Here at the Raven, we appreciate and encourage kindness. Inspired by a post about “pending coffees”, we’ve created a small chalkboard space above our bar register where patrons can purchase drinks for friends or pending coffees for those in our community that genuinely can’t afford one. I think we can all agree coffee is a basic human necessity.

Starting Monday, July 27th a new face will be joining you for dinner. While you wait for your delicious sandwiches and salads, local magic man, Darrel Hafner, will be showcasing his skills at sleight-of-hand, legerdemain and generally blowing your mind.

Darrel Hafner is from Richmond, MI. He has been performing magic since 2008 and has performed at graduations, youth functions, and numerous local fairs and festivals, such as the Richmond Good Old Days, St. Clair County 4-H Fair and the Armada fair.

Preview some of Darrel’s chicanery on his Facebook fan page.

Photo via Instagram user @diebibliothekaren

Over the weekend the Raven was featured in the MetroTimes article, “16 Restaurants Worth the Drive from Metro Detroit.”

They went on to describe the Raven as a “book-lined bistro unlike any other. But don’t let its calm atmosphere fool you. The Raven has much more to offer than its espressos, including a vibrant lunch and dinner menu and a list of cocktails that won’t disappoint. If that’s not enough, The Raven also hosts nighttime events such as movie showings, live music, and art shows. With great food and an even greater atmosphere, the Raven is not to be passed up.”

EBW.TV news video about article can be viewed by clicking here.

Melissa Smith with son Elzick.

I’m happy to report the breastfeeding Madonna and Child has been shared on a couple of wonderful breastfeeding support organizations’ Facebook feeds. I hoped that the idea of the Raven celebrating and supporting courageous mamas would spread like wild fire, with the ultimate hope to #normalizebreastfeeding in our community and the U.S. as a whole.

Additionally, I was paid a great compliment by a friend of a friend, Melissa Smith, who had seen the painting via social media. She came to town for a kayaking excursion and then patronized the Raven to see the painting in person. She then snapped a photo of her feeding her beautiful son with it in the background.

Breast is Best
Breastfeeding USA

Kitschy commercial to introduce Boston Coolers & Root Beer Floats at the Raven Café in Port Huron, Michigan. Enjoy!

While at first you might assume that this piece is religious in nature, it is not. This piece has to do with nature and science. The figures featured are the Madonna and Child because Mary is the most famous mother in all of recorded history. I chose her as my subject because in the time that she lived (and up until about 100 years ago), breastfeeding was natural and normal; it was a given.

The idea of decency, morality or the sexual nature people associate with breasts today did not exist in the same context back then. Breasts were for giving your child nutrition. As the most sacred of all mothers, Christians should feel comforted by the fact that Mary did breastfeed, as it is natural act shared between a mother and child.

Although I do not subscribe to any organized religion, I have a healthy curiosity about each of them. Religion is obviously a powerful motivator for people, as all the wars over it throughout history can attest to.

For me, breastfeeding my son was the closest thing I ever had to a religious experience. The primal connection that I felt while nurturing and comforting him was beautiful and amazing. So I hope that this piece in its own way helps to normalize breastfeeding and allows our breastfeeding patrons know that they are in a safe place where it is welcome.

Additionally, this piece speaks to the worship of false idols. For all of the 35 years I been on this planet I have only seen Jesus depicted as tall, white man. According to modern forensic and archaeological techniques, Jesus most likely appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent, and was shorter and darker in appearance. Various religious people have argued with me that I am missing the point: It is not his appearance but his life and teachings that are most important. If that is the case then why paint him as a Caucasian (or African American, or Spanish depending on where the church is located)? Maybe there would be less racism if humans could be inspired by someone who looked different than them.

Painting & Artist Statement by Jody Parmann, Co-Owner Raven Café
Edited by Bonnie Sue Kalmar, Editor Extraordinaire

Reply by Bob Lotz, Raven patron and member of a local Episcopal church:
“I loved your article, and your depiction of Mary and Jesus — and your discussion of where so many Christians get it wrong. Of course Christians too often act like the all-white anti-sex league. Yes, let’s depict Mary, and Jesus, and the whole lot of them, as Jews from Palestine, people of color, descendants of the Hebrew slaves for whom Moses demanded, “Let my people go!” Let us see what this does to the theology in most of our white Christian churches. As for the notion that the point of Jesus is not his appearance … well, your interlocutors should remember that there is a context for everything, and in the context of the Roman Empire, Jesus came as a marginalized outsider, wrong color, wrong class, wrong nationality. If that doesn’t have to do with his teachings, what does?”

#normalizebreastfeeding

Finnegan O’Malley & Oona Lovecraft

In last week’s e-newsletter I shared my desire for the creatures roaming the Raven Library. Inspired by one of my son’s toys I procured some mechanical fish for the Raven. I asked readers to help me out with a name in exchange for a sandwich or entree salad and non-alcoholic beverage. I’d like to say thank you for all the ideas!

The winner is (drumroll, please…) Kristin Hanson!

#ravenwingburn by Jody Parmann of Raven Café. Click image to enlarge.

Since Supernatural TV star Misha Collins’ retweet of the Times Herald story of the fundraising collaboration between the Deidre Murch and the Raven, folks from around the world have been contacting Deidre asking for photo of the wings empty so they can photoshop themselves in. Here they are! Because Deidre has now secured a spot on the trip, she is asking that donations instead be made to her friend Taylor, who is still working on her fundraising campaign. The money goes to the same place either way, so why not help get another worthy girl to Nicaragua? This is Taylor’s donation page: www.crowdrise.com/D2A-Nicaragua2015/fundraiser/taylorhardman. Thank you very much & enjoy!