CAMBRIDGE LOCAL FIRST NEWS & EVENTS
Keep on Shifting!
 For many Cambridge Local First businesses, December is the biggest month of the year, and they rely on a strong December to set the tone for the rest of the year. Each of us as individuals and business owners have the opportunity to help build our local economy and support our local businesses by Shifting Our Shopping during the remainder of the holiday season. Do your holiday shopping from your neighbors and friends, and here are three easy ways to Shift Your Shopping!
#1. Display and Use the 2012 CLF Business Directory!
Proudly display the 2012 Cambridge Local First Directories on your counter top; use it as your guide to your holiday shopping; and pass it around to all of your friends!! You might not be in the habit of doing most of your holiday shopping locally, but the brand new Cambridge Local First Business Directory makes it easy. It will help guide you to a business that you may not have known about that very well might give you exactly what you've been looking for.
#2. Move Your Money to One Of Cambridge's Outstanding Local Banks!
What better time than just before the New Year to move your money from a big national or international bank to one of our fine local Cambridge banks. This way you'll be starting off with a New Year's Resolution that you can keep and will see and feel the benefits of banking locally every month! Shifting to a local bank is easy and helps strengthen our local banks and our local economy.
#3. Tell the businesses you are there because of Cambridge Local First!
We need to let our businesses know how much we appreciate them and what they do for the community.
Think Local Thank Local Wraps Up!
We would like to thank our 2012 Think Local, Thank Local campaign participants. This year, we had 41 locally owned, independent Cambridge businesses donate a portion of their proceeds to the Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund. In the past four years we've raised over $30,000 for local charities - and with the preliminary numbers we are getting back for this year, we've already raised over $5,000!
We will have a party in January in conjunction with our Local Thirst to celebrate and we invite you to join us! More details to follow.
Plaid Friday Success Stories! 
There were thousands of New Englanders wearing plaid the day after Thanksgiving to show support for locally owned and independent businesses. Several of our own CLF members share their own Plaid Friday and Small Business Saturday stores:Laura, Owner, Bob Slate Stationer
Plaid Friday was a tremendous day for Bob Slate Stationer. Our customers are not typically a mall crowd, so we were hopeful that they would come visit us to begin the holiday season -- and they did! The fine weather that day really helped bring out the shoppers, all of whom expressed tremendous delight at our return, vowing to make sure we (and other local favorites) survived. Small Business Saturday was also a great success as folks from all over came out to support their Harvard Square small businesses.
Lee Joseph, Owner, Easy Chairs Antiques
A friend of mine came in to my shop on Plaid Friday and told me about her grandfather who was an Boston antique dealer back in the 40's and what a character he was. I said to her "I'm becoming one of those guys." That to me is part of the celebration of Plaid Friday. I have survived the test of time. It takes spirit and courage to operate a small business these days. Independent businesses really add to the vitality and soul of a community. I'm thankful to be apart of Huron Village. |
CLF MEMBER NEWS
S+H Construction on the Increase in Home Renovation Costs
S+H Construction, one of the premier residential contractors in the Greater Boston area, announced that both homeowners and commercial building owners should expect a jump of up to 1 to 5% in renovation costs if the building contains lead-based paint. Because of recent regulations put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), certain protective measures are now required to remove lead-based paint, including during the demolition of walls and surfaces.
The procedures - not unlike the removal of asbestos - require extra time, materials, and specific paperwork that must be completed on every project. For more information on S+H Construction and their RRP Certified lead paint removal services, please call (617) 876-8286, or visit the company website atwww.shconstruction.com.
From Russia Art Gallery Holiday Sale and Gallery Closing
From Russia With Art Gallery announces a Christmas sale on paintings, etchings, jewelry and Russian Christmas souvenirs from December 9 till December 24. There will be a 10% markdown on all items in excess of $25. All sales will be final.
We are sad to hear that they will be closing their 1977 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge gallery at the close of business on December 24. From Russia With Art Gallery will transform itself into a "pop up" and an internet gallery. Their website and email addresses will remain the same.
Please stop by and tell them how much we will miss their store in Porter Square.
From Russia With Art Gallery, 1977 Mass. Ave., Cambridge (617-354-2930), www.fromrussiawithart.org
Didriks Introduces Holiday Gift Sets
Celebrate This December, Didriks - www.didriks.com - will offer special gift sets, carefully selected by Didriks staff to create unique holiday presents for family and friends. They will be available through December at www.didriks.com/gift-sets. Didriks offers both free shipping and free gift wrap throughout the year.
Welcome New CLF Member Knucklebones!
Knucklebones is New England's most diverse athletic services and retail company! Traveling to their clients with unique, quality and quantity of equipment, they tailor events to provide participants ranging from 8 months to 99 years with athletic excitement, activity and exercise. They also retail all the amazing products they use in their programs. Meeting or beating the best prices available, they sell top of the line athletically inclined equipment, games and toys. They are located on 196 Elm St. North Cambridge, MA 02140 www.knucklebones.us
Welcome New CLF Member True Home Improvements!
We would also like to welcome True Home Improvements in Huron Village. Paul True is the owner and does remodeling and concrete repair. He can be reached at 617-492-3866.
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CAMBRIDGE CONNECTIONS
Secret Santa Help For the fifth year, the Cambridge Police Department will be assembling small gift bags to be dropped off to the Senior Citizens who will be chosen to participate in the "Secret Santa for Seniors Program". It is our hope to brighten the day of otherwise lonely seniors on Christmas Eve and Christmas day with a small gift that lets them know they are not forgotten. To assist with collecting these holiday items, we are requesting your assistance by allowing us to place a decorated collection box in a visible location within your organization for employees and visitors to make donations to this special cause. If the donation box is not suitable for your location there are other ways you may contribute.
If you would like more information, please contact Holly Bernier at (617)349-6009 or hbernier@cambridgepolice.org
Upcoming Workshops
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City of Cambridge
Cambridge Business Assistance Info SessionStaff from the City's Economic Development Division will discuss the variety of programs that the City offers to residents and business owners interested in starting or growing their business. Learn about future workshops and commercial programs available. - Date: Monday February 6, 2012
- Time: 6:30 P. M to 7:30 P. M.
- Cost: Free to all.
- Location: City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, 2nd Floor Conference Room. Directions and Map.
- Preregistration: To pre-register please contact Rona Holmes at 617/349-4637 orrholmes@cambridgema.gov or call Pardis Saffari at 617/349-4654.
- Presented By: City of Cambridge Economic Development Division Staff.
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