Posted in Teton Valley tidbits on September 29, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Alene Breckenridge is a Teton Valleyite extraordinaire, and I’m looking forward to hearing her speak next week. (Besides what’s listed on this flyer, those with a good eye in books will also recognize her as the only woman used as a model in the illustrations by Dan Burr in Pirates.) See you there….
Posted in Authors Info, Store updates, Teton Valley tidbits, Title recommends on September 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Lynna Howard (at left) and Leland Howard (with hat, at right) gave a top-notch multi-media presentation of their trademarked show Art Meets Adventure at Dark Horse Saturday night, all about their most recent book from Caxton Press, Backcountry Roads Idaho. The slide-show took us all from the Owyhee canyonlands to Lemhi Pass, with shots from all seasons and detailed (often funny!) descriptions of their experiences finding the 30-plus “expeditions” highlighted in the book .
We had a small but appreciative audience (I’m blaming it on the beginning of spud break and probably our last good weekend for folks to actually get out there on those backcountry roads themselves!)
Of course, we have signed copies of their book at 10% off through this week. This makes a wonderful gift for anyone who loves the Gem State. Call to reserve a copy, and/or pop on by and check it out!
Posted in Teton Valley tidbits on September 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Kim Trotter popped by yesterday and told me about this cool Trout Unlimited event this Sunday, all about the Teton Dam (which flooded in 1976) and that some folks are talking about trying to rebuild…. the short film features commentary from a number of locals and a lot of background info — defnitely worth checking out!
Posted in Customer quotes, Our front porch view, Store updates, Title recommends on September 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I always love it when I see something that talks about the fact that in spite of all our technological ways to gather information, people still like to READ, and that independent bookstores around the country are still thriving.
Thanks to Bob Heneage, who gave me a copy of a recent issue of The Economist magazine, which discussed “the rising vogue for shopping near home” and the tale of two bookstores in Austin, Texas, BookPeople and Waterloo Records, who successfully fought against the city subsizding a new Borders which would have been located directly across the street from the existing stores. The two competitiors called in a consulting firm (Civic Economics) to show that more of the money spent at their stores stayed in Austin. This piece is worth reading (click here for the on-line version.)
If the concept sounds familiar, it’s similar to what the folks at the 3/50 Project have found out, and that we practice when we recommend that shoppers at Dark Horse also head over to Habitat, Guchiebird’s, Yostmark, Big Hole Music, the Wardrobe, Corner Drug, MagPie, Mountain Knits, Peaked Sports, and all over our favorite local restaurants.
In another encouraging article Peter spotted for me, Newsweek magazine recently had a list of “25 Things You Need to Know Now” — number two on the list is the fact that “Books aren’t dead” which details two things: that the number of books in print is up (it’s risen 38 percent each of the last two years in comparison to the previous year) and that a number of major universities (i.e., University of Michigan, Cornell and the University of Pennsylvania) are all selling publishing rights to the contents of their own libraries. (Most will be available “on-demand” and yes, some of them may even be in digital format.) It concludes: “Publishing’s obituary may be, much like Mark Twain’s, premature.” You can read the full piece by clicking here.
Lastly, someone asked me yesterday why we didn’t have a link to the New York Times Sunday Book Review on the Dark Horse Books blog – so, this seemed like a good time to post it as well. Click here to read the most recent reviews (or to find an archived review.)
Happy reading! See you at the store soon — and do call if you want us to save a seat for Saturday’s event with Leland and Lynna Howard.
Posted in Authors Info, Store updates, Teton Valley tidbits, Title recommends on September 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Photographer Leland Howard and writer Lynna Howard will bring their exciting multi-media presentation Art Meets Adventure™ to Dark Horse on Saturday, September 26. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and include a reception and booksigning of their most recent publication, Backcountry Roads—Idaho. 
Published by Caxton Press of Caldwell, the Howards’ book includes more than 100 photographs, GPS coordinates, 30 color maps, and detailed descriptions of expeditions for would-be explorers.
To me, this book is a rarity – a guidebook that is also a work of art—a valuable tool for anyone who wishes to experience firsthand the rugged beauty of scenic Idaho.
Leland and Lynna are a brother-and-sister team who live in Shelley — they’re connected to Teton Valley, though, because another of their siblings, Isabel Waddell, makes her home here, operates Allstate Insurance, and is also an active participant in the Teton Valley Women’s Book Club. FYI: several years ago, Lynna wrote a piece about Driggs for Idaho Magazine, and Leland has competed in numerous juried art shows presented by the Teton Arts Council.
Art Meets Adventure™ is expected to provide both a visual and auditory feast; Leland’s slides are projected from medium-format originals, a technological achievement that provides audiences with a high-resolution view, accompanied with Lynna’s narration.
Idaho is crisscrossed by thousands of miles of seldom-traveled roadways, and some of the most striking features of the Gem State can only be enjoyed by exploring off the beaten track, the two say. Their book is intended to make those remote roads more accessible to tourists and Idaho natives alike.
The entire state is covered within the Howards’ book. Many of the featured expeditions include tips for photographers, as well as information related to hunting, fishing, biking, hiking, boating, rock climbing, traveling in a 4×4, and over-snow winter travel. History buffs will delight in tours that include Idaho’s “outdoor museums” of mining, logging, Native American culture, and Lewis & Clark’s 1805-1806 expedition.
Backcountry Roads—Idaho, a 240-page softbound book, regularly retails for $27.95 but will be discounted 10% to purchasers at the bookstore throughout September as part of this month’s sale on all titles with an author’s autograph.
To reserve a copy or to make special seating arrangements, give us a call! Hope to see you here for this fun event!
Posted in Authors Info, Teton Valley tidbits, Title recommends on September 9, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Just heard about this — Christopher McDougall, author of the best-seller Born to Run will be doing a presentation and book signing at Dreamchasers Outdoor Adventure (Lisa Smith-Batchen’s new storefront south of the stoplight) tomorrow night, Thursday Sept. 10th at 6 p.m. 
Lisa wrote his appearance here came up last minute – Teton Valley benefits!
FYI: We only have a few copies here at Dark Horse right now – if you want one, call us ASAP (we’ll be ordering more, but can’t be here overnight.)
Here’s what Lisa sent about Chris’ book, which is subtitled A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen:
“Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and, most of all, pure inspiration, Born to Run is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world’s greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.
“Isolated by the most savage terrain in North America, the reclusive Tamarah’s Indians of Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons are custodians of a lost art. For centuries they have practiced techniques that allow them to run hundreds of miles without rest and chase down anything from a deer to an Olympic marathoner while enjoying every mile of it. Their superhuman talent is matched by uncanny health and serenity, leaving the Tamarah’s immune to the diseases and strife that plague modern existence.
“With the help of Cabal lo Bianco, a mysterious loner who lives among the tribe, the author was able not only to uncover the secrets of the Tamarah’s but also to find his own inner ultra-athlete, as he trained for the challenge of a lifetime: a fifty-mile race through the heart of Tarahumara country pitting the tribe against an odd band of Americans, including a star ultramarathoner, a beautiful young surfer, and a barefoot wonder.
“With a sharp wit and wild exuberance, McDougall takes us from the high-tech science labs at Harvard to the sun-baked valleys and freezing peaks across North America, where ever-growing numbers of ultrarunners are pushing their bodies to the limit, and, finally, to the climactic race in the Copper Canyons.
“Born to Run is that rare book that will not only engage your mind but inspire your body when you realize that the secret to happiness is right at your feet, and that you, indeed all of us, were born to run.
“For more information contact Lisa at 208-787-2077.”
Posted in Teton Valley tidbits on September 8, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Patrick Gallagher — to many, he was THE Subaru superstar in these parts; to others a colorful character rich in cosmic karma and Valley cultural history; to all, a man who lived to the end with courage and as big a smile as he could produce as colon cancer took its toll. 
All those who knew, loved and appreciated Patrick are encouraged to attend a “Gathering of Friends” in his honor this Saturday, Sept. 12.
The potluck will start at 4 p.m. at Patrick’s shop (Sue’s Roos) south of Driggs (west off the highway in the West Rocky Road Industrial Park) with live music provided by his many friends expected later in the evening.
A memorial fund called “Friends of Patrick” has been set-up at the Bank of Commerce in Driggs; he would have turned 50 in about a month.
For more information about Patrick’s journey, go to www.caringbridge.org and enter his website (patrickgallagher); it notes that he “left the world at 8:30 p.m. (Saturday) at peace and surrounded by friends,” including Carol Taylor, who reported all this to Lisa Wagener, who asked me to help spread the word….
It is so sad to once again lose a friend to cancer. My only hope is that Patrick knew how much we all cared (and NOT just because he fixed everyone’s cars!) Could it have only been about a year ago when we partied at his shop to raise money for his medical bills? If CeeTee says he went “very peacefully,” though, we can only let him go with grace and say goodbye with a celebration to suit his style.
Posted in Store updates, Storytime, Teton Valley tidbits, Title recommends on September 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
A quick reminder — Storytime takes place this Saturday, Sept. 5th, at 11 a.m. We’re only going to do ONE book — Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak — but that should be plenty as we are ALL going to “act out” the story. (And there might be a surprise or two in store.! Everybody plan to play each of the characters and each of the scenes in this perennial favorite. (And remember, all kids and parenting titles — everything in the yellow room — is 10% off all day. And all month we’re doing 10% off autographed titles. )
See you here!
Posted in Our front porch view, Store updates, Teton Valley tidbits on September 2, 2009 | 4 Comments »
This week’s edition of Valley Citizen will include an article about my decision to actively seek a buyer for Dark Horse Books, sometime between now and when our lease is up at the end of the next January. Within a few weeks of first telling anyone (the ladies in the Book Club), we had attracted two promising prospective buyers, and a third has joined their ranks since. (And the pool might widen after this week’s coverage?)
As you might guess, this is not something arrived upon lightly – but I have come to it clean and clear in mind and heart.
I feel strongly that a new owner can provide some fresh ideas and fresh energy — allowing the bookstore to carry on as the cultural hub of the community. A common thread binds those interested in the purchase — so far they are all community-minded, smart, passionate about reading, and enthusiastic about the place and its possibilities!
And I’m looking forward to see what the next chapter of my life will hold…. writing and editing, volunteering, artwork, more time for friends and family — a chance to hike and be in the great outdoors more often, maybe even go out to lunch and hopefully be creative in many new ways. Peter supports this move 100%.
I have been trying to tell you all in person and face-to-face, but of course, I have not been able to do so with everyone. Thus, I wanted to post this note here on the blog prior to Hope’s story appearing…..
I promise to keep you informed as we all move into this exciting transition! Meanwhile, the store remains open, well-stocked, with some great events planned and plenty of good things to come — stop on by!
