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* Prices may differ from that shown
I've had many espresso machines before, but when i moved to the UK i had to look for a new one. The fact that i know the brand DeLonghi for a long time made me buy it, hoping that it would suit me and my girlfriend coffee needs and it was the best choice!
Buy some good quality coffee such as Lavazza or Buondi and you can get a tasty espresso every morning! This machines comes both with 1 cap single espresso and 1 cap double espresso. You also have attached the cappucinno maker, which allows you to borrow some hot steam to prepare your cappuccino or just to warm up your cups.
The operation is also very easy, with a single switch that turns clockwise ON and then clockwise again when the indicator is green to prepare the coffee. Simple as that!
My husband is a big coffee drinker so was keen to get himself a little espresso machine. After researching on the internet he came across this machine which seemed to have lots of good reviews for the price. We purchased it from john lewis about a year ago and it has been a great machine ever since.
It's a nice small size so doesn't take up too much space on your work top. The black and silver make it look smart and certainly not cheap. It's easy to use: put the water in, wait for the green light, scoop your coffee into the holder, level it, attach to the machine and turn the switch to allow the water to filter through. You turn it off when you have enough in your cup. There is also a milk steamer which allows you to froth your milk for cappuccinos. This is quite small so can take a few minutes to heat the milk enough to froth it but for the money you pay in the first place this isn't a problem. You have the option to fill two cups at once and a drip tray to collect and spillage.
For anyone looking for a cheaper espresso machine that's not majorly singing and dancing I would certainly recommend this one.
Whilst working in a bar a few years ago I won some gift vouchers, ironically for coffee sales. So the vouchers were destined from the off for my own coffee machine. I'd always fancied being able to whip up a frothy cappuccino from the comfort of home but probably like the rest of you, I didn't think it was possible to find a coffee machine with a steamer for anywhere near as cheap as I found this DeLonghi machine! The fact that it was DeLonghi was an even bigger bonus!
I picked it up for about £55 on a special offer from Argos. Upon seeing the box come down the conveyor belt from the magical heavens of Argos I was surprised at just how small it was! Here are the dimensions so you can check it fits in a nook in your kitchen!
19.5 x 24 x 28.5 cm.
The machine comes with a smart looking filter holder that you fill with your ground coffee using an included measuring spoon to get the right amount. You then use the tamper that's built onto the machine to compact the coffee into the filter holder. Other reviewers have mentioned that the filter holder is quite difficult at times to twist snugly into the machine, this can be because you have heaped too much coffee into the measuring spoon and it simply wont fit then. But I admit at times it can be a bit fiddly, though even professional machines can be fiddly to be honest. You soon get the knack for it.
Once you've got the filter into the machine you have the option to make two espresso's at the same time if you so wish, using dual nozzle action! Alternatively you can just have one for yourself, using the dial to put the desired amount of coffee into your cup. The machine has a clever operating system that heats up only the part of the machine you're using which coupled with a high pressure (15 bar), makes the machine quite fast and you get your coffee nice and quick. The machine makes a lovely crema on the espresso (a sign of a good quality coffee).
Since this model doesn't come with its own milk jug you'll have to either find your own or simpler than that you can just use another mug that you have. The machine has a steam arm that you can turn to make it easier to get your mug underneath it, though if you have a large mug it can be tricky to get it underneath the steamer. I sometimes move the machine to the edge of the worktop and have the steamer hang over the edge so I can get a bigger mug underneath it. It froths milk to perfection! It's extremely fast and gives you the proper coffee shop experience. You simply need to fill the water container inside the machine with cold water, that it quickly turns to hot steam and you vary the depth of the steamer in your mug to make more or less froth.
The machine is very easy to clean and only really requires a wet cloth so long as you clean it immediately after use. Aesthetically the machine looks quite sleek on your worktop and is nice and compact.
Before I had this machine I used to walk past a local coffee shop looking with awe at the hundreds of flavour combinations that they sell, all the way through infusions such as chocolate orange and black forest coffees and now I can experiment with hundreds of flavours and try rare coffees from all over the world, frothing up a storm to make the perfect cappuccino from home.
We quite recently had a brand new kitchen makeover with black glossy cupboards and shiny silver appliances. I wanted to go for that minimilistic look and didnt want things all over my worktops but a must for me was a coffee machine. I had hinted at wanted a caffetiere for years but as my hubby doenst drink hot drinks, he had no idea how different coffee can taste and my hints went unnoticed, or at least unanswered. I vowed when the kitchen was complete, I would treat myself to a coffee machine but not having much funds left I was looking for something around the £50 mark.
I think I paid £55 for this, including delivery which for such a reputable make I think is quite reasonable however you dont get many add-on features like you do with some other machines so you have to buy your own milk jug and templates (for hot choc sprinkles which for me is a must :) )
A bloke at work (a very well paid manager actually) had previously purchased this model - the Delonghi EC152 and as a coffee machine virgin, I have to admit that I trused his judgement and thought if its good enough for the boss man, then its good enough for me so I ordered online via google shopping to ensure I got the best deal around.
I was surprised at how small the machine is, I dont know what I was expecting but it isnt much taller than a normal kettle, however it still is very easy on the eye and certainly adds that modern look to my kitchen.
The majority of the machine is black plastic, probably owing to the reasonable cost but I am much happier with that anyway as we all know what a pain stainless steel can be to clean.
I felt like a fish out of water when I first attempted to use the machine but soon got the hang of it as the manual is pretty good. The top of the machine is removed to expose a tub that holds a max of 1 litre of water, you can either remove the tub or pour the water into the tub. Also stored in the top is your coffee holder, which you pop your ground coffee into.
Next step is to put the 'lever' into place. I can do this now with my eyes shut but have to admit at first found this very fiddly. You have to line the lever up just right and then twist it into place so it is set securely and tightly - This is where the coffee will drip through so it is important that it is in place correctly. When the water is ready you will get an OK sign illuminated so you know youve done it right and can do your milk...
The milk is frothed up by a little knob that you literally stick into your milk. You dont get a milk jug with the machine so I bought a separate one but usually just use the cup that you are going to drink your coffee from - This seems to work best for me, especially when you are only brewing for yourself. To control the level of froth, you simply adjust the level using the spinning knob on the top but I normally just set it between midway and full throttle and leave it there.
The steam is extremely hot and so you have to be very very careful when using, I will not allow my children to use the machine even though they are desperate to as the steam is just way too dangerous.
To clean, you simply wipe over using a damp cloth which is really easy to do, although the milk frothing part needs an extra bit of elbow grease to get clean.
You can also make delicious hot chocolate this way and you can buy these little templates to make shapes, smiley faces etc on the top of your frothy drink and we have also made our own templates using cardboard, kids absolutely love it.
Coffee is the most important thing to me when I wake up in the morning. Without one nobody would want to talk to me.
I bought this machine after years of instnt coffee use which I now try to avoid at all costs. A fresh coffee from ground coffee is far superior and i have no plans to go back.
I much preferred the idea of this type of machine to the capsule type as I find the capsules very expensive compared to a bag of ground coffee and the capsules usually mean a bit of a journey to get them whereas the corner shop on my road sells bags of pre-ground coffee.
The machine is relativley small in comparison to some I compared it too when selecting it. UIt measures 35cm in height, with a plan of 23cm by 29 cm. As space in my kitchen is pretty limited this fits nicely onto the worksurface. The cord is reasonably long and has allowed me to tuck it behind my microwave in order to hide the unslighlty wires.
The machine is filled up using by opening a hatch on the top and removing a plastic beaker. This is easily removed and slotted back in once filled with up to one litre of water.
The ground coffee is added to the filter part which is twisted onto the poring section of the machine in same way you see it being done in starbucks. It is simple to figure out although the first time I tried I did get some leakage of ground coffee from the sides. The problem seems to have disappeared now.
The cup is placed below the poring spouts and there is an adjustable base to move the height of the pourer allowing differing sized cups to be used. This part of the base acts as a drip tray for catching spillages and is easy to remove and clean.
The switch at the top has four settings. First you turn it to the on position which heats up the the heating element (not the whole tub of water which I believe makes it a more efficient system). Once the light at the top right of the machine turns from orange to green you can move to the operating setting which pushes water through the ground coffee at a pressure of 15bar.
The manufacturer claims that the machine can be used for two cups as it has a split nozzle, however I find it is too weak by the time two cups are filled and prefer to place one cup to catch the liquid from both nozzles. Once the cup is full, the switch is turned back to the off position.
I like my coffee black however a steam nozzle is provided (and hence you can guess the fourth setting on the dial switch). No vessel is provided for warming the milk so any glass or cup can be used. To control the speed of steam into the milk the dial on top of the machine is used which varies the pressure and speeds or slows the frothing.
For a good latte or cappuccino you want to warm the milk, but not make it all into froth (for cappuccinoI think it is ideally 1 part coffee, 1 part warm milk and 1 part froth....for latte more milk than froth...for a flat white mostly milk). The steam nozzle takes a bit of getting used to but I think I am now up to barrister standard when my girlfriend demands a latte. I'm yet to get good at making the patterns on the top, but drawing something stupid in the froth with a straw normally gets a smile.
The drip tray and filter are easy to remove and clean. And the interior of the machine can be cleaned by running the machine without coffee in it. I guess you could also add some detergent to the jug in the machine but would need to rinse it thoroughly afterwards.
This machine isn't the stainless steel monstrosity that you get in a coffee shop, however the filter section an steam nozzle are stainless steel. The body is made from good quality plastic and seems well put together.
Using my dads version by another manufacturer (can't remember the brand) I managed to crack the plastic by tightening the filter too tightly This machine has given me no such problems.
It is sturdy, doesn't move around when in use and looks good.
I bought this on sale in Argos earlier in the year for around £50 which I though was fantastic when you see the price of other expensive makes reaching several hundred pounds. It's currently at argos for £69.99 but can be found on amazon for £55. This makes very good coffee and is definitley a good purchase for a very resonable cost.
First off I would like to say that this machine is an aesthetically pleasing addition to my kitchen. It is much smaller than the majority of coffee machines and less than half the size of my previous one.
However it is lacking in many key assets. It does not come with a milk jug, meaning you have to pay out a few more pounds to froth up milk well. It is also lacking a 'knock box' to empty the used coffee without breaking your bin. Also each coffee must be individually made unless you like extremely weak coffee as the filter arm holds very little coffee for a double shot. I am also not convinced the pressure of the machine is good enough to make excellent espresso, even though I have not bought high quality coffee since owning it.
On the plus side I would say that the milk steamer is much better than on the last two machines I have owned, it is possible to make cappuccino foam without much effort. Also being such a small unit, it is quite easy to clean. In summary I would say that this machine is nice looking, a bit over priced and slightly under equipped..
First off the Technical Details (copied off of Amazon)
15 Bar pump pressure
Traditional milk frother
Professional filter holder and tamper
Removeable 1 Litre water tank
Built to accommodate full-size cappuccino or 2 espresso cups
First of all we bought this coffee maker for our home! We love coffee and this machine is turned on almost all day now! My partner looked into it and looked at other reviews on various sites. This coffee maker is great for people on a budget, it's cheaper than a lot of products like this around and works just as well!
It is easy to use, it doesn't feel or look flimsy, it looks good and doesn't take up a lot of room for what it does. It makes very good fresh coffee and steams milk as well. It also heats up very quickly.
The bad points are that it is quite noisy but only when it starts to make coffee. It is made of plastic and although looks good there are a lot that look better! But what do you expect for the cheaper price.
Overall it is a great coffee maker and a bargain price!
Brought this for my mum and dad as a Christmas present one year as we all love our coffee. It does the job and obviously by putting quality coffee granules in there it makes all the difference from just Nescafé instant! It's great how you can froth the milk up just like you see them do in costa or Starbucks etc through these of the steamer. However all of these separate parts of the machine then have to be cleaned every time you use it, this means we only use it once a week if that because it is too much hassle...and yes cleaning is necessary...dried coffee and milk is not nice. I was hoping for a coffee machine that we could use quickly in the morning but I'm afraid to say its not. However, it was a good price and it does look nice on the kitchen side and you can easily choose which strength of coffee you like and control the measures of it...some coffee machines you cannot do this. In my opinion good for special occasions but too much hassle for a coffee at 5/6am. We have had this product for 2 years now and it is still going strong so that's a bonus.
I love coffee. Absolutely live on the stuff. We have a Gaggia Classic at home, which is a truly superb bit of kit, but I wanted something for the office to stop me spending a small fortune at Starbucks each day.
This machine came out well in reviews of machines under £100 (If I'm not mistaken, it was a Which? recommended model), so I decided to go for it.
It's been a great little addition to the office. It's quiet, it's quick and it makes a decent enough cup of coffee. Good taste, good temperature. Slightly snobbish, perhaps, but I hate these aerators on the bottom of the portafilter which give you a 'fake' crema - this is more like a froth than a proper crema, but all things considered it's still a decent cup. I always use either Illy or Lavazza so I can only speak about these two coffees, but all things considered this is almost up there with the quality of drink I get using the same coffees in my Gaggia.
It's so easy to use and clean, and the steaming wand also works well. The little clip to contain the basket within the portafilter is a great idea, no more fishing around in the bin when you knock too vigorously!
Couple of little gripes - the steam dial on the lid is fairly large and thus makes the 'warming tray' a bit tricky to use, especially if you are a big clumsy oaf like me - it's absolutely fine using the steam, but you don't want to be warming any cups at the same time otherwise you may be looking at broken crockery. Also the steamer is perhaps the thing which lets the machine down most - for a decent sized latte (normal-sized mug, for instance) you tend to need to do this in three goes as the temperature drops quite quickly, so it's 'steam-wait-steam-wait-steam'. Fine for me, as I'm an espresso man, but my office-mate likes his lattes so it can be a *very small* nuisance.
All in all, I'm very pleased with this for the money I've spent on it. Highly recommended.
I've been a more upmarket coffee connoisseur for a while now but going out for what I like to call a 'posh' coffee isn't always viable. So I decided to go for a coffee machine to pump my espresso, froth my milk and help me make the face of Jesus in the milk froth (still not managed it), all in the comfort of my own kitchen.
Looking around there is a widely varied array of coffee machines out there and most will sent you back a pretty penny, an expensive piece of kit if you don't get the intended results. (yes bread maker owners I'm talking to you).
The Delonghi EC152 is probably one of the cheapest coffee makers you'll find on the market at this time. It can be picked up for about £60 online, of course the adage 'you get what you pay for' normally applies to electricals. However I saw quite a few online reviews from users who had pretty good things to say about the machine.
So when I stumbled across the machine on Ebay for £40 I decided to bite the bullet and get brewing. The machine is quite compact, small in footprint and looks quite decent in its design. It won't stand out like a sore thumb in a modern kitchen. Of course for the money you're not going to get a sleek finish, polished parts and all. It's mostly plastic on the outside but hey that's expected.
The machine is pretty simple in concept. A cover on the top opens up to reveal a removable 1-litre water container plus storage your coffee basket. Other than that there's your coffee basket handle, a basket and a measuring scoop for your coffee. To make coffee, you take your ground beans, put an amount in the basket and plug the handle into the machine. This is my only real gripe with the machine, placing the handle in the machine is not plain sailing and you have to pull it very hard to get a good seal with the water plate.
Before of course you have to tamper your coffee, there is a plastic tamper to press down your coffee, it's a bit fiddly and I really recommend getting a tamper you can hold in your hand.
So with that, you let the water heat by twisting a dial, an 'ok' light will show when it's ready, you switch the dial and let the espresso filter into your mug. Now you can leave it at that if you like your coffee strong and low in ml's. I'm a latte fan so frothing milk is the next stage for me. There is a milk frother which swings out, now you don't get a jug which is a bit of a downer so that's another thing you'll have to buy separately. The steamer can be controlled by a knob on the top of the machine. Hey presto, warm frothy milk as a result of steam!
Overall I'm very impressed with the quality of the end result when you consider the cost of the machine. If you've never made coffee at home then you'll probably need a few attempts to get the desired result. It took me six attempts to get it to a standard I was happy with. The main thing to remember is to tamper your coffee firmly.
Despite a couple of minor design flaws, the EC152 is well worth the money and I certainly think it's give some of the more expensive machines a run for their money.
I'm a big caffeine addict and coffee is one of my vices. I really like freshly ground coffee but previously I've settled for instant coffee. When Mr Lools and I moved house almost a year ago and gained a large kitchen with a lot of bench space we decided to invest in a coffee machine. After some browsing we were shocked to find that we could pay up to £300 for a coffee machine so decided to go for a slightly cheaper option and went for the Delonghi EC152 Pump Espresso Coffee Machine.
***Delonghi EC152 Pump Espresso Coffee Machine***
The Delonghi EC152 Pump Espresso Coffee Machine is a 15 bar pump pressure coffee machine which is built to accommodate a full size cappuccino or 2 espresso cups. The machine is black and stainless steel and reasonably compact. It is 29cm high, 24cm long and 19cm wide and 8kg in weight. The coffee machine is 1100 watts and has a traditional milk frother. The machine has a removable 1 litre water tank and a removable drip tray.
The Delonghi EC152 Pump Espresso Coffee Machine is available from a number of retailers including Argos, Tesco Direct, Amazon, Currys and Comet.
The price of the machine varies however prices average at around £60. We purchased this is September 2010 from Argos for £45 when the product was on offer.
***Using It***
The coffee machine comes with instructions which are advisable to read before using. These are very easy to understand and have a clear explanation of the steps in addition to diagrams.
The coffee machine does look very good and neat and compact on the kitchen bench. The matt black appearance and stainless steel also do not show up finger prints and smears like glossy black appliances do. The size of the machine is very neat width, height and depth wise. I do think because it is a neat cube shape and not as deep as many other coffee machines it would look particularly good in a smaller kitchen. The power cable is about 1.5cm in length therefore you should not be restricted too much as to having the machine located right next to a plug socket.
Using the machine is very simple. You fill the 1 litre water tank with water from the tap; you pace this inside the coffee maker and then put the lid down. You then turn on (by turning the dial right to the first setting) and wait for the water to heat up. During heating up time a green light is shown. I found this took around 90 seconds to wait until the water is at the correct temperature.
The filter where you put your coffee sits under the main section of the machine and clips on and off by clicking the filter into a clipped section then turning the handle to a lock position. There is a scoop which comes with the coffee maker to fill the filter with. This takes two large scoops or three small scoops to fill the filter. You do need to take care when filling the filter as it is quite fiddly and I often found myself spilling coffee on my bench.
After 90 seconds you simply turn the dial on the front of the coffee maker to the furthest right setting (the second point) to pour water through the filter making your coffee then into the cup. At this stage the coffee machine is very quiet and not at all messy as the water does not splash or spit as it leaves the machine. This makes enough coffee for two espressos or one cappuccino. Although if you have very large cappuccino cups this will not be filled fully. I did like that the filter was fully effective and the coffee never had any floating pieces of filter coffee in it like some coffee from machines does.
My main issue with the machine is you may find you need to go out and purchase some new espresso and cappuccino cups as the distance between the filter and the top of the drip tray is quite small. My M&S espresso and cappuccino cups did not fit in this space so we had to go out and buy new shorter ones (luckily we found some cheap ones in Matalan). Initially when we tried to make coffee with the original cups we found the only way to fit them under this section was at an angle which Mr Lools then discovered was dangerous as boiling hot coffee spilt out everywhere. Luckily the removable drip tray was large enough to catch most of this but did require some cleaning after.
To make cappuccinos and use the milk frothing arm you simple move the metal arm out from the side of the machine. This gives coffee a blast of steam to create the frothy milk effect. It is quite noisy but not the loudest noise I have heard from a coffee machine and certainly not to the level you hear in Starbucks or Costa Coffee. The arm of the machine does get hot so you need to take care when you come to use and then allow time to cool down when you clean.
Cleaning the machine is simple enough but the filter has a number of grooves around the rim so you do need to take care that you remove all traces of coffee and dry in these areas fully. The drip tray also has some fiddly areas to dry, although the water tank is very easy to clean and dry. The milk frothing arm is a simple case of wiping over but you do need to do this once it has cooled down so you do not burn yourself. In total it can take over 10 minutes to clean then put the coffee machine back together which isn't the longest of times but to go through 15 minutes of work to make two cups of espresso or one cappuccino does put you off slightly.
Perfecting the taste of the coffee is all about choosing the right brand. Mr Lools and I sampled many of the coffees available from Starbucks and found the Starbucks Columbian Coffee was perfect for our taste and made perfect espressos and cappuccinos without creating too strong or bitter of a taste for our palette.
I did enjoy the coffee I made from this coffee machine but I did feel there was a lot of effort put into making it and then cleaning it. Unlike the coffee maker I have recently bought which has a "pod" system and is very quick and easy to use I feel all the effort I went to make my cup of espresso or cappuccino then having to clean the machine and nozzle actually put me off from making a coffee with the machine. As a (busy) mum of twin toddlers I was often desperate for a cup of fresh coffee but I would find making the coffee with the Delonghi machine such a chore I would find myself reaching for the instant coffee for convenience.
This is not a "bad" coffee maker but it is probably more for someone who has more time (and patience) to make coffee. Mr Lools and I should have maybe read up on coffee makers a little more first to purchase one which was more suited to our needs rather than buying one because of its price. We have given this to my dad who is more of an espresso drinker and we have opted for a slightly more convenient (but more expensive) Krupps pod machine which I find is more versatile and quicker to make a variety of coffees.
The Delonghi EC152 Pump Espresso Coffee Machine is very easy to use and great for those that want to make two cups of espresso or one cappuccino but if you need to make more than this in one go you may want to opt for a larger machine. For £60 this is excellent value for money and the compact design makes it great for kitchens that do not have a lot of space.
Not a machine for us but not a bad coffee maker.
If you're like me then you'll love a nice cup of coffee, maybe two or three in fact, especially first thing in the morning, and you probably have a preferred brand of instant coffee, mine is Nescafe if you're interested.
I have been drinking my favourite brand for years now, sometimes trying other brands but always coming back to my old faithful due to the fact that I really do love the taste.
But when I was given an espresso at a friends house a while back I was astounded by how delicious this home made beverage actually tastes. So I asked my friend how on earth she had made such a tasty drink which would have put a star bucks to shame.
When I asked her how she'd come to make this delicious tasting espresso, knowing that it certainly wasn't from pouring a packet of powder into a cup and quickly stirring it until your wrist hurts, she proudly exhibited a stylish little black number which was sitting in the corner of her kitchen.
This stylish little black number she was showing me was in fact the Delonghi EC152 Pump Espresso Coffee Machine and it wasn't too long before I had one sat in my kitchen so I could enjoy a perfect coffee every time.
I have now been using the said machine for a while now and feel it is about time I tell you all about it.
Firstly though, the boring bits...
* 15 Bar pump pressure
* 1100 watts
* Traditional milk frother
* Professional filter holder and tamper
* Removeable 1 Litre water tank
* Removable drip tray
* Built to accommodate full-size cappuccino or 2 espresso cups
* Size is approximately 240mm long, 190mm wide and 290mm high,
* 8KG in weight
And now for...
As I said, I love a nice cup of coffee and this remarkable little device quenches my desire for such a thing.
It claims to make the perfect espresso, cappuccinos and café lattes and it certainly does exactly what it claims, or if you just want a strong tasting black coffee then it will do that too.
Not only does it make a coffee/cappuccino/espresso to be proud of it even looks the part, with it's nice looking jet black colouring and silver panels, so it will not look out of place in most modern kitchens.
The filter system, which is easy to remove and replace, is lightweight and the handle is quite comfortable so that when you have to bang the used ground coffee out of the filter you won't lose your grip.
As for the size, well, it's quite petite, for what it is capable of, so even if you've only got a small kitchen, but still want that perfect espresso, this is certainly worth looking at.
It comes with a filter holder and a built in tamper which helps to make that perfect product every time.
With the water tank filled up you can make two good sized Espresso or cappuccinos at a time, with switching to steam a simple matter of a quick adjustment of a small knob.
The manual milk frothing arm, which is situated on the side, swings out and gives your coffee a blast of steam, milk or air to create perfection each time, but do be aware that the metal arm does get very hot and I wouldn't recommend touching it once it is in use, but if you have to use a thick cloth or the like as it will scold bare flesh.
It can be a bit noisy when in action but this is not for long and is tolerable, and due to the fact that it quietens down as the process goes on it is won't put you off using it.
The 15 bar pump pressure gives this machine enough power to create that perfect cappuccinos and espressos every time. And as it takes less than a minute for the water to reach the correct temperature there's no hanging about for you morning coffee, or what ever time of day it is.
Using it is as easy as turning a dial until a green light shows, then turn a bit more to get the coffee to start coming out. Or turning it the other way to make the milk froth. It couldn't be easier could it, although it does come with some simple instructions to aid in your quest for that perfect cappuccino.
I like the ease of cleaning, especially how simple it is to remove everything that needs to be cleaned so there's very little need to be forcing your sponges into nooks and crannies. For example, the drip tray lifts right out so it can be emptied and wiped over, and the same goes for the filter, once you've knocked all the coffee beans out of it, which can make a bit of a thud depending on what you hit.
The only things I found that I felt were worth mentioning towards the negative sides are that the milk frothing arm is a bit of a pain due to the fact that it is a little short, making fitting a larger cups under a bit of a struggle, but a bit of juggling, and a bit of kitchen rearranging, I managed to solve this problem.
And I do tend to be going through a lot of ground coffee using it as it takes two big scoops, but you can only put one scoop in at a time, which leads to your third or fourth friend you're making a coffee for to wait a while before they get it.
So, if you're a coffee addict, like I am, and no amount of counselling will make you want to change, then it is well worth taking a look at this little beauty as it will fix that addiction in a minute.
It sells for around the £70.00 mark, which is quite good value for money considering the cost of some of the others on the market.
Would I buy one...? Yes, well I did didn't I, and I'm certainly glad I did.
As for the coffee beans themselves, well this is trial and error until you find your perfect choice for your pallet, I've tried several types, including shops own brands, the choice is all yours.
I decided to purchase this Delonghi Espresso maker for my dad for his birthday back in June. To be honest, back then I didn't have a clue about what the difference in coffee makers were, but luckily chose the right kind! I've used the machine myself a few times, but I also asked my dad's views because obviously he has used the product more.
The Design
I actually purchased the coffee machine based on its aesthetics as well as the fact that it uses ground coffee and not pods. The EC152 is a very sleek and modern looking coffee maker which features a black and silver design. It is both simple and stylish in its shape but is also quite compact for storage. It also looks very nice with our other appliances which is an added bonus. The only downside to the design of the product in my opinion is the filter handle, because it is rather protruding. However, it can be removed for storage so I wouldn't say that it is a deal breaker.
In my opinion the machine functions really well, it's not too complicated to use (after being taught how to use it) and it is by far the best coffee machine that we have owned. Delonghi is associated with a higher standard than a lot of other brands, and I think there is no doubt that they didn't live up to it with this espresso maker. The filter is easy to attach, and remove, and I have also been told that it is easy to clean! Ha ha! The filter also works really well because it catches everything; no longer do you have to worry about getting leaves in your coffee! The machine really does operate quickly, hence the "Express Coffee!". I'd say that it takes no more than 60 seconds to fully heat up, which is a lot better than many coffee machines. Also, the milk frother is another advantage of this machine, it works brilliantly and is easily used for hot chocolate too.
There are however a couple of downsides to the machine which are worth mentioning, the milk frother arm gets extremely hot and can easily cause burns. It's difficult to not touch it as well, but I'd just recommend putting on an oven glove as a preventable or just being very careful! The only other downside is the space between the nozzle and the tray, as I said, I was not sure about the type of coffee machines when I purchased it, so didn't realise that it was made just for espresso cups. However, we fill an espresso cup with strong coffee and then transfer into a mug, so it isn't a problem as my dad prefers it that way.
Bottom Line
This coffee machine is well worth the price, especially as the price has now reduced to around £60 on Amazon from £80. I'm sure you can probably get it for a bit less also. I love the design, and it works well, so we are very pleased with it. There are some issues, but we've resolved these and they are definitely not bad enough to make anyone not recommend it. Therefore, I would recommend that you at least consider this EC152 model if you are considering upgrading your coffee maker.
My sister wanted to get me something I'd really enjoy for my recent 21st birthday and after much deliberation I decided I wanted a coffee machine as coffee is one of my first loves. We spent a good long time shopping around for the best one on my birthday budget and it didn't take long to realise that I'd need the machine as well as all the accessories - espresso cups, cappucino cups, jug for frothing & the coffee itself. As a result I settled for the budget DeLonghi EC152 and all those things in my 'present' as it is by some way the cheapest quality espresso maker at the moment.
My personal preference was always for an espresso maker rather than a pod system as I can go anywhere to buy any coffee and it will work well, and I'm not stuck with one brand or one set of prices. So I was destined, really, for this model and am pleased that is the case. It is an intuitive machine for a first-timer and is easy to set up and operate, if a little loud & shaky on the first use as it rinses out the system.
When making coffee, the process is remarkably easy and fast, in fact I'm not convinced it is any slower than making instant coffee with hot water from a kettle. It really is remarkably quick, and all that's needed is a twist of the central knob to one position until the OK light switches on (~30s), then a further twist to another position before the coffee begins to dispense a couple of seconds later. To froth milk, the knob is turned the other way to another position where the water is warmed, and then a second knob on top of the machine is turned once the OK light is on for the frother to start frothing. This also takes no time at all.
The parts are also very easy to clean and a little clip thing on the coffee filter & handle makes it easy to knock out used coffee without also losing the filter in your rubbish bin.
Overall, I am really enjoying going and sourcing high-quality ground coffee, and brewing it at home properly with my now-favourite kitchen gizmo, and can't recommend this machine highly enough to anyone who is fed up of tasteless instant coffee and wants to try something better. It really is an inexpensive but significant step up from Gold Blend.
The DeLonghi EC152 is a high performance 15 bar pressure Pump Espresso Coffee Maker / The Cappuccino System mixes steam air and milk producing a rich creamy froth for great cappuccino.The unit is built to accommodate one full-size Cappuccino mug or two Espresso cups and includes a professional filter holder and tamper / The DeLonghi Self-priming system also means the machine is always ready for use / Additional features include a single selector dial for on/off Espresso and Cappuccino indicator lights 2 separate thermostats to control water and steam temperatures adjustable steam emission removable drip tray. / Short name: DeLonghi EC152


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FCC Seeks to Lower Inmate Calling Rates
DALLAS — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed an order on Aug. 6 that would reduce the rates of inmate calls, cut off payments to prisons and jails for commissions and weaken correctional security.
The FCC claimed that the "exorbitant price of interstate long-distance calls" discouraged inmates from reaching out to family and friends and taking necessary steps to ease their transition back into society. The commission's goal with the proposal to reduce rates is to "provide an affordable means to encourage such communication."
The FCC approved this order with a 2-1 vote from Commissioners Pai, Clyburn and Rosenworcel.
Securus Technologies Inc. plans to oppose the FCC's proposal. If passed, the order would lower rates in inmate telecommunications to below the cost of operating those systems.
Richard A. Smith, CEO and president of Securus Technologies, strongly opposed the plan: "I have been in telecommunications for over 41 years and have been involved in regulation for that entire time — and have never seen the FCC ignore facts and impose a solution that prices services below the cost of providing those services, and in addition, strips prisons and jails of dollars that will eliminate funding for victims assistance, inmate welfare and health programs and will likely result in weaker security features that help to keep society safe," he said.
Smith claimed that reducing the cost of calling could ultimately result in the deaths of inmates, witnesses, friends and family members of victims and of security officers. He also claimed that the FCC's goal with the rate reduction is to cut off the interstate commissions companies like Securus Technologies pay prisons and jails. The only foreseeable benefit that would stem from the reduction would go to inmates.
One point of Smith's discussion of the issue centered on the pricing examples FCC relied on in its proposal. "In its press release, the FCC referred to prices of more than $17 for one 15-minute call — that very high, atypical rate is absolutely done to exaggerate the facts. Our average interstate call across all facilities is only $4, with higher rates at smaller facilities and lower rates at larger facilities — a far cry from $17 per call," Smith said. Additional examples include rates as high as $30, $50 and $60. These inflated rates prompt the attention of FCC and partner groups while hurting companies like Securus.
Securus' calling rates include funding for prison programs to help reduce recidivism and provide services to innocent victims. The rates also help support security controls, and rely on commissions to help support the cost of operating the systems.
Securus plans to bring FCC to court over the issue in order to protect competition and smaller facilities' ability to choose service providers.
The final version of the FCC's proposal is expected within the next 30 days.

subset: commoncrawl


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Although Toby Hall found a new baseball residence with the White Sox and devotes time to good causes in the Chicago area, the catcher's helping hand will always be firmly rooted in Tampa.
That's where Hall distinguished himself for a half a decade with the Rays, and it's a place he calls home.
The first order of business was establishing the local version of Camp Erin, a network of bereavement camps for children spearheaded by Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer.
"They're trying to accomplish this goal for each city, and they contacted me in Chicago," Hall said. "We said we would take care of the Tampa part. It's easier for us to take care of it in the offseason. We'll do our best down there.
"When you really look at it and put it in perspective, it's kind of mind-boggling. You can't imagine what some kids go through to lose some loved ones, not know where to go for it. This will give them an opportunity to share stories with kids who've gone through the same problems."
Hall also has established his own foundation in Tampa. His first cause is helping out with building "Miracle League" fields so that wheelchair-bound players can play baseball and softball.
"The important thing is to build a baseball field that's handicapped-accessible and a flat stadium where wheelchairs can go around," Hall said. "Just so they can go out there and not worry about a (non-disabled-accessible) surface."
Hall has no specific cause that he pursues. That's why he's so flexible in adopting programs that are presented to him.
"It's just helping out, giving back and doing the best we can when we're fortunate enough to do so," he said. "It's building something where down the road generations can keep using it."
Hall's foundation is singular in its baseball roots. Most of the Devil Rays players are young and thus haven't yet established themselves in the community.
"It's mainly joining up with the football and hockey players to attain that goal," Hall said. "This will be one offseason where we can stretch some things more, and get some players (involved) who have stopped playing and live down there."
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Home ›
Paintings and Mosaics
On the second floor of the museum are exhibited frescoes, mosaics and inlaid works of high value.
The triclinium (dining room) with the painted garden from the Villa of Livia and the rooms of the Villa of the Farnesina, evocatively reconstructed in their original dimensions, constitute an example of the domestic decoration of prestigious roman dwellings.
A large display of pavement mosaics, mostly polychrome, culminates in the emblemata of the Villa of Baccanus.
Noteworthy among the fine intarsia decorations are the inlaid stones from the Basilica of Junius Bassus.


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The page protectors that are compatible with this album are:
Universal 12 x 12 Page Protectors
I am a scrapbooker who started on current pictures and now turned my attention to the past, I just completed my
heritage albums(2) and my hsubands heritage album which ended with our engagement in 1965, now I just
started on our early years of marriage and have quite a bit to catch up on, I saw this album, read about it and decided this is just what I wanted to use and so far am loving it. When this one is full I will be ordering another one!!!!. Just to tell you how much I love your web site,I shop no other. Not only is there such a fabulous assortment of items to choose from but I love you show
what goes with what and page layouts, the color wheel section I have used many times. My orders come in a timely fashion and are always packed with care, I appreciate that. I love our website please keep up the excellent work!!!! and Thank you
This is my second Doodlebug Design album. I am pleased with the product.
Bought this for my niece's baby shower. Cannot wait for my pages to be complete so that she can see it! love the 3 ring scrapbook as it is easier for pages to be seen. The color is exactly what is shown! Love it!!
I've seriously waited YEARS to get this color album for my son's baby book. I have yellow and pink 12 x 12 Doodlebug albums for my girls and I love them!!
the inserts are NOT the typical "scrapbook" style. But after thinking about how I COULD use them, they sorta "grew on me"!! I also found refills, so I can get more of the pages I like :) the 3-ring formate is the standard sized (use for school notebooks) I found THAT fact usefull!!


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Name of Exercise—Bent knee sit-up
Type of Exercise—Multi-joint
Muscles Used—Abdominals
Starting Position
- Lie face up on an exercise mat.
- Bend your knees so that your feet are flat on the floor, or put your lower legs up on a bench while maintaining a 90° angle at the hip and knee.
- Place your arms across your chest or down at your sides.
Upward Movement
- Lift your head off the floor but avoid pulling yourself up by your neck.
- Curl your upper body off the floor toward your thighs until your upper back is off the floor.
- Exhale during the upward movement.
Downward Movement
- Lower your shoulders down in a controlled manner while keeping your feet on the floor or your lower legs on the bench.
- Inhale during the downward movement.
Trainer Tip
It is important to perform a posterior pelvic tilt prior to performing the crunch. To do this, press your lower back into the floor while curling your pelvis slightly upward. This will engage your abdominal muscles from the start and make the movement more efficient. Place your hands across your chest or down at your sides rather than behind your head.
- Reviewer: Michael Woods, MD
- Review Date: 08/2016 -
- Update Date: 08/08/2016 -


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Prepare to return to the final frontier on the small screen: A new "Star Trek" series is in the works for CBS by CBS Television Studios, E! News has confirmed. The show will debut on CBS before moving to CBS All Access, the network's digital subscription streaming service.
Look for "new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations," in the new show set to debut in January 2017. According to a press release, the new TV show is not related to the upcoming movie "Star Trek: Beyond."
Alex Kurtzman, known for his work on the recent "Star Trek" movies, will serve as executive producer on the series.
CLICK: Celebrating Leonard Nimoy
"Star Trek," created by Gene Roddenberry, got its start on TV with the William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy series in the original series that ran from 1966-1969. Patrick Stewart headlined "Star Trek: The Next Generation" for seven seasons with "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "Star Trek: Voyager" and "Star Trek: Enterprise" following before new flicks starring Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana and Zachary Quinto in the classic show roles hit the big screen. The third movie in that series, "Star Trek: Beyond," is scheduled for a July 2016 release.
"There is no better time to give 'Star Trek' fans a new series than on the heels of the original show's 50th anniversary celebration," David Stapf, president, CBS Television Studios, said in a statement. "Everyone here has great respect for this storied franchise, and we're excited to launch its next television chapter in the creative mind and skilled hands of Alex Kurtzman, someone who knows this world and its audience intimately."
PHOTOS: Star Trek's sexiest aliens


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Ribose is a carbohydrate vital for the body's manufacture of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the major source of energy used by our cells.
Quite a few studies have been done on ribose, mostly relating to its potential usefulness for individuals with heart disease. When the heart is starved for oxygen, as can occur with a
heart attack
angina, it loses much of its ATP, and its ATP levels remain low for several days, even after blood flow is resumed.1
Scientists have found that supplying extra ribose in the blood helps restore the heart's normal ATP levels more quickly. This finding has raised hopes that ribose supplements might improve heart functioning and increase exercise capacity.
Ribose is better known as a
sports supplement. However, current evidence indicates that it is
effective for this purpose.
Ribose is not an essential nutrient. Although it is a common sugar present in the bodies of animals and plants, food sources don't supply recommended dosages.
Typical doses recommended by sports supplement manufacturers are 1 to 10 g per day. However, researchers have used much higher doses. For example, in a study focusing on coronary artery disease and exercise-induced ischemia (problems with blood supply to the heart), the participants took 15 grams of ribose 4 times a day for 3 days.2
Typically provided as a powder to be dissolved in water or in liquid form, ribose is also available commercially in capsules. The dissolved powder has a sweetish taste that some people find unpleasant.5
Ribose may be of benefit in improving exercise tolerance in people with
angina by helping the heart regenerate its ATP, but the evidence that it works remains highly preliminary.6
One small study found evidence that ribose supplements might improve heart function in people with
congestive heart failure.17
Sports enthusiasts are more interested in ATP's effects on regular muscles than on the heart muscle. At least one animal study seems to show that skeletal muscle, like heart muscle, replenishes ATP more quickly when ribose is added to the blood.7
In theory, this could lead to
enhanced performance
in high intensity anaerobic exercise, such as sprinting. However, six small
double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in humans failed to find any benefit.14-16,18-19,21 In one of these studies, dextrose (a form of ordinary sugar) proved effective while ribose did not.20
In one small, double-blind study, ribose failed to prove effective for
enhancing mental function.22
The researchers suggest that the dose they used (2 g daily) may have been insufficient.
In a few case reports, ribose apparently has produced an increase in exercise ability in people with a rare condition involving deficiency of the enzyme myoadenylate deaminase (AMPD).8,9 However, no double-blind studies of ribose in AMPD deficiency have been conducted. Small, double-blind studies have failed to find ribose effective for another rare enzyme deficiency, called McArdle's disease,10 or for Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.11
Individuals with sufficiently severe coronary artery disease suffer reduced blood flow to the heart (ischemia) with exercise and experience
angina pain. One small study examined whether giving ribose can improve exercise tolerance for people with angina.12
In the study, 20 men with severe coronary artery disease walked on a treadmill while researchers noted how long it took for signs of ischemia to develop. For the next 3 days, the men took either oral ribose (60 mg per day) or placebo, after which they repeated the treadmill test. Results of the final test showed that those taking ribose increased the time they were able to walk before developing EKG signs of ischemia, while those taking placebo had no such improvement. This preliminary study was too small to prove anything definitively, but it certainly suggests that further investigation would be worthwhile.
Another small placebo-controlled study enrolled people with coronary artery disease and
congestive heart failure and found that use of ribose supplements improved objective measures of heart function and also enhanced subjective "quality of life."17
There are no reports of lasting or damaging side effects from ribose, but formal safety studies have not yet been conducted. Reported minor side effects include diarrhea, gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, and headache.13
Pliml W, von Arnim T, Stablein A, et al. Effects of ribose on exercise-induced ischaemia in stable coronary artery disease.
Lancet. 1992;340:507-510.
Zollner N, Reiter S, Gross M, et al. Myoadenylate deaminase deficiency: successful symptomatic therapy by high dose oral administration of ribose.
Klin Wochenschr. 1986;64:1281-1290.
Wagner DR, Gresser U, Zollner N. Effects of oral ribose on muscle metabolism during bicycle ergometer in AMPD-deficient patients.
Ann Nutr Metab. 1991;35:297-302.
Steele IC, Patterson VH, Nicholls DP. A double blind, placebo controlled, crossover trial of D-ribose in McArdle's disease.
J Neurol Sci. 1996;136:174-177.
Tullson PC, Terjung RL. Adenine nucleotide synthesis in exercising and endurance-trained skeletal muscle.
Am J Physiol. 1991;261(2 pt 1):C342-C347.
Griffiths RD, Cady EB, Edwards RH, et al. Muscle energy- metabolism in Duchenne dystrophy studied by 31P-NMR: controlled trials show no effect of allopurinol or ribose.
Muscle Nerve. 1985;8:760-767.
Op 't Eijnde B, Van Leemputte M, Brouns F, et al. No effects of oral ribose supplementation on repeated maximal exercise and de novo ATP resynthesis.
J Appl Physiol. 2001;91:2275-2281.
Berardi JM, Ziegenfuss TN. Effects of ribose supplementation on repeated sprint performance in men.
J Strength Cond Res. 2003;17:47-52.
Kreider RB, Melton C, Greenwood M, et al. Effects of oral D-ribose supplementation on anaerobic capacity and selected metabolic markers in healthy males.
Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2003;13:87-96.
Omran H, Illien S, MacCarter D, et al. D-Ribose improves diastolic function and quality of life in congestive heart failure patients: a prospective feasibility study.
Eur J Heart Fail. 2003;5:615-619.
Kerksick C, Rasmussen C, Bowden R, et al. Effects of ribose supplementation prior to and during intense exercise on anaerobic capacity and metabolic markers.
Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2006;15:653-664.
Dunne L, Worley S, Macknin Mm, et al. Ribose Versus Dextrose Supplementation, Association With Rowing Performance: A Double-Blind Study.
Clin J Sport Med. 2005;16:68-71.
Dunne L, Worley S, Macknin M, et al. Ribose Versus Dextrose Supplementation, Association With Rowing Performance: A Double-Blind Study.
Clin J Sport Med. 2005;16:68-71.
Peveler WW, Bishop PA, Whitehorn EJ. Effects of ribose as an ergogenic aid.
J Strength Cond Res. 2006;20:519-522.
Ataka S, Tanaka M, Nozaki S, et al. Effects of oral administration of caffeine and D-ribose on mental fatigue.
2008 Jan 4.
Last reviewed December 2015 by EBSCO CAM Review Board
EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © EBSCO Information Services. All rights reserved.


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Deep Etched Monogrammed Chip-n-Dip Bowl
|Home › Personalized Cooking & Entertaining Gifts › Personalized Crystal & Glass Gifts › View Product
|Product Name:
|Deep Etched Monogrammed Chip-n-Dip Bowl
|Product Code:
|Production Time
5-6 Business Days
Delivery time additional
Check estimated arrival date:
20% Off
Order by 1/31/2018
at 11:59 p.m. CST.
Sale price reflects discount.
May not be combined with other offers.
|Product Description:
Modern and practical, this engraved monogrammed chip-n-dip will work well for everyone and will complement any serving table. Perfect for anything from a veggie platter to chips and salsa, this will be a keepsake you will enjoy in your home or enjoy giving. Mouth-blown Glass. Glass may have a very subtle aqua tint. Very good clarity and sparkle. Substantial weight. Variations will occur on styles with hand-cut patterns due to its hand-crafted nature. Individually crafted of heavy mouth-blown crystal, the center dip section is an integral part of this simple yet ingenious all-in-one design. Expect minor bubbles and swirls that are inherent to mouth-blown glass. Attractively gift boxed. Positioning only as shown. Size is approx. 11 3/4 in. in diameter & 3 1/4 in. tall.
This is a truly personalized, deep etched sand-carved product.


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I love the Basic Grey papers. These, again, were purchased individually, and not as a complete set. The images on them are really cute, and I like the color family used. Besides the traditional reds and greens, you also have blues and oranges. Good quality paper. This review applies to all papers from this line.
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text: I've been putting on my shoes in the morning to hear a hiss sound coming from the right shoe. every time i step, it makes the noise. I looked around the shoe for probably 5 minutes and i couldn't find anything. Though i can definitely hear it when its quiet. What should i do about it?


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With the beginning of summer came many exciting announcements in the world of children's and young adult book awards.
In the United Kingdom, the prestigious Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals were awarded. Canada saw the announcement of the BC Book Prizes and Jewish Book Awards, while in the United States, the Locus Award for young adult science fiction was conferred. Also announced were the much-anticipated Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards.
Below is a complete list of the prize winners for each competition.
Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize:
Maggie de Vries, Hunger Journeys (HarperCollins Canada)
Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize:
Julie Flett. Owls See Clearly at Night: A Michif Alphabet / Lii Yiiboo Nayaapiwak lii Swer: L'alfabet di Michif. (Simply Read Books)
Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book Awards (youth category)
Judie Oron, Cry of the Giraffe (Annick Press)
United Kingdom
Patrick Ness, Monsters of Men (Walker Books)
CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal (for book illustration)
Grahame Baker-Smith, FArTHER (Templar)
United States:
Locus Awards (youth category)
Paolo Bacigalupi, Ship Breaker (Little, Brown)
Boston Globe – Horn Book Awards
Tim Wynne-Jones, Blink & Caution (Candlewick)
Steve Sheinkin, The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism, & Treachery (Flash Point/Roaring Brook)
Picture book:
Salley Mavor Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes (Houghton)
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.20361/G2SG6W


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Nature Centers
Visit one of Massachusetts' many nature centers, and you'll learn about the fascinating world around you.
Bristol County Natural History Center, south of Boston, enjoy live exhibits, ponds, wetlands, beaches, meadows and forest displays. The EcoTarium in Worcester is an indoor/outdoor museum dedicated to exploring the natural world, with three floors of interactive exhibits, wildlife exhibits, nature trails, ponds and award-winning meadows, planetarium and train ride. The Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Western Massachusetts provides nature trails, field trips, an environmental and natural history library, games, educational activities and more.
For something out of the ordinary, Davis' Farmland and MegaMaze in Central Massachusetts has lots of child-friendly farm animals, and, in late fall, a corn-stalk maze with three miles of pathways and bridges over eight acres.
Love clams? Sign up with Cape Cod Clamming Trips in Brewster, and dig for your own tasty bivalves.
Martime Gloucester
Outdoor adventure: It's all here
Looking for fun things to do and see in Massachusetts?
get some outdoor adventure ideas
Stevens-Coolidge Place
North Andover
The Stevens-Coolidge Place is a wonderful example of "the country place," when rural retreats were designed as places... more+ 2 saves
Stevens-Coolidge Place
139 Andover St.
North Andover
978.682.3580+ 2 saves
Outdoor adventure: It's all here
Looking for fun things to do and see in Massachusetts?


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Wincor Nixdorf awarded ISO 27001 certification for its Information Security Management System – with the help of atsec information security
Wincor Nixdorf AG is one of the first companies in Germany to have been awarded certification for its Information Security Management System by the assessment and certification organization DQS. This means that the IT services provided by Wincor Nixdorf comply with all the requirements of ISO 27001, the international standard for information security management. Certification puts Wincor Nixdorf in a solid position when it comes to performing an increasing number of tasks on behalf of its customers within the field of IT services, including the management of relevant processes and technology. "Data protection and information security are among the most important decision-making criteria for our customers," observed Wincor Nixdorf's Chief Information Officer Kirsten Dorsch. "The award of ISO 27001 certification is a clear signal that information security and data protection have top priority at Wincor Nixdorf and that we are pleased to have our security and performance tested by an objective and neutral organization."
Against a background of increasing global intercommunication and information exchange - and the risks associated with such activities -, there is growing demand for effective solutions that are capable of safeguarding the integrity, confidentiality and security of information. In introducing its Information Security Management System, Wincor Nixdorf has responded to market requirements. ISO certification also serves as evidence to both customers and business partners that a corresponding process has been established and is being regularly monitored. Wincor Nixdorf's Information Security Management System meets the entire range of information security requirements relating to the introduction, operation, monitoring and maintenance of systems and processes.
"Atsec information security GmbH was involved in the project right from the beginning. The strategic support we received from their experts was very helpful at every stage of the project," said CIO Dorsch. "The project as a whole provided us with a series of new ideas for the optimization of information security management, which we subsequently implemented."
About ISO 27001
The ISO 27001 security standard has its origins in British Standard BS7799 and forms part of the new ISO 27000 family, which deals with information security management systems (ISMS). It was launched in October 2005 and is valid throughout the world. The method of certification is based largely on the well-known ISO 9001:2000 quality standard. ISO 27001 is expected to achieve the same widespread popularity as ISO 9001.


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The cardiac conduction system is a group of specialized cardiac muscle cells in the walls of the heart that send signals to the heart muscle causing it to contract. The main components of the cardiac conduction system are the SA node, AV node, bundle of His, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers. The SA node (anatomical pacemaker) starts the sequence by causing the atrial muscles to contract. From there, the signal travels to the AV node, through the bundle of His, down the bundle branches, and through the Purkinje fibers, causing the ventricles to contract. This signal creates an electrical current that can be seen on a graph called an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). Doctors use an EKG to monitor the cardiac conduction system's electrical activity in the heart.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch)
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2013 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.


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ACHICA / Lucy Loves This
Lucy Loves This
Lucy Loves This
At Lucy Loves This, the team hand-pulls typographical prints inspired by things it loves; food, London, travel, music and lots more. Most of all, however, the brand is best known for its London alphabet of the capital. These wonderful artworks are made up of intricate collections of words, intertwined to create the first letter of particular areas of London. Spot your favourite pub in Putney, deli in Dalston or garden in Greenwich, or collect a series of 'art letters' and hang all in a row.
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Bigger, smarter: it's the new C-Class
Once upon a time, the C-Class was the 'baby Benz', the easy-to-park runt of the Merc litter. But with the A-Class - not to mention B-Class, CLA and upcoming GLA crossover - sneaking below the C in the smallness stakes, Merc has sent its 3-Series rival upmarket with this all-new generation: more space, more lux, more tech.
So the C-Class has swollen in size - by 10cm in length and 4cm in width, no less - with a chunk more room for bodies and boot-items. It's bigger, but not heavier: thanks to liberal use of aluminium in the body, weight is down by up to 100kg.
Which means more metres for your litre (of fuel, innit). The fourth-gen C will launch with two sensible petrol engines - the 154bhp C180 and 182bhp C200 - and the 168bhp C220 diesel, which officially returns 71mpg and just 104g/km of CO2. But there are yet-greener variants on the way: an upcoming 113bhp 1.6 diesel that Merc says will out-BMW BMW in the efficiency stakes. Down the line we'll see a C300 diesel-electric hybrid, and, after that, a plug-in version. The launch engines get a six-speed manual as standard, with the option of Merc's seven-speed auto.Talking of auto, the C nicks much of the new S-Class's 'intelligent driving' tech, scanning for danger ahead and braking autonomously from 125mph. Check the right options boxes and, at speeds under 37mph, your C-Class will follow the car in front at a safe distance, even steering to keep you on the right course. That's sophisticated stuff from a car that should start under £30,000 when it goes on sale in the UK in spring 2014.
There's an Audi-style touchpad that recognises all the swipe-pinch-tap gestures familiar from your smartphone. Spec Merc's under-lettered COMAND nav system and you get an 8.4-inch central display screen. That nav, incidentally, chats to the C-Class's air-con unit to inform it when you're in a tunnel, engage its recirculation mode to save you breathing dirty tunnel-air: a very clever and very complicated way to solve a problem we never really knew existed.
We suspect you may wish to know about the uncomplicated stuff: the firebreathing AMG version. Well, there will be a hot, smoky C, but it won't use the current C63's vast, atmospheric 6.2-litre V8, instead a turbocharged unit likely a new bi-turbo V8 making at least 450bhp. That car will ask some mighty stiff questions of the BMW M3 and M4…
What do you think?
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Black Peak Birthday WeekendWhen my girlfriend, Annie, asked me how I wanted to spend my birthday weekend, I said I wanted to climb Black Peak with her. It is one I have eyed for several years but just never got to. It looked like the perfect one for us as it is listed as a Class 3 scramble up the south ridge with camping by a lake and I had been to the area a year before when I did the Heather Pass loop hike. I really wanted to make sure she enjoyed this one as it would be her first overnight camping trip. She has done a few hikes with me this year and used to hike the mountains in Colorado when she lived there but this would be a step up from ones she had previously done and I really wanted to make it enjoyable for her. She is pretty tough and doesn't complain on hikes but this would be my chance to show her how great this stuff is and convince her to join me on greater endeavors as well.
We drove up Friday night, stayed in Mt. Vernon, WA and were off the next morning to Rainy Pass. We stopped for lunch at the Buffalo Inn Restaurant in Marblemount which was excellent. Sunny day, things were looking good. I had a new Osprey backpack and was looking forward to the trip.
We left the car at the parking lot and were hiking up the switchbacks about 1 or 2 pm. I knew that Radek and his wife Shirley were going to climb the technical Northeast Ridge route with Haydar and Radek's brother that day and we were tentatively planning on camping at Wing Lake that night together. I also knew that Tazz was planning on being there as well so this would be a nice first overnight hiking/camping trip for Annie (did I mention this was her first time not car-camping?). We would have friends, the weather was looking great, etc.
I had most of the gear in my pack so Annie would have a nice light backpack too. My new pack was working great and I did not really notice how heavy the pack was. We made it to Heather Pass without incident and took a break for some crackers and salami. This was all good and well but we started noticing how many bugs there were which I thought was strange for how late in the season it was.
Anyway, after our break, we caught the climbers' path off the main trail towards Lewis Lake which would then head up to Wing Lake. What I did not know was that the path lost several hundred feet of elevation over a large boulder field. Maybe I did not read the route descriptions as thorough as I should have or maybe it is just a bit understated in the guide books but now I was sure Annie was wondering what I had committed her to.
The boulders did take a toll on Annie and of course my losing the trail did not help when we were on looser rock in this section. She tweaked her knee and was hobbling before we got down to Lewis Lake. Because of this, I decided against the more direct boulder-hopping route around the left side of the lake and opted to try to find the "trail" that was supposed to exist around the right side of the lake. It was supposed to be a bit longer but I figured a trail would be better on her knee.
We got around to the right side of the lake and then the trail disappeared on the shore (or at least I lost it). We climbed up and around a small hill and started bushwhacking as the trail was nowhere to be seen. We cliffed out on the left above the lake and had to climb more. We ended up sidestepping down a steep hill/cliff with loose dirt. I about bit it when a log gave way under my feet and that is when the fun really started.
Annie gave a shout, "LOOK, LOOK, B-B-B-Bears!"
Below us about 50 feet was a mother black bear and two cubs. She was herding them into the brush and up a tree slowly keeping an eye on us as she had spotted us first. I looked at Annie and she was near tears and scared. I reassured her that the bears were moving away from us and had no intention of coming at us. All the mom wanted to do was to make sure her kids were safe. We had the superior ground here and she would not be looking to attack us. It took a few minutes to calm her down but we then bushwhacked more into a clear spot at the bottom of a dry streambed/meadow. We were past Lewis Lake now and the ground would soon rise in front of us up to Wing Lake. I pointed out to her where we were going to and it was not that far away. There would be people there, we'd be safe, it's above the trees and no reason for bears to go there.
No sooner had I said that when she yelled "MORE!"
Above us, maybe 50 yards away on a hillside above the meadow we were in was another mother and a cub and they had not seen us yet. I yelled "HELLO!" so they would not be surprised by us and they both stopped and looked. We stared at each other for maybe 15 seconds and Annie was now clearly not happy with my choice of hikes. I got between Annie and the bears and the mother got her cub on her backside. I told Annie we would slowly arc left away from them but we'll stay on the edge of the meadow so they can see us.
We started doing that and the bears did the same thing. They clearly were not interested in us all that much as they started munching on the blueberries that surrounded them on the hillside. Everybody did the big circle thing until we were at opposite ends of the meadow and we disappeared into the brush following the rocks in the dry streambed up.
Annie was actually hilarious at this time although clearly not meaning to be. I told her the thing that would discourage any more bears from meeting us was the sound of a human voice. Annie is from Germany and although she has been a US citizen for 15 years and was an English major in college, she still has a slight accent. She boomed out a loud song that went something like "Hello bears, we are coming through! I am too skinny to eat, keep to your berries! Go away, I taste like crap! The guy in front of me has better marbling in his meat anyway!" It was quite funny with the accent.
Also, by now, her knee was really hurting her. She wouldn't let me take any weight from her pack and just trudged up after me. Also, the black fly and mosquito bites were adding up on her arms, legs and neck. I found out she is somewhat allergic to the bites and her arms, neck and legs now had hard bumps a few inches in diameter welling up. Finally, the trees gave way to open heather and we actually found the trail right before reaching Wing Lake just in time as Annie started to wonder when this day would be over. My wonderful introduction into overnight hiking and camping now had her limping, and covered in welts all after walking into groups of bears. Not exactly what I had aimed for.
When we got to Wing Lake, I spotted Radek's dog, Blondie. Blondie and I are old friends going back to when we slept in the back of Radek's truck a few years ago before climbing Mt. Washington in the Olympics. (No man-dog jokes here, you know what I mean.) I actually belayed up Radek and Blondie one time on that climb. Well, I called Blondie's name and the tail started thumping in the dirt. She was on a leash by the lake next to a water bowl and some packs. I presumed this meant they decided to climb already today and scanned the peak ahead. There was a group of 4 coming down in the scree and I heard Radek yell "Bloooo-ndie!"
They soon got to us and said they started early that morning and did it as a day trip. Seemed Radek was not impressed with the quality of the route though. While they got some food and drink, I went up to drop our packs at a campsite. I had snuck some of Annie's favorite snacks into the pack and wanted to surprise her. I returned with her favorite jar of Nutella and a spoon and although I had just taken her into an area where she got injured and walked through 5 bears, I actually did get a hug.
Also, when I got back to the group, Tazz and 2 of her friends showed up. They did the south ridge that day and gave me some beta on the best way to go up the scree field beneath the peak. Radek's group soon had to go back to the car and Annie and I went up to make camp.
(We camped on the small hill left of Wing Lake in this photo.)
We got the tent set up quickly (I love that new Black Diamond Lighthouse tent I have) and Radek, Shirley, Haydar and Tom walked through camp on their way out saying goodbye. Soon after, it was just Annie and I and the darkness around us. I brought some heavier foods to make sure she had a good meal. I was going to make my "chicken surprise" which is canned chicken, dehydrated veggies over Spanish rice, a little concoction I made after eating something similar on a mountaineering course I had taken years earlier. What I didn't count on was the stove conking out on me….
I could get the thing lit but the flame slowly would die. I could get it to meagerly stay on if I shook the fuel canister certain ways. I took it apart and cleared some gunk from it and managed to get it going enough to where the water would almost bubble. Then it died again. And again. So, we ate cold chicken from a can while the mostly warm water tried to cook the rice. Eventually, it did work out to where we ate tepid rice from the pot. Annie was being a very good sport about it but I think I was still riding the Nutella karma at this point.
The night was beautiful though, if a bit chilly. The summer was winding down and the air was crisp. We watched satellites cross the sky and then turned in. Thank God the new sleeping pad and sleeping bag we got for her worked well that night. I am not sure how much sleep she actually got, I remember my first night in the woods hearing wolves and lions and other monsters every few seconds and was sure she dealt with a bit of that that night as well. I also know the pain and numbness in her arms from the black fly bites was keeping her awake.
We got up in the morning and I had another surprise in store for her. I had brought a civilian version of an MRE for her. These are the tv dinner-like meals that heat themselves on a heating element when you pour water on it. I can vouch for the quality of this one as the blueberry pancakes and bacon actually were kind of tasty.
The morning was bright and beautiful and I got my fanny pack ready to go. We had decided that Annie would not climb today due to her knee but she wanted to hike up a ways with me. A few feet into the hike, it was evident that would not work. She was limping quite badly and I had to hurt her feelings a bit by telling her she was "slowing me down." It was the only way that she would not follow me. In reality, she was not slowing me down that much because truth be -- I ain't that fast. But she could barely put pressure on the leg and I did not want her to get hurt further. Call it tough love, it really sucked because she gave me a look like I had just slapped a puppy or something. I could see the realization come over her face though that it was the right thing to do and she turned back to hobble to the tent. Man, that sucked.
I turned and went up the scree field, taking into account Tazz's advice to cut back right under a rockband to gain better footing. It was true and I got to the saddle above the scree field and at the base of the south ridge in about 30 minutes.
(Looking down from the top of the scree)
(Looking up the route from the saddle)
Again, I followed Tazz's advice and stuck to the ridge instead of getting lured into the gully just left of it. It looks like easier ground in the gully but the rock is more solid, the views are better and it is easier going on the ridge. When in doubt, stick to the ridge until the gully and it meet up near the top.
(Point where the routes meet)
I could see down to the tent and kept waving to Annie although I couldn't see her anymore and I doubt she could see me. Still having guilt about telling her to turn back, I guess. The route is pretty straight-forward and is cairned near the top. You end up traversing out right onto the ledges on the east face and come to a section of about 15 feet of loose ledgy stuff and near vertical rock. At this point, I was REALLY glad Annie was not there. She would not have liked it and would not have liked me doing it. There is a ledge below you on this section so if you fell, it would probably not mean death but it is definitely 4th class, perhaps 5.0??
Anyway, I did the couple or so moves to scramble up it and was finally on top of Black Peak, the first summiteer of the day. I took some shots and then downclimbed the tricky part, then it was just a nice hike down. The scree section was mostly a nice scree ski and I got back to camp by 10:30 am. I found Annie in the tent avoiding bugs.
We filtered some water in the lake and sat snuggling there for a while before packing up. It was the one spot where there was a slight breeze that kept the bugs at bay. We then headed back and what took us about 2 hours to hike in from Heather Pass the day before was about 4 hours going out due to her knee. We just went slow and easy but it was hot that day. I kept taking things out of her pack on break stops and putting them in mine when she wasn't looking. I bet she only had a 10 pound pack on the way out and didn't realize it. I just felt like I had tanked on this trip and was just trying to get her back to the car and on to what I knew would be a good rest of the weekend.
That boulder field between Lewis Lake and Heather Pass went on forever. When it did end though, it was extra nice because once back on flat ground, her knee did not hurt. She actually was much faster than me on the trail back to the car. It passed without incident, no bears, no injuries, just the constant hum of bugs in our ears.
The sight of the car with intact windows was very nice to see a few hours later. I had some Hostess Ding Dongs stashed in there and they tasted extra sweet. From there we went to Winthrop where we had some damn fine pizza. After that we drove to Leavenworth, where I had a very nice hotel room waiting for us at the Bavarian Lodge. The great thing about it was that already she was starting to talk about how beautiful it was by the lake and how she actually enjoyed the food instead of the bugs, bears, bad knee, etc.
But wait, it doesn't end that nicely. Between Cashmere and Winthrop, some knucklehead crossed 4 lanes of traffic in front of us. I had to slam on my breaks to avoid him. I flashed my brights and tried to pass on the left but another car was coming up from behind. The guy now slammed on his brakes in front of me to try to get me to rear-end him. I slammed on mine and he pulled on onto the shoulder. So, I passed him and then he got on my ass with his brights on. This continued on for about 10 miles until we got to Leavenworth. I did not want him knowing where we were going so I drove through to the west end of town and turned to do a loop through the tourist section. He turned with me.
I did a loop through and he followed me again. By now, I was wondering if this guy had a gun or something. He was in a pickup wearing a wife-beater shirt and backwards hat looking like something from Jerry Springer. I decided to play it safe and had Annie call 911 on the cell phone. By the time I was on my third loop down the main strip, the cops said they would come and I waited until the last minute to make a left into another hotel lot. The guy went slowly past hanging out of the truck yelling expletives.
The cops pulled him over out of town and he gave some story about being from a reservation in Idaho going to see his kid on the coast. They told me I could file against him to take him to court but I sort of assumed the whole thing was over when he went past and got his little tirade out of the way. I would have had to go back to court there so I dropped the whole thing. Besides, we had a great hotel room to get to. Needless to say it is a great place to stay and I highly recommend it. They have a free breakfast buffet every morning with homemade biscuits and gravy, omelets, fresh-squeezed juice, etc. And the rooms are beautiful.
We spent the next day in Leavenworth playing tourist. I did not know if Annie would think it was cheesy or nice, seeing that she is from central Germany. But, she said it was very authentic and now wants to move there (although that may have more to do with the 300+ days of sun per year compared to what we have in Portland). She actually brought her dirndl from Germany and wore it around that day. Only problem was that people there thought she was on break from working there instead of being the real deal. No problem though, when she ordered schnitzel or said any German words, even the locals could tell what was authentic.


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• Newcastle pay £2m to secure striker for campaign
• Club still in the market for another striker
Seven months later than originally envisaged Loïc Rémy arrived on Tyneside and agreed a season-long loan from Queens Park Rangers on Monday night.
The deal, concluded after the France striker underwent an exhaustive medical, cost Newcastle United a £2m facilitation fee and, should all go well, is likely to turn into a permanent transfer next June.
The 26-year-old had been en route to St James' Park for nearly £9m from his former club Marseille in January only for the switch to be hijacked by Harry Redknapp.
Although Rémy scored six goals in 14 appearances he failed to prevent QPR being relegated to the Championship and they were anxious to be relieved of the forward's £70,000-a-week wages.
Redknapp had wanted to sell Rémy outright but, with the player on bail after being arrested on suspicion of rape, Newcastle were not prepared, initially at least, to make the deal permanent. Rémy, who denies the allegation, expects to find out next month whether he will be charged.
He becomes the first senior recruit of a turbulent, confusing summer on Tyneside dominated by Joe Kinnear's controversial appointment as director of football.
Rémy said: "I'm very happy to be a Newcastle player. It will be a huge honour to play for such a big club. I am very motivated this year to get into the World Cup squad for my country. I know in order to do that I need to have a big season and a successful campaign with Newcastle United. I am focused on helping the team achieve success this season and scoring as many goals as I can."
Alan Pardew, was relieved Kinnear had finally secured one of the two new strikers he craves. "Loïc is a great player and I'm delighted that Joe has got him on board for us," said the manager. "He'll give us strength and pace up front and I'm sure he'll bring plenty of goals."
Pardew still hopes to welcome another France striker, Bafétimbi Gomis, from Lyon before the season begins but that transfer, although agreed in principle, has been complicated by agents' demands.
Darren Bent, a long-term Pardew target, seems more likely to swap Aston Villa for Fulham or, possibly, Crystal Palace than Newcastle.


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Kenya needs more innovatorsSunday, October 23, 2011 19:05
Dear entrepreneurs. It is the fourth year since we launched this noble initiative to honour those who create wealth and jobs for our country.
This year's event has taken place in the middle of immense economic challenges that affect all of us either as businesses or individual consumers. Inflation is up and the shilling has plummeted to a level not seen before.
My own take is that this, in fact, is the right moment to bring together and recognise this group of innovative Kenyans with the potential to find long term solutions to the challenges we face.
So much has been said about the possible causes of the shilling's troubles, but let me direct your thoughts to where the problem really lies — the balance of payment as measured in terms of our thirst for imports verses the amount of dollars we have to do so.
One factor that has not dawned on many of us is that the traditional sources of dollars such as exporting agricultural produce to Europe have become less vibrant partly because of economic difficulties of the Euro zone.
That can also be said of other key sources of dollars such as tourism and remittances from Kenyans abroad. Exports to our neighbours are also under pressure. In the 60s, Kenya became the obvious choice as manufacturing hub for the region.
Many consumer goods would be manufactured in Kenya and exported to the rest of East Africa. But with the advent of a free trade called Comesa and the fall of apartheid in South Africa, most of these multinationals have shifted their manufacturing bases for the region to either Egypt or SA.
Manufactured goods are then exported directly to Uganda, Tanzania and the greater Comesa region therefore denying Kenya this traditional source of dollars.
If we are not careful, it is going to get worse because Uganda has discovered oil and will soon be exporting it to us while Tanzania has large gas deposits and is toying with the idea of exporting the stuff to us.
What will Kenya export to these two countries to keep our balance of payments anywhere close to sensible?
These two countries do not need our tea, coffee or horticulture but they have stuff we badly need.
I am convinced that the answer lies right here in the TOP 100 Club.
This is the group that has the right skills and mindset to build great Kenyan companies that will grow beyond our national borders into the regional markets and earn us the dollars to keep our economy steady. It is this group that must create the millions of jobs that Kenya needs to keep a lid on high level of unemployment currently standing at more than 35 per cent.
Kenya must have its own multi-nationals that contribute enough revenue to deliver the Vision 2030 – the bottom-line being that entrepreneurship is Kenya's only viable long-term answer to economic upheavals such as the recent depreciation of the shilling and slow growth in tax revenues.
Finally, I delighted by the realisation that four more companies Express Automation, Prime Fuels, Manji Foods and Vitafoam have left the Top 100 Club and graduated to the Club 101 having crossed the Sh1 billion ceiling beyond which they must now join the big league.
Download the full report here
Asanteni Sana.
Mr Gitahi is the CEO of Nation Media Group