"Too big to fail." It's been the mantra of our economic meltdown. Although meant to emphasize the overwhelming importance of this bank or that corporation, the phrase also unwittingly expresses a shared delusion that may be at the root of our current crises -- both economic and ecological.

In nature, nothing is too big to fail. In fact, big is bound to fail. To understand why that's so means stepping away from a prevailing set of beliefs that holds us in its sway, especially the deep conviction that we operate apart from nature's limits and rules.

In September some fellow business owners, local crafts-folk and I started a small arts and crafts market on South Street, three blocks down from Meadowlark.

The whole idea behind this is to support the arts and crafts community and connect the community at large. With the new plaza built this summer it was a perfect commons area for us to come together.

"If people don't start thinking for themselves and preparing, then we will follow the scenario our leaders have mapped out for us."--Dale Allen Pfeiffer

http://carolynbaker.net/site/content/view/146/

     My tribal venture, Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso, opened it's doors on Earth Day, April 22 2005. Since it's inception, we've focused on working togther as equals no matter what the status of ownership maybe. It started off well at the very beginning with just Nate and me. Everyone was very excited to have a coffee shop next door to Lincoln's premiere natural food store, Open Harvest. It was also a good match in other ways. All of our coffee is Organic, Fair Trade, and Shade Grown, the most sustainable way to trade coffee so far. Adding a tribal organization to the retail side of it makes it even more so.