#heather perry

(via https://open.spotify.com/album/44o2X27ufye6TI5azeOJ7f)

y’all, this is my friend heather’s new ep, and it’s just so, so, so good

we went to art school together and worked in the supply room together (mostly on cold, dead pigeon saturday mornings), and i’ve been in love with her music since i first heard it (if you’re looking for her earlier work, it’s either under heather perry or heather perry and the blanks)

Photos by Julie Rings, SDCN Social Media Manager. Words by Pablo Lara, SDCN Blog Editor & Chief.

It's Always Sunny in the Specialty Coffee scene of Southern California, with it's exciting growth in an area including Los Angeles, Inland Empire and San Diego.  An ever-growing number of roasters, coffee importers, equipment manufacturers and cafes create a community rich in creativity and quality.  Last Saturday the SDCN blog crew went up to CoffeeCon LA to experience lectures, tastings, and shop with coffee professionals and enthusiast from all over SoCal. 

First lets go shopping; we are in LA after all.  The convention took place at The Reef on south Broadway, an interesting facility dedicated to design, small entrepreneurs, makers and trade shows. The event was held indoors, giving it an urban feel. An entire floor was dedicated to booths where you could sample coffee roasted by some of the region’s best. Portola, Klatch, Bar Nine Collective, Healing Coffee Roasters, Foxy Coffee and James Coffee, to name a few, had tasting stations with retail available for purchase. 

Brewing equipment captivated event goers. Our favorites were the ultra sleek Stagg pour-over kettles by Fellow.  The modern design elevated this brewing tool from kitchenware to kitchen centerpiece. Everyone wanted to get their hands on one. Even Barista Champion Heather Perry of Klatch Coffee was using one to brew a Good Food Award winning Kenya. This original design innovated the traditional kettle with the addition of a built-in thermometer for that perfect extraction. 

Another crowd favorite was the Cafflano all-in-one coffee maker.  This portable coffee brewer, ideal for camping and biking, includes a manual burr grinder, kettle, basket and serving cup. At the booth you could experience this neat little gadget in action and pose questions directly to the manufacturers.  Even SCAA Director Ric Rhinehart walked away with one, a handy tool for the many conferences he attends. 

Certainly the mainstays of this event were the multiple educational lectures offered throughout the day by coffee professionals.  We were able to attend an origin-centered lecture by Mokhtar Alkhanshali and a tasting with Peter Giuliano. To learn about green coffee you had the opportunity to visit the InterContinental Coffee Trading booth and purchase industry literature at the SCAA booth. 

Rediscovering The Mocha Road – Specialty Coffee In Yemen:

If you follow coffee journalism you will remember that the most memorable story coming out of the SCAA Event 2015 was that of Mokhtar Alkhanshali and his weeklong journey from Yemen to Seattle.  As the civil war broke out in Yemen, Mokhtar was determined to flee the country in order to attend the world’s largest coffee convention to present Yemen’s coveted green coffee. Little did I know that we would be meeting Mokhtar himself and learn more about his increadible journey and the dedication he has for improving the Specialty Coffee sector of Yemen. 

Taste Like An Expert- SCAA Symposium Director Peter Giuliano:

By Ashley Morton

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever. – Jacques Cousteau

One week before leaving for Koh Lanta, Thailand, I reached out to some of our best underwater photographers seeking a little wisdom and encouragement. I would soon embark on my first SCUBA adventure, and my bad track record underwater was leaving me apprehensive. To my amazement all wrote back, and most within the hour; a testament to their enduring enthusiasm for the underwater experience.

Their insights, humor, and trusted advice carried me through my first open water dive.

David Doubilet suggested in-home practice runs:

Most important: remember to breathe. Seems obvious, right? Not always, and not to everyone.

Fill your tub. Put on your mask and snorkel. Lie back in the tub. Submerge and breathe. If you can do this, you can do anything.

Have your boyfriend read to you while you’re in the tub–better if you’re both naked. It will take your mind off the mask-thing.

For over a year, marine biologist turned photographer Heather Perry has been documenting her favorite beach in a special way. 

One day a month, she captures a panoramic photo from a specific vantage point, along with a collection of artifacts found on the beach. 

Panoramic Photos of a Photographer's Favorite Beach