July is here, the year is half gone, George W. Bush will no longer be president in six and a half months (barring war on Iran, suspension of the November election and/or declaration of martial law), and our humble ecovilla is humming!

Our great friend Carol Santoro is happily ensconced in her new digs at Santoro's Books right next to the 74th St. Pub. Drop in for some literary browsing and go next door for a great brew and gumbo.

On a somber note, our corner mom 'n pop operation, the Phinney Market, is in danger of closing. See flyers posted at the market for details, but Wally & the gang are hopeful of finding investors to bail out the market, which has turned the corner toward profitability in recent months under Jan's guidance. Stop in and offer moral support. Of course, if you can go further than the moral part, don't be shy! Ask for Wally, Jan or Lauretta. See their statement to the public here.

Don't miss the Phinney Neighborhood Association annual fundraiser, Shakesbeer in the Parking Lot! On July 19, from 4 to 7 p.m., and where you can only guess. This is a great way to meet familiar faces over a glass of the finest around, drink and be merry!

And the Phinney Farmers' Market continues to amaze! From 3 to 7 p.m. each Friday music, fresh produce and wonderful eats fill the parking lot between the two buildings. The only downer this year is no dogs allowed...word is that the Center is working on a system that will allow dog owners to bring their pets but keep them monitored outside the market while their owners shop. More market info here.

Also, have you had a chance to check out The Shop Agora? Owners Nikos and Alexis have put together a dynamite Mediterranean foods and specialty items store at 6417-A Phinney N, close to the intersection with 65th. Each Saturday they open their doors for tastings, so be sure to include them on your Phinney stroll and say hello as an Ecovillager! You can find out more about them here.

The PNA has begun publishing a blog! Check it out and sign up for updates.

Remember, for further information always consult the chock-full calendar (click on menu bar above).

Don't forget our regular events as well, including our continuing Thursday "Democracy Conversations" series, which will be meeting through July to discuss Naomi Wolf's The End of America. Pick up a discounted copy at Santoro's Books and join us at the Greenwood Library starting at 6 p.m. each Thursday this month (see calendar for particulars).

Join Peace Bannering above Aurora on Tuesday mornings and the Think Tank meets on Wednesdays at Mae's. And remember to stop by Santoro's Books for all your reading needs as well as a chance to randomly run into fellow ecovillagers browsing the shelves. This month's Santoro's Subversive Salon is Wednesday the 12th.

Note we run a full schedule on the Ecovillage calendar of the neighboring Wallingford Meaningful Movies each Friday night as well.

Also, the StepItUp campaign by Phinney-Greenwood Climate Change Action Now! continue to gather pledges to fight global warming. If you missed signing up, head to the pledge page for more information.

Don't forget to drop in on Ecovillager Jamie Clausen's Buy Local Web site, an effort to get neighbors to patronize local businesses as well as think about sustainability and climate impacts at the same time. Mention the site and you can qualify for discounts, including 10 percent off Phinney Ecovillage founder Cecile Andrews' book, Slow Is Beautiful. Check it out!

Also, be sure to check out our "sister site," the Phinney Neighborhood Association, here.