Happy 2012!!!!

AT THE PERK

GRAVITY MEETING:  Tuesday, January 3rd, 6-8pm in the Living Room.

LIVE MUSIC: Thanks To Philo, Thursday 4:30-7:30pm in the Living Room. TTP play covers by artists like Bonnie Raitt, Brandie Carlile, Grace Potter, KT Tunstall, Robert Plant and Alisson Krauss while peppering in some original music as well!  this is Thanks To Plilo’s first performance at Wash Perk.  Please come help them feel welcome!

TRAVEL MUG EXCHANGE:

Wash Perk likes to keep travel mugs on hand for when customers forget their own, or would just like to reduce our paper cup use.  We try to keep enough around so that it’s easy for you to take with you, and return sometime in the future.  There are always peeps that forget to return and then our stockpile dwindles.

CALLING ON ALL RETIRED BUT USABLE TRAVEL MUGS…… if you have any from us, please return.  If you have any to donate, we will give you a FREE MEDIUM DRINK in exchange for each USABLE tumbler you leave for community use.

When you are at the shop, please feel free to borrow our tumblers and help decrease our cup cost/waste

THROUGH JANUARY, or until we get too many for Teri to manage in her basement office!!!!!  THANK YOU!

Our Crew: Jon,Teri,Mekenzie,Sharon,Amber,Andrea,Helen,Debbi,Jason,Kelly,Leah,Kristen,Chelsea and Kate!

 Wow!  Hard to believe it’s the final week of 2011.  We enjoyed a festive gathering at the shop last week, with past and present staff and spouses.  Both Debbi and I feel so fortunate to work with such amazing peeps, and it was fun to celebrate them as we close out the year.  Happy New Year to each of you!  THANK YOU for bringing Wash Perk in to another year of business!

Santa returns next Saturday to the Perk.

 AT THE PERK:

ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS: Tuesday, November 29th 7-9pm. EWB Denver hosts their monthly meeting.

STEELE ELEMENTARY ART SHOW OPENING: Thursday, December 1st 6-7:30pm.  Art teacher, Miriam Unger has worked very hard to create this exhibit and Wash Perk feels honored to host. Weaving and Ink Paintings from the artists of Rooms 202 and 208.  LIVE MUSIC by Trevor Morris.  Savory croissants and cookies provided by Wash Perk.

NEW WEEKEND HOURS BEGIN: Friday 6am-7pm, Sat/Sun 7am-7pm.  We’re shortening Friday and lengthening Sat/Sun. Udi’s desserts will be available again for evening hours.

SANTA PICTURES: Saturday, December 3rd 1-3pm. Santa returns, bearing small gifts and ready for pictures by Edwin Demafiles.  Pictures will be available for download from web and disk, at no charge to you.  Tip donation only.

We are experimenting with new items from our current vendors to try to fill the hole left by Simple Sugar Bakery.  Please give us your input. 

AROUND THE PERK

BUY LOCAL WEEK: November 25th-December 2nd.  Americans do most of their holiday gift shopping the week after Thanksgiving, starting Friday (i.e. Black Friday). So do your shopping locally!  Lots of local retailers have specials this week.  Colorado Local First campaign and The Mile High Business Alliance.

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE!!!!!

HOLIDAY HOURS:

Wednesday, December 21st: Close at 5pm for staff holiday gathering.

Christmas Day: Closed

New Year’s Day: Open 7am-1pm.  Kate, Kelly and Mekenzie wanted to be open and start the new year off with YOU!

Here’s what I did on Thanksgiving Day while our staff were working hard at Wash Perk!  I was learning to disassemble, clean and reassemble an espresso machine.  One of the many things I love about KALADI COFFEE is that they support and educate to increase autonomy and knowledge in their staff and wholesale accounts like us.

Good luck to CHLOE BILLS, one of our amazing bus peeps.  She is entering her final semester at South High and beginning her college curriculum AND her family is moving to Centennial!  This will allow her to visit us at the Perk to study, but not enough time to keep a work schedule.  We are very happy for her, her choices and the person that Chloe continues to be.  These young peeps provide me so much anticipation of where our world may be headed

NOW AVAILABLE: Bhakti Chai and Lightly Sweetened Bhakti Chai in 16oz bottles, $4.

AROUND THE PERK

MUSIC AT WASH PARK: The Denver Municipal Band plays in the Meadow, Sunday, July 31st, 7:30-9pm.  Take a dessert picnic and enjoy the evening

FANS MEETING: Wednesday, August 3rd. 6:00-8:00 p.m, St. John’s Lutheran Church.  DISCUSSION:Park Improvements, don’t miss this if you are able!

Please note the date and time!  This is a special meeting presented by Denver Parks and Recreation for improvement planning  along the Diagonal.

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.

AT THE PERK

Staff Meeting: Monday, July 11th.  We will CLOSE at 6pm for our staff meeting.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

Lesbian Book Club: Thursday, July 14th, 7-9pm in The Living Room. Contact:Cynthia at cmcd1070@yahoo.com for more information

Live Music: ALLEN SMITH: Saturday, July 16th 10am-12pm.  He’s now a weekly event! www.reverbnation.com/allensmith

AROUND THE PERK

MUSIC at Wash Park: Sunday, July 17th 7:30-9pm. The Denver Municipal Band plays in the big field, near Kentucky and Franklin.

AT THE PERK

LIVE MUSIC: Stuart Michael Burns and Bob Reed: Monday, July 4th 12-2pm. Folk/blues style, currently on tour and we are lucky enough to have them stop by the Perk.

LIVE MUSIC: Allen Smith: Saturday July 9th 10a-12noon.  Allen has shared his playful energy and mellow music talent with us the past few Saturdays.  He has agreed to come play on our patio every Saturday through the summer:)

AROUND THE PERK

Wash Park Neighborhood Picnic: Monday, July 4th 11am-1pm at Dos Chappel Bathhouse.  Local merchants and associations sponsor this wonderful neighborhood event. FREE ice cream, LIVE MUSIC, bike/trike parade.

K9 Pet Cancer Awareness Walk: Sunday, July 10th 9am-11 at Wash Park.

PLEASE be aware that all of these generous musicians come to play without pay, in exchange for coffee and food from Wash Perk, so they very much appreciate an audience and whatever tips you may want to contribute.

Sunrise last week, courtesy of MC3 Photography.

AT THE PERK

Bike to Work Day! Wednesday, June 22nd.  Ask for your 10 % off all through the month of June if you ride your bike to the Perk.  It’s Bike Month!  Follow our friends at BikeDenver to stay in the cycling loop.

Dessert Thursday: Our wonderful neighbors and bakers at Simple Sugar Bakery will delight our senses with a scrumptious dessert option.  It’s different each week, and we announce on our Facebook wall on Tuesdays.

LIVE MUSIC: Jeff Friedlander: Sunday, June 26th 11a-1p on the patio, weather permitting. Folk fun and funk. Come enjoy Jeff and the lovely patio and planter flowers.

AROUND THE PERK

Summer Solstice Bike Ride with VOC: Tuesday, June 21st, It’s free. Join BikeDenver, Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Zoo and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) for a Summer Park-to-Park bicycle ride from City Park, through the Denver Botanic Gardens, to the Dos Chappell Bathhouse at Washington Park to celebrate green volunteering and the summer solstice.  The Perkolator will be on hand, selling Udi’s sandwiches, Sweet Action Ice Cream Sandwiches, Cookies and drinks.

Perkolator at Wash Park: Tues, Wed,Th 4-7pm; Sat 11-7/Sun 8-4pm.  East of Boathouse, near Recreation Center. The

Clarkson Street Yard Sale: Saturday, June 25th 9a-4pm.  Sandi Segal is leading the way again with the annual multi-home yard sale from Alameda to Buchtel. Perkolator will be accompanying MK and Andrea this year as they take complementary coffee and pastries to our neighbors. Thanks, Sandi!

Lucky Mutt Strut: Sunday June 26th, 8a-12p at Washington Park, benefitting the incredible work of the Max Fund no kill shelter.  Wash Perk and the Perkolator will be donating to the Max Fund and it’s volunteers in various ways this morning.  Volunteers get a free bar beverage at shop; Perkolator sales this morning will 100% go to Max Fund.  Thanks to MK Sagaria and her coordinating efforts to help this to happen.

Memorial Day

HOURS: 7am – 3pm

LIVE MUSIC: Allen Smith, 11am-1pm

THIS WEEK

WASH PERK BOARD GAME: Tuesday, May 31st 5:30pm in The Living Room.  It’s our farewell evening with Kelly O’Laughlin before she heads to Italy on Friday. Kelly will be teaching at a camp in Italy through the summer, and then hopes to travel for a few months after.  Kelly made us a Wash Perk Board Game, with questions about shop, patrons and staff.  She’s going to teach us how to play and we’ll enjoy our last night with her for a long while

The Wash Perk Perkolator Donates Weekend Sales to MS150 and The Wild Bunch Team :  JUNE 4th and 5th; come see us at our NEW LOCATION East of the Pavilion/Boathouse.  Wild Bunch Team members will be with us through parts of the weekend.  Steve Meyer won the coffee bike naming contest and he chose this cause as recipient of a weekend of sales. The MS150 is a 2 day bike ride June 25th/26th to raise money for The Colorado Chapter of the National MS Society

MK Sagaria masters The Perkolator

Our BIRTHDAY/EASTER/BIKE celebration will take place next SUNDAY, APRIL 17th from 11am-1pm.  Brian Spinner and Vicki Phillips had the idea to host a PARK TO PERK BIKE AND BUNNY RIDE from Wash Park (Exposition and Downing) to Wash Perk.  We are encouraging all participants to decorate bike and/or themselves and enjoy a fun short procession behind the Easter Bunny and our new COFFEE BIKE.   We’ll leave park at 10:45 am and head to shop where we’ll enjoy FREE TREATS, PHOTOS with BUNNY, LIVE MUSIC (Jeff Friedlander and Friends) and CRAFTS for kids.

Debbi and I and all of us here at Wash Perk feel so grateful for all of your support in getting us to our 3rd Birthday. THANK YOU.

AT THE PERK:

Lesbian Book Club: Thursday, April 14th in the Living Room 7pm-9pm.  All are welcome to join discussion. Contact: Cynthia cmcd1070@yahoo.com for more information.

LIVE MUSIC: Emma Hill and Her Gentleman Callers, April 15th in the Living Room 5pm-7pm.  Check out her site and u tube. She’s got a fantastic voice and they are just passing through on their way back to Portland.

HAPPY HOUR:  Every week day, M-F from 6-7pm, $2 lattes.  Join us on Facebook/Twitter to receive other specials/discounts.

AROUND THE PERK:

FANS Meeting: Wednesday, April 13th 6pm at the Dos Chappell Bathhouse.  This month’s topic will be  presented by Candice Stuart from The Wild Bird Center, “If you hear the birds sing, it must be spring”.

Bird Walk: Sunday, April 17th  9am. Meet Candice again at The Boathouse for some bird watching.  Bring your binoculars!  FREE for paying members, $5 for non members.