Through the magic of Twitter, CBC learned about Toby Barazzuol of Eclipse Awards.  Toby and SVIer Gill Yaron, Frogfile, have opened  businesses in Strathcona in an effort to create a new eco-friendly zone for business in Vancouver.

Renewal CEO Joel Solomon and SVIer Doug Markaroff of Living Forest Communities were the topic of a recent article for their efforts championing conservation goals through sustainable development.

The Tides Renewal Centre is springing to life. The exquisite renovation of the Flack Block by Robert Fung and Salient Group stands kitty corner from Victory Square on the Cambie and Hastings adjacent to the Woodward’s redevelopment.

There are new leasing opportunities at The Ralph Block (130 W Hastings St) and The Henderson Block (122 W Hastings St), between Cambie and Abbot Street, across the street from The Tides Renewal Centre. 

I  had a ten day Cortes Island end of the year quiet time. The focus was family, reading, walking, firewood, dvd's, and a rich reflective period to sort the world shifts of 2008 and to plan strategies for 2009 for myself and my organization. My learning project of year end was a new language. Twitter.

As we look forward to 2009 the global economic crisis necessarily impacts the way we see the importance of equitable trade, democratic control and Canadian ownership. As the economic situation in Canada, with a low Canadian dollar and slower sales, affects La Siembra from a revenue and margin perspective, we also recognize at this time that cocoa and sugar producers have even more to lose. If consumers stop supporting fair trade in this moment of economic uncertainty then the future for commodity producers is bleak.

Check out these videos of SVIers, including Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farm and Greg Steltenpohl of Odwalla.

SVI Founder Gary Hirshberg was featured on the December 10th issue of The Hour.  Gary talks about how to make money and save the world.  Gary was one of our True Confessions speakers at SVI Toronto last year.  Gary is humorous and inspiring, so tune in here to see Gary in action.

Communicopia has done it again; producing a rock star website for Renewal2. A big thank you goes out to Graeme Worthy, Jordan Lewin, and the whole Communicopia team. To see what we are up to at Renewal2 check out our news and blog or read some of the inspiring stories of the social entrepreneurs we have supported. Please note that we are moving to the Tides Renewal Centre and our new address will be 200-163 W. Hastings St. Vancouver V6B 1H5

Changemakers is running a $50,000 competition to find the best new ideas in media and technology, looking for the next Flickr or the next Witness. If you have an idea for a new non-profit or business that uses media or technology to improve the world, please enter here. If you know someone else who has a great idea, please nominate them here. The deadline is January 21, 2009 so get to it!