The Purr-Fect Book - Copper Cat Books Offers a Friendly, Personal Shopping Experience

With more people reading this year, the need to find the perfect book brings new life and new customers to independent used book stores, including one local favorite - Copper Cat Books.

Copper Cat Books, a “shop for the curious - but not a curiosity shop”, is Henderson’s newest and only used bookstore, located between Valle Verde Drive and Arroyo Grande Boulevard. They house between 20-30 thousand books in-store, and about 60 thousand in their warehouse - half of which is inventoried and searchable, through a spreadsheet updated periodically. Gift items and reading accessories are also available in-store. Founded in 2017, they celebrate their third anniversary next month on December 9th.

Harry Potter-themed gifts available exclusively at Copper Cat Books

Wendy P. Marcisofsky, co-owner of the store alongside her husband Anthony Marcisofsky, explained how they meet as many reading “tastes” as possible and go out of their way to help readers find their “perfect book”.

“We are able to carry what customers ask for and are not restricted by what sometimes happens with "corporate" stores where the decision on what to carry is made without consideration to the regional tastes of a market,” she said.

Rarely unable to find the right book for someone, she said she will “search the entire globe” for free to find a book a customer is looking for if needed, only charging the price of the book itself. Due to their small size, they can closely track popular books and attempt to keep multiple copies on hand ready for purchase.

All of their efforts help the store develop its own niche, offering a personal touch to assist customers in finding what they’re looking for. New to retail, the Marcisofskys learn along the way and work to make sure everyone who comes into the shop enters a welcoming atmosphere.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the store closed for eight weeks and went through difficult times, like many businesses. For now, Copper Cat Books is “holding up okay”.

“We were fearful customers would seek other means of acquiring books,” she said, adding it was challenging to maintain their revenue stream to make ends meet. In response, Marcisofsky took pictures of books on the shelves to post on social media, and created a way for customers to search for titles.

“If they found something of interest, we would pull, clean, and price and let them know when [it was] available,” she said. While the store has reopened for in-person shopping, curbside pick-up is still available for those who want it.

The store also offers a wide variety of signed books, available to browse here, and recently added more than 70 Star Wars books to their inventory. To order a book or inquire about one you’re looking for, you can call the store at (702) 567-2666.

Some of the vendors that they buy from donate books to needy children in the U.S. and beyond, matching one-for-one what they buy. Marcisofsky said that as of the 10th of November, one of their vendors has donated 5,364 matching books since early 2018.

Copper Cats Books, 1570 West Horizon Ridge Pkwy, Suite 170.

“It means we sometimes pay a little more for books [or] charge a little more, but in the end, we are helping others with just a little extra expense,” she said.

When they opened back up, the store offered 50% off of everything in-store as an incentive to their readers, and to help customers during a financially difficult time. “We continue to offer 40% off most books in the store and all books in the warehouse and will do so as long as we are able,” Marcisofsky said. Active teachers also get 5% off their purchase every day.

The store runs many other small promotions and sales much of the time, including a “Riddle Me This” contest on their various social media pages where the first three people who answer correctly win a discount certificate good for 30 days.

They also introduced their ‘Reader’s Club Card,’ given to customers when they purchase an in-stock used book. Purchase amounts get recorded on the back of the card (not including tax).

For every $40 spent, customers get $5 off their next purchase of an in-stock book whether they’re in the store or in the warehouse. Any book that’s not discounted, qualifies to go on the club card and may be used as a credit off any purchase in the store without restriction. Any balance over $40 is carried over to a new card.

On the matter of running a bookstore in Las Vegas, Marcisofsky shared that there’s a unique market here, with a community of real people living real lives, and how there’s more to the area than just The Strip. “Realizing that people here want and need the same things as everywhere else is important to success,” she said.

“By recognizing that Las Vegas is not really all that different once you set aside the gaming and tourist aspect, [you’ll see that] people are people - families with personal tastes and desires, and hopefully, our bookstore fills some of those needs.”

Moving forward, Copper Cat Books continues to rely on the support and patronage of the community. With the difficulty in competing against large bookstores and online sellers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble, people can help independently owned bookstores by visiting them in person.

“Come see us, shop the store and give us a chance to show you why many times, we are the best option for book buying, especially used books since you can't hold an online image in your hand and have to trust a vendor that you do not know,” Marcisofsky said.

“Sit awhile and enjoy the quiet of a retail bookstore and join in on the conversations we find ourselves in "up front" by the register,” she said, adding, “Human interaction is vital to our success.”

Dilbert, their original store cat.

“We would LOVE to see you in our store to share our enthusiasm for reading and show you our shop. We love when people come in that have never been before.”

Those who visit the store for the first time will find that, per its name, the store has a cat theme to it. While initially named after a trucking company the couple previously ran, they also had a tabby cat named Dilbert who became the store’s mascot of sorts, as a “sometimes-store-cat”, as Marcisofsky said.

“Dilbert was a gentle soul that helped us set up the store and gave it the ‘Dilbert seal of approval’,” she said. “He was a super mellow boy that we miss every day.” Dilbert unfortunately passed away in March 2018 after a long battle with cancer. The Marcisofskys have a new semi-resident store cat named Riley.

Visit the shop and see Riley and the Marcisofskys, at 1570 West Horizon Ridge Pkwy, Suite 170, across the street from the US Post Office. They are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Copper Cat had planned book signing events in November and December, but had to put them on hold for the time being, most likely until early 2021.

Marcisofsky concluded by saying, “Remember this...if the lights are on, even after hours, the door is open - come on in. If it is locked, give it a knock for your own "private shopping experience.”

Visit Copper Cat Books on their website, and follow them on Facebook.

Spread the Word Nevada - Changing Lives One Book at a Time

Reading is an important part of a child’s development, but not all children have equal access to literacy. That’s why one local organization is working hard to close the literacy gap for kids here in Nevada.

Spread the Word Nevada (STWN), the state’s largest children’s literacy nonprofit, is dedicated to advancing childhood literacy in low-income communities and actively serves at-risk families who are at or below the poverty line. Founded in 2001 and nearing their 20th anniversary, the organization has helped more than 650,877 at-risk children by providing them 5.8 million books and counting, and by providing resources that fill in educational gaps and help improve literacy achievement.

Samantha Picazo, STWN’s Events and Marketing Manager, spoke of the co-founders, Laurie Hartig and Lisa Habighorst, and their inspiration for the organization and how it began.

“I have learned that a simple dream can turn into something extraordinary,” she said. “Laurie and Lisa started with a garage full of books, and now we're in a 5,000 square foot warehouse serving over half a million children since 2001.”

“[They] knew that children should not be without the magic of books and sought to change that.”

Collecting books for preschool up to the fifth-grade, STWN, with the help of their volunteers, takes the donated books, cleans them, and then sorts them by grade level. With the funds collected from generous donors, the organization is also able to purchase new books as well.

Boxes are then packed with enough books to accommodate each student at the 62 schools that they delivered to on a monthly basis. Since the pandemic, however, these deliveries are now contact-less and are done quarterly instead of monthly, but still reach the same number of students.

Picazo shared that books at all levels they collect are always needed, chapter books for the fourth to fifth grade levels are sometimes in short supply.

“We accept book donations at our Henderson and Reno warehouse year-round, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM,” Picazo added. “We also have a handful of book collection sites throughout the valley.”

Despite the obstacles the pandemic has thrown at STWN, they are successfully continuing the delivery of their programs.

“Now more than ever Nevada students need books to stay engaged and learning which is why we were determined not to interrupt our services while distance learning is in place,” Picazo said. “Donations help keep the flow of books going and may help add more schools from our waiting list.”

According to Picazo, the organization quickly adapted when schools switched to distance learning, having already made a contingency plan to be ready to include any health and safety restrictions that would be implemented and continue to serve children here in the community.

“With students at home, we were faced with limited distribution points for our students to receive books,” she said. “We adjusted all of our programs to comply with safety protocols and school district restrictions.”

When the schools closed in March, STWN partnered with Communities In Schools of Nevada and The Public Education Foundation to form the “Direct Care to Kids" program.

“This initiative distributed over 25,000 kits to children and their families,” Picazo said, adding that Three Square and the Boys and Girls Club have both been strong friends, and have been helpful in reaching kids not physically in school. “Our community supporters have been amazing in locking arms and getting the work done for the children of Nevada,” she said.

She went on to say “Our family literacy program, Breakfast and Snack Time with Books, was modified to a virtual program. We offer our stories to the public via Facebook Live as well as directly to classrooms.”

Picazo then discussed a major misconception about children’s literacy. “ It is assumed that all children have books. We know that they do not,” she said. “Children living in low-income neighborhoods and attending at-risk schools seldom own books and don’t have these necessary tools to learn and become confident readers.”

“We often ask people to imagine not having books when they were growing up and it’s difficult to fathom but so many of the children in our community know that as reality,” she added.

Regarding ways to help, Picazo shared that there are many ways to get involved with STWN.

“We LOVE book drives—they're super easy to organize and it brings the community together,” she said, adding that they also collect adult books that help the organization in another way.

According to Picazo, those books are resold on their Amazon store, where the proceeds are then put right back into their children’s literacy programs.

To organize a drive, or make a book donation, please visit https://spreadthewordnevada.org/book-drives-and-donations/

Picazo also spoke of how people can help by volunteering. “Our volunteer room hosts book cleaning sessions twice a week,” she said. “Every children's book we distribute should feel as good as new, so volunteers make sure they are free of dust, stickers, torn pages, [and so on].”

Learn more about volunteering at https://spreadthewordnevada.org/volunteer-options/.

“Knowing that children in need rely on our programs even more than ever before, we urge community members to visit our website and volunteer to clean books or donate,” Picazo said, adding “Just two dollars can purchase a brand new book for a child. You can even become a monthly donor and make sure that a child receives a book every month!”

To make a monetary donation, please visit https://spreadthewordnevada.org/donate-today/.

Lastly, Picazo spoke of STWN’s signature fundraising event - The Storybook Gala.

“This past February we hosted the 18th annual event at the Bellagio with over 500 guests, raising much-needed funds for our programs,” she said, adding that even though things are always changing, “we have a few tricks up our sleeves that we can’t wait to share.”

On the importance of the work STWN is doing, Picazo stated, “I can't imagine working with another organization that can deliver the life-changing programs STWN offers with the same amount of heart and passion I see every day.”

“The magic of books is something no child should be without, so I’m elated that after 20 years, we continue to keep the spark alive during this difficult time.”

Get more information on STWN at www.SpreadtheWordNevada.org, or call (702) 564-7809.

Paul Atreides: Author, playwright, critic, and now screenwriter honors 9/11 with his new work

An interview with Ralph Stalter, Jr. and writer Atreides about his new film

EMAV critic and author Paul Atreides.

Paul Atreides is a writer with a prolific pen not only as a leading theatre critic for Eat More Art Vegas but as a published author and produced playwright. Our own Ralph Stalter caught up with Paul after shooting wrapped for his new 9/11 inspired screenplay, FUSION, now in post-production.

The Interview:

Your website identifies you as an “AUTHOR, PLAYWRIGHT, THEATER CRITIC, COLUMNIST”, all of which put you on the “writer’s side” of the creative process. Is that where you’ve spent most of your career?

Not initially. I spent about 34 years in theatre; acting, producing, directing – both as a vocation and an avocation.. A lot of that was spent “doing floors and windows” as we used to say at the Omaha Playhouse: That entailed doing whatever was necessary to get the show opened on time.

In general, why do you write?

It’s soothing. And frustrating. LOL. At first it was to occupy time after losing my job in 2011 during the economic downturn. I take on subjects that matter to me and it’s a way to get my thoughts and opinions out into the world.

Where, and when, did you come up with the initial story idea for FUSION?

It started as a writing exercise in 2012.

Can you share with us your personal process and timeline for FUSION’S story development as a written piece, prior to involving others in its publication and/or production?

I wanted to try my hand at the infamous passage in A Tale of Two Cities, and thought two victims of the attack would serve that well. Once I had the basics down, I sent it to Maralys Wills (A Circus Without Elephants) to see what she thought. Her response was, “This is a disaster. It’s confusing.” I rewrote it again and again. As I struggled with the initial prose, the proverbial light bulb went on: This is a stage play.

Many studies suggest that we are more likely to remember negative experiences over positive experiences. What are your expectations for a film that focuses on the 20th Anniversary of the September 11th, 2001, attack on the United States?

The attack was the first against the U.S. on our soil since Peral Harbor but 90 different countries are represented in the list of victims. Well, I would hope it touches an emotional nerve with people. I mean, that’s what art is supposed to do, right? For good or bad.

Timothy Cummings and Gabrielle Harris in FUSION with The Asylum Theatre.

How did FUSION progress from a stage play into a short film, and was this your first experience in film production?

I read a press release about the Museum looking for exhibits for the opening. I submitted the script as a performance piece – something that could be done either inside or out near the reflecting pools. They liked the idea, but said live performances were not in the plans. They suggested I get it filmed. The hunt was on and I had no idea what filming entailed.

What would you say are the challenges of involving others in publication and/or production of your work?

It’s different for prose than it is film or stage. With fiction and nonfiction, you work with an editor to revise and tighten a piece but, in the end, it’s still yours. With film or stage, once you send it out into the world, it no loner really belongs to you. You have to be able to let someone’s interpretation of your words come to life – and that may not reflect the original intent.

If you weren’t working in the arts, what other job do you think you would be doing?

That’s a tough one. But, I suppose Civil Engineering – it’s what paid the bills until 2011. It’s still creative in a way.

How did you end up in Las Vegas, and has that community impacted your writing career in any way?

Uncle Sam dropped me here with my stint in the Air Force. The only impact Las Vegas has had on my writing career would be as a critic and columnist. It began with a column for Las Vegas Night Beat, a monthly magazine. When Anthony DelValle, the theatre critic and columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal passed away, I tossed my hat in the ring by sending sample critiques. I worked for the RJ until Adelson purchased the paper and cut all the arts coverage. Shortly after that, Sarah launched EatMoreArtVegas to fill the gap and invited me on board.

Check out Paul Atreides work on paul-atreides.com.

Any future projects that you’d like to tell us about?

I have two projects in the works. One is adapting my World of Deadheads trilogy into a cable television series. That’s been on the back burner since Ian Drazen, then development director for Pretty Pictures, the company behind Nurse Betty and Rain Man, asked if the film rights were available. Obviously, they didn’t take an option. Now, I hope to get Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy, and Ian Brennan (American Horror Story, The Politician) interested.

The other is a stage play about the hiding of abusive priests by the Catholic Church. It’s just gone through a critique by Davenport Theatrical in New York (Kinky Boots, Spring Awakening) and they gave it glowing remarks. I’d like to find a company to usher it to production in New York.

Of your many “roles” -- AUTHOR, PLAYWRIGHT, THEATER CRITIC, COLUMNIST – is there one that you prefer over the others?

It depends on my mood! LOL. But, probably author – I’ve certainly written more fiction than anything else.

How did you, or your collaborators, make the connection to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and come up with the idea of donating the film for exhibit purposes?

Donating the film was always my plan since they were the ones to originally suggest filming. I can’t count the number of film production companies that told me, “That’s old news – who cares?” It took years to find a team that thought it would be worth it. This came about on a fluke, during a conversation with Tim (Timothy Chizmar Productions). He asked to see the script. Three days later he called to say he had an entire team ready to take it on. Did the donation angle for the 20th Anniversary make the difference? I think so, maybe.