Darien’s 2-time state geography champ heads back to nationals

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized, World Opinion

Seventh grader Andrew Borecki, two-time Connecticut Geography Bee champion, and Middlesex Middle School librarian Barbara Ivey meet three times a week to study geography. Andrew heads back to the national bee this year.

Darien, Connecticut, USA
There must be something in Darien’s water. For the second year in a row, seventh grader Andrew Borecki took home first place honors in the Connecticut Geographic Bee. This was his fourth year making the statewide event, and he’s also eligible to compete next year.

Michael bested roughly 100 students from across the state to earn $100 and a second chance to win the 24th annual national competition in Washington, D.C. at the end of May. This time around he missed two questions out of 20 — one about where the sport of ulama is now popular (Mexico), and one about the most recent Baltic country to join the eurozone (Estonia). Last year he only missed one — the capital of Morocco (Marrakesh).

“It was exciting to win,” Michael told The Times last year. Michael placed eighth in his first two trips to the states in fourth and fifth grade. His coach and mentor, Middlesex librarian Barbara Ivey, has met with Michael at least three times a week after school to help him hone his skills.

“You have to be a good listener,” Ivey said, adding that the questions often carry a clue within its wording.

Michael will compete against students from 49 states and five U.S. territories, and he is the fifth Darien student to win the state title, which is more than any other Connecticut town.

Jackson Hart, a fourth grader at Ox Ridge, and Nicholas Derby, a fourth grader at Tokeneke, each won the geography bees held at their respective schools and then competed at the state level with Michael after they passed a 70-question exam, scoring in the top 100 in Connecticut.

Perhaps some of Darien’s geography bee success can be attributed to an odd ritual that Ivey picked up while in Mercara, India — a sister town to Darien. One of her hosts decided to smash a coconut as an offering to Ganesh, the Hindu god of obstacles and new beginnings.

By smashing the coconut, they were symbolically smashing any obstacles that would impede them from achieving their goals. The ritual caught on with her students, and for the past six years Ivey and her team continue to crush the tropical fruit for a bit of luck.

Last year’s national winner, Texas seventh grader Tine Valencic, took home a $25,000 scholarship check by naming the country where the Tungurahua volcano sits (Ecuador), and the national park in Nepal where the southern part of Mt. Everest rises (Sagarmatha).

source: http://www.darientimes.com / The News of Darien, Connecticut / by David DesRoches / Wednesday, April 04th, 2012

Novel way for coffee planters to check the weather

Agriculture, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Science & Technology


Many of us look online or rely on the weather reports to find out what the climate and temperature is going to be like.

However, the coffee plants in the Kodagu region of Karnataka have apparently come up with a rather different way of doing things.

According to reports, they have decided to use an unusual means of working out what is happening: by using a balloon.

How does this weather prediction method work?

Apparently, the balloon is filled with helium gas and is equipped with instruments which are able to study the weather systems.

For instance, it is said that the equipment would be able to determine whether rain was likely within a period of around 4 days.

Of course, this information is vitally important to the coffee farmers.

The information will help them work out whether to incur the costs of using sprinklers to irrigate the coffee crops, for example.

The information which is collected by the equipment in the weather balloon would be used alongside information which is collected from the other automatic weather stations (there are about 25 of them) in Kodagu.

Further calculations will then be made by the Madhapur station and sent on to the Indian Space Research Organisation’s research section.

Why go to all this trouble?

Apparently, this way of monitoring the changing weather patterns is an attempt to get predictions which are as accurate as they can be.

The coffee planters have contributed towards the cost of the operation and the Indian Space Research Organisation has agreed to help out too.

source: http://www.WorldCoffeeNews.com / by Clive / Thursday, April 05th, 2012

Specialty food, beverage sales soar to $75 Billion

Coffee News

New York:
Consumer willingness try new foods and flavors helped propel U.S. retail and foodservice sales of specialty food and beverages to $75 billion in 2011, a 6.9% increase over 2010 sales, according to a new report from the National Association for the Specialty Trade (NASFT). Surging demand for yogurt, energy bars, nut and seed butters and coffee drinks helped drive sales to new highs for the second year in a row.

The report, “The State of the Specialty Food Industry 2012″ tracks sales of specialty food through supermarkets, natural food stores and specialty food retailers, and includes research from interviews with food retailers, distributors, brokers and others involved in the supply chain.

“Consumers are making better food a part of their lifestyle,” said Ron Tanner, vice president, communications and education, for the NASFT. “They are embracing new foods and flavors and are willing to choose top-quality even while they economize elsewhere.”

Cheese continues to dominate specialty foods, pulling in $3.44 billion in retail sales in 2011. The next largest retail sales categories are meats, poultry and seafood; chips, pretzels and snacks; coffee, coffee substitutes and cocoa; and bread and baked goods. Functional beverages are the fastest-growing segment, followed by yogurt and kefir.

While 2011 product introductions declined 6.2% a manufacturers focused on existing lines, there is positive momentum for the industry as the average transaction size for specialty food stores jumped 11.4% to $41.49.

Key takeaways from the report include:

Specialty foods represent 13.7% of all food sales at retail.

Kosher is the leading claim for new specialty food products, followed by All Natural.
Natural food stores are the fastest growing retail channel, with a sales increase of 19.8% from 2009-2011.
In 2011, 41% of specialty food manufacturers reported a sales increase of more than 20%.
Local is the most influential product claim today, according to 75% of retailers surveyed.
Latin is the fastest-emerging cuisine, retailers said. Importers report growth in cuisines from Eastern Europe and India.

Sources:
National Association for the Specialty Food Trade: Specialty Food Industry Hits New High
www.foodproductdesign.com / Home> News / April 02nd, 2012

New look for Kodava recipe website

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

Coorg’s first dedicated website for indigenous Kodava receipes, www.coorgrecipes.com started in 2007, has been redesigned to focus exclusively on Coorg cuisine.

While retaining most of the earlier features, a few new features have been added.

Commenting on the redesign, the promoter of the website, journalist P T Bopanna said: “Earlier, the recipe website had a section for ‘Coorg jewellery.’

However, I wanted to focus totally on food. With the creation of the new jewellery website www.coorgjewellery.in, it became necessary to redesign the recipes site.”

Chef Naren Thimmaiah, of the Karavalli restaurant of the Taj Gateway Hotel in Bangalore has contributed recipes for the ‘Recipe of the Month’ section.

Among the new additions, include a link to the blog of Canada-based Kodava food blogger Shalini Nanda Nagappa on her culinary adventures in ‘A Cookery Year in Coorg.’

Another new section called ‘Coffee with Priya Ganapathy’ deals with the making of the perfect cup of coffee and varieties of coffee liqueur.

Renowned cartoonist N.S. Ponnappa’s cartoons on the obsession of the Kodavas (Coorgs) with good food and hard liquor have been retained.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS, Mysore / April 03rd, 2012

Forestry students training at zoo

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Uncategorized

Mysore Zoo is organising training for the final year B.Sc. (Forestry) students of Ponnampet Forest College from April 8 to May 14.

It is proposed to create awareness and opportunity to learn about Zoo management and their activities.

The programme is designed to understand the importance of conservation education, captive breeding research, rescue and rehabilitation.

B U Chengappa, retd principal chief conservator of Forests will inaugurate the training programme on April 8 at 11 am at Mysore Zoo.

M Nanjundaswamy, Chairman, Zoo Authority of Karnataka will preside over the function. R S Suresh, member secretary, Zoo Authority of Karnataka will participate in the inauguration as chief guest, according to a press release from the zoo.

Animal adoption

Mysore zoo has announced that the following persons have adopted the noted animals under “Adoption of Animals” scheme by paying the adoption fee.

Dhananjay Patnakar from Koramangala, Bangalore has adopted the cheetah paying Rs 50,000 for a year from March 24, 2012, to March 23, 2013, while Vaanathi Paulvannan from Coimbatore has adopted a Russel Viper for a year, paying Rs 2,000 .

Sonam Sultana and Prajwal B R from Rayanakere and Hootagalli in the city have adopted a Love Bird and Red Avadavit, respectively paying Rs 1000 each for a year, according to a press release from the zoo.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS / Mysore, April 03rd, 2012

Cariappa takes charge as academy chief

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Addanda C. Cariappa assumed charge as president of the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy in Madikeri on Thursday.

Mr. Cariappa said he would work for the development of Kodava language, art, culture, folklore and literature with cooperation of other members of the academy. He would focus on publishing more works in Kodava by consulting experts, according to a press release issued here.

President of the Kodagu Zilla Panchayat Ravi Kushalappa, president of Sri Bhagandeshwara Temple Committee Manu Muthappa, president of the Madikeri Taluk Akrama-Sakrama Samiti Napanda Ravi Kalappa, editor of Shakti G. Rajendra, former president of the Kodagu District Kannada Sahitya Parishat T.P. Ramesh, and Kodagu District Commissioner of Scouts and Guides K.T. Baby Mathew congratulated Mr. Cariappa.

Members of the academy Nirmala Bopanna, Mittu Poonacha, Poovaiah, Thammaiah, Kasturi Govindamaiah, Sumi Subbaiah, N.A. Ramesh, and Uma Prabhu were present.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / Mysore, March 30th, 2012

Spending time with the tribals

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Uncategorized

Honey hives: In the forest
It was a day to remember when school kids danced with the Soliga tribals recently at the town hall.
A recent event in Mangalore brought school students closer to Soliga culture. Many of them joined the Soligas as they danced as part of a programme held in the city’s town hall recently.

The students were from Stds. VI and VII. There were 40 students from Government Higher Primary School, Parappade, and 70 students from Government Higher Primary School, Mullakadu.

Song and dance
Enjoying ethnic beats: With the Soliga tribe
The dance was part of a week-long celebration of dances organised by the Information Departments of all the 30 districts of the state.

Most of the students said that they were seeing the dances and songs of the Soligas for the first time.

The Soligas explained to the students about life in the forest. The students asked them several questions about their food, their way of worship and how they lived in the forest.

Telling time

Raghuvir, Std. VII, Government Higher Primary School, Parappade, said, “I liked the way they described how they collect honey and how they tell the time by looking at the blooming of a flower. They should be allowed to live in their forests.”

Nirmala, Std. VII, said, “Women in the tribe have freedom.” Hithesh, Std. VII was thrilled how they could detect a snake hidden in the foliage.

Dhanaraj, Std. VII admired the way they dressed, their views on animals, their ornaments made from what is available and the variety of their dances

Mamatha, honorary teacher, Government Higher Primary School, Parappade, was impressed by their marriage custom, where a girl can choose her life partner and the expense of the marriage came to only Rs.12.50.

The word Soliga means “people of the bamboo”, because they believed they originated from the bamboo. They live close to nature. This is seen in their local tribal laws. They harvest fruits and berries only from trees that has lots of flowers. They leave the overripe ones for the birds.

They cultivate land only for five to seven years. Then the land is left untouched for 50 to 75 years, so that the forest takes over again.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Life & Style> Kids / by Renuka Phadnis / April 02nd, 2012

Rally keeps racing buffs on their toes

Sports

Mysore:
Hundreds of bike and car enthusiasts on Sunday morning flocked to Roost Hotel off in Mysore-Hunsur Road to witness Rally de Mysore, a time speed-and-distance (TSD) motorsport rally.

SP R Dileep flagged off the rally, organized by Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club (KSCS), amid fanfare, excitement and, of course, revving engines. Fifty-four teams on 40 cars and 14 motorbikes took part in the TSD rally spread over 10 hours. The 140-km rally covered Bilikere, KR Nagar and other places on the outskirts of Mysore. Besides 15 teams from Mysore, there were those from Coimbatore, Erode, and Bangalore too.

The revving of engines an hour before the commencement of the rally set the mood, while the spectators enjoyed watching customized cars, jeeps and bikes warming up for the big day. Each team had a rider/ driver and a navigator.

Speaking about the rally, organizer B Rathan Ponnappa said it comprised three classes in four-wheeler category — professional and novice classes and general category in bike class. “It’s a first-of-its kind of rally aimed at providing a platform for amateur racing youths,” he added.

Twenty-year-old S S B Arjun, who took part in the bike category, was all charged up for Rally de Mysore in the wee hours itself. He has participated in five rallies elsewhere, but was thrilled to take part in the first-ever rally of Mysore. “The roads and landscapes on the city’s outskirts are perfect for rally,” he opined.

Another participant, A Nagarjun, said the craze for wheels in on the rise among the city’s youths.

“This is an opportunity to test their capabilities, skills and to learn from noted racers. Instead of doing wheeling and speeding on public roads, race enthusiasts should participate in such events,” said the 23-year-old final year engineering student. Noted racers Satish Gopal Krishnan, Karthik Maruthi, Johnson and others took part in the rally.

Lohith Urs, international rally expert and in charge of the event, said TSD is a type of motor rally usually conducted on public roads, but at times, the track includes off-road too. “The main aspect of TSD rallies is to maintain precise time, average speeds on various segments on pre-defined rally route,” he said, adding: “Mysore is a hub for racers and rally buffs. This kind of rallies nurtures the basic skills of young aspirants.”

“TSD rally is not about speed, but it’s about timing, so navigator plays a vital role in this rally,” said Urs.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mysore / by Pavan M.V. / TNN / April 02nd, 2012

Celebrating 100 years of education

Education, Historical Links / Pre-Independence

There is festive mood in Bettageri Government Primary School, as they will be celebrating 100 years of their existence, on April 4 and 5.

At present, as many as 169 students are pursuing their education in the school. It is one of the best schools in Bettageri Gram Panchayat limits. The students have not only excelled in academic activities but also in extracurricular activities.

They have been actively taking part in Scouts and Guides activities. The students from the school had taken part in Scouts and Guides Rally held in New Delhi in 2007-08.

The school was started in March 1911 by late Pattada Biddappa. Somegowda Ayyanna had served as the first teacher of this school. During the British rule in 1935, the school was named as Lower Feeder School.

Later, the school was upgraded as Senior Basic School. The school was taken over by the government in 1952. The documents says that Charianda family members had donated 23 cents land to the school.

With the guidance of Mukkateera Somaiah, Manavateera Chinnappa, Mukkateera Somaiah, Abdul Rahman, Soodan Thammaiah, Pattada Muthanna and Palandira Madappa, the school had achieved success.

Later, with the support of donors, classrooms were built. Under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the work on Akshara Dasoha building has been taken up. The school has nine teachers including head teacher B Devakki.

Centenary Committee President Taloor Kalappa said that several old students of the school are serving in the army. Students from five villages are pursuing their education in the school.

Litterateur Baithadka Janaki said “the teachers were supporting the students in developing their writing skills. The school had given me a platform to portray my talent in writing, which helped me to excel.”

Head teacher Devakki said “the teachers are striving to impart quality education in the school. Majority of the students hail from economically backward class. The students are encouraged to take part in extracurricular activities.”

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District> Napoklu / DHNS, April 01st, 2012

A true blue Ghat trip

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment


Abbey fall provide the perfect picturesque view.
Madikeri (aka Marcera) is a hill town in Karnataka and is the headquarters of Kodagu district. This place is named after King Mudduraja who ruled Kodagu from 1633 to 1687.

I was new to Karnataka, an intern in Mysore and was just starting to understand Kannada, so I knew that this road trip was going to be a great experience for me. I had my bike, a Royal Enfield Thunderbird 2002, and I am sure no one can ask for a better ride for a road trip.

I am also a photographer, so packing up the backpack with my camera and lens, a pair of clothes, some sweaters and jerkins; I started out at around 3 pm on a Saturday from Mysore.

Stopping once to fill the tank and took the Hunsor road towards Marcera. The road goes through villages and farms, so its quiet crowded most of the time.

Kaveri Nisargadhama is a point where the river Kaveri bifurcates and flows through a stream where people can take a dip to cool off.

The Kaveri Nisargadhama is protected by the forest department that does not allow people to enter after 5 pm. So I barely made it in. There is a park and lots of deer playing around in a fenced ground.

Proceeding there I rode on to Madikeri at about 8 pm. Now, if you are a bike enthusiast then you have got to ride through the Ghats.

It’s a whole different feeling just cruising along hearing the dhup dhup dhup of your bike ringing through the woods. The roads curve beautifully, allowing you to literally glide along.

I was able to find a place to sleep at a hilltop hotel, which is behind Hotel Kaveri. After checking in, I took a stroll in the night in the mild drizzle, which is likely to happen almost night during that time of the month.

The next morning, I took a walk from the hotel to the Raja’s seat and the Madikeri Fort. The town is so beautiful enveloped in mist and dew. The roads are empty with hardly anyone around. The cold air gives you such a chill that it literally jump starts you.

The places that are worth visiting are very close, hardly 500 meters from the centre of the town. I headed for Abbey Falls, which was about nine kms from the town bus stop.

At the check post just before the falls, I was greeted by a guard who was ecstatic at the sight of the bike. He was like, “Oh! You rode from Tamil Nadu? Which year is this bike… etc.” The people of Kodagu are very humble and hospitable and are known for rendering their service to the nation. The place is known for its coffee plantations.

The coffee powder and the beans from Kodagu are a must try. My father loves coffee and simply loved the packet I got him. I left Madikeri by 2 pm and rode back to Mysore. On my way back, I stopped at Bylakuppe, the Tibetan Town. I got caught in a bas spell of rain and had to ride very slowly. I reached my room at almost 9 pm, drenched and tired. But it was one great experience.

History

Raja’s Seat is a small square platform made out of bricks and mortar is surrounded by four arched pillars. It is said that, during those times, this was the favourite spot of Kings and therefore the name of the place is Raja’s seat. The beauty from this place is impeccable especially during the sunrise and sunsets.

Trivia

Abbey fall is located between private coffee plantations with sturdy coffee bushes. The sight of this place is beauty personified as we can see trees entwining with pepper vines. If you look closely, the falls that appear suddenly quietly turn into a silent lake.

Food

Sri Krishna Bhavan is one of the most popular restaurant in Madikeri. Serving traditional North Indian and South Indian cuisine, the restaurant offers lip-smacking paneer-based dishes like palak paneer and paneer bhurji. People from Coorg make sure they visit this place.

Stars promoting their soil

When a person like Jonty Rohdes asks you to visit his country, who would refuse? The South African cricketer, a well known travel enthusiast who has travelled to almost every country is inviting more travel enthusiasts to explore the beauty of South Africa.

In a first of its kind association, South African Tourism has teamed up with renowned cricketer, Jonty Rhodes to launch the book, My South African Diary, penned by Jonty himself.

As Jonty travels through his home country, he dons the cap of a narrator in the diary and shares his varied, exhilarating experiences of the scenic beauty of South Africa.

Jonty is not the only celebrity to promote his home country. Jackie Chan did a TV series where he narrated the beauty of China, we had instances of Konkana Sen Sharma taking us through the streets of Kolkata.

Harsha Bhogle’s Travel India with Harsha Bhogle is yet another popular show where he travels across the country explaining the rich tradition and culture of the country.

There is no doubt that the tourism departments of various countries have roped in stars to promote the tourism industry.

The writer is a photographer and a travel enthusiast

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> LifeStyle> Wanderlust / by Venkatesh Ravi / DC / Chennai / March 29th, 2012