Rutabaga Curling!

If you've never been to the world-famous Rutabaga Curling Contest at the season finale Ithaca Farmers' market, tomorrow is your chance!

The NPR program "Only a Game" once did a segment on the weird and wonderful world of our rutabaga curling comp (the only known event of its kind, thus the championship of the world and universe).

Participants march into the event with the flair of olympians (some even wearing togas and wreaths of laurel). They then proceed to amaze and astound the spectators with their stunning prowess (or lack thereof) at curling with rutabagas-- an oddly shaped projectile, to be sure.

YOU TOO could be a rutabaga curler, or just watch the wacky goings-on. Saturday, December 19th starting at "High Noon". Registration from 10:30 -11:45. More info and hilarious history at http://www.rutabagacurl.com/

Free fabric gift wrapping too!

Have a Greener Holiday!

SewGreen is hosting a free fabric gift-wrapping service from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, December 19 at its Rescued for Reuse store in the DeWitt Mall, corner of Seneca and Cayuga streets in downtown Ithaca. Fabric gift wrap is more earth-friendly than paper because it can be reused, saved for future projects, or returned to the giver. Have your gift wrapped by SewGreen volunteers, wrap it yourself, or just come to get ideas about creative reuse.

Not-for-profit gift wrapping events at Buffalo St. Books

Buffalo Street Books
Located in the DeWitt Mall
Between Cayuga and Tioga Street
Invites you to support these non-profits as they wrap your gifts:

Today: 10 am to 4 pm The Mental Health Association of Tompkins County
Friday, December 18, 3 to 6 pm Hospicare
Saturday, December 19 10 am to 1 pm Hospicare
Saturday, December 19, 1 to 4 pm The MacCormick Advisory Board
Sunday, December 20, 1-6 PM The MacCormick Advisory Board
Monday, December 21, 10 am to late afternoon Dining For Women
Tuesday, December 22, 10 am to 3 pm Lifelong
Wednesday, December 23, 1 to 4 pm The MacCormick Advisory Board

Welcome Laughing Goat Fiber Farm!

Many enthusiastic welcomes go to our newest participating business: Laughing Goat Fiber Farm! Laughing Goat specializes in home-grown exotic fibers and creates original hand-made fiber goods, like heirloom rugs, shawls, scarves, and more.

Check out their website: http://www.laughinggoatfiber.com/ Not only do they have adorable pictures of goats and their goaty antics, but you can take a peek at (or order!) their beautiful yarns and all their other products!

Special event at Cobbler's Cottage

Need new shoes? Local First Ithaca biz Cobbler's Cottage has just joined the 10% ont he 10th promotion, AND they have a special event planned for Dec. 11th as well!

Friday, Dec. 11, from 4-6pm, Cobbler's Cottage will have a live feed on radio Z-95.5, with special giveaways, including a free pair of Dansko shoes and a $50 gift certificate. You'll also get 20% off any regularly priced item in the store.

Sounds like happy feet!

10% on the 10th - the complete details!

It's almost here! On December 10th (that's this Thursday!), the following 30 Local First Ithaca businesses will be offering special "10% on the 10th" discounts. Let's show them (and the other 46 LFI businesses) our support! Don't forget to get your "Local Lover Challenge" card stamped while you're there...

Angry Mom Records/Small World Music

10% off everything

Benjamin Peters

10% off everything

Cat's Pajamas

10% off any in stock Melissa+Doug products

Comics for Collectors

10% off all regularly priced, in-stock items (20% if wearing an "I Buy Local" button!)

Decorum- Too

10% off Oriental rugs in stock (excludes furniture)

Diaspora Gallery

10% off all regularly priced items

Food for the Planet

10% off lunch

The Frame Shop on Buffalo Street

10% off everything except this month's displayed art

Garden Gate Delivery

10% off everything

Greenstar

10% off all non-sale items (* for Greenstar Coop members; membership = $10 for one year)

Home Green Home

10% off all items under $300

House of Shalimar

10% off everything

Ithaca Carshare

$10 in future driving credit for any member who reserves a Carshare Car on December 10th and enters the Job Code "LocaLove"

Ithaca Coffee Company

10% off all whole bean and bulk coffee purchases (excludes coffee drinks)

Ithaca Grain and Pet Supply

10% off dog and cat treats

The Kitschen Sink

TENsion relief! Hot cider and cookies to enjoy in the shop, and a free bottle of bubbles to take home

Ludgate Farms

10% off holiday wreaths and Christmas trees

Lynda Myers Designs

10% on all in-stock items (includes furniture, lighting and accessories)

Mama Goose

10% off new products (excluding hand-made local vendor items)

Mighty Yoga

10% off classes, class passes, and items in our Mighty Yoga Store

Morris' Men's and Ladies' Wear

10% off the lowest ticketed price of every item in our shop (excludes prior purchases, special orders and tuxedo rentals)

Natural Beginnings

10% off all regularly priced items

Petrune

10% off everything

Red Feet Wine Market

10% off all Finger Lakes wines

SewGreen Store

10% off your whole purchase

Silk Oak and Friends

10% off everything

Sustainable Passion

10% off all regularly priced items

Toko Imports

10% off everything

Triphammer Wines and Spirits

10% off all New York State Wines (or standard 15% discount on case purchase)

Tuff Soul

10% off everything

10% on the 10th!

Get ready for 10% on the 10th-- a terrific promotion that we have shamelessly (and with their blessing and participation!) pirated from Greenstar Coop. On December 10th, over two dozen of our holiday campaign businesses will be offering shoppers a 10% discount-- some on particular products and services, some on everything! Full details will be coming shortly...

Holiday greetings!

Welcome to the Local First Ithaca blog! We'll be using this new blog to post updates, news, info, details of events, and more. Check back often-- or become a subscriber, so that new posts will come straight to you!