good. local. food. - The Merc Co-op

TheMerc.Coop
October 2015
what’s inside
CELEBRATE FAIR TRADE
AND CO-OP MONTH
OCTOBER 10
PAGE 2
CHECK OUT OUR
UPCOMING AUTUMNTHEMED CLASSES
PAGE 7
ON THE COVER
Mono Orang, 35, from Maud, picks organic
tea at the Maud Tea Estate, Chabua, District
Tinsukia, Assam, India. May 2, 2013.
Photo by Theodore Kaye. Used with
permission from Fair Trade USA.
VIEW PHOTOS FROM OUR
STORE RENOVATION
AND GRAND REVEAL
PAGE 10
good. local. food.
901 IOWA | LAWRENCE, KANSAS 66044 | 785.843.8544
Open daily 7am-10pm
Merc Fresh Deals
Save You More!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT
Meet, Mingle
& Celebrate
by Denise DeTommaso, Board Member
Fair Trade & Co+op
COMMUNITY FEST
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Enter to Win Fair Trade and Co-op Gifts
Chocolate Sampling and Demonstration from Equal Exchange
Free samples from Fair Trade and Co-op Businesses
Fair Trade and Co-op Flash Sales All Weekend
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS EVENT ON FACEBOOK.COM/THEMERCCOOP
Looking to Stretch Your Grocery Budget?
So are we! That’s why we’re pleased to introduce
our new Co+op Basics program. Co+op Basics offers
everyday low prices on many popular grocery and household
items. From milk to beef to cereal,
you’ll find both new value-priced brands as well as
new low prices on some old favorites.
Be on the look out for the Co+op Basics emblem!
Fresh, Fun, Local!
Tuesdays
4-6pm
Saturdays
8am-Noon
9th & New Hampshire • Rain or Shine
2
MERC NEWS
Each Wednesday you’ll find a
new flyer with great savings on
mouth-watering foods from
our fresh departments.
Pick up a copy and discover delicious
savings throughout the co-op!
WELCOME
NEW OWNERS
Linda English
Cormick Ferrell
Anna Funes
Lori Heckard
Amy Jankowski
Jesse Kealy
Jonathan Mayhew
Michael Mehl
Barbara O’Connor
Andrew Replogle
Por tia Riggins
Valerie Taylor
Liz Weiler
Tim Werner
Barbara Whitacre
This year’s annual meeting will be held Friday, November 13
at 6pm at the Carnegie Building at 9th and Vermont. Each
year, this meeting serves as a chance to meet, mingle and
celebrate our community and collaboration as Owners of
The Merc Co+op.
This year’s theme for the meeting is “Our Co+op Community.”
Co+op owners, farmers, and Change Recipients will share
stories about how The Merc Co+op impacts their lives as
shoppers, local suppliers and local community organizations.
This is also an excellent opportunity for you, as a Co+op owner,
to share your own stories.
The annual meeting is one
of the prime occasions that
truly speak to the principal
of democratic member
control. This is the time
for those invested in the
Co+op – board, staff and
shareholders – to come
together, share information
and gain insight to the
health of the business and
the vision moving forward.
The Merc Co+op
Annual Meeting
Friday, November 13
The Carnegie Building
200 W. 9th Street
Lawrence
6:00-8:00 p.m.
CHANGE RECIPIENT
Tiny-K Early Intervention, Inc.’s mission is to help families
succeed from day one by providing therapy services
like Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy, Feeding
and Nutrition Therapy, and Social Work and Child
Development. Focusing on infants and toddlers, Tiny-K
works to reduce or eliminate the need for additional
services later in life.
The Merc Change funds will be used to purchase
Alternative and Augmentive Communication (AAC)
devices, which give a voice to those who do not have
one due to injury or developmental delay. AAC devices
can be as simple as an iPad or as sophisticated as
the system that Steven Hawking utilizes. Within early
intervention, these devices are used to teach and support
communication skills allowing children to engage with
their families and the world around them.
APPLY FOR CHANGE
You will also have an opportunity to meet The Merc Co+op’s
Board of Directors as we conclude our election and announce
the results for the three open board positions. To view the
agenda, visit www.TheMerc.Coop.
Through August 31, MERC CHANGE
has raised $50,414 for local organizations.
100% of all CHANGE donations go to the monthly recipients.
On behalf of the board and staff, I encourage all owners and
their families to join us for a meal and an informative, fun
evening. We look forward to seeing you! s
To apply to be a 2016 Merc Change Recipient,
contact Nancy O’Conner at 785-843-8544
or e-mail CMEF@TheMerc.Coop.
Mercury-Free
Mercury-Safe
Dentistry
www.
LawrenceDentalSolutions
.com
785-841-4840
OCTOBER 2015
3
COOPERATIVE NEWS
Celebrate
FORTY-ONE YEARS OF GOOD LOCAL FOOD
FAIR TRADE & COOP MONTH
When it comes to buying local, cooperative businesses
like The Merc Co+op stand out. That’s because we
are locally grown by everyday people who have joined
together to fulfill a need. In our case, that need is good
local food. Today, while there are a number of outlets
and corporations that offer similar items, none live the
cooperative principles quite like we do.
Fair Trade and co-ops share many common principles such as
democracy, community development and education, which is why
many Fair Trade businesses operate as cooperatives. For consumers,
Fair Trade and co-op-produced products offer a way to support ethical
and cooperative business models through the power of purchase.
Through membership, democracy, participation,
independence, education, cooperation and community,
The Merc Co+op strives to be the leading source for
local, natural and organic foods and products within
Northeast Kansas.
The Merc Co+op is proud to offer numerous Fair Trade Certified
and cooperatively made goods; and on Saturday, October 10, we will
highlight some of those at our Fair Trade & Co+op Community Fest.
Join us from 10am to 2pm for samples, demonstrations, deals and
giveaways. See the ad on page one for details.
The impact of roya
on the underside of
coffee leaves on a
farm in Guatemala,
as seen by the
yellow/orange
stains.
Not only does October mark the celebration of cooperatives, it also includes our forty-first
birthday celebration and our annual board of directors election. Your vote-your voice-remains
one of the most important aspects of being part of a cooperative. Merc owners may vote through
October 31 online and in-store.
FAIR TRADE NEWS
Growing coffee on far-flung mountain slopes in ways that respect the earth
and build rural communities is quite an accomplishment; one with routine,
significant challenges to overcome. Now there is a new threat hitting many
these communities.
C
offee Leaf Rust, or roya in
Spanish, is a fungus that
starts with visible spots
on the coffee tree’s leaves. As it
progresses, Rust renders the leaves
unable to photosynthesize, essentially
choking the plant. The fungus has
spread across continents quickly and
severely. Some farmer co-ops have
seen production levels drop 80% in a
span of three years.
This plague is caused by a
variety of factors. One of the most
likely and significant is climate
change, specifically an increase in
temperature in higher altitudes where
this fungus previously could not have
thrived.
This is an example of how
unsustainable use of resources in
industrialized countries contributes
to climate changes that leave some of
the most vulnerable communities to
bear the biggest burden.
For some farmers, the solution
to Rust is chemical. But the most
effective fungicides are not organic
and are unrealistic solutions for our
farmer partners committed to smallscale, organic production. Through
their own field tests, farmers report
that the best results come from
bolstering soil health and replacing
diseased trees. Equal Exchange has
responded in two ways. The first
is to continue doing what they do:
From attending our annual meeting on November 13, to serving on the co-op’s board of
directors, to shopping regularly and participating in our classes, people who belong to
cooperatives can have a real stake in their economic destiny. The more that Merc owners use
the co+op, the more they control our bottom line and our ability to give back to the community
and strengthen our local economy. For more information on how you can become more active
with The Merc Co+op, visit us online at themerc.coop. s
focusing not just on a product, but
on the people and infrastructure
that grow the product. We provide
pre-harvest financing, support
replanting projects and facilitate
info-sharing between farmers. We
have also dedicated $150,000 this
year to directly fund Coffee Leaf Rust
projects that farmers are managing
in Mexico, El Salvador, Peru, and
Guatemala.
Equal Exchange products will be
on sale in October and we hope to
draw attention both to the serious
challenge of Coffee Leaf Rust, and
to the perseverance and leadership
of small farmers in finding better
solutions. With your help and your
purchases, together we continue to
fuel an alternative trade model that
does more than just trade. s
By Lynsey Miller,
Sales Director at Equal Exchange
EqualExchange.coop
Co+op Values
& Principles
Co-ops are based on values
not unlike those we subscribe
to individually, including selfresponsibility, democracy,
equality, honesty and social
responsibility.
In addition to these common
values, seven basic principles
serve as guidelines to provide
a democratic structure for
cooperatives around the
world. While adoption of these
principles is not required, most
co-ops, like The Merc Co+op,
choose to adopt them for their
business.
The seven principles are:
›› Voluntary and open
membership
›› Democratic member
control
›› Member economic
participation
›› Autonomy and
independence
›› Education, training and
information
›› Cooperation among
cooperatives
›› Concern for community
Check out the north
wall inside the co+op to
see how we have turned
these principles into daily
reminder with a local flair.
massage & body work
acupuncture
holistic nutrition
4
MERC NEWS
OCTOBER 2015
5
by Nancy O’Connor, Director of Education and Outreach
I’m not sure anyone can pinpoint
the exact date when The Merc came into
being. We’re giving ourselves a general
birthday month, October, which means
we have 31 days to celebrate 41 years
of serving our community. And there
certainly is a lot to celebrate.
If you’ve shopped at the store
recently you’ve seen we’ve reclaimed
our co-op identity in a loud and clear
way. With bold colors and the word
Co-op now part of our name, The Merc
Co+op, we’re proudly saying that in
addition to being a great grocery store,
we are committed to a different kind of
economic structure. We are guided by
international coop principles that insure
we conduct our business in a way that
is fair, democratic, and good for the
community we live in.
One way The Merc Co+op expresses
our “co-op-ness” is through the deep
commitment we’ve made to Education
and Outreach. For the last 24 of our 41
years we’ve had a dedicated department
that does everything from health fairs,
community outreach, onsite classes,
school gardens, and donations, to
spearheading special projects like
our annual Giving Tree, Naturally
Nutritious, and Change Program.
As you walk around our store you’ll
see some of the faces of our work. Take
a look at the beautiful display of photos
in our café featuring the Growing Food
Growing Health Student Gardeners. This
school garden project, now in its sixth
Students sampling beets from the garden at West
Middle School.
year is a partnership between The Merc
Co+op, sister organization Community
Mercantile Education Foundation, and
Mainstreet Credit Union. We’re working
with West Middle School to change
the way youth relate to their food,
and we’re making some headway. We
now have a presence in many classes,
bringing hundreds of students out to
the garden for lessons and a tour. We’re
in the cafeteria almost every Friday
at lunchtime sampling produce from
the school gardens. And while we are
very realistic about what kids will like,
we’re also pushing their food comfort
zones, with a taste of Gorgeous Beet
and Apple Salad (which 220 students
willing accepted a sample of); Apple
Raspberry Crisp made with local
honey, West raspberries, and all whole
grains (320 students sampled); to more
familiar fresh salsa with tortilla chips
(340 students tasted). We don’t think
we’ll be changing eating habits over
night but we’re in it for the long haul.
Six years in we’re seeing changes in the
way students respond to new foods and
their engagement in the garden, and we
feel encouraged. Truly it’s something to
celebrate!
Just a few blocks away we’re helping
rebuild the Hillcrest Elementary School
Garden following the completion of
major school renovations. This garden
is just in the beginning stages of
development with individual raised beds
that will be maintained by classrooms.
Already this fall we have a few crops
in the ground and a lot of little minds
opened up to thinking about where food
comes from.
It is partially this work, and the
long relationship we have with our local
schools that led to The Merc Co+op
being honored with the Master LEAP
(Lawrence Education Achievement
Partners) recognition at the recent
Schools Foundation Breakfast. We take
the co-op principles of education and
concern for community very seriously,
and what better place to do this work
than in our schools.
So we celebrate our birthday
month of October by giving back to our
community, and celebrating what makes
us more than a grocery store. We are
your local co-op, committed to inspiring
and creating better health for all of us
with good, local, food everyday. s
Monthly Food Allergy MEET UP
OCTOBER
Oct: Dairy-Free Milks
Monday • Oct 12 • 10–11am
Monday • Oct 19 • 7–8pm
Chef Paige Cooks Up Sweet &
Savory Apple Dishes
Tuesday • October 6 • 7–9pm
Taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
What better way to celebrate fall than to enjoy apples cooked up by Chef
Paige. Discover inspiration and new ways to enjoy the bountiful harvest in
this back-by-popular-demand class from last fall. You’ll enjoy Salmon with
Sautéed Apples and Cider Cream with Hazelnuts; Wild Rice Salad with
Chicken and Apples; Salad of Bitter Greens with Apples, Walnuts & Gruyere;
Old Fashioned Grilled Cheese with Apple and Prosciutto (familiar food
with a new personality); and lastly, ending a perfect evening, Apple Fritters
(Beignets). Fall magic!
$20 per person
Nov: GF / DF Energy Bars
Monday • Nov 9 • 10–11am
Monday • Nov 16 • 7–8pm
Led by Certified Holistic Nutrition Coach Karen Duggan
Karen Duggan leads one-hour sessions offering information,
support, and product sampling for people dealing with food allergies.
Karen lives gluten and dairy free so she understands the challenges
this community faces on a daily basis. She looks forward to being
your personal guide toward healthier eating for food allergies. Bring
your questions and connect with others. The MEET UP is offered in
the Merc Classroom twice a month.
Free to all. No registration required.
Using Essential Oils In Daily Life
CLASS
Celebrating Our Birthday with the
Gift of Education to Our Community
MERC CLASSES
Thursday • October 8 • 6–7pm
Taught by Karen Duggan
MINI
October is a great time for eating powerful, great tasting, and beautiful
leafy green vegetables. Join Karen Duggan, Holistic Nutrition Coach as she
demonstrates her love of fresh, crisp locally grown greens in three delicious
simple recipes. Come join this mini class to discover the health benefits, and
enjoy a taste, of glorious greens. To further inspire you we’ll send you on
your way with a bunch of fresh greens to cook at home.
$5 per person
Monday • October 12 • 6–7pm
Taught by Rachad Atat
MINI
Essential oils have attracted huge interest around the world due to their
amazing and powerful benefits, many of which are grounded in science.
After you attend this short course, you will learn how to easily and
naturally apply essential oils in your daily life. You will learn through live
demonstration about some of the application methods such as inhalations,
compresses, sprays and nose drops. Finally, you will expand your
knowledge by learning how to formulate an essential oil blend for medicinal
purposes using these application methods.
$5 per person
Make Your Own Apple Pie
Simple Plant-Based Recipes
Fall Greens 101
CLASS
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Saturday • October 10 • 2–4:30pm
Taught by Mari Ruck
Anyone can make a pie–you just need to know a few tricks. And Mari Ruck
is here to show you how. Bring an 8-inch pie pan and an adventuresome
spirit and you’ll go home with a perfect homemade apple pie to bake at
home for dessert that night, or to freeze to be enjoyed later. Mari’s got a
no–fail crust recipe and a fun personality that will make this a great way to
spend a fall afternoon. Snacks and hot beverages provided to keep you
going while you work.
$28 per person
Tuesday • October 13 • 7–9pm
Taught by JoAnn Farb
Maybe you were inspired by the movie “Forks Over Knives” or perhaps
you just think eating more plant based foods is a good, healthy choice, but
would like some basic recipes to get you going. Using simple ingredients,
we’ll make Hearty Black Bean Burgers with BBQ Sauce; decadent tasting
Breakfast Shakes; Baked Potatoes with Creamy Sour Topping; and Sweet
Green Bean and Cucumber Salad. All recipes are dairy free, gluten free,
and made without added sugar and oil.
$18 per person
more Merc Classes on the next page
+
Bakery & Cafe
Tom Harper
CRS, ABR, GRI,
e-PRO, REALTOR
904 Vermont Street
Downtown Lawrence
785-218-6351
Appreciating
Older Homes
site
visit my web m
er.co
Tom-Harp
6
MERC NEWS
Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market
Thursdays • 4:00–6:30pm
1832 Massachusetts • Lawrence
785-841-5553
www.wheatfieldsbakery.com
OCTOBER 2015
7
d to 14
Limite es 5-8
g
kids, a
Tuesday • October 20 • 5–6:30pm
Taught by Lily Siebert
Your costumes are made, jack-o-laterns carved, and spider webs hung, but
what about the treats? In this hands-on class, Lawrence’s mini ghosts and
goblins will make Yogurt-Covered Ghosts and Strawberry Ghouls; Carrot
Witch Fingers; Chocolate-Pretzel Monster Fingers; and Bloody Grape Floats.
All students will be sure to get in the spooky spirit with these delicious
treats, no tricks! This is a hands-on class for children ages 5-8, costumes
encouraged (no parent supervision necessary).
$20 per child
Slimming & Delicious Flavors
of Autumn
Wednesday • October 28 • 7–9pm
Taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
Enjoy the beautiful vegetables of fall in this sweet and savory class. Paige
will transform sweet potatoes into Sweet Potato Biscuits and a melt-in-your
mouth Sweet Potato, Apple, and Dried Fruit Gratin. Learn how to use hardy
butternut squash in a fabulous White Bean, Butternut Squash & Tuscan Kale
Soup; and a satisfying Warm Winter Squash Salad with Bacon, Manchego
& Pecans. And for dessert—how about Pumpkin Cake with Browned Butter
and Pecan Streusel?
$20 per person
Kids Help with Thanksgiving
Bone Health–It’s More than
Just Calcium
German Feast
Hearty Casseroles from Around the World
MINI
Monday • October 26 • 6–7pm
Taught by Angie Schoenherr, MNT
Despite what many of us have been told, there is much more to bone
health than getting enough calcium. Did you know there are more than five
nutrients and minerals essential in keeping your bones strong? In this class,
Angie Schoenherr will explore what causes damage to our bones, what
nutrients and herbs help strengthen bones, along with lifestyle and exercise
recommendations.
$5 per person
Fun & Spooky Halloween Desserts
Wednesday • October 21 • 7–9pm
Taught by Rachel Ciordas
Join Rachel for a class that proves food can be delicious, seasonal, and also
kind to the waistline. Rachel will be cooking up an Autumn Salad with Pears,
Pomegranate, and Champagne Vinaigrette; Creamy Curried Butternut
Squash Soup; and Moroccan Spiced Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew
with Couscous, finishing the evening with Apple Cranberry Tart Tatin. You’ll
enjoy Rachel’s enthusiasm for preparing recipes that are both satisfying and
thoughtful.
$18 per person
Tuesday • October 27 • 7–9pm
Taught by Chef Nancy Stark
Even grown-ups can enjoy Halloween when Chef Nancy is around! We’ll
start our spooky evening with a light supper of Roasted Butternut Squash
Soup and homemade Harvest Focaccia. Then the fun begins. We’ll learn
some basic pastry chef skills to make “Day of the Dead” Sugar Cookie
Skulls; Witch Finger Cookies; Caramel Apple Cupcakes with “Mummy”
decorations; and Chocolate Tiramisu Cups with edible garnishes of Dirt,
Gravestones and Black Bats! This is an evening of treats, no tricks, for
adults.
$20 per person
Visit our website, www.TheMerc.Coop, for class descriptions
and to register online. Sorry, we cannot accommodate walk–ins.
Everyone must register in advance.
Material presented in Merc classes reflects the views and
opinions of the presenter and is not an endorsement of products
sold or philosophies held by the Merc.
Monday • November 9 • 5–6:30pm
Taught by Lily Siebert
$20 per child
kids,
d to 14 1
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it
im
L
-1
Ages 7
Tuesday • November 10 • 7–9pm
Taught by Chef Nancy Stark
$30 per person
Wednesday • November 11 • 7–9pm
Taught by Raven Naramore
$18 per person
NOVEMBER
Tuesday • November 17• 7–9pm
Taught by Rachel Ciordas
$18 per person
Allergy Friendly Side Dishes
for Thanksgiving
Thursday • November 12 • 6–7pm
Taught by Karen Duggan
$5 per person
MINI
Sweet & Savory Crepes for the Holidays
A Thanksgiving Menu
with Wine Pairings
Tuesday • November 3 • 7–9pm
Taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift & Chef Nancy Stark
$30 per person
Wednesday • November 18• 7–9pm
Taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
$30 per person
A Vegan Taste of The Merc
Wednesday • November 4 • 7–9pm
Taught by JoAnn Farb
$18 per person
More Allergy Friendly
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Delectable Autumn Desserts
Thursday • November 19 • 6–7pm
Taught by Karen Duggan
$5 per person
Thursday • November 5 • 7–9pm
Taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
$20 per person
Muffin Mania in Time for the Holidays
Saturday • November 7 • 2–4pm
Taught by Mari Ruck
$18 per person
DS ON
Fall Flavors of France with
Boulevard Beer Pairings
Thursday • October 29 • 7–9pm
Taught by Raven Naramore
Travel with Raven to Germany where we’ll sup on a selection of German
favorites. Start off with Potato Beet Soup; then Sautéed German Sausages
with Bacon and Apple Sauerkraut. To honor Kansas German heritage you’ll
sample Bierocks (beef and cabbage stuffed bread) with a side of Boiled
Potatoes topped with Green Herb Sauce. Raven will finish off the class with
a surprise German dessert. Have a good German beverage before you
come and get ready for fun!
$18 per person
Thanksgiving Favorites
AN
CLASS
N DS O
HA
N
Healthy Halloween with Kids
MINI
Thursday • October 22 • 6–7pm
Taught by Karen Duggan
If you attended Karen’s first arthritis class, you learned there is a lot of
material to cover. In this class she will focus specifically on exploring herbs
and supplements that can help with reducing arthritis pain without the side
effects of some more commonly used drugs. Karen will share tips and tools
she learned in her own journey with the pain of arthritis. After class Karen
will guide participants through the Merc’s Wellness Department highlighting
products discussed.
$5 per person
CLASS
Wednesday • October 14 • 7–9pm
Taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
You won’t see the Eiffel Tower when you look out the front window of The
Merc, but Paige’s food is sure to transport you to Paris for the evening. Join
us for a lovely Paris Bistro class beginning with Smoked Salmon Rillettes
and Salade Dauphinoise (Curly endive with Gruyere, Bacon and Creamy
Vinaigrette). Then enjoy Daube a la Provencale (Provencal Braised Beef)
served with Classic Rice Pilaf. We’ll end our evening with a wonderful
French Apple Tart. A great French getaway with no jet lag!
$20 per person
MERC CLASSES
Wonderful Ways with Winter
Squash & Sweet Potatoes
H
Paris Bistro
CLASS
Herbs & Supplements to Ease
Arthritis Pain
CLASS
MERC CLASSES
MINI
Recipes From Five Award Winning
American Restaurants
Monday • November 30 • 7–9pm
Taught by Raven Naramore
$18 per person
AROMATHERAPY WORKSHOPS
Essential Oil Blending Classes
Make & Take Home Your Own Homemade Products!
Cold & Flu: Essential Oils for the Upcoming Season
Saturday, October 24, 10am–1pm
Happy Cleaning Products: EO’s for the Healthy Home
Saturday, November 14, 10am–1pm
Bath & Body: EO’s to Pamper Yourself!
Saturday, November 21, 10am–1pm
More classes coming in December
$80 includes 3 hour class + supplies + blends to take home
+ snacks. For information, call Jennifer at Soap Excited!,
785-­691-­5780, or email soapexcited@gmail.com.
Classes are located in McLouth, approximately 15 minutes
north of Lawrence
8
MERC NEWS
Julie Gorenc CNM Kara Winkler CNM
offering midwifery care and VBAC
MIDWIFE PARTNERS
Currently located at 435 & State Line
St. Joseph Medical Center
www.MidwifePartners.net 913-544-2560
OCTOBER 2015
9
Thanks for Joining Us for Our Grand Reveal!
C LA S S IFIED ADS
Classified ads are free to Merc Owners. Non-owners
pay 25¢ per word, which must be paid when
placing ad. Deadline is the 10th of the month prior
for the following month’s Merc News. Deliver typed
or legibly written ad to David at The Merc, 901 Iowa,
Lawrence, Kansas 66044, or e-mail: News@TheMerc.
Coop (please put “classified ad” in subject line). No
classifieds by phone. Limit of 40 words. We reserve
the right to refuse or edit ads. Due to demand and
space constraints, classified ads must be submitted
every month – ads will not be continuously run
month to month. All ads on a first-come, first-served,
space available basis.
EMP LOYEE OF T H E MONT H
Rachel Richmond • Education & Outreach
If we gave an award out to the person who gets the most
phone calls it might just be Rachel Richmond. Rachel just
celebrated her one-year anniversary at the Merc Co+op,
and she’s covered a lot of ground in that short time. She
has learned our many systems, talked with hundreds
of class participants, processed several thousand class
registrations, helped at health fairs, weeded and watered
gardens, worked days, nights and weekends as we needed
her, and done it all with joy and grace. She is dependable,
punctual, flexible, and most importantly comes and goes each day with a genuine
smile on her face and an openness to tackle whatever is put in front of her.
Thank you Rachel! s
O C TO B E R
E M PLOYE E
AN N I V E R S AR I E S
Bianca Storlazzi · Center Store · 19 years
Evan Herd · Center Store · 7 years
Jamie Sowinski · Front End · 6 years
JP Hinds · Front End · 5 years
Maynard Honanie · Deli · 4 years
Patrick Callen · Center Store · 3 years
Kyle Anderson · Produce · 2 years
Matt Weiss · Meat & Seafood · 1 year
Brook White · Bakery · 1 year
San Marco + French
Tree Service
Certified Local Arborists
Family Owned & Operated
Since 1992
We Use Environmentally
Safe Cleaners
785-841-2268
www.SueBeesCleaning.com
10
MERC NEWS
Pruning, Removal, Stump Grinding,
Lot Clearing & Saw Mill Services
Ed French
John San Marco
785-979-0356
jsanmarco@hotmail.com
The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade
committee seeks volunteers to help with the
annual parade and corresponding fundraisers.
We need both general volunteers and ladies (of
any age) to vie for queen of the parade. info@
lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com
Lawrence’s 2nd Annual Vegan Halloween
Festival - 10/31/2015. 12-2pm. Location TBA.
Vegan cake walk fundraiser for local charity, vegan
trick-or-treating, crafts, games and more. Facebook
page: 2nd Annual Vegan Halloween Festival or
moriah@snow-wolf.net for more.
Life Transitions Organizing. Specializing in
assisting seniors in downsizing for transition
to new living arrangements or aging in place.
Also available for others who need assistance in
downsizing or organizing their home. Call Melissa
at 785-865-3722 or 785-766-9078.
Let us help you clean. Eco-Friendly Cleaning
is a bonded and insured business that provides
non-toxic products which are safe for people,
pets and our planet. Residential, commercial
or one time cleans. Call 785-840-5467 or
ecofriendlycleaning01@yahoo.com.
Free. Fisher & Paykel Dryer. Works fine. Pick up
and haul off. 785-865-4628.
Tuft’s Tree Service. Chris Johnson, 785-2181531, Tuftstreeservice@gmail.com. KAA Certified
Arborist. BS in Biodiversity & Ecology. Licensed
and insured.
For sale. Milk kefir grains. Make your own
probiotic milk kefir, so easy. 2 tablespoons for $6.
Makes 1 quart, comes with instructions.
785-979-5306.
Hot Rize will perform at Liberty Hall on October
15 at 8pm along with the their fun-loving
sidekicks: Red Knuckles and The Trailblazers.
Reserved seats available at Liberty Hall. Please
phone 785-749-1972 for more information.
I’ve Got Your Back–Massage and Bodywork.
I offer relaxation massages, CranioSacral Therapy,
therapeutic massages, Reiki, AromaTouch
Technique, stretching, and reflexology. Day and
evening appointments are available Monday
through Saturday. Call Sheila at 785-218-3963 to
schedule your appointment.
41st Topeka Spirit Mind Body Fair at the Ag
Hall, Kansas Expo., 17th & Topeka Blvd. Readers,
vendors, energy workers, body workers, food &
aura artists. Nov 7, 10am–7pm & Nov 8, 11am–
5pm. $6Donation. www.infinitesourcechurch.org
Learn Soaring Crane Qigong, a form of moving
meditation rooted in Chinese Medicine. 6-week
class held Sunday mornings, 10 am – noon. Oct. 4
thru Nov. 8 at Cranes Way Qigong Studio. Contact
A.K. Bailey for description and tuition. akbailey@
sunflower.com
Music Lessons for youth and adults. Jim
Krause teaches guitar (acoustic and electric),
banjo (“frailing” or claw hammer style), and
fiddle through the Americana Music Academy.
Beginners and intermediate students welcome.
jkrause@sunflower.com, 785-691-6223, facebook.
com/jim.krause.98.
Flute Lessons/Performance: Over 19 years
teaching experience and over 29 years playing. Any
age or skill level welcome. Gwyneth at feralflute@
gmail.com or 913-796-6770. Facebook.com/
FeralFlute.
Nurturing Childbirth Education. 6 week course
Sundays Starts October 18 ($120-scholarships
available). Please email cihloff@yahoo.com for
registration or questions.
Multipure® water filtration systems are now NSF
Certified Standard 401(in addition to Standard
42 and 53) to remove OTC/prescription drugs
and contaminants like BPA, DEET, estrone and
ibuprofen. Lifetime warranty. Rated “Best Buy”.
www.multipureusa.com/pratt.
Easy, relaxing, simple, peaceful meditation
practice based in praise, gratitude & love. No rigid
postures; no breathwork; just an easy effortless way
to expand consciousness that naturally dissolves
stress. www.ishayasworldwide.com or call
Nandisvara, 573-261-9957.
Earthtones Landscape & Lawn. 13+ years
experience. Leaf removal, landscape bedding &
property clean up, monthly maintenance and
winterizing. Install perennials, trees, shrubs,
pathways, retaining walls, haul mulch, rock, dirt.
Delivery available in bulk. Free estimates.
785-856-5566 or earthtones618@gmail.com.
Desire a VBAC? Consider home birth.
Experienced lay midwife for over 25 years.
Fran Beier, 749-7598.
Accounting/bookkeeping/tax preparation.
Both small business & personal income tax
(1040/1040 Schedule C, 1065, 1120S, 1120, and
state). Also sales, payroll, franchise taxes. On-site
days, evenings, weekends. QuickBooks training /
troubleshooting (advanced certified). Call Brian,
785-865-5885, Email BrotsmanDreger@gmail.com.
Considering homeschooling? I can help
Decorative edible garlic braids for sale. $10 for a
braid of nine. 785-979-5306.
For rent. Cabin ($750), two bedroom house
($850), and barn ($150) for rent on acreage north
of Lawrence. Beautiful, private. Many possibilities.
Combo price depending on use ($1500-1750).
Text or call and leave message, 785-393-4089.
Homestar Cleaning for a sparkling clean house.
Non-toxic cleaning agents, reasonable rates.
785-760-3391.
Prairie Star Wellness: Need help with finding
relaxation, decreasing anxiety and inflammation?
Laura offers Healing Touch, Reiki, and essential
oils that can assist you in enjoying increased
wellness. Private sessions and class schedules:
prairiestarwellness.massageplanet.com.
913-530-1406.
For sale. Plastic critter cages (with lids): 60+ large
cages (~14.5x8.5x8.5 high inches) - $2.00/cage and
30+ small cages (~8.5x5.5x5.5 high inches) - 75¢/
cage. Proceeds will support the next generation of
student projects. Text Doug at 785-691-9161.
Antique Family/Office Desk. 50+ years old,
wooden executive desk. Good shape, file drawer,
glass top, $300 you move, 785-840-9255.
Handyman: Get ready for fall. For all your home
repairs, painting, tile, trim, decks and all small
projects. Reliable, insured. Free estimates. Patrick
Shea, Shea Handyman Services. pn2shea@gmail.
com, sheahandymanvpweb.com or 785-691-8511.
For sale. 15 Avon stein collection. All mint, still
in boxes. May still have cologne included. $75 for
entire collection. Call 785-749-3061, leave message.
Animal loving housemate wanted. Female
non-smoker to watch my dogs (2), cats (3), house
while overseas mid-October–February. Modest
rent for petsitting. East Lawrence. Contact Debbie
naturesphoto@hotmail.com, 785-865-3727.
Classes and gift shop. Home herbalism,
creativity/art, red tent, soap making, smudge/
incense making, writing & more: www.
GoodEarthGatherings.com.
Down to Earth Natural Cleaning. Detailed,
professional home cleaning with a commitment
to heath for the family and the planet. For details,
please call 785-218-0255.
The Lavender House, 1600 N.H., is an interspiritual gathering place for renewal, celebration,
harmony. www.lavenderhouse.org. Open house
Oct. 17, 11am–5 pm. Practitioners interested
in renting space call 785-550-0473 or e-mail
lavenderhouse1600@gmail.com.
Tea & Tarot. A fun monthly gathering for
those interested in Tarot – novices, experienced
Tarot readers, and everyone in between. Email
LawrenceTarot@gmail.com
For sale. Achla spinning composter $60. Waring
Pro Professional Quality Juice Extractor $40.
Waring Pro Juice Extractor $25. American Harvest
Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator $20. Hamilton
Beach Dual Speed Food Processor $10, Sunbeam
Oskar 3000 Food Processor, $10. Call Jackie, 785207-2701.
Need meals delivered? Do you or someone you
love need evening and weekend meals? Familyowned Magic Meals delivers home-cooked meals.
Serving Lawrence / Topeka. As low as $5 / meal.
www.MealsLikeMagic.com. 785-554-4524.
Slay clutter. Organize your kitchen, bathroom,
books, files and paperwork. Free Feng Shui
consultation with first appointment. Call The
Clutter Ninja. 785-760-3391.
Kansas Land Trust wishes to clarify their recent
Merc newsletter article. All hikers in the Buck
Creek Wildlife Area in Jefferson County must have
a permit from the Ks Dept of Wildlife, Parks, and
Tourism. Since hunting is allowed, hiking is only
permitted during non-hunting seasons. To get a
permit to ensure your safety when hiking, register
at kdwpt.isportsman.net or call 785-887-6882.
Merc News is published monthly by:
The Merc Co+op
901 Iowa · Lawrence · Kansas 66044
Phone: 785.843.8544 Fax: 785.843.7572
Online at www.TheMerc.Coop
Advertisements in The Merc News are paid for by
the advertiser and do not imply endorsement of
any product or service by The Merc Co-op board,
management or staff. Advertising space in The
Merc News is limited. Both display advertising
and classified advertising are on a first come,
first served, space available basis. Classified
ads are due in written or electronic form by the 10th
of the month prior for the next newsletter. Please
contact David Smith if you are interested in display
advertising.
© 2015 The Community Mercantile, Inc.
OCTOBER 2015
11
PRE-SORTED STANDARD
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #38
Lawrence, KS 66044
R OU R C
O
901 IOWA • LAWRENCE • KANSAS 66044
M
MU
NIT Y
FO
CHANGE
Owners of The Merc Co+op have the right
to vote for Board of Directors – seven
owners who are elected by the general
ownership and serve three-year terms.
Owners may vote online or in-store at the
Customer Service Desk.
Results will be announced at the Annual
Co-op Meeting on Friday, November 13,
2015 at the Carnegie Building.Vote today!
Apply Now for
the 2016 Change
Program
We are now accepting applications from non-profit
organizations that share our commitment to the health,
well-being, sustainability, and education of our community.
The application process will be open until October 31.
In November, a committee of Merc employees will review
the applications and choose recipients for 2016 and all
applicants will be notified by the end of November.
To receive guidelines and an application for the Change
Program e-mail Nancy at CMEF@TheMerc.Coop.
You will receive a set of documents along with information
about how to apply. Together, we’re creating positive
change in our community.