Buy Local Bash November 15 in Troy

The public is invited to sample local foods, enjoy local music and shop for the holidays at the Buy Local Bash from 5 to 9 PM on Saturday, November 15th. The event will take place at the Sanctuary for Independent Media, 3361 6th Avenue, Troy. Special guest speaker will be Laury Hammel, noted entrepreneur and author, who will discuss the linkage between building a strong local economy and the area's ability to do business in a down economy. Hammel's talk will take place at 6 PM.


Participating local, independent businesses include the Honest Weight Food Co-op, Brown's Brewing Company, The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Roots and Wisdom, Defazio's Imports, Le Marche Vert, Tosca, The Spinning Seed, The Flower Girl, Alabu Soaps, The Placid Baker, Java Jazz Cafe, Tough Traveler, Digital Artist's Space, and more than a dozen other businesses from around the Capital District. In addition to samples of local products, attendees are eligible to win gift certificates, gift baskets, movie tickets, locally brewed beer, and other door prizes.

According to Karisa Centanni, Honest Weight's Education Coordinator, "Laury Hammel's talk will focus on the many advantages that accrue to communities when business is conducted between neighbors. When money stays in a local economy, it is a strong bulwark against the ravages of a global economy gone badly. Given the current recession, Hammel's talk will provide important insights about how each of us by our personal buying decisions can help assure that our little corner of the world stays as healthy as possible."

Businesses that are interested in participating as a vendor at the Buy Local Bash can download information at www.capitaldistrictlocalfirst.org or can call Karisa Centanni at the Honest Weight Food Co-op at
518.482.3312 ext. 113.

Laury Hammel

The evening's highlight will be a talk by Laury Hammel, author of "Growing Local Value - How to Build Business Partnerships that Strengthen Your Community." Hammel founded and grew The Longfellow Clubs, currently the 54th largest health club business in the US, with
$16 million in revenues. He is a recognized industry leader in innovative business practices, social responsibility and community service. Among his other accomplishments, Hammel is a founder of New England Businesses for Social Responsibility (NEBSR); Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), a national organization; the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston (SBN); and the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). Hammel has also been very active in the areas of energy conservation and environmentalism, with a particular interest in the sustainability of businesses.

Enjoy Local Music While you Shop

Local musicians at the Buy Local Bash will include Ashley Pond, Ben Karis-Nix and Amanda Rogers. Pond, who released her debut album, Dala, in 2007, is a gifted singer/songwriter/guitarist who has taken the capital region of New York by storm. Metroland Magazine named Ashley Pond "Best New Solo Artist" in their Best of 2007 issue and followed up with a cover story. In addition, The Times Union, interviewed Pond and gave her a spot in their top 10 local records of 2007. Ben Karis-Nix recently released his new solo EP, We Are Giants Now. Ben's recordings, performances, and songwriting have earned him features on the CW show "One Tree Hill," MTV's "Road Rules" and "Real World, "NPR's "Weekend Edition," and MySpace Compilation Vol. 1. Similarly talented, Amanda Rogers has opened for some of the most acclaimed rock, emo, and jam bands in the industry. She recently released an EP containing new songs and covers of songs by Radiohead and At The Drive-In, played numerous shows in the States and two more tours in Europe. In 2008, she headlined another European tour with friends "The Sketchy Indians" backing her up in support of her highly anticipated album Heartwood.

Buy Local Bash Event Details & Directions:
www.capitaldistrictlocalfirst.org

Metroland Advertising Opportunity for Local First Members!

Metroland, also a member-business of Local First, would like to extend the offer to participate in a special two page "Local First Insert".
They have tailored an advertising campaign that will give you significant reach and size at a very cost effective rate.