Starbucks...scraping barrel for Baristas! Over-rated over-priced!

Judging by an incident I witnessed yesterday in Starbucks (Stockton & Sutter outlet in San Francisco) the Seattle-based coffee vendor must be desperate for skilled counter-workers.

A case in point?

One ditzy male server actually screwed-up when he tried to swipe a customer's credit card through the terminal.

For example, for some inexplicable reason the tall gangly Barista elected to furiously slide the debit card at least six or seven times through the machine with such vigor that he ended up causing a nasty snafu.

Uh-huh!

The system invalidated the sale.

Then, the clerk snidely remarked to the insulted customer that his card was "denied" (inferring that he had insufficient funds in his account).

How embarrassing!

Through my own experience, I've found that if a credit card is swiped in rapid succession at least two or three times, that the erratic transaction will send an alert to the bank - and, on occasion - deny access to the card (and funds).

You'd think that the cashier at would be keen to that fact, or that Starbucks would have at least trained the hapless individual the proper way to scan a credit card for payment.

Quite a few of the Starbucks staff also lack simple common sense which often proves to be detrimental to the consumer.

For example, when a customer orders a mixed java drink at the counter, the Barista immediately pours the coffee portion into a cup, and then sits it down on the counter where it will be prepared on a first-come first-serve basis.

But, because Starbucks is such a busy cafe, oftentimes the coffee sits for several minutes before the drink is mixed and handed off to the customer.

On numerous occasions I have been served a cold coffee because the staff at Starbucks are too dumb to figure out the obvious.

The cashier should mark the customer's name on the cup, with the name of the drink on its face, and pour in the coffee at the last minute when the drink is ready to be mixed and served up.

Duh!

And, there's just one more thing.

As far as I am concerned, asking a customer if they want a receipt every time they ring up a charge on the cash register, is not only annoying but a waste of precious minutes.

Of course, I want my receipt.

I am not inclined to leave personal data about my checking account - and debit card - after all.

In view of the foregoing, I have to wonder.

Has Starbucks started using untrained non-union workers?

News at 11!

Leland Yee...Mayoral candidate fishes for votes in Bart underground! Race a squeaker!

Commuters did a double-take during rush hour yesterday afternoon when they spied Mayoral candidate - Leland Yee - pumping flesh and handing out slick brochures outlining his lofty campaign goals.

Smartly-attired, I found Mr. Yee to be warm and sincere, and wished him well in his bid for the post of big honcho down at City Hall.

The race may be a squeaker!

So, all the hopefuls are pulling out all the stops, 'natch.

Yee opposes park privatization, longs to create a clean energy program that can compete with PG&E, and promotes efforts to make sustainable products a viable reality.

His vow to hold corporate interests and government bureaucrats accountable is timely.

Supporters vigorously assert that a vote for Yee is a nod for a cleaner greener San Francisco by 2010.

Good luck, Leland!

Dr. Murray Conrad...being serviced by girlfriend? Jury is out!

Under cross-examination in court at the Dr. Murray Conrad trial, one female witness (defendant's crush) noted for the record that she was an actress who kept busy maintaining her instrument.

Judging by the coddling  that went down on Santa Monica Beach yesterday afternoon with the good doctor, it appears that the sexy gal may be maintaining Conrad's - um - instrument, too!

Will she be allowed conjugal visits?

News at 11!

General Strike...Port of Oakland blockaded! Violence erupts after midnight!

Thousands of hopped-up protesters marched on the Port of Oakland bent on shutting it down, a dozen-or-so anonymous anarchists clad in black systematically attacked symbols of power and greed, and police stayed out of harm's way for the better part of the evening.

Yet, in spite of the potentially volatile mix, a "General Strike" at the busy facility (the 10th largest in the country) organized by "Occupy Oakland" went off without a hitch.

It was not cause for celebration for all, though.

For example, truckers affected by the blockade moaned that each hour their rigs were idle, they suffered financial losses.

"We're part of the 99%," one lamented to a local news anchor.

The agitated working-class man (and others in the frustrated crowd) wondered aloud why they were being targeted.

According to sources, the siege on the Port of Oakland was a strategic ploy to rustle up publicity for their cause on an international level.

It worked!

The airwaves were awash with up-to-the-minute news updates throughout the evening across the Nation.

As expected, the "General Strike" triggered some collateral damage, though.

For example, one frustrated motorist surged forward into an intersection  to elude protesters' wrath and ended up striking two pedestrians.

Fights also broke out among protesters when they didn't see eye-to-eye (on the issue of property damage, for instance).

And, local residents were inconvenienced when their city was held captive.

In spite of the foregoing, the "General Strike" appeared to be a success for the protesters until about midnight when a nasty clash with the police got ugly and resulted in approximately 100 arrests.

News at 11!

Lindsay Lohan...to pose nude before booking into slammer!

Naughty party-girl Lindsay Lohan breathed a sight of relief as a Judge read the "Mean Girl's" sentence yesterday morning at a packed court house on the West Coast.

30 days in the slammer wasn't half-bad, when you consider that prosecutors were pushing for a one-year stint behind bars on a probation violation.

However, if the troubled starlet slips up, the bench warmer stipulated for the record that 270 additional days would be tacked on in the big house.

There was a curious twist to the proceedings, too.

The Judge graciously agreed to "stay" the incarceration for a week so that Lohan could honor a prior commitment to pose in the buff for a skin mag (Playboy, natch!).

Imagine that!

The court gave a nod to the right to "Freedom of the flesh"!





Playboy spread didn't hurt Farrah Fawcett's career!

Occupy Oakland...Mayor Quan flip-flops! Cops cry foul!

There must be something in the water at Oakland's City Hall which makes people stupid.

If that's the case, Mayor Quan must be gulping it down by the pitcher-full!

Her tendency to flip-flop on the "Oakland Occupy" dilemma is a surefire indication.

Last week, Quan's judgment was initially quite sound when she issued a directive for the City Police to nudge protesters out of the "tent city" at sunset in keeping with applicable City ordinances that ban overnight "camping" in public spaces.

During the course of executing the task, Officers were forced to utilize tear gas (after protester resistance and allegedly being pelted with rocks and bottles) with unfortunate results.

Although the City's finest were successful in shutting down the - unsightly, unsanitary, and unhealthy encampment - one cop slipped up.

While the skirmish was underway, the hapless law enforcement worker lobbed a tear gas canister into the melee which struck one of the protesters causing serious injury.

In the uproar that followed, a cry went up all around the country:

"Police brutality!"

Bowing to public pressure, Mayor Quan reversed herself, and proceeded to instruct the Police Department to essentially stand down.

More disturbing, was the beleaguered politician's (there is a recall action underway) decision to allow protesters to remain.

What lunacy!

Just because one or two officers erred in judgment in one spontaneous moment - doesn't mean by any stretch of the imagination - that the Police were at fault for what transpired.

Consequently, and for good reason, the interim Police Chief lambasted Mayor Quan for placing the blame on his department.

In the final analysis?

Quan should have given the cops kudos for effectively shutting down the illegal "encampment".

And, on the heels of the incident, the misguided Quan should have launched an investigation to determine if disciplinary action should be brought against the officer(s) in question who may have simply screwed-up without malicious or wrongful intent.

"Throwing the baby out with the bathwater" underscored to me that Quan is not only unqualified to helm the Mayor's post - but also - lacks leadership ability.

Safeway...sandwich incident spotlights Grocer's greed! Poorly-trained Security guards a menace!

I wasn't surprised when the news broke yesterday about a young couple who were hauled off to jail for "allegedly" swiping two chicken salad sandwiches while shopping for groceries at Safeway.

Tattler readers may recall that I have reported on the aggressive inappropriate conduct of security guards at outlets in San Francisco and West Hollywood (Pavilions).

Post: 10/28/2009

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/10/pavilionsracist-afro-american-guard.html

Post: 10/14/2011

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2011/10/safewaybull-dyke-barges-in-on-males.html

Post: 08/12/2009

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/08/pavilionsmanagers-with-bad-attitude.html

I have also personally witnessed cocky belligerent guards stalking, harassing, and overstepping their legal authority.

Complaints to the Executive Offices at Safeway are usually ignored.

The truth?

Safeway is greedy corporate giant who cares more about their bottom line than customer satisfaction.

Judging by the response (the outcry) to the sandwich incident around the country this past week, it appears that shoppers agree!

Frankly, I'm glad that Safeway employees got with their tits caught in the wringer this week.

Serves 'em right.

We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore!

Elizabeth Taylor...Amfar tosses tribute to celebrated star! Charitable A.I.D.S. activist!

Elizabeth Taylor is being honored posthumously in San Francisco with a glittering gala tribute tossed by Amfar.

The much-anticipated high-profile event is being billed:

"Violet Eyes in the Red City: An Amfar Affair"

The celebrated beauty is being touted for her unfailing dedication to finding a cure for A.I.D.S. and rustling up funds to provide financial assistance (emotional, too) for those inflicted with the killer virus.

Tattler readers may recall that I have written a couple of profiles on Ms. Taylor in the past.

Post:  09/24/2008

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/09/elizabeth-tayloraids-activist-last.html

The Oscar-winning actress was one of the first major celebrities to take up the cause and raise the consciousness HIV and A.I.D.S.

In fact, when Ms. Taylor first called up friends and business contacts for their support, they hung up in her ear.

Uh-huh!

No one in Hollywood's elite circles wanted to be associated with such an unfashionable disease for fear their careers (and public persona) may be jeopardized.

In 1985, Taylor joined with Dr. Mathilde Krim and a posse of physicians and scientists in the field to form Amfar.

To date, the charitable organization has invested approximately $35 million in its outreach programs and awarded generous grants to upwards of 2,000 reach team around the face of the earth.

The San Francisco "gala" is slated to be hosted by Andy Cohen (Bravo).

The soiree will commence with an intimate dinner for 100 guests who will dine on delectable dishes prepared by Chef Gary Danko (Gary Danko restaurant in San Francisco), Chris Borges, and pastry chef Yigit Pura (winner of Bravo's "Just Desserts" competition).

Following dinner, guests will be whisked into a Moroccan-themed party (500 guests expected) where singing sensation Chaka Khan will perform.

The dazzling event will kick-off at the Ken Falk Studio on November 4th (2011).

Tickets are bit pricey!

Gary Danko Dinner
6 p.m.
$2,500 per ticket

Tribute to Taylor
9 p.m.
$250.00 per ticket

INFO

www.amfar.org

Halloween...Ghostly tour of San Francisco's City Hall! Indian Burial ground spirits beckon!

Historians and locals alike are keen to the fact that over the years San Francisco's City Hall has been rebuilt, renovated and relocated on three or four different occasions.

Currently, the glittering showplace rests on a former Indian burial ground.

Consequently, a handful of folks assert that the building is haunted!

Tonight, revellers and naughty trick-or-treaters are invited to take a free tour of City Hall, and get the skinny on the rumors first-hand.

Disinterred remains, assassinations and other ghostly lore form the focus of this spine-tingling tour.

Instead of tossing the spotlight on the architecture, there will be fascinating snippets from interviews with city employees that detail chilling paranormal activity.

The tour is approximately 45-60 minutes.

Free.


Happy haunting - um - hunting!

Venue

Guests meet in the South Light Court through Goodlett Place (Polk St.) entrance.

Hours

6:30 p.m.

Occupy Wall Street..."General Strike" slated for Wednesday in Oakland! November 2nd!

After a week of frenzied protests and skirmishes with the police in front of Oakland City Hall (sparked by violence on occasion) the "Occupy Wall Street" chapter is calling for a widespread "General Strike" on Wednesday (November 2nd).

According to sources, protesters are knocking on doors of local business and labor unions urging workers not to clock in at their place of employment in a show of solidarity for the movement gaining momentum around the Nation.

A spokesperson for the union that represents teachers has pledged their support as of press time.

"We are part of the 99%," the teacher asserted in a public statement to the media.

Stay posted for updates!

St. Paul's Cathedral...to oust protesters with legal action! Sprinkler dousing, too!

Frustrated by the unsightly blight of "tent city" on their front lawn - erected by supporters of the "Occupy Wall Street" movement - St. Paul's Cathedral (in London) have shuttered up their "House of Worship" as they fathom an effective way to rid themselves of the dilemma.

According to one Church Official, the action has backfired in one respect, though.

Each day the doors remain shut, St. Paul's coffers lose several hundred dollars in donations.

Lawyers have urged their Holy clients to to take legal action in a last-ditch effort to resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, one Church-goer has drummed up a novel approach to chase any the protesters.

St. Paul's is tinkering with the idea of installing a sprinkler system timed to automatically water the gardens at the crack-of-dawn daily.

If the plan succeeds, just betcha, there will be a surge in sprinkler sales and a rise in gainful employment in the coming weeks.

Stay posted for updates!

Judging individuals...quote by Julian Ayrs!



An individual

who judges a person's character

based

solely
on their
past actions

is

a

fool!

Julian Ayrs

Chocolate Buddha

Collection of Poems