Monthly Archives: February 2011

1970s Culture “To The Max”

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In my research supporting the 1970s flashback sections of Rhythms & Muse, I made “far out” cultural notes. These “rad” tidbits about the 70s “totally” helped me add a realistic sense of time to the novel.

“Yowsers!” what memories these notes bring back…

Culture
Charm holders
Elvis passes
Environmentalism
First test-tube baby born
John Paul II becomes Pope
Jonestown Massacre
Slime
South African anti-apartheid leader Steve Biko tortured to death

Entertainment
A Star is Born
Dallas
Olga Korbet
Roots miniseries
Saturday Night Fever
Star Wars
Welcome Back, Kotter

Music
Abba
Barbra Streisand
Billy Joel
Blondie
Bread
BTO
Cat Stevens
Daryl Hall & John Oates
Destroyer
Elton John
Fleetwood Mac
John Denver
Kiss
Meatloaf
Pablo Cruz
Peter Frampton
Phil Collins
Queen
Roberta Flack
Rod Stewart
The BeeGees
The Eagles
The Guess Who
The Pointer Sisters
Toys in the Attic

Slang
Babe
Bogus
Cho-oice!
Copasetic
Cosmic
Decent!
Drool buckets
Fur sure
Gag me!
Munching out
Oh my God
Rap session
Sock it to me
Stoked
To the max!
Totally
Tubular
Yowsers!

Style
Candies (shoes)
Cherokees (rubber wavy soles)
Cowl necks
Dorothy Hamil haircut
Espedrils (canvas shoes)
Feathered hair
Gauchos
Gloria Vanderbilt design
Izod
Jordache
Knee socks
Lettermen’s jackets
O.P.
Overalls
Platform shoes
Ralph Lauren
Sassoon
Satin disco pants

What other cultural phenomenon got you “stoked” in the 1970s?

Coffee CommuniTea: Gold Bar Espresso, Tempe, AZ

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Gold Bar Espresso

Gold Bar ambience. ©2011 ANVidean

The Grounds (location)

Gold Bar Espresso
3141 South McClintock Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282
(NE corner Southern Ave./McClintock Dr.)
(480) 839-3082

Tea Times (hours)

Open everyday from 6am – 11pm

What’s Brewing (coffee, tea, food)

  • Specialty coffees
  • Good assortment of teas (critical to my palate)
  • A glass case of tasty baked goods, including the best lemon McTavish shortbread cookie EVER!

Percolation Factor (the activity/environment/energy/service)

High activity. Gold Bar is always busy, and offers:

  • Game night
  • Live music
  • Local artists on display

Share a cuppa (cool background and stories)

In 2010, Gold Bar celebrated its 16th year in the Valley of the Sun as a locally owned, independent coffee house.

Gold Bar Espresso, Ann Videan, Molly idle

Children's book author/illustrator Molly Idle (right) joins me for a morning tea. Her whimsical artwork graced the walls while we were there. ©2011 ANVidean

Perks (what I really like about the place!)

Gold Bar, in my opinion, is the consummate indie coffee shop because of these traits:

  • Focus on the customer
  • Home-like seating areas
  • Ambience, including décor by local artists
  • Free wi-fi
  • Well lit
  • Lots of electrical plug-ins
  • Great drinks
  • Delicious baked goods
  • Friendly baristas and patrons
  • Fun calendar of activities
  • Finger on the pulse of the customer
  • They even have a secret menu!

The Grind (what I would change)

  • I’m not thrilled having to walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom. 😦
  • Sometimes it’s hard to find a seat.
  • Its Web site offers no background on the owners, nor a full menu of all the goodies they offer.

Yelp rating: 3.5 stars

……………………

I love connecting people and ideas, so I’ve been creating small villages my entire life. Really, what better places can writers and musicians find to create “village” than independent coffee/tea shops? I wrote most of my Rhythms & Muse novel in coffee/tea venues, so it seemed natural to create this blog. Whether you came here to find a new favorite hangout, or suggest a spot not yet not posted, may you find Coffee CommuniTea exactly to your taste!

Coffee CommuniTea Debut

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Coffee and tea shops attract villages of like-minded people. But, not just coffee and tea lovers or people seeking community, relaxation and entertainment. Business folk hold meetings in these watering holes. Artists display work. Writers meet with their book clubs and critique partners. Music lovers come to relax and hear local acts. What a perfect environment to complement my goal to support all things Words•Music•Village?

Join us on this journey to discover indie coffee and tea shops, starting in the Phoenix metro area.  You’re expected to be an integral part of the conversation, adding your own hot spots and providing commentary on what’s posted. Consider this blog as our own online village to capture the cool, the hot, the fun, and the funky in this Coffee CommuniTea.

So, ready to join me for a cuppa?