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Buy Local Berkeley educates about the community, environmental 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 |
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An overlooked way to fight global warming?
Veto gives advantage to out-of-state firms
Books Inc. moves to 4th St
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Greetings!
Remember the feeling of a new semester? The crisp notebooks, sharpened pencils, blank calendars ... This semester, surely, you will complete your work early. All the reading will be done on time. This time you will always have something insightful, and maybe even witty, to say in class.
Back to school. We start again with a fresh slate: New school outfits, fresh books. We still know where all our pens and pencils are. The prospect of getting it right this time still seems like a promise we might even fulfill.
Regardless of our academic prowess, we always succeed when we outfit ourselves at the local, independent businesses that give back so much to our schools and our community.
Read on for fun ideas and special Back To School offers... |
| Historic School Supplies in Berkeley |
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 ALKO Office
For personal attention and deals on quality supplies visit ALKO Office in Downtown Berkeley.
Opened in 1908, ALKO is one of the oldest businesses in Berkeley. Owner Gary Shows began there in 1972 and bought the company in 1984. Over the years he's fostered Alko's reputation as a knowledgeable, honest and friendly place.
Gary and his crack team of office suppliers can help you find what you need. With every species of pen and multitudinous suborders of notebooks and dividers, ALKO is a terrific source for the tools you need to be a smarty pants this semester! |
| Green Back to School |
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 ReUsed is Eco-Chic
Grove Street Kids is a Resale Children's store. They offer new and gently used clothing, shoes and accessories for children from newborns to size 10.
If you want to sell your kids' clothes, Grove Street Kids also buys merchandise locally!
As an extra goodie, they offer a play area where children can draw, play with puzzles or read stories. Ask about their "Round-A-Bout kids" frequent buyer program. For every $10 you spend, get a punch in your card. When you've reached $100, turn your card in for 15% off your next purchase.
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| Extra Curriculars for Grown Ups |
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 Henry's Pub
Located in Berkeley's Hotel Durant, Henry's is a casual pub featuring a new menu with fresh, seasonal food along with an extensive selection of draught beers, California wines and unique cocktails. Chef Eddie Blyden has become an expert in fresh, gastropub-style cooking. Eddie was born in Nigeria and his earliest memories are of his aunt's kitchen in Sierra Leone. There he learned West African recipes for juices, wines and sweets made of tropical fruits such as guava, papaya and tamarind. He built on these traditional West African and Caribbean influences with formal training in some of the world's best restaurants in New York, Switzerland and the West Indies. Here in the the Bay Area Blyden celebrates the slow-food movement with produce from local, organic farms as well as free-range meats raised without hormones and antibiotics.
So, stop by Henry's and enjoy local food and drinks! |
| Smart Eats - Home Grown Tofu! |
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 Tofu Yu
Some experts point to tofu as a food that helps brains work better. Now our community has sprouted an organic tofu manufacturer to feed the growing brains right here!
The artisans at Tofu Yu bring expert fermentation and processing skills from Harbin, China -- where they know from tofu! Many tofu aficionados have declared Tofu Yu the best they've ever had. Their special flavors include Smoked Jalapeno, Garlic Pepper, Smoked Hickory, Chipotle, Curry, and Jasmine Tea Smoked. Or just good old Plain Firm -- always a favorite! Tofu Yu prides themselves in using only the finest organic beans of U.S. origin (take that, Monsanto!) and the freshest organic produce. Plus, most of their packaging is biodegradable. Look for Tofu Yu tofus in Berkeley independent groceries like Andronico's and Berkeley Natural or at Jack London Square and Lake Merritt Farmer's Markets in Oakland. Go to TofuYu.com for all the places to find their tofus! |
| Early to Bed - Early to Rise |
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 Earthsake Locally Made Mattrasses on Sale
Mama always said that good sleep is critical to learning -- and now science is supporting her claims. To get the best sleep ever, treat yourself to a local, organic mattress!
Through Labor Day (September 7th) save 20% off all Natural Earthsake mattresses. Go to the Fourth Street shops at 1772 Fourth Street in Berkeley or online at Earthsake.com. |
| Graduate from Refrigerator to Frame |
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 Back to School Means Fresh Art to Display!
Kids returning to school can mean scads of art coming home every week. Preserve the best of the oeuvre at Framers' Workshop, the only do-it-yourself frame shop in the Bay Area.
They offer top-quality do-it-yourself and custom framing at competitive prices. Owners Kirstie and Jeff have made this shop work for the last 32 years because they are a small, one-location family business that they run hands-on with framers they hire for personality and skill. Kirstie says, "This is a fun place to work and customers have a great time while saving money doing it themselves." Now Framers' Workshop has brought in low price framing alternatives such as their "Poster Special" and a large selection of ready-made frames. Kirstie says, "We are the only place around where you can buy a ready-made frame and immediately get free use of table space, materials, and help to put your art in the frame. Mats are cut on the spot, and you are out the door with a professionally framed project in a short amount of time." |
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Philosophy: Skip the Class ... |
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 Catch the Play!
Machiavelli's The Prince is a new play based on the infamous Renaissance philosopher's 'Handbook for Tyrants.' Written and directed by Gary Graves, this Central Works piece will be performed through September 19th.
Renaissance characters Niccolo Machiavelli and Duke Borgia duke it out over questions we still struggle with today: Can we trust people? Do the ends justify the means? Is there a practical alternative to the efficiency of tyranny?
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Back to Art School ... |
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 At Castle In The Air!
Castle in the Air invites you to send your imagination back to school with new classes for artists and dreamers.
Classes take place in their new Studio for the Imagination Loft. Their inspiring instructor lead courses in calligraphy, paper theatres, decorated boxes, crepe paper sculpture, vintage-inspired crafts, felt and fiber arts, book arts, illustration, watercolor, and collage.
Founded and staffed by Bay Area artists, Castle in the Air offers classes that attract students from around the world. So reserve your space now in their Studio for the Imagination! You can also make a celebration extra special by renting the studio for a private class for you and your friends.
Go by the shop to see their beautiful treasures and pick up your class schedule, or view it now. Either way, send your inner artist back to school! |
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Turn In Your Papers |
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 JURIED@BAC:
Works on Paper
The Berkeley Art Center represents the diversity of the Bay Area with exhibitions in a broad range of disciplines. The intimate gallery is between Live Oak Park and Cordonices Creek and is a great destination to combine with lunch, dinner or shopping in nearby restaurants and boutiques.
Their current show Juried@BAC: Works on Paper features 36 individual works on paper. The provocative and thoughtful exhibition celebrates primarily Bay Area artists, who are engaged in unique explorations of their craft and will be on display until September 20th. | |
Pencils Down! Time is Up!
Get moving in your community!
Locally Yours,
The Buy Local Berkeley Gang |
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