the scoop on recyclable poop

I've been too busy to comment much, but I attended an amazing discussion at Town Hall last night (I used to go to so many events there, they should've charged me rent) -- it was the third and last installment of a sustainability series: Exploring Energy and Design: Smart Solutions. Jason McLennan of the Cascadia Region Green Building Council and Alan Durning of Sightline Institute (and 1999's "Green Collar Jobs" book fame) spoke to a packed house high on free wine, veggies, fattening cheese and hummus (all composted afterwards, of course). I'm really inspired by the design innovations that the LEED system is fostering (learn about Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design at the U.S. Green Building Council site). Who knew our own Islandwood's toilets were a closed-circuit Living Machine system: toilet --> pipes --> multi-level plant and rock/sand system that feeds off and cleans the sewage --> clean (enough) water --> more pipes --> toilet. No water bill. EVER. I was actually at this greenhouse last month. Smelled like -- well, a greenhouse. Impressive, considering I can smell the cat litterbox at 50 paces even when there's nothing in it. This coming Thursday there's a noon rally in support of Obama's climate change plan at Bell Harbor International Conference Center. And Friday begins the Northwest Folklife Festival, my most favoritest event of the year. What a week!