RECENTLY, THERE'S been a groundswell of local businesses moving us one step closer to getting everything from the food on our tables to the clothes on our backs locally made. BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies), SFLOMA (San Francisco Locally Owned Merchants Alliance), and the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center have teamed up with the Small Business Commission (SBC) to put on this year's Shop Local First Week. The kickoff event takes place Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Union Square, with about 30 local artisans selling handmade wares in the shadow of Macy's. These vendors, all of whom produce their goods in the Bay Area, have the environment in mind and holiday humor to spare. And remember, shopping at locally owned businesses means you'll keep your bucks circulating in the community.

-- San Francisco Bay Guardian, December 7, 2005