Ampersand Book Party/Nov. 22

From the Ampersand website:
This coming Sunday marks the first in what we hope to be periodic readings at Ampersand.
Fiction writer Matthew Simmons will read from A Jello Horse, which was recently published by Baltimore-based Publishing Genius & got a great review in The Believer.
 Poet Daniel Bailey will read from his book of poems, The Drunk Sonnets, published by the Magic Helicopter Press. "From forgiveness in a beehive to tiny banquets for retired janitors, Bailey's fifty-three sonnets combine formal constraint with unfettered caterwauling. This is contemporary poetic sincerity that is not too shy to see the heart, to eat the heart, to carry a heart and hold it when it catches a shake."

Sunday, November 22nd at 7PM.


A recap of the evening by Karen Munro at Reading Local,

Ask The Storeowner

Q: What do you sell in your shop that holiday shoppers would want to buy?

A: cork's selection of over 600 wines, 100 specialty brewsextra-virgin olive oil from European estates at excellent prices. Also available in bulk. Our high quality olive oil and six-year aged balsamic vinegar gift set is an affordable and a sustainable choice since the bottles can be refilled anytime at either cork location. Cork @ 2901 NE Alberta

A: Guardino Gallery’s Holiday Group Show, "Little Things" where 42 artists were given the challenge to create artwork that would be no larger than 7”X 7”(square/cube). This is the 9th year we have provided holiday shoppers with easily portable, exquisite paintings, clay, glass, resin, encaustic, metal, wood, photography and mixed media. Guardino Gallery @ 2939 NE Alberta

A: Tumbleweed has everything a fashionable girl loves...from organic teeshirts, made in the USA to denim to local hats and scarves made from recycled wool and cashmere. Tumbleweed @ 1812 NE Alberta

A: Grasshopper has toy recycle trucks and dump trucks --actually made from recycled milk jugs! We also sell Plan toys, the leader in the eco friendly toys. Our favorite this season, the eco-doll house. Another favorite, the Playmobil chicken coop. We are also loving games this holiday season... Dominos, Quirkle, Crayolina, Penguloo and lots more so you can spend time with your family. Grasshopper @ 1816 NE Alberta

A: bolt’s array of sewing project books with tons of fun, useful projects—some even for your gift receiver to make you! And don’t forget, a yard of fabric can easily fit in a stocking! Bolt @ 2136 NE Alberta

A: Pie Footwear has eco-friendly shoes, purses and socks galore for both men & women! Vegan options too. Pie Footwear has what your favorite eco-conscious fashionista is looking for this holiday season. When you treat your feet, think Pie Footwear and make your indulgence a responsible one. Pie @ 2916 NE Alberta

A: donna & toots has fun socks for women, men and kids. Stylish hats, scarves and gloves to accessorize our locally made skirts, tops and dresses. Not to mention our cozy coats and sweaters to add warmth and fashion to any cold gray day. donna & toots @ 1631 NE Alberta

A: Green Bean Books offers fantastic holiday picks in new and used children’s books as well as a great selection of grown-up fiction and nonfiction books. Buy whimsical gifts to go with your books such as fake moustaches, miniature journals, and cool shadow puppets. Or if you just need a break from your hectic holiday shopping, smack a fuzzy moustache on your upper lip, snuggle up on the couch by the faux-fire and read a great book at Green Bean Books! Green Bean Books @ 1600 NE Alberta

Alberta Kid Expedition #1: Ribbons & Kazoos

My kids and I go on this particular expedition on a regular basis. We start by:

1. Walking up to Star E Rose on 24th for bagels and hot chocolate. If you go on Sunday, there will usually be live music from 10 - noon. Check out KingniK (our favorite band- with-washboard ever, catch a taste at http://www.last.fm/music/KingniK) on the first Sunday of every month.

2. Walk down Alberta to Bolt, and let everyone pick out a yard of ribbon for their hair. Trust me, they’ll find something they love. Ribbons can be worn Rambo-style, Karate Kid style, Hairband style, or Ozma style (positioned at the hairline, over the hair, bow on the side) Also, Bolt has a little bitty play table that sports a puzzle and a basket of board books. With any luck, you'll get a minute to scan the book shelves (awesome selection, books for beginners and craft divas alike, with the common element being fabulous taste) and patterns (not a huge selection, but a nice variety and the fabulous taste still applies).

3. Close Knit, next door, also has a book basket (and a super comfy couch for reading them on), but sadly will not allow us to buy one yard of that yummy super-chunky variegated wool at a time.

… and really, that’s about it, hot chocolate, washboard and kazoo playing, and ribbon tying just about wipe us out and it’s time for naps.

4. On the way back up Alberta, cross the street so you can peer in the windows at Onda and greet the rooster, cherubs, and gargoyles in front of Habromania.

5. Stop at Townsend’s for some chai and chamomile tea for the kids to take out, and your hands will stay warm all the way home.