Earth Day

Happy Earth Day, Mother Earth! I'm sure anyone driving (or better yet, walking or biking) down the Esplanade here in Chico has noticed the "Earth Day" flags these past few weeks. The Earth Day flag was designed in 1970 by Earth Day founder John McConnell, inspired by the first photos taken during America's Apollo 10 space missions in 1969.

The "Earth Flags of Chico" project was passed unanimously by the City Council in March of 2007 in support of "green initiatives and ecological responsibility." I think they are a good reminder to us all to do whatever we can to take care of this amazing planet we call home.

(Click here for a list of Earth Day activities occurring this month.)

Chico Cozy

"Chico Cozy" vs. "ChicoLaura Cozy"!

Popping into a local java shop the other day before hitting the road, I noticed a display on the counter featuring a new local product: The "Chico Cozy." It's an "eco-friendly alternative to the cardboard sleeve." Another clever, innovative idea by a fellow Chicoan! The Chico Cozy web site says their product is "named for the town in which it is made...A vibrant city with small-town appeal, Chico possesses a great sense of community and an appreciation for the environment."

So what do you think about my "ChicoLaura Cozy"? It's a little something I knitted up with leftover yarn a year or so ago after my daughter-in-law, Eva, made several (much nicer than mine) versions from a pattern she found.

If you want the "Chico Cozy," go to their web site to order. (It would make a great gift for your environmentally-aware-caffeine-loving friends.) If you want the "ChicoLaura Cozy," email me to make an appointment to meet at the yarn shop!

Klean Kanteen

Another wonderful locally-owned Chico company, Klean Kanteen, is thriving even in this challenging economy. I'm still using several Klean Kanteens I purchased several years ago and recently became a "fan" of the company on Facebook, just because I think it's such a great product--and a healthier, more ecological alternative to the Personal Hydration Plastic Bottle Syndrome. (Did you know 8 out of 10 of those bottles end up in the landfill, even though they are recyclable?)

My dear friend Robin emailed to say she had just been thinking about looking for just such a thing when she saw the link on my Facebook page. So I dutifully pulled up the Klean Kanteen web site to email to her and noticed they have now branched out to meet the needs of BOTH ends of the generational spectrum, with the new 12 oz. "Sippy" as well as wine carafes for the 21+ crowd. All now offered in a rainbow of colors. (P.S. They make great gifts!)

Sierra Nevada Brewery Shines!

Browsing through the March issue of Vegetarian Times, I was pleased to see a "carrot" (kudos) given to our local Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. for being a leader in "green" industry. The brewery recently added solar panels to existing fuel cells that will provide about 75% of its power. Sierra Nevada is also a model of sustainability with its innovative programs in recycling and carbon dioxide recovery. Not only is founder/owner Ken Grossman dedicated to operating the award-winning brewery in as ecologically clean and efficient a manner as possible, he consistently supports our community in everything from small fundraisers for education to our local NPR radio station. And added bonus is the lovely outdoor patio dining and the gorgeous "Big Room," offering fabulous live music from such world-renowned performers as Elvin Bishop, Dave Brubeck and the Brubeck Brothers, and Tommy Emmanuel, to name just a few. Thanks for all you do and for helping put Chico on the map, Ken! (Check out the ChicoLaura web site: www.ChicoLaura.com )