Sunday

Bar None - Lexington


Bar None, is a purposely non alcoholic family sports bar based in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. The aim of the bar is to provide "all of the fun. None of the hangover" in the hope of catering for a clientele ranging from young children, student athletes and even alcoholics anonymous groups.

I personally feel that this is a great idea because there seems to be a mindset that sport and alcohol must go hand in hand. An establishment like this gives people a chance to avoid alcohol and to enjoy sporting events without the temptation of alcohol.

The website Kentucky.com describes, "Owner John Sims said he hopes it'll be a fun place where families take their kids, student-athletes hang out without worrying about getting into trouble and Alcoholics Anonymous members go to watch a big game without the temptation of alcohol.

Sims said Bar None will be a combination sports bar, restaurant and lounge, with a full menu, along with specialty sodas, energy drinks and full-time bartenders blending non-alcoholic "mocktails." Something else that will be missing from Bar None will be refillable fountain drinks. Sodas, root beer and ginger beer will be served bottled or in chilled mugs, just as in a regular bar.
" This is an important part of creating a non alcoholic bar to create a mature atmosphere and create a bar experience that people feel comfortable in.

I think that this is actually an idea that in theory could work if exported to the UK. At present binge drinking costs the government £20 million a year and a bar like this really makes people think about the possibility of not drinking and still having a great time.

If bar none became popular with customers, it would give them another option that doesn't involve alcohol and perhaps convince more people that you don't always need a drink to have a good time. There are of course many dry countries, where it is illegal to serve alcohol, so an idea like this would not be necessary. However the idea is much more interesting in Western culture where drinking alcohol is common place and could help to aid some of the ongoing problems we have with alcohol.

http://www.kentucky.com/latest_news/story/917800.html

Freecycle


Freecycle is an innovative online community similar to LETS for its Use of the idea of trading goods using online without the use of money. Freecycle is based around the trading of goods as opposed to services. The organisation's goal is to try to keep as many usable items out of landfills, doing this by finding new owners for these items through an online community.

They explain, "The worldwide Freecycle Network is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns.

Freecycle groups match people who have things they want to get rid of with people who can use them. Our goal is to keep usable items out of landfills. By using what we already have on this earth, we reduce consumerism, manufacture fewer goods, and lessen the impact on the earth. Another benefit of using Freecycle is that it encourages us to get rid of junk that we no longer need and promote community involvement in the process.
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For users a huge advantage is that large unwanted goods can be collected cost free by another user who is happy to take ownership of the unwanted item. Again it provides a platform where offers can be seen easily by large numbers of people. Conversely people make requests for goods and in turn users looking to offload good can seek out these people to trade with.

I think this is another effective platform for trading that could be exported around the world. It is something I could genuinely see people using because it is so simple to find new owners for unwanted goods that even if there are no takers, nothing has been lost. The incentive is simply that you are helping the environment, people in your community and saving time in not having to take these items to the tip.

www.uk.freecycle.org/