Recently, there has been a lot of attention given to the importance of doing business with local merchants. And rightly so.  What used to be provided by independent merchants has now been replaced by the corporate big box super-center.  Globalization has brought us the world’s labor and resources, to our doorstep, but in the process, we’ve lost the personal service and hometown feel that only a locally owned enterprise can deliver.

We have sacrificed relationship for a homogenized shopping experience.  That dehumanizing battle for cheap between the big box giants leaves us feeling like nothing more than cheap commodities, not much different than the sterile merchandise offered to us on their color coordinated shelf display.  Now, with another Christmas Season upon us, must be continue this insanity by faithfully responding to the marketing messages to buy more meaningless stuff?

Wisdom can come from unexpected places.  Our Green Teen, Vanessa Baird, suggests that Christmas is all about relationship.  It’s about time spent with the people we love.  It’s about appreciating the people who have made a difference in our lives.  The greatest gift we can give, then, is our time and appreciation of others.

When I started this magazine, I simply wanted to share with others the stories of the people in our community that are leading the new sustainability paradigm by their example.  In the process, I have met the most amazing people. They have been kind enough to share their time and life with me.  The relationships we have developed have become life changing gifts to each other.

You, the reader are also a developing relationship that is greatly appreciated. By taking interest in this publication, and supporting the advertisers herein, we

are becoming a community.  And this community will be the driving force of a sustainable future for the Upper Hudson Valley.

Of course, giving nice stuff as a gift to a special someone is still much appreciated.  If you feel compelled to buy something this Christmas, consider purchasing a gift that is made locally, right here in the Upper Hudson Valley Region.  We are fortunate to have many artisans, craftspeople, and creative entrepreneurs in our midst (they walk among us!), whose creations are available at the many locally owned shops in the region.  Get off the highway and go down any one of the main streets in our area, park the car, and pay a visit to any of the shops that you see.  You’ll not only find the perfect gift for the ones you love, your purchase affects that business owner directly, and your time and money are the gifts they need this year.  Isn’t that great? You can touch the hearts of two people with one action.  In fact, if the item you purchase is locally made, you’ve now touched three people.  Now if you did all you Christmas shopping at local independent merchants, seeking out original, locally made, gifts, imagine the impact you could have!     Your simple act of shopping intentionally, with locally made and locally owned, can change the world.  And that’s the change we all need.  Merry Christmas, and all the best for 2010!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Green Teen Holiday 2009

Flu Frenzy

Up & Out

Holiday eco-Localizer - Artique Co-op: All For Local

The Mr. Behind Mrs. London's

Dog-Gone Smart

It's A Party, Not a Protest

Slow Money

Engaging a More Intimate Economy

The Best Buy in Ballston Spa

Eat Like a Cave Man