The holidays don’t have to be a celebration of overconsumption!   Below are a few no- or low-material gift ideas that will make anyone’s Christmas a happy one—and support the economy at the same time.

1) The personalized song. For $5, you assemble a silly or romantic song for a friend, spouse or relative. www.instasong.com
2) Recycled stuff. From local art (like www.moesache.com and www.twistedlimbpaper.com) to snazzy home décor (www.globalgiftsindy.com), there are all sorts of ideas for people who like the idea of closing the loop.
3) Fix something loved that’s broken. www.fixitclub.com/
4) Buy them a home energy audit (http://www.gnnbloomington.com/?page_id=677), or a simple weatherization kit (weatherstripping, foam draft-stoppers for switchplates and outlets, etc.), and start them on the path to perpetual savings on their utility bills.
5) Sponsor a membership in a non-profit organization, especially one like www.catalogchoice.org, which will remove your loved one’s name from junk mail lists as a membership perk.
6) Plant a tree in their honor. Try the Bloomington Tree Fund. http://bloomington.in.gov/street-trees-and-landscaping
7) Regift. Everybody’s doing it. There is no shame in finding loving homes for underappreciated gifts.
8) Tickets to something. A play, a movie or a performance at one of our lovely local venues. Make it a package with a gift certificate for dinner.
9) Sponsor or subsidize their membership in a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program (www.localgrowers.org/CSA.html), and provide support for local farms at the same time.
10) A gift certificate for a massage, a dance lesson or a pottery class. Try Downtown Bloomington gift certificates, good at dozens of participating downtown merchants.  www.downtownbloomington.com/giftcertificates.html

Your challenge? Think outside the gift box—you can both support the local economy and minimize holiday consumption. What better way to celebrate the season of peace and giving?

Simon Property Group, the nation’s largest mall operator, is suing the Indiana Department of Revenue to try and force it to collect taxes from Amazon.com Inc. for all sales made in the state.  Simon Property Group is not seeking monetary damages, but rather is suing on behalf of itself and all other brick and mortar businesses in Indiana who are competing for customers with Amazon.

Undoubtedly, Indiana legislators thought that they were creating a business friendly atmosphere when they offered Amazon a tax break for moving here, but this unfair advantage is not working out for any other businesses in Indiana who sell the same items as Amazon.  Apparently, legislators are coming to their senses, as they have been studying this issue in the Commission on State Tax and Financing Policy, and though they have yet to make a formal recommendation, are expected to release a proposal to require sales tax collection during the 2012 session.  No doubt that Simon Property Group will help them to remember the 547,000 retail jobs across the state that are in jeapordy, awaiting their final determination.

There are hundreds of businesses in the Bloomington area and it is our pleasure to show off local talent in our classrooms as we suspect our students will become the next customer, employee or even just a promoter of a locally-owned business.   With the holidays fast approaching, think of what you can do to learn about locally-based businesses.  Ask yourself some simple questions.  What do they sell? Who owns and operates the company? Do they partner with local vendors or growers? Do they invest in and give back to the community?  I think you will be surprised to find some wonderfully unique businesses that have lots to offer and improve our quality of life, all the while providing you with the goods and services you desire.

Steven E. Bryant

Business Spotlight:  Yarns Unlimited

By Mary Ann Gingles, Owner and Guardian of Yarns Unlimited

Hello, everyone.  I’m Mary Ann Gingles, the current “owner” of Yarns Unlimited.

I’m not fond of the word “owner” unless it’s referring to something material.  I never refer to myself as the owner of my beloved dogs, I’m their guardian, and I feel the same way about Yarns Unlimited, I am its guardian or steward at the present time.

The two previous stewards, Betsy Blumenthal and Suzanne Halvorson, both weavers,  nurtured the shop lovingly.  Betsy , who now lives in Colorado, continues to be a friend to the shop and we’re still in touch with her; Suzanne, who lives locally, is still very much a part of the shop and is the leading weaving instructor.  They both worked hard to ensure that the business is sustained to serve the fiber crafts community. Like them, I’m committed to continuing this legacy.   I’m also committed to having weaving be a vital component of the shop.  Though I’ve dabbled with weaving a bit on my rigid heddle loom, I am primarily a knitter and secondarily, a crocheter.   I’m thrilled that Yarns is not just another knitting shop.  Yarns  is fortunate to count among its staff and instructors experts and masters in the field of weaving, spinning, knitting, crocheting, dyeing, felting and more.  It’s a place where creative ideas are exchanged, talents are shared, and lasting friendships, made.

 I learned to knit just a few years ago when I took a beginning class at Yarns, followed by a class on crochet.  It got me hooked and I have been obsessively knitting and crocheting since, which is evident by the numerous samples or projects I’ve made that are  hanging at the shop.  I can’t think of anything I would rather be doing when time permits.  Unfortunately, my responsibilities at the shop sometimes get in the way.  If you’ve been in the shop and are familiar with my work, you know that I have a preference for chunky knits and modern styles, which adds to the mixture of different styles the other staff and instructors bring to the table.  We are certainly a diverse group.  Oh, also, I’ve been known to almost never stick to the pattern–I like to personalize my projects and improvise as I go, which makes me unpopular with my knitting instructor.

I hope you will share my passion for knitting and dedication to the fiber crafts tradition.  It allows people to work with their hands and make beautiful things.  It provides an opportunity for creative collaboration and meeting of kindred spirits–it is good for the soul!

Join our tour guides for a bar tour of downtown Bloomington.  Tour price includes 5 drinks at 5 locations, witty anecdotes and valuable information from your brave tour leaders, and special deals throughout the night!  Tour goers will receive free admission after the tour to comedy or live music at The Comedy Attic (Kurt Metzger), The Bishop, or the Bluebird (Andy Hollinden).

Tentative Schedule (final details will be confirmed via email):

• 6-7pm: Nick’s (20% off food)
• 7:15-7:45pm: Crazy Horse
• 8-8:30pm: Uptown Cafe
• 8:45-9:15pm: The Bishop
• 9:30-10pm: The Atlas

Tickets are $25, and include the price of 5 drinks along the tour.  Tickets available at: http://wherethelocalsgoouttour.eventbrite.com  or by emailing una@localfirstindiana.org to arrange payment by check.

 ***Age 21 and over***

Join our tour guides for a fun and inspiring walking tour of downtown Bloomington.  These tours highlight the history and stories of some of the buildings and local, independent businesses in downtown Bloomington–a great way to get to know our City better!

 Tour Dates:

• Saturday, Aug 27  10am-11:30am
• Saturday, Sept. 3  10am-11:30am
• Saturday, Sept. 10  10am-11:30am
• Saturday, Sept. 17  10am-11:30am
• Saturday, Oct. 1  10am-11:30am

Ticket price change!  Tickets are now $5 adults, $2 kids with accompanying adult (5 and under are free).  Accompanying parents of new IU students who buy tickets can join the tour for free!

Please reserve tickets ahead of time: www.wherethelocalsgotour.eventbrite.com    by contacting:  una@localfirstindiana.org or 812-334-8903 (ask for Una)

We are also hosting two other tours:

Where the Locals Go Out, a bar tour of Downtown Bloomington

Make Art Local Tour, a day-long tour, visiting 3 Bloomington businesses (plus lunch), where you will create your own work of art.

The Where the Locals Go Tours are a part of Going Local Week, a week of celebration of all things local.  Going Local Week is a springboard for educating the community about the importance of shopping locally and eating local food as a means of supporting the local economy for greater self-reliance, greater health, and a higher quality of living for the entire community.  Events include art openings, concerts, business specials, local food specials in restaurants, various fundraisers for other local nonprofits, etc.  We encourage our community to get out and do something local every day.

A recent change in Indiana state law enables state agencies to favor companies that employ local citizens and contribute to local economies.

It is called the “Buy Local Program,” though it doesn’t necessarily limit state agencies to contracts with local businesses.  The formula was recently changed with the attempt to give Indiana businesses a competitive edge over out-of-state companies for state contracts and purchases.  This change has great potential, not only to give local, independent businesses an edge, but also to encourage businesses to consider the impact on the local economy in which they operate.

At least 25 major U.S. cities have local preferences on their books, with several states enacting laws that cover the whole state, as Indiana has done.  Economist Michael Shuman, calls it “smart procurement” and emphasizes impact over ownership, in this particular case.  While we can’t ignore the importance of ownership, the discriminatory nature of outright favoritism can create challenges that can cause problems down the line, such as corruption and unnecessarily higher prices.

This being said, Arizona pushed through their state law favoring local business after learning via an economic impact study that the state could save money by buying office supply products from a local business despite an initially slightly higher price.  This particular office supply store worked hard to keep their own money local and therefore more of the money that goes through that company stays in the state of Arizona.  The study found that when a state agency buys items through a local business with a high economic impact, more money circulates in the economy.  The state itself becomes an agent of economic development, simply by purchasing office products.

The new changes to the Indiana law on procurement could be improved by adding an economic assessment requirement.  An economic assessment could measure the impact of the purchases on other local businesses in the community to ensure businesses with state contracts are doing their part to support other local businesses.  Nevertheless, this change is a positive step forward that supports local business without playing favorites.

Local First Indiana is presenting an Art Tour, a day-long tour, visiting 3 Bloomington businesses, where you will create your own work of art.

 The tour starts at Twisted Limb Paperworks, where participants will learn how to make paper.  After a quick stop for lunch at The Owlery, a new, very tasty vegetarian restaurant, we’ll head over to Collective Press, where participants will print their own images onto the homemade paper.  (Participants should bring their own images to use for cutting their own block.  If they don’t like how it turns out, pre-cut blocks will be on hand to choose from.)  After printing, participants will walk a short block and a half to Reframe to choose a frame and put it together.  Your art will be ready for the wall by the time you get home!  This particular piece of art will be infused with your own experience of making it and with the three remarkable business owners who will walk you through the process.  A Tour leader from Local First Indiana will also be there to help guide participants from one business to the next.

 This tour will be a walking tour, so participants should be prepared with good walking shoes and ready for the weather.  All the businesses are located either on the B-Line or near the B-Line, so the walking should be pretty easy.

**Note:  This tour must sell at least 8 tickets by September 3 in order to run the tour.  If we don’t reach 8 participants, we will notify you and issue refunds. 

•  Date:  Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, please sign up by Sept. 3.
• Time:  10am-6pm
• Cost:  $190, includes lunch from The Owlery.
• Tickets:  www.makeartlocaltour.eventbrite.com or by emailing una@localfirstindiana.org to arrange payment by check.  Payment is due by September 3.
• Bring:  Your own image to transfer to the relief block (similar to a linoleum block.) We will send more info about this to folks who sign up.  There will be some cut plates that the students can print, but we would like for everyone to cut their own block. Collective Press will help participants transfer their images onto the plates and help them carve.  If participants don’t like how it turns out, there will be pre-cut images to choose from.  No experience necessary!  The experts at Collective Press will guide you through this fun process.

Information about the businesses:

• Twisted Limb Paperworks:  Twisted Limb creates 100% recycled handmade paper, stationery and invitations for personal and business celebrations, with a focus on exceptional customer service and sustainable business practices. 22% of profits are donated to environmental and community groups.
• Collective Press:  A collective print shop in Bloomington, Indiana working toward non-profit status. Collective Press is an inclusive group of artists that works to provide access, education and encouragement to all people interested in printmaking. Collective Press provides low-cost workshops, instruction, equipment and a supportive environment to the general public.
• Reframe:  Reframe is a custom picture framing company that specializes in environmentally-friendly materials and conservation practices.
• The Owlery:  Located in Bloomington’s historic Near West Side neighborhood, The Owlery offers high quality, vegetarian food at affordable prices. The Owlery, works to find responsible sources for their ingredients and ethical ways of doing business.

Walk into Nick’s English Hut and the first thing that comes to mind is not Sustainability.  “Beer”, perhaps, or “burgers,” or “good times,” but if you didn’t know about it already, you might not realize everything that Nick’s has done over the years to quietly build a responsible and sustainable green plan for their business.  Attendees for the April Mixer for Local First Indiana were lucky enough to hear about these efforts from speaker Susan Bright.  This list does not cover it all, by any means, but is merely a highlight:

• Recycling  Nick’s participates in a cooperative recycling collective.  They work with neighboring businesses to reduce trash and collect recycling in an area behind the Village Deli.  She estimates that, among other things, they save 1,000 lbs. of cardboard per month from the trash.
• Local Food  Nick’s has been using local meat for 8 years.  Fischer Farms, near Jasper, IN provides grass and grain fed, hormone and antibiotic free beef for their burgers and steak sandwiches, while Ewenique Farms of Bartholomew County, Indiana provides the lamb for their lamb burger.
• Replacement of freezers  A good deal of their energy use was also being sucked up by their 11 freezers they had stashed around the restaurant.  They ditched these and replaced them with a large walk-in freezer and are saving considerably. 
• Solar panels  After realizing that much of their energy output was due to the large amount of hot water they use, they installed 6 solar panels to power their hot water production.  The previous system they used involved water tanks that needed replacement every 5 years or so.  Compare this to a 30 year warranty on the solar panels!  Mann Plumbing did the work for them.  Susan calculates that her solar panels will have paid for themselves in 4 years.

She also had some great advice for local businesses in lowering their electricity costs, such as contacting your energy company to make sure that your business is on the proper plan.  They were being charged extra because they were mistakenly put on the wrong plan.  They saved money simply by contacting them and switching to a “Low Load” plan.  After putting some of their sustainability efforts into place, they likely made enough of a difference in their electric output that they now need the “Low Load” plan, which saved them a considerable amount of money.  See the story below “Lowering Electric Rates for Businesses” to find out how to check into this for yourself.

Your Business May Qualify for a Lower Electric Rate

Your business may be receiving the wrong rate.

Those with a business rate plan for three-phase-services, such as LLF (Low Load Factor) or HLF (High Load Factor) can call to evaluate and make sure you are on the best rate for your business.  Your electricity bill should tell you if you have this kind of service.  If you are currently using a High Rate of electricity, it would be cheaper to stay on the high rate plan, though knowing this could help you realize that you may want to make an effort to reduce your use of electricity.

Businesses can only change plans once a year, so if you are anticipating that your energy output will change in the next 12 months due to an expansion or sustainability efforts, you may wait to officially change it until you have made the changes.  Meanwhile, you can call 1-800-774-1202 to check in and see what rate you are currently at and they can offer you a price comparison.