Win Free Tickets to Boulder Book Store Authors!

Be a part of the Boulder Book Store's 35th Anniversary celebration!

Click here to enter to win a complimentary pair of tickets to see one the authors listed below.

Neal Stephenson - Anathem
Wednesday, October 1 at 7:30pm
Event will be held in the Upstairs Ballroom of Boulder Book Store.
Anathem, the latest invention by the bestselling author of Cryptonomicon and The Baroque Cycle, is a work of great scope, intelligence, and imagination that ushers readers into a strangely inverted world . Please note that Neal Stephenson will sign only one non-Anathem item for each copy of Anathem purchased at the store and signed at the event.

Neil Gaiman - The Graveyard Book
Tuesday, October 7 at 6:30pm
at Unity of Boulder Church (2855 Folsom)
Bod is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual place―he's the only living resident of a graveyard. This chilling tale is Neil Gaiman's first full-length novel for middle-grade readers since the bestselling and acclaimed Coraline. Neil Gaiman will be presigning copies of The Graveyard Book and, due to his travel schedule, will be unable to sign books at the event.

Philippa Gregory - The Other Queen
Monday, October 13, 7:30pm
Event will be held at Unity of Boulder Church (2855 Folsom)
The Other Queen, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory presents a new and unique view of one of history's most intriguing, romantic, and maddening heroines, Mary, Queen of Scots.

Bricks and the City

As I sit in my office overlooking the Pearl Street Mall in Downtown Boulder, I can easily imagine Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha among the many visitors and locals shopping, dining and playing in and around “the bricks” (the locals reference to the Mall). For all of you SATC fans, below is how I imagine our favorite foursome fashionistas spending the day in Downtown Boulder…

The girls would check into the St. Julien Hotel and Spa (900 Walnut St.) which offers “an oasis of tranquility” with “inspired views of the Flatiron Mountains.” There, they would “enjoy a new sense of style and sensibility inside this casually elegant luxury hotel.” For breakfast, espresso (and to catch up with each other) they would head to Saxy’s Café (2018 10^th St.) offering “a touch of elegance and style” to Downtown Boulder’s hip and stylish West End. From there, they would get their shopping fix by visiting some of the most fabulous boutiques in the Rockies including:

Chelsea (935 Pearl St.)

Savvy (1114 Pearl St.)

MAX(1177 Walnut St.)

Two Sole Sisters (1703 Pearl St.)

For lunch, conversation and some fantastic eats (such as mozzarella stuffed eggplant, sesame seared ahi and oysters on the half shell), the girls would head to Dish Gourmet (1918 Pearl St.) where Chef Brian Benham prepares delicious and unique creations using the finest of ingredients. Next stop, Ten20 (2005 Pearl Street) - Downtown Boulder’s first nail and waxing spa. The girls would enjoy a “polish, pluck, buff, rub, shine and scrub.” Ten20 is “a place where tv gossip is the topic of conversation, diet coke and M&M's are always in stock, and Havaianas are the dress code!

Across the street from Ten20, The T-BAR (1500 Pearl St.) would beckon Samantha and her friends to pick up some flirty, sexy and fashionable lingerie. As evening approaches, the Mediterranean would give the girls a perfect setting to relax, unwind and enjoy “a menu that brims with Italian, Spanish, French, and Greek cuisine” (and over 100 wines by the glass).

Whether you’re a Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte or Samantha at heart, make your way to Downtown Boulder and enjoy your own Bricks and the City experience!

Downtown Boulder Post Office

I was walking into work thinking about what I would write about today. I had just stepped out of the Boulder Post Office located on 15^th Street between Walnut and Pearl streets, where I had the most pleasant conversation with a local postal employee, when the idea hit. Today, I want to tell everyone reading this post what wonderful service I have always received on the several occasions that I’ve walked through their doors.

At the Downtown Boulder Post Office, which happens to be located just steps away from Belvedere Belgian Chocolate Shop(!), there is always more than one window open! I usually go first thing in the morning and I have never had to wait in a line. The employees have always been incredibly kind and courtesy and I always leave with a smile on my face. I attribute some of the easy of visiting this location to the fact that I am never accompanied by my nearly-two and three year olds! But besides that fact, I think it’s absolutely the best post office I’ve ever been in. To all those Boulder postal employees working in the Downtown Boulder location, thank you for your efficiency and excellent customer service!

(On a side note, we are experiencing beautiful autumn days here in Downtown Boulder…flowers are still in bloom and leaves are changing colors. It’s the perfect time to head to Downtown Boulder to see who’s here! Join us this weekend for fantastic shopping, dining and entertainment. Don’t forget to visit the Boulder County Farmers’ Market and check out the Lennon art exhibit (see my prior post). I got a sneak peak yesterday and it’s pretty awesome!)

The Scandalous, The Subversive and...The Classics?

This Saturday marks the beginning of National Banned Books Week, a celebration of our freedom of speech and our freedom to read! Locally owned and operated community-mainstay, the Boulder Book Store, located at 1107 Pearl Street, will be highlighting a selection of some of the most well-known classics (alongside some more surprising titles) to merit the infamous 'badge of censorship'.

Ranging from children's stories, such as Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends, a personal favorite (and a shameful promoter of "rebellion against parents"), to spiritual guides, like D.T. Suzuki's Zen Buddhism (guilty of presenting Zen "in such a way that the reader could very likely embrace its teachings"); Banned Books Week is sure to be full of surprise, outrage, laughter and, above all, great literature.

A perfect excuse to lose yourself in the stacks, to introduce your children to old favorites or to stumble upon something new for yourself, Boulder Book Store's Banned Books celebration offers something for every level of reader. So, whether you find yourself dabbling in the magic of Harry Potter or the Satanic Verses of Salman Rushie, be sure to recognize your 1st Ammendment rights this week!


- Written by Rebecca Ross. Rebecca is a Marketing Intern at Boulder Book Store.

Just as Denver has the Tattered Cover, Downtown Boulder has the Boulder Book Store. Readers of all ages have flocked to this book lovers paradise (aka Boulder’s largest independent bookstore) for over three decades. Starting next month, the Book Store kicks it into high gear as they celebrate their 35th anniversary. Their event calendar is packed with appearances from well-known authors including Neal Stephenson, Tom Kostigen, Jon Scieszka, Neil Gaiman, Laurence Gonzales, T.A. Barron, Philippa Gregory, as well as a special appearance by the one and only, Skippyjon Jones (ask your kids)!

The Boulder Book Store was founded in Downtown Boulder in 1973 by owner David Bolduc. As a founding member of the Boulder Independent Business Alliance (one of the first of its kind in the country), Bolduc has been at the forefront of the “shop local” movement for over a decade. The store hosts more than 200 events (both in the store and throughout the community) every year. Employing nearly 50 people, the Book Store occupies 20,000 square feet and includes more than 100,000 titles which occupy three floors.

The Book Store has been at its current location (1107 Pearl St.) since 1991. Prior to moving in to the space (which had sat vacant since 1976), Bolduc made great efforts while renovating the building to use the most energy-efficient lighting, heating, windows and building materials (including a tin ceiling on the main floor to replicate the historic style of the space while conserving energy at the same time). He also hired a feng shui consultant to assist with the layout and design of the store ensuring a wonderful feel and flow the minute you walk through the front doors. Adjacent to the Book Store is the BookEnd Espresso Café with a fantastic indoor/outdoor patio…the perfect place to spend a few hours reading and people watching along Pearl Street!

The Artwork of John Lennon Coming to Downtown Boulder

This Friday through Sunday (September 26 – 28), fans of John Lennon have a unique opportunity to view pieces of his artwork through Yoko Ono presents Working Class Hero – A Look into John’s Life through his Artwork. The exhibit (located at 902 Pearl St. in Downtown Boulder) will feature over 100 pieces of art created by Lennon between 1968 through 1980. For the past 15 years, this ever-changing exhibit has been one of the highest attended art showings in America and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities throughout the world. (The Boulder exhibit will raise money to help benefit the Emergency Family Assistance Association. The organization dedicated to helping those in the community with immediate needs for food, shelter and other basic necessities. A $2 donation is being suggested at the door.)

Many are familiar with Lennon’s music, but few have had the pleasure of viewing his art. Before the world came to know him as a member of the Beatles, those close to him knew him as an artist. (He studied three years at Liverpool Art School.) The drawings featured in the exhibit are whimsical and intimate portraits of Lennon’s life. His creative style highlights his keen sense of observation, wit and profound irony of the world as he saw it.

On display will be ‘Bag One’ lithographs signed by Lennon in the 70s, rare original drawings from the early 60s and limited edition prints reproduced from Lennon’s drawings (signed by Yoko Ono, including the ‘Real Love – The Drawings for Sean’ editions (children’s drawings sketched for his son (Sean Lennon) during the last few years of his life).

“I think John’s art, for the most part, represents old fashion family traditions,” said Yoko Ono. “He made a lot of social statements, but there’s a lot about the family in his works.” Lennon will be remembered as one of the great visionaries of the twentieth century. His message of peace, hope and love still resonates through his artwork and is even more powerful and provocative nearly three decades after his untimely death. Come celebrate his life and artistic talents through this highly anticipated exhibit!

Hours: Friday - 5 to 9 p.m. / Saturday – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. / Sunday – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: 902 Pearl Street (Corner of 9^th and Pearl streets in Downtown Boulder)

For more information, contact Legacy Fine Art Productions at 888-ART-1969. For more information on the Emergency Family Assistance Association call 303-442-3042 or visit: www.efaa.org.

Best Place To Retire: Boulder, CO

Boulder tops the lists again as a top place to retire. According to US News & World report it also is the healthiest and brainiest placed to retire as well. That must be why I get passed by octogenarians running up hill when climbing Mt. Sanitas who are a lot smarter than I am.

Click here to read the article.

This Weekend Only: Downtown Boulder's Fall Festival

The bricks are the place to be this weekend as Downtown Boulder invites everyone to come on down and enjoy Boulder’s best Oktoberfest celebration. Our three-day autumn festival includes traditional Oktoberfest fare, music and brews coupled with festival favorites like carnival rides, games and artist booths.

Featuring three days of music on the Ralph Schomp MINI Stage, with everything from crowd favorite Hazel Miller, to the Boulder Acoustic Society to the polka sounds of the Dick Savodny Polka Band. This year's festival offers food from Falafel King, Spud Brothers, Oskar Blues, and Tandoori Grill and brews form Coors, Boulder Brewing and Walnut Brewery. With 40 artists from around the county and a children's carnival for the the little ones the festival has something for everyone.

On Friday evening, the carnival will offer a $10 all-you-can-ride pass. Other children’s activities include, “The Lunch Box Tour” Sampling Booth and the Cascadian Farms Granola Booth with a seed planting table and photos.

We hope to see you all there, as this years Fall Festival will be one to remember!

Toofy Film Fest Makes Boulder Famous

There's Sundance. There's Cannes. There's Venice. And then... there's Toofy. The Boulder film fest that's named after a normal guy who put licorice on his intact teeth to black them out, donned a flannel shirt, and went into a convenience store at 2 a.m. to buy a can of beans with pennies. A friend filmed the whole charade and the Toofy Film Fest got its name.

This weekend, enjoy all the excitement Toofy has to offer. Short films galore, the feature length film FIX, and after the films, the after party. This hot evening event includes a fashion show presented by Fashion Denver and brainboxCreative, beats by Japadapta, and fashion footage films. If you're feeling hungover on Sunday from all the fun, take the hair of the dog and see feature films We Are Wizards and Adventures of Power. All of this entertainment conveniently located in Boulder Theater.

Even though Katie Holmes might not be there, you should be. Everyone else will be there. Everyone except Katie Holmes. See more information on the Toofy site here.

Blending Cellar Movie Night

On Wednesday, September 10th the Blending Cellar at 946 Pearl Street will be offering the opportunity to sip wine and watch the sleeper hit Sideways. The 2004 best picture nominee is a wine lover's classic, and the perfect accompaniment to a glass. Tapas from Jax Fish House will be also be served. All this for $35!

The Blending Cellar opened on Pearl Street in June, featuring wines made from Napa Valley grapes and aged for one to two years in French oak barrels. The concept is that customers can drink or purchase the wines as they are, or blend them to create their own wine. This customized blend is then bottled and brought home to enjoy.

Introduce yourself to the Blending Cellar by attending Sideways this Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Buffs Stampede the Bricks

There's getting to be a chill in the air that makes one think of favorite fall activities- cider drinking, pumpkin carving, costume making for the Munchkin Masquerade... You should add attending the Buff Stampede to that list of favorites. The Pearl Street Stampede is a Boulder tradition that celebrates the fall football season. Starting at 7 p.m. on the Friday before each home game (as well as one on Wednesday evening), the Golden Buffalo Marching Band and the CU Football team will rally Downtown. Join the Stampede for an evening of music, celebration and festivity.

Starting on the 1300 block of Pearl Street, the Golden Buffalo Marching Band will play crowd pleasing tunes as super cool mini footballs are thrown into the crowd. The football team will mingle with fans of all ages. Fun will be had by all! So put on a chunky sweater (preferably black or gold), grab a warm bevvy, and join us in hitting the bricks this fall season. Find more information on the Downtown Boulder website by clicking here.