Charlotte Mandrier woke up in the middle of the night to get Starbucks merch for her daughter.

Courtesy of Charlotte Mandrier

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• Charlotte Mandrier's 9-year-old daughter has a deep love of Peanuts and Snoopy.
• Mandrier's daughter watches "The Great Pumpkin" year-round and listens to its soundtrack.
• With her birthday days away, Mandrier secretly hunted down the new Starbucks collection.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Charlotte Mandrier. It has been edited for length and clarity.

On Monday, September 14, I was cleaning up my inbox and deleting emails when I saw that Starbucks was collaborating with the Peanuts brand to sell merchandise inspired by "The Great Pumpkin."

I remembered last year when Starbucks released a small number of bear cups. My daughter, who is 9, had wanted one but hadn't managed to get hold of one. She was so disappointed.

She clearly hadn't known about the Snoopy cups that were going on sale, or I would have heard about it from her. She is obsessed with Peanuts, Snoopy, and "The Great Pumpkin."

She watches the movie all year long

As an autistic person, she has a special interest in Peanuts, specifically "The Great Pumpkin." She watches it all year long, even though it is a very fall movie. She listens to the music from the film's soundtrack. She was born in Santa Rosa, where the museum commemorating Charles Schulz — the cartoonist who created the Peanuts comic — is located. When she was little, she went to a camp at the museum and learned to ice skate at Snoopy's Home Ice next door. She even looks like Linus. She loves everything about this brand.

Charlotte Mandrier's daughter loves everything related to Peanuts.

Courtesy of Charlotte Mandrier

As it happened, her birthday is in two days. So when I saw that these limited-edition Snoopy cups and other merchandise celebrating the movie would be on sale, I told my husband I was going to try to get one for her.

I woke up in the middle of the night

I set my alarm for Tuesday morning at 3:30 a.m., quietly sneaking out of the house to arrive at our closest Starbucks in downtown Chevy Chase at 4 a.m., when it opens.

Charlotte Mandrier wants to surprise her daughter with her Snoopy Starbucks cup.

Courtesy of Charlotte Mandrier

Walking six blocks to get there, I only saw one other woman on the street. It turned out she was going to the same Starbucks to wait in line, too.

When I got there, no one was in line yet, and I felt so relieved. I had imagined that there would already be a huge line, with people hoping to take all the stock to resell it later.

I suppose that since it was a fairly commercial area, rather than a residential area, people didn't think to go there to get the merchandise.

Slowly, others arrived. There were three of us waiting for the merchandise, and three regulars who were just there to get their coffee.

Charlotte Mandrier only saw about 10 Snoopy cups at her local Starbucks.

Courtesy of Charlotte Mandrier

Although they were meant to open the doors at 4 a.m., apparently, there was a staffing issue, and they didn't open until 5 a.m. The regulars said that it wasn't normal for the shop to open late.

The lights were on, but we couldn't see anyone inside. We tried knocking because we weren't sure if someone was there, and just didn't know we were waiting. We were desperate to get the good stuff.

There were about 10 Snoopy cups

While we waited, I used my phone to take photos of the merchandise and count how many cups were available. I could see about 10.

Then someone finally unlocked and opened the doors for us. Once I got in, I bought a Snoopy cup, a tote bag, a keychain, a mug, and some pins. It came to about $200.

Charlotte Mandrier spent $200 in Starbucks merchandise for her daughter.

Courtesy of Charlotte Mandrier

One of the regulars who was there got swept up in the hype and got a cup, even though it wasn't why she'd come.

It was incredibly exciting that I had managed to get the stuff. I was so excited, imagining my daughter's face in two days when she opens her birthday presents.

Sneaking back into the house at 5:30 a.m. and hiding it all away, I pretended I had just woken up.

As soon as she sees on YouTube that these cups were for sale, I know she'll be disappointed, thinking that, like last year, she missed out. I'll give an Oscar-winning performance, telling her I wish we could have gotten there sooner, and maybe we can look for Snoopy cups that people are selling online.

And then, in two days, I'll give her all the Peanuts presents. I really cannot wait.

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Mumbai: "There is a positive surge in eco-friendly festival celebrations and awareness common citizens are now more aware and know about enviornment conservation," said Additional Municipal Commissioner of BMC Avinash Dhakane. On the occasion of Ganeshotsav, Dhakane spoke with the Free Press Journal on steps by the BMC to promote eco-friendly Ganpati festival, scientific disposal of immersed idols and etc.

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Excerpts from the interview.

The Bombay High Court (HC) came down heavily on authorities on banning use of PoP and Ganpati idols immersion in natural water bodies, and compliance of Centre Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines. What steps the BMC have taken to promote the environment-friendly Ganpati festival celebration in Mumbai?

The HC's last year's directions in regards to use of PoP idols and immersions of all clay and PoP idols have been implemented for this Ganeshotsav, as we wait for the final judgment. The CPCB guidelines came in 2020, however, the implementation began after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) of 2023. Accordingly, last year artificial lakes were installed across the state for Ganpati idols immersion. If we look at Mumbai, as much as 98% of idols immersion was into artificial lakes, since maximum idols are below 6 feet height and only idols (clay and PoP) which were above 6 feet were immersed in natural water bodies. To ensure HC directions are followed, we retrieve the remains of the immersed idols are transport to a dedicated site.

We observe that, citizens themselves prefer artificial ponds nearby their homes for idols visarjan.

Since all idols below 6 feet height will have to be mandatorily immersed in Artificial Ponds, at how many locations will the Artificial ponds be installed this year? Has the locations and ponds increased this year compared to last year?

Last year, we had artificial lakes installed at 298 locations, which are increased to 383. This added locations have been identified considering artificial ponds should be available within 1.5 kms periphery and areas which saw more response for eco-friendly Ganpati visarjan and got overcrowded. At some locations, number of ponds are added to cater the increasing response.

How many natural immersion sites are in Mumbai and what measures are taken on visarjan days to ensure smooth immersions of idols, and safety and security of devotees, since the locations get overcrowded?

Mumbai has 67 natural immersion sites- which includes sea fronts, rivers, lakes. At all these sites, the BMC is responsible to ensure all idols brought to the sites safely from acess roads, taken onto trolleys and transported towards water bodies. The immersion is done by the volunteers, NGO representatives and staff present deployed on ground. We install artificial ponds at all natural immersion sites in case small idols are brought there. The sites has deployment of lifeguards to ensure devotees safety. Nirmalya kaslash are installed for collection of garlands and other puja items. To maintain hygiene, public toilets are installed. Compared to previous years, the safety, security, hygiene, sanitation, segregation of nirmalya alongwith immersions at natural immersion sites- which sees massive crowd- are well managed at visarjan days. The sites are immediately cleaned next days. Apart from civic staff, the NGOs, volunteers play crucial role.

How much clay and natural colours have been distributed to artisans to make eco-friendly idols? Is there an increase in demand than in previous years?

To ensure sculptors do not face raw material shortages, our target was to distribute 1000 metric tonnes of clay. Until September 13, we distributed more than 940 metric tonnes and 25,400 litres of natural colours free of cost to artisans. However, many artisans purchase clay and colours themselves. However, many artisans are located outside BMC jurisdiction and they sculpt and bring idols to Mumbai. They procure materials in their region. Overall, there is surge in demand and preference for eco-friendly idols.

Last year's around 2400 MT of retrieved idol remains continue to be stored at Mulund (former dumping ground plot). Where will the retrieved remains of idols be stored this year? How will be the remains scientifically disposed?

We experimented a recycling procedure last year, however, it proved expensive. It is practically different and non-feasible for us to scientifically process. Thus, this year as well, we will transport the immersed idols remains to the designated site and let it dry. Meanwhile, we are in talks with a private company in Wada, which has shown interest in recycling. If talks success, we will transport the materials, including last year's 2400 metric tonnes, to their site for recycling, and the idols remains will be disposed in scientific manner and there will be no harm to their environment.

How many sarvajanik Ganpati mandals have got permissions this year? How successful is BMC's online single window system for NOC?

Across the BMC's 26 civic ward divisions, permissions have been granted to around 2,700 sarvajanik ganeshotsav mandals. The online single-window clearance system is not only a success but saves a lot of time of mandals. Simplified documentation have made the entire approval procedure swift and seamless. Also, the mandals do not have to follow-up with any authority seperately. If any permissions are pending, the BMC follows up with the Police.

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Are there any restrictions on use of DJs during Ganpati festival in Mumbai? What actions are taken against violators?

The BMC does not control the use of DJs and loudspeakers, the Police does. But as per police information, DJs are not used played in Mumbai. The use of DJs is seen in other sites. For noise pollution control, the monitoring is done Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and cases are taken registered against the violators with the police and appropriate actions are taken.

What message would you give to Mumbaikars? How turning towards environment-friendly celebrations is vital?

People are now aware about enviornment conservation and knows it's importance. Seeing the natural disasters happening within and outside the country, the awareness among common citizens is increasing. In local scenarios, people now want the natural water bodies like lakes, rivers and sea clean. Devotees are themselves preferring clay idols, natural colours, immersion in artificial lakes, segregation of nirmalyas etc. Even if the clay idols are expensive, they are ready to spend. There is a overall positive surge in environment-friendly festival celebrations. There is a change in society and mindsets of people towards environment. Apart from the government, other players like the NGOs and media promote eco-friendly celebrations. At this pace, we can expect more environmental friendly Ganeshotsav this year and years ahead.

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