Every 4th Wednesday of each month, BGCA invites community members to join us to share feedback about the BNote, meet our volunteers, and celebrate the good work all our local businesses and communities are doing to make this city a better home for everyone. Stop by or linger around for the fun and enjoy Liam Flynn’s varied draft selections.

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With over 200 businesses accepting and using BNotes, it’s easy to support your local economy every day.  Friends don’t let friends go to Seattle coffee chains or faux-Italian corporate eateries.
 
If you know a business owner who supports local buying, please encourage them to check out our For Businesses page and get in touch with us if they would like to be in our print and online Directories.

Check out the event write-up in the Indypendent Reader

It was great to see shots of Baltimore and our local businesses on the big screen! Before the film, an amazing spread of refreshments was provided by Clementine and local coffee roaster Zeke’s, and almost 200 people gathered to share ideas and inspiration.

We were honored to be joined by Edgar S. Cahn, the creator of Time Dollars, the founder of TimeBanks USA, and the author of several books including “No More Throw Away People: The Co-Production Imperative.” His wisdom and innovative ideas were a highlight of the evening.

Thanks also to Christina from Baltimore Green Works, Ian from the Baltimore Time Bank, Iris from Red Emma’s, John Duda, who spoke about bringing a large scale worker cooperative model to Baltimore, and Jeff Dicken from Baltimore Green Currency Association, who all participated in the panel discussion after the film.

WHERE: Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224

TICKETS: $10 Admission

• Purchase tickets online
• Tickets and info: info@creativealliance.org or 410-276-1651
• Tickets can also be purchased at the Creative Alliance front desk in advance: 3134 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224

Join us for a screening of Fixing the Future, a David Brancaccio (NPR, PBS) production about local groups across the country who are working to create a sustainable future. The BNote and BGCA are featured!

We are honored to announce that Edgar S. Cahn, the “father” of time banking, the creator of Time Dollars, founder of TimeBanks USA, and author of several books including “No More Throw Away People: The Co-Production Imperative” will be joining us and will be on hand for our discussion after the film. Mr. Cahn’s Time Dollars is just one achievement in a career that, since the early 1960′s, has been dedicated to achieving social justice for the disenfranchised. Check out a short clip of Mr. Cahn speaking briefly about money for another upcoming film about the need for creating a new people-centered economy: “Money & Life.”

Screening Agenda

7:00 pm tasting demo by Zeke’s coffee (featured in the film!) and Clementine, and meet with representatives from local main street businesses and groups working on solutions, including the Baltimore Time Bank, Red Emma’s (worker collective), Baltimore Green Works and the Baltimore Green Currency Association.

7:30pm show. Discussion to follow – get your questions answered and find out how to get involved right away in efforts to reclaim our local economy.

About the film

David Brancaccio (of public radio’s Marketplace and NOW on PBS) visits people and organizations across America attempting a revolution: reinventing the American economy. Baltimore independent businesses and our local money – the BNote – are highlighted as some of the most effective and innovative approaches being used across the country to create jobs and build local prosperity. Learn more about the film

Our winning raffle numbers were:

$20 gift certificate from Avenue Antiques – 383109
Free customized pet tag from Pet Tag Creations – 383047
One pound of Zeke’s coffee – 383145
One pound of Zeke’s coffee – French Roast – 383093
One hour deep massage from Missi Kibelbek – 383136
One hour Reiki Healing session from Andrea Wenger – 383049
Andrea Wenger relaxation CD – 383122
Full acupuncture treatment from Diana Keener – 383037
Dinner for 2 at Woodberry Kitchen – 383060
Skin care package from ReNew Organic Skin Care – 383112
$20 breathe books gift certificate – 383092
Bag of breathe books advance reader copies – 383146

Many thanks as well to all the businesses that so generously donated raffle prizes. See you at the next BNote Get Down!

A recent study in Grand Rapids, Michigan has produced some incredible figures on the enormous power of local purchasing. The key finding: A modest change in consumer behavior – a mere 10 percent shift in market share to independent businesses from chain stores – would result in 1,600 new jobs, $53 million in wages, and a $137 million economic impact to the area. .
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.Check out the study (PDF): Local Works! Examining the Impact of Local Business on the West Michigan Economy
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This is the kind of change we’re putting into effect with the BNote. Chain stores like Wal-Mart rob communities of the collective wealth they could be building by channeling their money back into local businesses. Wealth that builds on itself, creating new jobs and new possibilities. Wealth which could be used for community projects – gardens, playgrounds, tool-sharing, art projects, recreation centers, block parties – help our neighborhoods become more social and support us better. The effect is real, and it’s up to each of us to think local first and enable these kinds of changes here in Baltimore. .

Find more studies on the effect of thinking locally.

His 2007 book, The Ascent of Humanity, is an insightful look at the history and future of civilization. More than anything, it is about how to create the more beautiful world our hearts tell us is possible.

Suggested donation is $5 or BN5 (5 BNotes), but no one will be turned away for lack of money. BNote exchange will be available, and breathe books will be offering copies of Sacred Economics for either dollars or local currency.

Read more on his Sacred Economics blog, or catch a preview from Community Currency magazine. We hope you can join us on Sunday, July 24th from 4pm to 7pm for this inspiring and much-needed discussion!