Welcome to Food for Thought’s Generation 4 version. In some ways it’s quite similar to the Food for Thought versions 3, 2 and 1.
It remains an uplifting, interactive “We” site; a reader-centered media hybrid. It’s part newspaper, part magazine, part newsletter, part blog, part discussion forum and part bulletin board.
Most of all, it’s still a warm and friendly gathering place for curious, bright, civilized, open-minded, interested and interesting people from around the world, but mainly here in the California north state.
Generation 4’s changes are for the better (we hope). Starting at the top, the navigation bar is different. We dropped some tabs, such as press releases (you’ll now find them on the side bar). We added others, such as those that highlight events, food, bloggers and Village Voices sections.
“About Us” remains one of my favorite new upcoming tabs. It replaces “About Doni,” which makes me happy since I’ve said from the start that this wonderful e-village is more about “we” than me. Son Joseph in the Czech Republic is almost ready to post this feature. When he’s done, you’ll see the names, photos and bios of the dozens of talented people who’ve contributed their talents to Food for Thought since its inception five months ago.
The Bloggers section is another exciting work in progress. When it’s finished you’ll find a diverse collection of smart, funny, edgey and thought-provoking bloggers, all “friends of Doni.”
Today we roll out some really big changes, such as the awesome (not a word I use lightly) new events section that includes a super-duper calendar and even a pretty cool movies section, with film clips. Your new calendar is alive with myriad information and links that will leave you wondering how you ever made plans without it. I bow down before Jim Gore, my friend and computer genius, for creating this incredible calendar. I’ll never understand exactly how he did it. I just know we’re very fortunate that he did.
Allow me to pause here to apologize to Darcie Gore, my friend and Jim’s wife, who hasn’t seen Jim for a few weeks as he’s been buried under this remodel project. The same apology goes to Marie Domke, my son’s wonderful wife, who’s put up with Joe’s looming deadlines on the other side of the planet.
Where was I? Oh yes, you now have a designated Village Voices section, so all the terrific Q&A Experts and Guest Speakers are appropriately honored and archived in one place. And what a wide range of topics they cover: dog training, sewing, real estate, decorating, politics, dentistry, economics, wine, fitness, vision therapy, health, humor, money, law and more.
This major remodel includes little changes, such as how we’ve implemented a reader’s request for an archive of Quote of the Day (one of our most popular features).
Finally, we come to food. Thank goodness.
As always, Wednesday is food day here at Food for Thought. How fitting to unveil this new site remodel with our expanded food section, since so many Food for Thought readers are such dedicated foodies.
Besides, without food, we die. Need I say more?
Food for Thought already features my weekly food stories and profiles, and those by the ever-classy and creative Andrea Charroin, who so eloquently expresses the ease and elation of cooking each week, that she’s already developed a loyal following of readers. And we have Chris Corbett’s clever columns each month where he gently takes the mystery out of the potentially intimidated subject of wine.
Today, Andrea, Chris and I are joined by two new voices in your food section:
First, meet Fred de Picciotto. He’s a dedicated physician. He’s a brilliant medical software developer. He’s a devoted father, husband and friend. But after you read Fred’s story about fava beans I think you’ll agree his keen intellect allows him to skillfully weave food, cooking, horticulture and history into a gem of a captivating story.
Second I bring you FFT’s first “mixologist” – Justin Byxbe from Market St. Steakhouse & Cocktail Lounge. I’m particularly interested in this new column, because I’m woefully ignorant about mixing drinks, but I’d like to know more. Justin is the perfect guy for this job.
Justin grew up in Redding, then worked his way through college as a bartender where he acquired his vast knowledge about all things related to spirits. He keeps up with trends in the mixology business, and now he’ll share what he knows with us.
In the next few weeks the food section will welcome yet more new voices, including a surprise addition, one of Shasta County’s most respected and renowned meat experts. (You’ll have to wait and see.)
That’s it, unless I’ve forgotten something.
Welcome to the new site. Enjoy it. It’s yours.
I think it’s gonna be good!
