Earth Hour - I first became aware of it last year (and mostly because I couldn’t figure out why the Google search engine was all dark). A little light dawned after the fact when I heard about it on the news and did a bit of research.

It’s a pretty cool thing: People all over the world turn off their lights March 28 at 8:30 p.m. – in their time zone, wherever they are - for 60 minutes to cast an (un)enlightened vote of support for Mother Earth.

This year, WWF, the global conservation organization, is looking for 1 billion people to vote against global warming and turn off their lights for one hour.

With some big time participants going dark in 2008 (the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, to mention just a couple), it’s an event that has caught on since its inception in Sydney, Australia, in 2007.

Results of the ‘voting’ will be brought to the Global Climate Change conference in Copenhagen this year.

Curious about what Ballard might do with the down time, I solicited some ideas for what to do during said hour. After all, one hour without electricity leaves the door open for some very creative time. Here’s what a few folks thought about it:

* I think I’ll play my guitar by candlelight.

* I like the idea of going for a walk with my dogs and looking at the stars.

* We’re having our neighbors over to play spooky charades.

* An hour without electricity? I’m snuggling with my girlfriend.

And me? I’m thinking about a game of cards by candlelight or a walk. I’d love to see Ballard in the dark. What about you?

Rhonda lives in Ballard and is the Urban Crop Circle Project Leader for Sustainable Ballard. Questions, Comments, Ideas? You can reach her at Rhonda@sustainableballard.org.