Day's Coffee on Bardstown Road is offering a 10% discount on drinks (excluding bottled drinks) to anyone with a valid student ID from 4PM-close, 7 days a week. Go study and be caffeinated my student friends. 

Day's Espresso & Coffee Bar
1420 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204

The maker of Considering Democracy: 8 Things to Ask Your Representative will be screening the film and answering questions this Saturday night, October 4, 2008 at Ray's Monkey House.

Here's a synopsis of the film

What does the rest of the world think of U.S. domestic and foreign policy? While the U.S. is perceived as a beacon of democracy, how does it compare to other democratic nations? Americans are continually told through their media that freedom and democracy are supported abroad, but is it true?

Entertaining, yet informative and shot in ten countries, Considering Democracy weaves together seemingly different topics into an interconnected tapestry. People from around the world act as a mirror for Americans to see a reflection of political power in the United States.

Saturday October 4, 2008
7:30PM
Free

Ray's Monkey House Coffeeshop
1578 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY
459-4373

OK maybe galore is an exaggeration but here's the scoop on three spots ready and waiting for you to come watch the debate this evening.

Derby City Espresso
Biden/Palin Debate watch party - join fellow political junkies and Obama supporters tonight starting at 8pm for what should be a debate to remember. 'Joltin' Joe Biden vs. Sarah 'Barracuda' Palin. Debate on the big screen starts at 9, The Outfit plays free jazz at 11. American micros will be on sale all night long. I've heard there will be some serious Palin bingo played at DCE tonight.

331 E. Market Street

Ray's Monkey House
Come to our Debate party to watch along with the Highlands Community on a big screen projection. We had a great turnout for the first debate (we'll be hosting them all). Cheer, jeer, boo and laugh, while enjoying one of our wide variety of coffee and tea drinks, or beer or wine (great beer selection)...8pm-11pm

1578 Bardstown Road

21c
Nerd typography documentary Helvetica first and then a debate party in the atrium. Film screening and debate party are free and there will be a cash bar.

700 W. Main Street

My buddy Matt at Derby City Espresso is teaming up with Bon Vivant Savant for a brunch event to get you all fueled up for St. James this weekend.

For $17.50 a person you get excellent food and booze, which, I think is an excellent way to start a day of art shopping. The food will include sausage, biscuits and gravy prepared by Chef Ellen McCarty of Science Hill and Science Hill Catering, assorted pastries by Cake Flour, bagels and assorted cream cheeses and spreads as well as 2 breakfast cocktails with BBC/DCE Stout and or coffees.

For more scoop on this event or to RSVP call 502-287-2772 or visit www.bonvivantsavant.com

Saturday October 4, 2008
9:00AM-11AM

Derby City Espresso
301 E. Market Street
Louisville, KY

Ray's Monkey House is hosting debate watching parties. Head over for coffee, beer or wine and engage in communal watching of all four presidential and vice presidential debates.

September 26, 2008: Presidential debate with domestic policy focus, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
October 2, 2008: Vice Presidential debate, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
October 7, 2008: Presidential debate in a town hall format, Belmont University, Nashville, TN
October 15, 2008: Presidential debate with foreign policy focus, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

Ray's Monkey House and Kids Cafe
1578 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205

I don't know about y'all but I don't have the will much less the electricity to cook tonight. Dinner out? Oh yes. I don't have a ton of restaurant info for the "Ike Kicked Our Ass, Yes in Kentucky" tour but I'm going to pass on what I know. If you have other tips please pass them on and I'll update this post as I can (thanks iPhone!).

1. Asiatique says "Yes! We have electricity! We are open! Join us tonight for $5 Mojitos and dinner all week while you are without power. Let us do the cooking for you."

2. You know they like to have fun at Lynn's Paradise Cafe and they are not going to let this mess stop them. According to the Courier:

"The power is out at Lynn's Paradise Café but that's not stopping the popular restaurant from throwing an outdoor Blackout Party.

Highlights include corn hole games, grilled food (Johnsonville brats, kosher hot dogs and Wolfgang Puck's chicken-apple sausage), chips and Snicker bars. The food will be sold for a nominal fee.

Soft drinks, beer wine and cocktails also will be available.

The Blackout Party will be served on the patio from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and every day that Lynn's is without electricity."

3. We hung out at Dundee Tavern last night, I assume they'll be open again tonight. Hopefully with the football game on.

4. All the Heine Brothers on Bardstown Road are rocking power, caffeine and wifi. You might have to fight somebody for a plugin for your laptop/cell phone charger though. Or maybe just offer up a good bribe.

5. Twig and Leaf has been open all day. Can't guarantee they'll be open all night but I'm thining about hitting them for breakfast in the morning since Breadworks can't bake anything. Breadworks does have yummy, yummy coffee though.

6. Speaking of coffee Jackson's Organic, I hear, is serving in the drivethrough during their normal hours.

7. Last but not least our good friends down at Derby City Espresso on Market Street are open, have power and have free wifi. You see now why they are our friends.

Eat, drink and be well my friends. Also stay safe.

Louisville has been down a coffee shop since Quills shut down on Kentucky Street back in July. The caffeine to human ratio is about to bounce back up though since Quills has let out word that they'll be reopening in a new location on Baxter Avenue.

The new location is at 930 Baxter Avenue next door to Flannigan's. No word on a firm opening date yet but about a month or so is the soft estimate.

Ray's Monkey House is holding Bluegrass Jams each Tuesday from 8PM to midnight. Pros and amateurs are welcome to participate. I have one thought on Bluegrass Jam sessions: Yay.

Remember Ray's now is serving beer and wine so if late night coffee isn't your thing you're still covered.

Ray's Monkey House and Kids Cafe
1578 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205

1. Ray's Monkey House is now serving beer and wine. At first I thought it was odd that a coffee shop designed to be so kid friendly would want to be serving alcohol. The more I thought about it though the more I realized it made perfect sense.

2. The Makery is moving in September from the 1600 block of Bardstown Road to the 1500 block of Bardstown Road and from the east side of the street to the west side of the street. I could just give you the exact street address but what fun would that be?

3. Omar's Gyros near the Bardstown/Baxter/Highland Avenue corner appears closed. The sign on the door says thanks for 8 years.

I haven't written about WorldFest because it's been talked about just about everywhere else. I didn't think you needed me to chime in. However I've just found out about an event at WorldFest that I'm giddy about so I have to talk about it: Coffee Cupping with a Master Roaster. You know how I love coffee. Heine Brothers and Breadworks at Douglass Loop and Highland Coffee at the Farmers Market get so much of my money it's not funny, I need a coffee kickback or something. So an education session about roasting coffee and green practics in the coffee industry? Yes please.

"Join Java Brewing Company, Louisville's own specialty coffee roaster, for the unique experience of cupping with a Master Roaster. Hear about "green" practices in the coffee industry while exploring taste perceptions with coffees grown around the world.

Comparative cupping and observation of on site coffee roasting with the original Frankfort Ave roaster will inspire a new found passion for coffee. Cultivate a deep comprehension for coffee origin and cultivating practices only obtainable through small group participation and live interaction.

Seating is limited. Sessions will occur rain or shine. Advanced ticket purchases available (recommended) on line at javabrewingco.com or stop by one of the 5 Java Brewing Company coffeehouses. All ticket proceeds are donated to helping the Louisville International Community. $15 tickets include comparative cupping tasting, roast observation, 12oz retail bag of coffee and $5 coupon for Java Brewing Company in store use."

General info about WorldFest: Louisville's celebration of international music, food and crafts. Admission is free. Two days of non-stop music, food and fun!

Friday and Saturday August 29 and 30, 2008 11AM to 11PM
The Belvedere, just north of Fifth and Main Streets Louisville, KY

Beer, Coffee, Pajama Party. Do you really need more information than that. Fine, if you insist:

Don't miss BBC's first unveiling party! We will be hosting these unveilings for our favorite seasonal brews once a month and what a better way to start the tradition than with our Heine Brothers' Coffee Stout!

It's a pajama party! Come in your pj's and stay up all night drinking the BBC HB Coffee Stout. The whole staff will be in their pajamas so make sure you do too. (You wouldn't want to be left out!)

Heine Brothers' will be here with coffee and information. We will release our first seasonal unveiling tshirt! Be the first to get a HB and BBC Coffee Stout t-shirt!

The Breakfast Club food special with Fried eggs, country ham and biscuits and Heine Brothers' red eye gravy. Try the homemade Heine Brothers' Coffee Stout cheesecake too!

Live Music

Ring toss, Coffee Bean Bag throw, and more carnival games TBA!

Friday August 15, 2008
3PM-Close BBC Shelbyville Road

My buddy Matthew at Derby City Espresso is pulling out all the stops to make this weekend's My Morning Jacket show an all day, all night kick ass event.

Pre show, starting at around 4PM Matt is throwing a potluck. Bring something or not you're still welcome to swing on by. Hambone will be playing live. The shop is going to shut down during the MMJ show but will be in full force after the show but will be in full force after.

A ticket stub gets you into the after party for free otherwise cover is $5. Live music, dj, good coffee, good beer, good people, etc. etc. You know where you need to be post MMJ.

Derby City Espresso
331 East Market Street
Louisville, KY

Through the magic of Twitter I found out that there will be free live jazz at Derby City Espresso this evening.

If jazz is your thing head down to DCE for free music and a very nice latte. Or if you're the beer drinking sort then grab a pint of DCE BBC Espresso Stout.

Derby City Espresso
331 E. Market Street
Louisville, KY

In the comments to my post about Quills Coffee closing at their Kentucky Street location and relocating a few people mentioned what has been the giant pink elephant in the room about almost any conversation pertaining to Quills: religious affiliation.

The rumor of a supposed religious affiliation at Quills has been going on for, best I can tell, about a year. Even so some people haven't heard of it as a commenter on that post asked what everyone was talking about in reference to it. I didn't have a response to that commenter since I'm not in the Quills inner sanctum so I was very, very pleased that one of the owners of Quills, Nathan Quillo, jumped into the comments and offered some information and perspective on this issue.

Let me jump in and offer some clarity.

A few of the folks involved in Quills attend a Christian church just down the road from our previous location. Friendships and proximity naturally brought several members of the church (many of whom are seminary students) to Quills on a regular basis. But because we had not identified ourselves via our web site, marketing, etc. the rumor mill cranked out it's own version which lead many to believe that Quills Coffee is some sort of front for a few local churches.

As the CEO I can say, this is just not the case. Quills is an independent company owned by five local business men. The personal beliefs of owners and staff concerning religion, politics, culture, etc. is quite diverse. We embrace this diversity. It helps us create a business that is welcoming to everyone regardless of politics, race, sexual orientation, class, religion or whatever.

When we open our new location we want everyone who drops in to have a positive experience. And while there, we hope folks realize that Quills is only religious about great coffee.

Cheers,
Nathan Quillo

Thanks very much to Nathan for participating in this conversation. I must say I'm pleased with his answer regarding the perceived religious affiliation of Quills. I must also say that I'm very much looking forward to Quills reopening. I had a chat with Nathan recently and I think he's really got a plan in place for improving on the already great aspects of the Quills experience and significantly improving the not so great aspects of the Quills experience. I'm very much looking forward to adding the new Quills into my rotation of regular hangouts when it opens.

What about you? For those who were bothered by the alleged religiosity does this make you feel better or really do we (and perhaps should we) not care one way or the other? 

In the hopes of turning Consuming Louisville into the all coffee, all the time channel let me tell you that Heine Brothers locations with drive thrus (Gardiner Lane, Shelbyville Road, Chenoweth Lane) are now opening at 5:30AM on weekdays and 6:30AM on Saturdays. I haven't been in need of coffee before 6AM in a while but I'm very glad to know that if I did Heine Brothers would be there to take care of me. 

July 19, 2008 is the last day of business for Quills Coffee and Books at their Kentucky Street location. They told me they're closing but that they'll be opening again sometime soon-ish, somewhere. Yeah, it was all a little vague. The guy on the phone said they're hoping to say in the same neighborhood but don't have a location yet. So maybe the rent was too high at the current location or the lack of parking became an issue. Don't know.

I personally haven't been to Quills in many, many months after spending a ton of time there last summer and fall. I have a couple reasons for that but none that make me happy to see the shop closing. I loved the vibe of the place. Hopefully their new location, wherever that will be, will have as much charm.

No barbecue plans for the fourth of July? Do yourself a favor and head down to Derby City Espresso for a fantastically good time.

Stop into DCE on the afternoon of the fourth for some free bar-b-q action.

We're going to be celebrating America in style with the new grill out in the back patio.
Denise is bringing her potato salad (as good as any in the world) and we'll be grilling buffalo burgers, hot dogs, veggie dogs, baked potatoes and corn on the cob. Bring a side or something to grill or just bring yourself.

We'll begin the grilling around 1pm and continue til about 6pm when we'll close and take the party over to te waterfront for the Los Lobos, MOFRO, George Clinton & Funkadelic concert.
After the show we'll open the shop again for ice cream and desert and fireworks and nightcaps!

See you here!

Derby City Espresso
331 E. Market St.
Louisville, KY 40202

I don't really know what The Big Bone is exactly or what to expect from a Big Bone art show but from the press release info below I'm intrigued. OK fine I'm really more intrigued by the thought of a special coffee drink called the "Freaky Frozen Mint Monster" but whatever.

The Big Bone delivers an all-new show with a wide selection of art and artists like you've never seen. All hosted by none other than sideshow veteran "THE GREAT BALDINI!". Performing amazing acts such as fire eating, walking on broken glass, climbing a ladder of swords and many other spine-tingling feats!

Not only that, but we also bring you live music from not one, but three big acts! Louisville favorites - POKEY LAFARGE, TENEIA SANDERS, and TODD BODENHEIMER (as "The King") will be entertaining you all evening. And while you are there, don't forget about the refreshments! Nancy's will be offering Sideshow Monster Cookies, and a one-night only "special", cool coffee drink called the "Freaky Frozen Mint Monster" concocted just for the occasion! Not to mention all their other tantalizing treats! Add in a mystical fortune teller, juggling, caricatures and a giant six foot femur, and you're in for a night you won't soon forget!

I don't think I've ever mentioned this before but I love coffee. Oh, I kid, I kid. You know how deep and true my affection for coffee is. Drip coffee, cappuccinos, iced lattes, all of it. I. Love. It.

So it gives me great pleasure to tell you that Heine Brothers is trying to help you keep your cool this summer by offering a Coffee Break Happy Hour each Monday through Friday afternoon from1PM-3PM. There will be special deals on iced and frozen drinks. How very, very cool and Dude like of them.

DCE has become a serious hotspot for live music and fun events. Again, since I won't be around next week I'm going to go ahead and dump all the details for events this coming week into this post:

Wednesday 6/11 -08:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Michale Waldsword & The World's Tallest People - Live & Acoustic Music

Saturday 6/14 - PARADOX GOTHIC & INDUSTRIAL DANCE PARTY - ALL AGES $5

Monday 6/16 - 08:00 PM - 11:00 PMMansions & Rooftop Rhapsody

Saturday 6/21 - PARADOX GOTHIC & INDUSTRIAL DANCE PARTY - ALL AGES $5

Wednesday 6/18 - 09:00 PM - 01:00 AM The Screaming Delta Demon & Somatica - Live $5

Friday 6/27 - 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Ashleigh Flynn Live - Ahsley has been featured by Paste Magazine and the Village Voice, this is gonna be a great show - free

Saturday 6/28 - PARADOX GOTHIC & INDUSTRIAL DANCE PARTY - ALL AGES $5

Also DCE would like you to know there is a new kick ass mural on the back pation and just in time for summer they've got:

frozen Chai smoothies (plus our regular frozen lattes, mochas and fruit smoothies)

Derby City Espresso Stout back on tap!

60 beers, 50 teas, locally roasted coffee!

Derby City Espresso
331 E. Market Street
Louisville, KY

While I highly encourage you to hit the Backseat Sandbar birthday party on Friday it's conceivable that coffee and acoustic music are more your scene than bars and rock bands. If that's the case then I highly encourage you to head to Highland Coffee to hear Nora, Ben & Eli. While you're there order a vanilla blended freeze. It's the like the best coffee milkshake you've ever had.

Nora, Ben & Eli - featuring Nora Grossman, Ben Scruton, and Eli Kleinsmith - celebrate the end of the school year by bringing their eclectic acoustic musical mix to Highland Coffee, 1140 Bardstown Road. This Friday. May 23, 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Come have a cup of coffee and celebrate with them!

Ray's Monkey House is continuing their film series tonight with The Business of Being Born. The film starts at 7:30PM and is free.

As part of National Pregnancy Awareness Month, Ray's is pleased to screen the acclaimed documentary from Executive Producer Ricki Lake and Director Abby Epstein. You will never look at giving birth the same way again.

Description:
Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life. But birth is also big business.
Compelled to explore the subject after the delivery of her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to question the way American women have babies.
The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system. When director Epstein discovers she is pregnant during the making of the film, the journey becomes even more personal.

Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?

I think this looks like a really interesting documentary. However having been the partner of a physician for many, many years (and being present through her journey through med school, residency, fellowship, etc) and having many other friends who are physicians I'm not as skeptical or questioning of doctors' motives as I think this documentary would like me to be. But I encourage you to watch it and make up your mind for yourself. While you're there you should try some of Ray's new honeysuckle tea which I've heard is just fabulous.  

Trailer after the jump.

Ray's Monkey House and Kids Cafe
1578 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205

I noticed a sign at Java Brewing Company on Main that says they're celebrating Bike to Work Week. If you ride your bike to work downtown tomorrow (Friday May 16, 2008) swing buy Java Brewing Company on Main and get 50% off any drink on the menu.

Yay for biking and double yay for significantly discounted coffee.

Derby City Espresso is celebrating one year in business today! Congratulations! Because DCE's owner Matt is such a nice guy he's giving you presents for his businesses birthday. Those presents are: $1 espresso shots all week, Small French press (12oz) $1 all week, and $3 pints of Derby City Espresso stout on tap, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Head down to DCE to take advantage of these great deals and congratulate Matt on one year in business. Then be sure to swing by again this Friday night:

Join us for our anniversary party this Friday night on the trolley hop. Free snacks all night long. Come out an enjoy some great art by Terry Tapp the portrait painting owner of the tattoo parlour Electric Devil at 964 Baxter Avenue. Opening starts at 6pm. In addition, The talented bunch of fellows known as Lotus Blake will be performing for your pleasure (no snow this first friday) beginning at 7pm. At 10pm our spoken word poetry jam is on tap!

Derby City Espresso
331 E. Market Street
Louisville, KY

Would I sound like just too much of a yuppie if I tell you that I love acoustic music and overpriced coffee drinks? Yes? No? Moving on.

Next Friday March 21, 2008 the acoustic trio Nora, Ben & Eli will be playing at Quills Coffee &
Books from 3:30PM - 5:00PM. Good music and good coffee is really an excellent way to kick a weekend off I feel.

Quills Coffee & Books
1120 East Kentucky Street
Louisville, KY

I drove past the new Heine Brothers on Shelbyville Road yesterday and saw that it was open. You know, the one that shares a building with a Papa John's, near Cafe Lou Lou. That's just not in my normal neighborhood so I suspect this is going to be the first Heine Brothers that I don't spend any time hanging out in so if you go let me know what's it like, how the atmosphere is and whether or not you can smell pizza from next door. 

No matter what your political affiliation the platform of $1 espresso shots is something we can all get behind as a nation.

For the big primaries in Ohio and Texas today Derby City Espresso will be running election night specials on American micro brews.  Stop in for some $3 American micros from Breckenridge, BBC, Great Lakes,New Holland & Schlafley Brewing companies."

But the big news for a coffee fiend like myself is DCE offering up $1 espresso shots tomorrow, Wednesday March 5, if Obama wins Ohio.

"If Obama wins Ohio shots are going to be $1 all day tomorrow!"

Sweet.

Today has the distinction of being both Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) and Super Tuesday. The magnitude of two such events colliding means it's time for the Super FAT Tuesday election bacchanalia at Derby City Espresso.

Election results beginning at 7pm going all night long... $1 Old Style, $3 American micros from New Holland Brewing Co, Great Lakes Brewers, BBC, Schlafly, & Rouge Brewery

Derby City Espresso
331 East Market Street
Louisville, KY

Mere weeks after the opening of the new Heine Brothers Gardiner Lane store the local coffee chain is at again. This weekend I saw a brand new "Heine Brothers Coming Soon" sign on Shelbyville Road. This one is next door to a Papa John's, in the same building in fact, quite near the shopping center that holds Cafe Lou Lou and St. Matthews Schwinn (Sears Avenue). So between Clifton and the malls soon we'll have Java Brewing Company on Frankfort Avenue, Heine Brothers on Frankfort Avenue, Starbucks on Frankfort Avenue, Heine Brothers on Chenoweth Lane, this new Heine Brothers on Shelbyville Road, Starbucks on Shelbyville Road, and Starbucks in each of the malls. That's a very well caffeinated part of the city.

I got word from Matthew Landan, owner of Derby City Espresso, that he teamed up with BBC to create a new beer, an espresso stout that's going to be introdced to the world on Friday February 1, 2008 during the First Friday Hop festivities.

We're proud to announce the fruit of a partnership between the BBC Tap Room & DCE to create a massive caffeinated stout! Come on by and have a taste!

Swing by on Friday night for free tastings of BBC Derby City Espresso Stout. A very limited number of growlers will be available for purchase as well or you can hang out at Derby City Espresso and enjoy it on tap.

Derby City Espresso
331 East Market Street
Louisville, KY

Fresh from their Iowa caucus party Derby City Espresso has announced that they're going to keep the political party going tomorrow night with a New Hampshire Primary Party.

Join us for the second episode in that fan favorite four-year game show called let's elect a president!

OBAMA took round one convincingly last night in Iowa - a black man won a state with only 3% black population!?!?!? Things maybe are chaqnging

Can Hillary (the bitch) come back and win round two in New Hamp?

Can Edwards win anything?

Find out Tuesday night at 7pm at DCE as we tune into NPR to listen to to the poll results and discuss the issues that matter today!

POLITICS ROCKS!

ALL AMERICAN CRAFT BEERS on sale for $3

Derby City Espresso
331 E. Market St.
Louisville, KY

Ray's Monkey House is presenting another film series, this time on Sunday nights.

Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 7:30, Earthlings
Sun, Jan 20, 2008 at 7:30, Greasy Rider, post film discussion and veggie cars to demo.
Sun, Jan 27, 2008 at 7:30, Loose Change, Final Cut

Ray's Monkey House and Kids Cafe
1578 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205

My sources (heh, heh, I said I have sources) tell me that the Heine Brothers Coffee, complete with drive thru, at Gardiner Lane is now open!

More spots for good coffee around town is always good news but I confess to being particularly happy about this location because of its next-doorness. Meaning it's practically next door to Hawley-Cooke Borders, Krispy Kreme and the Watterson. Try any of these scenarios on for size:

1. Buy book, read it while enjoying yummy coffee
2. Buy yummy doughnut, enjoy it with yummy coffee (sorry but I am not in love with Kripy Kreme's coffee)
3. Buy one dozen original glazed doughnuts, buy vanilla cappuccino in drive thru, get on Watterson Expressway and then I65 South to surprise your grandparents with doughnuts for breakfast.

I guess that last one was just for me but you get the idea.

Heine Brothers
Gardiner Lane Shopping Center
3010 Bardstown Road (that's the address of the shopping center I don't have the exact number for Heine Brothers yet)
Louisville, KY 40205

Derby City Espresso knows how to celebrate democracy and they'll be doing just that tonight January 3, 2008 as we all suffer through the mayhem known as the Iowa Caucus.

BARACK Obama, Hillary Clinton, Ron Paul, RUDY Guliani, MITT Romney - no matter who wins you win too! That's American democracy!
Come out and dance your blues away!
It all starts in Iowa on January 3.
It all starts at DCE.
Democratic and republican beer specials all night long!!!

Derby City Espresso
331 E. Market St.
Louisville, KY

Know how I know? Because the Douglass Loop store is going to be open on Christmas day from 7-30AM-3:30PM. The Chenoweth Lane store is going to be open as well but only until 12:30PM, I believe.

Know how else I know? Because the new Heine Brothers at Gardiner Lane is going to have a drive thru. Yep, an easily accessible drive thru right beside the Watterson for an easy cappuccino fillup on my way out of town. Coffee is love.

Derby City Espresso knows how to celebrate democracy and they'll be doing just that on January 3, 2008 as well all suffer through the mayhem known at the Iowa Caucus.

BARACK Obama, Hillary Clinton, Ron Paul, RUDY Guliani, MITT Romney - no matter who wins you win too! That's American democracy!
Come out and dance your blues away!
It all starts in Iowa on January 3.
It all starts at DCE.
Democratic and republican beer specials all night long!!!

Derby City Espresso
331 E. Market St.
Louisville, KY 

When I first moved to Louisville many years ago Day’s was the first coffee shop I fell in love with. It was comfortable, with wooden booths great for stretching out and studying in. The music selections could have come straight from one of my college era mix CDs including R.E.M., the Indigo Girls, Patty Griffin and James Taylor. The frequently changed art on the walls made me feel grown up and Day’s made the first really great cappuccino I ever had. I thought it was the coolest place in town.

Not much has changed at Day’s even after all these years. The booths are still really comfortable, the music is still fantastic and could come from one of my current iPod playlists including the Indigo Girls (still), Cat Power, John Mayer, and a slew of other WFPK favorites. Great art is still featured and they still make a really excellent cappuccino. My standards for coffee shops really aren’t that high. Give me friendly people (or at least non-surly ones), comfortable tables, good music, good cappuccino, free wifi and I’m pleased. Well ok, perhaps my standards are a little high but Day’s meets my needs and almost always surpasses my expectations.

Ray's Monkey House and Kids Cafe is presenting Thursday Film Series featuring, um, politically themed movies.

Tonight 12/6/2007 The Ground Truth : A documentary about veterans of the Iraq War and their experiences before, during, and after.

12/13 Bastards of the Party : Origins of the crips and death of the Black Power Movement

12/20 The Weather Underground: The rise and fall of The Weather Underground movement and their quest to overthrow the US govt.

12/27 Go Further: Woody Harrelson's documentary about his eco-journey in a hemp-fueled bus, environment, going vegan, and more!

Ray's Monkey House and Kids Cafe
1578 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205

If political movies aren't your thing Ray's also has free wifi, vegan baked goods, uses organic milk in all of their drinks with no extra charge for said organic milk or soy milk.

I don't have a firm date but I've checked around a bit and heard from a couple different people that the Gardiner Lane branch of Heine Brothers is set to open before Christmas. I know some folks in the neighborhood are very excited about that news. If anyone does have a firm date/confirmation please leave a comment or send an email. Thanks. 

Hipsters, Tricksters, & real cool chicks, SIR - they'll All be doing the rag at Derby City Espresso.

Come on in and check out the swinging sounds of the shaking sixties. From Otis Redding and the Memphis soul sound to the smooth reggae of Trojan Records from Kingston Jamaica. Dig into the London beats of the Kinks and the Who and the American R&B that influenced them.

Dig it. I've heard that Derby City Espresso has expanded their beer menu again as well so you know, good times, good times.

Derby City Espresso
331 East Market St.
Louisville, KY

A few weeks ago I had dinner at Mayan Cafe before heading to Actors Theatre. The entire meal at Mayan Cafe was fantastic from start to finish and I'll discuss it in more detail later. But do you know what part of the meal I keep replaying in my mind? The after dinner cup of Jackson's Organic Coffee.

My love of coffee is of course no secret so it's not really that surprising that I'd be enamored with a particularly good cup. However this cup was more than particularly good, it was perfect for the moment. It was bold and complex but not even remotely bitter and overpowering. It was the perfect note to end dinner on.

Jackson's Organic Coffee is served at restaurants around town (well at least one restaurant, I'll update this when I find out about its availability at other restaurants) and it's available at several grocery stores. To get the full Jackson's Organic Coffee experience though you should head to their tiny drive-thru only shop on Lexington Road. Cans of beans, cups of coffee and espresso drinks are all available from 6AM-6PM weekdays.

Obviously you have to judge a coffee company on the coffee they produce and I do, but let me also say that getting coffee at Jackson's drive-thru is a quaint, enjoyable activity that you'd be hard pressed not to enjoy, even if they didn't make great coffee.

Jacksons Organic Coffee
1402 Payne Street
Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 569-0000

If you haven't been down to Derby City Espresso to see Decked Out, an exhibition of skateboard deck art, you're running out of time.  Over 100 decks, created by various artists, are included in the exhibition which closes Friday November 30, 2007.

The closing party will feature jazz by The Epley/Pouchak Duo and there will be a free German beer tasting with River City Distributing.

Decked Out Closing Party
November 30, 2007
8PM-11PM

Derby City Espresso
331 East Market St.
Louisville, KY

The weekend events roundup is coming to you quite early this week to give us time to strategically plan out our holiday activities around stuffing ourselves enjoying holiday foods with restraint.

Friday November 23
Costumed demonstrators will be in the kitchen and woodshop from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m during the the Locust Grove Holiday Sampler. Everything in the museum store will be 20% so you can stock up on gifts.

The F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop on Black Friday is an event I've been looking forward to for months. It combines food, drink, art and shopping, all things that I enjoy very much. I'm strategically planning to land on Frankfort Avenue mid afternoon. Do a bit of hopping and shopping, refuel at the Irish Rover for dinner and then even more shopping. I suspect dessert at Sweet Surrender will be on the agenda as well.

After you're done on Frankfort Avenue just drive on down to Mellwood for more art and more shopping at the Butchertown Market with Moxie Letterpress's Give the Gift of Art event. If you're there close to 8PM stick around for the poetry reading and live music.

If you can't stand the shopping hordes and nightmare of parking on Frankfort Avenue head over to Quills Coffee & Books where Janet L. Boyd will be reading from and signing Don't Get Me Started: The LEO Years at 6 PM.

Saturday November 24, 2007
The American Printing House for the Blind is hosting a Family Day Open House from 10AM-3PM.

Author and architect Liesl Geiger will be at Carmichael's on Frankfort Avenue discussing and signing her new book Essence of Home: Timeless Elements of Design.

Midnight at The Baxter is forcing you to choose between The Beatles in "A Hard Days Night" and Talking Heads in "Stop Making Sense"

Sunday November 25, 2007
Phyllis EagleTree will be at Carmichael's on Frankfort Avenue discussing her new book Roll The Wheel: The Abundant Life and Wisdom of Mae Phillips.

Derby City Espresso is giving you free music and free beer. Clearly they're good people. Join them for a tasting of three seasonal beers from Schlafly.

If you know of interesting events happening this weekend that I've missed please let me know and I'll add them to the list. You can let me know by leaving a comment her or by sending an email to: info AT consuminglouisville.com.

On Friday November 23, 2007 Janet L. Boyd will be reading from and signing Don't Get Me Started: The LEO Years at 6 PM at Quills . The book is a collection of columns Boyd wrote over 4 years for LEO.

Please note that there are only 300 copies of the book and all sales are cash or check only. 

Quills Coffee & Books
1220 E. Kentucky Street
Louisville, KY 40204

Speaking of Quills, they're going through a bit of small remodel. I stopped by there this morning and found that a new bar space is being added and tables and couches have been moved around a bit. From what I can tell the new bar area is being added to allow for more power outlets and more spaces for individuals who might not want to take up a whole table. So definitely an improvement for power hungry laptop jockeys who like to caffeinate, plug in and get to work.

Quotes from Don't Get Me Started after the jump:

With five locations, and soon a sixth, Heine Brothers is the big fish in the independent coffee house pond in Louisville. Sometimes my natural inclination is to dislike things as they grow larger and larger and get away, at least in my opinion, from their small, independent roots. I'll confess that inclination has applied to Heine Bros. I've purposely avoided Heine Brothers at times in favor of local shops with one location instead of the "local chain."

But five stores in ten years isn't really that rapid a growth rate and with the exception of one very, very surly barista at my local Heine Brothers the quality of service and product is good across the board. OK one of the evening baristas at my local Heine Brothers makes drinks at a snail's pace but that's another minor complaint. Coming up with only two minor complaints after as much time as I've spent in Heine Brothers means that I don't really have much to complain about and so I'm quite grateful that I live in walking distance to a Heine Brothers.

The best compliment I can give Heine Brothers, as a small chain, is that I can count on consistency in their products. At large chains like Starbucks the quality and even the way a drink is made can vary from store to store and in independent, one location, coffee shops it can vary from employee to employee. At every Heine Brothers location I've visited and from every employee (even the surly one and the slow one) I've received a drink the quality has always been excellent and it has been made the same every single time. When I order a cappuccino at Heine Brothers I know it's not going to be the overly milky, hardly any foam latte-like concoction I've too often received at other coffee shops. No, it's going to be a proper cappuccino.
 
The second best compliment I can give Heine Brothers is to acknowledge that they are great places to work, have meetings or just hang out with a book. The environments at all the locations are just comfortable.

I'm sure the newest location, at Gardiner Lane, will have a comfortable atmosphere and vibe as well. Let's have a flashback moment though and think about how Heine Brothers in the Gardiner Lane shopping center is the closest we're ever going to get to the cafe in Hawley-Cooke way, way back in the day. Man, I still miss Hawley-Cooke.

Beer drinkers heading downtown to the opening party for Decked Out at Derby City Espresso tomorrow night rejoice for the caffeine heavy spot has added beer to its menu.

Yep it's true! We're adding beer to our already awesome line up of espresso, coffee and tea drinks!

We'll have the following beers on hand:
Old Style (cans) $1.5
Pabst Blue Ribbon $2
BBC APA $3
BBC Dark Star Porter $3
Sierra Nevada $3.25
Newcastle $3.25
Guinness $3.25
Franzikanner Hefeweitzen $3.5
Rouge Dead Guy $3.5
Stone IPA $3.5
Bell's Two Hearted Ale $3.5
Bell's Oberon $3.5
Sam Smith Nut Brown Ale $4.5
Sam Smith Winter Welcome $4.5
Unibroue Fin Du Monde $4.5
BBC Bourbon Barrel Stout $6
Delirium Tremens $6
Delirium Nocturne $6

Join us for some great coffee and beer and art and music!

In the future our list will grow and evolve. Look for upcoming special events in partnership with the BBC taproom!

I wasn't lying earlier when I said I don't have a favorite coffee shop in Louisville. It just might look that way after I tell you how much I love Quills Coffee & Books and how much I work and hang out there.

Quills Coffee & Books is a little oasis of comfort, warmth, really good coffee, and mostly excellent music selections. It is my favorite coffee shop for meetings or getting work done. The tables and chairs are comfortable, the flow of traffic and general noise level is low enough that you can think or have a conversation and the books and magazines all over the place offer inspiration or distraction, depending on what you need. The books are available for purchase or you can just read them while you're hanging out.

Wifi is free and reliable and they recently added an internet connected iMac for customer use. The vibe is laid back and relaxed. Lots of laptop users, lots of readers, mostly WFPK or indie rock and modern folk for the hipster set (Ryan Adams, My Morning Jacket, Iron & Wine, The Royal Tenenbaums soundtrack) on the sound system. The staff is friendly. They won't fawn over you but they won't try to upsell you or make you feel uncomfortable about ordering girly coffee drinks (*cough* sugar free vanilla cappuccino *cough*).

Granola with milk or yogurt, pastries and bagels are available for breakfast. Vegetarian sandwiches served on focaccia bread are available for lunch and dinner. Bottled waters, juices and a few sodas are available as well. Sadly though no Coke Zero.

One teensy, tiny, piddly little complaint about Quills that doesn't really matter to me but it might to you so I'll mention it. My beloved is much more of a tea drinker than a coffee drinker. She adores hanging out and reading/working at Quills but finds their tea selection lacking. They have a lovely Earl Grey but some of the others from their small selection of teas have been met with less than stellar reviews. Coffee and I are pair bonded so the tea selection doesn't really impact me but I've heard a rumor that there are other tea drinkers in Louisville besides my dearest so I thought it best to mention it.

Quills is situated smack dab on the dividing line between the Highlands and Germantown. This prime location makes it great central meeting place and a pick up your morning latte point for Highlands and Germantown commuters on their way downtown.

Quills Coffee & Books
1220 E Kentucky St
Louisville, KY

Let's begin by acknowledging and respecting the long, deep and committed relationship I have with coffee. I adore it, crave it and enjoy it in various forms (drip and vanilla cappuccinos being my two favorite ways). With a love such as mine it's only natural that I've sampled, hung out in and become devoted to a number of coffee shops across town. I can't choose a favorite. Where I go depends on the mood I'm in, what I want to accomplish, the vibe I want to experience and a whole other host of factors. So a series of "why I love this place" coffee shop reviews seems appropriate.

I'll be hitting my favorites in this series but I'm totally open to suggestions to places I should check out. I know the ones in the Highlands pretty much inside and out so if you know of great ones in other neighborhoods that may be under publicized please let me know.

The first in this series, coming today or tomorrow, is Quills Coffee and Books.

P.S. I'm writing this from a coffee shop. My love is not shallow or infrequent.

Erin Keane will be previewing her new book of poems The Gravity Soundtrack and Nickole Brown will be reading from her book Sisters: Poems at the Atomic Saucer tomorrow night.

Atomic Saucer
1000 E. Oak Street
Louisville, Kentucky
Wednesday night, October 10 - 7:30 pm.

Sweet cracker and a biscuit I love coffee. Serious love for the coffee. I'm also a touchy-feely tree hugger who thinks about the environment, fair trade, local economies and global economics. So I've had a thought or two about fair trade coffee. Needless to say I'd do well to hit the Speed Museum Thursday night for this film screening and discussion.

Film Screening and Discussion: Black Gold Join us for a special program on fair trade coffee. The film Black Gold asks us "to wake up and smell the coffee," to face the unjust conditions under which our favorite drink is produced and to decide what we can do about it. The film traces the tangled trail from the two billion cups of coffee consumed each day back to the coffee farmers who produce the beans. In particular, It follows Tadesse Meskela as he tries to get a living wage for the 70,000 Ethiopian coffee farmers he represents. In the process Black Gold provides the most in-depth study of any commodity on film today and offers a compelling introduction to the "fair trade" movement galvanizing consumers around the globe. The award-winning film will be introduced and discussed by David Horvath. David Horvath recently retired as Media Resources Librarian at the University of Louisville. He has long been involved with a number of local and national organizations which focus on globalization, fair trade and sustainable development. He is currently working for a national non-profit agency doing church-based social justice organizing. Admission to the screening is free. Co-sponsored by Heine Bros. Coffee. (Auditorium)

September 6 6PM-9PM
Speed Museum

Despite having only received a few "I'm kind of interested" emails and one "I'm definitely coming" email I'm still hopeful that over time a group of us freelancers/artists/independent workers can develop a social and networking tribe. I think there is great value in meeting with others both for just social interaction and for batting ideas around.

Socializing and Networking for Freelancers

I am a freelance photographer, web and computer geek, writer, artist and all around creative professional. I love working for myself and working from home but sometimes I crave a little social interaction, and that vibe you get from working around and near other creative people. So I'm trying to kick start a community of freelancers, consultants, artists and other independents who have an interest in socializing, organically networking, brainstorming, idea bouncing and just all around participating in a community that's designed to support and encourage people who make a living (or are trying to make a living) doing what they love.

Ideally this group would meet once or twice a month at a coffee shop to hang out, get to know each other, work independently, work collaboratively, bounce ideas off each other, brainstorm projects, get feedback, gossip, goof off or some combination of all those.

What: Socializing and Networking for Freelancers
When: Tuesday August 28
I plan to get to Quills at 9AM and will be there until at least 11AM. Come whenever you can. If people get there close to 10AM and want to hang out after 11AM that's fine. I've cleared my morning schedule. I'll be wearing a gray "Keep Louisville Weird" t-shirt so you should be able to pick me out easily.
Where: Quills Coffee & Books
1220 E. Kentucky Street (near Barret Avenue).

If you have any questions please leave a comment or email me. No matter the turn out I'm planning another session for September so if you can't make this one and want to make the September one let me know. If you have date or location request/suggestions for the September session please let me know as well. Hope to see you on Tuesday!

Update: I got some feedback that 8AM-10AM was too early so I've changed the time. I'll now be getting to Quills at 9AM and will plan to be there until 11AM. Hope to see you at Quills at 9AM Tuesday.

One day soon I'm going to write a review of all the coffee shops I love in Louisville. I'll tell you my favorite ones for getting work done, best one for people watching, best place for a vanilla cappuccino, best house blend, best place to read a novel, etc. Quills Coffee will be the winner in at least one of those categories if not more. Though I already thought Quills was very cool it's excellence factor has now been increased because on August 2 it will be home to the spoken word and music event "Words of Summer." Words of Summer is going to be a fantastic event that is a joint production with The Louisville Writers Workshop Project and all proceeds from the suggested $5 cover are going to The Coalition for the Homeless.

Words of Summer

Thursday August 2
7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Quills Coffee & Books
1220 East Kentucky
(On Kentucky St. near Barret Ave. & Lynn's Paradise Cafe)

-featuring -

Bobbi Buchanan, Essay
Maryam Hand, Poetry
Michael Jackman, Fiction
Cameron Lawrence, Essay
Nancy Moïse, Poetry

Musical Guest: Heidi Howe

Donation: $5 at door
100% of proceeds benefit
The Coalition for the Homeless

_{I've put this in both the Highlands and Germantown categories. Quills sits between both I think so I'm not going to draw an arbitrary line in the proverbial sand.}