Grand Junction Area Branch Calendar

Lunch, Wednesday January 5th, Noon at Pablo's Pizza, 319 Main Street

Radio Show, Thursday January 13th, 12:30 to 1:00. Vegetarian Stew on KAFM 88.1 or www.kafmradio.org -- The second Thursday of every month.

Potluck, Saturday January 15th, gather 5:30, eat 6:00 at the Church of Religious Science, 1622 Glenwood Ave. January is Soup month! Bring your favorite, or experiment! Salad and dessert will be provided.

Lunch, Wednesday February 2nd , Noon, Nepal Restaurant, 257 N. 5th Street.

Radio Show, Thursday February 10th, 12:30 to 1:00. See info above.

Potluck, Saturday February 19th, gather 5:30, eat 6:00 at the Church of Religious Science, 1622 Glenwood Ave. 'Heart Friendly Potluck'. Bring a
dish that's kind to your heart, to animals and to our environment. For
recipe ideas, or other information, call Marian at 970-255-0417.

And this from member Carole Chowen:

The VSC's Grand Junction branch members are amongst the many mourning the loss of a very special business. For 26 years, Sundrop Grocery Natural Food Market provided the Grand Valley with a source of organic, healthy produce, vegetarian food, pet food, supplements and household products. Bob and Joan Weiss created Sundrop, a business that grew with the community and times. Adding a deli a few years ago made a great thing even better. It was the place to see old friends from all over the Western Slope, meet new, garner information from the various bulletin boards, find new recipes in the free magazines and handouts. The staff was always prompt, friendly and helpful. Special orders were a big part of their service. Why would such a special place fail to thrive?

The growth in the region has seen the arrival of a plethora of chains and "big boxes". Too many chose to shop for low prices instead of quality merchandise and service from a business that supported the community. Other small locally owned businesses are feeling the pinch. Monday August 23 proved a wake. Waiting in line for hours, for the start of Sundrop's "going out of business sale" shoppers were there not so much to take advantage of 25% off, but to pay respects. Many were saying..."if I had only known..."

Vegetarian Society members need to commit to the businesses that commit to us. True, there is need for some shopping at the chains, but remember which businesses give the area you live in a unique character, and which keep the dollars circulating in the area the longest.

Submitted by Carole Chowen