The coffee house dilemma...

My venti peppermint mocha/caramel apple muffin addiction nothwithstanding, I really have no emotional investment in the success of Starbucks, Inc. Unlike some of my friends, I don't see them as evil incarnate. The provide a product I enjoy, with generally good service (in my experience the surly Starbucks barista is an exception) in, in most places, a pleasant and well-lit atmosphere, with generally good music. (The last items are as important as the first: there is a cafe down the street from he Starbucks on Castro street in Mountain View which I can't bring myself to patronize because it has too little natural light, and makes me feel claustrophobic.

But there is this cafe (Pearl Cafe in San Antonio shopping center, next to the DQ) which has decent coffee (stronger than SBs, which for most people would be a recommendation), large windows, nice tables and hardwood floors. Their taste in music tends toward radio, which is a strike against them (and they play it at a volume which makes it difficult to listen to music through one's headphones -- not loud, but somewhat annoying). And, and this is the big thing, they have free wireless. No signing up for plans, no mucking about, just free and user-friendly. They are, as far as I can tell, independent (or if a chain, it's a very small chain I've never heard of).

So what's the dilemma?

As I said, I have no real stake in seeing Starbucks do well. The particular Starbucks near my house, however, is a different matter. It is a neighborhood resource: one of the few --- if not the only -- places that one can go for coffee with a fellow soccer mom without getting in the car. (I can get to the Pearl Cafe, but it takes fifteen minutes of walking.) It is part of an older shopping center that has struggled in recent years but which seems to be turning around. From being nearly derelict two years ago, the addition of an asian market and, yes, the Starbucks have revitalized it. I run into people I know in there. It helps neighborhood cohesion. It is a Good Thing.

So, where to go for coffee? Support a locally owned cafe in the face of the green behemoth? Support a neighborhood resource, even if run by a multinational corporation?

Or just go for the free wireless?

Decisions, decisions.

Notes from this morning

ED class different from LD class (as opposed to single SDC class at ML)

Kids seemed more intelligent than I'm used to with SDCs. Fairly articulate.

Big concerns: academics, academics, academics. SA says she gives minimal homework -- not good. Mainstream classes give same homework to ED kids as others. Most of the ED kids are mainstreamed for some of the day. Same problem as with Hedi's class, 3 grade spread. Kids at grade level pretty much, though. (Unlike current SDC)

Important: kids are not tracked in 6th grade, so important to have D do well in math and science so he can get on track to get into Algebra in 7th. Social Studies and LA would be nice, but not realistic.

SA good with the kids. Very caring, not stressed.

Behavioral issues. Partly because testing disrupted routine, partly because it was Monday, things seemed unsettled. A lot of time doing behavioral issues. Would this hurt D -- he would feel safe in class (wouldn't stand out) but would it lessen incentives to modify behavior? Having a whole bunch of AS/HFA/ADHD/OCD kids together -- does this hurt their integration into the school? Positives: safe haven (SA keeps classroom open even during breaks and lunch) with some opportunity for bridge building -- kids are allowed to bring outside friends with them during lunch and breaks to use computers. Maybe talk to KR about this.

Could start out in ED class, and move.

Talked with Steve -- meeting tomorrow at 1:00. Current AS teacher quit, and COE canceling program. Los Altos talking about hiring AS teacher from Saratoga, Steve said he might go in on that and that might be an option.

IEP next Monday -- talk to Ellen before then?

(no subject)

Evolution is not the only scientific theory that's in flux.

Many, many thanks to joedecker for this one.

Quote of the Day

Maternal wisdom from siodhchan:

"Some days, the hardest part of being a mother is not strangling anyone."

Ain't it the truth.