We are so excited to experience an explosion of Alternative Gift Markets here in San Diego. Since October, there have been seven Alternative Gift Markets here in San Diego County (that we know about) and now we have three more to tell you about.
For event specifics, please see our Upcoming Events Calendar to the right.
Sunday, November 27th
Alternative Christmas Market St. Davids Episcopal Church
Wednesday, December 7th
Fair Trade Holiday Event Wine Vault and Bistro
Saturday, December 10th
San Diego's Peace Bazaar Mid-City Gym
November is a month that brings to mind the word “thanksgiving.” Yet with all the political, economic, and religious turmoil in our world it sometimes seems difficult to be thankful. But we believe that no matter how stressful or problematic our lives may be there is always something for which we can give thanks. And the best way to express our gratitude is to support one another and reach out to others in need. This can be as simple as sharing a smile with a homeless person, volunteering at a food pantry, driving a senior to the grocery store or contributing to your favorite cause.
Buying Fair Trade certified products is another way to embody gratitude by helping those who are in need. The money you spend on Fair Trade products supports growers and artisans in developing countries. This year as you contemplate what you’re thankful for think Fair Trade!
Alternative Gift Fairs are excellent for finding socially and environmentally responsible goodies. Odds are good that you will find that unique and purposeful gift for the person who already has everything this holiday season.
Saturday, November 5th Justice Day
4pm – 6pm
Kit Carson Park Amphitheater
3339 Bear Valley Pkwy
Escondido CA 92025
Saturday, November 12th – 13th
Work of Human Hands Sale
Gift Fair will be open after masses:
Saturday - 5:30pm
Sunday - 7am, 9am, 11am, 5pm
St. Brigid Parish
4735 Cass Street
San Diego, CA 92109
Saturday, November 19th – 20th Fair Trade Holiday Sale
10am-4pm – Nov 19th
United Church of Christ of La Mesa
between church services – Nov 20th
940 Kelton Avenue
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-464-1519
Sunday, November 20th Alternative Christmas Market
8:30am-noon
Solana Beach Presbyterian Church
120 Stevens Ave
Solana Beach, CA 92075
phone: 858-509-2580
wallritz@aol.com
Sunday, November 20th Alternative Gifts Expo
8:30am – 2pm
St. Paul’s Cathedral
2728 6th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
Sunday, November 27th
Alternative Christmas Market
9:25am
St. David’s Episcopal Church
5050 Milton St.
San Diego, CA 92110
contact@saintdavidschurch.com
(619) 276-4567
Saturday, December 10th San Diego’s Peace Bazaar
10am-2pm
Mid-City Gym
43rd and Landis St.
San Diego, CA 92105
Please let us know if there are any Alternative Gift Fairs in San Diego county that we are missing! We'd love to include them on our list.
During the past few months we have been bringing you news of the ongoing campaign to make La Mesa a Fair Trade Town. The campaign continues and is learning weekly from the process. At the urging of some city council members, perhaps too soon, La Mesa Fair Trade got itself on the agenda for the October 11th city council meeting to vote on passage of a council resolution in support of Fair Trade Town status. Despite strong support from two council members, other city council members were not yet ready to support passage of the resolution.
Fair Trade Proponents at La Mesa City Council Meeting
Even though the vote before the La Mesa City Council did not result in the passage of a Fair Trade Town resolution, La Mesa Fair Trade and Fair Trade San Diego are further energized to continue our efforts of working in partnership with La Mesa City Council to pass a resolution in support of La Mesa being declared a Fair Trade Town as well to continue our broader efforts to raise awareness of the benefits of Fair Trade certified products.
Since October 11th, the La Mesa Fair Trade steering committee has been meeting one on one with La Mesa city council members to further clarify what it means to pass a city resolution in favor of Fair Trade Town status.
In addition, committee members continue to meet with local merchants who currently sell Fair Trade products as well as those who are interested in beginning to do so. As a result of the city council vote, the campaign received media attention from the East County Magazine, the La Mesa Patch and the Union Tribune. During October, Fair Trade San Diego was able to have a letter to the editor published in all three media outlets so as to let the community know that the efforts to make La Mesa a Fair Trade Town have not slowed.
According to Fair Trade Towns USA, "The Fair Trade Towns designation provides a platform for continued outreach and education to build the Fair Trade movement locally and deepen each community's commitment to international justice". Passing a city council resolution is one of the last stages in the process of becoming a Fair Trade Town and is a recognition of support for organizations such as La Mesa Fair Trade to promote consumption of Fair Trade certified products and educate on their impact. A city council resolution is not an endorsement of any particular local business.
