AlfaMag Newsletter - May 2008

The Current

The official newsletter of AlfaMag Electronics, LLC.
The fun newsletter to read..!!!

Highlights
"SW Series Deadline Update and Available Rep Areas"
"Brain Teasers"
"Bits & Pieces"
"Rick's Favorite Recipe of the Month"

SW Series Deadline Update

The deadline for changing over from the SW Series to the SH Series has been moved out to June 1, 2008. Please let us know if you have any questions about this change.

If you have any questions, please give us a call today at 1-800-413-6693, or email us at support@alfamag.com

Specification sheets for all the new SH Series inductors can be viewed and downloaded on our website under the Product Index at www.alfamag.com.

AlfaMag Electronics is seeking experienced sales representation.

We're looking for some new sales reps in the following locations:

* Southwestern Area - TX, OK, LA, AR
* Pacific Northwest Area - WA, OR
* New England Area - ME, CT, MA, NH, RI
* South America
* China

New reps receive a 10% commission on all new accounts opened by the rep firm for the first 12 months as an incentive. If you're a with a sales rep firm or if you know of a sales rep firm that may be interested in carrying our line of components and power supplies, please give me a call.

Rick Eissinger
Sales Manager
1-800-413-6693
rick@alfamag.com


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Brain Teasers
Polly Perkins was after a talking parrot, so she went to the local pet shop in the hope of securing such a find. She was in luck. The shop assistant assured her that the parrot would learn and repeat any word or phrase it heard. Polly was delighted. However, a week later, the parrot still hadn't spoken a word. Polly returned to the shop to complain, however, it appeared that the assistant was accurate in what he ad said, and refused a refund. Why didn't the parrot talk?

--------------------------

Using the BrainTeaser grid below, how many words can you find? Each word must contain the central "I" and no letter can be used twice in a word, however, the letters do not have to be connected. Proper nouns are not allowed, however, plurals are. There is at least one nine letter word.
excellent: 68 words. Good: 45 words. Average: 30 words.

O E P
M I A
C N L

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Sally likes soda very much. At the local convenience store, for 5 empty soda bottles she receives a full bottle. As part of the Girl Guide's recycling initiative, she manages to collect 77 empty bottles. How many bottles of soda will she be able to drink in total?

--------------------------


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Answers:

1. The parrot was deaf and as such couldn't repeat a single word it had heard!

2. Common words: ail, aim, alien, alpine, amino, ciao, cinema, claim, clime, clip, coil, coin, compile, complain, epic, ice, iceman, icon, imp, impale, impel, in, income, ion, lice, lie, lima, lime, limp, line, lion, lip, loci, loin, mail, main, malice, manic, menial, mica, mice, mile, mince, mine, nail, nice, nil, nip, oil, oilcan, opine, pail, pain, panic, pelican, pencil, pi, piano, pica, pie, pile, pin, pine, plaice, plain, polemic, police, POLICEMAN.

All words: aeonic, ai, ail, aim, ain, alien, aline, alnico, aloin, alpine, ami, amice, amie, amin, amine, amino, amnic, anemic, ani, anil, anile, anime, anomic, anomie, apneic, apnoeic, cain, camion, campi, campion, capelin, caplin, ceil, ciao, cine, cinema, cineol, cion, claim, clime, cline, clip, coil, coin, colin, compile, complain, complin, compline, coni, elain, eloin, emic, encomia, enolic, eolian, epic, epical, ice, iceman, icon, ilea, ileac, imp, impale, impanel, impel, impone, in, income, inlace, ion, laic, lain, lampion, lapin, lei, li, liane, lice, lie, lien, lima, limacon, liman, lime, limen, limn, limo, limp, limpa, lin, linac, line, lino, lion, lip, lipoma, loci, loin, lomein, mail, maile, main, malic, malice, maline, manciple, manic, manioc, maniple, melanic, melic, menial, mi, mica, mice, mien, mil, mile, milo, milpa, mina, minae, mince, mine, moil, moline, monie, nail, naoi, nice, nicol, nil, nim, nip, nipa, noil, oil, oilcamp, oilcan, oilman, oilmen, oleic, olein, opaline, opine, pail, pain, panic, panicle, pein, pelican, pemican, pencil, penial, pi, pia, pial, pian, piano, pic, pica, pical, pice, pie, pile, pilea, pima, pin, pina, pine, pineal, pinocle, pinole, pion, plaice, plain, plica, plicae, plie, poi, polemic, police, POLICEMAN.

3. 19 bottles: from the initial 77 bottles, she receives 15 full bottles (with 2 spare empties). From the 17 empties, she receives 3 more full bottles (with 2 spare empties). From the 5 empties she receives one final full bottle.

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Bits & Pieces

"Thomas Alva Edison"
Thomas Alva Edison, one of the greatest inventors in history, lived in a large house with a huge fence around it. Visitors had to push open a heavy iron gate in order to enter the compound and then push it back again until it clanked shut. One of Edison's friends complained to him about the tremendous amount of energy required to open and shut the gate. With a twinkle in his eye, Mr Edison escorted his friend up onto the roof of the house and showed him an elaborate mechanical device made up of levers and pulleys and pumps. "What you don't know," said Edison, "is that everyone who opens and closes that gate automatically pumps a gallon of water into my take-up here on the roof."
The Preacher's Illustration Service


# # # # # # # #

"The Miracle Cure"
An elderly man was seated in the doctor's waiting room, patiently waiting for his turn with the doctor. Finally a nurse called, "Mr. Jones!"

The man slowly got up, grasping his cane in obvious pain. He was hunched over three or four inches. As the man slowly made his way into the examining room, another patient in the waiting room watched with interest.

After only a few minutes, the man emerged from the room, walking completely upright. The patient who had watched him go in, all hunched over, stared in amazement.

"That must be a miracle doctor in there!" he exclaimed. "What treatment did he give you? What's his secret?"

The elderly man looked at him and said, "Well, the doctor looked me up and down, analyzed the situation, and gave me a cane that four inches longer than the one I had been using."
Scott J. Shickler; Words of Wisdom
# # # # # # # #

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*** Rick's Recipe of the Month ***

"Fiesta Shrimp Tacos with Cucumber Salsa"
I found this recipe flash up on Yahoo one day, and thought, this I've got to try. I'm a big shrimp fan anyway, so shrimp taco's.....why not. The result was a wonderful array of tastes all at one time. The flavors from the avocado and cucumbers just seem to explode and then the salsa with the shrimp sets it off just perfect. I'll be making these more often....!!!

Ingredients
* 1 1/2 cups nonfat sour cream
* 1/2 cup chopped seeded & peeled cucumber
* 1 (1.25 ounce) package Old El Paso(R) Taco Seasoning Mix
* 2 avocados, peeled, pitted and coarsely chopped
* 1 tablespoon lime juice
* 1 pound shelled deveined uncooked medium shrimp
* 1 (4.6 ounce) package Old El Paso(R) Taco Shells
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 cup Old El Paso(R) Thick 'n Chunky Salsa
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro


Preparation
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In medium bowl, combine sour cream, cucumber, and 2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning mix. Mix well. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, combine avocados and lime juice; toss to coat. Set aside.
4. In another medium bowl, combine shrimp and remaining taco seasoning mix; toss to coat.
5. Heat taco shells in oven as directed on the package.
6. Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add shrimp; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until shrimp turn pink, stirring frequently.
7. Spoon shrimp into warm taco shells. Top each with sour cream mixture, avocados, salsa and cilantro.

I couldn't find any uncooked shrimp at the supermarket that day, so I had to go with pre-cooked, but they were just as good. To make the shrimp more 'bite size', I cut them in half as well. These are pretty much a meal in themselves, but I made up some refried beans on the side to go with them. They're easy to make and fun to eat...!!!

Ummmm, Ummmm....!!!!!

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AlfaMag Newsletter - April 2008

The Current

The official newsletter of AlfaMag Electronics, LLC.
The fun newsletter to read..!!!

Highlights
"Very Important Announcement For Our SW Series Customers"
"Fun Trivia"
"Bits & Pieces"
"Rick's Favorite Recipe of the Month"

SW Series Inductors to be replaced with the SH Series Inductors

Dear Valued Customer,

It is our goal to provide the highest quality magnetic components possible to our customers. In keeping with that goal, our SW series inductors for the National Semiconductor Simple Switchers will be discontinued, replaced by the much superior SH series inductors.

The SH series has the exact same electrical properties of the older SW series, using the same magnetic materials, wire gauges, etc. In addition, the recommended PCB layout for the SH series is the same, so they are a drop-in replacement item. The primary change is to the coil packaging for the surface mount and through-hole versions (SWS and SWT). Previously, the SW series utilized phenolic plates as mounting platforms for the coil, and as a flat surface for marking. Under certain circumstances, this "sandwich" construction caused problems with coil/plate separation, or trapping washing solvents between the plate and PCB. Therefore, to remedy these problems, a new homogenous plastic housing has been incorporated. Again, they are drop-in replacements for the SW series, and no electrical validation should be necessary. If there are very tight mechanical tolerances in your assembly, you may want to compare the mechanical characteristics of the two series, to make sure there are no interferences.

Therefore, as of May 1st, 2008, AlfaMag will no longer accept orders for SW series inductors. We fully expect your transition to the SH series to be completely seamless. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Regards,
Jeffrey Goff, Sr. Engineer
AlfaMag Electronics, LLC

Give us a call today at 1-800-413-6693, or visit our website at www.alfamag.com.

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Fun Trivia
"Cell Phone Technology"

1. As cell phone technology evolved, a group was convened whose acronym became very popular when speaking of cell phone technology. What was the name of this group?
a. Group Sous-Moniteur
b. Group Super Mobilite
c. Group special Mobile
d. Gruppe Soubrette Malhereuse

2. Older phones, such as TDMA phones, did not come with a removable card which kept a subscriber's information (billing, number, etc). However, newer phones, especially GSM phones, contained the small removable card which is called what?
a. NIN
b. PIN
c. SIM
d. TRW

3. A dual band phone can work in all countries of the world.
a. True
b. False

4. What is flashing?
a. Removing a cell phone provider's programing from your phone.
b. Deleting all address book entries at once.
c. Sending rapid-fire text messages.
d. Making a cell phone battery inoperable.

5. What U.S. company popularized 'pay as you go' cell phones, selling them in stores such as Wal-Mart and even convenience stores, where you just bought the phone and minutes without signing a contract?
a. TracFone
b. Virgin Mobile
c. Cingular
d. Verizon








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Answers: (1)c (2)c (3)b (4)a (5)a
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Bits & Pieces

"Who's Bernardi"
Herschel Bernardi wittily illustrates the rise and fall of a movie star with a few choice phrases. Bernardi, famed for his Broadway portrayal of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, among many other fine roles, explains that when he was an "unknown", seeking a career in show business, the producers would ask, "Who's Bernardi?"

As his star began to brighten, the producers would ask, "Where's Bernardi?"

When he finally became a star, they would demand, "Get me Bernardi!"

Later, they began to say, "Get me a Bernardi type."

Until the inevitable -- "Who's Bernardi?"



# # # # # # # #

"Mistakes"
One of the most valuable lessons I learned.... is that we all have to learn from our mistakes, and we learn from those mistakes a lot more than we learn from the things we succeeded in doing.
Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas
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*** Rick's Recipe of the Month ***

"Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo"
Let's head down toward New Orleans for this recipe. I've always enjoyed the different spicy Cajun recipes. The mixture of the sausage and shrimp, with the Cajun spices brings out a taste like no other. While you're cooking this on the stove, the aroma in the air smells like a New Orleans restaurant, and you can hear that old Cajun cook say, "You gonna like this, I guar-un-tee."

Ingredients
* 2/3 cup oil
* 2/3 cup flour
* 2 onions, chopped
* 6 stalks celery, chopped
* 1 bell pepper, chopped
* 4 cloves garlic
* 1 small bunch green onion tops
* Cajun seasoning to taste
* 2 cans beef broth (low salt is best)
* 1 lb. boudin (or smoked sausage)
* 1 lb. shrimp (peeled and deveined)


Preparation
1. In a large glass measure, combine the oil and flour thoroughly. Cook on high for 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes.
2. Stir and cook 1 minute more or until the roux is the color of a Hershey Bar.
3. Add the onions, celery, and bell pepper to the roux. Stir and then microwave on high for 3 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and green onion tops. Stir and cook 2 minutes. Be very , very careful..!! This roux is very hot.
5. Put the mixture in a gumbo pot on the stove. Add plenty of Cajun seasoning, the beef broth, and the sausage. Stir and cook down on low heat for at least 30 minutes or longer, if you can wait.
6. Add the shrimp. It's ready when the shrimp turn pink, about 5 minutes.
7. Serve over a bed of rice.

Be sure to have a "six pack" of your favorite beverage iced down for this one, along with some good ol' homemade corn bread...!!!

Ummmm, Ummmm....!!!!!

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AlfaMag Newsletter - March 2008

The Current

The official newsletter of AlfaMag Electronics, LLC.
The fun newsletter to read..!!!

Highlights
"Featured Products"
"Fun Trivia"
"Bits & Pieces"
"Rick's Favorite Recipe of the Month"

Featured Products
"AlfaMag's CLJ-2 Series Common Mode Double Chokes"

These little common mode double chokes are very popular recently.

Features
* Miniature, low cost SMD for pick and place compatibility while providing consistent and reliable coplanarity.
* Other inductance values, higher current ratings and special types for operation at 150 degrees C ambient are available upon request.
* High attenuation over a wide frequency range - CAN bus types to 500MHz.
* Available in Bifilar and Sector winding.
* Materials: UL94-VD
* Manufactured in an ISO-9001:2000, TS-16949:2002, and ISO-14001:2004 certified facility.
* Fully RoHS compliant and meets lead free reflow level J-STD-020C.

Electrical Specifications
Nominal Voltage: 42Vac (50/60Hz), 80Vdc
Operating Temperature Range: -25 degrees C to +85 degrees C
Climatic category: According to IEC6868-1 25/85/56
Test voltage between windings: 500Vrms

A full list of standard part numbers, specifications, mechanical drawings, and impedance charts can be viewed on our website under the Product Index page.
Give us a call today at 1-800-413-6693, or visit our website at www.alfamag.com.

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Fun Trivia
"All Around the BBQ"

1. Cooking food in a pit over hot coals has been around in lots of cultures for a long time, but our modern barbecue was "invented" in the New World. What is the origin of the name "barbecue"?
a. From French "barbe a queue - from whiskers to tail".
b. From Taino "barabicoa - the stick stand with four legs and many sticks of wood on top to place the cooking meat".
c. From Spanish "barbacoa - smoking meat over a slow fire".
d. all the above are possible choices

2. New York used to be famous for its turtle barbecues.
a. True
b. False

3. What is the most common utensil used for preparing barbecue side dishes?
a. Skewers
b. Rinsed out coffee cans
c. Plastic Wrap
d. Aluminum foil

4. The world's strangest barbecue involved the grilling of a Nile crocodile after it had just eaten an entire springbok.
a. True
b. False

5. What is a "rub"?
a. A blend of herbs and spices that gets rubbed on the meat.
b. Ribs done the "down under" way.
c. Flavoured oil that gets rubbed on the grill.
d. If the chef burns the meat, everybody gets to rub his head.

6. Which American president made a note in his diary that he "went up to Alexandria to a barbicue"?
a. Abraham Lincoln
b. George Washington
c. James Monroe
d. Thomas Jefferson






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Answers: (1)d (2)a (3)d (4)a (5)a (6)b
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Bits & Pieces

"There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch"
A 19th Century story tells of two Eastern European rabbis who were traveling together and stopped to eat at an inn owned by a poor but pious widow.

During the meal, one of the rabbis engaged in a long, detailed conversation with the rather talkative woman, who welcomed their company: the other rabbi sat quietly and, when not eating, turned his attention to a holy text he was studying. When they rose to leave, the widow refused to let the rabbis pay for the meal.

Outside, the more convivial of the two gently chided his companion, "It seems to me that you are guilty of stealing a meal from that woman."

His friend looked up in astonishment. "She herself told us that we didn't have to pay."

"She didn't want us to pay money," the first rabbi responded. "But the payment she sought was that we listen and talk to her. This you didn't do."

Rabbi Joseph Telushkin - The Book of Jewish Values"

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"Surprise"
One of the best audience reactions I ever saw was when a friend's mother stood up at her daughter's fiftieth birthday to say a few words. Several guests had been asked ahead of time to say something in the form of a roast. This lady had a note card in her hand and proceeded to glance a the card as she told her daughter what a blessing she was and how beautiful, popular, and giving she was thought to be. Her daughter was "eating it up."

The Mother poured it on like heavy syrup, but then started to stumble on her words as she looked at the card. Then she turned to her daughter and said, "Oh, honey, I'm having an awful time reading your handwriting." No one expected that, and the laughter went on for minutes. Nothing beats a good surprise.

Dick Enberg
# # # # # # # #

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*** Rick's Recipe of the Month ***

"Boston Butt Pork Roast with Vegetables"
As some of you may have noticed, I'm not real big on pork recipes, but I was shopping the other day, and our local grocery store had a sale on their Boston Butt pork roasts. So I picked one up and found an interesting recipe on the internet to try. The results were so good that I had to make it again for our church's Valentines Day dinner.

Ingredients
* salt and pepper to taste
* garlic powder to taste
* Emeril's original essence seasoning to taste
* 6 pound pork butt roast
* two onions, sliced
* 20 new potatoes, raw
* 16 carrots, peeled
* 2 cups mushrooms, halved


Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Sprinkle pork on all sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Emeril's; rub into meat. Sear the roast on all sides until lightly brown. Transfer to a roasting pan.
3. Place onion slices over meat and in the roasting pan. Fill the pan 2/3 full of water. Cover and place in preheated oven for 3 hours.
4. Add the potatoes and carrots; cover and cook another 45 minutes.
5. Add the mushrooms: cover and cook another 15 minutes.
6. Remove and let stand at least 10 minutes before serving.


This roast will just fall apart when done. And the broth is so good that you can use it to spread over noodles or rice on the side. The original recipe didn't call for the Emeril's seasoning, but this is a recipe that you can modify to your liking. Many of the reviews on it had used chicken broth or vegetable broth instead of water, or a mix of water and broth. And if your not cooking for very many, you can use a 3 lb roast and half the amount of potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms. After three hours in the oven, the aroma in your house will have you ready to dive in.

Ummmm, Ummmm....!!!!!

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AlfaMag Newsletter - February 2008

The Current

The official newsletter of AlfaMag Electronics, LLC.
The fun newsletter to read..!!!

Highlights
"Featured Products"
"Fun Trivia"
"Bits & Pieces"
"Rick's Favorite Recipe of the Month"

Featured Products
"Inventory Clearance"

All Non-RoHS Compliant SW Series Inductors used with the National Semiconductors Simple Switchers now in stock at 50% off list price.

If you're using an SW Series part and do not require RoHS Compliant parts, give us a call and ask if we have the design you're using in our non-RoHS stock. We'll mark down the price on the quantity you need 50% from the list price.

Prices depend on inductor type and quantity. View the complete data sheets for the SW Series inductors on our Product Index link on our website.

Give us a call today at 1-800-413-6693, or visit our website at www.alfamag.com.

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Fun Trivia
"A Day in the Life of Retail Electronics"

1. Will my Sony DVD player work with an RCA stereo receiver?
a. Yes, but only with an RF modulator.
b. No, but an RCA DVD player will work.
c. No
d. Yes

2. I used to have service with Cingular Wireless, and I still have that phone. Can you activate that phone with Verizon Wireless?
a. Yes, but you'll have to get a new phone number.
b. Yes, but you'll need to get a new chip.
c. No
d. Yes, but it will only work on a digital network.

3. If you drop your cell phone in the pool, there is a cost effective way to replace only the headset.
a. Yes
b. No

4. I bought my computer at WalMart, but nobody there seems to know how to turn it on. I know you're not WalMart, but can you spend a few hours teaching me how to use it?
a. Yes
b. No

5. A cop caught me doing 70 in a 45 mph zone on a deserted highway with his radar, and my detector didn't go off once..!! My radar detector must be defective.
a. True
b. False

6. What channels will this TV antenna pick up?
a. You should get ABC, NBC, and CBS.
b. Your guess is as good as mine.
c. Only local channels are guaranteed.
d. Every station you want..!!

7. Do these rechargeable batteries come charged?
a. Yes
b. No






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Answers: (1)d (2)c (3)b (4)b (5)b (6)b (7)b
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--------------------------------
Bits & Pieces

"Experts"
Two taxidermists stopped before a window in which an owl was on display. They immediately began to criticize the way it was mounted. Its eyes were not natural; its wings were not in proportion with its head; its feathers were not neatly arranged; and its feet could be improved. When they had finished with the criticism, they were just about to move on---when the owl turned his head and winked at them...!!!!
# # # # # # # #

"A Credo"
"I did not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon...if I can. I seek opportunity, not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the company look after me. I want to take the calculated risk, to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence, the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence, nor dignity for a handout. It is my heritage to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefits of my creations, and to face the world boldly and say, 'This I have done.'"
Herbert Hoover (1874-1964), 31st U.S. President
# # # # # # # #

"To Tell the Truth"
A minister wound up services one Sunday morning by saying, "Next Sunday I'm going to preach on the subject of liars. And in this connection, as a preparation for my discourse, I should like to tell you all to read the 17th chapter of Mark."

On the following Sunday, the preacher rose to begin, and said, "Now then, all of you who have done as I requested and read the 17th chapter of Mark, please raise your hands." Nearly every hand in the congregation went up.

Then said the preacher, "You are the very people I want to talk to. There is no 17th chapter of Mark..!!"

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*** Rick's Recipe of the Month ***

"Little Cheesy Meatloafs"
I decided to try and find a really good and fast recipe for ground beef, and I found this one on the internet the other day, with 5 out of 5 stars on six different reviews. I took it home and made them up and both my wife and I gave it a 5 star rating too. These are super easy to fix and very tasty...!!

Ingredients
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
1/2 cup quick oats
3/4 cup minced onions
1 teaspoon salt (I used 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt)
1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey works good too)
3/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons prepared mustard

Preparation
1. Beat egg and milk together
2. Add cheese, oats, onion and salt, mix well.
3. Add beef, nix well again.
4. Shape into 8 small loaves.
5. Place in greased 13 x 9 baking pan.
6. Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard together.
7. Spoon over top of meat loaves.
8. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until done.

These also taste really good the next day on a sesame seed hamburger bun, warmed up in the microwave for about 1 minute. Good stuff....!!!

Ummmm, Ummmm....!!!!!

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AlfaMag Newsletter - December 2007

The Current

The official newsletter of AlfaMag Electronics, LLC.The fun newsletter to read..!!!

Highlights
"Featured Products"
"Fun Trivia"
"Bits & Pieces"
"Rick's Favorite Recipe of the Month"

Featured Products
"Common Mode Chokes"

AlfaMag offers a wide range of standard Common Mode Chokes.

Our more popular CA Series provides an efficient means of filtering supply lines having in-phase signals of equal amplitude, thus allowing equipment stringent electrical radiation specifications. Wide frequency ranges can be filtered by using high and low inductance common mode toroids in series. Differential mode signals can be attenuated substantially when used together with input and output capacitors.

Give us a call today at 1-800-413-6693, or visit our website at www.alfamag.com.

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Fun Trivia
"Resistor Colour Codes"

1. A resistor's first three colour bands are; brown, black, and red. What is it's value?
a. 10 ohms
b. 1000 ohms
c. 200 ohms
d. 10 Kohms

2. Which digit does the colour yellow denote on a resistor colour band?
a. 2
b. 3
c. 7
d. 4

3. A 47 Kohm resistor would have which colours on its first 3 bands?
a. red, white, blue
b. yellow, violet, orange
c. orange, yellow, violet
d. yellow, violet, red

4. Which digit does the colour orange denote on a resistor colour band?
a. 9
b. 1
c. 6
d. 3

5. A resistor's first three colour bands are; red, yellow, black. What is it's value?
a. 420,000 ohms
b. 240 ohms
c. 24 ohms
d. 32 ohms

6. Which digit is represented by a blue band on a resistor?
a. 8
b. 4
c. 9
d. 6

7. Which digit is represented by a black band ona resistor?
a. 100
b. 1
c. 1000
d. 0

8. A resistor's first three colour bands are; brown, green, red. What is it's value?
a. 510 ohms
b. 152 ohms
c. 1500 ohms
d. 250 ohms

9. Which colour represents the digit 6 in the resistor colour code?
a. red
b. blue
c. pink
d. green

10. Which of these colours is NOT used in the resistor value colour code?
a. turquoise
b. white
c. black
d. violet





*******************************************************
Answers: (1)b (2)d (3)b (4)d (5)c (6)d (7)d (8)c (9)b (10)a
*******************************************************
--------------------------------
Bits & Pieces

The three hardest tasks in the world are neither physical feats nor intellectual achievements, but moral acts:

To return love for hate,
To include the excluded, and
To say, "I was wrong."

# # # # # # # #

Many people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn't stop to enjoy it.

# # # # # # # #

There is no free lunch. Don't feel entitled to anything you don't sweat and struggle for.

If you see a need, don't ask, "Why doesn't somebody do something?" Ask instead, "Why don't I do something?" This world needs more shepherds and fewer sheep.

Never work just for money or power. They won't save your soul or build a decent family or help you sleep at night.

Don't be afraid of taking risks or being criticized. If you don't want to be criticized, don't say anything, don't do anything, and don't be anything. Don't be afraid to fail.

I studied the lives of great men and famous women, and I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand, with everything they had of energy and enthusiasm.
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*** Rick's Recipe of the Month ***

"Marinated Beef Brisket or Roast"
I've put this recipe in the newsletter before (long time ago), but this went over so good at Thanksgiving this year, my sister-in-law demanded that I make it again for our Christmas get-together. This disappeared faster than the turkey did...!!!!

Ingredients
* 4 lb beef brisket or roast
* 1/8 cup cider vinegar
* 1/4 cup semi-dry red wine (and a little extra for the chef)
* 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
* 3 tablespoons of chili powder
* 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Preparation
Preheat your oven to 275 degrees. Mix all of the above ingredients into a medium mixing bowl (except the brisket). Place the brisket in a 9 x 12 oven dish, with the fatty side down, and pour the marinade over it making sure both sides are covered well. Cover the dish with tin foil and poke a few holes in the top of the foil with a toothpick. Place in oven and bake for eight hours. After baking for an hour or so, open and use a large spoon to cover the top of the brisket with the marinade. Do this about every hour. If you're doing a roast, about 3 1/2 hours into baking, turn the roast over so the marinade really soaks into the meat on both sides.

This brisket actually falls apart using your fork, and it has the most wonderful aroma and taste. This is certainly a crowd pleaser and you won't go home with any leftovers...!!!

Ummmm, Ummmm....!!!!!

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AlfaMag Newsletter - November 2007

The Current

The official newsletter of AlfaMag Electronics, LLC.The fun newsletter to read..!!!

Highlights
"Featured Products"
"Fun Trivia"
"Bits & Pieces"
"Rick's Favorite Recipe of the Month"

Featured Products
"AS and ASM Series Current Transformers"

AlfaMag carries two great lines of current transformers, the AS Series and the ASM Series.

The AS Series current sensors are designed as a low cost method of controlling, monitoring, or measuring AC currents with a frequency range from 20kHz to 200kHz.

The ASM Series current sensors operate as the sealed secondary of a current transformer while the conductor carrying the current to be measured functions as a one turn primary. Measurement accuracy can be improved by increasing the number of primary turns. This series operates at frequencies of 50/60Hz.

AlfaMag generally carries most of these in stock and we’re glad to send out some no charge engineering samples for your testing and approval.
Give us a call today, or visit our website at www.alfamag.com.

Please give us a call or email if you have any questions. You can contact us at 1-800-413-6693 or email us at support@alfamag.com

---------------------------
Fun Trivia
"The Amazing Postal Code"
Words that can be MADE (Massachusetts and Delaware) by combining the US Postal Service's two-letter state abbreviations)

1. The first word means to muddy the waters or just to moisten. __________ (four letters)

2. To aver innocence or to prevent, among many meanings. ____________ (four letters)

3. This word is a very busy one, with over 60 meanings and usages in the dictionary. One of them, not the most common and in the past tense, means to have prepared or set the table. __________ (four letters)

4. A female red deer, an Atlantic fish or a famous ship that got giggles in the fifth grade. _____________ (four letters)

5. Another word with lots of meanings. One of them is a big pipe that can be troublesome if it breaks. _____________ (four letters)

6. The East Indian and Asian spirits made from the toddy palm, molasses or fermented rice, etc. An alternative spelling has another "r" and "c". __________ (four letters)

7. You only have to be close to get this one. Singer Holly. ___________ (four letters)

8. The word is actually French in origin and pronunciation, but fairly widely used in English-speaking countries; it means out of date or fashion (adding a "d" to the end makes an English word that means the same thing). ____________ (six letters)

9. A tomboy or hoyden; a mischievous girl. ______________ (six letters)

10. A hundred dinars. _____________ (four letters)





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Answers: (1)MOIL (2)DENY (3)LAID (4)HIND (5)MAIN
(6)ARAK (7)NEAR (8)DEMODE (9)GAMINE (10)RIAL
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Bits & Pieces

A little girl was watching TV in her bedroom when her mother called out, "Michelle, come to dinner!" No response. A short time later her mother again called out. "Michelle, come to dinner!" Again, no response. Finally, the mother literally shouted, "Michelle, come to dinner!" Whereupon the little girl came out of her room, ran to the kitchen, and with an innocent look on her face said, "Sorry, Mom, I didn't hear you when you called me the first two times."

# # # # # # # #

When I was studying at UCLA in the early 1960s, I also worked at Disneyland. I often heard from other employees that during the Anaheim Park construction, all the construction managers, accountants, consultants, and architects agreed that there was a specific system and timetable necessary to keep costs under control and ensure the park was completed on time. To adhere to their system meant that Sleeping Beauty Castle in Fantasyland, which was to be visible from virtually any - and everywhere in the par, was to be built last.

When Walt Disney learned of their cost-efficiency scheme, he insisted that the Castle be built first. He believed the Castle provided a vision for the rest of the construction, and its image would remind all the workers on a daily basis what was meant to happen within the park.

Despite his busy schedule, "Uncle Walt" regularly toured the park, offering his hand and encouragement to individual employees. One day I asked him about the story (which had become a legend among employees). He asked me to look up toward the Castle and to tell him what I saw. I said, "Imagination." He put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Now you tell me if that story is true."

# # # # # # # #

Once when I was a teenager, I was walking with my mother on a winter day. It was quite cold but (knock on wood) low temperatures don't bother me much, and as is my custom, I had left my overcoat unbuttoned. My mother, obviously uncomfortable, finally said sharply, "Button your coat, Steve; I'm freezing!"

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*** Rick's Recipe of the Month ***

"Chicken Curry"
Let’s try something a little different this month. I was shopping at our local supermarket the other day looking around in the ethnic section for something I’d never tried before and I found these different packets of curry paste. I picked up the one labeled “Paste for Lamb Curry”. Of course, lamb isn’t readily available at our supermarket, so I bought a chicken to try with it, and the outcome was nothing less than delicious…!!!
Ingredients
* 1 Packet of Kitchens of India "Paste for Lamb Curry"
* 1 Chicken, skinned and cut into 8pcs
* 4 medium red potatoes, cut into wedges
* 1 large Vidalia onion, cut into wedges
Preparation
In a small stovetop pan, prepare the curry paste as per the instructions on the box.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Using a 12” x 8” baking dish, pour the prepared curry paste into the dish, then add the chicken, potatoes, and onions. Cover with aluminum foil and poke three or four holes in the top of the foil with a toothpick. Bake for 1 ½ hours.

This is going to make your house smell like a wonderful Indian restaurant. If you can’t find the exact same curry paste as I’m using, most any standard curry pastes will work. The one I’m using notes that it’s 100% natural and no preservatives, a rich exotic spice paste, specially blended by the Master Chefs of ITC Hotels. You can also use this curry paste for a great veggie stir fry using broccoli, onions, carrots, chestnuts, etc. You can really use your imagination, because this curry paste adds a delicious flavor to almost anything you want to mix with it.
Ummmm, Ummmm....!!!!!

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AlfaMag Newsletter - October 2007

The Current

The official newsletter of AlfaMag Electronics, LLC.The fun newsletter to read..!!!

Highlights
"Featured Products"
"Fun Trivia"
"Bits & Pieces"
"Rick's Favorite Recipe of the Month"

Featured Products
"Power Supplies and Transformers"

AlfaMag Electronics specializes in magnetic components and power supplies. Designing your own switching power supply? Our skilled engineering staff will assist you with the power transformer, input/output filters, and current sensors. Our experience covers a wide range of topologies including push-pull, feed forward, flyback, resonant and quasi-resonant mode designs.

If you are able to use an off-the-shelf power supply, AlfaMag offers a wide range of models, both switching and linear, in many packaging styles. Your options include wall adapters, desktops, open frame, enclosed, ATX, and many more. Available with single and multiple outputs, in power ranges from 3W to over 1000W. Most carry UL/cUL approvals, and some have international approvals as well.

By combining the economy of offshore manufacturing with domestic warehousing and engineering support, AlfaMag is an excellent choice for your next transformer or power supply requirement. Give us a call today, or visit our website at www.alfamag.com.

Please give us a call or email if you have any questions. You can contact us at 1-800-413-6693 or email us at support@alfamag.com

---------------------------
Fun Trivia
"Remembering the 60's and Motown Sound"

1. Who recorded "You are the Sunshine of My Life"?
a) Smokey Robinson
b) Marvin Gaye
c) Berry Gordy
d) Stevie Wonder

2. What was the first #1 Hit for the Motown family, according to Billboard Magazine's pop chart?
a) Mickey's Monkey
b) Please Mr Postman
c) Baby Love
d) The Way You Do the Things You Do

3. Besides the Motown Label, Berry Gordy owned three other prominent record labels in the 60's. Can you name them?
a) Tamla, Berry, and Go-Go
b) Tamla, Gordy, and Blue Note
c) Gordy, Berry, and Soul
d) Tamla, Gordy, and Soul

4. Who wrote most of the 60's hits for The Supremes and The Four Tops (among many others)?
a) Brian and Eddie Holland and Lamont Dozier
b) Eddie and Brian Holland
c) Eddie Holland and Smokey Robinson
d) Barrett Strong

5. Berry Gordy was the founder and president of Motown, but had no musical abilities himself.
a) True
b) False

6. Who recorded "Bernadette"?
a) The Temptations
b) The Spinners
c) Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
d) The Four Tops

7. Everyone knows that Diana Ross was the lead singer of The Supremes, later achieving superstardom as a solo act. But, can you name the other two ORIGINAL members of the group?
a) Mary Ballard and Florence Wilson
b) Kim Weston and Tammi Terrell
c) Martha Reeves and Mary Wilson
d) Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard




*******************************************************
Answers: (1)d (2)b (3)d (4)a (5)b (6)d (7)d
*******************************************************
--------------------------------
Bits & Pieces

Building Opportunity
"All I have is ten fingers. I have no money, and no education. But I know I have one thing -- an opportunity to prove what a man can do."

These are the words of Arthur Wong, who, in 1930 at the age of 17, emigrated from China to New York City. He was determined to carve out his part of the American Dream and so took amy job he could get to make ends meet.

At one point he was hired by a laundry. This was exactly the opportunity Wong had hoped for. He learned all he could about running the business, intent on someday owning his own. Through his resolve, Wong not only opened one shop -- he developed his fledgling business into a thriving chain of laundries.

At last, Wong was face-to-face with his American Dream. He was able to provide opportunities for his children -- like a college education -- that he'd never had himself. "I came here to do what I like to do and hope to do, and I've been fortunate."

Adapted from American Mosaic: The Immigrant Experience in the Words of Those Who Lived It"Joan Morrison and Charlotte Fox Zabusky"

--------------------------------

*** Rick's Recipe of the Month ***

"South of the Border Salsa"
Fall is in the air and you can really feel it first thing in the morning. There's nothing better to knock down that fall breeze than some good ol' salsa and chips. Don't be scared by the name of this recipe, it's really not as hot as it sounds. Making your own salsa at home is fun, quick, easy, and tastes so much better than that store bought salsa...!!!

Ingredients
* 1 4oz can jalapeno peppers, drained
* 1 4oz can green chilies, include liquid
* 1 1/2 tbsp vinegar
* 1 3oz can tomato paste
* 1/2 tsp dried parsley
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 2 cups stewed tomatoes

Preparation
Place ingredients in blender jar in the order listed. Secure lid on top. Press the pulse button intermittently 8 - 10 times or until blended to your desire. You may need to turn off the blender and use a spatula to scrape the sides of the jar, replace the lid and blend more. Chill before serving.

The secret to this recipe is to make sure you don't use too much of the tomato paste. Generally tomato paste comes in small 6 oz cans, so be sure you don't use over half of the can. This salsa will last in a Tupperware dish in your refrigerator for about two weeks, and it's good with dipping chips, on tacos, on scrambled eggs, or just about anything.

If this recipe sounds a little too hot for your taste, here's a website that has 532 different salsa recipes, so put a little salsa into your life: 532 Salsa Recipes
Ummmm, Ummmm....!!!!!

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