Find Waldo in Durham to Support Durham’s Shop Local Movement

Where's Waldo? In Durham, of course!

The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting over twenty-five different local businesses throughout our community this July. Those who spot him can win prizes, including stickers, book coupons, gift certificates to local businesses, t-shirts, and more. Waldo figurines will be hidden in local establishments all over town – from Bean Traders to Durham Garden Center to One World Market to Cocoa Cinnamon to Duke Homestead to the Durham Arts Council to the Durham Public Libraries and beyond. Co-presented by the Regulator Bookshop and Sustain-a-Bull, Find Waldo Local is a great summer vacation activity, and a wonderful way for residents to support local business and Durham’s Shop Local movement.

Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo Local in Durham!” passport at the Regulator Bookshop from June 25 on, with the names of all the participating sites. Then, starting on July 1, visit participating businesses and get your passport stamped or signed for each Waldo you spot! The first 100 Waldo-seekers to get their passports stamped or signed at ten or more sites can bring their passports back to the Regulator Bookshop to collect prizes. Collecting store stamps or signatures at twenty or more businesses will entitle diligent seekers to entry in prize drawings at our wrap party on July 31, where they could win Waldo books, gift certificates to local stores, t-shirts, or our grand prize – a $100 Visa Gift Card courtesy of the Durham News.

Where’s Waldo is the creation of Martin Handford, whose entertaining drawings of crowd scenes swept the world in 1987. Since then, the Where’s Waldo books have held a cherished spot on bookstore shelves the world over. There are now over 58 million Waldo books in print worldwide and they’ve been translated into eighteen languages. An entire generation has grown up searching for Waldo and his cast of wandering companions.

In celebration of Waldo's longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, is once again teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and 265 independent bookstores all across the country, including the Regulator here in Durham, for some hide and seek fun as well as to encourage communities to patronize their local businesses.  There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts for the entire month of July. For more information about hunting for Waldo in Durham, visit the Sustain-a-Bull website.

Learn more about local businesses in Durham.

Peter's Pajama Party

At first glance, it doesn't seem to all fit, then it becomes clear that this is a pajama party...in a bookstore. There are quilts and pillows...and kids in pajamas, a dude with a guitar in pajamas, robe, and a stocking cap, and socked feet. He's reading, playing and singing...and the kids are in various states from enthralled to out-of-control giddy. It's quite a scene - it's also a heck of a way to kick off a weekend with a toddler as these hootenannies occur on Friday nights.

Enter Peter Holsapple. For those initiated in the ways of independent rock, the name is like a two by four upside the head. Peter Holsapple...REALLY!?!  Yeah, the same one that formed The dB's and played with little bitty acts like R.E.M. and worked with legends like Mitch Easter...THAT Peter Holsapple.  Enter Peter Holsapple...in his pajamas - no joke.

The aforementioned scene takes place at The Regulator Bookshop on Ninth Street in Durham, downstairs where there is a coffee shop area during the day, as well as books for sale and an open space used for readings. That would be ground zero for the shenanigans of little people and their accompanying old(er) people.  It's a very "Durham" scene, especially when you add someone of Holsapple's stature in the music world in such an approachable setting; he's just a fellow citizen entertaining kids.

Peter's Pajama Party is free and open to the public and the next is likely to occur on June 17 - check The Regulator's site for more information closer to the date. It's about 30 minutes long, and it's a great stimulation for kids of all ages. Working the crowd like a pro, Holsapple is a true entertainer as he plays, sings and reads. The intent is to engage kids...but grownups are soon willing participants. The grins on their faces indicate that parents in attendance wish they had things like this when they were kids.

Holsapple moved to Durham after Hurricane Katrina left her mark on his adoptive home of New Orleans. No stranger to the area, he had lived in Winston-Salem as a kid. Returning with his family in 2005, he found a home for the pajama party concept at The Regulator. He now hosts the parties as an enjoyable creative outlet, as well as a way to forward the store's children's books selection. He'd done the same for a major bookstore in New Orleans and for several years running it was the best attended event the store hosted. He hopes to bring a similar level of success to the program in Durham.

Spend more than a moment in his presence and it's hard to miss the fact that he's a wickedly intelligent man. He remains engaged in his music career and continues to write and play as he can.  See this site for more information about his most recent efforts with Chris Stamey, his childhood friend and longtime band mate. He's also a devoted family man and works at DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center.  As to his life, he says "It's pretty great." As to the Pajama Party...well, those are pretty great, too.

Carter's Visit To Be Rescheduled

The official word from The Regulator Bookshop is that President Jimmy Carter's appearance there will be postponed due to his illness.  He will remain in Cleveland tonight. Visit http://www.regulatorbookshop.com/ for more information.

Carter fell ill after an appearance earlier today and was taken for care in Cleveland.  The Regulator's website will be updated when more information is available.