The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Santa Monica’s Buy Local present the Wellbeing Buy Local Festival this Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Civic Center Parking lot from 11 am to 4 pm.
This free event brings together local businesses, services, and non-profits for a fun filled day while raising awareness about the economic and community benefits of thinking local first and making healthy choices.
Enjoy food trucks, pop-up shops, 95 exhibitors, lots of give-a-ways, and meet your neighbors.
For more information, visit http://smchamber.com/wellbeing-festival-featuring-buy-local-marketplace.
The Mirror spoke with two exhibitors about the Festival:
Julie Thomas, Executive Director – American Red Cross of Santa Monica Bay
What does Wellbeing mean to you?
Taking the time and energy to make sure that day-to-day life is focused on the most important aspects of living…family, love, health and resiliency.
What do you do to enhance your own Wellbeing?
Personally – I make sure every day that I take a little time just for me…depending on what I need that might mean spending extra time with family, ensuring that my friends and family are also taking care of themselves or doing something selfishly special just for me.
Why is it important for you and Red Cross to be part of the Wellbeing Buy Local Festival?
The Wellbeing Buy Local Festival offers the American Red Cross the opportunity to remind everyone about the need to be more prepared. Although no one likes to thinks about it – disasters happen. And the more we can do now to prepare for that, the more resilient we become. Wellbeing can be shattered by a disaster – home fire, earthquake, mudslide – whatever the case may be, if we take the time now to be prepared – we will bounce back from a disaster much more quickly. And that is the very definition of resiliency. And resiliency is a critical component to being well.
How do you bring a sense of Wellbeing into Red Cross?
I take a walk from the Red Cross office at 11th and Broadway down to the ocean each day and marvel in the beauty that is Santa Monica. We offer lots of classes to the community to get more prepared and to learn lifesaving CPR, First Aid and AED Training.
How do you Buy Local?
My best example is probably farmer’s markets. They are fun with lots of fresh healthy local options.
David Woodbury, Franchisee – Arthur Murray Dance Center Santa Monica
What does Wellbeing mean to you?
Being happy in my personal and business life, having good health and good success in life.
What do you do to enhance your own Wellbeing?
Enjoy the out of doors in Santa Monica and our fresh air. Taking in the beauty of our coastal city.
Why is it important for you and your business to be part of the Wellbeing Buy Local Festival?
To give back to our great city and to let others know that Arthur Murray on 928 Broadway is ready to change lives, one step at a time!
How do you bring a sense of Wellbeing into your own business?
Lots of great dancing, love, and laughter. Taking care of my students and staff always comes first!
How do you Buy Local?
Live, eat, worship, shop, and exercise here in our great city. I love Santa Monica!
