I had the opportunity to taste my first Krispy Kreme donut the other day. Wow - what a disappointment! Someone was nice enough to wait two hours in line for a dozen warm ones. Maybe they are great right out of the fryer, but mine could have come from any bakery. I still find nothing better than a glazed buttermilk bar from George's Bakery in North Bend. I don't have to wait in a long line, and it's local.

And that is my point! We don't have to leave the Snoqualmie Valley for many of our needs. Shopping locally helps local businesses and their employees and brings much needed revenue into our city governments. It creates bonds that help to bind our community together. And by creating a vital local business community, we attract other businesses.

Second Street Gardens was recently robbed after business hours again. Don and Karen are always there to give good gardening advice, in addition to providing good quality things for the garden and wonderful gift items, many of them made locally. Stealing from a business is fundamentally no different than stealing from an individual. In this case, it makes it more costly for them to do business. Shopping at local businesses such as Second Street (as well as watching out for them like any good neighbor) is one way for us to help build our community. Drop by and show your support.

This holiday season, try to find one new item or service you can find right here in the Valley. Go into a shop or restaurant you haven't tried before. You may be pleasantly surprised. And don't forget the savings in fuel and frustration.

Leonard Eiger

North Bend

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