Monday, April 30, 2007

West Seattle to Downtown Water Taxi is Back!!





The Elliott Bay Water Taxi is back! West Seattle to Downtown Seattle for $3 one-way.
WaterTaxi Official Website

Volunteer Park Conservatory Annual Spring Plant Sale is May 12

Volunteer Park Conservatory Annual Spring Plant Sale is May 12

The Volunteer Park Conservatory holds its annual spring plant sale at the Conservatory, 1400 E Galer St., takes place Saturday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Shop for orchids from Hawaii, hanging fuchsia baskets, air plants, cacti and succulents, begonias and bromeliads, and indoor tropical plants.

The sale is sponsored by the Friends of the Conservatory, and proceeds support educational programming and the acquisition of new plants. The Friends was established in 1980 to advocate for the Volunteer Park Conservatory and its collections and to encourage public participation and education.

For more information, please call the Friends of the Conservatory at 206-322-4112, or visit the web at http://www.volunteerparkconservatory.org/.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Whatever happened to "The Starting Line"

The Night Life by TSL


Leaving by TSL


Really Old TSL Video "Three's a Charm"

Black Tie Bingo May 5th

Going into its third year, Lifelong’s Black Tie Bingo has quickly become one of Seattle’s hottest fundraising affairs.

Black Tie BingoPlay bingo in style at downtown’s W Seattle and win travel packages to great W Hotel destinations around the country. With celebrity callers, unexpected surprises and, of course, Gay Bingo star GLAMAZONIA, it’s an evening you surely won’t want to miss!


Saturday, May 5, 2007
W Seattle
1112 4th Ave, Downtown Seattle
Cocktails at 6:00 p.m.
Dinner & Entertainment at 7:30 p.m.

Click here to purchase tickets now!

Seattle & Greg Nickels featured in Newsweek






This is the picture that ran in Newsweek with this caption
"Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, standing on the energy-reducing 'green' roof of city hall, recruited 435 U.S. city leaders to commit to the greenhouse-gas reductions of the Kyoto Protocol"

Read the Article Here

Equality Now Serenity Event June 23rd

Serenity
Saturday, June 23rd, 2007
at 4 PM (Will Call open at 2:30 PM)
the Admiral Theater in West Seattle
Tickets $8 advance/$10 at the door
Advance Ticket Packages


Be a part of a grand global event as 43 cities in 7 countries enjoy the Big Damn Movie and raise funds for Joss Whedon's favorite charity, Equality Now. Raffle drawing immediately following the screening.

National Site for Events going on in other cities
http://www.cantstoptheserenity.com/

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

REMINDER: Dining Out For Life - Thursday April 26th

Each year on the last Thursday in April, 150 generous Seattle-area restaurants unite for what has become a Seattle tradition – Dining Out For Life.

On Thursday, April 26, 2007, join us for the 14th annual Dining Out For Life. When you dine at one of the 150 participating restaurants, 30% of your bill will go directly to the programs and services of Lifelong AIDS Alliance. It’s the easiest – and most delicious – way to make a difference in the fight against AIDS right here in our community!

Click here to visit the Dining Out For Life website for a list of participating restaurants!

Monday, April 23, 2007

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Gregoire signs domestic partnership measure into Wash. law

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Same-sex couples and elderly couples will be able to register as domestic partners starting this summer, after Gov. Chris Gregoire on Saturday signed into law a measure giving them some of the rights that come with marriage.

The law creates a domestic partnership registry with the state, and will provide enhanced rights for same-sex couples, including hospital visitation rights, the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations and inheritance rights when there is no will.

"Today is a beginning, not an end," said Sen. Ed Murray, a Seattle Democrat who sponsored the measure and who is one of five openly gay lawmakers in the state Legislature. "It offers the hope that one day, all lesbian and gay families will be treated truly equal under the law."

Read More

Hard Times for Seattle Pride

Looks like Pride will not be at the Seattle Center this year. I am really disappointed in the Pride organizers Seattle Out and Proud. I have a hard time understanding why they have to be the face of Seattle Pride. I don't remember voting them in to represent me and my friends. Can someone please explain to me how it is they came to control Pride?

Anyone remember who did the smaller pride last year?

Here is the Press Release from Seattle Out and Proud

Seattle – In 2006, the Seattle Pride March and Festival moved from Capitol Hill to Downtown Seattle and the Seattle Center. Event attendees, organizers and city officials all hailed the events as great successes. Unfortunately, the increased scale of both the March and Festival produced poor financial results including the well publicized and still unpaid debts. Simply put, the income from both events was not adequate to cover the costs of the March and Festival.

In 2007 Pride organizers Seattle Out and Proud (SOaP) voted in new leadership. SOaP’s primary concern was to produce a financially sound March and Festival in 2007. In order to accomplish that end, Seattle Center encouraged SOaP’s new Board of Directors to bring in professional event management. After meeting with several event management companies, SOaP decided to explore partnering with the professional event producers IES. SOaP also hired Baccetti Inc. to solicit and manage corporate sponsorship opportunities.

This week, after a month and half of additional intense research and negotiation by IES, the new SOaP Board of Directors and the Seattle Center, it has been concluded by all that producing a similarly scaled Pride Event at Seattle Center is not financially prudent. While most people believe that the 2006 March and Festival in Downtown Seattle showcased the LGBT Community extremely well, a fiscally responsible 2007 March and Festival, no matter their physical location, is the most important goal. As such, new discussions are taking place about where both the march and festival make the most sense this year.

We appreciate the work of John Merner and Robert Nellams at the Seattle Center during this transitional time, as well as the guidance of IES and Baccetti Inc., both of whom will continue to advise SOaP in this process. Details of the event modifications are expected early next week. One thing is certain; there will be a great and financially responsible Seattle Pride this year.

For questions on anything press related please contact Eric Albert-Gauthier at ealbert-gauthier@seattlepride.org

Friday, April 20, 2007

Hillary Clinton

Any Hillary Supporters want to help put on a fundraiser for Hillary?

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Ride the Bus for free this Sunday April 22nd



King County Metro Transit is offering free rides on all buses, all day on Sunday, April 22 to celebrate Earth Day.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Next Thursday - Eat Out For A Good Cause - April 26th



Help Support a Good Cause

Dining Out For Life

When you dine at one of the following participating restaurants on Thursday, April 26, 2007, a portion of your bill will go directly to the services of Lifelong AIDS Alliance. Look for your favorite or find a great new one!

Click Here for a list of Restaurants Participating

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Unemployment rate hits record low! How does this affect Real Estate?


from Puget Sound Business Journal

"Washington's unemployment rate in March fell to 4.6 percent, the lowest since the state began keeping unemployment records in 1976, according to state officials.
Washington employers added 3,100 jobs in March compared with 7,200 who found jobs in February, when the state unemployment rate was 4.8 percent.
Nationally, the unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent, the same rate recorded in March for the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area.
State officials were pleased with the news.
"The Washington economy is one of the fastest growing in the nation, and this is a great record to break," said Gov. Chris Gregoire, in a statement. "

What does this mean for Real Estate?
A strong economy means more money, growing families, more people moving to the area for jobs, and over all a strong real estate industry. So if your looking to purchase or invest now is as good as ever.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Best Places to Live in the Seattle Metro Area

Best Places to live according to Seattle Metropolitan Magazine

1. Kent - Median Home Price $278,500
2. Lower Queen Anne - Median Home Price $289,000
3. High Point (West Seattle) - Median Home Price $315,990
4. Belltown - Median Home Price $324,450
5. Victory Heights/ Pinehurst - Median Home Price $356,750

Check out this months Seattle Metropolitan Magazine for the top 10 places to live and a complete list of Seattle Neighborhood Stats (Crime, Education, Parks, Commute, Services, Real Estate)

Earth Month Tip #8, Green Up Your Power

From the City of Seattle
Earth Day April 22, 2007

SEATTLE - Earth Month reminds us that we need to continue to take daily steps to keep our city and our planet healthy and environmentally sustainable. Seattle City Light customers can promote the use of clean, renewable energy by joining the Green Up program.

Green Up allows customers to invest in the development of new renewable energy sources, such as wind power, geothermal and biomass energy. By adding $3 a month to their electricity bills, Green Up participants can take credit for buying enough renewable energy to cover 25 percent of an average residential customer’s usage. A $6 premium covers 50 percent of the average residential usage, and $12 a month equates to 100 percent.

More than 2,500 customers are already participating in Green Up. In 2006, they purchased 34,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy from the Stateline Wind Project in eastern Washington and Oregon.

Sign up today for Green Up by visiting www.greenupseattle.org or calling (206) 684-8822.

To sweeten the deal, while supplies last, customers who join Green Up or increase their existing participation will receive a 12 ounce bag of organic coffee from local roasters Batdorf and Bronson and a 2 ounce organic chocolate bar from Dagoba Chocolate.

Increasing the use of clean, renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions that can affect climate change. Reducing those emissions is an important initiative for Seattle and the world. For example, scientists believe climate changes are shrinking glaciers in the North Cascades that store the water that allows City Light’s dams to produce electricity. Investing in new renewable energy sources now could help protect Seattle’s existing hydroelectric power supply.

You can make a difference! Start by joining Green Up today and then let others know of your commitment. Tell people where you shop and where you work that climate protection matters. For a list of other great steps to make Seattle and Planet Earth a better place to live, visit the Green Seattle Guide at www.seattle.gov/environment/cag/index.html.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Step into Africa at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle, May 11-17!

Bring your family, friends, church and neighbors to the highly acclaimed
World Vision AIDS Experience!

Come walk in the steps of a child living in an AIDS-affected community in
Africa. This interactive exhibit features a stirring audio tour combined
with captivating photography that will transport you to the heart of
Africa. You’ll gain a completely new perspective on the greatest
humanitarian crisis of our time.

The WV AIDS Experience invites visitors to ‘walk in’ the story of a child
whose life has been affected by AIDS. Participants leave the Experience
with a better understanding of the impact HIV and AIDS are having on the
lives of people living in Africa.

To sign up for a time to travel through Africa at the Africa Experience
visit: http://www.upc.org/AIDSExperience
For more information contact Donlisa Scott at: doscott@worldvision.org or
253.627.0474.x2225

The public hours for the Experience are:
Friday, May 11 - 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 12 - 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 13 - 9: 00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Monday, May 14 - 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Tuesday, May 15 - 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday, May - 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 17 - 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Additional Events:
Women's Tea - Saturday May 12th, 10am or 12 noon
Event for College Students - Tuesday, May 15th, 9pm-Midnight

University Presbyterian Church is located at 4540 Fifteenth Avenue NE,
Seattle 98105.

Earth Month Tip #7, Compact Flourescent Lighting

From the City of Seattle
Earth Day April 22, 2007


SEATTLE - Earth Month reminds us that we need to continue to take daily steps to keep our city and our planet healthy and environmentally sustainable. One simple step that can save significant amounts of electricity is choosing the right light bulb.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs use two-thirds to three-fourths less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

While the energy used to run a single light bulb may sound insignificant, the savings from switching to compact fluorescent bulbs adds up. If each of the 330,000 households served by Seattle City Light replaced one ordinary 60 watt light bulb with a 15 watt compact fluorescent bulb in a light fixture that was on four hours a day, 22,000 megawatt-hours of energy would be saved in a year. That’s enough to provide energy for about 2,000 homes for a year.

Compact fluorescent bulbs work best in areas where you keep the lights on for several hours at a time. Outdoor fixtures, floor and table lamps, pendant lights and bare bulbs often used in garages can be great opportunities for using compact fluorescent bulbs.

Read the manufacturer’s recommendations for the best applications and those that are unsuitable for a particular design. For example, some bulbs should not be used in humid conditions or enclosed fixtures. Compact fluorescent bulbs should NOT be used in any fixture controlled by a dimmer switch, unless the bulb package specifically states the bulb is compatible with dimmer switches. Using a non-dimmable bulb could create a fire risk.

While compact fluorescent bulbs last much longer than ordinary bulbs, they do eventually wear out. When that time comes, remember to recycle them. Check out www.takeitbacknetwork.org to find a recycling location near you.

You can make a difference! Start by replacing one incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb and then let others know of your commitment. Tell people where you shop and where you work that climate protection matters. For a list of other great steps to make Seattle and Planet Earth a better place to live, visit the Green Seattle Guide at www.seattle.gov/environment/cag/index.html.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Earth Month Tip #6, Conserve Energy

From the City of Seattle
Earth Day April 22, 2007


Seattle - Earth Month reminds us that we need to continue to take daily steps to keep our city and our planet healthy and environmentally sustainable. Seattle City Light offers the following tips to conserve energy.

Stay out of hot water. A hot water tank is the second largest energy user in the home. To reduce the amount of energy it uses, set the tank at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Take shorter showers, use water-efficient washing machines and wash clothes in cold water. You can save more by running full loads in the dishwasher and the clothes washer.

Turn down, turn off, unplug. Set thermostats at 68 degrees when you’re at home and 55 degrees or lower when you’re away or at night. Turn off lights in empty rooms and unplug electronics such as DVD players and cell phone chargers when not in use.

Keep yourself cozy. Staying warm during the day by dressing in layers and at night by using flannel sheets and a thick comforter on your bed is less expensive than turning up your thermostat.

Circulate the heat. Most of the heat from a baseboard heater will rise to the ceiling and stay there. Use ceiling fans to distribute that heat throughout the room.

Create a heat haven. Plugging leaks around doors, windows, fireplace dampers, attic hatches and wall penetrations will keep the heat in and the cold out. Add insulation to walls, floors, attics and windows.

Refrigerate wisely. Freezers are most efficient when they are packed full. Let hot foods cool before you put them in the refrigerator. Let frozen foods thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.

Dampers make a difference. Make sure to close the damper on your fireplace. Leaving it open while the heat is on is the same as leaving the front door open. It could double your heat bill. Repair a poorly fitting damper and, for an extra layer of protection, install and use glass fireplace doors.

Contact City Light. For more energy and money saving tips, call Seattle City Light’s Conservation Help Line at (206) 684-3000 or visit www.seattle.gov/light/accounts. City Light also can provide technical assistance and even some rebates.

You can make a difference! Start by taking the steps above and then let others know of your commitment. Tell people where you shop and where you work that climate protection matters. For a list of other great steps to make Seattle and Planet Earth a better place to live, visit the Green Seattle Guide at www.seattle.gov/environment/cag/index.html.

Earth Month Tip #5 - Reduce Climate Pollution

From the City of Seattle
Earth Day April 22, 2007


Earth Month helps remind us that we need to continue to take daily steps to keep our city and our planet healthy and environmentally sustainable. The City of Seattle offers the following tips to reduce climate pollution:

Drive less. Reduce your car time by walking, biking, carpooling, taking a bus, carpool and combining errands.

Drive smart. Keep your car tuned and tires properly inflated. Don’t idle when you’re stuck in a line. About 15 seconds is the break even point. Forget the jack rabbit starts. And on the freeway, keep your top speed at about 60 mph.

Be fuel efficient. Not only will you save gas, money and reduce emissions, but driving a fuel-efficient car that gets at least 32 miles per gallon leads to a real reduction in climate pollution. If you drive a diesel vehicle, the more biodiesel you use, the fewer the emissions you produce.

Reduce, reuse and recycle. Nearly every product on the market requires energy to produce, distribute and manage the resulting waste. Choose pre-owned products, products that have recycled content and products that are sold with less packaging.

Use a push or electric mower. Gasoline mowers are one of biggest polluters in the neighborhood. Go manual or electric this season.

Stay out of hot water. A hot water tank is the second largest user of energy in a home. So, set your tank at about 120°F, take shorter showers, use water-efficient washing machines and wash clothes in cold water. You’ll save energy, water and money.

Be a star, buy ENERGY STAR. Look for the ENERGY STAR label, an EPA rating system awarded to only the most energy-efficient appliances, computers, light fixtures and many other electrical conveniences.

Turn down, turn off and unplug. Set thermostats at 68°F when you’re home and 55°F or lower when you’re away or at night. Turn off lights in empty rooms and use compact fluorescent bulbs in place of standard light bulbs. Unplug electronics that aren’t in use. Use a clothes line to dry your wash.

Befriend your utility. Seattle Public Utilities ((206) 684-SAVE), Puget Sound Energy ((800) 562-1482) and Seattle City Light ((206) 684-3800) have great conservation programs and can provide more information, technical assistance and even some rebates.

Shout it out! You can make a difference. Start by taking the steps above and then let others know of your commitment. Tell people where you shop and where you work that climate protection matters.

For a list of other great steps to make Seattle and Planet Earth a better place to live, visit the Green Seattle Guide.

Earth Month Tip #4- Volunteer!

From the City of Seattle
Earth Day April 22, 2007


Earth Month helps remind us that we need to continue to take daily steps to keep our city and planet healthy and environmentally sustainable. Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) offers the following tips to help you get involved in your community:

Spring Clean is Seattle's premier clean up event and part of Mayor Greg Nickels' Clean and Green Seattle initiative. From April 1 to June 3, Spring Clean provides opportunities for citizens to clean up Seattle's public open spaces of their choice with city support. Find out more on the Seattle Public Utilities’ website, (206) 233-7187

Stencil a Storm Drain Help protect water quality! Sign up to stencil storm drains in your neighborhood with the message, “Dump No Waste: Drains to Stream, Lake or Bay.” Individuals, families, and community organizations and individuals can help. You will receive instructions and the use of a stenciling kit. Call (206) 684-7624 to find out more.

Be a Friend of Recycling. Help others in your apartment building learn how to recycle and receive $100 off your building’s garbage bill. To learn more, contact (206) 684-8717.

Become a Creek Steward. You can make a difference in your watershed by caring for a local creek. Learn about Seattle's creek systems and get involved in sustaining them! Find out more by calling (206) 684-4163.

Join an Advisory Council. Seattle Public Utilities encourages residents to serve on one of the citizen advisory committees that help keep SPU in touch with the community's viewpoints on solid waste, water and drainage issues. To find out more, call (206) 684-7624

Join the Friends of Cedar River Watershed, a private, non-profit organization incorporated in 1996 and dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Cedar River Watershed, an ecological preserve that is source of drinking water to more than a million greater Seattle area residents. Learn more at www.cedarriver.org

Adopt-A-Street! Help keep your community clean! Call (206) 684-7647 to adopt a street in your neighborhood.

Apply for an Aquatic Habitat Matching Grant. Seattle Public Utilities provides matching grants for individuals or groups to help improve Seattle's aquatic habitat. Awards amounts begin at $2,000 per project, with $300,000 in total awards available. Projects require a one-to-one match. Proposals are due April 27. Find out more at the Aquatic Habitat Matching Grant Program website.

For a list of other great steps to make Seattle and Planet Earth a better place to live, visit the Green Seattle Guide.

Earth Month Tip #3 – Prevent Water Pollution

From the City of Seattle
Earth Day April 22, 2007

Earth Month serves to remind us that we need to continue to take daily steps to keep our city and our planet healthy and environmentally sustainable. Seattle Public Utilities offers the following tips to keep our waterways clean:

Go Natural! Use lawn and garden chemicals sparingly or use organic alternatives. Whatever you put on your lawn could find its way to a stream. Northwest Natural Yard Days, April 15 – May 15, offers deep discounts on products for environmentally-friendly gardening. Don't miss out! For a list of participating retailers, visit the Northwest Yard Days website or call (206) 633-0224.

Go Native! When gardening, choose native plants that require fewer chemicals and less watering. For free native plant advice, call the Natural Lawn and Garden Hotline at (206) 633-0224.

Don't Dump anything into storm drains. Storm drains often drain directly to local lakes and streams.

Report Water Pollution! Call the Water Quality Hotline at (206) 684-7587 if you see oil sheens, soap or other pollutants in local waterways.

Volunteer to stencil storm drains in your neighborhood with the message, “Dump No Waste: Drains to Stream, Lake or Bay,” by calling (206) 684-7624.

Salmon-Friendly Car Wash! Did you know that soap is highly toxic to fish? Take your car to a car wash that recycles its water. Or, wash your car on the lawn or gravel. Use soaps without phosphates.

Keep Your Car Well-maintained. Fix oil leaks and recycle oil and other car fluids.

Scoop Your Poop! Always carry a plastic bag with you when walking your dog and place the waste in the trash. Dispose of cat litter in a garbage bag as well.

Be a Creek Steward! Volunteer to help care for a section of Seattle’s urban creeks. Find out more at Be a Creek Steward website.

Prevent Septic Leaks by keeping your system maintained.

Check your Heating Oil Tank! Every year, heating oil from leaking tanks finds its way into our local waterways. Insure your heating oil tank for FREE! For more information, visit the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency.

Sweep. Use a broom instead of a hose when cleaning driveways and sidewalks.

For a list of other great steps to make Seattle and Planet Earth a better place to live, visit the Green Seattle Guide

Earth Month Tip #2- Use Water Wisely

From the City of Seattle
Earth Day April 22, 2007


Earth Month serves to remind us that we need to continue to take daily steps to keep our city and our planet healthy and environmentally sustainable. Seattle Public Utilities offers the following tips to use water wisely:

  1. Fix leaky toilets and faucets. Research has shown that an average of 8 percent (or more) of all home water use is wasted through leaks. Even a small, silent leak can easily waste $50 per year in water and sewer costs. Large leaks can waste much more. Find out how to fix leaks at the Saving Water Partnership.
  2. Be WashWise! Upgrade to a water-saving WashWise clothes washer and be eligible for $50 to $100 rebate. Talk to your local appliance dealer or call the WashWise hotline- 1-866-632-4636.
  3. Be a FlushStar®! Replacing old toilets with FlushStar® models in your home can save you $50 to $125 and up to 10,500 gallons of water each year. Visit the Saving Water Partnership or call (206) 684-4150 to learn more.
  4. Wash only full loads of laundry. You’ll save water and energy!
  5. Clean up in the shower! Install an efficient showerhead and you can save up to 3,000 gallons a year. To save even more, limit your shower time to 5 minutes or less.
  6. Catch the rain! Rain barrels allow gardeners to collect Seattle’s famed rain for use in their yards. Get big discounts on rain barrels by purchasing Rain Barrels Online or by calling (206) 684-0190.
  7. Compost and mulch. By mixing compost into your soil and mulching garden beds, you’ll build healthy soil which absorbs water easily, drains well and retains moisture while reducing evaporation. Take advantage of huge discounts on yard and food waste composting bins by purchasing Compost Bins Online or by calling (206) 684-0190.
  8. Tune-up your irrigation system. Improving the efficiency of an automatic sprinkler system can reduce summer water bills by one-third while maintaining a healthy lawn and garden and you may be eligible for a rebate of up to $450. Call (206) 684-SAVE or visit the Saving Water Partnership to learn more.
  9. Water deeply and less often. You’ll encourage deep roots and help to prevent disease. Let the top few inches of soil dry before watering again so roots and soil life can breathe.
  10. Group plants by their water needs. Plants will be watered by the same sprinkler or irrigation zone and receive just the right amount of moisture. Lawns should be irrigated separately from other plants. Contact the Natural Lawn and Garden Hotline to learn more: (206) 633-0224 or e-mail info@lawnandgardenhotline.org

For a list of other great steps to make Seattle and Planet Earth a better place to live, visit the Green Seattle Guide.

Earth Month Tip #1- Recycle!

From the City of Seattle
Earth Day April 22, 2007


Earth Month serves to remind us that we need to continue to take daily steps to keep our city and our planet healthy and environmentally sustainable. In the first of a series of environmental tips, Seattle Public Utilities offers the following suggestions to reduce waste:

  1. Avoid Waste in the First Place! Bring your own bag when you go shopping. Set your office printer’s default to “double-sided,” avoid purchasing overly packaged products. Small, simple choices like these and others really add up in avoiding waste.
  2. Recycle Your Fruits and Vegetables! Seattle residents can now put corn cobs, banana peels, paper plates, napkins, hot dog buns and even greasy pizza boxes in their yard waste cart. Seattle residents recycled 25 million pounds of food and food-soiled paper that was made into natural compost for local gardens and parks.
  3. Compost! Composting yard and food waste at home is easy and helps grow a healthy, sustainable garden. Seattle offers compost bins year ‘round at a great price. Two green cones provide continuous, year-round food scrap composting. Yard waste bins compost leaves, grass and garden clippings. Food waste green cones are $25 each or two for $40, including tax. Limit two per household. Yard waste compost bins are $25 each, including tax. Limit one per household. This program is available to Seattle residents only. Order Compost Bins and Rain Barrels online at or call (206) 684-0190.
  4. Go Blue to Recycle! There are now more than 300 public recycling containers located throughout Seattle to help you recycle when you’re out and about. Look for the blue bins to recycle your bottles and cans. Recycled aluminum cans can be remade and back on your store shelf in as little as 60 days. Unfortunately, more than 10,000 pounds of soda cans were sent to Seattle’s landfill last year. Why waste a good thing? Recycle!
  5. Play the Recycling IQ Game! See how well you know what can and can’t be recycled in Seattle!
  6. Take It Back! Televisions, computers and fluorescent light bulbs contain hazardous waste and are not allowed in the garbage. Visit the Take it Back Network to find an electronics recycler near you!
  7. Buy Recycled! Buying recycled content products is a great way to save energy and creates a demand for more recycled content products. Check the label on the products you purchase to see if they are made from recycled products and choose the ones with the highest content.

For a list of other great steps to make Seattle and Planet Earth a better place to live, visit the Green Seattle Guide.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Back from Europe!! Check out the pictures

To view all my pictures visit http://alexgarcia.smugmug.com

Aberdeen Scotland

Aberdeen University


Matt was happy to find Starbucks in Aberdeen

Random Picture from Aberdeen


Edinburgh Scotland

Random Edinburgh Pictures




Castle in Edinburgh

Tartans through out the ages


Barcelona Madrid

An Office Building in Barcelona

View from my Hotel in Barcelona
You can see the Sagrada Familia in the background

Random Barcelona Pictures


Parc Gueli in Barcelona


Sagrada Familia




Madrid Spain

Parque Retiro

Random Pictures from Madrid

Some Cathedral in Madrid


Madrid Palace

Palace Armory

Every room in the Palace had a painting on the ceiling

Madrid Trainstation had a rain forest inside

Plaza Mayor

My Hotel in Madrid

Hanging out in some plaza in Madrid


London

Buckingham Palace

Matt with his Favorite Magazine

Random London Pictures


Chinatown in London