Contemplating this afternoon about a three-bean mix of Sumatra, Costa Rican and Kenyan beans and how beans from these three regions mix wonderfully with a dash of mocha-flavored Spenda.
I’m also interested in something David Brooks of the New York Times wrote about recently. Brooks cited a Pew Research Center study about trends in where Americans prefer to live, and he noted that when given the choice, Americans would rather live by a McDonald’s than a Starbucks; but the fast foodies did not vastly outnumber us mocha minds. McDonald’s won out only by a 43-35 percent margin. I’d take Chestnut Hill Cafe over Starbucks, but at least one-third of Americans are thinking of roasted flavors instead of fried fare.
Anyone have any Bailey’s for my coffee? We’re talking alcohol, again, at the Nest.
A Talkback poster wrote this in response to Patrick Burns’ story regarding Willow Valley Resort’s drive to make West Lampeter Township a place where alcohol can be sold:
As a Non-Willow Valley resident of this township, I will NOT sign the petition NOR will I vote of it. We don’t need to see this township begin to look like all of the others that surround the ciity (sic) due to the sale of alcohol. True residents NEED to realize that this is just not about what Willow Valley wants to do and disapprove this (measure).
Willow Valley is hoping to put a provision on the May ballot so West Lampeter resident can give the thumbs up or down to lifting the prohibition against alcohol. And that Talkbacker hit what I think is the toughest challenge for Willow Valley. They want the prohibition so they can acquire a liquor license and complete a $7 million expansion with a Double Tree hotel. That’s fine, but what’s in it for the residents of West Lampeter? Willow Valley has to answer that rhetorical question. Why should the entire township alter its laws for the sake of one large tourist resort?
Interesting, too, that Willow Valley formed a political action committee. This means the public can look at its financing. Who donated and how much? Will Double Tree (a Hilton subsidiary) spend money through the PAC? How involved - how badly - does Hilton/Double Tree want to establish their brand here? Will Paris hand out leaflets and free perfume at the polls?
Let’s go on a tour around the state:
*Click it or Ticket might have a whole new meaning. Mario Cattabiani of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes today about a push by the Rendell administration to allow police officers the ability to pull you over if they see you aren’t wearing your seat belt. Currently, they cant.
Why go for this now? Federal money incentives, naturally.
*Republican members of the state House Appropriations Committee, including Lancaster County’s own Rep. Gordon Denlinger of Narvon, raked members of Rendell’s administration over the coals over state aid to help the Boscov’s retail chain out. Friend to the Nest Robert Swift of the Scranton Times Tribune writes:
Rep. Gordon Denlinger, R-99 of Narvon, warned that DCED is now in the bailout business and called Boscov’s a “failed enterprise.”
“The Boscov decision represents a sea change in what DCED has done,” the Lancaster County lawmaker added.
*And finally, in honor of the Dave Matthews Band announcing it’s coming back to Hershey this summer (Friday, July 24; tix on sale at 10 a.m. March 13), and since alcohol has been such a focus of discussion at the Nest in recent days, we’ll offer up this ditty from - GULP - 13 years ago. Wow. There are junior high students who weren’t alive when DMB put out the “Crash” album. Somebody should have told me this would happen when I turned 30.
Everyone now:
I eat too much
I drink too much
I want too much
Too much!
Pretty much sums up the Dave Matthew Band concert experience. We miss you Leroi Moore, wherever you are. We’ll be there in Hershey to make sure your bandmates still put on a fabulous show.
