Go Local Austin News

Earth Day

Did you know that Go Local was founded on Earth Day 2008?  We’re thrilled to partner with Texas Green Network to sponsor the Austin Earth Day Festival 2012!  Come visit our booth and wish us a happy birthday! High-fives make great presents!
Sunday April 22nd, 2012
At The Historic Browning Hangar at Mueller
4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723
Feauring…
Jim Hightower, America’s #1 Populist. “The opposite of courage is not cowardice — it’s conformity. Even a dead fish can go with the flow.”
Fritz Steiner, Dean of the UT School of Architecture and author of “Design for a Vulnerable Planet”
Lucia Athens, Chief Sustainability Officer of the City of Austin “Rethinking Austin’s Bright Green Future”
And Many Others!

Featuring
Innovative Green Businesses • Environmental Organizations
Community Organizations • Local Government & More

Petting Zoo • Puppet Show
Face Painting • Green Art & Crafts
An Interactive Prius • Music & More!

Hot Dogs • Sub Sandwiches • Asian
Juices & Smoothies • Empanadas • Ice Cream & More

Za Boom Ba — an interactive drumming experience that energizes and inspires participants. Drums and percussion will be on hand for 1,000 festival attendees to participate in this collective experience.

GoGreen’12 Conference - Learn to be your sustainable best!

Happening NEXT Wednesday, April 4th, the GoGreen’12 Conference is an opportunity to network and learn the best sustainable practices for your business, without having to travel to an out-of-town conference. The GoGreen Conference is a unique opportunity to learn the best in sustainable practices for your business. Our 2012 program features a full day of empowering sessions and networking opportunities via a distinct platform of sustainability vision, strategy and tactical how-to from renowned green business leaders in the region. Attendees gain access to best practices, blueprints for continued prosperity, and the opportunity to strengthen viable partnerships within the Central Texas region. Purchase tickets here - get $25 off ticket price if you type in the coupon code ECONETWORK.
Note:
Representatives of GoGreen ‘12 will be on Shades of Green Radio on KOOP 91.7FM this Thursday at 1pm.

A New Card Price with a Cause

As of March 23rd, the price of the Go Local card will be $15. A portion of EVERY card sold will go to a local Austin cause along with it’s fabulous impact it already has on the local Austin economy. The first beneficiary will be HAAM, the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.
The mission of Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is to provide access to affordable health care for Austin’s low income, uninsured working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness.  More info and ways to get involved can be found at myhaam.org
Thanks, y’all!  If you have a suggestion of what charity or organization should be next, please email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Thankfully, it’s the only price increase we’ve ever had in four years and now with over 600 great local businesses, it’s value grows and grows weekly.  All your favorite local places like Trudy’s, Torchy’s, Alamo Drafthouse, Hey Cupcake and Hundreds more!  The savings really add up again and again and again and (inhale) again!
Here’s a great testimonial tweet from Lugnuts auto on Manchaca in South Austin:

@lugnutsauto:  Lugnuts just saved a customer $61.58 ….. just by using his @golocalaustin card ..

You can visit the website www.thegolocalcard.com/austin  for a complete list of our members and stay tuned for the freshest news by following the blog.

Happy Spring!

The Go Local team

GO LOCAL SUPPORTS EMANCIPET SIT DAY!

GO LOCAL SUPPORTS EMANCIPET SIT DAY!
Emancipet - is including a Go Local Card in their promo bags this year for 200 attendees at their annual Sit Stay Day (Feb 10th)  Celebrating their 2nd Annual Sit Stay Day, Emancipet is excited to announce Chef Nadine Thomas, Executive Chef at the W Austin will be providing menu items just for Sit Stay Day participants along with tasting notes from Master Sommelier Devon Broglie!

KLRU GREEN MEMBERSHIP

Support your PBS station by becoming a KLRU GREEN MEMBER today & get a Go Local card. Check this out!   

Go Local and ring in 2012!

Casa Chapala, the Austin Tequila Society and Tequila Puro Verde
invite you to a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Fiesta Featuring a Sumptuous Four-Course Dinner.  Use your Go Local card for $5.00 off! Featuring Tequila or Wine Pairings Dancing Under the Stars Ample Hors D’oeuvres Stations Midnight Champagne Toast Drawings for Gift Baskets and Gift Certificates.  For details and tickets, go to http://casachapalamasquerade.eventbrite.com

Happy December of 2011.

Happy December of 2011.
Yes, it’s really the end of the year.  What a doozy!

Go Local cards now sold at HEB grocery stores!

Need stocking stuffers or holiday gifts?  The GO LOCAL card is now available at select HEB’s in Austin!  Look for the card at checkout and at the business center!  Easy!
Congress/Oltorf
43rd/Red River (Hancock Center)
Manchaca/Slaughter
Slaughter/Escarpment (Circle C)
Brodie / William Cannon
183/Burnet
Oak Hill
Far West
Allendale
Bee Caves

GO LOCAL EVENTS!

We are the community and love to be a source of fundraising for local events and charities. Recently we have worked with THRIVE AUSTIN, REALTY ROUNDUP , TSD Benefit Concert, GORILLA RUN, and more!  If you would like to use the Go Local card to fund-raise for YOUR particular group or charity, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

This has been a HUGE year but one thing that hasn’t changed is Austin’s spirit of Local pride in our community.  Every single time you use your Go Local card, you are VOTING essentially to keep your money here in Austin, which benefits our local merchants, employees, schools, and social services.  And remember, use it again and again and again!

PS—Stay connected in 2012! 
Follow us on Twitter!
Like us on Facebook!

PPS—Our resident artist, Jaya, who tirelessly formats everything we do.. just had a baby!  Maybe we could all just get a little extra sleep on her account.  We know she’s not getting any.  Happy to have a new baby girl in the world, so CONGRATS!  We love you! 

The happiest of holiday wishes from the Go Local family to yours! Stay safe, be well, and GO LOCAL!

The Sustainable Living Roadshow, Amala Foundation and Go Local Austin

The Sustainable Living Roadshow, Amala Foundation and Go Local Austin

Presents THRIVE

A Celebration of Local Community and Global Sustainability!
Friday November 11th 2011 4pm-2am 21 and up

A night of locally produced world music, local fire performances, speakers, workshops, interactive eco-carnival games, puppet shows, an array of art, local food, local vendors, grass roots organizations and local breweries!

The Sustainable Living Roadshow (SLR) is a caravan of educators and entertainers who tour the country in a fleet of renewable fuel vehicles to empower communities and individuals to utilize sustainable living strategies for a healthier planet.  Visiting k-12 schools, university campuses and community festivals across the United States, the caravan sets up off-the-grid eco-carnivals with experiential learning villages featuring workshops, speakers, and entertainment.

The Amala Foundation provides opportunities for personal growth through humanitarian service projects that benefit youth, including local, immigrant, refugee, and international children. 

Go Local Austin: Our mission is very simple:  to simultaneously champion the businesses that make our community unique and reward the people that support them.  Go Local. Good for your community.  Good for you.

Music stage:
Vana Mazi:  www.youtube.com
Seu Jacinto:  www.youtube.com/watch
Minor Mishap Marching Band: www.youtube.com/watch
Atash:  www.youtube.com/watch
Rattletree Marimba: www.youtube.com/watch
Djembabes:  www.youtube.com/watch
Happy Happy James: do512.com/band

Performance (on music stage):
Bally Who Carny Crew:  With the Sustainable Living Roadshow
Tadoo Puppet Show: http://www.bigtadoo.org/
Fire show with Echo and Spunshine
Hula Hoop show with Spunlight hoops:  Ciarra Blossom and Katerina

Speakers + Workshops
Carla Vargas-Frank:  Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine
Andy Howell:  Sprouting Microgreens
Wayne Lundgren:  Soil Fertility + Vegetable Production
Emily Fitzgerald:  Microbial Earth
Jake Stewart:  City of Austin Sustainable Community Garden Initiatives
Eric Herm:  Soil Fertility and Dryland Farming
Maya Adjani:  Breathe, Eat, Dance, Evolve
Pliny Fisk:  CMPBS - Life Cycle Assessment
Panel Discussion on Food, Agriculture and Infrastructure
Brian Boitmann:  Acts of Sharing, Sharing Economy
Wesley Thoricatha:  Creation Flame

Art!
So many artists to list!  Come see for yourself!

Food:
Pie Fixes Everything
Gardeners’s Feast
Hot Moma’s Cafe
Wunder-Pilz Kombucha
SESA Tea
The Zubik House
Good Seed Burger

Outdoor Vendors:
Nectar Boutique
Drumz
Alien Scooters
Henna Kim
Natural Health Center of Austin
Bri Kalish Natural Body Care Products
Love ATX
Go Local Austin
Pure Living Paradise
Design Build Live
Get Babied Doula Collective
Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine
Eco Womb
Flying Women Studios

Indoor Vendors:
Sierra Club
Amala Foundation
Creation Flame
Acts of Sharing
Maya Adjani

All this for $15 at the door.
All proceeds go to the Amala Foundation

Many thanks to our sponsors:
Texas Farm Credit Bank:  www.farmcreditbank.com
Independence Brewing company:  www.independencebrewing.com
Rawr and Sons Brewing company:  rahrbrewing.com
Tito’s Vodka: titosvodka.com

For more info visit: 
www.thriveaustinfestival.org
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=221852604546106
www.amalafoundation.org
thegolocalcard.com
www.sustainablelivingroadshow.org

Austin Tequila Fest

On Friday,  November 4th, 2011, from 7pm – 9pm at Casa Chapala (101 San Jacinto, 78701) guests and members of Casa Chapala’s Austin Tequila Society will vote for their favorite tequilas from among many distilleries represented to challenge your palate.
Here’s what to look forward to:
  Over 45 tequila selections ready to challenge your palate
  Savor slice of interior Mexico cuisines - It’s so delicious!!!
  Guests choose top 3 finalists to win “Austin’s Favoirte Tequilas of 2011”
  Grand Tequila Winner by judges to win “All Star Favorite Tequila”
  Live Band with Jonas Alvarez Band so be ready to dance!
  El Grito Contest
  Celebrating Dia De Los Muertos (dress up if you want)
  Raffle Prizes
  Proceeds benefit the Homeless Coach
Purchase tickets at http://www.austintequilafest.eventbrite.com $25 online, $30 at the door Special Go Local Discount: save $5 online with code: golocal303 Save $10 at the door with your card.”>www.austintequilafest.eventbrite.com
$25 online, $30 at the door
Special Go Local Discount: save $5 online with code: golocal303
Save $10 at the door with your card.

Guests must be 21 or older to attend. Photo I.D. is required. Please drink responsibly!

Local Businesses Key to Income Growth

The results of a new study suggest that the key to reversing the long-term trend of stagnating incomes in the U.S. lies in nurturing small, locally owned businesses and limiting further expansion and market consolidation by large corporations.

Economists Stephan Goetz and David Fleming, both affiliated with Pennsylvania State University and the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, conducted the study, “Does Local Firm Ownership Matter?”  It was published in the journal Economic Development Quarterly.

Goetz and Fleming analyzed 2,953 counties, including both rural and urban places, and found that those with a larger density of small, locally owned businesses experienced greater per capita income growth between 2000 and 2007. The presence of large, non-local businesses, meanwhile, had a negative effect on incomes.

“Even after we control for other economic growth determinants … the non-resident-owned medium and large firms consistently and statistically depress economic growth rates … The other major result is that resident-owned small firms have a statistically significant and relatively large positive effect” on income growth, the authors report. Small firms are defined as those with fewer than 100 employees and large firms as those with over 500 employees.

“Subject to the caveat that the 2000-2007 period was unique in American economic history, results presented are remarkably robust in terms of the positive link between small firms that are locally owned and per capita income growth. Medium and larger firms appear to have the opposite effect, especially when they are not locally owned. These include big boxes as well as other chain and nonchain operations that are owned by individuals who are not also residents of the community. Although these types of firms may offer opportunities for jobs, as well as job growth over time, they do so at the cost of reduced local economic growth, as measured by income. Small-sized firms owned by residents are optimal if the policy objective is to maximize income growth rates,” the authors conclude.
—Stacy Mitchell, senior researcher with the New Rules Project