No free stuff for these guys!

Well, kids, April 15th is almost done! Or, at the very least, it’s very nearly  a reasonable time to crack open that bottle of Jim Beam you bought with what little money the government left you with. Luckily, though we’re all desperately hoping the IRS might not find a daily bodega coffees a suspicious deduction, there are a bunch of warm-blooded American companies out there willing to dole out freebies even to the self-employed. Take a look, and let us know of any other gratis goodies out there today in the comments: (more…)

Just don’t overdo it. via Pop Culture Playpen

Good news everyone! Today, and through Sunday, each day between 2pm and 5pm, Starbucks has instituted a buy one, get one free policy for their holiday drinks. So if you love you some peppermint mocha, gingerbread latte, eggnog latte, caramel brulee late or “skinny” peppermint mocha, you can go down to Starbucks and double your sugar/caffeine fix. Or you can get grab one for a friend, but what is this, the time of year known for doing nice things for people?

Scary latte photo courtesy of Examiner.com.

Since quitting my museum job a month ago and starting a job at a coffee shop, my life has simplified considerably. No more getting screamed at by crowds of people in foreign languages, no more answering the same question 873 times a day, and no more hour-long peak-time commutes. The only down side: customers who require very special attention and behave badly when they don’t receive it. Trust me, we’re here for you soy macchiato drinkers; nobody sets out to be a bitchy barista. So how about you don’t do any of these things on your next coffee run? (more…)

Maybe we can cut down on these a bit.

Sure, there are lots of things that could save you money or time by making coffee at home — your handheld electric grinders or the decidedly non eco-friendly k-cup craze, etc.. But the act of purchasing a cup of coffee at the local coffee shops can feel more like a ritual than a necessity. Yet ritual doesn’t always overshadow expense. Two things happen when you purchase coffee out: You pay sometimes upwards of $3.50 just to satisfy a caffeine craving; and you end up using a disposable paper cup that adds to a growing waste problem. Despite this, there is a way to be at peace both environmentally and financially while continuing to buy your coffee. Here is a list of coffee shops that offer a discount for bringing in a reusable cup: (more…)

Brooklyn man carves out a real career [Brooklyn Eagle]
There’s a “bikes in buildings” law? [amNY]
Shake Shack’s interactive graffiti [Brownstoner]
Drink with Hunter S. Thompson tonight [Gothamist]
Living the American dream [Starbucks Gossip]
Occupiers chose more than just a street [NYT]
Non-tent affordable housing opens in BK [Patch]

Are you having trouble getting your job prospects … straight? Looking for a new job without its own don’t ask don’t tell policy? On Thursday, you can be a step closer to your fabulous dream job by attending the Out to Work job fair, the largest LGBT career fair and workshop event in the Northeast, with 23 companies participating. You can expect some of the usual gay friendly go-to companies — Starbucks, Equinox and Whole Foods — as well as a couple companies that make you go “Really??” like Goldman Sachs and even News Corp. The fair is meant to assist a community that can sometimes have extra trouble finding suitable employment. So far, more than 800 people have already pre-registered, and many more expected are expected to show up. (more…)

FRIDAY
get free coffee or tea when you bring your reusable mug or tumbler to starbucks

6pm: pain. will you return it? learn how to make your very own flogger out of recycled bike tires at babeland park slope. free. (more…)

Does these look good to you? They’re two kinds of blueberry donuts from Tim Hortons (you can see what The Brokavore thought of them), and you can get one free today from 6 to 10 a.m. at any of the Canadian chain’s dozen new NYC locations. At Starbucks, they’re giving away free pastry with any drink purchase until 10:30 a.m., as long as you have this coupon.