Category Archives: Village: You+Me+Us

Where we share and work together for mutual success.

Coffee CommuniTea: GypsyCup, Gilbert, AZ

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It breaks my heart to inform you that GypsyCup permanently closed in Dec. 2022. This was a go-to oasis of peace for me and I will sorely miss it.
—Ann Videan

Today’s Cup o’ Tea
GypsyCup
offering coffee/tea, cocktails, and tapas

Perks (what I really like!)

GypsyCup is one of my new favorite stops for tea and social interaction.

• The barista/servers are well trained, friendly, and especially polite! This is one of the best reasons to visit, for sure.

• The Art Deco-inspired decor! You’ll find the environs pleasing to the eye, welcoming, and comfortable. The website describes it as “a little slice of Europe.”

• The unusual tapas choices are definitely worth tasting! And every tea and coffee drink I’ve tried is delicious. My hubby found his favorite chai latte here.

• A lovely outdoor patio with plenty of seating. Also, mostly shaded with nice trees and foliage, especially important in the Phoenix area!

Share a Cuppa (stories about the owner, building, history, name)

My daughter discovered GypsyCup when it resided inside a day spa in Scottsdale, AZ. She especially liked the cool specials the owner Linsay Smith dreamed up.

Soon after it closed, the GypsyCup Instagram account announced a relocation to downtown Gilbert. The wait for the coffee shops regeneration was absolutely worth it! Linsay created a charming atmosphere and complemented it with excellent food and service.

Those awesome specials have carried forward too. We just recently tried the seasonal Apple Cider Chai. YUM!

Plus, the food cases and shelves in the shop are loaded with interesting, unusual fare. (Keep reading to learn more about those…)

What’s Brewing (coffee, tea, food)

• Coffee and teas
• Croissants (ham and cheese is to die for!)
• Pastries
• Desserts
• Craft beers
• Wines
• Healthy and unique snack items
• Even little gift items, some geared for children

Percolation Factor (the activity/environment/energy/service)

Mostly, I see patrons gathering to chat and socialize. Seats are often filled with patrons using their laptops, though the number of plugs is limited.

I honestly can’t add anything else here not already mentioned. Did I mention “charming,” “excellent service,” and “delicious unusual food?” And the shady patio?

The Grind (what I would change)

More seating inside, perhaps? Sometimes it’s hard to find a spot to sit (especially in the summer when the patio is not as popular).

The Grounds (location)

GypsyCup is easy to find, one block west of Gilbert Road, and one block north of the Gilbert Water Tower landmark.

50 W Vaughn, Suite 107
Gilbert, Arizona

Tea Times (hours)

M-Th: 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
F & Sa: 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
Su: 7 a.m.–5 p.m.

Yelp rating: 4.5 stars from 56 reviews

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I love connecting people and ideas, so I’ve been creating small villages my entire life. Really, what better places can writers and musicians find to create “village” than independent coffee/tea shops? I wrote most of my Rhythms & Muse novel and Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress in coffee/tea venues, so I found it natural to create this blog. Whether you came here to find a new favorite hangout, or suggest a spot not yet posted, may you find Coffee CommuniTea exactly to your taste!

Coffee CommuniTea: The Buzzed Goat, Phoenix, AZ

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Today’s Cup o’ Tea
The Buzzed Goat Coffee

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The Buzzed Goat graces a little strip mall at Ray Road/E. Ranch Circle Drive in Awatukee.

Buzzed Goat int1Perks (what I really like!)

  • Super-friendly baristas.
  • The neighborhood feel to the place.
  • Their “food” truck which brings delicious drinks to the masses.

 

 

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The goatherd masterminds! Tony and Gabe

Share a Cuppa (the stories about the owner, building, history, name)

Owner Gabe started serving coffee in a food truck with his friend Tony. They didn’t give up on the mobile aspect of the Goat, but soon realized they wanted a place for people to hang around and be neighborly. What they developed is a comfortable, unique, welcoming place to chat, play, and enjoy a coffee or tea. I love the black and white checkered table tiles, and the green leafy wall, don’t you?

 

Buzzed Goat.Ann and Drew

Drew and I graduated the same year from Coeur d’Alene High in Idaho and, years later, recognized each other at a book store in Chandler. Since he teaches English and film studies, we obviously still have a lot in common.

Besides the place being recommended by a long-time friend of mine, who’s a regular, one of the main attractions to me was the name. Really, why…? Well, Gabe directed me to the Web site for this description:

“Why The Buzzed Goat? 

Coffee’s origination story, roughly translated, dating back as far as 900 AD. Goat herders noticed when their goats ate a certain shrub they would dance with energy and walk with a pep in their step; they were buzzed! The curious herders tried many attempts to make this magical plant palatable but were unsuccessful. They eventually went to the nearby monks who learned to steep the beans, and coffee was born.

Our story, much like their discovery, stems from curiosity and a quest for something special.  The Buzzed Goat is a high energy coffee bar dedicated to bringing quality drinks and conversation together.”

What’s Brewing (coffee, tea, food)

They offer a light, yet delicious, offering of classic and cold brew coffees, plus some blended drinks. How about a mint-chip white tea frappe, anyone?

I spied a few baked goods on the counter and in a cooler to tempt your tastebuds, as well.

Percolation Factor (the activity/environment/energy/service)IMG_7988

The entire back room is a play room with oversized and active games like Jenga, Connect Four, and cornhole. Its walls showcase local artwork. Gabe says they have plans to redo the room as a speakeasy, so we’ll wait to see what transpires…

The Grind (what I would change)

Not much at all. I love the feeling of the place, mostly because of the owners and baristas.

The Grounds (location)

4302 E. Ray Road, #106
Phoenix, AZ 85044
(480) 706-7411

Tea Times (hours)

M–F: 6am  –  5pm
Sa–Su: 7am  –  5pm

Yelp rating:

4.5 stars from 53 reviews

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I love connecting people and ideas, so I’ve been creating small villages my entire life. Really, what better places can writers and musicians find to create “village” than independent coffee/tea shops? I wrote most of my Rhythms & Muse novel and Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress in coffee/tea venues, so I found it natural to create this blog. Whether you came here to find a new favorite hangout, or suggest a spot not yet posted, may you find Coffee CommuniTea exactly to your taste!

 

From honor’s class to tarot teaching, follow Cutter’s journey

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One of Life’s Little Pleasures I think you should know about, too.

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Your future teacher, Cutter Videan.

As his final elective in the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University, my son Cutter took a fascinating tarot class. My first reaction was… Wuh? Really?

But, in that class, he learned about the rich heritage of tarot: its history, theology, art, and mysticism. We all gained an appreciation for the rich insights the process can bring into life, not just through readings, but through discussion, creativity, and openness to ideas.

His love of the class led him to start doing free readings for friends and acquaintances. (Ask him, and he’ll do a free reading for you, anytime.)

This led to the recent launch of Second Sight Academy, his business, designed to educate others about the teachings of tarot, and to share with like-minded folk its fascinating background and potential.

Cutter now holds tarot discussion groups in a central-Phoenix coffee café, and launches his first round of tarot classes this week. I’d love it if you came along on his journey of exploration.

If you would like to be in on his gatherings simply to discuss the topic, check this out.

If you’d like to take his six-week class on a weekday, express your interest on this Facebook event page.

For a six-week class held on a weekend, you can learn more and sign up on his Facebook event page.1550705190775.png

For more information about Cutter’s creative endeavors, from music to blogging, visit his Cutter Videan Industries website.

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Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth

P.S. Learn more about my novels on my Amazon Author Central page.

Ann Videan’s Phoenix-area writing events this spring:

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Ann with her books at the Tempe Public Library

You may benefit from these writing events…

Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors, and Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS)

Meet in-person with the ALWAYS writers’ tribe of established authors to discuss writing and support one another. In March, we’re talking about the structure of the ALWAYS group and how to better interact with and support one another. I hope you can join us! (We meet the second Thursday of each month in Gilbert, except for the first Thursday of each quarter when we meet in Phoenix.)
Romeo’s Euro Cafe, downtown Gilbert, AZ
11:30 a.m., Thurs., March 14, 2019

My Words Jump Off The Page!
[A presentation at the Society of Southwestern Authors—Valley of the Sun Chapter.]

Authors, learn a handful of writing and editing techniques to help you discover ways to build visual imagery and emotion, and subconsciously compel readers into your story. I’ll share my thirty years of marketing experience to show you how to make your story “jump off the page” for readers and publishers. In this two-hour hands-on session, explore:

  • The edits I make most often as an editor
  •  What to look for when hiring an editor
  • Leveraging the scene question to develop a compelling plot line
  • Writing with active voice, and deep point-of-view
  • More effective editing tips using MS Word

Tempe Public Library
2:30–4:40 p.m., Sunday, April 28, 2019

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Publish • Word-of-mouth strategy

P.S. Learn more about my novels on my Amazon Author Central page.

 

What magical creature are you?

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Just for a bit of Absolutely Wild! fun, find out by visiting Images.Google.com and searching for: [your name] + the “magical creature” [Note the use of quotation marks to search for the full phrase, not individual words.]

For me, that would look like: Ann the “magical creature” 

Above, see a favorite from my search—a gorgeous illustration by Anne Stokes.

Please share by posting your favorite found image (below in the comments).

New book debuts at conference for savvy women business owners

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Book 3 in the Living Brave series debuts later this month at the “Voices of Success” conference.

You know how hearing just one comment, or reading a certain book can alter your life journey? Well, there’s such a moment coming up for you…

I had the honor to edit and produce the latest book in the Living Brave series by Dr. Hilda Villaverde and Mary Beth Stern: Living Brave… Women in Business: Compelling Stories of How ONE Can Make a Difference. It is filled with life-altering input from nearly fifty Arizona women thriving in business.

The book will be released in just a couple of weeks, but if you want to hear some of these women’s stories first-hand, you really should consider attending the authors’ “Voices of Success” conference, offering a day of inspiration. I highly recommend you invest in your future with this day-long session where you’ll learn how women just like you succeeded in business by using their skills, backgrounds, and sheer will to overcome whatever stood in their way.

Please join Hilda and Mary Beth for the  “Voices of Success” conference:
Sat. Oct. 27, 2018
8 a.m.– 5p.m.

Scottsdale Hilton Resort
6333 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85250

You will find all the details here, including how to register.

Write on! Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Publish • Word-of-mouth strategy

 

Please, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”

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Fred Rogers, host of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.

We all need this man’s fine philosophy today, and we need to embrace and share these ideals. I encourage you to go see this movie, and support all of us by sharing the trailer or  YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhwktRDG_aQ.

Book or movie? Choose your poison – ALWAYS.

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Videan's Party Tree hug

The party tree—where Bilbo celebrated his eleventieth birthday—on the Alexander Farm film set in New Zealand. Is the tree described better by Tolkien, or more poignant in the screenplay/on screen in the Lord of the Rings movies? Come share your opinion. And, bring your own favorite adaptions to discuss. Hobbiton photo: ©2008 ANVidean.

Lord of the Rings: Tolkein vs. Jackson, which do you prefer?
Twilight saga: Book series or film adaptations?
Bridges of Madison County: Read or watch?

For something a bit different to discuss at our June meeting, let’s compare the writing and stories in book(s) versus movie(s).
Should there even be a debate? Join us for the roundtable discussion in our June 2018 gathering in Gilbert, AZ.

Here’s the usual agenda:
11:30 introductions with writing tips
11:50 order lunch
11:55 writing discussion/sharing
1 p.m. pay individual bills and adjourn (to go write!)

Next gathering:
Thursday, June 14, 2018
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
(ALWAYS typically meets on the second Thursday of the month.)

Where:
Romeo’s Euro Cafe
207 N Gilbert Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 962-4224

Cost:
A writing tip, and your own lunch.

RSVP:
PLEASE show the consideration of reserving your spot at the table by:
• RSVPing through the “Going” link on our Facebook Event page
or
• Contacting Ann Videan, ann@annvidean.com

If you’ve RSVP’d, please SHOW UP. If you run into a conflict, please let me know BEFORE the event so I can make the necessary adjustments for the group meeting. Cheers!
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ABOUT ALWAYS

Are you an established writer who:
• Needs contacts to help your writing?
• Wants advice about your writing?
• Likes to hang with other cool writers?

If so, our tribe – the Alliance for Literary Writers, Authors & Yabbering Scribes (ALWAYS) – is the place for you. We’re an informal group of established writers looking for camaraderie, ideas, enlightenment and connection with writers, especially in the Phoenix metro area, to talk about our craft and businesses.

Any established writer can connect with us online through our ALWAYS Facebook page, get listed in our directory of writers on our ALWAYS LinkedIn page, or you can meet with us in person at a lunch meeting. We’d love to have any experienced writer join us at our next meeting … anyone who spends a significant part of his/her week writing, and wants to rub elbows with other writers.

Call for young writers’ and artists’ creative works

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Art and writing by James A. Owen grace the first three pages of our hand-bound leather book.

 Writer and artist friends, we have received only ten synergy arts entries (out of the 84 needed) to fill The Storytelling Book of the Ancient Traveler, and we’d love to see your work in it! There is no entry fee, plus we are open to writing or art from “youngsters” of any age.

 

Simply visit AbsolutelyWild.net, the project’s sponsor, and pick one of the Ancient Traveler’s “objects” to write about or draw. Your submitted work will appear in the book with the incomparable James Artimus Owen and Gini Koch. [Look them up if you’re not familiar… excellent company!]
We plan to auction the finished hand-bound book to benefit young writers and artists with a scholarship or some other charity support.
Check out, below, some of the outstanding entries we received.
Thank you for sharing this post with any creatives who might be interested.
P.S.  The  deadline for submitted writing and art is Jan. 31, 2018. Cheers.


“Demigod” writing (excerpt)
by Summer Barbaro

As The Ancient Traveler hiked through the forest, he was overwhelmed by what he saw.  Enormous pine trees towering over him like downtown skyscrapers. Among the pine trees, were white trunked aspen trees covered in leaves the color of roses.  He was enchanted by the sight but then realized the trek through the forest had made him very thirsty.

Not far away, he heard water rushing. Following the sound, he came upon a river cascading into a waterfall. The water was crystal clear teal blue against the red and green of the trees. As he reached for the water, The Ancient Traveler was caught off-guard by two glowing beings.

The one splashing in the water appeared to be a girl with jet-black hair falling to her waist and dressed in pure white. The other, a boy built like an ox, was high on a boulder keeping watch over the girl. His hair was blonde and he looked ready to pounce like a lion if threatened.
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“Marble” object art by Ambrosia Jones, age 20

“The Comet” writing (excerpt) 
by William Edgmon, age 25

It was known that the Opus were reaching their ascension.  Prophesized by the etchings of creation, the sacred comet foretold their purpose.  Carved in the Comet’s surface were the hieroglyphics of past and future.  Pressing away moss and grime revealed the birth of a species.  Born immortal, they grew together.  Nothing short of an eternity to find love, then together they’d float across the dimensional plane.

Their eyes were on each other.  The goal was to listen, to receive, to offer.  No one dwelled on the carving’s end, and the single figure draped in studded lines.
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