation of Isaiah 2:1-5 into the Book of Isaiah at a date after 482 a better possibility. The nations will not go to Babylon any more, as it was destroyed by Xerxes. Jeremiah 51:44 testifies to this event and says: 'I will punish Bel in Babylon, and make him disgorge what he has swallowed. The nations shall no longer stream to him; the wall of Babylon has fallen' (NRSV). They will instead go to Zion, to the house of the God of Jacob, in order to learn the Torah of peace, which will replace their instruments of war. This fits very well as a reaction to the battle in which the Persian empire finally defeated the power of the Babylonian empire.
Zion's final goal and purpose do not form part of the nationalistic dreams of either Israel or Judah (Watts 2005:49). The wish to be 'nations like other nations' (1 Sm 8:5) has been the cause of centuries of warfare and bloodshed as no righteousness and justice have come forth from this wish. Different parties in the Jerusalem in the final decades of the 6th and 5th century claimed God's promises for new forms of nationalistic struggles. The purpose of the Book of Isaiah - as is clearly formulated here at its onset - is to deny these claims (cf. 65:1-16) and to present an entirely different vision of Zion's destiny (Watts 2005:49). The city will be redeemed and will be equipped to become God's instrument. In Zion he will receive all the nations and peoples and teach them his ways. Zion's appeal will thus be religious and universal.
What is the role of God's people in this city? The rest of the Book of Isaiah addresses this question. God's people will include only those who are dedicated to Yahweh, 'servants of Yahweh', from the remnants of Israel, Jerusalem and the nations. Justice, righteousness and obedience have been named as non-negotiable qualities which are needed for the city and its inhabitants. Faith and humility will be some of the virtues taught to the servants of Yahweh, the King of Zion and the God of Israel (Watts 2005:50).
This oracle at the beginning of chapter 2 anticipates Yahweh's initiative with his servant in Deutero-Isaiah and hereby adds a new chapter of Jacob's history to the Book of Isaiah (Beuken 2003:94). Although the patriarch Jacob was only the second son of an elected generation (Gn 25:19-26), he used a bit of cunning to get hold of his brother's birthright (Gn 25:29-34; 27:1-40). In Isaiah 2:1-5 Jacob's descendants also hold the second position after the nations in accepting Yahweh's Torah, but subsequently they will become the elected servant and are employed to be 'a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth' (Is 49:6; cf. also 42:6).
It is therefore not surprising at all that the later tradition portrayed Isaiah as a man who was great and trustworthy in his visions. Sirach depicts Isaiah as a man who by his dauntless spirit saw the future and comforted the mourners in Zion. He revealed what was to occur to the end of time and the hidden things before they happened (Sr 48:24-25).
Competing interests
The author declares that he has no financial or personal relationship(s) that may have inappropriately influenced him in writing this article.
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Kaiser, O., 2010, Gott, Mensch und Geschichte. Studien zum Verstandnis des Menschen und seiner Geschichte in der klassischen, biblischen und nachbiblischen Literatur, De Gruyter, Berlin/New York. (BZAW 413). [ Links ]
Keel, O. & Uehlinger, C., 1992, Göttinnen, Götter undGottessymbole. NeueErkenntnisse zur Religionsgeschichte Kanaans und Israels aufgrund bislang unerschlossener ikonographischer Quellen, Herder, Freiburg. (QD 134). [ Links ]
Keel, O. & Uehlinger, C., 1994, 'Jahwe und die Sonnengottheit von Jerusalem', in W. Dietrich & M.A. Klopfenstein (eds.), Ein Gott allein? JHWH-Verehrung und biblischer Monotheismus im Kontext der israelitischen und altorientalischen Religionsgeschichte, pp. 269-306, Universitátsverlag, Fribourg. (OBO 139). [ Links ]
Landy, F., 2003, 'Torah and anti-Torah: Isaiah 2:2-4 and 1:10-26', Biblical Interpretation 11, 317-334. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156851503322566750 [ Links ]
Langer, B., 1989, Gott als 'Licht' in Israel und Mesopotamien. Eine Studie zu Jes 60,1-3.19f., Österreichisches Katholisches Bibelwerk, Klosterneuburg. (ÖBS 7). [ Links ]
Leclerc, T.L., 2001, Yahweh is exalted in justice. Solidarity and conflict in Isaiah, Fortress Press, Minneapolis. [ Links ]
Lohfink, N., 1994, 'Bund und Tora bei der Völkerwallfahrt (Jesajabuch und Psalm 25)', in N. Lohfink & E. Zenger (eds.), Der Gott Israels und die Völker. Untersuchungen zum Jesajabuch und zu den Psalmen, pp. 37-83, Katholisches Bibelwerk, Stuttgart. (SBS 14). [ Links ]
Müller, R., 2011, 'Doubled prophecy: The pilgramage of the nations in Mic 4:1-5 and Isa 2:1-5', in H. von Weissenberg, J. Pakkal & M. Marttila (eds.), Changes in Scripture. Rewriting and interpreting authoritative traditions in the second Temple Period, pp. 177-191, De Gruyter, Berlin/New York. (BZAW 419). [ Links ]
Roberts, J.J.M., 2004, 'The end of war in the Zion tradition: The imperialistic background of an Old Testament vision of world-wide peace', HBT 26, 2-22. [ Links ]
Schwartz, B.J., 1998, 'Torah from Zion. Isaiah's temple vision (Isaiah 2:1-4)', in A. Houtman, M.J.H.M. Poorthuis & J. Schwartz (eds.), Sanctity of time and space in tradition and modernity, pp. 11-26, Brill, Leiden. (JChPS 1). [ Links ]
Schwienhorst-Schönberger, L., 1993, 'Zion - Ort der Tora. Überlegungen zu Mi 4,1-3', in F. Hahn et al. (eds.), Zion - Ort der Begegnung: Festschrift für Laurentius Klein zur Vollendung des 65. Lebensjahres, pp. 107-125, Hanstein, Bodenheim. (BBB 90). [ Links ]
Smith, M.S., 2002, The early history of God. Yahweh and the other deities in Ancient Israel, 2nd edn., Eerdmans, Grand Rapids. [ Links ]
Stáhli, H.-P., 1985, Solare Elemente im Jahweglauben des Alten Testaments, Universitátsverlag, Fribourg. (OBO 66). [ Links ]
Schmid, K., 2011, Jesaja 1-23, Theologischer Verlag, Zürich. (Zürcher Bibelkommentare AT 19.1). [ Links ]
Sweeney, M.A., 1988, Isaiah 1-4 and the post-exilic understanding of the Isaianic tradition, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin. (BZAW 171). [ Links ]
Sweeney, M.A., 1996a, Isaiah 1-39, with an introduction to prophetic literature, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids. (FOTL 16). [ Links ]
Sweeney, M.A., 1996b, 'The book of Isaiah as prophetic Tora', in R.F. Melugin & M.A. Sweeney (eds.), New visions of Isaiah, pp. 50-67, Sheffield Academic Press, Sheffield. (JSOT.S 214). [ Links ]
Taylor, J.G., 1993, Yahweh and the sun. Biblical and archaeological evidence for sun worship in ancient Israel, Sheffield Academic Press, Sheffield. (JSOT.S 111). [ Links ]
Van Wieringen, A.L.H.M., 2006, The reader-oriented unity of the book of Isaiah, Skandalon, Vugt. (ACEBT.S 6). [ Links ]
Watts, J.D.W., 2005, Isaiah 1-33, revised edn., Thomas Nelson, Nashville. (WBC 24). [ Links ]
Wildberger, H., 1972, Jesaja 1-12, Neukirchener Verlag, Neukirchen-Vluyn. (BKAT X/1). [ Links ]
Williamson, H.G.M., [1994] 2005, The book called Isaiah. Deutero-Isaiah's role in composition and redaction, Clarendon Press, Oxford. [ Links ]
Williamson, H.G.M., 2006, Isaiah 1-5, T&T Clark, London/New York. (ICC). [ Links ]
Alphonso Groenewald
Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Received: 15 May 2013
Accepted: 19 June 2013
Published: 18 Sept. 2013
This article is dedicated to Prof. Dr J.H. le Roux, who has shaped the minds of several generations of students being trained theologically at the University of Pretoria. He has consistently reminded students and colleagues of the historical embeddedness of texts during a time in which the focus was mostly on a synchronic understanding of the Hebrew text.
1.Compare also Fischer (2008:155-164); Muller (2011:177-191) and Schwienhorst-Schönberger (1993:107-125).
2.Kaiser (2010:60) infers as follows: 'Blicken wir auf die Juden, so haben sie anders als die griechisch-hellenistische Welt in der biblischen Zeiten keinen Begriff wie den der Barbaren als Bezeichnung aller Fremden entwickelt; denn für sie waren nicht Bildung und zivilisatorische Güter, sondern die Kenntnis und Befolgung der Thora als Ausdruck des angemessenen Verhaltens zu dem einzigen wahren Gott das entscheidende Kriterium für die Beurteilung von Menschen und Völkern.'
3.Cf. the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah, Genesis 27:46-28:9; Numbers 25:6-15 and Deuteronomy 23:4-7.
4.Cf. the Books of Ruth and Jonah; Genesis 24 and Genesis 38.
5.Author's own translation.
6.Diachronically the superscription thus explains the relation to the Micah text. In this regard Beuken (2003:89) infers as follows: 'Weil der Text von 2,2-4 auch in Mi 4,13 begegnet, hat die Redaktion bei 2,1-4 die Randnotiz hinzugefügt, dieses Orakel stamme tatsáchlich von Jesaja.' See also Fischer (1995:24) and Van Wieringen (2006:47). Contrastingly Berges (1998:71) regards the Micah oracle as the original: daP eben diese Redaktoren auch 2,2-4 aus der Micha-Rolle übernahmen Both Müller (2011:177-191) and Schwienhorst-Schönberger (1993:107-125) also argue in favour of a preference for the book of Micah as the primary context of these verses. I only take cognisance of these different perspectives, but will not go into these discussions in more detail here.
7.Cf. Schmid (2011:61): 'Im jetzigen Zusammenhang kennzeichnet die Überschrift in 2,1 besonders das nachfolgende Wort Jes 2,2-5, das auch in Mi 4,1-5 begegnet ... als Jesajaprophetie.'
8.However, there is little agreement between scholars as to how much this heading is meant to introduce. Williamson (2006:163) lists the whole array of opinions on this matter. According to him the occurrence of a similar form of heading in chapter 13:1 is an indication that chapters 2-12 may be the outer limit which can be considered. His synchronic analysis has also confirmed this conclusion.
9.Duhm (1914:17) infers as follows: '5 paPt weder in der Form noch im Inhalt zum folgenden und ist nur vorgesetzt, um zu verhüten, daP kï von v. 6 eine geradezu absurde Fortsetzung von v. 2-4 liefere...'. Sweeney (1996a:97-98) follows Duhm in this regard and concludes as follows: 'The boundaries of this unit are determined by its future orientation, its focus on Zion and the nations, the 3rd-person descriptive language employed throughout the passage, and the absence of any specific indication of its addressee. Although many scholars maintain that 2:5 is part of this unit because of its lexical similarities and its idyllic contents, this view must be rejected. The lack of a syntactical link between verse 4 and 5, the use of an imperative address to the "house of Jacob", and the explanatory kï in verse 6 (which links verse 5 and 6 ff. together) demonstrate that verse 5 introduces a new structural sub-unit within chs.2-4.' Compare also Berges (1998:73); Brueggemann (1998:2325); Landy (2003:317); Leclerc (2001:47); Sweeney (1996a:98); Watts (2005:41-42) and Williamson (2006:166f.).
10.Cf. De Vries (1995:89): this refers to what is ostensibly a distant future'.
11.With regard to this indication of time, Beuken (2003:90) postulates as follows: 'Die Zeitbestimming »in zukünftigen Tagen« verweist nicht auf die eschatologische Vollendung der Geschichte, sondern auf eine noch entferne Zukunft, die aber einem Heute entspringt, was sich in diesem Fall konkret auf die Rückkehr Zions zu Recht und Gerechtigkeit bezieht ... Inhaltlich gesehen stellt sie die jede Erfahrung übersteigende Vision vom Zion als dem geistlichen Zentrum der Welt in den Erwartungshorizont des Lesers und koppelt diese an den moralischen Wiederaufbau der Stadt, den JHWH herbeiführen wird (s. zu 1.18).'
12.The expression 'the mountain of the house of Yahweh' occurs only in Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1 and in 2 Chronicles 33:15. Compare Fischer (1995:26) with regard to the Chronicles text: handelt es sich hier jedenfalls um den von Fremdkulten gereinigten Tempelberg'.
13.Regarding the function of Zion and the temple Beuken (2003:92) postulates as follows: 'Die Völkerwallfahrt soll dazu führen, dass sie ihre durch Gott festgelegte Rolle auch tatsáchlich einnimmt. Von ihr aus soll eine Bewegung zu den Völkern in Gang kommen: Sie ist dazu bestimmt, Ausgangspunkt für JHWHs Tora zu sein.'
14.With regard to election of Zion as the mountain of Yahweh Beuken (2003:91) infers as follows: 'Zions heilsgeschichtliche Erwáhlung als Berg des Hauses JHWHs zieht eine geographische Verwandlung nach sich: Der Berg wird nicht nur hoch, sondern er wird der höchste der Berge sein. Das Thema spielt im Verlauf des Jesajabuches eine Rolle, wo »Berge/Hügel« den Widerstand gegen die göttliche Autoritát symbolisieren, letztlich aber sein befreiendes Wirken an Israel anerkennen.'
15.Beuken (2003:93) formulates this assumption as follows: 'Die Initiative zum Frieden geht als Frucht von JHWHs Tora bei den Völkern von diesen selbst aus.'
16.According to Blenkinsopp (2000:191) it is hardly coincidental that the story of the patriarch Jacob's exile in Mesopotamia and return (Gn 25-35) mirrors the experience of deported and repatriated Judeans beginning in the 6th century BCE. Compare also Kaiser (1983:56).
17.Noteworthy is the fact that this name occurs some twenty times in Isaiah 40-55 to refer to the exiled Israelites (Williamson 2006:188).
18.Berges (1998:73) formulates this summons as follows: 'Mit Jes 2,5 machen die Redaktoren die Verpflichtung deutlich, die für die nachexilische Gemeinde in Jerusalem aus der VerheiPung einer Völkerwallfahrt zum Zion erwáchst: Die Gabe wird als Aufgabe anerkannt und angenommen.'
19.In this regard Keel and Uehlinger (1992:464-465) indicate that the image of the solar god of heaven was characteristic not only of Israel, but also of Judah during the second half of the 8th century. There is a crowned solar disk, flanked by uraei, on a seal that belonged to a minister of King Ahaz. Four-winged uraei were typical in Judah. In his vision, Isaiah saw Yahweh surrounded by six-winged uraei (Isaiah 6). The winged solar disks and the four-winged scarabs appearing on Hezekiah's royal seals may have symbolised Yahweh as sun god and indirectly indicated that the sun god sanctioned the Davidic Kingdom.
20.According to Smith (2002:157-158) solar language for Yahweh apparently developed in two stages. Firstly, it originated as part of the Canaanite religious influence, and more generally Near Eastern heritage of divine language. Secondly, in the first millennium, and perhaps under the influence of the monarchy, the sun became part of the symbolic repertoire of the main god in Israel - just as it did in Assur, Babylon and Ugarit. Compare also Arneth (2000:1-17, 109f.); Janowski (1989); Keel and Uehlinger (1992:318-320); Keel and Uehlinger (1994:269-306); Langer (1989:33-51, 152-155); Stáhli (1985:39f.).
21.With regard to the metaphorical usage of 'light' Beuken (2003:94) infers as follows: '»Licht« (Ί1Κ) ist im Jesajabuch eine Metapher für das durch Gott bewirkte Heil, wáhrend die Abwesenheit von Licht das Gericht umschreibt; dies gilt sowohl für Israel (5,30; 9,1; 30,26; 42,16; 45,7; 58,8.10; 59,9) als auch für die Völker (13,10; 51,4; 60,3). JHWH selbst kann als Licht Israels auftreten (10,17; 60,1.19f.). Kurzum: Der Prophet setzt Gottes Tora mit Gottes Heil gleich.'
22.Isaiah 9:1 (Eng. 9:2) reads as follows: 'The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined' (NRSV).
23.Isaiah 5:30 reads as follows: 'They will roar over in on that day, like the roaring of the sea. And if one look to the land - only darkness and distress; and the light grows dark with clouds' (NRSV).
24.In 482 a revolt broke out against the Persian rule, but Xerxes suppressed this rebellion with force. These events certainly were received with enormous joy in Judah: once again the arch-enemy Babylon, with its imperial gods, was punished by the Persians. This indeed was a sign that finally Yahweh's history with his people would be heading for a new future. It certainly would have invoked new hope that, at last, Yahweh would restore Zion to its formal glory, as well as rebuild the cities of Judah (Groenewald 2003:236).


text:
Exciting news! Adobe is teaming up with partners to organize eSeminars on FrameMaker, CMS, XML, and DITA.
There are two eSeminars coming up in June:
- Integrating Adobe FrameMaker 9 with Documentum to maximize content reuse with Linked2 on June 22
- Sense out of Confusion: Streamline your Authoring by transitioning from unstructured to DITA XML on June 24
Stay tuned with RJ Jacquez's blog for information about the contents of the eSeminars and to register.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Proud to be Huntingdon's leading discount High Street store. We offer a terrific range of quality books, toys, arts & craft, gifts & much more at amazing prices. We are the place where you and your family will find a bazaar of fantastic value treats destined to inspire your imagination!


text:
More than 150 University of Colorado students have been dispatched throughout the country this weekend as they prepare to spend their spring breaks volunteering for projects that include Hurricane Sandy relief work in New Jersey, teaching kids about science and nature at a camp in California's redwoods and serving the homeless in Cincinnati.
CU's "Alternative Breaks" program has been around for a decade, according to Jen Ross, director of the Volunteer Resource Center. Next year, there will be a new, $20,000 scholarship pool -- funded by student government fees -- to help pay for students who want to go on the service trips but have a tough time coming up with the money.
The grants will be need- and merit-based, considering students' commitment to volunteering in the past.
The program -- which includes 10 different trips over spring break -- has become so popular that the center also offers trips in May. This year, students will volunteer in either Nicaragua, spending part of their time with an organization that cares for children who had been living on the streets, or in Chicago working for the Association House, which offers services such as career training and tutoring as well as mental health services.
"I think that students are beginning to understand -- or already do understand -- that by the act of giving back, they are feeding themselves," Ross said. "The access to worldly issues has increased for this generation through social media, and we attract a lot of student leaders who are committed to their world."
Last spring break, CU student Jonathan Hill spent a week in Kansas City, Kan., volunteering with an organization that cared for homeless toddlers, pre-schoolers and kindergartners. Hill said he and the other volunteers helped prepare meals and snacks for the children and played with them on the playground, as well as doing administrative tasks that gave an inside look at how nonprofit organizations run.
Hill said it was the first time he witnessed such extreme poverty and it was an eye-opening experience for him.
This year, as a trumpet player in the CU band, he could have traveled to Austin, Texas, to perform at the Buffs' NCAA tournament game. But he's opting instead to lead a service trip. His team will be doing volunteer labor in Moab, Utah, partnering with Plateau Restoration. The students will work on habitat restoration, weeding out non-invasive plants that threaten the native vegetation.
CU senior Tsion Zergaw will be a trip leader to San Francisco, where students will prepare and help serve meals to the homeless and poor through Glide Memorial Church and a local food bank.
Zergaw traveled to New York City for a similar trip last year, working for God's Love We Deliver, a charity that makes and delivers food to clients who are too sick to cook or shop for themselves. The organization was started in 1985. Back then, it was just one woman who delivered meals to a man who was dying of AIDS.
"Aside from the service aspect, I think there is an enormous educational impact," Zergaw said. "Being a college student, we're far removed from these types of situations. These are experiences we won't get sitting in the classroom."
Last year, Zergaw received a Casey Feldman Memorial Scholarship, which is a donor-funded grant that helps pay for students to go on alternative break trips. The scholarship is funded by Feldman's parents. Feldman in 2009 was living in New Jersey and was struck and killed by a distracted driver while she was walking to her summer waitressing job. Feldman volunteered at a soup kitchen, a women's shelter, an AIDS clinic and an animal shelter.
The Feldman scholarship funds about a half dozen trips a year.
Contact Camera Staff Writer Brittany Anas at 303-473-1132 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Judge rules Mo. teen found handcuffed to basement pole will stay with foster family
- Image 1 of 3
- Image 2 of 3
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City teenager who was found handcuffed to a steel pole in his basement will continue to stay with a foster family and plans to start attending classes again next week, a court officer said Thursday.
At a probable cause hearing in Clay County, juvenile court officer Alan Gremli urged a judge to allow the 17-year-old to stay with foster parents because the living conditions at his home were dangerous. Circuit Judge K. Elizabeth Davis agreed and set a March 7 hearing to revisit the custody issue.
One of the teen's neighbors, Crystal Anderson, contacted the Missouri Children's Division on Monday and said she suspected the boy was being abused. Kansas City police found him in the dark basement curled in a fetal position, shivering on the cold, concrete floor and appearing frail.
Police spokesman Capt. Steve Young said no charges against the teen's father, stepmother or stepbrother were expected Thursday, and it could be days before anything is filed.
Gremli told The Associated Press on Thursday that since being rescued, the boy has enrolled in school and will start attending next week.
"Prior to the hearing, he talked about how he was doing well at his foster home, and that his foster parents had made homemade pizza the night before," Grimli said. "He's doing well and feels good about where he is."
Anderson, 24, said she had seen the boy handcuffed to a door in his home about two weeks ago, and decided to call authorities after hearing a commotion in the residence the night before.
Investigators arrived at the north Kansas City townhome less than an hour after her call and found the teen, his face "sunken in on the sides and his eyes had a look of desperation," according to the police report.
A Kansas City police officer who responded to the home Monday wrote that the teen repeated, "I didn't do anything" several times. The boy was wearing dirty blue jeans, a dirty, long-sleeved shirt and socks. He had only a few thin blankets to keep warm.
He told investigators he had been kept in the basement since his father took him out of school in late September — first with the door locked and later handcuffed to a bed rail. The teen said in November, after the second time he tried to escape for food, he was handcuffed to the steel support pole.
He said he was fed a packet of instant oatmeal around 4 a.m. each day, a pack of noodles during the day and bologna sandwiches at night.
Paul Fregeau, assistant superintendent with the 19,000-student North Kansas City School District, said news of the teen's condition greatly affected some teachers and staff members.
"I continue to run across people who were extremely moved and touched — some to tears — when they found out what kind of conditions this boy was allegedly subjected to in his home," Fregeau said. "We have some staff getting get-well and thinking-of-you cards together, and now they're trying to figure out how to get them to him."
Anderson said she became friends with the teen after she moved into the apartment complex in August. For the first month, she said she usually saw him playing outside from the time she got up until about 10 p.m.
After that, Anderson said did not see him until she went to his home about two weeks ago and saw him handcuffed to a basement door. Several days later, after hearing loud arguing and strange sounds coming from the house, she decided to contact authorities.
"I heard a lot of fighting and thought probably something was going on over there," Anderson said.
Anderson said she also had become friends with the teen's older stepbrother, who gave her assorted reasons about the teen's disappearance.
"At first he told us he had moved," she said. "Then he said he was grounded, pretty much on house arrest."
The stepbrother also said the boy had gotten into the trash and eaten raw meat, and that he had behavioral problems, Anderson said.
She said she has received messages from the teen's biological family, thanking her for making the call and saying the abuse had been going on for years.


text:
15 years ago, my wife and I visited the Western U.S. on our honeymoon — Hawaii, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and where the other honeymooners in our group proceeded to Seattle, we headed North — to Vancouver, Canada where a number of Bruneians I've known since my school days reside. In U.S. the weather went from warm to hot as we reached Nevada but the biggest shock was when we arrived Vancouver — suddenly we needed extra layers of clothing to stay comfortable.
Cappuccino (cap-uh-CHEE-no) Named for the Catholic order of Capuchin friars, whose hooded robes resemble the drink's cap of foam
To cut a long story short, on the day we headed up to Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort it got colder and it didn't take long before I found comfort in a warm of cappuccino at Starbucks. It was here that things got interesting like you would not believe. I walked around the cafe a bit, admiring the large collection of Starbucks items — everything ranging from ceramic mugs to coffee machines to cookbooks. I wanted to bring home an item from the store and what better memorabilia to get than A Starbucks Coffee Cookbook. With a copy in hand, I walked over to the cashier to check the price expecting it wouldn't be too costly and was going to get it anyway. The cashier scanned the bar-code, said there was "no charge" and promptly put it in a bag for me — I was the happiest Starbucks customer that day!
I cannot recall if my very first cup of Starbucks cappuccino was in the States or Canada but it was definitely one or the other. This was 15 years ago and till today, a Starbucks cup still has my name on it whether it's a Short, Tall or Grande — the closest Starbucks outlet is in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. So yeah, it's a true story and I continue to be favor Starbucks over others simply because of my unforgettable encounter.
There are no Starbucks in Brunei but the ways I satisfy my craving for good filtered coffee
through Caffitaly single serve brewing system, Zest at Empire Hotel & Country Club 2
A choice of sizes:
Espresso drinks may be made in a range of sizes, depending on how much you want to drink and on the strength of coffee flavor you prefer:
Short. A basic 8-ounce cup, calling for 1 shot of espresso. Tall. A 12-ounce cup or glass. Using 1 shot of espresso yields a milder coffee flavor than in a short; 2 shots yields a stronger coffee presence, preferred by some people. Grande. A 16-ounce cup or glass, calling for 2 shots of espresso and yielding drinks of the same strength as a short.


text:
When a Voodoo spells awaken a giant serpent, Army
special ops vet and master hunter, Nick Kirabo (DMX) is
the only man who can stop the carnivorous terror.
The Evil Dead, director Sam Raimi's (Darkman, Quick & The Dead, Army Of Darkness) first feature film, is a true cult classic in every sense of the word. Originally released in 1982, The Evil Dead tells the tale of a group of friends who go to a cabin in the woods, where they find an unspeakable evil lurking in the forest. They find the Necronomicon, the Book Of The Dead, and the taped translation of the text. Once the tape is played, the evil is released. One by one, the teens become deadly zombies. With only one remaining (Bruce Campbell), it is up to him to survive the night and battle The Evil Dead.
Welcome to Detroit, home of the automobile, the assembly line, and heavy metal warfare!
Ace Spade, a young metal head, gets his life turned upside down when he receives a guitar possessed by the spirit of rock god Eddie Lee Stryker, who was murdered by the beautiful and deadly crime boss Mrs. Delicious. After discovering that Delicious plans on blowing up the local Battle of the Bands, Stryker endows Ace with heavy metal powers and the ability to turn into a gigantic metal monster so he can shred Delicious and her minions to pieces! Full of action, comedy, gore, and killer music, HEAVY MENTAL is a metal masterpiece that takes no prisoners and goes all the way to 11!
A nightclub singer has nightmares about being involved in adultery and murder, only to wake up and find that they may not be nightmares
At age 16, Jenny has it all- beauty, brains, steady boyfriend and her own apartment. But, scratch beneath the surface to uncover a childhood scarred by parental mistreatment and abandonment. Desperate for love, Jenny becomes involved with a handsome stranger who is obsessed with the occult. Surrounded by witchcraft and black magic, she stumbles down a path of haunted dreams and demonic possession. She seeks help from friends, doctors, psychiatrists and religious leaders, but finds only scepticism and disbelief. On the edge of sanity, can she find a way to salvation? BASED ON A TRUE STORY.
All 67 episodes--remastered, uncut, and loaded with exclusive extras
27 new audio commentaries featuring Arthur Hiller, Patricia Barry, Ernest Dickerson, David Schow, Tim Lucas, Gary Gerani, Jim Wynorski, Richard Anderson, Lucy Chase Williams, Steve Mitchell, Marc Scott Zicree, Alan Brennert, Beverly Washburn, Larry Blamire, Jon Burlingame, Daniel Benton, Ron Borst, and Craig Reardon
Extensive promotional and production still galleries
Rare episode promos and the Thriller series promo
Isolated music and effects tracks for select episodes from composers Jerry Goldsmith and Morton Stevens


text:
3, 2010
of The Attorney General
Paula T. Dow, Attorney General
of Consumer Affairs
- Thomas R. Calcagni, Acting Director
Files Suit Against Horse Rescue Group
For Alleged Misuse of Donations
– The Office of the Attorney General
and Division of Consumer Affairs have filed
suit against an unregistered charitable
organization that solicited donations to
supposedly save horses from being killed
and processed into pet food, but used a
significant amount of funds to pay the personal
expenses of its two trustees.
state's seven-count lawsuit, filed
in State Superior Court in Essex County,
alleges that NJ Horse Angels and its two
trustees, Sharon Catalano-Crumb and Frank
Wikoff, used internet social networking
sites to raise approximately $145,132 from
donors between September, 2009 and September,
2010. An investigation by the Charities
Registration and Investigation Section within
the Division of Consumer Affairs found that
at least $61,422 in donations were misappropriated
by Catalano-Crumb and used by her for trips
to Atlantic City casinos, personal shopping,
meals, pre-paid phone cards and cash withdrawals.
She allegedly bought jewelry for Wikoff,
who is her boyfriend and a convicted felon,
and also sent cash to her son who is serving
a life sentence at Trenton State Prison.
additional $9,000 is presently unaccounted
for, as the investigation continues.
Horse Angels, based in Phillipsburg, N.J.,
and Catalano-Crumb, 54, and Wikoff, 55,
are charged with multiple violations of
the state's Charitable Registration
and Investigation Act. The lawsuit seeks
restitution for donors, closure of NJ Horse
Angels and the barring of Catalano-Crumb
and Wikoff from working for any charitable
organization in New Jersey, in addition
to imposition of civil penalties. They both
reside in Phillipsburg.
allege that these defendants defrauded donors
for their own personal enrichment,"
Attorney General Paula T. Dow said. "It's
unfortunate that animal lovers and other
well-meaning donors fell victim to a con
woman who used horse photos and sob stories
posted online to tug at their hearts and
to open their wallets."
Horse Angels operated under several different
names, including NJ Horse Angels Rescue,
NJ Killpen Horses, Horse Angels of Facebook,
Camelot Auction Horse Angels, and The Forgotten
Angels. The common claim was that horses
fated to be sold and sent to slaughterhouses
for processing into pet food would be saved
and then cared for by NJ Horse Angels through
donations. NJ Horse Angels had more than
4,900 registered friends on one social networking
investigation by the Division of Consumer
Affairs found that Catalano-Crumb commingled
donations in her personal bank account.
The investigation also found that some of
the donations were used to rescue, transport
and care for horses.
case illustrates how con artists can use
sad stories and photos posted on social
networking sites to defraud donors,"
said Thomas R. Calcagni, Acting Director
of the State Division of Consumer Affairs.
"Our Charities Registration Unit is
a resource that consumers can use to steer
clear of individuals who mask their scams
under the pretense of being a charity."
noted that registered charitable organizations
are required to file annual financial disclosures
with the Division of Consumer Affairs.
searchable database that lists the approximately
20,000 charitable organizations registered
by the N.J. Division of Consumer Affairs
can be found online at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/charity/chardir.htm
. A financial synopsis is posted online
for each registered organization. Additional
information and copies of complete financial
filings can be obtained by calling the Charities
Registration Unit at 973-504-6215.
Attorneys General Anna M. Lascurain, Chief
of the Securities Fraud Prosecution Section,
and Elizabeth R. Lash, are representing
the state in this matter. Volunteer attorney
Aris Dutka is assisting. Investigator Patrick
Mullan conducted the investigation.
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T-Rex To Un Kasa & Miles: "R.I.P To Un Kasa. B*tch a$$ Nicca. Juelz Tell Him To Calm Down. Math Hoffa Aint Do Nothin Lyrically"
T-Rex speaks on a couple of things
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Yahoo Inc's board will meet on Sunday to vote on whether to offer $1.1 billion in cash for New York-based blogging service Tumblr, tech blog AllThingsD cited sources close to the situation as saying on Friday.
Such an acquisition would be CEO Marissa Mayer's largest deal since taking the helm of the once-iconic Internet company in July 2012. Yahoo is keen on Tumblr because its younger user base would enhance the older website's "cool factor," the technology blog cited the sources as saying.
Continue Reading Below
The news could be announced as soon as Monday, it said. Yahoo has invited press to an event in Manhattan at which it promised to "share something special," without elaborating.
Mayer, who spent 13 years at Google Inc, is trying to revitalize a former Internet powerhouse that in recent years has struggled with declining business. On its home page, Tumblr says it hosts 108 million blogs, with 50.7 billion posts between them.
Yahoo declined to comment, while Tumblr did not respond to requests for comment.
(Reporting by Edwin Chan; Editing by Eric Walsh)


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Florida Getaways
Private Business Clubs in Florida
Today's clubs cater to both genders and have a range of amenities.
Citrus Club
255 South Orange Ave., Orlando
Billed as an "elite" club for community leaders to gather and enhance business and social connections through educational and culinary experiences, the Citrus Club was founded in 1971. "We just completed a $4-million renovation," says general manager Steve Alden. "It was a combination of updating the technology to make it more advanced and making the facilities more contemporary. We expanded the bar and lounge, so members can choose from that more casual option, or they can choose the more formal dining room."
Location: 18th floor of the BB&T building downtown
Membership: Alden puts the average age of the club's 2,000 members at about 50. Five levels of membership include the "masters," with full social and golf privileges at local country clubs; "social," for those who wish to use the club's dining and social facilities as well as business center; "young executive," for the under-40 set; "athletic," which buys access to group fitness classes, personal training and the spa; and "platinum unlimited," which includes the top benefits plus two free meals for two every month.
Extras: The Citrus Club Spa features a range of services for executives (and their families); the fitness center offers group classes as well as workout equipment; the Hubbard Dining Room and Club Lounge offers fine dining and casual buffet options for lunch and dinner; there's live music and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights.
How to get in: By invitation of a current Citrus Club member.
The Bankers Club
One Biscayne Tower, Miami
The Bankers Club was the first private business club in Miami. "At one time there were six, but now we're the only one left in the city," says general manager Ken Henson. Amenities include an e-lounge with workstations, high-speed internet, video conferencing, audio-visual equipment and concierge services; a dining room; and events room for everything from wedding rehearsal dinners to bar/bat mitzvahs.
Location: In the heart of downtown, on Biscayne Boulevard across from Biscayne Bay
Membership: "We've got probably 60% women and 40% men, (comprising) an enormous number of attorneys, corporate executives and professionals from the financial industry," says Henson of the club's 325 members.
Extras: Networking events, beer-and-cheese pairings and Maine lobster night.
How to get in: Anyone is eligible to apply for membership, which extends beyond The Bankers Club to more than 250 reciprocal clubs from the Surf Club in Miami Beach to the City University Club in London, Club de Ejecutivos in Ecuador and others that are part of an international network.
University Club
of Jacksonville
1301 Riverplace Blvd., Jacksonville
Operating since 1968, the University Club is a hub for professionals who want to network and entertain clients over breakfast, lunch or drinks, or do business in the club's conference rooms and offices.
Location: Top floor of the Riverplace Tower downtown, overlooking the south bank of the St. Johns River
Membership: The club's 1,300 members are a diverse group, according to membership director Sarah Bernstein. "We've got male and female executives, older members who have been with us for many years and young professionals who are newer members."
Extras: Wine tastings, cooking classes, mixers and social get-togethers, brunches and holiday celebrations. The club also hosts birthday celebrations, baby showers, school parties, luncheons and even family reunions.
How to get in: There are several tiers of membership, which is by invitation only from current members or from the board of governors. "We offer basic memberships that you can customize in an a la carte fashion, but all levels include full access to the club, its events and activities, our private meeting rooms, the dining rooms and entrée to the Club Corp Network of more than 220 clubs worldwide," Bernstein says.


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Sales Have Ended
Sales Have Ended
Create stunning motion graphics and visual effects using the industry standard tool for motion graphics and Hollywood style effects for cinema, television and web formats creative compositing software.
The course will take you from the basics through to advanced animation techniques, Text animations, Motion effects, Track mattes, Nesting, Precompose, Expressions, 3D cameras & Lighting and other.
Number of people on Course:
Minumum 1 Course gaurenteed to run with only 1 booking
Maximum 6 Making the learning experience hands on and focussed.
Everyone has an opportunity to ask questions.
Pre-Course Requirements:
You need no previous experience to attend this course.
Working knowledge of a computer.
After Effects Overview
• Creating a new Project • Overview of Layer & Composition windows • Workspace & Panels • Creating a new composition • Importing files
• Animating Keyframes • Keyframe Interpolation • Roving Keyframe • Auto orientation • Adding effects and using the Effects Control Panel • Importing Photoshop/Illustrator files • Using the Graph Editor
Composition & Layer panel
• Layer stacking order • TimeStretch Functions • Trimming layers in and out points • Looping footage • Time Stretch • Effectively using Blending Modes • Effect motion paths • Navigating the Effects & Presets panel • Using Brainstorm • Brainstorm with keyframes • Puppet Pin tool • Creating text • Using Text Presets • Animating text • Working with Range Selectors • Text on a path • Adding custom Text animation
Linking & Parenting
• Linking Layers • Parenting, Nesting • Pre-Compose • Null Objects
• Masking Overview • Rectangular, Ellipse and Star Mask tool • Mask Feathering • Animating a Mask Shape • Track Matte tools • Effects & Keying • Levels, Curves, Exposure • CC toner, Color correction • Background Effects • Create Gradients • Motion Blur
Shape layer
• Stroke and Fill settings • Editing shapes • Adding Shape Effects
Tracking, Stabilizing
• Using the Motion Tracker • Stabilize Footage • Applying tracking to effects • Improving keyed composites
3D Introduction
• 3D Overview • Creating 3D layers • Creating Cameras • Adding Lights • Animating the Cameras
Export Rendering Queue
• Using the Render Queue • Render Settings • Size • Using Output Module options and presets • Export video for HD formats, web video and You-Tube
Dynamic Linking (Some call it Round Tripping)
• Premiere Pro • Final Cut Pro X • Avid
AU$595.00 pp Early Bird
Course fee includes Adobe's Classroom in a Book (Digital Copy) and course materials.
Tea, coffee, Filtered water and biscuits are available throughout the day and lunch at one of our favourites spots around Circular Quay.
For Policies see http://www.labspaceaustralia.com/policies


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I named my parents corgling after Elly from Xenogears.I have no idea why because I'm... not that big on Xenogears.
Quote from: MeshGearFox on January 12, 2014, 09:56:19 AMI named my parents corgling after Elly from Xenogears.I have no idea why because I'm... not that big on Xenogears.She musta looked like an 'Elly'.
She has pretty eyes. I love it when cats have green eyes :DI haven't had a cuddly pet in a long time. I used to have a tiny rabbit that liked to sit on my shoulder, does that count?
My cat Blossom has just plain old yellow eyes, but she does have an adorable nose. She's mostly a grey cat but she has a white spot on her face located in such a spot that her nose is precisely one half pink and one half black.I'd grab a picture, but much like me she's fairly adverse to them.
Replaced the stupid fan on my motherboard's chipset on my desktop. Not talking about the CPU fan here (that's easy to replace), just this rinky-dink little thing on the motherboard. But they sure didn't make it easy to service, you have to unmount the entire motherboard to get it off. And since the motherboard is the thing that everything connects to, unmounting the motherboard means disconnecting (and later reconnecting...) everything...Oh, this is actually the second time I've had to replace this damn fan...


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Studdert Kennedy in considering What Is Man? Offered this insight:
"I'm a man and a man's a mixture right down from his very birth,
For a part of him comes from Heaven and a part of him comes from earth."
We would be prone to add, considering James Holmes and the Aurora, Colo., senseless tragedy, that "a part of him comes from Hell." The Psalmist asked in the 8th chapter, "What is man that Thou (God) art mindful of him?" Would God claim James Holmes or Adolph Hitler (60 million deaths) or Stalin (40 million deaths) or the Unibomber or the murderer of students at Virginia Tech or the murderer at Columbine - would God claim them as God's creation, made in God's image? Or, like the "fallen angels" who rebelled against God, did they ever have a chance to decide if they would be good or bad, serving God or serving the Devil? Mass murderers who delight in killing were not predestined to be so evil. Where did development go wrong, choices take place that make the difference in Heaven or Hell, good or evil?
Analysis has not come forth yet on the faith of James Holmes, or the lack of faith. I want to learn whether a wholesome faith was offered or denied him, whether he found love and support from parents and friends or whether his roll models led him to astray. Paul says "Bad company ruins good morals." Was it his "role models" or a flaw in his character, arrested development of the characteristics that make a good citizen and godly person? We are puzzled over who shaped him like he became, a heartless, diabolical example of all that is evil. Did he simply reject all good influences and put himself in the center of the universe as his own god? One judge trying a similar case said bluntly he did not hesitate to pass on the death sentence to one who was so unfeeling, smirking at the victims' families with a heart so cold he no longer considered him a human being.
Two things we can learn from this horrible tragedy:
First, out of great sorrow and disaster come true heroes and opportunities to improve our culture. Pearl Harbor was devastating, but it brought forth a strong will to right wrongs and led America to become even more of a superpower. A century ago a terrible incident took place on a US ship at sea. Those in authority realized there had been no consistent training for those serving in the seas around the world, so they began Annapolis. What great products have come forth from that institution. I picked up a marvelous book in my doctor's office this week called "Hugo." It showed some of the greatest photography I've ever seen and wisely, the author pictured on the left page the terrible damage done by Hugo and on the right page a picture after recovering and remodeling, and invariably the rebuilt product was much better and more beautiful than before the storm. From this experience, is it possible mental health and education can improve to the point less and less of the Columbine and Arizona and Blacksburg and Aurora horrors will happen.
Secondly, we all need to realize when we are born, we can become either very good or very bad according to opportunities, peers, education. This tragedy "rattles our cages" to realize the need of higher ethics, more consideration for society's and individuals' influences upon each other. Maybe there never will be a Utopia or Shangri La on earth, but there is so much room for us making it a better, safer place. Man - each of us - is capable of so much good, but also capable of so much horror.
"Three monkeys sat in a coconut tree discussing things as they're said to be;
Said one to the others, 'now listen, you two, There's a rumor that can't be true;
That man descended from our noble race, the very idea is a great disgrace.
No monkey every deserted his wife - starved her babies and ruined her life;
And you've never known a mother monk to leave her babies for others to bun,
Or pass them on from one to another 'til they scarcely know who is their mother.
Here's another thing a monk won't do; go out at night and get in a stew,
Or use a gun or club or knife to take some other monkey's life.
Yes, man descended, the onery cuss; but brother, he didn't descend from us!"
- N.B. Thomas


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It sounded too good to be true and, in the end, it was.
In John Bacon's new book "Fourth and Long: The Fight for the Soul of College Football," which recounts the post-sanction time at Penn State, it was written that USC head coach Lane Kiffin called in a favor during the recruitment of Silas Redd. Specifically, the book states, Kiffin had rapper Snoop Dogg/Lion meet Redd at the airport in a limo as part of the recruiting pitch.
The author goes on to state that "[f]rom the private jet to the favor called in with Snoop Dogg, Kiffin pulled out all the stops to score a late-summer roster coup." The only problem? It never happened according to all the parties involved.
"I've never met Snoop Dogg in my life, much less been in his limo," Redd said. "Coach Kiffin picked me up from the airport. The person who wrote that has no credibility whatsoever."
Redd, who led the Trojans in rushing with 901 yards last season, was one of the first Penn State players to take advantage of NCAA sanctions against the Nittany Lions, which stated that any player could leave the program and transfer to another FBS school while retaining immediate eligibility.
Like Redd, both Kiffin and the school openly scoffed at the report as well.
"That would have been tough to have happened because I personally picked up Silas myself in my own car. So, that must have been another Silas," the head coach said following practice.
"Silas Redd has never met Snoop Dogg, much less received a ride from him in any type of vehicle. USC head Coach Lane Kiffin picked up Silas from the airport on his recruiting visit," the school wrote in a statement. It added, "Bacon never contacted Redd or USC to confirm this report before publishing his book."
There was also some news regarding Redd on the football front, and not exactly of the encouraging kind.
The back missed the latter half of spring practice after suffering a left knee injury that required surgery. Limited throughout summer camp, Kiffin said "I'm not sure he will be" available for the season opener against Hawaii next weekend.


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SF Conservatory of Flowers - CHOMP They came from the swampApril 10th, 2014
Perfect for printing with no watermark up to 8x12. If you need something larger, we can usually do a custom print.
Perfect for screen and social, but not great to print. There is a small watermark in the lower right corner (you can crop it out).
For a commercial or editorial license, please email firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Oct. 22, 2011
DANBURY, Conn. – It was a great day for junior goalkeeper Brycen Dowd (Mansfield, Mass.) as he set a program record for most shutouts in a season, following the Beacons( 9-5, 2-4 LEC) 4-0 Little East Conference win over Western Connecticut State University (1-12-2, 0-5-1 LEC), Saturday evening at WestConn Athletic Complex.
With Saturday's victory, Dowd earned his seventh shutout of 2011, which broke the original single season record of six held by Noel Cotterell in 1981 and Bob Ahearn in 1985. In his career, Dowd has eight shutouts which is fifth most all-time at UMass Boston.
Finding the back of the net in the win was four different Beacons, while midfielder Douglas Silviera (Revere, Mass.) tallied two assists. Giving UMass the 1-0 lead in the 38th minute of the match was Kelvin Martinez (East Boston, Mass.) off of a 10-yard pass from Silviera. UMass recorded a combined 19 shots in the first 45 minutes of play.
After the halftime break, the Beacons continued to pour it on totaling 14 more shots in the final half. Finding the back of the net to make it a two-goal game was Reyn Johnson (Mangilao, Guam), off of another pass from Silviera.
Brian Sanz (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) gave UMass even more room on the scoreboard in the 73rd minute off of a pass from Victor Hugo Costa (Malden, Mass.). Stefanos Galouzis (Watertown, Mass.), who leads the Little East Conference in points notched his ninth goal of the year just as time was about to expire to seal the 4-0 victory.
For Dowd, his evening ended with five saves, while Western Connecticut goalkeeper Angelo Tsingerliotis tallied 11 saves in the loss. The Beacons also held a 9-5 advantage in corner kicks, and limited the Colonials to just eight shots.
Men's Soccer returns to action on Wednesday when they host Massachusetts Maritime Academy at 3 p.m.


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Background checks up to voters?
After struggling to sway both state and federal lawmakers, proponents of expanding background checks for gun sales are now exploring whether they will have more success by taking the issue directly to voters.
While advocates generally prefer that new gun laws be passed through the legislative process, especially at the national level, they are also concerned about how much sway the National Rifle Association has with lawmakers.
Story Continued Below
Washington Rep. Jamie Pedersen, a Democrat who had sponsored unsuccessful legislation on background checks at the state level, said a winning ballot initiative would make a statement with broad implications.
"It's more powerful if the voters do it, as opposed to our doing it," Pedersen said. "And it would make it easier for the Legislature to do even more."
On Monday, proponents of universal background checks in Washington will announce their plan to launch a statewide initiative campaign that would require the collection of some 300,000 signatures, according to a person involved in the initiative planning who spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to pre-empt the official announcement.
The Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility has scheduled a fundraiser in Seattle at the end of next month and hopes to have a campaign budget in the millions of dollars.
Ballot measures may be an option elsewhere, too. Hildy Saizow, president of Arizonans for Gun Safety, said an initiative is one of the things the group will be considering as it reconsiders strategies. An organizer in Oregon was focused on the Legislature for now but wouldn't rule out a ballot measure in the future if lawmakers fail to pass a proposed bill there.
While advocates have had recent success on background checks in places like Connecticut and Colorado, they've been thwarted in some other states and in Congress. The U.S. Senate rejected a plan to expand background checks earlier this month, although lawmakers in the chamber are still working to gather additional votes.
Brian Malte, director of mobilization at the national nonprofit lobbying group Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said passage through Congress is the ideal in order to have a national solution and so that states with strong gun laws aren't undermined by nearby states with weaker standards. He noted that initiative campaigns are costly endeavors that can drain important, limited resources.
Still, Malte said, the ballot measures are an option to consider.
"At some point, certainly decisions need to be made about what the right time is to say we take it to the people," Malte said.
Brian Judy, a lobbyist who represents the NRA in Washington state, did not return calls seeking comment about the new initiative. He has previously said the NRA would likely oppose such an effort, arguing that the recently proposed laws on background checks would largely impact law-abiding citizens instead of the intended targets such as criminals and the mentally ill.


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After three decades at the helm, Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Richard Luehrs announced his retirement Tuesday.
His last day will be Jan. 15, according to Board Chairman Tim Brown.
"It has been my distinct privilege to work with these and past community leaders for more than 30 years," Luehrs said in a statement. "It is now time to prepare for the next century of support and influence to our business community."
Luehrs, 65, of Newport Beach, will refocus on business advocacy and the chamber will "narrow its mission to better serve our member businesses in these challenging economic times," Brown wrote in a separate statement.
While Luehrs's tenure was marked by his development of local events such as the Taste of Newport and Christmas Boat Parade, he also dealt with his share of local politics.
In December he opposed a Boat Parade boycott residents called for in protest of dock fee hikes saying it would harm local businesses that rely on visitors drawn to the parade.
Early last year, local activist and former Assembly candidate Bob Rush called for an audit of the chamber, alleging membership funds and political action committee monies were intermingled.
The chamber separated its finances and said it stopped collecting political donations at the start of 2012. Luehrs formerly served on the board of trustees of the PAC, but resigned in January 2012.
"While the political action group has been removed from direct affiliation with the chamber, it remains a separate viable entity that may take on increasing business advocacy roles in the future," Brown wrote.
There have also been calls by some in the business community to better align – or even merge – the chamber with Visit Newport, the city tourism bureau.
Luehrs may have been of the longest-serving chamber of commerce members in Orange County, as a typical chamber president's tenure is closer to five years.
An interim CEO will be selected, a news release said, to take on the responsibility of "bringing consensus among the chamber Board of Directors and its support groups such as the commodores and ambassadors on a sustainable business model ensuring the organization not only addresses the needs of local business, but also continues to add strong community value..."
— Daily Pilot reporter Lauren Williams contributed to this report.
Twitter: @jillcowan


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Klondike Gold Rush NHP
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park lies in one of the world's most spectacular geographic areas, characterized by an almost endless array of islands, mountains, glacier, rivers, lakes and forest. Fortunately, within this unspoiled geographic setting, the United States and Canada have been able to preserve a wealth of historic structures and artifacts. Visitors, particularly those that hike the Chilkoot Trail, are likely to see these last tangible reminders to the gold rush days: telephone wire and poles, boots, bedsprings, horse-shoes, and rusty cookware, to name a few.
In Skagway, the park preserves a dozen gold rush era buildings, forming the heart of the historic district. The park and town are popular summer destinations for road and cruiseship passengers. Visitation is expected to grow as the centennial celebration of the 1898 Gold Rush takes place.
The contrast between the scenic grandeur and the humble remains of the stampeders' possessions and temporary structures is what helps to make a visit to the park an unforgettable experience.


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Lavender Owl Called Luke - Red
- Product Code: Filled With British Lavender
- Reward Points: 0
- Availability: 2
A lovely lavender owl called Luke.
Handmade and hand silk screen printed here in London.
Filled with lavender grown in the heart of London.
Gold ribbon hanging loop and heart zeena label detail.
Hang wise old luke up for all to see, pop him in your wardrobe or knicker drawer or place him under your pillow for a good nights sleep indeed!
Available in 7 colours.


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TourGuideLondon needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 59 designs submitted by 18 freelance designers.
Tour Guide London
Web based business (http://www.tourguidelondon.com) needs logo to reflect a modern and cool approach to tour guiding. Our specialities are architectural and regeneration tours.
All new business is generated via web site. Mainly US, Danish, German and UK clients. Clients include architects, public sector and student groups.
We need a modern logo. Not too frilly.
Logo should contain our name: Tour Guide London or TourGuideLondon or variation of same. Our name says what we do so needs to feature fairly clearly.
We currently use white, black & red. Also open to other colours: grey, warm yellow and warm orange - even a bit of blue maybe.
Design could potentially feature elements from the London skyline in a new and non-traditional way or other 'things' associated with London.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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CND's Scentsations Lotions offer new limited-edition hand and body lotions in Jasmine Haze, Sunset Bloom, and Tropical Twist. They're delicately scented with seasonal fragrances reminiscent of tropical splendor. Priced at $4.95, they come in 8.3-fl.-oz. bottles.
For more information, visit CND.
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FACTORY CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE, CVT with Xtronic, charcoal Cloth. Certified. Odometer is 1692 miles below market average! Priced below KBB Fair Purchase Price! CARFAX One-Owner. J.D. Power 2019 Dealer of Excellence Program recognition is based on achievement of high scores from automotive manufacturer customer research and completion of an in-dealership best practices verification visit. For more information, visit jdpower.com/DOE.
Nissan Certified Pre-Owned Details:
* Transferable Warranty (between private parties)
* Roadside Assistance
* Limited Warranty: 84 Month/100,000 Mile (whichever comes first) from original in-service date
* 167 Point Inspection
* Warranty Deductible: $50
* Vehicle History
* Includes Car Rental and Trip Interruption Reimbursement
Ray Brandt Nissan is a metro New Orleans Nissan dealership in Harvey, LA. Ray Brandt Nissan is part of Ray Brandt Automotive Group, which offers new car dealerships across many foreign and domestic automotive brands, with a large inventory of new and used cars for sale in New Orleans, Louisiana and the surrounding metro area.
Prices do not include additional fees and costs of closing, including the environmental package & wheel locks, government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer documentation fees, any emissions testing fees or other fees. All prices, specifications and availability subject to change without notice. Contact dealer for most current information
**With approved credit. Terms may vary. Monthly payments are only estimates derived from the vehicle price with a 72 month term, 4.9% interest and 20% downpayment.
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504-208-5061Call Now
4000 Lapalco Blvd • Harvey, LA 70058Get Directions
Open Today! Sales: 9am-9pm
Open Today! Service: 7am-6pm
Open Today! Parts: 6:30am-6pm
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text: On Tue, 2005-01-11 at 22:03, Mark Hahn wrote: > anyone working on assembling a large cluster of Mac mini's? > > I hafta believe that some of you bio or montecarlo types are > thinking about it. sure, the box only has a G4, and only 100bT, > but it's small, fairly cheap and gosh-darn cute! > > fairly low power, and the input might be DC (gangable?). > if not a compute cluster, how about a video wall? radeon 9200 is > nothing to sneeze at (faster than my desktops), and one of these > would look pretty cute sitting under a mini-DLP projector. > > I wonder if there are embarassing-enough parallel applications where > even the annoying cat5 could be dispensed with (just opt for the > internal 54 Mbps wireless card). > One thing that I didn't see was a good definition of what type of drive is sitting inside of it. Due to the sizes being 40G and 80G, I suspect that they are 2.5" drives, which would be a slight bummer. Firewire800 would have been nice too. The fact that 14 of them are about the same size as a normal tower case is kinda nice. I offer to the public domain the term "mac mini blade bracket". ;-) Personally, if my wife wouldn't beat me, I would get one as a settop box. -- -Dean


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Caribbean HeatItem #5285
Product Description
Temperatures Rise in the Red-Hot Tropics!
Enter the sultry tropics of the Caribbean where lovers become lost in the erotic splendor of an untamed world. Let your mind wander to a place where soft breezes caress your skin like a gentle lover… where the water is like liquid velvet and the sun envelopes you in a warm and passionate embrace.
Watch as caramel-skinned beauties entice sable-bodied men. Two lovers discover an isolated beach unaware that they are being watched by another lusty couple. Young (18+) sweethearts celebrate their engagement by swimming to a secret alcove to make feverish love. A visiting tourist finds the anonymous affair she's fantasized about… and more!
First, Candida Royalle took you on a voyeuristic journey through the streets and bedrooms of New York City in Urban Heat. Now there's Caribbean Heat where hot new director, Manuela Sabrosa (under the tutorship of Royalle), shows you what lovers in her corner of the world do when the temperature rises. Filmed entirely on location in Central America.
"One of the sexiest adult titles we've ever come across, this feature by award-winning adult director Candida Royalle - famous for her "woman's perspective" on celluloid sexuality -- will surely put you in the mood to make your OWN heat." - Freddy & Eddy
Performers:Nicole, Max, Susan, Paola, Sol, Bruce, Felinia, Yinna, Spider, Adrian, Danny Boy, Rod Phoenix
Feature Runtime: 84 Minutes


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Dear Dr. Don,
Continue Reading Below
I just started a new job, and I'm wondering what I should do with my old 401(k) plan from my previous employer. My new employer also offers a 401(k) plan. Can I still continue to contribute to my old 401(k) plan? What are my contribution limitations?
-- Dan Deduction
Dear Dan, You can't keep contributing to your former employer's 401(k) plan. Those contributions were deferred income and, since the employer isn't paying you anymore, you don't have anything to contribute.
Assuming you don't want to cash out, you have three basic choices with your old 401(k) plan account. You can keep it invested with your former employer, move it into your current employer's 401(k) plan (if that plan allows it), or roll it over into a traditional or Roth individual retirement account. I think the decision should be based on the investment choices that are available to you, the account fees and the expenses. Also, if you're moving the money, try a direct (or trustee-to-trustee) transfer so the funds won't be subject to mandatory withholding.
You could consider rolling the money into a Roth IRA from your former employer's 401(k) plan. You would owe income tax on the conversion, but qualified distributions out of the account would be tax-free. Roth IRA conversions make sense if you can pay the taxes from investments or savings accounts that aren't tax-advantaged, and you expect to be in a higher tax bracket when you retire. Talk with your tax professional if you're not certain if this is the case for you.
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