It was a year ago this week, the volunteer staff at Winfield's Cafe, was nervously preparing for the big Grand Opening and hoping for maybe a handful of people to show up. That first weekend, we happily served over 500 people. Our beginning was modest with open-hours only a couple days a week and closing at noon. We eventually added more days and gradually lengthened them into the evenings. We are now a full-time coffee shop, with a menu of drinks and goodies to satisfy everyone!

Winfield's opened with the vision to become a community gathering place. A place where everyone can feel comfortable and cared for. In only our first year, that vision has become a reality. Now countless friends and neighbors visit on a regular basis.

Here is just a "short" list of community friends we have served; teachers, City of Scottsdale employees, police officers, fire fighters, Chamber members, doctors, nurses, waiters and waitresses,contractors, hair stylists, nail artists, business men and women, volunteer groups, Scrabble groups, engineers, college students, book clubs, lawyers, artists, writers, retired military, winter residents, tourists, baseball players, limo drivers, mechanics, millionaires, homeless folks, store owners, actors, realtors, architects, graphic artists, bicyclists, dog walkers, and I could keep going. Not a day goes by, that we don't hear someone say, "I never knew you were here!". It tickles us when we hear this, because it means our family just grew a little bigger.

It was never the goal to bring in huge profits or compete with the bigger chains or trendy "grunge" coffee houses, we simply wanted, by offering quality product and service, to build community, and create a place where relationships can happen. Winfield Scott knew the value of building relationships, and because of his vision, Scottsdale was born. We will continue to follow Scott's example as we stretch, grow and learn.

Then, at the end of the day, when the coffee pots are cleaned and the open sign clicks off, we will know we served someone who matters. It's a people thing..and will always be more than coffee. Thank you for our first year together. Here's to many more to come!

Love. Nothing else can make you more happy, or cause you more pain. In fact, the topic of love has been written in poem and song more than any other topic in history. So, what's the key to feeling loved? Let's try this.

One of the most effective ways to show love, and in-return, FEEL LOVED is to give! While there are a couple "Mother Teresa's" out there, most of us function with this deep, pre-programmed and somewhat narcissistic desire to be loved. We get our lives all messed up when we try and pacify our own need to be loved, with things or people that are probably not very good for us. If we're always concerned with whether or not we feel loved, chances are we are never going to be able to quench that thirst. We gotta give first.

The definition of love is "taking pleasure in another's virtues", not your own! Treat people the way you want to be treated. Recognize their gifts and allow them to see yours. Remember the Golden Rule? One of the most effective ways to feel and BE loved, is by giving to others; a hug, a smile, a gift, a compliment..the list goes on. When we give with no strings attached, no conditions or "what's in it for me?", how can they help but love you?

Giving others pleasure provides us with a tremendous source of pleasure. Giving to others, gives our lives purpose and meaning because we can see the positive impact we can make. Surprise someone today! Show love! Love everyone, especially those difficult ones.

You'll be glad you did.

YOU are LOVED!

I came across a list of little-known facts about Christmas traditions. While some made me giggle, and some made my stomach turn, the majority of them, had one very common idea, one tradition that has traveled through centuries and nations all over the world. Christmas is a time to give to others, share joy and bring good news. I'm going to randomly insert a few of these traditions, just to keep you riveted to this article.

Did you know that in early England, a traditional Christmas dinner included the head of a pig prepared with mustard? I wonder if it was Grey Poupon mustard?

Okay, it wasn't what folks ate, or sang, or the name of the dude that delivered the presents that was important..it was WHO they ate WITH, WHY they sang, and WHAT the presents represented. For example, way back in Medieval times, friends and family were invited to share in the feast of the Yule Boar. Mmmmmmm, still complaining about dry turkey? The idea was that it was a special time to invite special people to the feast. Here's another tradition to make a meal special when you can't be with friends and family. For hundreds of years and even now, Britain's armed forces has the officers serve the Christmas meal to the lower-ranked men as a gesture of honor and appreciation.

We all know that the Wise men brought gifts to Jesus, but here's something you probably didn't know; in America alone, we spend nearly $500 BILLION dollars each year on Christmas presents. That's a lot of stuff!

Oh yeah, it's easy to get lost in the shopping craziness, cookie baking and choir rehearsing! Does my cousin really need another tire pressure gage? Will my daughters' teacher flunk her if I don't appear with a plate of homemade cookies this year? It's not about the stuff we get. I know, we all think we get it, but then why do we still try to DO too much, and buy so much and, cram so much into our day? I want what I give to mean something, and more importantly, I want my time with family and friends to be memorable.

Did you know, in an effort to raise money to pay for a charity Christmas dinner in 1891, a large crabpot was set down on a San Francisco street, becoming the first Salvation Army collection kettle. (wonder if there was a bell-ringer?)

So, I guess my point is this; there are sled-loads of traditions and to-do lists out there, and there are Santa-bags full of money and stuff getting passed around. I just don't want to forget that there are also countless cold, and hungry people sleeping behind dumpsters and bushes tonight. I want to make time for the way-too many old, forgotten people for whom Christmas just means another day alone. It's people like you and me, who can bring a little hope and happiness to those who have forgotten what these words mean. The cost is so little, and it makes such a BIG difference. Start a new tradition this year. No mustard required.

Did you know Arizona has towns named; Santa Claus and Christmas?

Go figure.

Do you ever worry? It seems like I worry about everything to some degree. I worry about the world's economy, how my bills are all going to get paid, bathing in enough hand-sanitizer to keep me from catching the swine flu, college fees, saving trees and starving childrens' hungry pleas. It all worries me. So how, in this time of so many worries, are we ever supposed to find time to be thankful?

November highlights one day out of the year we devote to thankfulness. For many, it's simply about pilgrims and indians swapping corn muffins and crop stories. I think for the rest of us, it should be more. I would like to suggest instead of celebrating Thanksgiving on just one single day this year, we celebrate Thanks-living every day of the year.

There is actually psychological research that studies the "science of gratitude". This idea has actually been around for a while. Research shows that practicing daily gratitude, decreases anxiety and depression. In a book by Robert Emmons titled, "Thanks!: How the new science of gratitude can make you happier", the author describes gratitude as an attitude, which mixes thoughts and feelings toward life, that includes humility, thankfulness, and acknowledging personal blessings. When you practice these ideas on a daily basis, you become more content with your life, your circumstances and can find a reason to be thankful in the worst of situations.

Our culture is repeatedly slammed with images of discontent, misery and tragedy. Using this daily attitude of gratitude creates a "firewall" against the negativity we are faced with. I tend to be pretty skeptical, but evidence really does prove, that people who regularly practice thankfulness, report a 25% increase in overall happiness. Sign me up!

World famous motivational author and speaker, Tony Robbins, talks constantly about the benefits of a thankful attitude (I know, easy to do when you live in a mansion and drive a Bentley). Seriously though, he states that it is really hard to be anxious or depressed when you are focused on giving thanks. In his presentation called "Hour of Power", he suggests the following instructions to effectively practice daily gratitude. Give it a try and instead of just being thankful on one day of the year, be actively thankful every day.

Attitude of Gratitude Instructions:

1. Get up and get moving! Take a walk or something. And, if you can't do that, at least stretch or something. Deep breath.
2. Now, while you're moving, start thinking of all the things you can be grateful for in your life from the inside out. Start with yourself, identify what you are thankful for; your skills, passions, emotions, thoughts, even the extra "padding" that keeps your fanny warm in the winter.
3. Next, think about your loved ones and what they bring to your life. (resist the urge to grumble about your mother-in-law)
4. Now, focus on the things you can be grateful about at work or what you do. If you are out of a job, focus on the idea that today is one day closer to a new job. It's very important for you to stay positive..that might be the quality that stands out in your next interview and gets you the job!
5. Next, focus on moment or events in your past that make you happy and that you are thankful for. (the birth of a child, your wedding, etc.)
6. Then, think about what you want, your hopes and dreams for the future. Be thankful you have hope and expectations. (many don't)
7. Finally, think about today and what you are grateful for specifically in this moment. Think of today as a gift. What will you do with it and how do you want to feel today?

It might be work at first, but if you allow some time for this each morning, you will begin to see positive results. Try it!

It's late September and still 106 degrees outside, 120 degrees inside my minivan, and approaching boiling point under my collar from the road construction I'm inevitably stuck-in no matter what route I take.

My melting brain tries to argue its way out of stopping at the grocery store, while the responsible part replays the urgency tape, telling me I HAVE to get milk. We are completely out, and if I don't do it now, there will be three very dry bowls of cinnamon crunchies in the morning!

I whip into the parking lot and into the farthest spot I can find, figuring with my luck, it's the best I'm gonna get. After pinching my hand in the broken door handle, I slam the door and inconspicuously try to un-stick the wrinkled linen from my thighs. An elderly man and I approach the waiting cart line-up at precisely the same moment. Out of respect for my elders, I stand aside and allow him to retrieve his cart, which he does with the grace and elegance of someone who has never had a carseat, diaperbag, toddler and fist-full of coupons in their hands. Longest six seconds of my LIFE!

As I pull on the next cart in line, wouldn't you know it?! STUCK! Really?! Can't ANYTHING go my way today? I fight and pull the germ-infested metal, trying not to pinch my fingers. Sure, I could just abandon this one and go for the next line, but no way! Now, it is a battle and I intend to win! Just as I was finally about to surrender, a calm voice from behind me says, "here ya go. Let me help you." I look up to see that same, elderly gentleman, effortlessly pull the cart away for me and in the same motion, turns it around, ready for purse-plopping.

I felt embarrassed and at the same time, grateful. Why did he bother? He could have been halfway down the canned fruit aisle by now. I wandered through the store gathering the milk and the other 14 items I just had to have to make the "fast" lane worthwhile. I couldn't get that simple act of kindness out of my head. There was no creepy, weird-o motive, he didn't ask me for money, he just wanted to be friendly. Imagine that.

I took my place in the "fast" lane and noticed the woman behind me with two items in her hands. I invited her to go ahead of me.

I smiled as I walked (not raced) back to my car. I opened the back hatch and as I loaded the last bag, the man from the car next to mine, took my cart for me and put it away..in the cart line.

Random acts of kindness are out there. They're contagious with a very high return on investment! Invest in a couple today.

THE HISTORY of tipping is fairly vague. It's origin is about as milky-clear as the tipping practices we use today. There is some evidence that tipping has its roots in the decadent Roman Empire. An oft-repeated story is that tipping--supposedly an acronym for "to insure promptitude"--became common in the "penny universities" (coffeehouses) of 16th-century England.

Another explanation is that "tips" of gold were thrown by horse-bound feudal lords to the unsavory peasants in the streets, as payment for safe passage (that prompts a funny "Monty Python"-type picture in my head). English etymology would support this theory in its suggestion that the word was originally medieval street talk for "hand it over."

Tipping denigrators have predecessors in the Anti-Tipping Society of America, an alliance of 100,000 traveling salesmen who from 1905 to 1919 managed to have the custom abolished in seven states. Practitioners of tipping once honed the custom to a kind of high art, carrying separate billfolds and change purses expressly intended for service payment (Frank Sinatra was one of the best at this).

So, why do we tip? Do we do it out of tradition, because we want to, or out of guilt, because there happens to be a clear glass receptacle for small bills and loose change near the cash register? If we stop and think about it, we might lose some of the anxiety that is felt whenever a tip jar is present. "I just paid $3.95 for my Mocha, I pay with a five dollar bill. If I just drop the nickel, I am a total loser, if I drop the one dollar bill, that's over a 25% tip!" Wait! Don't freak out!

Just so everyone knows how things work here at Winfield's Cafe, we thought we should explain the presence of our tip jar.

It is completely up to you! It is not expected. We won't spit in your latte` if you don't tip. But here is where that tip money goes when you do; All of our baristas are volunteers. That's right, they work for absolutely nothing. They love people and they love to serve! Wow! Hard to believe, but it's the truth. They are trained, certified and ready to greet you each day with a smile, a kind word and a coffee drink made just for you. It is a fun treat for our baristas when there are a few dollars to divide. Some are using their tips to save for a special trip, replace a home appliance, pay for college, or just to help pay the rent. They don't work for tips. They just have set aside a use for them when they get them.

Here is a good rule to use. If you are cheerfully greeted, served quickly and enjoy your experience here whether it be for five minutes or five hours, then show your gratitude to these good folks. They truly do appreciate it! We all need to feel appreciated.

It wasn't until the fourth day into my family vacation on the lovely island of Hawaii, that I realized the true importance of taking a "vacation".

Traveling with 21 other family members, all on one plane for 5 1/2 hours, driving in a five-car caravan for three hours and staying in a fairly remote island locale for 10 days TOGETHER, didn't sound like much of a vacation to me. In fact, it sounded a bit like oral surgery without anesthetic. However, I am big enough to admit I was wrong. The word "vacation" means far more than eating out three times-a-day, and spending an ungodly amount of guilt-money on tee-shirts and tiny souvenirs for the people you left behind to take care of your "stuff". A vacation is also a state of mind, and a necessary one at that! Did you know that research indicates that less than 50% of working Americans take a vacation each year? In fact, in 2006, the U.S. Workforce left 574 MILLION vacation days UNTOUCHED! It's no wonder we are full of anti-depressants, migraines, and ulcers! And if we do take vacations, we are likely to bring work along with us; carrying around our stress like a backpack heaped heavy on our shoulders. Hawaii's beautiful ocean and tropical escapes allowed my mind to unwind and my eyes to open to what is truly important. I watched my four children ages, 10, 11, 17 and 20, PLAY! Yes, they even played TOGETHER! They swam beneath waterfalls, swung on Banyan vines, and captured frogs. Kids KNOW how to vacation! They understand leaving it all behind and RELAXING! So, after four days, my jaw relaxed, my brow softened and I actually enjoyed myself. So, to all of you who (like me), claim there is never time or money for a vacation, I have prepared a scientifically proven list of reasons you get away, even if for only a couple days, or a couple or hours. Do yourself, your family and your coworkers a favor and give yourself a break!

Reason #1: Vacations Keep Us Healthy! Taking regular time off to 'recharge your battery' lowers stress levels thereby reducing stress-induced health issues like, anxiety, over-eating, high blood pressure, migraines, etc.

Reason #2: Vacations Prevent Burn-out! Workers who take regular time to relax are more creative and productive. They come back ready to communicate and conquer tasks!

Reason #3: Vacations Create Bonds and Memories! Spending time enjoying life with loved ones, keep relationships strong and help strengthen bonds that tie us together through hard times. The AZ Health Dept. conducted a survey that concluded that women who take regular vacations with their husbands are more satisfied with their marriages. And men who take vacations with family, experience an increased quality of life, that leads to a increase in quality at work, which makes family and home life a happier place for everyone!

Bottom line is that you don't have to go to Hawaii to escape the stresses of daily life. Be good to yourself and your family. Take a good amount of time away so that you can return to your lives refreshed and better equipped to handle whatever comes your way.

It seems as though everyone is cutting back, trying to save, and for many, just trying to stay afloat from day to day. So, why not make every dime you spend benefit your own community? Small, local business is the first to be hard-hit by our economic conundrum. Mom and Pop shops are closing their doors in our community everyday. I recently talked with a couple who has owned a small business for 56 years! It was more than a business to them, it was a lifestyle. They raised children, watched their families grow, watched the surroundings change, and made lifelong relationships with neighbors. And finally, because of this economic crisis, they were left with no other choice. The tiny shop, with its 56 years worth of memories, had to lock its' doors for good. "people forgot just how important the little guys are!"

This made me wonder; how big a role the "little guy" business really plays in our community: Did you know that there are over 20,000 independent, "small" businesses in Scottsdale? Did you know that for every dollar you spend at your neighborhood business, about $0.41 goes directly back into the community, but when you spend your dollar at a national or international chain, less than $0.11 stays here? Independent business also raises the standard of living in our community because they use their profits to buy products and services from other local businesses, thus, creating more tax revenues needed to make the community thrive.

It's going to take some work to change our habits. Some of those national chains do a great job at making things attractive and convenient for you. When you slow down a little and really consider the importance of your patronage to the neighborhood businesses and the service and diversity of product you will gain in return, you will find that skipping the drive-thru and walking a few feet, isn't actually going to hurt you. Support local business! Support local non-profits!

Support Winfield's Cafe! We ARE more than coffee! We care about our community, and we care about YOU!