£ BUSINESS OF THE WEEK! Congratulations to the following CIBA members for being honored as “Business of the Week” – Squirrel’s Tavern, Sibling Revelry, A & S Accounting, and Country Vitamins. Be sure to follow the weekly announcement on CIBA’s FaceBook page, at https://www.facebook.com/CIBACorvallis.

£ KUDOS to DARKSIDE CINEMA. Many, many thanks to Paul Turner and his staff at the Darkside for agreeing to host the screening of the documentary Fixing the Future as part of a national release on July 18. Paul offered two of his theaters for the showing and then he and his crew remained calm, helpful and upbeat through the gathering of excited throngs of people (we packed both theaters!), a projector meltdown, and a jumpy copy of the film. Darkside Cinema is a community treasure – we are lucky to have such a wonderful independent theater. Enjoy a great time by going to see a film at the Darkside and thank Paul in person! Buy Local, Watch Local.

£ Have you seen the CIBA VIDEO from CORVALLIS KNIGHTS GAME? You can find it on the CIBA FaceBook page, at https://www.facebook.com/CIBACorvallis. Many thanks to Jeff Silverman from Silverman Studios for doing the video work!

£ SURPRISING REASONS WHY LOCAL OWNERSHIP MATTERS. The following is excerpted from a report from the Institute for Self-Reliance. Go to their website for the full article and links to the cited studies: http://www.ilsr.org/local-ownership-healthier-wealthier-wiser/

When policymakers debate anything having to do with economic development — approving a new big-box store, say, or handing out tax breaks to large companies — most don’t imagine that the decision will have any effect on such things as voter turnout or the prevalence of chronic disease. But a growing body of research is finding that scale and ownership of business matter in ways that extend far beyond economic outcomes.

A study recently published in the Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, for example, found that people who live in communities where small, locally owned businesses are the norm are healthier than those who live in places where large corporations predominate. “We find that counties with a vibrant small-business sector have lower rates of mortality and a lower prevalence of obesity and diabetes,” conclude the study’s authors, Troy Blanchard, Charles Tolbert, and Carson Mencken.
They surmise that a high degree of local ownership improves a community’s “collective efficacy” — the capacity of its residents to act together for mutual benefit, to solve problems, and to further local goals. Previous research has identified a strong relationship between collective efficacy and population health, because high-functioning communities tend to build initiatives and infrastructure that foster healthier choices and prevent disease.

Another study, by Blanchard and Todd Matthews, found that counties dominated by a few big firms have lower levels of social capital and less engaged citizens than those in which economic activity is dispersed across many locally owned businesses. “We find that residents of communities with highly concentrated economies tend to vote less and are less likely to keep up with local affairs, participate in associations, engage in reform efforts or participate in protest activities at the same levels as their counterparts in economically dispersed environments,” they conclude. Still other research has linked the regional market share of large retail chains with higher rates of poverty, infant mortality, and crime.
Why is local ownership so nourishing to the social and civic fabric of communities? There appear to be at least three main reasons. One has to with local business owners themselves. Their personal and financial interests are tied to the community’s well-being and, as a result, they are often active in various civic endeavors. While small business owners gain prestige and influence by contributing to community improvement, corporate managers garner status by advancing the company’s interest, even at the expense of the community.

Another reason is that cities with a strong entrepreneurial culture and local control of economic resources have more capacity to solve problems on their own and are more resilient and adaptable in times of distress. Those that are dependent on outside corporations have little ability to marshal resources to overcome challenges.

Yet a third way local businesses nurture social capital is by creating environments that foster social ties. People shopping at farmers’ markets and traditional Main Street business districts are more likely to run into neighbors and engage in a greater number of conversations than those navigating the aisles of a big-box store, studies have found.

The article notes that this research has so far had little impact on public policy. Maybe we can start changing that here in Corvallis?

£ IMPORTANT CIBA DATES TO REMEMBER:
September 26 – CIBA Membership Meeting, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
November 14 – CIBA Holiday Social, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
December 1 – 2nd Annual Buy Local First Day

£ THANK YOU to B & G Consulting, Big River Restaurant, Footwise, Grease Lightning Delivery Services and The Toy Factory for RENEWING BUSINESS MEMBERSHIPS in CIBA! Your membership dues help CIBA work for you!


ANNOUNCEMENTS & SPECIALS

Garland Nursery, in their 75th year of serving the gardens and gardeners of the Corvallis area, is preparing for fall. You can, too, with their following classes and activities:

Title: WTDITG (What To Do In The Garden) In September
When/Where: Sun. September 2, 2012 - 12:00 p.m. / Garland Nursery, 5470 NE Hwy 20, Corvallis
What: It’s harvest season! It’s also time to plant for fall and next year’s harvest as you plan for year-round food production and outdoor color. Make the most of your fruits and veggies, see what’s new and join us for a chance to win one of our product giveaways.
Registration: No registration required.
Cost: FREE, and open to the public.

Title: Little Sprouts: Harvest Party
When/Where: Sat. September 8, 2012 - 11:00 a.m. / Garland Nursery, 5470 NE Hwy 20, Corvallis
What: At Garland Nursery, we feel it is important for children to understand and experience where food comes from, and that healthy food options can also be fun options. At this month’s Little Sprouts, with our little helpers, we are harvesting fruits and vegetables from our gardens and orchards. We will then operate a vintage apple press and enjoy our freshly made cider in the shade by our beautiful and scenic pond.
Registration: Required; Call (541) 753-6601 to register.
Cost: $5 per child.

Celebrity Fall Gardening Weekend – September 15th and 16th
Fall is such a beautiful time of year as we transition our gardens to vibrant rich colors, plant new crops and prepare for the coming winter. We have a treat to start off this fall with a bang! We are welcoming some of our favorite celebrities, William McClenathan and July Alleruzzo of Garden Time TV and Randy Ritchie of Malibu Compost to share their tips and tricks to make this fall even better! See below for seminar sessions:

Title: Vibrant Fall Containers with William McClenathan and Judy Alleruzzo of Garden Time
When/Where: Sat. September 15, 2012 - 1:00 p.m. / Garland Nursery, 5470 NE Hwy 20, Corvallis
What: Fall is just around the corner and though our lush trees lose their leaves, our landscapes and containers can stay spectacular and vibrant with the right selection of plants. Join us as special guests William McClenathan and Judy Alleruzzo of Garden Time TV give a live demo and seminar on designing your personality and style into creative fall containers that will bloom brightly throughout the fall season. They will also provide their favorite picks for this fall.
Registration: No registration required.
Cost: FREE, and open to the public.

Title: Fall Organic Workshop with Randy Ritchie of Malibu Compost
When/Where: Sun. September 16, 2012 - 1:00 p.m. / Garland Nursery ,5470 NE Hwy 20, Corvallis
What: Fall may be upon us but don’t hang up those gardening tools just yet. There is so much that can be done now to ensure your soil is protected and being enriched through the winter months to ensure a lush spring. We are excited to host special guest and founder of Malibu Compost, Randy Ritchie to share with us how to do this simply and all organically. Randy will review mulching with compost, tea sprays and drenches. He will share fall organic gardening techniques and preparing your yards and gardens for the long, erosive winter ahead. Randy will provide some tips and reminders for the fall garden and look ahead to winter and onto spring. Randy and Malibu Compost will offer some specials on compost as well as a few door prizes of free compost tea.
Registration: No registration required.
Cost: FREE, and open to the public.

If you have an announcement, a special or a coupon for CIBA members, please let us know – 541-752-0047; info@corvallisiba.org.