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Newsletter April 2011 Serving Bloomington and Monroe Co. |
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May Mixer at the Lovely Showers Inn!
430 N. Washington St.
May 12, 5:30-7:30pm
Speaker: Dan Fierst, Owner, Showers Inn, will talk about the history of the building and the area.
Our mixers are a great way to meet other Local First members, LFI staff, and catch up on what we are working on right now. There are a lot of exciting things happening, so come out and hang out with us!
Mixers are open to Local First Indiana Members (and employees of member businesses), and we encourage members to bring friends! We also heartily extend an invitation to business owners/employees who are considering joining! Come learn about local businesses and help us create a network that will create a strong voice for local, independent business in Bloomington and Monroe County!
Local First Indiana Mixers take place on 2nd Thursdays.
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Local First Indiana Sustaining Member
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The Downtown Bloomington Recycling Center: An Investment in the Future of Sustainability
By Chad Roeder, Owner, Bloomington Pedal Power
When Mayor Kruzan announced at a press conference on March 30th that the City of Bloomington, the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District, and Bloomington Pedal Power would be entering into a public/private partnership to establish a Downtown Bloomington Recycling Center (DBRC), the future of a sustainable Bloomington became a little brighter. The event was well attended, and the tone was really positive. I was honored to be part of such a special gathering of people, and I am thrilled to be working with an administration that I have seen evolve into a truly active, progressive force in not only Monroe County, but the State of Indiana, all the while garnering national attention for its economic successes during a time of federal fiscal uncertainty and global political unrest.
The new Downtown Recycling Center will be a place for people to bring their recyclable materials, and experience a sense of community, much like the South Walnut Recycling Center. At this downtown location, we hope to do as much as we can with the space that we have; this is truly a unique opportunity, and the potential for strengthening Bloomington's core constituency through this initiative is now very real.
In addition to the four roll-off containers provided by the District (equal to $25,000 if purchased new), the City is providing the real estate through displacement of 19 permit parking spaces, as well as a tasteful, recycled content vinyl dog-ear fence adorned with panel art via the Economic Development Director for the Arts and Local Artists to further enhance the character of this project (roughly another $25,000). I will provide management of the site, which will operate 60 hours per week, Monday through Saturday, 7:30 am - 5:30 pm. The site will be staffed the entire time. It is important to have somebody on-site who can answer questions, monitor compliance, and clean up at the end of a shift.
But this is more than just a recycling center; read more here. |
 | | Local First Indiana Sustaining Member |
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Update on Stand with Main Street
update on the previous story by Marci Hughes
by Una Winterman, Local First Indiana
Various groups are working to make people aware of the issue of sales tax fairness. Online retailers currently don't have to pay sales tax in the state of Indiana. Because all other retail has to charge 7% sales tax, this gives online retailers a 7% discount on all items. Follow the links below to learn more.
- State Sen. John Broden (D-South Bend) wrote a great Op-Ed for the Terre Haute Tribune Star.
- If this is an issue you care about, sign the petition to get updates and find out how to help.
- The Alliance for Main Street Fairness (AMSF) is an organization committed to educating private citizens, small businesses and elected officials about common-sense updates that can be made to our tax system to ensure there is a level playing field for both small businesses and online-only retailers concerning the collection of sales taxes.
Friend Stand with Main Street on Facebook to get updates about this issue across the country.  |
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New Local First Indiana Members!
See the full list of Local First Indiana Members in our Directory |
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WFHB Community Radio
812.323.0320
108 W. 4th St.
www.wfhb.org
WFHB, started in 1993, is a nonprofit, volunteer-powered community radio station, depending on direct local support to pay for their broadcast operations. Their award winning news programming provides an open forum for the community to explore issues and events affecting life in south central Indiana and beyond. The news department relies on the collective efforts of over 100 community volunteers who contribute by being reporters, correspondents, show hosts, producers and engineers.
See their list of awards soon to be augmented from the recent ceremony hosted by the Society of Professional Journalism in Indianapolis, where they won 1/3 of all awards given to Indiana radio stations, including a clean sweep of the Best Newscast category-first, second, and third place!
Find out how to be a volunteer here
 
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American Futons
812.333.1305
105 S. Walnut St.
Convert to the Freedom of a Futon: The World's Most Comfortable and Healthful Way to Sleep!
American Futons makes their own futons by hand, using 100% cotton, and are therefore non-allergenic and long-lasting. The frames are made by local craftsmen and they also carry manufactured factory pieces. Frames range in quality and price from custom furniture that lasts a lifetime to more portable student-style frames. Available in cot or chair size, twin, double, queen, king, or custom. (Think big-she's made crib mattresses, round, trapezoid, youth size, and antique beds.) These beds are also flame retardant, treated with Boric Acid, which means that they are bedbug and flea-proof!
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Rachael's Cafe
812.330.1882
300 E. 3rd St.
www.rachaelscafe.com
Come as you want: Everyone is welcome at our table!
Rachael's Café grew out of a desire to create a friendly, inclusive, peaceful atmosphere for all. Our mission is to bring understanding, education, and acceptance over a cup of coffee. See the webpage for the calendar of events!
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Happy Pig
www.happypigbloomington.com
The happier the pig, the better the bacon.
Happy Pig is Bloomington, Indiana street food. Their aim is to make locally relevant food more accessible. They use what is available and change their menus weekly.
Friend on Facebook or follow on Twitter to find out exact locations and menu changes, but you can also look for them during these times at these places:.
Wednesdays Lunch @ Sample Gates. Noon-3PM
Thursdays Lunch @ Sample Gates. Noon-3PM
Friday Late Night @ Atlas Bar. 11:30PM-3:30AM
Saturday Late Night @ Courthouse Square. 11:30pm-3:30am
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 | | Local First Indiana Sustaining Member |
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Upland Releases the Infinite Wisdom Tripel
In case you missed the opening last weekend, make sure and try Upland's newest specialty Belgian-style ale, the Infinite Wisdom Tripel. This limited-release specialty beer, which is only available for a short time each spring, is a strong Belgian-style ale that has a long fermentation period using classic Belgian yeasts. The nose contains banana and citrus notes while a complex fruitiness and light warming sensation are experienced upon tasting. Like many Belgian Tripels, Infinite Wisdom is strong but delectably drinkable.
The name was inspired by Norton Wisdom, a good friend of the brewery, whose work is also featured on the labels of the Infinite Wisdom Tripel, the Dantalion Dark Wild Ale and the Double Dragonfly Imperial IPA. The excitement of Wisdom's work is not only in the final product, but in the process. He paints live, in front of an audience, with a live band playing, where he is influenced by the energy of the music, the musicians, and the audience.
 | | Norton Wisdom in action. |
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Upcoming Shows at The Comedy Attic
corner of 4th and Walnut
Hannibal Buress (Writer/Co-star on 30 Rock, SNL)
5 shows, starting 4/27, 8pm-4/29, 10:30pm
Judah Friedlander at Comedy Attic!
5 shows, starting May 5, 8pm-May 7
See the facebook page or the website for more information. |
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Cardinal Stage Company
A Year with Frog and Toad
May 13-May 29, 7pm
At Ivy Tech John Waldron Auditorium
122 S. Walnut St.
Tix: www.cardinalstage.org or BCT Box Office 812-323- 3020
Get ready for some hopping good springtime fun when Arnold Lobel's beloved amphibians jump from the page to the stage in Cardinal Stage Company's return engagement of A Year with Frog and Toad!
Critics were effusive the first time around, calling Cardinal's production, "witty and warm... universally appealing... and magically realized!" |
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Friends of Art Books
1201 E. 7th St. (in the Fine Arts Building right around the corner from the SOFA Gallery)
- Open late! This Friday, April 29, the FoA Bookshop will remain open until 8pm in conjunction with the SoFA Gallery and IUAM opening receptions. For those who have a hard time getting over here during regular business hours, it's a wonderful time to browse thousands of artbooks and get inspired. Pop in during the reception and check out all the great items for sale!
- Also, textbook buyback has started! If you've been holding onto texts, bring 'em in and we'll quote you a price. We're also happy to accept any donations of artbooks that you may no longer need. Lighten your load, and help fund fine art student scholarships at the same time!
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Stranger's Hill CSA
The 2011 Stranger's Hill Community Supported Agriculture proj ect is now accepting members! Get fresh, organic produce every week for 22 - 24 weeks, all grown at our farm just six miles from downtown! New in 2011, we are offering two convenient in-town pickup locations in addition to pickup on the farm. Home delivery is also available, and we hope to offer cut flower shares to interested members. Full shares (enough for 3 - 4 people) cost $650 or about $28 / week, and half shares (enough for 1 - 2 people) are $375 or about $16 / week. Click through to their website to sign up. |
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Check Out Our New Resources Section!
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Local First Indiana Sustaining Members
click on the logos below to link to the webpages
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The Center for Sustainable Living is the Fiscal Sponsor for Local First Indiana
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Local First Indiana Decal |
Become a Member of Local First Indiana Today! Bloomington residents want to shop local and we aim to make that easier!
Benefits
Window decal,
Cooperative Marketing Campaigns
Benefit from our consumer education plan that tells residents why it matters to shop locally,
Access to network of over 22,000 local, independent businesses throughout the U.S. through our affiliation with BALLE.
Listing in our online directory
Twitter and Facebook postings
Monthly Newsletter
Prices
$10 a year per employee,
min. $35, max. $350.
Part-time employees count as half.
Sustaining Members
Sustaining Member Benefits: Promotion at Local First Events, on our website, and in our monthly newsletter. Size of logo or business name will correspond to size of contribution.
For more information about becoming a member, please visit our website here.
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Sole Sensations Unveils New Logo, Website
414 S. College Ave.
Local graphic designer (and Local First Indiana Member Patric Siney Art Direction and Design) created a new logo and look for Sole Sensations. Check their website to see the changes! |
Barefoot Kids Now The Green Nursery
They have the same great location and the same quality items, but decided to update their name. They also updated their logo! |
Bloomingfoods Receives Award
Bloomingfoods West, East, and Kirkwood received the League of American Bicyclists Bronze Award for Bike Friendly Businesses! Great job! |
Local First Indiana Steering Committee
Una Winterman, Founder
Martin Sorge, LFI Resource and Technology Coordinator
Brian Winterman, Indiana University Libraries
Sheryl Woodhouse-Keese, Twisted Limb Paperworks |
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