GET YOUR PUSH PINS. Whether you have recently stopped at a local coffee shop or "third space" in the Chippewa Valley, I bet there's a chance you have stumbled upon a bulletin board, chalk full of regional events and happenings. The bulletin board at the Joynt (322 Water St, Eau Claire) , pictured above, seems to have decades of stories and information about the lives of our neighbors and friends.

When I’m out and about in the Chippewa Valley, my usual stomping grounds include the Volume One office, local restaurants and area coffee shops. In each of these spaces, you are sure to find an actual — or makeshift — bulletin board, typically chockfull of live music posters, local groups and organizations info, and even funny photos.

Our editorial staff frequently gathers in these “third spaces” to connect, exchange stories and stay informed about the lives of our neighbors and friends. Bulletin boards have quickly proven to be an invaluable resource to generate ideas, enable self-expression and build community – even in the digital age.

Each week, as I sift through the layers and layers of flyers and pamphlets on bulletin boards from the community’s favorite coffee shops (more on this in V1’s Coffee Culture special section, starting on page 32 in the Oct. 16 issue), one can’t help but consider how essential these third spaces have become to better understand what the community is interested in and has hopes for. 

These special, often cluttered, walls seem to offer something for everyone — from events and public announcements, to fundraising efforts and job opportunities.

Personally, I can’t wait to see what new papers will be pinned up next, and what stories come from them.