D.C. CoffeeGeekfest II

We'll be having our second (the first was at the Capitol Hill shop) D.C. CoffeeGeekfest on Sunday, December 12, at 8:00pm, at murky coffee arlington.

What's on the agenda? Well, first and foremost, you'll have an opportunity to pull shots our brand-new Synesso Cyncra in commercial use on the east coast... sample different espresso (B.Y.O.Beans!)... experience the wonders of the crotchless portafilter... try your hand at latte art (or show off your skillz)... see how many espresso beans you can fit in your nose... etc. Bring your own home espresso gear if you wish as well.

We'll have other baristas and shop-owners from around the area joining us as well. All in all, we want this to be a social event for coffee enthusiasts from around the area.

So please RSVP by clicking HERE and we look forward to seeing everyone!

Closed Thanksgiving and the day after!

Both murky coffee capitol hill and murky coffee arlington will be closed on both Thursday and Friday... 11/25 and 11/26, to mourn the murder and disembowelment of countless, grotesquely obese birds.... and the mindless orgy of consumerism that follows.

Back to normal hours on Saturday.

the Synesso is in and up

nick writes

The Synesso Cyncra is here... we'll be installing it Sunday night... and it'll (hopefully) be up and running Monday morning!

Follow up...

Mandy's okay. Bruised and scraped (which is worse than 'scratched'), she's resting up... no broken bones, thank God.

Thanks for all the words of support and your prayers. Mandy will be back in action in a week or two.

Prayer request...

Mandy, who's been working at murky capitol hill for many months now, was in an accident this afternoon. She was on a bicycle when she was struck by a car on Pennsylvania Avenue (in front of the old McDonalds... across from 'Yes!').

We don't know a whole lot of details right this moment, but please pray for Mandy.

I spoke to her boyfriend, Justin today, and he said that her thigh-bone and/or pelvis might be fractured... and she's in a lot of pain. She's at Howard University Hospital, but they're both frustrated at the poor care she's received there during these first few hours (she's been on the same 'board' that she was ambulanced in on, for over 3 hours... and still waiting).

Again, though her life doesn't seem to be in danger right now, she is in a heap of pain. Please pray for her. More details as they come.

nick writes...

Check out the events schedule by clicking the menu item on the left. Come check out the first musical event at murky arlington, "Body Building," a benefit concert for Rachael Namagembe, a girl from Uganda. Visit www.jillhepler.org for more information. That's this Saturday, November 13, at 7:30pm.

Also, on Tuesday, November 16 at 7:30pm, we'll be hosting a talk by Marguerite Kelly, a Washington Post columnist who writes 'Family Almanac' weekly. Sponsored by Kinhaven Preschool.

Both events will be upstairs. Keep an eye on the events calendar for more events to come!

nick writes...

As you can see, we tweaked the site a bit... fixed some margins, got rid of the WiFi warchalking symbol " )( " that Danielle thought it looked like boobs, and changed the banner image to reflect the fact that we're more than just one shop, more than just coffee.

The espresso machine you see to the left here is a very special machine. Mark Barnett, an espresso machine engineer with 12 years in the business, has basically built a "Monster Garage" creation of an espresso machine, called the Synesso Cyncra.

The best way I can explain it is this: if espresso-making is surgery, behold... the scalpel is born. "Average" espresso machines (like the one at Common Grounds) perform like a big, unwieldy axe.

"Who cares! Why is this important?" you may ask.

murky coffee arlington will have the Synesso Cyncra in within the next couple of weeks. It will be the first Cyncra in commercial operation on the east coast. This machine will provide us the stability necessary to deliver our promised "best damn coffee" in a way previously not possible.

For the espresso enthusiasts in our area, we'll have a "CoffeeGeek Gathering" soon, when you'll have an opportunity to pull some shots on this revolutionary machine.

Good stuff.

nick writes...

FYI... we've been notified by 'ABC News Now' that they'll be covering public opinion and reactions to the election tomorrow (Tuesday) during part of the afternoon at murky arlington. Feel free to hang out and make your voice heard. (click on the link above and look at '155PM' on the schedule)

Too bad they use poopy Real Player for their online feed.

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edit - 11/04/2004 9:37pm
As happens in 'the Biz,' they apparently ran out of time and didn't get to Jodi's segment. She and an assistant were standing by, all ready with interviewees... oh well.