Locavore Land - Shopping Resources In This Issue WELCOME BAGT NEWS - New Fibershed Tour coming soon! - New Ways to Keep Field Trips Alive! SEL

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Locavore Land - Shopping Resources

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WELCOME FROM MARISSA

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Marissa LaMagna

This time marks my annual appeal for the last eight years to encourage people to invest in their local community. Most of you are likely already aware of the benefits and options for doing so but please browse our suggestions below for anything you’ve missed.

Food is a purchase we make throughout the year that is arguably one of the most meaningful to keep local – to eat fresher foods and help local farmers sustain their vital livelihoods.

By now you’ve heard of the watershed, perhaps the foodshed, but have you heard of the fibershed? This exciting movement is achieving attention as a holistic approach to clothing that truly supports a culture of artisans as well as farmers. So many articles of clothing travel long distances incurring the drawbacks of cheap industrial production that impose unaccounted costs on people and our world. (For a brilliant exploration of one T-shirt’s journey I recommend this NPR “Planet Money” series.) The industrial experience is the polar opposite of a local culture that values unique goods for the people nearby who helped create and shape them. See the next section below to learn more about our new tour offering!

We at Bay Area Green Tours are celebrating the giving season, and would be ever so grateful for your support this year! Please consider a tax-deductible donation for our crucial Crowdfunding Campaign that we have shared with you recently. Other means of support could include a gift of a private tour or event for your family, group, or school - OR a yelp review if you’ve participated in one of our tours these past five years.

I send warm wishes to you all for this season.

Let the spirit of Nelson Mandela light the way for a new year of kindness and forgiveness – in the world, our government, and our own backyard.

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BAGT NEWS

New Fibershed Tour coming soon!

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What is a Fibershed?

The Bay Area is known for being an environmental epicenter, where living green truly informs our everyday lives. Though many of us compost at home and take the clean energy bus around town, it can still be difficult to find ethically produced and locally sourced clothing. Luckily, Fibershed has come to the rescue! If you haven't already heard, Fibershed is all about supporting local textile makers and promoting environmentally friendly production practices. Fibershed originally began as a project to produce textiles that sourced only from suppliers within a 150-mile radius. The project soon caught on internationally, and founder Rebecca Burgess created the Fibershed Marketplace in 2011, which operates as a nonprofit-certified, supportive community for local textile makers as well as an educational resource for Bay Area residents. Bay Area Green Tours is currently developing a unique Fibershed tour to promote the good deeds of this new community. If you are interested in exploring wool shops, farms, and designers’ dens to learn about the “good in the goods,” please contact us here for a tour inquiry!

 
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Crowdfunding Update: Act now to make your tax-deductible donation for 2013!

Our Crowdfunding campaign is still on, and it's the perfect time of year to make your tax-deductible donations to our cause!

We have reached 20% of our goal already, and with your continued support and help spreading the word, we'll truly Keep Field Trips Alive!

Please take a moment to listen to what students have to say about our work:

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This is the time for giving! If you can't contribute with a cash donation, we would also welcome an in-kind donation of laptop computers and possibly a desktop computer -- preferably MACs. As one of BAGT's challenges this holiday season, we had two staff members' laptops break down in the last week!

In the meantime, we are sharing and coming up with creative solutions to keep up our good work.

We are honored to recognize our recent generous donors:

Urban Ore
Thank you for being on board with us since our very first tour and for always being so supportive hosting guests for the past five years!

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Blue Heron Catering
We are so grateful for you very generous donation (and your food is great too!)

And of course a huge Thank You to each and every supporter and donor of our crowdfunding campaign! (see list below)

SELECTED TOUR RECAPS

Renewable Energy Tour for Berkeley Lab

This tour marked our second produced in partnership with the prestigious Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to enhance their internship and community programs.

The group of LBNL interns and staff met up at the Brower Center ready to embark on a day of exploration of renewable energy in action. These interns hail from all over the U.S and abroad, and it was an enriching experience all around to interact with them. Our first stop was at the dramatic solar array installation at the West County Waste Water Management District in Richmond, where we learned about the challenges of installing on Bay mud, got up close and personal with the dual-axis solar panels, and discussed the benefits of a good wind to cool the panels.

 
 

At AC Transit’s Fueling station we marveled at the convergence of water, solar and natural gas to make hydrogen to power 14 zero-emission buses. The facility is geared towards public education: informative signs explain the process and an intriguing public art piece at the entrance is made to resemble a stylized section of road. There is also a hydrogen dispenser for use by the public. We walked away with gifts of AC transit hats, noticing the pleasant lack of odor in comparison with a conventional fuel station. We then made our way to the beautiful Berkeley Marina and the Shorebird Park Nature Center. The building is the first municipal construction to use strawbale, and is a demonstration project for alternative building techniques. It uses both passive design techniques as well as active solutions like solar panels to reduce its energy use while providing year-round comfort.

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After seeing renewable energy in action it was time for lunch accompanied by a panel discussion of how energy policy impacts energy use and technologies. The panelists represented government and industry stakeholders working on creating and implementing energy policy: Dyana Delfin-Polk, Policy Manager for the Clean Coalition, Billi Romain, Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Berkeley, Michael Denevan, Program Manager for SmartSolar as well as a Sr. Project Manager for the SmartLights program. Energy efficiency came up as one form of "renewable energy" that we don't think of as often as solar (known as ‘green bling’ to insiders). The day provided insights into practice and how policy of renewable energy can impact technology use and is knowledge that the interns were excited about taking back to the lab with them.

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View all the photos of the LBNL Renewable Energy Tour on our Flickr.

San Francisco State University Food Justice Tour

On a gorgeous day in October, Bay Area Green Tours recently led a full day Food Justice Tour for a group of students from SFSU (San Francisco State University). This packed program explored leading initiatives in sustainable agriculture throughout the East Bay. Starting at Phat Beets, the students learned about the historical evolution of food justice projects in Oakland and explored its complex impact on the community. At Mandela Food Co-op, the students spoke to co-op partners about food access issues and discussed the dynamic context in which they work. Next the group engaged with yet another progressive leader strengthening our local foodshed at Acta Non Verba, an impressive urban farm in Oakland.

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These students really got a behind-the-scenes look at food justice in Oakland! After visiting the inspiring mural at People’s Grocery, the students explored the gardens at Berkeley Youth Alternatives, experiencing the impact of youth leadership and empowerment. Lastly, we visited the Gil Tract and had the unique opportunity to speak with UC Berkeley Professor Miguel Altieri about the global roots of food insecurity and leading international activists. Overall, we had a blast hosting this group from SFSU and enjoyed their curiosity and engagement at every project they connected to.

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View all the photos of SFSU Food Justice tour on our Flickr.

SUSTAINABLE SPOTLIGHT

Why shop local?

Just a friendly reminder from your friends at Bay Area Green Tours to consider local shopping options when thinking about Christmas gifts. While commercial websites like Amazon are simple and easy one-stop shopping experiences, keep in mind that many, if not most items reviewed online can be purchased right here in your backyard. Why bother? Here are seven solid reasons to buy local as listed at Buy Local Berkley.

1.) It's good for our Economy, Environment, and Community.

2.) Is more fun with unique, personalized offerings. You get to know your merchants, who select their wares with the needs and tastes of the local community in mind. You get personal attention. You feel connected. Local, independent businesses know our local market and are more responsive to our local market. Customers are merchants' friends and neighbors.

3.) Keeps dollars in our economy. Spending locally ensures that our sales taxes are reinvested right here in our community. Of every $100 spent at an independently owned Berkeley store, $68 stays in the community. That makes our city more economically resilient!

4.) Ensures our city is unique and a destination. Homegrown businesses makes us special and gives us a strong sense of place and love for our city. The more interesting we are as a community, the more we attract visitors, which benefits everyone.

5.) Is more environmentally friendly. Buying locally often means you can walk and bike to shop, supporting conveniently located and accessible shops. You get products that are often better-made because our neighbors stand behind them.

6.) Strengthens our community. Local businesses donate money back into the community at more than twice the rate of national chains. They have a vested interest in their own community. They are also uniquely prepared to take on challenges of the twenty-first century with an agility and relationship-based approach others lack.

7.) Leverages local expertise. Independent business owners are passionate about what they do. Why not take advantage of it?

So if you enjoy browsing in large department stores, malls, and online this holiday season, please do consider checking in with some local businesses that may be selling the same or similar products. Popular items such as books and music that are found on Amazon can easily be obtained through local book vendors like Moe’s or Pegasus in Berkeley and Oakland, Green Apple or the Booksmith in San Francisco. Music and movies are available at Rasputins and Amoeba, to name two Bay Area based stores. And one option for sustainable clothing is the Fibershed Marketplace

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Where to shop local in the Bay Area?

We'll make it easy for you!

Local Shopping Online Resource (Website Resources)

Oakland Grown: Collective effort of Oakland’s merchants, artists, and citizens interested in strengthening local support. Check out their gift guide for links to unique, local products.

SF Made: Directory of local businesses and events. Merchants can become members, and shoppers can browse their extensive lists of San Francisco-made apparel and ware.

Buy Local Berkeley: Extensive list of Berkeley’s own businesses.

Good Eggs: Though their speciality is food, this online farmer’s market offers gift packages and giftable items like chocolate, flowers, and teaware. For a flat fee of $4, they deliver to a wide Bay Area range.

Six Doors: San Francisco delivery service app that “makes it easy to shop local.” They specialize in gifts and deliver same day.

Racked: City-specific blog that highlights local businesses and events, while throwing in some

Esty.com: Etsy is an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items, supplies, as well as unique factory-manufactured items. It’s a great opportunity for crafters to share their art and other products with a widespread, diverse audience.

Blue Orange Games: Tin and wood sustainable games for the planet!

Local Shopping Resources (Collectives)

SF Ferry Building Market Place: Find everything from garden tools to artisan soaps to cheese baskets

25th Street Collective, Oakland: Arts collective of local artists & vendors

Local Artisans (Individual Crafters)

Cliff’s Variety, SF: tools, clothing, candy, art supplies, & other daily items

Fibre Arts Design Studio, Palo Alto: eco-friendly, fair trade handbags & clothing

Fabric8, SF: clothing boutique & art gallery

Electric Works, SF: bookstore & art gallery

SF Guitarworks, SF: guitar & instruments shop

Toss Designs, SF: handbags & accessories

3 Fish Studios: California-themed prints, linocuts, and postcards made in the Sunset. They also offer printmaking classes!

RECOMMENDATIONS & COMMUNITY NEWS

Books

Chinook Book contains businesses that meet local and sustainable criteria, and great resources for sustainable living including: farmers markets, safe foods lists, recycling, local biking & transit, clean energy and green home tips.

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Everything we love about the Bay Area:

-Dining
-Entertainment
-Fashion & Gifts
-Grocery Products
-Home & Garden
-Local Grocery
-Travel & Recreation
-Wellness

Events

Lean for Social Good Summit @ The Victoria Theater, Jan 23, 2014

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Sign up for the Lean for Social Good Summit SF on January 23! (Special offer for Bay Area Green Tours friends)

At Bay Area Green Tours, we're committed to bring you opportunities to explore our world. That's why we've partnered with the Lean for Social Good Summit, in San Francisco, to offer a special code for Bay Area Green Tours friends to attend the Summits.

Lean Methodology has been used in the startup world, and it's rapidly spreading to the social good world, where organizations are using it to solve the world's toughest problems. Hear from these innovative organizations, and you'll also meet a distinguished panel of judges of philanthropists, investors and technologists.

Bay Area Green Tours is offering a 25% off discount code for readers, using the code LEANGREEN.

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

ECO FUN

The season of gifting, spending, and regifting is upon us. Might as well make Amazon your home page until the new year. But WAIT! The Bay Area is abuzz with local artisans and craftspeople conjuring up the perfect treasures to wrap up. Test your knowledge of some of the Bay Area’s local businesses:

1 For the guacamole enthusiast, soup lover, or anyone else who uses bowls, Heath Ceramics offers beautiful and local dinnerware. Tiles made by this Sausalito-based company adorn the walls of Berkeley’s own:

a. David Bower Center b. UC Berkeley East Asian Library c. Hearst Memorial Mining Building d. Sather Tower

2 For that friend who brews kombucha in their basement, or has dabbled in the art of pickling, bless them with the ability to grow mushrooms in their house! Far West Fungi is one of many companies now offering grow-at-home mushroom kits. Their farm is located in:

a. Monterey b. Sebastopol c. Santa Cruz d. Watsonville

3 Snack:u’s local leather was made to be affordable and wearable, explains the creator. She creates the patterns and sews the jackets herself! On which anniversary do couples traditionally gift leather?

a. 3rd b. 5th c. 10th d. 15th

4 With so many amazing local artists, it can be hard to keep track of them. Can you guess what kind of product 3 Fish Studios offers?

a. blown glass b. linocuts and prints c. sculptures and pottery d. artisan sushi

5 New Leaf Extracts, an Oakland-based company, sells a headache-reducing Floral Trio infused with rose, geranium, and lavender into which kind of oil? (Hint: it’s derived from a California crop)

a. olive oil b. jojoba oil c. orange oil d. grapeseed oil

Answers: 1. b, 2. a, 3. a, 4. b, 5. d

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As an ongoing partner with Bay Area Green Tours, Sungevity still offers a $750 discount off every solar purchase through BAGT's Sugevity partner landing page or by entering the referral code: BAGT on their regular site.

$750 will be donated to our cause, so please GO SOLAR with US!

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Special Request For those who have been on a tour - Please help us get the word out and like us on Yelp!

Whether you are a past client, a member of the board, or a former BAGT team member, you undoubtedly have an opinion about your experience. Right now we only have a handful of reviews and we can easily increase our ranking on yelp if every one of you would leave us a review! If you don't have a yelp account, you can create one in seconds for free. Thanks for your yelp!

BAGT GRATITUDE – THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS!

Thank you to the following people and organizations who have supported our work in a variety of unique and important ways:

Malia Everette, for her guidance
Ed Church, for his patience
John Michels, for his support and wisdom
Nori Yatsunami Tong, for her dedication and hard work

We would like to give a special THANK YOU to all our crowdfunding supporters and especially our donors:

Darilyn Kotzenberg, Lisa Martinengo and Walter Schweikert, Rebecca Olmsted, Lisa Andreini, Christine Lindell, Tod Booth, Lexine Alpert, Pamela Evans, Christina Spach, Patti Wylie, Lee Foley, Darick Tong, Bonnie MacLaird, Robert Bostick, Barbara Eilson, Kate Luna, Kevin Danaher, Robert Girling, John Michels, Jules Tippett, Gabe Luna-Ostaseski, Mark McLeod, Daniel Winkler, Alexandra Eldridge, Connie and Jerry Weisenfelder, Danielle Woermann, Patti Cohn, Devi Jacobs, Billy Sproul, Tyler Blank, Jill Epner, Jay and Carol Weisenfelder, John Allen, Judy Wicks, Emmet Brady, Linda Early and Anonymous (whoever you are!)

Tax Deductible Donation Request

In order to be sustainable ourselves we need to rely on grants, sponsorship and donations. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to our 501(c)3 to help connect more people to solutions for our future.

Here are ways you can help support our mission:
Donate to our Campaign to Keep Field Trips Alive!
Send a check to 2150 Allston Way Suite 280, Berkeley, CA 94704
Become a sponsor: please contact Marissa@bayareagreentours.org

As we take some time off to be with our families, we are all reminded how thankful we are to be here creating meaning in our lives and sustainable solutions for our beloved Bay Area! Best wishes for you and yours, and a happy new year to us all!

With gratitude for your consideration,

Bay Area Green Tours Mission

We provide educational tours and events that demonstrate the sustainable economy in action, inspire support of local green businesses, and empower people to incorporate environmental responsibility and social justice into their personal and professional lives.

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Thank You to our Supporters!

 
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