A report called Billionaires Carbon Bomb about the Koch Bros? Go figure! This study shows how the Koch Industries and its subsidiaries stand to make as much as $100 billion in profits if the controversial Keystone XL pipeline is approved. It was produced by the…
Interested in helping maintain the City’s streets and sidewalks? The City of Spokane’s Transportation Benefit District (TBD) Board is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the citizen advisory board that helps determine priorities for TBD funding. The Citizen’s Transportation Advisory Board (CTAB) is seeking…
If you haven't carved that pumpkin yet and are unsure of what to do, I've got your back: Get your green on with one of these energy themed Jack-o-lanterns from EnergySaver.gov.
The Spokane Master Composters and Recyclers will sponsor their 35rd semi-annual Compost Fair at the Finch Arboretum on Saturday, Oct. 26. The Fair is being held as part of the Fall Leaf Festival and starts at 11 a.m. Attendees must arrive by 1:30 p.m. to…
There is no dearth of land on the fringes of most cities. Land appears to be available in large tracts, easily assembled, at reasonable prices. There is no cost for tearing down old structures. There are often fewer controls in the outlying townships, no building…
I realize this is short notice - hey, I was on vacation! - but tonight there's an important joint open house hosted by the Spokane Regional Transportation Council, Spokane Transit and the City of Spokane. This multi-agency open house on the future of regional transportation…
A group of community partners has set a day-long seminar to discuss green infrastructure, sustainable site design, and stormwater management. The seminar will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the lower level of City…
We keep finding more of the very dangerous direct impacts from the government shutdown but here's an update on one that hits close to home: Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program announced that there are…
The City of Spokane and The Lands Council are partnering on a pilot project to add a few green stormwater management features, dubbed commonly as “Storm Gardens,” in the Shadle Park neighborhood. The City is contracting with The Lands Council to reach out to neighborhood…
Check out this report about fish and mercury from the Blue Ocean Institute. The conclusion: "The answer isn’t to avoid seafood, it’s to avoid mercury. Particularly for pregnant or nursing women, as well as young children, the risks of mercury are significant enough to cut…
The 11th Annual Spokane River Clean Up is this Saturday, September 28th. One of my favorite events, this is your chance to join 800 to 1000 Spokane River lovers to help cart out the trash that accumulates annually. Although registration is now closed, you can…
Interested in learning more about energy efficiency and managing home energy bills? Check out the Avista Energy Fair, a free event that will be held this Thursday, September 26, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Emmanuel Family Life Center, 631 S. Richard Allen…
As part of their ongoing coverage on coal exports, Sightline now takes aim at the train traffic impacts to Spokane. They also throw crude oil trains in to the mix. It could be a game changer for those who are still unsure of what side…
The cookbook "#Meal Time" from 2 Chainz just makes me love him even more. To wit: -First step of sautéed asparagus: “Drape yourself in an Adidas sweatsuit, chainz n thangs.” -First step of garlic mashed potatoes: “If wearing a four-finger ring, carefully place it on…
Construction on a one million gallon tank to reduce overflows from a combined sanitary and stormwater sewer on the west side of Ray Street at 21st Avenue is set to begin in late September. The tank will capture and retain excess flows from combined sewers…
Visitors to Yellowstone National Park drink their beer, recycle the bottles and now can sit on benches made of 1,000 beer bottles and now in place at Canyon Village. GeoMATRIX, a Bozeman manufacturing business, crafted a dozen picnic tables and six benches that consist of…
Too Far North Productions and The Lands Council invite citizens who are concerned about the negative impacts of “Fracking” to attend this free screening of film, Gasland Part II, on September 24th at 7:00pm. This is the follow-up to the Oscar Nominated Gasland. Filmmaker Josh…
Rehabilitating and reusing historic buildings can help municipalities, building owners and developers meet important objectives ranging from preserving local character, to encouraging green building, revitalization, and construction. But what about the challenges in bringing older buildings "Up to Code" - how can these projects work…
On the day of his second Inauguration, in January, Barack Obama delivered an address of unabashed liberal ambition and promise. As recently as early April, before the realities of the world and the House of Representatives made themselves painfully evident, the President retained the confidence…
The University of Idaho is blazing the trail for fire ecology programs across the nation. The program received national academic certification by the Association for Fire Ecology. UI’s program is one of the first fire degree programs to receive the national certification and will serve…
It's time to pull up a classic DTE video as school is back in session and I've seen a lot of students riding around town without helmets and lights. Let's revisit some safety rules. The Bicycle Alliance Of Washington is an extensive resource. But there's…
As part of their ongoing coverage of Northwest coal exports, Sightline broke down where investments matter in terms of job production. Coal doesn't fair to well. Here are some more thoughts on the matter of jobs: Peabody Energy, SSA Marine and Goldman Sachs want to…
Good news from Philip Small at Spokane Permaculture: It’s no longer a question of if, but when, a community food forest will be established in Spokane. The Inland Northwest Food Forest Council is working with the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department to locate…
Have you ever heard of Council Connection? It's a monthly cable television program featuring Spokane City Council members as hosts. It's sort of like Wayne's World meets C-SPAN, making Spokane the only place where you'll find such a program. The next edition of “Council Connection,”…
Given some of the discussion on turning Main Ave in downtown Spokane into a two-way street, this new tool called Streetmix is perfectly timed. Consider it a practive for what you want your built environment, streetscapes, and elements for drivers, bikers, and pedestrians to look…
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