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The Inspiration
It has certainly been quite a while. I apologize for the long hiatus. I've been busy business planning, working at two breweries, home brewing, and focusing on making this dream a reality in the very near future. (I failed to mention my duties as the director of a pregnancy prevention program, husband, and father of twin three year old girls.) I'm juggling it all and happy to be nearly finished with the Bierwax business plan.
Right from the business plan, here is our mission statement…
Bierwax is a craft beer tasting room and vinyl record listening room. We are as passionate about our beer as we are about vinyl records, with a finely curated tap-list mingling with over 3,000 vinyl records. Bierwax is malted grains, water, hops, and yeast mixed with a pinch of 45s, a cup of boom-bap, and a heaping tablespoon of funk. We respect beer and aim to preserve the legacy of analog music.
That's what I will be opening in a year or two. Here are two bars that have been tremendous influences on what Bierwax will be…
Inspiration Numero Uno:
A few years ago, a couple of friends and I rented bikes in Amsterdam and somehow managed to find our way to Cafe de Duivel. We were intrigued by the description of the bar online and decided to see firsthand what a hip hop bar in Amsterdam would be like. The bar was pretty traditional with the exception of the music. There was a live DJ at the back of the bar spinning early 1990s and underground hip hop vinyl records. He was seamlessly mixing and cutting in and out of each track. The crowd, who I assume were mostly local Dutch folks, was going crazy and even knew the lyrics to some of the pretty obscure hip hop songs. That's Europe for you! I remember wondering why something like Cafe de Duivel doesn't exist in New York. Since I don't travel to Europe with much frequency, I've longed to revisit Duivel or another venue just like it.
Inspiration Numero Dos:
Nearly ten years ago, I was invited to spend a few days in Hong Kong with a close friend of mine. We had a layover in Tokyo for a few hours and the airport alone was unlike anything I had ever experienced. One day we'll stack enough cheddar to actually afford to spend some time in Tokyo. Until then, I'm living vicariously through culinary/travel shows like No Reservations, Parts Unknown, and Mind of a Chef. I stumbled upon photos of this place below, dubbed Jazz, Blues and Soul (JBS). While explaining an early iteration of Bierwax to a friend, he asked if I ever heard of JBS in Tokyo. I hadn't and was completely blown away when he showed me a few photos on Instagram. This was basically what I had been dreaming up all along, except JBS mainly serves whisky and is on the other side of the world. The sole owner and manager of the bar, serves up both an excellent whiskey selection and an impeccable collection of vinyl records. You might find Kobayashi-san throwing on a Charles Mingus LP or Nas' classic debut Illmatic. It all depends on his mood at the time.
As I round third base with my business planning, expect to hear more from me. I appreciate all of the support and good vibes as I make something like Duivel or JBS a reality in New York.
Chris Maestro
Mindset: the Psychology of a New Brewer
To smell the malty, sweet aroma of wort in my own kitchen for the very first time was nothing short of life-changing. I've visited countless breweries in the past seven years and the smell of warm wort always reminds me of the magic that is unfolding. To have that same aroma permeate my own living quarters for the first time is a memory that will undoubtedly stay with me forever. I'm sure fellow home brewers can relate and remember their very first batch. I've spent a few days reflecting on my first brew day. Here is an extension of that reflection, which should capture the joy, blunders, and ecstasy of my inaugural home brew. Enjoy!
Before Brew Day:
- I spent a few months reading as much as I could about home brewing and also watching countless home brewing YouTube videos. I've included the videos that were the most helpful in the resources section below. I first read Charlie Papazian's classic, "The Complete Joy of Home Brewing." It was easy to follow and definitely made a novice like me feel confident about my first batch. Throughout brew day, I kept repeating Uncle Charlie's words, "Relax, don't worry, have a home brew." More on that later.
- I like to be over-prepared, so I created a step-by-step list that I compiled from various books, videos, and the specific instructions from my ingredients kit. I've also included these steps in the resources section. John Palmer's "How to Brew" and my local home brew shop owner were both instrumental in helping me craft my own brewing instruction guide.
- I ordered the "Gold Complete Beer Equipment Kit (K6)" from Home Brew Ohio via Amazon.com. I am very happy with the kit, although it was far from "complete." I definitely had to spend at least another $100 on the following to have everything I would need: auto-siphon, hydrometer jar, 7.5 gallon boiling pot, stainless steel stirring spoon, pyrex measuring cup, turkey baster, bottle caps, and thermometer for boil. I purchased my ingredients from the Back Alley Brew Shop in Patchogue.
- I really wanted to do an all-grain first batch. I felt that using extracts was, in a way, cheating. I quickly realized that I was being overly ambitious. Plus, I didn't have all of the equipment I needed for an all-grain first home brew. I opted for a partial grain and partial malt extract batch. The IPA recipe called for Cascade, Nelson. Sauvin, Galaxy, Amarillo, and Wakatu hops. (New Zealand is represented more than once, so it should have a very interesting hop profile.)
Brew Day Morning:
- I invited my (soon-to-be) brother in law over to help out with the process. He expressed interest in being there for my first ever batch and I knew I would need another set of hands. It was great to share the experience with my brother (and wife when she wasn't watching our twin daughters and keeping them away from the kitchen.)
- The morning was consumed with getting all of my gear and ingredients in order and sanitizing everything. The important sanitizing step really played well with my OCD.
- I assumed it would take a long time to get 2.5 gallons of water up to 160 degrees, so I started to heat the water before my brother arrived. It didn't take longer than 30 minutes, to my surprise.
The Blunders:
I'm not going to bore everyone with a step-by-step description of my process. I'll skip to the juicy part, the several rookie mistakes I made.
- My first mistake was picking up a growler of Finch's Hardcore Chimera, a Double IPA. I was in a celebratory mood and I probably had two glasses before really getting started. Two glasses is certainly not a lot of beer, but it was enough to subvert my ultra anal, follow directions to a T personality. I'll definitely limit my beer consumption until the main first steps are completed, moving forward.
- I don't know how I fudged this up, but I poured the Cascade hops right into the boiling kettle. It's not a big deal if you have a strainer. I didn't have one and my local restaurant supplier is closed on weekends. After an emergency call to my home brew shop, my fears were assuaged; the siphoning process should filter out most of the hop leaves.
- I was anxious to take my first hydrometer reading, as it's a pretty crucial step in the brewing process. Experienced brewers will laugh at this one. I pitched my yeast before taking my original hydrometer reading. This is important because the reading gives you a baseline with which to measure the degree your wort has fermented. I had already aerated the wort (shook it up to add oxygen before introducing yeast), so the foamy wort was super difficult to read. I also was worried that I removed a good deal of yeast with my turkey baster.
- The cool down – I decided to cool down the wort with an ice-bath in my bathtub. The only issue was that the boiling pot was floating around the water on the verge of capsizing. I used ice and a dozen frozen water bottles to cool down the water, but the unsteady pot of wort was definitely unnerving. Eventually, we moved the pot to an ice-bath in my kitchen sink. It was a perfect fit and cooled down the wort to below 80 degrees in less than 20 minutes.
I have to be honest. After the third mistake, I felt pretty defeated. I was pretty doubtful I would even have a successful fermentation process. A small voice in my head kept saying, "You're not cut out for this!" I quickly remembered one of the main themes from a pretty influential book I read last year titled Mindset: the New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck. Setbacks and mistakes, for those who operate from a growth mindset, are opportunities for learning and discovery. This was my very first foray into an exciting new world. Once again, I borrow from Dweck: "People with the growth mindset know that it takes time for potential to flower."
A day later, I opened up my closet to observe the fermentation bucket and was very happy to see the airlock bubbling every few seconds. Whether or not the beer will taste great, at least I will have (fermented) beer in a few weeks. Missteps will continue to occur every now and then, but that's all part of the journey.
We'll see how it turns out in roughly a month. I'm already plotting my next batch and can't wait to again have a kitchen full of grains, hops, and eager yeast. If you are a home brewer or are interested in the craft, please feel free to comment on my self-made instruction manual below.
From 10 Gallons till Infinity (A Visit to Dogfish Head Craft Brewery)
Dogfish Head continues to occupy an iconic place in my own personal history and relationship with craft beer. 90 Minute was the first Double IPA that I fell in love with, years before I ever tried Heady Topper, Pliny, or Abner. After reading founder Sam Calagione's book "Brewing up a Business," I was inspired to start laying the foundation for my own beer business. Sam's TV show, although pretty dorky at times with his terrible rapping, painted a picture of a world I saw myself in; a field of creativity, drive and extreme passion. I don't drink 90 Minute as often these days, but I continue to be impressed by Dogfish Head Brewery's unique approach to brewing and I appreciate Sam's commitment to the independent craft brewing community. Of course, Dogfish Head is by no means a small company. They employ hundreds of people and have a brewing operation that is much larger than anything I have ever seen in person, with the exception of my visit to Golden, Colorado as a teenager. However, our recent visit to the Delaware brewery, brewpub, and inn further solidified my respect for what Sam has built.
The following are photos I snapped from the visit juxtaposed with some of Sam's own words from "Brewing up a Business."
"My original brewing system produced 10-gallons of 0.3 barrels per batch. When brewers I met while visiting other breweries would stop by the brewpub, I felt like a boy among men. I suffered from an acute case of brewery-envy, but I would not be discouraged. It's not the size of your brewing system that matters; it's what you do with it…or so they say."
"Brewing has continued to be a great outlet for my artistic expression. But I'm proud to say I'm the least technically proficient brewer of the many brewers who work at Dogfish Head today. I am better at conceptualizing recipes and beer ideas than I am at physically making a batch of beer. I still brew occasionally for two reasons: so I can call myself a brewer with a straight face, and so I can continue experimenting with new recipes, which is a strength of mine."
"My inmost thought when I was first enrolled there (Northfield Mt. Hermon School) was: 'Rebel against authority in order to express yourself.' This is pretty much the same defining instinct that drives me today, but I've been fortunate enough to find a constructive outlet for this angst. I've created a company that subverts the definition of beer put forth by the so-called authorities at Anheuser-Busch and Coors."
"The other line in the sand that we drew is refusing to sell to private equity. About two years ago, we were approached with a number that Mariah and I could have retired very comfortably with forever, and we said no. We've been approached by folks on Wall Street who wanted to take us public, and we said no. We want to try to keep this a family business, with the hope that someday maybe we can make it last into the next generation–and we want to keep this a company that's owned by the people who run it."
"The sheer magnitude and sameness of mass-produced and mass-marketed goods that Americans have grown to expect can be really disorienting…This is the big-box retail reality that the alt-commerce businessperson is up against: the awe-inspiring, ubiquitous presence of these stores and the homogenizing effect they have on the consumer landscape…People patronize these places because they are easy and predictable. While many people wish to simplify their lives on some level, you must have faith that some people are not always looking for what is easy and predictable to bring joy to their lives. The humble success of Dogfish Head specifically, and the craft brewing industry in general, is a tribute to this faith."
"Effective brand building, like effective writing, revolves around a few central ideas. Developing believable, interesting characters–these are your products. An effective and easy-to-follow narration–this is your advertising and marketing. Strong plot development–this is your business plan and budgets. Singular and memorable writing style–this is your brand identity."
"We recognize that we aren't brewing for the status quo. We recognize that the average beer drinker will probably never try our beers, even if we were to have a significant 5, 10, or 20 percent market share in the United States. We are "off-centered," meaning that we're not going to appeal to the majority. That said, we've been able to carve out a very healthy niche, growing by catering to a very small but increasing and very engaged minority beer drinking population–those who want more flavor, more diversity, more complexity, and more food compatibility in the beer."
"I first decided to open my brewery when I was 24 years old. I was very focused from the moment I made this decision. I read everything I could about breweries and restaurants. I worked as a brewer's assistant as I wrote my business plan. I wrote a menu and tested different pizza-grilling techniques on my backyard barbecue. I made pilot batches of beer and developed recipes, homemade labels, and brand names. I met with countless banks and raised all of the money to open the business. I signed off on the loans and was personally responsible for the debt."
Ingredients & Directions for
sampling, exchange, exampling,
and change.
The ingredients in our recipes come from
The earth and the oven,
They come from interfering
and letting be.
We use organic and natural
ingredients wherever possible
and our recipes are blissfully inefficient.
We spend premium prices on
the finest barley, hops, and herbs.
We use no extracts.
For us, brewing is not a process
of automation,
but of imagination and passion.
We wrap our hands around plastic
shovels to clean out our mash tuns.
We wrap our hands around sticky
clumps of whole leaf hops
and toss them into the boil kettle.
We wrap our hands around our work
because we are proud to make
something with our own hands.
We hope you enjoy drinking
Dogfish Head Craft Brewed ales
as much as we enjoy making them.
-Sam Calagione
The Cistercian Monks of Ridgewood, Queens
Co-owners Joe Figliolia and Dan Berkery have opened up something very unique in Ridgewood, Queens. Even with the numerous craft beer bars and gastropubs that have opened up recently in NYC, the monk is a standout in the fairly untouched Queens enclave. As the name suggests, the monk specializes in Trappist beer and other Belgian brews, with a small selection of local craft beer. Ridgewood's craft beer scene leaves much to be desired, so the monk is a very welcome addition to the neighborhood.
Why focus almost exclusively on Belgian beer? Besides the fact that Belgian beer is so damn good, there aren't many bars that know how to curate their Belgian beers properly – They don't know the history and cultural significance of these unique beers they are serving. The monk's mission is to celebrate Trappist and Belgian beer in a welcoming environment. As founder Joe points out, "We don't want people to be intimidated by the beer. It's extremely satisfying when someone is initially unfamiliar with the beer but then becomes delighted when they discover and enjoy something new and different." Spreading the gospel of great beer is a noble cause, indeed.
For a primer on Trappist breweries, visit here. Some of Joe's favorite Trappist beers are the extremely rare Westvleteren 12, which he had the pleasure of drinking on two occasions, and Westmalle Tripel, another classic of the style. The bar has all of the Trappist mainstays available, including Rochefort, Orval, Achel, and La Trappe. Other solid Belgian offerings include Saison Dupont, Gulden Draak, Duvel, La Chouffe, Corsendonk, and many others.
Definitely make it out to Ridgewood to visit the monk: 68-67 Fresh Pond Road, Ridgewood, Queens (M Train to Fresh Pond Road)
Deconstructing Budweiser's "Brewed the Hard Way" Commercial
There has been a lot of talk about the second Budweiser commercial that debuted during Super Bowl 49. This is not the one featuring a cute little dog to sell beer – now it's officially a dog and pony show. I'm referring to the one that explicitly takes aim at the craft beer movement in the United States. If you missed it, here it is: Brewed the Hard Way
For Anheuser Busch InBev to spend several million dollars (still a drop in the bucket) on an advertisement mocking craft beer, then the small guys are really starting to bother the macro beer giant. Of course, with the recent acquisition of Elysian by AB InBev, the entire commercial is a slap in the face to their new craft beer portfolio. Allow me to break down some of the main themes and images below…
Running throughout the sixty second slot are sounds and images that are grounded in history, humility, and pride. We are "proudly a macro beer" flashes early on in the commercial. This is the beginning of the juxtaposition that follows, with good ol' Bud being pit against the snobbery of craft beers and their drinkers. Budweiser is clearly a populist drink for the everyday person.
One of my favorite lines is "It's not brewed to be fussed over." As my wife pointed out, isn't this message already admitting Budweiser beer is of inferior quality? I get it, though – Budweiser makes beer for people who like to drink. Simple folks who just want to throw a few back and care less about intellectualizing what they are drinking. Why bother having a deeper appreciation for the appearance, aroma, body, and taste of a beer? Beer is not to be fussed over, just consumed mindlessly. A few seconds later, "Brewed for drinking, not dissecting" flashes across the screen. They are really driving home the message. Like many other things in life, ignorance is bliss. Just drink it; don't think about it too much!
Upon closer inspection, our beer connoisseur is actually a hipster. He had to have a handlebar mustache, didn't he? Just perfect!
The commercial is titled "Brewed the Hard Way" after all. What does that really mean? I've been told that it actually takes a lot of work to make macro beers taste so consistently bland and water-like. I can't necessarily badmouth automated brewing, because some of the larger craft breweries can afford computer-driven brewing equipment, as well. However, if you have ever been to a brewery that makes less than 50,000 barrels a year, you've probably witnessed an operation that takes hard work, patience, and extreme attention to detail to run smoothly. (Not to take away from the larger craft breweries in any way.) This message is probably the most offensive, in my opinion, as it undermines the blood, sweat, and tears micro-brewers around the country devote to their craft.
"Let them sip their Pumpkin Peach Ale." Another classic line. If you didn't think they are going after craft breweries and craft beer drinkers with this commercial, now there is no mistaking it. Twitter was filled with great commentary in response to this particular line…
And lastly…
At the very end of the commercial, when they really start playing the Budweiser classic/historical card, the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses break through a gate. Why is none other than Adolf Hitler and possibly a highly ranking SS officer riding high on top of the majestic horses? I understand invoking German symbolism and even the Reinheitsgebot to sell beers, but this Nazi imagery just has no place in a beer commercial of any kind. (I was threatened with a defamation lawsuit in the past – I am not being serious. However, I'm still disturbed by that image.)
It's pretty clear that falling beer sales, a 4% drop since 2008, is causing macro beer companies to be worried. This hypocritical and asinine commercial is further proof that the rise in the craft beer movement, especially during the last five years, is becoming a serious threat to the two major macro beer companies, SabMiller and AB InBev. The craft beer industry will continue to experience surging growth as more and more people develop a beer consciousness, caring more about the quality and integrity of the beers they consume.
15 in 15: Fifteen Breweries to Watch in 2015
New York City is just not the same anymore. With landmarks like Bereket on East Houston, Gray's Papaya, and Pearl Paint shutting its doors forever last year, the NYC I grew up in is quickly vanishing. Jeremiah's Vanishing New York has a complete list of popular sites that are gone forever. The site is also known as the Book of Lamentations: a Bitterly Nostalgic Look at a City in the Process of Going Extinct. Let's see what gets added to the 2015 list. Oy vey!
As comforting as it is to see a familiar NYC, a city I grew up in and ran through the streets as a teenager, I do welcome some change with open arms. The craft beer scene in NYC has exploded in the past two years. When I started writing about beer a couple of years ago, I couldn't keep up with the new beer spots that were popping up across the city. Now some of these spots have already become legendary, attracting craft beer aficionados from across the globe. Just sit at the bar in Torst for two hours and you'll likely run into a few tourists. The quality of New York beer can now rival the other great beer cities in the country (San Diego, Denver, and Portland to name a few). If you don't think NYC is on the map with world-class breweries, you're missing out on a lot of fantastic beer being brewed in the boroughs of the Big Apple. The fifteen breweries below are my picks for the New York breweries to keep a close eye on in 2015. I am eager to see what surprises they have in store this year.
Author's Note: I have included a few breweries from Long Island and the Hudson Valley in my list of 15. They can all be reached from NYC via LIRR, MetroNorth, or automobile in an hour or less.
1. Barrier Brewing Company (Oceanside, Nassau County)
As I write this, I'm thinking about the half growler of Barrier's BBHCFM sitting in my fridge. The Black Double IPA was so good, I took a growler home from Hoptron Brewtique, something I rarely do. Barrier rarely disappoints me and I've had a lot of their beers over the past few years. Every time I visit the brewery, they have offerings I've never seen before. Barrier seems to churn out new stuff all the time and I don't remember drinking a beer that I disliked. Brewers Craig and Evan have mastered such a wide range of styles, but they also devote ample time to crafting regular favorites such as the fantastic Money IPA. If Barrier was located closer to NYC, this self-distributing gem would be receiving even more attention.
Try: Dunegrass (DIPA), Daddy Warbucks (DIPA), or the two ridiculously good beers mentioned above
2. Bridge and Tunnel Brewery (Maspeth & Ridgewood, Queens)
The future of Rich Castagna's Bridge and Tunnel Brewery is bright. 2015 will be a defining year for the nano-brewery veteran who is in the process of setting up his larger brewing headquarters in Ridgewood, Queens. The new space will allow Rich to increase production by 500%. Yes, you read that right! From 50 to 300 gallon batches. He also has several new beers being released this year, including a Habañero IPA named Phoenix on Starr. (If you ever visit The Sampler in Bushwick, ask Rafael what the name stands for.) I'm super excited for increased capacity because Bridge and Tunnel beer will soon be in more bars, restaurants and beer shops in the NYC area very soon.
Try: My all time favorite brown ale is Tiger Eyes Hazelnut Brown. (I'm working on a longer feature, spotlighting Bridge and Tunnel's upcoming releases. Try any of those, as well.)
3. Bronx Brewery (Boogie Down Bronx)
I'll be completely frank… I'm not the biggest fan of the Bronx Brewery. I've found their beers to be mediocre and I wasn't happy about their contract brewing situation. (Until now, all of their beers have been brewed mainly in Wisconsin.) Contract brewing is a layered issue and has been debated within the craft beer community for quite some time. I appreciate Chris O'Leary's balanced approach to contract brewing in his Brew York post. After visiting the recently-opened brewery and tasting room in the Bronx, I've had a slight change of heart. In the tasting room's bathroom, "we made it" is stenciled into the wall. The brewery is a fine example of what determination, hard work, and some good luck can bring to those who dream big. It's amazing to see Bronx Pale Ale being served at Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium. I'm hopeful 2015 will be a watershed year for these guys who are now officially brewing beer in the Boogie Down.
Try: Head to the brewery/tasting room and try anything fresh from their recent Bronx batches.
4. Captain Lawrence (Elmsford, Westchester)
Scott Vaccaro, founder and head brewer of Captain Lawrence, has been commanding a solid line-up for the past 10 years. Scott and his brewing team have a vast repertoire of brews, from award-winning sours to solid barrel-aged beers and plenty of crowd pleasers in between. An ideal reason to jump on the Metro-North, the Elmsford brewery is a quick ride from Grand Central Station.
Try: Captain's Reserve Imperial IPA or Cuvee De Castleton
5. Finback Brewery (Glendale, Queens)
Two years ago, I stumbled upon news of a new brewery opening up in Queens. I happily realized it would be located blocks away from our apartment in Glendale, a locale devoid of good beer. I kept a close eye on their progress and opening date, eventually getting in touch with founders/brewers Kevin Stafford and Basil Lee. I battled a cold and blustery winter's night and rode over to get a tour of the brewery before it opened. (More on that visit here.) After a year of grinding and hustling, the hard work paid off. Finback recently released two bottled beers (Smoke Detection and the highly coveted Barrel-Aged BQE Imperial Stout). They also were recognized as the New York brewery of 2014 in the stellar Brew York site. Visit the brewery and bring a few friends.
Try: Moby Hop is excellent. Try to get your hands on the Barrel-Aged BQE. (It currently has a well-deserved 97 on Beer Advocate and is the highest-rated NYC beer on Untappd.)
6. Greenpoint Beer and Ale Company (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
Greenpoint Beer & Ale Company is the brewing arm of Ed Raven's Dirck the Norseman, a fantastic restaurant and bar that opened in March 2014. Ed is no stranger to the Brooklyn craft beer scene. He also owns beer shop Brouwerij Lane and Raven Brands, a beer importing company. Brewers Chris Prout and Erik Olsen are cranking out some really great beer at the Greenpoint brewpub.
Try: For some smokey goodness try their Grodziskie.
7. Grimm Artisanal Ales (Brooklyn-based gypsy brewery)
I don't remember when I had my first Grimm Artisanal Ale. Honestly, it was the label that probably drew me in. Gretta Johnson is crafting some of the prettiest labels in the game right now. I had to snatch up a bottle on the strength of the artwork alone. Lauren and Joe Grimm brew test batches in their Gowanus apartment, eventually bringing their recipes and ingredients to partnering brewing facilities to make magic happen on a grander scale. The gypsy brewing duo recently earned a GABF silver medal for their Double Negative, a key win in the highly-contested Imperial Stout category. With the exception of Double Negative, their small-batches are intended to be one-off releases. What's here today will certainly be gone tomorrow, so don't hesitate to pick up a Grimm bomber if you see one at your local beer shop.
Try: Grab anything you can find!
8. Gun Hill Brewing Company (Williamsbridge, Bronx)
I met Chris Sheehan, Gun Hill brewmaster, at a Manhattan bar while trying some of his beers for the first time. After chatting for a while about all things beer, he invited me up to the Bronx to visit the brand new brewery on Laconia Avenue. The tasting room just opened the week before and the first batches of beer were eagerly awaiting consumption. This is before Chris' Void of Light won a Gold Medal at the 2014 GABF. We excitedly talked about Void of Light which was actually still in a fermentation vessel, unbeknownst of its future glory. I'm a big fan of Chris Sheehan's beer and I know Gun Hill will continue to make noise in 2015.
Try: Of course, grab yourself a Void of Light Stout or try the solid Gun Hill IPA.
9. Newburgh Brewing Company (Newburgh, Hudson Valley)
The folks at Peekskill (below) advised me to check out Newburgh Brewing Company if I wanted to experience another superb Hudson Valley brewery while in the area. After returning to the area a few months later, we were able to spend some time with Christopher Basso, co-founder and brewmaster. He walked us through the immense space, a former paper-box factory, and talked about some of his upcoming special releases. Christopher, who spent time working under the renowned Garret Oliver at Brooklyn Brewery, is certainly carving out his own legacy with a phenomenal rotation of beers.
Try: Cream Ale or Hop Drop Double IPA
10. Other Half Brewing Company (Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn)
The best India Pale Ales in New York are being made by Other Half Brewing Company. I don't think this is a subjective statement. If there was a scientific way to prove this, my statement would be vindicated. Just look at Other Half's Untappd or Beer Advocate scores if you need some sort of concrete data. The brewery and tasting room is open to the public from Thursday through Saturday. If you see any Other Half beers on tap around town, order one right away.
Try: Green Diamonds or All Green Everything (rated the number one beer in 2014 by the Village Voice)
11. Peekskill Brewery (Peekskill, Hudson Valley)
I freaking love this place. Great food and really great beer = jump on the MetroNorth and spend an afternoon at this fantastic brewpub. I'm a big fan of their IPAs, but their Simple Sour was a game changer for me. After reading this New York Times article about Peekskill's Simple Sour, I had a dream of enjoying sour beer. Prior to this dream, I was not a fan of the mouth-puckering variety. I was compelled to look for the nearest bar serving Simple Sour that same day and realized that my palate was forever changed (all thanks to a very random dream and Peekskill's awesome Berliner Weisse).
Try: Simple Sour is a great sour/wild ale gateway beer. I love Eastern Standard (IPA) and Higher Standard (DIPA).
12. Port Jeff Brewing Company (Port Jefferson, Suffolk County)
After Blue Point Brewing Company was sold to Anheuser-Busch InBev, I've made a concerted effort to only support independent breweries in my new neighborhood. I do want to support local industry, and Blue Point provides local jobs, but I'd rather my dollars go to the smaller guys. One such "small guy" is this wonderful operation in Port Jefferson, Long Island. I had a few of their beers before, but gained a much deeper level of respect when I finally visited the brewery. I've had "try em all" flights on two separate occasions. Both tasting sessions left me with the impression that Port Jeff Brewing Company is certainly a force to be reckoned with on Long Island. Port Jefferson is a fantastic Long Island destination for a day trip or an overnight getaway. Don't forget to add Port Jeff Brewing Company to your itinerary.
Try: Party Boat is their flagship beer and it's a solid IPA. I really enjoyed their Porter which is available in 22oz bottles.
13. Singlecut Beersmiths (Astoria, Queens)
I was born in Astoria, so I have a soft spot for Singlecut Beersmiths. On top of that, their tap handles are guitars. How cool is that? The beer, let's talk about the beer! Singlecut has solid offerings that often go unrecognized. Their Billy IPAs are all excellent and so are their Bon Bon offerings. The brewery, although a trek from the subway, is an ideal beer destination if you haven't visited yet.
Try: Michael Dark Lyric Lagrrr! (regular or rum barrel aged) or any of the aforementioned beers
14. Threes Brewing (Gowanus, Brooklyn)
The most recent addition to the NYC craft brewery scene among this list, Threes is already bringing the heat. Brewmaster Greg Doroski is serving up sought after saisons and a variety of other styles. Their farmhouse inspired ales are some of the best I've tried in recent memory. I highly recommend visiting Threes Brewing even if it's just to see their multifaceted and simply gorgeous space.
Try: You can't go wrong with either saison – Wandering Bine or Mechanical Spring
15. Transmitter Brewing (Long Island City, Queens)
I must admit, I haven't had a chance to try many of Transmitter Brewing's beers yet. I do know that founders and brewers Rob Kolb and Anthony Accardi are onto something very special, poetic, and downright sublime. They focus on farmhouse style beers and offer their ales in beautifully designed bottles. Their Community Supported Brewery program ($175 + tax) gets you twelve bottles, two every month for six months to be picked up at the brewery. (After a recent visit to the brewery, I plan on completing a full feature very soon.)
Beer is much more than the sum of its parts. At its most pure form, it's just four simple ingredients: hops, malt, water and yeast. It is only through the synergy of process and those basic building blocks that unique and interesting interpretations of beer styles are possible. Through the process of brewing, it is possible to make an infinite number of flavor combinations and styles. It is this endless creative possibility that fuels and flames our passion for fermenting beer. Our satisfaction comes from the combination of the basic understanding of the ingredients and their interactions and the "aha" moments of discovery of the synergy between them. – From the Transmitter website
Try: Anything you can get your hands on
Threes Brewing: Baptism by Fire
The buzz leading up to Threes' opening night prompted me to miss my usual train back east and head to the brand new Gowanus brewery, bar and event space. As I walked into the the gorgeous venue, the welcoming char smell hit me right away. Were they already warming up their wood-fired oven? Was this the smokey magical scent of Rauchbier being made? I quickly learned that Threes had a fire the night before, which explained why they weren't serving beer on draught twenty minutes after the official opening. This was not a small, grab the fire extinguisher and there you go fire. The FDNY sprinkled enough water to properly bless the brewery on the eve of its first day of business. Water everywhere, plenty of smoke, and opening day only a few hours away.
Eager guests made their way to the bar hoping to try Threes beer, only to find out that none was available. Within an hour, one tap was operational. As I sipped on my first Threes Brewing beer, I felt a deep sense of admiration for the tenacity and determination of Threes' staff. The fire was a setback, but didn't derail opening night and the official unveiling of some really delicious and expertly crafted beers.
I briefly met with Greg Doroski, head brewer of Threes, to offer my congratulations on a successful opening after an unexpectedly chaotic night. I believe in signs and this fire has to be a good omen for Threes Brewing. Greg, the former Greenport Harbor brewer, is super enthusiastic about his current line-up and the other beers being released in the coming weeks.
Threes will be a multifaceted space: brewpub, bar, event space, and coffee shop. Join their mailing list to keep up with their special events and performances. http://threesbrewing.com/
My favorite beer writer Joshua Bernstein did a feature on Threes Brewing back in September. Check it out for further background info:
If you do stop by, start with the Wandering Bine Saison. It certainly is one of the finer Saisons I've had in a while.
Better Than Pliny? (The Magic 8)
I was geeking out the other day with a bartender at an Upper East Side bar. We were sharing some of our favorite India Pale Ales (IPAs) and Double/Imperial India Pale Ales (DIPAs) throughout the country. We offered up a variety of our own favorites, but both agreed that Pliny the Elder is a grossly overrated beer. It's a great beer, but there are plenty of other amazing hoppy fish in the sea. Here are some of the IPAs and DIPAs that I spit out during our craft beer nerd-fest. One of these below was a recommendation from said bartender who mentioned that it's his second favorite IPA next to Heady Topper. This list doesn't include Heady Topper. (Much is already documented about my love for Heady Topper and my multiple Heady adventures.)
In no particular order…
1. Hill Farmstead Brewery's Abner:
My brother and I were in Waterbury, Vermont, looking to bring home a few cases of Heady Topper and we stumbled across this incredible beer at the Reservoir Restaurant and Taproom. We took our first sip and immediately looked at each other in amazement. One of us immediately looked Abner up on Beer Advocate and quickly realized that this beer is a big deal. I won't say how high the rating is, just take a look for yourself. Too bad Hill Farmstead isn't super close to Waterbury. We also promised to return home to NYC that same day. One day we will make it there for sure.
2. Bell's Hopslam
NYC was devoid of anything from Bell's for quite a long time. When the Michigan brewery finally struck a deal to distribute its beers in New York, craft beer venues pulled out their red carpets to welcome the much-lauded brewery. Their most popular beer, Two Hearted Ale, is a superb beer. It truly was my go to beer when the local bodega began carrying six-packs on a regular basis. However, it's the harder-to-find Hopslam that truly pleased my palate. A few bottle shops in NYC put a two bottle maximum limit on Hopslam purchases when it was first made available. Since then, I haven't seen it around too much. Next time I do, I plan to snatch a few up right away.
3. Alpine Beer Company's Duet
You will not see this beer in bars, restaurants or bottle shops in New York. I traded a few Heady Topper cans last year to folks out in California. I actually asked for Pliny, but the West Coast IPA connoisseur told me to trust his hop guidance and sent me a bottle of this instead. It definitely didn't disappoint. After having Pliny a few times, I think Duet is a better-balanced and overall tastier beer than Pliny the Elder. If any of my West Coast friends are reading this, please ship me a bottle of Duet.
4. Long Trail Brewing Company's Limbo IPA
I might get hate-mail by claiming this beer by Long Trail is better than Russian River Brewing Company's mainstay. There is something special about this beer. Maybe it's Long Trail's use of Australian hops which tend to impart delightful tropical fruit flavors. Long Trail started using the experimental Farmhouse Pilot Brewery to brew one-off batches that became quite popular on draft. Their Limbo IPA is the first of these pilot beers to be bottled and distributed widely. Don't overlook or underestimate this Vermont gem.
5. Maine Beer Company's Lunch
The first time I had this beer was at my beloved Guilty Goose, a phenomenal craft beer-centric restaurant in Chelsea, NYC. Eddie, the super awesome bartender over there (not sure if he's still there), was always a Maine Beer Company aficionado. I've had a few of their beers, but this one… Wow! (nuff said)
6. Proclamation Ale Company's Tendril
My great friend Keith not only holds a doctorate now, but also knows a little something about good beer. During our annual trip up to Providence, he strongly urged us to try an IPA by a new brewery in the state, Proclamation Ale Company. My BeerMenus app wasn't working too well in Providence, so my wife and I decided to just go to the source to try this IPA he spoke so highly of. I hope to do a full write up of the brewery soon. Tendril certainly didn't disappoint. It was one of the best new IPAs I've tried in a while. You will only be able to find Tendril in Rhode Island for now. It was so good I almost put aside my disdain for growlers to take some Tendril back home to enjoy.
7. Port Brewing Company's Hop-15 Ale
Hop-15 is another West Coast beer that is difficult to find out East. Port Brewing Company has a wonderful portfolio and this is one of their best. Admittedly, I haven't had this one in quite a while, but my first impression was very memorable. Here's another one to stuff into a sock, to place ever so carefully into the middle of your (check-in) suitcase.
8. Other Half Brewing Company's Green Diamonds
I absolutely love the name of this beer. You can only go so far with different catchy iterations of that dank, piney and bitter flower we love so much. Beyond a great name, Other Half truly created what might be the best Imperial IPA in New York. I've had amazing New York IPAs by the likes of Six Point (Resin), Barrier (Daddy Warbucks), Ithaca (Flower Power), Peekskill (Eastern Standard), and Newburgh (Hop Drop). At this moment of time, Green Diamonds is my absolute favorite IPA the Empire State has to offer.
If you have any other IPAs or DIPAs to put on my radar, please leave a comment. I've tried so many beers, I might have forgotten about it. As I'm wrapping this post up, I just remembered how much I love Sierra Nevada's Hoptimum. Let's see if I can do a Better Than Pliny follow up by next year. For now, I'll keep searching.
Southern Tier Brewing Company
Southern Tier Brewing Company was on my list of breweries to visit since I fell in love with Imperial Pumpking a few autumns ago. Distance is the only thing that prevented me from checking them out. Lakewood is actually closer to Ohio than NYC. During my winter trip to Empire in Syracuse, my close friend Grandmaster Ben Wah proposed we hit up another upstate brewery when I visited next. I mentioned Southern Tier and he was game to take the 3+ hour ride from Binghamton to the Southwestern tip of New York State.
My adventure began after work on Friday. I jumped on the road somewhat early, hoping to beat rush hour traffic. Apparently, rush hour must start before 2:00 on summer Fridays in NYC. It took me over an hour to get out of the Bronx. Not fun! I summoned my inner monk to just embrace my reality: bumper to bumper, stop-and-go expressway madness. Once the concrete jungle was in my rearview mirror, I was able to reach actual highway speed. I went to school upstate, so this commute was not at all new to me. I ignored my urges to pull out the GPS and used the force instead to guide the way toward Binghamton, my overnight stay. I realized I was lost when I wound up in the mountains – I never remembered such a steep and treacherous route to my alma mater. It was quite scenic, though, and I discovered a Hasidic Jewish community in the wilderness (I kid you not).
Fast forward to Saturday morning. We wake up early to make the trek to Southern Tier Brewing Co. On the way, we find a live bait vending machine. That was definitely the oddest thing I've seen in a while. We also found a town with an interesting name. If we had more time, we were going to stop and ask directions to Havana to see if we could piss off any locals. It probably was better that we didn't.
Southern Tier Brewing Company: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The Good
Southern Tier has some remarkable beer. Many of their key beers are rated above 90 on Beer Advocate, which is a great accomplishment. As a brewery, they have a "World Class" rating with a score of 95. Take a look: Southern TierThe brewery is modern, super slick, and just plain gorgeous.
Even the business office looks immaculate. It's probably the result of someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
I was able to have the first batch of Imperial Pumpking, which was just released that morning. Quite early for a fall seasonal, but I'll take it! (Check out tap number three!)
The Bad
I drove all the way from NYC and I wasn't able to do a tour. The tours were at 1:00, 2:30, and 4:30. We just missed the 1:00 tour by 5 minutes. We thought we were guaranteed to attend the 2:30 tour, only to find out all tours were booked until 4:30. Apparently, you need to get tickets first thing in the morning. I just wanted to chat with someone who was knowledgable of their history and brewing process, at the very least.
The Ugly
I would have been satisfied to chat with a Southern Tier staff member about anything Southern Tier related; however, that didn't happen. Most of the staff members I encountered were not approachable or were just plain rude. When I asked if they were filling growlers yet of Imperial Pumking, I was answered with "Uh, that's not gonna happen!" I also wanted to get a flight to try as many beers as possible and still make it to a BBQ later that evening. The bartender told me that none were available and didn't know when they would be. Less than ten minutes later, two guys approached the bar and left with two flights. People travel from great distances to experience the brewery. Southern Tier management should ensure employees are equipped to interact with its customers. I didn't take much away with me besides a few bombers and some nice photos. (Plus a very good time hanging with my great friend Wah.)
The bottom line for me, though, is the beer. Southern Tier makes some fantastic beer. It was great to visit a top-notch brewery from my very own state, albeit 8 hours away. I cracked open one of the bombers I arrived home with and I made peace with the not so friendly Southern Tier staff as I sipped my delicious Imperial Compass. I'll do a write up on that very soon.


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Sherry S. Mauldin
Asheville - Sherry Lee Sharp Mauldin, 71, passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at John F. Keever Solace Center.
Sherry was a native of Syracuse, Kansas but had lived the past 25 years of her life in Asheville. Most of her life was spent in Shreveport, Louisiana and she was the daughter of the late Richard and Evelyn Ocker Sharp. Sherry was preceded in death by a son, Wayne Gantt; a great-grandson, Levi Stevens; and three sisters, Brenda Harrell, Sue Guinn, and Linda Holloway. She was a member of Pole Creek Baptist Church and a valued member of Jim Barkley Toyota of Asheville.
Sherry is survived by three daughters, Allecca Tucker and Pamela Perkins, both of Bossier City, Louisiana and Lisa Chandler of Athens, Louisiana; two sons, Michael Gantt of Mount Pleasant, Michigan and Douglas Gantt of Bossier City, Louisiana; three sisters, Debbie Sharp of Mesquite, Texas, Kathy Sullivan of Marshall, Texas and Lynette Morris of Linden, Texas; one brother, Terry Sharp of Marshall, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2019, at Pole Creek Baptist Church with the Reverend Ben Heise officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.
Memorials may be made to Pole Creek Baptist Church, 96 Snow Hill Church Road, Candler, North Carolina, 28715.
The care of Ms. Mauldin has been entrusted to Forest Lawn Funeral Home and an online memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at www.forestlawnfuneral.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sherry Lee (Sharp) Mauldin, please visit our floral store.

subset: commoncrawl


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LOOP Products are a German brand who pride themselves in sailing hardware innovation. Formed in 2005, the LOOP Products range is the brainchild of Kohlhoff GmbH - to learn more, read the previous blog.
In this blog we look at the trend towards lightweight, flexible sheet lead solutions and why the LOOP Woggle is working its way to the top of the pack in high load situations.
Flexible, adaptable line / sheet leads
Sheet deflectors, tweaker lines, barber haulers, in-hauls, outhauls... there are many applications onboard which require a loaded line to be deflected, to achieve the correct sail clew location or lead into a cleat.
With the introduction of single braid Dyneema® and low friction thimbles, creating lightweight systems to optimise your line angles has never been easier. Single braid Dyneema® is super strong and very quick and simple to splice. The low friction thimble is spliced into the end of the lead line and the loaded sheet/line is run through the centre. These systems are so light that they can be permanently installed, so they are always available to make minor adjustments to optimise trim.
Regardless of what you actually call them, lash thimbles, ferrules, low friction thimbles are really useful for relatively low load applications because they are small and lightweight. As loads increase however, a better strength to weight ratio can be achieved using low friction, solid rings. Here the lead line is spliced to the ring and the load line then runs through the centre.
The downside with rings is that they have a relatively small contact area with the loaded line, and a relatively tight radius which has a couple of implications: a) it is quite an aggressive contact surface which can lead to rope damage and b) the loaded line can grip onto the inside surface of the ring, increasing friction.
Enter the LOOP Woggle
To combat these obvious downsides, as load line increases, LOOP Products developed the LOOP Woggle. This is a classic example of the type of cool, niche products which are often developed within the marine industry.
The LOOP® Woggle is a heavy duty sheet deflector made of hard anodised aluminium. They are available in 5 different sizes and different shapes for SWL from 1000 - 6000 kg and control lines from 10-14mm. See the table below.
The simple secret to the LOOP Woggle is its length and gentle internal radius.
The increased contact surface reduces point loading and damage to the rope. Whilst you might think that this larger surface would increase the friction, the gentle radius actually provides a much better surface for the loaded line to run over. The interesting thing with a Dyneema® covered line is that friction actually reduces as load increases. The exact reasons why, are best left to the material scientists, but the result is that under higher load the longer contact area allows the Woggle to slide over the line more efficiently than through a ring with a large internal radius.
Niche application
One unique application of the LOOP Woggle, that we are aware of, is on some TP52 forestays. These high-performance composite fibre forestays are built with a Woggle permanently installed on the cable. It is free to slide up and down the cable but constrained by the end fittings.
Its purpose: it acts as a tack shuttle. The tack of the headsail is attached to the Woggle and once the sail is hoisted a tack line is used to adjust the luff tension in the sail i.e. it acts as a floating tack.
Even with the very high sheet loads, the woggle ensures that the composite cable is undamaged, and it will actually move up and down the stay, under load.
The LOOP Woggle is a simple, clever, cool little product which has evolved to make the most of modern materials and create lightweight onboard systems.
More information or need a quote?
If you have any questions about sheet deflectors or you would like to get help with any aspects of the deck layout of your boat, you can contact upffront.com using this form.


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While it's true that those who are loyal to one type of phone company or another may want to consider using the natural successors, it's super easy to switch between one system or another. So, whether you're deciding on a phone to get or not, you definitely will want to look at both the iPhone 11 and the Pixel 4. As the cheapest options from both these companies, they're excellent for those beginning with a phone for this year.
While they have only 100 dollars difference in their retail prices, many of the retailers and carriers are offering discounts, which will lower the prices completely, or you might get some money back. here, we'll weigh each of these and the comparisons between both as well.
First, let's talk the iPhone 11. While this one doesn't have the same display level as the Pixel 4, there is a lot of cool features. This doesn't' have the anthropography features or the touchless gestures that the Pixel 4 does, but it's still a great phone. It is future proof, and it does have some decent storage options, and a great camera that does record some wonderful video.
The Pixel 4, in contrast, is a first-rate phone that's in it of itself. This does have some cool software options, and some sensing and live audio technology, which is useful, and the display on the phone has a wonderful refresh rate in order to keep things nice and smooth, and it does have a good camera. However, the storage options are limited the price tag is higher, and probably the worst part of this is the battery life kind of stinks with this phone.
So, they both look very similar to the predecessors, and they both have familiar designs. Both of these are incredibly comfy to navigate however, especially with one hand. The smaller frame of the Pixel 4 makes it slightly better, and they both are incredibly water resistant. But, the iPhone 11 looks a little bit better. The backside is a little more elegant and refined, and it comes in a lot more colors. Both of them have camera bumps, but the dual camera setup of the 11 offers a nicer layout compared to the black square with the Pixel 4's back having it practically stamped on there.
The Pixel 4 does have a trick, and that is the display. It'll ha e a higher Pixel density, so it'll be sharper, and it has an OLED screen, which makes the black hues inkier and deeper than the 11. It does have less of a purity in terms of whites than on the 1. Overall, the colors are very vibrant on both, and they both are nicely contrasted on each phone, and you really won't notice a difference until you hold each of them side-by-side. The Pixel 4 has a display refresh rate that's much higher than the iPhone 11. By refreshing more often, it makes everything super fluid.
The cameras are awesome on both, and you'll be satisfied with each, but there are certain aspects of one over the other. The Pixel 4 takes sharper and more vibrant pictures with a wonderful HDR effect, making the photos appear much more cinematic and dramatic. It's got a digital zoom too which is excellent, and the colors are good, but the iPhone 11 has really good image processing.
Probably the one place that the iPhone beats the Pixel 4 is of course, the battery life. The battery life on the Pixel 4 is awful when in contrast the iPhone 11 is much better in terms of battery life. Both of these are decent phones however, and if you're someone who is pressed for a good camera, this may be the better option.


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World Media
Nico Rosberg has lead slashed to one point after penalty
Under little pressure, Hamilton comfortably saw it out to the delight of the home crowd, with reports suggesting that Rosberg will be investigated in the immediate aftermath of the race for receiving instructions from his team. By lap 12, he was 5.2 seconds clear with Rosberg 1.4 clear of Verstappen. It was comfortable for him with his closest rival Nico Rosberg unable to catch him.
World Media
The key factors in Murray's defeat of Raonic
Obviously, the wins feels extra special because of the tough losses. He avoided becoming the first man in history to be the runner-up at a season's first three majors. "This the most important tournament for me every year", Murray said after his victory . "From where I was kind of at the end of that year after I had the surgery, yeah, it's been quite a long, long road back".
World Media
In Platform Draft, Sanders Wins on Climate, Loses on Trade
According to the campaign, the changes were the result of her meeting with Sanders . He told reporters , "It's fair to say that the Clinton campaign and our campaign are coming closer and closer together in trying to address the major issues facing this country, which is what my campaign was all about, and we look forward to continue working with the Clinton campaign and will have more to say in the very near future".
World Media
New Details Emerge of Dallas Suspect's Final Moments at Shooting Scene
He stressed that Johnson had to be stopped because he was "determined to hurt more officers, and without our actions, he would've hurt more officers". We are not going to be able to identify ahead of time and eliminate every madman or troubled individual who might want to do harm against innocent people.
World Media
US urges respect for South China Sea ruling by arbitration court
Previously in May, responding to US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's statement blaming Beijing for creating a great wall of self-isolation, Beijing categorically stated that it had no interest in "playing a role in a Hollywood movie" of Washington's design.
World Media
Abdul Sattar Edhi, Revered Pakistani Philanthropist, Dies at 88
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also announced a contribution of 1 crore rupees to the Edhi foundation last October but Abdul Sattar Edhi denied the charity. He also personally drove one of the network's ambulances across Karachi to help anyone in need. I got an opportunity to meet him in Karachi and found him a humble and down to earth personality.


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Better-Than-Tuna Salad
Sardines. You either love 'em or you hate 'em. But you can turn from hater to lover with this salad!Read more
Sardines. You either love 'em or you hate 'em. But you can turn from hater to lover with this salad!Read more
How does one have a garden without tomatoes? Tomatoes are a staple in every garden's summer bounty, right?Read more
Raw, unrefined, virgin coconut oil is a staple at my house.Read more
'Tis the summer season for grilled, juicy burgers and dinner out on the back porch.Read more
Growing up one of my favorite meals was salmon patties with a side of steamed broccoli (dripping with butter) and a large serving of creamy mac n' cheese.Read more
Did you all have a wonderful 4th of July? We found ourselves doing the family potluck thing, but with a little spin this year.Read more
Currently there are two plants in my garden doing me proud: zucchini and basil.Read more
It's been fun to play around with June's herb of the month, basil.Read more
I'm pretty sure that every American household has some form of mac n' cheese that's a family favorite.Read more
There's no other experience (besides being in labor, perhaps) that calls for insane amounts of energy and stamina like the entire process of moving.Read more
We're not talkin' your mother's high-in-carbs chicken noodle soup here. This soup is hearty and filled with nourishing ingredients to facilitate health.Read more
When you hear the term "superfood", it's doubtful a steaming bowl of brownish broth pops into mind.Read more
Information on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace recommendations of a licensed medical doctor. In compliance with the FTC guidelines, please assume that links provided are affiliate links in which a small commission is received and applied to the upkeep of this website. If an affiliate link is posted, it's because I personally use it, support it or would recommend it even without an affiliate link. Thank you. Thrive CMH Holistic Health & Wellness Center LLC | Nourishing Herbalist | 2019 All Rights Reserved


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Ron White at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land on May 15 has been rescheduled to December 20. Your ticket will be honored for the rescheduled date. For any further ticket inquiries please reach out to point of purchase.
TICKETS ON SALE: October 11, 2019
*Fees & restrictions may apply
18111 Lexington Boulevard, Sugar Land, TX 77479


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Video shows substitute teacher using belt on student
A substitute teacher has been removed from the classroom after a belt incident at a Prince George's County school.
WBAL's sister station in Washington, D.C., WRC-TV, reported a video appears to show the substitute teacher using a belt to hit students who were on the floor. It happened during the sixth-grade social studies class Friday afternoon at Gwynn Park Middle School in Brandywine.
The Prince George's County Public School System has reviewed the video.
"We acted quickly to make sure the teacher was removed from the classroom and is not eligible to be part of our school district any longer. We don't condone this type of behavior," district spokeswoman Keesha Bullock said.
The school system has referred the matter to the county police and Child Protective Services.
It was not immediately known whether the teacher will face charges.


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breaking away.
Post: #1
breaking away.
this post is for me and anyone who like me wanted to break away from the habit of knowing their future and/or psychics.
i don't say in believe in psychics and spirit guides but i wouldn't say i disbelieve them either. they are in a part of my brain where i don't let logic and impulse meet and talk. but somehow in that part of brain, impulse took over and in a course of roughly three months, i had reading after readings after readings (mostly at 1.80/per minute).
what i achieved from it was ruining my finances and getting drained out of my energy. i don't know if any of you have felt the way i did, but it seemed the more readings i had the more drained out i was. even though i was getting mostly happy outcomes/predictions i had still lost my appetite?! and it's a big thing for me cause i'm a foodie and love to cook!
my house was a mess, so was my closet. my love of shopping for new clothes had vanished, mostly cause i spent all my money on readings and very little left for day to day expenses. but i was so engrossed in yet another psychic's opinion that i didn't miss dressing up in pretty clothes which is my second favorite thing after food.
now when i'm looking back, i think i was so foolish. i don't think i should have spoken to a psychic anyway cause i've never had any 'little prediction' materialise, let alone big ones. and by that i don't mean about contact and all but just tiny little validations that they give you out of the blue. but well i was foolish not to have just one reading and just leave it at that.
those who are new to this thing, i'll strongly advice against any readings. only because it might seem like a good idea to know the future, but is it really? now i don't know about you guys, but i'm a dead romantic (that's the reason why my psychic readings started btw!) and if a new person is to come in (which i hope he does =P) i want to be surprised. i don't want to know his height, eye colour, profession etc!
and i've learned to read between lines from the old one who disappeared. the smart approach would have been to contact him directly and ask or ignore altogether. but i decided that i'll ask a psychic about how he feels about me and why he vanished instead. and at that very confused moment it seemed just right, but on hindsight, i am laughing at the idea. well again i've left the whole 'do i really believe in psychic powers or not?' in a locked part of my brain, but i honestly don't believe that someone can read my mr.x's feelings through me. yes it is possible, that psychics have my read my current emotions and feelings (that would somehow explain why i felt so drained out after every reading) but it's ludicrous to think they can read another person you are calling about.
now to me most great validations started when a psychic said i know why you are calling, it's about a man. but well i guess this is an universal epidemic now. haha sorry to categorise all/most men! =P. so really there's a reason why none of the predictions happened if i want to go that route. but because i know my story best, i think it didn't happen cause i was so obsessed with the idea of contact from mr. x that i stopped living. i started the day with a prediction and ended the day with one. i waited to see him, to hear for him, and the wait/want was so intense that it cut off all my life flow. seriously, i think if zombies existed, they'd easily welcome me in their clan. it was that bad!
its only after i realised that i was holding onto nothing that i felt so good. cause i knew if i let go it would be fine as it can't get any worse than that, it can only get better. this realisation i believe is THE most important of all. as soon as you know that you've dealt with the worst, you are not scared anymore and that's it *voila* the whole discomfort is gone.
if there's anyone who's reading this have just started with psychic readings imagine me screaming and crazy dancing in front of you chanting that 'PSYCHICS DON'T MAKE PREDICTIONS HAPPEN'
the first step is don't dwell on the prediction(s). let life do it's job, trust in the highest power there is, GOD. He knows best. if you don't believe in Him, then trust in life to do it's thing. you can do nothing to stop somethings that life throws at you. if it's to hard to take, distract yourself. shopping, food or whatever that takes your fancy. but it helps, the distraction, the smile on your face for treating yourself just washes the whole confusion away. and it's really easy to do, as easy as it gets. believe me. cause deep down under you want it to, to cut away from the whole thing and be happy for yourself. no one is a self-masochist, not even the worst of us.
and if the other person you want to know about doesn't come forward, then let him loose. cut all ties. the more you care the more it hurts. he knows where you are, he knows who you are, he knows what you can give, if he wants it he'll find you. visualise about it in a context of food, you're craving for something, let's say a thin crust pizza and then some hot chocolate fudge cake. you go to your favorite italian restaurant, order a massive pizza and finish it somehow. you don't feel all that hungry but you still crave the hot fudge cake, so decide to try it anyway. but after two spoons, you're forcing yourself. maybe even swallowing it down with some water/cola/wine. that's what we do, we want it in abundance but when we get it, we feel choked/forced. if you want him to miss you, you'll have to take the chance and walk away. pestering him won't give him a chance to crave for your companionship.
but then again you could be a fool like me. walk away from him, but not really cut ties, by getting 5 psychic readings a day about him and obsessing yourself on a tiny part of your life. and it doesn't help. the best is to let go, and get on with your life. cause this is your life, and the only one at that. each moment lost would be a moment wasted.
and then the other thing you could do but you shouldn't do is second guess yourself. no matter how vile you think you are, if you don't love yourself, no one will. no one can't. you are your first priority, only cause if you cut yourself, the other person won't feel the pain but you will. if you starve yourself, you body will suffer and not his. if you take out the things you enjoy from your life, you will deprive yourself and not him.
last thing, i'm not as strong as i'm writing to be. i miss mr.x a hell lot, specially when i've done all and distracted myself. but running after him and seating on his doorstep won't help me or him. if he's the one he'll find me, or life will find him for me. but if he finds someone else, its only cause they are better suited. but in the meantime when there's a limbo and loneliness, before old mr.x or a new mr.y/z decide to make a disappearance i've a duty to myself. to make myself happy. and no one else can do the job cause it's mine to do.
i know it's all jumbled up, but i just felt like jotting out my thoughts, and if you've read this far, i thank you
p.s. on a complete different note, one who doesn't care in a relationship always have the upper hand! (i don't believe in upperhands, but if a new mr. y/z hows up i might just as well try out the theory, but i promise not to push him away!)
When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head and laugh at the sky - Buddha.
08-01-2013, 04:10 AM (This post was last modified: 08-01-2013 04:16 AM by georgek.)
Post: #2
RE: breaking away.
Well....looks like big business is leaving you skint? I am psychic, but I don't do personal readings. If I did, then you would not be charged and have no need to spend £1.80 pence per minute.
As a psychic, I feel annoyed at these fraudsters ripping you off, and also with you for paying them good money.
There are most here, who will offer full understanding and love, but they are just jumping on 'the band wagon' to show how loving they are to others who are reading these posts.
When these psychic fraudsters come along, they make money because they are telling you things that you wish to hear.
The richer they become; the more harder it is for me to stand my own ground. I have to suffer all the abuse from others based on the tricksters who have given this kind of work a bad name.
People like yourself who pay them money, is no different to the public who give money to street beggars, who in turn, fuel the drug dealers.
These telephone psychics really annoy me, as they sit back and take money through the emotions of others. They fuel their pockets and make big business....not from your faith...but through your depravity and loneliness.
In turn, the government clamps these rogues down based on these trick antics! They can wade out of this, by using the clause "for entertainment purposes only"
So these fraudsters twist this around...pretty much like these 'chat lines'.
If people spend their time with you, and you value what rubbish they give, then they expect to be paid for this entertainment! Simple as that!
If you wish to believe what they tell you as genuine, then this is your freedom of choice!
Post: #3
RE: breaking away.
hi george,
i wasn't looking for people who jump any 'bandwagon' that you speak of, neither was i looking for you to imply that i'm a fool. i was merely jotting down my thoughts for people who feel, what i felt. i know what any fake psychic does, or government does or anything else that you speak of. this post is not a rant of 'omg psychics took my money and all that'. it was a appreciation of breaking away from all and everything negative. but well thanks for your freedom of speech i guess!
hi gilly,
i understand. it's so good to breakway isn't it. life feels so crisp again. i hope our experiences help others! x
When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head and laugh at the sky - Buddha.
08-01-2013, 03:30 PM (This post was last modified: 08-01-2013 03:39 PM by georgek.)
Post: #4
RE: breaking away.
Quote:i wasn't looking for people who jump any 'bandwagon' that you speak of, neither was i looking for you to imply that i'm a fool.
Then what are you saying?
If I take a hammer and hit myself on the head, as to feel pain...then is it the pain's fault or my mistake for doing something stupid?
If these ain't silly actions then is it praise that you are looking for, or more important the sympathy of others....as here goes an unfortunate person?
It appears that you look for delusions in life, by your constant efforts to seek out these phone psychics to give you comfort. Made worse, when they constantly 'hammer your pocket' with false information.....as you keep going back to them?
If you are saying that these are silly foolish antics; why are you in defence, when you should be in submission?
When you speak to me, you are talking to a proper psychic and what I see....is that you still want to go back to them.
You have NOT learnt any lessons, but merely expect others to give you more confidence, so that you have another excuse for being hard done by.
Not only that; but you seek what you want to hear. Well...I am not telling you what you want to hear, because you are not paying me. If you were.....then I may be able to offer you more warmth in the hope that you would spend more money with me.
This is exactly what Gilly says...."another fix".
I realise that I am also 'hard done by' a lot of the time, and people ask me:-"Why I bother?"
Well....I don't lose....that is the difference!
I am sorry.
Regards George
Post: #5
RE: breaking away.
hi george,
you don't know me to know if i've learnt a lesson or not. again i wasn't speaking to you via this post, but trying to help people who are disillusioned or frustrated by predictions. i'm not anymore, so i don't need to hear either a) it'll get better, or b) get told off from you for having readings, cause you have no business to do so.
and i don't give a dime as to what good a psychic you are and what you read, cause i wasn't asking you read for me in any way.
however, i have no psychic powers at all but can still read for you that you need to learn how to speak to others when you don't know nothing about them.
and again i don't want to hear nothing from you or anyone else. if you didn't understand the post i'd advise you to re read again. it was encouraging others NOT to have readings. not me asking people why i had readings and give me confidence.
and what i want to believe or don't is my problem. i am not and was never asking for your opinion. so please keep it to yourself along with your freedom of speech.
have a good day.
When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head and laugh at the sky - Buddha.
Post: #6
RE: breaking away.
Quote:and i don't give a dime as to what good a psychic you are and what you read, cause i wasn't asking you read for me in any way.
That's why you probably deserve what you get.Then again it is not good psychics that you are after, but those who will tell you what you want to hear.
Warning others not to do what you have done.....is not a favour. You don't even listen to yourself, because if you did, then you would be thanking the correct people instead of paying others money for their blindness in giving you readings that suits what you want to hear.
You don't care a dime, for a good psychic BUT are prepared to spend a fortune on bad ones. Which sums it all up.
08-01-2013, 06:59 PM (This post was last modified: 08-01-2013 06:59 PM by browneyes.)
Post: #7
RE: breaking away.
(08-01-2013 06:30 PM)georgek Wrote:Quote:and i don't give a dime as to what good a psychic you are and what you read, cause i wasn't asking you read for me in any way.
a) this is the third time i've told you, you are not a person to decide if i do or don't deserve what i got. how do you even know what i got?
b) i'm not trying to do a favour on anyone. it's an open forum, i'm writing what i feel like expressing, and i can only hope it helps someone someway.
c) i don't have readings anymore so i'm not paying anyone anything, and even if i decide to pay someone it's my money so i'm not asking for your view on it.
d) i don't see why i need to thank you or any one. saying that i don't even understand what point you're trying to make with your replies. i mentioned that this was not a cry of help to get me out of readings, i have done that myself. i'm just writing about what i think helped me to get out of it. and no one has asked for your help!
e) you say you are a good psychic, but who can vouch for that except for you? i'm not here to be wow'd by your powers, and if i spent my fortune on bad ones, what is your problem?
f) i don't see any reason to continue this conversation anymore. my main post starts by saying that it's for me and people who wants to beak away from psychic readings. it's clearly not to your taste, so i'd much appreciate if you keep your opinions away from it.
When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head and laugh at the sky - Buddha.
Post: #8
RE: breaking away.
(08-01-2013 06:30 PM)georgek Wrote:Quote:and i don't give a dime as to what good a psychic you are and what you read, cause i wasn't asking you read for me in any way.
perhaps now back off george
Post: #9
RE: breaking away.
Quote:perhaps now back off george
A warning?
Wow.........shut ones mouth cos one has been told?
Quote: (posted by flamered)
Do you hit as well....or is this only part of your talents?
What do we have here.......a load of women who dream of catching their ideal man...who has nothing more on his mind, but having a good time? (no I did not say that you were a woman)
So they go pleading to on-line psychics like crazed demented cast offs pleading for dreams....the dreams that never come true?
I am not being sexist....but the only men that seem to be writing, are the phone readers who have a good laugh.
Someone has to step in, and say their piece!
Post: #10
RE: breaking away.
(08-01-2013 06:59 PM)browneyes Wrote:Well....it was FREE!(08-01-2013 06:30 PM)georgek Wrote:Quote:and i don't give a dime as to what good a psychic you are and what you read, cause i wasn't asking you read for me in any way.
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What do you get in the Basic Kit
• 20ft of Bumper
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• 2 End Caps
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(30pcs Screws, 30pcs Washers,
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Honey Almond Flax Healthy Granola
If you want a bite of this Honey Almond Flax Healthy Granola recipe, I'm afraid you are going to have to come pry it away from my clutches. Be careful: my elbows are pointy and their aim is true.
Homemade healthy granola is one of those recipes that, every time I make it, I question my sanity as to why I haven't been whipping up a fresh batch every single week. It's simple, scrumptious, and will have you throwing elbows on your way to the pantry to snag the final few handfuls. Compared to store-bought alternatives, making your own homemade granola is also far less expensive and much better for you too.
Although there are a flurry of homemade granola recipes in the land (some of which have come from my kitchen, by way of gluten free granola, gingerbread granola, chocolate almond olive oil granola, and pumpkin granola), I'm going to put up a strong case that this healthy granola recipe is the one you should try.
Why You Should Try This Ground Flax Seed Granola Recipe
One: It's a healthy granola recipe that is actually healthy. Too many homemade and store-purchased granolas are loaded with unhealthy oils and gobs of sugar. Not this honey almond flax homemade granola. It's sweetened entirely with honey and needs only two tiny tablespoons of coconut oil for the whole batch, thanks to my stealthy healthy ingredient, egg white. One little egg white can moisten and bind the entire batch, and you cannot taste it in the slightest. The egg white also contributes to my homemade granola selling point number….
Two: It's crispity-crunchity. Nothing is more loathsome than a soggy homemade granola recipe. This one has a delightful crisp texture and forms nice chunks, thanks to the egg white. It's the same trick I use to crisp my healthy spicy Chex mix recipe, and it allows us to cut the amount of oil we need to form and toast the homemade granola in half.
Three: It's loaded with good for you ingredients. In addition to whole grain oats, I added Bob's Red Mill Flaxseed Meal, which contains heart-healthy Omega-3s (the same good fats found in avocados, salmon, and olive oil), fiber, and other essential nutrients. For an extra health boost, I've started adding a tablespoon of flaxseed meal to everything from my oatmeal to my smoothies, and it's great sprinkled lightly on salads too.
Other fun healthy granola recipe additions: wheat germ (the nutritional heart of the wheat berry), unsweetened coconut (which toasts in the oven and gives the granola an extra somethin' somethin' to make it particularly addictive), and toasted almonds.
In addition to the lovely duo of the sweet honey and rich almonds, I amped up this healthy granola recipe with with plenty of vanilla extract and a touch of cinnamon. It's a classic, comforting flavor combination and makes for a granola that's wonderful with milk, stirred into yogurt, or as I'm continually reaffirming, snitched by furtive handfuls directly from the container.
More Healthy Recipes with Granola
- Granola Cookies
- Gluten Free Granola
- Chocolate Almond Olive Oil Granola
- Gingerbread Granola
- Pumpkin Granola
Tools Used to Make This Recipe
- All purpose baking sheets.
- Parchment paper.
- Fish spatula. Perfect for flipping so much more than fish! It keeps the granola in big chunks when you turn it and is great for baking cookies too.
Honey Almond Flax Homemade Granola
- 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats - gluten free if needed
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/3 cup Bob's Red Mill Ground Flaxseed Meal - do not use whole flaxseed
- 1/4 cup wheat germ - substitute additional coconut to make gluten free
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup honey* - I prefer to use raw honey
- 2 tablespoons melted virgin coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg white
- Up to 3/4 cup mix-ins of choice: chocolate chips - apricots, figs, dates, craisins, raisins, etc., chopped if large
- Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, stir together the oats, coconut, almonds, flaxseed, wheat germ, salt, and cinnamon. Pour in the honey, coconut oil, and vanilla extract and stir to coat. Taste and add additional honey if you prefer a sweeter granola. In a small bowl, briskly whisk the egg white until it is frothy. Stir into the granola mixture, doing your best to evenly incorporate it throughout.
- Spread the granola in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the sheet from the oven and with a large spatula, carefully flip large sections of the granola over, doing your best to keep them intact (this is what forms the granola chunks.) Rotate the pan 180 degrees, return it to the oven, then bake for 15-20 additional minutes, until the granola is golden brown and feels almost dry to the touch (it will continue to crisp as well it cools). Watch it carefully towards the end, as honey tends to quickly brown. Remove from the oven, place the pan on a cooling rack, then let the granola cool completely on the pan. Break granola into chunks of desired size, then carefully mix in the dried fruit. Enjoy with milk, yogurt, or on its own as a snack.
I'm sharing this post in partnership with Bob's Red Mill. As always, all opinions are my own, and thanks for supporting the brands and companies who make it possible for me to continue providing quality content to you! For $1 off coupon for Bob's Red Mill products, click here.
This post contains some affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.


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From cool Munduk in Bali, our driver headed for the coastal town of Amed. It was such a fun journey. For some reason he had a CD full of old boy band hits along with the entire Frozen soundtrack. As you can imagine, Miz was in her element going crazy in the back which the driver found absolutely hilarious. The heat in Amed was ridiculous as we walked along the baking volcanic sand. A delicious meal and a few cold beers later, we fell asleep in our guesthouse before the quick boat ride over to Gili Air in the morning.
The pier was basically a floating raft just off the shore, we were surrounded by locals trying to carry our bags to the boat for a small fee. It was hot, and I mean super hot and we couldn't wait to arrive and jump into the turquoise waters that surround this trio of small Indonesian outposts. Gili Air, Gili T and Gili Meno are all different but all offer pristine beaches and good snorkelling. We chose Gili Air and enjoyed the peaceful vibe and great selection of cafes, bars and warungs. Perfect for relaxing and enjoying the sunsets. The island has only horse and carts or bicycles, so it's perfect to escape the fumes and traffic noise of Asia's hectic towns and cities. We spent a couple of days on Gili Air and thought it was pretty nice, without being as spectacular as a lot of people lead you to believe. I guess it simply comes down to personal opinion and we definitely preferred the rugged beauty of the Nusa Island's.
From Gili Air we travelled onto the island of Lombok. The beaches along Lombok's southern coast are amongst the best I've seen anywhere in the world. And yes, that includes the beauty of Surin in Thailand and Kapas in Malaysia. Words simply cannot describe the sheer beauty of these white, palm fringed pieces of paradise. Lombok is a huge island and one of the poorest in Indonesia. People make a living from farming which is pretty difficult as the island is rugged, volcanic and can go without rain for weeks. Tourism hasn't caught on here as much as other places but this is certainly due to change in the near future. Numerous locals told us huge hotel chains had purchased land around a series of the beautiful beaches.
The town of Kuta was a great place to relax and use as a base to explore the surrounding beauty. We checked into our guesthouse which was run by a lovely guy who really looked after us during our stay. The room was modern, clean, spacious and for £10 a night including breakfast was a real bargain. The gardens were full of huge coconut trees which became pretty lethal when the breeze picked up and they decided to fall from a height of about twenty metres. We hired another death trap of a bike and followed the hilly, empty coastal road out to the first of several beaches we had been told to visit.
Mawun beach was special and extremely isolated, it had no tourist infrastructure and was empty. We swam in the warm waters before jumping on the ped and visiting a series of equally stunning beaches and view points. On the drive back, we stopped at a small bar high in the hills to grab a beer and take in the views. For some strange reason, Kuta was full of places to eat Pizza, the locals absolutely love it, which is fine by me as it's one of my favourite foods in the world and made a change from Asian food, at least for a few days.
Nabil, a local Indonesian who became our friend took us, along with a couple from Switzerland and Macedonia on a day long snorkelling trip to some remote islands a couple of hours drive away. Nabil had amazing English and had the best sense of humour. It was such a fun day as we witnessed beautiful, untouched coral reefs and marine life. As our small fishing boat pulled into the pier, the heavens opened for the first time in weeks, you could see the relief on people's faces.
Tanjung Aan was the jewel of Lombok's beaches, with it's huge never ending horseshoe of white, powdery sand, it was out of this world. It's the only beach in the area with some sunbeds, along with a few local warungs to grab a snack and a cold drink. The best thing was you can use the sunbeds free of charge all day, as long as you buy food and drink there. Visually stunning, we spent the day here catching the rays and playing in the sea. If you ever visit this part of Indonesia, don't expect the comfort, facilities and infrastructure of more developed resorts around the world, but truly magnificent, natural, scenic and quiet paradise beaches. For us, Tanjung Aan is the perfect beach and one we will never forget. At sunset, locals and travellers alike head to the headland overlooking Tanjung Aan to witness a spectacular sunset. We couldn't leave and before we knew it, the surrounding area was pitch black, the ride home was nerve wracking to say the least as we navigated our way through terrible, rocky roads, avoiding cows and a barrage of flying creatures that seemed to take pride in flying straight into your eyes.
Sadly, our time in Indonesia was drawing to an end. It's a country that will live long in the memory. Its people are welcoming and are genuinely happy to have you in their vast, diverse, jaw droppingly beautiful country. From the fertile lands of Java, tourist friendly Bali, the rugged Nusa's and less travelled beach lovers Lombok, it's a traveller's bucket list rolled into one.


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Kinder Kids (Age 5 & 6)
Class Description
Kinder Kids is a combination program unique to Diversity Dance! Register for a class that suits your little dancer best! Each 45-minute dance class incorporates two styles of dance – which can include tap, jazz, ballet or acro, depending on which combo you choose!
Each class introduces the basic of each discipline a little at a time through set exercises and imagination based games to learn arm and feet positions and basic dance steps. The dancers learn how to count to the music, move to the beat and proper technique. This high energy and exciting combination program is sure to ignite a love of dance!
What to expect in our Kinder Kid combo classes:
Acro – Dancers will learn and practice different skills on the acro mats such as cartwheels, rolls, bridges and splits, eventually incorporating these skills into dance routines. Diversity provides dancers with gymnastic grade mats for safety.
Ballet – Dancers will learn proper arm and feet positions, set combos and fluidity of movement. The creative atmosphere formed in our ballet portion of class keeps dancers engaged and having fun!
Jazz – This style dance class is fun, high energy, with lots of quick movement and traveling steps. Jazz dance incorporates flexibility, strength and coordination.
Tap – students learn different tap steps while dancing together and creating rhythms as a group. Students will learn to count to the music, follow the beat and use their feet as a musical instrument.
Kinder Kids class ends with a stamp for good listening and a job well done!
Register – North Studio
*age taken as of November 1st, 2020
Register – South Studio
*age taken as of November 1st, 2020


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» Lorenzo Trebbi
Lorenzo joined NextEnergy Capital in June 2016 as Financial Analyst.
Former investment associate at EOS Investment since 2015, he was in charge of supervising the valuation activity of the team dedicated to investments in renewable energy projects.
In 2013 he started working in a corporate finance boutique based in Milan and specialized in renewable energy investments. He previously worked as intern in the ALM and Credit Treasury teams at UniCredit Bank in Munich.
Lorenzo graduated in the Master of Science in Finance from Bocconi University.


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For over 35 years, attorney Michael C. Hennenberg has represented people throughout Ohio to challenge bank fraud charges. If you are facing bank fraud charges or tax evasion, it is critical that you act quickly. We are here to be your advocate and protect your rights during every stage of the process.
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Contact A Team That Can Get The Job Done
Do not underestimate the value of hiring an experienced white collar crime defense lawyer. To schedule a case evaluation, call 440-565-4214 or complete our online appointment request form.
Our office is located in Cleveland.


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Open Days are run by a number of Little Athletics Centres. They are a good opportunity to run at a different club, against different athletes or even on a different surface!
Click on the individual event links to get further details, including application forms, if available.
If you'd like your Open Day added please let us know via the Contacts page.
Last Updated: 23/05/2015 22:02:37


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The happy song "Walking the light" is about the worlds best pasttime, walking. I wrote the song after a very nice spring walk in the rather new part of Stockholm called Hammarby Sjöstad. The sun was out, wind was blowing and I felt the suns warmth for the first time that year. it was mars. When walking a rhythm slowly made it´s way into my head. A choppy one. And I started singing along. After a while the song was an idea, the rtythm set and the first words of the lyrics,... just put the right, in front of the left ... that simple ... Walking!
Now, Fredrik Reuterhäll of Invicta film has made this fascinating video for the song. He made the beat of "Walking the light" come right thru to the screen. It´s filmed in our beautiful city, Stockholm. Have a look and get carried thru stockholm .... winter, summer, spring, autumn .... day and night. It´s Stockholm at it´s very best!


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Our cotton produce bags are perfect for bulk bin hauls, produce sections, holding your lunch, squirreling away your snacks, or holding your collection of marbles. Available in 5 prints or non-printed.
Print Conservation:
5% of the profits from these printed bags goes towards yearly rotating marine conservation organizations. Choose your favorite print (or no print, we still donate!) and 5% of the proceeds will benefit our 2018 organization: The SeaDoc Society. Please read more about them by clicking here.
Made from: unbleached cotton
Tare/Weight: .70 oz / .044 lb
Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
Where: ethically and sustainably produced in India under fair trade, fair labor and fair wage standards. GOTs certified cotton. Ecobags is a certified B corp.
- Hand wash or machine wash cold
- Lay flat or hang dry
- Fade is normal and natural
- Compostable when it's reached it's end of life
Hand-carved linocut print stamped with love using non-toxic, permanent and biodegradable ink <3


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Bison Burger With Grilled Pineapple and Sriracha Aioli
From the good folks at Simply Nourished comes this recipe for a perfectly grilled bison burger topped with a sweet ring of pineapple and spicy Sriracha aioli. Serve, of course, with Jackson's Honest Purple Heirloom Potato Chips, Jackson's Honest Sweet Potato Chips and a pickle spear.
"If you're gonna have a burger," says Jessica Beacom of Simply Nourished, "go all out with this grilled bison burger and the best chips ever." (Photos by Simply Nourished)
Prep: 10 min | Cook: 15 min | Total: 25 min | Makes 4 servings
For the Aioli:
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 ½ teaspoons sriracha sauce
For the Burger:
- 1 lb. ground bison (or grass-fed beef)
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- ½ teaspoons sea salt
- ¼ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 4 pineapple rings (fresh or canned)
- 4 red onion rings
- 4 dill pickle spears
Lettuce leaves or gluten-free buns for serving
- Preheat grill to high heat.
- Place ground bison in bowl with garlic, salt and pepper. Mix gently with your hands or a spoon to combine. Divide meat mixture into 4 pieces and shape into patties about ¼-inch thick
- When grill is hot, place burgers and over direct heat. Cook 4-5 minutes or until burger is browned and is grilled marked. Flip and continue cooking an additional 5-6 minutes (for medium well) or until desired degree of doneness.
- Place pineapple rings on grill over direct heat and cook similarly to burgers. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the rings.
- Remove burgers and pineapple rings to a clean plate and allow to rest 5 minutes.
- While burgers are resting, combine mayonnaise and sriracha sauce in a small bowl and mix well.
- To serve burgers, top 4 gluten-free hamburger buns or lettuce wraps with each of the 4 burgers and pineapple rings. Top with red onion rings, lettuce (if using buns) and sriracha aioli.
- Serve with pickle spears and chips.


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