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Community re-engagement
New association president, Jones de Borges hopes to reinvigorate Madrona
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Revisiting the Park Page 4
By Jessica Keller
Madison Park Times editor After more than a year of little activity because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Madrona Community Council has reemerged as the Madrona Neighborhood Association and is ready to resume activities in the community. A new name is not the only change on the board. Leading the revival of the neighborhood organization is a new president, Monica Jones de Borges, a longtime Madrona resident who hopes to create new interest and ideas in the community. “The point is for the whole community to be a part of it and not for us to be running things,” she said. While the purpose of the Madrona Neighborhood Association is the same as before, Jones de Borges said the new name will make the organization sound more inviting and less corporate. While other community councils or neighborhood associations have a more political outlook, Madrona’s is more social in nature. Jones de Borges said the top priorities of the Madrona Neighborhood Association are to promote good relationships, support businesses and activities and welcome community engagement. “I think the mission is to keep the community safe and comfortable and positive and bring fun things and events that support a working community,” Jones de Borges said. “That means a community that works together to support each other.” Jones de Borges originally got involved last fall when she approached the association about creating a food pantry and helping with the Madrona newsletter. At the time there were only four people on the board with no president. “And I thought, oh, you know what, I can do that for a little bit,” Jones de Borges said. With COVID-19 forcing residents into quarantine and disrupting regular activities and schedules these past few years, people lost contact and connections with their neighbors and communities, Jones de Borges said. She would like that to change in Madrona. “I’d like to see fresh energy and joy ... so we can start bringing back some of the events that we have done over the years and bring some more things in,” she said.
Letter to the Editor Page 4
Property Views REAL ESTATE
Photo courtesy Monica Jones de Borges Longtime Seattle resident Monica Jones de Borges took over as president of the Madrona Neighborhood Association last fall.
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FEBRUARY 2022
Brownrigg Hard Cider opens in Interbay By Jessica Keller
Madison Park editor After launching a new career as a professional cider maker and cidery owner over four years ago, single dad and West Seattle resident Chris Brownrigg is now growing his operations by moving to Interbay. Brownrigg opened Brownrigg Hard Cider, his cidery and taproom, after moving from SODO, in the early fall, and he hopes the move will carry him to even greater heights as a cider maker. The space is ideal, Brownrigg said because not only is it easy to find and has on-site parking, situated in a building complex at 945 Elliott Ave. W., it also houses a distillery, Skybound Spirits, and a restaurant, The Champagne Diner. The space used to be a cidery, so it came with “all the bells and whistles,” Brownrigg said. At 1,900 square feet, approximately 1,000 dedicated to the taproom, the space is 700 square feet bigger than his previous location in SODO. “So this is a lot bigger and a lot nicer space than we’re used to,” he said.
MADRONA, FROM PAGE 1 “Our goal is to get people to come together again,” she added. Jones de Borges said one goal she has as president of the neighborhood association is to build stronger ties with the Madrona businesses. She also encourages residents to get involved in community activities and share ideas for events or projects they would like to see happen. “What we really need are community members to come in and help volunteer at our events and head up our events,” Jones de Borges said. New events are already planned, including four wine tastings, with the first tentatively scheduled for Feb. 19 depending on community interest. The events, which will be limited in capacity, will take place at a private residence and feature hors d’oeuvres and 15 wines. Tickets will cost $50, and people will have to at least show proof of vaccination to attend. To further improve communication, Jones de Borges said a new website is planned, and it will have information about the organization, a functional events
In SODO, he was situated in a warehouse, south of the stadiums. After the leaseholder rented out another area of the warehouse to a wet dog-food producer, Brownrigg began looking for a bigger, less aromatic location. “{The neighborhood} would just go through waves of sketchiness, but it was a good place to get started,” he said. Not only does his new location have more room, it is on the way to Ballard, which has a number of cideries. Brownrigg’s foray into owning his own business and making cider for a living is something he only considered doing after tiring of a career in communications working for Boeing. He said he became discontent with his career, where he was always on call and which he found less and less rewarding, and began considering a new direction altogether. After moving to property in West Seattle that had a small orchard, Brownrigg began as a backyard hobbyist, making ciders and wines before contemplating opening his own cider after a trip
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945 Elliott Ave. W. #202 Hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday brownrigghardcider.com facebook.com/brownrigghardcider to England. At the recommendation of another cider maker, he took classes from an master cider maker before he opened Brownrigg Hard Cider in SODO, launching is new career. “It probably has to be chalked up to a little bit of a mid-life crisis,” Brownrigg said, adding the career change was both exciting and scary, but it felt right. Brownrigg is proud of his operations and the quality ingredients he uses for his ciders. All of the apples are grown in Washington state, some coming from his own orchard. The purees he uses to make the cider are culinary level, more commonly used in high-end desserts, he said. All the fermenting is done on site, and the syrups are
made in house. Brownrigg said his ciders are different from others because he develops recipes using his culinary background, working his way up in restaurants as a young man. “I think every cider that is worthwhile is distinctive,” he said. “I think the cider maker should have their own distinct point of view and perspective.” Brownrigg offers 12 ciders on draft, with a new recipe added every week. He said he enjoys coming up with different flavor pairings featuring fruit and spices that appeal to his customers, such as his popular cherry cardamom cider that always sells out. He also likes to use tropical ingredients like pineapple or pink guava, in some of his ciders. “I always want to have a taste of
the land, but I really do love tropical flavors, as well,” he said. While he is content re-establishing his business at his new locations, eventually, Brownrigg would like to expand further. “I would really like to have another taproom in another underserved cider neighborhood,” Brownrigg said, adding it would ideally have a little bit of outdoor space for tables. Brownrigg Hard Cider hours are regularly Wednesday through Friday plus weekends, but it will be closed on Wednesdays until mid-February, Brownrigg said. Go to brownrigghardcider.com or facebook.com/brownrigghardcider to see the latest recipes on draft or for information on group tastings, sample requests and event hosting.
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“Our goal is to get people to come together again." — Monica Jones de Borges Madrona Neighborhood Association calendar and a donate button. Jones de Borges said she would like to engage more contributors for the community newsletter, which she sees as a way for the neighborhood association and business community to connect with residents. Jones de Borges also hopes more people will attend the Madrona Neighborhood Association meetings to hear what the board is discussing, ask questions and share thoughts and concerns, as well as ideas for new events or programs. The Madrona Neighborhood Association meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at the playhouse shelter house at the Madrona Playfield shelter house. The meetings typically last between an hour or hour and a half. Snacks and beverages are provided. Email madronaneighborhoodassociation@gmail.com to ask
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Free vaccine, booster clinic slated to June 19 The Starbucks on 23rd and Jackson, 2300 S. Jackson St., in Seattle is hosting free vaccine and booster clinics from noon to 3 p.m. every third Friday of the month to June 17th. No appointment is needed. Call 206-3227061 for more information. As well, every home in the country is eligible to order four free at home COVID-19 tests. Orders will usually ship in seven to 12 days. To learn more and/ or order the tests, go to COVIDtests.gov. People can also visit www. sayyescovidhometest.org, a Washington State Department of Health statewide portal, to order up to five free rapid-antigen COVID tests per household online. Those tests, will be delivered at no cost. Supplies are limited but will be restocked as they become available. It is possible to report a positive test result from an at-home test through the state’s COVID-19 hotline. Hotline personnel will
determine next steps based on a resident’s zip code so results can be recorded and reported. Staff can also guide callers through any questions they may have. The state hotline, 1-800-525-0127 (then press #), is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Language assistance is available. DOH encourages all smartphone users to download or enable WA Notify, https://www.doh. wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/ WANotify, for exposure notifications and to plug in positive results. Those using WA Notify at the time they test positive for COVID-19 can record their positive test results directly from their devices. It is important to note that Washington is experiencing a surge of cases across the state, so if people who have symptoms should assume they have COVID-19 even if they don’t have a test to confirm it, and stay home if sick.
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As the Omicron surge in COVID cases continues, today Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced in January new testing options for residents. “We know that testing — along with vaccines, masks, and social distancing — is key to tackling this pandemic, which is why Seattle is launching a new testing site and swifter tests through our partnership with Curative,” Harrell said. A new Curative testing kiosk has launched at the Seattle Pacific University campus. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Student Union, 315 W. Bertona St. People can make an appointment via https:// book.curative.com/search?utm_ medium=email&utm_source=gov delivery#9/47.5357/-122.3503. Because this is not a drive-up site, people can park in the SPU parking lots. Existing Curative sites at the Paramount Theater, Convention Center and Garfield Playfield will be adding expanded capacity and a new type of rapid PCR test to deliver faster results later this month. Rapid PCR tests detect viral RNA, which is a more direct and sensitive method of detection, leading to higher accuracy of test within two hours. Locations for new rapid PCR tests include: • Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St.; open noon to 7 p.m. • Washington State Convention Center, 705 Pike St.; open 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Garfield Playfield-Tennis
Court, 501-653 25th Ave.; open 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additional city testing sites include fixed locations with UW Medicine and Curative kiosks placed throughout Seattle Appointments are strongly encouraged at all locations and sites. Because of an increase in testing volumes at all sites, longer wait times in line should be expected. Results may take up to 48 to 72 hours for non-rapid PCR tests. For more on any of the sites, visit www.seattle.gov/covid19-testing. UW Lab locations Aurora Drive Through Harborview Rainier Beach SODO Drive Through University District UW Medical Center Northwest West Seattle Visit the UW website for more locations, https://www.uwmedicine.org/coronavirus/testing. Curative locations Paramount Theater Seattle Center Summit Public School: Atlas Don Armeni Boat Ramp / West Seattle Mount Baker Light Rail WA State Convention Center Garfield Playfield Seattle University Gas Works Park Lower Woodland Park Northgate Seattle Pacific University Visit the Curative website for more locations: https://book.curative.com/ search#9/47.5357/-122.3503.
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FEBRUARY 2022
Critters remembered
By Richard Carl Lehman Revisiting the Park
While in Riverton Heights, Washington, we young tykes witnessed the aftermath of the Depression, where many Japanese families lost their farms and had to live in their cars or trucks. The parents continued looking for work picking fruit and vegetables while trying hard to keep their kids in school. Dad worked for the Seattle Star and sometimes took me into Seattle for a reality check. He and I delivered food to a family living in a big scrap-wood dwelling in an area called “Hooverville.” We had to conceal the food to prevent thievery. Everyone there was living on the edge. At home, Mom cooked meals for neighbors who had little left. We were considered “country kids” as the main outfit was bib overalls with shoes optional, and our clothes were always patched. Our toys were few, but a heavy waxed box from the grocery store was a perfect sled for the long grassy hills. Anything we put wheels on was a bona fide race car. A trip to Angle Lake was seldom, but we splashed and frolicked, enjoying ourselves with little concern for the world condition. Lucky, my mom’s collie dog, was with us always. That pup would jump on our race car just to be with us. Climbing tall trees was a favorite past time. Scooting way out on a branch and sliding down a branch one at a time was fun even though we were covered in pitch. Pets tagged along through cow pastures, which were part of the neighborhood. War broke out, and our world turned upside down. Many families besides ours had to move. I couldn’t take Lucky. All of us missed him, and it was a hard time. Luckily, a neighbor took Lucky! When we lost Dad in war exercises, we moved to Madison Park. My grandparents took us in, and we slowly began to heal.
There had been many dogs and cats in the area, but when the breadwinners went off to war, it made it difficult to care for pets, so they were driven to the countryside and set loose. Nevertheless, there were plenty of dogs to walk us to school, and we were happy to share leftover lunch with them. People in the Park found ways to care for homeless pets — none were skinny. There were other animals to know and love. We caught polliwogs and kept them in open fruit jars. We’d compare who had the biggest. Then, surprise! Frogs! Yes, frogs all over the house. We were told to release them at Edgewater beach where they joined the herd. Adding to the circus, we bought turtles at Gouches pet store downtown. Turtles bought here had a distinctive mark: two red dots on top of the shell. Sometime later, after being let out into the wild, they too joined the herd at Edgewater beach and the Arboretum. On sunny days you could spot them lying about on rocks or logs having grown to the size of footballs. Dogs and cats ran freely and usually had homes. Store owners welcomed them as they lay in the entrances to greet customers. Customers sitting in the Madison Park Bakery would be greeted by dogs who quietly walked in smiling (it seemed), tails wagging. It was most assuredly an “Amway” expression. They sat politely as patrons handed them small pieces of fresh pastry. Even ducks caught on although not as quietly. It was funny to see all of the critters get along. One day a good friend asked me if I would come along to adopt a dog. We drove to the Humane Society and could hear the thunderous barking when we opened the car door. Inside, the cages were overfilled — it was more than I bargained for. I had to look away as they stared and wagged their tails. He picked a small pup who whined and was so
“There had been many dogs and cats in the area, but when the breadwinners went off to war, it made it difficult to care for pets, so they were driven to the countryside and set loose." excited, it was nearly impossible to leash him. It is said when you save a pet, they never forget. His pet was all that and then some. He slept with him and waited to greet him by the door when he came home from school. He always had some toy in his mouth to drop at your feet for you to throw. Johnny the flower guy at Bert’s Red Apple had adopted a dog from the Humane Society. He never left John’s side. He knew
he had been saved. He was an Australian sheep dog with one brown eye, the other blue. He was always greeted heartily by Bert’s customers. Bings’ restaurant owners, Stan and Lori, had T-Bone, a pitbull, who laid by the entrance forcing customers to walk over him. TBone just snorted and wagged his very short tail. At the beach, geese were the main event. One crinkle of a sandwich bag opening, and all manner of fowl appeared. If you
could make it to a bench without stepping in green deposits, it was a miracle. Every now and then a beaver or wharf rat swam by, probably on the way to the beaver dam in Canterbury. Nowadays, there are sightings of coyotes, chicken hawks, woodpeckers and deer. It would be grand if pets were always rescued and adopted to become part of families. Madison Park has quite the population of dogs who are leashed and well behaved. It was fun to see them run in packs in the olden days where they ran freely. There isn’t anywhere for them to do that except in specialized dog parks or maybe the ocean beaches. At least, they know they are loved.
Letter: Foreign language would add to McGilvra appeal Editor, As a parent who chose private school over public school, I would like to offer some suggestions as to how to make McGilvra Elementary School more attractive to neighborhood parents who may be considering private school. First of all, private schooling does not guarantee a better education than public schooling; in my daughter’s case, it did not even guarantee that the school would teach her to read. I had to pay for expensive testing and expensive, time-consuming tutoring all to identify and teach her the basics. What the PTA at McGilvra
can easily offer is what neither the private nor the public schools offer in this city: serious competent foreign language instruction, beginning as early as possible. The brains of young children (under the age of puberty) are equipped to learn foreign languages more efficiently than adolescents or adults. Also, once puberty sets in, the ability to acquire foreign accents is severely diminished. If a child learns a language early, it elasticizes their brains so that they will be more receptive at learning more languages later. If you ask any person who is multi-
lingual, you always find someone who either learned a second language early or grew up in a bilingual household or grew up in a multi-lingual country. All of the private schools my children attended offered foreign language, but only one, a brand new high school with 12 students in their graduating class, had decent language instruction. If McGilvra Elementary can get a five-day-a-week competent language teacher teaching in every grade, enrollment will soar. Ellen Taft, Madison Park
FEBRUARY 2022
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Roots and branches of health, disease
H
i! My name is Anne Lindberg. Most people call me Annie. I am a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine practitioner, yoga teacher and the new health columnist for the Madison Park Times. I welcome the opportunity to share my passion for health and healing from the inside out with the Madison Park community and beyond. In this column I’ll introduce myself and my lens and then dive into focused explorations of pertinent topics in subsequent months. My earliest and fondest child-
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hood memories responder, and were made within ensuring parthe heart of ticipants stayed Madison Park, healthy and and I’m grateful healed quickly for the opporwhen injured. tunity to return Through to my old ‘hood these ear— after decades lier experiaway — as owner ences and now and practitioner through my at The Point work as a pracAcupuncture and titioner, I have Ayurveda. I am become poiAnnie Lindberg equally excited to gnantly aware The Point Acupuncture embrace this new of the intricate role as health and interconnecwellness contribution between tor to the Madison Park Times. the health of our environment Before studying Ayurveda in and ecosystems, our physiologiColorado and east Asian medicine cal health, and the health of our and acupuncture at the Seattle minds and spirits. The more balInstitute for Oriental Medicine, anced each is, the more balanced I obtained a bachelors in biology all are. from Pomona College and a masThrough my columns I plan to ters of environmental studies from delve into relevant and evocative The Evergreen State College. topics, exploring human health As a biologist/ecologist I and wellbeing from a holistic, worked, researched and taught in integrated and even ecologiwidely varied ecosystems, from cal perspective. Ayurveda (the the islands of the Caribbean, to 5,000-year-old traditional medical the Galapagos archipelago, from system of India) emphasizes the the Rocky Mountains, to the importance of balance or equilibkelp forests of Catalina Island, rium and the dynamic integration and from the diverse ecosystems of body, mind, spirit and environof India to the temperate forment. ests of Pacific Northwest. I led Literally translated as the “scigroups of high school students on ence of life,” Ayurveda knows that extended educational adventures optimizing our prana, or life force, through these ecosystems, serving requires not only healthy eating as instructor and wilderness first and exercise, but, more broadly,
it espouses a healthy lifestyle and environment. We are porous beings; our surroundings impact our sensory and nervous systems, and thus our overall health. Sounds, colors and lighting influence our mood and wellbeing, as do our habits, mind sets and friendships. Even the bacteria in the soil of the kale we consume influence our position on the wellness/disease spectrum. As an acupuncturist/Ayurvedic practitioner, I recognize and address both the roots and branches of disease. The root system, underground and hidden, constitutes more than half the biomass of many trees. We observe a tree’s trunk, branches and fruits, deducing the health of a tree based on this suprasoil shoot system. But to heal a sick tree we must do more than tend to diseased branches and insect-ravaged roughage. We must ascertain the health of its root system and soil, the health of the mycorrhizal network that connects it to its cousins across the continent, and heal these as well. Recognizing and eradicating disease (the bug-ridden branches and peeling bark we witness) requires understanding and nurturing the hidden roots, interrupting the hidden causes. This holds true for human health and wellbeing, too. Tending
SEE HEALTH, PAGE 7
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First, don’t knock CBD (at least until you’ve tried it). Since CBD isn’t “psychoactive,” a lot of people think “CBD? Not for me!” But some of them are missing out... CBD pairs nicely with THC, and helps to mellow out those adverse side effects like anxiety, paranoia, racing heart, etc. It also adds to the “full-bodiedness” of the high and helps relax your muscles and soothe aches. CBD is non-toxic, so there’s negligible risk of consuming too much, and if you’re used to smoking a lot of pot you might need a higher dose. Second, check your terpenes! Terpenes are those super dank aromatic compounds in cannabis that make it smell so strong. The reason some strains smell like skunk while others smell like oranges is because of the different terpenes you can find
in each strain. Terpenes do more than just give your pot scent and flavor; terpenes can also affect your mood and influence the personality of the high. Think about your trip to the massage therapist- they might have lavender oil in a diffuser by the massage table. Aside from making the room smell nice, lavender is known to help ease tension and relax muscles. Linalool, the same terpene found in lavender, is also found in some cannabis strains like LA Confidential, and, unsurprisingly, Lavender OG. Websites like Leafly can help determine the terpenes common to the strains at your local dispensary, terpenes such as Myrcene, Linalool, and Terpinolene are great anti-anxiety terpenes to seek. It’s true, indicas are more relaxing than sativas, but the reality is a little more nuanced. Some sativas like Haze, Durban Poison, or Green Crack are known for feeling like coffee, sending users either into a productive frenzy or an anxious trainwreck. However, those sativa strains are mostly genetically pure, meaning they’re nonhybridized, 100% sativas. On the hybrid side, strains like Blue Dream or Strawberry Cough can offer awake social alertness without the paranoid or anxious feeling that accompanies most true sativas. Certain hybrid strains are excellent low-anxiety
options as well, notably Girl Scout Cookies and GG #4. Indicas are notoriously relaxing and low-anxiety, but some indicas can have surprisingly “sativa” qualities. “Purple” strains like Purple Chemdawg, Purple Trainwreck, or Purple Lemon Haze (not Granddaddy Purple, Purple Punch, or Purple Urkle) can carry those exhilarating anxiety-inducing sativa qualities. Lastly, consider supplementing your usual cannabis intake with a tincture. Some cannabis tinctures sold at your local dispensary are formulated to promote stressrelief, relaxation, or soothe anxiety. Aside from having a heavy-indica profile, tinctures will sometimes combine CBD or herbal remedies like valerian, chamomile, kava kava, or lavender to facilitate the relaxing effects of the “high.” Even if you don’t rely solely on a tincture for your cannabis fix, supplementing your normal smoke session with an appropriate tincture may help “take the edge off.” Cannabis alone can’t fix or cure anxiety, and for some, it may not help at all. But for those of us who use pot for occasional stress-relief, it’s essential to know which qualities of which strains are going to promote the desired effect, and which aren’t. Cody Funderburk
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FEBRUARY 2022
Aspidistra — strong as an abiding love By Steve Lorton Tree Talk
V
alentine’s Day stimulates all kinds of thoughts about love. What do you want from a sweetheart? Chances are the qualities you seek are about the same as those you want in a container plant: steadfast, dependable, low maintenance, good looking but not flashy, yet having a personality with universal appeal. You’ll have to find the sweetheart on your own. Good luck. I can help you with the potted plant ... Aspidistra elatior. Most commonly called Cast Iron Plant, due to its ability to tolerate conditions under which most plants would croak, this plant has also carried the moniker Ballroom or Barroom plant (depending, I suppose, on where the grower first discovered it). In the words of seasoned plant folk, aspidistra is “an architectural plant.” When at its peak, clumps of leathery, dark green, blade-shaped leaves,18 to 30 inches long, 3 to 4 inches wide, stand atop 8-inch stems. Floral designers love working with the leaves. Aspidistra prefers bright, indirect light but, like Sansevieria, will tolerate a dark corner. It flourishes in the shady forests of China, Japan and Taiwan. Direct sunlight will cause the leaf tips to brown. Give it a generous pot and rich potting mix that drains perfectly. This plant detests soggy roots. It will tolerate bone dry conditions for an amazing period. But plant neglect, like animal neglect, is a crime you’ll pay
for in Purgatory. Water when the top few inches of soil drys out. Forget all the gimcracks of plant husbandry, like plant water meters. They make me scoff. Just push an inquiring finger into the soil to determine the depth of dryness. A thorough weekly watering is usually more than ample. Wipe the leaves of dust every few months. If, like me, you have little patience for this dusting business, stick the potted plant in the bathtub, hose it down, let it drip dry and move it back into place. When old leaves yellow or begin to look ratty (after an unusually long period) just cut them off at ground level. This plant has a quite interesting but inconspicuous bloom. The flower is a little starfish-shaped thing, bigger than a nickel, smaller than a quarter, which is puce in color and appears just above the soil in spring. Children, grandchildren (and this gardener) squeal with delight when one demonstrates the patience to prowl around the soil level and discovers a bloom. It’s like mushroom hunting ... but don’t eat them. Introduced into European horticulture from China in 1822, few plants have crossed the rigid class boundaries of Victorian Britain with equal zeal. Considered a container plant, clumps of aspidistra stood in grand stone pots, flanking the staircases to aristocratic country houses. Inside, similar clumps, living in
SEE ASPIDISTRA, PAGE 7
Photo by Mary Henry Long considered a container plant, aspidistra prefers bright, indirect light but will tolerate a dark corner. Its popularity crossed class boundaries in 19th century England before crossing to the United States. It is a good candidate for beginner plant enthusiasts because it is easy to grow and maintain.
Don’t go it alone
A
bout a with depresdecade ago, sion. When neighborwill we get a hood volunteers break? What set up the Madison lies ahead? Park Emergency What can we Communicacount on? tion Hub with From how the awareness I understand that it might be the downside needed someday of our global to respond to the economics, massive disruptions our supof a disastrous ply chain Margie Carter earthquake. of goods, MP Emergency Prep The original viruses, the group has since demise of our moved on, and democracy, a few years ago a fledging new social injustice, the facts of global group of neighbors have tried warming, weather disruptions and to re-energize and update those ever-increasing climate refugees, efforts. Little did we anticipate ongoing uncertainty is all that the arrival of a disastrous global is certain. Getting through each pandemic, massively disrupweek, each day will require attive, you bet, and two-plus years tention to issues of sustainability, later, leaving us all reeling and mental health and the skills of emotionally, if not physically or turning to — and not — on each financially, depleted. other. Many of us feel things are I believe we can find resilience forever changed; others continue and threads of hope from being with the language of “getting back connected to others, including to normal.” None of us are eager those beyond the human family, to entertain the likely scenario and from making choices that that disruptions or disasters of engage us in some form of service one sort or another are the new and contribution to collective normal. We are tired, perhaps well-being. Each of us can interirritable, restless or struggling pret what that might look like in
our lives. We can also take some practical steps that might help us better manage ourselves and support each other when the next emergency besets us. We’ve learned through the years of COVID that enormous creativity and generosity is within and around us. Most people are eager to extend themselves, be kind and helpful. Can we apply this to getting better prepared, as well as more agile in responding with help needed?
Practical steps to consider
We have no shortage of resources on basic emergency preparation. A wealth of suggestions can be found on Seattle’s Office of Emergency Management website, https://www.seattle. gov/emergency-management. The challenge is making time to access and use it. Perhaps the best motivation and encouragement can be found in finding a buddy to work with, to support and hold each other accountable to some actions. You might slip this into regular time with a friend or family member, before or after a walk or coffee date. From the OEM website, here are some basic steps to get your started. 1.) Sign up for Alert Seattle, https://alert.seattle.gov/, to get
emergency alerts and notifications, perhaps while waiting for that coffee. 2.) Make a quick list of your typical daily activities, the people or animals you care for or who rely on you, and how a disaster would change the way you get things done. Use this list to begin planning, perhaps with templates OEM provides. 3.) Have a family or household discussion to determine actions if a disruption happens when you aren’t together. How will you get to a safe place and where is that? How will you contact one another? How will you get back together? Consider what you will do in different situations. Plan for children, pets, medical needs and any neighbors you might want to check on. 4.) Write down contact information for family and friends you may need to reach, with or without your cell phone service. Include an out-of-area contact, especially away from the West Coast region, in case of a massive earthquake, tsunami or flood — someone who can serve as a relay point for family communication and make that arrangement with needed details. You may want to use OEM’s Be Prepared template, https://www.seattle.gov/emergency-management/prepare, to start recording important information for your family/household plan. Make time to celebrate when you’ve got these first four things in place. Might be time to do
some next steps prior to a movie night, happy hour or cookout with some neighbors. You could bulk purchase some supplies or ready-made emergency kits and have a gathering to assemble and personalize. Not sure what to include? Again, OEM has a great list. With OEM resources, you could help each other assess possible hazards in each room of your house and learn how to best store water and food for an emergency. If your buddy system is working well, it might be time to engage others on your block by setting up what OEM describes as a Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare program, https://www.seattle.gov/ emergency-management/prepare/ prepare-your-neighborhood/ seattle-neighborhoods-activelyprepare. And, we’d welcome a few folks from each neighborhood cluster to work with our MP Emergency Communication Hub as we refine the communication supplies and volunteer roles that will be pressed into action in the event of a significant disaster that cuts us off from the rest of the city and first emergency responders. Contact one of us to learn what you can do. • Sarah Armstrong, saraharmstrong215@gmail.com • Margie Carter, margiecarter@ comcast.net • Mary Beth McAteer, msimiele1@gmail.com Get that buddy and team up for support to engage and prepare!
FEBRUARY 2022
Pacific Publishing Company – Queen Anne & Magnolia News • Madison Park Times
ASPIDISTRA, FROM PAGE 6 ornate porcelain jardinieres, topped pedestals in parlors and solariums. But so easy to grow and dependable was this plant, that it cheered the cramped quarters of East End London growing in chipped terracotta pots and leaky tin buckets next to dingy windows. Out in the Cotswolds, hardly a servant’s cottage was without its prized aspidistra. In 19th century London, many a performance by an elegantly clad music hall diva was concluded with the mildly naughty song “The Biggest Aspidistra in the World.” In 1938, Dame Gracie Fields recorded this song. It was a sensation, and the horticulture world has never been the same. From England, aspidistra made its way into the parlor pots of New England and, surprisingly, the shady beds (along foundations and under trees) in the Deep South. In my garden, it has proven hardy outdoors. I have it in four spots around my little city garden, each growing next to a fence or the foundation of the house. It has survived all our winters for more than 20 years now. In addition to the species, two cultivated varieties have developed. A.e. “Variegata” has wide, vertical stripes of cream, running up its dark green leaves. A.e. “Milky Way” has a galaxy of white
dots on each leaf. An undemanding winner, this is a perfect house plant for beginners. Plus, it is easy to propagate. In early spring, simply pull the plant out of its container or bed, shake the soil from the roots. You’ll find healthy rhizomes and roots. Cut off a vigorous piece that has at least two leaves and substantial underground support. Pot this up and replant the parent in fresh potting mix. The dark green leaves pop in a white pot or also complement a container solidly glazed in a primary color. Yellow carries an especially strong punch. Water both newly potted plants well. Let them drain. From that point on, it’s just the same easy-going love affair with beauty. Fertilize the plant, spring through summer, with liquid plant food, mixed to manufacturer’s directions. Now, back to Valentine’s Day. Let’s suppose you think you’ve found that perfect sweetheart: steadfast, dependable, low maintenance, good looking but not flashy, yet having a personality with universal appeal. You are smitten but still uncertain of your beloved’s feelings. You’re at a loss for words, don’t know what to say next. Well, you might comment, ever so casually: “Are you into gardening? I’d love to show you my plants. I have the Biggest Aspidistra in the World ...” Happy St. Valentine’s Day!
Seattle Public Library temporarily reduces hours at sites
The Seattle Public Library temporarily reduced open hours at most locations in response to ongoing staff shortages related to the current surge of COVID-19 cases. Check spl.org/hours for a complete list of hours and services at each branch. For up-todate information on schedule changes, go to http://www.spl.org/Today. Capitol Hill Branch, 425 Harvard Ave. E. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
HEALTH, FROM PAGE 5 to both the obvious and the obscure elements of health guides my work as a practitioner and will influence my health column offerings as well. As we move into 2022, beginning the third year of the new reality the COVID pandemic has delivered, I have much to be grateful for, including the opportunity to delve into health-related topics for the Madison Park Times. I look forward to exploring topics that will contribute to your general sense of wellness, even in the face of pandemic anxieties. Some topics include the role of seasonal eating and living for optimal health, fertil-
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Noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday Closed Friday and Sunday Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday Madrona-Sally Goldmark Branch, 1134 33rd Ave. 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Closed Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday ity challenges and the help that acupuncture and herbs can offer, pinpointing allergens, behavioral and herbal means of mitigating allergies and sensitivities, anxiety management, the role of mindfulness in promoting health, migraine prevention and treatment, gut health including the role of micro- and mycobiota, the influence of acupuncture in fostering wellbeing and vitality during cancer treatment, pranayama and the psycho-physiological power of breath and more. I hope to do so with attention to both the seen and unseen, the branches and the roots. I welcome your comments as well as topic suggestions. Here’s to peace and optimal health in 2022!
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REDEFINING WHAT MATTERS MOST IN REAL ESTATE
People Over Transactions Since 1972, Windermere has measured our success not in homes sold but in relationships built and trust earned. Today, we continue to redefine the practice of real estate through the radical integrity, thoughtful professionalism and collective generosity of our brokers and staff. We established the Windermere Foundation as a way to advance this work by giving back to our neighbors in need. More than $45 million has been donated to local nonprofits working to prevent poverty, homelessness and housing insecurity in our communities. We are proud of the relationships we’ve built and the values we’ve championed over our first 50 years. We look forward to advancing these over the next fifty.
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