Decatur Square, Decatur GA (pic courtesy of Monkeyboy Productions)

When France sneezes, Europe catches a cold. This was said by Klemons von Metternich, foreign minister for the Austrian Empire, in the mid 1800s. This idiom has been adopted to various changes of circumstances, including by me.

When Barnes and Noble sneezes, the publishing industry catches a cold. And the publishing industry is not feeling well at all.

B&N released its sales and earnings reports yesterday for its fourth quarter and for its full year ended April 27, 2013. Net losses for both the quarter and year were double that of those previous, with a downward trend. The company’s stated outlook for the next twelve months is equally bleak.

While retail sales at its bricks and mortar stores posted solid declines, it was nothing compared to the Nook digital division. Nook unit sales declined 34% for the quarter while digital content declined almost 9%. While B&N will continue to manufacture dedicated e-readers, it will stop producing tablets. They are currently looking to partner with another company to supply them with Nook branded tablets. B&N will continue with their current plans for closing 15-20 per year while opening around five. In the Atlanta market, their store on Camp Creek Parkway (just outside the perimeter), will shutter this summer.

A business can only afford losses of this magnitude ($120M in the last three months) for so long. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Barnes and Noble is going the way of Borders and, if so, what then.

This Week

Kent Wascom, author of Blood of Heaven, Wednesday, June 26th at 7pm, Highland Inn Ballroom, sponsored by A Cappella Books, free.

Curtis Sittenfeld, author of Sisterland, Monday, July 1st at 7:15pm, Decatur Library, sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book, free.

A couple of commission meetings back, the commission voted to close city offices on Friday, July 5th at the recommendation of City Manager Peggy Merriss.  This change to the trash pickup schedule, I’m guessing, is a result of that decision.  It’s also mentioned on The Decatur Minute blog. Here’s a note sent around by the city’s Lena Stevens that summarizes things nicely…

The schedule for trash, recycling, and yard waste pick up has been changed for the July 4^th Holiday.  If your normal services are scheduled on either Thursday, July 4^th or Friday, July 5^th, your pick up date has been moved to Wednesday, July 3^rd.  If you are unsure of your normal service date, you may check our online collection schedule map.

Set out time will remain the same.  Please have all garbage, trash, recyclables, or yard trimmings set out for collection by 7:30am.

Please help spread the word to make sure your friends and neighbors know about the change.  Questions about waste collection or recycling can be directed to the Public Works Department, , or send an e-mail to Sean Woodson, Sanitation Superintendent at .

• DeKalb OKs new animal shelter next to Peachtree-DeKalb Airport [AJC]
• Mayor Baskett among “Who’s Who” of Sustainability [ABC]
• Context for cityhood movement sweeping DeKalb [MANA]
• Filming at Avondale MARTA station for project called “SOLACE” [The Decatur Minute]
• Atlanta Police begin Beltline patrol this week [WABE]
• Miami condo tower won’t have parking garage [World Property Channel]
• Growler cage for your bike! [Cool Material]

Many of the links today were sent in by readers.  THANKS!

Photo courtesy of Cool Material