Did you know The Arrogant Worms are coming to ArtSpace on March 14! It’s only a few weeks away! This is going to be a fantastically hilarious show from Canada’s funniest band and you can get tickets for only $30 each. Tickets are going fast and it’s going to be a sold out crowd, so pick yours up TODAY! (This concert is so important I had to put it first!)

This Friday, February 24^th at 8:00 pm, our Friday Night Mics series is pleased to present singer-songwriter extraordinaire Scott Lapointe! Come out for a rousing good time and as always, this event is free!

Books & Co also has tickets to the Burns Lake Tragedy Fundraiser Dance happening at the Kinsmen Hall on Friday, February 24.  Things kick off at 8:00 pm. There will be live music by Sound Addiction, a silent auction and a late night snack, so get your dancing shoes on and support our neighbours!

We’ve got a Spectacular Storytime Every Saturday Morning at 10:00 am! Our expert storytellers provide spice (and excellent scary, funny and weird voices) to classic and modern tales! So drop in with your youngsters and enjoy a coffee while they listen to stories and make crafts!

And while you’re here for storytime, drop by ArtSpace for Antique Appraisals hosted by the Huble Homestead.  Antique experts will tell you what your object is, what it’s worth and how to keep it in tip top condition for years to come. Tickets will be available at the door and will be $10 per object (with no limit on the number of objects you bring in), or you can just come and see what other people have squirreled away in their attics and sheds. All proceeds go to the support of the Huble Homestead Historic Site!

February is Black History Month and Books & Co has tickets for the CNC Black History Month Main Event Celebrations! There will be education, entertainment, guest speakers and a lite meal Saturday, February 25, 6:00 pm to Midnight.  Tickets are only $15 for Adults and $7.50 for children and going fast!

Freedom to Read Week runs from February 26 to March 3^rd this year!  Did you know that books by great Canadian authors Margaret Atwood, Margaret Laurence, Timothy Findley, and Alice Munro have all challenged or censored?  For a complete list of books challenged or banned in the last few years, check out: http://freedomtoread.ca/docs/challenged_books_and_magazines_february_2012.pdf. Then come in, pick up a banned book and see what all the fuss was about!

Red Cedar Readers’ Club is once again meeting for a fun and informative evening of book chat and crafts on Tuesday, February 28^th at 6:30 pm in Café Voltaire.  This week we’re discussing The Prince of Neither Here nor There and making your very own amulets! Come out and chat with other young readers and get ready for the Red Cedar Battle of the Books later this year!

And the Anthropology in Our Backyards Lectures Series is back on Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 pm in ArtSpace! This time Dr. Anne Keeleyside will be speaking on Life in an Ancient Greek Colony: A Bioarchaeological Study of Human Remains from Apollonia Pontica.  You’ll learn the results of an analysis of over 500 skeletons excavated from a necropolis associated with the ancient Greek colony of Apollonia Pontica (active during the 5^th to 3^rd centuries BC), located on the Black Sea cost of Bulgaria.  These remains provide important insights into the lives of the individuals who once lived there!

And bring your kids to Dr. Seuss Day on Sunday, March 4 at 3:00 pm in ArtSpace.  We’ll be reading some of the best of Seuss and doing Seussian crafts!

“Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company” – Lord Byron.  Lost Art Of Letter Writing Evening, Monday March 5 at 6:30 pm.  Come by Café Voltaire and write letters to your loved ones.  We’ve got stamps and coffee (and we’ll lend you pens and give you paper if you need them).  Help prove that letters aren’t an anachronistic remnant of a bygone era and write!

And while you’re here, check out the new photography exhibition upstairs in ArtSpace.  From March 5 – 30 we’re proud to be hosting the Envisioning Change – Prince George Women Share their Experiences of Substance Use and Mental Health Photography Exhibition.  Opening Night is Friday, March 9, but you can always go up and look around!

Then, on Wednesday, March 7 at 7:00 pm, members of the Prince George Toast Masters are back to talk about Leadership! Our families, organizations and communities could all benefit from more effective leadership! Learn leadership insights from local leaders and share your own knowledge of this sought after skill. For more info contact Greg Jonuck at thejonuks@shaw.ca or to register go to www.pgtoastmasters.ca (registration is free).

On Thursday, March 8 at 7:30 pm in ArtSpace, we’ve got another (and very timely) Anthropology in Our Backyards Lecture.  This time Professor Charles Menzies will be speaking on Abolone, Pipelines, and Aboriginal Rights – Making Sense of Coastal Opposition to the Northern Gateway Project.

That’s it for this week folks, for more information about upcoming events or just the cool things that happen here, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter and did you know we’ve got a blog?  Well we do, find out our thoughts on all things books related at booksandcompany.wordpress.com

This Friday, February 17 at 8:00 pm we’ve got Denis Strawsfogel in Café Voltaire.  Playing a mix of folk songs and classic tunes, Denis is sure to put on a fantastic show for this Friday Night Mic session!  As always, this event is free!

And, don’t forget that we’ve got a Spectacular Storytime Every Saturday Morning at 10:00 am! Our expert storytellers provide spice (and excellent scary, funny and weird voices) to classic and modern tales! So drop in with your youngsters and enjoy a coffee while they listen to stories and make crafts!

Books & Co has tickets for An Evening of Musical Comedy starring Dawn Boudreau & Guests and hosted by Carter Horie on Saturday, February 18 in ArtSpace.  Tickets are only $15.

February is Black History Month and Books & Co has tickets for Prince George’s Black History Month Celebrations!  On Saturday, February 18 at 7:00 pm enjoy an Evening of Song Out of Africa at the First Baptist Church.  Tickets are only $10! Or, on Monday, February 20 at 7:00 pm enjoy a Caribbean Cooking Demonstration (and probably some excellent samples of Caribbean food) at the First Baptist Church, tickets for this delicious event are only $12.  And we also have tickets (a mere $15 for adults, $7.50 for children) for the CNC Black History Month Main Event Celebrations! There will be education, entertainment, guest speakers and a lite meal!

Monday, February 20 is a busy day at Books & Co! Not only are we hosting NDP Leadership Candidate Peggy Nash at 11:30 am in Café Voltaire but another meeting of the Prince George Correspondents’ Club (that letter writing thing we do) is meeting in Café Voltaire at 6:30 pm that night!  Come out Monday morning to see Ms. Nash and ask her why she should be our next leader of the official opposition in Ottawa! And come back Monday night to write a letter to anybody you choose (perhaps to your Member of Parliament).

Red Cedar Readers’ Club resumes its fun questions and crafts meetings on Tuesday, February 21^st at 6:30 pm in Café Voltaire.  Come out and chat with other young readers and get ready for the Red Cedar Battle of the Books later this year!

Did you know The Arrogant Worms are coming to ArtSpace on March 14! It’s only a few weeks away! This is going to be a fantastically hilarious show from Canada’s funniest band and you can get tickets for only $30 each. Tickets are going fast and it’s going to be a sold out crowd, so pick yours up TODAY!

Books & Co also has tickets to the Burns Lake Tragedy Fundraiser Dance happening at the Kinsmen Hall on Friday, February 24.  Things kick off at 8:00 pm. There will be live music by Sound Addiction, a silent auction and a late night snack, so get your dancing shoes on and support our neighbours!

You can find us on Facebook and Twitter and did you know we’ve got a blog?  Well we do, find out our thoughts on all things books related at booksandcompany.wordpress.com

Love is in the air, every sight and every sound… It’s almost Valentine’s Day everybody, which means amongst other things that those coupons you got during our fantastical sale last month are about to expire so come on in to Books & Co and buy something for that special someone in your life (which could be you! Go on, treat yourself).  And not just is Valentine’s Day just around the corner, but we’ve got loads of cool things happening this month at Books & Co, Café Voltaire and ArtSpace!

Starting TONIGHT, February 8 at 6:30 pm (and going every Wednesday until the end of February) – ArtSpaceis hosting Graphic Novel Workshops for Teens (13 – 16).  There are still a few spaces available, so just drop in.  The cost for all 4 workshops is $50 and materials are supplied.  For more information, please emailbooksandcompanyevents@gmail.com

And TOMORROW, February 9 at 6:30 pm (and every Thursday until March 1^st) – ArtSpace is hosting Graphic Novel Writing Workshops for Younger Writers (9 – 12).  There are still a few spaces available, so just drop in.  The cost for all 4 workshops is $50 and materials are supplied.  For more information, please emailbooksandcompanyevents@gmail.com (The first meeting will be in Café Voltaire but after that all the meetings will be in ArtSpace).

Tomorrow, Thursday, February 9 at 7:30 pm, ArtSpace is very pleased to welcome Yukon Slim!  Brandon Isaak is coming to town to unveil his new album Bluesman’s Plea. An eclectic mix of Delta blues, country blues, gospel and ragtime, Bluesman’s Plea is “about the 3 greats, great vocals, great musicianship and great songwriting” – John Vermilyea, Blues Underground.  Tickets are only $15 and are on sale now at Books & Co.

Then dust off the old didgeridoo or break out the bandura because it’s OPEN MIC NIGHT! This Friday, February 10 at 8:00 pm, Café Voltaire is pleased to host another in its wildly popular Friday Night Mics Open Mic Nights.  Come prepared to wow the crowd with your willow flute (or you know guitar or voice, we’re not picky) or drop in to listen to some of the best talent PG has to offer.  As always this event is free.

And come in to Café Voltaire on Valentine’s Day (February 14) for a casually romantic evening of special desserts, candlelight, and soft music supplied by Sound Addiction Lite.  It’s the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day, whether it’s your first Valentine’s Day together, your 5^th Valentine’s Day together or your 50^th Valentine’s Day together (couples celebrating other Valentine’s Days are also welcome).

Valentine’s Day is also a good time to present your special someone with tickets to some of the wonderful concerts and events happening around the city!  You can really surprise your Honey-Bunny by getting him (or her) tickets to The Arrogant Worms Concert at ArtSpace on March 14! Just one month after Valentine’s Day, you’ll be laughing as you dance in your seat to the raucous and hilarious music of one of Canada’s best comedy bands. Tickets have just gone on sale (for only $30 each) and it’s going to be a sold out crowd, so pick yours up!

Books & Co also has tickets for An Evening of Musical Comedy starring Dawn Boudreau & Guests and hosted by Carter Horie on Saturday, February 18 in ArtSpace.  Tickets are only $15.

Books & Co also has tickets to the Burns Lake Tragedy Fundraiser Dance happening at the Kinsmen Hall on Friday, February 24.  Things kick off at 8:00 pm.  There will be live music by Sound Addiction, a silent auction and a late night snack, so get your dancing shoes on and support our neighbours!

The Red Cedar Readers’ Club is CANCELLED on Tuesday, February 14 but meets again on Tuesday, February 21^st at 6:30 pm. 

Lastly, Jim Brinkman, owner & founder of Books & Co has felt strongly enough about the new proposed Coyotes Nightclub that he’s written letters of opposition to the City of Prince George and to the editor of the local daily newspaper.  He feels that this nightclub is not the route the city should take to aid in downtown revitalization, and will be detrimental to any progress already made. He’s concerned that this nightclub will create all sorts of problems for the businesses and residents of this area.  If you share his opinions, he’s asking that you send a letter of opposition to Jesse Dill at the City of Prince George - jdill@city.pg.bc.ca

You can find us on Facebook and Twitter and did you know we’ve got a blog?  Well we do, find out our thoughts on all things books related at booksandcompany.wordpress.com

Short and sweet, that’s February.  As winter months go, it finishes early and starts to hint at spring with its longer days and – sometimes – milder weather.  No matter what the groundhog predicts (decisions were split amongst Canada’s groundhogs with Shubenacadie Sam and Wiarton Willie both predicting a quick end, but Balzac Billy and Fred la Marmotte predicted at least 6 more weeks of winter) February feels like winter’s end is right around the corner.

Despite its length, February is jam packed with special days, big and small (did you know February 3^rd is Elmo’s Birthday?).  February is Black History Month, International Friendship Month (I don’t think this means you have to celebrate your international friends, although if it does, I’m looking at you Isabelle) and February 15^th is National Flag Day here in Canada.  Importantly for us here at Books & Co, February boasts loads of author birthdays including Laura Ingalls Wilder, my favorite person born on February 7 (my mom remains my favorite person born on February 6 despite her shocking lack of published works).

And February also marks the beginning of Freedom to Read week, which runs from February 26 to March 3^rd this year.  Freedom to Read week reminds us that even in Canada, one of the freest and most democratic nations in the world, books are still challenged at libraries and in schools every year.  Books by famous and acclaimed Canadian authors including Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro, Timothy Findley, Margaret Laurence and W.P. Kinsella have all had people call for their removal from schools and libraries.  Internationally renowned books like the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird and children’s literature classic Bridge to Terabithia have also been challenged in recent years.

A lot can be lost if book bans are implemented and books are pulled from shelves.  Reading something does not mean you will agree with it and trying to limit exposure to books with content not universally agreed to be “good” or “moral” will result in there being very few books around. Rather than limit books with “questionable” content, we should be reading –and teaching our children to read – critically.  We need to be willing to discuss the parts of literature that make us uncomfortable and accept the right of others to read whatever they wish.

Intellectual freedom and the freedom to read are fundamental elements in a free society.  Without the freedom to read what we wish, how can we truly form our own opinions about important social and political issues?  I’m not suggesting that everyone has to read things that disagree with their established opinions, but we should all have the right to do so if we wish.

So, why not read a previously banned or challenged book this month?  Pick up The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood or The Lives of Girls and Women by Alice Munro or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee or Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling or even American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

For a more complete list of the requests made for books to be removed from schools and libraries in Canada, please visit the Freedom to Read website http://freedomtoread.ca/censorship_in_canada/challenged_books.asp

TONIGHT Wednesday, February 1 at 7:00 pm is the first in a 3 part series presented by the Prince George Toastmasters! This month’s workshop is on Communication. Communication might be the most important competency to master for your success.  Enjoy educational sessions on the art of communication & contribute to the conversations: Fred Punko, CGA and business owner, will be speaking on how to prepare and deliver an effective PowerPoint presentation; Laura Honeyman, employment councilor will be sharing with us how to manage nerves to communicate confidently; and Tom Ireland, Toastmaster leader and mill worker, will offer insights in how to begin a presentation effectively to wow and gain the attention of an audience. This session is the first of a 3 part series intended to raise the communication and leadership abilities of participants to make Prince George a better place to live.  To register: http://goo.gl/VBphp.  For more info, visit: www.pgtoastmasters.ca or 250-564-5191.

The Prince George Photographic Society will be in Café Voltaire tomorrow (Thursday, February 2) at 7:00 pm to talk about who they are and what they do and to show us some of the wonderful photographs taken by their members on recent PG Photographic Society day trips and personal photographic expeditions.

AND also tomorrow night (Thursday, February 2), we’ve got Lauren Mann & The Fairly Odd Folks coming to ArtSpace at 7:00 pm!  Join us for a fantastic concert by the captivating Lauren Mann & The Fairly Odd Folks.  The energetic and authentic performance of their extraordinary indie folk-pop melodies will leave you enraptured.  You’re sure to be drawn into their music!  Tickets are $10 and are on sale now at Books & Co.

Then kick up your heels with Sound of The North in Café Voltaire on Friday, February 3 at 8:00 pm. This Prince George and Fort Fraser band plays the best original folk, old-time and international tunes around!  Be ready for fantastic high-energy polkas and soulful harmonies.  As always, our Friday Night Mics are free, but you’ll want to come early to snag a seat (and maybe a polka partner).

And on Saturday, February 4 at 11:00 am local author and retired teacher Glen Sargeant will be in to sign copies of his thrilling young adult mysteries: Slalakum and Finders Keepers.

The Lost Art of Letter Writing, Prince George Correspondents’ Club Meeting, is meeting again on Monday, February 6 at 6:30 pm in Café Voltaire.  Our letter writing club is booming, but we could always use more writers so come in (bring stationary, extra to share or trade if you want) and just write.  We don’t care who you write to, or what you write (and we won’t judge your handwriting) we just want people to start writing and sending (and hopefully receiving) letters again.  We’ll have coffee (free for letter writers) and stamps available (also free for letters sent to Canadian recipients) and we’ll make sure your letter makes it to a Canada Post mailbox.  We’ve had a request for pen pals from an incarcerated gentleman, so if you don’t have someone to write to, you could always write to him.

Red Cedar Readers’ Club meets again! Come into Café Voltaire at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, February 7 for a lively discussion of this week’s Red Cedar pick and an art project related to the book! The Red Cedar Book Award is BC’s young readers’ choice award for students in grades 4 through 7.  It was launched by the Young Readers’ Choice Awards Society of BC in 1996 to encourage children to read, develop their ability to judge the quality of published works and create an awareness of the works of Canadian authors and illustrators.  Each year, 2 awards are given – 1 in the fiction category and 1 in the information book category.

And starting on February 8, ArtSpace will be hosting Graphic Novel Writing Workshops for kids and teens!

Teen Graphic Novel Writers’ Workshops – Understanding Icons & Visual Shorthand, Facilitated by Nicole Larson.  In ArtSpace on Wednesdays, February 8, 15, 22 and 29.  6:30 – 8:00 pm.  Join other graphic novel writers and artists aged 13 to 16 to improve your understanding of the process of graphic novel creation and discuss how writing a graphic novel is different from other kinds of creative writing.  Both writers and artists are welcome and we will be doing collaborative projects and exercises every week. Each week we will explore what makes graphic novels compelling and discuss why writers might choose the graphic novel genre to tell their stories.  There will also be time to work either collaboratively or independently on original stories.  The cost of this workshop is $50 and space is limited to 12 participants.  For more information please email booksandcompanyevents@gmail.com or call 250-563-6637

Young Graphic Novel Writers’ Workshops – What Makes a Graphic Novel? Facilitated by Nicole Larson.  In ArtSpace on Thursdays, February 9, 16, 23 and March 1.  6:30 to 8:00 pm.  Join other graphic novel writers aged 9 – 12 to improve your understanding of the process of graphic novel creation and discuss how writing a graphic novel is different from other kinds of creative writing.  Both writers and artists are welcome and we will be doing exercises and projects every week.  We will be discussing popular graphic novels for kids including Jeff Smith’s Bone series and we’ll talk about the parts of a graphic novel and how they fit together to tell complete stories. There will also be time to work either collaboratively or independently on original stories.  The cost of this workshop is $50 and space is limited to 12 participants.  For more information please email booksandcompanyevents@gmail.com or call 250-563-6637

Thursday, February 9 at 7:30 pm we’ve got a real musical treat in ArtSpace!  Brandon Isaak (Yukon Slim) is coming to town to unveil his new album Bluesman’s Plea. An eclectic mix of Delta blues, country blues, gospel and ragtime, Bluesman’s Plea is “about the 3 greats, great vocals, great musicianship and great songwriting” – John Vermilyea, Blues Underground.  Tickets are only $15 and are on sale now at Books & Co.

Books & Co also has tickets for An Evening of Musical Comedy starring Dawn Boudreau & Guests and hosted by Carter Horie on Saturday, February 18 in ArtSpace.  Tickets are only $15.

Don’t forget Valentine’s Day on February 14^th!  We haven’t…but you’ll have to check our website, Facebook page and blog (and next week’s email) for more details on the romantic night we’ve got planned for Café Voltaire. 

That’s it for today folks! Sidewalks are treachery with all the ice, so why not stay in with a good book.

You can find us on Facebook and Twitter and did you know we’ve got a blog?  Well we do, find out our thoughts on all things books related at booksandcompany.wordpress.com

In my interpretation of this discussion, Farhad Majoo, of the website slate.com, argued that the ease of accessibility is the most important factor in promoting literacy and for that reason, Amazon should no longer be viewed as the ‘bad guy’.  He reasons that with an e-reader, or a Kindle in his case, the process of getting any book that you desire into your hands is much simpler than hoping your local bookseller has this title, or waiting for them to order it.  For this reason, he figures that local bookstores are slowly becoming irrelevant, as customers are forced to be influenced by the titles that the store’s owner or buyer chooses to stock, and have to wait if they want something not on hand.  With an e-reader, the instant availability of virtually everything far outweighs the personal benefits of shopping at a bricks-and-mortar store.   Also, he suggests that because the act of reading a book is mostly solitary, he doesn’t feel the need to have a place to gather with other readers, like a bookstore.

Toronto bookstore owner Joanne Saul was also involved in this discussion.  Her response to Majoo’s argument is that each bookstore presents  a unique selection of books relevant to the area in which it is located, and by doing so, exposes the customer to books that, although available on Amazon, they might never come across on their own.  Also, by having a personal interaction with customers, a bookstore is able to keep their customers’ interests in mind as it does the purchasing.  As well, a bookstore provides a meeting place for all those who love reading.

I’ve been asked many times how our business holding up with so many people using e-readers these days.  Although I’d be lying if I said that sales haven’t declined marginally, which is the case with most bookstores across the country, Books & Co is indeed alive and well!  And here’s why:

I firmly believe that although we live in a world where communication has become easier and easier, we’re also training ourselves to focus more on our handheld internet-connected screen, and less on our friends and neighbours standing right beside us, who are doing the exact same thing!  We’re losing the ability to bond with one other, friend or stranger, all because we’re too worried about missing the latest text message, tweet or Facebook update from our ‘friends’.  Even though this seems to be the trend, I don’t think people are wired for this form of communication.  Whether they realize it or not, I believe that people are craving some real personal interaction and crying out for some authentic atmosphere and genuine inspiration.

Jim Brinkman, Books & Co owner and founder has always said that he loves running a bookstore because essentially it is a store full of ideas.  Being surrounded by so many ideas in a public place leads to many interesting and powerful conversations and forges many meaningful friendships and relationships.  He’s always strived to promote other community building programs and events, and made it a priority to use his store to heighten the senses of taste, sight, smell, hearing and touch by using food, art, music, paint and books.  In the end, he’s created a place where people love to eat, read, meet, hangout alone, listen to music, talk about ideas, and buy the occasional book.

Whether or not you come to our store to shop, meet, hangout or eat, we love to see you!  We have a store that is full of life & inspiration & relationships & activity, and as a consumer, I would much rather support a business like this than transfer files from one computer to the next (essentially), all for the sake of convenience.  Prince George has been gracious enough to embrace our business, and for this reason, Amazon and the e-readers can bring it on.  We’ll be just fine, with or without them.

Owen Lubbers

Books & Co

Listen to the ‘Q’ Debate Here

Our little letter writing club has been getting a lot of attention.  There have been newspaper articles, television interviews and radio spots and lots and lots of people ask about it.  We’ve got a dedicated core of writers who come to every meeting and new writers every time we meet.

After three meetings of the new Prince George Correspondents’ Club (aka that letter writing thing we do in Café Voltaire a couple of Mondays a month) a couple of things have become clear:

1. Women write more letters than men, but there are some dedicated male letter writers out there. I’d say women out-number men about 4 to 1 when it comes to writing letters with us.  So gentlemen, if you’re looking for women with lovely penmanship who will definitely write you love letters, maybe drop by on a Monday night – some of them have got to be single.
2. Age does not really seem to be a factor when it comes to writing letters.  We’ve had writers ranging in age from high school seniors to senior citizens including a very young man whose father was teaching him how to write what is very likely his first letter.
3. Everybody loves a sparkly sticker; they just do.  It’s a universal truth along the same lines as a single man in possession of a good fortune being in want of a wife.
4. All of the attention the club has received has had some interesting, and unexpected results. Yesterday, I received a letter as a direct result of the letter writing club.  An inmate at the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre wrote to me after seeing the CKPG news piece of TV.  He very politely asked if I’d write back to him or, if I were uncomfortable with that, if I’d pass his letter around at the next meeting and ask if anyone else would like to write him.  He assured me he replies to all letters, so a letter to him is guaranteed to result in a letter back.
5. Sharing stationary, or even just showing off your new stationary, is fun.  People will ooooooohhhhhh and aaaaahhhhh over delicate writing paper or whimsical envelopes in almost the same way they comment on a new baby and we’ve been trading internet suppliers in an almost clandestine way – psst…did you know you can get handmade, personalized paper on…
6. Do not ask to borrow my fountain pen.  Just don’t do it.  I did not realize how possessive I am about my pens and how strongly other people feel about their pens or pencils.  I met one woman who can only write in black gel ink and watched a lovely young woman use a variety of coloured pens to decorate her letters. This week I mailed letters with careful calligraphy on the envelopes and I’m pretty sure the writer would not have given up his calligraphy set to anyone.
7. Even if you don’t think you’ve got someone to write to, you’ve got someone to write to.  A few people have come to our letter writing nights expecting some kind of presentation about how to write a letter or a talk about the importance of writing letters.  But once they found out we’re just time and space to write letters they borrowed some stationary (and in some cases pens) and started writing.  I think they surprised themselves with the length of their letters!

So, despite the fact that some people see writing a letter as a quaint, outmoded form of communication along the same line as semaphore or the telegraph (oh, man I’d love to get a telegram stop they seem so urgent and special stop), it seems that there is life in letter writing yet.  People still want to send their thoughts through the post, want to send doodles and, of course, sparkly stickers along with their news.  As I told CKPG, there will always be love letters and those love letters will probably be covered in sparkly stickers.

Just because the cold snap is over, doesn’t mean Coldsnap is over!  We’ve still got tickets for the rest of the fest and tonight (January 25) ArtSpace is hosting the FolkFest Reunion of Gordie Tentress and John Wort Hannam, the singer-songwriters who were crowd favorites back with Coldsnap was a summer festival!

Thursday, January 26 at 7:30 pm we’ve got the second Anthropology in Our Backyards Lecture!  This time it’s Dr. Mark Nuttall talking about Sheep Rustling and Cutting Slate: Genealogy & Movement Across, Within & Below a Welsh Mountain Landscape. Dr. Nuttall will be exploring family experiences of social upheaval and transition in late 19^th and early 20^th century Northern Wales.  The presentation talks about identity, storied landscapes and pathways, and about how slate only understands Welsh.

This week’s Friday Night Mic is a real treat provided by Eric Tompkins, Brad Hawke and Bruce Baycroft.  Come out for an evening of jazzy blues and bluesy jazz with this wonderful local trio!  Things kick off at 8:00 pm on Friday, January 27 and as always, this event is free!

Kick off the Red Cedar Readers’ Club (and the Year of the Dragon) in style with a chat about Timothy and the Dragon’s Gate!  Come into Café Voltaire at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, January 31 for a lively discussion of this Red Cedar pick and an art project related to the book! The Red Cedar Book Award is BC’s young readers’ choice award for students in grades 4 through 7.  It was launched by the Young Readers’ Choice Awards Society of BC in 1996 to encourage children to read, develop their ability to judge the quality of published works and create an awareness of the works of Canadian authors and illustrators.  Each year, 2 awards are given – 1 in the fiction category and 1 in the information book category.

And Wednesday, February 1 at 7:00 pm is the first in a 3 part series presented by the Prince George Toastmasters! This month’s workshop is on Communication. Communication might be the most important competency to master for your success.  Enjoy educational sessions on the art of communication & contribute to the conversations: Fred Punko, CGA and business owner, will be speaking on how to prepare and deliver an effective PowerPoint presentation; Laura Honeyman, employment councilor will be sharing with us how to manage nerves to communicate confidently; and Tom Ireland, Toastmaster leader and mill worker, will offer insights in how to begin a presentation effectively to wow and gain the attention of an audience. This session is the first of a 3 part series intended to raise the communication and leadership abilities of participants to make Prince George a better place to live.  To register: http://goo.gl/VBphp.  For more info, visit: www.pgtoastmasters.ca or 250-564-5191.

The Prince George Photographic Society will be in Café Voltaire at 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 2 to talk about who they are and what they do and to show us some of the wonderful photographs taken by their members on recent PG Photographic Society day trips and personal photographic expeditions.

Lauren Mann & The Fairly Odd Folks are coming to ArtSpace!  On Thursday, February 2 at 7:00 pm join us for a fantastic concert by the captivating Lauren Mann & The Fairly Odd Folks.  The energetic and authentic performance of their extraordinary indie folk-pop melodies will leave you enraptured.  You’re sure to be drawn into their music!  Tickets are $10 and are on sale now at Books & Co.

And on Saturday, February 4 at 11:00 am local author and retired teacher Glen Sargeant will be in to sign copies of his thrilling young adult mysteries: Slalakum and Finders Keepers.

The Lost Art of Letter Writing, Prince George Correspondents’ Club Meeting, is meeting again on Monday, February 6 at 6:30 pm in Café Voltaire.  Our letter writing club is booming, but we could always use more writers so come in (bring stationary, extra to share or trade if you want) and just write.  We don’t care who you write to, or what you write (and we won’t judge your handwriting) we just want people to start writing and sending (and hopefully receiving) letters again.  We’ll have coffee (free for letter writers) and stamps available (also free for letters sent to Canadian recipients) and we’ll make sure your letter makes it to a Canada Post mailbox.  We’ve had a request for pen pals from an incarcerated gentleman, so if you don’t have someone to write to, you could always write to him.

Books & Co also has tickets for An Evening of Musical Comedy starring Dawn Boudreau & Guests and hosted by Carter Horie on Saturday, February 18 in ArtSpace.  Tickets are only $15.

And starting in February, ArtSpace will be hosting Graphic Novel Writing Workshops for kids and teens!

Teen Graphic Novel Writers’ Workshops – Understanding Icons & Visual Shorthand, Facilitated by Nicole Larson.  In ArtSpace on Wednesdays, February 8, 15, 22 and 29.  6:30 – 8:00 pm.  Join other graphic novel writers and artists aged 13 to 16 to improve your understanding of the process of graphic novel creation and discuss how writing a graphic novel is different from other kinds of creative writing.  Both writers and artists are welcome and we will be doing collaborative projects and exercises every week. Each week we will explore what makes graphic novels compelling and discuss why writers might choose the graphic novel genre to tell their stories.  There will also be time to work either collaboratively or independently on original stories.  The cost of this workshop is $50 and space is limited to 12 participants.  Please sign up at Books & Company before February 1^st.  For more information please email booksandcompanyevents@gmail.com or call 250-563-6637

Young Graphic Novel Writers’ Workshops – What Makes a Graphic Novel? Facilitated by Nicole Larson.  In ArtSpace on Thursdays, February 9, 16, 23 and March 1.  6:30 to 8:00 pm.  Join other graphic novel writers aged 9 – 12 to improve your understanding of the process of graphic novel creation and discuss how writing a graphic novel is different from other kinds of creative writing.  Both writers and artists are welcome and we will be doing exercises and projects every week.  We will be discussing popular graphic novels for kids including Jeff Smith’s Bone series and we’ll talk about the parts of a graphic novel and how they fit together to tell complete stories. There will also be time to work either collaboratively or independently on original stories.  The cost of this workshop is $50 and space is limited to 12 participants.  Please sign up at Books & Company before February 1^st. For more information please email booksandcompanyevents@gmail.com or call 250-563-6637

That’s it for today folks! Get out and enjoy the snow then come in and enjoy a book.

You can find us on Facebook and Twitter and did you know we’ve got a blog?  Well we do, find out our thoughts on all things books related at booksandcompany.wordpress.com

Tom Thomson of the Group of Seven's Winter Morning

I think one of the main reasons Canada is such a literate and well read nation is our long, cold winters (see outside for an example of said winter).  A few years ago, I read a statistic that stated the Prince George Public Library was one of the most well used libraries – per capita – in the world, which means that in a country of readers, we’re leading the pack.  In Prince George we love our winter sports and activities but  we also spend a lot of time housebound and even though technology is such that we can go out (and survive) on a -30°C day, even the most hardcore winter lovers among us don’t always want to.

I know my favorite way to spend a frozen evening is under a blanket with a warm drink and a good book.  The choice of book depends on my mood.  Sometimes, if I’m feeling particularly worn by the cold and dark, I’ll pick something light that will transport me to a warmer climate.  I find Alexander McCall Smith’s No 1 Ladies Detective Agency books to be the perfect antidote to a day where the wind brings the temperature down below -40°C.  A visit to Botswana with Mme Ramotswe is the perfect cure for the winter blues.

If, however, I’m feeling proud of my ability to thwart the cold, I’ll read something soaked in winter, something that revels in the cold and makes me feel proud to be a part of the community that survives and thrives in winter.  Something like Keith Billington’s Cold Land, Warm Hearts or House Calls By Dogsled. I may not be trudging through the snow, frost on my eyelashes, but I still get that particularly Canadian feeling of conquering the cold even if it is by simply staying indoors by the fireplace.

I’m also enjoying Adam Gopnik’s new collection Winter: Five Windows on the Season during our current cold snap.  As the 50^th edition of the CBC Massey Lectures, this book is beautifully written and thought provoking.  It’s the perfect companion to a hot chocolate, a fire and the couch.  On a day like today, it was hard to get out of my warm bed and go out into the world, but I know that a nest of blankets and a good book await me there at the end of the day.

Big, big news sure to make you drop by despite our arctic weather, it’s time for Books & Co’s Annual Sale!  Everything (with a very few exceptions) is 25% off.  So come in Today, Tomorrow and Saturday (January 19, 20 and 21) and pick up all of those books you wanted for Christmas but didn’t get!

TONIGHT (January 19) Mel McConaghy braves the cold to launch his new memoir My Life Through a Broken Windshield.  In his trademark style, Mel will be giving a rundown of some of the fascinating and hilarious stories that make up this new book about the open road in BC!  Things kick off at 7:00 pm in Café Voltaire.

Our Friday Night Mics is a real treat this week!  Tim Krause will be hosting an acoustic jam session in Café Voltaire starting at 8:00 pm on January 20.  Bring your voices and your acoustic instruments for a rare chance to just jam with other local musicians!

Talk about Coldsnap!  I guess our recent weather is just a helpful reminder to pick up your tickets ASAP for the hottest winter festival in the North (every other community stuck in this deep freeze is jealous; I’m looking at you Saskatoon).  Everything kicks off tomorrow (Friday, January 20) so make sure you drop in and get your tickets today!

Sunday, January 22 at 3:00 pm Books & Co will be celebrating Family Literacy Day with a special storytime and crafternoon in ArtSpace. Come in for stories about families, a craft and ideas on how to keep reading and writing central in your child’s life! Family Literacy Day 2012 is January 27.  For more information about Family Literacy Day, please visit http://abclifeliteracy.ca/family-literacy-day

The 3^nd meeting of the Prince George Correspondents’ Club (our new letter writing club) is on Monday, January 23 at 6:30 pm in Café Voltaire.  Come in and do your part to resurrect the lost art of letter writing by writing a letter to whomever you wish.  There will be free coffee and stamps (for letters mailed to Canadian addresses).  Bring in stationary to trade and share and just write for a couple of uninterrupted hours.  Since it’s just after Christmas it might be nice to write thank you letters for all of your lovely Christmas books (and other presents) but you can write whatever you want!

And starting in February, ArtSpace will be hosting Graphic Novel Writing Workshops for kids and teens!

Teen Graphic Novel Writers’ Workshops – Understanding Icons & Visual Shorthand, Facilitated by Nicole Larson.  In ArtSpace on Wednesdays, February 8, 15, 22 and 29.  6:30 – 8:00 pm.  Join other graphic novel writers and artists aged 13 to 16 to improve your understanding of the process of graphic novel creation and discuss how writing a graphic novel is different from other kinds of creative writing.  Both writers and artists are welcome and we will be doing collaborative projects and exercises every week. Each week we will explore what makes graphic novels compelling and discuss why writers might choose the graphic novel genre to tell their stories.  There will also be time to work either collaboratively or independently on original stories.  The cost of this workshop is $50 and space is limited to 12 participants.  Please sign up at Books & Company before February 1^st.  For more information please email booksandcompanyevents@gmail.com or call 250-563-6637

Young Graphic Novel Writers’ Workshops – What Makes a Graphic Novel? Facilitated by Nicole Larson.  In ArtSpace on Thursdays, February 9, 16, 23 and March 1.  6:30 to 8:00 pm.  Join other graphic novel writers aged 9 – 12 to improve your understanding of the process of graphic novel creation and discuss how writing a graphic novel is different from other kinds of creative writing.  Both writers and artists are welcome and we will be doing exercises and projects every week.  We will be discussing popular graphic novels for kids including Jeff Smith’s Bone series and we’ll talk about the parts of a graphic novel and how they fit together to tell complete stories. There will also be time to work either collaboratively or independently on original stories.  The cost of this workshop is $50 and space is limited to 12 participants.  Please sign up at Books & Company before February 1^st. For more information please email booksandcompanyevents@gmail.com or call 250-563-6637

That’s it for today folks! Stay warm!  I suggest coming for a bowl of soup and a book.  There’s nothing like curling up with a good book under a blanket on the couch while the weather outside is frightful.

You can find us on Facebook and Twitter and did you know we’ve got a blog?  Well we do, find out our thoughts on all things books related at booksandcompany.wordpress.com