|
|
|
From the Market... A new look for the newsletter, to go with the new season.
|
|
| A publication of Market Central, Inc. | May 2012
|
|
IN THIS ISSUE
-----------------------------------------------------------
Vendor Spotlight: Mieka Polanco
 Photo by Simon Cockayne
Business: Made by Mieka, Olive Oil Soaps
Known for: Soothing to the skin, incredibly good-smelling soaps and a sweet disposition
Years as a vendor: 10 Why sell at the market: "I just love meeting people. It's relaxing. It's the highlight of my week." Contact Mieka through her website here ------------------------------------------------------------------
SAVE THE DATE
The Farm Tour is coming... Mark your calendars for Labor Day!
Watch your inbox for more information.
-----------------------------------------------
Mid-Week Markets
The Market at Pen Park
Penn Park on Rio Road
Tuesdays, 3-7 pm
Farmers in the Park*
Meade Park
Wednesdays, 3-7 pm
*Market Central will be at Farmers in the Park for all your tokens and E.B.T. needs!
For more information and for directions, click here.
----------------------------------------------
Show your LOVE for the markets!
------------------------------------------------
 | | SALSA! |
 | | Puttin' Up Peaches & Tomatoes |
|
Join Our Mailing List
Click on the link to let us know what interests you - - so you only receive the emails you want!
-------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
Vendor Spotlight: Mieka Polanco
 | | Photo by Jen Fariello |
For Mieka Polanco, soap making happened by chance. She was working on her master's thesis in Anthropology at the University of Virginia and felt the need to work with her hands and stop working solely with her brain.
"It was abstract and I needed something else to do," said the mother of 5-year-old twin boys. So, she trekked to the nearest craft store and bought a soap making kit. Directions led her to melt soap that was already made, add a few ingredients, wait and the so-called soap was ready to try. She felt somewhat cheated.
"That's not what I had in mind when I bought the kit," she said. "So, I started doing some research, asking people about oils and soap making."
It took her two years before she was ready to be a vendor at the Charlottesville City Market. On a cold April morning 10 years ago, she remembers setting up her stand, reluctantly sorting the 14 bars she brought with her (which she thought she would never sell) and waiting for customers. "I sold out! I couldn't believe it."
Continue reading the story here.
(pssst -- we even snuck in a video with Mieka indulging one of her other passions: SALSA dancing! Check out the SALSA! video on the left sidebar<<<<<<)
|
|
City Market is on Council's agenda on May 21: 
will YOU be there?
Most of you already know that Market Central has been advocating for a permanent home for the market for years. The 2011 Task Force recommendation to keep the market in its current location, as part of a carefully developed market district, was presented nearly 12 months ago, and we've finally arrived at the next critical phase.
 On Monday, May 21, the City Manager will present a Request for Proposals to City Council for a Market District Feasibility Study. The City of Charlottesville is seeking the services of a qualified consulting firm to prepare a Feasibility Study to determine if a Market District is a viable project at this location. We have some concerns about the RFP, and we encourage you to read about them here.
Here's where YOU come in:
We'd like to ask you to come to Council meeting on Monday night, May 21 at 7 p.m., and support the vision that Market Central and the CMDA (Charlottesville Market District Alliance) have been urging the City to embrace.
- Come to the meeting to show your support for a broader vision for the City Market.
- We have several speakers lined up, and you are welcome to sign up to speak as well during the public comment section.
- Having a strong presence in Council chambers sends a message in itself, and yes, we'd like to pack the room with market supporters.
- If you don't want to address Council, we would encourage you to write a letter of support, stressing any one (or all!) of the key points listed here.
- Email all of Council by clicking here.
We've put together a reference packet that contains many relevant findings in one document, including the Task Force recommendation, market consultant David O'Neil's observations, and CMDA's recent letters to council.
Download the packet here.
Market Central has invited City Councilors to come to our booth at the market to hear from the market community. Councilors Dede Smith, Kathy
Galvin and Kristin Szakos have all taken their turn, and have listened attentively to customers and vendors concerns, knowing that they will soon be asked to make some very important decisions about this community jewel.
This Saturday, May 19th, former mayor Dave Norris joins us from 9 - 10:30 am at the Market Central table for another round of engaging conversations about the future and mission of the market.
Don't miss this opportunity to help shape the future City Market!
|
 Become a Friend of the Market!
Being friends is a really good thing and now you can become a "Friend of the Market" and receive offers and special discounts while supporting the market on a larger scale.
With a donation of $20 or more to Market Central you become a "Friend of the Market," and you're entitled to special discounts on event tickets, classes and merchandise offered by Market Central. You'll also be eligible for specials throughout the season from vendors. To know what specials are offered, come see our "Friends Specials" board at our booth on Saturday mornings.
If you already are a "Friend", THANK YOU! Please come pick up your Friends card at the Market Central table. They're pretty snazzy looking: wear 'em loud and proud, Friends!
Vendors: if you have specials for "Friends of the Market," let us know! Send an email to info@marketcentralonline.org on the Friday before the market and come pick up a display sign to keep at your stand.
|
The canning program is back! Get ready to dust off your jars and lids ~ Canning season is upon us! We are thrilled to announce that Market Central was again selected as one of 30 organizations across the country to offer a canning program at their farmers market. The grant that supports the program is sponsored by the Ball Canning Jar company and the Farmers Market Coalition, and we will be peeling and slicing our way onto pantry shelves very soon! Stop by the Market Central booth on Saturdays to pick up coupons, samples and recipes, ...and don't be shy, say hello!
As we plan this summer's schedule of classes, we would like to hear from you: What kind of classes would you like to see offered?
Email your suggestions to
Look for a schedule of canning classes soon, and check out one of the videos from last season in the left sidebar.
We're looking forward to more!
|
|
|
MARKET CENTRAL PHOTO CONTEST
 The Charlottesville City Market has been around for 40 years. Can you imagine what it looked like back in the beginning? Do you have some photographic evidence? What has changed? Market Central wants to know! If you like taking pictures of the city market or have an old photograph, submit them for a chance to win prizes! 
In keeping with the City of Charlottesville's 250th birthday celebration, and with the desire to track the history of our beloved market, Market Central is kicking off a photo contest to document its evolution as one of this City's most celebrated features. The winning photos will be prominently featured on Market Central's new website! (Coming really soon...)
To enter: email your photos to chiara@marketcentralonline.org, tell us when it was taken and write a short description of what the photo depicts. If you have an older photograph that is not digitized, no worries. Bring it by the Market Central table on Saturday and we will make arrangements to scan it, and have it carefully returned to you. DEADLINE for submissions is July 1, 2012, so start scouring those photo albums! |
 Got Questions?
Contact us via email using the links below, or stop by the Market Central table on Saturday mornings.
|
|
|
|
|
