--Erin Russell, Chinook Book Sales Coordinator

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it's all about the gathering of great people and amazing food.  This year I have pledged with the Cascade Harvest Coalition's Eat Local for Thanksgiving campaign and need to take a look at my options for having an unforgettable meal!

Ballard Farmers Market: I love buying produce at the Ballard Farmers Market because it feels like an adventure to see who has what local produce and products.  I plan on purchasing some local cheese at the Ballard Farmerís Market to use as an appetizer on Thanksgiving. Search ecometro.com to find the closest farmers market to you. More...

Have you ever thought about what sort of food grows around your neighborhood? The bounty of edibles found right around the corner, from apples and nuts to rosemary and greens, is astounding. The urban landscape is filled with fresh, free food if you just know what to look for. Plants you might normally ignore, like dandelions or nettles, can be cooked into healthy, delicious meals.

Many people first experienced wild foods in their childhood—learning to mushroom hunt with their grandfather or picking apples from a neighbor’s tree. Looking for wild fruits, veggies, and nuts is a fun family activity that helps teach kids the value of local, fresh food. In addition to having kids help you forage for your own kitchen, you can volunteer to help harvest urban edibles for those in need (see resources below). More...

BAM-O-WEEN! - Free Family Day
The Bellevue Art Museum is offering free admission to the galleries as well as Halloween art activities, scavenger hunt and shadow puppets in the auditorium.
Sat, Oct 31, 1-4pm
Bellevue Art Museum, 510 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue

Halloween at the Symphony
A Halloween-filled day at Benaroya Hall. The Seattle Symphony is putting on two, 35 minute performances for little ghosts and goblins. Later that evening, Alfred Hitchcock's film "Psycho" will be shown with the Seattle Symphony playing as a live soundtrack. Cost varies.
Sat, Oct 31, Kids: 10am & 11am, Pyscho: 8pm
200 University St, Downtown, Seattle

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Six years after plans were laid to open a new Whole Foods on 15th St that would service Ballard, Magnolia and Downtown commuters and residents, Interbay Whole Foods opened its doors to the public for a pre-Grand Opening gala on October 12, 2009 that was attended by over 1000 people. Not yet open for business, the new store had its wares on display, fully-stocked shelves providing an ornamental backdrop to the main attraction: the food. Proving Whole Foods' signature ability to tempt at every turn, premium hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine were served throughout the aisles. More...

Green Eats Week
This week was designate by Find the local cafes and eateries that are setting the trend for customer composting and recyclable/compostable service ware. Green Eats Week is organized by Seattle Public Utilities Food + Compostables and you can receive coupons from Cedar Grove Composting when you visit the merchants during this week. Favorites such as Caffe Vita, Cupcake Royale and Molly Moon's are just a few of the participants.
Through Oct 28, Various locations - Seattle

350 - International Day of Climate Action
October 24th is the International Day of Climate Action and that number of 350 is the parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide that scientists and climate experts feel is a safe upper limit for our atmosphere and are currently at 385.92 ppm. Lots of activities at the Seattle Center, click above to find details or events in your area and for more information about climate change.
Oct 24, 2-5pm
Seattle Center - Lower Queen Anne, Seattle
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Whim W'Him Launch Party
The Pacific Northwest Ballet's principal dancer, Olivier Wevers, unveils his new dance troupe, Whim W'Him.
Fri, Oct 16, 8pm
Sole Repair Shop, 1001 E Pike St, Capitol Hill, Seattle

Duwamish Alive!
Seattle's "hometown river" needs your help. Come out and help with maintenance and clean-up at one of nine restoration sites to help improve habitat for fish and wildlife.
Sat, Oct 17
Please check Duwamish Alive! for locations and time

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EcoLavish
Some of Seattle's most established and new to the scene eco-friendly designers will be showing at the EcoLavish fashion show. Back for it's second go around, EcoLavish introduces the eco-conscious and fashion conscious to the world of green design. Tickets are $25-$50 and can be found at the HalfPastLavish website. 
Oct 9, 7-10pm, The Engine Room at Georgetown Studios, 5890 Airport Way S - Georgetown, Seattle

Ballard Corners Grand Opening
Organizers have invited Seattle Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher, State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles, and King County Councilmember Larry Phillips to speak. Veraci Pizza is bringing their oven and will be making free pizzas for everyone. Groundswell NW will also be there to celebrate their 20th year of creating parks and open space in Ballard.
Oct 10, 11am, 17th Ave NW & NW 63rd St - Ballard, Seattle

Seattle Mobile Chowdown   
The best and finest of Seattle's street food vendors are gathering in one spot for only four hours. Some of the dozen of vendors are Skillet with their grass-fed beef and local Macrina Bakery rolls, as well as Parfait's organic ice cream. If you are a foodie, this is not to be missed!
Oct 10, 11-3pm, 1616 W Bertona - Interbay, Seattle

Eat Local Now!  
Tickets are going fast for this event! Sustainable West Seattle, BALLE Seattle and West Seattle CoolMoms are organizing this fundraising dinner for Eat Local Now, an organization that promotes the importance of locally grow food in our communities.
Oct 11, 5-10pm, 4736 40th Ave SW - West Seattle

NEW Whole Foods Grand Opening   
The newest addition to the  family opens in Interbay.
Oct 13, 7am, 2001 15th Ave W - Interbay, Seattle More...

Harvest Celebration (Closing Day)
Celebrate the end of the farmer's market season in Queen Anne. Come for all the wonderful produce that this time of year ensures and stay for the live music and community activities that the market has to provide.
Oct 1, 3-7pm, Queen Anne Ave N & Crockett St - Queen Anne, Seattle

Romeo et Juliette The tragic love story is brought to stage and told through dance in an amazingly unique and beautiful way. Pacific Northwest Ballet constantly provides the Puget Sound with amazing performances and this is one not to miss.
Thru Oct 4th, McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St - Lower Queen Anne, Seattle

“Rewards of Fair Trade” at PCC Natural Markets 
October is Fair Trade month and PCC is ready to share their bounty of amazing products with the public. Come by and sample fairly traded products that represent sustainable growing methods, fair working conditions and of the utmost quality. And remember, PCC's coffee line is entirely organic, Fair Trade certified, from your hot cup there to the beans you bring home!
Oct 3, 10-2pm, 9803 Edmonds Way - Edmonds
Oct 4, 11-3pm, 600 N 34th - Fremont, Seattle

I Heart Rummage  
Looking for something unique and one of a kind? You can probably find it at I Heart Rummage. This monthly fair showcases many urban and indie crafters from across the Northwest and is a great way to support your local artist.
Oct 4, 12-4pm, Chop Suey - 1325 E. Madison - Capitol Hill, Seattle

Annual Ship Canal Clean-up  
Help is needed to clean the waterway between the Fremont Bridge and the Ballard Locks. Many different types of water craft will be used to assist in the cleanup and a cook out for all the volunteers will wrap up the day! Sponsored by: Seattle Marine Business Coalition, US Army Corps of Engineers, Port of Seattle, Puget Sound Keepers Alliance, and Seattle Public Utilities. For more info and to pre-register as a volunteer contact Lise Kenworthy at lisekenworthy@comcast.net
Oct 3, 9-1pm, Fisherman's Terminal, 3919 18th Ave W - Interbay, Seattle

Pike Pub Agent Green Re-Visitation
In April, Seattle Green Drinks helped Pike Pub & Brewery raise money to update their lighting system and do away with high energy usage. As a thank you, Pike Pub will be giving tours of the retrofits as well as specials on drinks and food.
Oct 7, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, 1415 1st Ave - Pike Place, Seattle More...

Shrink Your Lawn, Grow Your Garden  
Listen to Greg Rabourn of KUOW’s Greendays Gardening Panel and KCTV’s Yard Talk give pointers on adding color and attracting wildlife to your yard.
Cost is free!
Sept 19, 10 - 11am
Swanson's Nursery, 9701 15th Ave NW

Celebration of the NEW Miller Playfield
Miller Playfield is finally reopening with new turf in place of its old sandy fields. Bluebird Ice Cream and Teahouse will be supplying the Ice Cream Social from 6-8:30pm while Seattle University puts on soccer and lacrosse demos. From 8:30-10pm, pick up games have been promised!
Sept 20, 6-10pm
400 19th Ave E - Capitol Hill

Lake Forest Park Farmers Market and EV Fair
Green Car Company will have a Hymotion Plug-in Prius and electric bikes on display! There will also be a full line up of electric vehicles there, and Smart Solar Solution will be there with a solar panel setup. Free.
Sept 20, 11am - 4pm
Third Place Commons  More...

When Washington lawmakers approved a set of incentives in 2005 for producing electricity from the solar power, they hoped to encourage residents to install solar panels and recruit businesses to build them in the Evergreen State.

Four years later, we are seeing slow, but steady and growing progress.

Under the state's incentive program, anyone who installs a solar panel and a meter that records its production gets a double payoff. First, the electricity it produces lowers the amount you need to buy from your utility. Then, you also earn at least 12 cents for every kilowatt-hour of energy the panel generates.

It’s a generous incentive.

The minimum production incentive alone is nearly double what my employer, Seattle City Light, charges its residential customers. Combined with the savings from not needing to buy that electricity, the minimum payback is about 18 cents per kilowatt-hour.

But wait, it gets even better and THIS SPACE is here to tell you why. More...