Art has started to arrive for the Hearts in A(c)Cord art show. Come get a romance or two and join the fun. Any medium is accepted, with the only stipulation being it must include a romance novel.

The pictures are of two of our interesting non-fiction books. Just samples of what we have to offer, be it political, green or local interest. We have a broad range to offer, business and self help to just plain fun (cook books, Gallop). With books to browse, tables to rest or visit at, food to nosh, WIFI, and lots of eye candy, we expect everyone of our guests to find something to pique their interest or appetite.

Jerry and Jessica

"tycoonistas"

The Buccaneers put on an exciting and entertaining concert, unfortunately to a small audience, as it was Good Friday. They hail from Calgary, Alberta, Canada and performed a wonderful mix of "roots" music (bluegrass, blues, celtic, chanty, folk, and original). They have been jamming together since high school and have been a group for twelve years. All three share the vocals and they have a nice tight harmonic style which was highlighted in several acapella numbers. Talented musicians, they utilize a variey of instuments including guitar, mandolin, penny whistle, bass and ukelele as well as percussion.

The next scheduled event for our stage is the "First Friday Poetry", held on the first Friday of each month. The April 4th event features Candice Favilla followed by open mic. All are welcome.

We still have some romances available at a reduced price ($.50 for paper backs and $1.00 for hard covers). Speaking of romance -- we have put out a call to artists --- use a romance in an art project, bring it in and have it displayed and juried. We will have a people's choice award as well. Come in, get a romance, and have fun creating. The only stipulation is that a romance novel be incorpoated in the work. Come in - get your novel -- and have fun in what ever medium you choose. We'd like to have the submissions in by March 31st to have time for display and for the jury.

Jerry and Jessica

"tycoonistas"

And the stack shrinks

The sale was a success. We set the record! Not as high as we had hoped, as our goal was to sell all 8,144 romances (our count). We did fall a bit short, and will continue the sale til the end of the month or until all are sold. Many new faces graced our space and the whole day was a pretty good party. We put out a call to artists and would like to see a broad range of art works utilizing a romance novel. The only requirement is that a romance novel be used in the creation. A jury will select a winner based on creativity, ingenuity, and execution. Art works are to be submitted to Colette's by close of business March 31st (7pm) to give the jury time to decide and nearly two weeks to display them prior to the April art walk, when a people's choice pick will be awarded.

The Buccaneers will bring their eclectic mix of folk, celtic, bluegrass, and sea chanties ("Rocky Mountain Root Music") to our stage on March 21st at 7:30 pm. Door charge is $12, which all goes to the artists.

Jerry and Jessica

"tycoonistas"

How high can it go? - HEARTS in A (c) CORD

The stack for the Guinness records is complete. Come in and guess how many volumes. The closest without going over wins a romantic dinner for two. The records we plan to set are most romances sold by a brick and mortar independent bookstore in one business day, most romances sold in one minute, and most romances sold to a man in one transaction. There will be samples and fun for all. The festivities begin at 10 am on March 15th and will end at 6 pm, with a live radio feed from K-DOCK Oldies 92.9FM. Come have a good time and support charity. Paperbacks will sell for $1.00 each and Hard cover romances will be $2.00. Half of the proceeds will be split between the Women's Safety and Resource Center and South Coast Food Share. With well over a cord there will be romance for all. In addition there will be an artist call to produce a work of art in any medium utilizing at least one romance novel. The art fest continues through March (deadline is March 31st), and a juried and people's choice selection will be made and awarded during the March Art walk.

Friday was the second First Friday Poetry Reading. It was well attended and featured Ralph Tislarete presenting a mini-workshop on taking poetry to another level with sound, music and video. An award winning poet, he is published in 100+ anthologies, and has been creating 'poem tracks' for the past several years. He has been writing over forty years. Another surprise was a cowboy poet and fiddler. All in all an exciting evening. Several others read to much appreciation. Remember this will be an going feature at Colette's on the first Friday of each month. The plan is to have a featured poet, and then open the 'mic' up to the floor.

Later in March (the 21st) the Buccaneers will be presenting their eclectic mix of Celtic, folk, sea chanties and bluegrass on our stage at 7:30 pm. Suggested cover donation is $12.00. Mark your calendars as it promises to live up to the caliber of performers that have graced our stage.

Jerry and Jessica
"tycoonistas"

Hearts in A(c) cord

When we purchased the bookstore that seeded our new endeavor, we ended up with many books in genres we knew we would not feature...like romances. Now, before anyone accuses us of being elitist, let me (Jessica) freely admit that I've read my share of these. But, those of you who've visited the store know that we have a finite amount of room and a large list of books we want to feature. So, long story short...no room for romances. "Romance, we have room for," Jerry adds as he reads over my shoulder.

Anyhoo, we ended up with more than a cord (that's a firewood cord 4'x4'x8') of romance novels. That's several thousand tomes of lust, love, like, dislike, like again, bodice ripping, rippling muscles and assorted examples of pulchritude and prurience. What to do?

The very number of volumes cried out for a large event, maybe even a world record! Enter the Guinness World Records. Yep, you heard it right...we've applied and been accepted to set a world record for the most romances sold in one business day by a brick and mortar independent bookstore. It took a week or so to get our claim number, but now we can tell the world.

My brother, Matt, has built us a big frame and he's busy stacking it full of books. (pictures show stacking in progress) The big event, which we are calling Hearts in A(c)Cord (yes, we know it's cheesy) is scheduled for Saturday, March 15 from 10am to 6pm. Paperbacks are $1 each and hardbacks are $2. Some volumes are first editions worth up to $25.

Once we have all the books in the box, we'll begin a contest to see who can guess how many books are in the stacks. The winner will be the one who guesses closest without going over and will win dinner for two at Colette's.

We've got two other records slated for that day...the most romances sold in one minute and the most romances sold to a man. -K-DOCK will be broadcasting live during the sale. But wait, there's more....we have also put out a Call to Artists for an art piece that incorporates at least one romance novel (the actual novel). Any medium is allowed. The pieces must be submitted by March 31...juried and hung in time for the April ArtWalk. The People's Choice will be voted on by the public and awarded at the end of the evening.

Half of all proceeds will be divided between the Women's Safety and Resource Center and Food Share which supports the local Food Pantries.

You don't read romances? Buy a bag and hand them out to your friends, use them as white elephant gifts, donate them to a local shelter or make art out of them. Remember, romance is not dead and romance novels never die, they just get recycled for a good cause.

Jerry and Jessica

"tycoonistas

Live music - again!

Dano and his romantic guitar along with new friend and fellow musician Lynda Cole graced our stage yesterday, providing a wonderful background to the ambiance of Colette's. They are working on a demo CD.

The second picture is a serving of beignets, which we offer each Saturday and Sunday. A beignet is a French "doughnut" made to order, sprinkled with powdered sugar, and served hot, traditionally with chicory coffee. We blend our house blend organic fair trade coffee with organic chicory to create a true "N'awlins" flavor.

Keep checking back to be in the know about our upcoming Guiness world record try.

Jerry and Jessica

"tycoonistas"

We've been Klemke'd!

We had a fun filled afternoon with Sam Klemke, caricature artist and humorist, on our stage. Many folk stopped by, some just to say hi, some for food or books. All in all a very pleasant day.

We're expecting a large shipment of new books today and over the rest of the week. Come in and peruse, you may be pleasantly surprised. Soups today are vegetarian chili and our signature hearty vegetable with Italian sausage, Emeriled ("kicked up a notch ... Pow!").

Jerry and Jessica

"tycoonistas"