The Weblog

The local foods movement is alive and well in Champaign County! Here are some updates on other projects while we finalize our virtual market:

Local Producers Map:
Our local producers map is ready for publication and you will soon be able to find it on gochampaign.com. Copies will be distributed around the community, in the local telephone book, and other “hangouts”. The guide lists the location and contact information for nearly 50 local producers within our county. The map was a project of the Local Food Council and printed with the help of some local sponsors including the Monument Square District, Champaign Bank, the Community Improvement Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Farm Bureau and others. It is a great start to finding a local source for Champaign County’s finest!



 
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Minute By Minute


But minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on…
(Minute By Minute-Dobie Brothers)

The minutes are ticking away…don’t be left out without your local market goodness to get you through your holiday weekend of fun!!

You have until 10pm to make your choices, place your orders, ease into your weekend…

Peace, Love, Good Vibes…
Cosmic Pam

US Blues


Red and white, blue suede shoes, I’m Uncle Sam, how do you do?
(US Blues-Grateful Dead)

Happy Monday, little local market of love customers!!

As you can see by my pick of songs, today, we are quickly approaching the 4th of July holiday, next Monday!! This is always my song to play for this celebration.

I once read an interview with Bob Weir, and he explained the references in this song to all be of the most respectful. And, if you followed The Grateful Dead, then, or if you are tuned into their music, now, you will note that Uncle Sam is a recurring character in their tales of songs. They have quite a cast of characters that they weave, in and out, of their songs, each song referring back, to another song or lyric, and reworking that character, into the woven words, of the different songs.

Just like the cast of characters (and, I use the term, characters, in a very loving way) of this market. We have the cast of vendors. We have the cast of customers. We have the stage crew who sets the stage, with the staff of the YMCA, and we have the two at the helm, your two market managers. This entire cast of characters all come together to weave your songs of local goodness, of market loyalty, of ever changing products, seasons, and stories.

Without a cast of characters, this little local market of love would have no life. It would be blue. It would be flat. It would never have evolved. We need each and every one of you to be a part of this cast of characters. Our Local Merry Makers. Our own band.

With this, and now the US Blues song implant, think about all that you will need for your July 4th celebrations. Keep in mind, that the market closes, tomorrow night, and your pick up is on Thursday. That means, this is the market you will need to place those orders, before the weekend!

Come on…join our cast of characters, sing our song, join our band…

Thanks for being a part of us!

Cosmic Pam
Leader of the band…

I Got You, Babe


Him: I got flowers in the spring I got you to wear my ring
Her: and when I’m sad, you’re a clown and if I get scared, you’re always around
Her: so let them say your hair’s too long ‘cause I don’t care, with you I can’t go wrong
Him: then put your little hand in mine there ain’t no hill or mountain we can’t climb…
(I Got You, Babe-Sonny and Cher)

Am I hearing a song implant all around the market, right at this moment, with this lyric/song? Go ahead…you can sing it…

I have a best friend who I have had the pleasure of being his best friend, since third grade. A fellow West Ender, a life long, cooler than cool pal, who, even miles away, and years under our belts, is still my most trusted pal.

I think that we have a sixth sense when one of us needs to make the other laugh, or go to bat for the other, or just get over the rough spots.

One of the things that we do, to make the other laugh, is to text song lyrics, when we think the other most needs it. Today, I got this lyric…so, of course, we continued to text until we got the whole song, and as expected, in the end, I was smiling. And feeling connected. And knowing that no matter what, the people who have been with you, from beginning to the end, are your people.

Exactly how I feel, as I manage this market. We all have become like family…customers, vendors, YMCA…a circle of old time pals. We support, we encourage, we laugh, and we help…

Like a life long pal…this market is for you, whenever you need us, the most! Let us take over, make your shopping easier. Your load a bit lighter. Let us put that song in your heart, right when you need it the most…

Go ahead…place your order. Let us do the rest. You are our song lyrics…let us complete your song…

Peace, Love, Stay Groovy…
Cosmic Pam

Peaceful Easy Feeling


‘Cause I get a peaceful easy feelin’
And I know you won’t let me down
‘Cause I’m already standing I’m already standing
Yes I’m already standing on the ground…
(Peaceful, Easy Feeling-The Eagles)

So, my life is crazy. Like, literally, every single minute of every single day, crazy. It’s a good crazy. It’s a self created crazy. It’s the product of running multiple business ventures, a shop, servicing restaurants with my breads, managing two farmers’ markets, serving on boards, and committees, and making time to hang with friends, making time for me, making time, making time, making time…and, as I run here, there, and everywhere, I make time.

I make time because it’s important to me, to fulfill all of my obligations, deadlines, and to touch base with the people around me, that love me.

I am a lucky, lucky girl. I have a huge support team, I have a most awesome girl gang, I have amazing Bread Heads who are my customers, I have an amazing business partner for my newest venture, Hippie and the Farmer, and I have a home base that seems to know when I need to crash. When I get to the point where I want to nap while driving, or when I want to cry in the middle of the say, or when I need the time for a deep conditioning hair appointment.

I can’t be me without my people. My tribe. My circle. I can’t be me without my trusted few.

Tonight, I was reaching crash and burn time. I wanted to sit in my car, and either laugh, cry, or yell. Nothing bad had happened, but I was at my limit of juggling, handling, smiling, listening…I love my life. I love all that I do. I love everyone who needs me, because, in turn, I need them. But there are times, and then there are times.

Something, in the split second of a mixed up evening, gave me a free evening. I walked into my house while the sun was still shining. I did a few mundane tasks that made me feel like I was on top of the world. I put on my oldest, most favorite Dead t-shirt, cutoffs, and sat on my back deck with a glass of wine. Okay. Two glasses.

I lit candles, made a lovely dinner, listened to music, talked to a few friends, and slowly found my way back to me. So strange how a boring evening of nothingness can be so good for your soul.

So, just like this little local market of love sometimes needs, I gave myself a little recharge. A little regroup. A little meet and greet with myself. Because, I feel that when we allow things to recharge, we get a new spark of energy. A new love of ourselves, of what’s around us.

This is how I am opening our lovely market, tonight. With a peaceful, easy feeling…let’s all just take that moment to regroove…go ahead. Take a breath, sing a song, smile your biggest smile…take a nap, go to bed, and sleep in late. Catch up with an old friend. Shut yourself off from everyone. That’s what is so great about how we each recharge. It’s all for us. Just like this market. We make the market what we want, to fit what we need.

Go ahead…place your orders, and create your own peaceful, easy feeling…

Peace, Love, Good Vibes…
Cosmic Pam

Just A Little More Time!


Just a note that I am leaving the market open until 11pm! The site has had maintenance issues, all day, so I want to give everyone a last chance to order!

Thanks for your patience!

Cosmic Pam

Time Of The Season


It’s the time of the season for loving…
(Time Of The Season-The Zombies)

Well, it IS that time of the season for loving…for loving all that is coming to us in this month’s growing/producing!!

We just said goodbye to strawberry season but now we say HELLO to the berries of Champaign Berry Farm!!

You know the season will not last, forever!! Go, order, bask in this time of the season…

Peace, Love, Good Vibes…
Cosmic Pam

Open!


It’s a new week, and we are now open!

Peace, Love, Good Vibes!
Cosmic Pam

Cherry Baby


I’ve been trying for a long, long time…
Just to capture you inside a rhyme…
How to keep you here inside with me…
Till they say that I can be set free…
Oh, don’t you know…
I’m never gonna ever let you go…
Cause you’re so sweet…
I’ve got to have you Cherry…
Mmmmm, Cherry baby…
(Cherry Baby-Starz)

Well, last week we had to say goodbye to Steven of The Berry Patch, and his amazing strawberries…

But, don’t be sad, no need to cry, because tonight, live and in person, in the lobby of the YMCA, at order pick up, we have the return of our favorite little duo…The Herrs of Herr Family Farm!!

And, by the song lyrics, today, you just KNOW I am going to tell you that they will have their fresh sweet cherries!!

They will be selling off of their own table, so bring extra cash with you!! The cherries are so good!! They sold like crazy at Tuesday’s Mechanicsburg Rustic Roadside Farmers’ Market, and now, for a limited, exclusive event, they will make an appearance at our little local market of love…

Even if you didn’t place an order, make sure to stop and get your sweet cherries, baby!

Also…I am off to dance and play, tonight, so your other manager, Mark, will be running the show!!

Much love!!

Peace, Love, Grooviness…
Cosmic Pam

Tuesday Thoughts!


Your market manager has had a crazy busy weekend, and now week. One of those weeks that leaves you wondering if it’s Tuesday or already Friday!

One of those weeks where I need to be here, when I need to be there. I need to finish this, before I finish that. I need to pass GO another fifty times.

Yes…..it’s officially that crazy time of summer.

So, to calm myself, I am pouring wine, putting on some music, lighting candles, making dinner, and leisurely placing my weekly market order!

Doesn’t that sound perfect? A bit of time to and you whole, again.

And, as I am passing on this zen attitude, don’t forget it’s Father’s Day!! Make sure to order farm fresh foods for serving on dad’s special day, or pick gifts of food love from our market!

Everyone….deep breath, exhale, soft music, and mellow thoughts….of this little local market of love.

Give love, feel love, be love….

Peace, Love, Good Vibes…
Cosmic Pam

Get Your Motors Running


Lookin’ for adventure…
(Born To Be Wild-Steppenwolf)

Go ahead, get your own motor started, and take a wild adventure by ordering from our market, this week!

Local goodness for your local adventure!

The market is now open!

Peace, Love, Good Vibes…
Cosmic Pam