Rock  POWER HOUSE —If you haven’t heard Electrelane’s “The Power Out,” then you’re missing one of the best albums of the year. Electrelane combines electronics with traditional guitar/bass/drums to produce evocative and epic songs. This month, the four-piece returns to Seattle to display their magic. Catch them before they show up on TRL. Electrelane plays Neumo’s on September 26, $10, 9pm.

Activate REMEMBRANCE —On September 11, all across the United States, people will be remembering the terrible events of that day three years ago. Libraries across America will host public conversations on the state of America. The Central Library in downtown Seattle will be hosting one such event, along with a screening of the documentary “Poetry in Wartime.” The conversation will then focus on three questions: what is patriotism, what is truth, and what do you have to say? For more information and a complete list of participating libraries, visit theseptemberproject.org and spl.org.

Surf  NAIRPHOBICS UNITE —From August 4-8, the Old Firehouse in Redmond will host DIY workshops on everything from self-defense to yoga, zine making and car or bike repair. Entitled "Get Off the Couch!," the event is the perfect anecdote to sitting at home and doing nothing. For more on the event, visit theoldfirehouse.org.

See  TIME LIMITS —On September 10, filmmakers participating in the 48-Hour Film Project will show their work at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland. The concept of the project is to have Northwest amateur and professional filmmakers write, shoot, edit and score original music to a new film in two days. Each team drew a genre from a hat and “received a character, prop and line of dialogue that must appear in the film.” Visit 48hourfilm.com for more info. The Hollywood Theatre is located at 4122 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland. 503.493.1128.

Hear ROCKIN' CAUSE —Bands Against Bush is a national organization gathering bands to crusade against the current administration. With chapters in DC and NY, the group puts on rock shows where punters can register to vote and listen to rocking bands. The Seattle chapter just started and the organizers are looking for bands and people to get involved. Sign up now and fight the power. Visit bandsagainstbush.org/seattle.

Wear  FOLLICLE FOLLIES —There is this fellow who stands in front of Taco del Mar on Broadway every single day. Usually he is wearing a purple t-shirt, black pants and brown shoes. He has some amazing hair, longish curly graying hair that he likes to smooth back in a rapid motion. The thing is, this man not only spends the afternoon hanging out, he spits! He spits, smokes, does the farmer’s hanky (blows his nose into his hand) and THEN slicks back his hair in a rapid motion. SICK!!!!

Celebrate  READING IS FUN —Still providing the Pacific Northwest with the best outlet for zines and alternative books and art, Portland’s Reading Frenzy will host a ten-year anniversary party on Saturday, September 4 with an art show entitled “Freedom Frenzy!” The event will register people to vote, educate folks about the USA PATRIOT Act and will include musical performances by Dub Narcotic, Braille Stars and Ape Shape. Visit readingfrenzy.com.