Local Nectar: Book Nation

I am so excited about Book Nation's new storefront. Todd Nation has had this business going since 1991, making it Terre Haute's oldest independent bookstore, but lately it's been hidden in an upstairs room with sporadic hours. As of last month, though, the haven for books now has a great storefront space in downtown Terre Haute.

Last night was First Friday in TH, the one night a month that you'll actually see people out on the sidewalks enjoying bits of culture. We stopped by a few art galleries (more on them later) and wandered into Book Nation, where Todd and a friend were unpacking books and working on setting up the store. Boxes of books make me so darn happy. The place is already starting to acquire the delicious old-book smell, and though lots of shelves are still empty, what material is already out gives a quite hopeful indication of the store's new potential. For instance, Sarah gleefully stumbled upon some great Russian-language short story compilations. Who would have thought???

(It was a mutual surprise – as much as Sarah found the discovery unexpected, Todd Nation was thrilled someone finally wanted the random Russian books he'd had for years!)

You can look at more pictures I took of Book Nation, or just stop by yourself. It's going to be a sweet place.

Book Nation: 677 Wabash, Terre Haute

Local Nectar: ArtReach

ArtReach's website describes the organization thus: "ArtReach began 3 years ago when Jack Fox, Associate Pastor of eXchange at Maryland Community Church in Terre Haute realized the power that art had in spiritual developement, relationships, and community building."

Spiritual development aside, it's simply a lot of fun to get your hands in some paint. The Tuesday that Rachel and I went, I ended up finger-painting my way to messy hands and a happy demeanor. To ArtReach's credit, the faith-based/Christian mission is more foundational that proselytizing – Jack Fox gives you painting tips and then lets you be.

Tuesdays are for adults and teens; Wednesday's are for [supervised] kids. Rachel's been going on Wednesdays with a child she mentors, and reports back that it's quite fun.

ArtReach: 683 Wabash, Terre Haute

Local Nectar: Modern Charm

Last night, a friend and I decided to venture up the rickety stairway between the Corner Grind and Jeshua's (more about them later) to a little place called Modern Charm.  In this great old building, perhaps one of the only ones in TH starting to live up to its potential, Modern Charm is a tiny shop with handmade jewelry, handbags, notebooks and the like. I scored a great beaded hairpin that will serve me well and gave me the chance to support a talented local artisan.

Yvette's hours are sporadic, but she tells us she's working on being open more regularly. Good thing, because places like this are important around here!

Modern Charm: 683 Wabash, Terre Haute

MP3: The Wild Colonials - Charm (live) (Buy)

Local Nectar: Vigo County Public Library

I cannot sufficiently put into words how much I love the public library system. I was that kid who read all of the books in our small local branch and then got told by the librarian that I should try the main branch downtown, a four-story mecca of knowledge in the heart of Cincinnati. I was instantly smitten and still am. From huge university libraries to little local branches in strip malls, libraries make me believe that there is something right with the world.

I recently read A Universal History of the Destruction of Books: From Ancient Sumer to Modern-day Iraq by Fernando Baez. It is one of the saddest books I have ever read — as centuries pass, libraries full of irreplaceable bits of human knowledge burn like dry leaves in summer, on accident or, worse, on purpose.

There are more subtle ways to destroy a library. In Vigo County, the public library recently realized it needs to cut $1 million from its budget. This means branches may close, hours may be cut, etc. This irks me. Last week when I was in the West Terre Haute branch, a narrow little structure that might be up for closure, a librarian and a pre-teen were huddled over a large dictionary. Upstairs, local residents were studying for the GED exam. On a frigid January day, a bike was leaning on the side of the building outside. This is the kind of institution that needs to exist in communities.

(There are two community meetings planned to discuss the future of the library, to be held at the main branch on January 21 and 22. More information about the VCPL Budget Shortfall Public Hearings here.)

Vigo County Public Library Main Branch: 1 Library Square (7th & Poplar), Terre Haute, IN 47807 

In honor of books, a delightfully cheesy rendition of the Princess Bride theme song...

MP3: Mark Knopfler - Storybook Story (Buy)