Act Globally, Drink Locally

Yes! in my backyard. That's the message behind the third annual Certified Local! Fall Festival, an activist fair highlighting local entrepreneurs who are doing it for themselves. So what's in store? Stacy Bertinelli of the event's organizer, Local First Arizona, says: "You can get a jump on your holiday shopping -- without standing in line at 4 a.m. We're going to have a game station, face painters, live music, a beer and wine garden . . . . We're talking about having an obstacle course from our friends at Community Tire, or playing horseshoes with tires. Most all of the food samples [from homegrown businesses like Fairytale Brownies, Spinato's Pizza, Green, and La Grande Orange] are free." Alcohol, music, shopping, free eats -- but wait, there's more. Local First director Kimber Lanning says, "We've got a jumping castle for the littler kids, crafts . . . . There'll be a place for girls and boys to string beads," Lanning says. "[And] Hickman's Egg Ranch is going to have a giant chicken man." Giant chicken man? That tears it. We'll see you there.
Sat., Nov. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 2007