FATHER'S DAY and GRAND OPENING

One of the most fun times at the Chocolate Necessities factory store is when Kevin G. Buck puts on his lab coat (it's a denim-blue smock) and turns into Dr. Chocolastein. But he creates goodness, not monsters.

You can all but see his mind swirling in synch with the churning of chocolate in the tempering vats. He hits upon a concept, which might result in a rare, if not unique, bar or artistic moulded shape, or his ultimate masterpieces - truffles.

Then Kevin G. meanders to the shelves lined with chocomagic potions. Uncommon pastry chef liqueur flavors…$200 a bottle vanilla…imported crèmes…mélange of berries and nuts… peanut butter, coconut, caramel, hazelnut, almond…coffees, espressos, and wines…a Tequila or a Scotch that you won't find even if you shop 'til you drop.

And then, he explores the chocolate possibilities. The standard, dark or milk from Belgium? The milk 44% which the little faraway Fiji nation of Vanuatu took over to the dark side? Semisweet or bittersweet? Even a white, perhaps, sprinkled with poppyseed?

What brings all this to mind are two major weekend events - our Grand Opening of the downtown Bellingham WA chocolate and dessert shop (1426 Cornwall Ave, a few doors east of the Pickford Theater).

FIRST, FATHER'S DAY

Bring Dad to the downtown shop and his cone or cup of gelato is free. And, for his special gift:

You won't even believe the sublime burst of flavors from Dr. Smock's original truffle creations for this special day of honoring Dad: the Scotch and the Oro.

With an extremely rare Laphroaig Scotch and three of the world's finest-grade chocolate selections, he infused the bittersweet genache of a 75% Tarakan and 70% Valrhona, and coated the genache with 54% Belgian semisweet. Earthy. Smoky. Unreal. See what words you come up with. They might even leave you speechless, making guttural sounds of pleasure.

Ditto, the Oro consisting of hazelnut wine from local Samson Estates of Lynden, highlighted with a hazelnut paste, rolled into a 32% Belgian milk chocolate, and wearing a shell of our favorite dark-milk - the tropical-isle Vanuatu's astounding 44%.

Other excellent Father's Day ideas:

Golf Theme: Dark Chocolate Golf Club and Ball, Box of Golf Balls (3) wrapped in gold foil, or Golf Bag of Clubs in milk or dark chocolate.

Dark Chocolate Cigar, wrapped in gold foil.

Lucky Cards: chocolate shaped like playing cards, highlighted in color with the face of specific cards.

"Imperial Dark Chocolate Cheesecake" - by the slice at the new downtown dessert shop, or in family size (32 oz) or party size (4 lb in 16 slices). We can ice-pack this for shipment. It's an original-recipe, double-genache, out-of-this-world cheesecake baked by the experts with a renowned 20-year history of excellence, Chuckanut Bay Foods in nearby Ferndale.

GRAND OPENING

We have several specials planned for you when you visit the wonderful ambience that we're very proud of downtown, with sit-down space for up to 20 at tables or our dessert bar.

The store manager, Chelsea, teamed with Dr. Smock to create an exquisite menu of desserts in European style around our world-class chocolate, the original chocolate cheesecake, and the authentic Italian gelato. We have more than 20 gelato flavors for this special weekend.

The specials for the celebration Friday and Saturday:

Truffle Genache artisan gourmet "Taste Sensation" - enjoy one for 50 cents w/ any purchase, while supply lasts. Kevin G. made these just last night for this occasion, a sampling like you would taste in one of his gourmet chocolate-making classes.

Gelato - $1 a flavor, or $5 for cornucopia bowl of "Fantasia Delight" that is larger than life.

"Imperial Dark Double-Genache Chocolate Cheesecake" - $1 off a slice, or whole cheesecakes @ $19.95 (family size 32 oz) and $39.95 (party size, 4 lb in 16 slices).

Drawing for two separate prizes: Belcolade Stuffed Talking Bear and a $10 Gift Certificate. Just leave your name and email address (or contact info if you don't have email).

While they last: We have just four each in sizes S, M, L, and XL of a collectible T-shirt, "Follow Me to Chocolate Heaven," that is free to the first 16 of you who make a purchase of $25 or more.

WHAT'S NEW

As you know, Kevin G. Buck constantly searches for and taste tests for the most outstanding chocolate around the entire globe. If it passes his high standards, which insures his commitment to you receiving only the most "true" chocolate, he goes the distance to bring it to you.

The latest examples are (1.) an extraordinary chocolate from Spain that is made with a yogurt base that is exemplary in its smoothness as it melts over your taste buds; (2.) the first venture into gourmet, artisan chocolate in Madagascar.

If you're in town, stop in and sample these. You'll be hooked.

And of course, we have the usual array of more than 40 worldwide varieties of chocolate chips for knoshing, chocolate in bulk for baking or truffle-making, and the unique chocolate bars and chocolate shapes that have become the Chocolate Necessities trademarks, along with the fresh truffles.

A QUICK WORD about shipping. Summer is our down time for sending you chocolate, because we don't want you to have a melted, gooey mess (even though it would still taste great). We have a means, however, of using ice packs if you have a special occasion - but we want to be up front that it incurs extra costs.

If you're in Alaska or the Arctic, call or write. We can serve you now….

AND FINALLY, as a loyal follower by our email newsletter and/or on our Facebook page, this weekend at either store if you say to us, "You're as Good as Gold," you'll enjoy a free gold bullion-shaped bite bar wrapped in gold foil.

Let us hear from you any time, and please tell your friends to become a Fan on Facebook for regular updates.

Thanks for being part of our global family of chocolate lovers.