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Couth Buzzard Books Emergency Fund

BUILDING COMMUNITY -- ONE CUP, ONE BOOK,ONE NOTE AT A TIME...
Our business motto captures the essence of Couth Buzzard Books. We are so much more than a bookstore: we also are a cafe, performance space, and most importantly, a key community gathering hub for North Seattle. For over 30 years, The Couth Buzzard has served the diverse needs of our surrounding communities, overcoming many setbacks, hardships and challenges to become the popular multipurpose neighborhood facility we are today. Theo Dzielak has owned this business for over 10 years. 

Couth Buzzard Books overcame many struggles, challenges, and setbacks to arrive where we are today. Campaign Organizer and Owner Theo Dzielak faced personal tragedy. The store bounced back from a series of burglaries and the devastating gas explosion that damaged The Buzzard and many Greenwood businesses. 

THE CORONA VIRUS -- UPDATE.
Due to Washington State law and regulations, Couth Buzzard remained closed for ten weeks. We did offer online sales, but otherwise there was no income. We did receive an SBA loan -- for use for employee salaries and, of course, generous donations from our community. With your donations, we were able to purchase a new espresso machine, upgrade our cafe with a wraparound safety shield, and pay much of our rent, licenses, taxes, utilities and other expenses. 

Since reopening, we have operated under reduced hours, with a more limited cafe menu. We still are subject to the state regulations concerning alcohol service, social distancing, and occupancy. Importantly, we are NOT allowed to host any large groups or club meetings, and we are NOT allowed to host any musical or theatrical events at this time. These have always been essential sources of income for us. (See the list below of the incredible events and groups that we have hosted in the past). Your $29, 000 in donations during these past  seven, difficult months enabled us to remain in business, and to pay staff.  THANK YOU! 

OUR REQUEST: $12,000. As you know, the Holiday Shopping Season is rapidly approaching. These months provide the largest source of income of the year. We need to purchase items such as:
-New books
-Seasonal chocolates
-Consigned art
-Puzzles and games
-Greeting cards
-Calendars and Notebooks
-And additional supplies to protect our staff and customers.

YOUR DONATION: Sale of these items will enable us to bring in a large and diverse inventory, guaranteeing a successful season and ensuring that we can continue operating during this difficult time. The store's prosperity benefits our dedicated staff, the groups who depend on free use of this space, and the larger independent bookstore community. It also helps us continue to produce online content like the bimonthly virtual Open Mics and live-streamed author events. Your donation benefits all of these things in the present, but is also an investment in a post-quarantine future.

Thank you. Please share with friends. 

And as always, thank you for supporting Couth Buzzard Books, our future, and your community!

A SHORT LIST OF OUR COMMUNITY EVENTS OFFERED PRE-COVID.
- Creative writing groups including the all-levels, all-ages Couth Buzzard Writers’ Group and the Poets’ Table.
- Multiple reading groups, including the long-standing Couth Buzzard Book Club and Buzzard Whodunit Mystery Book Club.
- A weekly all-ages Community Open Mic that encourages and supports participation from all members of the community.
- Local author events featuring authors such as David Shields, Nick Licata, Peter Mountford, Mary Purdy and others.
- Current Events discussion groups.
- Concerts every weekend, including many in conjunction with the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society, ranging from local heroes to internationally acclaimed artists.
- As part of Greenwood's annual Halloween celebration, we give away hundreds of books each year to local children.
- Environmental advocacy groups including the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and pro-bicycle Greenways group.
- Weekly board game nights where players can find a partner for everything from chess to cribbage, and learn the ancient game of Go from a highly respected local teacher.
- All age and skill level music jams featuring a broad range of styles -- from jazz standards, improv, and Americana to Celtic, Brazilian Choro, and more.
- A yearly Jazz Festival where both seasoned performers and emerging artists celebrate the genre’s history and discover its future.
- A safe place for children to learn and play -- we proudly host a Girl Scout troop, and an open mic for the talented kids of the Bureau of Fearless Ideas.
- Language conversation groups including French, Spanish and Gaelic.

Organizer

Theo Dzielak
Organizer
Seattle, WA

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