Gathering Grounds

Get to know Nova ...

2008-07-04T09:57:00.013-04:00

Nova is one of our Gathering Grounds baristas. He grew up in many small towns along the Texas Gulf Coast. He has been a barista since 1999, starting at Caribou Coffee in Emory Village, then Javaology in Sweet Auburn before settling down in Kirkwood. He knows more than you will ever want to know about the history of coffee and will talk your ear off about many esoteric and marginally interesting subjects like early Edo period Christian Ninjas and isolated extinct Indo-European Centum Branch languages in west China.

Here's more about our featured barista - next time you stop in, say hello!

Favorite authors: China Mieville, Richard Adams, Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, J. G. Ballard, William S. Burroughs

Favorite directors: David Cronenberg, Satoshi Kon, Hayao Miyazaki, Mamoru Oshii, David Lynch, Chan-wook Park, Guillermo del Toro

Favorite musicians: COIL, Belle and Sebastian, New Order, Midlake, Blonde Redhead, Chromeo, Justin Timberlake

Pets: Pep Pep (cat)

Hobby: Indie Rock house shows, Japanese Console RPGs and Survival Horror Video Games. Pipes, Cigars, and Scotch. COFFEE!

Things I want to learn: Japanese, Farsi, Auto repair, Carpentry, Horse-back riding

Favorite Gathering Grounds drink to make: topless mocha for here

Favorite Gathering Grounds drink to drink: latte plain and simple

Best thing about coffee: the CO2 hitting your nose when opening a 5lbs bag of light roast coffee

Favorite thing about Gathering Grounds: The espresso and the music selection.

Best thing about Gathering Grounds customers: Kirkwood customers are SO much nicer than Emory, Norcross, and Sweet Auburn customers. When so much customer service let alone customers are rude and seem to have a chip on their shoulder y'all are a total anomaly.

Tell me about: Why I should go back to college or move to Chicago. novaterata@gmail.com or www.novaterata.com (coming soon!)

2nd Annual Holiday Open Mic Night!

2007-12-05T10:22:00.000-05:00

2007-08-29T12:58:00.000-04:00

Atlanta Humane Society Pet Parade

2007-03-24T16:28:00.000-04:00

Gathering Grounds is hosting some walkers for the Atlanta Humane Society Pet Parade fundraiser. It's Saturday, April 14 at Candler Park. All proceeds from the Pet Parade benefit the shelter. As Atlanta's oldest private non-profit organization, The AHS cares for thousands of lost, unwanted and abandoned animals each year. The AHS receives no funding from the government or United Way and relies on private donations and special events like the Pet Parade.

For more information, visit www.atlantahumane.org

If you would like to walk with us, email our barista Amy at amy@gatheringgroundskirkwood.com and she'll help you sign up for our team for the standard $25 entry donation.

If you cannot walk in the Pet Parade that day, but would like to help the shelter by donating, please visit our personal donation page at https://www.firstgiving.com/gatheringgrounds

Help us reach our goal of raising $150 for the Atlanta Humane Society!

Peep My Latte!

2007-03-23T23:00:00.000-04:00

It's time to celebrate springtime and the Easter season with a special latte of the month ... introducing Gathering Grounds' very own creation, the Spring Peep Latte!

A warm, toasted marshmallow latte with a colorful peep floating on top! How can you resist it? Just come up to the counter and say, "Peep my latte!"

So perfectly puffy and peep-a-licious, you've got to taste it to believe it!

New art for the month of March!

2007-03-12T19:22:00.000-04:00

There are many works of art on display at Gathering Grounds that were made at the Neighborhood Charter School in Grant Park by Ms. Curtis' fourth grade art class.

The kids were learning about the life and artwork of Gustav Klimt and began the project by looking at pictures of his paintings as well as reading a book called Klimt And His Cat. The book tells about Klimt from the perspective of his pet cat. Together, they travel the world and work in the studio. It is illustrated in a similar style to what you would see in Klimt's most famous paintings.

Once they understood his work, they made their own Klimt-inspired artwork. The artist used a lot of gold paint in his works, so they used gold paper for their background. They copied the style of background that they saw in some of his paintings using dark red paint applied in a textured way. Then, to create the subject, they combined paper collage with polymer clay. They used the clay to make elaborate dresses and cloaks to simulate the fancy dresses that Klimt had his models wear. Through this project, the students experimented with several materials and techniques: paper, paint, collage, polymer clay, relief sculpture and print making.

Visit the Neighborhood Charter School website at: www.neighborhoodcharter.com

Meet Amy!

2007-03-01T19:18:00.000-05:00

Amy is one of our Gathering Grounds baristas. This is her first coffee job, but coffee has long been a love of hers.
She has other loves - her dog Ohren, her Vespa, her Mac iBook and puppetry. In fact, Amy has an M.A. in Puppet Arts from the University of Connecticut! Yes, you can major in that. She appeared in a couple shows last year at the Center for Puppetry Arts and recently completed her graduate studies in Design at Atlanta's Portfolio Center. Anybody know of any fun graphic design jobs out there?

Here's more about our featured barista - next time you stop in, say hello!

Favorite books: Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whislestop Cafe, The World According to Garp

Favorite movies: A League of Their Own, Amelie, Babel

Favorite musicians: Dar Williams, Girlyman, The Jayhawks, Indigo Girls

Pets: Some fish, snuggly cats (Jonah and George) and Ohren, the Wonderdog

Hobby: puppetry (I wish it could always be more than a hobby - maybe someday)

Things I want to learn: knitting, tennis, ASL

Favorite Gathering Grounds drink to make: iced latte

Favorite Gathering Grounds drink to drink: hot latte or macchiato

Best thing about coffee: its scent

Favorite thing about Gathering Grounds: The people I work with are all amazing in their own ways. I also like the opportunity to learn about coffee and to learn the art of espresso drinks.

Best thing about Gathering Grounds customers: Their (usually) good attitudes - especially after they've had their morning coffee! I like that they are willing to wait a little bit for a hand-made espresso drink, as opposed to the automated "robots" that make drinks at the Big Green Monster. And I love that they support our local business and others in Kirkwood!

Ask me about: Puppetry, to see a photo of my dog or where you can adopt a wonderful dog or cat: PAWS Atlanta (www.pawsatlanta.org)

Tell me about: Your cute pets or any design job you can help me snag! (www.amyrush.com)

winners!

2007-02-28T19:35:00.000-05:00

Who won tickets to see Billy Goats Gruff and Other Stuff? Eliza, Jessica and Allen! Woo hoo!

And thanks to Emily Casey for leading storytime all these weeks!

Next week is the last time for this winter! Come on over at 7pm next Wednesday, March 7.

Let's hear a story!

2007-02-26T19:25:00.000-05:00

Did you know that Gathering Grounds offers a children's storytime at 7pm on most Wednesday nights?
http://www.gatheringgroundskirkwood.com/children.html

This week, everyone who comes by can enter to win tickets to the Center for Puppetry Art's new show Billy Goats Gruff and Other Stuff! http://puppet.org/perform/billygoats.shtml

Local Honey this Friday night

2007-02-07T18:34:00.000-05:00

The Decatur, Georgia-based acoustic trio Local Honey takes its name and inspiration from the natural alchemy that transforms ordinary bits of our immediate world into something sweet and soulful. Since 2003, Allison Adams (vocals, guitar), Paige Parvin (vocals, flute) and Paul Jean (piano) have been playing Atlanta and North Georgia area coffee houses, festivals and other venues as a trio. Their repertoire includes familiar-yet-new favorites, sassy standards and originals by Allison.

Latte of Love!

2007-02-06T13:07:00.000-05:00

Check out of latte of the month for February!

Roses are red
violets are blue
chocoate coverd cherry
in a latte for you!

Talent all over the place!

2006-12-22T08:35:00.000-05:00

The 1st Annual Gathering Grounds Holiday Coffee House Talent Show was a Raging Success! You can't even begin to imagine all the talent that showed up that night (unless you were there and saw it for yourself) it was spectacular. It was silly and sincere and funny and full of incredible music and comedy and song that was just really good! What a fantastic gift for the Holidays. We hope you'll start getting all of your talent together for our next gathering sometime in the early Spring. Can't wait to see you there!

South 70!

2006-12-22T08:29:00.000-05:00

South 70 packed the house! It was a night to remember with incredible music and entertainment that was over the top. They sang their original music which was top notch country, rock, sexy, serious, silly and fantastic! They also wowed us with some holiday classics like O Holy Night and the Little Drummer Girl. Thank you South 70. We hope you'll be back SOON! Listen out for more unplugged concert dates coming soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-23T17:53:00.000-05:00

We are grateful for our Gathering Grounds community and for our baristas Rachel, Steve, Mary, Sarah, Amy, Susannah and Susan! And we are all thankful for hot coffee and tea on a cold night!

Go see a puppet show!

2006-11-18T18:45:00.000-05:00

Gathering Grounds and The Center for Puppetry Arts are teaming up to offer you a discount on show tickets. When you call The Center's ticket sales office at 404-873-3391 and mention that you are a frequent patron of Gathering Grounds, you can receive special discounts on upcoming shows! Discounts are different for each show, so check out the list of show discounts on a sign at Gathering Grounds to know what to ask for.

Check out their 2006-2007 season at www.puppet.org .

They are performing "Charlotte's Web" and "The Velveteen Rabbit" right now and soon there will be the adult show "Tales of Edgar Allan Poe." They have a special exhibit of Gumby and soon will have a couple original stop-motion puppets from Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer from 1964!

One of our baristas, Amy is in the cast of "Charlotte's Web," which is playing until Sunday, Dec. 3. She hopes that you will come see this new adaptation of the children's story, which is suitable for any age. If you catch her before you plan to go, let her know when you're going and she'll be sure to stick around and show you backstage after the show! (hint: discount has to do with Sundays!)

Simply Witty

2006-11-17T23:32:00.000-05:00

Sue Witty was really fun tonight! She played lots of original music and some great covers by Dar Williams, Catie Curtis, Susanne Vega and Shawn Colvin. It was a peaceful and mellow evening - a good way to end the week.

Thanks, Sue and everyone else who gathered together to spend some time with us!

Sue Witty to play Friday, November 17!

2006-11-13T13:45:00.000-05:00

Come check out local Atlanta musician Sue Witty when she performs here at the shop this Friday, Nov. 17 from 8-10pm.

Sue Witty has been performing publicly and producing self-released CDs since 1992. She performed all over this country and parts of Europe. Critics have likened her voice and style to Natalie Merchant, Jewel, and even Tom Petty and the Grateful Dead. Highlights of her career include opening for Catie Curtis, Michelle Malone, and Cheryl Wheeler, as well as performing to a crowd of over 100,000 people from the Atlanta Pride 2006 mainstage.

A new CD is set to be released this Spring.

Walter Reeves event a succcess!

2006-11-13T10:34:00.000-05:00

Hey, y'all - the Eastlake Garden Club + Gathering Grounds event was great! Walter Reeves, "The Georgia Gardener," spoke to a crowd of about 30 people. Thanks for a unique Gathering Grounds event!

Building Community, One Landscape (and cup of coffee) at a Time

2006-11-07T11:52:00.000-05:00

The Eastlake Garden Club and Gathering Grounds are collaborating to host Walter Reeves, The Georgia Gardener. Walter hosts “The Lawn and Garden Show with Walter Reeves,” a radio call-in show on NewsTalk 750 WSB-AM every Saturday morning from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. Be sure to check out his show on Saturday and then come by Gathering Grounds this Sunday, Nov. 12 from 3:30 - 5pm to hear him speak and answer questions about everything from the root up!

Tickets are $20 and proceeds will benefit the East Lake Garden Club. Tickets may be purchased at Gathering Grounds (cash or check only), the Oakhurst Community Garden (435 Oakview Rd. in Decatur) or you can email garden@eastlake.org

Check out Walter Reeves' website: www.walterreeves.com

Music Fun

2006-11-04T10:00:00.000-05:00

We had a blast on Friday, October 27 when Gerlinda and Ryan played at the shop. A lot of fans came and sang along and there were lots of folks who now are new fans of weaklazyliar.
Thanks, y'all, for a wonderful show!

Gathering Grounds Artist!

2006-10-27T14:38:00.000-04:00

Check out James' blog at: www.artsmear.blogspot.com

Gathering Great Acoustic Music

2006-09-26T21:00:00.000-04:00

Jerry Burns
Friday, September 29, 2006 from 8pm – 10pm

Jerry Burns is Decatur, GA's best-kept secret -- but no secret to the likes of Caroline Aiken and Emily Saliers -- an artist of merit who writes beautiful songs and delivers them with grace, humility and an easy wit.

Gerlinda Grimes
Friday, October 27, 2006 from 8pm – 10pm

Painfully modest, both in songwriting and self-description, Gerlinda Grimes has fronted Atlanta's weaklazyliar for 10 years. Despite her downplaying, their soft, ethereal sound can be found on Felicity and Just Deal, and they were voted Best Acoustic Band in Creative Loafing two years in a row. For more information visit www.weaklazyliar.com

TBA
Friday, November 17, 2006 from 8pm – 11pm

Holiday Celebration
Thursday, December 14, 2006 from 7pm - 9pm

Sign up by December 8th to sing your favorite holiday song, recite your favorite poem or share your favorite story. All ages welcome to participate!

2nd Friday Gatherers

2006-09-25T21:05:00.000-04:00

Join your neighbors and friends for community, conversation, coffee and cake!
Try our dessert of the month and hang out until 9pm.

October 13, 2006
November 10, 2006
December 8, 2006

Art on Display

2006-09-14T10:05:00.000-04:00

Deb Steege
Works on display from September 14th through October 29th.

Deb specializes in illustration and oil painting. Her current collection, People are People, portrays the common thread of human emotions in people across the wide spectrum of creed, color, and culture.

Coming in November: James H. Palmer, www.stymieart.com

Meet Kim!

2006-08-17T19:33:00.000-04:00

Kim is a barista at Gathering Grounds. She enjoyed learning more about coffee and other tasty drinks from our Intelligentsia training reps and has perfected her craft in the last few weeks. Some might say that her drinks are heavenly - and they're right! Kim is an expert on the subject - or will be soon, when she completes her Master of Divinity degree at Emory's Candler School of Theology. She has an eight year old daughter attending The Neighborhood Charter School, of which she is a founding parent. She has lived in Grant Park for 15 years, and is actually a native Atlantian.

Here's more about our featured barista - next time you stop in, say hello!

Favorite book: Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore

Favorite movie: Nearly anything by Pixar - and anything that my daughter likes because we really dig going to the movies together. We especially like to go to Buckhead Backlot.

Favorite musicians: Nora Jones and Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson (the redheaded Stranger) and They Might Be Giants.

Pets: 2 dogs: a black lab named Drummond and Lucy, a small and spunky 13-year-old

Hobby: Reading - there is not much time for more than that - I'm a mom!

Favorite Gathering Grounds drink to make: A latte - and try to perfect my latte art. So far, I have a nice looking spider web. Or sunburst. Or whatever you want it to be.

Favorite Gathering Grounds drink to drink: Celestial Charm

Best thing about coffee: I enjoy my first cup of coffee in the morning, still sitting in bed.

Favorite thing about Gathering Grounds: I like that it is contributing to the community and that it has been so welcomed by the the folks who have paved the way here in Kirkwood. I really dig my shift latte - or two - or three!

Best thing about Gathering Grounds customers: The variety of genuinely interesting and warm people.

Ask me about: The Neighborhood Charter School or Turtle's stamps.

Our electronic gathering grounds

2006-08-08T20:41:00.000-04:00

And here we meet again - in cyberspace! What kinds of goodies will you find here?

*What exactly is a macchiato, anyway?

*Want to learn more about our community? Check out features on our awesome baristas!

*Tell us - what is your favorite Gathering Grounds drink? What's your favorite snack?

*What's up with Intelligentsia Coffee and what is Direct Trade coffee?

All this and more will be found here in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out!