As you probably know, Friday, February 29, is Leap Day!  This year we're getting a little something extra on the calendar, so we want to give you a little something extra in your morning cup.  Stop into any of Our Stores this Friday, and you can have a FREE shot of espresso or a FREE flavoring in any of our beverages.  While we may be getting an extra day of cold and snow outside, come See Us to get some extra coffee or flavor to get you through!

The 2008 Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition is coming to Milwaukee!  The Specialty Coffee Association of American has awarded Alterra Coffee Roasters the privilege of hosting this year's competition.  Several other local businesses, including Stone Creek, are sponsoring the event which will be held March 14-16. 

This event is open to baristas from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.  Each competitor must prepare 4 cappuccinos, 4 shots of espresso, and 4 signature drinks for a panel of judges during a 15 minute presentation.  Competitors are judged on their presentation, cleanliness, professionalism, and drink quality.

Stone Creek Coffee will be represented by two competitors...our Retail Office Manager, Shannon Smith and Coffee Tech Jason Dama.  Both Shannon and Jason have been with Stone Creek for several years and possess exceptional barista skills.  They have been practicing daily, and we are all anxiously awaiting the competition.

Stay tuned for more details about this event.  You can also learn more about the competition at the event website...www.greatlakesbaristacompetition.com.

Our newest Factory Reserve coffee comes from a well-established coffee coop in the Huehuetenango region of Guatemala. Rio Azul Guatemala is grown by the 175 member Rio Azul Coop in the highlands of western Guatemala. All the members of this coffee growing organization live within walking distance of the community wet mill in the small village of Jacaltenango. Officially founded in 1967, the Rio Azul Coop produces around 160,000 pounds of coffee annually, all of which is a high quality SHB (strictly hard bean) grown at altitudes between 1200 and 1600 meters. The members of this coop belong to the Jacaltec group, a subset of the Mayan peoples of Guatemala. This coop is also involved in a beekeeping project which at first glance may not seem to have much in common with growing and harvesting coffee. Originally funded by Oxfam, the Rio Azul beekeeping project employs 28 members of the coop in the production of 15,000 pounds of honey each year. The sale of this honey is used as an alternative income source of the coop members. The beekeeping project also produces a symbiotic benefit for the coffee plants themselves by improving the pollenation from plant to plant, thus increasing the yield of the coffee crop. The Rio Azul Coop has not only provided its member growers a direct market and a stable price for their coffee, it has additionally provided the village of Jacaltenango with a small clinic and computer lab funded by the sales of their coffee. The computer lab and clinic are both available for use by members of the community.  You may view some photos of the coop at their website .

Beginning March 5, you may purchase our Rio Azul Guatemala in Our Stores or Online.  This high grown coffee displays a suprisingly rich, warm aroma.  The light, clean body is accompanied by the subtle flavor of chocolate and by a delicate tingle with every sip.  This coffee has been certified as Socially Responsible.  So grab a pound, and sip slowly!

Greetings Friends...if you've been in our stores recently, you may have noticed our brand new menus.  Christie, our graphic designer extraordinaire, spent countless hours working on our new menus to give them an updated look.  So, if you've been to our stores, or are planning a trip soon, hop on to our online Suggestion Box and let us know what you think!