Monthly Archives: January 2011

Coffeehouse observation No. 254

That Dave Brubeck Quartet is just right for the coffeehouse. Oh, yeah!

Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.

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Coffeehouse observation No. 253

Just went into my backup coffeehouse – Exotic Java on Ben Holt in Stockton – after being away for two months or so and the barista says to me: “Hey, there, how ya doin’? Still drinking the usual?” Yes, yes, I am. She even walked it over to my table as I was setting up my laptop. Cool! … Oh, and it’s right next door to a tattoo parlor. You can get hyped up on a Red Eye and get a tattoo all in one visit!

Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.

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Polishing up vow to be a better blogger – I promise … again

OK, so nearly two weeks ago I vowed – yep, VOWED – to be much better at posting new content on this blog. Promises were made, intensions brushed off and polished up.

But what happened?

Nothing.

Well, not quite “nothing.” I caught a head cold that, while low-grade in nature, has been sticking around for a while. There were several days running that I simply could not manage to hold me head over my keyboard.

And that put me behind in other vital things such as searching for a job.

But the fog is lifting. The head is less stuffy. The nose is less runny. The cough is less annoying.

So, I’m back. (I know you’ve all been waiting for it.) And I have a few entries planned in the next few days.

Until then, have a very lovely day.

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Maine digs out from blustery storm | Bangor Daily News

Maine digs out from blustery storm | Bangor Daily News.

Maine gets snowed under | Portland Press Herald

Snow storm stalls in Maine | Lewiston Sun Journal

Maine cleared to take ownership of 233 miles of rail | Bangor Daily News

Maine cleared to take ownership of 233 miles of rail | Bangor Daily News.

Homeland Security, drug agents on scene at Corinna business | Bangor Daily News

Homeland Security, drug agents on scene at Corinna business | Bangor Daily News.

Benton basketball star, Miss Maine cast for ‘Survivor’ | Bangor Daily News

Benton basketball star, Miss Maine cast for “Survivor” – Bangor Daily News.

Mainers raise funds, work to help survivors | Bangor Daily News

Mainers raise funds, work to help survivors | Bangor Daily News

To help Haiti earthquake relief visit www.unicefusa.org.

Snow that shut down South arrives in Maine | Bangor Daily News

Snow that shut down South arrives in Maine | Bangor Daily News.

TOURISM IN MAINE: Going beyond moose, lobster and lighthouses | The Morning Sentinel, Waterville, ME

TOURISM IN MAINE: Going beyond moose, lobster and lighthouses | The Morning Sentinel, Waterville, ME.

TOURISM IN MAINE

• The state’s tourism office is funded by 5 percent of the 7 percent tax imposed on meals and lodging.
• The office seeks at least a $2 return in tax revenue on every $1 invested in tourism.
• The average amount of annual paid vacation for international visitors is 4-6 weeks.
• VisitMaine.com, the state’s tourism website, lists top attractions of: dramatic coastline and sandy beaches; more than 3,000 lakes, ponds and rivers; 64 lighthouses; four national scenic byways; distinctive small towns; and the city of Portland as a “top 100 food destination.”
• Most of the tourism’s office’s international marketing is handled through a consortium of states called Discover New England.
• The top international markets for Maine, in order, are Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, France, Italy and the Netherlands.

Source: Maine Office of Tourism

Coffeehouse observation No. 252 – Greening coffee from field to coffeehouses

[I was scanning the job postings hosted by www.treehugger.com when I spotted several blog postings about greening coffee production and coffeehouses. Here are links to those posts. – KM]

Green Suggestions for coffee shops | www.treehugger.com

How to go green: Coffee and tea | planetgreen.com

Birch Coffee: A sustainable community hangout | www.treehugger.com

Growing oyster mushrooms in coffee grounds | www.treehugger.com

Starbucks shareholders reject recycling initiative | www.treehugger.com

Interview: Tony Gale, corporate architect at Starbucks | www.treehugger.com

Green mood lighting for Starbucks! Switching 8,000 stores to LEDs | www.treehugger.com

Starbucks’ farmers discuss the impact of fair trade | www.treehugger.com

Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.

Video to help teach snowmobilers about safety on ice | Lewiston Sun Journal

Video to help teach snowmobilers about safety on ice | Lewiston Sun Journal

Ice safety: How thick is safe?

2 inches: one person on foot

3 inches: a group of people traveling single file

7.5 inches: supports a two-ton car

8 inches: supports up to a 2.5-ton light truck

10 inches: supports up to a 3.5-ton truck

12 inches: heavy truck 7 to 8 tons

15 inches: holds up to 10 tons

20 inches: holds up to 25 tons.

Source: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

 

Paul LePage sworn in as Maine governor | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Paul LePage sworn in as Maine governor | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram.

Baldacci awards $100K to 4 storm-damaged counties | Bangor Daily News

Baldacci awards $100K to 4 storm-damaged counties | Bangor Daily News.

Coffeehouse observation No. 251

The guy sitting next to me in the coffeehouse either has the worst cold known to man — and woman — or he is attempting the mating call of the Mongolian yak! … I am now showering in Purell.

Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.

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Coffeehouse observation No. 250

If the guy sitting at the next table is going to make up a song in real time, shouldn’t he at least do it in tune?

Go to Coffeehouse Observer for more coffeehouse observations.

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And the award (again) goes to …

I like Civil War trivia. I am a (tiny) bit of a Civil War history buff, especially when it comes to Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine Regiment.

Here is the DownEast.com trivia question:

Who is reported to have won both the Medal of Honor and the Gold Lifesaving Medal?

Answerm

Marcus Hanna, a keeper of Cape Elizabeth Light. The first medal was for bravery in battle at Port Hudson during the Civil War; the second was for saving two men from the wrecked schooner Australia in 1885. In 1997, the U.S. Coast Guard launched a buoy tender named in Hanna’s honor.

Madawaska dentist on ‘Bachelor’ tonight | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME

Madawaska dentist on ‘Bachelor’ tonight | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME.

Mainers using less oil to heat homes, census shows | Bangor Daily News

Mainers using less oil to heat homes, census shows | Bangor Daily News.

Upward Bound: Climbing a mountain on skis before descending — also known as randonnee skiing or Alpine touring — gains converts in Maine | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Upward Bound | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram.

RANDONNEE SKIING

ALSO known as Alpine touring or back-country skiing, it requires the skier to ascend the mountain by climbing with “skins” on their skis and using a special binding that frees the heel.

SKINS, originally made of animal skins, are affixed to the skis with a sticky substance. The bottom of the skin has fibers that slide forward but hold the ski in place to keep it from sliding downward.

BEFORE the descent, the skins are taken off the skis.

MAINE’S RANDONNEE RACES

SUGARLOAF HILL CLIMB

WHERE: Sugarloaf, Carrabassett Valley

WHEN: 5 p.m. Jan. 16

HOW MUCH: $25 before Jan. 14; $30 the day of the event

LEARN MORE: Go to www.sugarloaf.com/EventsActivities or call 237-6884.

SADDLEBACK MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE

WHERE: Saddleback Mountain, Rangeley

WHEN: 2 p.m. Feb. 12

HOW MUCH: $25 before the event; $35 the day of the race

LEARN MORE: Go to www.saddlebackmaine.com or call 864-5671.