It’s a Sparkler
Have you checked out Seattle Met’s Top 100 Washington Wines list yet (September 2013)?
Lauren Ashton Cellars via twitter.com

 

Get in Line
Can’t wait (“Introducing: Silvae of the Woods at Far 4,” Shop Talk, August 20, 2013)!
chezkatie via seattlemet.com

 

Tip of the Hat
Not sure if this counts as a row (“What Is Seattle’s Most Global Restaurant Row?” Nosh Pit, August 26, 2013), but what about the restaurants around the Center of the Universe area in Fremont aka 36th and Fremont Avenue North? Italian, Mediterranean, Asian fusion, BBQ, Japanese, Thai... This eclectic cluster at least deserves a nod in the most global row conversation.
DishcrawlSEA via seattlemet.com

 

Culinary World Tour
The Chinatown–International District is arguably more global than any of the neighborhoods you mention (“What Is Seattle’s Most Global Restaurant Row?” Nosh Pit, August 26, 2013). The ID has a host of excellent restaurants that serve food from at least 10 countries: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines, and multiple regions of China, as well as non-Asian nations (Greece, Mexico). It’s a terrific destination for people who want to experience the world within a few square blocks—and who don’t want to spend a day’s paycheck on a meal. 
Cara Bertron, Columbia City, via email

 

Truth in Advertising
I-522 doesn’t ask for food to be labeled (“Morning Fizz: Cash Download,” PubliCola, August 28, 2013), otherwise it would define what a “GMO Free” label would entail (like our current “Organic” designation). Instead, I-522 intends to codify in law a scary label like “Genetically Engineered” on the products without any description of what the modification is. Genetic engineering isn’t bad (most insulin is produced by it), but making a nonspecific bogeyman label out of it is insulting to anyone striving to use advanced science to solve real problems of crop yield, drought resistance, and pest infestation.
Anonymous via seattlemet.com 

 

Secrets and Surprises
The saddest thing of all is that the transgender announcement and associated circus (“Seattle Times Columnist ‘Bursts Out Laughing’ at Manning’s Gender Transition Announcement,” Publi-Cola, August 23, 2013) has deflected away attention from the political/ethical act of releasing classified information by Chelsea (née Bradley) Manning, which in my mind was mostly justified. Sexuality has nothing to do with any of that. Zero. It is a red herring, throw it back.
rain via seattlemet.com

 

Time to Teach
I’m with the teachers (“Back to the Drawing Board,” PubliCola, August 27, 2013).
Ashton Doyle via twitter.com

 

Fix Work, Not School
I am a 57-year-old childless woman who read Kathryn Robinson’s article (“The Summer Penalty,” June 2013) while accompanying the daughter of a friend to chemotherapy treatment. I was cheering, nodding and agreeing with so many of the points made, until I reached the final two paragraphs.

I am one of the original feminists Robinson mentions, and we didn’t all agree that workplaces could no longer be built on the assumption that someone’s home with the kids. We assumed, instead, that both parents would become involved in child care, and that there would be someone home with the children because the job would be shared by two parents rather than one. Though women have made it into the workforce, men haven’t made it out and into an equitable share of the responsibilities of having children.

Then the last paragraph: “School schedules fixed to match work schedules? Bring it.” School as babysitter. Instead of finding different solutions that allow women to work and children to get an education (not a place to go), we’re simply going to change the school schedule to match today’s capitalist work schedules, and children will suffer the consequences.

And so will the schools and teachers you hope will pick up the slack.

I hold no particular brief for the nine-, or 10- or even 12-month school year. Heaven knows that the reasons the school year was first established had little to do with education. 

But relieving parents of figuring out how to care for their children by dumping it on the schools? That will make equitable workplaces real? No, women need to grow the balls you mentioned and make demands. It is the workplace, not the schoolyard, that needs to change. If children matter so much, get out there and make the workplace different.
Julie Wochos via email

 

Monkee See
Love you for this, Erica (“Still Daydream Believing: A Q&A with the Monkees’ Micky Dolenz,” Culture Fiend, August 15, 2013)!
lindami via seattlemet.com

 

Monkees 4 Life
I’ve been a fan since the beginning, and it nearly broke my heart when Davy Jones died (“Still Daydream Believing: A Q&A with the Monkees’ Micky Dolenz,” Culture Fiend, August 15, 2013). 
deadrose23 via seattlemet.com

 

Complete Health Care
I was so pleased to see multiple types of health care providers included in your Top Doctors and Nurses issue (August 2013). I am a nurse practitioner and work at a primary care clinic that has been owned and operated by nurse practitioners for over 20 years. I love what I do and I believe nurse practitioners, doctors, physician assistants, naturopathic doctors, and other types of providers play a key role in being part of a complete health care team. The bottom line is we all care about people and want to help them. Your inclusive approach is visionary. Great job.
Kristi Farrell, Bothell, via email

Published: October 2013