As more predictions for a turbulent stock market emerge, the community capital movement is organizing to create local opportunities for investment that are based in the Real Economy and help build a sustainable and just community. A group of local citizens supported by Sustainable Tompkins is exploring the creation of a Local Investing Opportunity Network (the Cayuga LION) as a means of connecting local entrepreneurs with potential local investors.
The third gathering of the Cayuga LION will be on Tuesday, June 26, from 5:30-7:30 at the Lot 10 Lounge at 106 S. Cayuga St. in Ithaca. Participants will get acquainted with each other, learn more about how a LION works, and hear about additional local investment opportunities. Please rsvp by June 23 to Fred Schoeps at kmtalk@earthlink.net. There is an entry fee of $7 to cover refreshments. Cash bar available.
The featured speaker will be Greg Pitts of Natural Investments providing a brief overview of how to evaluate risk in investments, and the process of the LION. You can learn more about the Cayuga LION at www.cayugaLION.net. The Entrepreneur Spotlight will feature Jackie Richardson of Fruits and Roots Juice, Terry Kelleher of Lucienne’s Chocolates, and Melissa Madden of The Good Life Farm.
Fruits and Roots Juice is all about providing our community with fresh, all-natural, and healthy drinkables. They strive to serve their customers pure, juicy, revitalizing, nutrition that is free of harmful chemical pesticides. Their smoothies are 100% real fruit and have no added sugar, dye or additives. Their juice is guaranteed fresh as they press daily, on-site, and use seasonally harvested organic produce. Fruits and Roots Juice supports responsible and sustainable farming practices by sourcing locally and organically whenever possible, and they strive to be eco-minded by composting all of their veggie pulp and using compostable cups, lids and straws. Fruits and Roots Juice can be found at farmers markets, local festivals, and catered events.
Lucienne’s opened in late 2009, making gourmet biscotti and chocolates. Founded by Lucienne Cruvellier and Terry and Diane Kelleher, Lucienne’s has developed an exclusive line of premium chocolate bars, featuring Rainforest Alliance Certified™ cocoa. Lucienne’s products are available through resellers and through their web site, www.luciennes.com. Their chocolate bars may be found at cafes and gift shops in Ithaca and throughout the Finger Lakes region. Lucienne’s has also developed a unique sugar-free chocolate, using all-natural ingredients and sweetened with stevia. It is suitable for diabetic diets and is available at natural food stores and wellness centers across the country.
Melissa Madden farms with her partner, Garret Miller, at The Good Life Farm. Located in the heart of the vibrant Finger Lakes, their young farm produces perennial fruits, vegetables, and pastured poultry. They benefit from the guidance of local farming mentors, as well as act as mentors for other aspiring farmers through the Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming.
