Some great events that can help you walk in other people's shoes

So today, I was trying to decide if I should do something big time like put a picture on my blog. I mean we are talking serious deliberation. :) So I decided to unvail a picture that I think can inspire some thinking as you attend different events in the city, what are those experiences like for different folks in your community. When I was sitting in a City Council Committee meeting today and listening to folks talk passionately about the arts and the environment, I thought about how hard it is to speak publically about things you care about and how you get comfortable doing that. To me, the answer is getting the opportunity to speak, someone believing in you and giving you the time of day to really listen. In order to foster an inclusive community we need to be comfortable helping people find their voice and speaking out about what they know. So I encourage you to ask questions to folks in your community that don't usually speak up and see what they have to say about politics, public service, if you are brave, the economy and Sarah Palin :) Ok, I think I am done with my soapbox, which coincidentally is the name given to the time when the public can comment at a City Council meeting, go figure.

Here are some events going on for the rest of the week, really fabulous! Yay for Critical Mass.

THURS SEPT 25, 6:30 p.m., at Capitol Hill Branch Library, Seattle; For the fifth year running, The Seattle Public Library presents the September Project, a series of events exploring issues of FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY. This year's programs include civic discussions, author readings, drama and film at three Library locations, including this conversation between former President Clinton speechwriter Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer of Second Avenue Partners, co- authors of THE TRUE PATRIOT (Sasquatch). Free admission. info http://www.spl.org/ or 206-386-4636 DOM AND DEMOCRACY. This year's programs include civic discussions, author readings, drama and film at three Library locations, including this conversation between former President Clinton speechwriter Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer of Second Avenue Partners, co- authors of THE TRUE PATRIOT (Sasquatch). Free admission. info http://www.spl.org/ or 206-386-4636

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THURS SEPT 25, 7:30 pm, at Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Avenue at Seneca Street, downstairs, enter on Seneca, Seattle; Robert Shiller: 'The SUBPRIME SOLUTION.' Yale economics professor Robert Shiller rose to fame in 2000 with his best-selling Irrational Exuberance, in which he effectively predicted the tech and stock market crash of 2001. In his new book, The Subprime Solution: HOW TODAY'S GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS HAPPENED, and What to Do About It, Shiller looks at how we got into the subprime mess and how we can get out of it. Shiller concludes that unchecked financial innovation works poorly in asset markets and describes the institutional measures he believes are necessary to prevent future such bubbles. Presented by the Town Hall Center for Civic Life, with Elliott Bay Book Company. Tickets $5 available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/, 800-838-3006 and at the door beginning at 6:30. Town Hall members receive priority seating. info http://www.townhallseattle.org/

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FRI SEPT 26, and subsequent last Fridays, 5:30 p.m., at Westlake Park, downtown, 4th & Pine, Seattle; CRITICAL MASS, an organized coincidence of bicyclists who ride around the streets of Seattle en masse. It happens when a lot of cyclists happen to be in the same place at the same time and decide to cycle the same way together for a while. Come join the fun! info http://students.washington.edu/spiegel/ cmass.html a discussion board for people to discuss things like ride routes and how to deal with traffic lights and police, or anything else related to Critical Mass

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SAT SEPT 27, 10 am - 4:30 pm, KING COUNTY HARVEST CELEBRATION FARM TOUR - 10th Annual! Farms from around King County invite you to come and get a taste of farm life! It's a day of fun and agricultural learning for children and adults! Last year, thousands of tour participants talked to farmers and walked their fields, enjoyed family hay rides, ran through corn mazes and ate produce fresh off the field! Go on this year's farm tour and see for yourself where farmers grow our local foods, raise farm animals, and steward rural and agricultural land in King County. The Harvest Celebration Farm Tour is presented by WSU King County Extension, in partnership with King Conservation District and King County. info http://king.wsu.edu/foodandfarms/HarvestCelebration.html

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MON Sept. 29th. The Mayor will be unveiling the budget for the next two years for the City. In Seattle City Council Chambers 2p.m.

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TUES SEPT 30, and subsequent last Tuesdays, please confirm, noon - 1 pm, at Offices of Washington State Bar Association, 1325 4th Avenue, Suite 600, Seattle; forum on a topic of LAW & PEACE. This month topic: TBA. 1 CLE credit usually available. Sponsor: Washington State Bar Association World Peace Through Law Section, Open to section members, all welcome to join for $25/ year for monthly meetings and more, law students $7. CLE credit applied for. Pre-Registration required. info http://www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/worldpeace or WSBA 800- 945-9722 [updated 8/19/07]