Davis Schools Foundation Schoolapolooza

This Saturday, May 30, we will be donating 20% of our sales to the Davis Schools Foundation during their Schoolapolooza. Come by and purchase something cool while helping the local public schools.

Keep It Local The 3/50 Project

nina and tom are now a part this awesome group of small business owners and individuals who want to spread the word about the importance of shopping at your local brick and mortar stores.

Take the pledge, spend a total of $50 a month between 3 local stores and help build your neighborhood economy.

Here are some suggestions:

Buy your cup of coffee 5 times a month from the independent coffeehouse, not Starbucks.
$5.00-$22.50

Buy your new broom or mop at your local/independent hardware store.
$9.00-$20.00

Buy one children's book/novel/cookbook/cd or magazine from your local/independent bookstore or music store and not Amazon.
$3.95-$34.95

Buy that special gift for a birthday, baby shower, wedding or anniversary by going to your local boutique and find something original and unique that can't be found at Target.
$20-$100.

Buy some ice cream or frozen yogurt 2 times a month at your local creamery or yogurt shop.
$3.50-$10.00

$50.00 adds up quick and you're done (but by all means keep spending if you can).
It just takes a little effort to get your mind out the big box stores.
We know you can do it.

Flashback Monday Part 37

Joy Division Love Will Tear Us Apart


Sioxsie and the Banshees Passenger


The Cure Pictures of you

Forbes Top 25 Towns To Live Davis #19

We love our town and Forbes Magazine thinks it's pretty cool too. Come by on Sat. for Indie Davis and check the town out.
19. Davis, Calif.

Population: 68,660
Location: Between Sacramento and the Bay Area, though definitely solidly part of the Sacramento metro area.
Median income: $52,322

Strongest categories: Davis attracts a high share of people with a bachelor's degree or higher (70%) and international workers with education (who represent 6% of the adult labor force). A college town, it's stocked stocked with plenty of restaurants and bars.

Drawbacks: It's a decent hike to Northern California business capitals San Francisco and San Jose. It lacks the world-class entertainment those cities regularly attract. Further, Californians earning $52,322 have a difficult time making ends meet.

Data provided by ZoomProspector.com

Indie Davis Saturday May 9, 2009

To celebrate Mother’s Day and the tradition of hand-made goods, nina and tom announce the launch of Indie Davis this Saturday May 9, 2009 1-5 p.m. in front of their brick and mortar store at 129 E Street Suite B-1 in Davis. nina and tom will be showcasing the talents of local crafters who hand produce original, one of a kind gifts that will sure to please any mom or special someone.
During this time of economic uncertainty and environmental crisis, there is no better time to support our local economy and lessen our carbon footprint by purchasing goods made from where we live. Come visit Downtown Davis and see what you can find.
Look for the following crafters at Indie Davis:

Tid Bit Bake Shop- Yummy and lovely cupcakes using only the best ingredients and care.
Punky Jane Jewlery- Specializing in hand stamped, custom sterling silver jewelry, as well as, her original stock designs ready to wear that make the perfect gift for just about anyone.
Bisoux-A sweet & eccentric mix of feather hair clips, knitted animals and fashion goodies.
Haworth Handmade – Natural materials including wood for pendants and rings and felted stones, along with Mark Duede’s nature photography.
Laura Walls Taylor Modern Ceramics- Delightful and functional ceramics -- all hand made and hand painted. Bowls, vases and plates along with mug riders, critters and fun dishes. All perfect for Mother’s Day.
Why Girls Go Astray- With a love for working with paper and textiles, Ms. Andy produces paperweights, "ice cube" magnets, and decoupage vases that have bold colors and retro images with a dash of camp.

Mt. Shasta Breast Cancer Climb Update

While it's true that Gil & I took a vacation to Hawaii and just returned, please don't think that he slacked off on his training just because he was at the beach! He actually got up early for long beach runs; carried granddaughter, Satya, around on his back to simulate the weight of his back pack and did a few hikes on the mountain trails of Kauai. And, even though we got home late Saturday night, he got up early last Sunday to head to Stinson Beach for a 12 mile hike with his 40 lb. pack. Best of all, he said he felt great.

In between the Breast Cancer Fund hikes, he's still managing some UCD stadium stair climbing and using the weekends to hike in the Berryessa hills. And this weekend, he'll attend snow school up in Mt. Shasta City. I didn't even know there was such a school but it does make sense that novice climbers know how to climb with crampons and use an ice ax.

The fundraising is coming along slowly but surely. Thanks to everyone who has donated and thanks to those of you who have committed to donate. The economy isn't making that rapid recovery we hoped for, but neither has breast cancer gone away so this effort is still hugely important.

Donations can be made directly at this web address: http://breastcancerfund.org/climb09/gilarriaga or if more convenient a check can be mailed to 525 Hudson Ct., Davis, Ca 95616. Checks should be made payable to Breast Cancer Fund.

Attached are a couple of photos of the training; one is with my sister-in-law, Alice Dunning, whose energy and commitment to this cause was infectious enough to convince me to participate and one is with my youngest training partner, Satya Starlight.

Until next month - si se puede; yes we can!

Thanks you guys, keep up the great work.