As a small, local business owner, I appreciate the importance of community, and I value events, businesses, and organizations that make communities stronger and allow everyone to participate more fully in them. That's why I give back whenever I'm able. This year, I donated eight hand-knit brain hats to a very special, local nonprofit that helps small literary presses participate in the marketplace and get their very important and often life or mind-changing books into the hands of readers.

That nonprofit's name is Small Press Distribution, located in Berkeley. They're having their annual fundraiser, a pub quiz called Battle of the Brains, on May 8th. And you can help them raise some funds by donating to participating teams, many of which are comprised of booksellers, small press super stars, volunteers, and generous supporters. Simply visit their event page, click on one of the teams, and donate! You can also make a general donation. And be sure to check out their website if you love poetry or literary fiction and nonfiction.

Please remember to give what you can, where you can. We can make things better, especially if we use our brrrrraaaaaaiiiinnnnnnssssss.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, when several thousands flooded the San Francisco Bay Area--and especially Haight-Ashbury--to celebrate love, art, music, peace, and living life outside the norm. In honor of that revolutionary summer, I've created a rainbow flower scarf. Each one is knit by hand and infused with the hope that we can make this world a better place--more loving, more compassionate, more tolerant, and more peaceful. Wear this scarf to celebrate the Summer of Love, Pride, spring, or life. It's light enough to wear even when the weather is hot, and its bright colors will put a spring in your step and a smile in your heart. Get yours here, and don't forget to use the code BLOGPOST for 10% off!