Here at the Entertainer, we want to do our part to encourage readers to “Choose Local” with their holiday purchases this year.

In that spirit, we’ve taken this opportunity to point out some of the great products that can be found right here in mid-valley.

Keep in mind, however, that this is just the tip of the iceberg. When it comes to our great local artists and retailers, there are just far too many to mention.

FAIR TRADE

By Theresa Hogue

Andando, 425 S.W. Madison Ave No. C, Corvallis, www.andando.org, 754-6246

Item: Sock monkey. This Peruvian made fair-trade monkey was made by the Bridge of Hope Fair Trade Project, which supports artisan cooperatives in Peru. It is $16.

Not only is this little guy absolutely adorable, and appropriate for all ages (he’d make a great cubicle addition), but Bridge of Hope helps people living in extreme poverty.

Gifts for a Better World, 4515 West Hills Road, Corvallis, www.giftsfor

abetterworld.org,

Item: Fish bowl quilt. Featuring bright colors and a whimsical design, this $132 quilt made by Linda Pace supports Legacy Land Conservancy.

There’s nothing more comforting than a hand-made quilt draped over a bed. The combination of colors and patterns makes the quilt great for a guest bed, a child’s room or even draped over a couch to add a splash of light to a room.

Many Hands Trading, 215 N.W. Monroe Ave., Corvallis, 738-0808.

Item: Organic cotton and mineral-dyed hemp wrap from Earth Creations. This $45 wrap was dyed using Alabama clays.

Many Hands offers a wide variety of natural, free-trade and organic clothing items, and this autumnal wrap looks great over dresses, t-shirts and blouses. Add a pair of flow-ing hemp and cotton pants for $65.95 and you’ve got a great casual outfit.

FASHION

By AnneMarie Knepper

Emma Downtown, 422 First Ave. W., www.emmadowntownalbany.blogspot.com, 926-1717

Item: Hand knit baby hat. Made by Corvallis resident Gail DuBois for her Abigail’s Itty Bitty Hat Company line, toppers in several colors — including orange and black — are available for $24.

DuBois sense of color and design takes the beanie concept from banal to truly beautiful. Emma Downtown is locally owned and is also the only place in Albany carrying the popular Tyler perfumed candle brand.

Glam, 222 First Ave. W., 928-2625

Item: Hardwear by Renee handbag. Store owner Lacey Shelby tells us these bags, made by a Portland designer, are popular with women of all ages, selling to 16-year-olds as well as their moms and grandmas. The bags, made out of hardware and recycled materials, come in a variety of colors and sizes, and the durable marine vinyl used for the shell is the same stuff on speedboats, making these bags perfect for a drizzly day in the midvalley. $50.

Shoetini’s, 222 First Ave. S.W., www.shoetinis.com, 752-4200

Item: Foot Petals. Finally, function and fashion come together in these pretty additions to fancy footwear. The little cushions are used by celebrity designers and remedy a variety of cute-shoe-induced pains. For the woman who has everything, except comfortable shoes. Foot Petals range in cost from $6.95 to $12.95 for a pack of two. As the name implies, Shoetini’s is a great place to check out for chic shoes in Albany. Jewelry, handbags and belts are also available. The store also has locations in Corvallis (501 S.W. Second St.) and Eugene.

APPRECIATION

By AnneMarie Knepper

White Rose, 236 Lyon St S.W. (at Third Avenue), www.whiterosefloral.com, 924-9697

Item: Candle Works beeswax candles. Classic and classy and made in Albany. $16.95 for two. Tip: Add some Burst’s Chocolates. The Corvallis company’s confections are a great addition to a gift basket or stand alone as a stocking stuffer or hostess gift.

ARTIST COOPERATIVES

By Theresa Hogue

TEAL Cooperative Gallery, 142 S.W. Second St., Corvallis, www.tealartistcoop.com, 754-6338

Item: Bath items from April Showers, a local Corvallis company. These fantastic smelling items include $4 soap (or four for $15), $7 bath salts and $10 lotions. With scents from rose to peppermint, there is a wide variety of fragrances to choose from.

The soaps double as sachets when placed in dresser drawers, and then can be pulled out and used in the bath when you need them. Make a gift basket with a variety of April Showers products.

Winterlight at The Arts Center, 700 S.W. Madison Ave., Corvallis, 754-1551

Item: Dog tile by Corvallis artist Alexis Spakoski. This $50 tile features a jaunty dog wearing a party hat, and is one of many pieces of fabulous ceramic work by Spakoski featuring animals at play.

A former graphic designer for the Gap, Spakoski’s work is affordable and utterly com-pelling, from leaping rabbits to charming cats. Animal and art lovers will delight in her work.

Botticelli’s, 305 S.W. Madison Ave., Corvallis, 754-3523

Item: Village People purse. Made by Albany artist Brian Agee, this purse uses real album covers and vinyl albums for its front and backing, and cost $49.95.

Botticelli’s features a variety of Agee’s work, and the record purses are completely unique, roomy and real conversation pieces.

FOOD & SPIRITS

By Rhett Register

Oregon Legacy Coffee Company, 100 N.W. Second St., Corvallis, 752-2421.

Item: “Country Spice” mulling spices. Mixed spices for mulling wine, apple juice or cider. At a dollar an ounce you can boil it in water just to make the kitchen smell like the holidays.

Oregon Legacy roasts coffee for many local restaurants including Le Patissier, Zia, Strega and Aqua. They have a wide variety of coffee and tea for sale as well as hot pots featuring different roasts. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Harry and Annette’s Fresh Fish, 151 N.W. Monroe Ave. suite 105, Corvallis, 752-9140.

Item: Canned Oregon albacore tuna in water. According to Harry, “it’s almost a crime to add mayonnaise and pickles cause it’s so good.” He suggests using it for a nicoise salad or just eating it with a fork. $6.99 a can or a shipping box with three cans for $22. Harry and Annette’s sells fish, shell fish, live crabs and has a rotating stock of condiments, rubs and spices.

Corvallis Brewing Supply, 119 S.W. Fourth St., Corvallis, 758-1674.

Item: Beer Advent Calendar. There are 25 days in advent this year. For each of these, the staff at CBS has matched the perfect beer. A box with 25 smaller boxes nestled in it, the “calendar” contains hard to find, store favorite and seasonal beers. At $185, it’s not too much to pay for 25 days of joy for your beloved beer geek. Corvallis Brewing Supply has all that you need for the homebrewing of beer, wine, vinegar, root beer and making cheese. The bottle shop has a dizzying assortment of beer and wine that the staff is happy to discuss with you.

Natalia and Cristoforo’s Authentic Italian Meats and Cheeses, 351 N.W. Jackson St.

No. 2, Corvallis, 752-1114.

Item: Italian style meats and hand selected cheese party trays. Perfect for holiday entertaining. Come in and choose your own combinations or call and let Greg do it for you. Small, $20 to 25; large, $40 to 50. Natalia and Cristoforo’s also prepares sandwiches and has a large assortment of condiments and seasonings.

Avalon Wine Inc., 201 S.W. Second St. Corvallis, 752-7418.

Item: Cardwell Hill Pinot Noir Estate 2006, $24.95. This local wine, produced in Philomath by Cardwell Hill Cellars, was recently named in Wine Spectator Magazine’s Top 100 wines for 2008. Avalon has a huge variety of locally produced, national and international wines as well as a helpful staff to help you discern which is right for you.

MUSIC

By Brandon Goldner

The Fingerboard Extension, 120 N.W. Second St., Corvallis, 752-5679

Item: Mahalo Ukulele w/ carrying case. A great gift for musically inclined kids, this $25 ukulele is durable enough to take a beating, but affordable enough to play worry-free. The Fingerboard Extension has many different colors in stock, including natural (shown), black, red, yellow and green.

Gracewinds Music, 137 S.W. Third St., Corvallis, 754-6098

Item: Jimi Hendrix Collector tin of guitar picks, set of 12. $9.50 gets you a dozen either medium or heavy picks in a re-usable tin. Choose from different albums covers, including “Are You Experienced? “(shown), “Bold as Love,” and “Electric Ladyland.” Provide the Hendrix fan in your family or circle of friends with inspiration and at least a few months’ worth of picks for less than 10 bucks.

Grass Roots Books and Music, 227 S.W. Second St., Corvallis, 754-7668

Items: CDs. Grass Roots has an extensive collection of the newest works by mainstream and under-the-radar artists. Don’t see what you want? Avoid the big box stores and support a 30-plus year local business by placing a special order. Clockwise from left: Buena Vista Social Club at Carnegie Hall two CD set, 2008, $24.95; Tracy Chapman, Our Bright Future, 2008, $18.95; Bob Dylan, Tell Tale Signs: Rare and unreleased from 1989-2006 two CD set, 2008, $22.95.

Happy Trails Records, 100 S.W. Third St., Corvallis, 752-9032

Items: Vinyl. Happy Trails has tons of new and used records to satisfy all tastes, from $1 for scuffed basement dwellers to $30 and beyond for collectables or freshly minted special editions. Check out: Gorillaz, De-mon Days, 2005, $16.95; Cat Power, The Greatest, 2006, $13.95; The Clash, London Calling, 1979, $19.95; Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon 30th Anniversary, 1973, $25.95; Wu-Tang Clan, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), 1993, $9.95.

Troubadour Music Center, 125 S.W. Washington Ave., Corvallis, 752-7720

Item: CDs from local artists. In addition to stocking and repairing stringed instruments, The Troubadour also carries a range of albums released by local or regional artists. Support a local store and local musicians by purchasing music written, performed and produced in the northwest. For your approval: James Brian Wilson, A Jig Mon-key in the Northwest, 2008, $12; Mike the Electrician, One Right Thing, 2006, $15; Cassandra Roberts, Impulse to Dream, 2008, $15; Jan Michael Looking Wolf, Tribute to the Flutemakers, $15; A Portland Selection, Contra Dance Music in the Northwest, 2000, $10.

ACTIVE

By Nancy Raskauskas

Bike N’ Hike, 401 S.W. Third St., Corvallis, 753-2912, bikenhike.com.

Item: Sock Guy socks, $7.99 per pair. Some people have bumperstickers and some people have socks. Either way, you can express your team allegiances, political preferences and superior wit. Bike N’ Hike’s selection includes performance socks for Oregon State Beavers fans and beer and coffee lovers among other designs.

Cyclotopia, 435 S.W. Second St., Corvallis, 757-9694, www.cyclotopia.com.

Item: Tuned-up used bikes, $175-$350. Give a used bike a new home. Currently in stock, a Specialized Stumpjumper (with old-school bell still attached), a blue Motobecan three-speed with a rack, a Diamondback Response (with classy stickers) and a yellow step-through Schwinn Breeze. Bonus: If it gets stolen it won’t break the bank.

Corvallis Cyclery, 344 S.W. Second St., Corvallis, 752-5952, www.

corvalliscyclery.com.

Item: Give the gift of safety with a

Dimension or Electra bike bell. Designs include wood bells, bug-shaped ringers and a “DiscoBell” that lights up when it’s rung. Prices range from $5.95-$10.95. Of course, Corvallis Cyclery has everything else a rider needs to stay safe, such as helmets, bike lights and reflective clothing.

Northwest MultiSports, 310 S.W. Second St., Corvallis, 207-3382, trinwms.com.

Items: Tifosi Enthusiastic Eyewear, $39.95-$59-55. Super lightweight specs in all colors make a handy gift for the gear freak in any outdoor sport. Or stop a bonk before it starts by stocking up with race fuel from NW Multisports wide selection of Nuun sports drink, CLIF Shot Bloks, Carbo Pro and Hammer Gel.

FIND MORE: Use our new “GiftFinder” to discover more great local businesses and products. See www.democratherald.

com or www.gazettetimes.com and click on the blue ribbon icon.