San Francisco Green Festival
Join EcoMetro Guide in booth 532 at the nation’s premier sustainability event, where you will see the best in green. Enjoy more than 125 renowned authors, leaders and educators; great how-to workshops; cutting-edge films; fun activities for kids; organic beer and wine; delicious vegetarian cuisine and diverse live music. Shop in our unique marketplace of more than 350 eco-friendly businesses—everything from all-natural body care products and organic cotton clothing to Fair Trade gifts and beautiful kitchen tiles made from renewable resources.
Fri-Sun, Nov 13-15
Concourse Exhibition Center 635 8th St, San Francisco
View the EcoMetro Guide coupon>>

Play: East Bay Green Drinks
A lively monthly gathering for anyone interested in sustainability, including green business, environmental and social causes, architecture and design, organics, renewable energy and more.
Wed, Nov 18, 5:30-8pm
Visit the website for location

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Live, Play: San Francisco Green Festival
Join EcoMetro Guide in booth 532 at the nation’s premier sustainability event, where you will see the best in green. Enjoy more than 125 renowned authors, leaders and educators; great how-to workshops; cutting-edge films; fun activities for kids; organic beer and wine; delicious vegetarian cuisine and diverse live music. Shop in our unique marketplace of more than 350 eco-friendly businesses—everything from all-natural body care products and organic cotton clothing to Fair Trade gifts and beautiful kitchen tiles made from renewable resources.
Fri-Sun, Nov 13–15
Concourse Exhibition Center 635 8th St, San Francisco
View the EcoMetro Guide coupon>>
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October is the greatest time of year. My favorite, in fact. I love the smell in the air, the sun going down too early and I love picking out Halloween costumes. Recently l've been reading about some tips on how to green Halloween. One idea came from our very own website: buy candy that comes in recycling-friendly packaging, such as aluminum foil or paper. I also found tips on the Green Schools Initiative newsletter: using cloth/reusable bags, avoid vinyl masks, buy second hand, make your own, and so on.

The idea that really stuck was to have a costume swap! What a great idea. I know that I have a couple of costumes of my own that could be easily passed on. More...

Live: Fall Neighborhood Plant Exchange
Have plants you must prune or divide? How about trading your excess with others in your neighborhood? Take home new plants for your yard and have an instant new garden! All types of plants are welcome, from cuttings up to full size. Garden accessories and accents welcome: umbrellas, clippers, books on gardening, pots, stepping stones, tools and supplies—even goldfish.
Sat, Oct 17, Noon-4pm
3811 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland

Live: FOSC Fall Native Plant Sale
Here's a chance to purchase native plants for your own garden. For details, contact nursery@sausalcreek.org.
Sat, Oct 17, 10am-3pm
Joaquin Miller Native Plant Nursery, in Joaquin Miller Park

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Point Richmond Fall Fest
Fall Fest will feature live music, an arts fair, beer garden, chili cook-off and fall-inspired activities for people of all ages and interests.
Oct 10, 10am-8pm
Washington Ave and Park Pl in downtown Point Richmond

Oaktoberfest in the Dimond
Enjoy German and local craft beers, Kid's Rootbier Garten, Gourmet German Food, Entertainment and Raffle, Sausal Creek Eco Fair, and new this year, Homebrew Competition.
Oct 10, 11am-6pm
MacArthur Blvd at Fruitvale Ave
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By Jennifer Hallstrom, Community Outreach Manager

For Memorial Day weekend my dad came to visit from Florida. Having guests in town is always an opportunity to show off the East Bay sights, especially if it is to a place you've never been. My dad has always enjoyed taking the Ferry, so we decided this time to take the Alameda/Oakland Ferry to Angel Island for a hike. On the weekends you can catch a ride directly from Oakland at 9:00am, or Alameda just 10 minutes later, that goes to Angel Island (with a transfer at Pier 41). We decided to leave a little later and caught the 10:25am ferry from the Alameda Port, which stops at Oakland and the Ferry Building before reaching Pier 41, where we transferred to the Angel Island Ferry.

The extended ride was worth it to experience more of the cool bay breeze and watch my nephews’ amazement of the boats and bridges. We enjoyed a picnic breakfast on the boat and arrived at Angel Island within an hour. We walked along the Angel Island Loop Trail, enjoyed the views and made it back to catch the 3:10pm ferry, which took us directly to Alameda  - docking at 3:45pm. It was a perfect day on the water.

Here's how to go yourself or view the EcoMetro Guide ferry coupon.: More...

Several years ago, when I first got a call about working here at Celilo Group Media, I had just torn the Zipcar coupon out of the book that very day (it's called Chinook Book in Portland). Had I heard of the book? Of course I had! Did I ever redeem the coupon...er, no.

It wasn't just calculating the cost of gas, insurance, and upkeep that finally made me take the leap and sell my car--it was realizing that I drive so infrequently that spiderwebs connected the window to the steering wheel like something out of a cartoon. My bike was carrying me a dozen miles a day for free while I paid for spiders to practice tightrope walking between leather and glass. I sold the car and patted myself on the back (plus bought a pair of new shoes). And then, immediately, I missed an opportunity because I didn't have wheels. More...

Do you have a favorite green gift for a sweetie? Are you a green merchant with the perfect product for a honey? Or are you a local crafter?

We're compiling our Valentine's Day Gift Guide and need your help! Email us at editor@ecometro.com with "Gift Guide" in the subject line or leave your tip or product here in the comments section.

You may have also noticed that this is posted in our new East Bay Staff Blog. This is the place for information for and by green merchants associated with us. We'll also post insider information from our staff and the events they attend, businesses they visit, and articles they read.

Image: Flickr/CreativeCommons More...