Matthew's Meanderings

Hi Everybody,



Matthew the Newsagent here. It's my intention to write a weekly blogpiece about magazines of note that are in the store. Unlike Jean's updates with new titles, which are wonderful, this column will deal with timely subjects and fun stuff I notice as it comes in. Here goes nothin'...



First of all, there has been quite a lot of press lately about the big financial bailout of Ireland's economy. Part of the discussion has been about the increase in emigrant numbers over the past two years, as people set out to find jobs in new lands. Many people can trace their ancestry back to Ireland; if you're one of them, check out Irish Roots magazine. This quarterly publication offers lots of helpful hints on constructing your Irish family tree.



Another magazine of note this month is the one and only MAD, which has devoted its entire January issue to "Spy vs. Spy." If you are a fan of the ongoing battle between the black and white spies, you should definitely pick this one up. It has plenty of plots done by the original creator, the Cuban artist Antonio Prohias, plus Peter Kuper's recent works and guest art by guys like Evan Dorkin and Peter Bagge. A collector's item not to be missed!



Speaking of fun stuff, The New Yorker has released a collection of the cartoons from 2010, all in one convenient publication. My favorite artist is Roz Chast, and she has written a memorable introduction sure to please even the stodgiest curmudgeon. Check it out next time you're in the store. Smiles are guaranteed.



Last but not least this week, we've got a great gift idea for all of you McSweeney's fans who are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Issue 36 (coming in a box that looks like a human head): "Greetings from the Ocean's Sweaty Face" is a box set of 100 postcards with awesome artwork from the first 30 issues. There's something for everyone inside. See for yourself!



I'll be back next week with more meanderings.



Matthew

A few new titles this week (Trains, French, Fashion, Music)

Five new titles that you can check out with the other new arrivals next to the cash register.

Trains4Kids (a Trains magazine special)

Maniere de Voir (Jan/Dec)  French language bimonthly.  This issue focuses on urbanization (l'urbanisation du monde).

Tranoi #7 a fashion design alternative magazine.  This issue features a Japanese style book binding and 3-d glasses.

Big Cheese  from the UK.  We've had it before, but it disappeared from our shelves for a couple of years.  We have tracked it down again.  And no, it is not about cooking, but about music.

Oh Comely describes itself as "a magazine about people and their quirks and their creativity, rather than money and what it can buy."

More Construction in the UDistrict: 15th Ave NE

SDOT just dropped by a flyer for their upcoming open house (UHeights, Room 209, Wednesday Dec 8, 2010 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm).

Reconstruction of 15th Ave NE from Pacific Ave NE to NE 50th St, starting in January.

More information on their website here

December Cooking -- Ready for Christmas Cookies?

The Cooking section is full of cheerful tempting baking and cooking covers.  Waiting for you to delve in and fantasize about what you will or might make.  Instead of braving the mall crowds, you could hang out with friends, family, or household critters and bake for later.  Vegetarian Times has meatless holiday special, Living Without provides gluten free baking tips, and Cook's Holiday Entertaining goes for the more traditional.

Or if you are feeling like a python who ate a buffalo, you might check out winter outdoors activities in Washington Trails or 425.

Record Cold Night

 But the lights were on, we all had good sweaters, and the coffee was hot. 

Snow & Thanksgiving Hours!

WEDNESDAY

Regular hours at the News Stand and at the Espresso Bar. 

Our baristas were here at 6:30 this morning with your coffee!

Cafe closes at 7pm, News Stand closes at 8pm. 

THURSDAY

Happy Thanksgiving!  We will be closed.

FRIDAY

Weekend hours.  Cafe and News Stand both open at 8am. 

Espresso Bar closes at 7pm.

News Stand closes at 8pm.

Sidewalk Plea: Do what you can to clear your sidewalk

We're all in this together, many people are walking rather than drive on the ice, so do anything you can do to clear your sidewalk will help us all, especially if you are on a steep sidewalk!

It was certainly tough conditions yesterday, as fast as  we cleared our walk last night, the snow coming down was faster.

If you are young and fit, and have an older neighbor, please clear their walk too!

I'll be in at 3 today, stop in and tell me about your good deeds in shovelling.

It's Friday (see Thursday!)

 

November Wedding.

(postcard courtesy of G Seborg)

Thursday -- Countdown & Felicitations

Friday is the day.

Matthew D and Leah will tie the knot!

Just in case you didn't know already.

Ephemeral Weeklies

We still have a few copies of last week's German language magazine, Der Spiegel, with the pink or blue his or hers covers. 

And then some of the news and science weeklies, not quite as over the top as the post election ride of  the valkyries cover.  High Country News Dr No cover, Thanksgiving from the New Yorker, The Economist does China, Time does Marijuana, and Newsweek does the God of All Things.

It's Wednesday.! Tomorrow is...

Tomorrow is the 5pm football game at Husky Stadium.

The Roosevelt neighborhood blog has a fun little graphic from the UW showing the overlapping  traffic.  Apparently the UW is doing this in the idea that the game will provide national pr for the school?

The UW has some info on its website too, including the suggestion that UW employees use one of their vacation days to take the day off. 

Thanksgiving Reading: Cooking

Hey, Thanksgiving is coming and some of you may be more ambitious cooks than I am, my one attempt to serve turkey being a pitiful searing experience.  While you may or may not be interested in trying Marilyn Monroe's recently published stuffing recipe (NY Times Wednesday cooking this week), you may find something fun and inspiring in the magazine section. 

Coffee of the Week: Love Buzz

On your way by the Bulldog Espresso window, pick up a cup of this week's coffee, Love Buzz, or take a bag of beans home (remember we can grind them for you).

Equal Exchange describes Love Buzz as "sweet, sultry and smooth coffee with an unexpected bite and lasting finish".

Coffee of the week price is $6.95

Saturday - Watching the Ducks

 

Watching the Ducks, hoping for a miracle.

Post Election Reading: Music

In case you need a break from politics, both the new MOJO (Bob Dylan), and the new UNCUT (The Kinks!) came in this week.

And if you don't need a break from politics, you might remember remember the Fifth of November.

Four Four Two & Pele

Matthew D. & I were agreed, this was the coolest looking magazine that came in on Wednesday. Matthew is hoping to have time to write something about it, but he will be very busy the next month.

COLORS returns

After a hiccup with magazine distributors, we finally have COLORS magazine in again. This issue's focus is dance. Upcoming themes are Superheroes and Collectors, they are looking for submissions, you can check them out on the ColorsLab.


(Ocean's Sweaty Face is a McSweeney's Special, a big box of postcards. You might also notice one of the recently arrived 2011 Slingshot Organizers

Coffee of the Week: Peru

Bulldog Espresso's Coffee of the Week is PERU, you can buy it in bulk for $6.95, or just buy a cup of drip.

Tuesday Election Day

And if you are turning in your ballot in the U-District, the ballot box has moved from the door of the community center up a little further north right by the corner of 50th and the Ave, the entrance to University Heights where the Farmers Market is held on Saturdays.