Local and Global

Local Food: October is all about good food traditions from far and near, marking both Fair Trade Month and Co-op Month.  While fair trade standards should mean supporting small farms, farm cooperatives, and family farms, it can be more confusing than ever.  Many fair trade certifications like Fair Trade USA include large plantations, and these programs actually allow only a small portion of a product like chocolate to be sourced from certified growers.  That's why, when we have to turn to farms far from our doors, we look for authentic fair trade products that are entirely fairly traded.  Our authentic Fair Trade certified and sustainable partners include Vermont Coffee Company, who helped form the North American Fair Trade Stakeholder Council to increase transparency and accountability, and Equal Exchange and their Stand With Small Farmers campaign.  Steven's rich and chocolatey mini pot de crème features their authentic fair trade chocolate, so you can feel good about your dessert indulgence!  For the month of October, we'll give you a free cappuccino (regular or decaf), made with espresso from Vermont Coffee Company, when you order dessert with your dinner or Blunch - just tell your server you'd like to support Authentic Fair Trade!

And for Co-op Month, Buffalo Mountain, Plainfield, Adamant and St. Johnsbury working members and staff can use their 10% discount every Monday night in October at Claire's. City Market and Hunger Mountain members can enjoy a 3% discount on Mondays in October when paying with cash.

At the Bar: Remember our Sunday and Monday drink specials. Sunday, October 14th we offer a $2.50 pint of Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter, a $4 glass of Boyden Valley Seyval Blanc or Big Barn Red. The Apple Cider Car, with Smugglers' Notch Vodka, Flag Hill Farm apple brandy and apple cider, is offered for $5.  Monday enjoy a pint of Switchback with Grilled Cheese for $8.50.

Around the Galaxy: Constance Hale brings verbs to life on Tuesday, October 9th at 7PM when she talks about her new book Vex, Hex, Smash and Smooch and discusses everything from linguistic history to quirky uses of language today. Come to Galaxy early to enjoy drinks catered by Claire's - beer, wine, and other beverages will be available beginning at 6:30 (cash only please). Galaxy has just received Archer Mayor's latest, Paradise City. Be sure to have October 23rd on your calendar for his visit to Hardwick.

Music Notes: Blue Fox joins us this Thursday, October 11th at 7:00.  Check out what Pamela Polston of Seven Days calls his "deep-lazy-growly-sexy" vocals and "ultra-strength" guitar playing.

Local Events: Visit Walden Heights Nursery & Orchard on Saturday, October 13th from 11-4 for an Apple Tasting Extravaganza.  Taste test nearly 100 varieties of apples, tour the farm and sample fresh pressed cider!

Dance the night away and support composting and "clean" energy!  Our next dance party, Heat it up, benefits Highfields Center for Composting's Compost Heat Recovery System. On Friday, October 19th from 10pm-2am, heat up the dance floor with DJ Zach for a good cause - Proceeds from the $10 suggested donation at the door will go towards the $40,000 fundraising goal for this project.  Learn how to donate more during the party! Designated drivers who pledge to be alcohol free for the night get free non- alcoholic drinks and $10 gift card.

Reminders: We are open seven days this week.  We will resume our winter hours and close on Wednesdays beginning October 17.

We are open daily after 2:30 for coffee, bar service, and baked goods, and free WiFi, with dinner reservations available from 5-9, Sundays from 5-8. We serve our special Blunch menu Sundays from 11-2. We appreciate it when you use cash or a check - credit card companies charge us a fee that really adds up. Thanks to many of you we have been able to significantly reduce those fees.

Click on the image above to get a closer look!