LA

The 22ed SCAA show is history.  Flying into Burbank a day early and hanging with the one – the only… Chuck Jones. 

We spent the day visiting about 6 LA freeways, time at Jones Coffee in Pasadena and then up to Silverlake popping in on LA Mill – Intelly & In & Out.

Friday night – the opening keynote was  a hero of mine Arianna Huffington.  Her talk was motivational & thought provoking – much like her books and her site The Huffington Post – a site I spend at least a half an hour a day on – getting my news fix.

Then there was the show floor – Matt & I both speaking – USBC & as usual… a lot of parties and amazing dinners.  The last day was great we met up with Martin Diedrich at Kean in Tustin – hanging out before our flight up north from John Wayne.  Below finds Matt with two coffee legends – Gianni and Martin.

Astoria weekend – Tuesday… So-Cal

The past weekend was great. We traveled to the coast – namely… Astoria. I must confess though I have been to the Oregon coast many times I had only been in Astoria once before.  What a great little city (oldest city on the west coast – older than S.F.)  The reason for the journey was the grand opening party for “Street 14 Coffee”.  Denise our client and former ABC student hosted an amazing Saturday event. Well over 150 showed up at the private party – with great food and a great band in the evening.  The day was filled with Water Ave. Coffee  doing pour over and Chemex tastings – along side Ninkasi Brewery doing an amazing beer tasting.

Now back in Portland – tying up loose ends. Getting ready to head to Southern Cal. Tuesday… for what I usually dub “Specialty Coffee’s annual family reunion.” The annual SCAA Event.

The week will be filled with lots of meetings – seeing great friends- Speaking- Trade show floor booth manning – Lots of sun… and did I mention a few double double’s animal style @ In & Out?

Tuesday in Portland

This my day started  with this cappuccino at Temp Coffee…. 

I knew Brandon was around because the WAC truck was parked in front of the building.

The guy that did the hand painting on this 40 year old truck is such a rock star – it was his idea to add pin stripping. It is def. a head tuner and a moving billboard for WAC.

Inside I found Brandon working on the roaster motor – Glad someone understands electricity.

Matt took off right after our staff meeting to do an on site consulting job

The build out here today is at that noisy stage -  thousands of sheet rock screws have penetrated metal since early morning both downstairs and also up in our front office.

I keep thinking about “Yoga Boga’ (our yoga studio neighbors here on the second floor / down the hall) – Yikes!

Now waiting for Fresh Cup to arrive – as they are doing a photo shoot in the school.

What started out to be a very grey Oregon winter day is showing us some sun breaks now.  Maybe my favorite image of the day so far!

No April Fools – Just Great Coffee!

Temporary Coffee (soon to be WAC) opened at 7am today in the former Bakery Bar space… just around the corner from the build out (in full swing)  of Water Avenue Coffee.  Seen here- Matt,Thomas,Danielle & Drew.