Last week, literary non-profit 826 Seattle announced the release of its latest publication, "What to Read in the Rain." The book, available October 1, contains 300 pages of Northwest-centered stories, poems, essays and recipes from well-known Northwest authors and 826 Seattle youth participants. Among those authors who participated are Tom Robbins, who contributed the book's introduction; Seattle restaurateur Tom Douglas, who shares a pancake recipe; David Guterson, speaking for the trees and actress Lauren Weedman, adding a hilarious take on a doomed relationship. more ›

THE BIG SHOW: Tonight is the official opening gala of the 2009 Seattle International Film Festival. The film showing is , a wacky British satire of contemporary politics, with a talented ensemble cast including James Gandolfini, who (except for Gandolfini) are expected to be in attendance at the gala tonight. For non-members, you can get in for $50, which gets you into the movie (at the Paramount) as well as a couple drink tickets and some hors d'oeuvres. For $100, you can access to the open bar. And for $200, you get the first-born child of one of Swaziland's most well-regarded actors. more ›

The bountiful ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest is worth between $243 billion and $1.22.1 trillion, economic and environmentalist researchers announced late last night. Phew! Numbers are far easier to work with than poetic sentiments about our "introverted, feral, buddhistically cool" raindrops (Tom Robbins), "unruly mobs of young clouds" and "green stand of mountains" (Ken Kesey), or Chief Sealth's sacred, inter-connected vision of "every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods." more ›

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Local literary enthusiasts should plan on staking out Elliott Bay Books for the next three nights. They're hosting readings by a debut novelist, a well-established novelist, and a local journalist/author visiting Italy (but not Rick Steves). more ›