History of the Cafetiere

Cafetieres are probably the most commonly used method of brewing coffee. Many coffee lovers swear on the fact that the cafetiere is the best method, as it preserves the delicate flavours in the oils, giving a smooth, rich bodied coffee.

The exact history and origin of the cafetiere is not clear. Both the French and the Italians lay claims to its invention. What is known is that the first cafetieres appeared in France in the 1850s. These coffee pots were made of metal and fitted with a metal screen attached to a rod. The metal screen would be plunged down, using the rod, forcing the coffee grounds to the bottom of the pot.

One story of how the cafetiere was invented involves an old man from Provence. The story goes that the old man used to go for a walk up a hill everyday to get some peace and quiet from his nagging wife. No matter how bad the weather was, blistering heat or driving rain, the old man would make the journey. As he sought to escape his wife for as long a period as possible he would take with him a small amount of food, some firewood and his favourite old coffee pot. When he reached the top of the hill he would take an extended rest, taking time out to light a fire, eat his food and brew some coffee.

Now coffee back then was typically strong, bitter and tasted dreadful. It would be made by adding water and coffee grounds to a pot and then placing the pot on an open fire or stove until the water boiled. Little did they know back then that boiling water destroys the oil in coffee, from which coffee gains its flavour.

One day the old man was making his coffee as he always did. But this time he forgot to add his coffee grounds to his coffee pot. It was not until the water started boiling away in the pot that the old man realised his mistake. He quickly removed the pot from the flames and added in his coffee grounds. Of course the old man did not know that making his coffee this way would result in the coffee grounds floating to the top. Made the usual way, the coffee grounds would have sunk to the bottom of the pot by the time the water had boiled. The old man took one look at his coffee and thought, "I can't drink this. I'll end up swallowing the ground coffee."

As if by chance, as the old man contemplated going without his coffee (he had only brought enough water and coffee grounds for one pot), an Italian travelling merchant appeared on the horizon. Among the many goods the merchant was carrying was a metal screen. The old man saw this screen and quickly hit upon an idea. He swiftly brought a section of this screen from the merchant and carefully fitted it over his coffee pot. Using a stick which lay nearby, he plunged the metal screen down to the bottom of the pot, thus trapping the coffee grounds. He then took a sip from his pot and immediately a big smile broke out across his face. The merchant, keen to find out why the old man was smiling, asked if he could try some of his coffee. After taking a big gulp from the pot, the merchant gave the old man a knowing look. This was the best coffee either of them had ever tasted!

The story goes on to say that after trying this fantastic coffee, the two men decided to open a small factory manufacturing their new invention: a coffee pot with a fitted plunger. Their cafetiere made them both a small fortune.

Stories aside, we know that the first registered patent for a cafetiere was lodged in 1929 by a Milanese man called Attilio Calimani. Over the years, Attilio refined his 'apparatus for the preparation of infusions of coffee' to quicken the filtration of the coffee.

The next significant step in the history of the cafetiere came in 1958, when another Italian, Faliero Bondanini, was granted a patent for his version of the cafetiere. Bondanini's version became very popular in France, and by the early 1960s it was seen as a must have item for every French home. It was around this time that a British company, Household Articles Ltd, realised the potential for the cafetiere and introduced their version, the 'Classic', to the UK. Drawing on the French influences on this coffee maker, they marketed it as 'La Cafetiere' (The Coffee Pot). This is where the generic term 'cafetiere' for French-press or 'plunge-filter' coffee maker comes from.

How to Prepare a Home's Central Air Conditioning Unit for Operation During Summer Months

When homeowners decide to turn on their air conditioning for the first time in the season, central air conditioning units can fail to produce cool air or stop working altogether, especially if they have not received proper upkeep. Homeowners can practice cleaning and maintenance methods to avoid potential problems with their A/C unit, in addition to receiving service from an HVAC professional.

Central air conditioning units consist of two separate parts: the condenser unit, most often located outside of the home, and the evaporator coil, located inside, above the furnace. The condenser unit connects to the evaporator coil through a copper line set.Hot air inside the home moves through the furnace via a return air duct and then flows back through the evaporator coil to deliver cool air.

Outdoor condenser units are, consequently, exposed to the elements and may be surrounded by grass, weeds, trees, vines, etc. The condenser unit can be covered with a flat board on top that extends past the unit's diameter and that is secured with a heavy object, such as a cinder block.

One area of maintenance homeowners can practice to maintain the condition of their A/C unit and to ensure its functionality is keeping air filters clean. Air filters, located in the furnace area, should be changed routinely, anywhere from once a month to every three months, depending on how quickly the filter becomes filled with collected particles. When filters are dirty, airflow is obstructed and the air conditioning unit's fan must work harder to produce cool air. Filters can easily be changed and replaced with a filter of the same size for maximum airflow and better air quality. Clean air filters keep units running smoothly and allow clean air to flow throughout the home.

Condenser units may also require cleaning even if a cover is used to protect them. Before beginning any cleaning or maintenance on the condenser unit, the power should be turned off at both the condenser unit and the evaporator. Then, any grass, shrubs, tree branches, etc. should be cleared away from and off of the condenser unit. They can obstruct airflow that moves from the outdoor fan through the condenser coil. It is generally a good idea to keep about a foot of area around the unit clear at all times. If the A/C unit happens to be full of leaves or other debris, an HVAC professional should be called.

Condenser units may collect debris from trees, grass from mowing the lawn, and dust from the air. Condenser coils can be cleaned with commercial coil cleaner sold in stores that also comes with directions. Additionally, condenser unit fins can be cleaned using a soft brush. They should be handled carefully as they are delicate and can easily become damaged. Water should not be used to clean fins; mud can form and become compacted between them. Bent fins can be straightened using a fin comb. The fins may initially be covered by a grille that should be removed in order to reach them. Fan blades, as well, can be rinsed off to remove dirt and debris.

For producing cool air, air conditioning units use a refrigerant as a coolant that must exist in the right amount. If there seems to be a problem with refrigerant levels, an HVAC professional should be called to address the situation and to restore and recharge the air conditioning system. All refrigeration problems and repairs should be handled by a professional.

An HVAC professional may be needed in addition to cleaning and maintenance methods. Each spring, an HVAC professional can perform an A/C inspection to thoroughly check the condenser unit and the evaporator coil for any potential problems. That way, if something needs repaired or replaced, it can be done before summer arrives and temperatures rise. A professional inspection can also ensure that central air conditioning units work properly and safely so that homes can be kept cool and comfortable during summer months.

Ocala Real Estate - Local Market Sees A Rise In Affordable Housing Options

The city of Ocala is a thriving mid-sized central Florida city. This city underwent rapid growth in the 1970s with the development of the Interstate 75 and the completion of Disney World. In the past decade, the greater Ocala area has seen one of the highest growth rates for a city its size in the US.

The county's population in 2000 rose to 250,000, up from around 100,000 in the 70's. A large aspect of the county's growth could be attributed to the county's rising popularity as a viable retirement destination, particularly in the areas of the SR 200 corridor and The Villages, which are located in the southwest portion of the city.

County officials Have Begun Analyzing the Area's Housing Conditions

A major study has been launched by the Public Policy Institute of Marion County, to analyze the county's affordable housing market. the county's Affordable Housing Task Force is comparing and analyzing how communities elsewhere are finding ways to address the problem of rising housing costs. It is also examining how both state and local governments, as well as the private sector, can join to address this problem. The task force is planning to issue a report with recommendations sometime this spring.

The need for affordable housing is a real and pressing concern, and this is what county officials and the private sector is looking into. As more people move to this area, home prices continue to soar and land becomes scarcer, it poses a troubling concern to the community and the state as well.

The Manufactured Housing Sector Is Seeing A Boom

Local newspapers in Ocala have reported that manufactured housing is enjoying a boom as more families are looking into getting these types of houses, as the costs are far than the median price.

With around 30,000 mobile and manufactured houses already on the books in Ocala and Marion County, this alternative housing option makes sense for those on a limited budget, which explains for the rising demand. However, this housing market segment also is having its dproblems because of fast-escalating land prices and a lack of appropriately zoned lots and acreage.

Another Study Analyzes The Future Of Affordable Housing in Ocala

A comprehensive study has recently been released, which reports that the future of affordable housing in the Marion County area will be bleak unless more concrete steps are quickly taken by public and private initiatives.

According to the study, the housing options for low- and moderate-income residents of Ocala/Marion County are becoming limited, and is becoming a worrisome scenarion. Too few residences are available that poor and working people can afford. There is some help, but not nearly enough. Identifying problems and crafting viable solutions for a tightening residential home market is the backbone of the "2006 Housing Study: A Framework for Affordable and Workforce Housing,"

The study was produced by the Marion County Public Policy Institute, a volunteer consortium of local leaders charged with crafting a life-enhancing vision for the Ocala area. Because Ocala's housing prices are still among the most affordable in the state, the PPI study group admits that other parts of Florida face stronger challenges. Though PPI members admit some of their findings and recommendations are quite debatable, they feel certain most of the facts cannot be disputed.

The study notes that the median cost of an existing home in the county has risen by 44 percent to about $160,000 in 2005, and more than half of all local families don't make enough money to afford such prices, and would need assistance. Per-square-foot prices for new construction have also soared in the last few years of a now cooling real estate boom.

http://www.fountainsatgolfpark.com/fountains/index.htm - Ocala Real Estate

Audio Postcards - Get Your Audience Listening

An audio postcard looks like a regular postcard on your browser, but the message is in audio instead of in print. This will help your product or service stand out from the noise in your prospect's or customer's life. Even better, it doesn't demand much of you at all. Just follow these steps.

How do I get the audio content?

You start with a teleseminar, and then you chop that up into many different parts, just a few minutes each. Find your best points with some easy audio editing, so each part can stand alone as a valuable benefit to your listener.

A cool goal would be to develop 52 of these audio postcards over time, so it could be a weekly mailing to your list. This would make a great opt-in incentive on your site, simply by repurposing something you already have.

What does an audio postcard look like?

An audio postcard is an HTML page that looks like a postcard with a postage stamp in the upper right hand corner. Sometimes it has the face of the person sending it. That could be your face if you're sending it. There's a clickable link in the lower right corner, which is where they click it to hear your message. On the left hand side of that postcard is the message in text.

That's how you repurpose an audio postcard. You take the audio and you chop it up with software like Sound Forge or Audacity. Then you upload it into Audio Generator or Audio Acrobat, it depends what audio postcard technology you have.

You upload it and just like that you have these audio postcards which are a different and creative way to get your message to your list. A lot of people prefer listening to something rather than reading, so try audio postcards and you'll see good results.

Hey Non-Profit Leaders, Your Staff Can Be More Accountable

Do you sometimes go home at night, scratching your head, wondering what you could do to teach your staff to be more accountable? When you issue an instruction, is there always a good excuse why your directive was not followed? When people make a mistake, do they always "throw someone else under the bus" as opposed to accepting part of or total responsibility for the mistake? Do staff manage be absent from "mandatory" meetings? Or, do they call in sick on a day when they are supposed to play a key role in a presentation to a new funding source? Do other supervisors allow problem situations to continue on and on without a solution? If these questions pop into your mind from time to time, you probably have a lot of company. But they may also indicate that there are some accountability problems in your organization. How does one create an organization that is accountable from top to bottom? It's not an easy task and it will not happen overnight. But here six tips which you should try. They will work whether you consider accountability issues to to be isolated to one person or department or if you suspect they are more widespread.

1. Identify the problems that a lack of accountability causes in your organization. Make sure you have a clear vision of what things might look like if and when accountability improves. Set up a way of measuring how often these problems occur. Make sure everyone knows what you are doing. Celebrate the success of a positive trend; that is, fewer problems resulting from a lack of accountability.

2. Drive out fear. Encourage honesty by emphasizing what can be learned from mistakes that are made. Respond rationally to problems that occur; keep voice volume down, avoid a sarcastic response and public criticism of the person who acknowledged the mistake. As a boss you might think that staff should not be afraid of you, but to some extent they will be. If you want people to acknowledge the truth about their own behavior you'll do your best to make it easy for them to admit a mistake.

3. When a mistake happens, look beyond individual performance and examine the system that made it possible for the mistake to occur. If you just discipline the staff member involved and think that the mistake will not occur again, you're probably wrong. Deming said that most errors are 80% the fault of an operational system and only 20% due to individual performance problems.

4. Listen. Don't let your frustration and emotion govern your response to the point where you are no longer listening to an explanation of "what happened." Really listening may give you clues to some part of your organizational structure or process that needs to be changed.

5. To every extent possible, involve people in developing solutions and determining appropriate action. They are more likely to follow through on a direction that they have helped to create.

6. Be a positive example yourself. Don't be afraid to admit your own mistakes or things that you are struggling with. No one expects you to be perfect, but do what you promised to do and make sure everyone knows that you are committed to improve your personal performance... to learn how to be a better leader. Give meaning to the idea that training is for everyone, not only people at the bottom of the ladder.

When staff are accountable you will find that programs run more efficiently and everyone's commitment to the work to be done is at a higher level. Not only will production increase from those who in the past have not been accountable but the higher performers will respond positively as well, since now they know that everyone is expected to contribute.

If you were expecting this to be a description of creative methods of discipline and more effective ways to "crack the whip" I am sorry to disappoint you. Accountability at its best is a feature of organizational culture which is maintained by leaders who can successfully get their employees to commit to it because they have adopted accountability as part of who they are.

Build a Biodome - How To Build Your Own Biodome Greenhouse

Do you want to build a Biodome? Are you looking at creating a self-sufficient greenhouse that can make food for you and your family the whole year-round? Building your own biodome can be beneficial to you in a number of ways, and it can keep tropical temperatures inside, even in the dead of winter.

Turning self-sufficient is important for more and more people these days, not only to save money, but to provide a future for them and their family. The current hard financial times which many families are facing, has made people realise that growing their own food, not only saves them money, but also teaches there younger children the importance of providing for yourself.

So how do you build a biodome?

Building your own biodome might sound like an ambitious project, but with the right tools and plans, you can achieve this in a matter of weeks, or even days. It is possible to buy your own biodome, but with prices in the region of $16,000, I know you can build one for a fraction of that cost. If I told you it's possible to build one for $500, doesn't that sound a little bit better.

The first step is getting a set of plans, and without these you will simple be stuck, and that's putting it simply. The measurements and angles needed to build a biodome have to be precise, with no room for guessing or incorrect measurements. You don't need any special skills, and only simple timber is needed to build a biodome, and if I can do it, then you can too.

What are the benefits of building your own biodome? The list of benefits can go on and on, so I want to tell you just a couple of ways you can see that $500 back in just a matter of months.

1. Providing food for your family is the number 1 benefit, and with food prices ever-increasing, growing your own vegetables, will save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars over the life of your biodome.

2. Not only can you grow vegetables for your family, but you can also sell the extra food you cannot consume, and bring in another income. If you imagine growing your own food, and the amount of money you will save in a couple of months, add this together with selling the extra food, then that initial $500 can be recouped in very little time.