Do You Get This? Hellooooooo?

Listen up, coffee fans. If you've been paying attention to the blogspot, you know that I advocate saving some coins all week long so you can get your coffee shop fix & entertainment on the weekends. HAVE YOU SEEN the entertainment values on the Events Page? Am I kidding? No way!

Concerts for 0 to 8 bucks at Triad Coffee Shops. Count 'em! That leaves you plenty of dough for a beverage, snacks, and tips to the barista and band. Why pay 100 buckaroos for a big fancy celebrity at the coliseum when you can see big talented celebrity-to-be at a Triad Coffee Shop?

Bypass the ringing in your ears and enjoy some ear-saving, volume-controlled, family-friendly (most of the time!) and culturally enriching entertainment at Triad Coffee Shops.

'Nuf said?

(p.s. If there's a big fancy celebrity playing at the coliseum who started out in coffee shops, let me know! I'd like an exclusive interview for the blogspot!)

Painting the Town Red in Reidsville

The Backstreet Buzz Coffee House in downtown Reidsville wants to be the community's "third place." It's not your first place (home) or your second place (work), but a third place where you can gather informally with long-time friends, new friends, young friends, and old friends.


CoffeeCat has already blogged about the wonderful-ness of coffee shops. Now I'm learning about other writers who think third places such as coffee shops are much more than places to buy coffee. They're good for our psychological well being and give us a sense of belonging. They improve our relationships and help us form new ones. If you're curious, you can read the books A Place for Us by Benjamin Barber and Great Good Place by Ray Oldenburg.

Or, if you'd prefer to find out firsthand, stop by the Backstreet Buzz and chat with Dave and Linda. You can't miss it - it's the red building on Market Street!

Then, try some of the other coffee shops on our Coffee Shop Guide and let CoffeeCat know what you like about these third places.

You make me wanna . . .

Peaches, former shelter dog

Coffee shops with patios or sidewalk cafes make me want to move to their neighborhood, adopt a dog, and plan my morning dog walk to stop by the coffee shop. Even though I'm a cat person, I enjoy watching the dogs who stop by coffee shops on their morning walks. Well-behaved dogs, oohs and ahhs from their admirers, and hot caffeine make everyone smile. And when everyone is smiling, the world is a better place.  That's a big accomplishment for your neighborhood coffee shop. It appears small and unassuming on the outside, but inside it is very busy making people happy and more connected to friends and strangers alike.

What about you, coffee shop fans? What does your favorite coffee shop inspire you to do?

Sunday mornin', and the livin' is easy

It's Sunday morning, a gift of time to spend however you choose. Many people will spend this morning worshipping, fishing, playing golf, or sleeping late. Some will pack suitcases and clear out the rented beach house. Some will head to work and think ahead to their mid-week day off.

However and wherever you spend your Sunday morning, slow down and commune with your caffeine, whether it's coffee or tea. Hold the warm mug near your face with both hands. Close your eyes. Breathe in the steam. Touch your lips to the rim. Then take a sip. Ahhhh. That first hot sip of the day is always the tastiest and most powerful. Now you can start your day with a little boost of optimism and energy.

This stolen moment might be yours with no effort at all -- just a few steps around your kitchen and perhaps carrying your mug out to the deck or into your living room. Or, it might require planning ahead, setting an alarm clock, and sneaking out of the house before the rest of the family is awake. Here's where the coffee shop comes in. Most of them open by 8 a.m. Sundays, and attract like-minded people - those who relish good coffee and quiet conversation while most of the town is still asleep.

It's a treat to sit in a coffee shop with folks who are reading the Sunday paper or stopping by on their daily dog walk. Others stop in to fuel up before a long church service or a Sunday drive. The day is still full of possibilities, and you get a glimpse of how your neighbors are spending theirs.

Even if you're facing challenges that make living not so easy, this exercise can help you set problems aside and live in the moment - even if just for one moment on a Sunday morning.

CoffeeCat wants to know . . .

besides the obvious caffeine fix, what's your most frequent reason for hanging out at the coffee shop?

Be honest! CoffeeCat won't hiss if you admit you love to grab some of those free doggie biscuits by the door as you're walking your dog and sipping a caramel machiato.

But CoffeeCat objects to this bow-wow being the first photo on our blog. Help CoffeeCat by sending photos of your favorite coffee house treats & latte art to coffeecat@earthlink.net.