Tuesday's Morning Email: Glimmer Of Hope Malaysian Plane Still Safe

The
St. Patrick's Day get the best of you? Here's how to get some peace and quiet while you nurse that hangover. This is THE MORNING EMAIL for Tuesday, March 18, 2014.

The Scuttlebutt

TOP STORIES

MISSING PLANE'S COMPUTER SYSTEM ALLEGEDLY HACKED
American officials believe the missing Malaysian plane's abrupt turn was the result of a computer override command entered by someone in the cockpit. Meanwhile, reports from the UN indicate sensitive nuclear monitoring equipment detected no signs of a crash or explosion, fueling hopes that the plane could have landed somewhere safely. Aviation experts are divided over whether the plane could have slipped past radar by flying at lower altitudes. Many are wondering what it means that there are no signs any passengers called for help. Oh, and Courtney Love is convinced she has found the plane. [NYT]

PUTIN DEFENDS ANNEXATION MOVE
"President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday fiercely defended Russia's move to annex Crimea, saying the rights of ethnic Russians have been abused by the new Ukrainian government." [AP]

LA SUBWAY TERRORIST PLOT THWARTED
"A 20-year-old student at a California community college, who authorities said had discussed an attack on the Los Angeles subway, has been arrested on a federal terrorism charge while trying to enter Canada for an eventual trip to the Mideast, where he planned to help a group wage holy war, officials said Monday." [LA Times]

STATESIDE: Firefighting Goats
Congress backtracked on climate change. A third SXSW hit-and-run victim has died. Be careful googling yourself -- you could find your picture on a most wanted list. A report on last year's LAX shooting faults communication gaps for the uncoordinated response. And goats are the newest tool in San Francisco's firefighting strategy.

In addicting game news, here's 2048. You'll lose hours of your life trying to beat it.

INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE: Mexican Cartels Are Terrifying
Mexican authorities arrested a key member of a gang accused of running a child kidnapping ring aimed at organ harvesting. Iran said attempts to damage its nuclear reactors were foiled yesterday. Scientists have made a dramatic discovery that bolsters the big bang theory. Sheldon would be proud. And there are some heartless cops in France: A French widow was fined for toasting her family members at her husband's grave.

In struggle news, here's a cat trying to get a lizard on the other side of a window.

BUY! SELL! BUY! Invisibility Cloaks... But For Real
Here's Apple's next big thing -- no, it's still not a TV. One-third of Americans have startlingly small retirement accounts -- yikes. More bad press for McDonald's: it lost a wage theft lawsuit. Watch out Gamestop: Walmart is now exchanging used video games for giftcards. GM announced three more recalls yesterday. And want to avoid your ex? Use Cloak, a new application that tells you where to go if you don't want to see anyone. We hope Harry Potter inspired that name.

In lamb news, here's one learning how to yell.

SCOUTING REPORT: Warren Buffett Won't Pay You $1 Billion
Nate Silver's brainchild, FiveThirtyEight, relaunched yesterday, and it's fantastic: Here's its piece on why Warren Buffett won't pay $1 billion to the owner of a perfect bracket. Pat Forde walks us through the bracket-killer Midwest region -- we feel for you, Witchita State. The Phillies Jimmy Rollins saga just got an ultimatum: "Lead or leave." The Cleveland Caveliers may not have a great record, but they have one heck of a graphics team. And, boy, can this kid run.

In genius news, here's how to get out of jury duty.

CULTURE CATCH-UP: Throwback Tuesday: Clinton Edition
Check out these throwback pictures of Hillary Clinton from her college days. Gwyneth Paltrow sang Pharrell's "Happy" for "Glee." Brittany Murphy's last movie will be released more than four years after her death. And ten years after the premiere of "LOST," its creators and castmates sat down to talk secrets.

In caffiene news, here's some gorgeous minimalistic art made out of coffee grounds.

LIVIN': Traffic Stops, Big and Small
Cops are always out to get you -- especially if you're a speeding 2-year-old. Wanna rock the layered necklace trend? Here are secrets to pulling it off. What does it mean to leave Earth to start a colony on Mars? The Atlantic talks to five of the American citizens vying for a chance to do just that. There is now such a thing as a "selfie stick." And the radio station that was playing Nelly's seasonally appropriate classic "It's Getting Hot in Herre" has ended its endless loop. Take a minute to mourn, people.

In corgi puppy news, here are some adorable pups celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

OTHER PEOPLE'S BUSINESS: No Siblings for Prince George...Yet
Prince William quashed baby rumors with a bold declaration yesterday. L'Wren Scott committed suicide yesterday. The fashion designer and model had recently split from Mick Jagger. Nicole Kidman's son Connor vouched for his relationship with his mom. Pope Francis backed out of meeting with "Noah" star Russell Crowe. Jamie Lynn Spears released her gorgeous wedding photos. Chris Brown is going to be sitting in a jail for a while. And here are a bunch of Ryan Gosling gifs, because hey, it's Tuesday.

In sibling shenanigans news, here's why you shouldn't jump off a couch.

TWITTERATI

@azizansari: Actual txt from my dad: "did U here about. The Earth quake at LA Aniz felt it Harris is at VietNam" Is this a ransom note??

@realDonaldTrump: There are many editorial writers that are good, some great, & some bad. But the least talented of all is frumpy Gail Collins of NYTimes.

@RevRunWisdom: You can be anything you want in this world. . Just don't be ungrateful

@ParisHilton: OMG! Did anyone just feel that Earthquake? So scary, woke me up out of an already scary nightmare. I hate earthquakes. :(

@MileyCyrus: Night 2 with Musso ❤️ sad to leave Houston 😿 pic.twitter.com/4lA2l2HmLg


ONE MORE THING
Tired this morning? Here's 37 ways to get better shuteye.

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Monday's Morning Email: Could The Pilot Be Behind The Missing Plane?

The
March Madness: Both the basketball and weather kinds. This is THE MORNING EMAIL for Monday, March 17, 2014.

The Scuttlebutt

TOP STORIES

CRIMEA DECLARES INDEPENDENCE FROM UKRAINE After a referendum passed overwhelmingly in favor of joining Russia on Sunday, Crimea declared independence from Ukraine. The U.S. refuses to recognize the move, citing voter intimidation. [AP]

PILOTS, CREW UNDER SUSPICION IN MISSING FLIGHT Authorities are taking a closer look at Malaysia Airlines 370's pilots and crew after learning the pilot radioed after the communications system was deliberately turned off. Relatives are holding out hope that maybe, just maybe the plane landed somewhere safely. And The Washington Post maps out where the plane could be. [Reuters]

WEARING WHITE FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY Everywhere from St. Louis to New York is being hit with more snow. Winter will never leave us. Protect the fire. [USA Today]

STATESIDE: Broken Wings
Guinness pulled its support from the St. Patrick's Day parade in NYC since gay and lesbian groups are unable to march openly. Sexual assault charges were downgraded as part of a plea deal in the trial of one of the highest-ranking military officials to face such accusations. The founder of Westboro Baptist Church is dying, his estranged son revealed yesterday, along with the fact that he was excommunicated from his own church. A seriously injured victim of the SXSW hit-and-run was visited in her hospital bedroom by the band she was there to see. A new cancer vaccine for melanoma could be the future of treatment. The Obama White House is censoring or denying access to more documents than ever before. And a Delta plane lost part of its wing panel in flight to Atlanta, because that wouldn't be a scary thing to see that out your window. [Image via Twitter]

In Houdini news, here's a cat escaping his locked cage.

INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE: Navy Seals Continue to Be Boss
U.S. Navy Seals took over a rogue Libyan tanker yesterday. Afghani President Karzai railed against the U.S. military in one of his final addresses this weekend. North Korea fired off a bunch of rockets in order to prepare for "an invasion." Like to drive in Paris? Too bad, as new regulations are in place after a sudden onset of severe smog in the City of Love. And check out pictures of Holi, India's beautiful festival of colors.

In St. Patrick's Day news, here's a timelapse of the Chicago River being dyed green.

BUY! SELL! BUY! People More Certain, Or Something Like That
People are feeling less uncertain, which is good for the markets. We're still confused as to how they measure certainty, but good news! European stocks are on the up and up despite Ukranian worries. Food pantries are on the rise... at college campuses. Marissa Mayer's having a good week: China's internet juggernaut Alibaba announced it's going public. Yahoo holds a 24% stake in the company. Honda recalled almost a million Odyssey's (or Hodessies) because of a fire risk. And here are the 9 retailers closing the most stores this year.

In cheesecake news, here's a bunch we are salivating over.

SCOUTING REPORT: Bring on the Madness!
ARE YOU READYYYYYY TO RUMBLE?
It's March Madness time. Here's Huffington Post's go-to bracket maker, as well as ESPN's bracketology. When we grow up, we want to be bracketologists. Apparently March is the most popular time to get a vasectomy -- too many people lose too much money in their office pools and realize they can't support more kids. Don't be that guy. And in bad news bears news, Colts owner Jim Arsay was arrested for a DUI and possession last night (technically this morning, but semantics).

In winter weight news, here's a big bulldog having a hard time getting onto a chair.

CULTURE CATCH-UP: Oprah's Studio For Sale
Jenny McCarthy's anti-vaccination crusade got slammed on Twitter -- the public isn't putting up with the madness. "The Mentalist" is one of the 14 TV shows that are likely to be canceled. An animated talking dog movie beat a racing movie at the box office this weekend. "Veep" finally released a trailer for its third season. "Game of Thrones" and Madonna fans rejoice: Madge dressed up as the Mother of Dragons this weekend. Oprah's selling her studio, nobody is getting a car now. And Angelina Jolie actually blushed while talking about those pesky rumors about her directing "50 Shades of Grey."

In flashback news, here's why S Club 7 sums up everything about1999.

LIVIN': Shelter Dogs Are Where It's At
Because you're probably gonna have one today, here are some fun facts about Guinness. Wireless electricity no longer just exists in scifi novels. These photos of shelter dogs will have you adopting one in no time. Here are 10 St. Patrick's Day-themed treats -- because we need an excuse to indulge our sweettooth. Promised you'd give up sweets for Lent? Here are 22 healthy meals to chomp on for the week. The kale salads are Jesus-approved.

In stalking news, here are some BIG cats getting their creep on.

OTHER PEOPLE'S BUSINESS: Princess Decorating Woes
Even a princess has a hard time keeping a renovation budget in line -- looks like Kate Middleton's palace overhaul has gotten pricey (but here she is looking lovely at St. Patrick's day festivities!). Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie got married AND announced she was pregnant this weekend -- congrats! Drake and Rihanna are officially exclusive -- cue the inevitable music video where they're dancing in the rain in front of a giant fire. Jennifer Hudson is parting... wait for it... weighs with Weight Watchers (nailed it!). Lorde shot down engagement rumors -- REMEMBER SHE'S 17! Jamie Lynn Spears got hitched on Friday. Chris Pine pled guilty to drunk driving in New Zealand. Kat Dennings stood up for guest star Lindsay Lohan. Despite rumors, a prominent "Seinfeld" star is *not* dead. And check out all of Kerry Washington's fabulous pregnancy style.

In living-it-up news, here's a dog taking advantage of being left alone with his owner's bed.

TWITTERATI

@zachbraff: CNN is amazing at reporting all day on a story with no new facts. They just interviewed a seal who thinks he saw the plane.

@SteveMartinToGo: Temperature fluctuating wildly between 80 and 81 requires constant maintenence of ice cubes in tea. Tiresome.

@yokoono: Your wishes come true. So be careful what you wish for.

@samsteinhp: how does one become a bracketologist?

@rainnwilson: Hi. One thing you should know about me is I'm wearing black dress socks and vans.

ONE MORE THING
Here's why you should always go scuba diving with a spear -- so you can fend off shark attacks.

Got something to add? Send tips/quips/quotes/stories/photos/events/scoops to Lauren Weber (lauren.weber@huffingtonpost.com). Follow us on Twitter (@LaurenWeberHP). Does somebody keep forwarding you this newsletter? Get your own copy. It's free! Sign up here.

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Restoring Sidikalang coffee

Hebron Pintubatu, the middle-aged village head of Dolok Tolong in Dairi regency, North Sumatra, is fond of reminiscing about the heyday of Sidikalang coffee.
 
The famed beans, named after a town in Dairi, were once the only commodity grown in the village according to conventional cultivation methods. 
 
"Now Sidikalang coffee production has considerably declined and we can no longer rely on this commodity for a living," Hebron said.
 
The coffee grower and member of the Martabe Farmers Group said the 1980s saw the peak of success for the coffee business in the village. Between 2005 and 2007 coffee prices slumped, forcing many farmers to turn to other crops or to abandon their plantations. When prices began to stabilize and even rise in 2007, production was far below expectations — and still is. 
 
Rolinson Limbong of the farmers' group said out of the 250 Arabica coffee plants he had grown, only 35 kilograms were produced in the November/December harvest last year. In March of this year, the harvest turned out half the previous quantity.
 
"We can no longer predict harvest yields and how much money we will earn so we need additional income," the father of two said. 
 
The increasing need to support daily needs prompted 387 families in seven hamlets of Dolok Tolong to replace Robusta crops with Arabica.
 
Although Robusta has better flavor, it takes a longer time to harvest while the amount of land is limited, so farmers have chosen to grow the short-term variety by the intercrop method. Their coffee output is sold to collectors affiliated with Koperasi Baperda Organik, a regional cooperative.
 
"Dolok Tolong can join the cooperative within two years in line with our production increase," said Parulian Situmorang, chairman of Martabe. His group has 25 members representing the three hamlets of Dolok Martabe, Pasar Lama and Aek Nauli.
 
They are interested in becoming part of the cooperative to avoid pre-harvest sales at low prices, which trap them in poverty.
 
All members have joined the field school of Conservation International Indonesia (CI Indonesia). For eight months they were trained in appropriate and sustainable coffee cultivation as well as compost making. They were provided with grinders, compost ingredients and fertilizer storehouses.
 
Seedlings were also supplied, which were cultivated into young eucalyptus, lamtoro, mindi, sengon and ingul trees that were planted along with coffee bushes.
 
The concept of conservation implemented by the Martabe Group has brought them to the process of certification for sustainable coffee management.
 
"We're carrying out intercropping because coffee grows better under the protection of trees against direct sunlight and heavy dew.
 
The trees can also be a source of extra income for us," said Japen Habeahan, who planted eucalyptus to shade his coffee. 
 
In June he started growing 1,000 eucalyptus trees at 2.5-meter intervals on a 1-hectare plot, with a coffee plant placed amid four trees.
 
"This is called the five-point method of organic and conservational cultivation suited to the impact of climate change today," Japen said. 
 
Trying to imitate Japan, 30 families from three hamlets in Dolok Tolong, with the assistance of CI Indonesia, proposed to participate in Community Forest (HKm) development along with five other villages: Perjuangan, Pargambiran, Sileu-leu Parsaoran, Barisan Nauli and Tanjung Beringin I in Sumbul. 
 
The problem was they live around the forest that serves as a water catchment area for Lake Toba and the hydropower plant of Lae Renun. The plant depends on forest conservation around the lake because it guarantees the supply of water to propel power generating turbines. 
 
Appreciating the villagers' desire, the Dairi regent made a request for HKm working areas in Sumbul district to the Forestry Minister. Sudriyanto from the Wampu-Sei Ular River Basin Management Agency said his office was cooperating with CI Indonesia and the Dairi forestry office to communicate the government regulation and policy on HKm to locals. 
 
Okbertho, head of the Dairi forestry office's forest protection division, said a forest zone management scheme to accommodate the community's economic interests and forest conservation in the regency would be needed.
 
"Facilitated by CI Indonesia, the Sumbul community proposed two HKm areas to the minister," he added. They are 10,800 hectares projected by the Dairi Sustainable Coffee Farmers Forum and 1,800 hectares by the Conservation Farmers Group. Dolok Tolong, as one of the six villages in this group, shares 300 hectares. 
 
The two forest locations proposed have mostly been utilized by the farmers for coffee plantations. "In fact, the forest zone is important and has the hydrological function of a water catchment area for the conservation of Lake Toba's ecosystem," he said. 
 
According to Okbertho, coffee farmers want to utilize the forest under the pattern of agroforestry and payments for environment services in the context of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD), but their knowledge is very limited. 
 
"The forest areas requested have generally met the criteria for HKm working areas, leaving only their verification by a team and the regent's licensing. We've conducted pre-verification and the license takes a fairly long time to process, but when the principle permit is issued locals will have a legal basis to continue," Okbertho said. 
 
"It's most important to strengthen the community's institutional setup. CI Indonesia supports farmers' involvement in forest conservation, among others through community-based forest management like HKm development. For Sumbul, coffee cultivation is appropriate because of the district's majority of coffee growers," said Fazrin Rahmadani Sumatra program manager of CI Indonesia.
 
"At present Lake Toba's water flow rate is drastically declining so that power supply from the Lae Renun generating plant is limited. Forest conservation and land rehabilitation in the ecosystem of Lake Toba is thus very crucial," he said. 
 
Another opportunity is the Lae Renun power plant's program to provide Rp 5 in compensation per KWH for replanting. The greening effort can be undertaken through environment-oriented agriculture that preserves soil fertility to retain rainwater for erosion prevention.
 
"The villagers should rise up to build their own rural land," Fazrin added.

Australians still in love with Bali

Australia remains the biggest tourist market for Bali, with the country contributing almost 25% percent of total tourist arrivals to the island during January to September this year.
 
Overall, foreign tourist arrivals during that period reached 2.4 million increasing 13.3% over the same period in 2012.
 
More than 601,00 visitors to Bali arrived from Australia. Growth, however, was down by 1.1%.
 
Kade Subhiksu, head of the provincial tourism agency, said: "A slight increase or decrease in this (Australian) market will significantly affect Bali's entire market."
 
Ngurah Wijaya, chairman of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association, said that the success of tourism development should not always be measured by the number of arrivals.
 
Wijaya highlighted the importance of managing and developing special interest tourism targeting quality tourists.
 
Our tourist industry is still a mix between mass tourism and quality tourism. Indeed, we still need mass tourism, but we have to continuously improve the industry toward the quality market," he said.
 
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
 

Women takes hobby to new level

A souvenir bag of coffee from Seattle inspired an Osterdock woman to start a new hobby and that hobby has now grown into a full-fledged enterprise.
 
 Nine years ago, Barb Arthur's daughter, Ashley, returned from a trip to the Pacific Northwest with a bag of fair trade, organic coffee. Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks and has a strong coffee culture, so finding good beans for her mom was an easy task. Though she appreciated the gift, Barb wasn't sure she understood the hoopla surrounding artisanal blends of freshly roasted beans.
 
 "At the time, I wasn't into specialty coffees," she said. "I thought all coffee was pretty much the same. Boy, was I wrong."
 
Impressed from the first cup. Barb began researching the process of roasting coffee beans to see if it was something she could do on her own. She was surprised to learn that all she needed to start roasting was something found in most homes: a popcorn popper.
 
"I ordered some green coffee beans off the Internet, and just went from there," Barb continued. "I was so amazed at what I could do with just one pound of beans."
 
Barb continued roasting in her popcorn popper for several years.  The only change she made to her equipment was the addition of a thermometer to monitor the utensil's internal temperature, which is a critical component in roasting. The modification was easily accomplished thanks to the handyman skills of her husband, Gary.
 
Barb made the move to a larger-scale operation about four years ago when she had the chance to buy a used, commercial-sized roaster. She also moved her roasting operation from her basement to her front porch where she can more easily manipulate temperature and humidity levels.
 
"Here's the other thing about roasting in the basement," she said. "The odor came up through the vents leaving the entire house smelling like coffee. Most of the time, that's OK. But when you're trying to fall asleep, that smell is like consuming a powerful shot of coffee."
 
Roasting is not a time-consuming process. It takes about an hour from the time Barb prepares a batch to the time it's roasted and cooled. She does about 55 pounds every two weeks.
 
Research has always been an important part of Barb's endeavor. Early on she learned there are 30 different origins of beans. She sticks to nine origins, including Columbia, Brazil, El Salvador and Sumatra, a western Indonesia country. Each bean can be roasted at four different levels from light to dark, giving Barb a possible 36 different flavors.
 
Like wine, coffee has its own sipping notes. Some of the words used to describe a glass of wine are also used to relate the characteristics of a good cup of coffee. Barb talks about aroma, which can be anything from smoky to chocolatey to wine-like; body, which is described with words like light, smooth and creamy; and acidity or brightness, which Barb calls the most misunderstood characteristic of coffee.
 
 
Barb's Big Muddy Coffee is featured at Treats in Elkader and the Picket Fence Cafe in Guttenberg. She also sells it by the bag to coffee aficionados like herself.
 
"I could grow the business a bit and maybe take on another shop but I don't know if I want to do that right now," said Barb. "I really enjoy where the whole thing is at right now."
 
By Pam Reinig, Register Editor
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