WASHINGTON FOCUS: Blogs, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

Upcoming events in Seattle:

Introduction to Permaculture
Date/Time
March 27 (Friday), 7 pm
Location
Redmond, WA

Permaculture is an exploration of sustainable human settlements. Please join us to learn about permaculture and how to apply permaculture principles in your life.
full description & details:

Permaculture is an exploration of sustainable human settlements. We look at how humans can work with nature to meet our needs and those of other beings on this planet. Please join us to learn about permaculture and how to apply permaculture principles in your life. Slideshow & Discussion

Website for more info:
http://www.herbnwisdom.com
Contact Person:
Christy Nieto
Contact Email:
permaculture@earthlink.net
Contact Ph. Number:
(360) 820-8586

Seattle Green Festival-Volunteer and Get in Free!
Date/Time
March 28 (Saturday), 10am
Location
Washington State Trade and Convention Center
Sponsored by
Green Festival, Global Exchange and Green America

Green Festival is a 2 day event co-produced by Global Exchange and Co-op America committed to the movement towards a just and sustainable society. Volunteer and receive free admission ALL weekend: www.greenfestivalvolunteers.org/seattle
full description & details:

Volunteer for the 2009 Green Festival, March 28-29.

Green Festival is a 2 day event co-produced by Global Exchange and Co-op America committed to the movement towards a just and sustainable society, featuring over 400 socially and environmentally responsible enterprises, over 100 leading speakers, live music, and delicious organic food and drink.

Volunteers are needed for the event and receive free admission, an organic cotton t-shirt and free memberships; for more information please visit www.greenfestivalvolunteers.org/seattle

For more information about Green Festival: www.greenfestivals.org

Camp Wellstone Seattle
Date/Time
April 24 (Friday), 3:00pm--9:00pm
Location
TBD
Sponsored by
Wellstone Action

Wellstone Action's flagship progressive training for grassroots activists, campaign workers, and future candidates is coming to Seattle, April 24-26!
full description & details:

This 2.5 day training, running from 3-9pm Friday, 9am-6pm Saturday, and 9am-3:30pm Sunday, combines lectures from highly experienced trainers, stimulating exercises, and interactive simulations. We're counting on you to organize around issues that matter, help build campaigns for the future, and elect progressive candidates to office.

Camp Wellstone is divided into three tracks:

Citizen activist track. For people interested in citizen lobbying, issue advocacy, and community organizing, this track provides skills in how to win on issues.
Campaign track. This track focuses on how to be an effective staff or volunteer member of a winning progressive campaign.
Candidate track. This is for people who have made the decision to run for office.

The cost of Camp Wellstone is based on a sliding scale based on ability to pay. We are committed to keeping this training accessible to all. If you are able to cover the full cost of your participation in this training, please do so as this will help us continue to train progressives across the country; otherwise, you choose the option that works best for you. Rates are as follows: $200 (full cost), $100 (50% of training cost), or $50 (25% of training cost). This fee covers our book, Politics the Wellstone Way (activist track) or Winning Your Election the Wellstone Way (campaign and candidate tracks), materials, and three meals during the weekend. We are not able to guarantee space at the Camp unless payment is received two weeks prior to the start date.

This camp will be held in Seattle, and the location will be announced to registered participants. Participants are responsible for their own accommodations.

To register: http://www.wellstone.org/training-calendar/camp-wellstone-seattle

Website for more info:
http://www.wellstone.org/training-calendar/camp-wellstone-seattle
Contact Person:
Jen Haut
Contact Email:
jennifer@wellstone.org
Contact Ph. Number:
651.414.6037

Building a Labor Movement With Change We Can Believe In
Date/Time
May 20 (Wednesday), 5pm
Location
Seattle Labor Temple, 2800 1st Ave.
Sponsored by
Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies

A discussion with Bill Fletcher, Jr., co-author of "Solidarity Divivded" (UC Press, 2008), co-founder of the Center for Labor Renewal, a columnist, and a long-time activist.
full description & details:

Co-author of "Solidarity Divivded" (UC Press, 2008), Bill Fletcher, Jr. is co-founder of the Center for Labor Renewal, a columnist, and a long-time activist. He served as President of TransAmerica Forum and was formerly the Education Director and later Assistant to the President of the AFL-CIO.

Candid, incisive and accessible, "Solidarity Divided" is a critical examination of labor's current crisis and a plan for a bold new way forward into the 21st century.

Sponsored by the MLK King County Labor Council, National AFGE and AFGE 3937, and the UW Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies.

Website for more info:
http://depts.washington.edu/pcls/
Contact Person:
Andrew Hedden
Contact Email:
pcls@u.washington.edu
Contact Ph. Number:
206-543-7946


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:

Labor council makes earnest plea for vote

time to name names and put the blame where it belongs

Pacific Northwest should require resort developers to be responsible...shouldn't this be obvious?

State Patrol: WSLC email wasn't illegal...and for some background: Washington State Labor Council's controversial email

whatever happened to a.i.g. freezing executive bonuses...AIG, Bank of America, Citibank...all of them have been taking our tax money and misusing it. Remember that when you choose which financial institutions to patronize.

Bruce Olson Trial Update

How the Banksters and the Feds ripped off transit

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?




Alternative Energy in Washington:

Some statistics from Repower America:

* Two wind power farms in Washington - Hopkins Ridge and Wild Horse - produce enough renewable energy to meet the needs of approximately 100,000 homes

* Washington's energy efficiency programs save enough electricity to power almost 50,000 homes for a whole year, save more than $43 million in energy costs, and prevent the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking over 48,000 cars off the road. Although great progress, the state still has much more potential to increase its energy efficiency.

* Washington has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires all public utilities to generate 15% of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2020.

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