Image: http://www.tougocoffee.com/wwwEthiopiacom; Photo by Brian WellsBrian Wells, the proprietor of the Central

Image: http://www.tougocoffee.com/wwwEthiopiacom; Photo by Brian WellsBrian Wells, the proprietor of the Central District’s Tougo Coffee is hosting a traditional Ethiopian coffee roasting ceremony this evening, to raise funds for the Blue Nile Children’s Organization. This Seattle-based organization works to support and educate orphaned Ethiopian children. Speaking with Wells today, he told me that his coffee shop will have five tables set up, to roast coffee in the traditional pan-fried style, a ritual performed daily in Ethiopian households. As he explained, the coffee roasting is performed by female members of the family, often a mother roasting coffee for a son, or a daughter preparing the beans for her father. The Blue Nile Children’s Organization and Queen of Sheba restaurant will be providing a traditional Ethiopian dinner as well.November 13, 6:30 p.m.$20 suggested minimum donation.Tougo Coffee, 1410 18th Avenue, CENTRAL DISTRICT(206) 860-3518Tougo is also opening a second location at the corner of 8th Ave. and Westlake, in the Denny Triangle neighborhood, pictured above. This second shop is scheduled to open in December.