Shop for the Cure

The fact that we haven't posted to the blog since the first day of summer says a lot about how that season went for Karen and I. But here we are in the last week, with the feeling of Fall in the morning air, ready for a new season.

Nineteen years ago today my mom, Lona Hattenhauer Davis, died at age 45 of Breast Cancer. This is one of those facts of my life -- the meaning and effect of which changes with the years. As I approach my 40th birthday in a few short weeks, I can't help but think about how it was for her to get her first diagnosis at that age. She had health insurance, family support, amazing sisters and friends. So many others are not so "lucky." I also can't help thinking that we still can't cure this disease. Dear friends die of it each year.

As you can imagine, I am approached for financial support from every major cancer non-profit. Through the years I find myself rather ambivalent about the various nation-wide efforts for a cure. It's not that I don't think they do a fine job, I'm sure they do many important things. But while my loss is similar to others, it's of course unique to me and I just don't relate to a large cancer organization.

But for the past 14 years, I have supported the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Race for the Cure. Why? Many years it's nice to go to the Race and be part of a huge crowd and feel the solidarity of people who also understand on many different levels. It's a day to write the names of the people I miss-Lona Hattenhauer Davis, Rosalie Wiley Hattenhauer, Fern Spaeth. And those of the people who I am so glad to still have around- Marilyn Hattenhauer Fisk, Kay Smith, Amy Mann, Gretchen Williver. And many others. It's like the equivalent of yelling "Presente!" They are still with us!

Why this foundation? Mostly because I know that a good chunk of my donation stays local. My favorite local health program is Nuestra Comunidad Sana. Maria Antonia Sanchez is a treasure to our Gorge communities. Her two decades of dedication as a Health Promoter have meant that a whole generation of people have grown up with better access to health information and support. And the Susan G. Komen Foundation supports NCS and Tona's work with low-income Latina women in the Gorge. It's the kind of thing my mom would have loved.

So this Thursday we'll feature the Susan G. Komen foundation for our Common Good Thursday. Come in, shop, and we'll donate 25% of the total sales. And you can write the names of the people you love who have been touched by Breast Cancer on our memory poster. --DeLona








My lovely mom Lona

Musings on creativity

Creativity is an amazing thing. I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I've never felt like a particularly creative person. I mean, sure, I write, but that has never felt the same as painting, or creating a sculpture, or the way my kids can seem to make something unique out of any scrap they find. Then I decided to join a group doing The Artist Way. Well, not really join, since I didn't make even one meeting, but I did the program on my own. It's a 12-week program for recovering creativity. I was several weeks into it before it really clicked that I am creative-- yes, I write and I play music, but even more, launching and maintaining Small Planet Trading is a daily act of creation and creativity.

Still I don't often feel very creative, so I surround myself with the creativity of others. This week I've been marveling at all of the amazing local artists that are willing to take this journey with us.

The following artists live in the Columbia Gorge and are currently offering their creativity to you in the shop-- We are very grateful to each of them. DeLona

Cynthia Caudill (Hood River) -- diaper covers, bags, wallets
Marilyn Fisk(The Dalles) -- soaps, candles
Lana Jack (Celilo) -- jewelry
Fred Whitford (Celilo) -- dream catchers, jewelry, stones
Earl Paul(Hood River)-- butterflies and hummingbirds
Jan Copeland(The Dalles)- art, cards and bookmarks
Kim Stolte (Hood River) -- Swaddlekeepers
Camilla Bishop (Hood River) - 3 Flowers Healing
Victor Johnson (The Dalles) - kid's music
Graham Bergh (Mosier) -- cool products from old bikes
Norman Vance(Hood River)-- walking sticks
Mary Lou Lee(North Bonneville)-- cards
Lisa Selfridge (HR - sometimes) -- photography
Chris Emerson(Hood River)-- jewelry
Moi Wong(Parkdale)-- jewelry
Karen Murphy-Mendez (Hood River) -- salves and balms
Diane Cumins(Mosier)-- wood and gourd art
Craig and Tamiko Graffius(Hood River)-- Ecoglass Straws
Erika Doring (Hood River)-- jewelry
Catherine Bordner(Hood River)-- gourds and baskets
Rita Kruse White(Underwood)--"Anik the Unique Alpaca" book
Susan Svensson(Hood River)-- She Who Watches bags
Grandpa Dennis (The Dalles) -- wood toys and drop spindles
Jennifer Cassella(Odell)-- gift bags
Sue Wanner(White Salmon)-- flax packs and bags
Wendy Gray(Mt. Hood)-- Sustainably grown Flowers
Mary Caldwell(The Dalles)-- glass art

Business on the Edge

In permaculture it's recognized that life on the edge of an ecosystem supports an increased level of biodiversity. In the space where the meadow and the forest meet the unique ecosystems of both intermingle. You find meadow plants and critters, forest plants and critters and a third group of 'meadow meets forest' plants and critters all mixing it up. Native plants and "weeds" generally have a better chance of survival on the edges of yards, gardens, orchards, parks, playgrounds and schoolyards creating habitat spots for all kinds of insects and wildlife and as all kids know the most interesting spots for exploring.

The same phenomena happens on the edges of communities and neighborhoods where new residents bump up against old timers. Generally newcomers of different cultures and languages join the fringes, geographically and metaphorically before they join the mainstream at the center.

The same holds true in commercial and business sectors. Businesses found on main street nearly always cater most obviously to the mainstream and status quo. That's not to say you can't find main street business doing it right and going green - there happen to be a handful of independent businesses taking steps to go the sustainable route on the main drag in my home town. But chances are you are more likely to find the funky, pushing the envelope type business and a higher diversity of unique businesses one or two blocks of the the main drag.

Not coincidentally that happens to be where we find ourselves, a fair trade import shop a block down the road from where most of the downtown action happens. And though we absolutely aspire to be on main street some day, geographically and metaphorically, we do appreciate our lower rent and funkier neighbors. Both of which inspire us to do business our way - cooperatively and sustainably connecting the local with the global.

Karen

Drumming and Fun for WFTD

World Fair Trade Day was a blast

We drummed, drank tea and coffee, ate chocolate, and learned why Fair Trade makes such a difference to artists and farmers around the world.

Small Planet Trading had twice as many people sign in as part of the world record break as we did last year. Thanks to all of you for participating with us. Big thanks to Eric Lindsay for leading the drum circle.

We'll keep you up to date with results from the day around the country as they come in.

Enjoy a few of our photos and a short video clip of the fun.

Join us in the shop this Saturday
11:00 Drum Circle,
12:00 Coffee, Tea, & Chocolate Break!
Storewide Sale all weekend
Prizes, fun, break the world record

WFTD 2009 - Everything Is Better When It’s Fair

Saturday, May 9, 2009, is World Fair Trade Day, an international celebration of Fair Trade, with events taking place in over 80 countries. In the U.S., our theme is “Everything Is Better When It’s Fair”. The lives of producers and consumers are better because of Fair Trade. When we support Fair Trade, we not only support the people who make the items we consume and enjoy, we also support the environment, women’s rights, children’s rights, cultural dignity and peace building. That’s a powerful thing to do by choosing to buy Fair Trade products.

The theme also reminds us that Fair Trade is more than coffee, chocolate and handcrafts. Americans can now enjoy Fair Trade sugar, bananas, rice, soccer balls, flowers, wine and more! Retail sales in the U.S. of Fair Trade products surpassed $1 billion per year.

Read more about WFTD 2009 at the Fair Trade Resource Network.

Our pledge to you

It's Earth Day, the weather is finally feeling a bit spring like here in The Gorge, so we're in a mood to celebrate. Saturday we'll be taking some of our favorite eco-friendly items down the block to the Hood River Earth Day festival.

But for me, as I know it is for most of you, Earth Day is just one more day in the year to consider my impact on the Earth and my relationship to it. So I thought I'd share Small Planet Trading's updated Sustainability Pledge. We made the pledge in 2006 on our first Earth Day celebration as a shop and each year we review, revise and renew our commitment to our vision of a sustainable business and community. We welcome your input, ideas and suggestions for how we can continue to deepen our plege.

Small Planet Trading

Sustainability Pledge

April 22, 2006 Updated April 2009

Sustainable Practices

We reuse and recycle paper products and packing materials, compost food scraps, and purchase office supplies that contain recycled and recyclable content. We use washable mugs and utensils on our sample table and provide compostable cups and napkins for take aways sampling.

Local Economy

We support local currency by accepting and spending RiverHours. We support local artists and producers by providing shelf space for locally crafted items.

Healthy Planet

We support international and local artists who implement eco-friendly practices. We stock inventory that helps us live lighter on the Earth and provide customer education to that end.

We participate in the Green Merchant Alliance and support sustainable energy choices through our merchant processing services.

We will work towards off-setting carbon emissions on our imported inventory by donating to tree planting and reforestation projects.

Stronger Community Ties

We connect with, refer to and collaborate with other local businesses and projects. Through our Common Good Thursday program, we raise awareness and funds for local non-profits and groups. We support youth work experience and mentor young social entrepreneurs.

We will work towards offering Fair Trade education and curriculum ideas to local schools.

Meaningful Employment

We have a lot of fun in our business. We will continue to run our business cooperatively. We will continue to provide a child-friendly work environment.

We will work towards compensating all staff with a living wage.

Fair Trade Big Bang!

We've always wanted to attend the Fair Trade Federation's annual conference. What's not to like about a weekend full of inspiration and fun? So far it had been a dream for a day when our budget more closely matched our wish list. Then this year the conference came to us! Well, not literally, but it came to Portland. Obviously a sign that we were meant to be there.

It was everything we had hoped: inspiring speakers, useful workshops, meeting new friends and connecting with old. We took away so much to ponder and process that we haven't taken the time to really share with you yet. We did take photos, hoping to post them and let them speak for us, but somehow they all came out just a bit off-- usually my eyes were closed. So I'll have to give you a few highlights.

• Being surrounded by other business people who love what they do, are committed to changing the world through their enterprises, and willingly share their experience and expertise.
• Finally putting faces to the names of the wonderful people who run the Fair Trade Federation and Fair Trade Resource Network.
• Hearing the stories of artisan groups from around the world and how Fair Trade really does improve their lives.
• Gathering ideas for everything from marketing to accounting, from communicating with customers to planning unique events.
• Expanding our already large wish list of products to bring to you.
• Buying and ordering wonderful new goods that we know you'll enjoy.
  

New in the shop because of the conference:
Shona Sculpture from Zimbabwe
Heirloom Rice from the Philippines
Recycled paper beaded jewelry from Uganda
Tagua Nut, Coconut, and Seed Jewelry from South America
Dolls and toys from around the world

Coming soon-- Silver jewelry from Mexico and musical instruments from JamTown.

Next year the Fair Trade conference is in Boston. It seems a long way off and a long way away, but we're already working on how to get there. We'll have to work a bit harder next time, but now we know just how worth it it will be.
DeLona