Fine Grind is Lyrik now!

Thanks for following what we've been doing, and your support.
Finally, we are ready to take over the shop.
It is a process that started about 2 months ago... and finally, the change... that is still going... many changes still to come...

Please check our new blog http://www.lyrikpdx.blogspot.com/, and soon our new website http://www.lyrikpdx.com/.

Thank you,
J.Shea and Keiko

Coming soon: Lyrik!!!!

Joe and I bought the shop in January of this year, and slowly, here and there, we've been making changes to make this shop into something special... a place where our friends will come and hang out, make new friends, be part of the community that surrond us...

We feel like we are getting there... and our next step is changing the name and graphic to something that will represent us better.

It took us 2 months, and we decided that it will be Lyrik (after our cat Liric)... and we are so lucky that we found a character in a Yoskay's painting that is just perfect!

Here is our new logo.... character by Yoskay Yamamoto and lettering by Joe Shea:

And here is our daaaughter (photo also by Yoskay :) ) :

bryon schroeder solo @ the finegrind arts cafe

local artist & curator bryon schroeder has invaded the fine grind arts cafe with a fresh solo exhibition titled......"love / hate".... the gallery's 1st solo exhibit to date........ schroeder is the co-owner of igloo gallery in downtown portland......... he is also know for his amazing shoe design skills internationally........ but this exhibit is filled with his fine art............ in all forms of mixed media....... like painting...... collage......... paper sculpture....... and assemblege ........... drop by and check it out........... if your in the neighborhood.........

"love /hate"
an exhibit of mixed media work by bryon schroeder
on exhibit till october 22,2009
the fine grind arts cafe 2035 se 39th ave. @ lincoln portland,or. 97214
pdxfinegrind.com

Changes... changes.... changes...

Since we became the "new owners" of The Fine Grind, we've been changing things here and there, trying to make a more comfortable space, more food options, drinks and now more drinks...
We've got our beer and wine menu, and now I am working on the appetizer menu...
Our hours are extended starting this week....
And the name change is happening gradually to Lyrik Food Arts Drinks.
Yoskay Yamamoto is making the new graphic, and Joe will paint the sign and lettering.
So, still... lot's to be done!

Thank you my friends for beeing around.
Keiko

Taiko is back at Richmond Elementary School!

Kazuyo (taiko sensei) will focus on the Taiko skill especially " Ma" in Japanese this year.
Accordingly to her, " Ma/ 間 is space and moment. Taiko music has a uncountable moment during the song, this is the different part from other music."
I am looking forward to start taking her classes!
Here is her schedule:

For Kids (2-3rd) class
· Grades 2-3rd
9/11 - 11/20 Fri
2:20-3:20pm + Japan Fest performance
$115
Kids HONKI
· 4th& up
(no permission required)
Tue 2:20-3:20 &
Fri 3:30-4:30
9/11 - 11/20
$145

OYAKO
· Adults& Kids
Tue 9/22 -11/10
$125 for 2 people

ADULT
· 9/29 - 11/17
Tue 7- 8:30pm $99

For more information, e-mail Kazuyo at ran@entaiko.com
www.entaiko.com

"Coexisting" show opening

"Coexisting" Photography show - two artists...two styles....one show- is at The Fine Grind until mid September. Please come by to check it out.
We are very pleased with the new work hanging at the walls…
here are some pictures of the photographers, the opening party, and their work.

cristina mihaescu & ian james roberts and friends...

our mascot for the night.... the lost cat (that bites!)

"lizard king" by Ian

"piano" by Cristina

"Landscape" by Ian

"Firetruck" by Cristina

Chinese Neighborhood Supper

Thanks for the great food, Peter!

fotos from "COMPAÑEROS" opening

It was a "hot" party with dj A-Minus.
Thanks Leslie for putting this show together, and Alex for the great music and energy!

"when free will becomes destiny" trip

June and July have been busy months.... I am so behind!

But still wanted to post some pictures of places that we enjoyed in our trip to Vancouver BC for Joe's show with Jesse Reno, Dave Barnes, and Mandy Tsung at Ayden Gallery.

Here is one of the pieces when still in our back yard (his natural habitat). This piece was one of my favorites (sold, of course!).

The day we got there, we were really hungry and Joe saw this place called "Foundation". We got lucky. It was really good, and it seems that it is one of the best vegetarian restaurants in town. It was around Main and 8th.

The next day, we went to Stalney Park, north from downtown....

And we headed to downtown, where we had a bite in a little place called Cambie Cafe (on Cambie street). It was this little little place that surprised us. Aparently, they are renovating the place, changing the name etc (kind of like us at the shop)... they are a bakery and coffee shop. Food was really good and very affordable.


Some pictures in downtown....
Coffee breaks....

the view from the room balcony....

it was a short trip, but it was fun!

Upcoming Art Show - July 18th

we are pleased to announce that lesley reppeteaux has curated our 1st national show........ here's the deal.....

"companeros"

an exhibition of limited edition prints curated by lesley reppeteaux

tina darling

logan hicks

daryll peirce

ironclaw

christine laporte

john palmer

tanner goldbeck

lesley reppeteaux

show opens sat. night july 18th,2009

6pm - 10pm
live beats by dj a-minus

show runs through august 21st,2009

the fine grind art cafe

2035 se 39th ave. portland ,or.97214

sincerely.......

j.shea & keiko okuda

japanese meeting Monday, July 13, 2009 @ noon

Hello my Japanese speaking friends,


As many of you already know (or noticed), I have canceled all activities in June and July because I’ve been trying to organize the shop…
By beginning of September, we are hoping to have our deck, the beer and wine license, and a “new seasonal menu” with appetizers and fresh greens and fruits from our neighborhood farmer Kollibri.
There are still lots to be done!

But it happens that my friend Mika’s parents are in town, and they would love to meet some Japanese speaking Americans!
They live in Brazil (very close to my parents!) and they are visiting Portland for another week or so. They are Tomohisa Sunago e Kazuko Sunago.

The best day for them will be next Monday, July 13 at noon. Can you let me know if you can come?
Ah! The theme… the theme will be about a trip again: “ryoko”.
Please bring us a good story of one of your trips and tell us in Japanese.

Tomohisa-san please bring us your sketch book with your wonderful drawings of places you’ve been visiting in this trip.
They are now in Canada, coming back Sunday… isogashii-desu neh!
I’m hoping to have a good and fun Japanese meeting group next Monday.


See you soon,
Keiko

Metal Plaster Wood show artworks

From Kirby, a loyal customer: Like Andrew, the spirit behind the metal works in this show, I enjoy sitting in the far corner, consider that "pirate's corner". The fact that Brandon's skullhead looks so straight out of Hollywood, except darker, has me feeling very Johnny Depp, not my usual, plus these other two creatures are just as goofy. As Joe already knows, I'm a sucker for "manga" (he pointed me in the right direction). The wooden pieces inspire me with feelings of health and honesty (truth in advertising). This multi-media show is both generous and family friendly. Don't think you have to be a Jungian psychologist to love it in here. Today was especially fun in that I put a hunk of Flextegrity next to the cash register, with Keiko's permission of course, and retreated to my corner. An aircraft inspector started checking it out with has flashlight and mirror. What fun! Also, Keiko gave me a peek at their private collection, some of the sketches the artists have left, other drawings. I've added those to my slideshow for Coffee Shops Network, where I'm the marketing chief.

Craft Night

Craft Night was fun with mellow meditative music by C. Tray and his flutes.
We had girls from last show (She's Crafty) drawing, Bree making earrings etc...
Thanks for coming! Keiko and Joe

New Glass in our Door

Many of you know about the unfortunate incident that happened few weeks ago and left us with a broken glass in our door.

We are doing our best to be a good neighbor and accomodate our customers' needs... but in some cases, there is nothing we can do... sad...

But yesterday, we had the glass replaced with a much safer glass by Trace and Joe.

Gary Burkhhart got the glass for some weeks supply of coffee :), and he also is the "guy" that fixed the "big front window" that was broken for almost a year.

Yes, some good friends we have...

Thank you all customers and friends for your support.

K

the broken glass- an interesting pattern... pretty cool, but unsafe and "scary!" .

the new one, like it is not even there!

Metal Plaster Wood Opening Reception

Metal Plaster Wood is a show curated by J.Shea9 exhibiting works by Andrew Kirk, Gabe Drecker and 78.
As many of you know, Andrew is one of our dear baristas who is leaving to Spain next week. He is leaving a “piece of him” at the shop for a while (about one month). If you have not seen it, you will be surprised with his amazing work.
Gabe has learned to work with plaster and resigns with his father. The plaster with the wood creates beautiful shapes and colors.
78 embraces the future with all the changing sky lines and cosmical creatures he imagines….
Here are some pictures of the opening reception. Soon, I will have the pictures of the artworks.

Thanks for supporting our shop!