We like it when our readers travel and keep their eyes open. So, a big shout out to Andy for giving us the heads up on something we really should have been all over: the grand opening of Amsterdam’s new public library, the OBA (that’s Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam, for those of you keeping score at home). The Bibliotheek opened up for business on 7.7.07 and it’s typically Dutch, by which I mean it’s modern and gleaming, and by all accounts function follows form wonderfully. You’ll see what I mean if you look through Andy’s pictures. Where else but in Amsterdam would they put high-tech bean bag chairs in the library? Honestly. It looks like the perfect place to start in on some stoned reading and then just fall asleep. The only mistake I can see is that the building looks a lot like the Borg Cube when it’s lit up at night, which will probably lead to about 10,000 American pothead tourist bug-outs a year.

More for those interested: On its official website, the library says it will serve about 7,000 people a day; Fans of Jorge Luis Borges will be interested to know that the library appears to be organized roughly in circles; and there is a hilariously overwrought video featuring the uniforms that the staff of the OBA are wearing here.

It’s the 60th Anniversary of The Handlebar Club, a London-based (but world-proliferated) tribute to “hirstute appendages of the upper lip, with graspable extremities,” and the JS team has unanimously voted in favor of a stateside celebration. Rest assured we will not be the only ones paying homage to these hard-earned badges of masculinity; Svenska Mustaschklubben, Den Norske Mustachclub, and countless other “Nests” will be gathering in proper places for sport and general conviviality- events that will likely intensify in number and fervency as the 2007 World Beard and Moustache Championships approach. Because the JS team will be tragically occupied during the September 1st event, we plan to otherwise commemorate via video chat after creating our own handlebar moustaches out of elmers glue, wire, and fuzzy things. We will then drink frothy bevvies; twirl wax through our appendages of the upper lip, and discuss the state of cricket.

A recent collaboration between DC shoes and retailer Commonwealth has brought yet another mod moment into pop culture…Eames skate shoes. Commonwealth is a popular retail space in Norfolk, Virginia, and “covers a community with diverse interests with deep roots in surfing, skateboarding, sports, and hip hop.” The Gatsby will be offered in red and black, but I couldn’t find much information on pricing or availability. Also keep your eyes peeled for Eames patterened ball caps. Pretty sweet stuff.

AT via mashKULTURE

–Danny Nathan

Our friends over at NOTCOT have just posted the first episode of NOTVIDEO, the pilot entry in what could become a series featuring some of the more interesting products to be found on NOTCOT, NOTCOUTURE, and TasteSpotting. From cupcakes to jewelry to conceptual art and hosted by somebody named Kara, the pilot episode covers a little bit of everything in the NOTempire. The video is fast-paced, informative and light-hearted, even if it is basically a commercial for the content on the various not-sites — in fact, dedicated readers of this blog will already recognize the Mike and Maaike jewelry Kara so charmingly models. The video format has tremendous potential, not only for promoting NOTCOT and its sister sites, but also for bringing the content featured on those sites to a wider audience. It’s a brave and forward-thinking move, and we look forward to seeing NOTVIDEO develop.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t save space here to mention Take Zer0, the site currently hosting notvideo. Forget the recent mainstream media pandering to user-provided content (Think Youtube/CNN debates). People don’t need free access to some dufus’ opinion on the Middle East crisis, they need free access to an expert’s opinion — on anything. Peter and Sean, the guys who run Take Zer0, know a bunch about making movies and they want to share their knowledge with the rest of us. Not only that, but they provide a forum for anyone with knowledge of filmmaking to share with anyone who wants to learn. They call it an “online film school.” Right on, guys.

I’m already a sucker for gorgeous time trial bikes (as evidenced by my drooling over the Project .05 a while back), and with the Tour De France likely to come down to the final time trial stage to determine the top finishers, this seems even more poignant.

Spotted by Core77, this bicycle design by Harald Cramer isn’t compliant with the rules for use in the Tour De France, but that won’t stop some serious amateur athletes or perhaps professional triathletes from giving it a shot should it hit the market. Time trial bikes are designed to cheat the wind at every possible point, the Cramer’s design looks like a beauty with a hidden chain path and a very unique crank design. And, with a single rear chainstay, changing tires becomes a basic task that probably won’t require removal of the rear wheel.

–Danny Nathan

As we all know, a good rug will pull any room together. An “alligator surfacing from swampy depths” rug, on the other hand, can give your cocktail party guests a good fright and make them think twice about tracking their dirty shoes all over your living room. (I’m with Johnny Drama on asking folks to take off their shoes when they come to my pad. Who knows where they’ve been walking? This explains why I rarely have more than a handful of people over, and never, ever, throw house parties. Those are for other people. Where was I…?) Then again, those of you who worry about one of those aforementioned guests tripping and taking a fatal header into the corner of your DWR coffee table may want to avoid the Dangerous Rug by designer William Warren. His quirky, humorous designs have been garnering acclaim since his graduation from London’s Royal College of Art. Warren’s website cites his focus on engaging design and lateral thinking as sources of inspiration for his thought-provoking designs. In addition to the ‘gator rug, Warren has recently produced some snazzy furniture and some trippy housewares, such as his off-center, tipsy wine glass — another sure-fire conversation starter.

Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are hosting two days each of the country’s first-ever Indie Rock Festival (July 25-27), bringing in England’s The Magic Numbers and The Rakes as headliners alongside some very good Brazilian indie artists. The indie rock scene here fairly decent but for the most part doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, and shows from internationally renowned acts in the scene are few and far in between compared to the U.S. and Europe because it comes down to money: Record companies simply don’t believe they’ll make a lot from their band getting big in South America. It’s too bad, but the tide looks like it’s finally turning and indie is gaining major ground here. Anyway, since most of you reading this won’t be able to see the shows today and tomorrow, there’s no excuse for not checking out the bands via their homepages: Moptop (think The Strokes), Hurtmold (instrumental rock band that adds layers of music with clarinets and sax), Nacao Zumbi (who mix rap with rock), Lucas Santtana e Selecao Natural (reggae with Northern Brazilian influences) and Moveis Coloniais de Acaju (modern ska).