February Blizzard, courtesy of Edwin Demafiles

Thanks to Kate, Kristen and Jonathan we were able to open on Friday, at least until 1pm.  It didn’t make sense for more peeps to risk the drive, but we all appreciated those three getting us started  Thanks to all of you that helped with shoveling through day, after our first clearing by The Krazy Lawn Gal.  Two inches an hour was a lot with which to keep up.

 AT THE PERK

STUDY NIGHT: Monday, February 6th 5-8pm.  Organized by our staff, low key music, special offers and hourly dance/stretch breaks.

GRAVITY GATHERING:  Tuesday, February 7th 6-8pm in The Living Room.

LESBIAN BOOK CLUB: Thursday, February 9th 7-9pm in The Living Room. Contact:Cynthia McDonald cmcd1070@yahoo.com for more information:)

AROUND THE PERK

VALENTINE’S DAY 5K: Sunday, February 12th 10am-12pm at Wash Park.

COMING UP:

Next MONDAY and FRIDAY nights we will have LIVE MUSIC.   AUNT MARTHA will play on Monday, February 13th from 5-7pm.  JAMIE BENDELL will play Friday, February 17th from 4:30-6:30pm.

The above photos are courtesy of Edwin Demafiles, Pete Kelly, then Edwin again for last two!  Thank you both!

AT THE PERK

STUDY NIGHT: Monday, January 30th 5-8pm. Study night organized by our staff, low key music, special offers and hourly dance/stretch breaks.

DENVER ENERGY CHALLENGE: Tuesday, January 31st 3:30-5:30pm in The Living Room. FREE Energy Savings Workshop presented by The Mile High Business Alliance.

BW4W Networking Meeting: Tuesday, January 31st 6-8pm in The Living Room. BW4W (By Women for Women) is a community where women entrepreneurs can find the resources and support they need to be successful in a business they created.

REAL COFFEE THURSDAY:  Thursday, February 2nd 5-7pm at The Community Table.  Local realtor and Life Coach, Sandi Segal is available to discuss real estate or anything else that could enhance both parties  Sandi often brings in a guest speaker.  Sandi is also the president and founder of The Merchants Association of West Wash Park. Contact her at SandiSegal@Gmail.com

SUPER BOWL 5k: Sunday, February 4th 10-12 at Washington Park.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Wash Perk welcomes RICHARD OTT as our February artist.  Mid week his work will go up. Dick is a trial lawyer and gifted artist.  He enjoys oil and watercolor painting as well as drawing.

AROUND THE PERK

FANS MEETING: Wednesday, February 1st 6-7:30pm at the Dos Chappell Bathhouse in Wash Park.  Topics will be The Running Trail Realignment and the Future of FANS.   It’s been a tough year of battling and advocating for FANS, and your input would mean a lot if you are interested in exploring ways to care for Wash Park.

SHARON HEALY ART OPENING: Friday, February 3rd 7pm at Benders Tavern.  Sharon is our manager and an incredible artist.  Her show will be at Benders through February.

UPCOMING

Wash Perk’s 4th Birthday is approaching on April 1st, 2012.  We would love your ideas about how to celebrate, that day and through the month.  We love to collaborate with community non-profits and to find ways to show our appreciation for our loyal and supportive customers/neighbors/friends/community.   We always have a visit from the Easter Bunny and we usually have several hours of free food and celebration.  Last year we had the Park to Perk Bunny and Bike Ride, and we may combine that with a mini egg hunt.

Share your ideas on our Facebook page or on our World Cafe’ Sheet on Community Table.  Thank you!

****PS: We’ve recently had to remind ALOT of peeps that we don’t allow outside food and beverage in our shop.  We don’t want to police peeps, and we need your support in order to survive as a business.  Please help us to reinforce the culture of exchange that Wash Perk depends upon. *****

AT THE PERK

CLOSE EARLY, 6pm, for Staff Meeting: Tuesday, January 17th at 6pm.  As always, we apologize for any inconvenience.

WRITERS MEETUP: Wednesday, January 18th 7-9pm in the Living Room.  Led by the generously published Kelli Jae Baeli. 

We say goodbye and good luck to MK SAGARIA, who has been our interim manager at Wash Perk.  She generously stayed a few weeks beyond her initial commitment.  This week we welcome SHARON HEALY to her new responsibilities as manager.  You already know her as a barista, and she will keep one shift a week back bar.  As many of you know, Sharon is an accomplished large canvas artist.  Her beautiful works can barely fit on our walls! We also welcome RYAN JEFFERS, as he begins his training as a barista this week.   Ryan is a multi-lingual student, specializing in grammar and linguistics.  He will help us with shifts given up by Sharon and KRISTEN BAIR.  Kristen will be going to New Zealand in February for her semester abroad.

AROUND THE PERK

POLAR BEAR 5K:  Sunday, January 22nd 10am at Washington Park.

Waiting outside the Perk.... courtesy of MC3 Photography

AT THE PERK:

STUDY NIGHT : Monday, October 10th 5-8pm (and every Monday) our staff will play low key music with a stretch/dance break every hour.  Thanks, Kate and Amber for organizing 8-O 

LESBIAN BOOK CLUB: Thursday, October 13th 7-9pm in Wash Perk Living Room. They are an open, social group and welcome all members. Contact:Cynthia at cmcd1070@yahoo.com for more information.

PUMPKIN CARVING: Saturday, October 15th 1-3pm on the patio. We’ll supply the tarp, tables and safe kits.  Bring your own  pumpkin and parent!  We’ll play Goblin music and Kate will be on hand to organize. Thanks, Kate!  University  of Colorado Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Party: Sunday, October 16th 6-9pm at Wash Perk.  We’ll CLOSE AT 5PM that day.

AROUND THE PERK:

VOC Trail Restoration Project in Wash Park: Saturday, October 15th, 8:30 am- 1:30pm.

PERK PUPS SOCCER: Saturday, October 15th 10-11am in Wash Park meadow near Ohio Ave.

FIT FOR FIRE 5K: Sunday, October 16th 9 am at Washington Park.  Presented by the Friends of Denver Fire Department. Benefits the Denver Fire Fighters Burn Foundation.

REMINDERS of UPCOMING EVENTS: 

MOVIE NIGHT: Monster House:

Friday, October 21st 6-7:30pm in Wash Perk Living Room. Pull up a spot on the floor, kiddos, and enjoy our first movie night, organized by Leah and MK. Child drink and cookie for $3.

HALLOWEEN SAFE ROUTE

from Wash Perk to Lloyd and Maxwell’s (on Kentucky at Washington) via the 800 blocks of Clarkson St. and Washington Ave. Our Third Annual event will be on Saturday, October 29th 3-5pm.  We’ll begin, as usual, with Treat Bag decorating at Wash Perk and end at Lloyd and Maxwell Wine and Spirits for treats for both kiddos and parents.

BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU NIGHT:

Friday, November 18th 7:30-10:30pm at Grant Ave Community Center.  Come enjoy an evening with neighbors and friends, while supporting MWWP (Merchants of West Wash Park).  A night of wine, food and celebration. Tickets on sale at Wash Perk  $50 each.  BUY ONE GET ONE FREE IN OCTOBER!!!!!!

*** On a personal note, we’ll welcome Debbi’s dad, DICK MAIN, to the Perk for his 76th birthday weekend!  He hasn’t been here since the first year the shop opened. Happy Birthday, Daddio

Fall is in the air....

AT THE PERK:

STUDY NIGHT:  Monday, October 3rd 5-8pm.  Our very first study night at Wash Perk, to be a weekly event during the school year.  Our baristas have devised a music playlist conducive to study time, and plan hourly 5 min DANCE/STRETCH breaks!

GRAVITY GATHERING:  Tuesday, October 4th 6-8pm.  For more information check website.

DENVER ROCK N ROLL MARATHON ROAD CLOSURE:  Sunday, October 9th, 6am-1:30pm.  OHIO AVE will be completely closed from 6am-1:30pm…. even for parking. See map. We’ll need your support, however you can manage!  Plan to park on Emerson or another street and please walk to see us and to cheer on the runners!

*** We are planning our HALLOWEEN SAFE ROUTE again this year, Saturday, October 29th 3-5pm.  Neighbors, we’ll need your help again to create a path from Wash Perk to Lloyd and Maxwell on Kentucky Ave  Details soon! ****

AROUND THE PERK:

FANS MEETING:  Wednesday, October 5th 5:30-7pm at Dos Chappell Bath House. Update on the running trail and a tree tour.

PERK PUPS TODDLER SOCCER TEAM:  Saturday, October 8th at 10am.  Our Pups continue their weekly gathering at Wash Park in the meadow near Ohio Ave.

Picture Kelly O took in Italy. Our espresso blend from Kaladi Coffee is named after this town.

 AT THE PERK:

CLOSE EARLY on Monday, Sept. 12th at 6pm for Staff Meeting.  As always, we apologize for inconvenience.

BW4W NETWORKING EVENT on Wednesday, September 14th 6-8pm in Wash Perk Living Room. By Women For Women is a community of women entrepreneurs.

WASHINGTON PARK CARES will be at shop on Saturday/Sunday, September 17th/18th 9am-1pm and available to discuss with peeps their mission in our community to help our seniors maintain independence.  They are a young non-profit and eager to grow support.  Their 3rd annual Fall Fundraiser is Sunday, Sept. 18th at Max Gill and Grill. 

PERK PUPS SOCCER practice on Saturday, September 17th at 10am in big field near Ohio and Downing.  They just can’t get any cuter than this.

AROUND THE PERK:

FANS Meeting: Tuesday, September 13th 5:30-6:45 at St, John’s Lutheran Church.  This will be the FINAL PUBLIC MEETING to discuss the plan for Wash Park’s south entrance, near Louisiana and Gilpin. Check out FANS website or our Google Calendar for more information.

AT THE PERK

LABOR DAY! Hours: 7am-3pm. Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September  that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers. Yay! Laborers on every level.  We need everyone’s contribution, that’s for sure!

THE PERKOLATOR will be at South High bright and early on Labor Day to support volunteers and early finishers at the Aetna Park to Park 10K to benefit pancreatic cancer.  BLUEPOINT BAKERY has once again, generously provided mini pastries at no charge for Wash Perk to distribute.  They have been repeatedly supportive of so many Wash Perk fundraisers and events to which we donate.

LESBIAN BOOK CLUB: Thursday, September 8th 7-9pm in the Living Room. Check our calendar for more information. 

MAME’S BURRITOS has NEW LUNCH BURRITO FLAVORS:  Spinach/Swiss, Chipotle Beef/Potato, and Cilantro Pesto.  They are FANTASTIC and flavorful.  This week only, if you mention this posting through Friday, Sept 9th, get a

**FREE BAR DRINK with a Mame’s LUNCH BURRITO PURCHASE**

AROUND THE PERK

PERK PUPS 2011 SEASON BEGINS!!  Saturday, Sept. 10th at 10 am in the field near Ohio and Downing.  Look for the WASH PERK banner if you want to go watch.  It is a sight to see!  This is the Perk Pups 3rd season, led by Coach Joe Lindwall and there are a total of 30 Pups and Puppies this year.  What fun!

PERK PUPS 2010 Team

WELCOME back, KELLY O’LAUGHLIN!!! This is Kell’s first week back from Italy.  She will return to Italy to tour with a theater company in January.  We are lucky to have her for a few months again and she feels lucky to be back with all of us.  Who could ask for more??  Appreciation abounds!

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

Courtesy of Kristen Bair, aka K$

At the Perk

BW4W Gathering: Wednesday, Aug. 17th 6-8pm: By Women For Women – an organization dedicated to providing the resources and support women entrepreneurs need to be successful in a business they’ve created. Our website is http://BW4W.org.

Around the Perk

Perkolator at Washington Park: Saturday 11-2pm, Sunday 8-12 noon. NW corner of Smith Lake in front of Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado and Dos Chappell Bathhouse.

Race for Research:  Sunday, August 21st 8:30-noon. 15th Annual Race for Research 5k Fun Run/Walk.  Benefits The Cancer League of Colorado.

NOTES: Perk Pups Soccer Team to begin for their 3rd season September 10th-November 5th, 2011.  Coach Joe Lindwall and (new this year) Coach Katie Bellon will get creative in keeping those 3-5 yr olds engaged in fun drills. This is mostly an “active social” group, allowing kiddos to romp and parents to connect, and Wash Perk is the VERY FORTUNATE sponsor

Contact Joe at joelindwall@hotmail.com before August 18th if you haven’t already.  This year we will create a sub group of “Perk Puppies” for the <3yr old siblings!

PERK PUPS 2010

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