The Weekly Grind - June 1st, 2026 Newsletter
- Critical Grind Gaming
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
LAST WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
Here are some great photos we got from the last week of goings on around the cafe.
We had a fun RPG Night this passed week.
Fabulous Bingo was a hit, raising money for Grundy Eunoia Wellness Center
We had a birthday celebration with a Daggerheart cake.
Book Bedazzling went great for our May after hours.
We are introducing a new Smoothie flavor for the summer, Tropical!!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
We are excited to announce that we are a part of the Southside Perks Passport this summer!
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.
SAVE THE DATES!
Sunday, June 7th is our All-Ages Storytime & Variety Show. From 10am to 11am our lovely queens will be reading stories and give family friendly performances. We'll also have coloring sheets available. Then from 12pm to 3pm we'll have a Variety Show that will include comedic lip-syncing and dancing performances, poetry, and more.... with a Karaoke After Party to follow. (Storytime is Free with cafe purchase. Variety Show is Free to anyone 15 & under with cafe purchase, and $10 for ages 16 & up)
Saturday, June 13th we're hosting various sessions of Dungeons & Dragons' new Ravenloft game. Sign up here
Saturday, June 27th is Free RPG Day. More Details & Sign up here
Sunday, June 28th is our 3rd Annual Grindhouse Arena D&D Grand Melee Tournament Fundraiser. More details and Sign Up Here
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+ GAYME NIGHT - MONDAY - 7PM
BORED GAME NIGHT - TUESDAY - 6PM
SIP & STITCH - WEDNESDAY - 9AM
GAME OF TONES MUSIC BINGO - THURSDAY - 7PM
MTG: PRIDE NIGHT - FRIDAY - 6PM
BLOOD ON THE CLOCKTOWER - SATURDAY - 6PM
QUEER VARIETY SHOW - SUNDAY - 10AM
CREATOR POP-UP: FOREVER FERAL - SUNDAY - 11AM
This Week's Events Flyers/Details
This Month's Calendar & Specials
MAY SPECIALS --
MY DOUBLE SHOT:Â Butter Rum Americano
THIS YEARS PINK: Irish Cream + Amaretto Matcha
BURN BOOK: Strawberry Italian Cream Soda w/ Raspberry Sweet Cold Foam
MAMMA MIA TOAST: Hummus, Tomato, Bacon Bits, Balsamic Glaze, Red Pepper Flakes, & Italian Seasoning
CANDY STORE TOAST: Peanut Butter, White & Dark Chocolate Chips, Rainbow Sprinkles, & Glitter
More Special Events
We're excited to host another Game Designer Day on Saturday, June 13th. Are you developing a board game, card game, or role-playing game that you would like people to playtest? Sign up for a table at our Game Designer Day.
D&D Summer Club is ON!
Check sign your student up now. Slots are going fast.
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.
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.
FREE RPG DAY IS COMING UP! SIGN UP NOW TO SAVE YOUR SEATS!
TCG Event Updates!
Lorcana League on Sundays kick back off May 17th. (Join the Discord for the League Goals)!
To sign up for a TCG Event, just click the photo.
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.
Congratulations to Maya for winning our May Mini Painting Contest!
June is yet to be announced, but keep an eye out!
Signing Off
Dana here! On a personal note, if you made it all the way to the end, I appreciate you. I put a lot into these and am grateful so many of you take the time to read them.
As some of you know, I had a heart attack at the end of February, called SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection). I'm doing a 5K on the 13th as a fundraiser for SCAD research, because there really isn't a lot of research going into it right now. There is absolutely no obligation here, but if you're willing and able, a donation to the organization would be appreciated. But either way, if you could please share the information, I would appreciate it. SCAD is the leading cause of heart attacks in women, and it's not really talked about.
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!
"Hope will never be silent." -- Harvey Milk