Official Bikini Inspector

Published 10:57 pm Thursday, November 5, 2009

A Grab-N-Go bikini espresso stand was shut down after health inspectors found several code violations, including the lack of a proper hand-washing station.

To ensure cleanliness, baristas will start serving customers directly from a soapy shower.

Mermaid makes money: Despite the traditional attire, Starbucks is doing just fine, reporting a jump in profits. The company made a swift turnaround thanks to 800 store closures.

The slash-and-burn approach has left some cities virtually barren, with only three Starbucks stores at every intersection.

Maybe it’s the caffeine: American companies have fewer workers but are squeezing more work out them. Productivity made its biggest jump in six years over the summer.

Productivity will probably come back down for the fall, when economists factor in the hours workers spend researching fantasy football.

Speaking of football: The Huskies meet an old friend this week at UCLA: Rick Neuheisel.

UCLA hasn’t improved on the field under Slick Rick, but its March Madness basketball betting pool has never been better.

— Doug Parry, Herald staff