by Mark Smiley | Jan 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
by Mark Smiley
Ratio Six: This coffee maker is a high performing automatic pour over brewer that can make eight 5-ounce cups of pour-over quality cups of coffee.
It is said that the most important meal of the day is breakfast. Many believe the most important drink is coffee. According to The National Coffee Association, 7 in 10 Americans drink coffee every week and 62% drink coffee every day. The average American coffee drinker drinks just over three cups per day.
With prices soaring inside coffee shops, many turn to brewing their coffee at home. Why not have that cup of java be of the same quality as one you purchase away from home? Two coffee makers that hit the mark in different ways are the Ratio Six and the Capresso Coffee TEAM Pro Plus.
First, the Ratio Six is a company founded by Mark Hellweg in 2012, with the goal of creating “a solution that married beauty, simplicity, and quality into a single experience.” The Ratio Six is one such machine which produces pour-over quality cups of coffee. And, it was designed in Portland, Oregon.
In its simplest form, pour-over coffee involves pouring hot water over ground coffee that’s held in some form of filter. The steaming water brews the coffee grounds, and the coffee drips through the filter into a pitcher or directly into a cup.
This takes a bit of time and many morning commuters and parents don’t have the time to devote to this type of quality cup of coffee. The Ratio Six coffee maker is a high performing automatic pour-over brewer that can make eight 5-ounce cups of pour-over quality cups of coffee.
The Ratio Six features quality premium materials and a high-end, sleek look. It performs well with its wide dispersion shower-head and heat shield. At first, it is tough to get used to and can be a little messy. Once you get the hang of it, the process is straight- forward and simple.
The Ratio Six features one button to press when brewing but lacks a programmable timer. If set up with the grounds and water the night before, pressing one button and having pour-over quality coffee ready in less than five minutes is a small price to pay.
“Makes fantastic coffee,” said Andrew Fuqua. “Super easy. Super simple. I’m a minimalist. I wanted a well-made coffee maker that wouldn’t break and be thrown in a landfill in three years. The Ratio Six is that. It brews really quickly. The coffee tastes outstanding. The materials and build are top-notch. It’s got a 5-year warranty.”
Capresso Coffee TEAM Pro Plus: This machine has a built-in conical burr grinder and produces freshly ground cups of coffee.
Overall, the Ratio Six coffee maker is a well designed high performing brewer. From its sleek look and quality premium build, to high end shower-head, heat shield, and blooming functions, the Ratio Six delivers hot and flavorful coffee consistently.
The parts are not dishwasher safe but with a quick rinse and an occasional wash with dishwashing liquid, this machine should last a long time.
The Ratio Six comes in three colors: stainless steel, matte black finish, and white finish. At the time of press, the Ratio Six retails for $285 with free shipping. To learn more or to order, visit www.ratiocoffee.com.
Another coffee maker to consider is the Capresso Coffee TEAM Pro Plus which at the time of press retails for $269.99. This machine freshly grinds whole coffee beans directly into the filter then automatically brews up to 10 cups of coffee in a thermal carafe.
The quality is almost undistinguishable from the Ratio Six but it does take up more real estate on the kitchen counter. It does however have the ability to schedule to brew coffee up to 24 hours in advance.
It features a permanent gold-tone filter which eliminates the use of paper filters. The claim to fame on this machine is the built-in conical burr grinder. It will grind the appropriate amount of beans based on the amount of cups you select prior to brewing.
The grinding size of your grounds can be adjusted. Choose a finer option for light roasts and go coarser for darker or oily roasts. Oily roasts setting ensures you get the proper dose by increasing grinding time. The grinder can also be removed and has an air tight lid.
When you add the all stainless steel exterior, automatic shut off, and the water filter in the tank, this machine will suit most people’s needs who want a quality cup of coffee to wake up to in the morning.
Visit www.capresso.com for more information or to purchase.
by Mark Smiley | Jan 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
by Mark Smiley
The Tribit Stormbox 2 features clear sound and simple connectivity. It’s waterproof and priced lower than most high end rivals.
Portable Bluetooth speakers have gained popularity over the last five years and there are many brands to consider when purchasing. One that offers consistently good products at a reasonable price point is Tribit. Their latest, the Stormbox 2, is no exception. It offers quality sound, long battery life, and the latest Bluetooth 5.3 technology so you can listen from up to 150 feet away.
At time of press, the Stormbox 2 was priced at $67.99, which makes it a more affordable option as opposed to its rivals. But, it does not sacrifice quality as this approximately 7 inch high and 1.5 pound speaker packs a powerful punch.
It was a breeze to connect devices as well. It has a minimal learning curve and devices such as a cell phone and Amazon’s Alexa connected instantaneously. The Stormbox 2 features dual 48-mm drivers powered by a claimed 17 watts each, providing an extra 10 watts of total power over its predecessor.
The Stormbox 2’s IPX7 certification means it’s waterproof enough for a dunk in the pool but doesn’t offer any dust resistance. Most new speakers offer IP67 certification for “complete protection” against dust but some sacrifices need to be made at this price point.
Tribit’s Stormbox 2 has the ability to pair with a second Stormbox 2 and extended wireless range of up to 150 feet via Bluetooth 5.3, doubling the previous model. Having two speakers playing at once would make for a very nice presentation for a backyard party. There is also a 3.5-mm input and onboard microphone for taking calls which rival brands have eliminated.
The Stormbox 2 performs best at midrange volume or lower. Playing it in the house or backyard patio, it had a clear and well-balanced sound. The Tribit falls further behind its pricier rivals at high volume.
Most consumers do not scrutinize the sound that much. If you are one to pay attention to how a speaker sounds with crisp cymbals, shouty vocals, or specifics such as these, you may want to shop for a more expensive option. Most people will find that the Stormbox 2 will be more than suitable for playing your favorite songs while working in the backyard or sipping a cold beer. Visit www.tribit.com/products/tribit -stormbox-2-portable-speaker for more information or to purchase.
by Mark Smiley | Jan 16, 2025 | Glendale City News
by Mark Smiley
Wide Variety: Lucchesse has a wide variety of boots, jeans, hats, and other items in store.
The National Western Stock Show ran through January 26, 2025. It attracted thousands of visitors from across the U.S. and around the world, many of which were boot wearing enthusiasts. One bootmaker to consider when in the market for a new pair of boots is Lucchese.
Lucchese boots, founded in 1883, is a well-known brand of high-quality, handcrafted cowboy boots. Lucchese, which was founded in Texas, has built a reputation for producing durable, stylish, and comfortable boots made from premium materials such as leather and exotic skins.
Many of those boots are made in the United States while some are made overseas to compete in this competitive market. The boots are known for their attention to detail with many options available in store or online from traditional to modern styles.
Lucchese is also the official cowboy boot of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders as well as the preferred boot of such celebrities as Chris Stapleton, who has his own Lucchese collection, and former stars such as Johnny Cash and John Wayne.
Italian immigrants Salvatore and Joseph Lucchese first began making cowboy boots in Fort Sam Houston, a United States Cavalry School in San Antonio. Today, Lucchese has locations in Texas, Montana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Colorado. From start to finish, every pair of Lucchese’s boots are made by hand. The pair of Tanner boots we reviewed were handmade in Texas.
The Tanner is a roper style boot handcrafted from weathered Mad Dog goat leather. The materials used for Lucchese boots include the aforementioned goat leather, suede, ostrich, and more, all having unique fit, comfort, and style. Lucchese also uses a Goodyear welt construction, which contributes to making waterproof boots. These Tanner roper style boots are one of the most comfortable pair of boots we have ever reviewed. They were soft and comfortable right out of the box and walking out of the store.
Convenient Location: Lucchesse in Denver is located at 1883 16th Street.
This brand has a loyal following and with one store conveniently located in Denver, there is no reason not to stop to see the collection. One customer of Lucchese on Yelp declared: “The staff are knowledgeable (who knew my Lucchese boot size is much different from my “regular” shoe size), super friendly, not pushy, and just all-around good people.”
The meticulous crafting of each pair of boots is how Lucchese strives for perfection because they believe perfection can only come from paying attention to the finer details. The Tanner boot is one that can certainly be worn outdoors with a nice pair of jeans but they also dress up nicely and can be worn with a suit for a stylish look. They come in four colors: black, chocolate, peanut brittle, and tan.
If you would like to own a pair of classic boots that have been around for over 140 years and will last a lifetime, Lucchese is a stellar pick. They are comfortable, waterproof, and look sharp when wearing around town. As an added bonus, they have an optional add-on if purchased in Colorado. They can have a material on the bottom to help prevent sliding on the icy sidewalks.
Lucchese in Denver is located at 1883 16th Street. The address coincides with the year the company was founded. Other locations in Colorado include Steamboat Springs and Telluride. Visit www.lucchese.com for more information.
by Jessica Hughes | Jan 16, 2025 | Travel
by Jessica Hughes
The exterior design of the Populus Hotel is meant to resemble the iconic Colorado aspen tree. Photo by Jason O’Rear
A new hotel has been planted near Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. The Populus Hotel, the nation’s first carbon-positive hotel, opened its doors to the public on October 14 — almost three years after breaking ground in April 2022.
Developed by local real estate developer, Urban Villages, and designed by AD100 architecture firm, Studio Gang, the 265-room, 13-story hotel is turning heads with its distinct design and sustainability efforts. Meant to resemble Colorado’s iconic aspen tree, the hotel’s stark, white-washed exterior, dotted with windows in 20 different shaped “aspen eyes” is the backdrop to the Mile High City’s most cutting-edge hotel.
Focusing on bringing nature back into the city, the entire hotel replicates a natural living organism, the aspen tree. From the “forest floor” lobby to its open-air rooftop bar, the entire experience is meant to make you feel a part of nature in the middle of downtown.
While the Aspen-eye-shaped windows are the hotel’s most distinct design element, the hotel’s interior design also seamlessly captures nature’s elements while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental stewardship through carefully selected sustainable materials. The lobby showcases this approach with its ceiling featuring repurposed wood snow fencing from Wyoming. Guest rooms reflect the same eco-conscious philosophy, incorporating carpeting made from recycled biodegradable materials and headboards constructed from naturally fallen beetle-kill pine trees.
Modern and efficient guest rooms with aspen-eye windows stand out with picture-perfect views of downtown. Photo by Steve Hall
“This is a design concept that focuses on bringing nature back into the city,” says George Prine, the General Manager of the Populus. “Being in Colorado, it feels natural to have a hotel that highlights the beautiful nature around us, making nature all a part of the experience.”
Two restaurant concepts anchor the 265 rooms, with Pasque restaurant on the ground floor, and the rooftop restaurant and terrace, Stellar Jay, where the views of the state capitol building, the Denver Art Museum, and the Denver Public Library take center stage. But the views don’t stop there. Guests will enjoy picture-perfect views through the aspen-eye windows, framing downtown Denver’s iconic buildings and distant mountains.
Accommodations span from the Grove and Aspen rooms to the premium Pando Suite, which crowns the top floor.
But the hotel’s design isn’t the only thing that has garnered all the attention. As the nation’s first carbon-positive hotel, the Populus has also ushered in a new standard in the hospitality industry of what it means to be environmentally sustainable.
Populus reduced its operational carbon footprint through a combination of sustainable design and construction techniques, including the use of low-carbon concrete, an insulated façade system, and GFRC rain screen. And to reduce its carbon footprint even more, Populus is Colorado’s only hotel without a parking lot. But to be carbon-positive, not just carbon-neutral or net-zero, the Populus goes beyond cutting carbon emissions, it is committed to putting more “positive” effects back into the environment.
Stellar Jay rooftop terrace invites guests to take in the views and a crafty cocktail. Photo by Yoshihiro Makino
The Populus worked with the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies to further offset its carbon footprint by planting over 70,000 trees (172+ acres) in Gunnison County. In fact, at the heart of the hotel’s efforts to be the first “carbon positive” hotel in the U.S., the Populus will offer its One Night, One Tree program — planting a tree for every night’s stay. In partnership with the National Forest Foundation (NFF), Populus will plant one tree for every night’s stay.
The hotel’s two unique dining concepts are also making headlines with their goal to turn 100% food waste into compost to be shared with local farmers. Pasque, an all-day dining destination on the hotel’s lobby floor, and Stellar Jay, the lively rooftop restaurant and bar, are setting a new standard of food from table to farm, establishing a circular solution for food waste.
To achieve this, Populus will be the first hotel in downtown Denver to use unique “Food Cycling’’ technology from BioGreen 360. Using this technology, the hotel aims to divert 100% of its food waste away from landfills and turn it into all-natural compost that it will give back to local farmers in Colorado.
“The opening of Populus marks an incredibly significant milestone and represents a new model of environmentally conscious hospitality that will forever change the guest experience for mindful travelers, while adding vibrancy to the city of Denver,” said Jon Buerge, President of Urban Villages. “We are excited to watch Populus come to life as the center of a thriving community, becoming everything from the new neighborhood hotspot to a must-visit hotel destination, all while inspiring the industry to rethink how hotels can prioritize the health of the planet in a positive, engaging, and meaningful way.”
