Hoopla!

The first time I visited Hoopla I forgot to look up and I didn't see this sign. It's a trace, a vestige, of the old store on North Lake Avenue in Altadena. That store was Webster's Fine Stationers. Before that it was simply the Stationery part of Webster's, an Altadena institution, where you could buy padded envelopes, browse greeting cards, pick up some liquor and fill your prescriptions all in one trip. If memory serves, you could buy underwear and mail a package, too.

I just found out that it's pronounced Al-tadena, (as in the first name "Al"). All this time I've been pronouncing it All-tadena (as in "all this time").

At Hoopla you can be on a first-name basis with the owners, Altadena residents Scott and Lori Webster, who have made their store into THE place to purchase local crafts, foods, and books. (Scott Webster, who has lived in Altadena all his life, confirms the Al over All thing).

Today I was focused on the pottery. 

But you could focus on the foods. Or the handmade soaps. Or the toys. You can't believe how much eclectic stuff they cram into this small "emporium of good things." If you want to buy a gift, it's here. So is the card.

All this by way of telling you I was forced, forced, to go to Hoopla today to restock Camelot & Vine because they were sold out. How I suffer. They carry Act As If, too, as well as books by many other local authors.

While you're there book shopping, be sure to peek into every corner to find the weird, the wonderful, and the fine stationery, too. And don't forget to look up.

Bookmarks: The Chocolate Princess in the Land of Plenty

When Yolanda Allen walks into a room, you already know she's coming because her smile gets there first. I met her at Webster's Fine Stationers in Altadena, where I was visiting with Lori and Scott Webster about selling my book in their store.

(Lori & Scott are die-hard supporters of local artists of all kinds. Both of my thumbs go up to them, plus all my fingers, toes, and elbows.)

Yolanda and her sister Valerie Jackson worked long and hard to create The Chocolate Princess in the Land of Plenty, a "classically-styled, contemporary fairytale for readers of all ages." This beautiful book catches your eye on the shelf. Illustrator Sylvia L. Walker has created a work of art on every page.

You can get a signed copy for your little princess tomorrow, February 10th, at The Rose Bowl Flea Market where the authors will have a table from 9am to 3pm. If you miss that, show up at Webster's Fine Stationers on Saturday, February 16, 2013 between 1pm and 3pm for a book signing with Valerie, Yolanda, and illustrator Sylvia L. Walker.

If you don't have a little princess of your own, chocolate or other, you still might Like the Facebook page.

The Altadena/Pasadena Black History parade is the 16th, starting at 10am. You have time to see the Parade and go to the book signing!

Small Business

Ben Wideman of Pasadena--that's THE Ben Wideman, y'all--is the winner of Friday's PDP/PPM book giveaway! Ben was one of several people to guess correctly that the President of the 2004 Tournament of Roses was Michael K. Riffey. John and I recently enjoyed meeting Mr. Riffey on a plane. It takes a nice guy and a dedicated one, too, to put in all those volunteer hours to make the Tournament of Roses the special event that it is. In fact, it takes a lot of nice people to make it happen.

Ben wins a copy of Helen of Pasadena, the new comedy romance novel by Lian Dolan. Lian visits Minnesota, Portland and Seattle next week, so if you're in the neighborhood stop and say hello! And check back here Friday when I have more books to give away, thanks to Prospect Park Media.

Since yesterday was Small Business Saturday I put all the contest entry names in a (clean) poo bag (fits in my pocket better than a hat) and headed up to Altadena. I had small business to do at Altadena Hardware and Webster's Fine Stationers.

At Altadena Hardware they're rearranging the shelves and I still found everything I needed.

At Webster's I bought birthday gifts, Christmas gifts and stuff for myself. In the photo, Scott Webster shows off free trade scarves. (If you're thinking of getting me something, I like them all.) Before I left the store I asked Lori Webster to help me take care of one last small bit of business: she drew the winning name from the poo bag and the rest is history.