Come join your neighbors for a "State of the Neighborhood" forum on the direction of Phinney and Greenwood. There's a lot to love about our neighborhood — that's why we live here! The PNA, the Farmer's Market, Santoro's Books, the new library, backyard chickens and our "green" sense of eco-responsibility and sensitivity to the planet.

But the very things we cherish about Phinney/Greenwood are being challenged by relentless development and commercialization. Livability, affordability and sustainability may be our values, but how can we protect them moving forward? Traffic is getting more congested and faster, property taxes are rising, small business rents are being raised to unrenewable levels, and familiar structures are being replaced by condos and megahomes.

At the same time, the Phinney Ecovillage, the Phinney Ridge Community Council and new movements like Livable Seattle, a coalition of neighborhood activists, are working to defend neighborhood values. Come on out for the Neighborhood Forum and help us chart the future!

From 2:30 to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 26, at the Phinney Neighborhood Center's Community Hall (the brick building). Enjoy the rest of the day with Green My Ride at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N. Please click here for more info.