Challenge #9: Winner #2!

Location: Sierra Madre Villa & Foothill
3429 East Foothill Blvd.
Pasadena CA, 91107 United States

When a store passes the challenge it is much less interesting for blogging purposes, but it needs to be reported . . . and this store was a winner!

I asked for a venti fair trade drip; two beats passed and then the girl on the register said "No problem, That's not brewing right now so I'll have to make it for you and it will take just a minute." No pause, no redirect; no fumbling over which was the FT coffee. Yay!

Mark: Pass

Guess this was a 4.0 beta challenge. (Grin.)

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Amused by the Starbucks Challenge? Me too. Now come see my real mission in the blogosphere: Easy Green and its companion journal, Observations, and such: Notes on the Kitchen Calendar

No Challenge: SBX Confab, Diaper Update & A Monkey at the Door

Last week greenlagirl, Anna C. of www.bringyourown.com and I met with Starbucks local and regional managers for SoCal in a big Fair Trade chat. The meeting went well, and while I had intended to blog extensively about the outcome, I pretty much had my say as a comment to greenlagirl's blog entry. SO, if you care to you may read my longish comment on the meeting, right here.

Suffice to say that, as an old trial lawyer, I was far more gleeful that there had been a commitment to a time certain, and an easy-to-calculate metric agreed to than I was dismayed by the longish time-frame. But that was my take, and it is informed by many many years of impatiently waiting for what should be an obvious and easy change by one company or agency or another. The metric leaves no wiggle room, which means when the newspapers start to pick up the challenge -- say over the spring or summer -- it will be clear if Starbucks passed or failed their own challenge.

Diaper Update or, This Man and A Baby

Starbucks La Verne (@ D St. & Foothill), and BigBoss Paula have proved true to their word and installed a diaper changing table in -- ta da -- the men's room! So far as I can tell, there is no changing table in the ladies room, yet.

Well knock me over with a feather, they did it! Huzzah!

Ms. Hannah will be getting a clean rear-end with dignity and style today. I am kind of bummed (haha pun!) that I can no longer show off my six-second, one handed, on the lap diaper wrangling style. I really enjoyed the part where I threw both hands in the air and the crowd roared it's approval of my . . . oh wait. That last didn't happen.

Really.

But the fold-down changing table did! And again I say huzzah!

Monkey at the Door

In this holiday season it is not unusual to see a package or two show up on the door step, but I didn't order anything recently, so I was a little surprised to find a box addressed to me from no one I immediately recognized on the door yesterday. I opened it up and Oh Yes! I had almost forgotten that glg and cityhippy had awarded me a cool prize for, er, something Starbucks challenge-y, and here it was -- a big package of certified, Fair Trade, Organic coffee from Monkey & Son . . . cool.

Since it was beans, I ate a couple, and they were quite nice; a little dry, but nice. They should make fine coffee . . . now, how to grind them? Should I dig out the old electric spice and alleged coffee grinder, or use the wedding-gift Magic Bullet (and in JUST 6 SECONDS have FRESH GROUND COFFEE)? They both work, but they both really chop the beans, and I have had gourmet types sniff deprecatingly at "chopped coffee."

We have a hand turned grain mill, that grinds wheat between two little mill-stones. No, really, we do. But I think it would be wrecked for flour-milling if I ground coffee in it.

We also have a hand cranked coffee grinder, which I think uses a more traditional grinding technique, but it is not currently mounted (it clamps to the the counter or bolts to the wall), so I can drag it out this afternoon for a cup.

Although I DO have a mortar and pestle -- but I try to reserve that for crushing eggshells for the worms and compost. (Grin; confused? Tune into my Easy Green blog next weekend (URL below) for the low down on bein' a worm farmer in the city.)

I think its the hand-cranked, wall-mounted coffee grinder after all.

Meanwhile -- Thank you greenlagirl, cityhippy, and, of course Monkey & Son! (Ironic that I am sitting here in LaVerne, blogging live from Starbucks no less, mere blocks away from Monkey & Son's operation. Ah technology!)

[UPDATE: See how the Coffee got ground, read Clean Coffee, Extreme]

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Amused by the Starbucks Challenge? Me too. Now come see my real mission in the blogosphere: Easy Green and its companion journal, Observations, and such: Notes on the Kitchen Calendar

Challange # 8: You Can What?!? Laaaaadies and Gentlemen, We Have a Winner!

Location: Fair Oaks & State Street
454 North Fair Oaks Ave
South Pasadena CA, 91030

I walked into the store in the middle of morning rush -- but as I was on the way to meet with greenlagirl, Anna C. of www.bringyourown.org and the Starbucks regional Big Bosses and some local store managers, I was in a heartless mood.

"Venti Fair Trade Drip, please," I asked, despite the 12 people in line behind me.

The Barista paused, looked over her shoulder. I could see the wheels working: Hmm. No FT on brew.

"We can press it for you; it will take about four minutes."

DING DING DING -- Weeeoooooo WeeeeeeOOOOOO WeeeeeOOOOOO -- Flashing lights: JACKPOT!

The first store, ever, to offer the FT coffee, pressed, without the redirect!

There's not much else to say; when I declined, because I was suddenly struck by the urge for chocolate, and I asked for a mocha instead, the barista looked stricken, and tried to convince me to have the FT. ROFL!

I assured her that I was not unhappy, just interested in Chocolate. She asked why I asked for the FT drip then. "Because I am going to chat with the regional bosses this morning in LA and want to tell them that you gave the right answer!"

She looked really relieved; and yes, I told Big Bos Marisol, of South Pasadena, specifically of this store's excellent response! In fact, she is sitting right here next to me at Pico & Robertson as I finish and publish this post via WiFi.

Thanks State Street So. Pas!

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Amused by the Starbucks Challenge? Me too. Now come see my real mission in the blogosphere: Easy Green and its companion journal, Observations, and such: Notes on the Kitchen Calendar

Challenge #7: Mystery Solved? Inching closer to an easy FT Cup.

LOCATION: Pasadena, California, USA
(Hastings Ranch) 3699 E Foothill Blvd

I was killing time waiting for a nearby store to open, so I stopped by another Pasadena Starbucks.

"My I have a grande fair trade drip, please?"

The Partner on the register begins inputting the drink on the register, then pauses.

"Right now we're brewing [some other coffee], would you prefer that?"

Ooooo, I think, a crafty blend of diversion to 'what's brewing' with just a hint of 'I'm providing a special service by getting your coffee to you faster'. He's good!

"No, I would prefer the Fair Trade, please. Would you press it?"

"Sure!" he says perkily. Once again the words of power are effective, especially when delivered as a polite imperative, not as a request. "It will take about five minutes." Sigh.

"Ok," I say, and ask for a "light" pressing.

To his credit Mr. Partner goes in back and scores a 1 pound bag of Cafe Estima without hesitation; he explains to me that they have changed the name of the coffee.

I explain to him that it's still Fair Trade, that the FT label is a third party certification that has nothing to do with Starbucks, and lots of people sell Fair Trade Certified Coffee. It is true that Starbucks has only one FT blend, which is now called Cafe Estima, but there is other Fair Trade coffee. My explanation draws another Barista who hovers, listening, apparently prepared to intervene if Mr. Partner is out of his depth.

"What size did you say you wanted?" he says, a little nervous now. I smile and cut him some slack and do not "warn" him of the challenge as I often do.

Six minutes later, he approaches me apologetically, and tells me he has just noticed that the French Press he used has a hole in it. I do not ask what this means, although the longer I contemplate it the more bizarre it seems. Still, he is so apologetic I cut him some more slack, and he hurries off to remake it . Four minutes later, he has the coffee in hand and at my table.

I notice a curious look as he sets it near the computer -- I have the SBX store locator up in one window and am writing this entry in another. (Wicked grin.)

Although I got the FT drink with only minimum hassle, there was a clear and deliberate effort to direct me away from it. That this happens in nearly the exact same phrasing and the same perky helpfulness from store to store suggests that it is part of company policy.

Then it hits me: This must be their general training accidentally snagging on the Fair Trade policy ! If someone asks for a flavor or blend that is not brewing, I bet they are trained generally to use suggestive selling techniques to steer the customer to something they are brewing -- both to make the sale and keep the customer happy.

It always takes a beat for my request to sink in, and it seems likely that the hapless Barista is reaching into his training for something appropriate -- which, in light of the company FT policy, turns out to be inappropriate. Mystery solved, maybe!

Still, score this one a FAIL, because I had to ask twice, and explain how to do it. I give points for NOT having to go through the "we're out of FT" schtick, but in the end I had to work way too hard for a simple cup of coffee which should be available with out having to be a stickler.

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Amused by the Starbucks Challenge? Me too. Now come see my real mission in the blogosphere: Easy Green and its companion journal, Observations, and such: Notes on the Kitchen Calendar

No Challange: But Fair Trade is Back in Stock, And SBX Is Helping Men Change (Diapers)

Fair Trade coffee is back at all my Starbuckses.

Maybe it was just a supply glitch, like I thought. I'm going to hold on to that, as my usual Starbucks haunts have all begun to stock Fair Trade again, their Cafe Estima blend. Since they all know the french press drill by now, that means instead of a mental "No Pass" every time I walk in these stores, I can chalk-up a mental "pass" and relax. Unless I see a new barista (wicked grin) or intentionally vary my routine to Challenge new stores!

Meanwhile, for all those who have asked, here is the next installment of "As The Diaper Turns." (If you are behind on this saga, start here: Diaper, Diaper, Who's Got the Diaper? then see Dirty Diapers and 'A Present For Me?' )

Yesterday Hannah and I were waiting out traffic as usual, and I was talking to the barrista who was busy cooing at my baby.

"See, the reason I keep asking about Fair Trade is there are over a hundred folks shopping just the Fair Trade then writing up their experiences online, part of an international check-up on some corporate claims. So every time you guys are out, and I write it up, it doesn't look so good."

"Oh!"

A few minutes later, the BigBoss walked in the door. "Hi Paula!" all the crew chimed in, one after another. Duly noted, then: the big boss is named Paula. Unfortunately, after yesterday, I may owe Paula an apology.

Shortly after BigBossPaula sat down at a table and began slinging binders and talking labor numbers and big meeting arrangements and more internal stuff with what appeared to be the store manager, the first barista scooted over, beaming, with a pound of Cafe Estima: "We just got it in!" she said, truly happy to bring me the good news.

"Cool!" I said; she cood at Hannah some more.

A few more minutes later BigBossPaula and the probable-manager started chatting about something personal, and Hannah cooed at them and I interjected a comment. BBPaula mentioned that she had two kids, aged 1 and 4 years; that her husband had been a stay at home dad until just recently (Did I call her sexist in a prior post? Oops.) , and that the changing table was in the back room. As she got up to go confirm that fact, I asked which restroom she was going to put it in.

"Oh well, I guess we should put the first one in the men's restroom." Cool! "Then we'll order another one for the ladies' room."

Ahhh. Didn't even get to savor my blow for equality. Ah well, I think I did call her unconsciously sexist. Sorry about the assumptions BBP, but you really do want to keep a close eye on that ol' subconscious. It's a devil, and it wants to keep women in "their" place. (Grin.)

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Amused by the Starbucks Challenge? Me too. Now come see my real mission in the blogosphere: Easy Green and its companion journal, Observations, and such: Notes on the Kitchen Calendar

No Challenge: Dirty Diapers and 'A Present For Me? Ah, You Shouldn't Have!'

Every Starbucks I've checked lately has been out of their Fair Trade blend, Cafe Estima, for awhile now. I've even had a couple go "check in back" for me, although not part of an official "Challenge." No joy. So as greenlagirl might say, what's up with that? Could it be that demand for FairTrade has been massively higher than SBX buyers anticipated, and they just can't keep it in stock? That would be my guess. (I prefer that over the thought that no one cares about the FT stock, so no one was paying attention.) But it doesn't do much for the "always available" claim when the stuff is out of stock in three, four, now FIVE stores in a row, neh?

S'okay, though -- our very own fille verte L.A. decided, along with cityhippy apparently, to give an early solstice prezzie to yours truly. Having turned my-life-as-a-Starbucks-dad into this blog, and taken excessive delight mysteriously menacing clueless baristas, I win the LA Challange Award . . . COOL!

Much appreciate both the prominent blog mention [Yay, hits! :-) ] and the promise of a said-to-be yummy package of Fair Trade Monkey & Son coffee. Thanks folks! I had an email chat with the Monkey, and was going to stop by for a taster, but, well, things being what things are, never got around to it! So, thank you folks -- I am gratified and humbled -- no, wait hungry! -- it's lunch time, and we are low on the organic coffee concoction we usually pick up at Trader Joe's, and my chemical free, non-GMO TJ brand burritos are getting cold. Thank you !

Speaking of TJ

Turns out, they do stock a triple certified Shade Grown, Organic, Fair Trade coffee. I forget the price, but it was similar to other coffees, but about 3 oz smaller. Yay, TJ.

Unfortunately, I really like the taste of the TJ brand organic; sigh. After Christmas, if we are a little more flush around here, we may have to try the "3-Way TJ" coffee.

Diaper's On the Other Foot

Happened to be merrily blogging away in Starbucks La Verne yesterday, when I heard a female voice in the distance ask "has that diaper changing table arrived yet?" I turned to see who might be asking about my second interesting Starbucks caper, when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but the Big Boss and her laptop at a seat in the rear!

Hannah and I wandered over and tell her the bad news.

"I thought I heard someone say 'changing table' just now" I said, "and I have a special request."

"Yes," said the BigBoss warily, as the changing table obviously had been a special request in the first place.

"Go ahead and put the first one in the men's restroom after all. I've checked three times to see if you had gotten it into the ladies room, and have been glared at, yelled at, and called a bad name. I thought I was brave enough to use one in the women's restroom, but I guess not. "

She looked startled; I didn't give her a chance to say anything or try to explain why the more sexist placement was a better option. Hannah and I went back to our seat, and I promptly changed Hannah's warm, damp little diaper with her on my knees. In the middle of the store. With half of the customers talking to the "pretty baby," and the baristas all cooing and calling her by name and commenting on her nakedness. (Grin). I thought it was a pretty effective little demonstration myself. [Whistles innocently . . .]

We shall see what comes of it however.

Got so excited about the chance to fix the kind-but-sexist offer of a diaper changing table that I neglected to ask what was really on my mind, which is why are all your stores out of Fair Trade coffee?

As I contemplated my missed opportunity, I began to wonder -- if coffee is Organic, Shade Grown and Fair Trade, is the shade organic too? My guess: Yes. It would have to be, or the overspray and leaching would destroy the organic cert on the coffee. Ah, so much for a snarky tag line with which to end this No-Fair-Trade, Fair-Trade post . . .

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Amused by the Starbucks Challenge? Me too. Now come see my real mission in the blogosphere: Easy Green and its companion journal, Observations, and such: Notes on the Kitchen Calendar