85th Academy Awards

It’s that time again — Academy Awards time.  As is always my goal, I try to see all of the films nominated for ‘Best Picture’.  I’m working my way through the list.  I’ve already seen Argo, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Django Unchained, Les Miserables, Life of Pi, Lincoln and Silver Linings Playbook.  That only leaves me Zero Dark Thirty and Amour to see before February 24th.  I think I’ll make it.

For those of you unfamiliar with this year’s nominees, they are below along with ‘Best Actor,’ ‘Best Actress,’ and ‘Best Director.’

Best Picture:	Amour, Argo, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Django Unchained, Les Misérables, Life of Pi, Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook, Zero Dark Thirty
Best Actor in a Leading Role:	Bradley Cooper, Daniel Day-Lewis, Hugh Jackman, Joaquin Phoenix, Denzel Washington
Best Actress in a Leading Role:	Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Lawrence, Emmanuelle Riva, Quvenzhané Wallis, Naomi Watts
Best Director:	Amour (Michael Haneke), Beasts of the Southern Wild (Benh Zeitlin), Life of Pi (Ang Lee), Silver Linings Playbook (David O. Russell), Lincoln (Steven Spielberg)

Movie Art
Several customers of Golden Frames & Gifts have movie art.  I always love framing art from movies.  Invariably when a customers bring in movie art, it sparks a lively conversation about the movies, the actors and often leads to a broader discussion of movies in general.  I love it!

In fact, I may have to acquire a copy of the image at the right.  It is outstanding.  I love the different versions of Oscar that correspond to each of the ‘Best Picture’ winners.

Celebrate!
So, on Sunday, February 24, I hope you take the time to have your own Academy Awards celebration.  I know I’ll be gathering with my movie friends for a good time.

And after the Academy Awards are over, bring in your favorite movie art to be framed.  I’ll be at Golden Frames & Gifts ready to talk about movies with you.

Soles4Souls

Every so often, I come across an organization that I believe is really making a difference.  Soles4Souls is one of those organizations.  The primary mission of Soles4Souls is to “collect new shoes to give relief to the victims of abject suffering and to collect used shoes to support micro-business abroad efforts to eradicate poverty.”  Their mission is so simple and yet so impactful and important.

Yes, Soles4Souls will take these too!

Clean out those closets!
Seriously, it’s time to clean out all the shoes you never wear or are well loved and send them on to a greater purpose.  It doesn’t matter if the shoes are beat up or brand new in the box.  Soles4Souls even takes half pairs — better known as the single shoe.  That’s right, even the single shoe has a chance of finding a mate with Soles4Souls.

Home and Abroad
Did you know that Soles4Souls helps shoe people in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world?  That’s right.  When disaster strikes right here at home, Soles4Souls helps out.  And Soles4Souls helps repurpose shoes to encourage micro-business abroad.  Check out where they’ve been.  And for the location that has a special place in your heart, you can request your donations go to a specific region or country.

Donate All Year
Golden Frames & Gifts is now a permanent Soles4Souls donation location.  You can drop off your shoes anytime we are open — 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday through Friday and 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday.  The shoes are picked up every week to begin their new journey.

Have questions?
If you want to know more, feel free to drop by and ask me, Nancy.  You can also learn more by visiting the Soles4Souls website at www.soles4souls.org.    Be sure to check out Twitter and our Facebook page for updates on our Soles4Souls news and you’ll get to meet Michelle, our Soles4Souls liaison.

National Cheeseburger Day

I’ll bet you had no idea today is National Cheeseburger Day.  Yes, indeed.  September 18 is the day everyone should celebrate the all American dish the cheeseburger.

Years ago, McDonalds had iconic characters based on it’s fast food menu.  The character for the cheeseburger was Mayor McCheese.  Seriously, check out this commercial from 1978 with all of the early McDonald’s characters.

In Denver there are several burger places and all of them have their version of the cheeseburger.  If you’re over on Federal Boulevard, you can stop by Grandpa’s Burger Haven.  If you’re in Boulder, try the West End Tavern for a great burger.  And, if you are in Golden, you can check out one of the newest burger places — Bob’s Atomic Burgers.    I wonder if Bob will stop by with a cheeseburger just for me?  Mmmmm, that would be fabulous.

So, enjoy your a cheeseburger today.    Want to know more?  Check out Eatocracy’s Cheeseburger post.

Also, remember to follow Golden Frames and Gifts on Twitter and like us Facebook.