Company Announces Commitment to Helping Create Thriving Neighbourhoods
with a Global Month of Service

Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) celebrates 40 years of sourcing, roasting and serving the world’s highest quality coffee and announces it will roll out its new in-store look focusing on the iconic Siren, and a simultaneous global launch of handcrafted and artfully made beverage and food offerings. Starbucks also introduced a company-wide commitment to community service as part of its ongoing mission to help create thriving neighbourhoods. Starbucks began its journey as a roaster and retailer of high-quality coffees in 1971 in a small retail space in Seattle’s Pike Place Market.

“Starbucks is celebrating 40 years of great coffee, but we are also honouring four decades of creating  individual moments of connection among our valued customers and our store partners, and in the neighbourhoods where we do business,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo. “As we continue to connect with more customers around the world in innovative ways, our brand is also evolving to address the changing global market. Our new logo, which customers will see in stores beginning today, reflects this evolution by honouring our deep coffee heritage while allowing us to grow in exciting new ways.”

Brand Evolution
Starting tomorrow customers around the world will begin to see the evolution of Starbucks brand, signaling the company’s continued growth and unique business model. Starbucks iconic white cups and promotional merchandise will now carry the new logo that celebrates the Starbucks Siren. Four store fronts across the globe will unveil the new logo today: Solana store in Beijing, Avenue de l’Opera in Paris, Brompton Road in London, and Times Square in New York City. Additionally, the new Siren design will be unveiled outside of the Starbucks headquarters in Seattle during a lunchtime partner (employee) celebration.

New Products Launch on March 8
As a testament to the core of what Starbucks does best – premium handcrafted espresso and exceptional coffee and food offerings – Starbucks new items include:

• Cocoa Cappuccino, combines fresh espresso, bittersweet mocha sauce, just the right amounts of steamed milk and foam, and topped with a signature mocha drizzle.
• Starbucks Tribute Blend™, an unexpected blend of four different coffee beans including Aged Sumatra that is semi-washed and aged, Sun-dried Ethiopian coffee that is naturally processed, and washed coffees from Papua New Guinea and Colombia.
• Starbucks VIA^® Ready Brew Starbucks Tribute Blend™, this special blend coffee is also available as Starbucks VIA^® Ready Brew for Starbucks Tribute Blend™ in an instant.
• Starbucks Petites, a new global food platform launching with eight delicious small sweets that are perfectly sized for an afternoon treat, including Cake Pops (available in Birthday Cake, Rocky Road and Tiramisu flavours), Red Velvet Whoopie Pies, Mini Cupcakes (Carrot Cake and Peanut Butter) and Sweet Squares (Lemon and Salty Caramel).

Starbucks is paying tribute to customers as part of anniversary celebrations. March 10, 11 and 12 from 2-5 p.m. local time, customers can enjoy a complimentary Starbucks Petites treat with the purchase of their favourite beverage at participating stores in U.S. and Canada.

Commitment to Thriving Neighbourhoods

Over the past 40 years, Starbucks has played a vital role in local communities and has committed to inspiring and investing in community action around the world. Throughout the month of April 2011, Starbucks will host a Global Month of Service to celebrate its commitment to community service.

“We live our mission and values by providing exceptional customer service inside our stores and by inviting customers to join us in community service outside our stores,” said Vivek Varma, executive vice president of Public Affairs. “Our Global Month of Service is a meaningful opportunity for Starbucks partners and customers to join together as change makers to address real needs in the communities where they live and work. We believe we can use our scale to be a catalyst for positive change.”

Starbucks will work with nonprofit organizations to organize more than 2,000 service projects around the world with a goal of reaching 200,000 hours of service performed by Starbucks partners and customers. These volunteer hours will help Starbucks reach its goal of contributing one million hours of community service per year by 2015.

To learn more about Starbucks Global Month of Service and to register for service projects in the U.S. and Canada, visit www.starbucks.com/communityservice.
About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.

The weather is dreary, so I though I’d brighten up your day with a #giveaway in the hope that the groundhog will soon come out, and stay out.  Groundhog day is February 2 this year and according to the folklore if it is cloudy when the groundhog emerges from its burrow, it will leave its home and winter will soon end.  If it is sunny, however the groundhog will retreat and winter will continue for six more weeks.  We’ll draw on Feb. 2.

What you’ll win:

Terra Breads - $20 gift card

Sonoran Estate Winery – bottle of Ehrenfelser Icewine

Gone Crackers – 3 boxes crackers including new Morrocan Spice

Libre Tea - Amazing tea glass

Chatelaine – Modern Classics Cookbook

Okanagan Ice Wine Cheese Plate – courtesy of Thompson Okanagan Tourism

Starbucks Coffee - Coffee Mug, To go Mug, and Coffee

To win PLEASE DO ALL 3 TASKS

1) RT this on twitter (@goodlifevan) 

2) On this post on www.goodlifevancouver.com comment as to your favourite British Columbian summer patio you just can’t wait to sit on

3) AND on the Goodlife Facebook Fan Page tell me what your favourite British Columbia summer destination is.

Happy Groundhog Day. Let’s hope he stays

In just one year in partnership with (RED)^TM, Starbucks has generated enough money to buy more than 7 million days of medicine to help those living with HIV in Africa. Overall, (RED) partners and events have generated $140 million and these funds have supported AIDS programs in Africa that have reached more than 4 million people.

If customers are unable to make it to their Starbucks on World Aids Day, they can still be a part of the fight against AIDS in Africa by visiting www.starbucksloveproject.com. There they can contribute a drawing to the ‘Love Gallery’ and for each drawing Starbucks will make a five cent U.S. contribution to the Global Fund, up to 1 million drawings.

Participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada; every hand-crafted beverage sold on December 1^st only.

About Starbucks Coffee Company

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup.

About (RED)™ and (PRODUCT)^RED™

(RED)’s primary objective is to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds for the Global Fund, to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Companies whose products take on the (PRODUCT)^RED mark contribute a significant percentage of the sales or portion of the profits from that product to the Global Fund to finance AIDS programs in Africa, with an emphasis on the health of women and children. Current partners are: American Express (U.K. only), Apple, Bugaboo, Converse, Gap, Emporio Armani, Hallmark, Dell, and Starbucks. Since its launch in the Spring of 2006, more than $135 million has been generated by (RED) for the Global Fund. (RED) money is at work in Swaziland, Rwanda, Ghana and Lesotho. For more information, visit http://www.joinred.com/.

About The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

The Global Fund is a unique global public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities represents a new approach to international health financing. The Global Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organizations to supplement existing efforts dealing with the three diseases. Since its creation in 2002, the Global Fund has become the dominant financier of programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, with approved funding of US$ 18.4 billion for more than 600 programs in 144 countries. To date, programs supported by the Global Fund have saved 4.5 million lives through providing AIDS treatment for 2.3 million people, antituberculosis treatment for 5.4 million people and the distribution of 88 million insecticide-treated bed nets for the prevention of malaria. For more information visit http://www.theglobalfund.org.

Gifts For the Kitchen

Red Chambord Bodum 8 Cup Press ($44.95)

Starbucks preferred brewing method, the coffee press, is now available in a festive red color for the holiday season.  Brew the perfect cup of coffee for your guests and make this press the centerpiece of your holiday entertaining!

6 Pack Coffee Sampler ($14.95 Canada)

A perfect gift for the coffee connoisseur or an adventurous friend, this sampler features six samples of some of our very best coffees,  pre-measured and ground for an 8-cup press. Curl up next to the fireplace and try different flavors!

Holiday Boxed Mug ($11.45 Canada)

This season, good things come in pretty boxes!  This 14oz decorative mug comes with a lovely matching box – and it’s the perfect gift for your friendly neighbour, a carpool buddy or your child’s favourite teacher.  Simple, beautiful and festive, it’s just right for everyone on your list.

Gifts From Around The World

Reactive Red Mug from Italy ($9.95 Canada)

Handmade by artisans from the Umbria region of Italy, this beautiful red mug is the perfect gift for your friends and family that need a little bit of holiday evviva!

Modern Rustic Mug from Japan ($9.95 Canada)

This modern rustic mug features a reactive interior glaze, a design made by a technique that is the result of centuries of traditional Japanese craftsmanship.  Marvel at this beautiful mug this holiday season.

Gifts For Fun

Stainless Steel Kids Water Bottle 12 oz. ($14.45 Canada)

This is a great stocking stuffer for the little ones, with a convenient flip-up spout and leak-resistant lid for easy sipping and no mess!  This water bottle is BPA-free and boasts a reusable and sturdy design, making it not only a great gift but handy all year long.

Wish Kit ($16.95 Canada)

Surprise a teacher, friend or co-worker with a special treat with this easy to use wish kit!  With six individual packets of Holland Mints, enclosure cards to write a sweet note, and folding gift boxes, each gift costs about $2.50.

Block Pile ($19.95 Canada)

This unique gift for children inspires creativity and fun. Make your own rock monster or stack the blocks sky high – whatever you choose, this is no ordinary pile of blocks!  This gift is also eco-friendly, as it is made from alder trees sourced from an Forest Stewardship Counsel-certified forest and has packaging with high post consumer content that is also recyclable.

16 oz Cold Cup with Candy Cane Striped Straw ($14.95 Canada) & 20 oz Cold Cup with Candy Cane Striped Straw ($16.95 Canada)

Show off your “green” side with these reusable alternative cups this holiday season!  Decorated with a festive candy cane striped straw, these double walled insulated cups look like the iconic Starbucks cold cups and will keep your favourite beverage cold and your hands dry this holiday season.

Gifts Under $10

Holiday Red Cup Ornament ($5.45 Canada)

Our customers have grown accustomed to the arrival of Starbucks red cups in stores which signals that the holiday season is officially here!  Bring the iconic Starbucks red cup into your home and make it part of your holiday traditions by giving it a special spot on your Christmas tree, or wherever you need a glimpse of holiday cheer.   

Starbucks Holiday Cold Cup Ornament ($5.45 Canada)

Are you a Christmas tree ornament collector?  If so, Starbucks has a new addition for you!  Our classic Starbucks cup ornament now comes in the Starbucks cold cup—the perfect sentiment for those who love Starbucks holiday beverages—as long as they can get their Peppermint Twist Mocha over ice!

Gifts For a Sweet Tooth

Coffee and Treats ($14.95 Canada)

Who doesn’t love coffee and treats?  A simple gift that will please anyone on your list, this silver box contains an 8oz bag of the beloved Starbucks Christmas Blend paired with rich burnt caramel candies, made from real cream and butter.

Holiday Cookie Tin ($14.95 Canada)

The traditional holiday cookie tin receives a makeover with original art created by one of Starbucks very own artists. The festive tin contains a Starbucks customer favourite, Walker’s Shortbread Highlander Cookies, which pair deliciously with Starbucks Christmas Blend.

Cocoa Trio ($10.95 Canada)

This trio of beautiful red tins is filled with three different flavours of all natural cocoa: Classic Hot Cocoa, Peppermint Cocoa and Salted Caramel Cocoa. With all natural ingredients and no high fructose corn syrup, this cocoa trio is a sweet treat that anyone can enjoy!