Bookmans was proud to sponsor the seventh annual Flagstaff Music Festival this past weekend. We all had a great time giving away free CDs, t-shirts, yo-yos, candy, magic toys, and gift certificates. Between local bluegrass, rock, and reggae bands, Geoff Jackson strummed away on his purple Hannah Montana guitar while Kate's 8-month-old daughter Maxine clapped along and Miss Regina charmed the gents in her sleeveless Bookmans tee. The in-store performances Thursday and Friday night by Backroads, a bluegrass band, and Rhythm Oasis, a middle-eastern group, were also a real hit!

Devastation 2009 kicked off Friday with a line of gamers forming as early as 7 a.m. for registration - that is dedication, people. The line for badge pick-up stretched well into the lobby for most of the morning, with the action picking up on the floor with the matches for Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion, Street Fighter III: Third Strike, and the Bookmans-sponsored Marvel vs. Capcom 2.

We enjoyed how many adorable dogs (and cats, and ferrets!) came to Pride in the Pines this year. It almost seemed like everyone brought their best friend. We took lots of pup pictures and dubbed them the "Pups of Pride."

Considering I haven’t been to every trade show on earth and, in fact, I’ve only been to a couple outside the U.S., my title might be pretty wrong. But damn, E3 is awesome! Imagine, if you will, a giant convention center full of massive high definition screens, young enthusiasts, celebrities, booth babes, and people in outlandish costumes, all set to a bone-jarring clash of music and sounds. That’s E3. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but for those who love video games and interactive media, it’s pretty much heaven on earth.

Just a guess, but we think Cal, Bookmans Grant's EEC supervisor, had a good time at E3.

Since it's Music Month, we thought we'd put the spotlight on the musical projects of Bookmans employees. First up: The Konamis. This four-piece band features Bookmans Mesa's assistant manager T.J. Maiden (vocals, rhythm guitar), former Bookmans employee Dan Bruner (lead guitar), Jack Crawford (bass), and Steve Mooney (drums).

If you haven't visited your favorite Bookmans location for our Summer Kids Events yet, here's what you've been missing: art projects, creepy crawlies and other desert dwellers, and intentional acts of kindness. Special thanks to the Phoenix Zoo and the Ben's Bells community project for bringing their unique knowledge and a lot of fun to our stores this summer.

Today’s my birthday! So I can say anything I want--right? I mean, like to world leaders or whomever? For instance, the little way-out-of-shape fem over there in Korea. "JUST KEEP IT UP!”

I attended the Book Expo of America in New York City again this year and, like previous visits, it was an exciting place to be for a book lover. Most American publishers - and many international ones - come out and show off their latest offerings in their booths, many of them with authors that will sign books for you or just hang out and chat. Deals are made as sales people and buyers and marketing-types walk the halls looking for the next big thing; authors and lawyers and publishers hammer out rights deals and all that other stuff that goes on behind the scenes which ultimately delivers books into readers’ hands. All of it creates a great buzz of activity that is pretty cool to behold.

Bookmans Flagstaff is proud to be displaying the art of our talented Music department employee Reuben Jolley. Reuben's major influences include the obvious Keith Haring and Andy Warhol, but include the less obvious Anselm Kiefer and graffiti artists like Bansky.