Agenda Takes You Shopping For The Holidays
Now is the time of year when our concerns turn from contra funding and protests to shopping days and parking spaces. But we can still keep our gift giving in line with our values by choosing gifts that educate or support a good cause.
Not having storefronts, most community groups are unable to take full advantage of holiday merchandising. Therefore we are pleased to present AGENDA's first annual List of Alternative gifts.
We contacted approximately 40 local groups to compile the following catalogue. The list is in reverse alphabetical order. In order to ensure timely delivery, order your gifts as soon as possible. Also, don't miss the Alternative Holiday Fair, Dec. 6 (see Interfaith Council for Peace below).
Zen Lotus Society, Zen Buddhist Temple, 1214 Packard, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 761-6520
We have two books: "The Dhammapada, the Sayings of the Buddha," by Thomas Byrom. Photography by Sandra Weiner. No other translation excels this one in beauty and simplicity, $9.95. "The Miracle of Mindfulness, A Manual on Meditation" by Thich Nhat Hanh, A Zen Master's method of meditation, concentration, and relaxation, $7.95. Available at the Temple.
Ypsi Food Co-op, 312 N. River St., Ypsilanti, MI 48198, 483-1520
During Dec. we have a booklet of treats to make and a handout on herbal crafts. We offer baskets and a full line of fresh and dried fruits, nuts, cheeses, maple syrup, and sugarless jams for making your own gift baskets. Honey bears and Clancy's Fancy Hot Sauce are fun to put in. Also, pasta made from flour ground at the Daily Grind Mill in Ann Arbor, buckwheat pancake mix from Homestead Flours in Montgomery, Michigan, breads and goodies from Wildflour Community bakery, beeswax candles from Earthworks Farm and hand dipped candles from Irie Lights, beeswax ornaments, potpourri in sachet bags, dolls, puppets, hand spun and dyed yams and nylon stuff sacks made by members of the Ypsi Food Co-op. We sell coffee and teas which support small worker collectives in Third World countries. Herbal and black teas can be purchased in bulk and given in ajar with a bamboo tea strainer. The Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation's Historic Windows Calendar is also available.
The World Hunger Education-Action Committee (WHE-AC), 4202 Michigan Union, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, Siri 663-4301
We are selling: Oxfam 100% cotton T-shirts depicting four African women wearing traditional, multi-colored dress in sizes: M, L, and XL, $12 ea.; Oxfam calendar/date books with photographs from Asia, Africa, and Latin America which lists worldwide holidays at $12 to $15 ea.; and traditional Salvadoran handcrafts, $5 to $15, made by the Sanctuary family living in Kalamazoo, with all proceeds going to the family.
The Women's Crisis Center, 306 N. Division, Lawrence St. entrance of St. Andrew's Church, 761-9475
Most of our products are sold on a sliding scale; pay what you feel you can afford.. We have: WCC shirts, sizes S to XL, with women sitting back to back supporting one another, in tee's, muscle shirts and tank tops in every color imaginable, $6 to $8; WCC mugs with the motto "Women Helping Women Help Themselves," $2 ea., three for $5; WCC bumper stickers which help publicize the crisis line number, $1; "Cooking for the Oral Majority," a cookbook with lots of great recipes, with and without meat, $2.50 ea., three for $6; the 1988 Syracuse Peace Calendar, which through word and art chronicles events relating to common people's struggles for peace, justice and liberation, and includes an incredible listing of resource groups and publications concerned with the dignity of all life, $8.95 or three for $25; the Great Peace March tapes with great songs from the road, $5 to $8; a large selection of political buttons for $1 ea.; and our news journal, free women's words, free, but $10 helps cover the cost of delivery for alone year, six issue period.
All items are available at the Women's Crisis Center. The 1988 Peace Calendar, is also available from WAND, the Ypsi Food Co-op, and People's Food Co-op on Packard; all proceeds go to WCC.
1988 Peace Calendar SYRACUSE CULTURAL WORKERS
Women's Action for Nuclear Disarmament (WAND), Shirley, 971-0136 or 6634205, and Delores, 971-6988 eves
We have t-shirts in M.-XL, $8 and sweatshirts in children's 10-12, $6, of children in a row with motto: "Children Ask the World of Us," and posters with same motto, $8; Mother's Day t-shirts in children's sizes, $5 and adult S-XL, $6; notecards, $1 ea.; postcards, 500 ea.; holiday cards, $5/10; tote bags with "Children ask the world of us" and "For mothers, fathers, children, people who care," $8 and $6; a selection of books, $1 to $16, and the Great Peace March tape (proceeds to WCC), $8. Call Shirley for T-shirts, all cards, posters and calendars; call Dolores for sweatshirts, tote bags, tapes and books. Phone numbers above. WAND will be at the Alternative Holiday Fair.
Sanctuary Project, Ann Arbor Friends Meeting, 1416 Hill St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 761-7435
1988 Guatemalan Wall Calendar includes twelve beautiful pen and ink drawings of life in an Indian village, plus history and important facts about Central America. It has lots of room to write in your daily activities. All proceeds go to the Sanctuary Project. Order from above address.
Sister City Task Force, Gregory Fox, 663-0655
"Let Nicaragua Live" wall calendar features a photo of Juigalpa and is printed by the Nicaragua Network; Days are in blocks suitable for memo writing, $6; Sister City note cards, 10 for $2; Sister City garbage truck t-shirts. They are 50/50 with designs on front and back, S to L, $8. Proceeds help defray the cost of driving the garbage truck to Juigalpa. Available at the Alternative Christmas Fair.
Political Prisoners of South Africa Bracelet Program, Int'I Possibilities Unlimited, P.O. Box 2542, Ann Arbor, MI 48106
A South African political prisoner bracelet is a gift that has social value. Each brass bracelet bears the name of one of the many political prisoners currently being held in South Africa. As part of an international display of solidarity, wear your bracelet until your prisoner is released. A portion of the proceeds from each bracelet will be donated to the Free South Africa Movement and to the International Defense and Aid Fund. Bracelet prices: 1 to 15, $6.50 ea.; 16 to 25, $6.25 ea.; 26 to 50, $6 ea. Michigan residents add 4% sales tax. Orders must be received at the above address by Dec. 17.
People's Food Co-op, 212 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 994-9174
Local creations include: Pure beeswax candles: holiday candles, $4.50/doz.; tapers, $3.50/pair; herbal sachet/moth repellent bags, $2.25 ea.; reusable gift bags (for alternative gift wrapping), $5 ea.; homemade beeswax ornaments, $2.25/bag; potpourri bags (handmade cotton bags to fill with herbs or one of our pot-pourris), $1.35 ea. We also have Granola Kitchen Goodies 2-12 lbs. of assorted nuts, carob coated fruit, etc. in X-mas tins, $13.50. We have the following local music cassettes: "Homemade Love", by Ken King, a local organic farmer and wonderful folk/pop musician, $7.95. "Songs and Chants of Native American Peoples," a moving and inspiring collection of authentic music by Phillip Rogers, $10. "Rain Lights" and soon to be out, "To Every Heartbeat" by Jesse Richards whose unique creations make her an Ann Arbor favorite, $9.50. We offer the book "Rituals for a New Age - Alternative Weddings, Funerals, Holidays, Etc." by local author Sue Mumm, $8.95. We also carry a selection of catalogues offering alternative products: Co-op America, $1; Syracuse Cultural Workers, free; Jubilee Crafts (crafts from around the world), free; Pueblo to People, free; Animal Town Game Co. (peaceful toys), free; Northland Poster Collective (worker/union posters), free; Oxfam America (books related to food, hunger and development), free.
People's Food Co-op, 740 Packard Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 761-8173
In addition to our usual selection of potpourris, during Dec. we will be offering bayberry, $9.75/lb. and Christmas pine, $8.99/lb; for incense we have frankincense, $12.69/Ib. and myrrh, $12.65/lb.; Handmade lace potpourri bags are $1.35bag. Large taper hand dipped beeswax candles are $3.39/pair and small tapers are $2.25/pair. Apple and holiday (tree and Hanukkah) candles are 450 ea. or $5.25 doz. Tree ornaments are $2.25/pkg. Co-op gift baskets feature samplings of teas, herbs, herbal salves, bath oils and fragrances, soaps and lots of other good things, from $5 to $9. We also have a mug with cover and strainer for tea, $4.89; Paula Plotts Herbal Calendar, filled with beautiful illustrations and informative descriptions of plants and herbs, $7.45 and "The New Laurel's Kitchen Cookbook," the classic introduction to vegetarian nutrition and cookery, is on special for $13.55. This month we offer a 10% discount on all books we regularly carry.
Palestine Solidarity Committee, Mary Kay, 763-0234 or Steve, 697-2791
We have: Kaffeyihs (Palestinian scarves): $12; Palestinian mufflers in the colors of the Palestinian flag: $10; keychains: $3-$5; cassettes of music from the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon: $6; bumper sticker, "Palestine Lives," $1; books; T-shirts and sweatshirts, various logos, $6 and $10; postcards, greeting cards of Palestinian art: $1 each.
New Jewish Agenda, Rebecca, 994-5717
While you're buying for Chanukah, think about the next big Jewish holiday, Passover. A wonderful Haggadah, "The Shalom Seders," is a collection of three Haggadahs that focus on working for peace and justice. $12.95. "Shiron L'Shalom" is a Jewish book of peace songs: $12.95. The perfect Hanukkah gift to a politically active Jewish friend might be a membership to New Jewish Agenda, $28.
Latin American Solidarity Committee (LASC) 4120 Michigan Union, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 665-8438
We have: "Wanted for State Terrorism" t-shirts with Reagan, Bush, Schultz and Ollie North pictured above a list of their terrorist activities, $6.50; "Peace with Justice in Central America" t-shirts feature an attractive graphic design of corn stalks, coffee berries and a bird, $8.50; Guatemalan Bracelets are colorful, woven wristbands produced by Guatemalan refugees living in Mexico: $2.
These items can be purchased at the LASC office from 12 to 2pm weekdays. We suggest you call fïrst to make sure someone is there, or to arrange a time for pick-up. If you would like something mailed, add $1 to the price of each item for postage and handling.
Interfaith Council for Peace and First Baptist Church. The fourth annual Alternative Holiday Fair, Dec 6 (see CAL), 663-1870.
Products from several local organizations will be available along with such gifts as: chickens, cows, pigs, and goats. In the name of a friend, farm animals are sent to third world villages through the Heifer Project International. The animals become a permanent source of meat, milk or eggs for villagers. Children love seeing the animals on display and get a kick out of buying a chicken for 50 cents in the name of a parent or sibling. Also on sale are beautiful handicrafts sold by SERRV, a trading cooperative committed to ensuring that craftspeople in third world countries receive fair prices for their goods.
HAP-NICA/Guild House, 802 Monroe, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 761-7960
100% cotton t-shirts, five-color design with motto "Let Nicaragua Farm", S - XL, 14-16 child's, in green, turquoise, lilac, maroon, white, gold, black, fuschia, and red. Specify size and two color choices. $9.95 ppd. "Seeds of Hope" is an 18 minute slide/tape documentary that portrays the suffering and hope of the Nicaraguan people and how American agricultural scientists are working to promote independent agricultural development in Nicaragua. It is ideal for civic, school, church, or business groups. Rental $20, purchase $85. Call to arrange a speaking program. Send check to above address.
Ecology Center, 417 Detroit St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 761-3186
Greeting cards printed on 100% recycled paper, with or without messages: $5/doz. from the Ecology Center or the People's Food Co-op on Fourth Ave. Gift berships to the Center are available for $25 or more. A note will be sent to any friends or relatives that you desígnate, as will our newsletter, "Ecology Reports."
Ann Arbor Nicaragua Medical Aid Project (NMAP), David Share, 996-5738
NMAP raises funds to purchase medical supplies and equipment. We sell: "Let Nicaragua Live" tshirts, children's sizes to XL in a variety of colors, $7; "Salud y Paz" (Health and Peace) t-shirt, $8; long sleeved shirt, $10; sweatshirt, $15. Variety of colors, children's and adult sizes.; the 1988 Peace Calendar, from Syracuse Cultural Workers (photographs, historic dates, artwork), $8; notecards and postcards with holiday and non-holiday themes, from 50c to $9; hand-woven Guatemalan bracelets, $2; "Stop U.S. War in Nicaragua" and " Your Taxes Pay for Torture, Rape, and Murder in Central America" bumper stickers, $2; wooden, hand-painted pins supporting the Nicaraguan revolution, $3. You can find us at Farmer's Market, Sats. in Dec. Phone orders may be placed before Dec. 17.
AGENDA publications, P.O. Box 3624, Ann Arbor, MI 48106
Know someone who needs to be better informed and entertained? Send 'em a subscription to AGENDA, $15!
For peace in Central America, make a contribution in a friend's name to: the Ben Linder Memorial Fund, P.O. Box, 6443, Portland, OR, 97228