text:
The questions are from our readers, and the answers are from the staff and editors of The Catholic Answer magazine.
Santa Claus/St. Nicholas
Q. Can you explain to me the connection between St. Nicholas and Santa Claus?
A. The actual date of Jesus' birth is long lost in the mists of ancient history. The fact that shepherds were "in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock" (Lk 2:8) suggests that it was springtime. So why did the Church establish the feast of the Nativity on December 25, in the dead of winter?
The common explanation today was propagated by an 18th-century German Protestant scholar who sought to prove that the Catholic Church was guilty of various "paganizations." He claimed that, since a pagan Roman feast was celebrated on December 25 in ancient times to honor the sun, the Church decided to co-opt it by having Christians observe Christmas festivities instead. Nevertheless, this claim has been challenged by historians who believe that events actually developed the other way around.
This date, they insist, had no religious significance in the Roman pagan festal calendar before the year 274, nor did the cult of the sun play a prominent role in Rome before then. Rather, the pagan feast celebrating the "Birth of the Unconquered Sun," instituted by the Roman Emperor Aurelian on December 25 of that year, had political purposes and served to give a pagan significance to a date already important to Roman Christians. Later, Christians in turn re-appropriated the pagan celebration to refer to the birth of Jesus Christ, the "Sun of Salvation" or the "Sun of Justice."
If this is the case, then we still must ask why the early Christians would have chosen the day December 25. According to this historical scenario, they were attempting to calculate the date of Jesus' birth according to a certain other tradition: the notion, inherited from Jewish religious culture, that a great prophet was destined to die on the same calendar date as that of his birth or conception.
Because of previous calculations involving the ancient Jewish lunar calendar and the date of the Passover, Christians in the West generally came to the conclusion that Jesus had died on March 25, and thus had been conceived on that day as well (which is when we celebrate, of course, the Feast of the Annunciation). Nine months later (December 25) would then have been the reasonable date to set for Jesus' birth.
We might reasonable ask whether it would really matter if either historical scenario were somehow proven conclusively to be true. Even if the Church did arrange its liturgical calendar to "baptize" a pagan holiday (as it seems to have done with All Saints' Day), the legitimacy of the principle has long been established: Whether it's evergreen wreaths or wedding rings, the customs of pagan cultures can be fruitfully adopted by the Church, enriched with Christian meaning, and made her own.
For more information on this topic, see Thomas J. Talley, The Origins of the Liturgical Year (Liturgical Press, 1991; click here).
Pagan Origins of Christmas?
Q. Is it true that the date on which we celebrate Christmas (December 25) has pagan origins?
Outlawed Christmas?
Q. Is it true that the Puritans outlawed Christmas? If so, why would they do such a thing?
A. Yes. When Puritans gained political control in an area, they usually ended up banning the celebration of Christmas there (e.g., in Scotland, in 1562; England, 1644; Massachusetts, 1659). In some locales, the people were actually required to work on the day. They had several motivations for the ban.
First, Christmas, which literally means "Christ's Mass," was seen as a "popish" celebration, an unwelcome reminder of the ancient calendar of holy days observed by the Catholic Church. Though many Protestants, especially those in the Church of England, also celebrated the day enthusiastically, the Puritans sought a more radical break from the past. They viewed Christmas as yet one more Catholic practice that should be discarded from the Reformation tradition.
Second, the strict Sola scriptura ("Scripture alone") orientation of the Puritans led them to reject the holiday. Christ's nativity, though reported in the Bible, is not associated in the biblical text with the date of December 25. (In recent times it's been widely believed that the Church established the feast on that day, not on biblical grounds, but in order to co-opt a pagan festival. However, this notion has been challenged by some historians; see the Q&A for tomorrow.)
In fact, the Puritans didn't seek to celebrate Christmas on any day of the year. After all, Scripture doesn't explicitly command a feast to celebrate the occasion. (Their position raises a good question to pose to friends who believe in a strict Sola scriptura. If all our religious practices must authorized by Scripture, then how can we justify celebrating Christmas?
Finally, the Puritans opposed Christmas celebrations because the day had become for many merrymakers an annual occasion of drunkenness, lewdness, vandalism and brawling. I have to admit that I feel some sympathy for this concern. We certainly don't honor Jesus by turning His birthday into an excuse for flagrant sinning (nor for shopping orgies, for that matter).
Nevertheless, we can be glad that in this particular matter the Puritans did not prevail. The fact that we don't know the actual calendar date of Our Lord's nativity shouldn't keep us from celebrating His birthday. I, for one, am delighted to have such a joyous occasion — with all its festive carols, candies, candles and colored lights — to brighten the darkness of what might otherwise be a dreary time of year. Wassail!
Blue Advent?
Q. I noticed a Catholic Church decorated for Advent with a blue banner, large blue stars hanging on the wall and a blue Advent wreath with 3 blue candles and 1 pink candle. The altar cloth was white, and the priest wore a purple chasuble. I heard the blue symbolizes the night sky.
Other Catholic churches have no blue. Could you elaborate on the new blue?
A. In modern times some parishes have replaced the traditional purple furnishings of Advent with blue ones, with various reasons given for the change. Nevertheless, purple has an important, specific and ancient dual meaning: It is the color both of penance and of royalty.
It's not surprising, then, that the Church instructs us not to tamper with this and similar aspects of our liturgical customs. When we do, we lose the intended significance of the custom, and we distance ourselves needlessly from earlier generations of the faithful who trusted the wisdom of the Church enough to maintain the tradition faithfully.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) provides the Church's authoritative rules for celebrating Mass. Here's what it has to say about the matter:
"346. As to the color of sacred vestments, the traditional usage is to be retained: namely, … Violet or purple is used in Advent and Lent. … Rose [pink] may be used, where it is the practice, on Gaudete Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent) and on Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent)."
Blue, a color traditionally associated with Our Lady, is prescribed as the liturgical color in Spain and some Latin American countries for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is also used for other Marian feasts in some Eastern Catholic churches. But nowhere is blue prescribed in the Roman Rite in the U.S. for Advent or for any other time.
For the full text of the GIRM, click here.
"Christmas" vs. "Nativity"
Q. The origin of the name for Christmas in languages such as Spanish (Navidad) and Italian (Natale) is obvious, since these words mean "nativity," referring of course to the birth of Our Lord. So where do we get the name "Christmas" in English?
A. Our English word "Christmas" comes from the Old English Cristes Mæsse, "Christ's Mass." The earliest recorded use of the term comes from the year 1038.
The Spanish Navidad, Italian Natale and French Noël all ultimately derive from the Latin Dies Natalis, "Natal Day" (or birthday).
Q. Why does the Annunciation not command greater attention?
A. Alban Butler's "Lives of the Saints" states: "Apart from the birth and resurrection of our Lord, and … Pentecost, the primitive calendar … seems only to have paid formal honor to the birthdays of its martyrs." The early Church considered Christmas less important than Easter, Pentecost or Epiphany.
However, once the liturgical date for Christ's birth was established, in the fourth century, a date to celebrate His conception was easy to calculate, and a liturgy for the day followed. March 25 falls during Lent (or, more rarely, during Easter Week), so celebrations of the Annunciation have always been subdued. To avoid this, Butler writes, some places celebrated the Annunciation during Advent.
In the present Roman calendar, liturgical celebrations of the Annunciation parallel those of Christmas. Both are solemnities, and the Mass of the Annunciation, despite its falling in Lent, is honored with the Gloria. On both days the faithful genuflect during the Creed at the words, "and became man."
March 25 enjoys an interesting history. Early Christians (among them St. Augustine) believed it to be the date of Jesus' conception and His crucifixion. Until 1752, when English-speaking countries (including North America) embraced the Gregorian calendar, the day – called Lady Day – marked the beginning of the civil year.
The Date of Christ's Birth
Q. Was Jesus actually born on Dec. 25? A non-Catholic friend of mine told me that it is not his real birth date, and that the Catholic Church chose this date to replace the pagan festival with a Christian holy day. Could you please clarify this?
A. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, "The Sunday celebration of the Lord's Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church's life" (No. 2177), and adds, "Also to be observed are the day of the Nativity of Our Lord."
The date of Christmas has a complicated and interesting history. The date of the Savior's birth is not mentioned in the Bible, but scholars feel Jesus was probably not born on Dec. 25, as the shepherds mentioned in the Gospel would suffer "living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock" (Lk 2:8). The likeliest reason, perhaps, for choosing Dec. 25 is the Church's wish to "Christianize" an existing, several-day long pagan holiday that ended with a tribute to the "Invincible Sun," a title similar to many given to Jesus.
Consulting an almanac will reveal the sun sets later beginning Dec. 13; it begins to rise earlier on Jan. 6 (in the Northern Hemisphere). The Church celebrates the feast of St. Lucy (whose name means 'light" on the former date; the latter, of course, is Epiphany, the "12th Day of Christmas." Dec. 25, the birthday of the "Light of the World," falls between these two additional feasts of light.
Why Christmas Trees?
Q. Why do we have Christmas trees? How did the custom originate, since it's not in the Bible and I've never heard about the custom in the ancient Church?
A. Though Christians in our culture tend to take Christmas trees for granted, a child may sometimes ask the obvious question: What does a tree have to do with Jesus' birthday?
We don't really know for sure how this holiday tradition began. What we do know is that about 500 years ago, Christmas trees began showing up in homes throughout Germany. Small fir trees were decorated with apples, wafers, nuts, dates, pretzels, paper flowers, and sugar ornaments, which children collected as gifts on Christmas Day. Over a period of several centuries, the Christbaum, or "Christ tree," spread to other nations, including the United States.
However the first Christmas tree came to be, today it has become a beautiful symbol of the Nativity. Like the evergreen branches, God's love never withers. The lights remind us that Christ is the light of the world. Bells, a sign of joy, make us think of church bells calling us to worship Him.
An angel atop the tree points to the angels that announced His birth. A star on the highest branch represents the Star of Bethlehem, which guided the Wise Men. Gold-colored ornaments remind us of the gold they brought to Jesus. Candy canes look like a shepherd's crook; they recall that shepherds visited the stable, and that Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
Why, then, do we have Christmas trees today? Because they help us remember who Jesus is and why He was born.
Nativity scene blessings
Q. With all the controversy over Nativity scenes, surely they should have greater prominence in the Catholic home. Is there any service for the blessing of a Nativity scene in the home -- especially one that could be used by the whole family? Why are there animals in the manger scene, when they are not mentioned in the Gospels?
A. The Church provides a formal rite for the blessing of a Nativity scene in the home. The official Book of Blessings provides two forms of the dedication of the Nativity scene. No. 1545 of this volume states: "When the manger is set up in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another family member." There is also a form of this rite in the Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers. [Ed. note: Here's one from The Catholic Family Prayer Book]
The official rites for the blessing of the Nativity scene might be passed out through the parish's religious education program or in Catholic schools before Christmas. The children could be put in charge of organizing the event in every home and in encouraging the parents to say the central act of blessing. The various intercessions provided could be said by the various members of the household.
Among the reasons that animals appear in the Nativity scene traditionally are that the words of the Old Testament prophets Isaiah and Habakkuk are taken to mean that the Messiah would be born in the midst of animals in a manger.
Lighting Advent Candles
Q. My recollection of past years is that the Advent candle was lit during the Mass. At our church the Advent candle was already lit when the Mass celebrant walked up the aisle to the altar. Which is correct?
A. There are no rubics regarding the Advent wreath at Mass. You can have one in your church or not, and the candles can be lit at any time. It should not be placed on the altar, and the choice of color for candles is traditionally three purple and one pink, or four red candles
Origins of "Silent Night"?
Q. What are the origins of the popular Christmas carol "Silent Night"?
A. The six-verse lyrics of "Silent Night" were composed in 1816 by Father Josef Mohr (1792-1848), the pastor of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Obendorf, Austria.
We don't known for certain why he wrote the song. But we do know that on Christmas Eve in 1818, he presented the poem to the parish organist, Franz Xavier Gruber, asking Gruber to compose an accompanying melody for two solo voices with choir and guitar accompaniment.
The song was first performed during Mass on that Christmas Eve. Gruber and the parish choir sang, while Father Mohr accompanied them on guitar. The tune became popular immediately.
Toward the end of his life several decades later, Father Mohr reportedly said that composing this Christmas carol was one of the "most treasured moments" of his life. Today the "Silent Night Chapel" marks the place where the beloved song was composed, and a memorial of the two men who composed the song is held there each year. Here's more about the history of Christmas carols
The Truth About Santa Claus?
Q. I've had a number of disagreements with my friends, Catholic and non-Catholic, about what we should tell our children about Santa Claus. What do you think?
A. This particular debate never seems to end. Is Santa Claus a bit of harmless fun, or a lie that turns kids' attention away from Jesus? What should we tell our youngsters about St. Nick?
Why not tell them the truth? I don't mean a somber lecture about how reindeer can't really fly. I mean the story of the real, historical St. Nicholas—a man whose life pointed beautifully to Jesus.
Born in Asia Minor more than sixteen centuries ago, Nicholas was a bishop who gave his life to serve others. He worked miracles and brought many people to faith in Christ. He also shared his wealth with the poor and took special care of children.
We don't know much more for sure than that, though legends abound. But this much is certain: St. Nicholas shone so brightly with the love of Jesus that the Church has never been able to forget him.
Over the years, some Christians honored him by dressing up like him and giving children gifts. As his fame spread across many countries, his costume and his name took many forms. The Dutch called him "Santa Claus" and introduced him to America. In our country, the red suit, sleigh and reindeer were added to his portrait.
Whatever we may think of these more recent notions of St. Nicholas, they shouldn't keep us from telling our children the truth about a great servant of God. If we share with them the story of the real St. Nicholas, we won't be turning their attention away from Jesus. Instead, we'll be showing them how the Child of the manger can shine even now through a heart that's devoted to Him. Read the story of St. Nicholas's birth
What About St. Nick?
Q. What should I tell my children about Santa Claus? We have arguments in my extended family every year about the matter.
A. It's a perennial debate among Christians: Is Santa Claus a bit of harmless fun? Or is the tale actually a lie that turns kids' attention away from Jesus? What should we tell our youngsters about St. Nick?
Why not just tell them the truth? That's what we did with our children. I don't mean a somber lecture about how reindeer can't really fly. I mean the story of the real, historical St. Nicholas — a man whose life pointed beautifully to Jesus. You might tell them something like this:
Born in Asia Minor more than sixteen centuries ago, Nicholas was a bishop who gave his life to serve others. He worked miracles and brought many people to faith in Christ. He also shared his wealth with the poor and took special care of children.
We don't know much more for sure than that, though legends abound. But this much is certain: St. Nicholas shone so brightly with the love of Jesus that Christians came to honor him all over the world.
Over the years, some honored him by dressing up like him and giving children gifts. As his fame spread across many countries, his costume and his name took many forms. The Dutch called him "Santa Claus" and introduced him to America. In our country, the red suit, sleigh and reindeer were added to his portrait.
Whatever we may think of these more recent notions of St. Nicholas, they shouldn't keep us from telling our children the truth about a great servant of God. If we share with them the story of the real St. Nicholas, we won't be turning their attention away from Jesus. Instead, we'll be showing them how the Child of the manger can shine even now through a heart that's devoted to Him.
Immaculate Conception Obligation?
Q. I'm confused. The feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), which is of course a holy day of obligation, sometimes falls on a Saturday. So are the feast and its obligation transferred to Sunday when this happens?
A. The feast of the Immaculate Conception is the patronal feast of the United States. So in this country it's always a holy day of obligation, even when it falls on Monday or Saturday. However, when Dec. 8 falls on a Sunday (as it did in 2002), the feast cannot replace the greater feast of the Second Sunday in Advent. In this case, the feast itself is transferred to the next day (Monday), but the obligation is not transferred.
Immaculate Conception vs. Virgin Birth
Q. The Immaculate Conception. Isn't this often confused with the Virgin Birth?
A. Each year at Mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, my pastor asks those assembled for a show of hands: How many, he says, think that the term "Immaculate Conception" refers to Jesus' miraculous origins?
Admittedly, the congregation always includes a number of visitors who may not be Catholic; our Cathedral is magnificent and attracts many thousands of tourists each year. In any case, a number of hands typically go up. Then my pastor gently explains, once again, the difference between "Immaculate Conception" and "Virgin Birth."
The "Immaculate Conception" refers not to Our Lord, but to Our Lady. In the Apostolic Constitution Ineffabilis Deus of Dec. 8, 1854, Pope Piux IX pronounced and defined that the Blessed Virgin Mary "in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin."
After our first parents sinned and fell from their original state of perfect righteousness, they passed on to their descendants the resulting loss (or defect) of righteousness. This common corruption of our human nature is called "original sin."
By a special act of divine grace, Our Lady was conceived, through the union of her natural father and mother, without this defect of righteousness, which has afflicted all other humans except for her divine Son.
The Virgin Birth, on the other hand, refers to Our Lord's being brought into the world by a woman, Our Lady, who had never known a man sexually. He was conceived, not only without original sin, but also without a human father.
St. Joseph
Q. I have a great admiration for the role of St. Joseph in the life of Jesus and Mary. There is so little we know about him. Do we know where he is buried? If not, have archaeologists tried to discover where he may have been buried?
Did Mary have any sisters? I thought I had read that her mother had a daughter years before Mary was born.
A. I certainly share your admiration for St. Joseph, whom I took as my personal patron at Confirmation when I entered the Catholic Church. I knew I could depend on his assistance and his example as a husband and father, and he's been faithful to help me in so many ways.
I'm sad to say that we know very little about St. Joseph's earthly life. The Gospel of St. Matthew tells us about his genealogy and his familiar role in the events that surrounded Jesus' conception and birth, plus the family's flight into Egypt (Matthew chapters 1 and 2). The Gospel of St. Luke provides more details about these events (with Joseph's role largely implied), adding the account of Jesus' circumcision and presentation in the temple and the story from twelve years later telling how Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple talking with the elders (Luke chapters 1 and 2).
Other than these facts from Scripture, we really have no reliable sources of information about Joseph's life. Not surprisingly, several books appeared in ancient times that claimed to fill in the gaps of our knowledge about him; among these are the so-called "Infancy Gospel of James," the "Pseudo-Matthew," the "Gospel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary," the "Story of Joseph the Carpenter" and the "Life of the Virgin and Death of Joseph." These texts make for entertaining reading, but it's impossible at this point to know whether they contain any actual historical data about Our Lady's husband.
According to the "Story of Joseph the Carpenter," the saint died at the age of 111, on July 20, in the year A.D. 18 or 19 (when Jesus would have been a young man). On the other hand, St. Epiphanius reported that Joseph was 90 when he died, and the Venerable Bede, writing much later, claims that the saint was buried in "the Valley of Josaphat," a place whose location is debated. (It could be a name for a valley just outside the walls of Jerusalem where many Jews have been buried since ancient times.)
In spite of these claims, we really don't know when or where Joseph died. He almost certainly passed away before the time of Jesus' public ministry, since Scripture doesn't speak of his continuing role in Jesus' life during that time. It seems likely that he died and was buried at Nazareth. In the meantime, no archaeologists have attempted to find his tomb, given the absence of data about its possible location.
As for whether Mary had a sister: The so-called "Infancy Gospel of James," a second-century document noted above, says that because Mary's mother was barren, it took a divine miracle for Mary to be conceived, and it tells of no siblings born after her. But again, we don't know whether anything in this or the other books actually took place. (For the full document, read here.)
Did the Roman Census Take Place?
Q. I have heard it said recently that the account in Luke's Gospel about Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem for the census (see 2:1-5) didn't happen. The speaker said that it didn't make sense for the Romans to conduct the census that way. He said this as an assertion, but provided no historical source to back it up. Are you aware of a credible historical source other than Luke that says how the Romans conducted the census, and in particular the census in question?
A. The speaker you refer to is obviously unaware of Roman policy in this matter. We know from various sources that the Roman government ordinarily followed local customs in carrying out its decrees. A census in Palestine would have followed the Jewish practice of summoning each householder to his birthplace to be enrolled in the census.
Joseph had to travel about a hundred miles to Bethlehem, the place of origin of the family of David. The birth of Mary's son was imminent. He could not leave her behind; not only because of his love for her, but also because as foster father of the Incarnate Son of God it was fitting that he be present at the birth of Christ.
Luke 2:2 tells us that the census was taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Though Quirinius was later governor of Syria, Saturninus was governor of Syria at the time of Jesus' birth. Perhaps at the time of the census Quirinius was in charge of carrying it out, under the authority of Saturninus. Tertullian (c. 160-c. 225) wrote that at the time of Christ' birth a census was in progress when Saturninus was governor of Syria. Both Tertullian and Justin Martyr (c. 100-c. 165) state that in their time the records of this census still existed in the Roman archives.
The record outside the New Testament is clear. There was a census at the time of Jesus' birth. It required Joseph and Mary to go to the place of origin of Joseph's family. The only question is whether Quirinius was acting as governor for Saturninus in conducting the census. He certainly could have been. St. Luke says he was.
Jesus' Genealogy?
Q. When the Gospel of Matthew speaks about the genealogy of Jesus, it says that He is the son of David and son of Abraham, understood to be their descendant. But Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and is the Son of God the Father, so Jesus does not have a biological father. Is that correct? Is the genealogy of the Blessed Mother ever considered in the genealogy of Jesus?
A. It is correct to say that Jesus is the Son of God the Father and does not have a biological father. But look at the pattern in Matthew's genealogy (see 1:1-17): so-and-so the father of so-and-so the father of so-and-so, and so on. When the genealogy comes to the name of Joseph, however, it breaks the pattern.
Matthew 1:16 speaks of Joseph not as the father of Jesus but as "the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah." In the Jewish tradition, as the adopted son of Joseph, Jesus would receive all rights of inheritance and would be regarded as standing in succession eventually from Abraham.
Now go back to Abraham. In Genesis 12:3, God tells Abraham that through him "all the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you." That promise comes to sharper focus in Genesis 17:6, when God tells Abraham that "kings shall stem from you."
To David, descendant of Abraham, God promises, "Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever" (2 Sm 7:16). Matthew's genealogy shows that through His adoptive father Jesus shares in this line of descent, and this is His basic Messianic credential.
With regard to Our Lady's genealogy: As a Jew, the Blessed Mother was herself a descendant of Abraham, making her Son, Jesus, a descendant of Abraham as well. In addition, St. Paul says that Jesus Christ "was descended from David according to the flesh" (Rom 1:3). Since Our Lord's flesh came from Mary, this seems to be saying that she too was descended from David, and Marian tradition has often spoken of her that way — for example, the Marian title "Tower of David." We also know from Numbers 36:3-4 that to safeguard a tribe's inheritance, a daughter of Israel was supposed to marry only within her own tribe.
Some biblical commentators read Luke 1:26-27 in this light: "In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God . . . to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David." These commentators insist that the last clause — "of the house of David" — does not refer to Joseph, but rather to Mary, who is the main character in the narrative.
To render this meaning, we could punctuate the passage this way: "In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God … to a virgin (betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph) of the house of David." Unfortunately, there is no punctuation in the original Greek to help clarify the meaning.
Though the genealogy found at the beginning of Matthew is identified as that of St. Joseph, the 15th-century Dominican historian Annius of Viterbo suggested that St. Luke's genealogy gives the pedigree of Mary. (St. Augustine had alluded to this opinion a thousand years before.)
Luke 3:23 can be interpreted to imply that Heli was the father of Mary: "Jesus . . . being the son (as was supposed of Joseph) of Heli"; or "Jesus . . . being the son of Joseph, as was supposed, the son of Heli"; or even "Jesus . . . being as was supposed the son of Joseph, who was [the son-in-law] of Heli."
According to these explanations, though Mary's name is not explicitly mentioned, it is implied, since Jesus would have been the son of Heli through Mary. (Again, the Greek has no punctuation to help us out here.)
Many scholars reject this interpretation of the text. But interestingly enough, we might note that the name "Joachim" could be a variation of "Heli," or "Eliachim," substituting one Divine name ("Yahweh") for the other ("Eli, Elohim"). And, of course, the ancient tradition — first recorded in a second-century text called the Protoevangelium — is that Mary's father was named "Joachim." It's an intriguing possibility.
Boxing Day
Q. What exactly is Boxing Day, and how did it get its name?
A. Boxing Day coincides with the feast of St. Stephen (though it may be moved to the following week when December 26 falls on a Saturday or Sunday). Boxing Day has its origins in England and is a public holiday in several English-speaking countries (the U.K., Canada, New Zealand, Australia and others), but it is unknown to most people in the United States.
Apparently, the day was originally associated with the giving of gifts to those who were in some way "below" the giver in social class. (Presumably, gifts to social "equals" were given on Christmas Day itself.) But the precise reason why this practice came to be called "boxing" is debated.
Some historians say that, since servants of wealthy families had to work on Christmas, they were given the day after Christmas as a holiday. As they prepared to leave work, their employers gave them boxes of food or other gifts.
A different theory is that the "poor box" kept in churches, in which parishioners placed coins as alms for the poor, were opened this day and distributed to the needy.
Still others say the name refers to the "Christmas box" — a clay box kept in artisan shops, in which apprentices, masters, customers and visitors would place donations of coins (much as we might put coins in a piggy bank). On the day after Christmas, the box was shattered and the donations were shared among the workers of the shop as a kind of holiday bonus.
Today, Boxing Day is known primarily as a shopping holiday in Canada, when drastically reduced sale prices make it the largest sales day of the year. In this regard, it could be compared to the so-called "Black Friday" in the U.S. on the day after Thanksgiving.
Magi = Legend?
Q. The media reported that Dr. Rowan Williams, the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury (England), declared in a radio interview that St. Matthew's account of the Magi visiting Christ is only a "legend." He went on to "debunk" other aspects of the scene commonly depicted in Nativity scenes. What is he talking about?
A. I read those reports. If he was quoted accurately, then I'm dismayed that such a prominent leader of a Christian denomination could cause scandal in this way. There are certainly biblical scholars who insist that the Magi story is only a legend; in fact, if you look hard enough, you can find a biblical scholar to attempt a "debunking" of nearly every imaginable detail of Scripture.
Nevertheless, the Catholic Church teaches that we can rely on the historicity of the Gospel accounts. Here's what the Second Vatican Council said about the matter in Dei Verbum (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation), sec. 19 (emphasis added):
"Holy Mother Church has firmly and with absolute constancy held, and continues to hold, that the four Gospels … whose historical character the Church unhesitatingly asserts, faithfully hand on what Jesus Christ, while living among men, really did and taught for their eternal salvation until the day He was taken up into heaven (see Acts 1:1). … The sacred authors wrote the four Gospels, selecting some things from the many which had been handed on by word of mouth or in writing, reducing some of them to a synthesis, explaining some things in view of the situation of their churches and preserving the form of proclamation but always in such fashion that they told us the honest truth about Jesus. For their intention in writing was that either from their own memory and recollections, or from the witness of those who "themselves from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word" we might know "the truth" concerning those matters about which we have been instructed (see Luke 1:2-4)."
Keep in mind, of course, that several of the details in the popular description and depiction of the Nativity have no basis in Scripture or ancient Tradition. Rowan accurately identified some of those details: the number of Magi; their identification as "kings"; the snow; the presence nearby of particular animals when Christ was born. As for the date of December 25, see the question I posted for Christmas Day.
Twelve Days of Christmas?
Developed from an English hymn in 1645 called "In Those Twelve Days." Each number is a symbol for a truth of the Faith and was often used as a teaching tool.
One partridge in a pear tree = The one true God
Two turtle doves = The two Testaments, Old and New
Three French hens = The three Persons of the Trinity
Four colley (or calling) birds = The Four Evangelists
Five golden rings = The five books of the Pentateuch (in the Bible)
Six geese a-laying = The six jars of water at Cana (Jesus' first miracle)
Seven swans a-swimming = The Seven Sacraments
Eight maids a-milking = The Eight Beatitudes
Nine drummers drumming = The nine choirs of angels
Ten pipers piping = The Ten Commandments
Eleven ladies dancing = The eleven faithful apostles (or the eleven stars seen in the Old Testament)
Twelve lords a-leaping = The Twelve Tribes of Israel (or the Twelve Apostles)
"Twelfth Night"?
Q. What exactly is the holiday known as "Twelfth Night"?
A. In most of the Western Church, the "Twelve Days of Christmas" are the 12 days beginning with Christmas Day itself and concluding with the vigil of Epiphany on the traditional calendar. (The traditional observance of Epiphany was on January 6, so today, January 5, would be the last of the 12 days). Epiphany, of course, honors the visit of the Wise Men (also called "Magi" or "Kings") to worship the baby Jesus (see Mt 2:1–12).
We should note that in some traditions, the "Twelve Days of Christmas" begin instead on the evening of December 25 with the following day, December 26, considered the "First Day" of Christmas. In these traditions, the 12 days thus include Epiphany itself (January 6).
The merrymaking celebration called "Twelfth Night" (that is, the twelfth night of the Twelve Days of Christmas) traditionally took place throughout parts of Western Europe on the evening of January 5, the vigil of Epiphany. It was observed by feasting, plays, and all kinds of tomfoolery. Some of its distinctive customs apparently had their roots in celebrations that pre-dated the coming of the Christian faith to that area of the world.
The customary fare for Twelfth Night feasting in England featured "wassail," an ale-based drink mixed with honey and spices. It was served in large bowls passed among family members and friends with the greeting "Wassail!" which comes from the old English phrase "Waes hael," meaning "Be well!"
Also important for Twelfth Night celebrations was the "Kings' Cake," in honor of the visit of the "Kings" who came to worship Our Lord. A bean, coin or little figure of the Christ Child was baked into the cake, and then slices of the cake were distributed. Whoever found the object in his or her piece was chosen to rule as "king" or "queen" over the festivities.
Since the Mardi Gras season traditionally begins with Epiphany, this cake became part of those celebrations in French homes, including those in the Gulf Coast region of the U.S.
A final note: William Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, Or What You Will (written c. 1601) was written to be performed on this holiday.
Christmas season
Q. I love Christmas and wondered when the Christmas season in the Church officially ends. Is it with Epiphany?
A. The Church recognizes a hierarchy in its liturgical celebrations. The Catechism of the Catholic Chruch teaches that the Easter Triduum "fills the whole liturgical year with its brilliance" (No. 1168). The General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar reminds us, "Next to the yearly celebration of the Paschal Mystery [that is, Easter], the Church holds most sacred the memorial of Christ's birth and early manifestations. This is the purpose of the Christmas season."
Among the "early manifestations" of Jesus, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany, which recalls the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem, and the Baptism of the Lord, when God's voice identifies Jesus as His beloved son.
In the United States, Epiphany is not a holy day of obligation, so the solemnity is celebrated on the Sunday between Jan. 2 and Jan. 8, which usually displaces Epiphany as the (literal) twelfth day of Christmas. However, the Baptism of the Lord (not Epiphany) brings the days of Christmas to their close. Because this feast is celebrated on the Sunday after Epiphany, the Christmas season actually includes seven more days than if it ended with Epiphany — good news, indeed, to those who wish to prolong this joyous season.
An old hymn celebrates the connection between the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord, proclaiming: "The wise men travel from afar, / they follow well that guiding star; / by light, unfading light they seek, / by gift proclaiming God the meek.…Unto the pure and cleansing stream / then came the heavenly Lamb supreme. / No sin did he bring there that day, / but cleaning us, took ours away."
Copyright © 1996-2019 Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.


text:
SEATTLE, March 21, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zillow, Inc. (Nasdaq:Z), the leading real estate information marketplace, today announced that Zillow® Chief Executive Officer Chad Cohen will participate in the Telsey Advisory Group (TAG) 2014 Consumer Conference on Mar. 26, 2014 at the Westin Times Square Hotel in New York City, NY, with the fireside chat scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. EDT.
About Zillow, Inc.
Zillow, Inc. (Nasdaq:Z) operates the leading real estate and home-related information marketplaces on mobile and the Web, with a complementary portfolio of brands and products that help people find vital information about homes, and connect with the best local professionals. Zillow's brands serve the full lifecycle of owning and living in a home: buying, selling, renting, financing, remodeling and more. In addition, Zillow offers a suite of tools and services to help local real estate, mortgage, rental and home improvement professionals manage and market their businesses. Welcoming nearly 70 million unique users during its peak month in 2014, the Zillow, Inc. portfolio includes Zillow.com®, Zillow Mobile, Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, Zillow Rentals, Zillow Digs®, StreetEasy®, Postlets®, Diverse Solutions®, Mortech®, HotPads™ and Agentfolio®. The company is headquartered in Seattle.
Please visit http://investors.zillow.com/, www.zillowblog.com, www.twitter.com/zillow, and www.facebook.com/zillow, where Zillow discloses information from time to time about the company, its financial information, and its business.
The Zillow logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10012
Zillow.com, Zillow, StreetEasy, Postlets, Mortech, Agentfolio, Diverse Solutions and Digs are registered trademarks of Zillow, Inc.
HotPads is a trademark of Zillow, Inc.
CONTACT: Raymond "RJ" Jones Investor Relations 206-470-7137 firstname.lastname@example.com Dawn Lyon Public Relations 206-757-2785 email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hawkins helps shut down unruly passenger mid-flight
DENVER -- LaTroy Hawkins had no idea that opportunity was going to drop into his lap. This particular brand of opportunity occurred on an international flight to Chile in October for some dove hunting and relaxation. It landed, rudely, on his tray table.
"That was some kind of weird," Hawkins said. "I was sitting in business class and watching TV with my noise-canceling headphones on. I couldn't hear it, but a guy got into it with a flight attendant, and he landed in my lap and knocked over the food I had in front of me."
DENVER -- LaTroy Hawkins had no idea that opportunity was going to drop into his lap. This particular brand of opportunity occurred on an international flight to Chile in October for some dove hunting and relaxation. It landed, rudely, on his tray table.
"That was some kind of weird," Hawkins said. "I was sitting in business class and watching TV with my noise-canceling headphones on. I couldn't hear it, but a guy got into it with a flight attendant, and he landed in my lap and knocked over the food I had in front of me."
"The flight attendant said, 'I need your help.'"
Hawkins, a 41-year-old right-handed reliever, signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with a 2015 option in November to pitch for the Rockies as the primary closer. As a closer of any experience knows, there are run-of-the-mill saves you earn for pitching the ninth inning with a three-run lead, and there are tough saves -- say, a one-run lead on the road with the meat of the order scheduled.
But aboard American Airlines Flight 945 from Dallas-Fort Worth to Santiago, Chile, Hawkins was faced with an unusual save opportunity.
Hawkins said the unruly passenger was unhappy with his seat, and that unhappiness escalated while the flight was in the air. The flight attendant was lucky to have Hawkins, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound professional athlete, on board. Hawkins also had a couple of his friends, Rodney Carter and Leonard Whittenberg, nearby to assist. They held down the passenger as restraints were applied, then returned to their seats.
But the passenger, however, freed himself and began to cause trouble again. Hawkins and friends restrained him again, and this time they kept a close eye on the passenger until the plane made an unscheduled landing in Lima, Peru. The passenger made more trouble for himself as Hawkins helped escort him from the plane at roughly 4 a.m. local time.
"The pilot asked us to help escort him from the plane for the Lima police," said Hawkins, who said when he learned the reason for the dispute, he had no fear that it might have been something bigger than a passenger unhappy with his seat. "We had to lay him on top of his bag, and I had my knee in his back and his arm in a pretty compromising position, that's for sure. I told him all he had to do was calm down, but he chose not to."
American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller confirmed the details to ESPNNewYork.com in an Oct. 28 report: "They were noncompliant, unruly, which happens on occasion. And when it does, sometimes we'll divert a flight. For the safety of everybody on board, it's much easier just to get that individual off the plane. And that's what we did and turned it over to local law enforcement, and then the flight continued on."
The Rockies are looking for a different type of security from Hawkins, whose 943 appearances will be the most of any active pitcher when the 2014 season begins.
Last year, the Rockies finished last in the National League West. But they hovered near first place during the first two months, with veteran Rafael Betancourt as closer and hard-throwing young lefty Rex Brothers in the setup role. But Betancourt went to the disabled list on three occasions, the final time with a season-ending elbow injury. Brothers performed capably as closer, earning 19 saves, but the domino effect of him moving to the ninth inning weakened the rest of the bullpen. Leads were lost before Brothers had a chance to appear.
Hawkins, who pitched for the Rockies when they went to the World Series in 2007 and has pitched for 10 clubs, replaces Betancourt. Last year, Hawkins overcame a broken right pinkie that curtailed his 2012 season with the Angels, signed with the Mets on a Minor League contract and made the team even though his finger had not healed. In August, Hawkins became the Mets' closer and earned 13 saves from Aug. 6 to season's end.
With veteran lefty Boone Logan also signed as a setup man, manager Walt Weiss has the flexibility on occasion to use Hawkins earlier than Brothers.
"I got into a groove, one that I've gotten into a few times in my career, and it just so happened that I got into it while I was closing," Hawkins said. "But I had no clue a team would offer me a closing job. That was the furthest thing from my mind. When Dan O'Dowd [the Rockies' chief baseball officer] asked me about it, if I would like to close, I said, 'OK, cool.' I'm well aware that I'm keeping the seat warm for Mr. Brothers."
Hawkins also comes with a reputation as a mentor and leader. Weiss witnessed Hawkins' effect on others while working as a special front-office assistant in 2007.
"We're bringing on a guy that's a great pro -- and he still throws the ball in the mid-90s," Weiss said. "He's a guy along with [Matt] Belisle out there in the bullpen that's well respected and can help bring out the best of our younger guys out there. LaTroy is very valuable with his professionalism and ability."
"I just want to be a positive influence on the guys," Hawkins said. "I had the opportunity at the beginning of my career [he broke in with the Twins in 1995] to be around guys like Kirby Puckett, Kevin Tapani, Eddie Guardado, Rick Aguilera, Mike Morgan. They showed me how to be a professional, and I'm just passing it along."
Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @harding_at_mlb.


text:
CES 2010: First Impressions
We're here in Las Vegas for CES, the annual Consumer Electronics Show, and there's plenty to report about: razor sharp and thin high definition displays, the explosion of 3D technologies, tablets galore, and online service integration with home entertainment devices to name just a few of the most prominent trends being pushed at booths. We're delving back into the belly of beast all day today to snap more photos and learn about what's in the pipeline for 2010. But we did want to share what was one of our favourite sightings of the show thus far before we head back: this huge framed digital art display showcasing a selection of digital artists showcased over at the Microsoft Zune area (which happens to include one of our longtime fav artists, Meomi!)
After just 2.5 hours at the show yesterday before closing, we can say with confidence that a level of dimensionality will be pushed in the next few years whether you care for it or not (the popularity of Avatar surely does not hurt). Every HDTV and monitor manufacturer had some sort of 3D display (we saw these last year, but they've refined and announced new models since then). They're borderline gimmicks in effect right now, and nobody yet knows the longterm effects of watchig 3D displays regularly, but there's no denial that all the biggest manufacturers intend to offer Blu-ray 3D compatible displays.
What we were certainly impressed with comparing last year's show with this years is the refinement of high resolution with lower energy consumption, with several of the best displays using a quarter of the power from just one year ago thanks to energy saving solutions like LED backlighting and area specific on/off control (which results in deeper blacks and contrast as a bonus).
And then there were bad boys like this LG display showcasing ultra high definition capabilities still years away (still images were used only). The level of fine resolution of this display was nearly unbelievable.
84″ seem too modest? How about this 152″ plasma Panasonic Viera? Bigger is better, but this is larger than our living room wall (but oh so glorious).
More to come…back into the rabbit hole we go!


text:
Now you can get the affordability of a four-color light engine with the build-quality and support of an ETC product. This model is the CSSPOTSDB-B from ETC which is a ColorSource Spot Deep Blue light engine with Shutter Barrel and Stage Pin Connector that comes in black.
NOTE: Some gear shown above are NOT INCLUDED and sold separately. Please note that lens tubes need to be ordered separately. For more information on this and other products, please contact your Sales Pro.
This LED fixture gives you the lighting versatility you need for every budget. The ColorSource Spot brings carefully-calibrated lighting to venues with limited budgets. Its RGB-L mix takes the color way beyond the capabilities of other four-color LEDs. And with the ability to accept attachments, adapters and a variety of lens tubes, the ColorSource Spot is the right tool for any task.
Using a unique mix of red, green, blue and lime LED emitters, the ColorSource spot allows for a range of color and depth, unlike other low-cost LED fixtures. Because it utilizes standard ETC optics, adapters and accessories, it is a versatile solution for any lighting need. ETC applied its extensive color-mixing knowledge to the fixture to ensure that it can achieve brighter, richer and more believable colors than other budget LEDs. And as previously mentioned, it accepts all the Source Four LED accessories, zoom and fixed-focus lens tubes, and CYC and Fresnel adapters.
ETC's ColorSource® family of products brings together plug-and-play operation at a budget-friendly price, making the ColorSource family ideal for small venues and tight budgets. in mind. So now any installation can affordably upgrade their lighting and power control equipment without losing out on quality.
NOTE: This fixture is for use with fixed-field lens tubes only.
NOTE: Consult breaker-trip curves when used with other equipment. Requires power from a non-dim source
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Click to download


text:
for the best deal on tyres so you don't have to.
for the best deal on tyres so you don't have to.
Save this quote
Never miss a deal ! x
Save this search and be the first to know of new tyre deals.
Save this quote!
Thank you, {{name}}
We have emailed {{email}} your quote details.
Quotes are valid for 48 hours
We found (1) tyre for
Michelin CLASSIC XWX (New Search)
We have found 1 result
Tyre Size Michelin CLASSIC XWX
Sort by:
Filter by:
All Brands
All Prices
All Distances
All Loads
All Speeds
Clear FiltersApply Filters
Get tyre quotes for:
We will find tyres for your {{selectedVehicle.make.name}} {{selectedVehicle.model.name}}:
Filter By
Brand Apply
Price Apply
Distance Apply
Load Apply
Speed Apply
Clear Filters Apply Filters
Read More
Classic XWX
(0) ReviewsEnquire Now


text:
Never knew there was a poster for Irony of Fate, really like the nostalgia look.
Like most Russians, I love watching Irony of Fate around New Year's time. Honestly, watching the same movies over and over, the ones I grew up with is my idea of great.
This year will be a muted affair, a first time in a long time. Peter is sick and I'm in the mood to be quiet, instead of celebratory. It hasn't hit me yet that 2012 is almost over. In fact Peter keeps asking me what I want for New Year's and I honestly don't want any presents, I'm not being the annoying coy wife either.
What I want can't be given to me in a present. I want self-control. I want meaningful experiences. I want less mindlessness and more mindfulness (as corny as it sounds). I want all of this from myself and honestly I don't know if I'm capable of achieving it. Because it's hard, all of it is so hard. It's much easier to be numb, to go from day to day and let it all pass by.
I recently read an article meditating on how couples can stay happily together and in love (as an aside, I hate myself a little bit more each time I say, "I just read an NYT article about this...." #justshootme). The basic premise (taken that you are in a relationship where both people are kind & good to one another) is what makes a relationship satisfying is the element of surprise. You can definitely apply this approach not just to relationships but to life in general. The moments I have truly enjoyed in the last few years have been of a new revelations, as I get older less and less of that wonderment is felt and I'm really sad about it.
Recently, Betka wrote about Gulka's wonderment at snow. My four and half year old niece was amazed by the whiteness of snow (not races) - hearing about it made me so happy. I want that wonderment back, I want that extra "ah" in my life and the only way to get it is to actually work on the non-routine and just thinking about it makes me tired.
So here's to the same old buildings producing all kinds of wonderful surprises.
Translation of one of my favorite songs:
If you don't have a home, fires aren't scary
And your wife won't run around on you with your friends
If you don't, if you don't if you don't have a wife.
If you don't have a dog, your neighbor won't poison it.
And your friend won't fight
If you don't, if you don't, if your don't have a friend.
The orchestra plays together
The trumpeters blow their horns
Think to yourself, decide for yourself
To have or not to have
If you don't have an aunt, you will not lot lose her
And if you never live
Then you won't, then you won't, then you won't die.


text:
The Company / Our Philosophy
Since more than 28 years, the company Graf Technik GmbH is leading in the manufacturing and the worldwide sales of wet blast systems, ultrasonic and washing systems.
The applications of Graf cleaning systems are widely spread, especially of our wet blast systems:
Cleaning of extrusion dies for the aluminium industry, injection moulds from the plastic industry and moulds for the rubber industry.
Cleaning of parts for the semi conductor and optical industry, and parts from vacuum pumps are further important applications since many years.
Further applications are surface finishing of components, deburring of piston and housing parts, cleaning of motor / gear box components.
In the last 12 years, the defined edge honing of cutting edges of precision tools, as well as the activation and polishing of PVD/CVD-coatings of cutting tools have tremendously moved into the forground.
We have acknowledged the changes in the application areas in the last 28 years by inventing, redesigning and optimizing especially of our automatic wet blast systems.
We offer our customers the complete service by our team from one source:
Starting with the design, manufacturing, worldwide sales, installation, starting up until the supply with wear / spare parts and working material.
All our machines are made in a rigid, solid stainless steel construction. At our wet blast systems all critical core components and assembly groups had been developed and are manufactured by us. So we can ensure the longest possible lifetime and the highest availability of the machine.


text:
Welcome back to Hamantashen Week - Day Two. Missed yesterday? It was Chocolate Covered Hamantashen Pops. Don't forget to leave a comment to win free prizes!
these look scrumptious! really enjoyed the post, keep em coming
You make hamantashen baking look simple enough for me. Gonna try my hands on these. Thanx
Hi, they look delicious.
How do you prevent the dough from opening up and the jelly spilling out, ending up with flat Hamentachens?


text:
By Mike Chaiken
Editions Editor
Little girls in the area will have a chance to feel like royalty and meet their favorite fairy tale royalty, thanks to the Miss Southington Scholarship Organization.
Miss Southington Kaitlyn Tarpey, Miss Plantsville Shannon Murphy, Miss Southington's Outstanding Teen Madison Yurgaitis, Miss Plantsville's Outstanding Teen Katerina Belales, and Miss Milldale's Outstanding Teen Olivia Sica are expected to team up for a "Princess Meet and Greet" on March 10 at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville.
At the event, young girls can meet their favorite princesses as well as enjoy other activities with their favorite fairy tale royalty.
Katerina Belales, one of Southington's teen princesses and one of the princesses participating on March 10, said the event is serving as a dual fund raiser. Some of the funds will go towards Southington's social services department. Other funds will be going back into the Miss Southington organization.
What princesses can the children expect?
Katerina said children will find Belle (which will be portrayed by Katerina), Jasmine, and Ariel. Katerina said some of the other princesses that may be arriving for the children include Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and Tinker Bell.
"Little girls would like this event because it would make them feel like a princess. They would get to talk with the 'princesses' and be able to meet their favorite Disney princess," said Katerina. "They would also get their nails done and faces painted, making them feel more like a princess."
Katerina knows first hand how fun these events are, having taken part in them as a child herself. "I loved doing those activities when I was a little girl," said Katerina.
"I've worked as a princess before (dressed up for parties and events), so I know what it feels like, and I like it a lot," said Katerina. "Seeing the little girls' faces light up when the 'princesses' walk into the room is just a wonderful feeling."
Katerina also said that as much fun as the event is, it also is beneficial for the community at large. "I love to be able to help out in the community. Since my platform, 'Read to Succeed,' encourages younger kids to read more, (at this event) I have several opportunities to spend time with the children. I enjoy being with them so much."
The "Princess Meet and Greet," sponsored by the Miss Southington Scholarship Organization, will be held Sunday, March 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville. Advance tickets are $15. For tickets, email email@example.com or call (860) 620-3221.


text:
Our graphAuts1 function from last time listed all the symmetries of a graph. When we come to look at highly symmetric graphs, that is going to be a long list (thousands or even millions long in some cases). But if you do one symmetry of a graph followed by another (say a reflection followed by a rotation), the result is again a symmetry. What if we could find just a few symmetries of the graph, from which all the others could be generated as sequences of actions?
As an example, let's look at the symmetries of a square (or the graph c 4):
There are eight symmetries in all. However, we need just two of them to generate all the rest: the 90 degree clockwise rotation - a; and the reflection in the vertical axis - b. It is easy to see that doing the 180 (respectively 270) degree rotation is the same as doing the 90 degree rotation two (respectively three) times. This is written as a*a, or a^2. Not quite so easy to see is that the reflection in the horizontal axis is the same as doing the 180 degree rotation followed by the reflection in the vertical axis - written a^2 * b. (The starting position, or "do nothing", in the top left is labelled 1, because if you do nothing then do x, or do x then do nothing, that is the same as just doing x - so it acts like a 1: 1*x = x = x*1.)
You can confirm this within GHCi:
> :load Math.Algebra.Group.PermutationGroup
> let a = p [[1,2,3,4]]
> let b = p [[1,2],[3,4]]
> a^2 * b
> 1 * a
Naturally, if someone gives us a set of permutations, such as [a,b] above, it would be good to be able to list all the elements that they generate. In Math.Algebra.Group.PermutationGroup, the "elts" function does just this:
import qualified Data.List as L
import qualified Data.Set as S
elts gs = elts' S.empty (S.singleton 1) where
elts' interior boundary
| S.null boundary = S.toList interior
| otherwise =
let interior' = S.union interior boundary
boundary' = S.fromList [h * g | h <- S.toList boundary, g <- gs] S.\\ interior'
in elts' interior' boundary'
(This "closure" algorithm turns out to be useful for all sorts of things, so in the library code it's actually factored out into a separate function. However, for the specific problem of listing elements of permutation groups, we will in fact come up with a more efficient algorithm in due course.)
For example, with a and b as before:
> mapM_ print $ elts [a,b]
You can check that these are the eight symmetries shown in the diagram above.
It's much more convenient to work with a few generators than with hundreds or thousands of elements, so in the HaskellForMaths library we always represent a permutation group as a list of generators.
Okay, so how does this help us with graph symmetries? Well, the idea is that we'll still use depth-first search, but instead of searching for all symmetries, we'll search for just one symmetry that takes 1 to 2, one symmetry that takes 1 to 3, and so on, one symmetry that fixes 1, and takes 2 to 3, one symmetry that fixes 1, and takes 2 to 4, and so on, and so on. The ones that we find will generate all symmetries of the graph.
Here's the code:
graphAuts2 (G vs es) = graphAuts' [] vs where
graphAuts' us (v:vs) =
let uus = zip us us
in concat [take 1 $ dfs ((v,w):uus) vs (v : L.delete w vs) | w <- vs, isCompatible (v,w) uus]
++ graphAuts' (v:us) vs
graphAuts' _ [] = []
dfs xys (x:xs) ys =
concat [dfs ((x,y):xys) xs (L.delete y ys) | y <- ys, isCompatible (x,y) xys]
dfs xys [] [] = [fromPairs xys]
isCompatible (x,y) xys = and [([x',x] `S.member` es') == (L.sort [y,y'] `S.member` es') | (x',y') <- xys]
es' = S.fromList es
The bottom half of this function is just the same as graphAuts1 - it is only the graphAuts' part that is new. (Notice that the "take 1", together with lazy evaluation, means that we're actually searching far less of the tree now.)
Let's try it on our old favourite, the pentagon, c 5:
> mapM_ print $ graphAuts2 $ c 5
The claim is that these five symmetries generate all the rest. Let's make sure:
> mapM_ print $ elts $ graphAuts2 $ c 5
These are the same 10 symmetries that we found last time using graphAuts1 (though listed in a different order).
That's it for now.
(I meant to put this in last time, but forgot)
Find the symmetries of the following graphs, and explain your findings:
- k 5, the complete graph on 5 vertices
- kb 2 3, the complete bipartite graph on 2 and 3 vertices
- kb 3 3, the complete bipartite graph on 3 and 3 vertices


text:
Zara.Luxe: Master crafted full lace wigs
Our Zara.Luxe wigs are handmade by skilled wigmakers, creating an incredibly well constructed wig that truly can be parted anywhere, braided or cornrowed, for a natural look. Zara.Luxe wigs are made with hand selected premium remy hair. We import hair from various countries for the manufacture of our Zara.Luxe wigs. In nearly all cases, Zara.Luxe wigs are made with hair from a single donor. In the circumstance where there is not enough hair from 1 donor to make a wig, we may use hair from 2 donors.
- How Fast?
- Hair Extensions
- Wig Collections
- Hairpieces & Hair Replacement
- Special Collections
- Other Items
- Photo Galleries
- Wig & Hair Info
- Announcements


text:
Content Count132
Last visited
About Fi.Es.Ta
Feet Under The Table
Profile Information
Ford Model
Fiesta WS CL
nikki_louise reacted to a post in a topic: Your Fiesta
I suppose there is a good side to it though.Probally about 90% of people in the northern hemisphere dont no know what the ford FPV badge resembles ;)
Purlease dont do that.Thats like putting a ferrari badge on a 74 mini clubman. The ford FPV is used for a reason and the fiesta is certainly not that.
Fi.Es.Ta started following Hid's, Dmb Graphics Are Awesome!, Does Everything Rattle? and and 4 others
Does Everything Rattle?
Fi.Es.Ta replied to Tato's topic in Ford Fiesta ClubI to have this problem, where they are i dont no. But i have three very annoying rattles so i just crank the music up more to drown them out.
Plug On Wiring Harness Mk7
Fi.Es.Ta replied to Fi.Es.Ta's topic in Ford Fiesta ClubCheers dude it has 6 so must be as you say.
Plug On Wiring Harness Mk7
Fi.Es.Ta posted a topic in Ford Fiesta ClubHi guys just wondering if anyone can shed any light on what this plug is.its located behind the glovebox on the right hand side just taped to part of the wiring harness,and as you can see theres three wires connected to it.
Led Spider Brake Lights & Brodit Charger/cradle Update
Fi.Es.Ta replied to iNath's topic in Ford Fiesta ClubAwsome,you got a link to them.
Led Spider Brake Lights & Brodit Charger/cradle Update
Fi.Es.Ta replied to iNath's topic in Ford Fiesta ClubHow did you get those spider lights through the holes nath? they look pretty good.
Ipod Aux Mk7
Fi.Es.Ta posted a topic in Ford Fiesta ClubI only have Aux connection on my mk7 and always use my iphone to play music which is fine but when someone rings me the music fades out and the phone starts to ring through car speakers so i use it as hands free basically.But since dissconecting my battery to install sub and amp my phone no longer rings through the speakers it just plays music. Any ideas will be appreciated.
Wow finally im getting somewhere with a ford dealer and who are willing to listen to me. The charge was $75.00 for diagnostic work and they want me to print out the screenshot you posted nath so they no exactly what menu they need to look at.
New Zetec S Stereo - Fitting Sub
Fi.Es.Ta replied to Luke Pompey's topic in Ford Fiesta ClubUse this guide in the link. http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/4697-guide-installing-a-sub-box-to-mk7/
Fi.Es.Ta replied to samstafford's topic in Ford Fiesta ClubI actually found out something interesting today regarding HID's.Now i dont no if it applies there in the UK but here in Queensland you can install them,but are only allowed to have 4,400 kelvin.
Just regarding doing this install on my car. After taking my stereo out useing titaniumsteves removal guide which is a pain in the bum and is not easy to say the least,after getting the circuit tester on my wires i found my remote wire and it is not blue and is nowhere near as thick as his,mine is blue and purple and the same thickness as the speaker wires but is in exactly the same place as steves blue wire and every other wire is exactly the same other than this remote wire.I wouldnt have a clue why this is but my stereo is the basic model with no bluetooth or any other futuristic rocket propelled gadgets.Thought i would mention this just incase some of you do this mod and find out there is no blue wire there but a different colour. So the install is done and now its a matter of ford to activate my speakers or some kind person with the hardware and software to do it.(Dont fancy flying to Aus do you nath for a day ;) )
Awsome thanks nath your a legend. i will print this off and show them ;)
I havent received a screenshot nath? just checked.
Fly Eyes
Fi.Es.Ta replied to ford=win's topic in Ford Fiesta ClubI'll add my two pennies worth here regarding fly eyes.They are purely cosmetic and do not protect your lights.I had it fitted on my fez when i first bought it in 2010 was the first mod i did and it did look good especially with me having a dark blue car.I had the stuff on for atleast a year and it never come unstuck,but it did eventually fade,when i say fade i mean the black actually comes off as its printed or sprayed onto white (why they did this is beyond me) and they look really tatty and poor.This was the kick in the knackers for me.When i removed the stuff off my headlights it left cracks tiny ones everywhere that are noticible.the reason i think this happened was because one the sun has been shining on them for long periods of time it doesnt let the polycarbonate expand and contract like it naturally should do when there is nothing applied to them.So be warned even though it looks good cosmetically it can damage your headlights.


text:
Vanguard Storm Review
Square Enix took its first steps onto the App Store several months ago with Crystal Defenders, a somewhat enjoyable but flawed tower defense game.
Now the Japanese publisher is back with Vanguard Storm, another Final Fantasy Tactics spinoff that's more of an action-puzzler. Unfortunately, Square Enix has repeated many of the same mistakes it made in the first game. The result is another winning gameplay formula that feels only partially realized.
It's like Monster Dodgeball!
Vanguard Storm is a turn-based game that creatively combines influences from RPGs, tower defense, and even Chess. The rectangular game board is split into a grid four spaces tall by eight long. Monsters flow from the left-hand side of the screen towards the right side, and if you fail to stop them before they get there, you lose.
On the right half of the screen, you control a handful of heroes (starting at two, and gradually building to five or six) that you can reposition at the end of every turn.
Each type of hero serves a different function. Most attack various combinations of squares. Soldiers, for instance, have a melee attack that hits the square directly in front of them, as well as the squares above and below it. Black Mages shoot a magical attack in a straight line for four spaces; Dragoons do the same thing, only with a physical attack. Archers and Flintlocks attack in diagonal lines with physical and magical damage, respectively. There are also a few support classes that heal nearby units or boost their attack power.
The basic idea is to reposition these guys at the beginning of every turn to maximize the damage they're doing, while minimizing the damage they take. Since the enemies all have different attributes–some move faster than others, are resistant to magic, are airborne, and so on–you have to constantly shuffle heroes around to make sure they're targeting everything as efficiently as they can. You're on a timer, too… one that goes faster and faster as you get further into the game. Your score depends on speed and life remaining.
This constant recalculation will fascinate hardcore strategy and puzzle buffs. Strategic retreat is often a necessity, and you'll also sometimes need to sacrifice units to hold back the tide. But each stage consists of multiple levels, and if you lose heroes on one level, they won't grow in strength for the next wave. For the right kind of player, Vanguard Storm could hold a lot of entertainment.
However, the game simply fails to make the most of its engaging gameplay. There are dozens of different kinds of enemies, but only eight types of hero, and that limits your tactical options. Their abilities never change substantively, either–they just get stronger as they level up. The layouts of the stages are all identical. Plus, there's no story or personality behind the action, other than a few snippets of dialog every now and then, so RPG and Final Fantasy fans might feel cheated.
Another hugely annoying problem is that the game doesn't automatically save your progress–you have to go into a menu and do it manually. We discovered this after accidentally hitting the Home button and losing two hours of play. There's really no better way to piss us off.
Vanguard Storm's music is great, with jammin' rock renditions of everyone's favorite Final Fantasy tunes. The graphics could have been better, though. The character art is nicely detailed, but neither heroes nor monsters animate well, and the attacks are little more than quick flashes. The battles look dinky, not epic.
Like we said, we think that a certain type of player might really like Vanguard Storm, but the game's got too many holes right now to recommend to a general audience. We strongly suggest trying the Lite version before committing $4.99 to this one.


text:
Mesmerized by Sunday Knits Yarn.
Still making Frill Mitts!
Wearing them because it is cold....grrrr...
Mesmerized by Sunday Knits Yarn.
Still making Frill Mitts!
Wearing them because it is cold....grrrr...
Do you have a plan for this gathering of colours?
Color cards are so full of promise, aren't they?
Love swatch cards! You have a rug and bedspread that look very similar to ones my parents have in their croft house here in Shetland!
Hehe, you always take such beautiful photos :) So artsy.
Yeah..it is getting cold, isn't it? Preparing for another long, Maine winter.
Thank you for introducing me to another yarn I hadn't heard about before. I spent hours and hours trying to find just such a thing this week for a pattern I was itching to get started on. The colors are amazing!
I so enjoyed making my first pair of Frill Mitts! Like you, I made mine a little shorter than the 8", used a verigated blue yarn, and finished with the pointella stitch. It was easier to do than to read! Thanks for a fun easy project. I'm giving this first pair to Lauren, who is helping me tile my shower on Friday.
Thanks, and keep those patterns coming!


text:
Due to vendor restrictions this product does not qualify for this offer.
World's Largest Aftermarket Motorcycle Parts and Accessories Superstore!
Input the part number and quantity to add a part directly to your cart.
Due to vendor restrictions this product does not qualify for this offer.
Continue Shopping
J&P Cycles Part Number: 162-277
Checking availability...
With over 750 years of experience combined, our tech staff has the answers!
5 out of 5 stars (based on 53 reviews)
5 stars (39)
4 stars (12)
3 stars (1)
2 stars (0)
1 star (1)
0 stars (0)
Amazing seat
Looks great on the bike, very comfortable to ride on. It's a win!!
Great seat comfort and the looks to go with it !!
Real comfy even on the long hauls
Came on good times. Was exactly what I order.
5 star all the way looks great on my flhtk with tour pak removed,seat was delivered right on the day customer service stated
I have this seat on an 08 street glide. I have put about 10k miles on this seat and it's an exceptional product. I would recommend this seat to anyone looking for a lower profile seat that still wants to have an exceptionally comfortable ride.
Comfortable seat but don't ride in the rain with this seat .the diamond stitch pattern soaks up water terribly .so u get caught in rain storm or u wash your bike your butt gets soaks and u got to walk around with a big wet stain on the back of your pants .not a marine quality seat at all !!!!!!!!!!
The seat looks cool, but uncomfortable
Almost perfect, did not receive "Included" fender bib
The seat fit perfectly and is very comfortable. It looks awesome and the quality is top notch.
I like the seat, purchased 2 of them for my heritage and road glide. Great for 3-4 hour ride but just returned from Sturgis where I put 3,300 miles on it and I must say I wouldn't do it again. Not comfortable at all for daily 300 to 500 mile trips. Extremely uncomfortable at that point.
Very nice and comfortable.Gave me the look I was after. the diamond stitching gave it a very nice custom and expensive look. Easy to install.
ive tried other seats and there is always something wrong with the fit. Mustang nailed it with this one fits and feels perfect, great solo seat
Seat looks great on my '012 fatbob...it does sit a little lower than stock and does take a bit to get used to, but overall happy with it!!!
Very nice seat, pricey but nice!
I'm actually on my second Mustang Wide Tripper with Diamond stitching. My first served me well over 2 years and 60,000km. I'm a heavy rider and this seat never let me down be it on my 160km daily commute or on longer trips with 1000+ km traveled. I only looked to replace it because I added the pillion seat and the difference was noticeable in the condition of the leather. Shipping was super fast and my face and butt are now smiling.
Very comfortable even on ling rides and also looks awesome on the bike.
Great seat. Looks good and feels great. Mustang seats are the best
I purchased this seat for my 06 Softail Deluxe. Fit was a little tough to bolt down with the included washers but I have a fender cover in place. Once it was bolted down it looked GREAT! Took the bike for a spin and it was a very comfortable ride. The diamond pattern is sweet looking. If you think you like the looks then you can't go wrong with this Mustang. I purchased mine direct from Mustang because it shipped about a week faster than J&P but I'm ordering the rain cover from here. All said and done i love the Mustang products.
Good product. Shipping was on time.
Great seat for my 07 Road King. Comfortable and looks great. I got the Mustang Mini Bib to go with it and it looks great. Highly recommend this seat.
I just received my Solo Wide Tripper with diamond stitching, #76735. I've taken it on two rides of about 200 miles each and it rides and looks fantastic. Very happy with this seat. Wish you could see it on my 03 CVO Road King.
JP shipped my order very fast and they always have the best price. Wanted this Mustang seat on my Road King Classic because I have a wide tripper on my other bagger and love it. It moves you just a little closer than the two-up wide tripper. Seems to have a little more low back support and more of a sit-in feel than the two-up. Diamond stitch looks great on the Road King & the material they use has a real nice touch & feel to it. Mustang is just a great company with very nice products. 2006 Road King Classic
Great seat, comfortable and looks slick. I have out about 300 miles on it and am loving it. I was nervous about buying it without seeing it in person, but I was not disappointed at all. I am 6-2, 220 pounds, and it's perfect. Thanks!
great seat, very comfortable and love the style! gives my rd king custom a great look good quality
Looks cool and very comfy .Good price to. 2003 Road king
Good quality seat. Great price. Had to tweek it a bit to fit but nothing major. Tend to sit back a bit compared to stock seat so good for taller riders. A bit hard on the backside so hoping it breaks in a bit over time. Looks really good on the bike, very happy.
Absolutely Love this seat. Very comfortable, form fitting and looks great with the diamond tuft style.
High quality seat. Nice firm support and the diamond stitching looks great. Only down fall is the price. 10/10 for the item, but over priced.
The seat is comfortable and I love the way it looks on my 06 Sportster. I'm very pleased.
Workmanship is great, and installation was a breeze. J&P delivered on time as promised. Saddle comfort is still under review as this was purchased for my wife, although early impression is favorable.
A great seat, well built and comfortable.It looks really good on the bike too.
Got this seat for my 2013 Sportster Low and it gives it a nice custom look. It sits a little wider than the stock seat but I think it has better support. Very happy with this seat.
This seat is awesome!!!! So much better than stock 48/72 seat. first ride was almost disappointing, so give it a chance to break in (50 miles) and this seat will keep you going for hours. J&P Cycles delivered on time and packing was great. Only place i could find it with diamond stitching too!!!! Seat looks great on the bike. Quality is top notch. Only thing i would suggest is gluing some felt on the bottom, the factory rubber feet would definitely mark up your fender.
Excellent fit and very comfortable.
Just fitted seat to my 03 road king.Looks the bollox and fits well.Sits u a bit lower but well comfy.Purchased this from ormond beach store staff were excellent.Thank you Bob (uk)
Very comfortable seat. Fitment was perfect on my '05 Roadster. Comfortable on long rides too, I can go gas stop to gas stop with no discomfort, which is about 140 miles nonstop with a few minute break then back on again. Only complaint is, if you're riding and you gotta drop a deuce, this seat is almost painful, so blow up the bathroom before settling out!
Very comfortable seat. Fitment was perfect on my '05 Roadster. Comfortable on long rides too, I can go gas stop to gas stop with no discomfort, which is about 140 miles nonstop with a few minute break then back on again. Only complaint is, if you're riding and you gotta drop a deuce, this seat is almost painful, so blow up the bathroom before settling out!
Fits and feels great
Looked great
Great seat. Sit a little lower than stock. A little narrower also. Quick delvery.
Very nice. Rides great and keeps me in place. Highly recommend
This seat was very easy to go on and seems to be comfortable. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because it is very different than the seat I had on the bike and I'm not quite sure I'll be able to get use to it. This seat was bought for a 2015 Softail Slim. It fits well but it sits further ahead than the original and has a higher back. The seat is very comfortable but I'm still working on getting use to it. Thank you!
Love the seat makes such a different ride
This is a great seat for my softail slim. The seat looks great on it and flows with the lines of the bike. The seat is very comfortable. J&p sent the seat very fast in the mail and it was easy to track from their web site. Overall a great transaction.
Rides good, Looks great!
Love the seat! Looks great and like it belongs to the over all design. Only reason I give it a 4 star is that the seat makes a squeak sound when I apply my body weight on it or move around on it.
Perfect fit on my 2013 Slim. I was on it for a 4 hour ride last week and it was very comfortable. I highly recommend it as a replacement for the stock Slim seat.
The seat looks great on my bike. The diamond stitching adds a nice touch. It sits me lower and a little further back than my stock seat. I am 6'3'' so every little bit helps. The seat is firm compared to stock but much more comfortable. After exhaustive research, I'm glad I made this choice. Thumbs up to Mustang!!
Fits, Feels and Looks Great on my Night Train!
nice and slim, looks great too
Seats, once mounted, cannot be returned. Returned seats must be in new condition with no evidence of wear or mount marks. Be careful to check fitment before mounting your new seat. When checking fitment of seat, place a cloth under seat, do not bolt down seat. Carefully set seat on bike and check fitment. Returned seats showing any signs of wear or mount marks cannot be accepted. Please be careful when checking fitment.
This product will fit your Motorcycle
This product does not fit your Motorcycle.


text:
- Inside Athletics
- Tickets
- Fan Zone
- Media Zone
- Social
- Shop
- Donate Now
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Jan. 4, 2010) -- After a 14-day break from action, the ETSU men's basketball team will look to stay perfect in Atlantic Sun Conference play when the Buccaneers meet the USC Upstate Spartans inside the G.B. Hodge Center Monday afternoon. Tip is set for 2 p.m.
The Bucs, 6-7 overall, 2-0 in A-Sun play, will look to shake off any post-holiday rust after finishing the 2009 calendar year with a 93-70 trouncing of preseason A-Sun favorite Jacksonville back on Dec. 21 inside the ETSU/MSHA Athletic Center.
ETSU continues to play without the services of preseason All A-Sun pick Mike Smith (Vandalia, Mo.), who continues to deal with nagging injuries. Even so, the Bucs are finding multiple answers on the floor, with both upper classmen and newcomers filling the void, and helping put the Bucs back on top in the league.
For more on Monday's game, read the game notes below or click the game notebook link located above.
Buc bits
The ETSU men's basketball team returns from a 14-day holiday break to return to Atlantic Sun Conference action Monday afternoon at USC Upstate ... The Bucs, 6-7 overall, 2-0 in league play, are coming off an impressive 93-70 win over preseason A-Sun pick Jacksonville in their last game on Dec. 21 ... ETSU is now 5-1 inside the ETSU/MSHA Athletic Center this season, but are just 1-6 on the road this year ... Preseason All Atlantic Sun Conference pick Mike Smith (Vandalia, Mo.) remains doubtful for the USC Upstate game after having missed the Bucs last four contests ... In Smith's absence, junior forward Tommy Hubbard (Boston) and junior guard Justin Tubbs (Trussville, Ala.) have stepped up their games � In fact, Hubbard has posted double-doubles in seven of his last 12 games ... When he was picked A-Sun Player of the Week on Nov. ,30, he posted a career best 32-point effort against the Razorbacks and a game-high 25-point effort in the victory over UNF ... Meanwhile, Tubbs posted a career best 29 points against CofC and 21 against Arkansas, to go with nine rebounds ... Currently, Hubbard and Tubbs lead the team in scoring, with Hubbard averaging 14.8 points per game, and Tubbs pitching in 14.2 a contest.
The series against USC Upstate
The Bucs are 4-0 all-time against the Spartans, which includes a 66-61 road win over Upstate in their last meeting back on Feb. 19, 2009 ... ETSU and Upstate just began playing regularly when the Spartans moved up to Division I during the 2007-08 season.
Last time against USC Upstate
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Feb. 19, 2009) - Junior guard Mike Smith (Vandalia, Mo.) eclipsed the 1,000-point mark with a free throw late in the game and senior forward Kevin Tiggs (Flint, Mich.) matched his career high with 32 points as the ETSU men's basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak and remained in the thick of the Atlantic Sun Conference title hunt with a 66-61 win over USC Upstate inside the G.B. Hodge Center ... Smith, whose 1,000th point came on a critical free throw with 2:06 left in the game, finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season and the seventh of his career ... An unusual first half was highlighted by Tiggs' fantastic play, as the senior scored 23 of ETSU's 29 points and helped power a 17-2 run to close out the first 20 minutes, giving the Bucs a 29-20 advantage at the break ... In the first half, the Bucs shot just 41 percent from the floor and trailed by as many as nine points at 14-5 with 11:25 before the break. However, from there the Spartans did not hit another field goal until the final second of the half and were outscored 24-6 over the final 11 minutes of the half. The Spartans finished the first half shooting just 27 percent from the floor and were 0-of-10 from the 3-point line ... Upstate certainly didn't stay cold in the second half, going on an 11-4 run to make it 33-31 with 16:45 left in the game. The Spartans later tied the game at 48-48 and then took the advantage at 54-53. However, with the score 57-56 in favor of ETSU at the 3:50 mark, the Bucs got a pair of free throws and a layup from Smith. Later on, Tiggs stole a pass and went coast to coast for the layup to power a 6-0 run and make it 63-56 with 52 seconds left in regulation ... For the game, ETSU committed just 11 turnovers and shot a solid 44 percent from the floor and 70 percent from the foul line. Meanwhile, Upstate scored just 61 points on 40 percent shooting for the game and the Spartans were out-rebounded by the Bucs 38-31.
Last time out
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Dec. 21, 2009) - Trailing by five at 27-22 with 6:39 left in the first half, the ETSU men's basketball was able to find its stride offensively and ultimately outscored Jacksonville by 28 points the rest of the game, winning 93-70 Monday evening in a key early season Atlantic Sun Conference matchup at the ETSU/MSHA Athletic Center ... A crowd of 3,271 looked on as four ETSU players scored in double figures, while junior forward Tommy Hubbard (Boston) posted his seventh double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Buccaneers' attack ... While Hubbard finished with yet another double-double, junior guard Micah Williams (Manchester) pitched in a team high 17 points, junior guard Justin Tubbs (Trussville, Ala.) tossed in 16, and sophomore guard Jarvis Jones (Memphis) added 14 in the winning effort. Meanwhile, freshman point guard Bruce Grimm (Rochester, Ind.) made just his second career start and responded with six points, six assists and four steals, while turning the ball over just twice ... For Jacksonville, A-Sun preseason player of the year Ben Smith finished with a game high 32 points, while Travis Cohn netted 15 ... Early on, this meeting of regular A-Sun contenders and a rematch of the 2009 league tournament title game looked liked the battle that was expected. Both teams traded the lead in the opening 14 minutes and the Dolphins even pushed out to their largest advantage of the contest at 27-22. However, the Bucs answered that charge by outscoring JU 19-5 to close out the half and lead 41-32 at the break ... After the intermission, the Bucs kept the pressure on and never let up, outscoring the Dolphins 25-12 over the first 10 minutes of the second half, and ultimately holding a lead of as many as 35 at 93-58 with 2:32 left ... ETSU shot 56 percent from the floor and an impressive 48 percent from 3-point range, outrebounded JU 43-24 and forcing 18 Dolphin turnovers on 11 steals. The Bucs outscored the Dolphins 29-8 on second chance points, and also held a 28-14 edge in the paint ... Meanwhile, the ETSU defense held the Dolphins to 39 percent shooting from the floor, but Jacksonville did manage strong numbers from beyond the arc (48 percent) and at the foul line (78 percent).
Smith's status still in doubt
Though he has played in four games this season and most recently scored a season high 14 points against UAB (12/4), senior guard Mike Smith (Vandalia, Mo.) continues to battle nagging injuries ... This has left his status for this week -- and the rest of the year -- still in doubt ... No decision has been made at this point on whether Smith will redshirt this season or whether he will attempt to return to the floor this year ... Smith has been out of practice the last few days.
Williams bringing more offense to the table
Junior guard Micah Williams (Manchester) has worked his way into the starting lineup thanks mainly to back-to-back strong efforts on the offensive end ... Against North Georgia, Williams posted a career high 22 points in leading the Bucs to the win, and he followed that effort with an 18-point night against Murray State ... Currently, Williams is one of three Bucs averaging double figures scoring this year with 10.5 points per game.
Grimm steps up at the point position
As the 2009-10 season
has progressed, the Bucs have struggled to find a player who can consistently provide quality minutes at the point guard position ... While helping rally the Bucs against Murray State, freshman point Bruce Grimm (Rochester, Ind.) turned some heads and ultimately earned the start against Morehead State ... In his last three games, Grimm has scored 11, 12 and six points, respectively, and in his last game against Jacksonville he posted a career best six assists ... He has started the last two games for the Bucs.
Hubbard steps up his game, averaging
Much has been written and reported about junior forward Tommy Hubbard (Boston) and his efforts to improve his offensive game, and those strides most recently led to being selected A-Sun Player of the Week one week ago ... Already considered one of the best defenders in the A-Sun, Hubbard posted a 32-point and 10-rebound effort in the win over Arkansas and dropped in another game-high 26 in the win over UNF ... He currently leads the Bucs with 14.8 points per game and 8.2 rebounds a contest ... while he has posted double-doubles in seven of the last 11 games, his efforts began to pay off on the offensive end against Chattanooga back on Nov. 17 ... Setting career bests for points (26) and rebounds (13), Hubbard collected his first career double-double against the Mocs ... In addition, he hit his first 3-point shot in three seasons with the Bucs, and didn't stop there -- ultimately finishing with four long-range bombs on the night.
Record setting night from the arc for Bucs
Hitting on 11-of-14 shots from 3-point range against Arkansas, the Bucs put their name in a multiple of record books ... First, those numbers set a new school record for 3-point field goal percentage in a game with a 78.6 percent mark, breaking the previous record of 66.7 percent which had been done three times previously ... In addition, it was the best shooting effort in the "nation" this season for teams taking more than 10 shots in a game ... And it was the best percentage by a team in the A-Sun since Nov. 28, 1999 when UCF was 11-of-14 in a game against South Carolina state.
Sollazzo to honor Coy with number change
When ETSU's rising sophomore forward Seth Coy (Montgomery, Ind.) was tragically killed in a car accident this summer, it left the entire Buccaneer community with a deep sense of loss ... As is often the case, those that are left to mourn have looked for ways to remember the Bucs' 6-foot-11 "Gentle Giant." ... For sophomore guard Adam Sollazzo (Tampa), who was Coy's roommate, the answer was simple ... Changing his jersey number from No. 20 to Coy's No. 43, Sollazzo will play the 2009-10 season to honor his friend and have that memory with him each night.
Big questions surround Bucs entering 2009-10
With the loss of seniors Courtney Pigram and Kevin Tiggs -- one of the most dynamic offensive duos in the country -- the Bucs have a lot of questions to answer on the offenisve end of the floor this season ... Having averaged 78.1 points a game a year ago, which ranked 21st nationally in all of Division I play -- ETSU has lost 44.0 of those points to graduation when one includes now departed senior Greg Hamlin in that trio ... In addition to the losses on offensive, the Bucs' 13-man roster includes just eight players who have experienced actual floor time in college ... The other five players are either true freshmen, redshirt freshmen or walk-ons.
Big questions surround Bucs entering 2009-10
With the loss of seniors Courtney Pigram and Kevin Tiggs -- one of the most dynamic offensive duos in the country -- the Bucs have a lot of questions to answer on the offenisve end of the floor this season ... Having averaged 78.1 points a game a year ago, which ranked 21st nationally in all of Division I play -- ETSU has lost 44.0 of those points to graduation when one includes now departed senior Greg Hamlin in that trio ... In addition to the losses on offensive, the Bucs' 13-man roster includes just eight players who have experienced actual floor time in college ... The other five players are either true freshmen, redshirt freshmen or walk-ons.


text:
Wizards Sign Martell Webster
August 29, 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed free agent guard/forward Martell Webster. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.
"Martell brings a combination of versatility and shooting in addition to his experience," said Grunfeld. "Adding him to the roster provides us with another solid veteran presence and gives us flexibility with our lineups at both the shooting guard and small forward positions."
Webster (6-7, 230) holds career averages of 8.4 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting .374 from three-point range in 394 games (191 starts) over seven seasons with Portland and Minnesota. He was originally selected by the Trail Blazers with the sixth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft as an early-entry candidate out of Seattle Prep High School. Webster averaged 9.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and a career-high .417 three-point percentage for the Timberwolves in 2010-11 and averaged career highs of 10.7 points and 3.9 rebounds for the Trail Blazers in 2007-08. He averaged 6.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in 47 games (26 starts) for Minnesota last season.
The Wizards' roster now stands at 14 players.