If you're in Austin this weekend, or will be in the SF Bay Area November 8th and 9th, consider dropping by the Green Festivals there.

They do suffer from the common defect of West Coast conferences, which is a slightly smothering neo-hippy ecclecticism, which combines everything from green building demonstrations and energy policy discussions to yoga workshops and talks titled "Beginner’s Mind Bioregional Mind." Still, some of the brightest thinkers on sustainability and politics will be there, so if the aromatherapy and meditation aren't your bag, consider going to hear people like Hunter Lovins, Kevin Danaher and Pliny Fisk.