April 2019

A mutual faculty/student walkout at North, Central and South Seattle Colleges is planned to take place all day Tuesday April 16.

As expressed by Jeffery Campbell student government President, "The walkout is intended to illustrate the crisis faced by the community and technical colleges because of the State Legislature's failure to adequately fund programs, salaries and student support. Since 2013, the State has covered only 65% of salary increases that they have approved, forcing the colleges to cover the other 35% with tuition or other revenue (if available) by taking  money from reserves, or often by cutting programs, staff and services to students to reduce costs. The Seattle Colleges face up to a $2M budget shortfall next year (based on  proposed salary increases alone0 with current budget proposals, and will be forced to make reductions as a result."

By Katy Wilkens

I loved visiting my sons in the old house they rented in California. One reason was the towering avocado tree in the back yard. It was loaded with avocados that would fall off the tree, land on the roof with a resounding thud, and then roll into the gutters. I am thinking about them because this is avocado season.

Not only are these “alligator pears” delicious in guacamole, their creamy smoothness makes them a flavorful butter substitute. Using them in a recipe is a great way to cut down on sodium in baked goods. You can also use mashed avocado as a substitute for mayonnaise.

Avocados are high in potassium, at almost 800 milligrams for a large one; it’s believed that a diet high in potassium helps with blood pressure control. Avocados are fairly high in fiber, with about 10 grams of the 25 or so you need a day.

information from West Seattle Garden Tour

The group of grant applicants this year was impressive and the deliberation was tough, but we are very pleased to announce proceeds from the 25th annual tour will support improvements to three public gardens, a playground renovation, habitat restoration and a live community theater program. 

With the sale of garden tour tickets and sponsorship revenue, the committee intends to raise and distribute over $25,000 to these six amazing local non-profits: ArtsWest, City Fruit, Community Orchard of West Seattle, Gatewood Elementary School, The Fauntleroy Watershed Council, and West Seattle Bee Garden. Read more about their community-centric projects.

By Jean Godden

There are many different comfort levels. Take my late mother-in-law who, although she was a well-liked night nurse, never wanted to be touched, much less hugged. On the other hand, I have friends who, whenever we meet, strangle me in a bear hug. Greeting behaviors vary.

This is not an original finding, but it is timely as we think about the media furor over Joe Biden's long-standing habit of affectionately putting hands on women he meets. The women have responded in divergent ways -- some found his attention "creepy" and a violation of their personal space, others thought it was merely "Joe being Joe," expressing his warm human feelings.

information from Ballard SeafoodFest

 Ballard SeafoodFest is celebrating 45 years as north Seattle’s largest and longest running free festival celebrating seafood, Ballard’s craft beer and great music.

There are many local standouts in this year’s music lineup, as well as some stellar international sensations. The 2019 festival headliner band is The Joy Formidable, playing on the Gravity Payments MainStage on Saturday, July 13, 2019.

“We look forward to an amazing talent lineup for our 2019 Ballard,” said Ballard SeafoodFest Director Mike Stewart. “Ballard SeafoodFest is not only a seafood festival that celebrates the Ballard neighborhood but it is also the only free music festival providing this level of entertainment in Seattle this summer.”

Is White Center crime really getting worse? According to the sheriff’s department, if anything, it’s getting better.

On Thursday evening, the King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) held a White Center community gathering with Deputy Sheriff, Bill Kennamer at RJB Photo Studio.

About 30 people attended.

“Let’s start out with the perception of White Center,” Kennamer began. “White Center is rat city, right? When I started this gig in 1998, this place was the wild west.”

However, that has changed.

“It’s now the best it has ever been,” he said.