One World - One Heart 2010

I'm happy to announce that Castle in the Air is participating in this year's One World - One Heart event. One World - One Heart is the creation of Lisa "Oceandreamer" Swifka. Lisa began the event in 2007 as a way for more people in the blog world to say hello to one another and share their art.

Everyone who takes part announces their participation on their blog, then posts about an item they are giving away. Visitors to each blog involved leave a comment, and at the end of the event each participant randomly selects a visitor to win their prize.

Lisa describes One World - One Heart as not so much a contest but a virtual "open homes" tour with a chance to win a door prize at each stop. It really does feel that way as you click through to all the participating blogs and get to know so many people.

Last year was our first time to participate in the event. For our prize, we gave away a signed copy of Castle in the Air, the first book from Dromedary Press. Dromedary's newest book, Commonplace Mouse, was published recently, so it's a natural pick for this year's prize. Click here to see our many posts about this tale of perseverance and high adventure. One lucky winner will be sent an autographed copy.

If you'd like to enter to win the prize, all you have to do is leave a (non-anonymous) comment on this post. One World - One Heart ends on Monday, February 15, and that's the day we will draw the winner's name from a hat and announce it here.

To learn more about this event, visit the One World - One Heart blog.

The Blue Castle Badge

What's that silver glint on the lapel of the boy you just passed on the street? What's this blue enamel pin on the blouse of the woman standing next to you in the cafe line? Why, it's none other than the Blue Castle Badge, the official sign of noble and noteworthy individuals!

The Blue Castle Badge is awarded to those who have accomplished one or more of the following achievements:
* They have sent a real, paper letter to Castle in the Air illustrated with some of their own artwork.
* They have sent a real, paper letter to Castle in the Air telling us of a good deed they have performed.
* They have been mentioned favorably here on the Castle in the Air weblog.

Scores of people have already earned their Blue Castle Badge. Maybe you'll be the next!

Send your letters to:
Castle in the Air
1805 Fourth Street
Berkeley, California 94710
USA

By participating, you understand that Castle in the Air may use your letters for promotion or as a basis for store merchandise and may display your letters in the store or online. All of us at Castle in the Air understand that your privacy is very important, and we will always do our best not to reveal your personal information.

The Bohemian Cup

This fall, Castle in the Air began what we hope will become an annual tradition -- the awarding of The Bohemian Cup. This prize recognizes a person or organization for, as the gilded certificate states, "extraordinary Imagination, Decency, Wit, Artistry, and Love," traits that we can all agree are exemplary but aren't often ceremonially reinforced. That's all changed now!

Many of you have heard of St. George Spirits, the Bay Area distiller largely responsible for bringing absinthe back to America after a century-long ban. We stood in line for hours last December to buy two bottles of their Absinthe Verte on its debut day, and we fell in love with the elixir immediately.

Through a series of happy coincidences, St. George co-owner Lance Winters contacted us earlier this year to ask if we might help him with a bookbinding project. He described what he was working on, a special, one-of-a-kind book he intended to give as a gift. We were intrigued and excited by the offer, and agreed to do whatever we could to help him make it happen.

When the project was complete a few weeks later, we were all so happy with the results, and with the grace and generosity Lance had brought to the project, that we felt like showing our gratitude in an official sort of way.

As such, we're very happy to announce Lance Winters and St. George Spirits as winners of the 2008 Bohemian Cup. Congratulations! We are already on the lookout for next year's winner!