Thank you all, again, for another year and a wonderful celebration.  The photos from EDWIN DEMAFILES will be ready by Tuesday, and I will post link or information on Facebook.  Everyone was so very patient with the unseasonable heat!   Debbi and I and all of our family at the Perk appreciate your continued support.  Additional thanks and loads of gratitude to our VOLUNTEER CROSSING GUARDS, our Easter Bunny, SANDI SEGAL (MWWP, organized all of our food), MOLLY KAUFMANN (entertainment), LEAH, KATE and MEKENZIE for handling the morning shift, and to our manager, SHARON HEALY for organizing and preparing so much through the weeks so we could be ready.   It takes a village to raise a coffee shop.  We got a good one.

AT THE PERK

STUDY NIGHT MONDAY: Monday, April 2nd 5-8pm in the cafe.

OFA PROGRESSIVES DISCUSSION:  Tuesday, April 3rd 9:30-11:30am at the Community Table.

GRAVITY GATHERING: Tuesday, April 3rd 7-9pm in the Living Room.

REAL COFFEE THURSDAYS with Sandi Segal: Thursday, April 5th 5-7pm in cafe. From Sandi “Real Coffee Thursday is your opportunity to come talk with me and/or my special guest “presenter” about anything real estate (Or, for that matter your dreams, goals, questions about life – I am getting wiser by the minute, you know! “

Thanks also to our generous and supportive landlord, JANICE McCLURE! Teri, Janice and Debbi

WASH PERK’S 4th Birthday is coming up on  Sunday, April 1st!!!  We will of course have our annual celebration, Park to Perk Bunny and Bike Ride (kiddos join us, the Perkolator and the Easter Bunny first for a small egg hunt, then for a short bike ride from Wash Park to our shop), Live Music, Snacks, Prizes, Photos with Bunny and whatever else we can dream up. Festivities will go from 10am-3pm. See schedule below.

AT THE PERK

STUDY NIGHT: Monday, March 26th 5-8pm in cafe’.  Study appropriate music with periodic dance breaks.  Managed by our baristas on shift. Might still be quiet since some of you are on break!

ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS:  Tuesday, March 27th 7-9pm in The Living Room. This cohort of EWB Denver’s goal is to better the living conditions in Malingua Pamba through drinkable water, irrigation fro crops and erosion control. Come to our program meetings to get involved with this effort! Contact Chris Kurtz at chrispkurtz@gmail.com  for more information.

BW4W (BY WOMEN FOR WOMEN) NETWORKING: Wednesday, March 28th 6-7:30pm in The Living Room.  BW4W  was established to help women entrepreneurs become more successful, and stay in business, a profitable business, longer.

APRIL 1st SCHEDULE:

10:30am mini pastries and hot cocoa at Wash Park West Flower Gardens at Exposition and Downing Sts.

11am: Mini Egg Hunt with prize coupons/candy inside

11:15am: Group Bike Photo

11:30 am: Child friendly bike procession with the Easter Bunny and Perkolator from Park to Perk, guided by our fierce crossing guards (10 volunteers)

12pm: Prize distribution, snacks, entertainment by Molly Kaufmann

12:30-1:30pm: Photos with Easter Bunny

2pm: Blessing by Reverend Catherine Volland, our dear friend who happens to be an Episcopal minister.

3pm: ya’ all will have to start paying for stuff! Party is over:)

THROUGH THE END OF THIS WEEK:  We will invite customers with each transaction to log a vote for one of eight non-profits to be the recipient of our birthday donation.  Our staff and I chose these local organizations based on our mutual relationship and the fact they that each are in alignment with Wash Perk’s values of Community, Caring and Sustainability.  Wash Perk will donate her proceeds on April 1st, our staff will donate their tips, and we will also include the money raised from this month’s hockey stick auction (thank you, Bear and Colorado Avalanche). On Sunday we will sell raffle tickets for Wash Perk stuff to be given out every 30 minutes from 12:30 – 3pm.

Remaining organizations will each benefit from a future Hockey Stick Auction.  The wonderful organizations included are: WSCC Washington Street Community Center, FANS Friends and Neighbors of Washington Park, VOC Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Hinote’s Heroes, The Gathering Place, Mission Wear, A Little Help (formerly Wash Park Cares), ReVision

Merle finds a friend

AT THE PERK

STUDY NIGHT: Monday, February 27th 5-8pm throughout cafe.  Organized by our staff, offering study music and breaks each hour, coffee/pastry special. Every Monday through school year.

ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA: Tuesday, February 28th 9:30-11:30am at Community Table.  This lively crew meets weekly to debate and strategize.

REAL COFFEE  THURSDAY WITH SANDI SEGAL:  Thursday, March 1st 5-7pm in main cafe.  Join Sandi  and possibly a guest speaker for a cup o joe and good discussion.  Sandi is a realtor, neighbor and President of Merchants of West Wash Park.

MARCH ARTIST OF THE MONTH: NADIA SPERRY

Her featured collection of acrylic, pencil, and ink includes an eclectic combination of bold, vibrant colors and subtly detailed contemporary designs with a focus on nature.

AROUND THE PERK

B-Cycle Proposal Meeting: Monday, February 27th 6pm at VOC in the Dos Chappell Bathhouse, 600 S. Marion Pkwy:  proposal by Denver Parks and Recreation and Denver Bike Sharing to put B cycle stations at Marion Parkway and Virginia  and in the Hungarian Freedom Park.

COMING UP

WASH PERK’S 4th Birthday is coming up on  Sunday, April 1st!!!  We will of course have our annual celebration, Park to Perk Bunny and Bike Ride (kiddos join us, the Perkolator and the Easter Bunny first for a small egg hunt, then for a short bike ride from Wash Park to our shop), Live Music, Snacks, Prizes, Photos with Bunny and whatever else we can dream up. Festivities will go from 10am-3pm.

STARTING MARCH 1st:  We will invite customers with each transaction to log a vote for one of eight non-profits to be the recipient of our birthday donation.  Our staff and I chose these local organizations based on our mutual relationship and the fact they that each are in alignment with Wash Perk’s values of Community, Caring and Sustainability.  Wash Perk will donate her proceeds on April 1st, our staff will donate their tips, and we will also include the money raised from this month’s hockey stick auction (thank you, Bear and Colorado Avalanche).

Remaining organizations will each benefit from a future Hockey Stick Auction.  The wonderful organizations included are:

WSCC Washington Street Community Center

FANS Friends and Neighbors of Washington Park

VOC Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Hinote’s Heroes

The Gathering Place

Mission Wear

A Little Help (formerly Wash Park Cares)

ReVision

AT THE PERK

STUDY NIGHT: Monday, January 23rd 5-8pm throughout shop. Study night organized by our staff, low key music, special offers and hourly dance/stretch breaks.

WRITERS MEETUP: Wednesday, January 25th 7-9pm in The Living Room.  Led by the widely published Kelli Jae Baeli. 

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GROUP: Sunday, January 29th, 2-4pm at Wash Perk Community Table.

TUMBLER EXCHANGE still happening until end of the month!  Bring in your retired but usable TRAVEL MUGS for us to keep on hand for when peeps forget their travel mugs.   We’ll give you a FREE MEDIUM DRINK CARD. Thanks for helping us reduce paper cup use (even if they are compostable!). 

Simple Sugar Bakery Team: Alison, Tiffany and Peggy

 Goodbye to Simple Sugar Bakery

It is never easy to say goodbye, but I find it especially sad when it is a fellow small neighborhood business that is closing it’s doors.  SIMPLE SUGAR BAKERY is the second beloved bakery vendor to Wash Perk that has had to close because of these trying economic times, narrowed margins and rising costs of commodities and coverage. SOGNI DOLCE BAKERY was the first.  We have loved and enjoyed their high quality products and unbeatable customer service. We will miss the cinnamon rolls, scones, and whoopie pies. We will especially miss their kindness to all of our staff, and the unexpected treats! We wish them luck in whatever they each pursue.

It makes us at Wash Perk even more grateful for your daily support and the culture that values small neighborhood businesses.  Every once in a while someone slips in our side door to use or internet or hangs out on our patio without purchasing…. but honestly, I’m amazed at how many of you truly get how much support a small business needs in order to survive.  The MILE HIGH BUSINESS ALLIANCE was born just 4 years ago and they have done an amazing job in supporting, promoting and informing small businesses and consumers.  Next week is their 5th Annual BUY LOCAL WEEK : November 25th-December 2nd.  Wash Perk participates each year, not because it actually helps us directly, but it matters so much to support the people and groups that help our communities stay strong.  Local does matter, especially these days.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY is also next week, November 26th.  Wash Perk will offer 20% off all retail next weekend: Fri-Sunday, the 25th-27th.  Come by for t-shirt, travel mug, bamboo cutlery or a Wrap N Mat. 

AT THE PERK

STUDY NIGHT: Monday, November 21st 5-8pm.  Our baristas will play music conducive to studying with hourly stretch/dance breaks. FINALS WEEK!

THANKSGIVING HOURS: Thursday, November 24th 7am-1pm.  Stop by before the Turkey Trot!

SANTA VISIT and pictures: Saturday, December 3rd 1-3pm. Our 4th Annual visit.  Edwin Demafiles, our generous professional photographer on hand, photos will be available for free download later that week.

Jeremy and Teri hold the 1000th energy efficient lightbulb before he installs it in Wash Perk!

The Department of Environmental Health reached out to Wash Perk after seeing The Perkolator on 9News back in May.  The city has created a new certification program for SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES in Denver and Janet Burgesser came to find out about Wash Perk’s practices and to offer help with improvements.  We are very proud to announce that we had few new practices to add. We secured insulation around our a/c vents in the basement and Jeremy Lauffenburger changed out a good amount of our lightbulbs to more efficient ones.  We were the lucky business to be the recipient of the 1000th FREE energy efficient lightbulb!  It’s not easy or inexpensive to keep our waste down, and we know sometimes it requires extra effort from you and all of our staff.  In the long run, we feel better about reducing our waste and possible harm, and hopefully utility costs.  We think it’s great that The Department of Environmental Health  is trying to support businesses to reduce energy costs, waste and to improve sustainability awareness.  Craig Williams from Infinite Future continues to look in to ways that we can reduce costs, hassles and waste around Wash Perk.  THANK YOU all, including our customers that support and encourage us.

AT THE PERK

CLOSING EARLY: Monday, August 29th at 7pm.  So sorry for the inconvenience.  LABOR DAY we will be open 7am-3pm.

ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS:  Tuesday, August 30th 7-9pm in Living Room.  For more information: ewbdenver.org

SEPTEMBER ARTIST: Wash Perk welcomes new artist for September Dan Ericson, aka, DUNN.  He was able to hang his work early.  His work is unique and sustainable!  He was featured this month in 5280 MAGAZINE.  check it out next time you are in.

AROUND THE PERK

Public Meeting on Mini Master Plan for Wash Park: Tuesday, August 30th, 5:30-7:30pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 700 S.Gilpin.  Thanks to Cindy Johnstone and FANS for keeping us in the loop.

Both Zoe and Kristen will be headed off to school at week’s end  We will miss them greatly.  We welcome Bryan Wilson and Helen Heasely as new bus-peeps!

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MEETING:  Sunday, Aug. 28th 2-4:30pm, at Wash Perk Community Table.

AROUND THE PERK

Venus de Miles Bike Ride: Sunday, Aug. 28th 8am-noon in Longmont.  We will be riding with the Babes Around Denver Team.  This ride benefits The Greenhouse Scholars

Welcome BEN EASTER as our newest Perkolator Peep!  A wonderful, warm and talented man.  He can serve up a tasty beverage AND sing a song to our Wash Park patrons

LESBIAN BOOK CLUB:  Thursday, August 11th 7-9pm in Living Room.

AROUND THE PERK

THE PERKOLATOR:  Saturday  August 13th, 9am-2pm and Sunday August 14th, 8am-12 noon at Dos Chappell Bathhouse in front of VOC.  Donating 100% weekend sales to THE WASHINGTON STREET COMMUNITY CENTER!!!!! Please come by to support a great community touchstone.

The Perkolator

GOODBYE and HELLO!

There are lots of transitions that have been happening and will continue in the weeks ahead.  I’ve shared already about JASON “BEAR” BERRETT coming on board and that ASHLEIGH EDELMAN will be leaving us after nearly 3 years at the Perk…. A few more losses for us in August:  ZOE LEANZA  will head to Macalester College in St. Paul, MN;  KRISTEN BAIR will embark on her semester at sea in the Caribbean!!! (part of her Scripps College curriculum); MADELINE OVERLY is taking on an adventure, moving to the pacific northwest and challenging herself to learn and grow.  We will so feel their absence…and we remain grateful and happy about the times we’ve shared.  Zoe and Kristen will return on their breaks!

And the new faces to welcome are CHELSEA ACERS and CODY McLAUGHLIN as baristas extraordinaire, both experienced and both lovely people; MK SAGARIA will begin as our weekday manager (she has been our Perkolator Ambassador since March); BEN EASTER will join us at the Perkolator;  and we will welcome back HOLLIE CAZZANIGI since she gave birth to her second child, Emma Grace.

AT THE PERK

ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS MEETING: Tuesday, 7/26  7-9pm in the Living Room.

MERCHANTS OF WEST WASHINGTON PARK Business Meeting: Wednesday, 7/27 6:30-8:30pm on the Patio.

LIVE MUSIC: Allen Smith, a Farewell Show : Saturday, 7/30 10am-noon on the Patio.  This Allen’s final performance before he  heads out on his European trek.  Follow him at www.LiveGoodVibes.Blogspot.com

AROUND THE PERK

THE PERKOLATOR at Wash Park:  Tuesday/Wednesday/Sat/Sun: Back at our first location in front of VOC and Dos Chappell Bathhouse.  You can see us from Downing Street again  We will have a new Perkolator Ambassador, a dear friend to Wash Perk, BEN EASTER starting next Sunday.   Coming on August 13th and 14th we will welcome THE WASHINGTON STREET COMMUNITY CENTER representatives to join us at the Perkolator and we will donate 100% of our weekend bike sales to their great work.

MUSIC AT THE PARK: The Denver Municipal Band, Sunday, 7/31 , 7:30-9pm in the big field, off Kentucky and Franklin.

If you count all your assets, you always show a profit.  ~Robert Quillen

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.  ~William Arthur Ward

FEELING FULL

There are only a couple of events to promote this week, so I thought I would take a moment to express some deeply felt gratitude for a few of our community members who have recently helped Wash Perk.  

Many of you are aware of the fact that Wash Perk, along with many small businesses in this economy, has struggled to become a viable neighborhood business and keep up with rising costs.

I’ve often said how very much you matter, and that sure hasn’t changed.  Every purchase in a small neighborhood business matters.  Your energy, your smiles,  your ideas, your telling peeps about us, your presence … matters.

This past month we’ve had 3 customers significantly help us for little to no charge at all, because they are invested in Wash Perk getting and staying strong.  JASON BERRETT came on board to help organize our retail area and to improve operations behind the scenes.  He is often at shop after hours, improving our building efficiency and making repairs.  ELLEN URELL offered to help with book keeping and she has helped create such informative financial spreadsheets that I can now sleep at night, knowing we are on track!  DEBBIE DALRYMPLE is the IT person that has tirelessly and patiently addressed our WiFi access issues and I believe FINALLY fixed it!  Debbie is the neighbor who runs FARMYARD CSA, growing and distributing veggies throughout the Wash Park neighborhood.  STEPHEN REDDEN has offered IT brainstorming without charge during this process as well.

It’s times like these that remind both Debbi and me how very fortunate we are to live and do business in this neighborhood.  THANK YOU all.  

AT THE PERK

LIVE MUSIC: Allen Smith on Saturday, July 23rd 10am-12pm on the patio.