I work one Sunday a month. My favorite coffee shop is not open Sundays (Discovery Espresso and Juice in Magnolia) and my local coffee shop is not yet open (Java Love in Beacon Hill). Thank goodness for the super friendly people at Caffe Ladro who open at 6am AND serve fair trade organic coffee. I have almost always had exceptional service and the quality of coffee and food is always super high.

Climbing gyms are popping up at personal gyms and outdoor stores, but it is nice to have a place like Vertical World to actually train for climbing. It is possible to be a member here and never go climbing outdoors, but if you are interested in outdoor climbing and can't afford to travel to warm places in the winter, VW is a great place to train. There are routes of all different levels and plenty of routes exclusively for lead climbing. There is also a fairly large bouldering cave and limited personal weights and exercise machines. The downside? It is definitely expensive to climb here (especially if you are not a member). It can get really crowded week nights in the winter and spring. At times there can be a bit too much attitude but not from the staff - they are very friendly and helpful. Overall, if you can get in during non-peak hours and not be turned off by some of the scene, this is probably the best climbing gym in the region.

Imagine if every hardware store carried even half of the sustainable products that EHC carries. More so imagine if every hardware store had a staff as knowledgeable as EHC. If this competition existed, the few flaws with the EHC would be worked out, but for now we have to congratulate EHC just for staying alive among the giants dominating the hardware industry. I guess we have to congratulate those who pay a little extra for the products at EHC. This dedication will help us transition to a more sustainable economy. Items of note: OS Hard Wax, Recycled Denim Insulation (no fiberglass!)

This is the place I shop for groceries in Seattle. The selection is usually fantastic, the prices comparable or cheaper to other natural foods market and the employees are pretty friendly. The fact that it is a Co-Op, controlled by its members and not a for profit business, gives me the confidence that the products and services offered have been chosen with my best interests in mind. If not, I can show up to a member meeting and tell them to change. Try doing that at Whole Foods! My biggest complaint is that the origin of the produce is rarely labeled. I like to buy local or at least as close to home as possible. If this would improve I would rate this merchant Excellent.

On the Boards is one of my favorite venues for music and dance. In addition to consistently high quality, the performances are usually cutting edge. In addition to the upstairs theater, there is a very small theater on street level. I have seen the ongoing production "12 Minutes Max" several times in this intimate space and been pleased every time. Take the bus, walk or bike to this venue - parking can be quite challenging.