Articles written by Rich Harrington

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About me - Rich Harrington

Hmmm, writing a writers bio. This is a difficult subject becasue I'm a little too broad a subject to fit on a few paragraphs. I'm an antiques dealer, chef, computer guy as well as a husband to a wonderful and forgiving woman and stepdad to college age boys.

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Computers & Technology > Telephones (Other) Do cell phones keep us more connected or more isolated?: 3 of 50
In the touch of a few buttons, I can contact my wife on the train coming home, my son walking down a street at his college, a niece who might be anywhere in the world. I can just say hi or I can relay happy or sad news. I can make sure my Mom and Dad are safe and they can check in with me about some great place they get to vi... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms Should girls be allowed in the Boy Scouts?: 2 of 25
Girls are allowed into the upper levels of the Boy Scouts of America program known as Venturing already. I've been involved with Boy Scouting for 10 years as a leader and feel that at the Boy Scout Troop level, girls would be an unnecessary and difficult addition. Venturing allows boys and girls above the age of 14 to join. T... More..
Hobbies & Games > Antiques & Collecting (Other) Tips for buying at an auction: 1 of 11
A friend of yours tells you they bought this fabulous chair at auction for a steal. Another friend was at an estate auction and bought his wife a diamond ring for next to nothing. You imagine this is a bargain hunter's dream. But where to start?The key to any auction is to know that Knowledge is Power. To be successful at buy... More..
Food & Drink > Dining Etiquette The importance of tipping your pizza delivery driver: 2 of 12
Tipping the pizza delivery driver is to me a critical part of developing your personal view of the world. I tip. I try to tip well. Why? The person who drives my pizza over and walks up is working for little money, can be doing a dangerous job, and trying to keep a smile on. And he has my dinner in his hand. Here are my crite... More..
Food & Drink > Restaurant Reviews Are the most expensive restaurants in the world worth their price tags?: 2 of 12
Roger Ebert, the noted film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times, once wrote that within the different genres of movies, there are good and bad movies. Restaurants have that same trait. When I go to a diner I do not expect top service and exquisite food, but I know what I expect. The most expensive restaurants should be the epitom... More..
Food & Drink > Cooking with Spices & Herbs Using capers in your cooking: 1 of 5
Capers are a staple item in my kitchen because I love to add that briny, slightly spicy little bud to lots of recipes. Use capers as a substitute for a zing or to add a slightly mustardy taste to a dish or just to zing up a boring item. Capers are harvested in the Mediterranean region and show up in French, Italian, or Middle... More..
Hobbies & Games > Role Playing & War Games Are high costs preventing younger players from trying Dungeons and Dragons?: 4 of 19
Playing Dungeons and Dragons now is no different than it was 30 years ago, when I started playing. What you need is a set of dice and an imagination. Yes, someone in the group should have a set of manuals, but a lot of that can be found from friends, on-line or at the library. A set of dice can be bought for a few dollars. I ... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Wedding Planning Tips when looking for a wedding photographer: 3 of 14
It is the most important day of your life. The beginning of a new life together and you have gathered your friends from far and wide to join you at this important event. Even if the cake wasn't perfect or the ring bearer dropped his pillow, you will still have your memories and the photos for years to come.The photos are one ... More..
Food & Drink > Cooking (Other) What is " puttanesca " ?: 2 of 6
When I was in Cooking School and as part of our Sauces class, Our chef-instructor had worked in Italy for a number of years and wanted to show us a couple of sauces she had learned. One of these was "alla puttanesca". From the back of the room, a Hispanic woman said "that's a dirty word...". The word puttanesca means prostitu... More..
Food & Drink > Baking Baking a cake over a campfire: 1 of 3
Open fire cooking is a return to the origins of cooking where flame and food meet are able to combine to create masterpieces. The joy of cooking over an open fire is to understand how tough the pioneers and the early settlers had it. Cooking over an open fire is work, but there are rewards. Like cake.We tend to think of open ... More..