Occupy This
Ah, the new buzz word: occupy. Although initially a protest against economic and social inequality in Kuala Lumpur, in the US it's moved on to protest the corporate strong arm on democracy and our political and economic systems. And, sadly, it's morphed into fight against the police by protesters. Ugh. Fortunately, the occupy movement has spawned other, less violent themes: Occupy your Mind, Occupy your Heart and more. It starts at home, right?
So, let's Occupy the Holidays. With the approaching holiday season and the our shrinking, overpriced Hobo wallets, there's no better time than this season, right now, to shop consciously. Although we hear this every year--buy local, support your local arts--we still get sucked into Macy's holiday sale where you can get your aunt a pair of some cheap Isotoner slippers or a single-serve beverage machine, adding yet more teeny one-serving coffee packets to the landfill. How about more plastic crap from China in the form of a Hello Kitty Toaster from Target?
Thanks to the well timed email from my friend, artist extraordinaire and Oahu and Park City resident, Susie A., I was reminded to keep my gift giving close to my heart and town. In the spirit of occupying ourselves, our friends, and our local community, here are some fun ideas to avoid the big box store.
Animal Lovers - How I love the ReadyMade site (www.readymade.com). Who knew you could make a dog raincoat from an old umbrella in 15 minutes. Dog challenged? What about a dog training class from Pat Engel (http://www.copilotdogtraining.com/) or beginning agility with Maureen Lyons (agilityacres@yahoo.com) or Suzanne Deghi (pawsitivelypets@me.com). Yummy dog treats can be found at http://www.dogtreatrecipes.org.
Services - How about a gift certificate from your local salon or barber--everyone needs a haircut. Car detailing? Think 6 months of lawn mowing, baby sitting, pet sitting, an oil change at your locally owned station, housecleaning or car washing for your overworked friend. Computer tune-up or bike tune-up at your locally run bike store.
Local Arts and Entertainment - There are tons of craft and art fairs. Yogini and mamacita to be, Hediyeh, is having a Holiday Art Show on December 3-4, 11am-5pm at 385 Ferguson Rd. in Sebastopol. What about tickets to Main Stage West's latest production of Light Sensitive directed our own Everett Chambers or support Analy High School plays?
Eat Out More Often - Dine at your owner-run restaurants. Almost all offer gift certificates. [Note: If there is a listing of calories on the menu, it's not locally owned, except for the Foster Freeze in Sebastopol, where you couldn't find a more community supportive and all around good guy owner, Tye.] Support the newbie Forchetta/Bastoni that just landed in the square in Sebastopol. The Chicken Curry is delicioso and according to manager, Noah, it's made to order.
Holiday Baking - No, not the typical fruit cake with the sticky looking green things in it. How about Alton Brown's Free Range Fruit Cake (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/free-range-fruitcake-recipe/index.html)? Although there are whopping 24 ingredients, it does ask for a cup of gold rum, which could make the experience a bit more interesting, don't you think? I'm sure you have rum and a diet Coke lying around.
Yoga + - What about a de-stressing restorative yoga session or a private or small group class with me (Cheryl@cherylthomas.com). Ann Austin and the rest of the Ganesha (www.yogastudioganesha.com) tribe offer 8 yoga classes for $100 or Yoga in Graton (www.yogaingraton.com) will entice you with 10 classes for $100. Your local massage contact is Iris for a session that unkinks, unwinds and unbinds your tight muscles. Find Iris at iris@irieyoga.com.
Holiday Grocery Shopping - I love Whole Foods, no doubt. But we have other more local choices for consciously stocked shelves. For your holidays meals in Sebastopol try Andy's Market, Olivers, Fircrest and Pacific. Better yet, shop at your farmers' market. There's not much you can't find at holiday time. Give or get your selection of coffees or teas from Taylor Made Farms (http://taylormaidfarms.com/).
Shop downtown - Take a look at your downtown businesses as compared to the Big Malls. Notice anything? Instead of Macy's and Tommy Bahama's, in Sebastopol we have local owner Janet Rodina's Silk Moon and New Moon on Main Street. No need for Sur la Table when you have Cultivate Home and Garden. Keep your independent bookseller in business by getting your books at Coperfields instead of Amazon.
While you're at it, Occupy Generosity. Leave a bit more of a tip for your servers, mailperson, trash collector, or barista. Do it, you'll feel good about it.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
