The first time is always awkward. Welcome

So as a first time blogger, I obviously have the jitters as I start to write down all that inspires me. I came to this blogging idea because I work a million places and I am involved in a bunch of things in Seattle. With my current work, I get alot of information and ideas that cross my desk for how to engage young professionals and through our programming, I have access to hundreds of young professionals looking for ways to be engaged. I figured starting a blog was a great way to put the information out there, you can pick and choose what you want to go to and I get to ramble a bit.

Now I know there are lots of people out there that are already programming away for those young people like you and me but I think that there is a gap and an opportunity to let you know about more diverse things to get involved in.

Anywho, first of all a great site to check out is the Seattle Networking Guide at http://www.iloveseattle.org/. I like this site because people can post their organizations and events and talk a little about what they do. Its a nice format and an easy way to categorize organizations and things that are happening in Seattle. I have attended several events sponsored by different organizations and they are quite cool. Especially for all you folks that just moved here recently, showing up at those Happy Hours is a great way to meet people and break into the social "circle" that Seattle has to offer.

Now I know that everyone loves and is super comfortable in North Seattle but South Seattle has alot to offer. If you are wondering, where is the diversity in Seattle, go to South Seattle, even Central and you will find it. One big way young professionals can get involved in Seattle is working to stop gentrification and make more diverse living communities. Super cool! Recently, a friend of mine decided she was tired of eating at the same places and doing the same thing every week. Now whenever she goes out, she looks up a new place to eat and meets people there. I recently took her to Hidmo in the Central District, an Eritrean locally owned restaurant, the unofficial Hip Hop home of Seattle. Check out their website at : http://www.hidmo.com/ She loved it, we ate with our hands, the owner is always there, she is a huge supporter of youth activism and hosts all sorts of events at Hidmo. You should check it out, they have excellent food and you get a totally new experience. Now my friend, she takes people there.

Trying new things is really rewarding. If you need ideas for new places to eat, check out Seattle Weekly's restaurant guide, you can also sign up for the dining newsletter. I happen to work at Seattle Weekly on their Street Team, so I can vouch that they do a nice job. http://www.seattleweekly.com/restaurants/

If you want to know about how to get involved with some of the more multicultural programs and events happening in Seattle, http://www.colorsnw.org/ and http://www.colorscareers.org/ are great places to start to learn about all the diverse offerings and events in Seattle. ColorsNW is an online magazine that provides a forum for cultural articles, multicultural events and additionally has a fabulous career site. One of the best in the NW!

I think I will try to give information about events and opportunities to get involved every time I blog. So here we go:

Some cool events and opportunities to get involved include:

Help plan future bus service

King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit are looking for a diverse group of community members from Southeast Seattle, Skyway/West Hill, Tukwila, Burien and SeaTac to help plan changes to local bus service for 2009 and beyond. Application deadline is July 31. For more information about serving on the Transit Connections sounding board: www.kingcounty.gov/metro or call Sarah Luthens at 206.684.1154.

A great weekend event to check out is:

Umoja Fest 2008- Seriously an excellent festival
August 1-3.
An African-American community festival featuring a parade, live performances and food and crafts vendors.
Judkins Park
2150 S. Norman St. – Seattle 98144
877.505.6306
http://www.umojafamilyfest.com/

Education Resource Institute Fair Aug. 8th, 9th, 10th
http://www.edrsf.org/
All the workshops sound cool but these sound really neat
August 8. 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Bicycle Repair and Creative Expression for Emotional Literacy workshops.
Peoples Family Life Center
159 24th Avenue. – Seattle 98122

So if you liked the blog, let me know, if you have ideas of what I could post, send me those too. I am kind of excited if people are interested, I can provide a lot of information including referrals onto non-profit boards etc. What do you want to hear about? I'll do some research and let you know.