The Starbucks Juggernaut

by Erik Olsen on

Just because we’ve blogged about coffee so many times before…and what a necessary elixir it is for any traveler…I thought y’all might be interested in this article about the rather impressive ambitions of Starbucks to become not just a purveyor of coffee, but of media and entertainment as well. Sure, you’ve seen the racks of CDs in Starbucks stores across the country. Some of them are even pretty damn good, i.e. the new Pearl jam album. But did you know that Starbucks in getting into the movie business as well?

Yes, it seems the company has been in discussions with folks like Jagger, Bono, Prince and Chris Martin to develop ways to promote the company. Soon, says the company, they might be selling books and all manner of other items to help you enjoy that cup of coffee as you sit in the Starbucks store and then go back and order another $5 latte. Amazing.

Chickens Die!

by Neil Woodburn on

Every once in a while, we here at Gadling deviate from the travel theme to bring you something that has caught our attention even though it has nothing to do with travel.  Today’s story comes to us from the AP wire and is entitled, “8 Chickens Die in Senior Prank at High School.”

It turns out that the senior class at Redwood High School in Larkspur, California thought it might be funny to release a bunch of live chickens on campus.  A harmless prank, you might think, but not harmless at all.  Eight chickens bought the farm during the prank and now the students are facing possible animal cruelty charges. 

Can you say, “Slow News Day?”

Eight chickens die and it makes headlines?  Are you kidding me?  The font on the article was larger and bolder than the articles we see daily about soldiers dying in Iraq and Afghanistan.  “Eight Chickens Die?!?!?”  Please.  The fact that the students bought the chickens from a “live market” in San Francisco tells me that they were initially intended for far darker purposes than being released on a high school campus.  Those chickens were on their way to the Colonel Sanders in the sky either way you chop it. Providing the students didn’t torture them, the chickens met the same demise they would have anyway.  And this is news? 

Great Vodkas

by Erik Olsen on

We’ve done a fair amount of posting about beer lately, and that must rankle fans of the harder stuff.

OK, have no fear, here’s a reat post about vodka. Perhaps I should have left ths for Neil, but oh well. Gothamist takes a look on tis fine Memorial Day at the various wonderful vodkas that are out there waiting for your palate (and liver) to sample.

Of course, we always advocate moderation, unless that is impossible and you are sitting and quaffing with a group of Russians, who, it is rumored, never leave a bottle of vodka unfinished. We learn about Reyka, Iceland’s first and only vodka, Also, a must try is PINK vodka, nicely flavored with with Guarana and caffeine, so you can double up on the heart-beat raising stuff when you have your vodka Red Bull at your next big bash.

One Night Stand: Springfield, Missouri

by Adrienne Wilson on

Right now I’m resting in my cozy Sleep Inn hotel room after my long 20-mile walk on dusty Missouri back roads, freshly laid oil on Hwy 60W, and everything in between. I’ve come to call the state Misery rather than Missouri, but that is due only to some of the hardships faced on my walk yesterday. Now I could stay here curled up in bed with my jammies on, yet that would be nothing more than a wasted opportunity in a new city. So I’m opting to go out. I’m told the Bass Pro Shop is a pretty happening spot in addition to some of the places found on this Springfield, Missouri Convention and Visitors Bureau website. I’m really not in the mood to do much, but since eating is a requirement and my favorite part of my daily regime I wouldn’t mind a few food recommendations. Where is the good grub Springfield? If there’s something outside of food that shouldn’t be missed and must be feasted on, pass that on as well. If not for me, then do it for some of the other readers heading out this way.

Unless someone can convince me otherwise, it looks like I’ll be skipping out on my sweet rendezous with the city of Springfield, Missouri to head down to Branson this evening though I’m totally willing to change my mind provided there is something equally exciting and closer. I’ll report back later.

Best Places for Beer

by Erik Olsen on

It’s Memorial Day Weekend which to many of us means one thing…ok, two things: a day off and beer. And so to help you make up your razadook what to do with yourself as you bask in the sun and enjoy a free, workless day, I offer a list of the best places in the country to get a mug of the frothy stuff. This list from Beer Advocate (which had made it on to my top 100 list of great sites) is wonderfully comprehensive, with the exception that there are not nearly enough New York City bars here. But I will get over my NYC bias and am eager to allow other great beer venues around the country to have some of the spotlight.