Hello all-
I wanted to talk to everyone and see what we could arrange for a write-in schedule. I am usually available in the evenings. I'd like to set up at least one night a week where we can get together and meet. In years past we've met in coffee shops and in wrimo houses. Both seemed to have worked well.
For a scheduled time, I propose something mid-week when we'll be able to avoid large crowds. I think just about any night of the week will work for me, mid-to late week would probably be best for me.
I would prefer we avoid using the East Village Cafe (formerly Morgan's) this year. The new owner wasn't all that friendly to our group last year.
Two years ago, we went to Cafe Noir. it was a decent place, though it was often crowded upstairs. Parking is also an issue.
There is a place in Seaside opening called Bad Ass Coffee. I don't know what their hours will be, or what the place is like, but I can swing by and check it out.
any other ideas?
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__________________________
Metaphors be with you
yangnome
Municipal Liaison
Monterey, CA
50,079 / 50,000
Okt 9, 2007 - 14 38
There's also the Ol' Factory Cafe in Sand City... but apparently they often have live music.
And the new Safeway at Fremont and Canyon Del Rey is open 24 hours, complete with a Starbucks, but I don't know what the layout is like because I haven't been in there yet. If the Starbucks section is tucked away far enough from the madding grocery crowd, it might be a possibility.
52,359 / 50,000
Okt 10, 2007 - 09 27
I haven't been in the new Safeway yet, but hopes aren't high for that one.
Drove by Bad-ass coffee yesterday and it looked like they were open. I'll try to swing by and check their hours. Borders is also a possibility, and they stay open late. any other thoughts?
50,079 / 50,000
Okt 10, 2007 - 10 38
Awright, Badass! Woot! I can swing by there early this afternoon; it's kinda sorta on my way. In fact... so is Safeway. I'll take a look there too.
I discovered Badass in Santa Rosa when I ran away from home for Memorial Day Weekend. I was just driving around sort of following my nose--and who could resist a sign like that? I just had to stop. Then I looked them up online and found out all about the chain, and that it was coming to Monterey. Hoo-rah!
Oh, and by the way... their coffee is pretty darn good too. :)
50,079 / 50,000
Okt 10, 2007 - 16 17
Well... Badass isn't QUITE open yet, but it looks like they're real close, because the tables and chairs are set up, and they're working on the T-shirt display. I fully expect they'll be up and running well before November 1. I didn't stop in to ask questions.
I also went into the new Safeway. The Starbucks section there is actually tucked into the corner--and the seating area for Starbucks is behind a half wall, so it is at least a little bit set apart. I didn't go in and sit down to check out the noise level--but the store was quite crowded when I went in, so it's hard to know what it might be like after 7 p.m.
And all this and 50 cents will buy us half of tomorrow's newspaper. :)
52,359 / 50,000
Okt 10, 2007 - 18 49
I basically found out the same things you did today. Drove by bad ass and went into the new Safeway. Safeway doesn't look ideal, but it is a possibility if nothing else pans out. Bad ass looks like it might be good. We'll have to see if they have free internet so I can procrastinate.
11,215 / 50,000
Okt 10, 2007 - 19 46
Please not Starbucks, anywhere but there. Also Monday or Wednesday evenings are the best for me. What about Ol' Factory Cafe, Morgan's new place? He's still Morgan but I hear it's got wifi and decent hours. It looks pretty big too and I believe they also serve beer. Duffy's pub in Monterey is pretty quiet Monday through Thursday and London Bridge Pub has the back Tea Room and is good any week day but Tuesday. - Coffeemug
52,359 / 50,000
Okt 10, 2007 - 19 57
I think Wednesdays might be the best night of the week for me too. I'll check out Morgan's new place. It'd be nice if we could get somewhere to sponsor us for the month.
50,079 / 50,000
Okt 11, 2007 - 08 27
The Ol' Factory Cafe often has live music, so it's (a) noisy and (b) sometimes they charge admission for those live music events. I don't know if they have anything like a quiet(er) back room.
London Bridge Pub is nice but there is again a parking issue. If you want to park close by, you have to pay. What I've often done is park over by the downtown office of the Monterey Credit Union (at Franklin and Figueroa) and walk over. I am nothing if not a cheapskate. ;)
Is a Starbucks inside a Safeway still a Starbucks? There's an existential question we could all debate.... Safeway has the advantage of being open 24 hours. I don't actually know if those hours extend to the Starbucks section, but I can't imagine they don't. I forgot to check for electrical outlets in the seating area. My bad.
And we won't know until Bad Ass opens if they have (a) wi-fi and (b) copacetic hours.
But we shall manage! We always do!
And just because we might set up an "official" write-in night doesn't mean smaller subsets of personnel can't meet at other times and other places. Last year Minja and I wrote all afternoon once on a Saturday at the place in P.G., the name of which has escaped my leaky memory at the moment.
11,215 / 50,000
Okt 11, 2007 - 14 24
I've never paid for parking at London Bridge after 6 pm. I know the signs say 8 pm but the meter readers don't work after 6. My buddy is parking enforcement for the city. It's a scam for the tourist. If Wednesday is good for everybody Duffy's Pub on high street is quiet after the dinner rush but you may have to park in the neighborhood. Sorry, my friends and I used to work in the "real" coffeehouses in Monterey back when Starbucks was just some place in Seattle so I cringe every time I go near one. You can thank Morgan for that. I can only bring myself to walk into one for one of two reasons 1. Eggnog Latte (I allow myself one a year) 2. Emergency only. You know, when you desperately need a cup of coffee and Bubba's Gas and Go is closed. I guess if it's our only option I can compromise.
50,079 / 50,000
Okt 11, 2007 - 14 38
How interesting about the parking thing... I do remember being ticketed once well after 6 p.m. on Cannery Row, when I didn't notice the sign that said meters enforced 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., but that was over 30 years ago. Perhaps they have a "swing shift" parking patrol for that area. They certainly hit you for the fee on the way out of the Cannery Row garage well after 6 o'clock, so at least SOME enforcers are working. Then again... it's really not far to just hike across Del Monte and half a block inland to where you KNOW the parking is free. :)
I have no great love for Starbucks, but hey, if you're on the road and you want something one step up from Bubba's Gas and Go, at least you know what you're getting, and if you order a latte, you know it's fresh. I merely suggested Safeway/Starbucks as a possible alternative, especially since they are open 24 hours.
Personally, I much prefer Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, but they haven't seen fit to spread into Monterey yet. The nearest two of those are about equidistant--Paso Robles, and San Francisco. I actually called their customer service department a few years ago and told them if they'd get into Monterey, I couldn't promise to single-handedly keep them open, but I'd sure give it a try. The nice lady assured me they are slowly creeping in this direction. That was when she asked me how far I was from Paso Robles.... I do plan to heavily patronize Bad Ass once they're open, and I do hope we can manage a write-in or two there. Anyone who can't get inspired for their writing in a coffee shop with that name has no soul.
11,215 / 50,000
Okt 11, 2007 - 15 08
I prefer Acme myself, but unfortunately they don't have a real cafe area and are only open 'til 4. As for the parking thing, some places like downtown Monterey and Cannery Row have the cops doing the enforcement. I am looking forward to Bad Ass being open just so I can have a place to kill time and not have to fight for parking.