Take the pledge to shop at only locally-owned independent businesses this holiday season! Sign up for the pledge here, and feel free to share your experiences in the comments section below! Thanks for supporting Oakland’s local indie busiensses and artists – together our individual choices can change the world!
Dirty secrets of Black Friday ‘doorbusters’ ,
So you think you found a deal? This CNNMoney.com article details the information in the small print found in many holiday chain store ads. Buyers beware!
A national movement of foodies, farmers, parents and educators is pushing for better school food ,
From left, 5th graders at ACE Charter School Noemy Lopez, Dominick Fuentes and Cesar Lopez enjoy their lunch, which is prepared by Oakland based Revolution Foods, on Sep. 1, 2009 in San Jose. Photo from the Mercury News
Check out this Mercury News article highlighting the new movement to make school lunches fresh, healthy and affordable. Also included, the Oakland based company, Revolution Foods, leading the pack delivering fun and nutritious food to our children.
Elfster.com: plan your Secret Santa gift exchange online for free ,
This online Secret Santa gift exchange website is the brainchild of “Head Elf” and Oakland based programmer Peter Imburg. Set up an exchange for a group of family, friends or co-workers and the name drawing, wishlists, planning of the exchanges and anonymous questions are all taking care of by a simple series of questions. Not sure what you want to add to you own wishlist? Check out local and independent shops on the Oakland Unwrapped! Store and handmade items on Estsy.com.
Midtown Oakland Arts District: first friday art walk ,
from Pro Arts website
A great way to get acquainted with the growing art scene in Oakland by walking the Midtown Oakland Arts District on First Friday every month. Stop by Pro Arts located in the Oakland Art Gallery to pick up maps and directories for art related events all month in Downtown, Uptown and Midtown Oakland as well as across the East Bay!
Starbucks Isn’t Alone: Local-washing Is the New Black ,
photo from The Stranger
Check out this article from TriplePundit about: the response to the article about 15th Ave Coffee & Tea—a coffee house that Starbucks opened this summer in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood but chose not to brand with its trademark sea creature logo—elicited a whole bunch of response from readers.
Free Bike Tour of Oakland Taco Trucks This Sunday 11/22/09 ,
California Taco Trucks
Call it critical mass for lengua lovers. California Taco Trucks blogger and NPR tech contributor Cyrus Farivar is organizing a second free bike tour of Oakland taco trucks this Sunday.
Details here!
Holidayland 2009 ,
HOLIDAYLAND 2009
featuring local artists, designers and crafts people
Blankspace
6608 San Pablo Avenue
Oakland, California 94608
November 27 – December 20, 2009
Opening Reception:
*Plaid Friday, November 27th 6-9pm
First Friday Reception:
Friday, December 4th, 6-10pm
additional holiday cheer events Dec 13th and 20th 4-8pm
This is our 4th annual Holiday sale featuring over 100 local artists, designers and crafts people. This gift sale has become a Blankspace tradition and for the second year we will be joining forces with The Compound Gallery located next door to create a holiday Extravaganza!
For more information visit the Blankspace Gallery Website
Plaid Friday is the indie business alternative to Black Friday in the Bay Area. This day is designed to help raise awareness about shopping local and supporting the local economy.
Plaid Friday celebrates the diversity and creativity of Bay Area independent businesses.
Help us celebrate by supporting participating shops on Friday, November 27th and throughout this Holiday season. Wear plaid on November 27th to show your support while shopping at participating businesses.
Just Around the Corner ,
Check out this great youtube link about why you should shop at your local book store instead of ordering it on-line.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vPT5dhR0AA
Sent to me by:
Luan Stauss
Laurel Book Store
4100 MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94619
510-531-2073
M-F 10-7 Sat 10-6 Sun Closed
Boston Merchants seek local control of Faneuil Hall ,
Check out this story from the Boston Globe about how local merchants, celebrities and other are coming together to take local control of Faneuil Hall, which has been turned slowly into a generic mall run by General Growth, the nation’s 2nd largest mall operator. YAY! In addition to adding chains to the beloved historic marketplace, General Growth has neglected to take care of several items required in the lease, and recently filed for bankruptcy protection.
