Ride Green Build Green Bicycle Trip
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Planning is fully underway for this summer's Ride Green Build Green (RGBG) bicycle trip. From July 25th to August 25th, 20 bicyclists will make the 1,000+ mile journey from Seattle to San Francisco to raise funds and awareness for affordable green housing.Prior to the ride, each participant is raising a minimum of $2000 each to support LEED certification for a home built by Habitat for Humanity of East King County. Fundraising will include benefit concerts, T-shirt sales, and donation solicitations. All donations will be tax deductible through Habitat for Humanity. Riders also plan every aspect of the trip, including the route, nightly stop locations, work days at affordable housing sites, community forums, and bicycle and gear procurement.
Along the way, riders will also have opportunities to visit sites and organizations devoted to affordable and green housing and thus gain a greater understanding of the different methods, techniques, and plans for making both affordable and sustainable buildings and housing. Stops might include housing for the homeless, green affordable-housing projects, self-built green homes, and meetings with advocacy organizations to learn about their work.
Among scheduled stops: Olympia Habitat for Humanity (7/26), Cowlitz County Habitat for Humanity (7/28), and Olson Woods Community Partners for Affordable Housing (7/30).
RGBG believes that some of the biggest impacts we have on the environment lie within the structures we build to accommodate our lives. Buildings in the US account for:
- 40% of total annual US energy
- 25% of water use
- 20-30% of municipal solid waste stream
- 30-40% of wood and materials use
- 25% of greenhouse gas emissions
RGBG is seeking financial and volunteer assistance and additional riders. Please visit the RGBG website for more information.
Fremont Solstice Parade
The annual Fremont Solstice Parade is happening tomorrow in the Center of the Universe. Organized by the Fremont Arts Council, the parade celebrates the first day of summer with floats, dancers, music, and art. Oh, and naked bicyclists. I can only describe this event as a cross between Carnival and Burning Man. Visitors come to see the floats and dancers and art, but they stay for the naked bicyclists.
Warning: There are images of naked bicyclists in the below video.
I warned you, but you watched the video anyway, didn't you? If you want to be a naked bicyclist in the parade tomorrow, get details at the Painted Cyclists website.
If you want to keep your clothes on and just check out the parade, it starts at noon, but I suggest getting there a lot earlier than that so you can get a good spot to watch the parade. Tips and parade route from Seattle Times:
After the parade, be sure to check out the Fremont Fair, which continues through Sunday. There are many craft booths and lots of food. Bring cash because not all booths take cards.
Location: Fremont District
Date and Time: Saturday, July 21, 12pm
Price: Free
Warning: There are images of naked bicyclists in the below video.
I warned you, but you watched the video anyway, didn't you? If you want to be a naked bicyclist in the parade tomorrow, get details at the Painted Cyclists website.
If you want to keep your clothes on and just check out the parade, it starts at noon, but I suggest getting there a lot earlier than that so you can get a good spot to watch the parade. Tips and parade route from Seattle Times:
Here's a tip from parade veterans. People tend to cluster at the front and middle of the parade route. The best viewing is often found along the second half of the route, around North 34th Street near Stone Way and along Northlake Avenue North, near Gas Works Park.The parade is quite popular and gets very crowded. If you're driving, please note that parking will be impossible. If you can, take the bus or ride your bike. I promise if you ride your bike they won't make you get naked.
The parade begins at noon Saturday just west of Fremont at Northwest 36th Street and Third Avenue Northwest, heading east along Northwest 36th, then it turns down Fremont Avenue and continues east on North 34th before taking a jog onto Northlake Way, ending at Gas Works Park with the Gateway.
After the parade, be sure to check out the Fremont Fair, which continues through Sunday. There are many craft booths and lots of food. Bring cash because not all booths take cards.
Location: Fremont District
Date and Time: Saturday, July 21, 12pm
Price: Free
Georgetown Music Festival
Double-Dutch Class for Adult Women
Wow. Not bad for white girls. The video, performed by SF double dutch troupe Double Dutchess, has totally inspired me to want to double dutch jump rope. I was on a double dutch team briefly as a kid, and now I'm curious to see if I still have any skills.
There is a double dutch class for adult women 18+ this Friday, June 6, at 7:30pm at Community Fitness in Ravenna. I know nothing about the class other than the fact that it exists and the instructor is from Northwest Double Dutch, so I'll check it out and give details of what the class entails after I take the class.
Come out on Friday and take the class with me, if you are brave enough to risk potentially tangling yourself in ropes. Sorry boys and underagers, I guess this class is not for you, but you can find plenty of other classes on the Northwest Double Dutch class schedule.
Location: Community Fitness (map)
Date and Time: June 6, 7:30pm
Price: $5.95 drop-in
