I get up early most mornings but yesterday, Sunday I slept in. Saturday night I was up late watching old TV programs on DVDs; finally succumbing at 2am. Once up though I made breakfast for two – something simple - a beagle with cheese, egg and bacon. Beverly dropped me off at Chapters/Starbucks; she had to work. I read, drank coffee; actually laities and just relaxed. When she picked me up, we headed home. Around four, I made hamburgers on the BBQ along with onions, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and spices, steamed in their own juices that got folded up in tinfoil and thrown on to the BBQ also. We ate outside in the sun and enjoyed each others company. As we talked I mentioned to Beverly that I had not been out to the ocean this year. “Lets go right now!” We went out along with Liz and Anthony. We got back to the house around 8:30. What a great day.Now I’m all set to work early on this Monday morning. . .
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Well I was a little bit more prepared this morning – got everything set up before I started, which got me off to a good start. So far today we have had a little sun, a little rain, but mostly it has just been cloudy and foggy.My work day is almost over, only three more phone calls -- then off for a coffee and a meeting with two guys about our house.I really need to spend some time this weekend cleaning up the studio. It’s a real mess.
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I worked on the Thursday File late last night to finish it off and schedule it for today’s mailing. The last thing I looked at was my schedule for today. But between leaving the computer and hitting the sack my little tired gray cells missed something – I set my alarm and decided to sleep in until 5:45; giving me a good 45 minutes to get ready for my first call. I came down stairs, put the water on for coffee, turned on the computer, went back made the coffee took it into the studio. Checked me schedule – time 5:58am – I could not believe my eyes; the first call was 6 and not 6:30. That does something to the heart and those little gray cells, now fully away with the first gulp of coffee go into hyper-drive. I made my first call of the day.I’m already getting great feedback on the new web site thursdayfile.ca I hope this weekend I can spend some time now reworking some of the pages. If you are reading this please go take a look. I would appreciate any feedback I can get. ThanksI’ve got a little brake so I’m going to take a shower and grab something to eat.
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By Jose Luis Zarate, Coffee Kids Program DirectorFrom July 21-27, Jose Carlos Leon Vargas and I spent nine days visiting Coffee Kids' counterparts, the Chajulense Association and Union of Independent Workers of Alianza Ranch (STIAP) in Guatemala.
The Chajulense Association was formed by a group of coffee growers 20 years ago in the department of El Quiche, Guatemala, to better market their coffee. In the past years, Chajulense Association has promoted economic and social alternatives particularly amongst women of the community.
Last year, Chajulense Association and the women of Chajul initiated a project in textile production supported by Coffee Kids and benefiting 50 women in two communities.
During the first day, the women took us to the workshop where they produce bags, cushions, scarves, table clothes, napkins, baby shoes, and many other objects. In one year, and with the help of other organizations, the women have standardized their offerings and put together a detailed catalogue allowing them to market their products in Guatemala and abroad.
On the second day, representatives from the group accompanied us to visit women who produce fabric using waist looms in the communities of Chajul and Pulai. This ancient practice allows women work at home and take care of their family without having to commute to a workshop or factory.
Over the past months, the Chajulense Association renovated a foot-operated loom and built a new one. This loom, along with the training the women received, will increase the textile production to satisfy the demand for handicrafts in the region.
At the end of our stay, the women announced that their group had acquired legal status and will be now called the Chajulense Association of Women United for Life. This achievement shows the increasing confidence among women that up until two decades ago had been living under the scourge of civil war.
On the second leg of the trip we drove southwest to the community of El Palmar Quetzaltenango, where STIAP leads a biodiesel project supported by Coffee Kids.
STIAP's biodiesel production project began in 2005 with the help of a volunteer and researchers from the University of San Carlos in Quetzaltenango. In 2007 the community was producing 100 gallons per week, but this year Coffee Kids provided funds for a new reactor that was built by the community and they now produce 134 gallons per week.
During the first day at El Palmar, a talented high school student, who is in charge of the processing, explained the details of transforming used kitchen oil into fuel. He also told us how the community plans to use its lower-quality macadamia nuts to produce biodiesel reducing the need for large quantities of used oil from restaurants and shops.
STIAP cultivates macadamia nuts for national sale and export, but some of these nuts are rejected and can be used in the production of biodiesel. STIAP has also created a youth group interested in biodiesel production to ensure a healthy future for the program. At the meeting, these 10 students, ages 12 to 18, told us that the most experienced from the group are now training others in the production process.
Our stay in El Palmar provided us with a clear picture of how a community can link different projects to improve the overall living conditions of its people. The biodiesel not only provides a cleaner fuel for the cars, but it also feeds the generator that provides electricity to the community and its eco-hotel, nut-sorting machinery, water purification plant and administrative offices.
I could not sleep last night so I finally got up at 4am ground up some coffee beans and made myself a strong pot of SumatraIt’s going to be a long day; I’m looking forward to it I just hope I last through it all.
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Posted by cardinalgogo on August 5, 2008 at 9:45am
today I was on the BBC interviewed by the Phil the shows host.Being Australian running a business in England they wanted to know what I thought of Starbucks closing branches in Oz.Markets mature and simplified mass market approaches don't work forever.The general economics affects everyone.For sometime now the chains have been 'grabbing spots almost regardless of skyhigh rents.The economic reality of these rents against ROI had to come home to roost eventually.Business models like Starbucks should not fret about such things, they still have massive opportunitys in emerging markets.....Do you think I even came close to such clairty, my god next time I am asked for opinion someone please tell me to shut up.........the waffle I came out with........amazing.
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This morning I sent out a few emails to friends to let them know I would be over at Starbucks from 10am until noon. Two dropped over – it was great Bob was first and we had a great chat then Rob and his friend dropped over as Bob was leaving. I must say it was a delightful morning.A little note on the flies that keep trying to entertain me each morning; they are so annoying. Each one plays hide and seek but I get them in the end. It’s turning into a little ritual. Today was a little different; I had twins fighting it out.The Thursday File web page is up and running – lots of little errors that I’m quickly getting rid of. If you read my daily ramblings please take a moment and by all means go in and take your best shot – it can only make me better.I was looking for any of Solzhenitsyn’s books when I was over at Chapters but I could not find any. I might have been just me in a rush or they were out.I'm working on my TF, then back to the phones.
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It was about 8:30 when they swung long, dangling light bars from their hiding places to fill much of the stage almost like long icicles dangling in a cave. The stage was quicly flooded with dense chemical smoke and just as the sun set over the back of the stage at Verizon Wireless Center I saw a band of dark figures wander on the stage, fueling a frenzy of cheering and applause. I, along with thousands of other adoring fans, had been anticipating this moments for months so much so that we all spent no less than fifty dollars just to step into that ampitheater, not to mention driving hours from surrounding states with cars packed full of sweaty friends smelling of clove cigarettes and incense. It was time.Without hesitation Thom Yorke leaned into the microwave and let loose what can only be described as a powerfully haunting melody that shook the audience out of their humid, dull lifelessness. And I was enveloped in not only what some might call a "concert", but an experience. The lights danced in time with each song as a movie of the concert was artfully showcased in a hovering position over the band. There was no hope of looking away for even a split second as each song folded into the next with unrelenting diligence. After the main set was over they spent the rest of their energy on six songs in an encore; after that, a moving second encore with three more songs. I was nearly speechless as a walked away from that place, knowing that I had been given something far greater than noise to fill my ears; I was personally given the gift art. Radiohead painted a picture in my mind that will not soon fade away.So what does this have to do with coffee? Maybe Radiohead does not equal coffee anymore than 2+2=5, but maybe there's something to this. I went to a place and spent a relatively large sum of money, but it wasn't because I was looking for a product; I was hoping for an experience. I also had a great amount of expectation for the experience shaped on previous experiences I have had listening to their music. I am emotionally connected to the art of Radiohead's music so much that I will plan a whole evening around being a part of the experience they are creating, and this experience is so emersive and that it is undeniably pleasurable.Coffee IS, by nature, a product or commodity. It can be weighed and sorted by quality and assigned a price value. But the moment that the coffee enters the hands of preparation that are skilled and passionate, it becomes an expression of art. Just like music, even with the right instruments there is no guarantee of great expression for the barista. Yet, driven by emotion, dedication, and passion, the barista creates and gives the art away for the purpose of experience. The cafe is not a sterile environment, but it evokes a certain response from all who enter its doors. The room is heavy with the smell of fresh beans and the ears tingle with the sound of grinders and the hissing of steam wands. The light and colors on the walls as well as the art all contribute to an immersive experience.Is this what we are to accomplish? I must insist on it. People are built to be experiential. They crave being in places and taking in things that evoke emotion and pull from the deep places of the mind to enlighten and fulfill. We must build out our cafes and train our staff to reflect the great privelege it is for people to come and experience coffee with us. I believe that, if we think like this, we will draw people in and they will spend their time, money, and energy with the same great expectations that they have when they walk into a stadium or concert hall.Forgive my rantings; for a minute I lost myself.
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Sunday was really good but the lawn did not fair too well with all the cars but the amount of rain we’re having it should bounce back quickly.I woke up at 5:00 but stayed in bed until 5:30 listening to the rain. It’s rally coming down. I’m off work until 1pm but my afternoon is a packed one going right to 5:30 without a break.Going to make some breakfast now and take it up to my wife who is still in bed. Then I might go over to Chapters to have a coffee and read a bit.News today Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who exposed Stalin's prison system in his novels and spent 20 years in exile, has died near Moscow at the age of 89.I remember reading ‘The Gulag Archipelago’ when it first came out in paperback in English. I found it was so hard to read because of the subject.Got to go.
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As you know The Eagles played last night in Moncton just down the road from us and the girls Liz and Jessica decided to earn a little cash; parking cars; this drew in Beverly and since we also had Shannon over well the only boy out there was Anthony and he was a hit. The girls were down at the entrance of the driveway with a sign ‘Parking $10. Beverly was at the other end parking each vehicle so they could get out when the concert was over. They filled every space up we had over 35 cars and vans and a few overnighters. It was an older group and we had no trouble or damage to the property..They split the money three ways. So Beverly is taking me out for breakfast; the girls want to come along – they got the money. Well not really, Liz picked up a new digital camera last night so hers is shot.Oh I when to bed around 11 last night and the girls stayed up late sitting outside watching all the people walking up the road from the concert. I started to reread “the Art of Innovation” by Tom Kelley The book came out in 2001 but wow I was enjoyed some of the parts about and creating working space in ones office. I found a couple of quotes that I will put in this weeks Thursday File Quotes section. They are good.Well I hear the girls coming down from upstairs so I’ve got to go. . .
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I am moving to Denver from Kansas City at the end of August. I am unfamiliar with the coffee scene and need suggestions on where to go or possibly... a job. All info is greatly appreciated.Thanks!Tisha
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Saturday Morning: woke up late; 5:30am only 3 hours after the party goers (the campers in the fields across the road for tonight’s open air concert: the Eagles) went quite. It was a rough night – I find it had to understand that people visiting a neighborhood, don’t think of others.As I was on the phone I looked out the window – a smile came to my mind and must have transformed to my face and voice “What’s so funny?” I was asked. “O, it’s just poring out – the rain is really coming down hard.” “. . .and this makes your happy?” “well, the garden needs it”.It’s still raining out. And my daughter along with her friend decided to make a little money by parking cars on our property. It looks like they have made over $70, and they only started 15 minuets ago. Now Beverly went out to join them.Me, well I just want to take it easy and get some more rest. Ta!
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Posted by: Steve HawthorneOn Wednesday, August 6th, we will be debuting our latest Factory Reserve Coffee...Las Mujeres de Guayata Colombia. We're very excited to introduce this very unique coffee that is grown and exported by an all women's coffee coop in the Guayata region of Colombia.Here's what our Master Roaster, Stephen Bybee, had to say about this coffee:"Founded in 1998 by 30 female, Colombian coffee farmers, Las Mujeres de Guayata is a women’s' coffee cooperative operating in the Boyacá department of northeastern Colombia. These farmers began their coffee coop with very little in the way of support or resources, as Colombia has traditionally been a male-dominated society, with most women working in the home. Despite their humble origins, the women of Las Mujeres de Guayata have harnessed their own initiative and pluck and have produced a consistently remarkable Colombian coffee. In the cup, this coffee offers a rich, thick, velvety body complemented by hints of chocolate and spice. Stone Creek is honored to offer Las Mujeres de Guayata as our newest socially responsible Factory Reserve."Las Muheres de Guayata Colombia will be available in Stone Creek Coffee Locations and Online beginning August 6...grab a cup and sip slowly!
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That's right, Saturday night is the night for me. My roomie, Lizzie and I are having a party at our spot to say "Hell Yeah!" to whatever. We just want all of our amazing friends to meet each other and hang out in our spot. THe event will take place on Saturday 8/2/08 after the Grumpy Barista Music Showcase (Greenpoint 4-8). Please email me for the address. I hope you can ALL make it!Ed
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I could not sleep last night – up at 3:30 a.m. My mind would not turn off; knowing that sleep was past I came downstairs to read which turned into working a touch on the computer.There is this fly and it keep landing on my screen; making, I’m sure little pad prints all over it; he will not land on anything else. It’s driving me crazy.Today is the day Beverly works behind the mall over in Dieppe so she will drop me off at Starbucks around 9 and picks me up around 11.I get my reading done and usually someone comes to visit.I think I’m ready to take on the day . . . we will see.
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Nathan and Shirley came up for dinner yesterday but I was out of it with a strong headache. I wasn’t so much fun. Just as well as Beverly, Shirley, Nathan, and Liz talked most about the upcoming wedding.Nathan made coffee after dinner – as you know I drink it black and no sugar – he used my good coffee – but when I took my first sip it was like drinking mud; how much coffee did you use three or four scoops? – I didn’t see the scoop, so I just poured it in. – I got that look from Beverly; you know the look, plain and to the point: take it and shut up. So I did.But the day was a good one overall – weather-wise it was great another not a cloud in the sky type of day, you might say.I’m up early and ready to take on the day. . .
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It looks like it’s going to be a wonderful day out there; not a cloud in the sky.We worked on our garden yesterday for over four hours. The sun was hot but it’s so addictive once you start it’s had to stop; looking good though.I’ve got a lot of work to do this morning in my Studio. Liz was in yesterday cleaning up my bookcase that covers one side of the room. She organized and labeled the shelves so I’ll know what’s what. I’ll now have to find the book I want, but it looks great. She even did it by size.I’m going to have a shower then cook breakfast; sit outside to have it, then I’ll start into the days work.Nathan and Shirley are coming up tonight for supper/dinner. We are planning Veggies and Hamburgers, done on the BBQ. Quite humble; my hamburgers are really good.I love days like this!
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I've never been much of a cup/saucer/spoon/napkin enthusiast. I have seen beautifully unique, rare demitasse and thought, "ooh, cool," but have never been moved to say anything. But tonight- tonight i saw something that changed all that. While scanning a pic of myself nervously holding my breath before my first time competing at wrbc, i noticed a shadow on my minimalist (cheap) white saucers in the corner of the frame. The light in the photo had cast an eerie yet comforting blue-green radiance on them. It matched one of the stripes in my shirt.
At that point, i became strangely driven to find a demitasse cup in that color. The search was a swift one; i found it and stopped dead, silent and captivated. I am enamored like never before. Pairing that color(!!!) with that simplistic shape is what allows it to stand so proudly quiet. Defiantly beautiful, yet nostalgic-- like a a swimming pool, a classic car, the color bathrooms should be painted:
Wow, i can't believe i'm lusting after a cup... after being such a "cup snob" snob. I've only ever seen what's on the inside. I feel like a teenage boy who just discovered girls. I just met the kind of cup that could make whatever it contains sing. Come on, you see it, too- i know you do. Every time you peek into virgin white vessel, you're fantasizing about sliding your big fat crema into it all morning long; making all your customers smile and dance out of your cafe, lovestruck and happy....Wow. That color really did something to me.
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We are not sure if it's going to rain or just stay overcast but I would like to spend some time in the garden this morning weeding. I finished my work early this morning with three phone calls to Paris.Just spending some time with Beverly today will be great; cleaning up the studio along with some office work.Bev has just left to pick up some eggs and milk at the corner store, well I take a shower.Maybe we’ll grab a light lunch out or take in a movie tonight; if we get all our work done in time.
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Last year, Chajulense Association and the women of Chajul initiated a project in textile production supported by Coffee Kids and benefiting 50 women in two communities. 
Over the past months, the Chajulense Association renovated a foot-operated loom and built a new one. This loom, along with the training the women received, will increase the textile production to satisfy the demand for handicrafts in the region.
During the first day at El Palmar, a talented high school student, who is in charge of the processing, explained the details of transforming used kitchen oil into fuel. He also told us how the community plans to use its lower-quality macadamia nuts to produce biodiesel reducing the need for large quantities of used oil from restaurants and shops. 
The biodiesel not only provides a cleaner fuel for the cars, but it also feeds the generator that provides electricity to the community and its eco-hotel, nut-sorting machinery, water purification plant and administrative offices.