Compost Requirement for Seattle Homes

Do you save your coffee grounds or lawn clippings in a little tub at home? Well you better start. Seattle Public Utilities has sent out compost requirement notices. On March 30th all residents are required to compost their food waste. Yes, it's a requirement. Not an option. You will be charged for this additional service and the only way to "avoid" it is to say you already compost at home. How will they know you already compost at home? My friend called the Seattle Public Utility to find out. He was told that they will send a city inspector to your house to make sure your system is up to code. Inspector compost on the case.

This compost law wasn't voted on. It was made by the mayor alone. The information on the internet is sparse... but the notice is clear: You will compost.

I'm for composting. I'm for the city making it easy for us to be more 'green'. But is forcing people to compost the way to do this? Shouldn't it be a personal choice? Should we have compost inspectors enforcing this? Wouldn't this be a smart choice that home owners would have made of their own will after reading about the benefits? It's already required to recycle in Seattle (it's also free), and we're all used to that. Will composting become as natural as setting aside glass and cardboard?

Seattle on Google Maps Street View

I can be distracted by Google Maps street view for hours. I like "driving" past my parents house, or along scenic roads. It's virtual sightseeing that's just voyeuristic enough to be addictive. And now (finally) Seattle has Google Maps street view! Yes, now you can see your apartment right on your computer! You can be slightly creeped out to see your car parked out front. You can also get better directions. I like being able to see what the building I'm trying to find looks like. Less U-turns. Check it out. Just go to Google Maps and type in a Seattle address. Then click street view and get ready to start spying... I mean exploring.

Election Day Freebies In Seattle - Free Stuff Just For Voting!

Go out and vote and then celebrate with some sweet election day freebies.

Starbucks:
They are giving away free tall drip coffees. Now you can stay awake ALL election night.

Cupcake Royale:
All three locations are giving away "babycakes". Also if you buy 12 cupcakes you get a free sticker that says "I'm pro-cupcake and I voted". So pick up some sweet treats for your election night. They are even making homemade toppers with Obama and McCain heads.

Babeland:
Yeah sorta surprising. But they are giving away "Silver Bullets" and "Mavericks". Check out the site if you need to know what those are. Hehe.

Ben & Jerrys:
The boys from Vermont are giving away free scoops. In Seattle you can get your ice cream fix from 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. tonight.

Krispy Kreme:
Yum. Red, White and Blue sprinkle donuts are free!

Democracy never tasted so sweet. If you know of anymore - let me know!

To The Polls!

This is my first time voting in Washington State! I'm excited (and nervous) about the election's outcome. In my office you can definitely feel the tension. People are ready for the votes to be tallied.

While reading up on candidates and initiatives I need to be more familiar with I decided O and I should have some kind of election night 'party'. At least a dinner. So I found the perfect main course: Obama's chili recipe. At first I was thinking Chicago deep-dish, but this seems better. Maybe I'll even mix up some blue cocktails.

So what are you doing for election night?