bluehouse Weblog

Happy Thanksgiving to all. We hope everyone’s holiday is safe and enjoyable, and that you get as much green bean casserole as your heart desires. Also, get that drumstick away from Uncle Fred, he’s just going to drop it and then the dog will get it, and then: disaster.

Tomorrow — delightfully known as Black Friday — is the traditional kickoff of the holiday season. It’s also the kickoff of our new series of events at our Fleet Street store. At 7 pm, tomorrow, Friday November 28, we’ll have an evening of “bluehouse bluegrass” — folk & bluegrass music played by longtime bluehouse regular Rod Smith, and also the 4-man bluegrass band “High Strung.” When you’re done with your shopping (or if you’ve just stayed home to sleep off the tryptophan), come by in the evening to hear some great music. Admission is free with café purchase (you have to try the special “Caramel Apple Steamer” — it’s a one-week-only drink special.) We just spent last night up on ladders hanging some new tiny stage lights, so come on down and check it out.

And did you notice I said, “our Fleet Street store” — ? I had to be specific because, yes, it has finally happened — bluehouse’s new location has finally opened. We’re thrilled to announce that our long-awaited new home in the Shops at Kenilworth is ready to receive visitors. We’d like to invite everyone to come celebrate with us at our Grand Opening, this Saturday, November 29, from 6 to 9 pm. You have to see the 33-foot living Green Wall for yourself — it’s like a mural, but with plants. It’s gorgeous. We’re very proud of how it all turned out.

Here are the details — don’t be shy, come on down and have a glass of wine.

What: Grand Opening celebration — food, wine, live music
When: Saturday, November 29, 6 to 9 pm
Where: The Shops at Kenilworth, 800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson, MD

And for the music fans:

What: bluehouse bluegrass — folk & bluegrass music
When: Friday, November 28, starting at 7 pm
Where: bluehouse, 1407 Fleet Street, Baltimore MD
Admission free with café purchase (meaning, buy a cup of coffee and take a seat — !)

Sharp eyed observers in our neighborhood yesterday would have spied an intrepid soul pulling a green EarthWagon full of coffee and muffins down the cobbled streets, over bridges, through intersections … and wondered: what the hey?

Wonder no more.

If you’re within a walkable radius of our store (I would say, “within spitting distance” but … ew) and your office has not been enlightened to the Wonders of Our Coffee, then it sounds like you’re a good candidate for a Bluehouse Coffee Break.

We pack up our EarthWagon with airpots of our coffee, some delicious muffins, and all the fixins (I can’t believe I finally got the chance to use the word “fixins” in a sentence, but there you go.) Then we traipse our way over to your office, and serve it up with a smile. How much will this set you back? Hold onto your hats, because it’s free.

Nothing’s free, you say. And we say, nuh uh. It’s free, we swear. Well, okay, clearly it’s our shameless ploy to introduce you and your cubicle mates to our coffee … a little chance to demonstrate that their are other alternatives to The Green Mermaid. We bring coupons, we bring lunch menus, we bring some of the fun products that we sell so people get an idea of who we are. Why? We hear so often, “Oh, that’s right, I drive by there all the time, but haven’t come in yet.” Well, come on in.

If you want to set up a Coffee Break for your own office, give us a call at (410) 276-1180. Speak to Amy, Rob or Cara. Or you can e-mail us at info at bluehouseLIFE dot com.

And then some strangers show up with coffee in a cute little wagon. You have to love that.

Everyone can agree that this election will be historic. So after you play your part in making history, why not come to the Café at bluehouse for a celebratory coffee drink? Show us your “I voted!” sticker or your voter registration card and we’ll give you 10% off your beverage order. Why ten percent? As it happens, Maryland has ten electoral votes, so ten seemed to be a nice round number.

If you’re wondering what to order, try one of our seasonal drinks: the pumpkin lattes are always popular (made with real pumpkin) — or how about a spicy hot chocolate? It’s made with our delicious Dagoba chocolate, a shot of cinnamon syrup and a dash of cayenne to give it a kick. It’s hot cocoa for grownups.

So do your part for your country — cast your vote — then come see us and we’ll whip up something delicious for you. AND give you ten percent off! That’s the American way.

A number of bluehouse staff already have accounts at Twitter (http://twitter.com/), a mini-blogging site where you can post quick thoughts or tiny snapshots of your life. Friends had been telling us bluehouse could use a Twitter account and we finally got around to setting one up. We’re using it to keep you up to date on sales, specials, events, new stock, arriving shipments, what we’re brewing and what we’re doing at bluehouse. Follow us at http://twitter.com/bluehouselife

Today was the debut of our new bluehouse menu in the cafe — a whole new roster of sandwiches, salads and wraps prepared exclusively for us. The offerings will change from time to time, but here are a few highlights:

Napa Valley Sandwich • Turkey with spinach & artichoke spread, swiss cheese, lettuce & tomato on multi-grain bread ($5.95)

Vegetarian Gorgonzola & Grilled Pear Sandwich • grilled pears, gorgonzola cheese, lettuce, tomato and red onion, on multi-grain bread, with honey mustard on the side ($5.95)

Tuscan Chicken Salad Wrap • Chicken, pesto, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella and field greens wrapped in a flour tortilla ($5.95)

Caprese Tortellini Salad • Tricolored cheese tortellinis, fresh basil, mozzarella and grape tomatoes in an olive oil balsamic dressing over a bed of field greens ($5.50)

We also have new breakfast wraps — bacon, egg, cheese & roasted red pepper in a flour tortilla (also available without the bacon.) They sold like hotcakes … well, not like hotcakes, like breakfast wraps … but they are a great way to start the day.

The soup today was slow-roasted chicken with harvest vegetables, in a delicious broth with a little spicy kick.

Come on in and taste for yourself … everything is prepared fresh daily. You’ll love it.

For everyone who is making their way around town on a bike or a bus, have we got a deal for you. Starting now, every Monday at the cafe is “MTA Monday”: show us your MTA pass or bike helmet, and we’ll knock 10 percent off your cafe order. (We thought about calling it MTA-and-Bike-Helmet-Monday, but it doesn’t have the same punchy snap to it, does it?) And hey, if you’ve got a MARC ticket or an Amtrak ticket, that works too.

A lot of us here ride bikes or take the bus to work. Yeah, we’re cool like that. The number 11 bus stops just a block away (at Fleet & Exeter if you’re heading toward Canton, or at Fleet & Central if you’re headed the other way.) So hop on the bus and come see us.

Firstly, we’d like to thank those of you who voted us as Baltimore’s best eco-friendly business!! We are very proud to be growing our roots here in Baltimore, and even more pleased to announce that we shall be opening our second location of Bluehouse in Kenilworth mall next month.

Also!! Be certain to stop in our shop this week and sign up for our mailing list. Those who do shall also be entered for our Friday raffling of David Sedaris tickets! The show will be happening this Sunday, October 5th at 8:00 p.m. at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

Lastly, now that it’s fall our cafe has been throwing in a lovely array of spicy treats. Try our pumpkin latte (we use real pumpkin!), have a yummy pumpkin spice muffin or get a bagel with pumpkin butter (mix it with cream cheese= heaven).

Green jobs..Helping the environment and saving the economy.

American consumers drive more economic activity than any other entity in the world, but during the past 3 decades the vast majority of American’s have seen their income stagnate or decline in real dollars. What started out in the late 1970’s as a desire to curb inflation - control wage and benefit costs - has now become the main tool for increasing corporate profits. This has created a need for consumer credit in order to bridge the difference between stagnated income, and the increased cost of living being assumed by American workers. Today with the credit crisis, this model has collapsed. To remedy this we need more income in the hands of the majority of Americans in order to sustain our economy, and reduce the need for credit. Our opportunity is to use the urgent need to rebuild our infrastructure, national energy system, and communities in a green, sustainable manner to provide jobs and income for everyone.

Here’s a little synopsis of the who’s, what’s, why’s, and where.

WHAT: Green Jobs Now in Baltimore
National Green Jobs Now Day
WHEN: Saturday, September 27, 2008
10:00 AM to 12:00 noon
WHERE: Clifton Park, 2801 Saint Lo Dr., Baltimore MD 21213, at the band shell
WHO: Nationally, sponsors are Green For All, 1Sky, and Al Gore’s We Campaign, together with many other organizations that work to combat global warming.
In Baltimore, sponsors at this date are the Entrepreneurial Training University, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters Educational Fund, the Network of Spiritual Progressives, and Unitarian-Universalists for Social Justice, and more will be added in the coming weeks.
COST: Free. Open to everyone of all ages.
WHY: The event will educate, encourage and empower the Baltimore community to increase participation in and awareness of the green jobs movement. Green-collar jobs can pull people out of poverty and improve the planet we all live on. Baltimore City’s economy standsto benefit tremendously both by training people for green jobs and developing green jobs.
DETAILS: The day will open with a job-training fair, where people will have an opportunity to learn about training for green jobs in Baltimore, and more about green jobs in general. Other organizations that work to stop global warming will also be present.
A rally will follow at noon. Speakers will include representatives of Baltimore City’s government, labor unions, and youth. This event corresponds with hundreds of other events planned all over the U.S. on the same day, and will send the message loud and clear that we want bold legislation for green-collar jobs in the first 100 days of the next presidency.
CONTACT: Frances Aubrey 410-319-7204, cell 410-814-1674

We’ve been in the kitchen this month. It started Labor Day; we usually get our lunch food orders from Zia’s Cafe in Towson, but they were closed for the holiday. In order to have tasty food for our customers, Amy and Rob put their heads together and pulled off a small menu of sandwiches, fruit salad and yogurt parfait cups. We really liked making our own food, so we’ve decided to really step up our recipe and supplier research and get cracking on pulling together our own menu. Our goal? To have a small, rotating, tasty selection of healthy foods, ranging from breakfast items to sandwiches, soups and salads. We’d love to get in season ingredients locally, and respond to the needs of our customers including vegetarians, vegan, and people with various food allergies.

Our first baby step was to make the yogurt parfait cups an everyday item. Right now we’re making them with low fat Brown Cow vanilla yogurt, French Almond Vanilla granola and chunks of fresh strawberries. For the winter, when fresh strawberries are waaaay out of season, we’re thinking of topping the yogurt with a fruit compote instead. However they are made we are happy to be offering our customers new tasty options, though we’ll make sure to keep stocking some of the same indulgent treats we’ve had all along.

Mother Earth Harvest Fair Call For Volunteers

The Mother Earth Harvest Fair (MEHF) is looking for volunteers!
Sunday October 5, 2008
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

MEHF is a celebration of sustainable living, held annually at Spoutwood Farm in Glen Rock, PA (about 40 minutes north of Baltimore). Modeled on old fashioned country fairs, MEHF will combine educational presentations about sustainable living along with entertainment, kids activities and lots of fun. bluehouse employees have been attending events at Spoutwood Farm for the past 7 years, and we are excited at the farm’s commitment to organic farming and its work at providing education about sustainable living our area.

The Fair depends on the help of volunteers, and the organizers are now looking for people who would like to sign up ahead of time to help out. Shifts run 2 hours and for your help you are reimbursed your entrance fee. Please contact Posie at fairyfestivities@yahoo.com if you are interested in volunteering.

You can find more information about MEHF at http://www.spoutwood.com/mehf.html

Hey folks!
Bluehouse is going to be having some changed hours this Labor Day weekend:

Saturday, August 30th: 9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 31st: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Monday, September 1st: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Thanks! And if you have and questions or concerns please feel free to call us:

410.276.1180

or toll free

877.276.1180

Remember those organic coffee grounds we told you all about? The ones that come from our delicious Counter Culture Coffee, that we set out in five pound bags for you to take for free? Those grounds are being used for the forces of good, which in this case means growing roses and dill. One of our customer-gardeners stopped by today with some of her garden’s produce, and we put them on the cafe counter for everyone to enjoy (if they look a little tattered it was due to their long car trip to the store).

Hey folks,

Unfortunately Bluehouse is currently experiencing technical difficulties with our e-mail. Meaning we most likely won’t be able to see what your sending and such.

Please feel free to call us with any concerns and/or problems which may arise!

410.276.1180

or! Toll free!

877.276.1180

Hey folks! This Sunday, July 20th blueHOUSE will be hosting a small concert. Come see Amy Speace and other perform at 5:30 p.m.
There is a suggested to donation to help the musicians!
Look forward to seeing you there!

http://amyspeace.com/

Our roaster, Counter Culture Coffee, recently rolled out their new direct trade program. Our readers are already familiar with fair trade certification, and bluehouse carries many fair trade products. Direct Trade Certification comes out of the direct relationships Counter Culture has forged with their coffee producers, relationships that are not necessarily addressed by conventional fair trade certification. Check out Counter Culture’s site for all the details:

The search for high-quality, sustainably produced coffee has become a little confusing lately. And those yearning to somehow engage or learn about the people who produce their coffee as they might with their favorite vendors at the farmers’ market must first navigate a sea of seemingly similar brands and marketing claims. We think it’s time for more clarity, directness, and peace of mind.

Establishing a new standard for supply chain transparency, Counter Culture Direct Trade Certification represents the clear set of quality-driven principles that guide our paradigm-breaking approach to sustainable coffee.

We recently discovered this neat little website which actually calculates your walking distance from a certain destination. Be it from your shop or home it lays it all out for you!

As quoted from the website:
“What is Walk Score? We help homebuyers, renters, and real estate agents find houses and apartments in great neighborhoods. Walk Score shows you a map of what’s nearby and calculates a Walk Score for any property. Buying a house in a walkable neighborhood is good for your health and good for the environment.

Bluehouse scored a whopping 91 out of 100 in means of walkable attractions such as grocery stores, shops and libraries.

Check it out for yourself!

The Rock Fight Against Leukemia and Lymphoma the Woodstock of Patterson Park.

Hosted By: Nina Agelakis Melanye Mahla & Jasika Sebkarshad
When: Sat 5/3 11:00 AM to 9pm & Sun 5/4
Where: Patterson Park
Linwood Ave. and Eastern Ave.
Baltimore, Maryland| 21224

Nina will be Hiking for Discovery for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society along with 23 other wonderful participants, so we at Fells Point Salon are having this concert at the park for the discovery to fight the diseases and to promote Baltimore bands, businesses, our parks, our
communities, our artists and the people of Baltimore.

There will be Food to buy. Bring your own beer, wine, and liquor. There will be refreshments and bake goods, local art, photos to purchase along with, crafts and lots of activities to get into while listening to live music created by our wonderful bands who are volunteering their time and talent for this great cause.

We are hiking for a little 13 year old young lady who is fighting everyday to keep herself strong against this terrible sickness. “I am doing this for all who I know and do not know who have had to or will have to battle this same fight this young lady is fighting.” Nina.

So please come join our rock fight both days!

It is Only $10 to get in and anything you enjoy, you buy, you eat or drink will contribute to our fight.

The girls of Fells Point Salon
2211 Eastern Ave
Baltimore Md 21231
410-236-0750

410-732-0300

All haircuts completed by Nina on Sundays and Mondays untill May 15th will be contributing to the cause. Donations are also accepted.

Thank you so much for all your support!

If you have art, photos, and crafts you would like to show, sell, or donate , please contact us at the salon.

Our Bands

THE COUNTRY DEVILS
DAVID ZE
NO REGRETS
YELLOW #5
KESWICK TRIANGEL BLUES BAND
MISEUPHORIA
STUPID HERO
URSULA RICKS
THE JV MYKA PROJECT
SINGLETON
ARTHERIUS JOHNSON
KING BELVEDERE
BILLY REDFIELD
JASON SIEMER
MICHAEL MCHENRY TRIBE
THE STUGOTTS
PAUL HARRIS
GREG SCRUGGS
AMONG WOLVES

JAH WORKS
PASEDENA

This weekend, Saturday April 19th, Baltimore County’s Department of Public Works is selling compost bins for the low, low low price of $35!

Go to the DPW website for all the information, then swing by bluehouse and pick up a bag of our (free!) used coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are a great way to add nitrogen to your compost, or sprinkle them around your plants. We toss in the used filters too, which compost as a kitchen brown.

Happy composting!

If you’ve been to the cafe lately you’ve probably seen some new things going on behind the counter. Groups of our cafe and showroom staff clustered behind the espresso machine, pulling shot after shot and fiddling with the grinders. Our old Bunn brewer sitting unused on a chair while a new Fetco brewer sits in the old equipment’s place. Small stainless steel carafes replacing the battered and well used airpots. Baristas sipping endless cups of coffee and muttering about body and mouth feel, citrus notes, floral notes, nutiness and more. What is going on?

Well, a big change was in the works for the cafe and we’re thrilled that everything is finally in place. We are proud to announce that we have changed roasters and are now partnering with Counter Culture Coffee. We first became aware of Counter Culture right after we opened in December 2005, and we kept hearing about them again and again, particularly after we hired someone who had worked with their coffee before. This winter we spent a few months learning about their business approach, sampled a bunch of their coffee, met the Regional Sales Rep. and finally decided to take the plunge and bring them on board as our roaster.

We’ve always thought we serve excellent coffee, but wanted to keep pushing the quality of what we offer our customers. What we love about Counter Culture is how involved they are with their coffee, from finding the best beans, properly roasting them, and then educating the public so people are excited about drinking really good coffee. They are dedicated not just to the final coffee product but to creating sustainable, beneficial relationships all the way from the farmers who grow the beans to the baristas who make your morning cup of coffee to the lucky person who gets to drink the coffee.

Counter Culture Coffee is able to offer an incredible amount of support to us including further education and training so that we can make sure we’re serving you the best coffee and espresso possible. You don’t have to work at bluehouse to tap into this information, though. Counter Culture has resources open to the public, such as espresso labs and history classes, and free Friday morning cuppings (the closest to bluehouse is at their D.C. training facility).

We could put tons of information about Counter Culture in this post but the best ways to learn about them are to ask us (we are more than happy to talk about coffee!) or check out their website, which is very thorough explaining everything from their business model to the history of their coffees : Counter Culture Coffee ~ Coffee Driven People, People Driven Coffee. Let us know what you think of the changes, and feel free to ask us about our favorite coffee selections, recommendations for whole bean coffee to take home, or even for a sample .

~Amy Laperle