A deeper reading: take a book, leave your neighbor a thoughtful note
There are 75,000 Little Free Libraries throughout the world. Recently, a Little Free Library appeared at the corner of newly strollable Hickok Street, but it’s a library with a twist.
Woodcrafter Glen Buss of Honeywood Acres, usually a vendor of beautiful and practical hand-crafted wooden objects at Christiansburg’s Hickok Street Farmers’ Market, has built, of white oak, the town’s newest little library, those small boxes, often colorful, often shaped like houses, standing on a post or legs for easy access and viewing, their front wall, usually a glass door and inside are books for lending or exchange.
Casey Jenkins, the town’s events coordinator, imagined the project and its twist.
”The twist is that people are asked to take a book, and leave a note of positivity, or a poem. Just a message to help others. That’s the exchange.”
Books from the Christiansburg Public Library will be stocked and notes collected frequently.
It is widely recognized that sources like Little Free Libraries and bookmobiles increase access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds, bringing together people from widely diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
Christiansburg PD Blue and green and red…A Town Mural could draw customers
In the spirit of Christiansburg’s nationally renowned “Great Road” mural at the Christiansburg Post Office (2 E Main St., itself a national historic place), and joining Christiansburg smoldering public art scene, a Town mural is being commissioned that will ornament the Christiansburg Police Department by the end of the month.
The artwork will incorporate the badge and multicultural hands in a message of good will and inclusivity.
In addition to celebrating and honoring the great work the police department does for our community, Jenkins feels that when eye-catching art on otherwise empty canvases is embraced by the town, it could embolden private building owners to decorate their own buildings. Drawing customers, as it were.
Christiansburg already boasts thought provoking public art like the Smiling Fish and local artist Nikki Pynn’s “Wings and Wheels” at the town hall.
“It’ll be the next big thing,” Jenkins, who was instrumental in orchestrating the art, historical buildings and sites, cemeteries, memorials and points of interest Culture Crossings, said.
Downward goat
“We’ll have goat yoga in front of the Christiansburg Town Hall. We’re really looking forward to that. It’s free. No charge. It’s an hour long and we’re working with local business,” Jenkins said.
The town is working with farmers’ market vendor, Bird and Hopper, to source local baby goats and with yoga instructors from Crimper’s Climbing Gym.
Goat yoga is, in fact, a thing. Dubbed “not preposterous” by Yoga International, stretching exercises by people of all ages in the presence of young goats encourages goats to climb on stretching, laughing people, which is “a positive experience” Yoga International said.
Tentatively scheduled for 5:30 on the second and fourth Mondays in September and October.
Asked “Why goat yoga?” Event Coordinator Jenkins, who is also responsible for town walking tours and the enthusiastically regarded flash mob at the farmers’ market this August, said “Just for the flat out fun of it.”
