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to my personal blog about events at Zellerbach Hall & California!

13 August 2011 ~ Comments Off

70th Anniversary Celebration

Direct from Cuba

Orquesta Aragón

70th Anniversary Celebration

University of California, Berkeley

Zellerbach Hall

August 13, 2010 – Friday, 8pm

THERE WILL BE A DANCE FLOOR!



Come enjoy the 70th Anniversary Celebration of Orquesta Aragón in their first appearance at Zellerbach Hall since 2001. Founded in 1939, and performing continuously to sold-out audiences worldwide, Orquesta Aragón plays authentic Cuban music with a multi-generational appeal and has recorded over 100 albums. Director Rafael Lay, son of an earlier leader of the group, brings to us the group’s beautiful orchestration, performance excellence, and music styles – from charanga to cha-cha-chá, son fusions and more. This is a timely celebration of seven decades of Cuban music and culture.

12 November 2012 ~ Comments Off

Is It Better Having A Built in Espresso Machine?


I have read many reviews on espresso machines and many coffee lovers out there seems utterly disappointed in the machine they just bought or had for a long time.

They complained that it takes time to heat up, frothing wand doesn’t work well, the water goes out fast and etc. so in my own, I suggest that all of you coffee addicts out there purchase a built in espresso machine.

Well, I did and it turned my life completely around. I don’t have to wake up an hour earlier before I leave to work just to turn the machine on, it does it for me! It’s the best espresso maker I have ever had.

There are two types of built in espresso machines on the market. There is the plumbed and regular built in type. It all depends on what you like best and if you’re a lazy guy like me, a plumbed espresso machine is the way to go for you.

It makes a lot of differences in having a plumbed and regular built in machine. The price also differs with that. In a bit, I’ll talk about the advantage and disadvantages of having either one of these machines.

Plumbed types of espresso machine is better in comparison of the regular built in type is because it directly adds water into your machine without you needing to refill it every time it runs out. You can also turn it 24/7 since it’s built it.

The only thing that’s bad about it is that, if the pipe has leakage from a rat bite for example, you’ll need to call a plumber to fix it for you. Warranty does not cover bites from rodents. Still it’s a completely better espresso machine than any other regular coffee espresso machine. If you’re thinking on buying a coffee maker, I suggest you to look at this website for reviews on the best coffee maker.

The regular built in espresso machine is basically like an ordinary espresso machine. The only difference is that it’s stuck through your wall or counter top.

You’ll have to refill the water when it runs out but you don’t have to fill it occasionally. The water reservoir for a built in espresso machine can hold about 10 times more than a regular espresso machine.

It also makes great tasting coffee. The good thing about a non-plumbed espresso machine is that you don’t have to change filters every month and fresh water makes your coffee taste amazing.

If you really love coffee then I suggest that you purchase a built in espresso machine. Plumbed or not, it’s your decision.

There are many non-commercial brands out there like BOSCH, Miele, Scholtes, DeLonghi and plenty more. Built in espresso machines allows you to use any types of beans and pods and you can choose to grind them or not before serving them.

It comes with a frothing wand, servers, pre-set and etc. It all depends on which brand and model you take. So what are you waiting for, go get one now because with a built in espresso machine, you won’t have to stop by Starbucks anymore because your espresso machine is as good as theirs.

11 November 2012 ~ Comments Off

A Good Cutlery Set For A Good Start In Our Marriage

When we got married six years ago, we received lots of gifts from family and friends alike. Some were elegant like the cashmere robes and some were unique like the sculpted jewelry tree. But the most precious wedding gift of all was definitely the best cutlery set from Wusthof that my mother gave us. It is the one gift that I treasured the most till this day.

It was not the most expensive nor was it the most exquisite among all the gifts. The reason I valued it so much was because it was one of the most practical gifts. While the cashmere robe feels so comfortable and the jewelry tree never fails to raise admiring glances from our visitors, it was and still is, the cutlery set that has been the one that I used the most. In fact, I had been using it to prepare our daily meals.
It has been six years since we have gotten this best cutlery set and it still serve me very well.

For the curious, it is the Wusthof Classic 10-Piece Knife Block Set that I got from my mother. It has received lots of marvelous reviews about it online and I assure you that these reviewers are right.

It is made up of this set of some of the best quality kitchen knives I had ever seen. There’s the cook’s knife which is my favourite as it is the most versatile. Then there are also the utility knife, paring knife, boning knife, steak knife, sandwich knife and the bread knife. And of course there are also kitchen shears, sharpening steel and of course the oak block too. What’s so great about it?

Well, it’s kind of hard to pinpoint one thing only. For me, it’s because of its durability which by the way is second to none. And also I love the way cutting is so effortless with these knives. The technology behind it is probably top notch.

There’s another reason why I loved it to pieces and that is because this cutlery set was given to me by my mother. I was very close to my mother. We had a strong relationship and were more like friends rather than mother and daughter. We shared stories and tears of joy and laughter. We even tell each other secrets and our fears. And we support each other through tough times. We were always there for each other.

So when my mother passed away just 5 months after my wedding, I was devastated. She was diagnosed with final stage cancer and there was nothing else the doctors could do expect provide palliative care. Oh, how I hate that helpless feeling then. Look for more information.

In a way, I guess this best cutlery set also helps remind me of the great time my mother and I had when I was younger and when we were cooking together in her kitchen.

05 November 2012 ~ Comments Off

The Breville Control Grip models

Have you check out the Breville Immersion blender lately? If you haven’t, you really should because Breville has line ups of best blender ratings that you would not want to miss getting. The brand Breville has been in the market for several years now and it has various types of utility machines for your kitchen. You can find a lot of Breville product being named or awarded in the best espresso makers, best toaster ovens, best rice cookers, and best juicers category or industry

But today, I’ll be talking about models of immersion blender from Breville. By the end of this review, you will probably want to get these fantastic immersion blenders from Breville. Now before we go ahead any further, the Breville Immersion blender has two types of Control Grip model, a lower end model and a higher end model.

First, let’s start off with the model BSB400XL, the Control Grip. The BSB400XL is a lower end model and it isn’t as expensive as the other higher end model. The BSB400XL retails at $69.99 and can be purchased online or at your nearest local store.

The amazing thing about this Immersion blender is that it has variable speed settings. You can either choose to use it on a low speed setting or a higher speed setting to obtain precise and excellent blending performance. This model comes with a blending jug and a chopping bowl as well.

The blending jug is about 1.25 litres which comes to a 42 ounce in measurement. It’s a large jug that has a dual purpose storage lid and an anti-slip mat as well. The jug is suitable for blending, storing and even measuring ingredients and food. It runs on a 280 watt powered motor and is strong enough to blend hard chunk of fruits, potatoes and etc.

The blades are also sharp enough to crush ice. Also, the base of this blender has a non-scratch bas so your pots and pans won’t have any scratch marks on it. It comes with a 1 year warranty plan. 

The BSB510XL is a higher end model of the Control Grip series and it is a little more expensive than the previous model. This immersion blender retails at $99.99. It has more features than the previous one as well and it only comes in one colour which is black.

The included accessories for this particular model are a chopping bowl, blending jug and a whisk attachment. It is more versatile than the previous model and the jug capacity is 42 ounces. The jug has an anti-slip mat and a dual storage lid feature as well. The chopping bowl can hold about 25 ounce of ingredients which is roughly about 3 cups in measurement.

The BSB510XL runs on a 120 watt powered motor and can crush ice, frozen meat and many more. With the whisk attachment, it makes baking easier as well. It also comes with a year of warranty.

So there you have it, the Breville immersion blender. I tested out both of them before writing this review and in my own opinion, the second one does a better job than the first because it’s more powerful and stronger. Also, the designs on it are unique. Overall, it does an amazing job! Besides that, if you are thinking of buying a juicer too, then Breville juicer is great! I haven’t got the time to write some reviews about Breville juice fountain plus juicer that I just got, but I think it’s worth considering if you are looking for a new juicer.

03 November 2012 ~ Comments Off

The Review Of Honeywell HCM-6009 QuietCare Humidifier

The Honeywell HCM – 6009 is a top rated quiet humidifier. It is a
quiet, effective and efficient humidifier that can keep rooms up to 2300 square feet humidified.

It is up to 30 percent quieter than other models and can run for 24 hours on only one filling of water. It has a washing pre-filter which purifies the moisture from elements such as dust and other particles before blowing it quietly into the atmosphere in the room.

This top rated quiet humidifier spots a very sturdy and elegant design. Its dimensions are 22.5 x 15 x 17.5 inches and it weighs 20 pounds. It has many features that make it a top choice for many people. It has an adjustable humidity control with 3 humidity presets.

It also spots an anti-microbial filter which prevents the build-up of microbes such as fungi, algae and others. The unit comes with a 3 year warranty for complete peace of mind. Maintenance is a breeze as the unit only uses HC-14 replacement filters.

The Honeywell is a good unit to have during those dry winter months when humidity is running low.

It is good for comfortable atmosphere in the rooms, to prevent dryness and to maintain a good atmosphere for wooden furniture. This tends to crack under severe dry conditions. For its price, it delivers what could be expected very solidly.

A few complaints about the Honeywell have been the lack of digital control to see exactly the amount of humidity to set, the fact that the humidity is blown sideways instead of to the top as in other more expensive humidifiers and some noise from the unit.

The three humidity presets are sufficient for many people and many people don’t really care about the exact digital level, they just want comfort. Regarding the sideways blowing of air, it is simply a design issue, which many people are able to accommodate.

Lastly, although there is some sound at the maximum level of humidity, the Honeywell is still one of the quietest humidifiers in the market. For the price of well under 100 dollars, it represents one of the best buys in humidifiers.

24 October 2012 ~ Comments Off

Camping Accessories & Flashlight

Larger flashlights can be essential camping accessories or used for hunting in the forest. It is particularly great for hunting. Other than flashlight, the air mattress is also one of the most popular camping equipment for travelers. You can purchase both the best flashlight and the best air mattress at Amazon for an exclusive deals and prices.

LED Flashlight

The most common one now is the LED flashlight. Many anglers depend on green LED torches to lure their catch. They attract the catch by submerging the green light into the water. LED torches will function for a longer time with the same battery power. LED torches are very reliable, and they give true, powerful light. Seeing as there are numerous features to look for when identifying what model of flashlight to get, you’ll want to concentrate on what is most significant to you. To find out more information, go to this The Best Flashlight website.

Solar Flashlight

Solar flashlights are good for outdoor camping and hiking. Since they are designed to be powered by the sun, it is not necessary to have additional batteries. I personally like solar flashlight a lot since I hate to change the batteries for my flashlights. But I wish they now do design a more powerful solar flashlight, which can be a “dream” combination since it can run on it’s own and it’s powerful enough to be use in the emergency situation.

Mini Flashlight

Another my favorite is the small flashlight. Some small size flashlights are design with some creative ideas and a mini flashlight could be easily carry around or put in the pocket. Small sized flashlights can be intended for everyday usage; these are compact thus they may conveniently be brought about, I’m sure you don’t want to carry a bit flashlight around, but sometime you just need some light in a dark corner. Well, walking from the bus stop along a dim road may be dangerous without a flashlight with you. You’ll want to find a high quality small flashlight with a strong battery life and easy to carry around when you need it.

22 August 2012 ~ Comments Off

Amazing Cookware Sets

Calphalon has wide range of cookware sets that make from different type of materials. Other than common copper and stainless steel, they also included aluminum to the production of the cookware. The speed of heat transmission is garnered with the copper as exterior and aluminum as core.

Economical nonstick cookware constructed from hard-anodized aluminum and a nonstick layer is lighter as opposed to the more costly cookware types.

Contrary to Teflon covered nonstick pots and pans that easily scratches, nonstick hard anodized cookware sets don’t scratch, heat fast, are rust free, and don’t react with food in cooking. To ensure you make the perfect choice, do some research by reading the best cookware set reviews before you purchasing them.

The majority of master chefs would like their cookware sets to be made from copper. The reason is that copper cookware heats more quickly with lesser heat compared to other sorts of cookware. This lets you conserve gas when cooking that can save some costs. In helping you to make the best choice of cookware, you can read some copper cookware reviews here, and also other types of cookware available.

Select your pots and pans well for it to last for a long time ahead. Even so, whereby folks are advised to make sure that they are buying quality cookware, they ought to stick in their budgets as well.

I think a greatly popular cookware material in better cookware would be the employment of stainless steel sporting a copper core. Numerous companies set stainless steel pots and pans with a copper coating to obtain wonderful results. The most efficient cookware contains a copper or aluminum core sandwiched in stainless steel layers on the exterior and inside the pan.

I don’t recommend you buy a low cost cookware set if you are cooking often. Besides that, purchasing a low cost set of cookware now could indicate that you’ll have to ditch it in a few years, while getting a good set will let you use it for a decade.