One man, aided and abetted by the archaic fear of being less than, chooses to rule uber allesespecially those darker, smarter, faster, more this or that. He starts a world war & almost wins. Peace seems to reign. Hope for equality, liberty, safety…

from Root Smoke

I was awakened by the rain sweetening the air clearing the heaviness of might have, should have, could have. It made me feel lighter like five, ten years ago when, despite the heavy workload every …

Sitting on the balcony of thiscentury-old apartmentstraining to view today’s sunsetall those pink and goldbrushstrokes hovering just beyondthe visual cacophonyof city lights, oh, wh…

Sarah Angstadt: “Counterproductive Side Effects” Luis Cuauhtemoc Berriozabal: “Hearing Aid” Sue Blaustein: “Serving Orders at Brother’s Foods” John Brantin…

NEWS ITEM: Westside Pavilion to beUCLA Biomedical Research CenterForget about that shopping mall’srenovation, what matters, really,is what happens across the streetto LA’s The Apple Panwith its mos…

it should     singe     leave an edge blackened  by fire   not destroyed not all    ash    its  beautiful, in...

Enhance sales with the gift of knowledge! Share tea blending tips with your customers to empower them and encourage tea sales.

Get ready for ICED TEA SEASON! Check out these great tips to make hay while the sun shines!

That promise, made under the broiling heat of anger at all those incalculable losses, repeated like the mourner’s kaddish over decades (eight to be exact) … that promise has not been fulfilled. For, here we are, fighting those so fearf

Maximize your matcha sales this March with our matcha sales primer.

Whether you’re a veteran retailer or a newbie, a checklist is the best blueprint for developing the best holiday plans, ever. This is an overview, totally flexible for additions or deletions to suit your needs. Do remember that the best service you…

Nothing is as elegant as a finely crafted Yixing teapot, and few pots brew tea better. They’re an investment in beauty and utility, and with proper care, provide endless pleasure in tea drinking, possibly for generations. To ensure the longevity of…

You’ve selected the merchandise, stocked up on the teas, have long-time favorites and new tea gift ideas ready to sell. Now is the time to place selected samples strategically in your shop windows to start the conversation going and get customers to…

Taiwan’s tea may have originated with its own species, Camellia formosensis, many centuries ago; historians cannot agree. What we do know is that the Chinese varietal, Camellia sinensis, was brought from the famous Wuyi Mountain region of Fujian…

Just like the comedy improv performances you may have seen in person or on television- improv(izational) skills are vital techniques to create great relationships in the retail sector. Improv classes foster better communication, quicker responses,…