Reader interest was overwhelming for our second annual Best of the South Sound. Votes more than doubled as people were eager to take part in our reader poll. The result is the ultimate resource list: the very best of what the South Sound has to offer. Did your favorites make the cut? Let us know what you think about the list at southsoundmag.com, and don't forget to vote next year! Congratulations to the 2010 Best of the South Sound winners!

We present to you your 2010 Best of the South Sound winners. Congratulations to all who made this prestigious list! Go to southsoundmag.com to help pick next year's winners!

By Danielle Johnson

Not buying bottled water and carrying your own shopping bags are all well and good, but there are other ways to help the planet and this great city. So, whether it's Earth Day or just another day, here are a few of our favorite picks for Seattleites.

Join Your Neighborhood SCALLOPS

Sustainable Communities ALL Over Puget Sound (SCALLOPS) was founded in 2007 as a nonprofit network in order to advance regional sustainability. Today there are more then 60 groups within the SCALLOPS network. Find and join your neighborhood's sustainability group today by visiting http://scallopswa.org.

Recycle Your Old TV, Computer or Cell Phone

SAT-SUN Free recycling of old TVs, computers, monitors, laptops and cellphones, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Metropolitan Market, 5250 40th N.E., Seattle, and Top Food Edmonds, 21900 Highway 99, Edmonds; free (425-239-4118 or www.e-wastes.com).

Volunteer at Your Favorite Local Park

There are many restoration work parties going on around Seattle, both on Earth Day and over the weekend. Find work party times and locations at www.cityofseattle.net/Parks/calendar/volunteer.htm.

Get Your Two Free Bags of Cedar Grove Compost

If you're a Seattle Public Utilities residential customer you should have received two coupons for bags of compost in the CurbWaste & Conserve newsletter. Visit www.cedar-grove.com and click on the coupon for a list of days and locations for pick-up. Cedar Grove Compost can also be purchased at many local garden and hardware stores and is perfect for improving the soil in your garden naturally.

Sign Up for a Free Rain Garden Workshop

Stewardship Partners is offering the opportunity to learn how to build your own rain garden to help soak up rainwater from downspouts, driveways, and sidewalks while protecting our local waterways. At the workshop, you'll receive a free rain garden manual and additional materials. Advance registration required. www.stewardshippartners.org/raingarden_workshops.html

Schedule a Home Energy Audit

A home energy audit can improve indoor comfort and air quality, reduce your energy use, help you save money on utility bills, and increase the value of your home. Start with the Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Guide or hire a professional. Visit www.homeperformancewashington.org/providers.htm to find auditors in your area.

OK, I finally gave into the pressure. For weeks people have asked me why I haven't written about Metropolitan Market. Honestly, the reason is really simple: it's just too easy. Easy meaning it's only THE pinnacle of the ultimate grocery shopping experience. Sometimes I don't even buy anything when I go there. I just want to go to there, wander around and try to absorb the magic.

So, why the change of heart? Frankly, it's been a busy week, and easy looked real good to me. Real good. Don't spread it around. ...

Now before you get the wrong idea about me, like I have a thriving money tree at home, I don't. Met Market is a once a week destination, otherwise I would be broke. And don't get me wrong, that is not a criticism. Taking a small loan out to shop there is really quite OK by me. OK, I jest a little for effect.

Nice things cost money. A pleasing atmosphere costs money. Good employees cost money. You get the idea. Met Market is my treat or my target destination when I need something hard to find like salted capers, candied rose petals or preserved lemons.

Speaking of fun finds, when the French's Fried Onions for your green been casserole isn't impressive enough, The Met offers Lar's Imported Crispy Onions for just a tad bit more. Naturally they are located where, by the canned green beans.

Looking for the elusive gourmet lentil? You'll find red, French green, petite crimson and black beluga lentils along with your everyday standard, the brown lentil. Sounds a little like were talking about strains of weed. So a friend says. ...

You can't beat the lovely produce section which is fresh and packed with meticulously arranged items or the meat department with all it's free range products including one of my favorite quick dinner meals the pre-made parmesan chicken for $8.99 a pound. One large piece feeds the husband and I, just add a side of pasta, some red sauce and a green salad.

Not too many great deals to find at The Met. You have to turn over a few rocks to find them, but they're there. Again, let me emphasize that I don't care. I don't go there looking for deals, but this week one did catch my eye, the Epicurean Butter on sale for 99 cents (reg. $3.99) for a 3.5 ounce container.

I've been curious about these flavor infused butters for some time, but at $3.99 each, I felt they were a little spendy not knowing their potential. On sale however, I purchased the chili lime to go on halibut and chardonnay shallot for my broccoli, and both are VERY tasty. The butter also comes in scampi, honey pecan, roasted garlic herb and pesto. ALL on sale through April 15, so load up!

Must haves for me at The Met are my Sevre & Belle sea salted butter in the little basket (am I right Pappi?) and my favorite soap Pre de Provence with Shea Butter, green tea or verbena. I'm starting to see a theme here: French stuff and butter. Mmmm.

There is so much to say about Metropolitan Market, I could write a book. If you are a "foodie" and have never been here, run don't walk to get there. It will change your life. Just be prepared to spend, but love every minute of it.

Seattle, Wash., April 8, 2010: Some two dozen local food bloggers recruited by "Frantic Foodie" Keren Brown will bake cookies for the Great American Bake Sale next weekend. Proceeds will benefit Share Our Strength, the culinary industry's fundraiser to help end childhood hunger.

The sale by Seattle food bloggers--one of dozens nationwide--will take place at the Metropolitan Market Uptown on Lower Queen Anne on Saturday morning, April 17th, from 10 AM until noon.

Among the bloggers donating baked goods are Jesse Oleson of Cakespy.com, Shauna James Ahern from GlutenFreeGirl.Blogspot and many other well-known bloggers. Each participant will have two dozen cookies (and their recipes) for sale at the event. For a complete list of the food bloggers participating, visithttp://franticfoodie.wordpress.com/2010/04/06/seattle-food-bloggers-team-up-to-benefit-share-our-strength/

"Readers and fans will have the opportunity to taste the baked goods from their favorite food blogs", "We're thrilled that Metropolitan Market Uptown is offering us the space for this fund-raising event," Brown, said.

The national effort to involve bloggers in the Great American Bake Sale was spearheaded by Gaby Dalkin, a personal chef in Los Angeles and author of a blog called WhatsGabyCooking.com.

All funds raised through the event support Share Our Strength's efforts to end childhood hunger in America by helping fund after-school and summer nutrition programs. "Summer is an especially difficult time, because the children facing hunger in America, nearly 17 million children, will no longer have access to the school-based meals they rely on," said Bill Shore, executive director of Share Our Strength.

Two dozen local food bloggers will be doing their part to help end childhood hunger “one cookie at a time” by participating in the Great American Bake Sale for “Share Our Strength,” a nationwide effort by the culinary industry to raise childhood hunger awareness through nutritional programming.

Spearheaded by Queen Anne’s own Frantic Foodie blogger, event organizer and all around food expert Keren Brown, the team of Seattle-area food bloggers will be hosting a bake sale full of treats of their own creation this Saturday, April 17 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Lower Queen Anne Metropolitan Market, located at 100 Mercer St.

The following local food bloggers will be participating in the event: Gluten-Free Girl, Cakespy, Danatreat, Not Martha, Fresh Picked Seattle, A half cup.com, Pink Bites, Salty Seattle, Bring to Boil, Cornichon, The Old Hen, Northwest Stir, Mirrormirrorontheweb, Satisfythecraving, The Flying Salmon, Floraandflying, MusicandCats, Seattle Weekly, Chelsea Lin, City Search Editor, PurplehouseDirt and Teaandcookies.

Best Restaurants 2010 Readers’ Choice Winner for Grocery Store with Best Selection of Washington Wine