It's Coming! Start Planning for Cinco de Mayo

Everyone loves a good Cinco de Mayo party. Cinco de Mayo is all about color, and the brighter and more bold, the better. We've gone on the hunt to find the perfect solutions to your Cinco de Mayo event decor. Check out our super finds.

Accent your Cinco de Mayo table decor with colorful lanterns and candles. The below samples are great because they are battery operated so you don't have to worry about finding an outlet. These colorful and affordable lanterns can go just about anywhere.


Top left: Set of 3 Battery Operated Lanterns from Cost Plus World Market, $14.99
Top right: Set of 4 Battery Operated Lanterns in green, orange, red and blue from Cost Plus World Market, $14.99
Bottom left: Set of 4 Battery Operated Lanterns in red from Cost Plus World Market, $14.99
Bottom right: Red Lantern Cutout Candles from Cost Plus World Market, $9.99-$12.99

Every Cinco de Mayo party must have authentic and delicious regional foods and beverages. Be sure to set your table with colorful dining, serving and bar pieces to create the ambiance of the festive event.

Top left & right: Terra Cotta Ramekin and Tapas Plates available in turquoise and lime from Cost Plus World Market, $4.99-$5.99
Bottom left: Multi colored appetizer forks and canape knives from Pier 1 Imports, $14.98
Bottom right: Della Ceramiche Dinnerware from Pier 1 Imports, $9-35


Top left: Set of margarita glassware from Cost Plus World Market, $19.95
Top right: Colorful Coasters set of four from Cost Plus World Market, $27.96
Bottom left: Blue Rocco Barware from Cost Plus World Market, $15-$30
Bottom right: Cabo Aqua Glassware from Cost Plus World Market, $15-$30


Top left: Rattan and Crackle Ceramic Serveware from Cost Plus World Market, $12.99
Top right: Marrakesh Appetizer Plate or Chip and Dip from Cost Plus World Market, $19
Bottom left: Marrakesh Dip Bowl or Tray from Cost Plus World Market, $7.99-$11.99
Bottom right: Porto Serving Bowl or Platter from Cost Plus World Market, $19.99

Choose colorful textiles in tablecloths, runners, napkins and placemats and don't worry about matching. Just pick bold colors and the richness of the patterns and tones will coordinate perfectly with each other.


Top left: Java Ribbon Runner, Placemats or Napkins Sets of 4 from Cost Plus World Market, $11.96-$24.99
Top right: Aqua/Java Medallion Runner, Placemats or Napkins Set of 4 from Cost Plus World Market, $11.96-$19.99
Bottom left: Romano Checker Runner or Set of 4 Placemats from Cost Plus World Market, $11.96-$14.99
Bottom right: Striped Rib Placemat Sets of 6 from Cost Plus World Market, $17.94

Finalize your table design with a colorful umbrella. Even if you have to hold your party indoors, the brightly colored umbrella will be enough to make your guests fantasize about the warm summer sun.


Left: Outdoor Umbrella with Bag from Cost Plus World Market, $39.99
Right: Hand-Painted Umbrella - Blue & Turquoise from Pier 1 Imports, $50

Paparazzi Style

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a celebrity and have your picture taken constantly the moment you step outside? A new company based in New York City called MethodIzaz, is betting on the fact that you have and are even willing to pay for the experience. MethodIzaz offers its photography services to those wishing to be photographed in their normal setting, but without ever knowing the cameras are on them. Subjects are photographed without their knowledge to create what the company calls "moments of an authentic lifestyle." The client provides a photograph of themselves and specifies a location where they can be found on a given day and time. Then the photographer hired from MethodIzaz camps out at that location and photographs the subject without being seen. The results are candid lifestyle shots of the subject going about their everyday business. Is this something you would be interested in, or are you turned off by the idea?

Are You Smart?

For anyone who has been to Europe in the last few years and fell in love with the Smart Car, we have good news for you. The eco-chic Smart Car has finally come to America in 2008 and even in your own neighborhood. Smart Car Dealerships, known as Smart Centers, offer reservations for their Smart ForTwo cars for a fee of $99. This reservation program is specifically designated for smart enthusiasts, so brokers and dealers are excluded from participating in the $99 Reservation Program. You can reserve the Smart ForTwo pure coupe ($11,590), the Smart ForTwo passion coupe ($13,590) or the Smart ForTwo passion cabriolet ($16,590). All you need is a valid license and $99 and you can start picking your model and interior and exterior colors.

Request a brochure here.

Smart Center Near You! smart center Seattle
311 Baker Blvd.
Seattle, WA 98188
(206) 243-1455

Upcoming Green Events - This Weekend

April 26 , 2008 - BioLyle's Biodiesel Workshops
(Saturday), 10 AM - 3 PM.
South Seattle Community College
Class Fee: $59
Register by calling 206-764-5339
For more information visit http://biolyle.com/workshops/index.html
Learn to make your own fuel from used restaurant oil! Discover the chemistry and tricks of making quality biodiesel, as well as experimenting with different vegetable oils, catalysts, and pH indicators. Various reactor designs will be presented, with an emphasis on the appleseed reactor (made from an electric water heater) which will be operated in class. Other topics include myths and cacts about biodiesel; quality control, washing, cold weather issues, local availabilty and what's going on nationally and locally.



April 26, 2008 - Crooked Trails Annual Fundraiser
Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
7 PM
Crooked Trails, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting culturally and environmentally responsible travel, will host its annual fundraiser on Saturday, April 26, 2008, at 7 p.m. at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle. The celebration will feature world-fusion appetizers, Chilean wine by PengWine, northwest microbrews, global rhythms and both live and silent auctions.



The theme of this year’s event is “Share Yourself: The World Is Waiting to Meet You” – a reflection of Crooked Trails’ belief that by sharing ourselves we are enriched and inspired. Crooked Trails believes that everyone on the planet has something to share, whether it be time, knowledge, skills, energy, or enthusiasm. Through this sharing we make new connections that help us learn, grow, and change. Crooked Trails’ explores the ways in which we can share ourselves with the world and celebrates the endless possibilities this sharing can hold.

Past Crooked Trails fundraisers have been extremely popular, and a sell-out crowd of 200 guests is expected. All are welcome to join the festivities in order to learn about and support Crooked Trails’ partnerships with communities around the world. Pre-registration is required through the Crooked Trails website, http://www.crookedtrails.com/. The cost of the event is $50 per person.

More About Crooked Trails
Crooked Trails is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve cultural, ecological, and economic conditions around the world by changing the way people travel. Crooked Trails believes that travel should happen with host communities, not to them. If done properly, and with consent and management from the communities involved, tourism can bring much-needed community development as well as cultural sharing. Crooked Trails programs enrich the lives of both participants and the communities they visit. In addition to tourism activities, every Crooked Trails program includes a community service component. Participants may work on building a school in Kenya with a Maasai warrior, helping to make a documentary film in Peru with a Quechua shaman, digging a community well in the Himalayas with a Nepali farmer, or rebuilding a Thai coastal community destroyed by the tsunami. Crooked Trails also works to promote responsible travel through educational outreach programs in the Seattle area. Co-founders Christine Mackay and Tammy Leland are popular speakers and consultants on responsible travel and community-based tourism.

Guiltless Pleasure

What's a party without a perfectly blended cocktail? But in this socially conscious day of age, how can one follow the unspoken rules of green living and enjoy an occasional mixed beverage? That answer is simple. From Mod Mix comes fully organic cocktail blends in several delicious flavors: Citrus Margarita, French Martini, Lavender Lemon Drop, Mojito and Pomegranate Cosmopolitan. Made of only organic fruits and herbs and without artificial substances or chemicals from pesticides, Mod Mix offers the best tasting and most conscience-appealing product for your next get-together. With these natural ingredients, could your next margarita actually be, dare we say it, good for you?

Have you tasted a Mod Mix blended or mixed drink? Tell us what you think in the comments section.

Find a Fellow Carpooler

Many people want to do their part to reduce pollution by carpooling, but it can be difficult to find other commuters near you that also want to carpool. A new service called RideSearch.com offers commuters a way to connect with other people traveling to the same or similar location and interested in carpooling. RideSearch began operation in January of 2008 and is quickly gaining buzz about its unique service. There are many benefits of carpooling. The average commuter knows gas prices are steadily climbing and are predicted to go even higher. Carpooling empowers you the commuter not to be at the mercy of the gas pump and helps your pocketbook at the same time.

Here is how RideSearch works...
1) Create your personal RideSearch profile.
2) Sign up for a membership.
3) Search listings using the "Find a Ride" button.
4) Reply to other listings by checking the message center for new messages from other carpoolers.

Help RideShare spread the word about their service by doing one or more of the following.

1) Post these flyers on office bulletin boards & at apartment complexes.

2) Send emails to coworkers about carpooling with RideSearch.

3) Create blue and white street signs that say: "Carpool. RideSearch.com" & ask your city council where you can put them up.

4) Blog about the benefits of carpooling with RideSearch.com.

5) Buy magnets from our online store and stick them around gas pumps.

6) Buy t-shirts and bumper stickers from our online store and give them away.

7) Email your city council about volunteering to adopt-a-highway signs for your city and use RideSearch for the sign.

8) Add a RideSearch bookmark to your network.

Earth Day Events in Seattle, WA

Spring Into Action with the King County Earth Day Expo
April 22 @ Westlake Park: Join King County at Westlake Park (4th & Pine, Seattle) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate Earth Day and learn more about King County programs that protect and preserve the environment.

Help King County mulch, weed, or pot up trees.
Restoration projects are focused on restoring stream and wetland buffer habitats for fish and wildlife. Potted up plants are grown at the nursery for future projects. Volunteer efforts have been and continue to be critical to the success of our restoration projects.

Meet the Yard Talk duo
Doug Rice and Greg Rabourn, resident gardening gurus of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks will be on site to answer your garden lawn care questions.

Northwest Natural Yard Days - April 15 - May 15, 2008
Northwest Natural Yard Days is a region-wide promotion of pesticide free and salmon friendly yard care practices. Northwest Natural Yard Days offers discounts of up to 25% off mulch mowing lawn mowers, bagged compost, natural organic fertilizer, less toxic pest and weed control, weed pullers and water conscience garden tools in home improvement centers and garden stores throughout Seattle, King County and Tacoma.

Looking for Earth Day Events in your area? Just check out your local tourism or city website. Cities all over the U.S. today are offering opportunities to get involved.

Happy Earth Day! Now Get Out There And Make A Difference!

We found these great Earth Day Tips from Treehugger.com and want to share them with you. Get out there and make a difference in your workplace today !

What’s the Big Deal About Earth Day Anyway?
A greener workplace can mean a lighter ecological footprint, a healthier and more productive place to work, and good news for the bottom line. Whether you’re the boss or the employee, whether your office is green already or still waiting to see the light, some practical steps can lay the groundwork for a healthy, low-impact workspace.

More work, less energy
Optimizing the energy settings for computers and other devices can be more than a modest energy saver. Set computers to energy-saving settings and make sure to shut them down when you leave for the day (“standby” settings will continue to draw power even when not in use). By plugging hardware into a power strip with an on/off switch (or a smart power strip), the whole desktop setup can be turned off at once (make sure to power down inkjet printers before killing the power—they need to seal their cartridges). Printers, scanners, and other peripherals that are only used occasionally can be unplugged until they’re needed. And of course, turn off lights in spaces that are unoccupied.

Digitize
The more you do online, the less you need paper. Keep files on computers instead of in file cabinets (this also makes it easier to make offsite backup copies or take them with you when you move to a new office). Review documents onscreen rather than printing them out. Send emails instead of paper letters. New software like Greenprint helps eliminate blank pages from documents before printing and can also convert to PDF for paperless document sharing. Right now Greenprint is offer $6 off your order throughout the month of April.

Don’t be a paper pusher
When buying printer paper, look for recycled paper with a high percentage of post-consumer content and the minimum of chlorine bleaching. Try to choose printers and photocopiers that do double-sided printing. If your office ships packages, reuse boxes and use shredded waste paper as packing material.

Greening the commute
Some employers are giving a bonus to bike and carpool commuters and special perks to hybrid drivers. For those who think bike riding is for kids and tattooed couriers, consider a high-tech folding bike or an electrically assisted one (see below for more). To find other carpoolers in your area click here.

Work from home
Instant messaging, video conferencing, and other innovative workflow tools make effective telecommuting a reality. If you can telecommute, hold phone conferences, take online classes, or otherwise work from home, give it a try. It'll save you the time you would have spent on the trip as well as sparing the air. As a bonus, you get to work in your pajamas. Telecommuting works for 44 million Americans (not to mention the TreeHugger and the banquetevent.com staff at times). Also, consider the possibility of working four ten-hour days instead of five eight-hour days (a consolidated workweek), cutting the energy and time spent on commuting by 20% and giving you some lovely three-day weekends.

Use green materials
Some paper use can't be avoided, so use recycled paper and envelopes that have been processed and colored using eco-friendly methods. Pens and pencils can also be made of recycled materials, and refillable pens and markers are preferable to disposable ones. Use biodegradable soaps and recycled paper or cloth towels in the bathroom and kitchen, and provide biodegradable cleaners for the custodial staff. Buy in bulk so that shipping and packaging waste are reduced, and reuse the shipping boxes. Recycling printer cartridges is often free, and recycled replacements are cheaper than new ones.

Redesign the workspace
Greening the space in which you work has almost limitless possibilities. Start with good furniture, good lighting, and good air. Furniture can be manufactured from recycled materials as well as recyclable. Herman-Miller and Steelcase are two groundbreaking companies that have adopted the Cradle-to-Cradle protocol for many of their office chairs. Incandescent bulbs can be replaced with compact fluorescents and there is an ever-growing selection of high-end LED desk lamps that use miniscule amounts of energy. Not only is natural daylight a free source of lighting for the office, it has been proven to improve worker productivity and satisfaction (as well as boost sales in retail settings). Workspace air quality is also crucial. Good ventilation and low-VOC paints and materials (such as furniture and carpet) will keep employees healthy.


Lunch time
Bringing lunch to work in reusable containers is likely the greenest (and healthiest) way to eat at work. Getting delivery and takeout almost inevitably ends with a miniature mountain of packaging waste. But if you do order delivery, join coworkers in placing a large order (more efficient than many separate ones). Also, bring in a reusable plate, utensils, and napkins. If you do go out for lunch, try biking or walking instead of driving.

Get others in on the act
Share these tips with your colleagues. ...... and go to www.treehugger.com for even more information. Yeah we know, we are not that crazy about the name either..... but it works!

Wine Tasting Without The Wine

When is the last time you had a wine tasting without letting a drop of actual wine ever touch your lips? No, its not a magic trick. Let us introduce you to a new type of wine tasting event using nothing but Jelly Beans. Jelly Bean Wine Bar offers jelly bean kits organized by type of wine. These wine-flavored candies come in corked containers and are a fun activity your guests will enjoy sampling.


Choose from the following kit flavors: Champagne/Sparkling Wine, White Wines, Red Wines, All Wines or Shooters. Kit prices vary according to weight and range from $17 to $520. Kits can be assembled to fit your needs by contacting the company. Click here for full options and prices.

Banquetevent.com's New Hire...

We'd like to introduce you to our latest hire at banquetevent.com, Payden! Payden comes to us with weeks of training and is a pro when it comes to color selection. But for some reason she really prefers black.

Banquetevent.com Gets A Makeover!

Be sure to check out banquetevent.com's brand spankin' new home page. And in case you haven't noticed, the entire banquetevent.com website has recently seen some changes. Check us out!

Online Invitation Review: PINGG

Sometimes the best way to get word out about your upcoming event is via online invitations. Online invitations are an excellent way to promote and manage guests, track rsvps, send messages to guests, and organize ticket sales. We've reviewed the site Pingg, an online event management site and would like to share some of its features with you.

First, Pingg's most impressive feature is its ability to customize your event details and images. You can first create your own invitation using your own images and logos, then you can manage an extensive e-mailing list, and lastly you can even create a personalized web site for your event, complete with a custom url. The url looks something like this: http://YOURNAME.pingg/eventname

See below for the custom invitation we created for the Northwest Event Show.

We also like how Pingg can work with many platforms to import lists. After all, not many of us have our mailing lists organized neatly into one platform. Some may be housed on your home computer, others at work, some in your PDA and others in your email accounts. Pingg works with these platforms to import your lists and compile neatly organize folders for your management.

Pingg maintains its own event management tools, which separates it from other online invitation senders like e-vite. You'll be able to create event reporting, collect ticket sales and even make it easy for guests to donate to charity.

If you want to be able to use other methods of sending out invitations, Pingg also offers upgrades such as sms sending and printed invitations. SMS inviations may be sent for $1.50 per 20 and printed cards are $1.50 per card (including postage). As for the basic event management tools and email invitations and webpage, the service is completely free.

Here are some samples of the invitations available through Pingg.

Dress Up Your Work Space

Since all of us workaholics spend more hours at the office than we do in our own homes, its time we start dressing up our space and personalizing our work areas so we feel a little more "at home." After all, we're all pretty tired of looking at white walls, right? But since your space is not technically your own, and your boss may not like it if you bring out a can of paint and start plastering it on the wall, we have some fun and bright ways to cheer up your work space without aggravating your boss. All of the below examples come from Anthropologie.

Start by replacing all the knobs or pulls on your desk. This is a simple way to dress up your desk without changing its surface. Just be sure to keep the original knobs if they ever need to be replaced.


Next, replace drab and plain swithplates with much more funky ones. You can either purchase pre-made switchplates like the ones below or get creative by making your own out of a favorite poster, photographs, wrapping paper, magazine art or other eye catching piece.


Once you've made those small touches, bring in a funky rug at your office entrance or under your chair. A brightly colored and patterned rug can create just as much drama and cheer as a painted wall. Don't be afraid to bring in a unique shape too.


Lastly, get rid of that plain lamp you've been using all these years and bring in one with much more flair. Don't be afraid to bring in a lamp with a unique color template or funky design. It will get people talking and lighten the air to make others feel comfortable enough to customize their own space.

Celebrate Earth Day - April 22, 2008

A week from today, marks Earth Day. And what better time to start making an impact to preserve the world we live in than on this national day of awareness? Need some ideas on how you can do your part to share in the cause? Take our advice and do something to make a difference.

1. Send an Earth Day E-Card: Remind others that Earth Day is coming up and share a special note on how they can join you in doing something to preserve the Earth.


2. Plant a Tree: Contribute to the planet by donating one dollar to assist in the planting of 1 billion trees in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. Learn more at PlantaBillion.org.

3. Visit a Nature Preserve: Sometimes the best way to get motivated is to see conservation efforts first hand. Visit a local nature preserve near you. If you live in Washington, click here for locations on preserves in your area. Any time of year, you can visit one of these great places, enjoy its natural wonders, and know that your investment in the Conservancy is working to protect it for generations to come.


4. Become a member of the Nature Conservatory: The Nature Conservancy's efforts to preserve the diversity of life on Earth depends solely on the support of its members. By joining the Nature Conservancy today, you'll help us achieve even more lasting results for both nature and people. Become a member by making a donation of $50 or more. Click here for a list of local Washington businesses that donate $1000 or more a year.

5. Take part in Video Conferencing: Many businesses like to conduct face-to-face interaction time with their clients. But that usually means driving across town to go meet them. Install free video conferencing tools, such as skype, to your computer and encourage your clients to do the same. Now you can communicate face-to-face, but reduce pollution by staying out of your car.

Computers Sometimes Grow in Trees

Take a look at the computer or monitor you are using right now. Do you know what it is made of? Possibly plastic or some other man-made material. But we'd like to ask why can't computers be made of a natural product like wood or bamboo? After all, these materials are quite beautiful and can be naturally harvested. Others have already begun the process of created electronics housed in natural material casings, although most of them do not come from America. Remarkable and beautiful designs made of sustainable materials include keyboards, monitor, cases, mice, LCD panels, sound systyems and even the mouse pad. The Swedish company, Swedx, works to ensure that the wood they use is harvested sustainably. They offer rather bulky mice and have a smaller selection of woods to chose from compared to a similar company out of Russia, but also much more affordable. See below for some of their products.
What really catches our eye, however, are the electronics made of bamboo as seen below. Bamboo is a grass rather than wood, but it is harder than oak. The fibers are even stronger than wood and steel. The Bamboo used in these LCD TVs is made from the Gramineae monocotyledonous plant. This type of plant is hard and panda friendly and as pandas only feed on soft bamboo there is no harm to wildlife. The unique bamboo color offers natural beauty and style which provides many advantages for consumers. It is one of a kind, ideal for homes, offices and of course an alternative to plastic surround. The other positive to using bamboo is the rate at which it grows. If you've ever had a bamboo plant in your yard, you know how strong of a plant it is and how quickly it matures.


We are completely enthralled by these designs and can't wait to see what designers come up with next.

Like No Golf Cart You've Ever Seen

We'd like to introduce you to the electric car, Zenn. Zenn cars are ideal for those travelers wishing to do their part to preserve the environment by reducing the use of oil and air pollution caused by gas powered vehicles. Zenn cars provide excellent alternative transportation for those who live and work in densely populated areas or who only travel within a corporate campus, city fleet, military base, etc. and only travel short, but frequent distances. Unlike an electric golf cart, Zenn cars look just like a gas powered vehicle and are enclosed to protect the driver from inclement weather. The Zenn car is also fully-equipped with safety features. Golf carts are also limited to private roads and cannot exceed a 15 mph speed limit, whereas Zenn cars can travel up to 35 mph.

Here are the basic facts about a Zenn Car...

How far can they go before needing to be recharged?
About 35 miles

How fast can they go?
Up to 25 mph

How long do they take to charge?
Fully charged after 8 hours, and 80% charged after 4 hours

Is it legal on public streets?
Yes, so long as the speed limit is no more than 35 mph.

Is Zenn like a hybrid?
Not really. It is purely electric relying solely on battery power. Hybrids operate on both gas and electric power.

What is the cost of running it?
Solely dependent on your regular electric bills.

Can you see yourself hob-knobbing around in your very own Zenn car? Here's where to get yours...

MCEV Co. LLC
1200 South Dearborn Street
Seattle, WA 98144
206-328-1750
www.mcev.biz

Recharged One Step At A Time

Remember when you were a child and you'd image what the "Future" would be like, with flying cars and robots walking around? Well, maybe the "future" isn't as far off as we think? Let us introduce you to a new robot-like knee brace that actually generates electricity as you walk, strong enough to recharge your cell phone or operate a GPS locator. Researchers at Simon Fraser University Locomotion Laboratory in Burnaby, Canada, have created an accessory that attaches to your knee to generate power with every step that you take.

Without getting too technical, the knee brace works much like a hybrid vehicle because it utilizes the kinetic energy released from your knee as it moves to take a step. The energy is harvested by the brace, preserving energy that is normally wasted. Not only is the device recycling energy, but it also acts as a protective brace for your knee muscles.

Create electricity and lose weight while doing it. Is there anything not to like?

Nice Weather in the Forecast? Whatever Will We Do?

The weather forecasters on almost all local news stations have called for pretty warm temperatures coming up. And with warm weather so few in and between these days, we need to make the most of it by getting out of the house and into the sunshine.

What better way to enjoy the warmer weather than a trip to the Spring Fair at the Puyallup Fairgrounds? This year's fair features many family-friendly activities like a reptile show, pig races, a trout fishing pond, and a science fair. You'll also find such fair favorites as carnival rides, a petting farm, FFA exhibits, commercial booths, and wonderful food. The 2008 Puyallup Spring Fair takes place from April 17 - 20.


Address:
Puyallup Fair & Events Center
110 9th Ave SW
Puyallup, WA 98371

Purchase Tickets Here

Book It!

Looking for a creative way to showcase photographs from your last event or possibly in search of a new way to showcase your business? Check out Blurb.com where you can create your very own store-quality books in soft or hard cover. Book templates are available for 20-440 page counts and are priced per book and range from $12.95 to $64.95 depending on the book size and page count. Present your company and projects in a bookstore-quality hardcover or softcover book featuring 4-color commercial-quality printing and binding. You'll receive a discount when you order 10 or more books.

Just download the Blurb BookSmart Software, add photos, artwork and text and then order your very own customized book. You have complete creative control of your design and you'll receive your book in the mail in approximately 7 to 10 business days.
Why we love it? Since the books are printed on 80-pound paper with commercial printers, you'll bet a bestseller look with construction paper prices!

New MLS Team Name Announced

Seattle's new Major League Soccer club officially has a name. Last week, over 14,000 Seattleites registered their vote naming the new soccer club Seattle Sounders FC. The name Sounders has been identified with soccer in this community since 1974. The name is locally-oriented, historic, and reflects the community. Also reveled is the team logo and colors.

For more information about the team visit SoundersFC.com

"The most provocative residental high rise in Seattle since World War II"?

Mosler Lofts, a collection of 150 New York loft-style condominiums and town homes, is Seattle's first condominium tower that is certified Built Green and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and the Seattle-Post Intelligencer calls it "the most interesting and provocative residential high-rise to appear in Seattle since World War II."



Seven homes remain at Developer Direct pricing from $449,900. Homes range from an open one-bedroom to a 1,545-square-foot two-bedroom, southwesterly facing penthouse home priced at $1.395 million.

So how is this condominium built green, you ask? For one, the building is surrounded by Green Streets, meaning, the landscaping on the building's grounds incorporates eco-friendly techniques to finish the overall tranquil setting of a green building. The building itself is built with a green rooftop with a landscaped surface that will filter water naturally. Inside you'll find Energy Star appliances, non-toxic wall paint, and other eco-friendly home materials such as Sile stone kitchen countertops, Kahrs hardwood flooring, and imported porcelain bath tiles selected both for their beauty and sensibility.



So why should all this matter to you? According to the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings account for:

• 36% of total energy use and 65% of electricity consumption
• 30% of greenhouse gas emissions
• 30% of raw materials use
• 30% of waste output (136 million tons annually)
• 12% of potable water consumption

In the event industry, we rely heavily on tourism. The Northwest is famous for its beautiful waters, clean air and natural green vegetation, factoring for the increase in tourism to our lovely region. A “green” building incorporates design techniques, technologies, and materials that lessen its dependence on fossil fuels and minimize its overall negative environmental impact, allowing both our Northwest land and our economy to flourish as a result of simple eco-friendly building tactics.