letterfrompublishers
R
contact us Publishers Kyle & Amy Hass Editors S. Alison Chabonais Scott Gillis Linda Sechrist Design & Production Interactive Media Design Scott Carvey Printer Stafford Media Solutions Natural Awakenings 484 Sunmeadow Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508 Phone: 616-656-9232 Publisher@NaturalWestMichigan.com
www.NaturalWestMichigan.com
Subscriptions are available by sending $30 (12 issues) to the above address. © 2011 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.
Committed to Sustainability Natural Awakenings is locally owned and operated.
ecently I had the pleasure of attending the annual Natural Awakenings publishers’ conference, held this year at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in upstate New York (eOmega.org). It’s a beautiful and magical place where kindred spirits go to refresh, renew and recharge both physically and mentally. Such positive energy exudes from every part of the campus that you can’t help but leave there supercharged. I hope you make it a point to visit sometime. I would have loved to have stayed longer to enjoy all the good things they offer and look forward to my next visit. Less than a week after returning home, Kyle and I were again privileged to attend the amazing Bioneers Conference in Traverse City. We dove into the weekend with our all, learning how to be better stewards of the environment. The best word I can come up with to describe what happens when so many like-minded people join in making good change happen is… inspiring. After partaking of both events I feel that I am ready to take on anything. Occasions like these pump us up for the big game. Sometimes we can get too complacent just trying to keep up and moving from day to day; we all need such cheerleaders in our life—Get up! Get moving! Spur change! This month we take a closer look at Local & Personal Economy. According to Reuters.com, current data shows that Michigan’s “green” economy is growing fast, with thousands of clean energy jobs on the horizon. They are being planned based on a new foundation of manufacturing being laid using the expertise of our state’s battered auto industry. The change raises the prospect that Michigan might one day be a global hub for electric vehicles and advanced battery development, along with bio-fuel technologies, wind power parts and solar panels. Michigan businesses are expected to create more than 150,000 clean energy jobs in the next decade, leveraging $14 billion of projects in the pipeline. Today’s Michigan is all about creating vision and opportunities. Another way to set our state’s economy on a prosperous path is to support local Michigan businesses every time you buy a product or service and eat out. Taking small, consistent neighborly steps together, day by day, we can make big leaps forward starting right here in our own community. Happy Thanksgiving to all,
Amy Hass, Publisher Natural Awakenings is printed on 100% recycled newsprint with soy based ink.
4
West Michigan Edition
NaturalWestMichigan.com