Coffee, ice cream, and wine

From a Yahoo! News story: "NEW YORK – Starbucks Corp. said Thursday it is wiping its name from one of its Seattle-area stores and adding alcohol to the menu. The Seattle-based gourmet coffee chain said it is changing the name of one of its existing stores in its hometown to a name that reflects the neighborhood location. The store will be called 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea. It will open next week and will serve coffee and tea as well as wine and beer." If it's not terribly expensive, I'll stop in regularly. I will let them know Canadian beer is my favorite. They should also hire waitresses like this wholesome young woman, no?

GEVALIA

I just got a sample package of Gevalia Coffee in the mail - this is the third one in about two years. Along with the sample was included an offer of a free coffeemaker if I will subscribe to their service. I was turned down for this great offer twice before because I had already been a member many years ago - I dropped out after about eight months. This offer is evidently for first timers only. As far as I can tell, the offer does not say that but, if it does, it's in very, very fine print. Folgers is good coffee too. So is Hills Brothers. So is Starbucks. I won't send the Gevalia offer in because I know they'll catch it and I'll be left out again. With all the sophisticated databases around you would think my name could be found on their strike out list before they send the offer and not after. Oh well, I'll drink the sample anyway.