Celebrating the Local

Belated BirthdayWest Roxbury is local to us, although we actually live in Roslindale. Maddie takes classes at the Center for Asian Martial Arts in West Roxbury (it moved from Roslindale at the start of this year). She had her 5th birthday party at the center on Saturday. It went very well, mainly thanks to the instructors who made the party fun for the crowd of kids (mostly girls of 5 or 6).

Another local business that contributed to the success of the party is the Sugar Bakery. They did the usual excellent job with the cake.

Sunday saw my first visit to Seek Books (previously). I liked this recently-opened second-hand science fiction bookstore very much. It packs a lot of inventory into a smallish store, managing to be cozy rather than cramped. I bought an as-new paperback of Sabriel for $4.

Then it was off to Macy’s to pick up some wine. There were a couple of wines out for tasting. I particularly liked the “El Miracle,” a blend of Tempranillo and Shiraz.

We visited a bunch of other local businesses over the weekend, but as far as the specifics go, I’ll leave it at wine, cake, books, and martial arts.

Launch Party for Consumer Awareness Nonprofit

How many of the following interest you? Chocolate. Consumer awareness of companies’ social responsibility. Using the web to spread such awareness. Being in Boston(ish) on June 3. Launch party for a nonprofit. Party at a chocolate factory. With samples of chocolate and other goodies, and raven costumes. Chocolate.

If you that’s you, then you might want to get to the launch party for Buy It Like You Mean It. It’s on Tuesday, June 3, 7PM, at the Taza Chocolate factory in Somerville, MA.

I’m not sure whether I can make it, but I do thank reader Claudia for bringing the organization and the event to my attention.