————————————

The America’s Cup is happening right now. Jammed in between the Super Bowl and Olympics, chances are good that you are missing it. The lack of any mainstream media coverage doesn’t help. Check out this site for some of the timeliest on-the-water action and shoreside drama information. And if you haven’t been following the Cup over the past year or so, check out these short videos. Times have changed.

That was then (1983 to be exact):

THIS IS NOW!

For more things to do in Newport this Holiday Season, be sure to check out Christmas In Newport for all events that are part of the annual Christmas in Newport celebration.

Get a taste of the seal watch experience by watching a video with Capt. Eric Pfirrmann and Save The Bay Educator Amy Wright. This outstanding video was produced by Chris Simmons.

We will keep it simple by focusing on a specific type of brew that is made by combining espresso and hot water – the Café Americano. Thought to have originated during WWII and named after American G.I.s fighting in Italy, the Americano was the soldier’s solution to finding a less concentrated cup of coffee in an Italian café. Today, the Americano is a popular espresso drink that provides an exceptional alternative to regular drip coffee.

The Americano is created by adding hot water to a single or double-shot of espresso. Not to be confused with a long black or café lungo, which is a drink made by allowing more water than usual to pass through the grounds, the Americano allows the customer to tailor the strength of the drink based on the number of shots of espresso and the amount of water added (typically 2 shots:8oz of water). This results in a smoother and often richer coffee than its bitter counterparts.

The key component to the Americano is espresso. Lucky for you, the Coffee Grinder’s premium Italian espresso makes our Americano’s some of the best around. Dare we say the best in the country? Yeah, it’s pretty darn good.

So the next time you visit the Coffee Grinder, or your local café for that matter, change up your routine and give the Americano a try. You may never go back.

For Fall 2009, we look no further than Bannister’s Wharf. Here you will discover two world renown local artists with a nautical bent, painter Anthony Gill of Art on the Wharf and photographer Onne van der Wal of the Onne van der Wal Gallery.

Anthony Gill is a British expat with a passion for the water and painting. Anthony is a “Fauvist” or “Colourist” where the most important element of his work is not the style or subject matter but the pure color. His work is most often described as “vivid” or “striking,” and having viewed his gallery for years we couldn’t agree more. See for yourself at Art on the Wharf, which also serves as Anthony’s art studio.

Onne van der Wal is a preeminent nautical, sailing and yacht photographer. Another import, Onne was born in Holland and came to Newport by way of South Africa. Onne’s photography is ridiculously stunning from every aspect, and if you have ever been to Newport then chances are you have found yourself staring at one of his masterpieces. If you are still planning your first visit to Newport, then be sure to visit the Onne van der Wal Gallery while you are here.

Artwork/Images reprinted with permission.

So check out her story, and the next time you find yourself at the Coffee Grinder you can pretend you see Ida Lewis rowing away in her wooden boat as she readies herself for another day of work. We’re pretty sure she’d be sipping espresso.

Not a bad view from the top of the Coffee Grinder!