Reserve early and save GREEN! Join us at the Spring Green Festivals in Seattle, Denver and Chicago.

Want to find something unique and special for loved ones this holiday season? There are dozens of gift guides on the internet, but we’re offering something unique: a guide to local gift giving.

When we buy from locally owned businesses, more of that money stays in our local economy. In fact, one study in San Fransisco revealed that just a 10% shift in retail sales toward local businesses would create thousands of new jobs and $190 million in economic activity. We don’t have to spend more, just spend smarter.

Last night's Buy Local Week Celebration Event was, in our opinion, a smashing success. Joined by MHBA members, supporters, partners and other local business owners, it was our best event ever.

The Appaloosa food, specially prepared by their chef, was simply delicious. MHBA members enjoyed free drafts of Great Divide beer, and we finished up the evening with door prizes from T-Trove Asian Decor, 5 Green Boxes (wow, that green frog tape dispenser was so cool), Baggy Shirts, and $50 gift certificates from Twist & Shout and the Appaloosa Grill.

We also love this article written by Colin Bane in the online Denver Fatherhood Examiner about Buy Local Week. It's his holiday goal to do all of his shopping within three blocks of his home, and without ever stepping foot in a shopping mall. The article features MHBA members 5 Green Boxes, Gaia Bistro and Pajama Baking Co., all found on Old South Pearl St.

Local media is helping to spread the word about Buy Local Week and the important economic impact we can have this holiday season. Check out the great article written by Jen Reeder of the Carbon Valley Herald, and find out more about how you can get involved in Buy Local Week, which runs through this Friday December 5th.

As independently owned (and mostly small to medium sized) businesses, we have much to do, with very little time or extra resources. But we still have the need to develop our businesses, to adapt to changing circumstances, and to learn how to best address the challenges we face while building a thriving business.

We may not have thousands of dollars in our budget for professional consultants, but we do have each other. As a member of the Mile High Business Alliance, you are able to connect with other local business owners. We'd like to help even more to make that happen.

Today I picked up an honorary proclamation from Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., proclaiming November 23-29, 2008 as "Colorado Local First Week." This is very exciting for us as we work to raise awareness of the vital link between locally owned businesses and a stable local economy.

The text of the proclamation reads:

Today's Angel Capital Summit will end with a town hall meeting entitled, Disrupting the Recession: Colorado's entrepreneurial response to the financial crisis, election, energy and sustainability. (read more) It's just $25 to attend the town hall meeting, and the panelists look interesting. Topics of discussion will include:

We got a nifty email from Boulder Weekly (an independent newspaper) today with the following message:

"By pledging to spend $100 of your shopping dollars at locally owned stores, you will have a potential 21 million dollar impact on our community, an estimated $3.1 million dollars more than if it was spent at a non-local big box retailer. You can help the local economy this holiday season. Make the pledge!"

They're giving away $1,000 in gift certificates from independent locally owned merchants and restaurants to one lucky pledge-maker. Email "I pledge" to pledge@boulderweekly.com by December 3. Winner is announced December 4.