As the holidays continue to sneak up on us all, it always makes me think of people that will not get the chance to have a relaxing holiday with the ones they love.
On the same token, it also makes me think of all the people who dedicate their lives to helping others.

Last night, I got the opportunity to get together with a large group of people who are always helping others. Last night was the WACDL ball. WACDL, which stands for the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, is, well just that, an association for criminal defense lawyers.

However, one person especially stood out at this event, Teresa Mathis. Mathis is the WACDL executive director and gives countless hours to this organization.

Last night she was awarded for her work.

“Without her, we would be nothing,” said current president Kevin Curtis.
Teresa organizes everything for the WACDL, she is like a mother and friends to hundreds of attorneys.

WACDL is celebrating its’ 20th anniversary this year and Teresa has been there for it all.

“The best thing I ever did as president,” said Richard Hansen, the first WACDL president, “was hire Teresa…lets toast to another 20 years.”

It is nice to see people who have interests that are on a bigger picture than their personal needs.

Great work Teresa!

Until next time,

C

I’ve been an animal lover my whole life. So, when I found a special, non-profit organization, dedicated to saving the lives of un-lucky dogs, I knew I had come across a gem.

Ginger Luke, founder of Ginger’s Pet Rescue, specializing in “death row” dogs, has dedicated countless amounts of time and energy to saving the dogs.

Death row dogs are dogs that are in shelters, and would be euthanized if they could not find a home. It is not because they are bad dogs, but usually they are old or the shelter is just too full. Ginger finds these dogs “forever homes.”

“It’s all about a miracle,” she said in response to finding the dogs the perfect home in time.

Ginger posts the dogs and their story on petfinder.com and has an extensive application process to get them all good homes.

So far, Ginger’s Pet Rescue has saved over 500 dogs.

So next time you’re looking for the perfect pet (I know all the Seattleites are pet lovers), consider saving a dog’s life. I assure you, they will be grateful.

Until next time,

C

As many of the true Seattleites know, we don’t take our coffee lightly. And we shouldn’t. An entire culture has been built out of a love for coffee and the people who have perfected the craft. A good barista is like a good pair of jeans, you hold on to him or her as long as you can.

Maki Campbell, Northwest Regional Barista Championship, Second Place winner brings a lot to the table when making that double-tall skinny latte, heavy on the foam. A barista for Seattle’s wonderful Zoka Coffee Roaster & Tea, Campbell offers that extra something to add to Zoka’s already amazing coffee. As an ex-barista myself, it is always good to know that the people making your coffee know what they are doing.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters and The American Barista and Coffee School hosted the event. The Competition is judged on a 15-minute interval. Each barista is given time to 12 drinks (4 espressos, 4 cappuccinos and 4 signature drinks).

Campbell works in the University Zoka’s and can make one of her award winning drinks anytime you feel the need for a pick-me-up coupled with some cozy studying in the café. University Zoka’s is located behind the University Village at, 2901 NE Blakeley Street.


Until next time,

C

Most people would agree that a hotdog and a ballgame go hand-in-hand. Even those people who don’t eat meat (me included) find themselves yearning after the oddly delicious smell of the processed meat. What might not seem so natural is a hotdog coupled with high-end shopping.

University Village, in Seattle, WA, is known for its high-end shops and its overpowering population of upper-class middle-aged women. So where do the hotdogs fit in?

Well, they are nestled in the heart of the village between Pasta & Co. and Ralph Lauren’s Rugby.

The man bringing the game to the village is Allen “the hotdog guy”.

He makes it a point to be acquainted with the employees of the village, as he is a frequent lunch stop for many.

The selection is impressive for the size of the cart; he even has chicken-dogs.

So, as it is the off-season for the baseball games, perhaps a great alternative to the stadium may be University Village. And, after dropping a considerable amount of money on that newest pair of designer jeans, a hotdog, a complete meal at under $10, looks that much more appetizing.

Until next time,

C

I went to Pike Place Market to grab some cheese from DeLaurenti’s Specialty Food & Wine. I got a new CD.

It was about three o’clock and I had intended to make it a quick trip and get back home before the University of Washington football game ended and the traffic ran like a pack of wild dogs. 

As I was walking through the market, headed for the cheese, I began to hear the calming dong of the piano. It had a singsong feel, the music danced around itself.

I could not see where the music was coming from at first because the walkway was so crowded with patrons of the market.

I decided to step outside and have a look around.

Right away I spotted the man and his piano. He had an unmistakable look, half-hidden behind his slightly worn, upright piano. A large, graying ponytail, pulled loosely behind his neck, his face was warm and he was bundled up, to stay warm on the brisk day.

He was located right across the street from Beecher’s cheese.

I went over to hear more of the song.

When I approached the piano there were several people crowded around. One woman was purchasing a CD and asked if she could take his picture.

“Go ahead,” he said, welcoming the woman’s interest

His name is Jonny Hahn, a pianist who has “been playing since he was a very young boy.”

I was inquiring about his music and learned that not only was he a musician, he incorporated political messages into many of his CD’s.

He told the lady taking his picture that not all of his music was political.

“Some people just want the music, they don’t want my political input,” he said.

She said she would take one of the political CDs, as did I.

When I got back to my car, I put in my new CD and listened to it for a while (I didn’t beat the football traffic).

The music was intriguing and the lyrics were interesting and informative, with a bit of a comedic tone.

So next time you are in the mood for politics with a beat, take a trip down to the market and look for the man with a piano, Jonny Hahn, and allow your ears to dance along with the message.

Until next time,

C 

It was a trip like any other, walking aimlessly around, having pointless conversation and taking in the general charm of the environment.

The destination: Greenlake, Washington.

My parents had come up for the day with my dog, Cleo. She’s quite an energetic bundle so we thought we would let her run around Greenlake for a while. Plus, my mom had never been there.

So off we went, to the lake.

Upon arrival, it seemed like a normal day. The runners, the walkers, the rollerbladers and the occasional angry mother, pushing her stroller over the dividing-line for “feet” and “wheels.”

We began our walk with Cleo in the lead, determined to say “hello” to every member of her species she could spot. We stayed on the path for a good portion of the stroll, when Cleo decided she needed a break. After realizing Cleo was thirsty, my dad found a side-trail that looped closer to the lake so she could have a drink.

This is where the trip got exciting.

We were almost to the edge of the lake when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a bird dive-bomb a lady’s head. I immediately let out a little giggle (which of course she heard) and quickly asked if she was ok. I later learned that I probably did not have the expertise to answer this question.

“Oh yes, I’m fine,” she assured me. “This guy gets a little territorial from time to time.”

Now I was intrigued, was this bird a…friend?

It turns out, he was. After talking with her for a while I found out that she is well acquainted with many of the birds that reside in this loop and she comes out everyday to feed them.

She explained to me she couldn’t even walk the lake without getting bombarded.

“I have to wear a hat,” she said, warning me about the sharpness of their feet. “And if I don’t have seeds and bread, they are not happy.”

As my family and I continued our walk she stayed with us for a bit, wanting to learn as much as she could about Cleo. She knew right away that Cleo was not a regular, telling me that she could recognize most dogs that are there on a daily basis.

As we parted ways I saw her return to her loop and coax the birds out of their hiding. As it turned out, what was a completely normal day at the lake for her, made my trip quite exceptional.

So, next time you’re at the lake, put on your hard-hat and keep your eyes open for the birds, and their devout friend with the bread.

Until next time,

C

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