If you’ve spent any time with Alex, you’ll notice he’s quick to smile and engage in conversation that often ends up going in a very entertaining and unanticipated direction. He describes himself as someone who is ” . . . always engaged in some creative endeavor . . . I’m always inspired with something new from one week to another.” Currently, he and our thumpista Mark are throwing around ideas for a TV sitcom about young artists in their late 20s to early 30s living in a ski town. His role is creative design, producer, and actor. “Hopefully Mark will cast me,” he quips.

When asked what else he enjoys, the conversation got interesting. His initial response: ” . . . Thinking about investing, and how to get rich quick . . . . I’m also interested in developing coffee skills,” he said. “Even though I spend 30-plus hours here, I still have interest outside of work in learning about coffee.”

“I’m also interested in writing as an avenue to express ideas . . . . More of a development of an idea than a completion of a project.” He spent 1-1/2 years completing a book titled, “The Cannery, A Story of Ensuing Maddness.” Alex describes this book as a young adult, adventure, humor story. He also wrote and produced a three-man musical titled, “Heartless, A Bjork Musical Tribute.” This is “a musical set to the style of Bjork when she was 12 years old. The performance was 30 minutes of jam packed humor!” he added. Alex is also one-third of the way through writing a memoir of his drive to Mexico with his brother and friend. And, he’s half way through completing a story about “the first coming of a soul singer messiah in Motown in the ’60s and ’70s,” he described.

Sometimes when we bring on new thumpistas, the interview only scratches the surface in exposing who these people are, their interests and the talents they possess. This has certainly been the case with Alex. We appreciate his dedication to continuing to learn about coffee and preparing quality drinks. And, we are amazed by the humor he creates at the shop as well as his ambitions for the future!

Born in Grants Pass, OR and raised in Triangle Lake, OR, Andrew found his way to Bend following his brothers over three years ago. Around that time in 2008, he and some friends formed Rural Demons, a band that Andrew describes as putting out “emotional folk music, not feel good, but makes you think.” He does back up harmonies, organ and guitar and describes himself as the guy who motivates the band. In June, Rural Demons headed to Oakland, CA to produce a record titled, “Ghost Lights.” Andrew is stroked that this recording will be released on vinyl!

When asked what he looks forward to doing in the future, Andrew shared that he hopes to do a collaborative music project with his brothers and embark on a “money making scheme” with them as well. Going back to school to get a business degree might also play into future plans.

It’s very cool when someone who already has a connection with thump and has an interest in ongoing learning about coffee is brought into the fold to work here. Andrew is just that person! We’re so psyched that he’s with us at thump!

A recent addition to the thump crew is Mackenzie. Born in Newport Beach, CA, Mackenzie lived from ages 9-16 in China, Hong Kong and Macau where her father started multiple business ventures, ranging from the production of specialty oil for machinery to environmentally friendly cleaner.

A major portion of her life, starting at age 5, has been spent working with horses. While living in Macau she worked through the race track jockey club, retraining retired race horses for jumping. She then showed these horses throughout China. She also helped start a riding school in Macau.

In the US, Mackenzie has been a full-time volunteer working in a riding program for people with disabilities out of Sun Valley, ID.  She has also helped manage numerous riding facilities.  The last 3 years have been spent guiding trail rides in the Cascades, as well as riding, training, buying, selling and showing horses in the Pacific Northwest.

When coming to work at thump, she decided to let go of some of her horse related work. Amazingly though, she still cares for five horses of her own, continues to help run a couple of riding facilities, rides and shows horses for others, AND, she runs her own small independent dog consulting company that focuses on training, daycare and boarding dogs!  It’s people like Mackenzie who make you wonder if some individuals can manipulate time to take on the responsibilities and embody the talents of three people!

Mackenzie’s interest in coffee, like many of her interests, is deeply rooted.  Prior to joining us a thump, she worked in several cafes in Washington and California. When asked what drew her back to working with coffee, she said, “I decided to make the move to thump for a couple reasons. I wanted to feel more integrated into the community and town of Bend. I also really wanted to get to know more people and explore my interests beyond the animal world, because I also have equal passion for art, travel, and meeting new people.”

It’s always interesting to know what people want to do down the road. Mackenzie is working toward completing a four-year Liberal Arts degree at OSU Cascades. She, like many of our staff, loves to travel and has already lived in or visited China, Thailand, Macau, Hong Kong, England, and Ireland. Zanzibar and Rio de Janeiro are on the list of places still to visit. In terms of her professional future, Mackenzie knows she will always work with animals in some capacity, possibly as a horse broker.

So much to do in life, so little time.  We’re pleased that at least a portion of Mackenzie’s life adventure includes thump! What a bright, interesting person she is!

Meet Carly, one of our more recent thumpistas to join us! A native of Cave Junction, OR, Carly has lived in Bend for 5 years.

Mt. Bachelor drew Carly here from Eugene, where she was attending Oregon State University.  After having an awesome winter on the Mountain, Carly decided to pursue a degree in Outdoor Recreation at OSU Cascades in Bend.  After one year of outdoor classes, Carly ended up changing her degree to Natural Resources because she  “… wanted to learn more about the scientific aspect of the outdoors, not just play in it.” she said.  “I wanted to learn about the ecological and biological systems of how the world works.  For me to enjoy the outdoors, I want to understand how it works!” she added.

Carly has been teaching both skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor to 7-13 yr. olds for 4 years. She said, “I love sharing my passion and watching the light bulb turn on when they make that great turn!”  Inside sources at the Mountain say that Carly is a requested instructor, so if you’re looking for someone special to teach your child, Carly’s the one!

Though she has been a Bend resident for 5 years, Carly has only enjoyed 1 of those summers in Bend! Her summers away have been spent as a wildland fire fighter, wilderness therapist, traveling throughout the Pacific Northwest and most recently as the International Program Director for Global Leadership Adventures in Costa Rica.  Global Leadership Adventures is an expeditionary based learning program for high school students, lasting from 10-21 days. As the International Program Director, Carly developed curriculum and built relationships with the local community, to set up service learning projects ranging from trail building in the Cloud Forest Reserve, to building schools, to spending time with the young and the elderly.

Carly sees herself as a professional outdoor educator in life.  “All jobs have kind of pointed to this, and I want to continue to find a way to be outside.” she said.  Other things to do in life, she reflected, “I want to keep taking all of these extra moments and have fun outside. I want to get out of the country. I want to go to India. I’m obsessed with that region of the world.”

We’re quite happy that Carly has joined us at thump! We’re hopeful that her second summer in Bend will be in 2011, at Thump!  But how can you turn down the title of International Program Director?  It’s so close to International Rock Star, which she pretty much is in our eyes! Here’s Carly! A bright, passionate, interesting thumpista.

A climber since age 12, Kristin competed in regional, divisional and national climbing competitions in North Carolina and West Virginia.  Since Fayetteville’s hot, flat environment wasn’t conducive to climbing, she decided she had to “… get out” when moving on to college.

She headed to the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina, and attended Appalachian State University, in the town of Boone.  Her love for rocks continued in an academic capacity as she majored in Geography. When asked what attracted her to this discipline, she responded, “I am really interested in natural hazards, how they affect people and the Earth’s processes.”

Throughout her college years, Kristin worked in a busy, quality focused bakery called Stick Boy. The name originated from a sign a family friend saw on a light post somewhere in the northeast that read, “Lost Stick Boy” and a phone number was included for its return. Random and funny, the name was used for the bakery. While at Stick Boy, Kristin was a shift leader, overseeing mountains of holiday special orders. She was also acting manager on several occasions for managers who were taking maternity leave.

We asked Kristin if she felt any differences, cultural or otherwise, between life in North Carolina and Bend. She shared her surprise in the dryness of Bend’s climate and noted the friendliness of fellow Bendites, so many of whom she observed, are not originally from here.  She then grinned and added that she misses biscuits. When she and her boyfriend road tripped here from North Carolina, they saved money specifically for Hardy’s egg & cheese biscuits. As they moved west, Hardy’s were replaced by Carles Jr., and eventually the day came when they had traveled far enough west that the cashier didn’t know what they were talking about.  If any of you can recommend a great place in the area for biscuits, please pass it on to Kristin!

In the big picture, Kristin plans to return to school for a nursing degree. “I plan to become an RN with hopes of doing medical work in third world countries,” she said. “It seems like a great way to do some good and travel at the same time. Once I’ve gained some experience abroad I may pursue a Master’s in global health or medical geography, providing a link between the two disciplines.”

Thump is once again, so fortunate to have attracted such a bright, capable, hard working thumpista! Until the day comes when Kristin packs her medical bags to do good around the world, we will continue to enjoy her understated, focused personality, that easily lights up with a quick warm smile and laugh!

Stepping back a few years, Kristina graduated early from high school and spent a year on the US National Ski Team, racing nationally and internationally. She liked the experience but wanted more balance in her life. She was accepted at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire where she raced on the Nordic ski team and graduated in 2007 with a B.A. in Philosophy.

From there, she said, “I thought I would ‘retire’ from ski racing after my senior year but I eventually decided that I wasn’t quite satisfied with my career and wanted to make a run for the 2010 Olympics. So I worked my way back up the ranks over the past 3 years. The highlight was qualifying to race in some World Cup races in 2009 and 2010. Although I didn’t make the Olympic team, competing in the pre-Olympic World Cups in Canmore, Alberta was definitely a big accomplishment! Also, in 2009, my second year back on the circuit, I had a 5th place finish at US Nationals. I think that was one of my more memorable finishes, because it signified that I was back in the game and able to compete with the best in the US.”

Since her move to Bend, Kristina has dabbled in some fly fishing on the lower Deschutes River and has entered in some local running races. She’s keeping the running fun, and is enjoying exploring the trails close to town (though she’s placed in the top 3 in the races she entered: Smith Rocks Summer Sunrise Classic 10km, 1st Place; Spark Your Heart 5km, 1st Place; and Heaven Can Wait 5km, 3rd Place)!

“As far as other interests,” she added, “I love to read and write. I have done some ski-related writing over the past few years, and I hope to continue writing in some capacity. If I go back to school I’m looking at a Master’s in English, creative writing, or environmental studies of some sort. At home (back in Bozeman) I love riding horses, gardening, fishing, and generally spending time in the mountains.”

A few days after we had our conversation for this feature, we learned that at age 13, Kristina was the stunt double for Scarlet Johannson in the movie, “The Horse Whisperer”!  The film, directed by and starring Robert Redford, was shot in Bozeman, a place Redford had visited many times and had established a relationship with Kristina’s family.   Through that connection, Kristina was selected to ride in place  Johannson during the movie’s filming.  Kristina missed a couple of months of school, was filmed riding horses and “hung out with the stars”.  A pretty cool experience for a 13 year old!

Well we’re psyched that when Kristina road tripped from Montana to the coast earlier this year she stopped in and decided that Thump and Bend would make a good starting point in a new chapter in her life! Her warm smile and quick wit make even the busiest days at Thump fly by smoothly. We’re once again so fortunate to have such an amazing and interesting person working at Thump!

From the first conversation I had with Leah (a phone call for an available position at thump) during which she mused out loud that the actual interview might involve some sort of Survivor-like reality TV barista challenge, I knew that thump was the right fit for her! The wit that came through in our first conversation resonates throughout all conversations with Leah! You just find yourself cracking up!

After graduating from college, Leah took a road trip. Destined for Alaska, she was sidetracked to Banff, Canada. Dwindling cash funds led her south, visiting all the friends she knew, until she ran out of money in Eugene, OR. She was broke and needed a job — but not in Eugene. She headed to Bend, and the place she knew she would fit in and gain employment was Mt. Bachelor. “The place,” she said, “where you can’t make enough money, so you can’t ever leave!”

A native of Colorado, Bend has now been home to Leah for longer than any place she’s lived. “It feels like I was meant to be here,” she said.  When she first arrived, Leah remembers Bend as a “… sleepy mill town where people weren’t recreating! I felt odd going for a run and assumed the river was a toxic waste dump because nobody was in it! Coming from Colorado, everyone was in the river!”  She appreciates “… how cool Bend has become and that there’s such a diversity in jobs that are not solely dependent on tourism and the lumber industry.”

Prior to joining us at thump, Leah jointly started and expanded a local business for 14 years while raising 2 children. She also started to explore a career as a doula assistant but put that on the back burner as it was challenging to try to juggle running her business, raising her children and taking up to 36 hours at a moment’s notice, to support parents-to-be through the childbirth experience. Leah sees herself possibly returning to the doula profession as it, “… brought out the best in me” she said. “I would come back from working for 36 hours and be on cloud 9!” Providing Hospice care also has its appeal to her. She’s drawn to working with the “… passages of coming in and out of the world.”

Thump has been so fortunate to attract employees whose passions, talents and accomplishments bring life to our shop and Leah is no exception! We’re so lucky that Leah has joined us at thump!

Mark in Mitlaufer

coffee brain sketch by: Sean Claughton

Mark transforms into a cat soon after he gets off work, don't leave your cat food/milk outside, you might regret it.

If you lived in Bend between 1980 and 1999, you surely remember Bend’s first introduction to espresso at Coffee & Co. on Wall St., next to the Tower Theater. At the tender age of 8, our featured thumpista Mark, started serving coffee at Coffee & Co., established and run by his grandfather and three aunts. Mark recognizes some of you as regulars who “lived” at Coffee & Co.!

Recently returned from a three-year stint in a New York beach town (where he tended bar at an Irish pub frequented by the IRA and owned by a retired member of the anti-terrorist task force), Mark is happy to be back in Bend, near family and the mountains. He is planning to pursue a Master’s in Teaching degree through OSU Cascades. “As of right now,” he said, “I want to teach high school, maybe looking towards college. English, creative writing… maybe History!”

Prior to moving east, for eight years Mark lived in Portland, where he went to school at Portland State University and worked at a handful of cafes that serve Stumptown Coffee, including Haven, Tiny’s and Ristretto. He also tapped into the music and theater scenes, performing for theater companies such as The Oregon Children’s Theater and Fever Theater, and with bands such as The 6 Minute Heartstop, The Vinos and Iretsu (all of which produced CDs). When asked what roles he’s acted, Mark responded, “I have been everything from an old man’s ghost to a French mouse… and literally most things in between. Once, I played the ghost of Mayor Bernard Goldsmith, mayor of Portland from 1870. I think one of my favorites was when I played the disembodied arm and hand of an old man living in a haunted forest. I really enjoyed this particular role because I got to learn some about puppeteering, as well as explore new movement techniques.”

Mark was in his first band, Dain Bramage, at age 13, along with some classmates from Cascade Middle School. “I started playing music on the piano, so I’ve always stuck with that, and I love playing bass,” he said. “I also play drums, accordion, cello and sing…. I love all kinds of music… maybe not ICP. I have played classical, jazz, punk rock, surf, chamber pop, lo-fi garage, country, gospel, rock ‘n’ roll… Right now I am really interested in simple. I have been leaning more towards old time and country, but I like employing any sounds that come up to let the music be its own engine.” In regard to performing, Mark reflected, “I really enjoy entertaining people. Also, I think that performance can show us a lot about what’s going on in our culture and the rest of the world. Both [theater and music] give a voice to things that are either hard to put into words or better left unsaid.”

In addition to preparing to start a Master’s in Teaching degree, and working at thump, we wondered what else Mark might fold into his life. “Someone familiar with my acting in Portland recently approached me about auditioning for a local start-up theater,” he said. “I want to get art going in my life and in Bend, and spend time outside.”

H: “Anything else you want me to include that I’ve left out?”

M: “I can eat fifty hard-boiled eggs.”

What a wonderful addition Mark has been to our thump crew! Please don’t take him to task on the 50 hard-boiled eggs feat though. Knowing him, he might just do it!