Saturday, January 01, 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!

The year 2011 is putting me in mind of many symbolic things...

One is the loneliest number, but we've two ones, side-by-side. This should be a good year for couples, pairs, and friends. In fact, our first visitors of 2011 had never been in before, so we've made some new friends already. :-)

If you're reading this, you've probably been to Bonnett's at least once. Many people, sadly, have never visited our shop, and more don't even know it's here. We don't have an advertising budget, so most of my blogging, Tweeting, and other online endeavors are an attempt to make up for that. You can help us by introducing Bonnett's Book Store to your friends who've never been in before.

Even folks who don't read often can find something here. We have an ever-growing selection of DVDs (now featuring 2 blu-ray movies), comic books for young and old, short stories or joke books to read in the porcelain lounge, books on making repairs, gardening, history, picture books and stories for the kids (in all of us), and, of course, plenty of current and classic novels and/or non-fiction for more serious readers.

'11, as two ones, also makes me think of 2-for-1 which is the basis of our trade-in policy. Bring in your old books, DVDs, comics, and magazines, and trade them in to save money on your next purchase; Or trade in 2-for-1 of the same price and type of book, comic, or DVD.

Pair up now and enjoy the whole year with friends at Bonnett's Book Store!

Just don't get yourself in trouble, like our old friend Archie Andrews. ;-)

Saturday, December 18, 2010

A few movies with snow

Not tired of winter yet? Here are a few movies featuring a good bit of snow.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Another Holiday Book Treat

"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, illustrated by H.M. Brock, from Dodd, Mead & Company 1935
Hardcover, No dustjacket, one illustration page is loose.

Happy Holidays! :-)

Friday, December 03, 2010

A Few Holiday Selections from Bonnett's Books

It occurred to me that a lot of folks may not be aware that we accept credit cards and debit cards, too. Now you know.

Here are a few items to help you and yours get into the Holiday spirit. And, when you're looking for special gifts, you can find something on our shelves for just about everyone on your list. Our discount comic books make great stocking stuffers for the kids (or a good cheap way to keep them occupied while you put lights on the tree). Stop in and take a look around. And remember, if you don't see what you're looking for, just ask and we'll point you in the right direction.

Foursquare users, during the Holiday Season, check-in and tell your friends you're at Bonnett's Book Store for a 20% discount!

Open Mon-Sat, Noon-8pm, sometimes later.
To learn more and keep in touch, subscribe to the Penciled Margins blog feed, or Follow @BonnettsBooks on Twitter, Like Bonnett's Book Store's page on Facebook, Friend =[BONNETT'S]= on MySpace, and see the sidebar to Follow us with Google Friend Connect.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The Children of Dickens (1933)
Holiday Recipes & Chocolate Ecstasy
A Christmas Treasury of Yuletide Stories & Poems
The Snowman Who Wanted to Stay
Elf - (DVD)
It Happened of 5th Avenue - (DVD)

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Holiday Season in Dayton, Ohio (Hours & Events)

BONNETT'S BOOK STORE will be closed on Thanksgiving but right back at it on Friday, as usual, from Noon-8p (or later, call if you're nearby 937-228-1222). We'll be closing at 5p on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day, and return to our regular hours of Mon-Sat, Noon-8p on other days during and after the Holidays.

Naturally, I can't know EVERYTHING that's going on, but here's a heads-up on the things that have recently piqued my interest, including special holiday hours and events around downtown and in the Oregon District.

DERAILED HAIR SALON is taking appointments on Wednesday 11/24, so you can get your last minute 'do done in time to show off your hotness at your Thanksgiving gatherings. 937-222-3910 for appointments and more info.

WILEY'S COMEDY CLUB  - Wednesday 11/24 @ 8p "Comics Come Home" show features 10 national performers home for the holiday, all for the low low price of $5.00! You do the math. What a DEAL! Check with them for New Year's Eve Party info.

THE DUBLIN PUB features Spungeworthy on Wednesday night and will open at 6p on Thanksgiving with live acoustic music in the evening from Nick Mitchell.

BLIND BOB'S will open at 8p on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Closed Christmas Eve. Check with them if you want to know more about their New Year's Eve plans.

Happy Birthday BOULEVARD HAUS! Open Christmas Eve until 8p. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Days.


GRANDE ILLUMINATION & CHILDREN'S PARADE take place Friday 11/26 4-9p Musical acts will perform on the main stage on Courthouse Square and Dayton's tree goes live at 7:45p. Be there by 7:30p to get your "magic glasses" to enhance the tree lighting ceremony. The Children's Parade takes place immediately following the tree lighting.

LAS AMERICAS, a Puerto Rican/South American eatery near the Trolley Stop has extended it's hours. Check them out to add some spice to your holiday dining. Tue-Fri 11a-8p; Sat 8a-8p, Sun 9a-1p

FIRST FRIDAY is Dec 3, 5-10p at creative venues all around downtown Dayton. Check out some truly special and unique gift selections, and be inspired by the creativity of a wide variety of new art and artists.
5th Street Clayworx will be taking non-perishable food donations for the Food Bank during First Friday.

SANTA PUB CRAWL Benefiting USMC TOYS FOR TOTS is Sat, Dec 11, 6p-2a as follows:
Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St.: 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Tumbleweed Connection, 454 E. Fifth St.: 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St.: 9:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.:  10:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Bar Tiki, 261 Wayne Ave.: 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Newcom’s, 418 E. Fifth St.: 12:30 a.m. to closing

LET THE HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES BEGIN!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Hauntfest 2010 info

A lot of folks still refer to the annual Oregon District Halloween Party in Dayton, Ohio by it's older (and more fun) name, Boo-N-Brew or Boo and Brew. For a few years now it has officially been called Hauntfest. Now that's out of the way. Here's the skinny -

Hauntfest is on Saturday, October 30th (or 30st*) and is an all-ages event. Minors must be accompanied by adults. You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase drink tickets and consume alcohol.
  • 5 PM - E 5th St between Patterson Blvd & Wayne Ave, including the 5th & Wayne intersection will be closed to traffic so Hauntfest set-up may commence.
  • 7 PM - Hauntfest Opens! Admission is $5.00 until 10 PM.
  • 7 PM-1 AM - Be immortalized! Strike a pose and smile and/or snarl for the cameras.
  • 10 PM - Admission to Hauntfest increases to $10.00
  • 12 AM Midnight - Beer ticket sales end. Stock up on tickets early!
  • 12:30 AM - Beer trucks close. It's a party! Share any extra tickets with your friends!
  • 1 AM - Hauntfest officially ends. Get thee home, or to thy favorite tavern. And don't forget your Designated Driver!

Enjoy!

*In troubled economic times, money saving efforts are always a good idea. A little was saved this year by re-using last year's street banners. The date on the banners was corrected by painting a zero over the number 1 to make 31 become 30. Unfortunately, the suffix on the dates wasn't corrected to go along with the numbers, so at least some of the banners read "Oct 30st" instead of "Oct 30th". Just one insignificant and slightly humorous way that too much cost-cutting can go wrong. Which reminds me... Please, vote YES on Issue 9 to renew existing Montgomery County Human Services funding. Voting No will only serve to increase hardships on those with special needs (mental and physical help, employment services, etc) of all ages - the loss of such help and services will have a ripple effect throughout the Miami Valley. Vote Yes on Issue 9. If you think things are tough now, wait until this existing help comes to a screeching halt. Vote YES on Issue 9, the Montgomery County Human Services Levy Renewal.

Grandpa Harold's dog, Bix, a FREE movie and good jazz



Bonnett's Bookstore's founder, Harold Bonnett, was a fan of Jazz music and Dixieland Jazz in particular. Bix Beiderbecke was one of his favorite perfomers; so much so that he named one of his dogs after him.

Grandpa had many dogs through the years, but Bix was his "shop dog". They would walk together to and from work every day.

Bix was small and well-behaved enough to not be in the way at the store (back then the shop wasn't quite as crowded as it has become). I don't know if Bix was a mix or not, but Grandpa never worried over pedigree. Like a dog, Grandpa was a good judge of character and took in his pets based on their good attitudes, rather than their Papers.

If you've ever seen the cartoon "The Ren & Stimpy Show", you may have noticed that Ren spoke in a voice reminiscent of actor Peter Lorre. Lorre and Chihuahuas share the facial characteristic of slightly bulging eyes, and many of Lorre's best known roles (Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon) were played in a twitchy, nervous, Chihuahua-like fashion. Bix was nervous in the same way. A lot of people compulsively wanted to pet him, but if Bix didn't want to be bothered he'd just walk away; no snipping or yapping. He was a good-natured dog.

Because of a little black and brown dog we were introduced to the work of a very talented musician.

Wednesday 2010/11/03, 7:00 pm, The NEON Movies presents "BIX", a 1991 documentary about Bix Beiderbecke, FREE!

Friday 2010/11/12, 8:30 pm, Gilly's Jazz Club presents Dave Greer's Classic Jazz Stompers' Tribute to Bix Beiderbecke featuring Special Guest Andy Schumm $12.00

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Digital Comic Museum

Digital Comic Museum
Found this thanks to Cory Doctorow/BoingBoing on Twitter.
One of the greatest things on the Internet since IMDb, the Digital Comic Museum.

@boingboing or http://www.boingboing.net
@doctorow or http://www.craphound.com
@twitter or http://www.twitter.com
@IMDb or http://www.imdb.com

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Bonnett's Bookstore Trivia: Books & their Movies (1939)

As this Google Doodle so gracefully reminds us...

Today (8/12/2010) marks the 71st anniversary of the release of The Wizard of Oz (1939). I'm sure many of you share our sentiment that Oz is indeed one of the most wonderful worlds ever translated from the bookshelf to the big screen. The many forms Oz has been given over the years are a clear statement of the enduring connection this film has made with so many of us, all over the world. And, the fact that the tale can exist successfully in so many variations speaks volumes about it's impact on everyone who's seen it.

Oz trivia abounds! There's no way to cover it all in a single post. If you want to know more, watch the bonus features on your movies, search the internets, and be sure to have a lot of time set aside for doing so.  ;-)

BONNETT'S Short List of Recommended OZes:
  • The Wiz starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson
  • Tin Man with Zooey Deschanel, Alan Cumming, and Neal McDonough
  • Wicked: The Musical, based on the remarkable "untold story" of the witches of OZ and based on the remarkable book by Gregory Maguire.

And now for the Bonnett's Trivia part of the post...

Bonnett's Book Store was also "released" in 1939. The year was full of good company! Our exciting, graceful, and timeless compadres of 1939 include Batman - then known as the Bat-Man, and the film versions of Gone with the Wind, Wuthering Heights, and the first of the Sherlock Holmes movies starring Basil Rathbone, and a whole lot more.

The truly amazing thing about all this is that these great and beloved works all began as books! What's that you say? Batman isn't a book? Well... OK. I could be snide and tell you, "They're called comic BOOKS, aren't they?" But you deserve better, so here it is... Bonus Trivia!

The look of Bob Kane's Batman is said to have been inspired by another movie - based on a book!
The Bat Whispers movie was based on The Bat, a book and play by Mary Roberts Rinehart & Avery Hopwood. The Bat wore a costume and mask with a cape, and climbed around on ropes, but... he was a criminal! In the opening titles of the movies there's a great silhouette shot of The Bat disappearing quickly up a rope just like our beloved hero. And now you know.

I hope you've enjoyed these bits of book-land trivia. I love this kind of stuff and could go on and on, but I want to post this while it's still the 71st Anniversary of Oz in my time zone. If you've been kind or interested enough to bear with me through the whole post there's one last thing I'd like to share... a blog "easter egg", if you will, like those sometimes found on DVD's and in films (Did you see R2-D2 in the 2009 Star Trek movie? You'll have to find that one on your own), and I hope you will heartily enjoy... this. :-)

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine & convention

Remember those creepy ghouls that stared at you from the newsstand and gave you nightmares when you were a kid? Just like a good monster in a bad sequel, or the undead from the grave, FAMOUS MONSTERS of FILMLAND RETURNS!!!


To celebrate the resurrection of the monstrous minions of mayhem, a convention hath been wrought from the primal forces binding together the very elements of the universe, for the dark edification of we poor mortal souls, that we may bear witness and spread word on trembling tongues of it's impending, gruesome re-birth.

PREPARE YOURSELVES or MEET YOUR DOOM!
You've been warned...