What to do in October

Crisp air, burnt-orange leaves, waning light — October is a time for settling in before the impending holiday season. Here are a few ways to embrace the month and all it has to offer.

Fondue time!

Celebrate the first chilly nights of autumn with rich, creamy and fragrant fondue. Fondue originated in the mountains of Switzerland as an after-ski warmer and is synonymous with cozy togetherness. It’s a great time to simmer your own batch at home; choose from a wide selection of Gruyere and Swiss cheese at your neighborhood PCC.

A few pointers:

• For easier entertaining, make your fondue in advance, store it in the fridge and reheat gently just before serving.
• For maximum impact, offer a mix of tart-sweet apples, creamy potatoes and bright veggies in addition to the quintessential artisanal bread.
• For optimal flavor, if you use wine in your fondue, choose one you would enjoy drinking.

Celebrate Fair Trade Month

Pick up a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap in our health and body care department and support fair trade. Each time you choose fairly traded products, you help ensure farming families receive fair prices and fair labor conditions. Fair trade also helps with community development, enabling farm workers to send their children to school, improve their nutrition and more. Dr. Bronner’s liquid soaps are made with certified fair trade and organic oils, including extra virgin coconut, olive, jojoba and hemp, to create a soap that’s gentle and leaves the skin smooth and refreshed. In addition to being certified fair trade, the soaps are Non-GMO Project Verified and in October will feature a special bottle to support the Yes on 522 campaign to label genetically engineered foods. Learn more about fair trade at PCC »

Decorate pumpkins

Join us Saturday, October 26 at five of our stores for a Pumpkin Decorating Party. We’ll supply free pumpkins and decorating supplies for kids 12 and younger. We’ll also have healthy snacks on hand to help stir up creative juices. The party takes place from 9 a.m. to noon at Edmonds, Issaquah, Redmond and West Seattle PCC stores and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Greenlake PCC.

Get dressed up and dash

Grab your running shoes and Halloween costume and run for a good cause. The Goblin Gallop goes down Sunday, October 20 at Marymoor Park in Redmond. This noncompetitive 5k includes a free kids’ dash and a toddler trot and supports the Group Health Foundation. Stop by the PCC Kid Picks Mobile and say hello. Learn more at gogoblingallop.org. Or run wild at the Pumpkin Dash Fun Run on Sunday, October 27 at Green Lake in Seattle. Run around the lake to support Woodland Park Zoo and get a free piece of fruit from PCC.