And the winners are

Buying from locally-owned businesses is a no-brainer for anyone who wants to live in a greener world. Not only do these businesses cut down on sprawl and keep more of a community's money in that community, they also tend to be more environmentally conscious. My guess is these greener business ways reflect the fact that the owners have deep ties to a particular area and don't have the cut-and-run mentality of most big box retailers and corporations from away. Locally owned businesses don't want poison the place where they live.

With all this in mind I was thrilled to be at Portland's first-ever Indie Biz Awards on Thursday night. More than 150 business owners and community members turned out for this rockin' party. Amazing blues man Samuel James warmed up the crowd.

Local restaurants donated wonderful food for the party. This included vegan dolmas from Silly's and falafel from Spartan Grill. Other donors included: Maple's Gelateria (the home of my sorbetto obsessions), Old Port Candy Co., Portland Fruit and Nut Company and Local Sprouts Cooperative Catering (check out this coming Thursday's Switch Magazine for more details on the cool things they're up to).

And here is the list of winners:
Portland Soul: Videoport
Local Legend: North Star Cafe
Forest City Hero: Washboard Eco-Laundry
Rising Tide Award: North Star Cafe
Beacon of My Neighborhood

• West End: Coffee By Design
• East End: Silly’s
• Downtown: SPACE Gallery
• Rosemont and North Deering: Rosemont Market
• Bayside: Portland Time Bank
• Forest Avenue & Woodford’s Corner: Big Sky Bakery

The Resurgam Community Impact Ward: Coffee By Design
Pillar of the Community: Micucci's

New camera and Pom's for dinner

It's so awesome to live in downtown Portland.

Case in point: My camera broke over the weekend. (Obviously not awesome.) But yesterday my husband and I headed a couple blocks up Congress Street to Fotoshops to get a new one. The customer service was amazing.

The guy who helped us select our new point-and-shoot even programmed the time and date stamp and then set up the memory card. He stressed that the camera had a year warranty and that we should come back to the shop should anything go wrong. We were both super impressed.

Since we were in the neighborhood, it only made sense to stop at Pom's Thai Taste & Noodle House for dinner. (Twist my arm, why don't you.)

While I'm not a fan of fake meat, those of you who are will be happy to know Pom's is now offering soy chicken and other meat substitutes.

Decision 2008: Portland, ME's indie heros

Portland is absolutely brimming with creative people and dynamic businesses that want to make positive change in our world. You name it, we've got it. Vegan chefs, green building supply companies, socially responsible marketing firms, eco-guide publishers, recycled products manufacturers and natural health practitioners. Heck, we even have an organic baby clothes boutique.

Of course, we also have tons of private citizens quietly composting their table scraps and biking to the farmers' market. The kind of folks who will only buy local (even if it forces them to live bra-free).

Which tells me Portland Buy Local has a tough job ahead. The independent business alliance plans to give out seven Portland Indie Biz Awards on May 22 at SPACE Gallery. But who's going to get them? That's where you come in. Nominate your favorite local businesses and local people by going to http://indiebizawards.com. Then be sure to turn out May 22 for the hottest party in town.