Day 2 of Fair Trade Fun

Day 2 of our 40 Days of Fair Trade

First day of the scavenger hunt.

Clue of the day: This Fair Trade Product is grown in the USA

Be the first to come in to the shop, find the Fair Trade Coin and win

Prize of the day: A chocolate bar of your choice

Winner: Erika Doring found the 40 Days Coin under a bag of Tamari Roasted Almonds!

40 Days of Fair Trade

40 Days of Fair Trade Fun

Join us as we countdown 40 days celebrating Fair Trade.
October is Fair Trade month-- so we could just count down through 31 days, but this year is special. I've got 40 Days until I turn 40 and I'm on a personal journey of Fun-- so I'm taking you along.

We'll update the countdown here daily. You can follow us, or become a fan on facebook, or a follower on twitter to get the daily updates. Or just check back each day.

All 40 Days - 25% off all of our Equal Exchange products. Come in and stock up on chocolate, tea, coffee and snacks.

In-store Scavenger Hunts start Wednesday (Day 2)

Day #1 -- Since we're closed today and you can't come see us. Check out this video about Fair Trade

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.