Archives for February, 2007

Raptors in the City

I saw a red hawk sitting on top of a streetlight beside I-5 during my morning commute yesterday. That’s not an entirely unusual occurrence, but it doesn’t happen terribly often on the short stretch of highway I travel between the University District and Alderwood. This morning, though, I saw two … and on a much shorter stretch - between Lake City Way and Northgate.

Whenever I see a raptor in “the city” I feel a small burst of joy - like I’m lucky. And I guess in some simple way I am. I actually used to take the sight of hawks and eagles in Seattle for granted. It was when other people remarked on them in my presence that I had to pause from my overworked and typically-jumbled thought processes to remind myself that seeing a raptor outside of the “wild” is something to savor.

What struck me this morning, though, was that alongside that small spell of happiness that overcomes me at the sight of one of these beautiful birds is an even smaller sliver of sadness. I don’t know why seeing a hawk in the city should be gloomy in any way. well, actually I do – it was a rhetorical thought. But what I don’t entirely understand is whether it should.

02/28/2007 | northwest, ramblings | No Comments

3 Courses, 25 Restaurants … $25

This fantastic program, a brainchild of Richard Malia (Ponti Seafood Grill), began in 2002. Twice a year since its inception, in March and November, 25 of the area’s “finest” dining establishments allow you to gorge yourself silly on five-course prix fixe dinners … for a fabulously measly $25.

This year:

Twenty-five of our area’s best restaurants have come together to offer you a month of divine dining for an unbelievable price. Lunch and dinner include three courses (beverage, tax and gratuity are additional). Offer is valid Sundays (dinner only) through Thursdays, March 1-29, 2007.

Of course … there are restrictions, but not enough to make this a deal worth missing. For details see the Twenty-Five for $25 page at NWsource.com, or call the participating restaurant directly:

    Andaluca - 407 Olive Way, Seattle, 206.382.6999
    Barking Frog - 14580 N.E. 145th, Woodinville, 425.424.2999
    Brasa - 2107 Third Ave., Seattle, 206.728.4220
    Campagne - 86 Pine St., Seattle, 206.728.2800
    Cascadia - 2328 First Ave., Seattle, 206.448.8884
    Earth & Ocean - 1112 Fourth Ave., Seattle, 206.264.6060
    Etta’s - 2020 Western Ave., Seattle, 206.443.6000
    Eva Restaurant - 2227 N. 56th St., Seattle, 206.633.3538
    Fish Club - 2100 Alaskan Way, Seattle, 206.256.1040
    Flying Fish - 2234 First Ave., Seattle, 206.728.8595
    Market Street Grill - 1744 N.W. Market St., Seattle, 206.789.6766
    Nell’s - 6804 E. Green Lake Way N., Seattle, 206.524.4044
    Nishino - 3130 E. Madison St., Seattle, 206.322.5800
    Oceanaire Seafood - 1700 Seventh Ave., Seattle, 206.267.2277
    Ponti Seafood Grill - 3014 Third Ave. N., Seattle, 206.284.3000
    Ray’s Boathouse - 6049 Seaview Ave. N.W., Seattle, 206.789.3770
    Restaurant Zoë - 2137 Second Ave., Seattle, 206.256.2060
    Sazerac - 1101 Fourth Ave., Seattle, 206.624.7755
    Serafina - 2043 Eastlake Ave., E. Seattle, 206.323.0807
    Six Seven - 2411 Alaskan Way, Pier 67, Seattle, 206.269.4575
    Szmania’s Restaurant - 3321 W. McGraw, Seattle, 206.284.7305
    Third Floor Fish Café - 205 Lake Street S. Kirkland, 425.822.3553
    Tulio - 1100 Fifth Ave., Seattle, 206.624.5500
    Wild Ginger - 1401 Third Ave., Seattle, 206.623.4450
    Yarrow Bay Grill or Café - 1270 Carillion Pt, Kirkland, 425.889.9052

Bon marché … bon appétit!

02/27/2007 | northwest, epicurean | No Comments

Invasive Tunicates Invade Our Waters

I was first introduced to invasive tunicates in an inverterbrate identification class I took with Janna Nichols this past October. Janna is considered by many of us local divers to be the area’s “genius” authority when it comes to underwater critters, and she has gotten quite a bit of press over the past year on two issues affecting local waters - one of which is the pervasiveness of invasive tunicates.

NPR interviewed Janna yesterday. I totally missed it, but NPR was kind enough to record it - ‘Sea Squirts’ Slime Puget Sound.

Visit the Pacific Northwest Critter Watcher’s Invasive Tunicates in Washington State page for more information on what they are, what you can do, and how you can learn more.

02/27/2007 | scuba, northwest | No Comments

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