have been reading “Deeper Economy” and although author Bill McKibben often goes off on environmental tangents, his comments about building a economic community relate directly to what we are doing in Rainmakers. He argues that the health of communities lies in a decision to buy locally, everything from food to business services.

When we choose to vote with our dollars, and buy services from people we know, we strengthen the community at large. When we buy from national chains, we weaken our local economy.

So here is the challenge: Do you host you web site nationally or locally? Do you meet at Starbucks or Hubbards and Craven? Do you order your flowers from Tel Flora or a local florist. Every day, we make choices with our dollars.

And now, Erik Deckers has made it easier to find your favorite local coffee shop with his new interactive calendar.