Looking for a locally-made, healthy, environmentally friendly or globally responsible gift to give that someone special this holiday season? Radish scoured the region and did the looking for you. Here are 50 gifts-- listed in no particular order-- you can feel good about giving. 1. All natural soy candles by ArcCandleMfg.com, a division of Arc Industries of Rock Island, 610 37th Ave., Rock Island, Ill., (309) 786-2362, www.ArcCandleMfg.com. Handmade by persons with disabilities, these environmentally safe and biodegradable candles come in over 35 fragrances and can be recycled by taking the empty holders back to be refilled. 2. Framed photos of local flora and fauna by nature photographers Linda and Robert Scarth, Cedar Rapids, IA; scarth@infionline.net, www.scarthphoto.com. The Scarths observe and document the natural beauty around them and offer images for sale by mail. 3. Free-form gourds by Ellonyia Yenney of Bettendorf, IA; (563) 322-5436, www.bierbaskets.com. Handwoven in her studio, free-form pieces by Yenney combine fruits of the earth with Danish cord and waxed linen to create vibrant, elegant and natural art. 4. Gift certificates to Captain Merry Restaurant, East Dubuque, IL, (815) 747-3644, www.captainmerry.com. With stone ground grain, naturally raised meats and produce and estate-grown chocolate, Captain Merry's cuisine is produced with excellent ingredients, many of which are certified organic and some of which are local. 5. The book "Seed to Seed," from Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, IA; (563) 382-5990, www.seedsavers.org. Suzanne Ashworth's book is a beautiful and comprehensive reference for maintaining heirlooms and preserving our vegetable heritage. 6. Great java from Country Morning Coffee, Kewanee, IL, (309) 525-3311, www.countrymorningcoffee.com. Roasted fresh in rural Illinois, Country Morning Coffee comes in a variety of blends and flavors, including organic fair trade certified. 7. Pet treats from PJ Woofies Pet Pastries, East Moline, IL, (309) 755-3417, www.pjwoofies.com. These home-made gourmet treats don't have a gourmet price. Woofies come in a variety of flavors, contain no added sugar, salt or preservatives and are baked fresh when you order. 8. A goat, sheep or pig through Heifer International, (800) 696-1918, www.heifer.org. Give the gift of a farm animal to a family in need -- a family you've never met -- and you could change their lives by offering them a way to eat better and make money. Giving a goat, sheep or pig costs $120, a llama is $150, a water buffalo is $250 and chicks, ducks and geese are $20. Or buy a share for as little as $10. 9. At-home spa from QC Spas, Bettendorf, IA, (888) 729-7727, www.qcaspas.com. Made in the Quad-Cities, TheraSauna is a dry health sauna and uses infrared heat to relieve pain of arthritis, bursitis and fibromyalgia while detoxifying the body and improving the immune system. 10. Nature Conservancy gift membership; (800) 628-6860, www.nature.org. Help spread the word, support the cause, and be welcomed into the conservancy’s family of dedicated individuals committed to protecting the earth’s ecosystem. 11. Natural and handmade goat-milk soap from Midwest Meadows, Walcott, IA; sold at West Kimberly Market, 4004 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA, (563) 282-4690, www.westkimberlymarket.com. Large oval soaps produce delicious scents and rich, creamy lather. Scented with pure essential oils and herbs, these soaps have no chemical preservatives. 12. Learn Great Foods gift certificates, Learn Great Foods, Mount Carroll, IL; www.learngreatfoods.com, (866) 240-1650. Certificates are available in denominations of $25, $65, $150 and $300, and are redeemable for all 2007 cooking classes, culinary farm tours and organic culinary retreats. 13. Give your own beaded beauties, made at The Bead Bar, 109 N. Main St., Galena, IL, www.galenabeadbar.com, or at Your Design Ltd., 2340 Cumberland Square Drive, Bettendorf, IA, yourdesignltd.com. Make a one-of-a-kind beaded item for a stocking stuffer. 14. Organic wines from: Jamie's Wine Studio, 112 N. Main St., Galena, IL, (815) 777-0207, www.jamieswines.com; New Pioneer Co-op, 22 S. Van Buren, Iowa City, IA, (319) 338-9441, and 1101 2nd St., Coralville, IA, (319) 358-5513, www.newpi.com. A bottle of organic wine — produced without pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers or other synthetic chemicals-- is the perfect gift to give to the host or hostess of any holiday party. 15. Home-delivered massage from Magi Health Therapeutic Massage, Galena, IL; galena.com/magi.html, (815) 777-9473. Certified massage therapist Tim Bauman offers home-based massages within a 150-mile radius of Galena (for an additional $25 travel fee). At-home massages also are available in the Cedar Rapdis-Iowa City area from a local member of the national service Well Kneaded Massage, (866)-563-2333, www.wellkneadedmassage.com. 16. Smudging supplies from: Honest John's Emporium, 130 S. Main St., Galena, IL, (815) 777-3777, honestjohnsgalena.com; RA Enterprises New Age Source, 2727 Davenport Ave., Davenport, IA, (563) 322-0803; Sharon's Christal Palace, 1518 15th St., Moline, IL, (309) 762-8888. For the person on your list that may have had a hard year, wrap up a set of smudging supplies to help them clear the air in their home. 17. Anything made by Chef Ivo Puidak and his staff at the Galena Canning Company, 106 S. Main St., Galena, IL, (815) 777-2882, 815-777-2882, www.galenacanning.com. Fill an entire basket for the foodie on your list with tempting sauces, spicy salsas, fruit butters, jams and preserves, all made on-site. (For those who like it hot, buy a jar of 100 percent natural Galena-mite Blasting Sauce.) 18. Bison jerky and other bison products from: Bloomin' Prairie Bision, Inc., 6 Riverview Terrace, Nauvoo, IL, (217) 453-2004; Chief Shikshak Northwest Bison Ranch, 23637 Quinn Road, Sterling, IL, (815) 336-2145; Crumly-Winter Livestock, 672 U.S. 61, Blue Grass, IA, (563) 381-3671, www.winterbison.com; Iowa Bison Company, 415 N. Perry St., Davenport, IA, (563) 326-3260; Jordan Creek Bison Farm, 1837 Jordan Creek Road, Solon, IA, (319) 624-3135; also available at the Twin City Market, Sterling, IL. Bison jerky is a fun gift for the outdoorsman on your list, and it's a healthier option than beef jerky. 19. Healing stones from Blue Stone, 3136 Mount Vernon Road SE, Cedar Rapids, IA, (319) 364-3228. An assortment of healing stones is sold in various sizes or incorporated in jewelry. Each stone has a corresponding attribute; amethyst, for example, is thought to encourage inner peace. 20. Local artwork and sculpture from regional gift shops, museums and art galleries. Give a one-of-a-kind gift and support local artisans at the same time. In the Quad-Cities, check out the Bucktown Holiday Art Bazaar through Dec. 22. The event features original works by over 150 artists at Bucktown Center for the Arts, 225 E. 2nd St., Davenport, IA, (309) 737-2066. Another regional favorite: Isabel Bloom sculptures; visit www.ibloom.com. 21. A gift certificate for a night's stay in a cabin at White Pines State Park near Oregon, IL, (815) 946-3817, whitepinesinn.com. The park offers charming one-room WPA-era log cabins, lodge restaurant, quiet forest paths, streams and fresh air. 22. Rain barrels from River Action, 822 E. River Drive, Davenport, IA, (563) 322-2969, www.riveraction.org. River Action sells 60-gallon rain barrels made of recycled plastic for $68. Barrels fit any downspout and include a diverter. 23. Affirmawraps from the bookstore at Unity Center, 3791 Blairs Ferry Road NE, Cedar Rapids, IA, (319) 393-5422. These cozy fleece blankets ($28) come in a solid color with a positive heading and message. 24. Aura Photography from Rainbow Visions, Cedar Rapids, IA, (319) 362-5814, www.rainbowvisions.net. Patricia, Larry and Katherine Kennedy use a special camera that captures not only the subject, but their electromagnetic field; a five-page printout explains the colors in the photograph and offers a personal interpretation of the subject's energy field. $35. 25. Gift certificate to an independent bookseller from: Book World I, 1834 S. West Ave., Freeport, IL, (815) 232-1418; Books On First, 202 W. 1st St., Dixon, IL, (815) 285-2665, www.booksonfirst.com; New Copperfield's Book Service, 118 North Side Square, Macomb, IL, (309) 837-3052; Courtyard Books & Antiques, 415 Main St., Keokuk, IA, (319) 524-4605; Muscatine Books & More, 124 E. 2nd St., Muscatine, IA, (563) 263-4272, www.muscatinebooks.com; Prairie Lights Books, 15 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA, (319) 337-2681, www.prairielightsbooks.com; The Bookworm, 110 S. Riverview Drive, Bellevue, IA, (319) 872-4802, www.bellevuebookworm.com. 26. Terracotta jewelry from Vortex, 211 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA, (319) 337-3434. These hand-painted, ornate terracotta earrings and pendants ($14-$25) are made by women in India who have lost their husbands; proceeds help these women build their homes and take care of their families. 27. Better home environment with Bella Soul, (319) 929-4756, BellaSoul@fmtcs.com. If you'd like to help your loved one achieve greater wealth or better relationships this coming year, consider a gift certificate from Kim Pollock of Bella Soul. Pollock is a certified Feng Shui and Sacred Space practitioner. She will visit homes and offices in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area, helping people to create a deeper connection with their personal environment for $85 per hour. 28. Botanical or historical memberships, Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 4th Ave., Rock Island, IL, (309) 794-0991, www.qcgardens.com; Brucemore Estate, 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, IA, (319) 362-7375, www.brucemore.org. Brucemore memberships start at $35 and entitle the holder to tours, museum store discounts, special invitations and rates for events, a newsletter and more. Q-C Botanical Center memberships are $25 to $100. Members are entitled to a year of admission, free guest passes, reciprocal membership to over 100 gardens nationally and gift shop discounts. 29. The Wapsipinicon Almanac, available at www.wapsialmanac.com; Prairie Lights Bookstore, 15 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City; City News & Books, 104 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids, and Campbell Steele Gallery, 1064 7th Ave., Marion, IA. Since 1988, Tim Fay has put out this annual publication at his Route 3 Press in rural Anamosa, Iowa. This delightful mix of essays, satire, nature writing, fiction and poetry has the look and feel of an old-time almanac. It comes out just before Christmas and sells for $8. 30. Personal life coaching from Andreya Schneider, (319) 337-4489. Schneider helps people identify their life's purpose and passions, expand their depth of joy and experience radiant peace. 31. Carbon offsets from Carbonfund.org, www.carbonfund.org($5.50); DriveNeutral.org, www.driveneutral.org ($7.50); Solar Electric Light Fund, www.self.org/cnc.asp ($10); Sustainable Travel International, www.sustainabletravelinternational.org ($18); Bonneville Environmental Foundation, www.b-e-f.org ($29); TerraPass, www.TerraPass.com ($8.80 to $11) and Native Energy, www.nativeenergy.com ($13.20). These organizations offset carbon emissions by investing in alternative forms of energy and research. 32. Handmade treats from: Chocolate Manor, 412 16th St., Bettendorf, IA, (563) 355-6600; Temptations Fine Candies, 1026 7th Ave., Marion, IA, (319) 446-7500; Lagomarcino's, 1422 5th Ave., Moline, IL, (309) 764-1814; Olde-Fashion Candy Company, 204 Jones, LeClaire, IA, (563) 289-6734. 33. Gift subscription to Radish magazine. Send a check or credit card information for $19.95 for one year to Radish, 1720 5th Ave., Moline, IL, 61265; subscribe online at www.radishmagazine.com or see our special, limited-time offer on page 15 of the December issue. 34. Faster health food from: Naomi's Kitchen, 25 E. Cherry St., North Liberty, IA, (319) 665-4707, www.naomiskitchen.com; Quad Cities Personal Chef Service, (309) 235-1083, www.qcpcs.com; Gourmet Your Way, 1880 30th Ave., East Moline, IL, (309) 796-6106, www.gourmetqc.com; Food Fancies, (563) 357-2964, www.foodfancies.personalchef.com; Dinners by the Dozen, 5169 Utica Ridge Road, Davenport, IA, (563) 823-0435, www.dinners-by-the-dozen.com; What's for Dinner Tonite, 2521 18th St., Bettendorf, IA, (563) 355-1511, www.whatsfordinnertonite.com. Personal chefs and meal-assembly kitchens make the cooking life easier. 35. Food store memberships from Heritage Natural Foods, 1317 6th Ave., Moline, IL, (309) 764-1912 and 3875 Elmore Ave., Davenport, IA, (563) 344-2100; New Pioneer Co-op, 22 S. Van Buren, Iowa City, IA, (319) 338-9441, and 1101 2nd St., Coralville, IA, (319) 358-5513, www.newpi.com. Two-year membership at Heritage Natural Foods costs $15; lifetime membership at New Pioneer is $60. Both memberships provide great benefits. 36. Private spiritual retreat, Benet House Retreat Center, St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, IL, (309) 283-2108, www.smmsisters.org; Shalom Retreat Center, Dubuque, IA, (563) 582-3592, http://members.aol.com/DBQShalom. 37. A pumpkin facial using MyChelle products from Heritage Natural Foods, 1317 6th Ave., Moline, IL, or www.mychelleusa.com; Zia Pumpkin Exfoliating Mask from Greatest Grains, 1600 N. Harrison St., Davenport, IA; New Pioneer Co-op, 1101 2nd St., Coralville, IA, and www.zianatural.com. 38. CSA membership, or partial membership. Find a farm near you at www.localharvest.org/csa. Radish knows of the following CSAs in the region: Choice Earth CSA, Brighton, IA, www.choiceearth.com; Local Harvest CSA, Solon, IA, www.zjfarms.com; Country Corner, Orion, IL, www.country-corner.com; Teresa’s Tasty Produce, Atkinson, IL, (309) 936-7792. Farm subscriptions provide in-season veggies and fruits each week and cost around $400 to $500 for a year and less than that for partial subscriptions. 39. Send a care package to the troops. The nonprofit organization Operation Homefront has launched eCarePackage, an online service that allows caring citizens to send care packages to deployed U.S. troops and their families. Service members and families register on the site, which protects their identity and location, and visitors can "adopt" them based on common interests. After choosing a recipient, you can create a customized care package. Operation Homefront's volunteers then box and ship the items to the recipient. To get started, visit www.ecarepackage.org. 40. Simple Gifts and Silent Night CDs by Tribute, (319) 362-6118, http://listen.to/tribute. Tribute is a Cedar Rapids-based trio of women. "Silent Night" is the group's debut Christmas CD. 41. Sport Solar Oven and Reflector (about $150) from www.solarovens.org. Solar ovens harvest the energy of the sun to cook everything from cakes to eggs outdoors, without fossil fuels. 42. Environmentally-friendly clothing from: Vortex, 211 E. Washington St., Iowa City, and Natural Selections, 104 S. Main St., Fairfield, IA. Vortex offers soft, organic bamboo shirts ($28) in short and long sleeves for women. Natural Selections offers a complete line of organic clothing for men, women and children. 43. Special teas from: Haraki-Gordon Imports, Rock Island, www.hggreentea.com, (309) 794-1474; Indigo, 1621 5th Ave., Moline, IL, (309) 764-YOGA, www.indigowellness.info. Haraki-Gordon Green Tea Imports offers green, red and powdered tea shipped from the family farm of Izumi Haraki in Japan; all teas are made with first-harvest leaves. At Indigo, owner Shannon Moran blends herbal teas by hand. 44. "The Real Dirt on Farmer John's" and "My Father's Garden" documentary DVDs. Pre-order the "Farmer John's" DVD about the life of CSA farmer John Peterson of Caledonia, Ill. at www.therealdirt.net. Order "My Father's Garden" -- about the use and misuse of technology on the American farm -- by visiting www.mirandaproductions.com. 45. Aura Cacia aromatherapy products made by Frontier Natural Products Co-op, Norway, IA, (800) 669-3275, www.auracacia.com. The Aura Cacia line offers a selection of essential oils and ready-to-use organic skin care products. 46. Iowa City Farmers' Market Cookbook, available at Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City, and Revenue Division Cashier in the Iowa City City Hall, 410 E. Washington St.; tammy-neumann@iowa-city.org, (319) 356-5100. This $10 cookbook contains over 100 pages of tried-and-true local recipes. 47. Gift membership to Cornbelt Running Club, Davenport, IA; www.cornbelt.org. Family, adult and student memberships include many benefits, such as a newsletter, special events and discounts on merchandise and race entry fees. 48. Recycled clothing and accessories from Dabluz Boutique, inside the historic Hotel Glenview, 116 E. Market St., Mount Carroll, IL, (815) 244-4058. The mother-daughter pair who own Dabluz turn used denim into skirts, capri pants, purses and more. 49. Low-impact jewelry from Artswork, 221 N. Cody Road, LeClaire, IA, (563) 289-3316, www.artsworkia.com. Artswork's jewelry is made by hand from recycled materials. 50. Locally grown garlic from: the Galena Garlic Co., inside The Desoto House Hotel, Galena, IL, (815) 777-9625, www.galenagarlic.com; Squier Squash & Donnelly Farms, North English, IA, (319) 639-2430.
