Another Green Monday
2009 Washington State Legislative Session update and bicycle laws - this is where you come in. The Bicycle Alliance of Washington is working to pass several bicycle-friendly laws in the 2009 Washington State legislative session. "We've got legislation in Olympia to make cycling safer, more enjoyable and a key part of our transportation system," said BAW Board President Kristin Kinnamon in a recent news letter. "We want our members to contact their state representatives and ask them to support our bills." If you'd like to contact your state reps to ask them to support the House bills (HB) and ask your state senator to support the senate bills (SB), get familiar with the bills HERE and use DTE's 
"Contact Your Representatives" resource for contact information.
You are where you jam. DTE’s internal summer festival clock started ticking loud last week in anticipation for summer festival lineup announcements that annually make the month of February one of ambition, jealousy and planning.
And with summer festivals going increasingly green the last few years - from highly organized recycling efforts to ride shares to increased alternative energy usage – the announcement that the Mecca of festies, Bonnaroo, would be offering a “Green Ticket” made us covet a trip to Tennessee even more (we’re working on that dream). When purchasing Bonnaroo tickets this year, you will have the option to buy the “Green Ticket” which helps build and maintain sustainable improvements to the festival grounds in Manchester, Tennessee through a donation – amount totally up to you. When you consider the massive amount of people and use or resources per festival, especially the enormous Bonnaooo, the need for responsible care and a sustainable future is immense. Efforts to ensure that future festivals are able to be held on grounds that can sustain itself, and even just be held period are vital. Here’s hoping Sasquatch! takes note.
The Biden Express. Remember when Vice President Joe Biden guaranteed a crisis in the first six months? Our reaction was echoed by Rahm Emanuel: “The crisis will no doubt be over something Joe said." Zing.
But when Biden traveled to Germany for a meeting on international security issues, the VP wove this bit into his remarks: “We also are determined to build a sustainable future for our planet. We are prepared to once again begin to lead by example. America will act aggressively against climate change and in pursuit of energy security with like-minded nations.”
“Our administration's economic stimulus package, for example, includes long-term investments in renewable energy. And we believe that's merely a down payment. The President has directed our Environmental Protection Agency to review how we regulate emissions, start a process to raise fuel efficiency, appoint a climate envoy -- and all in his first week in office, to demonstrate his commitment.”
Nicely said Joe. Keep it up!
Sightings. At the Avista rate protest, John Hatcher of Clean Energy Solutions in Coeur d’ Alene brought a small $600 solar panel. “You’d probably need 10 or 20 of these to really make a dent in your bill,” Hatcher told the S-R. “We are never going to live without power companies like Avista, but I figured this was a good place to meet people and tell them about solar power.” Full story here. Also, another reminder, Spokane Falls Community College will host a panel discussion titled, “Food, the American Diet and Localism - as part of their Year-Round Theme on Localism." The event is put on by SFCC's French Club and the Theme Committee and, yes, food will be served. The discussion will go from 11:30 to 1:30 @ Spokane Falls Community College in the SUB builidng, rooms A & B. Details below: Enjoy! 
This week's events. We hope readers utilize our events calendar over on the left side of the page which is frequently updated. You can get a month long projection here, and you’ll see there's a lot happening in our little town. To feature your event, feel free to email us at events@downtoearthnw.com, bartly7@gmail.com, or jamespauldillon@gmail.com.
* Pete Tobin of SCC's culinary program will talk.
* Jennifer Hall with Slow Food Spokane River and the Main Market will add to the discussion
* Rancher and sustainable agriculture advocate Maurice Robinette will cover the beef and global warming connection.
* Tofu Phil of Small Planet Tofu will give insight into his Newport, WA, operation.
* Jeremy Hansen of Sante Restaurant will detail his restaurant's role in local and organic sourcing.
Bit-sized samples will be served by Natural Start Bakery, One World Spokane, Sante, and maybe Great Harvest Bread Company.
