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sustainable
Robin Recommends…THINK LOCAL FIRST
THINK LOCAL FIRST
Nevada County Foothills
EAT. SHOP. GROW. GIVE. LIVE.
Services: The THINK LOCAL FIRST program is creating local living economies throughout the Western Nevada County, working to ensure that economic power resides locally, sustaining healthy community life and environmental quality as well as long-term economic prosperity. Through celebratory events, marketing of local independent business, networking, local buying guides and coupon books, and other educational efforts, THINK LOCAL FIRST seeks to foster support for the business and people that make the communities of Western Nevada County special and strong and grounded in personal and community relationships.
The purpose of THINK LOCAL FIRST Nevada County Foothills, is to increase public awareness, through public education, of the benefits of Thinking Local First in the following areas: Retail, Agriculture, Arts and Music, Community Capital, Energy, Land Use, Manufacturing and Waste Management. This is accomplished by organizing and facilitating a network of locally owned, independent businesses in the Western Nevada County Foothills, encouraging community membership, publishing stories and ads in different publications, radio and TV public service announcements, promoting events, speaking at events and information booths at various events. The founders of THINK LOCAL FIRST envision a just and sustainable global economy comprised of local living economies that enhance community life and natural systems, and promote social fairness and economic vitality.
Robin’s Thoughts: THINK LOCAL FIRST Nevada County Foothills is a collaborative effort of local business and community leaders to support the success of businesses within our own community. The mission of creating a sustainable business structure that encourages local dollars to be spent on community businesses and professional services demonstrates forward action that will lead to a thriving Nevada County business culture.
Included in the benefits of joining THINK LOCAL FIRST, is the discount you will be offered by member merchants. When you see the THINK LOCAL FIRST logo in the window of a business, simply present your membership card — and enjoy the discount, as well as knowing that you are supporting local Nevada County businesses.
Contact Info
Web: http://localfirstfoothills.org
Email: various board member emails are available on the website.
Posted in professional services, Robin Recommends... | 
Tags: business, community, local, sustainable | 
No Comments »Robin Recommends…Ike’s Quarter Cafe
Ike’s Quarter Cafe
Proprietors: Ike and Adrienne Frazee
Services: Ike’s cuisine is that of Louisiana, New Orleans to be specific. They chose New Orleans because the food is warm, tasty, and delicious, in addition to reflecting the melting pot that is New Orleans, with a Cajun foundation, and diverse ethnic contributions.
Ike’s is certified with the Green Restaurant Association, as is reflected in their choice of free-range meats, and organic flours, grains, produce, eggs, and dairy products. The to-go containers and cutlery are recyclable and biodegradable. At Ike’s, the belief is that good quality food and the attitude in which it is prepared makes for a happy belly.
Robin’s Thoughts: From the lovely outdoor patio, to the friendly atmosphere, to the amazingly diverse menu with many items being vegetarian variations on classic New Orleans style dishes, Ike’s is one of our community’s favorite restaurants. I love that the veggies are organic and local–my favorite is the gingered greens. Last time I had lunch there, the grilled tempeh, mushroom, and gorgonzola sandwich was rich with fabulous flavors and textures. Ike’s offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner–they are busy most of the time, allowing you to settle in for a good visit with your meal mate.
Contact Info
Web: http://ikesquartercafe.com
Phone: 530-265-6138 Address: 401 Commercial Street, Nevada City, CA
Email: ikesquarter@att.net
Posted in Eat, restaurants, Robin Recommends... | Tags: Eat, local, Nevada City, organic, restaurant, sustainable | 2 Comments »Robin Recommends…Nevada City Seafood
Nevada City Seafood, Inc
Business: Specialty Seafood
Services: What sets Eric and Enedina’s seafood apart from other local markets is freshness, not to mention the variety. Eric drives to the wharf in San Francisco three days a week to bring back to Nevada County the freshest fish available in the foothills. They started the business after struggling to find fresh fish locally to serve at their own dinner table and are very pleased with the number of Nevada County residents who agree! Eric “has it down to a science” in terms of how much fish to bring back from the wharf, to maximize freshness while minimizing waste.
Robin’s Thoughts: The first thing I noticed was that the Nevada City Seafood storefront does not smell fishy! What keeps me going back however, is the friendly customer service provided by the knowledgeable staff. I have made special requests that have been filled with a smile, such as slicing thin a piece of ahi tuna, and during one visit, I inquired about smoked salmon and was pleasantly surprised when Enedina offered me a small sample of three varieties. Yum! They also sell locally made breads and olive oil, another example of commitment to our community. I am especially delighted that Eric and Enedina provide biodegradable and recyclable containers from Xtremely GREEN (another local business: http://xtremelygreen.com), and encourage customers to consider bringing along a small cooler to cut back on the use plastic bags. Good thinking! When Nevada City Seafood is on my list of stop-ins, I grab a cooler, toss in a couple of ice packs, and bring my fish home chilled and ready for dinner!
Contact Info
Web: stay tuned!
Phone: 530-274-2919 Address: 1020 Whispering Pines, Suite G,Grass Valley, CA
Email: nevadacityseafood@gmail.com
Robin Recommends…APPLE Center
APPLE Center for Sustainable Living
Services: Sustainability Center. A community member and leader collaborative effort to create a virtual and physical hub to assist the public, private, and business sector in collectively reducing our planetary impact and improving a sound quality of life in Nevada County as a whole.
The APPLE Center will serve these needs by providing a place where visitors and locals can connect to businesses and organizations that provide knowledge and tools for sustainable living. The Center will serve to coordinate existing groups’ efforts in Nevada County as well as developing new programs to build relationships that increase efficiency and effectiveness as Nevada County proactively transitions to a local, sustainable economy.
Robin’s Thoughts: Giving to the community is a reward unto itself; the physical transformation of the building in which the APPLE Center now lives was an amazing and inspirational collaborative effort. Local businesses donated supplies, local friends tore down, sanded, put up, painted, caulked, and had a merry time creating the physical space. Volunteers will be on site during open hours to answer questions, make referrals, and fulfill the mission of the forward thinking APPLE Center.
Contact Info
Web: http://applecenter.org
Phone: 530-478-1700 Address: 412 Commercial Street, Nevada City, CA (Wed – Fri 12 – 5 PM, Sat & Sun 11 AM – 6 PM)
Email: info@applecenter.org
Calendar of Events: http://www.applecenter.org/whats-happening/calendar (clearing house for community wide events)
