When: Tuesday, May 8th, 3 – 5 p.m. Where: Henni’s, . . . → Read More: Join us for GO! Talks]]> The Gorge Owned Business Network invites all current and potential members to GO! Talks, an opportunity to exchange ideas through small-group discussions focused on marketing, environmental stewardship and community development. You’ll go home with new ideas, strategies and deeper connections with other GO! members.

When: Tuesday, May 8th, 3 – 5 p.m.
Where: Henni’s, 120 E Jewett Blvd, White Salmon, WA
Cost: Free

A few details:

• Coffee and tea will be provided, along with very light snacks. We hope you’ll stay for Happy Hour at Henni’s which is one of the best in the Gorge! (Note, Gorge Grown Food Network is hosting a CSA Open House on May 8th at Dog River Coffee House in Hood River, from 4-6 p.m., so you can still attend that too!
• Know a business who wants to join GO!? Bring them along and we’ll give you a free pass for a class at Flow Yoga.
• We need YOUR help in planning this meeting to ensure it is a great success for all who attend. Please RSVP and share your thoughts!

RSVP by Friday, April 27th.

Since purchasing Sixth Street Bistro in 2009, Stacie and Chris Creasy have been committed to continuing a legacy of environmental stewardship and community involvement at one of Hood River’s favorite local pubs. From rewarding its local customers with Two-For-Tuesday deals in the wintertime to dousing its menu with rotating . . . → Read More: GO! Member Spotlight: Sixth Street Bistro]]>

Stacie and Chris Creasy

Since purchasing Sixth Street Bistro in 2009, Stacie and Chris Creasy have been committed to continuing a legacy of environmental stewardship and community involvement at one of Hood River’s favorite local pubs. From rewarding its local customers with Two-For-Tuesday deals in the wintertime to dousing its menu with rotating seasonal specials, Stacie and Chris incorporate many sustainable business practices that are not only good for the environment, but also good for their bottom line.

“Sixth Street Bistro is a prime example of a local business embodying the environmental awareness and community focus that many restaurants and businesses are working toward in the Gorge,” says Becky Brun, Director of the Gorge Owned Business Network.

Sixth Street purchases local produce and naturally raised meat as it’s seasonably available. They also purchase post-recycled paper products, including take-out containers. And they recycle and compost a large portion of food waste. Sixth Street is working with Dirt Hugger, a commercial composting company based in The Dalles that accepts meat scraps and bones, napkins, paper, and other items from restaurants for their composting program. As a result, Sixth Street’s food waste has significantly declined over the last year.

Stacie and Chris recently participated in “Sustainable Systems at Work,” a recent discussion series designed by the Northwest Earth Institute and spearheaded by the Gorge Owned Business Network.

“It was a great opportunity for a group of like-minded business owners with similar business models to get together and talk about some of the challenges we face and solutions we have found in trying to be as sustainable as possible in our business practices,” Stacie says.

One of the challenges facing restaurant owners is the seasonal availability of local produce, which can partially be addressed by offering rotating menu items reflecting the seasonal availability of foods. “We do a lot of business with Mountain Shadow Natural Meats, Hood River Organics, and Zion Farm, as well as several other smaller, more specific sources for produce and naturally raised meats,” says Stacie. “We are looking forward to the Gorge Food and Farm Connection as an opportunity to connect with more local suppliers.”

Looking towards the future, Sixth Street Bistro plans to continue to find more ways to reduce its overall environmental footprint.  “After the discussion course, we took a good look at some of the things we were doing and implemented small changes that are making a difference,” Stacie says.

“It was a great opportunity . . . → Read More: Discussion Group Seeks Sustainable Solutions]]> Waste not, want not: This is becoming the mantra for a growing number of businesses in the Gorge food service industry, as became even more apparent in “Sustainable Systems at Work,” a recent discussion series designed by the Northwest Earth Institute and spearheaded by the Gorge Owned Business Network.

“It was a great opportunity for a group of like-minded business owners with similar business models to get together and talk about some of the challenges we face and solutions we have found in trying to be as sustainable as possible in our business practices,” says Stacie Creasy, co-owner of Sixth Street Bistro.

“Sustainable Systems at Work” focused on ways to reduce waste (energy, water, food) and expand menus to include local farmers and ranchers. Bringing together a varied group of stakeholders in the food service industry, the group included representatives from Celilo Restaurant, Sixth Street Bistro and Doppio Coffee + Lounge in Hood River, Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, Mt Hood Meadows, Hood River School District and Tri-County Hazardous Waste.

The five-week discussion course culminated with a round table discussion featuring representatives of the entire vertical supply chain – from food producers to waste haulers to manufacturers of compostable take-out containers to Dirt Hugger, a commercial composting company based in The Dalles.

While the course still left questions for many in the group—such as how to how to balance environmental and fiscal responsibilities—all left with a better understanding of the options and realities of today’s market.

“There was great value in having a direct conversation with the people involved in the supply chain, top to bottom,” says Ben Stenn, chef at Celilo Restaurant.

“We are proud to be part of this community, which is so supportive of local producers,” Creasy says. ”And we are proud to have two great organizations, Gorge Grown Food Network and Gorge Owned Business Network, that promote and support local farmers and ranchers and promote sustainability within our community.”

The Gorge Owned Business Network will be promoting our members’ Earth Day events throughout the month of April via our newsletter, website, Facebook page, . . . → Read More: What are your Earth Day plans?]]> Earth Day 2012 is Sunday, April 22. Is your business or nonprofit planning a special event, promotion or initiative to raise awareness about eco-friendly products or services? Let us know!

The Gorge Owned Business Network will be promoting our members’ Earth Day events throughout the month of April via our newsletter, website, Facebook page, and a special co-op advertising opportunity.

Please fill out the form below with as much information as possible.

 Note – If you are organizing a VOLUNTEER activity, please fill out this form as well. 

I AM is an engaging and entertaining film that poses two practical and provocative questions: What’s wrong with our world, and what can we do to make . . . → Read More: March Green Drinks features the film “I AM”]]> Join the Gorge Owned Business Network and other community organizations at Springhouse Cellar on Tuesday, March 13th for a screening of the documentary film “I AM.”

Trinity Natural Medicine is a healing . . . → Read More: Green Drinks heads to Trinity Natural Medicine Feb. 9]]> Gorge Owned Business Network (GO!) hosts the next Gorge Green Drinks networking event on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at Trinity Natural Medicine in downtown White Salmon. Wine will be provided by Lyle, Washington-based Domaine Pouillon Winery and beer will be provided by Hood River-based Full Sail Brewing Company.

Trinity Natural Medicine is a healing center that promotes simple, healthy living. Trinity strives to relieve people’s pain and discomfort, and to help them identify the root causes of disease and imbalance in their lives. At next month’s Green Drinks event, owner Dave Martin will discuss how Chinese medicine can help people feel more connected to their bodies, their environment and their community.

“Many people are looking to make healthier lifestyle choices—for weight loss and stress reduction and other issues—and acupuncture can be part of the solution,” says Becky Brun, Director of Gorge Owned Business Network. “Dave is a great asset to the Gorge community of healthcare professionals.”

In February, Trinity Natural Medicine will be featuring local photographer, Darlissa Black. Black’s photography will be showcased during Green Drinks and she will be on hand to answer questions and discuss her work. Domaine Pouillon Winery will provide tastings of their two most popular red wines and provide chocolate truffles to pair with them. Light refreshments will be provided by Trinity Natural Medicine.

As always, there will be plenty of time for networking and socializing. This monthly networking event is free and open to the public.

Event Details:
What: Gorge Green Drinks 
When: Thursday, February 9, 2012, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: 410 E Jewett Blvd., White Salmon, WA 98672

Pledge to shifting 10% of your purchases to local merchants in 2012 and get rewarded with . . . → Read More: Take the GO! Local Pledge]]>

When we shop locally rather than with national chains, 30% more money stays in our local economy. Why? Because locally owned businesses are more likely to support other locally owned business, provide living wage jobs, and donate to local charities.

Pledge to shifting 10% of your purchases to local merchants in 2012 and get rewarded with good karma and prizes! It’s easy! Just fill out the form below and you’ll be entered into a raffle to win prizes throughout the year from participating locally owned businesses.

Individuals and entities who wish . . . → Read More: Join Hood River Citizens for a Local Economy Mailing List]]> Hood River Citizens for a Local Economy (“HRCLE”) is a nonprofit corporation incorporated in the State of Oregon that is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of a prosperous, localized economy in Hood River that protects the health, safety and welfare of the people who call Hood River home.

Individuals and entities who wish to be “members” of HRCLE must support HRCLE’s purpose. HRCLE members shall have no voting rights regarding the operation of HRCLE, its board of directors, or implementation of HRCLE’s mission.

Tell us more about your interests by filling out the form below.