For the Conscious Shopper.
One of the funnest gifts that I assembled for someone was a personalized basket. This included a reusable woven shopping basket (perfect for the farmer's market or a picnic). I filled it with local goodies ranging from honey and salsa to a bottle of wine. Other local products that are perfect for filling a gift basket are chocolates, lotions, soaps and candles. Here are a few one-stop-shops for these kinds of gifts. - I love The Isla Vista Coop. It is jam packed with all sorts of products. You are certain to find something for someone here.
- Santa Barbara Gift Baskets has wonderful local items to choose from-even for those with a more discriminating taste.
- Similar to the I.V. Coop but closer to downtown-the Santa Barbara Tri-County Produce is where you can find dried fruits, great local wines, coffee and sweet treats from around our area.
- Find unique jewelery and other worldly gifts at Arcoboleno Trade. This is a fair trade gift shop that helps support artisans in developing countries and promotes sustainability.
- A great item to stuff in your gift basket are these Reusable Produce Bags. Perfect for your friends that shop the Farmer's Market.
- Don't forget that local coffee shops carry reusable coffee mugs. Wrap one up with some coffee or tea and it makes for an easy and thoughtful gift. One of my favorite coffee shops in town is Vices and Spices. They have a large selection of tea, coffee, jewelry and fine soaps. Located at 3558 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93105-2628 - (805) 687-7196.
Change the way you present your present. Reuse special paper for wrapping your gifts. Calendars can make great wrapping paper that can be quite pretty and interesting to look at.
The South Coast Energy Efficiency Partnership (SCEEP) is helping Southern California residents save time, money and the environment by hosting drives to exchange our standard incandescent holiday lights in exchange for light emitting diodes (LEDs). Here are the Santa Barbara locations and times so you can swap yours out!
Santa Barbara
1st Thursday Holiday Tree Decorating Station
December 3, 5-8 p.m.
Borders Bookstore patio (in front)
900 State Street
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center
December 12 & 13, 12-4 p.m.
415 East Gutierrez St.
Santa Barbara
Goleta Goleta Valley Community Center Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 4, 5:30 p.m.
5679 Hollister Avenue
Goleta
Orchard Supply and Hardware
December 6, 12-4 p.m.
125 N Fairview Ave.
Goleta
Carpinteria Carpinteria Boy Scout tree lot – Troop 50, Pack 50, and Troop 147
Saturday, December 5, 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Carpinteria Ave., under the historical Torrey Pine (across the street from the Carpinteria Public Library)
For more check out SCEEP's website.
These are cool and unique - seed embedded paper. Add your message inside a card that can grow wildflowers!
Simple planting instructions are on the back of each card, along with the seed content. Each handmade card will recycle naturally into the soil as the seedlings grow. They are blank inside for you to personalize. Click here for more on how to grow your notes!
For Sale: Mixed Use Property and 2 Bedroom Home- Constructed by Campanelli Construction, State-of-the-Art "Green" built office building
- 2 story
- ~2,218sq. ft.
- Loft Storage
- Two, 2 car-garages
- Constructed with Sips (Structural Insulated Panels)
- 16 Solar Panels - supply electricity and hot water for the building's energy needs
- Mostly recycled materials have been used for the finishes throughout: bamboo floors, marble, granite and tile
- Monthly utility bills average ~$13-$15
Also on the property is a 2BD/1BA home.Offered at $1,100,000
Did you know the grease that accumulates while baking your Thanksgiving turkey can be used to fuel biodiesel vehicles?
Instead of clogging your sink's drain and contributing to waste put that Thanksgiving grease to use.
For more information on recycling centers and how-to's visit Earth911 *photo courtesy of SP Times
