Columbus Foodie

19 Aug

PA Dutch Edition: Kitchen Kettle Village

Author: swampkitty05 // Category: Amish, Travel

One of the things I love doing when we come to Lancaster County is making the requisite stop at Kitchen Kettle Village, for both the smoked meats and cheeses, and also the canning kitchen.

Upon entering, you’re greeted with a carousel of different jams to try, a couple dozen at least.

With all of the canning we’ve been doing this summer, I’ve developed a new appreciation for the work these ladies do, day in and day out. You can watch them at work, but no pictures as many of them are Amish (Amish don’t like to have their pictures taken, as their religion dictates “no graven images”). In addition to all of the jams, they have wall after wall of different items, like relishes, chow chows, salsas, sauces, so many things, way too many to mention.

We found quite a bit to get, and ended up with a sampler and a few other items. If you’re in the area, it’s worth the stop. There are shops here to suit just about every taste.

If you’d like to go: Kitchen Kettle Village, Rte 340 (Old Philadelphia Pike), Intercourse, PA 717.768.8261

Nation & world

Charleston Daily Mail October 27, 2011 Dog missing since July found in Mich.

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. – A Jack Russell terrier is heading home to Tennessee after turning up about 500 miles away in a Michigan backyard.

The Michigan Humane Society says someone recently found Petey in the Detroit suburb of Rochester Hills. During their examination of Petey, the Humane Society found a microchip that matched the 4-year- old dog to owner Jim Arrighi, in Erin, Tenn. see here michigan humane society

Petey had been missing since July, and it’s not known how he ended up in Michigan.

A Humane Society volunteer was planning to drive Petey home today.

Petey, a Jack Russell terrier, ended up 500 miles from home.

Md. college to use cruise ship as dorm BALTIMORE – A Maryland college is moving hundreds of students from a mold-infected dorm to a cruise ship docked beside campus.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland will move approximately 200 students to the ship this weekend. About 350 students had already moved to local hotels or reconfigured rooms because of mold in two dorms.

College President Joe Urgo said in an announcement that the 300- foot cruise ship named the Sea Voyager will likely remain until the end of the semester and will cost about the same as hotels. go to web site michigan humane society

The college says damp conditions from Hurricane Irene and persistent rains are to blame for the mold.

Load of pumpkins tie up Mich. traffic FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Road workers found themselves plowing pulp after a truck dumped a load of pumpkins on a Detroit-area freeway during the morning commute.

Hundreds of pumpkins were scattered Wednesday across several lanes of traffic on eastbound Interstate 696 in Farmington Hills.

Many of the pumpkins were pulverized as drivers passed through and WWJ-AM reports snow plows had to be used to clear what remained of pumpkins from the roadway.

Video from a traffic camera showed motorists slowly making their way through the pre-Halloween mess.

Dogwalker cleared in dog waste case FAIRFAX, Va. – A jury in northern Virginia has found a woman not guilty of violating a pooper scooper law in a well-watched case that highlights growing concern over dog waste left behind in suburban neighborhoods.

The Washington Post reported that a jury on Tuesday cleared Kimberly Zakrzewski of allegations she failed to clean up after a dog named Baxter she often walks for a friend. The case began in April when a woman complained that her neighbor, Zakrzewski, failed to remove poop deposited by the fluffy, 19-pound pet.

Zakrzewski said no pooper scooper violation occurred, noting she carries plastic bags on every walk. The newspaper says she had initially been found guilty of a misdemeanor after missing a lower court date, but was allowed this week’s appeal to a circuit court.

COMPILED FROM WIRE REPORTS

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19 Aug

PA Dutch Edition: Stoltzfus Meats

Author: swampkitty05 // Category: Amish, Travel

One of my favorite things about travelling is the oppportunity to get what I call “road food”, i.e. cheap but filling regional specialties that I can’t get at home. Often, you have to go pretty far off the beaten path to find them, but once you do, you’ll go out of your way with glee just to go back.

This egg, cheese and scrapple wrap ($2.99) at Stoltzfus Meats in Intercourse, PA is one of those items. Granted, it doesn’t look like much to sing the praises over based on the picture above. But oh, my god was it good. I’m not a huge scrapple fan all on its own, due to the dubious nature of its contents (and the fact it takes a bit of skill to prepare well when you’re cutting into slabs and frying it), but in this wrap, the other ingredients turned it into something truly special.

Imagine, if you will – scrapple on a buttered grill, chopped up and fried. On a separate part of the buttered grill, 2 eggs fried, but chopped a bit during cooking to firm up the yolks. Both items put together and slathered with American cheese. Then everything wrapped in a tortilla and grilled on yet another part of the buttered grill. Swoon.

Paul and I ended up splitting one. And hopefully on the way back home, we’ll be out of here early enough to get one (they stop making them at 11am). Either way, we’re stopping at Stoltzfus for other items, and scrapple is definitely on the list. Theirs has great seasoning, and freezes well.

While you’re there, hit the Intercourse Pretzel Company next door for some of their brown buttered soft pretzels.

If you’d like to go: Stoltzfus Meats and Deli, Cross Keys Village Center, 3614 E. Newport Rd, Intercourse, PA, 717.768.7287

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18 Aug

PA Dutch Edition: Good 'n Plenty

Author: swampkitty05 // Category: Amish, Restaurant Review, Travel

After a long drive from Ohio, by the time we arrived to Intercourse, PA after 6pm, there was little to do but eat dinner and then check into the bed and breakfast to sleep off the soreness that had set in after a 7 hour drive.

On our usual trips to Lancaster County, we usually head to the Shady Maple Smorgasbord. However, since there’s usually a LONG wait, involving two separate lines (one for the cashier, another to wait to be seated), and since it was near closing time already, we just decided to stay in the Intercourse/Bird-in-Hand area and went to Good ‘n Plenty instead.

Now, this isn’t a place we’re unfamiliar with – I’ve been going for years, I even remember a German Club field trip in high school that involved this restaurant and one of my classmates who ate nothing but chicken. We had our after-wedding dinner here almost 11 years ago. And we’ve been there a handful of times since. And in all of those years, things haven’t changed at all (except maybe the price).

The concept is this – you’re seated at a big long table with several other families – all strangers. They bring out huge overflowing dishes of just about every Amish food you can think of – fried chicken, ham, beef stew, mashed potatoes, brown buttered noodles, homemade bread with butter and apple butter, chow chow, vinegar slaw, corn, green beans, and a couple of other things I probably don’t even remember. You pass the dishes around the table, and if the dishes get emptied, the servers bring more. While in concept this sounds like a great way to get to know other people, in reality, it all depends on the luck of the draw. The food is excellent (especially the brown buttered noodles). The company was not. I spent my entire meal getting glared at by some old biddy halfway down the table because I dared to take seconds, nay thirds of the noodles. Even though I didn’t take seconds of anything else. And I didn’t escape a glare when I took this picture either.

So I left sort of hungry. I held back a bit, because I didn’t want to validate her stereotype of the piggy fat person. Even though I probably did anyway. There’s a certain amount of peer pressure in those situations, that makes me a bit uncomfortable. I just want to eat what I want to eat with the comments about how much I’m eating coming from other tables, not my own. It’s a great business model for them. And oh, how I love the food. Just wish they had an option for anti-social folks like myself. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t mind sharing a meal with strangers, I just want to make sure they’re on the same wavelength as I am before I do.

And at $17.91 (plus tax and tip) per person, you really have to work hard to eat your money’s worth. I just wish I had been more motivated and less influenced by passive aggressive BS from the others at the table.

If you’d like to go: Good ‘n Plenty, Rte 896, Smoketown, PA 717.394.7111

EASTBAY Works Career Center, 24100 Amador Street, Third floor, Hayward, hosts and “Interviewing Skills Workshop” from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, call (510) 888-7100 or (951) 670-5700.

Oakland Tribune May 11, 2003 Tuesday Elite Leads Business Development, will hold a “Business Leads” workshop that is free to guests at noon at 1840 Gateway Center No. 200 in Foster City. For more information, call (925) 939-1801.

EASTBAY Works Career Center, 24100 Amador Street, Third floor, Hayward, hosts a “How to Job Search on the Internet” every other week from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., a resume writing workshop from 1:30 p.m.to 3 p.m. (Part A) and “English as a Second Language Computer Workshop” from 1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. For more information, call (510) 888-7100 or (510) 670-5700.

Project Management and Microsoft Project, is a three-day workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 13 to 15 at the San Francisco State University Oakland Center, 2201 Broadway (at 22nd Street) inOakland. The training program will teach employees all the fundamentals of project management and how to use Microsoft Project 2000 to improve program and team performance. Visit www.baytec.org to register or for more information.

The Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Marketing Association will be holding a half-day workshop called: Marketing the Numbers, Essential Tools for Decision Making. The workshop will be held starting at 8 a.m. with registration at the UC Santa Cruz Extension, Cupertino Campus, 10420 Bubb Road, in Cupertino. Register at www.svama.orgWednesday Elite Leads Business Development, will hold a “Business Leads” workshop that is free to guests at 11 a.m. at 1736 Franklin, Second floor, in Oakland. For more information, call (925) 939-1801.

Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Marketing Association, presents “Marketing Leadership: Challenges at the Top” at the Hilton in Santa Clara. For more information, call (408) 395-5500 or visit www.svama.org East Bay I.T. Group, also known as eBig, announced Romanus Wolter, acclaimed as “The Kick-Start Guy,” will present his motivating program called “Kick Start Your Dream Business: Throw out the business plan and step into success” to eBig’s Startups/Venture Capital SIG (Special Interest Group). For more information, visit www.ebig.org.

EASTBAY Works Career Center, 24100 Amador Street, Third floor, Hayward, hosts a Winway Resume Tutorial Part B from 10 a.m. to noon, a Job Interviewing Skills Workshop from noon to 3 p.m., and a youth workshop every other week from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (510) 888-7100 or (510) 670-5700.

Pleasanton Financial Advisors, which provides fee-only financial advice and planning services to Tri-Valley residents, will host a free educational open house for the community from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at PFA’s office, 1811 Santa Rita Road, Suite 200, between Valley Plaza and Mission Plaza shopping centers in Pleasanton. Refreshments will be served. For more information call PFA at (925) 846-3769 or e- mail pfadv@iname.com .

Thursday Elite Leads Business Development, will hold a “Business Leads” workshop that is free to guests at 9 a.m. at 383 Diablo Road, No. 100 in Danville. The group will also hold a “Speaker’s Training: Free to Fee” workshop for a fee at 10:30 a.m. at 383 Diablo Road, No. 100 in Danville. For more information, call (925) 939-1801.

EASTBAY Works Career Center, 24100 Amador Street, Third floor, Hayward, hosts a Job Club at 10 a.m. (newcomers can arrive at 9:30 a.m.), a Caljobs Resume Workshop from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., an English as a Second Language workshop from 1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., a Computer Skills Workshop from 1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., a Ca Training Orientation from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (510) 888-7100 or (510) 670-5700. this web site eastbay coupon codes

The Business Arts Council will hold its 20th anniversary awards luncheon at 11 a.m. at the San Francisco Marriott. Isabel Allende, a Bay Area resident and world-renown author, will receive the Cyril Magnin Lifetime Achievement Award for her numerous contributions as a novelist, journalist and writer of movie documentaries. For more information, call (415) 733-9300.

Friday EASTBAY Works Career Center, 24100 Amador Street, Third floor, Hayward, hosts a “Job Search Workshop” from 9 a.m. to noon every other Friday. For more information, call (510) 888-7100 or (510) 670- 5700.

Business Owners: Are you a business owner who is feeling overwhelmed by tax law reporting requirements? Perhaps you’re unsure if you can claim exemptions, or perhaps you would like to know the difference between an employee and an independent contractor. Help is on the way. Carole Migden, chairwoman of the State Board of Equalization announced a one-day, tax fair for Oakland area small businesses. Representatives from the Employment Development Department, Franchise Tax Board, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration, as well as other local, state and federal agencies will be present to answer questions. The fair will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Elihu M. Harris State Building, 1515 Clay Street in Oakland. For more information, call (510) 622-4055 or visit www.boe.ca.gov.

Economic Development Alliance for Business, will host a spring general membership meeting featuring the East Bay’s 2003 key indicators and an opportunity to hear from a panel of experts on business and efficiency practices. The event will take place from 7:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at the San Leandro Public Library, Karp/ Estudillo Room, 300 Estudillo Ave., in San Leandro. For more information, call Joshua Roth at (510) 272-6843.

How to Spark Career Breakthroughs and Life Changes, is a workshop that will be held for people who have left or lost their job and feel unsettled as a result, or for those who are thinking about quitting their job, but are afraid of taking a step into the unknown. The workshop will be offered twice in Belmont on May 16 and 17 by positive change expert Debbie Gisonni. The workshop fee is $85. For more information, call (650) 368-1071.

Alameda Chamber Board, will host its third annual Chamber Golf Tournament at 1 p.m. at Chuck Corica Golf Complex, North Course Alameda. A dinner/raffle/auction will immediately follow the tournament. For more information about this or chamber membership, call (510) 522-0414.

Upcoming Events TechVentures Network will hold a venture development workshop at 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 17 at Wendel Rosen Black and Dean LLP, 111 Broadway, 24th floor, in Oakland. This will be an opportunity to improve your chances of financial success. Every emerging entrepreneur has great potential waiting to be discovered. Once an entrepreneur has a solid story to tell, their clear, compelling and memorable message needs to be presented to investors. This workshop will craft good stories in great presentations. Working in small group settings, early stage companies learn to communicate in a manner that will capture the attention of investors. For more information, call (707) 694-3500.

Library Speaker Series will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20. Job expert and business consultant Arnold Baranco will give job hunters valuable tips on job hunting in the Bay Area, including using the Internet to enhance your job search, and details about effectively posting resumes online. Baranco is the author of “The Online Job Searcher’s Tactical Handbook.” The free event will take place at the El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave. For more information, call (510) 526-7512.

TechVentures Network and the Venture Consulting Group, is holding the first of a series of events for private equity investors and early stage technology companies. To be showcased, companies must meet certain qualifications demonstrated during a preview session on Wednesday, May 21. To attend the preview session for assessment of an eight minute pitch, call (510) 271-4118 or visit www.acteva.com/go/ techventures. here eastbay coupon codes

Tri-Valley Chapter of Ali Lassen Leads Club Business Mixer, will present “How to run your business on a shoestring,” with Jim Fagen from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21 at San Ramon Royal Vista Golf Club, 9430 Firecrest Lane, San Ramon. The cost is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, call Gabriell Comfoltey at (925) 463-6655.

“Employment and Financial Security: A Workshop with a Spiritual Perspective” is a 90-minute workshop, sponsored by the First Church of Christ Scientist in Livermore, featuring inspirational speaker Pamela DeBoit. The event is open to anyone interested in learning how to approach financial concerns using a spiritual perspective gained from the Bible. The event will be held from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 24 at the meeting room, Pleasanton Library, 400 Old Bernal Road in Pleasanton. For more information, call (925) 447-2946 or visit yourassets.home.attbi.com.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage of Castro Valley will host an afternoon of fun, food and frolicking for dogs and their owners at the first annual “Dog Day Afternoon” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 1. The event will take place at Rowell Ranch, 9711 Dublin Canyon Road in Castro Valley. Proceeds from the day will benefit the Hayward Animal Shelter, the Animal Rescue Foundation and the Palomares 4-H Club. For more information, call (510) 583-5400.

The Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Marketing Association will present a half-day workshop called “Avoiding Future Schlock: Accurately Predicting Product Demand.” The workshop will take place starting at 8 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, at the UC Santa Cruz Extension, Cupertino Campus, 10420 Bubb Road in Cupertino. The workshop will present the best methods and practices for predicting product demand, a critical skill for marketing departments. For more information, or to register visit: www.svama.org Ongoing Events Spectrum Community Services is currently recruiting and registering students for its spring semester computer classes, including computerized accounting and word processing. Due to Spectrum’s association with Chabot College, 12 units of college credit are awarded to students for successful completion of either course. Spectrum is located at 1435 Grove Way in Hayward. For information, call (510) 881-0300 ext. 228.

OneBody Inc. will hold “Reduce Your Stress” meetings. The meetings will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays at The Watergate Towers, 2200 Powell St., 2nd floor conference room in Emeryville. For more information, call (510) 285-2133.

The LeTiP-Castro Valley Chapter meets every Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Doug’s Place in the Albertson’s Shopping Center on the corner of Redwood Road and Castro Valley Blvd. For more information, call (510) 760-8128.

The Tri-Valley Business Builders business networking group meets from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., the first and third Tuesdays every month. The meetings are at Mimi’s Restaurant, 4775 Hacienda Drive, Dublin. For more information, call Jeff at (925) 462-7534.

Women Executives in Business invite women to network with other women working to expand their business from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. every Thursday morning at 3130 Crow Canyon Place in San Ramon. For more information, call Terry Klaus at (925) 736-1393.

Livermore Leadfinders Business Network meets from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Thursday mornings at Coco’s Restaurant, 4193 First Street. Join us for a free get acquainted breakfast and see how Leadfinders can help your company grow. For more information, visit www.leadfinders.org The LeTip-Newark Chapter holds networking meetings from 7:16 a.m. to 8:31 a.m. at Hometown Buffet, 5478 Newpark Mall. For more information, call 742-5682.

Oakland LeTip holds weekly business leads meet at 7:16 a.m. at Buttercup Kitchen, 229 Broadway in Oakland. Call (510) 655-6318 for information.

BNI hosts “Business Referrals” from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Tuesdays at Fresh Choice Restaurant, 2453 Stoneridge Mall Rd. in Pleasanton. For information, call Jan at (925) 461-6336.

Elite Leads Business Development holds several workshops, leads meetings and training sessions. For dates, times, locations, and fees, call Sharyn at (925) 939-1808.

Business Network International of Dublin meets at Coco’s Restaurant, 7944 Dublin Blvd., from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Call Susan at (925) 461-8800 for information.

Business Network International of San Leandro meets at Dick’s Restaurant, 3188 Alvarado St., from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Call Paul at (877) 422-6171 for information.

Business Network International of Fremont meets at Hobee’s Restaurant, 39222 Fremont Blvd., from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. Call Paul at (877) 422-6171 for information.

Business Network International of Emeryville meets at Doyle Street Cafe, 5515 Doyle St., at 7 a.m. on Fridays. Call Patricia at (510) 834-0702 for information.

Business Network International of Blackhawk meets at the Canoe Club, 3840 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, in Blackhawk at 11:35 a.m. on Tuesdays. Call (925) 314-1523 for information.

Le Tip of Union City meets at 7:15 a.m. every Tuesday at Carrows Restaurant, Alvarado-Niles at Decoto. The purpose of the meetings is to create an outside sales force for your business. Contact Jim Jandik at (510) 487-9379 for details.

The Tri-Valley Business Builders Network meets to exchange information and referrals from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Mimi’s Restaurant, 4775 Hacienda Dr. in Dublin. Guests and new members are welcome. Call Jeff at 462- 7534 for information and reservations.

Meetings of The Business Link … Your Business to Business Connection are held from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesdays at the Emil Villas Restaurant, 3064 Pacific Ave. in Livermore. For additional information and reservations, contact Jill Divers at (925) 371-2844.

Free Jewish Vocational Service information sessions take place every Monday and Wednesday at noon and every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at 77 Geary St., 4th floor in San Francisco. Registration is not necessary for individuals interested in career, employment or work issues counseling or library or job listings services.

The Master Mind Success Clubs, International, meets at 4183 First St. in Pleasanton from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of every month. Call (650) 261-0373 for information or to RSVP.

ProNet holds a no-fee job search workshop and orientation weekly Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon at 39155 Liberty St., Suite B200 in Fremont. Call (510) 794-3716.

The Turning Point Career Center offers assessment tests and expert one-on-one counseling to assist with career related issues. Appointments are available upon request at (510) 848-6370.

The East Bay Women’s Network meets the first Wednesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at The Englander Restaurant, 101 Parrott St., in San Leandro. For more information Joellen Sutterfield at (510) 739-1996.

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18 Aug

Where Am I?

Author: swampkitty05 // Category: Travel

Can anyone guess the location of the first stop of my vacation based on this picture? More to come later….

Teens in fatal crash ID’d.(News)

Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL) June 20, 2011 Byline: Steve Zalusky and Paul Biasco szalusky@dailyherald.com pbiasco@dailyherald.com Freddy Najera’s cousins sat on the front stoop of his Mount Prospect home Sunday afternoon flipping through photos taken with him hours before he died, asking the same question over and over where was he headed at 3 a.m. in a stolen vehicle?

Najera, 16, was one of three Northwest suburban teens killed early Saturday morning. Police said the stolen 2002 Honda Accord in which they were riding slammed into two trees along Camp McDonald Road in Prospect Heights, near the city’s police station.

Najera; Jessica Ferrer, 15, of Arlington Heights; and Elizabeth Solis, 16, of Park Ridge were thrown from the vehicle, which broke apart on impact, police said. They died at the scene. A fourth teen, Daniel Ascencio, 17, was injured in the crash but was treated and released Sunday from Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.

Police said Sunday the investigation into the crash was ongoing. Investigators previously declined to say whether charges would be filed in connection to the crash or allegations the teens were driving in a stolen vehicle.

Najera’s family members said no one knew where he was headed when he got into the vehicle.

“He was like a brother to us,” said Najera’s 16-year-old cousin Alejandro Segura. 2002hondaaccord.org 2002 honda accord

Najera’s cousins said he was an only child, but their tightknit family, with cousins ranging in age from 1 to 30, was always together.

“He was just living that life,” his cousin Elizabeth Segura said. “Just having fun, going to bed at six in the morning, waking up at three.” Aimee Moyo, 17, was one of several friends of Najera’s who gathered in his Boxwood neighborhood of Mount Prospect to mourn him and others killed in the crash. She said she was for a time a classmate of Najera’s at Hersey High School.

“He was a good kid,” she said, remembering Najera for his love of basketball and loyalty to those closest to him.

“Freddy had an amazing personality. And so did Jessica,” said Melissa Chavez, 16. “She made people smile when they were down. It’s hard to think something terrible like this could happen to them.” Moyo said she and a friend visited Ascencio in the hospital after the crash. this web site 2002 honda accord

“He was just a little sore,” she said. “We tried not to ask him too much. We were just trying to be there for him and keep him strong.” The teen who told the girls he was the front-seat passenger of the car and the only rider wearing a seat belt was aware his friends were killed.

“He’s really upset,” Moyo said. “There is not much he can do about it now, (but) he’s not feeling too good about it. He’s really thankful he’s alive. He’s glad he’s got a second chance.” Moyo said some of the youths in the neighborhood have been selling candy to raise money for Najera’s funeral. Others were preparing for a carwash scheduled for 9 a.m. today in the parking lot of Higher Up Ministries, 302 Euclid Ave. Thus far, $750 has been raised.

Clarice McAlister, a neighbor of the Najera family, said the crash should be a wake-up call for the neighborhood.

“I feel that it’s sad it happened,” she said. “It happened to four young kids that should have never been taken away this early in life. Although I guess it’s a lesson learned for other young kids. Life is too precious.” Mayte Ruiz, whose daughter Jazzmine Hernandez was friends with the victims, echoed those thoughts.

“Everyone does make mistakes, and teenagers will be teenagers, but I think that this is a life experience that not only teenagers can actually take into consideration, but also their parents,” she said. “Keep a better eye on your kids. See who their friends are.”

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16 Aug

One Local Summer 2007 – Week 8

Author: swampkitty05 // Category: Columbus, Eating Local, Food Blogging Event, Produce

To say this hasn’t been a week for cooking is an understatement. The air conditioner went out again after being repaired on Monday, and we’re going away on a mini-vacation for my birthday this weekend, so the theme of the week for eating is “cold, cold, cold”. Well, with the exception of the batch of apple pie jam we were in the middle of canning when the AC decided to die again last night.

So for this edition of One Local Summer, I decided to just go with a local lunch. Quite simple, actually – so simple it doesn’t have a recipe. It’s just some egg salad and tomato on lightly toasted bread. Filling, cooling, and flavorful. The only thing missing was a couple of slices of local bacon; unfortunately, I didn’t have any on hand.

The bread is Vienna bread from the Anderson’s in Dublin, the eggs are from 2Silos, and the tomato is a Big Boy grown on my back patio. Only non-local ingredients were mayo, salt, and paprika. Can’t get much more local than that otherwise.

Hopefully, by next week I’ll be back to cooking. Although, next week’s “local” may be defined by the farmer’s market of my vacation destination (does that still count?), since I’ll be missing Saturday’s markets here in Ohio.

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12 Aug

Peach Cobbler

Author: swampkitty05 // Category: Eating Local, Farmer's Market, Food Porn, Life, Produce, Recipes

There as been an abundance of fresh freestone peaches at the farmer’s market the past two weeks, and what this has meant for me is finding a bunch of different ways to prepare them. My husband made this dish last week, as a tasty end to an all-local meal. I bought a bunch more peaches this weekend, before the air conditioning issued it’s death rattles, so my plans for canning this weekend have fell by the wayside because it’s just too damned hot to can anything. We bought a bunch of fans, and a portable air conditioner for the living room (which took over a quart of water out of the air in less than 12 hours), which makes it bearable for the moment. Sometime next week, we’re just replacing the whole air conditioning system – considering it will cost $500 to $600 to repair an already overburdened system (we have nearly 3,000 square feet to cool, with a system installed by the builders that’s sufficient for a 2,000 square foot house), we just decided to lay out a couple thousand more to upgrade the air conditioning altogether. To say that I wilt like a flower without air conditioning is the understatement of the year.

But I digress. I present to you the best peach cobbler recipe ever. The secret? The browned butter on the bottom gives you a nice crispy, nutty, little bit salty crust that is to die for. It’s the peach cobbler from my childhood that I’ve been dreaming of.

Topped with some sweetened whipped local heavy cream, it’s summer compacted and presented to you on a plate. If you’ve got peaches you need to use, give this cobbler a try. You won’t be sorry, I promise.

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11 Aug

My Kingdom for a Damson Plum

Author: swampkitty05 // Category: Columbus, Produce

Attention Ohio locals:

Anyone know where I can source about 4 pounds of Damson plums within an hour’s drive of Columbus? There’s a Zwetschgenkuchen (Traditional German Plum Cake) with my name all over it, if only I could find the plums I need.

First one to find me what I need gets half the cake hand-delivered to you by a grateful Columbus Foodie.

FORT JACKSON OPENS GLOBAL ASSESSMENT TOOL FACILITY

US Fed News Service, Including US State News May 1, 2010 WASHINGTON, April 30 — Army Families Online issued the following news release: go to web site global assessment tool

Fort Jackson officials cut the ribbon on its new Global Assessment Tool facility on April 28.

The building is equipped with 120 computers that allow Soldiers in Basic Combat Training to take their initial GAT. The computers use a kiosk software that allows Soldiers to access the GAT website by logging on with their AKO accounts, said Duane Myers, communications officer for the U.

S. Army Basic Combat Training Center of Excellence.

The GAT is a confidential online assessment tool that evaluates a Soldier’s social, emotional, family and physical strength. Part of the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program, all Soldiers are mandated to complete the GAT by the end of May.

The building, which formerly served as a laundry facility and as a video teleconference center, was heavily damaged and cost $1.5 million to renovate and equip, Myers said.

Work on the facility started in November and, given the short timeframe to complete the renovation, it took a concerted effort to finish it on time, Myers added.

“As with every major project it takes a collective effort, which is exactly what Fort Jackson had from the very start,” Myers said, adding that most organizations on Fort Jackson were involved in the effort. “This combined team, along with weekly meetings and progress reports, which were shared with everyone, ultimately aided in turning one of Fort Jackson’s most dilapidated buildings into a centerpiece to support the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness initiative as directed by the Army Chief of Staff.” Brig. Gen. Bradley May, Fort Jackson’s commanding general, said that the building itself symbolizes the program it represents. in our site global assessment tool

“I find it incredibly ironic, but yet so appropriate, that this building has been transformed into the building you see here today,” May said during the ceremony. “This building alone reflects resiliency.” May added that as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue, the Army is committed to taking care of its Soldiers, Family members and civilians and that the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program is a part of that commitment.

Soldiers in Basic Combat Training will take the GAT during the first few weeks of training. The GAT facility accommodates two companies, or 480 Soldiers, each day. An estimated 25,000 Soldiers will use the facility this fiscal year and approximately 48,000 Soldiers will use the facility annually after that.

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11 Aug

Farm Fresh and Local Produce – 8/11/07

Author: swampkitty05 // Category: Columbus, Eating Local, Farmer's Market, Produce

Finally a break in the heat wave, not that it’s doing us much good here since our air conditioning is broken. I’m about ready to spend the rest of the weekend sleeping in the car if we can’t get an emergency service call this weekend. So, the trip out to the farmer’s market this morning was a blessed distraction, since it involved a considerable amount of shade, semi-low humidity, and a nice little breeze, even thought it was hot otherwise.

We started our trip with a quick trip to the North Market. Since I had such a hard time choosing pictures this week, click on through if you’d like to hear about what I saw and what I got.

Happy Birthday, Sis!

Author: swampkitty05 // Category: Life

Sending out a big happy birthday to my sister Maurya, who turns 28 today.

Here’s to a wonderful day (and year), and many more to come!

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10 Aug

One Local Summer 2007 – Week 7

Author: swampkitty05 // Category: Columbus, Eating Local, Farmer's Market, Food Blogging Event, Food Porn, Gardening, Produce, Recipes

For Week 7 of One Local Summer, I wanted to highlight the beautiful and tasty heirloom tomatoes that are in season right now. Between the box of fancy heirlooms I bought at the farmer’s market last weekend, and the overflowing bounty of Black Prince and Roman Candle tomatoes from my patio garden, I had to find a creative way to use the tomatoes. I was inspired by Sher’s Angel Hair Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes, so I decided to use her recipe. I served it with some chicken breast that I sprinkled with salt, pepper, and herbes de provence, and sauteed in a bit of olive oil. Absolutely delicious!

For the breakdown of sources – the chicken breast is from OMC Farms at the Worthington Farmer’s Market, which is also where I got the fancy heirloom tomatoes (can’t remember which vendor at the moment). The cream is Smith Dairy, and I got that and the Parmesan cheese at Carfagna’s Market. The angel hair is also Carfagna’s fresh. The butter is from Hartzler’s Dairy, which I got at Whole Foods, I believe. Some of the tomatoes and the basil come from my patio garden. I don’t know if the shallots are local are not.

For dessert, we had peach cobbler, made with beautiful Ohio peaches that I also got at Carfagna’s. More about that later.