WCB Newsline Unleashed

Welcome to the Puppy raisers Part 2. In this chapter we zoom in with a tight focus on Marilee Richards, and her first guide dog Taryn. Her puppy raisers are Bailey McDermott, Rob McChrystal, and her friend Lisa Comstock. Viola Bentson recorded, produced, and made valuable contributions to the content of this episode. Marilee provided the following additional information. Bailey and Rob were Taryn’s puppy raisers. (The best ever)! We all maintain a close family bond. They live in Portland and hope to raise more dogs for Guide Dogs for the Blind in the future. Bailey is a Para Legal for Idaho, and Rob works for the Port of Portland. Taryn is their second guide dog. Their first dog (named Violin) is also discussed. Lisa Comstock from KOMO Television joins the conversation towards the end and is the one who takes Taryn and I on most of our adventures. She also takes pictures to keep Rob and Bailey up to date on our lives. As always, we love to hear your comments and suggestions and will pass them on to those involved. You may write to us at TheWCBNewsline@gmail.com, or simply use the contact form available at WCBInfo.com and choose Newsline. Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

**The Puppy Raisers Part 1 Raising Guide Dogs - an Act of Joy and Love** Hosted by Linda Wilder This is part one of an in depth two part look at the fascinating world of raising and training future Guide dogs, and how these life-long relationships contribute to the program they serve. For this episode the cast included: Marie Celeste Condon, Interviewer Howard Hirshman, Puppy Raiser Karen Hogle, Puppy Raiser Paul Hogle, Puppy Raiser Brian and Carol Gregory, Puppy Raisers This episode was recorded, edited, and produced by Viola Bentson and Reginald George. We know you will enjoy hearing the stories of how joyful, passionate and loving each Puppy Raiser is toward each puppy they raise and train, and often, that moment of meeting the future handler who will benefit from their hard work. The motto of Guide Dogs for the Blind is, “The Making of a Guide Dog; come for the puppies, revel in the people and the purpose.” We always appreciate hearing from our listeners. If you have feedback for us, or want more information, write to us at TheWCBNewsline@gmail.com Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Show Notes by Heather Meares I love strong women. I admire and respect their fiery spirits, stubborn grit, and determination. I learn from their experiences in education, travel, love, and loss, and how life events mold you into the person you become. I am one.   Let me say that it is not easy to carry the weight of expectations that come with being this type of person. You take risks to accomplish your goals, and your decisions are questioned by others who think they know what’s best for you. Quite often, your opinions differ from the rest of the group, but they somehow just have to jump out and find their way into the discussion anyway. People sometimes assume that you really have your act together and know exactly what you are doing because you are bold and confident in the decisions you make, or resolute in what you think and say.   Although these factors may be true, most of the time I don’t have a clue about what I am doing or where it will lead, but I know why I am choosing it in that moment.   Recently, I was lucky enough to interview not only one of the women I have heard about since I moved to Washington six years ago and hoped I would get the opportunity to meet someday, but also was able to reconnect with another of the most highly respected women I have worked with since I’ve been here. They just so happen to be mother and daughter, and it‘s been a rare treasure to learn from them both. I think they even learned some things from each other during our conversation, and that, in itself, was worth it all. So, let’s hear what Keiko, a blind parent, and Naomi Namekata, her sighted daughter, have to say. If you have comments, write to us at TheWCBNewsline@Gmail.com. Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Readers’ Choice Award 2022 Show notes by Heather Meares   Welcome to our 3rd Annual Virtual Readers’ Choice Award Gala! Join us as we read and discuss each of the four finalist articles from 2022.   Special thanks to Steve Pierce for being our reader and for all his editing expertise throughout the year, and to Viola Bentson, for hosting our Zoom event. In addition, as the editors, Reg and I would like to thank the entire Newsline and podcast committee by name: Beth Greenberg, Chris Coulter, Zack Hurtz, Marilee Richards, Linda Wilder, Viola Bentson, Lucash Uniack, and an honorable mention to Denise Colley, who will always be an honorary member of our committee, no matter where she lives. Each and every one of our committee members contributes their own part to the herculean effort that is the Newsline. We are honored to have such a hard-working and creative team, and appreciate you all.   This year’s nominees are as follows:   From the winter issue, “Too Hot to Handle” - by Frank Cuta   From the spring issue, “I Choose Joy” - by Hayley Agers   From the summer issue, “Who Gives a Hoot?” - by Heather Meares   From the fall issue, “Train Music” - by Chris Coulter   It has been another great year of writing, scribing, creating, and podcasting, and we are so pleased to be your editors. Here’s cheers to another great year ahead!   Heather Meares and Reginald George Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Join Dorene, Judy, Zandra, and Zack as they talk about the push in Washington State for accessible medication labels. They discuss the lack of equal access to the information on medication labels for those who speak another language or who are visually impaired or blind. They discuss what’s being done to address this issue and illustrate the flaws in the current system. AccessibleLabels@gmail.com That’s, Accessible Labels at Gmail dot com Episode Notes Notes go here Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Show Notes:         Join us as Zack sits down with Livu Babitz of Cyborg Nest to discuss the Sentero. Sentero is a piece of wearable tech that connects the user to the world via haptic feedback using vibrations to indicate direction and increase awareness of special orientation. The device also allows you to feel other users heart beats, find the direction of locations around the globe. Want to know what direction to face to find your childhood town? Use Sentero to serve as your guide. You can do the same thing for people, so when your loved one calls you or you’re thinking about them Sentero indicates where they are on Earth.         If you’d like to contact Liviu or Zack you’ll find their contact information below…         Liviu Babitz: Founder and CEO of Cyborg Nest liviu@cyborgnest.net         Cyborg Nest: https://www.cyborgnest.net/           Zackery Hurtz: Podcast producer Zackery.d.hurtz@gmail.com Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Show Notes by Reginald George "Glass-blowing for many may bring to mind a handsome, young dude somewhere in a Mediterranean country, wearing thick leather gloves and blowing into existence a beautiful flask through a long tube that he constantly keeps rotating. The brilliant orange object on the end of the tube is so hot it singes his eyebrows. At 2,100 degrees, the liquid in a glass-blowing kiln pours like Karo syrup but avoid putting it on your pancakes. It would incinerate your breakfast, and the pyrotechnics would probably burn through your cookware and table. Even so, the hazards are over-blown.  With safety gear, a little training, and the right tools, an average person can have a lot of fun and create impressive glass art.   I had previously heard about glass-blowing classes, and it was on my bucket list. Early in December, a window of opportunity opened, and I got a chance to give it a try. I confirmed that a blind person can leap through such a window, and 30 minutes later walked away, proud to have fashioned a unique glass object.   We were in Lincoln City, OR, and visited a business called the Lincoln City Glass Center. Such facilities are a common tourist attraction on the Oregon Coast. The glass-blowing experience generally includes two principal production-approach choices, and then several additional choices of specific, possible formed objects. The production choices are to expand a blob of molten glass with air pressure, or to sculpt a glass form from a small piece of semi-solid glass, adding colors and shaping it with tools." ...   my ability to take part in the Lincoln City class was never questioned. In fact, they just assumed that I would be able to complete the required tasks.  Later, I learned that one of the teachers has a visually-impaired son, and this might have had something to do with it. All I know for sure is that I had no trouble and a wonderfully memorable experience."  So begins Frank's article for the 50th anniversary Winter issue of our WCB Newsline. We walked in without an appointment, and were welcomed like friends. We wish to thank Daniel Hogan and Molly Whipple of the Glass Center of Lincoln City for making us feel so at home, taking time to describe everything in the gallery and showing us many prize objects, and answering all of our questions. Should you be interested in subscribing or have any questions or comments, please write to us at TheWCBNewsline at GMail. Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

https://pnc.st/s/wcb-newsline-unleashed/3246c4d5/2021-readers-choice-award-celebration-and-readings

Newsline Committee Part Two: Biscuits and Gravy Welcome back! If you enjoyed the first half of our Newsline Committee podcast,which I will refer to as the biscuits, hang  on to your hats and buckle  yourr bootstraps, because it’s about to get real. In part two, we take a deep dive into the gravy and open up with candid conversations, covering everything from our favorite ice cream flavors, employment, education, life philosophies, and what makes us who we are. We learned interesting things about each of our members, and discoverd our similar struggles while appreciating our unique differences. We laughed a lot and cried a little, and grew closer as a team. Some of these members will be leaving us, and new ones will join, as always happens, but this will be an experience we all remember with smiles in our hearts. Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co

Getting to Know Your Newsline Committee In this episode we sit down with the Newsline Committee. They're responsible for creating the quarterly issue of the publication, and producing this podcast. This is a two part episode, and in the second part we get to know the members on a much more personal level. The first episode goes over the beginnings of the WCB Newsline, how we operate, and the 50 year history behind it. If you're interested in working with us, this will get you started. From the editors: If you like what you hear and want to introduce your WCB committee to the world, reach out to us. Visit us at https://www.wcbinfo.com/publications Email your questions and feedback to The WCB Newsline at Gmail. This address has been masked to prevent spamming. Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co

Please note that not all the audio is as clear as we would prefer in this podcast, but the content makes it extremely worth your time and attention. This is a phone interview that took place recently between Heather Meares and Mark Adreon for her Cheshire Cat column. Cheshire Cat Interviews #13 A Tapestry of the Happy Warrior by Heather Meares hdmeares@gmail.com Mark Adreon. Those are two very powerful words. It is impossible for me to describe him in simple terms, for indeed, he is not a simple man. Some words come to mind: honest and truthful, a fierce advocate, a legacy. These are all very strong words, and for good reason. Anyone who knows him would have to agree that he has earned each one of these descriptions. But there is a softer, gentler side to Mark that people may not be aware of, and I was honored to talk with him and hear more about the complex, beautiful tapestry that is Mark Adreon, the Happy Warrior. This interview was so in-depth that I would never be able to cover all of the fascinating topics we discussed, so we have created a podcast episode to share the interview in its entirety with you all. This release is quite timely, in that Mark just retired from his 20-year career with the Washington Department of Services for the Blind (DSB). But by no means does this mean he is done. We will all be interested to see what he decides to focus his energy and efforts on in his next chapter. For more, read the summer 2021 WCB Newsline. Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co

Valdemar Estates Winery: Part One That All May Eat, Drink, and Be Merry Show notes by Heather Meares hdmeares@gmail.com     Almost 2 years ago, I received an email from Valdemar Estates Winery, in Walla Walla, Washington, asking if I would be willing to consult with them and discuss ways they could become more inclusive and accessible for people with all types of disabilities. Yes, yes, and yes!  This, of course, got my adrenaline pumping and my mind was flooded with potential ideas. Full of excitement, I met with them for the first time to hear their story. Little did I know this would be the beginning of an incredible journey.   I sat down with David Brauhn, Marketing Director, and Kaleigh Brook, General Manager, and we talked about so many things, like menus that could be red in Braille or digitally, and QR codes that could be scanned with smart phones to hear tasting notes about specific wines or special features in the winery. Website accessibility, audio described videos, and how people with visual impairments could best navigate the facility, were all big topics. Soon after this meeting, we brought in Reg George to help with website testing and other technical aspects. But what I really wanted to know was why they reached out to me in the first place. In my experience, many businesses only do this as an after-thought, when someone has complained or legal action is being pursued. I was pleasantly surprised, and dare I say overjoyed, to find that this is a huge project they are choosing to take on… wait for it…because it is important to them. And it actually started in Spain, at Bodegas Valdemar five generations ago.     Here are some excerpts from their website to explain: “Valdemar Estates is the first internationally owned winery to open in Washington State. It is one of the few wineries in the U.S. that has a full restaurant, as well as a tasting room. Valdemar Estates is owned by the Martínez Bujanda family, which operates the Bodegas Valdemar winery in Rioja, Spain. In 2018, Bodegas Valdemar became the first winery in Europe to offer a 100-percent inclusive wine tourism experience, an initiative that has earned numerous awards. Valdemar Estates is working to become the first winery in the United States to offer a 100-percent inclusive and accessible experience for all guests. Our Walla Walla, Wash., winery, tasting room, and restaurant has implemented extensive measures to ensure that guests – regardless of ability – are able to enjoy the facility. These efforts include:   Use of QR codes throughout the building, which link to web pages that relate information via American Sign Language, dictation, and text.   Fully inclusive tours.   Website and printed material set in a hyper-legible font designed for those with low vision.   Wine tasting notes that use icons and easy-to-understand descriptions of flavors and aromas.   Braille wine and food menus.   Availability of Braille labelling for wine bottles.   Shatterproof wine glasses hands-free holders.   Wheelchair availability.   Staff member training for serving guests of all ability levels.”     As you can see, most of the original concepts we discussed at that very first meeting have been implemented. The project will be ongoing, as the work is never really done, according to David. There are more exciting plans for the future, including blending classes and tours, which we hope to capture in more podcast episodes.  This episode is a gathering to taste some delicious wine, Spanish tapas, indulge ourselves with Basque cheesecake, and have an open conversation to   test new features and give feedback. We also explored their fantastic water feature on the veranda. At the table, you will hear Kaleigh Brook, David Brauhn, Heather Meares, Cindy Maywalt, and Reg George. As for myself, it has been an experience I never would have guessed I would have. I have enjoyed every moment thus far, and will continue working with them as long as needed. And maybe, someday, I will make it to Spain to check out Bodegas Valdemar…a girl can dream, right?   To learn more about Valdemar Estates Winery, visit the website at   https://valdemarestates.com/ Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes WCB Unleashed brings you another exciting show. From Frank Cuta: One of my favorite Snap Circuits projects is the SC-12 FM radio. If you like the tech look, the resulting radio looks like something that was built in a research lab, and it is totally accessible. You can find it on Amazon for $40, and you can assemble it in as little as a half an hour with the recorded audible instructions that I can send you. For more information, write to me at frank@cuta.net. From Reginald George: I took Frank up on his challenge to build this radio, and though it took me over an hour, instead of the promised half hour, the podcast you see here is the result. It was a lot of fun. Frank's recorded instructions guide me through the steps and keep things lively as I fumble my way through. By the time it was over I felt like I had been speaking to and arguing with an imaginary friend. Any mistakes I made were strictly my own. Maybe this can inspire you or your child to delve into electronics and try something similar. No tools required! Even a child can do it, and they will probably do it much more quickly than I did. So please enjoy my unboxing and journey through this kit, and keep listening to see if I actually succeed. A big thanks as always goes out to the American council of the Blind, , our producer Zack Hurtz, and all those who provided  legal music for this podcast. You may write to us at TheWCBNewsline@Gmail.com. Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

WCB Newsline Unleashed Presents: FrankCuta's Virtual Escape Room Simulation This is an audio simulation of an escape room. The purpose is to give a blind person an understanding of the basic escape room structure, and the associated problem solving experience. Our team consisted of a small group of WCB members who participated in a conference call. They will remain unnamed because the point was to escape! Your challenge is to figure it out before we do. In downtown Richland Washington, and many other cities around the world, you can pay to enter a real escape room. You are locked in with the members of your team and faced with the challenge of working through several mutually interdependent puzzles in order to "break out." The exercise is designed to force the team to work together. Many companies use this kind of service as a team building resource. In the physical example above, or even in a computer simulation of an escape room, the team members are forced to split up and break the problem into pieces, or they run out of time. In my simple simulation, splitting up is not possible. The group needs to stick together and solve the puzzles one at a time. However, the problem interdependence is still there, and solutions to one puzzle will be needed to make progress on other puzzles. The ideas for this simulation are all my own. Although I have incorporated structural ideas from many other sources. Note: The theme of this particular escape room is cars and science fiction, but its OK. Don't let that scare you away. If you do not know anything about these subjects, we will still let you out before you run out of air. Frank Cuta If you enjoyed this episode, write and tell us about it. TheWCBNewsline at Gmail.com Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Contact information for Barb Chamberlain, Director of the Active Transportation Division of WSDOT: ChambBa@wsdot.wa.gov; Twitter: . Larry Watkinson, Deputy Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity: larry.watkinson@wsdot.wa.gov; Twitter: . Resources: For information about open houses for the active transportation plan: http://bit.ly/WSDOT-ATP-Online-Open-House   For Manual on Uniform Transportation Control Devices (MUTCD): comments on NPRM due by March 15, 2021. information on MUTCD: https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/res-notices.htm   To contact the WCB Governmental Affairs committee: Sheri Richardson, Chair, sherir938@gmail.com. Episode Notes Notes go here Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Matt Santelli of "Pierce County Aging and disability Resource Center" talks Medicare with Pierce County Association of the Blind. https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/1986/Aging-and-Disability-Resources Email: adrc@piercecountywa.gov  This content is provided by President Elect David Edick, and sponsored by PCAB and WCB Newsline. Pierce County Association of the Blind Tacoma, Pierce Co. **President Cathy Wilson                        ** (253) 255-6747 c.wilson615@yahoo.com Meets third Saturday each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: TACID, 6315 S 19th St, Tacoma Website: http://pcabinfo.org Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co

Learning to Fly by Awesome Possum Not long ago on a warm summer day, I found myself standing on a platform high in the air, tied to a tree. I was visiting the beautiful Mountain Springs Lodge, about 20 miles north of Leavenworth, WA, in search of a new experience. My ziplining adventure was just beginning. As my guide Becca told me “you got this” for about the 15th time that day and I stepped into space from 70 feet in the air, I paused to consider how I got myself into this position. I can’t even see. Wouldn’t it have been easier, safer, and just as much fun to go stand in front of a giant fan and pretend? But then I would have missed the birds, the shouts of happy people walking the plank, and that allusive feeling of soaring up to 190 feet over the Beaver Creek valley as I channeled my inner possumness. I wanted to fly because it’s considered safe for people of all ages, between 70 and 270 pounds, who do not have neck or back injuries, and are not pregnant. Most importantly, it just sounded fun. Before I went, I was very concerned about having control of my speed and being able to stop myself. Once I gave up any idea of control, it was much easier to relax and enjoy the flight. We met our driver at the gate and rolled out to the trailhead on a Polaris Ranger UTV, where we met our guides. Once there, each of us in our group of eight had to step on a device similar to a scale to choose our helmets. It made me think of the sorting hat from Harry Potter. Keeping the mystery alive, they refused to say anything about how it actually worked. That is how I became the Awesome Possum. Returning to human form appears to be much more difficult. Others in my group included Sparkles, Cupcake, Bugs, Tinker Bell, Skywalker, Captain Time Travel, and Princess. Our guides were Tad and Pikachu. Once this was done, we stepped into our harnesses. These must have been similar to parachute harnesses. They allow you to fly in a sitting position and have straps that go around your waste, chest, thighs, and shoulders. When not traveling through the air, your line was always clipped to a tree. Nothing was left to chance. The guides were in control of everyone at all times. They communicated by radio. It was all designed to take your mind off the process and focus on the fun. My tour consisted of five ziplines. The longest one is about a quarter mile and takes about 45 seconds to complete. They also offer a nine-line tour, but the five-line tour contains the longest line and is a better value, in my opinion. The entire process took about 2 hours. First, those who had never done it before were allowed time to try a 15-foot practice line close to ground level. When I asked, I was told that I was the only blind individual they had served in the 5 years of this facility. They did not single me out in any way or make me feel differently than anyone else. Obviously, canes and dogs stay on the ground, but you could bring your phones and smaller items. So how does it feel? It feels wonderful! I would do it again. Walking the plank happened when our guides asked us to yell as we stepped off the platform. By comparison, parasailing allows you to stay in the air longer. Once you get past the nervousness of stepping into space, ziplining is exhilarating, safe, and fun. It’s thrilling to soar for almost a minute until the guide stops you and you lower your feet onto the tree platform, feeling the wind in your face, knowing we are all there because nature can be just as adventurous as any rollercoaster or amusement park. It certainly builds confidence. I was told that a 92-year-old lady had done the five-line course and loved it. In my research, I learned about many ziplines across Washington. Amboy, Bellevue, Camano Island, Eatonville, Everett, Leavenworth, Liberty Lake, Silver Lake, Stevenson, and Woodinville all have options. Some are integrated with challenge courses like rope climbing, repelling, staircases, and suspension bridges. Once you choose your style of zipline, it is easy to find videos on YouTube. It’s a great experience for family reunions or team-building activities. I recorded this fantastic journey from start to finish, and you can listen to this edited Binaural 1-hour recording. Headphones are recommended for maximum enjoyment. Bottom line: I am thrilled to be able to recommend Leavenworth Ziplines as it was an adventure I won’t soon forget. https://www.leavenworthziplines.com/ Email: ziplines@mtsprings.com, Phone: 800.858.2276 Episode Notes Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co

Listen to this short episode to experience a high-fidelity binaural demonstration of this best in class Keurig coffeemaker: My original review from the summer 2020 WCB Newsline appears below. Listen to experience a high-fidelity stereo demonstration of this best in class Keurig coffeemaker. Purchasing information may be found at the following link: https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/keurig-reg-k-duo-plus-trade-coffee-maker-with-single-serve-k-cup-pod-amp-carafe-brewer/5368248?skuId=68287245&mcid=OS_googlepla Coffee Magic at a Price by Reginald George Let’s start with this little-known fact: Seattle is the official coffee capitol of the universe. Everett and Vancouver are right behind. In case you doubt, Wikipedia says “Seattle is regarded as a world center for coffee roasting and coffee supply-chain management. People in Seattle consume more coffee than in any other American city, one study stated.” So how far are you willing to go for a good cup of Joe that is easy to make and pour? For myself, I’m finding it’s pretty far. The $15 coffeemakers out there are not cutting it anymore for my exacting requirements. My Keurig is eight years old and, besides, it’s sadly stuck waiting for me at my office. I needed something at home to help me stay alert while working. I had spent about six months obsessing over finding just the right coffeemaker, when one day my co-editor, Heather, walked into a Bed Bath and Beyond in Walla Walla and walked out with what must be one of the most stand-alone, accessible, blind-friendly units available. It’s not perfect, but it’s close. I have always been a fan of one device to rule them all. My iPhone reads me my books, takes me on walks, wakes me up and puts me to sleep, and if I could get it to make coffee, I would. I was originally fascinated by what are called grind and brew coffeemakers. What I really wanted was a machine that would sing sweetly to me in the morning; accept whole beans, ground coffee and K-cups of any brand; give me hot water on demand for a cup of soup, tea, mulled wine, or cider; make a pot or cup of the size I specify; and do it all automatically. I don’t ask for much, do I? The Keurig K-Duo Plus is an incredibly well-designed, compact machine for around $220 before discounts, which, with the exception of singing and grinding whole beans, checks all those boxes for me. There is a version of this coffeemaker called the Keurig K-Duo Essential at Walmart for around $100, but it lacks many of the best features. More on that later. The Keurig K-Duo Plus comes with a removable 60-oz. reservoir, or tank, that is supposed to make a 12-cup coffeepot. If you believe, as they do, that a cup holds five ounces, you might even buy this ridiculous claim. The big, round, insulated, stainless-steel pot that comes with the machine is easy to pour from, and it keeps the coffee hot for up to two hours without burning it. This replaces the typical heating plate underneath your coffee, which tends to make it too hot and causes bitterness over time. Life can be bitter enough without bad coffee. The water reservoir has the unique ability to be rotated on a platform to either side of the machine or behind it. This lets you adapt the Duo Plus to your environment, and it should fit nicely under most cabinets. The K-Duo Plus takes standard paper filters, and comes with a reusable gold filter and a long, disposable charcoal filter that slips into the tank to keep the water tasting sweet and pure. This also keeps minerals out of the machine and will extend its life, so it’s a good idea to change this every three months or so. The main controls are individual push-buttons that circle around the brew button in the center with a large raised letter K on it. Starting at the bottom of the dial between five and seven o'clock, you have two buttons that specify either carafe or cup. Then, moving clockwise around the dial are the buttons for choosing your sizes, which are 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz. or cups, depending on if you are making one cup with a pod, or brewing a pot of coffee. The differences with the less-expensive Walmart version include: • Only three sizes: 8, 10 and 12. • Not programmable. • You can’t move the tank, as it’s in a fixed position behind the machine. • No button for a stronger brew. • It comes with a glass carafe that must be heated on the plate underneath. Still, if this meets your needs, it's well worth the price. There is much more I could say about these models. One downside is that there is no beep or signal built in, so singing is out of the question. However, if you are listening, you can hear when the machine turns on and when the coffee has finished brewing. A beep would have been helpful to know if it’s low on water or if some error has occurred. But as long as you follow the steps in order, you will have excellent results. My old Keurig stayed on all the time to keep the water hot, so coffee was ready very quickly. To save energy, this machine automatically powers down after five minutes, so it takes a little longer to boil the water, but you don’t have to wait to start the process. You can put in your pod, hit the power, choose your size, press the strong button if desired, then press brew and walk away. In a few minutes, you come back to a perfect cup or pot of coffee. You can also operate the machine with no pod and have just straight hot water. When you first plug it in, you are asked to set the time and, of course, this isn’t very accessible. It can be done if you know you are starting at midnight, and count the taps to the correct time. The timer remembers the last time it was set, and this makes it difficult to set without sight, but this feature was not important to me. If anyone has any thoughts on the best grinder to go with this, or anything coffee-related, you can write to TheWCBNewsline at GMail, and we can all enjoy your comments together, over the hot beverage of our choice, in the next issue. Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co

Welcome to the WCB Newsline Unleashed Podcast! This podcast will consist of an occasional series of Interviews, Audio, Tech Reviews, and Adventures based in Blindness and Low Vision Experiences supporting the mission of Washington Council of the Blind Find out more at https://wcb-newsline-unleashed.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.