Your Local Farmers Market

Spring has not quite sprung in Seattle but it's still a perfect time to hit you local Farmers Market. Not only is the produce and fresh flowers appealing to the eye and palate, it's easy on the wallet too!

According to the U-District Farmers Market website, Stacy Jones' 2008 fall quarter statistics class conducted a price comparison study between the U-District Farmers Market, Whole Foods and QFC. They summarized their report:

"According to the FDA, the average family should spend about $330 a month on groceries. At the Farmers Market, $330 will get you 152.25 pounds of organic produce; at Whole Foods you can get 131.80 pounds, and at QFC a mere 118.6 pounds for the same $330. I.e., the average price per pound is lowest at the farmers market."

A few Seattle Farmers Markets:

• University District - Saturdays, 9am - 2pm, Year-round!
  
• West Seattle - Sundays, 10am - 2pm, Year-round!
  
• Broadway - Sundays, 11am - 3pm, May 10 - December 20
  
• Columbia City - Wednesdays, 3pm-7pm, April 29 - October 21
  
• Phinney - Fridays, 3pm - 7pm, May 29 - October 2
  
• Lake City - Thursdays, 3pm - 7pm, June 4 - October 29
  
• Magnolia - Saturdays, 10am - 2pm, May 23 - October 10

See full list of Washington State Farmers Market locations

Free WIFI Locations - Seattle

Back in 2005, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels launched a free WIFI program in some areas of Seattle. Look for the sign in the photo picture above. You'll be able to connect by using seattlewifi for the ssid.

There's no commitment from the city on expanding this citywide but even with the limited locations it's still made a difference. Graduate Student KD, resident of Columbia City and mother to a small child loves the free WIFI adding "it allows me to work in cafes without having to worry about whether they provide Internet access, and I hope to work in the park when the weather is nice this summer."

The locations are:
Many of the Seattle Public Library branches, the Seattle Center "Center House", the City Hall lobby area.

The 4 Seattle parks are Occidental, Westlake, Victor Steinbrueck, and the north end of Freeway Park.

In the University District, coverage currently runs along University Way (The Ave) from 40th Street NE to approximately midway between 47th and 50th Streets NE. See the map.

In Columbia City coverage runs along Rainier Avenue South from Dawson Street northwards to South Alaska Street. See the map.