Who Owns the Water Under Your Land?

The full text of this editorial by Ben Love, TSCRA honorary director and past chair of the Natural Resources Committee, Marathon, appeared in the Feb. 3, 2011, issue of Livestock Weekly. With their permission, we reprint excerpts here.

Ask any rural Texas landowner, "Who owns the water under your land?", and the answer will be a resounding, "I do." Some groundwater conservation districts (GCDs) have taken the position that landowners do not own the groundwater under their land.

The 1904 case of Houston & Central Texas Railway Co. v. East, the Texas Supreme Court established the Absolute Ownership Rule of groundwater ownership.

In East, the Court reasoned that the owner of the land was the "absolute owner of the soil and percolating water (groundwater), which is a part of, and not different from the soil, and that groundwater is the same as the land and cannot be distinguished in law from the soil." The East case has never been overturned.

There are at least 96 GCDs in Texas. Most are doing exactly what they were created to do - regulate to promote management and conservation of groundwater within their district boundary.

Unfortunately, some GCDs are concerned about the absence of a clear-cut bright line defining how far they can go in the regulation of groundwater before becoming liable to landowners for money damages for going too far.

The vested ownership of groundwater in place forms the basis of their concerns, and absent such vested ownership rights, there would be no limit to the extent they could regulate without liability to anyone.

A new, untested theory has been put forth which could clear the way for GCDs to be absolved of all liability for over-regulating groundwater. They don't deny that landowners have ownership rights in groundwater, but they creatively contend that ownership vests only when the water is produced on the surface under the Rule of Capture, not when the water is in place under the surface.

This novel theory, if adopted, would essentially remove all hurdles for complete control of groundwater by GCDs.

On Jan. 12, State Sen. Troy Fraser (Rep., Horseshoe Bay) filed Senate Bill (SB) 332, which would clarify the ownership of Texas groundwater by the surface owner.

SB 332 states that landowners have a vested ownership interest in the groundwater beneath their property while recognizing the role locally elected GCDs play in helping manage and conserve it.

Sen. Fraser noted that "a vested ownership interest is a property right a landowner can legally protect and the right to produce groundwater is a property right that is exclusively the landowner's. No one else can come onto private property, drill a well, and start pumping groundwater. If someone were to attempt it, the landowner could legally stop them."

The purpose of SB 332 is to clarify this in the Texas Water Code.

The opposition to SB 332 is fierce, with some GCDs claiming its passage would herald a flood of regulatory "takings" lawsuits against groundwater districts.

The fear of regulatory takings litigation underlies the theory that no one owns groundwater. If no one owns it, then no one can maintain a cause of action against any water authority for compensatory money damages as a result of over-regulating it.

Nothing contained in SB 332 can be remotely construed to alter existing Texas law with respect to regulatory takings claims and in no way denies groundwater districts the right to reasonably regulate groundwater.

What is a "taking"? A taking may occur as a result of government occupation of private property or as a result of over-regulation of private property. Several factors are considered to determine whether a taking has occurred, including whether the regulation has destroyed all economically viable use of the property, if it unreasonably interferes with the use and enjoyment of the property, the character of the regulatory action and whether the regulation substantially advances legitimate state interests.

Perhaps the greatest practical factor shielding groundwater districts from unwarranted takings claims is found in Section 36.066(g) of the Texas Water Code. This Section provides that if the groundwater district prevails in a suit, the claimant may be liable for all the district's attorney fees, expert witness fees, costs of court, and other costs. This is not a gamble to be taken lightly by a claimant.

Groundwater ownership is often confused with the Texas Rule of Capture. In a recent appellate court decision, the San Antonio Court of Appeals affirmed that the Rule of Capture is "a doctrine of non-liability for drainage, not a rule of property."

It means a landowner whose property is being drained of groundwater by his neighbor has no judicial remedy, and contrary to popular belief, it does not mean that the landowner does not own the groundwater beneath his land until he produces it at the surface.

If landowners expect the answer to "Who owns the water under your land..." to continue to be a resounding "I do!", urge your state senator and representative to support SB 332.

Author: Love, Ben

Harmful effects of federal research grants

The past two decades have seen an increasing emphasis on the importance of university faculty obtaining external funding to support their research efforts. Social work faculty have not been exempt from this pressure, especially within the network of programs housed in so-called research universities. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching currently designates 96 universities as Research Universities--Very High (RU/VH), meaning they annually award at least 20 doctoral degrees a year. These RU/VH institutions particularly value faculty obtaining federal research grants, although the pressure to do so is percolating throughout academe. Of the 203 Council on Social Work Education-accredited MSW programs, 47 are located in RU/VH universities.

Federal research grants are among the most highly sought sources of external funding, for several reasons. One is prestige, in that the competition for such grants is very keen, with a rigorous peer-review process used to exclude all but the highest quality research proposals from being funded. A second reason is that certain forms of important research can only be undertaken with substantial funding. A third factor (perhaps paramount) is that universities are allowed to attach a percentage of the research expenses to the total amount of the grant, expenses called "administrative overhead" or "indirect costs." My own university charges a 47% overhead rate for federally funded research conducted on campus. What this means is that if a research project is budgeted at $100,000 a year, the grant will receive its $100,000 to conduct the research, and the university will receive an additional $47,000 for indirect costs. (Indirect cost recovery rates do vary across funding sources and funding mechanisms.) This overhead is used to help provide the physical plant, personnel, and other resources needed to keep the university up and running. A portion of it is usually divided between the college and department from which the grant originated, and perhaps a small amount is awarded to the principal investigator (PI) of the grant itself, to provide supplemental research funds. In 2009, my university received over $142 million in federal contracts or grants. Thus, the grant overhead income received by research-oriented universities can be a major source of institutional revenue.

In this era of shrinking resources and cutbacks in state and private funding, university administrators increasingly encourage faculty to seek lucrative federal grants. Although hard data are difficult to obtain, it seems as if the profession of social work has been only modestly successful in this regard. The Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) now publishes a directory of social work grants funded annually by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (see https://htmldbprod.bc.edu/ pls/htmldb/f?p=545:1:2378998554668479::NO:1). A histogram of these social work grants awarded from 1987 to 2009 looks rather like a normal curve, peaking in 2002 with 53 awards and declining yearly to 28 in 2009, about the same number as in 1996 (30 awards). It is by no means an accelerating curve, sloping ever upward. Despite the pressures from within the discipline and those imposed by upper level university administrators, the writing, receipt, and execution of federally funded research grants is not an unalloyed benefit to social work faculty and other personnel involved in preparing grants, and some consequences may be positively harmful. In the following sections I present some possibly deleterious consequences of seeking federal grant funding, which are worthy of consideration by social work faculty contemplating preparing grant applications and by deans and directors who may considering ways to try and motivate their faculty to submit grants.

WRITING GRANTS WASTES RESOURCES

The most obvious waste of resources is in that a majority of federal research grant applications will not be funded. According to Shamir (2010), although the numbers of applications for NIH career development grants increased significantly from 1997 (1,029 applications) to 2007 (3,340 applications), the percentage funded declined from 51% to 31%. In 2009, only 24% of applications for RO1 awards (large research grants) issued by NIH were funded. This contrasts with 34% in 1999. Mid-range awards, funded through the R21 mechanism, were only 14% likely to be funded in 2009, compared with a success rate of 32% in 1999 (see http://report.nih.gov/NIHDatabook/default. aspx?catid=2). In 2009, NIH received over 43,000 grant applications, compared with about 25,000 in 1999. These are grim statistics, particularly for new social work faculty members lacking a track record of success in obtaining federal research grants, yet these new faculty members are under the greatest pressure to obtain grants (via the leverage of the promotion and tenure process).

When too many proposals are submitted, everyone loses. The cost in time, energy and resources--not to mention intangibles like the quality of life and drain on emotional and physical recourses of academic scientists--exceeds the value of the output. (Carlson, 2010, p.A25)

Writing an unfunded proposal represents an enormous squandering of time, energy, talent, and scholarly capital. The amount of person-hours it takes to prepare a quality proposal is difficult to estimate, but it is undoubtedly substantial, numbering perhaps in the hundreds. If the grant is unfunded, this preparation time represents a huge opportunity-cost for the faculty involved, time that might have been more productively devoted to actually writing scholarly articles for publication. One need not generate research grants to have a productive career as an empirical researcher. For example, there are many large-scale publically accessible survey studies of national scope that cry out for attention via secondary data analysis. Clinical data-mining using existing social work agency records represents another fertile opportunity for low-cost yet valuable research, as does conducting single-system research designs and program evaluations using pre- and quasi-experimental group designs.

Here is how one scholar recently characterized the grant application process:

It's time we looked at this system--and its costs: unpaid, anxiety-filled hours upon hours for a single successful grant; scholarship shaped, or misshaped, according to the demands of market-like forces.... All to uphold a distributive system that fosters antagonistic competition and increasing inequality.... Every hour spent working on or worrying about grants is an hour that could be better spent on research (or family life, or civic engagement, or sleep). But every hour not spent on a grant gives a competitive edge to other applicants. (Feinberg, 2010, A23)

FEDERAL RESEARCH GRANT PRIORITIES CAN DISTORT SCIENCE

Having the federal government determine research priorities and preferentially fund grant proposals that are responsive to these priorities may distort the free exchange and natural competition of ideas emerging from social and behavioral scientists themselves. In 1990, the U.S. Congress designated the 1990s as the Decade of the Brain and directed NIH to preferentially fund neuroscience research, to the disadvantage of support for psychosocial research. Twenty years later, it is difficult to ascertain what particular breakthroughs were obtained as a result of this initiative (see http://www.dana.org/news/ cerebrum/detail.aspx?id=25802). Although impressive neuroscience research gains were achieved during this time, many would likely have transpired without this federal initiative. There have been no recent substantive brain-based etiological breakthroughs related to mental disorders, and the development of more effective psychotropic medications has greatly slowed. One cannot help but speculate that this focus on brain-related research resulted in lessened funding for psychosocial research, research which in some cases has found that selected cognitive--behavioral therapies produce positive effects equal to or in some cases superior to those obtained via psychotropic medications, for selected mental health and substance abuse disorders. One consequence of federal research priorities is that

Author: Bruce A. Thyer

New addition to the town's caf society

Byline: HENRYK ZIENTEK

A NEW business is percolating in Huddersfield - with the opening of another Costa Coffee shop.

The company has opened premises at New Street in the town centre - adding to its existing sites at the Kingsgate Centre and at the Odeon Cinema alongside the Galpharm Stadium.

Costa Coffee also has premises in Halifax, Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield.

The new outlet has opened in premises formerly occupied by JJB Sports.

The move comes as the company seeks planning approval for an outlet at the Spindlegate leisure development at Leeds Road, Hillhouse.

That proposal calls for a single-storey stone-built restaurant with 26 car parking spaces.

The Yorkshire Rose pub is already operating at the site - formerly the James Robinson chemical works. Spindlegate also has planning permission for a 62-bed hotel and a shop unit.

Costa Coffee is the number one coffee shop chain in the UK with an estimated 35% of the adult population visiting Costa - more than any other coffee chain.

The company was founded by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa in 1971.

Today, it has more than 1,100 stores in the UK and another 600-plus in 25 other countries.

Kirklees Council has also confirmed four new traders have moved into the indoor market at Queensgate Market in Huddersfield.

Brooks Furnishing have taken over six stalls and are now selling a wide range of contemporary furniture.

John Brook has been trading in Bradford for a number of years and has decided to branch out to Huddersfield.

He said: "It has been a fantastic move coming into Queensgate and business is going extremely well."

Another new business is Hairlicious run by Ingrid Daley which stocks wigs, hair extensions and ponytails.

The third new firm is Get the Look, a beauty salon being run by Annette Romain and her team.

And Tim Price has set up a branch of Cash4gold in the market.

Clr Peter McBride, Kirklees cabinet member for regeneration, said: "We are delighted to welcome these new businesses to the indoor market.

"Not only are they helping to add to the atmosphere of a bustling market but they are bringing something new for shoppers."

CAPTION(S):

* CUP WINNER: Costa Coffee's new outlet at New Street, Huddersfield (PC280211Acosta-01.jpg (2 and 3)

History of the Stove-top Espresso Maker

The story of the stove-top espresso maker begins in 1918, when Alfonso Bialetti returned to his native Italy from France, where he had worked in the aluminium industry, to start a small workshop manufacturing metal household goods.

The actual idea for the stove-top espresso maker came from a simple washing machine. During the 1920s Alfonso Bialetti observed the local women of Crusinallo washing their clothes in a sealed boiler with a small central pipe. This pipe would draw up the soapy water from the bottom of the boiler and redistribute it over the laundry. Alfonso Bialetti hit upon the idea that he could adapt this washing machine and scale it down to make a simple coffee maker that would allow Italians to enjoy real �espresso type� coffee in their private homes.

Alfonso Bialetti began tinkering away, building various prototypes. His prototype stove-top espresso makers were manufactured out of aluminium. This was due to there being an embargo imposed by Mussolini�s government on stainless steel. As Italy had a rich source of bauxite (aluminium ore), aluminium became the �National Metal� of Italy.

It was not until 1933, after solving many technical problems, that Alfonso Bialetti invented the world�s first stove-top espresso maker, the Moka Express. The distinctive design and octagonal shape of the Moka Express was based on a silver coffee service, popular at the time in wealthy Italian homes. Alfonso Bialetti claimed of his Moka Express that �without requiring any ability whatsoever� one could enjoy �in casa un espresso come al bar� � �an espresso in the home just like in a bar� (coffeehouse).

Alfonso Bialetti began selling his Moka Express at local, and later regional markets, managing to make and sell around 10,000 units per year. It was not until after WWII, when Alfonso�s son Renato Bialetti joined the family business that sales of the Moka Express really took off. Renato Bialetti realised the potential of the Moka Express and launched a major national advertising campaign. This risk was greatly rewarded, with increased sales; production levels had to be raised to a rate of around 1,000 units per day. The Bialetti Moka Express soon became the market leader in Italy, surpassing sales of the traditional �Neapolitan� percolator style coffeemaker, in which brewing occurs without pressure. Not only did the Moka Express produce �espresso type� coffee, which Italians adored, it also brewed coffee much quicker then its rivals.

Many companies saw the success the Moka Express was enjoying and copied the design to manufacture their own version of the stove-top espresso maker. This is why, in 1953, Renato Bialetti came up with the idea of adding a company mascot to every Moka Express to help promote the brand identity that is Bialetti. He used a caricature of his father Alfonso Bialetti to invent the �Omino Con I Baffi� � �Little Man with a Moustache�. This mascot proved popular as it created an image of an Italian father or fond elder relative who had lived his life in the coffeehouse.

The design of the Moka Express has hardly changed in over 70 years of manufacturing. Aluminium is still used to this day, as it is claimed that the residue of coffee from the previous brews that taints the sides of a Moka pot adds flavour and depth to future brews. This is why it is recommended that you do not clean your Moka Express too thoroughly.

Bialetti, now the world leader in the manufacture of domestic coffee makers, still strives to offer �in casa un espresso come al bar�. With the improvement in espresso machines in coffeehouses, Bialetti has sought to develop new technologies, creating new stove-top espresso maker models. They now produce: stainless steel models, such as the Venus; an electric model, the Moka Easy; a new pressure system, the Brikka � which produces a �crema� top on your coffee; and now a stove-top cappuccino maker, the Mukka Express.

Author: James Grierson

A Wishlist Of Household Gadgets And Conveniences

I think most people who are responsible for keeping the household in good order have a wishlist of gadgets and other goodies that they would like to have for their home. This wishlist goes beyond just the basics needed to keep a household going over (in other words, it won't include necessities like washing machines and vacuum cleaners, although I have done without a washing machine in emergencies... but that's another story). These items are ones from the "very handy to have but not essential" category.

1. A dishwasher. I would like to do a time-and-motion study of how long it takes me to do the dishes every day by hand. And how much time and energy gets spent in either making the children do the dishes - followed by re-doing the plates and knives that a grumpy ten-year-old didn't do properly. And a dishwasher hides all the dirty dishes out of sight while it's waiting to be run, and the cats won't be tempted to jump up on the bench if the slightest residue of fish or chicken lingers on any plate or knife (they never learn). Dishwashers are supposed to use less water and to sterilise the dishes better, too.

2. A clothes dryer. While on the whole, sunshine and line-drying is the best way to get clothes dry (it's better for the environment and cheaper to do, too), during weeks on end of winter rain and drizzle, it's nice to be able to get clothes dry quickly, especially if you get to the stage when all the drying racks are full, some items (e.g. bathmats and jeans) have been hanging on the drying rack for at least a week and someone needs sports gear clean and dry in a hurry. The smell of a dryer on a cold, miserable day is quite cosy, too, and the clothes come out feeling all snuggly, warm and fluffy - luxury!

3. A blender. Perfect for making sure you get plenty of fruit in your diet, because milkshakes and smoothies are easy to make. They're also perfect for making mayonnaise and hummus, for pureeing soups and for chopping citrus peel finely when I make marmalade.

4. A cappuccino machine. While the plunger and the percolator are all very well for making my morning cup of coffee, it's often nice to have something a bit fancier. The steam nozzle for frothing milk can be used to froth children's hot chocolate for a treat.

5. A coffee grinder. To grind fresh coffee rather than using ready-ground coffee. The taste is unbeatable.

6. A toasted sandwich maker. Toasted sandwiches can be made under the grill or by a combination of the microwave and the toaster, but a toasted sandwich maker compresses the bread over the filling so it doesn't come to pieces. I had one of these at home when I was a teenager and used it all the time for after-school snacks, lunches, etc.

7. A Popsicle making set. Nothing electric - just the sort you fill with fruit juice or whatever you fancy, shut the lid and pop in the freezer. I have a diabetic in my household, and this means we'd still be able to have low sugar ice-cream easily by filling the compartments with yoghurt, pureed fruit, fresh-squeezed orange juice, etc.

8. A miniature water feature that can fit on a desk. I love the sound of running water - it's very soothing and refreshing. 9. An exercycle. While walking is by far the best exercise and weights can be improvised with bottles of water and baked bean cans, it's sometimes too beastly out-of-doors to go out for a walk in the evening, or else the only time I have free for exercise is at night after the kids are in bed and I can neither leave them alone in the house (if the husband comes with me) or go walking alone in the dark (if the husband stays at home with the kids). An exercycle gives a good workout but isn't as boring as stepping up the stairs - it's possible to prop a book up on the handlebars while you bike.

Author: Nick Vassilev

Gadgets That Do Not Conserve Energy

Each individual time I go down to the division shop (which just isn't fairly many times, admittedly), there appears to be some other marvelous gadget for performing this or that household chore. And most of them are run by electric power. If we want to reduce down on our power usage - both seeing that we want to decrease the carbon emissions of a petrol-fuelled electric power station, given that we want to have less electromagnetic fields in our speedy atmosphere, on the grounds that we stay in an alternate vitality home and the wind tower/photo voltaic panels aren't doing substantially on a foggy day, or due to the fact we want to save finances - then it pays to know which devices are worthy of gaining and which aren't.

Bread maker - these only make a person loaf at a time, which will get eaten totally rapidly in a spouse and children. Experiencing experimented with equally approaches, I can say that generating bread by hand (kneading it in a bowl, then forgetting it on the bench for 50 percent an afternoon earlier than knocking it down and kneading once more, followed by popping it in a tin to bake alongside a casserole) uses quite a bit less electric power and would make a great deal more bread. If you actually want fresh bread and haven't time to bake it on your own, then look for a fine bakery... ideally a person that uses natural elements and puts the loaves in paper bags (they do exist - do not despair).

Electric citrus juicer - They could very well appearance groovy, but a hand-held juicer will get just as quite a bit juice out, is simplier and easier to wash and is much easier to retail outlet. Are you really such a wimp that you can't squeeze a lemon by hand?

Blender - Fairly value it, as it can be implemented to make healthful juices and milkshakes as properly as pureeing soups, chopping nuts, producing mayonnaise, whipping cream, and so forth.

Cake mixer - A hand-held beater does just as beneficial a employment - or even a plain aged spoon.

Toasted sandwich maker - To be fair, cooking toasted sandwiches below the grill doesn't do as outstanding a job, and frying sandwiches works by using a little more oil. If you undoubtedly like toasted sandwiches and consume them a lot, then it's worthy of it.

Espresso percolator - Okay... I'll acknowledge to getting an individual of these, even though a French press/plunger does the occupation free of utilising electrical energy.

Hair trimmer - If the members of your family just want a quick trim, they're easier and quicker and do a far better task than scissors. Positive, you won't flip into Vidal Sassoon, but a hair trimmer can give the resident males (and other folks who want it) a small-back-and-sides, a crew lower or a Quantity 4.

Juicer - I, personally, would not have a juicer and a blender. The blender gets very good plenty of fruit and vegetable juices, mainly if you include a tiny water, and is a whole lot more flexible. It truly is more beneficial to get a single gadget rather than two. But if you consume a lot of juice and you want refreshing juice at your workplace, then possibly.

Electrical carving or bread knife - If you have to have to carve neat slices off a roast extremely often, it possibly will be worth it. Also if you don't spend money on sliced bread and really need to cut a few loaves at as soon as. However, it is probable to cut neat slices with an ordinary carving or bread knife.

Pasta device - If you eat masses of pasta and want to make your individual from wholemeal flour and your own additives (e.g. spinach, tomato paste, etc.) then it might probably be really worth it.

Popcorn machine - A paper bag or cardboard box in the microwave will do the work reasonably clearly. Acquiring says that, air-popped popcorn is a wholegrain snack with little or no weight that most young people benefit from. It's possible decide to purchase one particular to be shared around a variety of households for children's parties?

Nail dryer - With today's fast-dry nail polishes, do you extremely want 1 for home use? Use a hair dryer if you might be definitely in a hurry.

Electric toothbrush - A great deal of men and women continue to be cavity complimentary and with sweet breath lacking these. Conserve your cash.

Hair dryer - This is a chemical-zero cost way of killing nits, so if you have school aged young people, it truly is well worth possessing and utilizing often. But consider to air-dry your hair from time to time - it's effective for your hair as nicely as a electricity saver.

Writer: Nick Vassilev

Coffee Grinding: Choose Out Which Is The Highest quality Grind For Your Espresso Brewing Process

Espresso grinding assists us get to people awesome oils trapped within the coffee beans. The oils are the main to providing wealthy flavors and aromas. This is also why we say to use the freshest beans. You will not want beans that are dried or stale. The oils from fresh new beans generates the crema at the top rated of an espresso. This is the espresso bean oils rising to the top of the cup. How does this relate to coffee grinding? Perfectly, choosing the improper grind sort for an espresso device may perhaps have you risking the brilliant flavors we all really like.

Burr grinders are recognised as the recommended pick. Although blade grinders are okay, the do not give a regular grinder. Hand grinders are also beneficial to use. (Note: you get what you spend for, so devote wisely, not essentially thriftily).

Okay, now which coffee brewing procedures function most appropriate with which espresso grinding solutions.

Added Very good grinds: Espresso devices.

High-quality grinds: Drip Filtration, coffee makers with conical filters, Moka Pots.

Medium grinds: Drip Filtration coffee makers with flat bottom filters (not conical).

Course grinds: French Press (or Plunger), Percolator (if you however use a person) and Vacuum Pots.

Who likes Turkish coffee? You most certainly previously know that an ultra-fine grind is the right an individual for you.

What occurs if we get the grind incorrect? We will end up with a weak espresso if applying a program grind in an espresso device. Conversely, if we use an more good grind in a conical drip filter system, the filter will get clogged up.

A medium grind in an espresso machine has granted me a drip filtered fashion of coffee. This is not automatically a poor issue, it indicates that you can experiment a tiny. Regardless, the listing above will provide you with some suitable tips.

Cheers,

Craig.

http://www.the-java-cafe.com

Writer: Craig Barista

Storytelling

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and there is even a Christmas song that reminds us of that simple reflection. Part of the lyrics from this classic, always sung by Andy Williams in my head, rekindles our connection to the tradition of recounting memories as we gather with friends and family. I can hear Andy now, telling us about, "scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago."

Also very vivid in my mind is the face of a family friend, brought to tears from laughing so hard at the sight of my father trying to fit the too-large Christmas tree through our kitchen to its spot in the living room. For some reason that year, we had delayed purchasing a tree. As it was already December 23, our friend had felt compelled to take matters into her own hands. The tree eventually made it into the living room, but, of course, it was too tall, the trunk didn't fit into the stand, and even after we managed to stabilize it somehow, it took up more than its share of space. Decorating it was a fiasco unto itself. As the season progressed, the under-watered tree dropped needles as if it were auditioning for the next Charlie Brown Christmas special. Whenever our friend popped in for coffee during the holidays that year she asked after the tree, watched my father roll his eyes, and then they would both burst out laughing.

But the story doesn't end there. The next year, feeling a desire to honor the memory of the tree, our friend presented us with a new coffee pot. It was a tall percolator, shaped like an abstract tree, and very, very green. She was quite pleased with herself, and laughed almost as hard as the year before. Although not my only Christmas story, it is one of my favorites. It has all the important features: drama, suspense, a compassionate deed, humor, and a tremendously joyful spirit. Unforgettable moments like these don't happen every day, and they deserve to be remembered.

Another Christmas memory comes from years later. Having just taken over managing a retail furniture store, I found myself on December 1 sitting on side-by-side boxes with my friend and supervisor, in a back room filled with merchandise. Both assistant managers had quit, and there was no time to hire and train anybody else until after the holiday season. We were short staffed due to illness, and the mall hours were extending to eight in the morning until eleven at night. Having worked together for a number of years already, we recognized that neither of us could manage the situation alone, and somehow we got through it. We have also managed to maintain our friendship, and will be spending Christmas together again this year, but under much less stressful circumstances. This is also one of my favorite Christmas stories because sometimes the Christmas spirit is one of endurance, perspective, gratitude and grace.

Each of us has stories spoken and stories unspoken that walk with us as we move closer to our celebrations of the birth of God With Us. A recent PBS special, "From Jesus to Christ," which focuses on the development of Christianity after the death of Jesus and the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem, speaks of the forty year oral tradition between these events and the first written documents about the life of Jesus and his followers. During those years in which Judaism and Christianity were still one faith, the oral tradition kept Jesus' memory alive among people who had not known him personally or even met him at a public event. The stories they heard from people who had known Jesus did, however, become their memories. All the parables, healings, sermons and teachings Jesus shared during his ministry were not forgotten, but were passed on as stories, and then offered up as hymns. At the time, early Christians gathered in each other's homes, each bringing to the common table what they could offer, including stories, prayers and hymns remembering Jesus among them. Who Jesus was, and what he preached, then became anchored in the worship of the community and the souls of its people.

Although what we now cherish as the Christmas story was not written down, these early believers, wandering in their own forty year wilderness in search of their understanding of the Kingdom of God in a broken, brutal world, perhaps knew the story of Jesus' birth. Perhaps someone brought that story to the table, as a prayer, or a hymn, remembering Jesus' welcomed presence among his people.

Christmas stories, especially the ones told over and over, taking on a life of their own, are like the ornaments on our Christmas trees themselves. Collected over time, they each add their own flavor, color and texture to our lives, and the lives of people in our communities. We don't have to have been present at all the events that generated the stories. Just hearing them and retelling them is enough. The stories, shared memories, and the prayers and hymns they become in our laughter and reflection become worship of God With Us once again.

Author: Cory L. Kemp

A few sizzling legislative troubles about which we just won't be able to agree

The state's toughest problems percolate up to the Legislature each yr. Right here are a few that arouse a honest sum of passion -- certainly involving us:

Need to college board elections be partisan?

Webb: Sure. Imagine for a moment. Do you recall who represents you on state and district school boards? Did you know the college board candidates on the ballot? Do you have any concept how your school board members really feel about key troubles? Developing college board candidates run as Republicans or Democrats will deliver a magnificent deal additional exposure for candidates, will set them by using a screening plan to win their get together nomination, and will end result in considerably better candidates who are extra accountable.

Of course, candidates will have to function the grass roots in planning for bash caucuses and conventions. Which is a positive thing. Conversing to normal citizens and asking for their support is the place candidates study the most and truly prepare to serve. Establishing coalitions at the grass-roots stage is ideal education for effectual governance. And, are convinced me, the far best suited will not forever dominate the nominating operation. Mainstream Utahns, who are in the majority, only have to have to turn out to regain command of Utah politics. We might possibly just see a mainstream uprising in the 2012 caucuses.

Pignanelli: "God made the Idiot for practice, and then He constructed the College Board." -- Mark Twain. Without having a question, the worst task in American democracy is the regional school board. These poor souls endure a thankless existence until eventually they honestly make a judgement, then 50 percent of their constituents dislike them, even though the other 50 % ignores them. As a consequence, LaVarr is just basic cruel by seeking to drive them because of Utah's antiquated delegate/convention system, dominated by left- and right-wing extremists. Partisanship does not supply you with the response. A large amount of of Utah's inventive thinkers in education are Republicans, but the most revolutionary college method harbors 1000's of liberals -- the Salt Lake Town School District.

LaVarr is just also previous and decrepit to bear in mind the persuasive expectations of more youthful, a whole lot more vibrant parents or guardians ... like me. We want the most excellent candidate to find out the schooling of our little ones and do not care if the college board representative is Republican, Democrat, Independent or Martian.

Why have not legislators raised the problem of training vouchers as a way to diminish class sizes and produce even more for each-pupil dollars for public schooling?

Webb: Simply because "voucher" has sorry to say grow to be a four-letter phrase in Utah and even conservative Republicans are frightened to point out it. Truth is, vouchers are a superior way to have Utah moms and dads voluntarily subsidize their children's education. If a goodly multitude of pupils leave the public product, taking, say, 50 percent of the funds with them that the state is paying for their education, then the other 50 percent stays in the state system, shared amongst these who continue being. Even Frank will need to be able to do that math. Vouchers could minimize class dimensions and expand expenditures every pupil. Vouchers could guide cope with the ongoing budget crunch. But seeing that most of the education establishment opposes vouchers with an irrational, zealous, religious fervor, ignoring the simple facts, legislators are terrified to even increase the difficulty.

Pignanelli: The only factor additional dead than vouchers is LaVarr's feeling of humor. Lawmakers obviously figure out the 2006 Initiative outcome was a sturdy shout from Utahns that they do not want vouchers in the college program. Pressured to search past vouchers, training activists are prompting more beneficial options in public training. Without a doubt, the hallways of the state Capitol and college district offices are crammed with mothers and fathers and advocates pushing exhilarating new applications for Utah pupils for example: charter colleges, on-line education, innovative accountability procedures, premiums for science training, increased use of technologies, and many others. Vouchers are "outdated school."

Should certainly the total income tax be restored on foods and the overall gross sales tax level be reduced?

Webb: Unquestionably. Positive tax policy demands a broad tax base with reduced prices. Narrowing the tax base is accurately the incorrect point to do for the extended-phrase fiscal well being of the state. We ought to remove most exemptions and credits (and triple all taxes on legal professional/ lobbyists) and permit every person pay out a very little. Why really should wealthy and middle class people young and old avert paying sales tax on food? It may make no feeling. If our worry is for very low-money families, then we could furnish a refundable tax credit. Personally, I believe that all people may want to pay out a little bit for the government products and services they acquire. This strategy would not increase all round taxes. Everyone would pay out a very small bit added for food, but would spend much less for all other products. This logic ought to penetrate even Frank's thick skull.

Pignanelli: Most experts agree that the profits tax on food is horribly regressive and unfair to decrease-profits households. The moment the personal computer technological innovation existed to aid supermarkets in finding out which objects would be wise to be taxed and not taxed, the Legislature wisely removed this onerous load. I concur that lower-earnings people today needs to participate in the expense of authorities services. However it is further efficient that this is achieved by means of entitlement reform, which essentially prompts alot more productive habits.

Republican LaVarr Webb is a political expert and lobbyist. Earlier he was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is Salt Lake legal professional, lobbyist and political adviser. Pignanelli served ten a long time in the Utah Property of Representatives, six ages as minority leader. His spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is a state tax commissioner. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.

Writer: Frank Pignanelli

John Ferber talks about 'Secret Millionaire'

Local fans of the ABC display "Solution Millionaire" noticed a acquainted encounter Sunday night -- John Ferber, who co-founded Advertising and marketing.com in the 1990s with his brother, Scott, and right away lives in Palm Seashore County, Fla.

Ferber invested a week posing as a documentary filmmaker in the notorious Skid Row district of Los Angeles.

The episode ended with Ferber reducing checks totaling $a hundred,000 for three neighborhood organizations. He also acquired $20,000 in items for the groups.

Promoting.com was acquired in 2004 for $435 million in hard cash Ferber pocketed about $72 million in the offer. He has various On line ventures percolating from his Florida base, which includes Microgiving.com, which we blogged about a few of weeks ago.

He says he was intrigued about likely on actuality Tv immediately after a producer for the demonstrate -- who read through a profile of Ferber in a magazine - - forwarded him some YouTube clips of the British version of the plan.

"I was very touched by the full spirit of the exhibit," Ferber told me Monday. "It undoubtedly felt like the proper thing to do."

In the episode -- you can see it in its entirety on Hulu -- Ferber spends time at the Alexandria House, a very long-term shelter for abused gals and kids. He also meets some of the estimated 15,000 homeless consumers in the region thru a group that organizes three-on-three basketball games in a park. A wall mural that had fallen into disrepair gives a haunting backdrop (and appears later on in the episode).

He also meets 1 man named Amin, who distributes hygiene kits and other essentials to the area's homeless. In the course of the episode, Amin takes the shoes off his feet and gives them to a second gentleman, a minute that obviously moved Ferber.

The episode was filmed more than a week in March 2010. Ferber didn't know in which he was likely until finally a cab driver at the airport in Los Angeles told him. With a crew of everywhere from twenty to thirty folks adhering to him, Ferber was dropped off at an intersection and led to a lower-earnings housing complex.

He is been again to the spot as the exhibit was recorded and says he keeps in touch with the individuals he put in time with all through the episode. In contemplating about how the system impacted him, Ferber referenced a man with no arms or legs who for many decades has set up on President Street around Minimal Italy, asking motorists for alter.

"I passed the man in all likelihood every day for 15 a long time and never definitely gave a ton of thought to the visitors and the conditions that place them there," he explained. "It opened my eyes."

Author: Robert J Terry

Some Ways To Making The Perfect Cup Of Coffee

Coffee is America's drink. Most people start their day with a steaming cup of Joe. Many are relegated to purchasing over priced drinks from local cafes because the perfect cup eludes them at home. Here we will outline the steps needed to brew your own at home.

Clean equipment is a must. Any residual coffee in the equipment will lead to a bitter cup. The oils will go rancid and the liquid will burn.

Get the freshest beans possible. Coffee is an agricultural product, so the fresher it is, the better it will taste. Purchase beans from a purveyor that does a lot of volume. You don't want the beans you buy to be sitting around in a store for a long time.

Only buy as many beans as you will use. It doesn't matter how good a sale is on a great bean, if it goes stale it is no longer a great bean. Sitting around the house is just as bad for a bean as sitting around a grocery store.

Use good, clean water. If your tap water is great as is, use that. If you wouldn't drink the water out of the tap use filtered water.

Fresh ground beans means better flavor. Always grind at home before brewing. A grinder at home is a small investment in fresh flavor.

Make sure that you are using the right size grind for the brew method of your choice. If a percolator is used, coarse grind is called for. Medium grind is what most people would use. This is appropriate for drip machines and French presses. Fine grind is mostly used in Europe in vacuum and Neapolitan flip methods. Extra fine grind is used in espresso machines.

The ratio of grounds to water is critical. To make a perfect six-ounce cup, two tablespoons of grounds should be used. More grounds does not increase the flavor and is just a waste of money. Less grounds causes the water to extract too much from the beans, resulting in a bitter brew.

Store beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Putting beans in the fridge will expose them to moisture, which will ruin flavor. If beans must be put in the freezer, use them within 2-3 months.

When brewing, use water just off the boil. The time it takes to walk the kettle to the grounds is enough time for the water to cool down. If you are using a machine, this step does not apply.

After brewing, but before serving, make sure to stir. This helps distribute the particles that have settled on the bottom. It also mixes the oils into the drink. This makes for consistently good cups throughout.

If any coffee remains, store it in a thermos or a preheated air pot. This keeps it hot and fresh and doesn't allow for scalding if left on a hot plate.

By following a few easy steps and making them routine, anyone can brew the perfect cup of coffee in the comfort of their own home. Now you just need to think about what to do with all the money saved from buying lattes everyday.

Author: Andy Guides Jr

Different Coffee Methods: But Which One Do You Like?

Different Coffee Brewing Methods Explained

Walk into any house or specialty coffee shop and you will find a myriad of different brands of coffees and methods of coffee brewing. Every one has their own coffee making process, but here are the most common methods explained.

Instant coffee, invented in the early 1900�s, has grown and improved over the years. Instant coffee is created by from coffee beans, but during the first stage of harvesting the coffee is made into a coffee concentrate by dehydrating the beans to produce a powder or grainy coffee substance. This allows consumers to just add water to the substance to enjoy a quick cup of coffee. This type of coffee stays fresher longer than traditional grinded coffee beans, but may lack the taste of a fresh brewed cup.

The filter method of brewing coffee is the most common used process today. Ground coffee beans are measured into a filter and then hot water is poured on top. This can be done by hand or in an electric coffee pot, which can be found in just about any home across the world.

The percolator method consists of placing coarsely ground coffee in a metal filter that is placed in a pitcher with cold water. The percolator heats the cold water, making it bubble up into the metal filter. After the percolating process if finished, a nice pot of coffee is ready and waiting to be consumed.

The espresso method of brewing, which was perfected by Italy, forces hot water through a finely grinded coffee bean, making a very strong coffee solution. It then is drained through the machine into cups. If desired, Espresso can become a lighter, frothy liquid known as cappuccino just by adding steamed milk. Espresso is commonly drunk in the United States and beyond, and is considered a delicacy.

The Arab or Turkish coffee brewing method is very easy � the ground coffee bean and two teaspoons of sugar are boiled three times in an ibriq � a small copper pot. This coffee brewing method isn�t all too common in the United States, but is a general practice for Arab culture.

Brewing Flavored coffee is also commonly used in specialty coffee venues and homes across the United States. One can easily purchase different flavored coffee beans in grocery stores or specialty coffee shops for a pretty penny. In order to make coffee beans contain added flavors, they are combined during the roasting process. Different flavors like chocolate, hazelnut and vanilla are added on the bean while they are being roasted. Then the beans are processed as usual, and sent to markets world-wide. Instead of purchasing the flavored coffee beans, one can actually add special syrups containing flavoring right to their cup � something many specialty coffee shops offer.

The plunger method of coffee brewing involves warming a pot and then adding coarsely ground coffee beans in the bottom of it. Hot water is then added to create coffee. One can purchase mesh to divide the coffee beans from the liquid, but they do not last long. This method isn�t at all convenient, and may turn up grounds in your drinking experience. This is commonly used for camping and other outdoor activities if a percolator isn�t readily available.

Author: Robert Michael

Everything you ever wanted to know about Shabbat

Shabbat is "hardwired" into our Jewish souls.

That's the notion that underlies Yvette Alt Miller's new book, Angels at the Table: A Practical Guide to Celebrating Shabbat (Continuum International Publishing Group, 2011).

"Every Jewish person was made with this metaphysical connection to Shabbat," she says. "Many are drawn to it [observing the Sabbath] even if they may not be ready to accept every recommendation in the book."

The idea for the book has been percolating in her since she lived in the District, says the author. "We lived in Cleveland Park, in a very warm Jewish environment" with families at various levels of religious observance.

"There were families that wanted to include more Shabbat observance into their lives, and I helped them," she says.

She and her family now live in Northbrook, a northern suburb of Chicago. Again, she lives outside of the main Chicago Orthodox community among Jews of differing religious observance.

As when she lived in the District, she has hosted many families on Shabbat. "Many people, having tasted Shabbat, like it," she says.

Others had misconceptions about being shomrei Shabbat, which she has tried to clarify. In that regard, so many people focus on the restrictive rules and lose sight of the joyful nature of Shabbat, the author notes.

For a long time, she had believed she could write a book answering the many questions mat people had asked her during those years. Because she had thought about the subject for so long, once she started to write, the words flowed quickly and she finished the project in a year and a half, Miller says.

It's been a long spiritual journey for her. She was born in 1970 in Chicago and grew up in a Conservative Jewish home with parents who were not very religious, the author recalls. "I've always been drawn to things Jewish, but thought I was missing something [in her family's observance of Judaism], that there was some wisdom I wasn't getting."

Therefore, as an undergraduate at Harvard, she decided to become religiously observant.

After receiving her bachelor's degree in government in 1992, she got a master's in international relations from the London School of Economics, a postgraduate diploma in Jewish studies from Oxford and a Ph.D. in international relations from LSE in 2003.

She lived in the Washington area from 1998 to 2003, working at the U.S. International Trade Commission and as deputy director of the office and head of public affairs at United Jewish Communities in the District. She attended services at the Orthodox Kesher Israel Congregation and at the Conservative Adas Israel Congregation.

The book is completely in English, to make it accessible to everyone, she notes. "I wanted to demystify Shabbat," she says. "I wanted it to be a complete resource [on the subject]."

In its 15 chapters, Angels at the Table seems to provide a comprehensive discussion of Shabbat in chapters such as "Rules and laws of Shabbat," "Drawing close to God: blessings at the Shabbat dinner table," "Finding a community: Shabbat morning services," "Torah questions for your Shabbat table," "Easy, traditional Shabbat recipes" and "Songs for Shabbat."

It is one of the books used for the Jewish Learning Institute course "Oasis in Time: the Gift of Shabbat in a 24/7 World," being offered in 14 Washingtonarea Chabad locations.

While the book is useful, its spiritual aspect is what Miller wants to stress.

"I want people to understand that Shabbat is supremely satisfying and encourage them to incorporate new experiences into their Shabbat," she says.

by Aaron Leibel

Arts Editor

Author: Leibel, Aaron

Coffee Makers � A Brief Coffee Culture History

It is believed that the Yemen were the first to drink coffee from beans in the 15th century: others say it was the Turks. It is also believed that the coffee maker was nothing more than a pot. Today, the Turks say that the first coffee maker was a copper or brass Ibrik. The Ibrik was somewhat round on the bottom half and then had a straight body the rest of the way up. There was a long fairly wide spout at the top and a metal strap handle in the shape of a large C connected to the pot. When coffee was made they put roasted coffee "berries" that had been coarsely ground in the bottom of this coffee maker. Hot water was then poured over the beans in the bottom and then boiled for several hours. When Arabs traveled through the desert, the Ibrik was put into the hot sand and the heat from the hot sand brewed the mixture. Different spices such as cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and anise were often added to the brew.

The first noted commercial coffee makers were those used in coffee houses that opened in Istanbul, Turkey in 1554. Drinking coffee from coffee makers spread to Persia and on to the Ottoman Empire and northern Africa. Next, the taste for coffee spread to Europe; it is the Dutch sailors who then spread coffee and the need for coffeemakers to the rest of the world. Coffee came to America by way of the British in the 1607. Colonists, who were mainly tea drinkers, began to drink more coffee; especially after the Boston Tea party in 1773. All this coffee drinking then inspired a need for a better coffee maker.

During the time mentioned above coffee was made by dropping the grounds in the bottom of a "coffee pot" that now came in various shapes with a spout at the top on one side and a wooden handle on the other; nonetheless, some were very ornate and made of silver. Hot water was poured over the coffee grounds and boiled for a few minutes. Then, in the late 1770s, a two chamber coffee maker began to be used. Coffee grounds were put in an upper chamber. Boiling water was poured into the upper chamber that allowed only liquid to go to the lower chamber. This was an expensive coffee maker and not many people had them.

Next, there came a series of coffee makers. The first of these was the percolator in 1865. It was the stove top percolator similar to the ones we have today. When it was placed on a hot stove, the boiling water was forced up the hollow stem and over the coffee in a "basket." Many people still prefer this method as it makes a stronger tasting coffee; however, today, they also prefer electric percolators. Another coffee maker that some still like to use is the vacuum coffee maker, which looks like two pots, one upside down on the other. When heat forms a pressure, it forces hot water up into the top chamber where it infuses with the coffee grounds. When the heat is taken away, the pressure is released and the hot water, now coffee, returns to the bottom chamber. Not too much later the electric percolator was introduced; the French Press coffeemaker was introduced as well. Course coffee was placed in the bottom of a straight container and a plunger with a filter in the center was pushed down and allowed the coffee to come to the top. This is another method that still remains popular today.

The most popular form of coffee maker was introduced by the Mr. Coffee brand of coffeemakers. It is called the "pourover" method coffeemaker. Whether water is pumped over or poured over, hot water is infused with coffee grounds in a basket, usually with a filter that allows the coffee to drip into a decanter below.

Last, but not least are the espresso makers of today. The first one was made in France, but did not work very well. An Italian bought the patent and improved on it. After World War II, the Italians concentrated on the improvement of espresso machines. Today, Italian espresso machines and cappuccino machines whether made in America or Europe, or for the home or commercial use, remain highly sought after.

Author: Joyce Kaaland

What Should You Use To Clean Your Coffeemaker?

You can use a cleaner from a store that is made for coffeemakers or from your coffee maker company. Easier yet, and less expensive, is to use undiluted WHITE household vinegar. If you do choose to use a cleaner from the company you got your coffee maker from, be sure to read the �Caution statement� of the side of the box very carefully before you use it.

When you use vinegar, place a filter into the filter basket. Fill the glass coffee decanter to the highest cup line with the vinegar and pour it into the water reservoir and close the lid. Return the coffee decanter to the warming plate and turn �ON� the coffee maker like when you are going to brew coffee. When 3/4th of the total cups have flowed through into the coffee decanter, turn the coffeemaker �OFF.� Let the decanter remain of the warning plate rest for at least one-half hour. Then, turn the coffeemaker �ON� again until all the remaining vinegar is in the decanter. Discard the vinegar and the filter in the brew basket. Wash out the decanter by letting a full decanter of tap water go through the coffee maker as you did with the vinegar, but do NOT stop until all the water is in the decanter. Turn your coffeemaker �OFF� and throw out the water in the decanter. You may wash your glass decanter with dish soap and water; or you like or put on the top-rack of your dishwasher. Glass decanters are safe to wash on the top rack of your dishwasher only.

To clean your percolator, fill the percolator to the highest cup level with half water and half vinegar. Put a filter in the basket as you normally would, then run a full percolator cycle. When done, discard the water and the filter. Then run the percolator again with clean water. Discard that water and rinse out the percolator and rinse the stem and basket; dry with a soft towel. You can also clean an urn the same way. Be sure that you have enough vinegar to fill your urn half full; then, fill the second have with water. Be sure to put a paper filter in the filter basket when you clean an urn. Run it through a full cycle just like you would with a percolator. You can also lengthen the life and taste of coffee at your grange, social club or church that uses an urn. You will be surprised by the number of compliments you get after cleaning. This process always makes the coffee taste much better.

Water can leave a whitish mineral deposit or a brownish deposit stain in the bottom and sides of your decanter from your coffee or tea. To clean these deposits take a solution of equal parts of White household vinegar and Hot, not boiling, water and leave in the decanter for 20 to 30 minutes then discard. Wash your decanter with regular dish soap, rinse and dry with a soft dish towel. NEVER use a harsh abrasive on your coffee maker.

NOTE: These are rules for cleaning your coffeemaker. Never use vinegar to clean your espresso machine. Vinegar CAN harm parts of your espresso machine.

Author: Joyce Kaaland