What nots of a former coffee house guy

Welcome to random bon mots from a guy that used to own the best darn coffee house in Union City, CA

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Till we meet again

My dear friends,

It is with heavy heart that I pen this note. It was nearly 10 years ago that Paddy’s opened its doors to the community to come and enjoy themselves while indulging in the finest cup of coffee in Union City. My wife and I were apprehensive when we opened the doors, not knowing how the community would receive us. Our apprehensions have been laid to rest. Never have we seen so many arms circling us.

The past few years have been a challenge to running a small business. We have tried our best to stay abreast of the changing economic climate and also catering to the changing palettes of the customers.

Our lease is over at the end of November. It has been a veritable task running the business at this current location for the past few years so we are opting out. Paddy’s Coffee House as you know it, at the corner of Smith and Watkins will now be a wonderful memory of the past. Our last day of operation will be 14th of December, 2012, and we plan to have a big party on the 15th of December.

What does the future hold for us ? We see the Paddy’s brand continuing with product offerings including a diverse range of ethnic and contemporary baked products. We are partnering with a local baker to give you the best that there will be in terms of coffee, tea, sandwiches and baked pastries while staying true to our philosophy of community service. We are actively scouting out locations and will keep you informed of our new home. Please follow us on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/paddyscoffee) or twitter (http://www.twitter.com/paddyscoffee) to stay abreast of our future.

My wife, my colleagues (past and present) and I wish to thank all of you for your support through the years. Hope to see you at Paddy’s before we shutter the doors for good.

Your humble servant


Paddy Iyer
and all of us at Paddy’s Coffee House

Friday, March 23, 2012

All Night Live Art at Paddy's

We attempted something like this oh about 2 years ago. Giving it a whirl once again. In collaboration with &Them, we are hosting a live art show on Saturday April 7th, from 9 pm to 4 am. Yes, you did read it correctly. Saturday 7th 9 at night, to Sunday 8th 4 in the morning.

We have a line up of artists all eager to come out that night to indulge in their artistic creativity. Music, DJ's, artists, friends, supporters, all coming over to Paddy's Saturdy April 7th 9 pm. Why drive all the way across the bridges, paying toll, driving round and round the block to find parking, when all you have to do is hang around at Paddy's in Union City. You might just need a designated driver to drive you after getting buzzed on all the art talent that will be on hand. Oh yeah, lest we forget, the caffeine buzz as well :)

See you April 7th, 9 pm.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Saving FAJ (Filipino Advocates for Justice)

Paddy's Coffee House and the FAJ have a storied and wonderful relationship. Some of our colleagues were from FAJ, and we have seen their passion in community involvement.

FAJ recently got word that their funding from the Alameda County is being taken away and given to a 90+million dollar organisation based out of So Cal, which operates in various counties.

It is shocking that an Union City based organisation, deeply involved in community activities will cease in two weeks. The prevention education, alternative activities, problem identification and referral and community-based process model that FAJ built in Union City will be sorely missed. FAJ's collaborative of partners (New Haven Unified School District, Communities Organized for Renewal, Asian Community Mental Health and the various Union City youth support committees are at a loss as to how they will fill the hole in the violence and alcohol/drug prevention infrastructure FAJ helped knit together over the last 10 years in particular.

On our part, whenever we saw a community problem that needed to be addressed, we immediately turned to our friends in FAJ. Paddy's and FAJ have done various community outreach in the past, including Safe Sex practices among the youth, Bone Marrow Drives, Voter Education, Immigration assistance. And first hand, we have seen the dedication and passion that the organisation brings to the table.

We don't look at FAJ as Filipino Advocates for Justice, but rather we look at FAJ as Freedom, Awareness and Justice for all.

To help save FAJ, please show your support by writing your letters of support to the elected officials of Hayward,Union City, Fremont, Newark and also to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

Career Advice

We are flattered that our colleagues and the students that study at Paddy's, ask us for an opinion :) Of late, one of the most requested questions is, Should we continue with grad school or take a break, go to work and then pursue grad school ?

We are of the school of thought that when you are academically fresh, then continue and finish off all academic requirements and then get into the professional work force. We knew the students are saddled with debt, but our reasoning was, if you take a break, then a whole new life opens up and there are a lot of distractions. Once these distractions enter your day to day life, it will become difficult to bring your focus back on academia.

The other school of thought opines that a break from academia is good. It will rejuvenate your thought process and allow you to pay off some debt.

We have seen examples of both schools at Paddy's. Students continuing all the way to phd's etc, and then entering the work force. And we have also seen students who have taken a break, entered the work force, worked for a few years, and then plunging back into academia either full time or part time. In both schools, we have seen the joys and the frustrations.

Would like to hear from all of you who have walked this course of life. Pretty sure there are students reading this who would value your thoughts and opinions.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Customer looking for software professionals

A customer of Paddy's is looking for the following people. If you or anyone you know fit the profile, please email us and we will connect you with our customer. Here is the job description.

1. User Interface, Javascript Web Developer - comfortable working with: - Javascript – Specifically the ExtJS javascript library - Modern Web Development of HTML and CSS - Data Accessing; Part - time.

2. Data Warehouse Developer - For design, development and support of the Data Mart & analytics solutions. Data Warehouse / Business Intelligence analysis, design and development experience (including Dimensional Data Modeling - Star Schema, Facts & Dimensions) required. Part-time

Hope it helps.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Additional info on donations to the Tree of Hope

Donations are pouring in towards the Tree of Hope. We talked to people from Centro De Servicios and this is what they had to say about the donations.

New clothes, toys, food, cash is welcome. In addition, if you have any old usable items, such as clothes, furniture etc, and it is bulky enough that a pickup needs to be done, please write your name, address and phone #, slip it in an envelope on the Tree, and they will pick it up from your place. What they will not accept is non functional electronics. Tri-Ced is the place to dispose of broken electronics. If you need a tax deduction form for your donations, please ask us, and we will give it to you.

Thank you once again for your support, and oh by the way, if you have any old ornaments to adorn our Tree, we will accept them as well :) :)

Happy Holidays.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Good News on the Tree of Hope

Our ardent supporter, Lulu Del Rosario is donating her services towards the Tree of Hope. She is a wonderful photographer, and her web site shows her remarkable skills.

On Saturday December 10th, from 2 to 4 pm, she will be here to take family holiday photographs. She will email you one photograph in high resolution and you can get it printed. All she asks in return, a brand new unwrapped toy, or $30.00 made out to Centro De Servicios.

With her permission, here is a sample of her work.