La Vida Local

There are certain books that you run to acquire the day they hit the shelves. This summer, that book for me was Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver and family. Having read nearly everything Kingsolver has written, I couldn't wait to join her on an adventure after my own heart. The Kingsolver-Hopp clan decided to conduct an experiment in which they would only eat food grown in a fifty-mile radius from their house. During the year chronicled in the book, the family reaped more than vegetables as they became more empowered and self-sufficient, deepened bonds, developed an intricate knowledge of their community and improved their health — not to mention shared some memorable eats.

A similar effort is emerging here through the Renaissance of Local, a Boulder County festival/conference/expo that celebrates local food, energy, economy, culture, and community. The three-day event, which is being held at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, started Friday; today's hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. General admission is $20 at the door; tonight's Slow Food Feast is an additional $25. For tickets, go to www.bouldertheater.com. For a full schedule, pricing and other details, go to www.bouldercountygoinglocal.com/festival-expo.html.
Sept. 28-30, 2007