Tea & coffee with a spot of consciousness-raising

A couple of events involving warm beverages coming up in Victoria – ideally timed for these chilly spring days.

On the coffee front, The Black Stilt and Oughtred Coffee are fundraising for the families and children of coffee farmers that they purchase from. Come to either Black Stilt location to support sport and education programs for these families by purchasing the Seed to Cup book, written by Dave from the Black Stilt, about Rio Negro coffee, produced by the Rainforest Alliance certified coffee farm featured in the book. The event takes place all day Thursday, June 3 during regular business hours: an opportunity to learn more about your cup of coffee and local businesses’ efforts to help their farmers’ families. (Follow it on Facebook –if you aren’t part of the quit facebook movement…)

The Room To Grow Foundation, a Canadian charity located on the Thai-Burma border in Mae Sot, Thailand, is holding a Burma Tea on Sunday, June 6th, from 2:00pm to 4:30pm at St. Matthias Church Hall on (Richmond at Richardson in Fairfield). $15 per person; tickets available at Ten Thousand Villages, Oak Bay Avenue and Full Circle Studio Arts.

The event will feature tea and homemade goodies, but also a Bingo on Burma, which offers entertainment and information about the situation on the Thai-Burma border, and a Silent Auction (items including: weekend getaway at Hidden Haven, Lasqueti Island, handmade fair trade items made by Burmese refugee women, healing therapy sessions (Reiki, Reconnective Healing, Cranio-Sacral), a composting consultation and some delectable desserts). Tax receipts are available. More information from Diana Pennock / phone 250-382-9466.