Cool stuff this last week

* Our friend and contact in England, Paul Fox, was in Málaga, Spain this past week with his lovely wife, Talane. Málaga is one of the oldest cities in the world (2,700 years); birthplace of Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas; candidate for 2016 European Capital of Culture...now made even more famous by virtue of a Stumpjack t-shirt clad Paul Fox gracing their beach with his Mr. Universe physique.

 * We are taking the first steps toward making our Blues Fest idea a reality. We're looking at a date in mid-August. Bobbi Schuetze, Doug Day and I have done a bit of preliminary planning and if all goes well we might have a fantastic line-up of Blues musicians and a day of awesome summer fun on the lakeshore for everyone.

* Our friend and artist, Dean Konop, created this funky penguin and gifted him to us. This is just the coolest. Dean knows I love fez's and this little guy sports a great red fez. I'm catching myself smiling as I write this, looking at my new bulbous little friend holding a coffee mug in his flipper. He'll be on the shelf behind the counter...check him out when you come in. Thanks, Dean!

* Every Friday (until further notice) is Free Espresso Friday. Come in sometime from 9-2 and then from 5-9 for a free double shot (in-house & in a demitasse only). Fridays & Saturdays we close from 2-5.

* Last Sunday, May 3rd, Patrick DeWayne gave his performance of "The Mushroom Picker" to, by my estimate, around 300 people at the Two Rivers Community House. It was a wonderful tale and performance about Pat's Grandfather and his experiences during WWII. Pat's Grandpa was a Lieutenant Colonel and a genuine war hero. As Pat narrated and performed the various characters in the story (his Grandpa and Grandma, generals, german soldiers, etc) he sparked plenty of laughter, tears, emotion and appreciation in the crowd for what men like Pat's Grandfather sacrificed during that war.

After the performance Pat and a number of audience members' gathered at Stumpjack to chat with Pat and share stories of their own family members experiences during WWII.

                                                      Myself & Pat.