http://thinklocalsantacruz.org/c/

Buying from locally owned and independent businesses benefits the local economy

• Locally owned businesses spend their profits locally, purchase more goods from local suppliers, and employ their own office and support staff.
• When more money gets re-circulated in the community, general prosperity as well as tax revenues increase, creating a more vibrant and sustainable economy.
• Locally owned businesses tend to stick around when times get harder. A local owner doesn’t easily pack up and leave town for “better” pastures. This creates more stability in the local economy.
• Because they focus primarily on local markets, locally owned businesses tend to be smaller and place a high premium on being easily accessible by local residents. This cuts down on car travel and promotes sustainable neighborhood economies while at the same time avoids high public expenses for shopping center infrastructure costs.

. . . and the entire community

• Business owners, who live in town, take better care of the environment, participate in public life and local charities.
• A wide variety of locally owned businesses contributes to a stronger local identity and cultural diversity, creating an attractive place to live and visit.
• Strengthening our locally owned business community promotes authentic and meaningful relationships between employees, business owners, customers, suppliers, and neighbors. Chances are, when you buy from a locally owned business, part of your purchase will benefit your neighbors and friends.

What’s Spent Here, Stays Here
Locally owned businesses spend their profits locally, purchase more goods from local suppliers, and employ their own office and support staff.
Get More for Your Money
When more money gets re-circulated in the community, general prosperity as well as tax revenues increase, creating a more vibrant and sustainable economy.
Local Businesses Offer Unique Character
A wide variety of locally owned businesses contributes to a stronger local identity and cultural diversity, creating an attractive place to live and visit.
Neighborly
Strengthening our locally owned business community promotes authentic and meaningful relationships between employees, business owners, customers, suppliers, and neighbors. Business owners, who live in town, take better care of the environment, participate in public life, and donate generously to local charities.

As beautiful as our area is, sometimes its good for the mind, body and soul to just get the heck out of town for a day or week end.

My favorite spot in California, at least on this side of the Sierras is the Tomalas Bay area. Marine country plays host to this luscious rolling landscape that only cows, farmers, artists and oyster

As green as it gets...

shuckers can call home. A few times a year I’ll pack up my wife (or go by myself on my Suzuki) and head up north  and spend the day enjoying the fantastic winding roads, art galleries, hiking trails,  barren beaches, bird watching, happy California cows, bay views, and best of all no college kids (my own included) or in your face SCruz locals..

The tiny town of Point Reyes Station is at the bottom of the Tomales Bay and its where I find myself spending most of my time.

The sidewalks buzz with activity on sunny weekends. As the coast’s commercial anchor, Point Reyes Station has at least one – and usually just one – of everything: one hardware store, one grocery store, the only bank on the Marin coast, and likewise, the only feed supplier, and the only pharmacy. The downtown eateries, of which there are several, seem almost a mandatory stop for caravans of bicyclists, motorcyclists and all manner of visitors coming through. It’s a free port, blue-collar at its roots, and you can still catch a whiff of livestock in the breeze.

I find the best time of year to visit is February through April. The hills are green as can be, the tourists have not arrived and the weather is perfect. Lots of great Bed and Breakfasts around but plan ahead since most only have a few rooms. Pack your hiking boots and make time for a visit to the light house at the bottom of the peninsula.

A long walk down but well worth the effort.

And if you’re into Bicycling, make it a point to stop by this shop. The owner has a fetish for Mountain Bikes from the late 80′s, early 90′s and his collection is on full display. Check out his blog too for more local flavor of the area. Great reading…

http://www.blackmtncycles.com/Black_Mountain_Cycles.html

Let me know what you think!

This inexpensive liquid in the brown bottle can save you plenty of $$$.

Oxygen is the most abundant element on earth, comprising 45.6% of the earth’s crust and 20.95% of dry air, and is one of the most vital elements to support life for plants, animals and man.
Hydrogen peroxide has been sold in drug stores for many years as an antiseptic and a bleach. With a cost of less than .60 cents per 16 oz. bottle, it is one of the world’s great “miracles” in a bottle.

Although it is not approved by the FDA or medical profession to be taken internally, it has many uses in homes, farm and garden. How many have you used?

Use 3% hydrogen peroxide in chilled water for washing chicken or other poultry and beef or pork.

Cleansing for vegetables and salad greens: Add 1/4 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide to a sink full of cold water. Wash vegetables thoroughly, rinse with cold water and drain. This process prolongs freshness.

In the dishwasher or dishwater: Add 2 ounces of 3% hydrogen peroxide to the regular washing formula. Your glasses will sparkle!

Marinade: Place meat, fish or poultry in a casserole (avoid using aluminum pans). Cover with a diluted solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Place in a loosely covered container in refrigerator for 1/2 hour. Rinse and cook.

Leftover tossed salad: Spray with a solution of 1/2 cup water and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide.
Drain, cover and refrigerate. Eliminates use of chemical preservatives.

To freshen kitchen: Keep a spray bottle of 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide in the kitchen. Use to wipe off counter tops and appliances. It will disinfect and give the kitchen a clean, fresh small. Works great in the refrigerator and lunch boxes.

Humidifiers & steamers: Use 1 pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of water. This helps keep them clean too.
Laundry: Add 8 ounces of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your wash in place of bleaches.

Shower: Keep a spray bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide in the shower. Spray your body after washing to replace the acid mantel on your skin that soap removes.

Rejuvenating Detoxifying Bath: Add 6 ounces of 35% hydrogen peroxide to a tub of water. You may increase up to 2 cups. Soak at least 1/2 hour.

Alternate Bath: Add 1/2 cup 35% hydrogen peroxide, 1/2 cup sea salt, 1/2 cup baking soda or Epson salts to water and soak.

Foot soak: Add 1 & 1/2 ounces 35% hydrogen peroxide to 1 gallon water and soak.

Pour a capful of 3% hydrogen peroxide in each of your ears after swimming to prevent ear infections.

Use 3% grade as an astringent on your face, neck and full body after bathing. Gets rid of acne FAST.

Use it in 3% grade in a spray bottle for cuts and soars. Spray on frequently and watch them disappear.

Athlete’s Foot: Soak feet nightly in 3% hydrogen peroxide until condition is improved.

Mouthwash: Use 3% hydrogen peroxide. Add a dash of liquid chlorophyll for flavor if desired.
Swish it around in your mouth for 1-2 minutes before brushing. Watch how white your teeth become!

Toothpaste: Use baking soda and add enough 3% hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Or, just dip your brush in 3% hydrogen peroxide and brush.

Toothbrush: Soak your toothbrush in 3% hydrogen peroxide between brushings.

Pets: For small animals (dogs and cats) use 1 ounce 3% hydrogen peroxide to 1 quart water for their drinking water and bath.

House & Garden Plants: Put 1 ounce 3% hydrogen peroxide in 1-quart water. Water or mist plants with this solution.

Sprouting needs: Add 1 ounce 3% hydrogen peroxide to one pint of water and soak the seeds overnight. Add the same amount of hydrogen peroxide each time you rinse the seeds.

Hopefully you have Apple’s Quick Time media viewer on your PC.

This is a satellite video of airplane flights of the United States in a 24 hour period.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0804/flightpatterns_koblin.mov

Fascinating to say the least.