April 2009

Dear Editor,

The April 6 issue of the Ballard News-Tribune included a letter to the editor titled ‘Swedish community health medical home’ by Doug Bungert from Ventura County, CA, former chair and director of Health Care For All California.

Mr. Bungert’s letter accurately points out one of the fundamental flaws in the American health-care system – the millions of uninsured and under-insured people in this country. Nonetheless, even when programs like those at Swedish Community Health Medical Home Clinic are offered – where individuals can purchase primary care for just $45 per month – clearly there will be people who cannot even afford that small cost.

Dear Editor,

To the man in line outside the soup kitchen in Ballard: I am now ready to return your "greeting" from the other day.

I was walking past you, in my sunglasses, deep in thought, having recently lost my uncle, aware of a pain in my back, and reviewing my commitments for the day. When you addressed me without first making eye contact, I was startled and uncomfortable and chose not to respond.

You called after me, under the guise of talking to your companion, with sarcastic drama, "Welcome to Ballard, the friendliest neighborhood in town. So she can't even say hello and give me the time of day. Thinks she's so high and mighty."

My mother always told me if I was uncomfortable being addressed by someone on the street, just ignore them. For this reason I was invoking my choice to be silent.

Did you stop to think how I might feel, walking home alone and being harassed by a strange man? After I told my neighbor what happened, it turns out you and your friends did this to her, too.

Tom and Kathy took their kids, Joey (15), Katie (13) and Tommy (10) on vacation to the Grand Canyon. The family hiked to the bottom of the canyon to Phantom Ranch where they planned to enjoy park ranger talks and sleeping under the stars; no cabins for this group!

On the first night, under those shining stars, they listened to Ranger Becky talk about the canyon. It was great -- until she came to the part about SCORPIONS! Tom said "at once, my daughter Katie was ablaze with questions:

· How many scorpions are there?
· How do they find food?
· Where, exactly, are they?
· How often are people stung?
· What happens to you if you get stung? ... clearly she was scared!"

Ranger Becky handed out infrared lights, and the assembled guests went out to find LOTS of SCORPIONS! And Tom's daughter, Katie, was more definite that she would NOT, could NOT sleep out.

Have you ever wondered if there was an alternative to prescription drugs and their side effects? Do you swear by your grandma’s home remedies? Are you interested in alternative medicine but unsure where to go or who to trust? Do the miracle cures online sound too good to be true (they are!) but still peak your interest?

We’re all looking for ways to save money, get healthier and find more meaning in our lives. This column is going to take a look at natural options, what wellness means, and ways to achieve it in the midst of our busy schedules.

Health has physical, psychological, mental and spiritual aspects that are different for each person. It is my hope that this column can provide some suggestions that are applicable to most of us, that my readers can take some new piece of information from each column and use it to make their lives healthier.

Dear Editor,

We, the men of Calvary Lutheran, wish to set the straight about our community. The Seattle PI wrote about our shelter losing a future site and said it was because SHARE was stubborn and wouldn't check for sex offenders in shelters.

Sorry, but that's not what happened.

We were there. Our shelter was invited to the Ballard Calvary Lutheran church based on our existing track record and rules. Some neighbors became hysterical and threatened the church if they let us come. This hysteria was based on fear. The fear was based on ignorance and – as we call it – homelessphobia.

So the church asked us to change our screening process and begin checking for sex offenders in our screening. Why?

Our shelters have operated for 18 years in Seattle. We have 14 of them now. The two oldest have daycares and music schools. How many times have we had a problem with a sex offender at a SHARE shelter?

NEVER. NOT ONCE.

That's a fact.

Fresh Bistro, a new restaurant from long time restauranteur, BJ Duft is set to open the week of May 20 at 4725 42nd Ave. S.W.

It's part of the group of businesses that will occupy the first floor of the new Mural Apartments going up across the street from Jefferson Square.

Head chef Dali Chea said, "It's going to be International Bistro food...my take on it is we're going to take and make it fresh and local."

The menu will be reasonably priced, Duft said.

"Dinner entrees will range from $16 to $24 and we're doing some specialty cocktails like our cinnamon basil blackberry martini," he said.

The idea behind Bistro food is small plates, meant to be shared between two to four people. There wlll be a soft open on May 21 to coincide with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce "After Hours" event.

After more than 11 years of mixing cocktails and experimenting in her Ballard Avenue Food Studios kitchen, Kathy Casey is picking up shop by the end of the summer and moving her business headquarters to Magnolia, where her and husband John live.

John and Kathy purchased the circa 1898 Ballard Avenue buildings about 12 years ago for $460,678. Now they are worth more than $5 million, said the Casey's. Their plan is to sell or lease the property privately.

After investing more than $1 million in improvements and major renovations, many of which John did himself, Food Studios opened about a year later in 1998 in the Chopard building at 5130 Ballard Ave. N.W.

It was at the cusp of Ballard Avenue's transformation from industrial-chic to trendy boutique. Then later in 2007, the third outlet for Kathy's Dish D'Lish brand opened next door to the Food Studios in the historic Theisen building.

The buildings, located in the Ballard Avenue Historic District, have been many things during the last century, including a mission, a liquor store, a cafe and a family theater in the early 1900's.

A contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation is closing single lanes as needed for construction on Greenwood Avenue North between North 105 and North 112 streets from now until October.

On weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. two southbound and at least one northbound lane will remain open; from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. two northbound and at least one southbound lane will remain open. At other times, at least one lane in each direction will remain open.

The city is widening Greenwood Avenue from four lanes to five lanes with a center left-hand turn lane and parallel parking on both sides, and adding sidewalks and landscaping to enhance pedestrian safety and transit access.

The work includes traffic signal, street lighting, and storm system improvements.

For more information, please click here or call George Frost, (206) 615-0786.

West Seattle School Board member Steve Sundquist will be at the Uptown Espresso for an informal community gathering to discuss education issues Wednesday, April 29 at 9 a.m.

Uptown Espresso is located at 4301 S.W. All people interested in education are welcome.

Greener Lifestyles, "Seattle's first green furnishings store," is going online-only after six years on Ballard Avenue.

The store specializes in sustainable and organic furniture.

The space occupied by Greener Lifestyles at 5317 Ballard Ave. N.W. is up for lease.