Urban Self-Reliance

  • Why Rain Gardening might be right for you!

    Most people have heard the term ‘rain garden,’ but how many really know what that means?  Rain gardens are simply shallow depressions (6-12 inches deep) that gather and filter runoff from roofs and driveways when it rains.  Continue reading

  • Itching to Start Stitching?

    With the Urban Self Reliance workshops in full swing, it’s easy to pick up sewing skills at many Seattle Public Library branches during the month of October. For instance, SewUpSeattle leads a ‘Costume Repair and Swap’ at the Ballard branch Monday, October 29 at 5pm and Capitol Hill branch on Saturday, October 20 at 1:30pm. Bring… Continue reading

  • Mushrooms and Permaculture

    In this year’s Urban Self Reliance program series, running through October at various neighborhood branches, The Library will present two different workshops on wild mushrooms. Edible Mushrooms will focus on resources to introduce you to the world of mushroom gathering.  On the Mushroom Trail, presented by author Langdon Cook will discuss the underground economy that has… Continue reading

  • Clean and Green

    Clean and Green

    Who knew how much you could do with white vinegar and baking soda? If you are like me, you have an accumulation of various cleaning supplies clustered under your kitchen sink. My place always needs cleaning, so I have tried many products over the years. I now want to use green cleaning materials so that… Continue reading

  • Urban Self-Reliance: The new DIY

    The DIY (Do-it-Yourself) ethic is nothing new, but in our ever more precarious natural environment and fiscally tight times, thinking about sustainability in our urban lives and being self-sufficient are more important than ever. Throughout the month of October, The Seattle Public Library will be hosting the Urban Self-Reliance program series at library branches throughout… Continue reading

  • Wild and Green

    During the recession of my youth there was one summer when I ate a lot of wild greens gathered in what was then a very new Discovery Park. My favorite was miner’s lettuce in salads, which would probably be even tastier now that I can afford the EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) to dress it.… Continue reading

  • Ride your bike to work (and fix it too)!

    How did you get to work today? If you’re like the vast majority of Seattle residents, chances are good that you drove your car or took the bus. On your commute, you probably saw at least a few people riding bicycles: according to the most recent US Census data, 3.6 percent of Seattlites use bicycles as their primary mode of transportation… Continue reading

  • Eggs, eggs, my kingdom for a recipe!

    We have three happy chickens in our backyard: Chipmunk, Jayne and Lucy. They usually produce about twelve eggs a week, which is plenty for our household. Sometimes, however, they get really fired up and give us far more eggs in a short period of time. That’s what they’re doing right now. In an attempt to… Continue reading