Wow, How Things Have Changed ...
5 years ago
Think Different * See Different * Speak Different
Greetings,
I’m writing on behalf of the way things ought to be. I’m writing on behalf of why I live in Bend. I’m writing on behalf of what we talk about when we talk about community.
One of downtown Bend’s most precious, humane, and resourceful resources – Dudley’s Bookshop CafĂ© - is perilously close to closing – for ever. This place where books (Books!) are cheap, music is free, readings are plentiful, where couches are soft and coffee is strong, and where everyone is welcome whether they buy a
book or not – this place is on the brink.
I know, I know – lots of businesses and lots of individuals are on the brink, scraping by, barely making it, not making it. So why am I willing to put my own money up to try and keep Dudley’s open? Because Dudley’s is possibly the downtown area’s most important business. It’s more than retail – it’s a resource. You go
to Dudley’s to meet and talk with friends, drink a cup of tea or coffee, meet with your book group, find a used copy of a book someone recommended, listen to local gossip, sit and stare. It’s the Village Commons if Bend has one. It’s a community space, as much as any space in town.
So, here’s what I’m proposing – I’ll chip in one tenth of Dudley’s rent for the coming month – I’ll tithe, in other words. Are there nine other tithers out there? Or 18 others who would pay one-twentieth of the rent bill? Or 100 who could slide a ten dollar bill out of their pocketbook?
Don’t be shy. Step up if you can. Or do you have a better idea than mine for keeping Dudley’s open? Let’s hear it.
Support Dudley’s, support community, support the best of Bend! Go there and buy a book, buy a coffee, use this resource or lose it. And pass the word!
If you have any sort of contribution, money or ideas or anything else, let me know – let everyone know. And pass the word.
Thanks for reading this,
John Martin
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