Using an image in place of vertmenutitle text/background
 

I have basic programming ability, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to use and image (that I've created) for the title on the vertical menu boxes. This would be instead of the text and background on, for example, the category box. I would like to use a graphic instead, with embedded text in a special font, that says "browse by"

Is this simple and I'm just trying to hard?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Would I just set the image as the background in the .css file?

How would I get rid of the "categories" text without it disappearing on the admin area management menu?

Yes, just use css. But the menu.tpl template applies to ALL of the vertical menus...so if you apply a background style it will show up on all of yoru menus, both admin and customer. You would need to create a new menu template, call it on the categories.tpl template and apply the css style to that menu only. Create a new language variable as well so that it doesnt' disappear on the admin side.