--Erin Russell, Sales Coordinator
Walkable: capable of or suitable for being walked
In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.

Or, as defined by Christopher Leinberger, a Land-use Strategist at the Brooking Institution in an NPR interview, "It's where you can get your daily needs met within walking distance. More...

The Stranger's 7th Annual Genius Awards
Each year, the Stranger recognizes artists and art organizations chosen by the papers editors. This year they are recognizing: Jeffry Mitchell (art), Zia Mohajerjasbi (film), Stacy Levine (literature), The Cody Rivers Show (theater), and Pacific Northwest Ballet (organization). This is the opportunity to celebrate these artists and art in general with music and drink.
Fri, Nov 13, 9pm
Moore Theater 1932 2nd Ave, Downtown Seattle

Green Kirkland - Arbor/Climate Action Day
Bring your shears, clippers, shovels and gloves to help clean up Cotton Hill Park. Energy and community spirit are strongly advised!
Sat, Nov 14, 9-12pm
Cotton Hill Park 110th Ave NE & NE 98th St, Kirkland
 More...

--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...

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

 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
 More...

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

 More...

Despite its population density, the Capitol Hill neighborhood has taken the prize for newest frozen dessert shops to residents ratio (see here and here) with the opening of Bluebird Homemade Ice Cream & Tea Room.

This establishment is going right for EcoMetro's heart, employing reused materials in the cafe design (check out the tables and mini stage, once a basketball court), as well as local, wholesome ingredients for the ice cream and other goodies. According to the owner, Josh: "The dairy comes from all-natural, hormone-free cows in Washington and Oregon. The stout is brewed at the Elysian, and the coffee is roasted at Stumptown. All of the fruit comes from the Northwest. The baked goods are from Seattle bakers that we think supply good-quality, local, natural products." That Elysian Stout he's talking about gets into the Stout Ice Cream, something a Northwesterner can surely love. Other recent flavors on the menu include Vanilla Bean, Chocolate, Strawberry, Snickerdoodle and Peanut Butter. Mmmmm, mmmmmm!

Psssst! The newest lineup on the "Corridor of Gluttony" (a term coined by a fan of EcoMetro) is Cupcake Royale's newest location at 1111 E Pike Street. More...

Looking for a road trip in the next couple of weeks?

Explore the nature of summer along this 440-mile self-guided driving tour that begins just 28 miles north of Seattle.  The Cascade Loop Scenic Highway circles through the heart of the North Cascades mountain range, along the semi-arid Columbia River Valley, past glacier-fed Lake Chelan, through the North Cascades National Park, National Wilderness and Forestlands, and into the Puget Sound where Orca whales play and beachcombing abounds.  It is an adventurous scenic highway.  The Cascade Loop is a path into nature, a road through quaint friendly towns and a rest stop at the end of your day with comfortable lodging and delicious Northwest cuisine.  With nature just a step away, it’s easy to regain your senses.  Refresh yourself amongst the nature of the the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway.  For a free 68-page Travel Guide visit the website.
 More...

Were any of you EcoMetro readers inspired to try out a car-free lifestyle after you read about Carissa's experience with joining Zipcar? If you're looking for the extra kick-in-the-pants to get started, consider joining Seattle Zipcar's Low-Car Diet Challenge.

The Low-Car Diet Challenge is an annual Zipcar event that gives people across the country the opportunity to ditch their car and see how it works with their daily routine. You give up your personal car keys for 30 days with the opportunity to blog about your experience - others will be able to follow you journey, hearing about how your life has been affected. Imagine the fame (and cost savings, carbon savings, personal weight loss, etc...)!

Participants (assuming approval as a safe driver) get their first year’s annual and application fees waived and driving credit from Zipcar, as well as a car-free survival kit filled with goodies from various sponsors.

Image Credit: Flickr/Creative Commons 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 Portland book that very day (there isn't a coupon in Seattle There is a code for $50 in driving time in the ad on page 41, and look for a coupon in the 2010 book). 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...