Diana Rael
Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce
Website
Diana@ahcnm.org
Join Date: 09/11/2013

Eddy Aragon
The Rock of Talk KIVA 1600AM 95.9FM
Website
rockoftalk@me.com
Join Date: 09/19/2013

Rena Larranaga
New Mexico Marketplace
Website
bill@nmmarketplace.com
Join Date: 09/25/2013

Stacy Blackwell
Legacy Media
Website
sblackwell18@comcast.net
Join Date: 09/26/2013

Bruce Bell
ABQ Manufacturing, Inc.
Website
info@abqmfg.com
Join Date: 10/08/2013

Paul Jew
Moji Photography
Website
paul.jew@kimjew.com
Join Date: 10/14/2013

Sometimes it strikes me that an "Efficient Economy" is at odds with an "Efficient Humanity." Let's face it, the first thing to go after all the labor has been "saved" is the laborer.  Aside from security concerns the main reason to bank in person is because that's another person who will earn money and spend it in our economy.  When we bank online there are significantly fewer salaries being paid. 


 

A 2014 KeepItQuerque Directory is in the planning stages and we hope to distribute it to as many as 175,000 Albuquerque households.

Make sure to be included by paying your member dues as soon as possible.

Contact us if you have questions about up-grading your membership, you anniversary date or other member benefits like being on the KeepItQuerque - buy local Radio show

    Bars and restaurants are favorites party spots. O'Niell's, Slate Street Cafe and Marble Brewery are among the KeepItQuerque members you ought to check out.  If you need a last-minute location try an art gallery, boutique, or even a spa!
    Everybody loves cakes and cupcakes, and local bakeries like Flying Star are already serving up tasty Halloween treats! To make sure you have just what you want in enough quantity, remember to order in advance.  
    Find rare or niche music to create the perfect atmosphere! Charlie's C.D.s and 33s also has vintage clothes!
    Order customized trick-or-treat bags from Joliesse Chocolates, the Candy Lady and other local confectioners!
    Have your invitations printed for that extra touch. Focus Ink, Inc. has always done a "howl" of a good job for KeepItQuerque - and Nancy's shop is Green, too! Many of these service providers can even create them and deliver to you!   
    "Treat" your hair and skin to look your best!
    For a great way o get the kids outdoors and have a safe Halloween Trick or Treat look into the City of Albuquerque's "Zoo Boo," too.
    Get your home or office back in tip-top shape with a  professional cleaning after a party!
    Local dry-cleaners and laundry services will take great care of your costumes afterwards!
Special thanks to our colleagues at the Austin Independent Business Alliance for suggesting this article.

Tania Armenta, Albuquerque Conventiona and Visitors' Bureau, and host Clifton Chadwick shared ideas about what to do after the Mass Ascension during the 42nd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
 

Many of us understand intuitively how our "Buy Local" initiative creates a healthier, wealthier community in Albuquerque.
Some people appreciate it when we can quantify these benefits, and certain institutions have to have data to justify their participation in the "Buy Local" effort.  
To that end KeepItQuerque has been sharing the results of the Albuquerque-centric study by Civic Economics which show the "multiplier effect" of how a dollar spent locally recirculates two and a half to three times more in our town.
On the Macro level our colleagues at the American Independent Business Alliance, in cooperation with the Institute for Local Research will be looking for your local business to participate in a National Survey to be conducted in the early part of 2014. 
Many of you helped in this survey last year and we hope you'll plan to help again in the New Year.  Here's the letter we received from AMIBA Co-director and Co-founder Jennifer Rockne:
Hi, Everyone,
For your radar screen:
The annual Survey of Independent Businesses conducted by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance will occur in January 2014, and as with each year of this survey in the past, AMIBA has committed to participating. 
This survey provides us with powerful data we all can use to support our collective case for the benefit of Independent Business Alliances and buy local action to businesses, local governments, and the local economy.
You can expect more information to come, including messages to alert your members....  But here are some important dates to put on your calendar now:
January 6 -- survey opens, and you will be notifying your members  
January 21 -- survey will close at midnight Pacific Time 
February 4 -- survey will be released, along with national press release 
All the best,
Jennifer

In your last newsletter you were offered the opportunity to suggest content for this one and we got an article from KeepItQuerque member Rob Dickson of EDo Spaces. Rob sent us an article from Truth Out that explores the issue of healthy economies from a much larger perspective. 

Rob is a developer of traditional Neighborhoods, walk-able areas containing a balance of human activity, a variety of housing, adequate shopping, a range of workplaces, and the facilities for elementary education, civic life, recreation and worship.  Neighborhoods are integrated to other neighborhoods by a network of smaller streets.  Automobile usage is voluntary.

In the last half fo the last century  Suburbia has evolved to provide the same human activities although separated into "zones" including "residential subdivisions", "apartment complexes", "shopping centers", and "office parks".  These land uses are reconnected by a system of few but large thoroughfares including collectors, arterials, and highways. Automobile usage is mandatory.

The article, called "Welcome to Commonomics: How to Build Local Economies Strong Enough for Everyone," many points are made about how "local" isn't enough.  We wouldn't, for example, do business with a "local sweatshop."
"There’s no consensus on the meaning of 'local,' let alone agreement on what makes an economy 'strong.' Ask 25 people with expertise in the topic, and you'll hear 25 different answers. (I know because that's what I did.) But there is history here, and a breadth of experience we can draw on if we pay attention, especially to those for whom 'self-reliance' is not a lifestyle choice."

The article then looks at the way impoverished communities have come together around ideas of sustainability without relying on traditional economics. The conclusions go much further than simpy "buying local!"

Let us know what you think, and please keep your suggestions coming!