Voice Gift Guide 2007

Dreaming of a green Christmas
Think global...Shop local!

Page 4
Looking out for our planet in Silver Spring

One of Cake Love's specialties, strawberries and cream cake. Photo: Alison Sosna

CakeLove (935 Ellsworth Drive, 301-565-2253) is doing its part to protect oceans and marine creatures. This year, owner Warren Brown has teamed with Oceana, a group of marine scientists, economists, lawyers and advocates who work on policy changes to reduce pollution and prevent the irreversible collapse of fish populations, marine mammals, and other sea life. www.cakelove.com.
If you adopt a marine creature at www.Oceana.org/adopt, you’ll get ocean-themed cookie cutters, along with CakeLove’s recipe for its new snowflake sugar cookies. Then share the joy—and the message—over the course of the season.

Incidentally, Brown has made his DC shop 100 percent wind-powered.
Since 2003, DC-based Austin Grill (919 Ellsworth Drive, 240-247-8969) has also been 100 percent wind-powered. It’s the first multi-unit restaurant in the United States to be entirely powered by wind.

Nearby, American Apparel, a national clothing retailer based in Los Angeles, is the largest garment manufacturer in the United States. (8701 Colesville Rd, 301-588-5675.)

This season and in months to come, remember that downtown Silver Spring is more than “Downtown Silver Spring,” the handle for its redeveloped core. Enjoy strolling other streets and support old and new local favorites.

You may want to treat the people on your list with shade-grown, organic, free trade coffee beans and gift packs from Mayorga Coffee Factory (8040 Georgia Ave, 301-562-9090). Or simply take a break and warm up with a gingerbread latte.

Mayorga Coffee Roasters’ beans come directly from small shade coffee farms and 75 percent are certified by the Rainforest Alliance. According to its web site, “The company’s focus is to work with small farmers to develop the best coffees possible, to support and promote the practice of sustainable farming, and to provide a healthy standard of living for farm employees.” www.mayorgacoffee.com

Highland Origin Coffee (8200 Fenton St, 301-495-6300) is another source of shade-grown, organic coffees. Spacious and bright, it’s the newest coffeehouse in downtown Silver Spring, a pleasant place to take a break. And don’t forget Kefa Café (963 Bonifant St, 301-589-9337).

Before handing over your cash—or plastic—to Borders Books, consider making your purchases at Silver Spring Books (938 Bonifant St, 301-587-7484). As with antique and vintage clothing purchases, supporting the sale of used books is an environmentally friendly thing to do.

Sasha Mitchell (www.sashasroots.com/simplicity.htm) realizes that some people may be uncomfortable giving used items as gifts. Her advice: “If you’re still a bit uneasy with the concept, write a note on the gift card. ‘We know how you love nature......this gift comes to you at no expense to the environment.’”
Is music on your list? Then head to Roadhouse Oldies (958 Thayer Ave, 301-587-1858), where you can purchase used vinyl.

Besides opting to patronize Zip Car (available at Takoma and Silver Spring Metro stations), you can promote environmentally friendly transportation by giving bicycles to the folks on your list. The Bicycle Place (8313 Grubb Rd, 301-588-6160), just outside of downtown Silver Spring, has been a part of the community for 35 years.

Finally, celebrate the season or relax from a long day of shopping at Jackie’s Restaurant (8081 Georgia Ave, 301-565-9700.) Located in a converted auto parts garage, Jackie’s is a stylish setting featuring a menu of simple yet elegant American dishes. All of its meat items are free range, the produce organic and seasonal. Beef and produce come from ranches and farms in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Local roaster, Mayorga, provides coffee. Owners Jackie Greenbaum and Patrick Higgins also do business with companies that support sustainable catch seafood practices. www.jackiesrestaurant.com

If you’re in the mood for something a bit funkier, unwind with an organic burger, an ale, and live music at the Quarry House Tavern (8401 Georgia Ave, 301-587-8350). Also owned by Greenbaum, The QH bills itself as “Silver Spring’s favorite dive for over 70 years.”www.quarryhousetavern.com

After the celebrations are over, you could have some dry cleaning to do. Kesslers Dry Cleaning, in the Blair Shops, touts its Green Earth Cleaning processes. (8615 16th St, Silver Spring, 301-587-9878.) Carriage House Cleaners in Takoma Park (7308 Carroll Ave., 301-270-6597) is another eco-friendly option.

Next page: Entertain all options before heading for the mall

Pages < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >

Fashionable Fair Trade 1	Eco-friendly producers 2	Safe toys & workers' rights 3	Planet Silver Spring 4
Don't get malled! 5	A women's boutique with a conscience 6	David Eisner and his House of Musical Traditions 7	Think independent business

Go to top of the page