I have the August calendar of events for Thump Coffee.

Click through to see the events

Friday, August 3: First Friday Art Walk

ART: Zambian AIDS Orphans Benefit (and continuing throughout the month)

Bend native Malerie Pratt recently said in an interview, “I’ve always known that I want to live with purpose.” Not yet of legal drinking age, Pratt has already made a huge difference in the lives of a handful of Zambia’s more than one million orphans.

With the help of Zambian social worker and mother of two Violet Membe, Pratt has opened an orphanage in the small town of Luanshya, Zambia.

Drawings made by these children will be featured throughout August, and a benefit auction in October will help build additional homes for these children, mostly orphans of those who have succumbed to Africa’s AIDS and malaria epidemics.

“The intent is to raise the children as a family,” she said in the interview. “A Zambian family, not as Westerners with western culture, values and religion.”

For more about the Vima Lupwa Homes project, go to http://www.lupwahomes.org

ART: Beads & Handbags Trunk Show featuring Anne Scott and Jessica Russell

Thump Coffee barista Jessica Russell has an alter-ego. When she’s not pulling the perfect espresso shot, she’s a designer of handcrafted jewelry and owner of Tumbleweed Bead Co. in Sisters. Anne Scott of Bend designs the Mari Lassa line of original leather handbags and sells them locally at Lulu boutique. The two artists’ work will be showcased in an old-fashioned trunk show.

Jessica Russell says she finds inspiration in shapes found in nature and in the timeless beauty of precious and semiprecious stones. Her designs are all made by hand, with an eye for simplicity — balanced with the use of luxurious materials — to create one-of-a-kind pieces.
For more of Jessica’s work: http://www.tumbleweedbeadco.com

Anne Scott’s work is inspired by and named for Mari Lassa, her French great-grandmother who came to America as a strong and fearless young woman. The handcrafted leather Mari Lassa Handbags capture her old world heritage and strong spirit.

Saturday, August 4, 10:30am – 2:00pm

POKER WALK: Bye, bye miss American pie – it’s the Central Oregon Classic Chevy Club’s Flashback Cruz Downtown Poker Walk. We’re holding all the good cards and serving both regular and unleaded. Winning and losing hands win the jackpot.
For more on the Flashback Cruz: www.centraloregonclassicchevyclub.com

Sunday, August 26, 1:00pm – 2:00pm

CUPPING: New-Crop Coffees

Inhale. Slurp. Describe. This, in a nutshell, is coffee cupping. Be among the first to taste new-crop coffees from around the world at this fun, informative, informal exploration.
Learn more about cupping here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_cupping

Throughout August

ART: Mark Bernahl – “Wishes” installation

Customers wrote their heart’s fondest desire on pieces of cedar, which are suspended from the ceiling at Thump Coffee, creating a kinetic, literary sculpture.
For more see: http://picasaweb.google.com/bernahl/WishesAtThumpCoffeePart1

FEATURED COFFEE: Cold-Brewed Toddy Iced Coffee

Just in time for the summer heat, we’ve got toddies for hotties! Come cool off with Bend’s only cold-brewed, toddy-style iced coffee. The cold brewing process eliminates much of the coffee’s acidity, lending it a smooth, rich, full-bodied flavor.
Learn more about toddy coffee: http://www.ineedcoffee.com/06/coldbrew/