WASHINGTON FOCUS: Blogs, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

DEMOCRATS WORK, WASHINGTON:

Restore the South Prairie Creek with the Stream Team - Pierce County, WA
When: Saturday, March 14th 2009, at 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: 16224 Pioneer Way E.
Orting, WA
Contact: gunnbl_at_comcast.net
Info: On Saturday, March 14, from 9am to 12 noon, Democrats Work volunteers will be helping Stream Team restore wildlife habitat alongside South Prairie Creek in Orting. The address is 16224 Pioneer Way E., Orting. Pioneer Way E. is also known as State Route 162. The property is roughly halfway between South Prairie and Orting.

The goal of the project is to improve the riparian ecosystem by removing invasive weeds and planting a healthy mix of native trees, shrubs, and groundcover to encourage the natural processes needed to sustain salmon and other aquatic organisms. Over time, streamside vegetation provides: shade to keep water temperatures cool, cover for wildlife refuge, large woody debris for channel variation, leaf and needle litter for the food chain, habitat for terrestrial fauna, erosion control, stormwater/flooding mitigation, and groundwater retention, to name a few.

The Stream Team program is a part of the Pierce Conservation District. Begun as a one-year grant funded project in 1994, Stream Team has grown into a countywide, multi-activity program that has worked with thousands of volunteers to improve local water quality and stream habitat.

Volunteers should dress warmly, in layers, and wear boots and work gloves. If you want to bring your favorite shovel or trowel, remember to mark them with your name. Drinking water, coffee and snacks will be available at the site.
Notes: Directions: Take Highway 167 south to WA-410. Head East on WA-410 toward Sumner/Bonney Lake. Turn Right at South Prairie Rd. E. Turn Right on Pioneer Way E (SR-162). The property will be on the left.


Blogging Washington State:

Washblog

LeftyBlogs Washington is the place to find out what's happening in the progressive blogosphere across Washington.

Horse's Ass: Strange name, but an excellent blogging team

Upper Left: A Democrat - without prefix, without suffix, without apology

SeattleActivism.org is a new website and project that provides information on upcoming events, actions, and meetings as well as links to organizations and resources in the Seattle area related to progressive activist issues. We encourage groups, organizations, and activists to post information about Seattle-area events and actions relevant to progressive social issues, such as peace, environment, human rights, social justice, poverty and development, globalization, labor, etc. We have created an easy-to-use and open system for posting information about events to the site, and we also highlight and feature special or major events.


Stories of Interest:

Helping Families Save Their Homes Act Passes, While GOP Demands All Democrats Be Just Like Their Pals The Blue Dogs

Washington State is Now a Little More Free

UW staff voluntarily give up wage increases

McDonald's Hates American Heroes

Why does Bobby Jindal hate Washington state? I guess Republicans don't realize that Hawaii and many of the Western States in America actually have volcanoes. Perhaps they don't remember Mt. St. Helens. Would Louisiana's Jindal like it if someone from Washington State proposed eliminating tracking of hurricanes?

Why do Republicans Hate America?



Initiative Seeks to Discriminate against Atheists

Some Implications of Cutting Education Funding in Washington State

Legislature Should Act to Limit Special Interest Money in Elections

How Transit-Oriented Development Works


Alternative Energy in Washington:

Here are a biodiesel cooperatives in Washington State. If you drive a diesel car or truck, check it out.

Tacoma Biodiesel
Tacoma, WA

Biodiesel is an alternative to petroleum diesel made from vegetable oil that can be used in any diesel engine. Now this clean, renewable, domestically-produced fuel is available right here in Tacoma, and you can be a part of it! The Tacoma Biodiesel Cooperative is a grassroots group of Tacoma-area citizens who have chosen to support this alternative fuel through advocacy and use in our personal vehicles.

Check out their website. And to find places to buy biodiesel for use in your car, truck or home heating, go here.


And here are Propel Fuel Stations around Washington State that offer biofuels: (I came across them through their carbon offset program)

* Seattle, South Lake Union Flagship
609 Westlake Avenue North
Seattle, Washington 98109

* Bellevue/Factoria
3204 129th Pl SE
Bellevue, Washington 98005

* Seattle, Ballard Neighborhood
4420 Leary Way NW
Seattle, Washington 98107

* Kenmore
8002 NE Bothell Way
Kenmore, Washington 98028

* West Seattle
3500 SW Barton Street
Seattle, Washington 98136

* Mount Vernon
2120 East College Way
Mount Vernon, Washington 98273


Here are some other alternative energy resources in Washington State:

Our Wind Co-op is a unique cooperative of small-scale wind turbines on farms, ranches and public and private facilities across the Northwest. Through this collaborative effort, 10-kW turbines were installed at numerous rural sites serviced by publicly-owned utilities. To find out more or ask about participation, Contact:

Northwest SEED
1402 Third Ave #901
Seattle, WA 98101
info_at_nwseed.org
(206) 328-2441

Climate Solutions
219 Legion Way SW #201
Olympia, WA 98501
info_at_harvestcleanenergy.org
(360) 352-1763


Alternative Energy Resources in Washington: a short summary of alternative energy resources for Washington. For more information on each technology, visit the State Energy Alternatives Technology Options page.

Seattle Advocates of Renewable Energy: a group of interested citizens who want to learn more about Renewable Energy and Sustainability. Our goal is to foster discussion, networking, and action on these important issues. We meet on the fourth Thursday of every month from 7 to 9 pm at the First Seattle Presbyterian Church.

Seattle Peak Oil Awareness (www.seattleoil.com) has been active for 2 1/2 years (it actually started out life as a Meetup.com group)!

Seattle Peak Oil Awareness is a local citizens action network offering information and practical ideas for living in a time of reduced energy availability. Working in small, focused groups we advocate healthy, sustainable living choices for all interested residents in the Puget Sound region. Read more here.


WASHINGTON GROUPS AND EVENTS:

Progressive Majority Washington State: "Progressive Majority is not giving conservatives a chance to regroup. We haven't let up on recruiting and electing progressives since we opened our doors in Washington State in 2004. In 2008, Progressive Majority elected 10 progressives to local and state offices. Through their successful campaigns, our candidates are proving that progressive values are American values."

Progressive Majority has leadership programs and can help progressive candidates run an efficient and successful campaign. You can sign up for email updates here.


Equal Rights Washington (ERW) is a statewide political advocacy organization for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community of Washington State. ERW works to end discrimination against LGBT people throughout the state. Find out what you can do here.

Progressive Change for Washington: is a growing coalition comprising progressives from across the political spectrum throughout Washington State. We are pooling our energies to promote progressive thought and action throughout the State of Washington.


And for those who want to mix social and political fun, here are Drinking Liberally groups in Washington:

Bellingham
Second and Fourth Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm
Horseshoe Cafe, Ranch Room, 113 E Holly St
Hosted by Dave Willingham

Burien
Fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm
Mick Kelly's Irish Pub, 435 SW 152nd St
Hosted by Cherisse Luxa | Joe Fitzgibbon

Olympia
First and Third Monday of each month, 7:00 pm
Urban Onion in Downtown Olympia -- In the Bar, 116 Legion Way SE (In the Bar--enter on Legion)
Hosted by Bruce Lund | Barry Piercy

Seattle
Every Tuesday of each month, 8:00 pm
Montlake Ale House, 2307 24th Ave E
Hosted by Nicholas Beaudrot | Chris Mitchell

Seattle Eastside
First and Third Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm
Angelo's Restaurant, 1830 130th Ave NE
Hosted by Norman Furlong | Doug Hightower | Rich Erwin

Newport Hills
First Monday of each month, 7:30 pm
Mustard Seed Grill and Pub, 5608 119th Ave SE
Hosted by Robert Sargent

Shelton
Third Monday of each month, 7:00 pm
El Serape Restaurant, 2503 Olympic Hwy N
Hosted by Mike Mosbarger | Drew Noble

Spokane
Every Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm
Working Class Heroes Bar & Grill, 1914 North Monroe Street - (509) 327-0448
Hosted by Andrew Brewer

Tacoma
Every Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm
Hub Restaurant, 203 Tacoma Ave S (in the bar area)
Hosted by Melissa Thompson | Traci Kelly

Tri-Cities
Every Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm
O'Callahans - Shilo Inn, 50 Comstock Richland Washington
Hosted by Jim McCabe | Kendall Miller