We've launched a new, Minneapolis/St Paul specific Twitter account where we will post local events, online coupons, book coupons of the day, and other Twin Cities only info that may not make it to the homepage. Follow us! More...

Use your Blue Sky Guide to save 50% on a cup of organic fair trade coffee and a grilled panini sandwich (made with organic ingredients) at Ginkgo Cofeehouses. Good at Snelling (721 N Snelling Ave, St Paul) and Garden View Medical Building (347 N Smith Ave, St Paul) locations.  More...

The Wheel American Family is our new blog about transporting kids in a Dutch style bicycle and enjoying cycling as a family. By Travis Wittwer.

At the grocery store, when I am loading my three sons and groceries into the “box” of my bakfiets I get more than a few puzzled but interested looks. Usually they ask if I like biking everywhere. My reply is that biking have given me enthusiasm and simplicity, all on two wheels.

It is also about a shift in America’s view of the bike. The bike, once seen only as a kids’ toy or transportation for the poor, is now something of beauty and simplicity. Even though the bike is a machine, it has an organic feel and it is being embraced by an ever-growing group of people. And nowhere is this felt more than Portland, Oregon. More...

Honest Eats is our newest seasonal recipe blog by Eric Robertson of Souped Up Cafe.

Heirloom winter squash are to autumn what Rainier cherries are to summer. They are an emblem of October and we’re lucky here in Seattle to have access to so many varieties. Getting a hold of some locally grown pumpkins and cooking them up to highlight their natural, earthy sweetness will really bring a seasonal flair to your kitchen everyone can appreciate, not to mention a chance to show off your culinary prowess. More...

In my job I attend a lot of community events to share the same energy conservation message THIS SPACE is dedicated to: simple steps can cut your electricity use and keep a few extra bucks in your pocket.

One of the best and easiest options is to switch from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. They use about a third of the electricity and last up to 10 years, which can save as much as $33 in energy costs over the life of the bulb. More...

If you aren't yet a fan of Boston.com's photo feature The Big Picture, you will be once you see these Scenes from Antarctica. 32 photos document molting penguins, sculpted icebergs, and sea life in high-res, full size images. The Big Picture is a chance to see news images in a gallery format, and this Antarctica series is one of the best we've seen yet. Pictured here are clouds that, beautiful as they are, contribute to the ozone hole.

Image via: The Big Picture More...

We spotted this easy project on this family biking page in (EcoMetro city Portland), which is fast becoming a solid resource for families on a roll in any city. The latest blog describes several methods and products for keeping kids warm, dry, and happy through the rain and cold whether using bike seats, bakfiets (at right), or trailers. The easiest is the author's own DIY project, a converted poncho that she fitted with elastic to stay put over the mounted high-back child seat. Materials needed are a poncho, elastic or shock cord, and a small reflective triangle, which you can purchase at one of our bike merchants with a coupon. Happy riding!

Keep an eye out for our family biking blog, which also involves a bakfiet. Coming soon! (Image: Flickr/santanartist) More...

Greetings, dear readers, from the other side of the pond.  Three days into my one-month stay in Holland, I’ve had a fair bit of culture shock.  I’m not able to understand much of what I hear, I can’t ride a bike because every Dutch person is at least 6 feet tall, and traveling on the back of a bicycle so close to moving traffic can be somewhat unnerving.  Undoubtedly, however, one of the most exciting (and shocking) things about my trip has been the attention paid to Election Day here in the Low Countries. More...

If you have a political sign in your yard, you're probably wondering what to do with it right about now. Depending on whether your signs are are plastic, metal, wood, or corrugated plastic commonly called coroplast, there may be a special collection pickup or drop off location near you. Visit the GreenGuardian.com for individual county instructions. Call the hotlines or visit the sites for Hennepin (612-348-3777) and Ramsey (651-266-1199) counties. Obama supporters can put materials up for free at ObamaCycle to be claimed by another user.

With coroplast signs, you can make bike panniers, fenders, or handlebar bags with these guides from Kent Peterson, formerly of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington in EcoMetro city Seattle. Novice DIYers can start with the handlebar bag, while the more adventurous ecomaniacs can tackle fenders. The step-by-step instructions for panniers (pictured at right) are especially easy to follow. Recyling election signs into bike gear lets you prepare for winter weather and continue to show your political opinions. More...