Not all of us are super crafty but there’s little more satisfying than a successful a DYI project. Whether it’s melting old vinyl LPs into a wavy bowl, making wallets out of FedEx envelopes, knitting your own cap or making a dress out of a pillow case, it’s always a load of fun. If you’ve never seen great recycled art or worked on your own recycled art projects, now is your chance to get inspired! From now until May 14 the Coconino Center for the Arts hosts their ever-popular Recycled Arts Exhibition.

This week's Cult Classic is a book movie! YAY! Love book movies. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas presented by Bookmans and The Loft Cinema shows at 10 p.m. showing Friday, May 5 or Saturday, May 6.

Something unexpected happens during our conversation with Brandon Doss of Kind Vines about his favorite wine and book pairings. Not once does he mention the classics, deep historical looks into the Medici family or foodie memoirs that make us feel rotten for gaps in our world travels. Instead he sucker punches us with the novel idea of sitting down with a smooth glass of wine and a graphic novel.

"A graphic novel is probably the best literature match while enjoying a glass (or two) of wine," Brandon says. His #1 pick for reading while imbibing is the Preacher series published by Vertigo. "The books are awesome, gripping, edgy, freaky and awesome again."

Right now I’m sitting in the sunny window of the Flagstaff cafe listening to gospel music and sipping a triple latte. My job rocks! I love everything about our cafe: the sweetest girls (and boy) in town, the amazing intelligentsia coffee (one of the best beans in the U.S. today) and our amazing new bakery Beautiful Leaf!

Put on your thinking caps and pull out that smart-phone because it's time for the Phoenix Edition of Bookmans Treasure Hunt: The Search for Local Business Booty! In April our friends at Melrose Pharmacy handed out prizes to our super smart Twitter followers.

Supporting local businesses strengthens our local economy, and a strong economy means a stronger community. As part of our commitment to local businesses and the community, Bookmans Entertainment Exchange is a member of Local First Arizona. Their ShiftAZ campaign encouraging shopping at local businesses has inspired us to use our noggins, crank up our creativity and find a fun way to support other companies while bringing you added value. Pack your inhalers, remove your training wheels and do the truffle shuffle because you're about to embark on an adventure that would make Old One Eyed Willy proud.

A loosely associated posse of Tucson tech types ventured to Austin in March for the SXSW® Interactive Festival. Many are familiar with SXSW and the emergent film and music the festival is known for. SXSWi is an outgrowth of that creative force but features presentations from the brightest minds in technology and provides networking events hosted by industry leaders, a trade show, and other programs showcasing new digital works, video games and innovative ideas. The Pima County Library brings all the best from SXSWi 2011 to the Tucson public tomorrow from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Avenue.

Here comes summer! It’s hot, it’s stinky and it’s six months long! It also doesn’t have to be as awful as all that. Being a native Tucsonan I know that all stupid clichés aside (pleeease no more “dry heat” drivel!), this town has hidden treasures that only certain savvy subversives know about. Lucky you, I’m going to share three of those pleasures. The following activities represent a smidge of those hidden treasures/pleasures that this town has to offer and if you only do them once, you’ll find yourself neck deep in November before you know it.

Photo credit: beglib from morguefile.com

Being eager to bring Bookmans Recreation Exchange to you, we've not respected the norm of silence followed by a big to-do and hoo-haw that go with a new store opening (that will come later). Instead we sent out a call via our stores and social media for your sporting and recreation gear. We entertained ourselves making posters and drooling over the merchandise that has come to our deal counters thus far.

Hold on to your wireless controllers because DEVASTATION and Lost Bot Productions will be at Bookmans Speedway to host a Button 1 + Button 2 (if you're a Sega User) event. Bring your competitive spirit and a controler because prizes and bragging rights are on the line. Registration begins at 1 p.m. and the Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Tournament begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 at Bookmans Speedway in the snack area.

There will be a 32 player bracket (capped) and double-elimination all played on the Xbox 360. The prizes will be $100 in Bookmans Gift Cards for first place, $50 in Bookmans Gift Cards for second place, $25 in Bookmans Gift Cards for third place and fourth through eight place will receive $5 Bookmans Gift Cards. This is the first time DEVASTATION is hosting an event at a Bookmans Tucson store, show them the Old Pueblo can bring it!

 

For Ignite Phoenix 10 we decided to present a sponsor video that offered a little more than what meets the eye. Each Bookmans store reflects the community that surrounds it; we connect with these communities and these communities connect with us. It's a reciprocal system that makes us who we are. Striving for sustainable business practices for over 30 years, we have been somewhat experimental in the way we approach our work and the choice of the community to participate in our quirkiness helps to shape us. Bookmans as a brand, as a company, as a community partner is created by our connection with you. We thank you and we hope you enjoy the video.

Don't miss the World Premiere of the new locally-shot documentary Flor de Muertos, an artful examination of the music, culture, history and politics surrounding Dia de los Muertos and the All Souls Procession showing at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 28 at The Loft Cinema. We won't let you miss it. Starting this Ticket Tuesday (today) and every day for the rest of the week, we are giving away a pair of tickets to the premiere plus our sugar skull tote with a $10 gift certificate to Bookmans and a sugar skull T-shirt tucked neatly inside.

What has dancing toddlers, balloon sculpting, face-painting and espresso? Our Music in the Classroom (MIC) Spring Jamboree of course! Bookmans Flagstaff hosts a wonderful free musical party for all the toddlers and tots from 11 a.m. to noon this Saturday, May 28 in our cafe.

All Bookmans locations have limited store hours in recognition of Memorial Day. Today we are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will return to normal operating hours on Tuesday, May 31 (9 a.m. to 10 p.m. in case you forgot).

Our holiday hours give you enough time to enjoy your favorite used media store and:

if you're in Phoenix explore Pioneers' Cemetery Association's Memorial Day observance at 9 a.m. at the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park where reenactors in historic dress will be present for this solemn occasion. Visitors are invited to tour the cemeteries following the Memorial Day ceremony.

if you're in Tucson catch the Tucson Padres at 7 p.m. at Kino Stadium where a group of four can get four reserved tickets, four hot dogs and four Coca-Cola based soft drinks for $20. (Read the fine print at their website and be sure to call 520.434.1367 before 4 p.m. Any tickets purchased after that will be sold at $5. You will have to mention KiiM-FM.) A special Memorial Day ceremony will take place at the game.

if you're in Flagstaff get out and enjoy the gorgeous weather.

While we're talking about special hours, starting Wednesday, June 1 our Bookmans Flagstaff Cafe will open early at 7 a.m. seven days a week so you can stop in for coffee on your way to work. You might as well pick up a muffin for your buddy a desk over while you're at it. Enjoy these summer-only cafe hours.