Next on the list of edible evils, after partially hydrogenated oils, comes high fructose corn syrup. Our bodies process fructose differently from sucrose (table sugar) and although there’s no agreement on whether it is the high fructose corn syrup itself to blame or just our overconsumption of it, obesity rates began to climb right after its mass introduction. Interestingly, fructose does not appear to activate the hormones that turn off our appetites. And a few studies have shown that fructose consumption increases the level of circulating fats in the bloodstream. It can be difficult to avoid high fructose corn syrup; it’s in most sodas, “fruit” drinks, even yogurts and breads. As a general rule, eating fewer processed foods is the safe bet to make.

There must be some sort of puppet alignment of planets or other cosmic convergence going on. Crossing the radar Wednesday were the following items: Angel (of the TV show Angel) turning into a “wee little puppet man!” for an episode. Publicity for an upcoming episode of West Wing where Elmo, Big Bird, Zoe and Rosita will visit the White House and film a public-service announcement with the (TV-land) First Lady. And, to top it off, Disney’s buying the Muppets. Disney tried to close a deal with Jim Henson’s company in the 1990, however it fell apart shortly after Jim Henson’s death. German company EM.TV bought The Jim Henson Co. in 2000 and sold some characters (Big Bird, Oscar) to Sesame Street. The Henson family bought their company back last year. Now Disney is getting Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, and all their close pals.

When I’m at the library, I browse. Sometimes I’m looking for a specific book, but I always take time to browse. I find many lesser known gems. At the previous three public libraries I’ve used, the selection has been satisfying. Unfortunately, my current library system has opted to spread out the wealth. The county library system has a staggering number of branches. I never feel that one library’s selections is enough. Invariably when I search through the catalog for something I want, the books I seek are scattered about in various branches, with little overlap. I can request a book from any branch, of course, which is convenient. But I despair at the reduced quantity for browsing at any one branch. Selfishly, I’d rather have more of the books together in one place.
This article from the Twin Cities examines those books that are left to wait on the shelf, the “shelf sitters” and long forgotten best-sellers. The St. Paul library system has 6,425 mystery novels stored in the lower level of one branch — but it’s not open to the public! Oh, the misery! (via Romenesko)

Detailed oriented is perhaps an understatement for those putting the final touches on a Steinway Model D. The N.Y. Times’ penultimate chapter of their series on the construction of Steinway grand piano No. K0862 follows the almost completed instrument through its final days in the factory. There is the meticulous tone regulator who tweaks the hammers, planes the keybed, weights the keys, lacquers the hammers. Then there are numerous inspections both for sound and cosmetics. One of the keytops is completely replaced. An inspector hears a slight metallic noise and discovers a loose screw rolling about on the soundboard. Nicks are sanded out, the painted logo is fixed up. And at last K0862 is off to Steinway Hall for its first showing.

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the gigantic Seattle Home Show, the Seattle P.I. takes a look back at a few of the revolutionary items that were introduced there in 1939: a completely automatic bread toaster, effective laundry soaps that eliminate the need for boiling, and irons that hold water for steaming out wrinkles. Amongst the marvels of this year’s show are five model homes squeezed under the seats of the Seahawks Exhibition Center with plenty of room left over for 600 exhibitors in the center itself. And these aren’t little doll houses, one measures in at 2800 square feet.

There are no actual airplane parts at the Boeing surplus store, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other fascinating items to be found. Open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday the store is located in Kent, Washington. Although much of the offerings are office-related (desks, chairs, computers), they do sell surplus airplane making supplies like upholstery, carpet, and tools. And the article claims they have, in the past, sold the “chicken cannon,” “a 10-foot-long pneumatic gun used at a test site to fire dead chickens at aircraft wings to check their resilience to fowl collisions.” There’s a conversation piece to end all conversation.

I really want Jelly Belly to create pomegranate flavored jelly beans.

Pike Place Market holds its second annual BBQ & Chili Cookoff this Sunday. The chili portion of the event is a sanctioned Chili Appreciation Society International competition. Their official cookoffs culminate each November with the Terlingua International Chili Championship. Winning cooks at sanctioned competitions receive points towards an invitation to compete at the “grandaddy of all chili cookoffs.”

MIT students study chocolate like the good scientists and geeks that they are. In various yummy lectures and other meetings held during IAP (the winter independent activities period), students participated in chocolate tastings, learned about the science of chocolate, made edible sculptures, and had a Battle of the Brownies. These activities were held under the auspices of a new student organization, The MIT Laboratory for Chocolate Science, and caught the attention of the N.Y. Times.

Back in April 2002 I wrote about a Boston Globe article which researched the potential competition between the ubiquitous New England icon, Dunkin’ Donuts, and the prolific newcomer (in relative terms) Starbucks. The Globe predicted that although Dunkin’ Donuts did 40% of its business in coffee, it had nothing to worry about from Starbucks as each was seeking a different clientele. Dunkin’ Donuts is fast food; Starbucks is leisure and luxury. Not only that, the article mentioned that the strong Starbucks taste may be too much for New Englanders accustomed to a milder coffee. I capped off my summary with a skeptical statement: “Tastes can change.” (original post)

Two years later, the Wall Street Journal reports that Starbucks is achieving growth by opening stores in blue-collar communities and catering to typical Dunkin’ Donuts clientele. Starbucks Coffee is “an affordable luxury” and many in the lower income neighborhoods don’t hesitate to pay $4.00 for a grande Frappuccino. Concurrently, Dunkin’ Donuts is looking at a new line of Italian brews that are still fast and cheap. It’s espresso for the masses. Yup, you can now get cappuccinos and lattes in Dunkin’ Donuts. A shot is 99 cents (Starbucks rings in at $1.45) and they’ve invested in equipment and training to create the drinks quickly but with authentic flavor. Tastes change, indeed, and luxury always has a veneer of good taste.(via Obscure Store)