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Policy and a Pint: No Impact Man
Colin Beavan tried to live for a year without making an impact on the environment: all in the heart of New York City with his wife and toddler!  Hear him and Steve Seel (DJ from 89.3 The Current) discuss his “no impact year” and hear how he thinks it made his life better.
Sept 17, 5:30-7pm
UBS Forum at Minnesota Public Radio, 480 Cedar St, St Paul
$10/$5 for students w/ ID

Image: Flickr/zappowbang

8th Annual Minnesota Tile Festival
The MN Tile Festival is part arts festival, part trade show and brings together 40 of the most talented tile artists in the country. Be sure to bring your Blue Sky Guide coupon to receive one FREE admission with the purchase of one at full price (http://www.ecometro.com/twincities/location/Minnesota-Tile-Festival/988/).
Sept 19, 10am-5pm
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave S, Minneapolis

Woofstock
Woofstock is a day of special deals at local stores, agility demonstrations, dog-friendly exhibits, live music, a scavenger hunt, the Pooches' Promenade and the annual Dog Trick Contest.
Sept 19,10am-3pm
Linden Hills Business District, 43rd & Upton, Minneapolis, MN More...

I want to add the phrase “everyday cycling” to our language. I first heard this when I was a guest on the KBOO Bike Show in Portland. Before the show, I head co-host Tori Bortman use everyday cycling, and being the word geek that I am, I asked about the nuances of her phrase. A discussion ensued, and I am now convinced that everyday cycling needs to be part of our language.

There is a sizable group of people who fall under the term everyday cycling, myself included, but my riding habits are usually described as bike commuting. Until now.

Image used with permission of metrofiets.com. Pictured: Ella Ross and Phillip Ross. Picture taken by Maile Leithea. Check out the Metrofiets photostream! More...

It is sunny as I write this, sitting on my porch, kids playing in the yard. It's one of the few days this week when the sun came out, giving rise to some hopeful feelings, and just in time. I just went through a riding slump.

Commuting by bike is hard. Well, the actual process of riding is not hard. However, there are variables that exacerbate the situation: weather and kids--and both are unpredictable. Our mornings were cold, sometimes icy. No matter what the time of day, the rain seemed to come just as we started, as if in defiance of my family’s desire to pedal. And even though my children want to ride our bike to and from school, those cold, wet, miserable days did take some cajoling.

I am through the slump and even with the unpredictable weather (and kids), commuting by bike is still simple. A basic existence. More...

As an adult who has chosen to commute by bike, I can make the decision without much complaint or discussion. However, it is a bit different for kids who are often pulled into commuting by bike. After all, they are kids, and as such, I need to appeal to kid logic. When I pick up my kids from school, I have an after school snack with me so they can munch during the bike ride home. Additionally, we play games. One such game is an alphabet game. Aside from the educational benefits (sorry, I teach middle school), it usually lasts the whole ride home. More...

According to Metro Transit, the average commuter emits 2.6 tons of greenhouse gases annually just driving to work.  The World Carfree Network is an umbrella organization that works worldwide to provide people with alternatives to single vehicles by supporting outreach programs and education. Combined with our local transit information and the coupons in our books, you can celebrate Carfree Day and make a lifetime habit change. One of the best Carfree Network programs is the UK based Autoholics Anonymous (open to all), which has a twelve step program and this message: More...

This morning the League of American Bicyclists awarded EcoMetro city Portland with platinum level recognition as a Bicycle Friendly Community, rising from the previous gold level status. The only other city in the US with platinum level recognition is Davis, California. No cities in Minnesota have applied for the Bicycle Friendly Community ranking, you can start the application process for your community here. Keep reading for our local biking resources and coupons. More...

It's bike commute month nation wide, and this week is Bike Walk Week for us! Win prizes, group together with colleagues, and spread the word. If you've been thinking about biking or walking to work, this is the month to do it. You can also register for Metro's Commuter Challenge, which has another slew of prizes and local goodies. Sign up now and read on for our local biking resources from the 2008 Blue Sky Guide.

Bike commuting is a mental and physical challenge, and it’s also a great way to work exercise into your day and avoid the cost of commuting. More...