Interact with Other Interactive Types at SIC://2013

While our friends down in California get all the credit for high tech innovation, Seattle and its surrounding areas are quickly becoming a center for entrepreneurship as well. With Amazon founder Jeff Bezos recently showcasing Seattle inventions and talks of space tourism being based in the city, Seattle is a great place to live and surround yourself with talented, innovative people—they make pretty good neighbors, too, we’ve heard!

If you’re a professional working the creative or technological fields, check out the Seattle Interactive Conference this weekend. At the Washington State Convention Center, from Friday, October 28 to Sunday, October 30, stop by and listen to lots of great lectures on online technology and interaction—and even network yourself and meet other industry professionals. (To view the full agenda for the conference, click here.)

This year’s event will focus on the issue of transparency in the online world—here’s the full description, from the conference’s website:

This year, the Seattle Interactive Conference takes a hard look at transparency, a powerful and accelerating trend having profound impacts on businesses and consumers alike.

With the proliferation of more data and information than at any time in history, technology enables us to better monitor and measure what people are doing, where they're doing it, and how much they're willing to spend to do it. At the same time, we are seeing the promise of better user experience, human-computer interaction, and more overall knowledge, shining a brighter light on everything from return on investment to other detailed information at levels available only to insiders until now.

SIC://2013 provides a rare forum in which entrepreneurs, technologists, brands, businesses, creative leaders and consumers can directly share experiences with the digital trendsetters of today and the thought leaders of tomorrow.

To register for the conference, click here.

Falling into Healthy Autumn Habits

As the colder months approach, not only are our immune systems slightly compromised, but it can also be an adjustment to get out of those warm weather habits. The beginning of fall often means erratic weather patterns, and an unexpected 35-degree day can catch you off guard.

Staying healthy throughout the fall and winter isn’t just good for you—if we all work together to avoid illness, we can protect our roommates, fellow residents, family, and friends.

Dietician Timi Gustafson, R.D. offered some practical health advice for the fall in the Bothell-Kenmore Reporter last week, including not neglecting your physical fitness and taking advantage of healthy seasonal food:

As far as your physical fitness is concerned, you should build on the foundation you have laid over the summer – or undo the damage if your leisurely activities have led you in the other direction. Running, bicycling or swimming outdoors may no longer be possible, but there is the treadmill, the stationary bike or an indoor pool nearby. Don’t let lame excuses creep in and keep a regular exercise program as best as you can.

Your grocery list may or may not be as much affected, since today’s supermarkets stock most food items all year round, including those not in season in your region. But you can also focus on fruits and vegetables that are harvested late.

Fall is also a good time to make heartier meals like soups and stews that give you a cozy feeling when rain and wind bluster outside.

To read Dr. Gustafson’s full column in the Bothell-Kenmore Reporter, click here.

Celebrate Sustainability at the Brightwater Center’s “Ectober” Series

On October 5, the Brightwater Education and Community Center kicked off its “Ectober” sustainability series with a free kickoff celebration.

“Ectober” is a four-part seminar series dedicated to fostering sustainability and responsible resource management in the region. This is the first annual iteration of the event, with events held every Wednesday at the Brightwater Center, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Pre-registration is required for all Ectober events—the registration page is located here. Presenters include the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, IslandWood, the City of Bothell, and 4Culture.

Here’s the schedule of events to take place on Wednesdays this month:

Recycling: An Inside Look at Cascade Recycling Center
Wednesday, October 16, 2013 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM (PDT)
Get a unique insider's look at how your recyclables are sorted, packed, and shipped off to be turned into something new. Waste Management's Cascade Recycling Center, opened in 2003, serves 250,000 households in Western Washington. 12,000 tons (tons!) of recyclables pass through the recycling center each month. Learn how you can help keep the system moving efficiently and meet some of the people behind the scenes of this often talked about but rarely understood process.


Eco Movie Night - "Tapped the Movie" and "Part of the Cycle"
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM (PDT)
Join us at the Brightwater Center for some popcorn and a showing of "Tapped the Movie" (76 minute run time) and the premier of "Part of the Cycle" (8 minute run time).

Part of the Cycle is a beautiful short video by local artist Tess Martin, funded by King County's 1% for art program through the Wastewater Treatment Division. This is the first time the just-completed video will be seen by the general public.


Sustainable Living: Learn from the Experts
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM (PDT)
For our final event of Ecotober, we'll have several guest speakers as well as an entire panel of experts on various topics within the world of sustainability to answer your questions and provide you with more information.

Scheduled Presenters:
5:30 - 6:00pm - Sustainable Works Energy Audit - http://sustainableworks.com/

6:00 - 6:30pm - Zsofia Pasztor from 12,000 Rain Gardens in Puget Sound -http://www.12000raingardens.org/

6:30 - 7:00pm - Caryn Walline - Community Transit Curb your Congestion Program –

For a more complete overview of the Brightwater Center’s Ectober events, click here.

Sing to Support Local Seniors

As if Halloween weren’t fun enough on its own, why don’t we add some Bingo, karaoke, and charity to the mix?

On October 25, at 6 p.m., at The Northshore Senior Center, “Northshore Karaoke Bingo” is a fundraiser to benefit the Northshore Senior Center. Attendees are invited to dress in their favorite Halloween costume. The evening will be full of assorted games and prizes, and an award will be given to the person with the best costume.

Tickets for the event are $15—according to the North Shore Senior Center’s website, you can purchase tickets one of three ways:

Invite your friends to join you on Friday October 25, 2013 and reserve your seats now! If you're celebrating a special event, let us know. We want to celebrate with you!

You can purchase seat reservations in one of three ways:

1) online at https://seniorservices.ejoinme.org/northshorekbingo

2) by calling the Northshore Senior Center at 425.286.1076

3) in person at the Northshore Senior Center (10201 E. Riverside Dr, Bothell).

If you’re unfamiliar with the Northshore Senior Center, they are a valued part of the community that has been growing steadily over the past few decades:

Founded in 1972, the Senior Center has grown from a small band of 50 older adults to a lively community of over 7,400 in 2008. NSC has been affiliated with Senior Services of Seattle/King County since 1982. Over 500 dedicated volunteers in self-directed teams, with the support of staff, have designed and monitored every aspect of programming, bringing ever changing and vital programs and services to those over 55, and adults of all ages with disabilities. The model on which the Center has flourished for so many years, outlined in the document Management Values and Practices, continues to inspire and connect volunteers and staff.

For more information on the Northshore Senior Center’s Karaoke Bingo Fundraiser, click here.