From Layup to Legacy: Sue Bird Immortalized in Bronze
By Laura Marie Rivera
Seattle made history today, unveiling a bronze statue of Sue Bird outside Climate Pledge Arena—the first statue honoring a WNBA player and the first in the
city dedicated to a female athlete. The tribute recognizes Bird’s legendary career with the Seattle Storm and her lasting impact on the city, the league, and generations of fans. Bird, the Storm’s No. 1 draft pick in 2002, spent 21 seasons with Seattle, becoming the
face of the franchise and one of the most celebrated athletes in basketball history. Over the course of her career, she secured four WNBA championships with the Storm, five
Back to School! Strategies for students facing challenging classes
Every student takes something unique from their high school experience, and many eventually look back fondly on the years spent in the hallowed halls of their alma maters. High school might be the last step before learning a trade career or serve as four years of preparation for college. Either way, it is important to get good grades. Continually challenging oneself with coursework can help students get the most out of their academic careers. General level
classes are often taken freshman year and honors classes sophomore year. Students may then decide to enroll in advanced placement or dual enrollment classes as an upperclassman. As students continue to push themselves and classes get harder, they may have to revise their approach in order to excel. These guidelines can help students continue to be successful.
Establish a solid foundation. The first step towards success in any class is gaining a solid understanding of the basics, says Stemly Tutoring. If there are gaps in foundational
knowledge, assignments and tests can be particularly difficult as the coursework becomes harder. Routinely reviewing previous material and ensuring that the fundamental concepts are mastered is essential.
Practice active learning. Active learning involves engaging with the material in a way that goes beyond passively reading texts. Ideas include formulating questions, quizzing classmates, explaining the material to others as a teacher would, and writing down key words and topics so they are more likely to be remembered.
Focus on time management. In high school, five or more classes run concurrently during the year. Assignments may have similar due dates, and tests and quizzes may come more frequently. Students will need to master an organizational system and time management strategy that works for them. Students can utilize a day planner as a useful organizational tool. Breaking down long-term assignments into smaller pieces that are easier to manage also can be useful. Smartphone notifications can alert to due dates.
Seek help when needed. Students shouldn’t hesitate to ask for help from peers, academic coaches, tutors, or their teachers. Study groups or partnerships with classmates also may be fruitful. Students should not wait until they are falling behind to seek help, as that can make it much more challenging to catch up.
Study regularly. Reviewing material frequently and reinforcing knowledge is a smart strategy. Creating visual aids like diagrams or maps can help students understand a subject more fully. Again, this carries back to mastering the fundamentals. Looking back on previous lessons may help students with current ones.
Don’t forget to find balance and prioritize self-care. Academics are important, but so
is mastering a balance between schoolwork and other activities. Without balance, a student may experience burnout, stress and additional symptoms that can impede students ability to do well in school.
High school coursework gets more difficult as the years pass and students challenge themselves. Certain strategies can help students navigate increasingly challenging coursework.
Elected officials and their children join fans outside Climate Pledge Arena to celebrate the unveiling of Sue Bird’s historic statue - the first WNBA statue and Seattle’s first tribute to a female athlete.
PHOTO BY LAURA MARIE RIVERA
With a Little Help From My Friends: Madison Park Hub shows “the right stuff”
Dana Armstrong Emergency Prep
The merry volunteer gang at the Madison Park Hub just ran an “in the event of emergency” drill and I’m bursting to tell you how it went.
Every other year, our Hub puts on a full drill, where we set up the Hub and practice confronting a real emergency: we ask drill visitors to pretend they are out of power, have carpentry expertise to offer, are seeking baby formula, have an older neighbor who needs medical care, and similar challenges, then try to connect wants to haves. The Hub’s sole purpose is to make connections: to help neighbors help each other.
Since the full drill is a lot of effort to prepare and run, in off years we’ve tried activities like tabletop and radio exercises that other Hubs could join. We needed to plan our off-year activity, and our Hub box was sitting there, getting dusty.
The Drill Concept: Rough and Ready
During one regular Hub meeting, I thought, “What if instead of a full drill, we just opened the box, set up all the equipment, and then… just put it away?” Seemed a little radical, but would be quicker and require less prep, while still letting us practice. I ran it by some other Hubsters and got a lot of enthusiasm.
My co-captains Sarah and Katrina ran with the idea and massaged into a full drill, which would also allow them to test out the guides they’d already been updating for Hub roles.
Then we gathered a group on a sunny Saturday in August to try it out.
BIRD
From page 1
Olympic gold medals with Team USA, 13 All-Star selections, and a place atop the league’s all-time lists for games and minutes played. Beyond her accolades, she became a symbol of excellence, leadership, and longevity in professional sports.
The unveiling drew city and state leaders, fans, and former teammates to Climate Pledge Arena’s plaza, where Mayor Bruce Harrell reflected on Bird’s influence both on and off the court. Harrell, who played football at the University of Washington, noted the shared experience of being a Husky—though Bird famously led the University of Connecticut Huskies to two NCAA championships. With a nod to her enduring legacy, Harrell officially proclaimed August 17 “Sue Bird Day” in Seattle. State Representative Julia Reed echoed that sentiment,
STEP ONE: THE ORDER OF THE KEY
I jokingly call our Hub box (the large metal storage box holding all our Hub equipment) a “clown car”—it’s impressive how much stuff comes out of it! The box holds four canopies, three tables, three white boards, two rolled-up area maps, a stepstool, a large foam sign, six shoe bags, five educational posters, a bullhorn (for the Hub Manager to corral volunteers), and more. Apparently, there are even sandbags in the bottom to help hold canopies down on a windy day (I’ve never seen them!).
Because we don’t know who will be available in an emergency, several people need to have Hub box keys. Our Hub cocaptain Sarah developed an innovative ceremony, the Order of the Key, that she uses to anoint a new “keeper of the keys.” She was inspired by the Knights of the Round Table, who used their “might for right,” and she wanted our volunteers to be suitably impressed with the honor we bestowed upon them. Their access to the box, letting us set up the Hub as a meeting place for neighbors, could make a big difference in the welfare, and perhaps even survival, of many in our neighborhood: indeed, the holy grail. I was both surprised and delighted when Sarah inducted me on my doorstep with a formal ceremony, and I take my responsibility very seriously!
There are now twelve keyholders, but some had never opened or closed the box— and this was the perfect time. Since it’s a large and intimidating process, we asked volunteers to do it in pairs. (Closing the heavy box lid is even more intimidating, since it looks like you might lose a finger in the process!).
No fingers were injured, and a lot of confidence was built—both by them and by the co-captains, who are happy to have more people able to struggle with “the beast.”
emphasizing the groundbreaking significance of Bird’s honor. Representing Washington’s 36th Legislative District, which she noted has the only all-female delegation in the city, Reed declared it “Sue Bird Day” across the state of Washington.
King County Council Chair Girmay Zahilay took the celebra-
“The likeness was sculpted by renowned artist Julie Rotblatt Amrany”
tion a step further, bringing his young daughter on stage to witness the moment firsthand. He said he wanted her to look back and know she was a part of history, and to look forward and know that anything is possible. “That’s what
STEP TWO: IT TAKES A VILLAGE (TO SET UP A HUB)
In an emergency, Hub volunteers would help neighbors get help and offer help for problems, so protecting our volunteers from sun and rain during these potentially wearying shifts is vital. We have four canopies designated to shelter key Hub stations: Information, Supplies, Volunteers, and Medical. And amazingly, they all fit compactly in the Hub box along with some tables and the rest of the Hub gear.
Putting up canopies is a multiperson job. We asked our 10-12 volunteers to put them up in groups of four, and they did it in record time. These speedy workers then set up tables, posters, signs, and more in about 20 minutes!
What’s more, I’d anticipated questions on how to set up the gear, and I got none. Exactly what we always hoped would happen in an emergency: people see a need and fill it. They read the guides and proceeded. I just watched it all unfold, like a proud mother hen!
STEP THREE: SHOW AND TELL
At the drill start, we randomly picked volunteers to staff stations, giving out random envelopes with the various roles. The “show and tell” segment was designed to ensure all our volunteers understand the different Hub jobs. It went swiftly, and as a group, we came up with an innovation we need: adding a Shift Change form to the back of binders to track who might be available for a shift the next day.
We also asked volunteers to write up their ideas for concrete changes we could make to make things easier, and had them do it on the spot while the experience was fresh.
STEP FOUR: PACKING UP THE CLOWN CAR
Taking the Hub down went faster than
Sue represents, and that’s what her statue represents.” He then proclaimed the day “Sue Bird Day” on behalf of King County.
When athletes are honored with statues, they’re often remembered in iconic poses—Michael Jordan’s dunk, Magic Johnson’s no-look pass. Bird got to choose her own. She selected a layup, a deceptively simple move that carried personal weight. Her first career points at Climate Pledge Arena came from a layup, and so did her final basket before retiring.
The likeness was sculpted by renowned artist Julie Rotblatt Amrany, who has created iconic works honoring sports legends across the country. With Bird’s input, Rotblatt Amrany crafted a figure that captures not just the motion of a layup but the spirit of an athlete whose career spanned two decades in one city.
Fans and teammates marveled at the likeness, praising how the sculpture captured not just her form but her essence. For Bird, the honor was equal parts humbling and affirming, “This statue will make sure a piece of me stays in this city forever, just like this city will always be a part of me.”
Bird’s statue marks a breakthrough in representation—an acknowledgment of women’s contributions to sports at the highest level. For Seattle, it signals the city’s commitment to honoring its trailblazers. For the WNBA, it sets a precedent for future generations of players whose legacies deserve to be cast in bronze.
The day’s proclamations—from city, county, and state leaders—underscored the far-reaching significance of Bird’s career. Yet the most powerful moments came from the children in the crowd, wide-eyed as they looked up at the towering
setting it up, since the work mainly involved removing hanging items by cutting zip ties (we will get reusable ones for the future) and folding up tables and canopies. We also learned something time-saving: that we don’t have to remove the canopy covers when putting the canopies away.
However, the last bit is always challenging: getting everything back in the box. Our co-captains have experience, but anyone needs to be able to do it. We learned a lot from watching other people during the pack-up process.
All in all, it was an effective drill. We ended about an hour ahead of schedule, and our volunteers seemed to have fun. I hope we’ll repeat the experience in the future!
Postscript to last month’s column: I bought myself the Gerber Dime multitool, which is as adorable as it seemed (though a bit underpowered for some jobs). It did make me want a bigger, more “regular Swiss Army Knife” tool. But I heard from a friend that the TSA confiscated his (different) multitool during a recent trip, so I recommend putting any multitools in checked luggage.
As always, this column is part of Madison Park Emergency Hub’s outreach effort. We’re an all-volunteer organization focused on neighbors helping each other after a disaster. To get on our mailing list, contact us at madparkhub@gmail.com.
A special thank you to McGilvra’s Bar and Restaurant for being a fun place to host our meetings (and to manager Courtney for her constant support).
Come join our sibling Hub, Madison Valley, at their Community Social Hub Show & Tell Drill at the Madison Park tennis courts on Saturday, September 16, 1pm-4pm.
figure of a woman whose excellence has been permanently etched into Seattle’s landscape.
As Bird stood before her likeness, the cheers from the fans echoed the gratitude of a city she helped put on the basketball map.
For Seattle, Sue Bird is more than a champion—she’s family. And now, her legacy has a permanent home outside the arena where it all began and ended, with a layup.
Sue Bird stands before her newly unveiled statue outside Climate Pledge Arena
PHOTO BY LAURA MARIE RIVERA
Surviving the Great Depression
By Steve Lorton
Growing up in the late 1940s and 50s (yes, I’m really that old), we kids frequently overheard adult conversations about The Great Depression (1929 to 1939). They were rarely tales of woe. Mostly, they were proud stories of making the best of what one had, or found, or was given,
salvaging something to put to good use, spending scant funds on something that would last, if not grow in value. Frugality was godly. Gardens, a cornucopia of edibles and beauty, were worshiped. Which brings me to chrysanthemums.
Strolling through the garden section of Lowe’s I saw 4-inch pots of Chrysanthemums, en masse, loaded with buds and some fully opened blooms. Late summer has arrived. Each pot: $4.48, I bought four, to cluster together. You see them pictured here. “Ah ha!” I
thought. “Perfect for rotating from outside in and back, for deck color and to grace the dinning table. I’ll have them to pop-in among piles of autumn gourds. When the flowers fade, I’ll divide them and set them out in the garden.” The ones I’d chosen were low growers and will go along a walkway that gets lots of light.
I could hear my ancestors in chorus: “Waste not want not.” “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.” I was euphoric. I’d been transported to my youth. I was swept with a feeling of sensible, grounded economy and a serious commitment to the purchase. No splurge to it. These chrysanthemums were a darn good investment! And as vaunted English horticulturist, Graham Stuart Thomas, puts it: “The most useful of all autumnblooming perennials for borders, containers or cutting....”
Probably in late October or early November I’ll cut off all spent flower heads. I’ll submerge the plants over night in a bucket of water. Next day, I’ll push them out of their pots. With a reasonably sharp kitchen knife, I’ll slice the clump vertically (ground level to bottom of root ball) in half, perhaps quarters. Then I’ll put them into rich, well draining soil, in a sunny spot. I’ll water them in well and leave them to send out new deep roots. Early next spring, about mid February, I’ll cut the plants back to a height of about four inches, leaving
enough stalk stubble so I’ll know where they are and garden critters won’t trample them. I’ll give each little clump a gentle circling of fertilizer (12-12-12 is always a good choice) or sprinkle them with a diluted liquid fertilizer, or (best of all) top dress them with a layer of robust compost. I will fertilize throughout the growing season, according to my regiment of the holidays: Valentine’s Day, Saint Patrick’s Day, April fools Day, my Granddaughter’s birthday (2 June), and the 4th of July. With regular water, sunshine, judicious feeding, I’ll enjoy a late summer, early autumn show of floriferous chrysanthemums for a life time. Every three to five autumns, I’ll dig the clumps out of the ground and divide them as I did these first plants from the pots.
Coming from a genus of about 160 species, Chrysanthemums are native across the Northern Hemisphere from Japan and China, through Central Asia, and into Europe and North Africa. One species, C. arcticum is native to Alaska. The modern hybrids which we enjoy today are offspring of Chrysanthemum morifolium. Records show these were cultivated in China as early as 500 BCE.
“Chrysanthemums are native across the Northern Hemisphere”
Food Fun with Freida: How to Rescue A Giant Zucchini
By Freida Mackleman
It’s that glorious time of year when our gardens are bursting with late summer produce, but what to do when you overlook your zucchini and it grows to a massive size? The general consensus is that small zukes are tastier, but I have found a way to salvage these monster-sized green gourds!
The larger the zuke the woodier it will be at its core. The solution here is to use only the outer three quarters of an inch of the plant - the green part! Cut these into manageable sections, or grate them to make zucchini fritters (see recipe).
I turned one of my four and a half pound monsters into a pan
baked zuke snack. Tossed them in olive oil, salt, pepper and bread crumbs and baked them at 350 degrees until they started to brown. If you have the time and can deal with the mess deep frying is always an option. Do a wet batter with flour, spices and bubbly water or beer, then fry until golden brown. An ideal temperature for your oil would be 325 degrees. I have found that the seven dollar food thermometer I purchased on Amazon has become an essential tool for this kind of project - even though I have spent a lifetime of cooking without one.
You will need:
• 3 cups shredded zucchini
• 1 egg
• Half cup bread crumbs, cracker crumbs or panko
• Spices of your choice (my go-to spice is oregano)
Form into one inch thick patties, pan fry in olive oil and enjoy!
Now available in a wide variety of colors, flower forms, sizes and plant heights, the French began hybridizing Chrysanthemums in 1789. That’s amazing, to me. It’s the year the French Revolution began and, by golly, not even fear of the guillotine is going to stop any dedicated gardener. The English got into the game in 1795 (don’t remind them of that. Anything the French beat them at causes a serious British pucker-up). But to be fair, the Brits did introduce a species of Chrysanthemum (C, corymbosum), from the Caucasus) in 1596.
The history of Chrysanthemums goes way, way back. In Japan, it symbolizes royalty, longevity and rejuvenation and is the emblem of
the Imperial Family. The Emperor sits on the Chrysanthemum Throne. Still, for me, the chrysanthemum represents much of what is best in America. One autumn day, my father, came home with a large, rooted pot of blooming Chrysanthemums in pale purple. He wanted to celebrate my mother’s appointment as Chairwoman of the local Mother’s March of Dimes (founded by FDR in 1938 to help eradicate polio). He presented the flowers, with congratulations, saying “I thought you’d appreciate these more than a bottle of perfume.” My mother tearfully responded. “Oh Honey! Yes! We’ll have these forever!” And so we did. My parents had survived The Great Depression.
A regular zucchini is dwarfed by four pound mega-zukes. If you don’t want fritters try the oven-baked version. Dip them in ranch or marinara sauce!
FRIEDA’S ZUCCHINI FRITTERS
MARY HENRY
MARY HENRY
Fall Plant Sale A Fundraiser for Washington Park Arboretum
Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs in the Pacific Northwest, so don’t miss our fall sale hosted by the knowledgeable volunteers from the Pat Calvert Greenhouse and the Cloney-Harris Plant Nursery.
What you’ll find: A unique selection of trees, shrubs, and perennials, including woody plants propagated from the Arboretum collections. We’ll also have a nice selection of garden- and naturethemed items from the Arboretum Gift Shop on sale.
Purchases support environmental education, tree care, and volunteer programs at the Arboretum! Questions? Please contact info@arboretumfoundation.org or 206-325-4510.
LOCATING OUR PLANTS
The greenhouse and nursery can be found just south of the Graham Visitors Center, directly behind the large greenhouse structure at the south end of the Visitors Center parking lot. From the southeast corner of the Visitors Center Parking Lot, follow the gravel path
around the side of a greenhouse structure.
The Pat Calvert Greenhouse Complex (featuring a Sunhouse and Shadehouse) will be directly in front of you as you curve around the large greenhouse structure.
The Cloney-Harris Plant Nursery (formerly the Plant Donations Nursery) is just to the southwest of the Greenhouse Complex, next to Arboretum Drive, and can also be accessed via the Visitors Center terrace.
Blue or red price tags only: You’ll see signs to help direct you to the greenhouse and nursery and to identify plants for sale. Select only plants that have red (greenhouse) or blue (nursery) price tags on them! Please do not take plants without those tags, because they might not be ready for purchase!
Saturday, September 13, 2025 10 AM — 2 PM
Graham Visitors Center
Free parking and admission
All plant purchases tax free!
Honeybees enjoy a late Summer snack at the Arboretum
PHOTOS BY ALEX
The Habits that Cost You
You get that sinking feeling as you check your bank account.
A blur of impulse buys—snacks, subscriptions, shoes—jumps off the statement.
Did I really spend that much? Again? It started with a little stress, a little scrolling, maybe a click “just to see.” But now you're staring at a pattern that feels both familiar and frustrating.
We all have a vision of our best life—but between who we are today and who we want to become lies a tricky gray area. What habits are keeping you stuck there? Chances are, you already know.
Often, these are behaviors that feel uncontrollable. Maybe they come with a pang of guilt. Maybe you even hide them
"Link new habits to existing routines"
from a partner or roommate. They show up because they’re meeting a need—usually an emotional one. These coping mechanisms tend to surface during times of stress, even subtle or subconscious stress. Whether it’s late-night snacking, staying up too late, impulse shopping, gambling, or doomscrolling, they offer a fleeting hit of relief, escape, or comfort from anxiety, depression, or loneliness.
But while they soothe in the moment, they often harm in the long run.
And we’re swimming upstream. Food companies, marketers, and content creators make it easier than ever to fall into these loops. Foods are engineered to be irresistible. Streaming services auto-play the next episode before you can think twice. Social media never runs out. Your time, energy, and attention are the product.
So how do we stop these habits in their tracks?
The first step is awareness. These behaviors thrive in the shadows—when we’re checked out, grabbing another handful of chips or rolling into the next show. But when you bring mindfulness to the moment, you shine a light on the pattern. It can help to think about “Future You.” What do they look like? What would they choose today to move toward the life she wants?
Start small. Choose one habit that you believe would have the biggest positive impact. For example, committing to an earlier bedtime can immediately improve your mood, energy, and food choices the next day. Even short daily practices—like a fiveminute meditation or a session of yoga nidra—can help regulate your stress response. Staying hydrated and ensuring your body has the building blocks it needs (like protein, vitamins, and electrolytes) can stabilize both physical and emotional wellbeing. Once you’ve picked a habit, become a gentle observer of it over the next week. When does it show up? How do you feel in the moments before? What’s triggering the impulse?
Also consider the consequences: What’s this habit costing you—financially, physically, mentally? What are you not doing because of it?
Sometimes we’re avoiding something unpleasant, like a tough conversation or a task we’ve been procrastinating. But we’re also potentially missing out on joy. What might you be doing instead—dancing, writing, seeing a friend, painting?
One tool that can help is the HALT method, recommended by the Cleveland Clinic. HALT stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired—common emotional and physical states that can trigger harmful behaviors. (More at Cleveland Clinic HALT). It's important to use this check-in for yourself—but less so to offer it unsolicited to others. My father, with the best intentions, would try to feed me mid-meltdown as a teenager. I know he meant well, but unless it’s done gently, it can feel like your emotions are being dismissed.
To support yourself in tough moments, prep ahead: keep water and healthy snacks on hand. When you feel the urge to slip into an old habit, pause and ask yourself: What do I really need right now?
If you’re irritable, maybe it’s time for a quick nap, hydration, or something nourishing. If you’re feeling disconnected, reach out to a friend or schedule a future meetup. Even taking a small action in the direction of connection can make you feel better.
Building positive habits—like setting a consistent bedtime or taking a multivitamin—can naturally start to crowd out less helpful ones. Link new habits to existing routines. For instance, drink a glass of water before each meal to curb cravings, or take a brisk 10-minute walk afterward to help regulate blood sugar and energy levels.
Habits can be especially vulnerable when we’re out of our routines—like during travel. Of course, you should enjoy your vacation! Letting go a little is healthy. Just aim to follow the 80/20 rule: indulge, but don’t undo your progress. A little planning—bringing vitamins, electrolytes, or an eye mask—goes a long way in helping Future You stay on track once you’re home.
This week, pick one habit and observe it—without judgment. What do you notice?
It is hard to explain to people today, when it seems like everyone in the city—everyone everywhere—has visited, or wants to visit Italy, that our neighbors once targeted my family because we are Italian.
We had only lived in rural Connecticut a few weeks.
Once my father saved enough money to leave our city apartment behind, off we moved to the countryside where people had larger houses but, I soon came to realize, smaller tolerance for people unlike themselves. While it seemed the neighborhood was calm, like a river without waves, I came to learn of strong currents swirling below the surface. Just weeks after we moved in, someone painted “WOPS GO HOME!” on the side of my father’s station wagon.
I think the way in which I perceived myself changed the moment I saw those words.
My mother said it had to be one of the neighbor kids. I remember her saying something like, “kids do terrible things.”
But I did not believe it was a kid, not on your life. I was only six, but I’d already begun to notice grownup things, like how a certain man in the neighborhood shook his head whenever our family drove by.
I couldn’t have put words to my feelings then, but now I can: I could detect this man’s contempt for all of the European
struggles he never had to face and for all the Europeans he suddenly had to. Without his consent.
Maybe all kids can sense how the social rules around them are clear and inviolate. Maybe I identified with being different right from the beginning because I was trying to figure out why my family was different, why I was different. Whatever the reasons, my interest in whatever it meant to be “different,” whatever that is, began because of those spiteful, spraypainted words. And it has persisted throughout my life.
My father has said that imagining the “American dream” was the only thing that got him through the Second World War. Except he did not carry the streetspaved-in-gold illusion. He defined the “dream” as living in a peaceful country. I’ll never forget the look that came over him when he saw the slur splattered on his car, as if part of his dream had been snuffed out like one of his cigars, as if he’d finally witnessed something he’d been afraid of all along.
It was a different time, of course, when lots of us still believed that the government always did the right thing, and so my father might have pretended to agree with my mother’s plead to call the police, but he never did. Instead, he got out the hose and a scrub brush.
And now I wonder: Do we all see what we want to see, or can handle seeing, and sweep the rest under, scrub it away, so we can tell ourselves everything is fine, because “fine” is what we so desperately want?
That night, I heard my father cry. I had never imagined it possible for him to cry. My mother cried too, but I was used to that.
Erica Browne Grivas
Your Best Life
Mary Lou Sanelli
World War 2 Fallout
By Richard Carl Lehman
During the depression, kids in Riverton Heights barely knew what was happening as we had been sequestered from reality. We wore our bib overalls as usual, with little awareness of global fashion beyond what Mickey Rooney wore in films. At Shoalwater elementary, there were some kids who secreted odors. We called them “Stinkies,” but never to their faces. There were two brothers who were usually on the quiet side, definitely down
and out but seemed well raised. If some of us brought treats, these kids wolfed them down. When we walked to the neighborhood store and then home in the rain, parents would give them something to keep dry. My friends and I made sure the brothers weren’t picked on.
Two of us went into the brothers’ house to do homework. They lived in a shack: Mom, Dad, the brothers, two girls, a baby, two dogs and cats—they all seemed happy. That
was a big thing. Almost the whole family worked on nearby farms. When WW2 started my dad being a well-educated pilot was first to enlist in the army air core. Saying goodbye to all was tough as he was transferred to California. Mom and I came along and lived in mostly military funded apartments. Public schools in this area had overcrowded classrooms with all grades and foreign languages; further confusing things for many. Name calling and real fist fights ensued because of the different cultures and hard living.
I missed my friends back home, but when Dad was transferred to the Mojave Desert as a squadron leader, we encountered a new community. Many families, known as “Oakies,” lived in poverty, often lacking shoes, wearing worn clothes, facing malnutrition, and struggling with hygiene and dental problems. They could be seen rummaging through garbage cans looking for food even after the lunch meal.
I made a friend by trading half my sandwich for a turnip. I later helped him get to our adobe, and Dad took him to the army dentist. I visited his home—a cluster of cars—and met some kind people, which put a lump in my throat. Not long after they all packed up and left for work north leaving nothing but sand and tumbleweed behind. Many of us lost loved ones in that war and we didn’t escape that reality. My uncle Hank drove Mom and me back to Seattle and
we moved into my grandparents’ garage as there were no vacancies due to the war. I attended J. J. McGilvra and met many others in my same condition.
Abuse was not unusual at home and school. One kid I did homework with seemed nice but was bullied by a group of well-dressed children. When I defended him, they roughed me up, leaving bruises and a split lip. My dad had taught me how to handle situations like this.
I came out with hand ready to punch a couple and within the hour I met Mr. Chechester who gave me my first swat and truthfully it was fair. I shook hands
“I made a friend by trading half my sandwich for a turnip.”
with the well-dressed group and life went on with a better understanding for each other. I was to to continue to learn that lesson in the next few years.
McGilvra comprised a diverse range of classes and grades, a characteristic that was especially prevalent during and following the war. The entire community collaborated during air raids and blackouts, demonstrating collective resilience. Efforts included organizing paper and metal drives and managing food shortages.
I enrolled at Edmond Meany Jr. High and found kids of all colors and backgrounds where it was best to try to get along.
The school store was a meeting place before school. Some of the group met behind the school where they smoked. I did not smoke but had friends who did. The grounds monitor was a chosen student who was to report incidents, and he did. We were
sent to Mr. Leeds and each of us got a swat. The “Swat” was a size 13 double E tennis shoe known as Mr. Goodrich.
Mr. Leeds, the gym teacher, greeted us with Mr. Goodrich as if he was his hand and warned us not to shake it too hard so as to hurt him. When Mr. Goodrich was whipped along your hindside before 9 a.m., it woke you faster than any two double Americano’s. Oh, the sting! As we were being whacked, one kid said, “Lehman! You don’t smoke!”
Life at Edmond Meany gave us a glimpse into adulthood where we saw a fist fight turn into a knife fight. Someone got poked by a knife a few times, and another tried to remove it getting cut in the process. One ended up at Luther Burbank school for delinquent youths on Mercer Island for his involvement. Two gals even got into a fight who threw punches like men. I had a few fights but was skinny at 130 lbs so not a contender.
I walked a girl home from school one day but her boyfriend, a junior at Queen Anne High, called and invited me to fight after school At 3:10 pm we all heard “Fight! Fight! Fight!” I had to show up as I was the guest of honor. He was bigger and so I came in second. Just part of growing up.
The army taught us the proper way to fight. Not long ago the dermatologist was removing a spot and while looking at x-rays said, “Your nose has been broken, and the cartilage is messed up.” I retorted, “No, it’s been broken twice! I was single 45 years!” He said, “So?”
I answered, “If you don’t get one broken nose in 45 years, you’re not trying hard enough.”
In my experience, physical disputes have frequently ended with a handshake, representing mutual resolution and closure, if not mutual respect.
The Seattle Public Library wants to hear from you
Everyone in Seattle is invited to take a brief community survey that will help shape the Library’s future
How do you feel about The Seattle Public Library’s spaces, collections, programs, and services? Take our brief survey and let us know! Not a Library user? We want to hear from you, too!
The Seattle Public Library is conducting a survey from Monday, August 25 through Wednesday, Sept. 24 to hear from the community, including what is working well, what could use improvement, and what Seattle residents would like to see from the Library in the future.
Visit www.spl.org/CommunitySurvey to learn more and take the survey.
The survey is available in print and online, and it is available at all Library locations. To ensure the Library receives feedback from a statistically significant and representative sampling of Seattle residents, the survey has been mailed to 15,000 households and translated into six languages other than English, including Amharic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese.
To thank participants for sharing their thoughts, Library consultant Olympic Research and
Strategy (ORS) is offering a chance to win one of 20 $50 VISA gift cards. To enter the gift card raffle, participants can enter their email address, which will only be used for the raffle and not included as part of survey analysis.
HOW THE SURVEY WAS DEVELOPED
The Library hired ORS to provide support on survey development, delivery, and analysis of results. ORS also facilitated four community workshops held at the Beacon Hill, Capitol Hill and Greenwood branches. Over 30 community service providers participated to share direct feedback about Library spaces and services. These organizations represent many interests, ranging from youth, seniors, and low-income family services to literacy and education advocates, housing providers, and arts organizations.
The Library also provided more informal feedback opportunities with patrons at more than a dozen locations. Patrons were encouraged to share how the Library makes them feel, what the Library could do to improve, and even what their dream library might look like.
Feedback provided through the survey, workshops and engagement activities will help inform how the Library shapes its services and spaces to better serve our community.
Friends of Madison Park: Upcoming Events
How can summer be coming to a close? Though the Children’s Parade and Picnic is now in the rearview mirror and Music in the Park has shuttered until next summer, it is worth looking back on these beautiful long days and the hum that has been running through our neighborhood.
As school is starting and vacations are winding down, Friends of Madison Park has more events, projects and wish lists for the coming Fall and beyond. Mark your calendars, sign up, and don’t miss what’s coming. And above all, become involved- whether it’s by giving a day or more energy to one of our events or projects, or giving a donation to keeping the community humming along.
PARTY FOR THE PARK
One Night. One Give for your Neighborhood! Join us!
September 13TH, 6:30 at Broadmoor Golf Club.
Friends of Madison Park puts on this one fundraiser and celebration for our community each year. Support the events and projects that make our neighborhood so special. Get your tickets now and grab a few friends! Delicious food and beverages, silent and live auctions, raffle for dinner at Canlis, games and dancing in a gorgeous setting.
Want a Sneak Peak at some of our auction items? ***Chef’s dinner for 8 at Cafe’ Flora, ***a luxury cruise with Explora Journeys, ***opening nights at the Paramount Theater, ***One on One Fitness sessions, ***getaways in the Methow Valley…..and sooooo much more. Go to www.friendsofmadisonpark.com for ticket purchases and details
FARMER’S MARKET
The weekly Farmer’s Market continues to bustle with happy neighbors, children and dogs; the vendors and community are getting to know each other well and the array of produce, baked goods, flowers and artisan specialties have created a low key way to create new connections in the community and delicious items to take home for the week’s meals. Give your feedback www.friendsofmadisonpark.com/farmersmarket if you have a moment. The Market’s last day of 2025 will be Saturday September 27.
LITTLE BEATS
The Little Beats Concert Series returns the first Saturday of the month starting Saturday, October 4th 11-noon at the Pioneer Hall on 43rd Ave E (south of the beach) and runs through March. The $25 series package includes entry to all six shows. Packages are
priced per person, child or adult (free for babes in arms). Tickets are $5 at the door or you can
purchase online at https://www. friendsofmadisonpark.com/kidsconcert-series.
Please note that this is not a drop-off event but requires that all children have their own adult supervision. Reserve your spots (and help us plan for future events) by pre-purchasing your ticket packages today!
Thank you to our sponsorsParkshore Residence Association, Sunshine Music Together and All That Dance.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS
PLEASE NOTE: Our schedule of Neighborhood meetings is different for the Fall schedule. We will move to the second Tuesday of the month at 7 at the Bathhouse in 2026 but bear with us for now.
Tuesday, September 30th at 7 pm - City Council member Joy Hollingsworth will speak on the One Seattle Plan and its impact on Madison Park and answer your questions.
Tuesday, October 14th at 7 pm - Bathhouse Renovation and Beach Restoration Project follow up meeting. An interactive second meeting with the architectural team of Signal Architects and Anchor QEA Landscape Architects to share results and ideas formed from our first meeting in May. Come for an update on our progress and exciting vision for an updated gathering place and surroundings for Madison Park. (view more details about the planned renovation on our website) Tuesday, November 11th at 7 pm- Our year end meeting with updates on coming events in 2026, budget projections and more!
ODDS AND ENDS
Wells-Fargo assures us that the big orange sign is coming downhopefully it has by this publication and a more proportioned one arrives in its place.
The One Seattle Plan is moving forward. Friends of Madison Park continues to follow and provide input to our council member and join with other neighborhoods in tracking and having a voice with the zoning implications. Check out our page on www.friendsofmadisonpark.com/oneseattle.
We need volunteers to plan for a Halloween parade (dog and children) a spring garage sale, holiday festivities and more. Reach out to www.friendsofmadisonpark.com/ volunteer.
Huckleberries of Western WA: Trailside Nutrition
By Annie Lindberg, LAc, MES, MAcOM
It’s huckleberry season in Western Washington. From the alpine meadows of the Olympics to the sunny, open Cascade ridgelines, the shrubs are jeweled with my favorite purple-blue fruit. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the berry-blue smudges on bear scat—black bears will vacuum up thousands (sometimes tens of thousands) of huckleberries in a day. While we humans can’t match that pace, a handful on a hike delivers a health boost.
ANTHOCYANINS & HEALTH BENEFITS:
Huckleberries owe their deep blue-purple color to anthocyanins, a family of flavonoids (plant compounds) that function as antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and help calm chronic, lowgrade inflammation. Among commonly eaten fruits, wild huckleberries are top-tier for anthocyanins (400–1,000 mg) per gram of fruit, rivaling and often exceeding cultivated blueberries (150–400 mg) per gram.
BRAIN HEALTH:
research links higher habitual anthocyanin (and berry) intake with slower cognitive decline and lower risk of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. In controlled trials, berry in terventions—often blueber ries—have improved aspects of memory and attention in older adults and school-age children. Mechanistically, anthocyanins cross the blood-brain barrier, con centrate in memory-related regions such as the hip pocampus, reduce neuro inflammation, and support neuronal signaling. Making huckleberries a near-daily habit can be a delicious vote for long-term brain health.
HEART HEALTH:
the endothelium—the delicate inner lining of your blood vessels—flexible and responsive by boosting ni tric oxide availability. Nitric oxide relaxes the vessel walls, allowing blood to flow more easily and reducing strain on the heart. Antho cyanins also reduce LDL oxidation, a step in plaque formation, and dial down inflammatory pathways. Meta-analyses of antho cyanin-rich interventions report modest reductions in systolic blood pressure and improvements in arterial
stiffness. Consistent berry intake points in the same direction: a small, cumulative tilt toward cardiovascular protection.
EYE HEALTH:
Your retinas are vulnerable to oxidative stress. Anthocyanins localize in ocular tissues, where they support rhodopsin regeneration (important for low-light vision), enhance ocular blood flow, and protect retinal cells from light-induced damage in experimental models. They may also help slow the progression of macular degeneration, one of the most common age-related eye conditions. Clinically, bilberry (a close cousin to the huckleberry) has the deepest dossier, and wild huckleberries share the same core pigments. Think of them as nutritional sunglasses.
MEET THE WESTERN WA QUARTET:
• Red huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium): lowland, nurse-log specialist,
digestion, and blood health. As you enjoy your huckleberries on your hikes, it’s worth remembering that these mountains and their fruits have long nourished lives and cultures.
FRESH ON TRAIL VS STORE FOODS:
Fresh, sun-warmed huckleberries have peak vitality and vitamin C. Anthocyanins are relatively stable compared to some vitamins, but time, heat, and oxygen still chip away. If you store the berries, the gentlest paths are refrigeration and quick freezing. Dried berries and freezer stash are still valuable—just think of fresh as your “premium” dose. If berries are your daily habit, you’re doing yourself a great favor. To diversify anthocyanins on non-hiking days, rotate blackberries, black raspberries, blueberries, red and purple grapes, purple figs, tart cherries, purple sweet potatoes, red cabbage, black rice, and purple corn. Huckleberries
Real estate Madison Park Times
Get ready for the market to wake up this fall
By Chris Sudore
This summer, Seattle’s real estate market has felt a little quieter than usual, but that’s no surprise. Summer traditionally brings a softer pace, with families traveling, kids out of school, and routines on pause. The real story is what comes next – as the school year begins and schedules normalize, momentum returns. Year after year, September through Thanksgiving marks a strong stretch of activity, with sales picking up and energy returning to the market.
Even with summer’s slower rhythm, the market hasn’t stood still. Over the past six months, our neighborhoods have averaged 118 sales per month, which translates to about four months of inventory. Analysts call that the faster side of a neutral market, which is four to six months of inventory.
It’s a big change from last summer, when we experienced buyers making offers, going into escrow, and then not following through
with the sale. We even had several buyers simply not show up to the closing table, forfeiting their earnest money. Last year, the rate cuts everyone anticipated never arrived—and it gave many buyers pause. Uncertainty crept in, nerves set the tone, and the market carried more stress than usual. This year feels different. Buyers and sellers have made peace with today’s rates, recognizing that the ultra-low numbers of the pre- and post-Covid years were the exception, not the rule. To put in perspective, single-digit rates today look far more favorable than the double-digit days before the 2007 housing bubble. The market has adjusted, confidence is back, and fewer buyers are sitting on the sidelines waiting for rates to come down.
MICRO-MARKETS AND QUICK CHANGES
The big picture doesn’t show everything, though. In our neighborhoods, the market can change
By Emily Fitzgerald Washington State Standard
Eight months after Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove entered office and paused logging sales in older forests on state land, Washington’s Department of Natural Resources has identified 77,000 acres to set aside for conservation.
Called “structurally complex forests” by the Department of Natural Resources and “legacy forests” by some conservationists, these older forests aren’t quite old enough to qualify for old-growth protections but are biologically diverse and naturally resistant to wildfire.
Under Upthegrove’s plan, 29,000 acres of the forests will remain available for harvest. Most of the roughly two-dozen timber sales paused will proceed.
Upthegrove touted the plan as Washington’s “biggest step forward in forest conservation in a generation.”
“Doing this will allow us to continue to nurture and steward these forests, but in innovative and diverse ways that do more for climate, more for habitat, and more for the communities we serve,” he said in an interview ahead of signing Tuesday’s directive.
Timber industry groups and some conservation activists were both dissatisfied with the order.
Upthegrove campaigned last year on protecting this class of forests.
His ideas drew support from environmental advocates who argue that swaths of these older trees are dwindling in western Washington.
But industry was opposed, making a case that larger, older timber is needed for certain wood products, like power poles, and that pulling lands back from logging would hurt jobs and mills.
‘Nothing short of devastating’
On Tuesday, the Legacy Forest
“these older forests aren't quite old enough to qualify for old-growth protections”
Defense Coalition, one of the leading groups calling for protection of structurally complex forests, described Upthegrove’s plan as a disappointment.
“This is essentially a continuation of the status quo under the guise of a conservation victory,” said Joshua Wright, a spokesperson for the coalition. The group has sued repeatedly to stop logging sales on state land.
While the Legacy Forest Defense
Coalition supports conservation of the 77,000 acres, the 29,000 acres made available for logging include plots that the group has fought to keep intact. These include shrinking tracts of complex forest land in the Capitol State Forest south of Olympia, the Chehalis River Basin and Willapa Hills.
“The majority of forests that we were most concerned about are going to be logged by this plan, and that is nothing short of devastating,” Wright said.
He said that the Legacy Forest Defense Coalition is still open to working with the Department of Natural Resources.
INDUSTRY OPPOSITION
Logging industry advocates raised concerns that the plan would take too much land out of rotation for timber sales.
“Removing these acres from sustainable harvest will mean less revenue for schools, fire districts, hospitals, and libraries that depend on trust land funds, and fewer family-wage jobs in Washington’s forest sector,” said Travis Joseph, president of the American Forest Resource Council, a regional trade organization.
The 29,000 acres of complex forests made available for sale should be enough to fulfill all of the Department of Natural Resources’ financial commitments to local governments for the next
decade, according to the agency.
In the meantime, the Department of Natural Resources will work on different strategies to generate revenue from the 77,000 acres set aside for conservation, including the possible sale of credits on carbon markets.
The Department of Natural
Resources oversees nearly 6 million acres of state public land, including about 3 million acres of “trust lands” that produce revenue – mostly from logging – for schools, counties and other parts of government. FORESTS, 4
My Clients Are Saying...
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Laura and her team on the sale of a beloved family home from an estate. I cannot recommend Laura highly enough. I was particularly impressed with Laura’s deep knowledge of the real estate market. Her efforts led to multiple offers that were well above the list price. Laura and her team went above and beyond in marketing, showing, and positioning the home, ensuring it reached the right audience. Her approach was not only professional but also incredibly insightful and efficient. She’s a rare gem.” - Arnie Willig
1919 Shenandoah Drive East , Seattle When it comes to making a statement, nothing thrills me like the timeless symmetry of a classic Georgian—the elegant style that has launched a thousand imitations!
Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove is seen during a press conference on Aug. 26, 2025, at the High Point Trailhead on Tiger Mountain, near Issaquah.
PHOTO BY EMILY
FORESTS
From page 3
The department has already set aside 1.2 million acres of its trust lands as part of the Washington Habitat Connectivity Action Plan. The 77,000 acres set aside as part of Upthegrove’s order is 12% of what was left over, according to Heath Heikkila, a lobbyist for the American Forest Resource Council. Legacy Forest Defense Coalition takes issue with the 1.2 millionacre figure, arguing it includes strips of forest along streams and other trees that are not part of continuous blocks of forest, diminishing the benefits for wildlife and the environment.
“ Washington Forest Protection Association, which represents private forest landowners, was also critical of the new plan”
The American Forest Resource Council estimates that the logging value of the 77,000 acres that were set aside is about $2.3 billion. The estimated economic activity that would come from logging those acres is $6 billion, the group says.
Heikkila and American Forest Resource Council spokesperson Nick Smith said Tuesday that they were concerned Upthegrove acted without completing a public process or going through the Board of
Natural Resources.
The Department of Natural Resources says it doesn’t need approval from the board or the Legislature to set aside the forestland.
American Forest Resource Council intends to work with the board and lawmakers to address the fallout for industry.
Washington Forest Protection Association, which represents private forest landowners, was also critical of the new plan, noting guardrails around logging that the state already has in place.
“Artificially blocking forest management harms the environment and our local economies,” said Jason Spadaro, executive director of the group. “As a state, we need to ensure that decisions on forest management are steeped in science, not politics.”
OTHER GROUPS VOICE SUPPORT
Other environmental groups, including Conservation Northwest and Washington Conservation Action, commended Upthegrove’s approach.
“The order is an important step towards more sustainable, costeffective and climate-smart forest management,” said Dave Werntz, science and conservation senior director, for Conservation Northwest.
Upthegrove’s order gives the Department of Natural Resources room to consider aspects of forest management other than maximizing revenue, Wentz said.
“It’s an acknowledgement that there’s more ways to manage DNR lands other than timber harvests,” he said.
Washington Conservation Action CEO Alyssa Macy spoke in
support of Upthegrove’s order at the press conference where he signed it on Tuesday, at Tiger Mountain, near Issaquah.
“With climate change upon us, we need a new vision for forestry, one that takes a more holistic view,” Macy said. “We must recognize the economic value of timber, but also of the clean air, the clean water, wildlife habitat, carbon storage and cultural value of the forest lands for which our state is famous.”
Thurston County Commission Chair Tye Menser also applauded Upthegrove’s move, pointing to parts of Capitol State Forest that constituents have said they want to see protected.
“We are thrilled to hear that Thurston County’s voice has been heard,” Menser said.
“We are also happy to hear that DNR is committed to continuing to meet its responsibilities to counties, schools, libraries and fire districts as they struggle with uncertain budgets,” he added.
LENGTHY PROCESS
Upthegrove said the Department of Natural Resources intends to ask the Legislature this upcoming session for more explicit authority to sell carbon market credits tied to state forests. The department will also look at ways to acquire new timberland, Upthegrove said.
This year’s pause on timber sales gave Department of Natural Resources staff time to finish an inventory project identifying and mapping older trees and structurally complex forests.
The project was initially scheduled to be finished by the end of the year, but was moved up to a June deadline. Staff ended up needing an extra month-anda-half to complete their work, Upthegrove said.
“It gives us a much higher confidence in how many of these forests we have and where they’re located,” Upthegrove said of the mapping and analysis. “It’s a much more responsible starting place for the whole discussion.”
Get ready for the market to wake up this fall
Continued from page 1
quickly, in weeks or even days. It’s been a great summer for my team, because we’re not just sitting around reacting, we’re being aggressive. So while some brokers have been quiet this summer, we’ve been quite active. Part of it is being in the right place at the right time, but it’s also the result of hard work and keeping our eyes on the data daily and knowing when to charge in and when to slow down.
One of our junior brokers just completed his first deal. He showed his buyers a townhouse listed for $760,000 that just came on the market and they loved it. The buyers weren’t sure how to proceed. We ran the competitive analysis and saw that it was the last of six townhouses, and the other five had sold within three to five days on the market at full price or more. Speed was everything. Within hours, we had the buyers’ financing pre-approval in hand, drafted the offer, and submitted it, all inside of a 12-hour window. The result? They secured the home at list price after just two days on the market, beating out other buyers before competing offers could even take shape.
In another case, I had buyers who looked at a home that had been on the market for 48 days. They wanted to make an offer, but after looking at the data, we realized we could come in under the asking price, take a little more time, ask for contingencies, and get the conversation going. There was no need to rush in this case, but I’m confident the deal will go through, just not at a breakneck pace.
If you’re a buyer, your experience will depend on the property you’re looking at. If we hadn’t moved fast to gather all the data about the townhouse, our buyers would have lost out on a home they really wanted. The other property, though the buyers want it just as much, didn’t call for the same approach. We have more time to
negotiate. Being in partnership with an experienced broker – or a broker closely mentored by an experienced broker – will get you the results you want. This is even more crucial when the market heats back up this fall. Get your financials in order, have the pre-approval ready to go, and be prepared to move quickly if you have to.
WHAT’S SELLING NOW
To achieve the best possible sale, your home needs to shine – inside and out – and be priced
“it
with precision. Turn-key condition draws buyers in, but realistic pricing is what gets the deal done. The truth is, many of the homes lingering on the market today aren’t suffering from lack of charm or updates – a lot of them are simply priced too high.
One of our listings is generating great traffic because the owners invested the time and money to update and improve. Built in the early 1990s, it’s a great property, with quality construction on over an acre. But it was cosmetically dated. I started working with these clients last year, when they knew they’d have to sell due to a job relocation. They wanted to know how to get a premium price. So we looked at the dark kitchen cabinets, the moody tan and brown paint that marked that era. They completely remodeled the kitchen, making it updated and bright, installed beautiful new engineered wood flooring, and repainted inside and out in a warm white accented with beautiful new beadboard. The photos are amazing, and it’s even better in person. We priced it realistically, and we’re get-
ting multiple showings a day. The more appointments buyers book, the better the chances a house will sell quickly.
So if you’re selling and want to get your best price, it will pay dividends to get your property in shape. You may not need a full remodel, but even new paint and fresh landscaping can make a big difference. Working with a broker who can help you understand what you need to do, how to do it, and has trusted trade partners to do it sets you up for success. Be realistic about pricing, now is not the time to go too high. The houses on the market right now will likely sell quickly if they make price adjustments for the fall.
Whether you’re selling or buying, you’ve got to play the market as it is that week and day. Right now, we’re not looking at data from six months ago, but from 15-30 days ago. Things change that quickly.
In a lively and quickly changing market, set yourself up to win by working with the right people. My team succeeds because of our experience in changing market conditions and our data-driven approach. We’re flexible, willing and able do the hard work for our clients that others don’t. Madison Park is my neighborhood – my home, office, and team are right here. If you have any questions or concerns about the investment in your home, and what it means to you and your family now and in the future, I’d love to set up a time to talk or answer any questions you have.
Chris Sudore KingCountyEstates. com
Chris@KingCountyEstates.com
Managing Broker Coldwell Banker Bain | Global Luxury
3 Ways to Minimize Back-to-School Meal Prep Stress
By Family Features
Back-to-school often means a few "ugh" moments for parents. From early wakeup calls and forgotten lunchboxes to extracurricular chaos, meltdowns at homework time and picky dinner eaters, easy solutions in the kitchen can help lighten the todo list.
Turn those groan-worthy moments into "no big deal" with Borden(r) cheese - a versatile protein that adds both flavor and fun to your meals. Whether it's shredded, sliced or in snack form, cheese provides simple ways to help keep meal prep stress to a minimum on school days.
PACK LUNCHES THE NIGHT BEFORE
Preparing sandwiches, salads or wraps in advance can streamline your morning routine and ensure your family members have a nutritious meal ready to take to school or work. A turkey and cheddar sandwich will hold up well in the fridge overnight. Add grab-and-go options like string cheese, fruit or whole-grain crackers to go with their favorite sandwiches to create a balanced and satisfying lunch. Cheese sticks also fit perfectly in a pencil slot in backpacks to combat hangry kids after school.
RELY ON ONE-POT DISHES AT DINNERTIME
One-dish dinners can be a lifesaver when trying to balance packed schedules and get everyone to and from their activities.
With easy prep and only a single pot or pan to clean up, you can cut down on the time spent in the kitchen and enjoy more moments with your family. Delicious and satisfying one-dish recipes, like Skillet Chili Mac, elevate a family favorite by adding Borden cheese. Made with real milk from American dairy farmers, it provides wholesome goodness you can feel confident serving your family.
EMBRACE 'BATCH AND FREEZE' COOKING
Instead of prepping a full week's worth of meals, focus on cooking large batches of a few key components. For example, cheese serves as a delicious protein in baked dishes that freeze and reheat well for busy weeknights such as lasagna or macaroni and cheese. Or freeze individual servings of homemade burritos or quesadillas filled with cheese and other familyfavorite ingredients.
Find more tips and recipes to save time during the school year at bordencheese.com.
Sharp Cheddar Shreds, divided 2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
In large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion 5-7 minutes, or until meat is browned, stirring occasionally. Drain fat, if necessary. Stir in tomatoes, chili powder, cumin and salt. Stir in cooked
macaroni; reduce heat to mediumlow.
Top with cheeses, saving some for topping; cover and cook until cheese is melted. Remove from heat; top with green onions and cilantro. Add final layer of reserved cheeses on top.
Listed by Amie Stewart & Kelley Meister with COMPASS
Skillet chili mac is the perfect 15 minute family meal
