Connectors_Paper.JPG
 
 

If you don't vote, you can't complain.

The same can be said for shopping. If you lament the loss of local business, worry about the environmental cost of production, or other commerce-related impacts and trends, I invite you to look at your spending habits. Do they support your values?

Periodically, I'll link articles or new tools that help me consume more consciously. I hope you'll find them as thoughtful as I do. 


The Washington Post- October 3, 2022

AI can now create any image in seconds, bringing wonder and danger

Vogue - August 22, 2022

Glitches, Glamour, and Graphics Cards: Notes From Decentraland’s First Metaverse Fashion Week

The Washington Post - August 19, 2022

Amazon’s health ambitions sometimes clashed with medical best practices, nurses say

Los Angeles Times - August 16, 2022

What to do, see and eat in California's nine best college towns

The Washington Post - November 7, 2021

In the supply chain battle of 2021, small businesses are losing out to Walmart and Amazon

CalMatters - July 29, 2021

‘Is something around the corner?’ Small businesses reopen to find new challenges

The Spokesman-Review - June 29, 2021

Fired by bot at Amazon: ‘It’s you against the machine’

The Washington Post - June 1, 2021

Amazon warehouse workers suffer serious injuries at higher rates than other firms

The Inclusivity Project - February 17, 2021

The Inclusivity Project

CBC Canada - December 26, 2020

Hidden cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up

The Washington Post - December 16, 2020

America’s biggest companies are flourishing during the pandemic and putting thousands of people out of work.

Independent We Stand - December 1, 2020

Small businesses that took PPP aid may face a tax problem

Gavin Newsom - December 1, 2020

Governor Newsom Announces Immediate Assistance for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

Independent We Stand - November 28, 2020

What Happens When You Shop Local

The New York Times - September 2, 2020

‘That Kept Us Going’: Small Businesses Stay Alive With Local Help

COVID19.CA.GOV - August 28, 2020

Your actions save lives.

Politico - August 28, 2020

California rent relief deal would halt evictions without erasing debt

By Jeremy B. White

08/28/2020 04:48 PM EDT

California tenants would avoid eviction if they pay some of their rent this year under a stopgap deal unveiled on Friday.

"We did land on an agreement on evictions," Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday. "I look forward to signing it."

With renters around the state reeling after the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing shutdown wrecked California’s economy, Newsom and lawmakers have been scrambling to avert a cascade of displacement. A court-ordered halt on evictions is set to expire on Wednesday.

The agreement would offer some protection against eviction without absolving renters of their debts, according to legislative sources who were not authorized to speak publicly. Renters could not be evicted for payments missed between March and August of this year, but landlords could seek to recoup that debt through the civil courts…Read more.

The Washington Post - July 28, 2020

Goodbye, jeans. The pandemic is ushering in an era of comfort.

The Wall Street Journal - July 25, 2020

Amazon Met With Startups About Investing, Then Launched Competing Products

Washington Post - July 23, 2020

If a business is still closed now, months into the coronavirus crisis, it’s likely to be permanent

Washington Post - July 16, 2020

Young farmers and farmers of color have been shut out of federal assistance during the pandemic

Washington Post - July 9, 2020

Retail workers are being pulled into the latest culture war: Getting customers to wear masks

POLITICO- July 8, 2020

California launches campaign to boost small business in pandemic
By Carla Marinucci

OAKLAND — Gov. Gavin Newsom's Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery announced Wednesday it's launching a consumer campaign to help boost California's small businesses "bridge the digital divide" and reach new customers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The effort includes partnership with industry giants including Google, Nextdoor and UPS, which have signed on to "help small business improve their online presence'' with a new website aimed at connecting businesses with consumers in their local communities. Impact: The goal of the new campaign — dubbed Calling All Californians: #ShopSafeShopLocal — is to encourage state residents to support their local businesses hit hard by the pandemic and to help businesses expand their outreach, according to… [read more].

CNBC - July 6, 2020

Trump signs extension of PPP small business coronavirus relief fund

Washington Post - June 26, 2020

SBA exempted lawmakers, federal officials from ethics rules in $660 billion loan program

Washington Post - June 16, 2020

Record jump in retail sales sends stocks higher, but Fed chief warns economic recovery remains uncertain

SF Chronincle - June 11, 2020

California bill would bar landlords from evicting renters for nonpayment during pandemic

The Press Democrat - May 28, 2020

Sonoma County health officer declares no more businesses reopening for two weeks

Axios - May 23, 2020

A reckoning for small business

Washington Post - May 21, 2020

How the pandemic is changing shopping

Entrepreneur - May 20, 2020

SBA Releases PPP Forgiveness Application and Makes Critical Clarifications and Documentation Requirements

AP News - May 18, 2020

California relaxes some county criteria for reopening

Reuters - May 18, 2020

Senator Rubio calls for fast action to extend U.S. payroll protection program

California Department of Public Health - May 13, 2020

COVID-19 INDUSTRY GUIDANCE: Dine-In Restaurants

The Davis Enterprise - May 13, 2020

Survey reveals pandemic’s impact on local businesses

Washington Post - May 7, 2020

SBA slashes disaster-loan limit from @ million to $150,000, shuts out nearly all new applicants

Los Angeles Times - May 7, 2020

Coronavirus Today: Which businesses will survive?

Small Business Finance Center - May 5, 2020

ATTENTION SMALL BUSINESSES!! NEW LOAN OPTION AVAILABLE!!
Small Business Disaster Relief Loans are available through California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank - IBank. These loans are only available to those that did not receive a PPP or EIDL loan from the SBA. This disaster program provides guarantees for loans of up to $50,000 for small business borrowers and nonprofits, with low interest rates and 7-year terms. Apply directly with participating lenders including California Capital FDC.

Los Angeles Times - May 4, 2020

in rural Northern California, pandemic crushes newspapers that delivered news and warmth during winter cold

The Atlantic - May 2, 2020

The Pandemic Will Change American Retail Forever

San Francisco Chronicle - May 1, 2020

High-powered Bay Area group aims to outdo DC in coronavirus help for small business

The Sacramento Bee - April 28, 2020

Retail, manufacturing will be among first to reopen when California alters stay-at-home order.

Newsday - April 28, 2020

SBA no longer accepting EIDL loan applications, agency says.

Ca.gov - Pandemic Unemployment Assistance - April 28, 2020

Now available for business owners, self employed, and independent contractors.

Washington Post - April 27, 2020

Thousands already lined up for $310 billion.

Forbes - April 23, 2020

Get Ready NOW: New Small Business Relief Is Coming

Davis Downtown Stimulus Program - April 22, 2020

DDBA Gifting Stimulus Program

CA Employment Development Department - April 16, 2020

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

Washington Post - April 15, 2020

U.S. Stocks plunge amid steep fall in oil proces, bank earnings, and retail sales.

Washington Post - April 15, 2020

The Small Business Administration is failing to meet deadlines to get cash to small businesses.

Norcal SBDC - April 13, 2020

The California Small Business Development Center is now having a call every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30-11:30 AM to answer questions. Any one can join the call who would like updates regarding the Economic Injury Disaster loans (EIDL), the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) program, or those who have questions regarding other disaster relief efforts. (Source: Davis Chamber of Commerce)

24/7 Wall St. - April 7, 2020

The COVID-19 Recession Impact on Small Businesses Is Catastrophic.

Politico - April 7, 2020

Small business loan program stumbles as SBA system crashes.

Washington Post - April 7, 2020

Treasury Dept. seeks additional $250B to replenish small businesses.

Ca.gov - Coronavirus 2019 - April 6, 2020

Financial and Technical Assistance for Small Business

Ca.gov - IBank - April 5, 2020

Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program

Capital Region Home Page - April 4, 2020

Small businesses may receive help either through their bank or from the free services provided at:

Capital Region Small Business Development Center
1 Capital Mall #700
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 319-4268
https://www.capitalregionsbdc.com

Clear Advocacy Small Biz Resources - April 2, 2020

One stop shop of small biz resources.

Governor Gavin Newsom - April 2, 2020

Governor Newsom Announces New Help for Small Businesses & Workers Displaced by COVID-19

NFIB - Podcast - April 2, 2020

Small Business Resources Available to Help Cope with Coronavirus

OnwardCA - April 2, 2020

Many Californians have been hit hard by #COVID19. Today @BitwiseInd launched a new website that will match out-of-work Californians with critical jobs available statewide! More jobs are being added on a regular basis.

Connection to Jobs - March 31, 2020

Food, Jobs, and Spanish Resource Support - Outreach to employees and local businesses - PowerPoint

Coping with COVID, Vimeo - March 31, 2020

Forms Needed to Apply for Disaster Assistance

Small Business Admin. - March 31, 2020

Paycheck Protection Program

Lendio, YouTube - March 31, 2020

The CARES Act and Capital for Your Business

Small Business Admin. - March 31, 2020

Disaster Loan Applications

Daily Democrat - March 31, 2020

Coronavirus: Executive order provides tax relief for California small businesses

Davis Downtown - March 28, 2020

Local businesses are still able to serve you!

Washington Post - March 28, 2020

Don’t panic about shopping, getting delivery or accepting packages

Vogue - January 14, 2020

“People Don’t Know How Bad Neoprene Is."

Vogue - December 19, 2019

The Future of Fashion Is Circular: Why the 2020s Will Be About Making New Clothes Out of Old Ones

KTLA 5 News - December 19, 2019

Retail Woes: More Than 9,300 Stores Closed in 2019

Reveal News - December 2, 2019

Amazon's internal injury records expose the true toll of its relentless drive for speed.

Washington Post - November 18, 2019

The Troubling Ethics of Fashion in the Age of Climate Change

The Capitol Morning Report

Keeping Up - Heidy Kellison

Ozy - September 26, 2019

The ‘waste’ food industry for the wealthy.

Washington Post - August 31, 2019

Aggressive Amazon tactic pushes you to consider its own brand before you click ‘buy’

Vogue - August 21, 2019

Fabscrap: New York's largest fashion recycling organization.

Vogue - August 18, 2019

New York’s buzziest tie-dye label uses your juicery’s leftover carrots!

Ozy - August 7, 2019

This raincoat made from algae offers a message of hope.

Washington Post - April 4, 2019

Retail Apocalypse Now!

Ozy - March 8, 2019

Landfill to Luxury

Ozy - March 5, 2019

Earn your right to buy new clothes.

Shop locally with Nytch App

Shop locally with the ease of an app. Just launched, Nytch sends your requests to participating locals who respond with customized inventory. Find Nytch in the Apple App Store and on Google Play for Android.