Planning our anniversary celebration this year has been a strange and delicate process indeed. Between the state of the economy, our intention to move from this location, and Sam's death, putting on an outrageous party, as we have in previous years, seemed a bit - well, unseemly. However, 80 years of bookselling is a notable feat and worthy of commemoration.

So there will be no grand party this year. But there will be festivities. On Saturday, August 15th, we will be celebrating all day long. There will be treats in store throughout the day. There will be balloons. There will be a fun contest, and there will be a sale.

Play 29 Questions with us - we added nine questions since the store was founded in 1929 - and you'll be entered into a drawing with a chance to win one of three gift certificates worth $80, $48, or $29. Our game of 29 Questions doesn't involve standing around and asking the staff whether Ernest Hemmingway was animal, vegetable or mineral. Instead, you'll be answering printed questions on a sheet of paper utilizing your knowledge of books, the store, and our cast of characters. Additionally, you'll probably be exploring the store to find those answers. Think of it as an intellectual treasure hunt, perhaps an archeological one too.

And of course it wouldn't be an anniversary celebration without that sale. We'll be selling all used books for 29% off on August 15th. Most Rare books will also be discounted 29 percent. Selected new books will also be discounted 29%, most notably, picks from our Staff Recommendation shelves. On those shelves lie the books that our knowledgeable and quirky booksellers treasure. They're the titles that have entertained us, enriched us, even changed our lives. Perhaps one of them will change your life, too.

Finally, the videos from our Moving History Project (http://www.samwellers.com/pdf/the_moving_history.pdf) will launch on Youtube on August 15. There are some fine memories from excellent customers and friends. Be sure to check it out.

So come in and say hello. Explore the store and eat some cake. Talk to the staffers you know and love; meet the ones you don't. An 80-year anniversary only comes around once.

We Want to Shoot You

Perhaps the most enjoyable result of our announced relocation, aside from the community's outpouring of love, is the community's outpouring of stories. We've been treated to heartfelt tales of how much Sam Wellers has meant to people over the years, hilarious stories of the openly and exuberantly emotional Sam Weller, remembrances of the amazing authors and illustrators we've hosted. And then there are the staff reminiscences...... some of those must remain private. But what all of the stories have in common is the fondness and passion with which they are told. It's been a real privilege to have people share them with us.

In fact, we've loved it so much that we decided to formalize the process a bit. And The Moving History Project was born. We are making videorecordings of anyone who has a story, a memory, a wish for the future. And we decided that anyone who gives us 1 - 5 minutes of their time should get a coupon for 30% off used and most rare books purchased from now to the end of May.

We shot a few staff members on Thursday to get started. It was so entertaining! Each staff member had a different take on the very open ended assignment of "give us 1 - 5 minutes of memories or comments." There's a loop running in store now. Come see it. It's a scream if I do say so myself. We'll have it running on the web soon.

And of course give us your stories. We're shooting people from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturdays, Mondays and Tuesdays May 9th through 19th. It's helpful if you call ahead (801-328-2586) for a time slot, but not necessary. It won't be painful I promise.