WTO_Demo2.jpg,
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On November 30, 1999, Capitol Hill became a battleground as police clashed with protesters and the city's downtown core erupted in confrontation. The World Trade Organization had come to Seattle bringing all the world's problems with it -- and exposing plenty of Seattle's along the way. Not every moment was warfare. Much of the protest and activism was the kind of thing you see here. Regular folks taking a stand. Or a sit. Of course, regular folks also fought back. We'll have more of that story this week -- if you have memories you'd like to share, please add to these posts in the comments -- but, first, let's focus on a present-day gathering of activists on Capitol Hill.

Next weekend, Seattle University, New Hope Baptist Church and Town Hall host a free series of workshops and events to mark the anniversary of the protests. Here's more from Seattleplus10.org:

THE PEOPLE’S SUMMIT Nov 27-29

WTO+10: Global Justice Forward!

On Nov 30th the World Trade Organization (WTO) will host a “restart” meeting in Geneva – 10 years to the day from when we shut down the Seattle WTO! On Dec 7th, the United Nations Conference on Climate Change opens in Copenhagen. These are uncertain times and much is at stake: Join us to reclaim and amplify our voices with the vision we have for a healthy planet and people. Let’s harness the spirit of the 1999 WTO protests in Seattle with a renewed commitment to move global justice forward!

Friday Nov 27 through Sunday Nov 29: three days of plenaries,  workshops and a cross-sector strategy session, held at Seattle  University, New Hope Baptist Church and Town Hall. Visit www.seattleplus10.org for a full list of speakers, plenaries, and workshops!

CHS will feature coverage this week of the 10-year anniversary of the WTO protests in Seattle with a focus on Capitol Hill's role in the events. As part of the remembrance, we are sponsoring a new kind of civil disobedience. There's still a place for facing down jack-booted thugs and noxious gas -- but we also admire people who get their point across in more subversive ways.

In that spirit, CHS is proud to co-present The Yes Men Fix the World at Northwest Film Forum. The film documents the work of two pranksters who put technology and empty-headed bureaucracy to work to infiltrate the modern media loop and hijack corporate and governmental posturing in the name of social activism. It's like Borat with purpose beyond watching a skinny man wrestle a fat man naked. Seeing one of the Yes Men portraying a government official addressing the community in storm-ravaged New Orleans and making promises that are entirely doable but also entirely outside the realities of government is both funny and heart-breaking. But it's also inspiring when you see the residents catch on to the message, get the 'joke,' and join in on bashing the mind-blown politicians and media who have been punk'd into playing their parts in the stunt.

The Yes Men plays November 27 through December 3. Friday's opening night showing is a benefit for WTO +10, with Yes Man Andy Bichlbaum and other guests in attendance at both of the evening's shows. Bichlbaum will also attend screenings on November 28 and 29. And CHS will be in the house to say hello before most screenings.

Back in September, we told you about a new retailer coming to Pike/Pine and joining the scene inside the Odd Fellows building. We noticed that the store was taking shape this week and a quick check of their Web site reveals Nube Green opens on Monday. UPDATE: It's open! From Josh in the comments:

Although their website says they aren't open until Monday they were actually open today and I think they will be tomorrow (the owner said the website is just hard to change).

Its a great little shop. Some really interesting stuff including some very cool cardboard lanterns made by a group just down the street.

The new retailer is targeting "ecologically minded consumers" and plans to "provide a strorefront for local artists." Nube Green is the creation of Ruth True. She and her husband Bill opened the nonprofit art gallery Western Bridge.

Here is a snippet from a press release explaining the new store's concept.

Also on the ground floor -- sandwiched between the popular OddFellows Café and Molly Moon's, and right next to flora and henri -- Nube Green plans to open the doors on its 2,300 square foot mercantile store in November. This retailer will carry a broad array of simple, fun and elegant gifts for the ecologically minded consumer.

The store will only sell products that have not crossed any oceans, including locally made items from recycled and sustainable materials. Nube Green will also carry its own line of products.

Top shelf children's clothier Flora and Henri also moved into Odd Fellows recently.

Meanwhile, down the street, CHS also noted 'sign' of an existing business doing some upgrades for the holidays. Looks like Seattle Running Company got a new sign for Christmas.

Pike/Pine isn't the only area on the Hill with some good biz news. CHS reported yesterday on some cool changes for the People's Republic of Koffee over on 12th Ave. Meanwhile, beloved Broadway bookseller Bailey Coy is officially no more.