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Now, when you think of METRO Lighting, think of CHOCOLATE! At our events we premiered our private label METRO Lighting chocolate squares. The chocolatiers at Spun Sugar in Berkeley custom-cast organic squares for us, plus we also feature mini squares from Berkeley's own Scharffen Berger. All of these are labeled "METRO Lighting, LOCAL FLAVOR since 1993."

Beyond chocolate, gourmet food and drinks were abundant throughout the weekend, including Parducci Wines, delicious organic wines from Parducci's carbon neutral Mendocino vineyard. Special thanks also go to Country Cheese Co. for their savory Spring Hill organic cheese.

Thursday, May 1st, METRO owner Lawrence Grown and lighting designer York Kennedy co-hosted "Eco Design and Lighting," a discussion about the use of energy efficient lighting options and green principles in lighting design. The Smart Lights Program lent us some enlightening samples of energy efficient light bulbs, as did Jana Olson of Panache Lighting in Berkeley.

Friday evening, May 2nd, Stephen Richter, Metro's shop manager, led local architects and contractors on shop tours, as METRO's team demonstrated tube bending, metal finishing, patina, assembly and U.L. testing of fixtures.

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Saturday morning, May 3rd, Richter again led tours of METRO's metal shop and in the afternoon, Alex of Leaderglass fascinated and educated us on the artistic techniques of glassblowing, answering questions while spinning, blowing and crafting pieces for METRO.

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Sunday afternoon, May 4th, designers age 5 to 55+ spent time crafting individual lamps to take home. Themes ranged from sea creatures to polka dots to "I Love Mom" and a merry time was had by all. These "Lamp Building Kits" will soon be on sale at METRO, so keep it in mind when you need a birthday gift for someone with creative enthusiasm!

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Thank you all of you- customers, artisans and food purveyors- for your participation!

LOOK FOR MORE CELEBRATION EVENTS LATER IN 2008!