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.

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

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

New Orleans master plan review reveals spending discrepancies for

A question of equity is percolating among New Orleans educators, as well as the city's civic and business leaders. They are wondering how a $1.6 billion master plan proposal to rebuild the city's public schools excludes more than one quarter of the renovations and new buildings deemed necessary.

A proposed revision of the master plan released last month calls for 54 school construction and renovation projects in two phases. A third phase with $422 million for 19 schools would require additional public investment, according to the proposal.White's determination to steer away from a single methodology may frustrate critics who say the plan suffers a lack of coherent policy.A group of civic, public policy and business organizations led by the Bureau of Governmental Research sharply criticized the proposed plan this month, calling for a "more utilitarian approach" with fewer "architectural dreams and luxuries."Estimates in the plan for renovating or replacing 26 currently occupied buildings are 68 percent higher in the master plan than costs that consulting firm Jacobs/CSRS Program Management provided in a summary analysis for the RSD. A CityBusiness review of the summary adjusted for soft costs, such as architectural and engineering fees, at 10 percent of the total budget.The settlement, combined with other assistance, brought in more than $2 billion in federal disaster funding for schools. About 20 percent of that was spent on post-hurricane needs.Other circumstantial realities need consideration, White said, including the demand for health services and vocational education.White also emphasized the FEMA settlement is to "fund what was destroyed" by the hurricane and "not to be the capital plan for the school system ongoing." He was responding to the BGR group's criticism that taxpayers will have to foot a bond issue to pay for what the plan doesn't cover.RSD spokeswoman Siona LaFrance explained the discrepancy as the cost of building "21st century schools" instead of simply replacing what existed before the hurricane. The master plan defines 21st century schools as those with media centers, performing arts spaces and competition gymnasiums, among other specifications."No charter school in America would ever build this building with so much common space that we have to pay for," Padian said.New Orleans College Prep Director Ben Kleban, who helped gather the data, said planning for more high schools with smaller footprints is more equitable and efficient.Padian, who participated in the peer review, said common areas such as hallways and maintenance rooms comprise 52 percent of Hughes, which opened in 2009. Monthly utility bills are averaging about $12,000 as a result, Padian said.But White's point could also be taken to question spending the FEMA settlement strictly on 21st century specifications, especially with so many buildings excluded."We have asked time and time again, over a period of years, for the districts to put forth the criteria that they used to put schools into phases. None have been forthcoming," O'Neill said.There are other problems. Moisture inside Behrman is causing paint to peel everywhere, especially in the un-air-conditioned main stairwell. The Recovery School District replaced part of the school's roof as a "critical recovery" project after Hurricane Katrina, but it didn't happen until 2009, Carter-Lewis said."From the time of Katrina until then, it just rained in the building," she said as she stood in the school's auditorium, where a puddle formed on the stage underneath a steady drip."You can build more of them, serve more communities, serve more kids, and, at the same time, save financial resources in perpetuity," Kleban said.A few blocks away, the new L.B. Landry High School was recently built for $59.2 million. Lake Area High School in Gentilly came in at $39.3 million. Langston Hughes Academy near the Fair Grounds cost $30.1 million.The proposal awaits public comment and state approval, but RSD Superintendent John White, barely three months in office, is slowing the process for more consideration. He says the plan should cover more students but is not guaranteeing money will be spent at every school."There is a legacy of neglect and in some cases prejudice that made school facilities a historically undervalued resource," White said. "That's not a factor that can be disregarded."White disputes such criticism. To the contrary, he said, the plan relies too heavily on demographic predictions of where students will live in the future to determine school locations, resulting in mismatches between building plans and school programs.Seven projects in the plan have already been completed at a cost of more than $200 million, and 19 others are in construction or design with combined estimates of more than $580 million.But the consultant's cost summary provides a glimpse of savings that might accrue with scaled-back plans. For the 26 projects alone, the difference between the cost summary and the master plan is $244.7 million, or 58 percent of the current proposal's unfunded portion.For some, the proposal reflects shortsighted planning that resulted in elaborate designs for certain schools at the expense of others. And for those critics, the problem is about economics as well as equity: oversized schools are unsustainable, they say.Tara O'Neill, policy manager at the Cowen Institute for Public Education Initiatives, favors a "roofs and windows first" approach that prioritizes basic needs in all buildings before elaborate plans. White said this is worthy of consideration but not as a single premise from which to plan.Martin Behrman Charter School in Algiers is currently slated to receive nothing, but it undeniably needs attention. Termites have carved windowsills and cupboards into sharp edges and devoured flooring throughout the 89-year-old building. Craters in the library floor render a large portion of it unusable. Until recently, layers of chewed wood in the basement cafeteria exposed students to soil underneath the building."All we ever heard was 'with this FEMA lump sum settlement, every child in New Orleans will be in a 21st century school,'" Padian said. "I think everybody knew from the get go it wasn't going to happen."Four high schools are currently in design at 204 square feet per student for an estimated cost of $236 million. Building one or two additional high schools at 175 square feet per student would save 25 to 37 percent on annual operating costs, according to an analysis provided by Paul Flower, the peer review chairman and president and CEO of Woodward Design Build.These are the first new schools built after Katrina as part of the School Facilities Master Plan, which was initially released in 2008 and relies on a Federal Emergency Management Agency settlement."What we should avoid is being dogmatic," White said. "It's not that there is a right premise or that there's a wrong premise. It's the idea that there's only one premise. That is a problem."Critics, including Hughes Academy board member Kathy Padian, say the new schools are excessive. The 95,000-square-foot Hughes building is designed for 556 students, or 171 square feet per student. That's about 20 percent more than what a peer review group consisting of educators and architects recommended for elementary schools in a March report.No one is arguing that New Orleans schools were wholly adequate before the storm. Lewis-Carter attributed Behrman's deficiencies to "years of institutional neglect," and LaFrance noted that building assessments after the hurricane found $1 billion in deferred maintenance across the city.

"There is a legacy of neglect and in some cases prejudice that made school facilities a historically undervalued resource," White said. "That's not a factor that can be disregarded."

An easy walk to Zion's big waterfalls - Zion National Park, Utah

At the head of a small box canyon in Zion National Park, Utah, are two big falls, which really gush after a rainstorm; you can get to either by an easy walk from the main canyon road.

Generally, the food trends discussed in this column trickle down. That is, they begin in the finedining sector of the industry and gradually become popularized, eventually reaching dinnerhouses and occasionally fast feeders in some altered form.The Radisson Suite Hotel's Sugar House restaurant in New Orleans serves a form of chicken nuggets. Dorothy Krupnick, a New York caterer, dusts them with sesame seeds and serves them on bamboo skewers as sesame chicken.Other chicken retailers have begun producing similar specialties. And there are signs that chicken nuggets are achieving acceptance in fine-dining and independent operations. In New York, Ottomanelli's Meat Market on the Upper East Side has created a variation on the chicken nugget called Chicken Rings. These are small donut-shaped pieces of chicken breast meat, lightly breaded and deep-fried. They are made by cutting circles of the meat from breast cutlets. The retail price is $4.50 a dozen, and they are also served at the three Ma-Ma Ottomanelli Cafes, also on the Upper East Side, at $3.95 a portion.

Zion is 43 northeast of St. George; from Interstate 15, take State 9 east 33 miles to the park. Admission is free now through March. The Weeping Rock Trail parking lot is off the main Zion Canyon Road, about 5 miles north of the visitor center (open 9 to 5 daily).

Chicken nuggets trickle up to tablecloth establishments

Chicken nuggets trickle up to tablecloth establishments

The more spectacular, called Weeping Rock, sheds unending tears as water percolates down from the headlands through the rock's thick sandstone layers. In spring and late fall, however, these tears become a torrent, as thundershowers send a cascade of water over the rock. The Weeping Rock Trail is an easy walk, just 1/2 mile round trip, and pleasant in fall's 65[deg.] days (summer temperatures reach into the 100s). The trail gets rather wet and slippery at the end; walk carefully and protect your camera from spray.Zion is 43 northeast of St. George; from Interstate 15, take State 9 east 33 miles to the park. Admission is free now through March. The Weeping Rock Trail parking lot is off the main Zion Canyon Road, about 5 miles north of the visitor center (open 9 to 5 daily).Now the company is rolling out a similar item called Chicken Tenders made only from the filet portion of the boneless breast. Preliminary market reports from Maine and Philadelphia are extremely positive.It appears that the industry is not going to be content to limit the breaded finger food segment to chicken. The U.S. Department of Agriculture ruling that will permit chemical binders in meat products has been reported as opening the door to restructured roast beef and meatloaf products and also to battered or breaded and fried products, similar to the chicken nuggets. But it is doubtful whether beef items could find their way into better tablecloth operations unless they are made with filet. Some operator might try foie gras "nuggets," however.The popularity of chicken may also revive the fish finger category, which has long been available in fast feeders, supermarkets and, as gougonettes of sole, in top French restaurants, such as Le Cirque. Surimi nuggets are a likelihood and, following on the heels of McDonald's Shanghai promotion, variations on the chicken theme can be expected to proliferate. Cajun nuggets, Indian nuggets, Italian nuggets with marinara sauce and MExican nuggets with salsa, sour cream and guacamole are all beginning to come into view in my crystal ball."McDonald's educated the consumer starting in July and August of 1983 with its multi-million-dollar investment, and we have now reached what I call a critical mass, with 25 to 30 chains serving some form of boneless chicken finger food and supermarkets coming along as well,c he said. "We have to be more creative about selling dark meat now." He added that the supply can meet the demand.But the most upscale interpretation is at the Casual Quilted Giraffe, Barry and Susan Wine's "grazing" restaurant in New York's AT&T building. The fried chicken nuggets are all dark meat because, Wine said, they have more flavor. They are batter-fried, peppery and sell for $12 a small portion or $22 a large plate with potato salad and a creamy honey-mustard dressing. Wine said they represent about 12% of all the orders in the appetizer or small- plate category. "People rarely order them as a main course," he added. "Usually it's a side for the table."Supermarkets have been selling nuggets frozen, and now Perdue has introduced a line of fresh prepared chicken nuggsts called Perdue Done It Chicken Breast Nuggets. These are all-white-meat flat boneless chicken pieces, batter dipped, breaded and then flash-fried so that all the consumer has to do is heat them briefly in the oven. According to George Murray, marketing director for the line, they are selling extremely well. Recently, the product was reformulated to eliminate sugar and MSG.The park itself is lovely in fall, cool and unhampered by the crowds that clog its main roads in summer. And the falls are an added reason to detour here if you're traveling on nearby Interstate 15 anytime in late fall or early winter.Blackened redfish is one example that comes to mind; pasta salad is another. Designer pizzas sporting atypical toppings, such as zucchini and eggplant, also qualify, even though the category began with a popular budget base and eventually reached the tablecloth market via California.Roy Rogers, Burger King, Wendy's and others have added some form of boneless breaded chicken to their menus. Some chains use a processed preformed chicken product, while others use cuts of chicken meat, mostly the white meat. The impact on the chicken industry has been enormous. According to Bill Roenigk, director of economic research for the National Broiler Council, more than a billion pounds of chicken will be made into nuggets in 1986.

The popularity of chicken may also revive the fish finger category, which has long been available in fast feeders, supermarkets and, as gougonettes of sole, in top French restaurants, such as Le Cirque. Surimi nuggets are a likelihood and, following on the heels of McDonald's Shanghai promotion, variations on the chicken theme can be expected to proliferate. Cajun nuggets, Indian nuggets, Italian nuggets with marinara sauce and MExican nuggets with salsa, sour cream and guacamole are all beginning to come into view in my crystal ball.

Author: Florence Fabricant

Camping Enjoyment For The Entire Family

Camping can be a wonderful and relaxing getaway for the whole family. If you prepare and plan before your departure, your whole family will enjoy what nature intended.

The most massive cone volcano in theCascade chain, Shasta juts abruptly from the landscape just north of Redding, dominating the region for a hundred miles. The 14,162-foot peak and its 12,330-foot sidekick, Shastina, even affect weather-- 70 inches of rain fall yearly on the wetter south slopes, only half as much on the north. Rivers are born here, fed by snowpack and a five-glacier wreath that slowly melts and percolates into the porous lava. Shasta has even spawned a crop of legends and mystics.Fishing areas usually require a fishing license. Bring a current license for that area if you plan on fishing. Conservation officers consistantly check these popular fishing areas. Getting caught without a license could ruin a fun family getaway.A good late summer getaway right off I-5,Shasta requires little advance planning (except for houseboat rentals). Sitting above Redding's blowtorch heat, the area has temperatures that vary with elevation: an August day could be 90| at 1,070-foot Shasta Lake, 65| at timber line.We outline a triangle tour from the bigmountain to Shasta Lake and the east-side parks, fishing streams, and small towns. You could fully explore the region in a week or more, based in a houseboat, campsites, or small area motels. Area code for telephone numbers listed is 916.The "fire mountain' of lava and ice: day-hiking, camping, summit climbingSecluded coves, water-ski fun at four-armed Shasta LakeDay-hiking on Shasta's shoulders is aneasier option. Carry plenty of liquids and dress in layers (cold winds can pick up). The Bunny Flat trailhead area, on the southwest slope at a cool 6,800 feet, is one good starting spot. A trail leads 1 1/4 miles through white pine and Shasta red fir to the Sierra Club's hut at 8,000-foot-high Horse Camp. From there, a causeway of giant stones leads 3/4 mile into Avalanche Gulch and great views of the valley below. The trailhead is 11 miles from the town of Mount Shasta on the Everitt Memorial Highway.

Before your next camping adventure, look into what your family would like for an enjoyable camping trip. Planning ahead and taking everything your family needs will make memories to last a lifetime.

Author: Suzanne Theriac

Will livestock drug cause dung crisis?

Will livestock drug cause dung crisis?

Its timber brought loggers and trains, andtowns sprouted beside mills and railroad junctions. Visitors find the area still sparsely populated, the towns slow paced (with jobs gone, some are fighting for survival), the high lakes and fishing streams uncrowded. Even busy Shasta Lake offers solitude in coves and draws.While feces of nontreated calves wereimmediately colonized by dung beetles in the field--sometimes by hundreds per "pat'--and later by earthworms, the dung of ivermectin-treated animals remained largely devoid of such invertebrates, according to a report in the June 4 NATURE by zoologists Richard Wall and Les Strong of Bristol University in England. Within 100 days, the researchers say, the control pats had "largely disappeared,' whereas the drug-containing dung samples "were still largely intact.' This situation could spell a serious, impending problem, especially to livestock farmers, Wall believes, because "for every pat [of dung] you have, you reduce available pasture land; cows won't graze up to the edge of their cow pat.'

Bill Hill, a spokesperson for theRahway, N.J.-based MSD-AGVET (a division of Merck & Co.), the drug's maker, says there have been no anecdotal reports from ivermectin users of problems with dung degradation. Moreover, he says, because the drug is registered only for infrequent administration by injection or as a paste, its effects on dung beetles would be limited to feces passed in the few days after each treatment. But Wall says while that may be true today, it would not be true if the drug were administered from a controlled-release implanted pellet, which he says is now under development--an application that would shed the drug into the feces daily for months.

Author: Janet Raloff

User-friendly Shasta

User-friendly Shasta

North of Dunsmuir at 3,280 feet, LakeSiskiyou is a bit cooler and is popular with families because of its sandy swimming beach, 50 picnic sites ($1 entry), and 299 campsites ($9 per night). It also offers a launch ramp, marina, and fishing for brown and rainbow trout and bass. It's off Barr Road 4 miles southwest of the town of Mount Shasta.On hot days, plan to finish hiking bynoon; leave afternoons for fishing, swimming, tubing, or picnicking along the Sacramento River--a 2-mile stretch meanders through the park.Camping. You can camp anywhere onshore with a fire permit, or in one of 1,200 campsites (the Forest Service is spending $750,000 for improvements). Don't expect wilderness--the roar of a ski boat might be your reveille. Your best shot at peaceful camps are on the McCloud, Pit, and Squaw arms. Boat-in camps are private and scenic but high off the water.Dung beetles and earthworms don'ttend to get a lot of respect--except when they're not around. Ecologically, these invertebrates provide a valuable housekeeping service. Not only do they break down and carry away dung, but in the process they also aerate soil and enhance the ability of water to percolate into the ground. For these reasons, growing veterinary use of the drug ivermectin in livestock to control parasites--such as roundworms--could have unintended environmental repercussions. A new British study shows that the drug, excreted in the feces, can exert a dramatic insecticidal effect on dung fauna.Hiking granite slopes, lazing along the Sacramento in Castle Crags parkRainbow trout draw fishermen to the upperSacramento. Besides the park's access, you can fish in Dunsmuir, where the river winds through City Park.East-side historic towns, trout streamsQueen of lumbermill days was McCloud,a company town founded in 1827; the millworkers were paid in scrip, spent it at the company store, lived in houses made of the pine they had milled. Today, the 1890s Mercantile Building on Main Street bustles with a hardware store and a cafe with great milkshakes.Water sports. The calmer waters of the Pitarm and Jones Valley area are best for skiing. Mike Suyderhoud's water-ski school offers 1-hour private lessons ($55) to one-week clinics ($395); call 275-3665. Wednesdays at 7 P.M. June through Labor Day, Silverthorn Resort near Jones Valley offers a free hour-long water-ski show; arrive early for best viewing. Or take a boat tour to the Shasta Caverns ($9, $4 for ages 4 through 12); call 238-2341.Bill Hill, a spokesperson for theRahway, N.J.-based MSD-AGVET (a division of Merck & Co.), the drug's maker, says there have been no anecdotal reports from ivermectin users of problems with dung degradation. Moreover, he says, because the drug is registered only for infrequent administration by injection or as a paste, its effects on dung beetles would be limited to feces passed in the few days after each treatment. But Wall says while that may be true today, it would not be true if the drug were administered from a controlled-release implanted pellet, which he says is now under development--an application that would shed the drug into the feces daily for months.Fishing. Of 22 species here, bass, catfish,and crappie are what you'll find most, June through August. Bass fishing (Pit River Arm is the best) is better now thanks to habitat improvement. As for trout, when the water warms they go deep; still, you can deep-water cast in front of the dam or try the cold waters farther up McCloud Arm.Before your next camping adventure, look into what your family would like for an enjoyable camping trip. Planning ahead and taking everything your family needs will make memories to last a lifetime.Plan your meals ahead of time. Breakfast can be as easy as disposable bowls, spoons, cereal and milk, donuts and juice/milk, or cooking eggs and bacon on a grate over a fire or on a propane stove. If you are a coffee person, plan ahead and bring a percolator that will make coffee over the fire or a propane stove. Lunch can be an easy lunchmeat sandwich and chips or a hotdog cooked over the fire. Dinner can be barbecue ribs on a grate over the fire with a stock pot filled with water and corn on the cob. Wash up can be easy with a plastic tub and some dish soap. Water service is provided at each lot. You might want to plan on bringing along a garden hose and sprayer. Local businesses frequently deliver pizzas if you plan on meeting the delivery driver at the campground entrance. Usually local businesses also have take out meals that would be easy to pick up in your golf cart. No matter your taste, plan ahead and take the necessary utencils.Long popular for houseboating, waterskiing,swimming, and fishing, Shasta Lake is big enough (30,000 acres) to offer secluded anchorages. In dry years like this one, the lake may be drawn down as much as 110 feet, but you can still enjoy water sports--just be more watchful of obstacles. Low water can harm crappie, blue-gill, and bass that spawn in the lake; warm-water releases can harm spring and fall runs of salmon in the Sacramento."Lonely as God and white as a wintermoon' was how early California poet Joaquin Miller described Mount Shasta.Keeping a portable toilet in your tent is a wonderful convience for night time needs. If you are camping with children, a trip to the shower house in the middle of the night is never convenient. If your campground does not provide a shower house, plan to take along a portable shower too. They are discrete and provide a luxury to the wilderness camper.Some wild areas once eyed by lumbermennow have protection. In 1984, the 36,615-acre Mount Shasta Wilderness and the 8,961-acre Castle Crags Wilderness were both declared. Before that, the Nature Conservancy secured 6 miles along the McCloud River.The old McCloud Cookhouse, 424 Main,serves up lumberjack breakfasts and Mexican dinners (open 8 to 8 daily except Tuesdays). Saturday nights through October, amble in to watch square dances in the hall next door-from 8 until the fiddler flags. Up the hill, the beautifully restored 1907 McCloud Guest House is now a bed-and-breakfast inn ($65 to $85); its restaurant serves dinner Wednesdays through Sundays (964-3160).Weekly rentals run $1,040 to $1,160 (6-sleeper),$995 to $1,725 (8-sleeper), $1,260 to $1,750 (10-sleeper), $1,550 to $1,850 (12-sleeper), with 30 to 40 percent discount from September 25 through May 7; see map for toll-free numbers. A week's gas might run around $60.If you plan on camping during hot weather or for several days, check on a location that sells ice. Usually ice is sold at the entrance to the campgrounds. Most campgrounds allow you to bring your own golf cart or provide rentals. Always choose the gas powered golf carts over the electric/battery powered ones. The electric/battery powered ones are slow and have low power. Most campgrounds have hilly areas that are almost imposible to climb with a low powered golf cart. The golf cart will provide you with easy transportation to shower houses, campground activities, swimming areas and much more. If you have a golf cart, most campgrounds will let you come and go from the campgrounds without an additonal entrance fee.Eight miles farther up, on Castle LakeRoad, is tiny Castle Lake. Studied by limnologists from UC Davis for 29 years, Castle Lake now serves as a "control' for gauging the clarity and health of Lake Tahoe. In a granite cirque at 5,475 feet, it's a cool and pretty spot for picnicking under Douglas fir.A landmark off I-5 near Dunsmuir, thegray granite outcroppings of Castle Crags State Park are carved into snaggletoothed fins. If you're in shape, try the short, steep Crags Trail--2 3/4 miles one way, 2,250-foot elevation gain--that begins in shading pines, ends in waist-high manzanita; wear sun protection and carry water. The 8,544-foot Crags fromation is in the wilderness area beyond.Each year, 7,000 hikers attempt the summit,but that takes planning and conditioning. For an information packet, call the Forest Service: 926-4511 or The Fifth Season Climbing Shop at 926-5555.In 1875, John Muir climbed the mountainand wrote, "Shasta is a fire mountain . . . built by successive eruptions of ash and lava pushed outward and upward like the trunk of a knotty, bulging tree.' (Shasta nearly killed Muir; caught in a snowstorm, he saved himself by huddling near a boiling sulfur spring--freezing on one side, roasting on the other.)When camping in a tent, you must prepare for dew/moisture to settle on the contents of your tent. To prevent wet bedding, place a tarp under the tent and place a box fan inside the tent. Most campgrounds provide electric service at each lot. Don't forget to bring your extention cord. An air mattress provides a bed as comfortable as yours at home. A portable air pump will have it at your desired firmness in a matter of minutes. Hammocks and cots also provide a restful night. To be comfortable, plan on bringing plenty of blankets or a good quality heavy sleeping bag. Even in the hottest days of summer, tent camping is always chilly. When camping during colder months, exponent tents and sleeping bags will keep you warm even in freezing temperatures.Houseboating help. In summer, Shastasports up to 600 houseboats--but with 365 miles of shoreline to explore, they really spread out. Our crew found a houseboat easy to drive but a bit slow to respond and a wind-catcher: compensate for wind when setting course and placing tie-up stakes. Newer models have microwave, wet bar, showers. Ask about two- and three-day packages, and reserve early--some dates are booked a year ahead, but you shouldn't strike out if your date are flexible.

The old McCloud Cookhouse, 424 Main,serves up lumberjack breakfasts and Mexican dinners (open 8 to 8 daily except Tuesdays). Saturday nights through October, amble in to watch square dances in the hall next door-from 8 until the fiddler flags. Up the hill, the beautifully restored 1907 McCloud Guest House is now a bed-and-breakfast inn ($65 to $85); its restaurant serves dinner Wednesdays through Sundays (964-3160).

New Mr. Coffee chief brews plans for products, markets

New Mr. Coffee Chief Brews Plans for Products, Markets

Most of his career, 26 years--from 1959 to 1985--was spent at Revere, the manufacturer of the well-known copper-bottom pots. From 1979 to 1985, he was president of the RevereWare Group.Popcorn machine - A paper bag or cardboard box in the microwave will do the job reasonably well. Having said that, air-popped popcorn is a wholegrain snack with little or no fat that most children enjoy. Maybe buy one to be shared around several families for children's parties?Pasta machine - If you eat masses of pasta and want to make your own from wholemeal flour and your own additives (e.g. spinach, tomato paste, etc.) then it may be worth it.Mr. Coffee, founded in 1968 by Marotta and Samuel Glazer, recorded sales last year of about $120 million. And, it was "a very profitable year" for the firm, said Eikenberg, noting that the figures represented a 20 percent increase in coffeemaker unit sales and a rise in its total market share to about one-third.But clearly, Eikenberg is thrilled with his new position, declaring: "It's thrilling to have the opportunity to lead a company as successful as Mr. Coffee that has a very strong customer base and consumer recognition."Electric carving or bread knife - If you need to carve neat slices off a roast very frequently, it may be worth it. Also if you don't buy sliced bread and need to cut three loaves at once. However, it is possible to cut neat slices with an ordinary carving or bread knife.Toasted sandwich maker - To be fair, cooking toasted sandwiches under the grill doesn't do as good a job, and frying sandwiches uses more oil. If you really like toasted sandwiches and eat them a lot, then it's worth it.It is a convenient opinion for Eikenberg, who on July 2 became president, chief operating officer and part owner of the company that produces one of the nation's most recognized home appliances, the Mr. Coffee automatic drip coffeemaker.He added that it has been his "dream" to lead and to own part of such a well-known and profitable company.Electric citrus juicer - They may look groovy, but a hand-held juicer gets just as much juice out, is easier to wash and is easier to store. Are you really such a wimp that you can't squeeze a lemon by hand?Although Eikenberg is at the helm of Mr. Coffee, he flatly declines being called "Mr. Coffee." That's a title only Vincent Marotta, the company's founder can claim, Eikenberg said.Mr. Coffee-brand filters recorded a sales increase of 15 percent last year, giving it a 50 percent market share, Eikenberg added.Eikenberg explained his intention by posing a rhetorical question: "Why have a name that no one knows? The trade knows the Mr. Coffee name, so why not use it?"Approximately 75 percent to 80 percent of Mr. Coffee's sales are through these retailers as well, he noted.So far, the newest Mr. Coffee is the second generation model of the basic Mr. Coffee machine, which is already being shipped to retailers.Coffee percolator - OK... I'll admit to having one of these, even though a French press/plunger does the job without using electricity.The new coffeemaker, he exclaimed, "does well. It makes good coffee, quicker and neater."He declined to identify the company's 1986 net income.Hair dryer - This is a chemical-free way of killing nits, so if you have school aged children, it's worth having and using regularly. But remember to air-dry your hair from time to time - it's good for your hair as well as a power saver.Eikenberg, 50, is a 28-year veteran of the housewares industry. And he served as the 1985 president of the National Housewares Manufacturers Association.The company's other branded product, coffee, has been an "also ran" for a while now but Eikenberg is committed to turning that around. He said Mr. Coffee "needs to work on merchandising and marketing the product," commenting that "nothing Mr. Coffee has will remain weak for long."

Approximately 75 percent to 80 percent of Mr. Coffee's sales are through these retailers as well, he noted.

Author: Laura Liebecik

Good eating habits

Good Eating Habits

It's never too soon to teach your children good eating habits. Studies have shown that four year old children will eat the same foods they did at two. There's a good chance that, as an adult, they will continue the same eating patterns. According to Gerald Berenson, MD, "By age six months, the pathology of cardiovascular disease is already percolating." Dr Berenson, the director of the Bogalusa Heart Study, believes children's diets should contain less fat and salt. The study followed 50 children the age of six months to four years, looking at their eating habits at various ages. They found that the eating habits of two year olds were continued through to the age of four. It's easier to establish good eating habits early rather than change eating habits later in life. Limiting excesses of salt, fat (particularly saturated fats), and cholesterol at an early age may prevent problems and the difficult task of a major diet change latter in life.

Gadgets That Do Not Save Power

Every time I go down to the department store (which isn't very often, admittedly), there seems to be another great gadget for doing this or that household chore. And most of them are run by electricity. If we want to cut down on our power consumption - either because we want to reduce the carbon emissions of a petrol-fuelled power station, because we want to have fewer electromagnetic fields in our immediate environment, because we live in an alternative energy household and the wind tower/solar panels aren't doing much on a foggy day, or because we want to save money - then it pays to know which gadgets are worth getting and which aren't.

Nail dryer - With today's quick-dry nail polishes, do you really need one for home use? Use a hair dryer if you're really in a hurry.Blender - Reasonably worth it, as it can be used to make healthy juices and milkshakes as well as pureeing soups, chopping nuts, making mayonnaise, whipping cream, etc.Cake mixer - A hand-held beater does just as good a job - or even a plain old spoon.Bread maker - these only make one loaf at a time, which gets eaten very rapidly in a family. Having tried both methods, I can say that making bread by hand (kneading it in a bowl, then forgetting it on the bench for half an afternoon before knocking it down and kneading again, followed by popping it in a tin to bake alongside a casserole) uses much less power and makes more bread. If you really want fresh bread and haven't time to bake it yourself, then find a good bakery... preferably one that uses organic ingredients and puts the loaves in paper bags (they do exist - don't despair).Last year, between 11 million and 12 million coffeemakers were sold, he said, the majority of which, 70 percent to 80 percent--"a big chunk"--were sold through discount stores and mass merchandisers.After RevereWare, Eikenberg spent a year, 1985, at Cuisinarts, where he served as the company's chief operating officer.CLEVELAND--After 24 years of making coffee with his four-cup RevereWare percolator, John "Jack" Eikenberg switched to a four-cup Mr. Coffee Jr.Although he has also taken control of the daily operations at Mr. Coffee, Eikenberg affirmed that the company's existing management will remain intact and that no particular employee additions are planned.Hair trimmer - If the members of your household just want a quick trim, they're easier and quicker and do a better job than scissors. Sure, you won't turn into Vidal Sassoon, but a hair trimmer can give the resident males (and others who want it) a short-back-and-sides, a crew cut or a Number Four.Electric toothbrush - Plenty of people stay cavity free and with sweet breath without these. Save your money.Beyond that, he said it was just too early to talk about any other future plans, but told DSN that putting the Mr. Coffee name on other products and exploring new markets "are within the realm of possibility. Clearly, every avenue of new markets and new items will be pursued."Juicer - I, personally, would not have a juicer and a blender. The blender gets good enough fruit and vegetable juices, especially if you add a little water, and is more versatile. It's better to buy one gadget rather than two. But if you drink a lot of juice and you want fresh juice at your office, then maybe.In fact, Eikenberg's first undertaking in his new position was to change the name of the company that manufactures the popular coffeemaker from North American Systems, to Mr. Coffee Inc., effective July 15.

Hair dryer - This is a chemical-free way of killing nits, so if you have school aged children, it's worth having and using regularly. But remember to air-dry your hair from time to time - it's good for your hair as well as a power saver.

Author: Nick Vassilev

Coffee Grinding: Find Out Which Is The Best Grind For Your Coffee Brewing Method

Coffee grinding helps us get to those wonderful oils trapped inside the coffee beans. The oils are the key to providing rich flavors and aromas. This is also why we say to use the freshest beans. You don't want beans that are dried or stale. The oils from fresh beans generates the crema at the top of an espresso. This is the coffee bean oils rising to the top of the cup. How does this relate to coffee grinding? Well, choosing the wrong grind type for an espresso machine may have you risking the great flavors we all love.

About Atacama Pacific Gold CorporationNational Instrument 43-101 ComplianceThe column tests continued for a period of 57 days. Leach solutions were tested daily for pH and NaCN, gold and silver content. Starting on leach day 44, the columns were allowed to rest from leaching for seven days to determine if gold extractions would increase after the rest period. After the seven day rest period, the columns were leached for an additional 3 days and rested for a further 4 days. Gold recoveries, as reported in Table 1, varied from 79 to 89%.Approximately 29.5 kilograms of composite sample material was stacked to a height of 1.6 metres in 127 mm diameter columns. The columns were run as continuously drained leach tests with alkaline cyanide solution continuously cycled through the columns at a rate of 10 to 12 litres per hour per square metre of column surface area. The initial leach solution for each column contained 1.0 gram NaCN per litre ("g NaCN/L") of solution and during the test, the continued cyanide strength was maintained at a target level of 0.5 g NaCN/L. Protective alkalinity was maintained at a pH level of 9 to 11 by the initial addition of hydrated lime and cement during the column setup and additional lime was added, if necessary, to maintain the alkalinity.Upon completion of the 57 day leach test, all columns were dumped, reloaded and releached for a period of 14 days to determine if additional gold extraction was possible. The gold extraction from this period is not included in the results presented in Table 1. Approximately 1% additional gold extraction was observed during the additional 14 day period.Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the results of due diligence activities, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of gold; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors disclosed in Atacama Pacific's publicly filed documents. Although Atacama Pacific has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.$195.00TA404532 pagesFORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTSCraig.

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

Author: Craig Barista

Handbook of material science research

Handbook of material science research.

Materials science and technologies([c]2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR)Medium grinds: Drip Filtration coffee makers with flat bottom filters (not conical).Under National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the qualified person for the Cerro Maricunga Property is Michael Easdon, a resident of Santiago, Chile and a Professional Geologist registered with the State of Oregon, USA. Mr. Easdon, an independent qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and verified the contents of this press release.Who likes Turkish coffee? You probably already know that an ultra-fine grind is the right one for you.Atacama Pacific's metallurgical testing program is managed by AMTEL (Advanced Mineral Technology Laboratory Ltd), London, Canada.

Metallurgical Test DetailsWhat happens if we get the grind wrong? We will end up with a weak coffee if using a course grind in an espresso machine. Conversely, if we use an extra fine grind in a conical drip filter system, the filter will get clogged up.2010Okay, now which coffee brewing methods work best with which coffee grinding methods.

([c]2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR)

Atacama Pacific Announces Positive Metallurgical Results from Cerro Maricunga Gold Project

Atacama Pacific Gold Corporation (TSX VENTURE: ATM) ("Atacama Pacific") is pleased to report that column percolation leach tests returned gold recoveries of up to 89% from samples from Atacama Pacific's Cerro Maricunga Gold Project, located 140 kilometres east of Copiapo, Chile and 20 kilometres south of Kinross Gold's La Coipa mine.

Extra Fine grinds: Espresso machines.Ed. by Charles Rene and Eugene Turcotte.Fine grinds: Drip Filtration, coffee makers with conical filters, Moka Pots.This release contains forward-looking statements, including predictions, projections and forecasts. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to completion of economic assessments, exploration results, the success of exploration activities generally, mine development prospects, and future gold production Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or "belief", or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.Nova Science PublishersThe height of each column was measured before and after leaching to calculate the percent slump of the sample material. The percent slump gives an indication of potential permeability problems in production heaps. All three column tests showed no slumping with a percent slump of 0%.Cheers,Gold recoveries from three column leach tests ranged from 79% to 89% with the higher gold recovery associated with higher gold grades (see Table 1). Column tests 1 and 2a were conducted utilizing material crushed to 80% passing 19 mm and column test 2b was conducted on material crushed to 80% passing 9.5 mm. Crush size had no significant impact on gold recoveries as shown from a comparison of results from Composite 2a (19 mm crush and 79% Au recovery) and Composite 2b (9.5 mm crush and 80% Au recovery).Three column percolation leach tests were conducted utilizing two composited samples of quartered HQ diamond drill core from Atacama Pacific's Cerro Maricunga Phase I drill program completed in April 2010. One column test was completed utilizing material from Composite 1 which graded 1.13 grams per tonne gold ("g/t Au") and was crushed to 80% passing 19 mm. A further two column tests were completed utilizing material from Composite 2 crushed to two different sizes to determine the impact of crush size on gold recoveries. Composite sample 2a graded 0.76 g/t Au and utilized material crushed to 80% passing 19 mm and composite sample 2b graded 0.79 g/t Au and utilized material crushed to 80% passing 9.5 mm.Burr grinders are recognised as the best choice. While blade grinders are okay, the do not give a consistent grinder. Hand grinders are also good to use. (Note: you get what you pay for, so spend wisely, not necessarily thriftily)."The high gold recoveries and excellent column permeability clearly demonstrates that the Cerro Maricunga gold mineralization is amenable to heap leach processing methods at a coarse crush size", said Carl B. Hansen, President and CEO of Atacama Pacific. "As part of our ongoing 19,100 metre Phase II drill program, we are continuing to collect material for further metallurgical testing with a particular focus on examining gold recoveries at coarser crush sizes and optimizing cyanide consumption."For further information visit Atacama Pacific's website at www.atacamapacific.com .Atacama Pacific's principal business is the acquisition, exploration and development of precious metals resource properties in Chile. Atacama Pacific's primary mineral property is the Cerro Maricunga oxide-associated, breccia-hosted gold project, located in Region III, 140 kilometres by road northeast of the city of Copiapo. Atacama Pacific's goal is to become a producer of gold through the exploration and development of the Cerro Maricunga Project. Atacama Pacific also owns four other mineral properties within close proximity to the Cerro Maricunga Project and a fifth property in Chile's Region I.The column tests, conducted by Kappes, Cassidy and Associates ('KCA"), Reno, Nevada, were run for 57 days with leach recoveries levelling out after only seven days indicating fast leach kinetics. Column tests were not optimized for sodium cyanide ("NaCN") consumption with 1.03 to 1.19 kg/t NaCN consumed. Projected NaCN consumption in production heaps is typically 25 to 33% of the NaCN consumption achieved from laboratory testing. All three column tests showed no slumping which is an indication of good potential permeability in production heaps.Course grinds: French Press (or Plunger), Percolator (if you still use one) and Vacuum Pots.HardcoverA medium grind in an espresso machine has given me a drip filtered style of coffee. This is not necessarily a bad thing, it shows that you can experiment a little. However, the listing above will provide you with some good guidelines.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the results of due diligence activities, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of gold; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors disclosed in Atacama Pacific's publicly filed documents. Although Atacama Pacific has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

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."

Letters of interest have been received from Sam Elliott ("Tombstone") and Robert Wagner ("Austin Powers" and "It Takes A Thief"), and offers are currently under consideration by other well-known A-list actors. The producers are also in talks with Eric Balfour ("Skyline" and "Conviction"), newcomer Johnny Marlow is attached, and a score set by Best Music, Original Score Academy Award Winner Dave Grusin ("Milagro Beanfield War"). The script is currently out to several name directors with Congdon also producing the film.Fresh ground beans means better flavor. Always grind at home before brewing. A grinder at home is a small investment in fresh flavor.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.Purchase only enough beans to fit your lifestyle. If beans go stale in a store they will also go stake in the house. If you only drink one cup a day, don't stock up on beans. Even if you buy your favorite, it won't taste as good if it goes stale.Destiny Gensemer Ballantines PR Email Contact Tel: 1.310.454.3080 Fax: 1.310.943.1978 www.ballantinespr.com

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

The Steps To Making The Ideal 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.

Following easy steps and making them a routine will ensure a consistently delicious and fresh cup of coffee. It is easier than you think.Always make sure that the right amount of grounds are used. One six ounce cup needs 2 tablespoons of grounds. More grounds do not make a better cup and wastes beans. Less than 2 tablespoons makes the water work too hard to extract flavors leading to the leaching of bitter tannins from the beans.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.Forty-year veteran casting director Gerald Wolff says, "This is one of the most intriguing and thoughtful westerns I've ever read, and with the recent resurgence of authentic westerns such as 'True Grit' and '3:10 To Yuma' I'm so excited to be involved with this project."Always use clean equipment when brewing. Anything left if the machine will either go rancid or burn. This will give the new batch of coffee a bitter flavor.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.Executive Producer David Marlow likens the project to Wall Street set in 1872 saying, "This is a carefully planned and orchestrated swindle, it's not about cowboys falling off horses. It has relevance in today's world as well."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.The film is to be shot in New Mexico under the watchful eye of art director Tino Ocheltree ("Tombstone," "The Quick and the Dead," "Lonesome Dove"). Ocheltree says, "Purely from an art director's standpoint, designing the opulence of 1870s San Francisco and the grittiness of the western mining towns, is a spectacular challenge, but couple that with the stellar script, with its secret schemes and feints... I just fell in love with the story."Coffee is a horticultural product so freshness will affect flavor. Always procure the freshest beans possible. Buy beans from a reputable source that does a high volume of sales. The longer the beans sit around the store, the less fresh they will be.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.

Following easy steps and making them a routine will ensure a consistently delicious and fresh cup of coffee. It is easier than you think.

Author: Andy Guides Jr

Congdon Has Firm Grip on "The Handshake"

First time writer and former miner, Robert Congdon, is underway with a ruthless and cunning chase of wit and action with "The Handshake." Based on historical events, the story delves into the depths of human nature -- greed, avarice and duplicity percolating just below the surface -- when a rich mineral deposit is discovered during a mining exploration.

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."The Handshake" mixes the cleverness of "The Sting" with the adventure of "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" -- an authentic Western that conveys the corruption of greed and the true power of humility.Select the correct grind size for your apparatus. Coarse grind is best for cold water brewing in a percolator. Medium grind is the most useful. This is used for drip methods and French presses. Fine grind is used for vacuum and Neapolitan flip methods, popular in Europe. Extra fine is used for espresso machines.Beans should be treated like most other perishable goods, kept in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Do not put beans in the fridge. This exposes them to moisture, and that ruins the flavor. Beans can be kept in the freezer, but only for 2-3 months.Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to NewsvineAlso 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.

Destiny Gensemer Ballantines PR Email Contact Tel: 1.310.454.3080 Fax: 1.310.943.1978 www.ballantinespr.com

John Ferber talks about 'Secret Millionaire'

Local fans of the ABC show "Secret Millionaire" saw a familiar face Sunday night -- John Ferber, who co-founded Advertising.com in the 1990s with his brother, Scott, and today lives in Palm Beach County, Fla.

Ferber spent a week posing as a documentary filmmaker in the notorious Skid Row district of Los Angeles.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.He says he was intrigued about going on reality TV after a producer for the show -- who read a profile of Ferber in a magazine - - forwarded him some YouTube clips of the British version of the program.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.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.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.The episode ended with Ferber cutting checks totaling $100,000 for three neighborhood organizations. He also purchased $20,000 in goods for the groups."I was really touched by the whole spirit of the show," Ferber told me Monday. "It really felt like the right thing to do.""I passed the guy probably every day for 15 years and never really gave a lot of thought to the people and the circumstances that put them there," he said. "It opened my eyes."

"I passed the guy probably every day for 15 years and never really gave a lot of thought to the people and the circumstances that put them there," he said. "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.

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.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.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.In the episode -- you can see it in its entirety on Hulu -- Ferber spends time at the Alexandria House, a long-term shelter for abused women and children. He also meets some of the estimated 15,000 homeless people in the area through a group that organizes three-on-three basketball games in a park. A wall mural that had fallen into disrepair provides a haunting backdrop (and appears later in the episode).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.Fresh ground beans means better flavor. Always grind at home before brewing. A grinder at home is a small investment in fresh flavor.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.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.He's been back to the area since the show was recorded and says he keeps in touch with the people he spent time with during the episode. In thinking about how the program impacted him, Ferber referenced a man with no arms or legs who for many years has set up on President Street near Little Italy, asking drivers for change.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.He also meets one man named Amin, who distributes hygiene kits and other essentials to the area's homeless. During the episode, Amin takes the shoes off his feet and gives them to another man, a moment that clearly moved Ferber.

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