Time To 'Feed The Bird'

Lisa Sharp, owner of Nightbird Books, likens the "Feed the Bird" series of events next week to fundraisers on public radio and television. For the bulk of the year, people watch, listen or visit for free. Then comes the week of pleas for the public's help.

Sharp hopes the fundraiser -- an odd occurrence considering Nightbird is a for-profit business -- is "the difference between getting by and getting ahead."

Book stores face challenges in the digital age. Sharp declined to enumerate what she hopes to make up during this fundraiser, but she says profits are hard to come by, particularly in the summer months.

She's resisted charging community groups for use of the store. She's now asked for volunteers from the many poets and bands that use the space.

"It's a sampling of what we do all year, but for one week we're going to charge," she says.

Events take place Monday through July 12. Examples include a community singalong hosted by musician Adam Cox on Monday night; the "Spoken Bird" event at 7 p.m. Thursday that features readings by Clayton Scott and Johnathan Williams; and a July 11 performance by bands Sw/mm/ng, High Lonesome and Brothel Sprouts in the breezeway adjacent to the bookstore.

Local business owner Hannah Withers, who helped Sharp organize some of the events, says those who frequently use the space as a community center should pay particular attention.

"I think it's time that the people who get support from her give some back," Withers says. "I think people lose the big picture of what a business like Nightbird is."

Sharp says no matter the amount raised, "we'll always scrape by."

-- Kevin Kinder

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