Wow, ask and you shall receive. 

In late 2008 Ron Kyle (producer of coffee roasting drums) passed away suddenly.  The  homeroasting community mourned the loss of a good guy and a good business. 

In my Christmas 2008 wishlist, I wished that Ron Kyle's legacy be continued and that someone reopen RK Drums.

Well, it appears Ron's friend Shane has reopened the business, offering many of Ron's drum and motor products as well as promises to deliver some new ones - like a large cooler.

In the market for a larger homeroasting solution?  Check out RK Drums.

Who says that non-organic, non-fair trade coffee hasn't made the world a better place? 

According to the Herald Tribune in Sarasota, FL, a 51 year old man used his coffee from the local Circle-K convenience store to stop would-be robbbers with guns.

"One suspect had a pistol, and had pulled back the hammer, when the victim threw his hot coffee on the two men. The robbers fled without firing a shot. No money was taken, and the victim was not injured, the report said."

Chalk this one up to the list of uses for bad coffee.

A high school in Roswell, Georgia has launched a program - Roswell Roast and Toast - to get special education students involved in a job training program in a cafe environment.  The kids are preparing coffee drinks and delivering them to teachers. 

No word on what coffee their serving and equipment they're training on, but the idea of providing special education students with this kind of training is great to see.

Just found out that the folks at Higher Ground Roasters in Traverse City, MI are donating a percentage of sales from their TC 350 blend to a Michigan-based organization (350.org) that's geared to reducing carbon emissions.  No mention of the percentage donated. 

Apparently, from the site:

"350 parts per million is the “red line” for our atmosphere’s carbon dioxide content, and we must get back to that number quickly to ensure a healthy future for our planet."