Think Local First is doing its first ever 'Buy Local Challenge'. The Holiday Local Challenge is a fun and easy challenge yourself to spend 80%, 100%, or 'whatever you can' at locally owned businesses this season. See the Think Local First website to sign up, or visit http://annarbor.buylocalmichigan.org (or http://ypsi.buylocalmichigan.orgin Ypsilanti).

While the holiday challenge itself is for December, as a thank you to people who have taken the pledge, TLF will be randomly selecting 10 people to win gift certificates from a variety of great places like Morgan & York, Kerrytown Market & Shops, and Cafe Luwak on December 14th.

Events going on during (or near) Buy Local Week which will help you enjoy our independent businesses include:

• November 30th, 6pm. Christmas Moonlight Magic (Depot Town, Ypsilanti). Treelighting and specials in all stores.
• December 1st, Noon-Midnight. (Corner Brewery corner of Norris and E Forest, Ypsilanti). One day, 40 local artists. Find unique gifts for the holidays, support local indie artists, and listen to great music. Visit www.shadowartfair.com for more information.
• December 1st, 10am - 5pm. Motawi Tileworks biannual Seconds Sale. Decorative overrun tiles (including our new Frank Lloyd Wright Collection®) start at 50% off and go down from there. Field overrun tiles will be $3 per pound-that's over 70% off the price of first quality-a whale of a deal.
• December 2, 2 - 6 p.m. Alternative Holiday Fair. (First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor, 512 E. Huron.) See www.icpj.net/2007/11/26/holiday-fair/ for more information
• December 7th, All Evening. Moonlight Madness (Kerrytown, Main St., and State Street, Ann Arbor). Stores open late (most until midnight!!) with bargains galore. Shop with Santa. Many businesses offer specials during midnight madness only.
• December 7th, 6 - 8 pm. Slow Food Huron Valley: Finger-food potluck and Michigan holiday wine tasting - Location: 310 S. Ashley (Hathaway's Hideaway).  Bring an hors d'oeuvre/finger food to share (with the recipe and your tableware) We'll exchange IDEAS for local (food) gifts, ways celebrate and support our local economy and food system and give gifts with lower environmental impact. Cost: $5 ($10 non-member) for food and good cheer; + $10 for wine tasting. RSVP or questions to Kim at kimbayer@gmail.com.
• December 8th, 10am - 2pm. Downtown Home and Garden: Party for the Real Santa - Santa will be accepting wish lists and talking to children. Children get a Christmas orange. Adults get eggnog and roasted chestnuts.

To get you started, here are great locally-made gift ideas from locally owned businesses. Visit our website for rotating gift ideas:

• Beer Growler of the month from Arbor Brewing Company/Corner Brewery
• Yoga, Nia, or Cycling gift certificate from Ypsi Studio or A2 Yoga. The New Year is a popular time to get fit and limber.
• Frank Lloyd Wright Collection Art Tile from Motawi Tileworks. You can be sure this isn't something they will already have!
• Book by a Local Author - Stories From Where We Live -- The Great Lakes. By Sara St. Antoine (ed)., Available at independent bookstores
• Potted amaryllis from Downtown Home & Garden
• The perfect Michigan wine. Ask Bello Vino Marketplace, everyday wines, or Morgan & York for their suggestions.

HomeGrown, a festival celebrating local food and business, is being planned for September 2008 in downtown Ann Arbor.

The festival will feature: Local chefs creating & serving cuisine from Michigan produced food, local business booths showcasing locally made, sustainable products & food, and fun activities for all ages including cooking demonstrations, parades, & music.

If you'd like more information, visit the Think Local First events page for more information about the festival and how to get involved or donate to it.

Look for our 2008 Directory in stores after December 1st.

As always, feel free to search our online business directory for a specific locally owned business or locally made item.