Drink It. Ritual Roasters coffee.

After being for the most part a drip coffee drinker throughout all my coffee-drinking years (twelve and counting), this summer I've gotten into using a French press. And my most recent bag of beans from San Francisco's Ritual Roasters couldn't be tastier.

The flavor description words bourbon, vanilla, and chocolate made my choice of the Monte Rey Pradera from El Salvador an easy one, and there's also the all-important "Roasted On" date stamp. Even though I bought my coffee north of the border, at Montreal's fantastic Cafe Myriade, the coffee had been roasted just days before my purchase.

I enjoy a steamy Grande cup of Starbucks' Pike Place roast as much as the next girl (ok, maybe a little more), but at a time when there's so much exploring to be done in the world of coffee (different brewing methods, beans, roasting styles), why not?

Info: ritualroasters.com, bodum.com for French presses

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Advance Notice. Treasure Island Music Festival.

While the Treasure Island Music Festival isn't in Los Angeles, it's definitely becoming one of those annual events more than worth the road trip. Set on the tiny island just off the shore of the San Francisco Bay, the music and arts fest is small, but better for it because it actually allows you to see all the acts in the line-up. And that line-up? It just happens to be getting better and better each year.

To wit, this year's just-announced line-up for October boasts LCD Soundsystem headlining Saturday's more electronic-influenced group of performers like Deadmaus and Miike Snow, and the just-back-on-tour Belle & Sebastian leading a more indie program of The National and She & Him on Sunday. Check out the rest of the bands here.

The event takes place October 16 and 17th, but specially priced early-bird two-day tickets go on sale TODAY at 10am for $99. Once that limited quantity sells out, they'll be $119.50. Or you can wait until Friday for advance one-day tickets for $67.50 each. Buy them soon; the fest is sure to sell-out, and you need to plan that fun road trip of yours anyway.

-- Chau Tu