The Weekly Grind - July 28th, 2025 Newsletter

Critical Grind Gaming
Jul 28
5 min read

I've had a crazy week getting ready for Gen Con. I managed to finish all the marketing materials and Facebook events for the next 3 weeks! Also! If you're at Gen Con, keep an eye out for Dana, Ash, & Rudy. Find one of us and we'll give you a Critical Grind badge ribbon!

If you're hanging back, come visit the rest of the crew at the cafe, and stop by the Shorewood Crossroads Fest on Saturday from 1pm - 6pm!

NEW ITEMS & RESTOCKS

NEW Magic the Gathering Products! Edge of Eternities is here!

NEW board game from Darrington Press: Solar Gardens. (Available for purchase Thursday, July 31st) Purchase your copy of Solar Gardens and receive a Critical Role 10th Anniversary Promo Pack.

Critical Role 10th Anniversary Promo Pack includes:

Till the Last Gasp – A collection of drama cards drawing from iconic moments and characters in Critical Role’s history.
Caper Cards – A new treasure card to steal and mix up your heists.
Queen by Midnight – A new set of Bazaar cards inspired by the world of Exandria that can be played with the core game or its stand-alone expansion.
Solar Gardens – Draft assistance art cards that showcase the beautiful world of Solar Gardens and can be used to indicate if a player has already drafted their tile for the round or not.
Candela Obscura - A series of prompt cards that give aspiring lightkeepers compelling mysteries to inspire campaigns.
Daggerheart - The cast of the Menagerie depicted as an alternative art version of their respective Ancestry cards.

RPG Event Updates!

--> KIDS RPG NIGHT

I will be emailing the parents directly every week a few days 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 is only the 2nd and 4th Fridays.

The next Kid's RPG Night is Friday, August 8th.

--> Discord Looking For Party Highlights

These are some RPGs being mentioned in our Discord that people are looking to get together and play.

Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, Starfinder, Daggerheart, and probably some others. Join the discord and don't miss the tables.

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!

Edge of Eternities Release Draft is this Friday and there are still some seats available. — **Edge of Eternities** Release Draft is this Friday and there are still some seats available.

Pack Rush is very simple format, each player will open packs and just play with those packs as if they were a deck. You ignore the color identity rule and use every card from the packs. It's fun, super casual and you don't need anything but the packs you'll get there. — **Pack Rush** is very simple format, each player will open packs and just play with those packs as if they were a deck. You ignore the color identity rule and use every card from the packs. It's fun, super casual and you don't need anything but the packs you'll get there.

Magic Academy: Deck Building is a beginner-focused event designed to teach new players the basics of building a Magic: The Gathering deck, specifically in the Limited format (Sealed). It uses a structured approach with instructional videos and staff guidance to help players create their first decks from 6 provided booster packs and then play a few casual games. — **Magic Academy: Deck Building** is a beginner-focused event designed to teach new players the basics of building a Magic: The Gathering deck, specifically in the Limited format (Sealed). It uses a structured approach with instructional videos and staff guidance to help players create their first decks from 6 provided booster packs and then play a few casual games.

What is Magic & Mayhem? Magic & Mayhem: a Sealed Magic even with 3 boosters. Not a draft, just sealed. The format, or chaos effect, of the sealed even changes every week (thus mayhem). Lands provided by Critical Grind. What is Chocobo Racing? Chocobo Racing is a Magic and Mayhem event where players can earn points to get Limited Final Fantasy prizes like art Prints and the very limited AR Pins — **What is Magic & Mayhem?** Magic & Mayhem: a Sealed Magic even with 3 boosters. Not a draft, just sealed. The format, or chaos effect, of the sealed even changes every week (thus mayhem). Lands provided by Critical Grind. **What is Chocobo Racing?** Chocobo Racing is a Magic and Mayhem event where players can earn points to get Limited Final Fantasy prizes like art Prints and the very limited AR Pins

Board Game Event Updates!

--> Gayme Night

The first Monday of every month is our Gayme Night! This is a board game night for everyone. It is encouraged as an LGBTQIA+ meetup, but all Allies are welcome to come play.

Wednesday Open Play <--

We are currently offering Free Play on Wednesdays. Stop by anytime on a Wednesday and play any of the games in our library. (*this doesn't include any special events or tournaments*)

July's Miniature Painting Contest is Closed. It's time for voting!

Congratulations to Krystal! With 26 votes Krystal won our July Mini Paint Contest.

Thank you to all of our participants. Below you'll see our August mini: Morgan, Young Apprentice.

You can pick up your Mini Paint Pass anytime and receive the paint contest mini.

This one is due back no later than August 24th.

Critical Community Podcast

Click the image or HERE to find us on Podbean! Or search for us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

I didn't have a guest last week. I've been digging out from under a lot of back-logged work. But you can listen to previous episodes.

It's probable the next episode will be after Gen Con. Thank you for your patience.

Available on Spotify, Podbean, and Apple Podcasts.

Are you interested in being a guest on the podcast? Fill out this form.

Did You Know!?

We're currently looking for vendors & bakers for October, November, & December.

If you're interested in doing a Sunday pop-up with us, please email dana@criticalgrind.com with your business information, what you sell, and what months you'd be interested in coming out. Please keep in mind that only cottage kitchens recognized by the health department are accepted for bakery pop-ups.

This Month's Calendar & Specials

JULY SPECIALS --

Melted Coffee Mint Chip: Tuxedo Mocha Cold Brew with Creme de Menthe Cold Foam. It tastes like melted coffee ice cream and melted mint chip ice cream, mixed together.

Pink Cloud Summer Refresher: Peach Mango Refresher with Pineapple Syrup and Cherry Cold Foam A sweet, light, and fruity drink.

Our Take on Cake Smoothie: Pineapple Smoothie with Brown Sugar and Maraschino Cherries. If a Pineapple Upsidedown Cake could be liquified, it would be this smoothie.

Right Brain Toast: Avocado, Strawberry, Balsamic Glaze, and Basil You may have heard of the Left Brain toast. This is the same, but different.

Qozy Quizzard Toast: Peanut Butter, Raspberries, White Chocolate Sauce, and Ground Espresso.

Inspired by our Qozy Quizzard secret menu drink.

AUGUST SPECIALS --

Flavor of the Month: Raspberry Pistachio. The versitility of this flavor combination is great in so many options. Cold Brew w/ Cold Foam (picture number 1), Chai (picture number 2), Cafe Latte, Matcha, or Italian Soda.

Bomb Pop: Cherry Lemonade w/Sparkling Water and Blueberry Cold Foam.

Lemonberry Smoothie: Mixed Berry & Lemonade Smoothie

Hot Toast Summer: Jalepeno Cream Cheese, Strawberries, Hot Honey, Red Pepper Flakes, and Garlic Powder

Extra Smalls Toast: Mashmallow Fluff with Mini Marshmallows, Mini Chocolate Chips, Chocolate Drizzle, and Graham Crackers

Get through that mid-week drab with some gaming! Every Wednesday is a FREE Open Gaming at Critical Grind. Cafe Purchase Required. This doesn't include any special events or tournaments. Only Open Play.

We've expanded our evening hot food options. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays after 5pm we have late-night hot snacks!

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.

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