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Buy Local Berkeley educates about the community, evironmental and economic benefits of shopping at locally owned, independent businesses. We want to inspire people to shift their spending to Berkeley indies whenever possible.
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Buying Local
in the News |
Berkeley sales tax revenue grows thanks to independents
Long awaited David Brower Center arrives |
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Greetings!
In July we celebrate the independence of our nation. It can also be a time when we celebrate the independence of our economy and the terrific independent businesses that make our community unique.
When we shop at Berkeley Independents, we support the notion of taxation with representation ... Our sales tax dollars get routed to our municipal government where democracy is acted out at the grass roots. And we get the pleasure of a personal relationship with the folks who provide us with the products and services we rely on.
So, when you shop with Berkeley independent businesses, you cast a vote for your home town -- and declare your independence from cookie cutter consumerism.
Happy Independents Day! |
| Independents Week Challenge |
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 Go 100% Indie for Seven Days!
Buy Local Berkeley challenges you to meet all of your needs from July 1st through 7th exclusively at locally owned, independent Berkeley businesses.
The Berkeley City Council Proclaimed the first week of July Independents Week and joined towns across the country to celebrate the local, independent businesses that make our communities unique. Each of the 9 City Council members has also personally taken the pledge to shop local Berkeley for the week.
For every $100 dollars we spend at local independents, $68 of that money gets spent again right here in our region. That's 58% more money added to our region than when you spend at a national chain.
All these numbers mean that when we buy from cool, indie businesses we are helping our friends and neighbors keep their jobs and nurturing our local economy. So, in honor of July 4th, let's Celebrate our Independents! Take the Independents Challenge now!
(Already taken it? Then invite your friends to join you. Forward them the link!) |
| Fast Food - Indie and Healthy? |
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 Amanda's Feel Good Fresh Food Celebrates One Year
Amanda's Feel Good Fresh Food in Downtown Berkeley celebrates its first anniversary on Saturday, July 25. The restaurant offers fresh, natural food that is fast, affordable and groovy with healthy, natural, and organic ingredients. They will host a daylong celebration that will include free food, entertainment, and a chance to win a year's worth of weekly meals at Amanda's.
Amanda West founded the quick-service restaurant to offer convenient, tasty, nutritious meals. The menu includes all-natural burgers, vegan burgers, salads, baked fries, organic apple "fries," cookies, and handmade sodas. The menu was designed to balance fats, proteins, and carbohydrates with minimal saturated fat, no transfats, and no corn syrup.
Amanda says, "We Americans love burgers and fries, but we need a way to eat them that is better for our bodies and the environment." Stop by from 12-8 p.m. on July 25th, to check out fast food that is healthy for you and created by a Berkeley Independent!
Amanda's
2122 Shattuck Ave at Center St
Near the Downtown Berkeley BART station.
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| Fuel Your Independence |
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 BioFuel Oasis
Grand Opening Celebration
Saturday, July 18, 12 - 5 p.m.
1441 Ashby Ave at Sacramento
Join BioFuel Oasis for their grand opening party at their brand new biodiesel fueling station and urban farm store!
The event will thank the many people who contributed to creating the new station and to celebrate our new neighborhood which as been so welcoming. Festivities include a fuel-filter changing rodeo, live music, free food, and non-alcoholic drinks. |
| Independent Media - Naturally! |
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 Bay Nature Magazine
Located in Berkeley and focusing on the Bay Area, Bay Nature magazine offers Bay Area nature lovers a chance to find out what's just outside their door. From hikes to local ecology to hidden treasures, Bay Nature showcases local writers, photographers, and artists in its pages and on the web. To learn more about Bay Nature visit BayNature.org. An exploration of nature in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bay Nature magazine is a project of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Bay Nature Institute. |
| Delicious Independent Film |
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 FRESH Screening
at Saul's Deli
Tuesday, 7/7/09, 8:30 p.m.
At Saul's Deli enjoy an amazing documentary about people changing how we eat. While you are there, treat yourself to a locally sourced dinner and seasonal, housemade sodas - cream, blueberry, strawberry. There will be a post-screening discussion with Saul's owners and other attendees. FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.
1475 Shattuck Ave Berkeley
Film is free; suggested donation $10.
Proceeds support FRESHthemovie's distribution to the widest possible audience. |
| Independent Health - For Your Pets |
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 Holistic Hound
Health and Wellness Fair
Saturday, July 11th from 1-4
Learn about the latest in holistic health care for your dog and cat at the Holistic Hound. Meet practitioners, vendors and experts in the field of alternative pet care. Chat with Dr. Jenny Taylor of the Creature Comfort Holistic Veterinary Center and Matt Koss of Primal Pet Foods. Learn from Mary Straus, animal nutritionist and author Sandi Thompson. Plus, certified dog trainer Bravo! Pup will be on hand to answer your questions. Holistic Hound1510 Walnut Street, Berkeley CA 94709, 510-843-2133 |
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Fashion Your Independence |
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 East Bay Style Collective Presents
Fashion Food and Wine
Saturday July, 11, 6-10 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of fashion, food and wine on Saturday, July 11 from 6-10 p.m. at Shattuck and Vine Streets in North Berkeley.
The East Bay Style Collective has partnered with the North Shattuck Association to feature food from premier restaurants including Trattoria Corso, Saul's Deli, The Crepevine, Alegio Chocolate, and Virginia Bakery along with wine from Vintage Berkeley Wines, Behrens Family Winery & Medlock Ames. Tastes for $4. Bring friends, sip wine, and get a bite in the Gourmet Ghetto! Experience the outdoor fashion show starting at 8 p.m. featuring Erica Tanov's Fall '09 collection, with trademark subtle details, fine fabrics and meticulous construction; Feather Vintage's beautiful pairings of unique and designer vintage pieces from the 1960s to the 1980s; and Magnet Boutique's sophisticated urban mix of emerging Los Angeles and New York designers. Chairs for the show are $10 (tickets will be sold at the event).
Complimentary goodie bags go with the first 75 chairs sold so get there early! |
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Stimulate Beauty and Inspiration |
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 Times are tough for a lot of people. And maybe some of us think art isn't something we should spend money on now. But art inspires us and brings beauty into our lives. We especially need it in hard times. So to make it easier, during the month of July, photographer John Vias is offering a "Beauty and Inspiration Stimulus Package." Enjoy a 20%-40% discount on all his gorgeous night photography prints. Just call to make a no-obligation appointment to visit his studio in West Berkeley. | |
Happy Independents Week!
Locally Yours,
The Buy Local Berkeley Gang |
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