One of my favorite early spring blooms is the Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum). If you know any latin based language like Spanish, you might recognize that sanguineum is similar to the word sangre which means blood. Blood is red, of course, but the most common form of this plant's flower is really more of a pink.
The species was first described in 1793 by Archibald Menzies on the voyage of Captain George Vancouver.
It was a good thing that the Seattle School Board did last week, and we were happy to see relatively quick action on a somewhat Byzantine process of leasing or selling buildings that are no longer used as schools.
The board approved a plan that used to reduce rent 50 percent for seven organizations that promoted youth and family activities, including the Fauntleroy School which now serves as a day care and community center.
I am a resident of the Fauntleroy community and understand the transportation needs of the Vashon Islanders and residents of the Southworth area. However, I must echo the complaints that most Fauntleroy residents have expressed but apparently have fallen upon deaf ears of our elected officials, particularly the mayor (isn't he a long time resident of West Seattle? Oh yes, he doesn't have to deal with the ferry problems, so why care?).
I implore the mayor or the chief of traffic control to drive down Fauntleroy Way along the Lincoln Park between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
(Tyler's teacher)
Braxton and I were talking about the article you sent home with him on Take-Out Containers.
In my opinion the paper ones have been "green-washed" and are no better than Styrofoam. Neither should be allowed, but in our society restaurants serve such large portions and few people think to bring their own Tupperware to the restaurant (our family does - when we remember and I am glad to see that Tyler does too). That should, in my opinion, be the focus of what we teach kids.
It's wonderful that Erica and Julia Guerette collect books for children who live in small towns along the Iditarod race route. But they should know that the Iditarod is terribly cruel to dogs.
What happens to the dogs during the Iditarod includes death, paralysis, penile frostbite, bleeding ulcers, bloody diarrhea, broken bones, pneumonia, torn muscles and tendons, viral diseases, ruptured discs, sprains, anemia and lung damage.
On average, 53 percent of the dogs who start the Iditarod do not make it across the finish line.
Having read the resent article in the Herald on the viaduct, I'm still at a loss as to whether the issue to tear to down the Viaduct is an objective issue or a political issue.
The question in my mind is that if they can repair the worst part of the viaduct, why can't they repair the rest of it. I try to be objective, but I keep coming back to suspecting the issue is political.
Please do more investigating on this concern, including interviewing Victor Gray and other non political engineers.
Louis Hilton
West Seattle
I'm writing because I am preparing a grant request (for) Neighborhood Matching Funds to do a project called El Club de Lectura. This is an after-school Spanish language literacy program for kids in elementary.
The letter of intent was written for Roxhill and Highland Park. Roxhill is on board and I hope to speak with the principal at Highland Park soon. I would love to have one of you join as part of our steering committee. I also need to solicit support from whomever is going to be reviewing the apps for the city. I believe you all have a say on this project.
For the past few years residents of West Seattle and the many community associations here on the peninsula have been working to develop a walking trails system. The map showing these trails will be published soon and distributed throughout West Seattle.
Well I try to never get mad, but this war has to stop. We need all the troops home. It's time to take care of our own. The mothers, wives, children and fathers need these giving men and women home. Four thousand (dead) are too many.
We don't need to send the Olympics to China either. I do not think it will be a safe move. Just remember this please, keep all of us safe. I'm tired of all the oil talks. Write to Congress, use the sun, air and water that God gave us. Thanks for caring.
Kathleen Vogel
Delridge Way
BlueStar Management said last week it would build Gateway Center, its second large mixed-use building on Fauntleroy, this one across 39th Avenue form their Fauntleroy Place complex that will include a Whole Foods store and Hancock Fabrics.
The mix-use project is planned for where the now-closed Huling Bros. Buick showroom is, with construction expected to begin late next year and be finished by early 2011.
