Upcoming Events

Even Thursdays or Coffee with Think Local First

Think Local First is continuing the Even Thursdays coffee hour though the summer and beyond. It is an opportunity to meet our executive director, Ingrid Ault. She will be available each Thursday that falls on an even day every month. Stop by Zingerman's Next Door from 7 am to 9 am and say hello. We partnered with the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce who began this gathering over two years ago and welcomed us to participate with them. They are on hiatus, but we will still be there.

Feel free to stop in anytime between 7 and 9 AM to introduce yourself, ask questions, become a member, or even to air a grievance. We would like to learn more about the members of Think Local First and hope this will be a casual opportunity to meet and greet existing, new and potential members and friends.

Look for Ingrid on the second floor of Zingerman’s Next Door at 418 Detroit St. in Ann Arbor (near E. Kingsley St.) in the front room, facing the street. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Upcoming meetings days are February 18th, March 4th and the 18th. Stop by and say hello soon!

Previous Events

Monday November 23, 2009 - Annual Meeting at Big George's

Think Local First is hosting its annual meeting on Monday November 23, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Big George's. They have a beautiful functional kitchen area that we will be using.

Our guest speaker is Paul Saginaw, co-founder of the Zingerman's Community of Businesses. He was recently appointed to the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies board, our parent organization. He will give us an update as to what they have planned for the next year. Many Think Local First members do not realize that we are part of a larger movement. BALLE currently has 64 networks in the U.S. and Canada all working to promote sustainable local economies. This is your opportunity to hear what is happening on the national level.

We will be serving a light meal of finger type foods. Plus our guest chef Natalie Marble from Ann Arbor Cooks! will be preparing something delicious on site. (She hasn't told us what yet, but our mouths are already watering!) So, come hungry and ready to learn and meet folks! We will be satiating all appetites at our annual meeting!

Tuesday June 16th 7 PM to 10 PM

Our second annual member and supporter appreciation party was Tuesday June 16th from 7 PM to 10 PM at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. It was a relaxing evening that included chair massage and a plethora of delicious desserts. And all for free!

This was a party for kids of all ages! Stucchi’s provided ice cream for the young and young at heart. Other treats where provided by Great Harvest, Teahaus and a host of home bakers from Complete Chiropractic. Plus live music was provided by
Black Jake and the Carnies and Joe Serrapere and the Willie Dunns. The evening finished with the film The Forbidden Kingdom which began at dusk. There was something for everyone!

If you didn’t make it this year, watch for next year. It was an event not to be missed!

Thursday March 26th 6 PM to 7:30 PM

Why bank local? How do you get a loan? Can you detect fraud? What's changed lately? All of these questions and more will be answered at the local banking seminar! United Bank and Trust and Think Local First are teaming together to provide members and interested folks with information that will assist you in making business and personal banking decisions from an informed perspective.

Come learn:

*  The true community impact of local banking,
*  How to protect your business from fraud and counterfeit items,
*  What bankers look for when assessing loan applications,
*  Other banking related questions you may have, answered by a myriad of experienced folks.

Join Think Local First and United Bank & Trust for an evening of information and finger food at the UBAT Zeeb Road (355 South Zeeb Rd. - 1/2 mile south of Jackson Road on the left side) location on Thursday March 26th from 6 PM to 7:30 PM.

Mark your calendar to share in an exciting opportunity to learn how the banking industry has changed over the past year and more! This event was chock full of information that we are considering scheduling another in the fall. Stay tuned for future opportunities to learn about local banking!

Special thanks to Zingerman's Roadhouse for providing the delicious finger food for our event!


Wednesday January 28, 2009 7:15 PM

A great big thank you to all who came and supported Think Local First at the Michigan Theater showing of Asparagus! Stalking the American Life.

We were thrilled to see over 140 local food fans in attendance. Director Kirsten Kelly was honored that so many came to see her film and hear of the plight that her home town endured after U.S. policy changed to provide subsidies for Peruvian farmers to grow asparagus instead of cocoa. She remarked that it was one of the most enthusiastic audiences she had ever seen at a screening.

For those that missed it, here is the link to learn more. Copies of the DVD are available now and a portion of the proceeds goes directly to Osceola County, her community in peril.

Wednesday November 5, 2009 – Annual Meeting

At the Think Local First annual meeting two exciting things happened! First, Judy Wicks, a leader in the local living economy movement discussed what a local living economy is. She stressed it is about maximizing relationships, not maximizing profits. About a living return, not the highest return. Sharing, not hoarding. Being more, not having more.

Though Wicks is from Philadelphia – her 25-year-old White Dog Cafe is how she walks the talk in Philly – the evening’s event was all about how communities can foster and sustain themselves at the local level, regardless of where “local” is on the map.

The other exciting event occurred when the Think Local First board presented founder and outgoing executive director, Lisa Dugdale with an award honoring her hard work and dedication. Without her tireless work and hundreds of volunteer hours we would not be where we are now. Think Local First is grateful and thanked her for her dedication to the movement!

The Ann Arbor Chronicle covered the evening. Here is a link to their write-up.



Tuesday Sept 16 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

Great Harvest Bread Co. hosted a gathering where members had an opportunity to meet fellow Think Local First members and munch on delicious baked goods including sandwiches, tea cakes, and other delectables.

We unveiled our Buy Local Week program and discussed how we could link our on-line newsletters together to increase holiday sales. Keep your eye open to see what we have in store for Buy Local Week scheduled for November 15th through November 22nd.

Any member who was unable to attend the event but would like to learn more, should contact Ingrid at (734) 730-6905 or Ingrid@thinklocalfirst.net. We have many projects in store for that week including the delivery of our new 2009 directory!

Finally, a very big thank you to Dan and Janene Centurione for hosting the evening!

June 28th 6pm to 10 pm, Ann Arbor Summer Festival - Ingalls Mall on UM campus

Our meet & greet the new Executive Director was on Saturday June 28, 2008 at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Members came to say hello and enjoy an evening of free entertainment. They were treated to an assortment of goodies from our desert table and music by FUBAR and Lady Sunshine and the X Band.

However, the real treat was an outdoor performance by The Dream Machine from the United Kingdom. Aerialists called the Conedancers flew and tumbled around the edge of an inflated 26-foot giant cone. It was an outdoor spectacular enjoyed by thousands!

The evening was enjoyed by kids of all ages! We hope to host another exciting event such as this one next year. Thanks to everyone who came down to support us!

April 2nd 5:30-7pm, Motawi Tileworks - 170 Enterprise Drive (A2, 48103)
Arrive at 5:30pm to have a chance to make a tile, and then at 6pm we'll hear from Nawal Motawi.

She will be talking about how Motawi Tileworks applies current management ideas and innovations such as Lean Manufacturing, on-line tools, and The World Café to strengthen the company. She will reveal her favorite sources for new ideas and inspiration, and then we'll have a Q&A and sharing of ideas from other business attendees. This event is free and everyone is invited. Call Lisa @ 730-6905 with any questions about the event. 

Community Events

The Fly to Italy for Free! drawing was on Sunday October 26th!

Silvio’s Organic Pizza celebrated its third anniversary in style! After three successful years with increasing business, this family owned and operated business thanked its loyal customers with an opportunity to win two round trip tickets to Italy!

Silvio grew up in Italy’s Abruzzo region working in his father’s bakery learning the trade. To taste his creations is to understand the value of well-made food with top quality ingredients. He wanted to share more than just his food, which is why he flew two lucky customers to Italy! The winner was announced on October 26th, 2009.

For more information about Silvio’s, visit www.silviosorganicpizza.com.

Chili/Chowder Cook-Off
Our friends at everyday cook are putting on a great event April 5th that should be a lot of fun and support Think Local First.

Durham's Tracklements, everyday wines, and everyday cook are hosting the very first chili/ chowder cook-off on April 5 from 6-8pm. $15 gets you tastes of all 20 chili or chowder entries, a vote in the competition, and two complimentary beers. ($25 per couple, and $2 off for TLF members).

Want to compete? everyday wines has a few spots left for both the chili and chowder categories. There's no entry fee, you just need to supply a minimum of 2 gallons of your chili or chowder. There will be prizes, great food, and support of a great organization. Contact everyday wines (827-9463) if you're interested in participating, or to purchase tickets. All profits go to Think Local First.

National Events
May 21-23, 2010 – 8th Annual BALLE Conference

Join Think Local First at the 8th Annual BALLE Conference in Charleston, South Carolina.

BALLE networks are creating local living economies in their hometowns and cities by connecting the dots between independent retail, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, green building, local manufacturing, and community capital.

Join hundreds of entrepreneurs and business owners, BALLE network leaders, economic developers, local government representatives and community connectors, as we explore innovative best practices in growing community wealth and advancing the new economy.

To register or find out more, visit www.LivingEconomies.org.