Renaissance Man

Some people can do just about anything. I know a man who can fix stuff, work with wood, create pottery, sing and run a restaurant while being a husband, father and professor. On top of all that, this person can also paint.

February's artist is none other than my business partner and road-dog, James Fox.

His paintings are bright, colorful and abstract in style. James paints primarily for personal expression and to make art accessable for all people, regardless of their previous experience with art.

James hopes that by exhibiting his work, he can inspire others to try new and creative endeavors.

Please stop by and enjoy his artistic talent this month only. Information regarding a reception will follow soon.

When It Rains, It Pours

Thanks to everyone who supported us through a really difficult weekend. Within the span of 3 days, Hartford Coffee had these trials:

The flavored coffee grinder crapped out.

A shipment of green coffee beans did not arrive last week as planned-leaving very little coffee for roasting, drinking or purchase.

The espresso machine broke, creating a very difficult situation as there are only 2 companies in town capable of repairing our super-automatic and they didn't have the parts in stock.

The kitchen equipment was rearranged due to power circuit failure.

A few menu items ran out.

As of Monday night, I'm pleased to announce that all is well at Hartford Coffee. The whole crew spent the whole day restocking, repairing, replacing and recovering. It was exhausing for everyone but we're up and running at full speed.

Thanks again for your business and friendship. You are appreciated!

Fun and Games for 52nd City

Timesaver Trivia
Sponsored by 52ndCity.com

Where: Hartford Coffee Company, 3974 Hartford, 314-771-JAVA
When: Thursday, February 23; game @ 7:00 p.m., check-in @ 6:30 p.m.
How much: $20 per team of four players
Why: To benefit the publishing efforts of 52ndCity.com

What: If you've played marathon, night-long trivia contests, don't fear. This one's a quick-moving, pop-culturally-themed evening of trivia, with four-person teams. Game's beginning at 7:00 and we'll roll through 50 quick questions, which a heavy emphasis on that pop-cultural clutter in your head.

Some particulars:

Teams need to pay the total of $20 before the game's start. No individual payouts of $5 per player, please! Registrants/team captains are responsible for entry fee.

Though alcohol is not sold at Hartford Coffee Company, you may bring your own.

Winners receive their cash back, plus absolutely fabulous, yet-not-necessarily-expensive, STL-related gifts.

Full rules will be provided at the door, which opens at 6:30 p.m.

Only 15 tables of four are available, so please register early.

Please contact 52nd City for details. Direct questions and registrations to: thomas@52ndcity.com or 314-776-6929.

Thanks!

Free Candy This Sunday

As the title may suggest, January 29 is our next installment of Free Candy!

Free Candy is a live, unscripted, unbroadcast, uncommon talk show featuring Amanda Doyle and Julia Smillie. Interviews, music, laughter and edible, sweet treats without any cost to you. (Free candy, duh.)

So, call the babysitter and meet us at Hartford Coffee by 7:00 PM Sunday.

SCOSAG and St. John's Invite You

_______________________________________________________________________________

Make a leaf for the living tree

You
You and your friend
You and your kids
You and whooooever
are invited to stop in to play with clay

****1/23 MONDAY evening, anytime from 4:00-8:00pm
****_Upstairs at the Hartford Coffee Company (A great space for
gatherings if you haven't seen it yet!)

Please stop by to sculpt, stamp, slip-n-score a small piece of the
3-D community tree mural growing up just south of Tower Grove Park which represents just how We Add Up To Make The Whole.

The Living Tree mural is an ongoing collaboration between The South City Open Studio and Gallery, The St. John's Episcopal Church and any-all creative-concerned & available stl citizens, including you.

To witness pieces of the process or to become further involved in the
continuing green-space design, visit www.towergrovechurch.org and the Living Tree link: Organic Growth

Snacks provided!

We All Have Urges

Let's say, one day, you're sitting around and suddenly feel a wave of creativity wash over you. You suddenly feel like a master painter or you'd like to try your hand at pottery for the first time. Perhaps you just want out of the damned house for a few hours. What's a poi-sson to do?

Pretend for a moment that there's a place you could go where art supplies would be waiting for you in a light, open environment. There may be other adults trying their hands at watercolor or sculpture. There might be a class available or a working artist with whom you could consult on your ideas. What if you could go to this magical place any time you wanted?

There's a movement afoot to make this dream a reality for folks in St. Louis.

If you are an artist who would like to help this idea take flight, please send your ideas, offers and experiences to james@hartfordcoffeecompany.com.

A Few Good Men (or Women)

The time has come to add members to the nuclear Hartford Coffee family. Here are the requirements.

Applicants must:
Have a working telephone number
Be 18 years of age or older
Have or be willing to get the Hep A immunization
Posess better than average verbal and written communication skills
Have good personal hygiene

Finally, we're looking for organized people who can hustle. (Not hustle in a "Grifters" sort of way but in the sense of moving quickly and efficiently.) Restaurant experience may be helpful but isn't absolutely necessary.

Please contact me directly with email to shannon@hartfordcoffeecompany.com and be certain to put HIRE ME in the subject line.