The Weekly Grind - July 27th, 2026 Newsletter
- Critical Grind Gaming
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
LAST WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
Not a lot of photos this week. Feel free to send in your favorite Critical Grind moments in our discord channel # photo-drop.
LAST CHANCE to bring in new, unwrapped toys for the annual Christmas in July Toy Drive with the Shorewood Kiwanis.
Thank you to Theatre 319 from Plainfield for coming out to tell us about their upcoming production of Puffs and their theater workshops.
Some players, families, and painters having a great time this weekend.
Thank you to Gene, for our beautiful flowers every Saturday.
Dana actually got to sit down and play a game with her daughter this week.
Faerie Toast is on the Secret Menu! Honey Butter, Cinnamon Sugar, and Rainbow Sprinkles
Try the Amaretto Stone Sour Mocktail with Cherry cold Foam!
Ash, Dana, and Rudy will be at Gen Con this week!
Please be nice to, and patient with Ky, Sean, and Rubix - our Home Team.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A little over 1 month left to get your passport filled!
There are 15 local coffeeshops involved. It's a great way to support local this summer. A lot of businesses are struggling right now and this is an ideal opportunity to show your support.
Bean N Breek, Blissful Brew, Book Bar, Critical Grind, Electric Drip, The Emerald Cup, Espresso Palette, Folklore, Gost, Grounded, Grove, Iversen's, Krema, The Scoop, Social Butterfly, Strange Brew, Sumerce', Short & Sweet Tasty Treats, & The Living Room.
This Week's Event Highlights
This is a quick look at this week's events. And of course any day is Game Day at Critical Grind. Just stop in anytime and find your next favorite game.
Follow our newsletter and socials to never miss an event!
Every link you need to follow us is right here:
SPECIAL EVENTS OF NOTE THIS WEEK:
LGBTQ+ MEETUP: FABULOUS BINGO - MONDAY - 7PM
BORED GAME NIGHT - TUESDAY - 6PM
SIP & STITCH - WEDNESDAY - 9AM
MINI PAINTING DROP-IN - THURSDAY - 3PM
CROSSROADS FEST - SATURDAY - 12PM
BLOOD ON THE CLOCKTOWER - SATURDAY - 6PM
CREATOR POP-UP (SAINAN BOOKS & WOLF DEN GAMING) - SUNDAY - 11AM
This Week's Events Flyers/Details
This Month's Calendar & Specials
July Specials
Flavor of the Month - White Mocha + Vanilla (try as a Latte, Cold Brew, Chai, or Matcha)
Patch Perfect - Watermelon Cucumber Mint Refresher with Ginger Lemongrass Iced Tea
Amaretto Stone Sour Mocktail - Amaretto, Blue Curacao, Lemonade
What's Up, Doc? Toast - Veggie Cream Cheese, Shredded Carrots, Ranch, & Dill
Fruity Petals - Cream Cheese, Strawberries, Fruity Pebbles, & Honey
August Calendar!
More Special Events
We are so grateful and honored that Critical Grind will be one of the stops on Grant Lyon's Board Game Comedy Tour. Join us on Wednesday, October 7th at 7pm for an evening of comedy, board games, and community. Tickets are available on EventBrite. Reserve your seat now. Seats are very limited. Doors at 6pm. Show starts at 7pm. After the show, Grant will be hanging out and playing board games with attendees. This show is already 50% sold out. Get your tickets quickly.
Linner Bakery is coming back and everythinhg they bring is 100% Gluten Free!!! This is not a pop-up you want to miss.
Starting on August 11th, every 2nd and 4th Tuesday will be a Guided Craft Session. Join us on the 11th for Miniature Forever Flower Bouquets.
Join us Saturday, August 22nd for the Crystal & Psychic Fair. Various readings, healings, and more. + a special menu for the day!
RPG Event Updates!
--> KIDS RPG NIGHT
How it normally works: I email the parents directly, hopefully on the Monday before Kid's RPG Night with the link for sign-ups and session descriptions. So if you are a Kid's RPG Night parent, please fill out this form. (if you haven't already)
Please remember Kid's RPG Night takes place the 2nd and 4th Fridays, GMs permitting.
--> Paizo Society Games
Pathfinder Society is played at the cafe every 1st and 3rd Friday.
Starfinder Society is played here every 2nd and 4th Sunday.
Find both those games on Warhorn or in our Discord
--> Discord Looking For Party
Join our Discord and find your next gaming group.
We play RPGs every Tuesday and Thursday, but people will plan meet-ups outside those times as well. Join our Discord and see what games are being played.
Tip: When you join, go to Rules to get verified. Then, VERY IMPORTANTLY: go to Roles-and-Info to select your interests. This is what will unlock the channels.
TCG Event Updates!
Casual TCG Open Play is Mondays and Fridays. Starting at 6pm. $5/person.
Monthly Mini Painting Contest
Whether you're participating in our contests or just looking for a space to hang out and paint, stop by any Tuesday or Thursday for our Mini-Painting drop-in between 3pm & 8pm. $5 for all you can paint, access to our brushes, and paints, and a free figure to practice on. Or pick up additional figures for only $5 each.
Vote now for your favorite painted mini. Vote on any of our social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or in our Discord)
Signing Off
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this week's Weekly Grind. If there's anything specific you want to hear about at the cafe, let me know!
"Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck where you do not belong." - N.R. Narayana