May 2014

Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Jose Banda traveled to West Seattle on May 7 to take part in Bike To School Day with the students of Alki Elementary. Banda is a bike rider himself but when he grew up he said he lived too distant from the school to be able to ride a bike. But he did ride to event.

An estimated 100 children took part in the event, riding from two different outlying locations to converge at the school.

Banda said he sees the Bike To School program as "the perfect way" to emphasize the importance of physical exercise to children. "It's not only a different way of getting around and an ecologically sound way of getting around but also the health factor that goes with it. It builds really good health habits in students and hopefully they will continue that into their adult life," he said.

He encourages teachers to ride to school where possible. "This is Seattle and parking is really at a premium anywhere. I think it's a great opportunity to get out and get some fresh air and sunshine."

EDITORS NOTE: This is the first in an ongoing series of articles by Chef Jeremy McLachlan of Salty's Waterfront Seafood Grills

By Chef Jeremy McLachlan

The Big Flounder of the Deep is finally here and at its prime. This is my favorite white lean fish. The delicate flaky meat is fantastic and good for you, too! “If you don’t believe me, just ask award-winning food blogger Kathryn Hilger-Kingen — she’s written about this very subject in her "Good for You" blog "Wild Halibut — A Brilliant and Sustainable Fish."

Whenever I dream of a dish featuring this amazing fish, I always know one thing: unlike the mid-region of my body, halibut needs fat! Because halibut is so lean, it's great pan-seared and rubbed with a compound butter or, for an even healthier kick, finish it with an avocado puree. Although halibut is a lean fish, it is still versatile and can be used in many different preparations.

EDITORS NOTE: This is the first in an ongoing series of articles by Chef Jeremy McLachlan of Salty's Waterfront Seafood Grills

By Chef Jeremy McLachlan

The Big Flounder of the Deep is finally here and at its prime. This is my favorite white lean fish. The delicate flaky meat is fantastic and good for you, too! “If you don’t believe me, just ask award-winning food blogger Kathryn Hilger-Kingen — she’s written about this very subject in her "Good for You" blog "Wild Halibut — A Brilliant and Sustainable Fish."

Whenever I dream of a dish featuring this amazing fish, I always know one thing: unlike the mid-region of my body, halibut needs fat! Because halibut is so lean, it's great pan-seared and rubbed with a compound butter or, for an even healthier kick, finish it with an avocado puree. Although halibut is a lean fish, it is still versatile and can be used in many different preparations.

EDITORS NOTE: This is the first in an ongoing series of articles from Salty's Restaurants.

by Kathryn Hilger Kingen

It's exciting when spring arrives; everywhere we look there is flourish and bloom. This is true on land, but from our Pacific waters other wonders are springing forth. This is the long-awaited time of year when fresh wild Pacific Halibut season returns and this coveted fish becomes available again — and are we ever excited! Halibut winter in the deepshore waters spawning, and from now until October they arrive in the nearshore waters to feed. This is when the Pacific Halibut fishery comes alive.

Frumpy, flat halibut wear brown camouflage on top, with a white belly underneath. Its fins are strangely located around its perimeter, and it has a huge oversized mouth. Both eyes are on the same side of its face, and frankly it looks like it was run over by a Mack truck. This is no glamour fish, but underneath its unfortunate exterior lies a pearly white, delicious, nutritious, sustainable fish with lots of versatility.

A male was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon on 42nd Ave., Southwest in the admiral district in connection with an investigation into a residential burglary. Police said the circumstances around the burglary were unusual but would not divulge anything more.

The incident drew a heavy police response with traffic blocked for a time on 42nd Ave., Southwest.

By Peggy Sturdivant

As a little girl growing up on Samish Island Jeanene Miller loved to garden despite her family’s location by salt water and a rocky slope. It reminds me of the nursery rhyme, “How does your garden grow? Quite well, with silver bells and cockleshells.”

The little gardener grew up and left the island shores for school in Bellingham, an arts degree, work as a textile artist, 15 years working and teaching at Weaving Works in the University District. When she bought a house a few blocks above Salmon Bay she was looking to become part of a community closer in spirit to her island home. She began growing more flowers, but still found that her community was mostly that of longtime students and customers in a different neighborhood.

Then she met a carpenter who loved to cook. When Eric Clark moved in with her he said, “Can’t we have more vegetables?” Now, some years later the flowers have become secondary. Jeanene had added more above ground beds, vegetables in pots, a greenhouse for veggie starts. Then Eric started to worry, “How are we going to eat all this?”

information from Keep Seattle Moving

Elected officials from Seattle today endorsed the Keep Seattle Moving ballot measure that would reverse planned cuts to Seattle bus service. The Seattle City Clerk has approved the measure, Initiative 118, for circulation.

“Cutting bus service will put another 23,000 cars on the road every day and make it harder for all of us – especially our most vulnerable citizens – to get around. This initiative will help keep Seattle moving while we craft a long-term solution in Olympia to fund and improve transit in our region,” said Rep. Jessyn Farrell of the 46th District.

"The urgent need for us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our state will not be met if we further cut back on the transportation choices that our bus system provides. I am excited to support any measure that mitigates the devastating human and environmental impacts of deep cuts to our transit system,” said Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon of the 34th District.

A Roxhill neighborhood block party is set for this coming Saturday May 10 from 10am -1 p.m on the block of 27th Ave S.W. and S.W. Roxbury. The organizers are trying to gather the community for peole to become better acquainted and to promote neighborhood security. Staff from Roxhill Elementary will be sharing their time with the students in the area to build relationships with parents.

The event is sponsored by White Center Community CDA, SDOT, Cascade Club and Feet First it is being hosted by the Roxhill PTSA according to spokesperson Alejandra Diaz.

A film that has become a movement and a means to help girls everywhere Girl Rising at the Admiral Theater May 6 at 7:00pm.

Girl Rising journeys around the globe to witness the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to change a girl - and the world.

Featuring the voices of Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Selena Gomez, Liam Neeson, and Priyanka Chopra.

The movie tells the stories of nine girls from different parts of the world who face arranged marriages, child slavery, and other heartbreaking injustices. Despite these obstacles, the brave girls offer hope and inspiration. By getting an education, they're able to break barriers and create change.

Buy tickets here.

EDITORS NOTE: We have seen this film and it is a very powerful testament to the power of girls and women to effect positive change. We strongly urge you to see it.

In 2013, the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, along with 50 Ballard businesses and community leaders and the Seattle Department of Planning and Development partnered to form the Ballard Partnership for Smart Growth.

The Partnership is a multi‐year calculated initiative to encourage community economic growth and establish sustainable relationships in Ballard. Moreover, they are addressing the changes in Ballard and have a goal to create a planned vision that will steer growth and shepherd new development. To fuel the framing of Ballard's future, the Ballard Partnership for Smart Growth recently received an $85 thousand grant from the City’s Only in Seattle program.

Ballard Partnership for Smart Growth are in the beginning phase of their work, and need the community's feedback to frame their plan. That's why Wednesday, May 7, there will be a public meeting from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Ballard Public Library (5614 22nd Ave. N.W.).

Community members might bring their recommendations for these issues to the meeting:

• affordable housing
• access to transit and jobs
• Open spaces for recreation
• Safer streets