June

June has been a crazy month.  We moved, we went to a conference, we had our first event at our new location... I haven't had much time to blog.  I promise to do better next month.  In the meantime, be sure to check out something we just launched today: http://www.overflowcoffeebar.org/marathon.html.  We're very excited about the announcement we're making on this site too!

Brandon took this photo of me and I love it.

Happy Anniversary, Brandon!

We're celebrating 4 years on July 1.  <3

Make Iced Coffee at Home

It's summer and time for having iced coffee.  We thought you might appreciate some advice from us about making iced coffee at home - to save you budget and to spoil your taste buds.  Here are some instructions for making coffee-shop-tasting iced coffee at home! 

We also have a new coffee for the summer that's perfect for making iced coffee: Brazilian!  This coffee is from the Mountain Mogiana region, one of the best coffee producing regions of Brazil. Its aroma is reminiscent of sweetened chocolate; its flavors are citric with a hint of nuttiness The coffee has a full body and creamy, savory aftertaste. In 2008, the farm this coffee was grown on received a Sustainability Award from the Specialty Coffee Association of America. Buy some at http://www.overflowcoffeebar.org/shop.html.

1. Brew your [Brazilian] coffee as you normally would.  You do NOT need to make it overly strong.
2. Put it in a plastic pitcher or cup and cover it.  Do NOT use glass as it may crack with the drastic temperature change.
3. Place the pitcher or cup in an ice water bath so that half of the outside of the cup is soaking in the cold water.
4. When the coffee has cooled to room temperature or below, it's ready to enjoy over ice and with your preference of milk and sugar.  Drink through a straw for maximum satisfaction.
5. Refrigerate the leftovers but enjoy them within the next day or two before they get stale.

To make the iced coffee extra special for yourself or for summer guests, use sweetened condensed milk instead of regular milk or half and half.

MOST IMPORTANT: Do not pour hot coffee from your brewer over ice. This will just dilute your coffee.

Espresso Machine is all warmed up!

After an event on Friday night and an event Tuesday night, it's awesome to say that our new espresso machine has been officially broken in and warmed up.  The drinks are tasting very yummy.  One *bucks employee commented that the drinks are very tasty compared to what he drinks all day at work.  That doesn't surprise us though.  :)

We're ready to make more yummy drinks at Cafe Con Brio on June 5.  We'd love to make you one too.  Are you attending??? http://conta.cc/9TKXFb

Pre-Registration!!!

Just a quick note to say that I really wish people would pre-register for the June 5 Cafe Con Brio.  Not only would it make my life easier on the planning side of things but it would also expedite check-in at the event.  Make a committment that you're coming and register NOW!  http://conta.cc/9TKXFb

Why June 5 is So Important

As you know, Overflow Coffee Bar's mission is to give South Loop residents, students and workers the opportunity to change the world.  We use direct trade, fair trade and organic products.  We also promote volunteerism, support local artists and build community in the South Loop.  We are getting closer and closer to having a physical location.  Thus, I want to make sure I communicate to as many people as possible why this June 5 event is so important and how you can help make it a success (even if you aren't able to be there).  Here's the behind-the-scenes:

The building at 1550 S State is going to be an awesome hub of nonprofit activity - "Daystar Center."  From teaching teachers to teaching toddlers, from yoga classes to guitar classes, from counseling services to home healthcare for seniors... the Daystar Center will bring educational, cultural and community value to the South Loop, Chicago and the region. 

Overflow longs to be the core of this space and facilitate collaboration among the different nonprofit groups and with South Loop residents, students and workers.  We believe this space is the BEST location for Overflow to give South Loopers the opportunity to change the world one cup at a time.  But we must act quickly to become a nerve center and not just a periphery ligament.

To finish construction, the Daystar Center needs more funds.  Whatever Overflow can come up with to put toward these funds will help us assure we are an integral part of Daystar.  Sounds like a good deal, right?  Yes!  But we don't have much funds ourselves even though we've been working hard to get the funds together.  This is where you come in.  You can help build the Daystar Center, make Overflow an integral part of it and advance the work of all the nonprofits that will be involved in the Center by:

1. Attending the June 5 event.  See http://conta.cc/9TKXFb for more information and register today!
2. Can't come to the event?  Give $15 toward our Chipin.  You can look just to the right and click "ChipIn!" or visit overflowcoffeebar.chipin.com.
3. Buy some coffee or an Overflow thermos.  Visit our online shop at http://www.overflowcoffeebar.org/.

Our goal is to raise $50,000 by June 5.  Will you help us reach this goal?  We appreciate every kind of support!  Please share with your friends and family too.